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ELLIOT's Trackside Diner VI: The Full Meal Deal! Locked

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12-30-2008
Posted by wetidlerjr on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 4:12 AM

Good Morning from Tipton IN ! Big Smile

Clown



Sign - Off Topic!!

Bill Tidler Jr.

Near a cornfield in Indiana...

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Posted by blownout cylinder on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 7:01 AM

Good morning from not so windy London. Where we will be seeing highs around -5C and tonight's low at -11C. Snow is expected late today with accumulations of up to 10cm(4") with another 7cm tomorrow---aaahh some buildup I see. Quite a few flooded areas the last couple of days so we have to see a build up again---let's just hope we don't see a repeat this time--Whistling

Tom--I had one of those cougars in a bag of animal toys that you can buy---I'm pretty sure that the critter was about HO scale---if it wasn't it came awfully close to it---just have it lurking in a bush---it wouldn't be so obvious that was outsized maybe?---eeerrghWhistling

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/

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Posted by LSWrr on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 7:06 AM
Good morning. Today: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. West wind 8 to 18 mph becoming south.

Tonight: Snow, mainly after midnight. Low around 26. Blustery, with a east wind 7 to 10 mph increasing to between 22 and 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
 

Hazardous Weather outlook posted for snow accumulation for the snow belt.

 

Lee

 

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

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Posted by GMTRacing on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 7:18 AM

Good Morning All,

     Back to typical weather 23F and windy as all get out. The predicted snow never happened last night so we're up one on Ma Nature. I'll just have a regular to go please as I need to slide over to Newtown for a meeting with the contractors at the new shop. We're now two weeks behind schedule and no C.O. in sight.

   Working on the new track plan in my head at the moment and am concentrating on a round the walls with a peninsula from one end to encompass a loop yard and small service facility. Guess I need to start checking out CAD track planning programs.

   Good to hear we're all keeping warm and dry through all this weather, but I'm still praying for Jerry and any of us that are also in need.

Trainnut675 - one way to do weathering by hand is to get a makeup brush kit with the huge soft brush and all the little applicators (Wally world or the local discount drug store). If you embarass easily, you can try asking a sympathetic female to pick a kit up for you (my daughter loves any excuse to shop LOL). The large brush is great for dusting on chalks, and the little applicators can be cut to a point for little details like rust spots or streaks. About the only rattle can stuff I use anymore is the clear dullcoat or satin clear from Krylon as it sprays on a very thin coat that doesn't hide the detail. Michaels is a good source for that. The only other tip is to use some scrap or el cheapo rolling stock to practice on first so the learning doesn't involve your favorite cars.

   Gotta run - lots to do again today and I'll try to check in later.         Cheers, J.R.

 

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 7:19 AM

Good morning.

It's 34 here and clear. The high is expected to be in the high 60's and it will be partly cloudy.

After finally getting fed up with having to kick and shake the old electric heater to get it started I went to Lowe's yesterday and got a new electric heater or more accurately an electric fireplace. I had to trim 7 inches off it's height to fit it into the space available but it's working very well and has the entire trailer at a toasty 70 degrees this morning. Whereas the old one pulled 1300 watts at 15 amps to heat a small space this one pulls 1350 watts at 12.5 amps and heats the whole place. I really like it. I have to go to DeRidder later this morning to see the orthopedist there to pick up my new shoes. That means I'll be able to get out of these dang boat anchors I've been in for the past couple of years. Now if I could get my car running properly everything would be fine. The computer said the problem was a bad EGR valve. I replaced the EGR valve but the problem remains.

Today's Weather for:
Sundown, LA  71446-6114      12/30/2008

Wind Chill:  35°F
Humidity:  90%
Dew Point:  33°F

So Far Today
High:  38°F
Low:  35°F
Rain:  0.00"
Rain Rate:  0.00"/h
Gust:  0mph NNE

Today  High: 68    Mostly sunny early in the morning then becoming partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 60s. Light winds in the morning becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight  Low: 45    Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s. Light winds in the evening becoming north 5 to 10 mph after midnight.


Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
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Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
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beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


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Posted by LSWrr on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 7:21 AM
Railroadnut; I bought a great book at my LHS on weathering from Model Railroader. It covers chalks, brush paints, and air brush techniques.  I think it’s available as a download from this site for $8 or the book is $19. Vincent nice cars and coal loads. Tom, I use to give my cat the hairball remedy from the tube.  You put it on your finger like toothpaste and the cat will lick it off.  It seems to keep the kitties happy and cough free. I downloaded 2 movies from M-H-M on Decoder Pro and downloaded the software last night.  Come to find out Dorothy bought me the Super Chief 8 amp with Radio.  In the box was the antenna and the IR sensor.  I guess we will find out if the throttle radio is turned on or not. 

 Lee

 

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

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Posted by pcarrell on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 7:26 AM

Morning.....

Today is a long day.  The funeral is today.  I probably won't be around much, at least til tonight.

My friend Bart's words come to mind..............

 

You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you
But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways
The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know
But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same
Cause I'm still here so far away from home

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

In Christ, there are no goodbye
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again
To see you again

And I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now

Philip
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Posted by Robby P. on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 7:32 AM

I will start with the "Hungry mans breakfast", and OJ.

The are calling for about a 1/2in. tonight, and maybe a 1in. tomorrow of snow.  We haven't had anything to bad this year.  Even though there is only 1 day left.

Well today is me and my wifes 2 yr anniversary.  I will have to go out and get a card or something.  I asked what she would like to do tonight, but you know women.  "It doesn't matter." Banged Head

Jeff, I like the heater.  We thought about getting on up stairs, but no outlet where we would wanna put it. 

I will have to work on my backdrop today.  Theres one more side left.  I started to lay down the lower part of the layout yesterday.  I forgot I need to work on the back drop.  I dont wanna spill stuff all over the track.  That shouldn't take long. 

Well everybody have a good day, and I will be back for lunch.

Robby

 "Rust, whats not to love?"      

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Posted by gear-jammer on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 8:16 AM

Philip,

I am sure that I speak for everyone here.  Our prayers are with you.

Sue

Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.

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Posted by gear-jammer on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 8:22 AM

Jason,

I do quilting as well.  By moving the bookcases under the layout,  I freed a corner of the computer room for my sewing table.  Larry installed some track lighting for me.  I suspect that I won't go quite so long between projects.

What kits have you been working on?

Sue

Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.

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Posted by blownout cylinder on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 8:23 AM

PC; I understand the homesick. When my dad passed on that piece that your friend wrote pretty much nailed the feeling I had--- We'll send prayers...

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/

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Posted by Robby P. on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 9:29 AM

PC, I know its rough around the hoildays.  Its still rough for me.  I am the kind of person that keeps things inside.  I believe the last time I cried was at my grandmothers funeral.  Which was over 2 years ago.  The only thing I regret is not spending more time with her, and telling her, "I love you".  You know that you will meet again.  You just have a new angel, that will watch over you. 

Well heres a look at my cement plant.  yeah I know I left pieces off.  I'm not to good at putting buildings together, AT ALL!!!  I still need to add a sign, and do much more touch ups.  Theres also a picture of my new backdrop.  Yeah its kinda off at the top of each other, but you wont see that in the picture.  Still gota paint, paint mountains, and maybe a "happy tree".  Famous words of Bob Ross.

Sorry the pictures aren't to good. I am using the desktop, and I need to download the new picture editing file.  It just takes to long for the laptop to boot up.

 

 "Rust, whats not to love?"      

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 9:36 AM

Good Morning...

PC .... Thoughts and prayers continue for your famiy.

Lee ... Yes we are very close to MacombTownship.

I would like to report a Duke sighting.  I spotted Duke lurking in Great Lakes Hobbies north of Detroit. Seriously, I had a very enjoyable visit with Duke.

Happy Model Railroading.  

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by SilverSpike on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 10:31 AM

No rain today! YES!!!!! As much as we were in a drought 8 months ago we are now up to our elbows in rain now!

PC ~ Our hearts and prayers for you at this time of need.

Robby ~ Great pics from the CSX line and layout too, enjoyed them much.

Lee ~ Great of you to post the DTC rule limits.

Der ~ Thanks for the update and Happy New Year to you too!

Jeff ~ Going to keep warm now it seems!

Tom ~ Hope Remington is better real soon.

Vincent ~ I really like your hoppers.

I did some track replacement surgery on the layout this past weekend, you can see my full posted thread in the General Discussion section.

Happy New Year!

 

Ryan Boudreaux
The Piedmont Division
Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger era
Cajun Chef Ryan

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Posted by howmus on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 10:34 AM

Mornin' everyone!

Flo, nice cup of dark roast in a FGLK mug, please and thank you!  Short stack of sourdough pancakes to go along with that would be nice, and don't forget the NYS Maple Syrup.

blownout cylinder

PC; I understand the homesick. When my dad passed on that piece that your friend wrote pretty much nailed the feeling I had--- We'll send prayers...

 

I second that Philip!  You and your family are in my prayers. 

Last night I was working down cellar on the layout trying out a wash of earth colored paint in the yard (Decided I don't like the effect) and I went back to the workbench, the jar of mixed paint in my hand (luckily with the cover on), and sat down in my old office chair I relegated to service down there.  As I sat down the whole seat broke off and I went flying.  Whacked my head hard against the corner of a bookcase behind me and landed on my side on the concrete floor.  Said a bunch of very nasty phrases assessing the situation!  I have a lump on my head where it made contact with the bookcase and have disposed of the  d@%n chair.  The chair had been repaired several times over the years...not a good design, but was a gift from my sons about 10 years ago.  So, I now know what my first major purchase in 2009 will be.............  All told, it could have been much worse.

Have to run the vacuum this morning as I have a couple of musicians coming over to work on an album they started almost 2 years ago with me.  They are both on vacation at the moment and are in town so its a good time to make progress.  Both of them are former students of mine in the Middle School.  One is now an English teacher in the Middle School and the other is a Math teacher at a Jr. College in New England.  Best get going!

Prayers to all in need! 

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

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Posted by LSWrr on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 11:07 AM
Sue, I’ll have to send you my girlfriends (Dorothy) web site, she is huge into quilting, crocheting, cruel, cross stitch, etc..

 Phillip, comforting thoughts and prayers for you and your family. 

I need to build another wood freight dock for the layout so this time I’ll do step by step pictures and try to post them on my web site with a materials list.  This time I’ll be modeling piers instead of the normal wood supports. I’ll also be scratch building corrugated steel over hang for it with supports.  I took the DPM linen works and converted it to a REA building adding cargo doors to the back of the building. 

 

 Lee

 

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

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Posted by C&O Fan on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 11:19 AM

C&O Fan

LSWrr

Terry, What is the best web site for decoder pro?

Here ya go

Have fun !!!

http://jmri.sourceforge.net/

 

Sorry Lee i forgot to include a link to the JMRI Group

They are a great bunch of guys and will help you with any problems you may have

while learning to use decoder pro

I strongly recomend you join their group

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jmriusers/

TerryinTexas

See my Web Site Here

http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/

 

 

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 11:36 AM

Got my new shoes and do they feel good. I don't have all that weight on my feet now.

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


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Posted by Cederstrand on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 12:02 PM

in a SOUTHERN mug, please & thank you. 

***Jeffrey, that's a cool new fireplace...or should I say "that's HOT".

***Robby, looking forward to seeing more of your layout as it progresses.

Keep the photos coming, Y'all.

Tile guy is here today with some family members. Looks like they might even finish up everything today, which would be excellent. Kitchen back-splash, bathroom, and spare room downstairs (next to train room).

Healing thoughts to those in need.

Cowboy Rob

  • Member since
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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 12:08 PM

Cederstrand
***Jeffrey, that's a cool new fireplace...or should I say "that's HOT".


That got my Lowe's card hot too! I'll have to make some double payments to get caught up.

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
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  • From: Bremerton, Wa
  • 540 posts
Posted by jguess733 on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 12:31 PM
Hey Sue, I wish I could do for Jess, what Larry did for you, but we live in a little apartment. Oh well, one day we'll have our dream house, she can have her craft room, and I'll have my train room. Anyway, I've just finished assembling a couple of old MDC kits I picked up at North End Train Center in Seattle, and two NMRA Heritage Cars lettered for the G&D that were made by Accurail a few years ago.

Jason

Modeling the Fort Worth & Denver of the early 1970's in N scale

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Posted by jguess733 on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 12:53 PM
philip, my condolences. I would also like to say that I'm jealous of everyone getting snow. We didn't get much snow in Texas when I was growing up. Now that I live in the Pac Nor West, I can't get enough of it. I sure wish ours would have stuck around longer. Anyway being on stand down is great. I was on leave last week in Texas with the folks, and this week, I've only got one duty day (tomorrow), which I'm excited to have. Being in the Navy, this last week and a half is the most time the wife and I have spent together, and we're driving each other crazy. She has agreed that she can't wait for some "away from J time". lol. I don't know what's going to happen when I retire. Anyway, I'm gong to work on a blueprint series reefer today, and take what I don't finish to duty with me tomorrow.

Jason

Modeling the Fort Worth & Denver of the early 1970's in N scale

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Posted by Packers#1 on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 1:06 PM

twhite

Hi, there, Railroadnut.  Try the Bragdon self-adhesive chalks.  They're available at most hobby stores and really work well for me--and I'm NOT a guy who weathers so that I want to show it off, LOL!   Dull-cote the model you want to weather, apply the chalks with a Q-tip.  If you don't like what you just did, wash it off with warm, soapy water and try it again.  But the chalks stick to the Dullcote really well.  Bragdon makes a whole array of weathering colors. 

[snip]

 

I love these bragdon chalks. I've been applying them straight to the model w/o dullcoat, and they stick. I still need to spray some sealer on the models though (a semi-gloss thing from model master, my LHS was out of Dullcoat). Here's a U23B I did before sealing it (still have to seal it):

 

Sawyer Berry

Clemson University c/o 2018

Building a protolanced industrial park layout

 

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Posted by twhite on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 1:22 PM

Sawyer: Nice job there, my friend.  I've never tried 'sealing' the Bragdon chalks after I've applied them--they don't seem to wear off.  Do they take a sealant okay?  I remember using some other brands of weathering chalks a few years ago, and when I applied the Dullcote after, it just melted the weathering off.  Which in my case was probably for the best, the car looked like it had been buried in a sand dune for a century or so, LOL!  Tongue

PC:  My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family on this difficult day.  If it helps at all, remember what I said in my original post some days ago.  God go with you.

 Jeff:  Hope those new shoes work for you. 

Barry:  I tried the Humidifier trick today--actually, just put a pot of boiling water on the stove, and---VOILA!   No coughing spells from Remington.  And the air outside is a little moist today--Valley Fog--so I cracked the window just a little, also.  He's sleeping soundly right now, seems like a Happy Camper.  Afternoon project:  Head down to Home Depot and look for a humdifier.  Hopefully that will do the trick. 

That's it from Sunny(?)Cal right now.  Best to all, prayers to those in need. 

Tom Smile

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Posted by jguess733 on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 1:34 PM

Sawyer: that is one fine looking loco. Do you find the chalks easy to work with? I'm about ready to try my hand at weathering and I'm looking for a very forgiving system. I think this is the way to go.

 Tom: If you've never tried sealing the chalks after you weather the car, do they rub off when the cars are handled?
 

Jason

Modeling the Fort Worth & Denver of the early 1970's in N scale

  • Member since
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Posted by GMTRacing on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 1:43 PM

That's a great start Sawyer. Probably could use a little more grime on the lower stripe as that is where all the dust and dirt kicks up to as the loco runs over the track. I do find the chalks wear off if I don't clear it but having never been done with construction I did probably handle the stock more than normal. I agree the clear makes the weathering much less noticable, but if you fog the clear on from a medium distance it doesn't seem to erase the chalk.   J.R.

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Posted by twhite on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 2:27 PM

Jason--

I've not had a problem with the Bragdon rubbing off, as long as I pre-coat the car or loco with Dullcote.  Evidently there's a fixative mixed in with the chalks that 'digs' into the Dullcote and holds the weathering on.  However, I've found that if I want to alter the weathering, I can use a toothbrush and warm, soapy water to 'lift' the Bragdon from the Dullcote. 

Most of the weathering I've done is on my locomotives, and they don't get handled that much--I always lift them from the layout with a piece of cloth, and I don't notice any chalk residue on the cloth after.  I really like the Bragdon.  One of these days I'll get really brave and try to weather some of my regular rolling stock. 

Tom Smile

  • Member since
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Posted by Cederstrand on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 2:50 PM

refill, thanks!

***Tom, I've really enjoyed viewing the layout pics on your site, especially those with the steamers.

Tile guys are still working away. Will have to come back tomorrow to finish up. Looking good.

Cowboy Rob 

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    October 2006
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Posted by LSWrr on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 3:01 PM

Thanks Terry

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

  • Member since
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  • From: Wake Forest, NC
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Posted by SilverSpike on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 4:34 PM

For shame! The Diner on page 2...tisk tisk!

What you all doing for New Year's Eve?

We are going to stay home and open a bottle of sparkling cider at midnight!

Ryan Boudreaux
The Piedmont Division
Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger era
Cajun Chef Ryan

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