nScale.net http://www.nscale.net/forums/ This is a discussion forum for N scale model railways, go to http://www.nscale.net/ . en Mon, 06 Sep 2010 11:36:30 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.nscale.net/forums/images/misc/rss.png nScale.net http://www.nscale.net/forums/ A VERY Good Weekend - Cass Scenic Railroad http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?19035-A-VERY-Good-Weekend-Cass-Scenic-Railroad&goto=newpost Mon, 06 Sep 2010 03:27:52 GMT Here's just a primer of a whole lot more photos we took while at the Cass Scenic Railroad, Cass, WV.

We rode behind #11, a Lima-built Shay on a 2-hour round trip to Whittaker Station and back. I shot through a set of batteries and a half, including video... but I have to get it home to properly process it all.

#11 is a 106-ton, 3-truck Class C-90 Shay, the 2nd largest at Cass - FKA Feather River #3. The drivers are 36", the pistons 14-1/2 inch bore, with a 15-inch stroke, and the top speed on level track is 13mph. On the trip up to Whittaker Station, she tackled a NINE PERCENT grade pulling four fully (over) loaded passenger excursion cars, hardly skipping a beat.

Here are a few shots:

#11's badge up close (we rode in the first car)


It was a beautiful, warm, breezy day. Here's the sunshine filtering through the trees and the coal smoke:


Here's #11 waiting at Whittaker Station for the return trip.


And here's the "business side". I tried to get video of the pistons in action, but I could never get a good angle from the car, and we couldn't stick around for the other locomotive to return from Bald Knob.


When we got back to the station, the Fireman (actually, a woman) allowed the kids and me to climb into the cab. The firebox - nice and toasty, even when idle:


Don't worry, there's plenty more to come, as soon as I can get them all downloaded and compiled. ]]> General Rail Discussion TwinDad http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?19035-A-VERY-Good-Weekend-Cass-Scenic-Railroad Happy Birthday Bigsparky65! http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?19032-Happy-Birthday-Bigsparky65!&goto=newpost Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:26:54 GMT Bigsparky65's birthday is not in the Calendar but today is his birthday! Happy Birthday Jeff! Hope it is a wonderful day for you! :wishes::cheers: ]]> General Rail Discussion BryanC http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?19032-Happy-Birthday-Bigsparky65! A startling revelation http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?19031-A-startling-revelation&goto=newpost Sun, 05 Sep 2010 12:22:36 GMT I went down to the train room this morning and started a couple trains around the track. I sat and watched them for about ten minutes and was... I went down to the train room this morning and started a couple trains around the track. I sat and watched them for about ten minutes and was absolutely thrilled doing just that! I started looking at my layout and trying to decide what I wanted/needed to do next. (There are so many projects). I tried very hard to decide what NEEDED to be done. Again, there are so many things that NEED to be done. I decided I NEEDED to just play with trains for a while. That is when it jumped up and smacked me dead in the face (I have a bruise to prove it).......I just want to play with trains. Through much guidance on here and reading everything there is to offer on the internet and magazines etc etc etc.....I JUST want to play with trains. I have told myself I am trying to semi sort of model NS/CSX/UP....but the roster grows. My tastes have changed in the short (almost) year since I started this project, and the trackplan has changed.....and the industries have changed......and the roads have changed......and my taste in what lines I want to run have changed....but the ONLY common denominator is the fact that I JUST want to play with trains.

Yes, I want cool scenery and cool buildings and cool locomotives and cool yadda yadda yadda.....you get the idea.....but all I want to do is sit and watch my little trains go around and around. And I want to stop that one and back it into a siding and pretend I am loading it up with some freight.....and then I want to pull it back out on the tracks and go roundy roundy roundy.

The electronics category of this hobby has smitten me..... I have purchased "Electronics for dummies" and have been engrossed in it for two days now. I don't know that I am learning a lot but it is fascinating reading and very enlightening. I would absolutely love to be able to build my own CDU. Or be able to tell someone how it works, just a bit beyond "It stores electricity and works when you hit a button" Does that make sense??

I have, in the past, fooled myself into believing I want to have everything "In scale" and proper and fitting of the era I am modeling.....but the bottom line is...I don't care! If I like it, I will put it on my layout.

I ABSOLUTELY admire those of you that hand lay track.....or scratch build cars or buildings.....or can weather a car down to a single rivet.....I can't. Not because I don't have the intestinal fortitude or knowledge (The knowledge I can get here). I can't because I just dont want to spend my hobby time doing that! I just want to watch trains.

I took my girlfriend up on Lookout mountain here in Chattanooga yesterday because I wanted to show her Sunset Rock, a place I used to go australian rapelling when I was younger. That and the fact it is an ABSOLUTELY beautiful view of lookout valley on the western side of the mountain. Yanno what I did?? I turned it into another railfanning experience somehow.....:slap-head: I started looking down on the view and saw the spot where we normally go to railfan......and I RAN to get the both cameras and started shooting! This, a very tranquil and serene visit to one of the most beautiful areas in my community (And probably should have been a little romantic) I turned into railfanning......sheesh.

The startling revelation here?

I am an addict. I love seeing trains. I don't give a dang if they are black or orange or yellow or blue.....I just love seeing them. And that is why I play with trains. I simply love trains.

If anyone knows of the twelve step program to help me get this in control....let me know. I just did step one.....I admitted it. ]]> General Rail Discussion REM37411 http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?19031-A-startling-revelation O T: Christchurch New Zealand Earthqauke http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?19030-O-T-Christchurch-New-Zealand-Earthqauke&goto=newpost Sun, 05 Sep 2010 07:42:52 GMT Just a quick note to thank those of the membership who contacted me or expressed concern about the earhquake that occured in Christchurch, New... Just a quick note to thank those of the membership who contacted me or expressed concern about the earhquake that occured in Christchurch, New Zealand, on 4 Septembert 2010. Although I have not been directly affected by the latest 'quake, your concerns and expressions of interest are much greatly appreciated. Thank you. ]]> General Rail Discussion Komata http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?19030-O-T-Christchurch-New-Zealand-Earthqauke Railfest 2010 http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?19028-Railfest-2010&goto=newpost Sat, 04 Sep 2010 22:45:53 GMT I made it to railfest at Steamtown today, my camera decided to just die:eek:. So i only have 13 pics to show everyone. It was a fabulous show, i'm going back tomorrow with my sons camera. They had scratch built Lego trains, Big Boy cab tour, and a lot more. If there are any different shot you would like to see of what i have taken, please let me know and i'll do my best to get them.:cool:


Sparky(Jeff)
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]]> Event Discussions Bigsparky65 http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?19028-Railfest-2010 Aug. 2010: CN 915 Schnable car Action in Ont. Canada http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?19027-Aug.-2010-CN-915-Schnable-car-Action-in-Ont.-Canada&goto=newpost Sat, 04 Sep 2010 22:28:18 GMT While "drifting" the webs I came across an interesting train that a few rail fans caught on camera.
I didn't realize it at first until I read the route it took, this train ran through a town I lived in as a kid :cool: headed for Sarnia for the States.
CN 915 hauling a giant Schnabel car CEBX 800 filmed in a few locations, have a look ->
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=cn+915&aq=f
http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...=cebx+800&aq=f

I hope that someone caught it in Wyoming Ont. and still has to upload the video to You Tube. ]]> General Rail Discussion DrifterNL http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?19027-Aug.-2010-CN-915-Schnable-car-Action-in-Ont.-Canada Two new ESM videos! http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?19026-Two-new-ESM-videos!&goto=newpost Sat, 04 Sep 2010 15:49:34 GMT Two new videos from ESM: XIH Boxcar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KCBfzYEA5Y) G26 Mill Gondola (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3XOk5DPhcw) ... Two new videos from ESM:

XIH Boxcar
G26 Mill Gondola

See additional content on Facebook! ]]> Product Announcements bbussey http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?19026-Two-new-ESM-videos! Happy Birthday Taylure! http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?19025-Happy-Birthday-Taylure!&goto=newpost Sat, 04 Sep 2010 12:44:50 GMT Happy 51st birthday, *Brian*! Hope you have a wonderful day! :wishes::cheers: Happy 51st birthday, Brian! Hope you have a wonderful day! :wishes::cheers: ]]> General Rail Discussion BryanC http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?19025-Happy-Birthday-Taylure! What resistor is that http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?19024-What-resistor-is-that&goto=newpost Sat, 04 Sep 2010 12:29:29 GMT A list of preferred values and their colors This file will auto download from my server and opens in Open Office ... A list of preferred values and their colors This file will auto download from my server and opens in Open Office http://pjanddrc.mine.nu/resistors.odt Please N Joy

PDF Version http://pjanddrc.mine.nu/resistors.pdf ]]> General Wiring http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?19024-What-resistor-is-that Bus and Feeder AWG http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?19023-Bus-and-Feeder-AWG&goto=newpost Sat, 04 Sep 2010 11:42:22 GMT I have been reading up on the awg for the bus and feeders. I am planning on using 14awg for the bus and I would like to use 20awg stranded for the... I have been reading up on the awg for the bus and feeders. I am planning on using 14awg for the bus and I would like to use 20awg stranded for the feeders but I can only find 16awg locally. I am thinking 20 or even 18 would be better. My layout will be 3'x7' with a 3'x3' L on one end. Any thoughts? ]]> General Wiring RDakota http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?19023-Bus-and-Feeder-AWG my track plan http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?19022-my-track-plan&goto=newpost Sat, 04 Sep 2010 05:58:33 GMT Hi all I have been asked to post a copy of the track plan,well here it is.I have changed the original design by adding to it.I did not add to the ... Hi all
I have been asked to post a copy of the track plan,well here it is.I have changed the original design by adding to it.I did not add to the paper what I put on the layout.
thanks for all your input.
Ken
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__________________
" It is better to keep your mouth shut and let people think your stupid than open your mouth and prove them right " Honest Abe ]]> 10-7 http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?19022-my-track-plan Handlaid track: building a crossing http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?19021-Handlaid-track-building-a-crossing&goto=newpost Sat, 04 Sep 2010 03:23:18 GMT I've just started building an industrial area on my layout and the track plan calls for several turnouts and a 30 degree crossing. I can build the turnouts using Fasttracks jigs but needing only one crossing I didn't want to spend the money on jigs for it. So what follows is my experience building a complex piece of track using only a template and track guage tools.

It took a couple false starts before I succeeded. On my first attempt I decided to assemble it starting in the middle and working outward, reasoning that that would make it easier to reach the connection points with the soldering iron. It didn't take long to realize that this would make it difficult if not impossible to keep everything in gauge, so I scrapped it. On the second attempt I wasn't quite careful enough with filing and bending the angles of the various components. As a result I had to shift and adjust things during assembly and although I completed the crossing, it was a mess - out of gauge in several places, some flageways too wide, others too narrow. I scrapped it and began again.

I started by downloading and printing a copy of the template from the Fasttracks website. After attaching it to my work surface I put two pieces of very sticky double-sided tape over the template. Next, I prepared the PC board ties by cutting electrical gaps in the places indicated by the template and then lightly sanded them to provide a clean surface for the solder.



I built the two sharpest angles first, filing the ends of two pieces of rail and then soldering them together and to the ties, carefully matching the angle on the template. I filled the joints wilth solder and filed them smooth. The next step was to form the shallow angles. I do this by nipping a small chunk out of the bottom flange of the rail on the inside of the angle, and then bending the rail while holding it with a small pair of pliers right beside the joint to ensure a precise, sharp bend. I used a pair of three-point track gauges to align it with the opposite rail, and soldered it in place.



I then built the guard rails and the crossing rails (I don't know the official terminology for rail crossing components, so please bear with me). These are each formed from two pieces, as shown in the photo. File the sharp angles where the two pieces will join. It's better fo file away too much, as you'll fill the joint with solder. File away too little and the pieces won't fit together. After making the bend to match the template, as well as the inward "flare" on the ends I filed a small chamfer to ensure that wheels are guided into the flangeway. The angled piece was attached first, using a three-point track guage to position it, then the straight piece was attached to it and the joint filled with solder. After attaching each piece I went back with an NMRA guage to check guage and flangeway clearances, and made adjustments as necessary.



Finally, I built the inner diamond from two pieces of rail - first filing the ends and then forming the shallow bend. Without jigs it's tricky to get these pieces just the right size and shape, but there's no point trying to fasten them in place until they are (speaking here from experience).



This photo shows the crossing ready to be removed from the template so the electrical gaps can be cut. (Yikes - just realized these photos are a bit contrasty and make the soldering job look pretty bad! All I can say is this looks better than my previous attempt :) )
Some touch-ups were still required. For example, one of the PC board ties on the upper left had to be replaced. I damaged it while trying to adjust the flangeway width because the rail wasn't bent to the correct angle.

After cutting the gaps with a Zona jeweller's saw I remove the pieces of rail on the sharp angles of the crossing, as I prefer to minimize the number of rail joiners and it makes more sense to start the next piece of rail at the gap rather than just a short distance away. You can see in the following photo how the turnout is attached to the crossing with no rail joiners.

The finished crossing is being connected to surrounding turnouts before being cleaned, painted, and placed on the layout.

]]> Tutorials code40 http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?19021-Handlaid-track-building-a-crossing Remote manual turnouts for HCD layout idea http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?19020-Remote-manual-turnouts-for-HCD-layout-idea&goto=newpost Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:26:29 GMT Hey MusicMan, I had this idea the other night and drew it out today... Maybe it will work for you?

Let me know if it's not clear...
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]]> Trackage ranulf http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?19020-Remote-manual-turnouts-for-HCD-layout-idea Defect detector simulator. http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?19019-Defect-detector-simulator.&goto=newpost Fri, 03 Sep 2010 02:53:23 GMT I just thought I would give everyone here a little preview of one of the projects I have been working on, a defect detector simulator: ... I just thought I would give everyone here a little preview of one of the projects I have been working on, a defect detector simulator:

http://www.nscaleintermodal.com/Ardu...tbox-Detector/

I have included some audio samples at the bottom of the page above

Paul ]]> pbender http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?19019-Defect-detector-simulator. Race to the bottom (magazines) http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?19018-Race-to-the-bottom-(magazines)&goto=newpost Thu, 02 Sep 2010 20:50:00 GMT Why does it appear there is a race to the bottom of the barrel between the two most prominent N Scale magazines? I just happened to pick up a couple... Why does it appear there is a race to the bottom of the barrel between the two most prominent N Scale magazines? I just happened to pick up a couple of issues I didn't have of both yesterday and started reading through them only to find the layouts they were featuring were anything but inspiring. Well maybe I should clarify that because there were actually three layouts that did "inspire" me, not to wind up with anything like them!

Where are the features on the San Diego museum layout updates or on other well known layouts around the world that are constantly being improved by their builders? How about showing us more club layouts with their group effort work in progress? I don't feel like spending my money on a rag that "features" a layout that could have been built better by a 6 year old! Even MRR takes N Scale more seriously than these two mags seem to be these days.

Why is it that with so many quality layouts on the net they don't wind up with a full story in one of these two magazines dedicated to the scale? Could it be that the builders/owners of those layout have seen the kind of company their efforts would be keeping on the pages of these magazines? Can you blame them if they politely said "No thank you!" to either publication?

I've written before in a post or two about the worst layout I've ever seen - regardless of the scale - in a magazine being an N Scale layout "featured" last year in one of the two scale mags. I'd honestly be embarrassed to show anyone my layout if it looked like that. No ballast on many of the main line sectional c80 track highlighted by the fact they had close ups of those sections. Feeders clearly visible in many of the pics. Hardboard painted with bright green paint as grass! The mag raved on about how the owner grew up in the area he was modeling and had been building this layout for almost 15 years. I'd have taken an axe to the thing and burnt it before I let anyone take photos of it let alone put it in a magazine.

I know of one small but beautifully built layout that the owner has submitted photos and a story of to one of the magazines. That was done almost 3 months ago and so far all they have heard back is that the story and photos were received. Nothing else. That is pathetic. If their current crop of featured layouts is anything to go by there is something seriously wrong with whoever is running things at that joint when a quality advertisement for this skills and dedication many of us have to this scale and hobby is left sitting around shoved in a pile on someone's desk and work of a what can only be described as second rate is given priority.

(climbing down off soap box) ]]> General Rail Discussion aussie http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?19018-Race-to-the-bottom-(magazines)