MARCH 2017 COFFEE POT Hot coffee with grits for the good Southerners and oatmeal for the Yanks. March on towards 13 years in April.

[lion88roar]

Mornin' Fellas

Been rather hectic here due to the merger at work. Hopefully things settle down post implementation in a couple weeks.

Have to build a volcano for Christina's Daisy Troop. Needs to be done by tomorrow evening's meeting... Could be interesting since I've been working into the evening for work... oh well.

Don - what happened to the train room? Damage from the storms?

[Banks]

Hello there,

rough nite last nite. Didn't get to bed till past midnight due to sons purchase of 2 calves at the sale barn. Had to rearrange the barn to separate them from the big ones.

Speaking of calves .Anyone hear from Pat in.Virginia?

About 2 am I woke up with acid reflux. Realized it wasn't that as my Cpap mask filled with puke. Can't remember the last time I threw up.

Slept a little late because I had to take mom to doc at 9. Suspect a UTI. Waiting now for the water they gave her to produce a urine specimen.

Prayers for those in need

[sir james I]

Sun and 50s today. But what looked like morning dew on the windshield was actually frozen. The sun hadn't reached the car yet. Hand doctoer has released me so it just a matter of waiting for it to heal on the inside. My friend that made all the military flats is still working on more.

S.J.

 

[cnw1995]

Aloha. Happy Tuesday. Ah, Brent, I remember volcano-making. This past Sunday, the youngest and I had to make a WW2-themed mobile for class. Modeling skills to the rescue again! I worked up some hangers and used the aircraft from Lionel's WW2 pylon, along with some other Army vehicles off some military flat cars. It all looked great! (Considering my youngest is 14, may you enjoy many years of similar projects with your kids!)

Wow, Roy, is it really in the 90s in Texas already? It's supposed to 70 by Friday here.

[rtraincollector]

Doug 86 here today.

No train news as of yet

I ordered the wheel for my right reat for the truck where we got hit back on the 11th. It broke the wheel and punctured the tire.

Not much else going on. talk to you all Later

[Buckeye Riveter]

It's Tuesday that must mean I'm in WV! Unfortunately I'm not near the Fifedog.  I had supper with an old friend tonight.  A great guy who lost his daughter this summer.  She was only 26.  Sad. 

 

[Banks]

Buckeye! !!Where've you been? ??

[SPMan]

Good evening all,

Just did a little shopping today and finished up my preliminary work for income tax.  Going to see financial advisor tomorrow who is located to hell and gone from where I live.  He used to be local.  Now he moved.  He comes to see me most of the time but he's stuck tomorrow.  We're getting a little drizzle thafternoon.  Maybe some rain tomorrow. Later,

Ray

[dougdagrump]

Evenin' All !

Welcome back Buckeye. One is not supposed to outlive their kids.

Was not a good boy late last week, extremely inapproprite dietary decisions. In plain words way to much salt = excessive water retention, made going up and down the steps difficult. Rabbit food thru the weekend so most of it is gone and back to what we consider normal.

Banks, I discovered that the Cpap with the face mask was an outstanding cure for sleep apnea, if you can't sleep you won't be bothered with the apnea. I used the mask for at the most one week and after maybe four or five hours of sleep during that period the mask was history.  I tried the "nasal pillows" and they work like a charm, been using them for almost two years now.   The only time they are troublesome is when my hayfever acts up.

RT, Sorry about the loss of the kitty.

Gettin' a little tired, time to call it a nite.

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

Semi-busy day at work.  Pain one was gone so pain two was quiet most of the day.  some people cause trouble just by being alive!!!  Weather was hot and cold on walk.  Going to be just cold tomorrow.  Tried to watch the Flash, but it was just too far out there.  Good news is that Izombie comes back April 4!!!!  Yea!   I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[wrmcclellan]

Evening all!

Long busy day today. Hit high 80's for sure. Starts to cool down tomorrow - high supposed to be 80.

 

[KRM]

Good morning,

Cold this morning with full sun, 29 heading to 39 and mid 70s by Friday. March, go Figure.

Yesterday I did get a jig made to glue the 45 degree pieces for the bents I am making to hold the elevated level straight section that will have the # 50 gang car MOW bump run directly running under it. I will try to post some pictures later. It will be about 13' of straight run. It is also the straight section between the two reversing loops. Rest of the day we were at the daughters and I was helping install a new counter top in the kitchen. I let Dan do the crawling around, I just handed out tools and advice. Now to get my tools back.  Dan's brother and dad were there to for the lifting. The whole thing came as a kit from Menards. Had everything needed to do everything. Nice set up.

Update:

Still working on the elevated reverse loop. The idea is to build this with the least interruption to the finished layout below it.

Here is a look at the concept of where I want to go and a few of the bents.

One other good thing is it has given me reason to buy a couple of new tools for the shed.  

 

 

 

 

 

[anjdevil2]

Looks good, Kev!

Freaking windy and cold here in Northern Central Jersey.....

V8Vega...Wanna race?  Have most, if not all, of  my Aurora ThunderJets and a couple of my Womp Womp 1/32nd cars and my 1/24 Cuda.....I'm well prepared. PLUS all the Aurora track to go with the HO stuff..

Worked until 11PM last night, from 0800 and an hour drive plus getting up at 6...this sucks.

Off to Annapolis this weekend as my nephew is getting married at the academy.  A weekend with the family should be fun.

Off to job 2, have to change and walk into the warehouse....about 20 feet.

 

 

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

Work was ok today.  Got home and there was a bill from state tax agency which did not start the evening off right.  Wife was on me to get cars packed and then second-guessed every move I made.   Probably excommunicated myself as I wrote emails to archdiocesan newspaper and to some idiot who writes high falutin' comments about various ethic questions for the same publication.  I just remember the last part of the old Irish philosophy, "...if you go to the other place, you will be so busy shaking hands with your friends, you won't have time to worry."   Sometimes....life....just ....wears.... you....down.   I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[Banks]

Hello there,

stress test results not what I was hoping for. Cardiac catherization scheduled for the 31st. Asked them to set it up that if I need stents it will be done at the same time without another procedure. Also going to request that I stay awake. 1st time I had one I was groggy but aware. Every time doc was going to shoot dye he'd tell me to watch the screen and say that one is open. Passed that one just fine. 2nd time they insisted on giving me something for "nerves" and it knocked me out. That time I had 3 minor arteries 30% blocked.  Doc said no problem till they are 50% or more. Hopefully still less than that.

Doug...I tend to be a mouth breather. I tried a mask once that fit over my mouth and had nasal pillows. Made my nose sore as he!!. Used a full face for years. My last new mask seals to my nose with a flap. It is much smaller and works great.

Best try to sleep.

 

Prayers for those in need

[rtraincollector]

Dennis take care. Also Spell Check doen't work here. ever since they got this great new hardware about a year or so ago. 

No real news for today. I've started cutting the doorway in the wall between the garage side and the storage room side. Why it wasn't built that way who knows. 

[SPMan]

Good afternoon all, I think I will try to make the TCA meet in Arcadia this Saturday.  I haven't been to one since before Christmas with all my problems.  It is a small meet but I like to socialize a little and see what's new.  They have a show and tell and a portable layout to run trains on.  I see we have a new local president now.  Steve Eastman.  I think he will be a good one.  I went to see my financial advisor yesterday and signed some papers.  I think we could have done it all by mail and saved me an 80 mile roundtrip driving.  I actually ran some trains today.  Just ran conventional stuff and cleaned the track a little.  Put on a Willie Nelson album out there and played "On The Road Again".  One of my fellow caregivers in the Alzheimers group I went to lost her husband yesterday almost one month to the day since Helen passed.  He had been living in a home too.   Now it's time to start living again.  I have to get on with it.  If my health holds up I would like to go see my relatives back East sometime but I will wait until all that snow melts.

Ray

[rtraincollector]

Ray snow is about all gone, and don't forget York the end of April  Just kidding you take your time. you been thru a lot. But I think it would be great for you to go see some of your relatives while your health is doing well. 

I think it would be a good break for you.

Hope all doing well. Tomorrow is TGIF so enjoy.

I got my Framing nailer in today. Next will be the lumber and the nails So I can close the garage door area off once I cut out the door way from the storage room side to the garage side. Why it was never done when it was built, I don't see why. You don't need a door, just a walk way between the two sides. I will also build a header and frame the door way out. I want to put two windows in the area the garage door is, when I build the wall there. 

[Banks]

TGIF!!!!!!

Testing for next Friday before work. Then leaving early to fry fish.

 

Prayers for those in need.

[cnw1995]

Aloha. Happy Friday! Supposed to reach 75 today - yippee! 45 and rain tomorrow though. That's March. Praying for good health for Banks and Dennis. 

Isn't the Menard's Morton Salt item neat?  Layout looking good, Kev.

[KRM]

Wow DougM,,83 degrees on The North Bluff today.    

Wasted the morning trying to get some deals at the Ritchie bros. Heavy equipment auction in Morris but seems everyone had more money and will to spend than me.

I did finished up my bents today and mocked up 12 foot of the straight run. Next will be the girder sides that will be made from strips of black smooth FRP / fiberglass reinforced plastic panel. Trying to decide if the bents should be painted in a concrete color or stained as the oak they are? What do you guys think?

 

 

[SPMan]

RT, I haven't been to York in quite a few years.  Been so long I don't remember.  I think it was around the year 2000.  I don't really need to buy anything.  Most of the guys I went with don't go anymore either.  It would be nice if I lived closer.  Cost too much when you live in California.  Had a short visit from my number two son today who lives in Riverside.  He came over for a dentist appointment in our town.  He wants to stick with our dentist even though he has moved.  Going to lunch today with my train buddies Larry and Bob.  TCA tomorrow.  Getting used to my new partial denture gradually.  Have a nice weekend,

Ray

 

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

Went to Beauty and the Beast Thursday night.  Two Thumbs Up!!!   Excellent movie.  Emma Watson IS a star.  She should get an Oscar nomination at least.   Now that is a musical.  Work has been busier than expected the last two days.  Will be really quiet next week.  Watched Grimm tonight and they killed off two of our favorite characters.  Final episode is next week.  Will anyone survive????   Got CTT today.  Good issue.  Went thru another box in the barn and most of the stuff is gone.   Going to see Lucas tomorrow.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[Banks]

Hello there,

fryed fish,shrimp and clams for 832 people through the door tonight. Haven't run the numbers but the average has to be north of 750.

Came home had a shower followed by a hot tub soak and a few minutes on the inversion table.

Now some wine while I post and unwind for sleep.  Up til a few weeks ago Mrs and I were the only ones who fryed fish for several years. Now there are at least 2 others that can do it so missing next week is no big deal.  could've Monday or Wednesday but I know I'm supposed to not work the day after so I chose Friday . Still looking forward to York. Dozing of here.

Later

Prayers for those in need

[submmbob]

Hello all

Back at work after a VERY busy week off.

We were successful in moving 1 electric locomotive, 1 flatcar, 2 wooden streetcar bodies, and 2 complete streetcars over to the new building. This involved moving around several of the buses already in the building to make room, including the motorhome I live in. At one point I even towed the 50K pound Japenese car across the building on temporary track w/ the Datsun!

Just tried to post a couple pics, but this site just does not like them I guess. They are on the other forum if you want to see them.

Kev - I think I would stain the bents. That way they may blend in better? Nice work btw

I finally found a decent deal on a Bowser 2 truck trolley car. Been looking for one of these for a while, but they tend to start around $100 and go up from there. Found this one for half of that. It is in good condition, but is missing one truck side frame. I can live w/ that.

I also got the parts I need for the #623 last week, but forgot to pick up some stranded wire so that project may have to wait a bit more.

I went to Dumas last week and picked up the speed controller I ordered and a running hardware kit for the subchaser. Boy do they have some beautiful stuff there. I took Mark w/ me who makes models of buses and streetcars for the museum. He was impressed and is now interested in one of their plane kits.

 

 

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  Partly cloudy and 59 along the Patterson Creek cut-off.  Temps in the 70's, so snow is long gone SPMan.  Fighting the flu right now, and I really wanted to go fishing today...

The women in my life want to send me to SC to spend a few days with Fifepup, for my birthday next month.  It's been a half year since I've seen him, so I hope I can work this into my schedule.  I'm a lucky man. 

Long day in rules class yesterday.  Very reminiscent of in-service training during my PD days.  It seems I've become the man with many hats at the RR.  This week's project was painting the 1309's interior woodwork.  It's a steady and patient task, and the CMO likes my work. 

Banks - only 30%...?  Fuhhgedabowdit....

cheapclassics - Find a happy place, and avoid the idiots.

KRM - I'd go flat black.  N-scale track nails make good rivet heads.

anjdevil - carefull with parking in Naplis.  Slim pickings on a weekend.

[sir james I]

Rainy and 60 today. sun and 75 yesterday.

I tried gray paint on mine, didn't blend well so I went with white.

Got CTT yesterday, looks like a good one but getting mighty THIN, must be on a diet.

S.J.

 

[KRM]

Rain and cool today, what a change a day makes.

The reason I have been thinking a concrete color is because I will be using these 2.5" x 1/2" strips with rounded corners as the pylons under the rest of the elevated loop and want them to look like concrete. Guess I will wait till the black FRP sheet gets here before I decide. 

[rtraincollector]

Kevin I may be wrong but seems like I have seen a cement color paint at Homedepot/lowes, it has a rough appearence also to boot. it's in a spray can. 

[KRM]

I have seen that also RT, The terxture is too big to look correct on 1:48th scale. I did use it for a parking lot and it worked good as gravel.

I did see this Stamped Concrete color by SW. May go with it.

https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW7655#/7655/?s=coordinatingColors&p=PS0