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

[JimRCGMO]

Evenin’ again, Chloe - since Inch is buying, I think I’ll have a brownie a la mode, too, please.

Thanks for the comments, PA and Jeffrey - I sort of came up with the plan through two things - first, I had bought a bunch of stuff for a layout (lumber, track, various structures, etc.) way back in the late 70’s/early 80’s (when I was married), and the stuff had been stored in my storage shed after the divorce for several years. Year and a half (or two) ago, I was getting something out of the shed, and saw the side of some of the boxes (which have ‘MRR’ on the sides), and decided to take the model railroad stuff back to the apartment. I also had 4’ X 8’ sheets of plywood, another 2’ X 4’ plywood piece, which were originally for building the Jerome & Southwestern layout (Kalmbach had a book out a while back on it) and an industrial extension.

After talking with some of the folks here in the shop, I decided to cut the 4 X 8 into smaller pieces, more like module-sized, and was looking at the Iain Rice book ‘Small, Smart & Practical Track Plans’ - a good idea-starter for layout planning. He had a small layout in there that I liked (if you’ve seen his Roque Bluffs layout series in MR, it's similar to the one in the book). I borrowed elements from a couple of his variations on one plan, and that (with different structures and industries and an engine facility) became the top layout I showed. The bottom of the two came about when I started thinking about ‘what if I got a place bigger than my apartment where I had some more space?' After a bit, I decided to see what I could come up with by changing/adding to it, to fit into one end of my bedroom. That became the bottom design.

To bring this meandering to a close, I also have another plan - that goes all the way around my bedroom - which I haven’t posted (yet). Trouble with that one is, I wouldn’t be able to sit up in my bed if I built it as is. I’m 6’3” tall, so for me to sit up in bed, I’d have to have the track much more than 4 or 5 feet off the floor.

I like Iain Rice’s layouts because they involve some nice switching options, but they’re not as much of a PITA as the fabled Timesaver (IMHO). Iain also has a ‘Mid-Sized and Manageable...’ book, which covers the 'spare bedroom to half a garage to whole garage-sized' layouts. Either of his books are worth a look at your LHS or library!

Blessings,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

[egmurphy]

I used to model in N-scale at one time, but due to nerve damage from diabetes and spinal menigitis, I had to give it up. I just can't work with those tiny details anymore. ....

I can understand that.  I don't have your health problems and I'm still having trouble with teh details in Normal scale.  If it was just r-t-r with no fiddling involved it would be fine.  But trying to switch out couplers, or work with kits, is just a patience trying experience.

By the way, speaking of not being able to see small details, is that a TFM loco at the head of your signature gif? 

Ed

[jeffrey-wimberly]

That's good information Jim. I used to model in N-scale at one time, but due to nerve damage from diabetes and spinal menigitis, I had to give it up. I just can't work with those tiny details anymore. I have trouble enough with HO scale. It's the smallest scale I can easily use.

[JimRCGMO]

Good Evening Chloe, just dropping in for a quick cup of coffee.

Boy, there's a lot going on in that layout plan. I'd like to have that much space for an HO setup.

Jeffrey, on my top layout, that's only 2' (at the wide spots 2-1/2' deep) by 8' wide. And the lower design is intended to fit on one side of my 11' X 12' (something, don't recall the inches) bedroom. The black line on the right edge marks where the closet opening is, so I'll have to duck under to get any shoes or stuff on the floor. (The top black line is one window, and there's a six inch clearance from that wall because the baseboard heat is along that wall in the bedroom).

So it's not a whole lot of space - possibly bigger than the MR specs for their layout design contest, but I could probably squeeze either design into about a 10' X 10' spare bedroom with some work on the design. But that's assuming HO scale - it'd be hard if you were in Oversized scale, but in 'Normal' scale it'd be a piece of cake to fit, and you could add even more in a 10' X 10' room.

Blessings,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

[JPowell]

JP/ED: The sports news here today is that they expect some big changes in the Red Sox for next year. Mirabelli, Nixon, gonzo, 2nd baseman and several others are all on the chopping block for next year. And, if Mirabelli is going, what does that say for Wakefield? He must be thinking of retiring. And, they mentioned moving Willie Mo to CF!!! WHAT? He sucks in RF, so why move him to such a critical position? Ohh well, we'll see.

Dick / Ed -

  Everything that I have read about this and mroe, has me wondering about CoCo Crisp. I know he did not have that good of a season, and I am thinking the the 'finger' is not the real reason for it. I am still seeing reports at other teams as they looking for someone like him, but are not sure they want to proceed due to the $$$$ that the Sox want. As for Wake and Dougie, I think Wake's on his way out (retirement is my guess) and that's why they'd move Dougie again - Why keep him if they don't really need him for a slider like Wake? I can see Pap moving to the rotation, Foulke being let go / traded, and the same for Clement. Foulke will be replaced by Hansen, so now all they need is another starter, and some reserves for 2nd and SS (Dustain will be a f/t starter next season) and possibly they will resign Cora. Gozno... get rid of him. Loretta, granted he stinks at the plate, but keep him for his glove.

PC - We've been living apart for almost 18 months now, and things will never be the same as they were when we 1st started living together. And yes, $$$$$ is part of it, due in part by a nice big military paycheck every 2 weeks. I already told her not to worry about it, but until that part works out, she'll still worry about it. One of our life insurance policies also doubles as her son's college fund, which the monthly payment comes from my pay. I told her if anything, I'd just cancel 1/2 of it (mine) and leave the rest alone so that she'll still have a better life ins policy and he'll still have a good college fund. Also told her that I'd rather give her the 1/2 of my life ins policy every month for what she needs it for than to let it sit in my account and then all of a sudden, she's calling me for help in the terms of $$$$. All and all, this is best for both of us, but at the same time, not the way we expected things to be this early in our marriage. Unfortunately, it is how the dice rolled for us. And thanks for the advice.

Ok all - Time for me to get going!

Take care!

[PA Belt]

i used testors "rust" emnamel paint, then lightly wiped it off, noly about 15 are done, but some of my cars are old and rare, no sece scewing them up, sorry, i spent all my money exapet the cuda cash, o, an i got an arc welder!!

[egmurphy]

hey all, just got done wetheringi for the first time, and i have to say it looks damned good

Good for you, congratulations.  What did you use for weathering the model?  Any chance of showing photos?

I'm still trying to work up the courage to mess up, I mean "weather", one of my cars.

Ed

[PA Belt]

hey all, just got done wetheringi for the first time, and i have to say it looks damned good

[ModelTrainLover]

I've been working on my layout

secnce I got home.....

 

Hey guys I'm adding to my layout in scenery !! not a lot though only what I am able to do with what I got..... I'll show you pics when I'm done

and I'm writing a story, just for fun.... about me finding a lost RR in Maine (fiction. all though it sounds like it could have really happend.)

[egmurphy]

Pc, that's only 2.87 pounds. .

Only 1.3 kg., sounds even smaller..............  

Ed

[pcarrell]

Pc, that's only 2.87 pounds. Still a big steak, but I can handle it.

I'm assuming that since Mike is buying you'll be having all the trimmings too!

[egmurphy]

Are you familiar with the town of Luchenback, Texas?

You mean this one: 

"Let's go to Luckenbach Texas with Waylon and Willie and the boys
This successful life we're livin' got us fueding
like the Hatfield and McCoys
Between Hank Williams pain songs, Jerry Jeff's train songs
and blue eyes cryin' in the rain out in Luckenbach Texas
ain't nobody feelin' no pain..."  

(Lyrics by Waylon Jennings)

Way back years ago, I had that song on the original "Wanted - The Outlaws" album.  Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Tompal Glaser and Jessi Colter.  Great album.  Great songs.  They just re-released it on CD.  I may have to pick it up.  That's about the time I first started getting familiar with Willie Nelson.

If you check it out at Amazon.com, you can listen to short cuts of all the songs on the album.  Including one of my old favorites, "Put another log on the fire (and come and tell me why you're leaving me.")Great old stuff.  Absolutely no rap.  

http://www.amazon.com/Wanted-Outlaws-Waylon-Jennings/dp/B000002WWJ

Regards

Ed

[Paul W. Beverung]

Hi Gang: It's about time to head for the house. Not much going on today. I did get a mold for a part of the Cliffs headframe done. There is one part that I need 3 of and it took less time to make one and then a mold then to make all 3. Besides now I'm thinking about doing the other head frame and then the crusher. Things just semm to grow by themselves.

Jeff: I've been to bothe places. Lunkenback is a neat little place with a speed bump. I've got a picture of me lying down on the speed bump. Wimberley was a nice quiteplace untill all the development got going. A fellow I know has built a very nice 7.5in gauge railroad there. If you want to come down a visit sometime let me know. I'd be happy to act as guide.

I'll check in later. I'm gone now.

" There was a wild and sunny land benieth the eagles wing, and there across the thorns and sand wild rovers rode as kings."

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Pc, that's only 2.87 pounds. Still a big steak, but I can handle it.

[pcarrell]

Krump!  Good to see you back!  I don't know how I missed your post (several times!).  Been praying for you and yours.

Ryan, Very cute!  I like the updates!  Showed it to my daughter.  She bookmarked it.

inch, that your hot rod out front?  Looks like a real nice place to kick back and do not much of anything!

Jeff, wouldn't it be easier to just take the whole cow!  A 46oz porterhouse!  Man, the girls are going to have to roll you outta here!

Well, the walkthrough of the new place went good.  Looks like we'll be done on time.  CAN'T WAIT!!!!!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Since Inch is buying, I'll have the 46 ounce Porterhouse steak with all the fixings.

I found out something interesting today. Are you familiar with the town of Luchenback, Texas? It turns out that I'm related to the towns founding father.

Another surprise! The town of Wimberley, Texas? Guess what! The Wimberley family, after whom the town was named, is a branch of the Wimberly family, my family.

What next, I wonder.

[inch53]

Afternoon all, barley pop Zoe,

Been working out it the shed, got the work benchs out, and the cabinets set in place. Still not all screwed to the wall yet, plus the counter top to go. Got to work on one cabinet before it can go in too.

PC,,, yep that our home away from home. We've had for 14 years now, drug it all over S. IN. and S. IL., till we sold the van we pulled it with. The one we have now won't do it. Here's a better shot

Ryan,,, maters are same as done here. We're getting one or two red ones a week now not very big, big yellows are done, still getting some yellow pear though.

Dick,,, all ready cleaned and we've been using it for morning chill. I clean ours bout once a month in the winter. Found I have to get a new AC cover. Mouse found mine, hope the @#$% enjoyed it and the poison too.

Need ta get back to it, breaks over

inch

 

[grayfox1119]

Good afternoon gents, just finished a great lunch here in the CS......

This morning was maintenance time on the Pellet stove external exhaust pipe. Each year you have to run a brush inside to drag out all the built up fine ash....real dirty job for hands and shirt sleeves. MIKE...don't forget to get yours cleaned out, we'll be firing them up real soon buddy!!
Then, it was time to place the covers on the built-in air conditioner units to keep out the cold NE winter air. I have learned to do this on NICE days rather than later in the season when I may freeze my butt off.
Some tree branches to cut this afternoon that overhang the house too much and slap the shingles when we have storms with high winds. I'll try not to pull a Bill North and do a high dive into the bushes..LOL

RYAN: You should be picking your tomatos for about a month longer than us, however, some cold fronts move much further south early in the season if stong enough, so no guarantees.

JP/ED: The sports news here today is that they expect some big changes in the Red Sox for next year. Mirabelli, Nixon, gonzo, 2nd baseman and several others are all on the chopping block for next year. And, if Mirabelli is going, what does that say for Wakefield? He must be thinking of retiring. And, they mentioned moving Willie Mo to CF!!! WHAT? He sucks in RF, so why move him to such a critical position? Ohh well, we'll see.

See you guys later,

[SilverSpike]

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Tall cup of coffee Chloe and keep em coming, we were up late last night watching the Saints game on ESPN, and it was just about midnight EST before the game ended. So 5:45 am came too quick this morning for my wake up alarm.

It was so nice to see New Orleans getting the positive national and international attention it desperately needs. We are still die hard Saints fans, and this was what the city needed to restart their spirit and hopefully put a jolt of energy in the rebirth and rebuilding.

GO SAINTS!!!!

Welcome back Krump! And please send our continued prayers for the wife and her recovery.

Jeff, nice grab on those heavy lifting equipment pieces. I suppose they could also be used on an HO scene for a forced perspective to imply an area that is farther away. Sounds like a fun day of workin on the railroad, just watch you don’t get any of that dry wall mud in your juice, and makes it too hard to drink!

Welcome back Nigel! I can’t answer your question, but Athearn Genesis is usually a fairly good brand for locos.

John, sorry to hear about the separation you are going through, they are never easy. Hope that it all works out for the best for your and her sake.

Inch, thanks for the congrats! Temps were at 49 degrees this morning, so getting a bit cool here again too.

PC, the clock is ticking on the move eh! I have updated the countdown clock page again....

http://www.rymocs.com/countdown.html

Dick, I meant to record that show this morning, but my brain was really foggy this morning having stayed up late last night. Sounds like it was a great show, wish that I could see it when it airs again.

I am still picking tomatoes too, hopefully they will produce for another month or so.

Cheers,

Ryan

[grayfox1119]

Good morning everyone!!! Clear blue sky today, and chilly at 53F. No frost on the pumpkins yet though, and here we have October beginning in 4 days. We are still picking tomatos here, and this is the latest into September that I have been able to pick them, as we usually have a frost by now.

How are you guys in Geography? Here is a neat site that schools use to teach kids. Drag and drop the name of the country onto the blank spot on the map, see how good you are. Can you compete with Noah, and our younger members of the CS? Afraid to try??? LOL

http://www.rethinkingschools.org/just_fun/games/mapgame.html

I was up at 7:30 this morning watching DIY channel , Working on the Railroad with Chris Chianelli. They showed a layout in Kansas City that had all kinds of sound, lighting, automation. This master RR builder is one of the best that I have ever seen. I was completely awed by this layout. His special effects included: A thunder storm, a tornado, a cut tree falling, et. etc. unbelievable!!!
If I lived anywhere near Kansas City, I sure would be visiting this guys layout.
Then, they illustrated how to make simple lighting and sounds effects for our own layouts. Guys, you HAVE to see this show on TV !!!!

See you at lunch,

[pcarrell]

Morning all!

Got the morning off to go do a quality check on the new house.  All the things that we spotted the other day should be addressed by now.  It's starting to get close!  Friday is the big day!

Hey Mike, that avitar pic,.....is that your campground trailer?  Looks pretty cozy.

JPowell, seperations are always tough.  I don't want to get all "in your business" or anything, but I just hate to see things like this happen.  I know, first hand, what it's like.  Most ladies find it very tough because, not only do they lose their financial support to some extent, but bigger then that, they lose their emotional support.  Most women have a desire for stability and support, moreso then some men.  Men often thrive on the thrill of walking the tight wire without a net so to speak.  But to a woman, that can be paralyzing.  Understand, not all women are like this, but a lot are.  Your wife's stress could be a result of losing her support base, indeed, a large part of her identity.  The more she has invested emotionally in this relationship, the more devisating it is to her.  If she's having that much trouble then she may have invested heavily in your relationship.  She may have thought that this was a valuable investment, and now it's not working out.  Maybe it's worth another look to see if something can be salvaged?

[Anonymous]

<P>Good morning</P>
<P><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/luct/Potofcoffeepouring.gif" border="0" /></P>
<P>Happy MRRing <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/luct/freight.gif" border="0" /></P>

[wetidlerjr]

Good morning ! from Indiana.

09-26-06

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning, and top 'o' the day to all of ye.

I'll have a stack of jumbo pancakes with sausage and 2 eggs, scramble 'em. And some orange juice, please.

Weather in Leesville today, sunny, high 84, winds light and variable.

Nothing planned for today except more work on the layout, getting ready to put down the drywall joint compound for my scenery base. That should be nice and messy!

[inch53]

 

Mornin all,,,thought I'd slip in for a cup, nobody been around since I was last night. Zoe's asleep in corner booth. Coffees a little strong , but alright.

Working out in the shed today, Clyde brought me out some old kitchen cabinets. So will spend the day taking out the work benchs and putting them in. Needed the better storage anyway for tools an such.

Best get started on some chores.

inch

[inch53]

 

Thanks fergie,, Mother figured white...

Jeffery,, Guessing you get your eagle poop next week, same as me.  My docs want me outside, besides, I'd go nuts layin around inside. Spent most all my life out working

Ryan ,,, congrads on the anniversary, 12 years be a time togeither.  The cool temps are from an upper level high west of us, bringing Canadain air down [thanks ya'll], according to a weather guesser. Besides, Temps this time of year run in the mid to upper 70's anyway.

Nigel,,, good to hear from you again. The actical your talking bout on the trees, I don't think any of it was live, but all fake. So should be now problem there with customs.

JP,,, sure hope every thing gets line soon, know it has to be a stress on both of you

#3 SIL moved into a new house this past weekend, has a basement. Now he's wanting to build a layout. To top it of they're bout a block from a hobby shop. I've got plenty of brass track for them to start with and a few building, I'm not going to use. Think a trip to Springfield may be in short order. you know JUST to see the house, nothing else in mind

bout time fur bed, catch ya'll tomorow

inch

[JPowell]

Evening all -

  Not much to report on today. Spent part of the afternoon in email conversation w/ the co-worker. Maybe some of the questions I have in my head will get answers to this week. So far, so good. On the flip side, the soon to be ex is starting to have a meltdown from all the undo caused stress from this whole separation thing. I can't say that I myself knows what shes going through, but I can say it's partly my fault.

Anyway guys, and gals, time for me to get in the shower. Just hope the wife does not get sick from all the stress she has built up.

Take care!

[ngartshore350]

Hi Guys & Gals,

Haven't been in for a long time, I can't even begin to go through all the posts! Hope everyone has been well and keeping out of trouble?!

Nothing exciting going on, getting to the end of the project at work so busy trying to tie up the loose ends.

Railroading wise, busy finishing the backdrops, this weekend I hope to have finished three of the four walls, no clouds yet just getting the two shades of blue up and mixing the two colours 50:50 and then spraying where they overlap to blend the colours.

I do have a couple of questions, I am thinking of buying and Athearn Genesis SD45-2 with sound, I run DC and wondered how the Genesis models went on DC (i.e. similar Genesis models like the F7s with sound)? I bought a Tower55 and I'm not very impressed with the sound on DC. I know convert to DCC and I wont have the problem! But they say they are working on the problem.

Secondly, I saw the article on making trees in Model Railroader and they mentioned the trees were from Norway (fom memory!). In Australia our Customs people don't like us bringing in or importing plant material and especially plants, does the US Customs irradiate plant material as the Australian Customs do?

Anyway, I'm at work so I'd better go. Keep well!

Regards,

Nigel

[pcarrell]

Looks good Jeff.

Hi everyone!  Just thought I'd pop in.  I'm off to school right now, but you've all been remembered in my prayers.

Later!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Hey guys, got something I'm working on here. Wal-Mart is selling this miniture construction equipment. Most of it is too small for HO, but I thought what if I cut the cabs off and rework the operators area. Now they look like those little diggers that people rent to use on their property for different heavy yard chores. Here's a pic of what I did to them.