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Messages - Jake

#61
Hey all. After picking up a few issues of Model Railroader (7 for $10! ;D) and a copy of Model Railroad Planning 2008, I have rethought how my layout is going to work. After a little thought and research, I think it would be interesting to use a combination of car cards and waybills. Car cards controlling the freight cars' pickup and set out points, and waybills controlling the movement of passenger and freight trains across the main. Now with that, It would be necessary for the operators to be able to contact the dispatcher for waybills. Now, since the layout is planned be in one room, and the dispatcher/operator lounge will be in another, radio headsets seem to be a good choice, but, I have no experience with these. So could someone please give me a few pointers, like what brand you use, why you use it, other brands that may also be good, etc. My needs are simply that it can communicate from my room (2nd floor of the house) to the layout room (basement). Which isn't very far, because if my entire room were to drop down to the basement level, my room would be right next to, if not slightly overlapping the layout room. Radio interference shouldn't be a   problem, since my house doesn't have satellite tv or radio, and regular radio is very rarely used.

Please and thank you!
#62
General Discussion / Re: no lights
January 26, 2008, 09:08:34 PM
What are you using to control your trains? Assuming its DCC, what brand? If it is the Bachmann E-Z command, try pressing the #10 button. Last I remember that was the function button for headlights.
#63
HO / Re: Item # 83409 Richmand 4-4-0 (DCC ON-BOARD)
January 19, 2008, 02:12:25 PM
No it is not visible, in fact, it isn't even in the cab. Most steam locomotives have the decoder in the tender. But as for the sound decoder, you can fit a Micro Tsunami in the tender, since they aren't much bigger than the Bachmann ones.
#64
HO / Re: Birthday wisdom
January 15, 2008, 04:22:24 PM
Happy birthday. And not a bad Idea there...



Jake "Don't hit the alcohol too hard!" S.
#65
General Discussion / Re: Curves.
January 15, 2008, 07:21:09 AM
All of this makes me glad that I model a scale where there are two brands of track, the ones from Aspen Models (Eh...) and the ones you make yourself. :D
#66
Thomas & Friends / Thomas Comic...
January 14, 2008, 12:04:30 PM
I just came across a funny Thomas comic, thought I'd show it to you...

http://www.explosm.net/db/files/Comics/Dave/comicthomas3.png

Pretty self explanitory...
#67
HO / Re: Harriman Steamers
January 12, 2008, 11:18:23 PM
Quote from: TonyD on January 12, 2008, 10:07:44 PM
I don't know if I am on the same page here, but- why is a Harriman steamer called a Harriman? Seems the boilers- which is what I notice 1st, is more a vanderbilt line design, sand dome, taper to the steam dome, then a turret infront of the cab. I know the real vanderbilt had some weird firebox, but- a Vanderbilt tender, -I don't know of a Vanderbilt line that used them- but all Harriman lines used them....am I the only one confused about this? I KNOW someone out here can set me straight....as for the thread, yeah I had to kitbash alco or MLW pacifics out of a k-4 chassis and whatever else I had to use as a boiler.... that's why you can't thro anything away..... 

...Because that is the name of the company that manufactured them...:-\
#68
Quote from: the Bach-man on January 10, 2008, 11:57:44 PM
Dear All,
We will indeed be there!
Looking forward to seeing everyone- even G.G.!
(Kidding...)
Have fun!
the Bach-man

Well then, it looks like I will see you there!

And Gene, it's a shame you aren't going, I would have been looking forward to seeing you if you were! But, there is always next year.
#69
Large / Re: Formula: successful K27 = momentum for K36
January 11, 2008, 05:35:48 PM
While I don't model Fn3 (but rather HOn3) I still agree. Use the chance you have now to produce more K-Class (And possibly later C and T class) locomotives.
#70
HO / Re: AC
January 06, 2008, 02:47:09 PM
^Well, gene, considering his profile has 118 posts before the counter shut off, I would have to say yes that Bill Baker is this kid's grandfather.

And yes, AC is typically used for AC (Alternating Current) powered accessories. Such as turnout motors and building lights.
#71
Thomas & Friends / Re: Thomas and DCC
January 05, 2008, 12:40:54 AM
I don't normally post here, but I think I'll give a little input.

Quote from: SmokeyNSteamer on January 02, 2008, 06:11:06 AM
I just had an interesting idea--what if we could add DCC/sound to the TTTE line?  Each DCC decoder/sound card will come equipped with each engine's distinctive whistle sound and appropriate chuff sounds (low-pitched for Gordon, high-pitched for Percy, for example).  Maybe, if possible, we could equip the card with a few lines of dialogue from Ringo Starr (or whoever is narrating now---I forget) in lieu of the "Bell" function (bells are only used on US locomotives BTW). 

DCC won't skyrocket the price THAT much, but it goes well beyond the expectations of the fans, considering that the series was originally made in 1984, before DCC ever existed!

DCC and sound? Yes it would. Bachmann would have to use a Micro Tsunami Decoder, which go for $139.95. Not to mention, since a custom one would have to be made, that would go up to about $175. And the extra wiring would probably add another $4 or so.

So... A DCC and sound equipped Thomas...
$37.50 for the Loco
$175.00
+$4.00 for extra wiring
$215.50, and that is without the extra needed for profit added.

So, yeah, it would raise the price THAT much.

Sorry to rain on the parade, but...
#72
N / Re: Newbe Questions
December 31, 2007, 12:04:15 AM
Quote from: PRRThomas11 on December 30, 2007, 10:19:42 PM
You're welcome. I never realized you couldn't nail easy track down. It has a hole in the track, but not the gray roadbed thing. Weird. :-\

Actually, the plastic piece in the hole is very thin and easily pierced with a nail or needle. Why hasn't anyone noticed that? ???
#73
General Discussion / Tsunami Problem
December 28, 2007, 08:40:51 PM
Hello all. I am having a problem with my new K-27. ( :( ) When I put the locomotive on the track, it powers up, and makes all the sounds it should in neutral. But when I press a function key, or move the throttle I get nothing. I tried changing the address, and I successfully did it. (The motor pulsed and the loco moved a bit) But I still get nothing out of it. Any help is really, really appreciated!!!
#74
General Discussion / Re: Your New Years Resolutions
December 28, 2007, 01:38:39 AM
1. Finish layout trackplan
2. Begin layout construction
3. Get a job
4. Buy myself some more K-27's
5. Buy some rolling stock
6. Become proficient at hand laying track.

...;D...
#75
I got...

Some ME code 70 rail (22 36" pieces - 66 linear feet, or 33 feet of track.)
Some PC Board ties. (3 bundles of 100)
A bag of 1000 wood ties
A 15 Foot roll of 0.015" rosin core solder
A Weller 25 watt soldering iron
Some Pliobond cement. (HOLY CRAP this stuff stinks!!!)
Xuron Rail Cutters
A FastTracks tie rack.
A Blackstone K-27 (Coming in the mail...)
A Digitrax Zephyr (See above)
Some ME code 70 Rail Joiners (See above)
Woodland Scenics Hob-E-Lube lite oil and gear grease
A Cannon PowerShot A550 digital camera + a Kingston 2gb memory card
A Nintendo DS Lite.


Sooo... Ya. I'm happy! ;D