Oh Boy I've really done it this time, banned from an Nscale chat group

OK here I go again. This is the message I received after logging on to a N scale chat group I recently joined. "You have been banned for the following reason: Spammer/Date the ban will be lifted: Never"

So your wondering what did you do now. In case you hadn't read a previous post Saturday, June 18, 2011 My Apoligy Well I did it again this is how it went. The title of my post 'A girls best friend'. The content of the post regarding Diamonds. It was appropriately placed in the trackage forum. The subject was regarding setting up a code 55 crossing (often referred to as a diamond) and the potential for shorts. Now this is getting crazy, again I like to pun but apparently it is not acceptable in the slightest form within the community of model railroaders. At least not with the moderators. If I keep this up I am going to develop a bad reputation.

Thank goodness though there is still hope for me and my puns. I have been invited to another N scale forum by a member who read one of my puns, one that got banned on different N scale chat forum. So jimmy b jr. I am on my way hope they'll have me at the N scale limited group

I recently added photos

I have been maintaining two photo accounts where I sort and organize my photos.  One account is with Photobucket the other is with Flickr.  I haven't decided what one I like best.  One problem I have anticipated is the fact that Apple Ipads are not able to view flash presentations.  This can be a problem with Flickr as I believe their slide show is setup with flash.  I think I would actually prefer Flickr if this were not the case.  Although the organization features are good in both programs I tend to like the Flickr better.  Now for some of you I know you did not come here to read about some technical aspect of computer photo files stuff and you want trains.  So here is a link to some recent photos.  Click on one of the photos and check it out.  I hope you enjoy.  
For those of you have thoughts or experience with the two aforementioned photo accounts please leave your comments.

Photos of recent work Block 8

In effort to try and maintain order in my Flikr photo account I have divided the photos into sets. For example my model of the Riverside Santa Fe railroad district I have broken the scenes up into the streets they occupy.  Thus Block 8 is the model scene in between 7th and 8th street.  Block 9 is the model scene between 8th and 9th streets and so on.   In this post I am linking to the photo set Block 8.  Block 8 is the scene that I have most recently worked on.  The progress that was made in this scene includes the brick herringbone paving in front of the Santa Fe passenger depot and the sidewalk and gutters all around the depot grounds and also the lawns were installed.  Since I occasionally get questions about the materials and or the methods I used to achieve effects I may start adding links to tutorials or a material list.  For now I am just trying to get the photo posting and linking set up.

Riverside's Santa Fe Passenger depot and grounds (Flickr Block 8)

Let there be light

Deciding the type of lighting system to use on the NL&SC was not easy. There was a lot of negative opinions about fluorescent lights but I wanted an even distribution of light across the scenes so fluorescent seemed like the best way to go.  The decision required the consideration of the type of bulbs, fixtures, distance from scene, mounting, and valance.  Each one of the considerations was discussed with an expert (Lighting technician at cooper lighting) and or tested before the final decisions were made.
Bulbs and fixtures
To achieve the right color light I was advised to use a 3900 K bulb (warm white).  I was originally planning to use T-8 bulbs and fixtures however I ended up using the T-4 under cabinet lighting.  So far I am pleased with them but I do have some concerns about the longevity of the bulb life and fixtures.   I really like the linking feature of the under cabinet lights. The fixture and bulbs come in many varying lengths from 9 inches to 48 inches.  Many of the fixtures have there very own on off switch so lighting the area where you are working rather than the whole layout can be achieved.

Spacing distance from the scene
I was  informed to space the bulb about 15 to 24 inches from the subject.  In this case the subject was the track.  To achieve this an overhead mount had to be created.  The overhead mount was created using a Stanley shelf bracket turned upside down then a connecting rail made out of a strip of 1x2 wood was mounted to the shelf brackets.  The lighting fixtures came with a spring steel snap in mount, they were attached to the 1x2 wood strip.  The lights were then snapped into place.

Valance
To block the light from glaring in my viewers face I installed a valance that blocks the light from coming outward.  Thus blocking the glare while allowing the light to reach the scene

My Appoligies, I couldn't help the pun

Well after working on weathering a couple of referigarator cars I noticed when running the cars that they had a noticable wobble when they rolled.  Instead of just investigating the problem and solving it by myself.  I thought I would post it as a question on Trainboard in hopes of leaning on the expereince of some of the other board members expereince.   In a moment of poor judgement and not being in control my ocasional sinical nature I decided to post the question as a pun ( I rolled some reefers, am I hallucinating or). Now within the body of the post was a more direct question, 'How do you solve the wobbling problem of the N scale Intermountain reefers?'.  As can be expected some of the responses were return pun for fun, some were expereintial.  However apparently the pun exceeded the boundries of protocol of Trainboard so the moderator decided to deactivate the post.  At least that is what I guess. 
Now my response here is by no means sour grapes in fact after posting I have to admit feeling a little remorse.  It reminded me of my high school days and the testing of boundries there.   So to the Trainboard members and the staff I appoligize for the inappropriate post.  I applaude you for setting the standard so high.  I hope you will forgive me in a moment of foolishness.

A little model work and a little operating 6-11-2011

Today was a minor day of operating on the NL&SC.  Since my last post not whole lot has been acompliushed.  Today I just tested some models across the line.  Tom C. stopped by and tested his Bachmann SantaFe northern.  He said it was the first time he used it.  Right from the get go there was trouble.  Apparently the factory that built the model did not check the wheel gauging. Problems on the grade crossing and the crossovers occured.  Further out on the line on a #7 switch the northen picked the points on the switch and was thrown off the track.  Tom took the model over to the bench and spent about 15 miuntes setting up the wheel gauge with a NMRA gauge.  After that the Loco performed much better however the #7 switch still caused it some trouble.  Since the Loco was properly gauged we made some adjustments on the switch.   That fixed it.  A few runbys with the diesels and some minor shuffling of cars in Riverside and then on to some weathering.
 I have weathered a few of my cars but I have always been aprehensive about taking a brand new model and try and make it look old and worn.  It just seems wrong but when its all done it really looks more realistic.  Tom C. has weathered several of his cars and shared some of his methods with me. Tom likes chalks.  My expereince with weathering was with quil brush application and a little airbrushing accents. Tom has really got the chalk method down he really helped me expand my horizon.  Tom also brought his Iwata Eclipse airbrush this was my first expereince with an Iwata.  The Iwata is definetly an impresive performer.  All in all the day yielded two complete Santa Fe reefers and alot of inspiration to weather and finish the rest of the reefer roster.