HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: sra@bistromath.mitre.org (Stan R. Ames)
Subject: Re: Track cleaning cars
Organization: The MITRE Corporation, Bedford, MA
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1992 19:32:11 GMT

In article <1992Oct12.055744.3516@noose.ecn.purdue.edu> kollerd@pasture.ecn.purdue.edu (David R Koller) writes:
>
>   OK, net railroaders, what is your opinion of track-cleaning cars?  Our
>model railroad club here is looking for a way to reduce the "elbow-grease"
>required to keep the track clean.  I've seen various articles in the hobby
>press about adding Masonite pads to the bottoms of freight cars, etc., as well
>as some ready-to-run commercial track cleaning cars.  Has anyone had success
>with any of these things?
>
Track cleaning has always been a problem but it need not be.  The first
thing you need is a good agent for improving electrical connectivity.

Although you can spend up to $20 an once for a "Model Railroad Cleaner"
you can also spend $3.98 for the same thing in a 16 once spray can.
The cleaner is LPS-1 sold in high grade hardware stores.  (do not
use LPS-2 or LPS-3).  LPS-1 is a cleaner and lubricant for electrical
contacts.

The second thing you need is a method for distributing the cleaner and
cleaning the track once applied.  I do not have the name with me but
there is a new track cleaner that rolls a handywipe down the tracks.  This
is ideal for applying LPS-1 and for cleaning heavy dirt by transferring it
to the handywipe.

If you want truly clean track for extended periods switch to a control system
that does not apply fixed DC to either rail.  The current draft of the NMRA
Command COntrol draft utilizes the Lenz transmission system that is a mirrored
square wave.  This looks somewhat like AC and has the improved track
cleaning characteristics of AC.

The final suggestion is to clean the wheels of rolling stock.  I found
that these wheels collect a lot of dirt that is distributed back onto clean 
track.  The best method for cleaning rolling stock wheels was a method 
that Bill Drummond has.  He has a 3 foot section of track with the track
notched every 1/4 inch.  This provides a rough surface.  Using LPS-1 soaked
handywipes over the track roll the cars back and forth.  The dirt will
be transferred to the handywipe.

These methods remove any need for abrasive track cleaners and will keep
the track very cleen with virtually no maintence unless the layout room is
dusty in which case a masonite equipped car will keep the dust problem
under control.

Stan Ames




Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
From: andre@king.slc.mentorg.com (Andre' Hut)
Subject: Re: Track cleaning cars
Organization: /net/king/usr1/andre/.organization
Date: 14 Oct 92 10:30:13

In article <1992Oct12.055744.3516@noose.ecn.purdue.edu> kollerd@pasture.ecn.purdue.edu (David R Koller) writes:
   >   OK, net railroaders, what is your opinion of track-cleaning cars?  Our
   >model railroad club here is looking for a way to reduce the "elbow-grease"
   >required to keep the track clean.  I've seen various articles in the hobby
   >press about adding Masonite pads to the bottoms of freight cars, etc., as well
   >as some ready-to-run commercial track cleaning cars.  Has anyone had success
   >with any of these things?

I have one of Roco's track cleaning cars.  It's a yellow Burlington Northern boxcar.  
It took a little modification, new trucks, body mounted couplers etc, but it runs
great, and does a good job cleaning the tracks.  It's a heavy car, and the track
cleaning pad is pressed against the rails by springs.  The problem I see with the
masonite trick I have heard of is that there is no pressure between the track
and the masonite.

I think track cleaning cars are a must to have in your operating session.  It won't
eliminate the need to get out the bright-boys, but it will keep things clean as
you are operating.


--
-------------------------------------------------------------------
My opinions are solely my own, and do not necessarily reflect those
of my employer.

Andre' Hut       andre@slc.mentorg.com  or  utah-cs!caeco!andre
Mentor Graphics, Suite 300, 5295 South 300 West, Murray, Utah 84107
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
From: brom@yoyo.cc.monash.edu.au (David Bromage)
Subject: Re: Pulse Power Supplies
Organization: Monash University General Access Unix
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL6]
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1992 23:27:20 GMT

I recommend reading Compleat Model Railway Electronics by Roger Amos. In
it is the best PWM controller I have ever seen. I built one and it
eliminates all motor knock noise.

Cheers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David Bromage       brom@yoyo.cc.monash.edu.au   : 
Monash University                                : "I think thinking is 
Clayton, Victoria   				 :  so important"
 Australia                                       : 	-Baldrick
 						 :   
     May the source be with you			 :     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
	All views expressed are my own except those which conflict with
	my personal opinions.
From: schumann@msus1.msus.edu
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
Subject: Re: Helix Calculation
Date: 7 Oct 92 20:10:31 -0600
Organization: Minnesota State University System

In article <1992Oct7.003433.26720@Princeton.EDU>,
jsm@phoenix.Princeton.EDU (John Scott McCauley Jr.) writes:
> In article <1992Oct6.153144.2134@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu>
> cwatters@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Coyt D Watters) writes:
>>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".
> 
> I've also thought about building a helix. I think the usual method is to form
> the roadbed from 90 to 360 degree cuts from thin plywood or foam core board.
> 
> However, using the above method you might wind up with lots of waste material
> and nasty joints where the cuts meet.
> 
> How about this? (NB: I haven't tried this!) Take a 2'x2'x1/2" of foam core
> board, cut it up to make lots of 2'x1/2"x1/2" strips (with a paper cutter
> and a jig maybe?), and then glue several of them together to make the roadbed:
> 
>                l  l                Rail
>              ========              Tie
> 	    --- --- ---            Foam Core strips
>            |   |   |   |
> 	    --- --- ---
> 
> The 1/2"x1/2" strips of foam core board should be flexible enough to bend
> to a 15-22" radius and 2-4% grade. You can stagger the long-way joints
> to increase reliability.
> 
> The advantage of this method is that there is little wasted material.
> The big disadvantage might be cost -- finding flexible, yet strong 
> material might cost more than plywood.

There's a hobby store in Minneapolis-St. Paul that has a layout with 
an impressive helix.  While I forget the name of the store, it's the 
one on East 66th Street in Richfield (west of Cedar Avenue).  If any 
net correspondents from the Twin Cities are familiar with that layout, 
or if they can find the time to go to the store, perhaps they could 
describe to the net how that helix was constructed.  Sorry that I 
can't provide more details.
--
   Paul L. Schumann, Ph.D.           |  VAX:  IN%"schumann@MSUS1.MSUS.EDU"
   Professor of Management           |  Office Phone:       (507) 389-5349
   Mankato State University          |  Secretary's Phone:  (507) 389-2966
   Mankato, MN   56002-8400          |  Fax Number:         (507) 389-5497

Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
From: billg@bony1.bony.com (Bill Gripp)
Subject: Re: how many scales (O, HO, N, ...) are there?
Organization: LA&W RR
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 92 14:36:46 GMT

>NAME   SCALE     OTHER INFORMATION
>----  -------  --------------------------------------------------
  G     1/22.5    LGB and clones.
  ?     1/32      Standard guage on LGB track.
  O     1/48      1/4" per foot!
  S     1/64
  OO    1/84?
> HO    1/87      "Half O scale"; 3.5 mm per 1 foot
  TT    1/120?
> N     1/160
  Z     1/220?

Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
From: matheys@online.cern.ch (Jean-Pol Matheys)
Subject: Experience with Busch's PC-Rail Anyone ?
Reply-To: matheys@online.cern.ch
Organization: CERN - European Laboratory for Particle Physics
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1992 14:29:02 GMT


Dear All,

I have recently seen a very brief description of a new software product
by the German company Busch  (renown for its decor offerings)  which is
called "PC-Rail". This is a layout design tool similar to Edit Track 2,
only better (so it seems). One can get libraries for the track elements
of various manufacturers in different scales, as well as for some decor
buildings from two manufacturers.

Has anyone used it yet ? Is it any good ?

If anyone is interested in more detail,  I have a little more,  so just
ask. Oh, yes, it would cost around 350.- CHF (some 260.- US$).

--
Jean-Pol Matheys

CERN - European Laboratory for Particle Physics    |   Jean-Pol.Matheys@cern.ch
ECP Division  /  Data-acquisition Systems Group    |   matheys@online.cern.ch
CH-1211 Geneva 23                   Switzerland    |   online::matheys
From: ebe+@pitt.edu (Elmer Beachley)
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
Subject: frieght car couplers w/ power pickup
Date: 9 Oct 92 23:14:30 GMT
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
Originator: ebe@unixd3.cis.pitt.edu


Greeting:

I'm toying with the idea of adding electrically actuated couplers
to some HO box cars (kind of a spin-off of the current digital
control activities).  I'm wondering if anyone knows of trucks for
freight cars with power pick ups?

Obviously, trucks for lighted passenger cars would need a track pick-up.
Can this be adapted to current day freight cars?

Thnaks for any info you can provide,

Elmer Beachley etb@unixd3.cis.pitt.edu
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
From: fredm@progress.COM (Fred Mikkelsen)
Subject: Helix in a layout
Summary: I've only heard of a few successful helicies.
Keywords: HELIX ANNOYING DESIGN AROUND ELIMINATE
Organization: Progress Software Corp.
Date: Fri, 9 Oct 1992 14:12:50 GMT

I've been reading on the discussion of the helix. I can only say one
thing:

	 N O T !


A helix would seem to be a good way to gain elevation in tight space,
but to get 24" at 2% you need 100'. Usually, this is totally out of
view. This often is *more* track than the rest of the layout combined.

Additionally, a single helix becomes a total bottleneck. That means
at least two tracks (one for each direction) are needed in the helix.

At my club, we discussed building a helix as a way of achieving double
levels. We arived at some design constraints:

Entering a helix would be done only when it would require an operator
quite a bit of time to get to the next viewing angle. Typically, two
turns would be the maximum.

A Helix is best suited for moving things from a staging area. At the
end of an op session, waiting two minutes to put a train back is worse
than waiting two minutes to get a train out.

People from other clubs that I've heard about using a helix have all
expressed dissatisfaction with the delay factor. Big suggestion...use
a helix as a delay line first, then consider the topological advantages
of double stacking, etc. You'll get better results.
From: sdejour@mksol.dseg.ti.com (stewart l dejournett)
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
Subject: Re: Pulse Power Supplies
Date: 14 Oct 92 12:54:53 GMT
Article-I.D.: mksol.1992Oct14.125453.15033
Organization: Texas Instruments, Inc

In article <1992Oct13.232720.15095@monu6.cc.monash.edu.au> brom@yoyo.cc.monash.edu.au (David Bromage) writes:
>I recommend reading Compleat Model Railway Electronics by Roger Amos. In
>it is the best PWM controller I have ever seen. I built one and it
>eliminates all motor knock noise.

do you have any more info on this book, like publisher, where avaliable from,
cost.  The book sounds like it is from Great Britian does anyone know where
to obtain GB books in the USA??

Thanks
stewart
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
From: rupertb@is.morgan.com (Rupert Brown)
Subject: Re: how many scales (O, HO, N, ...) are there?
Organization: Morgan Stanley - IS
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1992 12:53:27 GMT

Beware the difference between scale and gauge.

In UK we make life difficult for ourselves as follows

4mm - 1ft Scale (approx 1:76) has 3 gauges
OO Gauge (16.5mm) "Toy Trains"
EM Gauge (18.2mm) First attempt at finescale started in 1950's
P4 Gauge (18.83mm) "True" finescale started in late '60s

There are similar finescale derivates for N gauge (2mm) and 
O gauge (7mm)
From: mac@cis.ksu.edu (Myron A. Calhoun)
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
Subject: how many scales (O, HO, N, ...) are there?
Date: 11 Oct 1992 16:53:08 GMT
Organization: Kansas State University, Dept. of Computer Science
Distribution: usa
NNTP-Posting-Host: depot.cis.ksu.edu

Someone who responded to my question about "scale" said (among
other things):

>....I think there are are least 10 or 15 other scales (some are no
>longer made).  It might be a good question to post to the newsgroup.

So how many are there (whether currently in production or not)?
From what I've learned so far, here is a start:

      APPROX.
NAME   SCALE     OTHER INFORMATION
----  -------  --------------------------------------------------
 HO    1/87      "Half O scale"; 3.5 mm per 1 foot
 O     1/43.5    ???; maybe 7 mm per foot???
 N     1/160

Respond by email, and after a reasonable wait I'll post a summary.
--Myron.
-- 
# We preserve our freedoms using four boxes:  soap, ballot, jury, and cartridge.
# Myron A. Calhoun, PhD EE; Assoc. Professor  (913) 539-4448 home
# INTERNET: mac@cis.ksu.edu (129.130.10.5)          532-6350 work, 532-7353 fax
#     UUCP: ...rutgers!depot!mac     Packet-BBS: W0PBV @ K0VAY.#NEKS.KS.USA.NAOM
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad,rec.railroad
From: Joe.Russ <Joe.Russ@mixcom.mixcom.com>
Subject: Trainfest '92 Nov. 14 & 15 in Milwaukee, Wis.
Organization: Milwaukee Internet Xchange BBS, Milwaukee, WI U.S.A.
Distribution: usa
Date: Sat, 10 Oct 1992 05:24:40 GMT


An early reminder that on November 14 & 15, 1992, the Wisconsin
Southeastern (WISE) Division of the National Model Railroad Assocation
(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 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. and Kalmbach Publishing,
and other exhibitors including railroad artists, historical societies,
museums. The show also has a video theater and test track. And there
is plenty of free parking!!!
 
 Donations (NO INCREASE over last year!)
 -----------------------------------
 $4 for adults 
 $3 for seniors and NMRA members
 $2 for children 12-18
 Under 12 free with parent
 
 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 west or south) at 84th
St. and head south. You won't miss the fair park on your left. 
 
Effective as of September 8, 1992, the word Trainfest and it's logo
are registered trademarks of the WISE Division, NMRA. Please pass the
word along to any groups which may be using that name.
 Joe Russ
 WISE Div., NMRA
-- 
Joe.Russ@mixcom.com
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
From: rl@ferris.cray.com (Randy Lambertus)
Subject: Re: Life-Like GP-18 reviews anyone?
Organization: Cray Research, Inc.
Date: 8 Oct 92 05:18:58 CDT

In article <1992Oct6.190626.20989@bony1.bony.com> billg@bony1.bony.com (Bill Gripp) writes:
>In article <1992Oct5.040732.24295@walter.cray.com> rl@ferris.cray.com (Randy Lambertus) writes:
>
>> 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)
>
>From what I understand, among the roads on the next run of GP-18's are
>
>LV - HH w/DB  #302,303
>B&M - LH w/DB #1750,1755
>NYSW - LH w /DB 
>
>But you'll have to change your sig as follows to follow the models
>planned.  =B^]
>
>
 The sig should be good for the Susquehanna models, except the numbers will
be 1802 and 1804, as mentioned by Paul Tupaczewski, member NYSW
Technical and Historical Society.


Randy Lambertus               Cray Research, Region 4            rl@uk.cray.com
*******************************************************************************
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|______________HOB_____________________HOB__________________| |______________HO
:  ||   \  .->|| ||| ||  |    |    |  || ||| ||     /   ||  : :  ||   \  .->|| 
:__||____\ <-'||_|||_||  |____|____|  ||_|||_||    /____||__: :__||____\ <-'||_
]=========path|===|===|===============|===|===|=============[ ]=========path|==
]_____________|___|___|_______________|___|___|_____________[ ]_____________|__
@===========================================================@@@================
_____(o)L_(o)___________________________________(o)L_(o)___________(o)L_(o)____
===============================================================================

**[]****[]****[]****[]****[]****[]****[]****[]****[]****[]****[]****[]****[]***

Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
From: billg@bony1.bony.com (Bill Gripp)
Subject: Re: Life-Like GP-18 reviews anyone?
Organization: LA&W RR
Date: Fri, 9 Oct 92 16:56:07 GMT

In article <1992Oct8.051858.23845@walter.cray.com> rl@ferris.cray.com (Randy Lambertus) writes:
>In article <1992Oct6.190626.20989@bony1.bony.com> billg@bony1.bony.com (Bill Gripp) writes:
>>In article <1992Oct5.040732.24295@walter.cray.com> rl@ferris.cray.com (Randy Lambertus) writes:

>>But you'll have to change your sig as follows to follow the models
>>planned.  =B^]
>>
>>
> The sig should be good for the Susquehanna models, except the numbers will
>be 1802 and 1804, as mentioned by Paul Tupaczewski, member NYSW
>Technical and Historical Society.

If you bother to look, you'll see that that is the EXACT change I made.
=B^(


Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
From: afsidgb@cidsv07.Berkeley.EDU (Gerard Burridge)
Subject: HO loco sale
Reply-To: afsidgb@cid.aes.doe.CA
Organization: Environment Canada
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 92 22:32:18 GMT

A friend and I recently bought a 'collection' of HO locos; we've
taken what we want and now would lke to get rid of the rest.

We have 125+ of both current and previous production models, mostly
diesel andsome small steam(Mantua mainly), some might be considered
collectable(hnady term if it doesnt run?). Example run the gamut
from toy type(Life-Like,Tyco,Bachmann, etc) to quality makes(Atlas,
Stewart) with athearn, Spectrum, Proto2000 in between. Even
some Lionel, AmericanFlyer, Marx, Revell, PennLine, and so on.

Will send a list to any email request for it.

-- 
 Gerry Burridge                        afsidgb@cid.aes.doe.ca
 Canadian Meteorological Centre        Tel.: 514-421-4646
 2121 North Service Road - #404        Fax.: 514-421-4639
 Dorval, Que.  -  H9P 1J3                             
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
From: Joe.Russ <Joe.Russ@mixcom.mixcom.com>
Subject: Re: Weathering Techniques
Organization: Milwaukee Internet Xchange BBS, Milwaukee, WI U.S.A.
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 08 Oct 1992 17:54:31 GMT


You may want to try Kalmbach's "Scenery for Model Railroads" (or
whatever it's called) for some ideas. I also think Bob Hayden had an
article in MR a year or so back during the Cripple Creek series on how
to weather rolling stock. You may want to check that out (good series
for beginners, anyways). If happen to be in the Milwaukee, Wis. area
on October 25 (which I doubt) the Wisconsin Souteathern (WISE)
Division of the NMRA will be haveing a meet at the Waukesha County
Technical College and Jeff Wilson from MR's Paint Shop column will be
giving a slide clinic on weathering. 
  Joe R.
  WISE Div., NMRA
-- 
Joe.Russ@mixcom.com
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
From: kollerd@pasture.ecn.purdue.edu (David R Koller)
Subject: Track cleaning cars
Organization: Purdue University Engineering Computer Network
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1992 05:57:44 GMT


   OK, net railroaders, what is your opinion of track-cleaning cars?  Our
model railroad club here is looking for a way to reduce the "elbow-grease"
required to keep the track clean.  I've seen various articles in the hobby
press about adding Masonite pads to the bottoms of freight cars, etc., as well
as some ready-to-run commercial track cleaning cars.  Has anyone had success
with any of these things?

Dave Koller
Vice-Prez, Purdue Railroad Club
From: 737ochs@gw.wmich.edu
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
Subject: Re: Track cleaning cars
Date: 12 Oct 92 11:31:00 EST
Organization: Western Michigan University

In article <1992Oct12.055744.3516@noose.ecn.purdue.edu>, kollerd@pasture.ecn.purdue.edu (David R Koller) writes:
> 
>    OK, net railroaders, what is your opinion of track-cleaning cars?  Our
> model railroad club here is looking for a way to reduce the "elbow-grease"
> required to keep the track clean.  I've seen various articles in the hobby
> press about adding Masonite pads to the bottoms of freight cars, etc., as well
> as some ready-to-run commercial track cleaning cars.  Has anyone had success
> with any of these things?

Well, I've had good experience with the Masonite pad on the bottom of the car.
If you have one of these on yor trains most of the time, it seems to help quite
a bit. They do add a little drag, but not too much.

For those who don't know what this method is, you take a piece of Masonite,
and cut it about 1-2 inches long, and a little narrower than a box car, but
wider than the guage of track you are running on. Drill 2 holes in the bottom
of your car, (usually a boxcar), then glue 2 nails, points up, to fit in the
holes under the boxcar. It looks like this:
(Note: it also helps to taper , as in the side view. It helps reduce problems
going over switches and crossings)

  |      |             +---------+
  |      |             |       O |
  |      |             |         |
__|______|__           | O       |
\__________/ <-taper   +---------+
            both sides
 side view              top view

Fred Ochs
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
From: jpurbric@nyx.cs.du.edu (John Purbrick)
Subject: Throttle with voltage feedback (re: pulse power)
Organization: Nyx, Public Access Unix @ U. of Denver Math/CS dept.
Date: Sat, 10 Oct 92 05:11:18 GMT


With regard to the ongoing discussion about pulse power, there is an 
alternative which is getting popular in Britain. This is a throttle 
("controller" in local parlance) which uses an essentially flat waveform
but chops a chunk out of this periodically and uses the time interval to let
the motor coast, acting as a generator. The voltage so generated is stored
in a sample-hold circuit and is used as feedback for a closed-loop amplifier
which produces the dc waveform. The best-known throttle of this type is 
called the "Pentroller", named for the Pendon museum, which was an early
user. 

I don't know the timing characteristics of the Pentroller but the sampling 
time would presumably have to be long enough to let the current kept 
flowing by the motor's inductance die away, before a voltage measurement 
could be made. Frequency of measurements probably doesn't have to be very 
high. 

It must be fun to put your hand on a locomotive running with one of these
things and feel it "fight back" when you try to slow it down!

John Purbrick