What was your latest purchase?

That's what I used for many years and then they seemed to start disappearing from the stores around here and they didn't last very long anyway before they turned to goo so I asked some of the local orthodontists if I could buy some of their latex bands from them and I ended up getting many hundreds given to me as they approached their expiration dates! Very nice people in most of those businesses.

However, those bands aren't ideal either as they eventually deteriorate from being exposed to oil/grease too. They get a bit mushy and then wrap around the motor shafts, effectively braking the loco.

I reasoned that silicone would actually be a real good material for the bands but I couldn't find any of the right diameter or wall thickness.

Then, by chance, I saw some neoprene (the original band material) tubes of the same diameter and wall thickness as the original bands for sale on eBay by a fellow enthusiast in England. I bought some and I just slice off bands from them and they look and work just like the originals.

Doug

 

Well I have a few items on the way, but its not eye candy like some have shared. In route is a 9V battery charger(for throttles), a UR90 for wireless ability, and a UP5 to replace a UP3 that seems problematic.

 

I was bold and actually bid on a "big ticket" (to me) item on the Bay. I usually only buy rolling stock and even then it is a handful of cars a year. Locos I stay away from due to the "so many things can go wrong" and I just don't have the time to fix it or the back and forth negotiation should something be not as described.

I don't have any passenger equipment other than the Operation North Pole set and I've always wanted a modern Amtrack set to run at train shows when my club exhibits (they are very active in that).

So I came across the following with an opening bid of $99. But it was a Kobo Shop ediction with TCS DCC built in. I'm sure it will eventually be run up quite high as the normal set, without DCC, goes for $130 at that mail order place in Maryland. The auction had 3 days left to go. But so far, no bidders.

Since I work at home I just have that page up on my computer and every day I refreshed it. No bidders! To tell you the truth, the pictures were not that clear or enticing to sell the item. Maybe that's why. 1 day left, no bidders. 12 hours left, no bidders. 1 hour left, no bidders. (It was a 100% rated seller.) So I'm scratching my head!! Is Kato Amtrak not popular at all? Searching for past completed auctions shows otherwise.

So at 1.5 minutes left, with still NO bidder, I decided to go for it and put in $110. I figured even at that price it's still a major savings, especially Kobo Shop!

I watched the count down. 30 seconds, nothing, 15 seconds, nothing, 5 seconds a bid! Apparently one person tried to do a snipe with $99 but since I put in $110 a minute earlier, the auction ended at $100 for me.

So now the wait begun. The pictures weren't that good but the description says nothing broken, everything works, even detail parts bag not opened. The seller was excellent as he shipped right away and I got it in two days. Held my breath and opend up a big box (it was packed very well!) and everything looked pristine. It looked like it was barely used. Now comes the $64,000 question does it run and is it even DCC? Dropped it on my layout and viola! Ran it on address 150 and runs like a Swiss watch, typical Kato. Then on to the programming section of the layout and snooped around a few CVs and everything was fine.

Took it to a train show today and ran it for a while and uneventful.

I guess I was lucky! Believe me, things like this NEVER happens to me!

 

I just got Athearn's new SD-70 in Conrail. I installed a DCC sound decoder in it and it sounds awesome!

 

What decoder did you use?

 

Added more Kato cars to my Empire Builder consist. Sill need a RPO but they are scarce.

 

MK, that's the way to do eBay! Sometimes you just get an inkling it's OK.

jlundy46, those Empire Builders are beautiful!

Doug

 

But Doug, the wait and suspense to see if it was a dud or a gem causes some great anxiety! I don't drink but maybe I should!

 

I am a sucker for passenger trains and most certainly addicted to the Kato P42. I picked up the latest two numbers 47 and 160

 

A set of Santa Fe Super Chief/Excursion train replacement trucks.
Also a set of lighting units for the UP excursion water cars.
Know I saw a video of installing lighting kits. Gotta find it now!

Should also have a Kato UP passenger car set A here Monday.
Have that set already, but its the set with the damaged Diner/Observation cars!
Might be able to use those cars in a possible diorama, with cars undergoing repair.

 

Well I messed up and assumed the UR90 would come with a power supply. So that is on the way too.

 

Be very, very careful when removing the shell. There are four rather fragile contact strips that transfer electrical contact between the trucks and the chassis. They are attached to the frame by a small blob (and I do mean small blob) of melted plastic. Use four tooth picks to separate the chassis from the shell then remove the fuel tank cover. And GOOD LUCK!!!.

 

Got the call today, that decoders have arrived.
May pick them up Wednesday. No truck for a while tomorrow.
Having headlights aimed! Chewed up my hand, trying to get
them in to begin with!

Working on details on latest UP passenger set. Smoothside Set A.
Detailed existing Diner, since new set had a Dome apparently swapped for Diner.
Swearing, while TRYING to install antenna supports on Observation car!
Should have 1 left, IF I don't lose any more! Thankfully, Diner is done, and wasn't too bad!

 

Latest N Scale magazines and the DCC boards
for my LL SW1200’s. Just need to decide when to attempt installing them!
Those things are SMALL!! Gonna test my eyes for sure!

 

Managed to get decoders installed. First unit, did NOT run, after decoder installed.
Tried setting bare chassis directly on the rails. Applied power and it ran fine. Turns
out, contact strips were NOT making proper contact with the frame. A little rebending helped!
Waiting on second unit to dry, before I reassemble it. Both front contact strips were mangled a bit!

Using a multi purpose cement, to glue in the damaged contact strips.
Did that with first unit, and it worked out great! Stuff sticks pretty good, dries clear.
However, I do not follow the directions, in this case! I get contact in place, then I TRY to
cover it with a dab of cement. Then cover the rest, and smooth it out. Then wait and let dry.
Over the end that attaches to the sill.

Digitrax added a little solder to the contact points on the board. Had to file it down a bit in order to get the decoder to fit!
Otherwise, it's too tight, and will NOT install completely! The frame, lacks a bit to be desired! NOT as crisp as an Atlas, or Kato frame.
It's a bit rough. Again, once assembled, the units look pretty good. A tad noisy, but nothing objectionable, to me.
A bit of running may help them. Mine run nice and quiet, and quite smooth for a small locomotive.
Not sure how it handles curves, C55 track etc..Yet. Have a quick Unitrack test track set up for testing.

Hopefully, I will NOT have to get into these things any time soon!
May do the MILW units recently acquired as well.

Now, both units decodered, and reassembled! Addresses changed. Run good separately, or MU'd.

 

New houses by cal_43spanish, auf Flickr

got a few new houses

 

I purchased a N scale Waco Depot from Top Shelf Hobbies in Owasso OK. for two dollars. Will use it as a tool shed in my layouts yard. Would like to find a handcar. Does anyone know where I can get one?

Joe

 

Osborn Model Kits make a hand car kit. They look like laser cut wood and are probably good enough if not right out front and center. Two to a kit.