Good afternoon fellow Spike Drivers,
Flo, Francine, Things again seem lively down here at Jeffrey Running Bears' Dinner. How about a bowl of Beef Stew and coffee.
46°F Wells Rd. Station Report
5:52 PM PST on December 19, 2017 (GMT -0800) | Updated a few seconds ago
--°F | 42°F
46°F - Feels like 45°F, Partly Cloudy;
Winds are from the NNW at .5 mph with Gusts to 3 mph;
Humidity is only 38%;
Tomorrow is forecast to be Much Cooler than today.
Good morning, guys. 53°, and sunny, a really pleasant day. '
Concerning the Amtrak wreck, It's quite possible that there was a 30mph restricted curve, in 80 MPH territory. Brings up a point about qualification procedures, especially considering this was a "New" route. Compared to the speed restriction violations on the NEC and Metro North, where the speed restricted curves were well known, This was a new and previously untraveled (by Amtrak), route.
OTOH, the media and NTSB carry on entirely too much about PTC. It's a tool, but is not perfect, foolproof, or insurmountable. There may be valid reasons why there was no PTC in effect, possibly, because another Federal Agency hadn't signed off on it yet? The NTSB has a tendency to posture before the media, and make baseless pronouncements, selectively leaking data to support their agenda. The final detailed report comes out at best, a year later, and frequently doesn't support their initial pronouncements.
The railroad involved, was a lightly used line, before the States of Washington and Oregon, spent a ton of money on it. The State Governments, not Amtrak or BNSF own the line. Amtrak is a tenant and designated operator of the State Sponsored services. Amtrak has various versions of PTC equipment on their locomotives and cab cars, and their own system of train control on lines Amtrak owns outright.
It's not Amtrak's responsibility to install / operate PTC here. Main reason for delays in implementing government mandated programs and procedure, are usually related to other governmental agencies and their concerns. That ratty looking bridge over I5,wasn't even painted over, probably so as not to cause delay on I5. If the FRA didn't sign off of that particular installation of PTC, it cannot be placed in service until the FRA approves. Government moves at the speed of government. Everything about this incident, involves someone from government, at several different levels.
In other news, today is gift wrap and contribute to worthy charity day. later, I will continue wiring DC blocks on my layout, a most unpleasant task.
CSX Stock is recovering from recent lows due to the Illness and Death of CEO Hunter Harrison.
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Joe: Yah, wireing blocks is a bit of a PIA but as long as you get a good solder joint to the rail, good solder connection to the buss line and good connection to the block switch it's a one time deal for positive control. I use the Atlas controlers with the three on/off switches to handle tree blocks and you can add extra units on to them as needed and each block remain seperate with just the one bus connection to which I solder feeder wires to go to the controler and a screw connection from their. Again from the controller it' a screw connection from the tinned end of the feeders to their connection at the rail and I always leave some extra slack in the feeders in case I need to cut a bit off for a new solder connection at the rail. The Cotrollers are convenient to my thinking although adding facia is going to be a bit of extra work for me but shouldn't be all that bad.
As far as the Amtrack wreck in Washington, it seems I read on the web that the lead loco or train cars derailed on the old bridge prior to the curve and I guess the wrest of the cars followed?
Good Morning Everyone: 41* heading to 69* today - still no clouds to speak of. The forecast shows 20% chance of rain tomorrow.
The fire is slowly coming under control if the wind stays down. Nephew's wife Facebooked last evening that they had fire near both sides of their house, but was able to be stopped! She said that if the wind behaves they may be allowed back in Wed or Thur. That would be a good Christmas for them!
Can't believe that not a single one of you commented on my post late last evening!
Well....so be it!
On my own - again. I'm gonna go fix myself an UMLAUT!
Sherrel: Did you add two black olives for the DOTS?
OK Girls and Guys .... I have been asked by one of the clan as to what they can get me for Christmas!
As most of you know - I am basic starting over with HO. I will need wheel sets, trucks, and couplers. What do I ask for?????
Brand names and numbers, please!
Ok Sherrel: I would have replied last night but I was just too darn tired, hope you can forgive me. As
Terry mentioned Kadees' #5 couplers with their separate centering spring are an old standard.
Their #148 Whisker coupler has fine wire centering springs built into the back portion of the mounting shaft. A better choice I think.
They also have #158 Scale couplers with the Whiker centering springs that have a more scale size as well as looking head.
I may have to try some of these myself.
Also their site,
https://kadee.com/, offer a very good conversion chart to help you find couplers for cars that require other styles of couplers
Kadee also makes a number of metal Wheel sets to replace the Delrine ones. I think for your Era, if that's in the Mid thirties to 40's or later you'd probably want the following-
Smooth back wheels sets, such as: 33" Freight wheel Diameter Wheelset (smooth back) Tire width of .088 #530 or std Tire width # 520;
For older Freight cars such as those with Truss rods you might like the ribbed backed wheels. 33" Diameter Wheelset (ribbed) .088 Tire Wdth 533 or Std Wdth 523;
Passenger cars and cabooses used 36" wheel diameters and again in their respective #'s per Kadee's chart.
The also have a variety of truck frame styles to choose from depending on the application.
I see that they have truck sets with electrical pickups for Cabooeses and possibly passenger cars?
Hope that helps to answer some questions for you?
Good morning gang
And oh what a glorious morning it is. Settlement on the house is tonight, which also gets someones name off the deed!
And for those keeping score, the big D is scheduled for 2/6/18.
Flo, I'll be single soon, you better be careful!
Karl: Good to see you getting your sense of humor back. Flo, better watch out for
Karl!
As it stands right now my layout takes up 6'x 10'. Spot on measurements and a good case for leaving the sacred sheet. The plan I initially shared. I'll share again in this post. It should only take up 8'x 9' and open the door for wider radius curves. As I see it too I'll have the space to play with here. Even if I don't pull the power plant coal mine deal I can do external staging as a place to go. Now bear in mind I'm not using the track plan just the table setup. I have my own ideas that will make this layout feel more C&O instead of fly by my pants modeling like my previous layout.
Justin
Justin: I guess your not going to follow that plan too closely and maybe it's a good thing as it has far too much reach over on the Right side. The two inner sidings should have been connected on the curve or at the beginning of the straight track on the inner Left side to somewhat even up the width of each side it would seem.
Glad to know your going to build a layout you can operate from within, you'll find it a lot more enjoyable. Being that your in 'DC' you ought to look into getting a radio controlled hand throttle also as it so much more convenient to be able to follow your trains around and control the speed or slowing and backing to spot a car and be in a convenient spot to do it.
If your not familiar with what I was referring to as a T nut, it has a threaded center section that you have to drill a hole for. I use 3/8's T nuts which also have three pointed grippers that are tapped into the base of a wooden leg. I use a 2x4 cut length wise to make up two 1 3/4's x 1 1/2 legs and drill a center hole a little larger than the T nut center so I can tap them in with a hammer. Then I use an 1 1/2" long 3/8" carriage bold onto which I screw a Hex nut to secure the adjustment of leveling the tables.
Afternoon All,
Nothing much done today except more Christmas shopping
.
CA Dave- A friend gave me his father's loco and train related pocket watch because he said I would appreciate them. The loco is all metal and heavy. I believe it is a HO Lionel loco.
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I hope everyone has a good night.
Curt: I copied the picture of the Loco and lightened it to be able to see it better. I'm not real sure who made it but judging from the printed markings on the Box style head light and cab, which is the same as the old metal 0-4-0T Tea Kettle I had from many years back, Sylvan brought it out so yours might be the same except it an 0-6-0T and a true saddle tank Loco. I did see one like it being sold on eBay some time back but not sure if they said who made it or not?
It's a neat little Loco, if you ever consider parting with it, let me know. How does it run?
Bruce: Good to see you posting again I hope your problems lessen up soon.
> All have a very good night! <
