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Elliott's Trackside Diner XXIII: Moving on... Locked

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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 2:59 AM

 Good Morning Everyone,

road conditions are pretty bad in my area - any speed above 20 mph meant inviting trouble this morning. Again, more than an hour to drive those 10 miles to the GULAG. Schools are closed until road conditions improve. This is the type of winter I don´t like much - gray, cold and icy.

Flo, coffee for me and some hotcakes with maple syrup to go with it.

My track plan seems to be the max I can get out of the available space, although it will be challenging to build it. Too many switches, unless I have the chance to handlay them. What I like about it that it incorporates some nice scenic features - the water front bit will be a highlight. I am not yet sure how to disguise the transition to the backdrop and what type of backdrop I should choose - plain blue sky or mountains and trees, to give it a more Alaskan flavor. I should start to take notes on my thoughts in order not to lose them. This could act as a master plan while building the layout. I may even write up the whole concept of this layout - could be worth making an article for MR out of it.

Chris - I am happy that things with THAT seem to turn to the better now. Unfortunately, a lot of bosses just recognize what quality their staff has when they are about to lose them. And then, it is so difficult to say "I was wrong". A "sorry" at the right time does not cost much, but yet it is seldom said.

Jim - sabre-tooth tigres? I thought they were long extinct - may be we should clone them and have them roam the capital cities - could mean a dramatic improvement in the quality of our overall politics by reducing the number of that strange species called politician.

Talking of little critters, there was this interesting thread on details we overlook, but are so quite important to add that flavor to our layouts we want to capture.  Should I venture into N scale, I´ll need to find out how much detail is necessary for that.

Barry - oh, no, not again. I thought we had left the catapult at the old location, now it is here again. Was it Todd who sneaked it in? Don´t let Vinnie know - he still has got that good argument against catapults and throwing pies - made by Messrs. Smith & Wesson.

A safe and rewarding day to all of you!

Angel  to all in need!

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Monday, January 11, 2010 10:42 PM

Howdy ... I'll have hot cider and some oatmeal cookies please.

Ray ... I like the flat cars. I did not see any snakes.Nice photos.

Jeff .... Another GP40 ... Is that your favorite loco type/

Ulrich ... You could have a lot of opearting fun woth that track plan. You reminded me, I still have my warf I made for an old layout many years ago using a Campbell kit. I am now doubting I will be able to include it in my present layout.

I am continuing my Stewart FT project. I complete my GN piggyback trailer with the Empire Builder paint scheme.

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by JimRCGMO on Monday, January 11, 2010 10:23 PM

Good Evening, Chloe, I'll have a Santa Fe mug of decaf, please. Just in for a little bit tonight on the way home. Thanks!

HEY!! We made it to 34 F today!  And our low for tonight is supposed to be 20 F (higher than our high temp over the past few days of 18 F). YAY!!!

howmus
Ah, Jim, I lied.....  There are 3 critters in there.  Look closely and you will see a black snake as well.....Wink

 

Ah, I see it, Ray, that's one brave (or foolish) black snake, that close to both the man and the tracks. Shock Excellent job on the flatcars, by the way. Bow On those, do you do the edges of the 'wood' part first and then the tops, or do you mask off the lower part of the car?

Johnboy - actually, somebody was saying about that very thing yesterday (about the cold killing off mosquito larvae and such). Now, so long as the dragonfly larbe survive. Back when I was teaching elementary art, I learned that not only do the adult dragonflies eat the  adult mosquitoes, but the dragonfly larvae eat the mosquito larvae, too. Yeah, I love dragonflies!! Big Smile

Chris, yep, for a medium or larger-sized wedding, 1000 shots would not be too surprising. Bear in mind that on the groups, as you said, there'll need to be 2 on smaller groups, 3 or 4 on the bigger ones, and then there's the preparation photos, the bride & bridesmaids before the wedding (at least 6 to 10 shots there) - and about the same on the groom and groomsmen - plus one of each bridesmaid coming in, flower girl, ringbearer, 6 to a dozed photographs during the ceremony (natural light, usually), plus some closer up ones re-stage after the ceremony, all the groups I mentioned, and then there's the reception, which if the photographer does individual tables or groups of various friends/family members/etc. could easily be another 20-30 or more there, then the cake cutting, garter toss, gift table (and opening, if they're doing that before the couple leaves), getting ready to leave, shots of the 'decorated' vehicle, maybe the couple running through the 'rice barrage,' getting into the vehicle, driving away - and did I mention various special effects/montages of different aspects of the wedding day? When I did wedding photography (decades ago), I would go through with the couple ahead of time what kinds of photographs they liked (or didn't - no sense wasting the exposure and setup if they ain't gonna want or buy it). (Whew!...) That's one reason for film that I'd have two cameras and interchangeable backs (and an assistant to unload and reload one back while I was busy with the other 2-3 backs). In digital, I would expect that at least a multi-gigabyte memory card would be a must.

Ulrich, some of those environmentalists may be dinner for the resurgent population of saber-toothed tigers...Laugh Hope your day at the Gulag goes well (or as well as the Gulag goes, anyway Wink). As for my Br'er Rabbit, I haven't decided, but am leaning toward him having his summer coat on... Like your new plan - and, it allows you to add onto it easily!

Time for me to head on out for home. Hope everybody can stay warm tonight. AngelAngel will continue for the health concerns mentioned in here, of course.

 

Blessings on your week,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

 

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Posted by NittanyLion on Monday, January 11, 2010 10:12 PM

 I've got a week's vacation on my hands, which is pretty nice.  After two years of planning and acquiring, phase I of my layout is underway.  I've had some benchwork held together with clamps but as of today its all screwed and bolted together.  Tomorrow, I'm getting the last of the cork I need and then I can lay all of the track in one shot.  It'll give me something to do while paint dries on the many big buildings I am also working on.

I find the DPM modulars easier to work with than I thought, although I am totally investing in a sprue cutter because I am tired of cutting off tabs.   But I look forward to actually getting to have a picture to put in WPF next weekend.

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Posted by blownout cylinder on Monday, January 11, 2010 10:08 PM

TMarsh

Say, Ya notice not much talk about needlepoint going on here?

Prayers for those in need.

I noticed that no one talks about flower arranging-----Whistling

now why is TODD mentioning things about needlepoint? Must be code for a new pie catapault------Whistling

Todd---you must be very tired-----Smile,Wink, & Grin

Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry

I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...

http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/

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Posted by TMarsh on Monday, January 11, 2010 10:04 PM

Say, Ya notice not much talk about needlepoint going on here?

Prayers for those in need.

Todd  

Central Illinoyz

In order to keep my position as Master and Supreme Ruler of the House, I don't argue with my wife.

I'm a small town boy. A product of two people from even smaller towns. I don’t talk on topic….. I just talk. Laugh

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Posted by Packer on Monday, January 11, 2010 8:55 PM

Hey ya'll, hot cocoa for me.

I took my car to a friends to borrow his temperature gun since my car was using way to much gas (120 miles off of 6 gallons, for a 2.3l 4-banger), even after the EGR elimination. Turns out my engine temperature gauge isn't busted, it really is running really low. I did more snooping around, and noted that injector 1 is leaking by the fuel rail, there is a vacuum leak causing the heater to not work properly (takes forever to heat up), and it is running lean. The leaness could be contributed to both. I've also made a decision to get an aluminum driveshaft and get 17x8s wheels up front that match the rears. The 17x9s I have up front stick out about 1/2" on each side and run when making a turn at any rate of speed. On top of all the fixing I'm gonna be doing tomorrow, I have 3 essays....

Rob, yeah I saw that game. I'll admit that the Packers Defense was kind of not there, but lots of bad and missed calls were made, some on game-changing plays. Seems like Arizona got away with a lot of stuff, so I wondered what the refs were looking at most of the game.

Bama, what cha got you're getting rid of? I've got some stuff that is too modern for my 1975-1985 theme.

Jeff, try Rockauto.com, they have good prices and ship quick; although there search is kind of a pain. I was able to pick up a master cylinder for a 1993 mustang cobra for $60.

Der, I did assemble them assembly-line style, but I don't really think that's a production line as it took close to 4 hours for all of that. The filing, painting (the paint for the SCL hopper is still drying after 48 hours?!?!), sanding, weighing, coupler height, truck tuning, etc. took a while. But doing all the work now gives me something to do, helps build my skill (granted, a BB or MDC doesn't really require a lot of skill), and ensures that they'll track right. Haven't tried a wood kit, and I have a bad habit of assembling kits en-masse. Never had any car that re-mained unbuilt for more than a few hours...

Vincent

Wants: 1. high-quality, sound equipped, SD40-2s, C636s, C30-7s, and F-units in BN. As for ones that don't cost an arm and a leg, that's out of the question....

2. An end to the limited-production and other crap that makes models harder to get and more expensive.

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Posted by AmanaMedic on Monday, January 11, 2010 8:48 PM

RAY: I LOVE Despair.com....it's perfect for a realist like myself... "Pessimism" is my favorite: "Every dark cloud has a silver lining, but lightning kills hundreds of people each year who are trying to find it."

I've been telling Loving Wife for years "yeah, every cloud has a silver lining...with an F-5 (tornado) and lightning as well!" Wouldn't ya just know it? The poster has a picture of a supercell thunderstorm, with what appears to be an F-5 in the background, and lightning!!!

I also get a chuckle out of "Perserverance (sp.)" with a massive twister passing by directly in front of a car on a mud road. The quote is something about knowing when it's a good time to turn back!

With the whole THAT situation... a lot of it just boils down to one word: communication. A little more verbage on her part would've avoided the whole situation. Of course, a little less doom and gloom on mine would've helped too. Maybe with the "air cleared," she'll have a better idea where I'm "coming from" (dirt poor, sick of being poor, frustrated with busting my butt and not seeing any reward from it), and I get a better perspective on the Hybrid Publications operation in general, and THAT's thought process in particular.

'Nuff said about THAT!

Der JOHN: Man...you sure do some awesome w**k with THAT itty-bitty N-sane scale stuff. I forgot to mention, "Dinner for One" had me about falling out of my chair from laughing so hard.

ULRICH: SKOLL! *clicking heels together, doing physical damage, now limping back to the stool at the RC*

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww crap. Think I'll go see if I can do a little more on THAT monster roundhouse. I'm about out of the liquid plastic solvent/cement, the orange tube drives me nuts with the glue strings...and I'm also about out of Gorrila Glue too. Maybe in a few months, I'll be in a position to replenish those supplies. In the meantime, some more paint w**k. The additional stuff: Campbell's corregated (sp.) alluminum and Pikestuff doors, is also on-hold indefinitely; pending funds. 'Tis a good thing I'm in no hurry on any of this RR stuff!

Rerun and I will be back later...

ChrisEight Ball

 

The Cedar cRapids Industrial Branch: Proudly Shipping Yesterday's CrunchBerries Tomorrow!

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Posted by Blazzin on Monday, January 11, 2010 8:41 PM

  Rob....!  "Seems I have bradycardia, which could mean a pace-maker ahead. Here I get the blood pressure under control and then this dang sarc decides to mess with my heart." 

  Are you sure?  Wow,  I'd be looking for a second test done by a different doctor.  Always get at least a second opinion... "a belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty."

  With complete certainty.... is the key.  But get a second opinion.  What is...  ever considered 'Normal Range' anyways.  This may be normal for you~.. on the other hand it could be the medication you are taking.  I know nothing of your history,  and quite frankly would like to hear it.  I have always had borderline 'bradycardia' .. very slow everything.  Bp tops.. 102/64.  Body temp of 97.4.  With a heart rate at the highest of 70.  At age 58, I can say.. I'm in fit condition.  Rob,  lets here it,  enquirering minds wanna know~   Just my two cents of course.

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Posted by howmus on Monday, January 11, 2010 8:24 PM

Evenin' folks!

Flo I'll just have a cup of deca......  What's this?  An RBF supersized?  Why are you bringing me a supersized RBF....  From who?  Sam?  Well I guess I'll have to slurp it down instead of the coffee.  I'll go over by the stove in the back to get warm though.... Tell Sam thank you for me when he comes in will you please?

Chris THAT sounds good! Hopefully THAT will give you a bit more ease in the the w**k you do!  Just remember about Value, "Just because your necessary doesn't mean you're important"  (Particularly when Bosses are involved).  And "THAT it is always darkest just before everything goes pitch black".  (Two of my favorites from Despair.com.)

I have actually spent most of today in the train room.  Didn't get much accomplished......  YesterdayI tried to boot up my old 12" G4 Mac Powerbook (2003) model.  It had been running just fine, no problems at all.  Wouldn't start.  Just gave me the "blue screen of death".  I figured this morning I could start it with one of 2 disk repair utilities I have.  One is the one that comes with the computer and the other is Disk Warrior (heavy duty repair disk).  So I started it up and neither one of the CDs could find a hard drive....  Then I had a heck of a time getting it to kick out the CD from the drive.  Tried to start it in safe mode, nothing.  Tried to get it to run in pure unix, no dice.  Spent most of the day playing with it.  It is my old laptop I had for DJing that has a couple years ago been relegated to train duty and the only file on of any value to me is the database of all my rolling stock......  Several hours of data input!  Grrrrrr.  I will get a hold of the Mac store I do business with and see what can be done.  If all else fails I get the little Mac Mini basic model as I have a decent monitor I don't use for the business anymore I can hook up to it.  I'm thinking I may have left it on a week ago accidentally and when I cut the power downstairs it left it running on the battery which, when it drained, did something to the hard drive.  I have owned 8 Mac computers since I first got a computer and this is the first one I haven't been able to figure out a way to jump start and bring back to life on my own.....Sad

After I gave up late this afternoon on the laptop, I started w**k on a weird scratch build of a trestle bridge on the logging road that goes over the SLOW mainline.  Weird because it will have to be built at a strange angle and have curved trackage on it.  Hopefully it will look interesting and someway believable when it is finished.

OK, got a few more minutes I can spend with trains so I will catch you all later!

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

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Posted by der5997 on Monday, January 11, 2010 8:15 PM

Sam:

The curved line represents the edge of the shelf... I'll probable fabricate my own shelf brackets.  This should be a fun project, and I'd have a use for my DC powerpack again!!!
...When I've used store-bought brackets, I've found that the weight of the layout comes to bear more on the bottom of the vertical leg than further up. The result is a tendency for the bottom of the leg to dig into the sheetrock. They design those things backwards from a pressure engineering point of view IMHO. Some precaution against this might be worth thinking about. (A home made bracket could, for instance be broader at the bottom. ) on the test!

Ulrich: Dinner for one a smash in Germany! Who knew? Is it possible for you to get a copy of that as a .wmv file? I don't know how to do that from the clip; and would like to be able to put it onto a DVD so Kris' mother can see it - I know she would really enjoy it. Cool

On maintenance of "public utilities" - our Provincial government sold their interest in electricity generation to a private company. Now the "bottom line" rules, and power line maintenance - particularly the transmission rights-of-way - has dramatically decreased. Result is power outages from trees etc. falling on the lines. I guess when the cost of fixing those gets to be greater than maintaining the ROW, the latter may get more attention. I won't hold my breath however, because in the health field, preventative medicine is having a hard time getting the economic attention it deserves. So I expect this power company will be just as slow to acknowledge its failed policy. All of that of course insignificant compared to the killing energy exchanges you are describing.

I have just received my February issue of MR and still wait for the January one.
...curious, because January has gone missing in our library system. It's a plot, I tellyou. They don't want us to see......EvilBlindfold

CapeJim:

Those books are from back in the "Radio-Shack/etch your own circuit board for your transistorized whatever" days, eh?
....absolutely correct Sir! That's when our Radio Shacks actually carried useful stuff. They're all gone now - replaced by Circuit City - which in turn has morphed into The Source. One is lucky to fine solder there now!
Hey, on that 'missing' book behind the bookcase, just cut a hole in the wall behind - from the other side!
...Great idea!  One small snag is that t he bookcase actually belongs to Kris' mother! Permanent loan, but a loan is a loan!Sigh

Chris:

Even in a tough economy, there ARE jobs out there.
...Isn't that a fact! Funny how all we see in a report of 10% unemployment is just hat, not the 90% employed! I wonder what it is about our psyche that sees this particulat glass as always half empty?Question

JR:

Now how about the origins of "More tea Vicar?"
... You mean beyond ?

  (best answer is probable, but I think "Kingy" comes closer, but I query his Agatha Christie reference - further down that page.)

Vincent:

Got all the kits put together. 3 MDC modern gons (all N&W, with the same number), 2 boxes (N&W, SCL/L&N), 4 PS hoppers (SCL/L&N, EW,  DRGW, and N&W), and AFCs (NYC, SP DRGW, and N&W). Yeah, a lot of N&W.
  ...That's quite the production line! Don't you just love fixing some-one elses mistakes before you can move on?  The second of my Interlock Tower kits  came last Friday, and I put my New Year's non-resolution  (would THAT prefer irresolution Chris? ) into action by making them both from Friday evening to Sunday evening. First Laser cut wood kits I've tried, and I'm sure glad they weren't the first structure kits I ever attempted! The detail  is really nice, but the procedure a tad fiddly! So the freight yard  now has an Interlock Tower filling the hole in the ballast!  And the passenger yard / service facility has lost the insulin box that's stood in for a tower since sometime in 2005.

Barry:

DerJohn:  Peter Thorne? Books? I've got two of his---that etching one is my favourites---heeheehee
...I still have my etching fluid -tried to make some handrails for the container crane last Spring....a Royal PITA, so I bought what I need from the LHS!Tongue

Flip

Hey Jeff- Ignore the Tarnished silver pilot . Maybe it will stay away. WE Diner regulars like you and darn sure admire your modeling skills. Keep at it , my friend as you serve as an inspiration to me and probably the rest in here.  Prayers, buddy and stay warm.
...No "probably" about it as far as I'm concerned! Bow

OK, I haven't been in since page 10, which I've just finished. I've been out all day today as well, so since I've more pages to read than time available, I'll just post this, and wait for Big Bang Theory at 10:30! LOL. I'll say Goodnight all, and God Bless. Prayers continuing for all in need of Healing, Comfort, Prosperity and Peace.Angel   

"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.

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Posted by AmanaMedic on Monday, January 11, 2010 7:52 PM

Trainman Sam
We had two photographers for our wedding, so as not to miss a thing!  Very nicely done... If you want to see them look here:

They did a good job... you two look great.

I w**ked for a wedding photographer once, my job was to be the pack-mule dragging in the lights, and changing the film backs for the camera. It took the guy 15 minutes to get the bride's dress "just right," then a slight breeze or something undid his handiwork... I kinda vowed right then and there to stick with news photography. For THAT, I get....well.

"This is the price you pay for the choice you make." - Godfather 3, unknown who said it.

Welp, THAT now says I'm imagining the whole thing, the interns are a back-up IF Other Guy and I can't cover something...and, heh heh heh, she wasn't ticked at me before...but she is nowShockBlack Eye. She also said IF I decide to go work somewhere else, she'll have nothing to say but nice things and praised the w**k I've done.

Maybe she got a bag of the "good stuff" today??? I feel kinda screwed either way.

At the same time, IF she'd broke the news about Other Guy a little differently, and IF she'd SAID the interns are going to be a back-up...I woulda come out of the meeting just fine, content as a hog in crap. No fuss, no muss, no problemo.

Chloe? a bucket of the Diner's finest "boot" coffee please 'n thank-you.

 

Well.........I started this a coupla hours ago. Since then, Loving Wife has read my original message to THAT, THAT's reply, and my reply to THAT. She's on my side, and agrees THAT if THAT had spelled things out much clearer...actually communicated, life woulda been just fine. THAT says she isn't "as intuitive" as she once was. I wanted soooooooooooo badly to say "smoking dope will do THAT to a person," but I didn't.

THAT called a little while ago, in a bind. Seems she has an empty back page, and dug around the cache. She found one of those "extra, unnecessary, too much" JV basketball games, and was going to use the pics. She had already dumped the story though...and would I happen to have it? Of course. I have EVERY thing I've done for THAT, and had the e-mail to send it to her 3/4 done when she asked me to send her the file. In other words, I saved her bacon...again.

She sounded very contrite. We're thinking God Angelmay have decided she was a bit out-of-bounds about me...and sent her a little reality check. Mischief

I feel much better now than I did a couple of hours ago...and yes ULRICH, the sun will shine again.

ChrisEight Ball

The Cedar cRapids Industrial Branch: Proudly Shipping Yesterday's CrunchBerries Tomorrow!

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Monday, January 11, 2010 6:33 PM

Got some news from the shop. The power steering line on my car has been fixed. Now for the bad news. The brake booster is leaking and the master cylinder has failed. Don't know what the price is gonna be yet but it's gonna be high. I'll be checking some places in the morning for estimates.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


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Posted by Trainman Sam on Monday, January 11, 2010 4:59 PM

Good evening!!!

Chloe, please get Ray a RBF in a GIANT glass!?!  Those are some very nicely done flat cars, IMHO!!!  Thanks for the picks!

"Maybe I oughta work for TRAINMAN SAM's wedding photog... 1,000+ pics? HOW? Geesh, I burned a full memory card (484) pics ONCE. Trying to narrow THAT down to 200 might not be as tough as you think...they must've machine-gunned every shot, so you'll have 20 of the exact same thing. Just look for everybody's eyes being open...for a good start." AmanaMedic

We had two photographers for our wedding, so as not to miss a thing!  Very nicely done... If you want to see them look here:

www.thepros.com

when it comes up, select: View Photographs, this will bring up a new window that will ask you to put in the date of the event, August 2009

then enter my first name, Sam, into the last column and click on the "Search" button, then voila!!!

Jeff- I like the patch job! Looks good!

 BamaC SX83- Hope your computer issues are resolved quickly!  Your story reminded me of something I wanted to share with you guys:

 Recently some engineers at NJT got into trouble because of a "railfan" video taping at a station, they tooted the "Shave and a Haircut" and got 3-5 days on the street (laymans terms= Suspended without pay) for violating what the company termed "Sound/Noise Ordinances" and "Company Policy" due to the fact that Transit pays people to monitor the internet for anything NJT... Such as TheBay, and Railfan sites... the video was posted and someone at Transit found it and they figured out from the time stamp what trains they were and who the engineer was... A long way to go to make an example of someone, but that is the railroad...

Hey guys?  Who do you think sells the best "Remotoring" kits???  I wanted to remotor some of my Plymouth Diesel Switchers that I have (I know, they aren't that great when it comes to detail, but for some reason I really think they are NIFTY.  THAT and I want to remotor and DCC at least three of them...  ( I seem to have purhased quite a few of them over the last several years, what with the BAY and flea markets!!!  I am a bit of a hoarder I guess...LOL)

 

Sam

 May He bless you, guide you, and keep you safe on your journey through life!

 I Model the New Hope & Ivyland RR (Bucks County, PA)

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Posted by BamaCSX83 on Monday, January 11, 2010 2:33 PM

Jeff, I know what you mean about taking one in and having it work fine from the perspective of the mechanic, it can be frustrating to have someone bring a vehicle in that's having a problem, yet when you check it out, its working as its supposed to.  Kinda makes people sometimes think that shops and mechanics don't do anything yet charge you for stuff you don't need... but that's enough of that rant.

 Chris, good luck on keeping THAT happy, even if she did get a bad batch.  I've also wanted to ocassionally do the storm chaser thing then I remember, I live in Alabama, there's lots of trees that would get in the way and make it more hazardous than fun. 

Not much happening in my neck of the woods, going to relax and be a little lazy until around 5:30, then its off to the store with Amy and the girls, supplies are needed at the house (unfortunately not modelling supplies, but food is much welcomed too).

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Monday, January 11, 2010 2:09 PM

It's 45 here now. Nice weather considering what we've been having lately. Took the car to the shop this morning and the brakes failed for a few seconds along the way. The mechanic just checked them out and they're working perfectly whereupon I informed him they were perfect before and after both recent failures. Something is causing it and it has to be found. He says they'll keep checking it. On the power steering line, they're having to replace part of the steel line (I told them they'd have to do that) and part of the rubber line has to be replaced. That's a no-brainer since it was ground up pretty good between the frame and the road.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


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Posted by BamaCSX83 on Monday, January 11, 2010 1:54 PM

Afternoon all, I'm back online temporairly at my FIL's house on his desktop.  Expected arrival of the new power/charging cord for our laptop is tomorrow so this might be my last post until sometime Wednesday.  Not a whole lot happening here, I did get just an audio treat from A746 (Montgomery-Dothan local), as the engineer gave a little "shave and a haircut" on the horn before one of the crossings through town.  Always gives me a giggle when you hear stuff "that isn't supposed to be played" played. Well, not much else happening in this neck of the woods, did work on a car today, made a little extra money,too bad it has to go towards the budget and not the MRR one either. 

Guess I'll pop back in later.

  • Member since
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Posted by AmanaMedic on Monday, January 11, 2010 1:53 PM

Sir Madog
Chris - you have not "fallen from grace" - THAT  (big, fat letters) has just a new toy, which will wear off pretty soon, believe me. Just stay put and the sun will shine again!

Yeah, it's like something out of Frank Sinatra's "THAT's life." Smile,Wink, & Grin

Well, like I've said, I'm gonna keep on keeping on, gonna keep cranking out content like I have been (well, within the new restrictions)...I'm just going to see what-else is out there as well out of financial necessity.

Tomorrow, I'm going to tackle the story Mr. Boss wants me to do, tomorrow night I'm shooting basketball. Nothing has changed in THAT regard. IF she's still being snotty on Friday... well, we'll deal with THAT when/if it happens. A co-worker says THAT likes to "smoke the weed." Maybe she got a bad batch???Confused Disapprove

Today, I'm compiling contact info for other area publications. Tonight, come h.e.double hockey sticks, or high snow...I AM going to do SOMETHING at the RR table.

LEE: I forgot to mention earlier, you are SO RIGHT about idiots being attracted to fire... I'd say the truly stupid are attracted to just about anything with the potential to harm/kill them. No pun intended, but its like moths to the flame. I was watching some storm chaser videos last night... a profound lack of situational awareness led to some very near, near-misses.

Hey....THAT's something I've always wanted to do...go chase twisters. I'm tired of sitting on the hilltop waiting to see if one comes my way (trained spotter)...I wanna go out and get 'em!!!

Have a good, SAFE afternoon...

ChrisEight Ball

The Cedar cRapids Industrial Branch: Proudly Shipping Yesterday's CrunchBerries Tomorrow!

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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 11, 2010 1:19 PM

AmanaMedic

ULRICH: Thanks, I keep "skulling it out" trying to figure out how/where/when/why I "fell from grace." I'm coming up blank. In happier thoughts, I really, really like THAT track plan. Another example to make me Banged Head for being immersed in HO rather than N-sane scale...

ChrisEight Ball

 

... Chris - you have not "fallen from grace" - THAT  (big, fat letters) has just a new toy, which will wear off pretty soon, believe me. Just stay put and the sun will shine again!

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Posted by last mountain & eastern hogger on Monday, January 11, 2010 1:17 PM

Whistling

Here is what he came up with:

ULRICH<  I believe you have a winner.   Looks great from this side of the pond.

Sure hope that you will be able to see some pprogress there in the near future.

Best wishes always,

Johnboy out......................

from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North.. 

We have met the enemy,  and he is us............ (Pogo)

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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 11, 2010 1:15 PM

blownout cylinder

Ulrich:  That is one good plan!! I'd go with that one for sure!

 

.... even a good thing can be improved further! Big Smile

Paul and I are just discussing some more changes, i.e. the addition of a small yard and a possible extension either into a cassette or to a fiddle yard at a later stage.

Here is what we came up with:

 

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Posted by AmanaMedic on Monday, January 11, 2010 1:08 PM

Good afternoon....double cheeseburger basket with a large Coke please 'n thankya...also a to-go bag of burgers for Herr Rerun.

ULRICH: Thanks, I keep "skulling it out" trying to figure out how/where/when/why I "fell from grace." I'm coming up blank. In happier thoughts, I really, really like THAT track plan. Another example to make me Banged Head for being immersed in HO rather than N-sane scale...

TODD: Yer right, I remember much more brutal, snow-filled winters. Although two years ago, we got burried about every other day. I think it's a matter of perspective. When we had "real winter" in the 70s and 80s...it didn't matter to me. I wasn't out driving in it, I wasn't paying the heating bill. I was just enjoying the RARE "snow day" from school. Seems they didn't "pull the trigger" on snow days quite as quick then as they do now.

Of course, now winter is much, much worse; at least to me: I have to drive in it (risking life, limb, and truck), my wife has to drive in it, too many idiots that can't drive in it jeopardizing MY (and my wife's) life, limb, vehicles..., I've got heating bills to pay, and...I just flat-out hate winter!!!

THAT said...it's 25 degrees out, ABOVE zero!!!!!!! 30s later in the week...again, ABOVE zero!!!!!

Hip, hip, HOORAY!!!!!!!

RAY: THAT's what I thought (the deck)...very nicely done. I've seen people try the same thing, but forget about painting the ends of the boards...kinda loses the effect.

Well, I'd best go do something...even if it's wrong

ChrisEight Ball

The Cedar cRapids Industrial Branch: Proudly Shipping Yesterday's CrunchBerries Tomorrow!

Moderator
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Posted by blownout cylinder on Monday, January 11, 2010 12:51 PM

Ulrich:  That is one good plan!! I'd go with that one for sure!

Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry

I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...

http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/

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Posted by Robby P. on Monday, January 11, 2010 12:31 PM

 Good afternoon.   I'm VERY bored. 

 I've already put up all of the clean clothes.  Painted the rest of the layout legs.  I also switched some hoppers around on the layout.  Now its starting snow, well light right now.  

 Maybe I can just watch some tv.  I plan on going to the LHS later this week, but no idea what to get. 

 Also.............Thought about getting a new desktop computer.  I have several games I could play.   The wife wonders how I get so bored.  Well one its working a 3rd shift, and having the rest of the day to do whatever.  I have six video game systems, but I get tired of them.  I have a 12x13ft train layout, but I really don't have a plan yet for the middle part.  I could get back into "weathering", but I honestly don't feel like it.  I've been doing the weathering for myself thou. 

 Ulrich.......I agree.  Nice looking plan.  I thought about doing something like that for my wife.  

 "Rust, whats not to love?"      

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Posted by Cox 47 on Monday, January 11, 2010 10:30 AM

Good Morning...Its cloudy and 23 here...I'll have coffee and a sweet roll please...thank You...Not much going on ..I&S  and Pearl street both...you all have a good one...Jerry

ILLinois and Southern...Serving the Coal belt of southern Illinois with a Smile...
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Posted by howmus on Monday, January 11, 2010 10:23 AM

Mornin' everyone!

Zoe I'll have a big bowl of hot cream of wheat with brown sugar and raisins, and my cup of dark roast coffee in a FGLK mug.  Thank you, I'll be over at the Rivet Counter for a while.

Chris, the boards are actually part of the plastic mold.  They get individually painted with several colors.  Then a course grade of sandpaper is used to create gouges, woodgrain, etc.

Dick and Ulrich, little Olivia is the love of my heart right now. I see her about once a week on average. Coming over to Grandpa's house is a treat for both of us.  She sees her Grandmother (DIL's mother) almost every day so Grandma is no big deal.  Her other Grandfather lives in Arizona and only sees her once or twice a year.  I have it very good....  Yes, "Life is good!"

Lee, stupid people are automatically attracted to everything that seems to be unusual and exciting.....  I seem to remember a "Far Side" cartoon that showed the "Uh-oh" crowd.  A man on a bicycle had gotten run over and immediately there is a hundred people crowding around saying, "Uh-oh"!  They all do their best to get in the way of those who are actually helping the situation.  Years ago when I lived in Waverly, NY, my late wife worked as a clerk in the Emergency Room at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, PA.  We were at the yearly dinner party at a restaurant when a man fell off his stool at the bar and was having a Grand-mal Seizure.  The ambulance crews attending the party immediately got up and gave him help (they see the guy every couple of weeks as every time he got drunk he had one).  Half of the emergency room doctors and most of the nurses were also at the party...  They ended up doing "crowd control" Whistling  The high point of the incident was the guys who staggered over form their bar stools and loudly said that the emergency personnel should, "just leave the poor %@$(@&) alone!"

Well I have more odds and ends to attend to today, so I will finish my cup of coffee and get busy.  Catch you all later!

73

 

 

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Monday, January 11, 2010 8:43 AM

 Ulrich: That track plan looks pretty good. I take that you'll be adding to it.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


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Posted by BamaCSX83 on Monday, January 11, 2010 8:19 AM

Good morning all, just biscuits and gravy for me and a glass of milk. 

Good news!  I've got all my train stuff now at my house.  Went up to my parent's last night and retrieved it all, along with homeade pizza, which I brought the leftovers with me for the diner's taste testing.  More good news!  I found out something that a new DCC-equipped Bachmann SD40-2 and a nearly 15 year old BB Athearn GP40-2 will do wonderfully together.  I coulped the two engines together, slapped some cars behind them and both engines pulled marvelously (even though the Athearn is only technically pulling with its rear truck, but picking up power with both).  I'm glad that my two engines will play together, even in DC.

Jim, again thank you sir for the couplers, I'm working on converting my fleet of cars over slowly but surely.  I don't really have all that many cars, so I might have couplers to spare (not a bad thing). 

Oh speaking of rolling stock, I've got a bunch of stuff that isn't going to be fitting my era and timeline, and as soon as I get some pictures taken, I'll be interested in letting it go (most of it is Athearn BB or earlier Walthers kit stuff, so nothing mind-boggling great, but y'all might want it).  Again, as soon as I get pictures taken, I'll slowly start posting it.  Heck, I'll even go ahead and swap the horn-hooks off for some of the couplers that I was sent, or strip the horn-hooks and leave it coupler-less.

Well, that's about it for me, I guess I'll talk to y'all later.  BTW, not sure when I'll be able to get back online as the power cord for the laptop broke last night (got a new one ordered for overnight Fed Ex delivery), and the battery only has about a half-hour of power left in it.  So I'll be seeing you all when I see you, prayers for those in need!

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Posted by TMarsh on Monday, January 11, 2010 8:17 AM

Sir Madog
Todd - well, of course we have mammoths! And dinosaurs - they all live in Berlin. I´ll bet you will find the same species in Washington DC as well.

Laugh Ah! Yes we do now that you mention it. Laugh

 

Todd  

Central Illinoyz

In order to keep my position as Master and Supreme Ruler of the House, I don't argue with my wife.

I'm a small town boy. A product of two people from even smaller towns. I don’t talk on topic….. I just talk. Laugh

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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 11, 2010 8:13 AM

 Good Afternoon,

I am back from the fun and games day in the GULAG - turned out to be just very light exercises my 83 year old father could still do. And no blonde ...

I have asked a friend to help me solve my mental block. Paul is one of the operation and design experts, who regularly posts on the Layouts section here in the forum (Paulus Jas). He made some significant changes to my ARR design, like adding the main to Anchorage, getting rid of an unnecessary cross-over and "bending" it out of the L-shape. 

Here is what he came up with:

Looks super to me!All I have to do now is to find someone from whom I could borrow a Fast Track Code 55 # 6 jig to make all those switches. Could not possibly afford to buy them at $ 15 a piece. Maybe I need to shorten the layout a little as well, that depends on my bilateral negotiations with my CFO.

Todd - well, of course we have mammoths! And dinosaurs - they all live in Berlin. I´ll bet you will find the same species in Washington DC as well.

 Finally, it has stopped sn*wing - Oops, the moment I write this, it has started again. But it appears as if the worst is over now.

Janie - a hot chocolate and some brownies, please.

CUL

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