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Posted by R. T. POTEET on Thursday, December 21, 2006 9:59 PM
 pcarrell wrote:

 R. T. POTEET wrote:
I am sure I am going to get beaten to death on this one and I should stay out of it.

UNIONPACIFIC4018, I have some bad news for you - the most à propos label which you can be apply to an N-Scale steamer is "dog".

Unless you are prepared to run double-headers - rare for steamers - you ain't gonna lug 30-40 freight cars up any kind of a grade.  Period, quote, and a report!!!!

NOTE: I know!!! Somebody out there has an N-Scale steamer which will lug 538 cars up an 18% grade!!! PLEASE!!! SPARE ME!!!

RT, why so negative all the time?

Double heading was very common in some areas of the country.

I model only steam in N scale and I'm quite happy with it.  I don't think I can muster 538 cars up an 18% grade, but I'd like to see ANY model loco in ANY scale do that!  My larger loco's do quite well hauling 20-25 cars up a 2% grade with little effort though, and that's good enough for me.  They run very well at a dead crawl with no cogging (i.e. they're very smooth), don't stall out all the time, and they look good I think.  They're very quiet too.

Perhaps your experience with N steam has not been as positive as mine.  I'm sorry that is the case because there are many excellent choices out there for steam in N.  The old days of N scale are disappearing quickly, and thank goodness!  Some of those older steamers WERE dogs!

My bigger concern though is why you seem so antagonistic in a lot of your posts.  Do you not mean to come off this way, and then you wonder why everyone is ganging up on you? 

Have you taken some vacation time lately?  Both from the hobby and from work?

Perhaps you might concider it.



Whatever!!!!

Oh, and by the way.  The proper spelling is c-o-n-S-i-d-e-r.

From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet

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Posted by NS2591 on Thursday, December 21, 2006 10:13 PM
There is a Website somewhere that has RR Texts on it, I lost the link when I switched computers, try google searching RR Fonts. I know I have the Santa Fe and Norfolk Southern fonts on my other computer.
Jay Norfolk Southern Forever!!
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Posted by R. T. POTEET on Thursday, December 21, 2006 10:16 PM
 nscaler711 wrote:

NOW R.T.POTEET I DONT MEAN TO BE RUDE SO BE QUIET AND STOP TICKING OF EVERY ONE ELSE ON THIS FORUM WE WERE FINE UNTIL YOU STARTED TALKING!!! SoapBox [soapbox]Banged Head [banghead]

Also on another note thanks for the picture on railpictures.net but thats not what i needed i need the font or santa fe's lettering  ex. comic sans MS  



Whatever!!!!

From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet

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Posted by nscaler711 on Thursday, December 21, 2006 10:30 PM

DUDE I SWEAR IF YOU DO NOT SHUT THE Censored [censored] UP WE'LL ALL HAVE PROBLEMS!!! I CAN BE AN NICE GUY BUT YOU DO NOT WANT TO TICK ME OFF!!! I wish everone else happy holidays.

Army National Guard E3
MOS 91B

I have multiple scales now
Z, N, HO, O, and G.  

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Posted by pcarrell on Thursday, December 21, 2006 10:34 PM

 R. T. POTEET wrote:

Whatever!!!!

Oh, and by the way.  The proper spelling is c-o-n-S-i-d-e-r.

I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to upset you.

And you're right, I missed that one when I proof read my post.

Guess that goes to prove I'm not perfect, huh?

Philip
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Posted by nscaler711 on Thursday, December 21, 2006 10:37 PM

dont appologize pcarrell he's being a butthead

Army National Guard E3
MOS 91B

I have multiple scales now
Z, N, HO, O, and G.  

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Posted by Dave Vollmer on Thursday, December 21, 2006 10:41 PM

Again, please, I'm calling for restraint.  We all lose if this thread gets locked out.  So let's knock off the threats, the spelling corrections, and all the other petty things that have nothing to do with N scale trains.

We're better than this.  If not, you should be in HO!Wink [;)]

Modeling the Rio Grande Southern First District circa 1938-1946 in HOn3.

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Posted by nscaler711 on Thursday, December 21, 2006 10:46 PM

Thank you dave im tired all i want to do is n scale not yell at RT but he does need to stop provoking others

 

question does any one have an proto 1000 sw8? i need help with mine it doesnt get enough electrical power 

Army National Guard E3
MOS 91B

I have multiple scales now
Z, N, HO, O, and G.  

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • From: THE FAR, FAR REACHES OF THE WILD, WILD WEST!
  • 3,672 posts
Posted by R. T. POTEET on Thursday, December 21, 2006 11:12 PM
 nscaler711 wrote:

DUDE I SWEAR IF YOU DO NOT SHUT THE Censored [censored] UP WE'LL ALL HAVE PROBLEMS!!! I CAN BE AN NICE GUY BUT YOU DO NOT WANT TO TICK ME OFF!!! I wish everone else happy holidays.



Whatever!!!!

From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: columbia mo
  • 194 posts
Posted by nscaler711 on Thursday, December 21, 2006 11:31 PM
Sign - Off Topic!! [#offtopic]Sign - Off Topic!! [#offtopic]lets get back to n scale PLEASESign - Dots [#dots] loss of words

Army National Guard E3
MOS 91B

I have multiple scales now
Z, N, HO, O, and G.  

  • Member since
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Posted by Metro Red Line on Friday, December 22, 2006 2:37 AM
Let's all be civil here before someone models a murder scene and starts killing people... :)
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Posted by Dave Vollmer on Friday, December 22, 2006 6:16 AM

My N scale Pennsy H10s 2-8-0 project is coming along, but not without lots of choice language, scrap styrene, and Squadron Red Putty!  I also had to replace both the decoder and the LED board (waiting for both in the mail).

I told my wife that I'm going Penn Central and Conrail so I don't have to kitbash any more Pennsy steam.  She suggested "Why don't you keep modeling 1956, but just when there were no steam engines around?"  She hasn't looked in my books.  The PRR of 1956, though dieselizing fast, was very much still a steam road.

The H10s will join the L1s as my PRR two steam bashes.  I'm thinking maybe forgoing the PRR M1b 4-8-2 that PCM has been working on.  For that money I could get 3 PC/CR diesels with DCC.

I'm liking this dual-era idea!

Modeling the Rio Grande Southern First District circa 1938-1946 in HOn3.

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Posted by pcarrell on Friday, December 22, 2006 8:01 AM
 Dave Vollmer wrote:

Again, please, I'm calling for restraint.  We all lose if this thread gets locked out.  So let's knock off the threats, the spelling corrections, and all the other petty things that have nothing to do with N scale trains.

Hey, I'm with you! 

I harbor no ill feelings and meant no harm. 

Now let's talk N scale!

We're better than this.  If not, you should be in HO!Wink [;)]

WOW!  You are one cold customer! Big Smile [:D]

Philip
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 22, 2006 9:05 AM
There is alot of good info in this thread and I wouldnt want to see it locked either. I hope all is well with everyone! We got snowed in on wensday and thursday! Got into work this morning roads are at the very least passable. I have a couple designs for my RR and will get them burned and on line sunday while at my moms house for x-mas. I will appericate any comments on what you see. The one I am leaning toward has a hidden 2.6% grade and a hidden 4.2% grade. from the looks of it all my empties will come up the 4% grade and fulls leave the 2% grade. I also have a engine house and small yard and have it branching into a double track main to the left side. any way I know it will help you all see it and I will get it up as soon as I can. Unfortunitly I have to burn a cd as the computer we now have dosent have an A drive and I dont have a protiable USB drive just yet. And before some ask no we dont have an internet conection at the appartment, so I cant just upload from our machiene. We cant afford it just yet. But we will be moving in 6 months we Hope into a house so we might get one then. Any way, Back to our regularly scedualed conversastion. Curt
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Posted by CraigN on Friday, December 22, 2006 9:32 AM

Curt,

Is there any way to rework those grades?

I personally don't like steep grades- They severely limit the lenght of your trains.  Then add in the hidden trackage- your asking for lost trains. It's not much fun crawling under the layout to get to hidden trackage to help a train up a hill.

Craig 

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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 22, 2006 10:20 AM

Looking for N Scale Assistance

I'm building a Kato N track layout 12*6 that will utilize Kato 6 turnouts and  am thinking about installing decoders in the turnouts and double crossovers.

I just purchased a NCE DCC system and am in the process of building the layout and installing the wiring and switch decoders and wanted to hear other N scalers experiences and or tips.

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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 22, 2006 10:24 AM
 CraigN wrote:

Curt,

Is there any way to rework those grades?

I personally don't like steep grades- They severely limit the lenght of your trains.  Then add in the hidden trackage- your asking for lost trains. It's not much fun crawling under the layout to get to hidden trackage to help a train up a hill.

Craig 

Craig, My layout is a 30"x48" modual so to speek. And it is a mining camp. I dont plan to run more then 8 cars at a time up any of the grades. By Hidden they are in a mountian side and the 4% grade may stay open depending on how sceanery lays out. Fortunitly the grades are better then my original plan of 6-7% grades!! Most of the grades on the lager future portion of the layout will be 2% or under if I can help it. I will get it up so you can see how it lays out. The only reason for the grades being that great is I want a full 2" seperation of track where it pass's under each other. Curt
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Posted by pcarrell on Friday, December 22, 2006 11:04 AM
 PhillyF wrote:

Looking for N Scale Assistance

I'm building a Kato N track layout 12*6 that will utilize Kato 6 turnouts and  am thinking about installing decoders in the turnouts and double crossovers.

I just purchased a NCE DCC system and am in the process of building the layout and installing the wiring and switch decoders and wanted to hear other N scalers experiences and or tips.

Hi!  Welcome to N scale!

To answer your question, I thought about automation on my last layout but decided that I'd only automate those turnouts that were easily reached.  I feel that somehow manually throwing a turnout helps me to connect with the train in my mind, like I'm on board sort of.  The automation was a bit too "hands off" for me personally.  I did use it in my hidden staging yard though.

Besides, manual operation is a whole lot cheaper!

Philip
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Posted by SpaceMouse on Friday, December 22, 2006 1:53 PM

Whoa! 22 pages and I feel like I know less about N scale than I did before I started.

So mostly I've ignored the itty bitty stuff, but all of a sudden I've aquired a masoquistic streak and I'm going to pretend I don't have any sense at all.

But I'm going to tear down my Rock Ridge and Train City and build an N-scale pike about 3 x 7 while I plan and comtemplate and remodel my basement. Now I read this stuff you guys are writing and you act like it all somehow makes sense.

So this is what I've got--stuff I got by mistake, lapse of judgement, and as throw-ins in eBay lots.

I have 10 pieces of flex and 4 turnouts.

I have a coal mine, 2 factories, a house, a freight station, a junk yard and a bridge.

I have a LL Conrail GP-20 and Bachman Spectrum CSX Dash-8

Atlas and Microtrains--6 coal cars and two NS box cars. I also have a bunch of Bachman junk cars that will hit the eBay. 

So just a little work converting the Rapidos on the engines and I have the makings of a small scenic coal drag layout. Eventually, I'll find an Atlas B&P GP-38 and go DCC.

Then I'll watch trains run while I design and build the basement.  

Anyway, I figure that by stealing the trees and rocks off the RR&TC, I can put up something prertiful in short order.

So seeing what I got--I was planning to use a Mach II for now, and you guys scared me a little. Eventually when I get decoderized I'll pull my Zephyr over. Uahem, Seeing what I have, do any of you seemingly intelligent guys have any advice?  

 

 

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 22, 2006 2:10 PM
 SpaceMouse wrote:

Whoa! 22 pages and I feel like I know less about N scale than I did before I started.

So mostly I've ignored the itty bitty stuff, but all of a sudden I've aquired a masoquistic streak and I'm going to pretend I don't have any sense at all.

But I'm going to tear down my Rock Ridge and Train City and build an N-scale pike about 3 x 7 while I plan and comtemplate and remodel my basement. Now I read this stuff you guys are writing and you act like it all somehow makes sense.

So this is what I've got--stuff I got by mistake, lapse of judgement, and as throw-ins in eBay lots.

I have 10 pieces of flex and 4 turnouts.

I have a coal mine, 2 factories, a house, a freight station, a junk yard and a bridge.

I have a LL Conrail GP-20 and Bachman Spectrum CSX Dash-8

Atlas and Microtrains--6 coal cars and two NS box cars. I also have a bunch of Bachman junk cars that will hit the eBay. 

So just a little work converting the Rapidos on the engines and I have the makings of a small scenic coal drag layout. Eventually, I'll find an Atlas B&P GP-38 and go DCC.

Then I'll watch trains run while I design and build the basement.  

Anyway, I figure that by stealing the trees and rocks off the RR&TC, I can put up something prertiful in short order.

So seeing what I got--I was planning to use a Mach II for now, and you guys scared me a little. Eventually when I get decoderized I'll pull my Zephyr over. Uahem, Seeing what I have, do any of you seemingly intelligent guys have any advice?  

I'll give you my 2c worth.  Your Mach II should work fine with N scale.  I have one and use it with no problems.  Also, on the Bachmann rolling stock, if you like the bodies you can just swap out the trucks/couplers with the appropriate Micro-Trains trucks/couplers and they will work great.  I have a few Bachmann cars that I have converted and they work great.  If your turnouts are Atlas you may want to consider using something else.  Some people use them with no problems but I feel that more people have problems with them than don't.  Also if your flex track is code 55 then you'll need low profile wheels.  Most flex track is larger but I just wanted to mention it just in case.

 I think a 3x7 is a great size.  You can get a nice continuous run with 5 or 6 (more or less) spurs for operation.  Keep us posted on your progress and feel free to ask questions.

Rob Newman

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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 22, 2006 2:22 PM

SpaceMouse,

 Your HO transformer will work fine for N scale, trust me. I've been using an "HO" power pack for years on my very small, 3 X 2 display oval at train shows.

 Your engines will not suddenly leap to warp speed.

Mike Tennent

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Posted by Metro Red Line on Friday, December 22, 2006 2:48 PM
 MTennent wrote:

SpaceMouse,

 Your HO transformer will work fine for N scale, trust me. I've been using an "HO" power pack for years on my very small, 3 X 2 display oval at train shows.

 Your engines will not suddenly leap to warp speed.

Mike Tennent

 

As I build and test my N scale layout and prepare it for DCC, I'm test-running the trains with an MRC Tech 3 9500 I used for my previous HO layout. I used it witnout even giving it a thought. In fact, the N scale locos run *slower* than my HO ones (that's more due to the motors in the N scale locos...) 

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Posted by Dave Vollmer on Friday, December 22, 2006 2:52 PM
When I switched from HO to N I kept the same MRC Tech II power pack. Now, my Digitrax system has a little toggle switch to go from O to Ho to N.

Modeling the Rio Grande Southern First District circa 1938-1946 in HOn3.

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Posted by SpaceMouse on Friday, December 22, 2006 2:57 PM
 Metro Red Line wrote:
 MTennent wrote:

SpaceMouse,

 Your HO transformer will work fine for N scale, trust me. I've been using an "HO" power pack for years on my very small, 3 X 2 display oval at train shows.

 Your engines will not suddenly leap to warp speed.

Mike Tennent

 

 

As I build and test my N scale layout and prepare it for DCC, I'm test-running the trains with an MRC Tech 3 9500 I used for my previous HO layout. I used it witnout even giving it a thought. In fact, the N scale locos run *slower* than my HO ones (that's more due to the motors in the N scale locos...) 

Dang. Warp speed has a certain appeal to it. I guess I should be thankful I don't have to bank the turns.

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

  • Member since
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  • From: Rimrock, Arizona
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Posted by SpaceMouse on Friday, December 22, 2006 2:58 PM

 Dave Vollmer wrote:
When I switched from HO to N I kept the same MRC Tech II power pack. Now, my Digitrax system has a little toggle switch to go from O to Ho to N.

I'll have to looksee for that toggle.

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

  • Member since
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  • From: Coon Rapids, MN
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Posted by bnsfncoal on Friday, December 22, 2006 4:36 PM

Chip,

Good to see you back....I've missed your posts.

Guy

Unlike my wife...I like my diamonds black!!!!
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Posted by SpaceMouse on Friday, December 22, 2006 6:27 PM
 GNP007 wrote:
  Keep us posted on your progress and feel free to ask questions.

Rob Newman

I posted a very preliminary plan on the layout forum. If any of you'un want to take a looksee...

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

  • Member since
    December 2006
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Posted by apartment railer on Friday, December 22, 2006 6:32 PM
I run a all atlas and kato, and they run great for me. But the big problem in N is that model you want. LifeLike has a few units I would like to pick up, but I had a life like about 6 years ago and wasnt too impressed. Is lifelike up to speed with the big 2 yet? I know detail is there but running is still a question to me.
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Posted by pcarrell on Friday, December 22, 2006 8:28 PM
 SpaceMouse wrote:
 Metro Red Line wrote:
 MTennent wrote:

SpaceMouse,

 Your HO transformer will work fine for N scale, trust me. I've been using an "HO" power pack for years on my very small, 3 X 2 display oval at train shows.

 Your engines will not suddenly leap to warp speed.

Mike Tennent

As I build and test my N scale layout and prepare it for DCC, I'm test-running the trains with an MRC Tech 3 9500 I used for my previous HO layout. I used it witnout even giving it a thought. In fact, the N scale locos run *slower* than my HO ones (that's more due to the motors in the N scale locos...) 

Dang. Warp speed has a certain appeal to it. I guess I should be thankful I don't have to bank the turns.

Planning on switching to bullet trains?

Your stuff will work fine Chip.  I run an HO pack (a Magnum) when I run DC and it works fine.  Just steer clear of pulse packs as they are hard on motors.

Philip
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Joizey
  • 1,983 posts
Posted by SteamFreak on Friday, December 22, 2006 10:10 PM
 Dave Vollmer wrote:

Again, please, I'm calling for restraint.  We all lose if this thread gets locked out.  So let's knock off the threats, the spelling corrections, and all the other petty things that have nothing to do with N scale trains.

We're better than this.  If not, you should be in HO!Wink [;)]

Dang, I just decide to check in here to see how things are going in the land of the little people, and what do I find? Chairs cracked over heads, fists flying, and all during the holiday season? Black Eye [B)] Where is your Christmas spirit and sense of modeling decorum? Big Smile [:D] Personally I'm shocked. Shock [:O]

Perhaps all of this rowdiness is directly proportionate to the amount of time spent squinting at parts that are far too tiny?

Laugh [(-D]Laugh [(-D]Laugh [(-D]Laugh [(-D]Laugh [(-D]

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