BarstowRick's H&P Layout Restoration

BarstowRick Sep 15, 2020

  1. DCESharkman

    DCESharkman TrainBoard Member

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    Get you some 38, 40 and 42 inch radii curves, sit back and watch how smooth everything is winding around them........
     
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  2. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Some progress today. I had to make a new panel for my DCC or Analog DC - Cut Off Toggle Switch and the two Reversing Toggles.

    Before
    DSCF1916.JPG

    After the cutting, drilling, painting, and installation of the toggle switches.

    DSCF1916 (1).JPG

    Oh boy what am I seeing? It doesn't have to perfect it just has to be.
    Now to reattach the wires that either got broke off in transport, cut off and/or removed.

    Fun stuff!
     
    Last edited: Sep 23, 2022
  3. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yes sir!! Amen, Amen and Amen. To borrow a well known expletive.

    Don't I wish I had room for such.

    Thanks.
     
    Last edited: Sep 22, 2022
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  4. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Once you have explored what wider curves can give you. How awesome they look. I promise you'll find a way to push the tight radius curves out. Hey, I'm a perfect example of that. It has nothing to do with the width of a door, it can be enlarged. There are so many ways to think out of the door frame - jamb, out of the box. Do I dare say it can happen.

    From the For What It's Worth Department.

    I worked in a Hobby Shop in Kettering, Ohio. Best job ever. Look at all the toys I got to play with.

    Come around this time of year, would be hopeful's, future model railroaders. Who showed up at our doorstep. Looking for a way to sell their significant other on a Train Set. The kind of people Hobby Shop Owners and Employees love to see.

    The most often or frequently asked question, "How tight a radius can I use to build my train set?". I wasn't allowed to use my patented answer. We sold a ton of tight radius curves in every scale. I wanted to say, "Take a piece of flex track and wrap it around your little finger". What the heck!! No instead I sold them the tightest curves I could find. Gritting my teeth the whole time. I think my tongue has scars on it.

    Now, follow up. After Christmas, the same guys and gals came back with, "Well that was fun but looked real bad running around under the Christmas Tree". Followed by, "What curves would you recommend for a layout?" Now that's the question we all wanted to hear. To start with. Here I go, "Let me show you your options!" Now I'm smiling and able to give the best advice out there.

    That's what I've been talking about here on TrainBoard, is options. For sure some of the modelers here have learned what wider curves can do for them and the appearance of their trains. Never mind the smooth operations.

    While some of you are really stuck with No Room. Space Limitations. I feel bad for you! But it is what it is. You seem happy with it. So, I don't want to belittle you or put you down. Your doing the best you can. Nor do I want to come across as that guy calling you an Idiot. I'm not. What I can tell you is I was an Idiot for way to many years playing with those HO tight radius curves.

    My secret. I built my N scale layout using the same radius curves as I did for my HO Layout. What a difference it made. Awesome, doesn't describe it.

    Well, I've bored you long enough.

    Have fun.

    Later.

    Aiiyiiyii !! My cat played with the key board. Well, there's more.

    I do look on tight radius curves as the epitome of Toy Trains. My first, three-rail wind up train had curves so tight the locomotive would dive off the tracks on the first time around the track. I soon learned not to wind it so much. I learned the limitations.

    Back to Bear Valley Country.

    Big Steve, had an HO scale layout made up of 15" radius curves. He tried to push them out to 18" radius curves. It was a folded over dog bone with a lot of train running and switching puzzles. I dig on switching puzzles so I liked it right off the bat. I don't know how the bat got in there but it did. He operated short freight and passenger cars and no more then four axle diseasels. Sp intended.

    Architect, John, had an HO layout with 30" radius curves. Lot's of switching puzzles. The BVMR's enjoyed operations night every Thursday. Providing he wasn't busy at the office. Those curves on his layout could handle the full size passenger cars. Looked amazing.

    Recently someone said to me but N scale is N scale and not HO. No argument but he was missing the point. N scale is approximately half of what HO is in scale. You can take HO curve sizes and cut them in half and you have a N scale radius curve. For example a HO 30 inch radius curve is? You are so right a 15" radius curve. Do able on most N scale layouts.

    Now flip that the other way. A 9.75" radius curve is? You;ve got it a 19.50" HO radius curve. You can round that down to the ever popular 18" radius curve in HO. Which is a tight curve for HO. Most guys in HO want to push out to a 30" radius curves. Never mind the benefits that go with it. So one more time with the math. What would be a 30" radius curve equivalent in N scale? You are getting smarter by the minute. Absolutely, a N Scale 15" radius curve.

    You all amaze me as to how quickly you caught on.

    Now go have some fun with your N scale train layouts.

    You hold the keys to happy operations and amazing performance.

    Now...Later!
     
    Last edited: Sep 23, 2022
  5. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Why should I care???' Why shouldn't I?? If I finally learned something that changed my rather mundane and unhappy experience with model railroading. Wouldn't you expect me to share it? The JOY of model railroading.

    And yes! i do know where some of you are coming from. I used the same rational and logic to justify my tight radius curves. Yes, I did. I truly didn't have the room. I still don't. But, if you learn anything by visiting my layout. It's you can have wide radius curves.

    Did I convince you? Probably not. That's Okay too!

    There was a time you couldn't convince me. I had to get to the point i was sick and tired of being sick and tired of what i had. It was time for a change.

    Now get back to your layout and run some trains.(y)(y)

    Why you sitting here reading this?:confused::confused:

    Later!:cool::cool:
     
    Last edited: Sep 23, 2022
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  6. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    I ask myself that question daily....:LOL::LOL::LOL::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::LOL::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::LOL::LOL::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
     
  7. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    I did it again. I'm replying to my own submission.

    I had to move the screws around. Once I looked on the backside I found I was bumping into other screws. Not a good combination. Oh yes! On both ends.

    I also, checked the wiring and it's good. I may have to re-solder one connection but it all looks good.

    I can tell where the wires came in from the DCC power supply and the 35M transformer. I do have a track to nowhere. Program track for DCC. Now to get household current 110 or 120 as they refer to it. Then we will be good to start running trains.

    Well on some tracks. At least a test train or better yet my MOW train. Looking hopeful.

    How about that?
     
  8. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

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    One time, I had a 2' X 4' layout and I managed to use 19" radius curves. I swore myself to secrecy to never tell anybody how I did it.

    :D

    Doug
     
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  9. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    I like it! Please don't tell us how! Oh, I think I know what you did. It barely hung on to the edges. :cautious::D
     
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  10. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    I did the same with two layouts.
    The outdoor O gauge had hug curves.
     
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  11. BigJake

    BigJake TrainBoard Member

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    You didn't say you had a complete 180 degree curve of exclusively 19R sections...

    Easing a shorter radius curve, with 19R15 sections at entry & exit, counts as using 19R curves, and can fit a 2x4 layout. As does a #4 switch and its complementary curve for a parallel siding.

    A 19R15 at each end of a 11R150 curve completes a 180 degree curve that just fits inside 24".
     
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  12. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    It's Saturday, College Football.

    Wisconsin and Ohio State on the screen as I write. No favorites in this game The score so far is 28 to 7 favoring the Buckeyes, Ohio State. Second Quarter. We shall see how this turns out.

    I was invited over to my daughters home for a delicious meal. So, I missed the first two games.

    Rick's Layout News:

    Not much to share as of this moment. I need to purchase some replacement particle board. Finds me waiting for the retirement check. When will it arrive?

    The math. 19" Radius curve has a circumference of 38" inches. Four feet wide board will allow for a 48" circumference or translates into a 14" oops my bad, corrected 24" radius curve. A two foot board. You do the math.

    Does this find you asking questions??

    However if you use an extension such as a curved bridge. Hummm? Is that possible?
    You tell me.

    Later!
     
    Last edited: Sep 25, 2022
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  13. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    I'm beginning to fell that wouldn't help. Would it? :whistle::LOL:
     
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  14. BigJake

    BigJake TrainBoard Member

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    Did you mean "diameter" instead of "circumference"?

    Also, a 19" radius track piece has a centerline radius of 19". The outside radius would the that plus half the track width (or tie length). The outside radius or diameter is what has to fit on the board.
     
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  15. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    I did, I did. I was distracted when writing that and knew I'd blown my credibility. Is that the right word? I oops'd.

    Must be loosing it. That's the second time this week I ended up in a Gotcha.

    Enjoy the rest of the weekend, you all.
     
    Last edited: Sep 25, 2022
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  16. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Sunday and the neighbors are quiet, the streets are quiet, it's almost spooky. We will save that for Halloween.

    Surprisingly, the railroad is quiet this morning. Usually there is a switch job in the Nampa Union Pacific Yard and the Boise Shorline is hustling about to get a local out of the yard. Not dead quiet...nope.!! It happened, someone's loud bike broke the silence. The day is on.

    Have you noticed stores are already decorating for Christmas. Advertising up here is talking about Presidents Day. Of course Halloween Candy was out the first of September.
    The prices, the prices?? Aiiyiiyii.

    Professional Football is out the window. Takes $$$ to get the signal here to the house. So I will grumble a lot and use anger as the motivator to get the track - block wires reattached.

    Rick's Layout News:

    The plan for today is to get some wires rejoined. Now that I have power I can test the track and see which wires are hot or not. But then you already knew that.

    Wish me luck. This getting old stuff is not for the faint of heart.

    If it weren't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all. Johnny Cash?? Can't remember. Pretty sure he sang those lyrics.

    Later!
     
    Last edited: Sep 25, 2022
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  17. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Here it comes again.

    I want you to see this video. Big Steve's HO Layout. I know, I know some of you don't like it when I compare HO to N scale.

    Big Steve had tight, tight, tight curves on his HO layout. This is how he solved one of his problematic curves.



    Rest in peace, big Steve. Sigh!!

    Slideshow Video courtesy of myself.

    Like it or not. It's pretty hard to hate on that bridge.

    If you haven't gotten it yet. You can do the same thing in N scale. You could use the same radius curve and turn out something... Awesome!!

    Having fun yet??
     
    Last edited: Sep 25, 2022
  18. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    I had almost forgotten about the Slideshow Videos I made of my layout.

    Here is why I'm working so hard to restore this layout. It is one frustration after another. Frustrate,, frustrate, frustrate. I won't get into that now.

    This is what I want to see operating on my layout. Again!!

    The videos are short. No commercials. I hate commercials and as a result I didn't monetize them.

    Just noticed three (3) likes each. Over 500 views and I don't think any subscribers. :confused::confused: I didn't put them out there to be Mr. Popular. More for my own viewing.(y)




    One more:



    Like, hate, react however, you want.

    The last one for now:



    This is what I like.

    Now you knew why Big Steve called me More Track Rick.

    Chores to do. See you later.:sick:

    Okay, I got things to do.:cool:

    Slideshow Videos courtesy of myself.
     
    Last edited: Sep 25, 2022
  19. BigJake

    BigJake TrainBoard Member

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    Rick, don't worry; your credibility is entirely intact with me! You've done more than I can dream of.
     
  20. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Andy, thanks.

    Model Railroading is my hobby. I enjoy sharing it, even with others that aren't receptive. It's the joy I get from it. I want to pass it on. Nothing but fun and some work.

    Somewhere above I used "Knew" when I should of use "Know". All about "More Track Rick". That isn't the only oops as in missspeelling. Aiiyiiyii !!

    Back to wiring.
    Later
     
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2022

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