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Post by KIM on Jun 26, 2012 14:06:36 GMT -8
Hello everybody. I hope your day s are going as well as mine. I got to go into the model room last night and start making some changes on my yard. It won't be perfect, but it will be better than it was.
Did anybody notice that we are at 296 members at this moment? I wonder how long it will take to hit the 300 mark? Contact your friends and let them know that we're here, and let's see if we can get those four more members by Sunday.
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Post by bnsf971 on Jul 3, 2012 17:58:05 GMT -8
Good evening. The hits keep on coming here, though in the grand scheme of things, it could be much worse. We still have power, and the temp has gone all the way down to the mid 90's.
Now, about another "hit"... I have a relatively small tree near the end of my driveway. I keep it neatly trimmed so people coming out of my driveway can see traffic when they come out. Some moron, I can only assume from the city or power company, has decided it shouldn't be there, and liberally hosed it down with herbicide. It must have been poisoned within the last couple of days, because it wasn't like this Friday when we left for the weekend. There are about a dozen leaves on it that aren't turning brown. The splatter pattern on the leaves is plainly evident. It is smaller than the neighbor's tree 8 feet from it, it is 3 feet further back from the road than the neighbor's tree, and it is the only tree on my property that got this treatment. So now I have ANOTHER tree I have to cut down and pay to have hauled away. Sigh...
On the train front, I picked up an Atlas Silver U30C, in SBD. I installed a decoder in it, and speed matched it to the other SBD and CSX units I have. It runs very well, it seems to be from the pre-crud era.
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Post by rhpd42002 on Jul 3, 2012 18:07:22 GMT -8
Good Evening Terry and the rest of the Forum folks.
Sorry to hear about your tree, Terry. That pretty much sucks!
Our power situation is fine, but work is driving me crazy!! In spite of having to work just over an hour, during the severe t-storm on Sunday, I've worked 9 days straight now and if, IF, one of the part-timers signs up for the weekend, I'll get this weekend off. The calls have been steady, the heat and humidity are oppressive and my tolerance and patience are running short. While 10 to 12 hour days don't seem all that "rough", having been working with just a few 2 day weekends or split days off since Dec. 21st, the novelty of day on, stay on work is begining to wear thin and I just don't have the energy nor inclination to get to the Forum or much of anything else of late. Add in the element of crap stirrers, ignorance, stupidity, and some who emanate from the very shallow end of the gene pool, it can get very trying, to say the least.
I still have a sense of humor, but not much else. I know my trains exist, because I saw them Sunday evening, after the power came back on. I had to turn the a/c back on out there.
Other than that, things are so-so. My sister is still not doing well. She's down to 101 lbs and now can only receive nourishment with a feeding tube. Her oncologist wants to get her back on chemo, but she may not be strong enough to go through any more treatments right now. I'll find out more when I talk to my mother this weekend. She is home, as the nursing home she was at, kept clogging her feeding tube. She's on her 4th tube, now!!!
At least I get to see/hear CSX almost daily. I'm also taking a few pics as progress is made on the assembly of the new water tank the
town is having built. Sadly, they've taken this week off, so nothing is happening on that front. The crews putting in new water lines and hydrants is rather boring, but I have taken some pics of the construction equipment to add to my truck/equipment pics collection.
Last night, I didn't even try to get on the computer, as I took LD to a couple of the stores, then out for a fast food dinner. We didn't get home till almost 9:00 p.m., but then I didn't get home till after 6:30 p.m.
I hope this doesn't all come across as complaining, just venting and stress relief.
Hope that one and all had a good, safe, fun and RR kind of day.
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Post by KIM on Jul 17, 2012 14:33:06 GMT -8
I've been back to doing some track planning again, or I should say that we have. My wife called me to the computer last night, and showed me a plan for double decking our layout, that she' been working on. It's the first time she ever used the track planner, and she didn't do too bad. Her idea would eliminate the duck under, but would also eliminate the continuous ran capabilities. It's worth further consideration.
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Post by calzephyr on Jul 17, 2012 14:46:33 GMT -8
I've been back to doing some track planning again, or I should say that we have. My wife called me to the computer last night, and showed me a plan for double decking our layout, that she' been working on. It's the first time she ever used the track planner, and she didn't do too bad. Her idea would eliminate the duck under, but would also eliminate the continuous ran capabilities. It's worth further consideration. Douglas That is amazing your wife has worked on a plan to double deck the layout! If it is possible, retaining a swing bridge or some kind of removeable bridge where the duck under is would be a good idea so continuous operation could be used if you wanted. larry |
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Post by bnsf971 on Jul 17, 2012 14:53:17 GMT -8
What is the crud era please? would clockwork engines qualify for that esteemed position do you think. I've tried controlling it by electric but the engine smoke unit dosen't work but the controller smokes instead. Not sure if I am fitting the DCC thingy in the right place. Jim Brodie-potential platform edge white line painter only problem is the platform is right handed and my brush is left handed! The crud era is almost anything within the last 5 years or so. New locomotives don't run, the factory installed smoke comes out, bits and pieces fall off rolling stock, paint is blotchy, kind of like a 1953 Nash. |
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Post by rhpd42002 on Jul 17, 2012 16:46:54 GMT -8
What is the crud era please? would clockwork engines qualify for that esteemed position do you think. I've tried controlling it by electric but the engine smoke unit dosen't work but the controller smokes instead. Not sure if I am fitting the DCC thingy in the right place. Jim Brodie-potential platform edge white line painter only problem is the platform is right handed and my brush is left handed! The crud era is almost anything within the last 5 years or so. New locomotives don't run, the factory installed smoke comes out, bits and pieces fall off rolling stock, paint is blotchy, kind of like a 1953 Nash. LOLOLOL!!!!!! Terry, that pretty much describes an Athearn, SW-1000 I have. Paint & body are fine, but it's missing parts, has some broken parts, let the smoke out of 2 decoders, headlights don't work, and still doesn't run worth a darn. Also have a sound equipped, BLI switcher that makes noise, but doesn't move. It's the only "bad" BLI switcher I have out of 9 sound & stealth units I own. Douglas, Your wife is a braver soul than I. Messing with the track plan programs intimidates me a fair bit. I do agree with Larry, that looking at a liftout or swing bridge to allow for occasional continuous running would be nice. Mid 90's and high humidities here. Some rain scattered about, but none near here, today. The weekend and early next week seem to have 30 to 50% chances of getting the liquid stuff. The corn around here doesn't look too bad, but some is for food and some is for feed. Didn't get to the trains last night. Not sure about tonight, either. Plan on taking Thursday off so I can try to get the yard mowed in the morning, before it gets too hot. Hope that everyone had a good day. |
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Post by jamesbrodie67281 on Jul 19, 2012 0:12:29 GMT -8
Dear Sir,
Your wife and myself are thinking on similiar lines (no pun meant) when the upstairs of the granny flat is completed the new layout will have two and a half levels. The lower level is storage sidings. Middle level will be three sides for the scenic part of the layout and the top level covers the fourth area of the middle level. This is the old hobby room layout but now extended in length, it was 12' long and the dumb end station could only take three coaches now the potential is for a decent length train.
The storage level pointwork is made up simply of left hand or right hand turnouts no diamonds slips three ways etc. Middle level which initially will be a double track oval has the complicated switch diamond and right hand double junction points already built just need laying in situ. The upper hobby room level will re use exhisting pointwork just add more straight track to the extra added ten or eleven foot. photo later.
The electronics:- cab control with twelve position rotary switches but only using six positions, every other position is equal to a panic off switch. Controllers gaugemaster simulate models but have the brake switch/knob modified so only ONE THIRD of the brake ONLY can be applied.
A non railwayman shewed me this modification he had made to his controllers and reluctantly giving it a try I thought "this feels just like braking a full size train" If any drivers-engineers-try this I feel sure they would agree with me over the realistic sensation. I have fitted a brake handle onto the brake knob and superglued a limiting bar on the top of the controller case to prevent more than 1/3rd brake application. I will eventually 'pop'rivet the limiting bar as friends keep trying to 'overbrake' and break the glued bar off!
When I have done exams for priate enginemen using my old layout as a visual aid for creating circumstances I would ask them to drive a train round the circuit and stop with the train in the station. Ofcourse they wuld go sailing straight through overunning by some distance. I had to put old heads on young shoulders and in no way did I want to belittle them but when they and they all said it. You didn't tell us the train wouldn't stop (unrealisticly) when we put the brake on. I would gently explain that as soon as possible after you got set away you should try a brake 'feel' test to see what sort of brake you have. better learn this on a toy railway than something serious happen on the full sized railway. using the model railway as a visual aid helped the men to relax a little for it was a stressful time for them but apart from letting them find out for themselves about braking there was never any trick questions. I wasn't there to be little anyone.
When I reached 70 I tried to retire as chief inspector as health and safety rules and regs had gone over the top. They definitely will not apply on my model railway or I'll go back to sucking my thumb!
Jim Brodie--has been!
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Post by KIM on Jul 19, 2012 0:46:44 GMT -8
Jim, it must really be a benefit having the 1: 1 experience for model railroading. I really enjoy your input.
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Post by rhpd42002 on Jul 19, 2012 15:49:29 GMT -8
Jim, that's pretty neat what you've done and I like reading your experinces on the real thing.
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Post by jamesbrodie67281 on Jul 19, 2012 20:12:27 GMT -8
Thanks gents for your kind remarks, makes me feel quite humble. When it comes to American railroad modelling I am only a novice. There is such a lot to learn about which railway company worked with who and trying to have plausible railroad working. I know it's only a model railway but it is nice to create something in model form that you might have seen on the real railroad. I am at a loss knowing what publications to look for for example train reporting numbers and what their consist might be made up from engine to caboose. In England or Britain should I say we have CWDs which are carriage working diagrams. Knowing vehicle codes help for example Middlesbrough to Newcastle an hourly express passenger service covering a distance of roughly 50 miles starting from the engine would show..BTK..TKL..CKL..RB..CKL..TKL..BTK..In American parlance the BTK is like a Combine and the T and C coaches are like day or chair coaches Third Class or First and Third Class. The middle coach is a buffet car. I was kindly supplied with the CZ consist but ordered all WP cars then realised that the train would or could have a mixture of all three railroad companies plus a PRR car. This gives me four railroads to model plus with modellers licence I do like UP SP and AT&SF as well and if I want freight train No 19 O&EPRR as well a la The Emporer of the North.
Sorry folks I do go on don't I, I guess I just like talking about railways.
Jim Brodie.
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Post by KIM on Jul 20, 2012 0:05:18 GMT -8
Jim, back in the late 80s, I got a chance to visit the New England & Berkshire model railroad layout in Troy, New York. I discovered how in depth their research was, and they gave out a lot of ideas on how and what to look for. I also got a video of their layout while I was there, and in it they mention some of their resources. You might contact them. I'm not sure if any of the people I visited with are still there, as it's a school club, but if the people that are there are as helpful as those that I met, you've got a gold mine of useful information and help.
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Post by rhpd42002 on Jul 24, 2012 5:39:32 GMT -8
Good Tuesday Morning to all the Forum Folks. Another hot, miserable and humid day on tap for us. mid 90's yesterday and mid to upper 90's most of the week. It was about 10 pm or so before a t-storm rolled through. This after thw weather guessers said that the " cooling" after ths sun went down would cause them to dissipate!!  That's OK, though, as we can still use more rain. Nothing like the UK has been getting slammed with, but almost our average amount for the year, to date. However, a tropical storm or hurricane could easily put us over, which would be a much different story. Sure don't want any of that. This morning the coffee's & teas are fresh brewed, while the bacon and sausages fry up on the grill. Eggs, any way you'd like. Scoop out your fill of grits or oatmeal or pour out some cereal and drown it in milk. Donuts, biscuits and bread, along with a bowl of fresh fruit is on the counter. The cold, liquid stuff is in the cooler. I managed to unpack several more freight cars Sunday afternoon, but that a/c could only keep it tolerable out in the train building. This heat & humidity is taxing it to it's limit!!  I took today and tomorrow off to avoid a repeat of cramming 5+ weeks of work into 4 during this pay period! I'll be at it again this weekend. I think I'm going out back for a bit this morning, before it gets too hot. Hope that everyone has a good day. |
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That's OK, though, as we can still use more rain. Nothing like the UK has been getting slammed with, but almost our average amount for the year, to date. However, a tropical storm or hurricane could easily put us over, which would be a much different story. Sure don't want any of that.