Good Morning All,
Regular and a hard roll for me please Zoe. I'll be a bit scarce around here for a while as we finally got going on the DL701 (RS-11 - NH1402) over the weekend. It's pretty much intact after being rescued from a gravel operation in Georgia, there is a lot of it to do. Spent most of Saturday and Sunday between rain showers work on bits of it getting hinge pins loose and removing grating and covers for repair/straightening/primer. Also got a couple of hours in laying track out on the lower level of the layout. The idea is to have the edge of a city transitioning into an industrial area with some nice switching.
Luc - We're all with you and Gloria. Hope things work out and you're in our prayers. Time to pick up tools. CUL,J.R.
hello evryone.
i have just found out that all these pop ups that are affecting my computer arnt affecting anyone elses. login, thats a bit worrying! that means i have to go to the it manager and get him to sort it out and i get the "have you been visiting porn" talk.......
anyway. i am off to china on wednesday so i dont care very much!
Peter
Monday, July 24, 2006
Good morning fellow Coffee Shop buddies!
Another weekend behind us and all I can say is that they are way too short. Sunday night comes too fast, then back to the grind stone on Monday morning. We had lots of fog this morning, and it was cool too, temps were around 65 on the drive into work. I have never driven through fog in the summer time, so this was a first for me.
I spent some time in the train room this weekend, Friday night and most of Saturday, then a little on Sunday too. A few of the latest photos are below, and you can see all the updates on my Google pages web site, click my Piedmont Division link below my signature, then go to the construction page for the work log and the photos page to see the action.
I cut and pasted the 1:1 layout template print out for the next sections of track on Friday night and also tested two forms of gluing the cork roadbed to the sub-roadbed. Using two techniques I experimented with scrap pieces of cork roadbed on some scrap 3/4” plywood. The first experiment was with the 3M 77 spray adhesive, it goes on fairly easily, and requires a bit of technique because it has to set up a minute and get tacky before you set the cork roadbed to the plywood. Once it is tacky you can set the cork in place then use push pins to hold. The second experiment was with grey latex caulk, and it is much easier and faster to use. I squeeze a small bead along the bottom center-line of the cork roadbed, and then with a small metal spatula I spread the caulk evenly on the whole bottom surface of the cork. Then lay the cork down in place and the caulk holds curves like a charm. For safety and assurance I tack in push pins every 4 to 6 inches and allow it to set. The next morning I pulled all the pins out of the cork and both test pieces of roadbed were fully set onto the plywood. The caulk goes on cleaner and faster, so I decided to continue the rest of the cork roadbed with this technique.
Great pics of the Pizza Train PC! BTW, why is it the Pizza Train?
Hey James, thanks for the pics of the new items. Glad to hear that you have access to more items now. And the rail fan pics are great too!
Trolley Rob, Is that some pink activity I see on the radar there?
Duke, thanks for the reminder about Apex! The countdown clock should be getting started soon! I am looking forward to the Apex event and want to be sure to plan it right this time. Please get me more info as it becomes available. Directions would be helpful too….
Thanks for the compliments on the web site, and I added some more photos this weekend with my latest work progress.
Neal, thanks for the Hattiesburg pics. Looks like it should be a real nice museum once they finish renovations. I suspect that it was originally a Southern depot that the NS took over.
Hey, Inch, looks like you got the $#@-*!#^] thing to work! Hee hee!
pcarrell wrote: They're working. I was able use them. I like the railimages stuff BTW. I haven't seen an operational one of these in a long time (outside of a state park campground)
Hey PC, you shrunk when you exited that out house huh! Is that a time warp device too?
gil Finn wrote: God is sitting in Heaven when a scientist says to Him, "Lord, we don't need you anymore. Science has finally figured out a way to create life out of nothing. In other words, we can now do what you did in the 'beginning'." "Oh, is that so? Tell me..." replies God. "Well", says the scientist, "we can take dirt and form it into the likeness of you and breathe life into it, thus creating man." "Well, that's interesting. Show Me." So the scientist bends down to the earth and starts to mold the soil. "Oh no, no, no..." interrupts God, (I love this) "Get your own dirt."
God is sitting in Heaven when a scientist says to Him, "Lord, we don't need you anymore. Science has finally figured out a way to create life out of nothing. In other words, we can now do what you did in the 'beginning'." "Oh, is that so? Tell me..." replies God. "Well", says the scientist, "we can take dirt and form it into the likeness of you and breathe life into it, thus creating man." "Well, that's interesting. Show Me." So the scientist bends down to the earth and starts to mold the soil. "Oh no, no, no..." interrupts God, (I love this) "Get your own dirt."
Great one there Gil!
Hey Paul, you getting into the hobby shop business? That is a lot of ore cars you got there! BTW, what model number cars were on sale at Walthers? And as far as the secret goes I hear nuting, I see nuting, I know nuting!
grayfox1119 wrote:Good afternoon gents, it finally cleared here with the Canadian cool front passing through. A peaceful Sunday, no work, just catching up on reading, budget work, etc. I just heard from ED, he said to tell the CS gang that he is alive and well up in New Foundland, and it has been HOT up there too, as the locals are all complaining about the heat. It is back to normal today though he said, 13C and damp mist. He has taken some pics of Narrow Guage trains up there, but not much left he said. Fran is disappointed, no Ice Bergs, global warming is really taking a toll up north as the Polar bears can atest, no ice flows to catch seals, their prime diet. Well, time to fire up the grill, marinated steak tips are ready..... CUL
Dick, glad to hear Ed and Fran are still among the living! And speaking of marinated steak tips…… Yum!!!!
Luct, thoughts and prayers for Gloria and you! Also, thanks for the layout pics, looking good!
Cheers,
Ryan
Ryan BoudreauxThe Piedmont Division Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger eraCajun Chef Ryan
Morning modeling guys! I'm going to use this coffee to stain my scenery and that bagel is being sold to the NHL. Do we have a fresh pot and maybe a really fattening donut? I eat better in the virtual world than in the real one.
It's Daddy's day to be alone with the boys. That means nothing gets done unless it can be done in five minutes or less. (insert whiny baby sounds here)
Catch ya'll later.
Ed
HI ALL,
I'dnt know where tostart. OK here goes, Kathy is getting better sugars have settled down and she is on a new heart pill that seems to be working. I'm just about the same pain all over now that the hum and temp are bouncing around highs in the low 80's and hum in the high 40's through 60's. no rain in 5 weeks, grass doesn't need to be cut ; there is nothing growing except dandylions, so weed eat the tops off and just look at brown whatever it is. Trees are fine deep roots ocean is still there on the left hand side of the bed as usual. Sunsets have been beautiful Kathy and I have been going down to beach and walking a bit; she uses her walker and I've been using my cane again, dor [amber] goes to and the cats have been following along and chasing the seagulls. When we moved out here we found out that the gulls are protected by law so we can't shoot them, but you should see the peaks of our roof, need to be cleaned off every couple of years because of the white poop left by the gulls.
Haven't been out to the RRroom in about 2 weeks, no a/c yet good heat but no a/c yet. Been reading a lot and trying to figure out how to run the layout to correspond to the hills and valleys of the coast mtns from a place called Camp 18 to seaside. Have found many maps from the early teens [1911 to 1925] but not any maps have the RR outlined on them.
I'm going back to 1125 to catch up on the forum and get a little caught up.
Prayers for all in need and lots of love from both of us.............Kathy and Chuck
Afternoon All!
OZJim, great pics! Good stuff! It's good to see stuff, that for us in the USA, is a bit out of the ordinary.
Ryan, I don't know about a time warp, but usually the smell in there will knock you out and when you come to you'll be a bit older!
Hi Gang: It's just about time to head for the barn. I'm going to go by and and see if my friend that had the knee replacement is ready to go home. I'll haul him home if the doc has said go.
Ryan: My wife thinks I should at least have a garage sale. I'm just trying to make it look realistic. I'll look up the number of the ore cars. These come in a 4 pack. The ones I got are data only so I can letter them for the DS&SE. I have 20 of the undecorated ones. They are cast in a gray plastic and I'll have to paint them besides doing the lettering. The bad part about the undecs is finding the data decals. Walther's has them both on sale again but not at that really good price.
Kathy and Chuck: Good to hear from you again. I'm happy to hear that Kathy is doing better. Hang in there on the pain. Better weather is coming.
Well the clock says time to round up the sheep and get the flock out of here. See you all later.
Afternoon all...Sunny and warm here a nice day!....I'll have a root beer flaot and onion rings please....Framed the windows on the shack I am building but thats about all I have got done...Kinda good to work with card board again and find details are much smaller in N but you can just skip what you can't see...and my eyes don't see things they use too...
Luc...Gloria is in my prayers...Thanks for your pictures of Gloetown and thanks for your Emails they give me a chuckle evertime...
Chuck and Kathy...Glad to hear that Kathy got a better report..Your in my prayers too...
Neal.....Who had the depot bebore the NS? Looks like its been there for a while....
Ryan....Looks like that track is gonna be smooth as silk....
Well nap time is here you all have a good one...Jerry
hey everyone!!!!!
Ryan: Looks like you had a full weekend. Really looks great. Looks like you learned to build layouts from someone way down South. hewhew
Ryan, Jerry: According to old maps it's the old Illnois Central RR depot. When I get to Hattiesburg I am planning to try to get involved with the musium. I figured that would be a good place to be. Maybe I could intice them to have some layouts there. They certainly have enough room I think.
Chuck: Glad to hear the good news about Kathy, but sorry to hear about your aches and pains. But they just tend to come and go with time. We will still keep you'll in our prayers.
Is that PC standing in front of that outhouse. Looks a lot better than the one I grew up with. A lot classier.
Well MoM's calling. I hope that means supper.
Later
Neal
rtraincollector wrote: Indyson I always concidered my self as an ex indy sailor but different indy I was on the U.S.S. Independence CV-62 so you understand when you signed indyson you got my attention I'm also an ex wisconsin (BB-64) sailor too as the pic shows in my signature. Hi all not a lot happening today glad its friday. Been a long week. Oh Indyson I'm the odd ball around here I collect O gauge you know the one with the odd rail in the middle. Mainly old lionel my oldest set is from 1931. Take car all
Indyson I always concidered my self as an ex indy sailor but different indy I was on the U.S.S. Independence CV-62 so you understand when you signed indyson you got my attention I'm also an ex wisconsin (BB-64) sailor too as the pic shows in my signature.
Hi all not a lot happening today glad its friday. Been a long week.
Oh Indyson I'm the odd ball around here I collect O gauge you know the one with the odd rail in the middle. Mainly old lionel my oldest set is from 1931.
Take car all
Thank you for the warm welcome. I am very familiar with both teh USS Independence and the Whisky. One of my best friends served on the Indy (Independence) in the late 80's, and I have toured the USS Wisconsin in Norfolk several times...in fact, I used the Whisky to show my mom where Dad was sleeping on deck beside the #2 turret on the Indianapolis when she was torpedoed in July 1945. Closest thing to a heavy cruiser. Take care.
Evening Gang:
IndySon: A belated welcome and have what ever you want on my tab. I've read a great deal on the sinking of your fathers ship and have the deepest respect for those men and especially for there captain. It is a shame that Capt. McVey. ( I'm not sure about the spelling of the Capt. name. ) The navy and our country did him a great disservice in the way he was treated. May they all rest in pease.
No model railroading today again. I stopped by the rehab center and had a good visit with my friend. His wife came by and picked him up so I didn't have to take him home. I would have prefered to do the haul because his wife dosen't like to drive in heavy traffic. The worst thing that I ever did to him was teach his wife to drive while he was in Viet Nam on his second tour. He sure was surprised to see her drive up to get him when he came home.
The rubber nails came out well so now I have to make 24 more.No good deed goes unpunished.
I think that I'll head down to the basement and at least have a gander at the layout. Maybe I'll run a drag around for insperation.
Good Night All
IndySon: A belated welcome" src="/trccs/emoticons/icon_smile_sign_welcome.gif"> and have what ever you want on my tab. I've read a great deal on the sinking of your fathers ship and have the deepest respect for those men and especially for there captain. It is a shame that Capt. McVey. ( I'm not sure about the spelling of the Capt. name. ) The navy and our country did him a great disservice in the way he was treated. May they all rest in pease.
Thank you, Paul, and everyone else who has passed on warm regards for the crew of the USS Indianapolis, and Capt. McVay. I never had the honor of meeting Capt. McVay, but have spoken to both his sons and I believe only a veteran understands the depth of the dishonor the Navy hung on Capt McVay when they court martialed him for "hazarding his ship by failing to zig-zag" in a warzone after the same Navy denied his sonar-less cruiser escort to Leyte and failed to notice a heavy cruiser was missing 3 1/2 days after it sank, leaving several hundred young men to fend off sharks and dehydration while they just tried to survive. One of the original charges was "failure to abandon ship in a timely manner"...the ship sank in 12-15 minutes! Dad was asked once if he was told to abandon ship, and he stated "No, the ship abandoned me". Some 30 or so Indy survivors will be attending an airshow & mini-reunion in Indianapolis in late August...if any forum readers are nearby and wish to drop by, look me up as I will be helping out at one of the tables set up for the survivors, and would be honored to introduce you to them. They are a disappearing treasure, as are all our WWII & Korean War vets. I salute them all.
As for model railroading and this forum, I am enjoying the light conversations, getting to recognize the names, and anxious to get started on my layout. I did just take a trip down to Roanoke VA and the Transportation museum there. The highlights of my visit there were riding down on my new Harley 02 Springer Softail, climbing vertically up into the cab of a GG1, and standing beside all those old old steamers. I took lots of pictures if anyone is interested.
Thanks for welcoming me. I'll try to keep posting progress on my as-of-now nonexistent layout. Working on a setting and general layout design, then will actually put the wood and styrofoam to use.
Regards to all.
Jim (Indyson)
P.S. Someone suggested starting on the dining room table if "the wife will let you". That, my friend, would be my obituary...LOL. Been there, done that. Didn't make 25 yrs married this August by repeating those mistakes.
grayfox1119 wrote:G RYAN: I came to the same conclusion re. using caulking. I believe that FERGIE uses caulking also, as well as LUC and JOHN. INCH53: I guess I should feel privaledged, we had a three holer on the farm when I was a boy of 3. That place scared the h.. out of me as I remember, I was afraid of falling into the bottomless pit attached to the old barn. MY other grandparents had an inside facility.....a water closet. How many of you guys ever used a water closet? It's a good thing that the floats never stuck, there would be Niagara Falls for sure..LOL Time to run, CUL gents, have a great evening ,
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5959
If one could roll back the hands of time... They would be waiting for the next train into the future. A. H. Francey 1921-2007
Good morning ! from Indiana.
07-25-06
Bill Tidler Jr.
Near a cornfield in Indiana...
Mornin all, coffee please Zoe,
Looks like I've got a couple days ta catch up on. First Mother's surprise party went off well out to Mill Creek. She didn't relize what was going on till she seen her step dads tractor and ice cream maker. Worked round the outside yesterday, Had the boys mowing while I was doing other stuff, plan on the same thing today.
JERRY, there wasn't much N scale at the show, mostly HO and lionel, and D& N hobbies from Funkhouser had a G scale layout.
OZ JIM, looks like you had some fun rail fanning there, thanks for the photos.
GILFIN, great story, thats one to remember.
LUCT, thanks for the pics, and we're still thinking of you and Gloria.
GUMBY, hope your son's engine shows up soon, he'll be getting real upset soon with the wait
NEAL / RYAN, still can't get the copy/ paste to work with word yet. May have to wait on my SIL to come down
HEdward, know all about the little ones and work. When our little ones are here, grandpa gets almost nothing done.
CHUCK, glad to hear Kathy's doing better, we'll keep you both in our thoughts.
PC, I thought you came out a little older any how inside or out
DICK, my Uncle Bill had a water closet and an out house. The inside was for the girls only, Aunt Adies rules. The guys had to go out side even in bad weather. We had a one holer at home, almost as nice as the one in Moonshine.
Bout time for chores, guessing I'll be outside most of the day while the weathers passable, suppose to get hot again toward the week end. Hope every ones has a good day
inch
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/4309
Good morning fellow Model Railroaders. Good morning, Inch. Looks like you have a full day of chores ahead of you and a deckgang to take care of it. Wishing you good weather and lots of assistance.
I purchased a Mogul on eBay yesterday...am accumulating steamers, finally decided to go with a steam-predominant era, but still having trouble putting dates to locos and rolling stock. I once saw in MR magazine someone asked why manufacturers don't state what the dates of possible operation for locos, engines and rolling stock were (on the box) so that amatuers like me can easily assemble a "correct" era train consist. I realize the mfrs don't want to exclude themselves from a sale because of the operation date range, or maybe they just don't know what the dates of operation were (oh, I'm sure they do)...at any rate, it drives guys like me crazy and just adds to the delay in putting something together in the way of a semi-accurate layout.
Hope everyone has a nice day. Will be driving 3.5hrs to eastern Virginia tonight to attend a conference on Lean Manufacturing. I'm so excited (NOT). Two days of exchanging ideas on what works and what doesn't, a room full of potential competitors opening up to each other about the trials and tribulations of their individual business operations, cost savings, elimination of non-value-added activities, and successes. Is there something odd about the concept? Oh well, customer says you got to do it, so you do it.
Take care, all.
IndySon
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Good morning from the wet confines of the Carolina’s! We get a good soaking rain about once a week here, and it started raining this morning around 4:00 AM, and still pouring on the way into work! Temps are mild though, mid 80’s for the high and so that’s not bad for this time of year. All our friends and family in New Orleans and California are feeling the heat though, so I will try to ship some of the mild air that way!
Worked on the layout for about 3 hours last night and attached the yard section of sub-roadbed to the L-girders and glued down some more cork roadbed. I want to finish the whole south wall of the first level with sub-roadbed and cork before laying the track.
to the CS HEdward! Those hockey pucks are only good for one slap shot, as the cream cheese makes for a messy hockey stick!
Hey Kathy and Chuck, sounds like the beach is treating you both well! And best of luck with the health and wellbeing!
PC, yea, and the smell might knock off a few layers skin too, or make it wrinkle a bit!
Paul, I know what you mean about having a garage sale. Sometimes I just buy stuff for the layout because it looks good and I have no idea how I am going to incorporate it into the scheme.
Jerry, Thanks for the compliments on the track. I am now using a technique that Joe Fugate showed in one of the forum topics on roadbed last week.
Neal, Illinois Central makes sense now that you mention it. They had a line of track from Chicago to New Orleans and it most likely went through Hattiesburg.
Dick, sounds like you all had a nice little day trip there, but bummer about the LHS being closed. I have pondered the idea of converting to a hybrid car too, but now that my truck note has been paid off for two years I have gotten used to not having to shell out the $$$. Toyota has the Prius that looks really good, but would cost close to $375 a month note. When I weigh the extra cost of gas against having a new car note, it makes sense for me to wait for now. It is still a dilemma when you consider the long term environmental impact and the reduced dependence on foreign oil going with the hybrids, and the Fed tax deduction incentives for hybrids are still really good.
Count me in on the caulking party, I have seen the light and it is good!
IndySon, glad to have you with us in the CS, and yes, it is a great place to chat. I keep a running journal in MS Word of all my entries, and reflect back on them often. We are only about a four hour drive to Roanoke, VA and I have that museum on my “to do” trip list someday. It looks like a great place to visit. Hey, I think one of my ole elementary school friends lives in Waynesboro, VA! BTW, what is “Lean Manufacturing”?
Inch, good luck with the chores and the copy/paste into Word!
Quote: “The doctor says to take two aspirins and call him in the morning. Well the IT tech said to reboot and log back in.” - Anonymous
Mornin'!
Man, what a day yesterday! Took my cat down to get her fixed, picked up the car from the shop ($1,200.00!!!!), and 4 hours of night school on top of my regular full time job! Glad that's over! Just work today!
Just checked out the news. Man, that middle east thing is turning into a real quagmire!
Well, the weather should be good here today. That's good, because I'd like to go home this evening and just sit on the swing on the front porch and listen to the crickets. Sounds like a good way to end the day to me! Perhaps a train will come through the back yard too. That wouldn't be too much to ask, would it?
Speaking of trains coming through the back yard, the State Fair is coming up soon. That means the Fair Train will be running. The Fair Train picks up people from the station just south of my house and takes them to the fairgrounds about 15 miles away. This year I think they're going to use a GP9, a GP7, and the 1930's lightweight passenger cars. Here's a couple of pics of the Pizza Train from this last weekend. This is probably the equipment they'll use.
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Prototype%20Train%20Photos/Captured2007-7-2100008.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Prototype%20Train%20Photos/Captured2007-7-2100007.jpg
Can't wait until the steam loco is done being repaired. It's an impressive sight pulling that train, or better yet, with the heavyweight cars! Here's a couple of shots of it from just before the rebuild began.
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/NKP%20No%20587/587brig3.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/NKP%20No%20587/587.jpg
Neil, I never thought the words "outhouse" and "classy" could be used together!
inch, good point!
Ryan, a beauty treatment that I can do without!
Oh well, guess it's time to work now. I'll catch you all later!
Bye!
Ice tea please Zoe,
Taking a break from chores and just stop for a short.
INDY SON, the only thing I go by on cars an such is if the road names are right for the time frame for what I'm doing. If I like it, I run it. after all, it's my own little world. Just my thoughts toughts bout it.
PC n Ryan, if you dump some powered lime in the out house pit, it cuts down on the smell and the flies
OH, PC, I guess Classy depends on your point of view and how ya growed up. Thanks for the pics, BTW, we're still hoping to get up your way afor winter .
back to the tasks a hand
inch53 wrote: OH, PC, I guess Classy depends on your point of view and how ya growed up.
OH, PC, I guess Classy depends on your point of view and how ya growed up.
Guess it beats a hole in the ground
Thanks for the pics, BTW, we're still hoping to get up your way afor winter.
The museum is waiting!
Howdy howdy howdy y'all.
I've been busy busy busy. Work, car stuff, and all. So...
I FINALLY RECEIVED MY VANITY PLATES!!! But that's not all that is new with the Marquis...Check out my thread about CUSTOM LICENSE PLATE FRAMES. And yes, it is entirely on topic. http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/863436/ShowPost.aspx#863436
AIRHORNS! My dual chime airhorns will be installed in my car before the weekend. I have a morning appointment at TrickTrucks in Hagerstown to get them in, as well as a small tune up of the engine.
Now... to HEdwards and IndySon!
And if anyone just wants to look at something cool...http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2414378/1
Later y'all.
Scott - Dispatcher, Norfolk Southern
Hey, look at that. I'm buying.
COME ON Y'ALL! HAVE WHAT YOU WANT!
TrainFreak409 wrote: Hey, look at that. I'm buying.
Hey, look at that! I'M NOT!!!!!
Hey everyone. I'll have a cheeseburger, fries, and a vanilla shake....on Scott's tab.
Scott, nice license plates and frames.
I now have AIM messenger, if anyone wants to chat with me on it... My ID is railfan316.
I've still done nothing in the way of railroading as of late (several years...lol!). Although, I will be very soon....as in, moving my trains from the old place to my new place.
Again...Nice pics to those that have posted them.
until later,
Sheriff's officials say one woman was killed Monday afternoon when an Amtrak passenger train slammed into a car in Acadia Parish.
The woman's identity has not been released, pending family notification.
The crash happened at the intersection of Highway 90 and Llama Road, just east of Rayne.
According to the sheriff's department, the 75 people that were aboard the train have not reported any serious injuries.
The train was on it's was from New Orleans to Los Angeles.
This happened Monday in a small the small town of Rayne, La.
This is about 14 miles west of Lafayette. A sad day for her family and the crew.
Later,
SilverSpike wrote: Tuesday, July 25, 2006 IndySon, glad to have you with us in the CS, and yes, it is a great place to chat. I keep a running journal in MS Word of all my entries, and reflect back on them often. We are only about a four hour drive to Roanoke, VA and I have that museum on my “to do” trip list someday. It looks like a great place to visit. Hey, I think one of my ole elementary school friends lives in Waynesboro, VA! BTW, what is “Lean Manufacturing”? Cheers, Ryan
Well Silverspike, "Lean Manufacturing" is what we used to call "common sense" in the good old days, but now some brilliant college grads have captured yet another way to shake down the government and all it's suppliers with a new fad. Mind you, I am a college grad with 26 years experience in manufacturing, quality, engineering and business management...so maybe I'm not too smart and need Uncle Sam and his cohorts to tell me how to better run a business (since they are the experts on efficiency, operating within a budget, on time delivery, and customer satisfaction). Lean Manufacturing, in it's simplist form, is manufacturing with no non-value added activity...i.e., no unnecessary material, labor, movement or time waste. Everything must add value to the product or service. Problem is, when you work under contract directly for the federal or state government, and they require you "subscribe" to their Lean Program to participate in their job awards, well, they don't exactly encourage the elimination of non-value added activities because by their very nature, via contract requirements, they force waste. I know I sound sour to it all, but I'm not. There are tidbits of helpful info in the Lean doctrine, but for the most part, private business is much more "lean" than the agencies who cram it down our throats. I think the biggest joke is whne you must feign wonder at the "helpful suggestions" <sarcasm> your customer makes in how to improve your business while trying to determine your level of buy-in to the program. So much wasted time and resources. Makes you want to cry. What ever happened to just buying from good manufacturers who give you a quality product at the best prices, and just stop buying from shoddy suppliers/service providers (i.e., common sense).
As for the Transportation museum at Roanoke, when I return from my trip this week, if you want, I can send you some pictures I took while I toured the place. It was worth the 1 hr 45 min drive for me. I think you will enjoy it, but try to go in the fall or spring when it's not so hot. When I stood in that GG1 cab, I was cooking. All the trains are outside, but some are under roof. They also have cars, trucks, and carriages & wagons. You know you're in the south when you turn the corner to see the back side of a diesel loco and come foot to stream with a 4 yr old taking a pee behind the exhibits...LOL. When you gotta go, you gotta go.
My next Harley excursion is to Cass in WV. Haven't been there yet. On my list for this summer.
For all you model railroaders out there, what's the best railroad exhibit, museum or excursion train you've ever experienced? I've been to the Colorado & Pennsylvannia state railroad museums, rode on the Idaville RR (MA), Strasburg (PA) and Georgetown Loop (CO) railroads, rode the ICE train from Oceanside to San Diego during a demonstration in the early 90's, rode the Coaster and Metrolink as a commuter in CA, and routinely experienced the subways in Boston & DC. I think the Georgetown Loop ranked highest for me...wow, what a feeling when you are in the middle of the trestle and can see both ends of the train easily on the loop, with mountain goats dotting the steep landscape all around you. I'll never forget that.
Common Sense. That is a commodity that is in short supply and not only in goverenment.
I got to the basement but no MRRing. I found a wet area on the floor at an inside corner of the layout. Question is how, from what? It looks like a dog peed in the corner but the dogs haven't been in the basement. Leaked from upstairs? No evedence that the pooches had been naughty in that area. So I cleaned it up and will wait and see if it re-appears. Model railroading is fun. Repeat that over and over. At least it wasn't on the layout.
It's still hot but not as much as last week. Any relife is welcome. No rain so no grass. The yard is bare dirt except for the St. Augustine that we keep watered. We have enough hay to make it through the winter but it will be close. They clean up the older hay if you spray it with a mix of molasas and water. I guess we'll be buying alot of that.
Well it's time for bed. Good Night All