HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: 737ochs@gw.wmich.edu
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
Subject: Re: TYCO equipment(long)
Date: 5 Oct 92 11:23:04 EST
Organization: Western Michigan University

In article <oen8aSC00WCSQh6xhO@andrew.cmu.edu>, "Derrick J. Brashear" <db74+@andrew.cmu.edu> writes:
> Actually, (in defense of Bachmann) some of their stuff isn't so bad.
> I've used a Bachmann Streamlined trolley for quite a while (It's really
> a PCC). Granted, it came in colors billed as Pittsburgh Railways which
> weren't exactly what I'd call close, and the body sits up a bit too high
> in order to clear the motor. But after a repaint, I have a streetcar
> which runs well as long as you keep the engine lubricated, for far less
> then the $50 I spent on the Bowser PCC I have. 
> 
> Also, the Metroliner HO set Bachmann makes has something to be said for
> it. No one else makes a Metroliner MU car body, so I'm working on
> getting at least the cars from one of these sets. Yes, I'll probably
> repower it, but it's easier than grafting a custom built Metroliner
> front to an Amfleet car.
> 
> So not all Bachmann stuff is BAD for a modeller 8-)

And another thing you can do with the metroliner set, you can make a 
"push-pull" set that Amtrak uses out on the West coast and on the Chicago-
Detroit and Chicago-Toledo runs. All you need to do is a little kitbashing on
the front and repaint it, oh and also remove the pantographs off the top.
It was quite easy...

Fred Ochs
From: macman+@pitt.edu (Dennis H Lippert)
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
Subject: Life-Like GP-18 reviews anyone?
Date: 1 Oct 92 16:26:51 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
Originator: macman@melville.atgl.cis.pitt.edu

Hello again!

The big train show moved into town over the weekend, and I got a chance
to see (and then, inevitably, buy) the new Life-Like Proto-2000 GP18.
The short form : I like it!

The long form:

At first glance it looked a little strange to me.  I soon discovered that
this is because the radiator grilles are not flush with the carbody as
they should be.  Since these are separate castings, it shouldn't be too
big of a problem to fix.  The paint (on my Norfolk and Western) is nicely
done (as expected), but the molded-blue details (especially the fans and
grilles) are disappointingly translucent.  On the plus side, the color
matches Floquild dark blue almost perfectly.

As expected with Proto-2000 stuff, the detail is excellent.  All of the
handrails and grabirons are separate, and nearly to scale. Possibly the
neatest feature is that the stair treads have the correct see-through
holes.

The drive system is another step upward for LL.  It still *looks* like 
Athearn, but it gets farther away in performance with each new release.
It's smooth, and approaching the quietness of the first American Kato 
stuff (i.e.  the first RS-3's). And two units draw less than 3/4 amp
(combined) at full slip.

And now that I've discovered that it's not hard to get a reasonable
Phase-III GP-9 out of it, I'm gonna have to increase the fleet very
soon...

Oh yeah, I paid only $40 for it.  At that price, you CANNOT beat it.
(go ahead, suggest things to beat it... it *won't* change my mind!
Even this dealer's FA's were $45!).

-Den
-- 
===============================================================================
Dennis Lippert   -   macman+@pitt.edu or macman@vm2.cis.pitt.edu
The "Mac Maniac" operator at the Hillman Research Lab - Univ. of Pittsburgh
"All comments are mine, you'd look like a fool if *you* used them"
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
From: bednarek@picard.med.ge.com (Dennis Bednarek Mfg 4-6971)
Subject: N scale loco's
Organization: GE Medical Systems, Magnetic Resonance
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL6]
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 92 09:28:10 GMT




I have just completed my first loop on my N-scale lay out that is modular
constructed at 26' by 12'.  I have several locomotives that run like garbage.
They are mainly Bachman products with some improvement on an Atlas loco.
What I am looking for is a good locomotive that will pull many cars(20 to
50) at a nice slow scale speed.  Does anyone have any suggestions?


Dennis
--
------------------------------------
| Excuse me while I kiss the sky!  | 
|                            J.H.  |
____________________________________

The usual disclaimer of self and employer applies to all above comments.
#
From: Baird_David@Tandem.com (David G. Baird)
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
Subject: Re: N scale loco's
Date: 5 Oct 92 22:49:34 GMT
Followup-To: rec.models.railroad
Organization: Tandem Computers (Cupertino, CA)

> 
> I have just completed my first loop on my N-scale lay out that is modular
> constructed at 26' by 12'.  I have several locomotives that run like garbage.
> They are mainly Bachman products with some improvement on an Atlas loco.
> What I am looking for is a good locomotive that will pull many cars(20 to
> 50) at a nice slow scale speed.  Does anyone have any suggestions?
> 
> 
> Dennis

  I have a Kato SD40 that's a real beauty. It cost me about $60 at the
Train Shop in Santa Clara. It runs very smoothly. Don't know when I'll use
it,
though - my main scale is HO. If I ever move into an apartment, I'll make
a small N scale layout. 
  One word of caution - it's a six axle diesel, so it might not handle some
of the tighter curves. Since I'm not familiar with N scale sizes, I'm not
sure what the min. radius is.

DGB }
From: jstewart@Software.Mitel.COM (John Stewart)
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
Subject: Kadee couplers.
Date: 28 Sep 92 18:27:58 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Mitel. Kanata (Ontario). Canada.

Hi;

I am moving to Europe for a bit, and would like to bring along enough
Kadee couplers to fit the remainder of my european equipment, and maybe
enough to fit any new stuff.

I currently use the couplers with the NEM attachment, but some of my
stuff will need a bit of work, as the coupling attachment is not 
standardized.

Questions:

1) does Kadee publish general dimension charts?
2) Do Kadee make a kit containing a small quantity of most/all of their
   couplers?
3) if the above is not true, can anyone tell me which ones are probably
   the most used, and are not duplicates of others? (eg, the nem series
   are pretty identical, and some have plastic shanks, but are identical,
   etc)

Thanks;

John Stewart.
Organization: Freshman, CIT general, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
From: czl30@DUTS.ccc.amdahl.com (Chris Lee)
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
Subject: Hallmark (Samhongsa) WP RDC-2
Date: 5 Oct 92 00:15:24 GMT
Reply-To: czl30@DUTS.ccc.amdahl.com (Chris Lee)
Distribution: na
Organization: Amdahl Corporation, Sunnyvale CA

I recently acquired a Hallmark model of a Budd RDC-2, which is supposed
to represent a Western Pacific prototype. It has a Canon motor in the
body, driving both trucks through shafts and universal joints.

It is heavy, very controllable and powerful. But the window configuration
does not match any of the photos in my books (Budd Car - the RDC Story by
Chuck Crouse, and RDC - the Budd Rail Diesel Car by Donald Duke and Edmund
Keilty). It is scale length and apart from the window configuration it is
a far better model than the Athearn, which looks ridiculously short.

I suspect that this model is quite old, because these days it would make
more sense to use a pair of small self-powered trucks, like the Tenshodo
spud or the NWSL pdt. This would leave room for interior details and
passengers.

What I propose to do, is paint the motor black, glaze the model and add
partitions, and put some passengers by the windows to give the impression
of an interior.

I also need to apply Western Pacific decals to each end, and "Zephyrette"
to the sides of the baggage compartment. The WP numbered their RDCs 375
and 376, but because the model is not quite right, I propose to number
it 377.

Has anybody else done something like this? If so, what decals did you use?
Can you offer any advice before I start?

One further possibility: I might remove the Canon motor and use it for
something else (British O-gauge) and replace it by a pair of self-powered
trucks. An RDC doesn't need to be more powerful than a locomotive!

Thanks in advance......Chris Lee
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
From: tilman@indetech.com (Tilman Sporkert)
Subject: Re: N scale loco's
Organization: Independence Technologies, Inc. Fremont, CA
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1992 17:18:07 GMT

In article <Baird_David-051092154721@dgb.storage.tandem.com> Baird_David@Tandem.com (David G. Baird) writes:

>  I have a Kato SD40 that's a real beauty. It cost me about $60 at the
>Train Shop in Santa Clara. It runs very smoothly. Don't know when I'll use
>it,
>though - my main scale is HO. If I ever move into an apartment, I'll make
>a small N scale layout. 
>  One word of caution - it's a six axle diesel, so it might not handle some
>of the tighter curves. Since I'm not familiar with N scale sizes, I'm not
>sure what the min. radius is.

No need to worry. All of the Kato/Atlas N-scale diesels, including the SD40,
will handle the smallest radius curve you can buy in sectional track. When
converting the SD40 to Kadee couplers, just make sure you use the longer
shank from the 1015/1016 coupler kit, and you won't have any problems
pulling cars with truck mounted couplers around these curves.

Nevertheless, if you can avoid tight turns like these, do it. 
-- 
____*_  Tilman Sporkert             tilman@indetech.com
\  / /  Independence Technologies   {sun,sharkey,pacbell}!indetech!tilman
 \/ /   42705 Lawrence Place        Voice: 510 438-2083  FAX: 510 438-2034
  \/    Fremont, CA 94538           The above are my opinions, not those of ITI. 
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
From: pgifford@reis36.alleg.edu (Pete Gifford)
Subject: Re: re:N scale locomotives
Organization: Allegheny College
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1992 19:09:47 GMT

In article <92279.150858UD044485@NDSUVM1.BITNET>  writes:
> Any of the Atlas-Kato or Kato locomotives are excellent. Even Roco and  
Lifelike
> with proper retrofit frames can be made better running.
> 
> 
> John A. Williams
> Public Relations Director
> Thousand Lakes Region, NMRA

Can you expand on the retrofit frame idea?  How do they work and where can  
I find them?  I have a Lifelike GP38 (?) which runs just fine but has  
trouble with some of my tight radius turns.

Pete Gifford
Alleghent College
pgifford@alleg.edu
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
From: rl@ferris.cray.com (Randy Lambertus)
Subject: Re: Life-Like GP-18 reviews anyone?
Organization: Cray Research, Inc.
Date: 5 Oct 92 04:07:31 CDT

In article <6604@blue.cis.pitt.edu.UUCP> macman+@pitt.edu (Dennis H Lippert) writes:
>Hello again!
>
>The big train show moved into town over the weekend, and I got a chance
>to see (and then, inevitably, buy) the new Life-Like Proto-2000 GP18.
>The short form : I like it!
>
>  (text deleted....)
>
>-Den
>-- 
>===============================================================================
>Dennis Lippert   -   macman+@pitt.edu or macman@vm2.cis.pitt.edu
>The "Mac Maniac" operator at the Hillman Research Lab - Univ. of Pittsburgh
>"All comments are mine, you'd look like a fool if *you* used them"

 Does anybody know if the low nose versions of the GP-18 will have a 
NYSW, Susquehanna, paint job? Also have the low noses been made
available? (Haven't gotten my October MR yet)


Randy Lambertus               Cray Research, Region 4            rl@uk.cray.com
*******************************************************************************
          ________=====____H_=======_H______=====__              ________=====_
         |_______|[[[[[     \#######/       [[[[[ o|            |_______|[[[[[ 
    ______| [][] |____  """  S U S Q U E H A N N A||       ______| [][] |____  
   |o ____| NYSW |__| \___________________________||      |o ____| NYSW |__| \_
 |_| /    |_1804_|   \_|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  ||_|  |_| /    |_1800_|   \_|
@|_|=|====|======|=o=|=============================|_|@@|_|=|====|======|=o=|==
 |_| [(o)==(o)]  |__________________|   [(o)==(o)] |_|\/|_| [(o)==(o)]  |______
===============================================================================
**[]****[]****[]****[]****[]****[]****[]****[]****[]****[]****[]****[]****[]***
*******************************************************************************

Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
From: cwatters@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Coyt D Watters)
Subject: Helix Calculation
Organization: The Ohio State University
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1992 15:31:44 GMT

Does anyone have a method for designing a helix?  I am building a 
Ntrak compatible layout, but due to space restrictions, am going to 
have a second layer about 20-24" above the first layer.  I want to
build a helix to bring the loco from the lower level to the upper and
vice versa.

Space restrictions dictate that the radius be MAX 22".

Anyone have any suggestions, or should I just build an elevator long
enough to handle my "longer" trains?

-Coyt



Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
From: Ha Quang Le <hqle@daisy.uwaterloo.ca>
Subject: model cars (1/18 scale)
Originator: hqle@daisy.uwaterloo.ca
Organization: University of Waterloo
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1992 21:01:49 GMT


  
 Hello there,

 Can somebody tell me places where I can order car models (1/18 scale) or
 catalogs of these car models?

 We here in Canada has a station called "Canadian Home Shopping Club", and
 they sell those model cars about once every six weeks. I think I got most
 of the cars they have, so I am trying to find new places.

 Any information will be much appreciated.

 Ha Le   hqle@daisy.waterloo.edu
 
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
From: Joe.Russ <Joe.Russ@mixcom.mixcom.com>
Subject: Oct. 4 WISE Div. meet in Kenosha, Wis.
Organization: Milwaukee Internet Xchange BBS, Milwaukee, WI U.S.A.
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1992 04:36:37 GMT


For those of you in the Milwaukee/Chicago area, the next meet of the
Wisconsin Southeastern (WISE) Division of the National Model Railroad
Association (NMRA) will be October 4 at The Station Resturaunt (a
former North Shore station) at 2703 63rd St. in Kenosha, Wis. The free
meet will include a pizza party (donations appreciated to cover the
cost of the pizza), two clinics, a popular vote model/photo contest
with prizes, videos, and map-guieded layout tours. Here's the
schedule:
  
11:30 a.m. Doors open. The first pizzas will be served at noon.
           Deadline for contest entries is 1 p.m. Good chance to
           mingle with other modelers while enjoying pizza and
           railroad videos.
 
1:00 p.m.  "The last days of the North Shore from Milwaukee
           south," a slide presentation by Tom Matola. Video
           taping of this clinic will not be permited.
 
2:15 p.m.  "Interchange Traffic for your Layout," a slide
           presentation by Jim Hediger of the MODEL RAILROADER
           staff on how to incorporate interchange traffic into
           your layout's operation.
 
3:30 
 to 
6:00 p.m.  Home layout tours. Maps will be distributed at 3:15 for
           the numerous home and club layouts that will be on 
           tour.
 
To get there take I-94 to exit 344 (Hwy. 50). Head east to Roosevelt
Rd. and head northeast. Turn north onto 27th Ave and continue until
you reach 63rd St. The Station is on the corner on your left. For more
information about the meet contact Mike Bauers at (414)871-3945.
    Joe Russ
    WISE Div., NMRA
-- 
Joe.Russ@mixcom.com
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
From: bednarek@picard.med.ge.com (Dennis Bednarek Mfg 4-6971)
Subject: Re: Elevated Railroad...
Organization: GE Medical Systems, Magnetic Resonance
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL6]
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 92 06:11:37 GMT

david.hoisve@uuserv.cc.utah.edu wrote:
: I'm adding a game room to my house, and I think it MIGHT be possible to 
: squeeze in a Model railroad.
: 
: The plan is to install a shelf around the perimeter of the room, roughly 6.5 
: feet off the ground, and install the railroad on the shelf.  The room is 20 
: by 11 feet.

6'6" off the ground? I would think only people 7' tall would see it.
: 
: The shelf would feature one track for most of the distance, with turnouts 
: and sidings at each end of the room.
: 
: I've seen a similar layout using LGB trains, but, due to cost, and the 
: apparently incredible variety of cars and accessories, I'm seriously 
: considering HO scale.  Has anyone done anything similar?  Is this generally 
: a good or bad idea?  What about using HO scale?  
: 
: Also -- what is the minimum radius for a 90-degree HO turn?
I have seen some mining railroads built on 12' radius, however most locomotives
work best over 18" radius, and some Steam recommend 22" min but again that is
the min and work better with 24 or 30 inch radius.  TYhat's half the reason 
I went to N scale.: 
: Thanks in advance for any feedback.  
: 
: -- Dave.

--
------------------------------------
| Excuse me while I kiss the sky!  | 
|                            J.H.  |
____________________________________

The usual disclaimer of self and employer applies to all above comments.
#
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
From: cwebster@rodan.acs.syr.edu (Chris Webster)
Subject: Re: Periodical Database?
Organization: Syracuse University
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 92 22:29:44 EDT

In article <1992Sep28.110825.22139@cbnews.cb.att.com> gwe@cbnews.cb.att.com (george.w.erhart) writes:
>
>What is your definition of "cost a bit too much"? I purchased an index
>and software from Data Train at this years NMRA National Convention for
>$49.99. This included a complete index of MR, RMC, MainLine Modeler,
>Model Railroading, and RailModel Journal. The total number of years in
>the index is something like 120. The great part is that the index is
>in DBase III format and I have other programs that can access this data.
>Also, DT will upgrade the index for $10 if you send in the original
>floppies. 
>
>If you considered the time to scan and correct an OCR of a typical
>magazine index ... this is a deal.
>--

How difficult would it be to scan in a copy of the NMRA Bulletin annual
index?  Typically, it's over 40 pages long, covers 16 different titles,
and is much more detailed than the other indexes -- it even lists pictures
of prototypes...

>George Erhart
>AT&T Bell Laboratories
>Columbus, Ohio
>att!archie!gwe or gwe@archie.att.com


Organization: Drama, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
Date: Sat, 26 Sep 1992 10:08:35 -0400 
From: Denise Pullen <dp2r+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: Re: More Gifs

Excerpts from netnews.rec.models.railroad: 25-Sep-92 Re: More Gifs by
Dan Dawdy@tellabs.com 
>         I can't FTP from my site.  If I go DEMAND IT, I may run the risk of
>         loosing all newsgroups.  I don't pay for anything.  Many companies
>         are cutting back, and internet is a great place to start.  I don't
>         want to flame anyone, but alt.binaries.pictures.misc was created
>         just for this type of thing.  If anybody wants to move my files
>         or anyone elses to a site and let the net know where, that's great.
>         I am real sorry if uuencodeing a GIF is real tough...I will be
>         happy to send you a copy of EEK which will do multi files at once.

My previous comment which inspired yours and a few other messages was
abit misdirected I suppose. My comment was aimed at folks attending
higher educational institutions and I had not really considered outside
companies. I appreciate your pictures and have begun to add them to my
archives on wuarchive. My comment was not a statement relating to the
difficulty involved with uudecoding files, rather a desire to see more
users actively participate in something I had to make strong
justifications to achieve.

-D-
From: debra@wsinis07.info.win.tue.nl (Paul De Bra)
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
Subject: Re: Elevated Railroad...
Date: 6 Oct 92 16:21:28 GMT
Reply-To: debra@info.win.tue.nl
Organization: Eindhoven University of Technology, the Netherlands

In article <david.hoisve.75.718323202@uuserv.cc.utah.edu> david.hoisve@uuserv.cc.utah.edu writes:
>...
>The plan is to install a shelf around the perimeter of the room, roughly 6.5 
>feet off the ground, and install the railroad on the shelf.  The room is 20 
>by 11 feet.

are you kidding? 6.5 feet off the ground means that almost noone is going
to be able to see a thing!

most people build a railroad at about 3.5 feet off the ground, though
i have heard recommendations for using 4.5 to 5 feet. that gives a more
realistic view (less birds-eye view) and protects the layout from small
children. it also keeps the bottom side of the shelf (where most of the
wiring is) easily accessible while you are getting older. (can you imagine
crawling under a 3 foot layout when you're 70?)

maybe other people can comment. i recently moved and still have to install
my layout again, so i can still choose the height.

>...
>Also -- what is the minimum radius for a 90-degree HO turn?

the theoretical minimum radius for HO is around 1 foot (only loco's and
cars with 2 axels can go around on a smaller radius.
a good looking layout uses a radius of at least 2 feet and preferably
even more. (hidden sections can use a smaller radius)
i use at least a 1 foot radius for N scale.

Paul.
From: wbrill@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM (Warren Brill)
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 1992 21:08:54 GMT
Subject: Re: Re: TYCO equipment(long)
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Fort Collins, CO, USA
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad

I'd like to add my two cents:

> I was a hobbyist as an "older child" and teenager. I started with a very
inexpensive Bachmann-style trainset.  All the parts from the original set
stayed with me as I upgraded through Athearn and Train-Miniature (boo-hoo
they're long gone :-(  ) and such.  The "toy" stuff just got weathered,
repainted, and became "props" (like boxcars-->storage sheds) since they ran
so poorly.

> After a hiatus of twenty years, my father-in-law (vaguely) sent our whole
family another train set, a large two-cab-diesel "railroad empire" (Not THE
RAILROAD EMPIRE by TYCO--this set was made for Model Power) which had lots
of cars, model people, telephone poles, a trestle set, and cardboard cutouts
for buildings, which shed the tape holding them together regularly.  Maybe
not a auspicious start to HOBBYING again, but it got the whole family
interested in railroads.  Now all that stuff is back in the boxes (except for
a few track pieces and the telephone poles!) and I'm going to build a 4x6
swing-down layout for my nine-year-old son, complete with the trestle set,
and the lot EXCEPT the crossing gate; an earlier post tells the story, except
that not only does the crossing gate cause derailments for a number of reasons,but it also caused the powered engines to become dummies (in all usages of the
term).  Sooo...now that I have replaced ALL the stuff AGAIN, at least it ends
up with a home.

> It all depends on what you want out of model/toy trains.  I'm really pleased
with the thread in rec.railroad about magazines, since so many people seem
to share the feeling I get from the glossy mags, which is right up there with
the one I get from reading the Real Estate ads: if I had enough money to be
in Model Railroader's "big boys", I probably could afford that dream house.
What I'm leading up to, is: Modelling is whatever it is for YOU.  If you want
to have "your" trains start at 50 scale miles per hour, get the TYCO. If the
trains are REALLY for a five-year-old, by means get the TYCO.  That way, you
won't be out $100-150 that it takes to start out even a modest (4x8) pike with
the decent stuff.

That's my two cents!


 
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
o                                          i---i_________________      o
o    Warren T. Brill, a.k.a.          *----|[|]|  #### #### #### |*    o
o    wbrill@hpxxx.fc.hp.com         i_|___/|___|\________________|_i   o
o    wbrill@hpfcso.fc.hp.com       =++()=()=() `========' ()=()=()++=  o
o                                  =================================== o
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad