The Weather AGAIN

Re:The Weather AGAIN (beavercreek)

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 21:57:29 GMT

Chris M

My Sd70 certainly throws its following wagon off the track at anything less than 10foot diameter - I now use 12 foot as my minmum and even at this some Bachmann wagons can't cope.

Yes I agree.
I have, on the mainline, mainly 10' and upwards but there is one spot where there is a quick small visitation to about 9 to 8 ft (I used flexi-track to follow contours of me lawn area). The SD70 does not like body mounted couplers on the cars at that spot but seems to be okay with bogie mounted. I only use Aristocraft bogie knuckles when on 1:29 stock (unless they are in a hook and loop consist). The combination of SD70 and bogie mounted aristocraft seems to be rock solid (even on my grades). There is also the possibility of having an extra long coupler tang on the first car behind the SD70 which would allow the extra swing.

I use body mounted knuckles mainly for 1:20.3 scale stock and the SD70 will not ever get to pull those anyway.

Re:The Weather AGAIN (Chris M)

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 19:29:55 GMT

My Sd70 certainly throws its following wagon off the track at anything less than 10foot diameter - I now use 12 foot as my minmum and even at this some Bachmann wagons can't cope.

Re:The Weather AGAIN (beavercreek)

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 17:31:18 GMT

Richie

Big black cloud has been hanging over us all day but no rain not sure to get a train out and running .

Mike i didn't know you had a SD70 in the Rio Grande Heritage would have liked to have seen that running was looking at getting one of them for my line but wasn't too sure about the 8ft curves .

Big black coulds keep going over us but the heat stays on......mmmmmmmm....lovelyyyyyyyyy

Yes Richie, I had it up in my office on display, forgot to bring her down. It is a lovely beast (apart from the fact that USA Trains did not produce the correct flared radiator intake model and only repainted their SD70 MAC version). It will handle 8 footers BUT it don't look good at all as it is a very very long loco...makes the PA1 look like a runt! Also there coiuld be the issue of coupler swing and forced derailment of following cars.
When we come up your way perhaps I'll bring her along to return the compliment of the visitation to us of your great Plow kit-bash.

Re:The Weather AGAIN (minimans)

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 17:15:32 GMT

I know I complain about the sunny weather here in Kali but we do have naff weather as well, it's just at a more defined time. Having said that you will find me out running trains in ALL weathers except when it's frigid cold (not very often get that though) Our trains are weather resistant and so are YOU! get out there and run a train!! let the whole world know what train nut you are!!........................meanwhile I think I'll go grab another cerveza.................................

Gratuatus Puffy picture as I couldn't find the sunny one I was looking for...................
[attachment=0]

Re:The Weather AGAIN (Richie)

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 16:21:53 GMT

Big black cloud has been hanging over us all day but no rain not sure to get a train out and running .

Mike i didn't know you had a SD70 in the Rio Grande Heritage would have liked to have seen that running was looking at getting one of them for my line but wasn't too sure about the 8ft curves .

Re:The Weather AGAIN (beavercreek)

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 12:29:30 GMT

Miamigo259

beavercreek

Had some running late into the night...lovely balmy evening...left a few things out that usually don't get left out...locos special rolling stock. Was pottering about this morning about 11 and the drizzle started....something at the back of my mind.....oh yesssss....the locos Mad dashing around like a headless chicken all that should be under cover was saved.
Can't complain about this summer. Been lovely and plenty of running. Plenty of time to really check out the geometry of the track and correct problems (found on open days of course). Lovely running in the evenings with the lighting on. After a few indifferent summers and one hell of a winter it is like being somewhere warm and dry

Suns come out here again, so it might be heading your way!

GREEEEAAAAAT!

Time to do more thinking, cogitating, procrastinating, oscillating (!?!) about me probs with double reverse loops and whatnot. Also maybe a little bit of running as well.
Had me heritage Rio Grande SD70 Mac out earlier in the week when Marshman came over to collect his loco and it showed that a part of my track had sunk enough to cause the lead axle on the SD70 motor bogies bogie to lift off the rails. As the lead axle is alo articulated, it wandered sometimes leading to derailments. Today was/is going to be the day to fix all uneven track probs caused by the dry weather and the clay soil shrinking! And the sinking has happened even with the track being mounted on stakes, side supports and battens.

Toodle pip!

Re:The Weather AGAIN (Miamigo259)

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 12:13:51 GMT

beavercreek

Had some running late into the night...lovely balmy evening...left a few things out that usually don't get left out...locos special rolling stock. Was pottering about this morning about 11 and the drizzle started....something at the back of my mind.....oh yesssss....the locos Mad dashing around like a headless chicken all that should be under cover was saved.
Can't complain about this summer. Been lovely and plenty of running. Plenty of time to really check out the geometry of the track and correct problems (found on open days of course). Lovely running in the evenings with the lighting on. After a few indifferent summers and one hell of a winter it is like being somewhere warm and dry

Suns come out here again, so it might be heading your way!

Re:The Weather AGAIN (beavercreek)

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 11:53:02 GMT

Had some running late into the night...lovely balmy evening...left a few things out that usually don't get left out...locos special rolling stock. Was pottering about this morning about 11 and the drizzle started....something at the back of my mind.....oh yesssss....the locos Mad dashing around like a headless chicken all that should be under cover was saved.
Can't complain about this summer. Been lovely and plenty of running. Plenty of time to really check out the geometry of the track and correct problems (found on open days of course). Lovely running in the evenings with the lighting on. After a few indifferent summers and one hell of a winter it is like being somewhere warm and dry

Re:The Weather AGAIN (kimbrit)

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 11:31:44 GMT

Miamigo259

I had intended running my line today, as I had set the day aside purely for that purpose. Needless to say, it has now started a light drizzle outside, so its back to working on the N gauge exhibition layout indoors!

At least I did get a couple of hours running outside, though I did start at 07.30!

Problem is, the times I am at home tend to correspond with the naff weather..........

I hate it it when it has been a lovely day whilst I'm at work and as I endure the 50 minute bus ride home the skies darken and..........no trains this evening.

Re:The Weather AGAIN (Miamigo259)

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 11:04:28 GMT

I had intended running my line today, as I had set the day aside purely for that purpose. Needless to say, it has now started a light drizzle outside, so its back to working on the N gauge exhibition layout indoors!

At least I did get a couple of hours running outside, though I did start at 07.30!

Problem is, the times I am at home tend to correspond with the naff weather..........

Re:The Weather AGAIN (bobg)

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 08:43:44 GMT

There's nothing to be said about getting older

I can think of one thing..............don't do it! Otherwise I agree, bending sure gets so it's easier to get down than to get up again.

Re:The Weather AGAIN (Madman)

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 01:45:40 GMT

Last year we had your rain here, on the East Coast. This year we have had 90 degree plus days for most of July and June. Not much rain. Not a good year for gardening. Even I, who can tolerate the heat, am finding it more difficult to play in it. Not only that, but I am moving a bit slower than I would like to be. There's nothing to be said about getting older.

Re:The Weather AGAIN (Mik)

Sat, 24 Jul 2010 23:11:23 GMT

very hot and very humid for the last few. If anybody wants to trade, you can have it.

Re:The Weather AGAIN (Chris M)

Sat, 24 Jul 2010 22:35:08 GMT

OOh I#ve got that annual - there were some really interesting articles in it

there is so much Quality RTR 0 Gauge around these days building them is not really nescessary

stevelewis

Tis true and the same applies to all gauges. As a result of this I think there are ever more collectors and fewer real modellers. Also, because the quality of ready run stock is now far superior to what most of us can make from a kit, the modlling emphasis tends to be more towards highly detailed scenics than in previous decades.

Although G scale is not generally thought of as a modellers scale there is less ready to run available so there are more opportunities to make models such as the excellent class 25 recent shown on this forum. If I was modelling in OO there is no way I would scratch or kit build a loco but in G scale I have had a go because I had to.

Re:The Weather AGAIN (stevelewis)

Sat, 24 Jul 2010 19:19:28 GMT

[attachment=0][attachment=1]

kimbrit

I've got to say that I'm coming down on Steve's side on this. I'm seriously thinking about On30 and the G scale would pay for a very nice big timber building across the bottom of the garden - 20'x8'. His comment about the length of time in the hobby, I started in the mid 80's, is quite true. In all probability, knowing me, I will do nothing for a year or three then realise that the railway has hardly been used and it will be gone.
Cheers,
Kim

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thats exactly it after so long in this sector of the model railway hobby you realise there are other branches worth exploring, actually I am currently involved with N, 00 & 0 gauge layouts, the latter rather bigger than just a layout in its approx 60 x 25' outhouse, not at my address I hasten to add.

I did drift off into 0 in the 80s for a while and found that constructing locos was quite rewarding, even got one in print, ( front cover of MRC Annual '86!!) mind you there is so much Quality RTR 0 Gauge around these days building them is not really nescessary
Heres some pics of some of my 0 gauge locos.

Re:The Weather AGAIN (MAYBACH)

Sat, 24 Jul 2010 16:51:21 GMT

It can be very tough and disheartening, we have had 3 years of rain here in west Devon which has made my 5" garden railway project grind to a halt. I think if I hadn't done so much in the beginning and spent so much too, I may have called it a day. But since this year has been significantly better I have got 120ft of track built and laid. It is such a different hobby when the sun comes out. I think it depends greatly on whether you are a "builder" or a "runner", if you mostly build then the rain doesn't bother us too much as we go inside and build, but if running is you're thing then I think the UK really has its limits for this hobby. I was out with freinds in San Pablo near MINIMANS in the San Francisco bay area and I can confirm the heat was amazing. I was out working on the ML4000 Diesel Hydraulic on Niles Canyon railway, getting the rear Maybach to turn over after 42 years which is no easy task in those temperatures!
Cheers
Rob

Re:The Weather AGAIN (spike)

Sat, 24 Jul 2010 16:37:47 GMT

Been exceptionally dry here since before May.
Huge cracks in the front lawn and concrete paths have shifted.....reminds me of 76.

Re:The Weather AGAIN (The Devonian)

Sat, 24 Jul 2010 11:13:03 GMT

I have sympathy for anyone living in the wetter parts of the UK. With an outdoor hobby such as garden railroading ones spirits are bound to be dampened by too much rain.

The north west is noted for rain - that, I believe, is why the cotton industry was founded in that neck of the woods. The southern and south-western parts of the country do seems to have had a great deal of dry warm weather this year and we can hope for that much desired 'Indian Summer' which we all love so much.

Most of the rain here has been overnight and I can honestly say that since the very cold weather (for here) in January/early February there have been few afternoons/early evenings that I have not run trains.

Whilst not cheap there are many properties for sale south of the 'divide'

Re:The Weather AGAIN (kimbrit)

Sat, 24 Jul 2010 09:25:25 GMT

I've got to say that I'm coming down on Steve's side on this. I'm seriously thinking about On30 and the G scale would pay for a very nice big timber building across the bottom of the garden - 20'x8'. His comment about the length of time in the hobby, I started in the mid 80's, is quite true. In all probability, knowing me, I will do nothing for a year or three then realise that the railway has hardly been used and it will be gone.
Cheers,
Kim

Re:The Weather AGAIN (Artistmike)

Sat, 24 Jul 2010 08:02:32 GMT

Sunny Devon this year has been, well, ...... sunny! Actually the best year for outside pursuits that we've had for quite some time. Mind you, I like the seasonal variations in the garden and on those times that it is just too wet, I'm inside building new stock of bits and pieces for the line. There's always something to be done.