BarstowRick's H&P Layout Restoration

BarstowRick Sep 15, 2020

  1. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Well played my friend, well played.
     
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  2. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Rick's Story Time, Oh No...Not Another One.

    My mind is about as clear as it's going to get and my hands are bangig uto the letters. The fingers may need a bit more coordintaion, do you think?

    You didn't ask about the story behind this picture. Yes, I was fishing! I'm guessing you knew it was coming... despite whether you bite or not.

    Out of all the photos I've taken of my train layout. This, without a doubt is my Favorite.
    Ashfork Junction Santa Fe Train Station.

    056.JPG

    The first time I posted this picture was on a different toy train website, for whatever reasons it stirred up a hornet's nest. What the heck? The first response I got, "Santa Fe never ran a train like that." I came back or did they? It went on.

    This well favored train website, they didn't have a N Scale dedicated section. It could be confusing at times as to what scale we were talking about. That should point you in the right direction despite my not naming the website.:censored::censored::censored:

    I noticed two guys that would almost always come back and respond negatively too anything I posted. I started tracking them and noticed they were doing the same thing to others. Wondering if the Moderators and Administration on the website was/were also seeing and tracking this. :(

    I presented this picture thusly. Here is a Santa Fe Business Train similar to one I saw attempting to visit George Air Force Base. Unfortunately they could not get the train up and over and into GAFB. The climb up and out was to steep and the curves to sharp. As far as I know GAFB never saw any passenger trains. They'd stop at the Santa Fe station in Oro Grande or Victorville to be bused back to the base. o_O

    It was back in the late 60's or early 70's before Amtrak took over. Santa Fe ran a special with the full dome, hi-level dinner and coach. Tied in behind I saw a Santa Fe caboose for the train crew. On the nose two FP45's. In the same livery as what you see in this picture. :cool:

    Remember, I used a disclaimer by saying, "Similar." Yep I said that. These two guys came back with "Never Happened" and other comments like "No Way". You don't know what you are talking about. I'll bet you don't have a picture to prove it. They were right about their last assumption. I'm not allowed to carry a camera to...well...you know.

    To set the scene. I was returning from a business call in Helendale. Still not allowed to talk about that. What a mess. I was returning back to the Mortuary with a full load, sad to say. Just the nature of my work. I was driving an Abbott and Hast Conversion (Baby hearse) Dodge Polara Wagon. For you car buffs, yes with a Hemi engine in it. It could get up and go and it did better in the desert then some of the Ford's and GMC's at the time. Highly reliable car. But enough about the car. Oh, and fun to drive. :whistle::whistle:

    I had no choice as traffic was stopped and backed up as the drooling foamers stopped to see what's happening. That was when we were proud to be foamers. No one put you down for it. Some of these guys are and can be the neatest. Radio Shack scanners, CB and Ham Radios all a buzz. :unsure::unsure:

    I asked one of them what's going on. He started to ask what am I doing? He, caught on quickly. His answer, I don't know but I'll call you later. Hollering to the other guys he's not here for this. KMC was in the window and I told him to ask for Rick. Traffic cleared and I had to go. No lingering allowed, for me.:sick:

    He did call me to advise it was some sort of hush, hush business special. Something about the Officers at GAFB and business special for them. Good enough for me. Shout out of Thanks to him. To my surprise we kept in touch, after that.;)

    Of this picture I was simply pointing out the "Similarities". Okay Rick, Self you already said that. :sneaky:

    There is a Rest Of The Story. I never ratted on those guys to the mod's. Unlike George and I, I couldn't tell if they were playing, bantering or meant it. Figured the mod's would see it and handle the problem. I engaged them a few times and finally gave up on them, choosing to ignore them. I did notice they left that website when they decided everyone should pay to participate there. Doubling back, yep they dropped off. In the meantime there were plenty of RailFans, Foamers, hard corp train worshipers, the Fan Club and some really fine guys and gals who participated there. We had some good times.:D

    When I look at my re-creation of this incomplete Santa Fe Business train, as well as the others captured in the picture. Each one reminds me of times spent by the railroad tracks, foaming. The only thing better is foaming or rail-fanning my own layout.:)

    Just don't drool to much. Even the Car Buffs in our crowd don't want you hovering over their finally crafted and polished cars. Let the guys with the polishing rags and mop buckets, sit this one out. :confused::D(y)

    Foamers: Defined, those railfans who stand trackside... Whooping it up each and every time a train comes by. And/Or in dead silence with their jaws on the ground and sometimes drooling. How about the guys making the truck honk your horn signal with their arm? Every freaking:eek::confused: time a train goes by. :LOL::ROFLMAO::D

    My family of Rails, often referred to the Track Jumpers as Foamers. They thought they were funny. I never heard it as a put down but I do know of other Rails who didn't appreciate The Fan Club and calling them Foamers. Usually with a big grin on their face.(y):whistle:;)

    It was when the "Flat Landers" (think about it), who swarmed the tracks, climbed up on the locomotives, signal bridges, tops of railroad shanties the term "Foamer" became an undesirable tag.:mad::mad::mad:

    Now, I've got some work to do so I can Foam my own train layout. By the way the wiring project at the church went well. :D:cool: Easier then what I have to do next.

    Later!
     
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2021
  3. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

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    Rick, there are quite a few people on forums and in life who think they are intelligent enough to take themselves seriously and delight in belittling others.

    I asked to be unmembered from a particular forum months ago because of a few on there like that but it hasn't happened and I haven't been there since except to see if they ever removed me.

    Doug
     
  4. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    Probably the same forum I left in the year 2000 to come to TrainBoard and haven't been back since. I'm all for having a little fun and a poke here and there but sometimes, there are folks who can be down right hateful with their comments and sarcasm. There were a couple who are no longer here that came over from another forum that went under that I let drive me away from internet forums including this one for many years. Still regret I let them get to me like that. Missed out on a lot probably but I'm here and it's all good now. :)
     
  5. TigerDude

    TigerDude TrainBoard Member

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    Liberal use of the mute or ignore function has served me well.
     
  6. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    You are so right. I eventually left that website/forum. Quit paying my dues and my membership fell off. It's like a lot of things in life it's the few bad apples that screw it up for the rest of us.

    I have no problem with teasing, bantering, or someone that wants to give me a hard time with a smile and twinkle in their eye. I just described my Granddad the Santa Fe Rail. Super guy and fun to be around.

    Glad to have you here. I appreciate your participation here.
     
  7. logging loco

    logging loco TrainBoard Supporter

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    Rick,
    Is this the type of strippers you were referring to a week or so ago.

    20210222_155128.jpg

    16140272868758171982328202352866.jpg

    Ideal Stripmaster. This pair is good for 20 - 14ga.
     
  8. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    That's it.! That's it! That is it!!! I haven't gotten out due to about a half of foot of snow that turned into black ice on the streets. Roads are clear now, so I will get out to see if I can find it.

    If I may ask? Where did you go to purchase it?
     
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  9. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    I've had one of those since early 1980s. Bought it at Sears Auto Store in Milwaukee.
     
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  10. logging loco

    logging loco TrainBoard Supporter

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    It was my fathers. I guessing they would be a little pricey.

    As someone pointed out last week there are at least two different models. Make sure you get the correct one for the size wire you are working with.

    There is also a strip length gauge if you are stripping a lot of wires to the same length. It is missing on mine.


    My only question for you is, why the heck didn't you remind me I had these sooner? (Twinkle and smile!)
     
  11. logging loco

    logging loco TrainBoard Supporter

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    HD shows model 45-092 for $36.99 for wire sizes 22 - 14.

    Money well spent if you have alot of stripping to do.
    Mine are probably 30 or more years old, and don't have the hold open jaws. The hold open jaws are good for solid or stranded making it a little easier working with stranded wire but are not absolutely necessary.

    Hope this helped
     
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2021
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  12. logging loco

    logging loco TrainBoard Supporter

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    If you squeeze to far without the hold open and the jaws snapback on stranded wire you end up with this

    20210222_183945.jpg

    It's easy to get a feel for when to stop short of Jason snapping closed.
     
  13. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yes that does help. I'm going to look on E-pay to see if I can find one.
    I appreciate the advice in your following post as well.(y)(y)(y)
     
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2021
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  14. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    I found these: Capri Tools 20010 Precision Wire Stripper

    Looks like the same thing to me. What you think logging loco??

    You asked, "My only question for you is, why the heck didn't you remind me I had these sooner? (Twinkle and smile!)"

    What you couldn't tell me sooner? :D:):LOL:
     
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2021
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  15. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

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    The thing I dislike most about stripping wires is having to pull the insulation off after closing the cutting jaws. In close quarters, there is always the danger of pulling wires or solder connections loose or even hurting your hand. The clamp/cut/pull type of wire stripper solves that annoyance.

    I don't have one at home here but when I worked at Telex, I was always stripping wires when building my prototype circuits and converting old machines (testers) to new. Those strippers save much time.

    Doug
     
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  16. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Doug how perceptive. :) That's exactly what I'm up against right now. Space is at a premium and working over my head isn't the most desirable position to be in. :sick:

    I'm looking at cutting some more track and lifting the yard ladder out so I can work from the top down.
    If this wire stripper doesn't get it done for me. I will do exactly that. Frustrate, frustrate, frustrate. :confused::eek::mad:
     
  17. badlandnp

    badlandnp TrainBoard Member

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    Those strippers bring bacxk memories! Had a set of those handed to me when I went to work at Morrison-Knudsen rewiring locomotives! Went through a set of teeth a year! Spent a LOT of hours terminating 14-12-8-6 and 4 gauge wires! Of course, the strippers only worked on the smaller stuff. Awesome tool!

    Just do remember, keep the fingers out of the way. Don't ask how I know...........
     
  18. logging loco

    logging loco TrainBoard Supporter

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    TOUCHE! Rick

    At the time I couldn't get to the drawer they were stored in.
     
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  19. logging loco

    logging loco TrainBoard Supporter

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    The Capri Tools 20010 Precision Wire Stripper looks like it will work. It doesn't say if it has hold open or not. It does show the clear plastic length gauge.

    If you still have a lot of stranded wire in realy tight locations I'd recommend a pair with hold open. It will save a little time and be a little more convenient to use.

    Mine don't have hold open. The jaws automatically snap closed at end of stroke and broom out the wire strands.

    What I do for stranded wire.
    I squeeze the handles enough to close the blades which cuts the insulation and open the jaws part way and squeeze a little more to realese the clamp on non cut part of insulation.
    Then stop squeezing handles and pull the whole tool off the wire just like normal wire strippers.
    It's a lot easier than it sounds and after a short time can be done in one motion.
    THE DOWNSIDE which I minor, is that you are still tugging on the wire but not nearly as hard as with regular strippers and you need just a little more room.

    If you have the hold open feature you just put the wire in the correct notch in the blade and squeeze and your done.

    WEAR SAFETY GLASSES especially if working overhead. Not only does the insulation go flying, but if you put the wire in the wrong notch cut pieces individual wire strands can be come down in your eyes.

    So to boildown my ramble,
    If it is in your budget get the hold open.
    If you want to save a little money and don't mind working a little bit slower don't worry about hold open.
     
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  20. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    I don't want to spend anymore money, right now. I'd rather be buying a Micro-Train Standard (heavy weight) Rio Grande Passenger car in the Pullman Green livery. They don't have any...yet. So, the wire stripper you saw in the link, is ordered and on it's way.

    Mr. Loco, thanks for your ramblings. Although hardly ramblings. Good advice, a procedure to follow and most importantly emphasis on safety.

    Kudos my friend, Kudo's

    Thanks again.
     
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2021

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