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

[fec153]

trolleyboy- No.name- #50 Municipal #354 Hershey #7 and #9 These are the trolleys
I have and run once in a while. Thinking about putting up another shelf and running
them like I did before.
Flip

[JimRCGMO]

Good Evening, Coffee Clubbers!

Robert, I brought some donuts along (including those jellied ones - better grab one quick!). There’re also a couple or three cinnamon rolls, and for those watching things after New Year’s, some donut holes. And[#welcome] to the newbies - I’ll make a new batch of coffee (let’s see, okay, there’s a good supply of tea and I see there’s a fresh box of cocoa mix, too!).

Flip, you and your wife will both be in my prayers (and Billy and his family, too, Luc), and I’ll add them to my small group’s prayer list at church also.

Saw Teffy and Trolleyboy were here as I came in, but while I was reading the *six* pages of posts, they slipped out the door. Boy, the posts accumulate when I miss a couple of days! Will be glad to get my DSL back running again on Tuesday - my temp AOL account keeps dropping the dial-up connection (or makes my browser crash and I have to restart it. [banghead].

[soapbox] But I’m not wild about my (only) DSL provider - SBC (aka Southwestern Bell Communications, or as I call them, Scumsucking Bottom Feeders). Voice maze hell and then you get someone with a script and marginal command of the English language...) Ah, ‘progress’... [V]

Luc, sounds like maybe a family member will continue the MRR tradition of Billy’s father. That’ll mean more to them than if a stranger had his stuff.

***, I promise not to tell the APSCA about your squirrels if no one else does. [;)] When my Dad had troubles with squirrels (they’d come down, steal one of his tomatoes, haul it up the tree with ‘em, take one bite, and throw it down), he went the ‘blue’ peanuts route for them. Of course, you couldn’t cook and eat them very safely that way... [;)]

Teffy, what’s Ribbonrail? Is that a brand name or what? [%-)]

Tom, my condolences on stripping wallpaper - I’ve never heard favorable comments from anyone who’s had to do that. Hopefully, it’ll go well and quickly, anyway.

Tim, you think the 30’s is cold? We got into the upper 30’s for our high here in Missouri today! ;-) But he dodged the snow that it seems everyone else got - must have gone north and east of us. We just got some rain the last part of the week, and some frost Thursday night/Friday morning.

Noah, do I have you confused with someone else, or do you also have the LHS job? If so, the snowy weather may limit how many hours (and income) you can get, since you may have to get to that job part of the time.

Trolleyboy, I’d agree with the comment about the SUV/4X4 drivers not being the sharpest tack in the bunch (but I don’t think some of them learn very quickly, from what I’ve seen). :-) I think they do expect special exemption from the laws of physics... [;)]

Fergie, you could suggest your wife get you a gift certificate from your LHS (or lumber yard, if you have expansion coming for your layout). As for your engine’s parts, you’ll have some extra ones now (just not the one you broke). [;)]

Ed, good to hear from you again. Thought you were gone on vacation, maybe.

With all the new people (and long-timers coming back), maybe we can do like those mobile home manufacturers and make the shop a 'double wide' - [:D]

I’ve been working on ideas for modules (2’ by 4 or 8 feet), but think I’ll have to have at least one corner module - miss having curves with the plain modules.

Oh Mick, I’ll be looking at your pics (but from the looks it may take a little time) and vote on ‘em.

Well, about my bedtime for now, so I’ll finish off and wash my cup. See everyone tomorrow!

Jim in Cape Girardeau

[JimRCGMO]

Ooh, ooh!! I got my first star! (As he does a little dance around the counter...)

Okay, I'll go now. [{(-_-)}][:-^]

Jim in Cape Girardeau

[fec153]

fergie- just a gentle reminder- NEVER TESTTHE DEPTH OF THE WATER WITH BOTH FEET.
Don't blacksmiths and farriers use a thick leather apron? Why don't you use one when soldering?[:D].
flip

[TurboOne]

QUOTE: Originally posted by JimRCGMO

Ooh, ooh!! I got my first star! (As he does a little dance around the counter...)

Okay, I'll go now. [{(-_-)}][:-^]

Jim in Cape Girardeau

Way to go Jim. I was totally excited when I got my first star also. Now I got two, it looks like a long time to 3. Think how much I will learn by 500. Thanks guys for all the knowledge.

Where is cape girardeau, and I can't even pronouce that. We are so simple on the west coast, just make our names in Spanish.

Hey Flip does a reverser do what I think it does? Let a trolley run on a single line instead of a loop. If so how much are they is it a dcc thing or can I use just regular DC? That sounds way cool. Also how much are they $ wise?

Paul, it seems to this SoCal guy that if I had to have snow, a snowblower would be the way to go. I assume it get the job done quickly, and I bet at least for us newbies to snow it would be fun, the first time.

hey jhhtrains, cool pics. Enjoyed them.

Trolleyboy it is always good to rock the boat. Glad you still get to play. I thought the giraffe was going to quit business, did that not happen ?

Doing tea tonight instead of coffee, gotta knock out the sore throat.

Tim

[fec153]

Tim- It automatically reverses the powered unit, be it loco or trolley. By reading the directions very carefully , 4 or 5 times, I was able to have two tracks hooked up and ran the two trolleys at the same time passing each other on their own track. Not to shabby for a fumble fingered old fart.
flip

[fec153]

Darn it-short term memory is [censored]. I run dc. Can't afford dcc.With 50 locos I'd
go broke or my wife would kill me. No loop- just to and fro on the 12 or 14 ft. shelf.
Cost? Don't know as it was a gift from a bro-in-law. I have seen them advertised but
don't know how much.
flip

[fec153]

Good morning Fergie. How's the weather this morning? Here it is about 60 going up to near 80. Beautiful dawn-birds singing- the Master at his best .
Enjoy the day-Stay safe.
Flip

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE: Originally posted by fec153

fergie- just a gentle reminder- NEVER TESTTHE DEPTH OF THE WATER WITH BOTH FEET.
Don't blacksmiths and farriers use a thick leather apron? Why don't you use one when soldering?[:D].
flip

And how do you think I became an accoplished swimmer!? I have a gift certifiate for Canadian Tire so I'm thinking of getting one of those variable watt soldering irons by Weller (Max wattage 45w) which comes with it's own stand. Part of the problem is the present stand is light weight and tips (towards me).

As for the apron it would have to be full body armour to be of any good to me[:-^]

Anyway not much on the go this morn. I was able to clean up the layout yesterday so I might get some work done on it today.

Luc: you'll have to take a rain check on the coffee until March as I start course on Monday for three weeks, Scout camp again next weekend and when I finsh course I'm back to work fours days later and out for 28.

***: Thanks for the Kudos. Those pictures are of the Musquodoboit Valley and Eastern Shore where the old CN track bed still exists. They've turned it into a Rails to Trails, which makes for a great bike ride.

Sorry I can't do the Scallops as they do me in, Though I do like a good feed of Mussels, BBQ'd shrimp, Lobster and Salmon[C=:-)]

Anyhow time to go gents


Fergie

[Fergmiester]

I see Teffy's out of the Bunk. Morning Bob! Tom's up too, Morning Tom! BTW it's 22F here and a real crisp one at that.

Ok Phil's up too, Good Morning Phil!

Fergie

[fec153]

Teffy-You may phone when ready. ow! coffee is hot.
Flip

[Anonymous]

"COOL" Morning all.

The Gloetown website is updated. I added new info and a guestbook. I'll be adding a photo page as the pictures develope when I start doing more on the layout.

Flip - I notice the BIG 500 [tup] Congrats!!!

Fergie - Are you saying that D.O.T. will be trying to teach an old dog new tricks? [swg] What course are you taking?

Noah - hope you get to use that blower and make a bundle, but don't forget the shop....

Jim in MO - welcome back

Ed - we now have the sunshine, thanks - now how about the heat to go with it. [:D][:D]

This is going to be a strange day, we'll be at a baptism at 12:00 and to the funeral home at 2:30.

See you all later.

Happy MRRing

[JPowell]

Morning all -
Started buliding the 'General Store' made by LL last night. I'm to the point where I had to stop due to not having any paint in my 'tool box' as of yet. I'll have to go out next weekend (as that's when I get paid next) and get some.
Any particular brands to stay away from? I was thinking of going to Michael's Craft Store and getting some 'Delta Ceramcoat® Acrylic Paint' as they're usually on sale. Either that, or go to 'Wally World' and get the brand they have. If I owned my own home, I would have suggested 'airbrush' paints, but since I don't, and the 'workshop' is right at the bottom of the basement stairs across from the furnace, then those types of paint are out of the question.
I'm going to start the 'Carnegie St. Mfr' by City Classics tonight. Any words of wisdom for it before I start to 'snip, cut, glue' ?
So, it snowed here yesterday...about 4 inches of WET stuff, instead of FLUFFY stuff. It was a cool 29F when I came into work this morning. Forecast is for mid to upper 50's by Thursday. I'm really hating this winter!
Anyways, just wanted to stop in, ask my ???? and say 'good morning all!'
Take care and have a great day!
JP

[JPowell]

Now, I'm leaning towards this brand of paint.... 'Americana Acrylic Paint by DecoArt' also sold @ Michael's as it's water-based, non-toxic, and is 'foam compatible'
JP

[fec153]

Good morning all.
Luct- yep,500. As you can see it took quite a while. I read a lot of the postings but can't
offer to much in way of help. Not that accomplished a modeler. My Dismal & Pathetic
R.R. has little to show except the turnouts work and everything stays on track.

Fergie- YES! I am a member of the Old Farts Club. 68&1/2 qualifies me. It's that I
refuse to grow up. Get older? heck yes, but not act it.

Bob- It was a great pleasure to speak to you, voice to voice. Wow! the time flew. I deeply
appreciate the gift. When Deb gets up, I'll get the doodlebug out and set up the consist.
I'm pretty sure there is film in the camera.

Greg- Looks like I started another page. Supplying donuts is going to break me.

Y'all have a great day.
Flip

[tomwatkins]

Good Mornin' Everybody,
It's going to be a good day in the mountains today. It's cooled off a good bit. We were well down in the low 30's this morning, which is a lot closer to normal. It's been so warm lately that the daffodils are starting to pop up.

Progress is being made on the wallpaper removal. Louise and I got in there yesterday and got quite a bit done. Today I'm going to prime the area around the tub really good, and continue to march on the wallpaper. We went to Home depot and got about a zillion color chip cards. Since I remember the color selection process for Shawna's room, I'm going to sit this one out. Whatever colors the ladies decide on will be fine with me.

A good comprehensive physical on a regular basis is very cheap insurance. I've gotten one annually since I turned 50. Before that, every two years since 35. I'm just not fond of nasty surprises.

Der, thanks for the tip on saw palmetto. I'll give it a try.

Paul, Glucosamine Chondrotin is good for easing the pain of arthritis and making old joints move easier. I've been taking it for about 9 or ten months and it really helps.I started having problems with my hands as well as my knees so I tried it. It makes a big difference.

Fergie, sorry to hear about the problems with the 2-8-0. That's no fun. Hopefully the repair parts will be along soon and you can get it up and going again. How soon to do head back out? Be careful out there.

Teffy, that's good advice. "Pull it up and change it". One of the best things on model railroading I ever read was in an article by Paul Dolkos. He said if something on your railroad is bugging you, change it. Don't live with it, fix it. I did. It took a lot of time, but it was worth it.

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

[Anonymous]

My first posting since joining. Great concept.
GN former employee "O" gauge GN collector in Louisiana. Some interest in NP and SP&S. Looking forward to fun and great conversation (and perhaps a bit of debate). Hope soon to be owner of actual passenger car (2 or 3 years), I've started shopping. If it were a GN car, I'd be in heaven!
OPsDad

[Anonymous]

Good Morning All:

I just found out that Flip is as long winded as Fergie. Stephanie just said that it might be me that's long winded not me? Today is going to be another good modeling day (I hope), I've got to get some groceries and that is about all.

I built a Blair Line loading ramp last night and it turned out very nice. Now I have to find a place for it. As I've said before, working in wood is a pleasure.

As soon as my Walthers turnout comes in, I'll get that bridge installed.

Flip:
I really enjoyed our conversation this morning.

Jim:
Ribbonrail is a brand name for track guides. They come in different radii and you use them to get the curves laid out right, with no kinks. They're in the Walthers catalog in the "track and accessories" section.

***:
The Cabot Trail is a geougous drive, just plan on a full day for all of the stops.

I suggest that you get the book written by Lynn Westcott "How to Build Model Railroad Benchwork" or such. It's a good book with all sorts of ideas as to how to make the support strong without being heavy and wasting a lot of lumber.

Be sure and check with Fergie and John so you can get a ride on the M.E.S.S. and the MaritimeTrunk. John says that the MT is ahead of the pack but you really can't see it, so you have to take his word for it.

When John signs off the "TTFN" means "Ta Ta For Now", it's like my "SANTA FE ALL THE WAY".

Well I've got to get ready and get out of here to get to church.

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

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by OPsDad

My first posting since joining. Great concept.
GN former employee "O" gauge GN collector in Louisiana... Looking forward to fun and great conversation (and perhaps a bit of debate). Hope soon to be owner of actual passenger car (2 or 3 years), I've started shopping. If it were a GN car, I'd be in heaven!
OPsDad

Where in LA? I live in Port Arthur, TX, really Groves but no one knows where that is?
What is "O" gauge?? is that Oversized, like humongous. I bet you can see all of your cars and people.

Bob

[Anonymous]

Hi, Bob,
I live in Denham Springs, LA.
Yes, if I had it to do over again, I'd do something small. I've heard great things about the new "TT" scale. Although, I have some great toys, they're too large to leave set up so I have to take down layout to prevent divorce. Some of my toys require minimum 72 inch diameter curves!
On the other hand, I'm old enough to remember (although just barely) some working steam, and I don't need my OF Glasses to see my models!
OPsDad

[fec153]

OPSDAD- "TT" not new. Been around a long time. Just didn't make it. H O and N took
root.and grew and grew.
flip

[Anonymous]

Good to know. TT is new to me, though. I just discovered it, and so far it is VERY impressive.
I won't have to spend 1500 per loco, either . . .

[JimRCGMO]

Good Morning, all!

Got to remember to wipe my fingers off after I eat those cinnamon rolls here - makes the keys sticky (in a whole 'nuther way...). [;)]

Flip, I guess you just have great timing to consistently hit the start of new pages - but those of us who enjoy the donuts sure appreciate you![}:)][(-D]

Tim (TurboOne), Cape Girardeau is about where the lower bump on the eastern border of Missouri is (St. Louis being the bump about midway down). Cape G. was settled originally by some Frenchmen (probably taking some snow up to Canada from New Orleans[;)]). Now if Nova Scotia had been in California, I guess it would've been called Nueva Scotias, huh?[:)]

Thanks for the info on the book, Teffy - I actually have that one (Wescott's benchwork book). Thanks for the tip on the RibbonRail stuff - found it in the Walther's catalog (I'm assuming it's the radius gauges, correct?). Can I use those to make transition curves, too?

[#welcome] OPsDad - You know that passenger car will look a tad oversized even if you can fit it with O gauges trucks, right?[;)] [(-D] First cup of your pref. of hot beverage is on Flip, since he started the page, right Flip? [;)]

We're supposed to get to the 60's here today, but I'll be surprised if it does. The breeze would need to slack off and the sun to come out, methinks...

Hey, who won the billiards tournament? I was gone and missed it. [8D]

Need to do some work around the apartment (the fun stuff - vaccuuming, cleaning the bathroom, etc.). Will see you all later!

Jim in Cape Girardeau

[Anonymous]

Afternoon all. Not much going on with me.

OPsDad, [#welcome] , I live about 50 miles North of Teffy in Kirbyville, Tx.

JimRCGMO: Thanks for the donuts. They were good.

Teffy, I am still wanting to come and see you. Don't know when that might be, though. I'll let you know when I do.

Congrats to everyone who got stars!

'til. later

Robert

[fec153]

Jim- Krispy Kreme donuts are great. The old fashions are the very best. Raspberry
filled are almost as good.

Opsdad- TT has been advertised in MR and if memory is good, made here in the states. In Europe still around. Ask Lupo if he can steer you to a site. Should be back from a trip shortly.

Bob- Found my doodlebug and have set up the consist. Now all I have to do is find my camera.

Flip

[Anonymous]

Elliot, as we quickly approach the 50000th view and 5000th reply, are you planning a celebration? [:D][:D][:o)][8D][C=:-)][4:-)][(-D][(-D]

[grayfox1119]

Good afternoon everyone, it is cloudy here today and 28.5F. It was "supposed" to hit near 40, that's a bad joke. At least there is no snow , or is that SNoah, promised for this week, and it might even hit 50 on Thursday before the Montreal Express passes thru town late next weekend.

Bob: I will pick up that book on benchwork, several other people have mentioned that same book to me also, so I guess it gets an "A".
As for Cabot Trail, NG did a great article on this route, and we have always wanted to check it out. Gee, I might even get to met some of the NS members north of the border, Fergie and John. After seeing Fergie's pictures, I will try to make it in the Fall.
AND........I can get SOLDERING lessons from Fergie, how can one ask for more ???[;)][;)]

Time to get back to work, see ya later guys,

***

[der5997]

Good afternoon everybody: Sun's trying to getout before it sets! Grandkids now safely home (mom did a 360 on the way here, but Praise God, stayed on the road and there was no other traffic around.)
Luc

QUOTE: We'll have to meet up for java/cuppa one day soon and peharps form up a Nova Scotia Chapter of the forum with John and I think there is a new one from the south shore, if my memory serves me right.....

Sounds good to me, but I don't remember the South Shore connection. I presume a mutually acceptable TH will serve as GHQ.[:D]

TrolleyRob

QUOTE: If I want to build something with a railroad or monitor type roof I will re -use the roof of the palace cars or old time overtons from MDC which have been an inexpensive spare part sorce.

sorry, I forgot to ask scale before I launched into questions of detail. If it's Normal, I've got 3 Bachmann made in Hong Kong 60' ers that I won't be using. Any use?

QUOTE: Which type of reverser did you use as that Idea seems intriging to me. Thanx Rob

QUOTE: Hey Flip does a reverser do what I think it does? Let a trolley run on a single line instead of a loop. If so how much are they is it a dcc thing or can I use just regular DC? That sounds way cool. Also how much are they $ wise?

I made one from Peter J Thorne's Practical Projects for Model Railroaders (1979 edition page 17-18 Klambach) That circuit has a manual direction switch, but I think I rigged up an automatic one. The stop and re-start are automatic anyway. I've got the thing in a fairly messy tangle of wires, and if you would like to rehabilitate it, just ask. Runs on DC to the main tracks, but AC to the unit that does the slow start up from stopped on a small section of track. Don't worry about that AC, as it's converted to DC by the unit. I fancy it may not work on DCC. I can email you the article if you can't find the book.

Bob:

QUOTE: If you had told me in 1959 that I'd be using flex track I'd have laughed you out of the country.

Sounds like when I got back into the hobby after being inocculated with the disease at school. Then everything was brass rail, and when I got back, there was this strange looking nickel-silver stuff. Didn't look like what I was used to, so I went out of my way to try to find the "propper" brass rail. Light did dawn eventually!!![:O]

QUOTE: Tom, my condolences on stripping wallpaper - I’ve never heard favorable comments from anyone who’s had to do that. Hopefully, it’ll go well and quickly, anyway.

Shows on TV about this demonstrate a scubby knife thing that cuts into the wallpaper so that it can be more easilly soaked. Haven't tried it, but it's talked about on every show we've come across on the subject. Maybe it's worth a try?

JohnP:

QUOTE: I'm going to start the 'Carnegie St. Mfr' by City Classics tonight. Any words of wisdom for it before I start to 'snip, cut, glue' ?

Can you wait until you've got the paint so as to be able to paint the walls, roof, etc before cutting them free? That way the painting is much easier than trying to do it when the model is all built up.

OPsDad:

QUOTE: My first posting since joining. Great concept.

[#welcome] We are honoured to have your first post! Hope you enjoy the coffee, and what's left of the donuts by these hungry people around here[(-D]

Jim:

QUOTE: Can I use those to make transition curves, too?

If you have your flex fixed at the end of the straight, and fixed in the correct radius for the main part of the curve, you will probably find that the flex takes on a natural transition between the two. Try it on a spare piece of ply, and see what you think.

QUOTE: Hey, who won the billiards tournament? I was gone and missed it.

Had to be called because of smoke! Someone hasn't moved the stove from under the table yet!

Sunday afternoon nap looks pretty good right now, if the coffee doesn't get in the way!
TTFN

[fec153]

Bob- found the camera. And best of all , has film in it. Darn 24 exposure and new.
Took 3 different shots. I'll have to take the camera with me and get some pic's of
some of the local stuff around here. Don't laugh when you see all the stuff in the
photo. Yeah , I know , it's a MESS.{sorry Fergie}. Should say-Junk Yard!
Flip

[fec153]

Hi ***- What kind of donuts did you bring?

O.K.- here in mid-Fla. on Sat. the 22nd, in Deland, the 14th Fla. Rail Fair. I'm going,
so if anyone is looking for something, E me what it is and price limit for it.

Afternoon Ed, hows the weather down there?
Flip