Another milestone, finally finished modification #376 to my track---and wonders of wonders, the engines make it back to the starting position every time.
Looking at the food displays, living on an island on the coast of Maine, all who visit want to have lobster. I still have access to a supply of "mud bugs" so when I ask said visitors " Do you like lobster?" it is interesting to watch their reactions. None have yet come out and asked in advance to be fed same, but are always quick in the response--YES!! For those who try to act "iffy" I will offer them moose steak, deer steak, duck, goose, or wild turkey breast, or if fish is their thing--cod, hake, haddock, or cusk fillet. At that point confusion, and indecision usually sets in. They will settle for lobster-- About the only thing we buy is milk, butter, and pork. I refuse to keep a milk cow, or raise a pig. Pigs know I eat bacon, and every one I get near tries to take a chunk out of my legs.
I would sell lobster bait to the fishermen, one of whom had a pet pig. (The pig did not know the pet status would change late November, and the pet status became chops and bacon status) while walking up to my friends house to let him know I had his bait on the boat-the pig was out loose, very friendly to the entire villiage,
casually walked up to me and bit my leg. Fortuniately I was wearing hip boots that I had turned down, unfortuniately I had just purchased them the day before, and had not broken them in, the pig's owner appeared just as I was reaching for my sheath knife-I was going to advance the month of November rather rapidly. My friend did not believe me when I told him his pet had just sived my new boots until I showed him the holes in my left boot.
I told him to "pen the pig" or no bait for winter fishing. I can grow new skin, but it is nigh impossible to patch hip boots where they crease for the fold.
Wish a safe holliday to all, prayers for those who need, quick recovery for those with medical challanges.
herrinchoker
herrinchoker:
Well, you know pigs will eat anything! The trick is to not look at the pig like he should be on the menu at the Diner!
Seriously, I'm glad the porcine menace didn't actually take a chunk out of your leg! That could have entailed some serious medical work and a lot of antibiotics.
Congratulations on the track work. I think I might be closing in on that many modifications to my track plan. I kind of hope it won't take as many tries to get the layout to work.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Mornin' everyone!
Zoe, I'll have a short stack of Blueberry Pancakes and a couple sausage links along with a pot of..... What? Oh, you have dripping right now for me? How sweet of you! Don't forget the real NYS Maple Syrup, please.
Currently 63°F here in the Finger Lakes Region with a high in the mid 70's this afternoon. Lovely day out there! I need to finish mowing the lawn this morning and also go sit in the back yard shirtless for about a half hour. Good for the psoriasis. have done that in about a month and need to get into the habit of it.
Garry, Happy Birthday to you! You have the same birthdate as my Father. He would have been 103 years old today... Your wedding anniversary is on my FIL's birthday as well.... Our families have had a long history together. My Grandfather was best friends with my FIL's Father. On Sept. 3, 1913 my Grandfather stopped over to Henry Fox's house to give him a cigar to celebate my father's birth. Two days later Henry stopped at the old farmhouse and gave my Grandfather one to celebrate my FIL's birth. My Father dated my MIL a couple of times as a teenager, and my sister's best friend in high school (and still today) is one of my SIL's. I guess sooner or later the families had to formally merge!
I see my coffee is arriving, so I best chow down. Catch you all later!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
YGW I hope you feel better. Although we are mostly (all?) men in the diner, we have a significant risk of osteoporosis too. I've been taking Vit D for at least 4 years and my blood level still remains very low. I'm up to 4 k units a day.
Hurricane Hermine is off the coast, just in time for our trip to the ocean next week. In a couple hours I expect our community pier on the Magothy river will have waves breaking on it. We are barely on the fringe. NJ is going to get the most damage as the storm stalls there tomorrow.
I've got to get my last LED glued in and wire them and my speakers and see if my DCC actually works. It looks like my light bar/led takes up too much space for the speaker.
Watched Ken Pattersons latest video on making roads from DAP concrete patch. He makes a mess on the track and doesn't address how to clean it up.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Yawn and good morning. I've been up a while, actually.
It looks like we'll get some rain out of the storm on Monday, but nothing severe. We can sure use the rain, although it's better when it all doesn't come down at once.
I was just letting my MOW train loop around the layout a few days back, and I had a derailment. It puzzled me until I found one of the crane's trucks detached. Just a loose screw, which I haven't found yet.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Morning all. Flo could I get some blueberry pancakes, syrup, and some scrambled eggs with white cheese on the eggs. Thank you.
One of my other hobbies have come to the forefront: Leathercraft. The suede strips that decorate my checkbook have finally started to break down after twenty years. Given that replacing everything is somewhat expensive, I am getting it piece by piece. The first part arrived yesterday: a piece of dark green suede. The rest of the parts will be one by one.
I also finally managed to get something to store my short track sections dust-free: lidded storage containers that hang on the wall. I talked to an industrial shop in town and they were able to get me a few containers without having to order a full case lot.
MisterBeasley My lady friend and I shared a pair of lobsters outdoors on picnic tables over the weekend, with wine and a huge salad. We were in heaven.
My lady friend and I shared a pair of lobsters outdoors on picnic tables over the weekend, with wine and a huge salad. We were in heaven.
i didn't know you were single mr b. I always thought you were a married guy.
its been really nice here the last couple days after a very hot and dry summer. you can feel fall in the air at night here now.
JeremyBi didn't know you were single mr b. I always thought you were a married guy.
The marriage should have been over long ago. It will be soon. This, too, is part of the Circle of Life.
sorry to hear that mr b. I hope things go smoothly for you. Your daughter is away at school too isn't she. Did she take the news bad?
"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.
Good Evening,
Had another warm day here but we are expecting a front to go through in the next 24 hours which will mean rain and cooler weather. Oh well, good time to do a little work on the Mortimer sub. I am in the process of adding some feeders to my service yard which hopefully will reduce the stalling I'm getting now. I also have a new sound decoder to install in my light mountain.
Pizza and movie night here. We haven't told Robbie yet as he goes nuts for pizza. We have to whisper the word.
I'm listening to the French CBC radio station right now as they play a lot of 'oldies' on Saturday evening. Odd to be on the French station but the music selection is very eclectic and interesting so great listening.
Been wondering what is happening with Ulrich and Galaxy. Hope we hear from them soon. I do miss some of the MIA fellows, Chris(Amanamedic), Cape Jim, Rob, just to mention a few.
CN Charlie
Evenin' Folks!
Janie, just a cup of decaf for me right now....
Another very pleasant day here in the Finger Lakes today. Temperature got all the way up to 75°F and the air conditioner is still off. Right now it is 58°F outside so as soon as I complete this post I shall close the windows for the night. Actually got chilly in here last night. Felt good! Almost pulled up the comforter on the bed, but Manét came and snuggled so we kept each other warm......
Got an email this morning that my order for scale lumber is now in the mail and probably already on a truck heading from Washington State to the Finger Lakes. Should arrive later next week. Then I can get the fence for the pasture completed and start on the installation of the next peice of plywood in the loop area at "Milo Mills". Then I will start on tyhe last bridge needed to cross Keuka Creek and actually get some trains running again! here is what got done this week:
Finished mowing the lawn today put away the stuff I had out on the deck for the party a week ago. Stopped and got a couple ears of Sweet Corn at the stand right around the corner for supper tonight. They will be closing as of next Tuesday for the season (all there help will be back at school). Then I will have to drive over to the Mennonite Stand near Phelps for my fresh corn.... Beans are almost ready for their first picking in the garden. The vines finally took off and are huge (pole beans). In about 2 weeks from now i will be canning a bunch for the winter. May get a bushel or so of sweet corn at the stand to put up that for the winter as well.
Have a great and safe night out there! Prayers for all in need (and I know of several)!
Evening Diners
Flo I will have a and if Ed shows up give him one as well.
Work Front Sure not what I though would be like today. With it beeing Labour Day Weekend I thought I would be over ran! Well, I fell a sleep for a little while, did some reading and only had 6 customers all day? 4 of them bought, but did not add up to anything worth a darn! I bet I will be hammered Sunday and not from .
Used Car Front Boy I have miss givings about this! Seems so old friends from when my Wife and I where in our 20's are coming from Ind next week to buy Sue a used Car? I just see nothing but bad coming from this!
Gary
Herrion
Well, I am done and so is the BBQ
I hate Rust
cudaken Flo I will have a and if Ed shows up give him one as well.
Greetings Fellow Diners...
Whew, I missed a few days here and I don't think I'll ever get caught up with everything that's been going on with all you folks!
Hi, Zoe! How about a nice plate of Lobster Newberg just like they served on the Twentieth Century Limited's dining car. Ken has me covered with the bar tab. I've got a Monon AND a B&O mug waiting for me.
Thanks for getting the September Diner on a roll, Mr. B. I'll have some photos to post soon that my dad took on the Sandy River and the Bridgton & Saco River back in '36. Dad was a big fan of the Maine Two Footers and made a few trips up there to ride them when they were still running.
YGW I really hope you recover well from your back injury. It sure comes at a tough time after dealing with the trials of getting your dad on the road to recovery.
DER, I can relate to those tomatoes. They seem to be starved for moisture and when it finally arrives they gorge themselves until they (literally) burst! Still good eatin' though.
Ken! I found some paperwork for those F units that I'll send to you next week...
Garry and many more!
Railroad Front.
This past week I was in the frame of mind to take some locomotives that have needed attention, as in updated decoders, swapping bulbs for LEDs and installing sound in ones that I wanted to "sounderize"
So, I spent a few hours on a [are you listening, Ken?] B&O F7B unit from Broadway Limited.
Originally this engine was one of their "silent" series. Once I got the shell off and saw the space for speakers and plenty of room for a decoder I went to town.
I had a ESU Loksound Select decoder in the drawer so popped that in with a pair of WOWsound speakers. Everything wired up fine, shrink tubing, motor only draws .3 amps, .8 stalled.
So, I place it on the test track with a SproggII and JMRI. Set address 3 on the throttle and the engine runs fine, sounds fine, all is good.
Later I place the engine on the layout programming track and JMRI says can not communicate, no response from decoder! Huh?
Take the engine back to the test track and JMRI says it has a Java error, must close the program! This ain't good!
I look at the new Loksound decoder and see a black spot on the PC board! First time THAT ever happened—and not even on the layout, just on the programming track.
Fortunately, I scrolled through my "order history" at MB Klein and found the receipt. I bought it back in May. Tuesday I'll get in touch (reach out, as the new vernacular has it) to Matt Herman and see if there is a chance to have this $80 decoder replaced. I'm at odds to know what happened to it. MUST be those B&O B units, Ken!
So, I was fed up with decoder installs for a while and went back to some layout scenery work.
Here's a few shots of MY Trackside diner.
There's Chef Ryan telling this young couple "No Zoup For You!"
He's waving his ladle like it is a magic wand!
Here's a bird's eye view of the scene. It truly is a "trackside" diner. Guys from the roundhouse and diesel shop, off to the right, can cross the main (once I get that board-walk finished) and hike over to the diner for some beans. I'm just "blocking-in" the scene right now. The diner needs lots more work, paint, signage and details.
I'll keep 'ya posted...
Enjoy the Holiday all you laborers! And for the rest of you— Happy Weekend!
Regards, Ed
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Good morning all.
Chloe, the breakfast special #3 please, eggs, bacon, wheat toast, and a glass of OJ please. Thanks.
Weather: Finally a little cooler, more like late summer should be, still warm in the afternoon, but comfortably cool (middle 50's to low 60's) at night to allow sleeping. (Hope Ulrich is getting some nicer, cooler weather now as well.) The warmest the forecast gets is 86 over the next week, coolest is 52, with little ra*n chances save for Thursday. Lower humidity also makes for happier breathing, so I like it.
W**k: Lots of freight still, for some reason our DC (Distribution Center) seems to think that we need everything for fall and winter, now... We have had a register acting up, causing me to (have to) call tech support twice this week. Yesterday's call I surprised them, by going over notes (and name) from the time before, and by knowing how to do (and what they were talking about) certain things to trouble-shoot them. (Years of working retail, plus knowing about computers {knowing enough to get myself into trouble, as they say} made for that.) Tech support had tried to send a series of text messages (with picture directions) but could not get them to cooperate, (making me wonder if they could get the register to cooperate either) so figured they would attempt to walk-me through (verbally) the steps. They got impressed (pleasantly surprised?) when I stated I was done, and ready for the next steps quickly, and then extremely impressed when I got to the next set of steps before they did. (Next asked how I did that... I explained what all I had done for w**k history, and they asked what I had for a computer at home. They were very surprised when I told them. {After I explained how I got it, as it is a custom build desktop system, and yes, I built it.}) They then asked if I was interested in moving to Texas, and working in their department. (Nope. I get annoyed with computers that refuse to cooperate, or have an attitude problem as this one has.) They were unable to find what the problem was, as they thought it was a couple things, but we were able to rule them out completely, and so completely that no other options (other than a grumpy computer, or broken one) were left. (I still think there is a broken part, but, that is not my department, so....) Hopefully, it descided to start cooperating, so as to avoid hour-long phone calls in the future. (For some reason, it is shutting itself off at night, and then not wanting to turn on the next day.... Maybe it just wants a vacation... Back to Texas... In a pine {um, cardboard} box.... )
Trains: No major progress on any one thing, still have small projects going here and there. (READ: Still working on one too many projects at once, so not finishing anything, but having many started and done half-way, just needing the final finishing touches done. Must make me a model railroader or something... ) Maybe I will get a couple car kits finished tonight while watching NASCAR... Well, during the commercials anyways. (Lady in Black, AKA Darlington, AAKA "The track too tough to tame", tonight, with the annual "throwback" race. Hoping for a competitive event, with lots of tight, close racing battles.)
Hope all are well, and all enjoy the day!
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
Place looks to just about empty, Zoe... Guess I'll have the #2 Special since it is Sunday Morning. Over easy eggs, bacon, homefries, and a double order of that wonderfull sourdough toast. Need a large pot of Marrakesh Express Dark Roast Coffee as well. What? Oh, use my FGLK mug today just to be different.
Have not turned on the Air Conditioner for 3 days now, but by noontime it will get started I think. It's now 75°F outside and 73°F in the house. I have closed all the windows and removed the fan in the bedroom window last night before bed. Got down to 50°F last night, and I like it a bit warmer inside the house.... Made 22kWh of electric yesterday and without running the air conditioner that should be 7 or 8 kWh more than I used. August was the second best for the system since I installed it but this is the first year I used more electric in august than I made.... By over 100 kWh.
Will spend the day puttering on several projects. Can't do a whole lot more on the layout until the lumber arrives so I will get a bunch of other stuff done I hope.
I do hope that Ulrich is OK and has just had some 'puter problems or something! Keeping all the other missing in action people in my thoughts and prayers as well.
Catch you later!
Hello, anyone in here?
Flo, Flo! Hum, seems the crew left as well, well I know where the Beer Kegs are so I will help my self to a and I will pull one for Ed as well.
Guarding The Store Front! Guess where ever the dinners went, so did my customers! I had 2.5 customers and did not have anyone buy a dang thing!
Fence Front What I thought would be a 15 minute job turned into a 45 minute job! Task was to messure, cut and mount two more stringers, sounds easy right? For some reason I could not get the top stringer to slip under the pickets? Even used my 2 pound hammer! I finally had to use a saw horse and a 2X4X8 as a lever to get the darn thing in places! They are mounted now, but was way harder then I had planed on!
gmpullmanSo, I place it on the test track with a SproggII and JMRI
Ed What is a Sprogg II? Is it like my Digitrax PR3? I did a goggle search and it seems like the samething, but I am not sure?
gmpullmanTake the engine back to the test track and JMRI says it has a Java error, must close the program!
I was getting that a lot using the PR3. I found if I un-pluged the USB and hooked it up again Decoder Pro would start working again, well most times. Last time it happened I cleaned the USB plug with contact cleaner. So far that has taken care of the problem.
gmpullmanThere's Chef Ryan telling this young couple "No Zoup For You!"
I am guessing Chef Ryan not can now only drink soup with his lack of theet! With the way that Trooper has his boot bloused and being in WW II uniform he was Airborn! Noway Airborn takes any crap unless they out rank us! With me being a MP, well unless they where in my chain of command, I still did not take any crap!
Far as the BLI booklet, I am looking forward to it. I must say you made a mistake by sending these to me! Goosh they are great engines!
Later, Ken
Ed, is this your layout by chance?
Evening.
Zoe, did you guys close earlier for some reason? No? Man, must be all picnics today... Well, I guess that means there is some pie left, right? I will do a slice of the Peanut butter cream pie, with a coke please. What's that? Of course with whipped cream on the pie, thanks.
Well, NASCAR has not been extremely competitive tonight, but they are starting to get racier, but, it's also now under 100 to go. Couple of one or two car incidents, otherwise clean racing. (Save for one crash, totally deliberate, but driver and crew chief "called to the principals office" after race end for it.) Unfortunately, due to a movie the rest of the family was watching, zero modelling chances so far.
Well, Zoe, thanks for the pie, and the Coke.
Check in later. Any who want a slice of pie, I will pick up the tab. Zoe, maybe if you put out a sign that says "FREE PIE" you'll get a few takers?
Good evening everyone,
Zoe, a large coffee with hazelnut creamer, and a sausage, egg, and cheese, breakfast burrito please.
Saw my dad today and we had a steak and shrimp birthday dinner. Everything turned out superbly.
On the MR front, I got fed up with having to constantly replace wire on the ladders of one of my N5 cabin cars, so I drilled holes, made grab irons, repainted, and then added air, steam, signal lines, then Cal-Scale PRR marker lights. After painting the markers yellow I'll add red MV-Lenses. A Preiser figure from one of the company's US Railway personal sets is on the platform. I'll do similar work to the other N5 when some more parts I need arrive. I'll post pics when I'm closer to completing the models. It's my bday next Sunday, so, huge surprise, I'm getting another BLI K4s for myself.
Alvie
Flo, I will take up the offer of free pie. Either apple or cherry is fine with me. Please a la mode it as well.
Hobby Front: Got the regular-width roads glued down. I also got the holes in the river bed filled as well as got the bridge for the access road installed. I didn't get the top side painted as the center support needed to dry before I could paint it. I also got the beginings of the new engine house started. (Sorry no picts. Forgot to grab my camera.) As mentioned previously, won't be doing much modeling for the next couple of weeks as it is vacation time.
cudaken Guarding The Store Front! Guess where ever the dinners went, so did my customers! I had 2.5 customers and did not have anyone buy a dang thing!
Out of curiosity, how do you have half a customer?
CentralGulfOut of curiosity, how do you have half a customer?
The little ones who bounce on the beds?
Howdy. I hope everyone is having a good Labor Day. It's our anniversary. Thanks for the birthday wishes for my birthday in Saturday. It was also my sister's birthday On Saturday.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
MisterBeasley The little ones who bounce on the beds?
That crossed my mind, but I assume that a family would count as a single customer, no matter how many rug rats they had in tow.
Mornin' er...... Afternoon folks!
Chloe, I just need a refil for my dark raost coffee, please. And maybe one of the sour cream glazed donuts over there on the counter.
CentralGulfI assume that a family would count as a single customer, no matter how many rug rats they had in tow.
If they don't buy anything, can they be factually counted as a "customer"? Hmmmmm........
Anither sunny day here in the Finger Lakes. High will be around 86°F so the air conditioner is about to be turned on as it it is 76° in the house. I closed up the open window a couple hours ago when it got as warm outside as in the house. Not running it helps me have more kWhs of the solar used against the kWhs coming into the house. Right now I am supplying some watts to the neighbors and gaining credit.
I am trying to get the newsletter as done as I can without some more info. want to get it out by early next week at the latest and don't have a great deal to go with at the moment....
Best get myself doing some things around here! Later...
Just a short visit to quote Mark Twain on the reports of his sudden death being greatly exaggerated.
I am still around, but a number of rather important survival issues keep me from visiting and posting. These issues are not related to my health, but social, economical and political issues I cannot address here.
Until they are solved (if ever), I will remain an infrequent visitor.
Best wishes to you all!
Evening everybody?
Flo? Can I get the soup of the day... It doesn't matter I'll take it anyway.
I been out for a while. I got a sore throat yesterday and also today. Not much of medicine for my throat.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
Flo, I feel like I was ran over by a EM1! Ed and I will have a Please. Give Ulrich one as well!
What a day! Worked with Nancy (owners wife) Queen of the Ding Bats! While she is great in sales (has no idea what she is selling) she can confuse her self so badly she will try to sale below cost!
Her lates kick is if someone comes in looking for something Cheap, after they decided to buy it tell them "I will give you that free if you buy a Mattress for yourself". When not on sale we have a extra 20% bulit in on all iteams. So lets say they buy a $200.00 futon mattress, you could sale it for $40.00 less at $160.00. Then if they pick a $1200.00 mattress set, you could knock off a extra $240.00. So you have to sell the $1200.00 at full prices, you can easliy throw in the $200.00 futon mattress for free!
Only works if they are not sale prices! We have sale prices tags out plus Nancy got her self confused to boot! They did not pick a cheap mattress for there son, it was $530.00 mattress on sale for 15% off at $450.00. Then she sold Mom a $1600.00 set on sale for $1411.00. Then she threw in the $530.00 mattress for free and then subtracted the $530.00 mattress cost from the $1411.00 so she was only paying $881.00 for the sale price for the $1411.00 set! (I could not buy that mattress set for $881.00 and I work here!)
I told her we cannot do that and she need to call Paul the GM! She got mad me but there was no way I was going to write that deal! I then help another customer while she called Paul. Paul told her I was right and she told me so and she was sorry. We did get a sale, profit still sucked but it was a lot better than it would have been!
Gulf To me a 1/2 a customer is someone that either is looking for a free solution to a problem or looking for something we don't sell. My half customer was two guys looking for used futons hoping we took trade in's. They would spend up to $75.00 on a good one!
Train Front Still have not found time to post on the main page on how to tune sprung trucks. B&O F's, boy I love these suckers! They put my PK 2000 E-8 with the QSI decoder to shame!
Later Ken
Spent the afternoon birdwatching in our backyard from the comfort of our lawn chairs. We saw 23 different species in about 4 hours. The migration has definitely started with 6 Warbler species in the mix.
I finally finished wiring up the additional feeders to my service yard. I used a terminal block and suitcase connectors so everything is neat and tidy. No wire soldering is allowed underneath the layout as it sits on laminate flooring in the main part of the basement room. Everything tests ok , at least there aren't any shorts and power is flowing as it should.
Have a good evening,