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For those who desire one to "spark it up" with controversy!!!

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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 9, 2005 4:52 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Capt Bob Johnson

kimbrit --- Ah so, the worm squirms! You don't suppose that the parlevous and Auchtung boys held out of Iraq because they were major suppliers to Saddam do you? I think that was more of a reason to them than anything that has been published to date, including the erroneous intel! Given the intel available at the time and not what has been discovered in hindsight, I think George & Tony made the right decision; however, I would have tried to keepa my hands off the whole middle east thingy from the word go ---- it's been going on for thousands of years in one form or another and we ain't gonna stop it! Can't stand the French I have met so far in my life and just tolerate the Krauts. Just love to hear them say "Dumkoff Amerikaner" under thier breath, and then ask them who lost WW II --- Likewise wondering what the France' accented German would sound like today if it weren't for the old country & the colonies!


Capt Johnson,

I think Kim was talking about the Falkland Islands Conflict. I must admit, I know little about the effect that had on the British People.

[4:-)] Capt Carrales
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Posted by Capt Bob Johnson on Sunday, January 9, 2005 5:22 PM
Yes, he was, I was just drawing the line on along the tracks to it's logical extention in the next century! Along with being a S--t stirrer I also try to see the thoughts behind the public pronouncements. You'd be amazed hat how many positions while touted as moral are simply expedient justification for financial or greed realities! Perhaps those who claim it to be a war over oil were right, but I don't think that was anywhere near the top reason. They just needed a war somewhere to pull the world economy out of trouble!
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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 9, 2005 7:35 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Capt Bob Johnson

Yes, he was, I was just drawing the line on along the tracks to it's logical extention in the next century! Along with being a S--t stirrer I also try to see the thoughts behind the public pronouncements. You'd be amazed hat how many positions while touted as moral are simply expedient justification for financial or greed realities! Perhaps those who claim it to be a war over oil were right, but I don't think that was anywhere near the top reason. They just needed a war somewhere to pull the world economy out of trouble!


Capt Johnson,

I know you will never hear this man's radio station, albiet you might want to try the political commentary at his website...

http://www.ericvonwade.com

His message board...

http://www.ericvonwade.com/community/boards.asp

...is a great place to vent political views. He is a conservative talkshow host, but he lets any and everyone post their views there.

Capt Johnson, tell us a bit about your layout. You said, if memory serves, that it was in its initial stages, so is mine. Maybe we can share techniques!

Capt Carrales

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Posted by Capt Bob Johnson on Sunday, January 9, 2005 8:00 PM
It is raised. Area devoted to railroad is about 45 feet x 85 feet. Started by having 3'wide concrete walk poured about a foot outside where I had planned my outside loop of trackage. Then placed 2008 dry laid landscape blocks 7 courses high (28 inches) using inside edge of walk as back line of retaining wall. Brought in 30 twelve wheeler loads of fill dirt to fill it, but left hole where eventual pond would be.

Laid outside loop in Aristo SS track with 20' Dia minimum curve for mainline. Trackage kinda done like real RR in that I mixed 3/8 crushed stone 2 parts with 1 part stone dust to lock it together, minimum 4 inches deep, tamped it down and leveled it out. Then set track on that with power brought to it about every 50 feet using low voltage lighting wire that was laid within the stone base under the track (so i don't dig it when planting), then ballasted with mix of 2/3 stone dust and 1/3 3/8" stone. Havent had any washouts or movement other than one place where fill dirt under stone base washed out before pond was installed.

Once perimiter trackage was laid and running, brought in another 9 loads of dirt and placed them on top with a gradall to make a mountain out of. ( Highest Mt. in State of Delaware) 1 week after this I had a heart fart and lost the 2004 construction season, didn't get ok from Dr. to do any digging until October, and just last week got permission to do heavy digging.

Only thing done in 2004 season was to have a contractor install fish pond (about 19,000 gal) which is about 22 feet wide, 42 feet long and 32 to 40 inches deep! We have a waterfall running, but it's location is temporary until I get exact location of trackage on mountain loop for a special effect I have in mind.

Don't this beat the heck out of talking politics????
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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 9, 2005 8:34 PM
What about we all get togther go to Normandy, rent some WW 2 uniforms and a few rowing boats. Then re enact the "D" Day landing at Sword beach and get our wives and families to throwm stones at us to simulate German machine gun fire.

Reason I specifies "Sword" as I think that is where the Canadians landed and we can exclude Brian from jpoining us


Huh What do youy think gentlemen, if Kim, Troy and I have enough to drink we just might do it!


Rgds Ian
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Posted by grandpopswalt on Monday, January 10, 2005 2:20 AM
Ian I'm with you. The reinvasion of Normandy would make about as much sense as the recent invasion of Iraq.

Walt
"You get too soon old and too late smart" - Amish origin
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Posted by Capt Bob Johnson on Monday, January 10, 2005 7:20 AM
Ian, Can't do that. Since I was born in 1940 the clothing I wore then wouldn't qualify as a uniform and were a trifle (about 350 pounds worth) smaller; and George has got my custom tailor "Omar the Tentmaker" pinned down in Iraq!
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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 10, 2005 8:08 AM
Hi espeefoamer
Just one question which period are you looking at when you say English plain and boring Pre or Post Grouping or BR.
I won't tell you what to do with the Deltic I have a love to hate relationship with diesles exept the very early ones.
In Aus not that long ago there was a strong UK or US influence dependant on which state you where in now they seem to be trying to pick the best of both influences.
regards John
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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 10, 2005 10:41 AM
Gentlemen, I have to apologise to you all for everything I have said about those people at the other end of the tunnel, (shouting) WE ARE GOING TO BLOODY FRANCE FOR OUR HOLS!! I know i must be going soft in the head but the deciding factor on this is that I am so pi**ed off with airports, especially the Greek ones and the morons our holiday companies send out there as reps. So, we decided to take the car over in June and have a week driving around - I don't have to speak to them. We might go again in September when Iandor's there, if we enjoy it, and re-enact the D-Day landings. I must admit I've always had a soft spot for the narrow guage railways that where all over the place once upon a time so all may not be lost.
Bonjour,
Kim
[tup]
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Posted by grandpopswalt on Monday, January 10, 2005 1:31 PM
Kim,

While you're there you may want to try to find that fantastic garden railway in Dijon that was featured in GR in the February 2003 issue. The owner is a great modeler and a master photographer.

Walt
"You get too soon old and too late smart" - Amish origin
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 5:11 PM
Any new takers on this topic? It was a good one back in the day!!!
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 5:12 PM
Any new takers on this topic? It was a good one back in the day!!!
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 6:46 PM
In general I do not like american trains at all, too big, grosse and ugly biggest isnt always best.

However ihave come to appreciate several parts of american trains.

!) Moguls, I would love a mogul engine, with the spark arrestor on top of a big chimney.
2) American boxcars, big and colourful look great going around your layout.
3) I think American tankers look more substantial than European ones.

I do not understand why mopre hasn't been done wwith australian trains after all we are doing a lot of new stuff, not pulling thibngs down.

Most of the worlds really big trains are Australian ie 2 miles long pulled by 5 or 6 prime movers travelling 2500 miles in one hit.


Rgds ian
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 7:00 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by iandor

In general I do not like american trains at all, too big, grosse and ugly biggest isnt always best.

However ihave come to appreciate several parts of american trains.

!) Moguls, I would love a mogul engine, with the spark arrestor on top of a big chimney.
2) American boxcars, big and colourful look great going around your layout.
3) I think American tankers look more substantial than European ones.

I do not understand why mopre hasn't been done wwith australian trains after all we are doing a lot of new stuff, not pulling thibngs down.

Most of the worlds really big trains are Australian ie 2 miles long pulled by 5 or 6 prime movers travelling 2500 miles in one hit.


Rgds ian


I too like Moguls, also Ten-Wheelers and Atlantics. The simple Prarie 2-6-2 is also a favorite of mine. Aussie trains have always struck me as a bit of a mix between American/European. You blokes need the technology of the American west and the innovation of European lines to address the grades and expanses of the Continent Dunnunder, the result is a perfect mix...at least in my opinion... that has grown into a unique set of rules.

Capt Carrales
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 9:17 PM
Ian, Maybe you could take some railfan photos for those of us unfamilar with Aussie locos? Or point us to a website that may have pictures of such Locos?
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Posted by RhB_HJ on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 11:29 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by carpenter matt

Ian, Maybe you could take some railfan photos for those of us unfamilar with Aussie locos? Or point us to a website that may have pictures of such Locos?


Matt,

Have a look at these http://members.iinet.net/~rjtonkin/arp.html

Enjoy!
Cheers HJ http://www.rhb-grischun.ca/ http://www.easternmountainmodels.com
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 6:00 AM
controversy
na i just like american diesels no i love american diesels!
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 7:27 PM
Thanks, however other than the Steam loco's the others looks very North American.

Enjoyed them! Thanks!
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Posted by RhB_HJ on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 7:33 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by carpenter matt

Thanks, however other than the Steam loco's the others looks very North American.

Enjoyed them! Thanks!


Precisely!

Probably the reason Ian didn't get around to posting some of the proto pics.[:)][:D]

The steamers look generally very British.
Cheers HJ http://www.rhb-grischun.ca/ http://www.easternmountainmodels.com
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 8:20 PM
This post as been dormant a LONG time...shall we "SPARK IT UP" once again!!!

Major Carrales
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Posted by RhB_HJ on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 8:30 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Capt Carrales

This post as been dormant a LONG time...shall we "SPARK IT UP" once again!!!

Major Carrales


Sure, why not!

It was only yesterday that one of my German friends, who models NA, sent me a picture with one of those ugly modern BNSF diesels.
He was so disgusted with the looks that he took "Photo-Shop" and improved them. Let's say they got "lampooned"!!!
They still didn't look all that nice, but once something is designed ugly it is very hard to make it pretty. Other than starting from scratch! [;)][;)][}:)][}:)][:p][:p]
Cheers HJ http://www.rhb-grischun.ca/ http://www.easternmountainmodels.com
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Posted by Train 284 on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 10:12 PM
Personally, I prefer US locos anyday! No two locos look alike,in my opinion anyway, but euro locos all kind of follow that same line. I personally do like all locomotives, no matter where they are, but I guess being around American steam for my whole life has really gotten me attracted to it!

If anyone cares, I REALLY hate the shrill whistles of Euro locos! ugh! horrible![xx(][:O][banghead] Nothing like the lovely deep tones of US steamers.

Just my 2 cents, don't flame me to much! Everyone has there own opinions. I grew up with Thomas and I always wondered why those trains looked so different from what I had seen in the museum.

[:I]
Matt Cool Espee Forever! Modeling the Modoc Northern Railroad in HO scale Brakeman/Conductor/Fireman on the Yreka Western Railroad Member of Rouge Valley Model RR Club
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Posted by underworld on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 10:22 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Capt Carrales

Recently my Daughter, Micaela, was given a book 'bout Thomas the Tankengine. While I was reading it to her, my brother, Anthony, came over into the room and made the following comment...

"How can you stand to look at those ugly trains?"

By this, of course, he meant...er...foreign trains. He was, as that I don't want to step on any of my friends' toes, suggesting that American trains (with four axles and that certain something that makes them "American") were superior to the railroads and equipment of Europe et al.

Capt Carrales


I have a few very old European trains with four axels. One is a 1906 Marklin gauge 1 Gepackwagen and the other is a 1917 Marklin French Post Wagon. I can't really say if I like European or American....or South American or Asian or African or Australian or New Zealand or what ever else better. It's kind of like, "Do you like tall women or short women???" ummmm.....YES! ;b [:p]

underworld

aka The Violet

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 6, 2006 6:23 AM
Personally I have only European models in G - I have US equipment in HO but I feel you need a decent length train for it to look right, and with G scale prices there's no way I can afford that. Using Euro models means that I can get away with very short trains - the RhB's "Alpine Classic" is usually only two Pullman cars and a baggage van, which also suits the available space in the garden a lot more than a massive US consist. LGB's Euro range is more expensive than their US one but spread out over a few years the cost of a full AC rake isn't too bad. Major difference will be that mine will have a Bernina railcar as power rather than a Croc (mainly due to the railcar being cheaper).
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 6, 2006 11:02 AM
Personally, after a lot of reflection, I would have to say that the locomotives I prefer best (that is...that look the most aesthetically pleasing) are those of the type uses on any small yet still substantial rail line.

I must say that Moguls, Prairie, Consolidation and American wheel Steam configurations are my favorite set about 1900 to 1940#8217;s running through the sort of small American towns that I was raised in.

I don#8217;t find European trains to be offensive in anyway, but those are not in my connected tradition. Now, should I ever move to England or Germany#8230;I think I would be more likely to favor the local stuff.

I don#8217;t think there is any shame in having #8220;favorites,#8221; whilst loving it all.
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Posted by Train 284 on Thursday, April 6, 2006 11:48 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Railroading_Brit

Personally I have only European models in G - I have US equipment in HO but I feel you need a decent length train for it to look right, and with G scale prices there's no way I can afford that.


Thats not entirely true. Model Railroader did an article a couple issues back on daily passenger trains in the US that were only 3-5 cars long.
Matt Cool Espee Forever! Modeling the Modoc Northern Railroad in HO scale Brakeman/Conductor/Fireman on the Yreka Western Railroad Member of Rouge Valley Model RR Club
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Posted by GP-9_Man11786 on Thursday, April 6, 2006 1:36 PM
The nicest looking locomotive have come from the US. The SP Daylight, the GG1, The Alco PA, FL-9s (which New York State just retired this year) and more recently the EMD F-59Phi are a few examples. That said, Bitish steam engines are among some of the most handsome I've ever seen. And I do believe I have seen picture of EMD F and E units running in Australia and I know GE sent a bunch of C40-9Ws down under.

As for the price of large scale trains, I thought everybody knew LGB stood for Let's Go Broke. They are among the only large scale trains that still cost more than tank of Gas (at $2.74 a gallon).

Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad in N Scale.

www.prr-nscale.blogspot.com 

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Posted by FJ and G on Thursday, April 6, 2006 7:47 PM
I think that the European locomotives look a lot better than the US/Canadian ones. Having said that, I have more of an attachment to US diesel and steam locomotives since I grew up in the US and my roots are here. Having said that (repeating myself), I would not at all mind having a British live steam loco on my layout.

One thing surprising is, since we have so many Canadian locos, why don't we also have Mexican ones since they also are part of North America?
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 7, 2006 12:14 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by FJ and G

I think that the European locomotives look a lot better than the US/Canadian ones. Having said that, I have more of an attachment to US diesel and steam locomotives since I grew up in the US and my roots are here. Having said that (repeating myself), I would not at all mind having a British live steam loco on my layout.

One thing surprising is, since we have so many Canadian locos, why don't we also have Mexican ones since they also are part of North America?


I see lots of them on the Texas Mexican...they are blue...all part of the KCS system. I went to Corpus Christi today, had I read thisI would have photoed you one.
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Posted by GP-9_Man11786 on Friday, April 7, 2006 8:41 AM
Why not more Alaska Railroad equipment? Alaska may not be part of the lower 48 but it's still North America.

Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad in N Scale.

www.prr-nscale.blogspot.com 

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