Running Bear's July 2026 Coffee Shop

[TLOC]

Supposed to get up to mid 10x F this weekend I was told today. We’ll see. It’s been in the 90s. We usually do get one or more spells of over 100.

Tom — Vegas is another level of heat. When we came home from Japan in June 2025 we came home through Vegas. Just getting off the plane and walking through the jet bridge to get off the plane and into the terminal was bad. The heat came through. Supposedly it was 107F or 108F. Luckily SLC was over 10 degrees cooler when we got home.

I find Vegas to feel hotter than Scottsdale. However Scottsdale seems much more humid but for either when it’s over 100 degrees it’s hot. The high of 81 here in Verona feels actually pleasant

 

[chadbag]

I find Vegas to feel hotter than Scottsdale. However Scottsdale seems much more humid but for either when it’s over 100 degrees it’s hot. The high of 81 here in Verona feels actually pleasant

While I was born and raised until 10 in the Phoenix area, and my mom this morning said she remembered a complete week of 115F, I’ve not been in Arizona in modern times in the summer

 

[Kusojiji]

And here I am whining about 90 degrees! If I was in AZ or NV and 10 years younger, I'd probably be developing a solar oven or something.

 

[Kusojiji]

I'm watching a thread on another forum where they want the model manufacturer to make a loco that can use ANY decoder and not just the one that they designed the loco around. In this case, they have built in stay alive, similar to the Scaletrains stuff and use ESU primarily. I told them how they can get the stay alive to work with other decoders, with limitations such as having to turn it on manually everytime they start using that loco, but they don't want to listen, only want to hear themselves talk.

One guy is trying to get a Zimo to get the stay alive going, but that's a manufacturer that does their own thing. They don't use terms like AUX or port, so searching the manual was fruitless for me. Another guy was upset that the Hornby HM7000 wouldn't fit. I reminded him that the HM7000 is way out of spec for length and is an issue with fitment in almost everything - a problem that they created for themselves.

In the end (I hope it is the end), the manufacturer said that the OP should put his concerns into the DCC thread and take it out of this specific model's thread as the issue is with Zimo not following NMRA standards in this specific case. In this forum, the manufacturers act as moderators and can shut down/remove posts if out of control.

 

[DeaconKC]

Okay, often we have to add weight to engines, has anyone tried this? I was just told about it and it looks intersting.

 

[chadbag]

And here I am whining about 90 degrees! If I was in AZ or NV and 10 years younger, I'd probably be developing a solar oven or something.

Dude. 90F where you’re at is worse than 107F in Vegas.

 

[Marlin39]

Okay, often we have to add weight to engines, has anyone tried this? I was just told about it and it looks intersting.
View attachment 269469

I would be very hesitant to use this based upon the composition.

Made with high-purity iron particles suspended in a water-based resin, this formula delivers substantial weight even in small amounts, making it ideal for filling gaps and hidden spaces within model kits.

 

[RhB Michael]

Tungsten putty might be a better alternative. It is much denser than steel or iron.

 

[Kusojiji]

Dude. 90F where you’re at is worse than 107F in Vegas.

Some of the guys are reporting high humidity as well. Right now, my sensor is reading 31C/68%. Our humidity hasn't really set in yet.

I used to be able to handle 90/90 in Key West, but not any more. I'm a soft serve cone...

 

[Kusojiji]

I would be very hesitant to use this based upon the composition.

Made with high-purity iron particles suspended in a water-based resin, this formula delivers substantial weight even in small amounts, making it ideal for filling gaps and hidden spaces within model kits.

Oh is this real? I thought it was just a joke!

Tungsten putty might be a better alternative. It is much denser than steel or iron.

Thanks for reminding me. I need to get some on order.

 

[Kusojiji]

House renovators are applying the clear coat to the exterior. While we have the house on lock down, the fumes are still making their way through. I'm sitting here popping brain cells... If I end up with more locos, I'll claim insanity.

 

[Bruette]

Okay, often we have to add weight to engines, has anyone tried this? I was just told about it and it looks intersting.

I think Willy’s idea of using pennies for additional weight is pure genius!

Ok thanks good to know

Speaking of genius, I mentioned there were experts here; true geniuses, in fact!

 

[bnsf971]

Good morning. It's 80 and clear.

 

[Kusojiji]

I tried that...

 

[Bill Tidler Jr.]

Good Friday morning, Coffee Shop!
It's 73°F (°23 C) and partly cloudy.

WEATHER:
Mostly cloudy then becoming partly cloudy through early afternoon then becoming mostly cloudy. Patchy fog toward daybreak. Isolated showers and thunderstorms toward daybreak then scattered showers and thunderstorms. Humid with highs in the mid 80s. Southwest winds around 5 mph becoming northwest late this afternoon. Chance of rain 50 percent.

Off to breakfast later this morning at a local cafe with my niece.

Have a great day!

 

[troyphoto]

I tried that...
View attachment 269471

Check your center of gravity, Mr Soft-Serve

Not your's, but the car with the penny. It might work better a little lower?

 

[bnsf971]

I tried that...
View attachment 269471

I remember something available a while ago, called Moldable Lead Weights, which was a pair of soft lead slugs you could press into an available space.

Found it:

PPW 13010 Moldable Lead 1oz.

#13010 - Moldable Lead (1oz.) Prop 65 Warning Lead Cancer & reproductive Harm www.P65Warnings.ca.gov

ppw-aline.com

 

[Kusojiji]

I bought some of the tungsten stuff as from what I read, is like a hard clay in consistency and probably the most dense in this area. I'm thinking of stuffing this stuff inside the body cavity where a motor may have gone.

Motor car for this model has a metal frame.

The unpowered car is all plastic and has a relief that looks like where a motor would have gone.

When the tungsten comes in, I'll be taking a look inside and hope there is room. I want the weight to help with the power pick up. This car flickers more than the motor car.

At least that's the hope.

Oh, and less toxic AFAIK. I already have enough insanity, don't need more.

 

[bnsf971]

I bought some of the tungsten stuff as from what I read, is like a hard clay in consistency and probably the most dense in this area. I'm thinking of stuffing this stuff inside the body cavity where a motor may have gone.

Motor car for this model has a metal frame.

View attachment 269479

The unpowered car is all plastic and has a relief that looks like where a motor would have gone.
View attachment 269480

When the tungsten comes in, I'll be taking a look inside and hope there is room. I want the weight to help with the power pick up. This car flickers more than the motor car.

At least that's the hope.

Oh, and less toxic AFAIK. I already have enough insanity, don't need more.

Wouldn't simply installing a small capacitor be more effective?

 

[troyphoto]

Well, howdy there internet peeps and those with squishy middles

It's Troy again.

Todays going to be hot and muggy here in the Fort. Rain moving in this afternoon.

So I checked out Saskatoon SK, in the great white north.

Looks about the same. Even rain in the afternoon.

Welp... I had the interview with the Canadian citizenship attorney yesterday. She said I have a strong case, but there are a couple of places I need to fill in some paperwork.

Since my daughter wants to get her Canadian citizenship paper as well, I decided we'd hire the attorney. They troubleshoot the application process, fill out the paperwork, tell me where to go...

Errrr... I mean they tell me what certificates and documents I'm missing and where to find them.

I will need to go to my home town where the US National Mennonite Archives are located.

Mennonite Church USA Archives | Mennonite Church USA

www.mennoniteusa.org

Funny, but I took a semester of classes at the Seminary where this archive is housed, many moons ago. I'm not mennonite. Great Grandpa married the daughter of a Methodist minister, so that branch of the family shifted denominations. Interesting how it comes full circle though.

Wife got notice that her Methotrexate is in at the pharmacy. This is the first long term med we've been prescribed that will cost over $100/month AFTER the insurance pays. She's grumpy about it. But, hey, it's not the full $220 that CVS says it's going to cost!

Not sure if I should point out what it would cost north of the border? I checked with ClaudeAI, and with the supplemental drug plan in Saskatchewan it would run a $30 copay based on our income range.

And in Other-Other news, daughter texted last night that her partner (Millenial term for long-term live-in, but not married)... his mother died unexpectedly yesterday. Looks like a massive heart attack. So they're dealing with family stuff. His grandparents are still alive and in their 90s, so they're going to be taking on more of a caregiver role there.

Today is the big BOOKBUB marketing blast. We'll see if it generates it's cost in new sales in that series!