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

[egmurphy]

Good Afternoon Coffee Clubbers,

Finally have a cloudy day here, although I’m not all that sure that it will rain. The oranges and papayas could sure use some rain. Not that we’re exactly in a drought, but they do like moisture.

Finally replaced that one spur that I removed several months ago to replace the switch. Have had the switch in place for some time, but in my long time away from the layout I hadn’t gotten around to replacing the spur. Now I finally have it in place, and the new ground throw mounted. So now I can run on the mainline without having a spike keeping the points in place. [:)]

QUOTE: Ryan: A virtual papaya is not too hard to transport!

Ya know, you’re right about that. Good, that will give the FCVN something to ship during the off season (orangely speaking). The bananas are also a crop that produces throughout the year (and a key ‘smoothie’ ingredient, I might add) that gives us some steady base load.

QUOTE: dingoix: could I use a small spoon to sprinkle ballast?

Probably no limit to the ways you could do it. I’ve used a piece of paper folded into a ‘v’ shape. As Ken already commented, the key is being able to control the flow of ballast so you don’t get too much dumped in one place.


[#welcome] Welcome to the Coffee Shop, tebee. Just what we were lacking, representation on the continent. Give us just a little bit more to go on regarding your modeling.

QUOTE: derJohn: That is very white ballast, and you say it’s crushed walnut shell?

He’s probably using Woodland Scenics ballast. Word is that the stuff is made from crushed walnut shells, which is why it’s so light (weight) and why it tends to float if you puddle the water/glue. I use the stuff from Arizona Rock & Mineral Co. Real rock, so it floats about as well as I do……….

QUOTE: Seems I do more running with the track cleaner than with revenue service!

Maybe I need one of those track cleaning cars. Although we’re not as close to the sea as you are, the atmosphere here is still a lot more corrosive than, say, in Phoenix.

QUOTE: rtpoteet: Anyone out there going to chase 844?

I wish. We’re passing through the northeast part of Texas, but about a week+ too soon to catch it.


*** – sort of saw the catch, I “saw” the on-line play-by-play on GameDay. I was sure sweating when our boy Jon loaded the bases. That was Stern, the ‘Rule 5’ player they were about to send back down to the minors. Probably a good thing it wasn’t hit to Willy Mo….. Good time for Manny to wake up. Maybe he’ll break out of that slump he’s been in. Got to happen sometime, nice to see that they could go 10-4 without him hitting.


Okay guys, that’s about all for the moment. Catch you later.

Regards

Ed

[Anonymous]

Okay - I know I missed it... the 1000 page celebration.[B)]...[banghead]I have an excuse...work hours changed and I was outta town on the sixth to the 14th! [:-^][:-^] I lost the whole first half of April of posts comments newbies and other assorted information. [zzz] Forgive me. [8]

I'm now a IMS biller (training) at CPR

Mike

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: I said, since it rain last night, just work in the house!
Didn't tell most of it's going to be in the train room.

[;)][;)]

eg: there pry isn't a limit to the ways I could sprinkle ballast. I hope I can actually start ballasting sometime this summer.

Well, I've gotta run. Catch you guys later.

[Anonymous]

NO!!!!!! 2 days in a row? My timing sucks[xx(]. Well, this ones on me[B)].

[Anonymous]

Hi gang,

This is the first chance I've had to pop-in here today...

Inch - hope Sue is continuing to get better, still praying for her. Hope you can get some meaningful stuff done of your layout during your "time off"...

RT - Aren't 2nd opinions great? Hope you can start earning again really soon...

QUOTE: Originally posted by der5997
Ken L: Thanks for the ballasting photos. That is very white ballast, and you say it’s crushed walnut shell?

John, Actually, that is sold by Woodland Scenics as "Medium Gray Blend" - a mixture of very light gray (66%) with regular gray (34%) granules. Ed has it right, WS uses crushed walnut shells instead of actual stone, to avoid the possiblity of iron being present (could make a real mess of things with magnets in the motors). BTW, Here is an image of the ballasted R.O.W. in 'natural' light:

QUOTE: der5997 (con't.) I’ve an eye dropper that I think I’ll use to dribble on the liquids...

The reason I wound up using an old Elmers jar was because the alcohol damaged the rubber bulb on the eye dropper I had been using - made it brittle, it no longer had an airtight seal around the glass tube. The alcohol would all drip out before I could get it to the target area![banghead] And the orange cap on the Elmers bottle makes an excellent valve for controlling the flow rate.

QUOTE: Originally posted by grayfox1119 KEN Ok Ken, when is your 1st DVD coming out? You may be onto something big !!! If you can sell 1000 DVD's at say $19.95 each, that would be $19, 950!!! Now I ask you, how much train stuff could you buy with that ?? I thought so !!

*** I thought we were all going to collaborate on that (your clouds, Fergies turnouts and my ballasting)?[swg]

. . .
I'm outta here, have a great day everyone!

[pcarrell]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dingoix

NO!!!!!! 2 days in a row? My timing sucks[xx(]. Well, this ones on me[B)].

Don't let inch or those girls near your credit card! It'll take you days to get it back! [:p]

[JPowell]

Afternoon all -
For those that are interested, over on the 'Prototype' Forums is a fellow member has posted a thread on Railbox Box cars. A few have mentioned what I posted in here back on Sunday, about them having TTX on them as well. Come to find out, TTX has some stake in Railbox and that is why some of them have TTX on them.

Jessica2001 - [#welcome]. How about providing us CS'ers with some info (scale, era, layout) and anything else you want to share with us? And as for the rules and regulations in here, as long as there's no 'flaming' most subjects are open for discussion. Sometimes, we even have long thoughtout constructive discussions about Trains! [:D]

Ed, *** -
Schilling is going for his 4th straight win tonihgt. If he get's it, it will be tops in the Majors for wins by a pitcher this year. Timlin got his 2nd last night, in as many days at that.

JimCG -
Did you get the e's I sent you Sunday? Let me know if there's anything else you would like.

JP

[JPowell]

Ed, *** -
BTW, the Yanks won this afternoon 3-1. Damon went 0-3.

JP

[rtraincollector]

Well hi all first the bad news (sorry no good news either) In black and white the doc showed me "Implantable Cardioverter Defibillators are disqualifying due to risk of syncope" inother words the item that is supose to save my life just ruined me fiancially.

[Anonymous]

It was a busy day today, CFO had a few appointments, one with the family MD who mentioned the CFO's last EKG indicated that there might not be enough blood going to and from the heart which would indicate a possible blockage somewhere. She is being referred to a Cardiologist.

Thank you for your kind comment on our Princess, she is very special to us and ***, your son would not only have to pass the mom and dad test but also the grandfather one as well, not to mention the brother test....

RT- one for you... I played a blank tape full blast last night and the mime next door went nuts....
Yes, my friend, I can get worst from here....

Jerry - I get a better film done in a few weeks. I've been playing a bit more with the new camera and learning all the bells and whistle it has. But that still won't keep me out of trouble.

BTW here is a shot of the Legislative chamber where I work.


Now it is time for TRIVIA QUIZ
1. What is the strongest muscle in the human body?
2. How would you rearrange the letters in the words "new door" to make one word?
3. Which one of the five senses are you likely to lose if hit by lightning?
4. What holiday is on the first Sunday after the first full moon after March 20?
5. What is the point value of the outer bulleye on a standard dart board?

Check in tomorrow morning for the answers.



Happy MRRing

[egmurphy]

RT, could you say that in English? Not being up on heart medicine and all it's terms, it's not real clear to me what he's saying. Does that mean that he's never going to clear you to go back to work?


Regards

Ed

[Anonymous]

RT- Sorry to hear the news, let me buy you a drink...

[grayfox1119]

ED Syncope is a temporary loss of consciousness due to insufficient blood to the brain. If RT's heart is not doing it's job, Syncope can occur. If this happens on the job, or while driving.....well, I don't want to go there.

RT That is tough news RT, but keep faith, there is always something new on the horizon buddy, and we are all praying and pulling for you with helper engines right behind you !!!

[SOU Fan]

I just tried airbrushing a car\trailer for the 1st time. here are some pictures.

[rtraincollector]

okay I'm back to work but can't drive trucks (different doc) because of the defibillator I'm disqualified for CDL as I can faint momentariery when it shocks me or should I say if it ever shocks me.

QUOTE: 1. What is the strongest muscle in the human body?
2. How would you rearrange the letters in the words "new door" to make one word?
3. Which one of the five senses are you likely to lose if hit by lightning?
4. What holiday is on the first Sunday after the first full moon after March 20?
5. What is the point value of the outer bulleye on a standard dart board?

1 mouth my guess or eyelid
2 ?? wonder but have 1 o left over
3. touch
4Easter
5. some say 20 others 25 I grew with it being 25

[rtraincollector]

okay my joke for the day

As a young minister, I was asked by a funeral director to hold a
graveside service in a new cemetery for a derelict man (with no family or
friends) who had died while traveling through the area.

The cemetery was way back in the country. This man would be the first to be laid to rest at this new cemetery.

As I was not familiar with the backwoods area, I became lost. Being the typical man I didn't stop for directions. And when I finally arrived an hour late, I saw a crew and a backhoe, but the hearse was nowhere in sight.

The workmen were eating lunch. I apologized for my tardiness, but the workers just looked puzzled. I stepped to the side of the open grave, to find the vault lid already in place.

I assured the workers I would not hold them long, but this was the proper thing to do.

As the workers gathered around, still eating their lunch. I poured out my heart and soul. As I preached, the workers began to say "Amen," "Praise the Lord" and "Glory," (they must have all been Baptist).

I preached, and I preached, like I'd never preached before. I began from Genesis and worked all the way through to Revelation. I preached for 45 minutes.


It was a long service. Finally, I closed in prayer and it was finished.

As I was walking to my car, I felt that I had done my duty and I would leave with a renewed sense of purpose and dedication, in spite of my tardiness.

As I was opening the door and taking off my coat, I overheard one of the workers saying to another.......

"Ya know, I've been putting in septic tanks for 20 years, but I ain't never seen anything like that before."

[Paul W. Beverung]

Good Evening Gang: Well my plans for this week end got changed. I have to work Saturday instead of hauling tra***o the county barn. I'm going to go by the barn tomorrow and see if I can haul some Thursday and Friday. If I can the plus side is that I will avoid the long lines. My son, John, and Mary Ann will do some more on Saturday.

RT: I'm sorry to hear about your not being able to drive. I know that things don't seem too bright now but as my mother used to say, " When God closes one door he opens another." By the way that's a good one as usual. Hay I see you there. Have one on me.

Dekruf: That looks pretty good. First time eh. Keep it up.

So here I am on the verge of going to bed again. My left knee has been giving me some pain for the last couple of weeks. I guess it 's just a part of getting old. If it goes on much longer I'll go and see the doctor.

I guess I'll say Good Night

[TRENT B]

Hey Y'all,
The 8444 will be on display in San Antonio from the 13th to the 19th of May!
Trent

[Anonymous]

Hey Guys: Could anyone tell me what color grey was used on the C&O Steam Engine Smokebox. Thanks Jerry

[der5997]

Good evening one and all. Not a hugely productive day, but did get a walk after dinner as the rain has let up a bit.[^] Hope you all had a day that suited. I’m saying this before getting to the CS. [:D]

Luc: Your video is excellent! BTW, what is that singing in the background, radio or CD? Sounded operatic.[:D] I’d like to get one of those really small wireless cameras that I could put on a flat car and tootle around the layout. One trouble with that though might be the “hidden” switch machines all being revealed poking out from the backs of buildings. I say buildings, but right now they are card boxes mostly.[swg]

Ed:

QUOTE: (orangely speaking)

…as in the soap ad “orange you glad you use Dial, don’t you wish everyone did?”[:P]

QUOTE: I use the stuff from Arizona Rock & Mineral Co. Real rock, so it floats about as well as I do……….

I’m glad about that, because that’s mostly what I have too.[:D]

QUOTE: Maybe I need one of those track cleaning cars.

Mine’s a 60022 Centerline Rail Cleaner #D12 N Micro -Trn The thumb nail is from their webpage I just Googled.


I’ve added a cut down caboose with a tube in the cupola roof to feed cleaner onto that roller. I could have kept the caboose shell as such, and changed the trucks to caboose trucks, but I wanted something different looking.



NMMike:Welcome back, and what’s an IMS biller?[:D] [%-)]

Ken L: That natural light photo makes much more sense of the ballast colour.[tup] On the eyedropper thing, I use mine all the time for rubbing alcohol for the track cleaner. It doesn’t have enough oomph to suck the stuff up into the bulb![^] Just lucky I guess, as I’ve never given a thought to the bulb rotting out.[X-)]

RT: That’s a real bummer by the sound of it. Looking for a bright side, if this means that your work isn’t possible, we are now in an age when work from home is very possible. While I was typing this an email came in from Flip. I’m sending it on to you right away, so check your in box. You’ll see why.
I’m with you on the 25 as the outer bulls eye ring score.

Once more, bed calls.[zzz] goodnight all, and God Bless. Prayers continuing for all in need of healing, comfort and peace.[angel]

[wetidlerjr]

Good morning ! from Indiana. [:D]

[Attaboy]

Just a quickie, I should be working.

QUOTE: 1. What is the strongest muscle in the human body?

The heart

I'm lost on the others except Easter.

[Cox 47]

Good morning all...Nice warm morning all....I'll have coffee and a sweet roll please...I'll throw my 2 cents in on spreading ballast I use my finger seems to be just the right size to go between the tracks.....Putting window blinds and going to see if I can figure out a awning for the store front...

Luc...Our thoughts and prayer are with you and your CFO....Got my curosity up what do you do at the Legislative Chamber?

RT...Sorry about your bad news but like *** said new things are coming along every day...Got a good laugh with your preacher joke...

Dekruif....Nice weathering job....

John.....Like your track cleaner...Hows work on the layout coming?

Well were of to visit Sallies Dad at the nursing home this morning maybe some train time this afternoon....You all have a good one....Jerry

[Cox 47]

Were's inches credit card?? Looks like I'm buying ...Girls got any dishes back there? Maybe we can work something out??? Belly up and enjoy!! Jerry

[pcarrell]

Morning all,

Chloe, do you have any more of that Moxie back there, or do we need to order more?

AHHH, that's good stuff! Thanks!

RT,
Sorry to hear of the news. As others have said, new stuff comes along daily. I'll be praying for you.
The joke was a good one. I don't think that's exactly what God had in mind though when it said to do all things with prayer and supplication.

[Anonymous]

luc:

QUOTE: I played a blank tape full blast last night and the mime next door went nuts....

[(-D][(-D]

dekruif: Waethering looks good. That reefer looks excellent but I think you went a little heavy on that trailer.

RT:

QUOTE: As a young minister, I was asked by a funeral director to hold a
graveside service in a new cemetery for a derelict man (with no family or
friends) who had died while traveling through the area.

The cemetery was way back in the country. This man would be the first to be laid to rest at this new cemetery.

As I was not familiar with the backwoods area, I became lost. Being the typical man I didn't stop for directions. And when I finally arrived an hour late, I saw a crew and a backhoe, but the hearse was nowhere in sight.

The workmen were eating lunch. I apologized for my tardiness, but the workers just looked puzzled. I stepped to the side of the open grave, to find the vault lid already in place.

I assured the workers I would not hold them long, but this was the proper thing to do.

As the workers gathered around, still eating their lunch. I poured out my heart and soul. As I preached, the workers began to say "Amen," "Praise the Lord" and "Glory," (they must have all been Baptist).

I preached, and I preached, like I'd never preached before. I began from Genesis and worked all the way through to Revelation. I preached for 45 minutes.


It was a long service. Finally, I closed in prayer and it was finished.

As I was walking to my car, I felt that I had done my duty and I would leave with a renewed sense of purpose and dedication, in spite of my tardiness.

As I was opening the door and taking off my coat, I overheard one of the workers saying to another.......

"Ya know, I've been putting in septic tanks for 20 years, but I ain't never seen anything like that before."

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

Well, maybe I'll see if I can catch IANR (Iowa Northern Railway) today. I might see if there are any traintapes left at the library. I did some figuring and it turns out it would cost $370 to order those tapes directly from Pentrex and I got them for $1 each. That $370 doesn't even count 2 videos that are no longer available. I think I made a good deal[;)]

[SOU Fan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dingoix



dekruif: Waethering looks good. That reefer looks excellent but I think you went a little heavy on that trailer.

Hey, it's a UP trailer.[:D]

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE: Originally posted by JLJohnson

Hey Guys: Could anyone tell me what color grey was used on the C&O Steam Engine Smokebox. Thanks Jerry

Not sure but of the three C&O Locos I have two are all black (Allegheny and Kanawha) and the T-1 is done in graphite. Your better off posing this question on the General Discuusion as a specific thread.

BtW [#welcome]

Well guys Looks like I could be headed for St John's Newfoundland in about a week's time as the ship is due for a refit.

Took the Coaling tower off the layout and took a hatchet to it so I'll be painting and weathering it along with several other structures in the near future.

dekruif: Nice job on the weatering, very nice in deed!

RT: Very Sorry to hear of your plight. Dad is without license at this time and it's got him really down as it has restricted him in his mobility, though I'm getting him to all the places he needs to be but... He still wants his freedom. Though I can see you are a great deal more affected by this. My heart goes out to you.

Well guys the sun actually peaked through the clouds today so time to make hey.


HEY!!

see that was easy[:D]

Later All

Fergie

[egmurphy]

Fergie

If the ship goes to St Johns, how long might you be there?

We're flying in on July 11th. About 2-1/2 months from now. While we'll be spending most of our time out on the Bonavista peninsula, it would be a great opportunity to meet up if you were still there.

Regards

Ed

[waltersrails]

awsome pics website updated link below.