Elliot's Diner, Mark XVI

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning.

It's 73 and partly cloudy. The high will be in the low 90's and there's a chance of rain.

I had a very busy day yesterday so I didn't have any time to work on taking down the old backdrop. It took several hours to mow my parent's yard. I was going to use their new mower to do it but the darn thing wouldn't start. The battery charge was too low. I put the charger on it then went and got Old Reliable, the old Peerless mower. Now this thing looks like an oversized MTD and is a real physical workout to use. The steering is stiff and the brakes are very hard, requiring a heavy foot. The shift mechanism is also quite stiff and you really have to be on top of your game to shift it quickly. All I have to really worry about is going from forward to reverse as it tends to hang up in forward. It has a hydro-matic transmission so going through the forward gears can be accomplished without a clutch. Thankfully the accelerator is very easy on the foot. I had been looking forward to using the new mower and ended up having to drive the tank instead. After that was done and the clippings left to dry in the sun I helped my father repair a leaking water line, moved a couple of rolls of wire fence, got the bath for the dogs ready, then had to see if I could get the new mower started. It's use is required to clear up the grass clippings. The darn thing still wouldn't start. So I had to take the air filter assembly apart and spray some starting fluid into the carb while I was cranking it over, an operation that almost requires me to have three arms. It started then I had to go through the interesting procedure of reassembling the air filter assembly while the thing is running. It took only 45 minutes to vacuum up the clippings but over an hour to dump them on the burn pile. After all that I was happy to just get back home. I have no idea what surprises may be in store for me today.

Today's Weather for:
Sundown, LA  71446-6114      8/15/2009

Heat Index:  78°F
Humidity:  92%
Dew Point:  71°F

So Far Today
High:  77°F
Low:  73°F
Rain:  0.00"
Rain Rate:  0.00"/h
Gust:  0mph NNE

Today  High: 95 with a heat index of 103.   Partly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 90s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight  Low: 75    Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 70s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

[howmus]

Mornin' everyone!

Flo I'll have an Everything Bagel and a cup of Dark Roast Coffee in a FGLK Mug this morning.  Please and Thank You.  I think I'll sit in the front booth this morning and watch the switching in the yard.

Currently 80°F here in the Finger Lakes under bright sunny skies.  High will be around 86°F in the weather people are correct.  I need to finish the lawn today, but I think I will do that a little at a time and alternate with layout w**k.

I am also going to work on the slide show for the handicapped camp next weekend.  Also need to get out the Timesaver Layout and make sure everything works as that will be part of the show.

Hope all of you have a great day!

73 

[TMarsh]

Mornin‘ Coffee please. Thanks

Getting a late start today kinda humid out so I must wait a bit to mow. Gonna check on the roads. Also did a parking lot and drive up pavement for the bank and realized I had no exit. I know I've been talking about letting some 1:1 accuracies go, but I figured that's a bit much. So I modified the plan and it will share, sorta, the drive of the yet to be fire house that I now have room for. I also have finally thought of a use for the small section of the old AHM Gruesome Casket Co. (it's been called so many things over the years I wouldn't know what to call it so's you'd know what I was talking about) Gonna be the Marshal Township Office and Road Dept, WHICH allows me another building for the township garage. Of which I now also have room for. At least the church will now have a place to fry their chicken and fish. Just like us. WHOA!! Now there's a thought for a scene! It would mean absolutely nothing to anyone other than the locals here, but do we care?? Nope.

Barry-Nope wasn't all Ray. Nor do I think the mods would say he meant anything by what he said. You're right IMO they just saw where it was going and by chance Ray was the last post and some jumped on what was said or the mods knew that they would and said enough. Wise call. As for Ulrich, Europeans have different attitudes than us (at least United Statesians) and I respect that. We take for granted what we have because we have been isolated other than the news in our freedoms. Many places in Europe have only recently received what we have had for over 200 yrs. No one here other than an immigrant, can say "I remember when..." like Europeans can. So I understand his position. It's just as near and dear to him as it is to us it's just a little "nearer" to him.

Ray- I love those shirts! I'll have to get one or two someday there are at least a couple that I can identify with.

Lee- You should respond "Well then, I'm almost positively sure we can possibly help you. Maybe"

Jeff- Sounds like quite the ordeal. I had a generator that was an ether baby. And yes it was a bit of a chore getting that filter and cover back on while that little 10 horse Tecumseh was shakin' around. Sold it. Got a Generac with a Briggs. We'll see how long that thing lasts. The other didn't last long before it became unreliable. And when the main purpose of our generaor is to keep the pumps running so the basement doesn't flood. Hard to start is not an option. Especially if the thing needs started and it's just Brenda here.

Ray and Garry, saw your pictures in WPF super job guys. But, um...Didn't I see some bought things in there?

Have A Great Day! (says loudly over my shoulder as Vinnie, who appeared virtually out of nowhere, roughly escorts to the door and flings my carcass onto the ground never touching the steps did I)

Oh man! Did Rob bring the horse buy here!

[howmus]

TMarsh

Ray and Garry, saw your pictures in WPF super job guys. But, um...Didn't I see some bought things in there?

 

ROFL!!!  I have to confess, yes those two little sections of code 70 rail in the first photo?  I bought those......  The wooden tunnel portal, however, was made of some scrap wood that was going to be thrown out from shop class at school 25 years ago that the shop teacher thought looked about right for HO and left on my desk in the music room........  (I did buy the molds that were used to make the rocks...)

Confessions are good for the soul!

Oh, and glad you liked the photos! 

[pcarrell]

nik .n

pcarrell

Wanna see something cool?  Have your sound turned up!

http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/?action=view&current=Rain1.flv

PC, AWESOME! Where was this?

It's the opening to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjbpwlqp5Qw

[Cox 47]

Good morning...Its sunny and 82 here..I'll have a diet coke please...thank you...I'm working on putting a Atlas GP NYC shell on a Life Like GP 18 drive and finnishing up a B&O caboose...You all have a good one...Jerry

[CNCharlie]

Good Morning!

Say, it isn't often that I get to say that! Usually I seem to be here with the late night crowd. The place somehow looks different in daylight and you can actually see the switcher shunting from the RC.

Another rainy day here and tomorrow and Monday we are to have more of the same. Temp is only about 60F.

I've been running my RS3, my one CPR diesel, along with a  couple of heavyweights. The RS3 is a recent Athearn with a MRC sound decoder. I'm sure you would be amazed Jeff as the decoder has been going for over a year, sounds good and has motor control as good as the Digitrax decoder I first put in it. I guess I got lucky.

Well I've been told we are about to go out and do some errands, so I'll just put on my chauffeur cap and be out the door

CN Charlie

[jeffrey-wimberly]

TMarsh

Jeff- Sounds like quite the ordeal. I had a generator that was an ether baby. And yes it was a bit of a chore getting that filter and cover back on while that little 10 horse Tecumseh was shakin' around. Sold it. Got a Generac with a Briggs. We'll see how long that thing lasts. The other didn't last long before it became unreliable. And when the main purpose of our generaor is to keep the pumps running so the basement doesn't flood. Hard to start is not an option. Especially if the thing needs started and it's just Brenda here.

We've had two machines that had Tecumseh engines. The first was a Dynamark riding mower and the second was a TroyBuilt chipper shredder. Come to think of it we still have the chipper. It's been holding down the concrete foundation in the storage building for the past sixteen years. It only ever ran good once, when it was brand new. It got wet from the morning dew and never ran right after that. We've taken it to a number of repair places and they've replaced the carburetor (that only made my father's wallet lighter) and the ignition system, that included the flywheel. It ran so-so for another four months then wouldn't run at all. We got tired of messing with it and pushed it into a corner in the back of the storage building where it's been ever since. The riding mower had a taste for oil right off. We replaced every seal and gasket on that thing and it still burned oil! In less than a year it was burning so much oil the plug had to be cleaned before each use. On the good side it kept the mosquitoes away while the grass was being cut. It threw a rod threw the side of the block in November of that year and that was that. We've not bought anything else that had a Tecumseh engine since then. The new mower (MTD Yardman) has a Kohler engine that's a bit stubborn to start and sometimes needs to be primed. The old tractor (Peerless) has a heavy duty Briggs and Stratton V-twin that's 10+ years old and starts every time and doesn't burn or leak a drop of oil. The only bad thing about that old tractor is the company that made it went out of business so any time it needs parts (rarely) we have to cross index the part #'s to find something that will fit or can be adapted. My parent's love it because it's always run well and we all agree that we hate the new one with a passion but will keep it around as long as it runs. I'm about the only one who uses them anyway. My mother can't get on either one of them anymore and my father doesn't have the time.

[TMarsh]

howmus

those two little sections of code 70 rail in the first photo?  I bought those..

You're a good sport Ray. But Vinnie has uh, let's say "suggested" that the joking about that has run it's course. Anyway, to me you already are a Master Modeler.

Got the through town track for the station layed from switch to switch. Now it's time to mow. I feel I could have made some good progress today but I guess it's just not in the cards. By the time I get the yard done it'll be time to go to w**k.

Speaking of work, I'm glad your boss was understanding Robby, I was hoping he wouldn't hold it against you having to take off so soon after starting. Hope your wrist continues to improve.

 

[TMarsh]

Jeff- I'm agreeing with you on the Tecumseh. Some people I have run across have no problems but any that I've ever been around,( I've only owned 1, the generator Devilbliss was what it was) have not been very good. Like you said it ran good for a short time and then got progressively worse and no matter what I did it just wouldn't run right once you finally got it started. A one cylinder engine that WON'T run smooth and even is not a good engine to have on a generator.

[Cederstrand]

Strong coffee in a large UNION PACIFIC mug, please & thanks.

***Jeffrey, is that trailer a Nu-Comp? Are they kits or do they come painted/assembled? Ordered a couple for the wife's HO layout, upon her request. Looks like they are at the PO, but won't get to pick them up until Monday. Just curious how much work (if any) they are going to be.

Had some horse rotating into different pastures today. Wife let the stud (a gelding now but still thinks he's a stud) into the back pasture yesterday with three mares, which then as a group broke into the middle pasture, then knocked down the gate to the front pasture. The six of them were having too much fun kicking at each other, so today I separated them out into groups of 2 per pasture. Need to keep one closer to the barn, incase her hoof trouble returns. Also put Cold Mountain where our stud had been, so this will cut down on my barn chores. All is well on the ol' farm once again.

Hope to be working on train stuff by this evening. 

Have a good day all.

Rob

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Cederstrand

***Jeffrey, is that trailer a Nu-Comp? Are they kits or do they come painted/assembled? Ordered a couple for the wife's HO layout, upon her request. Looks like they are at the PO, but won't get to pick them up until Monday. Just curious how much work (if any) they are going to be.

No. Mine is a plastic kit from City Classics. It the 'Robert's Rd Mobile Home'. It almost went together when I dumped it out of the box. As far as I know the Nu-Comp kits are resin kits. I have no experience with them.

[TMarsh]

Rob- I have a Nu Comp kit the Trailer Kit w/ Porch #H1002. It wasn't bad to put together I had to do a lot of cleanup of the parts but that is to be expected. One thing I did notice on that particular one was that the porch height was too short leaving a large step to the door. I'll have to either raise the porch which I doubt because of the skirting unless I change that, or make another step to the door. I also just last week purchased another The Basic 70's Trailer Kit #H1006. Haven't even taken that one out of the box. And then I want to get H1003 to complete my rental village. Like Jeff said they are a resin type model so you'll need Super Glue to put it together. It's got a powdery substance on them so you'll want to clean that off first.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

TMarsh

they are a resin type model so you'll need Super Glue to put it together. It's got a powdery substance on them so you'll want to clean that off first.

Super glue is cheap enough. I get at Wal-Mart for 25 cents a tube. The powdery substance on the parts is the mold release agent. I have a couple of resin kits and they both had that powder on them.

[TMarsh]

That's what I figured it probably was. That was my first resin kit so I was unfamiliar with them. At least the powder jumps out at you to clean off. Styrene kits are teasers. Most times I get away without cleaning them before painting and everything is ok. Been doing it for years, but every once in a while,

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Hello..

Todd and Ray. Are you by chance talking about the thread that upset our good friend, Ulrich? I was was wondering what could have bothered him. I never saw the thread. I'm glad to see you can joke about it. 

JimCG said he was off to Chuck's Depot today. I just heard Chuck is not in the store today, but his friend is there to wait on customers.

Have Fun everybody.

 

[grumpy61]

Inch,  Glad you had a good time in Evansville.  Nice to see that you got to my LHS.  ABC has a nice selection of trains and can order anything you need.  Sorry to hear about someone with a gun.  Was that near the Howell Yards?                  

[AmanaMedic]

Good evening,

Good grief, another jam-packed few days here in the Diner again...as usual. Let's see, we've had the anniversery of a med-evac flight, dissertations on cards, chaos and turmoil elsewhere on the Kalmbach property; and the (hopefully very temporary) departure of our good friend Ulrich.

Miss a day (or two, or three) and you really do miss a lot, although I'm kinda glad I missed "the topic" which had all the trouble.

ROBBY P: Glad the wrist is doing better, but if it's still acting up, they really "should" have you evaluated by some form of medical person. Otherwise, you risk continued irritation/further damage. Work-comp oughta cover everything. Note I used the words "should" and "oughta." Your results may vary. Congrats on the expansion to the layout. You've gotten more construction done in the past few days than I have in the 4+ years we've been living here. Tough break on the right-of-way dispute with the wife. I'm luckier than some, I guess...I have my RR room, which is mine, mine, all mine. I have full blessings to do whatever the heck I want to with it...short of precipitating the destruction of the house.

A few more parts have finally arrived for the Chicago Central caboose project. The all-weather window I've been needing for my GP-15-1 finally came so I can get it installed and get the unit OFF the table...and onto the shelf. A few more parts for the stalled GP-40 project also arrived, with parts for it also on back-order. 2009: the year of the back-order.

I crossed my fingers, said a quick prayer (the astronaut's prayer: "Dear God, please don't let me screw the pooch," from "The Right Stuff"); and fired-up the airbrush again. This time I shot Poly S on a rebuilt boxcar. FANTASTIC! Worked like a charm. My el-cheapo Testor's unit would clog mercilessly, and had a lousy time with acrylics. Not this thing...by gosh, I might actually start liking airbrush w**k. A blast of glosscote (the right can this time), and a mix of Herald King decals with a set of Microscale...and a former FGE boxcar patched for CNW is shaping up nicely.

My job sent me to a variety of places last week...as usual. Today, I covered a "townhall" meeting our local congressman held. Walking out of it, I was disgusted with BOTH sides. I'll leave it at THAT.

Chloe? Janie? Flo? Whomever/whichever... I'll shut up now and grab a burger 'n fries with a 7-Up...yeah, at the RC.

Chris

[Cederstrand]

A bit late, but one coffee refill, please & thanks.  

***Jeffrey, Todd: Thanks for the link & tips. I like the shapes of the 1002 & 1006. Did they come already painted? My wife opted for the 1005 & 1011. Sounds like they won't be too much trouble. Just add them to the stack of other models she wants me to put together for her.  

Off to do critter rounds. May as well enjoy the free music from across the creek. The neighbors granddaughter is having a big wedding out there.

Rob

[grayfox1119]

 Good evening!!! Boy do I need a RBF Cloe, make it a double please. 78F here at 7:35pm, what a hot day here today and we have 5 more similar days to follow.

And I see the Tropics are getting active, one TS and two more storm areas following off the coast of Africa, the second, Bill, looks like it will become a CAT 2 hurricane by the time it hits the Carribean.

MRR: Last night I got the guard timbers mounted on the truss bridge, and tonight I will mount the guard rails and barrel platforms. The bridge track will be the last to be mounted to complete this kit project.

JEFF: I am surprised that the new lawn tractor is so hard to start after a charge on the battery. Is the tractor left outside in the open with a cover over it, or stored in a shed/garage? The next time it won't start, assuming the battery is up to full charge, pull the spark plug to see if it is wet/getting gas. If so, check the spark at the plug, you could have a magneto issue. I can't believe it is the starter on such a new engine, although possible, it is highly un-probable. The starter WAS the problem with my engine this Spring, even though it was turning over. It had shorted windings and was dropping too much voltage so the engine just wasn't turning over fast enough to start. The new B&S starter is larger, and spins that engine over so fast it sounds like a jet engine revving up.

ROBBY: One good thing about moving bathrooms in the basement ( in case that is a possibility ), plastic piping makes moving waste line and feed lines very easy. Also, toilets can be fitted now with UP flow tanks so that you can move them if need be. Just a thought to consider.

Later guys,

[blownout cylinder]

Hello

Got back from another all day trip running hither thither and yon---we got some interesting shots of things like

and some old buildings

and just had a great ol' time trying out some new stuff---

I'm still getting stuff uploaded so I'll probably will throw some in here tomorrow sometime----

Chloe---I'll have a nice cup of chamomile tea and a BLT sammich please---yeah at the RC--

[howmus]

Evenin' folks!

Zoe, I think I will have a Butterscotch Sundae and a Dr. Pepper.  I be at the front booth near the air conditioning......

Today was a hot one!  Got up 86°F and trying to do anything in the sun was difficult.  That even includes just sitting outside.  Right now it is 75°F with an 85% humidity.  I just finished the lawn.  No way I could have gone out and done it at 4:00 this afternoon......

Speaking of 4 this afternoon, I was just popping in here to see what was going on and the phone rang.  My son calling to invite me over for supper.  I never turn down an invitation to play with my Granddaughters!!!  Little Emily (5 1/2 months) is getting to be a real cutie.  She is fascinated  with Grandpa's beard.  And grabs it every time I hold her.  She is all smiles for grandpa as well.  Olivia is right into the "terrible twos" at the moment and gets into anything that she can.  We played with a toy piano and several other of her favorites.  Got a big kiss when I left for home.  This Grandpa thing is great!

Got home and mowed the lawn while there was still enough light outside to get it done. 

Heartland Division CB&Q

Are you by chance talking about the thread that upset our good friend, Ulrich? I was was wondering what could have bothered him. I never saw the thread.

 

Garry, I remember Ulrich posting in the thread about the moderators and Kalmbach policy I think.....  He was not happy about some things that had been said, it may have been a particular term that was used by someone.........  I can't recall his whole post off the top of my head.  I hope he does come back to the diner here and that his circumstances improve soon in many ways.

OK, I am going to sit and relax and have my Sundae on Saturday.......

73 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

grayfox1119

JEFF: I am surprised that the new lawn tractor is so hard to start after a charge on the battery. Is the tractor left outside in the open with a cover over it, or stored in a shed/garage? The next time it won't start, assuming the battery is up to full charge, pull the spark plug to see if it is wet/getting gas. If so, check the spark at the plug, you could have a magneto issue. I can't believe it is the starter on such a new engine, although possible, it is highly un-probable. The starter WAS the problem with my engine this Spring, even though it was turning over. It had shorted windings and was dropping too much voltage so the engine just wasn't turning over fast enough to start. The new B&S starter is larger, and spins that engine over so fast it sounds like a jet engine revving up.

It's stored under a roof at the back of our old bunk house so it's in out of the rain. If it sits unused for more than a few days the fuel drains from the carb. When it's cranked on a fully charged battery it has to be cranked fith the throttle full open for a few seconds then choked. Usually it'll start then. If the battery is down the starter can't crank the engine long enough for this to be done and the starting fluid has to be used. I don't have any ether so I use a corrosion cleaning spray. A thin mist sprayed across the carb opening while the engine is being cranked is enough. Once it's been running a couple of minutes it can be started easily any time during the day. Starting the old one is simple. 3/4 throttle, full choke and it fires right up on a cold start. Once it's been running a minute or two and shut down it can easily be restarted at any throttle setting and no choke.

[inch53]

 

Evening all, a barley pop if'en ya woulds Janie

ROBBY,,,, Your not alone when it comes to wives. I make plans, then the wife tells me what my planes are, nothing new there. Like when me n the kids wanted to build a shelf layout around the living and dinning rooms, and she said, "it ain't happening. Guess who won that one.

Looks like you still several more feet to play with anyway from the pic, and the bathroom wouldn't take much to box in and finish.

TODD,,,, $4.50 for a lemon shakeup, that's high, and I thought the $2.50 for one here at the fairs was outrageous. Would like to go up for Veterans day Sunday [never been], but we're already spoke for with Grandkids little league football jamboree.

LEE, sounds like it might be fun inspecting RR bridges and of course you'll have to have pictures for your records won't ya

NIK N,,,,, I've had a few of those cooking days like that only with pancakes with the 48 n 8 standing there flip'in cakes on the grill and sausage on another for 4 hours. Trying to keep up, but not to far ahead at the same time.

GRUMPY,,,, Don't member seeing ya round here so Welcome to Elliot's. I take it your from there, and yes we had a good time down there and Mothers planning a return trip one of these days. Liked ABC's shop, the guy that was there [forgot his name now] said he has a boy going Rose-Hulman in Terre Haute about 30 mile from us, so he knew this area. Missed the other LHS up town he was closed.

As for the yard, not knowing the area, but if Howell yard is over towards the SW side, then yes.  The gun didn't bother me much, but Mother was another story.

We were kinda trying to find the RR bridge over the river and just see the town. This was one of the few times I didn't ask some one for directions.

BARRY,,, was those piers in the first pic for a RR bridge????

JIM,,,, got the windmill together and it looked good till I went and spray primer. That when I noticed that the platform was setting at an angle. Think I'll take a thin cutoff wheel on the dermal n cut it loss and do some more filing.

Now to catch ya'll up on some goings on here. Mother mailed the last car payment out Friday morning, that afternoon she was rear ended by 16-year girl in a dodge pickup. Luckily Mother was making a left turn and moving. Nobody hurt, Mothers abit stiff n sore today, and our car wasn't hurt to bad. The girl had her license for 2 months and this was her 3'rd wreck [2'nd in a week]. 

The gardens the same as done thanks to the weather this summer. Mater n squash plants are dying off, still getting some beans and peppers. So far, 10 qt of beans nin the freeze and 18 pt of salsa canned [no whole maters], not even close to a normal year. Looks like there'll be a lot of store bought veggies this winter.

As far as MRRing, still got the windmill to fix and started filing off flashing n burrs on the sawmill. Not much else going on

Got the little league football jamboree tomorrow all afternoon in Paris and of course the weather forecast is sunny an hot with a light breeze and high in the low 90's. It'll be a long season for us 1 grandson and 2 nephews playing little league, 1 nephew high school, 1 grandson little league, 2 in flag football in Paris. 1 grandson playing in Girard and 1 playing high school in Mattoon, and all the teams travel, except the flag games.  

Best gets round, bout sheet time. Here's a couple pics from Palestine.

Thoughts for those in need n hope ya'll has a gooden.

[JimRCGMO]

Evening, Janie, just a cup of hot cocoa to go, please. I'll catch up on most of the many pages tomorrow after church, I guess.

Heartland Division CB&Q

JimCG said he was off to Chuck's Depot today. I just heard Chuck is not in the store today, but his friend is there to wait on customers.

 

Well, Garry, if I'd have known where your camera and microphones were, I would've waved Hi! to you today! And for those who've never been to Chuck's place, here it is:

You're right, the friend was minding the shop - said Chuck & wife were on a train trip out west somewhere. The friend did give me a discount on the stuff I bought (Blair Line Rt. of way signs, road signs - and posts for both those - plus a Walthers 25 ton crane kit for my work train). I was fortunate enough to find and get the smaller Walthers electrical substation ('industrial', Walthers calls it) that's not available on the Walthers site anymore. Picked up some more colors, in both Polly S and Floquil, too, so I can get some cabeese and a gondola painted.

For those wondering about Ulrich, I'd heard he will be peeking in the windows and trying to keep updated in here (more or less, with the quantity of posts we go through). So no making faces at each other - or him - or he will see you (and maybe come find that old catapult...

Oh, I saw somebody said something about some deal in Walther or Kalmbach's neck o'the woods - when I was in Chuck's this afternoon, a customer mentioned something about a bank robber in that area that the police hadn't caught yet. So I watched extra careful where I parked the car and when I got out until I was headed out for home...

Tomorrow afternoon is supposed to be rainless again, so I have some freight cars that I will be seeing about painting. Meanwhile, I'm out of here!

 

Blessings and prayers for a good night and the rest of the weekend,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

 

[blownout cylinder]

inch53

BARRY,,, was those piers in the first pic for a RR bridge????

I tried to find out about that and the closest answer was that there was a spur that was either built or rather, going to be built, there. My own suspicion is that there was some kind of a spur actually there at one time---

A couple of interesting--to me anyways--locations for housing and/or barns---

[grayfox1119]

jeffrey-wimberly

grayfox1119

JEFF: I am surprised that the new lawn tractor is so hard to start after a charge on the battery. Is the tractor left outside in the open with a cover over it, or stored in a shed/garage? The next time it won't start, assuming the battery is up to full charge, pull the spark plug to see if it is wet/getting gas. If so, check the spark at the plug, you could have a magneto issue. I can't believe it is the starter on such a new engine, although possible, it is highly un-probable. The starter WAS the problem with my engine this Spring, even though it was turning over. It had shorted windings and was dropping too much voltage so the engine just wasn't turning over fast enough to start. The new B&S starter is larger, and spins that engine over so fast it sounds like a jet engine revving up.

It's stored under a roof at the back of our old bunk house so it's in out of the rain. If it sits unused for more than a few days the fuel drains from the carb. When it's cranked on a fully charged battery it has to be cranked fith the throttle full open for a few seconds then choked. Usually it'll start then. If the battery is down the starter can't crank the engine long enough for this to be done and the starting fluid has to be used. I don't have any ether so I use a corrosion cleaning spray. A thin mist sprayed across the carb opening while the engine is being cranked is enough. Once it's been running a couple of minutes it can be started easily any time during the day. Starting the old one is simple. 3/4 throttle, full choke and it fires right up on a cold start. Once it's been running a minute or two and shut down it can easily be restarted at any throttle setting and no choke.

 

I know that drill. Our twin cylinder 18HP lawn tractor does the same thing if it sits for several days. I hate the fuel pump on it, it is the source of the starting problem. We have to use full choke, full throttle, and let her crank for sometime 30 seconds before the fuel get to the cylinders and she starts. After it starts, just like yours, it can be started easily during the day and usually for a day or two later also.

 

[TMarsh]

Evenin' all.I'll take a piece of Texas Sheet cake and a glass of milk. As Inch would say, it's sheet time.

Garry- I'm not positive the thread did it but yes that was at least the straw that broke the camels back so to speak. The attitudes of some and the moderators shutting things off was finally did it for him.

Rob- Your welcome, I'm glad I could finally help someone else for a change. Even if it was just some info. No the trailer was not painted but the resin material took paint real well. It's not smooth or "slick" like styrene it is a course texture. I can't find our camera ( Hate to ask the wife because she looks at me funny when I take pictures of the stuff to show) or I'd show you what mine looks like so far. Of course like everything else, That isn't done either.

Ray- came home tonight and I found the grandkids camped out in front of the fireplace and a very tired dog. Brenda says Zachary, 5, didn't make it. He wanted to sleep in the big bed with grandpa. He fell asleep on the couch and she put him on the floor next to his brother.

Inch- Football already, were has the year gone. Too bad about Vets day, would have been nice to shake your hand. You only save admission anyway. Being's how that's the only day we go we splurge for infield parking. Adds up to about the same as parking off the grounds and paying admission. After all these years I don't find the fair fun anymore it's more of a tradition than anything. Besides, as my wallet empties faster every year I think of the MR stuff I coulda bought and had something to show for it. Oh well Brenda enjoys it and it's time I get to spend with her.

Jim- Chucks place is like CastleTrains. Well not just like it, but it's in the guys basement of his home. He had trouble getting Athearn stuff because he didn't have a "store". They considered it his home and they don't sell to (vendor pricing) people who sell out of their home.I understand why, but if they had ever been to the basement, which has an outside door, signs, business hours, the whole shootin match, they'd know he wasn't just some guy trying to get trains cheap for him and his buddies.

Jeff- I did the same things your dad did with the same effect. Smaller bank account and an engine that ran the same. Like I said I finally fixed the problem. It's gone.

Well time to do some laundry, gonna press the sheets.

[TMarsh]

Sorry Grumpy, I missed ya. Welcome to or back (?) to the diner I see you've been around for awhile but have few posts. Feel free to tell us abit about yourself and your layout.

[LSWrr]

Good morning all,

I went to the LHS yesterday and picked up another Walther’s brick street system to finish my downtown area.  I was short material for 2 sidewalk sections and the crossing over the mainline.  I also picked up a Athearn flat car with a small plane on it and another blue and yellow C&O box car.  I actually walked in to get some dead fall for the creek I put in, but walked out with all the extra stuff.

Inch, I have access to the drawings of every RR Bridge and Street Bridge in the Great Lakes that crosses a navigable waterway. If anyone decides they want a copy of something I can scan I would be more than happy to email them a copy.