kbkchooch
Verified Human
And if you buy the stuff for the feast, everything is half off!
Running Bear's January 2025 Coffee Shop
- Thread starter bnsf971
- Start date
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Don't overwork yourself. It's like drinking, stop before you start stumbling and fall.
Kadee cars are the best-ish quality, though their variety is limited.
Track is more subjective. If you want drama-free track, look at Atlas. If you are going to DCC, make sure any turnouts are dcc-friendly.
Apparently, along with not being fully awake, I'm feeling a bit cheeky.
No wonder the photo didn’t look right, it’s blending right in!
Kato locomotives are great runners and IMO bullet proof but low on details and in HO the selection is minimal. Finding Kato in the FB buy/sell groups is easy and a good 6 axle no sound will be in $75 to 125 range.
I weather all sorts of brand models. When it comes to diesels the ScaleTrains Rivet counter, Athearn Genesis and Bowser brands IMO are the best when it comes to detail and running. Those are the 3 brands I own.
Everyone has an opinion and experiences on motive power. No matter what I see from Rapido there have been issues reported by folks online but for the diesels I’ve personally experienced no issues. I have had issues with the 1 Aurora Miniatures diesel I purchased and quickly sold with full disclosure. The Athearn RTR line of diesels have not been a good personal buying experience. Other think they are wonderful. Again everyone experiences and opinions will vary widely.
Depending on the Era you model I believe the best bang for your $$$ is Accurail kits for freight cars. ScaleTrains has a line called Classic and they are kits with low details. They sell out fast so you’ll need to search the STX dealers online for cars. The STX line called Operator is a nice line of cars and are missing the extra details that are found in the more expensive Rivet Counter line. Walther’s Mainline series of cars are nice, decent details, good price point. You will need to change couplers to the Kadee brand if you do any switching of cars. If you are just a runner the supplied couplers are all clones of the Kadee line and work ok…
I have been weathering some models for Marlin39 from here on the forum. He models the 1950’s and 60’s. Some of the cars he has sent me have been the Kadee brand. He can speak to his own experiences with them but they are great looking cars, good amount of detail and weight and track very well. Plus they already have Kadee couplers.
Rapido makes nice rail cars but has had quality issues on every car I have personally purchased. If you don’t mind fixing brand new equipment they are fine models at a high price point
Probably the biggest change for you will be the amount of space an HO layout will consume. Double+ to duplicate N.
Track! Even a bigger talking point than rolling stock and motive power. I am not a fan of the track with plastic road bed attached. That said I have operated on a couple layouts where the helix was constructed with Kato uni-track. Worked flawlessly and both owners said it was easier than flex track. Walthers, Peco and Atlas make great lines of track in various code #70, 83 and 100. They have flex track and pieces. My layout uses Central Valley tie plates with MicroEngineering code 70 rail glued and some spikes. I mostly use #6 MicroEngineering switches and I have 4 hand built switches using #10 switch track parts from Jeff Otto’s Oak Hill trains. Hand built track kits are roughly 1/2 the cost of Pre-built switches.
My eyes have been bad since 2nd grade. I always wanted to do N scale. If I had known how life changing my cataract surgery would be I’d have switched to N when I retired at age 62. Surgery was done13 months after I retired. I know you are a big time researcher. I would ask your Ophthalmologist about their thoughts on your eyes! If they say they will worsen and you want to stay in the hobby HO is a good way to go. O is better but really expensive
Best to you on the decision
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website (Learn More Here)
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Boris
Beach Bum
27° and cloudy, with a coating of snow on unpaved surfaces. This was a bit of a surprise, initially described as a small disturbance, and later, lake effect snow from Lake Erie (or Lake Ontario), neither of which are that close.
Looks like our new water heater will be a Bradford - White, Gas 40 gallon atmosphere venting, for about $950 plus installation and disposal and of course, a Permit from the town. ($50). Once upon a time, I would have done it myself, but not any longer.
Should be in early next week. (As of now the old one still functions).
Second son returns to North Carolina tomorrow morning. It was funny watching his Jack Russel experience snow for the first time.
Unfortunately, the snow and clouds prevented us from watching the rocket launch from Cape Canaveral pass by to the East.
Tomorrow, back to model railroading....
Looks like our new water heater will be a Bradford - White, Gas 40 gallon atmosphere venting, for about $950 plus installation and disposal and of course, a Permit from the town. ($50). Once upon a time, I would have done it myself, but not any longer.
Should be in early next week. (As of now the old one still functions).
Second son returns to North Carolina tomorrow morning. It was funny watching his Jack Russel experience snow for the first time.
Unfortunately, the snow and clouds prevented us from watching the rocket launch from Cape Canaveral pass by to the East.
Tomorrow, back to model railroading....
Bruette
Well-Known Member
Splendid work Chad! I love the fireplace.Patrick: Condolences on the passing of the BIL.
Its somewhat cloudy. It was about 40F when I rolled out of bed. My first day back to work though I've mostly ben doing other things today. It's 53F per the watch at 3:30pm. It's supposed to get crappy a day or two starting Sunday I believe, and then a week of mostly or partly cloudy with highs from 37-43F during the day.
Lots of stuff on the house has been done. I don't have pics of everything.
We got about 1/2 the porch done with the stone decking from Tanzite. My nephew in law was down and helped me about 3 1/2 days and my nephew (his brother in law) came one day on New Years Day to help as well. Some of the weather was crappy so we didn't want to be outside so the porch didnb't get finished. We tried to finish yesterday but had an issue cutting an end piece to go around a post and the saw we wanted had a broken blade so that didn't get finished. We also didn't finish the stair handrail where I had broken a bolt. We did get it out and decided to JB weld steel reinforced putty fill the oversized holes etc and re-drill it to see if that would work. But we never got back to it.
We did get the electric fireplace installed in the main room and also the smaller one on the porch sun room (no pic of that). All the fans were installed. We did some painting, and got almost all the remaining plugs and switches installed. Two outlets up high in windows (like 15' off the floor windows) were going to be done but we ran out of time. QWe got ready to install the kitchen hood and I'll finish that. Also got a medicne cabinet installed. I cut out all the vanity back splashes and test fit them and am now in the middle of finishing them. The pic shows the untreated wood test fit so we can see what it looks like. Probably a lot of other small things were finished.
We alst tested the tub in the "Japanese Bath". There is a small leak on the drain -- intermittent drips in the basement -- I've notified the plumber and they'll come check it out. The dris were not enough that it will keep me from showing others who ask about how it works. I need to read the manual on it though for what the different buttons are.
we also finished the drawers and doors on the pantry sink and one of the cabinets in the master bath.
View attachment 208372View attachment 208374View attachment 208375View attachment 208376View attachment 208377View attachment 208373
I also received a mug from a friend on the JNS forum. His modeling club which specializes in Japanese rail is located in DC and they have a mug they had made. He sent me one. This pic shows one side -- the other side is just the club's logo.
View attachment 208378
Don't overwork yourself. It's like drinking, stop before you start stumbling and fall.
Bruette
Well-Known Member
@CN2117 and @kbkchooch ... Never mind, I can't add anything.
All I can say is this coffee shop has a truly diverse group of people.
Unlike these guys.
All I can say is this coffee shop has a truly diverse group of people.
Unlike these guys.
Bruette
Well-Known Member
Did he enjoy it?
kbkchooch
Verified Human
Good morning gang!
4 AM and it’s 23°. Daytime high today is only supposed to be 29°.
I’ve got to leave soon to drive son #4 to Dulles airport for his flight to Costa Rica. It’s a trip sponsored by his college so I hope he learns something. For us it’s about a 2 Hour Drive each way so I guess I will see you guys later
4 AM and it’s 23°. Daytime high today is only supposed to be 29°.
I’ve got to leave soon to drive son #4 to Dulles airport for his flight to Costa Rica. It’s a trip sponsored by his college so I hope he learns something. For us it’s about a 2 Hour Drive each way so I guess I will see you guys later
Bill Tidler Jr.
Retired N&W/NS Signalman
Good morning! It's 10°F in Tipton.
troyphoto
Snarky Old Fart (in training)
I'm up
Need to shove the crappy white stuff off the patio and walk path to the carpark.
Daughter and her boyfriend are coming up today. Probably going to see grandma. Have lunch with us. Exchange gifts. Wife had me pre-buy some gluten free, vegan items so she can make dishes for daughter's allergy diet (mostly dairy allergy). But daughter was under the weather last week and didn't make the family get together.
Wife made up the vegan cheesecake (cherry). We'll send the rest of the fixings home with daughter, unbaked (Mac-n-cheese fixings).
I put the cover on the kamado yesterday, since we're looking at the edge of snowpacalypse here in Fort Wayne, as it moves in tomorrow. Daughter, 2 hours south in Indpls should be in the Very Nasty band. So they're doing their visit today.
Probably have to spend some time straightening up the mess in the basement, as well as cleaning the bathrooms. Eventually, I'll nap.
Need to shove the crappy white stuff off the patio and walk path to the carpark.
Daughter and her boyfriend are coming up today. Probably going to see grandma. Have lunch with us. Exchange gifts. Wife had me pre-buy some gluten free, vegan items so she can make dishes for daughter's allergy diet (mostly dairy allergy). But daughter was under the weather last week and didn't make the family get together.
Wife made up the vegan cheesecake (cherry). We'll send the rest of the fixings home with daughter, unbaked (Mac-n-cheese fixings).
I put the cover on the kamado yesterday, since we're looking at the edge of snowpacalypse here in Fort Wayne, as it moves in tomorrow. Daughter, 2 hours south in Indpls should be in the Very Nasty band. So they're doing their visit today.
Probably have to spend some time straightening up the mess in the basement, as well as cleaning the bathrooms. Eventually, I'll nap.
Good morning. It's clear and 44. There's talk of the temp flirting with the freezing mark early to mid week next week.
If anyone wonders how our seasonal produce fares when frozen, citrus tends to be sweeter if it is nipped by frost just before harvest. Strawberries don't like it so much, and the farmers will spray water over the fields. The water freezes over the berries, which minimizes damage.
If anyone wonders how our seasonal produce fares when frozen, citrus tends to be sweeter if it is nipped by frost just before harvest. Strawberries don't like it so much, and the farmers will spray water over the fields. The water freezes over the berries, which minimizes damage.
troyphoto
Snarky Old Fart (in training)
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?
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?
NorthBrit
Well-Known Member
Nothing runs like a Kato.
Kadee cars are the best-ish quality, though their variety is limited.
Track is more subjective. If you want drama-free track, look at Atlas. If you are going to DCC, make sure any turnouts are dcc-friendly.
Guilford Railman
Well-Known Member
Happy New Year Everyone!
I caught a view from my office of a train and locomotive scheme I haven’t seen before. It’s a little hard to see in the picture as I had only a few seconds to capture it so hopefully you can see it. The locomotive is part of the Genesee and Wyoming fleet and the scheme is military with camo and the American flag in the center. Thought it was cool so I figured I’d share
I caught a view from my office of a train and locomotive scheme I haven’t seen before. It’s a little hard to see in the picture as I had only a few seconds to capture it so hopefully you can see it. The locomotive is part of the Genesee and Wyoming fleet and the scheme is military with camo and the American flag in the center. Thought it was cool so I figured I’d share
KB02
Well-Known Member
12°F in northern Vermont. That plate looks really good... but I don't have the ambition to make it... or any eggs... damn...
Where?!? I can't see it!!!Happy New Year Everyone!
I caught a view from my office of a train and locomotive scheme I haven’t seen before. It’s a little hard to see in the picture as I had only a few seconds to capture it so hopefully you can see it. The locomotive is part of the Genesee and Wyoming fleet and the scheme is military with camo and the American flag in the center. Thought it was cool so I figured I’d share
View attachment 208426
Apparently, along with not being fully awake, I'm feeling a bit cheeky.
TLOC
Well-Known Member
Good morning Crew! It’s single digit temperatures in So. Central Wisconsin, +7f degrees which means it’s cold outside. Feels like +4 and heading maybe to 20 this afternoon. Not a nice day outside
Did somethings around the house with the Christmas decorations yesterday. Normally I am forbidden from helping. Terry’s Trigeminal Neuralgia really was bad yesterday and the meds for the pain ran out Thursday night. She cannot refill until 1/7 per insurance and while we offered to pay the pharmarcy said no. I am going there at 10 this morning. The extra strength Tylenol helps a bit but she is at max dosages on that for a 24 period. Dormant for about 8 years the pain showed up maybe a month ago and hasn’t let up. We ended up missing the musical Funny Girl as the pain was creating nausea! This is not good for her. Thankfully she has a high pain tolerance but she is right on the edge.
I got a bit of time at the bench yesterday. Took a few front end Friday pictures and posted them. Mixed up some colors but didn’t get a chance to use them. The house looks somewhat bare with most of the Christmas decorations removed. The Winter stuff is still in the bins on the shelves downstairs but she doesn’t want me to do anything until she feels better
I got new pillows on the bed and after a week of use I’m still not used to them. I normally use 2 pillows to sleep but last night just used 1 and slept better. IMO there was nothing wrong with my 2 year old pillows but…
Enjoy the day
Did somethings around the house with the Christmas decorations yesterday. Normally I am forbidden from helping. Terry’s Trigeminal Neuralgia really was bad yesterday and the meds for the pain ran out Thursday night. She cannot refill until 1/7 per insurance and while we offered to pay the pharmarcy said no. I am going there at 10 this morning. The extra strength Tylenol helps a bit but she is at max dosages on that for a 24 period. Dormant for about 8 years the pain showed up maybe a month ago and hasn’t let up. We ended up missing the musical Funny Girl as the pain was creating nausea! This is not good for her. Thankfully she has a high pain tolerance but she is right on the edge.
I got a bit of time at the bench yesterday. Took a few front end Friday pictures and posted them. Mixed up some colors but didn’t get a chance to use them. The house looks somewhat bare with most of the Christmas decorations removed. The Winter stuff is still in the bins on the shelves downstairs but she doesn’t want me to do anything until she feels better
I got new pillows on the bed and after a week of use I’m still not used to them. I normally use 2 pillows to sleep but last night just used 1 and slept better. IMO there was nothing wrong with my 2 year old pillows but…
Enjoy the day
Guilford Railman
Well-Known Member
Where?!? I can't see it!!!
Apparently, along with not being fully awake, I'm feeling a bit cheeky.
No wonder the photo didn’t look right, it’s blending right in!
Last edited:
TLOC
Well-Known Member
Well decision time! Best to you on the decision.
Kato locomotives are great runners and IMO bullet proof but low on details and in HO the selection is minimal. Finding Kato in the FB buy/sell groups is easy and a good 6 axle no sound will be in $75 to 125 range.
I weather all sorts of brand models. When it comes to diesels the ScaleTrains Rivet counter, Athearn Genesis and Bowser brands IMO are the best when it comes to detail and running. Those are the 3 brands I own.
Everyone has an opinion and experiences on motive power. No matter what I see from Rapido there have been issues reported by folks online but for the diesels I’ve personally experienced no issues. I have had issues with the 1 Aurora Miniatures diesel I purchased and quickly sold with full disclosure. The Athearn RTR line of diesels have not been a good personal buying experience. Other think they are wonderful. Again everyone experiences and opinions will vary widely.
Depending on the Era you model I believe the best bang for your $$$ is Accurail kits for freight cars. ScaleTrains has a line called Classic and they are kits with low details. They sell out fast so you’ll need to search the STX dealers online for cars. The STX line called Operator is a nice line of cars and are missing the extra details that are found in the more expensive Rivet Counter line. Walther’s Mainline series of cars are nice, decent details, good price point. You will need to change couplers to the Kadee brand if you do any switching of cars. If you are just a runner the supplied couplers are all clones of the Kadee line and work ok…
I have been weathering some models for Marlin39 from here on the forum. He models the 1950’s and 60’s. Some of the cars he has sent me have been the Kadee brand. He can speak to his own experiences with them but they are great looking cars, good amount of detail and weight and track very well. Plus they already have Kadee couplers.
Rapido makes nice rail cars but has had quality issues on every car I have personally purchased. If you don’t mind fixing brand new equipment they are fine models at a high price point
Probably the biggest change for you will be the amount of space an HO layout will consume. Double+ to duplicate N.
Track! Even a bigger talking point than rolling stock and motive power. I am not a fan of the track with plastic road bed attached. That said I have operated on a couple layouts where the helix was constructed with Kato uni-track. Worked flawlessly and both owners said it was easier than flex track. Walthers, Peco and Atlas make great lines of track in various code #70, 83 and 100. They have flex track and pieces. My layout uses Central Valley tie plates with MicroEngineering code 70 rail glued and some spikes. I mostly use #6 MicroEngineering switches and I have 4 hand built switches using #10 switch track parts from Jeff Otto’s Oak Hill trains. Hand built track kits are roughly 1/2 the cost of Pre-built switches.
My eyes have been bad since 2nd grade. I always wanted to do N scale. If I had known how life changing my cataract surgery would be I’d have switched to N when I retired at age 62. Surgery was done13 months after I retired. I know you are a big time researcher. I would ask your Ophthalmologist about their thoughts on your eyes! If they say they will worsen and you want to stay in the hobby HO is a good way to go. O is better but really expensive
Best to you on the decision
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Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website (Learn More Here)