After experiencing what my Dr. called a "mild" case of this virus thingy I can honestly say I have never been more sick, even with pneumonia, and I can see how someone could succumb to something other than mild. Stay safe out there everyone!
I found these Athearn tank cars at my not so local LHS that have a tendency to visit quite often. Nice addition for my future ethanol plant.
I just purchased a 40 pin (2rows x 20 pins) ribbon cable socket connector to protect the exposed GPIO pins on the top of my Pi Sprog 3. If you never plan to add another hat on top of the Pi Sprog 3, you can just clip these top-side pins off. The ribbon cable socket connector does not need a ribbon cable to perform this protective function. Just snap down the crimp bar (easily by hand), and discard the cable strain relief (if present). When mated to the GPIO pins, it separates and protects the pins from shorting each other if they were to be bent. It helps prevent bending by ensuring that all GPIO pins physically support each other, such that they, as a unit are much stronger.
After installing and satisfied with the trail order of 4 sets of these low profile wheel sets, I order 10 more sets from Kato USA. Makes a big difference with my older Kato 6 axle units running on code 55 track. I recently posted about this on my layout blog. http://palisadecanyonrr.blogspot.com/2020/11/upgrading-wheels-on-old-kato-locomotives.html
I bought the planet Saturn! Yup she’s all mine. Took all my solar system cars out and put them on my modules. Norfolk Southern leading the pack. Only 5 more cars and a caboose to go!
After measuring whether my passenger cars would fit into a Kato double track bridge on 21" & 22.25" radius curves - they would not, slightly negative clearance - I ordered a sampler of mostly Plastruct and Evergreen profiles, since it seems I will need to build some (very simple) bridge-like structures: some H-beams, some open web trusses, and some 10 mil polystyrene sheet (cheaper than Plastruct/Evergreen beams). Very exciting. Sorry, no pictures yet. Now it's also starting to make sense that I took some detail pics of the Lakeshore Bridge beams recently... By the way, I don't know whether it's common knowledge, but those double track Kato truss bridges come with parts to link several of them together into one longer bridge structure. The single width one does not.
Those became a bit scarce soon after being released. It is a huge complex and IIRC was about $80 discounted about 10 years ago. Might I ask you what someone should expect to pay to acquire one? Sent from my SM-J737T using Tapatalk
Hi Stefan, You probably need short straight pieces leading into the bridge from both ends. That will straighten the long passenger cars before entering and leaving the bridge. Probably 4" segments before the curved tracks approach will be enough for all 80' or greater rolling stock to manage. You should never plan a layout with curved track entering a bridge or tunnel without having a straight segment leading in or out. Sent from my SM-J737T using Tapatalk
Calzephyr, I know, I know, bad planning, but I'm literally designing myself into a corner (or rather, three) with this layout. The location where I need the bridge is a 135 degree turn, and I measured the (negative) clearance for a car centered on the tracks, so probably mentioning the length of the car was misleading. The lack of clearance is coming entirely from the off-centering of the track. Since these already are large radius curves, the extra overhang due to the length won't be so bad (but will make the clearance issue even worse). i could probably widen the Kato bridge a few mm / 16ths, or saw it apart and glue it back together at an angle, but there are other locations where I will be able to use the bridge unmodified.
I never thought of this -- thank you. I just checked my track plan and found that I happen to have straight sections of 1.25" at each end of my truss bridges. I need to piece together a test track to see if these are sufficient.
I tend to plan for 'worse case scenarios' when figuring out a track plan. I have large rolling stock because I like passenger consists. As a result, I know there will be 'overhang' on curves and there will be a need to have adequate space for the rolling stock to navigate the curve unimpeded. Bridges and tunnels likewise have to be addressed for the types and lengths of rolling stock which need to traverse them unimpeded. Remember that curves on inclines also pose issues with all rolling stock... but specially long rolling stock. Sent from my SM-J737T using Tapatalk
I pieced together what I planned and using a circa 1970 Atlas 86' Auto Parts Hi-Cube, it fits ... barely. I then tried a circa 1990 (?) 68' Con-Cor Double Stack Container car and it lightly scuffs an upper member of the truss bridge. I use much smaller rolling stock on my road, but like you, I plan for the worst and keep this pair of cars to serve solely as my ultimate clearance testers. I'll look into repositioning the bridge a few inches to gain a straighter approach. Again, thanks. Better to figure this through now than later after a lot of track has been set in place.
I just received 40 N Scale cars which will fit nicely in my auto car carriers and have enough to start a used car lot. This purchase was due to a info post by IN2tech on July 22, which I am grateful. Thanks again In2tech for the tip.
Back in town after a week away to find these waiting for me. I will be seeing how well this matches up to the Imperial series sleepers. This coming weekend will be spent trying to fit a decoder in one of these little guys. Stay safe,
I want a Thomas! I have an idea for a show display for kids and I need a Thomas, Annie and Clarabel for it and have not had much luck finding one reasonable.
Hmmmmmmm...there was a post in the "More EBay Humor' thread recently. Dont know who posted it. Anyways...after checking the humorous ebay post....I checked the sellers other listings. I remember it being an estate sale. The guy had a few Thomas, Annie and Clarabel sets listed...at a decent starting price. Disregard....it looks like to be the push around ones...with the round magnets on the ends...my bad... page 5..... https://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?ite...t~qM&_ssn=midwest-deals&_pgn=5&_skc=200&rt=nc