Re: Train Show recap

["Ira Schneider" <ira_schneider@iname.com>]

Hi gang,

I agree with Scott - this show went very well.

I think Scott understated the power fluctuation problem.  It appeared to me that there were power losses on
all tracks.  I was running my trains on track 2 and I saw them slow down noticeably on one corner and
most of one side.  Also, the tracks are uneven, with both vertical and horizontal alignment problems.
Once during the show I was taking some pictures from the end of the yard and I could see the mainline
tracks zigzagging from one end of the yard to the other.  When I was sitting at the raffle table from 9-10
on Saturday morning, I could actually see my Amtrak train going over a hump on the left side of the
layout.  I later looked at the track and found one track at the end of a module that was loose enough
that you could push it down on either side of the mounting screw.  We "fixed" this problem by putting
a piece of paper (the orange paper that is probably still under the track) under the inner end of the
track to stabilize it.  Then train ran much smoother after that.  Perhaps we should invest in a carpenter's
level to keep in the tool box and test the level of each bridge track when we set up.  I know this will
make our setup time longer, but it may pay off in having smoother running trains.  Also, with a long
level we could also align the tracks horizontally when we put in the bridge tracks.

I think replacing the tracks on all modules with 38" sections would be a mixed blessing.  The pro is that
having a single section of track would removing the bumps and zigzagging on the modules themselves.
The cons are that having single sections of track make exact track placement on the modules much
more critical (i.e. there is very little flexibility at the end of the tracks), module-to-module alignment is
much harder (again because of lack of flexibility), and cost.  I agree that we should support our local
hobby shops (even though, when Jon's Trains left, I don't think we have any hobby shops worth
supporting).  But, with a large purchase of 40" straight tracks, we can save significant amount of
money by ordering the tracks from one of the mail order hobby shops.  (Train Express charges
$3.85 per 40" section, no shipping for orders over $200.00, Island Trains wants $3.99, no shipping
over $150.00, Grand Central Ltd. charges $4.25.  I seem to recall one of the vendors at the AMRE
show was charging $3.75 (plus sales tax) for 40" track.  I haven't checked, but I suspect the local hobby
stores are charging close to the list price of $5.95, plus tax, for the 40" track.  Ordering by mail order would
probably save us around $8.00 per module.  If we do 20 modules, that would be a saving of about $160.00.
Since our treasury is so low, I think we should find the least cost supplier.

The switches, crossovers, and uncoupling tracks are a continuous source of problems.  The
newer Lionel parts are the worst.  I don't know if the problem is the plastic grooves are not deep
enough or what, but the trains bounce, catch, and derail mostly at the switches and crossovers.

I think the raffle was a good thing.  My impression was that there wasn't a big crowd at the AMRE show
itself, so the fact that we didn't see large numbers of visitors was not a surprise.  If we cleared about $60
at a show with low attendance, imagine what we could make at a show with a decent number of
visitors.

I have mixed feelings about the switching yard.  It was a great idea on paper.  The reality of it is a
working nightmare:

     1. The switches and crossovers are causing derailments, uncouplings, etc.  This is not a fault
          of the design, but a fault in Lionel's tracks.
     2. The sidings are too short to be useful for long freight trains.  They work great for passenger
          trains, but some of us like to run very long freight trains, which don't fit.
     3. It is very tricky to switch trains on and off the mainline using the sidings.
     4. The placement of the switch controllers is VERY PRONE to accidentally switching them by
          leaning on the switches.  This happened at least once this weekend, causing a train on the mainline
          to run into a train sitting on the siding.
     5. Operating the sidings using the CAB-1 controllers is very complicated.  I understand how to
         control them and it is still hard to get the power and control that we want.  Also, moving a train
         off the siding involves controlling the power to TWO tracks - the siding and the mainline track.
         This is probably less of a problem with command control engines.  However, I (and probably others)
         have engines that only work in conventional mode.  (I probably will never have a Lionel command
         control engine, since I am moving towards MTH Protosound 2.0 control on my home layout.)
     6. When one member turns a track over to another member, he should remove the trains from
         the siding as quickly as possible.  If a person has control of a mainline track, he should also have
         use of the associated siding(s).  Several times this weekend, I was running a train on the mainline
         and wanted to set up a second train to switch in, only to find that "my" siding was occupied by
         another member's train.

Something that disturbed me at this show was my perception that some members were being
insensitive to the overall look of the layout.  Two examples come to mind.

     1. Ricky put his station at the front of the layout between the trolley modules and the mainline
         modules, and then added four station platforms.  I understand his wanting to display the
         station.  It was beautiful, and looked great on the layout.  However, where he placed it blocked
         the view of the most interesting section of the trolley line - the passing section.  When we place
         accessories on the layout we need to notice what is behind them and think about what is being
         hidden by the new accessories.
     2. I was sitting at the raffle table on Sunday afternoon and noticed that a long freight train was
         being assembled and tested on track 1 at the front of the layout.  This train seemed to block
         the view of the other three tracks for a relatively long time.  I think we should assemble and test
         trains either in the back or on the side of the layout, when possible, so the public's view of the
         layout can be focused on the running trains, not on the train being assembled.

Other than some relatively minor glitches and annoyances, I was very happy with the show.  I think
all of our members cooperated with each other very well, making for a very enjoyable experience.
I am looking forward to the next show I can participate in.



Ira