Running Bear's February 2026 Coffee Shop

[NYC_George]

I received my DD-214 from eVetRecs today. Now I can go over to the Honda dealer and get back my $500.00 I had to give them until I was able to prove my military service. Swal

 

[santafewillie]

Willie, CCA will work for a lighting bus, especially where the current draw is low, but it does come with a few quirks to be aware of.

It’s true that CCA is used in the automotive world, but that’s mostly because cars use crimped connectors designed specifically for aluminum‑based wire. Model railroad layouts often use screw terminals, solder joints, and repeated bending - and that’s where CCA shows its weaknesses.


Here’s the quick rundown:

• Higher resistance than copper​

Not a big deal for LEDs or structure lighting, but something to keep in mind on long runs.

• Brittle compared to copper​

CCA doesn’t like being bent or re‑routed. It can snap if stressed too many times.

• Screw terminals can loosen over time​

CCA compresses under pressure. You may find yourself tightening connections occasionally.

• Soldering can be hit‑or‑miss​

The aluminum core oxidizes quickly, so joints need a little more care.

For lighting, it’ll get the job done. For track power, I’d stick with pure copper. You’ve got a big layout, so reliability matters - but for a lighting bus, you should be fine as long as you’re aware of the quirks.

Thanks for your information. I only intend to use it for the lighting buss, screw terminal to screw terminal. No soldering. Definite low current draw, 12v at the most. Don't anticipate any major bending, just curving.

 

[santafewillie]

Those Medicare surveys drive me nuts. I know they have to do them, but it's just kind of demeaning when they start treating you like a child, or like you're going to fall apart in the exam room. Maybe I'm overreacting here, but once the PA wanted to help me of the exam table. I told him "I'm 70, not 90! He was a good sport about it and said "Hey I just don't want to risk having to do the paperwork if something did happen to you." I told him not to mess with old people. We're already not too thrilled about the fact we're old so it doesn't take much to piss us off. He got a laugh out of that.

My doctor already knows my feelings regarding those Medicare surveys. He has the NP fill them out instead of me. I do have to spell some word backwards and tell them the date.

 

[migalyto]

I received my DD-214 from eVetRecs today. Now I can go over to the Honda dealer and get back my $500.00 I had to give them until I was able to prove my military service. Swal

Now that you have a copy it might be a good idea to have it put on your drivers license and always have it with you if needed.

 

[NorthBrit]

My father was a Naval officer, on a destroyer escort, for part of his career. I remember him telling me about the time they were in 35' seas and it didn't bother him because he slept in a hammock and rocked gently. I couldn't imagine what a "sporting event" it was to be working in the bridge during seas like that on a ship that small.

No matter the size of vessel the sea can be cruel and must be respected.

Just a quick update for those interested.
We have picked up speed and are now on our way to Philadelphia, U.S.A..
Hopefully a calm crossing.

 

[Bruette]

Don't anticipate any major bending, just curving.

That is something CCA wire is perfect for. It bends easily and holds its shape, but like any solid metal, if you bend it back and forth repeatedly it can break.

 

[RhB Michael]

The barber decided to show up so I was able finally get a 35-10 haircut after a month without. Hofbrau is in the fridge, and I might even fire up the grill later. 70°F right now at noon.

 

[AmtrakCr74108]

If you want to educate yourself on the dangers of visceral fat and how it affects your health, watch this video. It will explain everything you need to know. If the members that are no longer here would have watched, they still might around. Swal

I think that you might be pushing the limits when you say that former members might still be around. You do not know the issues each had and what was their causes of death. I have no problem with the post putting out suggestions but since you do not know each individuals medical history that was why I felt you had gone to far.

 

[PNKFLOYD]

Thanks for your information. I only intend to use it for the lighting buss, screw terminal to screw terminal. No soldering. Definite low current draw, 12v at the most. Don't anticipate any major bending, just curving.

Willie Be careful not to over tighten the aluminum core cables. Under pressure, the aluminum expands when warm, but does not contract at the same rate of expansion when cooled. THERMAL RATCHING occurs with repeated heating and cooling, causing a loose connection that gets hot trying to bridge a bad connection. Snug your screw down , but no extra half turn.

 

[westtexjohn]

Being a landlubber I had to go and look that up.

https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history/2025/august/plimsoll-lines-measure-ship

Thank you

 

[Marlin39]

The barber decided to show up so I was able finally get a 35-10 haircut after a month without. Hofbrau is in the fridge, and I might even fire up the grill later. 70°F right now at noon.

Michael,
I took some quick shots of the P226, with my phone. I didn't wipe off the oil smudges or anything else. "KD" date code is 1993 if I read it correctly. I'll probably be listing around the beginning of March.

 

[MilwRoader_Steve]

No matter the size of vessel the sea can be cruel and must be respected.

Just a quick update for those interested.
We have picked up speed and are now on our way to Philadelphia, U.S.A..
Hopefully a calm crossing.

I was a naval officer. Deployed to the Med in 1986. I had the deck one night as we took 45+ degree rolls. I say 45+ because I could hang on to the chart table and watch the inclinometer go to 45, but there were a few I could literally not hang on and fell off to the bulkhead. Just miserable and you get so tired. Got off watch at either midnight or 4 in the morning only to find that a heavy two drawer filing cabinet and fallen over across the door to my stateroom. I could only open the door a couple inches and had to yell like a banshee to wake my roomie so he could get the blasted thing free from the door.

For ten years or more after I left the service, I could never fill a coffee mug more than two-thirds full. On ship, you need 'sway' room!!

 

[wheeler1963]

Michael,
I took some quick shots of the P226, with my phone. I didn't wipe off the oil smudges or anything else. "KD" date code is 1993 if I read it correctly. I'll probably be listing around the beginning of March.

View attachment 258077View attachment 258078View attachment 258079

Gotta stick with the .45's until my wrists can't take it anymore.

 

[RhB Michael]

Michael,
I took some quick shots of the P226, with my phone. I didn't wipe off the oil smudges or anything else. "KD" date code is 1993 if I read it correctly. I'll probably be listing around the beginning of March.

View attachment 258077View attachment 258078View attachment 258079

Yep, a '93 all Deutsch model. That's a beaut right there. I'll be watching for it. Thanks for the photos.

Does it have the second mag, manual, test target, and cleaning rod?

 

[westtexjohn]

Good day to all................

For me, I prefer solid copper wire for my layout.
I use 12 ga stranded for DCC bus and 18 ga solid wire for feeders.
I use 14 ga for my DC bus shown below from Amazon............
I purchased the 100 foot roll but I don't see the 100 foot rolls available at this time.

 

[RhB Michael]

I'm rather fond of these P220s;

And so the P225 doesn't feel left out...

9mm needs love too.

 

[DeaconKC]

Beautiful 226, you will like it. I too, am a Sig fan, there are 7 of them here in .380, 9x19, .40 and .45.

Okay, question on the aluminum core wire. Would you be better off soldering it to a spade terminal for a better connection?

 

[Marlin39]

Yep, a '93 all Deutsch model. That's a beaut right there. I'll be watching for it. Thanks for the photos.

Does it have the second mag, manual, test target, and cleaning rod?

Came in on a law enforcement lot. No mag, no nothing. Just what you see.

 

[boogietrain94]

well hello all

Now that theirs no football I'm on my base ball binge. looking at going to a local SOUTH BEND CUBS game this year if I can calm the aspie inside and go into the crowd. went with church last time so I just clung to them and enjoyed the game.
I have found that 3ro is loud on 2 fold up card tables so I'm down scaling to ho thinking a farm branch line but well see.
y'all posting guns,, have y'all got your tickets . to what you may ask THE GUN SHOW as I flex my incredible weak arms!! lol I miss my airsoft but medical stuff and all around ageing prevents me from hitting the deck like I used to.
anyways my other hobby of magic the gathering is going good but I haven't gone in a while I might save up the money and go I need my weekly allotment of social interaction lol that's why they let me out on every fifth Monday of the month

anyway bless all of you

 

[NYC_George]

Now that you have a copy it might be a good idea to have it put on your drivers license and always have it with you if needed.

Mike it was already on my driver's license, but Honda wouldn't except that. They needed a copy of my DD-214, which was extremely hard to get. I already had an ID,me account that eVetRecs required but eVetRecs wouldn't even except that. I had to be face to face with an ID.me person showing my SS number and drivers next to me on a live chat. After that got done request the forms from eVetRecs, with not 1, but 3 different passwords. Then when they finally sent the DD-214 I had to impute 2 more passwords before I could even open the downloaded file. I was on the phone with them early this morning and was 23rd in line for conformation to get this all accomplished after a 40-minute wait because they never sent the first request which had to be sent again. Lots of Red Tape to get this done. Swal