Thursday November 13, 2008 Lethbridge, Alberta
5:30 am
We will be in Calgary today and I hope to visit two model train shops. I have not been in Chinook Hobbies for a few years but have heard that they have improved their model train supplies. I also want to visit Trains & Such and see if they still have a person who can install DCC chips into locomotives. I will take two locos with me (CN 1706 and CN 7985) and see they can get these operational for me.
Here is a list of what I hope to accomplish today:
- I need some screws for mounting Kadee couplers to my cars.
- I need 2 pair of trucks for my cylindrical hopper cars. Kadee makes a set (#555) that are called self-centering. I have also heard that Proto 2000 makes a similar set that are cheaper.
- I need a package of Kadee 33" non-magnetic wheels.
- I would like to buy about half a dozen manual throw switch stands
- I want to arrange for 2 of my diesel locos to have a DCC decoder and sound installed and programmed
- I would like to buy a coffee mug with a CN logo on it.
The following items are not essential, but I am curious to see what they have.
- I would like to buy a CMX Clean Machine for cleaning my track. The price for this is about $120. US online.
- I am interested in seeing if there is a steam loco with DCC installed and a CN logo on the tender. I am not sure how much this might cost but assume it would be about $400.
- I would like to see if they have a TrueLines CN caboose as well as a 1937 40' box car. These cost about $40.
7:00 PM
I am back from Calgary. Now to compare what I was hoping to accomplish with what I actually accomplished.
- Yes, I now have some screws for mounting Kadee couplers to my cars.
- Yes, I bought 2 pair of Proto 2000 Barber S-2 100-ton trucks with 36" wheels.
- Yes, I bought a package of twelve Proto 2000 Flat Back 33" non-magnetic wheels.
- I also bought a package of twelve 36" wheels sets. (These should be useful on some of my cylindrical grain cars.)
- No, I did not locate any manual throw switch stands.
- Yes, I made initial contact with the fellow who will be able to install DCC decoders in two of my locos. But this may take longer than I first thought. The next step is to contact Tony's Train Exchange and see if I can order two Loksound decoders.
- No, I did not find a coffee mug with a CN logo on it.
- No, I did not find a CMX Clean machine.
- No, I did not find a CN steam loco with DCC installed.
- Yes, I bought one Intermountain 40' Boxcar with green maple leaf and horizontal logo "Serves All Canada"
Overall, a successful trip. I will be able to complete my remaining two cylindrical hopper cars now that I have the trucks. I am making progress on getting two more locomotives DCC installed. I now realize that I will need to buy a good CN steam loco and then install the DCC myself. I may wait awhile before trying this. And I added one new car to my layout.
In addition to the above purchases I now have two new companies to watch. Loksound produces excellent sound decoders. See Tony's Train Exchange for information and ordering. Also have a look at JMRI. I am just getting started in DCC.
My model train activities are now beginning to shift away from assembly of kits to Ship It! and DCC. There is so much to learn - this is a great hobby!
