Re: Mixed Train Operations
Maybe this fits the category on a technicality. It was a switching move back in the day.
Stan Stokrocki
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Re: Mixed Train Operations
My hometown was served by two daily
mixed trains with those famous Milw Rd. Branchline combines.?
Unfortunately I was way too young to remember much but I do recall
it heading out of town thru the weeds, I was disappointed that
that orange car didn't have a cupola nor did it look like the
typical AF Reading version. ? I think both trains met at the depot
to exchange consists and perhaps the rare passenger.? I think the
only time- sensitive thing was the mail sacks,? my aunt was a
clerk who seemed to often mention that the train was
late...again.? Later on my step father, who was the postmaster had
similar issues, so he started to make a fuss about the poor rail
service.?
Despite generally being a non-critical
process much of the time, the local farmers? complained the most.?
Once the train was late and was carrying several crates of baby
chicks on the Saturday run.? John, my father knew that they'd all
be dead by Monday, and the Rural Route driver had already left on
his route, so he loaded the car with the chicks and 'ubbered' them
to the farm.?
I had intentions if scratch building
one of the combines as River Raisin brought in trucks for them as
they used the same trucks as their? cabooses.? I also have some
great plans and photos from Loyd Kaiser, who has authored several
books, but mostly the CNW.? Southwind also had a short Harrimann
combine in the plans too, but the earlier NYC combines were hard
to sell, so those didn't happen!? The UP had a few that ran in
Nebraska and Eastern Colorado.? I would be happy with one of those
too!?
Bob Werre
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We ran a
mixed train that I made up, based on an article by Ed
Loizeaux, in MR, I think, several years ago. #4N/5S was a
first-class train that ran from Louisville to Chicago and
back. The consist was mostly milk reefers with some other
reefers. There was a combine on the end for passengers and
baggage/freight. There were cars switched at foreign road
interchanges along the route. Attached is the late Chuck
Ricketts working #5S at Gosport, Ind.
Roger
Nulton
?
?
Mike S's recent post about mixed trains
hit home with me.? For the first 50+ years of its existence,
the BC&G ran only mixed trains.? A coach tacked on the
end of the string of 50+ coal cars served both passengers
and as caboose for the crews.? That must have been some
ride!? ?The BC&G got their first 'legitimate' caboose in
1958 ending the mixed train service.? I model 1964 on my
layout but have used modeler's license recently to
reintroduce mixed service.
The first photo is the thrice-weekly
mixed train pulling away from the B&O station.? The
second photo shows that at Swandale the coach is spotted out
of the way at the far end of town at the two-story boarding
house which doubles as a station.? I've recently added the
small freight dock to the right of the coach for unloading
small freight parcels.? The third photo shows the train
departing for the return trip to Dundon running tender first
as the prototype did in 1964.
To add interest to the mixed operations,
I always come to a full stop just short of coupling the
coach.? 'Gotta be mindful of the passengers' comfort.
The fourth photo is one of the few color
images of one of the two BC&G coaches in mixed service.?
It was taken by David Marquis, a model railroader, in 1955.?
The BC&G's two coaches, #16 and #17, were ex-PRR cars
purchased by the BC&G in 1949 for $1500 each.? I've
represented both cars by modifying AM combines, sectioning
them and adding porthole windows.
'Anybody else run mixed trains?
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Re: John's Turnouts/Switches
John,
John (Scott) Wicham? does not have a website as far as I know, you need to reply directly to his posted email? ?
Ed Sauers
On Wed, Feb 19, 2025 at 9:14?PM John Hutnick via <johnhutnick= [email protected]> wrote: What is the site for these turnouts please?
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Re: John's Turnouts/Switches
I purchased some switches from John and they are excellent.
Charles Weston
On Thursday, February 20, 2025, 09:08:19 AM CST, John via groups.io <scottw90@...> wrote:
I don't have a business I just make some extras now and again.? Unless someone asks me to make some items.? I do most of the Fast Tracks stuff in code 70, 83 and 100.? I have most of the jigs: Turnouts, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10 and i do double slips, three ways.
?
Thanks,
?
John
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Re: John's Turnouts/Switches
I don't have a business I just make some extras now and again.? Unless someone asks me to make some items.? I do most of the Fast Tracks stuff in code 70, 83 and 100.? I have most of the jigs: Turnouts, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10 and i do double slips, three ways.
?
Thanks,
?
John
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Re: Mixed Train Operations
I think I recall Ed's article on reefer trains.? ?That looks like a fun assignment to have on your railroad.? What a beautiful fall day to be out railroading!? Who doesn't love that covered depot?!
Brooks Stover
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Hi Everyone,
If you're starting out with nothing, then it's the perfect time to look at everything.?
I'll throw Ring Engineering's RailPro into the mix. I did a LOT of research into the best method for myself and settled on RailPro for its simplicity and nice controller. It can do everything that DCC does functionally, but there's no "programming" or having
to learn JMRI etc, since everything is done on the screen of the handheld controller. Even if you've already set up your layout wiring for DCC you can still use RailPro because all you need is power to the track. The beautiful part about RailPro is you can
take your locomotives and controller to any layout that has track power, and you can simply put it on the tracks and start running because RailPro only needs power since the decoder talks directly to the controller via radio control and not via the rails themselves
like DCC. All "programming" is done on the controller screen and is very self-explanatory (no programming knowledge necessary) and you can make small adjustments at any time, hit the save button and start running trains again.?
As far as mounting electronics in the locomotive I found one thing to be careful about. If you are going to have trains running nonstop such as a passenger or freight train in a loop, motors, when running, get hot. Absolutely do NOT install your decoder on
top of the motor because as the motor gets hot from running it will transfer that heat to your decoder and will shut it down due to the heat. This is only a concern if you are constantly running a particular locomotive nonstop for long?periods of time. If
you're just doing switching etc in a yard or only making short trips with a locomotive for a couple minutes, then mounting on the motor with double sided tape is not a big deal as the motor will never heat up enough.?
Cheers,
Jeff J
Michigan
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Re: Mixed Train Operations
We ran a mixed train that I made up, based on an article by Ed Loizeaux, in MR, I think, several years ago. #4N/5S was a first-class train that ran from Louisville to Chicago and back. The consist was mostly milk reefers with some other reefers. There was a combine on the end for passengers and baggage/freight. There were cars switched at foreign road interchanges along the route. Attached is the late Chuck Ricketts working #5S at Gosport, Ind. Roger Nulton ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Brooks Stover via groups.io
Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2025 8:32 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [S-Scale] Mixed Train Operations? Mike S's recent post about mixed trains hit home with me.? For the first 50+ years of its existence, the BC&G ran only mixed trains.? A coach tacked on the end of the string of 50+ coal cars served both passengers and as caboose for the crews.? That must have been some ride!? ?The BC&G got their first 'legitimate' caboose in 1958 ending the mixed train service.? I model 1964 on my layout but have used modeler's license recently to reintroduce mixed service. The first photo is the thrice-weekly mixed train pulling away from the B&O station.? The second photo shows that at Swandale the coach is spotted out of the way at the far end of town at the two-story boarding house which doubles as a station.? I've recently added the small freight dock to the right of the coach for unloading small freight parcels.? The third photo shows the train departing for the return trip to Dundon running tender first as the prototype did in 1964. To add interest to the mixed operations, I always come to a full stop just short of coupling the coach.? 'Gotta be mindful of the passengers' comfort. The fourth photo is one of the few color images of one of the two BC&G coaches in mixed service.? It was taken by David Marquis, a model railroader, in 1955.? The BC&G's two coaches, #16 and #17, were ex-PRR cars purchased by the BC&G in 1949 for $1500 each.? I've represented both cars by modifying AM combines, sectioning them and adding porthole windows. 'Anybody else run mixed trains?
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Re: John's Turnouts/Switches
Andrew,
There is another path.?
Turnouts are available from Empire Trackworks (empiretrackworks.com)
at quite reasonable prices.? They have been shipping product for
about a year (+/-).? They have a nice catalog of S turnouts.?
In case you missed one of Shane's comments, Micro Engineering is in
the process of buying Tomalco Track.? As in all
business-to-business product ownership transfers, "Lawyers",
"Accountants", and "Logistics" take time.? Anticipated availability
of Code 100 S- scale flex track from Micro Engineering is "July",
this year.? Look for Micro Engineering on youtube for their public
statements.?
--Dave McBrayer
Auburn, CA
-----------------
On 02/19/2025 7:49 PM, Andrew Parker
via groups.io wrote:
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Turnouts makes me think of
track.? Track makes me think of Tomalco. Tomalco makes me
think of Shane Lambert.? ?Shane Lambert makes me think of the
Erie Lackawana GP 35 that I think I purchased from him.? ????
Andrew Parker
What is the site for these turnouts please?
--
Dave McBrayer
Auburn, CA?
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I haven't done as many as Bill Lane, but I have done about 40 DCC installations into S locos.? Tsunami 2 - 2200 series has become my decoder of choice (plus the CurrentKeeper).? Great sound and the 2200's give far more volume than the one-amp decoders.? However, when I want to include a smoke unit or control an existing smoke unit in the AF U boats, SD70ac's or E44ac's, I use the TCS 501's.? Here's a video on how I do my installations of Tsunami 2200's in American Models diesels....https://youtu.be/3dEXesqkUEw?si=16MOC6AwMOnK36LI
?
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Re: John's Turnouts/Switches
John Wickham:
?
Roger Nulton
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Re: John's Turnouts/Switches
Turnouts makes me think of track.? Track makes me think of Tomalco. Tomalco makes me think of Shane Lambert.? ?Shane Lambert makes me think of the Erie Lackawana GP 35 that I think I purchased from him.? ????
Andrew Parker
What is the site for these turnouts please?
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Re: John's Turnouts/Switches
What is the site for these turnouts please?
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Re: For Sale - SMMW 44-ton Diesel Loco Phase I Kit
All,
My SMMW 44 ton Phase I kit is sold.
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Thanks,
Matt Hogan
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Thanks Dave, very helpful!
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Bill
On 02/19/2025 12:36 PM EST David Heine via groups.io <dheineww4@...> wrote:
?
?
Bill, Steve, and others,
?
I recently received two new Sn3 PBL locos with Blunami decoders factory installed. Essentially Blunamis are a Soundtraxx Tsunami2 DCC decoder with added Bluetooth functionality. The decoder can be powered with either DC or DCC. DC can be from the track or a battery. Soundtraxx says to not use AC. Your Bluetooth enabled device (phone, etc.) with the Blunami app will then connect with the Blunami decoder. When first connected, it will read all the decoder settings, which only takes a few seconds. Mine were already set up for the loco, so I could see which functions were in use and what they were with English labels. It is very easy to change the decoder settings with the app. However, you do need to power cycle the decoder for it to remember the new settings. For use in the app, you can enter a label for the loco; in my case I used "Krell Lumber Co. 54" for one of them. Changing the DCC address is just a matter of typing a new number in the DCC address label. The app will remember your locos, and to select it, you just hit the connect button next to the loco name.?
?
I have a DCC controlled layout and I usually prefer controlling?trains with a throttle rather than my phone, so after they are set up, I use a throttle to control it. My favorite throttles are the TCS UWT series WiFi throttles.? However, any programming changes to a Blunami decoder, I use my phone with the Blunami app.
?
Dave Heine
?
On Wed, Feb 19, 2025 at 9:07?AM Mike Swederska via <MikeSscale= [email protected]> wrote:
Hi Bill,
I am not using the Blunami decoders. But, I have been watching the SoundTraxx YouTube videos on the decoder. I recommend that you also watch them. It seems that it¡¯s the best way to go for a new modeler moving to dcc.
?
If you were to go with a Blunami decoder you can stay with the DC wiring already installed on your layout. Plus no need for a command station investment or JMRI. Possibly your only investment would be the decoder.?
As I was watching the videos I was thinking of you and anyone else wanting to move into dcc.?
Mike Swederska
Meramec Valley Lines
Modeling Mopac equipment in 3/16
Don't let perfection get in the way of good enough! Keep model railroading fun!
?
?
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Group,
As a long term customer I consider John's turnouts as works of art!!!! He has produced S and O-scale turnouts for me and my opinion is that they are the best Money can buy!!!!
Ed Sauers
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Re: S scale switches for sale
It's helpful to see posters' full names in the signature.? Thanks, John!
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Re: Mixed Train Operations
A mixed train was part of the operation on the old layout.? Seen here after meeting the local "crawl" at Cherryvale.
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The jury's out on whether or not the new layout will run a mixed train.
?
Rich G(ajnak)
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S scale switches for sale
I have four 2 RH and 2 LH S scale code 100 number 6 switches for sale $52.00 each.? You can contact me at my e-mail address scottw90 at ya hoo dot com if interested or want to see some pictures.??
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I also have the below code 70 switches that I made some years ago and are beautiful but don't have a need for them.? I am selling them for $30.00 ea
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Qty: 5 LH code 70 S scale turnout # 6 frog $30.00 ea
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Qty: 5 RH code 70 S scale turnout # 6 frog $30.00 ea
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Qty: 1 LH code 70 S scale turnout # 4 frog $30.00?
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Qty: 1 RH code 70 S scale turnout # 4 frog $30.00?
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Qty: 1 LH code 70 S scale turnout # 4.5 frog $30.00?
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Qty: 1 RH code 70 S scale turnout # 4.5 frog $30.00?
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Qty: 1 LH code 70 S scale turnout # 8 frog $30.00?
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Qty: 1 RH code 70 S scale turnout # 8 frog $30.00?
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Please let me know if you have any questions.
?
Thanks, John
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Re: Mixed Train Operations
The UP runs a mixed local out of Omaha to North Platte?on my Milford Valley RR.? Fred Schlegel
On Wed, Feb 19, 2025 at 10:31?AM Brooks Stover via <bcstover= [email protected]> wrote: Mike S's recent post about mixed trains hit home with me.? For the first 50+ years of its existence, the BC&G ran only mixed trains.? A coach tacked on the end of the string of 50+ coal cars served both passengers and as caboose for the crews.? That must have been some ride!? ?The BC&G got their first 'legitimate' caboose in 1958 ending the mixed train service.? I model 1964 on my layout but have used modeler's license recently to reintroduce mixed service.
?
The first photo is the thrice-weekly mixed train pulling away from the B&O station.? The second photo shows that at Swandale the coach is spotted out of the way at the far end of town at the two-story boarding house which doubles as a station.? I've recently added the small freight dock to the right of the coach for unloading small freight parcels.? The third photo shows the train departing for the return trip to Dundon running tender first as the prototype did in 1964.
?
To add interest to the mixed operations, I always come to a full stop just short of coupling the coach.? 'Gotta be mindful of the passengers' comfort.
?
The fourth photo is one of the few color images of one of the two BC&G coaches in mixed service.? It was taken by David Marquis, a model railroader, in 1955.? The BC&G's two coaches, #16 and #17, were ex-PRR cars purchased by the BC&G in 1949 for $1500 each.? I've represented both cars by modifying AM combines, sectioning them and adding porthole windows.
?
'Anybody else run mixed trains?
?
Brooks Stover
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Bob Werre
Charles Weston
Roger Nulton
David McBrayer
