Digest

Sent: Sunday, January 1, 2017 7:42 PM

Subject: RE: [S-Trains] Re: For sale: tank car for crash site

A doom cover would be perfect for a crash site

I need a black doom cover. If the car has the doom cover I would like to have it. Please email me degreen60@...

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78725	From: D. Scott MacKenzie	Date: 1/1/2017
Subject: Re: For sale: tank car for crash site

Doom as in catastrophe – it was a typo dome (I am assuming) instead of doom. I thought doom would be appropriate for a crash site

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Sunday, January 01, 2017 9:00 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [S-Trains] Re: For sale: tank car for crash site

I give up; what is a doom cover?

Sent: Sunday, January 1, 2017 7:42 PM

F1568-18B-30B-Transformer-Service-Manual-Lo-Res-003-e1394708872706.jpg

Subject: RE: [S-Trains] Re: For sale: tank car for crash site

A doom cover would be perfect for a crash site

I need a black doom cover. If the car has the doom cover I would like to have it. Please email me degreen60@...

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78726	From: rick flaherty	Date: 1/1/2017
Subject: Re: Happy New Year

Bets to all of you, too.

Rick

From: <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> on behalf of "boss31@... [S-Trains]" <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>

Reply-To: <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Sunday, January 1, 2017 at 11:32 AM
To: <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [S-Trains] Happy New Year

Best wishes to all of you for 2017

Steve Blackburn
S-'n'S Trains

Boise, Idaho

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78727	From: richs009	Date: 1/1/2017
Subject: Re: Help with AF 19B Transformer

There have been two "definitive" - yet contradictory statements about how the deadman control works, i.e., does the carbon roller stay in contact with the secondary winding of the transformer even when the control lever is "up" (released). I happened to have handy a 15B transformer, which should act as a good surrogate for all of the deadman control transformers (15B, 16B, 17B, 18B (dual), 19B and 30B (dual) - based on the parts and wiring diagrams in the K-line service manual.

The short answer is that you are right regarding the answer to your second question. The longer answer is below.

So, pulling the case off the transformer, one sees that indeed the Contact Arm and roller (item #26 in the parts diagram and list) is lifted off the secondary windings (raised up about about a quarter of an inch, or so). Its clear that when the case is assembled the deadman control level pushes down on this arm - via the Contact Arm and Stud Assembly (item #20) - when the deadman control level is pushed down. Likewise, when it is up (release), it releases the downward pressure on the control arm/roller, which is a piece of spring copper and that arm then springs up away from the transformer winding and the roller looses contact.

The 'definitive' clue about how this works is the fact that the wire that supplies the 6-15 volts runs directly from that contact arm/roller assembly (item #26) to the 6-15 volt binding post (via the ammeter, in the case of the 19B). There are NO other wires running to the turret or in any other location that would indicate some other 'switch' that is connected to the deadman lever.

So if your contact arm/roller assembly is in contact with the transformer winding when the case is off, I suggest bending up that arm (carefully) so the roller is off the transformer winding. Before reassembling the case, I'd push down on that arm several times just to make sure it springs back up when the pressure is released. One other assembly note, you will see that the Contact Arm and Stud assembly (item #20) has two downward facing tabs where that assembly contacts the contact arm/roller assembly (#26). Make sure that you line up the #20 assembly so those two tabs will come down on either side of the contact arm (#26) when the case is put back on.

Hope this helps

- Rich

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78728	From: rudypenne	Date: 1/2/2017
Subject: Re: Help with AF 19B Transformer

In reply to this, before you bend anything. Think about this; The deadman control is "the missing"switch Rich talks about. When the handle is down there is power to the binding post, Which keeps your forward & reverse locked in place. The reason being the deadman control is really there for forward & reverse.The two handled transformers have no forward or reverse switches.

This is easy to check with a volt meter. There should always be voltage to the track as long as the deadman is down.Lift it & there is no voltage to the track.

Mike in Ore

In a message dated 1/1/2017 10:55:20 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, S-Trains@yahoogroups.com writes:

There have been two "definitive" - yet contradictory statements about how the deadman control works, i.e., does the carbon roller stay in contact with the secondary winding of the transformer even when the control lever is "up" (released). I happened to have handy a 15B transformer, which should act as a good surrogate for all of the deadman control transformers (15B, 16B, 17B, 18B (dual), 19B and 30B (dual) - based on the parts and wiring diagrams in the K-line service manual.

The short answer is that you are right regarding the answer to your second question. The longer answer is below.

So, pulling the case off the transformer, one sees that indeed the Contact Arm and roller (item #26 in the parts diagram and list) is lifted off the secondary windings (raised up about about a quarter of an inch, or so). Its clear that when the case is assembled the deadman control level pushes down on this arm - via the Con tact Arm and Stud Assembly (item #20) - when the deadman control level is pushed down. Likewise, when it is up (release), it releases the downward pressure on the control arm/roller, which is a piece of spring copper and that arm then springs up away from the transformer winding and the roller looses contact.

The 'definitive' clue about how this works is the fact that the wire that supplies the 6-15 volts runs directly from that contact arm/roller assembly (item #26) to the 6-15 volt binding post (via the ammeter, in the case of the 19B). There are NO other wires running to the turret or in any other location that would indicate some other 'switch' that is connected to the deadman lever.

So if your contact arm/roller assembly is in contact with the transformer winding when the case is off, I suggest bending up that arm (carefully) so the roller is off the transformer winding. Before reassembling the case, I'd push down on t hat arm several times just to make sure it springs back up when the pressure is released. One other assembly note, you will see that the Contact Arm and Stud assembly (item #20) has two downward facing tabs where that assembly contacts the contact arm/roller assembly (#26). Make sure that you line up the #20 assembly so those two tabs will come down on either side of the contact arm (#26) when the case is put back on.

Hope this helps

- Rich

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78729	From: degreen60	Date: 1/2/2017
Subject: Re: Help with AF 19B Transformer

Attachments :

F1568-18B-30B-Transformer-Service-Manual-Lo-Res-002-e1394708814718.jpg

Here is the parts manual with a wiring diagram. There are no switches to the track. Lifting the handle allows the carbon roller to lift off the winding which open the circuit to the track.

The switch number 36 is a power switch and shuts off the transformer.

If the carbon roller touches all the time the handle will not shut off voltage to the track as it should when raised.

@@attachment@@

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78730	From: The Upstairs Train	Date: 1/2/2017
Subject: Re: 934 floodlight car repair

Thanks to all who offered suggestions. As usual, the group really came through! Really good input.

All I had been able to come up with on my own is Doug's suggestion, but I was afraid hit it hard enough to remove it, just in case that was not the right thing to do.

Bob Graves

Brasseur Electric Trains - American Flyer S Gauge Parts

On Jan 1, 2017, at 7:32 AM, Don Abrams donabrams@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Since you have to take it apart -- use 2 wires while you're at it. The second wire bypasses the mechanical connection from the socket to the housing to the yoke screws to the yoke to the chassis to the other truck. Just solder the wire from the rear of the bulb bracket and then solder the other end to the rivet of the other truck. This eliminates the annoying flicker, but puts function over originality. The factory should have done it that way. Use fine gauge superflex wire.

Don

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78731	From: Kenneth Clark	Date: 1/2/2017
Subject: Re: Can we End this insanity? Was: Help with AF 19B Transformer [2 A

Lifting the handle does not lift the carbon roller, it merely opens the circuit. Note a wiring diagram does
not necessarily show mechanical functions like levers etc...

The handle is a knife switch, simple illustration and link below

https://store.schoolspecialty.com/OA_HTML/xxssi_ibeGetWCCImage.jsp?docName=F3850717&Rendition=Large

Frey Scientific Single-Pole Double-Throw Electrical Knife Switch

Frey Scientific Single-Pole Double-Throw Electrical Knife Switch

Raise the lever and the switch is opened and no power flows.

The roller rotates as the handle is rotated, but there IS ZERO VERTICAL movement unless the case is broken.

Kenneth R. Clark
P.O. Box 212454

Chula Vista, CA 91921

-----Original Message-----
From: degreen60@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Mon, Jan 2, 2017 10:50 am
Subject: Re: [S-Trains] Re: Help with AF 19B Transformer [2 Attachments]

Here is the parts manual with a wiring diagram. There are no switches to the track. Lifting the handle allows the carbon roller to lift off the winding which open the circuit to the track.

The switch number 36 is a power switch and shuts off the transformer.

If the carbon roller touches all the time the handle will not shut off voltage to the track as it should when raised.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78732	From: rudypenne	Date: 1/2/2017
Subject: Re: Can we End this insanity? Was: Help with AF 19B Transformer

As was my point...Mike

In a message dated 1/2/2017 12:53:16 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, S-Trains@yahoogroups.com writes:

Lifting the handle does not lift the carbon roller, it merely opens the circuit. Note a wiring diagram does
not necessarily show mechanical functions like levers etc...

The handle is a knife switch, simple illustration and link below

https://store.schoolspecialty.com/OA_HTML/xxssi_ibeGetWCCImage.jsp?docName=F3850717&Rendition=Large

Raise the lever and the switch is opened and no power flows.

The roller rotates as the handle is rotated, but there IS ZERO VERTICAL movement unless the case is broken.

Kenneth R. Clark
P.O. Box 212454

Chula Vista, CA 91921

-----Original Message-----
From: degreen60@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Mon, Jan 2, 2017 10:50 am
Subject: Re: [S-Trains] Re: Help with AF 19B Transformer [2 Attachments]

Here is the parts manual with a wiring diagram. There are no switches to the track. Lifting the handle allows the carbon roller to lift off the winding which open the circuit to the track.

The switch number 36 is a power switch and shuts off the transformer.

If the carbon roller touches all the time the handle will not shut off voltage to the track as it should when raised.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78733	From: wema103	Date: 1/2/2017
Subject: Re: Turntables for S Scale?

Thanks All!

Very helpful answers! :)

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78734	From: David Dewey	Date: 1/2/2017
Subject: Happy New Years & Tank car "dooms"

Yes, Happy New Years all!

So, if your tank cars have “dooms” instead of “domes” Does this make a string of tank cars a mortuary train? (Doom-doom-da-doom. . . .)

OK, I’ll go back to fixing trains now. . . . .

Run ‘em if ya got ‘em!

David D.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78735	From: damills18055	Date: 1/2/2017
Subject: Re: 934 floodlight car repair

I also have a floodlight repair to do and am sure it is the wire that goes to the bottom of the socket inside the housing. So I feel the same need to remove the socket that is swaged in place. Unfortunately, mine is the less common and more expensive chrome version with the die-cast generator. When I attempt to remove this, it must be very carefully. So if a Dremel is used, which bit is used and how? Once removed and repaired, how do I reattach the socket back in the housing?

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78736	From: henry_betz	Date: 1/2/2017
Subject: Hanks S Gauge Trains

I have put together a homage layout to my home town, Willow Grove, PA. Pictures are posted under Hanks S layout.

It tells of growing up on a nursery/farm/greenhouse environment just outside of town and many important items are on the dining room table layout. My house, my cousin's house, the rental house, the barn, the greenhouse, the tree lot, the train station remarkably similar to Mystic station, Reading Railroad commuter cars (should be electrified in the 50's) Davisville Rd. connecting the farm to town. The Willow Grove Amusement Park. The 55 bus line - ended at train station. (Wish the rt. 6 trolley line fit on the table.The line terminated at WG Park. I have a Corgi PTC and motor designated Rt. 6 Willow Grove.)

I hope you enjoy my nostalgia trip.

Best, Happy New Year,

Hank Betz

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78737	From: zemouse2001	Date: 1/3/2017
Subject: Re: Hanks S Gauge Trains

Hank, I loved it. Heck, even my wife liked it! Double heck - she might even let me do something similar!

Bob Groh

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78738	From: Nick Colleran	Date: 1/3/2017
Subject: Re: Can we End this insanity? Was: Help with AF 19B Transformer [2 A

I have repaired several 19B transformers and other "Deadman" types. I have never seen one that operates as a simple knife switch. It is correct that the parts diagrams do not show everything, including the mechanical and electrical variations over the years. In earlier versions the roller arm is mounted to the coil assembly; later, to the turret arm. However, in all that I have seen the roller rises from the secondary winding when the handle is lifted. This can we verified by pushing the center metal piece in the turret with the handle removed. - Nick Colleran

Sent from my iPad

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78739	From: degreen60	Date: 1/3/2017
Subject: Re: Can we End this insanity? Was: Help with AF 19B Transformer [2 A

I was the American Flyer train repairman for the Lionel-American Flyer distributor in my area. You are 100% correct. If you have the version with the roller arm mounted to the coil assembly you can take the top cover off and run a train by pushing the lever down making roller contact touch the winding.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78740	From: David Dewey	Date: 1/3/2017
Subject: Dead Man Handle--how it works!! PS

I forgot to mention, the handle itself is NOT a knife switch—there is no electrical connection between the handle and the post it pushes down, although the post is “live”—so yes, one could possibly get a shock by touching the handle in the down position and the base post. In the up position, the roller is not making any electrical connection, so the post is dead then. Probably it wouldn’t be allowed to be done that way nowadays. although adding a non-conductive surface for the handle to push on would electrically isolate the handle. Interesting that this detail passed the UL inspection.

S’

David D.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78741	From: David Dewey	Date: 1/3/2017
Subject: Dead Man Handle--how it works!!

OK folks, I’ve been doing these repairs since my high school days, including replacing carbon rollers on transformers.

1) There are NO switches on the deadman controller transformers that turn off the track current. I’m not talking about the very late 5-digit transformers with the all-plastic handles and the red toggle switches above the handles, only the turret Deadman type transformers.

2) The variable portion of the transformer output—the surface the roller rides on has NO dead spots to interrupt the circuit—unless something has damaged the transformer core.

3) Lifting the deadman handle allows the spring loaded carbon roller mechanism to lift free of the variable coil, thus breaking the circuit—no matter where the handle is (ie: at any voltage going to the track).

4)Properly adjusted, the roller should contact the core just as the handle reaches the hold-down clip—so that one can operate the transformer, but if one’s hand slips off the handle, it raises up and shuts off the train—just like a dead-mans lever on a real locomotive. By pushing the handle down further, it “locks” on.

THE ONLY WAY THE DEADMAN CONTROL SHUTS OFF THE POWER TO THE TRACK IS BY LIFTING THE CARBON ROLLER OFF THE TRANSFORMER CORE. Transformers with a panel mounted on-off switch turns off the transformer entirely, shutting off the fixed voltage too. Sorry for the “shouting” but this question seems to just drag on and on.

Now, for a permanent layout, I recommend adding a normally closed push button to the variable voltage lead to the track to use as a shut off, instead of raising and lowering the handle, which, if clipped in does put a lot of strain on the turret and this stuff isn’t getting any younger. I Have purchased some spring loaded toggle switch that I plan to use that allows me to turn off the power to the track or to momentarily put the full fixed voltage to the track to sequence the reverse unit (yes, I still use the ACG mechanical units!). I found these at some on-line surplus site, so I don’t know where to suggest one can find more.

OK, now back to running trains!!

S’incerely,

David Dewey

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78742	From: sgaugian	Date: 1/3/2017
Subject: SHS SW Universal Set - need ball with hole and 2 pegs

Hello Fellow S-Trains Enthusiasts,

Happy New Year! Best wishes to you and yours for a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2017. I have a broken SHS SW9. It needs a Universal Set (Part #7 on page 20 of the Operating Manual, originally $5.00) — more specifically, one of the balls with a hole through it and two pegs protruding from it. The one on the rear truck of this engine is split and spins on the gear box drive shaft. Do you have either a full Universal Set or just one or two of the ball joints? Thanks.

Best regards,

Dave

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78743	From: richs009	Date: 1/3/2017
Subject: Re: Can we End this insanity? Was: Help with AF 19B Transformer

Gosh (Ken and Mike), I won't claim omniscience, but I'm quite certain about my (recent) previous post -- that raising the deadman handle allows the carbon roller to lift up above the transformer winding (by virtue of releasing the pressure on the spring copper arm). There simply are no other wires running to any other switches inside the transformer that are connected to the deadman arm and plunger, so the only way the 6-15VAC circuit is broken is by allowing the carbon roller to lift above the transformer secondary winding. There certainly is no knife switch inside the housing.

Some time ago I repaired both my 18B and 30B transformers, so I've been inside the housing before, but I couldn't recall for certain how the deadman handle/circuit worked. So I pulled out the 15B and pulled the cover off, as I reported a day or so ago. And, as noted in my earlier post, what 'sealed the deal' for my understanding - besides seeing that the roller was not in contact with the winding - was seeing that the wire running to the 6-15V post came directly from that contact arm - no other switches in the circuit...

- Rich

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78744	From: danceswithwolves49	Date: 1/4/2017
Subject: Re: SHS SW Universal Set - need ball with hole and 2 pegs

I don't have the parts you need but can offer some suggestions. With a little work and ingenuity I believe you could solve your problem. Firstly check Walthers. They may have sufficient parts in O or HO scale to rebuild your drive system. Secondly you could try shimming using round tubing and epoxy it to the parts in question. In any event years ago a modeler would many times fabricate something that would work.

Bob Lampe

Kalispell, MT

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78745	From: sgaugian	Date: 1/4/2017
Subject: Re: SHS SW Universal Set - need ball with hole and 2 pegs

Thanks. I'm very familiar with workarounds and that sort of thing using shop materials and tools such as 0.001" brass shims, etc., but I first like to see if I can find the original part or something suitable. Thanks for the tip to try Walthers. Others have suggested NWSL. They too might have something suitable. I'm looking into that.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78746	From: Kenneth Clark	Date: 1/4/2017
Subject: Re: SHS SW Universal Set - need ball with hole and 2 pegs

Dave,
I'm the moderator for the repower and regear modeling forum. In our experience when a lightly used model breaks a universal set it is generally the result of a poor design.
Replacing with the same just repeats the problem. Lately the problem has been with 2mm drive shafts as more and more model motors have 2mm motor shafts compared
to the stouter 2.4mm motor shafts used for decades. My suggestion is to measure the shaft diameter and then post the results. There are numerous replacement universal sets
available for 2.4mm shafts. A photo of the broken universal set could help as well. For 2mm shafts the options are more limited.

Kenneth R. Clark
P.O. Box 212454

Chula Vista, CA 91921

-----Original Message-----
From: davidghorn@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tue, Jan 3, 2017 3:13 pm
Subject: [S-Trains] SHS SW Universal Set - need ball with hole and 2 pegs

Hello Fellow S-Trains Enthusiasts,

Best regards,

Dave

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78747	From: sgaugian	Date: 1/7/2017
Subject: Re: SHS SW Universal Set - need ball with hole and 2 pegs

Thanks Ken and others who provided me input and suggestions on this topic. I ordered some universal joint parts from NWSL. Hopefully the horned-ball included with them for 2.4mm shafts will work. They’re on their way. I’ll let you know.

Ken, I understand your point about using the same parts that failed in the first place and expecting different results is the definition of insanity, not to mention a waste of time. However, manufacturers can and do learn from their mistakes. American Models, for example, fortunately still makes replacement parts for their engines available for purchase. Among those are universal joint kits. Among those are at least one that I'm aware of via Ron B that they ever so slightly enlarged the ID of some components after learning over the years they were just a tiny bit too tight and prone to splitting.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78748	From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com	Date: 1/7/2017
Subject: SUNDAY EVENING S CHAT, Sunday, 08 January 2017

Attachments :

"SUNDAY EVENING S CHAT" reminder

When

Sunday, 08 January 2017

05:00 PM to 11:30 PM
(GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)

Where

http://myflyertrains.org/chat/

Notes

From

S-Trains Calendar

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78749	From: henry_betz	Date: 1/7/2017
Subject: Re: Hanks S Gauge Trains

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the post, and doubly so thanks for the wife's support!

Best,

Hank Betz

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78750	From: Kenneth Clark	Date: 1/7/2017
Subject: Re: SHS SW Universal Set - need ball with hole and 2 pegs

Attachments :

David,

For 2.4mm shafts I recommend Hobbytown of Boston universals, have used them for nearly 40 years in HO and On3

steam models w/o problems. Hobbytown has a new owner who has made parts available again.

The Hobbytown switcher chassis uses a very short, but quiet universal consisting of pinned balls (horned balls?) on a 2.4mm shaft

connected by a short coupling, overall length is only 3/8".

I have found the NWSL universal sets and other engineering plastic universals to be somewhat noisier than

the old Hobbytown universals.

I sell the two universals and spare pinned ball pictured below for $3 plus shipping.

Kenneth R. Clark
P.O. Box 212454

Chula Vista, CA 91921

-----Original Message-----
From: davidghorn@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sat, Jan 7, 2017 4:47 pm
Subject: Re: [S-Trains] SHS SW Universal Set - need ball with hole and 2 pegs

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78751	From: David Horn	Date: 1/8/2017
Subject: Re: SHS SW Universal Set - need ball with hole and 2 pegs

Thanks Ken. They look as though they’d work. I’ll keep them in mind if those from NWSL do not. Also for in the future. Do you have a web site for Hobbytown of Boston? Are they part of the Hobbytown chain https://www.hobbytown.com ?

Best regards,

Dave

On Jan 7, 2017, at 8:36 PM, Kenneth Clark <kenrclark@...> wrote:

David,

For 2.4mm shafts I recommend Hobbytown of Boston universals, have used them for nearly 40 years in HO and On3
steam models w/o problems. Hobbytown has a new owner who has made parts available again.

The Hobbytown switcher chassis uses a very short, but quiet universal consisting of pinned balls (horned balls?) on a 2.4mm shaft
connected by a short coupling, overall length is only 3/8".
I have found the NWSL universal sets and other engineering plastic universals to be somewhat noisier than
the old Hobbytown universals.

I sell the two universals and spare pinned ball pictured below for $3 plus shipping.

<HobbytownShortUniversal.JPG>

Kenneth R. Clark
P.O. Box 212454
Chula Vista, CA 91921

-----Original Message-----
From: davidghorn@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sat, Jan 7, 2017 4:47 pm
Subject: Re: [S-Trains] SHS SW Universal Set - need ball with hole and 2 pegs

Thanks Ken and others who provided me input and suggestions on this topic. I ordered some universal joint parts from NWSL. Hopefully the horned-ball included with them for 2.4mm shafts will work. They’re on their way. I’ll let you know.

Ken, I understand your point about using the same parts that failed in the first place and expecting different results is the definition of insanity, not to mention a waste of time. However, manufacturers can and do learn from their mistakes. American Models, for example, fortunately still makes replacement parts for their engines available for purchase. Among those are universal joint kits. Among those are at least one that I'm aware of via Ron B that they ever so slightly enlarged the ID of some components after learning over the years they were just a tiny bit too tight and prone to splitting.

David Horn
davidghorn@...

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78752	From: David Dewey	Date: 1/8/2017
Subject: Sacramento Great Train show report

Well, the rain didn’t keep folks away from the show. While there weren’t many folks with S there, there we enough that buys could be found. I passed one vendor’s stall as all I saw was some Gargaves Flexible track lengths with nothing else around them. Well, apparently he had some “junk boxes” out of which others pulled, a 313 with large motor for $20, rough in spots, but very restorable, an early SF PA/B running for $20, a milk car for $10—Augh!!! Well, I did plow through the box later and got the milk car platform, rusty, but intact and a NH Lumber car with all the bits, but the wood is water damamged, both for $5. Then at another vendor I asked about “Junk AF” and he said, he’d sold most all of it to one guy, but here were some cars I could have all 5 for $40. Well, if these were “Junk” I don’t want to see what he sold before me, as all good roofwalks, brake wheels and even the nubs for the door latches were there, two GN boxcars, a Pikemaster spotlight car and a green gon. and an MP stock car. One other vendor let me have the last of his “bits” the Union Station door/tower with roof and steps for $20, which completes a station I have.

So, all in all, I did OK, and others did really great!

See ya on Chat?

David D.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78753	From: Kenneth Clark	Date: 1/8/2017
Subject: Re: Sacramento Great Train show report

I'll be at the Great Train Show next week in Pomona, last year there was very little Flyer stuff or bargains.

Kenneth R. Clark
P.O. Box 212454

Chula Vista, CA 91921

-----Original Message-----
From: 'David Dewey' djdewey@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sun, Jan 8, 2017 10:28 am
Subject: [S-Trains] Sacramento Great Train show report

So, all in all, I did OK, and others did really great!

See ya on Chat?

David D.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78754	From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com	Date: 1/8/2017
Subject: SUNDAY EVENING S CHAT, Sunday, 08 January 2017

Attachments :

"SUNDAY EVENING S CHAT" reminder

When

Sunday, 08 January 2017

05:00 PM to 11:30 PM
(GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)

Where

http://myflyertrains.org/chat/

Notes

From

S-Trains Calendar

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78755	From: Frank Emiro	Date: 1/8/2017
Subject: Re: Sacramento Great Train show report

I went to Atlanta yesterday for the 2nd time at the

Atlanta, Georgia – January 7 & 8, 2017

Georgia World Congress Center
285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW
Atlanta, GA 30313 .

WELL IT WAS MY FIRST AND LAST TIME I WOULD GO TO THAT EVENT. 👎

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 8, 2017, at 1:42 PM, Kenneth Clark kenrclark@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

I'll be at the Great Train Show next week in Pomona, last year there was very little Flyer stuff or bargains.

Kenneth R. Clark
P.O. Box 212454

Chula Vista, CA 91921

-----Original Message-----
From: 'David Dewey' djdewey@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sun, Jan 8, 2017 10:28 am
Subject: [S-Trains] Sacramento Great Train show report

Well, the rain didn’t keep folks away from the show. While there weren’t many folks with S there, there we enough that buys could be found. I passed one vendor’s stall as all I saw was some Gargaves Flexible track lengths with nothing else around them. Well, apparently he had some “junk boxes” out of which others pulled, a 313 with large motor for $20, rough in spots, but very restorable, an early SF PA/B running for $20, a milk car for $10—Augh!!! Well, I did plow through the box later and got the milk car platform, rusty, but intact and a NH Lumber car with all the bits, but the wood is water damamged, both for $5. Then at another vendor I asked about “Junk AF” and he said, he’d sold most all of it to one guy, but here were some cars I could have all 5 for $40. Well, if these were “Junk” I don’t want to see what he sold before me, as all good roofwalks, brake wheels and even the nubs for the door latches were there, two GN boxcars, a Pikemaster spotlight car and a green gon. and an MP stock car. One other vendor let me have the last of his “bits” the Union Station door/tower with roof and steps for $20, which completes a station I have.

So, all in all, I did OK, and others did really great!

See ya on Chat?

David D.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78756	From: D. Scott MacKenzie	Date: 1/8/2017
Subject: Re: Sacramento Great Train show report

Next week end is the Great Trainshow in Oaks PA – I will let everyone know how it goes. If it is similar to the one in Timonium MD, there will be S there

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2017 1:57 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [S-Trains] Sacramento Great Train show report

I went to Atlanta yesterday for the 2nd time at the

Atlanta, Georgia – January 7 & 8, 2017

Georgia World Congress Center
285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW
Atlanta, GA 30313 .

WELL IT WAS MY FIRST AND LAST TIME I WOULD GO TO THAT EVENT. 👎

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 8, 2017, at 1:42 PM, Kenneth Clark kenrclark@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

I'll be at the Great Train Show next week in Pomona, last year there was very little Flyer stuff or bargains.
Kenneth R. Clark
P.O. Box 212454
Chula Vista, CA 91921

-----Original Message-----
From: 'David Dewey' djdewey@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sun, Jan 8, 2017 10:28 am
Subject: [S-Trains] Sacramento Great Train show report

Well, the rain didn’t keep folks away from the show. While there weren’t many folks with S there, there we enough that buys could be found. I passed one vendor’s stall as all I saw was some Gargaves Flexible track lengths with nothing else around them. Well, apparently he had some “junk boxes” out of which others pulled, a 313 with large motor for $20, rough in spots, but very restorable, an early SF PA/B running for $20, a milk car for $10—Augh!!! Well, I did plow through the box later and got the milk car platform, rusty, but intact and a NH Lumber car with all the bits, but the wood is water damamged, both for $5. Then at another vendor I asked about “Junk AF” and he said, he’d sold most all of it to one guy, but here were some cars I could have all 5 for $40. Well, if these were “Junk” I don’t want to see what he sold before me, as all good roofwalks, brake wheels and even the nubs for the door latches were there, two GN boxcars, a Pikemaster spotlight car and a green gon. and an MP stock car. One other vendor let me have the last of his “bits” the Union Station door/tower with roof and steps for $20, which completes a station I have.
So, all in all, I did OK, and others did really great!
See ya on Chat?
David D.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78757	From: Frank Emiro	Date: 1/8/2017
Subject: Re: Sacramento Great Train show report

Sounds good 👍. I will attend the Big E the last weekend of this month and love that event and yes LOTS OF S GAUGES TOO.

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 8, 2017, at 3:52 PM, 'D. Scott MacKenzie' kb0fhp@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Next week end is the Great Trainshow in Oaks PA – I will let everyone know how it goes. If it is similar to the one in Timonium MD, there will be S there

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2017 1:57 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [S-Trains] Sacramento Great Train show report

I went to Atlanta yesterday for the 2nd time at the
Atlanta, Georgia – January 7 & 8, 2017
Georgia World Congress Center
285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW
Atlanta, GA 30313 .

WELL IT WAS MY FIRST AND LAST TIME I WOULD GO TO THAT EVENT. 👎

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 8, 2017, at 1:42 PM, Kenneth Clark kenrclark@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

I'll be at the Great Train Show next week in Pomona, last year there was very little Flyer stuff or bargains.
Kenneth R. Clark
P.O. Box 212454
Chula Vista, CA 91921

-----Original Message-----
From: 'David Dewey' djdewey@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sun, Jan 8, 2017 10:28 am
Subject: [S-Trains] Sacramento Great Train show report

Well, the rain didn’t keep folks away from the show. While there weren’t many folks with S there, there we enough that buys could be found. I passed one vendor’s stall as all I saw was some Gargaves Flexible track lengths with nothing else around them. Well, apparently he had some “junk boxes” out of which others pulled, a 313 with large motor for $20, rough in spots, but very restorable, an early SF PA/B running for $20, a milk car for $10—Augh!!! Well, I did plow through the box later and got the milk car platform, rusty, but intact and a NH Lumber car with all the bits, but the wood is water damamged, both for $5. Then at another vendor I asked about “Junk AF” and he said, he’d sold most all of it to one guy, but here were some cars I could have all 5 for $40. Well, if these were “Junk” I don’t want to see what he sold before me, as all good roofwalks, brake wheels and even the nubs for the door latches were there, two GN boxcars, a Pikemaster spotlight car and a green gon. and an MP stock car. One other vendor let me have the last of his “bits” the Union Station door/tower with roof and steps for $20, which completes a station I have.
So, all in all, I did OK, and others did really great!
See ya on Chat?
David D.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78758	From: mike boyd	Date: 1/8/2017
Subject: Re: Sacramento Great Train show report

Hi Dave, the other guy who bought all the junk was me. Same guy you bought the cars from. Here are some parts sites I know of' also the site for the cloth covered wire, Chuck's Trains

American Flyer Trains

Portlines

SSS Supplies

Hobby Surplus Sales

http://chuckstrains.com/Wire_c278.htm

Wire

American Flyer Trains

Brasseur Electric Trains - American Flyer S Gauge Parts

American Flyer S Gauge repair and replacement parts.

From: "Frank Emiro femiro2002@... [S-Trains]" <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, January 8, 2017 10:56 AM
Subject: Re: [S-Trains] Sacramento Great Train show report

I went to Atlanta yesterday for the 2nd time at the

Atlanta, Georgia – January 7 & 8, 2017

Georgia World Congress Center
285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW
Atlanta, GA 30313 .

WELL IT WAS MY FIRST AND LAST TIME I WOULD GO TO THAT EVENT. 👎

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 8, 2017, at 1:42 PM, Kenneth Clark kenrclark@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

I'll be at the Great Train Show next week in Pomona, last year there was very little Flyer stuff or bargains.

Kenneth R. Clark
P.O. Box 212454

Chula Vista, CA 91921

-----Original Message-----
From: 'David Dewey' djdewey@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sun, Jan 8, 2017 10:28 am
Subject: [S-Trains] Sacramento Great Train show report

Well, the rain didn’t keep folks away from the show. While there weren’t many folks with S there, there we enough that buys could be found. I passed one vendor’s stall as all I saw was some Gargaves Flexible track lengths with nothing else around them. Well, apparently he had some “junk boxes” out of which others pulled, a 313 with large motor for $20, rough in spots, but very restorable, an early SF PA/B running for $20, a milk car for $10—Augh!!! Well, I did plow through the box later and got the milk car platform, rusty, but intact and a NH Lumber car with all the bits, but the wood is water damamged, both for $5. Then at another vendor I asked about “Junk AF” and he said, he’d sold most all of it to one guy, but here were some cars I could have all 5 for $40. Well, if these were “Junk” I don’t want to see what he sold before me, as all good roofwalks, brake wheels and even the nubs for the door latches were there, two GN boxcars, a Pikemaster spotlight car and a green gon. and an MP stock car. One other vendor let me have the last of his “bits” the Union Station door/tower with roof and steps for $20, which completes a station I have.

So, all in all, I did OK, and others did really great!

See ya on Chat?

David D.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78759	From: D. Scott MacKenzie	Date: 1/8/2017
Subject: Re: Sacramento Great Train show report

What is the BIG E?

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2017 4:32 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [S-Trains] Sacramento Great Train show report

Sounds good 👍. I will attend the Big E the last weekend of this month and love that event and yes LOTS OF S GAUGES TOO.

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 8, 2017, at 3:52 PM, 'D. Scott MacKenzie' kb0fhp@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Next week end is the Great Trainshow in Oaks PA – I will let everyone know how it goes. If it is similar to the one in Timonium MD, there will be S there

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2017 1:57 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [S-Trains] Sacramento Great Train show report

I went to Atlanta yesterday for the 2nd time at the
Atlanta, Georgia – January 7 & 8, 2017
Georgia World Congress Center
285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW
Atlanta, GA 30313 .

WELL IT WAS MY FIRST AND LAST TIME I WOULD GO TO THAT EVENT. 👎

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 8, 2017, at 1:42 PM, Kenneth Clark kenrclark@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

I'll be at the Great Train Show next week in Pomona, last year there was very little Flyer stuff or bargains.
Kenneth R. Clark
P.O. Box 212454
Chula Vista, CA 91921

-----Original Message-----
From: 'David Dewey' djdewey@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sun, Jan 8, 2017 10:28 am
Subject: [S-Trains] Sacramento Great Train show report

Well, the rain didn’t keep folks away from the show. While there weren’t many folks with S there, there we enough that buys could be found. I passed one vendor’s stall as all I saw was some Gargaves Flexible track lengths with nothing else around them. Well, apparently he had some “junk boxes” out of which others pulled, a 313 with large motor for $20, rough in spots, but very restorable, an early SF PA/B running for $20, a milk car for $10—Augh!!! Well, I did plow through the box later and got the milk car platform, rusty, but intact and a NH Lumber car with all the bits, but the wood is water damamged, both for $5. Then at another vendor I asked about “Junk AF” and he said, he’d sold most all of it to one guy, but here were some cars I could have all 5 for $40. Well, if these were “Junk” I don’t want to see what he sold before me, as all good roofwalks, brake wheels and even the nubs for the door latches were there, two GN boxcars, a Pikemaster spotlight car and a green gon. and an MP stock car. One other vendor let me have the last of his “bits” the Union Station door/tower with roof and steps for $20, which completes a station I have.
So, all in all, I did OK, and others did really great!
See ya on Chat?
David D.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78760	From: henry_betz	Date: 1/8/2017
Subject: Re: Prices Falling

Hi,

Can you tell me if the S Hudson 322 SIT is supposed to chuff, and if so does it push the smoke through the stack in rhythm to the axle revolutions?

Thanks,

Hank Betz

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78761	From: henry_betz	Date: 1/8/2017
Subject: Re: Prices Falling

Does that switch also delete the chuff?

Hank Betz

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78762	From: The Laniers	Date: 1/8/2017
Subject: Re: Prices Falling

What does this thread have to do with prices falling?

Sent: Sunday, January 8, 2017 5:38 PM

http://hobbytownofboston.com/

Subject: Re: [S-Trains] Re: Prices Falling

Does that switch also delete the chuff?

Hank Betz

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78763	From: snstrains	Date: 1/8/2017
Subject: 322 SIT

Yes it chuffs and no it isn't connected to the wheel RPM. It is solely voltage operated. Switch on bottom shuts off and turns on the motor that drives the bellows and send current to the smoke wick.

Steve Blackburn
Boise, Idaho

In a message dated 1/8/2017 3:30:15 P.M. Mountain Standard Time, S-Trains@yahoogroups.com writes:

Hi,

Can you tell me if the S Hudson 322 SIT is supposed to chuff, and if so does it push the smoke through the stack in rhythm to the axle revolutions?

Thanks,

Hank Betz

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78764	From: ken garber	Date: 1/9/2017
Subject: Re: Digest Number 7286 - 'Hobbytown' Drives

Not the same.

Here's what you're looking for:

Also:

http://www.micromark.com/universal-couplings-set-of-4,8435.html

They also list http://www.micromark.com/universal-coupling-kit,9637.html which looks like a variation on Athearn drives.

NWSL carries bushings for reducing shaft fittings at http://www.nwsl.com/uploads/chap5_web_01-17.pdf

ken G.

On Mon, Jan 9, 2017 at 4:55 AM, <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
There are 13 messages in this issue.

Topics in this digest:

1a. Re: SHS SW Universal Set - need ball with hole and 2 pegs
From: David Horn

Messages
______________________________ ______________________________ ____________
1a. Re: SHS SW Universal Set - need ball with hole and 2 pegs
Posted by: "David Horn" davidghorn@... sgaugian
Date: Sun Jan 8, 2017 10:27 am ((PST))

Thanks Ken. They look as though they’d work. I’ll keep them in mind if those from NWSL do not. Also for in the future. Do you have a web site for Hobbytown of Boston? Are they part of the Hobbytown chain https://www.hobbytown.com ?

Best regards,

Dave
> On Jan 7, 2017, at 8:36 PM, Kenneth Clark <kenrclark@...> wrote:
>
> David,
>
> For 2.4mm shafts I recommend Hobbytown of Boston universals, have used them for nearly 40 years in HO and On3
> steam models w/o problems. Hobbytown has a new owner who has made parts available again.
>
> The Hobbytown switcher chassis uses a very short, but quiet universal consisting of pinned balls (horned balls?) on a 2.4mm shaft
> connected by a short coupling, overall length is only 3/8".
> I have found the NWSL universal sets and other engineering plastic universals to be somewhat noisier than
> the old Hobbytown universals.
>
> I sell the two universals and spare pinned ball pictured below for $3 plus shipping.
>
> <HobbytownShortUniversal.JPG>
>
>
>
> Kenneth R. Clark
> P.O. Box 212454
> Chula Vista, CA 91921
>
>
>

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78765	From: danceswithwolves49	Date: 1/10/2017
Subject: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE

Having suffered 2 mini-strokes and 4 heart attacks in just over 2 weeks back in 2010 my memory still isn't the best but is improving. I may have brought this up before and if I did please forgive me. Many times I see reference to S gauge and other times S scale. When I was in HO scale, and many decades younger, and had not even gotten into high school yet and went into a hobby shop in another town(we had no hobby shops in my home town) asking for some HO gauge (I pronounced it like a garden tool) track. I was immediately corrected to the fact it was aitch-owe scale and that gauge was the distance between the rails which led to a complete rundown on the various rail gauges. Now come to today. I see, as I stated previously, S gauge and S scale. Do these terms differentiate between American Flyer and Scale models or does it really matter? Just for the record I am a scale modeler. Not knocking anybody it's just my preference.

Bob Lampe

Kalispell, MT

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78766	From: sgaugian	Date: 1/10/2017
Subject: Re: Do you know how to upgrade an SHS SW9 headlight to LED? Thanks.

Just to close the loop. I received and tested CL2 20mA LED drivers from Mouser. I configured one as shown in the data sheet using a 20mA 3mm white LED, 100 nF capacitor, and 1N4001 diode to block reverse voltage. I applied only DC voltage as recommended. The LED illuminated with as little as 5.0VDC from the transformer which was 2.33VDC across the CL2. The LED got brighter as more power was applied, until the transformer hit about 9.3VDC which correlated to 5.1VDC across the CL2. From 9.3 to 16.3VDC from the transformer the LED intensity or brightness remained fairly constant as one would expect for a 5 to 90 voltage operating range driver.

As it ended up, I decided to use a 680 ohm resistor along with a 1N4001 diode since the results of that were sufficient for the purposes of these engines. I will, however, l keep the use of LED drivers in mind for future projects.

Thanks again for your help, input, and expertise.

David Horn

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78767	From: sgaugian	Date: 1/10/2017
Subject: Re: SHS SW Universal Set - need ball with hole and 2 pegs

The horned-ball or pegged-ball from NWSL arrived yesterday and it works great (P/N 481-6).

Thanks to help from several of you and others, these two scale ACL SHS SW9’s have been successfully converted to hi-rail wheels and AF KC’s, upgraded to LED directional lighting (instead of their original GOW bulbs), as well as enabled to run as one engine thanks to a tiny detachable four-conductor flat cable installed between them. That allows them to leverage 16-wheel pick-up and use the reverse unit in one engine to control both at the same time. They look and run very nicely together. S-Helper engines are great, but their reverse units don’t stay synched very well when run as multi-units. They tend to get out of synch and fight each other, so cabling them together helps. [American Models reverse units for some reason are more dependable/predictable.]

PS I realize they could be made to run with TMCC/Legacy or DCC and achieve the same or similar multi-unit results, but the owner of these engines runs their trains conventionally and requested they be set up this way.

David Horn

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78768	From: snstrains	Date: 1/10/2017
Subject: Re WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE

Depends on the context in which it is used....

Steve Blackburn
Boise, Idaho

In a message dated 1/10/2017 5:31:39 A.M. Mountain Standard Time, S-Trains@yahoogroups.com writes:

Having suffered 2 mini-strokes and 4 heart attacks in just over 2 weeks back in 2010 my memory still isn't the best but is improving. I may have brought this up before and if I did please forgive me. Many times I see reference to S gauge and other times S scale. When I was in HO scale, and many decades younger, and had not even gotten into high school yet and went into a hobby shop in another town(we had no hobby shops in my home town) asking for some HO gauge (I pronounced it like a garden tool) track. I was immediately corrected to the fact it was aitch-owe scale and that gauge was the distance between the rails which led to a complete rundown on the various rail gauges. Now come to today. I see, as I stated previously, S gauge and S scale. Do these terms differentiate between American Flyer and Scale models or does it really matter? Just for the record I am a scale modeler. Not knocking anybody it's just my pr eference.
Bob Lampe

Kalispell, MT

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78769	From: Kenneth Clark	Date: 1/10/2017
Subject: Re: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE

Bob,

Generally when there are "tinplate" models and scale models running on the same gauge track, scale or proto will

distinguish those models running on wheels with finer flanges and profiles. With Lionel and O scale; the typical

identification is 3rd Rail and 2 Rail. With Flyer/S gauge it is typically Hi-Rail and 'scale'. S Scale has three different

gauges that have substantial followings, "S" standard gauge, Sn3 Narrow gauge (PBL & Tomalco), Sn3.5 New

Zealand standard gauge that runs on HO Standard gauge track (much like On30) (I know other parts of the English

speaking world also used 3'6" gauge, known as bastard gauge in this country). Some "S" manufacturers have produced

track that will allow use of both Hi-Rail and Scale models; but it is a challenge.

Kenneth R. Clark
P.O. Box 212454

Chula Vista, CA 91921

-----Original Message-----
From: danceswithwolves49@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tue, Jan 10, 2017 4:31 am
Subject: [S-Trains] WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE

Bob Lampe

Kalispell, MT

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78770	From: Dale Smith	Date: 1/10/2017
Subject: Re: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE

First of all, your hobby shop education was correct. Gauge is the distance between the rails (7/8" in S) and Scale is the proportion of the model to the real thing (1/64 the size of the real thing or 3/16" to the foot in S). Where confusion comes is the snobbery of some S scale enthusiasts who insist that American Flyer is not "S Scale." Only their more finely scaled models are deserving of the label "S Scale." So they refer to American Flyer as "S Gauge." There a few American Flyer items that are obviously out of scale, such as the Franklin, the handcar, and some later items, but generally most Flyer is at least rough scale. In my view, most AF and "Scale models" are S scale and both run on S gauge track. The difference is the greater attention to detail in the "scale" side of S. The difference is Fine Scale versus Rough Scale, but for the most part it is still scale, at 1/64 the size of the real thing.

Dale Smith

On 1/9/2017 11:15 PM, danceswithwolves49@... [S-Trains] wrote:

Having suffered 2 mini-strokes and 4 heart attacks in just over 2 weeks back in 2010 my memory still isn't the best but is improving. I may have brought this up before and if I did please forgive me. Many times I see reference to S gauge and other times S scale. When I was in HO scale, and many decades younger, and had not even gotten into high school yet and went into a hobby shop in another town(we had no hobby shops in my home town) asking for some HO gauge (I pronounced it like a garden tool) track. I was immediately corrected to the fact it was aitch-owe scale and that gauge was the distance between the rails which led to a complete rundown on the various rail gauges. Now come to today. I see, as I stated previously, S gauge and S scale. Do these terms differentiate between American Flyer and Scale models or does it really matter? Just for the record I am a scale modeler. Not knocking anybody it's just my preference.

Bob Lampe

Kalispell, MT

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78771	From: racin510	Date: 1/10/2017
Subject: Re: Re WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE

Hmmm ... nice to know for sure how to pronounce 'HO'! ACG pre war would be S scale on 0 gauge, post war S scale on S gauge or close enough for the multitudes of us who are not scale perfectionists

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78772	From: mrstumpy50	Date: 1/10/2017
Subject: Re: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

All of the previous postings are correct, which in itself can be confusing. As stated, "Gauge" is distance between the rails, while "scale" is the size proportion of the model to the real item. At the shop I used to work at we originally separated "Toy" and "Model" trains to different sides of the store in the front half of the building (we also carried most other hobbies which filled out the rest.) Later we rearranged this, but that's another story!

"Toy" trains were also known as "Tinplate" trains, a name that recalls the pre-WWII era when toy trains were made of stamped sheet metal. Another designation for Toy trains was "Hi-rail" because toy track uses taller than accurate rail heights for the bigger wheel flanges that help toy trains to stand the play of children. That part of the store featured new and used Lionel, MTH, Marx, Weaver, Williams, and other O gauge, three rail trains, and American Flyer S gauge trains.

Then there was the "Model" train side which included "accurate" scale model trains running on the correct rail height track. We carried what O scale two rail which remained, S, HO, N, and when it appeared Z scales. We eventually added On30 and a little HOn30, the so called "bastard" narrow gauges, but never carried the accurate HOn3 or On3 versions. Aside from O and S gauges, there were no "Toy" trains in these sizes.

There is a third possibility that was called "Hi-rail" in the early days of model railroading in the 1930's. This originally meant using manufactured trucks and couplers of Toy trains while everything else was scratch built to "scale" standards. In that era there was no "train hobby industry" to support the manufacture of "scale" model items. That industry evolved as the hobby itself did.

Today "Hi-rail" has taken on a similar but different meaning. Because so many modern "Toy" trains are being made to semi-correct scale yet run on the same track as the same manufacturers' Toy trains, they fit the designation "Hi-rail." And then there are those folks in S who practice "Hi-rail" using American Flyer compatible trucks and couplers under scale correct locomotives and rolling stock. S Helper and American Models made this easy by vending scale cars with either scale or "Flyer compatible" trucks and couplers.

I'm into S "Hi-rail" because I use "Flyer compatible" trucks and coup[lers under "scale" cars. I rebuild old American Flyer steam locos from junk box finds with added details and custom paint. Since I do train shows, and prize reliable operation highly, "Hi-rail" works quite well for the hours and hours of public operation. I can walk away and let my "Hi-rail" trains run, but wouldn't dare do that with my HO, HOn30, and On30 trains even at home!

I've had BOTH "Toy" people and "Scale" people tell me this is a "bastardization." I also do HOn30 and On30, called "bastard" scales. This doesn't bother me too much because I've been called much worse, especially when I was a Stock Car racing official! :-)

Stumpy Stone in Ohio ...See y'all at the S Spree May 5th and 6th!

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78773	From: Dale Smith	Date: 1/10/2017
Subject: Re: Re WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE

Your point about prewar flyer is a good one. I even know someone who calls it "Flyer O-S."

Dale Smith

On 1/10/2017 1:29 PM, racin510@... [S-Trains] wrote:

Hmmm ... nice to know for sure how to pronounce 'HO'! ACG pre war would be S scale on 0 gauge, post war S scale on S gauge or close enough for the multitudes of us who are not scale perfectionists

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78774	From: Bob Moyer	Date: 1/11/2017
Subject: AF Diecast Atlantic

Good Morning to All,

I need a little help with a AF diecast Atlantic 440. the one with the wire handrails etc. A little backround before I get into the issue. November 2015 we downsized from our home around Philadelphia PA to our place close to Naples FL. So we got rid of a lot of "stuff" but not my trains. I did get busted though. As I was moving the boxes of trains from the basement to the truck my wife found out how many I actually have. OOPs. They all went into storage along with the other "stuff" we moved down. For Christmas I was asked if I could put up some of the trains around the tree at our community pool house. I was happy to do it. Everyone young, old, and in between enjoyed the layout. I even had a guy who had a story about his AF trains disappearing when he was young by an evil stepfather. Being Christmas I ended up giving him a Steam Engine. The look on his face was priceless. That's my Christmas story.

I did get a chance to inventory and clean up my trains. I came across a 440 with a tin tender with the NY NH & H Herald but upon looking further I noticed on one side the herald is in the correct place front side in the corner of the tender. On the other side its on the rear corner of the tender. Looks like a old factory mistake maybe done on a Friday afternoon. The tender looks clean and original. Are there any other "mistakes" out there that we know of? Do you think the value would be affected in a positive way? I'm not looking to sell it. It's just a "Hey look at this engine" moment. Any comments would be appreciated.

Regards

Bob Moyer

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78775	From: Don Abrams	Date: 1/12/2017
Subject: Re: AF Diecast Atlantic

How about a photo? It would be interesting to see! The NY, NH & H tender was plastic and most commonly came with the 293 4-6-2 Pacific. Die cast 4-4-2 Atlantics (1-pc or 4-pc) usually came with sheet metal tenders and I don't think they ever carried the NY, NH & H herald. Tenders with 4-wire harnesses could be easily interchanged between engines.
Don

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78776	From: John Davis	Date: 1/12/2017
Subject: Re: AF Diecast Atlantic

Bob: Your words individually make sense, but combined they don't correlate into any consistent experience that I've had with American Flyer S Gauge. Die-cast Atlantics exist, but they are 4-4-2's (that's what makes them "Atlantics") not 4-4-0's. The NYNH& H tender has always been behind #293 Pacifics or their later 5 digit successor. The shell for such tenders will readily mount on Atlantic tender frames made to go with the plastic shells, as will the CNW shell and the Casey Jones tenders. It sounds to me as if you have a factory defect on stamping a re-purposed tender shell, unless someone later bungled the application of NYNHH dry transfers or decals, being pulled behind a diecast Atlantic that lost its trailing truck somewhere in the mists of time. As a kid in the 50's I was guilty of such switcheroos as I preferred the metal Atlantic shell to the plastic, and had to open up tenders just to see what was in there (plastic U with embedded steel pegs to add weight for the pick-up wheels). You may even have a Frontiersman chassis in a Atlantic shell, if the wheels are red or blue. The archaeology of these old trains is part of the fun, I think. My train pal friends and I wouldn't pay anything for a fangled tender shell, but there may be a variation collector out there that is stoked but such anomalies. Put the tender shell on eBay and see if your ship comes in.

All the best, John Davis Noblesville IN

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78777	From: degreen60	Date: 1/12/2017
Subject: Re: AF Diecast Atlantic

Would be best to post pictures of what you have. I have seen lots of American Flyer mods. Including a gulf tank car with Crane Naval sticker on it. I have an Atlantic 302 with a 0-8-0 boiler front and a Marx NYC tender mounted on a K5 tender bottom. I am not a collector but have a layout for kids to play with so I look for junk at fleas markets and yard sales to fix for the layout.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78778	From: john isn't eddie anymore	Date: 1/12/2017
Subject: Re: AF Diecast Atlantic

Amato (aka Hobby Surplus) in New Britain, CT has been selling NYNH&H 293 tender shell for decades. John Marganski

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78779	From: Bob Moyer	Date: 1/12/2017
Subject: Re: AF Diecast Atlantic

I think the laptop has a keyboard problem. I typed 442 and it came out 440 LOL! Yes it possibly was a tender swap sometime in the past. As for putting it on Ebay to see if my ship comes in, well I think my ships the Titanic. I ain't never coming in!

Regards

Bob Moyer

On Thu, Jan 12, 2017 at 11:32 AM, John Davis wyoaf@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Bob: Your words individually make sense, but combined they don't correlate into any consistent experience that I've had with American Flyer S Gauge. Die-cast Atlantics exist, but they are 4-4-2's (that's what makes them "Atlantics") not 4-4-0's. The NYNH& H tender has always been behind #293 Pacifics or their later 5 digit successor. The shell for such tenders will readily mount on Atlantic tender frames made to go with the plastic shells, as will the CNW shell and the Casey Jones tenders. It sounds to me as if you have a factory defect on stamping a re-purposed tender shell, unless someone later bungled the application of NYNHH dry transfers or decals, being pulled behind a diecast Atlantic that lost its trailing truck somewhere in the mists of time. As a kid in the 50's I was guilty of such switcheroos as I preferred the metal Atlantic shell to the plastic, and had to open up tenders just to see what was in there (plastic U with embedded steel pegs to add weight for the pick-up wheels). You may even have a Frontiersman chassis in a Atlantic shell, if the wheels are red or blue. The archaeology of these old trains is part of the fun, I think. My train pal friends and I wouldn't pay anything for a fangled tender shell, but there may be a variation collector out there that is stoked but such anomalies. Put the tender shell on eBay and see if your ship comes in.

All the best, John Davis Noblesville IN

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78780	From: Doug Peck	Date: 1/12/2017
Subject: Re: AF Diecast Atlantic

HSS will stamp a plastic Atlantic tender shell with any original markings you choose.

BUT, the tender shells they use are the LATE Atlantic tender shells that accepted the 2-pin plastic plug from the engine, and those, of course, were only used with plastic Atlantics with the later 2-position rvs unit on the back of the motor. The location where the receptacle would be located is empty, so you’ll always recognize it by the large rectangular opening in the front of the tender shell. Every “repro” tender shell I have ever seen from them was of this type. Anybody ever seen otherwise??????

Doug Peck
Port Lines Hobby Supply
6 Storeybrooke Drive
Newburyport, MA 01950-3408
doug@...
www.portlines.com
Phone Order Hours - Monday through Thursday: 2-5 PM (EST) only. No other availability.
978-465-8798 (Questions & Information)
1-888-708-0782 (Phone Orders only, please.)
VISA-MASTERCARD-DISCOVER-AMEX-PAYPAL-CHECK-MONEY-ORDER Accepted.

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2017 2:58 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [S-Trains] Re: AF Diecast Atlantic

Amato (aka Hobby Surplus) in New Britain, CT has been selling NYNH&H 293 tender shell for decades. John Marganski

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78781	From: racin510	Date: 1/12/2017
Subject: Northern ElectroCoupler Issues

Has anyone experienced the coupler not working, or better is it working for everyone but me? Either one or two taps on the left side button, as with the Berk, and no sound or action. I want to be sure I'm trying everything and that it works for others before sending it back.
Love the unadvertised addition of smoke at stand still and the notch-less throttle.

Rick

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78782	From: George Cohn	Date: 1/12/2017
Subject: Sound module

For those who like to build accessories for their trains, here is an
interesting module that lets you record sounds and play them back:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ8hSw7UBEY

I built one some years ago using an older version of the chip and loaded
in several of the sounds from the original talking stations.

The module can be found on eBay. A typical one is
:http://www.ebay.com/itm/310708349542?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
for as little at $4.28. You can also control it from an Arduino or
Raspberry Pi so it can be automated.

A great way to update those talking stations and eliminate wearing out
those precious 78 rpm records!

George Cohn

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78783	From: chuck_7612	Date: 1/12/2017
Subject: Re: Northern ElectroCoupler Issues

Read this on another forum...

"To operate it hold down the middle sound (announcement) button (shows a microphone and the word SHIFT) and at the same time depress the bell button (also shows a coupler image). The rear coupler will open."

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78784	From: hobbycj1	Date: 1/12/2017
Subject: Re: Northern ElectroCoupler Issues

Hi-- Try pressing the shift button as you use the uncoupling button. It seeme to work. Also the shift button adjusts the sound volume. I think the smoke at idle is awesome!

Thanks CJB

Clement J Bianchi

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78785	From: Jim Strompolis	Date: 1/13/2017
Subject: Train O Rama 790

Does anybody have spare panels for this?I am looking for Corner Section E left side store building.Thanks Jim

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78786	From: David Dewey	Date: 1/13/2017
Subject: Tender shells

That reverse-stamped tender might be a factory mistake, so there would be someone out there interested-although the interest might only be to trade you a “normal” shell (maybe 2 for 1).

As to the HSS shells, I don’t know if you can call them “reproductions” when, AFAIK, they are just leftover shells from the factory sale—he must have bought a bin or bins of them. It makes sense, as once you set up an injection molding machine, it’s cheaper to mold 1000 items than 50 items (per item cost) and the basic shell was used for many different locomotives, so I’m certain ACG made a BUNCH of them at once, and held them for later production. They obviously didn’t get very far in the manufacturing process, as they don’t have the receptacles installed (and those were deleted in very late production with direct-wired engines). Late shells also have the slots molded in them for the late chassis that used no screws. More assembly cost savings!

The whole ACG production cost reductions and shared parts system is worth a study in itself!

Run ‘em if ya got ‘em!

David D.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78787	From: Stanley Sobieski	Date: 1/13/2017
Subject: Re: Tender shells

Hi Dave

I am looking for plastic Hudson tender shells do you have them or know anyone that dose??????

Thanks stan

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Friday, January 13, 2017 2:07 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [S-Trains] Tender shells

That reverse-stamped tender might be a factory mistake, so there would be someone out there interested-although the interest might only be to trade you a “normal” shell (maybe 2 for 1).

The whole ACG production cost reductions and shared parts system is worth a study in itself!

Run ‘em if ya got ‘em!

David D.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78788	From: Doug Peck	Date: 1/13/2017
Subject: Re: Tender shells

Assuming you were directing this email to me, I THINK I still have at least one of these.

USED

HUDSON TENDER SHELL (SIB); Black resin; (PA9312); Prewar repro, but can be used postwar; steps are cast on. Unlettered; New

$35.00

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Friday, January 13, 2017 7:35 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [S-Trains] Tender shells

Hi Dave

I am looking for plastic Hudson tender shells do you have them or know anyone that dose??????

Thanks stan

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Friday, January 13, 2017 2:07 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [S-Trains] Tender shells

That reverse-stamped tender might be a factory mistake, so there would be someone out there interested-although the interest might only be to trade you a “normal” shell (maybe 2 for 1).

The whole ACG production cost reductions and shared parts system is worth a study in itself!

Run ‘em if ya got ‘em!

David D.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78789	From: David Dewey	Date: 1/14/2017
Subject: Re: Tender Shells

Stan,

Looks like Doug P. has one! Otherwise, you ARE looking for something almost made of Unobtainium. It’s too bad Amato didn’t find a bin of them too.

David

Hi Dave

I am looking for plastic Hudson tender shells do you have them or know anyone that dose??????

Thanks stan

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78790	From: D. Scott MacKenzie	Date: 1/14/2017
Subject: Oaks Train Show

I went to the Oaks train show today. It was a good turn-out and parking was sparse. There was a lot of HO and N as to be expected. There were only a few tables with AF or S present. Not many bargains. I didn’t pick up a single thing except the 2017 Greenburg Price book.

The only layouts were a huge G layout (lots of fun to watch), and two N-gauge modules. There was also a nice HO module layout from two different clubs that made a huge layout. Half was an interesting set up depicting a steel mill.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78791	From: americanflyer	Date: 1/14/2017
Subject: Re: Tender Shells

Yes would be worth there weight in gold thanks

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

-------- Original message --------

From: "'David Dewey' djdewey@... [S-Trains]" <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>

Date: 1/14/17 4:35 PM (GMT-05:00)

To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com

Subject: [S-Trains] RE: Tender Shells

Stan,

Looks like Doug P. has one! Otherwise, you ARE looking for something almost made of Unobtainium. It’s too bad Amato didn’t find a bin of them too.

David

Hi Dave

I am looking for plastic Hudson tender shells do you have them or know anyone that dose??????

Thanks stan

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78792	From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com	Date: 1/14/2017
Subject: SUNDAY EVENING S CHAT, Sunday, 15 January 2017

Attachments :

"SUNDAY EVENING S CHAT" reminder

When

Sunday, 15 January 2017

05:00 PM to 11:30 PM
(GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)

Where

http://myflyertrains.org/chat/

Notes

From

S-Trains Calendar

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78793	From: racin510	Date: 1/14/2017
Subject: Re: Northern ElectroCoupler Issues

Affirmative, that's how the coupler activates. Just a little weird but not as weird as 'LLC' not even acknowledging
the electrocoupler feature in their operating manual; I'm not sure that they realize the engine smokes at idle yet.
For those who haven't sprung for this Northern, it runs great, smokes at 13v, which increases dramatically up thru 17v. Just put lots of fluid in as, like the Berk, it eats the stuff. The choo choo sounds more like a hammer, but maybe that is realistic; not as nice a sound as the Berk. Too bad they didn't get smart enough to offer it in the UP Greyhound colors as I think that would have sold very very well.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78794	From: poniaj	Date: 1/14/2017
Subject: Help with my Berk

Fellow S Gaugers,

Many of you know that I am not a fan of Lionel, but I have a problem with my C&O Berk. It quit smoking. I cannot sent it back for repair since it's out of the warranty period. So I decided to look into it myself. Even before taking it apart, the smoke unit itself heats up and smoke drifts from it, so the element is OK. When I disassembled it, I determined that the little motor that drives the fan also works when I applied 3V to it (since I wasn't sure of its requirement, that's all I dared apply). So it seems like whatever triggers the fan isn't working. So further disassembly was in order. I thought there was some sort of cam on the axle operating a micro switch, but there wasn't. So does anybody know how it's triggered? I suspect some sort of electronic timing through the speed control disc on the rear of the motor. Is there any way to fix this particular feature? Which particular electronic components would fail and cause the malfunction? I would like the thing to smoke as advertised, but can live without it if it will cost too much to fix.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Jerry Poniatowski
Wayne, MI

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78795	From: henry_betz	Date: 1/14/2017
Subject: Re: 322 SIT

Thanks Steve,

Now I need to figure out where to get a new bellows, I think. If some other mischief plays into no chuff when the motor in the tender is operating, please fill me in.

Thanks,

Hank Betz

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78796	From: snstrains	Date: 1/15/2017
Subject: Re: 322 SIT

Bellows material is available from dealers such as Port Lines Hobby, Tripple S, and others. A really good material is from an old umbrella. It is super flexible and very durable. Another good option is to replace the bellows with an after market smoke cylinder-piston setup. (I have some of those). Coincidentally, I just repaired a 322 SIT yesterday.

Steve Blackburn
Boise, Idaho

In a message dated 1/14/2017 11:17:41 P.M. Mountain Standard Time, S-Trains@yahoogroups.com writes:

Thanks Steve,

Now I need to figure out where to get a new bellows, I think. If some other mischief plays into no chuff when the motor in the tender is operating, please fill me in.

Thanks,

Hank Betz

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78797	From: carl4flyer	Date: 1/15/2017
Subject: Re: Help with my Berk

It is possible for the fan motor not to run when pulsed but still run with a dc source for testing.

You need to measure the voltage at the fan motor with a meter while running on the bench to be sure.

Motors can be dry or defective this way.

You are correct that the pulses are derived from the tach pulses from the flywheel.

It could be mother board is bad or a wiring or connector issue?

Carl

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Saturday, January 14, 2017 11:03 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [S-Trains] Help with my Berk

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78798	From: americanflyer	Date: 1/15/2017
Subject: Re: 322 SIT

Hi steve try portlines doug peck may have them good luck stan

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

-------- Original message --------

From: "henry_betz@... [S-Trains]" <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>

Date: 1/14/17 10:16 PM (GMT-05:00)

To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com

Subject: [S-Trains] Re: 322 SIT

Thanks Steve,

Now I need to figure out where to get a new bellows, I think. If some other mischief plays into no chuff when the motor in the tender is operating, please fill me in.

Thanks,

Hank Betz

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78799	From: allscalerails	Date: 1/15/2017
Subject: All Scale Rails Issue #12 Jan / Feb 2017

All Scale Rails

Issue #12

Jan / Feb 2017

has just hit the internet!

www.AllScaleRails.com

All Scale Rails Issue 12 January Febuary 2017 72DPI

www.AllScaleRails.com

Included in this issue: KATO's Module Contest, Artist Rick Borrett, The Twin Cities"400" Ghost Train, The Sawtooth Road Layout, How-To: Unreal Details' Magic Water, Trainfest 2016, Swinging Bridge, C&O Railroad Engine House Thurmond WV Blueprints.

Visit us on Facebook & Twitter to stay up-to-date on all current events and newest product releases!

Striving to Preserve & Inspire,

Bonnie & Kevin
www.allscalerails.com
www.facebook.com/allscalerails
www.twitter.com/allscalerails

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78800	From: poniaj	Date: 1/15/2017
Subject: Re: Help with my Berk

Thanks, Carl. I'll put a mulitmeter on the leads on the motor, then on the motor's leads from the board. Report later.

Jerry

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78801	From: damills18055	Date: 1/15/2017
Subject: Re: Help with my Berk

Not sure if you know our good friend Tom Barker who has written a few books about repairs to American Flyer and is a Flyer enthusiast. He had a Polar Express set from Lionel which has the standard option of the smoke quitting just about the time the warranty ends. He took it apart and found the wicking material to be very sparse and browned. Apparently when they assemble these, not much care is given to how. He repacked it with new material, spun glass like the old angel hair Xmas decoration, and fixed it. He has a video describing the process which I'll try to post here so that it may help you. Unfortunately it is posted on Facebook and unless you are on there, you may not be able to see it...but let's try. If not, let me know and I'll contact Tom to get a YouTube Video of it.....

Tom Barker - Re-wicking the Polar Express smoke unit. | Facebook


	Tom Barker - Re-wicking the Polar Express smoke unit. \| Facebook Re-wicking the Polar Express smoke unit.
	View on www.facebook.com	Preview by Yahoo

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78802	From: Doug Peck	Date: 1/15/2017
Subject: Re: Help with my Berk

My son increased the smoke production greatly, right after he got his set, by just replacing a resistor with a different value. He didn't concern himself with voiding his warranty.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone

-------- Original message --------
From: "donald.mills@... [S-Trains]" <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Date: 01/15/2017 11:08 AM (GMT-05:00)
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [S-Trains] Re: Help with my Berk

Tom Barker - Re-wicking the Polar Express smoke unit. | Facebook


	Tom Barker - Re-wicking the Polar Express smoke unit. \| Facebook Re-wicking the Polar Express smoke unit.
	View on www.facebook.com	Preview by Yahoo

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78803	From: D. Scott MacKenzie	Date: 1/15/2017
Subject: Re: 322 SIT

What does the SIT stand for?

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Saturday, January 14, 2017 10:16 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [S-Trains] Re: 322 SIT

Thanks Steve,

Now I need to figure out where to get a new bellows, I think. If some other mischief plays into no chuff when the motor in the tender is operating, please fill me in.

Thanks,

Hank Betz

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78804	From: Daryl Olszeski	Date: 1/15/2017
Subject: Re: 322 SIT

Smoke- In-Tender

On 1/15/2017 11:27 AM, 'D. Scott MacKenzie' kb0fhp@... [S-Trains] wrote:

What does the SIT stand for?

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Saturday, January 14, 2017 10:16 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [S-Trains] Re: 322 SIT

Thanks Steve,

Now I need to figure out where to get a new bellows, I think. If some other mischief plays into no chuff when the motor in the tender is operating, please fill me in.

Thanks,

Hank Betz

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78805	From: Bruce R. DeGailler Sr.	Date: 1/15/2017
Subject: Re: 322 SIT

Smoke in Tender.

From: 'D. Scott MacKenzie' kb0fhp@... [S-Trains]

Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2017 9:27 AM

Tom Barker - Re-wicking the Polar Express smoke unit. | Facebook

Subject: RE: [S-Trains] Re: 322 SIT

What does the SIT stand for?

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Saturday, January 14, 2017 10:16 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [S-Trains] Re: 322 SIT

Thanks Steve,

Now I need to figure out where to get a new bellows, I think. If some other mischief plays into no chuff when the motor in the tender is operating, please fill me in.

Thanks,

Hank Betz

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78806	From: D. Scott MacKenzie	Date: 1/15/2017
Subject: Re: 322 SIT

Perfect – thank you. I was looking at the latest Greenberg’s AF Price guide, and I saw the abbreviation and wondered what it meant.

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2017 12:41 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [S-Trains] Re: 322 SIT

Smoke- In-Tender

On 1/15/2017 11:27 AM, 'D. Scott MacKenzie' kb0fhp@... [S-Trains] wrote:

What does the SIT stand for?

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Saturday, January 14, 2017 10:16 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [S-Trains] Re: 322 SIT

Thanks Steve,

Now I need to figure out where to get a new bellows, I think. If some other mischief plays into no chuff when the motor in the tender is operating, please fill me in.

Thanks,

Hank Betz

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78807	From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com	Date: 1/15/2017
Subject: SUNDAY EVENING S CHAT, Sunday, 15 January 2017

Attachments :

"SUNDAY EVENING S CHAT" reminder

When

Sunday, 15 January 2017

05:00 PM to 11:30 PM
(GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)

Where

http://myflyertrains.org/chat/

Notes

From

S-Trains Calendar

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78808	From: Stanley Sobieski	Date: 1/15/2017
Subject: Re: Tender shells

Hi Doug

yes I also sent you an e mail please send also looking for plastic Hudson shell for 21130 engine

thanks stan

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Friday, January 13, 2017 8:45 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [S-Trains] Tender shells

Assuming you were directing this email to me, I THINK I still have at least one of these.

USED

HUDSON TENDER SHELL (SIB); Black resin; (PA9312); Prewar repro, but can be used postwar; steps are cast on. Unlettered; New

$35.00

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Friday, January 13, 2017 7:35 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [S-Trains] Tender shells

Hi Dave

I am looking for plastic Hudson tender shells do you have them or know anyone that dose??????

Thanks stan

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Friday, January 13, 2017 2:07 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [S-Trains] Tender shells

That reverse-stamped tender might be a factory mistake, so there would be someone out there interested-although the interest might only be to trade you a “normal” shell (maybe 2 for 1).

The whole ACG production cost reductions and shared parts system is worth a study in itself!

Run ‘em if ya got ‘em!

David D.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78809	From: Robert Lampe	Date: 1/15/2017
Subject: Re: Help with my Berk

Just a word of caution. Make sure that after your son swapped that resistor that things don't get so hot that they pose a fire danger.

Bob Lampe

Kalispell, MT

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> on behalf of Doug Peck doug@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2017 9:22 AM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [S-Trains] Re: Help with my Berk

My son increased the smoke production greatly, right after he got his set, by just replacing a resistor with a different value. He didn't concern himself with voiding his warranty.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone


	Tom Barker - Re-wicking the Polar Express smoke unit. \| Facebook Re-wicking the Polar Express smoke unit.
	View on www.facebook.com	Preview by Yahoo

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78810	From: racin510	Date: 1/16/2017
Subject: Re: 322 SIT

Bellows material can be found at any decent fabric dealer; use a rubberized fabric. It is heavier than the very thin original stuff and it works and lasts very well. Pliobond, small tube from your local hardware store works well to attach and seal the seam, as does automotive weatherstrip goo by Permatex or 3-M. Once well cured, oil the fabric and squeeze it together in a clamp for a few days to get a fold established in it.

Rick

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78811	From: racin510	Date: 1/16/2017
Subject: Re: Help with my Berk

Hi Jerry,

First off all these Berks came in the same time in December, 2015. My Southern was sent out to me in Seattle by Charles Ro on 12/20/15. My smoke unit fan stopped functioning a week ago. I did what you have done and tore it down and did the tests finding both smoke burner and fan to be working. The cable and all wiring is good so the problem is in the PC board. I found on line there has been a whole lot of bad boards in the PE Berks and this must have carried over to the later ones that we got.

I called Lionel and talked with Katie in Customer Service who had no problem giving me a RA # for return and who said I was still plenty close to warranty period that they have no problem covering it. I just pay shipping back. They should get mine tomorrow. Bottom line you can likely still be covered under warranty and for changing the board I would definitely have them do it. That board is Pt# 691ENG9A01 and it's $55. +sh.
You can ask them to repack the wick at the same time and of course they thoroughly test everything before returning to you. So make the call: 800 454 6635 Ext '0'.

I would not change the resistor regardless as long as it's in the 16-17ohm range. I did repack my wick with much more material than the factory used, just being careful about the air passage for the fan to blow thru. This did improve smoke output, which is good at 13v and increases substantially thru 18v. And, oh yes, all of the smoke activity is controlled by the one board alone, it controls everything.

Rick Gough

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78812	From: poniaj	Date: 1/16/2017
Subject: Re: Help with my Berk

Hi Rick, Carl, et al.,

Thanks for all the suggestions. As stated, I tested both the motor and heater, and they tested out fine. I put an analog voltmeter on the output connector and it registered zero for the motor, never moving from the zero peg, but around 6V for the heating element. Funny, because my digital Radio Shack multimeter was very erratic in its reading, but it may be bad. I trusted the analog one. So it seems like it's a faulty PC board like Carl suspected (and as I feared). My experience with Lionel hasn't been a good one to begin with, but Rick's suggestion of calling them seems the only way to go unless I spring for the part myself ($55 plus S&H !!!). I suspect that my digging into the unit will have voided the warranty, so unlike Rick, I don't expect any positive results. I'm surprised they even HAVE parts for their things. But if you don't call, you'll never know for sure. So thanks for the number, it saved me the trouble of digging for it. If they were still here in nearby Mount Clemens, MI, I'd just pay them a visit... :>)

By the way, while disassembling the thing, one of the screws holding the drive rod to the wheels was loose from the factory. It turned out that the threads in the wheel were stripped and it was loosened even more from running. Since I'm a "parts guy", I've saved screws and hardware from defunct VCRs, copiers, etc. I found a replacement that was a couple millimeters longer, and it works fine. That alone will probably make it so that they won't fix it gratis, like Rick's.

I'll let the forum know what happens.

Jerry Poniatowski
Wayne, MI

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78813	From: racin510	Date: 1/16/2017
Subject: Re: Help with my Berk

Uh Jerry,
Stop being such a pessimist. Lionel's service shop is really quite good as shown by the lack of negatives voiced here. Put the Berk back together as it should be, don't loose the insulating washers on the 4 body screws, and send it to them to fix. Do not tell them you took it apart, though I'm not thinking that would be a deal breaker if you made no modifications.
Aside from replacing the board that I told you is screwed up and repacking the smoke box, ask them to replace the lead wire off the pilot. I've had mine break at the solder joint twice because of the cheap stiff wire they are put together with. They can replace it with a super flexible wire, at least I hope they replace mine so I don't have to do it next time it breaks.
Be real nice when you talk with them!
Rick

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78814	From: henry_betz	Date: 1/16/2017
Subject: Re: 322 SIT

Thanks for the useful information!

Best,

Hank Betz

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78815	From: poniaj	Date: 1/17/2017
Subject: Re: Help with my Berk

Thanks Rick. I was on hold for an hour yesterday with Lionel until I got tired of their music. Maybe because it was MLK day? I'll try again today and be real nice. I always am. But the last time I talked with them was a year ago about my PE and was told they had no parts to fix it. I can't be too optimistic. By the way, the only Lionel items I have that are still working are the older ones without any fancy electronic innards bought on the second hand market. Of the nine I have, six are still working as advertised, and they're the ones that only have the reverse unit with bell and horn. But even my 234 C&O Geep's bell quit working. Not a good track record. My PE set was a complete disaster until Charles Ro did the right thing.

So I assembled the Berk and all is as it was before when the smoke quit. It runs, but no fan action.

I'm a real proponent of the KISS principle. My 1937 Ford hot rod is very old school. No fuel injection, just a good performing carburetor. No power steering or brakes, just well engineered systems. No high tech interior or body modifications, but stock appearance in all regards with radial tires, disc brakes and sway bars.

And a pessimist is never disappointed at the results...

Jerry

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78816	From: butch8339@atlanticbb.net	Date: 1/17/2017
Subject: smoke in berk

I send mine back and got it back I about 3 weeks............same problem
with the smoke.....it smokes now..........and mine was close to the warranty
running out .....but they fixed it any way.....they seem really nice to deal
with

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78817	From: poniaj	Date: 1/17/2017
Subject: Re: smoke in berk

Talked to Meghan and explained the problem. Only waited 10 minutes this time. But with all the stuff I ever save, I cannot find the original receipt from Charles Ro. I guess I'm SOL. I'll write to Ro, but I don't hold out much hope. See what I mean about being a pessimist?

Is it worth the hassle for smoke? At this point, it's doubtful. Glad I don't have anything more complicated.

Jerry

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78818	From: racin510	Date: 1/17/2017
Subject: Re: smoke in berk

Jerry,

Yes SMOKE is one of the best features of these new generation Flyers ... ya gotta have smoke. Charles Ro keeps records of their sales and can easily fax or email a copy of your receipt to you. They did this for me with my Challenger. I like calling them over emailing as this one fellow always answers promptly and wants to help.
Mine was slated for delivery to Lionel Service yesterday, but got in today due to them being closed for a national day of reflection. I promptly got an email acknowledgement from them this morning that my RA had arrived. Ship UPS in original boxes with RA# under the label and don't bother with extra insurance.
When running these electronics it is a must to have a very fast 4-6amp circuit breaker on each line. I found this out the hard way after a messy $230. 2 or 3 board rebuild [post warranty!] of the Challenger. Then my local expert tech hands me these circuit breakers, which pop within 1 second. One reason I really like the FlyerChief concept is it's simplicity over the Legacy, which is real neat, but there is just too much packed in there that can eventually go bad; wonderful locomotives the Mikado, Challenger and the Y-3, but fragile.
Unfortunately the world is so electronically programed that if they had brought back the Northern without FlyerChief it would not have sold. I just wish some day to find a UP Greyhound body to replace my Frisco shell. Anybody got one??!!!

Enjoy,
Rick

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78819	From: David Dewey	Date: 1/17/2017
Subject: MTH F's on the continent!

Over on the O gauge S scale forum “Roundhouse Bill” just posted this

“OK, I just communicated with Andy Edleman at MTH. The container with the engines just cleared customs over the weekend and he hopes to ship me an ABA with 2 powered units and a DCS system tomorrow. I hope to have it by the weekend”

Soooooo. . . . . .

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78820	From: Ben E. Colley	Date: 1/17/2017
Subject: Re: MTH F's on the continent!

When I saw this post, I was hoping that container might contain the Remote Control Switches as well – they were scheduled to be available in January. No such luck, the MTH shipping schedule page now has them with a shipping date of July 2017. I can not for the life of me understand why getting these switches into production is such a big deal. They had a working and shipping design when they bought SHS and yet can not seem to get a product to market. I posted an email question via their ‘contact us’ web page last summer (September) and did not get a response….

It makes no sense to me why they bother putting up a date and then when that date arrives put up another date 6 months down the road. This product has been delayed now for over 3 years; listed in what I think was the initial 2013 catalog. If I had been in charge of a project like this back when I was working, after the second delay someone else would have been put in charge.

The can’t get the product to market and won’t tell customers why…. Frustrating to say the least….

Ben Colley

Mid-Missouri….

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78821	From: Larry Moore	Date: 1/17/2017
Subject: Hudson SIT chassis

To the group: Does anyone have an AF Hudson SIT tender chassis only? I would prefer an early 6 wheel unit. I do not need the SIT guts, just the chassis. Restoring a 321, that somebody butchered the chassis and tender shell from a later model, and converted to an SIT. Thanks

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78822	From: danceswithwolves49	Date: 1/17/2017
Subject: Re: MTH F's on the continent!

They told us 2013 then 2014 then 2015 and 2 dates in 2016. I got frustrated and tired of waiting and cancelled my order for an A-B-A set. If I happen to go in a store and see them in a display case or see a dealer's website stating they are definitely in stock I'll get a set.

Bob Lampe

Kalispell, MT

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78823	From: Tom	Date: 1/18/2017
Subject: Berk smoke units

I've been closely following this thread on smoke units in the Berkshire locomotive. Mine smokes but it the smoke is weak. Are these Berks being returned because of no smoke at all or are some returned even when there is weak smoke?

I'm trying to decide if I should do something for having a weak smoke unit while under warranty or is that problem not covered until smoke stops completely.

Tom Detmer

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78824	From: keyhole_corona	Date: 1/18/2017
Subject: Re: Berk smoke units

If you are using original Flyer transformers that produce only about 15 Volts than the smoke is going to be less than Lionel units that go up to 20+ volts. Lionel designed these engines for higher voltages than original Flyer transformers produce.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78825	From: hobbycj1	Date: 1/18/2017
Subject: Re: Berk smoke units

Make sure your transformer has enough voltage available for these modern Locos. They can require up to 18 volts w/ 2.5 - 3 amps depending on the draw of equipment. My berk smokes great! & the new Northern is even better & smokes at idle, which was a surprise. I wonder if we can convert the Berk to the Northern smoke system.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78826	From: hobbycj1	Date: 1/18/2017
Subject: Re: Berk smoke units

Sorry I forgot to sign Clemente Bianchi

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78827	From: Bill Lane	Date: 1/18/2017
Subject: roller track

Attachments :

About 13 years ago I helped promote and sell a few S Scale roller tracks. I connected with the maker on eBay. It is a beast – about 3 feet long and at least 20 pounds. It is American model sections track. It might work with high rail but I am not guaranteeing it.

I have 8 rollers. I have had my EM1 on it. I had my J1 on it at complete flat out and it was perfectly still – no wobbles. It is a machinists work of art. All thick brass and UHMW plastic.

It is literally sitting here just collecting dust. I have not used it in a while. I just go down and test on the layout now. It is great if you are all jacked about perfect chuff time programming because you can sit with it running right in front of you and watch it. I have been using sound cams so that is not my issue.

I know it cost me over $500.00 with all the extra rollers. I can easily let it sit here collecting dust for another year, but could consider selling it. Shipping it is going to be an issue and an additional cost from South Jersey.

Reply directly with your interest.

Thank You,
Bill Lane

Modeling the Mighty Pennsy, PRSL & Reading in 1957 in S Scale since 1987

See my finished models at:
http://www.lanestrains.com
Look at what has been made in PRR in S Scale!

See my layout progress at:

http://www.lanestrains.com/My_Layout.htm

PRR Builders Photos Bought, Sold & Traded
(Trading is MUCH preferred)
http://www.lanestrains.com/PRRphotos.xls

Join the Pennsylvania Reading Seashore Lines Historical Society
It's FREE to join! http://www.prslhs.com
Preserving The Memory Of The PRSL

@@attachment@@

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78828	From: racin510	Date: 1/18/2017
Subject: Re: Berk smoke units

Call Meagan or Katie at customer service and ask them what to do. If they say to send it back I would do so and in my letter to the tech I would ask that the PC board be replaced as well as the wick be renewed since there is a lot of information to the fact that the boards had problems.

Remember to fill the smoke chamber liberally, not as directed in the manual. 30 drops is no big deal for these units and burning up the wick is easy to do when they run too low on fluid. They should smoke decently at 13v and progressively greater up thru 17v.

Rick

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78829	From: poniaj	Date: 1/18/2017
Subject: Re: Berk smoke units

Gents,

My Berk smoked great up until it quit altogether. The heating unit works since there's a wisp of smoke coming from the stack, just no fan. I'm using a Gilbert 30B which has plenty of power and Super Smoke fluid. My Polar Express, now that it's been repaired for another issue, is and always has smoked enough to please anybody.

I got an RA from Lionel yesterday, and since I lost the original receipt, I emailed Charles Ro, and they sent a pdf letter stating the validity of the purchase. I will try to send it back via UPS tomorrow, and see what happens. I'm keeping an optimistic attitude. Most of you guys seem to have had good luck with Lionel. I don't expect it will take a short time to fix, but I'm in no hurry. I have a layout and many other hobby projects to keep me busy in the meantime.

Jerry

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78830	From: Kenneth Clark	Date: 1/18/2017
Subject: Re: Berk smoke units

Be aware that the larger Flyer transformers were made in both 15 and 18 volt versions

There are differences between 30Bs.

Kenneth R. Clark
P.O. Box 212454

Chula Vista, CA 91921

-----Original Message-----
From: poniaj@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wed, Jan 18, 2017 5:51 pm
Subject: [S-Trains] Re: Berk smoke units

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78831	From: Rance Velapoldi	Date: 1/19/2017
Subject: Re: Berk smoke units

Hi:
Some time in the past, I measured the output of my 'old' flyer transformers (8B, 16B, 30B, etc) and reported the outputs to someone on this list (who was making a table??). I found that the output varied for the individual transformers from 15V ac to around 19V ac (constant output); so some do give 25% more than the "...about 15V..." stated here.
Rance Velapoldi (Tranby, Norway)
ps Of course, I have a stepdown transformer to 110V since we have 220V here in Norway. I don't know if that affected the results; probably not.

On 1/18/2017 22:29, keyhole_corona@... [S-Trains] wrote:

If you are using original Flyer transformers that produce only about 15 Volts than the smoke is going to be less than Lionel units that go up to 20+ volts. Lionel designed these engines for higher voltages than original Flyer transformers produce.

This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
www.avast.com

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78832	From: rick gough	Date: 1/19/2017
Subject: Re: Berk smoke units

Clemente,

Your Berk should smoke well at 14-15v. These engines can run well on just 12v and they rarely need 18v. Less volts = less danger of melting down boards when the inevitable short happens.

I thought about the change of boards, but I wouldn't want my Berk to sound like my Northern, especially since the Berk sounds better!

Rick

rick gough mudshark datsun 510 racing

On Wednesday, January 18, 2017 1:50 PM, "cj@... [S-Trains]" <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

S-Trains@yahoogroups.com is not on your Guest List | Approve sender | Approve domain | Approve S-Trains@yahoogroups.com

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78833	From: chuck_7612	Date: 1/19/2017
Subject: Re: Berk smoke units

Just got mine back. It was less than 2 weeks from the date I shipped it to the date I received it back.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78834	From: poniaj	Date: 1/19/2017
Subject: Re: Berk smoke units

Ken,

According to my multimeter, mine puts out a bit over 18V.

Jerry

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78835	From: Gerry Evans	Date: 1/19/2017
Subject: For Sale GP9 Price Reduced

Attachments :

Am. Models GP9 dressed for Lehigh Valley for sale. Engine has scale wheels and is DC. In addition to the custom paint job and decals, the engine has the following features: brass stanchions & railings, steel lift rings, steel grab irons, steel cut levers, windshield wipers, sun shades, working hinged porches, Kadee 802s, four classification lights constantly lit when under power, headlights directional when under power, extra side-mounted rear-facing horn, four brake line hoses with glad hands, original box and packing and typical AM flawless motion. Maybe one hour on the drive train. $225 + shipping to the lower 48. Please contact me off-list. gerry.evans@...

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78836	From: The Upstairs Train	Date: 1/19/2017
Subject: For sale: two Gargraves right-hand turnouts in OB

I'm not familiar with the Gargraves product line, so I don't know how old they are, but they sure look old. The rails look to be Flyer-compatible with flat tops. The ties are dark brown wood, not the more familiar black.

Each comes in its original box which shows it's age but the instructions and drawing are in great shape, clearly readable.

Picture available upon request.

I have no idea what they're worth so make me an offer.

Bob Graves

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78837	From: Gerry Evans	Date: 1/19/2017
Subject: GP9 For Sale Price Reduction #2

Attachments :

DSCF5202.JPG

Attempt #2 with a better attachment.

@@attachment@@

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78838	From: attic02	Date: 1/19/2017
Subject: Re: For sale: two Gargraves right-hand turnouts in OB

I am interested in them. Please send photos & particulars to my personal email. Ron Petersen attic02@....

Big train show Plano, TX this Saturday & Sunday.

Sent from Samsung Mobile

-------- Original message --------

From: "The Upstairs Train theupstairstrain@... [S-Trains]"

Date:01/19/2017 12:30 PM (GMT-06:00)

To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com

Subject: [S-Trains] For sale: two Gargraves right-hand turnouts in OB

Bob Graves

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78839	From: hspanier2000	Date: 1/19/2017
Subject: Gargraves #803 Pins

Have 84 pins in original packages(7). Free, you pay shipping..

Pls contact me off line only: hspanier@...

Mike

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78840	From: The Upstairs Train	Date: 1/19/2017
Subject: For sale: VHS videos and two books

For sale: VHS videos and two books

Make offer; I'll add actual shipping cost.

The two books are:

The 1990 edition of Greenberg's "American Toy Trains from 1900", listing all the significant collectible manufacturers and a bunch of others that you might not call significant, but omitting LGB and the numerous manufacturers of HO, N, and Z scales (Cover price $17.95)

Lionel's 1990 revision of their classic 1958 book "Model Railroading," which covers everything from benchwork and wiring through photography, buildings, scenery, lineside equipment, and much more (Cover price $12.95).

Both are in like new condition.

I haven't played any of the videos yet, but will check out any that you are interested in before I sell them to you.

Burlington Route Steam Odysseys by Reminiscence Rails (1996) showing their steam-powered excursion service from 1955 through 1966 (58 minutes)

Burlington Route Q connections by Blackhawk films published by A & R Productions in 1993. Burlington's last 4-8-4 excursion from Denver to Colorado Springs in 1963; a day of rail fanning in Galesburg, Illinois, with a parade of the zephyrs and a big 2-10-2; Chicago to Denver on the California Zephyr, connecting with the D & RGW through the Rockies to Salt Lake City; 4-4-0 short line in Iowa. (45 minutes)

"The Tailend" by Rail Innovations. As the caboose was disappearing from freight trains, this was shot on one of the last Canadian National trains with a caboose; great winter scenery, mainline meets, and day & night running. (51 minutes)

World steam classics by GS & a video (1995). Volume 1: Patagonia Express & the old British Raj across India (100 minutes). Volume 2: rails to Arabia, the Hedjaz railway attacked by Lawrence of Arabia (Arabia, Syria, and Lebanon); the Cape to Cairo Railway (115 minutes)

The Iron Road, story of building the first trans continental railroad (58 minutes)

America's Historic Steam Railroads by Goldhil Video (1995) New Hampshire Steam Railroads, Strasburg, Roaring Camp & Big Trees, Cumbres & Toltec (Two hours)

America's Historic Steam Railroads by Goldhil Video (1995) The Georgetown Loop, Railroad in Colorado (30 minutes)

Ghost Train by Camrac studios (73 minutes) the Virginia & Truckee and Nevada Northern.

Evidence of a Dream (1990), an introduction to railroad history at the California state railroad museum (20 minutes)

It'll take me all day to give descriptions like this for all the videos; I give up. For the rest, I'll just give the titles; if one sounds to be of interest, let me know, and I'll send you a more detailed description.

Great American Train Rides volumes one and two (One hour each)

Marathon Steam volumes one through four (Two hours each)
Cahon Pass by Trains Magazine (60 minutes) Orange and pirate museum (1995) 30 minutes

Steam across America volume one and two (1993) by Pentrex (35 minutes each)

Trains Unlimited Steam Trains (1996) by the History Channel (50 minutes)

Trans-Siberia (1995) by Publishers Choice video (55 minutes)

Everywhere West: the Burlington Zephyrs by Sunday River Productions The original Marx toy films (1991) by vivid memory productions (60 minutes)

The Magic of Lionel Trains (1993) TM Books (15 minutes)

Fly Fishing with Cortland Confidence (1991) by Cortland Line Company (30 minutes)

Bob Graves

theupstairstrain@...

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78841	From: Bill Lane	Date: 1/20/2017
Subject: SHS set

A coworker mentioned wanting trains for his kid. He has spent time on my website, and seemingly likes the size of S. I am wondering if anyone has a S Helper Service train set that could be for sale. This would remain hi rail.

Reply directly with what you have.

Thank You,
Bill Lane

Modeling the Mighty Pennsy, PRSL & Reading in 1957 in S Scale since 1987

See my finished models at:
http://www.lanestrains.com
Look at what has been made in PRR in S Scale!

See my layout progress at:

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78842	From: Kenneth Clark	Date: 1/20/2017
Subject: OT - Got Clobbered by OSIRIS Malware

Tuesday,
I had just placed my US mail on vacation hold when I received an e-mail from "USPS indicating a delivery problem. An attachment contained the notice of non-delivery. It was early, and I was tired and when I went to investigate the pdf attachment, Express-Zip opened the pdf attachment which had a hidden zip extension. And the Cyrpto Locker OSIRIS launched with a vengeance. When the PDF didn't open I closed the e-mail (barn door, too late). I was able to stop the malware before it completely encrypted all files; but I estimate 98% of my files are encrypted by this ransomware.

Back from my short trip I now have to salvage what I can. I have backups of a dozen key files a month old. Backups of things like photos are 3-4 years old. A system backup of files four months ago, evidently failed. I have hard copies of key financial documents like Tax returns, etc... that I can recreate. I have to pay the state my annual sales tax collected by the end of the month, this is probably where the loss is the greatest. I will be building these files anew on a different computer.

What I learned, other than making better and more frequent backups, is to be more vigilant in software upgrades. I had just replaced Vista with Windows 7 Pro. It wasn't as smooth an upgrade as MS would lead one to believe, but when done the system was more stable then Vista had been. However as I find out, Windows 7 Pro was not displaying hidden file extensions (like .zip at the end of a pdf file) allowing the true nature of attachments to be obscured. I recommend this change to display hidden file extensions to all Windows users. My lesson learned. In retrospect I had received similar e-mails purportedly from Fedex and UPS and had ignored them because those shippers don't contact you by e-mail however because of my vacation Hold USPS does send confirmation e-mails. Never open e-mails before your third cup of coffee.

I am now embarking on file recovery. From what I have read, paying the ransom does not mean you get your files back, only that you encourage the malware developers. There are several on-line firms, seemingly reputable, that claim they can recover your files (or you pay nothing). Many sites just say you are screwed the encrypted data is unrecoverable, while others say it is possible to slowly recover most files; but it is time consuming and not a given.

Evidently this OSIRIS Malware is relatively new, in the last couple of months and as such is just attracting attention of those battling Malware. Initially it went unnoticed by MalwareBytes, Spybot, Slim Cleaner, McAfee and disabled Iolo System Mechanic Professional. Also the e-mail was detected by AOL.mail as spam but not by my secondary (business) e-mail account.

For those who haven't had the problem this is only a warning, However what I need is somebody who successfully overcame a similar attack, even better an OSIRIS encryption attack.

What did you do and what do you recommend?

Kenneth R. Clark
Chula Vista, CA

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78843	From: D. Scott MacKenzie	Date: 1/20/2017
Subject: Re: OT - Got Clobbered by OSIRIS Malware

One thing that has worked, is to change the date to before the files were encrypted – several days is good. Often you can then recover the files. There are tools that work to figure out the encryption algorithm by taking an uncontaminated file and comparing it to an encrypted file. The bigger the file is better to get better statistics. The tool is free – unfortunately I can t remember where I saw it. Simple google search will find it. The issue is that you have to have an exact copy of the file store away safely someplace. Some write a large image file to CD and use that as the reference file. You may be able to do the same

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Friday, January 20, 2017 1:06 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [S-Trains] OT - Got Clobbered by OSIRIS Malware

Kenneth R. Clark
Chula Vista, CA

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78844	From: railtwister	Date: 1/20/2017
Subject: Re: SHS set

Hi Bill,

Why must it be SHS? Don't get me wrong, SHS trains are great products, but the company is no longer in business, so anything would have to be secondhand, meaning there is no warranty, and repair parts are iffy at best, which is probably not the best thing for a beginner in the hobby. American Models or even Lionel seems like a better choice here, since if there were to be any problems, they could be addressed.

Bill in FtL

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78845	From: Rance Velapoldi	Date: 1/21/2017
Subject: Inserts for Budd cars

Hi:
I've got some of the plastic interior seating, etc. for the Budd
passenger cars. They are, of course, a light brown plastic color. I
would like to paint them in somewhat accurate colors for my ATSF Budd
cars from AM. So, if any of you have some suggested colors for the
floors, seats, etc., I would gratefully appreciate your input. I have
painted some of the small figures (seated and standing) that are present
in the 100 or so unpainted figures that were (are?) available and hope
to put these in place after the inserts are painted, then put into the
Budd cars, etc. I am thinking of a blue for the flooring (dark blue
rug?), Light tan for the seats??? etc., but I would like to get them
close to the original colors if any of you know them.
regards,
Rance Velapoldi (Tranby, Norway)

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Group: S-Trains	Message: 78846	From: Kenneth Clark	Date: 1/21/2017
Subject: Re: Inserts for Budd cars

Rance,

This is a question probably answered better in another Yahoo group, the 'passenger car list'.

Barring that, Walthers Proto has recently imported ATSF Budd cars in HO with interiors that could

be used as an example. Other Western railroads had different interior color schemes for each car.

Kenneth R. Clark
P.O. Box 212454

Chula Vista, CA 91921

-----Original Message-----
From: Rance Velapoldi rvelapoldi@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sat, Jan 21, 2017 6:14 am
Subject: [S-Trains] Inserts for Budd cars

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78847	From: Peter Vanvliet	Date: 1/21/2017
Subject: Anyone in the OK City/Claremore area

On behalf of NASG President Bill Winans, I am forwarding this message.

- Peter.

Hi all --

If you live in the Oklahoma City to Claremore area (NE of OK City) please contact me off list.

Bill Winans

scalesonly@...

-- 
Peter Vanvliet (peter@...)
Houston, Texas


My hobby site: http://pmrr.org/
My business site: http://fourthray.com/
Our club site: http://houstonsgaugers.org/
NASG site: http://nasg.org/

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78848	From: Warner, Ronald	Date: 1/21/2017
Subject: Re: Inserts for Budd cars

Rance,

during the late 1940s & early-to-mid 1950s, the Santa Fe advertised its passenger trains rather heavily in many U. S. magazines ... Life, Look, Nat. Geo., Sat. Evening Post, etc. featured ads illustrating passenger car interiors.

Many of the ads were in color; 1/2 & full-page ... you could probably get some good ideas there. Search the 'net' ... "Santa Fe, passenger, ad". Such ads are often for sale on eBay

best wishes in your modeling,

Ron Warner

Shallowater, TX

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Saturday, January 21, 2017 6:10 AM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [S-Trains] Inserts for Budd cars

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78849	From: Neil Trump	Date: 1/21/2017
Subject: Flyer

Hello Rance,

It has probably been some time since we last exchanged emails but I am in a position soon to be disposing of a colleagues AF collection. Do you have any specific needs that I can have a look to see if they exist on the list. I believe you are probably into more modern production and I do know that there are probably 20-30 SHS freight cars. There is also a LAF Mikado but I can't remember which one now. There are a few AM engines, a diesel or two and a 4-8-4. The only SHS engine I believe is an A-A , can't remember if it had a B unit or not, it also has locomatic control as well.

Of course there is a lot of original Flyer stuff and a fair bit in the 5 digit range if interested.

Regards,

Neil

Sent from my iPad

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78850	From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com	Date: 1/21/2017
Subject: SUNDAY EVENING S CHAT, Sunday, 22 January 2017

Attachments :

"SUNDAY EVENING S CHAT" reminder

When

Sunday, 22 January 2017

05:00 PM to 11:30 PM
(GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)

Where

http://myflyertrains.org/chat/

Notes

From

S-Trains Calendar

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78851	From: Noplowboy@...	Date: 1/21/2017
Subject: Re: Flyer

can you put a list out with cost?

-----Original Message-----
From: Neil Trump neil.trump@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sat, Jan 21, 2017 2:11 pm
Subject: [S-Trains] Flyer

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78852	From: The Laniers	Date: 1/21/2017
Subject: Re: Flyer

I don’t believe his offer was intended for everyone on the list, even though he sent it to all 1700+ of us.

Sent: Saturday, January 21, 2017 8:37 PM

Lionel LRRC Inside Track is a periodic publication provided by Lionel to our Lionel RailRoader Club Members.

Subject: Re: [S-Trains] Flyer

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78853	From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com	Date: 1/22/2017
Subject: SUNDAY EVENING S CHAT, Sunday, 22 January 2017

Attachments :

"SUNDAY EVENING S CHAT" reminder

When

Sunday, 22 January 2017

05:00 PM to 11:30 PM
(GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)

Where

http://myflyertrains.org/chat/

Notes

From

S-Trains Calendar

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78854	From: elist@ribbonrail.com	Date: 1/22/2017
Subject: December/January 2017 The S Scale Resource Magazine is Ready

The new issue of The S Scale Resource is now on line. Free to read and download.

http://sscaleresource.com/

Show Action
         Willy Monaghan sent us some pictures of a recent show

Developing an Industrial Scene PT 3
         Glenn continues this with plastic pellet storage

Craig Wright��s Cumbres & Toltec Western

Sound Decoder Install in a Brass Locomotive
         Dan installs a sound decoder in a River Raisin locomotive along with a video!

New York Central X-29 Box Car
         Jim Kindraka: Oh What you can learn from a photo!

A Different Approach to solving the ��Pogo Stick Coupler�� Problem

Shows, Meets and So Much More

Thanks for reading and tell your friends!

Regards,

Daniel Dawdy
-
The Model Railroad Resource LLC
407 East Chippewa St - Dwight, IL 60420
Voice 815.584.1577 / FAX 800.783.0127
daniel@... / http://modelrailroadresource.com
http://oscaleresource.com/ and http://sscaleresource.com/
All outbound mail from rrp is virus scanned for your protection

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78855	From: butch8339@atlanticbb.net	Date: 1/22/2017
Subject: polar express

does any one have trouble with there PE front trucks (pilot) coming off the
track and what does the wire from the trucks go to.....mine keeps breaking
off

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78856	From: racin510	Date: 1/22/2017
Subject: Re: polar express

It's another track power pickup, I believe to chassis. They use too stiff wires resulting in breaking and hurting overall electrical pickup. It should be replaced with a super flexible wire. I wouldn't pay the freight to send it back to Lionel Service for just this, but you can. My Berk is back there now for the PC replacement and I requested that they also replace this wire also. I am going to call in and make sure they got the message!
And, yes, I have experienced this as the reason my pilot doesn't track some curves well.

Rick

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78857	From: chuck_7612	Date: 1/23/2017
Subject: Re: polar express

I agree with Rick. I sent mine in for warranty service before I realized what the issue was. They returned it to me with the same stiff wire re-soldered. Soon enough it happened again. I replaced the wire with superflex. Then had the same problem with the trailing truck and replaced it with superflex too. All is well now.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78858	From: icequeen1982	Date: 1/23/2017
Subject: Re: Inserts for Budd cars

On 01/21/17, Rance Velapoldi rvelapoldi@... [S-Trains]com> wrote:

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78859	From: icequeen1982	Date: 1/23/2017
Subject: Re: Inserts for Budd cars

http://streamlinermemories.info/?p=1274

On 01/21/17, Rance Velapoldi rvelapoldi@... [S-Trains]com> wrote:

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78860	From: vu68	Date: 1/23/2017
Subject: Re: polar express

What is the PC replacement that you mention?

John Zurad

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78861	From: Rance Velapoldi	Date: 1/23/2017
Subject: Re: Inserts for Budd cars

Thanks to all the replies for the insert colors. Don't know why I didn't check google first! I did do that, saw several interiors ranging from green, to chrome, grey, etc. Will probably go with something like this for all the inserts (if I get up enough energy to paint all of them :) )!
regards to all:
Rance Velapoldi (Tranby, Norway)

On 1/23/2017 13:19, icehouse.icehouse@... [S-Trains] wrote:

On 01/21/17, Rance Velapoldi rvelapoldi@... [S-Trains]~~com>~~ wrote:

Hi:
I've got some of the plastic interior seating, etc. for the Budd
passenger cars. They are, of course, a light brown plastic color. I
would like to paint them in somewhat accurate colors for my ATSF Budd
cars from AM. So, if any of you have some suggested colors for the
floors, seats, etc., I would gratefully appreciate your input. I have
painted some of the small figures (seated and standing) that are present
in the 100 or so unpainted figures that were (are?) available and hope
to put these in place after the inserts are painted, then put into the
Budd cars, etc. I am thinking of a blue for the flooring (dark blue
rug?), Light tan for the seats??? etc., but I would like to get them
close to the original colors if any of you know them.
regards,
Rance Velapoldi (Tranby, Norway)

---
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Group: S-Trains	Message: 78862	From: danceswithwolves49	Date: 1/23/2017
Subject: Hobby Shop Closure

Here in Kalispell, MT we had 1 hobby shop. I say had because the other day I had to go to the Social Security office for some needed paperwork for the hoped for home purchase. Northland Hobby Shop was next door. I noticed no lights on and then I noticed the store was completely empty. They catered to the HO, N and Lionel crowd. I asked about Lionel American Flyer and MTH S scale and was told.."nobody models in S scale". Most of my models were and are mail order. They(Northland) were convenient for paint, glue and tools so looks like even those will have to be mail order as well unless the soon to open Hobby Lobby has those. I have never been in a Hobby Lobby so hope it is all I have been told

Bob Lampe

Kalispell, MT

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78863	From: Alan Smith	Date: 1/23/2017
Subject: Re: Hobby Shop Closure

Gents: I’m sorry to report our Hobby Lobby stores are worthless here in Cincinnati. U will not find anything to do with S gauge and very little of anything else related to model trains. About the only place to find anything related to modeling Hobbies in general is Hobbytown; which has turned its back of “S” gauge.

Al in Southwestern Ohio

On Jan 23, 2017, at 3:54 PM, danceswithwolves49@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Here in Kalispell, MT we had 1 hobby shop. I say had because the other day I had to go to the Social Security office for some needed paperwork for the hoped for home purchase. Northland Hobby Shop was next door. I noticed no lights on and then I noticed the store was completely empty. They catered to the HO, N and Lionel crowd. I asked about Lionel American Flyer and MTH S scale and was told.."nobody models in S scale". Most of my models were and are mail order. They(Northland) were convenient for paint, glue and tools so looks like even those will have to be mail order as well unless the soon to open Hobby Lobby has those. I have never been in a Hobby Lobby so hope it is all I have been told
Bob Lampe
Kalispell, MT

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78864	From: racin510	Date: 1/23/2017
Subject: Re: Hobby Shop Closure

Think that's bad, there is not a single hobby shop in the entire city of Seattle. 15 years ago I could walk 2 blocks to a really well stocked one. Things do change though one thing pretty much doesn't as pretty much nobody models in S! We're it on this little island ... and the ocean is rising ...

Rick

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78865	From: racin510	Date: 1/23/2017
Subject: Re: polar express

PC Board #691ENG9A01 and it runs all the electronics, especially has had issues with smoke fan operation. If you send in I would ask that they update this even if yours is working.
I can't believe they didn't replace the pilot wire when ask to do so....

Rick

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78866	From: Alan Smith	Date: 1/23/2017
Subject: Re: Hobby Shop Closure

Rick is right — we are afloat on a melting iceberg ! It’s a bit strange as we have a great deal of interest at train shows. I’m always saddened by reports that the new Flyonell stuff is not made to last or run like our older, tried and true Flyers. Electronics are great and they bring about operating “gadgets” but they are a far cry for the what we grew up to love about American Flyer. Once the Electronics die what will become of the expensive engines with no replacements parts to be found?

Anyway showing my age when stuff was made to take a lick-in and fixable.

Ole Al

On Jan 23, 2017, at 5:12 PM, racin510@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Think that's bad, there is not a single hobby shop in the entire city of Seattle. 15 years ago I could walk 2 blocks to a really well stocked one. Things do change though one thing pretty much doesn't as pretty much nobody models in S! We're it on this little island ... and the ocean is rising ...

Rick

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78867	From: Frank Emiro	Date: 1/23/2017
Subject: Re: Hobby Shop Closure

To many sales are on the internet. There are at least 4 good ones for S.

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 23, 2017, at 5:09 PM, Alan Smith alansmith@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Gents: I’m sorry to report our Hobby Lobby stores are worthless here in Cincinnati. U will not find anything to do with S gauge and very little of anything else related to model trains. About the only place to find anything related to modeling Hobbies in general is Hobbytown; which has turned its back of “S” gauge.

Al in Southwestern Ohio

On Jan 23, 2017, at 3:54 PM, danceswithwolves49@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Here in Kalispell, MT we had 1 hobby shop. I say had because the other day I had to go to the Social Security office for some needed paperwork for the hoped for home purchase. Northland Hobby Shop was next door. I noticed no lights on and then I noticed the store was completely empty. They catered to the HO, N and Lionel crowd. I asked about Lionel American Flyer and MTH S scale and was told.."nobody models in S scale". Most of my models were and are mail order. They(Northland) were convenient for paint, glue and tools so looks like even those will have to be mail order as well unless the soon to open Hobby Lobby has those. I have never been in a Hobby Lobby so hope it is all I have been told
Bob Lampe
Kalispell, MT

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78868	From: chuck_7612	Date: 1/23/2017
Subject: Re: polar express

I didn't specifically ask them to replace the wire. They took the easy route and re-soldered the stiff one back on.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78869	From: Tom	Date: 1/23/2017
Subject: New FlyerChief Northern issue

I’ve been enjoying my new FlyerChief Northern the past three weeks or so. It has worked great until today. Suddenly today when I turned on power nothing happened. Other trains work just fine on the layout. Trying the locomotive on a test track I get a blown circuit breaker with and without the tender on the track. My continuity tester does not indicate a short between the wheels. I’m not sure what to try next before sending the locomotive in for service. Any suggestions to try before returning it? Has anyone had an issue yet with this locomotive (6-47950)?

Tom Detmer
Madison, WI

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78870	From: snstrains	Date: 1/23/2017
Subject: Re: Hobby Shop Closure

Don't hold your breath on the Hobby Lobby store Bob! The one here is a zilch.

Steve Blackburn
Boise, Idaho

In a message dated 1/23/2017 2:01:41 P.M. Mountain Standard Time, S-Trains@yahoogroups.com writes:

Here in Kalispell, MT we had 1 hobby shop. I say had because the other day I had to go to the Social Security office for some needed paperwork for the hoped for home purchase. Northland Hobby Shop was next door. I noticed no lights on and then I noticed the store was completely empty. They catered to the HO, N and Lionel crowd. I asked about Lionel American Flyer and MTH S scale and was told.."nobody models in S scale". Most of my models were and are mail order. They(Northland) were convenient for paint, glue and tools so looks like even those will have to be mail order as well unless the soon to open Hobby Lobby has those. I have never been in a Hobby Lobby so hope it is all I have been told

; Bob Lampe

Kalispell, MT

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78871	From: Tom	Date: 1/23/2017
Subject: Re: New FlyerChief Northern issue - circuit breaker and power pickup

Hello all,

The problem is solved (I think) on my non-working FlyerChief Northern locomotive. For many of you what I am going to describe will seem obvious - a “duh” moment. To me it didn’t immediately seem obvious because my mindset is based on old Gilbert AF design and technology.

Basically these new locomotives have the power pickup in in the loco trucks, pilot and trailing. It is not in the tender. In fact the loco runs just fine without the tender attached. The tender just adds the sound function and that’s it.

The power comes from both the pilot and trailing trucks with positive current applied on one side and the base on the other. Each truck is wired this way.

I had inadvertently allowed the pilot truck to swivel around 180 degrees with the result that on the pilot truck the positive current side was on the right side and on the trailing truck the positive current side was on the left. The result is a short. The breaker blows and nothing works. Once I realized the pilot truck had swiveled around, I returned it to the correct position and everything once again works perfectly.

Lesson to be learned: make sure the power pickups are all on the correct side for both the pilot and trailing trucks. On my locomotive, the pilot truck has the wires attached to the wipers on the rear end of the truck.

My error was not understanding that the pilot could and did swivel around 180 degrees. So if any of you have a problem with a Flyonel locomotive being non-responsive and your circuit breaker blowing, I recommend one thing to check right away is the position of the truck for correct power pickup.

I probably should have figured this out sooner but at least I figured it out. I was thinking of power pickup coming from the tender and not the locomotive itself as in our old AF locomotives. I had been told the power pickups on the trucks provided power for the lights and I didn’t realize it was power for all purposes. Lesson learned!

Tom Detmer

On Jan 23, 2017, at 5:17 PM, Tom detmer@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

I’ve been enjoying my new FlyerChief Northern the past three weeks or so. It has worked great until today. Suddenly today when I turned on power nothing happened. Other trains work just fine on the layout. Trying the locomotive on a test track I get a blown circuit breaker with and without the tender on the track. My continuity tester does not indicate a short between the wheels. I’m not sure what to try next before sending the locomotive in for service. Any suggestions to try before returning it? Has anyone had an issue yet with this locomotive (6-47950)?

Tom Detmer
Madison, WI

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78872	From: Frank Emiro	Date: 1/23/2017
Subject: Re: polar express

Years ago I had an issue with an engine. I checked it out and there was a wire issue. It appeared to be soldered, but it was not. The wire rubber was, but the wire in it shrunk inside it with no metal connections . I re cut it and made sure the wire was soldered to the metal contact. The issue was then resolved.

You might want to check it out on the item. I would contact Lionel and get it serviced by them

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 23, 2017, at 6:22 PM, chuck_7612@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

I didn't specifically ask them to replace the wire. They took the easy route and re-soldered the stiff one back on.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78873	From: srgriggs	Date: 1/23/2017
Subject: American Hi-Rail

Hi all,

I was reading an article about the Boston & Maine Flying Yankee (written by S Gaugian contributor Carl Byron) and got to thinking that I seem to remember American Hi-Rail making an S gauge version of the Pioneer Zephyr. I attended a Fall S Fest in Chicago in 1992 or so and I think I remember seeing one there. Am I mis-remembering?

I know American Hi-Rail made the following models in S:

NYC Dreyfuss Hudson

Milwaukee Road Hiawatha Atlantic & passenger cars

Alco DL109 diesel

GM Train of Tomorrow

FM Trainmaster H24-66

Does anyone know if AH made a Zephyr model?

Scott Griggs

Louisville, KY

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78874	From: David Dewey	Date: 1/23/2017
Subject: Re: Flyer FS by Neil Trump

Um, Neil’s in England, so probably not possible to ship stuff here economically. Rance is in Norway, so much more possible for him to buy Neil’s stuff.

BTW, good to see Neil is still around, I had been told he no longer was alive!

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78875	From: Doug Peck	Date: 1/23/2017
Subject: Re: American Hi-Rail

Yes, he did, although he used the same shell design for all the streamliners (the Zephyr, the Flying Yankee, etc), which wasn’t the case. They were not all alike in reality.

River Raisin Models also did them, and did each one correctly.

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Monday, January 23, 2017 9:11 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [S-Trains] American Hi-Rail

Hi all,

I know American Hi-Rail made the following models in S:

NYC Dreyfuss Hudson

Milwaukee Road Hiawatha Atlantic & passenger cars

Alco DL109 diesel

GM Train of Tomorrow

FM Trainmaster H24-66

Does anyone know if AH made a Zephyr model?

Scott Griggs

Louisville, KY

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78876	From: Robert Lampe	Date: 1/23/2017
Subject: Re: Hobby Shop Closure

Exactly what I figured,Steve. We have a Michaels here but as far as model train stuff......maybe some glues, useful tools and paint brushes nothing much except maybe scenery materials.

Bob Lampe

Kalispell,MT

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> on behalf of boss31@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, January 23, 2017 4:01 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [S-Trains] Re: Hobby Shop Closure

Don't hold your breath on the Hobby Lobby store Bob! The one here is a zilch.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78877	From: D. Scott MacKenzie	Date: 1/23/2017
Subject: Re: American Hi-Rail

I would love a Pioneer Zephyr. I am thinking of building the shell using 3D printing. It wouldn’t have to be perfect. I found the patent drawings, and if I can scale them to find on a chassis, I can print a train shell.

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Monday, January 23, 2017 9:11 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [S-Trains] American Hi-Rail

Hi all,

I know American Hi-Rail made the following models in S:

NYC Dreyfuss Hudson

Milwaukee Road Hiawatha Atlantic & passenger cars

Alco DL109 diesel

GM Train of Tomorrow

FM Trainmaster H24-66

Does anyone know if AH made a Zephyr model?

Scott Griggs

Louisville, KY

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78878	From: Doug Peck	Date: 1/23/2017
Subject: Re: Hobby Shop Closure

From everything I’ve ever seen, Hobby Lobby is more of a crafts store than a hobby store.

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Monday, January 23, 2017 9:24 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [S-Trains] Re: Hobby Shop Closure

Exactly what I figured,Steve. We have a Michaels here but as far as model train stuff......maybe some glues, useful tools and paint brushes nothing much except maybe scenery materials.

Bob Lampe

Kalispell,MT

Don't hold your breath on the Hobby Lobby store Bob! The one here is a zilch.

Steve Blackburn
Boise, Idaho

In a message dated 1/23/2017 2:01:41 P.M. Mountain Standard Time, S-Trains@yahoogroups.com writes:

Here in Kalispell, MT we had 1 hobby shop. I say had because the other day I had to go to the Social Security office for some needed paperwork for the hoped for home purchase. Northland Hobby Shop was next door. I noticed no lights on and then I noticed the store was completely empty. They catered to the HO, N and Lionel crowd. I asked about Lionel American Flyer and MTH S scale and was told.."nobody models in S scale". Most of my models were and are mail order. They(Northland) were convenient for paint, glue and tools so looks like even those will have to be mail order as well unless the soon to open Hobby Lobby has those. I have never been in a Hobby Lobby so hope it is all I have been told

; Bob Lampe

Kalispell, MT

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78879	From: srgriggs	Date: 1/24/2017
Subject: Re: American Hi-Rail

They must be very rare, because I couldn't find even a photo of one with a Google search. I wonder how many were made.

Scott Griggs

Louisville, KY

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78880	From: Dale Smith	Date: 1/24/2017
Subject: Flyer Fest West 2017 - San Francisco Bay Area

The Golden Gate American Flyer Club is pleased to announce our upcoming
Flyer Fest West to be held on May 19th, 20th and 21st at the Poplar
Event Center in San Mateo California, just south of San Francisco. As a
convention car, we have a really exciting two car Deep Rock Tank Car
set, which you can see by going to our website at http://www.ggafc.org
The cars will be numbered 24317 and 24318, which are in the same general
numbering area as the original Gilbert Flyer Deep Rock tank cars 24321
and the rare 24320. As you will see though, ours are a lot more colorful.

Friday's event will be a ride into San Francisco via BART, with a Cable
Car ride to Fisherman's Wharf and Lunch at Scoma's. You will also get
a chance to see and perhaps ride historic streetcars on San Francisco's
famous F line.

Saturday will be the trading day from 10 am to 3 pm followed by a
banquet that evening at the Event Center.

Sunday will feature Layout Tours.

More information and registration forms are available on the website.
Please plan to join us for this great weekend event.

Dale Smith

Secretary, Golden Gate American Flyer Club

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78881	From: richs009	Date: 1/24/2017
Subject: Re: Hobby Shop Closure

Rick -- There are two train stores in Seattle that I know about - having dropped some serious coin in both a few years ago. One is Eastside Trains, which is in Kirkland (ok, ok, so not Seattle - but its just across Lake Washington from Seattle). The other is the Electric Train Shop in Burien (also not technically Seattle, but close enough). At the time (5-ish years ago), both had reasonable collections of AF locos and rolling stock, accessories, etc. My vague recollection is that Eastside Trains had Lionel AF and some (then) SHS, along with a small sampling of old ACG Flyer, while I think most of the stock the Electric Train shop had tended to be older ACG Flyer. As far as I can tell both still exist, based on their websites.

- Rich

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78882	From: mrstumpy50	Date: 1/24/2017
Subject: Re: Hobby Shop Closure

As a part time hobby shop employee for twenty years and good friends with the owners, I hated to see the shop close. It was a "full service" shop that sold every hobby, but was mostly train oriented. We sold a LOT of HO and O gauge three rail of course, but carried almost every scale and gauge as well as all the glues, paints, and other supplies. There were a lot of little items that sold slowly that were part of a shop in those days that were financial losers, but you carried them for your customers needs.

There were five hobby shops within a half hour drive of me, and about the same number of craft stores. But the economic downturn and ridiculous oil prices in 2007, '08, and '09 was deadly to storefronts of all kinds. Small businesses disappeared across the region as if almost overnight. We were left with two large craft stores and two small hobby shops. Today we're still losing ground with only a Pat Catan's craft store and the two hobby shops hanging on by their fingernails, but not carrying a LOT of stuff we use because these items do not sell fast enough to be financially feasible.

I drove an hour to check out a new Hobby Lobby in PA. and it was a waste of gasoline and time. It was a combination craft store and junk toy shop. There was nothing I couldn't get at any Wal-Mart!.

So, with virtually no choice, local Model Railroaders who once frequented five good hobby shops are forced to do more and more online ordering. It's the only way we can get anything but HO or O gauge three rail stuff with a smattering of N gauge and all scale stuff like scenery items.

Stumpy Stone in Ohio

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78883	From: poniaj	Date: 1/24/2017
Subject: Re: Hobby Shop Closure

The Hobby Lobbies around SE Michigan are useless to model train people. Luckily, there are a couple of REAL hobby shops not far away. Northside Hardware in Westland and Farmington Hills carries paints and scenic items for all size trains, but no S specific things. Tons of HO & N and a bit of O. Paints are in good supply, including Tru-Color, which I haven't tried yet. I feel very fortunate in that I live a half hour away from Ron Bashista's American Models and made a trip to his place to purchase anything I want to buy, thus saving shipping costs, and giving me a chance to peruse the place and chat with him and Joe.

Jerry Poniatowski

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78884	From: mrstumpy50	Date: 1/24/2017
Subject: Evolution

I remember my Dad talking about "going downtown" when he was young. Every street had a series of small shops, each with a particular product or service. There were grocery stores, but also butcher shops, bakeries, and produce shops. Other businesses included furniture stores, drug stores, flower shops, cafes, and hardware stores. It was the real "Mainstream USA" that is depicted at Disneyland.

Along came the Department Stores, huge buildings in the middle of town that "sold everything under one roof," and if you couldn't get into town you could "order by mail" and have items come right to your local post office, train station, or bus station. Little by little, people started to shift their purchasing away from the little shops and to department stores.

After WWII the next evolution was the creation of Shopping Centers in the suburbs "with plenty of free parking." Grocery store chains used this opportunity to add meat counters and sell baked goods, everything you could eat under one roof. The first discount stores appeared that put the bite of the Five and Ten Cent stores, who specialized in selling small, low cost products.

The next evolution was the Shopping Mall, which combined large size, every kind of product, free parking, and going from stare to store without worrying about the weather. Those department stores who saw the opportunity and could afford to move to Malls or Shopping Centers "got out of town" and Mainstream USA died. The cities slowly emptied out of all those who could leave and became dead cores of crime and those too poor to leave.

Then came the modern "Big Box Store" that sold everything, and at discount prices. They combined the convenience of free parking, large selection, shopping under roof, etc. Sam Walton was among the first to combined all the elements with discount prices and Wal-Mart would become the world's largest retailer by a wide margin today.

And then came the Internet. Online Shopping is the ultimate in convenience. You don't have to walk from store to store, dodge the weather, or even drive a car! You shop from your home! Heck, you don't even have to get dressed! And the selection is seemingly endless! What could be better?

Well, believe me, SOMETHING will come along that will evolve business off the Internet. As we rely more and more on faster technologies, the pace of evolution of business picks up too. Perhaps one day you will have a tiny computer implanted in your skull at birth which will allow you to get anything you want just by thinking about it?

Like it or not it's evolution. We humans are driven by convenience, and so is the smart business. But we are also a self destructive species. Hmmm...

Stumpy Stone in an almost empty Eastern Ohio.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78885	From: butch8339@atlanticbb.net	Date: 1/24/2017
Subject: PE

where do you get the super flex wire.......no hobby shops in my town......I
have my PE apart now and ready to replace the wire to the front
truck.........no cense in putting the old wire back on any help would be a
lot of help

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78886	From: Ray Puls	Date: 1/24/2017
Subject: Re: American Hi-Rail

Yes, The Zephyr or the Flying Yankee would be something I would love to
own also, and I agree it would not have to be perfect. If you are able
to do the shell for one of these I would be very interested in acquiring
one of these if it is possible to make more than one. We have a club
member here in Wisconsin who owns one which he ran on my home layout, I
loved it, but I have never seen one of these for sale. Sad to say his
took a trip to the concrete floor at one of our clubs layout displays in
Madison and his tail car was destroyed and he has had no luck in trying
to replace it.

Ray

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78887	From: keyhole_corona	Date: 1/24/2017
Subject: Re: American Hi-Rail

I got lucky a few years ago at York, Portline Hobbies had the NYC Dreyfuss for sale and I got it. I have also seen the Milwaukee Road streamline Atlantic on the Baltimore Flyer Club layout at a train show. Nice looking loco's!

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78888	From: Kenneth Clark	Date: 1/24/2017
Subject: Re: PE

NorthWest Short Line

Kenneth R. Clark
P.O. Box 212454

Chula Vista, CA 91921

-----Original Message-----
From: butch8339@... butch8339@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tue, Jan 24, 2017 7:51 am
Subject: [S-Trains] PE

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78889	From: Doug Peck	Date: 1/24/2017
Subject: Re: PE

We carry the superflex wire……by the foot, in 15’ pkgs, or in 100’ rolls.

See our website AF PARTS catalog Inventory, and click on WIRE !

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2017 9:37 AM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [S-Trains] PE

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78890	From: srgriggs	Date: 1/24/2017
Subject: Re: American Hi-Rail

I have a Dreyfuss Hudson kit that I received as a Christmas present one year and a Hiawatha kit that I was lucky enough to find on eBay. I bought two FM Trainmaster kits, but later decided to sell them on eBay once the AM version came out.

The only knock on the American Hi-Rail stuff is the tendency for warpage that I have found on some of the pieces. I would sure be interested in a Zephyr set or the Hiawatha passenger cars if I could find them, though.

Scott Griggs

Louisville, KY

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78891	From: Robert Lampe	Date: 1/24/2017
Subject: Re: Evolution

Stumpy, you brought back a lot of memories some good others not so good but it was part of growing up. I remember with fondness the mom n pop hardware stores in my home town.....both hardware stores were family run businesses. It was almost that every neighborhood had a mom n pop grocery store. I remember buying A WHOLE DOLLAR's worth of penny candy......I think it lasted 2 days lol. Neither hardware store sold trains except during Christmas season and then only that 3 rail stuff. We knew Christmas was coming cause both stores set up their train display.......the day after Thanksgiving....NEVER before. Now it seems Christmas stuff comes out in July.

Bob Lampe

Kalispell, MT

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> on behalf of mrstumpy@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2017 6:59 AM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [S-Trains] Evolution

Like it or not it's evolution. We humans are driven by convenience, and so is the smart business. But we are also a self destructive species. Hmmm...

Stumpy Stone in an almost empty Eastern Ohio.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78892	From: Tom	Date: 1/24/2017
Subject: Evolution

> Stumpy,
>
> Enjoyed your timeline on the evolution of American retail and toy trains. The problem is the Internet doesn't allow you to hop over to the store to get something right now when you need it. Of course you paid a slightly higher price for that convenience. More importantly, the internet doesn't allow you to go over and spend some time with the knowledgeable and trusted friend at the store who can give guidance or bat around ideas. I guess that's why we have things like this group! Fortunately I've found model train people to be extremely friendly, responsive, and helpful if you call or email them. So I guess we plan ahead a little more, try to be patient, and make these contacts on-line. Maybe that's evolution? Hmmm... Things like this "conversation" we might have had at your old hobby store. Ha!
>

> Tom Detmer

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78893	From: racin510	Date: 1/24/2017
Subject: Re: Hobby Shop Closure

Rich,
Right, not in Seattle. Eastside Trains is a 30 minute run for me, but they are a great store and their best tech, Dustin Ainsley, has solved some serious Legacy issues for me. Just don't send anything to him because he is always months back logged. My latest Berk PC Board issue he just told me to send it to Lionel or it would be 2 months or so. Lionel already has it coming back this way with a new board and rebuilt smoke unit. Of course I requested they replace the pilot wire and they didn't .... I guess if it ain't broke they won't fix it. Eastside does carry Legacy Flyers, even still have a Challenger and Y-3 if anyone is looking call and make a deal. They have a good stock of nice early cars and accessories. I haven't seen Flyerchief outside of the PE Set.
Rick

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78894	From: richs009	Date: 1/25/2017
Subject: Re: Flyer Fest West 2017 - San Francisco Bay Area

The Flyer Fest West announcement reminds me that a week later (Memorial day weekend) the O Scale West folks have their show at the Hyatt Regency/Santa Clara convention center - also in the SF Bay Area (think San Jose, in this case). These folks have added an "S" to their moniker (OSW+S) to reflect the fact that there are some S-scale sellers there as well. There are usually several folks with SHS and Des Plaines (many with Flyer couplers, etc.) and an assortment of S-scale automobiles, tractors, figures, etc. I've always enjoyed the show - there's usually an S-scale layout, along with an O-scale and a three-rail O-gauge set up (I've forgotten which clubs do these, but the three-rail folks put on a good show).

I should hasten to add that this isn't an "official" announcement - I'm just a spectator (and, well, often buy more than I should) - but check it out at oscalewest.com

- Rich

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78895	From: frank emiro	Date: 1/25/2017
Subject: I see the new 2017 Flyer Catalog is out

Lionel Trains

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78896	From: richs009	Date: 1/26/2017
Subject: Re: I see the new 2017 Flyer Catalog is out

Frank - thanks for the heads-up and the catalog link. You sorta have to give Lionel credit for their efforts to produce and market S-gauge trains and accessories in what must seem like an uncertain market. While some of those products are based on the "old" designs and casting forms (but in some cases, nicely updated with legacy controls, etc.), they've certainly produced new designs and products as well - even if - as has been extensively noted here and other fora - their products aren't always glitch-free. They do seem to be willing to fix things (no personal experience). So at least one attaboy!

- Rich

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78897	From: hugoroundhouse	Date: 1/26/2017
Subject: Route of the Reindeer

I picked up a set of the Route of the Reindeer streamliner passenger sets. What engine is supposed to pull that set?

Thanks in advance!

Jim Ensign

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78898	From: Doug Peck	Date: 1/26/2017
Subject: Re: Route of the Reindeer

The AF Xmas engine, which was a GP.

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 12:24 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [S-Trains] Route of the Reindeer

I picked up a set of the Route of the Reindeer streamliner passenger sets. What engine is supposed to pull that set?

Thanks in advance!

Jim Ensign

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78899	From: Frank Emiro	Date: 1/26/2017
Subject: Re: I see the new 2017 Flyer Catalog is out

Rich, I agree. Check out the GP trucks.

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 26, 2017, at 12:32 PM, richs009@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Frank - thanks for the heads-up and the catalog link. You sorta have to give Lionel credit for their efforts to produce and market S-gauge trains and accessories in what must seem like an uncertain market. While some of those products are based on the "old" designs and casting forms (but in some cases, nicely updated with legacy controls, etc.), they've certainly produced new designs and products as well - even if - as has been extensively noted here and other fora - their products aren't always glitch-free. They do seem to be willing to fix things (no personal experience). So at least one attaboy!

- Rich

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78900	From: David Dewey	Date: 1/26/2017
Subject: Looks what's out in HO!

Just got an email for an HO Big Boy—officially sanctioned “Big Boy Restoration item.” Its made by Broadway Limited, is die-cast, puffing synchronized smoke, sound effects and depleting coal load (the load goes down as the engine runs)—and also can be had with an oil tender instead. Street price for this puppy? $600. IN STOCK to boot! And they fit all this into an HO model!

I suppose in S this item would be more like $900 street price. . . . But, it does go to show you that HO prices are up in our range too.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78901	From: hugoroundhouse	Date: 1/26/2017
Subject: Re: Route of the Reindeer

Is that the GP20? Red and gold ?

From: "Doug Peck doug@... [S-Trains]" <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: "S-Trains" <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 12:11:58 PM
Subject: RE: [S-Trains] Route of the Reindeer

The AF Xmas engine, which was a GP.

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 12:24 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [S-Trains] Route of the Reindeer

I picked up a set of the Route of the Reindeer streamliner passenger sets. What engine is supposed to pull that set?

Thanks in advance!

Jim Ensign

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78902	From: Doug Peck	Date: 1/26/2017
Subject: Re: Route of the Reindeer

Yes, as I recall.

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 4:28 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [S-Trains] Route of the Reindeer

Is that the GP20? Red and gold ?

The AF Xmas engine, which was a GP.

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 12:24 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [S-Trains] Route of the Reindeer

I picked up a set of the Route of the Reindeer streamliner passenger sets. What engine is supposed to pull that set?

Thanks in advance!

Jim Ensign

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78903	From: Noplowboy@...	Date: 1/26/2017
Subject: Re: af wheels any one have a 3d print file to print on a 3d printer?

I need a 3d print file to print my own wheels on a 3d printer

-----Original Message-----
From: Frank Emiro femiro2002@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thu, Jan 26, 2017 2:29 pm
Suect: Re: [S-Trains] Re:3d print file for af wheels

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78904	From: Edward Musil	Date: 1/26/2017
Subject: Re: Route of the Reindeer

Attachments :

103_1181.JPG

I think that the engine Jim that you are looking for is a GP7 which is Green and Red and has the North Pole Express Route of the Reindeer on the side. See attachment
Ed Musil

From: "Doug Peck doug@... [S-Trains]" <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 2:56 PM
Subject: RE: [S-Trains] Route of the Reindeer

Yes, as I recall.

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 4:28 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [S-Trains] Route of the Reindeer

Is that the GP20? Red and gold ?

The AF Xmas engine, which was a GP.

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 12:24 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [S-Trains] Route of the Reindeer

I picked up a set of the Route of the Reindeer streamliner passenger sets. What engine is supposed to pull that set?

Thanks in advance!

Jim Ensign

@@attachment@@

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78905	From: richs009	Date: 1/26/2017
Subject: Re: I see the new 2017 Flyer Catalog is out

Frank - I did see the new trucks on the GP. I have no idea (without digging) whether either version are prototypical. In terms of my previous email, I didn't mean my praise to be so "faint". To be sure, I didn't see much in the new catalog that jumped to the top of my 'absolutely gotta have' list* - but partly that's because I have some of the ACG original versions of Lionel's offerings based on the old designs and dies. But I do have both the UP Mikado and the Erie Pacific - offered a few years back - that are really quite nice, both in terms of the detailing and the running/sound/etc. They are fun to run (and listen to) - though its still hard to beat the original piston-driven smoke from the ACG era.

- Rich

* I guess if money were no object (and I had a bigger, permanent layout) I could come up with a list - legacy PA's, Berk, Flyer chief FEF for starters

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78906	From: snstrains	Date: 1/26/2017
Subject: Re: af wheels any one have a 3d print file to print on a 3d pr...

Which wheels?

Steve Blackburn
Boise, Idaho

In a message dated 1/26/2017 3:50:24 P.M. Mountain Standard Time, S-Trains@yahoogroups.com writes:

I need a 3d print file to print my own wheels on a 3d printer

-----Original Message-----
From: Frank Emiro femiro2002@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thu, Jan 26, 2017 2:29 pm
Suect: Re: [S-Trains] Re:3d print file for af wheels

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78907	From: sgaugerart	Date: 1/26/2017
Subject: Re: Route of the Reindeer

It is a a GP9, 6-48088 , North Pole Express... Route of the Reindeer, red and green with White warning stripes.

Art Kimmel

-----Original Message-----
From: Doug Peck doug@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thu, Jan 26, 2017 4:26 pm
Subject: RE: [S-Trains] Route of the Reindeer

Yes, as I recall.

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 4:28 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [S-Trains] Route of the Reindeer

Is that the GP20? Red and gold ?

The AF Xmas engine, which was a GP.

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 12:24 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [S-Trains] Route of the Reindeer

I picked up a set of the Route of the Reindeer streamliner passenger sets. What engine is supposed to pull that set?

Thanks in advance!

Jim Ensign

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78908	From: hugoroundhouse	Date: 1/27/2017
Subject: Re: Route of the Reindeer [1 Attachment]

That make sense! Thanks, Ed.

From: "Edward Musil barnabusxx@... [S-Trains]" <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: "S-Trains" <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 4:01:55 PM
Subject: Re: [S-Trains] Route of the Reindeer [1 Attachment]

I think that the engine Jim that you are looking for is a GP7 which is Green and Red and has the North Pole Express Route of the Reindeer on the side. See attachment
Ed Musil

From: "Doug Peck doug@... [S-Trains]" <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 2:56 PM
Subject: RE: [S-Trains] Route of the Reindeer

Yes, as I recall.

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 4:28 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [S-Trains] Route of the Reindeer

Is that the GP20? Red and gold ?

The AF Xmas engine, which was a GP.

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 12:24 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [S-Trains] Route of the Reindeer

I picked up a set of the Route of the Reindeer streamliner passenger sets. What engine is supposed to pull that set?

Thanks in advance!

Jim Ensign

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78909	From: hugoroundhouse	Date: 1/27/2017
Subject: Re: Route of the Reindeer

Thanks, Art1

From: "sgauger@... [S-Trains]" <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: "S-Trains" <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 7:20:08 PM
Subject: Re: [S-Trains] Route of the Reindeer

It is a a GP9, 6-48088 , North Pole Express... Route of the Reindeer, red and green with White warning stripes.

Art Kimmel

Yes, as I recall.

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 4:28 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [S-Trains] Route of the Reindeer

Is that the GP20? Red and gold ?

The AF Xmas engine, which was a GP.

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 12:24 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [S-Trains] Route of the Reindeer

I picked up a set of the Route of the Reindeer streamliner passenger sets. What engine is supposed to pull that set?

Thanks in advance!

Jim Ensign

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78910	From: Noplowboy@...	Date: 1/27/2017
Subject: Re: af wheels any one have a 3d print file to print on a 3d pr...

box car

-----Original Message-----
From: boss31@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thu, Jan 26, 2017 11:31 pm
Subject: Re: [S-Trains] Re: af wheels any one have a 3d print file to print on a 3d pr...

Which wheels?

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78911	From: snstrains	Date: 1/27/2017
Subject: Re: af wheels any one have a 3d print file to print on a 3d pr...

Why in the world would you want to make box car wheels when they are out there in the thousands for junk cars?. I have hundreds of them myself.

Steve Blackburn
Boise, Idaho

In a message dated 1/27/2017 10:31:45 A.M. Mountain Standard Time, S-Trains@yahoogroups.com writes:

box car

-----Original Message-----
From: boss31@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thu, Jan 26, 2017 11:31 pm
Subject: Re: [S-Trains] Re: af wheels any one have a 3d print file to print on a 3d pr...

Which wheels?

Steve Blackburn
Boise, Idaho

In a message dated 1/26/2017 3:50:24 P.M. Mountain Standard Time, S-Trains@yahoogroups.com writes:

I need a 3d print file to print my own wheels on a 3d printer

-----Original Message-----
From: Frank Emiro femiro2002@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thu, Jan 26, 2017 2:29 pm
Suect: Re: [S-Trains] Re:3d print file for af wheels

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78912	From: David Dewey	Date: 1/27/2017
Subject: Re: Route of the Reindeer

I have a set of these too, and since they are a fantasy train anyway, I picked up another observation car for it that I plan on converting, using Baldwin running gear, to a “shovelnose” engine. I found some online-pics (which I lost when my computer crashed, rats) of prototypes that indicated if I convert the taillight to a headlight and add some indicator boards, like the ones on the PA engines, I’d have something believable. A complete fantasy train that would look great under a Christmas tree! So another project in the pile. . . .

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78913	From: Lamont Heppe	Date: 1/27/2017
Subject: S-Helper switch

If anyone has a right hand S-Helper switch they are willing to sell, contact me off list at monteheppe@....

Thanks

Monte Heppe

monteheppe@...

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78914	From: chuck_7612	Date: 1/27/2017
Subject: Re: Route of the Reindeer

Or one could use the forthcoming Flyerchief North Pole Central GP-7 shown in the new catalogue.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78915	From: Noplowboy@...	Date: 1/27/2017
Subject: Re: af wheels any one have a 3d print file to print on a 3d pr...

I need over 1000

-----Original Message-----
From: boss31@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Fri, Jan 27, 2017 2:17 pm
Subject: Re: [S-Trains] Re: af wheels any one have a 3d print file to print on a 3d pr...

Why in the world would you want to make box car wheels when they are out there in the thousands for junk cars?. I have hundreds of them myself.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78916	From: danceswithwolves49	Date: 1/27/2017
Subject: TERRIFIC NEWS

AsI type this it is Friday Jan 27. Last night I received a text message from our real estate agent informing me that we are officially under contract on the house we are trying to buy. It does not have a room sufficient for a layout.....yet but it will and it is big enough to build a temporary 4X16 switching layout.

Bob Lampe

Kalispell,MT

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78917	From: Frank Emiro	Date: 1/27/2017
Subject: Re: TERRIFIC NEWS

Great !!!

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 27, 2017, at 3:39 PM, danceswithwolves49@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

AsI type this it is Friday Jan 27. Last night I received a text message from our real estate agent informing me that we are officially under contract on the house we are trying to buy. It does not have a room sufficient for a layout.....yet but it will and it is big enough to build a temporary 4X16 switching layout.
Bob Lampe
Kalispell,MT

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78918	From: Frank Emiro	Date: 1/27/2017
Subject: Re: af wheels any one have a 3d print file to print on a 3d pr...

Lol 😆. You are correct.

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 27, 2017, at 1:55 PM, boss31@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Why in the world would you want to make box car wheels when they are out there in the thousands for junk cars?. I have hundreds of them myself.

Steve Blackburn
Boise, Idaho

In a message dated 1/27/2017 10:31:45 A.M. Mountain Standard Time, S-Trains@yahoogroups.com writes:

box car

-----Original Message-----
From: boss31@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thu, Jan 26, 2017 11:31 pm
Subject: Re: [S-Trains] Re: af wheels any one have a 3d print file to print on a 3d pr...

Which wheels?

Steve Blackburn
Boise, Idaho

In a message dated 1/26/2017 3:50:24 P.M. Mountain Standard Time, S-Trains@yahoogroups.com writes:

I need a 3d print file to print my own wheels on a 3d printer

-----Original Message-----
From: Frank Emiro femiro2002@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thu, Jan 26, 2017 2:29 pm
Suect: Re: [S-Trains] Re:3d print file for af wheels

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78919	From: Dale Smith	Date: 1/27/2017
Subject: Re: af wheels any one have a 3d print file to print on a 3d pr...

Makes me curious. Just what are you working on that requires 1000 box car wheels? Your original message never came through to me so what I have is from the responses.

Dale Smith

On 1/27/2017 1:03 PM, Noplowboy@... [S-Trains] wrote:

I need over 1000

-----Original Message-----
From: boss31@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Fri, Jan 27, 2017 2:17 pm
Subject: Re: [S-Trains] Re: af wheels any one have a 3d print file to print on a 3d pr...

Why in the world would you want to make box car wheels when they are out there in the thousands for junk cars?. I have hundreds of them myself.

Steve Blackburn
Boise, Idaho

In a message dated 1/27/2017 10:31:45 A.M. Mountain Standard Time, S-Trains@yahoogroups.com writes:

box car

-----Original Message-----
From: boss31@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thu, Jan 26, 2017 11:31 pm
Subject: Re: [S-Trains] Re: af wheels any one have a 3d print file to print on a 3d pr...

Which wheels?

Steve Blackburn
Boise, Idaho

In a message dated 1/26/2017 3:50:24 P.M. Mountain Standard Time, S-Trains@yahoogroups.com writes:

I need a 3d print file to print my own wheels on a 3d printer

-----Original Message-----
From: Frank Emiro femiro2002@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thu, Jan 26, 2017 2:29 pm
Suect: Re: [S-Trains] Re:3d print file for af wheels

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78920	From: rick gough	Date: 1/27/2017
Subject: Re: TERRIFIC NEWS

Congrats Bob!!

rick gough mudshark datsun 510 racing

On Friday, January 27, 2017 1:23 PM, "danceswithwolves49@... [S-Trains]" <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

S-Trains@yahoogroups.com is not on your Guest List | Approve sender | Approve domain | Approve S-Trains@yahoogroups.com

Bob Lampe

Kalispell,MT

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78921	From: Lamont Heppe	Date: 1/28/2017
Subject: Re: S-Helper switch

I have already received an offer and arranged to purchase a switch.

Monte Heppe

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78922	From: Bob Iannacone	Date: 1/28/2017
Subject: Classic AF added to americanflyertrains4u

Attachments :

Hi S-Train Group. I’ve added additional AF items on my website including the following:

593 Signal Tower and #101 Colber Gateman combo

21085 Pacific with 2 tenders – Reading and Northwestern RR’s

612 Freight and Passenger Station with crane

21812 T&P Baldwin

(4 car combo) 924, 937, 947 Boxcars and 925 Tanker for the operator.

Take care and have a great weekend.

This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
www.avast.com

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78923	From: kerhart@frontier.com	Date: 1/28/2017
Subject: American Hi-Rail Hiawatha Set For Sale

I have for sale an American Hi-Rail Milwaukee Road Hiawatha Locomotive and four passenger cars. I purchased the set years ago from Tom Hodgson of AHR. The set was professionally assembled, painted and decaled by the late Norm Schreiner from the Chicagoland S-Gaugers. The cost is $950 plus insured shipping. You can contact me at kerhart@... for further information. Thank you.

Keith Erhart

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78924	From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com	Date: 1/28/2017
Subject: SUNDAY EVENING S CHAT, Sunday, 29 January 2017

Attachments :

"SUNDAY EVENING S CHAT" reminder

When

Sunday, 29 January 2017

05:00 PM to 11:30 PM
(GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)

Where

http://myflyertrains.org/chat/

Notes

From

S-Trains Calendar

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78925	From: Noplowboy@...	Date: 1/28/2017
Subject: Re: af wheels any one have a 3d print file to print on a 3d pr...

do you have for sale I live in des moines iowa

-----Original Message-----
From: Frank Emiro femiro2002@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Fri, Jan 27, 2017 4:24 pm
Subject: Re: [S-Trains] Re: af wheels any one have a 3d print file to print on a 3d pr...

Lol 😆. You are correct.

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 27, 2017, at 1:55 PM, boss31@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Why in the world would you want to make box car wheels when they are out there in the thousands for junk cars?. I have hundreds of them myself.

Steve Blackburn
Boise, Idaho

In a message dated 1/27/2017 10:31:45 A.M. Mountain Standard Time, S-Trains@yahoogroups.com writes:

box car

-----Original Message-----
From: boss31@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thu, Jan 26, 2017 11:31 pm
Subject: Re: [S-Trains] Re: af wheels any one have a 3d print file to print on a 3d pr...

Which wheels?

Steve Blackburn
Boise, Idaho

In a message dated 1/26/2017 3:50:24 P.M. Mountain Standard Time, S-Trains@yahoogroups.com writes:

I need a 3d print file to print my own wheels on a 3d printer

-----Original Message-----
From: Frank Emiro femiro2002@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thu, Jan 26, 2017 2:29 pm
Suect: Re: [S-Trains] Re:3d print file for af wheels

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78926	From: Noplowboy@...	Date: 1/28/2017
Subject: Re: af wheels any one have a 3d print file to print on a 3d pr...

i have a lot of cars with no tracks some I made my self some are car that I just have

I like to get am hi rail trucks just can not find any big lots for sale

From: Dale Smith dalefsmith@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Fri, Jan 27, 2017 5:44 pm
Subject: Re: [S-Trains] Re: af wheels any one have a 3d print file to print on a 3d pr...

Makes me curious. Just what are you working on that requires 1000 box car wheels? Your original message never came through to me so what I have is from the responses.

Dale Smith

On 1/27/2017 1:03 PM, Noplowboy@... [S-Trains] wrote:

I need over 1000

-----Original Message-----
From: boss31@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Fri, Jan 27, 2017 2:17 pm
Subject: Re: [S-Trains] Re: af wheels any one have a 3d print file to print on a 3d pr...

Why in the world would you want to make box car wheels when they are out there in the thousands for junk cars?. I have hundreds of them myself.

Steve Blackburn
Boise, Idaho

In a message dated 1/27/2017 10:31:45 A.M. Mountain Standard Time, S-Trains@yahoogroups.com writes:

box car

-----Original Message-----
From: boss31@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thu, Jan 26, 2017 11:31 pm
Subject: Re: [S-Trains] Re: af wheels any one have a 3d print file to print on a 3d pr...

Which wheels?

Steve Blackburn
Boise, Idaho

In a message dated 1/26/2017 3:50:24 P.M. Mountain Standard Time, S-Trains@yahoogroups.com writes:

I need a 3d print file to print my own wheels on a 3d printer

-----Original Message-----
From: Frank Emiro femiro2002@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thu, Jan 26, 2017 2:29 pm
Suect: Re: [S-Trains] Re:3d print file for af wheels

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78927	From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com	Date: 1/29/2017
Subject: SUNDAY EVENING S CHAT, Sunday, 29 January 2017

Attachments :

"SUNDAY EVENING S CHAT" reminder

When

Sunday, 29 January 2017

05:00 PM to 11:30 PM
(GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)

Where

http://myflyertrains.org/chat/

Notes

From

S-Trains Calendar

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78928	From: Richard Reichard	Date: 1/31/2017
Subject: Homasote Board & Home Depot Info

To all interested:

HomeDepot has !/2 inch thk.- 4ft. x 8ft sheets of Homasote Board listed

in their online catalogue and stock in some stores. Catalogue #'s are : SKU 000-123-024

or UPC 098056110057, selling price is $28.65 It has a spec of R-1.2 sound board.

I hope this helps those that are building, adding to or revising their layouts.

Dick Reichard

TCA # 76-9747

TTOS # 19315

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78929	From: Paul Krause	Date: 2/1/2017
Subject: Re: Homasote Board & Home Depot Info

Homosote works fine, but a few nuances:

1. Consistent thickness is slightly problematic. It varies from 7/16" to 9/16".

2. If you are using flex track or especially hand laying track this will create dips and valleys

3. I countered that varience by hooking my orbital sander with 80 grit up to my shop vack. That cut-down significantly dusting everything.

4. The above applies if you are making your own road bed. If just laying the whole sheet and using fast track or tube track it does not matter.

5. Paint it good with a sealer latex paint. Do Two coats. Don't puddle or soak it as it will cause the homosote to swell slightly. The point of sealing is to prevent swelling. It will swell with humidity and moisture.

6. I am very happy with using it. I made my own roadbed.

7. At some point, since I am a woodworker, I would purchase a drum sander and sand the roadbed strips thickness wise to 7/16". Using a planer tends to pock it up and the surface tends to be rough but if you ballast it hides it. Drum sanding would do better.

You can skip the last step 7 for most applications. Since I handmaid track I needed smooth and consistent surfaces.

Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

On Tue, Jan 31, 2017 at 11:15 PM, 'Richard Reichard' RLRAUB@... [S-Trains]
<S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

To all interested:

HomeDepot has !/2 inch thk.- 4ft. x 8ft sheets of Homasote Board listed

in their online catalogue and stock in some stores. Catalogue #'s are : SKU 000-123-024

or UPC 098056110057, selling price is $28.65 It has a spec of R-1.2 sound board.

I hope this helps those that are building, adding to or revising their layouts.

Dick Reichard

TCA # 76-9747

TTOS # 19315

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78930	From: kerhart@frontier.com	Date: 2/1/2017
Subject: S-Helper Service Unpainted SW9

Does anyone have an SHS unpainted SW9 that they would be willing to sell? Thank you.

Keith Erhart

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78931	From: dave_w_03303	Date: 2/1/2017
Subject: Homasote Board & Home Depot Info

Attachments :

RLRAUB Wrote:

To all interested:

HomeDepot has !/2 inch thk.- 4ft. x 8ft sheets of Homasote Board listed

in their online catalogue and stock in some stores. Catalogue #'s are : SKU 000-123-024

or UPC 098056110057, selling price is $28.65 It has a spec of R-1.2 sound board.

I hope this helps those that are building, adding to or revising their layouts.

Dave:
Great stuff, sure wish I had covered by plywood tables with it before laying all the track down. It quiets things down nicely, lets you attach people, signs, animals with stick pin type methods rather than those unrealistic feet. You can dig out channels for wires, even dig out an area to bury a speaker for sounds coming from outside of buildings, add a just a bit of shape to the terrain. I'd never go without it again. BTW, the white material that is very similar (the same?) may be significantly less expensive.

Dick Reichard

TCA # 76-9747

TTOS # 19315

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78932	From: robbyking13	Date: 2/1/2017
Subject: Re: I see the new 2017 Flyer Catalog is out

I noticed that the trucks looked different and I checked here to see if anyone knew or commented, but they did not. I did my own investigation. Both American Models and the new Lionel/AF trucks for GP7/GP9 are correct. The new trucks are shorter than the old long AF truck frames which were also used for the PA-1s and EP5s. The new trucks match those of Lionel O gauge GP9s, and some Athern HO Geeps. Given all that, I figured there was a prototypical basis. I looked at prototype photos on railphotos.com and I saw GP7s and GP9s with both type of trucks even on the same railroads. All we are seeing is what I am calling with or without hubcaps to one degree or another. One B&M GP7 had the full hubcaps on all four axels per side. Some B&M GP7s had three full square hubs with one large round hub on the axles as compared with American Models stripped down Trucks. In later years, more railroads were taking of the hubcaps. Without the hubcaps becomes more common for most railroads over time, so that is why most manufacturers do them without any hubcaps.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78933	From: Bill Lane	Date: 2/1/2017
Subject: SHS track wanted

I am starting a co-worker in the wonderful world of S for his kid, age unknown. I wrangled a group of SHS trains from a friend. Track was not included in the sale. I debated on recommending the Lionel knock off track because it is new and available but it is really so expensive.

Does anyone have the SHS starter loop for sale or SHS sectional track in general for sale? Maybe some manual turnouts? The trains will be Hi rail and AF couplers. I am lending him my starter loop and a transformer but don’t want it to be forever.

Please reply directly with what you have.

Thank You,
Bill Lane

Modeling the Mighty Pennsy, PRSL & Reading in 1957 in S Scale since 1987

See my finished models at:
http://www.lanestrains.com/My_Models.htm
Look at what has been made in PRR in S Scale!

See my layout progress at:

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78934	From: Frank Emiro	Date: 2/1/2017
Subject: Re: I see the new 2017 Flyer Catalog is out

The geep trucks are different. The car haulers are 027 with S trucks.

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 1, 2017, at 3:56 PM, robbyking@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

I noticed that the trucks looked different and I checked here to see if anyone knew or commented, but they did not. I did my own investigation. Both American Models and the new Lionel/AF trucks for GP7/GP9 are correct. The new trucks are shorter than the old long AF truck frames which were also used for the PA-1s and EP5s. The new trucks match those of Lionel O gauge GP9s, and some Athern HO Geeps. Given all that, I figured there was a prototypical basis. I looked at prototype photos on railphotos.com and I saw GP7s and GP9s with both type of trucks even on the same railroads. All we are seeing is what I am calling with or without hubcaps to one degree or another. One B&M GP7 had the full hubcaps on all four axels per side. Some B&M GP7s had three full square hubs with one large round hub on the axles as compared with American Models stripped down Trucks. In later years, more railroads were taking of the hubcaps. Without the hubcaps becomes more common for most railroads over time, so that is why most manufacturers do them without any hubcaps.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78935	From: Sam & Peggy	Date: 2/1/2017
Subject: Re: SHS track wanted

Would used AF track work?

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

-------- Original message --------

From: "'Bill Lane' bill@... [S-Trains]" <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>

Date: 2/1/17 7:12 PM (GMT-05:00)

To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com

Cc: S Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>, availablesgauge@yahoogroups.com

Subject: [S-Trains] SHS track wanted

Please reply directly with what you have.

See my layout progress at:

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78936	From: Brett Schormann	Date: 2/1/2017
Subject: Software for laying out track and monitoring train progress

I am looking for software which can be used to create pictures of layouts. I am also looking for software which can track the progress of trains around a track. I understand there would be hardware required. Thanks.
Brett Schormann

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78937	From: Chrisandmhel Burger	Date: 2/1/2017
Subject: Re: SHS track wanted

Hi Bill,

I had sent you a Private message on FB but I guess it went to your other mailbox since we are not fb friends. The new MTH track is out and available at our local Hobby shop if you don't find any used track. Chris B

From: "'Bill Lane' bill@... [S-Trains]" <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Cc: S Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>; availablesgauge@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, February 1, 2017 6:56 PM
Subject: [S-Trains] SHS track wanted

Please reply directly with what you have.

See my layout progress at:

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78938	From: D. Scott MacKenzie	Date: 2/1/2017
Subject: Re: Software for laying out track and monitoring train progress

I use SCARM – it is free for making layouts and it does an excellent job

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2017 8:54 PM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [S-Trains] Software for laying out track and monitoring train progress

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78939	From: rick gough	Date: 2/2/2017
Subject: Re: Berk smoke units

Update on my Berk: Got it back quickly from 'L' Service with a replaced PC Board; smokes great from 14v up as it did before. I had asked that the tech replace the pilot wire that I had just re-soldered with a very flexible one and they actually did this. However i noticed occasional blue sparking around the pilot wheels rounding some bends so tore it down and found the wire starting to break again at the solder joint. It would appear that by design there just isn't enough wire length dropping down from the chassis to allow enough flex in the wire. I pulled an extra length of the same wire thru and bent it out in front of the terminal on the pilot and then back to the terminal, which allows the wire to flex to the max without working at the solder contact. This looks to be the cure along with changing to the more flexible wire and I also note that the pilot is tracking curves much better and not picking up the inside wheel. Now, lets hope these later PC Boards are better quality than the old ones. It appears to be at least a little different in that my electrocoupler button has moved from the left to the right one for activation!

Rick

rick gough mudshark datsun 510 racing

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78940	From: Noplowboy@...	Date: 2/2/2017
Subject: Re: SHS track wanted

how many do you have and price

-----Original Message-----
From: Sam & Peggy boxcarsam@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wed, Feb 1, 2017 7:21 pm
Subject: RE: [S-Trains] SHS track wanted

Would used AF track work?

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

-------- Original message --------

From: "'Bill Lane' bill@... [S-Trains]" <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>

Date: 2/1/17 7:12 PM (GMT-05:00)

To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com

Cc: S Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>, availablesgauge@yahoogroups.com

Subject: [S-Trains] SHS track wanted

Please reply directly with what you have.

See my layout progress at:

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78941	From: Sam & Peggy	Date: 2/2/2017
Subject: Re: SHS track wanted

Several dozen. Straight is

$6 per dozen and curve $3 per dozen plus shipping.

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

-------- Original message --------

From: "Noplowboy@... [S-Trains]" <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>

Date: 2/2/17 2:05 PM (GMT-05:00)

To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: [S-Trains] SHS track wanted

Would used AF track work?

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

-------- Original message --------

From: "'Bill Lane' bill@... [S-Trains]" <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>

Date: 2/1/17 7:12 PM (GMT-05:00)

To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com

Cc: S Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>, availablesgauge@yahoogroups.com

Subject: [S-Trains] SHS track wanted

Please reply directly with what you have.

See my layout progress at:

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78942	From: Kenneth Clark	Date: 2/2/2017
Subject: Re: Used AF track. Was: SHS track

I have quite a bit of old Flyer track available for the cost of shipping.

Filled Medium Flat Rate Box. 14″ x 12″ x 3 1⁄2″ $13.60

Kenneth R. Clark
P.O. Box 212454

Chula Vista, CA 91921

-----Original Message-----
From: Noplowboy@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thu, Feb 2, 2017 11:05 am
Subject: Re: [S-Trains] SHS track wanted

Would used AF track work?

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

-------- Original message --------

From: "'Bill Lane' bill@... [S-Trains]" <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>

Date: 2/1/17 7:12 PM (GMT-05:00)

To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com

Cc: S Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>, availablesgauge@yahoogroups.com

Subject: [S-Trains] SHS track wanted

Please reply directly with what you have.

See my layout progress at:

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78943	From: chuck_7612	Date: 2/2/2017
Subject: Re: Software for laying out track and monitoring train progress

I used RRTrack CAD software to design my layout a year ago. For me it made the experimentation and design process very enjoyable. It is preloaded with objects from the major S brands. You can create 2D or 3D images of the layout with it.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78944	From: henrykoshollek	Date: 2/2/2017
Subject: Flyer Big Boy track curve minimum!!!!!!!!!!!

good evening folks.. What is FLYONELs Big-Boy track curve minimum? What have you had trouble with and moreover would you buy one. I have a chance to acquire one and its a big fella to plan for. So a little help is needed.Thanks guys and onward!!! Have a great weekend, Yours in train-ing

Hank K in Stoughton WI.............

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78945	From: henrykoshollek	Date: 2/3/2017
Subject: Re: Flyer Big Boy track curve minimum!!!!!!!!!!!

PS Group.I'm using Gargrave track and need info again on track requirements on semi large layout. Will check back Sunday night if you care to join in.Thanks ......... Hank

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78946	From: racin510	Date: 2/3/2017
Subject: Re: Flyer Big Boy track curve minimum!!!!!!!!!!!

According to my tech guru from East Side Trains, Kirkland, WA, the Big Boy was an engineering disaster, sort of a homologation of different parts, not a one off purpose built concept like the Challenger. There were a lot of issues. You may have to ship it to Mr. Tuveson to make the necessary modifications. I personally wouldn't have one, but it could look very impressive just sitting on a siding if your layout is big enough. Other than that I believe it navigates classic ACG curves without too much difficulty.

Rick

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78947	From: Tom	Date: 2/3/2017
Subject: Re: Flyer Big Boy track curve minimum!!!!!!!!!!!

Hank,

I think the Stateline S Gaugers run a Big Boy on their show layout and I think they use R27 curves but you should check with them. I’m pretty sure you know some of them. They can give you the curves that work for them.

Tom

On Feb 2, 2017, at 8:48 PM, henrykoshollek@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

good evening folks.. What is FLYONELs Big-Boy track curve minimum? What have you had trouble with and moreover would you buy one. I have a chance to acquire one and its a big fella to plan for. So a little help is needed.Thanks guys and onward!!! Have a great weekend, Yours in train-ing
Hank K in Stoughton WI.............

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78948	From: R G	Date: 2/3/2017
Subject: Re: Flyer Big Boy track curve minimum!!!!!!!!!!!

The Big Boy will definitely negotiate Traditional American Flyer curves!

On Friday, February 3, 2017 10:49 AM, "Tom detmer@... [S-Trains]" <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Hank,

Tom

On Feb 2, 2017, at 8:48 PM, henrykoshollek@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

good evening folks.. What is FLYONELs Big-Boy track curve minimum? What have you had trouble with and moreover would you buy one. I have a chance to acquire one and its a big fella to plan for. So a little help is needed.Thanks guys and onward!!! Have a great weekend, Yours in train-ing
Hank K in Stoughton WI.............

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78949	From: David Dewey	Date: 2/3/2017
Subject: Big Boy on Layout

The Big Boy will negotiate ACG curves, but it has a large overhang, and the trailing truck and tender truck sides will hit ACG action car activation rails. So, it depends on your layout and what you have on your layout. You will likely have to move some things farther away from the track on curves. The Tuveson modifications will cure the action rail problems.

When the Challenger came out, I was hopeful that extra trailing trucks and tenders might be available to “upgrade” the BBs, but that was just a pipe dream.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78950	From: racin510	Date: 2/3/2017
Subject: Berk Electrical Pick Up

Is anyone else having issues with electrical pick up off the trailing truck at very slow speed over original Flyer turn outs. It only happens in a couple of spots but stops the loco dead. If I slightly push down on the side of the truck it will immediately get contact. Has anyone had this issue and perhaps added a stronger spring to push it down onto the rails; or any other ideas welcome. At speed there is no problem except visually there is a quick interruption in contact in the specific spots.

Rick

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78951	From: Kenneth Clark	Date: 2/4/2017
Subject: Re: Berk Electrical Pick Up

Rick I had similar problems with an On3 engine where the pilot and trailing truck would tilt and lift one wheel off the track.

I solved it with a wide spring that kept pressure on the outside of the truck frame (both sides) instead of the center.

Kenneth R. Clark
P.O. Box 212454

Chula Vista, CA 91921

-----Original Message-----
From: racin510@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Fri, Feb 3, 2017 8:50 pm
Subject: [S-Trains] Berk Electrical Pick Up

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78952	From: ecphora123	Date: 2/4/2017
Subject: Re: Flyer Big Boy track curve minimum!!!!!!!!!!!

While I fully understand the need to know how sharp a curve one can get away with when running a large locomotive, passenger car, or even a freight car of increased length, let's consider how said model would look on the tracks. Members of this group, being a more of a collector oriented or hi-rail group, may not be as interested in appearance, but when anything extends outward due to sharp curves and model length, you suddenly create a problem of clearance. So friends, The real answer to the question must also involve that issue as well.

Gene Cimino P.S. at one time I had a lengthy conversation with the late great Sam Powell on this very subject.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78953	From: Donald Keil	Date: 2/4/2017
Subject: Re: Flyer Big Boy track curve minimum!!!!!!!!!!!

ecplore is correct. We run a Big boy on our club Layout here in West Mich and the biggest trouble is the Tunnels and the over hang when passing other trains on curves. We run 36 radius track with no problems. also make sure if you run two track with different voltage make sure every one knows. Seems like common sense but we had people try to put other engines on the same track while the big boy is running which cause electrical problems. It sure is a show attraction

Don

On Saturday, February 4, 2017 12:14 PM, "ecphora123@... [S-Trains]" <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78954	From: carl4flyer	Date: 2/4/2017
Subject: Re: Flyer Big Boy track curve minimum!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is a page dedicated to the AF Big Boy

http://www.tuveson.com/bigboy/bigboy.htm

And here are it's videos:

https://youtu.be/O8-BvUBsj-4

https://youtu.be/ksVJJyu-as8

Carl

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Saturday, February 04, 2017 11:42 AM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [S-Trains] Re: Flyer Big Boy track curve minimum!!!!!!!!!!!

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78955	From: alhbaker	Date: 2/4/2017
Subject: Wanted Lionel Berkshire locomotive

I am interested in a Lionel Berkshire locomotive. Prefer NKP but might consider others. New or used. Without or with problems if you are honest about them.

Please respond directly to: albaker33@...

Al Baker

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78956	From: Frank Emiro	Date: 2/4/2017
Subject: Re: Wanted Lionel Berkshire locomotive

I sent you a reply, Frank

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 4, 2017, at 1:56 PM, albaker33@... [S-Trains] <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

I am interested in a Lionel Berkshire locomotive. Prefer NKP but might consider others. New or used. Without or with problems if you are honest about them.

Please respond directly to: albaker33@...

Al Baker

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78957	From: Chrisandmhel Burger	Date: 2/4/2017
Subject: Re: Wanted Lionel Berkshire locomotive

Do you mean an American Flyer S Scale Berk? Or a Lionel 3 rail Berk? The Chinese make both, but one does not make the other. Chris B

From: "albaker33@... [S-Trains]" <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, February 4, 2017 1:56 PM
Subject: [S-Trains] Wanted Lionel Berkshire locomotive

I am interested in a Lionel Berkshire locomotive. Prefer NKP but might consider others. New or used. Without or with problems if you are honest about them.

Please respond directly to: albaker33@...

Al Baker

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78958	From: Al Baker	Date: 2/4/2017
Subject: Re: Wanted Lionel Berkshire locomotive

American Flyer S Gauge

From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com [mailto:S-Trains@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Saturday, February 04, 2017 11:41 AM
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [S-Trains] Wanted Lionel Berkshire locomotive

Do you mean an American Flyer S Scale Berk? Or a Lionel 3 rail Berk? The Chinese make both, but one does not make the other. Chris B

I am interested in a Lionel Berkshire locomotive. Prefer NKP but might consider others. New or used. Without or with problems if you are honest about them.

Please respond directly to: albaker33@...

Al Baker

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78959	From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com	Date: 2/4/2017
Subject: SUNDAY EVENING S CHAT, Sunday, 05 February 2017

Attachments :

"SUNDAY EVENING S CHAT" reminder

When

Sunday, 05 February 2017

05:00 PM to 11:30 PM
(GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)

Where

http://myflyertrains.org/chat/

Notes

From

S-Trains Calendar

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78960	From: racin510	Date: 2/4/2017
Subject: Re: Flyer Big Boy track curve minimum!!!!!!!!!!!

Agreed here! My classic ACG track layout has some "racing" tight clearances. It took a whole lot of tweeking to get everything to operate on both tracks. Actually the original Northern creates some of the biggest issues with its long cab overhang. And its tender steps want to slam into the Gilford platform. The Challenger required notching out a switch cap a half inch to be able to make the next immediate bend. Thankfully my layout isn't big enough to accommodate a Big Boy so that mistake didn't happen.

Rick

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78961	From: racin510	Date: 2/4/2017
Subject: Re: Berk Electrical Pick Up

Thanks Ken,

I dug into it today and just stretched the wide base stock spring for the trailing truck. It now creeps over all the past trouble spots with zero issues. Nice simple fix. Also take note of the pickups on the truck axles and be sure continuity is good to all 4 wheels. My previous fix to the pilot is holding up perfectly with plenty of wire flex and wheels staying glued to the rails.

Rick

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78962	From: David Dewey	Date: 2/4/2017
Subject: Berk trailing truck and BB curves

The Berk trailing truck does have a spring on it, but sometimes the unit is assembled backwards (spring in the wrong place), I don’t know which way it’s supposed to go and my PE is in storage. The other problem is the wire going to the truck, it is often too stiff and too short. Replace it with some superflex wire. If you don’t have any, I’m sure Portlines sells it. It’s useful for other things too, like the wires from the smoke unit to the headlight on the Die-cast steamers; it doesn’t tend to push the boiler front out like the original stuff does!

Yes, as I mentioned, the BB and the Challenger both swing pretty wide on small radius curves. The pilot isn’t bad, but the cab end looks odd. Actually, they aren’t much worse than the ACG Northern! As for realism, well most of our layout ARE toy train ones with operating accessories that are much larger than the scale of our trains!

S’

David Dewey

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78963	From: Ray Puls	Date: 2/5/2017
Subject: Re: Berk Electrical Pick Up

Rick,

I had this problem with my PE Berk, I posted what I found on the OGR
forum but not here. Fortunately I also have an NKP Berk that gave me no
problems at all. I did a comparison of the two and found the PE Berk had
the E clip and the flat washer reversed in the assembly. The pin that
comes down through the chassis on the PE had the E clip above the flat
washer, this causes the pin to hang up or drag against the slot. When I
reversed the position of the washer and the E clip, I put the washer on
the pin then the E clip, the problem was resolved.

Hope this helps you.

Ray

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78964	From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com	Date: 2/5/2017
Subject: SUNDAY EVENING S CHAT, Sunday, 05 February 2017

Attachments :

"SUNDAY EVENING S CHAT" reminder

When

Sunday, 05 February 2017

05:00 PM to 11:30 PM
(GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)

Where

http://myflyertrains.org/chat/

Notes

From

S-Trains Calendar

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78965	From: icequeen1982	Date: 2/5/2017
Subject: Wanted American Flyer NKP Berkshire locomotive

does anyone have an American Flyer NKP Berkshire locomotive for sale? I have been looking for a while now and can not find one. TIA

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78966	From: racin510	Date: 2/5/2017
Subject: Re: Wanted American Flyer NKP Berkshire locomotive

I've done checking around Seattle area and nothing. Eastside Trains sold them out some time ago. It's going to be a hard find outside of the PE version. Patience and Ebay will eventually get you one. Just be willing to spend maybe as much as the new Northern. Personally I like my Berk more than the Northern I just got. Despite a few deficiencies there seems to be a lotta love for the Berks.

Rick

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78967	From: racin510	Date: 2/5/2017
Subject: Re: Berk Electrical Pick Up

If this regarding the trailing truck I already posted my findings with the fix being simply stretching the spring to apply more downward pressure on the contact wheels. Happily mine was put together right so didn't have to correct any assembly line goof!

Rick

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78968	From: icequeen1982	Date: 2/6/2017
Subject: Re: Wanted American Flyer NKP Berkshire locomotive

I missed one on E Bay a while back. It went up to 586.00. I set my price at 567.00. I was stunned. I have an Erie but I want a NKP. I think there is a C & O right now on E Bay but I am not interested and apparently nobody else is either.. Please let me know if you come across one. Thanks for your time and response.

On 02/05/17, racin510@... [S-Trains]com> wrote:

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78969	From: racin510	Date: 2/6/2017
Subject: Re: Wanted American Flyer NKP Berkshire locomotive

Well, if I'm willing to go over $550. on something like this and thus really want it, what's another 20 bucks? The way I bid I would have put up $601.51 and would have happily owned it. I thought previously you said you 'preferred' NKP but would be OK with others. Myself I think the Southern is the nicest and am happy with the one I got which I paid fair market value for!

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78970	From: Richard Purnell	Date: 2/7/2017
Subject: 2-8-8-2 steam

Does anyone have or know where there is an American Flyer 6-14879 PRR 2-8-8-2 steam engine for sale? If so please contact me at dmjp@....

Thank you Dick Purnell

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78971	From: barry_ja	Date: 2/8/2017
Subject: Re: Wanted American Flyer NKP Berkshire locomotive

There is a C&O Berkshire on ebay right now. Expires 25 days. Its a make offer item thats listed at 499.00. Unfortunately not NKP.

---In S-Trains@yahoogroups.com, <racin510@...> wrote :

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78972	From: barry_ja	Date: 2/8/2017
Subject: Re: 2-8-8-2 steam

Ebay has one although pricey...

B.J.

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78973	From: Eric	Date: 2/8/2017
Subject: 1/64 S scale Highway Trucks for sale

Attachments :

IMG_2116.JPG

IMG_2114.JPG

Found these 6 trucks hiding in a box under the layout. They need to be on the road to somewhere on your layout.

1. Eastwood custom AHL mack CJ truck painted REA.

2. Eastwood custom AHL Mack BM truck painted American Flyer Lines

3. Winross Nostalgia series Atlantic Tanker-Trailer Truck

4. Winross Nostalgia series Richfield Tanker-Trailer Truck

5. Winross Custom Union Pacific Box-trailerTruck

6. Winross Custom Union Pacific Tanker-trailerTruck

I have had these for many years (25+) and they have not been out of their original Boxes which are all included.

$30 each, 2 for $50 All 6 for $140 Shipping included to USA48.

Eric Reis

Kenmore, Wa.

@@attachment@@

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78974	From: Bill Lane	Date: 2/10/2017
Subject: Wilson S turntable

Attachments :

IMG_8802.jpg

IMG_8801.jpg

I won this Wilson S Gauge turntable on eBay years ago. It is a 14” bridge. I might consider selling it. There is a motor. It does not look like it was ever used.

I know I went over $275.00 to get it. This is the only 1 I have ever seen, and I scour eBay at least twice a day for 15 years for S stuff.

Please reply directly to bill@... with your interest.

See my layout progress at:

@@attachment@@

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78975	From: John and Carol	Date: 2/11/2017
Subject: Berk /PE Electrical Pick Up

Rick, and all--

On the recommendation of NASG Prez Bill Winans, I decided to buy the Flyer Chief Polar Express. It arrived today from Charles Ro ($329.95 + $9 shipping the 2800 miles from Massachusetts), and I couldn't wait to get it running. Overall I was very pleased with its appearance and the advertised amenities such as railsounds.

First thing I noticed as I unpacked the box was that the "Replacement traction tire," as noted in the inventory list of the Owner's Manual, was missing, and I carefully searched the box and all containers, as well as the floor. No joy. I later got on the Internet to discover that it appears NO ONE received that traction tire. Not a big deal, but it's funny that they list it in the inventory.

I assembled the track, put everything on the rails, and cranked up the power for a shakedown cruise. Delightful! I tried to test every function, and all went well. Then I added a couple of AF Pullman heavyweights to the consist, for a total of five cars. There was no problem pulling the coaches until I ran the remote power up to maximum. Suddenly, it began cutting out for a few seconds, then it would start up again, stop, and so on. I discovered a "sweet spot" on the throttle at which I could pull the consist without stalling, but it was nowhere near top speed. After much head scratching, I removed the two AF heavyweights and reverted to the original PE consist of three cars. Doggone, but it worked!

Then I remembered that Rick started a discussion on this board about the power pickup through the trailing truck, so I disassembled the components. I didn't really want to mess with the gray wire which connects to the axle wipers if I could avoid it (replacement flex wire has been recommended), and the E-clip and washers on the stud appeared to be in the correct order. So I took the simplest (and easiest) of the recommendations which had been posted, and stretched out the "wide base stock spring" in an attempt to apply more pressure between the wheels and the rails. Voila! My Berk now pulls all five cars at top speed without a hiccup. Evidently, the additional weight of the consist caused the pickup wheels in the trailing truck to momentarily lose contact with the rails.They would settle down after stopping, start up to pull the coaches, and continue to repeat the "on again, off again" cycle. At least, that's my admittedly non-technician diagnosis.

My wife now thinks I'm a genius for solving the problem without sending the loco back to Lionel, but I had to come clean and give credit where it's due--and that's to this S-Trains board. Thanks, folks. It's nice to have all of you as a valuable resource.

Can't wait to run my PE at next week's show in Boise. It's going to be a show-stopper!

http://idahocalendar.com/Events/model-train-show-listing-8836-61632.aspx

YourS,

John Eichmann, Coordinator

Rocky Mountain Hi-Railers

Home of Lookout Junction, "Route of the S-Gaugers"

Boise, Idaho

www.rockymountainhirailers.com

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78976	From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com	Date: 2/11/2017
Subject: SUNDAY EVENING S CHAT, Sunday, 12 February 2017

Attachments :

"SUNDAY EVENING S CHAT" reminder

When

Sunday, 12 February 2017

05:00 PM to 11:30 PM
(GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)

Where

http://myflyertrains.org/chat/

Notes

From

S-Trains Calendar

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78977	From: David Dewey	Date: 2/11/2017
Subject: Flyer Chat

HI all,

Hope y’all have a great chat tomorrow. I will be returning from a Theatre Organ event, so doubt I’ll be back in time—no, we’re not floating down the Feather River, in spite of the reports you’ve heard of Oroville Dam. We did go out and view it, once in a lifetime event! The visitors’ center was swamped. I told them they missed out on an opportunity to sell T-Shirts, “I survived the spillway overflow!”

Run ‘em if ya got ‘em!

David Dewey

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78978	From: racin510	Date: 2/11/2017
Subject: Re: Berk /PE Electrical Pick Up

Thank you John and Carol it is great to hear that such a simple fix does so much good! My feeling is that all Berks need to do this or will require it down the track someday when their owners can't remember what this problem was way back when! And you don't even have to remove the contact pick up wires to get to the spring. Remember you will have the front pilot wire breaking so you may want to deal with it before long. Be sure and extend an extra length away from the contact and double back and solder.
Use 5X the smoke fluid 'L' says to use and your burner might just have a long life. It should smoke well at 14v, which will increase as you turn up thru 18v.

Rick

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78979	From: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com	Date: 2/12/2017
Subject: SUNDAY EVENING S CHAT, Sunday, 12 February 2017

Attachments :

"SUNDAY EVENING S CHAT" reminder

When

Sunday, 12 February 2017

05:00 PM to 11:30 PM
(GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)

Where

http://myflyertrains.org/chat/

Notes

From

S-Trains Calendar

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78980	From: poniaj	Date: 2/12/2017
Subject: Pullman style stools

Guys,

Does anybody know of a company that makes Pullman style step stools? I am nearly done with a project, and these would be great to have both on my project and in the vestibules of a passenger car, as well as on a station platform.

Jerry Poniatowski

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78981	From: rinphoto@rocketmail.com	Date: 2/12/2017
Subject: S-Helper Consolidated problem

Don Thompson or anyone: I have two S-Helper Consolidated engines and they both have the same problem-The plastic screw mount for the connecting rod to the tender on the cab end of the locomotive broke. Apparently I was not careful enough when I packed or unpacked the engines for our recent move. Left the tender attached to the engine.

I understand that parts are hard to come by. Has anyone had the same problem, and if so, how did you resolve it? I have a couple of ideas but no sense reinventing the wheel, so to speak.

Roy Inman

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78982	From: Doug Peck	Date: 2/12/2017
Subject: WANTED: SHS Hirail caboose or tender wheelsets

Anyone have any of these highrail wheelsets that you don’t need????

OR….a complete set of highrail trucks for same????

BUT….I ALSO need to have the delrin bolsters that insulate those trucks.

I really only need one set, but would consider more if you have them.

_,___

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78983	From: John Degnan	Date: 2/12/2017
Subject: WANTED : American Models 28" SCALE Wheels - 12

Looking for a set of 12 American Models 28" Scale/Code 110 wheels.

MUST be the 28" wheels... larger will not work.

MUST be scale... hi-rail type will not work.

Please contact me off-group at Scaler164@...

Thanks.

John D

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78984	From: R G	Date: 2/12/2017
Subject: Re: S-Helper Consolidated problem

I was able to use a longer screw on my repair! you do not at all have to be rough and still have this part break, Great engine but the tender coupling was too delicate!

On Sunday, February 12, 2017 7:09 PM, "rinphoto@... [S-Trains]" <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

I understand that parts are hard to come by. Has anyone had the same problem, and if so, how did you resolve it? I have a couple of ideas but no sense reinventing the wheel, so to speak.

Roy Inman

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78985	From: Mike Andrzejewski	Date: 2/12/2017
Subject: Re: Pullman style stools

Hi Jerry,

Wiseman Model Services has them on eBay:

SCALE Sn3 WISEMAN MODEL SERVICES DETAIL PARTS S301 STATION PLATFORM STEPS | eBay

Mike Andrzejewski

$ 3.0

SCALE Sn3 WISEMAN MODEL SERVICES DETAIL PARTS S301 STATION PLATFORM STEPS ...

DETAIL PARTS SUITABLE FOR S SCALE Sn3 OR Sn2. WISEMAN MODEL SERVICES 1/64 SCALE DETAIL PARTS. WISEMAN MODEL SERV...

From: "poniaj@... [S-Trains]" <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, February 12, 2017 6:55 PM
Subject: [S-Trains] Pullman style stools

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78986	From: David Dewey	Date: 2/13/2017
Subject: Oroville Dam--was Flyer Chat

Well, we got home at 10 pm, so no way I was at chat. Our home is above Lake Oroville, so we are not on the evacuation order, but now my comment about “not floating down the Feather River seems a bit callous. I won’t know until tomorrow what Oroville looks like, and maybe I won’t be permitted to go downtown We can survive here at home as long as the power holds and the food holds. The latter may become a worry, we shall see. More rain expected this week, so it’s hard to say what the future holds.

David dewey

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78987	From: rinphoto@rocketmail.com	Date: 2/13/2017
Subject: Re: S-Helper Consolidated problem

Thanks very much :)

On 02/12/2017 07:38 PM, R G keyhole_corona@... [S-Trains] wrote:

I was able to use a longer screw on my repair! you do not at all have to be rough and still have this part break, Great engine but the tender coupling was too delicate!

On Sunday, February 12, 2017 7:09 PM, "rinphoto@... [S-Trains]" <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Don Thompson or anyone: I have two S-Helper Consolidated engines and they both have the same problem-The plastic screw mount for the connecting rod to the tender on the cab end of the locomotive broke. Apparently I was not careful enough when I packed or unpacked the engines for our recent move. Left the tender attached to the engine.

I understand that parts are hard to come by. Has anyone had the same problem, and if so, how did you resolve it? I have a couple of ideas but no sense reinventing the wheel, so to speak.

Roy Inman

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78988	From: danceswithwolves49	Date: 2/13/2017
Subject: Re: S-Helper Consolidated problem

What I did one time in a smaller scale for a truck mount which should be a similar type situation was to get a short piece of Plastruct tubing the same outside diameter as the hole that was made when I removed the truck mount from the bolster and epoxied it in place. After the epoxy had firmly set I filed the tubing to the proper configuration and reattached the truck. The screw fit perfectly and it was good as new.

Bob Lampe

Kalispell, MT

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78989	From: Chrisandmhel Burger	Date: 2/13/2017
Subject: Re: Oroville Dam--was Flyer Chat

Duck,

Stay Safe, Sending Prayers for the whole area. Still looking for the parts. CB

From: "'David Dewey' djdewey@... [S-Trains]" <S-Trains@yahoogroups.com>
To: S-Trains@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2017 4:11 AM
Subject: [S-Trains] Oroville Dam--was Flyer Chat

David dewey

Group: S-Trains	Message: 78990	From: jhannawald	Date: 2/13/2017
Subject: Re: S-Helper Consolidated problem

I had the same problem and played around with various glues until one of them set up and has held for a year. I think is was Gorilla Super glue for plastics.

Jim Hannawald

From: rinphoto@... [S-Trains]

Sent: Sunday, February 12, 2017 7:06 PM