Hello everybody,
Had the opportunity to spend 2 days riding some UK steam trains  and thought I would share some edited down videos and photos of my adventure.  Never shared vacation photos before but I thought you guys might enjoy them.  I did.

http://s1187.photobucket.com/user/captain1313/slideshow/Steam%20in%20the%20UK

Hope the link works.

Kevin

In another discussion, some comments were made regarding why some modellers prefer steam and others diesel.  So I thought this might be a nice discussion.  Some like steam because that's what they remember as a child........others never had the opportunity.  Growing up in Chicago in the 50's I don't recall ever seeing a steamer.  Then again my memory may have some gaps.   I got back in this hobby about a year and a half ago.  My first power was diesel. 2 F7's, 2 GP40's and a 70 tonner.  Once I started building the layout (and the 3 expansions) I realized that the structures I liked (and had room for) were from the "Golden Age of Rail".  Small freight stations, smaller passenger depots, ice facilities, feed lots and other small businesses that utilized rail for their goods.  They have a smaller footprint as compared to modern industries on the rail lines of today.  Back in the sixties RR's closed most of their smaller branch lines and got out of the LCL business and went to trucks and piggyback.  A steamer is the only thing that looks good spotting cars at the icing facility.  I now have 7 steamers. Life was so much simpler in those days but oh brother the work was harder.

Took a vote at the company board meeting and Me, Myself and I all voted  for steam. 

Kevin

Anyone with a Dynamis with the Pro Box that is thinking about adding the 5 amp booster......think again.  They are not compatible.  You lose Program track capabilities because that is the port that you use to run the DCC signal to the booster.  I think I have a wiring solution using a DPDT switch.  I post again if it works.   But you'll  only be able to use main track or program track...not both at the same time.  It would have been nice if Bachmann stated in the Dynamis manual that the Pro Box and Booster were not compatible with each other. 

And before anyone suggests calling the Service Dept..............been there...........done that. 

There has to be a way..............and...........I WILL FIND IT.

Kevin

Here's one for all you in the UK.  My grandson in the UK has the Hornby Digital controller.  I was thinking about sending him several of my US Bachmann Locos with the 2 function decoders.  Will they be compatible?  He's dad is over on this side of the pond right and I'll send them back with him if they will work.

Thanks to all.

Kevin

I thought I'd share this idea with you all.  Don't know if anyone else thought of this but me being the type of person who always looks for the easy way of doing things this works great.  When ever I had to mix those small bottles of paint there was always clumps of the pigment not mixed.  I tried a mixing wand on a cordless drill but only did a fair job not to mention the the paint wasted on the mixer.  (A real tight a..).  Then I thought about real paint mixers I've used at Home Depot.  I used old saw blades and my quick change cordless reciprocal  saw.  My god did it do a great job.  No clumps at all and only took 5 seconds.  Even on bottles that have sat a long time.

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z395/captain1313/Paintmixer017.jpg
http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z395/captain1313/Paintmixer018.jpg

Kevin

I think I have a very unique situation.  I have an Atlas Gold SD35 with QSI sound.  When I apply voltage to the loco my Dynamis Pro looses contact with the handsets and I loose all control.  If I take out the Pro Box everything is fine.  Bachmann checked out the Pro Box already and everything was fine with it.  After getting it back everything has been fine.  No problems. But today tried running the Atlas for the first time since getting the Pro Box back and my problem is back.  If it's just sitting there with all the sounds working everything is OK.  Get it moving and within 5-10 seconds you can tell signal is lost or blast the horn and you can't turn it off unless you power down the command station or wait 'til it times out.  This has been driving me crazy (short drive) but at least now I know it's the Atlas motor causing some kind of IR interference.  Has anyone had any similar problem? And if so, what was the fix?  Thanks for any help.

Kevin

OK...here's a question for the old timers.  What are the pros and cons of using sprung trucks.  I seem to have more problems with them the non sprung.  Thanks to all.

Can anyone tell me what else is needed along with the pro box to have several IR receivers set around a layout.  The range on my basic Dynamis is only about 10' and I need  about 20'.  Can't seem to find out what comes with the Pro Box, i.e.: IR receiver.  Thanks for any info you can give me.

Kevin 

After 45yrs I'm finally getting back into the hobby.  Wow, a lot of changes but yet somethings never change  DCC....wireless.....no brass, but still Plasticville, Atlas and the others.  OK...I have to ask.....what ever happend to brass track?  I remember n/s being a more expensive option now it's seams to be the standard.  When did it change?

Kevin

Good thing I have more money now than I did than.

Does anyone know if the Backmann reversing loop module can be hooked up to handle 2 loops?