Hmmm. . . it is a digital phone. But the phone line is still analog. So, I don't know. The paint is definitely analog, and lasts through power shut-downs. Pete
pete nice work ! the roof of the house with the garage somehow confuses me a bit. looks like you weathered it. i assume by painting white stripes you tried to simulate where rain left some residue. shouldn't the stripes be vertical ?
Sandro, I need to work on that roof. Surprising what the camera shows. The roof actually has horizontal lines of shingles, which don't show. So, a little chalk work is in order. (I'd also knocked the garage roof askew somehow, and stoved a wall inward--that's handling it from the old layout to the new). Pete
Pete, I don't know if this is the kind of info you're actually asking for but, my brother served on the USS Stoddard,, DD 566, Fletcher class, out of Boston for four years, early to mid-fifties. Spent his time between Boston and the Mediterranean during those years. When he mustered out, its next cruise was to Korean waters. http://www.ussstoddard.org/index.html [ 24. April 2004, 04:53: Message edited by: absnut ]
Pete, i finally took the time to read this post! a 9 pager is quite intimidating for me! anyways, this layout looks great, and i can only hope to achieve the same results when i start mine in a couple of weeks. a few questions, and forgive me if im repeating people, i may have accidently skipped a page, first, DCC or analog? second, what is the maximum grade? and third, whats the longest train you have run to date, and how much motive power did it take to haul it up the grade?! thanks, and i hope to see more soon!!! -Rob
Hi Rob! 1) It's DCC, and was designed that way. I can run it with DC also, with a simple A/b switch. 2) Max grade is 2.5 percent as designed. However, I made a mistake on the first level on the Charleston blurb, so it's probably 2.7 percent, around an 18" radius curve. 3) 45 cars to date, pulled by two DCC-converted LL FA-2s (actually an FA-2 and an FB-2). I also pulled a 43-car ore-jenny unit train with two LL 2-8-8-2s, though with lots of slipping. I know I could pull a lot more, but the Accumate problem is bugging me! Pete
i understand the accumate problem, im in the process of switching everything i buy over to MT's they just dont seem "happy" together, i go back up a train, and its like i just added another automatic uncoupler, except they are all still in the package on my desk! if im ever down that way, expect a phone call! thanks for giving the rest of us to view the progress of your masterpiece, i really have enjoyed myself. -Rob
Rob, When I went to C55 rail for this layout, all my rolling stock was MT pizza cutters. I faced a choice: swap out axles, or swap out trucks. I wasn't familiar with the Accumate problems. I was, however, in a time bind, so I decided to buy a bunch of Accumate trucks, figuring it would be quicker to swap trucks, even if it was more expensive than swapping axles. Accumate trucks were cheaper than MT trucks. Wrong choice! Pete
Paul, Patience! I'm into my busy season at work, so it may be a while. I'm looking for the perfect plank, however. Must be 1-5/8" thick. Pete
Well, after today (05-05-2004), I'm going to have to put off shipbuilding and bridge building forums until at least October, perhaps further. Sorry, folks! I had hoped to complete them by now, but business calls. Pete
