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Jeffrey's Trackside Diner, February 2017 - this month staying "Down Under"! Locked

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Posted by yougottawanta on Friday, February 3, 2017 8:41 AM

Happy Friday to all !

At w**k day not starting off well. The framing contractor two weeks ago FINALLY brought in a great Carpenter super - well guess what they did today - laid him off !! Back to crews running wild without any leadership. Very frustrating. We are paying them to manage and they lay off the manager ! I have already expressed my frustration with their upper management. I have also forwarded some cost to them that they will have to pay for because of stupid mistakes that were avoidable if they kept a manager here. Maybe they will realize after a while that it is cheaper to manage their crews??? Not to sure though, they are a bit thick in the skull.

 

Train front - Trucking company spoils pile didnt work out yesterday. So back to searching for more spoils ??? Bought a HO scale ruler from Micro mark yesterday.

FRRYKid - Why dont you get a space heater and put in your train room ?

Garry - I heard on the radio that one of the ground hogs is actually stuffed ! Not real ! And I also heard he is only correct 46% of the time.

V8 - What ? How in the world did they detect hitting a opossum ? Did they see it and not know what it was ?

MOELarry - LOL !!! Better watch out Peta will be coming after you with torches and pitch forks !

UP831 - How does having a sunny day eqaul a colder day. Logic would lead one to think it would be warmer ?? Thats very curious.

DER - Who is Wiarton Willie and Shubenacdie Sam ? When building your tunnel doid you use any kind of gauge to verify the clearance inside the tunnel to make sure the train didnt hit the walls or ceiling ?

Ulrich - Glad you are having a peaceful day. How is YOH feeling today ?

Howmus - Are you feeling well ? Dont see you in here as often ?

History qoute of the day:

The eyes of all America are upon us, as we play our part posterity will bless or curse us.

 

TTYL

YGW

 

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Friday, February 3, 2017 8:51 AM

Good morning ... 

Ulrich ... I'm thinking of you and your medical procedures, and am praying for you. 

Der ... Your tunnel liner process is interesting. 

My tunnel liners are very simple to make and take little time. ... They are based on my opinion the tops of the tunnel liners are never visible, and so I did not make any tops for my tunnel liners. Only the sides of the tunnel liners would be visible, and that was all I made. 

The process is simple. I made a shallow wood box with open top. I lined it with crumpled aluminum foil. That became the mold for casting plaster sides. I poured plaster into the mold. When plaster was hard, I colored it with acrylic paint. Finally I secured it with construction adhesive behind the portal. 

Also, It does not need to go deep into the tunnel where it would not be seen. 

 

 

Edit ... YGW ... While I was writing my post, you appeared.  Sneaky you. 

FRRY ... Those non-model-railroad projects can be nasty. Not having heat in montana could be brutal too. 

Edit ...

Another photo of the same tunnel. You can not see there is not a top to the liner, and you can not see far into the tunnel. 

 

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by Beach Bill on Friday, February 3, 2017 9:22 AM

Mornin' y'all.   Does anybody know why Flo has that odd little smile this morning?   I mean, I always like her smile, but it looks like she's up to something today...

Light showers at the beach and so I couldn't walk at morning low tide;  perhaps it will clear by early afternoon.

Just finished reading The Lost City of the Monkey God by Douglas Preston.  I enjoy those adventure/history/archeology sorts of things, but believe that excavation would really be better if conducted by a fully accredited university or formal archeological society.   No need to take the Diner to that part of Honduras, though.  All kinds of creepy-crawly things, and when they bite you they tend to also insert unfriendly diseases that are unfamiliar to U.S. doctors.   Yeech.

I had a minor issue with a refund request from the doctor's office, but a curious thing happened this morning.   Just two days after my third request to them was received by the Better Business Bureau I received a very nice call from them and the refund check is being processed.

Not sure if this happens to others, but I sometimes "stew & brew" about what project to undertake for the layout.   I've got drawers full of kits, but the layout is generally operational.  What should I do to take advantage of this time without yard work?   I tend to lose time in the decision-making but am happy to announce that I have decided to go ahead and build the fire house.   It is the "last" structure needed on the layout (although a replacement station is planned) and will house the Jordan fire truck between the town and the sawmill.    Should be good to get back to the workbench.

Bill

With reasonable men, I will reason; with humane men I will plead; but to tyrants I will give no quarter, nor waste arguments where they will certainly be lost. William Lloyd Garrison
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Posted by hon30critter on Friday, February 3, 2017 10:00 AM

YGW:

yougottawanta
Who is Wiarton Willie and Shubenacdie Sam ?

They are the groundhogs that supposedly predict how soon winter will end by popping out of their holes in early February to see if their shadows are visible. Wiarton Willie is an albino and lives in Wiarton, Ontario on the Bruce Penninsula. Not sure where exactly Sam is. Wiarton Willie was discovered dead in 1999 a couple of days before he was supposed to put on his show. He wasn't exactly in the sort of shape that was condusive to being presented to the public, so he got replaced by a stuffed groundhog for the occassion. The town claimed that the stuffed groundhog, dressed in a tuxedo and with coins on its eyes, was the real Willie. When word got out about the substitution there was much ado and hand wrenching. 'Willie' has actually passed on a few times in the past few years as the various replacements met their maker.

Considering that Wiarton Willie started out as fur hat stuffed into a snowbank as a joke in the mid 50s, he has developed quite a following.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by CNCharlie on Friday, February 3, 2017 10:26 AM

Good Morning,

YGW, Shubenacadie Sam is a groundhog who lives in Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia. I have actually been there a couple of times but as it was summer, I didn't see Sam. I got to visit many small towns all over Canada as part of my job. I do miss it. 

Nothing new to report. I have to go get a hair cut today but other than that there isn't much on the agenda. I think my wife has some plans to go out so will find out later. 

CN Charlie

 

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Posted by FRRYKid on Friday, February 3, 2017 1:17 PM

Heartland Division CB&Q

FRRY ... Those non-model-railroad projects can be nasty. Not having heat in montana could be brutal too. 

A lot of the time I will just drop things off and note things that need to be done. Sometimes I might work on items that don't require me to take my gloves off.

"The only stupid question is the unasked question."
Brain waves can power an electric train. RealFact #832 from Snapple.
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Posted by angelob6660 on Friday, February 3, 2017 3:29 PM

Hey guys,

I decided to go to the new housing development, to get some more wood. Unfortunately now they have a 24 hour surveillance system. It made me a feel a little disappointed that I can't get free wood from the scrap pile or trash. But I do understand I found a few houses with broken glass windows and doors two weeks before.

Modeling the G.N.O. Railway, The Diamond Route.

Amtrak America, 1971-Present.

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Posted by up831 on Friday, February 3, 2017 3:58 PM

Good Afternoon Diners,

Brunhilda, I'll have an extra large coffee with lots of cream, please.

In my last post, I stated that it was sunny and 40F.  Come to find out that it was only in the 20s and not in the 40s like I had reported.  I read the temp off of my phone and didn't allow it to update.  Sorry for being misleading.

YGW:  Where you are in Virginia, your dominant weather pattern is from the southwest, namely the Gulf of Mexico.  So, when it gets cold, the sun comes out and wind comes from the gulf and warms things up.  

That's not so in the Chicago Area.  Here, the dominant weather pattern is from the northwest.  And so what happens is the clouds and moisture comes in from the west or southwest and the cloud cover helps retain what heat there is.  Well, the wind changes to the coming out of the north or northwest and blows all of the cloud cover to the east.  With out the cloud cover, there's nothing to hold the heat in and even though the skies are clear, the temperature really drops, often to below zero degrees F.  It can get brutally cold, especially this time of year.  

When I first moved here, one day it got down to 25 degrees below zero actual, not wind chill.  it was sunny and still that cold.  I had never been so cold in my life!

Hope that helps explain it.

Just got my March MR.  In it is an article about scratch building a lumber yard out of styrene by our own Steven Otte.

BowBow

Of course, there are other good articles, too!

Since our good Mr. Otte contributes donuts to the diner, what if there was a scratch building article on building Randy's Donuts near LAX.  I've been by it hundreds of times, but the intersection doesn't come to mind.

Just a thought.

There's also an article on a B&O layout.  I'm sure Ken will enjoy that one.

Hello to everyone, and I hope everyone is OK, safe, and warm.

Less is more,...more or less!

Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)

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Posted by inch53 on Friday, February 3, 2017 5:39 PM
Evening all, a barley pop please Zoe,,,, been having strange weather round here, Jan 1 was 44 degree, Feb 1, 42, yesterday n today 30, Super bowl Sun 48, then Mon n Tue temps will be upper 50’s, with a chance of thunder storms. No wonder everybody round here has the sniffles or some kinda bug.
 
DER,,, interesting way of doin a tunnel. Been enjoyin watching your progress
 
Ground hog day was sunny, so it still winter. Funny been out in the woods most my life and never seen a ground hog out till mid-March.
 
Went up Mattoon VA doc Wed, come home with water pills for my ankles and they think I have some water round my RT. Lung for me being so short winded reason. Hopefully the pills will help a lot.
 
No Mrring to speak of lately, hopefully that change afore to long. Well suppers ready, so thought n prayers for those in need n hope ya’ll has a gooden

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/4309

DISCLAIMER-- This post does not clam anything posted here as fact or truth, but it may be just plain funny
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Posted by SS Express on Friday, February 3, 2017 5:55 PM

Good evening diners!! Flo, I'll have a hot mug of tea, lemon, and a shot of Jack all mixed together to help me over this nasty bug I got, thank you. What a way to start a new job!! Pounding sinus pressure and headaches while trying to learn new machines and study prints. Yuck.

Not much happening on the HVBL this week. Just a few upgrades to some rolling stock and the possible arrival of a tanker train coming thru. No calls from dispatch tonight so I guess they have it all under control.

Today I realized I need to have a camera ready for my ride home from work. The northeast corridor runs parallel to my drive. I hear a horn blast so I look over and see a CSX geep pulling 5 or 6 tankers with a NS switcher in the rear. I just thought it was pretty cool to see.

Well, I hope to get some time on the railroad this weekend with a few pics to follow.

Rich..........GO PATS!!

Building the RDG, PRR, CNJ, LV railroads on the Huntington Valley Basement Lines.......
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Posted by cudaken on Friday, February 3, 2017 6:09 PM

 Evening Diners

 Flo, Ed will hav a Crown Royal and I will have a Beer please.

 Lack of heath front. I posted Wednesday I was sick and it was big time sick! Tuesday after I posted I had a fever and chills all night. If you need some paint shaken I was the man! Forced my self to work Wednesday because I had plumpers coming in to the store. When they where done at 2:00 is said caboose this and locked up and went home. Had a fever that night and Thursday went to a urgent care center. They could not find any thing wrong, temp was only 97 and pee was normaly. I did not know they could not do blood work? There is a Quest Lab in the same buliding!

 Had another rotten night, around 2:00 AM my shoulders and elbows started to hurt. Took some over the counter stuff and got to sleep around 4:00 AM. Was up at 6:00 AM and felt OK, then I started sweating again? Took some more over the counter stuff, hit the shower and off to the VA I went. Had a appoiment any way so it was good timing.

 Good New's is there are no active foot ulichers. Yes PA that debried the dead skin order 4 more blood test one for white blood cell count. (was due for some other blood test all ready) Went to my clinic and was seen by 2 Doctors. Sort of sounds like the flu, but my lungs are clear, no coughing, runny nose or sore throate. Maybe I will know more after they check the blood samples.

 

angelob6660
I decided to go to the new housing development, to get some more wood. Unfortunately now they have a 24 hour surveillance system. It made me a feel a little disappointed that I can't get free wood from the scrap pile or trash. But I do understand I found a few houses with broken glass windows and doors two weeks before.

 Angelob6660 Just go during the day and ask. That is what I have done and the workers could have cared less!

 Ed working the heck out of the CB&Q, Bessemers and the Mighty B&O F7's and life is good right now! Big Smile

 Ken

I hate Rust

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Posted by SS Express on Friday, February 3, 2017 7:50 PM

V8Vega

SS Express what do yo make in machine shops in Phillidelphia? Most all my machine shop work was aerospace.

 

We are a medical device manufactuer. About 80% medical device and instruments, 20% implants. This is the 3rd medical device company I started with since 2010. The first one lost it's contracts, the second one just picked up and moved to ohio, and hopefully this one will stay put. I hope to get more than 4 years of employment this time, all things considered.

Rich

Building the RDG, PRR, CNJ, LV railroads on the Huntington Valley Basement Lines.......
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Posted by howmus on Friday, February 3, 2017 8:32 PM

Evenin' Folks!

Janie , just a decaf for me, please.

 YGW Just been busier than a cat covering poop on a marble floor lately.  Been multitasking big time, but have taken a few minutes to at least skim through the posts.

Last Piece of paper I needed to get finished with my t*x Return arrived today. So that was what I got done today.......  Earliest ever for me.

Catch you sometime tomorrow I hope...

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 Anonymous on Saturday, February 4, 2017 12:24 PM

Good Evening!

The day has been kind of awkward. Waiting for the results of those tests makes me all edgy. For whatever reason, I don´t expect anything good heading my way. I´ll be keeping a low profile in the next days.

Petra has adjusted her cooking to her needs, which is both good and bad for us. As long as that gall bladder of her keeps upsetting her, we will be on a low carb, low fat, low taste diet. The good thing is I have lost 4lbs. in the last few days and the bad thing is - Petra did as well. Now she is definitively underweight! I hope she´ll be able to eat normal, tasty food soon, to put on some weight.

I have been looking into making something out of the surplus Kato Unitrack. Sometimes it pays off to check what you´ve got instead of searching for new and expensive ideas. I went upstairs into our storage room in the attic to check on the mini-modules I have stored there. They seem to be in good shape, only one module needs a switch to be replaced, as the mechanics of it got destroyed when I ballasted it (I certainly know now how to avoid that)

With just a minimum of effort (and some help from Lothar) I could come up with that:

The scenicked modules are finished and need only a good clean-up, the switch replaced and a few details. The corner modules need to be made. I have now idea what type of scenery to add, though. In the back of my head I see a temple or a shrine amidst rice fields and a more urban scenery on the right module. Providing the tremor in my hand lets me work with the computer, I´ll draw up something within the next days.

DerJohn - PM sent!

I´ll stay in the back booth for a little while - anybody care to join me?

Have a good one!

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Posted by CNCharlie on Saturday, February 4, 2017 12:51 PM

Good Afternoon,

Think I'll join Ulrich in the back booth, where we can drink endless cups of coffee and put the world on the right track.  Waiting for test results is always a little nerve wracking. I will get the results of a PSA test in a couple of weeks which will tell the tale on whether or not further treatment is needed. So far the other tests say not so I am hopeful. 

I was out all yesterday afternoon and found it quite tiring. We went to the mall so I did a little walking and bought a few things including some sleeves for credit cards to prevent data theft. Apparently theives can now read your card data right from your wallet in your pants pocket. 

The rabbit is still around but at least we have managed to get it out of our backyard and I think I have plugged the access point. I saw it out front under a spruce tree a little while ago. Where is the Great Horned Owl? 

A fairly busy week coming up so I think I will just stay indoors for the next couple of days. 

Just another 2 days until I get the 'all clear' to go downstairs. Then I can run trains!  It will also be great to watch TV on HD again. The little set in the bedroom is just so-so. 

Well lunch time I think.

CN Charlie

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Saturday, February 4, 2017 2:14 PM

Hello Dennis, Ulrich, and Charlie ..... I'll sit with you for coffee. I hope Charlie and Ulrich have good medical test results. This morning, I took Shelley to the Nashville, TN airport so she can visit family in Michigan. I'll stay home and hopefully work on the layout. 

 

 

 

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by galaxy on Saturday, February 4, 2017 8:41 PM

Just thought I'd drop by to let you know I am still alive.

ULRICH:The ONLY thing I was told not to eat after my gallbladder came out was: fat! The bile in the gallbladder breaks down fat, so without it you can't process it. That's it. Now if therte is a little fat on my meat and i eat it, it won't send me into a tizzy, in fact I don't notice it at all.

Garden: well, I've ordered some plants for both indoors and out for the coming season, won't be shipped until April anyway, but if I don't order now, may not get them at all. I ordered a dwarf olive and cold hardy kiwi {zones 4-8} [I'm zone 5, specifically 5B], among other things. Just have to figure out how to keep the durn varmits from eating MY produce. Have plans to build a raised bed fenced in combo.

Relationship: same old same old. Things have quieted dwon, but MOH won't do a durn thing around here or not. GOt cut back to part time form main "full time" {up to 35 hours}, and doesn't seem to be interessted in doing a durn thing about geting a new job. MOH never did really wnat to work. Wants the life of reiley, wnts someone to pay while MOH spends with wanton desire. But, AS Elliot said in the move ET, "this is reality Greg", and the reality is MOH has to work. MOH is more like a 14 old immature teen, who doesn't do what the teen doesn't wnat to do, nad expects everythign to be taken care of. anyway.

worK:Meanwhile I hve an appointment with Access VR next week to go over helping me to get hired part time for those who will work wiht the disabled {me}. I could go full time, and would be making far more money than MOH [who will complain about THAT}, but I don't know if I can handle full time. Aat least not yet.

Trains:still in organized boxes on the shelves, don't think I will get to them this winter. The basement is filling up wiht STUFF, so Now I don't know WHERE I would put a new bigger layout anyway.

 

Spring: {will it EVER come?} will be for getting the green house put up. can't wait.

Inheritance: My FIL is celanign out the hosue, so MOH has to QUICKLY decide which items MOH wants to take, but then FIL says "nothing in htis house is yours until I die"...Mixed messages , so we are going ot do it THIS week. {one way to light a fire under MOH's BUTT and make FIL stop sending mixed messages.}

Health:holding for now, but I will need hte other herniated disc removed. If I go to work, will have to delay that for a year until I have some time off available, if any. DOn't wnat to start working and say "oh BTW  need next month off to recoup"!

Thats about it.

-G

-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.

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Posted by cudaken on Saturday, February 4, 2017 8:49 PM

 Evening Diners

 Flo, Ed will have a Crown Royal Ice Cream Float, and I will have a Beer please.

 Sometimes life is like a septic tank, when you reach in you have a good idea what you are going to get. Ick! Yep that has been my day so far.

 Work Front OK, I was busy and had a fair sales amount. Bad part, while I was off I had a comfort reslection that Jerry the Dunce helped. They went from a $120.00 spiff bed (that I was all ready paid for) to a $12.00 spiff bed, so this check will be -$108.00 over the hours I missed from being sick. There is more but I just don't feel like getting into it.

 CNC and Ulrich Yes on the test results.

 Later,Ken

 

I hate Rust

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Posted by angelob6660 on Sunday, February 5, 2017 1:24 AM

Very early morning diners,

Ken- I usually walk there at least once a week, after 6 p.m. while walking these dogs. They are very stubborn and don't like it when I take them. I could walk myself, but Charles can't be left alone without breaking something. I did think about it too.

I hope your tests are a good one. 

My mind was a little busy today. Relooking at freight cars for this little modern layout. I organized the number of cars to get and I was still surprised 43. 

16 coal hoppers, 4 cruel oil tank cars (power plant), 3 chemical tank cars, 7 boxcars, 2 auto racks, 1 reefer, flat car, gondola, 5 covered hoppers (fertilizer plant).M of W 1 offset hopper, 40' boxcar, 1 50' flatcar with crane, rails, ties. I didn't count two cabooses. 

Looking at dates of pictures of actual freight cars from 2008-2016. Then it hits me. What is modern? When railroad companies makes freight cars 2-3 years later. Then our layouts are not very modern are they? They are always going to be behind. 

I struggled on why I don't do modern. I really don't really live in the present. I research different eras for my trains and envisioning there live styles and culture. I do get stress out and confused on a daily basis in my own little worlds.

Modeling the G.N.O. Railway, The Diamond Route.

Amtrak America, 1971-Present.

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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, February 5, 2017 9:21 AM

Good Afternoon!

I found very little sleep last night and now I feel down beat and knackered! Thanks, Flo for offering coffee in an IV bag! Are there any donuts from Steven left over? Oh, you´ve got fresh donuts! Great! I´ll have a couple!

Waiting for the test results really gets to me. I can´t expect them to come in before Wednesday, so I have a few days of unrest ahead of me ...

Just to get my mind set on more positive things I again spent way too many hours detailing the plan of my old Japanese mini-modular layout. I think I have finished it. It now has a temple scene on the left and a small town scene on the right corner module.

I am quite happy with it and hope to be able to start working on it soon. There is stiil that "layout in a box" projct for that little British steamer - both projects will have to wait, though.

Well, here are the final drawings of my 吉原はるみ鉄道 layout:

 Galaxy - good to see you posting again!

Have a great one!

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Sunday, February 5, 2017 9:54 AM

Good morning, everybody .. Big Smile

Galaxy .... Nice to see you .. 

Angel .... Your freight car fleet sounds impressive. Some protype cars have very long service lives, and therefore a "modern" train will include some older cars. 

Ulrich ... Your Japanese layout plan looks terrific .

Dennis ... It sounds like your church makes everybody feel like they are at home. That's good. 

Steve ! .... Wow !.... You certainly earned your Kalmbach paycheck with your lumber yard article in March 2017 Model Railroader. It is a very comprehensive article. You began with researching a lumber yard that has not been in existance for decades. You designed  the structures. You explained your construction techniques such as using templates to have identical trusses. Finally, you added details such as lumber stacks and fencing. .... Great job ! BowThumbs Up.... Donuts are on me this time ! 

 

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by der5997 on Sunday, February 5, 2017 3:58 PM

Good Evening Folks: (This as you will see was started a couple of days ago) A fine if cold day, with mostly sunshine. I mention this because it is the 3rd of the month, and our local TV weather-guesser’s grandmother holds that as goes the 3rd, so goes the month. So, Good! Update, now Feb 5th – but the weather has stayed fine – but is quite a bit colder – especially overnight.
Train Front: I got the tunnel liner casting cut free and trimmed. It took removal of the first tunnel’s liner too as I needed to get a blade under the edge of the new liner and the first was in the way. This emphasizes the need to plan ahead if you’re lining tunnels which are close together using this technique. Here’s the liner before install, you can see the voids for the track-workers shelters. I think more care needs to be taken about forming those if they are to become a feature. 
I came to edit the photo of the installed tunnel liner and found that the liner itself needed some adjustment. Here’s where I find that there is an advantage to the slightly flexible foam in which the foil liner is set. A squeeze in the right place and Presto! (pun not intended, but hey, it’s appropriate Clown) the liner can be re-shaped at will. Note on Feb 5th – I see that after a day or two there has been some sping back. So, if you’re thinking of trying this technique, and need to adjust the liner in this way, I’d recommend cutting away sufficient of the foam behind the place needing squeezing so that there is less resistance to the squeeze. Here are the installed liners  and now there’s   scenery added on top. That hill needs some thought if I’m going to have buildings and roads up there:  and the other end of the return loop tunnel: 
YGW: How is Mrs. YGW doing now? I hope her sinus/flu is over.
Der - OH ! I have an app on my phone I use sometimes to communicate with the Hispanic workers on my site. I am slowly learning Spanish here.
I use that Google Translate fairly frequently for both French and German. If I’m not confident, I back-translate and see how close to my original GT has come. I also let the person to whom I’m writing know that I’m using Google Translate.
DER - Who is Wiarton Willie and Shubenacdie Sam ?
I think that’s been covered! Wiarton also had a “legendary” Courgar on the loose. It was denied for ages by the DNR folks, but I think it was positively identified some years back Try a Google search for Wiarton Ontario Cougar and see what comes up.
When building your tunnel did you use any kind of gauge to verify the clearance inside the tunnel to make sure the train didn’t hit the walls or ceiling ?
Yes, first of all, the tunnel portals are set high enough that a twin-stack well car clears them.(the reason for those tacky looking pink foam blocks under the portal side walls) Secondly, the card strips which form the support for the foil liner are just higher and wider than the tunnel portals, so the foil cannot be below the portal at any point. Thirdly, as each section of card was placed, I ran my test train of a well car and a passenger car through it to check for clearance. Lastly, when all was done, I re-checked the clearances with the train. You can see the train here: The adjustment of the liner I spoke about just now wasn’t actually a clearance, but an appearance issue. There was a bulge in the rock which I’m pretty certain wouldn’t have been left as such by a self-respecting tunnel engineer!

Garry:

Der ... Your tunnel liner process is interesting. 

My tunnel liners are very simple to make and take little time. ... They are based on my opinion the tops of the tunnel liners are never visible, and so I did not make any tops for my tunnel liners. Only the sides of the tunnel liners would be visible, and that was all I made. 

The process is simple. I made a shallow wood box with open top. I lined it with crumpled aluminum foil. That became the mold for casting plaster sides. I poured plaster into the mold. When plaster was hard, I colored it with acrylic paint. Finally I secured it with construction adhesive behind the portal. Also, It does not need to go deep into the tunnel where it would not be seen. 

I started this liner project with the thought that the whole tunnel interior could become visible if/when the technology becomes available at my price-point for N Scale cab-ride video. Also, the short return loop tunnel is visible in its entirety at layout-top level (which is eye level for any junior visitor – who are, let’s face it, our sharpest critics other than ourselves!) I had toyed with the idea of just using the card forms to represent concrete – but quickly abandoned that because of the joints, and the non-prototypicicallity (even for me).

Bill:

Just finished reading The Lost City of the Monkey God by Douglas Preston.  I enjoy those adventure/history/archeology sorts of things, but believe that excavation would really be better if conducted by a fully accredited university or formal archeological society.  
Interesting – I’m about 1/3rd the way through Francis Pryor’s “The Making of the British Landscape” – now’s there’s a learnéd gent who knows thing or two about digs.Good luck with the fire house. I’ve a number of built up structures from a previous layout for which I hope to find sites – but haven’t a clue just yet just where.

angelob:

I decided to go to the new housing development, to get some more wood. Unfortunately now they have a 24 hour surveillance system. It made me a feel a little disappointed that I can't get free wood from the scrap pile or trash. But I do understand I found a few houses with broken glass windows and doors two weeks before.
  Have you thought about explaining to whoever’s in charge and just asking for what you need? I’ve been surprised in the past at how graciously one can be received.

Inch:
 DER,,, interesting way of doin a tunnel. Been enjoyin watching your progress
it’s fun to do – and as with all my layout attempts so far, I’m trying techniques and materials which are new to me. Keeps life interesting. ( and thanks Ricky W. and Ed for your encouragement).

Ken: I hope you are feeling better. I wonder if it could be you’ve picked up a parasite somewhere?

Ulrich:

DerJohn - PM sent!
and received – just didn’t get round to replying, sorry. I was encouraged by your wanting to proceed – and the modules you have should become superb in your talented hands. Mrs. DER sympathizes with Petra –and has an appointment with her surgeon on Thursday at which she hopes to find out just what she can and cannot eat. In the mean time she’s been heeding the Mayo Clinic’s advice on their web site re Gallbladder surgery after care. So far she has not had a bad experience from any of her choices. That’s encouraging news from Galaxy as well.

Galaxy: Good to see you back in the Diner. Inheritances can be a pain – which is why my mother sat my brother and I down years ago and had us go through a whole bunch of things in the house which might cause ructions, and choose and agree on what we wanted. I’m glad of that. But I agree, the “not until I die” message is not entirely the most helpful!
Dennis: Congrats on the new church building. Hope it works out wel without becoming a burden.
Moelarry:
 Vegimite yuk  yuk yuk
..could it be you’ve spread it too thickly? That stuff is a case of less is more (but am I hearing you say “none is better”? Hmm)
Must get ready for dinner – and it looks like this week may contain two “dinning out” opportunities. Thursday after Mrs. DER’s appointment which is late afternoon, a dinner to celebrate my Bd. which we missed because of “circumstances beyond our control” at the time – and then the church is having a Valentine’s dinner on Saturday. BTW, gentlemen this is your official notice that Valentine’s day is a week from next Tuesday. 
This is a public safety announcement!
Ok, back from dinner – and over that time, the road access to the top of the hill from the layout base resolved itself. Since the hill runs “off the front” of the layout all that I have to do is provide the very start of the run up the hill on the layout itself, have the road turn towards the layout front, and re-appear at the top however high that “housing level” may be at that point.
This will require simply carving away unwanted hillside, just as is done in 1:1 Scale. I’ve sketched the set up on the foam – it’ll be hidden by the fascia anyway:
Time to join Mrs. DER for the TV News. TTFN, and prayers for all in need. Angel

"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.

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Posted by tcwright973 on Sunday, February 5, 2017 5:09 PM

The wife & I enjoyed another good weekend of railfanning. Weather wasn't too bad, but I'm missing summer for sure. Anyway, a recap for this weekend is as follows:

14 intermodals

7 mixed freights

1 coal train

1 denatured alcohol

1 grain train

a consist of 4 engines running light, included 2 slugs

1 high railer, a track inspector in a pick-up

Tonights dinner was a Delmonico roast, baked potato, green beans, chocolate pudding & a bottle of Reisling from Seneca Lake. Life is good...

Interesting catches from today were an TFM (Kansas City Southern de México) SD70MAC. This is the 1st time I've spotter one of these. Also a neat cylindrical hopper.

 

Tom

Pittsburgh, PA

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Posted by RideOnRoad on Sunday, February 5, 2017 6:59 PM

Mrs. ROR and I spent the week in New York City. The principle reason for the trip was to attend a concert at Carnegie Hall on Tuesday. It was my first time at Carnegie Hall and the concert was absolutely amazing. We stayed in a hotel at 42nd Street and Broadway, right in the Broadway district. Since we were there, we decided we needed to see a Broadway show. As it turned out, it was "Broadway Week" in NYC so many of the shows' tickets were two-for-one. I picked the concert, so Mrs. ROR picked the show, "Phantom of the Opera." We had seen it a few times before, but never on Broadway. We also went to the Museum of Natutal History, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and spent a morning walking around in Central Park. All in all, a great trip but it is good to be back home.

Richard

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Posted by cudaken on Sunday, February 5, 2017 7:52 PM

 Happy Puppy Bowl Sunday Diners! Big Smile

 Flo, Ed and I will have a Beer please, hum well if Ed makes it in that is.

 Ulrich Never under stood why you grew tired of the Japanese layout in the first places? I showed Ken owner of K-10 models trains where some of the supplies came from and he was impressed! Well, I guess I understand. Back in my heavy gear head stage of life, it was the quest to go faster! One time I sunk $1500.00 in my Road Runner (1995 money) to go .75 seconds faster in the quarter mile?

 Der Layout is looking good! I am more with Gary on the tunnel liners but your is still impressive! I swear the more I see of N Scale the more I wish I had not went HO.

 Angelob6660 If you are HO and happen to need so coal cars let me know! Laugh If you are in to bulid dates more than likely what I have will be to old. Most of mine are between 30 and 40 feet cars.

 Galaxy Hope the back problem gets fixed right if you have it done.

 Train Front Had my first problem with the CB&Q's. I think it was more from Decoder Pro not acting right than anything when I first started it up! Said Java was not working, unpluged the USB plug and restarted Decoder Pro. Had the throttle set to 167 and then noticed the power light was yellow and not green? Restarted Decoder Pro again and got a Green Power light. Yes

 Set a throttle to 167 for the (OK they are mighty as well) Mighty CB&Q's but I had no headlight or mars light on the F7A-a? Ok that is simple, just turn the engines around so the F7A-c was going forward and its headlight and Mars light was working. It is a A-B-A set up. Ran them backwards from normal. Sounded like I was sending a live cat through a meat grinder! Sad Shut down the train after 1 lap around the A line.

 Good news! When I got the Mighty CB&Q's I stored all there CV's using Decoder Pro. Tonight I rewrote all the CV's in the F7A-a and I have a headlight again! Yes Still no Mars light but have a pretty good idea how to get that going!

 Might B&O F7's you ask? They are still Mighty but quite for now. Still pulling like a small E-6 and tracking great!

 Hope the Puppys Win! Go Puppies!

 Ken

 

 

 

I hate Rust

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Posted by CNCharlie on Sunday, February 5, 2017 10:31 PM

Good Evening,

RoR, wow your trip to New York was a little deja vu for me. Back in '92 my wife and I went there to see Jose Carreras in a concert at Carnegie Hall. We also saw Phantom of the Opera and visited the same museums. We were there 4 days and that was enough. Interesting but tiring place. 

Not a lot on the agenda tomorrow except for the Prostate Cancer course I'm attending. We are also getting low on some groceries so that will be my exciting day. 

Have a good night,

CN Charlie

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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, February 5, 2017 11:43 PM

Good Morning!

Shame on me - I did not stay up to watch the Superbowl match ...

I have a denitist appointment coming up later this morning. It´s just one of those frequent check-ups of my chinaware, plus a professional cleaning, so nothing to worry about, unless that charming lady discovers a cavity.

cudaken
Never under stood why you grew tired of the Japanese layout in the first places?

Ken - the only place to store that layout at that time was on a shelf, which excluded the corner modules. I grew tired of just being able of having a train shuttle back and forth - that´s why I did not expand the layout as initially planned. I now have a place to store the corner modules. Giving it another chance also allows me to do something with very little (to none) money involved, as I have plenty of stuff left over. The Swiss layout and all rolling stock will be on sale this year to feed the piggy bank labeled "The Great Escape", but with those mini-modular layout I will be able to "stay in business". Should the day come to pack up and go, I will donate the layout to my friend´s grandson.

John - we will most likely learn tomorrow when Petra´s surgery is going to be. I hope everything will work out just fine and we can go back to at leat semi-normal food. That low fat, low carb and low taste diet certainly helps me to reduce my weight, but is an insult to my taste buds ... Give our regards to YOH!

Edit: Egad, I got TOPS! Brunhilda, here is my CC - put the day´s fare for all on it, please!

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Monday, February 6, 2017 9:01 AM

Sir Madog
Shame on me - I did not stay up to watch the Superbowl match ...

Well, I did, but I'm a lot closer to the right time zone.  As a Patriots fan, it was one for the ages.  They say Brady is at his best under pressure, and I guess he proved it again last night.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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Posted by Steven Otte on Monday, February 6, 2017 9:25 AM

--
Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editor
sotte@kalmbach.com

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Posted by ricktrains4824 on Monday, February 6, 2017 2:09 PM

Good afternoon all.

Flo - Ribs are on special today? Ok! I will take an order, along with a Coke please. Thanks.

Steve - Nice bird, but I will ask, an owl for a pet? And, Suburb is a little bit of a different name for a pet... Wink

YGW - During down time, we clean, do signing as needed, and can do a couple monthly computer training courses. My monthly courses are complete, and were completed by the time of my last post... Otherwise, we don't have much to do unless it is a truck day and we have freight to put out.

Speaking of w**k - Decent couple of days Friday and Saturday, terribly slow yesterday though. Made about $28 in spiff on Saturday, on two sales, but couldn't sell a dime for a nickle yesterday.... Football day is not the normal shopping day for a new fridge... Off today, but go in tomorrow for another meeting with our new DM, and for our (very small) appliance delivery. 

Weather - 40 and sunny today, guessers calling for thunderstorms tomorrow, then back to winter on Wednesday night. 

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.

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