I would gladly turn cats loose in my train room. They could do something about my real problem. Mice. I have a crawl space next to my train room and it seems to be infested with mice. I see their droppings (#1 and #2) all over my layout and I am constantly having to clean up for them. I put mice bait in all the places they seem to congregate and they eat it but seem to multiply faster than I can kill them. The reason I don't have cats is I have three dogs and I'm afraid of what might happen to the cats if I were to take in one or two.
hjQi Doughless select the one that comes to you and rubs and shows affection, even in the cage. Hi Douglas, Thanks for the tip on selecting kitten/cat. I also heard what your wife said. Very good suggestion. Thanks! Jerry
Doughless select the one that comes to you and rubs and shows affection, even in the cage.
Hi Douglas,
Thanks for the tip on selecting kitten/cat. I also heard what your wife said. Very good suggestion. Thanks!
Jerry
If you are serious about it, there are different breeds of cats with different personalities. Not so much like dogs, but there are differences.
I think Siamese are known to be "vocal". Meow a lot.
Maine Coons are calmer, like ours. Maybe because they are bigger they have a less squirrelly and skittish personality?
Calmer would be good for trains.
- Douglas
Hello All,
I sent a HO 70-ton engine back to Bachmann for repair.
The technician had some questions.
When I returned his call the first question was, "Do you have a cat?"
Apparently, the cat hair had gotten wound around the axle and fouled the path between the wheels and the electrical wipers/pickups.
When I got the unit back it ran well for a few weeks and then the same thing happened.
I cleaned out the wheels and knew I had to do something, either the cat or the pike!
After careful consideration, I decided...I needed more equipment...
In the video, you can see the yellow Dapol Motorized track cleaner. These are available here in North America.
Yes, it's an expensive unit but well worth the price.
As an option, it can be converted to DCC so the impeller speed of the vacuum can be controlled by a DCC cab.
Overheating the motor will result in the wheel pickup springs blowing out. This is a design feature/failure that acts as a "fuse".
I run it "vacuum forward" so the track sponge is trailing. This runs ahead of a pusher unit.
"Motorized" refers to the vacuum function and not that it can move under its own power.
The vacuum function keeps the cat hair at bay and the track cleaning sponge, fed by the fluid reservoir, does a fair job on the rails.
I added an A-line Track Cleaner Kit to a transfer caboose. It runs behind the pusher unit or at the end of a train.
The masonite pad absorbs excess track cleaning fluid and polishes the railheads. It can be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol.
The cat still tries to sit on the pike but a consist of four (4) GP40s now keeps her off the tracks.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
John-NYBWThe reason I don't have cats is I have three dogs and I'm afraid of what might happen to the cats if I were to take in one or two.
The cats would probably be arrested for meowing the dogs.
Mouse bait doesn't work. The mice will just carry it away and die in an inaccessible spot and the smell will be awful.
I would recommend one of the traps that looks like this: where the mouse has to enter to get the bait. We had one of the traditional traps but the mouse was smarter and managed to get the bait w/o springing the trap.
I wouldn't recommend one of the "humane" types. Woman up the street had one of those and made her husband take the captured mice back into the woods and release them. I believe that the mice made it back to the house before he got back.
hjQi ATLANTIC CENTRAL they have NEVER had access to the train room. Sheldon, how did you do that? I would image we may sometime forget to close the door to the train room. Jerry
ATLANTIC CENTRAL they have NEVER had access to the train room.
Sheldon, how did you do that? I would image we may sometime forget to close the door to the train room.
At my previous home, the train room was a 1000 sq ft space above a detached 6 car garage/workshop. It had a door at the top of the steps, the cats were seldom in the garage, and they did not like the open steps.
At the new house, the train room is a 1500 sq foot basement, the only entrance to the basement is inside the attached garage. Unlike our previous cats, the current cat is not allowed outdoors, and is actually afraid to go in the garage. And there is a door at the bottom of the steps.
Sheldon
Strongly give that idea a big thumbs down. Beside the possible damage to your model railroad, consider the problems created in your home. Family member decided to rescue several cats/ kittens. They climb all over everything including kitchen counters and tables. Hair is everywhere including the beds. The stench from the litter trays is horrible even though they are in basement. A Christmas tree is impossible as they will climb and topple it over. I got sucked into feeding and cleaning up for a week while family member went on vacation.....never again. Putting my experience out here....choose wisely.
ATLANTIC CENTRALthe train room is a 1500 sq foot basement,
This is my dream basement, Sheldon!
EMDSD40Hair is everywhere including the beds. The stench from the litter trays is horrible even though they are in basement. A Christmas tree is impossible as they will climb and topple it over.
That is another concern my family members have... Thanks for sharing!
maxman John-NYBW The reason I don't have cats is I have three dogs and I'm afraid of what might happen to the cats if I were to take in one or two. The cats would probably be arrested for meowing the dogs. Mouse bait doesn't work. The mice will just carry it away and die in an inaccessible spot and the smell will be awful. I would recommend one of the traps that looks like this: where the mouse has to enter to get the bait. We had one of the traditional traps but the mouse was smarter and managed to get the bait w/o springing the trap. I wouldn't recommend one of the "humane" types. Woman up the street had one of those and made her husband take the captured mice back into the woods and release them. I believe that the mice made it back to the house before he got back.
John-NYBW The reason I don't have cats is I have three dogs and I'm afraid of what might happen to the cats if I were to take in one or two.
I really don't care where the mice go to die. As long as they do. I've actually had a few die on the layout. It looks like a scene from a 1950s sci-fi movie where a town is invaded by giant rats.
I've seen those traps and it might be good if you just have a few mice but when there are as many as I seem to have, that would get expensive. I buy the blocks of bait that go into those traps by the bagful. I'll take a hand full of them and toss them into the opening in the basement wall that leads to the crawl space. Then I place them in strategic locations where I know the mice travel. Within a week, the block will be gone and hopefully all the mice that took a bite out of it.
hjQi ATLANTIC CENTRAL the train room is a 1500 sq foot basement, This is my dream basement, Sheldon! Jerry
ATLANTIC CENTRAL the train room is a 1500 sq foot basement,
Well, move to the Mid Atlantic. Nearly ever 1500 sq ft house comes with a 1500 sq ft basement around here.
When my wife and I decided to adopt a cat 11 years ago I too was worried about my trains. I have a N scale layout inside a Ikea coffee table. The table has a glass top but the sides were exposed when I bought it. I ended up enclosing the sides with removable plexiglass:
Here's a view from above, with the glass removed:
From time to time our cat likes to lay on the top of the glass, and look down at all the "little people", but he has yet to damage the plexiglass sides. He has grown to be indifferent about the trains running, and really the only issue I've had is making sure he's sleeping in the other room when I have to remove the glass top.
Jeff
John-NYBW The reason I don't have cats is I have three dogs and I'm afraid of what might happen to the cats if I were to take in one or two
Most cats can take care of the dogs.
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
EMDSD40The stench from the litter trays is horrible even though they are in basement.
I have not had that problem since 30 years ago when they invented clumping litter.
groundeffectslook down at all the "little people", but he has yet to damage the plexiglass sides
He must feel very good about seeing little people there as vs reality... I like your cute little layout!
My basedment is filled with many other stuff... I am waiting for my sons going to college so that I can kick their stuff out....
hjQi My basedment is filled with many other stuff... I am waiting for my sons going to college so that I can kick their stuff out....
My youngest child is 37, and I'm not storing any of their stuff.
BroadwayLionMost cats can take care of the dogs.
My sons and I love animal kingdoms.... Seems cats are stronger than your dogs...
mlehmanNot real often.
haha. That is also I figured.... But it must be fun if they like trains...
My guess is Shelton can help about how to let cats hekp dogs.... But I agree that having both dogs and cats might be too heavy on my family....
maxmanWoman up the street had one of those and made her husband take the captured mice back into the woods and release them
That is interesting... Very few people like mice.... I am scared by mice..
Doughless think Siamese are known to be "vocal". Meow a lot. Maine Coons are calmer, like ours. Maybe because they are bigger they have a less squirrelly and skittish personality?
This is very good to know.... Thanks, Douglas!
jjdamnitIn the video, you can see the yellow Dapol Motorized track cleaner. These are available here in North America.
This is truly helpful! Many thanks!!
ATLANTIC CENTRALMy youngest child is 37, and I'm not storing any of their stuff.
My youngest is only 11.... he has a big pingpong table for his robotics stuff...I have a long way to go....
hjQi John-NYBW The reason I don't have cats is I have three dogs and I'm afraid of what might happen to the cats if I were to take in one or two. My guess is Shelton can help about how to let cats hekp dogs.... But I agree that having both dogs and cats might be too heavy on my family....
I have never had a pet that was actually mine. The cat belongs to my wife, she had cats when I met her.
I don't do pets, especially not dogs, I admit, I am entirely too self involved to have a pet. At least the children grew up and movd out, and I can spoil the grandchildren and then send them home....being a grandparent is way more fun than being a parent was......
Cats are an ok pet for non pet people like me, open the cans, clean the litter, they are pretty low maintenence - unlike dogs.
I admire the dedicaton of all you dog lovers - but I just don't get that warm fuzzy feeling......
When I had my first cat Chessie, he use to love to curl up on the basement stairs to watch me and the trains. He never bothered them. He'd just relax on the steps and watch. He even loved the Lionel train in the living room when I had it down there. He'd follow it around the living room, and when it went behind the couch, he would run around to the other end to wait for it to follow it around the living room again.
Kevin
http://chatanuga.org/RailPage.html
http://chatanuga.org/WLMR.html
ATLANTIC CENTRALAt least the children grew up and movd out, and I can spoil the grandchildren and then send them home....being a grandparent is way more fun than being a parent was......
I so look forward to it. But I may regret when it becomes true....
chatanugahe use to love to curl up on the basement stairs to watch me and the trains. He never bothered them
Another evidence of male cats. You Cheesie is so cool. Maybe name matter...
hjQi Hi all, I have been thinking for a while to get one or two kittens/cats. My biggest concern is that the kittens/cats may ruin the locos and cars on my layout as they are so curious... What is your experience? Do you have kittens/cats? How would you prevent them from touching your cars on your layout? I am seirously considering to have two kittens but I am worried about my trains... Jerry
Hi all,
I have been thinking for a while to get one or two kittens/cats. My biggest concern is that the kittens/cats may ruin the locos and cars on my layout as they are so curious... What is your experience? Do you have kittens/cats? How would you prevent them from touching your cars on your layout? I am seirously considering to have two kittens but I am worried about my trains...
My cat is part Maine Coon cat so he is good sized. (12.4 pounds in November at 15 months old and he has most likely gotten heavier. From chest to the end of his tail he's 30 inches long and the tail is about half that.) He even came to visit whilst I was typing this.) The one time he jumped on the layout when he strolled into the garage he got yelled at and jumped down. (I didn't have to move him.) Any more when he might come into the garage he stays on the floor. Most of the time, however, he doesn't even go outside as he hates most noise.
Growing up, we had cats and never saw a mouse. When I bought my first house years later, we had no pets, but we did find mice. We tried traps, but the mice remained a problem. Cheese did not work, but I found the most effective combination was the old reliable Victor spring trap baited with peanut butter. They couldn't carry it away.
I hated it when the ex-wife called in an exterminator. He used those poison things, and I always found them and threw them away. The mice would eat the poison and go somewhere to die in the walls of the house. They stunk for a couple of weeks before they dried out. The worst problem was when some larger animal got to one of the traps outside. It died somewhere under the deck, and was inaccessible without tearing the deck apart.
Now, we're in a house in Delaware. We have two cats and have never seen a mouse. The cats never brought us a gift, so I assume the mice avoid our house, or maybe the small predators like foxes and raccoons control them.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
MisterBeasleyThe cats never brought us a gift,
We had a cat when I was growing up. Always left us gifts. Generally was mouse's two hind legs and a tail.
MisterBeasleyNow, we're in a house in Delaware. We have two cats and have never seen a mouse. The cats never brought us a gift, so I assume the mice avoid our house, or maybe the small predators like foxes and raccoons control them.
My mother did not like animals in the house, but occassionally had to put up with them. I bought her a stone cat, she said "This was the kind of animal she wanted!"
So in their new house in PA, the only amimals she had were birds, and those were outside. Not to mention the neighbors pets, some deer and the occasional bear.
One neighbor cat would sit by the corner of the porch. A chipmonk was further out eating a nut or perhaps some of the fuit cores that dad threw out there to feed the sqirrils.
The cat ran for the chipmonk while the rodent ran for its hole at the apex of this triangle. This happened for two days only.
On the third day the cat ran not at the chiopmonk, but at the hole, and caught him.
I had some neighbors whose mother was an animal lover 2 horses, 4 dogs, 2 cats. She was also in failing health. When she passed her oldest son started giving the animals away. One of the cats came over to my property and was quickly surrounded by my three dogs on a pile of fallen timber. I rescued it by chasing the dogs away. He instantly took a liking to me and when I went out to do yard work he would come over. He'd even sit on my shoulder like a parrot while I did light yard work. I so wanted to take the cat in but I was afraid if I did, it would only be a matter of time before the dogs attacked it. Maybe the dogs would have learned to accept it but I was afraid to take the chance. My sister had cats growing up but I never had one of my own. To this day I wonder if I did the right thing by not taking it in. I hope it found a good home but I'll never know.
FRRYKid hjQi Hi all, I have been thinking for a while to get one or two kittens/cats. My biggest concern is that the kittens/cats may ruin the locos and cars on my layout as they are so curious... What is your experience? Do you have kittens/cats? How would you prevent them from touching your cars on your layout? I am seirously considering to have two kittens but I am worried about my trains... Jerry My cat is part Maine Coon cat so he is good sized. (12.4 pounds in November at 15 months old and he has most likely gotten heavier. From chest to the end of his tail he's 30 inches long and the tail is about half that.) He even came to visit whilst I was typing this.) The one time he jumped on the layout when he strolled into the garage he got yelled at and jumped down. (I didn't have to move him.) Any more when he might come into the garage he stays on the floor. Most of the time, however, he doesn't even go outside as he hates most noise.
Yep, your Maine Coon sounds similar to ours. A yelp could be a method of discipline, like a dog, not that we had to much.
There is the stereotype "fraidy cat" and "Cool cat". Ours was definitiely the latter.
Since he was bigger, and the layout benchwork was a pretty high 50 inches, I figured it was just too much physical exertion for him to bother, and little interest in the frst place.
I got the feeling he thought it was just so uncool to exert oneself like that when you could be basking on the sunlit carpet licking your paws.
DoughlessSince he was bigger, and the layout benchwork was a pretty high 50 inches, I figured it was just too much physical exertion for him to bother, and little interest in the frst place.
I have thought tat a SERVAL would be the purrfeckt cat for the courtyard...
...except they do not tolerate winter too good.....
...and the can leap nine feet into the air to catch a bird on the wing.
Getting out of our courtyard awould be daunting to most cats since you must surtop threee storys, but she coul leap to the different roof levels with out trouble.
The serval has the longest legs of any cat in proportion to its body size. It can see above the tall grass, or it can hide in the tall grass.
(ROAR)
hjQi Hi all, I have been thinking for a while to get one or two kittens/cats. Jerry
I have been thinking for a while to get one or two kittens/cats.
Get two. They interact with each other and play together well. Get two cat boxes if you have the room. It keeps them busy when you leave for a few hours.
The GF has one of those little robotic vacuums that runs along the floor and sort-of cleans. The cats think it's great. I'm sure there is some logic to its bump-into-something-and-turn way of finding its way around the room, but it seems pretty random, like it has a mind of its own.
The cats don't attack it, just watch and follow it around.