Good morning All,
sn*wing outside just now with a couple of inches down at the shop already and as much as 8" predicted overnight. Didn't get much done last night as I didn't leave the shop until 8 or so and was beat to boot. I'll have a regular in a NH mug please.
I like the idea of franchising Elliots' and here is my contribution from the former layout before the flood. http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/500/Marlboro_Stone_044.jpg I still have the space on trainboard though I haven't updated anything lately. Someday hopefully.
PC - glad the scare was only that and has worked out well. Had a similar thing happen with one of the CFO's many knee surgeries - It blew up like a watermelon and that while she was in South Dakota on tour with the kids.
Lee - now that you've retired, what did you end up taking for w..k? Nosey folks would like to know.
Jeff and Rob - like the weathering on the cars - very nice.
Lots to do again today sn*w or not as I beaver away on a Lotus 11 headlight upgrade and the Lotus 23 alternator install plus the usual rest of everything. CUL, J.R.
Good morning. Its a cool morning, but no snow. They are calling for something Wed-Thur.
Thanks for all of the comments. I don't think its my best work, but it shows I need to get back into it. Now hopefully these will sell, and I can do some more.
Took the job test last week, and never heard anything. A big job fair this Friday I plan on going to. Hopefully I can find something full-time.
Not much planned today. Maybe work on my boxcar. Rust it up, and put it to work.
Der......I'm not to sure.
Hope everybody has a good morning.
"Rust, whats not to love?"
Good morning. Sausage and cheese omelet please. And some whole grain wheat toast with boysenberry jam thank you.
Good to see the animals have finally tired of the diner and have decided to get back to their normal lives. Something new always brings out the curious you know. Even with animals. You have to admit, despite the questionable activities of the raccoon, they did a pretty darn good job of keeping things going. Pretty good little servents they were. Kinda liked 'em.
Circumstances kept me out of Toddland (of which I'm king) yesterday, but today! ( hopefully) Have to unload the grocery truck at 10:30am c.s.t., then at 4pm (same time zone. Just didn't add it to save space) go help remove carpet from the Parsonage. I usually only work on the old railroad if I have several hours free to spend on it. I guess I need to just pop in the train room and do something even if it's just one thing and only takes about a minute or so.
Keith- I know exactly what you mean when you say "I gotta see" That's one reason why I love a LHS as opposed to an internet store. I like the touchy feely kinda let's see what it looks like in real life way of buying.
Ray- What's up with the organic stuff? Are you feeling like you need it? Or just tried it and liked it and figured since it's organic, why not stick with it.
Ya know girls, I think I'll try a cup of Ray's coffee too please. Kinda got me curious. I'll sit over here. Rob's had two bowls of Gumbo so far and, no offense Rob, but I'm not sittin' next to him til it gets out of his system.
AAAAGH! Sorry, Opossum curled up in the corner of the booth seat. Startled me.
Ulrich- Got my fingers crossed on the job hunt. I think that's what you need. Something to slap you in the face and show you what we've been saying. All is not over, just a different route is to be taken. Yes, like Derjohn, I too am curious if Petra is gonna be a forklift driver or not.
Jerry- Glad you had a great time in Mattoon. I wished I could have gone too. Would have liked to met you. Unfortunately there was a surprise family reunion for my Mother and her sister in Pittsfield and, well you know how it goes. Kinda fond of Sonic myself, by the way. In fact you just flung a cravin' on me. Next time I'm in Springfield, I think I'll stop in. Don't think Lincoln has one.
Robby- OUTSTANDING! If those don't sell, those people don't know what's good.
Sam- That's the same kit I was planning to get for the same thing. Like you, when I saw it that's what I thought of. My plans have changed though, I've decided to do it with a dining car. I'll have a yard now. And it will have a more than 50 page lease. I'll be looking for just the right cars that fit my minds eye to do it sometime. Just a bit preoccupied at the moment in case you don't know.
PC- Soooooo glad to hear from you I was getting a bit worried something was wrong with the wife. Yesterday I was going to look for an E-mail or at least PM you but got involved with multiple unexpected things until work time. Then when I read your post I thought my fears were confirmed. I'm so happy to hear she's OK now. Whew. Other than the problems they just fixed, how is it going for her in the weight loss? Sure doesn't seem like 5 weeks.
Jeff- That roof looks pretty convincing.
Chris- Yeah I like the sound of an old Cat too.
There was a question I was going to ask yall but I can't remember what it was.
Coffee's pretty good, could I get a refill Zoe? Zoe? Yoo Hoo, Zooooo-eee. What did I say now.
Have a Great Day!!!
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.
der5997 Garry: That outhouse while functional, lacks perhaps the finer touch. I was sent a bunch of Art Outhouse photos today, so here's the first. Sorry no Train themed ones in there.
Garry: That outhouse while functional, lacks perhaps the finer touch. I was sent a bunch of Art Outhouse photos today, so here's the first. Sorry no Train themed ones in there.
Der John .... Well, it may not be train themed, but it is a spiffy biffy, anyhow. It's more fancy than the ones I see. Perhaps, you could call a two-holer a "double header".
Also John... Glad you heard from Paul. Tell him we look forward to seeing him here again soon. I hope things are OK with his family. I recall he said Mary Ann had health issues, and we are concerned for her.
Todd said: "Good to see the animals have finally tired of the diner and have decided to get back to their normal lives." .. I hate to be the one to ask this question, Todd. Is that a black and white cat under your seat, or is that what I think it is?
Meanwhile, back at the outhouse, things are piling up.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Heartland Division CB&QTodd said: "Good to see the animals have finally tired of the diner and have decided to get back to their normal lives." .. I hate to be the one to ask this question, Todd. Is that a black and white cat under your seat, or is that what I think it is?
aaahh----I see the Possum is still here. Our little 'Spring' is all cuddled up in bed so he's not here---
Good Morning---
I had to clear a lot of fur from the laptop this morning--'Spring' was sleeping on it
We are all dull and snizzly right now as we got more snow last night. Something about 'isolated snowflurries' and being concentrated here I guess. I get to do some runnin' 'roun' in the slush today as well---
Chris: The CAT sounds like a good idea for around here----I also think we may need some kind of a pump as well for all the slop under the snow---
Nice to hear that Paul is still around-- Hope all goes well-
Chloe, I'll have a coffee and a tea biscuit for now please---I'll be at the RC for a bit-----better let that sleeping Possum alone--
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/
JR, I retired with 22.2 years in the Coast Guard Active Duty (E-6). I’m working as a Coast Guard civilian Bridge Management Specialist (GS-12). I cover all of the Great Lakes and the connecting waterways (except Canada). My primary function is to mitigate the impact of bridge construction and maintenance issues allowing for a fair and equitable use of the waterways for recreational traffic and commercial vessels. I’m the guy responsible for coordinating issues with the bridge owners and contractors; my partner is responsible for permits and enforcement. I also write entries for the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), mostly for articles under 33 CFR 117.The MRR bonus of my job is I have blueprints for every bridge in my area of responsibility and history of those bridges going back to 1899 and beyond in most cases. I also have to review the FRA’s postings in the Federal Register to see what the railroads are up to on a regular basis. So if I get caught surfing the railroad web sites everyone assumes I’m doing research for my job.This winter I’ve been busy updating railroad bascule bridges in the CFR to reflect automation changes. Currently I’m working with two RR’s for new bridges and trying to keep up with the name changes. I still have several UP, EJ&E, Conrail and PC RR bridges that have changed hands and I need to make the name change official for the Coast Pilot, Chats, and CFR.Other than that I don’t do much.
BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret) L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes
Mornin' everyone!
Zoe just a bowl of hot oatmeal with brown sugar for me and a cup of the Organic Seneca Lake Blend Dark Roast coffee. I'll be sitting in the front booth by the window watching for the mainline traffic.
Todd I Was in the "Natural Food" store downtown to pick up a bottle of PB8 (Probiotic) and happened to walk by their row of organic coffee blends. Happened to see the "Seneca Lake Blend" and since I do like dark roast and the owner said it is their biggest seller, I decided to buy a half pound of it. It is very, very good! Robust, rich flavor and not at all bitter. When I was in the Philippines several years ago, I noticed how good the chicken tasted. It had the same taste our chickens had from our farm when I was a kid. Figured out all the chickens in the Philippines are "back yard" free range chickens just like the ones we raised. Amazing difference in taste. I prefer organic, local produce when I can get it, and grow everything with natural fertilizer and no pesticides whenever possible in my own garden. That said I am not one who is annal about it.
blownout cylinderTodd. Is that a black and white cat under your seat, or is that what I think it is it? aaahh----I see the Possum is still here. Our little 'Spring' is all cuddled up in bed so he's not here---
Todd. Is that a black and white cat under your seat, or is that what I think it is it?
I would be a bit careful making any sudden moves............
Hope you all have a good day!
Later!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Good morning...Its cloudy and 25 here...I'll have coffee and a sweet roll please...Thank you..I messed around with Life Like GP 20 that I got at train show..Its an early run but runs pretty well after a good cleaning..Its missing a couple of hand rails gotta see if I can track some down and change couplers..Also working on laser kit Saw Pit store..You all have a good one...Jerry
LOL.. and a very good morning to you too Jerry.
I guess no "Show and Tell" about the stuff you got at the show?
Jerry.. and anyone else.. I've often tried to imagine what a person goes through to clean an engine? Jeff? Anyone? Ok.. you take off the top.. you've got the engine open.. now what?
You look for something.. ? Broken magnets if it isn't running? Look for electrical contacts and electrical wear? Where does one apply oil.. and where not to? Enguiring minds wanna know!
Keith, a little oil goes a long way; I normally wait for something to squeak before I oil it. I have a friend that when his locomotive runs down the main oil is thrown about 3 feet into the air (a good hint he used way too much). I know some people will cringe when I say this; I use Vaseline on running gear applied with one of those white micro-brushes or a tooth pick. The Vaseline stays put, doesn’t drip into places it shouldn’t and will last the lifetime of the locomotive.
Ah lunch time and I still have TOP. I'll have obne of those industrial sized Barry burgers and a vanilla shake with some onion rings on the side please.
Lee - sweet gig you have. I was really hoping you hadn't been reduced to opening a barber shop.
Keith - magnets usually don't break, but in dusty conditions the rotating parts can pick up lint and dirt which you get to clean off the drive gear. The magnets however are absolutely brilliant at plucking old staples and metal bits from the road bed along with the occasional spike not quite driven home. Next up we should get Tom to give a disertation on quartering the driving wheels on steam locomotives (Lee says it involves at least two buckets of steam).
Lunch is up, back to it. J.R.
Ah lunch and the smell is gone. Here too I smell (or lack of I should say). Burnt my clothes as soon as I got home and showered for an hour. Finally the dog would come around me. Apparently, when ones feet get to close to a Pole Cat....., he becomes nervous and strikes first without waiting to see that all I was doing was readjusting my feet.
Just got back from stocking the groceries at the diner. One truck was late. Then I had to fill out the forms for OPM on our earnings for to keep receiving the early retirement. Now, well now I think I'll retreat to the basement and work a bit on whatever I can until 4 when I, once again, will be uprooted and used for my lack of anything to do. Luckily Lee went right back to work so he has time to play.
GMTRacingThe magnets however are absolutely brilliant at plucking old staples and metal bits from the road bed along with the occasional spike not quite driven home
Keith- For that reason, I will this time around remove the track nails used to hold the track on the foam. I'm using latex caulk to hold the track and the spikes to hold it only until the latex cures. Last time in the foam, I left the nails in even after I attached the track. If the glue did not get on the nails, some did work their way up. Probably through vibration and the magnets. One lesson learned.
Downstairs I go.
Well its afternoon. So I will take the cheeseburger basket, and a sweet tea.
The weather people are saying snow starting tomorrow night and two lows are going to combine Thursday. Which means we might get a significant snow storm. GREAT . So..............I went to a LHS and grabbed up the GP-30 (Bachmann Spectrum), a Inter-mountain hopper, and a small pickup truck (for my pallet business).
The hopper just got its fade, and the engine, well that will take a few days to do. The engine also needs a few touch ups. Plus its been several months since I've done a engine.
*One question* How hard is it to remove the truck covers/shell from the frame of a Bachmann????? Athearn they just pop off, and the body is just help in by a couple of screws. Hopefully these are as easy.
So here are my next "weathering projects". Just to clean for me .
Robby ... I like the looks of the GP30. Not sure of how to answer your questiosn. I had Bachman F7's, and the truck side frames were a one piece item that wrapped around the truck. It had little latches on each end of the sideframe piece.
Regarding cats .... A cat ate some cheese and waited for a mouse with baited breath.
Robby P.The hopper just got its fade, and the engine, well that will take a few days to do. The engine also needs a few touch ups. Plus its been several months since I've done a engine.
Hey, can't help ya with the loco...but maybe THIS will help with THAT hopper...
*sniff sniff*
Hmmmmm, still smells a bit...."skunky" here in the Diner... I'll go borrow a Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV) fan from the fire station, get this place vented-out right quick...
Chris
The Cedar cRapids Industrial Branch: Proudly Shipping Yesterday's CrunchBerries Tomorrow!
Afternoon folks!
Janie I'll have a Dr. Pepper and go sit at the Rivet Counter for a bit.
Still waiting for the county to post the jury duty call for tomorrow....... If they call any more people, I am sure to be in the group. Just got off the phone with my son to make arrangements on how I can get word to him to feed my cats for me if I do have to report tomorrow.
I managed to put on the 6" x 6" framing into one of the sides of the Engine house upside down (Shingles on the outside are wrong side up) so I will be making a couple modifications to how the walls were going to be to "correct" the situation. At least I found it before I had it all glued together...
TMarshGMTRacingThe magnets however are absolutely brilliant at plucking old staples and metal bits from the road bed along with the occasional spike not quite driven home Keith- For that reason, I will this time around remove the track nails used to hold the track on the foam. I'm using latex caulk to hold the track and the spikes to hold it only until the latex cures. Last time in the foam, I left the nails in even after I attached the track. If the glue did not get on the nails, some did work their way up. Probably through vibration and the magnets. One lesson learned.
To help keep those little difficulties to a minimum, I built a magnet car for the MOW train:
Near the bottom there is a small pile of stuff the magnet picked up off the track in addition to some you see still on the magnet!
[edit] Looks like afternoon snacks and dinner will be on me. Order up!
Veggie & fruit smoothy, please.
***Ray, as much stuff as you magnet car picks up, you might want to have a talk with the wee people track maintenance crew.
Have a good day y'all.
Rob
Robby P. *One question* How hard is it to remove the truck covers/shell from the frame of a Bachmann????? Athearn they just pop off, and the body is just help in by a couple of screws. Hopefully these are as easy.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Afternoon all. Chloe, I'll take a RBF, thanks.
Not too much homework today, so I'll have time to catch up later.
My Model Railroad: Tri State RailMy Photos on Flickr: FlickrMy Videos on Youtube: YoutubeMy Photos on RRPA: RR Picture Archives
Good afternoon everyone!
I got a good day of train handling in today! I ran all the trains to within three minutes of the schedule! My go-home train was actually EARLY!!! I only had one station where I overshot the platform, but I held the doors closed until the Conductor reached the doors that were off… Won’t do that again! The reason I am so happy about running well today is due to the “light misting” rain we are receiving. With just a light misting, the rails become more slippery than usual, so it becomes harder to run the train on time. (Only harder, NOT impossible, as the seasoned engineers prove every time there is a rain storm!
PC- REALLY glad to hear Mrs. PC is doing well!!!
Chris-“Was it you (or Sam?) who got a Mini Cooper? THAT's Loving Wife's other collecting frenzy…” THAT was me! I have bought her a Mini Cooper and a SMART Car… Next little surprise will be several limo’s (if and when I find them) so that there will be “Susan’s Super Saucy Transportation Services” on the layout! Thought that would be quite the unique name for a Limo company!
Chris- I’d love to have the article for the fuel tanker as well, please? Although, how funny would it look in use on a line that is only Sixteen Miles long?! Actually, come to think of it, they COULD use it! The way it would work is this: The New Hope & Ivyland Railroad would have a contract with a diesel fuel supplier that gives them a discount for buying in bulk. By going the route of having the excess fuel in the tender, they wouldn’t have to go through the EPA to have a tank installed in-ground! (Is it me? Or does my layout get more complicated with every turn I take? Lol
Lee- There has to be some axiom for THAT, right? Heeheehee
Robby- I forget, did I ask if you do paint jobs??? I’m still looking for someone to convert my fleet…
Ray- was that a specific magnet you used, or just a simple store bought for the MoW Flat car?
OH GREAT! The weather guessers have just called for a “BL!ZZARD” for Thursday! Of course, it would HAVE to happen on my relief days!!!
Chloe, may I please have a large RBF? Thank you! I'll be in one of the unoccupied booths, hopefully neither the skunk or opossum are sleeping under the bench...
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)
PC- Heck of a scary way to awaken. Happy that everything worked out.
Jerry. Shows that a good Dad has a good son.
Jeff / JR - That GN car I got is a Mantua with original H H couplers. Used a nail clipper, modified the coupler and it hooked to a loco and went for a trip. No problem.
Ray- nice easy trick with the magnet. Smart idea.
Prayers for all.
Flip
SAM: Congrats on the train-handling! I'd probably be filling a notebook with "marks" to get the doors at the right places on the platforms. E-mail (through the forum's program) is enroute RE: the tanker article.
ROB (Cedarstrand): Did you ever get the info you was looking for on friction bearing vs. roller bearing trucks??? I've been kinda skimming through this stuff the past couple of days.
Hey JOE? If you need something to do...I'll let you write the 'graph (or two) for the both of the dad/daughter dances I covered Saturday evening. I'm at a total loss on a "catchy, witty, sophisticated, enlightened, "I'm just so smart because I'm a reporter and you're not," way to write this. I'm at a loss. I have no point of reference. I've never been a daughter...and I'm not a dad.
Welp, back at it, THAT needs some content, so I'd best make a phone call or two...
PackerSawyer, I wonder about that green character myself... The plain 90's scheme isn't my favorite, but at least it's BN.
Sawyer, I wonder about that green character myself... The plain 90's scheme isn't my favorite, but at least it's BN.
yeah man.
Philip, dern, whata scare man! Glad it all ended good thoguh.
Chris, that's actually what it's spotted in front of, a fertilizer dealer; which is funny because I thought that place was all closed up! and there doesn't seem to be any way to unload it.
Robby, looks like some good weathering fodder you picked up; lookign forward tos eeing how you weather them!
Well, rugby practice tonight!
Sawyer Berry
Clemson University c/o 2018
Building a protolanced industrial park layout
It's 42 and dry for the moment. There's a good chance of rain today and a snow storm tonight. My doctors appoint went well enough. The wound on my right foot is just a tiny pinhole now. The wounds on two of my left toes however are proving to be somewhat uncooperative. Arthritis has settled into the joints resulting in hammertoe. The doc thinks he sees a sign of a little cellulitis so he's put me on bactrim and cipro again. Antibiotics for those who don't recognize the names. UPS was to pick up the wound vac from my parent's place yesterday as they were going to be there all day. Well, nobody had showed by 5 pm so they stepped out for 45 minutes. Guess who showed up while they were gone? So today when I went down there the box containing the aforementioned vac was still there. My mother was there in case they showed again but she had to go out to male a bank deposit. Fortunately I was there this time. UPS showed up just 20 minutes after she left. I showed the guy the box, he slapped a label on it and out the door it went. Never have I been happier to see the back side of a piece of medical equipment and I hope I never see one of those things again. Maybe a littlle later today I'll get back to working on those freight cars. I have to relocate the brake wheels on two of them and the third needs some serious attention as it's an unblemished canary yellow from top to bottom. No way can I let that state of affairs continue unchanged.
Afternoon everybody!
Zoe just a cup of decafe for the moment. I'll be at the Rivet Counter for a few minutes.
Good news is THAT I don't have to report for Jury Duty tomorrow. Bad news is THAT I have to check tomorrow to see about Thursday.........
Cederstrand***Ray, as much stuff as you magnet car picks up, you might want to have a talk with the wee people track maintenance crew.
LOL, Rob THAT shot was from the first time I used the car. I was shocked to see how much stuff was on and near the tracks THAT could have gotten in the wrong spot on a loco! I run it every couple of months on average, usually before I have guests come over to the house to see the layout. Normally I get no metal at all picked up by the car, which is the way I like it.
The magnet was one from a set of magnets I bought with a Micro-Mark assembly jig to keep walls straight and such. Most any thin magnet that can fit without shorting the rails would do the job.
Jeff........Thanks for the tips. If I could just remove the shell, I will leave the trucks on. I've done it that way before.
Chris.....Thanks for the picture. I did one of these hoppers last year about the same way. Its a rather easy weather job.
Sawyer......I will probably do the GP-30 just plain and simple. Just some dirt/grime. The hopper, probably like Chris showed. That will be easy to do.
Sam........I've never painted before. I would love to do some of my own stuff, but I don't think it will look good. I guess I won't know till I try.
Grilled chicken, please.
***Chris, as for the friction bearing vs. roller bearing trucks, have not found out yet, uless I spaced out and missed an answer.
We have to pay out of pocket several hundred bucks for MIL's tooth work. I'm willing to do it free of charge with a pair of pliers That might not go over well with other relatives, not that I see them coming to her aid. Wife will have to pick up an extra night a week now. Ouch!
Long farn day. Exhausted tonight,
Good evening gents, been busy big time on the layout, a lot of progress. I have the north corner mountain all built and scenery done. If I had waited until after I laid tracks and some buildings etc., I would never have reached the ares without causing an earthquake. Now I am working on the mountains and scenery along the west and south walls.
It just started to snow again, coming down pretty good. We have two storms coming at us, the first is here now, the 2nd will hit us on Thursday courtesy of Texas, no sun until probably next Monday, so that bodes well for 100% MRR time.
I see we had Meatloaf for Supper tonight, not much remaining though, and who built the Outhouse that is just outside the back door, did I hear someone say Der John ?
"73"
Rob- Isn't it great how everybody offers a say on how something should be done. But no one seems to offer a dollar? You're not alone.
Rob, Friction bearing trucks were banned from interchange service on 1/1/91 for cars carrying hazardous materials (tanks and chemical hoppers perhaps). All other non-hazardous carrying cars equipped with friction bearings were banned from interchange on 1/1/94. Cars with converted friction to roller bearing side-frames were banned from interchange on 1/1/95 (hot bearing detectors couldn't read them).There were some instances of exemptions granted for shippers in "hardship circumstances" who could not comply with these dates. So, some cars did linger a little longer in interchange after the actual deadline dates. Roller bearing trucks started popping up in the early 1900s, most cars started coming with them in the late 50s-60s.
Chris, Thanks for the PDF. It looks fairly easy to do and I have the necissary parts in my scrap box. I just have to get the neccessary undecored tank cars (athearn 40' and 62')
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.