What's New on the PRR Panhandle 2.0?

[G3750]

Updated 11/6/2019:

Today I attempted to troubleshoot and program my TPC-400 that I have owned for years. It last worked in 2016 when I tore down Panhandle 1.0. But yesterday and today - no soap. I finally removed and replaced it with a Legacy Powermaster (6-37146). We are now running on all 8 cylinders (Power Districts).

George

[healey36]

I feel your pain - I still need to replace a pair of MTH power-bricks that got ruined when the washing machine dumped water on the basement floor a couple years ago. Been distracted for awhile, but will find replacements sometime this winter.

[G3750]

I feel your pain - I still need to replace a pair of MTH power-bricks that got ruined when the washing machine dumped water on the basement floor a couple years ago. Been distracted for awhile, but will find replacements sometime this winter.

Sorry to hear that, Paul.

Just to add insult to injury, the TPC-400 that I purchased from someone a few weeks ago also didn't work. I returned it to him and now he reports it as working. He has a Lionel technician friend going over it. They can't find out why it failed to work for me. I went over the instructions multiple times, tried a number of resets and had no luck.

Then a few days ago, my original TPC (the one that's worked since 2005) exhibited exactly the same symptoms. WTF?

I must have done something wrong, but for the life of me can't figure it out. I've gone over the instructions multiple times, checked connections, etc. It's a true mystery.

I also suspect that the 2 TPC's that I sent to Roger years ago were either DOA when I got them or behaving in an identical fashion.

Anyway, I'm done with them. The TPC is old technology. The Legacy Powermaster seems much more straightforward, doesn't require COMM and DAT wires (it's wireless), and the hook-ups are idiot proof if you use the Lionel connectors. Even works for me!

George

[healey36]

The hobby has changed so much. Sarge tells me electronics is all the rage, especially with the young bucks. For many, the modelling aspect seems to be slipping into a secondary consideration. Me, I'm a total freakin' dinosaur...

[G3750]

The hobby has changed so much. Sarge tells me electronics is all the rage, especially with the young bucks. For many, the modelling aspect seems to be slipping into a secondary consideration. Me, I'm a total freakin' dinosaur...

Having started with postwar trains like most everyone here and progressed to command control locomotives with sound, I don’t see the changes as anything other than a natural progression. The sounds are nice, but the real advantage IMO is the finely granulated speed control. I don’t know how anyone could switch in conventional mode after doing it in command mode. And running 2 trains on the same track conventionally? Forget about it!

George

[healey36]

I get the digitalization bit for command-control, especially running multiple trains on a single track, all with individual control, and a single power source. I just thought that it would be secondary to the models and the scenery, but apparently its moved closer to the top of the list for some.

Looking forward to the foam carving bit...I need to learn how to do that.

[G3750]

I get the digitalization bit for command-control, especially running multiple trains on a single track, all with individual control, and a single power source. I just thought that it would be secondary to the models and the scenery, but apparently its moved closer to the top of the list for some. ]

I think it's important, but secondary to the scenery and area / timeframe being depicted. I want visitors to the layout to get the sense of visiting the place in the early 1950s.

Looking forward to the foam carving bit...I need to learn how to do that.

Yeah, me too. I'm pretty bad at it. You know what kills me? The guy at the trainshow demonstrating the Foam Factory or some such product. He's carving the Mona Lisa or Michelangelo sculptures out of foam in 15 minutes. I'm lucky I don't set myself on fire with the damn thing.

George

[healey36]

What's up on the Panhandle?

[rogruth]

My scenery is not by any means perfect but it shows what I wanted.

Some years ago before scenery on my layout I commented on this forum that I was hesitant to start on any.
Murph and Rufus, in particular, and probably a few others pointed out that basic scenery was cheap and if
you didn't like what you had done it was easy to do it over. Once I got started I found it hard to stop. And I
redid several areas. IMHO it is not close to being perfect but I am mostly satisfied with what I have.

From what I have seen of the work done by George I am sure it will be near perfect.

[G3750]

Gang,

I've not been idle, but I misplaced my photo-sharing website credentials and have been unable to post photos here (board attachment quota exceeded). I will try to recover them today and get you all up to date.

Happy Thanksgiving!

George

[G3750]

Updated 12/10/2019:

Since Thanksgiving, the focus has been anywhere but the Panhandle. Finals are this week and I spent the last two grading assignments and preparing the final exams. Sheesh - this is work! Not to mention listening to sob stories, e.g. the dog ate my homework.

Talk at ya soon.

George

[healey36]

hardest-working retired guy I know...

[G3750]

hardest-working retired guy I know...

Or the craziest!

But that is over, for the moment. All the finals have been taken, all the grades have been calculated, and the only thing left is to record them permanently.

George

[healey36]

Don't be too tough on those little Gen-Z's, mate. Remember, in their world everyone gets a trophy.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

hardest-working retired guy I know...

Or the craziest!

But that is over, for the moment. All the finals have been taken, all the grades have been calculated, and the only thing left is to record them permanently.

Fail them all; that way they all get the same trophy!