The new coach yard/ P&LE / B&O/Erie/ NYC interchange track.

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A pair of SD40's head up WPMA-61, the transfer run between the Mannheim Yard and Camden.

Bruce

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The ESU and Zimo decoder hardware programmers and their Windows software can be installed under Windows 7 running under VMWare Fusion 8 on an iMac Mid 2011.

The tricky part is the hardware connection. Both old devices are designed for an serial interface. Both come with an serial to USB converter. Problem is that the old ESU converter from Prolific is not recognized but a "Future Devices" adapter works fine. Serial to USB converters are some kind of roulette. Be prepared to test several until one works fine for you.

I made a clone of the Windows 7 virtual machine and run the Windows 10 update. Good news, everything (ESU and Zimo hard- and software) continue to work as before! Looks like Microsoft supports the "Future Devices" Serial to USB adapter out of the box.
Do not hesitate to upgrade your virtual machine if you need Windows 10 for some other up to date applications.

Might be good to know for us "apples" as ESU sound decoders become more used lately.

I had to move into Win 10, and I am getting it figured out, but I have a question about search.
With XP I could click on a folder and click search, which brought up the little dog. I could then use advanced options to search that folder and all subfolders for a date, ie 0520 and it would find all filenames (pictures) with 0520 in the filename ie 19790520. With win 10 I do not find all these files files even though I know they are there. I name my pictures thus 20160521 NW 9595 11V EPO which the first section is the date, road name, unit number, train symbol, and location. With Xp I could search for any of these terms and get results that were correct.
I have tried all the Geek tricks listed on the web and it just does not do the job. If I can't search my files like I did with XP I will quit posting pictures in the photography gam or the old picture of the day because I just don't have the time to search through over 100 thousand pictures I have taken over the years. I think I found a program that works <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.goffconcepts.com/products/filesearchex/download.html">https://www.goffconcepts.com/products/f ... nload.html</a><!-- m --> I just tried it twice but it fins things and fast. I will update if it does not work It is working without buying, but for 10 bucks I will buy a license if it does the job.
Charlie

Here is a Project I've been working on , It's a sound box for my 4x8 layout . I switch cars on my layout so I wanted the flange squeals with out having to push a button all the time . This ia a soundtraxx sound-car mounted in a a radio shack project box plug to track power & a set of speakers . The sounds are good still playing with the CV's !!!!! :o

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Woodland Scenics “Scenic Ridge” (N Scale) layout kit for sale — best offer

My neighbour has a Woodland Scenics “Scenic Ridge” layout N Scale kit that is partially assembled. Here is a description of the product:
http://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.c...482/page/1

I’ll try to post some pics later today. It’s available for pickup, from our East York neighbourhood in Toronto. A wooden table/baseboard is included. The kit and its many N gauge accessories are in practically brand new condition, many items have never been opened.

Price: $85.00 as is for everything.

Please drop me a line or PM if you’re interested!

Cheers,
Rob

I've been kicking around the idea of modeling in HO scale the GATX TankTrainer with the "school house" boxcar. I'm looking for any advice or insight on how to build this duo. I'm really not concerned about making an exact replica but getting it close enough to the real thing. I don't know a lot about this train but I'll list a few of the points and/or concerns I'm interested in.
1) what tank car would be a good base to start with. The prototype has these offset car ends that I'm willing to overlook.
2) what colors for the 2 tone paint scheme?
3) the tank car has 2 hoses that attach to the boxcar, what are they used for and how can they be modeled?
4) the tank car has numerous variations of domes and outlet valves, are these commercially available parts?
5) both sides of the tank car has a door to access the inside, I'm thinking some sort of door from a tugboat looks pretty accurate. Thoughts?
6) there's a walkway on the tank car that would need to be scratchbuilt
7) the boxcar would need the other end of the 2 hoses attached to it
8) it looks like the boxcar has windows but they might be fake, anyone know?
9) the end of the boxcar that the hoses attach to have vents near the end of the car, I'm assuming a generator? I would need some different size vents.

I think that's everything that I'd be interested in including for this train so let me know your thoughts and tips.

I see Bachmann has a new line of N scale, 85-foot fluted, side streamlined cars: baggage, coach, and boat-tail observation. They appear to come unlettered, and painted for Baltimore & Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Santa Fe. MSRP is $49-59, and the "street price" at MB Klein is about $29-35 each.