Thanks, Ed. Just rub it in for those of us who are freezing our backsides off up here.
Sue
Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.
Good evening Coffee Clubbers,
Another beautiful day down here in Paradise. Warm but bearable during the day, has probably cooled off into the 60's this evening. Just great, wish it would last longer.
"Big Mo"-mentum is still missing, but at least ‘Little-mo"-mentum is back. I ran more loops with the train yesterday and today. I fiddled with the lead truck but couldn't find anything amiss. Screwed around with the switch and couldn't get any progress either. So I finally took the easy way out..... and turned the locomotive around and ran laps in the opposite direction!! That worked great.... Until the loco found another (different) switch to pick. This time a little adjustment with the needle nose pliers applied to one of the points did the trick.
Duke: How about going to Port Huron and watching the ice flows since we are having the warm up for a couple days. Remember what it was like???
What I really remember about river freeze-ups was from Ft McMurray, Alberta. The Athabasca River flows through there (the Clearwater River joins it at Ft Mac) and it freezes up solid (probably 6-8 feet thick) during winter. "Breakup" usually comes around April 15th, and is quite a spectacular event, with huge blocks of ice being thrown up and jumbled on top of one another. Then there's a moment where the ice starts to run out and chunks continue coming downriver for about two weeks or so.
They actually have a lottery to pick the exact moment of the breakup. They have a large weight (like a barrel filled with sand) sitting on the ice right under the main bridge. It has a wire leading up to some type of recorder on the bridge. When the ice breaks enough that the barrel sinks, it trips the recorder and that's taken as the official moment of breakup.
Der - The layout's looking real good, John. You're putting me to shame.
That's about it from down here. Catch you tomorrow.
Ed
Garry, I love that station. Your city scene is so great. We haven't designed our town scenes yet. Your detail makes me realize how little I have thought about ours.
Goal #1 is to finish the scenery that is holding up track laying.
der, I enjoy your updates. That must be a large room. I can't imagine how long it would take if one was working alone.
I had less trouble getting online this evening.
Der-nice shots of your layout.Good work,I especially like the grade you put in.Thanks for the compliments on my pics.
I brought some chocolate muffins to the diner this morning-did you get to try one? Talk to you later-NJ Bob
Paul,
I'm glad the Doc gave you a green light on health, I go in tomorrow for my second blood test, doing a 3 month blood monitor on me to see what the heck is going on. I get a physical every year to monitor me for health issues due to working on pollution clean ups and freighter boardings. My blood work last november said my scores were all over the charts.
The Canadians and the Americans will run up until there is a hard freeze on the lower Great lakes or they are forced into dockside availability (down time for maintenance, but no dry dock time). Rumor control central said: mid January the first few will go into dockside availability. You ever read the Dune novels? "The taconite must flow", Ohio ports recieve 790 million tons of taconite a year. I know here in Cleveland the steel plant can consume a freighter load (approx 26,000 tons) of taconite in 24 hours and they will welcome any freighter.
We still have buoys out there; we swap out the regular buoys for "ice" buoys. Less cross members for the ice to build up and capsize the buoys.
Lee
BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret) L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes
***Der, in your photo (below) it looks like a pretty good grade? Is it, or is it just a trick of the camera? Curious. -Rob
Good evening Diners: I trust you all have had a good New Years'; and may I wish you a Blessed Christmas, if you are on the Julian calendar!
I've a few update photos, as the battle against the blue desert progressed over Christmas, and a massive ballasting offensive is in it's third day.
First of all, this area now has roadway, but lacks paint on same.
Then the yard and loco service area has ballast and gravel. These pics are of the pre-glued ballast, and the tower is the one from another part of the layout!
Between the end of the yard, and the mobile module with the viaduct that spans the train room door, there is a strip of foam that carries the main line, but is not part of any scene. It simply carries the track, that's all. I've now painted it to match the white walls of the room, and I hope it's less noticeable than when it was blue foam. I couldn't get the photo to come out matte. Here's the strip, and with a loco in transit.
DCC question. Can decoders lose their programming if not used for a few months? Several of my small fleet of locos no longer respond to the Recall button. I can't believe the wheels are that dirty they are not getting any signal.
Here's a puzzle. I priced a small packet to send to Palmyra, NY. $8.20 Air, $6.90 surface. The chap who wanted it never replied to this cost info, so I told the 2nd. String fellow in Omaha he could have it, and I'd price the mail for him. $6.20 Air, and $4.85 surface! I think the PO makes it up as they go along!
NJBob:
Where do you guys get all those animated smiles and train gifs?
The transfer caboose reminds me of the WSOR one that Noah showed us in the old Coffee Shop. I like the wood loads too! The uneven pilasters on that brick building add a lot of interest to it.
Ryan: Any chance of adding that Brisket of Beef to t he main menu?
Rob: Sorry to learn of the baby goats. Disappointing, but in the long view, maybe they wouldn't have made it anyway. You feel so helpless, because if you had been there, you would have prevented it.
Midsomer Murders in about 15 minutes, so I'll close.(do you get that too, CNCharlie?) Good night all, and God Bless. Prayers for all in need of healing, comfort and peace.
"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.
Evening Gang: Well the doctor said that I'm in great shape for the shape I'm in. NO kidding he said that I have no heart problems and should see him in 6 months. That was really great news. So now that's another worry off my mind. I spent the morning at Six Flags taking my CEU's for my electrical license. I have to do this every year at this time. It was a bit of a job getting up a 5am and making that drive again. I must say that it was good seeing the gang again. I spent about an hour talking to and answereing questions from the guy that took over from me. I think that he is realizing what I had to put up with. I almost feel sorry for him. Boy, am I glad that I got out of there.
Lee I just read on the boatnerd site that the Hollyhock pulled the last bouy. I guess that wraps up the shipping season except for the few last attempts to get one more paying load in.
No MRRing today. Tomorrow I maybe able to get to the basement. If I get in Mary Ann's way a bit I'll be bannished there. It's a plan anyway.
Good night All
Today I was out on patrol with my camera when I found the old REA building in downtown Cleveland. I posted a few pictures of the building in my WWW button below in the "Railfanning Ohio" album. I also took 2 pictures of the Essrock Cement plant, only 2 rail cars were there waiting for a load of cement. Then the battries went dead in the camera.
St Mary's Cement had 20-30 rail cars waiting to be filled and 7 more just off the property staged to enter the plant.
We were also stopped by a train load (40) of empty corn syrup tankers leaving the chocolate factory (Solon, OH).
Just a tall cool glass of water for me tonight. Already ate at Longhorns (Salmon...Yum) and I am still stuffed. Paid for half the total with those winning raffle tickets from a month ago.
***Garry, do they make "screaming people" sound tracks? I am going to need something like that for my Soylent Green plant, even if I have to create my own.
***Ryan, for most of the time I lived in WA state, there were tracks right behind my appartment and several times a week trains would rumble buy, usually laying into the horns if they saw me. Sometimes they would go under the highway to the rock quarry. Always BN freight locos. Still have some pics of them.
The Wildlife Wonders gal finally dropped off her trailer this afternoon so I can start getting our 3 older Zebu heifers use to it. What a sweet girl.
My borhters finger (bone infection) is still a mess, but otherwise he is doing fine. Still on IV antibiotics for another couple weeks.
The MIL managed to manipulate enough folks to go get herself a car. Wonder how long it will be before she crashes & burns, literally & figuratively. Nice to know there is now a manic nutcase with ealy Altzheimers & a stroke victim (who only makes right turns) and who both live in an assited living facility "out on the road". The daughters have done ALL they could for them....they are truly on their own now. (Rant is over)
Hope everyone is doing well tonight. Going to go unwind now. Rob
Ryan, Merchant's row I came out good. I'm going to wait until I get a full sheet of signs before I print them then I'll take some pictures to share.
saronaterry wrote: avenger wrote: JimRCGMO wrote: Avenger, as for Chloe - nope, usually she just works the evening shift and lets Zoe cover the daytime. She must've just been slow getting away that day to head for home, I guess. That, or you're confusing her with her twin, Zoe. They're almost identical - when Flip comes by the Diner, ask him and he can tell you how to tell them apart... Well, from what it seems, this story will probably bring up a sore spot from some of you. Have any of you watched "24"? You know, Fox?No?NOW I get it!!!!Good one ,Avenger!Terry
avenger wrote: JimRCGMO wrote: Avenger, as for Chloe - nope, usually she just works the evening shift and lets Zoe cover the daytime. She must've just been slow getting away that day to head for home, I guess. That, or you're confusing her with her twin, Zoe. They're almost identical - when Flip comes by the Diner, ask him and he can tell you how to tell them apart... Well, from what it seems, this story will probably bring up a sore spot from some of you. Have any of you watched "24"? You know, Fox?No?
JimRCGMO wrote: Avenger, as for Chloe - nope, usually she just works the evening shift and lets Zoe cover the daytime. She must've just been slow getting away that day to head for home, I guess. That, or you're confusing her with her twin, Zoe. They're almost identical - when Flip comes by the Diner, ask him and he can tell you how to tell them apart...
Avenger, as for Chloe - nope, usually she just works the evening shift and lets Zoe cover the daytime. She must've just been slow getting away that day to head for home, I guess. That, or you're confusing her with her twin, Zoe. They're almost identical - when Flip comes by the Diner, ask him and he can tell you how to tell them apart...
Well, from what it seems, this story will probably bring up a sore spot from some of you.
Have any of you watched "24"? You know, Fox?
No?
Terry
Struck Gold!!
Chloe, some cooca and a slice of apple pie.
Torn between a T55 and a Kato SD90/43 MAC...
Afternoon all
Paul and JR I have been in but just sitting in the back booth listen'n and watch'n.
Ed 50's and 60's huh,well now you know that is shirt sleeve weather up here and how about going to Port Huron and watching the ice flows since we are having the warm up for a couple days. Remember what it was like???
Flip had said that what Deb doesn't know won't hurt him.
To all with the pics. They really look good!!!!
That's about it
Best to all on sick call and those recovering
Talk to you later
Duke
"Don't take a wooden nickel,because it isn't worth a dime" by my Dad
"There are only 3 things you need out of life:A gentle grade,the wind in your face,and cinders in your hair.....But keep an eye on the water glass!" Jack Evans
Terry in NW Wisconsin
Queenbogey715 is my Youtube channel
afternoon
Hey guys! I'll have a RBF (root beer float) and a pineapple and ham pizza.
I have layout pics on my new (really used) digital camera. My mom got a new one over the holidays and scence I used it more than she does I have her old camera. I just need to upload the pics.
Ever feel like this?
Flashwave wrote: I looked, only saw 1 wheelchair. Saw an Oxygen hose, but now leg cast. I had coatsleeves velcroed across my shoulder, maybe we passed.
I looked, only saw 1 wheelchair. Saw an Oxygen hose, but now leg cast. I had coatsleeves velcroed across my shoulder, maybe we passed.
Don't know who that was, but I know who it wasn't!
Good Morning all. Coffee please.
Finally some sun and warmer weather. It's supposed to hit around 60 today.
Started working on another small structure.Had a pack of blank DPM wall units plus a couple of unit left over from other bashes.I deceided for the roof that I would use V-groove plastic applied in sort of a random pattern to go along with the bash theme.I'll post a pic when I can borrow a camera.
Ryan-thanks for the comments on the pics I posted. I appreciate it.
You're roundhouse looks great and the other pics are good as well. What era are you modeling?You could use corregated metal for the roof.
My wife made another batch of chocolate muffins so I brought some in for all to enjoy.
I'd like to stay and chat a while but I have some important business to attend to so I'll catch up with all of you later.Have a nice day. NJ Bob
Hello again ....
Here's the bird's eye view.
Jeff, many of the cars and trucks were from Walthers mail order. The red convertable is also a '57 Chevy. The male figure driving the convertable is all smiles over the female figure in the passenger seat.
Ryan thanks for the remarks. There's a 1/87 chef in my restaurant looking just like you. Anyone can PM to me if they are interested in the Friday evening "church meetings". I like the progress on the roundhose very much.
You might imagineer a use for the BN ex-GN dome car. The BN used one in exuctive trains in the post Amtrak era. You'll have to dream up a reason why they are in North Carolina. I kit-bashed a Bachmann Santa Fe dome into a GN dome, and a year later Walthers announced they would produce the Empire Builder with such a dome. One of Murphy's Laws pertaining to MRR'ing is that the products are announced susequent to weeks of kitbashing a model. Oh well.
Jerry, the station was a kit. I think it was an Atlas main line station or something like that. I recall it's really a B&O prototype.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
RYAN! TELL ME THE DAY BEFORE IF THERE IS A MEAT SPECIAL!!!
I gotta go fetch some reefers... and some steaks...
Mark
Morning folks!
Toaster strudel and some coffee please Chloe, thanks!
The warming front has taken hold, low was only 39° F this morning, and the high is supposed to be in the low 70° F today.
Made some progress in the layout this weekend, and started production on the details but still trying to decide on a new roof material for the roundhouse. Here are a few images for your review.
LSWrr wrote: Ryan, any new pictures of the round house?
Ryan, any new pictures of the round house?
And by request....
Details in temporary placement
Atlas Southern GP38 Locos with new DCC decoders installed
Scenery Base added and carved some rock detail
Glad you all been enjoyin' the special diner menu treats, so here is Today's Lunch and Dinner Special menu:
And for another extra special special, here is a Cajun culinary treat you might want to sink your teeth into, Blackened Catfish on the back grill, see the You Tube video to wet your appetite:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MstHeu1bV4
Garry, congratulations on finding such a great way to give back to your local community, social responsibility in the church and public is always in dire need. And nice pics of the layout, keep em coming!
Sorry to hear about the goats Rob, and to answer your question the 5 stars are the rating, you can rate the diner too, just click the Rate button and post your rating! I gave us a 5!
Cederstrand wrote: ...in a BURLINGTON NORTHERN mug, please & thank you.
...in a BURLINGTON NORTHERN mug, please & thank you.
Oh, and did you say BN?
Got this item as a Christmas present from my mother-in-law.....now ain't she sweet....
BTW, Lee how is the Merchants Row kits coming along?
Nice lumber loads you got there NJ Bob! And yes, I saw your recipe and it looks good, and I sent you a reply to that PM! And the wall unit's kit looks great, nice weathering too!
Thanks for the OJ report Ed, looks like the variety continues to maintain even in the cold temps! And good deal for the Giants, I was rooting for them too since the Bucs beat out the Saints in the NFC South this year.
And a quick Shout Out goes to Duke!
Cheers,
Ryan
Ryan BoudreauxThe Piedmont Division Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger eraCajun Chef Ryan
LSWrr wrote:Jeffery, what are you using for ground cover? It looks really good.
Jeffery, what are you using for ground cover? It looks really good.
Gerry: One thing in your photo that leaped out and grabbed me was that 57 Chevy! Where'd you find that?
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 ....
Oatmeal and OJ, please.
Here's another angle of the downtown scene. It give a better view of the kitbashed restaurant building with sand colored brick. It's located at the part of my scene where the orientation of bulidings and streets changes from being 45 degrees to the wall to being 90 degrees to the wall. There are actaully two restaurants in the downtown scene and my scale figures can eat well. (Perhaps as much as some of our diners here.)
My kitbashed Burlington obeservation car is on the departing train.
Good morning,
Only up to 60F right now (ok that's a tropical heat wave for northern Ohio). Thunderstorms for the next couple of days with temps in the 60's.
Jim, yes it's a dye sub-limination <SP> printer, and yes it prints white. I do have trouble with it since you have to print white labels twice. The white ink is not opaque enough to be laid on a black railcar.
Cederstrand, I use the plaster cloth for river bottoms, I think it was $13 a roll at Michaels
I'm back.
It took all last week to figure out that my hard drive crashed. I kept trying my components on the neighbors computer.
Nice photos, Bob.
I should get ready for work.
Good Morning All,
A regular and a glazed donut please Zoe. Temps in the 30's this morning and damp besides. A typical gloomy winter day. Did get some time in at the rail yard working again on the plow truck. I'd love to get back to the RS-11 I'm helping to restore but there's so much other mechanical work to do it seems unlikely just now.
Duke - good to see you dropped in yesterday. What's been up lately?
I loved the pics of the Zepher and the wood loads - that's some nice work. Lee - I agree the DPM kits are a bit heavy/thick but Jerry was right. Once painted and curtained they look pretty good. Loved the idea for the peaked roofs though I left mine flat/slightly slanted. Didn't use the stock roof though - I cut up cardboard and one old heavy plastic steel roof panel and used them instead. That's about it for now gotta run - lots to do this week. Have a goodun' J.R.
Good Morning from Tipton IN !
Bill Tidler Jr.
Near a cornfield in Indiana...