I'm using 69 code on the first layout.  Actually it will have 100 and 83. Besides me, who decides what code and why?  Era?  Location?  RR use?

Rick

Next time I go I'll take my headband with light and flip down magnification glasses with me.  I looked at some rust red gondolas priced totally out of sight (for me - $50 each) supposedly made from kits.  They were nice and decals were intricate but I could see no signs of assembly.  Maybe that's the idea of kits...to not look assembled.  I learned the majority of the vendors will haggle.  There was a lot of Proto 1000 and 2000 series locos in brown and blue boxes with new red box prices.  And...don't 'forget' your $$ or Visa.


Okie

Fellers, the show was full of all sizes and eras of trains, scenery, figures, track, etc.  It was held in the Washington Co. fair building.  Lighting might have been just me & my tri-focals.  I need a tad more light than the average Indian.  The billfold was accidentally left at home, thank goodness I have an honest face and Victor had my Visa account on record.

You could look and handle most things - my problem was it was all boxed up. Yeah...more light was needed.  Glare off clear plastic windows in boxed items was enough for me.  No one wanted my Dynamis.  Imagine that.  My great nephews came out with an N scale loco and oval track and the 3yr old found a metal bull dozer that fit his hand great...for a buck!

Access was great.  Blue loading & parking in front. Tables were reasonably accessible - someone usually around to help.  The AC beat the outdoor heat.  Food smelled great.  Drawings for door prizes every hour failed to mention me.

RAM we need to get together - do some serious UFO watching out here. I have lots of whiskey.

The stick survived till another day...long enough to not forget PD would be awaiting with wit in gear.  I O U PD.

Rick

Thank you all. That's what I need to know.

Rick

Hulah, Oklahoma is located in Osage County in N.E. OK.  When local ranchers asked Santa Fe to provid a spur to load and ship cattle to KC and Chicago they were told no because there was no commerce.  Cattle could be driven 30-40 miles north or south to a rail stop.  The large cattle ranch owners settled on a central place to all, established Hulah, imported residents and moved ranch workers families there, got a post office and persuaded Santa Fe to provide rail traffic.

The original Hulah depot restored & moved to Bartlesville, OK.




Rick

On the 27th I attended my first train show. Presented by MainLine there were to be 80+ show and sales areas.  There weren't 80, but enough.  Lotsa trash for sale as well as brand new 10 and 15 year old locos.  All scales and brands were presented.

A sizeable HO layout and my local-est vendor were the hits to me. On one side new old Tyco railstock was selling for $7.50.  Used out of production stock had roof high prices.  I purchased a 6pak of Athearn hoppers and two Atlas.  Also put in lay-a-way an RSD-15 and a PowerCab DCC control system.

Wooden cattle cars caught my eye but the bank was broke.

All in all there was too much to look with not enough lighting.  I'll enjoy the next one in Tulsa more.

Rick

Number 1 of 3 4x8 sections will be a livestock loading and trading goods stop in Northern Oklahoma on the hypothetical Cherokee Nation Rail - reporting mark CNL. (based on the true establishment of Hulah, OK as a railhead)

CNL serves all Northeastern Oklahoma and Southeastern-most Kansas and will connect with the MKT and Santa Fe lines that extend to points North, South, East and West.

The CNL serves you in comfortable passenger travel and  prompt reliable goods transportation throughout the NE Oklahoma area.  Our fastest steam movers ensure on-time delivery and pickup of your relatives as well as your goods and grain headed for the Port of Catoosa.

Life in Oklahoma in the 1920's has turned the corner in moving into the Modern age.  Timely schedules of travel and transport await you aboard any CNL line. We look forward to serving you.

CEO and Treasurer,
"Okie" Rick

BestSnowman,

Looking good!  OSHA will demand Luke to put an exhaust fan in there in about 10-12 years.


Okie

Quote from: Yampa Bob on June 28, 2009, 02:56:52 AM
Most HO locomotives weighing 15 ounces or more should have about 4 ounces of drawbar force. This equates to 40 easy rolling cars before stall. I usually figure half of this for an average train, 15 to 20 cars, for realistic speeds on a flat track.

General consensus is that cars should not require more than .1 ounce of pulling force. I make my own force gauges, but here is a handy one at a reasonable price. The 250 gram gauge is adequate for HO.

http://www.delta-education.com/productdetail.aspx?Collection=Y&prodID=1973&menuID=

Tuning your cars by reaming the jounals and using metal wheelsets makes a big difference on how many you can pull. 

Bob,

I've read and re-read your posts about this topic.  I've searched but can't locate any of those old messages.

If you have the "how to" make a force gauge or meter message bookmarked would you share it one more time? 

On a side note, you know my physical limitations.  Assistance is not always available.  Would I be better served to spend the $10 on the one ready to use and available or try to have one made for me?


Thanks-
Rick

Done: $1,200 spent on locos, rail stock, track, scenery, figures, electronics of all sorts, etc. all located in a stack in the corner of my bedroom.

To Do:  All the above listed in previous comments including getting a wife and a motor home.  Then finish sculpting layout hills for part 1 of (hopefully) a 3 part 4x8 connecting setup.

Summer assistance seems to have withered even with offerings of free beer and meals.  I'm patient...kinda.

If I ever get this wish fulfilled I'll never change a thing on my layout.  Anyone ever said this before?   


Rick

Quote from: WoundedBear on June 13, 2009, 01:50:48 PM
Try some of these ones. I have a string of these servicing the mines on my layout.

http://www.micromark.com/HO-SCALE-22-WOODEN-ORE-CAR-KITS-PKG-OF-2,8942.html



Sid

Bear,

Do these kits come with metal wheels and knuckle couplers?

Thanks-
OkieRick

Invest a few bucks in a Track Saw - you'll need it down the road if you're using flex track.

                       

Long lasting, all-purpose saw features extra-fine teeth to make razor-smooth cuts in wood, plastic, nickel-silver, etc.  http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/150-400

Rick

Sorry guys, I want to have the physical ability and where with all to own, pilot and afford upkeep on a P-51 in this day and age.

But driving 1960's diesels locos in OK would be nice also.

Rick

I hope I'm understanding this right.  There might be an upgrade path fr those who have the Dynamis Command Control System.  It appears as though the PRO box sits atop the non-pro box.  Additional hand controls and the range extener can be purchased if needed.


The 36-508 sits atop the 36-505





"This May sees the release of several new additions to the Dynamis digital range that will allow you to extend your current Dynamis DCC system.

36-508 E-Z Command Dynamis Pro-Box
36-507 E-Z Command Dynamis Handset
36-509 E-Z Command Dynamis Wireless Receiver

Please see http://www.dynamisdcc.com/pdf/current1.pdf
for further details.

Best Regards
Bachmann Europe Plc"

---

OkieRick

PDF documents of your Minitrix 12860 in German are here http://www.vdweerdt.nl/manuals/minitrix/12860.html

It does include sn exploded drawing.

TCS has a new line of Z scale decoders - DCC only, no sound

http://www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Content/Products/Decoders/Z-Scale/Z%20Series.html

and they're on sale here

http://dcchobbysupply.com/zcart/ for $26.99. 

You might be best served by calling the mfgr of the decoder you buy, Soundtraxx is eager to speak with customers and I didn't have a problem reaching tech at TCS the time I tried.

Rick