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Elliot's Trackside Diner XXII-Just a track over Locked

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 11:05 AM

 This thread is closed. Please post in the new one HERE. HERE.

[Edit by tstage]


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Posted by Packer on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 11:02 AM

Morning ya'll.

I looked a few weather sites and they all say about the same thing. There is a chance for snow for tomorrow, and this is florida!! Granted it may only be a few inches at most, but I ain't seen it in a while. The temps for the following week or so is lows in the 20s, highs in the mid 40s.

I talked to the GM and one of the other managers that I used to work with last night. They both asked for my side of the incident, and both doubted what the one girl and the one manager told them. I told them my side and they said it my side was the most likely. The GM said that if I wanted to, call him on sunday to see what all happens. Now that I look back on it, they were flexible with working with my college schedule. Lots of the other stuff I've found has been full time (the radio shack job might be flexible; I know a girl who works there that goes to college); which means night classes. I hate night classes.

Anyways, I'm just sitting in my break between my 2nd and 3rd classes. The 1st classes instructor is crazy; the first day and we have to read close to 40 pages and do a 650 word essay. Now I remember why I hated english classes so much... The 2nd class seems like there will be very little homework. Dunno about the 3rd class.

Chris and PC, the friend that wants my eliminator scoop is restoring a 1970 one; and a neighbor has a gold '67 one.

Vincent

Wants: 1. high-quality, sound equipped, SD40-2s, C636s, C30-7s, and F-units in BN. As for ones that don't cost an arm and a leg, that's out of the question....

2. An end to the limited-production and other crap that makes models harder to get and more expensive.

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 10:54 AM

 All aboard, please!

The Diners is about to be moved!

The new location can be found here  !

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Posted by BamaCSX83 on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 10:47 AM

Morning all, looks like we're going to be getting hooked up to the switcher here in a minute, so i"ll probably get my "real" post set up in there.  I'll also help our wonderful staff get prepped for the move...

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Posted by howmus on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 10:22 AM

Mornin' everyone!

Zoe I'll have a short stack of buttermilk pancakes with NYS Maple Syrup and a side of breakfast sausage links.  Need my mug filled with some dark roast coffee as well.  I'll go sit in the front booth and wait for the switcher to arrive.

Currently 20°F here in the beautiful Finger Lakes with a high of around 23°F later today.  We got a dusting of "white stuff" last night.  Some other places not far away had the lake effect machine cranking out lots of the fluffy stuff.  Auburn, NY (where we are having an NMRA Meet Saturday) got 4.5 inches last night and Rochester got up to 3.6 inches in places.

Got a few things needing to get done today before I go to Deacons tonight.  Catch you all in the new location!

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

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Posted by Robby P. on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 9:50 AM

 Good cold, snowy, freezing drizzle, windy morning.  Its finally not snowing, but we are having some light freezing drizzle right now.  This weather just can't make its mind up.  Even Jamacia is in the 60's.

 I went by the library and grabbed up the book 303 tips on Detailing Model Railroad Scenery and Structures.   Looks like it might be a good magazine.   I also checked out three MRR magazines. 

 Might not do much layout work, but got something to read.

 Jim....That would be a good idea on to buy some older books .  I haven't really looked to see what they might have.   Some of the books they did have were very old.  Some wouldn't even help me out.   Some were last checked out back in the 80's.

 Hope everybody has a good morning.

 

 

 "Rust, whats not to love?"      

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 8:27 AM

 Good morning. It's 25 and clear. The high is projected to hit 55 and it will be partly cloudy.

Nothing accomplished layout wise yesterday except to see a couple vacant spots that were occupied by rolling stock that's been sent off to their new owners. I also sent a couple of mostly complete Athearn chassis to a modeler who wanted them. Nothing special going on today. The Home Health nurse will be coming out later to redress the wound vacuum that the doctor removed yesterday. Oh well, I enjoyed my day of freedom.

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 8:00 AM

Trainman Sam

Jeff- I'm trying to upgrade the RAM in my HP Pavilion Slimline 3600f  (running Windows Vista Home Premium Service Pack 2)

I currently have two 1024MB DDR2 SDRAM cards (guessing that means 2GB cause the "properties" portion of "my computer" said that...

The PNY 2 pack 2GB PC2-6400/800MHz DDR2 DIMM memory kit (available from B*st B*y) seems to be the highest RAM upgrade I can find?

The PNY - XLR8 2=pack 1GB PC2-6400 DDR2 DIMM is NVIDIA SLI certified with EPP support

does that make a difference with performance over the 2 2GB cards?

again, I feel like such a techno-infant because I have no idea what any of THAT stuff means.. those are just the upgrades that Beast Bye told me would work with my puter... but they don't explain the differences in the two...

I think (after searching online for a half hour) that HP says that my puter can handle up to 16GB of RAM, but only has 2GB currently...

Please correct me if I wrote something wrong above... my head is spinning with all this info!

First make sure that the sticks you're looking at are SDRAM (standard). There's a rare type out there called PRAM (parity). Parity memory WILL NOT work in your computer. As I said, it is rare. I've only seen it twice in ten years and that was in older systems. You have to be sure your system can handle the higher speed of the new sticks. If the sticks you have in there now are rated at 667 and that's all the system can take then 667 is the highest you can use. If, on the other hand, it's rated to use the 800's then use them. The increase in speed will make a difference. Mine has two 667's in it at present (scavenged from the old board) but I'll be replacing them with 800's at the earliest opportunity.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
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Running Bear Enterprises
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beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


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Posted by pcarrell on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 7:29 AM

Yup.....thats me this morning!

Oh, and maybe someone could send some of those fireballs from the sky over this way.  IT'S FREEZING OUT THERE!!!!!!  AND IT'S SUPPOSED TO GET COLDER!!!!!!!!!!

Philip
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Posted by blownout cylinder on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 7:09 AM

Good Morning

Got some more snow last night so it was out with the snowblower again.Sigh About 6" fell for us and the forecast is for more of the dang stuff today, tonight, tomorrow---but hey--by Saturday/Sunday it'll be all SUNNY!!Big Smile----just in time for the winter term weekend seminar series to fire back up againWhistling

Finished off the elevator that 'Spring' played with----and put it where it was supposed to be--Whistling---instead of on a shelf---in the living room----Banged Head

Sam; I agree with LEE about that issue. XP Pro recognizes up to 4Gb.

I'm going to be doing some hunting for HO stuff for a diorama I'm building. This diorama is going to be used to demonstrate compressive scenery,Smile,Wink, & Grin as well as to get certain aspects of my so called photography skills built upWhistling

Chloe, I'll have a coffee and toast with jam please----I'll be at the RCSmile

Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry

I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...

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Posted by LSWrr on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 6:44 AM
Good Morning all,

John, with PECO switches you can power route the turnout and use the routing to operate the indicating light.  I would use a dual LED with a common ground vs. one that responded to variations in voltage direction.   If I had unlimited funds I would switch to Peco no questions asked, truly a remarkable set up.

 

Sam, remember your operating system limits the amount of RAM you can have on your computer as well as the capacity of the mother board.  Windows XP Pro is only rated at 4 GB if I remember correctly.  I installed 8 GB and the operating system only recognized 3.92 GB.  Check the documentation of your current operating system before you up grade.

BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret)
 L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 5:37 AM

 I see the switcher is getting ready to move the Diner again. I will wait for some more of you to join, before the move is facilitated.

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 2:03 AM

 Good Morning - Janie, I urgently need a hot & black coffee, and pan cakes with maple syrup, please.

Another day in THAT re-education boot camp. I am just being told how to create a pdf-file - YAAAWN! 

Chris - reading your post, I just pictured our local Feuerwehr storming the layout room, ruining the precious work of many years, just to save my not so important life -  not a nice thought. So accessibilty will be very important. Tori - good name for a truck. My wife called her green bug "Kermit", my blue bug listened to the name of "Grover" - being somewhat fury and blue...

Jim - your suggestion of building a L-shaped  switcher brings me back to a plan I had developed last year.

The above plan could be realized in HO scale. Mmmh - should think about it. (I still have my Bowser ARR F7A with that grat Tsunami sound). OK, it lacks the chance for continous running, but opens up a whole bunch of operation possibilities - especially with a detachable car float acting as staging. I still like that plan a lot, but need to mirror it to fit into the room.

Garry - I have heard of Ulrich Models - unfortunately, no relation of mine Big Smile

 The weather guesser predict temperatures of - 19 C for the next nights, and a snow storm is due for the weekend, supposedly dumping up to 40" of that cold white stuff onto us. This will bring public life to a complete halt, as most communities sold their snow fighting equipment, expecting the "Global Warming" to take care of that.To be fair, the last years usually saw a maximum of just an inch of sn*w, which usually was gone by mid-day.

Have a great day!

 

 

 

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Posted by AmanaMedic on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 12:03 AM

Good Even'nin, a hot fudge sundae (heavy on the hot fudge...) sounds pretty good.

JimRCGMO
They've revised our forecast now, to a winter storm watch (starting Wednesday night), maybe getting 2-4 inches of that white stuff

We're supposed to start getting the white stuff "in the afternoon," and winter storm watch goes active at 1500. Yip, yip, yip, yippee. We're supposed to get 2-4 of "powdery" s**w, with winds whipping it around making visibilities near zero, drifting, slicking up the still slick roads. Loving Wife is probably gonna escape from w**k early to avoid the rush hour crazies.

JimRCGMO
I think his were bigger than those I've seen in photos of former press photogs using those 'Speed Graphics' (or was that Graflex?)

Graflex (sp?) made the "Speed Graphic," THE quintessential press camera. The famous Weegee used one, and immortalized them. I've wanted one for years, just to have on the shelf. I believe if one in w**king condition were acquired, it could still be used. I think 4x5 film is still made... maybe not. Sure was the last time I was in the newspaper bid-ness.

JimRCGMO
It's good to see some Diners actually think as far as 8 months ahead of CFO's birthday presents. Thumbs UpBow Gives you time to save up (if it'll be something impressive), as well as time to get it wrapped and stored somewhere OUTSIDE of the home

Hee hee hee. I've actually placed her birthday present, unwrapped, in plain sight... she never saw it. I love driving her nuts THAT way. IF I wrap it, she'll shake the bejebbers out of it trying to figure out what's in it. If I hide it in plain sight...she'll go looking, and more often than not, look right past it.

Priceless.

I suppose by this time tomorrow we'll be in a new location, seeya there.

Goodnight, and best wishes to all of us.

 

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 11:22 PM

Hello everybody ....

It's RBF time for me......

Too much non-mrr stuff going on, but I did some work on the layout. I ripped out some wiring that was use to operate the steel mill. that part of the layout is now DCC. ... Also, I weathered some freight cars, and I'm continuing my FT locomotive project. ... Another project is assembling an old truck trailer and painting it to look like a Great Northern piggyback trailer. .... So, to answer queations from some of you my work area is not particularly neat right now.

Ulrich, have you heard of an old line of HO models called "Ulrich Models"? The trailer I'm putting together is an old Ulrich kit. It is all metal castings. Some of my old highway trucks already are old Ulrich models.

Duke .. You had asked if I had seen any live steam Berkshires. I don't recall any. Who would pay attention to one of those. Confused Big Smile Evil ..... I do recall seein ga live team Yellowstone however. Don't tell Cal Tom.

It's ..c' c' c' ... cold ! No global warming going on here. Brrrrrrrrr.......

Edit ... While I was typing, Jim CG was sneaking in the side door..... Hmmmm. .. I wonder why he did that?

 

GARRY

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Posted by JimRCGMO on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 11:18 PM

A Cold Good Evening to you, Chloe - how about a hot fudge sundae brownie and a Rio Grande mug, please? Thank you. Need a little something to warm up after coming over here in this weather. Brrr!!

der5997
Lee sent an email about a free MRR magazine  It has a Forum, one thread devoted to track planning and plans. FYI. 

And also, DerJohn, Ryan has been writing some instructional articles on the 3rdPlanIt software for that same magazine, I happen to know. Whistling After seeing the duckboard 'after', I'm hoping you had the canoe(s) stored and put away safe and sound. How much rain did you get there?  As for the story of your English (non-?)farmer-to-be...Laugh ROTFLMAO - Choice!

Jeffrey, sorry to hear about your computer dying on you. Hope it turns out to be the least expensive part that's the culprit of that. Great to hear the fix was simple and free (that's the best kind of fix)! Good report from your doctor, too. Now, don't go overdoing it; let's get your foot healed up the rest of the way. Thumbs Up

JR, I hear you about the layout plan books and all - I think I have 7 or 8 of those books (including the 101 and the 102 books), and if you've noticed, I keep fiddling around with my layout design software, trying to find a way to fit everything I would like (and all the structures, etc.) in the space I think I might have. I was saying yesterday to our MRR club member/LHS owner that I keep thinking I'm gonna need a lot more room than what I expect to have available anytime soon.

They've revised our forecast now, to a winter storm watch (starting Wednesday night), maybe getting 2-4 inches of that white stuff (3-5 in areas closer to St. Louis). Shouldn't be too bad, but the sn*w'll likely stick for a while, since the ground is cold the past couple of days (and after the front goes through, the temp will drop back down. Suprising thing was, it began warming up some today (made it to - I think - about 27 degrees F, and is supposed to reach 32 F tomorrow (before the bottom drops). But I'm thankful that I'm not a few hundred miles north - and that spring is coming! Oh yeah, and our local electric utility company wants to raise rates (because of last year's ice storm) 18 percent this year. ShockEvil

Speaking of the cold, Chris - I've seen some O. Winston Link photos, and given the time period when he did his photos, those flash units were the big silver reflectors with the fist-sized flash bulbs (that you put in the trash can after you were done, but had to let them cool first). I think his were bigger than those I've seen in photos of former press photogs using those 'Speed Graphics' (or was that Graflex?) Hey, good to hear that Tori is ready for another 200,000 miles. Thumbs Up (well, how about another 50-75,000?). Hey, I can remember reading the paper for news... (instead of for the funny pages on the front page) It was good to read that you get paid hourly (and not by how many articles you turn in). Thumbs Up

Lee, thanks for the information on the pull-rod throws (and lights). Got any pics/diagrams of that (or a link to same)? I've been thinking about something on that order for the backmost turnouts on the layout, and single-finger throws on the front ones (where I want to use Pecos). Looks like your area has been getting some snow each time a front moves through lately.Disapprove Sounds like you got the letter that a bunch of retired folks got this year, and they weren't any happier about it than you were. Banged Head I guess I shouldn't point out that Congress and the Senate, however, did vote themselves an increase to $158 thousand something...Nope, shouldn't mention that...Whistling

Todd, good luck with the layout w**k, and I'll give you your propers for refraining from saying the dreaded ITYS (I-told-you-...) remark more than once. Better for keeping your head, too! Smile,Wink, & Grin And Lee has me wondering too about THAT town...Whistling

Ulrich, you could have a switching layout with the "L" parts at the bottom and left sides of your diagram, and put some background/shallow structures along the wall/backdrop. Might not hurt to look at how some modular club layouts connect up so that they're sturdy, and use a few ideas for your layout.

Ray - "Anacrusis..." Laugh (I had to look it up, but well worth it). Sounds like that farmer saw your wife coming on her/your VW.

Dick, you'd better unload some of those photos off the camera before the memory card fills up, it sounds like! And how many inches of "global warming" did you wind up with for a total? Smile,Wink, & Grin

Robby (and other Diners), if your local library carries MR, check to see if they have an annual book sale like ours here does. I picked up a whole year of back issues a bit back, at dirt cheap prices. Yeah!!

It's good to see some Diners actually think as far as 8 months ahead of CFO's birthday presents. Thumbs UpBow Gives you time to save up (if it'll be something impressive), as well as time to get it wrapped and stored somewhere OUTSIDE of the home.Whistling

Sam, will keep your exam in mind and AngelAngel. Vacations are never long enough, I'd say.

Joe, I hear you about school - some days are like that. Then there are the fun days. Big Smile I think for me in high school, that was usually the last day before Memorial Day (when all the schools in the area got out for summer!). You want to talk about fun times...Smile,Wink, & Grin

Tomorrow being Jan. 6th (Epiphany), I will be taking down the Christmas tree, lights, and decorations. Also need to call the office and see if I have any therapy appointments tomorrow before I go on-call at 4:30 p.m. With the forecast, I will be surprised if I get much of any calls through the night.

Found some things I'll need to be sending out on or after Thursday, and will get the shipping stuff on Thursday for those, also. (Payday! Big Smile) I did get some files moved off the laptop's hard drive to an external drive today - had to, I was getting error messages that told me the drive was about full up. Better now.Tomorrow before I go in, hope to get back to Delaney Transfer Company's painting and get some photos done of that.

Prayers for continued healing and comfort, as well as safe driving and a warm place for the evening. Angel

 

Blessings,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

 

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Posted by ns3010 on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 9:47 PM

Please excuse the double post, but I'm just catching up before goin ta bed... EDIT: I see THAT Chris beat me to posting, so I guess it's no longer a double post. Then I don't feel so bad...

Hmm, so this must be the famous Ed I always hear about... You make great OJ!

Ulrich, the plan looks good! And Ditto to what everyone else suggested

Wow Johnboy, that's great!!

Thanks Jim (for the compliment on the photo, as well as the wishes). School is going, well, like school. I guess there's no other way to put it. Exams are in just under two weeks... But, as you said, It's all over in 5 months, and that's half of HS! AND, the day after the last day of school is my bday, so I get my permit! Yeah!!

Dick, I don't blame ya. We passed one small accident, and heard there was another one just behind us. That stuff accumulates fast up your way!

Well, it seems we'll be needing a new diner shortly. I have a feeling that by the time I check in tomorrow afternoon, we'll be even further down the line...

Night!

EDIT #2: I just saw that this is my 900th post in the forums, so I'll buy (especially since my dad just gave me some money for helping him with some work, so I'll be able to buy new hockey gloves since the ones I have are shredded to bits...), since Barry seems to be busy digging out of the snow...
I'd also like to say that in the past slightly over a year that I've been on the forums, and probably about a year since I first stepped foot in this Diner, it has been a great experience, and thank you! Here's to more fun times!

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Posted by AmanaMedic on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 9:46 PM

Packers#1
I'm left lock in the scrums

I watched a guy get knocked in the scrums once...dropped him like a sack of wet..........Whistling

ChrisEight Ball

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Posted by ns3010 on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 9:02 PM

Evening all.

Had practice today, and then we went to the Diner (the other one, non railroad themed Wink). That's about it.

Tomorrow we get out at 1:04 because of a faculty meeting, so that's good. And then I have practice at 9, but this rink's REALLY FAR away... So if practice is at 9, I need to be there at 8, so I need to leave here at 7. Grrrreeeaaatttt.... NOT...

I'll be catching up a bit over at the RC.

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Posted by blownout cylinder on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 9:00 PM
der5997
Dick:
BARRY: I didnt know that the last Ice Age had ended yet? LOL  What did cause it to end and retreat, sun spot increase?
  The answer to the "What caused the thaw?" question never seems to come into any discussion of Climate Change by the talking heads, scientist or otherwise in TV land.Whistling
I'm interested in that question myself. Anytime I asked that question of any Global Warming 'expert' I've usually got nothing but a glare. There are a few people I've talked with in Astronomy who have come up with some evidence that at least some of the human migration that occured shortly after the collapse of the Roman presence in Northern Europe seemed to be around the same time that there were increased incidents of fireballs being seen and in some things this fellow seen mss that spoke of explosions and such near the Scandanavian region. There are mss from approx the 7th century that have illustrations showing fireballs by the bucketloads with some showing buildings being destroyed----

Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry

I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...

http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/

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Posted by Trainman Sam on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 8:56 PM

Hello again!  I'm now stuck waiting up for word from my parents... They are flying back from Houston,TX... Their flight was delayed, and they are not sure wether they will get back to philly before the last regional SEPTA train leaves the airport terminal... so they will call me when they land, to tell me wether they need me or not... that won't be until 11:30pm EST! If I have to pick them up, I won't be getting into bed until about an hour before I have to be up to go to work!!!  Chloe, may I have a coffee in a GIGANTIC New Hope & Ivyland mug? Gonna need it tonight!!!

Jeff- I'm trying to upgrade the RAM in my HP Pavilion Slimline 3600f  (running Windows Vista Home Premium Service Pack 2)

I currently have two 1024MB DDR2 SDRAM cards (guessing that means 2GB cause the "properties" portion of "my computer" said that...

The PNY 2 pack 2GB PC2-6400/800MHz DDR2 DIMM memory kit (available from B*st B*y) seems to be the highest RAM upgrade I can find?

The PNY - XLR8 2=pack 1GB PC2-6400 DDR2 DIMM is NVIDIA SLI certified with EPP support

does that make a difference with performance over the 2 2GB cards?

again, I feel like such a techno-infant because I have no idea what any of THAT stuff means.. those are just the upgrades that Beast Bye told me would work with my puter... but they don't explain the differences in the two...

I think (after searching online for a half hour) that HP says that my puter can handle up to 16GB of RAM, but only has 2GB currently...

Please correct me if I wrote something wrong above... my head is spinning with all this info!

Thanks for your help!

Back to trains... I got a bunch of knuckle couplers over the weekend and will start upgrading my rolling stock from horn-hooks tomorrow! yeaaaaayyyyyyy!!!  no more turning my "spacer" car everytime I have to perform a runaround move!!!

Sam

 May He bless you, guide you, and keep you safe on your journey through life!

 I Model the New Hope & Ivyland RR (Bucks County, PA)

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Posted by Packers#1 on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 8:49 PM

der5997

Sawyer is using Peco turnouts

[snip]

Sawyer:

I'm left lock in the scrums and also the back guy raised up in a lineout. I'll let those of you folks who have been around rugby longer than me explain it.
...brings back too many painful memories, the scum thing! I'm small and fast, so instead of putting me on the wing, "they" shoved me in to be the chap in the middle of the front row who hooks the ball back (I leave to your imagination the name of THAT position!) in the scrum. Result, I was usually at the bottom of the pile every time when the thing collapsed.!  I'm not familiar enough with the terms used in American football to translate just what that means. LOL. And "In my day" you just had to jump in a line-out.  No-one got lifted up so as to gain a height advantage. Again, I don't really know what happens over here when the ball goes out of play off the side of the field. I haven't really paid that much attention, so I can't translate that one either.BlushDunce

 

Actually John, I'm using Atlas code 55 turnouts, not peco.

I know the name of that position too, though I'll let folks use their imaginations. Also, my job is to push forward, then when the ball's out run off to wherever it is. usually I end up on the ground as well, lol. As to the lineout, think cheerleaders getting lifted up except you jump and your teammates in front and back grab your shorts and haul you up as you jump.

 

Sawyer Berry

Clemson University c/o 2018

Building a protolanced industrial park layout

 

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: Nova Scotia, Northumberland Shore
  • 2,479 posts
Posted by der5997 on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 8:38 PM

Chris:

Hey DER JOHN, yeah..."Trusty Rusty" counts...maybe someday my Tori may need a name change to something like THAT! Especially with all the salt and salt solution they dump on the roads around here.
...TR was a Chev, with a straight 6 and THAT had a long carburetor throat. Interesting things would happen in certain humidity and temperature combos - like when we were on our way to the airport for a flight (no pressure, right?) and the thing iced up, killing the engine. Really put the Trusty in the name. Rusty for exactly the reason you mention.

Lee:Thanks for the detailed description of your dowel turnout throws. Anything that gets away from those HUGE ground throws has to be a plus in my book, as does any way to realistically cut mrr costs!Thumbs Up

The push-pull rods are stained dowel rods and would require a hole drilled through the layout at the center of the turnout or under the head ties where the ground throw would be located........When the operator pulls or pushes the dowel rod the switch is thrown.  Resistance to hold the turnout in place is a small rubber o-ring placed on the fascia where the dowel comes out. 
  Sawyer is using Peco turnouts, and so he won't need the o-ring to hold turnout position. Also, he's using foamboard for the layout base. That means he could get away with piano wire actuators running in thin tube, such as a narrow drinking straw, or smaller bore tube than that even. This conduit could be easily buried just below the surface of the foamboard in a shallow trench. Also, if required, the piano wire can bend, and a curve can be arranged from the fascia to the turnout-in-question if the track configuration will not allow a straight run. (I wonder if an S bend would be workable?) Peco turnouts have both a hole and a small vertical projection at each end of the throw bar. This gives a convenient attachment point for the wire without having to come up from beneath the layout. That makes retro-fitting so much more of a possibility! The one place I've used this technique I didn't even bury the conduit  as planned scenery will hide it anyway.
The lighted indicators can be added at any time.  A dual color DC LED mounted in the fascia with contact strips glued to the dowel rod.  When the turnout is positioned for straight or pass through position the light is green, when you throw the turnout to the siding the rod moves the contact strips to reverse the polarity on the LED and it shows a red light.  The Caboose Industries ground throws can cost $2.50 each this method can cost around 25 cents each + the materials for the lights.
  I haven't tried this yet, but I remember a tip from somewhere (MR, or a Klambach tips book?) that used the contacts in a slide switch to do the lights, while the physical throw of the switch moved the turnout rod. The disadvantage of that set up, as I see it, is that the slide switch would have to be mounted on some sort of shelf at the fascia edge. Might be a bit inconvenient. My 2 cents

Todd:

I do need a turnout or two and a code 100 to 83 transition track
...Does Code 88 soldered to the top of a flattened rail joiner on the end of the Code 100 not come out level with the railhead of the Code 100?  Again, I seem to recall that from the Klambach tip machine.

Jeff: That's terrific news about the healing in your foot! Yeah!! Let's hope the whole thing can close up now. I guess the vacuum thing really helped. I forgot to say, until your photo of the loco shed you posted with that news reminded me - the track arrangement you used there helped my with getting two locos side by side in an engine shed directly off a turntable. Thanks.Approve

Dick:

BARRY: I didnt know that the last Ice Age had ended yet? LOL  What did cause it to end and retreat, sun spot increase?
  The answer to the "What caused the thaw?" question never seems to come into any discussion of Climate Change by the talking heads, scientist or otherwise in TV land.Whistling

Chris:

buy a certain kind of lightbulb "to save the planet." A lightbulb costing far more than the good old incandescent.
...they are a good deal more expensive to buy, I'll agree - but I am liking what's happening to our power bill as we use more of them. Also, as with any "new" technology, the price is dropping, and there are bargains to be found. That said, I agree 100% with you on the disposal issue, and no-one talks about the "carbon footprint" of the electronic circuit in each and every one of those CFLs.Blindfold

Sawyer:

I'm left lock in the scrums and also the back guy raised up in a lineout. I'll let those of you folks who have been around rugby longer than me explain it.
...brings back too many painful memories, the scum thing! I'm small and fast, so instead of putting me on the wing, "they" shoved me in to be the chap in the middle of the front row who hooks the ball back (I leave to your imagination the name of THAT position!) in the scrum. Result, I was usually at the bottom of the pile every time when the thing collapsed.!  I'm not familiar enough with the terms used in American football to translate just what that means. LOL. And "In my day" you just had to jump in a line-out.  No-one got lifted up so as to gain a height advantage. Again, I don't really know what happens over here when the ball goes out of play off the side of the field. I haven't really paid that much attention, so I can't translate that one either.BlushDunce

Looks like bedtime's looming. No mrr today as it was cleaning the chimney and taking down and packing away the Christmas decorations...Goodnight all, and God Bless. Prayers continuing for all in need of Healing, Comfort, Prosperity and Peace.Angel

 

"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • From: Memphis, TN
  • 3,876 posts
Posted by Packers#1 on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 8:32 PM

howmus

Packers#1
I'm left lock in the scrums

 

Sawyer, I do hope that is not too painful.  Take 2 aspirin and you'll feel better in the morning...Whistling

 

It's actually perfect. Second row, not the first, so you don't get hit too bad and just push the front line forward.

Sawyer Berry

Clemson University c/o 2018

Building a protolanced industrial park layout

 

Moderator
  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: London ON
  • 10,392 posts
Posted by blownout cylinder on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 8:28 PM
Good Evening Got to spend my day at home office doing bookwork. Made a basically new elevator from what was left of the one 'Spring' was playing with. Had some fun earlier today when a repeat performance of "BrokenPipeVille" occured. This one did not effect our circuit but it did leave a lot of frozen slop on top of all that dang snow we be getting--- Chloe, I'll just have a coffee and a cinnamon bun please----I'll be at the corner booth

Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry

I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...

http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Finger Lakes
  • 10,198 posts
Posted by howmus on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 8:27 PM

Evenin' folks!

Zoe just a cup of decafe for me tonight.  I'll go sit in the back by the fire and stay warm.

Packers#1
I'm left lock in the scrums

 

Sawyer, I do hope that is not too painful.  Take 2 aspirin and you'll feel better in the morning...Whistling

Actually got to do some w**k on the layout for a change today (in between several interruptions).  Finished paining the 2 flat cars' decks.  They came out very nice.  Painted the "soil" along the cut around "Bare Mountain", and installed two DPDT Toggle Switches in holes in the fascia.  Tomorrow I hope to get the flat cars decaled and sprayed with a coat of dull coat and they will be done except for whatever I decide to use for loads.

Have Deacons tomorrow night so I will spend part of the day getting materials ready for THAT, but I should be able to spend some time in the layout room as well.

Looked outside as I came over to the computer and there appears to be some white something or other covering the road tonight.......  Hmmm.  Only supposed to get an inch of it, so no problem.

Hope all of you are staying warm and enjoying the winter weather where ever you find it!

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • From: Memphis, TN
  • 3,876 posts
Posted by Packers#1 on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 8:07 PM

 WHOOOOO-HOOOOOOO

lol, the cold just makes rugby better. I dressed for it (long sleeve Starter undershirt w/ cotton t-shirt and sweat pants, as well as long socks) and loved it. I'm left lock in the scrums and also the back guy raised up in a lineout. I'll let those of you folks who have been around rugby longer than me explain it.

Sawyer Berry

Clemson University c/o 2018

Building a protolanced industrial park layout

 

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Euclid, Ohio
  • 2,822 posts
Posted by LSWrr on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 7:53 PM

Well I had an interesting night; the truck needed a new alternator, so while I had it in the shop I had the 3 year old battery on the passenger side replaced, and an oil change (16 quarts).  The shop charged me $38 for labor.  I had an eye appointment after picking up the truck, everything is good to go, but they dilated my eyes so no MRR stuff again tonight.  $530 for the truck and $105 for the eye appointment w/3 month supply of contact lenses, I’m glad the Salvation Army bell ringer wasn’t standing in the parking lot when I left the eye doctor or I might have hit him, LOL.  I got a letter in the mail today that Uncle Sam will not pay an increase in retirement or Social Security checks this year because the cost of living index did not show an increase over last year; however they raised my Federal taxes just over $9/month.


I think I need something stronger than Root Beer tonight!

 

BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret)
 L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • From: Manassas, VA
  • 344 posts
Posted by Trainman Sam on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 7:07 PM

Hope all are having a good evening this night?  I'll place the foot baths and heating pads out for those who have had to shovel snow yet again... Choe, can you please get anyone to whom THAT statement applies a LARGE cup o' jo and a platter of their favorite meal?  On me, of course!!! 

Doesn't it always seem that your vacation flies past like a flashbulb for a picture?  Then you don't want to go back to w*rk?

Had trouble getting my b*tt out of bed yesterday... dragged donkey most of the day... hit the sack early last evening...

Felt much better today as I had gotten one more day of "paid servitude" under my belt...

I'll be in the back booth cramming more territory into memory... hopefully I can remember enough for the written test and verbal review on friday...

Chloe, may I please have a giant glass of the OJ I keep hearing about?  Also, may I please have a large bowl of mint chocolate ice cream with two chocolate chip cookies?  Thank you!

Sam

 May He bless you, guide you, and keep you safe on your journey through life!

 I Model the New Hope & Ivyland RR (Bucks County, PA)

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