that extended into eternity. I had Colorado50 over for some train running on the peices of my layout that are now in existence. I was worried about trains toppling off the edge of the door panel, so we fashioned some packing tape guard rails so that nothing would fall off the edge in those places where the main comes really close to the tumble of doom. During the demo run I was complaining about how my engines bind on my C55 switches, and Eric explained how I just need to re-gauge my diesel wheels and that should fix everything. The whole time we're gabbin away, I have my fave engine running laps on the main. The conversation turned to gound throws and the next thing I know we're fiddling with a switch, and talking about ground throws, and in the process of fiddling I move the points over so they aim to the spur. We keep chatting and the engine rolls by. My N&W train master is just a gem to watch run BTW. It rolls right under our noses and we both turn to watch the engine roll off the end of the long staging spur that leads off the layout. It comes to a stop and just hangs in the air off the edge of my layout like a van full of racing minis at the end of that movie the Italian Job. Conversation stops. We look at each other mesmerized by the implications of what might have just happened. Quietly I reach over and grab the engine. It was one of those moments of wonder and stupidity. I feel very lucky. [ March 09, 2006, 01:18 PM: Message edited by: traingeekboy ]
I have goose bumps just picturing that moment. All of your planets were in alignment at that time......
That always happens when you have someone over to look at your layout and run trains. Stay cool and run steam....
Your lucky day Geeky. Funny you mentioned your C-55 binding problem, I spent some time this evening re-gauging a dozen of my locos. They cruise through the switches very smoothly now, no more picking points, climbing frogs and clanging and banging going through the frogs.
Hey. At least the moment of silence was not in rememberance of the end of a great locomotive! BTW, how did that lottery ticket work out?
Scoreboard: Traingeekboy: 1 Floor: 0 Take it from hard experience, the floor WILL always make a comeback in that game.
Yes, it was quite a harrowing moment. Knowing that the Trainmaster is one of Geeks favorite engines, it would have been a great loss. But after a few beers later in the afternoon, things seemed right with the world again Eric
I dunno, I think maybe I used the good luck reservoir for my whole neighborhood. lol As an afterthought it was just hilarious, but in the moment I was just in shock. lol
Yeah, I guess this has been covered the world over, but Eric pointed out how the metal plating on the frogs is rather thick so the gauge is a hair tight going through the frogs on those switches. You can actually see how thickly crusted the plating is on there. I bet their prototype frogs when they were still in beta testing didn't have that plating or they would have caught it. Still, I think C55 is just beautiful too behold.
Noway dude, I'm putting a whole border around my layout soon. No more roll offs for me. the thing is we thought we were being clever by putting the packing tape border on the layout in those close call areas. I had no plans of running trains on the spurs.
It rolls right under our noses and we both turn to watch the engine roll off the end of the long staging spur that leads off the layout. To borrow from that great line in "The Graduate", I want to say one word to you. Just one word. Nails. Until you get some type of bumper installed, just go around and drive in a finishing nail at the center of the track, right at the end of all spurs heading towards the edge of the layout. You were lucky, kid. Regards Ed
I wouldn't put a nail directly in the center (may cause unwanted coupler damage). Try a stick pin off a little center instead. Just enough to stop the loco or cars without making it plummet towards middle earth.
