This ain't right. I had NO IDEA it was going to turn this cold. Fri I moved 2 truckloads of wood for my in-laws, but they didn't mention it was going to turn arctic. Sat night, after Amyjo headed to work, I painted the new room as a surprise, and when I was done I went outside with the pups and thought to myself-self, you really worked up some heat with all of that activity, because it sure seems very cold out here.
By Sun AM, I realized it wasn't due to my activity. This is just stoopid cold. But it tied in well with a book I just finished, "The Coldest War" by James Brady, this afternoon I think I had a good feel for a little of the weather experienced over there.
ED- I don't know why you didn't get the link to the pics on photobucket, Ryan (silverspike) linked to them from the same mail I sent you. If you want to try it manually, feel free to go to p-bucket, put in philnrunt-philtrans and the password is ajopix. If you want to see Amyjo playing in our snow, try philnrunt-ajo and use the same password. Mind you, I'm recalling all of this from memory, so I might need to go in there myself and see if I gave you good information. Anybody else wants to check it out, feel free. I had planned to bring in more pics to upload tonight, but I never got around to finding the ones I wanted to laod.
JeffreyW- Your nightshots are just great. Keep 'em coming.
I think I'm gonna go ahead and order the BLI Penn Central SD9 from FDT. I was going to wait and see if they will come out with a 38-2 in PC colors- if you can call black and white colors- but what the hey. The whole idea of working is to have a few perks, and a new sound equipped engine is a good perk. Never had one, always made the noises myself. Maybe I can give that up. If anyone has any information on DC sound and how it works- does it just run constantly and automatically, or can you make it hoot and hollar on command?- please let me know.
Everybody take good care of yourselves and stay warm.
Evening, Diners! Janie, I'll have a hot toddy, please.
Cold night out, and that should hit the spot. It's okay, Janie, I brought my designated driver with me. Sounds like most of our Midwestern contingent got colder winds than we had today - but come to think of it, I haven't been outside since about mid-day when I got back from church...
Jeff, sorry for missing the waffle special this morning! I wouldn't have guessed 16 v. on those lights - I'm with DerJohn, I would have figured 5 v., or maybe (but not really) 12 v. Never realized those old power supplies put out 16 v. as well. on the nice clutter, too.
Flashwave, on the layout (if you're like a lot of us were when we were young pups (and pupettes ), the hard part of keeping the MRR work going will be when you get your license and (ahem...) the ladies start noticing you. That is, unless you find one who's into MRR'ing herself.
DerJohn, that trouble with the one turnout is puzzling indeed, and I'd probably do like you are thinking and just pull the troublemaker. It looks like if you want art for a decal, just ask - and Flashwave will provide! Way to go, Flashwave...
All my neighbors to the east - better watch out for this front. They're telling us to expect freezing rain in the morning and then a smattering of snow after that (but no real accumulation, unless I can talk those clouds into stopping by for a while). Hey, I'll try to offload some of it before it gets to you, but I haven't had much luck in that department so far!
Oh, Jerry, Garry and Inch - I didn't get to Chuck's on Saturday anyway. But we could look at maybe on the 23rd (Feb.) for trying (and any other Diners who are able to come). I want to get a look at all the stuff I hear he has in his shop, and the layout, too, Jerry! Inch, that is a bit of a drive (and not even counting where gas prices are lately), though. Hopefully things will improve for you by then, or maybe if you know what you need, you could send Jerry with your list. Worth a shot if it's possible, and Jerry might be able to bring back pics for you.
I like those bridge pics, too, Inch - did you have to hop off the bridge when you heard the coal drag coming?
Lee - thanks for posting the link to those icehouse pics and plans - You da man! Of course, that just means one more building for me to get started on... (Where is a good snowstorm to snow me in when I need one...?)
PC, was that your wife or your daughter who fixed you breakfast this morning? Pretty nice to wake up to smelling that!
CN Charlie, if it'll help you feel warmer, it's only 20 F here currently... But I'm sure Jeff can beat that temp!
I've been working on stuff for my mini-seminar for work. Still need to get some final copies printed out (and some trimming down of the notes I have so far). But I'm low on paper for the printer, so I'll need to ask 'em at work for about 30-40 sheets for the original prints (and make copies at work Tuesday a.m. before the mini-seminar). Found a lot of stuff, plus I want to have the participants take a test (self-scored) before we begin covering ways of dealing with it. (Okay, enough borrrrinnng work talk)
Well, about time for me to head home and kick the heat up. Feels like the winds must be picking up, and the heat's having trouble keeping up earlier this evening. We'll see how the temp is by morning, and how much frost I get to scrape off the car windshield.
Prayers for warmth and healing tonight for all of you. And don't forget to get the card and flowers for your honey, guys!
Blessings,
Jim in Cape Girardeau
Good Evening Coffee Clubbers,
Another beautiful day down here in Paradise. Again it warmed up in early afternoon when the sun came out strong, but it clouded up by 4:00 and is very pleasant now. Threatened rain through much of the afternoon, but only a couple of scattered drops. We could probably use some.
I did get a couple of small items done on the work list. Nothing very big, but better than doing nothing.
Dessert wound up being some chocolate chip cookies than Fran made using a new recipe. Turned out crunchier than she wanted, but still tasty. They go great with a good cup of strong, dark coffee, from the mountains of Veracruz, of course.
derJohn: Gentlemen, (our ladies won't need this reminder, but it has been known that we gents do let things slip by...) . Wednesday is your last chance to get something done about St. Valentine's Day....
inch: Their not that good, sun was wrong, but rail fanning wasn't the best over there.
Lee - thanks for posting those plans and photos of the ice house. While the building style is wrong for me, some of those details, and the platform, will be useful.
Paul - rail cleaning and r-o-w maintenance for 7-1/2" gauge stuff seems almost as tough as real life railroading.
Charlie: I watched some coverage of the nomination campaigns and find the whole process in the US fascinating.
Here a federal election is called and 6 weeks later it is all over.
Just to give you something green to look at, here's a shot of the countryside near here. Kind of gives you an idea of what I'm trying to (someday) achieve.
That's about it from down here.
Hasta mañana,
Ed
Good Evening Diners!
It's a frosty night here as the temp is -30F and the windchill is -40. It is supposed to be cold all week so those of you to the south can likely expect some cool weather but Johnboy and I will keep the really cold stuff for ourselves. Remember when it is cold it is usually sunny!
A couple of days ago Garry posted some photos of a Northern on display in Nashville. I liked the loco and have always found it odd that for this type many RR's had their own names. CNR called them Confederations. I also liked looking at a current photo that contained green grass and shrubs! Only 2 or 3 months to go here. Jeff, perhaps I could persuade you to just take a couple of photos outside at your place as you are the most southerly diner I know of other than Ed. I long to see somewhere that isn't white.
My mother had us over for lunch on Saturday along with the in-laws. She made quiche from scratch and I was very impressed especially considering she is 94.
I didn't go outside today other than a couple of short forays with the dogs. I have nearly got the roads done on the layout. They turned out fine but next time I would just use lightweight spakling compound as it is far easier to use than Smooth-it as it will hold a shape and yet it is easy to spread smoothly. Also I did my income taxes! They aren't due until the end of April but I want to get my hands on my refund ASAP. No they won't go to model RR items. This is the major bill season with car insurance, boat insurance and property taxes.
While I was working on the roads, I watched some coverage of the nomination campaigns and find the whole process in the US fascinating. Here a federal election is called and 6 weeks later it is all over.
I hope Ryan is better tomorrow and can post a menu. I really look forward to them and I expect I will be rather hungry by then.
CN Charlie
I'm back:
Lee: the outfit I have is a 25 gal electric sprayer with a 12v battery mounted on a flat car. There are two reasons that I didn't use the locomotive. 1. The grass is too thick in areas to use the locomotive. If I had pushed through with the loco I would have had to spend a great amount of time cleaning the grass out of the trucks and drive chains. 2. the locomotive is over at Terry's railroad because I don't have inside storage for it yet. Give me some slack I've only been building on the railroad for 36 yrs. I hope that I'll have a container this year with track running into it for storing the equipment. I like your buildings. How about a picture of the other lake boat? As for your mess. What is the brown sutff under the tools and things. Is that your workbench? I think that I may haveone of those under my stuff. I'll have to look.
I went over to Terry's and took my diesel for a run. It ran like it should. Next thing is to find the squeek in the trucks. At least think it's in the trucks. I hope that I don't have to take the trucks off. It isn't a matter of turning the locomotive over on the bench and releasing a couple of screws. I really takes lifting the loco up and getting underneath and taking off the drive chains and undoing a bolt.
Well I guess I'll head out and see what else is going on.
See you all later.
Paul, Sounds like you need a MOW sprayer, or something you can mount on the flat car and have the engine push around for you. If you were here today with your 7.5 you would need a rotary plow Every now and then I can see the houses across the street snowing hard and the winds have been around 50.
I uploaded pictures of the buildings I've been working on the last couple of months to my construction pictures link on my web site. Once I get all of the downtown buildings finished I'll lay some track, streets and sidewalks. The WS (785-248) street lights should be here Tuesday or Wednesday.
Lee
BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret) L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes
in a BURLINGTON NORTHERN mug, please & thank you!
Hope everyone is having a nice day.
Rob
Hi Gang:
Jerry I didn't get to the basement. I did get out and spray the 7.5 in gauge right of way with Round Up. Boy, was that a job. I loaded the 25 gal sprayer on a flat car at the depot and then pushed it around the track. It was up hill the first part and not too much spraying but about half way up I started to runn into some grass and weeds. From ther on it was push and spray. After the summit you would think it would be easier. No it was push down hill through the grass and weeds. When I got through the grass and weeds I had to reverse up the branch line and it was so over grown that the flat derailed. I did get all the way up it and sprayed my way back down. From there to the depot wasn't bad. All in all about two hours worth. Yea I'm pooped and wondering why I didn't stick to HO.
I've got to ask Mary Ann what she wants to do about lunch. We're going to go out. So I'll see you all later.
Yeah, but the wind chill is a dealkiller!
pcarrell wrote:I just slept in late (10:30!) and then woke up to fresh biscuits and sausage gravy! With a start like that it's bound to be a good day!
You bet! It's up to 19 degrees already!!!
-Morgan
Ya know what sounds good? Scrambled eggs, hashbrowns, toast, and a pancake. And a milk.
Thanks chloe.
Well yesterday I decided to rebuild my steam engine cab. My little brother tore it down, so I re-made it, and made it more fitting for a smaller steamer.
No I'm not talking about models.
I made one that I can stand in, and all the controls are positionable.
I think its fun to play with, I just need a fireman :)
Mark
Good Morning All,
Since Jeff is so kindly buying, I'll have a waffle with blueberries and some whipped cream, an O.J. from Eds last shipment, and a gallon or so of coffee - cream no sugar (that would be regular). Thanks Jeff. A late start to the day at least on line but I got enough of the chores done at home that I could come into (sigh) work. Definitely cuts into the train time, no?
Inch - I need to go to Lincolnshire to pick up the car parts then back out 80 to Ct. I won't do the trip until I return from the first Florida trip so probably the 28th if the weather holds a bit. I don't want to be driving a rent-a-truck in bad weather as I think they are dicey enough as is.
Weather today is in the thirties with intermittent snow and sleet so just as well I'm in the shop. Speaking of that, it's time to get on with it - I'll check in later, J.R.
Good morning.It's 50 degrees here under clear skies, expecting a high of 73.Today's Weather for: Sundown, LA 71446-6114 2/10/2008Wind Chill: 42°FHumidity: 56%Dew Point: 30°FSo Far TodayHigh: 55°FLow: 45°FRain: 0.00"Rain Rate: 0.00"/hGust: 8mph E Today High: 72 Sunny. Highs in the lower 70s. East winds around 10 mph. Tonight Low: 45 Increasing clouds. Lows in the mid 40s. East winds around 10 mph.
Looks like I have the tab for today. Chow down people.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
der5997 wrote:Jeff: your photos continue to amaze! Thanks for the inspiration. 16 volt. I'm running them (around 40) off n old AT computer power supply that's feeding them 11.97 volts each and it's not even starting to work hard....those bulbs will last forever at the lower voltage. Like CapeJim, Jeff, more nice shots from you - I may need to get some of those Model Power lights, since our Hobby Lobby is running the 40 percent off coupon on their website today. What are they, 5 v.?...I thought computer power was 5 volts (you had mentioned that you were using a $5 computer power source earlier.) Knowing nothing about this really, but eager to learn, could you explain a bit more about that computer power source?
Jeff: your photos continue to amaze! Thanks for the inspiration.
16 volt. I'm running them (around 40) off n old AT computer power supply that's feeding them 11.97 volts each and it's not even starting to work hard.
Jeff, more nice shots from you - I may need to get some of those Model Power lights, since our Hobby Lobby is running the 40 percent off coupon on their website today. What are they, 5 v.?
The more modern ATX supply has a 20-24 pin plug that looks like this.
The connectors that I pull power from look like this.
Just one of these connectors is pulling almost every light on the layout.
Good Morning,
Jeff, here are some scale drawings of an ice house and platform: MRR Resources from the Internet up here these were typically insulated with straw and/or saw dust and there were 2 common types on the Great Lakes: block Ice and shaved ice. On Ohio's north coast most of the ice platforms used shaved ice and were called "emergency icing stations". The platform workers loaded large funnels (welded to a 2 wheeled hand truck) of shaved ice.
Yesterday it was spring 40F and sunny, today it is winter, snowing 5F, 50 mph winds.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery to the members on the sick and injured list!
Mornin, an irish coffee please Janie it's just a tad on the cold side here.
Sharply colder weather will arrive for Sunday with gusty northwest winds (decreasing late). However, warm, spring-like air will begin to override this cold, dense air near the surface, leading to some snow & a wintry mix for Monday, before changing to a period of rain Monday night as temperatures rise. I will have a look at potential snow/ice accumulation for Monday on News 10 at 6:30 p.m. Indiana, 5:30 p.m. in Illinois (30 minutes late due to CBS Sports coverage).
GMT,, where you going to in ILL for the old / new parts ???
JERRY, we plan on Mattoon, I think Saturday. Got a few bucks put back n Mother's going to take the cans over n cash them in, so there's a little more $$.
Hope ya get your chair lined out so you can. A new chair sounds good, you've needed one for awhile now.
GARRY / JIM,, I've heard of Chuck's but have never been there. Would like to go, but its bout a 3 1/2 - 4 hour drive one-way for me, so the cash flow will have to get better
PAUL,, good to hear Lara is doing well.
RYAN,, sure hope you n yours get ta feelin betters.
And every one else on sick call gets the betters soon also.
I've enjoyed all the pics ya'll been posting and I finally have a few from our trip to Terre Haute yesterday. First one is the PRR over the Wabash
Next, you can see part of the NYC bridge to Paris a bit north
While we were there a UP coal drag came through
Their not that good, sun was wrong, but rail fanning wasn't the best over there. Couldn't get to the old L&N yard for road construction [we could hear engines working there], and there wasn't an engine or cars in the old NYC yard.
Been working some on the yard and it's starting to come together now. Hopefully I can finish laying track this week. The wiring will have to wait till I can get some more toggle switches.
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/4309
Good Morning from Tipton IN !
Bill Tidler Jr.
Near a cornfield in Indiana...
Paul W. Beverung wrote: I'm back. I'm watching the movie Das Boot in German with subtitles. This is the longggg version. I've been at it for about two. Right now they are on the bottom of the Med. Darn good movie. Flash what is your minimum radius and grade?Back to the movie.
I'm back. I'm watching the movie Das Boot in German with subtitles. This is the longggg version. I've been at it for about two. Right now they are on the bottom of the Med. Darn good movie.
Flash what is your minimum radius and grade?
Back to the movie.
Haven't figured grade, Tehachapi is probably 2-3 % technically, min radius is 22 in spots exiting Half Moon, 2 sections, and I'm hoping that it won't be too much of a bind. If it is, then it's flax track to the rescue. the resto of the main is desgned with customed ~30 inch on the RTS program. Half Moon uses 18s and 20s. The logging area is 18 inches. and the turnouts are #4. I know nothing about switches.
I'll need to get some measurements at Dad's where this is going. Not at his place until next week.
I'm headed for bed
der5997 wrote: Flashwave: That's an interesting layout. I see you are able to drive holes through walls for your trains. Very understanding parents! I've an understanding wife who has put up with holes in walls for trains in our last two homes. It helps to own the house, as landlords generally don't like this kind of "modification". In modern times, HO&N refurbishes old equipment and supplies rental power using updated pieces of history....Rental power is going to be important on my "Maritime Trunk." I've locos painted for a mishmash of roads, and CN. So, I figure repainting all but the CN to some of the rental units I see in the yards at Stellarton. Railink has a nice looking GP 7 (9? I don't know the difference in the louvers!) stationed there. I wish I could get decals for it....and then this scheme shouldn't be too hard to do.
Flashwave: That's an interesting layout. I see you are able to drive holes through walls for your trains. Very understanding parents! I've an understanding wife who has put up with holes in walls for trains in our last two homes. It helps to own the house, as landlords generally don't like this kind of "modification".
In modern times, HO&N refurbishes old equipment and supplies rental power using updated pieces of history.
Actually, Dad's the one that took the hammer through the drywall for Closet Tunnel Portal 1. I discovered there weren't any studs right where we needed to tunnel through, then we handed the job over to John Henry. Soon as we find his camera, I'll get pictures of that. Or not. we know how that goes. As for power, Half Moon has become the only place where a Sharknose ABBA could be leadin the Pacer StackTrain past a trio of Dash 9s and Big Boys are being designed with light enough components that they can display on any number of tracks with a slight cut to pulling power and breathe steam like they didin the old days.
EDIT: Not scientific, but I made these for ya. If you can get a better picture of the rear detail, We can cover that too. It's not scientific, and you may need to tweak the sizes, as I don't know the height of the long hood of an HO GP 9 the Railink logo is 3/4 in a nd the road numbers are about 1/8 (cab) and 1/12 inch (rear) To print, simply find yourslef a sheet of printer decal paper. Either:
make some more decals using MS paint to scroll through fonts and MS word's rulers to determine the sizes
Make more decals with a better method, as I'm sure there is one
use up a sheet of decal paper,
or if you have any extra features on your printer that lets you run off index card sizes or envelopes
----------------------------------
and now I give you decals
I may need to email PM them to ya
Good evening Tracksiders! Like Flip, I've gotten way behind with the pages. I haven't been in because I've been busy cleaning track (the GLEAM method, which takes time, but is worth every minute, as far as I can tell). Also involved in this is getting all sorts of gremlin lurking holes filled in. These, in my case, are around grade crossings and turnouts. In fact just minutes ago I was trying to get an old, used-when-I-got-it Peco to function properly when switched to the straight. I'm not sure why it would stop working, there's no ballast that I can see in the way, but the spring thing that holds the closure rail against the stock rail no longer does that, for just the one direction. Shades of Cindy-Lou Who's Christmas tree light! It may mean replacing the turnout, as it's moderately critical to be able to use the mainline! Anyway, as far as the cleaning goes, it's about 2/3rds done for the entire layout.
Now that locos can once more run well on a largish chunk of the layout, I've been playing around with Low, Mid, and Top speed values (CVs 02, 06 and 05) for some of them. I had a pleasant surprise with my Life-Like F40PH. It had quite inappropriate values, factory defaults I guess, for the LL motor and gear train. Now I've fiddled with the CV values, it's like a new machine! So I've sent away to NWSL for a new set of wheels for it. The LL wheels are too thick, and hang up on some of the turnouts. NWSL has some for this loco that they claim work on code 55 track. http://nwsl.com/Brochure%20Pages/broch%2025746%20Wheelsets.htm
Gentlemen, (our ladies won't need this reminder, but it has been known that we gents do let things slip by...) is your last chance to get something done about St. Valentine's Day....
Must get to bed. Another storm coming our way for tomorrow. Could be the worst of the season so far, they were saying on Friday. Goodnight all, and God Bless. Prayers for safety for those in the way of violent weather, and for all those in need of healing, comfort and peace.
"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.
A warmish, but beautiful, day down here in Paradise. Probably got up in the 80's again today. But I think it's cooling off enough now that I can sleep with just the windows open (and fans running, of course), but just barely.
Lazy day, not much exciting (or even boring) to report. Oh yeah, the burro with the courier package of mail arrived, so I now am full of railroad reading material. Received Feb and March Model Railroader, Feb and March Trains Magazine, Spring Classic Trains, and Feb RMC. My cup runneth over.
Flashwave - that looks like it will be some layout. You have your work cut out for you.
Catch up with you guys tomorrow.
Evening Gang: Mary Ann and I went to see little Lara today. She sleept the entire time we were there but we enjoyed it. She is 5lbs 11oz. She could be coming home in a couple of weeks. John needs to get going on her room. I think that he is going to be working on it tomorrow. I guess we could go by and help him, or not. More likely not.
I spent most of the afternoon getting the diesel unloaded. I had put two buckets of dirt in the back to give it more traction which didn't help. It took me about a half hour to shovel it all out. I'm going to fix the dump trailer so I can hook it to the tractors hydralics. The battery just dosen't last long enough with out a hook up to the towing tractor. The tractor hydrolics should give it an extra lift ability.
Flashwave: How large is the layout room? I don't remember what scale you are working in eather.
Jeff: I like your cluter. That's good the way you have the buildings set like they have been packed into the available real estate over a long period of time. Very realistic.
Well I'll cut out and see what else is going on.
Good Night All
Cox 47 wrote:Evening all....Its been a nice day here today sunny and warm with temps in the mid 50's...
PHHHHHTTTT!!!
We saw Bucket List. Good Movie. throughly enjoyed it.
Cox 47 wrote:Jeff...Thats a great night shot...Whats the building the engine is coming out of?....