Good Morning All,
A balmy 20F and overcast this morning. All the snow and rain is now ice and the high for the week is predicted to be 41F with intermittent snow showers all week.
Ed - sure you're not ready to move back to Hamden? we could arrange a GMT detachment to guard the villa in your absence, no?
Phil - Iknow what you mean and agree that many of the answers in the big room are less than friendly. Sort of reminds me of a movie from long ago (HOW DARE YOU DISTURB THE GREAT OZ !!!!!). We of course need to play the part of the dog pulling back the curtain. Guess that's why I so enjoy the toast thread (guess most of the rest of us and Bergie too as it's still there). Good luck with the taping and primer. You are using low VOC paint for the room or airing it out thouroughly right? That athsma stuff is a real pain.
As we all trudge through the frozen tundra please take care. I know some of you have already mentioned genset power and the rest but one good thing is that eventually it will change back to muggy with insects and airborn pollen so buck up and enjoy the misery while you can.
Did finally start the installation of the Peco switch machines last night as I couldn't stand to watch the Giants anymore on tv. These machines go under the table on little adaptor plates. Only found one so far over a beam which is one I moved without double checking first. I also need to find interior detail parts for stores and the only likely stuff in HO so far looks to be the SS Ltd sets. Anyone use any of this before? I need stuff like checkout counters and stock shelves etc and don't like the scratch stuff i've done too much. Well lots to do so GTG. J.R.
PATRIOTS ARE 14-0!!
WE NOW RETURN YOU TO YOUR REGULAR PROGRAM.
morning guys.
I too think it's strange on how a BAR BL2 ended up in Austraila.
Morning all just a quick stop in before I head to work. we had fine snow yesterday but that was about it it was to warm to stick but it tried .
Well have a good day all
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
Philnrunt.... I agree with your commentary pertaining to the newcomer and track. Some of those "serious" model railroaders are most likely having a fit over the "toast" thread out there. I think I'll post something there again just to aggrevate the "serious" model rail roaders.
Do you remember when Model Railorader had the slogan "Model Railroading is Fun"?
MR should have continued that slogan.
Breakfast time... Oatmeal and OJ, please.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Good Morning, Diners! Been makin' any snowmen yet? We didn't have quite enough snow here for that - closer to RT's report, though a little bit of snow is left on the ground. Zoe, how about a cup of coffee and one of Bill T.'s chocolate donuts, please.
Thank you, Indiana Phil! Oh, I think since you posted a friendly post first, the newbie in the track forum got off on a good start. Actually, the third poster wasn't all bad, since he said he had got that type of track for his (forget now, son or grandson). And the fourth post wasn't as bad as some I've seen out in the wild west of the other forum topics. Oh, I'd agree with Garry's idea about MR's slogan - never hurts to remind ourselves or others of that.
Crisp 24 F now in Cape Girardeau, and only a light coating of snow left on the ground, which will likely melt off today when it gets into the low 40's this afternoon. Some frost to scrape again this morning, but not much (if any) wind at all.
Figured out one thing on my GC Laser truckbed (stake style) last night. They're designed for going onto the frame (not onto the flatbed - d'oh!). So did some wiggling and prying and got one flatbed removed from one of the trucks. Found out where the likely glue points that held it in place were, so I can do even better on removing the other ones. So I'm counting that last night as some MRR'ing time, as well as the time I spent with my layout design program, working on a bigger (maybe part of garage or some basement space) layout. I like having more space for the run to the next town, that's for sure.
PC, how's your wife coming along - is she staying off that knee and avoiding putting weight on it? She probably doesn't need to go sledding or ice-skating anytime real soon...
Rob, when will your wife hear back on her results for the job?
DerJohn, lot of nice progress pics there. I'm guessing you will be putting clear plexiglas barrier along the edges (especially in that loading dock area), yes? I could easily see little hands wanting to 'play with the trucks'... I think you're making as much or more progress than a lot of us me, indeed.
Best be getting myself back the the stacks o'paperw**k for now. Stay dry and/or warm (as appropriate for your area's weather), and will continue to be praying for those ailing or in need.
Blessings,
Jim in Cape Girardeau
Good Morning Diner Crew,
I hope you have all "DUG" out. I've got a yard full to move, but I'll wait to around noon to see if it warms up a little and do it in the sunshine.
Chloe, make that Eggnog all around, We just flipped and Cape Jim lost. It will be on his tab today.
Here is something a little different, can't figure out how to hook the sound in, so just read the words and enjoy then look for it on you tube or elsewhere.
For all my southern buddies here.
Leroy The Reindeer
Well, you've all heard the story About Rudolph and his noseBut I'll tell you a Christmas tale That never has been toldYou may think you've heard it all But you ain't heard nothing yetAbout that crazy Christmas The North Pole can't forget
Well, Rudolph was under the weather He had to call in sickSo he got on the horn to his cousin Leroy Who lived out in the sticksHe said "Santa's really countin' on me And I hate to pass the buck"Leroy said "Hey, I'm on my way" And he jumped in his pickup truck
When Leroy got to the North Pole All the reindeer snickered and laughedThey'd never seen a reindeer in overalls And a John Deere tractor hatSanta jumped in and said "Just hold on Cause we've all got a job to doAnd like it or not, Leroy's in charge And he's gonna be leadin' you"
Chorus
And it was Leroy, the Redneck Reindeer Hooked to the front of the sleighDeliverin' toys to all the good ole boys And girls along the wayHe's just a down home, party-animalTwo-stepping across the skyHe mixed jingle bells with a rebel yell And made history that night
Before that night was over Leroy had changed their tuneHe had'em scootin' a hoof on every roof By the light of the neon moonSanta wrapped his bag with a dixie-flag He was havin the time of his lifeAnd you could hear him call "Merry Christmas to ya'llAnd to all of ya'll a goodnight"
He mixed jingle bells with rebel yell And made history that night
~Joe Diffie
*A Thingos Presentation © Whimsical & Wacky Wits - Compiled for your personal enjoyment by Pat - Compilation Copyright © wacky wits.com
You all have a good day now.
And remember santa is watching.
Johnboy out......................
James:1 Verse:5..............
The "Wobbly" is wobbling on outa here.
from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North..
We have met the enemy, and he is us............ (Pogo)
Zoe, dropping by for another go cup - mocha, please, and another chocolate donut, if there are any left. Thank you, ma'am!
Last mountain & eastern hogger wrote:Chloe, make that Eggnog all around, We just flipped and Cape Jim lost. It will be on his tab today.
Hey, hey, hey, Johnboy! I have the good sense never to flip for $$ or stuff when it's this close before payday... That Leroy song was funny, thanks for sharing it! Now, when you say a 'yard full', is that in English (depth) or metric (a full yard, in other words)? Guess either way, you have a load of snow to get moved, huh? Don't blame you for letting it sit a bit until you have the sun out to help you.
Jerry, I'm with you - don't want to be too 'serious' about my MRR'ing. As the old MR slogan said it, "Model Railroading is Fun" (and supposed to be that way!). I've been playing around with various combinations of industry names - partly using friends' names and partly after John Allen's G&D or Art Curren did, with humorous names.
Back at it time for me.
Hi guys,
Well the move is half done. I showed you the picture of my train room. I just have to get the stuff from that room into working shape.
One snag I've run into--I've got my office now hooked to the net via my home net and I'm writing you all from there--but I haven't been able to get the two networks merged. Right now the the key issue is that my mailing list is on my Novell server and my Internet access is on my home router.
I was hoping one of you guys might know how to join my two routers. I'd appreciate a PM.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
Morning all!
Yeah, it's still morning, but not by much. I knew today would be crazy with all of the weather we had this last weekend. Sometimes I just hate the phone business!
Well, the wife goes in for her surgery tomorrow. They tell me it won't be a big deal, but I'll baby her to death anyways. Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes. It means a lot!
Oh well, back to work!
Chloe, I'll have the lunch special and some hot coffee please! Thanks!
I have been remiss in visiting the diner as of late and seein' as how I was MIA I will now try to swim through 12+ pages of diner talk...
First off, not much to report on the MR front, but I did get my CMX track cleaning car in the mail and made a few test runs on the track, and it sure does make quick work of cleaning up the dirt too! I will have to post a photo or two when I can take a picture first.
Jim - We ended up getting a Samsung LCD HDTV to replace the Vizio plasma and we are very happy with it so far. And you make that egg nog and beef stew looks some good!
Welcome back Greg!
Philip - Hope your wife is doing better now, thoughts and prayers continue for you and her! Nice winter scene images too, thanks! That turkey dinner sure sounded good, sorry I missed it yesterday!
Cederstrand wrote: Had a nightmare this morning...the Diner was out of coffee...then I woke up.
Had a nightmare this morning...the Diner was out of coffee...then I woke up.
Rob - Yea, that is a nightmare! Oh, and thanks for the meteor shower info, sorry it was too late for me to take advantage of the viewing, but will make a note of it for next year's appearance.
Happy Belated Birthday Colby!
Sorry to hear about all that ice and snow causing power outages and such, hope everyone stays warm.
Mike - Is that a batch of divinity sittin' in that red bowl? Sure looks like the kind my grandma Momom used to make!
Phil - Nice to hear of your care package delivery, it is always a great feeling when you can give back to society and to those who are in dire need. I agree too, there are too many grim people out there who need to lighten up a bit and stop taking everything so seriously. And I ditto what Garry said, Model Railroading is supposed to be FUN!
Der John - When can we expect some food shipments to the diner? Actually, that is some great progress you are making on the layout!
John Boy - Sure is a funny reindeer song/story, thanks!
Sue - Thanks for the ground goop recipe!
Ed - Stay warm now!
Duke - Time to go, looks like the coffee pot is empty again.....oh, that was Rob in another nightmare again......sorry!
Ryan
Ryan BoudreauxThe Piedmont Division Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger eraCajun Chef Ryan
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
Hello all been a while since I was able to stop by.
Have one foster child transitioning to his new home. On Friday were called to take a 5 year old boy his mother had asaulted him at 10 am and he was in our home by 4. Pretty good kid but boy is he a mess. Good news we will be in probate court on Dec 26 for the adoption to be finalized.
Well I hope all is well and I hope Mrs PC comes thru her operation all right.
Jeff did you have stress fractures in the foot?
Colby Happy Birthday!!
Hope all is well with everyone else that I have not mentioned I am in the same boat as Silver Spike so much to catch up on.
Take care Kevin
jeffrey-wimberly wrote: Went to the docs office this morning for my regular appointment. They did a couple of X-rays and found that I've broken my foot again. In three places! I don't feel a single one of them. This makes thirteen times I've broken it since 2004.
Jeff, you've got to quit kicking the dog so hard!
Canondale61 wrote:Jeff did you have stress fractures in the foot?
Colby: Happy birthday.
Jim: I don't have a dog to kick though sometimes I would like to put my parents poodle into close orbit of the dog star. That things it's head off at everything.
Thanks to all for the happy birthday wishes.
and the BL2 is all wheel drive. here is what the box says.
" Powerful motor with 5 pole skew wound armature, dual fly wheels and bronze oil-less bearings and all wheel electrical pick-up and all wheel gear drive. Heavy diecast chassis for maximum traction and pulling power, universal coupler pockets"
jeffrey-wimberly wrote: Canondale61 wrote:Jeff did you have stress fractures in the foot?Yes. The breaks go straight across and in one case the broken ends are separated over a quarter of an inch laterally.Colby: Happy birthday. Jim: I don't have a dog to kick though sometimes I would like to put my parents poodle into close orbit of the dog star. That things it's head off at everything.
Hi Jeff,
Sorry to hear about your foot injuries. I broke a bone in my left foot back in June(while at work), and it is just now healing totally. I have been out of my walking cast since about a week ago, and doing home therapy on my foot.I still feel a bit of pain from where it broke, but the Doc says that will subside.I've been out of work since June.My former employer let me go over my injury, and I am suing him, since in the state of Indiana it is illegal to terminate an employee on a workmens comp injury.Plus he refused to file first report of injury with the state.I have had to hire legal help to handle the whole matter, and have lived off my savings since June, and have received no compensation since, and payed all of my own medical bills, so train purchases have been cut way back.
Hope you are doing better soon!
TheK4Kid
aka Ed
Jeff,
Get that foot all repaired and reinforced and you probably could get a kicking job with the Saints down there.
All kidding aside, I hope you have good luck in the repair.. Is it the same foot as the one with the sore that you are getting healed?
Johnboy out for now. Have to go in as the security for City Council meeting tonight. This is usually a once a month gig. (extra work).
The "Wobbly" will wobble back in awhile.
James:1 Verse:5..
Good evening......it has been a few weeks since I dropped in for a coffee, been very busy like everyone else, plus 4 snowstorms have kept me working outside quite a bit. We now have 2 feet of snow on the ground, and drifts even higher.
Tomorrow night we are headed for the Steamin Tender , the former Palmer RR station on the CSX mainline. A big Christmas dinner, and Bob Buck will be there, the owner of my favorite hobby shop, Tuckers, in Warren, Ma. We will have a table looking right out at the tracks, not more than 25 feet from the freights rolling by in the snow.
So what has everyone been up to?
philnrunt wrote: OK guys, somethings bothering me and I'm going to comment on it. Don't want to get a war started, but what the hey. Hurricane33 posted a question about which track with attached roadbed was best to use. He is a new member, and this was his second post. His first also dealt with that same subject. I was the first to answer him even though 40 other members read his post. It sounded like he needed a bit of feedback. I replied that, while I had not heard alot of bad comments on any particular brand of track, I had heard that Kato made a decent product. Then two other members commented that all track with roadbed attached was substandard and one mentioned that until that type of track came with spiral easements etc etc. I, for one, have not lost the memory of what it was like entering this hobby. Even though it was 45 years ago for me, I remember wondering which engine, track or powerpack was better than others, and I spent alot of cash foolishly because there was no MR Forum to ask questions in. After reading the two other replies, I guess I should have told hurricane33 to get out of this hobby, because he was obviously too ignorant to play trains with those of us who handlay HOn30 O27/N/S and a half double slip switches! When I was 15, I attended my very first trainshow. I was in awe of a display layout, and asked how they made the huge forest of trees covering a hillside. An older spectator, looking at the same layout, answered "They took cottonballs and mounted them on toothpicks and spray painted them, I thought EVERYBODY knew that!" I went to more shows, but I made sure I didn't ask any more "stupid" questions. And, after 38 years, I remember how ignorant I felt for asking what I thought was a legitimate question. If this forum can't accomodate all model railroaders, new and old alike, is it any wonder that the hobby suffers for it? And who left that soapbox at the top of the page? Sorry guys, didn't mean to get sooooo serious! Have an extra piece of pie on me!
OK guys, somethings bothering me and I'm going to comment on it. Don't want to get a war started, but what the hey.
Hurricane33 posted a question about which track with attached roadbed was best to use. He is a new member, and this was his second post. His first also dealt with that same subject.
I was the first to answer him even though 40 other members read his post. It sounded like he needed a bit of feedback. I replied that, while I had not heard alot of bad comments on any particular brand of track, I had heard that Kato made a decent product.
Then two other members commented that all track with roadbed attached was substandard and one mentioned that until that type of track came with spiral easements etc etc.
I, for one, have not lost the memory of what it was like entering this hobby. Even though it was 45 years ago for me, I remember wondering which engine, track or powerpack was better than others, and I spent alot of cash foolishly because there was no MR Forum to ask questions in.
After reading the two other replies, I guess I should have told hurricane33 to get out of this hobby, because he was obviously too ignorant to play trains with those of us who handlay HOn30 O27/N/S and a half double slip switches!
When I was 15, I attended my very first trainshow. I was in awe of a display layout, and asked how they made the huge forest of trees covering a hillside. An older spectator, looking at the same layout, answered "They took cottonballs and mounted them on toothpicks and spray painted them, I thought EVERYBODY knew that!" I went to more shows, but I made sure I didn't ask any more "stupid" questions. And, after 38 years, I remember how ignorant I felt for asking what I thought was a legitimate question.
If this forum can't accomodate all model railroaders, new and old alike, is it any wonder that the hobby suffers for it?
And who left that soapbox at the top of the page?
Sorry guys, didn't mean to get sooooo serious! Have an extra piece of pie on me!
I spent the last 20 minutes typing up a supporting reply his post only to realize that much of what I typed basically repeated my experience of what he said. After some thought I deleted all that so I can say this.....when the experienced people begin to blatantly put down (either actual or implied) the posts of those seeking advice or info OR the replys to these questions then they are closing the door on the hobby for someone out there. Slam the door enough of the time and people begin to stop visiting. Not a good habit to continue....
Is there any cheese cake with cherry topping around?
Evening Gang: Not much going on here. It's warmer here, got up to 57f. Tomorrow is supposed to be in the 60s. No wonder folks are getting sick. Mary Ann and Daisy just came up so I guess is it's time for bed.
Boy this was short.
Good night All
ModelTrainLover wrote: Thanks to all for the happy birthday wishes.and the BL2 is all wheel drive. here is what the box says." Powerful motor with 5 pole skew wound armature, dual fly wheels and bronze oil-less bearings and all wheel electrical pick-up and all wheel gear drive. Heavy diecast chassis for maximum traction and pulling power, universal coupler pockets"
BTW: check the gears on yours. Some of the Lifelike BL2's had a bad set of the gears going form motor to wheel. they can be replaced with Athearn gears for ~5 bucks. But if you notice your engine jerking like it;s going over a nonexistant rock and making a funny click, that;s why. Mine did.
-Morgan
Hey gang. Hope everyone's doing well.
We'll call today's entry - Don't eat the fish!...
Last Tuesday night while at work, I ate some baked fish for dinner. Later while on the way home I noticed I was a little dizzy but didn't think anything of it and just figured I was tired, so I went home, ate a snack and went to bed. I was awakened half way into the night sicker than I've ever been before with the flu, bad reactions to medications or anything else... I was on fire from my waste up, was having muscle spasms in my back and sides and pains in my internal organs. All I could do was pace the floor and wipe my face with a wet wash cloth. It was terrible. I went to my regular doctor but he couldn't figure out what it was and tried treating me for a stomach disorder, so I finally ended up going to the emergency room and they prescribed 25mg of Benadryl every eight hours until it passed. They said that fish sometimes eat toxic plants and the toxins are absorbed into their flesh. Then we humans come along and eat the fish and get what I got or worse... Oh well. Live and learn. So far a $5.00 fish dinner has cost me three days of work and over $1,500.00 of next years train budget.
Everyone take care. See you down the line.
Tracklayer
I should have stopped in this morning for coffee and one of Jim's chocolate donuts.
JR, One of our logging books has some photos of steep inclines the the Pacific Northwest. Very impressive what they accomplished. Do you start racing again in January?
Ryan, Glad you liked the recipe. It is somewhat lumpy, but it gives some interest to the lay of the land.
I should go wrap some packages.
Sue
Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.
Good evening diners! Whether or not I'm at the top of the page, the coffee is on me or whatever beverage tickles your fancy. Be sure to have some apple pie to go with it.
I have to say that as someone relatively new in the hobby I agree with Philnrunt's comments. I put in a post on the topic as I do have experience with a couple of brands of sectional track with roadbed and in my opinion Kato Unitrack is great. Like almost everything there are compromises but you just have to decide what ones are acceptable to you.
I am happy to report that the weather here has improved to a virtual heat wave of, are you ready for it..... -7C!!! That blizzard I mentioned last week turned out to claim the life of my good friend's brother who was killed just 60 miles west of the city in a single vehicle roll-over so I'm glad not to be talking of snow for a while.
Sorry to hear about your foot Jeff, hope it heals up soon. Rather than kicking things that don't work, I can highly recommend a hammer or similar tool as it is a lot easier on body parts especially yours. A fellow I know well used a large wrench to assist in starting his outboard motor. I saw him do it many times and it never failed. Remember if it doesn't work get a larger hammer. The foregoing advice is limited strictly to mechanical or electrical problems( don't want to get sued for inciting bodily injuries).
I ate fish tonight so I hope I don't get the same reaction that Tracklayer did. The fish came from Scotland so I imagine that Scotch would be the recommended antidote. Think I'll take some preventative medicine. Can't hurt and I'll sleep well.
Well hope everyone's Christmas preparations are going well,
Good night from me, CNCharlie
Hi guys, no soapbox tonight.
GMT, Heartland and Silverspike- You guys are right, tolerance is in short supply these days, and 'Model Railroading Is Fun' should be printed in large glow in the dark letters where each of us can see it every time we work on a project!
Cox47- We don't hear too often of ANYONE knowing about Redkey. Good to know folks in the Illini State have heard of us!
concretelackey- Lets get a booth and we can split a whole cherry covered cheesecake, we might even have some left over if anyone else wants to join in! That is-might.
Tomorrow, I'm going to pick up some pictures I dropped off at WallyWorld last week, hopefully there will be a disc included (I checked the box!) and I will be able to upload them to photobucket and join all the rest of you who share pics with us. There should be shots of the new KCS engines, and maybe a few other RR related items. I've been meaning to get these developed for about 8 months, so I really don't have a clue as to what is on them! We will see how this works out.
JeffreyW-Sounds like you need to armour up those feet, they sure are taking a beating! You take it easy for awhile! (Easy advice to give, but I know it's extremely hard to take.)
Hope all are warm and dry,
Good Evening All,
Just passing through for some coffee and then back out the door. W..king on switch machines and a couple of the museums Lionel 4-4-2's that had shed wheels or otherwise wouldn't run. One had a badly cracked case and ovaled gear bores so it's history and had the mechanism swapped out for one that should be ok. The other got loctite to hold the errant wheel inplace and we'll test tomorrow night.
Sue - We start at Moroso in Fla. in late Feb then off to Sebring and then Savannah. I still need to get another trailer and it looks like I'm short a driver and truck as well. Never ends. CUL, J.R.
CapeJim:
I'm guessing you will be putting clear plexiglas barrier along the edges (especially in that loading dock area), yes? I could easily see little hands wanting to 'play with the trucks'...
Jerry:
DerJohn.....Wow that Food Distribution facilty is large....That should make a lot of loads for your railroad....
Johnboy: Loved the Leroy song! Thanks.
Chip: Can't help with the router thing, but maybe Ryan will see your post and give his
Ryan:
When can we expect some food shipments to the diner?
Jeff: That's surprising news about your foot; and just when the infection thing is healing up so well too.
JR: Nearly all my Pecos with machines are under the layout, clipped directly to the turnout. The little adaptor plates you describe I use only for surface mounts, in situations like your beam-in-the-way, and where I can hide the machine in scenery of some kind (buildings in my case now. This one's inside a hut behind the aforementioned silos.
I'm about ready to airbrush the track on the upper level yard. It hasn't looked this bare in years!
...in the background, Jerry, is the middle and upper level split that the tall buildings are designed to hide. The rest of the city visually reduces those two loops on the upper level, (The inner one is the yard lead) to just that lead, while the mainline runs inside a row of apartment buildings and some office towers.
Got to get to bed. No time to gussy this up with gifs. God Bless all, and prayers for healing comfort and peace for everyone needing them.
"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.
I do believe we could use a chapel car here. Many are in need of prayer.
We'll have Mrs. PC in our prayers because of surgery in the morning and continued M.D. issues.
And, of course, we're concerned and praying for Jeff, our favorite KCS fan, with his foot problems and continued health issues.
Jerry's Sallie makes her regular trips for dialasis.
Now, Tracklayer (glad you stopped by), has had a bout with toxins from fish. Sorry to learn about that.
We've not heard from Luc lately, but we pray his Gloria is OK.
Kevin just gave us an update on the adoption they have in progress, and he told us of a sad story of a young abused child.
I suspect it will be a tough Christmas for those who have lost their loved ones. Bobk's wife. Michaels son.
Actually, my wife is still dealing with grief, too, for losing her sister in September.
We've heard about marital problems that always hurt.
I'm sure I've left out some other needs.
There's a lot going on.
Blessings to all of you.