Sorry, folks - you are too late!
This place is closed for the month and has been moved to a new location. You are welcome to join us there!
Evenin Railfans! Flo - my usual in a pilsner glass please. I have some jawing to do....
Galaxy - Im not sure what the B&OM has instore this year. I havent checked to be honest. Shame to hear about the Acela part of the trip. Was kinda looking forward to a recap of it.
Im not sure, which museum were you referrencing parking infront of? For the B&O Museum, you can park pretty much right at the door. But in DC??? oh man. Yeah, good luck with that one!
I would suggest parking in Greenbelt Md, taking Green line to Silver Line (at L'Enfant Plaza). I dont go anywhere inside the beltway if i dont have to. Just do be careful my friend.
Hopefully the planets will align and you 3 can have a great day! Remember, were expecting pictures!
Ulrich - Hey, you have my vote for opening next month. Will give Galaxy a break and you a chance to break in your new focals! Garry's idea of you two flip flopping is ok with me, but i was under the impression a different person each month, to coincide with a different location, and thus variety. Either way is ok here.
Also, in your honor, wasnt this month Germany month? Or did i take the wrong track here? I was thinking if Penn state hadnt been done recently, maybe in Bob Hartles honor, April could be Pennsy month.
Jeremy B - Im not real hep on medical terms, but is what you listed life threatning? Hope not! So i wanna wish you well in either case!
Mister B - Uh-oh. Are couplers that won't stay together "divisive?"
In General - Havent seen Ken tonight. They musta really rode him hard today! Flo - 2 and a shot chaser if he shows.... on moi.
The storm over Germany must be a big one because it blew windy here this evening gusting up to 50mph. No rain (ofcourse!) and nice temps today.
BTW, who is grand poo bah this week? Next week? I seem to miss this every dog gone week! Someone put me back on the memo list... ok? Especially if its me!!!!
RRfront - still temporarily closed although i cought a very long (well over 120 cars!) empty coal drag on the way home. Didnt catch the first unit, but the second was CSX #3. Just a fascination to me only, but i always thought it unique to see a late model loco (on a class one carrier) with a single digit number.
Concerning Cousin Vinnie - I read his post and looked back to see what the breach of protocol was. Couldnt find one. However, i will take Garry's advice and brush up on them again. Never hurts! I also think his suggestion of posting a reminder with all the other "top of the month" bulletins is valid. For the new folks, and to us too.
Well folks, i think thats about all i had for this round. Looking forward to next month! Hope you all are safe and well!
Cheers!
Douglas
I can't remember if I said this or not, but I'll repeat it.
Last week I believe, I thought of a small bookshelf layout in N Scale being 12" x 40". It was going to be a New York Central industrial scene with boxcars, flatcars and probably some hoppers in 1957.
The locomotives was going to be an Alco RS1 and H16-44 in DC.
I thought it could a starter layout to test my skills by watching a MR videos. The track was going to be Kato unitrack and it would be covered in scenery dirt next to the rails.
I love the planning of making a track plan, but my brain shuts off when it gets to involved. My brain will reset back to my modern era Union Pacific/BNSF train set.
Three years ago I had an opportunity to model a fictional Union Pacific branch line in Nebraska in 1957. I bought an F7B unit and a twin fuel business but I returned them both because of money for my modern era. I had a broken door covered in cork and painted brown. It's a painful memory I wish I could redo.
Do I have problems or is it supposed something else?
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
Hi guys
havent been in for awhile. I have been working and free time has been spent playing strat o matic baseball and mlb the show game. I'm in a total baseball mood at the moment. the only thing that I have done on the railroad in the last few months is some detailing. Now that we are getting close to warm weather I will be out on my mountain bike soon. Other then that not too much.
I don't know if you guys remember me talking about seeing a heart doctor well it turns out I have something called dilated aerotic arch?mi think that was it, it's nothing serious right now but will have to be monitored.
With Galaxy´s permission, I´d like to open up the April Diner tomorrow.
There is still a terrific storm outside and it´ll stay that way until Good Friday. The weather guessers are predicting sn*w for the Easter holidays. That sucks!
I hope we will find a good night´s rest tonight, with that storm howling over our heads.
CU tomorrow!
Heartland Division CB&QOne rule is to avoid "divisive topics".... Defining what is divisive may in itself be controversial.
Uh-oh. Are couplers that won't stay together "divisive?"
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Good afternoon.
Regarding the April Diner, I had thought Galaxy and Ulrich would take turns opening it each month. So I suggest the two of you decide if you are still doing that.
Regarding Steven's friendly reminder about the forum's rules, I suggest each of us review them. Steven put together the short version, and it only takes a few minoutes to read them.
One rule is to avoid "divisive topics".... Defining what is divisive may in itself be controversial. So, I suggest we avoid arguments by not being too confrontational if you disageee with a comment.
Have fun, everybody.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Douglas,
I have been wanting to go to the B&O museum for years, but we always went to live steam trians running. I think it was 2 years ago they ran the Tom Thumb {I think? or another one} at B&O for show, wish they were doing something like that this year, but I guess not.
Yeah, it looks like from Union Station, we take the red line to the silver line to the museum in DC.
BUT: MOH, upon hearing $252 for the 3 of us to take the Acela for 45-50 ride said "maybe NOT"...so it may be we drive, which will suit me fine as we can park in the handicapped lots across from the Museum. All three of us have handicapped plates/placards, due to bad walking issues. If we get there an hour-an hour& a half before it opens, MAYbe we will be lucky to get parking close?
Train nut friend has to pass it by his missus.. I am fortunate MOH is into trains, especially steam trains too! SO we NEVER argue about going to see trains.
we shall see...
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
Galaxy - Yes, once in DC you will have to switch metro trains atleast once to get from Union Station to the museums. I am enclosing a link to the metro map:
http://www.wmata.com/rail/maps/map.cfm
I havent been to the DC museums in decades. I just cant bring myself to go anywhere near DC (cant say i tolerate living 50 miles south of it either, but thats another story)! However, the museums are fabulous! Hopefully you and the OH will be there on a day with no school trips.
As for Baltimore, ahhhh my friend your in for a treat! Everything from upright boilers to one of the only two remaining Alleghenys reside there. I was there just 4 years ago and they were still recovering from the snow damage that happened. By now i would hope this has all been fixed.
You may notice that C&O 1307 is missing.... we all know why that is (props to Maryland Scenic!!!!!). They still have a Kanawha and more impressivly.... C&O #490. There is also an outside running G scale layout. This was in sad shape when i was there. They even have a couple cars from the post WWII independance train. Very impressive museum! You can just feel the history exuding from the walls! Whats in the roundhouse alone will blow your mind.
I dont know if your able to, but to get a real good show of the place, you should plan a whole day there. There is that much to see. They have volunteers there as well that have no problem guiding you around and telling the history. There is a gift shop ofcourse. The museum also takes donations at the front door.
I know i really enjoyed my last visit there. Ofcourse i am a little biased, they have some actual Pere Marquette equipment there which is way closer than Michigan is. Parking on site too. However i am not sure about any public transportation there. I always drive there.
DC on the other hand has plenty of pub trans.. Dont forget the Cherry Blossoms are due here too. The OH might like to see that as well. Weather is starting to break around here so hopefully you and the OH will have good days to travel.
Do take alot of pics and please post them. Id love to know how it went for yall. Also, I have never ridden the Acela either, give us a post about that.
Hope you folks have a great, safe trip. Cant wait to here how it went!
That´s really a bad storm raging over Germany!
All airports are closed, all train services have been suspended and people are asked to stay at home. There is not a soul outside in my neighborhood!
I have been giving some thoughts to my future model railroading activities. If I go down the scratchbuilding structures route, they will have to be in O gauge, because I won´t be able to handle a smaller scale. That will make things quite big again and I am not sure I want this. Anything smaller will be costing money, which I don´t have, as long as I have to feed the piggy bank.
Oh well -
RideOnRoad I found an app for my iPad that converts speech to text. Unfortunately, I now sound like a British woman.
I found an app for my iPad that converts speech to text. Unfortunately, I now sound like a British woman.
It's OK. Lizzie has been wearing her helmet for some time now.
-
A strong coffee TO GO, please. Just here to catch the move down the tracks to the next location.
Will hit the PO this afternoon and pick up the package from Trainworld. Then have some post hole digging to do with the tractor.
Cheers! Rob
First, Ok, I hope everyone has READ, HEARD and UNDERSTOOD Mr. Steve Otte's admonition!!
I wondered when I saw the flash of my name, what I had done too? But then reading it I got to realize WHY my name was in there!
I have been busy planning the trip to Baltimore and DC. See, I want to go to the B&O museum {any tips?} and check it out, and ride the train {diesel}, AND MOH wants to go to the National Museum of History In DC. So we compromise and do both. I am sure we could do more, but won't have time in DC....and MOH wants to ride the ACELA train in. That will bring us in to a long walking distance or a metro ride {possible???} to the museum? I havemnt' studied teh DC metro system yet. DOn't even know if possible to get form Union Station to the Museum or have to change metros, too?
Public transpo may be nice if you know what the heck you are doing, but can be a nightmare otherwise. Especially if not used to it and have your own vehicle all the time. We COULD drive there and park close inthe handicapped zone as all three of us train nut friend maybe going too? will have handicapped parking hang tagas AND i have handicapped plates on the minivan! BUT, NO< MOH wants to ride the Acela. {i don't care so much for it, Ive seen ti go whizzing by, that fulfills my need.
Its about a 45-1hr acela ride to DC. $252 R/t for 3 of us, business class {that should please MOH who always chooses perceived luxury over practicality and cost!}
So , it is not all ironed out yet, but close.
have a great rest of the morning!
Steven Otte A friendly reminder, which will be promptly lost when the new thread is launched tomorrow... Though this may be the designated off-topic thread, the ban on political opinions (and other prohibited topics) remains in effect. Maybe Galaxy could add something like that to his opening message, next thread?
A friendly reminder, which will be promptly lost when the new thread is launched tomorrow... Though this may be the designated off-topic thread, the ban on political opinions (and other prohibited topics) remains in effect.
Maybe Galaxy could add something like that to his opening message, next thread?
Ok. Consider it DONE.Thanks, Steve!
Mornin' everyone!
Zoe, just a bowl of Raisin Bran cereal and a large pot of Seneca Lake Blend Dark Roast coffee please...
The roofer will be here around noon to give me an estimate on taking the wood stove chimney down and repairing the roof where it was. I also finally heard back from the contractor. He appologized for taking so long answering me. Has been doing something called ........ Taxes! That time of year. He is also taking a course at the Community College so it has been a bit busy for him. He will have a finished estimate to me by tonight and can start the work next week! Looks like I will be spending most of today getting as much out of the living room as I possibly can. Two things I can't do by myself are move the 20 gal. aquarium and bring the big chair into the kitchen dining room space.... Getting crowded in here!
Best get myself moving! later!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Richard
Good morning! It's sunny and already 41 degrees. I'll be taking the '99 Corolla, whose name is "Carol," in for an oil change. Tonight is hockey night, so nothing too strenuous until then.
Ken, I sometimes have uncoupling problems with Kadees, but when I look closely it's never the fault of the coupler. I have some cars where the pockets have too much vertical space, and the couplers can move up and down a bit. Adding a shim, perhaps just a small piece of paper, can eliminate the vertical motion. I had this problem when I put whisker couplers into some Rivarossi coaches. I had to cut the springs off some Kadee metal spring pieces to take up the space not being used by the whiskers. Of course, any installation or adjustment requires a check with the coupler gauge.
And then, of course, there's the trackwork. Vertical kinks, in particular, can offset one car relative to another so the couplers slip apart. Do an instant replay when you have an uncoupling event, and watch carefully to see how they're coming apart. If it's an over-under thing that only happens at one spot, you need to closely look at the trackwork.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
Richard .... I'm glad you are home. Sounds like you were very badly banged up.
Ken ... If they are real Kadees, I don't know what to say. Are the knuckle springs in place and working?
I still have a lot of non-mrr stuff to do.
Happy model railroading
Good Afternoon!
We are really having bad weather today. There is a nationwide storm warning issued. While it is pretty bad in my neck of the woods, things are even worse south of us. We are literally getting inundated right now.
I went to the bank to get some money, but what a shock! The ATM did not cash out the amount I had keyed in. I immediately checked the account, but fortunately, only the amount paid got deducted - !
Richard - you must have a competent guardian angel. You know things could have been a lot worse! Healing thoughts going your way!
I don´t have any plans for the rest of the day. I feel a little drowsy, might go for a nap.
CUL!
Sir Madog . . .It´s been a rather dull and boring day - . . . I have been doing some reading and web searches in order to develop ideas for a diorama/layout. . .
. . .It´s been a rather dull and boring day - . . .
I have been doing some reading and web searches in order to develop ideas for a diorama/layout. . .
Ulrich: I am so happy you can have a dull and boring day reading!
As for me, I am home from the hospital. The toughest thing is that I am only supposed to talk when absolutely necessary. This means an end to all of my pithy comments that just flow unconsciously from my mouth. Rather it means trying to control the flow. I now have to travel around with a pad of paper in order to communicate. I do need to work on it, though. Failure to do so could result in permanent damage to my voice.
I was finally able to take a shower and wash off the two-day-old blood, sweat, and tears. I did find a way to recreate the Psycho drain scene in my own home, in color. The IV hole in my arm popped open in the middle of my shower.
Seriously this site now takes up the whole screen in HUGE letters for me, and MOH didn't reset anything, and I don't know how to, so...this is STRANGE...all OHTER sites are "normal".....
Today's word:
Evenin Railfans! Flo- my usual, and some Ibuprofen.
In General - Man what a day! Ken you think your tired... I made two trips today. Moved my storage shelving units. AND all the boxes contained there in. This puppy was in my basement (taking up valuable layout space!) which meant i must've made 50 trips atleast up and down the stairs.
I feel like i am 110 years old, and look twice that! 'Supposed' to do more tomarrow. Anyone taking bets my back wont show up for work?
One thing is for sure, we had a very nice day today except for the sun being out. Still not very cold now. Looks like we are finally shaking off winter folks. Im sure that makes some of you happy now that the summertime honey-do lists are gonna start pouring in. Which inturn means less MRing time i spose.
Did manage to catch some action at the crossing today. Hit the gates just right.... first in line to see all the action. In the distance to the left was a CSX weed sprayer heading south. Slowly.
To the right, the local was heading north with two geeps and three cars. A good 5 minute railfan break outta the blue. Gotta love those! The only bad thing about it???? I didnt have my camera.
Well thats about it for today. Gonna read a few more theads and hit the hay. Catch you folks later. I will be the one in the back brace. Hope everyone is doing ok!!
Evening Dinners
Flo, Beer Please and I will give you a good tip if you help me raise it to my lips, I am beat!
Work Front I was busy all day rather it be setting things up right as far as inventory or with custmers. Far as sales, I had 8 customers and 5 bought for around $2640.00 in sales. Plus I found time to build the Bunk Bed that Dave brought over months ago! Now all I have to build is 2 sets of Coffee Tables and a Grand Father Clock still new in the box?
Heartland Division CB&QKen ... Your locomotives probably do not have real Kadee couplers, and they should be rpelaced with real Kadees. The factories in China which make Proto models don't instal Kadee brand couplers.
Gary While China may not install Kadess, we do here in ILL. As soon as I learned about Kadee Couplers, that is all I use. Well after I got out of my Horn Hook ways.
Trains are running very well tonight, cross fingers. After I found a odd girme build up on the diamond (had to scrape it off with a screwdriver) it is running much better.
UP 831 Photos come off the internet. Mopar photos, well there either mine or friends cars I have done.
Later, Ken
I hate Rust
Mint tea, please.
***Galaxy, this site takes up my entire wall here now, like a drive in theater. (((KIDDING))) Are you wearing magnifying reading glasses?
Package at PO. It's the Daylight passenger cars. Will pick up tomorrow.
Busy busy day, left at 8 am and did not return until 4pm. lots of thingsto do on a dull and chilly-windy day.
Is it my imagination, or did they do something to make this site BIGGER??
Or did MOH somehow alter the size perceptions on the computer?
WOW! This is like reading a billboard!
well, I think nap or early to bed...
Time to go to bed at this end of the Big Pond!
Have a good night!
Ken ... Your locomotives probably do not have real Kadee couplers, and they should be rpelaced with real Kadees. The factories in China which make Proto models don't instal Kadee brand couplers.
I did complete upgrades of my old AHM ore cars, and they should work well with my other ore cars made by Walthers and by Roundhouse.
Still busy with honey-do Spring cleaning and still doing taxes for people.
Good Evening Folks!
It´s been a rather dull and boring day - lots of ra*n and storm, very unpleasant. Thank goodness we had enough leftovers from the weekend, so the usual Monday morning grocery run could be put off until tomorrow. There is a slim cahnce of a slight improvement on that very last day of March.
I have been doing some reading and web searches in order to develop ideas for a diorama/layout, but with no real result. This is getting frustrating. Maybe I should just get some plywood and start on a building - just to keep my hands (and mind) busy.
Janie, I feel like having a hot chocolate and a handful of butterscotch cookies - thank you!
Might drop in again a little later ...