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

[lupo]

QUOTE: Fergmeister
it's officicially "Dump on Elliot Week" so enjoy.

AHHHH! [}:)][:p] [:-,] now things add up:
Well Elliot, ruining the menu [:-,] , serve lousy food in the shop [|(] and a topic called:
Bigboy curve radius
(http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=23309)
did you enjoy the [C=:-)] food served in the coffeeshops too much [:o)]
and are on a diet now?
or did you cook with mayonaise? [:p]

[:-^] [(-D][(-D]

[lupo]

QUOTE: Still working on one for Hot Link Transportation..... ideas welcomed!

Lead us not into temptation, choose Hot Link Transportation

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TEFFY

Dad Gum:

I just got scooped!!!!! I saw that bigboyfergie bought a Digatrax Super Empire Builder and was going to offer speculation as to who it might be. I thought I'd throw some ideas in about Horizon or UP or Stewart but the cat is already out of the bag and poor Lisa has to pay for it. CONGRADULATIONS.

Bob

No Bob, believe me I'll be paying
(a pound of flesh for each dollar)

Plenty to spare! Actually when the price was converted it worked out to $310 CDN shipping in. That's still $70 better then the prodigy advanced.

Time to look for decoders and such.

Anyhow I gotta clean out the wood stove before I fire it up for the first time this year. I was up on the roof cleaning the chimney, I'll be glad when this ends and I can put the feets up.

Before I forget, I heard this the other day from a friend so I thought I'd share it with you as there seems to be something going around here and I don't know if it's a local thing or what. But please be careful of the "henweighs" as I here it can be quite a nasty little thing!

Fergie

[Noah Hofrichter]

Chris, I'm a semi retired NASCAR Fan. Still keep track of the Hometown boy, Matt Kenseth, but never watch the races anymore. Model Railroading took that over.

Elliot, never noticed those ads before, but boy is that odd! we have really really good and perfectly made barbecue here, made by Fergie(just getting in good[angel]), so why would they want to sell us some other stuff?

Well, I'm offically free for the rest of the Week!!! Don't have much at all to do this weekend, which means I get to sit on behind most of the week! And I'd also like to work on the layout a little. Ed's gotten moving to much, puts me to shame! I need to get working, starting with finnishing up the track on the layout. One spots a little high, so I'd like to see if I can't figure out how to smooth it out. And then there's numerous other jobs to do too. Hew boy, didn't realize how much I had to do!! Better get going!

Noah

[fec153]

Fergie- henwieghs is as old as a grecian urn.
Flip {aka-Fla.Phil}

[Anonymous]

Chris [8D]


Gooooooooo # 8 GREEN GREEN GREEN

# 3 GONE. . .BUT NOT FORGOTTEN


Noah [;)]

Since you have some time on your hands I though you might like to "do" a little history. I love history and always hope to inspire others into giving it a chance. Someone from Wisconsin made a fair amount of news in his day. He was a farm boy and one of 9 children. We, the free world, owe a great deal of thanks to him and those of his generation for the sacrificies they made to insure our freedom. This person was a real ace of a guy, but maybe not to those who opposed him. To learn more about the person I write about do a google search for Richard Ira Bong. He also made history with a certain bridge (The Golden Gate) and was credited with some "dirty laundry". lol [;)] [:D]
Hope you enjoy some history. I always do. [:p]

Well it is past 630 pm. Getting close to bed time for me. It is 77 and VERY muggy. The windows are up and fans going, but it is hard to sleep because it is so humid. [:(]

Later all.

[egmurphy]

Good evening all you Coffee Clubbers,

I was gone all afternoon, so I’m just now catching up and, by the way, getting ready for the game.

Thanks for the compliments on the layout and progress guys. [:I] But I still feel that progress has been a bit slower than it should be. Let’s remember that when I restarted work on it around the first of September, the base foam layer, including the cookie cutter ramps and platforms, was already done. The layout was designed, and the track plan was traced. In fact, some of the roadbed had already been glued down.

Most importantly, remember that I’m retired. I have nothing better to do than work on the layout. And also, remember that I crop the shots so that you’re only looking at a part of the layout. Most of it looks even less complete than these little sections. I think I’ve confused everyone by taking and posting a lot of shots. But I guess that I’m really not in that much of a hurry.


Lupo, thanks for the link. There are some really outstanding modeling efforts there. Talk about detail!


So you took the big plunge to DCC, eh Fergie? Who knows, maybe on the second incarnation of the FCVN I may have to look into it too!

QUOTE: John: I'm going to use the sawdust and white glue mix instead of spackling compound, I think. It takes a while to dry, which is a drawback, but it is "instant texture", and will hold both paint and ground foam.

Just goes to show there’s no ‘right’ way to do it.


Okay, I’ll admit to being stupid. What’s a ‘henweigh’? Or do I just have to keep reading until someone makes it obvious?

QUOTE: Noah: …never noticed those ads befote…

Even more stupid, what ads???

QUOTE: Noah: And I'd also like to work on the layout a little. Ed's gotten moving too much, puts me to shame!

You’ve got an excuse, my young friend, it’s called schoolwork.


Well the pre-game show is on. Time to go and bite fingernails. Let’s see if I can get someone to whip up some microwave popcorn……….


“Reverse the Curse”


Hasta Mañana

Ed

[Anonymous]

Noah:
Nice to see you like the best racer out there--my whole (extended and regular) family pretty much sees him as the best.

And of course we're right, too, you know.[:)] #17

Unfortunatly the Nextel Cup races are getting boring, partly because of too many rules, way too many caution laps in races, and too much favoritism for Nascar's certain favorites.

Jim:[}:)]
For Shame....!
"That #8 car drives as crooked as a guy who's had a little too much of a certain drink made by their sponser!"[:D][:p]

[tomwatkins]

Good Evenin' Everybody,
Today was a good day. Shawna is continuing to feel a liitle better as she goes along. We still haven't heard anything back about school, but we'll deal with that. The important thing is that she's starting to feel better. No railroading of any kind was accomplished today, but perhaps tomorrow will be different.

Welcome, JP, as one former Marine to another, can I buy you a cup of coffee. I like mine with cream and sugar now too.

Lupo, that sounds like it was a really good show. I know what you mean about rising standards. I started out with IHC locos, which really aren't bad, but there are so many really good locos available now, it's hard to settle. Life is full of slippery slopes.

Ed, I think you're making really good progress. You've gotten a lot done in a relatively short time, and it looks good.The more I see of people using stacked foam pieces, the surer I am that is what I'm going to use from here on in. Is there any sage brush in your area? When we were in Phoenix last year, visiting our son Matt,I snipped off a few pieces from a bush in the front yard. It really looks good for the trunk and major branches.

Phil, building trees with help from your new lady sounds like a good way to spend the winter. Congratulations! Which road was her dad with before the merger in '82, the Southern or the Norfolk & Western?

Fergie, I'm glad the foam worked out well. I think your rule about guests, the fridge and the last beer is an excellent one. We have much the same rule here. Congratulations on the Digitrax system. I'm sure you're really going to like it. I've dealt with Loy's Toys for probably eight or nine years. They are all super to deal with. Very knowledgeable and very helpful, and Lisa does have a beautiful voice.

The switch toggle springs really are simple. I got the idea from MR's article on the Alkali Central railroad in the December 1995 issue. There is a follow up on them in the February, 1996 issue. I use .028 inch diameter music wire, and start with a piece about 2 1/2" long. Make a 90 degree bend in one end, with the bend approximately 1/8" from the end. Make another 90 degree bend 1/4" in from the first one, so that the vee formed is at right angles to the first bend. Make another 90 degree bend, 1/4" from the second one and at right angles to it. The two ends should be parallel to each other and the vee should be at right angles to them. Drill a hole in the first tie next to the throw rod in your turnout just large enough for the wire to slip in, and centered between the rails. I drill all the way through the cork roadbed and the plywood for added support. The 1/8" long end goes into the hole in the center of the throwbar, and the long end goes through the hole in the tie and into the roadbed. You can increase or decrease tension on the points by slightly increasing or decreasing the angle of the vee. Now is the time I was I had a digital camera, in addition to my beloved Nikon dinosaur. It sure would make this easier. The finished toggle, when viewed from the top looks like a vee with the sides 1/4" long and the angle at 90 degrees. When viewed from the side it looks like an upside down J. To throw the turnout you just flick the throwbar. When adjusted properly, the toggle exerts enouhg pressure to hold the points tightly agains the stock rail, and provides very good electrical contact. I really like them. They are a very simple, elegant solution to the problem. I hope this helps, and if my explanation isn't clear enough let me know.

I'd better go for now, because it's getting late.
Have a great evening everybody,
Tom

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE: Originally posted by egmurphy

Good evening all you Coffee Clubbers,

Okay, I’ll admit to being stupid. What’s a ‘henweigh’? Or do I just have to keep reading until someone makes it obvious?

Hasta Mañana

Ed

[(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D]
Oh about Five Pounds!
[(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D]

[Paul W. Beverung]

JP; I guess I'll stick with that. Short and simple for an old army guy. Marine, ay. I pulled a few of you guys out of the jungle on occasion. They were sure glade to see my Army Green helo. Great guys every one. Doc says no sugar and I never could get a tast for milk or cream in my coffee. Our coffee was so bad. HOW BAD WAS IT? Well it was so bad that the first shirt shot the coffee pot one day.

Fergie; Congrats on the dcc. I know what you mean by paying for it. One of these days, like tommrow, I'm going to look into dcc myself. An old friend of mine and I are going to go up to Denton Tex to a hobby shop up there. That's where he got his dcc. He got a Lenz. Ron and I went through flight school together and after RVN flew at Ft Wolters. We'd get together on saturdays and drive to Dallas and go to Bobby Halls. Good times.

Ed; You have been moving along. If I didn't spend so much time on here I'd be getting more done. I think that you got the rolling hills right, looks good.

Noah; I can't picture you just sitting around for long. I bet you do more than a little on the layout.

I'll second Ed's what ads and what's a henweigh?

Well Mary Ann wants to go see if we can see the eclipse. See you all later.

Paul

[philnrunt]

Ed- What's a henweigh? Oh, about 3 pounds.(Rimshot, followed by a tapping noise on the microphone and "Hey, is this thing on?") And apologizing for your layout is like saying your sorry for a warm day in January. It's going great, by the look of the pix! I'm waiting to see freights thundering by. Dosn't look like it will be too long now!
Ferg- I know all about Adirondacks, and I totally agree with your choice. Put a fire and a reflector in front of one, raise the tarp and let it snow! Makes me want to go camping again. The chief just mentioned tonight that he wants to get some winter camping in, down in Ky. Guess we'll be making plans.
Teffy- She is absolutely a keeper. Not to get too personal, my last girl was a great friend, but she was an emotional desert. This one is exactly the oposite, and she is a breath of fresh air. I hope we'll be together for as long as I'm around!
Tom- He was on the N&W, out of the Muncie Div. He's a great guy, we get into fights over me being NYC (g'pa was an engineer, uncles too) and him being N&W. We both agree its good that at least neither of us were Pennsy! (Keep those emotions in check, you green and red teamers!)
Looks like i'll be heading to one of the LHS' this fri, need to pick up some glues and putty. Now that I have a treemaker I need to start building. The only problem is we get sidetracked so easily these days.
But we will endeavor to persevere.

[krump]

QUOTE: Originally posted by der5997

I will sign off. (but not out krump, I come in from "History" to the last page visited, and am signed in automatically it seems.)

[bow][bow][C):-)] I saw that note hidden in the weeds[:D][:D][:D], - seems like MY computer is linked to my work... where all the doors are locked behind me, heavy clink,[:o)] - I can't move arround much in there - but maybe that's just because the computer has a bad attitude[V]...

Hey Ed - How about them Sox ? [^] - they won, (and sent Walker walkin'.[:(] ) Their fans have a new motto : It's about time! [8D]

I'm hungry ... so I'd like some lousy food, but great conversation along with my regular mocha. Anybody need a refill?

[egmurphy]

Well guys, I guess baseball season is over until spring training. It was a great World Series, at least from where I was watching. I know some of you are tired of me saying it, but let me have just one more go at it. It's been bottled up a long time inside......

How about them Red Sox !!!!

I really wasn't sure I'd ever see them win a World Series. But they did it the right way, going through the Yankees and then sweeping the Cardinals in four.

In case you have any doubts, I'm a very happy camper this morning.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.



Later,

Ed

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Paul W. Beverung

Fergie; Congrats on the dcc. I know what you mean by paying for it. One of these days, like tommrow, I'm going to look into dcc myself. An old friend of mine and I are going to go up to Denton Tex to a hobby shop up there. That's where he got his dcc. He got a Lenz. Ron and I went through flight school together and after RVN flew at Ft Wolters. We'd get together on saturdays and drive to Dallas and go to Bobby Halls. Good times.

Paul

I have Bob to thank as he set me up with a couple of outlets and an E-Bay merchant. By the time it was over I saved a nice hunk of change.

a couple of sites of interest
www.gadgettom.com
www.Loystoys.com
Tony's Trains
Again Bob gave me these links as they are not only good for prices but also advise and comparing the different systems.

My concern was options + amps/$. And I think Digitrax is probably as good as I have seen.

Phil: Not to worry a fire will be burning this weekend, I've got my Coleman propane Lantern and a burner So we'll be cooking with gas!

Tom: I started reading your switch machine paragraph and found it exceeded my available RAM. So I cut and pasted it so I'll be reading it at my leisure. I'll also be digging up those old articles in MR. Funny thing is I remember the Alkali Central articles. But 9 years ago!!! Oh that hurts[:O]

Ed: Sorry you're the one who got caught with the Henweigh and to think you of all the members, Oh for shame. You'ld best go back into them hills!

Where's BB4005? Is he recovering from victory or defeat?

Later Gents
Fergie

[tomwatkins]

Good Mornin' Everybody,
It's another foggy morning in the mountains this morning, but it's going to be a great day.

How about them Red Sox? When they finally did it, they did it with style. I really was pulling for them, but I didn't want to say much for fear of jinxing them. Back in the 70's when the Florida Gators could beat anybody in the world in the first 2 quarters ( then they forgot to come back out out and play the rest of game), I was told by many friends that my bragging on them caused it. Maybe not, but I decided not to risk it.

Paul, This is one former Marine who was real glad for a ride in an Army helo on several occassions. I was over there is '68. One thing about first shirts, they know how to make a decision and take action when needed. OK, that's 2 things, but who's counting.

Phil, I'm really glad for you. That is totally cool. I was 50 when Louise and I met. I tell people it took me a half a century to find her, and it was worth every minute of it.

I'd better go for now, it's going to be a busy day. Shawna is still asleep. She had kind of a rough night last night, so she can sleep as long as she's able.

Have A great Day Everybody,
Tom

[JPowell]

QUOTE: Originally posted by lupo

QUOTE: Still working on one for Hot Link Transportation..... ideas welcomed!

Lead us not into temptation, choose Hot Link Transportation

Lupo: Nice slogan....Thanks!

'Gooooooooo # 8 GREEN GREEN GREEN
# 3 GONE. . .BUT NOT FORGOTTEN'
JHH: I agree. # 3, you'll be in our hearts forever!

'Welcome, JP, as one former Marine to another, can I buy you a cup of coffee. I like mine with cream and sugar now too.'
Tom: Please do. I'm always up for a good cup o' joe! Thanks!

I'm hungry ... so I'd like some lousy food, but great conversation along with my regular mocha. Anybody need a refill?
Krump: Yes please. Thanks! As for food, I could use a 2nd round of breakfast....anyone up to join me? If so, it's on me today!

Well guys, I guess baseball season is over until spring training. It was a great World Series, at least from where I was watching. I know some of you are tired of me saying it, but let me have just one more go at it. It's been bottled up a long time inside......
How about them Red Sox !!!!
I really wasn't sure I'd ever see them win a World Series. But they did it the right way, going through the Yankees and then sweeping the Cardinals in four.
In case you have any doubts, I'm a very happy camper this morning
EG: It's over till the end of Nov/ Dec timeframe.. Then it's the famous 'Hot Stove' winter meetings where we'll all see who stays and who goes - Torre strays...Pitching Staff and coaches...GONE!
Yeah I know... I'm a Sox fan.......[:D]

I was on my 1st deployment w/ the Marines when 'Black Hawk Down' happened. Guess where I was about 3 weeks later..... 3 miles off coast on board a Navy Amphib!

[JPowell]

[:0] I see the Forums Police Chief was at work earlier... Bergie locked the 5 page topic about 'Non-Train' Threads! Good job Chief![:)]

[Noah Hofrichter]

Ed, Look at the very top of the page, to the right side, and you see some ads hosted by google and also a few Kalambach ads. But I think if you have a pop-up blocker you can't see them, as that's basically what it is.

Chris, I see we share the same feeling on #8. Sometimes I'd just wish he'd go away. I have respect for him, but he does have a temper. And one of the main reasons I got away from NASCAR was when they decided to change the rules last year. The drivers began whineing (sp?) about that Kenseth barely won any races, and still won the championship, but that's because he was consistenly in the top 5, and consistency is better than winning the occasional race you know.

Well, I'm just sitting here, ejoying my wonderful four day break. Feel sorry for the rest of you folks............ Really, though, I did get the roadbed layed on the two new sidings, so I got a little done. Hope to get a little more done later yet. Also got to go chase the ballast train in Rock Springs, UP owned and WSOR crew operated. Had four units on it, the most I've ever seen on a train on this sub.

Also have decided something, decided I'm going to make a practice diorama, much like Ed did. Mine will serve a second purpose though, to take photo's on. My layout isn't very picture friendly lit, so I want something beside the wall of my house to take photo's against. It will also help me expiriment with the following things:

1.Using foam as a base and for scenery forms
2.Tree making from a kit
3.Plaster road making
4.Scratchbuilt bridge making
5.River making
6.Rock casting
7.Scenery coloring

And more! Stay tuned for more information on this item. I don't plan to start for probably a month yet, but I do want to do it sometime. It'll be 2ft.x4ft., so very transportable.

I'm also going to look into getting a rail images acount, as Freewebs has serious problems lately. I can't even edit a paragraph!

Well, there's my two cents for the day, stay tuned tomarrow for full accomplishment report on the layout!

Noah

[Anonymous]

Good Afternoon All:

I decided to take the afternoon off and look aroud the coffee shop and see who'e been in and what was said - boy, you guys are talkers.

My TT pit is done and I've started puttying the walls so it can be painted and the bridge is going through the thought process. (Ya'll know how us engineers are - we think something to death.)

Tom:
It sounds like Shawna is making progress - GOOD LUCK AND MAY SHE CONTINUE.

Krump:
I'm glad to hear about someone else seeing higher then store prices at the shows. I understand it on old out of production items but not stuff that's still on the dealers shelf. My feeling about shows is unless it's a local dealer showing at the show it'd better be a good price for me as I'd rather support my LHS.

Fla/Phil:
I'm glad you ask about the "henweigh" so I can say it wasn't me. How big is your layout? Aren't you in HO?

John:
On thing that I tried on some scenery was to springle grass on wet paint - MR said it would work. HO, HO, HO, not enought grass took hold to worry about. I spay the area with 50/50 glue and water and then dust the grass on while it's wet. Sometimes I might have to go back and add another coat of glue/water.

Ed:
I can't believe the progress that you are making but, I bet in real life or time it's only about 6" square. After all your train isn't regular size.

After looking at Tom and Fergies layouts in not going to wait until ALL of the track is laid before putting in scenery. My first three layouts operated for several months (one was a year) before starting scenery but I've got several places, on this layout, where it's done and the scenery can start. Im also taking some pictures and getting ready for posting school.

Paul:
Do I need to load my Digitrax chief back in the car and come see you too? I like the customer support at Digitax and that's why I reccomend it so much. When I used to ask the dumbest questions thet never called me a dumb***, at least not that I could hear. They may have laughed at some of the questions but they always waited until I hung up. When the set was three days old I ask why it wasn't responding and after three or four minutes of trouble shooting he ask "..is the 'power on' light lit up?" That was the problem, and they kidded me about that for several months.

JP:
You're going to have to tell us something about yourself - age, HO we hope, we've already got too many Normal scalers (just pickin' guys). How big is the layout or proposed layout?

Well let me go back to work.

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

[egmurphy]

Good Afternoon Coffee Clubbers,

Well I guess the realization that the Red Sox actually won has finally sunk in. At least we can get to sleep at a reasonable hour tonight.


Tom – Continued best wishes for Shawna. Hope she gets through this stage quickly and into the general recovery phase.

Nope, no sagebrush in the area. That’s more prevalent in the dry country. What we have here is really lush (also known as wet and humid) growth. With all the weeds we have around here I’m been surprised that I haven’t found anything suitable yet. A lot of the brush around here seems to be very coarse leafed. I suppose it also might be the season, and maybe I just have to keep looking until I find something at the right time in its growth cycle.

Your description of the switch machine springs was sufficient to jog my memory. I remember seeing something like that so I had no problem visualizing what you were saying.

QUOTE: Paul: If I didn't spend so much time on here I'd be getting more done.

I think that’s one of my main problems too!

QUOTE: NorthernPhil: I'm waiting to see freights thundering by.

Actually very little thundering here. This is more of a ‘limping by’ type of short line. But I hope to be able to post something before too long.

Although I haven’t done a lot of camping, I have had a couple of short winter camping trips that were memorable. Okay, one was really spring, but it was up in Jasper National Park (Parque?) in Alberta. So the weather qualified as ‘winter’ camping in mid-America. That was a weekend of railfanning in the park. I’d wait for a westbound train and take shots, jumping in the car to get ahead and take more shots, etc, until I came upon an eastbound one. Then repeat the process in reverse. Rode the old ‘Muskeg Mixed’ down from Ft McMurray to Edmonton on the NAR (Northern Alberta Railway) to start the trip. I was shooting all slide film at the time, so the shots are all on slides. I really need to dig some of them out and get them scanned.

QUOTE: Fergie: Sorry you're the one who got caught with the Henweigh…

Walked right into that one. [:I] Oh well, someone had to do it.

QUOTE: JP: It's over till the end of Nov/ Dec timeframe.. Then it's the famous 'Hot Stove' winter meetings where we'll all see who stays and who goes…

This could be the first year I actually pay attention to what goes on in the winter meetings. Not that I think that they could improve, but to see how many of the key players they lose. Or is that just conditioned negative thinking on the part of a lifelong Red Sox fan? [%-)]

Yeah, he locked the thread, but I’m glad that he made it clear that he didn’t mind the occasional non-railroad related topic. I suppose that especially true in the case of Red Sox related posts as he is a fan too! That’s exactly what we’ve been saying here too. Sure it’s a model railroad site, but we don’t talk 100% model railroading at the club or the LHS either.

QUOTE: Noah: Ed, Look at the very top of the page, to the right side, and you see some ads hosted by google and also a few Kalmbach ads.

Oh, those. I’ve been reading the forum so long that I have those kind of mentally blocked out. I seldom click on any type of banner ads, so I don’t pay them much attention.

Good idea on the diorama. My idea also was to both have a photo base and to practice scenery techniques. Post photos when you start work on it.

Put the link to your railimages account in your signature as soon as you get it set up and populated with photos.

QUOTE: Teffy: I decided to take the afternoon off and look around the coffee shop and see who's been in and what was said - boy, you guys are talkers.

I don’t know, boy, taking the afternoon off, posting on the forum from work, you better watch out or the boss will get after you. Oh yeah, I forgot, you are the boss. Okay, forget the warning, this time.

It was me that bit on the henweigh thing first. Once a straight man, always…..

QUOTE: I can't believe the progress that you are making but, I bet in real life or time it's only about 6" square. After all your train isn't regular size.

There you go! You’ve got it. Photo tricks to make the area being modeled seem larger. It’s a tad bigger than 6x6, but not much bigger.

"..is the 'power on' light lit up?" – Oooohhh, good one. Bet they got quite the chuckle out of that. But you probably weren’t the first, nor the last.


Well that’s about it for the afternoon. I’m a bit lost not having a game to get ready for. Maybe I ought to see how the layout is coming along. Novel idea.


Hasta luego,

Ed

[JPowell]

Teffy and everyone else... Yes, I model the [b][blue]Horribly Oversized[b][blue]. I'm 33, married, have a step son, live in the East Syracuse NY area, and the layout started as a 8x10x4 'J' shaped plan and has grown to a 9x7x8 'U' shaped tabletop. It's my 1st layout... yeah kinda big for a newbie but.... so my 8' is along the wall and already has backdrop attached so I won't have to keep moving the tables out from the wall. The table is built something like this... the 8' back is a combo of the 4' side of a 2'x4' and the 4' side of a 4'x5' table. the 7' side is the 5' side of the forementioned 4'x5' table, plus the 2' side of a 2nd 2'x4' table. The 9' side is a combo of the 4' side from the 2nd 2'x4', plus the 5' side of a 2nd 5'x4'. One end of the 1st 4'x5' is butted against the 4' side of the 2nd 2'x4' and one end of the 2nd 4'x5' is butted to the other 2' side of the 2nd 2'x4', and 2' of the other 5' side on the 1st 4'x5'. Any questions? Let's hope not. I'll bbl... have to go give a tub to the kid.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Fergie, I'm right here. The problem was I stayed up so late after the Red Sox won, I only got an hour and a half of sleep before I had to get up to get the kids out the door. Of course I went right back to bed the second they were gone, then slept til 1 PM, when I had to get ready to go down to the school for the weekly meeting of the chess club. So, from 2 to 4 that's what I was doing.

When we got home I grilled hamburgers for dinner. It seems like it is the one thing that all 4 of us will eat, and we actually ate at the table. Now it's almost time for Survivor and CSI, and then I may go right back to bed.

I've actually been here off and on all day, as is the case most days.[:)]

[fec153]

teffy- if you go back and read what I said, you will note that I said it,the henweigh, was as old as the grecian urn. O.K.?
I'm a ***! Facing the pike,on left is a 4x5 table,a 14 ft shelf,then on right,a 4x6 ft.table.
The loop to loop is 22" radii. There is a 14 ft siding. There are 2 turnouts so the trains can go onto a 20" radii loop that goes up to a second shelf where there is another siding about 15 feet long and then comes down to the table. There are 9 turnouts,the 2 sidings and 1 spur. All controlled by 2 powerpacks using Atlas 200 and 205. I do have fun.
Tom and others with Sat. RFD ran a 1980 show of the C&O 814 pulling a 22 passenger car consist. Will probably be repeated Sunday.
Shawna's road to recovery will be long but steady. Do not rush her.
Fergie- What , no reply to my grecian urn?
Flip {Fla.Phil}

[Anonymous]

Noah:
Took the words right out of my mouth.[:D] DEI, RCR, and Hendricks motorsports all get whatever they whine for, those three teams always have and always will. I know that Dale Jr. has cheated several times, from throwing out a piece of metal on the track so he could get a caution and fix some things on his car, to using a special type of spring on the car that lowers when you're driving (makes the cars a lot faster), and then goes back up to the right height when the car is stopped (cars can't go below a certain height). And Matt Kenseth still beat them all last year![:D]


Well sometime next week I'll order some Intermountain covered hoppers and CB&Q decals from my LHS so I can get started on my modern-day CB&Q. I still wish sometimes that I could have more locomotives, there's a ton of them out there that beg to be painted and lettered for the CB&Q![:p][:)] I really need something mrr to work on, though. I have literally nothing to do until winter, when I'll have at least one finished module to fool around with...

[Paul W. Beverung]

Teffy; Hay that sounds like an offer I'd take. I'll have the coffee pot on with some Pinion coffee. Only thing is I'd have to have some thing to test it on.

JP; I'll have to sit down and draw that out. It does sound interesting.

Noah; I saw that ballast train mentioned in MR this month. Any chance of posting some pics?

The trip to the hobby shop in Denton was a huge success. The owner is a real nice guy and gives great discounts. His shop is small, but well stocked. The name of the shop is, Silver Spike Hobbies, Denton Texas. I asked him about Horrizon Hobbies. He has gotten set up with them and is very pleased. Chuck said that the prices are lower and the availabilty is better then any other wholesaler he is dealing with. MDC and Athern seem to be in good hands. I will be giong to do business with him even though it is a long drive.

Tom; Happy to hear that Shawna is doing better.

Fergie; The best time to camp is winter. I've used a Wheelin, tarp, and tipi. The tipi is the best. Can't beat waking up on a frosty morning reaching out from under tha buffloe robe and getting the fire going and than laying back and watching the light smoke drift up through the smoke hole. Wake up again an hour or so later and the coffe is ready and hot. That's living. Have a great time this weekend.

I have to stop every so often and get the kitten away from the bird.

I still can't get my signature to post. I'll have to keep doing it manually, I guess.

Paul

Duluth, Suprior, & Southeastern

"The Superior Route"

You guys have a good night and I'll see you tommrow.

[JPowell]

JP; I'll have to sit down and draw that out. It does sound interesting.
Paul: It's pretty much 4 tables attached at certain points. If I get some free time this weekend. I'll see if I can get some pics up on here of it.

[Anonymous]

Congrats Ed.

We relaxed the curse just this once. Next year it is in full effect again. [;)]


Chris/Noah and others

When we speak of Nascar's crybabies don't forget Jeffy CryBaby Gorden. I like most any driver BUT him. I also don't buy a certain brand of paint. [}:)]


Well did anyone take the little history challenge? I am all for expanding my horizons (and other things too [;)] ).

Well golly gee, it is past my bed time, got to go.

Sleep Well [:)]

[der5997]

Bob:

QUOTE: John:On thing that I tried on some scenery was to springle grass on wet paint - MR said it would work. HO, HO, HO, not enought grass took hold to worry about. I spay the area with 50/50 glue and water and then dust the grass on while it's wet. Sometimes I might have to go back and add another coat of glue/water.

I find that you have to paint pretty small areas at a time if you are going to do the paint-as-adhesive thing. Also, quite a bit of the ground foam gets absorbed by the paint. However, it does give a quick texture. I agree with you that the glue mix plus ground foam gives a good result. Matte medium doesn't dry glossy like white glue, but is way more expensive. I guess it's a budget vs what one can accept on one's own layout thing. I think I may start by doing my two main yards with paint and ashes, and see what happens. If I don't like it I can paint, then when it's dry do the glue thing. There's quite a lot I have to do before I can get to the hills, as I want to incorporate rock castings in most of those faces. Besides, like Ed, I've a lot to build yet. Maybe Monday I can pick up more foam. I'm going to try a recycled building materials place. I need some anyway to insulate our well casing. The off cuts should do fine for the scenery.

Ed: Now that our support for the Yankees and Cardinals has paid off in the breaking of the COTB, it's time for you to deliver the necessary food offering. Mrs. der and I have discussed this. We think that the crab enchiladas from the Last Chance Bar and Grill in Campbell River, B.C. would do nicely. Since that establishment was known to us in the 80s, it has probably closed. So fulfilling this order may require a bit of time travelling. However, we feel a small sacrifice like this is not too much to ask, in the circumstances! [;)] [:P] [dinner] [C=:-)] [(-D] [}:)] [:D]

It's bed time after a busy day in our daughter's yard shredding branches from trees downed in or felled as a result of the hurricane a year ago Sept.! Then dinner this evening in the company of Virginians who have bought a summer place on the island. They go home Saturday.
So, good night, and God Bless.

[Hawks05]

well i think i'll stop by quick.

just like noah i have a 4 day weekend. i had to work till 9 last night then went out and played some poker till 11. got home and started playing the new Grand Theft Auto game till about 1. took a shower then went back to playing. lost track of time and finally got into bed around 5AM this morning. the worst thing was my dad gets up for work at 5:15 or so. today was the first time i've actually watched the 5AM news. well i've done it before on snow days when my mom comes up to tell me otherwise never. i got up around noon. started playing GTA again till about 3 then i ran the train a couple times around before heading off to work again. i wanted to start that grain elevator but it never happened. i also have to read about 300 pages for a book review due next thursday. its gonna be a fun weekend, have to work again tomorrow night and sunday night, probably go out to a movie saturday night so i won't have much time for anything this weekend.

my layout is starting to look a little better. i want to get to the hobby store to buy some more turnouts and maybe another building. hopefully i can get started tomorrow with the elevators.

well just thought i'd stop by quick. off to play GTA again and maybe try and figure out what i need for the elevator office.