Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I'll be heading off to NJ very shortly.
Jerry, The passenger is my B&O Walther's heavyweights. For power, I'll use the BLI E7s but mostly due to my addiction to F units, I run it with Stewart F3s in a ABA lashup. Those old Kato drives are unbeatable.
I really want to thank you all for all your thoughts and prayers for me and my family. Christmas wasn't wonderful, but we did get though alright. The thought of the upcoming day was actually more difficult than Christmas itself.
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
in a UNION PACIFIC mug, please & thanks.
Good "BOXING DAY", to those who have it. Even among my Canadian friends I have heard different definitions for it. I always figured it was so named for all the fights breaking out among crazed shoppers reaching for the same Super Sale items.
Off to do critter rounds & then back to sorting a million screws, nuts, bolts etc in the workshop. Have a great day all. Rob
SilverSpike wrote: Philip - any updates on the dead PC?
Philip - any updates on the dead PC?
Found the cause! My daughter opened an Email from a trusted family friend and thats when the ugly stuff happened. I'll have it looked at later. I've got a working computer for now.
I don't know if it's true, but many years ago I was told that, in England in the 1800's, on Boxing Day the " more fortunate" would leave boxes of left over food from the Christmas feast outside their doors for the "less fortunate".
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
Neil
Hope that everyone had a great Christmas.
Coffee only please. I assume that we all were affected by substance abuse yesterday. Food, Food, Food.
Larry and I have been working on the layout seriously. This morning he is staining the bridge deck. I also got Larry to cut part of the benchwork so I can recess the river.
Later,
Sue
Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.
Afternoon all!
Been a busy day around here! The magic phone breaking fairy was appearently hard at work over the holiday! Got stuff messed up everywhere! Got most of it under control now though. The little bit left is being worked on as I write. I'll test it in a few.
Had a great Christmas! Got to have my family over and we just hung out doing virtually nothing. In the end, everyone was happy & full! A good day!
Oh, gotta run.....later!
Afternoon folks!
My stomach is much better now, getting back to normal dining habits again! Chloe, I'm having leftovers today, so only a glass of OJ for me thanks!
Sorry I missed some responses from Saturday, so here's to playing catch up now...
Hey der John, now that is quite a service you got there on the snow blower! I would have done the same with giving him a tip, it was much deserved!
der5997 wrote: A Via, seen here getting onto the layout by the removable fiddle yard
A Via, seen here getting onto the layout by the removable fiddle yard
BTW, one question for you Der; is that a lift up section or a swing gate?
Thanks for the historical temperature readings from Mexico, Ed; I can see why you don't have a heating system. Maybe the kitchen can stay warm if you cook up a big pot of soup!
Glad to hear the baby is doing well Paul, thanks for the update!
Philip - any updates on the dead PC? CL (aka Ken) has a good idea, but sometimes those data transfers can be a lot of money if it is the HD that is bad or if it has crashed. Years ago (year 2000 or so) we had a HD crash on a customer and it was imperative that the data be recovered, cost about $5,000 to recover the data from a third party organization that specialized in data recovery. Maybe the process is easier now, and not as costly, but a crashed HD that will not boot is hard to recover the data. Oh, and that tree photo and the historical marker are quite a find, yes, that is quite a bit of tid!
Garry - Sorry to hear about the daughter's crash, I hope everyone involved is safe and sound. Please keep us posted, and thoughts and prayers are being sent your way. The IC toast was great, thanks! And thanks for the Elf message that is about the 3rd one I have gotten this year, seems like a lot of people took some great dance lessons too!
Congratulations Mitch! I am so glad that you were able to get the links working on your posts!
bogp40 wrote: Ryan: I hope there's enough of those tasty cookies to go around. I've actually been following your progress on that engine facility. It is coming out fantastic, great pics too. Did you ever settle on any lighting of the pits? Hope you had a good time at the Moose lodge.
Ryan: I hope there's enough of those tasty cookies to go around. I've actually been following your progress on that engine facility. It is coming out fantastic, great pics too. Did you ever settle on any lighting of the pits? Hope you had a good time at the Moose lodge.
Hey Bob, yes there are plenty of cookies left and you can have as many as you want! I have not decided on the inspection pit lighting at the moment, but the LED idea seems to be a good start. And thanks, the dance at the Moose Lodge was great fun, they even had a Karaoke and a few people got up and sang, some were really good, others were not so good singing! Hope your Christmas and holidays are going well for you and yours. Sorry to hear about the Caravan, hope it gets fixed up real soon.
Those are some great cement images Lee, thanks for sharing those map links!
J.R. - you been busy working on the railroad there, I've taken a break during the holidays and will most likely be January before I get a chance to start up again on some progress.
RT - Sorry about the crash into the house, was anyone hurt? Did anyone see who did the hit and run or do you know who did the damage?
I'll second those thoughts and prayers that Jim in the Cape gave for those who are traveling this holiday season.
Fergie and John Boy, thanks for the Boxing Day definitions!
Thoughts and prayers to all who are in need and healing!
Cheers,
Ryan
Ryan BoudreauxThe Piedmont Division Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger eraCajun Chef Ryan
Cox 47 wrote:Fergie...I feel kinda dumb I am 60 years old and I don't know what Boxing day is?
My definition: You take all the stuff you got and can't use and put in boxes for giving away to someone else next year. (seldom if ever happens)
Real definition: It's an english thing as the "Gentry" went around on this with boxes and gave their servants presents.
Nova Scotia is one of the only places in Canada that still considers this a holiday and the stores are CLOSED! It allows the Store Staff some time to spend with family
Fergie
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5959
If one could roll back the hands of time... They would be waiting for the next train into the future. A. H. Francey 1921-2007
Hi Cox,
Glad you had a wonderful Christmas, we did as well only less people. But it too will continue with the boys coming at different times until New Years. Our youngest and his wife were just able to leave Spokane this morning for a 900 mile drive to our home.
BOXING DAY, is just like your day after Thanksgiving. I didn't realize that it was so much of a Canadian thing only.
This is the day when you get all kinds of great deals on the surplus that the retailers brought in for Christmas and didn't sell prior to the big day. Also most of the other seasonal items are drastically reduced as well.
Depending where you are and what you want and what is being advertised as "Super" discounts, there are people that camp out over night in freezing weather to be first in line at some places. I don't participate in that, but usually later in the day my son who lives in the city here and I go and check out a few things that we are interested in. He usually buys a few videos that he collects and sometimes they will mark down some tools but not that often.
Boxing day though is not the day to take back items to exchange, they are to busy doing other business that day , it is really hectick in thos stores. So the exchanges wait until later in the week.
"SO" Have a great Boxing day, I have been told that the term was a British term that refered to the day as the time you put all the boxes away, But I'm not really sure if that is accurate even though it seems to make some sense.
Johnboy out................
James:1 Verse:5
from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North..
We have met the enemy, and he is us............ (Pogo)
HAppy Boxing Day!
Well as some of you may have read Lisa bought me a new True Line Trains CN Caboose, which is a real charmer. As I have a Birthday around the corner I've asked for a second one (If there is any left).
And yes I'll include myself in the "Stupider as stupid gets" category as we too ate ourselves silly with Turkey, 2 dressings, Squash,Potato, sweet Potato, Cranberry Relish, apple sauce... Had no room for the home made apple pie so it gets saved for today!!
RT: Hope this "little situation" clears itself up really quickly as no one needs this at this time of year. Very Glad no one was hurt in the frukus!
Garry: Again I hope all is better with your family today as no one needs this at this time of year.But as you have stated all are alive and in one piece.
Lee: I believe I have an assortment of Cabeese that I will not be using and you are more than welcome to them. These are Mehano's and gawd knows what! JUst let me know if you are interested.
Bob: THe loss of my Dad was bad enough but I can only imagine what life would be like if I lost Lisa. Saying that I have not had the motivation to work on my layout for over a year. Dad's illness and subsequent passing has a lot to do with it as we were both into the hobby as it was a shared activity, something he wasn't able to do this past year and a bit. For some reason this last week "we" have seen a revival in the MESS and hopefully this is a sign of things to come in the New Year!
Anyway There's a weather watch in effect as a Nor'Easter is developing to the SW of here (Thanks DICK... Buddy) The Christmas card was nice but a Nor' Easter! You really shouldn't have!
Later All
PS Bob (aka) Teffy gives his regards and best to everyone this holiday season!
I uploaded new pictures to my WWW button in the LS&W album showing my progress on the bench work. Please keep in mind I have to move every 3 to 4 years so my construction method is a around the wall layout, but in sections for easy transport. To balance the necessity of sturdy and light weight construction I'm using ½" plywood tops with 1"x4" framing glued and screwed together. The tops are glued and screwed to the frame.
BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret) L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes
Good Morning and happy St. Stephen's Day (or Boxing Day for our Diners of British/Canadian/Australian background)! Zoe, I'll have a nice bagel, glass of Ed's OJ and a cup of coffee, please. Thanks!
From the reports of the eating (and planned eating for today), I may not be the only (alleged) chowhound in the Diner. Some serious eaters out there, yep! My eating yesterday wasn't too heavy (unless I include half a bag of chips in the afternoon/evening... ). Later today, I'm to meet with my daughter and son-in-law for our celebration, and I figure some kind of eating out will go with that. But probably not the feasts that were reported here.
My Christmas Day on-call was - to borrow some familiar words - "All is calm, all is bright..." I did get more books put back on the bookcase, and floor space in the living room reclaimed. Did some fiddling around with the layout software program for a 'basement or half-garage-sized' design I've been playing with for a couple/few weeks.
Jeff, hope you find a good price on XP Pro - I would kind of agree that changing over to the Home version (from all the reports I've heard from my PC-using friends) would be a step down. But best wishes whichever way you decide to go.
Garry, good to hear everyone is back home (and hopefully, healing quickly) after that accident. Nobody likes that kind of interruption to their Christmas Day.
Rob, you've received much better advice than I could've given, but I would've sided with the 'plywood crew', even just for the sometimes wet weather (like you've had lately there). Best wishes on getting some trains running soon.
Bob K., I expect that as a bit more time passes, you'll be able to get back to the scenery work again. Besides, some things on scenery you'll only be able to show your 'young' apprentice. You can only learn so much by word or by reading - there are some things you learn by seeing done. I'm guessing April would like to watch you enjoying your MRR club work again. I lean with RT, and believe that she can observe from where she is.
Better get to my bagel and coffee (juice was excellent, Ed!). Need to turn in my paperwork from the on-call so I get paid in the next paycheck. Prayers for safe travelling for those heading out today (whether to another celebration or to do the gift exchange), and prayers for healing, comfort and encouragement (including those of us trying to assess what we'd like to do in the New Year - MRR'ing, resolutions, or otherwise).
Blessings,
Jim in Cape Girardeau
Happy day after Christmas!
Speaking of eating yourself stupid; after today I don't think I'll need to eat anything until ground hog day! We went to my GF's family Christmas party and the food was outstanding and more than plentiful. Today we will journey to Toledo to meet with my family and consume even more food. I have reinforcements coming on 29DEC07 to help with the layout bench work (my son will be staying here for a week).
Garry,
I hope you have a safe trip back to MI and I wish for a speedy recovery for those injured.
Bob,
Great layout pictures, thanks for sharing. I'm sorry to hear about your loss.
Lee
Good Morning from Tipton IN !
Bill Tidler Jr.
Near a cornfield in Indiana...
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
***Bob, I can only imagine what you have gone through with the loss of your wife. I know if I lost mine, it would change my life beyond words. You do have my deepest sympathies.
The work by that first timer on the layout looks outstanding to me. When the time comes to give it my first attempt, I would be delighted to have similar results. At the rate I'm going, it could easily be a year before I get started on the first rock.
After 3:00am here....Night All. Rob
Cederstrand wrote:***Bob, forgot to ask you, what is the time frame for completion on that massive layout in the pics? How many people are working on it and how often? Sure would love to see the finished monster. Rob
Rob,
There are 60 members of my club. This 10,000 sq ft building was aquired on lease from the government and town of Hingham, MA. 10 years ago. It took 5 years to restore the building and build the offices, meeting room, kitchen, library and restrooms. All along we battled over the plan for the layout. Now we are about one third complete in the layout. The battles are ongoing as to the remainder of the last 3 legs. We meet twice a week, Mon and Thur, with a business meeting and decoder clinic once a month. An operation is also scheduled for that month.This doesn't leave much time for actual layout construction, but we manage anyway. There is a good crew for benchwork, trackwork, electrical and as far as scenery it's just me and one other capable member. I hope that in the next 5 years the plan to finish the last 3 legs of the layout can see some sort of completion.
I must admit, that the loss of my wife has really had an impact on my ability to continue with the scenery, which has fallen behind badly. The members and good friends for many years are sympathetic and not pushing me by any means. Many are depending on me and as soon as the desire, from this from the heart type of work, returns, I need to jump back into the projects to continue the progress of this layout. I have a few very competent indiiduals who have been doing some great work. In his first attempt this member and my new assistant has done this area.
He is also continuing on finishing this spot w/ the CrippleBush rubber rock molds
So Rob, you will have to wait for some time to see the finish to this "monster" I hope I'm around long enough to see it as well. I can always keep everyone posted as to our progress, though.
***Garry, sorry to hear of her accident, but glad all seem OK. And You take care and have a safe drive.
***Jeffrey, is there a reason you want to go from XP Pro to XP Home? Wouldn't going from XP Pro to XP Home be a down-grade? I know it would have been some years back when I had this puter rebuilt. Or, perhaps you have a more current Home compared to your Pro? Just curious.
***Thanks for all the quick advice guys. "Plywood it is"
***Bob, I can easily see the advantages of an open frame layout. I will have grades and some mountainous terrain, but will still start with the flat board table for now. Reason? Still do not have a plan down, so (for me) it is going to be best just to start with a basic table and some ideas. (stop laughing) For what it is worth, I have been a full time artist for a good many years and still make many of my frames from scratch. Also built much of our new house myself (including plumbing & electrical). Not the same kind of experience or skill you have as a carpenter, but I can usually find reasonable ways to make things work. To do an open frame layout would require I make final layout decisions which I am not prepared to do at this point. Plan on using mostly KATO track so I can easily make changes until I figure out exactly what & where I want everything to reside. Also I will be able to at least "run trains" more quickly, which after 45 years seems like a good idea about now. I REALY like those photos you posted. And who knows, perhaps by the time I have made final layout decisions, I will build a new open-frame table after all. This was all left-over wood laying around that I would rather put to good use than continue to store. Nothing I would make frames out of, but fine for a personal train table that is not going anywhere.
Heading back to the workshop to do a wee bit more tools/drill bits/etc sorting into drawers. What a mess! Rob
RT,
Hope all works out well. What a way to start of Christmas. That person must have been really moving to snap off those 2x6s and decking like that. Thankfully no one was hurt. I hope you had a merry Christmas anyway.
Cederstrand wrote: While continuing the arduous job of organizing the workshop, made a decision this evening. Instead of building shelves to hold the leftover 2x4's (from house construction), why not finally begin my train table. So, borrowing Dave V's layout dimensions, I cut parts for a basic old-style (heavy duty) train table. Although I still plan on using foam, which will make a better table top: OSB or plywood? Rain finally stopped here and it is a mud fest. Still preferable to drought conditions any day. Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Back to the dungeon/workshop for more organizing. Rob
While continuing the arduous job of organizing the workshop, made a decision this evening. Instead of building shelves to hold the leftover 2x4's (from house construction), why not finally begin my train table. So, borrowing Dave V's layout dimensions, I cut parts for a basic old-style (heavy duty) train table. Although I still plan on using foam, which will make a better table top: OSB or plywood?
Rain finally stopped here and it is a mud fest. Still preferable to drought conditions any day. Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Back to the dungeon/workshop for more organizing. Rob
Hope you had a very Merry Christmas.
If you are wondering what to do for the benchwork. consider what you want for your true layout. Materials for the foundation of your frame for a layout that you will put countless hours of hard work into, set a plan for the overall layout and build to suit your needs. I realize that as a carpenter some of this may come so easy for me, I still try to instill on those to build their layouts in a way that they will not regret their methods of construction later on.
If this style of construction still works for your needs and have no problem with it, then fine, go for it. When I first got into the hobby I was in a large club setting with standards that were far beyond the average home layout. Our second layout was to be state of the art in design, benchwork, track selection, electrical and in the scenery dept. Just because a layout may be only a smaller verion, there's no reason to cut any corners. Sometimes I find it difficult to explain my position to those who are doing a smaller or room sized layout. It is your layout to be proud of and expect the most from the space restraints to accomplish as much as you can from it.
I find a problem with the build a frame and just cover with foam type of layouts. If you are building a layout that is primarily flat, no grades, or bridges spanning deep rivers or canyons then that foam covered plywood empire will be fine and continue in that way. However, if the prototype that you are trying to model needs various contours and major elevation changes you should really consider an open frame construction.
As a carpenter I don't even want to go to the club and build benchwork and work with wood --as I do this all day long. I love to do the scenery, build the hills and contours, including all bridges, portals and all the below track scenery as rivers, valleys etc. Sure, I'll help on real trouble spots where alterations become critical for spans or strength. at the duckunders or where a bridge is cut out.
I don't know your prototype and the terrain you are modeling, just give some thought to any open grid whereas any contours below the track elevation are done very easily. The track whether pine spline or cookie cutter at the club make any of these possible sitting up on risers. All the scwnery contours are placed for our needs.
The following pic shows a portion of what I'm dealing with,
For any drastic elevation changes open grid is a must
And use a decent grade of plywood instead of any OSB, I find it so inferior to plywood. Of coarse other will disagree, I have been doing quality carpentry for 35 years and would only use this stuff for a pallet or shipping container, let alone my home layout.
Howdy all. Hope everyone had a great day, we did.
Cederstrand, I'm not sure where you live, but if you ever have humidity above.....oh, I don't know.....lets say 1 per cent, go with plywood! OSB should stand for Oriented SPONGE Board. I would make some pithy comment about "IMHO it's only good for...." but I really can't think of much of anything it's really good for. Like Ken and others said, cutting it is less than satisfying, I don't think you'll be unhappy with choosing plywood. And good to hear that you are building your layout!
Didn't get any Model RRing things for Cmas, which is fine and dandy, seems when people don't know what to buy you they gravitate towards anything with Lionel on it. I have clocks that hoot, collectible tins- only 12 million made- and numerous other Lionel items. Bless 'em. Thats one great thing about a running layout, once they see what you are trying to do, then the gifts become a bit more applicable to Model RRing.
However, I do believe Amyjo picked me up a few shirts and a Brakeman's lantern from Schraeders, but we haven't had time to open our gifts yet! Yesterday was the Cmas eve portion of the in-laws holliday, we ate ourselves stupid, ten members of the family that either play or played instruments in school put on a great little concert, and we sang carols. Today, we ate ourselves stupider, again were entertained by the band and played with all of the toys and games the kids got. These people are lots of fun! I think when I get home tomorrow morning, we will open our gifts and that will certainly make our nephew happy. He's learning what the term "bittersweet" means. He really enjoys being here with his family, but misses his mom. Ah, the choices life gives you.
Everybody take care, and hope the Christmas cheer hangs on through the coming year!
It never seems to end for you Jeff. At times I'm glad I'm functionally illiterate when it comes to programming and accessory drives. I know at the end of the day, the trials you go through give you a better computer than I have or can get but I gotta tell you if I had to go through all that you do I'd still be using pencil and paper.
Rob - I'd go with the plywood if possible. My lower layout is 2x4 supporting 1/4" plywood (luan actually) with foam over that. After two years, no issues with sagging or warping though I did try to keep the load down and limited the depth to a max of 36".
Hope everyone had a good day and hopefully took a second to remember what today is really all about. As for me we had all the family over at one time or another and that was really good. I'll check in tomorrow time to turn in for me. CUL, J.R.
Hello. I certainly hope each of you had a great Christmas. We had a good visit in Cincinnati with the son who lives here with his wife and kids. Grandkids were all smiles.
This afternoon, I found out one of the Michigan daughters had been in a collision along with with her young family. Their minivan was destroyed and its airbags had deployed. She and my grandson went by ambulance to the hospital. Son-in-law and granddaughter were not hurt much. All are home now and will be OK. I'm thankful it was not much worse than that.
We drive to Michigan tomorrow.
Merry Chistmas again everyone.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
I agree with Ken,
My last layout was OSB, never again. Areas of the layout warped or saged after the first year and was much heaver than the plywood. (Around the walls basement layout).
I would recomend 1/2" "good one side" plywood with 1" x 4" or 2" x 4" framing.
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
IMHO- OSB is more sensitive to moisture (warpage and delamination) and does not hold screws as well. Unless you have a brand new or freshly resharpened blade to cut the OSB with your edges will be more splintered than plywood. As for pricing, if I was doing a room sized layout (or anything room sized) I may consider OSB over plywood and take that savings to invest in additional blades and fastening hardware. However, since it sounds as though you are doing roughly a 3'x8' I would go plywood. just my