HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: cb@oddjob.mitre.org (Christopher M. Byrnes)
Subject: Re: layout for post-war Lionel 027
Organization: The Mitre Corp., Bedford, MA.
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1992 01:16:03 GMT

In article <1992Aug31.150933.5427@crd.ge.com> sheardc@rdsunx.crd.ge.com (David C. Shear) writes:
>Just starting to setup my post-war Lionel 027 layout which has a 2055
>steam engine and associated freight cars. The plan is to use a 4'x8'
>train board that was purchased second-hand with train & Plasticville
>buildings back in the mid fifties. What is a good source for track
>layouts for a limited budget and a minimum of scenery (no plans at this
>time for hills, mountain & lakes)?
  Kalmbach has a book called "Track Plans For Sectional Layouts" which
includes some 4x8 Lionel 027 layouts.  Greenburg and others have also
repreinted some of the "Introduction to Lionel" books from the 1950s
which include some 4x8 sectional layouts as well.  I can tell you from
experience that you're not going to get much more than a loop and a
few sidings from a small table.  These books are generally available
from any large hobby store that caries Lionel or K-Line 027 equipment.
--
					Christopher Byrnes
					The MITRE Corporation
					202 Burlington Road
					M/S A378A
					Bedford, Mass. 01730-1420

					cb@Mitre.org
	...!{att,decvax,genrad,ll-xn,philabs,utzoo}!linus!mbunix!cb.UUCP
From: larsons@xanth.CS.ORST.EDU (Larson Shawn Michael)
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
Subject: HO Scale Pantographs
Date: 31 Aug 92 20:07:58 GMT
Organization: Oregon State University

The question on model catenary reminded me to ask this question:

Where can you order pantographs in HO scale?

A friend of mine at our local club has been looking for these for some
time now, to increase the reliabile running of his trolleys.  However,
they don't appear to be commercially available anymore.

Walthers does list pantographs from Vollmer or Roco in the detail parts
of their catalog, but a call to them revealed that they don't have any
in stock and don't expect to have any for a long time to come.

Any help on where pantographs can be ordered would be greatly appreciated.
--------
Shawn Larsons - larsons (at) storm.cs.orst.edu
From: ubhjp@sun.rz.tu-clausthal.de (H.-J. Pfeffer)
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
Subject: Addresses (D&RG Durango ...)
Date: 26 Aug 92 13:01:59 GMT
Organization: Techn. Univ. Clausthal
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL5


Hi there!

You asked for Denver Public Library :

Address :   1357 Broadway (640-8800)
            Denver, Co. 80203-2165

Also may try to telnet to 192.54.81.128 which is the internet access to
CARL-Library-System ... (may be you use vt100 em.)
Greetings from Germany ...
H.-J. Pfeffer, Technische Universitaet Clausthal ( ubhjp@139.174.1.3)
From: labdg@emory.edu (Diego)
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
Subject: Rutland & VTR RR Info!
Date: 26 Aug 92 22:15:40 GMT
Article-I.D.: emoryu1.932
Organization: Emory University, Atlanta, GA
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL3

Hi Folks@
	Some of you might ;-) or might not remember my asking for info
	on the Vermont Railway a few weeks ago.  Well, I got only one
	response (thanks to that one, however!) so I went looking more
	seriously for other info.  

	If any of you are interested in especially the history of the 
	Rutland, but also with mention and chapters on post-rutland
	roads like the Vermont and the Green Mntn., check out the
	SECOND edition of "The Rutland Road", by Jim Shaughnessy,
	published by Howell-North Books, San Diego, California, in
	1981.

	This book is mostly historical look at the Rutland from start
	to final abandonment and rebirth of sections as other roads/
	shortlines.  Many of the pictures are good, however, and include
	shots of Rutland facilities and yards both past and present as
	used by the later roads.  Also included are locomotive rosters
	and timetables and such.  A bit historical for the casually
	interested, finally, but gives many GOOD modeling ideas for
	those with an interest in modelling the Rutland or any of its
	sucessors!

	-Regards,
	-Diego Gallina (labdg@unix.cc.emory.edu)
From: al@nmt.edu (Al Stavely)
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
Subject: Re: High voltage pulsing?
Date: 26 Aug 92 16:48:22 GMT
Organization: New Mexico Tech, USA


In article <25763@dog.ee.lbl.gov> wbrown@bevsun.bev.lbl.gov (Bill Brown) writes:
>
>I've modified one of my power packs ( an old "Scintilla PrimerPack" for anyone
>who remembers them!) with a high voltage supply that provides about one milliamp
>from a ~72 volt source.

There's a device on the market called a "Relco", produced by a (British, I
think) company of the same name.  From what I can tell from the advertising,
it seems to do approximately this.

Does anyone know any details about what this contraption does, and what kind
of circuit is inside?  I'd especially like to know what kinds of throttles is
can be used with: variable-resistor, transistor, voltage-regulator, etc.  As
I've written in another article, I like transistor throttles, and I'd like to
know whether the Relco can be safely and effectively used with one of these.

-- 

	- Allan Stavely, New Mexico Tech, USA
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
From: pratta@rpi.edu (Anthony Edward Prattico)
Subject: Re: benchwork: a case study
Organization: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1992 16:21:18 GMT

In article <2242@h.cs.wvu.wvnet.edu> muth@a.cs.wvu.wvnet.edu (Wayne A Muth) writes:
>     Let me add my "case study" also.  Yesterday I decided to drop
>     one of my "old style tables" [i.e. NOT L-girder type] by three
>     inches -- so then I proceeded to cut 3" off of 3 legs and 4" off
>     the fourth.  Instead of the old axiom of "measure twice, cut
>     once", I apparently need more than "measure twice" ...
>
>     Well, anyway, the MORAL OF THE STORY -> when one build with
>     the L-girder system [as originally prescribed by Linn Wesscott
>     in MR magazine and books], one DOES NOT have to build initial
>     tablework to any close dimensions -->> all the adjusting, changing,
>     screw removal, etc etc CAN TAKE PLACE AT ANY TIME LATER with
>     FANTASTIC EASE.  Had my table been L-girder like, I could have
>     lowered it much more quickly and had I screwed up I could have
>     fixed more quickly.
>
>     I am one heck of a fan of L-girder.

Ideally, in L-girder benchwork, you should be able to remove a leg, riser, etc
without ill effect because of the strength of the girder, as opposed to that
of a straight 1x or 2x. (Unless, obviously, your layout only has 4 legs. This
is also the reason I suggested sheet-rock screws previously, as they do not
require pre-drilled holes, and can be easily removed (as opposed to glue and 
nails, which are very hard to separate without damaging the lumber). One of
the biggest advantages to L-girder is that you can place a riser wherever you
need it, unlike open-grid, where the risers must be attached to the grid. 
Another good reaseon, especially in the case of portable layouts, is that you
only install bechwokr as you need it. Therefore, there is a weight reduction
even though greater strength is gained. Also, it is much easier to add a curved
front panel and backdrop to L-girder, and much easier to build depressed
scenery right at the front edge, because there is no beam there as in open-grid
benchwork.
From: asgard@plx.com (J.R. Stoner)
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
Subject: Re: modelling clubs in S.J. area
Date: 31 Aug 92 23:36:44 GMT
Distribution: ba
Organization: Heironamous Botch's Murk Works

falken@apple.com (Dave Falkenburg) writes:

;I'm new to the Santa Clara Valley area and was wondering if someone could
;give me any information about local model railroading clubs. 
;Specifically, is there an N-TRAK group?

Here is an off-the-top list (not comprehensive) of model railroad clubs
in the greater Santa Clara county:

 Silicon Valley Lines - 300 Kings Row, San Jose - meets Wed nights.
  [HO modular layout]
 South Bay Railroad Historical Society - Santa Clara Caltrain Depot
  - meets Tue nights and Sat 9:00-4:00.
  [HO and N-scale permanent layouts plus museum artifacts]
 Sometime in the future a major construction project by the county will
 incorporate modelling and museum in the county fairgounds - see below.

A much more comprehensive idea of the modelling opportunities can be had by
a timely visit to the Train Shop, located at the corner of Winchester Blvd
and Pruneridge Ave, in Santa Clara.  Hope this helps.
-- 
J.R. Stoner, DWMIT - asgard@plx.com - sun.com!plx!plxsun!asgard
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
From: raimund@uni-paderborn.de (Raimund Fromme)
Subject: Re: HO Scale Pantographs
Organization: Uni-GH Paderborn
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1992 06:39:10 GMT

edvax@pyrite.SOM.CWRU.edu (Weyland Yutani Ltd) writes:


>   In article <1992Aug31.200758.21731@CS.ORST.EDU>
>   larsons@xanth.CS.ORST.EDU (Larson Shawn Michael) writes:
>   >The question on model catenary reminded me to ask this question:
>   >
>   >Where can you order pantographs in HO scale?

>   Any Fleischmann or Marklin dealer ought to be able to get you some
>   pantographs, since both companies sell lots of models equipped with
>   them, and they sell spares as replacement parts.  Judging by the one
>   Fleischmann electric engine I own, they're quite durable, and they
>   ought to run quite well if you've got decent wire overhead.
>--------------------------

>You might also wish to check out Sommerfeldt. They make the most
>authentic catenary (double wire, counterweights, pulleys,  etc) of any
>European HO that I've seen.  They also make pantographs. I have their
>1989 catalog that I picked up from AMRO LTD.  They do a lot of mail
>order buisiness.  But the stuff is so expensive (3-5 dollars per mainline 
>mast!). Their address is:
>		AMRO Ltd.
>		121 Lincolnway west
>		New Oxford, PA 17350

>or Sommerfeldt's address:
>		SOMMERFELDT GmbH
>		Friedhofstrasse 42
>		7323 Hattenhofen

>		Telephone:	07164/3195
>		FAX:		07164/5786

>Now is that Germany or Austria? It doesn't say.

It's (Western-)Germany.

Roco (Austria) is also building very(!) fine pantographs.

so long

   Raimund

   (raimund@uni-paderborn.de)

Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
From: al@nmt.edu (Al Stavely)
Subject: Re: High voltage pulsing?
Organization: New Mexico Tech, USA
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1992 15:50:43 GMT


In article <BtswCx.80I@news.cso.uiuc.edu> brentk@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Brent Knecht) writes:
>
>Do you actually use constant current?  Last year I decided to design and
>build my own power supply with load and coast features, etc.  At first I
>too thought that constant current would be the way to go, but after 
>prototyping the circuit and trying it out, I found it nearly impossible
>to incorporate the features I wanted, as the locomotive's speed had a 
>very nonlinear response to the current.  I then prototyped a constant
>voltage supply, and found it far superior to the constant current.  I did,
>however, find it necessary to add an 'idle' setting, as most of my
>locos don't respond until the voltages reach about 4 or 5 volts.

OK, I did some measurements on my transistor throttle last night.  It seems
that it's not quite a constant current source (or constant voltage source
either) at a fixed throttle setting.  The current (and voltage) go up and down
gradually as the loco goes up and down grades, and they wiggle around a lot
because of (I would guess) varying resistance in the path between the throttle
and the motor.  (And yes, I do clean my track!)

I have no plans to fiddle with the circuit to try to get it closer to constant
current.  As is, it provides very smooth and steady constant-speed running,
which is my highest priority.  You're right, the loco's response to the
current is quite nonlinear. I'm sure designing a really good momentum/braking
circuit using transistors would be tricky (although it has been done -- does
anyone have experiences to report?).  Certainly voltage regulators are much
easier to design around for this purpose, although I haven't been very
impressed with the realism of the few examples I've seen.  My solution so far
has been to do without all these goodies.
-- 

	- Allan Stavely, New Mexico Tech, USA
From: che238n@vaxc.cc.monash.edu.au
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
Subject: PWM comtrollers
Date: 2 Sep 92 09:15:25 +1000
Organization: Computer Centre, Monash University, Australia

The best pulse width modulated (PWM) controller I have seen is desribed in
"Compleat Model Railway Electronics" by Roger Amos.

It completely eliminated motor "chatter" caused by the sudden pulse.


David B.
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
From: jsm@phoenix.Princeton.EDU (John Scott McCauley Jr.)
Subject: Re: Catenary Systems
Originator: news@nimaster
Organization: Princeton University
Date: Sun, 30 Aug 1992 22:33:40 GMT

In article <1992Aug29.202233.15428@fns-nc1.fns.com> mcnc!fns-nc1.fns.com!hph (Paul Holzworth) writes:
>I recently picked up a copy of the LGB catalog and noticed that a number
>of their locomotives will operate with catenary power.  I am interested in
>any experiences that others have had with catenary systems.  How well does
>it work, practical tips, good and bad equipment, etc.  My house is probably
>too small for an LGB system so I would be particularly interested in any
>HO scale systems.  I would also like to hear of peoples experiences with the
>LGB catenary system.

[I've thinking of catenary for N-scale, but have no actual experience].

Working catenary systems are available from many vendors in many scales.
Vollmer, Sommerfeldt (sp?), and Kato (?) have product lines in HO and N scale.

Do-it-yourselfers often use trolley-type overhead rather than 'high-speed'
catenary to cut down on the complexity.  In largish scales you might be able
to make your own detailed parts. Pantographs are often used rather than
trolley poles to improve reliability, so purists might object to seeing a
GG1 under a trolley wire where a PCC would be more apropriate.

There is a subgroup of Ntrak modelers called Ncat that make N-scale modular
layouts with overhead wires. They often have an ad in the N scale magazine or
I can dig up the address if someone is interested.

	Scott
From: che238n@vaxc.cc.monash.edu.au
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
Subject: Re: [benchwork]: What kind of wood?
Date: 31 Aug 92 11:35:11 +1000
Organization: Computer Centre, Monash University, Australia

In article <1992Aug30.202916.11210@PacBell.COM>, bwmohle@pbsdts.sdcrc.pacbell.com (Bruce W. Mohler) writes:
> Just curious (as we're about to begin building our first layout):
> 
> 	1.   What kind of benchwork do you build (built-in,
> 	     free-standing, modular)?

I use a mixture of open top (L-girder) and flat benches (mostly for stations,
yards and complex track formations.

> 
> 	2.   What kind of wood do you use?
								
1/2 inch particle board and 10mm ply for bench tops and with 1/2 inch caneite
on top to reduce noise.
2x1 and 4x1 radiata pine (readily available in OZ) for frames, 2x2" for legs.
I also have some old bits of hardwood (red gum, blackwood, etc) as legs.
	   
> 	3.   Why did you choose that kind of wood?
Particle board is cheap and easy to cut.
Ply is less likely to warp and easy to bend for track beds.
Caneite is reasonably easy to obtain and results in a considerable reduction in
noise. A word of warning, the fibres are EXPLOSIVELY flammable. Be careful how
you depose of the sawdust. Either bury them (they are sugar cane fibre and make
good compost) or if you intend to burn then wrap in newspaper first.
Radiata pine is dirt cheap here, easy to obtain and easy to work with.

> 
> My focus is on the benchwork framing, rather than what goes on
> top (plywood, homasote, etc.). 

Well, I hope somebody is interested in my benchtops. 

> 				 Any references to books/magazines
> that you use/used to the style of framing you use would also be 
> appreciated.

The Encyclopaedia of Model Railways published by Octopus Books is very useful.

> 
> Thanks, in advance!
> 
> Bruce
> 
> --                                       

David B.
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
From: pratta@rpi.edu (Anthony Edward Prattico)
Subject: Re: [benchwork]: What kind of wood?
Organization: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1992 02:18:22 GMT

In article <1992Aug30.202916.11210@PacBell.COM> bwmohle@pbsdts.sdcrc.pacbell.com (Bruce W. Mohler) writes:

>   Just curious (as we're about to begin building our first layout):
>
>	   1.   What kind of benchwork do you build (built-in,
>		free-standing, modular)?
>
>	   2.   What kind of wood do you use?
>
>	   3.   Why did you choose that kind of wood?
>
>   My focus is on the benchwork framing, rather than what goes on
>   top (plywood, homasote, etc.).  Any references to books/magazines
>   that you use/used to the style of framing you use would also be 
>   appreciated.
>
>   Thanks, in advance!
>
>   Bruce
>
>   -- 
>   Bruce W. Mohler  ><>                 | voice: 619-586-2218
>   System Administrator / COSMOS/March  | email: bwmohle@pbsdts.sdcrc.pacbell.com
>   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>	      Always leave things in better shape than you found them.


Here's my opinion on the subject:

	1. Unless you have a very narrow (12" or less) shelf layout, or are
	   building your layout on some other sort of table, it has to be 
	   freestanding, at least in part. Modular layouts are very restrictive
	   unless you are part of a club that has a modular layout. I think
	   you mean a portable layout. The difference is that modular implies
	   modules all built to the same benchwork specifications. Portable
	   means just that, it can be moved if it has to be. In this case 
	   the size of the benchwork sections can vary, as long as they can
	   fit through the doorway of your layout room. I think this is the
	   best for a home layout. Do a basic trackplan first, and then build
	   the benchwork so that there are no joints under turnouts, mountains,
	   lakes, etc. (And if you can help it, keep joint away from curves,
	   as they are nearly impossible to realign as smoothly as first laid.)

	2. (and 3.) Standard pine framing lumber is probably the most common.
	   It's relatively inexpensive, as far as wood goes, strong, easy to
	   cut, easy to assemble (use drywall screws. No drilling necessary,
	   and they can be removed easily to realign piece) and easy to obtain.
	   It's also very stable in humid climates. This summer, at our club,
	   the masonite front panel sections each expanded an inch or two in
	   length, the benchwork didn't, and there are some pretty neat waves
	   along some of the straight sections.

Hope this helps.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anthony Prattico, Vice-president, New England, Berkshire, & Western Railroad
pratta@rpi.edu     Anthony_Prattico@mts.rpi.edu
From: hph@fns-nc1.ogi.edu
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
Subject: Catenary Systems
Date: 29 Aug 92 20:22:33 GMT
Article-I.D.: fns-nc1.1992Aug29.202233.15428
Organization: Fujitsu Network Switching

I recently picked up a copy of the LGB catalog and noticed that a number
of their locomotives will operate with catenary power.  I am interested in
any experiences that others have had with catenary systems.  How well does
it work, practical tips, good and bad equipment, etc.  My house is probably
too small for an LGB system so I would be particularly interested in any
HO scale systems.  I would also like to hear of peoples experiences with the
LGB catenary system.

By the way, catenary is the overhead wiring that you find powering many electric
locomotives.

Thanks,
Paul Holzworth
fns-nc1!hph@mcnc.org
From: mboucher@cortex.prospect.com (Mike Boucher)
Subject: B&M caboose, box car plans needed
Organization: Cortex Corporation, Waltham, MA, USA
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1992 14:33:45 GMT
X-Posted-From: cortex.prospect.com
X-Posted-Through: sol.ctr.columbia.edu

Hey there,

I'm looking for a source of detailed plans for Boston & Maine wood cabooses
(or is that cabeese?) and their XM-1 outside braced wooded boxcar.  I'm looking,
specifically, for underside details and interior details on the cabooses,
along with general dimensions.  Anyone with any info, send them my way...

thanx.

Mike
-- 
Mike Boucher			mboucher@cortex.prospect.com
Cortex Corp			"Don't take life too seriously, you'll never
Waltham, MA, USA		 get out of it alive!"
From: haynes@cats.ucsc.edu (Jim Haynes)
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
Subject: High voltage pulsing?
Date: 25 Aug 1992 21:21:32 GMT
Organization: University of California; Santa Cruz
NNTP-Posting-Host: hobbes.ucsc.edu


I don't keep up with the model railroad literature, so maybe this is a
dumb question or an old idea; but I was wondering if one could get
by with less track cleaning by using higher voltage pulsing to run
the locomotive.  I remember from some treatise on electrical contacts
that you need a voltage of 25 or so to break through insulating films
that form.  So you could use 25 or even 125 volts for track power,
using narrow pulses so the energy in a pulse is no greater than you
would want to use at low voltages.  You would need some kind of safety
crowbar to shut things down if the pulser got stuck on; and you would
have additional safety concerns for human contact using voltages over
24. (like, call the model railroad X-rated for adults only).
-- 
haynes@cats.ucsc.edu
haynes@cats.bitnet

"Any clod can have the facts, but having opinions is an Art."
        Charles McCabe, San Francisco Chronicle
From: urf@icl.se (Urban F)
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
Subject: Re: 2 Beginner questions
Date: 25 Aug 92 05:38:13 GMT
Organization: None. On USENET I speak only for myself.

nd2k@cbnewsh.cb.att.com (alfred.a.schwarz..jr) writes:

> In other words, when one has to
>cover a lot of "real-estate" with liquid cement, what is the proper 
>technique?? (There is no way to run the brush along the inside seams
>with these tank halves).

You are right in that it would be better to run the brush along
the inside, but if you can't do that, you should clamp the pieces
together and run the brush along the seam on the outside. Use unly
a little cement, and practically all of it will be drawn into the
crack. This way, you don't have to hurry, as you can do a little at
a time.
-- 
 Urban Fredriksson urf@icl.se (Or: n.g.u.fredriksson.swe2001@oasis.icl.co.uk)
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
From: al@nmt.edu (Al Stavely)
Subject: Re: High voltage pulsing?
Organization: New Mexico Tech, USA
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1992 16:41:53 GMT

In article <1992Aug25.215941.7291@news.uiowa.edu> jones@pyrite.cs.uiowa.edu (Douglas W. Jones,201H MLH,3193350740,3193382879) writes:
>
>Why not make a power supply that is a current source, not a voltage source.
>If a bit of dirt gets in the way, the supply should run the voltage up as
>high as needed to keep the current constant.  It's not hard to outline a
>design for such a supply, but I never got around to building one.

This is one advantage of transistor throttles over other kinds.  To a first
approximation, a transistor is a current source, although how well it can hold
the current constant is limited by its supply voltage.  I've built several
simple throttles based on designs from old _Model Railroader_ articles, and my
experience is that throttles with power transistor output stages give smoother
running than those with (for example) voltage regulator output stages.

I don't know why circuit designers these days seem to prefer designing around
voltage regulators -- perhaps because it's easier or because voltage
regulators are "more modern".  But for this particular application, a voltage
regulator regulates the wrong thing.

-- 

	- Allan Stavely, New Mexico Tech, USA
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad