Good morning all,
Well I got some interesting news yesterday; The World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour will be in Cleveland on the 14th & 15th of March. So will the Lakeland NMRA Div 5 train show. Now the hard choice; which one to go to first.
More interesting news; I will need to have one of my parathyroid’s removed sometime soon. I’ve been complaining to the doctors about hand tremors and off and on discomfort-pain in the right side of my neck for the last 4 years. I’ve been to several doctors and a neurologists and nobody had an answer for me. I have a younger doctor review my last physical with me and first thing out of his mouth was; we need to test your parathyroid, your calcium level in your blood work looks high. We repeated the blood work and the calcium was too high again so Wednesday I’m off to do more blood work but this sample will be frozen and sent to the lab for testing. Since the only fix is to reach under the hood I’ve asked the doctor to do a full work up on my thyroid as well since these two are right behind one another.
Lee
BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret) L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes
Chamomile tea, thanks.
With all the mud from recent rains, had to build up a short 10' secton or road just to get the hay through that gate. I was swearing like a monkey the entire time, as I knew Trains & Locomotives was starting. By the time I finished all the rounds, my favorite show was long over. With the temps in the low 20's tonight, it's a no-brainer that our critters come first.
All I got done in the train room was to screw in place the little motor to the Atlas TT and test it. Works fine, I do hope the "wee little N folk" are all wearing ear protection if they are working nearby. Rather noisey little motor & gears. And glued the bottom most layer of foam for the mini canyon.
Wife's HO people from "We Honest" arrived today. For the seated folks, we've been saving icecream sticks to make some grand stands out of for her circus. Everything is slowly coming together.
Good Night All.
Rob
nik .nHow about this! "I once heard a story about a railroad crew that befriended a monkey named Bobo. The railroaders would play with Bobo and feed him and really treat him nice. In fact, they taught the monkey to give hand signals and run the engine and to even read a switch list and switch out the cars. Soon Bobo got to be so good at it that the guys would let the monkey do their work while they went fishing. One day the Trainmaster caught the guys fishing while Bobo was doing the work. All of the railroaders got fired on the spot. A couple of months later the railroaders got a letter from the company. It was a great flowery piece and reinstated all of the railroaders to their former positions with all back pay. It was signed by Trainmaster Bobo."
How about this!
"I once heard a story about a railroad crew that befriended a monkey named Bobo. The railroaders would play with Bobo and feed him and really treat him nice. In fact, they taught the monkey to give hand signals and run the engine and to even read a switch list and switch out the cars. Soon Bobo got to be so good at it that the guys would let the monkey do their work while they went fishing. One day the Trainmaster caught the guys fishing while Bobo was doing the work. All of the railroaders got fired on the spot. A couple of months later the railroaders got a letter from the company. It was a great flowery piece and reinstated all of the railroaders to their former positions with all back pay. It was signed by Trainmaster Bobo."
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
Evenin' folks!
Been a long ,cold day here in the Finger Lakes. I had to chair the Martin Luther King Committee meeting tonight. Our president who is about 80 decided she couldn't get out because of the cold here. She phoned in some orders for us to do......... She has also been trying to get us to hold an election for the last 2 years. The rest of the committee has been avoiding the issue as we all love and respect the president but know she is getting so that the job is harder and harder for her (some memory problems starting to surface). Anyway after some good discussion on other matters (mostly our upcoming Scholarship activities and dinner) we finally had a talk about who should be in what position. Several members of the committee have been pushing for me to take it. I have told them I would rather stay in the vice-president position and that I really felt that a person of color should be in the leadership role as it promotes what the committee has been trying to do for years. I was very surprised at the number of black members on the committee said basically, "Hogwash!". It did make me feel good. We finally came up with a slate of officers for an election next month. I will remain as Vice-President of the committee. One of our Black Ministers on the committee will assume the presidency (he has been our Secretary for several years). We will work well together.
Also did some "Yard Work" on the layout. Mostly continuing with the detail work. Very soon I will have to stop with the new work and just get everything cleaned and ready for the layout tour for the Lakeshores Division Meet in a few weeks. Found out today that another of the Steering Committee I formed to help with events won't be able to make the meet. That makes half of them.......... Aaaaarrrrrrggggghhhhhh!
Sawyer, glad your on the mend and the Doc found no major injury!
Paul 'tis a sad state of affairs that we all seem to have to live in locked homes these days. When my Father died back in 2001, we never did find the keys to his house. I don't think he ever lived behind a locked door in all his 88 years. I never go to bed without checking each of the doors to make sure they are secure.........
Prayers to all in need! have a good night.
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Paul W. BeverungThere have been some burglaries in the area
Oh great you too now----I'd be looking for the conceal carry now----
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/
Heartland Division CB&QPC ... It's quite a stroy. Imagine the defense lawyer explaining: "Your honor, the locomotive was never removed from railroad property, and therefore, was not stolen."
PC ... It's quite a stroy. Imagine the defense lawyer explaining:
"Your honor, the locomotive was never removed from railroad property, and therefore, was not stolen."
Look at this:
On Saturday nights, many miners would ride into Banff and have a cup of tea or glass of lemonade, or just possibly, something stronger.
One Saturday, an inebriated miner missed the last train home. He wandered across to the yard, found an engine in steam, backed it out onto the main line, and drove it to his mine, stopped it, went to the bunk-house, and fell asleep.
He was charged with "theft of a locomotive" by the Canadian Pacific Rly., but he couldn't remember a thing about it.
The trial went like this:
Defense counsel: Was the engine on CPR property before my client moved it?
CPR: Yes.
Def: Was it on CPR tracks when he left it?
Def: Did it at any time leave CPR tracks?
CPR: No.
Def: Then where is the theft?
Magistrate: Case dismissed."
Wadd'ya think about that?
Another one:
Scientists at NASA have developed a gun built specifically to launch dead chickens at the windshields of airliners, military jets and the space shuttle, all traveling at maximum velocity. The idea is to simulate the frequent incidents of collisions with airborne fowl to test the strength of the windshields.
British engineers heard about the gun and were eager to test it on the windshields of their new high speed trains. Arrrangements were made. But when the gun was fired, the engineers stood shocked as the chicken hurtled out of the barrel, crashed into the shatterproof shield, smashed it to smithereens, crashed through the control console, snapped the engineer's backrest in two and embedded itself in the back wall of the cab.
Horrified Brittons sent NASA the disastrous results of the experiment, along with the designs of the windshield, and begged the US scientists for suggestions.
NASA's response was just three words, "Thaw the chicken"."
Well, I'm off to bed y'all. Hopefully I won't feel as sore in the morning.
Sawyer Berry
Clemson University c/o 2018
Building a protolanced industrial park layout
Evening Gang: I went to the train show last saturday. It was a pretty good show with lots of vendors and some really good layouts. I got two books, one on the Chicago Northwesterns 400 streamliner and one on the Milwaukee Roads Hiawatha. I also got another G scale Bachman wood ore car undec. Brad with Brads Trains always has one and I get it. I told him if he would bring two that he could double his sales. That makes about 8 of the cars. I need ot get busy and letter them one of these days.
There have been some burglaries in the area. One lady came home to find five blacks in her house. Another house not too far away was also burglarised. Our place is way off the road and not visable. The road itself looks like it goes to a field. I am going to install a gate at the county road but I want it to look old and kind of not used much. Camoflugie, you know. Anyway I think that it is time to get my concield carry permit. I carry a rifle or shot gun in the truck but a hand gun might be handy. The shot gun now is with the two 45s in our bed room. We used to be able to leave everything unlocked when we went out. When Mary Anns mother moved up to our house we couldn't find the key to lock her house up. That's how long it had been since her house had been locked.
PC good to hear you again. Did any of the remidies work?
Well I think that I'll head for bed.
Good Night All
I had a feeling that I'd get the top when I started this. Have at it gang.
Well, doc said it was just muscle soreness and pain, no bone damage etc., so I should begin lifting on schedule.
Yeah, I was just saying about that lawsuit thing. I knew y'all were joking around.
I'm glad everybody like my old station. My layout plans do include an area that I will back date to about 1900 era for some of my old stuff.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Will the real Bevis & Butthead please stand up?http://www.news4jax.com/news/18806789/detail.htmlYa gotta love it! "The locomotive was later recovered." Like how hard could it have been? Just follow the tracks..........
Good evening to all, another 9.5" of snow fell today, 17F right now with light snow falling. Winter will just not let go this year. If there is one good thing about it, I have had time to work on the layout and train room, and, you sure keep in shape during these long Winter days by shoveling and carrying in the wood. When I was not retired, I would gain weight every Winter as much as 20 lbs. Now I stay right at 183, +/- 3 lbs.
RAY: Yes, you guys missed out on all the fun. Poor Maine now has over 6 feet of snow in many inland far northern locations. I hope this doesn't mean severe flooding in the Spring.
JEFF: I was surprised that you didn't try the old soapy water and paint brush trick to find the leak. I bought a small air compressor for emergencies on the road, that runs off the 12V outlet socket, it can pump up a flat in about 5 minutes assuming of course it is not a blow out. A little soapy water and the bubbles will appear.
STIMULUS CHECKS: For those retired folks on SS, the checks will be going out in May, $250 for individual and $500 per couple. So lets get the economy going at our LHS !!! For you guys still working, $13 a week in your checks is starting, that is $52 more each month for MRR UNLESS the CFO in your house is your Wife!!!!
Later,
As the fog in his head begins to lift, he utters a sound. It comes as words, proceeding from his lips. Remembrances of days gone past, but fleeting memories. He finds himself babbling on, unable to tie word to thought, the fog still too thick. As medications faze further lifts, memories become more focused. A forum, with friends, all well wishing, comes to mind. Ahh yes, he ponders, I remember them!Just then, a nasty cough racks his body, emanating from deep within his very being, thrusting him into the here and now! Forced to deal with the points of light he sees before him, he focuses on the screen. The fever having left his body, he can now take the time to say those words that have welled up within his soul for days.........Thank You for your prayers and well wishes!(I'm feeling much better now......though I'm not sure that I don't have some mental damage! )
Good Afternoon/evening.
Well, Had a good day today for picking up stuff at LHS! The guy was trying to get his counter space and under the counter space cleaned up/sorted out and I came across two more Atlas RS2's. Both wired up with DCC sound and lights. So I pick one up and put a hold on the other. I'll pick that one up at the end of next week---Now I'll have to build an engine house for a few of them! LOL!!
Sawyer: I was thinking that the lawsuit thing was in jest--but saving the money--not so
Garry--That station could almost be renewed for sure--good looking train as well----
Chloe--I'll have a GIANT rack of BBQ ribs with baked potato and grilled asparagus with a large RBF please. I'll sit down and wait for some people to show up.
Jeff,That is good news, $5 is a good price. Normally when I get a flat it's painfully obveous what I ran over or it's a leaky stem valve.
LSWrrJeff, my bet is on a bad valve stem.
Cederstrand***Sawyer, I would think if you start weight training and/or playing football, don't bother with the idea of a lawsuit, not that I would go that route anyway. Do give yourself enough rest & recovery time so it doesn' come back and bite you later on. (I know how that can happen...believe me)
***Sawyer, I would think if you start weight training and/or playing football, don't bother with the idea of a lawsuit, not that I would go that route anyway. Do give yourself enough rest & recovery time so it doesn' come back and bite you later on. (I know how that can happen...believe me)
Wasn't planning on going that route either.
I'm definitely waiting to start weight lifting until I feel 100%.
Coffee refilll, thanks.
***Philip, thanks for the link. Will check it out later. Hope you get caught up on sleep soon and get to feeling better. I know you have much on your mind these days..
***Thanks Sue. Although my wife will plan out her town & circus/carnival, I kinda expect it will fall to me to do most of the work. I think she could learn a lot from you. At least she is pretty excited about the whole idea.
***Sam (and others), thanks for the comments/suggestions on the Bachmann DCC stuff. Wife's HO layout will not expand beyond what we build this one and only time. And with only 1 loco (with my secret plans to get a logging loco or two), might not be worth the expense for DCC. Will think about that down the road I guess.
***Garry, that is a REALLY COOL structure & detailing job.
Well, got in the train room earlier and added a small staging shelf to one end of the layout. That's the last of the benchwork, except for the wife's latest table addition. Will glue more of the foam down tonight.
Garry, I read the comment about the SD24s. Must have been really cool to see those when younger. Now the fun part will be get the mars light to work. Nice modeling on the 1900s station and cars.
Sam, the noise problems in those bachmann DCC equipped engines is a result of the decoder. It's the same thing as a base line lenz, changing will correct that.
Vincent
Wants: 1. high-quality, sound equipped, SD40-2s, C636s, C30-7s, and F-units in BN. As for ones that don't cost an arm and a leg, that's out of the question....
2. An end to the limited-production and other crap that makes models harder to get and more expensive.
Gary nice modeling..Great job on station...the wooden passenger cars look very good..Maybe you could use them for MOW service on your present layout?...Jerry
What sort of help, Nik?
Some of you may be interested in the photo below. I have mentioned that previously, I had a 1900 era layout. This photo shows a station I had built for the layout from a FIne Scale Miniatures kit. It is secured to a piece of ceiling tile as you can see. It never made it to the layout. I moved several times, and eventually started modeling in the 1950's and 1960's.
The locomotive was one of my Mantua Twelve Wheelers which was my primary locomotive type for the layout. Those engines had much better traction than other small locomotives of the 1900 era on my layout. The passenger cars are from LaBelle kits with Central Valley trucks. Labelle cars are all wood contruction. The busienss car has a full interior with stained wood walls and oriental rugs.
The staton has all sorts of detail including pigeons on the roof top. There is a staion master setated at his desk inside. I built this station while recovering from major back surgery to repair some broke vertebrae. That injury was the result of the drunk dirver hitting me at 50 mph. Thinking again about dates, it was about 17 or 18 years ago. Nothing is so bad that it is not good for something. I like the station.
Well, I'm getting checked out today by my doc. My buddy's dad said I should go get checked out, so my regular doc today, maybe another doc later in the week if my doc today says I should get checked out further. neck muscles still sore, back doesn't hurt as much. might not start weight-lifting for football next week. Coach is coming to our school this week, and I'll still go to the meeting.
Well, it was SUPPOSED to snow last night, but the storm took a weird curve. but they still shut down school, and it is beautiful outside, even if a bit cold (40 degrees, heck, I just need socks and shoes, then I'm good)
EDIT: and one other thing: one guarentee in this; NO LAWSUIT, lol. our family doesn't bother w/ that kind of stuff. And quite frankly, I really couldn't care less to sue anyone. But, good luck finding anything in my background records, only bone I've broken is fractured left elbow, busted left toe, and at one point, thought of a broke ankle, turned out to be sprained. never gone to the doc complaining of back pain, especially not related to football. Only time i've seen my doc about football, it was for physicals to try out and play.
CederstrandQuestion: Is the Bachmann EZ Digital Command DCC Controller Sytem any good? And is there a difference between DC & DCC switches?
I am currently using the Bachmann EZ Command system. Anytime I have a short in the system I have to go through each locomotive and use the function key to turn the engine headlights back on, which now that I have eliminated the majority of the problems, is not so much of an issue but still happens from time to time.
I'm glad to have gotten it, as I have been able to enjoy DCC quickly and inexpensively! Having said that, if I were to do it over again, I would simply spend the extra hundred dollars, purchase the Zephyr, and enjoy all the additional functions, rather than dealing with the limitations of the EZ Command system. If you are interested in more flexibility with regards to changing CV's, such as speed matching locos in order to MU engines, then I would go with the Zephyr...
I keep saying the Zephyr, because it only costs around one hundred dollars more than what you would pay for the EZ Command system. Also you will have the ability to expand without having to replace the original system you purchased, unlike the EZ Command. The only expansion option you have with the EZ Command is to get the Walkaround companion, which doesn't give you any additional features, only the ability to have additional operators on the layout.
On the switches, to my knowledge the EZ track switches are fine to use with DCC. Bachmann even offers EZ Track DCC equipped turnouts, which saves you having to run the wires to the switch as the decoder draws its power from the rails! Some people view the B'mann DCC switches as good, others as bad. My peresonal viewpoint is towards the negative, due to the fact of the decoder being mounted on the underside of the roadbed (and by this I mean it is mounted directly on the other side of the plastic from the track itself), so if anything were to go wrong with it, you would have to pull up the trackwork, or have to leave an opening under the benchwork to have access to the decoder... which I would not be comfortable with either option...
I hope this helped. sorry for talking your ear off! Chloe, whatever they're having, please put it on my tab?!
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)
Can someone look at my SOS? I really do need help!
Hello everybody..
Vincent...I posted comments to you about SD24's here in the diner a couple of days ago. You'll have to go back 4 pages or so to see it.
Der John..... Your layout pictures are terrific.
Trent.... I can not envision what sort of cars you described. Sorry.
There were some comments about 3rd planet software for layout design. I tried it 7 years ago as I started my current layout. The learning curve was going to be way too long, and I got out the good old drafting equipment and one of those track planning templates. I still use my hand drawn plans as I continue my layout construction. I build some layout, and stop to add scenery and structures. I prefer looking at scenery ove just boards and track.
Hey all,
Got a question: I saw some cars yesterday that looked like those crossed braced vat cars but were all steel, no tops, 3 bays, and were as long as a bethgon. Anyone know what type or kind of car? If they were ballast cars they sure weren't like any I've ener seen. Sorry no pic as I couldn't get there fast enough.
I'll have a Sprite, Ladies!
Trent
Good morning, All. I am not working today. I guess I will spend some time organizing our taxes.
Rob, Thanks for the view of your layout and your wifes layout. You will have great fun working together on your layouts.
Larry did another layer of paint on a background building yesterday. He also painted the rooftop, while I did another layer of water in the streambed.
Sue
Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.
I started out with that system. It's pretty limited, but it does as it advertises at a good pricepoint. A bit more will get you a lot more system though. The Digitrax Zephyer is one that is expandable (thats important), as well as a few others that are nice.
As for the turnout question, this is a great site to check out. It's mainly geared towards HO scale, but electrically speaking it applies to any scale. http://www.wiringfordcc.com/switches.htm