Steam's the Dream.

Although I did succumb to a new Hornby GWR railcar.
I have my weaknesses.
But I think a perfect collection is unpardonable in a hobby like this.

Stewart,

This is a little [a Lot] off subject, but.....
I sent you an email - just wondering if you got it? If not check your Junk filter..

Ooophs, I'm in the General Discussion area - not HO.

I'll just take myself outside & give myself a good sound thrashing.

Dear Stewart,
Have a hot Cha & recline with a good [model railroad] magazine.
Works for me.

OR  if you don't have a calculator handy

Divide MPH by 5 to give Inches per second.

60MPH/5 = 12 Inches/Second.

Multiply Inches per Second to give MPH.

18 Inches/Second X 5 = 90MPH

Sheldon,

I didn't know there was another either 'til I read your first entry. I was a little confused so I did a search, much like you did & found the San Diego store too.
I'm sorry for not entering the URL, I just wasn't expecting another store with the same name. Learning all the time.

I agree with supporting my local hobby shops as well.  I buy a lot of rolling stock, track & detail items from them. One is very compeditive, but they do know what is going to be popular & mark it up.  I can't blame them, they have to eat too.

I don't know , but I'll give it a shot.

The working out part.
1 mile = 5 280 feet
5280x 12 inches = 63,360inches
63,360/87ho scale = 728 inches/hour
728/60 minutes = 12inches/minute


12/60 seconds = 0.2inches/second @ 1mph.

The bit you need to know
0.2x45mph = 9inches/second

0.2x70mph = 14 inches/second

old fardt,

I found Victor quite reasonable when ordering something special. I was quoted close to 40% off retail & no deposit was required.

I'm glad you've found a retailer your happy with.

Sheldon,

I sort of dissagree with you on that point. I believe TW beats DHW in some items but not in others. Looking at both sites, DHW appears to be very compeditive with TW. I couldn't see any RC plane or cars on his website - it's all trains. Are you going to
http://www.discounthobbywarehouse.net/

I found you can buy a PCM Big Boy, Athearn Big Boy or Challenger or Life Likes QSi 2-10-2 amongst others, at DHW is much cheaper.

For BLi Hudsons & K-4s, RivaRossi Hieslers & others are cheaper at TW.

Bachmann non sound locos; 2-8-0, K4, Heavy Mountains DHW has it sewn up. For the rest TW does the job. Bachmann 2-10-2s - you can't beat The Favaouite Spot,  PCM Y6B - Factory Direct.

Bachmann Sound loco prices at DHW range from $129 for a Tsunami K4 to $179 for a Tsunami 2-10-2 [all the others in between]. I do not know what TW charge for Bachmann Tsunamis as I can't find them on their web page or in their ads in Model Railroader. But I did think DHW prices were pretty good compared to other sellers I have seen.

Does anyone know what TW & others charge for a Bachmann Tsunami locos?

 After 30 years in the business Victor of Discount Hobby Warehouse is calling it a day. Very Sad. He closes the doors for the last time in July.

I first met [online] Victor a few years ago when searching for a Bachmann Southern 2-8-0 in Black. Since then he has handled most of my purchases, with a rather cheeky wit.

On one occassion, I wrote "I cannot wait 'til my loco arrived". To which he quipped, "like anticipating a new girlfriends first kiss?"

On another occasion I mentioned how "I loved his personal service & prompt emails".... wait for it....He replied "I love yo' money".

When I wanted to change my order from item 31224 [D&RGW loco].....  "I'll book you on the 31223 from Denver".

Well, all good things come to an end, & although I'll miss his entertaining transactions, I wish him all the best.


Sheldon, There seems to be confusion about DHW. Victor runs DHW in Huntley, Illinois, not the one in San Diego. http://www.discounthobbywarehouse.net/

Aaaaaaaaaaaaggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
I WANNA GO NOW
NOW, NOW ,NOW ,NOW.

DON'T tell me anymore.....the anticipation will kill me.



Seriously though, I'm really going to enjoy this trip.

Thankyou for the suggestions & any more will be welcome.

I have some friends in Vancouver so will see some of Canada as well.

Hamish,
That's great news. We all thought it was ending up as a static display. Unfortunately, the Erecting shop at Eveleigh might not be so lucky. We'll hope & pray for the best.

Gene,
It sounds great - I can't wait.

Lee,
East Broad Top Railroad - I'm there. My family will of course only allow me so much "Train Time", but hopefully they will succumb to it as well.

====================================

In your opinions, do you believe travelling interstate by [modern] rail is still adequate?
I don't really like Coaches & driving - well I'm sure the lines on your roads are very nice, but whiteline fever is not my idea of fun. 
I visited the "Vacations by Rail site & it looks all OK, I just wondered if any of you have travelled this way?

Gene,

When I visited the Western Maryland Scenic Home page, & thought the ticket prices quite reasonable.
Do you know if the WMSR runs profitably or does it require donations etc to keep running?
It just seems awfully good value.
 

Thanx Gene & Jayl1,

I'm so glad lunatic fringe decided to come to their senses & co-habitate. Why anyone would even consider this course of action.

I was plannig a trip over within the next two years & wanted to see it before it was converted, but it sounds as though it is safe for now.

I had a look at the site [Thanx for the name] & it looks like a lot of fun.

Sadly, Sydney's 3801 Steam loco & coaches do not have such a certain future. A private company has been maintaining & running the historical loco for the last twenty years, but the lease is up & the New South Wales Government does not want to extend it. The Erecting shed where 3801 is maintained is owned by the goverment, & is on prime land near the city, in an area that is fast being re-developed. The non profit company "3801 Limited" has lost 3801 for 2007, but is fighting on to get it back.

http://www.3801limited.com.au/helpus.htm

I can understand the private railways in the US have the right to do whatever they want with their old steam era equipment, as sad as that can be, but the railways in NSW belongs to the people of NSW -  WE paid for it after all.

I'll get off the soap box now & look forward to riding behind some US steam soon. It's gonna be great!

Best to you all.

G'day all,

I was hoping one of you would remember the name of the Working Steam Railway[Narrow Gauge I believe, in the US], that was running tourist trips.
The town council was going to have the tracks ripped out & the purway turned into Cycle Paths & the locos as static displays. Unfortunately that's all I recall.
It was one of the threads on the old forum.
I wanted to find out what happened to it -  did it get a reprieve?.