QUOTE: Originally posted by siberianmo For: Trainnut484 Russell The round's on you and all's forgiven - ring the bell Boris [yeah] I think the point of my Email to you has been missed - check out today's SUMMARY ....... [tup] [swg] Tom
QUOTE: Originally posted by siberianmo Hey Boris don't let him out .... C'mon back Russell .... Whazzup [?] Just come on in - leave a message - walk out [?] No hello - no brew - no food - no nuttin'! Geesh! Okay, Boris let him go .........[:(] Tom
QUOTE: Originally posted by earlydiesels Russ, if you aren't busy you should visit the Midland Saturday or Sunday and say hello. I am marked up for relief(switch) engineer both days but just got an IM that our passing siding might be back in service tomorrow so I may be floating whereever I'm needed.
QUOTE: earlydiesels Posted: 01 Jul 2005, 19:21:06 Hello everyone. I'll take one of those cold, bottomless, draughts again, please. Thanks for the kind words about volunteering, Tom. I just love trains and realized several years ago that I could continue to be one of those railfans that sit around and look at pix or I could go out and help preserve what's left and hopefully get younger people involved in preservation. One of our biggest challenges at all the groups we belong to is attracting and keeping new blood. At the Midland, we have a Boy Scout program that benefits all involved and has given us several good members over the years, but we still have a tremendous need for younger folks. The wife and I are some of the youngest members on the rr. I would think that a railfan who is really interested in rrs would jump at the chance to help operate a real, live full size railroad-especially with a large metro area so close. I sure did-and we live 228 miles away! After helping out at the Midland for 8 years, I have realized lots of railfans just worship the equipment. Yeah, some of it is nice and I am glad it's been preserved, but the rolling stock has to be viewed as part of a much larger picture. It's also cold and lifeless without humans around. Many people of all ages have never ridden a train of any kind and these are the people who enjoy themselves the most and also could care less about what kind of equipment we have so long as it is comfortable. This segment of our patrons also pays most of our bills. This is not meant to be a diatribe against railfans. All of us are railfans and wouldn’t be doing any of this if we did not enjoy it. Most of us watch trains when we get a chance and some of us do special trips to look at different trains. Good Grief! I don't know where that came from and I need another beer! Gunns, people like you are the backbone of the preservation movement. I am just into operations and don't have much mechanical background. I don't even change the oil in our trucks anymore. Chris, good to hear from you again. Hang in there! Tomorrow we will be at the rr so will be back Monday. Is OUR PLACE open on the 4th, Tom? Russ, if you aren't busy you should visit the Midland Saturday or Sunday and say hello. I am marked up for relief(switch) engineer both days but just got an IM that our passing siding might be back in service tomorrow so I may be floating where ever I'm needed.
QUOTE: siberianmo Posted: 01 Jul 2005, 20:04:36 Hi earlydiesels-Dan and everyone! Friday night at the bar and the steaks 'n fries are ready for eatin' ........ beer is cold, the gals are workin ..... Juke is blarin' out some tunes and the pool tables are waitn' - What more could you ask for [?] Whatillyahave [?] Check out the beginning of Thursday's SUMMARY - good things happenin' here on the 4th! I know exactly where you're coming from .... and I agree with your assessment of preservationists and those who give a hoot about making sure that this country's loco's and rolling stock isn't confined to just pictures and film. Those who possess the skills to bring alive the E8's - steam loco's - F7's - heavyweights - cabooses - PA's - trolleys, et al - deserve one helluva pat on the back for what they do. It doesn't end there, though. Some are equally gifted in ensuring that the operations go off without a hitch - that the interiors look and feel the way they once did - that the total experience of yesterday's railroads can be recreated, even for a small segment of time! So you , and your wife, are in that category Dan, appreciated and needed as well! Enjoy the weekend! Tom
QUOTE: Gunns Posted: 01 Jul 2005, 23:41:29 Hi all, coffee, and a sandwich. Well I ruined my first pattern for the builder’s plate, not a great loss though, the materials were not up to the job of being carved to form. Plywood is too coarse grained to stand up to the carving, but I learned a lot and got a good feel for the layout. Next attempt will be with masonite and will have seperatly made letters glued on to the plate, then the masonite pattern will be glued to plywood to make up the thickness I need. Tomorrow is work day again, and a report will be forth coming. first rounds went well with nothing much to report at work, a slow night is a good night in my job<g>. later, Gunns
QUOTE: trolleyboy Posted: Today, 01:20:08 Good evening everyone. It was a long and tiring July 1st but we had a great crowd and even better weather at the museum. Tom I think in honour of my country I'll have a couple of draft Mooseheads and a crown chaser. (I'm off tthe clock and brought a seatbelt for the stool) Gunns I'm not a machinist but I would think that your on the right path for the impac gun.I know are guys tend to use manual tools for most work but none of our equipment contains large high pressure boilers.The tools of the trade just don't exist other than museum pieces(which we still use}we've been lucky enough to get tools donated from various sources over the years which were built specifically to work on our type of equipment. Our guys have "built tools" when needed we even gone to B&D and other tool companies and had specific old imperial measure tools made for us $$$ but necessary as none of our cars were built with metric parts. Shop wise I’d say a fully equipped wood and metal shop with lathes, milling machines shears etc. Good air supply compressor for the impact tools and above all the skilled people to operate them. I'm usually the shop gofer as in gofer the tool. Or I'm the grind and clean up guy. Oh well one starts at the bottom while learning. Ted Not good to put the cars in emergency like that most electrics will stand on their nose never good for the riding public. I remember one of our operators who never quite learned how to run a Whitt, we ended up not giving him a ticket as he was just hopeless in training. It is a knack and some people just aren't cut out for it. My father in law remembers training this gut and he let the pressure on the deadman off which instantly dumps the air and puts the car into emergency.(on the Peter Whitt's one must exert downward pressure on the controller while moving the car. This is the deadman kill switch ) Unfortunately 2786 the Whitt in question had the original K37 controller with Westinghouse brakes, so once the air dumps the brake cylinders lock. So the shop guys have to manually release the cylinder on the trucks to free up the brakes.25 minute job. Thankfully our training sessions are all after hours! All the Whitt's have had this feature modernized so one no longer needs to manually free the brakes in an emergency stop situation. Tom Don't tempt me, if you order some Bowsers for the Can Am I will come ( hack saw and trolley wire in hand ) I've never been to St Louis and would someday like to see it. Well gents I'm a tired and heading for the car barn. Talk to you all tomorrow. Rob
QUOTE: trolleyboy Posted: 02 July 2005, 01:25:32 Tom your right I never have been to sea.I did think of joining the RCN but ended up on a differant career path.Mind you ships are an alternate hobby of mine and I did have a one week cruise of Lake Ontario once. But that's way [#offtopic] so let me grab a round. Nite all.
QUOTE: Gunns Posted: 02 July 2005, 02:38:26 More Coffee!!, An Idea just Smote me, and Ya'll are elected to vette it, our tender has 8 wheel buckeye trucks under it, these trucks have 4 points where the side frames are pivoted to a mainframe for equalization <don’t mind the spelling it's late>, we need to bore out the frames to replace the bearings. The commercial machine costs 16000.00 and more than we want to pay even to rent, Sooo, I am thinking of building a parallel from 3 inch angle iron <a top angle welded to two side angles > placing that across the truck frames above the pivot to be bored, strapping it down then strapping a drill press <striped of its table and base> so that the center line if the drills advance is pointed down the center of the pivot point of the truck. We then put a fly cutter in the chuck <adjusted to cut the needed dia.> and punch out our holes to the right size for the new bearings. A tool extender may be needed to make the full depth of cut, but that shouldn't be a problem. Am I missing something? <other than knowing how to spell> Gunns
QUOTE: passengerfan Posted: 02 July 2005, 08:47:14 Morning All time for coffee and another diet Danish. Friend of mine who's larger than me said his doctor told him to lose weight a couple of years ago but he found a heavy doctor and that solved his problem. Just got the format all finally set the way I liked it on the forthcoming book it now stands at 266 pages and hopefully about twenty more should complete it. But I thought twenty would complete it about sixty pages ago. Anyway I am looking forward to the fourth will probably drink a fifth in celebration and feel like you know what on the fifth. Well must get on with the book bye for now But before I go continued improving health to Chris and anyone else who is ailing this AM.
QUOTE: Theodorebear Posted: 30 Jun 2005, 12:26:46 Wow! Its either "feast or famine" at "Our" Place, isn't it? First, let me catch my breath and an ice cold Molson’s, if you please. It took all morning just to check out the "Links" posted since my last toot, I mean visit. Very impressed with the progress made on your S gauge (suspension table) layout Tom. What are you using for ballast? The textured effect is nice. I had some doubts on the "suspension" concept before I saw the "method in its' madness" (construction). Good show! Gunns, I read through the much of the restoration of 2926 and, at the end, didn't know whether to shout "hoorah" or cry. Godfrey Daniel, the "blood sweat and tears" that's gone into that project is staggering. In railroad preservation, you and the team are doing the work of Guardian Angels. Trainnut484, my memory is something like a sieve but I believe the Frisco Northern in Tulsa is # 4500. If anyone missed the pix of the Herzog Car Topper being loaded/unloaded on the Midland Rwy. site; it is "must see to believe." Al, know what you mean about the Alaskan Moose hazards. During the first days of diesel on the Alaskan R.R., huge Bulls were charging trains headlong. Some thought the locomotive's air chime presented a territorial "challenge." I never did hear the final answer to the mystery. Maybe the low growl of the engine, or just plain panic?? Couldn't agree more about the granduer of that State; even the mosquitoes are the size of 747's. R.D.C's used to carry a lot of the passenger load before, don't really know how they managed the -40 F.? Boy, that's a tough one: mass passenger rail transport! Anything that is chosen (MagLev, Bullet elec., et al.) will come to gargantuan expenditures for which most bureaucrats will never present before the tax paying voters. Before, there were the Henry Flaglers, Harrimans, Vanderbuilts, Stanfords and others that recognized the needs and "went for it." But today, while the "need" stares us square in the face; where are those people of vision? And, I must agree that amassing a work force that does the "boots on the ground" skilled labor would be a daunting task. We have been "outsourcing" a lot more than just menial labor. Our best medical minds find it more lucrative working over seas too. It's an enigma that better have some answers p.d.q.! Those "answers" will not come from petty politicians we see on CNN lately. Not an easy or pleasant thought, is it? Okay, I've been jawing enough here to "run for office" myself. Please, drinks all 'round and Oh, I brought plenty of bathroom stationery to cover for Boris' failed experiment. Tom, you have mail. So long for now. Ted
QUOTE: siberianmo Posted: 30 Jun 2005, 12:59:02 For: Ted Good to see you this fine, but oppressively hot day. Enjoy the brew! [yeah] We've had some posts lately - nice, isn't it [?] Keeps ME hoppin' in my desire to ensure that everyone gets a fair shot at being "heard" ..... That's the strong feature of "Our" Place over those post 'n run threads .... don't need that 'round here. Appreciate your taking the time to look at and comment regarding the S-gauge layout. The track is manufactured by an outfit call S-Helper Service (SHS), Inc. http://www.showcaseline.com/index2.html if you're interested in checking out their track, etc. S-Trax (is what it is called) features realistic weathered ties on roadbed. Very impressive - but oh so pricey. The F7 and Caboose is made by SHS, whereas the EMD E8, passenger and freight cars are made by American Models: http://www.americanmodels.com/ The dual power AC transformer is made by MRC: http://www.modelrec.com/ An interesting size - 1:64 - what many would refer to as the old American Flyer - but these aren't toys by any stretch. Really impressed with it - but I'd never be able to afford this stuff in the quantities of my HO layout. No way, no how. I'd have to retire thrice from the military, mortgage my home, hock the valuable, and lease out Juneau for the Iditerod just to purchase the loco's alone. For example, my most expensive HO loco ran about $50 (within the past 2 years) whereas those S-gauge jobs go for 600 percent more! They DO have sound boards and really operate wonderfully well - but they should at those prices! Would gag a healthy maggot, no doubt. Boris ding-a-ling time, drinks on me – [#offtopic] once again! Ring the bell, Boris the bell! Geesh! You are absolutely correct, Sir regarding high-speed rail and its obstacles for implemtation these days in the US. Couldn't have stated it better ..... We almost got a leg of the mid-west high speed system here in St. Louis - the segment from Chicago. Unfortuantely, it appears that all is stalled or stalemated these days with the uncertainty of budgets - Amtrak, etc. Within Missouri, it's a complete zero effort to link St. Louis with KCity. We aren't part of the mid-west compact of states that really put forth one helluva an effort for this project, albeit steel wheels on steel tracks, but high-speed nonetheless. So exasperating, especially when I look back on the 4 years of being part of what I thought would be the solution. Unfortunately, it was just part of the continuing problem. Okay - Boris ring it again! At this rate, I'll have to hock the bar to pay the bar bill. [censored] [banghead] Thanx for the bathroom supplies - we just got around to replacing those light bulbs - have no idea what happened there. Just checked the Email nothing yet ..... but I'm sure it's on the way. Thanx! Enjoy and thanx for the round of cheer! Tom
QUOTE: siberianmo Posted: 30 Jun 2005, 13:02:22 Tonight IS Fish 'n Chips night .... there won't be any Nick's Picks because we don't know where our Chief Chef is. No matter - same good times, cold brew, and our 4 gals will be here to serve you! Stop by and enjoy! Don't forget about tomorrow and the free drinks, if you qualify, for Canada Day Tom
QUOTE: Theodorebear Posted: 30 Jun 2005, 14:09:13 Tom, I don't know what happened to the mail message I sent this a.m. I've been having some "issues" with Verizon DSL w/MSN Premium. I hate to infringe on this thread with "two party" data but its the only certain method for now. The possible AmTrak event I'd hoped for can't be in K.C., Mo after all. My Uncle (77 yrs.) is in failing health and a visit would cause a great inconvenience. My plan is now for St. Pete to New Orleans (date T.B.D.) and return. It involves a charter bus (to Orlando) and the Sunset Limited to N. O., LA. leaving here Sunday 10:05 am, arr. N.O., LA Monday 9:20 am-- --Dep. N.O., LA. Tuesday 10:30 pm, Arr. St. Pete 11:40 pm Wednesday. I'll have Monday and Tuesday in N.O. (daytime) to ride the trolleys and two nice meal at Arnaud's. I don't "do" Bourbon St any more since "Heavy Metal" supplanted Dixie groups (might hit Preservation Hall). Possibly a roomette on return leg. Coach is only $100.00 + fees, so I can "spring" for the "sack time" returning. Sorry to take up valuable space so I'll keep it short. Ted
QUOTE: siberianmo Posted: 30 Jun 2005, 14:41:44 Ted Understand the frustration with the thrilling world of hi-tech, et al. Just got off a 2-hour phone call trying to get wireless and router difficulties straightened out. For awhile there I thought I was in the United Nation's General Assembly. Should the occasion come up for KCity, let me know. Your N’arlins itinerary sounds great ... Once upon a time in a different life, I'd get down there about 4 times a year over a 5 year span .... Insofar as Amtrak is concerned, couldn't handle coach anymore - even the comfort of a Superliner is in the past for me. Oh but those bedroom prices are outta sight! Okay - Boris ring it again - once for Ted and once for me! Argggggggh [#offtopic] Tom
QUOTE: Trainnut484 Posted: 30 Jun 2005, 16:26:09 Afternoon all, I'll just take a Diet Coke this time. There's a post in the TRAINS forum about "Train chasing vehicles." Instead of starting a different thread, I thought I'd just share mine here. My first train chaser was a 1977 chevy 1/2 ton pickup. The best thing about it was I could drive on maintenance roads that were so rugged that a regular car would get "high centered" or bust an axle somewhere. Nothing like sitting on the tailgate close to trackside with scanner, camera, and "liquid refreshments". It has found its way into some of my train pictures. Sometimes I miss that truck, but with today's gas prices , I'm glad I don't have to worry about filling those dual tanks. Take care, Russell
QUOTE: siberianmo Posted: 30 Jun 2005, 16:45:54 For: Trainnut484-Russell Never did it - never even thought of doing it - but I can well imagine the fun of chasing trains. Why not dig through some of those photo's and post a few of your shots here [?] Maybe even a Classic Train or two! Diet coke [?]You gotta be kidding! No diet anything in this joint place! Herer's a real Coke ........ Tom
QUOTE: Gunns Posted: 30 Jun 2005, 22:01:00 Hi All, Coffee and Danish for me, Yep I'm off to work. More from there after first rounds. Ted thanks for the complement, but it is just bloody minded persistence on our parts. <grin> Back in a bit. Gunns
QUOTE: CFournier Posted: 30 Jun 2005, 23:52:03 OK, I'm back home and finally off the hook, (chest tube) Sorry that I was unable to communicate by email or post on this forum, but I was in a lot of pain, had strong medication and had a few setbacks as the surgeon said. I will not go to work until early august and will take it easy to recover fully from this 'faux pas'.. Gee, I have 6 or 7 pages of forum posts to catch up !!! See you all later, and thank you all for the good words. CHRIS [xx(]
QUOTE: trolleyboy Posted: 01 July 2005, 00:11:42 Good evening folks. It's officially Canada Day my time so Tom do I get a free nightcap? A happy and safe upcoming fourth as well for those of you bellow the 49th. I'm spending the first at the Museum with Heather and her Dad. The three of us don't generally get to crew together so it will be a fun day. Tom email received and replied to. Gunns I concur whole heartedly persistance and one tracked, dogged determination makes the restoration wheels turn. We lost the reverser on one end of our MS&C car but in true HCRY fashion we will run with the one end till the parts can be fabricated in our shop. Thank God for double ended cars. Speaking of whichTed Enjoy the Pearly Thomase's hope to see some photo's. have a good safe trip even though the reason for going's not the best. Well gents sfe and happy trails i'll catch up with you all tomorrow. Oh Tom the contents of the shed more info than any of us wanted That's just plain wrong! Later all Rob
QUOTE: trolleyboy Posted: 01 July 2005, 00:18:33 Chris I'm glad to see you back. We were all quite worried about you. I hope this ends up being a good long weekend for you! Tom I like the start on your "s" experiment. From what I understand there are quite a few good traction models available! I may have another convert for the dark light side (electric) Nite all Rob
QUOTE: Gunns Posted: 01 July 2005, 00:56:00 Coffee please, First rounds are over, one squeeky air handler adjusted.., have time to set. I have another question for all, "what tools do you consider essential for working on trains?" My first one is an accurate measuring device, and lotsa others. Gunns
QUOTE: Gunns Posted: 01 July 2005, 03:57:10 Back, Coffee, and a sandwich. I appreciate ya'll leav'n the dor open at night for me <Grin> just had to fix a #@$%#@%$ electronic door latch... 3 built in points of failure, but I wrestled it in to submission. some times I wonder what is so wrong with a "Key" Rob My daughter just moved down from Chatham Ont. We wanted to get her here closer so we could help with the Kids. It's been a real change for her, low humidity and no green, on the positive side we have a ski resort on the other side of the mountain that borders the East side of town. And she has found a job and an apartment with in a month and a half of getting here. <G> I need to build an adapter to fit our impact wrench that will also fit the square tang of the cleanout holes of the siphons in the firebox, any Ideas? I was thinking of turning down a chunk of 6" stock to fit the plug, drilling a hole and carving in the corners for the female side, and indexing the male side on the crosshead of the lathe with a mill in the chuck, for the tang that fits the impact tool. <Our mill has not yet arrived> Also I completed the layout of the Builders Plate tonight, now I need to start carving it out, and sealing it so I can cast the plates, <thank goodness for the existence of wood putty> the biggest challenge will be getting the lettering right, and maintaining the bevel on the letters so that I can get the pattern to release from the sand. Gunns
QUOTE: passengerfan Posted: 01 July 2005, 07:28:34 Great to hear from Chris he had us quite concerned for awhile. Guess because of the hour I better settle for coffee and a diet Danish. (Piece of whole wheat Toast with a wish) My Doc says he doesn't ever remember me carrying this much weight. So he has put me on a rather strict diet. He says no more young ladies either stay with the older ladies better for my heart. Who's he kidding! Anyway nice to hear from Chris will be back this evening.
QUOTE: Theodorebear Posted: 01 July 2005, 08:55:04 Happy Canada Day to both sides of the 49th; those "in residence" and "displaced persons" below. May I lift my Stein to a Country that managed to win its' sovereignty in a bloodless civilized fashion. Hear, hear! This is a special celebration honouring a great Country and a favorite Native Son, Chris Fournier. We're all pulling for you friend and hope you're "full head of steam" real soon. BTW, Boris dusts off your "first stool" daily, albeit with his cook's apron! Methinks Nick is lying low until after the Fourth festivities. Blimey Mate, we Colonists just enjoy burning up money and setting fire to things-- --nothing to do with that spat 230 years ago! Gunns, you might just as well ask some of us to do our own brain surgery as machining tools for a "square tang." Personally, I would recommend a little chicken soup....not for the impact wrench...for lunch. Best-a-luck to ya and glad to hear your daughter and grand kids are in town. Keep your check book handy. Rob, thanks for the thought on "N'arlins" (quote Tom) and the "Pearly" cars. Last time I rode one, I nearly ended at the "Pearly Gates:" full lock-up emergency stop for some Bourbon St. refugee on a bicycle. Hey, the cars down by the River (Mississippi) are great too. I hope Dave's book is moving forward. I'd like to buy a copy before I'm too senile and blind to enjoy the "pichers," duhh. Okay Boris, ring that sucker (bell) again, this round's on me. Wattaya mean somebody stole the clapper? Great Granny's Gummers, first the light bulbs, then the "wet" twilight paper, now the "freebe bell" (nautical time keeper). Is nothing sacred anymore? Never mind, just hit the cuspidore with your soup ladel. HAPPY CANADA DAY to one and all. Oh, Tom more on K.C. a.s.a.p., thanks.
QUOTE: siberianmo Posted: 01 July 2005, 10:02:21 HAPPY CANADA DAY 2005! (Click to enlarge) From the guys at "Our" Place to all our friends north of the 49th ..... enjoy this wonderful holiday weekend! Drinks free to all who claim Canada as home - OR - who have relatives in Canada - OR - who have ever visited Canada - OR - know where Canada is! [tup][;)]
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