As I read this latest issue of MR, I found the article on the V&O, Allen McClennan's layout, and had to chuckle to myself becausae I was one of those people who weren't quite sure if it was a real railroad or a layout, and it took a glance at the coupler "hose" to ascertain that it was indeed a layout-one of the finest layouts I have ever seen.

Kudos and a real "PIP PIP" to Al and his wonderful work.  See you at the prototype meet in Canton, Ct today.

THe Old Reprobate

Sooooooooooo...When are we going to see a decent "workable" Pacific out here?   What?!!  When WHAT freezes over?

Why don't we start with a live wire and make an I-4 New Haven Pacific?  That would also eliminate my extra work...

The Olde Reprobate

Dave;
First, I want to thank you very much for being such a great help in getting me the counterweights for my two K-27s.  It can be extremely frustrating to feel that there is no support from a supplier of an otherwise fine product; and being in a managerial/ownership position of a business only exacerbates the reality of it all. 

Secondly, thank you for all the help you have given the people on this forum, and obviously, myself included.  It is comforting to know that somewhere in the morass of bureaucracy ther is someone with a straight shot to the nerve centre.  I look to the quality of a person as well as what they have to offer this world in terms of knowledge and worldliness, and in my opinion, you are first rate.

Thanks again.

Rich Cormier

In the latest edition of Model Railroader" there is an Athearn ad for a 4-8-2 Mountain.  Interesting.  I haven't as yet seen anything on an upgraded Athearn Pacific.   I have been waiting with my hand you know where for that BLI Pacific, one I can turn into a New Haven I-4, but nada, no dice, ixnay, etc.  What does anyone know about this latest effort from Athearn?
Rich

Well, another good Saturday in West Springfield, interrupted only by a cry for help by one of my customers...

As usual, I walked out feeling like I do when I walk out of Foxwoods...Only I don't walk out of Foxwoods with bags of stuff.  Got a lot of parts for this year's modelling, and saw quite a few of the Canadian people I know 9from past events) there.  AND...I got to see "THE BACH MAN"!!!  He had his usual cold, but that is OK.  Better him than me.   

Rich

This month in "Model Railroader" magazine, there is an article on building resin kits, by Marty McGuirk.  As I read it, I thought of all the resin kits I have built, and how progressively easier each new one becomes, garnering the experience of past kits built; good or bad. 

If I can say one thing only about the kits in general, it is, as the article says, that they have improved over time, to the state of the art at which they now stand.  That said, these kits remind me of the "good old days" of craftsman kits, and the challenge to your talents they were.  I say that with none of my usual flair for sarcasm, but with a sort of reverence to something that made you feel really good about you-building one of these kits-pitting yourself up against the call to build this miniaturization of something large and very real-and succeeding greatly.  There is always something to be said about standing back and saying "I built that myself!"; whether it be trains, planes, or basket-weaving.

Resin is an extremely good medium for detail resolution, as it will work very well with the most detailed of moulds.  I have put off doing a lot of mould  work-probably being a bit gun-shy about the whole process; but I have done some casting work and mould-making. 

Just about all of the kits I have done are by Steve Funaro and Sharon Camerlengo  (F&C), and have been satisfied with their product.  I would like to know if anyone else-and I know Lanny has-has had any dealings with these kits and what their opinion is.  If you haven't, I encourage you to at least give it a look-see.To me, this is one way to bring back a true facet of model building.  Read the article-I am sure you will agree.

RIch

How many of youse guys are getting that Matt Shay Triplex?  Count me in for one.  It is a good incentive for giving up drinking...

I have always been fascinated by that engine, and to be able to buy one now, is great.  It will look goooood in the display case...

Rich

12.5 inches here.  I wonder if two K-27s will be able to push a plough through this stuff.  Maybe I should order more...

Rich

I had to go out to Poughkeepsie, NY today to take care of a problem at one of my larger customers' facilities.

When I opened the trough in the ceiling (Wiring enclosure), I was greeted by not only a rats nest, but about eight wirenuts immediately popped off of the connections, leaving a bunch of wires rated at 208/120 volts, flapping around in the breeze.  It took me a while to ring out the conductors and rewire
them to their respective circuit components, but it was accomplished.

On my way back to Connecticut, I reflected upon that incident, and started to think about layout wiring.

Next to trackwork, the most important aaspect of a layout project is proper and adequate wiring.  I had mentioned on another thread the importance of going the extra mile with trackwork, but it is absolutely essential that forethought, adequate knowledge, and a system of standard be employed in this endeavour.  And if you are old(er) like me, your knees will ultimately thank you, as squatting under benchwork can be tough.

RIch 

Hey!!  All you single guys.  I discovered that; besides my dog, I have another babe magnet.  It is called my trains.  Women love it!!!  They think it is great that (you) have so much talent- and brains too; not like other guys...the couch potatoes, etc.  I think it is a riot.  I showed one date how to run the throttle, and she had a ball for about two hours!  Never saw a real steamer, but loved the Bachmann Spectrum stuff-thought it is really cool.

What a wonderful world!!!

Rich

I just saw a picture of a railroad scene in Bengladesh, and there appears to be dual gauge.  I know that India has wide-gauge track-or at least used to, but what is the narrow gauge track work out to?

Rich

Model Railroader ran an article this issue on coaling towers-and how to construct a round tower, using a Tichy tower kit, but scoffing most of the kit as it is.  I consider going that route to be a bit of a waste.  I wonder how many people are aware that, if you choose not to go with Don's tower-which is a great kit in and of itself-that the detail kit is available.  If interested, go to his website.  He also has some other really nice kits available, particularly, the Wrecker, boom car, and the 52' gondola; in N as well as HO scales; as well as a whole range of detail parts; which are, in my opinion, top flight! 

Rich

On the early Proto 2000 FAs, the wiring is as such:  One lead from the motor is on the frame.  Now, to convert to DCC, it seems that one has only to remove that connection and splice it to the orange lead from the decoder, and run the red lead from the decoder to the frame, considering the frame is common to only one side of the trucks, and the motor frame is isolated from the unit frame. 

Normally, I wouldn't bother ask this question, but would just overhaul the wiring; but out of curiosity, would wiring it that way harm the decoder?  Feedback appreciated.

Rich

I have decided to do the tear-down and replacement myself.  As there is probably no interference with the drive section, it looks pretty straighforward.  One thing  Idid notice is that there seems to be a bit of a hitch both for/rev.  Has anyone experienced taking this engine apart, and if so, could you give me some pointers if there are things to watch for.

Thanks;
Rich

Gene;
We briefly discussed the 2-8-4 on display at Peru, Indiana a while back.  Here is the info on the article I was referring to:

Model Railroader; July, 1967
P 38
Engine #7289.
Article by James EuDaly.
If you can locate it via archives, it is one worth reading; espially if you want to superdetail an engine of this wheel arrangement, which I have always considered on of the most beautifully engineered pieces of machinery I have ever seen-other than a B-52.

Rich

A funny thing happened...
...this AM.  I programmed two proto E-6s (older, DCC ready; had installed NCE decoders).  All went well.  I was happy.  I turned the system off to work on the layout.
A short time later, the fun began!  I flipped on the power supply, and the two back-to-back E-6s took off like a rocket!  I got them off of the track, and started to try to reason out what happened.  The steamers I had on track wouldn't program-move, honk, beep, or anything; the exceptions were rthe two 2-6-6-2s with Tsunamis-they made that idling sound, but wouldn't move.   I then took everything off track, and put on an engine that hadn't previously been on the track, and it took off full tilt, like the diesels.

For everything I have thought of, there seems to be a contradiction to it.  Has anyone experienced this?  Better yet; I hope the decoders are OK.  The power supply can be replaced if need be, as well as the processor.  I just absolutely dread sending a bunch of stuff back to BLI for repairs.

Rich

One of my BLI Hudsons stopped running today, as quick as that!  By switching locomotives and tenders I verified that it was not the decoder, but is probably in the motor.  I further took my VOM and checked the two outside terms on the male side of that connecting system and got inf. res; whereas I got continuity at the other two prs.  This to me, further indicates the problem to be in the motor; possibly a loose wire, etc.

Now comes the sixty-four dollar question...

Has anyone had any experience with pulling the engine superstructure from the drive, as far as progression goes?  I would rather have feedback before I start in, than just jump on in half-cocked and screw up something that doesn't need screwing up!  Also, I can't see sending the engine back to BLI if it is something as straightfoward as what I  believe it is, as they propbably have enough real work to do.  Help will be greatly appreciated.

Rich

 

After installing a decoder in the vanderbilt tender, I put it on the track to test and encode an address.  With some help from Josh at Tony's, I managed to get the decoder programmed to my satisfaction; but lo and behold, the beast made a wierd noise-I assume it is coming from the gearbox, as it sounds like a gear set that has some play, and when put under load, it makes this clicking sound.  I also found out that a 2-10-2 should be kept out on the far reaches of the 'pike, where the radii looms high and wide!!  Not an engine for anything smaller than a 30-inch rad; certainly no place for that planned carfloat yard!!
At any rate, has anyone experienced the same thing?  I know it is do-able, but feedback could narrow it down a bit.
Thanks for any help.

Rich

Anyone got interested in doing the census for Model Railroader?

Recently, I acquired a "vintage" Atlas S-1, and am in the midst of trying to install a decoder into it.  Realizing that trying to stuff a Tsunami into her innerds would be like trying to fly without a guy wire, I opted for a plain-Jane decoder.  Welllllllllllllllllllllllll-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-, it is hard to do!  I am winding up thinking that I just might junk the top weight, make a couple of retainers for the flywheels, and then try to put the shole shee-bang back together.  So far, I have tried a NCE DA-SR, and an NCE D13SRP to no avail.  I have learned a couple of new words along the way, though...
Has someone done this successfully; and if so, can they offer me some input as to what magic words they used.  Mine don't work real good...

Rich