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

[krump]

To Noah and his motley crew of Svens - I have a gigantic SNOWball en route to Noah's basement... easier to start a snowball fight, than to arrest the poor lad (and, that was also an option - but, I didn't want to put in that much effort)[:D].
Anyone else got a snowball ready?

I'll have a hot chocolate tonight, and maybe some egg nog (the dairy variety, not the liquor store variety... I'm not that upset with Noah [(-D][(-D][(-D])
g'night.

[AggroJones]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kennyt47

I don't type fast enough to ever ger even 2 stars.
Ken

don't worry about stars. They will come. Keep checking the board for topics you can reply to.

[PennsyHoosier]

Don't worry about stars. Just chat with the brethren here, share your ideas, and all things will happen in due time. I remain amazed at how much I learn here each and every day.

[PennsyHoosier]

I might add, that the collegial character of this group makes this easily the most welcoming list that I've been around. This is a great place!

[tomwatkins]

Good Mornin' Everybody,
It's a very frosty morning in the mountains. We made it into the low '20s last night, but it's going to be a beautiful day today. Bright blue skies and lots of sunshine are the forecast for the day. The coffee is excellent this morning. I just went back for my umpteenth cup. There aren't many chores on the schedule for today and those that are, are already in progress. Then it will be time to work on the railroad. I've got a little more work to do on the support structure for the fascia around the penninsula and then I can hang the fascia. I know, I've been talking about getting this done for a while. I got sidetracked by a number of other things, including the Branchline coaches. Now I'm going to get it done and move on.

Paul, I hope the replacement Spectrum 2-8-0 does better than the other one. I suspect the first one had not been treated kindly. They are among my favorite locos.

Lupo, the pictures are super. They are beautiful layouts. Thanks for sharing them with us.

Noah, Sven's an OK guy. He must like snow. He's in Wisconson isn't he? If he didn't he be in Miami. I actually like snow too, just not so much that I can't see over the top of it.

Chris, A snow shed? Ooh, that's a sharply pointed sense of humor. Good one.

Noah, I hope you know that we are teasing you, and it's all in good fun.

I'd better go for now. It's time to get going on the railroad.
Have a great day, everybody
Tom

[der5997]

Good morning everybody (that'll be the sistren as well as the brethren[:O][D])
It's so good to be able to get on the computer again. Fairly early Sunday morning our power went out. We spent the day camping indoors. Mrs.der cooked us all a lovely braised liver and onion lunch on the wood stove, and we had a bacon and egg supper.[C=:-)][dinner]
Got a bit of the west end tunnel support stuff done, but will probably re-design it, as it doesn't look as though it is going to give a large enough hatch to get at the turnout motor. Then it got too soon dark, and we did the candle thing. (One oil lamp was not a success, and now we have soot to go with the button we were given a couple of years ago that says "Soot Happens"! [(-D]) Anyway, the power came back on at 3:00 a.m. PTL.
Nova Scotia Power has 6 major pylons down near Halifax, and over 100,000 customers were without power at one point. The "Power out" phone # was jammed with over 250,000 calls in 12 hours. In the end they just stopped trying to handle them and put on a message saying go away unless you are dying, in which case dial 911 [(-D]. Seems a snow/freezing rain/hail storm stalled over the province instead of moving on. As soon as they fixed one break, another part would go. They are using helicopters this morning to try and find the breaks. I don't know how Fergie managed on his trip. There were more than the 2' of snow he reported for Yarmouth in his path. The rado was saying to stay off the roads. Maybe he outran it. It's going to be days before power is back on for everyone. We won't get to town today, so no visit to the LHS. Thursday maybe.
All of this to say that Noah has much for which to answer!

QUOTE: Noah, I hope you know that we are teasing you, and it's all in good fun.

Hmmmm......
Pity Sven left in a huff. I thought he was a brilliant creation. I wondered if he had time to meet up with the "Sons of Cnute" at Lake Woebegone.[D]
Lupo: Thanks for the pics, something to shoot for.
Steve [#welcome] What scale? krump pays for all the free refills BTW.
Off to see if there's any more real coffee to be had.

[Anonymous]

Hello strangers! I've been sidetracked for awhile - pun intended - with all kinds of neat stuff happening. Things are going well in the Blue Ridge foothills.

My new Horribly Oversized layout is being designed as we speak . It was a bit overwhelming to cast aside the many years of planning for a SP branch in the Santa Cruz mountains, and then it was the Adirondack Divison of the NYC - Since moving to north Georgia, and being within earshot of the Georgia Northeastern - former L&N "Hook & Eye Line" - also known as the Atlanta division "Old Line", I discovered southeastern US railroading, and I've been smitten by the possibilities, and that not that much model railroading (relatively speaking) is really being done representing this locale. It was the trip to Tom Watkin's home layout, as well as my rediscovery of the beautiful surroundings of the north Georgia and southwestern North Carolina mountains, that made the decision to switch locales and eras. Thanks Tom - lol -now I have to start all over with new rolling stock, motive power, books, literature and research ! It will be now set in the very early '50s . . (I just rejoined the NMRA as well)

In a nutshell, my layout is to be almost 900 sq ft - a dedicated room is a-building now, and is being wired with DCC in mind from the get-go (thanks Tom - again you "got me" LOL ), and the framing is being done w/ supports built-in for cantelievering the benchwork with hardly any legs at all - thanks Teffy & Tom for the inspiration ! - the framing is being done to allow curved backdrops in all the corners, and the transition to the ceilings may also have curved drywall into the ceiling - not sure yet.

BTW - if one is considering using 2X2s rather than 2X4s for the benchwork supports, consider buying 2X4s and ripping them into 2X2s as the typical box store 2X2s are usually badly warped, and actually more expensive than ripping 2X4s into 2X2s. Also, avoid the not quite 8' long studs as they seem to be of inferior quality wood since many contarctors will buy them to avoid the cutting into studs for a typical 8' ceiling height room. Similar problem with those that are cut for 9' ceilings. Usually the ten and twelve footers are straighter, have less knots, and other defects, as well as may be dryer lumber as well. Allow the wood to be acclimated to your model railroad room humidity and temperature for a couple of weeks if possible, so that any twists and turns will be revealed before you cut it (and can't return it). Also, if you have a twist show up later, but before you've cut it to length. cut it into shorter, but still usable sections, as that will often relieve the stresses within the board causing it to twist and warp. Avoid stacking the lumber directly on a concrete floor, and place it on "stickers" allowing air to freely circulate around it. And if you have any wood in direct contact with a concrete floor, and it is untreated ( or not pressure-treated) wood, consider some form of barrier such as a piece of vinyl or pressure treated scrap between the untreated wood and the moisture laden concrete floor. The ends of a board of lumber act like wicks for moisture and all the nasty molds and critters that thrive in such places, and it's not a bad idea to seal the ends in close proximity with the floor with paint.

The mainline radii will be approx 30" where possible, and it will not be a spaghetti bowl - just a tortorous route thru the Blue Ridge mountains with a max ruling gradient of 2.5% or so. It will be a freelanced bridge route of the L&N across the northern part of Georgia with some North Carolina trackage along the border of the two states, and it will connect the L&N (with traffic from Chattanoga and points west and midwest) with the Seaboard in the northeastern part of Georgia (for traffic from Florida and the mid Atlantic region). The Seaboard will have limited trackage rights including seasonal resort passenger trains to the area not far from Tom's house. (and to think that Tom moved to Young Harris for peace and quiet, and probably to escape the Florida tourist congestion!). Line side industries will be marble, agricultural, limited 'unobtanium ore' mining, forestry products, & furniture factories. Bridge traffic will be mostly automobiles, auto parts, perishables, and sulfuric acid from the Copperhill area of Tenn. There will be at least one really short 'short line' connecting some mining and timber industry to the bridge route.

Purists will cringe when they witness Baldwin Sharks done up in L&N freight colors slugging it out in the mountains - and thanks to Teffy again - the hell w/ the rivet counters. (it's my RR, and I like Baldwins and already have an entire roster except for enough B units. . .) Terffy's "the hell w/ rivet counters" placque will be displayed just outside the model RR room door.

There will still be an interchange with the Southern in Murphy, NC, but it will be a fair bit more lively since Tom is the CEO of that branch now. Concept behind this plan is to offer considerable competition to the Southern (sorry Tom) and it's exciting, but nightmarish passage thru Saluda and its 5+% grades. There were several attempts in the very early 1900's to find an alternate route thru Rabun Gap in northeastern GA (near the NC and SC border), but all attempts failed to make it a reality - that is until I came along. . .LOL Thru the magic of selective compression. . .

I was stalled for a long time as to what to do now that I had the space for a proper layout, and until I developed an operating theme, it was as clear as Georgia red clay mud as to how to proceed. Now I can't wait to start laying track !
____________________________________________________________________

I've also been busy launching a resin casting venture with a buddy of mine - initially we're concentrating on model car parts - in 1/25 thru 1/8 scale - and mostly concerned with vintage race cars: land speed race cars, dirt track cars, drag cars, plus hot rods &' lead sleds', and some muscle car subjects. We'll first be offering engine, suspension, and chassis/frame parts, plus wheels and tires. We're working on masters for some major conversions as well. But, my buddy has been bitten by the model RRing bug, and we're taking a hard look at G Scale, O, and HO for some possible subjects to do. The name of the venture is Speedway Resins (email address is: [e-mail] if you have any subjects you'd like us to consider doing) The name isn't very 'railroady' I know, but the Seaboard wasn't an 'airline' either, and the Rock Island was the "Route of the Rockets". . .

Can't believe that we are on the 160th page in the Coffee Shop already - and that's been without my sometimes too lengthy posts ! Missed your company, but as you all know, it's all too easy to get on these forums and spend half the day on there, and when the wife comes home and inquires as to what got accomplished during the day, and there is silence, all hell breaks out. She went as far as to get me a new Daytimer, so I think she means business. . .And as the Fosters' commercial states when a sweet young thing bashes an empty Fosters beer can against her forehead : "She's a keeper", and so is my bride of 23 years !

Thanks Lupo for all the neat pics and links - got to get across the big pond again someday soon. And thanks for all the enjoyable chatter from everyone else, as I've been peekin' in on occasion.
BILL

[Fergmiester]

Sven you,re a DEAD MAN!!

What should have been just over a four hour drive turned into over eight hours. John you'ld appreciate the drive between Dartmouth and Truro as it was 2 hours. It was not a ggod trip to say the least. Good thing was we all shared the driving so it made it bearable. We are still awaiting the arrival of four.

Anyway it looks like I've found a local club and have been invited for a work seesion Wednesday night. Brought the camera so I'll take some pics.

Well I gotta go back to class so if I get achance to use the computer later I'll drop by.

Regards
Fergie

[TrainFreak409]

A little update,

My AOL screen name has changed from HawkEyes650.
New screen name is TheRailBaron6200

For anyone who cares to IM me.

~[8]~ TrainFreak409 ~[8]~

[der5997]

QUOTE: John you'ld appreciate the drive between Dartmouth and Truro as it was 2 hours.

That's a major highway,folks, and not very far. The radio did say that the 102 was a MESS! I guess you didn't outrun the storm on that part Fergie,and the kind of MESS you can do without.[:D] Finding a club just like that.[8D] The're calling for sunshine Tuesday through Friday....we shall see.
I was really on to check email, and just sort of slid over. The van does that at certain coffee shops in the real world!!!!

[lupo]

Hey Guys, I do not want to rub it in, but:[:p][:p]

what do you think of the Model Railroader article on step by step detailing your layout or
the article on "a Branchline for the Turtle Creek Central "
or "How to model a Stucco depot " including all drawings and a material list
the "Webster Groves & Fenton RR " layout by Dave Roeder
another howto article: Build an upgraded SD40-2
and the reviews: the Athearn Challenger , the Atlas Trainmaster, and the N-scale concor USRA 2-10-2
even the white stuff our Canadian friends must come to terms with has made it to the trackside photos:
a nice scene of a Sooline caboose in the @#$%
and no NOAH to be seen anywhere !


[%-)][%-)] this means the JANUARY 2005 issue of Model Railroader arrived today!
[tup] thank you Kalmbach and DHL-Deutche Post [tup]

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by steveii

HI...! just getting back in this Model Railroader Forums..
after moving 1 year ago I have not set up my train lay out yet.. every thing had been taken apart. so I am starting a new lay out..

and is any one from Omaha Nebraska here on this form?

steve

Hi Steve, [#welcome] to the forum. Sorry somebody didn't say hi sooner, they usually do here in the coffee shop. So, you're from the land of the Union Pacific, huh? I don't think any of the coffee regulars are from Omaha, but this is a smaller group from the larger forum population.

You may want to introduce yourself to everyone, by posting a topic out in the general section. Of course you are welcome to hang around the coffee shop and join in the conversation, just keep in mind, some of these conversations here are long running. By going back and reading the stuff here, you can get a feel for what a number of us are like.

Have fun.[:)]

[#oops] sorry John, in looking back I see that you did say hi.

[der5997]

Big_Boy:

QUOTE: [#oops] sorry John, in looking back I see that you did say hi.

Thanks, the main thing is Steve gets to buy us both a free round next time he's in [(-D] I want mine with nice thick cream please Steve, and good and hot. (The coffee we made on the woodstove yesterday was way hotter than the coffee maker does it. We have a perk pot we bought on a camping trip to White Horse Station, NJ in the 70s that we use on the woodstove.....this reminded me)

[krump]

[#welcome] Sven,

If you see Noah - I 'd like to know if the SNOWBALL that I threw two days ago arrived yet ?

cheers[:D]

[Noah Hofrichter]

Flip, guess what the name of the car ferry is............

Lupo, January? Already? My december just came a week ago, and I just finnnished reading it.

I gave Sven an e-mail, to see if he'd some back. But I don't know how he'll like Fergie's above post when he get's here(If that's ev- Huh? whhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh whomp!

Krump!!!!!!!!!

Hey Fergie, I don't know why your complaining, as SNOW just causes a MESS!!

But anyway, I did finally get a little more layout work done. I pulled up a peice of flex track in the new passing siding an cut it down better, as there was a fairly large gap in one rail. Now all is offically gap free (aside from one little gap on a curve that I'd have to take up most of the track to fix. It's not that big of one, and isn't causing any problems anyway. Also got a car raised up to the proper truck height, so it runs better now. Well, I'd better get going, as I want to get a little homework done and maybe work a little more on the layout.

Noah

[Anonymous]

TEFFY's Secret Service Report

By: The "kid"

To: Fergie

"Sven" is the latest alias for Noah Hofrichter, a.k.a "Snow Boy." His location is somewhere in Central Wisconsin, possibly on the run because of the great mob of snow-bound mrr'ers that are after him. (He does have a $1,000 price on his head courtesy of the forum police, you know.)[:D] His getaway vehicle is possibly a 1998 Polaris 4WD with a SNOWblower attachement, painted white, lisence (sp) plate #: [1990-SNOW] He was last seen behind a Wisconsin & Southern ballast hopper riding his 4 wheeler.

All for now. Next report: Wednesday

[(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D]

[Anonymous]

HI guys.. Yeah the UP is in Omaha, but I like the BNSF train I grew up out the west of Nebraska and always see the BN train passing by all time till the SF come with.
I have both BNSF and UP disesl engine.

[der5997]

Noah

QUOTE: (aside from one little gap on a curve that I'd have to take up most of the track to fix. It's not that big of one, and isn't causing any problems anyway.)

I've solved that one from time to time by putting just the right sized piece of rail into the joiner to close the gap, and soldering everything firm. Filing is usually needed to make the inner surface true. But, if it aint broke, why fix it?

Looks like you're in big trouble son. Better keep moving. $1000 bounty eh? Now if that were a gift certificate to the HS of one's choice.........[:-,]

Got to get back to the book I started by candlelight last night.
Have a good and safe night everyone.

[Anonymous]

Hey Everybody, I'm new here. My name is Greg Leck, and I have a small layout (about 70 sq feet) in Oklahoma. I've been working on it for about 5 years (little slow huh?) but I keep getting delayed by farm and schoolwork. Just thought I'd drop in and see what was up. For any railfans interested in small railroads, I can tell you quite a bit about the local AT&L that runs through town just 4 miles away.

[Paul W. Beverung]

Hello All; Well the lateat on the 2-8-0 saga. This one ran O.K. but the lug that the screw that holds the rear of the boiler down is broken off. There is no way to really fix it. Gluing it back on would work for awhile but I afraid not for long. I'll call the dealer I got it from and see what he wants to do. He's in Dallas so I'd rather not make the almost 200 mile drive to return it. I'll see if he's going to be at the GATS show in Ft. Worth. I could meet him there and get things fixed up. I'd like to get another one if he has another undecorated. They are really good looking locomotives. Just the thing I've been looking for for the last 50 years. I shall prevail. I'd like to get 2 or 3 of them if I can find that many that work. It did run all the way around the layout for 15 or 20 minutes. First loco to do that in maybe 8 years.

trainwreck 100; Welcome. Have a seat and a cup of coffee. First ones on the house. The ladder is out on the porch and don't fall. ( joke) I don't think that slow. It sounds like you've been enjoying yourself with it. What scale are you in? Delayed by farm work,eh. I know that situation. My wife and I are running a small cow/calf operation west of Ft Worth. There is always something to do on a farm. Let us hear some more about your layout and that railroad down the road from you.

Krump; Sounds like you got a hit.

Fergie; Hope that the four others make it in OK. You must have if gift. finding a club right off the bat and getting an invite over. Must be some sort of record.

Well, I'm going to go to bed. Have to get up tomorrow and get to work you know.
Have a Good one All.

Paul

the Duluth, Superior, & Southeastern

"The Superior Route "

[Anonymous]

Good Evening All:

It's a lousy Cowboy game so I'm thinking about going to bed and get a good nights rest.

I'm trying to get a list of names and spouses, how about giving me a hand.

Bob/Stephanie
Ed/Fran
Elliot/Tammy
Fergie/Lisa
Jim/Duchess
Krump/Babedate
Tom/Louise

Next weekend is when three of our local layouts are on tour. Sat after Thanksgiving I'll be working the club layout.

[#welcome] Steve:
Please tell us that you are in Horriably Oversized and not in Nearaly invisable.

[#welcome]Greg:
With a handle like you've got - I don't know if you'd be welcome at my door to run trains. I have enough trouble already. What's wrong with a 5 year project?

John:
I thought Fergie was going to Sidney. You were talking earlier about 2' of snow in Yarmouth. Aren't those two cities at opposite ends of Nove Scotia?

Flip:
I tried pushing the track cleaning car and it worked wonders. I had a lot more contact for the loco.

Well Philly just scored again so I'm going to bed.

Ed:
When do we see pictures of some more of your work - John's layout is looking very good. I've got to get some more pictures posted so ya'll know that I'm really working.

Ya'll have a blessed day and remember SANTA FE ALL THE WAY
Bob

[PennsyHoosier]

Teffy, I think the Cowboys game is going GREAT! [:D]

Welcome Greg[#welcome]

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the big welcome. I model HO on a pair of 4x8's connected with a 3x3 bridge between them. The AT&L (which I would like to model a version of) is a short line that hauls wheat about 60 miles from Watonga Oklahoma to El Reno Oklahoma. They have a GP-9, GP-10, GP-7, and CF-7. I would like to find a pair of good GP-9's to paint up like them. Any ideas on a good brand for these?

[krump]

Teffy: you can add Krump / Babedate

now time for a mocha, and a snowball re-load...
maybe then south to the trainroom

[Anonymous]

Good Morning All:

My mother is comming to stay with us through Thanksgiving. She is having catarack (eye) surgery Thursday and the eye drops start tomorrow, every 4 hours.

Not much going on here, I just tweeked the drill track and run-around track, The run-around track has a very gracefull curve to it - the outside edge of a tru-scale 36" radius milled roadbed. It's probably about 37 1/4" rad and the Walthers passencer cars sure do look nice sitting on it. I wi***he whole layout had that kind of radius but then it would only be a circle.

Pennsy:
At least they held McNabb to only 85 yards in the second half. Of course the first half was a disaster. Where do you live in Pa? I was born in Chester. We stopped by there on our vacation and the old block, row, house was still there. I had an aunt that lived in Eddystone and I used to call her after the Philly/Dallas game and give her a rasberry if we won and then she'd do the same to me when Philly won.

Got a lot to do before work today so I'd better get busy

Ya'll have a blessed day and remember SANTA FE ALL THE WAY
Bob

[Anonymous]

You can add Bill / Lori to your list.

Paul - YGM

[der5997]

Good Morning all: My morning meeting at the museum has been cancelled, and is now on Saturday in Dartmouth after the train show. Interesting if I could book volunteer hours for the travel to a train show![8D][:D]
Bob

QUOTE: John:I thought Fergie was going to Sidney. You were talking earlier about 2' of snow in Yarmouth. Aren't those two cities at opposite ends of Nove Scotia?

You are geographically correct, O Wise One. However, what Fergie said was that he had heard (Radio? TV?) that there were 2' of snow in Yarmouth. That was before he set out. He had at least that much on the road from Dartmouth north to Truro (102), and I know from local traveller's tales here that the highway from Truro east to New Glasgow (and on up the way Fergie was going to Cape Breton, the 104) was not in good shape. Seems like he ran out of the snowand into rain before he got to Sydney.
Mrs.der is Kris, BTW. Seems there were 3 girls in her junior class at school with the same name, and she chose Kris as the convenient short form when they decided on how to avoid too much confusion.
Real coffee has to go on downstairs. We're late today......
TTFN.

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cjm89

TEFFY's Secret Service Report

By: The "kid"

To: Fergie

"Sven" is the latest alias for Noah Hofrichter, a.k.a "Snow Boy." His location is somewhere in Central Wisconsin, possibly on the run because of the great mob of snow-bound mrr'ers that are after him. (He does have a $1,000 price on his head courtesy of the forum police, you know.)[:D] His getaway vehicle is possibly a 1998 Polaris 4WD with a SNOWblower attachement, painted white, lisence (sp) plate #: [1990-SNOW] He was last seen behind a Wisconsin & Southern ballast hopper riding his 4 wheeler.

All for now. Next report: Wednesday

[(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D]

We have vays of extracting these things you all vant to know.

Sven, being a land dweller has little fear of seeing me in the near future.

However you can run but....... YOU can't hide

As far as the Club thing I had remembered being here three years ago and had the luck of over hearing a conversation between two instructors who were into HO. I ran into one of them yesterday and asked if a local club was in the area and as sure as fate would have it

"In like Flint".

Back to class
Fergie

[egmurphy]

Good Afternoon Coffee Clubbers,

Well, so much for my theory of posting more frequently to avoid having to write long epic posts like this one. The Coffee Shop seems like it goes dormant for hours, then I look away and when I’m back, bam, a dozen or more posts have snuck in.

Anyway, weather remains nice but warm down here SOB. Up in the high 80’s about now, sun shining, a few fluffy clouds.

We were going to make a border run today. We have some things that we need to take care of, plus a bit of recreational shopping. But junior woke up sick this morning and we didn’t want to leave him (with his grandparents) with him feeling bad, so we’re on temporary hold pending seeing how quick he recovers. It’s nothing big.


Paul B – That’s a shame that you’re having so much trouble getting a 2-8-0 that runs well. [:(] Should I assume we’re talking used units here? Of course it did give you an excuse to go back to the show! And now you continue with the same plan to go to GATS! Can’t you just say to MaryAnn, “Honey, can I go to the train show?”, instead of working up this elaborate ruse “Honey, you won’t believe this, but I have to go back to the show, the engine I just traded in still has a problem.” [:D]


Camping out at home…. Interesting concept, John. Good thing you have a wood stove. Those ice storms are much tougher on power lines than any snowstorm.

It’s probably good that you’re redoing the access hatch. If you think it doesn’t provide enough room now, just wait until you have scenery to contend with too.


Bill M – great to hear from you again. Sounds like you’ve been a busy boy. But between finishing the shop, preparing the train room and starting a new business, I can see why you’ve been away. The plan for the new layout sounds great, quite an undertaking.

QUOTE: Noah: Lupo, January? Already? My December just came a week ago, and I just finished reading it.

My November issue came a week ago. My December issue is probably three weeks away yet.


Hello and welcome to the new guys who have dropped in over the past couple of days, Greg (trainwreck) and steveii. Sorry if I missed anyone else. It's getting hard to keep track around here.


Teffy, not much progress to take pictures of, I’m afraid. I’m in the middle of replacing that section of main and the engine service area that I tore out a couple of days ago. After that it’ll be more tearout and replace. Makes for dull photos.


Fergie – glad you survived the drive. That’s nice that you know some people there with the club. Good opportunity to see something new and maybe operate a bit.


I see that Adrian had to call in for Jim again. I'll assume that means he still has AOL isp problems. Not like him to stay offline this long. He must be going through withdrawal.



That's about all. I'll see how much traffic there is between now and this evening. I'll probably be back.

Hasta luego,

Ed

[der5997]

Ed:

QUOTE: Camping out at home…. Interesting concept, John. Good thing you have a wood stove. Those ice storms are much tougher on power lines than any snowstorm.

The talk in the service station this p.m. while the snows were being installed (haven't sprung for dedicated rims and DIY, maybe I should) was that the towers that came down were all rusted out from the inside. I understand that much of North America's transmission line infrastructure leaves a lot to be desired in terms of upkeep, rather like the roads. [V] But, you are absolutely right, the ice build up on power lines does much the same as it does at sea with rigging and superstructure, if I'm not mistaken Fergie. And the power companies don't have "jolly tars" to run up the towers to chip the ice off so they don't capsize![:D]

QUOTE: It’s probably good that you’re redoing the access hatch. If you think it doesn’t provide enough room now, just wait until you have scenery to contend with too.

Absolutely, although my fond hope is that the scenery will sort of build out away from the edges of the hatches making the seams seem less obvious. Still, as much elbow and wrist room as posible is the ideal. I'm thinking of laying in the "roof" slab, and building the "wall" up to it so that the wall will really be the handle for the hatch, and the roof will rest on supports provided by the "foamhenge" on the sides and back. Too much work outside of railroading getting in the way of progress I'm sorry to say![sigh]
Well, it's time to look towards dinner[dinner] and feeding Rosie-the-dog too.
TTFN