Elliot's Trackside Diner V, at the diamonds

[Paul W. Beverung]

Evening Gang: The train show is over and I think that they had a pretty good turn out. I'll go out tomorrow afternoon and pick up the locomotives. I'm going to bring the tender back to the shop and modify the truck king pins so the trucks don't come off when you pick up the body. Next Saturday is our regular run day. This could be too much railroading. Nawwwwww Never.

Right now I'm wore out, so I'll head for bed.

Der that's a really good job on the control cabin, the crain looks real good also.

Good Night All

[gear-jammer]

Good evening, diners.  I think that a  hot cider sounds great.  Fall is here you know.

Sue: Great to see you back in the Diner!

der,  Are you drying weeds again?  It is that time of year.

...it is indeed, and I've been keeping my on, but haven't yet harvested the roadside crop.  Less available this year as the Dept. of Highways grader creamed several of our nearby patches in the Spring.

der,  Wouldn't  you know those DOH workers out doing their jobs.  I have a good stash from last year.  I am just starting to prune the butterfly bushes now.  Last year I dried them in the wood shed and pitched them when I started bringing in fire wood.  We have already had several fires on cold windy days.  Happy Thanksgiving.  Now that Larry makes 2 or 3 trips to Canada per week, I have a heads up on your holidays.  Larry and I will be working tomorrow. Oh yeah, nice crane.

Rob,  Years ago when my dad was still working, there was a 96 year old lady in our neighborhood who always would ask Dad for help.  First it was, "Doc, I bought a new rototiller will you show me how to use it?"  But the funny one was when we arrived, she said, "Doc, will you show me how to use this pistol?"  Apparently, the neighbor cat was killing her ginneas.  We did target shooting on the side of the barn, and she was pretty good.  They sure are noisey birds though.  Glad to hear that you remedied the rat problem.

Sue

[pcarrell]

PC:......That's a very cool train for the link at the bottom of your posts. Can you send me the image please, because a mouse over just generates the fickle finger of internet access.

Ask and ye shall receive!  http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Avitars/Trainsig-2.jpg  Some of my sig images are on my main page, but most are here.  http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Avitars/  You all are welcome to snoop around and borrow any you like.

[der5997]

Good evening Diners!  Hope you are enjoying this long weekend, and a Happy Columbus Day to those South of our border, and a to all in Canada. We have our daughter and two boys with us this weekend, so mrr time is somewhat curtailed.

You making good progress on your crane? Sounds like it. Were you able to get all your materials at the LHS today to continue your work?

  Yes CapeJim,(cool family pics, BTW) I've been having fun with the detail components of the container crane, and have finished the control cabin. Here is ready for installation.     I lucked out on the seat, as I painted it with a charcoal grey mix of black and just a touch of white.  The mix wasn't totally mixed, and the result turned out to be that the seat back actually looks as if it's made in sections, from the slightly striped mix. Here's the undercoated basic crane. There's lots more to add, as you see, the trucks aren't made yet;

and I've started experiments with etching the handrails. No success with that yet, but at least I know my Ferric Chloride hasn't lost it's potency after the 10+ years it's been unused

What I've found really interesting is figuring out from the photos and video clips just how the spreader works, and what t heh function of the various components is. Also, there are no photos or video that I have showing the trolley that runs out above and forward of the control cabin and from which the spreader is suspended.  I've decided that it must have a powerful electric motor that runs a gearbox on each end of its drive shaft. The each gearbox transmits power to twin cable drums simultaneously raising and lowering each end of the spreader by means of the cables.  So, that's what I'm designing now, the spreader, spread to 40', with its control cable coiling into a receptacle through a cage thingy that forces it to coil obediently always in the same direction, and an hydraulic pump and reservoir system to spread the arms. At 1: 160, I don't have to build too much, but al least I figure I can make a reasonably sensible stab at reality.PC:  I think the Red X dude spent some of his vacation in my .gifs folder That's a very cool train for the link at the bottom of your posts. Can you send me the image please, because a mouse over just generates the fickle finger of internet access.

Sue: Great to see you back in the Diner!

der,  Are you drying weeds again?  It is that time of year.

...it is indeed, and I've been keeping my on, but haven't yet harvested the roadside crop.  Less available this year as the Dept. of Highways grader creamed several of our nearby patches in the Spring.

Sawyer:  I was wondering, do you add any alcohol to the dilute glue mix.  I've heard some people do that, but haven't tried it myself. I'd have thought it would muck up the glue, and was, as I say, wondering. (I'll have to watch those videos of yours when I have more leisure time lol)

Rob:  Your Mrs. Is one lucky lady with you shopping for her circus stuff!!

Terry: thanks for the nibbler link, that's an item I've been thinking of for when I get to build my city.

Morgan: Enjoy Dustmop, but beware the habit many WCs have of sneaking up and biting the back of your leg!

I see it's past 10:00 p.m. Fergie hasn't been in, and there was a fire of a suspicious nature today on a Coast Guard ship moored (or is that docked?) at the base. I was wondering if he had been trying out his new soldering iron  Have to get  his posted so the younger grandson can get the floor space back for his bed!

Goodnight all, and God Bless. Prayers for all in need of healing, comfort and peace.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Sounds kinda like a good old fashoined rat killing.

[Cederstrand]

Hot fudge brownie delight, please & thanks.

Any doggy bisquits in the back for Tally? What a good girl!

Been working hard since getting a late start this morning. Helped wife "rat proof" the bird room with wire & boards. We lost 10 of the 60 baby Guineas overnight. Tossed Inky cat in the room next to the baby birds and she went strait to where that rat had a nest. Rat was gone, but her family...well, you know what cats do best. I like rats, but when they cross the line, it becomes Hammer Inky Time. Nuff said.

Got the master bedroom wired for surround sound. Took half the day.

Have a good night all. Rob

[gear-jammer]

I thought that I would stop by for one of Jim's RBF's.  I didn't make it back yesterday, but I didn't forget.

Philip,  I can appreciate your hard work.  My brother pasters his church and works full time + at a power plant as a Civil Engineer.  It is nice to see daylight at the end of the tunnel.  Your mister red X guy was always fun.

Rob, It is good to hear that your construction after the fire is going well.  I will look forward to those photos.

Sue

[JPowell]

Good evening gang!

  Sorry I have not been on the last few days (maybe a week or more actually), but I've been busy either packing for the move, or moving to the house itself. As of this moment, the old apartment is 95% empty. All that is left for tomorrow is a few boxes of work-related items, and the vacuum and broom. After I get the boxes out in the morning, I'll do a quick sweep and vac and then be gone from teh apartment completely. As for teh house, well most of the stuff is still packed and will take some time to unpack and sort back to the original storage containerrs they were in. One thing that I know I have to get, will be a few book cases for the small computer / library room. Need to have some place to put all of the associated Train and MRR books I have amast over the last few years, not to mention all the MRR and Trains mags!

So, I hope everyone is doing good and prayers for those in need.

Take care!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Hey, Jeff - that crossover looks now, like it was always that way.

I was trying to blend everything in so it would look like nothing had been changed. I guess I succeeded. I've seen many layouts where some new track was added and the whole area stood out like a scar! I was trying to avoid that.

[Flashwave]

Okay, Morgan, what kind of dog and how big was it that you washed today? Great Dane? Chihuahua? Something in between?

Blessings and a great afternoon,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

A dustmop called Tally

She's a welsh corgi, but she's low to the groud and fluffy. Hence, Dustmop

 

[JimRCGMO]

C&O Fan:

  

snip

One (other) thing I've been wanting to get done is to get the window openings cut for the church I'm scratchbuilding. I don't have one of those corner punches, so what are some other ways to get the openings cut neatly?

Snip

I use a nibbler and then a file to get smooth cuts

the nibbler sure speeds up the process

Thanks, Terry, but I was trying to figure out what I could do with my existing tools. Shoulda listed them, huh? I have a variable Dremel (no drill press), Xacto knives (the #11 and the orange-handled one with the reversible blades), pin vise and some drill bits (have a set of the smaller ones). I'd thought of using pin vise or the Dremel to drill holes somewhat back from the corners, and then widening the holes out with the Xacto, and fine file things down with sandpaper/emery cloth and/or small files to get into the corners.

Now, everyone (not just Terry, but not excluding you, either) - what would likely be my simplest (and least tedious) way to do the window openings? I really could stand to learn this technique, since I may use it later for other scratchbuilds, and for putting windows in buildings where there aren't some in walls.

Thanks in advance (and thanks for the nibbler idea, Terry, which I may get come next month's paycheck).

Jim in Cape Girardeau 

[C&O Fan]

  

snip

One (other) thing I've been wanting to get done is to get the window openings cut for the church I'm scratchbuilding. I don't have one of those corner punches, so what are some other ways to get the openings cut neatly?

Snip

I use a nibbler and then a file to get smooth cuts

the nibbler sure speeds up the process

http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=81477

 

[pcarrell]

Jim, I've seen quite a few of the Rusty Stumps products and they're real nice.  Haven't worked with em though.

[JimRCGMO]

Afternoon, Janie - I'll have another root beer float, and no (Garry...), not just because Jerry's buying  Harruummph!

Hey, Jeff - that crossover looks now, like it was always that way. Those chili dogs you have look tasty, too, though.... Hmmmm, tempting choice there.

Lee, got your PM/email - I'll call you either later tonight or else Wednesday evening on that.

Rob, on the camera, you could just mess up a pic or two for your wife, and blame it on the camera being old and about to die on you. Sort of prep her for a new one for Christmas.  

MRR club on Monday night should get us finished up with the mainline tracklaying, and we might have the passing tracks and sidings done by the end of the evening's w**k. Getting closer to seeing about running some trains.

Kinda cloudy in Cape G. this afternoon, with more of the same due for tomorrow. Might get around to rain by Tuesday night.

Went through my DPM building stuff yesterday, and I have about 20 packs of their modulars (counting some dock and some cornice package ones). Should be able to build some backdrop industries, I think. I got a bunch of them fairly cheap at one time on the 'bay place, and the seller tossed in free shipping because of how many I got then. I don't have the powerhouse window ones (the tall ones), but I have a variety of others.

One (other) thing I've been wanting to get done is to get the window openings cut for the church I'm scratchbuilding. I don't have one of those corner punches, so what are some other ways to get the openings cut neatly?

Okay, Morgan, what kind of dog and how big was it that you washed today? Great Dane? Chihuahua? Something in between?

Has anybody seen the detail castings at this place?:

http://www.rustystumps.com 

Looks like they have HO, O, and S scale castings of workbenches, cupboards (either ones empty or filled), air tanks, junk piles, mail bags, and such (all are either resin or white metal castings). They look pretty good on their website. I may be ordering some of them (particularly the junk stuff for my junkyard dealer business). And related to that - back in the 1950's, how would a junk dealer have compressed their scrap metal into those bales that the Chooch freight car loads have in them? I figure the smaller dealers might not have one of those huge compactors like you see outside of most larger discount stores todays, so what'd they use back then?

 

Blessings and a great afternoon,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Speaking of dogs, I'll have some with chili. Chili dogs that is.

Just had to change out my keyboard. My new one gave up the ghost, and just two days after the warranty ended. Fancy that. That's the last time I get a CMI keyboard. I'm back on the old one I bought years ago. It's a generic type from A-Open.

[Flashwave]

BBoy do we ever talk alot have a lot to say.

And I washed a dog today.

[Cox 47]

Howdy all .....Its sunny and warm 78 here...I'll have a root beer float and slip into the back booth to see who drops in....You all have a good Sunday....Jerry

 

Opps!! Page 100 and it looks like I'm buying..Oh well order up and enjoy!!!

[Cederstrand]

in a SOUTHERN mug, please & thanks.

Rob

[Packers#1]

Thanks guys. Mark, I'm a defensive end. I wouldn't mind being a Tight end though, I got decent hands for catching a football.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning.

It's 66 and clear. How long it stays clear is anyones guess. It will become partly cloudy later as the high climbs to the low 80's.

Today's Weather for:
Sundown, LA  71446-6114      10/12/2008

Wind Chill:  66°F
Humidity:  86%
Dew Point:  62°F

So Far Today
High:  71°F
Low:  66°F
Rain:  0.00"
Rain Rate:  0.00"/h
Gust:  9mph NNE

Today  High: 82    Partly cloudy. Highs in the lower 80s. East winds around 5 mph.

Tonight  Low: 65    Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 60s. East winds around 5 mph.

[wetidlerjr]

Good Morning from Tipton IN ! 

[TrainsRMe1]

 Hey Packer's 1#

   Lookin' good out there, man, My Oakland Raiders could use you, I'll call Al Davis,

     I got alot of scenery work done today also, and I feel really good about it, see you guys later,

                                 Trainsrme1 

[Hoople]

Hello all.

I haven't been in for some time... But what else is new?

I went to the mall with a friend of mine today. Found out he has even bigger feet than mine, at 15.5... Crazy stuff, right?

Phil: I like the sig. Nice bumblebee.

Sawyer: What position are you in football? I'm tight end. I enjoy it, you get to shove people and catch the ball. Fun for me! (I bet it'd be better for me if I was as tall as ya, lol.)

I'm just enjoying my three day weekend... Thank you teacher inservice. Looks like the Cowboys play the Arizona-what-ever-they-ares... Brain farts are helpful.

I'll catch you guys later.

Mark

[pcarrell]

Sawyer, you rock!  You look good out there.

Philip,  Have you been taking any layout photos lately?  I remember that you started off fast and furious when you moved into your new place.  That was how long ago?

That was almost 2 years ago.  My, how time flies!  I've had very little time for most of that time.  Full time work, full time school, and full time ministry, along with family doesn't leave much spare time.  As such, not much of anything has changed on the layout in a long time.  I'm hoping to fix that soon though.  This winter should bring big lifestyle changes!  I'm transitioning from a full time job in the secular world to go straight full time ministry.  Also, I graduate next spring.

[Paul W. Beverung]

Evening Gang: Yup. At 10am I was running my locomotive. I let it roll back for the 110 ft of track and then ran up the hill on the compressed air. I can't fire it because of the insurance thing. I can't take riders ether for the same reason. Mr Clark may get insurance if I can find out how much it costs.

It was a really long day. It's funny how tireing standing around and waiting for someone to come along and show an interest. I'll be heading out there again tomorrow morning early. Well early acording to what my ROF body feels.

Rob those Kubotas are pretty good tractors. We have two of them. One older 25 horse and a newer 28. The old one is mine and has shuttle shift and a loader. It is the tractor that has the grapple on the loader. That shuttle shift is really worth it for doing loader work. The grapple is worth it's weight in gold. I can pick up half a pick up load of brush and carry it off.

Good Night All

[Cederstrand]

Tall glass of cool lemon water, thanks!

Tonight I picked up this one for the wife's circus/carnival:  

 

I'm about to spend a wee bit more (understatement) on a new digital camera for myself, so figure a few of these little items for the wife may lessen the sticker shock, incase she finds out? My old camera has had it and is totally unreliable now.

Rob

[Packers#1]

Man, I'm impressed with #7. That guy is quick! I see Sawyer (#71) isn't joking about his size. He looks like a skyscraper moving around out there. I'd hate to be on the recieving end of one of his tackles.

lol. Yeah, #7 is pretty quick (We all love him, cause when he gets the ball, it's fun to watch. And he scores a bunch of TDs. When we lost to Kennedy in the opener, he didn't play the first half and got our only TD). Hey, I told ya i was big, didn't I? lol.

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Afternoon - Flo, I'll have a root beer float, please, since Garry's buying...

Thanks, Garry!

Jim CG  ........... I noticed you soring above the diner awaiting somebody to post. Some people will do anything for an RBF!

 

[Cederstrand]

 in a Santa Fe mug, please & thanks.

***Jim, I got the 4-wheel drive to engage this evening, so I started work on the little road bed that will head behind the studio and eventually end at the wife's garden. She plans a big raised garden elswhere and wants to plant an orchard of mini trees, too. I think she decided it was time we BOTH started eating better by growing our own fruits & veggies.  

***Sue, will post a pic after I've collected those branches/twigs, perhaps sometime next week. Was thinking I would hang them upside-down to dry and then later dip them in a 50/50 solution of white elmers & water, (isn't that what others here use?). As for the fire, almost finished with the Insurance end of things. As for the new build, it is progressing slowly, but should be completed by Christmas.

***Sawyer, nice work out there.  And I'll second Jeffrey's comment on #7, he is quick indeed.

Picked up a bunch of assorted Arnold/Rapido & Atlas bridge piers of various sizes. They smell like the previous owner was a cigar smoker. Perhaps when they are weathered, that odor will dissipate.

Hope everyone is doing well this evening.

Rob

[Packers#1]

Yeah Robby, that was me who got the fumble. I also almost blocked that punt. They didn't show me cause a facemask (tackled #14, but my hand found his facemask) and they didn't show me tackle #18 (almost same spot, also behind line, but wrapped his middle so he only went to the sideline and slowly slid down till I got his legs). Our team is wearing the white jerseys.