Good morning, Jim and crew. Tidewater Virginia is going to be in the 80's, a big change from the 60° weather we've been having. Like, Jim's weather, it's wet, so no yard work today.

I finished my swayback boxcar and I need to clear the workbench to make room for the next project, what ever that will be. Instead of something new, I probably should look at some half finished projects sitting on my shelf.

Have a good day.

George

Mornin' All!

Seventies, grey and damp here in the northern mitten. We have had beastly hot for a couple of days, tempered with "Build an Ark" downpours and some glorious boomers, but no break in the temperature, so low seventies is a welcome respite. Sky is still dripping occasionally, but that just means "stay inside." Good day for a nap.

I've been trying to put a decoder and sound into an ancient Athearn SW-7 (one of my first HO locomotives when I made the switch from "N" in 1978), found a way to do it, got it all going fabulously on DC, lubed properly, moves if I just think about putting power to it and so on. Got the decoder hooked up, things sounded good, but it wouldn't move except in fits and starts. Wondered if I had somehow goofed something up when I soldered the wires to the speaker, so I unhooked the speaker, and it moved about six inches before quitting. Wired up another speaker, went looking for the first one, realized it was still attached to the locomotive, and picked up the decoder so I could back the loco up a bit. Decoder was too hot to touch.... :erm:

At some point, making a long story short, I put the ammeter across the motor on DC. Stall current in that beautiful little motor that works so flawlessly, is 1.25 amps. Not so good for a one amp decoder.... :erm: [:-irked]

So now I need to decide whether 'tis better to go with a two amp decoder, which might not fit, or simply dig around in the stash and find a new motor, which will have to be installed, fitted, have the right flywheels, etc. Or go on-line and try to find a re-power kit for a forty-two year old locomotive.... Thrill a minute around here.

Make it a great day, All, and stay safe!

Pete

in Michigan

Good morning Jim, George, Pete and the rest of the crew. It is 69 degrees and cloudy here in S.E. Michigan. Light rain off and on today.

I think that I might get back to some modeling today. The only outside chore is to check the mailbox to see if I got the wasp's nest when I sprayed last night. I thought that I'd gotten it a few night ago, but apparently not. Our mail carrier is allergic to stings, so I've been trying to take care of the problem ASAP.

Have a great day!

Gonna rain today weather here, too. 70s will seem frigid, the Doll likes winter settings for a/c. Was HOT for sure yesterday and topped off by a gully washer around 7, just as we arrived at some friends' place to assert our newly granted freedom to assemble in groups less than 10, thanks to she who couldn't use the boat last weekend. I even picked some rhubarb and baked a pie to takewhile watching yet another delay in the space program. Some neat new tech in that spaceship.

Earlier yesterday I had a stressful few minutes with one of those new fangled safer and foolproof, also senior proof, diesel fuel cans with the hold up 40 pounds of liquid in mid air, tap your head and rub your tummy one handed valve that unleashes a flow of fuel rivalling that of a 90 yr old with stage 4 prostate issue, spilling half down your pants leg, all over the shiny new paint on the tractor and little if any into the reservoir it's intended. Finally envoked the name of all that is holy and shed the whole POS and just poured it right out of the can. Lost at least a quart, still smell it on my shoes this morning. Wrote the mfgr an angry missive once back in the house of their waste of fine engineering talent on such a misquided devise. Also discovered that Amazon and eBay sell those pop open yellow vent caps and pour tubes for older cans that can be diy'd into rehabilitating the over educated junker. I'll order at least enough for 2 cans later.

No plans today besides finishing off the terrific, if I do say so myself, rhubarb pie. Healthier than stock with the addition of Stevia instead of half the sugar.

BE SAFE, Healthy and resilient!

Good morning from So. Central Wisconsin where there is a slight rain falling. High today is supposed to be 72, rain all day with rainfall totals over 2” with flooding possible. I guess no horse riding or walking outside. This was supposed to be a internet free 12 hours, 9 to 9, but no trains or outdoor projects, I have cancelled my participation. Enjoy your day, be safe.

TomO

Ah, Karl, you spilled all that fuel -safely-. :-( Today I think I'll look at what it'll take to run a loco down the HOn30 track, now that the wiring is complete. I need to do the power (5v) distribution to the switch machines and trim the turnout control rods. Then of course, I'll have to clean the track thoroughly before taking the big step of hooking a powerpack to the track.

Weather in SE NH is a bit cooler than yesterday's high of 93, but the humidity is increased. Fortunately, the weather should break on Saturday and next week looks really nice.

dave