Running Bear's January 2026 Coffee Shop

[-Possum-]

Karl - There was nothing to compare to grabbing a warm egg as soon as mama hen laid it, when I still raised chickens. Store-bought white eggs just can't compare.

This.
I also recommend duck eggs, should be expecting a dozen next week from my boss. They're really good in baking, but I prefer them scrambled.

 

[migalyto]

 

[RhB Michael]

That would be perfect with the newer Accurascale stuff. People have been complaining about the onboard stay alive not working. It was discovered that their systems require at least 15V on the rails. My NCE puts about 13.8 as measured with an o'scope.

I'm not certain of why the differences between European and N. American voltage requirements. I know when I switched to the ESU system a multitude of problems disappeared never to resurface.

 

[chadbag]

I think I mentioned a week ago I stopped by a LHS called MRS Hobbies. If not, I did stop by as it’s over by my kids old school where a business called Swim Lab is also located and my daughter was getting a few sessions at the Swim lab.

The MRS comes from Model Railroad Shop. And back 30 years ago, when it was 1/2 mile from where this now, it was two large units in a strip mall, separated by a few other stores. One was model railroads and slot cars and the like. The other was R/C planes and cars and stuff. They also had plastic models, doll house, and all the regular hobby type things. I’d other at the time for my R/C planes.

At some point they consolidated and moved. About 1/2 mile to another strip mall. Single unit. Being near where my kids school was I’d stop in once in a while. They had an aisle of R/C. Mostly electrics (planes) and drones though some gas items still. Also a lot of R/C car/truck/buggy stuff

An aisle of model railroads N on one side and H0 on the other. Plus DCC stuff behind the counter and in a display case and a separate two displayed cases, one half sized, with N scale locomotives and trains. Even had a few Tomix and KATO Japanese sets and some Tomix busses. Mostly KATO locomotives including some with DCC from factory. Lots of unitrack.

Another aisle or two with plastic model kits including a growing section with Mechs and the japan sourced models. Some doll house stuff. Etc. A good section of paints.

When I went in last week, after like 3 years or so of not being there since my son is graduated in 21 and my daughter transferred almost 3 years ago to the local HS nearby. So I hadn’t been in for a while.

They’d reorganized and moved stuff. Almost no R/C stuff. Maybe some car and buggy stuff in a corner. Almost no model railroad atuff. I did see a small collection in N scale KATO locomotives partially occupying a glass display case on the floor and in the back of the store one aisle with mostly N though some H0 rolling stock, mostly freight cars on one side to about 7’ and on the other opposite side on shelves H0 buildings and stuff. Maybe some track. That was it. The rest of the aisle was plastic models.

They had a lot more aisles of plastic models. Military, cars, and a ton of Japanese Mechs and figures. 1/2 the store is plastic models — lots of military including lots of import brands I’ve not heard of and lots of Japanese stuff.

They also had a larger section of paint. Several brands with large displays. I think Tom would approve. Like a whole side of the store 2/3 of the wall plus some free standing. About more than they used to have. Also a lot of add-on accessories and stuff for last of models, modeling supplies like Tyrone and rods and stuff, and painting accessories like brushes.

Also a large section of warhammer and similar figures. Something they didn’t used to have and curious as the store is in a strip mall that also has a large gaming store including miniatures.

Anyway, it’s still called MRS but has almost no model railroad stuff any more, which is sad. I would usually get something I needed when I stopped by in the past to try and throw them a little business but hadn’t been inside I’d not been in the area for a few years.

But the plastic model guys, the Japanese model and figure collectors, and that sort of thing and the guys needing paint scored big.

—

45 min ago at 8:40 it was 23F and it snowed another inch last night but is now mostly blue and sunny with streaked clouds. We’ll see how the day goes. Yesterday started the same way though not quite so cold but got cloudy and several sets of flurries or heavier snowfall in the afternoon (though not much accumulation until late night).

 

[chadbag]

I'm not certain of why the differences between European and N. American voltage requirements. I know when I switched to the ESU system a multitude of problems disappeared never to resurface.

Most European systems I’ve seen have a separate or adjustable power supply you can buy separately and if you are N you aim for 12-14V and if your H0 you aim for 15-18V.

 

[RhB Michael]

Yes, I set my system up to run at 17V. And it is always at that voltage when I check every now and then. I set up the current for 4.5A which seems to be just right for the amount of locomotives, lighted wagons, and lighting I have on the track bus. Not all lighting is on the track bus though; much of it is on a separate 16VAC supply. That supply operates about half of the layout lighting and two turnout solenoids and two DCC turnouts.

All remaining turnouts are hand thrown.

 

[chadbag]

Most European systems I’ve seen have a separate or adjustable power supply you can buy separately and if you are N you aim for 12-14V and if your H0 you aim for 15-18V.

I should say with DCC you aim for 2V higher on your power supply due to voltage drop across the DCC command center. And you need to measure the DCC track with the appropriate tool. It's a square wave pseudo-AC signal that encodes the data.

This is an interesting website (overall) and this electrical sections is good: http://www.sumidacrossing.org/MyOtherLayouts/SC/ElectricalSystems/

 

[CambriaArea51]

I thought about NCE due to they are only an hour away from me. When I called them and asked what system I needed to run 2 train with 3 engines on them it would've been $800 when all done. I went with the Digitrax 8 amp for $400.

 

[RhB Michael]

I thought about NCE due to they are only an hour away from me. When I called them and asked what system I needed to run 2 train with 3 engines on them it would've been $800 when all done. I went with the Digitrax 8 amp for $400.

On a Powercab system your 6 locomotives would have been starved for current.

 

[bnsf971]

Good evening, it's partly cloudy and 82.
Most of you are aware of the traffic issues I've complained about, and it hasn't exactly gotten better, though I have found another workaround. Instead of staying on the main highway for 45 minutes, sitting in traffic, I cut through a new housing development and drive to the next traffic light down the highway in a different direction, then double back for 3 miles. It is 6 miles longer, 3 miles each way, but saves me nearly 30 minutes sitting in traffic.From a time and wear-and-tear perspective, I think it's better to drive an extra six miles rather than sit in traffic.

 

[Marlin39]

Good evening, it's partly cloudy and 82.
Most of you are aware of the traffic issues I've complained about, and it hasn't exactly gotten better, though I have found another workaround. Instead of staying on the main highway for 45 minutes, sitting in traffic, I cut through a new housing development and drive to the next traffic light down the highway in a different direction, then double back for 3 miles. It is 6 miles longer, 3 miles each way, but saves me nearly 30 minutes sitting in traffic.From a time and wear-and-tear perspective, I think it's better to drive an extra six miles rather than sit in traffic.

Having been in outside sales for 40 years I quickly learned all the alternate routes, frontage roads, short cuts, etc. I spent about 20 years, in driving hell, working Silicon Valley and the Bay Area.

I hate driving now and happily pay for upgraded seating on aircraft.

 

[bnsf971]

Having been in outside sales for 40 years I quickly learned all the alternate routes, frontage roads, short cuts, etc. I spent about 20 years, in driving hell, working Silicon Valley and the Bay Area.

I hate driving now and happily pay for upgraded seating on aircraft.

I lived in Southern California for a total of about 4 years, and if you put a gun to my head and told me I had to go back there and drive for a living, I'd tell you to shoot me now.

 

[westtexjohn]

Good afternoon to all on the forum.............

For me I have no interest in Iowa Scale Models, Proto Throttle. This item is mainly for diesel guys......not so hot for steam, although I guess you could use it with steamers. The diesel guys with deep pockets seem to like them but thats not me. I have heard they are heavy and when worn with a strap around the neck, you have to be careful the throttle does not swing around like a wrecking ball.

On another note, in the DCC world, one company that does not get a whole lot of coverage and that is CVP Products, Easy DCC. These are made in Richardson Texas and I have heard nothing but good things about their products. Seems people are just drawn to the "big name" units. Steven Bennett on YouTube uses this product and says he has no issues with his system. CVP does not advertise that much.

Been busy with nit picky items for several days, doctor appointment, trip to pharmacy and other odds and ends. I was finally able to to get some info to Kusojiji on my 2-8-0 motor spacer piece earlier today. I hope he can 3D print one for me and save a good loco.

I purchased 4, Red Caboose 36 foot wood sided reefer car kits for Swift packing. These are the early orange cars with black lettering. I may start on the kits later this evening or carry on with installing/wiring turnouts on the layout. Or continue on the stock pens for the Champion Packing Company kit. Or might take a nap.

No "iron" on the table when I eat breakfast, not even silverware, as being single, I use plastic ware and paper plates most of the time. Yea, I'm not real keen about washing dishes.

Enough idle chatter from me. Everyone have a great weekend....John.

 

[kbkchooch]

On a Powercab system your 6 locomotives would have been starved for current.

But not on a Powerhouse Pro

 

[migalyto]

Good evening, it's partly cloudy and 82.
Most of you are aware of the traffic issues I've complained about, and it hasn't exactly gotten better, though I have found another workaround. Instead of staying on the main highway for 45 minutes, sitting in traffic, I cut through a new housing development and drive to the next traffic light down the highway in a different direction, then double back for 3 miles. It is 6 miles longer, 3 miles each way, but saves me nearly 30 minutes sitting in traffic.From a time and wear-and-tear perspective, I think it's better to drive an extra six miles rather than sit in traffic.

Problem is, eventually others will figure that out too and there goes your short-cut!

Seemed to always happen to me when something new opened up.

 

[Kusojiji]

I'm not certain of why the differences between European and N. American voltage requirements. I know when I switched to the ESU system a multitude of problems disappeared never to resurface.

I'm thinking era. From what I'm hearing, NCE came out a while ago. The newer technology stuff needs more oomph to get all the bells and whistles going.

But, although my new Accurascale Pannier requires at least 15v to get the onboard stay alive to function, I did test it last night on my NCE and it does work. Doesn't give me 10 minutes of stay alive (dramatic effect), but it does allow the loco to coast over a piece of paper. It does have a flywheel, but on DC, it comes to a sudden stop when power is removed, so I know that it is not the flywheel in action during my DCC test.

 

[-Possum-]

Evening folks, as of now its 63. Had some pretty intimidating storm clouds pass over about 30 mins ago, thunder and lightening but just a drizzle. More bark than bite I guess, but they say more is on the way.

Tonight we've got homemade meatloaf and mashed potatoes with green beans. Gonna mix in a little homegrown dill into the potatoes and see how it turns out.

 

[Kusojiji]

Good evening, it's partly cloudy and 82.
Most of you are aware of the traffic issues I've complained about, and it hasn't exactly gotten better, though I have found another workaround. Instead of staying on the main highway for 45 minutes, sitting in traffic, I cut through a new housing development and drive to the next traffic light down the highway in a different direction, then double back for 3 miles. It is 6 miles longer, 3 miles each way, but saves me nearly 30 minutes sitting in traffic.From a time and wear-and-tear perspective, I think it's better to drive an extra six miles rather than sit in traffic.

It is like that during the summer time on the beach roads so people use the backroads. Problem is that they fly through neighborhoods. The houses here have block walls and a lot of blind spots.

When I scouted around, I chose a 4 meter wide road vice a 6, common road sizes, to help limit the amount of traffic in front of my house. The 6 meter wide roads have the Daytona 500 going through all the time. I always see little concrete Buddha dudes on sides of roads marking the spot where someone got smooshed.

 

[bnsf971]

It is like that during the summer time on the beach roads so people use the backroads. Problem is that they fly through neighborhoods. The houses here have block walls and a lot of blind spots.

When I scouted around, I chose a 4 meter wide road vice a 6, common road sizes, to help limit the amount of traffic in front of my house. The 6 meter wide roads have the Daytona 500 going through all the time. I always see little concrete Buddha dudes on sides of roads marking the spot where someone got smooshed.

Strangely, there is a roadside marker about every quarter mile on the highway I travel on, where somebody (or several somebodies) were killed. It's a two lane highway with a 60 mph speed limit, lots of traffic, and good visibility. The road goes at least 5 miles before a gentle curve, then another 6 miles before another gentle curve. The shortest distance between curves is 4 miles. Nearly all those fatalities were from head-on crashes where people were passing slower traffic.

 

[bnsf971]

I remember once I had to travel nearly 100 miles in a snowstorm to get a computer part.

That was a hard drive...