Good morning, everyone.
Another one of those beautiful mornings where the sun, temperature, clouds, and wind all come together for a Garden of Eden day.
I have to go to the grocery store today. My wife says I have to wear a mask, and I always do what she says.
I am finally taking care of layout things I don't really like -- ballasting. It seems I'm never satisfied with how it looks.
Have a good day, everyone.
Edit: Top of the Page!
I'm having bacon, eggs, and black coffee right now. A little late for breakfast, but I took my time this morning. Breakfast is good any time of day.
Join me for breakfast and coffee.
York1 John
I asked my doctor if I gave up delicious food and all alcohol, would I live longer? He said, "No, but it will seem longer."
I am alive and healthy. Furthermore, my family is alive and healthy. My entire family.
The less said now is less that will have to be apologized for in the future.
As time goes by, I will try to make updates to my layout build thread.
Robert
LINK to SNSR Blog
As a former rocket scientist myself, I must say it's sometimes a difficult discipline, but there's a lot of routine engineering in there, too. Lots of parts, just like a locomotive, but you can't pull into a service depot when something goes wrong, so failure is not an option.
Remember the European Mars lander that crashed? That happened because the had some mission software in metric units and some in English units. Sometimes, even on Mars, you can't fix stupid.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Thank you for not taking offense Mr B (or if you did, letting it slide). We have had the metric/english thing too and we won't even go into kilopasquels or what ever they were. I can't read telemetry in real time if I have to enter it all into a calculator to get numbers I can comprehend. The intermittent fuel pump is another matter. I would be willing to bet a space vehicle has a pretty complicated wire harness not even taking into condideration the backup systems. We went crazy all last season trying to find a fault in one brake temp sensor. Finally found it when we had time to pull the harness and lay it out.
Robert, I will look forward to seeing progress reports on your layout. That bridge in WPF was magnificent. Best, J.R.
riogrande5761Kirk gets the whole ship to himself with a pretty girl
Of course she would be pretty. Who would want to give an unattractive girl a virus?
Well, maybe I would if she promised not to serve me meatloaf.
York1I'm having bacon, eggs, and black coffee right now. A little late for breakfast, but I took my time this morning. Breakfast is good any time of day. Join me for breakfast and coffee.
Well, it is lunch time here at our zoo. I had a very nice dish of ham and eggs baked into a turnover.
Very Good!
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
From today's "Progressive Railroading"
ROAR
JR,
In the early days of aviation aluminum was gas welded, (1920s) use of exotic gasses had not been discovered. It was also discovered at that time industrial oxygen had to be pruified to a greater extent than medical oxygen due to the impurities it left in the aluminum, compromising the strength. Dad tried on several occasions to teach me how to weld aluminum, but I do not have the "eye" to do so. There is a color that is reached when the torch has to be pulled back before everything drops out. He made four boxes for "important" papers, all gas welded, and then fishscaled, my older brother has them.
herrinchoker
Herrinchoker - this is true and the better panel bashers still gas weld bodywork instead of TIG welding. The better way my friend showed me was in fact to use oxy/hydrogen as the flame is less hot and easier to control. That said, even my very talented English fabricator won't gas weld because it makes subsequent repairs very difficult.. Same with bronzing stuff. Once done it always needs bronzing after that. Most of the repair jobs are brackets or tanks/radiators in the field so I felt that TIG capability would be more useful.
I see the Lion has emerged from the jungle. Well come back.
Mike.
My You Tube
MisterBeasleySometimes, even on Mars, you can't fix stupid.
And in outer space no one can hear you scream.
Good Afternoon,
Strange day here. There was a heavy snowfall for about an hour, then the sun came out and most of it has melted. Still fairly chilly at about 35F and windy too.
Nothing much happening here. My wife is having a tough time dealing with the stress of the virus. She has dealt with high stress levels for the past couple of years-all stuff from when she was a child. No abuse or anything like that. Major 'blow-up' yesterday so I'm in the dog house again.
We have had a lot of Juncos in our yard for the past week or so. Usually a flock of about 30-50. They are eating a lot of birdseed. A few fox sparrows too. The geese are flying over in large numbers. The snow this past week-end wasn't good but it has largely melted now so they can get at the grass.
We are on a flight path for the local airport so a constant parade of jets landing when the wind is from the NW, which is the prevailing direction. Sure is quiet now. A business jet flew over yesterday and was strange to hear it. I could sometimes see our house when coming back from business trips. Seems long ago now.
Think I might run the N scale layout a little. I had to move it for the new fridge and freezer but not too much.
Glad everyone seems ok so far.
CN Charlie
CNCharlieWe have had a lot of Juncos in our yard for the past week or so. Usually a flock of about 30-50. They are eating a lot of birdseed. A few fox sparrows too. The geese are flying over in large numbers.
Charlie, you have our Juncos. The last of them left about a week ago. This is now the time of year when the Common Grackles take over the feeders. They will stay about two months, then move out into the fields. The Cardinals and Blue Jays will then come back.
The woodpeckers don't care about the Grackles. They come and eat suet year around.
We haven't had any Orioles yet, but the feeder is out for when they arrive.
I'm not exagerating when I say my wife spends more feeding the birds and squirrels than we spend on our food.
My first venture out to civilization since Feb, 29th was to the local Stihl dealer to buy a new chain saw. Brought it home and after 50 or more pulls I Stihl haven't gotten it to start.
Back to the dealer tomorrow to see what I'm doing wrong?
Ashcroft_BC by Edmund, on Flickr
I hope everyone is well. My other photo wound up at the bottom of the last page so probably went unnoticed. Oh well...
Cheers, Ed
No, I saw the CN 6506. Those E and F diesels were, in my opinion, the best-looking locomotives ever.
Salmon dinner with rice and veggies, please and thanks.
Haven't been feeling so well. Sticking with the routine.
Patti does the feed rounds when I am not up to it. Also have a hired hand helping out when needed.
Been watching lots of train vids lately. Juices are still very much flowing for working on the model railroad. May have to wait until after treatments are completed and I feel a little better. We shall see.
Hope everyone is doing well.
Cheers! Rob
CederstrandBeen watching lots of train vids lately. Juices are still very much flowing for working on the model railroad. May have to wait until after treatments are completed and I feel a little better. We shall see.
How are the treatments going? When is the last one?
Junco, I don't think I've seen one. According to Audubon they are just about everywhere.
Ed I have a Homelite chainsaw that I spent a lot of money to get running last year and this year I can't start it. Not sure if it's bad gas or my bad shoulder. Gas isn't what it used to be.
Fairmont Banff Hotel, one of the great railway hotels.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
No question as to TIG. MIG has done that to stick in many cases. When BIW went to MIG when they first started using T-1, and HY-80, they used industrial size MIG units, and quadrupled output in the pannel shop building the side shell sections. What has also been interesting to observe is the evolution of ceramics in relation to welding, and the evolution of tool carbides in the machine industry. I remember trying to use NP-321,322 on Nitronic 60,coated with Titanium Nitride, watching the carbide simply melt off the end of the tool holder. I had to get tool stock from Britenback in Atlanta to do the job. It was like trying to machine glass.
Mint tea in a AT&SF mug, please.
***John, 12 more of the ongoing daily radiation. At least I get weekends off. As for the chemo, that will be ongoing. Also there are a few meds which keep this brain in check which I wont bother listing here. Sure am looking forward to the day I can be off all this stuff.
It's a long road Rob. I've had a couple of friends go through it and the other side is worth it. It sounds trite but hang in there.
Working on the phoney fix for the high tension tower that was 4" too short. Haven't ordered the elastic thread yet but that will be needed soon I hope.
Hope the rest of you are doing ok. Good to see Lion drop by. Haven't seen Kevin today. Wonder if he got wrapped up in the demo work? Laters, J.R.
BigDaddy Gas isn't what it used to be
DON'T use gas with ethonal in ANY small engine. just DON'T. Especially if the motor sits for any length of time.
All my outdoor power tools are Stihl, and always start, even after siting for the winter, because I DON'T use gas with ethonal.
Ed, does your saw have the "easy start" rope pull? If it does, push the lever all the way down, lock the throttle trigger, pull until it "pops", flip the button up 1 notch, and pull it once more. My saw never fails me. Even after sitting all winter.
With lawn mowers, I am the neighbor "savior", because nobody can start their lawn mowers after sitting all winter with ethanol gas in the tank and carb. Left in the carb, it turns into a yellow "jello", and attracts moisture. And they don't learn! and keep coming back. They just don't get it.
Actually, any Stihl dealer I use, starts it for the first time, and makes sure it runs.
Attuvian BATMAN Brent (or anyone north of Washington), I'm not too educated on Canadian steam, but they were absolutely beautiful with their paint schemes and stylish front ends. What is the behemoth above? John
BATMAN
Brent (or anyone north of Washington),
I'm not too educated on Canadian steam, but they were absolutely beautiful with their paint schemes and stylish front ends. What is the behemoth above?
John
John, the mighty Selkirks were tasked with gettin the trains over the Rockies. 5931 is on display in Calgary. They are my favourite loco.
I feel like I am on borrowed time again as I am having log in/out issues, so if I don't show up you know why. I usually just stay logged in but when I can't reply, I also can't log out.
The boss made an incredible turkey dinner tonight and tomorrow she will do another which the kids and I will deliver to some elderly shut ins.
Spent the day shovelling dirt and I am now sunburned in April, who-da thunk.
More adventures in the Rockies is the loops hike/walk at Glacier, more ghost from the past. Take your bear spray.
Before the Connaught and Mt. McDonald tunnels were to come to fruitian the CPR dealt with elevation by going up side valleys, called the loops. Good hikes/walks.
How they crossed the rivers a130 years ago.
The bears are quite polite and will yield.
Seeing a Grizzly in the wild is the best! From a distance of course. I have seen a few up there.
On this trip we were just about to get out of the truck for a pee break. My friend was just about to open the door and a Grizzly stood up and looked in the window. I yeld NO! as the bear put a nose print on the glass. He had been down in a deep ditch beside the truck and we had not seen him.
No where better on Earth to hike than the Rockies.
Glad to see Lion is alright and in for a visit, I would think the monestary is ripe for infection. I hope you are all staying home working on the subway.
Time for a movie, I think, if I can stay awake.
See you tomorrow, if they let me in.
All the best to all
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
BATMAN I also can't log out.
I haven't been able to log out for over 3 weeks, but am not trying to, as i might not be able to log on again.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
mbinsewiEd, does your saw have the "easy start" rope pull? If it does, push the lever all the way down, lock the throttle trigger, pull until it "pops", flip the button up 1 notch, and pull it once more.
That's the thing, Mike. There's no "pop"! I let the saw sit in full sun for an hour or so and tried pulling the rope another twenty times. Still no dice. I opened the top cover to be sure the spark plug wire was pushed on, all good.
There's not even a hint of smoke at the muffler, or even any unburned fuel there.
Like I said, I just brought it home from the dealer this afternoon. Mrs. Pullman is taking it back tomorrow and going to use the "my dumb husband doesn't know how to start this thing, can you show me?" routine.
Of course, it'll probably kick right over. I have a 34 year-old 034 Stihl with a 20" bar that starts and runs all day long, no problem. This is a MS180 with "easy2start" and, so far, the only thing I can think of using it for is a boat anchor.
I was looking for a lightweight "limbing" saw to replace a sweet little Makita saw that GE gave me for an anniversary gift. It is fifteen years old and starting to lose power.
mbinsewiActually, any Stihl dealer I use, starts it for the first time, and makes sure it runs.
They offered to gas it up for me but with all this crazyness I just told them I would take it like it is. We had my wife's car so I didn't want gasoline smell in it. If I had the truck I would have just tossed it in the bed.
All my other Stihl power equipment has been excellent. This one, not so much. I'll know tomorrow.
KEN, great to talk tonight !
Everyone, stay safe, be happy!
BATMANSeeing a Grizzly in the wild is the best! From a distance of course. I have seen a few up there.
We saw grizzlys up close a couple of years ago when we were staying at Grizzly Bear Lodge on Minstrel Island which is 45 minutes north of Campbell River by plane. We were most of the way up an estuary when a momma grizzly with two 2 year old cubs came bounding down the river. One of the cubs caught a salmon about 250' from us which was neat to watch, but things got exciting when momma chased another salmon to within about 60' of our boat. Our guide simply whispered to not move or make a sound, and don't use the camera! Fortunately the salmon reversed direction away from us and momma followed.
The bears retreated to a grassy spot on the opposite side of the river so I was able to get some good shots.
This is momma right after she turned away from us. The camera was not on zoom. Our guide George had the bear spray ready:
Cub with lunch:
"Who are you and why are you disturbing our lunch?":
Experience of a lifetime!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
BATMAN Attuvian BATMAN Brent (or anyone north of Washington), I'm not too educated on Canadian steam, but they were absolutely beautiful with their paint schemes and stylish front ends. What is the behemoth above? John John, the mighty Selkirks were tasked with gettin the trains over the Rockies. 5931 is on display in Calgary. They are my favourite loco.
BATMAN Brent (or anyone north of Washington), I'm not too educated on Canadian steam, but they were absolutely beautiful with their paint schemes and stylish front ends. What is the behemoth above? John
Thanks, Brett. Wondermous!!
As are the grizzly stories.
I have only seen one bear in the wild.
Never again do I want to repeat that.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
SeeYou190I have only seen one bear in the wild. Never again do I want to repeat that.
I have probably had 20+ close encounters with bears. They are a regular fixture at our cottage. I could tell stories for hours about all of the times that I have been within 20' or 30' of a bear, but never once did I feel an immediate danger. There were certainly times when we closed and locked the doors to the cottage because the bears were getting a bit too curious, but most of the stories are actually a bit funny. One time I opened the front door of the cottage and smacked a young bear right in the nose with the door. That woke me out of my morning stupor real quick! The bear ran away as fast as it could go. Another time I had to yell at a bear that was trampling my mother's hard fought vegetable garden. It scrammed so fast we were killing ourselves laughing.
Make no mistake. Bears are serious business. If you do things wrong you might well get hurt. We had one episode where our neighbour's guests put food scraps on the shore so they could see the bears. They were on an island. We were just down the shore. We had a huge bear visit our front porch at least eight times in four days looking for food because it had logically associated the smell of our cottage with an easy meal. That was dangerous!
As soon as the Covid-19 thing is over we are going to make a trip to Cochrane, Ontario to the polar bear sanctuary there. For a price you can arrange to get yourself into the spaces where the keepers actually operate, i.e. within a few feet of the bears! Cool!!
GMTRacing I have been spending at least a couple of hours an evening on the layout. I read with interest Kevins epoxy fix for the nail holes in trackage. Being lazy, I tried something else and used some oil based pastel crayons to try to camoflage the holes.
I have been spending at least a couple of hours an evening on the layout. I read with interest Kevins epoxy fix for the nail holes in trackage. Being lazy, I tried something else and used some oil based pastel crayons to try to camoflage the holes.
Good morning
I may be a little late in my reply here. I can't wait to try Kevin's product on some other things but If I had a boatload of holes to fill in railroad ties I would treat it the same as my interior trim jobs.
Dark walnut color putty. I believe the most common product at Home Depot and Menards these days is Minwax.
It's quick, easy and only takes two seconds per hole and eventually dries hard as a rock.
The Bear thing. I'll never forget the times I was doing something on the grounds at the resort. I would always have to laugh when I'd see my mother coming out on the stoop as she was cleaning cabins. An occasional bear would stroll through camp and ramshackle the garbage cans. My mom would lean over the railing and shoo him off with the broom. I'm positive a black bear has a different temperament than a brown bear, still I would never do that. My mom was a hard as
TF