Long story short, I may have been using controllers that have too high a voltage for N scale. I had been using an older Tech II transformer that has an output of 20VDC and this may have burned out the motors of two of my locos.

I have ultra basic Railpower ones but they have an output of 15VDC -- is that still too high? What transformers would you recommend for N scale? 

I live in Canada but our products should be similar to the US's.

Thanks in advance.

Rob

WPMA-29 makes a pick up ay ACME.

Bruce

   

I have another car question, as the Big Blue folks have been helpful in the past.

About a week ago, our 2011 Mazda3 started making a very loud & noticeable scraping/rattling creaking noise coming from (I think) the front of the car. It mainly happens when driving slowly at 30 mph or less, especially when going over speedbumps. It's totally fine on the highway driving at 50-60 mph. 

I had the car diagnosed at our Mazda dealer yesterday. They said the #3 engine mount is failing as well as the transmission mount. This may or may not be the cause of the issue. But I did some googling, and consulted with a retired mechanic friend, and found out that these failing mounts could very well be the cause. As the mounts fail, various components in and around the engine become loose and rub against each other, thus making noise.

I had another mechanic friend look at it two days ago and he said the suspension was fine. The Mazda dealer also didn't see any obvious suspension problems. 

Does this make sense and has anyone else had similar engine/tranny mount problems with their cars?

Thanks in advance.

Rob

anyone have a lot of code 100 brass flex track that they would part with?
Jim

Christmas 2022 my family gave me a wooden steam engine to assemble. It was fun working on it and kept me occupied for quite a while. The progress from that project are in this thread, and here's the results:

   
 
This past Christmas, knowing that I like to target shoot, this time they gave me a machine gun to assemble. As I remember, that steam engine had about 300 pieces. I also remember that because of a problem with some loose parts in the drive spring assembly, the engine wouldn't run and I couldn't repair it unless I took the whole thing apart. I find that this gun has just about as many laser-cut parts, but the tolerances are a lot tighter, so parts fit a lot better. That being the case, and if I follow the instructions properly, there is hope that the gun will fire both rubber bands and wooden plugs when I finish the assembly.

I didn't think to take progression photos, so this is one after the fourth step. Just so you know, there are multiple steps in each step which is broken down in sub-assemblies. Step one has 24 separate steps and step 4 has 14. there are 8 main steps, than a few more to actually use it.


   

   

   

   

The tug Martha L moves a carfloat away from the Dock Street float bridge.

Bruce

   

WPMA-29 is using a SD40-2 for power today.  Seen here working Absecon Mills grain elevators.

Bruce

   

Well this winter is a busy one so far. Below are just a few of the projects that are on the workbench until the weather breaks. All but the PRR unit will be becoming Cambria & Indiana Railroad engines. 

The PRR Caboose will be getting clear plastic added to the windows and lighting added.

The Conrail Engine is in the very early stages with the windows removed, bell taken off, and the cab grab rails taken off. 

The PRR Engine will have a few modifications done to it. The engine numbers are to big and incorrect. I am searching to find a number I want to put on it. I am waiting for the micro set to come in the mail to start taking the numbers off. 

The CN calf engine is already in the beginning stages of being painted black and yellow.

The PBNE engine will have the decal removed and a brand new C&I logo added with a engine number. I haven't figured out which number I want to put on it yet but in time I will. 

There is one more that is not picture and it is a C&I Caboose that is painted in tuscan red. I am going to take it back apart, take the decals off and paint it yellow. I don't need to worry about painting the roof black as it is already black. 

So far this is what is keeping me busy this year.

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Hard to find jokes free of foul language, sex or politics but here goes1


A little boy's Grandpa dies and he asks his mother "mommy when I die will I see grandpa again ? " Mom replies "not if you are good! ".


A man is telling his friend about his grandma passing away. "She was a tough old bird. She had buried three husbands, however two were only taking a nap at the time".

My wife was working on the downstairs computer when Zoey decided she was being neglected and employed an attention getting device:

   

Luckily she realized quickly that she was stuck and waited patinetly for me to move the module out so she could be shooed to the left and out of harms way.