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    Catenary

    Thanks You are correct, this should get me started. Thanks for the prompt reply and good pictures and explanations, Dave
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    Catenary

    Could anyone be so kind as to point me to some good information, especially with some clear pictures or illustrations, of a basic catenary system. It would not have to actually pass current to the loco, just looking like it was real would be fine. Any suggestions or leads on info sources would...
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    PRR numbers

    Thanks for the info, will d-load the file. I suspect the numbers may not really match actual PRR numbers. Athearn and other model manufacturers were not so fussy about accurate numbers and details that matched the prototype cars in the "good old days". Close enough was often OK. In any case it...
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    PRR numbers

    I am in the process of adding some PRR (Athearn)passenger cars to my layout. I will have a combine, number 4902, a coach, number 4903, and a dome passenger car, number 4905. Does anyone know if there is an existing model of a number 4904, and what specific kind of car it would be? Thanks, Dave
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    PRR Passenger Cars

    Thanks for the comment that backs up my hunch. As soon s I add one more correct car I will retire the Harriman set, probably to E-Bay. Dave
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    PRR Passenger Cars

    Thanks for the lead to all sorts of PRR info. It still seems that the cars I have are not accurate. The Harriman style does not seem to be real PRR. Also, the cars do not have any names on the sides below the windows; all the lists indicate named cars. My guess is still "not real PRR". Dave
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    PRR Passenger Cars

    I need some PRR expertise. I have a set of HO cars that are lettered and painted for PRR. They are not too long, have a curved roof with 8 small round ventilators in a row on each side. I believe that is typical of a Harriman style car. But, did the Pennsy own cars like that? I do not recall...
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    Athearn Short out!

    On my post of 6-27 I may have had the answer. I believe that I noted that another TM, used on another part of the layout had no problems. Let me explain. After being fully frustrated by the problem loco I parked it to work on other matters. One day I was moving a Baldwin switcher in the same...
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    Athearn Short out!

    Stix,,,You may be correct, but unlike my childhood hero, Superman, I do not have Xray vision, so when I put the shell back on............. I really have tried to figure this out, and the crazy thing is that I have another TM, seems identical, with NO problem. Will try again when I finish some...
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    Athearn Short out!

    I spoke too soon. After running the loco all over the layout, up and down and down and up the hill/curve, there was no problem. When I went to finish the test by running it into one of the stub sidings beyond the hill, it slowed down, stopped and the yard lights dimmed and quit as the circuit...
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    Athearn Short out!

    Ed, You are correct, an easier curve/grade would help, but it would require a MAJOR rebuild of a lot of track, and scenery that is wire mesh and plaster of paris, about 20 years old. I shudder at the thought! Also, there are at least 10, maybe more, locos that use that hill and curve on a...
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    Athearn Short out!

    Shorting TM I will try to remember how to post a picture ( I have problems with this in the past). But, I have sat at the bench and looked at the shell and just can't see a problem. I have another Athearn Trainmaster used on another part of the layout with no problem. The shell might (maybe)...
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    Athearn Short out!

    No Solution yet Sir: I tried your idea and found no contact spots that would cause a short. But, there is no problem if I run the loco without the plastic shell in place. I can go up and down the grade/curve, forward, reverse, with heavy cars attached, etc., etc., and there is no problem...
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    Athearn Short out!

    Maybe someone can help me with a frustrating problem. I have an old (10-15 years is my guess) Athearn Trainmaster that will run fine on straights, normal curves and grades. However, I have one spot that is a result of bad design on my part, where the track has a grade of about 6% and a curve...
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    Pennsylvania Railroad Locomotive Antennas

    PRR Antenae Ralph, Don't try to make Athearn railing bits work. CalScale makes complete sets of the exact/correct uprights for most dsl. locos used by the Pennsy I have then on every PRR dsl. on the layout ( around 12 I think), and on each caboose. Looks great on each one. Dave
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    Do's and Dont's of Model Railroading

    Do not add another piece of wire of a new color to just finish up a connection with stuff that is available, free, handy, etc.. You will NOT remember all the variations in color, you will most likely add some more odd color sections because the first one was NO PROBLEM and so 20 years later...
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    Wash Rack Project

    Now that it would seem that I have learned how to post pictures (fingers crossed) I thought I would share two shots of a recent project. As I added more locos, it seemed that a wash rack would be a good idea. It is all scratch built from plastic tube, plastic I beams, sheet styrene, wire and ...
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    Layout at night

    I will try the Ragan solution. I took two shots from about the same spot, one with flash, one without ( at least I think that is why there is such a great change) In the one you can see the blur of the headlight from the one locomotive.http://s378.photobucket.com/albums/oo230/MOWDavid/ I am not...
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    Picture Problem

    I would like to post some pictures here, but whenever I get to the step of attaching the picture it gets rejected by the web site because it is too big. It is a JPEG format picture from my iPhoto library. I am probably making some dumb mistake or missing a simple step, but I really don't have a...
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    Bowser USRA Lt Mikado, Deluxe Kit (Lord help me)

    The advice on keeping clear in your mind that there is a right and a left valve gear assembly is important, very important! Years ago I built the Decapod and it still runs fine, loud, heavy and reliable. I do recall that I had a problem with the valve gear binding when I first tried it. I called...