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Elliotts Trackside Diner II Locked

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Monday, February 11, 2008 10:23 AM
 JimRCGMO wrote:

Jeff, I like your service station - who makes/made that? Nice one for a city, and not same style as the usual ones.Smile [:)] 

To tell you the truth, I've had that thing so many years I've forgotten who made it. It has Exxon style pumps so it has to be after the mid 70's.

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Posted by inch53 on Monday, February 11, 2008 10:48 AM

Mornin, an irish coffee Zoe, it be cold out there.

Clouds and snow flurries are moving in today as the temperatures stay below average in the lower 20's. This afternoon and evening the snow will pick up and become heavy at times with snowfall accumulations between 3" and 6" by midday Tuesday. Areas of sleet and freezing rain will mix with the snow in counties south if interstate 70 late tonight making travel difficult early Tuesday morning. Temperatures will fall to 20° tonight and only warm to 25° on Tuesday.

ED,, I am lucky on the rail fanning part. I even get to watch them going through outback.

JIM CG,, me n JERRY live 3 mile apart so the drive to Marion is just as long for him.

I was never on the bridge, just next to it. I did hear him coming across the grade.

RYAN,, the 40 n 8 has an engine that runs down the road on truck tires, but it doesn't go down the rail.

I drove it for 5 years to parades n such, n  Mother would help some times if we were short handed.

Best gets back ta chores, no kids today n I have plenty to do. Hope ya'll has a gooden

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/4309

DISCLAIMER-- This post does not clam anything posted here as fact or truth, but it may be just plain funny
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Posted by Cox 47 on Monday, February 11, 2008 10:54 AM
Good Monday Morning all....Its C-O-L-D here this morning 9 with as jim said winter storm watch out..I hope Sallie gets home from effingham before it gets bad...Wow Ryan's got a great menu today..I'll have the Po-Boy, apple pie with cheese and Iced tea and I'll be back latter to try the Cajun meatloaf.....

Jeff....Thats a nice Gas Station...I think its a Helgen [sp] from their old Court house square line,the gas station must of been kinda rare as I remeber seeing picture of them in Mags but your is the first I ever saw on someones layout..The molds for that stuff must be around somewhere looks like they would still sell well today..

Jim...Carefull if you have to be out this afternoon..Champ Decals are they still in business?..They used to have a great line with decals for almost any road...

Ryan....those Great northern beans sound good did you have any cornbread with them? Maybe beans gave you nightmares?...Thanks you for kind words on my quonset hut My eyes are not as good as they used to be and my hands ain't so steady but scratch building gives me alot of satisfaction not to mention "bang for my buck"....

well I am going over in the corner to enjoy my Po-Boy annd see who comes in...Jerry
ILLinois and Southern...Serving the Coal belt of southern Illinois with a Smile...
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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Monday, February 11, 2008 11:03 AM
 Cox 47 wrote:


Jeff....Thats a nice Gas Station...I think its a Helgen [sp] from their old Court house square line,the gas station must of been kinda rare as I remeber seeing picture of them in Mags but your is the first I ever saw on someones layout..The molds for that stuff must be around somewhere looks like they would still sell well today..

I don't know if anyone still makes it or not. I checked Walther's and came up empty. I can remember that I paid less than $10 for it.

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Posted by JimRCGMO on Monday, February 11, 2008 11:30 AM

 Cox 47 wrote:

Jim...Carefull if you have to be out this afternoon..Champ Decals are they still in business?..They used to have a great line with decals for almost any road...

Jerry, you can count on that being careful - having grown up with cold & at times nasty winter weather in St. Louis, I give the other cars extra room when I have to drive out there. I've had my 11 and 12 o'clock appointments reschedule (and I won't be surprised if my afternoon appointments do the same in a little bit). I'd agree that you did a great job of scratchbuilding your Quonset hut, also, Jerry! Bow [bow]

As for Champ, yes they are still in business, and selling down their decal inventories. Check their website to see if ones you want are still in stock, as I think they're trying to retire/close, but want to sell things off first. They're at: http://www.minot.com/champ/catalog.htm And of course MicroScale Decals is still around also. I've ordered decals from both of them and am well satisfied with their respective products. (and no, I don't work for them or - darn! - receive any compensation from either company...Wink [;)])

Jerry, you were probably right on the gas station - I turned up this Heljan (discontinued) one that looks a lot like Jeff's, except for the bay doors, maybe: http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/322-908 It was $24.98 when Walthers last had it, so if Jeff got it many moons ago (or on close-out at his LHS), it could've been around $10 then. Guess if I want it, I'll have to watch the online auctions...Sigh [sigh] That, or see if I can put together some DPM or Walthers modules and some Grandt Line windows to get something close.

Think I'll thaw out a bit by the stove with a cup of hot cocoa, please, Zoe. Thanks!

Jim in Cape Girardeau 

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Monday, February 11, 2008 11:38 AM
 JimRCGMO wrote:

Jerry, you were probably right on the gas station - I turned up this Heljan (discontinued) one that looks a lot like Jeff's, except for the bay doors, maybe: http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/322-908 It was $24.98 when Walthers last had it, so if Jeff got it many moons ago (or on close-out at his LHS), it could've been around $10 then. Guess if I want it, I'll have to watch the online auctions...Sigh [sigh] That, or see if I can put together some DPM or Walthers modules and some Grandt Line windows to get something close.

That looks like the same kit, with the exception of the doors. I bought mine back in the late 80's.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
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Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
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Posted by ModelTrainLover on Monday, February 11, 2008 11:41 AM

afternoon guys

well last night I rotated my layout so it's easier for me to work on the industry siding area of the layout. 

Maine Central rules! Lewiston High School Swimteam nickname: Loco Colby
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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Monday, February 11, 2008 11:48 AM
Wish I could rotate mine sometimes. There's three walls in the way. The layout is also bolted to them.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
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Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
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Running Bear Enterprises
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beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


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Posted by SilverSpike on Monday, February 11, 2008 12:10 PM

Jeff I got an old 386 PC that I might be able to pull out the power supply and use it for lighting! Just need to find it....now let's see.......hum Confused [%-)] Sigh [sigh]  BTW, nice night pics once again! Thumbs Up [tup]

Jim you make that breakfast look too good for anytime of day!  Dinner [dinner] Strange dreams Sleepy [|)]...what are you talking about? Whistling [:-^]   Actually, that cough syrup has codeine in it, which might have something to do with it... BTW, thanks for those two decal website links.  Thumbs Up [tup]

Mike Laugh [(-D] "now if you can dream they will build it" rings a bell here. The 40 n 8 sure has the tires don't it! I bet that was fun running in parades too!

Jerry you know...we didn't have any cornbread muffins with the white beans but they sure would have been great with em too! Now that Hot Sausage Po-Boy is some good and spicy too....Chloe...we need more beverage over here...

Colby no way to rotate my layout, thing is bolted to the walls being an around the walls design. Cool [8D]

Ryan Boudreaux
The Piedmont Division
Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger era
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Posted by OzarkBelt on Monday, February 11, 2008 1:10 PM
 SilverSpike wrote:

Colby no way to rotate my layout, thing is bolted to the walls being an around the walls design. Cool [8D]

Sign - Ditto [#ditto]Whistling [:-^] Mine is also attached - three walls, a bookshelf and a entertainment center!

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Posted by inch53 on Monday, February 11, 2008 1:12 PM

Afternoon, just a coffee Zoe

RYAN,, what makes it fun to drive is the kids. Where ever we went, there were always kids wanting to ring the bell and blow the whistle. The train show n swap in Mattoon use to be held at the airport and we ran shuttle from the parking lots to the hangers, so there was always kids around to get their turn.

Note the bell and headlamp come from a NYC steam engine that ran the Cairo line.

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/4309

DISCLAIMER-- This post does not clam anything posted here as fact or truth, but it may be just plain funny
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Posted by Flashwave on Monday, February 11, 2008 3:47 PM
 JimRCGMO wrote:

Flashwave, on the layout (if you're like a lot of us were when we were young pups (and pupettes Wink [;)]), the hard part of keeping the MRR work going will be when you get your license and (ahem...) the ladies start noticing you. That is, unless you find one who's into MRR'ing herself.

that may not happen for a while. I;'m a joke for them, not an interest. And as for the working thing, I'm hoping (though he doesn't have an opening yet) to apply at the LHS.

 JimRCGMO wrote:
  

DerJohn, that trouble with the one turnout is puzzling indeed, and I'd probably do like you are thinking and just pull the troublemaker. It looks like if you want art for a decal, just ask - and Flashwave will provide! Way to go, Flashwave... Thumbs Up [tup]

Thank you. I'm now going to make a sig. What can I say, I picked up experiance making decals for the Freedom and Ringling. Per chance I should post an article?

 JimRCGMO wrote:
  

All my neighbors to the east - better watch out for this front. Shock [:O] They're telling us to expect freezing rain in the morning and then a smattering of snow after that (but no real accumulation, unless I can talk those clouds into stopping by for a while). Hey, I'll try to offload some of it before it gets to you, but I haven't had much luck in that department so far!

For all us Hoosiers, I'm going to translate this: Expect sub freezing temps during the upcoming week and small patches of ice covered by strategically placed patches of snow so you don't see them until you hit them. Expect closings and delays in every place except yours, and more than usual idiot drivers.

Flash I like the long mainline runs on the track plan and 15X40 is a great amount of space too!

Yeah, one of the large points from the getgo was to allow the 56 car Circus Train (that I need to get off my butt and do when the flats thaw out...) sufficent room to run. Still gonna be a nightmare.

By the way, in what order should Track>>>Scenery>>Building>>>Road go in? and should upper or lower levels be started first?

-Morgan

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Monday, February 11, 2008 5:50 PM
 SilverSpike wrote:

Jeff I got an old 386 PC that I might be able to pull out the power supply and use it for lighting! Just need to find it....now let's see.......hum Confused [%-)] Sigh [sigh]  BTW, nice night pics once again! Thumbs Up [tup]

Make sure to get the power switch with it. You'll be needing it.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
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Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
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beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


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Posted by egmurphy on Monday, February 11, 2008 8:40 PM

Good Evening Coffee Clubbers,

Another beautiful day down here in Paradise.  Cool [8D]  Last night, shortly after posting, the storm clouds rolled in and we had a pretty good thunderstorm.  The rain let up through most of the night, but started again early this morning and rained until around noon.  Good, we needed the rain.  I loved it this morning, as I like cool, rainy, overcast weather.  It got a bit warm and muggy in the afternoon, but it's nice out right now.

Inch - my notes had you marked down for later this month, but a little bird tells me that it's your birthday today.  So Happy Birthday youngster!!  Happy B-Day [bday]

CG Jim:  Almost like a thaw for our friends NOTB (the Medicine Line, Ed).
There you go, son.  You catch on real quick.  Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

Just to vote in the poll, yes, I can easily rotate my layout!!

That's about it folks, another short one.

Hasta mañana,

Ed

The Rail Images Page of Ed Murphy "If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home." - James Michener
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Posted by Paul W. Beverung on Monday, February 11, 2008 8:57 PM

Evening Gang: Not much going on today. I didn't get to any MRRing. I did get to the basement and worked on the plans for the Clark Gardens layout. I'm still not happy with the concept. I'd like to get more action in it. It has to keep the viewers attention. 

The weather is turning colder tonight and they are predicting stroms possiblely with hail. I took the box blade off the new tractor so it would fit in the barn. Now I suppose the barn will fall in on it.

Well I think that I'll head for bed. there isn't much on TV as usual.

Good Night All 

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Posted by LSWrr on Monday, February 11, 2008 9:34 PM

GMT, http://www.lswrailroad.bravehost.com/ if you still see the under construction page hit refresh or F5.

Paul, believe it or not that's a card table I set up in the computer room, if I remember correctly I have a 5' bench in the basement, some place.

I'm glad you guys liked the plans, I'll sort through my stuff and see what I have stashed away and try to post some more.

I called the dealership about new brake pads and rotors for my truck; $460/axel I called the local tire and break place and they said $210/axel, so I took tomorrow off and dropped the truck off at the local place before they changed their mind.

Went to the west side of town to the not so LHS and picked up a double track truss bridge and ordered W's northern Light and power, it was on sale this month for $25.

Big storm heading our way tonight....

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 L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Monday, February 11, 2008 10:52 PM

Good evening...

Just checking in. You've all been busy I see. That was a nasty flu. No sooner was I getting over it than Shelley caught it. Now she's about over it, too. I would not wish this flu on anyone. I'm definately well enough for one of Ryan's Po Boys.

I'm just getting back to mrr'ing. I just got some track to the end of a branch line. I now have a large enough area for scenery and Ill be preparing for that next.

Jim CG ... So you missed getting to Chuck's eh.  As for restaurants, Marion has a normal selection of Interstate highway restaurants. If you want something unique, there's pizza. No just a regular pizza restaurant but a combination pizza joint / Lionel train dealer. Yes, indeed. I kid not. I was there about three or four years ago. Maybe it's gone now, but Chuck will tell you (he sells no Lionel). It's west of Marion in a little town. Perhaps you can get an O27 pizza.

Take care, everybody.  

 

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by philnrunt on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 12:16 AM

    Hello all-

     lastmountain- OK, I know that you can't send us oranges, or peaches, or avocados, but would you PLEASE stop sending these Alberta Clippers?!?!?!

   I'll make you a deal- I'll send you all of the corn you could ever want if you just switch the next cold sub zero weather off on a track heading to Yellowknife, or some other place where they don't seem to mind that kind of stuff. I'll even throw in a covered hopper or two of some warm air, if I can ever get Ed to route one this way!

    I enjoyed this weather when I was young, really looked forward to winter, but now I honestly do not see how you NOB folks can stand it. 40 below is just too cold for human consumption. And that is just what I'd have if I lived up there with you hardy souls, consumption!

    JimRC- I checked in to my photobucket account, and what you looked at were other people's pictures that I latched onto and put in my albumn. Sorry about that, but I re-set this and that, and now, if you go back to p-bucket, put philnrunt in the search box, then click on "Do you want to see this albumn" or something like that, you can look at Amyjo in the snow, or the local freights in the philtrans albumn and some other things, like ships and the such. I only took the pictures in the Ajo and philtrans albumns. All of the others are by other contributors. I looked today where I thought my other pictures were, so I could upload them, and sure enough, they weren't there. I hope I can find them soon, before I forget how to do it! I do have a ton of trainpics, starting with an old Kodak 126 camera back in the late 60's, but I only have a few on cd that I can upload, and the scanner here got fried in a storm a while back. You and Silverspike bear with me, someday....someday....

   Ed- and anyone else interested- I sure would like for you folks to see the pictures, please feel free to check them out, I (think) I made it to where no password is needed. Let me know if you see them.

   Heartland- That bug has been going around here, we had another dispatcher off over the weekend, and she heard- from the ever present "THEY"- that to truly get over it you need some anti-biots. Hope you don't need them, glad to hear that you got through it. Hope Shelley does as well.

    I went ahead and ordered the PC SD9 from BLI through Factory Direct Trains tonight. I sure hope it does what I want it to. I was going to wait until after this Sat and the Swap Meet in Ft Wayne, but I got a postcard from the club hosting it, and it has been moved to the 23rd. That worked out great for me, I had planned to get up early, head to Ft Wayne, then shoot home, pick up Ajo and head to Brownsburg for a niece's B-day party. Would have made for a horribly long day. And a horribly long drive, about 100$ in gas, etc, etc. Glad it was postponed.

    Hey LSWRR- One of the deputy's was just here, and we are planning a trip up your way to see the U.S.S. Cod and William G. Mather, are there any other places we should check out? Other than the obvious (R&R HOF, for one). He's not a train nut, but he has a healthy interest in anything industrial or military, as do I. If you can think of anything we might see, please let me know. And just where is that not so LHS at? Thanks, Lee.

   Fingers are too cold to keep going, m u   s   t    s   i   g   n     o   f  f.......

    aaa

              rrrrrr   

                        gggggggh

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02-12-2008
Posted by wetidlerjr on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 4:58 AM

Good Morning from Tipton IN ! Big Smile [:D]

Clown [:o)]

Bill Tidler Jr.

Near a cornfield in Indiana...

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Posted by ModelTrainLover on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 6:44 AM

Morning Guys.

Jeff, Ryan, and Belt. too bad for you guys. the beauty of having a protable layout is being able to easly work on all parts of it.

and now for model railroading. for those of you who have ballasted their own track what is the best way to lay ballast, or the preffured technique?

Maine Central rules! Lewiston High School Swimteam nickname: Loco Colby
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Posted by GMTRacing on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 6:49 AM

Good Morning All,

    I see Bills been in so I'll have a regular and a donut please. I like the bowties (two glazed donuts for the price of one). 13F this morning and no wind but it felt much colder, worse even than yesterday. The overcast is much lighter than norml so maybe we'll have some sun before the snowstorm later today.

Lee - the new link worked a treat and your work is coming along nicely. I have the W power station though right now it is only the foundation pad on the layout and will be for a while yet. I wanted to get the interior bits as well before I started to build the rest. I like the interior on the one building. That looks like a good idea to copy if I can figure out how to get photos sized to fit.

Phil - Ive been quite pleased with the PRR M1 I  got in Blueline from FDT. Every bit as good as the RI E-3 BLI. The only problem I had was getting the decoder to work as one with the sound chip. A real pain in the bazutsska if you know what i mean. I finally went to the BLI website and tried different solutions until I got it to work and no more issues. The SD9 has been a real temptation though truth be told as a New Haven fan, PC is not my favorite road name (sorry PC nothing personal - just ugly history).

Colby - like Der i use a spoon to sprinkle the ballast on then use a stiff brush to arrange it. Tweezers to set it around the switches (not too close - they'll jam). some light oil on the pivot and closing points seems to help. The key i found was using alcohol to sok the ballast before using an eyedropper or amall squirt bottle to dribble dilute matte medium onto the ballast to fix it. Afterwards, touch up with a tooth pick to remove any wayward stones and weather to suit. I now use Tempura powder paint mixed with chalks and plaster of paris to weather the ballast and ties. After applying the powdered stuff dry, I soak it with wet water to fix it. Not perfected yet, but better than painting the ballast. Others may have better techniques for that.

I did get an hour or so in the basement last night woking on the false fronts and the roofs for them to fill in the block. Picked up all three false fronts at the LHS for less than the cost of a single complete building. Should have thought of that before.

Well now that I can feel my toes again, it's time to pick up tools and get on with it. Hope you all have a good one.    J.R. 

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Posted by OzarkBelt on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 7:04 AM
 ModelTrainLover wrote:

Morning Guys.

Jeff, Ryan, and Belt. too bad for you guys. the beauty of having a protable layout is being able to easly work on all parts of it.

and now for model railroading. for those of you who have ballasted their own track what is the best way to lay ballast, or the preffured technique?

Belt? Laugh [(-D]

I personally like to lay down a lyer of glue on the roadbed, then attach the ballast. After its dry i will soak it with watered down rubbing alcohol and then spray it with diluted light glue.

Think I'll grab a donut and some choffee. see ya'll later! 

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot Visit my blog! http://becomingawarriorpoet.blogspot.com

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Posted by LSWrr on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 7:04 AM

Phil,

When are you coming up?  I hope you are waiting for the temperatures to rise above the freezing mark.  We have an operating B&O Roundhouse, 2 good LHS, if you want to travel 45-60 min (West side) outside of town there is a large N&W outdoor museum. Downtown we have a passenger vessel that gives guided (narrated) river cruises that allows you to get a close up view of several historic RR bridges and sometimes the steel plant.  I'm good friends with the manager of the Grey's armory in downtown and I'm sure I can get you guys a private guided tour of the place, they have military uniforms and hardware from mid 1800's-2003.  In my humble opinion the R&R hall of fame is a waste, but maybe you guys will enjoy it.  Again let me know and I will chat with my friends and put a list of places to see and a hotel list.  I'll get you the info on the COD and Mather.

Lee

BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret)
 L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes

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Posted by ModelTrainLover on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 7:37 AM
 OzarkBelt wrote:
 ModelTrainLover wrote:

Morning Guys.

Jeff, Ryan, and Belt. too bad for you guys. the beauty of having a protable layout is being able to easly work on all parts of it.

and now for model railroading. for those of you who have ballasted their own track what is the best way to lay ballast, or the preffured technique?

Belt? Laugh [(-D]

I personally like to lay down a lyer of glue on the roadbed, then attach the ballast. After its dry i will soak it with watered down rubbing alcohol and then spray it with diluted light glue.

Think I'll grab a donut and some choffee. see ya'll later! 

It's a nickname..Big Smile [:D]

Maine Central rules! Lewiston High School Swimteam nickname: Loco Colby
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Posted by inch53 on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 7:43 AM

 

Mornin, just coffee Zoe

Things You Wouldn't Know Without Movies

It is always possible to park directly outside any building you are visiting.

-A detective can only solve a case once he has been suspended from duty.

-If you decide to start dancing in the street, everyone you bump into will know all the steps.

-Most laptop computers are powerful enough to override the communication systems of any invading alien civilization.

It does not matter if you are heavily outnumbered in a fight involving martial arts - your enemies will wait patiently to attack you one by one by dancing around in a threatening manner until you have knocked out their predecessors.

-When a person is knocked unconscious by a blow to the head, they will never suffer a concussion or brain damage.

-No one involved in a car chase, hijacking, explosion, volcanic eruption or alien invasion will ever go into shock.

Police Departments give their officers personality tests to make sure they are deliberately assigned a partner who is their total opposite.

-When they are alone, all foreigners prefer to speak English to each other.

-You can always find a chainsaw when you need one.

Any lock can be picked by a credit card or a paper clip in seconds, unless it''''s the door to a burning building with a child trapped inside.

-An electric fence, powerful enough to kill a dinosaur will cause no lasting damage to an eight-year-old child.

-Television news bulletins usually contain a story that affects you personally at that precise moment you turn the television on.

Sleet and freezing rain have made all local roadways slick this morning. Areas of light snow, sleet, and freezing rain will continue today with accumulations staying light but slick spots staying numerous. Temperatures will warm into the upper 20's with light northeast winds today and cloudy skies. Temperatures will drop to around 13° tonight with mostly cloudy skies, cold northwest winds, and cold wind chill temperatures near zero. Wednesday will be partly cloudy with temperatures topping out near 30°.

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/4309

DISCLAIMER-- This post does not clam anything posted here as fact or truth, but it may be just plain funny
  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Cape Girardeau, MO
  • 3,073 posts
Posted by JimRCGMO on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 7:47 AM

Frosty Good Morning to you, Diners! Zoe, I'll have some of Ed's OJ,

 

a cup of coffee and one of Bill T.'s chocolate donuts, please.

Thanks!

Well, it's all the way to 29 F (-2 C) in Cape G., which is almost our predicted high of 30 F for today! The town just west of us (Jackson, MO) has a lot of people without power due to the ice taking down some tree branches (and then some power lines). They were mentioning on TV which places were 'warming places' for people in the Jackson area to go take a lawn chair (or some other seat) to sit and warm up a spell. The broadcast had a city official there saying it might be nightfall before power is restored in some parts of the city. Cape G. is fortunate and we have power (d'uh!) but I don't know yet if we'll be open at w**k today.

Oh, I got the originals for my mini-seminar printed off last night, so if we're open I just have to make some copies once I get there. But as for the exact order in which I cover stuff, I may be 'winging it'.Wink [;)]

On the layout rotation survey, I could (theoretically) rotate mine, but since I have a bunch of stuff under it, I'd need to move that first (and have someone else help me with the other end of the layout). Sort of a 'yes, kind-of' vote from me... Whistling [:-^]

Inch, I like your "Things we wouldn't know without movies" list. Laugh [(-D]

If any of you use Yahoo, watch out for a phishing email like I got today, claiming that you need to update information with them. I suspected it was 'phishy' from the mediocre English grammar used, but the long headers showed it didn't come from Yahoo, and the actual link in the email (supposedly a yahoo address) on close inspection goes to some site in Germany. I forwarded a copy to Yahoo and AT&T's abuse addresses. So don't fall for it!Shock [:O]

Did some looking on the Caboose Hobbies site last night. Oh, and my first order from them came in yesterday (some Arizona Rocks and Minerals scenery stuff). I will need to get some additional AR&M rocks and ballast and such, but have to wait for next paycheck on that.

Better get myself ready in case I have to go do my seminar and other w**k today. Everyone stay as warm as possible (in the case of our Western Canadian neighbours, that means only -20 F, I'd guess). And puhleeeze, please take Philnrunt up on that offer to trade off some of their corn  for redirecting the next Clipper or two somewhere else - say northeast, instead of a southeasterly direction. We'd all appreciate it. Or else, if you want to send part of it to Ed to keep him cool down SOTB, he might like that. Wink [;)]

 

Blessings and prayers and keep those longjohns on,

Jim in Cape Girardeau 

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 8:32 AM
 ModelTrainLover wrote:

Morning Guys.

Jeff, Ryan, and Belt. too bad for you guys. the beauty of having a protable layout is being able to easly work on all parts of it.

and now for model railroading. for those of you who have ballasted their own track what is the best way to lay ballast, or the preffured technique?

This is one method I use for laying and securing ballast. The track is in place and you're ready for the next step.

Now is the time to make sure that all your track is in gauge and all gaps between track sections closed. If you don't, you may have serious problems later on. These include derailments, uncouplings, shorted turnouts, blown power packs, etc, etc...

For ballasting, I use an 80/20 mix of fine and medium ballast. If you use fine only, the ballast starts to look smooth and boring after a while. The medium ballast adds some bigger pieces and makes the ballast look better. For securing the ballast, I use a 50/50 mix of white glue and water. Don't use matte medium. You'll destroy your track trying to take it up later. Don't ask me how I know. With the water/glue mixture, you can reclaim your track by soaking the ballast with water. The glue in the ballast will soften and you can pull the track up. When putting the ballast and glue mix down, be very careful not to get any in the turnouts. This could freeze the moving parts solid. I suggest moving the ballast into place with your finger, followed by a light brushing with a small paint brush, like a brush for painting models. This moves the ballast away from the sides of the rails so your locomotives and rolling stock don't ride up on it and possibly derail. Be sure too, that the ballast doesn't lay on top of the ties. This could cause problems with coupler pins. when you've finished smoothing the ballast, spray the entire track with a solution of water and a few drops of dish washing liquid. This will insure that the water/glue mix goes through the ballast and glues it tight to the track. When you've done that, apply the water/glue mixture with an eyedropper or old glue bottle. Do the entire track, being very careful not to get it in the turnouts. Let this dry for at least 8 hours, better for 12. When the ballast is dry, clean the entire track with a bright boy or similar eraser. A rubber school eraser works well, too. If you don't do this, the glue on the track will insulate the rail from the locomotive. Be sure to clean the top and inside top edge of the rails. When you're finished, wipe the rails with a soft cloth that's been wetted with liquid track cleaner. Wipe off with a dry cloth. Don't use paper towels.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 9:21 AM
Good morning.

It's 62 degrees here under cloudy skies. Thunderstorms expected this afternoon with a high of 67.

Today's Weather for:      
Sundown, LA  71446-6114      2/12/2008


Wind Chill:  64°F
Humidity:  86%
Dew Point:  61°F

So Far Today
High:  65°F
Low:  61°F
Rain:  0.00"
Rain Rate:  0.00"/h
Gust:  17mph NNE

Today    High: 70    Showers and thunderstorms. Some thunderstorms may be severe. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Highs around 70. South winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to the west in the afternoon.    
 
Tonight    Low: 35    Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening...then partly cloudy after midnight. Colder. Lows in the mid 30s. North winds 10 to 15 mph.

I was getting tired of there being no light in the north-west corner of the layout so I took care of that little problem about 5:15 this am.


Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: In the State of insanity!
  • 7,982 posts
Posted by pcarrell on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 9:21 AM

Morning all!

Another busy morning around here.  Just glad the weather the guesser guy was calling for never happened (again).  The 3"-7" of white stuff turned into 1".  We did get a little ice though so that we all wouldn't get too lazy behind the wheel.

Oh well, I'm off!

Philip
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 9:36 AM
Jeff-check your e-mail.Thanks Bob

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