Elliot's Trackside Diner XXII-Just a track over

[LSWrr]

Ulrich, have you searched the MR track plan data base?

Chris, did they teach you the rule of thumb?  Hold your thumb up at arm’s length if you can block the hazard from your vision with your thumb you are at a safe distance (providing you’re up wind).  If you can’t block the hazard (so you can’t see it) try turning your thumb horizontally.  Well you should only be able to pick up alpha and beta with the CD stuff.  If you are picking up gamma you have more issues than you know.

 

I woke up this morning and hated every last bit of ballast I had in the yard! I think I have a kink in my back; I just tore up most of the old and replaced it with new ballast.  Hopefully tomorrow it will be dry and I can remove the excess and do some weeds.  I didn’t do between the tie that is a day’s job in itself.

 

The battery died in the truck yesterday and had to charge both batteries today and took t for a spin across 2 counties to re-charge everything.  We shall see if the truck starts in the morning.  

[JimRCGMO]

Good Evening, Janie - I'll have some chili with shredded cheese on top, and some oyster crackers, too, plus a glass of milk and a frozen custard 'concrete' for dessert, please. Thank you, ma'am. Oh, and since I see that Chris is buying , could you get another single stack of greaseburgers for Rerun, plus whatever Missy would like, please. Thanks again!

Phillip, take care of yourself with whatever it is that has had you down (or down at the porcelain bowl..). Have added that to the list. Rest up, and if need be, let your boss appreciate how much you do (if you have to stay out on Monday).

DerJohn, better get the blankets and snowblower ready, from the sound of that weather forecast for your area. Good idea to get the grandkids at home and not try driving once that storm hits your area.

Vincent, I think we've both had a job or two like that. Best thing about some of those jobs is when you finally leave them. As for your next job, maybe you could just describe your reason for leaving (vaguely) as a difference of opinion about "fitting the most suitable person to the job duties."

Sorry about my confusing statement, Chris. I was talking about the section of your layout by the icing station (where the 'de-constructed' wall parts were lying on the ground). That help? Oh yeah, and get back to w**k on those layout plans, you slacker!

And Rob, I would amend my suggestion, after reading Chris' comment about an elevator for getting to the helipad. I'm sure the patients would appreciate an elevator even more than the doctors and nurses would!

Dick, that sounds like a good plan to keep Duke's naps in check... Got your wood stacked up by the door, and the blankets all stacked on the bed? By the way, do you have any pics of your bridge? From what I've heard, those Micro Engineering bridges are about as 'fun' to build as the real ones. Lots o'details, though. On your Firefox problem, you wouldn't accidentally be hitting the space bar, maybe? I know that in Firefox, if you aren't in a text entry box and press the spacebar, it pages down a bit.

Duke & DerJohn - there was a Dave L. (handle was 'Claymore') who I think was in the old Coffee Shop back then, maybe that photo was from him. I think Ryan would have made sure the photography of food looked better than that, being a chef and all. Oh, Duke - I'm sure Garry's w**kbench only looks that neat because he's been gone several days lately and hasn't had time to get it in 'w**king' order...

Ulrich, get all the rest that you can (and if you need to go back and see the doctor, please do!). And make sure you're getting enough of Petra's fine cooking into you to fuel your energy. Still ing for you. I'd agree with 2 foot Jim - looks like a good potential space for an N scale shelf layout.

Todd, stay warm up there - I'm sure you still have that s**w on the ground up there (as does Jerry, and Mike, and...). It was a tad cold here today, but nothing dropping from the sky during daylight hours. And what's the trouble with the layout, buddy? How about some sketches or photos for us to chew on for ya? We'll give you some suggestions, I'm sure... Hey, like what you've done with the trailers there! Ditto on the couch, too. And now Rerun will be trying to PM Missy when you and Chris  think they're asleep...

Barry, I think you musta left the door open when you came to the Diner - today, our high was 23 F (-7 or -8 C) I just know it's a bit cold, and the windchill puts the 'feels like' temp in the single digit range. We got a light dusting of that white stuff, too, but mostly in corners and shaded areas. The weatherguesser was even talking about possibility of more of THAT white stuff from the sky by about mid-week, and it'll only be warming up to about freezing by then... But at least we don't have to get those survival rations (yet), and (so far) you're keeping that white stuff to yourself (and Ray). Just close that door when you get back home, okay?

Lee:

LSWrr

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.

Garry, I didn't (I think...) remember you had retired, you lucky ORF, you! Well, I have heard that some people think that all your newfound spare time is theirs to fill up...

Jeff - SN*W? Down your way? Wow, Barry did leave the door open wide! Oh, hey, you might check this out if you're only needing to get the files/data off the old drive. Might get the job done now, and maybe with another drive later on if need be. Hope that helps!

Ray, now ya got my mouth watering again, with your menu description - almost as much as Ryan does!

Robby - the extra space will look great once you get those industries in, and the yard finished up more. I'd love to have a (semi-)permanent space like that to play with. Have fun there!

Sawyer, the furniture factory is looking great there! I see what you've been doing with some of your Christmas vacation.

I'll be at the table by the stove, chowing down on my supper 'snack' and watching Rerun and Missy chasing each other around the place. Hope everyone has a warm place to stay tonight (and some of you may need to call the dogs to bed, too).

 

Blessings and prayers,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

[jeffrey-wimberly]

JimRCGMO

Jeff -  Oh, hey, you might check this out if you're only needing to get the files/data off the old drive. Might get the job done now, and maybe with another drive later on if need be. Hope that helps!

Don't need it now. I picked up an IDE USB hard drive enclosure at Radio Shack. Dead easy to use. Just put the drive in it, plug the wall wart in and plug the USB plug into the front of the computer, and voila, instant data drive.

[AmanaMedic]

Good evenin', looks like everybody's getting their fill....good deal.

LEE: Yep, know the "Rule of Thumb" very well. It usually follows the rule of "The First Dead Cop," which says basically, when coming upon a suspected HAZMAT incident, when you find the first dead cop (who dashed into the nasty, then succumbed to it), you immediately put the vehicle in reverse until either one mile or "the rule of thumb" has been observed. Oh, and when using "the rule of thumb" it is preferable to use the tiniest thumb in the crew...borrowing bystander's children is allowable: tiny thumb = greater distance!

JIM: Uh Pally? THAT would be LEE's layout, I believe, with the rubble, deer drinking from toxic waste drums, etc. Thanks though! I hope when I finally get a layout it looks THAT good!

And yes, Mr. Rerun seems quite taken with Missy...

Chris

[Trainman Sam]

WOW!  I leave this place for just over 24 hours and have to read 4 pages worth!!! The brain hath been exercised!!! 

der5997

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?

Yes, I am planning on "attempting" to model all the buildings on the NH&I property...  I have been playing with microsoft paint... here's what I have accomplished:

(before)

(after)

 

I eliminated some of the more "modern" features of the photo... can you point them out???

And about the hat, wish the outfit was mine... we did the "Old Time Photo's" thing while we were in WildWood, NJ...  I'm still searching for the Lancaster visit photos!!!  you guys are gonna have stomach cramps when I post THAT one!!!! 

Rob- Love the Hospital!!! nice use of LED's!!!

Ray- We'll keep your BIL in our prayers... good to hear that he should be able to walk again...

Phillip- sorry to hear you were ill.  Extremely glad you are feeling better!

Jim- thanks for the help on the photo posting... my issue seems to be (now that you told me what I should have been doing) is that I was posting the IMG address in the "insert/edit Image" option of the post "tool bar" which must have made the address appear twice...  if the photo's above are only single, then I guess followed your directions correctly!! 

Also, thanks for the name of the layout... I was searching for one that I knew had a similar setup, but you know how it is when you search for something but just can't seems to remember the name of it... hiding in plain sight too!

 Chris- Thanks about THAT photo... I don't like roundy-rounders either, but I wanted to be able to run trains to keep the gears lubricated without taking up the room I want to setup my bigger layout while getting play value out of the one I am working on now!!!  About the "camoflauge" idea, I was already planning on hiding the crossing and the associated loop.  With THAT in mind it would seem prototypical until the train THAT just disappeared into the woods comes back into the station!  Talk about deja vu!  With THAT in mind it would seem prototypical until the train THAT just disappeared into the woods comes back into the station!

Well, it's 2 am, so off to bed I go... probably be asleep before my head hits the pillow!  Good night and sleep tight my friends!

[Anonymous]

 Good Morning Everyone,

Janie, may I have my coffee IV this morning. I slept only for 2 hours last night - maybe I should take some of those little pills that make you sleep. I guess, a good breakfast with all the works will get me going, so  I´ll make it through the day...

  - I missed dinner at Ray´s. Well, maybe next time...

Chris - I have a hard time to describe that funny thing in my head, but here is what I keep telling my docs about it. It is momentary spells of dizziness, combined with a loss of orientation. Happens between 2 and 5 times a day and maybe keeps me from sleeping at night as well. Those spells last only seconds, i.e. 1 - 2, not longer, and then I am back again. I have been through all the works, like EEG, MRI, ECG and you name it. There seems to be no physical reason, meaning it is not Alzheimer´s Disease or the result of a real stroke. I hope it is just some kind of mental fatigue - no wonder, looking at what I have been through in the last 6 months.

 We did not get as much of the white stuff as the weather guessers have predicted. The next days will also see not much of it, but it will turn really cold, down to - 20 C. So who is talking about global warming? We are entering the next ice age! My car battery will die and I have to buy a new one - money I have set aside to renew my MR subscription

I worked on my layout idea last night and the following pic shows the available space. Only the part on the long wall will be permanent, the rest put up only during op sessions. 

 

I have to do some thinking about my givens and druthers. I know already one given - no money! See how that will work - 

You all have a good day!

Edit:

I have just dug up Iain Rice´s book on shelf layouts and there are some quite nice ideas in there. Don´t know whether I will be able to come up with a workable track plan. I have never made a plan for such a "big" layout in N scale. What I would like to have is continuous running, single track mainline , a small yard and some sidings to serve local industries, a depot and, naturally, some staging facilities. Setting is supposed to be in the dry and dusty part of the US, so it is UP or SP ( I´d like  run Big Boys and/or Cab Forwards) in the 1940´s or 1950´s. I´s like to see long trains snaking through some typical scenery, but also have the possibility to do some "serious" operation. The challenge is going to be not "cramping" the space with two much track - so it will have to be "lean" railroading (good for the pocket book - see given # 1!)

I will be collecting ideas in that direction. First of all, I´ll do a search in MR´s data base.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 Good morning. It's 30 and clear. The high today will be 50 and it will be partly cloudy.

I found an IDE compatible hard drive enclosure yesterday at Radio Shack. It has a 'GigaWare' brand on it and works with PC's and Mac's. It's compatible with Windows Vista, XP, ME, 2000 and Mac OS 10.1x and higher. It took me about 4 minutes to put together. I was taking my time. Now I can use my USB-IDE cable setup to run an internal DVD/CD drive as an external drive. Things to do today include sending some packages out and getting the rest of the grocery shopping done.

[Robby P.]

 Good morning.  Its is cold!!!!  Its 7 degrees, and the windchill is -9 degrees.

 Not much planned today.  Maybe watch some football, and see what I can do on the layout.

  Hope everybody has a good Sunday.

[blownout cylinder]

Good Morning

Had to do the snowblower thing early this morning. Another foot of snow came our way last night so we now have about 3' of the stuff around here----the current temperature is right now at -13C going to a high of -10C.

Got some more snow expected as the snowsquall warning is still in effect-----isn't living on a snowbelt wonderful? Why all the snowsqualls? Winds are going to pick up again to 30kmh with gusts to 50kmh from the NNW which will push more air across Lake Huron and, hence, more snow

Ulrich: Rice's book is a good source of track plan ideas that is for sure----my problem is that I start thinking --"gee, what if-----" which usually is followed shortly there after by "--oops" I'm looking at your layout idea and asking myself whether you are going to have enough space that when you have it all pulled out that you'll be able to go by that desk and such? Then again maybe my eyes are playing tricks on me

Chloe, I'll have a good strong cuppajava please----I'm over at the RC waking up

[wetidlerjr]

Good Morning ! from Tipton IN.

[Anonymous]

 Barry - actually the room is pretty awkward to put a layout in. The trick is to make it in sections that can easily be removed and stored underneath the more permanent part of the layout along the "long" wall. It will most likely end up as a L-shaped layout, which can be employed as a switching layout, with extensions later on to allow for continuous running.

I nee to invest a lot more thinking into it, but that´s no problem at all - thinking costs only a little time. Btw, I took a look at Pelle Soeborg´s Daneville & Donner RR - most inspiring!

[Packer]

Hey ya'll. Chocolate chip pancakes for me.

Got some plans for today. My father said he'd take me up to the track, I'd let me run my car up there. The previous owner had it in the mid 11s. My old car got mid to high 10s. wonder if the modifications I've made and being a bit more aggresive will close the gap.

Todd, I doubt much of anything really went flying. It just rained, and there is never any gravel on the roads. Reason for the the lack of gravel is that instead of gravel, they use sea shells in the asphalt. The sea shells don't get kicked up like gravel, but rather get ground smooth.

Jim, I'd probably put something like that. I'd love to write "Incompetence of higer-ups" but that probably wouldn't fly too well.

Sawyer, the factory is looks good, albit a bit drafty.

[fec153]

A big goodmorning , y'all . I wish to thank all you G D [Gol-Dang] yankees and Canuks for sharing this cold weather. It was 33 here in mid Fla.GLOBAL warming my aunt tess.       .

Prayers for all .                             

Flip

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

fec153

A big goodmorning , y'all . I wish to thank all you G D [Gol-Dang] yankees and Canuks for sharing this cold weather. It was 33 here in mid Fla.GLOBAL warming my aunt tess.       .

First you have to understand what global warming does. It doesn't make the entire world warmer. It gets warmer at the poles, the ice sheets melt, the massive infusion of fresh water into the warm salt water current that takes warm water up the east coast over to England and Europe causes this vital current to shut down. Without the warm water from the gulf the upper east coast, Nova Scocia, Greenland, England and Europe become much colder. The arctic line moves south bringing colder temperatures to the tropics. The poles which had been warming now become colder and the ice sheet advances further south than it's been in 10,000 years. Canada and the northern US are now covered in heavy snow and ice. The farm belt of the midwest becomes too cold for growing crops. Paints a grim picture doesn't it.

[Anonymous]

 

jeffrey-wimberly

[Without the warm water from the gulf the upper east coast, Nova Scotia, Greenland, England and Europe become much colder.

How true, Jeffrey!

I did tinker around with some ideas I have "borrowed" from Pelle´s Daneville & Donner RR. I like the simplicity of his track arrangement, which suits my needs fine. So here is, what it looks like. Happy to receive your comments and critics on it!

 

[blownout cylinder]

jeffrey-wimberly

fec153

A big goodmorning , y'all . I wish to thank all you G D [Gol-Dang] yankees and Canuks for sharing this cold weather. It was 33 here in mid Fla.GLOBAL warming my aunt tess.       .

First you have to understand what global warming does. It doesn't make the entire world warmer. It gets warmer at the poles, the ice sheets melt, the massive infusion of fresh water into the warm salt water current that takes warm water up the east coast over to England and Europe causes this vital current to shut down. Without the warm water from the gulf the upper east coast, Nova Scocia, Greenland, England and Europe become much colder. The arctic line moves south bringing colder temperatures to the tropics. The poles which had been warming now become colder and the ice sheet advances further south than it's been in 10,000 years. Canada and the northern US are now covered in heavy snow and ice. The farm belt of the midwest becomes too cold for growing crops. Paints a grim picture doesn't it.

What was said---

That is why some climatologists are suggesting that it be termed  Global Climate Change as opposed to what we call it now. It is these particular changes that seem to have been forgotten that keeps it being called Global Warming

[TMarsh]

Good morning. It's a brisk 838,000 degrees below zero this morning, so I believe I'll have some coffee please and thanks.

And a big CRUD!!! I missed the plane. I'll never get to Ray's by 2. And medium rare is perfect for Prime Rib too. Oh well, thanks for the invite. Maybe I'll go to the IHOP when we're in town today.

Thanks for all the compliments and encouragement guys. It does look better in person. A little anyway. Guess I'll keep pluggin away at some more. I can't figure out that camera. I'd really like a better one but a few things take precedence. Like a TV, a new snowblower (luckily we haven't really needed one for the last couple years but it's coming back someday), the house paid off would be nice and of course the ever popular food and utilities.

Ray- What's this "Green Grunge" you spake of? I also like the powders. They are really a lot easier than the paints, at least for me. I would still like to get good, or at least acceptable, with paints. I think a combo would look great. Well right now not from me, but someday, my prince will come! Uhhhhmmm.... Forget I said that.

Duke- Yes, Chris is right, I do appreciate the reminder. I think the swing gate may work better for my purpose. I'll have time to do some thinking on that before diving in, but with no connecting wires every time, no storage when not in use. Sounds the best so far.

Lee- I had some Haz-Mat stuff, pretty much just first responder training, and I remember the thumb thing. I wanted to modify it to if you could see it at all with your thumbs at your sides, you're too close. As I recall the class, other than calling in with what you saw without getting any closer, the general idea was to run away. There is some nasty everyday stuff out there!

Ulrich- Your dizziness spells sound just like exhaustion to me. I have had those very symptoms when exhausted. (also other reasons a long time ago, but we won't go into that. Just a memory now, but a useful experience.) Although, admittedly, a bit more frequently and usually occurred with me closing my eyes for a moment longer than a blink. Don‘t take that as a diagnosis, keep them checking why.

Vincent- That sea shell thing for gravel sounds like a good idea. 11's in the quarter?

Well, as you can tell it's after 9 but before ten so that means I'm a bad boy and skipped Church today. So far my plans are to go shopping for TV on which you can actually see clearly what‘s going on, visit Mom, and work on the railroad. Oh yeah and eat at the IHOP.

Have a Great Day!!!

[Packer]

Todd, the track is actually an eight mile. Not to many quarters around here because of insurance.

[TMarsh]

I wondered if you were devoted enough to drive a 10 or 11 second quarter mile car around as a daily driver. Whoa. Ya Vincent, insurance killed a lot of good things back in the day. (leans back in chair hooks thumb in suspender of bib overalls and takes a swig of coffee) I can only imagine where we'd be if the so called "Muscle Car" market hadn't died out in the early '70's. However, the cars are pretty much back to where they were just a lot more comfy. They don't seem to have the raw power that we used to have, but they drive a lot easier and that probably makes up for a lot of the seat of the pants feel. I still like the old stuff though. When I open the hood I wanna see something BIG. Make it thunder. Make it to where you feel it in your chest. Make it so when you set a cup of coffee or soda on the dash, it vibrates and spills instantly. Make your left leg ache from pushing a heavy clutch. Make your knuckles hurt when you bash them into a metal dash when you bang third and miss. Make it to where you have to really grip that steering wheel and drive to keep it going straight. Make it to where you can smell the raw gas at idle, because if you don't, there won't be enough with your right foot TO the FLOOR!!!  ROCK MY WORLD BABY!!!!!

Sorry. I get carried away.

[LSWrr]

Good morning all,

Jeff; check your email.  I sent you a flyer from the LCS I shop at, I think they have three in LA. Deffinatly a store for us budget minded computer users.

 

Lee

[howmus]

Mornin' Everyone!

Been up for a while but this is the first break I have had long enough to pull up a seat at the diner.  Zoe just a cup of dark roast in a FGLK mug and a Sour Cream Glazed Donut to dunk in it if you please.  I'll sit for a couple minutes at the front booth and watch all the comings and goings outside.

TMarsh

I missed the plane. I'll never get to Ray's by 2. And medium rare is perfect for Prime Rib too. Oh well, thanks for the invite.

 

Well bummer Todd!  Oh well ther'll be more room for the food at the table I guess.  especially with Ulrich not being able to get a ticket as well.  I'll bring in some left overs (if there are any) later.  Roast is in the oven and starting to look and smell good!

I have the Winter sqaush cooking on the stove as well.  It will soon be mashed and seasoned and then gotten ready to put in the oven as well. 

Todd, the "Green Grundge" comes in the Bragdon Large Weathering Powder set.  It can be bought separately. http://www.bragdonent.com/smpic/item6.htm

Need to peal some potatoes so I'll finish the coffee and get moving....

73

[AmanaMedic]

Good mornin', a bucket of HOT coffee please 'n thank-you, "global climate change" has us still in the sub-zero deep freeze.

ULRICH: Again, I'm no doctor, but it sounds like extreme fatigue and exhaustion to me... but yes, by all means, keep at 'em to keep looking. Also, I'm liking the initial track plan... another guy making me wish I'd gone to N-sane scale.

TODD: In reference to "run away (HAZMAT):" last year we had to take HAZMAT Operations, a step up from Awarness. About the higher level of training, the Chief said "If nothing else, when the other guys see us running away, they should know enough to follow!"

I'm thinking (always a dangerous operation) THAT for my lift-out, since it will (hopefully) be removed on a very infrequent, extremely rare basis (he says knocking on anything/everything wood); THAT using those magnetic metal things THAT hold cabinet doors closed in conjunction with alignment dowels, would be the way to go. For the wiring, it seems I "should" be able to run wires to the magnetic metal cabinet closing parts. Lift out the board, power is cut. Replace the board, power is reconnected.

OK...what am I missing?

It CAN'T be THAT simple... NOTHING can be THAT simple.

SAM: Like I said, I think you're on to something with that plan. I just hope I didn't come off as a jerk with what I was trying to say. For a guy who makes something just short of a living, using words...I don't always come up with the right ones.

I'll be at the RC pondering "global climate change," opportunistic vermin associated with "global climate change," "funny feelings in the head," "roundy-rounders," HAZMAT, seemingly too simple lift-out schemes, and whatever else I can get myself into trouble with...

Chris

[Packer]

Todd, that's exaclty the type of thing I want. I would kill to get my hands on a 1969 or 1970 mustang fastback, resto mod it with a 351 bored up to a 418 and kick some major tail on the track!! Right now, my car is just a 1990 mustang hatchback with a 2.3 liter I4 and a T-5 manual. Here's a list of modifications:

• Steeda clutch cable adjuster
• 3.73 8.8" rear end
• '93 Cobra master cylinder
• American motorsports short-throw shifter
• ported intake
• 95 mustang GT thottle body
• Spectre cold air intake filter with home-made tubing
• Dual exhaust with afterburner mufflers

This is what I put on it that I carried over from my 1997 that got wrecked:

• SN95 power brake booster
• SN95 seats
• H&R super super sport springs
• 4-wheel disc brakes
• subframe connecters
• 17x8 '03 cobra wheels

I'm going to be trading the cowl hood with pins that came with it in for a hood scoop and a mach 1 hood that will fit it. It'll probably stay a 4-banger for a while since it gets great mileage. I may rebuild the 3.8 liter V6 that my father is pulling out of his 1986 LTD when he gets it out (to put a heavily modified 351W in it; will be a 10 second daily-driver station wagon) and monkey with it for a while. He said I could have the 94 Mustang Cobra motor he has when I graduate college. Hopefully it'll be by the end of this year!!

[ns3010]

Afternoon all. Flo, I'll take a pretzel, thanks. Yes, with salt!

As always, not much going on today. Mostly just hanging around.

[Packers#1]

 Thanks for the kudos on the furniture factory everyone!

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Ray! .... That prime rib looks really tasty. I'd like the most rare piece from the center. Yummers! ( I assume you did not season with Green Grunge.)

Thanks again to those who visited my thread. Tom mentioned steam power. I have several steam locos, but don't operate them much.  

 

[CNCharlie]

Good Afternoon Diners,

Well it is a sunny -2F right now with a -20 wind chill. One thing about it being a very dry cold is that we rarely get much snow. Barry on the other hand is much warmer and more humid so he has to buy a snowblower. I remember living in London in the early '70s when I worked for Sunoco and there sure was a lot of snow.

As far as global warming goes, right now the polar caps are melting and for our far north the impacts are getting severe. The ice sheet is extremely thin and thinning at a far faster rate than originally predicted so that more land is exposed which then absorbs the sun's heat which makes the whole melting process a lot quicker. The impact on wild life is already significant. In northern Manitoba there are a lot of polar bears and they are in trouble as they can't get to the seals they normally feed on as there isn't enough ice on Hudson's Bay. They can swim, but not that far. If the Gulf Stream stream disappears Europe might get colder but our Arctic is getting warmer, not colder and there isn't any ocean current influence there.

Well yesterday was a little surprising for my wife and I. We went out to lunch with friends who are dog breeders and we came home planning on calling our vet to come in as we thought it was the end of the road for Pippa. When we got home she went outside and did her business ( first time in 3 days)  then ate a jar of baby food. In the morning she wouldn't even eat chicken out of my hand. She seemed much her old self and ate some supper and breakfast this morning. Her eye still has that tear in the cornea but she now has it wide open so it can't be bothering her as much. It is likely just a short repreve as there is still a little blood in her urine but we will take every day extra we can get. Think I'll take her downstairs and watch a little TV. She likes to sleep on the sofa beside me as she always has when I watch TV.

I may run trains a little too.

Ulrich, there was a post and how-to a few years ago of a fellow who designed a layout for a bedroom with removable sections as you are planning. I printed it out so I'll try and dig it up so hopefully I can get you the link. I am planning on a switch to N scale when we move to Victoria in a couple of years as I know I'll only have a small amount of room in an extra bedroom for a layout. I've been collecting N scale stuff in anticipation of that change. I like HO and first thought I might have to give up model railroading but N scale is better than no scale and, now that I have some, I quite like it too.

Must go now as Pippa wants her TV time.

CN Charlie

 

[Cederstrand]

Grilled chicken with veggie soup, please.

It's 31 degrees here currently with a low tonight of 14. Have been breaking ice for the critters the past couple nights, tonight the ice will be thicker yet. I am not a fan of winter.

Lost 2 pygmy goats. One I have no idea why. The other seems to have been caught in some deep mud & probably froze to death. Very sad I never saw it.

Will be interesting to see how grilling in the cold works out with charcoal briquettes. Just got them lit, inspite of sporadic wind gusts. I've lost a good 20 lbs so figure I need to up the protein a bit more. Didn't really have that much to lose...yikes! (and no, I'm NOT cooking any of our pet goats)

Rob

 

[JimRCGMO]

Afternoon, Flo, I'll have a roast beef sandwich, bowl of chili, some cheesey fries and a RBF, please (and if Rerun's still around - or Missy, for THAT matter, I'll cover a platter of the single greaseburgers for each of those rascals). Thanks!

Sam, the two things I noticed were the mercury vapor lamp on the left side, and the bigger, multi-transformer power pole (top middle). Did I win the prize?

Trainman Sam

About the "camoflauge" idea, I was already planning on hiding the crossing and the associated loop.  With THAT in mind it would seem prototypical until the train THAT just disappeared into the woods comes back into the station!  Talk about deja vu!  With THAT in mind it would seem prototypical until the train THAT just disappeared into the woods comes back into the station!

  I have a solution for you, Sam - either a time clock, or delay, by leave the loco on the shelf part (powered down) and run another loco on the 4X8 part! (That, or have another loco, and maybe some cars, on a 'dead' siding on the shelf, or else have a wye/turntable on the shelf part to reverse and run the loco around the cars).

And if your shelf plan isn't totally firmed up, check this site, where (Classic Operations-Oriented Layouts album, I think) he has a couple or three "Tuttle Creek" (nice name change...) variations, as well as some Inglenook and other 'shuttle' type layout designs.

Jeff, good to hear that you already found a solution for your drive.

Ulrich, that does look like a lot of space there - will your door area have a lift-out section for when you need to go take a 'potty stop' (trip to the w.c./loo)? Pelle's layout also uses hidden storage yards underneath, as I'm sure you noticed. Well, I see you did notice that. Like the plan!

Ah, I see you've been in again, Bill T. (with another lovely photo of a depot ). A color shot this time (or at least hand-tinted)!

All right, Flip - now you know what we in the other half of the country/countries have been 'enjoying' the past several days/weeks... Just repeat our mantra: "I know that spring is coming, I know that spring is coming...." (And I'm NOT referring to Barry's furry feline friend!).

Todd - about the way (muscle) cars should be:... ROTFL!! Good luck with finding THAT TV today.

Chris, now it looks like you might be getting some of that dizziness and light-headedness that Ulrich was talking about.

Ray, that roast looks absolutely-tooty YUMMY!! Dang it, I can't be there, either (because I'm on-call today)

NS Joe - careful there, you're getting a tad too talkative today...

Rob, for a while there, I was wondering about WHAT you were about to cook on the grill... Do you think the other goat might've been dinner for some wolf or cougar, or were there any signs of that?

We already hit our high of 24 F this afternoon, and it's dipped back to 21 F (-7 C), with a windchill of 11 F. Supposed to drop to 8 F/-13 C for tonight (not counting any windchill...). Brrrrrrr!!! No new white stuff, so I'll be thankful for that much.

Except for a couple of calls this morning about 3:45 a.m. and another around 4:45 a.m (only phone calls, yay!), nothing to get out in the cold for last night (well, after the 12 - 12:45 a.m. trip to the ER for one who we didn't need to admit. Another yay!). Hoping to just take some time this afternoon/evening to start lining out what all I'd like to accomplish (MRR-related and otherwise) in 2010. My focus has been down the tubes in the past several days. I'll get on the internet, stop by the Diner and a couple/few other places on the 'net, and there goes my afternoon or evening (or both). I can find more things to just piddle with, it seems...

Will check back in tomorrow after I am off this on-call (and don't have to go to the office). You Diners take care of yourselves, your loved ones (two-legged and  four-legged), and stay warm. Prayers for those needing them (most of us, it appears).

 

Blessings,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

 

[bjdukert]

Garry

You've been to live steam meets. Do any of them have bershires?

Ray

Live Steam Berkshires??? Now there's something worth remortgaging the house for!!!

No Berks,but will this do???

Best to all on sick call and those recovering

Duke

Looks like top honors and just in time for supper.