Elliot's Trackside Diner 26

[LSWrr]

I went out to the Norwalk and Western train show today, here is the haul:

 12 Ho-scale metal John Deer tractors
Purina Feed and Seed (Suydam) Already built from John PincaSmall
Suydam building
2 older style tank cars
1 operations book and a rules of safety book for N&W for the 1960's (both hard cover)
A GG1 for a friend (Made for Penco by Rivarossi)

Spent $100, but the tractors were a good deal, bought the whole box for $40.  LHS charges $5 each for plastic tractors, those metal ones are $10-20 each.  Those GG1's sell on EBay for up to $100 each.  If you wanted diesel locomotives there were some good deals ($35+).  Rolling stock was $6 each if it had knuckle couplers (all of them had Kadee) and $4 each with horn hook.  Brass rolling stock was selling for $10/car and passenger cars were selling for $10 each for the older styles and $20/ for the newer stuff.  MANTUA steam locomotives were selling for $40+.


 Next show I want to see is the FIRELANDS show at the Erie Fairgrounds. 02 MAY 10 1000-1600Firelands Model Train ShowErie County Fair Grounds3110 Columbus AveSandusky, OH 44870Adults $3

 

[ns3010]

Evening ladies and gents.

So, as some of you may or may not know, I've been working on my new website lately. Google closed my old account with the Tri-State Railway and I was kinda unhappy with Webs, so I created a new Google account and made a new Tri State Rail website.

I've still got work to do, but it's presentable. I like how it's coming along so far. I'm really happy with the system map (click the photo on the page, and then click it again to enlarge), considering that I completely freehanded that in MS Paint. I have yet to do the CT and NY maps. Connecticut should be pretty easy, but New York will be pretty hard, mostly because of its size.

Also, what do you guys think of the history? It's really a rough draft, and I'm open to suggestions for that.

Questions, comments, suggestions, whatever are of course welcome.

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I'll be in the back catching up from where I left off.

[Packer]

Evening ya'll

Got the GP35 put back together. Runs like a champ now (makes my P2k gp18 sound like a bachmann), just need to get some wiring in it to get it ready for dcc eventually.

Barry, that sucks. Good you are okay though.

Lee, soounds like a good haul and good prices there.

[ns3010]

Geez Barry, glad to hear you're fine.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 Barry: Good to hear you'r OK after that. I've worked scenes where things came out much worse.

[last mountain & eastern hogger]

Geeezz  Barry, that's worse than getting hit with a PIE.

Sure glad to hear that you are alright. That's the main thing.

Be sure to have them check out that rear wheel assembly. As the body was caved in back there that is a lot of torque being put on that wheel & tire, wheel/axle  bearing  etc.

Just finished up getting all our income tax stuff together and will take it in to our accountant tomorrow.  Hope it doesn't bite to much.

Sleep well all.    You too Ulrich.

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

[TMarsh]

Evening. Today......... I took a nap. It was a good one. Then I had to go to work. But I got a nap. It was a rainy gloomy day, then I went to napsville and awoke to sunshine. Glorious. Did I mention I got a nap.

Joe- Thanks. It did open for me. Like I've said many times, I'm not real knowledgeable when it comes to real railroads or 1:1 trains, I like 'em but just not real into 'em as many are. That's probably why I choose to freelance and make up my own scenario. However, that being said, I find myself more and more interested as I spend more time around you guys, and the more I kinda want to know more.

Sam- I'm DC myself and not displeased. I will someday convert to DCC. The more I do this, the more I think about the switch. I'm wiring my layout with that in mind. I'm not having a large control panel with section power switches, they will be short run wires to toggles mounted near the tracks that will be switched. That way I won't have a bazzilion miles of wire to remove when the big switch happens. I getting the feeling the change will happen not real soon, but in the not too distant future. I heard there is a lot to know and am not looking forward to that. I'm told it's all because it's new and once you get the hang of it and a bit of time under your belt it's much easier. I'll be waiting for you to say that. Oh and by the way, TAG, YOUR IT!!!! You pie fight starter you.

Chris- Looks like our railroad scenarios will be sharing the same area in spots. I'll wave if I see ya! Maybe if you happen to snag a T&P piece(loving wife sees it, says "Oh! That's a pretty herald") you can use that tooo!

OK just read Jeff's post on the Zephyr system. (the one I'm wanting to get) Maybe I'll wait a bit.

Lee- I see you've modeled the Hanging Gardens of Ancient Babylon. Roundhouse looks fantastic! You betcha the tractors was a good deal! WOW!

Barry- Thank Goodness you're OK.

Johnboy- Apparently you haven't seen some of the pies that got thrown around here in the past.

Prayers for those in need and little choo choo train dreams for all.

 

[Blazzin]

  Ulrich.. now you've really got my attention.  This is something~!

  One question.. Middle right.. is that some signal bridge going over the tracks?

 Galaxy.. long story.. Reader Digest version.  Lighting Yes.  Type of plant.. yes yes.  The type of Orchids we grow.. and the broad leaf type.. very strong.. can take abuse and neglect.  Jeanne was also growing Violets as well as orchids.  The kitchen sink/window..(west facing)  gets very hot sun during the summer.. from mid day on.. and the east side widow.. dinning window.. only gets summer morning sun.. very dim light.

   Well in short.. Jeanne had the orchids on the shady side.. and the violets on the hot side.  Both were doing quite badly.. so she switched them.. figured had nothing to lose.. so now, both do quite well.  The orchids leaves.. burn a tad during the summer.. but manage.. and flower in January.  I wouldn't try to grow any other variety  I do have one belief why the orchids do so well in the hottest window of the house.  Every morning.. the get a blast of steam from the sink and coffee pot.  But usually.. Jeanne never waters them.. she finally learned.. if you want to kill a plant.. water the heck out of it.

[Anonymous]

 Good Morning Everyone,

I can´t believe that the weekend is already over - time passes by so rapidly these days. Reminds me, that I have still 20 job applications outstanding; sending a little e-mail, saying "thanks, but no thanks" seems to be too much of an effort nowadays. That deserves a

Chloe, I now I am late this morning - I´ll go for good ol´ breakfast American style - with all the works, thank you.

Blazzin

  Ulrich.. now you've really got my attention.  This is something~!

  One question.. Middle right.. is that some signal bridge going over the tracks?

 

Keith - no, it is not a signal bridge - it´s a bridge holding the overhead catenary system Dave is installing. Looks good, but is a heck of a job to do. My layout won´t have this, I´ll stay with my Diesels.

If you´d like to follow up on the construction of Dve´s layout, here is a link with great pictures!

Those extra 4 feet I can use installing cassette staging left and right from the layout, as it´ll pass in front of the book case on the right side. I had to make the layout plan a little deeper - it is now 2 feet deep. I need to put coasters under my desk to be able to pull it out a little. I am now doing the "engineering" work for the benchwork, which will be much easier to build as for the previous layout idea. It´ll be a sandwich construction, using a 12 mm MDF board as a base and a 12 mm MDF board "cookie-cut" on top, with 50 mm stringers as spacers. I will wire the layout for DCC , but will operate my one and only loco  DC at first, until I can afford to buy a DCC system. Work will start in about a month, when my son has his wardrobe back.

Barry - how awful! I am so glad you weren´t hurt! I have absolutely no tolerance for anyone driving intoxicated. My teenage girl friend was killed by a drunk driver 35 years ago, while we were going for a walk. That moment the world had stopped turning for me.  The driver got a 5 year sentence, but was pardoned after 3 years - too low a price for killing someone.

Lee - congrats on your purchases!

Sawyer - you´ve got some awfully good looking Diesels there!

Sam - DCC programming is a hassle. I´ve spent hours on it, only to find out, that the effect I was trying to get was just not there. I have never understood, what the difference between programming on the main and on the programming track is. On my previous DCC layout, I had a track separated with two plastic rail joiners to serve as a programming track. Track voltage was the same, but I was able to "route" the power supply to either the main or the programming track via a toggle switch. I just guess, the main reason is not to "disturb" other locos on your layout. I may wrong with this ...

Have a good day!

[blownout cylinder]

Good Morning

Got next to no sleep last night ---nice and crisp outside reight now---only 4C and a very light fog/drizzle falling. Supposed to clear up this morning and be sunny and a high of 12C expected 

last mountain & eastern hogger

Be sure to have them check out that rear wheel assembly. As the body was caved in back there that is a lot of torque being put on that wheel & tire, wheel/axle  bearing  etc.

I called the auto shop I have and the guy there phoned me back up and confirmed that. He suspects some damage there. Oh well. I'm glad he only gave me a tap---I've seen WAY worse----BTW guys thanks for the support----also found out from neighbour the guy was driving with a suspended license-

I spent the night at neighbours with Audrey talking about some large scale renovations on his house. Appears that there may be some road work on our crescent as we have a road that seems more washboarded concession rd than crescent. He is thinking about getting it done sooner than competing with the construction destruction that may show up here later

Anyhoooo-Flo--I'll have a coffee and a large breakfast bagel please---I'm going to the window booth to watch the day unfold

[LSWrr]

Good morning all,


Sam, those Bachmann decoders are made by LENS.  They make good decoders, but if you picked up a Bachmann with DCC onboard and no sound it’s a fairly inexpensive economy decoder.  I bought 4 Bachmann locomotives with DCC on board and the decoders were not 128 speed step, made switching cars difficult.  I found that programming and running those were costing me about $80 in aspirin from all the headaches so I upgraded to the Digitrax $19 decoders and all my problems went away.


Hanging gardens of Babylon, I love it.  It does look more confusing in person, trust me.  Those wires are for track power, I haven’t started on the turntable motor controls yet.  I’m considering a stationary decoder control for the motor.  Thanks for the complement on the roundhouse, Just wait for the scenery.  I have to test the tracks first, but I’m thinking about installing a concrete apron in front of the roundhouse.  I have the plaster, thin wood spacers, and paving tape to do the job.

[LSWrr]

Garry, next time you cut through Ohio let me know, maybe I can meet you for a cup of coffee or something.  Do you run through on I-75 or I-77?

Got the truck back Saturday all is well again.

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

 Good morning,

I'll have TH coffee and a TH old fashion donut.

Lee .... We drive on I75 in OH. the return trip is coming up soon, but this time it will be too tight of a schedule.  Shelley is helping her daughter with the baby here a lot, and we will be back soon.

Barry ... I am really glad you were not hurt, but you might be well advised to see a doctor to be certain. I relate to your accident. Mine was nearly 20 years ago. The drunk hit my drivers door at 50 mph. The recovery period for my injuries was about a year. The drunk spent 1 night in jail and lost his license for 90 days. That is not at all fair.

[TMarsh]

Good Morning. Just coffee please.

The unexpected, yet inevitable has happened. Got a case of the soppy sock today standing in front of the sink making coffee. Yup, after 16 years, the garbage disposal has sprung a leak. When? Who knows, it's under the sink. Anyway, gotta do the bookwork for the Church, go to the bank and then into town to pay the fish bill. Just down the road is Lowe's, local retailer for InSinkerator. Replacement of disposer will commence upon my return home. Hopefully all will go well and the sink will be back in action before I have to go to work this afternoon at 5. Since a not so gentleman named Murphy shares my residence, I make no promises that we will have a functioning sink today. At least he doesn't eat much.

Have a Great Day!!!

[galaxy]

Good morning I think.

I'm not quite awake I think. Yet. Coffee please. Lots of it?

Easter is this comming weekend already and looks to be in the 70's here, maybe time to unwrap the a/c as this tin can we live in heats up fast as the outside temps climb. Happy Easter to those who celelbrate, happy Pasca to those who celebrate that, and happy weekend to those celebrate nothing. WHile we have very well been known to get snow on or after Easter, it usually is not bad. The earlier Easter is, the earlier spring seems to really come.

Last year's weather here was good almost all year. warmed up early, stayed nice most of the summer, only 2 weeks of "unbearable" heat in August. and a very mild fall. Hopefully this year will be the same.

Now that they have replaced the tracks around here in the last two years with welded rail and new ties, there is more NS and CP traffic going by. NIce to see. Wish CSX came by the area but *alas* it doesn't.

BLAZZIN  we have tried in the west facing window, but it does get chilly during the winter in that window so we move to the heating pad and grow light. Perhaps if that window was better insulated....and then there is the fact that this area is third in the country to get the least amount of sunlight days per year. We have tried watering them well, and not watering them, and only misting them. That doesn't seem to help. WE are not Nero Wolfe. {the detective book series that had a sluethe who had a rooftop conservatory for his orchids} *Alas*

Jeffrey W....take care today. 

All else have a great smashingly good day!

 

EDIT: I seem to have top honors so eat up folks the tab is on me!

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 Good morning. It's 43 and sunny. The high will be near 70 and it will be sunny.

My father decided he wanted to go into town for breakfast this morning and being that he doesn't like going alone and he likes a big breakfast (my mother's idea of breakfast is a McDonald's egg McMuffin) he asked me if I wanted to go along. Not being one to pass up a free meal I naturally said yes. I had scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon and a short stack of pancakes. My father had nearly the same but had biscuits and gravy instead of pancakes. Afterward we went to Lowe's where I picked up two 7 ounce cans of latex paint for $1 each. One is called 'La Fonda Boulder' and the other is 'Olive Sawdust'. I also picked up a new diamond disk for the Dremel as well as a detail abrasive brush for getting into those pesky nooks and crannys that I come across on models. I spent part of yesterday weathering two models. One is a double door Pennsylvania boxcar that the previous owner had botched a paint job on. The other is a plug door reefer that was completely stripped. It's turning to a rusty blue.

[howmus]

 Mornin' everyone!

Zoe I'll have a short stack of Buckwheat Pancakes with NYS Maple Syrup (leave the bottle) and a cup of dark roast coffee in a FGLK mug please and thanks you.  I'll be in the front booth watching all the stuff going on this morning.

Barry, drunk and no license.... THAT should put him away for at least a little while I would hope!

Jeffrey, you're weathering skills are really looking good these days.  Nice!  With a breakfast like THAT, I hope you took a little extra insulin this morning....

I have a podiatrist appointment this afternoon.  Not much else going on.  Probably will start to take apart the remains of the logging road, save what is savable and fill the trash can with the rest.  May take a couple photos of the weathering I did yesterday, update my data files to reflect the project and putter around with a few other things.

Hope you all have a great day!

73

[Cox 47]

Good Morning All...Its sunny but only 43 posta warm to upper 70's this week..I'll have a hot dog drag it thru the garden,onion rings and a RBF please...Thank You..Poured small pond on layout this morning..I tried something new to me..used Bondo for base,sanded as smooth as I could get it..sprayed rattle can Royal Blue from $ Store in bowl [had to throw bowl away don't tell Sallie!] and poured in pond..when it drys [if it drys] i'll paint with earth colored craft paint and put WS on...

You all have a good one...Jerry

[last mountain & eastern hogger]

What is the Special today Zoe??  Oh, it is Cajun Ryan's Meatball Lasagna. That sounds right on, I'll have an order with garlic toast and a side salad.  Cherry Coke to chase today, Thanks.

Hi Jeff,   With a breakfast like that, even though it is lunch time I bet you'll pass today.  That should hold you for quite a while.

Love the way that PRR Box turned out. The orangeiness ( is that a word) on the sheeting looks perfect. My only suggestion is ( and that is the student giving Rembrandt pointers) that there is too much crud around the ladder and grabs. As you know those would all be free standing and the crud would not collect that heavy in those areas only around the mounts for them.  Just my worth.

Good to see you Jerry, I meant to mention your new picture in your avatar before , looks good. Please take it easy on Sallie's chinaware, those might be some presious heirlooms.  Looking forward to the finished product for your lake.

Tom Marsh,  Great progress on the new layout. verry professional looking benchwork.  Hope the plumbing goes well.

It was nice to see Bill T. pop in the other day. Sure wish he would tell us more about himself.  We always wish you well anyway Bill.

Just leaving right now to take our Income tax info to the accountant for the past year.  Wish me well here guys........

Is Bridge Tom mad at us or what ??  I see him in various other places but it has been a while since he stopped in the Diner.

Also it has been quite awhile since Fergie stuck his slicker through the door here. Anyone know what he is up too?

And west coast Sue is missed as well and is always welcome here. You and Larry are probably out biking now and don't have time for us old timers.

Remember gang it is only three more days until we have to find the relocated Diner as it will be shifted off this site in the depths of the night of the 31/1.

Keep the smiling side up , hope to be back in later.

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

 

[Robby P.]

 Good afternoon.   I will take a cheeseburger basket and a sweet tea. 

 Been kinda busy lately.  Haven't touched the layout in a few days.  Its also been stop and go's for me in here.   

 Hope everybody is doing ok.

[Cederstrand]

Strong coffee in an extra large  UNION PACIFIC  mug, please.

Haven't been down in the train room for so long, I run the risk of forgetting what scale we're modelling. Soooo, going to look around in the dungeon (workshop) for any kind of material that could be used to make a retaining wall out of. This will go between the the base of the rocky mountain and some buildings on the wife's (HO) layout. Any suggestions of a cheapo way to do this?

Hope everyone is doing well.

Cheers! Rob

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Cederstrand

Soooo, going to look around in the dungeon (workshop) for any kind of material that could be used to make a retaining wall out of. This will go between the the base of the rocky mountain and some buildings on the wife's (HO) layout. Any suggestions of a cheapo way to do this?

Here's a low stone retaining wall I made with plaster of paris.

[TMarsh]

Has anyone ever noticed the .........unique...odor the inside of a garbage disposal has?

[Robby P.]

  I thought you all might like this story.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35797558/ns/travel-destinations/

[Packers#1]

 Chris, Sam, and Ulrich, thanks for the compliments on the layout and locos! I HATE decaling, but thank the lord it's finished!

Chris, yes sir, I'll be healing it up.

[howmus]

Afternoon folks!

Zoe, I'll have one of those RBF to tide me over to dinner time.......  I'll go sit at the Rivet Counter for a bit.

Just got home from the Podiatrist.  Father and Son operation.  I have been assigned the son as my foot doc.  He was very pleasant, easy going, and took one look at my orthotics and then at my feet, and said whose are these?  They don't match your feet at all!  He checked everything out and reshaped the old orthotics for me, then did a new cast of what my feet are like now.  The new ones will be in in 3 weeks.  Walked out the office to my car, and thought, my feet don't hurt!  Maybe I should see him more than once every 11 years?????

Ordered a Jordon Products Eire B2 Steam Shovel for the Quarry (along with a detail kit for it) from the LHS just a couple minutes ago.  Phone beeped as I was talking to the kid who runs the store (a student of mine way back when), changed over to the other call and it was the Drs. Office saying THAT my insurance will actually cover most of the cost of the new inserts!  Amazing! 

Have several things i should do so I will catch you all later!

73

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 I got my two Bachmann Heritage Fund hoppers today. I've already started work on one of them.

[blownout cylinder]

TMarsh

Has anyone ever noticed the .........unique...odor the inside of a garbage disposal has?

----yep---**coff coff** Quite "unique" isn't it?

Hello---Chloe, I'll just have a coffee for now please----I think I'll wait for a bit---

 

[fireman216]

 Goooooood evening!! I will have a couple slices of that pizza..Chicago style please. I have not posted in awhile. Since the shoulder surgery last month the only word I seem to say over and over lately is THERAPY!!!!!!!!! Man does that get rough but I have full range of motion which is great!! Between March madness and the weekly operating sessions with the layouts and that little thing called wo*k. Speaking of March madness...how many of you guys that did brackets took a varnishing this year?...My Syracuse boys fell apart to Butler and so far one of the guys in the shops wife will probably win the bracket and she has no clue!!!...Tomorrow I head over to a fellow NMRA members house for our weekly Tuesday afternoon operating session. And to think when I was younger I headed out to the bars and clubs with the boys when the REAL fun is in friends basements with good coffee and long freights!! Who would have thought?? Man...that pizza was slammin good....but someone put the apple pie by the garbage disposal.. Think I will pass. Have a good night all!!....Tim

[Trainman Sam]

 Tip-toes into the Diner, sees Todd at the RC...

TMarsh

. Oh and by the way, TAG, YOUR IT!!!! You pie fight starter you.

"WHO started WHAT???" yelled into the diner, Todd looks up just in time for:

KKKKKRRRRRRSPPPPLLLAAAAAAATTTTT!!!!   Banana Creamed Pie!!!

YOU are IT NOW!!!! Muuuuuwwaahhhhahhahahaha!

Thanks for the info guys!  I will be replacing the B-mann DCC Decoders when budget allows!

Tomorrow is going to be a "Death March"... As my fellow classmates and I have the 30th St Station Walkaround starting at 7:30am, which will include 30th St Station (obviously!), Zoo Interlocking, Mantua Interlocking, Penn Interlocking, etc...

Thankfully the Amtrak Conductor that does it REALLY knows his stuff about the place!  They say that when you finish the walkaround with him, you REALLY KNOW the stuff!  Glad he does it, it is definitely a "spaghetti bowl" of trackwork to say the least!

Looks like I got "Tops"!  I'll be footing the bill!  So....  Food's ON ME? LOL EVERY pun INTENDED!!!!