Hi guys, Weather will hit high 60s today then rain and falling temps tonight and the next few days. Been staying out of the house and away from the damn TV. Been working on upgrades to one of the trails out back that had water wash issues.
So the last few days I have been working on fixing the wash out of the back center trail and the culvert wash out. I got the south side of the west culvert done yesterday and pored the north side today. I will remove the north form tomorrow and put some back fill dirt down then top it with some gravel. I laid the 2" gravel on Monday and it firmed it way up. Raising the trail with the gravel should slow the wash so I think I will be good to go from here out.
Got to get back at it,
You guys have a goot one.
Rich, tell Jenni congrats on the new place.
Making progress.
Joined 1-21-2011 TCA 13-68614
Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL.
Hey all,
We had a small earthquake last night, about midnight. Nothing hurt, just a reminder they are still around.
Yesterday started out as a real good day, hung some pictures, got the door bell all taken care of, then... went to Lowes to check out materials for making gates. Decided to go with the vinyl, got a real good deal on the panels, 1/2 off. The size I need is well within the area that is not damaged. Had a discussion with the onsidte "expert", he strongly suggested a specific gate kit. Unfortunately it is NOT compatibile with the panel manufacturer. So need to pack it up and return it.
Kev, The trail looks really good!
Take care all and be safe!
Don
Afternoon folks from Lockdown town!
Cloudy and storms staying north of us.
Made a grocery run around noon - pretty well stocked now.
Kev - looks like you been "barking" those trees! Lookin good!
Dougsnotta - good one!
DonB - good thing no damage - as if there is not enough to worry about!
Fife - if it comes back that could happen!
Dennis - as I recently went though and inventoried all the trains - it was fun to remember when I bought each one and why I liked it at the time! My collection is pretty varied - but there is Post War O, Pre-War O and Std (repos), Modern (Lionel, MTH, Williams, Weaver, K-Line) with emphasis on O scale size and NYC. Also have/had all the 2 Century Club runs but I am slowly disposing of them. Also have a pretty good pile of accessories and buildings.
Regards, Roy
It was an earthquake ! I thought I had a dream that had made the earth move.
Happy Anniversary Mr. & Mrs. Murphy, and many more to come.
Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.
www.sd3r.org
Proud New Member Of The NRA
wrmcclellan Kev - looks like you been "barking" those trees! Lookin good!
Roy, those trees are dead from the Ash tree bug, (Emerald ash borer) China sent to us about 15 years ago. The bark just falls off. Cost us 30% or better of all the trees we had. I will cut the small ones that are in the way. I just wait for the big ones to fall and clean up the mess from there.
Hello there,
Another day same ol same ol.
Doug Murphy......Happy Anniversary
Weather has been crazy windy last few days windy sun, rain and snow flurries. Today was windy with sun got up to near 50.
Split a couple more billets of the ash tree in the yard today. Been doing it as I need it. Gonna have to break down and finish it to get it out of the yard. Back to the bath room tomorrow.
I'm hearing rumblings of a virtual York. Can somebody fill me in?
Off to bed soon.
Prayers for those in need and the end of this pandemic.
Banks, Proud member of the OTTS TCA 12-67310
Mornin' boys. Overcast and 43 along the Patterson Creek cut-off. Will be working on the train garden today. Spent yesterday at the office; nothing on the immediate horizon to pass on.
Here is the email that MTH sent out referencing "Virtual York"
http://mthelectrictrains.activehosted.com/index.php?action=social&chash=2ff385c6e75c56b7a5a93d9fcd0c82ee.4880&s=e144c062cec1a06b243b9e7241102ed7
It's more of a manufacturer showcase, but hey, it's s-o-m-e-t-h-i-n-g.
See that MTH is pushing back their catalog release.
Gloomy and 40's today. Just like the mood of Michigan. I got a home haircut yesterday, she did good. Wanted $12.00 though. I offered to cut her hair instead but for some reason she said no. I shall move along.
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
Good morning all,
Got a lot of 5 minute tasks done last night. Fixed a gate latch, trimmed among tulips and daffodils, picked up sticks and raised a concrete downspout runoff so it actually drains away from the house. 1.15 a gallon for gas in Indy. Rainy in Indiana. I hope everyone has a good day.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
Misting rain and 62. Forecast downgraded.
Not much on agenda.
Happy anniversary Doung and Wifey.
Try to stay away from Mikes Trash House. Had too many problems with them.
Enjoy the day and stay well.
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
Made day trip to Crown Point, IN yesterday to pickup the Lionel OO set I found online. My wife and I stopped on the way home to pick up some grocerys then back to home. Proper social distancing the whole time. Now I anxiously awate Gargraves to reopen so I can get the new OO track I need for my new layout. Stay safe out there in lockdown town! Mike and Michele T
Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome
Busier day than expected at work. Did very little at home last night. Weather drying out today. I hope everyone has a good day.
Mornin' boys. Rain and 51 along the Patterson Creek cut-off. Blah.
Did spend day in train room, working on this problem spot. Wound up having to dismantle a 3 foot section of benchwork to properly fix the issue. Woof.
Couldn't catch up to the "virtual YORK" thingie. Anybody else have luck?
Good morning from a fog covered and rain next three days North Bluff.
Govenor is keeping IL. on lock down tilll June. You can go to parks, golf, and garden centers. Now you have to wear a mask in public. Won't change much for me.
No train news but with the rain coming maybe I will get down there and do something?
SJ, your lucky she did not charge you $24.00 the way prices are going up!
Rained over night. 71 and going to 80. Partly sunny. Out to feed folks around the county. Later.
Morning fellow lock-downers!
Had a beautiful day yesterday. 84 and an evening breeze. Spent the afternoon cleaning the porch and porch clutter and then enjoyed the evening with some neighbors - distancing around the pool - and pitza delivered.
Repaired an issue with a friend's K-Line Amtrak F40PH. Nice loco. Headlights reversed from loco direction. Someone switched a plug inside.
Nice weather on tap finally for the next week! Yay! Can get some outdoor projects done. Got son to pick up some roofing felt and roofing nails so we can reroof the garden shed. Damaged from the tornado last Oct and had patched it. Have shingles left over from the house roof tornado damage repair.
Fife - ouch, disassembled 3 ft of bench work to fix something?
Kev - ouch2 , so sorry about the elm trees.
MikeT - I think the Lionel OO is very cool! My cousin had Lionel OO plus he built metal list for additional rolling stock. Surprising detailed for the time.
Anj - great news re Jenni's house closing finally taking place!
TGIF - -- -
Worked until 3 then unpacked boxes until 7, treated Mom and Jenni to Dominoes, then watched Star Trek and then bed at 10.
Jenni thanks you guys for the congas...been a long time coming for her.
Will be unpacking boxes until we are done, then I'm coming home to sleep - no bed in her house just yet. Still buried in the 2nd stoage unit, but we have a headboard!! She did get a rebate on the 1st unit. Supoosidly, we have help getting the furniture in the house Sunday - we shall see.
No train work yet. House has consumed everything, as I thought it would.
50ish today and rain through the weekend, 60ish on Sunday.
That's all from here!
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
Fife & Banks - I posted the youtube links for the Virtual York that Trainland uploaded after the event.
Roy, from this map it does not look like the Ash tree bug is in Texas yet. But most here and east have it already. If a tree is killed by it the wood needs to be used right away or it becomes punk and won't burn worth a hoot.
http://www.emeraldashborer.info/documents/MultiState_EABpos.pdf
Cloudy and 56.
We finally got a little bit of freedom back. You must wear a mask in any store. Big box stores can sell again, golf without cart, boating, lawn service, and nurseries can open. If you have a tumer growing inside you or need a new hip, your still out of luck. Oh but you can still get an abortion.
SJ, You can't try to possibly save a life but it is totally acceptable to take one.
I know, I'm not P.C. but ask me if I give rat's butt.
Good Evening,
Boy, there sure seems to be a lot of confusion across the nation regarding "stay at home", and "social distancing"!
We are still at home, aand will probably stay that way for awhile. In our case it really is not a significant issue. I can surely understand people need to get back to work, families need to be fed, and most bills still need attention. I sure hope people can find some patience to do the right thing. Especially our young people.
I've spent the last 3 days working on ONE gate! One day wire brushing the exsisting frame, its a wrought iron gate we use to have around our pool, and had a considerable amount of rust. Then second day painting the frame, and removing the wooden planks I had on the front of it. Today I began the reconstruction, replacing the hinged upright, and re-inforcing the vinyl panels with 2x3 and 2x2 inserts. Got the frame rehung, and now will just have to fasten the vinyl panel to the frame. So should finish it tomorrow. THEN have to repeat the same process for the other gate. Its a little bit warmer than I would prefer, (been upper 80's) but the time really passes fast.
I can honestly say I'm still impressed with how our Govenor has been handling this whole thing. He wasn't too happy about the beaches being re-opened, and encouraging people to think long and hard about it.
Oh yeah, I did get a haircut too, by Barber Kay. So I probably need to stay home anyway.
Take care all and please by safe!
I've emerged from the train room victorious. I've been putting off filling in a foot-and-a-half hole in my Cumberland City area, that reveals 2 hidden return loops. When I built the city, I just hadn't decided what I was going to put there. The challenge was to mask a 6" gap between the 2 tracks of 3-rail on the bottom, with the loop of AF directly above. And I needed to work withing a space of about 3" of depth in doing so. Easy, right?
I decided on a warehouse concept, based on the former Western Maryland structure that once towered over the Queen City. It would be built in 2 halves. The bottom would be a flat loading dock, that would separate the 2 tangents of 3-rail, allowing the inner track to pass in front.
Don't stick that lamp too far out there!!!
The upper half would act as a scenic viewblock, for the AF loop to run behind. I originally wanted to add a peaked roof (like the prototype), but decided against obscuring the N-scale factory in the backdrop.
The building is comprised of 2 AmeriTown buildings from the old layout. The 3 story structures were totally stripped apart, repainted, and spliced together. I wanted to avoid the glare of the window glazing, so Youngest Princess came up with the idea of using yellow construction paper for the upper windows. I left the lower unit's windows uncovered, to allow for monitoring the back 3-rail loop. Alexis also did the weathering. An awning of corrigated craft paper hides the subroadbed between the 2 halves. The entire top half, with awning, lifts out for track cleaning.
Great job Fife!
Rain and 45 degrees will be about it for the whole day here.
Not much else. Waiting on some warm weather.
Bacon and grits for breakfast. Cloudy and 30% chance of rain this evening. Going out to plant garden. Tomato plants and peppers are getting too big for big pots.
Fifey, great job as always.
KEVd, stay in and enjoy the layout.
Stay well.
V8Vega it was cold clear up to last Tuesday, yesterday 96 and today 95. KEV must laugh at me when I say it's cold.
it was cold clear up to last Tuesday, yesterday 96 and today 95. KEV must laugh at me when I say it's cold.
Dennis, it is all what your used to. I don't mind 45 degrees but when you add the damp weather on to it. Just sucks.
I may have to do just that Chief!
Even the turkey don't like this cool damp weather today. Just sucks for us all. Three males and they don't feel like showing off today.
Afternoon folks!
Sunny and cool today. 70? Grilling out this evening - will be pleasant.
Had a nice social distancing dinner at another neighbor's house last night.
Made some progress on the 'junk'/storage bedroom yesterday.
My buddy has decided to proceed on the trade for my CCI 773 Hudson and I keep the J3a. First right of refusal deal. Either one gets first crack at the traded loco if one changes their mind or wants to dispose of their collection. Trade back or pay a reasonable going price. I have done this deal with several others successfully. A 'no regrets' transaction. He likes the 773 as it will run on O36/O42 and the J3a will not.
Fife - Nice job!
Anj - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Fife.....looks good
50s and break from the rain here. Returns for tonight and tomorrow. Watched a bit of the Virtual York Thursday night, didn't stay long as the new stuff doesn't interest me. Last night I did watch the TrainWorks segment on the 1st night replay, Lou Palumbo tonight and maybe fast forward thru 2nd night.
Best move on.
Prayers for those in need and this pandemic to end.
Fife...Looks good.
Cleaned garage today.
First tree in the woods starting to leaf out.
One more piece of track and the upper mainline will be complete.
Has anyone used Flex Paste for scenery?
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
Wow! What a GREAT JOB Fife! You and Alexis really did a fine job! Those pictures are an awesome scene, I like the construction paper in the windows also. You are really fortunate to have so much talent available.
Chief, May be you can find some pickle barrels or drums to use for the planting? 30% rain? That would be no chance here. I was running trains for a little bit, the Challenger sure does a great job, and runs really nice.
Dennis, The few times I've been on the freeway, I too have noticed how fast people are going. Also I've seen a LOT of tire donuts in the streets. Saw that are daily televised pursuit had a vehicle towing a "spike strip" tonight. Of course he was running on flat tires for quite awhile.
Kev, Nice pictures! When is turkey season? Looks tempting! Is that a bird feeder in the yard? BTW sure yard and garage sure looks nice.
Roy, Seems you and Janice are doing very well with the social distancing and dinner partys. More power to you! Can't imagine you guys would have a very bad junk room. I like the trade option you have working, sounds like a win-win.
Banks, Are the videos on You Tube? I keep missing them due to the time change. I assume that for the most part they are kinda like infomercials.
Buckeye, Only one more section of track to be done? You've really made progress in a short time! Looks really great, should be a lot of fun! Good luck with the scenery.
I finally finished the first gate, fortunately it came out pretty good. The only bad thing is in the "gate kit" I needed to purchase, much of the hardware I'm not using. The hinges that were included are well made and strong. They do require a 4x4 post for mounting, and I am not using one. Not enough room. Then some interconnecting brackets I don't need. The only thing I'm actually using is 2 hollow vinyl uprights, which I reinforced with 2 2x3's. (1 for each gate.) I think I really blew it on that. The kit cost $100 and I probably used $10 of the material. The "fence" panels, 1 for each gate, I got for 50% of the price, ($20), because they were damaged on one end. Which was excess width anyway. Oh well. Will start the 2nd one tomorrow.
The weather is cooling down as of tomorrow, record highs broken all over the place.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month