HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: ebe+@pitt.edu (Elmer Beachley)
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad,sci.electronics
Subject: Re: "muscle wires"
Keywords: turnouts, "memory wire", nitinol
Date: 8 Nov 92 02:03:56 GMT
Followup-To: rec.models.railroad
Distribution: na
Organization: University of Pittsburgh


John:

Muscle wire, aka nitinol, is a nickel-titanium alloy which exhibits
a reduction in length when heated slightly above ambient temperature.
The heating can be caused by passing electric current through the
wire.  When the wire cools, it expands to the original length.
The expansion/contraction cycles occur quickly upon application/removal
of current.

At the NMRA convention last summer in Columbus, Rutger Friberg participated
in a very interesting clinic on Command Control systems.  Rutger is an
engineer for Volvo in Sweeden and also an editor for a hobby magazine
there.  As part of his presentation, Rutger showed several projects he
had done with the muscle wires.  One was a semaphore signal (the wires
contracted, the signal moved).  Another was an animated figure who leaned
out the window of a (G-scale) passenger coach, again actuated with the
wires.  He has also done an electrically actuated uncoupler.

The wires are available here from Mondo-tronics 800-374-5764.  A very
informative book and a sample kit cost $29.90.

Someone mentioned something is in the December ModelRailroader Magazine
which seems to be the post "hi-tech" oriented of the many magazines
in this hobby, but that issue has not made it to Pittsburgh yet;  all
the stores still seem to still have the November issue.

Hope this helps,

Elmer Beachley etb@cs.pitt.edu
From: dauer@lfpd1.DaytonOH.NCR.COM (David Auer)
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
Subject: FLEISCHMANN HO SOURCES
Date: 11 Nov 92 17:22:59 GMT
Reply-To: dauer@lfpd1.DaytonOH.NCR.COM (David Auer)
Distribution: usa
Organization: NCR Corporate Logistics Division, Dayton Ohio

Greetings.

I'm trying to locate retailers and/or mail order houses who sell
Fleischmann HO.

All comments and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.  Please post
to the net or email me directly.

Thanks in advance.
-- 
email:  David.Auer@DaytonOH.NCR.COM
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
From: gregg@pinot.zehntel.com (Gregg Fuhriman)
Subject: Re: Athearn 86' Parts Cars and more
Reply-To: gregg@pinot.UUCP (Gregg Fuhriman)
Organization: Zehntel, Inc. Walnut Creek, CA
Distribution: na
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1992 17:08:54 GMT

In article <1992Nov5.044726.19391@mailhost.ocs.mq.edu.au> eoliver@laurel.ocs.mq.edu.au (Eddie Oliver) writes:
>A simple solution to the coupler sagging problem on stock Athearn 85' cars
>is to glue a piece of plastic sufficiently far above the base to leave
>clearance for the coupler arm to move between the plastic and the base, but
>close enough to the base to prevent sagging. In other words, you make a
>slot through which the coupler arm passes. It's not hard to find a level
>which achieves just the right amount of up/down freedom of movement.
>
Another possible solution:  A Line (Proto Power West) sells weights that
are designed to replace the bolster and coupler pocket on this type of
Athearn flat car.  It is a one-piece metal casting, which adds weight to
the car.  An important note: using these weights results in body-mounted
couplers, so the car may not negotiate tight radius curves as easily.

I own some of these weights, but have not yet installed them in any cars,
so I can't expound on how well they work.  Comments from anyone else ?

						Gregg Fuhriman


Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad,rec.railroad
From: Joe.Russ <Joe.Russ@mixcom.mixcom.com>
Subject: Trainfest '92 November 14 & 15 in Milwaukee, Wis.
Organization: Milwaukee Internet Xchange BBS, Milwaukee, WI U.S.A.
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 01:37:20 GMT


One final time for anybody who may have missed the earlier postings...
 
A reminder that on November 14 & 15, 1992, the Wisconsin Southeastern
(WISE) Division of the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) will
host its 21st annual Trainfest '92 at  Wisconsin State Fair Park's
North Exhibit Hall located at 84th St. and Greenfield Ave. in West
Allis, Wis. (just west of downtown Milwaukee). The show, the one Russ
Larson of MODEL RAILROADER said was "...one of the best, if not THE
best, model railroad show in the country," (February 1992 MR) features
over 92,000 square feet of exhibits, with over 25 operating layouts in
scales from Z to G, numerous hobby shops from across the country,
manufacturer's including W.K. Walthers, Inc., Kalmbach Publishing,
Channels 10/36 (producers of the PBS series "Tracks Ahead"), factory
representatives from Marklin (at the Hobby Horse booth) and other
exhibitors including railroad artists, historical societies, and
museums. The show also has a video theater and test track. And there
is plenty of free parking!!!
 
 Donations 
 ---------------------------------------
  $4 for adults                    
  $3 for seniors and NMRA members  
    (NMRA members bring your cards)
  $2 for children 12-18            
  Under 12 free with adult         
 ---------------------------------------
 
 Hours
 ---------------------------------------
 Saturday, November 14, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
 Sunday, November 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
 
To get to Trainfest '92 exit I-94 (from either north or south) at 84th
St. and head south on 84th. You won't miss the fair park on your left.
Note: The name Trainfest and it's logo are registered trademarks of
the Wisconsin Southeastern Division of the National Model Railroad
Association, Inc.  
 Joe Russ
 WISE Div., NMRA 
-- 
Joe.Russ@mixcom.com
WISE Div., NMRA
From: smithw@hamblin.math.byu.edu (Dr. William V. Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
Subject: Overland models: Athearn DD40 chassis
Date: 12 Nov 92 09:02:22
Organization: Brigham Young University-Math. Dept
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: sofya.math.byu.edu

All you Athearn DD40 owners out there, would you like to see
an Overland models chassis produced for this model?  If the
price was reasonable (something like $100 say)
--
EMail:  smithw@hamblin.math.byu.edu  or  uunet!hamblin.math.byu.edu!smithw
SMail:          Math Dept. -- 314 TMCB; BYU; Provo, UT 84602 (USA)
NeXTmail:                   bill@mathnx.math.byu.edu
Phone:            +1 801 378 2061         FAX:  +1 801 378 2800
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
From: leveret@warren.demon.co.uk (Nick Leverton)
ReplyTo: leveret@warren.demon.co.uk
Subject: Re: TRIANG STILL AROUND?
Distribution: world
X-Mailer: cppnews $Revision: 1.19 $
Organization: Indexed; Access: Random.
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1992 03:48:10 +0000

In article <1992Nov9.220956.11145@bnr.ca> Mike King writes:

>   I am posting this for a friend of mine who does not have access to Usenet.
>he would like to replace and/or add to an old Triang HO gauge model train set
>that survived him and his four brothers. Is Triang (or a successor) still in
>business? 

The direct successor of Triang is Hornby Hobbies, Margate, Kent,
England. That address will get mail there, honestly :-) But I don't
think they've made any HO stuff these last thirty years ...

Nick Leverton
From: ed@stauff.UUCP (Edward L. Stauff)
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
Subject: Re: railroad modelling and participatory theater
Keywords: involvement likes dislikes theater scenery
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 92 20:42:57 EST
Organization: Minstrelsy & Lutherie

fredm@progress.COM (Fred Mikkelsen) writes:

> At the M.I.T. club, we are currently undertaking a rebuild of 2/3 of the
> layout to achieve a doubling of mainline and scenery opportunities. There

Way cool!  I've visited you folks a few times.  I'm looking forward to
seeing the results of the rebuild.  Any idea as to the schedule?

> I'm looking for some feedback on a more personal and emotional level. What
> aspects of a good layout make you go "ah" and/or get jealous? Using theater
> as a model for participatory entertainment (which operating or viewing a
> model railroad is), what gets you moved.

1. Working signals.  I seem to remember that you already have (had?) these.
2. Stuff at eye level.  Model railroads (almost) always look better at eye
level.
3. Long, high bridges.
4. Scenery that goes right to the floor, ala John Allen's G&D.
5. Logging-style steam locos: shays and small articulateds.
6. Industrial areas.

I guess 3-5 kinda go together, and don't fit in well with what I remember
about MIT's layout.  Oh, well.  Just my own personal preferences.

I think that VERY tall scenery would also be good for providing view blocks,
to prevent the entire railroad from being taken in at a glance.  Skyscrapers
could work as well as mountains.

The decision to rebuild must have come at the cost of much heated discussion.


=============================================================================
Edward L. Stauff, Nashua NH; ed@stauff.UUCP *or* uunet!mv.com!gozer!stauff!ed
        "Specialization is for insects." -- Lazarus Long
From: ken@aiai.ed.ac.uk (Ken Johnson)
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
Subject: Re: Carrier controlled lighting
Date: 13 Nov 92 11:26:17 GMT
Followup-To: rec.models.railroad
Organization: Bugs-R-Us


In article <1992Nov10.164515.19405@nntpd.lkg.dec.com>
thomas@wrksys.enet.dec.com (RICH THOMAS) writes:

#  It seems there are a number of schemes that can be used to obtain
#  constant lighting.  I am particularly interested in carrier controlled
#  lighting.  This is accomplished by applying a high frequency AC waveform

The German company Arnold used to make one, and maybe they still do.  I
never saw it in any shops.  I was warned that the HF AC current can give
you a painful electric shock. 



-- 
                                  //// Ken Johnson, A I Applications Institute
Don't get off while it's moving. ////       80 South Bridge, EDINBURGH EH1 1HN
                                ////                  E-mail ken@aiai.ed.ac.uk
                               ////       Phone 031-650 2756  Fax 031-650 6513
From: wbrown@bevsun.bev.lbl.gov (Bill Brown)
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
Subject: Re: N Gauge Track Questions -- Curved Turnouts
Date: 10 Nov 1992 20:32:08 GMT
Organization: Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, California
NNTP-Posting-Host: 131.243.192.17

In article <2524@rd1632.Dayton.NCR.COM> chenowet@rd1632.Dayton.NCR.com (Steve Chenoweth) writes:
>It would almost be worth it to do a FAQ on turnouts.  There are so many
>   ...

>My own turnout question, incidentally, is as follows, in case anyone can
>help.  One of my layouts is HO trolleys, and I recall seeing articles several
>years back showing such layouts with very tight turnouts to go with the
>sharp curves.  Alas, all the current suppliers seem to offer only #4 L & R,
>or #3 Wye's, as their minimum offerings.  Are there regular suppliers of
>sharper ones designed for trolleys, or am I into the world of hand-made
>things here?  Thanks for any help on this.

I think someone by the name of Robert Orr makes kits for HO girder-rail
switches.  They were mentioned in the series in MR several years back on
building a small traction layout.


They are not too hard to build from scratch - in fact I think the sharper the
bend is the easier the job is.  'Way back MR ran a sseries, "the Brandywine
Transit" or some such which gave details on one way to do it.  It's also
covered in the Kalmbach "Traction Handbook."  The two descriptions are not
the same, which goes to show there is more than one way to do it.

Disclaimer:  These opinions are my own and have	    |
    nothing to do with the official policy or the   |  -bill
    management of L.B.L, who probably couldn't      |   wlbrown@lbl.gov
    care less about employees who play with trains. |
From: awhichel@robin.rp.csiro.au (Adrian Whichello)
Subject: Re: Gluing Down Ballast
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: CSIRO Division of Radiophysics/Australia Telescope National Faci
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1992 08:20:00 GMT

car@access.digex.com (Mr. Blue) writes:

>When handlaying track, how/when do you folks glue down the ballast?
>I've heard that I should use a glue/water/detergent mixture, but could
>anyone provide more details. Specifically, what brand of detergent works
>well and how much do I put in? I dont ever take a good luck when buying
>laundry detergent, so I dont know if there is just "generic" detergen
>sitting there on shelves there..

I have only ever used white glue mixed with water 50-50 with a drop of
detergent (washing-up liquid). Can't say I've ever had any problems, but it
helps to do it on a warmish day. 

>Also, who makes good ballast material, and do you mix/combine several
>coarsenesses or make it uniform?

I have used commercial stuff from hobbyshops (crushed granite?), it's OK, but
the best stuff I've found is crushed brick. Comes in a wide variety of colours!
This is (of course) only any good if you have access to a good crusher; it's a
bit tough to do it by hand. Also a friend uses fly ash (from steelworks) one
bag is far more than any modeller should need. It's a bit grey for my liking
but that's probably OK on a modern layout. Making it all the same size
particles by siving (sp?) is a good idea. 

>Thanks!

You're welcome!
							Adrian Whichello

Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
From: d88-hba@nada.kth.se (Harald Barth)
Subject: Re: Models of Swedish X2000
Organization: Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 18:08:38 GMT

>Does anyone make models of the Swedish X2000 train set in N scale? 

No. And it's no idea to wait for it. N-scale is small here :-(
The H0 model looks plastic, hasn't much of detail and doesn't run
well either (as people from Karlstad MRRC told me). 

>Any models of the Swedish prototype of the AEM-7? (I think it is something
>like a Class IV B-B, but am not sure).

Fleischman did a model of the Rc2. The prototype for Amtrak was a modified Rc3.
(maybe regeared for Rc4 now.) If you can't get a Rc, try to get the Austrian 
variety instead. You'll have to modify it anyway. (Couplers, headlight, Anti-
climber, panthographs, paint...) The Fleischman model is good running (two 
small flywheels) and has decent pulling power.

Harald.
From: smithw@hamblin.math.byu.edu (Dr. William V. Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
Subject: Re: Suggestion to Rail Power Products : DDA35 shell
Date: 12 Nov 92 09:14:13
Organization: Brigham Young University-Math. Dept
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: sofya.math.byu.edu
In-reply-to: smithw@hamblin.math.byu.edu's message of 12 Nov 92 08:51:42

Ok, as someone suggested, why don't you ask them about a
DD35 shell (this was the original "B" (cabless) version).
This would make a great addition to available motive power
and is not in plastic anywhere.  
-Bill
--
EMail:  smithw@hamblin.math.byu.edu  or  uunet!hamblin.math.byu.edu!smithw
SMail:          Math Dept. -- 314 TMCB; BYU; Provo, UT 84602 (USA)
NeXTmail:                   bill@mathnx.math.byu.edu
Phone:            +1 801 378 2061         FAX:  +1 801 378 2800
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
From: wey@cbnewsb.cb.att.com (william.e.yoder)
Subject: Thunderbolt Express!!
Keywords: Bachmann G Guage
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1992 18:38:05 GMT


I just bought a Bachmann G gauge "Thunderbolt Express" at Sam's 
warehouse club for $69.00. It comes with a big hauler loco, gondola,
caboose, steel track (throwaway), and a transformer. I know all about
Bachmann and their low end stuff, but for 69 bucks, it was hard to pass 
up. Even mail order runs as high as $129. I was at a swap meet this 
past weekend and a dealer was wanting $150 for the same set. When I told
him that Sam's had it for $69., he looked kind of pissed and said that it
wouldn't have bearings!! Yeah right. He probably bought his at Sam's 
and is trying to make a quick buck.

Has anyone else picked up one of these? At least, maybe I can kitbash 
the engine, sometime.
I talked to our local hobby shop and said he couldn't get it wholesale
for that price. Oh well, maybe I'll have to buy $60 worth of bearings!!!

Bill Yoder
From: wbrill@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM (Warren Brill)
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1992 15:48:34 GMT
Subject: Re: railroad modelling and participatory theater
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Fort Collins, CO, USA
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad

In rec.models.railroad, czl30@duts.ccc.amdahl.com (Chris Lee) writes:

> In article <1992Nov11.161244.13491@progress.com> fredm@progress.COM (Fred Mikkelsen) writes:
> >At the M.I.T. club, we are currently undertaking a rebuild of 2/3 of the
> >layout to achieve a doubling of mainline and scenery opportunities. There
> >are lots of fine books and knowledge in print about how to achieve prototype
> >and realism.
> 
> Buildings with obvious gaps with the ground.
************This isn't trivial! One really effective thing, if you can model,
is window wells. They need not even truly be 3-d if you "force" the shadows.
Another building "extra" is realistic bushes, not just leftover bunches of
bright green lichen. There is an incredible variety of greenery around the
buildings of a "typical" city or town. And finally, good interior lighting
(that doesn't sneak through gaps in the walls of buildings [I haven't yet
solved this problem to my own satisfaction :-( ] ) goes a long way if you
like to run "at night". Working traffic signals?....
> 
> Anything that looks toy-like.
> 
> Trains that don't have a reason to be where they are.
> 
> Cheers........Chris Lee
 
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
From: bunce@asd2.jsc.nasa.gov
Subject: Re: railroad modelling and participatory theater
Organization: Lockheed Engineering and Sciences
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1992 14:45:05 GMT

In article <1992Nov12.223629.27961@progress.com> fredm@progress.COM (Fred
Mikkelsen) writes:
>
>I find two basic trends of "oo"s and "ah"s.
>
>"oo": The feeling of enormity. Things are big, and you are immersed.
>"ah": The feeling of delicateness and attention to detail.
>
>Does anyone like multiple track? or is it passe? I'd like to know.
>
I like seeing trains passing each other on double track mainlines. That's one
thing about Ntrak that I like. More than 2 tracks I have never seen, so that
doesn't look right to me.

>No one responded to liking switchbacks, or other complex trackage. Are
>people impressed in an "oo" or "ah" way with double slips, diamonds, etc?
>
I would be inpressed with diamonds in an "oo" sort of way if it was modeled
like my home town of Griffith, IN where 5 railroads met (unplanned) and they
all crossed in one place with the main road thru town also going across the
diamonds.
Talk about noisy and busy. Erie, GT, EJ&E, C&O, and some other small rr that
disappeared before I was born. Alas, all that is left now is the EJ&E and GT.

>A couple people mentioned industrial areas. Is it better to focus on
>industrial areas with a dedicated switcher or have more industry spurs off
>the mainline. Does anyone have an opinion?
>
An open house wants to have trains running all the time. Industries off the
main line would prevent continuous operation at that time. So you would want to
have dedicated switchers working a yard/industries. But... During club
operations you would want to give the mainline operators some work to do.

>The responses were great! My goal is to encourage a layout that makes
>everyone jealous, and thus ensuring well-attended open houses and a popular
>attraction for new student members.
>
Good luck.

Tom Bunce      bunce@asd2.jsc.nasa.gov     | Lockheed Engineering & Sciences
Co.
 Engineer - Shuttle Engineering Simulator  | 2400 NASA Rd 1, C87
 Engineer - N scale Utopia & Valhalla      | Houston, TX 77058
 Engineer - Nassau Bay Vol. Fire Dept.     | (713) 333-7497
         .____________.  .______________.  .____________.
         | UV         |  |  UV          |  |    APL     |
         +------------+  ++------------++  +------------+
     ____|_UV_________|_ _|_UV_________|_ _|_UV__|_UV___|____
    "o-o '------------'o+o'------------'o+o'------------' o-o"
 =================================================================
Flames don't bother me,  I'm a firefighter :-)

Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
From: SDupa@xview.csuohio.edu (Scott Hewis)
Subject: Re: N Gauge Track Questions -- Curved Turnouts
Organization: Cleveland State University - Telecomm 
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 1992 22:03:03 GMT

In article <1992Nov6.224335.26529@news.weeg.uiowa.edu> jhugart@news.weeg.uiowa.edu (Jacob Hugart) writes:
>From: jhugart@news.weeg.uiowa.edu (Jacob Hugart)
>Subject: N Gauge Track Questions -- Curved Turnouts
>Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1992 22:43:35 GMT


>Greetings!

>I'm currently constructing a layout in N using Atlas sectional track.  I
>intend to use some flex track, and bond the whole thing to a cork roadbed
>using the bonded ballast method.  (The cork is on my plywood table-top...so
>sue me, it was handy, and I'm modelling a flat town, not the Rockies.)

>The thing is, my design would be much better if I had some curved turnouts.
>However, Atlas doesn't make any (that I know of), and the turnouts in the
>Walther's catalog are expensive.  Also, I can't make sense of the (largely
>imported) designations for the curves...what's the radius?  What number is the
>frog? What code is the rail?

>Also, the Atlas turnouts that I possess have those huge switch machines.  Once
>upon a time, I saw an ad for an Atlas under-the-table switch machine.  Do
>these actually exist?  Do they work with the standard momentary-contact
>switches?  For that matter, would those curved turnouts work with such
>switches?  Would it be worth my while to get some slow-motion switch-machines?
>What do they require in order to trigger, momentary contact or...?

>Thanks for your support.

>Jacob Hugart  <jacob-hugart@uiowa.edu>
>--------------------------------------
>Take nothing but pictures,
>   Leave nothing but footprints,
>      Kill nothing but time.


>-- 
>Jacob Hugart  <jacob-hugart@uiowa.edu>
>--------------------------------------
>Take nothing but pictures,
>   Leave nothing but footprints,

I believe most of the foreign turnouts in the Walther's catalog are around
71/2 to 9 inch radius and are approx. a number 4 frog.  However I use Peco's
curved turnout on my layout as the curves are around 30 and 28 inch radius
with the frog either a number 6 or 8 and they work pretty well.  I agree that
all the foreign made turnouts are *EXPENSIVE* but there are mail order 
dealers that sell Peco for anywhere from 10% to 30+% off of list price.

As for the under table switch machines for Atlas I thought I saw them in the
Walther's catalog and they should work with the momentary-contact swittches.

Scott Hewis
--------------------------------------
* Scott Hewis; Telecom Specialist    *
* Cleveland State University         *
* email c/o scott@asgard.csuohio.edu *
--------------------------------------
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
From: Prime Mover Software Development <U93_PTUPACZE@VAXC.STEVENS-TECH.EDU>
Subject: Re: Passenger Paint Schemes
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT
Organization: Indiana University
Mime-Version: 1.0
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 1992 22:19:57 GMT
X-Vms-To: IN%"rec.models.railroad@silver.ucs.indiana.edu"

To whomever asked:

A good book for painting up passenger cars is the "Passenger Car Painting and 
Lettering" Book, published by the PRR Technical & Historical Society. Quite 
obviously, it's a book about painting up Pennsylvania Railroad passenger cars. 
Surprisingly, though, about 2/3 of the book deals with PRR cars on other 
roads, and offers color matches and lots of pictures of many other roads' cars 
(UP, MoPac, etc.). It's also got plenty of Pennsy pictures, of course. You can 
check at your local hobby shop, and if they don't have it, contact either 
Ron's Books or Rails 'n Shafts (both have big ads in most major train 
magazines).

     - Paul Tupaczewski
       Stevens Tech
       Hoboken, NJ
       u93_ptupacze@vaxa.stevens-tech.edu

Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad