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Elliot´s Trackside Diner XXIV - on a new track Locked

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Posted by GMTRacing on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 6:31 AM

Good Morning All,

     Fla went well as did the flight home. Waiting on the truck to make it back now, hopefully before the snows start up again. I have lots to catch up with including all these pages I've missed so I'll just grab a coffee and try to stop in later.  J.R.

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Posted by LSWrr on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 6:20 AM
Good morning all,


Sawyer, nice job on the factory.

Snow forecast:
2-5” today
3-5” tonight


 

BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret)
 L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes

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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 1:53 AM

 Good Morning, Folks,

brrrr- what a cold night! No sn*w, so driving to the GULAG was OK. Today we have to write up an evaluation of the whole thing, including an assesment on the job our "trainers" did. Well, you can imagine my statements. Evil

Zoe, I am hungry! I´ll have a big American breakfast, with all bells and whistles, plus a large mug of hot & strong coffee, thank you. I´ll be in the back booth, watching the yard goat getting ready for today´s chores.

Charles - what a strange world. You have the weather which is more common to this end of the world. I am pretty much fed up with this white and icy stuff. It is about time that spring comes!

Tom - I am sure you will do a wonderful job painting that loco and that is going to be a jewel on your roster. Keep those pictures coming!

Sawyer - that is fine building you have built there - I´d like to see some more close-up shots. Scratch building has not yet been my cup of tea, so I´d like to capitalize on your experience building it.

Vincent - girls know, that they have to kiss many a frog until they find their prince to take home. Same is true for the boys. Don´t rush in, there will be many more opportunities! Believe me, when the right one is there, you will know!

Rob - I like those U-boats . Somehow, they don´t look as utilitarian as the EMD SD´s and GP´s. More a character of their own. Mischief

Todd - That red color is certainly "persistent". How about putting on a light gray "primer" before you paint your basement in the color you actually want to have. I always thought that helped a little to get rid of the reddish hue that always seems to remain. Or how about incorporating it - like a sunset backdrop?

 I have a bit of a puzzle to solve for myself. You know, I have been investing a lot of time into planning my "dream" layout. It seems as if I am stuck in that analysis paralysis thing again, making it impossible for me to decide which way to go.

I have been into HO scale most of the time in my MRR "career". The scale is "big" enough to enjoy detail, but small enough to also build an interesting layout. OTOH, MR´s current project layout is so dang good looking with its spectacular scenery, that I really fell in love with Dick Christianson´s work. I made some smaller changes, which make it, IMHO, a little more interesting to operate. OK, it still lacks staging, but I really enjoy watching trains snaking to through the countryside. As I do not have much HO equipment left, a change of scale would not really be a big issue. 

Here are my options:

  1. Build that ARR - themed switching layout in HO and enjoy the challenges of "real" raiload operation, but not be able to "run" a train  or
  2. Build my version of the UP Salt Lake Route in N scale, run trains, but have only limited "real" operation. 

Option 2 has the advantage, that locos and rolling stock seem to be cheaper, but the disadvantage of the small size.

Decisions, decisions!

I´d like to put up the issue here for discussion - or even a poll, would be interesting to see the results and also a big help for me to make up my mind.

Have a good day, guys!

 

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Posted by AmanaMedic on Monday, February 8, 2010 11:24 PM

Good *cough cough* evening... Zoe? Bucket of coffee, a large glass of Ed's OJ, and anything in the medicine cabinet for a congested head on the verge of exploding...

Welp, I thought I'd have a little nap... in-between coughing fits. I'm finally settling in, nice and comfy, and the ratzin'-fratzin' Fire Dept. pager starts to making noise and vibrationing as the tones for 1-3-1, AKA: The Clarence Fire Department, resonate throughout the room... Ambulance tones follow ours, so I know we've got a wreck somewhere. Yup. One mile west on Highway 30, 2-car 10-50PI (accident with injuries). Crap. I lay there for a minute or two trying to decide if I'm healthy enough to go. I finally decide, since I went to w**k today, I really "should" make the run.

Out the door I go. Only have to brush off one window (passenger side) on the pickup. Fire it up, out the driveway we go. Darn-near get stuck at the end...brackin'-frackin' city... get underway excrutiatingly slowly, wheels spinning the whole time. Try to make the turn at the corner, truck keeps going straight...towards the fire hydrant!Shock Get stopped, back up a bit, make the turn. OK...slippin' and slidin' downhill towards main drag/30. Thank God nobody's coming as I slide right out onto 30, make the left turn towards downtown and the fire station. Wheels still spinning, doing a little fish-tailing...and I'm only going 10 mph!!! I'm a block away when I see the pumper (134) pull out, followed by the "crash truck (132)." Crap. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh shazbot, there goes the brush truck (138).

I'm missing my ride.

All three of 'em.

But wait! 136 just pulled out on the ramp! 136 is our old Ford pickup, it carries the antique set of Jaws, airbags, and cribbing. I turn onto the street in front of the station...no parking!!!! Brackin'-Frackin' city council meeting!!!! 136 is still sitting there with the disco lights going, so I gun it a bit and do a really cool semi-controlled power slide around the corner to our side parking lot. Shut everything off quick, jump out, run, slip, slide my way to 136; jump in...and off we go.

Finally get on scene just in time to do.......*ta da* traffic control.

Oh well, they serve too who stand and wave at the traffic in their OSHA/NHTSA/DOT mandated highly reflective vests.

Town cop finally shows up and waddles up to the scene. 'Ats OK Mr. Cop...FIRE has the traffic under control...have another doughnut.

Later, some idiot county mountie comes racing up in his fancy SUV. He seems to be going quite fast, and heading for the cop car, which I'm standing behind. Toby is a-hollarin' "watch out! watch out!" at me as I'm penguin-walkin' on the 100% ice trying to get as far AWAY as possible from what looks to be an epic FAIL about to happen. Super Trooper Deputy swerves at the last possible second and slides to a stop, on the shoulder next to the cop car. Don't know why. Toby (fellow Firefighter) hollars at him: "Hey, the dougnuts are in the next one!" Super Trooper Deputy guns it and rockets up the snow and ice-covered shoulder and nearly plows into the ambulance director's pickup and one or two other vehicles before swerving back onto the road and finally finding "rock star parking" at the scene.

Twit.

Oh what fun we do have.

Now...my head is even MORE congested, I feel even crappier than I did...which I didn't think was possible.

But, I feel good. Due to this persidious, perfidious...pernacious? Heck, thanks to this freakin' frackin' disease the Wife brought home...I couldn't give blood at the blood drive I covered this afternoon. Felt kinda bad about THAT. Maybe helping to insure a safe workin' scene tonight was some sort of cosmic make-up for it???

And yeah...I'm just a little bit proud of what I do.

TODD: 3 coats of Kilz and still bleeding through? Yup...thank you for re-affirming my lack of being impressed with THAT product. If it's the "best," I'd hate to see the worst. So...are you going with THAT trackplan you tacked up a week or two, or three, or...whenever ago??? Rerun just stopped by, he wanted to know if Missy was around this evening. I think he wants to get a little something a-goin' with THAT fuzzy lady! Whistling

(California)TOM(I think): Was THAT you sayin' the Jazz Band director bought $100 worth of reeds?? Geepers. Back in my band geek days...I always had to provide my own for the poor tenor sax I so badly tortured by attempting to play. Disapprove

SAWYER, JOE: Good to see you guys in here this evening.

I'm heading back to the back again... maybe take another little nap.

ChrisEight Ball

"I keep on rollin' with the flow..."

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

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Posted by Cederstrand on Monday, February 8, 2010 11:04 PM

Half of a honeydew melon, please.

***Tom, bet it's good to be back home. Hope those storms behave for a while.

***Jim, are they impulse buys if one has been considering them for a week?Whistling Happy accident is both the N & HO models turn out to be the same deisel (U23B), just different numbers. Will be interesting to compare them side by side when they arrive. Wife doesn't know about the splurge yet.

***Sawyer, very cool looking big building you have there.CoolThumbs Up

***Chuck, would like to see progress pics of that layout as you progress. Very interesting choice!

Think I might be experiencing some early immunopathology or herx in earnest tonight. Knew it was coming sooner or later. Heading back to bed to veg in front of the flat screen boob tube. 

Had no energy for the train room today. Perhaps tomorrow, Have a good night y'all. Cowboy Rob

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Posted by TMarsh on Monday, February 8, 2010 10:34 PM

Joe- Nothing against red. It's trying to cover the red that makes you pull your hair out. 3 coats of KILZ and it still bleeds through.

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 Blazzin on Monday, February 8, 2010 9:56 PM

  SS Beachy... I sent you an email.. bout a month ago.. on How to Post Pics.. you get it?

Keith

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Posted by ns3010 on Monday, February 8, 2010 9:52 PM

Evening all. Chloe, I'll take a chocolate shake, pleasenthanks.

I'm glad the Saints won. It was a really good game.

Sam: I know what ya mean about those grade crossings. There's at least a half dozen between Bay Head and Point Pleasant!
Also the 2300s are fun to ride. It's the only chance where a diesel-hauled train can run at 100mph (with the exception of ACES)

Todd, my parents painted our dining room red, but IDK, I kinda like it... maybe it's just me...

Nice U-Boat, Rob. Just curious, does your wife have any specific prototype, or is she just doing the "whatever, any kind of train I want" thing?

Hey, Vincent, girls like that come around. Luckily, there's plenty of others out there

Tom, our school's just as crazy, especially in the music department!

Prayers for all who are sick (which seems to be nearly everyone).

Night!

My Model Railroad: Tri State Rail
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Posted by TMarsh on Monday, February 8, 2010 9:26 PM

Evening all. Work was dead tonight. Snowing now, but behind the amount we were suppose to have by now. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for tonight and tomorrow it doesn't pick up.

Picked up a 34 ft coach off the bay for my tourist train this morning. One big dollar and 4 cents. Well plus like $6 shipping. It's a TYCO but, with a razor saw and a couple of #148's, some new wheels and I'm sure some weight plus possibly a few details, new paint job and like Jerry says, from 3 feet it'll be fine.

Chris- Got the first part of the bench work almost put up. I'm gonna use ¼" OSB because I Haven't had any problems with it. Then 2" foam board on that. Kinda at a slow spot right now as the part I had to start with is also the part where the grade rises 5". So, the board will only go as far as the grade start. The grade is actually hidden in a tunnel and emerges around the corner and 5" higher so I need the foam board to know where to start the track bed in height. The plan says its about a 3% grade so I'm trying to see if I can't extend the rise longer. I already have a bit and I think with a little cyphering I can get it a bit longer. Haven't figured out where I'm at so far but I figure the longer the rise the better. I'll be laying some track and the first grade before moving on. I think this will help me get that part correct with the rest of the layout. I've already thined out some of the track out that I won't need or want. For instance. I don't think I want 4 switches hidden "under ground" so I can have two passing sidings I can't see. For me, that only asks for trouble. All in all, things are going well. I can see why Rerun is taken, Missy looks dreamy in that photo.Laugh

I see some pretty good pictures of some decent looking progress, Oopssorry Tom, should have looked to see if you were around before I said that. I wasn't rubbing it in, really. So, sounds like you had a nice drive!

Well, time to rest before going to bed.

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 sunsetbeachry on Monday, February 8, 2010 8:41 PM

Good Evening all,55degrees, no rain, BEAUTIFULL SUNSHINE,first time in 10 days the rest of time cloudy and rain. Trees are starting to turn green and little flowers are poping out all over the garden area. Almost have all the track pined down, majior switch areas are glued in place first. Used plastic straws to go thru insulation in places 4 and 6 inches thick for all the elec. wires for track. Will do same for all elec. connections under the layout, easiest way to do this allways know what is where. Been trying to locate all the info that I can on The Clatsop Railroad Co. 6/1934 to 1938; the predecessor is what I'm really intested in: Lewis and Clark Railroad Co. ( 3/1918 to 6/1923 )  36 inch logging RR. All it had was 24 miles following the Lewis and Clark River south following the river of same name south in Clatsop County, Oregon. Three engines (1) 2 truck 40" drivers #1432 Heisler : (2) 2-6-0 [ all I know](3)   2T Shay 36" drivers; Lima #3164:::: This is or was one of the Logging RR to ship logs south to Frisco in rafts to mills in S.F.  If anybody can help I will pay for all reasonable expences ;;;;;;    chuck

Fair Winds and Following Seas. CHARLESDOMBROWSKI@MSN.COM

Remember model railroad logging is a FUN business and we all need FUN........ACD
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Posted by twhite on Monday, February 8, 2010 8:14 PM

Saywer: 

Yup, he's a Forward.   He walks into a room and he just COMMANDS it!   Big, sweet guy, very quiet and attentive in class, even when the rest of the choir is going bonkers on Monday mornings.  REALLY nice Tenor voice.  An absolute A+ choral singer.   And he has a very strong GPA in his other classes.  All his teachers just love him--me too.   Couldn't ask for a better student.   

But I've watched him in action out on the playing field--OHMYGAW!   It must be like getting hit by a BNSF freight train at full bore, when he gets going, LOL! 

He's a Sophomore, we'll have him for two more years.  Frankly, I'm really looking forward to it.  So's the Rugby coach. Tongue

I really like the way your layout's coming along, BTW.  Keep the photos coming, OK?

Tom Big Smile

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Posted by last mountain & eastern hogger on Monday, February 8, 2010 8:08 PM

Packers#1

 Here's some cell-phone pics of the work on the layout tonight. A rather long-overdue work day if I might say. Sorry the pics are a bit blurry; kinda tired and took them in a hurry, but I'll post the best of the best.

 

 

Whistling

What a great looking building sawyer. I am impressed.

If you have time, please post the measurements of it for us.

Good Job.

Johnboy out..........................for now.

from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North.. 

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

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Posted by Packers#1 on Monday, February 8, 2010 8:01 PM

 Tom, yep, he's a rugby player. And I wouldn't be surprised if he had cracked a rib. Sounds like he's a forward (guy in the scrum) and you gotta be TOUGH to be a forward, lol.

Sawyer Berry

Clemson University c/o 2018

Building a protolanced industrial park layout

 

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Posted by twhite on Monday, February 8, 2010 7:51 PM

Evening all from It's Raining And I'll NEVER Get This Locomotive Painted!  Cal: 

Yup.  One nice day, yesterday and we're  back into the Gloomies around here.  Rain and snow scheduled until around Friday, according to our Omnipitent Weatherpersons. 

Could have taken the boiler and tender of my Little Lady out into the garage yesterday--sun was out--and at least put a base coat on, but a buddy of mine called and asked me if I wanted to take a ride with him.  "Where?"  I asked.  "Oh, down to Stockton or Tracy.  I have to pick my mother up.  My brother's bringing her up from Santa Cruz and meeting us halfway."  "Sounds cool."  I say.  Besides, there's a lot of railroad action down around Stockton and Tracy, I'll probably see some very cool trains, that area is where UP and BNSF kinda/sorta take off toward Oakland.     

We get in the car.  His cell phone rings, as we're peeling south from Sacramento.  "You're (explitive deleted) KIDDING ME," he yells into the phone.  "We've got to go to Santa Cruz," he mutters to me.  "His car won't start." 

Now, Santa Cruz is 2-1/2 hours from here, on the Coast, below San Francisco.  I think about it.  Actually, there's not much to think about, we're already between Sacramento and Stockton. 

I get home about 7 hours later.  Dusk.  BTW, no BNSF action.  Or UP (like I'd care about UP anyway).  Walk into the house.  Uff-Dah makes a bee-line for me the minute I walk in the door.  "OH, THANK GOD, THE GUY WITH THE THUMBS IS BACK!"   Spooky just gives me a "Look." 

Needless to say, the little 2-8-8-2 lady is still raw brass, sitting on the kitchen table.  Whistling  Okay, maybe Friday. 

Got to school today, we had a BIG explosion in the Music Department on Friday when I wasn't there (I don't do Fridays--short day schedule).   Seems the Concert Band Director got mad at the Jazz Band Director because the Jazz Band Director allocated the purchase of $100 dollars worth of Sax and Clarinet reeds for the Jazz Band for rest of the year.   Um, that's about 2-1/2 months.  I used to chew up a reed a day when I played clarinet in high school, LOL!   Anyway, there was this Big Meeting about it, and the Assistant Vice Principal (she's in charge of the Fine Arts Curriculum) got involved, and while she was asking what was going on, the Band Director told her to SHUT UP, he was SPEAKING! 

I heard all of this this morning, when I reported for work.  Shall we say, it's a little BOUNCY around here right now, LOL?  Luckily, neither myself of my Partner In Crime Leah are involved--we're Choral, and Officially Not Involved, thank God!  But it should be an interesting week as everything gets sorted out. 

Ah, the Joys of Teaching!  Confused 

SAWYER:  You should enjoy this.  One of my Tenors came in First Period holding his side.  This guy is built like a Sherman Tank.  Came up to me and asked me if he could sit out the Breathing Exercises we usually do before singing.  I just grinned at him.  "Rugby."  He nodded.  "Uh-huh."  We had a game, Sunday.  Our version of the Super Bowl.  We won, by the way.  I told him to just sit the class out.  He sighed.  "I hope I didn't crack a rib."  "Believe me, if you'd cracked a rib, you wouldn't even be standing,"  I said.   He joined us a little later up on the Risers.  He must really have gotten WHACKED out there on the field, yesterday.  He's recuperating, though.  By the time class was over, he was breathing a lot better.   

Well, that's about it from SoggyCal for now.  Time to go out and test-track my new Little Lady again.  Got the boiler all weighted, put it on the chassis, and she runs kinda/sorta nice.  I replaced the brass Key articulation drive between the driver sets with an A-Line ball and socket mechanism, and she runs much smoother.   Almost as good in forward as reverse, so I'll work on that a little tonight. 

I am going to paint her boiler dark green, once I get a chance to paint her at all.  Evidently, Rio Grande liked those little 'baby' 3400 2-8-8-2's with a green boiler.   It'll make her look a lot like a Great Northern Mallet, but what the Hey, right?   I mean, Great Northern locos ain't to shabby themselves, LOL! 

Best to all, prayers to those in need.

Tom Big Smile

  

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Posted by Packers#1 on Monday, February 8, 2010 7:23 PM

 Here's some cell-phone pics of the work on the layout tonight. A rather long-overdue work day if I might say. Sorry the pics are a bit blurry; kinda tired and took them in a hurry, but I'll post the best of the best.

 

 

 

 

Sawyer Berry

Clemson University c/o 2018

Building a protolanced industrial park layout

 

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Posted by howmus on Monday, February 8, 2010 6:01 PM

Evenin' folks!

Zoe I'll have some fried chicken and french fries and a tall glass of Dr. Pepper if you please.  I'll go sit well away from Jim and Chris...  They don't sound good at all.

Looks like another major storm heading into the Northeast tomorrow.  The good news for around here is THAT it is expected to fizzle out here in the Finger Lakes.  A couple hours ago they were saying 6 to 12" of partly cloudy now they are saying we might get an inch.......  The situation has undoubtedly occured because reading the earlier prediction, I gassed up the Snow Blower, and drove to the gas station and filled the gas can back up so i would have plently to play out in the snow when it came.......

My son called from work a while ago asking if I could bring the triler out to his house tomorrow.  He wants to be able to get to his snow blower which is buried in the trailer.   Heh, heh, heh.......  THAT will also almost guarantee the storm staying away from here.

I'm going to spend most of the rst of the evening logging data on the rest of the fleet of equipment.

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 AmanaMedic on Monday, February 8, 2010 4:56 PM

JimRCGMO
I have had this (Hack.. hack... cough... wuah!..) cold/bronchitis/plaque thing most of the weekend, but cannot hock up anything to clear it out (sorry for that visual..). I'll try not to infect anyone else with it.

JIM: I'll join you in isolation...Loving Wife brought home the same perfidious pestiliance this past week. She stayed home Friday and today...I got it big-time on Saturday. Banged Head

JimRCGMO
As for Germans and MRR'ing, maybe it's our preference for things "engineerial"...?Whistling  (FWIW, I started out majoring in engineering in college - before changing majors later...)

Good grief...my first year of college was to "learn" mechanical design and drafting. Yeah, THAT worked out... Instead, I "learned" the following: introduction to alcohol consumption, introduction to "independent" living, and CNW Illinois Division - Morrison, Illinoisssssss to Clinton, Iowa. Big Smile Uh, I quickly moved into advanced studies on THAT topic...

Speaking of Illinoisssssssssssssss, TODD: How goes the room re-do?? Rerun was quite smitten with Missy's latest pic, by the way.

VINCENT: About the lying gal...sounds like "a real wild chick," to borrow a line from EMERGENCY! Good luck to ya with the women, THATs all I got to say about THAT!

Closer to home, we be moving back into blizzard mode tonight and all day tomorrow. Sounds like a direct repeat of the end of January. Oh goodie. Loving Wife is expecting a snow day tomorrow, I'm anticipating my Tuesday night high school basketball coverage to be postponed. Next "out and about" gig for me won't be until Thursday evening when I go interview the ladies of North Liberty American Legion Auxilliary, Bicentennial Post 1976.Thumbs Up

ZOE? I'll take a couple of Barry Burgers please 'n thank-you...nope, not at the RC this time...I'll hang in the back. Geeeeeez, I hope JIM and I don't get DUKE all sickened!!! Maybe one of the girls could give Sir DUKE a Vitamin B and Vitamin C injection while he's sacked-out...

ChrisEight Ball

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

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Posted by Robby P. on Monday, February 8, 2010 4:42 PM

 Jim....I'm sure a lot of company's will be behind on shipping.  Now the weather people are calling for 4- 8 inches starting at lunch tomorrow.  Normally the Pittsburgh area gets 25 inches of snow (thats all year), and right now its at 49.9 inches!!!! Still got a few weeks left for snow!!!   Also.................Hope you get to feeling better.

 I added some signs to the layout today.  Hopefully tomorrow I can work on the layout some more.  I'm wanting to build a "pallet" company.  Nothing big, but something to take up some "open" space.

 

 "Rust, whats not to love?"      

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Posted by JimRCGMO on Monday, February 8, 2010 4:04 PM

Hi, Zoe - yeah, it's been a while. I'll take a BLT, some potato soup and a RBF, but I'll be in one of the back booths, I have had this (Hack.. hack... cough... wuah!..) cold/bronchitis/plaque thing most of the weekend, but cannot hock up anything to clear it out (sorry for that visual..). I'll try not to infect anyone else with it.

AztecEagle
Anyway,back to your posting.about the van/truck model.
I'm just making an uneducated guess here but I'm guessing your'e looking for REA/US Mail Delivery Vans.

  Well, close, Aztec - and thanks for the suggestions! I did find that CMW made one very close to it (the Metro delivery van), and I think I will go with the Divco milk truck model for now. I do also have that (Magnuson/Walthers) REA truck, but it's more boxy than what I want for the Scout van. I may get that REA tractor-trailer rig, too (for REA). I've also saved the other vans/trucks you mentioned for reference, as well. I was in Arlington a number of years ago (when I attended a wedding photography seminar, held at a hotel's conference center), and my brother was born in Fort Worth. Also drove through Texas on a 'vacation' trip out to Phoenix when my Dad was still alive (though can it be called a vacation when you drive way too many miles in one day, to arrive and collapse when you get to the motel?). Smile,Wink, & Grin

Ulrich - OUCH! - that's way too much of that white stuff! I hope they have enough snowblowers and plows in town there. Wow!! Stay warm, and avoid getting out if at all possible. Like your mods to the Salt Lake Route. As for Germans and MRR'ing, maybe it's our preference for things "engineerial"...?Whistling  (FWIW, I started out majoring in engineering in college - before changing majors later...)

Robby yep sounds like a basement day week, all right. I was thinking today that the casual belt I'd ordered from LL Bean (in Maine) might just be a wee bit delayed in getting to me, with all the sn*w delays that I'm sure all the shipping companies may be having in the Eastern half of the USA... Ah, it'll get here when it gets here (or I'm sure they'll ship another one to me come the spring thaw Smile,Wink, & Grin)

Flip, I hear you on the posts; I think I found about 7 pages to wade through when I got back in the Diner today. Sigh And I was never fond (even with my being of German ancestry) of that bitter cabbage stuff. My Dad would make himself Reuben sandwiches when I was younger, but I'd only want the corned beef part of it (not wild about rye bread, either).

Garry - yep, I was thinking about repainting the CMW REA van, except when I went searching on Walthers, they show it out of stock (and I think not known when it'll reappear). As I was saying to AztecEagle, I'll likely go with the Divco truck (and maybe do some creative whittling, cutting and/or pasting). You may want to watch it down your way, as I suspect this front will be like one of those others and track more to the south of us. Hopefully, you won't get another ice storm! Shock

Rob, the rocks look good - might be a doozy to add talus and such to, but the shape look about right to my eyes (now, where'd I put my glasses?). Wink Oh, and though I've never bought a CSX (too modern for my layout), I do have a C&O covered hopper - does that count? I can definitely understand the impulsive buying of things MRR-related, I'll admit. Whistling

Well, only five more pages to go (so far...). I'll take a break and resume after dinner. Zoe, Chloe, which one of you fine ladies will take my dinner order? Great! I'll have...(starts looking over the menu of dinner specials on the board...)



Blessings,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Shalimar. Florida
  • 2,622 posts
Posted by Packer on Monday, February 8, 2010 3:06 PM

Hey ya'll. Haven't been in in a while so I'm catching up

Anyways anyone rember what I said about 5 potential dates? That number swelled to 11, but then I got stood up by all but the very last one. It gets better since she was lieing about herself the whole time. She claimed to be working though college, had a car, no smoking, drinking, drugs, kept in shape, etc. In fact, she had no job, car (not even a bike), smoked, drank, did drugs, and probably spends her days eating, sleeping, and watching TV... Maybe I should stay out of it, more train money.

There is a 12th that I was supposed to meet tonight, but my battery went dead on me. So luck hasn't been with me recently...  The moment I get it running fixed, something else goes bad. I'm really mifed by that; so much so that I am already looking at another car.

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.

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Pittsburgh, PA
  • 1,155 posts
Posted by tcwright973 on Monday, February 8, 2010 11:59 AM

Greetings,

The wife and I finished up our mini winter vacation this morning. Checked out of the hotel and then had a nice breakfast at our favorite local restaurant. Then stopped at the bank, followed by doing our weekly grocery shopping. The house is nice and warm now that the electricity is back on. The bad news is they are calling for another 4 to 6 inches in Pittsburgh beginning Tuesday night. Maybe more if the this storm deviates from what they think it will do. Bottom line, it's beginning to be a little silly and I'm ready for Spring.

Pennsylvania did a great job on Interstate 79, It's was clear and dry in all lanes from yesterday morning. Other roads, not so good. Passable, but very narrow driving lanes. Everyone responsible seems to have cleared the roads better than I thought they would be able to do. Our street is like most others, just one lane. Funny thing though, I haven't really seen many kids out. When I was a kid, we lived for weather like this. Oh well, times change.

Take care,

Tom

Tom

Pittsburgh, PA

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Monday, February 8, 2010 10:53 AM

 Good morning. It's 44 here and -200 in Satan's penthouse. The high will be in the mid 50's and there's talk of a 70% chance of rain.

Internet problems prevented me from going online earlier this morning. Nice to see that the Saint's won but I never dreamed that they would stomp the Colts by the runaway score of 31-17. That was a surprise. I wonder how many people lost big bets on that game. Nothing in particular scheduled for today. I picked enough hairs off the layout yesterday to knit a handkerchief! The sooner I can give it a proper cleaning the better.

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


  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Finger Lakes
  • 10,198 posts
Posted by howmus on Monday, February 8, 2010 10:29 AM

Mornin' everyone!

Flo I'll have an everything Bagel w/ cream cheese this morning to go along with my cup of dark roast in a FGLK mug....  I'll be sitting at the Rivet Counter.

Looks to be a nice Winter Day here in the Finger Lakes.  A bit chilly, currently 20°F with a high of 23°F later in the day.  Low tonight will be around 17°F.  A few pieces of partly cloudy are floating around outside, but nothing THAT will cause any problems out there.

I decided to continue w*rking on the database of layout rolling stock last night.  For a lot of items, I put in the data I have from the car and them go online to the manufacturer and look up the kit #, etc. for the car.  Started doing my locos last night and since most of them are Bachmann, I went to their site for the stock numbers.  They don't list any of the locos I have from them anymore.  Most everything comes with their pathetic sound crap/garbage decoder in it.  Lucky I was able to buy all my locos when they didn't charge an extra $150 or so for added junk!  Guess I'll have to find the original boxes to get the info.  (Can you tell I am not a fan of HO sound.....?)  OK, put the SoapBox away. Do wish they would sell them as DCC Ready like they used to so we could have a choice though.

Only have 1 meeting and a dentist appt. this week.  Might actually get some quality time in on the layout........

Later!

73

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

We'll get there sooner or later! 

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: Nova Scotia, Northumberland Shore
  • 2,479 posts
Posted by der5997 on Monday, February 8, 2010 10:27 AM

Hello folks: A large JR Regular please Zoe, and a slice of your excellent banana bread with butter, thanks.  I've been working out scenes and sequences for a new video of the layout operations with the fiddle yard in use. That's been fun. Also, I bought some time ago the Cornerstone sanding towers kit,   and decided this weekend to get around to it. Thinking about the two towers, the older one is just too out-of-era for my supposed time frame. So I went on-line to see what a modern replacement might look like. I've settled for a bulk tower  to be filled from a covered gondola, and a trackside service tower  that a single operator could use to fill the sandboxes on a loco.  I won't be using the old tower and its open sandbin at all, but will use the brick drying house as a building associated with the more modern of the Cornerstone towers. So Saturday evening I got the bulk tower pretty much roughed out, and Sunday the trackside bin. So this is how things  stand now, with various pipes to be added, and both units painted up. The bulk Tower, BTW is made from Apridra ® insulin pen parts!

Who was asking about Shay Windows? In my search on Saturday I came across a site (why filed under sanding only the search engine knows!) that had to do with Shays. So I wrote the chap who'se building a large scale model, and here's his reply.

Hi John,

The Shays at Cass, WV all have glass windows.    The front windows seem to be fixed and probably can't be opened.  The front half of the side windows have glass  and the back is open.  The back half has a padded arm rest.  There is a narrow vertical pane  that seems to be able to be rotated much like the vent windows of autos from the WWII era.  I suspect (but don't know) that glass is fitted over the back half of the window in  cold weather.   Such a rear window might open by sliding past the window over the front half.     I suspect some Shays in warmer climates didn't have windows.    I've attached two photos of Shay No 5 at Cass.   One photo shows the fireman's side widow from the outside.  The other shows the cab interior on the fireman's side  with a good view of the edge of the side window --- there appears to be two window frames side by side.   Maybe that arm rest comes off and the window for the rear half is already in place and just needs to be slid back to close.   Hope this helps, Nelson

And the photos are

And interior...

Time for lunch soon. TTFN.

 

"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: East central Illinois
  • 2,576 posts
Posted by Cox 47 on Monday, February 8, 2010 10:21 AM

Good morning...Its sunny and 22 here posta snow late tonite...I'll have coffee and toast please ...thank you...Not much going on the I&S today..you all have a good one...Jerry

ILLinois and Southern...Serving the Coal belt of southern Illinois with a Smile...
  • Member since
    June 2008
  • 734 posts
Posted by Blazzin on Monday, February 8, 2010 9:54 AM

  Morning all~  Sunny cold morning here.. sure hope everyone has survived the winter blast.  I wish I had more to say, but I'm off to work on the layout.

Keith

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, February 8, 2010 8:55 AM

 Hi there,

I am back from the GULAG - only two more days to go!

Zoe, just coffee for me, please - I´ll stay here at the RC, if I may.

Heard on the radio, that some of our elected politrucks are again debating the "high" social security payments. They should be reduced by 30%. If that happens, you won´t find me around in here, because I´ll be Dead - starved! I don´t want their freakin´ money, I want a job!

To say, that I am just worried about the developments here, is an understatement.  I wantt to get out of here, asap! Is there a place for Petra and me to go?

Official end of rant !

Banged HeadThumbs DownBlack EyeEvilSigh 

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • From: Manassas, VA
  • 344 posts
Posted by Trainman Sam on Monday, February 8, 2010 8:08 AM

Good morning friends!

Chloe, may I have the same thing Ulrich is having? That looks GOOD!Dinner

Lee- Thanks for the suggestion. I have looked at them, actually have “Shelf Layouts You Can Build” on file, but my personal preference is to read a “physical” book. Call me old-fashioned!Smile,Wink, & Grin

Weather guessers will only tell me that “significant snow accumulation possible” for Tuesday thru Wednesday! WHAT! Oh well… we shall see

Have a great day friends! Stay safe on those sloppy streets!

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)

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Shelby, NC
  • 2,545 posts
Posted by Robby P. on Monday, February 8, 2010 6:17 AM

 Good morning.  Its cold, and the same here as Lee.  More snow is coming!!

 Watch some of the game last night, and it was a good one.  Tidays plan is to work on the layout and maybe clean the house some.  

 Hope everybody has a good morning.

 "Rust, whats not to love?"      

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Euclid, Ohio
  • 2,822 posts
Posted by LSWrr on Monday, February 8, 2010 5:51 AM
Good morning all,


Cold with a chance of 6-10 inches of new snow according to the NWS and the NWS is known to forecast on the cautious side.

BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret)
 L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes

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