Afternoon Diners,
Steven- Thanks for the pies. I'll have some hot mixed berry pie.
LION- What a interesting story. I liked reading it.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
Steven Otte And if you're looking for something more hot and savory on this bitter cold and snowy day, ask Janie for the chicken pot pie:
And if you're looking for something more hot and savory on this bitter cold and snowy day, ask Janie for the chicken pot pie:
It's not bitterly cold in my neck of the woods but that pot pie still looks good today.
The weather is being very cyclic. For one period, we will have 20s and 30s with snow. Then give a few days and it will be in the 50s and 60s. (We are in that period right now.) It is currently 28. Supposed to warm to the 50s starting tomorrow with 66 on Saturday dropping into the 40s after that. Should be warm enough on Sunday however for me to maybe get some work done. However, I also have to weave in some time to try to teach Mom how to use her new tablet. (That should be interesting as she it not exactly great with the regular computer. I think the fact that I broke down and got myself one made Mom decide to get one. Of course I was the one that had to get it setup.)
Adding to the video of Miniatur wunderland´s "Bella Italia" section - here is how our friends from Italy celebrate Pi day:
Pi stands for Pizza Pie, of course!
YGW's Building Update—The Hobby Barn
Walls Going Up, Snow Coming Down...
Hello all
Roads are closed, state of emergency in effect.
Well, I measure 23" ion one spot and 24" in anothtr of untouched newly fallen snow in 12 hours, we are expecting another 8-12". I guess whe'll reach 3 feet tehn as we are still in that prime band of stream of storm.
No sign of letting up.
A local motel burned last night, one fatality. they had a trying time with all the snow falling!
I'll keep you possted.
THis is storm "stella" in the named snow storm rulings.
all i have to say is:
"STEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"!!!!!!!
-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.
I think I made it through this one. It was snowing when I got up. My daughter had an appointment in Boston at 7 AM, so she spent the night here and drove in. She beat the worst of the weather and got home to Maine with no trouble.
It did snow and the wind did blow throughout the day. Now, we're getting some light rain, but the wind has dropped. I'm saying we got about 8-9 inches, a far cry (fortunately) from the 12-18 inches in yesterday's forecast. Tuesday Night Hockey was cancelled, along with pretty much everything else.
Best of all, we did not lose power and neither did the cable company offices. My only trip outside was to refill the bird feeder, which my feathered friends had depleted in a day and a half.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
OK update:
At 10:00 pm here, after 18 hours of snowfall, The total at teh airport is 33". Here I measure 35"...that's 3 FEET of snow! for you metric guys, almost ONE METER. In less than 24 hours.
ANd it's STILL snowing, but is showing signs of slowing down and letting up.
Think about that on roof tops, especially our flat roofed garage and the shed roof bonus room, with only about a 1/2 drop over the 12 feet of hte room.
Problem is it gets heavy as it compacts as the higher it gets.
Tomorrow is gusty and windy wiht blowing and drifting snow, causing white out conditions.
The BIG QUESTION now, is WHERE to put it??????????????
Still have power and heat, TG as its only 17degrees F here and dropping before it warms up to high 20s tomorrow, possibly warmer if the snow stops, and the sun comes out, causing even more hassles as it heats up the air.
I hope it doesn't warm up to quickly, as melting will surely cause flooding around here!!!!
Snow storm STELLA
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!
gnite you guys!
stay safe and warm and prayers for those in need.
Good evening all.
Happy Pi(e) day!
Zoe - A nice big slice of apple pie please. Of course with a scoop of ice cream please. Thanks!
Stella - AKA Weather - Snow and cold here, but (only) about 10" of white stuff, light compared to Galaxy's total. Finally had someone end up in my front yard tonight because they was going to fast... Got some damage to their car in the process. Most Schools closed here today, not sure about tomorrow. One was open, and they rolled a bus this afternoon, 16 children treated for injuries. (Could have been much worse!) It is still snowing, but the lake effect is starting to kick in, so nobody is sure exactly how much snow will fall now...
W**k - Blah day today. Sales were so-so, due to the weather. Boss is ill, so most likely will not be in tomorrow... Yeah, this could be interesting.
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.
Evening
Flo, Ed and I will have a please.
Work Front Sucked. I think my friend Larry Mo had a stroke today while he was at work. (he runs the Florsant Store) He was writting and got a tingling feeling in his arm, and could not hold a pen he was using. Call to tell me he was sorry he did not call me back right away and told me what happened. At first I thought he was pranking me. Then I told him to Call 911. He said No, I called my wife and I will be OK. He works in MO and I work in IL so I had no idea how to get hold of a out a state 911.
He called me and said his wife was taking to Alton ILL memorial hospital. Any prayers you can spare wound be appraised. Larry is 77 years old.
Ken
I hate Rust
galaxy:
Here's hoping your roofs stand up to the weight.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Evening Diners,
When I ended my post it was on page 7. It didn't start on page 8. AAAHHHHH!!!!!
I whether be in the east coast in the snow than being burned by the hot sun in the desert with no air conditioning.
angelob6660When I ended my post it was on page 7. It didn't start on page 8. AAAHHHHH!!!!!
I have had a few problems getting to the last page of the Diner over the past couple of days. Sometimes it said that there were five pages when there were actually six. Computers!
Good Morning!
Yet another beautiful day in the old country! When I woke up this morning and took a look out of our dining area window, I saw our little herd of dear peacefully grazing in the early morning sun. A little later they had settle down to digest their breakfast and enjoy the sunshine.
What a way to start the day!
Janie, just a bowl of muesli and a cup of coffee for me, please!
I made a short video of our morning visitors, which I will upload later in the day!
There was a post about a hump yard operation in the layout section of this forum and, IIRC, someone stated that building an operating hump yard in HO scale could not be done.
Well, it can be done and here is the proof!
I´ll be be back later, folks!
Good morning
Groan, it's snowing again, this time it's throwing lake effect being thrown at us.
Travel ban still in effect for my county. Binghamton city opens at 6 am but city buses aren't running.
Schools and businessess and such are closed again.
But we have power and heat.
Today will be digging out.
Maybe later I will email message Howmus RAY and he can post some pics for me if he will!
Well after some oatmeal, we have to find the drive way, and find two vehicles. I have NO IDEA WHERE we will PUT IT. { please don't tell me to put it where the sun don't shine, it WON'T melt there!}
It will be day light soon
Moving 3 feet/ one meter of snow will be fun. Yippee. I'd call a snow removal company. But they will be very busy with commercial account s this morning.
Hope all are warm and safe and prayers for those in need.
HEY RAY!!!!
I sent you a PM on here with the email addy for my Schmartz phoney so I can send you some snow pics to post here in the diner for me if you would ......
Tx
angelob6660 Evening Diners, When I ended my post it was on page 7. It didn't start on page 8. AAAHHHHH!!!!! I whether be in the east coast in the snow than being burned by the hot sun in the desert with no air conditioning.
So BUY an air conditioner, OR come and shovel my snow...I'll letcha!
35" is a LOT of snow to shovel.....and WHERE To PUT IT remains a mystery.
SHeesh some people are never happy.....
Good morning!
Bill Tidler Jr.
Near a cornfield in Indiana...
Bill - good to see you in here!
Here is the short video of our morning visitors:
Please excuse the poor quality/shaky pictures. It was filmed from a distance of about 150 yards & I didn´t have the time to get my tripod out.
Well we have hired a landscape company who does snow removal during winter and is the nephew to our neighbor to come but he's broken two snow blower s already, he's going to try replacing a sheer pin with a bolt to try again.
He's trying our neighbor first but it's packed at the end of the road by the plow which finally plowed the street
One neighbor up the road is walking to work, not sure where he works but..He figured better than trying to find his car and driving.
We'll see what happens next....
- g
Richard: My favorite tool for cutting foam is a snap blade. I tried steak knives and a hot wire cutter and, for me, neither came anywhere near to the results from the snap blade. By controlling the length of the exposed blade, you can control the amount of bend in the blade which is great for shaping. Hands down, my favorite. Absolutely agree – that’s my “Go To” too! However, nearly all of what I’ve carved that way gets covered over later by either rock castings or sawdust/glue “ground” – so finesse is not an issue for me. On the cost of blades, you guys with easy access to Harbour Freight @ 49 or so have it made in the shade – if that is a “Per blade” cost? The ones I use come in a dispenser pack of 5 for $4.01 taxes in.
My favorite tool for cutting foam is a snap blade. I tried steak knives and a hot wire cutter and, for me, neither came anywhere near to the results from the snap blade. By controlling the length of the exposed blade, you can control the amount of bend in the blade which is great for shaping. Hands down, my favorite.
One other foam tip, for what it is worth. When it comes time to sweep up all of the static-infused strips, a light mist from a water bottle neutralizes the static and makes it much easier to sweep up.
Ulrich: Thanks for posting the Croc video –(and several more since) I hadn’t picked up on that sloping top to the tunnel portal before – is that usual for Swiss mountain lines? Also very glad Spring is with you – we are frigid here and waiting for the mess over Ray:to hit us Tuesday/Wed – or maybe ours is different and his will get us before the Tues/Wed nasty. ( Wednesday morning update – we dodged yet another bullet; the storm was very quickly past turning to rain after only 6 or 7 hours of snow. It’s still blowing a little bit, but there is only a smear of slush left in the driveway and the sun is shining now and then – Great relief!)
angelob: Thanks for the bridges-on-grades link. Just what I needed to know. My Atlas viaduct kit was in the mail Monday, and now surgery to reduce the parts to 3 arches and slimmed down for Z track under way. I never really thought I would need all these things. Life’s like that – putting in the infrastructure takes time I find. Like much work was needed to cut and glue in supports for the large slab of foam which is the next layer on my “castle hill” I did get the slab installed in time for its glue to conveniently dry overnight. So the final slab on which the castle will sit can go on next. Here’s the situation right now I can’t add the final slab until I know just where the bridge I’m making will land on the further bank of the stream, and at what height the track will be there. When I know that I can build the grage up to that final slab and put it on.
I never really thought I would need all these things.
I was encouraged by the grades being spoken about in that bridges-on-grades article as mine is a nominal 3% which is what Peco advised for their Marklin 0-6-0 / N3n body shell combo. I know I can get away with sharper than that if I have to, but the bridge will be 3%. Steven- How bad does snowstorms get? To show a empty gerocery store. It's not like a hurricane, tornado, or earthquake evacuations. Folks seem to think that the end of the world is about to happen whenever a storm of any decent size is forecast here. Grocery stores especially get crowded – but it is rare for a shelf emptying to happen.
Steven- How bad does snowstorms get? To show a empty gerocery store. It's not like a hurricane, tornado, or earthquake evacuations.
Ken: That’s a lot of pink foam – when did you do that? What does it look like now?
Rob: Question: What would be a good solution for bridges, viaducts, etc, to use with HO scale Unitack, seeing as they don't offer any? Also, is there anything pre-build that would line up OK with the Unirack, once the connecting tabs are cut away? Thanks for any suggestions! Atlas do a good 4 arch stone viaduct kit in N – maybe they also do a HO version? Might be worth a look.
Question: What would be a good solution for bridges, viaducts, etc, to use with HO scale Unitack, seeing as they don't offer any? Also, is there anything pre-build that would line up OK with the Unirack, once the connecting tabs are cut away? Thanks for any suggestions!
YGW: der - Vitals ? You all have vitals up north ? Heck I thought vitals could be found only in the south eats states ! – ah, but perhaps you forget that many of those expressions are based in Jolly Old England, whence the forebears of both populations, in part, emigrated. (Beside your “Cajuns” being originally “Acadians” being from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia) – and the border is porous, allowing at least language to flow back and forth.
der - Vitals ? You all have vitals up north ? Heck I thought vitals could be found only in the south eats states !
Bradford Dave:and Jeremy B: Do you have access to TVO (TV Ontario)? They are presently running a series “Full Steam Ahead – How the Railways changed Britain.” We saw the first episode the other day and would recommend your looking for it.I’ve kept it on the PVR since it has great detail footage on the 24” slate railway in north Wales – and much else besides.
Looks like it’s lunchtime – a veggie omelet, fries and black tea should do well thanks Janie. TTFN.
"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.
Mornin' folks!
Zoe, I'llk have a short stack of Buttermilk Pancakes (yes, use the Birkett Mills mix, please) with lots of NYS Pure maple Syrup, and a couple sausage links to go along with a large pot of Seneca Lake Blend Dark Roast Organic, Fair Traded Coffee this morning!
Galaxy, sent you back an email....
Just sitting here watching little white stuff coninue to fall out of the sky. By the looks of the pile on my picnic table on the deck we have had, oh, 15/16 inches soe far and it still keeps on coming down. Wind is blowing as well so there should be lots and lots of sizable drifts to dig throiugh as well...
Later this afternoon I will srat working on the drivway little by little. I will be spending most of the day getting everything done for the Combined LSD/CNY NMRA Meet this coming Saturday in Auburn, NY. Hope they are dug out by then! I will be giving a clinic about the Gorge I have been working on.
Catch you in a bit!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
der5997I hadn’t picked up on that sloping top to the tunnel portal before – is that usual for Swiss mountain lines?
It seems to be a design specific to the Rhaetian Railway on the Albula line. I can´t remember seeing the sloped top on other lines, i.e the Bernina line, nor on the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway.
der5997Full Steam Ahead – How the Railways changed Britain.
The series is also availabe on Youtube. I have watched all parts and I was thrilled!
Well, Chloe, must be everyone is staying at home to get out of the Blizzard! I could use a hot cup of Decaf Coffee at the moment. I'll sit in back by the wood stove to get warmed up for a while.
Galaxy asked me to put up a bunch of photos he took of what it is like down in the Southern Tier of NYS where he lives. Actually it looks much the same as here in the Finger Lakes Region, only what we got is still coming down hard and blowing around. Now you should understand that down in Waverly about 30 miles to the west), when I lived there, a couple inches of snow could close everything for at least 3 days while the DPW found the Owners Manual for the snow plow. After they located that they had to find someone who could read at least at a 3rd. grade level to tell the mechanic how hook it on the truck. Then once they got the plow all hooked up on their 10 wheeler dump truck they would go over and plow out the mayor's street and driveway. By then it was quiting time.... That allowed the Mayor to write a nice letter to the editor for the local newspaper praising the DPW for their fast and efficient snow removal.... It would be another 2 or three days before that truck with the plow (they only had one) would get to the street where I lived so they could plow in the end of the driveway on me. Up to that point I would just drive as usual with my old VW Bug.
Anyway.... "G" did get dumped on pretty good judging by the photos. Enjoy:
I think there may be a car under this pile:
Neighbors got some too:
Don't worry Galaxy, if your house was built to the same codes as we use up here to the North West of you your roof should be just fine. On the other hand you do live in the southern tier....
Well, at least the guy across the street has dug out his car...
Be carefull when cleaning this up. Don't scratch your vehicle....
I'll be back soon with some more. Right now at my house the wind is whipping the sn*w into lots of nice piles for me to remove when I get to it.
OK..... Back with another batch from Galaxy. I do hope he takes it easy shoveling out or the guy they hired to do it is careful around the cars at least. I would hire one of those rednecks with those Foe Wheeeeeeel Drahveeees to come and clean out my driveway, but I don't want to have to do the repairs in the spring...... Geneva is closed, BTW... Except for UPS, FedEx, Foe Wheeeel Dahve Pick-em up trucks, and idiots out seeing how fast they can go before ending up in somebody's front yard....... I will sit it out inside my house and watch all the fun outside. Gotta bring up my camera from the train room and get a few of my own photos... Here are the rest I'll put up now from "G":
Be, Ray, thanks.
Keep in my new we had NO snow, just bare ground before this hit.
I measured thru out the day yesterday at 18";24";27" ;32"; and finally when it seemed to stop at 35".After just 18 hours!
We did have e one guy come the nephew from next door neighbor, and snow blower out one side of the drive way, then had to blow for a 28 unit apartment building he cares for, but he'll be back to collect when he trims the trees, which he WAS hoping to do soon, but not now!
What I'm afraid of is flooding here. We are valley and the river is close, we should not flood, but the towns and cities will....
Hopefully it melts s l o w l y. So it won't flood too much.
Posts b 40 in a few days.
Another nice friend of the neighbors roof raked us so hopefully that will help the flat and shed roofs and the eaves from ice damming too much.
I see it's a thin crowd I. The diner today, hope all is well with you all.
Governor Cuomo was down and is sending emergency crews for what he called a speedy clearing.
Later all
Afternoon Diners
Flo, Ed, Larry Mo and I will have a please.
Larry Mo seems to be OK! Ran a lot of test and found nothing wrong. They think he may have pinched a nerve. His arm and hand are fine now and will be home tonight.
Galaxy I will use your 911 idea if something like this comes up again. As much as I like snow, well you can keep your 3' foot of the stuff.
Der Yes that is a lot of pink foam, far as how it turned out, you have seen many photos of it. It is the K-10 Mining layout. Tip I have learned is when buying the foam, look for damged sections! Take it and ask for the deparment Manager. Been a while but I was getting 75% off for the broken sections.
Train Front No matter what I tried I have not been able to keep the B Line engines wheels clean! It got to the point I had to clean the wheels everyday of the Mighty B&O F7b unit? Then I tryed a B&O SD 7, same thing, I could not keep the wheels clean? So today I finally broke down and tried the ATF on the B Line! Did not clean the track or wheels or the engine. Light stop flricking and so far so good. If I don't have to clean the engines wheel's for a week, I am going to ATF the longer A line.
Later, Ken
Evenin' Folks!
Ah, Janie, I think people have been staying away in droves today..... I took a shjower this morning, so I hope it isn't me. Probably somthin' to do with the weather.
Just sitting down to supper tonight, look out the window and see a flock of about 20 or more robins in the Flowering Quince in my lawn having dinner as well. In all the years I been in this house, I have never seen that many here at one time. They seemed to be very hungry and stayed and ate for over an hour. Went outside and got a couple photos of them. I can count 10 in this photo, I think there are more hidden in the tree and there were several on the ground when I took it.
While I didn't have quite as much of the White Stuff here, it still is coming down and blowing around. They say we may get about 3 more inches overnight. The Storm Warning will lift at 10PM here. I did get out and tried to remove some of the sn*w and found that under the 2' of snow in the driveway is about an inch of slushy crap. That instantly freezes to the bottom and wheels of my little electric snowblower.... Didn't get nearly as much done as I had hoped. Here are some photos of my place during the storminess of Stella:
Took me a while to just locate the snow blower...
Guess I won't have a picnic supper tonight. There is 23" of white stuff on the seat...
I think my Volt is under that snowdrift over there:
House across the street.... Notice the snow overhanging on the back side of the roof. That is from the 20+ mph winds we have had for the entire storm. Also you will see the photo looks very grainy. Nothing wrong with the camera. That is from the blowing snow between my camera and the house!
Hope you are warm and dry!
'Evenin, Folks
Zoe, how about a hot chocolate with just a wee bit o' rum, please.
I need a bumper sticker on the machine which reads—
"I'd Rather Be Playing With Trains!"
Snow? Not such a big deal here. Our average runs about a hundred-ten inches per season.
No worries...
Glad Larry Mo's prognosis is good, Ken!
I hope you are ALL well, safe and warm...
Regards, Ed
Ray, I've been feeding and enjoying birds, too. They are chowing down at my feeders, more than I've seen before. I saw a red wing blackbird today - the first ever at this house that I recall. Yes, robins too, but they are not seed-eaters and they don't go to the feeder The extreme cold and then the snow seems to have turned my feeders into quite the gourmet stopover for my feathered friends.
Hi Mr. B, Actually during the winter when they can't get nice juicy worms and bugs, Robins are fruit eaters. That is why they mob the flowering quince and the crab apple trees with left over fruit on the limbs. They will aslo eat seeds if the have to. Very much omnivores and opportunists. Better than starving. If you want to feed them over the winter (for those that do stick around) put out apple slices, raisons, and other fresh or frozen/dried fruit. Today they would dive bomb the snow banks after dropping some the old fruits on the trees on the ground.