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Scratchbuilding a side discharge rotary snow plow

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Posted by Overmod on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 9:56 PM

If I'm not mistaken, not all 'USB' cables have all the data lines -- some are for charging only.

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Posted by tstage on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 7:57 PM

Dave,

So you don't get any sort of pop up asking you how you want to access your phone after you've physically connected your phone to the computer using the USB cable?  You want the Type A cable end to attach to your computer and whatever connector end (e.g. Type B micro or Type C) that fits your phone.

Tom

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Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

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Posted by hon30critter on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 6:44 PM

tstage
Are you using a USB cable?  Or, are you using wi-fi? With it linked, can you see/access any of the files on your phone from your computer?

Hi Tom,

2. I am using a USB cable.

3. I can't access any of my phone files from the computer.

Am I using the wrong cable?

Thanks,

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by tstage on Tuesday, November 1, 2022 9:47 AM

AEP528

Here's what I do:

  1. Connect iPhone to computer
  2. Unlock iPhone
  3. Select "Allow" access to photos and videos
  4. Open Windows Explorer
  5. Click on Apple iPhone, Internal Storage, DCIM
  6. Click to open the folder with the year/month I want
  7. Drag the photo or video I want to my PC

It doesn't require any additional software, and it would be even easier on a Mac. When I get a chance, I'll try it on an Android device, it's probably just as easy.

AEP528,

From my initial post on this page, it looks like the steps are essentially identical - except there is no need to unlock anything on Android.

Tom

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Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

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Posted by AEP528 on Tuesday, November 1, 2022 8:28 AM

Here's what I do:

  1. Connect iPhone to computer
  2. Unlock iPhone
  3. Select "Allow" access to photos and videos
  4. Open Windows Explorer
  5. Click on Apple iPhone, Internal Storage, DCIM
  6. Click to open the folder with the year/month I want
  7. Drag the photo or video I want to my PC

It doesn't require any additional software, and it would be even easier on a Mac. When I get a chance, I'll try it on an Android device, it's probably just as easy.

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Posted by hon30critter on Tuesday, November 1, 2022 7:38 AM

tstage
How did you successfully get your iPhone and computer linked together? 

Hi Tom,

I wish that my wee brain was capable of remembering every step that I took, but it simply isn't. What I did was to remove the Direct Link app from my phone and my computer, and then I restarted both the phone and the computer, and then I installed the Phone Link programs on both devices again.

After that both devices said that they were linked. Then I found the video that I wanted to transfer from my phone to the computer, and supposedly the transfer was successful. However, when I went to find the transferred file on the computer it was nowhere to be found, and believe me, I spent a lot of time searching.

I'm going to leave this situation alone for a while. This, along with the number of repairs that I have had to do to the plow after the Testors ELO paint stripping disaster, and a couple of occurances in my personal life, have left me very depressed. Some of you will know that I suffer from severe depression, and currently the meds are barely working.Grumpy

I'm going to work on some simpler aspects of the plow for a while.

Regards,

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by tstage on Tuesday, November 1, 2022 5:38 AM

Hi Dave,

Just trying to fill in the missing information and double-checking...

  1. How did you successfully get your iPhone and computer linked together? 
  2. Are you using a USB cable?  Or, are you using wi-fi?
  3. With it linked, can you see/access any of the files on your phone from your computer?

If you can elaborate a bit on what you've done so far to link your iPhone and computer and the steps you've taken to try to migrate the sound file to your computer, that would help others help you troubleshoot the remaining obstacles keeping you from successfully doing that.

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

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Posted by hon30critter on Tuesday, November 1, 2022 12:33 AM

Thanks for all the offers of help!

Tonight I managed to get my iPhone and my computer linked, or at least that's what the phone says. However, I still can't figure out how to transfer the files from the phone to the computer. I'm getting a message that says I need to have Bluetooth on my computer in order to make a phone call from it, but I could care less about that option. All I want to do is transfer a video.

I have paused my efforts for the night.

Cheers!!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by PM Railfan on Monday, October 31, 2022 4:39 PM

Hey Dave) I understand your having some puter problems, more specifically - trying to move some files around. I believe I can help you there. Contact me via email (addy is in my profile) after your frustration level reurns to normal.

Many ways to do what your trying to do. 

 

Douglas #2

 

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Posted by Overmod on Monday, October 31, 2022 4:08 PM

Dave, does your phone support a flash memory chip?

Save the files to the chip, then take it out of the phone and use a plug-in chip reader to make the files accessible to the computer.

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Posted by richhotrain on Monday, October 31, 2022 12:23 PM

Hi Dave,

I, for one, understand your frustration, but give my suggestion a try when you are in the mood. It just may work...or not.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by hon30critter on Monday, October 31, 2022 8:27 AM

tstage
What does a website and Google have anything to do with the transfer??? 

You tell me! All I am trying to do is follow the instructions for linking my phone to my computer, and nothing seems to work. I am very very frustrated right now so I have chosen to leave the whole attempt alone until I have gotten over my frustration. Don't get me wrong. I really appreciate all of the help that you have offered, but for now my patience is exhausted.

I would like to say 'Cheers!!' but I am not in the mood.Grumpy

Regards,

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by richhotrain on Monday, October 31, 2022 5:30 AM

tstage
 
hon30critter
Thanks for sharing that method. Unfortunately I can't get my Android phone to cooperate. When I try to link to the website I get an error message from Google telling me to try again. I have been working on transferring the recording for more than two hours. 

Dave,

I guess I'm the one "missing something" here.  You recorded the sound file on your phone, yes?  You want to move that file from your phone to your computer, yes?  What does a website and Google have anything to do with the transfer??? Tongue Tied

Thanks,

Tom

I can transfer files with ease from my iPhone to my PC laptop, but that does not help you with your Android phone.

From what I read, you can use your Google Account or a USB cable to move photos, music, and other files between your phone and your computer.

Again from what I read, using the USB cable that came with your smartphone is probably the easiest way to connect and transfer files to your PC computer. If you cannot transfer files from your Android to your PC this way, File Transfer may be  disabled on your Android phone.

To move files with a USB cable, first unlock your phone. With a USB cable, connect your phone to your computer. On your phone, tap the "Charging this device via USB" notification. Under "Use USB for," select File Transfer. A file transfer window will open on your computer. Use it to drag files.When you're done, eject your phone from Windows and unplug the USB cable.

I have no way to test this approach, but you have nothing to lose if you try it. 

Good luck!

Rich

 

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Posted by tstage on Monday, October 31, 2022 4:32 AM

hon30critter
Thanks for sharing that method. Unfortunately I can't get my Android phone to cooperate. When I try to link to the website I get an error message from Google telling me to try again. I have been working on transferring the recording for more than two hours.

Dave,

I guess I'm the one "missing something" here.  You recorded the sound file on your phone, yes?  You want to move that file from your phone to your computer, yes?  What does a website and Google have anything to do with the transfer??? Tongue Tied

Thanks,

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

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Posted by hon30critter on Monday, October 31, 2022 3:01 AM

I have been using the Cumbres and Toltec rotary snow plow train as inspiration for my snow plow. The C & T train has a few cars in addition to the locomotives and the plow. There is a water tank car and what looks like a tool car and a crew car, and a caboose.

I went looking through my stash of cars and I found a perfect tanker for conversion to snow plow use. It is a P2K 8,000 gallon Type 21 riveted tank car in Shell livery. The car has all of the usual P2K failings like warped handrails and fragile everything, but all of that can be easily remedied with some 0.0125" phosphor bronze wire. It looks like it should be fairly easy to sand off the 'SHELL' logos and the specification lettering without damaging the rivet detail. I think I will decal it for the early Canadian Pacific since it was the CP that tested the plow.

I also have a very old Walthers work train set that will provide the tool car and the crew car, hopefully without much modification. I have a couple of Round House wood sided caboose kits which will fit the bill nicely too.

Next step is to paint the shell and the frame (again!Grumpy).

Cheers!!

Dave

 

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by hon30critter on Monday, October 31, 2022 1:10 AM

tstage
I don't know what phone or computer you are using but you might be able to drag the sound file directly off your phone onto your computer. 

Hi Tom,

Thanks for sharing that method. Unfortunately I can't get my Android phone to cooperate. When I try to link to the website I get an error message from Google telling me to try again. I have been working on transferring the recording for more than two hours. I'll have another go at it tomorrow.

Hi Brent,

I'm not in any hurry to work with the sound files, so there is no urgency. I would prefer to use the method that you offer because the sound will be much cleaner than what I can get off my phone. If I use my phone recording I will have to do it again because the furnace fan was running right behind me when I did the first recordings.

Thanks to both of you for offering to help.

Cheers!!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by BATMAN on Sunday, October 30, 2022 11:53 PM

You likely already have some sort of editor on your computer as well. 

It will be a while until our room is empty, if you have no success I can give it a go when we are up and running.

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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Posted by tstage on Sunday, October 30, 2022 11:22 PM

hon30critter
I did try to use my cell phone but I still couldn't get the recording on to the computer. The phone said that the files were too large to email, and it offered an option to reduce them which I did, but I still couldn't get the files into a video editor. I'm sure I'm missing something.

Dave,

I don't know what phone or computer you are using but you might be able to drag the sound file directly off your phone onto your computer.  Keep in mind that the description below works for an Android phone and Windows computer.  I don't know if it will work for Mac...

  1. Plug your USB charging cable into one of your computer's USB ports
  2. Attach your phone to the charging cable
  3. You should/might see a small pop-up window on the right side of your monitor asking how you want to access your phone - Choose "Open folder"
  4. A File Explorer pop-up window will come up showing you the "Internal storage" and any SD card you have attached to your phone
  5. Double-click which one of the two you stored your recorded sound file on then navigate through your folders until you locate the file.  You can also use Windows to perform a search if don't remember exactly where it is.
  6. Once you locate the sound file, drag it directly onto your computer desktop from your phone...or, right click the file and copy & paste it onto your desktop

I do this all the time with my Android phone and it makes moving/copying files between my computer & phone VERY convenient.  And file size is NO concern so you won't need to reduce/compress the size of the file.  It's just like moving files around on your computer.

HTH,

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

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Posted by BATMAN on Sunday, October 30, 2022 10:52 PM

hon30critter
The phone said that the files were too large to email

Were you trying to move the file with Wifi? If you plug your phone into the computer it should go.

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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Posted by hon30critter on Sunday, October 30, 2022 10:10 PM

BATMAN
Dave, I have a pretty good sound system in the theatre room and some really good microphones for recording me playing music. I just went to do a trial recording of what you want off of Youtube and the room is full of furniture as we are doing Renos. I am now curious to try and record those sounds and see how it turns out.

Hi Brent,

If you were able to provide me with a recording that would be fabulous! Very kind of you to offer to try.

I did try to use my cell phone but I still couldn't get the recording on to the computer. The phone said that the files were too large to email, and it offered an option to reduce them which I did, but I still couldn't get the files into a video editor. I'm sure I'm missing something.

Thanks,

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by BATMAN on Sunday, October 30, 2022 12:46 PM

Dave, I have a pretty good sound system in the theatre room and some really good microphones for recording me playing music.Laugh I just went to do a trial recording of what you want off of Youtube and the room is full of furniture as we are doing Renos.Sigh I am now curious to try and record those sounds and see how it turns out. I have a couple of 18" sub-woofers that go down to 16hz, not sure if that would help make things better or not. I don't think it would make any difference as the sound still comes out of a tiny speaker in the end.

At some point, I may be able to send you a sound file recording done with a mic, or better yet someone else more qualified than me (that would be anyone) might be able to help you out.

I have sent guitar tracks to people with great success so it is possible.

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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Posted by BATMAN on Sunday, October 30, 2022 12:04 PM

hon30critter
I have been pounding my head trying to figure out why I couldn't get the YouTube recording of the Cumbres and Toltec rotary snow plow to transfer to my computer. It finally dawned on that the recording might be protected.

That's why I suggested using your phone to record the sound. Depending on your computer's speakers and the quality of your phone there will be some degradation in quality, however, given it will be played through a tiny little speaker you won't notice.

I had made inquiries into downloading off Youtube in the past, but was told it is very difficult to do.

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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Posted by hon30critter on Sunday, October 30, 2022 5:28 AM

I have been pounding my head trying to figure out why I couldn't get the YouTube recording of the Cumbres and Toltec rotary snow plow to transfer to my computer. It finally dawned on that the recording might be protected.

Tonight I sent the authors of the video a request to see if they would share the recording with me. I'm quite willing to pay them for their work, so we shall see where that goes.

Cheers!!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by hon30critter on Sunday, October 30, 2022 5:22 AM

I went back at the rivet decals and I think I have all of them installed!! I took a chance and sealed them with a very light coat of Testors Dull Cote which hopefully won't react negatively with the colour coat. I used the Testors because it was in a spray can and I was too tired and lazy to apply a proper coat of primer with my airbrush.Sigh I'll give it a few days to set before finishing the paint job.

I may have to change colours because I am almost out of the Rapido Proto Paint CPR Mineral Brown Boxcar colour. I have a full bottle of Proto Paint Boxcar Red #1 which is only a bit lighter than what I have been using.

Cheers!!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by hon30critter on Saturday, October 29, 2022 9:29 PM

I got a bunch more rivet decals applied tonight but my hands started to shake so that put an end to the decaling. There isn't much left to do fortunately.

I'm going to go back to playing with the sounds for the decoder.

Cheers!!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by hon30critter on Saturday, October 29, 2022 2:01 AM

BATMAN
If all else fails record the sound off Youtube with your phone and you have a file.

Okay, I get it! Then all I have to do is glue the phone to the side of the plow and play the sound track! Easy peasy!!Smile, Wink & GrinLaughLaughLaughClown

Seriously, FWIW I did copy several sections of the YouTube video to my computer, but I can't find them!Bang HeadDunceGrumpy

I am going to explore the instructions on how to transfer sounds to a Loksound V5 decoder using my LokProgrammer. There may be some insight there.

On another note, I decided to reorder the name decals for the plow. The first set was a bit too large and too bold. I only ordered a 2" x 3" sheet this time with just four copies of the logo so it wasn't very expensive.

Right now I'm going to go back to the rivet decals.

Cheers!!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by BATMAN on Friday, October 28, 2022 2:44 PM

hon30critter
I am an idiot when it comes to creating files. If anyone wants to offer any suggestions on how to save a sound file from a YouTube video, it would be greatly appreciated.

I am also an idiot when it comes to such things, makes me wonder who the real father of my children is.Laugh If all else fails record the sound off Youtube with your phone and you have a file.

Brent

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Posted by hon30critter on Thursday, October 27, 2022 3:13 AM

I got more rivet decals installed but it will take a few more days to complete the job. I'm getting better at not fouling up recently applied decals before they have dried (slow learner eh!).

Tonight I also had a look at the truck power connections and I realized that where I had mounted the front truck disconnect socket would interfere with the truck swing so I tore all of that out and cleared more space in the frame to accommodate the plugs. Fortunately the epoxy I used never got really hard so it was easy to remove. Of course one of the wires broke so I am going to start from scratch with the new plugs. No big deal!

A few days ago I made several recordings of the Cumbres and Toltec rotary snow plow in operation in the hopes that I could transfer those files onto a Loksound V5. Do you think I can find those recordings anywhere on my computer? Nope!Bang HeadBang HeadBang Head I'm actually not surprised because I am an idiot when it comes to creating files. If anyone wants to offer any suggestions on how to save a sound file from a YouTube video, it would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by hon30critter on Tuesday, October 25, 2022 8:01 AM

I have made more progress on the rivet decals, but as I said, I'm taking my time. I plan on applying the rivet decals to one side of the front blades and then coating them with the Alclad II primer that was suggested I believe by DoctorWayne (sorry if I have that wrong).

Cheers!!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by hon30critter on Monday, October 24, 2022 3:57 AM

First, please allow me to say thank you to all of the people who are following this thread. We are getting almost 100 views per day! I am truly honoured that there is so much interest in my snow plow (or perhaps more accurately, so much entertainment in my seemingly constant floundering).

I have restarted the process of applying the rivet decals. I'm going to take my time so that I don't mess up the already applied decals when I am installing the new ones like I did the first time. I am following the Microscale instructions faithfully by applying a coat of Micro Set first, then applying the decals, and finally finishing with a coat or two of Micro Sol. So far, so good.

The frame rebuild is pretty much complete. I will apply a new set of brake components before I paint the frame.

Cheers!!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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