Running Bear's January 2025 Coffee Shop

[troyphoto]

Turn on the ignition, and see if there is a red lighted key icon on the instrument cluster. If there is, it means the chip in the key is not being seen by the anti theft system. It will keep the starter from engaging. Try putting the car in neutral and see if the starter will engage.

No red key light (it's an 09 LE, did they have chips in the keys for that year?) No start in Neutral.

Calling the service bay at the Chevy place up the road.

 

[Bruette]

We have 5" of snow here in southeast Baltimore and it is still snowing. The worst part is I left the snow blower in the shed. This storm has progressed as predicted. All schools in the metro area have closed. Even Amazon shut down delivery operations. Which turned out to be good for me. I awoke at my usual time not having a good day health wise. Fortunately, going back to bed improved my situation.

Soon I will get the snow blower ready. When it warms up, I will work on cleaning up mother nature's "gift".

Today is The Epiphany, or Three Kings Day to some. Everyone have a great Monday.

Thank you, Willie, I had forgotten.

 

[Bruette]

Calling the service bay at the Chevy place up the road.

Smart move, doing it yourself can get to be very expensive if you are not sure of what you are doing.

 

[kbkchooch]

No red key light (it's an 09 LE, did they have chips in the keys for that year?) No start in Neutral.

Calling the service bay at the Chevy place up the road.

Gm keys have had chips since 99 or so, but the car will still crank over .

 

[bnsf971]

Gm keys have had chips since 99 or so, but the car will still crank over .

I know Troy doesn't' have a scan tool nor reason to own one, but you could use one to check if VAT=yes, it won't start.

 

[Alcomotive]

We ran some trains this past weekend.

Did some programming and boxing up for my transition, the move from upstairs to downstairs. Then we went to my buddy's place and ran my new Rail Logix 2001 that I acquired for 140 bucks. Econami Sound etc. It's on the lead and the 2nd unit is mine as well BCBX 2962 ex NW ex IT, this is my buddy's layout. The other pics were at my current layout being relocated. You can barely see the laptop on the right. We programed and speed matched 27 locomotives Saturday night. a lot of work but fun. Some pics of my locomotives that I recently acquired on the program track. All sound etc.

Here are a few pics.

 

[NorthBrit]

Willie. The tracks remain a mystery. They disappeared overnight.

 

[TLOC]

Good morning Crew from So. Central Wisconsin. It’s 19f degrees feeling like 11 but heading to 27!

I joined a new forum last week! The Modelers Forum. Anybody here besides Curt belong to that one? I migrated over as Railroadline Forums is closing the doors on 3/2. It is the forum I have belonged to the longest, 2007! I stop here 1st and then RRL F. I stop into the 2 diners there. The guys were my online support system after I had my first stroke, the cancer relapse and the daily grind! A great bunch of guys, some great modelers and the core have been searching for a place to land, we may have found something similar to RRL. The modeling data there is extensive and a place was needed to move it to

I believe the modeling funk has passed. I started back on the final 2 pieces of Marlin39’s. A 44 tonner from Rapido and a NW2. I’ve tried a few times over the past couple of weeks but the skill levels weren’t to my standards. So I weathered some of my stuff because if that’s crap, it’s mine and I can fix it. Some was and has been stripped! I started back last night finishing a nice tank car and I will post that this morning in the Continuous weathering Thread.

My goal for weathering in 2025 is 26 diesels and 240 pieces of rolling stock. That is roughly 40% of 2024! My big well car, autoracks and tank car clients are mostly done with their collections and I knew that in mid-2024. My biggest client from LA is now looking for a place to live as the g/f asked him for some space! He was a 20 piece per month guy!

I have 2 friends that I will be weathering their equipment (basic fading and some dusting) as the year moves along as fill in when I have time. One’s layout is being re-done for opening at at RiverRail.org event in 2026. I am looking forward to his 600+ ore cars as I’ve never done an ore car. The other’s layout is getting closer to operating. We are wiring it now and what’s in works. His nolix will be a complete peninsula but I’m not sure of the time frame. Roughly 900’ of mainline on 2 decks around the basement. Mainly 1950 and 60’s equipment centered around 1965, we are starting with his boxcars. I have 10 pieces to start but nothing new gets started until I finish the pieces this week I have…

Cars! I know how to drive them and follow the manual for inspections. Those that can fix their own are to be commended!

Enjoy the day

 

[michaeljoe]

26* and snowing here in the Baltimore area. I continue to study and read up on train layouts and seanery. Also trying to get as much track together as I can.

I've been working on some layouts that work and didn't work. I read here somewhere recently not sure where exactly, but anyways someone posted that they run their trains on a new layout for about 3 months before they start the ballasting process........ now I know why.

I'm also going to try and add a small section of my HO slot car track. I'm not sure if it's going to work out or not.... still to early to tell.

Anyways my layout platform is quite the mess, as I put things together and move things around trying to get the layout to work the way I want it to.

To imbarest to post any pictures......it seems I can't get the track just the way I want it yet,...... also I'm waiting for track that I ordered, should be here in a couple of days.

 

[kbkchooch]

I know Troy doesn't' have a scan tool nor reason to own one, but you could use one to check if VAT=yes, it won't start.

But like I said, it will still crank over. Vats 1 and 2 will both only disables the ignition circuit, not the starter. Oh yeah and this nonsense started with the 84 Corvette (shudders uncontrollably at the memory).

 

[kbkchooch]

This is a first, they closed the dealership because of the weather!

 

[Bruette]

@michaeljoe don't sweat it! If you keep at it little by little things, come together. We all know the learning curve and the trial and error of building a layout.

I'm glad to see you posting in the coffee shop, have a coffee on me. And that my friend is a big damn deal, I never buy!

 

[migalyto]

Anyways my layout platform is quite the mess, as I put things together and move things around trying to get the layout to work the way I want it to.

To imbarest to post any pictures......it seems I can't get the track just the way I want it yet,...... also I'm waiting for track that I ordered, should be here in a couple of days.

I think a lot of us suffer from a layout/train room mess.

You are not alone, Im right there with you!

 

[Alcomotive]

Good morning shop dwellers. It was 6° F this morning. Yup Baby it's Cold Outside.....I say a tad bit nippy.

Counting down the days for the Big "E" Amherst Train Show. Jan 25th & 26th.

I am also heading out to Vegas baby! I will be there the 20th thru the 22nd before going to West Springfield MA. I have 2 of my nephews house sitting for me during that time. Them boys will enjoy the bachelor pad while I am gone lol. They're in their 20's soooo I expect a little mess when I come home but it will be occupied and safe. My cats will have company lol in the meantime as well as being fed.

Not much else to report but I am working on train layout as much as I can for the move. I did have fun as I mentioned in my earlier post.

Ya'll have a good week!

 

[migalyto]

I am also heading out to Vegas baby!

Have a safe trip, and enjoy!

 

[Bruette]

This is a first, they closed the dealership because of the weather!

We have more snow than you do, that aint right!

 

[Bruette]

I think a lot of us suffer from a layout/train room mess.

You are not alone, Im right there with you!

Count me in!

 

[migalyto]

This is a first, they closed the dealership because of the weather!

Looks like you already made the trek in before you got word of the closure?

 

[Alcomotive]

Have a safe trip, and enjoy!

Thanks, I have not been there in a very long time like 8 years or so. I am gonna poke around to see if I can find a hobby shop and see if the mainlines are near by. I am actually on a business trip for a seminar. Why Vegas I dunno because everyone else goes there lol I am not much of a gambler at all but it's cool to browse about.

 

[Alcomotive]

Count me in!

Yup that is definitely my issue and moving my layout has made me rethink a few things for organization etc. So, ya my area is a disaster at the moment.