The Smarrco R.R.

[OleSmokey]

I did finally get the one RS-2 to work. These engines sitting in a box for months is not good.

 

[OleSmokey]

I am not sure if i can find a chip for the one RS-2. For right now i am going to store it in the engine house. For right now thats a good place.

 

[OleSmokey]

Deb had bugged me about another Christmas train for the holidays. Looking around i saw the Pico Christmas Train set for 150 bucks. I got it today. And wouldn't you just know it the coal tender for the engine is missing the coupler for that connection. I went with HO as it is somewhat stronger if the kids are a bit rough, and with that Christmas set there is less chance of them heading to the Smarrco layout in my man cave. So they will send me another or repair the current one. Not sure which. I can't mail it to them till Monday as UPS is closed at noon. Will let you know what they decide to do.
I also found a nice wood model of a forest fire tower. It is shorter and smaller than the other metal one. It got damaged when i was moving the layout around. I forgot i hadn't glued it down to the mountain. So i found a wood tower on line and get it. Nice and a lot easier to put together. Shots below, Smoke

 

[OleSmokey]

I got a coupler coming from Midwest and then on my layout i got the fire tower finished. I have both airplanes primed and ready for paint. I got decal sets for the Helicopter and also should have the special decals for the ambulance. That should be here in a few days. Its coming along slowly. getting there but I am doing anything that don't hurt me more than just doing nothing. I will be glad when this crazy weather changes and we start getting cooler temps than 100's! Laters a shot below.

 

[OleSmokey]

I got some much needed help today and got the Layout away from the wall and i can get behind the layout now. I got some big time wiring to do and also some runway and landing pad for the Helicopter. Got some major work in the town itself as well. Cleaning the track after that. It cost is higher than other ways but the Just Plug System makes that more easier than hard wiring everything. I bought what i think i need for this layout. Now if i feel up to doing anything to it... This should last me thru Fall and into Winter... I hope. Have a few shots of the layout as to how it is starting with the layout away from the wall. Believe it or not the wiring is out on the layout in those shots.

 

[DeaconKC]

Smokey, it's looking good. Have fun with the wiring, I have a wiring upgrade coming on my layout when we get back from Colorado.

 

[OleSmokey]

how does that go? Clap, Pause, be still my beating heart... Wiring is no fun!

 

[OleSmokey]

Why did they use magnet wires for street lights??? There just plug system is supposed to make it easier to connect wires and light up the layout. those magnet wires are not easy to connect. I have been trying that all morning. I have two lights inside the building and they work perfectly they use regular wire for that and its fine. The j lights that are mounted on the outside of buildings and use magnet wire. There has to be a way to clean those wires to make a good connection. I worked on the lights for the mine area last night and today and so far the lights in the building work perfect. I cannot get the outside lights to work. The only thing i haven't tried is to use a lighter to melt the wire enough to get the insulation off those lights wires. They need to come up with a better way to connect them. sorry for the rant, but these magnet wires are a royal PITA!!!

 

[Kusojiji]

I use my soldering iron and keep melting solder on the wire to get that shellac to melt off. Yep, PITA.

I wonder if a pit full of melted solder would work. Haven't done that since HS after I accidentally leaned my arm on it.

 

[ctclibby]

Why did they use magnet wires for street lights??? There just plug system is supposed to make it easier to connect wires and light up the layout. those magnet wires are not easy to connect. I have been trying that all morning. I have two lights inside the building and they work perfectly they use regular wire for that and its fine. The j lights that are mounted on the outside of buildings and use magnet wire. There has to be a way to clean those wires to make a good connection. I worked on the lights for the mine area last night and today and so far the lights in the building work perfect. I cannot get the outside lights to work. The only thing i haven't tried is to use a lighter to melt the wire enough to get the insulation off those lights wires. They need to come up with a better way to connect them. sorry for the rant, but these magnet wires are a royal PITA!!!

I use my soldering iron and keep melting solder on the wire to get that shellac to melt off. Yep, PITA.

I wonder if a pit full of melted solder would work. Haven't done that since HS after I accidentally leaned my arm on it.

Yup, mag wire begs for a solder pot. Little ones can be had ~$50 or so. Bar solder is the spendy part. Once you get one, you will find a whole bunch of other stuff to use with it. Oh, I have been known to strip 30ga wire wrap wire tooo... Funny thing about the solder pot, if you do strip stuff that is ..um.. dirty or cruddy, don't worry to much as all of that swims around the edge of the solder pool until it is either cleaned out or burned out.

L8r

 

[shortwrench]

Why did they use magnet wires for street lights??? There just plug system is supposed to make it easier to connect wires and light up the layout. those magnet wires are not easy to connect. I have been trying that all morning. I have two lights inside the building and they work perfectly they use regular wire for that and its fine. The j lights that are mounted on the outside of buildings and use magnet wire. There has to be a way to clean those wires to make a good connection. I worked on the lights for the mine area last night and today and so far the lights in the building work perfect. I cannot get the outside lights to work. The only thing i haven't tried is to use a lighter to melt the wire enough to get the insulation off those lights wires. They need to come up with a better way to connect them. sorry for the rant, but these magnet wires are a royal PITA!!!

I use a razor blade to strip the coating.

 

[OleSmokey]

I tried using a razor blade and it cuts that thin wire too. What i got came from a different forum. Use a Cigarette Lighter to burn the insulation off. Do it quick as it will melt the wire too. But it worked so far for me. Maybe someone else needs to figure out the fun but Maybe if Woodland Scenic will come up with another way to do the job. Thanks

 

[Kusojiji]

begs for a solder pot

Will take a look into that, thanks! @OleSmokey thanks for asking this question.