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

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Posted by Robby P. on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 10:33 AM

Jim I just paint over the areas where shadows will be.  I use lighter grays and work my way to darker blacks for the darker areas.  The flat spots will be grass or such, and the straight down areas will be the rock colors.

Heres what I have been doing all morning.  I don't have any job hours and I was wondering what to do on the layout???????

Paint some hills,trees, and some mountains!!!!  I looked at some pictures, and some step by step shots, and I thought I would give it a try.  My great grandfather was a VERY good artist in SC.  He even had some paintings in the state museum.  I hope I got some of his genes. 

Well I have to go and get some more paint.  I don't have enough to do the whole back drop.  I still need to add some more green and darkers areas here, but hey its my FIRST try!!

It might not be the best in the world nor BOB ROSS quailty but it made a difference I think.

 

 

 "Rust, whats not to love?"      

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Posted by JimRCGMO on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 10:08 AM

Morning, Zoe, Diners! Zoe, I'll have a bowl of oatmeal and some brown sugar on it, plus a cup of coffee and a glass of Ed's finest, please. Thanks!

Sign - Welcome to the Diner, demonwolf224  - have a cup of your favorite beverage on me, and tell us a little about yourself and your layout (scale, time you're modeling, particular road or freelance, etc.). We're a nosy friendly bunch in here. Laugh Thumbs Up Hope you find some good bargains on your Christmas shopping (this is for the rest of your family, right, or is this LHS money?)Wink.

As Garry asked, yes, we have a coating of ice this morning in dear ol' Southeast Missouri. It was more dangerous walking around my car this morning while scraping the ice off my car, than it was to drive to work. But I took the less hilly route to w**k and went nice and easy. Not as many vehicles out, either, and we have some people not in at w**k today... The weatherguessers on our local station said we had a trace of precip. last night (I'm guessing about all of that was frozen).

Garry, bummer on your trip to the hardware store and town yesterday. Maybe by Friday (when it's supposed to hit the 50's (F) they'll be open again. I think whoever set up that ChillOut video had waaaaayy too much time on his/her hands! Laugh

Paul, sounds like you got some of this nasty weather, too. Oops How's Mary Ann's dialysis going for her so far? Hope the rest of your order gets in from Walthers soon.

Lee, I guess (on the bar names) great minds think alike, eh? Smile,Wink, & Grin And Lee and BC, it may not be in 2009, but I figure eventually I will be going to DCC (likely when I get a second bedroom and more space for the layout. With my entire layout now being about 2-1/2 feet by 8 feet, DCC seems like overkill at the moment. Sounds like Dorothy has much better sense (and driving skills) than a lot of the folks there.Thumbs Up

Robby, good start on the mountains. Will you be using rock molds, or carving your own rock croppings?

And Rob and Robby, sorry for the mixup - I started that paragraph to one of you and switched mid-way through, I think. That, or I dozed off in the process of writing it...Whistling

Rob, careful, or being around that 'Horribly Oversized' scale stuff will corrupt you. EvilWink

Jeff, that Kodachrome SPSF diesel looks sharp! Thumbs Up Your pics are always fun to see (keep 'em coming).

Duke, thanks for the update on how Dick's doing. Guess he'll have some more wood for his stove this winter. What've you been up to lately, by the way?

Todd, I believe you're right - that miner's shack needs either a bloodhound (dozing) or a bluetick hound. Or maybe both. Wink

DerJohn, I hear you on the 'one gift for both birthday and Christmas' routine - though my Grandma T. never would do that (but she had all her grandsons' sizes on record at the local men's store, and we could always count on a dress shirt and tie...). Thanks for the info on Dick - I do recall now about their generator. Bet he'll still be busy today with the chainsaw.Wow!!

CN Charlie, we don't blame you personally for all this cold weather (most days...). Wink I guess folks up there get used to the cold temps (about like on this side of the border, Minnesotans or North Dakotans do, I suppose). Thanks for the explanation of how block heaters w**k.

Ah, Ray - the joys of upgrades (even on a Mac) - I read something recently that there was some thing where Firefox 2.0.0.x didn't work right with some Google feature, and that's why they won't be upgrading FF 2.anything.  FYI, on a Mac, I think the bookmarks are actually stored in your user Library/Preferences folder somewhere, so I goes to the new version and can be imported easily. Email me your Mac model, and I have some places where you can buy older versions of Mac OS X (like 10.4.x), depending on your hardware setup. I'm sort of a beta geek (not up to the alpha geek level, but I have resources and can figure out some semi-technical things, especially on Macs.. (Okay, Windows users can resume reading now).

Tom, you have to be careful what you wish for - remember when you were wanting rain and snow? Smile,Wink, & Grin Do you have a heater in your house out there? I know some Californians never expect it to get cold enough to need one, but.. Not only is old age 'not for sissies', but neither is MRR'ing, eh?Yeah!! How about 'Thor' for Remi's middle name, since he likes to steal the Mallets (that's kinda like a hammer, right?) Laugh

BC, if you had a cordless mouse, you'd have to also have one of those beepers on it (like cordless phone handsets do), so you could tell where Spring had taken it to. Oops 

Johnboy, sorry to hear about your son's family losing Marley - how long had Marley been with them?

Mark, LOVE the fine print on your sign...Laugh

Well, I'll be at the table near the stove, warming up a bit. Prayers for comfort, good health and a warm, dry place to be today.

 

Blessings,

Jim in (slippery) Cape Girardeau

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 9:38 AM

 Ah hah! I see Ray is buying breakfast. I'll have the bacon and eggs.


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 howmus on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 9:32 AM

Mornin' everyone!

Another beautiful day here in the Finger Lakes.  The weather people call what we are getting this morning "Freezing Drizzle".  Doesn't that sound nice? Whistling   We got around 3 inches of heavy, wet snow last night.  Most of what fell on the roads near my house evidently was plowed into the end of my driveway this morning.  Anyone want to help me move 3' snowballs out of the end of the drive? Disapprove

Got a couple 40' boxcars finished last night.  Accurail kits that I started at the RIT show a couple weekends ago.  Assembled, decaled, and dullcoated.  Some photos next weekend.

Flo, some of that great Dark Roast again in a FGLK Mug and a bowl of hot oatmeal with raisins and brown sugar sounds good to warm the bones.  I'll by the window watching the "Freezing Drizzle"!

[edit] I see breakfast is on me this morning, so eat hearty and stay warm! 

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 jeffrey-wimberly on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 8:41 AM

 Good morning.

It's 44, wet and very foggy here by the lake. The high will be in the mid 50's and it will be partly cloudy.

The SPSF and MGRy GP38-2's made their first run around the layout together yesterday pulling an 18 car train. There were no problems to report. With these two growlers running the rails there's no need to even THINK about adding sound. They supply all their own. The biggest difference between them (besides paint) is one has plastic handrails and the other has metal handrails.

Today's Weather for:
Sundown, LA  71446-6114      12/17/2008


Wind Chill:  42°F
Humidity:  100%
Dew Point:  45°F

So Far Today
High:  45°F
Low:  43°F
Rain:  0.04"
Rain Rate:  0.00"/h
Gust:  6mph NNE

Now through 10:00 AM CST December 17, 2008

Through 10 AM...isolated rain showers will continue to develop and move northeast over parts of east Texas...western Louisiana...and the adjacent coastal waters. Most of these showers will affect locations to the west of a line from 40 nm south of Cameron...to Mittie...and to Alexandria. This includes Fannett...Beaumont...Lumberton and Buna...over east Texas...and De Ridder...fort Polk...and Flatwoods over Louisiana. Rainfall amounts will continue to be generally light...averaging around one tenth of an inch or less.

Today  High: 55    Areas of fog early in the morning. Cloudy with a 20 percent chance of rain. Not as cool. Highs in the mid 50s. Northeast winds around 5 mph.

Tonight  Low: 58    Cloudy. Patchy fog after midnight. Warmer. Lows in the upper 50s. East winds around 5 mph.

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 pcarrell on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 8:23 AM

Morning all!

The folks from the next suite over in our office building moved out the other day.  They were a cabinet company.  Now they're doing demo over there and it sounds like a war zone in my office!  Oh well, they'll be done in a few days I'm sure.

Tom, a Wegie, huh?  Interesting!  They aren't terribly plentiful around here.

Rob, my evil plan worked!  Nobody noticed!

Gotta run..........the work thing is happening!

Philip
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Posted by blownout cylinder on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 7:31 AM

Good Morning everyone; The current temperature is -4C with expected high -3C. We got about 4" of the white stuff and a dull,dull,dull day is expected...Thankfully no windchills like you guys out west are getting---just tricky driving.

John; That is sad. All I can say now is in a couple of weeks look for another fellow--even earlier might be better. After we lost Miximax, our BIG tabbi, we went about a week after and found Spring the wonder cat. He definitly helped us...

 

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 C&O Fan on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 7:29 AM

inch53

Snip 

Terry..... like the miners house. What did you use for the tarpaper roof???

Snip

Thanks it was a fun project

I used Masking tape then painted it with dark gray paint then added an ink wash

TerryinTexas

See my Web Site Here

http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/

 

 

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Posted by inch53 on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 7:14 AM

 

Mornin, an irish coffee if ya woulds Zoe

Made it though the night with power, but we were wondering after the lights start flashing like a tree limb hitting the lines. Schools here are closed, so I'm stuck with 6 kids for the day.

Tonight - Freezing Drizzle Changing to Some Light Sleet & Snow.  Low 22°

Today - Partly Cloudy. High 29°

Tonight - Mostly Cloudy.  Low 25°

THU

High: 38°Low: 38°

Freezing Rain

FRI

High: 44°Low: 25°

Rain

SAT

High: 35°Low: 14°

Partly Cloudy

SUN

High: 21°Low: 11°

Light Snow

Good to hear Dick is ok, I was wondering bout with the weather up there.

Terry..... like the miners house. What did you use for the tarpaper roof???

Johnboy....sorry to hear bout Marley passing. Losing a close friend like that is hard.

Best get round ta chores, thoughts for those in need n 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 LSWrr on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 7:03 AM

Good morning all,

 

Cold and windy here.  Dorothy called me on her drive home from Akron and said 35 mph was the top speed on the 6 lane highway, and the surrounding area reminded her of a scrap yard with all the cars in the ditch and median.

  

Lee

 

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

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12-17-2008
Posted by wetidlerjr on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 4:48 AM


 

Good Morning from Tipton IN ! Big Smile

Clown



 

Cool

Bill Tidler Jr.

Near a cornfield in Indiana...

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Posted by Hoople on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 12:33 AM

 Evening all.

It has been very cold and snowy here... Well, it snowed Saturday and it has seemed to stick around... It's supposed to dump overnight, so probably no school tommorow. This is good, we get out for Christmas Break on friday... A little sooner would be great. 

Tom: I don't know if you ever saw the comments I left you in your birthday thread. I think you would appreciate them nonetheless, so try and find it if you have some spare time.

Oh, funny pic time.

Sharp Edges 

ALSO, THE BRIDGE IS OUT AHEAD... lol..

Mark

Mark.
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Posted by last mountain & eastern hogger on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 12:29 AM

Whistling

Hi Tom and all you CAT lovers,   it was a sad day at my son's house in Spokane today. he woke to find his little "Marley"

that was a beautiful "Calico" 6 year old, had passed away through the night while laying beside the bed on the heat register.

The Vet said that she could possible had a little stroke or heart attack.  She had been alright the evening before playing and 

everything.   But today my Son, Ryan  and Marley's brother "Parker" and "Freud" the Wheaton Terrier  were all in tears and

moping around the house.   We are sad here as well as she was a most lovable little gal.

I'm just on my way to bed, so I don't need anything from the diner,  So night all and I hope tomorrow is a better day.

Sleep well.

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

 

 

 

 

from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North.. 

We have met the enemy,  and he is us............ (Pogo)

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Posted by twhite on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 11:42 PM

Blownout: 

"Spring" is just a GEM!  I'm glad you live where you do so that Spring and Spooky and Remington can never get together, or neither of us would survive, LOL!    However, I think that when we're asleep, Spring and Remi get on the computer and Channel each other.  Laugh  Of course in my case, it's Spooky operating the computer. 

Tom Whistling

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Posted by blownout cylinder on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 11:12 PM

I'll have the Surf and Turf dinner please and thank you...oh and a cup of mulled cider...might as well go to town hereDinnerWhistling

Spent the evening on Google Earth tonight examining the footprint(s) for the mill and of course trying to do this with 'Spring' headbutting me at the same time. Like a child he sees me at the computer and has to get in my face---daddy!daddy!--so one has to become swivel necked trying to see over the cat's head. Ray;Aren't compooters FUN? heeheehee he chuckles as he prepares to strangle it by the monitor...Banged HeadWhistling Actually I have enough issues with google and yahoo so I tend towards avoiding any more of those headaches.

oh so now the little one tried to hijack the mouse---Finds out it is tied to the computer---now I know why having it plugged in was a good idea--keep 'Spring' from hijacking mouse...Whistling

I am going to check on the piculous one ---I heard thuds again...

 

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 twhite on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 10:58 PM

Evening everyone from NOT SunnyCal.  It's been raining down here in the Valley ( mixed with SNOW, are you ready for that? Shock) and the snow level is down to about 500 feet in the Sierra.  We're getting whacked by a really good storm out of the Gulf of Alaska, and temperatures here in SacTomato are supposed to get down in the 'twenties tonight, with minus zeros in the Sierra.  Now I know that might not sound like much to you people in the Northeast that are getting those horrible Ice storms (and you have my sympathies, BTW), but we don't normally get a cold snap down here in California like this.  And there's more snow on the way next week.  So far the Sierra have gotten about 2-3 feet--which is just a start, mind you--in a normal winter we get up to 20 feet in the higher elevations, but we haven't had a 'normal' winter here in several years. Believe me, we need a LOT of Sierra Cement this winter to make up for the past several.  I hope we get it. 

Well, I found out what was wrong with #3-4 blocks--FINALLY!   After checking everything out, combining the blocks, going nuts cleaning the track and checking every feeder in the world, I found that--OOPS!  The track leading into the bridge over Malakoff Diggings was--are you ready?-- connected with two joiners that I forgot to solder!  Two very loose joiners.  Okay, that section of track is hidden by a fairly deep cut, and I SWEAR I soldered every joiner in that section.  So, out came the file, the screwdriver and the handy-dandy soldering iron and now everything is working okay.  And I thought I was going to have to tear the track up and re-lay it.  I tell ya--OLD AGE AIN'T FOR SISSIES!  Whistling

Now, of course, since everything's back in working condition, I have to move all the locos in tonight for the temperature drop.  Just hope the track doesn't shrink in that section. 

Further news on the new Traincat Remington.  As you know, I got him through a Maine Coon rescue society.  Well, it turns out that he ISN'T a Maine Coon.  Seems the original owner who had moved to Hawaii (and unloaded him at the pound) called the society wondering how her cat was.  They referred her to me.  While we were talking, I asked her if she might send Remington's registration to me just so I could have it, since I had registration papers for Spooky.  She said sure, she'd send them right off.  I told her how happy I was that I had two Maine Coons.  She was silent for a moment and then said, "Remi isn't a Maine Coon."   After I picked myself off the floor, I asked her just exactly WHAT Remington was.  "Well, he's a Norwegian Forest Cat.  Didn't they tell you?"  I won't go into the rest of it, but if you remember, I was originally looking for a "Wegie", and now I've GOT one!   And his papers are on the way from Hawaii.  Santa's been GOOD this year Tongue!  Of course, I'm not going to tell Spooky, she's still too busy training him.  Of course, she might be wondering why his infrequent "Meow's" have a Scandanavian accent, LOL!    No wonder he prefers to haul off locomotives, the kid is a VIKING, for cryin' out loud!  So, should I keep "Remington" (the rifle, you understand) or name him something like "Odin" or "Wotan?"

Jeff:  Love that Kodachrome diesel.  I used to see quite a few of them over Donner Pass before the SP/SF deal fell through. 

Sue:  Looks like we're BOTH in for the same weather for a while with these Alaska surges.  Oh, and PS, according to Bruce at my LHS, the Z-6 is on its way.  Just depends on how slow the boat is Whistling

Best to all, prayers to those in need. 

Tom Big Smile 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

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Posted by howmus on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 10:40 PM

Evenin' folks!

BC it is snowing here in the Finger lakes as well now.  We have about 1" of fresh snow.  Could have around 4" by morning.  Supposed to have some freezing rain mixed in at times as well.

I got an upgrade notice for Firefox this evening so I ran the upgrade and one of the things they said was this was the final upgrade they were going to do for Firefox 2.  They suggested that I should upgrade to Firefox 3 as soon as possible.  So I decided to do that upgrade.  Got it installed and realized that Firefox 3 doesn't run on Mac OS 10.3.9 (which I have on this computer) but needs Mac OS 10.4.........(Which I don't).  It appeared to install just fine but wouldn't open.  Of course that is what I get for not reading the fine print.  I opened up Safari for the first time in a couple of years and searched for the Firefox website.  All I could find at the home page was Download Firefox 3!  Started hyperventilating very soon thereafter.  Kept looking on the site even went to another archived site and tried to download from there and it gave me the Windows .exe file.  Of course that doesn't open on the Mac....  After 20 minutes or so I finally found where it said System Requirements and then a well hidden little button that said earlier version (for if you don't have OS 10.4.0.  Which as I stated already, I don't).   I found the last version (Firefox 2.0.0.19) and with shaky hands and tears in my eyes I clicked on it and waited for it to download.  After I opened the .dmg package it comes in for the Mac, I dragged the program to Applications folder.........  Said a prayer........  and clicked on the button that said "This application already is installed in this folder do you want to replace it with the new one?"  Knowing full well that this was going to screw everything up big time on me and wipe out all of my bookmarks, I very carefully clicked OK, and.....................  Waited while the deed was done............  Then with great anticipation and hope  (not to mention several prayers to offset the nasty phrases I had used when I first realized I screwed up) clicked on the Firefox icon in the Dock.......... It jumped...... once...... then again!!!!!!!  It opened up.  I didn't dare look to see if my Bookmarks were still in existence...........   THEY WERE!!!!!!!!  IT WORKS!!!!!!   All is well with the world here in the Finger Lakes once again and my faith in my Mac re-established.

So........ What did you do tonight that was fun? Smile,Wink, & Grin 

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 blownout cylinder on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 10:12 PM

Well, it is/has been snowing for a while and of course the road surface has become a skating rink--saw two cars coming around the corner not far from us--wwweeeeeeeee!!!--doughnuts.OOOPPS!!

Oh tnx Jeff and Lee. I now know what I'm going to ask from people for xmas--he says this only a week before---HeeheeheeMischiefLaugh Not to mention I now can tell the difference between some things--The book has been ordered...Whistling

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 Heartland Division CB&Q on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 10:05 PM

Hello again ...

CN Charlie and Der John ...... Thanks for the info about the CPR D-10 (4-6-0).

Evidently, it was quite the workhorse for branch line service.

Speaking of branch lines, some of you may be interested in my post on the Mixed Train thread.

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by gear-jammer on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 10:03 PM

Good Evening, All.  Chloe, I would like a hot cider, please.  It is too cold here for my usual RBF.  We have another round of snow due tonight and tomorrow.  I am hoping to get to work before it starts.

Larry took off this morning.  He is back on his run to BC with sheet rock.  Today's load is ok, but tomorrow he thinks it will be chains all day.  That can sure rattle your brains out.  With him gone,  I am carrying the hot water to thaw the water trough out.  They are predicting this cold until Christmas.  How rare if we have a white Christmas.

Sue

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

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Posted by der5997 on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 9:49 PM
Talked to Dick today and he may not be able to get in to the Diner for a day or two. So much damage to his trees from the ice storm.  The whole neighborhood’s a wreck and a tangle (Sesame Street fans will get that one)  His phone came back on this morning, and power Sunday night (I think).  As he said here on Friday, he’s got a generator, and of course the wood heat, so the power out’’s not a problem. Lee:
Faller makes parking meters in N and HO scale but chickens don't have pockets to cary change for the meters!
…That’s ‘cos they just wing it.
  Mike :
On the chicken house, you might find a small warehouse [about a 30'x100'] that looks like a pole barn to use for it.
…that should do it nicely. By the time there’s a series (3?) of grain feed bins down one side, and a couple of big fans at one end, who’d know it wasn’t a major chicken palace?

That was written before I’d read my way to Rob’s reply to Mike

***Inch, that might be what we end up doing, a long warehouse type structure. Can always add a couple little feed silos to the front, fans, AC units, etc on the sides. ((( I won't burst her bubble regarding her dream layout, I'm thrilled that she is so into it to begin with. )))
…So Rob, is this great minds or what?Whistling

 

Robby: Sorry to hear about the re-treading job.  On the bright side, along with the things you mentioned, is that IIRC you weren’t totally thrilled about that particular job in the first place. Lousy shift time if I recall.Sue:
I start work 1 hour late this morning.  One snowflake and the world stops.
…and 2 your road crews pile in the middle of the road?  That’s what they did/do in B.C.  Struck us Easterners as very odd!
Ryan:Those 6 Bean Soup canisters are a great idea, and your gift-wrap sure shows them off!BowOoooh!  I’ve caught up to where I posted the other day! Sorry to have missed a whole lot of birthdays along the way.  I’ve a question for the getting-on-towards-Christmas crowd.  Did you get the “This will do for his Christmas and Birthday” treatment?  Oh the joys of childhood!Hey RT!  Thanks for the cheesecake.  Looks a lot like one that turned up in the Classic Toy Trains 4 year old Coffee place today. Thumbs UpWinkGarry:
Der John ... What is a D10?
… Ask and ye shall receive! http://www.railarchive.net/rlsteam/index.html?MainFrame=http://www.railarchive.net/rlsteam/cpr.htm  Scroll down to the third photo., and read below.  ....and for the probable model I inherited (you’ll see the problem I had was par for the course!)
http://www.riograndesouthern.com/RidgwayShops/CPR_D10.aspx Terry: Nice house (good tea? Wink – ST Next Gen fans Smile) Seriously, fine modelling.Thumbs Up That’s all for tonight folks.  Goodnight all, and God Bless.  Prayers for all in need of healing, comfort, employment and peace.Angel              

 

"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.

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Posted by CNCharlie on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 9:30 PM

Good Evening Diners!

Well I'm sorry about all the cold air that is spilling down from our way but sad to say there isn't much end in sight as the weatherman here says it will be cold until Christmas. It has moderated somewhat as there isn't a windchill warning any longer now that it is only -38C.

Jim, the only way an engine block will freeze at -40 is due to inadequate anti-freeze and yes a block heater is an absolute requirement or your car won't likely start. The problem isn't the cold coolant but the oil as even 5W-30 gets rather stiff. The block heater heats the coolant enough so that it does keep the whole engine warm. Volvos though have an oil heater which is a far better system. As far as anything closing at -40 the answer is nothing. The mall was packed on Sunday, parking lot full and the windchill was -40. I even saw a couple of teenage guys running out to their car and they didn't even have a jacket on never mind gloves. Ah, the craziness of youth.

Gary, you were asking Der, What's a D10? That is a RR question I can actually answer. A D10 is a 10 wheeler class of the CPR. In fact it was their favourite class as they had more of them ( about 500) than any other. They were used largely in branchline service for freight and passenger use right to the end of steam, so 1960 here on the prairies. Rumor has it that TruLine Trains is bringing out a high-end plastic version, likely in 2010. CP or not there will be one in my yard!

Hope everyone is well and keeping warm!

CN Charlie

 

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
  • 10,660 posts
Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 9:20 PM

Good evening.

In spite of the ice I went to town. Only the Post Office was open. Such much for a trip to the hardware store to get supplies for the layout. No, I did not want the fund raiser fruit cake on the counter with the rat poison and the snake poison.  Returning home, I almost did not make it up the hill at the beginning of our road in my truck that normally goes anywhere. By the time I crested the hilltop, all four wheels were spinning enough to get the speedometer up to 80 MPH. I tried other methods only to start sliding and the to back down the hill for another running start.

JimCG ... Do you have the same icy stuff there?

Duke .... I'm glad you contacted Dick. Next time tell him we're sorry about the ice damge to his trees, but hopefully, next years trawberries and rhubbarb crop is unaffected. We need those strawberry/rhubarb pies.

Jeff ... You keep the workers in the Leesville Locomotive Shop busy with thsoe neat looking convesions.  Will the workers get a Christmas break?


Terry ... I really like the shack!

Jerry ...The layout looks nice. It looks like the piggyback busienss is doing well. Are there Christmas presents loaded in the trailers?

Rob ... I see the Model Power hospital listed by a "but it now" seller located in Australia on Ebay. The building  It looks European for sure, but perhaps it could be "Americanized".

Robby ... The layout progress looks very good.

PPC ... What a wonderful Christmas message!  Really cheer us up with the laughing Santa story.

Well, Ryan.... maybe, the chef could stray from home just to the diner.

Inch .. You were correct about the icy weather here.

Everybody ..... Here's something for you to do if you would like a break from model railroading...

  http://www.chilloutzone.de/files/player.swf?b=10&l=197&u=ILLUMllSOOAvIF//P_LxP92A42lCHCeeWCejXnHAS/c

Happy Model Railroading.

 

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Euclid, Ohio
  • 2,822 posts
Posted by LSWrr on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 9:00 PM

Evening all,

Been gluing people to my passenger station and platforms tonight, 56 people down and only 44 to go.

Rob, any chance of converting your wife to N-Scale????

Jeff, I hear you on rebuilding locomotives.  I have several late 1960-1970 Mantua steam cast metal locomotives.  I Have 4 Pacific locomotives and not to fond of that style, hopefully I can swap them for Mikado or Berkshires.   The new motors are $29-$45 each, then I’ll need to swap out the brass trucks on the tenders for nickel and pick up a decoder.  I figure $87 to rebuild one of these and I can get Challengers (used) DCC ready for $125.

Robby, the new layout looks good so far.

Jim, very cool, I do have a O’Reilly pub and maybe a Lee’s Pour house.

Well it looks like Jeff and Jerry are running trains while the rest of us “work” on our layouts, LOL.

Blownout;  I’m new to it as well and hopefully will cross over in 2009.  I bought “THE DCC GUIDE” from Model Railroader and found it to be very helpful in terms and understanding the basics.  About 2 months ago MR had a comparison of most DCC systems available, that is what finally sold me on the Digitrax system I want Lenz was a close second.  

Lee

 

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

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: North Central Texas
  • 2,370 posts
Posted by Paul W. Beverung on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 8:39 PM

Evening Gang: Ladies I'll have the surf and turf on PC. Thanks PC.

It's been really cold here lately. OK, not as cold as maybe Johnboy or Der but for us cold. This morning it was 21 when I took Mary Ann in for her dialysis. When you think that Sunday it was in the 70s Monday came as quite a shock. East of us they have been having freezing rain and sleet. That really makes it fun driving. Some of the folks that have four wheel drive can't seem to understand that it's not the starting that's dangerous it's the stopping.

I talked with the folks at Walthers today. They said that things have picked up since last month. I hope so. Maybe it's a sign that things will get better sooner then later. I was checking up on my order for the Hiawatha set. The Super Dome is late due to them having to hand paint the dome. It could not be done in the normal way of printing. The Sky Top lounge is in and they have one put away for me. The E-7s are not in yet so I told them to wait untill everything is in and then ship. No shipping charge then.

Not much going on here. I have been working on my new office. It's the bedroom that we recently moved out of. I set up a desk along one wall with an old counter top on a couple of two drawer filing cabnets. Unfortunately like many layouts it's already getting too small. I am sorting through all my " stuff " and getting red of a bunch of paper work and duplicate and triplicate research paper. I've found a letter that my dad wrote me way back in 1977. He's been gone along time so it was good seeing his hand writting again. I'll keep it.

Well I guess I'll head for bed.

Good Night All

Paul The Duluth, Superior, & Southeastern " The Superior Route " WETSU
  • 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, December 16, 2008 8:30 PM

 Had the SPSF GP38-2 running on the layout for the first time today, With her partner, MGRy #350, the two of them have lots of power.


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
    April 2007
  • From: Western transplant to the Deep South
  • 4,256 posts
Posted by Cederstrand on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 8:22 PM

Found it: sparkling star models. Looks like remakes of the older circus cars. Think we'll buy just one to see what it looks like and how much trouble it is to assemble/paint/etc.

***TMarsh, you must have hit Post just seconds before I did. That's it though, so Thanks!

Cowboy Rob

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Williamsville, ILL
  • 3,698 posts
Posted by TMarsh on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 8:22 PM

Evening all, nothing for me thank you, just slid in for a bit. Gotta get on with projects.

Rob- don’t recall a Circus Train but Sparklingstarmodels.com has circus wagons?? a few months back. Maybe help??

Great photos guys Thumbs Upand the miner’s shack, I see Bloodhound.

Inch you’re right snow we got not much accumulated but the roads were/are NASTY Grumpy I went in town and it took me 30 min to get to Spfld. And I only live about 10 mi. 5 cars were in the ditch in about a 3 mi stretch.

Be careful out there if you’re in the weather and if you’re not, well don’t tell me where you live or I might show up!!! Laugh I don't know what I'm gonna do when winter gets here.

Todd  

Central Illinoyz

In order to keep my position as Master and Supreme Ruler of the House, I don't argue with my wife.

I'm a small town boy. A product of two people from even smaller towns. I don’t talk on topic….. I just talk. Laugh

Moderator
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    November 2008
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Posted by blownout cylinder on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 7:05 PM

Rob; In an Information desk column from Jun'08 there was a mention that someone picked up an entire set through Walthers. Supposedly it even had the wagons. Is it possible that they might have those things seperatly?

Oh BTW, can someone help me with the difference between speedmatching and adding loco to consist in DCC? This little one seems to need to build up a glossary of terms if he is going to finally get into DCC.WhistlingConfused

The name was/is Great Circus Train...

Cederstrand

Gotta have that Surf and Turf....I'll take the Surf, Wife can have the Turf.Chef (Thanks, Philip)

Does anyone recall the name of the HO circus car series that was offered earlier this year in one of the MRRmags? Of the three copies I found, none had the company's ad and wife is bugging me about it. I was going to look into it for her Christmas present. I need to find the rest of my mags, as I know the ad appeared in a couple of them. Any help will be appreciated.

Cowboy Rob

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/

  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: Western transplant to the Deep South
  • 4,256 posts
Posted by Cederstrand on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 6:43 PM

Gotta have that Surf and Turf....I'll take the Surf, Wife can have the Turf.Chef (Thanks, Philip)

Does anyone recall the name of the HO circus car series that was offered earlier this year in one of the MRRmags? Of the three copies I found, none had the company's ad and wife is bugging me about it. I was going to look into it for her Christmas present. I need to find the rest of my mags, as I know the ad appeared in a couple of them. Any help will be appreciated.

Cowboy Rob

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