The New Northern Central

[wazzou]

Honest question for the pre-mix/lightwieght spackle gang: have you noticed an unpleasant mildew-y smell from the product after it's been applied for a while? The temperature and humidity of the space was always within reason, but a slight odor would develop over time. Anything packed in the storage unit was strong and very off-putting, so that leads me to believe it's related to humidity and dampness. Dumpstered everything in the end and began exterminating with other products, haven't had issues with sculptamold + concrete dye and think I'll try ground goop next.

It could just be my experience as well, I liked the ease of application and clean up but the smell is a deal breaker.

Thanks,
Lucas

Nope.

[Specter3]

Oh, and if you store things where there are bugs, they will eat the spackle or joint compound. I stored some modules in an unconditioned space and pulled them out and it looked like someone had hit it with a shotgun. White divots everywhere. Only thing I could think was bugs.

[davefoxx]

Oh, and if you store things where there are bugs, they will eat the spackle or joint compound. I stored some modules in an unconditioned space and pulled them out and it looked like someone had hit it with a shotgun. White divots everywhere. Only thing I could think was bugs.

Interesting.  But, I’m much more worried about what’s living in my woods.  I’ve some serious cobwebs from the layout from time to time.   

On second thought, do you think heat could have had anything to do with that?

DFF

[Chris333]

Just rub some deodorant on it 

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Peppermint oil.

I have a spray bottle to keep spiderman at bay.

[C855B]

Peppermint oil. ...

Robyn swears by the same thing. Our summer cabin was invaded last month and she started spraying. It helped some, so she ramped-up to vinegar last week only to discover the hoards nesting in drainage rock around the foundation. Resort manager volunteered "something more potent" and he would take care of it. He hates spiders.

Now that I'm feeling a little better I should probably shove stuff around in the layout room and borrow Robyn's peppermint oil... unless she left it all at the cabin. 

[Specter3]

Dave

It was a crawl space so heat was not high on the probability list.

[Ian MacMillan]

Plus, I'm not stirring up a whole tub of the stuff. That just seems so silly.

Waaaaa.  You make it and put the left over in a Tupperware thingy or whaevah and bam. Good for next time.


Mine is a mix of Paint, White Glue and Paper mâché.

[milw12]

Thanks for the replies gents. I'll take it in consideration for the next time I'm at that stage of scenery. Perhaps it won't be an issue in my new conditions- I could see a small scenic module for both practice and monitoring building materials.

And back on topic, I've been enjoying the progress lately Ed

Lucas

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Big victory today.

After waking up thinking "***** my layout" due to DCC issues, Terri encouraged me to give troubleshooting another go.

So I did.

And what did I figure out? I had a loose "common return" wire at the command station.

I fixed that and things were back up and running perfectly.

It was late in the day but I shot @GonzoCRFan a text and he and his girlfriend stopped by for the thing's first JFRTM session.

I think we might have even gotten a full lap in!

But the important thing was getting a chance to share it with one of my oldest train homies.

Onward and upward!

[Ian MacMillan]

You always check wires first...

[dem34]

You always check wires first...

Step one in troubleshooting, when I disconnect everything from this device. Is it still broken?
Step two, If I connect stuff in sequence, does it then break.

Then again, easier said then done when comparing a layout to a network switch with a wiring loop or a Video Matrix with a bugged out balun.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

A quick cumulative update.

https://conrail1285.com/has-it-really-been-over-a-year-for-the-new-ncr-a-july-2022-update/

[Scottl]

Nice progress!  How high is that deck?  Happy with the decision?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Nice progress!  How high is that deck?  Happy with the decision?

57". I'm 5'8", and yes, I'm happy with the height. I often wish it were 3" higher when working under it, but not when looking at it.