Running Bear's January 2025 Coffee Shop


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Earlier today, I forgot to post today's significant birthdays, just one. It's me, as I just made my 73rd revolution around the Sun.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
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Santafe Willie, add Dec 30 for my 85th!
Before 12th.night on Monday, my Christmas didplay on top of the record player has to be recorded. It's pretty much the same every year, kinda a tradition now.
 

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Hello folks. It's been so long since I posted that I had to re-register.😶
Things have been on hold on my freelance version of the the CBNS waiting for me to make trees. I have one end of the layout forested, but a major slope is a "bare mountain". I don't have photos loaded for that, but the second here is the start of a quarry scene...
Wishing you all the very best for this New Year...
Willis?
 
I wonder if its the same for people who go down in scale?
Mike: I always modeled in HO, My oldest son started in N, went to HO. Now my Grandson is interested in N. Has my sons old fleet. I bought him an Atlas N SD9 for Christmas. I was shocked how small the Atlas packaging was compared to HO. I could get used to it if I had to... I'm looking at a change to a downsized layout, in the near future. Amazing what can be done with two hollow doors in N vs. HO.
 
Troy - I started in HO scale because it was the most available scale when I started over 40 years ago. I considered N scale but decided that vision and dexterity might deteriorate as I got older, but I did like that one could fit a lot of railroad in the same space. Ironically neither my vision or dexterity suffered much in those years, unlike some of my acquaintances, so I am thankful. I use Atlas track exclusively, again for it's availability over time, but most other brands are equally as good. I have heard though that Micro Engineering flex track is a bit difficult to work with. I don't like any track with the attached roadbed. While I have many Athearn RTR locos, I now prefer Scaletrains and Genesis ones. Tom O summed up my feelings regarding freight cars, except that I don't have any Kadee rolling stock...doesn't fit my era. I have close to 200 Accurail kits built. Much of the rest is Athearn Blue Box and RTR models, Roundhouse, Walther's and Intermountain. I have had quality issues with some Intermountain cars though. I recommend switching anything to Kadee couplers. I don't like that ScaleTrains doesn't use them, but I understand why. Kadee shot themselves in their own foot over that one.
Good luck with whichever decision you make.
Happy Birthday Willie!!!

Scale progression, TT,N,HO,O,G as age takes you.
 
Serious question again (I've asked before... but I'm getting more serious)

Up til now, I've been thinking N-Scale. I've got two locomotives in GN colors (Katos), and about a dozen rolling of various types. As well as some structures still in the boxes.

And my eyes are becoming a problem. I"m only sixty and I ordered a magnifier just to read magazine text. I've got a 27in monitor, and thinking about upgrading the size.

So, I may be upgrading to HO. Do it now before I lay track on the layout, or build any structures.

1. What's the better (more reliable) motive power in HO?
2. What's the better rolling stock in HO?
3. Track: Up til now I've been buying Peco Code 80. What should I be looking at to price out getting HO track?
You serious? Like Alfred E Newman serious? ;)

All kidding aside, #1 go see an eye doctor make sure its nothing serious or just age. I get a full eye exam yearly, mainly because I am type 2 diabetic and macular degeneration is always a possibility. So far I'm good, and a set of drug store "cheaters" is all I need for the really tiny stuff.

As far as locomotives, I'll have to echo what others have said before, the Kato drive locos are as smooth as butter, either by Kato and Atlas. Bowser/Stewart diesels IF they have the Kato drive. Some earlier examples have the old Athearn Blue Box drive. Athearn Genesis I have worked on and repaired for friends before. Yeah they run good, but they are not as robust as they should be. Scaletrains have not been experienced here yet. I do have 1 Rapido loco, it runs great, but I do plan on selling it soon as it doesn't fit my operating scheme. I have pre-ordered a 44 tonner from them for later this year.

As far as bang for the buck (and this may draw some fire) You can't beat the Proto 2000 line. The 6 axle units are fine, the 4 axle unit do have a gear issue, but they are so easily replaced with Athearn blue box wheelsets, then they run smooth and quiet for years. I know because I've got 20 of them between GP7/9s, BL2s, FA2s and GP35s. They have proven to dependable over years of service on various layouts.

I'd stay away from AHM,Tyco, Lionel HO, Bachmann 5, Bachmann Plus and even Athearn Blue Box locos. The first 4 because the are garbage, the 5th because they sound like a coffee grinder and have large appetites for amperage. Bachmann Spectrum can be hit or miss. Most steam is great (except the Shay) .

Rolling stock, again Atlas, Kato, Proto, Intermountain (if you replace the trucks) Athearn and others. The worst piece of rolling stock and be greatly improved with the addition of metal wheels, the proper weight and KD couplers.

Track all I use is Atlas flex track I have been buying in small lots over the last 10 years and I've been also hoarding Walthers and Shinohara switches for years. I recently purchased some Micro Engineering track for a bridge project and was please with it.

My 2 cents, YMMV
 
Well... on the unexpected drive to Indy and back (more on that tomorrow), the one thing I hadn't considered yet is how big I can make those curve radii without rebuilding the benchwork.

I can probably do 20" radius on most curves. A few larger than that. But I'm not sure I can do a 34" radius anywhere.

I want to model mostly 50s and 60s era, so I can be selective on car length. But the passenger cars are going to look odd with that small of a curve.
 
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