Good morning. It's 69, cloudy and windy. The high today will be around 60 and there's a chance of rain. Got some work done on the observation car yesterday. I thought about what to use to cover the windows besides aluminum foil without it looking tacky when the answer was staring me in the face the whole time. It's a Rivarossi car. It has a plastic surround that serves as window glass as well as holding the roof on. It was a simple matter to paint this surround in varying shades of gray, black and rust so that when it's in place the windows look as if metal panels were welded on the inside. Here's a photo showing how it looks. This way I don't have to worry about any external panels (or internal for that matter) being broken off due to handling, falls, etc . Today's Weather for: Sundown, LA 71446-6114 2/28/2009 Wind Chill: 59°F Humidity: 88% Dew Point: 57°F So Far Today High: 70°F Low: 61°F Rain: 0.00" Rain Rate: 0.00"/h Gust: 12mph N Now through 07:00 AM CST February 28, 2009 A band of scattered showers...associated with a cold front...will affect locations from Kirbyville northeast to Glenmora and Marksville. This band is moving southeast around 20 mph...and is expected to reach a line from Deweyville to Kinder to Ville Platte through 7 AM. Rainfall will be light with amounts less than one tenth of an inch. Today High: 62 Partly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of showers in the morning. Cooler. Highs in the lower 60s. Northwest winds 10 to 20 mph. Tonight Low: 32 Mostly clear. Much colder. Lows in the lower 30s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Good morning all,
Sam, most of the turnouts on my layout is used brass turnouts. I clean them then apply RAIL-ZIP; it’s a metal preservative that maintains electrical contact. The trick is to apply it and then let it sit overnight. If you run trains before it dries the rail-zip will coat the traction tires of locomotives making them less efficient. You can buy it through Walthers and most LHS.
Lee
BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret) L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes
Morning All!! Chloe. bacon, cheesy eggs and toast, with a hot tea please. Nasty headache this mornig and of course there's no aspirin in the house!
Been thinking about bench work. I don't have much time to get to HD for lumber, or cutting, building, etc. Woodland Scenics came out with modular benchwork kits that are reasonably priced. I would need free standing benchwork anyway. Everything comes precut with all the hardware. I have plywood downstairs... I think I'll give it a shot. Maybe I can con the boss into picking up some pink foam on his next Depot trip for his house rebuild. He has a trailer for hauling stuff. . I can always change the rest of the layout as I go along. The switching deal I'm thinking about is a more attainable project than others I had envisioned. I have enough track and roadbed to get started once I get the bench work going.
Now I hear we're expecting a coastal snow storm Sunday into Monday!!! Great way to come back to work and start a new month!
Time to start the day....OOOOH my head! Eric
Good Morning--We's going to a high of -5C and we're right now sitting at -13C. An early morning wind is bringing a windchill of -20C----grrrr
I'm doing a bunch of running around to places like Home Desperate and pick up a bunch of stuff--kind of a bunch dayI've also got a Honey Do List to worry about---aherm--coff coff Think I'll go and see about some braided wire for more trees---
Chloe, I'll have a western omellette and a IV bag with raw caffeine as well please--I need to wake up
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/
Morning Gang:
Would you guys way up north please find that gate that is open and close it. All the cold air is coming down here to Texas and freezing our rear ends off. Yesterday was nice about 70 and today at day break was 31. If you have any moisture, like rain, freezing rain, or snow send it down. We'll take anything that is water.
I picked up the Hiawatha cars yesterday. They are really nice. I need to get the layout cleaned off so I can put the entire train on and see how it looks.
I need to get off my rear and feed this morning, so I'll say so long for now.
Good morning all
A cup of Chicken broth again...helps my throat and bronchitis and coughing spasms.
Got a headache from coughing so hard just now.
Can't wait til spring! One more grueling month then maybe...just maybe....
I'd rather be back in Hawaii again... Ordered some more Kona Coast Coffee again yesterday. Waiting another month-month and a half to go by to order some more Hawaiian Pineapples......sweetest in the world!
Paul W. Beverung ...Would you guys way up north please find that gate that is open and close it. All the cold air is coming down here to Texas and freezing our rear ends off...If you have any moisture, like rain, freezing rain, or snow send it down. We'll take anything that is water...
...Would you guys way up north please find that gate that is open and close it. All the cold air is coming down here to Texas and freezing our rear ends off...If you have any moisture, like rain, freezing rain, or snow send it down. We'll take anything that is water...
In order to send those two requests, we must first send down the COLD AIR to sustain those two requests through the duration of delivery! So....ENJOY!
Have as great a day as you can or as you deserve!
-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.
LSWrr I clean them then apply RAIL-ZIP; it’s a metal preservative that maintains electrical contact.
Thanks! I'll have to look for it today @ LHS...
Bill: Thanks for the photo of NH&I #40 in Blowdown!!! It took me a second to confirm it was NH&I, but those double stainless steel chimneys on the shop told me I was right!!!
Well, I have to get to the basement and figure out how many of what type knuckles I need to convert my rolling stock (all currently have hornhook). Chloe, can I have an OJ and a bagel to go please? Thanks!
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)
Good morning everybody,
This flu the Wife brought home with her is proving to be a miserable beast. I've OTC medicated the crap out of it...it is still kicking back with a vengence. I contacted THAT editor this morning, she is going to find somebody/anybody to go cover the high school basketball district final game tonight. She said if I feel up to it, to go ahead and go...no harm in having two shooters. THAT is comforting, but I don't see it happening. Typing this is turning into quite the experience. I haven't felt this "disconnected" since one night back in '88 (first year of college)...but we won't go there...seems we have a LEO in the crowd... *innocent grin*.
Time for a bucket of orange juice, maybe some eggs and pancakes...then back to bed.
Best wishes to all, and to all a SAFE day...
Chris
The Cedar cRapids Industrial Branch: Proudly Shipping Yesterday's CrunchBerries Tomorrow!
Mornin' everyone!
Woke up mid-morning to find everything outside is white again. Must be more of that "partly cloudy" we get in these parts from time to time. Nothing THAT I am going to worry about. It isn't supposed to be THAT bad. Yesterday it was 52°F in the afternoon. Today it is currently 13°F with a possible high around 25°F. Now THAT is a major change................
Hi Chris! Glad you you got THAT straightened out and don't have to go to THAT High School game and cover it for THAT editor. Hope you get over THAT bout with the Flu soon!
Chloe, bring on the coffee, dark roast in a FGLK Mug if you please. And something hot for breakfast.... how about a steamy hot bowl of Cream of Wheat this morning? THAT would hit the spot!
Well Uncle Sam and cousin Dave have both accepted my Tax returns, so now I can get back to all the other stuff I need to get done. I have a mailing THAT has to go out to all the Division Membership (NMRA), like a week ago, to get folded, stamped, and out today. I need to get some remaining stuff done on the layout before I start cleaning for the Layout Tour for the Division Meet in 3 weeks. And THAT is only the tip of the Ice Berg (the one THAT is cooling off Texas I think....) (Sorry about THAT, Paul)
I best finish my coffee and get some of THAT work done!
Oh todays news: The man who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Good morning, Chloe. I will have coffee and a cinnamon roll. I plan to be in and out all day. We will see who drops by.
We cut wood yesterday, and after we clean the barn, maybe we will get some layout time before heading to town.
Trent, Have fun dreaming about your empire. We used 3rd Planit to map our layout when we started the second layout. You can experiment with operations after you draw it. We played with that for a year before we started construction.
Well, better get to work.
Sue
Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.
Large coffee in a SOUTHERN mug, please & thanks.
One of our not-so-LHS is out of business, RioGrandeHobbies. Too bad, as their prices were low enough that even with paying state tax they had some good buys. As my wife reminded me, they weren't the friendliest folks to us "walk-ins". Still, I'm sorry to see any train store go.
So, is Atlas Flex track going to present any running problems or is it pretty reliable stuff? I would opt for Kato Unitrack for the entire layout except there is no way I can afford to buy enough of it. Going to use the Unitrack at the ends of the layout, through any tunnels and anywhere there will be switching applications. Any thoughts?
Found a rather humorous site. Being an old Arizona desert rat myself, I got a kick out of this fellas sense of humor. http://www.americannscalerailroads.webs.com/
Wife is off helping her folks. Perfect opportunity to go work on "the shelf". Need to work on serious work when she is present you know.
Healing thoughts to those in need.
Rob
I'm back from the LHS. And didn't purchase anything... I changed my mind about replacing the hornhook couples on my old rolling stock. At what it would cost me to replace the wheelsets and the couplers I can replace most of the equipment with better looking, smoother running stuff!
SO, I put a Bachmann Spectrum GP-30 on layaway (only $35 at LHS) so I will just have to pruchase another DH125 decoder from Digitrax!!! bringing my total for the engine up to $50, not half bad, considering the Bachmann DCC equiped one I have now sounds like junk, and stutters at slow speed... Grrr.
Chris: I hope you feel better soon! Too bad about not getting to cover the game, I know you were looking forward to it, I guess the IV idea is out of the question? LOL
Sue: Hope you get some layout time today... I'm looking forward to more pics!!! (please?)lol
Well, I'm off to the basement to see about converting one of my engines to hornhooks for now...
Trainman SamSO, I put a Bachmann Spectrum GP-30 on layaway (only $35 at LHS) so I will just have to pruchase another DH125 decoder from Digitrax!!! bringing my total for the engine up to $50, not half bad, considering the Bachmann DCC equiped one I have now sounds like junk, and stutters at slow speed... Grrr.
Good Afternoon All,
Chilly here today but I've spent most of the day between naps and paperwork so I'm not bothered. Time for a late lunch though and I'd like the chicken marsala and some apple juice please (no wine with all these meds). Paul and Jim - i don't wear steel toed boots on purpose since the wife and I both know people who lost digits because of them. If you drop enough weight on them they tend to sever the toes.
Trent sorry I spaced out and got your new state of residence wrong you don't need to be sooner here Dorothy.
Sam, polishing the rails will help a bunch especially with brass track. If you have troubles with the turnouts again, you can try a coating of paint which i've used occasionally on the frogs. The other way is to isolate the bits electrically and switch them with the points but I've never tried that.
I keep trying to incorporate a large loop yard into the drawings for the new layout room but can't figure out how to do it. I need a 5 or 6 foot circle with a paisley shaped extention for the turntable, roundhouse and yard tracks inside and it just won't fit and leave room for anything else. Sounds like another chapter of the "layout takes 1/3 more room than you have " club.
Sue - is 3rd planit usable by the computer functional illiterate? I'm still struggling with adobe photoshop,
Jeff - if you really have space issues, I used a pair of NCE N scale decoders (1 amp) in my 44 Tonnners with good success.
Well my order is here so I guess I'll kick back for a while and eat my food. Catch ya later, J.R.
GMTRacingJeff - if you really have space issues, I used a pair of NCE N scale decoders (1 amp) in my 44 Tonnners with good success.
GMTRacing Sue - is 3rd planit usable by the computer functional illiterate? I'm still struggling with adobe photoshop,
JR, You can get the download for next to nothing, but we chose to get the full software that had a manual. The manual had a tutorial that was self explanatory. We used ours with XP, so only Larry's laptop has that now. We haven't used it for a year. The curved turnouts were the only hard part. Possibly they have reworked that with new version.
I will get back to you later.
PS. Looks like I buy. Root Beer Floats on me.
Cool, RBF for desert.
Hello everybody.
Don't you all just love technology???. I spent a lot of time yesterday (again) with the Dell desktop and with Dell tech support on the phone. I must give credit to the Dell techician because he was polite and patient. However, computers can be a bother.
If you are interested, I posted kitbashed baggage cars in WPF.
JR .. I imagine those toes will bother you for a while. I hope your home rebuilding project is moving along OK for you and the family.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Garry, The baggage cars look good.
Aaaaggghh! Janie, I think I need a RBF and to head to the back table to chill out. Had a post started and open in one tab, went to look at the neat pics in WPF (TexasTerry, Garry, Vincent, Sawyer, and all), went to switch back and clicked the wrong spot and lost the post! Maybe I'll try coming back later today - probably need to go get some groceries and something more to eat first....
Blessings (and prayers that I don't do that silly move again),
Jim in Cape Girardeau
jeffrey-wimberlyTrainman SamSO, I put a Bachmann Spectrum GP-30 on layaway (only $35 at LHS) so I will just have to pruchase another DH125 decoder from Digitrax!!! bringing my total for the engine up to $50, not half bad, considering the Bachmann DCC equiped one I have now sounds like junk, and stutters at slow speed... Grrr. I prefer the DZ125 myself. With it's small size it will fit almost anywhere and I don't have to make any modifications to the frame or body.
Oops! I meant to say DH163PS (it's the plug-n-play decoder, works with spectrum locos)...
I remembered the letters that I used in the original post for the B'mann Step Van that I purchased, and you are right, the Z scale decoder is the one I will be getting for that application, much easier to install in tight spaces...
Garry: Really nice work on those baggage cars!!!
Chloe, may I have a RBF, a BLT, and some Iced Tea please? Thank you ma'am!!!
I'll be sitting in a booth reading the new issues of MR and Trains...
Coffee in a SouthernPacific mug, please & thanks.
Here is a link to our train room as of earlier today: http://mods.homestead.com/TrainRoom.html Would you believe the wife is still saying things like: "Think what a grand layout we could have if we both did HO scale!" (She can pry my N scale trains out of my cold dead hand...and pry my shelf layout off the wall, too.)
Hope to get some more done on the shelf this evening.
I have now identified two noises heard the other night. The growl I heard when I stepped out the train door turned out to be a racoon. Sadly, our male Pyrenees took care of it sometime later in the night, but he was just doing his job "protecting the farm from any and all intruders". The other noise was a large thud which turned out to be the upper portion of a large old dead tree near our new home. We had decided it would probably break off in chunks and miss the house, which it is doing as predicted.
1-3" of snow starting here tonight into tomorrow. Yea Haw!
Just got back with a bunch of blue and pink stuff for the layout--now I've just got to find the space to put it until I need it!!LOL!!
I'm going into hunt mode next month for some decoders for the RS2's in N scale that I've got recently.Any suggestions would be appreciated from this puppy let me tell you! I didn't realize how many dang decoders there were until a few days ago. Perusing the NCE site was enough---
'Spring' is going around my leg--around and around--trying to get my attention so I better give him some----Chloe, I'll have a hamburger and a RBF please. I'll be by the window seat enjoying the sunset here---
Trainman SamI remembered the letters that I used in the original post for the B'mann Step Van that I purchased, and you are right, the Z scale decoder is the one I will be getting for that application, much easier to install in tight spaces...
Evening all. Zoe, corned beef on rye with mustard and a Pepsi please.
I opened one of the Spectrum GP30s I bought in San Antonio. I don't recall seeing split frames in HO. Well, I haven't opened too many Bachmann or Atlas units, I have mostly remotored Athearns and the old stuff is DC. There is a light board tucked inside the roof. Guess I'l have to hard wire the decoder. At least it looks like a can motor. I remember my Spect.GE70 tonner with the two open frame 3 pole motors hanging off the frame......
Expecting a big snow Sunday night into Monday.
Blessings and prayers to those who need. Eric
Evening.....Just stopped in for a bowl of chili and a RBF please...Thank You...Sallie and I have been napping all afternoon we baby sat with Our Son's youngest and Her new puppy last night and Grandma and I are all tuckered out today but it was great fun..My son brought me a bunch of Atlas track and switches for new layout..I got my hospital bed after a month and a half of trying yesterday!..Rob..I like your table work looks like a good start..Keep us updated...JR how is foot come along? Your in my prayers...You all have a good saturday night...Jerry
So whats up in this place tonight. I have been gone for awhile. Its so easy to pop up on this forum again and again. still haven't figured out what I did wrong last time, i guess I *** off one of the good ole boy's here. I will try to behave myself for awhile anyway.
Good Evening All,
Still struggling with the sketches for the new layout. I'm starting to come back towards a simpler round the walls setup where I can have some room in the middle and maybe even a workbench. That might also make the CFO happier as it would free up more room in the basement for the woodworking projects.
Eric - I haven't done a GP-30 but i soldered the decoders into my 44 tonners and an IHC 4-6-4 Hudson. Look around the web and you'll probably find a guide for the specific engine you have. Tonys' Train Exchange is another good source along with searching here.
Jerry - the foot is doing better, swelling down and the bruising not so bad. I've only taken one of the pain pills today and probably another when I turn in. I go back to see the Doc Tuesday and hopefully I'll be able to go back on limited duty then. I can hobble around pretty well now with my cane and I just thank the Lord this didn't turn out as badly as it might have. They were all amazed I only broke my toes. Thanks for asking. J.R.
Milk in a two quart mason jar. (A blue one preferably, with Erie Lackawanna on it)
My brother figured out he wanted his locomotive painted in the Conrail quality scheme. Once he pays me so i can get the supplies, off to my LHS to get an airbrush (On my tab), decals, paint and painting supplies, handrail kits, styrene, detail kits, White LEDs, fans, wire, strip copper, locomotive repowering kit (my tab also), Glue and applicators, Number boards, and whatever alse is needed.
Joke Time!
"A duck walks into a bar and asks, "Got any grapes?"The bartender, confused, tells the duck no. The duck thanks him and leaves.The next day, the duck returns and asks, "Got any grapes?"Again, the bartender tells him, "No -- the bar does not serve grapes, has never served grapes and, furthermore, will never serve grapes." The duck thanks him and leaves.The next day, the duck returns, but before he can say anything, the bartender yells, "Listen, duck! This is a bar! We do not serve grapes! If you ask for grapes again, I will nail your stupid beak to the bar!"The duck is silent for a moment, and then asks, "Got any nails?"Confused, the bartender says no."Good!" says the duck. "Got any grapes?""
Sorry about the swearing in this one, but its funny as heck, so i edited it from my friends version.
"A guy walks into a bar with his pet monkey. He orders a drink, and while he's drinking, the monkey jumps all over the place, eating everything behind the bar. Then the monkey jumps on to the pool table and swallows a billiard ball. The bartender screams at the guy, "Your monkey just ate the cue ball off my pool table -- whole!" "Sorry," replied the guy. "He eats everything in sight, the little b*****d. I'll pay for everything." The man finishes his drink, pays and leaves.Two weeks later, he's in the bar with his pet monkey, again. He orders a drink, and the monkey starts running around the bar. The monkey finds a maraschino cherry on the bar. He grabs it, sticks it up his a**, pulls it out and eats it.The bartender is disgusted. "Did you see what your monkey did now?" he asks."Yeah," replies the guy. "He still eats everything in sight, but ever since he swallowed that cue ball, he measures stuff first."
See ya!
I'm coming and going. Just to see whats happening. I will have to catch up tomorrow.
"Rust, whats not to love?"