Well guys, the test chat worked so well, I think we're ready to go full up. I would like to host another session this coming Saturday at the same time, 4:00 Eastern, 3:00 Central, 2:00 Mountain, 1:00 Arizona time. Anyone that wants to join in sign up in this thread. We will use Zoom and it's recommended that you download and install the app. If you don't have the app installed, you can get it at Zoom.com. Hit the "sign up for free" button, download, then install. When you get an invite to join sometime before the meeting starts, the email will have a link. Click on the link when we're ready to start, and Zoom will open and take you to the meeting. The host will then let you in.

We are limiting the chat to eight participants including the host. Beyond that it'll be difficult to keep track of what's going on. We are using the free version of Zoom and are limited to 40 minutes and that starts when the first person gets there.

Anyway, sign up in this thread, and send me your preferred email address if I don't already have it.

WPMA-61, the daily transfer from Mannheim to Camden yards, makes it's way thru Chestnut Neck on it's return trip.

Bruce

   

I have a small N scale layout that is about 3’ wide by 6’ long. It consists basically of two loops with sidings. However, I have only one set of wires going to one of its loops from my transformer and two sets going to the other loop. As a result, the layout often has problems with not enough current reaching all of its sections. To get around this, I keep having to re-solder track joints.
To solve this, can anyone point me to a book or website where I can get clear instructions & diagrams of how to connect several bus wires to the various loops? I've seen a few online but some look complicated. 
Wiring is not my specialty so I want to keep it simple, plus, it’s only a small layout. Do I need, for example, a small wiring hub that various bus wires from the track would connect into?

Thanks in advance, Rob

A few weeks ago someone came up with the thought that it would be great if we could get together for a video chat using Zoom. Well, we tried it and it was a blast. We had five members in the test run, everyone downloaded the Zoom app to their PC or smart phones and agreed to meet at a certain time. It worked fine, I hosted to meeting and sent invitations to everyone else. They clicked on a link in the email and there they were, waiting at the door to be let in. It was great putting faces to people we've been talking to for years, and we're thinking that we're ready to do this full scale with anyone that wants to do it.

The process is simple, one person hosts the meeting and sets the day and time. They can copy the invite and paste it into an email that goes out to all the invitees. The host then opens the meeting on time, the invitees click on a link in the email, and they appear at the door of the meeting waiting to be let in by the host. We had five windows with each participant one, and when one spoke, the frame around that person would light to let you know who said that. Really cool, but best of all, it put a face on people that you've been talking to for years. Most of the discussions were not train related, but everyone is free to talk about anything they want to discuss.

So, the plan is to use this sub-forum to arrange meetings, you can use Zoom, Skype or any of the popular meeting apps, just that everyone that participates will have to use the same app. When someone decides to host a meeting, they can open a new thread here and those that want to attend can answer. Everyone agrees on when to meet and the host then sends an email to each attendee with the meeting info and a link to it. That's all there is to it. It is recommended that no more than eight be in the meeting at the same time, too many there and it'll get confusing. Also, if you haven't installed the app, both Zoom and Skype will ask you to download it. It's best you do, since during the testing, I found a five-second delay on Zoom without the app, plus it's a lot easier to join a meeting if you have the app.

Good luck, let's put some of these meetings together. Any questions, feel free to ask here, I'll do my best from what we've learned so far.

Hello,

as i wrote in my layout thread, i had need for modern rolling stock.

The seed was laid here:

2016 photographed in Jasper/AB

So i decided when there are modern era is estimated at the Fremo meetings of the SWD, then i go Canadian.
Meanwhile some modern Diesel locos of CN prototype had accumulated at home:


A pair of GP40-2W with the so called map scheme painting.
My questions:
When this scheme appeared the first time?
Was it very common?




The same questions for the zebra stripes painting.
When this scheme appeared the first time?
Was it very common?





And for the www.cn.ca scheme painting.
When this scheme appeared the first time?
Was it very common?





Fished a cheap ALCO out of the bay with an old CN scheme painting.
When this scheme appeared the first time?
Was it very common?


Thank you in advance.


Lutz

Edit: Rechtschreibefehler (orthography mistakes)

WPMA-19's conductor confers with Absecon Mills plant foreman on how todays cars are to be spotted.

Bruce

   

After working on my layout for 15 years, I'm thinking a tearing it down and starting over. I've started to realize the track plan's  limitations and I think I can do better.
First a few pictures on the current layout.

   

Okay...I need some help here.

I've searched, read, and looked up but I haven't found anything really that comprehensive if you will.

What I need is a start to finish guide or assistance on painting an undecorated Steam locomotive.  

Questions like: 

Do I need to disassemble it? I'd rather not if I don't have to because a decoder is installed and I don't want to take it apart again.  The whole engine needed to be re-wired...I get anxiety just thinking about it...

What can I use to mask the windows? Would ordinary green painters tape suffice or do I need to use some of the fancy Tamiya stuff?

Do I need to primer it?  I'm thinking a black primer might be better then a grey or maybe not?

Most importantly...what flippin colours do I use?  I think I have one of the last unopened bottles of TLT CPR Steam Engine Grey which would seem to do the trick in my eyes.

Despite my recent efforts building and weathering my freight inventory this particular project gets me stressed.  Mostly because I don't want the hassle of messing it up and then have start it over.

I have the appropriate decals too...

For comparison I have an engine that I bought painted and weathered on consignment at a LHS which is the look I'd like to achieve with this project.

   

6931 is waiting for a decoder install before she is put back into revenue service.  But this is the look I am after.

...and here is 6928.  Waiting for her railroad name and numbers.  I picked her up from a club member years ago for a steal at 75 bucks.  A deal I could not pass up.

   

Anyways...sorry for the long winded post.  The idea of doing this particular project gives me seriously cold feet.

Thanks guys.

WPMA-29 switching cars at Absegami Plastics.

Bruce

   

Looking for recommendations (size, rating and source) for an Atlas HO Master/Silver series diesel locos forward and reverse bulb.  I'm looking for direct one for one replacement of the grain of wheat style lights.   NOT looking to switch led at this time.  Here is a picture of the current one barely glowing (below)

Thanks