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!

Elliott's Trackside Diner XII Locked

45998 views
1027 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Williamsville, ILL
  • 3,698 posts
Posted by TMarsh on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 4:13 PM

Laugh I agree.Laugh

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
    July 2006
  • From: upstate NY
  • 9,236 posts
Posted by galaxy on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 4:00 PM

Afternoon evenin' guys....

Didn't do much but laundry and H2O plants. Need to really get at the pond. Drained it today. Tomorrow I will clean it before it gets to hot and refill it...Looks like we lost the tomato to frost even though we covered it. 

In the Electronics/DCC section was a post with the question of "Do you think instruction manuals are written BY engineers FOR engineers?"

I posted the following that I meant to somewhat humorous and sarcastic but yet to a point. I thought y'all might enjoy it here and get a bit of a laugh:

Quoting Galaxy:

">>I agree about some manuals {for anything} are written as though an engineer will read it. 

I call any manual for any thing with over 10 pages a "NASA sized instruction manual". Because everything but the proverbial kitchen sink is in there. {I know, I know, that way they can say "it's in the manual"}.

My cell phone manual has 175 pages to it {granted it is small in size so fewer words on the pages}. Why? Its a phone!!!! I want a phone for emergency purposes, I do not want to text, access the internet, take pics {It does not access the 'net nor does it have  a camera in it}, OR let it change the oil in my van or have it clean my house for me!!  {WELL- MAYBE it could clean my house for meWhistling}. Should be simple for a simple phone for simple humans to operate.

The more complicated an item/manual gets the less interested I can be.

Take a vehicle. I do not want it to open doors for me, I do not want to be restricted to PAYING for satellite radio or the onboard cell phones in it. I want it to get me from point A to point B safely. And I have a GPS already {far cheaper than the onboard version}. Shock

The GPS has multiple full sized pages {about 200 and something} that are exclusively on a computer disk, so I have to use the computer to try to find what I want!? {How does that help me while out on the road somewhere strange?! I do not have a wireless laptop!?}LaughWhistling

For my trains, I want to run them easily and want to be able to easily operate them. I want simple instructions. That is what I like about the Bachmann EZ Command system. I do not care to have 150 different bell rings to choose from or have 120 horn sounds to pick from. 10 should be enough?! I do not care to have 1,685 different CV functions that will change my oil or clean my house. {again, MAYBE clean the house?!}

These days they are sticking complex electronic items in everything from stoves to washing machines, and along with that comes thoroughly complex instruction manuals that make it a requirement to have a Doctorate in Electro Metaphysic Hyper Abidextrosity to operate when simple mechanical turn knobs worked for decades, AND anyone could aproach a stove and operate it effectively without additional instructions from the In Laws while at their house!!!LaughWhistling

I don't know, maybe I'm just getting older, crabier, and more complex myself. Now where is the instruction manual on how to effectively operate ME?!<<"

Enjoy your evening! {or is that to simple?Whistling LOL}

 

-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
    April 2007
  • From: Western transplant to the Deep South
  • 4,256 posts
Posted by Cederstrand on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 12:06 PM

Coffee in a large UNION PACIFIC mug, please & thanks.

I'm not even going to try catching up on all the posts. Timber company is harvesting trees around us soon and I'm stuck with removing tons of fence the FIL put up before I married into this crazy family. Once married, I could put my foot down, but the damage was done and as usual, I'm the one stuck with fixing what he left behind. Gurrrrrr! Trying to hire a neighbor to give me a hand with it. The wire isn't the hard part, it's the countless posts I dread. OK, rant is over.

On a bright note, wife landed a job she wanted.

No time for trains yet and probably won't be for another week or more.

Hope everyone is doing well these days.

Cowboy Rob

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Williamsville, ILL
  • 3,698 posts
Posted by TMarsh on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 10:57 AM

Mornin' Nothing for me thanks I already ate. Maybe some coffee please in a T&P mug. What? No Texas and Pacific? Tomorrow? OK, any mug. Thanks. Beautiful day, sunny today high about 82F. Brenda's home sick, I hope she doesn't have the Swine Fl...er, H1234 or whatever we're supposed to call it. Because of that I probably won't wander too far from home today. Hm. Basement's not too far. It's the dogs Birthday, so she's happy that Mommies staying home and they get to do some of her favorite things. Snuggling and taking naps. I'll probably take her for a ride or a walk later, then she can come back and snuggle and nap again. Silly Labs. I do have to check out a rattle under her car, (Brenda's, not the dogs. We live in town so the dog doesn't get to drive much) then wait tables at the restaurant at 4:30 til 9pm. Tips only, but that gives a few more MRR bucks and since Thursdays are Mom days and I end up in Springfield, and that just happens to be an open day for the FLHS, the timings good. Thumbs Up

I got the latest news this morning on the lost Pearl Beer car. They didn't have another one so they bought one from another "supplier" Question they hope to receive it before Memorial day weekend, check it out, then send it to me. Yup Jim, they said to keep the Carnation car as a sorry for the mix up consolation prize. It's a metal reefer. Don't know who made it but it appears to be made the same way an old Athearn Pabst Blue Ribbon kit was. The doors open so it has possibilities for some sort of stationary something. Two of the ice hatches are missing the latches, but I won‘t be using it as a working car so whoopty doo.

Jeff- Former U30 looks like it came that way. Good job.

Ray- Sorry to hear the news. It's gotta hurt being told that. At least you have many many good memories. Maybe with those special outside sound deadening earphones you can still dabble from time to time? I think the trade off however will be a satisfying one to hear the grandkids perform.

Ouch! On the water/sewer bills. I thought ours was bad. Luckily if we have a large water only use, like a swimming pool filling, water line break etc. you can call the village and they will subtract the sewer charge off an agreed amount of water.

G-Did I understand correctly, 10% of sale price? Meaning market value of the property? Whew! Ours is 7.46% of 1/3 fair market value times a multiplier that's usually 1or 1.1 (it varies from year to year)so the amount taxed is usually just slightly more or sometimes equal to 1/3 the properties value. The schools, county, township, village, VFD and anything else gets a % of that amount.

Galad- Congratulations on the house. And good luck with the "fight"Laugh. I hope you strike a deal that let's you build at least close to what you want.

Well, I have effectively piddled away most of the morning, so I'm off.

Have a Great Day!

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
    October 2006
  • From: Euclid, Ohio
  • 2,822 posts
Posted by LSWrr on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 10:50 AM

Robby, that makes sense out here the locals are all switched on 3rd shift with the exception of the steel treating mills and the Salt Mine.  We have Cargill Salt mine in Cleveland and Morton Salt mine in Fairport with 2 table salt mines just SE of Fairport.  Cargill is serviced twice daily with about 15 loaded outbound each train.  Empties are delivered on 3rd shift. The steel treating mills here are an international trade so not much slow down with them.  Steel comes in from Europe is treated and sold back to Europe, China, and Japan.  About twice a year we get a Russian freighter in to drop off or pick up steel coils.

Ray, hard choice, but hopefully the hearing lasts longer.  Have you ever thought about teaching what you learned in the music field?

Paul, when you get done with your fence stop by.  I need to replace the fence along my side yard.

Lee

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

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: upstate NY
  • 9,236 posts
Posted by galaxy on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 10:37 AM

howmus

Chloe I'll have another of those raisin bran muffins you have there.  What?  I don't know how many carbos they have, and I don't care........  Sheesh!  Oh and lots of coffee, dark roast in a FGLK mug please.

Carefully consider your carbs! If Gov. Paterson has his way they will be listed on everything AND TAXED for his "obesity tax"!!!

LOL

-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 2003
  • From: North Central Texas
  • 2,370 posts
Posted by Paul W. Beverung on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 10:17 AM

Morning Gang: Not much new here. I've been busy with the ranching stuff. Haven't had much time to check in here and visit.

The rail traffic here has been down also. It makes it easier to get accross the tracks but it doesn't do much for the stock of UP.

I've got to get back to work on fences. I had the phone compnies mark there fiber optic lines that are on the UP easement. That was about three weeks ago. I told the that I'd be building new fences there and should be finished in about four weeks. It's been three weeks and I havent' even got started.

Opps, Mary Ann said we have to get going so I'll sign off and try and get back later.

Take Care

Paul The Duluth, Superior, & Southeastern " The Superior Route " WETSU
  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Freelance, USA
  • 490 posts
Posted by nik .n on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 9:59 AM

LSWrr
Rail traffic has slowed down a lot around here. The auto racks don’t move much, the only thing you see now is intermodal, Amtrak, salt, and coal.  On occasion you see long trains of boxcars, something I thought had faded into history.

 

Ditto here.

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: East central Illinois
  • 2,576 posts
Posted by Cox 47 on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 9:58 AM

Good Moring All....Its sunny and 67...Visiting Nurse just came I'll drop back in latter...Have a good one...Jerry

ILLinois and Southern...Serving the Coal belt of southern Illinois with a Smile...
  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Shalimar. Florida
  • 2,622 posts
Posted by Packer on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 9:08 AM

Hey ya'll

Jeff, those rebuils are looking pretty good. 

My GP35 arrived yesterday when I was off at college.



It's a decent looking engine (correct horn location for ex-GN units) and runs pretty well (It's a tad noisy, but I've only and it about 9 feet or so which helped a bit from when I first started it). Not a bad deal at 35 bucks. I do want to find lightbulbs like the type that are in it since they do put out a good bit of light and I have a few other Athearn engines that would benefit from having those instead of a LED behind a crappy lense (mainly in my SW1500s).

Still no sign on my C30-7, I'll be sending them an e-mail today to see what's up.

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.

  • Member since
    May 2009
  • From: North Caolina
  • 21 posts
Posted by galad on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 8:47 AM

Good morning folks!

I found a great house at a great price that has a nice big game room for my train layout.  Best of all the guy is gonna let us finance it straight through him so no need to get banks involved.  My credit is not what it once was with changing jobs and the economy.  I find it ironic a bank would turn me down for a loan when they wouldn't even be in business right now if it wasn't for billions of dollars of bailout money, not to be political but it just seems hypociritical.

Anyway, the "fight" has already begun between the wife and I on what to do with the game room.  I of course want to use the whole thing for trains and she wants to divide it up into a play room, computer room etc.  I think I am going to create a webpage and blog my layout progress, I'll create a link when I start. 

I'm off to go make the kids some breakfast, cyas.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Finger Lakes
  • 10,198 posts
Posted by howmus on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 8:31 AM

Mornin' folks!

Chloe I'll have another of those raisin bran muffins you have there.  What?  I don't know how many carbos they have, and I don't care........  Sheesh!  Oh and lots of coffee, dark roast in a FGLK mug please.

Thanks you to all who have mentioned my hearing.  Yes it is hard to make the decision to give up recording and live sound, but it may slow further loss of hearing.  My goal would be to be able to hear my Granddaughters sing or play instruments when they get to that age...........  I figure I may have a bit more time to have fun with the trains.  I still have 3 more gigs I have promised to do, the Middle School Band concert next week (not a problem), the Middle School play in June.  Just body mics - no music, and graduation the end of june (usually a noisy one...... Sigh)  Probably recording is the worst culprit as I have to turn up the volume and usually listen to each piece several times as it is mixed.  It is also the $ maker that has paid the bills.  I have have never really made much money with the business.  I have had a lot of fun! The loss is such that I can't get clarrity of speech with it anymore.  The audiologist said that with the loss I have some people can still understand speech well and others can't.  Unfortunately I fall into the second category.......

My sincere prayers to all of you that have suffered loss and are in pain!  

Tonight is the MLK Dinner.  Most everything is ready for it so hopefully it will be a fun evening.  Our keynote speaker is a college student who received an MLK Scholarship 3 years ago.  He is now a student worker in the office of the college president and serves in the prestigious position of Student Trustee of the College (Hobart and William Smith College here in Geneva).  Originally the President of the college was going to introduce him tonight.  Unfortunately he is out of town so one of our members who works at the college will do that honor.  The speaker is not only a brilliant and hard working young man, but also a fantastic singer.  He originally came form Newark, NJ where he sang in the Newark Boys Choir. 

Hope all of you have a great day! 

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

We'll get there sooner or later! 

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Shelby, NC
  • 2,545 posts
Posted by Robby P. on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 8:08 AM

Ahh a nice warm morning, right now its about 55!!

Well the M-I-L comes today.   Gotta get the house ready.  So probably not to much R.R. related today.  Maybe a quick lap or two on the layout.

Our taxes went down $200 thanks to the casinos here in Pa.   Our sewer is about $85 every two or three months.  We get the trash bill once a year, and its about $120.  Local tax is about $350, and the other tax is about $500.  We don't have them (taxes) into the house payment, so we have to save up for them.  Now thats ROUGH!!!

The rail traffic has slowed down here also.  A CSX did derail last night.  About 15 miles from me.  A guy I know said it normally doesn't get busy till after 3:00 pm.

Well everybody have a good day.

 

 "Rust, whats not to love?"      

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Euclid, Ohio
  • 2,822 posts
Posted by LSWrr on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 6:59 AM

Good morning all,

Eric, I shot you an email and a PM.

Jeff, Eric, Barry
; I agree it’s not a bad thing to be a rivet counter, but hey people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. I went with a free lance MRR just to throw my rivet counter friends off the scent, LOL. Often I show them a picture of a prototype and then they see what I did wasn’t so bad.

If I “buy” $1 of water from Cleveland, Euclid charges me $2 in sewer fees.  3 years ago we had to fight with the city that if we water our yard why should we pay the sewer fee?  We lost the fight but everyone in town stopped watering their yard, the resulting dead grass caused the city to rethink their position.

Rail traffic has slowed down a lot around here. The auto racks don’t move much, the only thing you see now is intermodal, Amtrak, salt, and coal.  On occasion you see long trains of boxcars, something I thought had faded into history.

Lee

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

  • Member since
    June 2007
  • From: Mankato MN
  • 1,358 posts
Posted by secondhandmodeler on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 6:23 AM

Good morning folks.

Ray, I'm sorry to hear of your news.  I know you're quite passionate about your music. 

I'm sorry for those of you that have had deaths in your family or circle of friends.  Money problems pail in comparison to sickness or death.

The wife and I have decided to wait on buying a car.  She has the use of her company car a few more weeks, so why rush out and buy a new one?  She has quite a few contacts with people that know how much of an asset she was to her company.  We want to wait and see if she has a new job fairly quickly or if it takes forever.  If she doesn't get a job right away, she can take my car while I'm at work.  It will also allow me to save the two thousand dollars I need to buy the car we really want.

No trains to talk about though.  It just hasn't been a priority this week.

Have a great day!

Corey
  • 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 Wednesday, May 20, 2009 6:14 AM

Good morning.

It's 55 and clear. The high will be in the mid 80's and it will be partly cloudy.

Finished up the body work on the U30 rebuild yesterday. All that remains is to add decals for the roadname and numbers, ditto for the SD27J. I got my car back from the shop yesterday. The power steering line has been replaced and the steering is working great. The bill wasn't quite as high as I thought it would be, about $153. My father was happy to get his truck back. I have no plans for today. I'll probably clean up the layout some as it's a mess from the last few projects.

Today's Weather for:
Sundown, LA  71446-6114      5/20/2009

Wind Chill:  55°F
Humidity:  82%
Dew Point:  50°F

So Far Today
High:  63°F
Low:  55°F
Rain:  0.00"
Rain Rate:  0.00"/h
Gust:  5mph ENE

Today  High: 82    Mostly sunny in the morning then becoming partly cloudy. Highs in the lower 80s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight  Low: 62    Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 60s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 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


  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: New Milford, Ct
  • 3,232 posts
Posted by GMTRacing on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 6:14 AM

Good Morning All,

   May I have a regular please Zoe. 44F out just now with the sun and no breeze. Should be sunny and get into the 70's today. Nice change from the weekend in Wisconsin where it was in the 50's and lots of wind all weekend. Standing outside in the wind like that for 12 hours at a time really wears you down even with the awning we work under at the track. Othr than that the weekend went alright despite a few little problems. Both our drivers won races (one his enduro the other his sprint race) so the effort was worth it.

    Not much news on the MRR front - I'm working on the facade of the O gage round house for the museum by bashing a set of cut stone tunnel portals to suit. Should end up with a 6 stall structure. The house is moving along with the insulators starting tomorrow and then sheet rock. Imagine interior walls again! I'll try to catch up posts and catch y'all later.  J.R.

Moderator
  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: London ON
  • 10,392 posts
Posted by blownout cylinder on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 5:50 AM

Good morning.

We're going to a high of 25C today--in the sun again---of course I'm stuck in the office today so I MIGHT get the chance to do some stuff in the sunshine eventually. We's going to be even warmer tomorrow before it cools off over the weekend----and yes, PC, our friends out in the country are FINALLY getting a chance to do some planting this week---they're only 2 1/2 weeks behind---Whistling

Got some paperwork today to attend to and then it is off to attend to some client visits---and then maybe a visit to a FLHS to pick up some more glues and stuff----gotta keep ahead of the stuff y'know---WhistlingMischiefSmile,Wink, & Grin

Ray-Yikes!!Shock Not much of an option there!! But how to do anything you enjoy doing when you are told to quit--what you gonna do?---I've been around a lot louder stuff in my time, including full stacks of Marshalls and things like that---full out stage monitors, or, for a while, Kelsey Hayes wheel foundry.Dead Now, THAT place was LOUD! Music isn't the only activity that's loud-- ---managed to keep my ears pretty complete BUT,BUT,BUT---everyone--do keep your ears somewhat intact please!! And now we have DCC with sound----OY--keep it low ---Whistling

Galaxy-Property taxes, water rates, sewer rates---it all ends up coming out of pocket--heck, even a portion of your RENT goes into property taxes--somebody else gets the money--sometimes--Banged Head But I don't think I'll get into THAT topic-----Whistling

Chloe--I'll have a coffee and muffin to go please----gotta run---

Have a good day, people!!!Smile,Wink, & Grin

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
    July 2006
  • From: upstate NY
  • 9,236 posts
Posted by galaxy on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 5:38 AM

GOOD MORNING GUYS! WAKE UP CALL!

I will have a breakfast croissant and a big mug of coffee, please. 

Morning Jeffrey since you are usually first to say so.

Prayer candle will be lit at 10 AM for those who need special thoughts or prayers.

 

ewl01

Property Tax..... I have a 3 bedroom home built in 1933 on a lot 150'x50' that I paid $103,000.00....the taxes were $4350.00 last year not including the $400.00 sewer tax.  That's 12% of my gross salary.. I love New Jersey.

Eric

On the tax front of the property I was talking about: It's a double wide trailer on a slab {considered a non permenant structure} listed on the market for awhile for $30K, most likely to be had for $20k.....which would make the $2200 for property taxes near or about over 10% of value of said property at sale time. {Then there is the school tax issue}. But whether we pay it in taxes, or $300/mo lot rent {$3600 a year } on our current trailer....somebody will get our money.

jeffrey-wimberly

Flashwave
*Sniff* I hate allergies.

You and me both. This time of year about drives me crazy! Ragweed pollen, pine pollen, etc.

My Dr. started me on Singulair last year at spring allergy time and I thought it did little good. He said keep taking it for your fall allergies and keep taking it. This year, it seems to be working real great! I can actually breathe most of the time and the lilacs didn't have nearly the devasting effects on me they usually do!

howmus

I got back from the audiologist a while ago.  He didn't tell me anything that i didn't already know except exactly how severe my hearing loss is now.  I asked him as i left if it was time to give up the music business and he nodded his head yes..........  So I guess if I want to hear my Granddaughters as they grow up, I guess it is time to hang up the hat.

Sorry to hear that, howmus....I know you really love your music, but going deaf is a permenant situation, and preferably, a non-option. I hope you choose wisely.

Probably won't do much today, except maybe go look at the properties?? {Have to discuss it with my other half when we are both wide awake. See if there is still interest. The van repairs have me thinking we don't have any cushion now....property might be out for a while maybe a year or two?? I mean, what if we buy something and need major repairs??}

HAve a great day

-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
    November 2008
  • From: Williamsville, ILL
  • 3,698 posts
Posted by TMarsh on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 10:55 PM

Garry- Prayers for your friends.

The dog just nudged me. Time to hit the sack.Zzz

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
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
  • 10,660 posts
Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 10:49 PM

Hello...

Welcome to Galad. Hobby Lobby is a great store and they still observe Sunday at any of their stors I have seen.

Eric... Property taxes are high there it sounds. Add up all taxes, and they seem excessive to me.

Corey...Sorry to learn of the lost job.

Tomorrow, we will attend a funeral for a friend who died of a heart attack while home alone.

Also, our church friend with cancer is suffering with pain, and the situation is bad. Her husband called today with an updates about her appointments today. This couple has such a remarkable faith, and that is inspiring. I dislike seeing somebody suffering like that.

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Williamsville, ILL
  • 3,698 posts
Posted by TMarsh on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 10:27 PM

Laugh I have all the respect and admiration for the work and research that the hard core prototypers do. But man I just don't see how it can be enjoyable. Well, yes I guess I can. If that's what they enjoy. Me, I just wanna have a good time and build a railroad that I like. That is what's fun to me. But what do I know, I root for the Texas Rangers. Oh wait, who's number 1 in the AL? 3rd best record in baseball? Look out World Series here we come. If not this year....well, next year.Whistling

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
  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: London ON
  • 10,392 posts
Posted by blownout cylinder on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 9:12 PM

ewl01

Barry - I was just perusing the latest issue of Scale Rails.  There is a review on the ExactRail car carrier.  In the article the author states how the car pushes the edge when it comes to the NMRA car height spec.  He then goes on to say (paraphrased here) '.....if you're like me, you have tunnels, overpassses.... that sort of "forgot about" S-7.  Some adjustment in these spots may be necessary.'  (S-7 is the NMRA standard for height clearance)  So much for the 'Scale' part of the rails.  Like many things in life, it's only right when it suits the them.  

  Gets off of soapbox again.........

I was thinking about a situation that happened a few years ago that had me chuckling. A person that I know in Woodstock ON phoned me up barking about how he discovered that his prototypically correct model of the footbridge over the CN doubletrack had to be redone because 'they' had to increase the height of said bridge to compensate for the doublestack height of the container trains. This coming from a guy modeling the area, as it was, during the 1950's. Then he went on to bellow about how 'they' dared to take out the Bay Street bridge which supposedly left him with no choice but to tear his prototypical bridge out----then went on about the Wellington Street bridge and all the 'remuddling' he had to do with that bridge.

I then went to ask him---"What era are you modeling?"

Long Silence.

From the other end I hear-----"Don't confuse me with the facts----"

EH?ConfusedLaugh

BTW--this was a train related soapbox---brought to you by strange people who think they have to change everything simply to fit the times-----they're NOT MODELING--Banged HeadSoapBox

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
    June 2007
  • From: Indiana
  • 3,549 posts
Posted by Flashwave on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 8:34 PM

Hmm. Bout what it is from here to Chicago. Summer trip? What I;m going to have to do. Maybe. more to come later

-Morgan

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Shelby, NC
  • 2,545 posts
Posted by Robby P. on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 8:17 PM

I will pop in right quick.  Give me a slice of "key lime pie" before it hits the  wall !!!!!!!!!!!

Well didn't do to much today.  Looked for a new job, and messed around the house.  Washed the mother-in-laws bed.  Its a shame I had to move it to the garage.  I'm sure she will be warm enough Smile,Wink, & Grin.  Ummmmm............I think the wife saw me type that Whistling.

Made a few laps with the engines on the layout today.  Moved some cars around, and then it wanted to act up (the layout).   How can it run perfect for weeks, and now this.  I guess I will work on that tomorrow.  Might just be a loose connection.

Well everybody have a good night!!

 "Rust, whats not to love?"      

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Marion, Iowa
  • 1,263 posts
Posted by AmanaMedic on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 7:50 PM

Good evening everybody,

'Twas a busy day here in the home office playing newspaper writer. I finally got a call back from the North Liberty Fire Chief about the lightning detector they bought and loaned to the youth baseball/softball league. He wants to get a story in the paper "ASAP," then took 3 days to get back to me. Oh well...typical "white helmet." Smile,Wink, & Grin Actually, he's a pretty decent Jake. Neat device, even if it does look like it should say "Fischer-Price" on it and be in the toy aisle...

Tracked down a County Supervisor...in Washington DC. He's trying to squeeze more money out of the elected representatives. I'm doing a follow-up piece on the historic bridge in Sutliff that was nearly wiped-out in last year's flooding. Last month, the supervisors tried to get the Conservation board to "take" the bridge...now the County has it (locals leased it...long story) back, and they're doing all kinds of inspections to determine if they should fix it or scrap it. FEMA will pay 100% to scrap it, and a 90/10 split with the state if the County wants to fix it. FEMA pays 0 if the locals want to do anything.

Tomorrow night is the dreaded school board meeting... Oh joy. Can't wait. After that is an early deadline due to Memorial Day.

JEFF: If ya really wanna mess with the prototypical rivet counters... I think I've got some decals for the CAT logo that goes on the CNW's SD-CAT. Hmmmm, a GE body, with EMD features, and a CAT engine...yeah...somebody's head would probably explode at the thought. MischiefLaugh Lemmeknow if interested.

Otherwise, not much to blather on about, so will yield the floor, bug Chloe for my usual burger, and retire to the back to see who else comes in this evening...

ChrisEight Ball

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

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Seattle WA
  • 1,233 posts
Posted by Hoople on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 7:25 PM

 Morgan: About 3 hours away form either one, in Seattle.... Not too feasible.

 Jim: I know whatcha mean... But shhhh.. No politics on the forums!

 Garry: Thanks!

Mark.
  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Jersey Shore
  • 361 posts
Posted by ewl01 on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 7:19 PM

Barry - I was just perusing the latest issue of Scale Rails.  There is a review on the ExactRail car carrier.  In the article the author states how the car pushes the edge when it comes to the NMRA car height spec.  He then goes on to say (paraphrased here) '.....if you're like me, you have tunnels, overpassses.... that sort of "forgot about" S-7.  Some adjustment in these spots may be necessary.'  (S-7 is the NMRA standard for height clearance)  So much for the 'Scale' part of the rails.  Like many things in life, it's only right when it suits the them.  

  Gets off of soapbox again.........

 Chloe, may I have a piece of carrot cake anda decaf please?

***** The quotation of "forgot about S-7" is a direct reference to the Product Review from the June 2009 Scale Rails magazine.  It is not intended to imply any opinion of, or criticize, the author, or his practices, but to acknowledge oversights that occur in the field of Model Railroading, during the implimentation of any rules and regulations that may apply to the hobby.*****

Eric

Moderator
  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: London ON
  • 10,392 posts
Posted by blownout cylinder on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 5:50 PM

Good Evenin'--

Got done with all the visits and ever't'in' there. The Home Despot visit netted me my foam and the potting soil---garden center I usually go to had none left and of course the only stuff left we couldn't use---Banged Head---so it was pick it up there instead in smaller bags which takes up more space which--Confused I ended up finding some more pieces of this mystery boxcar and just remembered that I bought one at a rummage sale(?) someplace or other-----AAARRGH!! am losing more marbles!!Sigh As if there were any left, that is----Smile,Wink, & GrinMischief

Corey; Galad: I seen that happen here too. The numbskulls get away with stuff and the rest of us pay for it. I just found that I use whatever meager skills I can muster and find my work elsewhere--I'm doing more 'puter stuff lately and learning as I go---my degree does say that I am capable of learning something-----Whistling

Eric, Jeff: I am always amazed at how some of these guys can scream about being to prototype but constantly "Forget", as opposed to, "Remember", that these modifications -rebuilds and pure scratch/bashing of lokes goes on in real life! Maybe there is a fear barrier that keeps 'life' from getting in the way of an idealized form of their system----Mischief ---they just don't deal with change very well--Whistling

Chloe, I'll have a cheeseburger with fried mushroom gravy on it and a RBF, then I'll finish this off with an SRP as well please----no, I'll take the pie to my table thank you----DinnerWhistling

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
    December 2008
  • From: Jersey Shore
  • 361 posts
Posted by ewl01 on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 5:22 PM

Sniff... Wad are you compaining abot?  The wedder is woderful!     Same here, I hate the drugs though.  I take enough as it is.  The allergy stuff makes me feel weird.

Property Tax..... I have a 3 bedroom home built in 1933 on a lot 150'x50' that I paid $103,000.00....the taxes were $4350.00 last year not including the $400.00 sewer tax.  That's 12% of my gross salary.. I love New Jersey.

Sorry, I'm know we all have a story to tell, this was another of mine.

Lee - I sent you an email.  Don't know if it made it or not.  If not, a PM?

Jeff - I LIKE IT!!!!   I can hear the scale, prototype, rivet counters screaming from here!  Ahhh HAAA HAAAA HAAAA HAAAAAA!!!!!!

Obviously not much MRRing going on. Been busy at work, parade arrangements being made for Monday, EMS coverage being arranged for the summer sports, at home, Lawyer tomorrow, Tons of EOB'scoming in from the folks hospital stays. 

One Dr's office insisted on seeing my mother for a follow up visit before they file the insurance claim.  My sister told them "that's not possible".. Indignant "And Why Not? We need to see her!"  "Because she died 3 months ago!"  The Dr's office hung up.......  Ain't life grand?

Eric

 

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!