Dear Guys,

Could not make it this year. However, the worst day railroading is better than the best day fishing, or something like that, n'est pa?

Best Wishes,

Jack

Dear Jim,

When I worked construction years ago, we always damp sponged the drywall joints instead of sanding.  It did a nice job, and no dust.

Best Wishes,

Jack

Dear "Fan,"

Could you please give dates? I presume weekend of 10/13?  If so, I will try to get there Sunday. Would love to meet our esteemed RR friends, having already met Mr. B. Pittsburgh last Autumn.

Best Wishes,

Jack

Dear Friends,

I am thrilled at the possibility of the purchase.  Our local club runs Williams. They are considered to be fine runners, good detail and bullet proof.  Well done!

Best Wishes,

Jack

Dear Terry,

Small world, "ain't it?"  I think the French say, "N'est pa." 

http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=192937

Hope your experience was not too traumatic!  Western PA can have some strange areas, as I think our beloved first President found out in the Whiskey Rebellion.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whiskey_Rebellion  (for the younger crowd).

This is off train topics, but if you ever get there again, the town has an absolutely wonderful pizza shop. It is square cut, with exquisitely crispy crust, and a melding of flavors that will leave one in a euphoric state and wanting to come back for more!  Sorry to wax poetic, but I have to get the wax out somehow!

Best Wishes,

Jack

Dear Woody and Rich,

Much thanks for the info.  Having great fun with this stuff, and meeting really nice people!

On another note, I will be going to the TCA meet in York, PA (I think), in the fall.  If any of our fine forum members want to get together for a cup of Joe and some train chat, please let me know.

Best Wishes,

Jack

Dear Rich,

Hamfisted would be an overstatement. Rather would prefer to do other things. I am new to the HO game, and disassembled a used Atlas FA/2 today to see how it works. Cleaned and lubed it. Now runs great. Next item is to learn how to do the soldering of small stuff. This is not needed in my day job, just something I want to learn as I grow with this hobby.

Best Wishes,

Jack

Dear Friends,

Would agree to get super detailing kits for each loco.  I have looked at kits with and without, and am impressed with the amount of precision drilling that is needed.  Too ham fisted to even attempt it.  And I feel it improves the appearances significantly.

Best Wishes, 

Jack

Dear Jake,

I bought a USRA Light Mikado kit last year and will start it this Fall.  It is supposed to take about 3 weeks, give or take a few, to complete.  The Bowser web site used to list a one dollar upgrade to isolate the DC-71 motor.  Another option posted here last year is to get a Helix Humper, which I intend to do, since I want to install a decoder.

http://www.alliancelink.com/alp/photos.htm

#151 Bowser K11 4-6-2/USRA Light Pacific 4-6-2 $39.95 (View #151 Instruction Sheet)

Thanks, Roger for the mention of Alliance.  (FYI, Alliance is also the name of the former Hercules Powder Co, spun off by DuPont, which makes propellant powders, e.g. Bullseye, Herco, 2400, Blue Dot, Green Dot, Unique, etc. for the US cartridge reloading industry).

Best Wishes,

Jack

Dear Friends,

Not to pirate your thread, but it does say "HO DCC."

The current online issue of "Model Railroader Newsletter" has an article that describes an interesting way to wire a reverse loop in DCC and to automatically align the turnouts.  There is also a link to a Kalmbach PDF video that has DCC wiring tips!

This might be of interest to you all, or "all y'all" as my KY sister-in-law, Brenda says!

As I have stated, this is merely to give an interesting piece of info to an interesting group!

Best Wishes,

Jack

Dear Bill,

That's a good one!

A web search revealed that Tom Snyder, the night time talk show host has recently died, and was an avid model railroader.

Best Wishes,

Jack

Dear Bill,

As a kid in the 'Burgh in the '50's, I listened to Rege nearly every morning, especially on snow days!!! 

Old Frothingslosh was billed as "The pale, stale ale with the foam on the bottom" and had a buxom, nay coruplent lass on the can.  Pittsburgh Brewing Co. puts it out every Christmas time.  Why don't you get yourself a case!

Too, there was Bob Trow as Brunhilde, Louie the Garbage Man, Ah Cool Barry Fink (the Beatnik), Johnny Costa (I think) the musician, and of course, "Omicron" the man from outer space who talked to "Kordicron."  I am sure I have forgotten others, but a web search turned this up:

http://aolsearch.aol.com/aol/search?encquery=4ff78d3f33802b614987d8552f2a4d4e&invocationType=keyword_rollover&ie=UTF-8

Would suggest you listen to the sound bites for an ideer of his humor, definitely "Pittsburgh-esque."

Rege lived in Zelionople, and many the time I have passed his house.

Best Wishes,

Jack

Dear Rich,

Might just take you up on your offer!  I have a Mantua Berk, just purchased used, in need of a major cleaning.  Waiting for the day when our Dear Old Bach Man announces a DCC ready NPR Berk in the HO line. Until then, I will sit here mouldering away.

Best Wishes,

Jack

Used to live an hour's drive from Pee-Roo, but did not know about the 284. Sorry me.  A few months ago I saw a Berk sitting, rusting, waiting for a rebuild, but for the life of me I cannot remember where!

Is the Peru Berk in good shape?

Best Wishes,

Jack

Dear 4eyes,

Several years ago TOC posted, and re-posted how he weighted the Indy so that it pulled very well.  I seem to recall that he said something like you could not break any component in the drive train, too.  He said get as much weight in it as you can.  I think Rich Cormier uses small lead shot, say no. 9 or smaller, in small balloons to contain the stuff.  Otherwise you can glue it in.

Dave & Rich, please correct me if wrong.

Best Wishes,

Jack