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

[steveblackledge]

SD 60 in Oakway colours by proto 2000,[:D] hauling coal

[Anonymous]

Ah. Sorry about the darkness! Was thinking as I added them that it was a bit darker in the room than before! Have just "tweaked" them with my photo-editing but they don't seem any lighter, will try to get some better shots tomorrow. The problem is if I try to use flash on the camera I got horrible reflections from windows, etc, so need to rely on normal lighting. Ah well, will find the large spotlight I bought a few months back!

[egmurphy]

QUOTE: ...in the garage with an Oakway...

I know I'm going to be sorry I asked, but what's an "Oakway"?


Ed

[egmurphy]

Brian

I've looked at the sketches of the new design. Looks much more interesting than the first try. Still a work in progress. Here are the questions and/or suggestions that come to mind.

Should we assume both sides of the ell are against the wall (top and right side of the sketch)? Are you planning on having a roundhouse? If both answers are yes, then the radial tracks should be on the right. As laid out all you’ll see is the back of the roundhouse.


How much vertical clearance between the two levels?


What are your projected benchwork elevations for the two levels?


Lots of switching/uncoupling in the staging yard. Means sticking your head in under the upper level unless you have great magnetic uncoupling and few derailments (in N scale?).


Need a set of escape switches between first two ladder tracks in the staging yard so you can get an engine out after it pulls a train head in.


Suggest changing ladder arrangement in staging yard so that ladder tracks come off the diagonal, rather than coming off the main (like you have in the upper yard). As it is you will have sharp curves in the middle of each yard track (not good for coupling).


Track elevations are not clear in diagram of main level, that is to say that it’s tough to be sure which tracks go over which others. I’m assuming they are not almost all crossings? You only show a couple of bridges.

Consider enlarging upper level yard slightly by moving the inside curve at left end of layout closer to exterior loop.

Consider adding some reverse loop capability in upper level. As it is, if you bring a train up from the staging yard engine first, there doesn’t appear to be any way of getting it back down to staging without backing it down.


Anyway, wanted to get these off while you were still working on the design. Hope the thoughts are clear enough.

Regards

Ed

[steveblackledge]

JOHN,,, this is the thread about making cheap trees,
by AGGROJONES

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=1&TOPIC_ID=26674

All the Kids gone home and gone to bed, [bow] time for some fun[:D][:-,][:D]
(in the garage with an Oakway)

[der5997]

Tim:

QUOTE: Took a new job, I now do low interest mortgage loans, and if this weekend is any indication, I should be buying trains and track again soon.

Congratulations[yeah] Hope the housing market stays stable for you. I read all sorts of predictions on either side of that equation. [%-)]
Huge breaking news very locally here on the real estate front. Kris has just returned from an appointment in the Harbour saying that the vacant lot between us and our “next door” neighbours is going to be built on this year. The concrete contractor lives one door up on the other side of the road. His brother is opposite us, and his view of the ocean is due for demolition by a 40x50 monster-for-this-neighbourhood. A local quite good, but v. expensive and v. slow builder is bidding on the job. Approx price ½ mill. The owner bought sight unseen on the Internent a parcel that includes this lot, an adjoining point of land, and an island off the point. We think he wants to build-to-sell for ca***o develop the remainder. How he’s going to find a buyer to pay that sort of price, let alone make a substantial profit in this market is a thing of wonder, if not of beauty.[(-D]
Our “next door” neighbours’ house sold last year to New Hampshire people for about 200K, and it isn’t a swamp! Did I mention the chap who owns between us and them is from Long Island? We hope he remembers to get planning permission, it would be dreadful for him to have to take it all down again[:O]

Ed

QUOTE: Anyway, he took the door apart and removed the motor. Cleaned it up, did some minor soldering, prayed over it, and replaced it. Works fine. Total cost for about two hours of work, $9. No new parts.

Reminds me of the time when I was re-winding the coil of the fuel pump on a little Fiat we had in Ontario. Couldn’t afford the replacement, and so I thought I would fix it myself, which I am pleased to report actually did work[^] I had the parts all spread out on the kitchen table when our Dutch farmer neighbour walked in. “What are you doing?” he asked, innocently enough. Without thinking, I instantly replied “Making bombs” (This was a very pre-9-11 world folks) His face went pale for a moment, and then he recovered. What I hadn’t realized, and of course, he never ever talked about, was that he had been in the resistance in the war. Must have been quite a stir of emotions for him[:O]
BTW, [^] on the praying over the repair. The Methodist founder Charles Wesley used to pray for his horse to good effect, and this is sort of the same[:D]

Karl:

QUOTE: But I wanted to drop by, have a cup with y'all and see what's been going on. Hope everyone is well. happy modelling!

Thanks for taking time out for us in your whirlwind tour![(-D] Hope you find the place you need.
Bob:

QUOTE: Aggro did a thread on making connifers out of blue AC filters. I've got the filters but I haven't had time to make any of them yet. Ryan can tell you how to find the thread as it's in the "archvive" threads under "Aggrojones". I don't know haw to get past the "non archvive" threads. The title of the thread was "You asked for it" I think.

Thanks, I think that a person’s archived stuff may be accessible through the Profile link. If I can’t get at it that way, I’m sure Ryan will elucidate![:D]

Better get back on-line and see who else may have wandered in while I’ve been getting this ready.

Answer is Brian with hugely improved layout plan [2c] Nice work Brian, and getting the roundhouse out of there will free up scenery space on the mainline.[^]
...and Matt with photos. Unfortunately Matt the second one didn’t come in at all, and the first one is very dark on my screen. I've brightened it up some for myself, but can't get it to come in here from my railimages album![V], so we can see your good work [tup]

The secOnd one came in! It's a GIF and the first a JPEG. [%-)] It's very dark too. I'll see if it will brighten and try to get both on here later.
TTFN

[egmurphy]

Matt

I don't know how these photos are showing up on others screens, but they're almost black they're so dark on my screen. Any chance of using your photo editing software to brighten them up a bit? Or is it just my computer?

Ed

[Anonymous]

Ok, as promised, here's a photo or two of the Fleischmann loco I rebuilt. Fitted new end steps to replace broken originals, new couplers so it can work with more recent stock, and did a bit of touching-in on the paintwork around the frame. Also repainted the white wheelrims - the factory paint was pretty much gone from there. Not in bad shape considering how old it probably is!



And from the other end:



The silver coach is one of the famous German "Silberlinge" - a series of vehicles built for shorter runs though they seem to turn up everywhere. This one's a driving trailer (Steuerwagen) made by Rowa, I believe Roco now own the moulds though this was the first example I saw - bought near-mint and boxed, with working directional and interior lighting, for £12 - one of my best buys of recent months. Enjoy!

[Anonymous]

alright here are the track plan ideas.... it's 2 pictures because there will eventually be a lower level for train storage as well as a control section.

Top Portion of Layout (Running of trains)


lower portion (Storage yard and turntable)

[Anonymous]

Good Morning All:

Well Stephanie and I are now qualitified to mediate. Ryan, I looked around the room during class and I think some of the people were medatating as they had their legs crossed and their eyes were closed. Three days of class, getting up at 6:00 AM and then doing homework until 9:00 PM isn't fun anymore.

Ed and Robert:
Trainsource was owned by Renny, Zoe, (real person) and Marty, and was managed by Ben. Renny and Marty bought Zoe out, a year or two later they got into an argument with the landloard and would up declaring bankrupcey. Ben had an old studio so he started Papa Ben's with Renny, Marty, and all of the other employees. Renny apearently couldn't handle working for his old employee so he left.

Paul:
At $421.00 for the radiator, I think you paid for the car rental it just wasn't on the bill. Food for thought - when I buy a car or truck I always take it to my local radiator shop and have a BIGGER core put in it as I'm always straining the vehicle over something (you know how pulling is). The only problem happens in Colorado as I have trouble keeping the engine warm, but a piece of cardboard usually takes care of that.

Rob:
The "flea" is still made, I think by NWSL.

Phil:
You messed up - not going to see Tom's layout. It is a nice one.

Attaboy:
You've got to have a long hooded diesel or tender to get that name on. Dagascagonda, Lycippus, & Euclid Railroad and Coal Company.

John:
Aggro did a thread on making connifers out of blue AC filters. I've got the filters but I haven't had time to make any of them yet. Ryan can tell you how to find the thread as it's in the "archvive" threads under "Aggrojones". I don't know haw to get past the "non archvive" threads. The title of the thread was "You asked for it" I think.

Ya'll have a blessed day
Bob

[Anonymous]

morning/afternoon all.

I spent most of the day yesterday working on a new layout ideas.... I came up with one that isn't that bad at all.... I have taken everyones ideas and kinda mixed them together for this one layout. I will be posting pics a little bit later.

See you all later.

[twhite]

Morning all. Sitting here with a cup of Vienna Roast and Spooky on my lap (she stayed up late last night for the Academy Awards, was really ticked that Thomas Hayden Church didn't win Best Supporting Actor). I think she's got a little hang-over, she must have found the hidden stash of catnip after I called it a night.
Lil'rob: Glad you got your tender--after I took a look at my spare, I was kind of embarrassed that I offered--the rear steps were broken off and you'd have had to re-decal it, anyway, if you're modeling N&W.
Tim: Congratulations on the new job. From what I understand, San Diego is the 'going' place, especially if you're in the morgtage business. Hope that means lotsa new trains for you.
***: Looks like our California storms finally made it to the East Coast--hope it's not as bad as all the rain that got dumped in the southern part of our state.
We're supposed to be due for another rain-storm today, but so far the skies are nice and blue, so that means I can open up the garage and finish un-hiding that hidden return loop. Seems that California has this 'health' thing about extruded foam now, can't find it anywhere (or have I been ***ing about this a lot, lately?) so I'm using Insulfoam, which means double-bracing underneath. This may be a good thing after all--I might have one of the sturdiest layouts in town after this, LOL!
Well, time to feed Spooky and her male counterpart Lowell (my other Maine Coon) and do the Monday wash (yes, being retired and divorced BOTH, I get to know the joys of 'Good Housekeeping') then head out and finish up that return loop. I've got until five this afternoon, then I have to rush in and turn on repeats of "Law & Order SVU" so Spooky can get her Chris Meloni fix (I wonder what he'd say if he knew that one of his biggest fans was an 18-pound female Maine Coon?).
Later. Have a great day, guys.
Tom [:D][:D]

[steveblackledge]

good day / afternoon / evening all,
jimRCEMO, the Geep is an AHM model chopped in half at an angle with a razor saw

ED, i have updated my profile as you surgested[:D] i have put a link under my signature, next job is how to put a picture in??? had a go but didn't work[%-)][%-)][%-)]
have to go i have got my kids friends for dinner (not litterally)[banghead]

have fun

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone. Not much going on with me. A big welcome to all the newbies.

Duke, thanks again for the tender.

Robert

[Anonymous]

Afternoon all

Sounds as though everyone's having car problems at the moment. Think my Discovery needs an oil change - she took a bit longer to fire this morning than normal. Well, is reckoned to be the way to keep a 300TDI engine going - change oils and filters regularly, give it a good workout every so often, and new cambelt every 50k miles - should see another 200k miles out of it at least. There are still plenty of '89 Discos (first production year) about, and I often see original Land Rovers dating back to the '50s still going, though many have been restored - passed a Series 1 107in station wagon yesterday, production of them was only between 1957-1958 and not many were built - around 5'500 for both UK and export. Pretty much an immortal vehicle - run it for 30 years, then a rebuild for the next 30!

On the railroad, nothing to report - awaiting a big pile of bits mail-order, including a couple of sets of LGB metal wheels, a small pile of components for a Fleischmann N scale loco, and a pile of Fleischmann HO couplers. Must get round to taking a photo of the loco I've repaired so far - I'm guessing it to be around 10 years old though it still runs well and looks good after some replacement cosmetic parts and new couplers. The German stuff's expensive but it lasts - have a Minitrix N electric and matching push-pull train that has to be pre-1989 (has "made in West Germany" on the box!) but still runs well.

Bye for now

[trolleyboy]

Morning everyone I see teffy and lil Rob are in with me at the moment .Morning guys,Zoe I'll have a tea to go I'm on my way into work. John glad to hear you may miss this puppy,it hasn't started yet but it's suposed to be a long slow drag maybe 60 hours transit time according to our weather guessers,oh joy.BTW interesting garage story,I remember a similar story back when I was in high school(I know I walked two miles up hill in a snowstorm too)A local dad bought a 67 corvette brand new and as the legand goes had it towed to his house he changed the oil religiously and did starts every couple of days, and went on with his life.Apparently he sould it in 1990 with 0 miles on it for over $100,000CDN talk about your retirement preasant. Anyway I'm off talk to you later/ Rob

[Anonymous]

hi all-
Sorry I have not been around lately, things have kept me pretty busy and off the net for a long time and I've sure got some catching up to do! I spent the first week of February in Mountain Home, Idaho doing a little guest lecturing. The next week I was off to Nevada to go house-hunting (as I'll be moving there in April/May. Last week I was home and ALMOST able to catch my breath but we were hosting a three day conference I was obliged to attend which combined with setting up the move and doing mortgage/realtor type paperwork. Later this week, I leave for Japan for about 2 1/2 weeks.

But I wanted to drop by, have a cup with y'all and see what's been going on. Hope everyone is well. happy modelling!

[egmurphy]

Morning John.....

Actually, I was over on ***'s "average" thread getting my entry in late as usual.

I had a window motor go out in my '96 Blazer a month ago. Went down to my local "shade tree" mechanic. Actually he doesn't have as much a shade tree as he does kind of an open shed with a corrugated metal roof. But he's done most of the work for me out in the open. Anyway, he took the door apart and removed the motor. Cleaned it up, did some minor soldering, prayed over it, and replaced it. Works fine. Total cost for about two hours of work, $9. No new parts.


Heard from Teffy this morning. Turns out he was off meditating all weekend. Ooops, that was "mediating", he was back in the seminar.

Catch you later,

Ed

[TurboOne]

Good morning all, hope everyone is doing well.

I will catch up on the reading after taking the weekend off, playing catch up on all the honey do's that didn't get done during the rains.

Did see the talk about Bananas Foster in Ryans neck of the woods. Yummy.

Took a new job, I now do low interest mortgage loans, and if this weekend is any indication, I should be buying trains and track again soon.

Take care all,

Tim

[der5997]

A large black, no sugar please Zoe. It turns out I can’t get a used mirror assembly to replace the damaged one,a nd have to buy a new Toyota part. That means Halifax. Let’s hope they can ship it on the Zink bus instead of my having to go in and get it.[V]

TrolleyRob:

QUOTE: I wonder if the world will finally find out what he has been storing in his garage the last 50 years.According to mith no one not even his sons were allowed in the barn. Could it be a completly non cut up mark 2. I wonder hmmm. Rob

Amazing what can be found in barns, let’s hope you are right! It may be urban legend, but it's said that a Rolls Royce Silver Cloud of some antiquity in mint condition on blocks was found in a barn in the UK[wow]

QUOTE: Were forcast for 10-15cm's two storms mixing then heading towards you *** and John and the rest of the east coast gang

Looks like that puppy is going to go through New Brunswick after it’s left ***. So we are on the “warm” side of it. That means snow changing to freezing rain, changing to rain. Just how much we don’t know as The Weather Channel local forecast for Halifax tomorrow shows only 60% chance of rain or snow with no mention of the freezing rain.[%-)]

Grubby:

QUOTE: have to laugh at the snow and storm stories,

Smile on, but these days I guess no-one is immune from freaky weather, and aren’t you running out of summer now?[(-D][:-^]
As to the geography question, I’m not qualified to answer, but my [2c] would be to say that if you are not married to C&O exclusively, your horizons may expand.

Fwt: Sorry to hear about the mirror motor. Many of these gadgets are just buying trouble I sometimes think[V]

I see Ed’s dropped by, and I must post this and go. ‘Morning Ed.

[grayfox1119]

Good morning everyone, Zoe and I are alone this morning, guess everyone slept in late after a big weekend.

Working on pulling all the stats together from the POLL on " the average model railroader". AND, getting everything ready for the next big snowstorm.

Tom: you must be getting copious amounts of rain this morning? Did you get close to the snowline up in the mountains? The radar shot looked like you might be getting snow that far south if the elevation was high enough.

Got to get back to work, see ya later guys......

[red p]

Well guys Just stopped in for a minute.I got an 8:00 appointment to get my car in the dealership.My window motor went out the other day[:(!][:(!]
so I went out and bought a new one ,but I couldnt get it screwed in [banghead]
So I need them to fix it for me and put my door back togather.

[egmurphy]

QUOTE: where might I be if I have C&O rolling stock, a coal mine, a Gas plant and an apple orchard in a hilly terrain?

The first thing that comes to mind for me would be West Virginia, but I could be off.

Try this link to a map of the C&O coal fields:
http://www.railsandtrails.com/C&O/1946CoalMines/index.htm


Regards

Ed

[Grubby]

Hey guys, just dropped by for a quick read....have to laugh at the snow and storm stories, it is 30+ Celcius here, and I am in T Shirt and shorts :D.... thats why I stick to the Coke....speaking of which, large glass plenty of ice please.

So for my first geography question.... where might I be if I have C&O rolling stock, a coal mine, a Gas plant and an apple orchard in a hilly terrain? The answer to that will dictate what else I add to the layout so any input would be appreciated. My layout is very fictious but I would at least like to know what region I am in :P

Thanks guys....

[trolleyboy]

Good evening clubbers. First things first [#welcome] to foamer capt turk,and rail rookie,and anyone else I may have missed,make sure you all stop by often,as the old sayinf goes the more the merrier. I dropped off the PCC I painted for my F-I-L he was happy as a clam.Monday am is my first day back after my vacation[V][sigh]I'm not looking forward to it I have a dentist appointment first thing then off to work for the afternoon shift in what looks to be a snowy day.Were forcast for 10-15cm's two storms mixing then heading towards you *** and John and the rest of the east coast gang[:0][B)][8]Ed your beloved sox may have to play in the snow drifts the first couple of weeks of the season[}:)][B)] Well big day tomorrow I'm off to bed[|)]Nite all. Rob [zzz][zzz][zzz]

[philnrunt]

Hello everybody! Back from our trip to the gentle, gracious and civilized South, where every lady is a belle and every man a Colonel!
Welcome to the huge bunch of newcomers, more than I've seen in a while. Go away for a week and miss meeting a bunch of folk!
Attaboy- Havn't popped the question yet, that should come in April on a trip to the mountains of Lee Co, Virginia. Last Oct, I talked her into 4-wheeling her brand new Wrangler down there, we kind of made a love connection that week, so, I figure that is the place to ask her. I'll keep you posted.
Met Tom W and Bill M on Friday at Kennesaw, Ga, both great guys, and both able to converse on any topic you want to bring up! Spent about 4 hours with them, wish it could have been more, but if we are able, we will meet again, don't know where, don't know when, but I know we'll meet again some sunny day. We met at the Kennesaw Train Store, and it is a very good hobby shop. If you ever are near Kennesaw, stop by, you won't be disappointed. While we were there, I would guess 6-8 CSX freights went by, UP, CR and lease power along with CSX. A good show. And, if you ever have a chance to meet another forum member, I heartily recommend it.
Tom and Bill- Thanks for being such great hosts, you made us feel very welcome. Amy asked if everyone on the forum was as intelligent and friendly as you two, I told her yes, we were the cream of the crop when it comes to the net! She went to the train show in Muncie with me Sat, and asked if she asked for a "GP38-2 in PC paint, HO scale" would they know what she was talking about. She's picking up the jargon. Thanks again, guys.(And arn't you glad they don't pu***hat Spinach Quiche Ragu here at the Coffee Shop?)
Now we need to set up a meeting with the rest of y'all. Can' t seem to get rid of that accent. Ed can bring the OJ, Fergie the ice and Paul the steaks! I'll supply corn. Lots of it. The rest can bring whatever they can. Sounds like the Beverung Ranch would be the place to meet, lots of elbow room. Or we could just meet here, I think Big Boy will be expanding soon, as we have so many new customers.
Again, let me say, ain't this a great hobby?

[trolleyboy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by der5997[/i]

QUOTE: TrolleyRob, forgot to say how interesting I found those thoughts about the design team on the Arrow going off to put their expertise to good use after the scrapping of that project. BTW, is it known whether the test models fired off into lake Ontario have been recovered?

John as of last summer no,but they were still looking. On an interesting note the group trying to build a flying reppro by 2009 has found/recieved a whole bunch of Orenda iroquois turbine impellers and other motor gadgets and aparently the entire nose wheel assembly from 204. If you look up Avro Arrow on a general search you will find their site.Now that "Zura" the chief test pilot has passed away I wonder if the world will finally find out what he has been storing in his garage the last 50 years.According to mith no one not even his sons were allowed in the barn. Could it be a completly non cut up mark 2. I wonder hmmm. Rob

[grayfox1119]

Midnight !!!!! Last call for coffee from the Sunday pot says Cloe !!!!!!

Tom: You just reminded me that I have not done my taxes yet.....ohhh nooooooo, I had better get my steam pressure up in the boiler.

Just caught the 11pm weather forecast, over 12" with gale force winds for this area starting tomorrow night.....we might break the record for highest snowfall in this area if this keeps up...the record I believe is 122 inches.

Rookie Rail...a big welcome to the coffee shop [#welcome], have tall glass of Ed's OJ on me. Cloe, a tall frosted glass of OJ for RR.

As some of you know, I started a poll back around Feb 14th to determine the average MRR ( if there is such a thing). I have 3 pages of data (online) to enter into a spreadsheet and post online in the General forum for folks to enjoy. It is taking a bit of time because the poll design does not allow a checklist type of design. I should have it done tomorrow though.

Time to hit the sack...good night to all, and God bless everyone please.....

[twhite]

Hello everyone--just spent the day in the garage with the MR, opening up that pesky hidden return loop that has been giving me such fits. Neighbors thought I'd lost it again, of course, with all the sawing, hammering and--ahem!--rather colorful language. Started to rain just as I finished, so closed the garage door and came in to realize that I've missed the Academy Awards again. Oh well, only film I saw this year was SIDEWAYS---a REAL crack-up, by the way! Have to read the paper tomorrow morning to find out who got what, I guess.
Scott--hope that 16th birthday present is a Turbine for you.
John--yeah, I was figuring out Lent the other day, or trying to. You're right. It's really never just 40 days, is it? Played Vespers last night, we had the first of the Lenten Scrutinies, and the choir director decided to take the responses slow, Slow--SLOW! Thought I'd need a sleeping bag before it was over! My head kept bobbing up and down over the keyboard, LOL! Funny thing, I'm sort of getting HOOKED on apple juice!
BTW, someone was asking about Aggro's article on furnace-filter pines--just hook onto his profile, and you can get it up. I've started trying them, and they really WORK! I'm planning on using a forest of them around my now-non-hidden return loop. Well, time to feed Spooky her nightly tuna (Chicken of the Sea, are you ready for that? Spoiled Maine-Coon? No, but at 18 pounds, you feed her what she WANTS!).
Later,
Tom

[egmurphy]

QUOTE: Attaboy: I do have one question though. I think it was Phil that said he was going to "pop the question" to Amyjo recently. What was the answer?

You have the couple right, but the proposed date for the proposal was farther out in the Spring. They just got back from their trip down to Savannah, so assuming all went well I guess we'll hear more from him in a few days.


Regards

Ed