General Discussion (Model Railroader)

Jeff: I just love nincumpoops with cell phones driving cars. Then they crab about other people getting in their way when they were the ones crashing into people/things

DerJohn:  Great work there!

Got some MRing time in the trainroom. Spent a bunch of it making up a bunch of graindriers of various sorts to complete the elevators I 'finished' off last few days. Next on the list is getting the stairways/catwalks together--as well as those wonderful conveyors After all that is done then the placement of the one elevator in the Thompson Valley and then part I of the bridge trestle will get completed----

I got to pay attention to a schmooozing 'Spring' here----

Another coffee please-Chloe--

Good evening,

TODD: I agree with you 100% on the Badger paint. I've had such hit-or-miss (more misses) with it, it is banned from my little corner of the universe. When existing stock is depleted, Floquil, Poly-S, or Scalecoat 2 will replace it. Yeah...I know, Floquil and Scalecoat have solvents/fumes/toxicity/etc., but...I LIKE 'em, and they always do the job. The only thing I'll say that's good about the Badger stuff is the water clean-up. I'll also add, whoever came up with Badger's paint colors...needs some help. The CNW "Zito" yellow is just too green/glow-in-the-darkish. I always thought it was "off," but after switching to Scalecoat 2...which looks dead-on; welp...I may be repainting some repaints someday. For my era, bombing them with heavy weathering won't w**k...the Zito paint jobs were "in vogue," so they'd be fairly clean yet. I didn't care much for Badger's "CNW old yellow" either. Accupaint is the best with Floquil a very close second to my eye.

ULRICH: Welp...since european ambulances seem to be built on smaller chassis (typically), the roundy-rounds might not be so bad... but I still envision rear wheels going up over curbs, much to the discomfort of the patient; and the irritation of the medic in back with 'em. Bad time to try an on-the-move IV stick!  Just out of curiosity, why is your landlord dumping so much of the home improvement onto you?? In the past, I've made improvements to the place I was renting (some approved, others not...), but I also got a break in the rent for doing the w**k, or at least they went 50/50 in the cost of materials. I hope the fix-ups and the move-in go as smooth as possible for you.

Which reminds me of a mass-relocation we did when I was an employee of the community college. The 2nd-in-command called it "Operation Smooth Move." I renamed it "Project Ex-Lax." I shall leave it at THAT.

Chris

Hello

I can't search for stuff on ebay right now. I posted a thread about it. .... and I thought I just had gremlins on the layout.

2 truck ... I wonder if the caboose is a hunters cabin now. ... Any ideas?

My DCC SD's are now doing fine except for direction of the 2 oldest ones. I think their circuit boards assume the long hood is forward.

Glass of cool lemon water, please. 

***2TruckShay, that's a very cool old caboose. Wish I had one like it here on the farm. Would turn it into a train room (just for N scale) in a heartbeat.  

***Der, EXCELLENT tar trailer. Most impressive work there.

Got half the trees planted before that pectoral thing started getting very sore. Gurrrrr! Too tired for the train room again. Perhaps tomorrow.

Rob

 Went over to feed my sister's pets (5 dogs, 5 cats, indeterminant number of ferrets) while she and her husband are away for the weekend + 2 days. They'll be back Tuesday night. Everything went fine until the Great Dane jumped up in my face and knocked me over. Excuse me, did I say knocked? It was more like getting hit by an ATV falling backward on a ramp! When 100+ pounds slams into you something has got to give. Luckily I didn't hit anything but the floor and the language I was using sent him running for the dog door. He knew he was in trouble in spades. All the other dogs got their nightly treats. He got none.

Good Evening, Diners! Janie, I'll have a CAW mug of hot cocoa, please, and a couple of those cookies that DerJohn brought in. Thanks!

fireman216:

Forgive my error folks...I got everyones breakfast today!!

Uh, Tim, I'd be careful there about offering to cover breakfasts, if you're having trouble with the math - might temp an otherwise honest Diner to try to slip a brass loco in there (what's a couple of zeros extra on the total?...) But as I said earlier, I'd agree that I am NOT parting with my older MR issues. Nosireeee!!

AmanaMedic:

I hate our environmentally friendly/socially conscious/saving the planet one weak flush at a time toilet (I want something with the power to suck down a small animal...)

  ROTFLMAO! Chris, I'd probably agree with you about THAT toilet - my apartment building was built about the 1970's, while at church, when I use the sit-down one, it's done flushing before I hardly notice that it started! But it doesn't leave 'floaters', at least... As for the windows at my apartment, the front one can't be propped open, because it will tend to fall out (well, actually it would fall _in_, but you catch my drift - it ain't too secure. Luckily, THAT window is on the front (toward the street) and my place is on the second floor.

Garry, the rules changes aren't the big problems, it's the extra w**k hours and job stuff they shovel on ya that get to me (ever heard of the "Mushroom" theory of management?...) On your DCC SD's, is it possible that a pair of wires (pickups or something) are hooked up backwards? Otherwise, (not that I know diddley-squat about DCC) I'd try to find out what CV setting controls direction of the loco...

Ulrich - no, it doesn't sound unreasonable to want to find everything in your flat still there when you  come back (and not that everything of value was cleared out by some thieves)... I'd agree with Chris, and see if the landlord will maybe give you some credit against the rent for any repairs/upgrades you do on the place. Point out to him that you have made the place look better, and that will translate to him being more likely to rent the place out soon again when you and Petra make the jump across the pond (just don't mention that last until you give him notice). If the landlord won't fix the door, you might talk with a friend who's a carpenter about what's needed to firm up the door frame and jamb. And get a better lock on the door as soon as is affordable. In the meantime, a large bureau or such moved across the door might slow any unwanted types down long enough to wake you and Petra up (and get your ball bat or other weapon ready)...

All right, on behalf of Sue and the other NP lovers here in the Diner, a moment of silence...........

......

.....

This afternoon, I got started redoing the paint job on that NP SW900/1200 loco with PollyS's Engine Black - the 'Northern Pacific', the tao logo, the loco numbers are all gone. I think I may be gonna use some of the SP Tiger stripe or the Rio Grande stripe decals (and if so, I'll be painting over the gold stripes on the lower edge of the walkway, too). Progress has its costs, Sue - sorry! Photos tomorrow, maybe, depending on how much more I have done on it by then.

I also checked (and resoldered some) the feeder wires on the layout (after I got the rest of the layout vacuumed). Yep, will need to add more feeders - who was it, Garry or Todd? - that suggested the more feeders, the merrier?

Sawyer, your teams there are kicking this year!

Randy - that was a neat find on your traveling - maybe someone got that moved in not long ago, and hasn't had time to 'un-neaten' it yet? Or a retired conductor who got a bargain deal on it for his retirement home? I've heard good things on the Micro Engineeering code 55 track, but will let those who really know chime in on where to get the turnouts you need.

DerJohn, another EXCELLENT job on that tar trailer! And I am impressed that you even have that handy-dandy jar opener tool on your w**kbench.

Jeff, I'll chime in with Todd about your "Shut up and drive" comments (come to think of it, I heard Click and Clack on the radio this morning for a while...). And as for sister's Not-so-Great Dane: OUCH!! "Bad dog, no biscuit!!"

Oh, and Todd? - on that repaint over that SW900/1200 (formerly known as NP), I used Polly S Engine black, and I'll check again when I get back home and it's dried, but it looked like it was covering the yellow okay. If it doesn't, I may leave it sorta showing through as a testimony to the frugalness of the CAW's paint shop foreman... (okay, the cheapness of CAW's management)

I looked at some of my covered hopper kits (Bowser and Kato), but talked myself out of that much w**k today. Guess I could w**k my way up to them by putting together an Athearn or Accurail kit. I also renewed my MR subscription online (saved the best of the offers they sent me and used that web address, and it still gave me the special (Well, I may not get the free track plan booklet, but hey, I have a lot of layout plan books around anyway!).

I'll sit at the window booth a bit and just relax (but not enough to snore - might wake Duke up...) before I head for home.

 

Blessings and prayers for those in need (that being most all of us),

Jim in Cape Girardeau

Good Evening Diners!

A truly amazing day here weatherwise as it got up to 13C and broke the record by 4 degrees. I spent most of the day doing errands and did manage to get to the LHS. Had a great visit with the fellow who works there who has an amazing knowledge of the CPR and railroading in general not to mention the model side. I picked up an IHC dining car interior that will be modified to fit an Athearn heavyweight plus a few other bits and bobs. Most of my FIL's stuff sold at the train show a while ago but a few of the building kits are still left.

Jim, are you still interested in a Cornerstone O.L. King building? That was one that hasn't sold yet and I can pull it if you like. I couldn't send it until sometime in January when we are next at our friends in Thief River Falls as the postage would be too high from here. Send me a PM if you want to discuss.

My decoder install in the S3 has gone sort of OK. The loco works fine on the new address but I discovered that the decoder plug in the loco is in backwards so the loco goes forward when it is supposed to be in reverse. I could change the wiring but it might be easier to change a CV and I have been told that 29 is the one so I will have to do some research. I also have to change the lights as the ones in it are only 1.5 volts and they don't work.  A project for tomorrow as I'm too tired tonight.

We have our first round-about here and at first I thought the city was nuts as it just isn't the sort of diameter that they use in Europe. It seems to work OK but no one signals when they exit. I can't imagine a truck going around that thing and I really wonder what will happen when we get to our ice and snow season.

As far a suicide lanes goes, we don't have any in Manitoba but I remember when I lived in Sarnia, Ontario about 35 years ago where there was literally a 3rd passing lane on a busy highway at the edge of the city. Talk about taking your life into your hands to pass! Lucky my little Nova had a 350 so it could do the manoever fairly quickly but still there were more than a few major accidents on that stretch. Needless to say it isn't there now.

Well Robin has just spent about 10 minutes tearing about the house as though Pippa was actually chasing him and now of course he has just drunk a large quantity of water and wants out.

Talk to you soon,

 CN Charlie

8th Annual Route 30 Express Tours…

Today a few friends and I traveled the www.route30express.org tour and here are a few (211) pictures of the layouts we visited.

http://community.webshots.com/album/575627685dOtHQq?vhost=community

 

We started out at Glenn Rowland’s N-Scale layout, modeled in the 1950’s.  This layout is only a year old and looks almost complete. West Salem, Ohio (Congress, Ohio).

 

Next we traveled to Dean Freytag’s HO-Scale South Ridge Lines, completely scratch built steel industry.  This layout has been mentioned in Model Railroader and was featured in a full page article of the Plain Dealer in 2002. Ashland, Ohio

 

Afterwards we drove over to the Heyl Funeral Home where the upstairs coffin display room has been converted into a 22.5FT x 54FT train room.  The Cincinnati & Southern HO scale layout even has its own version of Horse Shoe Curve on one end of the layout.  He also has a very impressive railroad lantern collection decorating the ceiling. Ashland, Ohio

 

After a brief stop for lunch we drove over to the Wooster Society of Model Railroaders HO-Scale layout in the basement of the Zion Lutheran Church (no pictures). Wooster, Ohio

 

We headed north to the Model Railroad Crossing, a hobby Shop with a small layout under construction (no pictures).  I did get a free Digitrax pocket screwdriver and 3 cup holders for my layout while I was there. Wooster, Ohio

 

Continuing on we came to Karl Emler’s HO-Scale B&O layout set in the 1950’s with several hills and a couple of yards, he did a great job on this layout.  It’s a single main folded over to look like a double track mainline. Wooster, Ohio

Just a few blocks away was Bob Vensel’s N-Scale 1970’s Tionosta Valley Railroad with Erie, Erie-Lackawana motive power.  It was a winding layout through a 13FT x 33FT room. Wooster, Ohio

From there we found ourselves at D&J Hobbies in Orrville, Ohio.  A very nice 14FT x 20FT HO-Scale layout in the basement of the hobby store.

At the end of the trip we stopped at the Orrville passenger station.

194 Miles driven, 8 layouts visited.

 

Howdy, a large Fresca please. Just completed a loooong task. Made my first decal sheet. We'll see how it comes out as far as when they get applied. Hopefully soon.

Jim- I had no problems with the Polyscale Engine Black so I suspect you won't either. The Badger stuff sounded good because if I don't require much of a particular color, I can just return it to the bottle. The Polyscale or any other paint I have to discard the rest or come up with little air tight jars. With my decals, I hope to finish if you will, my little switcher. I'll probably share a pic or two for ya'll to chuckle and reminisce about your first paint job. (humor me even if yours turned out great. OK?) 

Chris- Unfortunately I have 3 more bottles in 3 different colors. One is Grimy black. That one may not be bad to use with a brush because it would be used sparingly. The second is Insignia Red. That may work for semi transparent stuff. The third is MOPAC blue. I doubt if I will even try that. We'll see.

Refdill on the Fresca please. I'm quite thirsty.

OK Lee, now I'm excited. I just looked at the first four pictures and said WOW! I'm going to revisit them tomorrow when I have more time. I'll be there for hours.

 Evenin' folks!

Zoe how about a big cup of decafe in a FGLK Mug and a couple of those cookies John brought in earlier.  They are Oatmeal Raisin maybe?  Thanks you I'll be at the Rivet Counter.

Lee sounds like you have had a great time!

Barry, and where were you today?  Big show in Toronto, but did Barry drive in from the Boonies for it?  No...........   I had to be there for a Region Board meeting for the NMRA.  rode up with a guy who is the American VP for the Division.  Interesting how much we have in common.  Seems he graduated from high School in the school system where I first taught.  Of course he had already graduated long before I  started teaching there, but found we klnow a lot of the same people.  We also model our own versions (freelance) of the NYO&W.  He in "n" scale and myself in "HO".  Made for an interesting and enjoyable trip. 

Do any of you remember a gentleman posting photos of his HO Scale Brooklyn Yard done with Fast Tracks a couple of years ago?  The trackwork was fantastic.  I met him today at the Fast Tracks Booth.  Also got to see the finished product!  WOW!!!!!!!!!!   (Just WOW!!!!!!!)

Last night just before i shut off the computer, I suddenly began to hear what sounded like a low growl.  At first (with my hearing) I couldn't make out where it was coming from.  It would get louder and then softer but kept repeating.  I started to get up from the computer to investigate and then saw that Manét my little 20+lb kittie was sound asleep next to the computer and was snoring!  I have never heard a house cat snore before.........  Probably learned it from me.

Ulrich, hang in there!  Your almost into your new place.  Whether everything works right away or not, I know that Petra will make it into home very quickly!  I still keep you in my prayers.

Have a great evening all!

73

 Jim, yeah man, lol. We were down 15-13 at the half though. And last year we took our lumps; whole team was the youngest age that could be in that league, this year we've gotten bigger and better.

Just saw The Blind Side about Michael Oher (not sure on the spelling). That movie made me want to go play football, lol.

 Good Morning, Everyone

most of you are heading for a  now and I have to get going for today´s chores Sometimes, it is funny to live in different time zones.

Flo, I have a big breakfast with all the works, again. Need a good refill of the tank - will burn a lot of fuel today!

Yesterday, we made good progress on the kitchen. My friend´s brother joined in and that extra set of hands made a big difference. The kitchen will look like a doll´s kitchen and I know Petra will like it very much. After all, we all want to get more goodies from her, don´t we?

The landlord will be paying for all the necessary repairs, but all the "extras" will be on us. It is government funded housing, so the flat is very basic, i.e. vinyl flooring, cheapish tiles, primitive bathroom furnishings. The whole flat was also in a bad state of repair as a result of negligent tenants and a negligent landlord. I don´t mind investing into it, as the money would be taken away from us in any case. So at least we can enjoy a quite comfortable and "homey" place.

Chris - our ambulances are not that small, in fact, they are mobile emergency rooms. I had the "pleasure" of enjoying a ride in one of those quite many a time.

 

John - that tar trailer of yours is just fantastic. I can´t believe it is N scale! My eyes and my hands are not good enough to do a watchmaker´s job like you did.

 Two Truck - I like that pic - can picture myself living in this caboose, sitting at the bay window, watching a 0-6-0 doing some switching....

 Jeffrey - is phoning while driving allowed in the US? In Germany you collect a stiff fine when you do, but still a lot of people do it. Careless, reckless, irresponsible, stupid behavior.

Lee - lucky you, nice pics of really nice layouts!

 It is about time that I conclude all the ranting of moving and rebuilding the flat and get back to some model railroading issues - it will still take a lot of time for me to be able to start. It even may remain a dream, just like moving closer to you folks, but what would be a life without dreams?

Blessings to all!

Sir Madog:

 Jeffrey - is phoning while driving allowed in the US? In Germany you collect a stiff fine when you do, but still a lot of people do it. Careless, reckless, irresponsible, stupid behavior.

In some places it is and in other it isn't. In Louisiana it's legal unless a cop notices it interfering with your driving. There have been laws passed to make it illegal here but they've all been repealed after some politicians kid couldn't call their friends while speeding around and putting everybody at risk. It is illegal on all military installations, however a hands free system can be used. My sister had her car outfitted with a Blue Tooth system that is totally hands free. She never has to touch it.

 Good morning. It's 52 and cloudy. High today will be in the low 60's and it will be partly cloudy.

Yesterdays all day rain has left the area soaked, wet and miserable. In spite of this I finally got the two structures from the back of the layout weathered and set back in place, sort of. They'll have to wait for an accurate placing when I can get under the layout to the access hole. There are some other structures that require attention but those two were the most difficult to reach. The others are closer to the front of the layout, that is, within 36 inches. Nothing on the schedule for today except to go over to my sister's place and feed the menagerie.