Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Elliot's Trackside Diner IX Locked

67150 views
921 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Elliot's Trackside Diner IX
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Friday, February 20, 2009 4:35 PM

 Since Bergie locked the old one at 68 pages I'll take it upon myself to open a new one.

Garry wrote: Jeff........... It is great that you are back, and I wish you the best as you continue getting better from your latest health problem. It is good of you and quite remarkable that you are willing to give thoughtful advice to others even though you have your own problems.

I don't see any reason why I should let my medical problems keep others from benefiting from my knowledge and advice. There are others out there who know much more than I do but I don't see many of them in here sharing with the rest of us.

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
    December 2003
  • From: East central Illinois
  • 2,576 posts
Posted by Cox 47 on Friday, February 20, 2009 4:45 PM

Jeff glad to have you back the diner just isn't the same without you...Take care of yourself!!...Jerry

ILLinois and Southern...Serving the Coal belt of southern Illinois with a Smile...
  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Jersey Shore
  • 361 posts
Posted by ewl01 on Friday, February 20, 2009 5:23 PM

Cox 47

Jeff glad to have you back the diner just isn't the same without you...Take care of yourself!!...Jerry

Same feelings here Jeff.  Offering advice and sharing knowledge is what we are all about.  What sets this post apart from others is that when one of us doesn't know or understand something we admit it.   Whether it is hobby or life related we all have knowledge or an experience to share with our friends.

As far as terminal illnesses are concerned, the best thing one can do is have a living will.  This in no uncertain terms states the level of care one is to receive when a fatal or terminal illness is encountered.  Both of my parents had this and it eliminated any questions from doctors and hospitals. The end is difficult to witness, I saw it first hand, but it is better than continued suffering on the part of a loved one from artificial means.

Another southbound UP freight went by along with a northbound at the same time.  The north bound looked like a ballast train but they looked like gons but from the 4 th floor it's hard to tell.  The freights here have a nice mix of cars.  Back home everything is tankers, or boxcars full of garbage.

Eric

  • 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 Friday, February 20, 2009 5:44 PM

 Got a few items from some friends up north.

I can just see this car with some weathering.

The ice cream stand needs a remodel.

Here's a nice little suburban house. Looks a bit to clean to me.

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
    December 2003
  • From: North Central Texas
  • 2,370 posts
Posted by Paul W. Beverung on Friday, February 20, 2009 5:52 PM

Evening Gang: I got knocked down when the switcher coupled up to move us. Who was at the throttle anyway.

Jeff it's good to see you back. I think that a couple of the guys said something about you doing too much. Didn't listen did you?

Mary Ann is waiting to go out to diner. Her birthday is tomorrow so I need to be nice tonight.

See you all later.

Paul The Duluth, Superior, & Southeastern " The Superior Route " WETSU
  • Member since
    November 2007
  • From: Manassas, VA
  • 344 posts
Posted by Trainman Sam on Friday, February 20, 2009 6:06 PM

WELCOME BACK JEFF!!!!!

Jeez...  I fell asleep in the last diner, to find that I had been locked in...   Can someone please remember to check  all the booths before allowing the powers that be to lock the doors?!?  LOL.

I went to Home Despot (as my dad refers to it) and picked up a 2' x 8' sheet of Extruded foam and two tubes of foam friendly adhesive along with one tuube of Liquid Nails for Projects!  That and I managed to squeeze the 1' 8" D x 8' L table into my Hyundai Elantra (It almost didn't fit, as my front passenger seat is nowhere near as moveable as I thought it should be)  So I am going to start building the PaperMill project (with a minor change since I don't have the extra 4" I would need to complete the plan I had posted in the other diner...  I'm hoping to have the foam and cork and track glued down by the middle of next week (I'll try to take photos with my camera and keep you guys posted on progress)  This one is gonna be some fun I can tell, fly by the seat of my pants in one weeks time to get the thing up and running before calss starts in a week and three days!!!

WOW! M y cat just jumped on my keyboard and my puter went crazy...  Luckily this post was unaffected!  I thought I was going to have to type the thing over again...  I had to close another tab, and another window to get back to this page!

Well, I gotta go for now!  Wish me luck on the construction phase...   (Next I have to see about commandeering some fundage for the "Scenery and Buildings" for the layout!!!  hehehehe

Prayers and thoughts for all my friends, both those whom I know and those whom I shall meet!

Sam

 May He bless you, guide you, and keep you safe on your journey through life!

 I Model the New Hope & Ivyland RR (Bucks County, PA)

Moderator
  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: London ON
  • 10,392 posts
Posted by blownout cylinder on Friday, February 20, 2009 6:11 PM

Nice to see you back Jeff. How'd the visit go--Smile,Wink, & Grin

We had to move again? OY, at this rate the next move may take place in about 3 weeks or less!

I did not make it to LHS, I had to do some more office stuff which meant that by the time I was done I had no time to go there--mumble grumbleGrumpy Oh well, I'll have a big ol' bucket of coffee and a burger as well please. I'll just sit by the window and watch the place fill up----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/

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: In the State of insanity!
  • 7,982 posts
Posted by pcarrell on Friday, February 20, 2009 6:37 PM

Guess we were crashing the forum again!  I was getting the "Ooops" message earlier.  Seems this new software has a good look to it on the surface, but it can't take much hard use.

Philip
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Marion, Iowa
  • 1,263 posts
Posted by AmanaMedic on Friday, February 20, 2009 7:19 PM

Good Evening all,

 First, a toast to Jeff for his much anticipated return, AND for having the fortitude to open up a whole new diner. A tip of the fire helmet to ya, Pal!

Here in Clarence, we're expecting snow. It's cold. It's mid-February in Iowa.

Hoping to work on something railroad this weekend, still have school board articles hanging over my head.

Again, welcome back Jeff!!! I'm curious to see what you do to that TasteeFreeze, looks like it needs some serious rehab work.

Be safe all...

 Chris

The Cedar cRapids Industrial Branch: Proudly Shipping Yesterday's CrunchBerries Tomorrow!

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Out on the Briny Ocean Tossed
  • 4,240 posts
Posted by Fergmiester on Friday, February 20, 2009 7:38 PM

Good Evening All

 

Just passing through seeing what's up and all. Not much happening on the MR scene this month as leave was interupted and displaced... Work: a blessed curse but a neccesity none the less. Anyway a cuppa Joe and I'll sit for a while and wait for the weather to improve. 

Later 


Fergie

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5959

If one could roll back the hands of time... They would be waiting for the next train into the future. A. H. Francey 1921-2007  

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Shelby, NC
  • 2,545 posts
Posted by Robby P. on Friday, February 20, 2009 7:54 PM

Hey what bad economy?  We keep getting a new DINER. 

Jeff, you had everybody worried.  Didn't know if we needed to release the hounds to find ya.

Well I did't do much at all today.  Ballasted a area, and thats about it.

Well everybody, I am heading out.  Don't wanna mess things up in the new place.  Seems the paint is still wet.

 

 "Rust, whats not to love?"      

  • Member since
    October 2005
  • From: Massillon Ohio
  • 293 posts
Posted by eeyore9900 on Friday, February 20, 2009 8:10 PM

 Evening folks-I haven't been around in awhile, been "trying" to get caught up on this n that, & it seems in the meantime it seems 2 old diners have been closed up! So I figured I'd better stop in to this one while everything's still fresh & new.

This has been a rough winter so far, since I changed positions at work-snow & ice removal is part of my job, & since this January was the snowiest here since the mess of '78, you can imagine how I'm feeling. (not a fun feeling to get up at 4:15 AM & see inches of white stuff out there that needs taken care of!)

Update on my Mom, to those that remember. She's still hanging in there, & has been in a nursing home since November. Her only mobility is her right hand, but she talks fine, has all of her faculties. She very well may get to go home soon, pending approval of her doctor & therapist. (she'll need a wheelchair ramp built, & quite a bit of in-home help, since my Dad of course, can't do most of what is needed-he just turned 80, & Mom will turn 80 on Mar.3rd. I find it hard to believe now that when she turned 70, she was still working full time!)

I've been trying my best to work on my freight car models, design my track plan for my future layout, & get the basement set up for it, but this winter & work have really bogged me down ambitionwise. I really haven't been getting done what needs to be done. (I usually go through this about this time every year!)

Well, I best hit it-going to watch an old "Highway Patrol" episode before bed.(I was able to get ahold of a good chunk of taped episodes of this show recently. It's never been rerun in this area (at least in my lifetime) but I knew of it's existence since I was a kid, & always wanted to see it. So, I'm off to see what trouble Dan Mathews is going to solve this time!)

Nite All!

Mitch (AKA) The Donkey Donkey's Dirty Details
  • 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 Friday, February 20, 2009 8:11 PM

 It was just one of those curve balls that life throws my way. I got past this one and there will undoubtably be others.

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
    July 2006
  • From: upstate NY
  • 9,236 posts
Posted by galaxy on Friday, February 20, 2009 8:25 PM

OOOHHHH, a new Diner! Thank you Jeffrey!

Ryan notice it's All shiny and new and 100% to health code!

Step up guys and have a piece of cherry pie. I just baked one. {had a real hankering for one lately}

Yes, Jeffrey, take it easy. As one with severe asthma who can sometimes get out of breath walking to the mailbox on a cold windy or hot and humid day, I know what it's like to think you can do more than you really should. At least rest the next few days!

The prayer candle is still lit for those who need thoughts and prayers. ANother will be lit tomorrow.

Robby P. that CSXT car is fantastic....makes me jealous....

Have a good night guys!

-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.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Finger Lakes
  • 10,198 posts
Posted by howmus on Friday, February 20, 2009 8:38 PM

Hey!  What the heck is going on?  I go out to diner, come back home to go to the diner for evening coffee and the track is empty????Grumpy

Good thing Jeff is back on duty and left the customary trail of bread crumbs to the newest location.  Yeah, I think Kalmbach got taken for a ride with the new software...................

Fergie!  Long time no see!  Glad you could stop by.  Chloe, anything Fergie wants tonight here put on Philips tab, OK

My sister and I went to an excellent Mexican restaurant in Canandaigua.  She is a friend of the owner and up until recently has been trying to get more people to patronize the place.  Well, it must have worked as the last couple times we have gone there it has been packed!  every table and booth taken and a line going out the door waiting to be served.  The food and service there is great and the prices are not high at all.  Her cat (the one that is armed and dangerous) survived her.... uhm....  procedure at the vets and actually was being quite friendly this evening.  Maybe she has just been.... uh..... anal retentive all this time?Whistling

I'll go sit by the wood stove in the back and do some research for the layout. 

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

We'll get there sooner or later! 

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Williamsville, ILL
  • 3,698 posts
Posted by TMarsh on Friday, February 20, 2009 8:48 PM

Evenin' Everyone. I'll take the Hot Pork sandwich and um I'll try the Apple Goodies. Oh and a cup of coffee please and a glass of water thank you.

Colby, Sorry to hear about your Uncle.Angel

Jeff, Glad you're back. Take it easy and you're correct. (referring to Harry Calahan as you previously mentioned) As we get older those words become harder and harder to follow.

Ray, A constipated cat. I'm sorry but I can't help but chuckle. I feel sorry for you AND of course your little patient.Especially your little patient sadly they don't understand what's happening. I just can't help but feel sorry for an animal suffering in any way. But I still chuckle sometimes when it's not lifethreatening. Like when the dog got a briar stuck between her tail and.....um... her exhaust port shall we say.....Oh I have to change the subject I'm starting to more than chuckle.Laugh Ever see a dog try to pass a Peach pit?Laugh Oooohh hahahahah! Not funny! keep telling myself....NOT Funny! How would you like it if it was you?.......that's not funny. Grumpy

OW!!!! My nose! Bergie just slammed the door in my face. OK, so not really. I was trying to sneak back in.Whistling

Eric, I second your words on a Living Will. My wifes Father did not have one and OH MAN, luckily we didn't have to go through that with my Father and it won't be that way with my Mother.

Jeff, I like the Ice cream stand and that house looks exactly like the mirror of the house my grandfather built when he retired from farming. (larger of course). And a very wise statement you made. You'll always get the curve balls, it's how you handle 'em that makes the difference.

O.K. I did a whole lot of nothing today. Put down a bit of ground foam around the pool area of the old motel. You know, judging by a thread elsewhere in this forum I think almost everyone has, or at least has had, a Plasticville Motel. Then spent a bit of time starting on the scratch build of the brewery.

Supposed to get a wee bit of snow tonight and tomorrow, between a half and an inch so we'll see if anything happens or we are snowed in for a month.

Thanks for the Cherry pie G,

Prayers to all in need and Jeff you watch what yer doin'.

Todd.

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

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Finger Lakes
  • 10,198 posts
Posted by howmus on Friday, February 20, 2009 9:02 PM

TMarsh
Ray, A constipated cat. I'm sorry but I can't help but chuckle. I feel sorry for you AND of course your little patient.Especially your little patient sadly they don't understand what's happening. I just can't help but feel sorry for an animal suffering in any way. But I still chuckle sometimes when it's not lifethreatening. Like when the dog got a briar stuck between her tail and.....um... her exhaust port shall we say.....Oh I have to change the subject I'm starting to more than chuckle.Laugh Ever see a dog try to pass a Peach pit?Laugh Oooohh hahahahah! Not funny! keep telling myself....NOT Funny! How would you like it if it was you?.......that's not funny. Grumpy

 

No, no, not my cat......  My sister's cat.  No way do I feel sorry for that obnoxious little ball of fur.  She has one of the meanest personalities in the cat world......Evil   (And the cat is even worse!)  Actually I will be taking care of the cat while my sister is in Guacamole, Guantanimo,.......... Guatemala.  That's the place, Guatemala.  I am very, very glad my sister got to take the little feline hair ball to the vets.  I don't have thick enough leather gloves to protect me when I would have to put her in the cat carrier! 

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

We'll get there sooner or later! 

  • 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 Friday, February 20, 2009 9:05 PM

I've been in the back room watching some shows the DVR caught while I was holding down one of the hospitals beds. I've watched a Trains and Locomotives show, a Trains Unlimited episode (Built for speed' and a show from the Reality channel called 'Train Wrecks'. There are more but I'll watch them later. I'm recording them on a VCR as I watch them so I can go back and delete them from the DVR to make room for other shows.

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
    June 2007
  • From: Indiana
  • 3,549 posts
Posted by Flashwave on Friday, February 20, 2009 9:56 PM

Hi all.

News: swimming ended. I'm sad, but I have time for the important things now. Sleep (drastically behind) AND TRAINS.

Mark: Brain cancer: I'm sorry to hear that. If it gives you any hope, my Grandpa was given a similar sentence to a similar cancer type thingy (scientific term yeah, thats it) 1 to 2 months. He went I believe 12 years. maybe less, possibly more. He passed several years ago. When it sets in, he may go into a state of dymentia. Be ready for thatm and take notes of what he knows of the past now. Prayers to him.

And to Jeffery. DON'T SCARE US LIKE THAT!!! YA CWAZY!!!

Sawer: There's no such thing as a Good Monday. "Good Mondays are mondays that are building strength to corrupt the rest of the week. Tuesday becomes the next monday, and suddenly no weekday can be itself. Friday becomes lost in the chaos.  

-Morgan

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
  • 10,660 posts
Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Friday, February 20, 2009 10:52 PM

Good evening ......

I just clicked the stars so we can find the new place.

It is good to see Mitch (Eeyore) again. Mitch, it sounds like a long ordeal with your Mom.

Fergie..... I'm glad you stopped by. I hope you can find time for model railraoding soon.

Paul......... Best regards and  a happy birthday to Mary Ann.

 

 

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: Western transplant to the Deep South
  • 4,256 posts
Posted by Cederstrand on Friday, February 20, 2009 10:54 PM

What a busy & talkative bunch. Just a tall glass of cool lemon water, thanks.

***Jeffrey, that ice cream shop is cool. My wife has been wanting something like that for some time, but if she aquires one, it will be called "Nasty Freeze". (our nickname for the local establishment in town)

***Paul, hope May Ann has a very nice Birthday tomorrow. Convey to her our best wishes.

***Mitch, good hearing from you. Sounds like a lot going on for you still. Don't be a stranger!

***Ray...."poor cat".Laugh

***Todd, what is this plasticville you speak of....(they also make a prison, don't they?Whistling)

Well, got the legs attached to the small table which will connect up at one end of the shelf layout. Would make an ideal spot for a helix. Cost of track is going to be an obstical though. My vision is to have 2 mainlines and anything less just wouldn't do it for me, but that is sure going to add up. At least it is a one time purchase.

Wife has a sound idea for a small home business, but I cannot talk about it here. Already picked up the two perfect domain names, should it work out. Now it's a matter of studying all the paperwork (Govt...gurrrrr) to see if it is really feasible. Would sure be great if she didn't have to return to work at the hospital anymore. She is VERY burned out at that job. Wish her (us) luck!

Time to hit the hay. Have a good ngiht all. Cowboy Rob

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • From: Southern California
  • 1,475 posts
Posted by New Haven I-5 on Friday, February 20, 2009 10:55 PM

Hi.

  I just finished watchin Silver Streak. Good movie. I've got a lot of catcing up to do!

 

               Jeffery: Welcome back you had us worried...... DON'T DO IT AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  

                    

Flashwave

.

Mark: Brain cancer: I'm sorry to hear that. If it gives you any hope, my Grandpa was given a similar sentence to a similar cancer type thingy (scientific term yeah, thats it) 1 to 2 months. He went I believe 12 years. maybe less, possibly more. He passed several years ago. When it sets in, he may go into a state of dymentia. Be ready for thatm and take notes of what he knows of the past now. Prayers to him.

 

Are you talking about Hoople? Well, who ever you are talking about, best wishes. Hey!!! Where did the angel smiley go????

 

                  The prayer candle is lit..... Luke

- Luke

Modeling the Southern Pacific in the 1960's-1980's

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
  • 10,660 posts
Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Friday, February 20, 2009 11:14 PM

If your interested, you may watch the 1934 run from Denver to Chicago of the Pioneer Zephyr. Who says it is necessary to spend tons of money on designing bullet trains for high speed rail? In 1934, the PZ set speed records on bolted rail. Welded rail was not in use at the time. A conventional diesel train can go fast enough.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHe0YSciQao

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

Moderator
  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: London ON
  • 10,392 posts
Posted by blownout cylinder on Friday, February 20, 2009 11:56 PM

howmus
No, no, not my cat......  My sister's cat.  No way do I feel sorry for that obnoxious little ball of fur.  She has one of the meanest personalities in the cat world......Evil   (And the cat is even worse!)  Actually I will be taking care of the cat while my sister is in Guacamole, Guantanimo,.......... Guatemala.  That's the place, Guatemala.  I am very, very glad my sister got to take the little feline hair ball to the vets.  I don't have thick enough leather gloves to protect me when I would have to put her in the cat carrier

 

Ray;- when i was a little younger we had a cat--a 25lb pt Bobcat as we found out from our vet--called 'Baby'. Whenever we had to get shots for the fellow we had to stuff him in a birdcage. Reason? You could only imagine. When I got him to the fairgrounds to get the Rabies shot he was in full growl mode. He was not a happy camper--but the vets loved the idea--especially hearing the full scale concert he was gracing everyone withWhistling

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
    March 2005
  • From: IN/USA
  • 2,495 posts
2-21-2009
Posted by wetidlerjr on Saturday, February 21, 2009 4:03 AM

 Good Morning from Tipton IN ! Banged Head

 

LaughSmile,Wink, & GrinBowMy 2 cents 

Bill Tidler Jr.

Near a cornfield in Indiana...

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Finger Lakes
  • 10,198 posts
Posted by howmus on Saturday, February 21, 2009 7:24 AM

Mornin' everyone!

Sun is actually shining here in the Finger Lakes..... Don't worry the clouds will be moving in soon, it is only a temporary thing.Whistling

Coffee to go Zoe!  I am on my way out the door in a few minutes to go to a train show in Henrieta (suburb of Rochester) for a couple hours this morning.  Hopefully I won't spend more than I have.

Bill, love the photos! 

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

We'll get there sooner or later! 

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Euclid, Ohio
  • 2,822 posts
Posted by LSWrr on Saturday, February 21, 2009 7:33 AM

Good morning all!

JEFF, Welcome back. If you needed a break from the banter and conversation of the dinner please feel free to take a day off you don’t need a doctor’s note here.  Just kidding, glad to have you back.

Looks like we need to establish daily checks on our dinner car to keep her road worthy at a moments notice.

 

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

Moderator
  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: London ON
  • 10,392 posts
Posted by blownout cylinder on Saturday, February 21, 2009 7:34 AM

Good Morning-It's Saturday and the household is all energetic--s'posta get about 6" of snow today but right now it is sunny but -12C outside. Oh well. We're going to get winds of up to 60kmh tonight and tomorrow as well which will make for interesting times driving.

I'm going to actually get some work done around the house AND layout this weekend. I thought I'd be taking a shift from a co worker who helped me that way but we're going to do this another time---her plans fell through--OOOPPS. Think I'll go and redo some plans for the atrium idea I have and see whether I can work around frame issues----It's looking more like a full scale arcade type of thing.

Chloe--I'll have a coffee with toast/jam please--I'm going to sit by the window and watch the Saturday world wake up----Smile,Wink, & GrinWhistling

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
    October 2006
  • From: Euclid, Ohio
  • 2,822 posts
Posted by LSWrr on Saturday, February 21, 2009 7:35 AM

Went to LHS to pick up 2-8-4 #759. The good, bad, & ugly of these new Bachman locomotives:

Good: At $126 each you get a quiet DCC locomotive with enough detail parts to make a statement on your layout. There is little difference in the locomotives performance when running light or with a 20 car drag behind it at 0% grade.  The locomotive has directional amber LED headlights and quick disconnects plugs between the tender and cab of the locomotive.  All the DCC equipment is in the tender, removal of 4 screws located on the bottom of the tender allow easy access to everything inside.  The DCC chip is a 28 step speed control generic chip plugged into a NMRA 8-pin card.

Bad:   The documentation that comes with the locomotive is short and sweet.  There is an exploded diagram, and warranty information.  There is a comment that the headlight is controlled by F10 and dim is controlled by F1 and the address is 03.  If you want to know more you can visit the Bachmann web site and download the data sheets for their Spectrum series.  If you want to upgrade this locomotive to a sound DCC decoder you are on your own.  No upgrade information is on their web site or the documentation.

Ugly; there is a speaker mount on the bottom of the tender with pre drilled holes and a shallow well for the speaker; however the ballast weights block this on my version. The circuit board and the decoder are mounted to the top of these weights so I’ll need to adjust a few things to accommodate the speaker.

On a pleasant note upgrade to sound is simplified by their use of the NMRA-8 pin card and Bachmann is using the Tsunami sound decoders in their Spectrum series.  I bought a Soundtraxx DCC w/sound decoder equipped with a NMRA plug for $65 from my LHS (678-820113). Speaker will cost about $8 for a good one.

On the Bachman web site I could not find a Berkshire with sound, but most of their locomotives with sound run $300 to $500 each. If all goes well I’ll have a sound Berkshire for a total of $200.   This works well for me since I can do the upgrade when I have the funds.

Lee

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

  • 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 Saturday, February 21, 2009 8:05 AM

 Good morning. It's 44 with lots of sunshine but don't worry. It'll get back to normal as there's a chance of rain today. The high should be around 65.

It's nice to be back home. That hospital got very boring after the first 5 minutes and it was nearly impossible to get anything resembling rest with nurses and attendants coming and going at all hours of the day and night. Yeah, glad to be out of that place. As for the gravel moving operation, I'm not touching it with a 10 foot pole! My father is talking about working out something with my nieces boyfriend to get some of his friends together and get the rest of it done. Beer and hamburgers will be made available AFTER the work is done. As for filling the ditch in, that's left to the guy who dug it. He'll bring his track hoe in and fill it in in a couple of hours at no charge.

Today's Weather for:
Sundown, LA  71446-6114      2/21/2009


Wind Chill41°F
Humidity87%
Dew Point41°F

So Far Today
High45°F
Low43°F
Rain0.00"
Rain Rate0.00"/h
Gust8mph SSE

Today  High: 65    Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers in the morning...then mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 60s. South winds 10 to 15 mph in the morning becoming west in the afternoon.

Tonight  Low: 35    Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers in the evening...then mostly clear after midnight. Lows in the mid 30s. North winds 10 to 15 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


Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!