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Back in the late 90s, Lionel re-issued the Culvert twins in conventional and CC models. Being a TMCC groupie, I got the CC versions. They worked great with command control. Just give them an Engine ID and press the Boost button to activate them.

 

As an aside, they were purchased from the yearly Heritage Catalog. Heritage Dealers were separate from regular dealers....I'm not sure the rules (it may have been due to volume of inventory bought from Lionel)......and Heritage Catalog items come with a Heritage Lifetime Warranty.

 

Here they are on the old attic layout:

 

 

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2003 was the last time I ran them. Then we moved cross town. I stated taking done the layout in the Fall of 2003.

 

 

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The accessories were boxed and stored from 2003-2011. The new layout was started in 2011, but they have sat as statues on the layout as I slowly moved along. Today, I wired them up(temporarily) to see if they worked. They did! And they worked well! 

 

Now, I will admit that I said a few prayers and had my toes and fingers crossed!

 

 

 

 

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It's a great feeling!

 

Peter

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Last edited by Putnam Division
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They started right up.....I was worried that the alignment would be off due to Atlas track... but, it doesn't matter!

 

I'm thrilled! After 15 months of switch wiring, it's good to switch to accessories!

 

It was getting boring under here:

 

 

 

 

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My wiring buddy, Max, was thrilled too!

 

 

 

 

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Peter

Attachments

Images (6)
  • IMG_2559
  • IMG_2560
  • IMG_2561
  • IMG_2562
  • IMG_2564
  • IMG_2674
Last edited by Putnam Division

One of the things I have always felt good about were my Lionel engines and accessories.  Whether it was postwar or modern they just seem to keep ticking away.  I have flat worn some out, but with good care they will last over the years.

 

Peter, it looks like miles to go on the wiring of your layout.  I don't recall seeing any pictures of your progress.  Did I miss some?

Wood......that's just it.......It can be discouraging....the layout has looked the same for 2 years. May through December/January is modular group time.....working on the modules, getting ready for displays and actually manning the layout.....

 

Last January (2014), I started wiring my 20+ Atlas switches. You may (or may not) remember that in April of 2014, I realized that my ZWL and Z4000 were out of phase and I was delivering probably 30+ volts to the Atlas switch machines, burning them out and melting the RossBed.  I ordered 25 D1000s from Steve at Ross at York and in February, I finally finished the re-wiring all the Atlas switches to 3 AIUs. Then I wired the 5 switches on the 3rd level to an SC-2.

 

I am now started on accessories.

Then scenic details and structures.

Lastly, the ballast.

3 years if I'm lucky.

 

Peter

 

 

Good news is always welcome to hear. I always looked at the culvert set as a temperamental accessory but I found that if you set the voltage in the right spot, they will function reliably. Having luck on some old operating things as well. Have not started the switch wiring but expect to start and finish it next season. The critical switches are usually on the mainline while sidings can be done afterwards.

Peter,

This is great to hear.

 

I have a CC Culvert Loader and Unloader that I will soon be putting on my completely redone layout.  I bought them new when they first came out.  They have been in their boxes ever since.

 

I hope I have the same success that you have had when I get mine wired up.

Peter - that's just it.......It can be discouraging....

 

I got that...  I just dare someone to start a topic on discouragement!!!  LOL LOL..  I think we would be blindsided by the comments. 

 

You have the good fortune to be amongst members who are working together on modules.  That's got to be fun.  Someone posted a beautiful video about a train museum with a spectacular HO layout.  One of my comments was how nice it would be to work with others and combine the talents of so many to accomplish something so beautiful. 

 

I get discouraged when I have to learn a whole new talent to accomplish something on my layout.  The learning curve certainly takes more time than the project.  So the party moves slowly.  Fortunately my layout is not that large, a little less then 300 sq. ft.   Not small but not gigantic.  I am so grateful for that.  I have been working on mine for the last 9 years.  However, after being on this forum the learning curve has become very steep.  I see such magnificent work and want to emulate.   Almost everything on my layout I have had to redo and redo and redo.... But it is coming along and I enjoy learning.  I keep telling myself I'm fighting off dementia... 

 

We may never get there, but we have already gotten somewhere....

Last edited by Wood

Nice Job on the Layout wire. It looks very neat and orderly.   Always a Joy to bring something out of  Hibernation, and have it work as it should.  It’s also a good feeling to know any problems that do arise can always be resolved, right here - on this Forum…

Scratch your wiring buddy’s ears… I’ll bet he will like that.

Thanks for posting..

K.C.

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