General Discussion (Model Railroader)

Well it seems that every time I try to come in the back door, you'all have changed the track, and I fall flat on my face, except I fell and broke my toe this time...I wish you'all would tell me when we are moving so as to not feel like a fool..LOL..
 I'm trying to put a picture in here, but....................Well I can't figure it out    So later all, now at least I know where everybody is...Fair Winds and Following Seas...chuck

O.K. I'm buying  Zoe has the right CC number so have at it             Fair Winds and Following Seas                chuck

Good Evening, Janie - I'll have a CAW mug of hot cocoa please, and an oatmeal raisin cookie with that. Thanks!

DerJohn, you're makin' me blush - garsh! Glad the plans were useful for you - and you know that every track plan HAS to get tweaked when you try to actually lay it down, right? That thing about your using the ashes probably may be the culprit on your track oxidation, now that you mention it. , I'd completely forgotten about your mentioning that (well, it has been a while...), and my memory for ancient chemistry stuff (that I learned over 40 years ago) isn't too good, anyway. The new yard is looking great (and, the going directly to the service track is a bonus!).

Jeff, good job - you've earned a rest for the day! I was thinking of you this afternoon, after I went to the LHS-down-the-road. I got some Athearn BB kits - 2X40' boxcars, a 50' gondola that I'll be repainting, and a couple of PS2003 (RTR's) covered hoppers. The boxcars are numbered the same, but I'm thinking at least one of them I will repaint for the CAW, and the gondola is the newer D&RGW color scheme, so I'll be backdating it with the older D&RGW paint job and data decals (Gs series). Also will do some repainting/renumbering at least one of the PS2003's, as I have two of them with the same number. The other boxcar I may do as a 'patch' paint job like you've done on a few of your cars/locos.

Was going to order some more paint, but wound up taking inventory of the colors I have already, and found I didn't need some of the colors I was going to order. Will be ordering some D&RGW orange for a caboose kit I have, and I have the decals for the orange-over-silver Royal Gorge scheme to put on after the repainting is done.

Also went by H-L, but they already had all the MRR stuff at 30 percent off, so couldn't use the coupon on anything (the 40 percent off is on regular price items). So I got the W-S loading dock figure set (the one with the forklift and all). I was noticing several areas that had big discounts (mirrors/readymade frames, etc.), and was hoping H-L isn't having financial problems. Heck, they're my general MRR and art supply place. 

NS Joe - on that TurnItIn site, does the school sign up every student in the English classes, or do you have to sign up yourself?

Ray, I think Sawyer and NS Joe were talking about computer keyboards (as Sawyer said)... I hope you find some bargains at the train show (and don't have anyone stepping on your toe while there!)... As for those thoughts/tunes/etc that run through your head, I think they have medication for that ...

Bama, you all rest up there and make sure everybody's taken care of, y'hear? And when (ahem...) can we hope for some photos of young Mikayla? Y'know we want to ooh and ahh over her.

Vincent, I guess there IS a prototype for every modeling practice, eh?

I see that Duke's been playing with the steamers again.. Duke? Oh, well, he's dropped back off to sleep, it appears.

What, Todd? I hope you aren't going to tell me that you forgot to get me a Sesame Street 40th anniversary week card...? Oh, horrors, I am humiliated and will NOT be able to show my face at w**k on Monday morning because of this matter (Hmmm... I might have something there, lemme think about that one...). Never mind, Todd - there may be a positive trade-off for me from your forgetting (snifff, snifff...) to get me that SS40thAnniv. card.

TMarsh:

IS TOMORROW CHRISTMAS EVE ALREADY???!!!!

Oh my gosh! I don't even remember Thanksgiving. Best get moving, Castle Trains here I come!

I wonder what she'd like.

ROTFLMAO!!

tcwright973:

Anybody else out there like to get this task done as early as possible?

Nah, PA Tom, I wait until Dec. 1st (or is that the 23rd?)... Besides, daughter and son-in-law are big on gift cards to their particular stores, so they can line out what they like. My brother and I have usually traded Amazon.Com gift certificates, and I've not heard from my St. Louis and Omaha relatives (uncles, aunts, cousins) in over a decade (or two). Not sure what I did to tick them off, but they haven't returned a few years of Christmas cards, letters, whatever, and when i've been in St. Louis I can't raise them on the phone. Does simplify the gift list, though... So you are way ahead of me on the gift buying. I would like to get more information from some of my relatives so I could get something more specific/personalized for them, though.

Jerry, nice job on the Rowe Foundry place there! Hadn't heard in a while - how's Sallie been doing? And did you get your new chair, finally?

Sue, best wishes and for Larry's test. Will he be flying you both to the finest FLHS'es after he gets his pilot's license?   Hopefully, as you said, some MRR'ing w**k is in your near future!

Rob - be sure to take care of yourself, as I'm sure you do NOT want a repeat trip like that last one. Have you, your CFO and her folks on the list. Can you ask your doctor's office/supplier of your CPAP machine for tips on how to reduce/avoid the pressure sore? Worth calling them up on Monday, I'd say.

The weather here today was as good as Todd's description - a bit breezy, but in the low 70's (F). The MRR club member/LHS owner's daughter (who is over the florist shop in which the LHS area is located) was talking about needing after they closed up at noon, to go home and rake leaves, "Unless I get lucky and they blow over into my neighbor's yard..." Those of you with a mulching attachment/setting for your mower, need to make sure to use that and save yourselves those blisters I used to get when I was married and had leaves to rake in the fall(and then more in the winter after they'd blown off the trees again...). And tomorrow's supposed to be another sunny day (maybe less wind?).

Fireman216/Tim - good to see you again. I guess maybe we should post pics of ourselves so the other DIners know who to look for at any local train shows, eh? After all, All Saints' Eve is over now... Ray already posted his photo, so I'll post mine (with glasses..):

and without:

Now that I've ensured we'll keep the mice away tonight, I'll sit a spell in the window booth and watch the last of the local as it finishes up its switching duties.

 

Blessings and prayers,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

Evening all. Flo, I'll take a RBF, thanks.

I'll be in the back catching up.

Evenin" folks!

Zoe I'll have a RBF tonight, just to be different.  I'll be over at the Rivet Counter showing off some photos I took today.

Got my book.  Got my train.  I'm happy!  This is my friends grandson who went with us to the Syracuse show today.

Does he look like a happy train type kid or what?

Tim I remember seeing the exhibit, but neglected to write down the names of the people I was looking for and where they would be.  The ones I could remember, I couldn't find the exhibit....... Most of the time I just kinda walked around with the other guy and looked things over.  Bought a couple Thomas things for my Granddaughter for Xmas....  That was it.

Did get a couple of decent flash photos, but forgot to bring the boot flash attachment in.  Only took about a half a dozen photos the whole time I was there. here are the ones that came out.

73

Ray, why do you think Vincent said almost all teachers? Actually, most of my teachers have been pretty good. The english teachers are always the ones I hate.
As for keyboard, I'm beginning to learn piano. I know a few songs, not much.

Jim, for TII, the school buys enough spots for each student. You then get a password for each class, register, and then turn in whatever assignment the teacher posts.

ns3010:

Ray, why do you think Vincent said almost all teachers?

 

  Joe, I have no idea?  Probably had a very bad day.......  Back when I was his age, I would have said the same thing. 

I had an English teacher in 7th. and 8th. grade who most of the students were terrified of.  She was about 7 feet tall, had little beady eyes, no lips...... And had a reputation for severely injuring students just by looking at them.  There were rumors around the school that she once hit a kid across the face so hard his head flew off.  She had begun to teach when she graduated the 8th. grade which she could do back in the 1800s when she started......  I think she was my Grandfather's English teacher, and my Father's.  She was mean!!!  But, man did we learn English!  In 8th. grade after being terrorized all year in her English class in 7th. grade, I had the horrible realization that I was in her homeroom in 8th. grade.  Thought I was going to die!  First day we had to fill out little cards with information for the school files (this was way before computers...).  At the end of home room the second day of school as I was going to my first class of the day, she saw me and said, "Raymond come here!"  I did mention she was 7 or so feet tall.  She put her skinny little witches finger in the air motioning for me to come over to her.  My knees began to tremble, I thought I was going to throw up!  I knew my poor little life was going to end then and there.  She looked over the top of her old horn rimmed glass and stared at me........  After what seemed like minutes she said, "Raymond, who told you, you could steal my birthday!?"   My jaw dropped open, I started to stammer, tears welled up in my poor little eyes, I shook uncontrollably, and mumbled, "I'm sorry!,  I couldn't help it! honest!!!"  She started to laugh, patted me on the top of my head and grinned from ear to ear.  First time I had ever seen her smile!  That day I learned who she really was.  A tough old teacher who really cared about her students!

She, in her youth, had spent a summer on Robert Frost's Farm in New England.  Our homeroom threw her a party near the end of that year.  She relaxed and spent an hour just talking about herself when she was our age.  Every one of us had fun and learned a lot that day.  BTW, as an adult we exchanged birthday cards every year until her death well into her 90's.....  You just never know!

ns3010:

As for keyboard, I'm beginning to learn piano. I know a few songs, not much.

 

Keep it up and enjoy it even when it gets difficult. Oh and remember the teachers who are the toughest on you may be the ones who care the most.......

73

Good evening ...

PC ... I hope your wife and son have a good recovery from their surgeries.  

Jerry  .... I really like your kitbashed foundry. Great model! 

Now that Duke is retired, I see he can post more, and that's great. I like the Berkshire photo and the live steam photo. I don't have any Berkshires on my layout, but I may end up with Berkshire Hathaway stock if that BNSF deal goes through.

I'm wondering why diners are posting their photos after Halloween. ..... ooooooo ... er, ... just a joke Jim and Ray .... just kidding. ... Don't call Vinnie.....

JP made it in. Howdy, JP ... Good to see you again.

Rob .... I know that's a long haul with the in laws. Keep smiling. That's all you can do some times.

Meanwhile, another situation with my 90 year old Mom took place yesterday, and I almost had to drive back to Alabama again. So far, I can handle some of it on the phone, and my sister there is working on it, too. It is an emotional experience for sure.

My neice in PA is still recovering from H1N1. She was released from the hospital on Sunday, but I hear she's having a hard time. Her husband just came down with it too. They have a baby and 4 year old.  

On the layout, I started another building this morning for my planned city scene. This is an office building and is a kit produced by Bachmann Spectrum about 10 years ago and now out of production. It's going together nicely.

Now, I'm wondering if Ulrich will show up early and perhaps bring some strudel again if we are really nice to him.  .....

By the way, I can send some country ham again if you are interested.

 

 

 

 I'm buying, even if I don't have Top. Clemson OWNED Florida State. and what's sad is our kickers missed two field goals (38, 25) and three PAT attempts and we STILL won!

EDIT: I'll throw my mug shot up (got my AHS shirt on. Not the best pic of me though, but it's my facebook pic)

Well guys, guess I need to put a few pictures up on here of not only me, but also of Mikayla, so lemme see what I can do since we're trading mugshots.

There's me, Amy, and Heather....and now one of Mikayla

I'll just take a RBF and hang here at the RC before heading off to bed.  Gotta go to w**k from 9-4 tomorrow.

Evening all from ColdCal: 

Yup.  The high today here in the Valley was 55.  Clear as a bell with a wind coming in from Alaska, but none of the clouds and rain that hit Oregon.  But I can tell you, our Fall around here is going to be more colorful than normal.  The leaves are getting absolutely BLAZING.  Eat your heart out, New England, LOL! 

It actually might turn out to be a Winter out here, after all. 

I've been reading some of these 'teacher' stories and chuckling a lot.  Not to blow my own horn, but I've developed something of a reputation at Jesuit as being tough, fair and a Friend/Mentor to those having difficulty.   Which as far as I'm concerned, means I'm kinda/sorta carrying on the Jesuit tradition in my own way and no different than any other Faculty member at the school.  

Just finished playing  Vesper Mass at my Parish tonight, and while I was covering the piano, I heard "Hey, Doc," behind me, which automatically meant that either a present or former Jesuit student was in the assembly.  He came up and I was delighted to see a young man that had been in my choir since he was a Freshman.  He graduated last year (the year I wasn't there) and was at the local University.  After some back-slapping, when I asked him what he was majoring in, he said he hadn't made up his mind yet, and was just taking his GenEd courses.  He kinda/sorta furrowed his brow and said, "Do you think that's a wise decision, Doc?"  I grinned and said, "Of course it's a wise decision.  You've actually got two years to make up your mind where you want to focus."  "Yah, but do you think maybe I should have done it at a Community College instead?"   I thought about that.  "You could have--BUT--you're at a four-year college where you're also exposed to Upper Division classes and Upper Division students.  And you're in your first semester, remember.  You can look around, talk to other students, examine the catalogues and eventually decide where your interest lies.  It doesn't have to happen TOMORROW." 

This is a very smart young man, he graduated Jesuit with a 4.0, so we're not talking someone who's just 'floating'.  He really seriously wants to examine where he's headed.  He told me his chief interests (which don't include Music Major, though he's a terrific baritone), and they seem to head toward either History or Archeology.   I thought about it on the way home.  For some strange reason I could see him at a 'dig' up to his knees in a pit somewhere, coming up with Artifacts and getting this HUGE grin on his face.  "Hey, it's PRE-Iron Age!"  

When I hear from my former students, I realize that very few of them are going to follow my own profession, but I always hear that the experience that they had in my chorus class made them more aware of how important it was to work with others toward the same goal.  If I've taught them that, then I've done what I set out to do.  And more importantly, if I've made them aware of the fact that their OWN talent can develop and grow in every way--well then, I think I've done the right thing. 

So that's me as a teacher.  My job is to guide them with discipline, patience and a whole lot of love (it's the Ignatian Way) to realizing their own excellence.  The Process produces the Product. 

Okay, end of rant, or lecture.  Or whatever.   For the students among us in the Coffee Shop, we're tough because we love and respect you and we want you to be the best you can possibly be.  You're OUR future! 

On the MR front, I finally got that troublesome 4-8-2 working (the one in this weekends WPF).  Now, THAT tested my patience more than any student I've got, LOL!     I ask you, why would a company put out an exquisitely detailed brass model of a locomotive and spring the drivers with GUITAR WIRE?   Okay, for those of you who have never experienced the joy of a well-running brass steamer, the usual process is to individually spring each driver with--yes, you guessed it--coil springs.   If you work it right, they do not pop out when you're working on the mechanism, because they are held in the frame by these neat little nubs, and fit into neat little nubs on the driver axles.  No problem.  If there is a problem, the springs can be affixed to the frame with a tiny drop of Goo.  Springs stay in place.  Drivers can even work on 'rough' track without derailing  because loco is balanced.    

Guitar wire runs in some kind of esoteric 'up-down' configuration on the INSIDE of the frame and I'm sure was designed by someone in Korea who was laughing all the time he was configurating it.  And of course, the 'spring' on the wire gives out after about a year, so it's re-'springing' time.  And the wire has to be the same diameter every time you replace it, because if it's too big, it won't fit into the weird little slots soldered to the inside of the frame, and if it's too small, the axles and the bearings just forget it's there and slam the drivers to the top of the frame and the loco sits too low on the track and shorts out. 

Ain't it fun? 

SOOOO--yesterday I went to the music store, bought some Ernie Ball guitar wire (.0011), took the loco apart, re-threaded the guitar wire through the weird little slots, put the bottom on, clipped the wire sticking out of the bottom of the frame so it didn't connect with either the lead or trailing truck, put the boiler back on, rocked it a little on the track, and then turned on the power. 

KA-WHAM!   Took off like a bloody ROCKET!   I just sat there and stared at it.  So how long is THIS Major Surgery going to last?   

Right now, I've hummed it around the layout about twice, with a 12-car train (I still don't trust it with anything more).  Runs nicely.   It's a really handsome loco, but I'd STILL like to get my hands on the idiot who came up with the Guitar-Wire spring system for a loco that STILL costs about $400 used on the used brass market.  

Like I said in an earlier post, it's gotta be the detail.  It SURE as heck isn't the running capability. 

So, yes, there are some brass steamers out there that I'm convinced were built to display, not for running.  Though I'm not giving up on here, she's too sweet-looking.

In case you missed her in WPF, here's another shot of her. 

 

One day, she will run as nice as she looks.  I SWEAR! 

Best to all, prayers to those in need.

Tom  

Tom, I suppose that you could not retrofit the engine with the better coil spring set up could you?  It would make sense to me if THAT works more effectively then would it not be the way to go.  Just a thought, she's a beautfiul locomotive, and I wish you the best of luck on making it a great runner just as well as a looker.

 (slowly opens the door and pokes his head inside the diner)

Good Morning, Zoe - am I the first one again? No, thank you, nothing for me this morning - I just wanted to bring the Apfelstrudel Petra made. She will be taking me to hospital in a few moments for an extended check-up. I am not feeling well at all.

Say hello to everyone for me, Zoe - thanks and bye.

Ray and Tom: Yes, I know that there are some teachers who are tough on us because they love us. Unfortunately, the ones who I'm talking about are the ones who aren't like that. There are some out there who just seem pure evil.

And I'm sure neither of you guys are the truly evil ones

 Been quite some time (and about 10 diners) since I've last been in. What can I say, between football, school, music... Hard to find free time. But it's the weekend after midterms, so I have time.

 To sum things up:

Football: I played tackle, and d-tackle. We won 0 games. I blocked for 2 touchdown runs, had 1 sack, and 5 tackles. I was 2nd string. I missed the last game (last weekend) because I broke my arm in practice.

Music: I got my SG, I love it. AC/DC concert rocked. KISS concert next Sunday. I need a new amp, mine isn't loud enough to be heard over my drum set. Any recommendations?

That's about it.

Mark