Aloha. Like Kev said, it is a beauty of a warm day - probably the last such day of the year -- almost 60 so far. (Tomorrow's high is thirty degrees cooler). Prayers for your g'son and SiL, Kev. Doug, that Prado celebration looks fun! Roy, I second the use of Zinc... I had a nice weekend - saw It's a Wonderful Life as a radio play at a local theatre - tried a peanut-butter-and-bacon hamburger too which was great! -- it looks like a busy week
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
Lots of wind but warm, Going to the Ritchie auction site to walk the place today at noon. Last day of warm but winds up to 50 MPH are bad.
Roy, Glad to hear you won't be locked up for lack of a pick-up truck.
Poor grand-son, Jordan has Black and blue personal sacks from his surgery....
Joined 1-21-2011 TCA 13-68614
Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL.
G-day all.
The term "time flies" is understandable when young. At what age did it become supersonic?
My buddy got home late last week from his cardiac arrest ordeal. they installed a pace maker/ defibulator to hopefully prevent another incident. Told him to get the extended warantee.
Another section of layout is in the reworking stages. The usage of 072 minimums in "S" curve configurations caused issues with big motive power. Repostioning the roadbed and consequently widening the curves has so far been a success. One line left to lay and then on to adding catenary.
Foggy mornings are taking till noon to lift..we might see some sun later on. Sure beats the 4 letter S word.
Bruce
Happy Monday
National Lionel Train day at Trains and Things in Ewing, NJ netted be an order of the 3rd Train Day car, and for $25 I got a 1665 switcher in good shape, Z stuff for trains crossing gate and signal, Christmas Pine steam fluid and a baggy full of Dept. 56 trees. Very Satisfied.
I did not get the Williams Blue Comet, I'll wait for my pre ordered LionChief Blue Comet as this is more protypical with the correct number and paint, but that Williams, it did impress me.
Tree is up as of 830 last night, got it for $50 at my fire dept. Looks good so far.
50F on the banks of the Delaware and Raritan canal. Was a warm nap in the car for lunch....
I am the monster in your head...And I thought you'd learn by now, It seems you haven't yet.I am the venom in your skin --- Breaking Benjamin
Hi All,
Low 50's here today. It was beautiful out yesterday, low 60's. I wore sandals (without socks, I'm still too "young" for that look!) to church and my mother said "Why sandals?" I said because it's December 3rd and I still can! It looks to start dropping mid week though.
Kev- Thanks for the video. I did remember your Alaska ALCO project from last year. I just couldn't remember what all you had in your Alaska collection. I'll probably get my dad a couple of Menards cars for Christmas. Also, I had to laugh at your pick-up truck comment to Roy. I know when working at Home Depot, it would never cease to amaze me how many people would pull up with an Explorer or an Avalanche, etc. and wonder why they couldn't get a sheet of plywood to fit. Better yet, were the ones with the Honda Civics..... No problem getting a 4x8 sheet in my Caravan though!!
Bruce - The track/bench work is looking good! Too bad that part wouldn't get done at supersonic speed!
DougM- Mmmm... What doesn't bacon go with?
Have a good one.
Rob
Hello there,
Last warm day. Friend from church came and spent 2 hours helping put the lights on this tree. 32 foot extension ladder just reaches the top.
Shooting to finish the outside stuff this week. Tuckered out. Off to bed.
Prayers for those in need
Banks, Proud member of the OTTS TCA 12-67310
Aloha. What a difference a day makes! Felt like 60 yesterday and 20 today. With ferocious winds. It'll be a real test for the new TV antenna on the roof. That layout is looking good! So is that tree, Banks!
Morning all!
Front hit last night about 10. 50 right now and breezy. 55 high today. Not too bad but cloudy, so a little gloomy.
Got a couple of coats of polyurethane on my toolbox plywood tops. Looks good. Started moving tools while the urethane was drying. Was able to switch some stuff around in the garage to start the reorg.
PlateR - wow, some layout in process there! I like the sweeping curves!
DougM - bundle up!
Banks - great tree, when do you move it into the house?
Kev -
Rob - sandals in the Great White North in Dec
Regards, Roy
Good Morning from a wet 58°F Southern Ohio,
What happened to November?!!! After a crazy busy week at work, had an equally crazy busy weekend at home, most of the time decorating for Christmas. I think I’m done on the outside except for a couple of sets on a tree out front. Three new sets had a dead section out of the box so I could not finish them last night.
My bride saw a picture of a mantle she liked on a stone fireplace much like ours so the plans I made are out and the new plan is in. OK with me because the one she wants is more “rustic” and should be easier to build, hence more feasible to have completed by Christmas. I have a beam I salvaged years ago and it should do the job.
Over the weekend we bought a new car. Bride has been hinting for a new van. We went with a 2017 Toyota Sienna, built in Indiana. Nice car, got a good deal and all the kids fit. When I was at Lowes the other day I bought two big red ribbons, one for my garage and one for her van!
Rob – I also worked at a lumber yard years ago and I agree with you. It would amaze me what some folks tried to haul in their vehicles.
Fife – Does the 303 even nudge like it may be binding? Otherwise maybe solder connections?
Banks – I’d love to be able to get to daily Mass
Don & Roy – I love those El Caminos!
May God bless
Windy, temps dropping.
Banks how did you get that tree into the house?...
Got 2018 S.S. notice today. Medicare took all of our 2% COLA.
S.J.
"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks
Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC) - Detroit3railers- Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS
31 heading to 45, the nice temps are already falling. Slept okay considering Jordan was in bed with me. He squirms like a worm in bed.
A trip to Walmart for meds and put up the tree today. Then deliver the kid home around 1:00
SJ, thank the kids in DC for that and they are just starting. We will be better off dead and that is how they would like it. Guess we get what asked for.
Hi all,
Windy and warm again but the wind will eventually bring the cold. Brought in the brass monkeys.
Rob, It's all about the journey, but I must admit there's a feeling of uneasiness when the mainline is interupted by construction. As long as I stay commited the layout is back up and running within a day or 2.
Roy, Sweeping curves abound on the layout. Only a few stretches are truly straight and all exposed curves have easements and super-elevations.
Evenin' boys. Rain and 47 in the Potomac Highlands. I've been working on the railroad; mine, that is. More benchwork up today, hopefully finish the superstructure tomorrrow. Took the daughters and fiance' to Italian restaurant in Keyser. I was feeling like Garfield.
Phish - Lights. Smokes. E-unit hums. E-unt clicks when activated. No movement. Not sure what position the lever under the tender is supposed to be in.
On the Christmas layout thread, I put on a 15 minute video of the old layout, that my sister prepared for me.
fifedog Evenin' boys. Rain and 47 in the Potomac Highlands. I've been working on the railroad; mine, that is. More benchwork up today, hopefully finish the superstructure tomorrrow. Took the daughters and fiance' to Italian restaurant in Keyser. I was feeling like Garfield. Phish - Lights. Smokes. E-unit hums. E-unt clicks when activated. No movement. Not sure what position the lever under the tender is supposed to be in. On the Christmas layout thread, I put on a 15 minute video of the old layout, that my sister prepared for me.
Fife,
It should be towards the left side of the tender.
Jim
Good evening all,
Monday work was ok. Today was busy. Weather dropped in temp from Monday to Tuesday. Got MR and Trains Monday. Both good issues. Got the Marx board down Monday so I can run them under the regular O gauge table. i hope everyone has a good day.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
Good Evening,
Obviously, the major story here is the fires. The local stations have all had fire coverage all day long. This will end up being one of the worst fire experiences in history. No estimates on number of homes lost but it will be in the hundreds, for sure. Currently the largest fire is just north of Ventura and headed toward the ocean. Given the wind conditions no doubt it will end up crossing thee 101, and burn itself out at the ocean. Biggest issue has been the winds carrying embers long distances and starting new startups. Some have described the embers as big as basketball or a square foot in size. Scarey! The 3 other fires are much further east and one as far away as San Bernadino. Smoke is horrible in most places, but not getting to us yet. The expectation is this could continue until Friday, when the winds are expected to die down. Bad, bad situation.
Over the past weekend I went to Vegas and Chris and I went apartment looking. We checked out somewhere around 14-16 places. He wants a two bedroom place for the additional space. As it turns out it is not that more expensive, maybe a $100/month. I can't believe how many apartments there are, over there. And they sure are a bit different than the apartments I remember. These are really luxurious, most of them are 3yrs old or newer. We didn't pull the trigger on one, probably early January.
I was able to get back to my wiring project, and got another section of the layout wired. More work on it tomorrow.
Rob, I don't know that frequency range, but none of them buy it.
Kev, Prayers for your family, glad to hear Grandson is doing well.
Ray, Hope the tooth issue worked out.
Roy, Need to give George a nudge on the El Camino.
Banks, Congrats on the Grandaughters competition. That's a good looking Christmas Tree.
Doug, Peanut Butter hamburger? Have you had a Mac&Cheese hamburger?
Bruce, That is a huge layout! I love the large engines, (I have 2) but the space they require can be a real pain.
Anjdevil, Man did you make a score! That's a lot of stuff.
Jim, Congrats on the new car!
Dennis, Glad you're feeling better. Which canyon is your house in? We havn't had much wind down here, maybe a couple 20mph gusts, but that's it. Will be glad when the Santa Ana's are over.
SJ, I forgot there was going to be a SS increase, hope I get a notice soon.
Fife, I can't imagine you moved and LEFT that layout behind! It is AWSOME! Bring a copy of the link over here.
Rob, Heck I'm wearing flip-flops out here everyday, don't need no sandals.
Hope everyone has a great day, and Stay Healthy.
Don
Don theres a increase in your V.A. disability check also. ( with what you say as benifits you get I'm guessing you get that too.)
Morning all. Just woke up. So figured i'd come see whats on the putor.
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
Redfire - Thanks Jim. I did throw it to the left, of course I could be locking it in neutral....?
dbaker - I intended to use sections of the layout as bulkheads in our POD, but ran out of space. I spent hours trying to trim the Cumberland section down to fit through the basement stairwell. I also noted that when I released the platforms from their sections of wall framing, they started twisting in a way I knew would be hard to readjust. I did manage to save the benchwork to the newest section, where the rotary coal dump was.
This is why the new layout is being built in easy to manage modules. I also had the platform from the bank layout I built, measuring 12'x3' (2 6ft sections). These 3 "modules", teamed up with our former 4'x6' North Pole layout, have become the corner stones of the new layout.
KRM - Hope the boy rebounds quickly.
Mornin' FellasFife - thanks for that walk down memory lane! When we first met all you had up was the original Christmas layout, then the Cumberland section, and last I got to see you had just started the rotary coal tipple section, never got to see it in action.I started dismantleing the layout a few weeks ago, all engines and rolling stock are now in their bins. Some track is up and some scenery is gone. No trains this Christmas, too much work to bring them up and then take them down. Focusing on getting ready for the big move. Probably late 2018 or 2019.
https://brentsandsusanspicutures.shutterfly.com/
88 - Woooooow! That was a lot of layout to dismantle, B. Good luck with the 1) sale, 2) search.
Only after viewing my sister's video, did I get nostalgic for the first time. Now it's full steam ahead on the new pike.
Good morning,
Clear but cold at 30, the winds have fallen off. Winter is sitting in for the long haul.
Got the little guy home safe and sound yesterday and as we waited for the daughter to get home I made a run to HD to get the stuff I needed to installed a push button for their garage door next to the entrance door. I don't know how they could live without one there? She was very happy when she saw it.
Got a new pair of shoes yesterday same as my 5 year old pair. No flip-flops here.
Dennis and Don, Hope you can stay out of that fires way. It looks bad.
Damp and chilly. Off to a Food Security meeting in Raleigh. Have a good one.
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
Morning team!
45 this morning and headed to 50/51. Freezing predicted Thurs night/Fri morning. Then back to 60's by Sun.
Made more progress on the garage/shop reorg. Son dropped by last night to help me lift the mini-mill off it's table/drawer unit and onto a furniture cart. Diassembled the Atlas 10" lathe so I can move it and it's bench. I am swapping the locations of the Atlas lathe and mini-mill/lathe. The mini-lathe and mini-mill will mount onto the heavy double plywood top I made for the 53" Craftsman tool box. This way i can roll the mini-lathe and mill around for rear access/cleaning and all their tooling are in the tool-box drawers directly below. They will also be higher up so I do not have to stoop over them when working. The two smaller toolboxes fit under the Atlas table and will hold all the Atlas tooling.
Dennis, Don, and Ray - wow. Glad none of you are in the path of this fires. News showed a clip of the horzontal sparks storm! Yes some appeared baseball sized! Stay inside if there is a lot of smoke out!
Fife - good to hear you are getting time on the layout!
Mike C - yes the MR was a particularly good issue this month. The new switching module project for 2018 looked great (and for once lots of pics) and the article about the T&P layout (but as usual, needed more pics and less verbiage) was really good.
88 - it has been good to hear from you. Good luck with the layout space with a house over it search.
Don B - apartments are not what they used to be. My son loves in a place that is amazing compared to what I did at that age. Underground garage, pools, theater room, concierge, outdoor gas grills, nice balconies, gated access...same for the daughter with exception of the concierge and theater room, but she has a garage!
Chief - food security? You securing your free lunches for 2018?
Kev - glad the little guy is OK!
Good Afternoon from overcast 42°F Southern Ohio,
It was 31° at 5 am when I was feeding the dogs. The forecasters are calling for an inch or two of snow Friday and Saturday. Our new house sits on a hill and the front yard has an awesome place to ride sleds. We have three new sleds we got last year and never had enough snow to use them.
I think I’m going to put the Polar Express around the tree tonight and have some Marx tin and a 666 waiting in wings.
Fife – sounds like the reverse unit is sticking, very common problem with AF. As you are looking at the front of the tender with the shell removed on the left side there is a tiny pawl that catches a toothed gear that rotates the drum inside the mechanism. If the drum does not rotate the direction will not change. On the back of the reverse unit there is a little tab that manually makes the coil go up and down and rotate the drum. Work the tab / lever and spray some electrical safe lube (5-56) and see if that frees it up. Less frequently the pawl gets bent and dose not let the drum rotate and rarely but I’ve seen it is the pawl wear an indent into the side frame that makes the pawl stick. If the coil is not picking up the core you may need to remove the core from the coil and clean it up, remove rust but more often gummed up grease. When all else fails, lock the drum with the lever under the tender and run on DC!
Lunch time over
Phish - Great guidance, thank you Sir. At the very least, I'd like to lock it in forward... Will try tackling the problem as time permits.
Roy - Either 1:1 or 1:48, it's always choo-choo-choo-choo....
I'm no where near done with the tear down. I estimate it will take about 40 hours to take down and store what I am keeping. Going to be a lot of trash. TheQ and kids want me to build a smaller layout to tide over till we move, but not sure I want to stick the $$$ into a temp layout. Maybe if I can design and build it in a way that would make transporting to the new house easier...
Haven't thought much about a Christmas layout until now. Maybe getting the tree this weekend will spawn some enthusiasm. Having too many projects in progress is turning me into the Grinch.
This easterner is frequently green with envy over So Cal whether, especially now that aging bones really crave a hot, dry climate. Then I ponder the tinder box environment created after a growing surge and the envy vanishes. A sustained Santa Ana is like adding insult to injury for fire fighters....an almost impossible situation. Scary stuff! To all those fighting and fleeing, here's praying your losses are minimal.
lion88roar I'm no where near done with the tear down. I estimate it will take about 40 hours to take down and store what I am keeping. Going to be a lot of trash. TheQ and kids want me to build a smaller layout to tide over till we move, but not sure I want to stick the $$$ into a temp layout. Maybe if I can design and build it in a way that would make transporting to the new house easier...
Sounds like you need to do a modular to me lol.
Dennis,
Cool! Machinist is something I considered as a profession and I took a year of formal machine shop training while at Texas A&M '70 - '74. I did end up with degrees in electrical engineering but with all the mechanical eng classes I was required to take I could have gotten an ME degree with an additional year (needed the labs and material science). I worked my latter years through A&M with a job at a research center. The A&M eng dept had a machine and wood shop in the basement and I made parts for research experiments (I.e. Special camera mount for a NASA C137 for A&M crop experiments/remote sensing).
My elec eng work specialized in microwave radio transmission and all of the equipment uses metal waveguide and structures. So this allowed me to stay close to the metal working.
I was fortunate that my first job at Rockwell International (work in microwave engineering) was in a facility with a huge machine shop. One could qualify to operate the machinery after hours (as long as that machinist trusted you to use his normally assigned machines - you had to have your own tools - one could not do something to cause a problem for normal production or you would be banned). After a couple of years the management put a SB 9" bench lathe and Bridgeport mill in the engineering lab.
After I left Rockwell in 1987 I went to a small aircraft business and again and the ability to design/fab some small custom parts. Only stayed there about a year. Went to another microwave radio company with some machines for prototyping, but at this point most businesses sub out their machine work, so l lost touch with the machines - particularly the move into CNC.
So at some point I decided to get back to some metal work and about 2000, Harbor Freight had a huge sale including their Chinese mini-lathe. About 2003 HF had a huge sale on the mini-mill. Found two companies that sell aftermarket parts to convert the metric lead screw machines to US inch standard. A couple of years ago I found a 1937 Atlas 10D (10" swing) lathe that I purchased, striped, and refurbished. Very non-OSHA with exposed belts! I am now in the process of rebuilding a Southbend 9A (9" swing with Quick change gearbox). I also have a SB 9B (Threading gear set).
I recently have been designing and making parts to "industrialize" pre-war std ga trains for a museum in NY. I can take a MTH/Lionel Tinplate proto-drive or BAL motor and equip it with miniature ball bearings, heavy-duty stainless steel drive gears, heavy-duty gearbox, replaceable stainless steel driver tires, and replaceable (with a 2-56 screw and custom shoulder bolt) rollers. I can make many of the parts, but when a rebuild of 20 locos came up, I contracted a local CNC machine shop to make the parts I designed.
Recently designed my own worm drive gearbox that fits in either a Std Ga loco or in certain O Ga locos. I just completed fitting the gearbox into a MTH/Lionel tinplate 261E and getting ready to torture test it. Banks got to see the gearbox when we were at York this past Oct.
So most of my work is focused on miniature stuff. It has been fun and educational. Plus it's in my blood!
So Dennis, what kind of work did you do as a machinist?
Aloha. Sunny but very cold. I walked all over the place to different meetings - more than 10K steps before noon. Prayers for those affected by the fires. May they stay away! Good news about the options for Chris to live in Vegas, Don. Roy, it is cool to see all you have created in your career - and second career - and retirement career!
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