Elliotts Trackside Diner III

[Cederstrand]

and remember...both the switch yard and TT are to be added later...on a second/separate door. Rob

[sleeper33]

Evening ALL

 Just a tea for the moment please Girls. How's everyone?

[pcarrell]

Rob,

And you want this all on a door?  Have you considered Z scale?

PC, isn't Z scale expensive?

Intensely!

[sleeper33]

more like TY scale

saw on news tonight that the weather over there is pretty bad is every state affected by the snow?

Gav

[Paul W. Beverung]

Afternoon Gang:

Actually the Z scale stuff isn't all that expensive. It's the electron microscope the you need to see it that costs.

John was released from the hospital today so I didn't get to see Tony. John is doing good but he will have to go on a high fiber diet and loose some weight. That wouldn't be a bad idea for me ether.

fNot mush else going on. I picked up a book yesterday called the Ghost Mountain Boys. It's about the 32nd Inf Div in New Guinea. My father was First Sargent of the headquaters battery of the 126th field artillary. He didn't tell me a lot about the war and unfortunately didn't ask. What he did say was very interesting.

Well I'm going to cut out and see what elde I can get into.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Jeff: You seem to be unwavering when it comes to progress I just wish I had that kind of drive these days. 

It's not easy at times. I have days when I can do a lot then there are days when it's a job just to get out of bed in the morning. Model railroading is something I love to do and I work on my layout every chance I get.

[Cederstrand]

One last refill, please & thanks! 

***Paul, that book sounds like an interesting read. My father has never talked much about his war experiences either, even when we did ask.

***Jeffrey, I'm just glad you can do all that you do and share the photos with us. Your work is inspirational!

***Philip, I just found 36" x 80" hollow core slabs for $22. So, you can make that a 2-Door layout, in "L" form. I will still start with just one, as I do not have enough track for that much realestate yet. Wonder what the cheapest approach is for table legs?

Z scale...No thanks! I can't see well enough to apply the detail parts to my Mike and I have that big Mac deisel without it's details installed for the same reason. Sometimes I wish I had started with HO, but then I would have to find room for at least a dozen doors for my layout.  

Off to do evening critter rounds. Rob

[pcarrell]

Wonder what the cheapest approach is for table legs?

You can buy folding table legs, or you can take some 1x3's and "L" them for legs.....something like this (just exchange the benchwork shown for your door piece).......

As for your plan, it wouldn't take much to make this plan do what you want. ( http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Track%20Plans/mzungu4sceniced.jpg )  The biggest thing would be to double track it and make the industry in the lower right bigger.  That would be easy if you move the turnout for it's siding towards the upper left.  And with another door you'd have a lot more room for a yard and engine facility (and staging) then the plan shows with it's modest square footage.

[Flashwave]

Wonder what the cheapest approach is for table legs?

You can buy folding table legs, or you can take some 1x3's and "L" them for legs.....something like this.......

Option 2 is some 2x4 set under the corners of the door, then again a door is heavier than the benchwork we did this too. (taht isn't the same height as any other part of the layout...)

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Click the link for a little layout action.

http://s136.photobucket.com/albums/q186/forum-1/?action=view&current=MPG_0001-3.flv

 

[sleeper33]

Jeffrey

Nice video also very nice section of layout

 another tea please ladies ta. See i'm top so the tabs open help yourselves

Gav

[saronaterry]

VERY cool, Jeff!

Hey PC, that last plan is nice. All of'm are! There's a thread out on the forum that that plan would really work for the space the guy's got availiable. I think it's "got the space now what" or something.

Weather's not bad today.20f and mostly sunny. Warm up coming tommorrow!

Got a lot done in the train room.Built shelfs to put all the cr.p that was on the layout away. Even found some stuff I thought I'd lost!Ran trains into staging in the mech. room, finished that section this week.It's the Mpls/ St Paul staging on the west leg of the Omaha X.

Rob, glad to see you're able to get going on the RR.

Sorry for the snowy weather you to the east are getting,but better you than Me!

Terry

[LSWrr]

Evening all,

Jeff, nice video.

Still snowing as we pass the 20" of snow mark.  Right now the snow is falling at an average of 1.5" / hour, but it's expected to stop around 4am.

In my back yard the snow is 3 feet deep.

Most of the churches in my area have cancelled Sunday worship.

Thursday the high will be 54F, so I will be in the basement tonight building an ark in HO-Scale.

Don't forget tonight we set our clocks ahead an hour (for those that live in areas that practice this).

Lee

[egmurphy]

Good Evening Coffee Clubbers,

It's been a busy couple of days recovering from the trip, which is why I haven't found time to check in for a bit.  Yesterday was truly a beautiful day down here in Paradise, with temps in the low 70's, partly cloudy, and a light breeze.  We took advantage of the nice weather to put in a long shift out at the orange grove.  While we didn't cut a lot of fruit (we have to be out there again tomorrow) we did bring back a variety, including 4 different types of oranges, limes, papayas and a stalk of sugar cane.  Thought we'd bring back some bananas too, but none were ready for harvest.

Today was even nicer (from my point of view) as it stayed overcast all day, with temperatures in the high 60's.  No a/c needed!  I took advantage of the cooler temp to do a strip down of my barbeque grill.  As I suspected I had a number of blocked gas holes in the burners.  While I could unblock them, I found I have several spots where the burner has actually rusted through. Corrosion is a real serious problem down here, especially so close to the water.  So it looks like I need to get replacement burners when we are NOB next month.

I didn't get around to catching up on all the pages I missed.  But I did get back a short ways.

RT - good luck on the job interview / search.

Rob - I agree that a hollow core wood door with a layer of foam is a good way to go.  I suppose I'm a bit prejudiced because that's what I have.  I don't know what the cheapest approach is for legs, but I have mine sitting on an old dinette table.  I'd like to have the folding metal legs, but couldn't find them when I was looking for them.

Fergie - Back to "The Rock"?  Enjoy the trip.  We'll probably be going over in late September this year.

Gav:  saw on news tonight that the weather over there is pretty bad is every state affected by the snow?

That's Global Warming for you....      Now me, I'd be more of a believer in GW if I didn't think that living down here in the tropics had a lot to do with how hot it is here most of the time.

Garry - the backdrops look nice.

I finally got a few of the photos we took on the trip uploaded to my album in Rail Images.  Here are the first few, along with a play-by-play of what we were doing.  I'll post more tomorrow, I hope.

Last weekend we went on another of our trips with the group of railfans from down here.  This time 50 of us headed out Saturday morning from Mexico City in a chartered bus.  We headed for Toluca, Acambaro and Celaya, which are all west to northwest of Mexico City.  Here are a few of the more interesting shots from the trip.

First, my usual disclaimer.  I can't recognize one "diseasel"  from another.  All the locomotive types that I mention here I found through various on-line roster info sources.  So if I mistakenly refer to an SD40-2 as a PA-1, feel free to correct me.

The line from Mexico City to Toluca is a secondary line for KCSdeM.  Their north south mainline heads northwest from Mexico City.  This line has much less traffic, and mainly services the large industrial corridor around Toluca.  By the way, Toluca is the capital of the state of Mexico.  And, at 2,679 meters, or 8,790 feet above sea level, is the highest state capital in Mexico.

Here we see one of a series of novel crossing signs located along the industrial corridor just east of Toluca.  These are made of concrete and are somewhere between 12-15 feet high (+/-).  In this area the tracks run between the highway and the frontage road.  So there are a whole series of spurs that turn off and cross the frontage (service) road at almost regular intervals.

We had some permission letters for the visit, but as usual down here, final interpretation is up to the locals.  At the Toluca yard we were allowed to wander around (within limits) but were very restricted in what we could photograph.  But here are a couple of shots.  First is a new SD70Ace, #4066, in the "Retro Belle" paint scheme.

Fran got into better position and snapped one of #4066 together with #4083.

Heading away from the yard in the bus, I grabbed a quick shot of this old consolidation stuffed and mounted in a traffic circle.  NdeM #269 is a 3'-0" narrow gauge loco, built by Baldwin in 1921.  I believe that she is a sister to the #279 that still operates down here in Cuautla.

Just a bit farther on, we stopped for an unplanned foto op as we saw TFM GP38-2 #1104 doing some local switching. 

From Toluca we pressed on to Acambaro, in the state of Guanajuato, still following the KCSdeM secondary line.  Just before reaching Acambaro, we caught up with a train of autoracks and containers.  It stopped a couple of kms short of Acambaro awaiting clearance.  Taking advantage of the stop, a couple of guys from the group headed back to chat with the crew, while the rest of us waited for the train at the next crossing.

Finally the train started up again, and here she is starting up the grade towards Acambaro.

As she got nearer we could see something different on the front of the locomotive.  Yup, the crew had allowed our guys to ride the front of the locomotive, displaying the club banner.  By the way, the locos are KCSdeM #3359 (C30-Super7R) followed by #3456 and 3416 (both C30-Super7N's).

Not exactly a photo roll-by, but a nice shot as the train slow rolled the last half mile into Acambaro.

That's about it for this evening.  Catch up with you tomorrow.

Hasta mañana,

Ed

[Cederstrand]

***Jeffrey, very nice video.  THAT is what I would love to be able to do. To me, there is something most pleasing and relaxing about watching trains run through a beautifully  sceniced layout.  

***Philip, that is a very simple table leg solution. What type of wood do you use? Only thing I will add is a block of wood permanently attached to the underside of the door to attach those legs to, as the door is only 1 3/8" thick. Perhaps some minor bracing as well.

Will be in the low 20's tonight. Need to stoke the fire in the cabin next door. Will be working over there tonight.  Rob

 

 

[Paul W. Beverung]

Evening Gang:

Jeff: I enjoyed the video. Nice run by shots.

Ed: For some reason I can't see UP letting us do something like that coming into Ft. Worth.

Rob two doors may be enough for a nice iNvisable scale layout. Ed's is on one door and he got a lot of stuff in it. Also as he likes to point out it's easy to work on the wireing under the layout.

Well I guess I'll hit the hay.

Good Night All

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Jeff: I enjoyed the video. Nice run by shots.

VERY cool, Jeff!

Jeff, nice video.

***Jeffrey, very nice video.  THAT is what I would love to be able to do. To me, there is something most pleasing and relaxing about watching trains run through a beautifully  sceniced layout.  

Thanks. What I like most about it is that in the first part of the video you can see the cars rocking and swaying just as the real ones would. 

 

 

 

[sleeper33]

 VERY CLEVER CHALLENGER LAUGH I NEARLY CRIED

HAD TO LOOK AT IT 3 TIME BEFORE I GOT IT. aslo 47 411 is a number of a loco over here as well as what u made it

 Gav

[Hoople]

Please don't use 1337 speak, no one in here appriecates it. (I swear I spelled appreciate wrong. Now I spelled it right. I'm special.)

Anyways, hmmm, the Chicken Strips with fries and onion rings sounds good.

I can't wait, trainshow next month. I smell a load of freight cars...

Mark

 

[sleeper33]

 go mad on those freight cars I always do when i'm at shows

Gav

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Please don't use 1337 speak, no one in here appriecates it.

I agree. I found it insulting and degrading.

[Flashwave]

EDIT: Nevermind, I decoded it

(And get rid of it, por favor)

[last mountain & eastern hogger]

Evening gang,

Just stopped in for a root beer float.  Make that a double Chloe, I think my wife will be in in awhile.

Jeff;  That was a good video. But I am worried, about half way through it sounds like you fell off your perch.  What kind of stuff are you drinking down there anyway ??  I don't think it was just the railway cars that were wobbling a little......

And have any of you fellas noticed that Sleeper, never sleeps. He's always on here.[(-D]   Glad to have you with us Sleeper.....

Challenger;  I have to admit it,  you do have a way with words  (and numbers)

JR,   Good luck with the racing, It does start this week-end doesn't it.

Greyfox,   Dickie, where are you ?? we haven't heard much from you for awhile now.  Or are you still packing in the firewood??

Ryan,  As usual, your menu are supurb.  Keep up the good work, there is a chance you could get on here steady.   LOL.........

Tipton Bill,   Just wanted to say a special Hi to you.  We see you are alive and well everyday, but you sure are a quiet fellow. I don't know if I have ever heard anything about you.  Come on and share in the "Gab-Fest". We would all like to know you better.

Well no railroading today, I was at my second oldest son's place helping him hang some more kitchen cabinets. That took most of the afternoon and in fact I was late for supper.  Wifey wasn't too happy about that.  Oh Well..........

I still haven't got to that "Structolite" yet. But will give an update as soon as I do. I have to lay some more foam or ceiling tile (haven't decided which yet) for a base for the classification yard. The lead for it goes behind the canyon that I would like to get at to finish, but first things first, I guess.  It will be easier that way.

Well, I'm pretty well pooched for the night. Slinging all those cupboards around played this old Phart out. So I think I will hit the hay early.

Sleep tight ya all.  ( well not that kind of tight)

Johnboy out..............

The "Wobbly' will be wobbling tomorrow (after Church)......

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Jeff;  That was a good video. But I am worried, about half way through it sounds like you fell off your perch.  What kind of stuff are you drinking down there anyway ??  I don't think it was just the railway cars that were wobbling a little......

I had to shift my chair around a bit and it didn't want to cooperate.

[GMTRacing]

Good Evening All,

    Rain all day, mild temps so no snow, but the back wall was leaking quite well when I left the shop today. We hosted the Vintage Sports Car Club winter meeting today, up at 5 and into the shop to finish cleaning and setting up for the presentations (Alignment, dye penetrant crack testing and nickel bronze welding). Pretty much just swept the debris aside and got on with it. It poured rain all day but we still got a fairly good crowd and during the meeting it was announced that my friend Bill Rutan (no not that Bill Rutan) got the Tony Goodchild award for the year (good, competive but sportsmanlike driving). Long day, finished with loading so the truck can leave for Fla tomorrow morning and then home for a nap. Cleared the layout for the last industry and will now make a template of the adjacent track and spurs so I can do some planning. I still have three factory kits I haven't used yet and the rest of the industrial area abutts the open space so another factory is probably the most logical choice.

Gary - I love the pics of your layout. How long have you been working on it? I think the way you've blended the backdrop to  foreground transition is great. I also used one of the Faller backdrops on my upper level and love the sky and farms out in the distance. If you look carefully you can tell it is probably Europe and not the Us, but it looks plenty good to me. I fainally used carpet double sided tape to put up the backdrops after suffering some of the same dramas you did (without the happy ending though). Using tape around the perimeter allows the backdrop to go up without wrinkles and you can also slice it off if you want to change things. The only real mistake i made was in not putting large radiai in the corners but I just don't look there.

Jeff - that's a great video- real nice rolling stock and very realistic looking. With you guys all upping the ante, does this mean I have to learn how to shoot video? And how will I edit out all the derailments ? On that note, my guard rail/ rerailer idea was a bust so i need another brainstorm at this point to make the road safer over the swing gate joints. Maybe splice in a real Atlas curved rerailer?

Ed - nice shots as usual. Fancy a NoB road letting fans ride on the nose holding a banner - not!Fran has a real eye for composition. Do you think you need to practice your footwork so you can beat her to those choice positions? I've spent a bit more time on trainboard and they seem a nice bunch alsoif a bit too focused on iNvisible stuff. A lot of the tips and questions work in any scale.

   Well, gotta get up early again tomorrow to launch the tractor/trailer to our south. Hope the weather breaks a bit - I'm starting to feel a bit mouldy.    Cheers, J.R.

[sleeper33]

 sorry Jeff

 But this is the first time i've seen this i'm apologising because i've encouraged him. As for me being here all the time John I work nights. and please call me Gav

Gav

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Jeff - that's a great video- real nice rolling stock and very realistic looking. With you guys all upping the ante, does this mean I have to learn how to shoot video? And how will I edit out all the derailments ? On that note, my guard rail/ rerailer idea was a bust so i need another brainstorm at this point to make the road safer over the swing gate joints. Maybe splice in a real Atlas curved rerailer?

Nothing wrong with rerailers. That's what I use. I have three of them on my layout. Two are factory made and the third is home-made. It's cleverly disguised as a wooden railroad crossing.

[GMTRacing]

Jeff,   I like the idea of the rerailers it's just that the one I built to look like guard rails didn't work. The wheels rode right over it and if anything it made things worse. I was hoping the extra rails would contain the wayward wheels and return them to the right path. The problem is the splits for the swing gate are on a flex track curve(s) of no particulat radius. My next attempt will probably be to imitate a crossing but with a taper each end of the crossing to catch the wheels and return them to the right path again. It hasn't happened yet, but the train could end on the floor if Mr. Murphy gets full control of the situation.   J.R

[pcarrell]

Terry, I'll look up that thread....thanks!

Rob, I'd probably overbuild (knowing me) and use poplar, but I'm sure some good clear pine would work.  You should sink a couple of screws in along the edge (predrilled of course) to keep things sturdy, but light bracing couldn't hurt.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Jeff,   I like the idea of the rerailers it's just that the one I built to look like guard rails didn't work. The wheels rode right over it and if anything it made things worse. I was hoping the extra rails would contain the wayward wheels and return them to the right path. The problem is the splits for the swing gate are on a flex track curve(s) of no particulat radius. My next attempt will probably be to imitate a crossing but with a taper each end of the crossing to catch the wheels and return them to the right path again. It hasn't happened yet, but the train could end on the floor if Mr. Murphy gets full control of the situation.   J.R

Here's a couple of shots of my home-made rerailer, including a sample of the material used to construct it. That's right, it's part of a corndog stick. It was put together with white glue.