Elliotts Trackside Diner II

[wetidlerjr]

Good Morning from Tipton IN ! 

[LSWrr]

Good morning all,

While it's not quite paradise here in Euclid, OH who could pass up a rainy day filled with dark clouds and a high of 37F???  Think of all the money I'll save NOT running the a/c (just giving you a hard time ED).

Dean, Welcome to the diner! Will your layout be steam or diesel and what part of earth are you from?

Jeffery; the coaches look good, rattle cans never hurt no one and their cheaper than $4 a bottle for Poly or Floquill.

Ryan, can I get a copy of the chowder recipe?

Paul, Glad to hear the grandchild is doing well, carb on a diesel? Don't take this the wrong way; but, how old is your diesel? Is it a Chevy?

I did finish the M.T. Arms Hotel and started on Merchant's row II and the C. Smith Packing house last night. The 19^th & 20^th there is a train show at valley HS and on the 26^th one at the UAW hall, so I'll be on the lookout for more ore cars and a suitable building for my REA Express Agency.  I'm thinking about kit bashing a coal fired powerhouse for the layout once I finish my downtown module.

Lee

[JimRCGMO]

Good Morning, Diners! Janie, how about a glass of Ed's OJ,

glass of milk,

some scrambled eggs and couple of strips of bacon with some hash browned potatoes,

and oh, yeah - mug of TH coffee to wash it down with.

Thanks! Janie, I brought these in for the other Diners - the bottom box of them is sugar-free for those wanting that.

 

I got up this morning, and from the smell of it, one of my neighbors in the building must be cooking a roast - smells delicious! Should I go invite myself to dinner, I wonder?

NJ Bob, thanks for the info on that oil dealer. It looks great (as have all your photos)! When will your weathering clinic start?

Dean, to the Diner, and have a cup of your favorite beverage on me. Sounds like you've been pretty productive with your MRR'ing. My MRR'ing goal for the day (well, plus to get the Christmas decorations put away) is to see about getting some wiring started for my layout. Pushing the cars/locos around on the tracks just doesn't stir up the interest for me like actually running them does, for some reason...

Jeffrey, what do you use to mask for your painting - that 3M blue tape, or something else? Those passenger cars make me think of a tuxedo, all sharp black & white.

Colby, if you put 22" curves on there, won't that cut the track too close to the edge of your table? It is 42" (3.5 feet) deep, right? 22" curves plus even 18" on the other left half would total 40", and leave no room for that siding switch on the upper left of my drawing. Unless you got a deeper board for your table than I remembered, of course.

Kind of cool this morning, 29 F, but supposed to hit about 51 F today, and it looks like it'll be a sunny day out. Not quite as warm as in Ed's paraíso, but workable for us Midwesterners.

Time for me to get back to my breakfast. I have laundry awaiting me after I finish here.

 

Blessings and some productive MRR'ing for your Saturday,

Jim in Cape Girardeau 

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Good morning.

I'll have oatmeal and OJ.

I plan to build more of the layout today.

Happy model railroading.

 

[SilverSpike]

Ryan, can I get a copy of the chowder recipe? Lee

Got to find that one in my archives, last time I made it was back in 1988, dang, that was 20 years ago! Time flies eh.

Here is todays Lunch and Diner Specials

 

Soup du Jour ~	$2.95/3.95
Beef Barley
From the Grill ~	$8.95
Sunset Limited Mahi Mahi
Diner Special ~	$5.95
Southwest Chief Omelete
Blue Plate Special ~	$4.95
Nickle Plate Road Chiped Beef on Toast
Dessert ~	$2.95
Southern Crescent Fudge Brownie

Check out my new installment YouTube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKc0zwAdMM4

Its a Norfolk Southern #9823 D 9-40CW Top gon consist and with a Southern GP-38 following with a mixed freight consist. I brought the NS loco to have the decoders installed back in November and picked it up last night.

Cheers,

Ryan

[Cederstrand]

in a UNION PACIFIC mug with one of those Southern Crescent Fudge Brownies, please & thank you.

***Ryan, like the sound in that clip. Have you ever watched any of the shows with Chef Ramsey? Those kitchen nightmares are a riot.

Beautiful day here. Off to do critter rounds. Rob 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Jeffrey, what do you use to mask for your painting - that 3M blue tape, or something else? Those passenger cars make me think of a tuxedo, all sharp black & white.

Masking tape from Wal-Mart. 62 cents a roll.

 

Good morning.

Today's Weather for:      
Sundown, LA  71446-6114      1/12/2008

Wind Chill:  58°F
Humidity:  42%
Dew Point:  36°F

So Far Today
High:  59°F
Low:  36°F
Rain:  0.00"
Rain Rate:  0.00"/h
Gust:  7mph SE

Today    High: 62    Sunny. Highs in the lower 60s. Light and variable winds.    

Tonight    Low: 32    Increasing clouds. Lows in the lower 30s. East winds around 10 mph shifting to the north after midnight.

Been working on the tourist train last night and this morning and it's almost ready. Here's some pics. There are more photos in the Weekend Photo Fun thread, page 2, 10th post down.

 

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Impressive train, Jeff!  Engine #007: easy to remember!

[Cederstrand]

[ Impressive train, Jeff!  Engine #007: easy to remember! ]

That is one beautiful engine and a sharp train all around. Rob

[Flashwave]

Loks good.

And the NKP chipped beef sounds good too. I'll have to have some.

PC: Maybe not as good, but probab;y easier on your credit card.

[fec153]

Hi Jeff- Beautiful train , just like all your work. Professional grade.

007,huh! Must be a killer.

 

pc- miss your signature. Maybe they can make an AMENdment to the rules.

Prayers for all. [or is that against the rules?]

Flip

 

[Cox 47]

Afternoon All....Its sunny with teps in upper 40's...Nice day...I'll have a Sweet Ice Tea..Please...Thank you...sallie and her sisters are spending the day with their Mother..Gave me a chance to watch the Vol. 12 of DPB...Tew's HO layout is worth a look..never saw so many ore cars...I put some couplers together and worked on a couple of TP&W box cares I picked up off Ebay..Just about got them ready to track test...

Jeff...Nice paint job on Passenger train...Thanks for photos..

You all have a good one...Jerry

[pcarrell]

pc- miss your signature. Maybe they can make an AMENdment to the rules.

Prayers for all. [or is that against the rules?]

Me too, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

[Cederstrand]

fec153 wrote:

pc- miss your signature. Maybe they can make an AMENdment to the rules. Prayers for all. [or is that against the rules?]

 

Me too, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

***Perhaps they mistook your initials to mean POLITICAL CORRECTNESS and were trying to....God only knows?  IMHO, it is a sad state of affairs these days when political correctness dictates what can be said. What ever happened to "...but words can never hurt me"!?! Yea, I know, those are the RULES here.

 Rob

[fec153]

Hi Rob- Did you get my 'E' pertaining to RFD on mondays at 6p.m.?

Does anyone still have the 'E' that Ben Stein wrote? Someone sent it to me and I know I forwarded it to some other diner goers. I think Rob would like to read it.

Y'all be careful out there. Prayers always for all.

Flip

 

[Anonymous]

Jeff-Nice job on the passenger cars and loco.

Jim and everyone- a weathering clinic,I'd have to think about that one but if I can answer any of your questions feel free to ask and I'll do my best. I only hope that when I do build my layout that is measures up to what I done so far. I have never painted track before so that may be an issue but time will tell.

Well,got to run. Just got home from work and have to shower and eat. I'll check back with you guys later.NJ Bob 

[Cederstrand]

PC & Flip, I sent both of you pm's.

Flip, you sent that via e-mail perhaps a week or so ago, yes? I did receive a reminder and thought I had replied with a thanks!?! I usually catch the train shows at 1:00 or 2:00am, as I am not an early riser. As for Ben Stein, I appreciate his bluntness and insightful perspectives. He is a sharp cookie.

Speaking of cookies, I'll have a plate of chocolate chip cookies and my usual , please & thank you. Rob 

[fec153]

Rob- No I did not get any messages from you. Glad you did get mine.

I sure do marvel at your talent, modeling and your pictures. Hoping to hit the lottery so I, we, Deb and I can purchase some [more than one] of your work.  Glad your wife is doing better.

Flip

 

[saronaterry]

Hi everybody!!

OK, Can't help myself( also off topic)!!

HOW ' BOUT THOSE PACKERS!!!!??!

Terry ,in Sarona,WISCONSIN!

[Cederstrand]

Terry, Congrats to your Packers! From what little I saw of the latter half, Mother Nature made a mess of that game. Having moved to GA from WA (and growing up in AZ), I still root for mostly western teams. Tonight I have been watching NE vs Jax and although I don't really have a dog in the hunt, it's a pretty darn good game. Looking forward to the second half.

Rob

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

pc- miss your signature. Maybe they can make an AMENdment to the rules.

Prayers for all. [or is that against the rules?]

Me too, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

I, too, agree with comments in behalf of PC expressing his views. That said, I don't own the forum, and it is priviledge to participate in discussions here. Rules are rules like it or not. If I owned the forum, PC would be allowed to express his views.

Meanwhile, back at the roundhouse.......... I put a lot of time into my layout expansion today.  I posted a photo in weekend photo fun to honor the Santa Fe fans in the forum.

Happy Model Railroading.

[der5997]

Good evening Diners:  A wasted day yesterday, putting a new extractor fan in our daughter's bathroom, only to find that it just sits and hums. Doesn't rotate. Manufacturer's Customer Service isn't open weekends.  There's power to the unit, and power through the wall switch....

Pretty much a wasted day again today as for some reason the layout won't operate.  The DCC power station and cab run the (separate) Programming track.  Everything was working fine a few days ago, now it won't.  Also, I can't find the roller for my CenterLine track cleaning car. The DCC Power Station doesn't show a short anywhere, so I am presuming that it's not laying across the track; but just where its got to..

On to merrier thoughts.  I think it's Fergie's birthday tomorrow.  Even if we are off , it can't be by many days. So,

 

Dean: to the Diner. You're bound to be asked before long, so what's your ticket policy for those concerts?

 

NJBob: I airbrush my track with a dark brown blackish rust colour, and let the ties be what they may, because they get their "treatment" when the ballast is done.  I use acrylics for my health; but I'm a bit concerned that there may be a reaction with the rails.  In any case, I do mine when the track is installed and isn't likely to move again.  That's because the moulded clips on the ties of Flex Track mask the sole, and if the rail moves when the painted track is flexed, the bright spots that were covered by the clips show up, and have to be painted over again.  That is a bore.

However, I'd say just do it!  You'll be happy you did, and what's perfect anyway? (didn't you just say to Lee "Sometimes accidents turn out to be your best work."?)

they only make the short turnouts in code100 so I guess I'm stuck using that instead of the code83.

...Peco does a Code 55 turnout in N by taking Code 83 rail and putting in a false sole at 55.  I'm guessing, but I'd think you could just use the Code 83 rail, and adapt joiners to bring the railhead up to meet the Code 100 in the turnout.  Why not email them?

 

CapeJim:

DerJohn, what about adding a turnout and more track just after coming off the bridge, and use either a crossing or possibly single/double slip switch to get to the staging yard/programming track? See the green part I added to your drawing. My , anyway.

...Thanks Jim.  My reluctance is that I though I'd finished that section.  Looking at it again, and thinking of the operating advantages of another passing track, I may do some drawing, and see if a Y turnout (circled blue here) might bring a passing track between the main and the interchange storage track. (blue dot and dash line)...The new passing track would rejoin the main via the turnout drawn in black, which would be the one circled in black moved to its new position.  I'd have to provide a similar turnout to link the new passing track with the loco escape that the current (black circled) turnout is for.

You've got that handy drawing program.  Could you see if my idea for Colby's layout is feasible? That is, shorten the straight by the water tower (I think by more than just removing the 2" section Colby suggests) so that the curve past the turntable comes in from the table edge to just about touch the turntable handle box.  I think that doing so, and replacing the top end of that curve with straights, would line up the track so as to remove the S curve through the top turnout that switches the mine. I'd be interested to see if it does, because he has to work with what he's got for now, as I understand it.

NorthernPhil:

Today, lawyers would be lined up at my door!

...how unfortunately true!  Those were the days, my friend....

Ryan:

if I skipped a week or two of making it they became restless...go figure!

...not too hard to figure that...even if it is Manhattan style!

Jeff:  Those coaches are looking great, even if it wasn't the paint you thought it would be.  That loco really sets them off too.

Garry:

A "bottleneck' on the layout simply adds challenge to the operators. ..........

...one, maybe, but this isn't the only one, just the worst!

Mark:

I want to fire them out of a chicken cannon

..Kris wants to know at whom?

Paul: That's good news about your granddaughter. Good to hear she's making steady progress.  It shouldn't be long before she's put on enough weight to be able to come home.

Rob:  That sounds like a bit too much dust for a healthy layout.  Any chance of getting the saws rigged up to a vacuum dust collection system? (shopvac and plastic pipe is the down and dirty).

 

Flip:  Glad you could drop by.

Prayers for all. [or is that against the rules?]

...not in this Diner it's not, I'm glad to say.

Terry:  In the old Coffee Shop, Kris and I were engaged to root for the Packers so that hey would start to loose! I guess  you don't want the same service?

[JimRCGMO]

Good Evening, Janie - I think I'll have one of those Southern brownies, a cup of the Beef Barley soup, and a cup of the Tim Horton, please.

OK, Can't help myself (also off topic)!!

HOW 'BOUT THOSE PACKERS!!!!??!

Terry, in Sarona,WISCONSIN!

Proud of that team, are ye, Terry? Always fun when your home state/town team is winning.

Ryan, nice video(s) (I also looked at your other one where the container train goes by from ahead to left side)! (As you can tell, I'm not very good at recognizing/distinguishing modern diesel models from each other). The sound on the new loco (allowing for it being over the internet) is really good!

Everybody east of me may want to watch your weather (Jerry, Inch, Garry, Lee, Philnrunt, and all points east) - they're predicting that we may drop to 31 (F) tonight and have some rain that eventually might give us a spot of flurries - briefly. Hard telling what form it will be by the time it reaches those of you north of our area's latitude.

Jeff, if you do that with good ol' masking tape, I can only imagine how great you'd do with even better tools! Excellent job on that train, and the other's comments, as well.

NJ Bob, I wouldn't worry about how you'll do on track - 1) it's a simpler surface to paint than some freight cars, and 2) just like them, you can wipe it off and re-do if you have to. I expect that you will do well there, also. On the 'weathering clinic' - heck, I'd settle for a couple or three posts describing how you did it; after all, I've not done much of any weathering, so even a paragrah or two should help my puny skills, I figure.

Rob, how've you and the wife been doing this weekend - no MIL or FIL 'adventures'? Good! And I like Ben's sense of humor, as well as his wisdom. He's kind of like a smarter and nicer Andy Rooney (and I'd say he is better looking than Andy, but probably might get sued for that one if Andy peeked in here...)

PC, how's your wife progressing - ready to do cartwheels yet? No?  

Haven't got very much MRR'ing done today, other than some checking over my MRR'ing wishlist and looking at articles from past MR issues (printed out some of those searches in the online index). Did those this morning while I was doing laundry. Hopefully, tomorrow I'll get back to the MRR stuff...

Well, "I went and done it," as someone once said. (Caution: ) Had received two mailing pieces - for used car special sales today - and figured "Rip-offs, probably nothing in my price range, I won't get any prize worth keeping", etc. Went to the one and the guy wanted to move me up above my payment price (over $100 more), and couldn't tell me what the particulars (interest, etc.) would be, so I told him thanks, took my prize (from the scratch-off card that was in the mailing) of $2 and a gift card for $25 and left (the card requires that you buy $25 or more of stuff at Target, Sears, WallyWorld, and a few others that is all on one receipt. Then you have to send it in along with your receipt to get the $25 back, but I may wind up getting my $25 worth out of that).

The other mailing (which looked less junky) was from a dealership where I know one of the salesmen. Four years ago, Bud was very helpful in trying to help me get a car, though I didn't end up buying one at that time. He even let me take home one used Honda to try out (a nice stick shift, and while I know how to drive one, I prefer not to have to drive a stick all the time, with the hills in this town). Bud was probably the most pleasant guy, not very pushy at all, a person who could give car salesmen (new or used) a good reputation. In fact, he and I now attend the same church. So I see Bud to find out if he's working this special sale or not. He was, but I didn't think he'd be able to get me a car for the $$ range that I told him (I was okay with that). I looked at one car and the payment was about $100 above my range, so I'm figuring I'll be leaving. Bud felt badly about not being able to find something suitable for me (not an act - I've seen him enough times before to tell), so he goes and gets another guy he talks with. (I later found out that this was the owner of the dealership) The guy starts talking with me some. I'd figured that having all the student loans I'm paying on, plus my bankruptcy last fall, that there wasn't likely any way I'd get approved anyway. The owner and I went back and forth about not being able to get the payment price down enough to what I needed (not arguing, but my sort of thanking him and saying I realized that my range wasn't an easy one to find a car at that price, and he's trying to figure out how to get me the car. They were giving me (initially) $400 for my 1997 Cavalier, which I thought was fairly good (especially since it's a salvage title and has lately been having water in the floor somehow - leak in the seal on the windshield?), and needs the shocks replaced, and... you get the pic). The owner winds up talking with (not sure of the term) an appraiser/wholesaler there, and revised the allowance on my Cavalier to $1000(!). They also got me pre-approved (a feat in itself, IMHO), and I have a new-to-me 2007 Ford Taurus! (The payment was about $40/month higher than I'd wanted, but I think it can be doable if I tighten down the money) Here's a pic that looks pretty much like the one I got (but not my actual newly acquired car):

[Anonymous]

Der-thanks for the heads-up on painting the rails.How do you clean the tops of the rail after painting them? I was thinking of using low tack painters tape to mask the rail heads.There is also a company whose link I saw posted that makes a mini roller for painting the rails. They also sell their own brand of acrylic weathering colors. They sell a starter kit. I might even try that out and see how it works. You are correct I di say that to Lee and take it from me,it's true.I've had my share of accidents that turned out suprisingly good.One never knows does one? NJ Bob

[Paul W. Beverung]

Evening Gang: I have the feeling that I am going to hit TOP. I guess it's because Vinny is giving me the look.

JimCG: Good news on the car. I am sure that you will have no trouble in keeping up with the payments.

I ran the 7.5 diesel today and it ran like new. I'm going to have a talk with the guy that worked on it because it should have been this way after the first visit. I doubt that it will do any good but I'll give it a try. At least I'll feel better because I got it off my chest. Terry the track owner rode around with me and the only trouble we had was branches on the track that we had to stop and move. The track itself was in good shape.

I called Trainworld and ordered 2 FM Erie builts. One is Milwaukee Road and one C&NW. Walteers is discontinuing them so I want to get some while I can. They are getting hard to find. I'd also like to find DL 109s for Milw Rd and C&NW. C&NW only had one and I can remember seeing it as a kid living beside the mainline going North out of Milwaukee.

Mary Ann and I went to see Charlie Wilson's War tonight. It is a must see movie. We both enjoyed it very much. It's not for the kids because of language and nudity but what a story.

Well it's very late for me.

How 'bout that I sliped in under the wire. Relax Vinnie, it isn't me.

Good Night All

 

[Cederstrand]

***Der, every time I read about this or that problem someone is having with DCC, it gives me a reason to stick with the old DC. Hope you solve the problem soon. As for my shop, I do have a shop-vac that I use on all but the two most offensive sawdust culprits (table & radial arm saws). Would need to invest in much tubing to hook everything up as one system. A very good suggestion though and one I should address sooner rather than later.

***Jim, Good Luck with that "Buyers Remorse". I've heard lots of hard work can help alleviate its severity. Wife is doing OK, working too hard (presently a necessity) and trying to stay reasonably healthy. Haven't heard of the Inlaws wrecking their new car yet.

QUESTION: When layouts become completed and everything is glued down/fixed/sprayed/etc, do they become permanent enough to vacuum or us a blower on them for removing dust? 

Rob

 

[Cederstrand]

Yikes, top of the page again. Think this time I'll opt to do dishes to cover the tabs. Rob

[LSWrr]

Evening all,

Foulrift, some may cringe at this, but I use flat black enamel and rusty metal primer to paint rails. Each is $1.15 at the dollar General Store.  I normally give the rail a quick pass with the black then hit here or there with the rust while the black is still tacky.  Then I use a very fine emery cloth on a block of wood to clean the tops of the rails. If you want weathered ties I water down a little Floquil aged tie and apply it with a small brush.  Turnouts I mask the switch points or do them with the micro brush.

It also depends on rail location, in my yard there is allot of taconite traffic so the rails reflect the rust brown, the mains will have more black to them to reflect the coal and general cargo runs.

http://image53.webshots.com/553/0/77/17/2142077170029441264YPgXNo_fs.jpg

I just found out my Norton decided to block almost everyone, I think I have it fixed.  First thing in the morning I'll catch up on my email and reply

Jim, Looks like snow showers the next 7 days for us, not a problem for me unless we get 4 to 6 feet overnight, then it will block the radiator in my F-250 diesel 4X4 (with 3" lift) and I'll overheat .

Lee

[wetidlerjr]

Good Morning from Tipton IN ! 

[Fergmiester]

DerJohn

You shouldn't have

Though it being merrier... The thought of getting older is troubling. None the less, thank you for the sentiment. I will probably spend the better part of the morning straightening out the wiring under the layout What a MESS! then straighten out the basement as I still have a mountain of Christmas decorations to put away. Then maybe I'll get a chance to "play" with my latest aquisitions pulled behind my latest Loco aquisition. Yes the new Oil fired CN Mikado with Vanderbilt tender and Belpair smoke box. A real oddity for sure.

Back to work on Wednesday to take the Hudson to refit in St John's Newfoundland. Here's hoping for good weather and a safe trip.

Rob: Regarding the cleaning. I know I have done some vacuuming in the past but only ballast with no problems I might add. However I cringe when I think what it would do to grass, scrub and trees.. Scary, real scary. Maybe worth putting in an air filter system or covering the layout when not in use. I did that when we were doing the renovations last year and there was some success.

Lee and Foul Rift: Badger makes rusty rail paint and weathered black for painting rails and it looks real good as it doesn't go on uniformly. I find that once applied and dried a bright boy will take off the excess. Better to paint before laying but can easily be applied later.

Well everyone time to stop procrastinating and get into the job at hand.

Fergie