Good morning...a hot cup of Hawaiian Kona Chocalate Macadamia nut coffee in any old RR mug. I will take an omelete sandwhich, too.
It was a whole 14* here about an hour ago, but with sun out on clear day it has gotten up to a balmy 19*! Not supposed to do much more than that and the Alberta Clipper is on it's way.
Today I hope to get out to get the wood for the xmas tree layout. Nothing fancy guys,,, just a 40" square for under the tabletop tree. Not much more room than that. Enough for a circle of 18"R HO track with a few ovals of N scale inside for my other half to run trains on and I can run my N scale stuff too. The HO will be DCC this year, the N still DC. Now just gotta get my posterial gluteus maximus in gear and go get it. Went shoping yesterday for food, but Wally world was of course a zoo. I didn't feel like a Lowes zoo too. {in addition to bipolar I'm also a bit agoraphobic-can't stand lots of peeps around} We haven't made up our minds if to try for white winter scene or go regular or even just mount the track to a -LoL- grass mat - lol- but it DOES have to be easy to store vertically when not under the tree.
Did you hear young college grads today apparently can't handle face-to-face meetings very well? They don't know how to talk to each other? Seems they have to TEXT each other? And I'll bet they don't spell correctly when they text either.
well, have a smashingly good day everyone
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
A good snowy morning to all. I'll have a hot chocolate with the mushrooms please.
A little 'Spring' is now busy with taking bows off of presents under the tree. A form of protest over his cuddlespot being enclosed... Oh yes. He is also into gift removal services.
Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry
I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...
http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/
in a UNION PACIFIC mug, please & thanks.
Finished morning critter rounds. I'll hook up the phone lines today in the new master bedroom today. Not much else to report on.
Have a good day all. Rob
Lunch time! I'll have the sausage and mash with gravy and onions, with peas please. Oh, and a black tea with that, thanks.
Track cleaning...here's my problem, and I'd like any insights you may be able to give. I've tried everything from Bright Boy, soft pencil erasers, to Goo Gone (leaves a nasty residue, as Jeff said) Rail Zip,( leaves a nasty residue as I say, but others haven't found so.), to 70% rubbing alcohol, to 90% ra, to Jeff's Gleam Method. The results are all very short lived. If I leave the layout to itself, I get a cruddy build up (this is, remember, NOT from dirty train wheels - nothing is runnig at all) When I last ran anything in my lower yard, the track was just Gleamed, and shiny bright spotless. Now, it looks like this
The upper yard, more out in the open than the lower, isn't as bad, but still un-runnable.
The mainline is not much better than that, (and I appologize for the indifferent light quality)
The whole layout was cleaned by the Gleam method, and I think the results are fantastic. But, as I say, temporary. I don't know if it's something in the air so close to the ocean. We are about 300 yards from the water.
Loco wheels also crud up from clean just by standing still. What's a body to do, because MR is NOT fun when this is happening.
TTFN.
"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.
Good morning,
John, 300 yards from the ocean? Can it be salt from the air? Do you have a furnace vent in your train room?
The rail-zip is not really a good cleaner it’s more of a metal preservative. Kind of like waxing your car it acts like a clear coat that conducts electricity. If you use too much it won’t dry properly. I use a centerline track cleaning car with the goo gone then I use it to apply the rail zip. Let it dry over night. You may need to cover your furnace vent with a filter.
Jim, yes it hurts like the dickens! I have a chest wrap I’m going to try this afternoon to help support the area.
Lee
BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret) L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes
Hello.
Der John....... 300 yards from the ocean, eh.......hmmm...well, at least you don't get barnacles on the track! ........... I think, the old standby, the brite boy works in any situation.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
sleeper33 Nice work there Sawyer keep it up and next stop Notre Dame
Nice work there Sawyer
keep it up and next stop Notre Dame
Thanks for the props everyone! And I took that test during the middle of football season, lol.
Actually, I wanna go to Clemson, lol, get an engineering degree, and play football.
Sawyer Berry
Clemson University c/o 2018
Building a protolanced industrial park layout
Afternoon, Diners! Flo, a root beer float, please. Thank you, ma'am.
blownout cylinderJim; If this fogging up happens a few minutes after you get into your car you are probably casting just enough heat yourself to trigger it off. Around this icebox of a town it can be very annoying--everytime I get into the beater I get fogged up windows
B-C, the fogging usually is there when I get in the car, which is why I am wondering how the humidity has built up overnight...? I don't sing very much in the car at all, so I don't think it's me, and I don't really want to try driving while holding my breath for long. Just rather puzzling to me. And speaking of puzzling, is Spring only taking the presents with his name on them, or is he thinking of exchanging all of them for cat toys at the after-Christmas sales?
CederstrandChamomile tee in a "ICE TRAIN running past a 2-8-0 Southern steamer", please & thanks.
ROTFL Rob, I want to see a pic of that mug, all right!
Hey, Galaxy, your Christmas train is further along than mine is - I don't have the tree up yet (this afternoon, for sure!). I hear you on the zoos out there (and I don't even have any agoraphobia). I'm debating about enduring Wally's Place this afternoon to get a couple of printer cartridges I need SOON (and which might be some cheaper than Staples' price). I may - maybe, just *maybe* - get to the B&N this weekend (or more likely, one of the weeknights this next week) to pick up a giftcard that my daughter asked for. I also really need to pick up another long-sleeved shirt at JCP.., but for similar reasons - it's a zoo out there, too. Ah, well... Best wishes on getting your Christmas layout ready and up for this year (and easy-to-store for the next year as well).
I couldn't disagree on the communication skills of the latest grads (overall, I'm sure there are exceptions out there), after listening to some of the high schoolers and college students talking when I'm at our local Panera's Bread Co. restaurant. In fact, yesterday at w**k, I was talking with another therapist about "Y'know... like.. well, like... whatever.. like..." (and how I suspect some of them cannot say a sentence without using like, that word... Now from what I've seen here in the Diner, our teens and 20-something Diners in here are way ahead of the 'average' student out there. (And it looks like most or all of them do better in school, as well. (Tip of the hat to Sawyer on his test scores, by the bye)
(Did that sound like a ? My apologies, ladies and gents.)
DerJohn, maybe it is the salt air, if you're that close to the ocean. Hadn't realized you were that close! I would only be guessing, but I'd go with the suggestion about a filter on the furnace. That, or ask someone who knows if there's an air cleaner/dehumidifier that could take some of the briney air contaminents out. Have you always had this since you laid the track?
Well, time for me to head out for our train club's dinner/party. It's not quite as raucous as a Diner party, but what is...?
Blessings and prayers for healing (of ribs and other ailments),
Jim in Cape Girardeau
Good morning( at least for a few more minutes). Biscuits and gravy sounds good any time of the day. Larry made it home, and we are heading to town to do something that we have never done. Buy a Christmas tree. We have always grown our own. They are too big or too small.
Jim, I hadn't thought of a rafter, there might not be enough water flow for that. Now you have me thinking.
der, I used the bright boy and followed up with the vaccuum cleaner hose.
Later, Sue
Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.
Hello Diners!
I just had a little fun posting photos. One in WPF. Also, I posted some in a thread about Granny and Granddad traveling by train.
I'm glad to hear larry is home safe, Sue.
I did a little decal work on the SDP40F's today. Bit of a challenge without the glasses but I managed. The decals were made by a friend in Ohio.The A unit:And the B unit:
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Those look pretty good on the silver and red.
That was the only place I could put them that they wouldn't be right on top of some detail.
Der; I think there might be something there in the air itself. A filter on any furnace vent or any vent outside might help. Some Air purifiers will keep dust down--I kind of think you might be near a major roadway with that amount of dust. A vacuuming with one of the smaller vacuums I see around( not the el cheapo ones) might keep that stuff down too. I can't help babbling about this I did a few years in building maintenence
As for 'spring' I think he is trying for a land deal of some sort...
I'm having a time trying to figure out what do I weather my hoppers with if I am in a mainly agricultural area that has a potash plant or two nearby...
Der; I just looked a little closer and I am wondering that maybe the tracks might be getting corroded somehow? I see what looks like pitted sections. Although it may just be those dust specks...
Evening everyone!
Flo how bout a big cup of decafe and a Beef on Weck?
I have spent the day at the RIT Tiger Tracks Train Show in Rochester, NY. I spent the day working at the Lakeshores Division Modelers Corner doing some decal work and assembling a kit. Put a bunch of photos up in WPF a few minutes ago.
Der, I would bet that your problem is the salt spray making fine particles of salt that eventually settles on your tracks. Along with the other advise given, you may want to consider a Hepa Filter for the room. I have started using an old beat up one that I had down in the train room and it does seem to keep the dut down and make for cleaner tracks.
Garry, Thanks You sir!
Jim the car is just an old flatcar with a magnet glued to the bottom so it runs just above the track. It amazes me what it picks up as it runs around the layout. Ever wonder where that little piano wire end that you cut off and it disappeared ended up....???? I also use the CMX Clean Machine with rubbing alcohol in it after the flat car.
Had a very interesting conversation with the Niagra Frontier Region past president late this afternoon. He was telling what he uses to rust metal car wheels. He told me that car wheels will rust differently depending on the region of the US they have been run most and should be different colors of rust..... I never would have thought of that.
Have a great evening! I have to get off to bed early tonight to catch up on the lost sleep i have accumulated over the past few days so I will be bright and cheery at church tomorrow (I am head usher for the month...). Then I will be head to Rochester for the end of the RIT show to bring back all the materials I lugged there today.
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Evening, Flo - I'll have a cup of hot cocoa, please.
Thanks!
gear-jammer Jim, I hadn't thought of a rafter, there might not be enough water flow for that. Now you have me thinking.
DerJohn, it appears that we have a mystery in the Diner. Hope you can figure what's causing the corroding or whatever it is, 'cause it's very puzzling how the track got that way...
Ray - that car might even find the springs that go sailing away when working with Kadee-type couplers - that could prove VERY useful, eh? On your past regional prez's comment - I just want to see a tutorial (with several color photos, natch) on that, covering which regions need which color for their rust. Did he say what type of coloring I'd use for the (desert) Southwest rust? How'd your workshop go at the train show?
Our MRR club was very enjoyable - usual razzing of each other (and we had a prospective new member there, as well as a couple of friends of our host/LHS owner), plenty of food, and a lot of train time. Tonight, I am eating very light (almost nothing) as a result of feeling so stuffed earlier. Cody - one of our LHS owner/host's friends - had a 2-8-8-2 Chesapeake (BLI, I think) with sound there as one of the locos some got to drive. (Tom would've loved it, even if it was missing that second trailing axle...) We had three different trains running at once - the Chesapeake with a reefer and lots of Cotton Belt 40' boxcars (our host is a retired Cotton Belt/SP/UP conductor), I had some newer diesels (I'm not good at identifying the most modern ones) pulling a container train, there were a couple of F-units pulling a through freight, and I think there also (at another time) was a GP9 or GP7 with another freight. A few minor DCC shorts, but fairly easily tracked down and resolved. Fun time! Made me want more time to get my layout's wiring further along.
This evening, I found out that one of the three people who were responsible for my finally becoming the co-leader of the Sunday singles group (and who co-led the group when I first started coming) was found dead of a heart attack (Friday). The visitation and funeral will be Monday mid-day, which means I won't be able to get off work (and some other singles I have talked with tonight won't probably be able to, either). Daniel had had Crohn's and ongoing pain problems, and even the toughest pain meds weren't helping him much, but he still was trying to work in ministries at church. At least he's not in pain anymore, and is home and at peace. Hardest hit will be his parents and his best friend Tim (they talked daily on the phone, even when Daniel would be in severe pain). Please keep Dan's family and Tim in your thoughts and prayers.
I'm going to settle back in the booth a bit.
Blessings and prayers for those in need and those hurting,
Evening All...Its 16 here now but we lost most of this mornings snow..I'll have a cup of Cocoa like Jim's but top mine with a shot of Whipped cream please...Thank You..Worked on the old Atlas GP 30..Got couplers on one end..Its Santa Fe and I thought about doing a patch job stealing Jeff's idea but it wouldn't be to hard to go IC black..Most of the IC's 30's came when they merged with GM&O and had Alco trucks from trade in...Well I'll slip back with Jim and see who else drops in late...Jerry
Evening everyone. Been a little lax lately, but Mother finally went home yesterday, so I've got some down-time coming. Played Mass tonight, after, Sister Margie (my Godmother, who is almost twenty years younger than me, BTW) came up and asked me how much Xanax I took during her stay. We both laughed a lot over that one. Sorry, but I really LIKE Advent, it just keeps growing and growing up until Christmas Eve. Totally unlike Lent, LOL!
Remington is turning out to be quite the cat--I keep forgetting that he's only two years old and has three years to grow yet, so he's pretty much an 18 pound kitten. Spooky doesn't know quite what to do with him, so every now and then she bats him (she IS a Princess, understand) but he just keeps goofing off and coming back for more. Seriously, I think that Remi carries a slingshot in his back pocket or something. They're quite the team to watch. He's totally unlike Lowell, which is probably a Good Thing, right now. I think he's going to be a little(?) handful. But everytime I watch those two cats together, I realize that Maine Coons are cats for dog-lovers, too. Something about them--
Der: Man, that salt air can be DEADLY on track from what I hear. You may end up having to run feeders to almost every section if you haven't already. I have to do that on the Yuba River Sub, and I'm MILES from the ocean, but I'm also in a dry climate with tons of pollen which is pretty year round, except in November and December. The underside of the Yuba River Sub looks like a vinyard with all of the wires running as feeders. Also: I didn't notice, but do you solder your track connections? I've found that helps a lot. Best of luck.
Jim: A C&O 2-8-8-2? Yummy. IF it's an H-7 (I think). They sorta/kinda looked like a Rio Grande L-131, with the overhung feedwater heater and all the guts hanging out on the front and sides. Of course they had smaller drivers (57" as opposed to 63") and lower tractive effort, but they were sure sweet looking articulateds. But if it's the one I think it is, it's probably not a BLI. Maybe one of those Custom Brass models that the owner popped a sound decoder into the tender. But then again, it might be a stock 2-8-8-2 with C&O markings on the tender. Hey, all my Missabe Yellowstones are decalled for Rio Grande, LOL! My excuse is WWII, you can explain almost ANYTHING!
Sue: It looks as if my Z-6 will be in by January. And yes, I'll be able to get it, so the minute it comes in and gets broken in, there will be PHOTOS!!
Well, Remington and Spooky just chased each other into the den, so I'd better see what's going on with these two. Actually, I'd better check the train case, these two have been giving it very suspicious looks lately.
Best to all, prayers to those in need, and a very happy Advent Season.
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
Evening Gang: I haven't been in for a few days. Mary Ann is in the hospital. Her kidneys have not been working well and she is now undergoing dialisis. I'll have to check the spelling on that. Any she is doing well and taking to the dialisis without a problem.
Ryan I hope that your wife gets to feeling better soon.
Last night I spent at the hospital and did not sleep except for a few minutes at a time. This morning I came home for a few hours to get some rest but took care of cohres instead. At 3pm I finally had to come home and do some time in bed. I woke up about 8pm and took Daisy the dog out and rounded up the kittens to put them in the house for the night. Right now it's almost midnight and I should be hitting the sack. Daisy really missis me and Mary Ann. Mary Ann should be coming home next week as soon as they arrange a chair at the clinic in Weatherford for her.
I'll try and get back in tomorrow. My best to all and prayers to all those needing them.
Good Night All
Paul... I am very, very sad to learn about Mary Ann's kidney problem. That is bad news. Prayers for her.
Chamomile tea, please & thanks. Guess I should have taken a sleeping pill tonight.
***Paul, sending healing thoughts Mary Ann's way. That must be very worrisome for both of you. Sure hope the Docs can figure out something more to do for her.
Rob
Lest We forget...
December 7, 1941
Good Morning from Tipton IN !
Bill Tidler Jr.
Near a cornfield in Indiana...
LEST WE FORGET!
Sunday, December 7th, 1941
Good morning.It's 36 and clear with some haze. High is expected to be around 60 and it will be partly cloudy.I got some decal work done yesterday on the SDP40F's. The Amtrak name and logo were removed and the L&A logo was added on the side of the cab of each unit. There are still several more units to decal and I'll get to them eventually.Today's Weather for:Sundown, LA 71446-6114 12/7/2008Wind Chill: 36°FHumidity: 94%Dew Point: 34°FSo Far TodayHigh: 38°FLow: 35°FRain: 0.00"Rain Rate: 0.00"/hGust: 3mph NNEToday High: 60 Partly cloudy. Highs around 60. East winds 5 to 10 mph.Tonight Low: 38 Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 30s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.
Good morning all,
Ray, your friend is absolutely correct on the rusty wheels. Even in local conditions I see wheels rust at different rates. In Cleveland there are several hundred hopper cars and gondolas for local service only with a BLT date in the 1950’s and 1960’s. These cars never leave the metro area; they haul scrap steel/ taconite between the stamping plants/docks to the blast furnace. Those wheels are a nice bright rust color. The mainline cars are typically black since they get serviced more often.
It’s amazing what you learn from just wearing a military uniform home from work. I can’t tell you how many times I get stopped by Veterans some thank me for serving and some want to share their experiences.
U.S Coast Guard at Pearl Harbor;
Some of you may know this story: on or about 05 & 06 DEC 1941 one of the Coast Guard Cutters stationed at Pearl Harbor was underway conducting weapons training. The Captain was very disappointed at his crews speed when switching from normal running to GQ. Once the CGC moored up (near the base power plant) the Captain cancelled liberty until the crew could show improvement. On the morning of 07DEC41 the crew was hauling ammo to the gun mounts, making the guns ready then hauling everything back below decks (I’ve had to run this drill before and normally it takes 12 hours before the Captain decides you had enough). Anyway when the bombs started falling one of the Japanese objectives was to destroy the base power plant, it never happened because the crew on the CGC only had to run the bolt home on their guns to make a proper defense.
Wearing the uniform home does have its “problems”:
I stopped on my way home to pick up a loaf of bread and a gallon of milk; fortunately I was wearing my work uniform, I was approached by a fellow shopper he was over 6ft tall weighed about 300lbs he had a leather jacket and all the distinctive clothing of a biker but his hat and jacket were covered in MIA-POW patches and buttons. He approached me with the attitude that I was about to die and asked me if I was currently serving on Active Duty. My best defense was to hold my bread and milk between us and I responded yes. This guy lunged at me and gave me bear hug, lifting me off my feet, set my feet back on the ground and thanked me for serving. That was cool and all, but in the process he managed to crush my bread, pop my gallon of milk and knock over a table of deserts that were on sale.
LSWrrWearing the uniform home does have its “problems”: I stopped on my way home to pick up a loaf of bread and a gallon of milk; fortunately I was wearing my work uniform, I was approached by a fellow shopper he was over 6ft tall weighed about 300lbs he had a leather jacket and all the distinctive clothing of a biker but his hat and jacket were covered in MIA-POW patches and buttons. He approached me with the attitude that I was about to die and asked me if I was currently serving on Active Duty. My best defense was to hold my bread and milk between us and I responded yes. This guy lunged at me and gave me bear hug, lifting me off my feet, set my feet back on the ground and thanked me for serving. That was cool and all, but in the process he managed to crush my bread, pop my gallon of milk and knock over a table of deserts that were on sale.
Hi Der- I know you know better, but what kind of track? Nickel-silver? or steel?
Blessings and prayers for all.
Flip
A snowy good morning to all today. We are having snowsqualls--pesky things, oh well.
I woke up to a 'spring' who had to come up to my side of the bed to headbutt me. Then he tore off into the tr. rm. Guess what I saw on the floor--he moved two presents into the room and tried to stuff them under my chair!! Sneaky fellow!
Paul; We'll pray for her as well. Take care-both of you.
I'm going to try my so-called hand at weathering...