The Coffee Shop (a place to chat) Est. 2004

[sunsetbeachry]

Hi All...........
Since PC is buying I'll have a .........................................................................mud with choc and a small donut ,thank you......
Cut the grass yesterday took me 3 hours work for 20 min rest for 20 min etc.etc.etc. Finally got it done. Painted the broom and then the RR room off white now will let it dry.All the walls and ceilings covered the RR room floor with plastic so that the rug won't get painted too. Next is dr's today and rest. Kathy's sugar #'s are going crazy . We think that because her dr. changed her way of taking insuln was also changed everything is screwed up. So we went back to the original way of doing things and the sugar #'s are better. Crazy dr. changing things when she doesn't know all the problems even after all the paper work that we both filled out...Maybe she can't read!!!!

...........MRR................
I started something new ...Instead of trying to glue everything together I've started to pin things ..At the joints I'm using 0.020 brass wire for pinning , making shure that everything lines up. Drilling small holes in all connecting pieces, marking the place for the wire and then putting it all together first then taking it all apart using hemostats to hold a short piece of wire, dipping that wire into crazy glue for just a small amount of same and putting it all back together again....No glue blobs,,no running mess [sorry fergie ]strong joints and able to handle parts... Using the ideas of sub-parts that were prestained..................So far so good
...................Got to go Kathys in shower....................

[sunsetbeachry]

All................
..........Showers over.
.......PC............
Thank you for the coffee. Going to 60 degrees and rain this afternoon. I just noticed that I'm 2 hours behind most of you'all. The timer said 12:00 and its just 10::00 here..We are back to rain every day mostly at nite. Hum is about 75%
.......Prayers to all in need....Dr's at noon.........mine shrink.........God bless Kathy and Chuck

[SilverSpike]

Wednesday, May 31, 2006


I’ll have an iced coffee, been both hot and tired, but not necessarily in that order!
And how about another order of those beans that Inch cooked up the other day! Oh, and some cornbread muffins too! Oh, oh, and a slice of that famous apple pie with homemade vanilla ice cream too! Yea, that should do it!

Good afternoon!

I have completed a preliminary statistical evaluation of my layout plan based on the “Layout Design Statistics” on Joe Fugate’s web site and have found out that I can run as many as four trains during an operating session.

Here are the results for my layout:
Maximum number of cars moved = 108
Based on 4 trains per session, the average number of cars per train is = 27
Dispatching Threshold = 28

A 32 car consist with 2 locos is equal to about a 17 foot HO train. Now I just need to test the consist on a 2.5% grade!!!

I began the measurements for installing the bracket stanchions to the north wall of the train room; I had to raise the deck levels by one inch for them to clear the baseboard. So as it stands now the upper deck will be 53” above the floor and the lower deck will be 37”, maintaining the 16” separation between the two. Getting the stanchions all aligned and level with one another is the next phase, …. err challenge! I bet one of those laser levels would do the trick! I see another trip to Lowe’s in my future….

Hey Spit, Be sure to keep your eyes open, next time he might just pick up your paper too! Yep, one caboose per loco might be a bit too much for my layout, maybe a 3:1 ratio of locos to caboose.

Inch, Have you tried Beano? It might keep you in good with the wife! But, then again any excuse getting into the train room, huh!

Duke, The trip still sounds like fun though! It will be great to meet some of the train “Guru’s”.

[#welcome] BigBlueConrail to the Coffee Shop! Sit a spell and have a drink! Tell us more about your self, modeling tastes, your location, do you have a layout?

Wow! Paul B, Sounds like an adventure that rivals an Indiana Jones story! You gonna be makin any of that rat snake stew?

Scott, Love the pink vest with the tux!! It matches many layout sub-roadbeds I have seen! Hey, is that last photo the “I-Spy” pose? Good luck and keep your chin up; you are a great inspiration to us all here in the CS!

[#ditto] What PC said about taking the high road!

Mikeygaw, Your track plan and layout sounds a bit like the one I am getting ready to build. It is an around the wall shelf bracket system with an island, the whole enchilada is a G shape design. You can see my current track plans by clicking on the following links:

Lower Level Track Plan
http://www.rymocs.com/images/lower0524.jpg

Upper Level Track Plan
http://www.rymocs.com/images/upper0524.jpg

Cheers,

Ryan

[Mikeygaw]

just a quick post and run... re: moving... it's just going to be to a different neighborhood within Philadelphia. Where i live now isn't too bad, but there is some not-so-nice elements moving in plus parking is getting insane, and the neighborhood we most likely will be moving to garages are fairly common.

[Anonymous]

Very nice, although I am confused which track goes to the upper deck...great name for you passenger station too! LOL

[SilverSpike]

QUOTE: Posted by Spit
Very nice, although I am confused which track goes to the upper deck...great name for you passenger station too! LOL

Hey, thanks Spit!

The transition track is the long main line run that starts on the outside edge of the lower level track plan near the top of the page which is the south side of the layout. Then it goes around along the east side of the layout at an average 2.5% grade then turns along the north side of the layout. The grayed lines of the track are hidden sections and this is where the transitional mainline meets with the upper level.

The upper level has two hidden tracks represented on the north (bottom) of the layout and these are where the two levels mainline tracks connect.

I hope this helps in seeing the "whole picture"

Cheers,

Ryan

[inch53]

Afternoon all, how bout a ham n cheese , onion rings and a ice tea [unsweetened of course] Zoe,
Power was out for a spell this morn, thanks to a couple squirrels,



Won’t show the other one, to crisp. Other than that nothing of interest going on, just working outside.
Hey I see PC’s , buying, a BIG TANKS feller. Oh, that should be thanks, hard to talk with a mouth full of onion rings.
Since you were wondering, here I am.

Paul , I’d count the depot door as MRRing on the extra large scale [^][^]

Chuck hope they get Kathey’s sugar lined out soon. I know mom has problems when they change her round.

Ryan , the wife thinks I’ve tried Beano and it doesn’t work.
[You know, excuse, train room, [;)][;)]]
I still like your layout plan, think when all the grand kids get big enough, I’ll build a double decker.

Mikeygaw , I understand now, good luck with the move

Here’s a video from the campground,

http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/inch53/?action=view¤t=ffdebf3f.flv

and a pic also




Well need to get started again, ya’ll have a good afternoon
inch

[Paul W. Beverung]

Hi Gang: I am about to head for the house. It's resonably cool outside this afternoon. I hope that I can get the far back yard mowed this afternoon. I'll have to set the sprinkler out first for a while to get the dust down.

I didn't get to the Texas depot this afternoon. I'll have to do it Saturday while I am checking the park out. It won't be a terribly hard job. I have to just get the time.

It is almost time so I'll say so long. I'll be back in tonight.

[SilverSpike]

Hey you all!

Check out Bob Boudreau's post on his new "Model Railroad Photography" site. Really great stuff there!

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=66533

But the best part is that he used Google Pages to build the web site and it is entirely FREE!

Yes, you can build a website with up to 100 MB of storage space for FREE! All you have to do is sign up for a free Gmail account buy giving them your cell phone number and then they send you a text message with an account activation code. Put the code in and you setup an Google mail gmail account. Then you can go to google pages, sign in with your gmail email account and start building your website.

I just spent the last 45 minutes working on mine, here it is:

http://elvistie.googlepages.com/home

Cheers,

Ryan

[Anonymous]

I'll stop in real quick to say Hi!

Welcome to the coffee shop Big Blue[#welcome]

Been dealing will bad news this month and got hit again today. For the third time in a month I learned of parents who have lost a child. Two are from my church. The first parents learned that their son died in a car accident. No drugs or booze, just some driver not paying attention ran a light. Then the incident I mentioned earlier. And now today. A young man who was a youth worship leader in our church died in Italy. He was in the Army, survived Afganistan and just died while stationed in Italy. No cause of death yet. After all the concern about being in the battlefield, we were so relieved that he was out of harms way. Heartache beyond words.

Sorry to a wet blanket.

In the search for more positive news, had a great meeting with my future business partner. Looking forward to the challenge. It's going to be very hard work but that's what will make it fun.

Also, finally got the BLI Hudson fixed. That was a challenge to replace the pilot. If real steam engines are half as difficult to repair as the models, no wonder diesels became the preferred loco.

Well off to feed my two young men. Everyday I learn to appreciate them more.

[rtraincollector]

cox47 ne email received will try emailing you again sent you an email see if you get it it has my maine email address and my regular address in it.

not having fun at work boss has co worker and I scrapping and painting his 40' wooden boat it looks like the ss minow from gillagan Island lol.

He just had me paint the outside of the office and now this and

I HATE PAINTING !!!!

Sorry just had to say it . and he's talking of having me paint the out side of all his trailors theres only 17 of them . Think its time to find a new job lol.

[#welcome] to all the new members and incase no one else has told you this is where you can come and pout cry scream and what ever that makes you feel better but there is no flaming in here just good old fun with joking and you even get a little train info from time to time when we remember to talk about what we are supose to in here.

[BigBlueConrail]

Helo all! Im going to tell about my layout as some have been asking me too. Its in HO scale, models csx in the Northeastand has DCC and sound(in my locomotives). Its not to big at 10x4.5 feet. Questions? Reply to the topic!!

[rtraincollector]

Okay guys no more entertainment in the coffee shop Inch fried the band remember them heres a last pic for you all to remember the leader

[image]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/rtraincollector/Other%20animals/squirell.gif [/image]

Well lets see if he tries to fry this little guy the one on the back .

[image] http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/rtraincollector/Other%20animals/penguinandpolarbear.jpg [/image]

[rtraincollector]

Okay I'm buying this page its been a while scince I've had that honor come on PC your chance to get some free items scince you been buying for everyone again figure I'd let you off the hook this time.

oh by the way you all can only order if you can beet my buddy here in a race from one end of the coffee shop to the other end.
[image] http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/rtraincollector/Other%20animals/mousevstrap.jpg [/image]

[ngartshore350]

QUOTE: Originally posted by james saunders

wow that sounds really interesting!!! and yes the they are similar internally apart from that NR's are DC and 5000's are AC, but externally there are some other spotting features, so to answer your Question, Yes they are similar, and we may look at the NR in the future.

I wish i had your job... what qualifications do you need? if you don't mind my asking?

Oh Btw the prices ARE in AUD for you foreigners out there...
Thanks,

OzJim

OzJim,

A degree in Electrical Engineering, I really don't have a lot to do with motor sizing, etc. I am now a Control Systems Engineer. Programming the PLC to talk to everything in the Coal Preperation Plant, Drive currents, Drive Status, pullwires, Wagon Tag readers, etc.

One thing you can't say about this job is it is never the same old stuff, there is always something new you haven't interfaced to.

I didn't know the 5000s were AC! What Horse Power are they?

Regards,

NG

[der5997]

Todd: Setting aside what Mike says for the moment [:D], what you say about N and area is true, so think about that if you do negotiate layout space. I appreciate that you have an existing legacy in HO, but N gives you the opportunity of more layout per unit area. [tup]
Have fun at the club.

Scott: Easy to see why you were so excited about the Prom! (and the choice of tie and vest!) [8D] Sorry about the family difficulties. Not knowing the details, I wonder about the finality of the situation, but you must feel really let down. You are getting some excellent work experience, and have wheels, so to an extent are not as dependent as many your age. What PC says about Grace is true. It’s also true that seeking your own comfort, rather than putting yourself out for others in the family, probably won’t work out as well as it looks initially. However, if I’m reading you right over these years, you have the sense to see that. [:D]

OZJim:

QUOTE: I'm the 'S' In L&S Hobbies Australia

…Thought that was what you meant by your use of “Mitch’s” logo, but was thrown by the geography! Brisbane / Darwin area is a few miles isn’t it?

Chuck and Kathy: Blood sugar going crazy is, I find, the single most frustrating thing about diabetes. You work hard at getting things right, and for no apparent reason , Kablooey! The readings are sky high or crashing (or both which is really weird.[%-)] )
On your pinned joints (we are talking buildings here?) don’t you have to fini***he places where you drilled and pinned, file down and fill, that sort of thing?
On the time difference, I think, but am not sure, that the forum is set to Central Time. So we (Atlantic time zone) are two hours ahead, and you (Pacific) are two hours behind. In either case we (and I suppose Mountain) are the true RR related zones, even if it’s steam.[(-D]

Mike:

QUOTE: Power was out for a spell this morn, thanks to a couple squirrels,

…Saw the cable to our friends-who–just-moved’s new hot tub today. It is extra thick due to the steel shielding that is required here for anti-squirrel code!

Ryan: Thank you for the link to Bob Boudreau’s Photo tips site. Had the pleasure of seeing his layout back in the 90’s (Kris had a Conference in New Brunswick and I tagged along.)
I’d investigate that Google Pages idea, but getting a cell phone to get a free web site is too much effort; besides, even if we got good cell reception…can you hear me now?...which we don’t, neither Kris nor I want to be that reachable! [oX)]

NJBill: Our prayers for the family, you, and your church.[angel] It will be helpful when the cause of death becomes known. It seems so random, doesn’t it. God is able to bring his redemption and grace into even these bitter times. It helps to know that this young soldier believed that Christ’s death was neither random nor pointless, but was for him.

BigBlue: Thanks for the update on the layout. Is that continuous running, or point to loop, or???[:D]

That’s it for me for today as I’m stuck into the library book (The Final Theory, and deconstruction of just about all of presently understood physics…pointing out that it’s not really understood at all![:O]), and it’s proving to be quite the read.
So, goodnight all, and God Bless. Prayers for all in need of healing, comfort and peace.[angel[

[Paul W. Beverung]

Hi Gang: I said I'd be in tonight. Rt, I'll only hit you for a piece of sugar free apple pie and sugar free ice cream, with a cup of coffee.

NG: Could you give us some information on the mine? Is it an open pit or underground? How big? What kind of machinery is being used? I'm very interested in mining and all types of heavy machinery. I'm modeling iron mining iin the upper peninsula of Michagin. All so any chance of getting pictures? Now I'll stop bugging you.

We loaded my trailer with a bunch of the scraplumber for John to take to his place. He's going to build a 7.5in gauge on his ranch out west of Mineral Wells. The scrap lumber is for cross ties. I've still got enough to do what I have planned and then some.

I'm not planning anything for tomorrow. I'd like to take it easy and maybe get some MRRing in.

I think that I'll cut this short and head for bed. John just called and said he didn't close the doors of the shop so I'll have to go and do that.

Good Night to All

[pcarrell]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rtraincollector

Okay I'm buying this page its been a while scince I've had that honor come on PC your chance to get some free items scince you been buying for everyone again figure I'd let you off the hook this time.

All right, you're on! To start off, I'll have a small california cobb salad, and could you put just a little extra blue cheese on that please, and for the main course I'll have the honey glazed grilled salmon, six ounce New York strip steak, cooked medium well please, baby carrots, sweet corn on the cob, and a blondie for desert! Oh, and some of that homemade peach belini iced tea too please! Thanks RT! (Hey, at least I didn't order a corvette! Poor Bill! [:D] )

QUOTE: oh by the way you all can only order if you can beet my buddy here in a race from one end of the coffee shop to the other end.
[image] http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/rtraincollector/Other%20animals/mousevstrap.jpg [/image]

From the looks of your little buddy and his current perdicament, he's not going to make it to the other end of the coffee shop,......EVER! [:D]

[inch53]

Evening all, barley pop please Cleo,

RT , the autopsy squirrel’s fatal injuries were all self-inflicted.
Hope you enjoy the new painting projects.

Ryan , thanks for the link on photography, I’ll have to set down n read it some more.

Gumby , please give the families our thoughts n prayers for their loss.

Der , the power company put a fancy thingy on top of the fuses, that’s suppose to keep the little varmints out of the fuse. Just have to wait n see now. 2 years ago a squirrel got into one just down the road n blowed him and the transformer up.

Time for a shower n bed, tomorrows going to be a long day, so far I think I just have KC, but plans change
inch

[Train 284]

Hey guys! Thought I would drop in to say howdy! Well, I have 3 finals out of the way, and 3 more to go! This is the last week of school for me. tomorrow I have math (algebra1) and english. My 2 worst subjects! If I do not pass math, I will have to take summer school! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! That is not going to happen. i have been studying hard and I am ready to go.

BTW, I should be getting ballast for my garden railroad tomorrow! =)

[Cox 47]

Evening all...Just stopped in for a cup before bedtime on RT....Got some storms earlier but nothing close...Sounds like you had a nice squirrel fry out your way Mike....Watched the rest of the new MR build plan DVD didn't think it was as good as the others but not bad....You all have a good nite....Jerry

[james saunders]

NG: Sounds Sweet! sounds like a really cool job to have!!! and as far as i know They are 4000HP...


Der: yes there is a few thousand kilometres between us, but what happens is he sends me the shells and i fit them to the mechanism (Kato AC4400) and package them and distribute from my house in Brisbane.... Also i have access to 3 to 4 model train shows a year which i will attend and display/tell people about our products... i hope that makes sense [:D]


All for now...

OzJim

[modelalaska]

Hi all,
Just got back from towing the wife's car... it died today...[sigh][banghead][censored]
I pray it is not a serious issue. That could cut into my mrr funds!

I think I will hit the pub instead of the Coffee Shop. Just kidding....[:D]

Have a great night and see you tomorrow.

P.S. I got all my track laid now I am thinking about weathering it. I am using Atlas code 80 nickle. Any suggestions?

Peter

[Anonymous]

I had a nice long post typed up last night, but grandma came over and wanted some pictures copied, so I lost the post when I uploaded them to Wal-Mart.

Paul: Just saw an ad for Six Flags, you should see if they'll let you sneak in one every now and then.

Thanks for the comments on the pics, I like this software. The depot is the old Rock Island depot in Calumet, Oklahoma (long way from New Orleans Neal, but thanks for the offer) I'm planning on going into electrical engineering at OK State next year. I applied to OU and OSU both, but OSU gave me twice as much scholarship ($2000 per year academic excellence scholarship at OSU vs. $1000 per year Valedictorian at OU), and I got a $1000 one time scholarship from Best Buy.

Oh yeah, it's wheat harvest season here now, a really busy time of year for everyone, whether or not you actually have wheat. The grocery store and cafe and parts store stay open long hours, and the service centers double or triple up staff. It's by far the busiest time of year in town, and now the train will have to start running extra (at least once a week) to keep up with the extra traffic.

Still got hay to haul, yesterday Dad and I built fence in 100 degree weather until I had to leave for a doctor's appointment only to find out that the doctor didn't have any appointments this week even though my card says he does. (he's gonna hear about this, it's the second time) and today we hauled a load of iron to the city to sell for scrap. 5,940 pounds of it. We've also got a few hundred pounds each of aluminum and copper to take next, and then we'll start loading up iron again. Don't know where it comes from, we recycle thousands of pounds of metal every year, it doesn't seem like we use that much.

Well, it's getting late now, so I'd better be gettin' outta here.

Greg

[GDRMCo]

QUOTE: Originally posted by james saunders

NG: Sounds Sweet! sounds like a really cool job to have!!! and as far as i know They are 4000HP...

OzJim

4130hp at the flywheel, with an input of 4000hp to the generator. They're basically a GE AC4400CW internally but they have been built to the Australian loading gauge. Look rather good IMHO.
Its 1770miles or 2849km between Darwin (me) and Brisbane (James). James got the basic plan right about me sending him finished shells which he puts the mechs into and then packages and ships off to customers. I will hopefully be able to attend the 2007 Brisbane Model Train Show and by then we should have around 4 models for sale, 3 locomotives (5000cl, 4000cl and 28/2800cl) and 2 freight wagons (QHAH 2-pack coal hopper and QQAY/BAZY container flat).

Regards

Mitchell Legg
L&S Hobbies Australia

[wetidlerjr]

Good morning ! from Indiana. [:D]



06-01-06

[GMTRacing]

t AM I heard a loud pop and looked out to see the fuse falling away from the wire and squirrel bits floating down to earth. Last thought was probably hey! what does this taste like?
Still incredibly busy here at work. My Brit fabricator has been out all week sick and I may actually have to do my own welding today. I like doing it just don't weld as well as he does - makes it look like art.
Peter - there have been several great articles lately on weathering track and a web site out in the main room by Joe Fugate that is an immense help. If you prefer "print rich" material the new MRR Realistic Trackwork book has an entire article on ballast/weathering by Fugate and a link to another PDF site.
Scott - I hope things can work out for you. Ditto DerJohns comment on your having your head on straight. Our prayers are with you.
NJ Bill - Our prayers are with you also. Know how the out of harms way thing works . Had a good friend who got back from an In-Country assignment, survived rocket attacks, and died a week later of bone cancer. It took us along time to understand that one.
All for now, work beckons. CUL, J.R.

[inch53]

Mornin all, coffee an a couple doughnuts, Zoe
Weathers bout the same as yesterday, but the future looks better. Weekend is suppose to be cooler with less humidy.
Got KC today, so may get some train time during naps.

Matt , good luck with the math test, I know you can pass it fine

Greg , those scholarships will sure help with the cost.
Wheat harvest here starts around first of july. My cousin said he may still planting and cutting wheat at the same time this year.
Scraps been high priced here, i know coppers bringing 98 cent a lb dirty.

Been moving pics over to the new rail images in trainboard and photobucket. Sure is a pain to do, with sorting n such. Time fur chores, thoughts n prayers for all in need
inch.

[Anonymous]

Good Morning All!

I've been informed that there is too much blood in my caffine system so ....... one pot of coffee and a donut please.[;)][:p][:D]

Now that the BLI hudson is fixed, there is much happiness in trainland. Am I glad that problem is over.

[Anonymous]

Morning all. I guess I'll just have a cup of coffee this morning.

Matt , we will be cheering for you on the tests. Know you will do fine.
What are you using for ballast for the railroad. just curious.

No problem GREG, didn't know Calumet went all the way to Okla.
Here Calumet had a small depot and there was a gressy spoon next door that we stoped at for coffee and such. I dought if the depot is still there. BNSF still runs through there. Back then SP was the main line.
Congrats on the scolarships. Go and do well remember we will be watching.
Have a Brother-in Law that spent 6 years in college and majored in Partying. He never gratuated. Seem like partying was not reconiged in those days. Course his father was paying the bill.

Well Cul, J.R. don't keep us guessing, what did it taste like?

Well people just got a call, the better half is looking for me. Better go see what I've done now.
Happy Railroading,
Neal