Buckeye Riveter Don...I will let you find your own way to Deer Ridge Junction in Rocky Mountain National Park where US 36 starts. From there drive east 1381 miles until you see me standing by the road near the Shell Station. I'm standing there now and its cold. How much longer until you show up?
Don...I will let you find your own way to Deer Ridge Junction in Rocky Mountain National Park where US 36 starts. From there drive east 1381 miles until you see me standing by the road near the Shell Station. I'm standing there now and its cold. How much longer until you show up?
Good Morning,
Kev, Your definetely correct not a lot of scenic highways, but is extremely enjoyable for me, it always brings lots of memories back, corn boils, county fairs, etc.. Just traveling to neighboring communities for a day. AND a huge appreciation for the "Bread Basket" and heartland of the country.
Buckeye, I really appreciate your enthusiasum ! But just a little concerned regarding the weather forecast in the mid-west. It will probably be a few days before I would get there. So I looked up the Shell station on my GPS, and called and made arrangements for them to have some coffee & donuts available for you. They did say in the event they run out of donuts they always have Cream O' Wheat, and Grits available. And besides you need to be inside working on the layout.
The forecast I saw for the mid-west is bone chilling, with that Artic cold front coming down, I imagine its going to be too cold to even snow. Be carefull !!
Going to go get busy, lots of errands for the day!
Stay warm!!!!!!!!!
Don
Good morning, Started out COLD! -1 when I got up but the sun has a good angle and it feels good already even though it is only 5 now.
Don as much as I don't like the flat land I do like the pace out here and where we are, it is the river valley and it is nothing like most of the state. 6 cars at a intersection at the same time is unheard of.
Looks like we will use all of the 1,000 gallons on our LP contract this year. First time ever. So I got the fireplace kicking today and the shed is on low.
I see the wife's car needs a new sticker for the plate. That is $103.37 here if you order it on line. $101 if you do it at the DMV. What do you guys pay?
Got to get to town later to get a card for wifey's Birthday this weekend.
Joined 1-21-2011 TCA 13-68614
Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL.
Afterrnoon. Sun coming out. 50 degrees suddenly. Sun makes the difference.
Errands and Town Hall this afternoon.
Later.
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
KRM I see the wife's car needs a new sticker for the plate. That is $103.37 here if you order it on line. $101 if you do it at the DMV. What do you guys pay?
You really don't want to know.
Wish the Wife a happy Birthday.
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
Evenin' boys. I'm ready for Spring. I was all settled in last night, when Middle Princess called and said she slid out of control in her development, enroute to her nursing shift. FifeDaddy to the rescue, took her up to Cumberland to the hospital, and made it back to my street. And got stuck. After several attempts at my hill, nice neighbor lady said to put the Durango in her yard. Retrieved it this morning once the road was plowed. Never did get to watch the race.
Spent some time in the train room today working on more hard-shell scenery. Plaster cloth strips over a lattice-work of cardboard strips. Really taking shape.
anjdevil - I viewed your entire "series", and got a good picture of your layout. Now when you say you have a 100 year old house, exactly how old is your roof? I'm recommending you do a little pre-planning, and get something between the rafters. I have a two-fold idea. Since you like working with styrofoam sheets, lets cut some thick white sheets to fit between the rafters, creating some insulation, but also setting the next light effect. Get some more blue rope lighting (I used GE brand, that lasted forever), and attach it along the back edges of your layout, just out of view. With the white styrofoam up, the blue rope lights will create a cool backlit glow, and help give your layout a more finished look (especially on your winter-scape areas). You can gather up a whole "range" of those mountain fronts to place along the back, creating more dramatic effect. Also, for the wall with the single window, cover that with mirrors. It will "lenghten" your layout (I recall seeing this on some of the TM layouts). Keep sharing those videos.
Evening folks!
A new record low 'high' was set today at 32. Norms for this time of year is 63. No record lows in sight however (16/17). 22 last night and same tonight. Possible 70 by the weekend!!!!!
Dennis - that is great re your church!
Fife - Anj - gotta be careful with foam/insulation against a roof, esp up nawth. Have to have an air channel between roof and insulation to prevent ice damming and moisture buildup. They make these plastic/pressed foam inserts that go between the rafters and insulation to provide an air gap, but you still need a relief/exhaust at the peak.
Kev, plate renewal here runs around $65, but that does not include the state inspection, and ya gotta provide proof of insurance at the inspection.
Regards, Roy
Hello there,
most of yesterday's snow didn't lay on the pavement and the driveways were bare by noon.
After skin doc this morning I spent an hour and a half at Home Depot and Lowes ciphering what I need for the bathroom reno.
Some time this pm looking at some hot water heat changes. The dang guy that added the radiator to the bathroom (me) didn't include valves so I'll have to drain the heat to remove the radiator. While it's drained I'm going to add provisions for another radiator in the basement.
Sent off the Tahoe ECM Thursday pm and got it back in today's mail. Really quick turnaround. Put it back in and Tahoe started and ran 1st time I turned the key. Now to put the dashboard back together.
Bed is calling.
Prayers for those in need
Banks, Proud member of the OTTS TCA 12-67310
Good evening all,
Cold in Hoosierland but sunny. Went for a short walk today. Got to leave at 3 PM. No traffic. Wife and I finished puzzle tonight. Ran some standard gauge tonight. Cannot get 8E to reverse properly. May have some put in a 3 way like I did for the 10E. 10E was restored. 8E has original paint. Not sure if it matters. Got MR and Trains today. Both look good. I hope everyone has a good day.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
Dang it. It is March. What is up with the snow and cold temperatures we are seeing lately? Wind chill this morning was sub zero when I took the dog out for a walk this morning.
Back from Ky. Saw our accountant, got a druveway culvert installed so we can now get onto our 20 acres, and walked the perimiter of the 20 acres, finding all of the survey pins. Would have never found them without the Garmin GPS gizmo I bought. Also found what looks like a spring coming out of the side of the hill. Made a note to take a water sample and have it tested to see how good it is.
The Garmin seems to repeat locaton within about a 20 foot radius. One of the features is a capability of recording the track that you walk. Was really entertaining to see the track I walked on one corner of the property that was marked with three hatch marks on a 24" white oak - back and forth, back and forth in several different directions before I found it.
Also stopped in at the county building inspector's office to learn about what I'll need for permits. Looks like I'll need several - grading, building, plumbing, electrical, etc., etc. At least I now know what sort of information to collect.
The next step will be obtaining a transit and starting to layout the road and collecting data for a more detailed topo map of the areas we plan to develop on the property.
The robotics team is off to their first competition this week. Watching some of the competitions that were held this weekend, we are optomistic that we will do well.
On the train front, I got a Lionel catalog from Charles Ro today. Looks like I'm going to put orders in for several pieces of rolling stock. The Legacy NYC Hudsons look neat, but they are pricey. I'll have to wait a bit to see how the funding develops before making a decision on that one.
About all for now.
Morning. Cold and cloudy. Guessers can't find the sun they forecasted. Snow on the coast [not a usual thing].
Long day after coffee with a Menninote pastor.
Have a good one.
fifedog anjdevil - I viewed your entire "series", and got a good picture of your layout. Now when you say you have a 100 year old house, exactly how old is your roof? I'm recommending you do a little pre-planning, and get something between the rafters. I have a two-fold idea. Since you like working with styrofoam sheets, lets cut some thick white sheets to fit between the rafters, creating some insulation, but also setting the next light effect. Get some more blue rope lighting (I used GE brand, that lasted forever), and attach it along the back edges of your layout, just out of view. With the white styrofoam up, the blue rope lights will create a cool backlit glow, and help give your layout a more finished look (especially on your winter-scape areas). You can gather up a whole "range" of those mountain fronts to place along the back, creating more dramatic effect. Also, for the wall with the single window, cover that with mirrors. It will "lenghten" your layout (I recall seeing this on some of the TM layouts). Keep sharing those videos.
Fife - The roof I think we're in year 15 of 20. I have to check, the previous owners were pretty good about keeping up on the house. The rafters are about 24" on center and they vary between 22" to 25" and there is no ridge pole, but the peak has re-enforcements in between the rafters for strength. Plan is to install insulation with paperbacking and leave about 2' open on the bottom, that's where the utilities are and I can't cover them up (wiring and such), then 1/8th drywall it. But now that I think about it, it might be more cost effective to use white foam in place of insualtion and drywall. This may be something to think about.
I have the blue rope light on the Spooky Town side of the layout and the Princess and I love the effects, so, yes we will be doing that along the edges of the layout.
THose mountains were on my layout from 1960 to 1969 and definitely want a couple more. I thing I have more Dept. 56 mountains hanging around, just need to find them. You can see the clutter I'm working around...lol
Thanks for the tips, will implement them as soon as time and money allow (I like that mirror idea.......time to hit the garage sales).
I have been spending more time at "my" house, but Mom is having an ablasion on Tuesday and probably stick aroung the house next weekend to keep on eye on her. We'll see what happens. I would REALLY like to finish Spooky Town first, it's a shorter term project with bigger gains. That and 4 more power drops to the outer rims of the layout are the goals for this weekend. Noticed a power drop with my LC+ Blue Comet and K-Line Voltage car over last weekend.
I am the monster in your head...And I thought you'd learn by now, It seems you haven't yet.I am the venom in your skin --- Breaking Benjamin
Good afternoon,
Hi guys, another cold day here. I have had enough already. Sitting at 18 degrees and that will be about it. Cooking wood trying to use up the wood pile so I can clean off the porch and re-stack a new pile. Got a reminder from the dentist that I got to get my teeth cleaned tomorrow. I had forgot all about that.
Trying to make up my mind if I want to rebuild the rear deck this summer or wait till next year?
On the train front not much. I did put away my 2065 Hudson and 6026W tender that has been on the table since I got the Hudson from John back in 2013 and I replaced it with the RMT CSX Bang.
Not much else.
Good Afternoon from an overcast 25°F Southern Ohio,
I’m putting together the AF two rail track for the inner loop on the layout and have it about ¾ together. Every piece or so I verify continuity on both rails so when I get power to the track it should work well. Then add power taps to where the train slows due to voltage drop. That method worked for the three rail outer loop. The 22090 transformer is a tad bit noisy. It may just be a loose screw allowing excessive vibration.
We’ve had the Plymouth Barred Rock chicks for about five days now and they are doing well, eating and drinking and growing. The kids and I have been handling them a bit every day so they get accustomed to being handled. We’ve got them in a tub in the garage with 2 heat lamps and the next few nights are going to be really cold (15°F) so hopefully they will stay warm enough.
Both of the twins, Felicity and Gabriel have their driver’s permit now. Felicity is really a good driver, Gabriel, well, let’s say he keeps things exciting.
8N - Which Garmin are you using? I’d like to find more of my property line pins.
Spank - Does it seem that teens today have more drama than when we were in school?
Banks - I glad you got the Tahoe fixed with the new ECM.
Fife, Anj & Roy - The insulation blockers work well and they are only a buck or so each
Don - If you get over this way be sure to come south and we’ve got a room for you and Kay. We’ll take you on a tour but it would not be a cool as the tour you took us on.
May God Bless you and your families on this Fat Tuesday
Jim
Very busy day at work. Still cold outside. Worked on DC layout tonight. Maybe HO or Standard gauge Wednesday night. Should be quiet at work tomorrow. I hope everyone has a good day.
9 degrees at 7am on Ash Wednesday. Who'd a thunk?? Goin to Mass at 630.
Having trouble finding a monoflow T for the added radiator. ACE ordered one this morning. More prep work for that today.
Phish.....that was the original ECM reprogrammed to not need all the anti theft stuff, plus some tweaking that should improve fuel economy without hurting performance. A lot of time on YouTube and forums and I found this a common problem with Chevy pickups and Tahoe of this Era and the mechanism in the steering column is a pain as it ages so best to get rid of the need. If you sign a waver they will eliminate all the pollution crap. Since testing is not done in my part of PA I should have but didn't think of it at the time.
Car license here are $42 per year plus $60 and up for annual inspection.You have to show proof of insurance for that. Trucks start at +/- $80 and go up depending on weight.
Rich..............consider going with something foil backed. Anything but the white beady stuff. I learned the hard way that it burns really quick and hot with a lot of smoke. The pink or blue will quit burning when the source is removed.
Fife....I'll be thinking of you Sunday AM. Have fun
Best get on with the Day
Prayers for those in need.
32 and sunny. Cold but not like you all in the north.
Errands and maybe train box as warm inside.
Da Chief is sitting in a heat wave. We have sun and 12 degrees.
We had our punch-key yesterday but only 1. It's a big deal here as one of the Detroit suburbs has a polish heritage.
S.J.
"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks
Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC) - Detroit3railers- Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS
Morning all. 37* going to 51*.
Before I got disability (VA) I was paying like $83 a year for the truck Plates. My license runs like $20 fo 5 years. I now don't pay for my tags.
Not much going on here today.
Banks - I plan on being at the Altoona show Sunday. Not sure what time.
anjdevil - Lots of good suggestions, but definitely get something up.
fifedog Banks - I plan on being at the Altoona show Sunday. Not sure what time. anjdevil - Lots of good suggestions, but definitely get something up.
I went and got my teeth cleaned, and like always they do their best to find something to make you pay more. He wants to replace a old filling that is not causing me any problems. I said maybe in a few months if you find out what it is going to cost me first. Then a trip to Menards for some LED lights and a Moen 1225 faucet cartage then picked up some hot dogs from Bozo's for lunch. Installed the cartage now I am going to swap out the basement CFLs with the new LEDs.
13 degrees when I got up and in the 20s now, not a lot else.
I see why you did not want to tell us RT.
Good Afternoon,
ANOTHER rainy day! And more predicted for the next week, 5 out of 7 days. I don't recall it raining so much, ever. I been draining the pool every 3 or 4 days. The biggest benefactor of all this is the body shops. And know one saying anything about the drought! The mountain resorts are saying they will be skiing through July 4th, imagine! They are reporting between 25 and 30 feet of snow. I have a strong feeling the regional geology may be changing a lot!!
Helped Kay take her dad to the VA this morning, then to a Dr's appt. Couldn't believe the VA! There was no parking had to park on the opposite side of the hospital campus after I dropped them off. By the time I walked back to where they were, the appointment was finished. So I walked back to get the car, in the rain! Had a good 2 mile walk. Then to the Dr., almost as bad there but not quite. Then took him back to his residence, and she brought me home, then gone to check on her Mom. I don't know how she does it, day in & day out.
Regarding the vehicle license, it cost us $140 on the El Camino, and $160 on the Explorer. El Camino has to have commercial plates 'cause its a truck. Then SMOG test every 2 years run $70, IF nothing is wrong. Explorer SMOG is $40.
Terrible situation going on here, Santa Anita race track (horse), has had 19 animals put down since Jan., so they closed the track to inspect the track and find out why. It was closed for 2 weeks and determined safe. It just reopened, and had to put down 2 more horses. So now it is closed indefinitely to try to resolve. Believe me PITA has been all over this! I understand how frail a horses leg is, but you would think that over a 100 years someone would have come up with a means of sling or something that would permit healing and not just have to destroy the animal. Really sad!
Been spending time in train room cleaning track, and running old conventional engines. Its really fun watching them labor along. Surprisingly enough not a lot of jerking or squeaking, so oiled & greased and back on the shelf.
Take care all, and stay healthy!
Stuff blew up on an upgrade today. No telling when we will get if fixed. Sunny but cold. Watched an episode of "Have Steam Engine Will Travel" tonight. Too much funny stuff, not enough engine talk. I hope everyone has a good day.
Morning. For all the Yanks. 49 and sunny. Warming fast. No wind.
Edgecombe tomorrow.
Quick check in
28 and no wind just now coming home from fish fry prep. Feels like a heat wave.
Found the basement toilet leaking around the wax ring. Replace it and a primary doc appointment this PM will be my day.
Best get toit.
Good Afternoon from overcast 35°F Southern Ohio,
I took off work early to assist at Mass and distribute ashes. It felt strange to drive home during daylight hours. It was a busy evening but I did get to assemble a few more sections of the AF inner loop that has the two RH switches and a rerailer. I may get to power the inner loop up this weekend. Probably use a 21160 loco to test the loop. It is a simple reliable engine with no reverse unit.
My bride’s mom is back in the hospital and upon release will need 24-7 care. The other siblings refuse to consider assisted living alternatives but at the same time will not help with the care of their mom in her home, my bride is trying to do it all. Sounds familiar?
Banks - last few wax rings I’ve put in were waxless with a sleeve made by Fluidmaster. They work good even when the bowl is not lowered perfectly and stay centered on the toilet base.
Don - Our daughter who we visit in LA has had some major water black mold issues from a leaking roof and the amount of rain you’ve had on the left coast.
May God bless you and your families
Hi guys still cold but will be warming starting tonight.
Went to Farm & Fleet and got deer corn for the last time and some cat flea stuff then headed to Walmart for beer.
When I got home, after lunch I pulled left rear door panel off the Ranger and soaked latch with WD-40 and worked it till it freed up. Works good now. It was rusted in the open position and would not lock the bottom of the door. The front door latches to the rear door and when I would go around a right hand curve the PITA door ajar light and buzzer would come on. I was going to get a new latch but got to thinking about how everything has rust issues with that truck so I thought I would look at it first. Glad I did the latch cost $70.00+
Beer time!
Prayers for the mom-in-law, Stur-fish. Quiet day at work. Weather better for walk. Went to see latest "How to Train Your Dragon". Unless you are a big fan of the series, I cannot recommend it. Disney was promoting live action Dumbo and that looks to be terrrible. Ugh. Taking tomorrow off to take wife to eye specialist for routine checkup. I hope everyone has a good day.
Survived the deep freeze. and it made it to 74 today! Finally! But with the changes upward in temps, here comes the traditional Spring violent weather.
Still very busy and have kept up, but nothing to say and too tired if I did.
Getting ready for spring break trip next week with son. Looking forward to it.
Sun going to 38 today. First time above 32 in quite awhile.
My dad had 3 brothers all bike riders and grampa had an Indian sales shop. However dad said after eating about 20 feet of gravel road he quit riding.
Got the car washed yesterday and gassed @ $2.49 gal. up ten cents from last week,
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