Prof Klyzlr

Dear F-unit, Pretty sure we can get to the bottom of this quickly, but to avoid dead-ends, I need to clarify: - You are sure it's a Lok V4 Large decoder? - You are seeking to ONLY change the "Head" and "Rear" lights? (Headlight = White = "F0f", Rearlight = Yellow = "F0r") - What sound project do you have loaded? JMRI is not required, and indeed could muddy-the-waters by overlaying another layer of "chinese whispers" between what the Human wants the decoder to do, and the actual CV value required... If you can answer the above, I'll try to confirm the values ASAP... Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

Dear Phil, No, I absolutely would not agree... ...although such a statement really does suggest an undue focus on the UP/BNSF Transcon Inter-modal route and equipment as "what US railroading is", and a failure to look at any other operations even 200' beyond the Transcon "Main line"... (fallacy based on limited-evidence... ...much as if I was to say "all UK passenger trains are soul-less electric tin boxes" based solely on seeing one pic of a London Tube or silver "Chunnel" train... ...I know better, but it's an easy "outsider looking in" mistake to make...) Recommend reviewing the "Proto-nooks" listed earlier in the thread... (covers both East and West Coast), along with the Alexander RR, https://hawkinsrails.net/shortlines/arc/arc.htm and the "Blackbird Route" of Sth Carolina, and Lance Mindheims blog, https://lancemindheim.com/model-railroads/ https://lancemindheim.com/contact/ amongst others, for broader "contemporary US prototype railroading" examples... (even if one has not-a-jot of interest in any given continent's RRs, it's always beneficial to maintain a "healthy breadth of general knowledge", as one never knows when the info might be useful...) Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

Dear Alcan, Soooo, If I read these two statements correctly, do I take it there's no real difference in "doing the same gag again" between: - a re-re-rehashed "Inglenook" VS - a re-re-rehashed "TMD" bar a change in terminology and geographic locale? ;-) That's where I'd be prompted to respond: "...never enough Proto-nooks,..." ;-) (No, I did not mis-spell or have an Auto-correct hiccup... ;-) ) IE any "main + 2x spurs" array may well look like an "Inglenook", and if car-spotted on the whims of a die or random-number-gen, could "play" like one, but it's the specific prototype usage that takes this "simple common track-array" and spins it out into a head-warping range of visual, aural, and operational possibilities... and remember that what happens "on-stage on a 'Nook" is materially affected by what happens "off-stage", whether in physical staging, or somewhere 100s of miles "beyond the modelled scene"... HINT: What role does a Trackmobile, or a Shoving-Platform caboose have on a 'Nook? HINT: which end of a 'Nook should the train arrive/depart from? (to mention just 2) I mean, look at "Sweetener Co" at Lodi on the CCT (Railbox Boxcars, Covered Hoppers, and Syrup cars, spotted between 2x car-spot-critical industries, on what looks for all the world like a 'Nook...) or the "FOGChart" for Clackamas, Ore, ("Holman Foods" car-spot instructions on Freedman's FOGChart are Begging to be investigated, and the Wymore warehouse and tank-farm spurs could make a car-spot 'Nook on steroids...) or "the MJ Lead" on CSX in Michigan... (2 spurs, in opposing directions, on a couple-mile-long branch, handled by _one_ loco, in _one_ pass, with _no_ runaround,.. Centrebeam flats of lumber, and Covered Hoppers of plastic pellets IIRC... ...and could fit in HO on between 8 and 12' x 1', depending on whether you include the branch turnout off the subdivision main and the keynote "grade crossing" which forms the ceremonial "end of the branch" boundary... ...OK, it's not a 'Nook, but you know you're intrigued, YT has the reference footage... ;-) ). Happy Modelling, Aiming to Improve, Prof Klyzlr PS I miss Shortliner Jack... (Talk about "Inspiration cup runneth over"... ;-) ).

Dear Northroader, "Shortisation", I like that ;-) I've been thinking along similar lines recently, looking at a pair of Atlas NRE Gensets with a razor-saw in hand and thinking "what if UPY ordered 2GS14B locos with only 2 genset modules instead of 3?" (whether the Atlas drives and frame could survive the shortening, or if need to substitute in a spare SW-type mech is a separate but related question... ;-) ) While "shortification" may not be proto, there's little denying that shorty covered hoppers, shorty "beer can" tankers, the old "40' hi-cube" boxcars, and even the original MDC "3IN1"/Battle Mountain shorty cars have provided immeasurable (re)inspiration/(re)invigoration to many a "jaded prototype modeller"... Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

Dear RMWebbers, Some of us are still actively modelling and appearing here onlist, my "Cass" layout just got it's debut Invite to Exhibit, and now I have the frghteners-on to "git'er done" for early June... Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

Dear Mark, RMWebbers, Well, I just received the debut Invite to Exhibit for the not-yet-finished "Cass" layout... (due date : 6th - 8th June) ...wish me luck! Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

Dear MDVLE, Um, "KR models"? Have to say I've never heard of them, (is there a link to the model or the crowd-fund project?), but I've got a complete 1958-1960 Mower Lumber Shay roster now as shown above, (Sans the obvious "C&O 150ton Shay cab narrowed and gothic-arched onto Shay #1" mod to the near-correct-as-is PFM 3-trucker, and readily achievable using an MDC 3 trucker), using only patience, hobby budgeting, and the knowledge of what's already available, so I'm not sure "waiting for another model to be produced" is really a showstopper to modelling the Cass area/operation right-now... ;-) EDIT: Just saw the KR Models rendering... Looks like a gorgeous "Pacific Coast Shay" 2-trucker, imminently suitable for a Canadian (BC) or Washington / Oregon logger... (a HO Gumstump with a small fleet of Kadee disconnects or skels on the nose? ;-) ) ...but as the only "standard format" (not "Pacific Coast" design) 2trucker "First #1" was sold off early as not-suitable for the climb from Cass to Bald Knob, replaced with the MDC/PFM-esque "Second #1" (a la the re-cabbed red+green+black "clown Shay" circa 1958, as per above), And with everything else on-roster being either 3 or 4-truck in format, I'm not sure I see the KR Model as being either hindrance or encouragement to the keen "Cass logging" modeller.... ...that said, I _could_ see it being a dandy donor mech for a "modernised" On30 shay, with the PCS plate trucks and a steel cab a la Wisemans Models or the Blackwood Miniatures kits of yore... (certainly something different to the no-longer-available IIRC B'mann Class A 2-trucker... ;-) ) Happy Modelling, Aiming to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

Dear RMWebbers, Darn, it would appear we've lost Mark.... :-( ...anyone else modelling G&ER, Cass Lumber, Mower Lumber, or C&O Greenbrier Sub? (or am I just "whistlin' dixie" down here?) EDIT: just saw news reports of major flooding in parts of England, hope this finds everyone OK!!! (totally understand if the need to survive flooding is taking precedence over browsing RMWeb... ;-) ) Happy modelling, Aiming to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

Dear Mark, It's been a while, and I hope you're still working-your-way along the mission of a G&ER layout, but know that things don't stand still.... ;-) In no particular order of preference, some-order of time... "Depot #2" , mid-kitbash. Tis is the 2nd Cass Depot I've bashed from a Blair Line kit, and yes, I almost had to tear apart the first one to re-learn the mods I'd made the firs-time that I'd since forgotten. The key reason for "doing it again" was the errant peaked-roof over the bay window (Evident in the 1st C&O-era Cass Depot, omitted in the 2nd Mower-era Depot, and kludged in the 3rd Cass-Scenic-era Depot) but the keen-eyed observer will see at least 3 errors in this model "as stands"... (some are "acceptable model compromises" and "selective squzz-iness" IMHO, but one major one was not found until a significant time after this pic was taken...) "Company Store + Depot Scene Mockup" This was a test to confirm that the relative positions of the Company Store and Depot were "working" in the available space. The "whoops, shoulda seen that earlier" mistake(s) on the Depot have now been rectified. (no prizes for spotting them, but Kudos ahoy), and both buildings have LED + Acrylic "Fibre-optic" external lighting. (The Company Store verandah handrails and suchlike are still pending...) As a quick aside, the Train-Order signal is animated, c/o a pair of servos and a TVD Servo driver board. The hope is that we'll end up with: - Manual push-button "trigger on demand" - Auto-trigger based on state of the layout operation (a useful "tell" for operators at shows, so they know "what should be happening" at a glance) - Manual "trigger via DCC on-demand" The Mower Lumber loco roster circa 1958-60, Shays #1, #4 and #5 in various states of progress thru the paint and DCC shop. (Have I ever mentioned how much I hate painting?). Ring-in Cass-Scenic era GE-45 #20 "Little Henry" not-shown, but will be the "save the show" loco if all of the Mower locos fail... (DCC + sound installed with zero visible cab inpingment). ...and somewhat later, Shay #1 rolled out of the paintshop with it's circa 1958 "Clown Shay" base paint scheme. (Again, have I ever said how much I hate painting!?!?!?!) Weathering to tie the colours together is pending decalling (another task I despise, barely less than painting...) which is pending re-confirming of a working "how to create decals using inkjet decal paper and our new Epson printer" procedure. Meanwhile, back on the layout, a backdrop starts making things "make more sense"... ...and a set of "Company Houses" up on the hill start taking shape... (Whether the 3rd house will have it's rear enclosed-landing "under construction" as-shown, or "complete like it's neighboours" is still under debate... ...Yes, I'd appreciate feedback on which option would be better, esp for Exhibition purposes...!) ...and, for wrap-up laughs, a mockup of Mower #5 shoving a rake of MT flats back up the hill for another load, while C&O Brill #9055 arrives at Cass, on it's way south to Ronceverte... (#9055 has been thru the DCC shop, pending weathering...) BTW, spot the "out of Mower era" mistake on the Company Store... (seriously, after the number of hours spent pouring over reference pics, I nearly caused myself a concussion slapping-myself in the forehead,... ...unfortunately there's no way to patch the problem without destroying the model, and I'm not in the position to build-it-again, so some strategic scene-composition-subterfuge and "Only those who have spent as many hours researching as I have will notice" cold-comfort will have to pick up the slack... :-( ;-) ). Now, Mark, I don't want to be hanging out modelling Cass on my own, so look forward to seeing your progress soonish... :-) Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

Dear Chris, We Miss You! Seriously! Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

Dear Andrew, Good to hear "FiddleStick" has inspired you to "have a go", Jack would be proud :-) Love to see some pics as things develop... Happy Modellling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

Dear Greg, Definitely use a step-down transformer! Mains-Powered units manuf'd in the US for the US market _commonly_ are hardwired for "110/120VAC Mains", they frequently do NOT have the kind of "switchmode" functionality which allows a Euro/Aussie Mains-Powered (C-tick, CE, etc) device to "auto-range"/adjust to any Mains Voltage 110 - 250VAC... In my previous pro gig, I had a crew at a tradeshow in Asia (accidentally) blow up a full 7.1 set of studio-grade monitors. When the smoke cleared and ears-stopped-ringing, the root of the problem turned-out to be that the speaker rig had been purchased "on the fly" for the previous tradeshow in the US, and had been blindly shipped "direct to the next show" (along with the demo editing system). As the speakers were "US Manuf for the US market", they did not even have a manual "Mains Voltage selector" switch, let alone any form of "auto Mains-Voltage switching" capability, because... ...well, they were intended to be used in the 110VAC US, and why would they need to handle any other voltage?... Right??? Under the pressure of getting a late-arriving demo system up and ready for "doors open" at the show, the asian techs missed that these were "US Only" (hardwired 110VAC) speakers, plugged everything in, hit the Power Switch to the display stand.... ...and instantly Pyro'd all 7 speakers and the Subwoofer.... (Was a really bright and impressive set of flashes surrounding the stand for a moment, followed by darkness and the pungent smell of burnt copper+insulation+sillicon). Now, your new Lionel set is not a world-class Pro Audio Tradeshow display, (It's Far More Important than that!), but I'd _absolutely_ and _strongly_ reccomend that you _wait_ for that stepdown-transformer, (Lionel Mains-Powered gear is clearly "US Manuf'd for the US Market"), or at-the-very-least, have a good look at the base of the PSU/Throttle unit for _any_ indication of the intended Input Mains Voltage range... (If it's hardwired with a US two-pin plug, then the likelyhood that it's electrically "110VAC only", and no simple "Mains Physical Plug Format adaptor" will solve the Mains Voltage mismatch...) Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr PS if the Lionel pack _is_ 110VAC only, then you only have a single-chance to "get it right" (or devastatingly-wrong), and as it's a "present from your Significant Other", that's not a "One Chance, NO Fix if it's Wrong" risk you want to take...

Dear md, Thanks for posting this, very valuable even for freight modellers... (passing parade of Amtrak behind the freight-switching "main game".... ;-) ) Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

Dear Halsey, Sorry, I obviously missed a minor detail in your post, but you attempted to buy 20 of _what_? (CI, BC, or some other item?) I've _occasionally_ (maybe 1 in 50) bought a sealed packet CI 218s throw where the lever part had popped out of the base casting. As long as the 2 nubs which act as the "pivot" for the lever are still in place, it is <5 secs to pop the lever casting back in place, and move on.... On the occasion where a uber-heavy-handed operator has caused one of the lever pivot nubs to shear off (never happened on any of my layouts in over 25 years of using CI throws, but I have seen it occur elsewhere), It is trivial to strategically trim away the other cast-on nub, Drill thru the base of the lever casting, (using the nub base divots as the guide points for the drill), Insert a length of suitable dia brass Rod to act as a replacement pivot, Reassemble the throw, And keep going... ...and if used as designed, such a failure just does not occur in my experience... Happy modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

Dear Halsey, Can't say I've ever seen, let alone used them in-person down here in Aust, but from the pictures online I feel like: - they look _less_ prototypical than the CI options, - look _more_ obtrusive trackside, (although that could presumably be mitigated by remote wire-in-tube mounting the same way as for CIs, rendering this point moot for _both_ options) - and the handle is _not more accessible_ than a CI, esp as the BC level sits _flat_ against the mounting surface... (HINT: The CI handle is NOT designed to be "pressed down soo far so the tip hits the ground", they _are_ intended to end up sitting _horizontal_/parallel to the railhead surface when fully-thrown, sitting at least 1/8" above the moutning surface, which is enough to get a fingernail and fingertip solidly onto the lever end...). Personally, I would choose the CIs over the BCs every time... Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr PS FWIW, the BCs are "USD$10 for a pair", https://bittercreekmodels.com/page11.html the CI 218s are USD$3.55 ea, or "USD$7.10 for a pair" https://www.cabooseind.com/product-page/218s-sprung-with-165-travel-for-ho-and-n https://www.cabooseind.com/product-page/5218s-sprung-165-travel-for-ho-and-n-5-pack (5-pack at USD$16.75, or USD$3.35 ea)

Dear Halsey, Must admit I'm not familar with "old fingers" as a dimensional measurement, but I personally find the CI 218S throws more than large enough for my 40+ yo fingers, and regularly have operators from 15 - 80+ operate my layouts without issue... ;-) Having the CI throws mounted at the layout fascia edge, and connected to the turnouts via wire-in-tube (typically PECO with the centring spring removed, although also implemented with handlaid turnouts) makes access much easier, and simultaneously improves the "trackside scenic visual" significantly... ;-) Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr PS Believe I've listed the "216s" models previously, the correct model number is 218s.... (.165" travel, Sprung throw). https://www.cabooseind.com/product-page/218s-sprung-with-165-travel-for-ho-and-n They are also available in 5-packs under part # 5218s...

Dear RMWebbers, I have my own thoughts on O2R vs P48, but any thoughts on the display height and lack of lighting? Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

Dear RMWebbers, So, will this be an Oscale (P48) re-spin of the "Wingate Indiana" plan in the 1995 MRP? If so, and he chooses to recreate the "linear shelf layout" version, (the dimensions noted sound awfully like the HO linear shelf layout version x2, the HO version was a "4x8 sheet, ripped into a 8x2 and two 8x1 staging yards, one for each end of the "run thru") there's going to be some serious $$$ and huntiing to find enough O2R/P48 locos and cars to properly equip it as the original MRP article shows... Will keep eyes open... EDIT: well, Google is a thing ;-) http://usmrr.blogspot.com/2018/08/o-scale-national-finale.html http://updunesjunction.blogspot.com/2018/09/a-childhood-friend-comes-to-my.html Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

Dear Don W, Never say never, if it can work in HO.... (Believe these have been posted before, except maybe the top MILW F-unit example?) Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

Dear Joe, SWs, NWs, and Alco S switchers are a good match for "Pine Ridge 2", esp when hosting 50' cars, as I found with "Brooklyn : 3AM" (a kitbashed variant of "PR2", tweaked to better represent the Loft Building 20 area on NYCH RR, on the corner of 41st and 2nd) http://www.carendt.com/small-layout-scrapbook/page-87-july-2009/ Geeps and CF7s can work, but it can get awful squeezy... (and by strange quirk actually seem to fit better with 40' cars...) 4x ? has never been a disappointment for me personally in HO SG, but _any_ "Micro layout" sized mission takes conscious and studious effort to optimise, when you only have 48 linear inches to work with, you can't afford to waste a single one... (as Iain Rice noted "...a spur which holds 1 1/2 cars is no more useful than a spur which holds only 1 car, and significantly less-useful than a spur which holds 2x cars clear at a pinch...") Looking forward to seeing where this mission leads you... Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr PS Might be worth doing some roaming around on Lance Mindheim's site and here on RMWeb RE "clip on staging". even the excellent PR2 plan can benefit from a "track on a stick"/"offstage" extension, if space allows...

Dear Train, Love it! I take it the donor mech is a Proto2k EMD SW or Alco S switcher? Were you able to retain the powered-mech, or is it now a dummy? The white-metal GE airtanks look familar (and surely go some way to counteracting the weight lost by the fuel-tank removal), and I can see this being equipped with a small armada of strobes, ditch-lights, and headlights. Can't wait to see how it turns out... Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr PS what Mother-unit are you intending to mate this Slug with?

Dear ??? Might I suggest a walk thru the 1/87 Vehicles.org website? http://1-87vehicles.org/photo_index/index_fire.php?pageNum_photo_index_fire=2&totalRows_photo_index_fire=946 (Prepare to burn a few hours... ;-) ) and there's always ShapeWays https://www.shapeways.com/marketplace/miniatures/vehicles?q=fire+truck&sort=&facet[pdcId][]=126&facet[pdcId][]=462&facet[pdcId][]=463&facet[price][min]=1&facet[price][max]=2500&facet[price][from]=1&facet[price][to]=2500 (Prepare to burn another few hours... ;-) ) Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

Dear EngineLance, No, you understand correctly. That is exactly the jumper plug in question. (It is _NOT_ a "8-pin decoder plug" for installing a seperate/new/other-manuf decoder, |it is a "Operating mode switch/jumper") NB that as the plug has 4 (two pair) of pins, it can be placed in _either_ - "closest to the Truck" position OR - "closest to the Fueltank" position (the position shown in your second image) One of those positions is "hardwired for analog, decoder is NOT in circuit" (I suspect this is the position the jumper was in when you reported "Analog works, DCC not-so-much") the other is "Decoder IS in circuit, should operate on DCC" (Yes, the board _is_ a Motor+Light decoder, assuming the Jumper is in the correct position! ;-) ) SO, try moving the jumper "to the other position", and retest... Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr PS remember that Atlas tends to ship "DCC equipped" locos with the decoder address the same as the cab number, so be sure to try _both_ the typical NMRA default "Address 3", _and_ the loco cab number...

Dear EngineLane, RE Atlas Dual-mode decoders NB that some Atlas "Dual mode" (NON Sound!) locos are "dual mode" by dint of having a physical "amalog/DCC" jumper, (likely Just ABOVE the Arrow-head TIP of the "DCC P.C. BOARD 345" arrow on the diagram below) https://www.hoseeker.org/assemblyexplosionAtlas/atlasfmh151644pg1.jpg (A direct clickable link, as the auto-embedded image version seems problematic. Also attached standalone, see below) Once you have the jumper configured so that the decoder _is_ actually "in circuit", follow the provided info below to configure the decoder, inc enabling the more-typical CV29 "operate on analog" mode http://download.atlasrr.com/pdf/HO_H15-44Manual_Atlas.pdf Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

Dear Rob, Good to see you back. Agree and strongly suspect we'll be seeing a minor explosion in "kick in the butt" micro/small layout builds within the next 12 months or so, for all the same reasons... Jack would be proud that words are turning into modelling-action, and that he's (still, continually) able to encourage fellow modellers... ;-) Can't wait to see what your Anyrail musings spawn from here... Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr