Evening Diners
Flo I will have a please and if Ed makes it in, given him a Royal Crown on the rocks.
Strange Day At Work. Was dead till 12:20 PM. Saw a woman over at Mattress Firm across the street get in a pick up when she left. She reminded me of the lady that was mean on the Drew Carry show. She had blonde hair, over weight and wearing short shorts that did not fit! Thought to myself "bet she is coming here" and again I was not looking forward having her in the store. (there I go sort of prejuding again)
5 minutes later, she was in my store. Well she did not have much make up as the lady on Drew Carry Show but still was not a plesent sight. (sure she was thinking the same about me!) After she came in 20 minutes all heck broke lose! Again they came so fast and left so fast I had know idea how many people came in.
After 3:00 PM store was dead. But it was a good day! Had $2756.00 in sales! Best sale? Lady that looked like she was from the Drew Carry show! She spent $1420.00 plus tax and I made a extra $175.00 to boot! I would have never guessed that.
Gary Yep it is strange that the Mighty B&O F7's have sound again, two nights in a row yet!
CNCharlieKen, the cancer was found in a biopsy that was done a year ago. My PSA was rising and via the 'glove' the urologist said my prostate was enlarged
Charlie So first they found a higher PSA level in a blood test then they went to the glove. I need to find out if the VA is testing for PSA levels. Far as having the Glove Test, that would not be a problem! With all the Companys I have worked for having something shoved up my Caboose the sizes of a finguer would be easy!
Ken
I hate Rust
Free donuts far all again, get them will they last. Enjoy.
Modeling on the cheap
herrinchokerI enjoyed the videos of the ore trains, about how long are they, generally---?
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
LIONS love donuts... Him wants one for each claw.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Morning diners,
yougottawanta ...spend hours on end dreaming and relooking at the toy section ?It is like that all over again when I get a train catalog.
...spend hours on end dreaming and relooking at the toy section ?It is like that all over again when I get a train catalog.
I get that feeling almost every month when my Model Railroader and Walthers catalog.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
Good Morning,
Another drizzly day here but I'm not complaining as it is above freezing.
Ken, once my PSA level was over 4, I was sent to a urologist. He just monitored the level and for a year or so it stayed just over 4. I was having it tested every 6 months at that point. It then started to rise and it is the increasing rate that prompted the biopsy. It was at 5.1 at that time. Still not really high as I know someone who had a PSA of 400. Needless to say he had his prostate out in a couple of weeks after that result. I also have met a guy on the course I'm taking who was at 30. He is getting the radiation treatment rather than go to surgery. Long story short, you need to get it tested annually so any level changes can be detected. Some medical people don't like the PSA test much as they say it isn't reliable but it is the only way to find out if there is something that needs further investigation.
I did run trains for a while yesterday. I had the Pacific pulling the heavyweights again. It is now in the engine house and the Light Mountain is about to pull out with a train of express reefers. I have 5 of them which is quite a few for my little layout. I like the look of them. The Mountain is running a lot better since I replaced the MRC decoder with an Economi and also replaced the driver wipers.
Today I am heading off to the dentist for a cleaning. Such an exciting life I lead.
Jim, I enjoyed your story about bathing your dog. Ours doesn't like it much but he tolerates it fine. I had an Ahfgan Hound many years ago that was impossible to get into tub. The only way to give him a bath was to first administer a setative, then hook up a garden hose to the laundry tub taps and run the hose out to the driveway, then tie up dog, then put on bathing suit, then proceed to bathe dog with said garden hose. Drying took many towels. Despite the setative he could really shake a lot of water.
Well time to get ready for the off.
CN Charlie
Howdy ..
YGW .... The photos are not showing up. Glad you are making progress.
Bear .... I looked up information on the GE AC6000CW locomtives that set the record in Australia. In 2014, they were replaced with EMD SD70ACes .. The big GE's were scrapped in 2014.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Good Afternoon Diners,
Brunhilda, I'll have an extra large coffee with lots of cream, please.
in my last post I mentioned what I believed would be a ridiculous rent rate for commercial real estate, $10/SF/ mo., because rent for both commercial and residential is usually paid monthly, or so I assumed.
I looked up commercial real estate web sites and all the listings said $x/SF/ yr. What does that mean? Well, I did some " figerin" and realized that apparently what they do is take the rate/SF times total SF and divide that number by number of months, or 12.
So, instead of having 1000 SF at $10/SF costing $10000/ mo., it would really be more like $835/mo.
At least that's what it looks like to me. If someone knows more about this, which would qualify just about anyone, feel free to set it straight.
YGW: glad to hear the hobby barn is starting to take shape. Too bad the pictures didn't post. Will your layout have tandem Y-6b's pulling 60 car trains? I was going to send you a pm in reference to your quote on charity, but I don't know how. Oh well, I know where that quote is found.
Hello to everyone, and I hope everyone is OK, safe, and warm.
Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)
Afternoon folks!
Janie, can I get a cup of decaf to go.... Just pasing through to keep moving on the pile of things I have to get done a few days ago....
Ah.... YGW, yes I know all about the scripture you quoted.... I don't need to PM you for your epistle on it... I am an ordained Deacon in the church and might just know even more about those things than you do! It is nice to hear your Train building is finally getting built! Have fun.
Another warm day here in the Finger Lakes. Currently 50° outside under cloudy skies. Yesterday it was about 60° and by Thursday we may have 70° as the high. Not good for the trees that now think it is time to leaf out. This should be coming in another month and a half, not now.
Best get myself back to w*rk.
Later!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Evening Diners,
It's been a long day. My mom rented her mom's truck to deliver soda cans to metal company for money. They said we can bring in our ladder as long if it's not fiberglass.
Wal-Mart moved or out stocked the furniture sliders so I couldn't find them for the layout.
Home Depot- I somewhat finished all my supplies. But I spent my $100 dollar budget so I'll wait until... Since I returned the three foam boards back I bought an 4x8 sheet in which didn't fit into the truck so I had to sit in the back holding onto it.
Question: Some guy is selling his N Scale buildings already painted and assembled for the same price as plain undecorated kits. Should I buy them or paint and assemble my own?
Good Evening,
Up831, commercial retail space is normally quoted on an annual basis. Also find out the cost for property taxes and CAM ( common area maintenance) as they can often be more than the rent. It was my job to review financial projections for new stores and for cases when stores changed hands as I had to approve the credit so I reviewed hundreds of projections during my work career. If you do decide to proceed, be sure to do a financial projection as you will need one for a bank loan. I recommend getting help from a professional unless you have a financial background. In my experience most projections were too optimistic especially for first year sales.
Time for a little dinner here.
JaBear,
Thank you for the reply. Hard to imagine one person being responsible for all that rolling stock, automation has greatly expanded man's ability to increase work output. Trying to move that much with steam is almost beyond comprehension.
herrinchoker
Who would of thought back then that not only can you talk to someone on the other side of the world, but you can see them as well; the realms of science fiction!!
I did have an appointment with a physiotherapist on Friday as I have Plantar Fasciitis in my right heal. It is an inflamation that makes walking painful at times. Luckily it can be treated so I have an exercise plan and further treatments planned with the therapist. I have to wear this special sock at night that pulls the toes up to stretch the muscle in the foot. It isn't painful and doesn't interfere with sleep.
The nail didn't stay in the wood when I was trying to nail down the screen and stuck to the hammer and I didn't catch it.
Der .... You mentioned Ulrich and aid he wants to keep to himself for a while. I certainly wish Ulrich the best and look forward to seeing him return here. Hopefully soon.
"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.
der5997Dave: Congrats on the show & crowd. If I’m understanding your radio ads results your attendance was 1% of the two stations’ rush hour audience? For your neck of the woods that would be quite a turnout, yes?
The listening area is about 35 miles north of Toronto and contains about 275,000 people total. We had a little better than 1% of that through the door. Not huge by some standards, but much better than what we have had in the last several years.
Nice tunnels. Thanks for the tutotials.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Flo, I will have a please. If Ed make it in put his bill on my tab.
up831in my last post I mentioned what I believed would be a ridiculous rent rate for commercial real estate, $10/SF/ mo.
UP I think you are looking at what is called tripled net. Triple Net covers the buliding insurance, proptery tax and the rent for the sq footage. Now, the inscrances only covers the buliding, so you have to get your stuff insured. So yes you still pay $10,000 a month. By the way $10.00 per sq foot is pretty cheap for retail. Our company owner is going to try to lease out my store. (He was trying to sell it for $1,300,000.00 last year with no takers)
Do keyword search for Triple Net.
Later,Ken
angelob6660Question: Some guy is selling his N Scale buildings already painted and assembled for the same price as plain undecorated kits. Should I buy them or paint and assemble my own?
Depends. How much do you enjoy building and painting structures? Personally I love building things (painting not so much but I get by) so I would never spend money on something that someone else has had all the fun with.
On the other hand, it is a quick way to populate your layout and you can spend the time doing other things. Besides, you can always replace them in the future when the layout is 'done' and you have more time.
herrinchoker JaBear, I enjoyed the videos of the ore trains, about how long are they, generally---?
I enjoyed the videos of the ore trains, about how long are they, generally---?
Although the resident New Zealander did provide a fairly general answer, as someone who worked in the Pilbara I thought I should give some extra information.
In the days I was there (1975-78) Mount Newman Mining ran around 144 cars behind three Alco Century 636 locomotives and Hamersley Iron ran around 200 slightly smaller cars behind the same locomotives. This reflected differences in the grades on the two lines.
Mount Newman became BHP Billiton and Hamersley Iron became Rio Tinto.
Today BHP Billiton run 110 cars behind two SD70ACe locomotives, but these can be coupled into sets of three trains using the ECP brake control line for MU operation, so you have six locomotives and 330 cars.
Rio Tinto continue to run around 200 cars but use GE Dash9-44CW and ES44 DCi locomotives and a smaller number of ES44 ACi units, again with three units per train. These trains also have ECP brakes.
Fortescue Metals run about 240 cars per train, with even larger cars, and they have Dash9-44CW, SD70ACe and SD90MAC locomotives. The SD90MACs are all ex Union Pacific, and many have been rebuilt with 16-710G3B engines of 4300HP but a few retain the 16-265H of 6000 HP. Fortescue generally run three locomotives per train.
The latest entry is Gina Rinehart's Roy Hill organisation, who have only recently commenced operations. They use GE ES44 ACi locomotives in threes, but with the third unit cut in about one third of the train back from the lead. This operation has ECP braking which allows remote control of the third unit. Roy Hill appear to run about 200 cars - I haven't been there since they started operation.
All the ore cars are rated at a maximum gross load of 140 tonnes =154 US tons = 308 000 lbs. The Rio ore cars are the smallest, with a volume of 55 cubic metres, The BHP Billiton next at 62.5 cubic metres and Fortescue and Roy Hill the largest cars at 70 cubic metres each.
The Iron ore mined in the Pilbara can vary from Brockman ore, which varies from black to red in colour and is basically solid rock that can be brazed back together (since its iron content is so high) to Marra Mamba ore which is basically yellow dirt. With the lower grades of ore, you can only just get the load into the ore cars, but with high quality ore a sort of pyramid of ore in the centre of the car will reach the load limit. The older mines of BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto produce the higher quality ore, so their smaller cars can reach the full 140 tonnes. But much of the ore from all companies is the lower grades.
A lot of blending of ores is carried out in the stockpiles at the ports so that exactly the required iron content is loaded into the ships.
Rio Tinto are moving towards remotely controlled trains, but haven't changed over to this system yet.
When Rio used conventional Westinghouse brakes, the cars were in married pairs each with a single triple valve, which, apart from saving money reduced the application and release times of the air brakes. Despite this, the oldest cars were placed in the middle of the train so that the rear cars always had the newest available triple valves to reduce the chances of them not releasing or releasing late. The arrival of ECP on the Rio Tinto system must have been a great relief to all concerned, this occuring progressively from 2008.
The GE AC6000s were all rebuilt with GEVO engines as recently as 2006, as I recall seeing units with shiny silver exhaust stacks that year and they really only last a few days before the paint burns off. The HDL and GEVO engines had twin stacks side by side over twin turbochargers, but the HDL had a distinctive "hollow" exhaust sound compared to the FDL or a GEVO. I guess even with the new engines they weren't as good as the other types.
Peter
Peter:
Very interesting information! Thanks for sharing your experiences.
cudaken Flo, I will have a please. If Ed make it in put his bill on my tab.
Hi, Ken
Still here "Copying the mail" as the CBer's say... Thanks for picking up my tab. I'm drinking "Top Shelf" tonight!
I'll check in later tomorrow, just a little busy at the moment.
Glad to hear your B&Os found their "voice"! One thing I have noticed about the QSI/BLI sound decoders is that they do not like to have the power interrupted OR any kind of short-circuit on the layout. It seems to scramble their brains.
Either way, I'm glad they are hauling the tonnage around the layout!
I hope everyone is doing well...
Now here's a little "oops" that happened in NYC's Collinwood, Oh. yard back on May 12, 1950.
So... why is a police sergeant writing a ticket for this locomotive? That's the Automatic Train Stop inductor shoe—all mangled-up—he's looking at.
I bought this print at a train show MANY years ago.
Fun For All!
See 'ya later, Ed
gmpullmanSo... why is a police sergeant writing a ticket for this locomotive? That's the Automatic Train Stop inductor shoe—all mangled-up—he's looking at.
I'm sure I'm not the first to notice that the locomotive isn't quite sitting on the tracks the way it should. How embarrassing!
Good morning ..
Peter .... Thank you for providing the interesting information regarding the Rio Tinto ore trains. Also, it is good seeing you in the Diner. Feel free to visit again soon.
Der ... Your tunnel project is impressive. .... I don't know who will more the Diner for March. There are some good suggestions left over from the end of lst month. For instance, the Thomas Viaduct was mentioned. If we go there, we may wish to include other railroads stuff in Maryland. The B&P Museum is a must. .... On the other hand, Der, if you move the Diner feel free to invite Diners to beautiful Nova Scotia.
Ed ... I have not seen that NYC photo before.
Have a nice day. everybody.
Evening all
Hack hack, sneeze, cough ...Have the flu you may want to keep some distance. Went home after w**k yesterday and straight to bed ! Will probably do teh same today.
Train front - Lumber package dropped yesterday. Will start framing Saturday. Hope I am better by then.
Peter - to the diner ! Are you from New Zealand also ?
Ken - Saw your sales are picking up. Ours sales here are also. Maybe if the change had happened faster two great people I used to work with would still have jobs !
Dave - What was the cost on the radio add ? Around here the cost would have been in the tens of thousands of dollars.
Der - HOW DO YOU PLAN to get the engine out if it rerails in the tunnel ?
Angel - I think you can do better than full price. There should be a discount for being used on the N structures. I know what you mean. Remember when MRR used to have the two page add with all of the engines for sale ? I would read and drool over that page for hours.
Howmus - Will send you a PM I have a question for you that may get us in trouble here.
UP831 - I will send you a PM. Generally you click on a persons avataor and there you can "friend" a person, send a message etc...I certainly hope so ! Phew that would be a dream come true. I already have about 100 coal hoppers bought ! Two full passneger sets, Four Js, a number of 2664 but only one 2884. They are hard to come by without paying crazy money.
Fourt - Hmmm where did the donuts go ? Lion ?? What is all that sticky stuff on the whiskers ?
FRRYKid - Did you have any problem with ink bleeding through the ground up paper ? We had a problem years ago when the drywall companies decided to use recycled newspaper. The ink bleed right through the paint ! Cost tens of thousands of dollars to spray stain blocker and repaint entire subdivisions !
ROR - I agree 14 is better than 0 !
Rich - I love reading your mini stories. Keep them coming !
Rick W - I can tell you this. I think they got the message. I dont mind them saying what they think etc...However not showing up for work without saying anything was just rubbish and created grief for the rest of the workers. It was not a positive outcome. One worker said he argued that they should do something positive like help the poor, clean up a park....I think that would have been recieved much better..
Alvie - I responded to your PM.
Someone asked if I should wait 7 days before building on the concrete ( couldnt find teh post sorry ) THAT is CORRECT. I am building on the wall that was poured over thirty days ago. I am not building on the slab at all. The framed walls will be built directly on the poured concrete walls. Which sat for ever waiting on back fill material.
History qoute of the day :
The power of the people pervading the proposed system, together with the strong confederation of the states, will form an adequate security against every danger that has been apprehended.
Taxation without representation is tyranny.
UP831 - To PM some one. Click on their avatar , the next screen that pops up will have three selections in teh top right hand corner. You click on "start conversation" , fill in the subject line, then go down to the "big box and type your message there and then simply hit "send". I sent you a PM just a bit ago.
YGW
Good Afteroon,
Just got back from my 'prostate group' session that now is mostly exercise. Feel great.
UP , regarding triple net leases, in Canada that means the lease is net of taxes, insurance and CAM so those items aren't included in the rent. Perhaps it is different in the U.S. Also be wary of personal guarantees. If you sign as an individual, i.e., not a corporation, you are on the hook for all charges under the terms of the lease for the balance of the lease term. Ken is right, $10/SF is quite a low rate for any building in an urban area but perhaps that is the going rate there.
We had the red breasted woodpecker make an appearance at a feeder this morning. Hadn't seen her for a few weeks. What a magnificent bird.
Well I finally installed those Sunoco gas pumps last night. I also ran the N scale a little. I do mean a little as the Kato PA's kept hesitating. I cleaned the wheels and one unit now works fine but the other doesn't work at all. Not sure what happened to it. The headlight doesn't even come on. I don't see how I could have fried the decoder. I find these particular locos to be very picky and frustating. My Kato RDC is too so no more Kato for me. Actually I don't plan on buying an more N scale locos. I have 2 for sale right now on consignment. I haven't checked with the dealer since before Christmas so perhaps they have sold. I better check.
Have a great day,
Thanks for the reply YGW, Dave and Der5997. I do believe it is a little expensive and it should be cheaper. The painting is sloppy, the trimming needs patching up, the roof isn't fitted properly.
I don't have any new paints, glue, or styrene and painter's tape. I'm willing to do it professionally with a touch of weathering technique.
Ed- Can a brake shoe really damage a whole truck like that?
CN Charlie- Are those Kato PA and RDC diesels used?
We returned the truck this afternoon after we got some outside metal chairs.
Flo, Ah, is Top Shelf more than Crown Royal? Oh well I owe him. Give Ed what he wants and I will take a please.
Lasy day off. Spent way to much time watching Hot Rod Drag Week on U-Tube. It is pretty hard to believe they do this. The racers drag race there cars each day (time trial) at a drag stip. Then they pack up all there stuff, drive 250 to 350 miles to the next drag strip and start all over for 5 days! We are not talking factory stock in most case's Some of the cars are running in the 7 to 8 second range at 165 MPH. Heavy hitters 6.50 range at over 220 MPH. These cars are street leagle and driven not hauld on a trailer! No support vechiles falling them, all they can have a trailer that they have to haul with there car. They drive 1000 miles in a week on back roads and have to fix there junk on the road. If it is towed, it is out of the race.
Later Ken
Good afternoon Diners,
Brunhilda, I'll have a cup of Earl Grey tea with cream and honey, please.
CNCharlie UP , regarding triple net leases, in Canada that means the lease is net of taxes, insurance and CAM so those items aren't included in the rent. Perhaps it is different in the U.S. Also be wary of personal guarantees. If you sign as an individual, i.e., not a corporation, you are on the hook for all charges under the terms of the lease for the balance of the lease term. Ken is right, $10/SF is quite a low rate for any building in an urban area but perhaps that is the going rate there.
First, thanks to CNCharlie and Ken for the advice. It's obvious I have a lot to learn before I even seriously consider diving into this. Well, first thing is I don't have any risk capital, so this would all be a ways off. Like I said, this is a dream in progress. I had thought that when the day would come, to form an LLC, because I did know that a Sole Proprietor could get taken to the cleaners and have personal assets attached in litigation. Not that it would happen, but why leave yourself vulnerable?
Yes, I kind of figured that $10/ SF was a deal or else they wouldn't be posting it to attract tenants. Still, why does everything have to be so expensive? That's a rhetorical question.
Maybe I should do a "Go Fund Me" page.
YGW: Responded to PM.
Hello to everyone, and i hope everyone is OK, safe, and warm.
Pepperoni pizza, please.
Just popping in to say Howdy Folks!
No new train stuff to report on. Most nights before bed, I relax to some online vids of HO scale layouts, full scale trains, and even a couple trains cams. My heart is very much in it, just not the time and energy at the moment. A number of special needs elderly horses (and one mini donkey) is keeping me worn out. May have found someone to hire to speed up progress elswhere though.
Hope everyone is doing well.
Cheers! Rob
Hi Bear!
Dave, glad to see your clubs show was a success, though my time is limited I’ve been roped into helping organise our annual show, with our dwindling and increasingly aging membership, it’s a case of every man, (and woman) to the pumps.
We had a lot of support from family members and relatives, and a couple of younger guys from other clubs worked really hard helping with the tables both during setup and take down. We are talking about a lot of tables so that is no small task! I'll also give credit to the rental company guys because they helped distribute the tables around the floor and set them up. They didn't have to do that. It wasn't part of the contract.
Unfortunately we still have a bit of a mess back at the clubhouse to deal with. We ordered too much pop and too many snacks so we have a lot of leftovers to deal with. Hopefully that won't happen next year because we did a thorough job of recording numbers at this year's sale. We will have a better idea of what to order.
Thanks for the great videos! I'm amazed that they only broke one coupler but of course the helper engines would have reduced the load.