Elliot's Trackside Diner XXII-Just a track over

[TMarsh]

Hey! looks like the first page of the year tab is on me!! What an honor!

Vincent- Your post kinda got my blood pressure up. I've been around employees like her and managers like her. Worked both with and for them too. Grrrr, can't even explain how they irritate me. Luckily for me I am in a position where I can speak my mind without fear of theats to end my source of income. I must agree enough is enough and if you do get a call from the GM, I definately would tell him about your two "buddies" actions and what really happened. Adding, you'll never keep decent employees with managers and employees like those two. Good luck finding a new job.

Um. By the way, I know you were angry and not exactly thinking things through, but for future reference, the burnout leaving wasn't that great of an idea. First, it more than likely made the girl who wanted it her way happy at your display of aggravation. Even if she did have to work the drive up  after all. But probably did not. And second, if you did happen to damage someones car, it could well have been someone who was innocent and that would be bad. Even if it wasn't, and this is worse, well your still liable for damages, and THAT my friend, would eat me UP! Knowing now I'm paying to fix that (expletives for about 27 and a half seconds) car! 

[Trainman Sam]

GMTRacing

Sam - I like the sketch in the link. One thing you can try is extending the passing siding on the right side of the loop by using a curved turnout down on the bottom of the sketch. The curved crossing is a good idea and easier if you trim away the straight track either side of it to blend into the curved sections better.

 

Actually, I am attempting to keep the station area of the layout prototypical... here's a link to see the ariel view of the station and the engine house.

 http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCC&cp=qqtns98rmg5x&style=b&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=21190157&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1

The station is on the right side of the screen right where is says "Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park.  The tail track at the far end of the station just goes out into the woods and terminates, this is what I am using the trees to mask the fact that it actually loops on my layout.

Jeff- the first computer I had was an ATARI, also with the "floppy" disks and the atari cartridges, that was the mid 80's.  My next computer was a Zenith, which I got from one of my brothers friends who used to attend the U.S. Naval Academy with him... that only had 10Mb, I think, of HD and I had Prodigy as my first ISP!!!  Oh the days of super slow dialup!!!  Now I have an Hp Pavilion Slimline that came with 250Gb of HD and I have an external HD of the same capacity... I couldn't have imagined this much memory 19 years ago when I got the Zenith!!!  amazing

Packers- I wish you well on your search for a new job. 

Well, Susan (my wife) should be home any minute now, and we have to get some things ready for the festivities tonight!  I hope the new year will find everyone healthy and Railroading along!!!

[Cox 47]

Happy New Year all...its sunny and 22 here...I'll have egg nog and a cookie please...thank you...You all have a good one...Jerry

[GMTRacing]

Sam,  That makes good sense. J.R.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Trainman Sam

Jeff- the first computer I had was an ATARI, also with the "floppy" disks and the atari cartridges, that was the mid 80's.  My next computer was a Zenith, which I got from one of my brothers friends who used to attend the U.S. Naval Academy with him... that only had 10Mb, I think, of HD and I had Prodigy as my first ISP!!!  Oh the days of super slow dialup!!!  Now I have an Hp Pavilion Slimline that came with 250Gb of HD and I have an external HD of the same capacity... I couldn't have imagined this much memory 19 years ago when I got the Zenith!!!  amazing

Oh yes! I remember those old Zenith's with the 10 mb Winchester hard drives. The Winchester HD was great when it worked and a major headache when it didn't. My first HD was a Winchester and I didn't have any problems with it. One of my friends wasn't as lucky. His had a bad attitude at the best of times. We eventually figured out the problem with it. It had a factory defect. When one of the socketed connectors was put in one of the pins had bent up at 180 degrees and wasn't noticed and was making only intermittent contact. I pulled the connector out, straightened the pin and plugged it back it back in and it performed flawlessly after that.

[JPowell]

Good evening all and Happy New Year!

My 1st computer was a Commadore 64.

Anyways, just got a Weather Alert on my cell phone... Lake Effect Snow Advisory is in effect for my (Syracuse NY) area till 6am Sunday....

Tonight: Snow showers. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 17. West wind between 8 and 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

Saturday: Snow showers. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 21. West wind between 14 and 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

Saturday Night: Snow showers. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 12. Wind chill values as low as -6. Breezy, with a west wind between 17 and 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

Sunday: Snow showers. High near 19. Wind chill values as low as -7. Breezy, with a west wind between 18 and 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Sunday Night: Snow showers. Low around 17. West wind between 13 and 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%

Thank god I have a snow blower for my driveway!

Anyways, I have yet to get any train items for Christmas. Tomorrow may change that as I'll have my 4th and final Christmas of the year. Yes... my 4TH! Thing is... my family lives all over NY and PA. So, we have to have it on a Saturday that is convenient for the college aged relatives, as well as me (being in the Air Guard means I do have to work 1 weekend a month). So, tomorrow is the day.

Well gang, off to take care of the g/f. She's under the weather w/ a migraine and a upset tummy. Prayers and well-wishes to those in need!

Take care!

[teen steam fan]

My family's first computer was a gateway. I have no clue what model it is

[Cederstrand]

Black-eyed peas, collard greens & whatever else is traditional Southern fare on New Years day. 

 Below are a couple pics of the wife's hospital. The heliport is a medium gray, not black (must have been the falsh). Still needs an rooftop elevator, a wind sock and an EMERGENCY sign under the ER entryway, plus some touch ups. Almost there.

 

Have a nice evening all.

Rob

 

[howmus]

Evenin' Folks!

I have spent much of the day cleaning house, finishing a few projects, and worrying about my BIL.  He was taken to Strong Hospital in Rochester yesterday after being diagnosed with a clogged artery in his left leg.  He had been told that his pain was Gout caused by a blood condition he has that also keys into the Sclerosis stuff he was dealing with last Summer.  Turns out the Sclerosis symptoms are from the blood disorder.  Anyway they couldn't give him blood thiners due to the condition and he ended up having the clot removed surgically last night. 

My Sister in Law just called to say that after a few hours of wait and see, they decided that the foot and lower leg were so far gone that they decided his best bet was amputation.  So he has lost the entire foot and part of his lower leg.....  Only good news is that they will be able to fit him easily to a prosthesis that he will be able use and he should be able to walk again.  Anyway please keep him in your prayers if you would.  He is the guy that loaned me his Jeep for a couple of weeks back when I was in colege.... (see the VW discussion).  The one with the Chevy 283 dropped in it. 

I'll just have a nice cup of decafe and go sit by the stove in the back for a bit!

73

[CNCharlie]

Happy New Year!!

Greetings from Winterpeg with an emphasis on the winter. The windchill right now is -31F and it is supposed to be -45 by the morning but the sky is clear and oh yes, it is a dry cold. I was just out with Robin and I can confirm that windchill value. He sure didn't take long to do his 'business' and ran back to the house.

Not good news on our little Pippa. We had her at the vet's on Wednesday and her eye still isn't looking good but he wanted to wait until Monday before making a decision on whether to remove it or not. I think it will be a bit of a moot point as she has other problems. The anti-biotics haven't stopped the blood in her urine so she likley has bladder cancer. She really isn't eating much which for any dog is a bad sign. I have a feeling that next week will be a very sad one for me as Pip really is a Daddy's girl. She still waits for me at the door to come home whenever I go out, even just to the store.

My wife and I had a very nice New Year's last night as we went out to Mirlycourtois which is the French restauant where she works on Tuesdays. We had a really great meal. I had mushroom soup and a filet mignon with shitake mushroom and green peppercorn sauce. My wife had a fois gras terrine for a starter and a risotto with lobster tails and scallops in a lobster sauce. We had Kir royales and a couple of glasses of wine with the meal. I ate far too much and had to wait until about 2 a.m. before I could go to bed and get to sleep. 

A really quiet day today. I have  been doing a little scenery work on the layout and running my RS3 a little plus watching a little TV.

Having some lasagna for supper tonight and then I thin a little more TV is in order. I have the basement fireplace on so it is toasty warm down there.

CN Charlie

 

[blownout cylinder]

Good Evening--

Spent the last bit out in the snow playing with the new blower--next door neighbour and I got a few of our more elderly people's drives and sidewalks done---probs gotta do it again in the morn due to the ongoing snowsqualls---another one popped up and I cain't see a dang thing ag'in out there.

CNCharlie: prayers for everyone there about little Pippa.

Ray:  BIL's issues always worry me. My BIL has a heart arrythmia that sometimes wants to play tricks so we're always watching out-----prayers will go out for your BIL as well Of course---of all the cars I had I still got a big kick out of the Mustang fastback with the 429CJ---- 

Anyhoooo---Chloe, I'll have a coffee please---I'll be at the fireplace warming up

[pcarrell]

I have been violently ill for days!  Feeling much better today though.

Guess I've got some catching up to do.

[JimRCGMO]

Good Evening (and New Year), Chloe - I'll have a roast beef sandwich with the veggies (tomato, lettuce, onions, couple of pickles) and some of that dressing type spread on it, and oh yes, some cheesey fries and a RBF, please. Thanks!

I stopped by the Diner last night and had my post almost done and ready to send, then went to look up something on another website, and made the (BIG) mistake of turning on Google-Analytics' permissions for that website. Wel (as Todd might say), the forum software noticed that my edit page hadn't refreshed, and did it for me (losing my entire post...). (Memo to self: NEVER turn on permissions for Google-Analytics!)

I also didn't get my wish for a  Blessed and Happy New Year!! (and a big Thank You!) (<--Picture this guy tipping his hat...) to all you Diners last night, so I'll say it today!

Heartland Division CB&Q

Jim, ... Nice private road paint scheme on that switcher. It has that NP look to it. What does CAW stand for? Crooked And Wobbly?  

 

Garry, actually, it stands for Colorado, Arizona and Western RR - after all, Johnboy already uses 'the Wobbly' for his layout's RR, so it would be too confusing, anyway. So, did your MRers' meeting involve talking about what's in the sale flyer, or what got your order fingers a'twitchin'? And I'm glad to see that you didn't do the thing I've heard of some families doing with kids having December birthdays: "This present is for your birthday and Christmas also..." (Sheesh!)

Jeff, good that your Dad decided to help you get what you needed for your 'puter (for now, anyways), and good that you got your startup to a more agreeable speed. I hear you on the computer history thing - when I was in college, I w**ked for a while in their mainframe center, which had a few programs that still required using an ancient punchcard reader (probably came with their first mainframe purchase), and their main storage then was the big reel-to-reel decks. By the time I left, they had upgraded to cartridges for the backups. And my first Mac (in late 80's) had 4MB of RAM and the hard drive was a whopping 80 MB(!).

And Ulrich, good to hear you have the laptop now to help you stay in touch here (and I'm sure it won't slow down how quickly you can bring in Petra's strudel to the Diner). But watch out for the staying up too late - your body likely needs all the energy it can get so your heart and other systems don't get tired or worn down. Okay?

SteamTrainFan, at least for your braces (I'm guessing they haven't made it easier since my daughter got hers about 15 years ago) they just glued them to your teeth. Why, young grasshopper (switching to my 'geezer' voice...) when I had braces, they put these metal bands around each tooth and tightened them down - talk about a mouth full of metal!

Bunch of interesting "training the cat" stories there - and some 'surprised' felines, I'm sure...

DerJohn, it's a good deal that you were able to track down your electrical gremlins - they can be so annoying (on top of not being able to run trains!).

Chris, good to hear you won't be "going postal" on anyone up there. Thanks for the comment on the boxcar. Now, I just need to figure out what I'll put on the left side of the boxcars... I may need to go back to your photos and take another look - I thought the wall looked more regular/even in thickness than what I think of as riverbed rocks.

Sam, in my post last night, I was gonna suggest you look up the Turtle Creek layout in MR (the extension's in the track plan database lookup, and the PDF shows a little of the main layout at the edge of it). The main (4X8) part of the layout was in articles in Jan./Feb./Mar./Apr. of 2003, and the extension was in Jan. or Feb. of the next year, I think. They used a crossing to get to the extension (or planned it for future expansion in the original design, not sure which), which might only be a 60 degree or less of crossing. Hope that helps you some. If you don't have those back issues, email me.

On your doubled pics, use the IMG (bottom of the four choices for a pic), and then just double-click in that text box beside that, then copy and switch to the forum editor page you have open and go to the text entry box there. Put your mouse pointer where you want the photo/pic to go, and paste there. That should do it. Like this:

Uh, Johnboy, I think I missed something a bit back - your 'destroyed room"?? Refresh me on that, please. (You had an excellent Christmas 'haul,' by the way)

Lee, you had me wondering what you had done to be called "RAD" (and then I realized...). And would that designation be a good thing, or...??? Me, I'd rather be cordoned OUT of whatever area they're measuring. But that's just me, I guess.

Robby - no problem on your not staying up. I served as your designated stay-upper for you.

Vincent, I hope you find the new job before long; sounds like the one where you were was no prize. Hard part is that there are a lot of places where politics is too much a part of w**king there. (I won't go beyond that, as we don't need a rant session till dawn. ) Good to hear you've already been checking out possibilities for another job.

Rob - NICE job on the hospital! For the ER entry, you could put a sign on top of the overhang/awning, instead of under it. The rooftop entry could be fairly easy to scratchbuild like this.

Heard some neighbor shoot off something bigger than a firecracker (Maybe an M-80, if they still sell those things?), but only one, so wasn't too hard to get to sleep after that. Getting up when the alarm went off at 7? Now that was another matter, but finally got to the laundromat and got that done.

I also got the roof off of the Delaney Transfer building today, and painted some gesso on the 'stucco' areas. I figured that the gesso is supposed to have some 'tooth' to it, from my art major days when we'd use it to prime our canvases, so it should give something of a concrete/stucco/rock type of textural look to the panels. Then paint the 'wood beams and after that's dry, mask off them and paint the 'stucco' with some antique white or other off-white color.

I have on-call tomorrow and Sunday, and am hoping for an exceptionally dull couple of days (except for church on Sunday, and some MRR'ing stuff (on either/both days). Supposed to drop to 16 F tonight, and 10 F tomorrow night. Brrr!! (Yeah, I can hear Barry and DerJohn razzing me about what 'cold' really is...). Hey Flip, how would you like their temps?

Sorry to hear about your BIL's health, Ray. Will say for his healing (body and mood).

CN Charlie, glad that you and the wife were able to have a good dinner. Sad to hear about Pippa's health slipping. Will add her to my prayers.

Want to get this done before something eats this post like last night's. Everyone get rested up and stay warm and out of any white stuff your area may have. Yep, winter!....

 

Blessings and prayers,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

[tcwright973]

The discussions about old computers and their capacities brought back some interesting memories for me. Around 1963-64, I worked for a major bank in Pittsburgh when we converted over to data processing. The first two main frame computers used were GE-225's. They had a memory capacity of 4K. Input was either punch cards or magnetic tape. Storeage was magnetic tape as well. 4K was plenty as systems then were sequential only, no random access. In other words, one block in, process and one block out. When I bought my first PC, an Apple IIe, I thought it was a giant at like 26 or 28K. My how things have changed.

Tom

[jeffrey-wimberly]

tcwright973

When I bought my first PC, an Apple IIe, I thought it was a giant at like 26 or 28K.

The first Apple IIe's I remember were 48k with EProms. It was soon followed by the 64k model with none of the big EProms. Their function had been taken over by several much smaller and much more dependable socketed chips. The first Apple IIe I bought (1983) was a specially ordered job with 128k (64k RAM with 64k expander, 80 column video green screen (real eye killer) and two double sided floppy drives. It was used on a daily basis at the Financial Strategies insurance brokerage office in Leesville until the day the office closed in November of 1990. Apple had come out with the Apple IIe Plus in 1988 with 128k RAM. I took the old IIe home and used it for a few more years then put it away. It still works. I get it out of the closet once in a while and set it up and use it for a few hours then put it away. For me it's an icon of a bygone era.

[GMTRacing]

Good Evening All,

     Just stopping in on the way. A coffee and a slice of pie ala mode please - yes over behind the prune juice where we hid it from..... whaddaya mean it's 3/4 gone! Hmm, prune juice is gone too? Explains someones recent illness maybe? Hope you're feeling better though pal. Watched a couple of twilight zones on the box after the sugar bowl turned into a rout. Perhaps that's why the site here directed me to page 38 out of 37.

   Just about finished making bits for the museum turntable bridge. I'll bend up some aluminum sheet for the base of the bridge and then epoxy the rest together onto that. With any luck it'll turn out acceptably. Got some more stuff moved at home after we got back from the shop so I'll keep moving towards that emptied basement. Catch y'all tomorrow. J.R.

Ah, mystery explained - Jeffery hadstarted a post but hadn't clicked the postbutton. Thanks for the snack Jeff.

[der5997]

Good evening all, and all the best for 2010, despite the shaky start alrready reported for some folks. After a good and reasonably quiet New Year's celebration (sparklers outside this year - no repeat of the unstoppable smoke alarm of 2008/9 -) we had to change our plans and return the grandchildren and daughter to their respective homes a day earlier this morning. The reason is a humungous storm coming up the eastern seaboard and about to clobber the Maritimes later tonight and through Sunday. It doesn't look like we are going to come off too badly right where we are, but where our daughter and grandchildren live, and the route between those places will be murder on Saturday. No traffic today as everything (except fast food and some gas stations) was shut for t he New Year Holiday. So it was an un-eventful run. Now we have to clean up a bit - but peace has descended, for now.

Keith:

What is the length you can run power down the line. ....

  I have no scientific answer for this; but my on the subject is that on my Campbell River layout, which sounds about the same size and length of run as you are planning, and with far more vicious  grades, I ran the whole thing on one MRC Tech4 (OOP)...and that was before I learned to solder rail joiners! I did however have quite a number of power feeders to the tracks because there were more than a couple of blocks, and several acted as reversing sections (hence the lights - showing red in the photo of the track board which hung over one end of the layout!). JR has eloquently summed up my thoughts on the simplicity of running DCC over DC when the track plan / train schedule gets a bit complicated! My Spruce Grove layout was larger, and I used 4 different power packs. The main reason for that was because I wanted the flexibility of running different trains in different places - and one pack was dedicated to a HOn30 mini-layout. which switchbacked its way up to the area above the main peninsula.  As you may gather, I wasn't in DCC then.

I also endorse Ray's comment about not leaving DC locos on a live DCC layout. In fact, I'm leary of running DC equipment on a DCC layout at all.

CNCharlie: That MRC Tech4 was purchased at the hobby store in Victoria you found this summer! I was reminded of this just after Christmas when my rechargeable razor died. I bought it in about 1985 at that same store. (Had to replace the batteries once - but when it went Phttt when I turned it on this time, I knew that wasn't an option!)

Sorry to hear about Pippa - a tough decision, if I'm reading you correctly. To everything there is a season....

Sam: Nice hat! Can I ever relate to the added exercise potential of mrr over more than one storey!  If you do bash your curved crossing, take it slowly, and test everything more than just once. Ask not how I know...but that HO/Hon30 crossing was an interesting exercise too.

I was wondering, what is the difference between using Birch, Oak, or MDF

...just did an on-line survey about renovation materials, so here's a thought. The MDF is held together with adhesives, and that means solvents of some sort. If you're sensitive to that sort of thing, it might be a consideration. (Not an engineering answer, but a "train-room environment" one) On the dehumidifier and environment, you may want to listen to what ever units interest you. Those puppies can be noisy.  The Bing Map was very informative! I really like the look of the station building with the round tower. Are you planning on that too?

Chris:

the pickup, yes...I named her, doesn't everybody name their pickup truck??)

...you mean like "Trusty Rusty"?

Rob: I agree with CapeJim, the helipad is looking fine!

All it needs now is a windsock

...illuminated of course, but what about animation for direction changes as the wind shifts?

Ulrich: Glad you dropped in, that "funny in the head" thing is a concern given your recent history. We'll continue to pray for your complete recovery.

JR:

Anyone ever try to use the poles above the layout to route power?

...No, but I have run lines in grooves cut into foam-board. Only on short runs because I was adding track to places where getting at the underside was no longer possible. It works, and may be a solution for Keith's back!

Vincent: Rotten way to have to start the year. Sorry about the job situation. Sounds like you would have a discrimination case on the "stupid" remark. Trouble is that takes more effort and time than it's worth - besides what do you get out of it in the end - the old job back?

Rob:

Black-eyed peas, collard greens & whatever else is traditional Southern fare on New Years day.

...back in the old Coffee Shop, "Dave"...and I can't remember who he is exactly, posted this  as his New Year traditional meal.  Can anyone identify THAT? (or Dave?)

Ray: That's a tough thing for your BIL and family. Our thoughts are with them - quite a shock to start the year.

PC: sounds like the stomach flu? Hope it's all cleared up now.

Time for bed again. Goodnight all, and God Bless. Prayers continuing for all in need of Healing, Comfort, Prosperity and Peace.

 

[Packer]

Hey ya'll, RBF for me.

Went to a friends today for a New years eve party/ops session. Had a blast. By some luck one of the guys that works at a good hobby shop in pensacola. He may have found out my favorite road...

Todd, looking back; the broad probably wasn't the greatest idea. But I've been to drag strips before and have never seen any flying rubber actually damage anything. Really just sticks to it (mostly the car doing it) and is kind of a pain to clean off.

Jim, definately was no prize. The pay was above average for a burger joint, but the incompetence in the chain of command kind of made it not worth that much.

[AmanaMedic]

Good Evening, and a very Happy New Year to everybody....at least let's hope it is.

JIM:

JimRCGMO

I just need to figure out what I'll put on the left side of the boxcars... I may need to go back to your photos and take another look - I thought the wall looked more regular/even in thickness than what I think of as riverbed rocks.

I'm not sure you really need much on the left side, maybe the road name spelled out, or large initials? Maybe just the reporting marks and required data? Also, I'm not sure what photos you're thinking of...

LEE: Ahhhhh, so you truly were a "Glow Worm." My condolences. The unofficial motto of the Palo (Iowa) Vol. Fire Dept. is "First to Glow, Last to Know." They have the former Duane Arnold Energy Center (nuke plant) in their backyard. Florida Power and Light owns it now... go figure THAT one out. A Florida utility owns a nuke plant in Iowa.

ROB: THAT's a neat little hospital. JIM has a good idea for stairway access to the roof...but I think the staff of the hospital would prefer access to an elevator...

JR: I've toyed with the idea of shooting trains for publication, heck, I've got the UPRR mainline 3 blocks away... The trouble with freelancing is it truly does take money to make money. On the rare occassions when something truly "special" rolls through, the photographer convoy is amazing. You shoulda seen the circus when UP 1995 (CNW heritage unit) made the first run west. Clinton PD coulda/shoulda done some wholesale towing/ticketing/busting for all the stupid crap the railfans and foamers were doing. Driving back to Clarence on Hwy. 30 was an exercise in suicide as idiots jockeyed for position, each trying to get THAT all and ever precious "run-by" and pace shot. The president of the CNW Hysterical Society at the time, whizzed by me at about 90, darn-near got himself into a head-on in the process. I dropped them and their magazine not long after...partially for financial reasons, partially for his stupidity and the example he was setting. What I'm trying to get to, is I just haven't figured out how to ace-out the dozens of yahoos out trackside with their cameras...and how to turn a buck if I do. So....I keep writing and shooting for THAT.

Speaking of THAT, I picked up the "Holiday Basket" from the office yesterday. It's a little wire basket, very nice in a froo-froo sort of way... It contained about $10.00 worth of food items (beef log, M&Ms bag, crackers, home-brew party mix, homemade fudge). I recall a Pluggers cartoon from the mid 90s. It showed a bear in a shirt and tie holding a can of mixed nuts. The caption: "You're a Plugger if your Christmas Bonus is a food item." I tacked it up over my desk at the paper I was w**king for at the time...THAT owner/editor/publisher/bossman didn't like it one iota. I think he thought I was knocking his gift...'cause I got a can of mixed nuts THAT year. With THAT, I've been gracious and appreciative...just really hoped I woulda seen some cash...

CN CHARLIE: Very sorry to hear about Pippa, Rerun sends his sympathies as well.

VINCENT (PACKERS): I can empathize with you throwing down and storming out...but keep in mind, at the next potential job, they're gonna ask you "why did you leave your last job?" It's considered bad form to bad-mouth a previous employer...and saying "I quit" raises all sorts of red flags. I lucked out one time when I stormed out of a job...I found another not long after with an employer who only cared THAT I'd a) show up, and b) do the job. The second time (from the employer I just mentioned...) I went back to school, took out a buttload of student loans, and lived off of those. I'm still paying them off years later. I wish you good luck with the job hunt, I just think you're going to have some difficulties. THAT said, I probably woulda gotten myself fired for telling the employee and the manager where they could go, and suggesting an activity for them on the way ...which really isn't better, it still leads to embarassing questions at the next interview... But hey, "stuff" happens.

SAM: Neat pic of you and Mrs. Sam... I gotta get something like THAT of me and Loving Wife. On your sketch, I really like the switching yard part, I like the extension with the station, and I like the engine house. Beyond THAT, I'm not a fan of "roundy-rounders," but THAT's just my personal opinion, currently rated as being worth less than a half-a-cent. I think there are some operational possibilities, and depending on the scenery, the oval could probably be "camoflauged." Short comment long, I think you're on to something here.

Lets see, SAM is planning/building a layout, PHILLIP wants us to poke and prod him into w**king on his.... Crap. I'd best get serious about seriously drawin' up my trackplan this year. Maybe around May or June, I'll be back to where I can grab some lumber and get some more brackets made/installed.

JP: I guess I missed it earlier, so THANK YOU for your service (Air Guard)!

I'll have me a seat at the RC with a delicious RBF...yield the floor, and see whom else comes in this evening...

Chris

 

[ns3010]

Evening all. Chloe, I'll take some clam chowder (really regretting not getting some while I was in Boston...) and a RBF, thanks.

Who knows when, and if, I'll ever get to catching up on 5 days of posts. So I guess I'll just start from here...

Well, while I was in Boston, my plan for seeing some trains was kinda a flop... Alls I saw was three Green Line Trains, a Red Line Train, three Commuter Rail trains (one on the Framingham/Worcester Line, and two sitting in North Station), one Downeaster in North Station, and a bunch of CSX stuff (mostly intermodal), although all I actually remember of that stuff was 5430 (a GEVO), 312 (AC44CW), and a Standard Cab Dash 8 (WOOHOO!! just about the only GE stuff I actually like, besides the U Boats).
Also, on the way home on I-84, I saw the Waterbury Depot, the same one seen on David Popp's Naugatuck Branch layout in the April '06 MR. Dang this thing is huge! All I could actually see was the clock tower, but sometime I'd like to go and check out the entire station. And now I know why he needed to selectively compress it- if he built it fully to scale, even in N, it would be over 18 inches tall (so for all you normal HO guys, it would be just under 3 feet tall!)!!!!! Now I feel this sudden urge to model this thing...

Well, I'll shut up for now. I'll probably be up for a while, so I'll let some of you guys talk some more, before I start talking and can't stop...

[grayfox1119]

 Good evening and Happy New Year to all!! 

Snowing here again, that big storm is really gaining strength in the Gulf of Maine and is going to retrograde SW back towards us, so I dont think anyone really knows how much snow we are going to get. It is supposed to snow from now until Sunday night.

I finally got to finish the 150 Micro Engineering bridge, now I can start laying track at the proper elevations.

CN CHARLIE: Sorry to hear about Pipa, pets are family members and their loss is tough to deal with.

Prayers to all you are in need, may 2010 bring them healing and strength.

JIM: Every now and then, have Cloe yell out , " Look !!! A Berkshire is coming down the track" Then stand back away from Dukes table.

Hey, what gives with this forum software !! Every time I use an apostrophe like after don t, it doesnt accept it and the cursor jumps to the bottom of the screen page???? I am using Firefox.

Later guys, 

[bjdukert]

Der  Do you think Ryan would have posted the meal at the time because he goes back to the "Old Coffee Shop" as some of us do. I don’t remember a Dave,but as soon as someone from back then says his name you know you will remember it then.

Garry  Saw your thread out in the main room and the only thing I could see that should change is your work area. It is far too neat and everything is put away. What fun is it if you can find all of your tools when you need them instead of going on a scavenger hunt.

Best to all on sick call and those recovering

Talk to you later

Duke

[Anonymous]

 Good Morning Folks,

I am glad the night´s over! Could not sleep at all - the third night in a row. Now I am totally exhausted and even more "funny" in my head. I can´t really describe this feeling, but with all this computer talk recently in this thread, the best explanation would be that I have a relay in my head not "clicking" properly. Sorry guys, my brain is still analogue... 

Janie, please, coffee and a buttered toast for me - I´ll stay here at the RC.

Vincent - sorry to hear about the loss of your job. As you have already received a boxcar load of good advice, I won´t chime in. Just keep my fingers crossed that you will find a job with a team which is more to your liking!

CNCharlie -  I can feel your pain, a pet is always a family member, and the prospect of losing it hurts very much.

Ray - my prayers for your BIL 

John - do I detect a Fleischmann Class 50 steamer with a string of German passenger coaches on the right side of your Campbell River layout picture?

Rob - your hospital is a fair representation of the building I have to go to on Monday again - seems, as if all  smaller hospitals always look alike -

Chris - you have such a nice way of telling things, why don´t you start working on a book? All you have to invest is time...

 Although daylight is breaking over here, I will go back to bed  - maybe I can catch some

Have a good one!

[TMarsh]

Good morning. (yaaawn) Coffee please. And a bowl of Cap'n Crunch thank you.

Dog got me up at 4:30 to potty. Now I'm awake. I figured I'd see what was going on here.

Garry- Like the 2009 recap photos!

Rob- the Hospital looks great!

Ray- I'm sorry to hear about your BIL. He certainly will be in my prayers.

CNCharlie- Same for little Pippa

Philip- What did you have? Flu? I'll add you to the list of get well prayers.

Vincent- I wasn't referring to rubber. Unless you have real soft tires or you just sat there and melted the tire in a huge smoke show to where the tire was actually coming apart, I doubt you were flinging rubber anyway. I was referring to the other "stuff" that is on the road surface, like Penguins or small Sea Urchins. But mainly gravel. See with my luck, my tires would have picked up this pile of rocks and machine gunned the first three cars, breaking windows and peppering the paint.

Ulrich- Do they have any people who could talk to you about your situation?  There is light at the end of this tunnel wherever it ends. But there is light and you can make it.

Main project today is to get to the basement. I think I over did the weathering a bit on the skirting of the trailer. I'll see what you guys think. Maybe do a bit of work to the empire. Then unload the grocery truck, bake a pan of bread, come home hopefully hit the basement again, the go to the Holiday party for the Farmer who also owns the trucks that haul grain for the elevator. But first........, I have to find the camera again.

Have a Great Day!!!

[blownout cylinder]

***** comes in with big clunky snowshoes--unties snowshoes and bangs them against the building to release all the snow BEFORE he comes into diner----mutters to self--"sheeesh--enough snow out there"--***** 

Good Morning

Got about 16" of snow last night from a few hours of snowsquall activity. Neighbour and I went out to play with new snowblowers and got a couple of our more elderly neighbour's driveways cleared out this morning. Weatherbeguessers are calling for upwards of 12-16" more today/tonight so we'll be out with the blowers again today

In the meantime I'm going to attempt getting some MRR'ing time sometime today--

That is AFTER I go get some survival groceries----

Chloe, I'll have a coffee this morning please----I'll be at the fireplace getting warm

[LSWrr]

Good morning all,

Track power: I ran a feeder to the rails every 3 feet when I laid my track, I didn’t want to be bothered with the low voltage issues that seem to plaque my previous layouts.

 

Jeff, you just caused me to have a flash back, my first computer was a Commodore 64 in High School, but I was well equipped with a 5.25” floppy drive.  Most of my friends had the cassette tape player.  I had a modem and a phone book of all the BBS services in the country.  Then I moved up to an IBM with two floppy drives!  Typically games came on cartage or you bought the code in a magazine and copied it onto a hard drive by re-typing the code.  In the early 90’s I bought an i486 with 2MB RAM, this was far superior to my friends i386 since it came with the math co-processor already installed in the CPU.  My fondest memory is buying a 750 MB hard drive and thinking to myself: “how will I ever fill this up, it has enough space to last me forever”. Ah ignorance was bliss for about 12 months.  That i486; I bought 4 MB RAM for $250 back in the day and thought I was getting a bargain.  And you are right about the old pins vs. the new pins.  In the late 90’s I was using SCSI for everything and they were a pain to trouble shoot.

 

Rob, Great job on those lights, now you just need a proper helicopter with spinning blades.

 

Vincent, good for you! More people need to stand up to “those” types!

 

Ray, thoughts and prayers for your family and your BIL.

[LSWrr]

Chris,

 you would be surprised at what “glows”.  Salt and smoke detectors would set my equipment off (I had a tricorder looking thing that would pick up a very small amount of radiation).  If people walked past me that recently had an MRI with dye could set my equipment off within 72 hours of having the procedure.  Once the crews passive detectors went off, I came in and tracked it down to a woman; her red hair coloring tested positive for americium. It’s a talent to calm a woman down after she learns her hair coloring was radioactive.   Even parking lots could set my equipment off, I was trying to calibrate my machine before boarding a cargo vessel and I was getting strong hits for radon.  My job was to search, locate, and identify weapon grade radiation.  So I would always set my equipment at the most sensitive level at the highest sampling rate.  You can tell instantly who your real friends are at work when you stop and start adjusting the sampling rate or start walking in circles with your equipment.

[TMarsh]

Funny story Lee.

But I have a bigger problem than calming a woman with radioactive red hair. I'm thinking...... trackplan change. Again. I need a beer. No, it's too early for that. Somebody talk me out of it. No wait, you've seen the track plan. No one would do that. I knew this would happen when I discovered I didn't like the other one a whole lot. Well really don't like it at all. 

Will this h**l ever end!!!!!!!!!!!

[wetidlerjr]

Good Morning ! from Tipton IN.

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Good morning.

Well, I've seen convesations in this idner on many topics, but this is the first time I can recall anyone talking about radioactive red hair.    Hey guys, would you consider working on your layouts?  

Some of you commented on my thread with some 2009 pix of my layout. Here's the link: http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/t/166085.aspx for those who did not see it. It's moving down the line, and will soon be on page three if not "bumped" to the top.

Duke ... I try to keep the work area tidy because it is more efficient that way. However, at the moment it is not that neat. The long cabinet on the left now has the first of two shelves above it. It is my freight yard under construction which connects to the main layout. Next I will build the passenger terminal above it which is to connect with the main layout as it passes through my long-planned city of Heartland.

I am already aware on some non-model-railroad interruptions in 2010 which will interrupt layout progress. People think when you are retired you have nothing to do and you should help them with their stuff.