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Post by chipset35 on Nov 4, 2023 14:25:27 GMT
So I took the day off from work as my arthritis was so bad I could not fathom getting out of bed or driving. Went to work on the layout and was excited to get my wonderful Lionel Red Bird Legacy Subway train on the track in the lower subway level. Half way thru the underground loop it stops and trips the transformer circuit breaker. Several troubleshooting attempts later and just when I thought I had fixed the trouble section of track, the flawed design of this awesome train reared its ugly head. The flaw is there is no way to re-attach the electric cable that goes from car to car without damaging it, unless the train is at eye level. In fact, the cable was actually attached, but when I went to attach the metal bar that serves as a coupling protection to keep that cable from disconnecting, it is impossible to latch it unless at eye level. Sounds easy except this is a subway and there is only one place I can do this. So, off the track they went so I could work on them "later". To test the subway track I put my good old MTH LIRR MU set on the track. It quickly located 3 different areas with either side or height clearance issues I was able to fix. However, during the entire 2 hours of this, I stubbed my toe and tripped over every single item that might have been 1mm out of place on a shelf or on the floor. Also, when I would move my arm or hand and each time had a 75% to accidentally bump something so perfectly it would cause a chain reaction and knock something else over. At one point I got so frustrated I started yelling "Why!? Why!?". Kind of funny now but not at the time. Then every time I would put my eyeglasses down on the layout, I would end up not being able to find them. Only to realize they were right in front of me. DOH!
Got so frustrated I was swearing to take the whole layout down and just make a n scale layout along 3 walls so that the center was wide open with nothing to trip on or bump. But, I won't do that. Got to get these nice big trains going!
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Post by keithb on Nov 4, 2023 15:02:09 GMT
Sorry you had such a bad day.  But happy your not willing to quit! |
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Post by dennym57 on Nov 4, 2023 21:15:45 GMT
That's rough. Murphy wasn't riding you, he had you wrapped in in a Murphy blanket.
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Post by curtis on Nov 4, 2023 22:08:37 GMT
When I have those days I take big time off. Then I get even worse and grumpy for not playing with my trains. There is no safe place!
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Post by chipset35 on Nov 5, 2023 14:16:30 GMT
When I have those days I take big time off. Then I get even worse and grumpy for not playing with my trains. There is no safe place! I ended up washing my car, drying it, then prepping for a ceramic graphite coating which I applied and then buffed off to a shine. Was so sore afterwards, I could barely walk until this morning. List of things I can no longer do: 1) Change car tires 2) Wash/wax cars 3) Climb the ladder into my attic 4) squat 5)lift heavy objects 6) Talk and chew gum at the same time
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Post by firewood on Nov 5, 2023 17:11:55 GMT
I found out Williams 72' heavyweights do NOT like 036 Fastrack manual switches, or vice versa. The switchstands do a nerve-grinding little rat-a-tat down the side of the cars as they go through.....back to the 042!  Dave |
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Post by dennym57 on Nov 6, 2023 0:17:03 GMT
When I have those days I take big time off. Then I get even worse and grumpy for not playing with my trains. There is no safe place! I ended up washing my car, drying it, then prepping for a ceramic graphite coating which I applied and then buffed off to a shine. Was so sore afterwards, I could barely walk until this morning. List of things I can no longer do: 1) Change car tires 2) Wash/wax cars 3) Climb the ladder into my attic 4) squat 5)lift heavy objects 6) Talk and chew gum at the same time
I thought it's walk and chew gum.😁
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Post by atsda on Nov 6, 2023 17:04:01 GMT
Vince, It sounds as if Murphy made a visit to you from Denny's place. What a series of unfortunate occurrances. It's OK to vent; however, don't bust a vessel over it - I have been there. I cannot repeat what I was shouting when I knodked my over 60-year old Lionel highway crossing gate (in great condition from my childhood) off the board - it went careening down the attic stairs - shattering into pieces.
Vince, keep up the good work on the O gauge. (Don't let me hear you say N gauge again.) Alfred
Keep us updated.)
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Post by Traindiesel! on Nov 7, 2023 0:08:45 GMT
Vince, it sounds like it’s Miller Time!
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Post by dennym57 on Nov 8, 2023 15:51:28 GMT
Vince, it sounds like it’s Miller Time! I think Miller makes zero alcohol beer. That's all I can drink these days.
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Post by chipset35 on Nov 10, 2023 14:10:11 GMT
Vince, It sounds as if Murphy made a visit to you from Denny's place. What a series of unfortunate occurrances. It's OK to vent; however, don't bust a vessel over it - I have been there. I cannot repeat what I was shouting when I knodked my over 60-year old Lionel highway crossing gate (in great condition from my childhood) off the board - it went careening down the attic stairs - shattering into pieces. Vince, keep up the good work on the O gauge. (Don't let me hear you say N gauge again.) Alfred Keep us updated.) Hi Alfred, I know that feeling. I did similar with my Lionel Anniversary Grand Central Station. Did not fall down the stairs but shattered like an egg. I glued it all back together using good old Woodland Scenics White foam glue. 98% back to normal. Today I am determined to gather all my strength and energy, ignore the pain and get this darn layout done. But first, I need to take a nap. zzzz
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But happy your not willing to quit!
