Elliot´s Trackside Diner April 2010

[Robby P.]

 Good morning.  Its still raining, and maybe until Tuesday.

 Well this was a rough weekend.  The wife (Jessica) is feeling about the same.  We were going to go to a Med Express (kinda like a walk in clinic), and let them check her out as well.   She can't see the family doc. till Friday.   We won't know how much damage is done to the car for about four days or so.   The pictures don't do justice.  Jessica's  aunt had someone hit her Kia and was just a bump, and it was $8,000 in damage.   We hope the car is totaled and then we don't.  

 JR, Garry, DerJohn...........Thanks.  She was in a five car pile-up a few years ago.  I keep telling her she's ready for the demo derby!!

 Ulrich....I like your track software.  I wish I had something like that!!

 Lee.......Sorry about your grandmother.  My grandmother raised me, and I would call her mom.   Grandmothers are the backbone of the family.  

 Hope everybody has a good morning.

[blownout cylinder]

Lee: Sorry to hear your Grandmother passed away..

Ulrich: Sorry to hear about your friend passing on as well--

Well, it be rainy damp and cool this morning. Lots of wind from the northeast as well----oh and dull dull dull--

Back to get more groceries and do some runnin' 'roun' doin' stuff this week. I've got to get more active here if'n one wants to lower their blood sugar---while they can still do such. We'll see what is up with the stuff tomorrow as I have an appointment with a diabetes specialist. My blood sugar seems to be coming down ---at last after I had to put even more insulin into the mix

 Also need to find some more elevator parts for the Halls Mills site---now I have a list of elevator pieces to get

Flo, I'll just have a coffee in a Iowa Southern mug---and a small cheerios bowl please----

[LSWrr]

Good morning,

I got the dreaded phone call this morning; My Grandmother passed away this morning.  She was recently moved into a nursing home (November 2009) after having gallbladder removed and some other complications.  She will be missed…….


Digitrax; well as you know you can put any decoder in any locomotive regardless of the control system you have installed on your layout.  John has a good point that Digitrax doesn’t dim their headlights and there are some really nice decoders out there.  Those Life-Like (Walther’s) F3’s I bought with DCC onboard do a great job on dimming, not sure who made the decoders for them but the sound is great!  The decoder I bought for this switcher was the first small sound decoder I could afford, at $40 each it’s a steal.  I plan on watching for a larger speaker that will fit in the locomotive but space is at a premium on this switcher.

Thanks for the comments on the video, my camera’s sound is very poor I should have used the quick cam on the laptop, but you got the general idea.  The locomotive has the crossing signal pre-programmed in; something new.


John, that Model Power station resembles the old Atlas kit I have on my layout.  MS-Publisher is a great program for making signs, no fuss and easy to use.


Ulrich, nice N-Scale layout, might be the answer to your space requirements.

Lee

[wetidlerjr]

[Anonymous]

 Good Morning Everyone,

another weekend of non-MRRing is over - and so is the nice weather. It is r*iny and "dull" outside - time to enjoy a good breakfast here in the Diner.

Chloe, I´ll have my usual French breakfast, please - I´ll be in the corner booth, watching that switcher.

Good to see, that some familiar faces are back again - hearty gain!

Yesterday, I received the news that a dear friend of mine has died of cancer, aged 68. In my youth days, he was my mentor, who taught me the use of an airbrush. He was an expert modeler, who built many a loco from scratch - a most unusual venue in those days in Germany. He was the one, who got my gang and me started on narrow gauge model railroading and had helped us with numerous projects. I owe much to him - thank you Karl, for those endless hours, burning midnight oil, to get that Westside D&RGW T-12 up and running! We will miss you!

My  go to his family.

 Edit:

I have, again, been dabbling around with my track planning tool - still in search of what to do best with that 2´by 6´ door I have. My mind wandered off to the iNsane scale and I came up with a slightly modified Beer Line. Just for you guys who are collecting track plan ideas:

Hey, I just noticed, that I have now joined the ranks of the top 200 contributors. Still a long way to go until I´ll be even with Jeff´s 13,000 + posts!

 

[Blazzin]

JPowell

Good afternoon gang!

  Just thought I'd drop by and show my smiling face and let everyone know I didn't fall off the face of the earth!

 

  And right you are John.  Lol.. Jeanne was just asking about you~  " Handsome? Fireman type?  Looks like he's 6 foot 3? ,ah.. corn feed, Apple Pie, All American, probably an paramedic, oh that handsome guy."  lol... Nice to see ya.

  " Hot chocolate in milk  please"  .. Well I spent at least an hour studying someones layout.. I believe it was Ray's.  Hundreds..lol.   Maybe it was more.. now it might not have been Rays'.. but pretty sure.  I notice he made a transition of the street.  The newer side has a curb.. the other was pavement stepped down into dirt'/gravel,' and then into an older building.  I watched a few..even down to buiding a gazebo.  Nicely done if thats you RAy~

  Der John,  I was going to post some pics in the lol.. in the Weekend Photo Fun blog.. but when I saw this one guys lighting of some dock I believe, I was flabbergasted.  I came here and just posted.. I dont' even think I said anything.  I find hurdles everyday.  Every step is an amazement.  There is no way I can say.... 'Boy I can't wait til I get to the 'Good Part"  .. lol.. I find that disturbing.  Its been fun, but very slow.  If that tells ya anything~  Each item requires thought as to if I am to weather the part before gluing. example.. the concrete fence/wall I plan on using.  I even plan on giving 'Fiber Opitics' a shot.. and just even making for the buildings to be removeable.. and still allow for lighting is another example. I have some pics I plan on showing later in my thread.. quite boring for most.. but when someone gets there they might want to see~  Also just trying to remember other threads and ideas I've found here.... or go through various layouts and study them.  Even down to someone using a plastic credit card for foundation and steps. (N scale)  Those little tid bits are starting to add up.  Down even to the Double Gold Gates that are cut.. and slightly openned on one side, (sharp/new exacto) and with a brick landing behind it.. with even stairs going down to the stage.  Once this diorama is 90 percent finnished.. it might go onto the back burner during 'drying times' on track laying.  I am planning on addying maybe  a tree to the 'quad' area.. to help green things up.. and make it alive~ 

  But I do look forward to the optics... I plan on using more of an modern building /lighting approach.. more towards indirect lighting and landscaping lights.. but anyways.. I am looking forward to the stage lighting, that could be fun with many colors and 'action'.   Balcony seating is still an option..lol. 

  Ok.. I"m gonna be catching up on some reading.  Then its sweet dreams.. I'll see ya all in the morn'

 

[Cederstrand]

Plate of steamed veggies, please. 

***Lee, like those sounds. 

***Der, nice work, as always. Superior rocks.

I dug a small pond for the cows today by hand. OK, so it was on the wife's HO scale layout and I used a box cutter. Should still count for something.

Rob

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Hello ...

Just returned from the 2 week trip. Visited with 4 of our 5 adult children, their spouses, all 5 of the grandkids, one of Shelley's sisters, and one of my sisters.. (Cincinnati, Detroit, Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Benton Harbor). Drove home thru Indiana. I would have waved at the Diner's Hoosiers if I saw them.

I used some time that would have been idle in Detroit to build tow more downtown buildings for my planned City of Heartland. One is a 6 story hotel and the other is a downtown variety store.

Robby ... Sorry to read about your wife's car wreck. I fully agree with those who advise she be checked carefully for whiplash and any other injuries.

Rob ... glad you surved the storm.

Der John ... great pictures. The layout looks real.

Keith ... Nice scenery and buildings!  

Lee ... Thanks for sharing the DCC install on the GE 44T. My branch line 44T is still DCC. I think the engine cost me half the price of your DCC sound decoder.

 

 

[der5997]

Good evening friends.  Glad to report a productive weekend.  I started into the Model Power Malden Station, not sure when, probably Thursday. I planned to pre-paint everything and then put it together. That was OK except I forgot the underside of the roof surrounding the building, but caught it before the roof went on.  Then on Friday the mail brought me the first two of four modern tank cars I bought a couple of weeks ago on the Bay. A 65' RTR 33,000 gallon car that just says Austria on the underside; and a Roundhouse kit for a 50' 18,000 gallon.   I had to repair and partly re-build the walkway and handrails of the 33k car; and the kit required the ends of the base cutting down in order to fit into the main part of the tank.  I had all that done, and the trucks (Rapido style couplers) swapped out for knuckle couplers and weathered by the end of the day.  So Saturday and Sunday have been spent working on the station. I've been able to make sign boards using MS Publisher, (Century Gothic 4 point bolded in a text box with a 1.25 point border) for Jessetcook, and that worked quite well. The boards are probably not prototypical size, but 4 point is the smallest font size Publisher goes to.  Finished the station Sunday evening, and made three experimental molds for the supports for the platform awning.  I melted down some fishing lure night crawlers for those. There's the first batch of epoxy curing in them now.  Should be well set by morning.

Also Saturday I had another look at an Arnold/Rapido Trailer Train dual road trailer flat car I've been wanting to convert to knuckle couplers. Not an easy fix this one, and I've written to Micro-Trains asking their help. We'll see what they suggest, but none of their standard conversion kits are going to do the trick using the existing coupler pockets.

This evening I did a bit of repair work on one of the trailer cradles for that car.

Since I started putting this post together days ago, most is old news now. But, waste-not, want not the saying goes, so.....

 Barry: So very relieved to see that you are OK, even if it means a new regimen. I'm still in a learning curve for the quick acting (Apidra) insulin they've put me on to boost the Lantus. It's taking a while to sort out - the Diabetes Clinic on Thursday morning  confirmed what I'd been thinking. I need to find a way to get ½ Unit capability with the Apidra - and with the Pharmacy we've come up with a strategy. All of that ids to say I've found one has to be pro-active in this diabetes management thing. AS Red Green might say "We're pulling for you!" 

Jerry: nice looking tree there! Bondo for the trunk...thanks, I'll put that one into the "tips" drawer!  BTW, I couldn't find your street address. Could you send me an email please. (Edit - got your email, thanks; and the letter goes out tomorrow)

JR:

re rock coloring: Spotted today on the way back from Essex. A cut through rock that was gray, then black, then light brown, then dark brown, then back to gray all abutting each other and stacked in bands on the diagonal probably at 40/50ft intervals with whitish highlights. It's not in a good place to shoot but I'll see what I can do one of these days. In other words, for New England at least it looks like anything goes!  J.R.

...now, THAT sounds kinda familiar! LOL

Robby: Sorry to learn of your wife's accident and concussion. Indeed hoping there are no long term effects, and that she is now well on the mend.

Keith: That is one very good looking amphitheater.   That whole scene is progressing very nicely. I think some-one said you sell yourself short regarding your abilities. If they didn't, I'm doing so now!

JP: Good to see you drop by again, and Eric also.

Lee: Saw your note about the CV 60 on that particular decoder. Another reason I am generally glad I didn't go Digitrax - although I know loads of folks swear by them.  I've a number of Digitrax decoders. I've some TCS ones too. The TCS are all capable of being programmed for Rule 17, actually dimming when the loco comes to a halt, and brightening again when it moves again. Digitrax pretend they have Rule 17, but they don't have it like it should be!  What's more you can regulate the overall brightness of headlights with a TCS, but not with Dtx.

It's once more getting late - so I'll say Goodnight and God Bless. Prayers for all in need of healing, comfort, prosperity and peace.

[GMTRacing]

Good Evening All,

     Rain here all day and apparently tomorrow as well. Training went well at Shannonville so I can complete the paperwork now and get my scrutineering license.

   Ray, the PB blaster advice is good. You can also try loosening the hitch up a bit by jacking it up a bit. If all else fails I guess if it isn't welded together, you could detach the entire receiver from the vehicle frame and take the whole shebang to an automotive machine shop with a press. Awkward, but effective.

   Robby, looks like your wife had a close call. Haven't gone back far enough to get the whole story, but if the other is a habitulal crasher, you're right. He should be taken off the road.

   I'll start back through the other posts I missed and hang here for a while.  J.R.

[blownout cylinder]

Good Evening--

A whole lot of not much got done today. Just plain ol' tired and tuckered out. Must've been of been all that runnin' 'roun' doin' stuff from a couple of days ago.

Actually I did manage to get some of the trainroom straightened out as it looked pretty messy in there---now I'll see if I can get some of the pink stuff laid out to lay on the Denfield New Life Mill site on it. I still have a few bins to put in and a couple of weigh scales and then I've got to place the dang thing together--

Lots of rain fell here so it looks like we are making up for the dry week we had------

[LSWrr]

Good morning all,Last night I installed a Digitrax SDN144PS sound decoder into a HO-Scale Bachmann GE 44Ton Switcher.  The install was very straight forward.  I removed the DC card from the locomotive and found 6 wires: each end of the locomotive is right and left power pick up and in the center is motor positive and negative.  The decoder came with a very small speaker that fits nicely inside the locomotive cab.  One thing to bring to your attention is CV60.  CV60 switches the sound from steam (CV60=0) to diesel (CV60=01) and must be the first setting you program!  It would have been too obvious for Digitrax to mention this CV in the list of variables on page 4 of the manual with all the other listed CV’s!  The settings for CV60 is noted in the troubleshoot tips on page 11 in the decoder manual.  Again a note of warning: CV60 must be set first or it wipes out the rest of the sound settings and you have to start over.  This decoder comes preprogrammed with a generic steam sound or a SD38-2 sounds.  You do have the option of downloading new sounds to the chip.  Instructions are noted in the instructions and it will require a computer interface.


The speaker is very small (13mm) and soft spoken; however you can replace it with any 8 OHM speaker you desire.  List price for the SDN144PS is $49.95. Digitrax could have done a better job with the instructions and the speaker volume is very low. You can hear the horn and bell very well, however the engine hum is very soft. 
Movie of the locomotive in action (shell is off): http://rides.webshots.com/video/3099257030029441264PFICIQ?vhost=rides

 

[blownout cylinder]

TMarsh

Didn't I see you guys with a bulldozer? Hm.... chain one end of truck to a locomotive, bullldozer to the hitch....nah, probably bad idea.

Just pick the truck apart----maybe a jackhammer oughta do it

[howmus]

Afternoon all!

Chloe I'll have a RBF to tide me over 'til supper.

Hi John!  Glad to see you didn't fall off the face of the earth.......  Where ya been and what ya bin doin?

Got a can of PB Blaster Penetrating Catalyst.  We will see how THAT does.....  I have read on line that it may take a while, but stuff rusted in place for years eventually breaks loose.  One can sure hope anyway!

I'm busy doing the directions to the layouts on tour this Saturday........  Yawn.......

Later!

73

[edit] What?  I got the top of the page... Again!  Well eat up folks, the tab is on me.

[JPowell]

Good afternoon gang!

  Just thought I'd drop by and show my smiling face and let everyone know I didn't fall off the face of the earth!

[TMarsh]

Didn't I see you guys with a bulldozer? Hm.... chain one end of truck to a locomotive, bullldozer to the hitch....nah, probably bad idea.

[howmus]

Afternoon everyone!

Just getting in here today...  Zoe I'll have the #2 special, over easy on the eggs, homefries, Bacon, and a cup of Dark Roast coffee.  I'll go sit at the Rivet Counter for a bit.

Todd, hitch is not moving!  It may have come out a little, but is now firmly stuck, so PB Blaster will be on the shopping list later today.  Local Auto place has it in a spray can.  TSC sells it by the gallon... Hope I don't need THAT much!  You know some people will do almost anything to get more MRR time...........

"It's a rainy, rainy day, just a ......"  The rain is falling today here in the Finger Lakes.  Got a half inch overnight.  We need the rain so I am happy.  Currently 50°F here in the Finger Lakes with a high around 55°F later this afternoon.  More rain predicted overnight and tomorrow.  Probably be Tuesday before I get back to the Reese Hitch Problem.  In the meantime I will finish up all the materials I need for the NMRA Meet next Saturday.

Hope you all have great and safe day!

73

 

[TMarsh]

Good morning all. Looks kinda like it was busy in here this morning.

First let's get to it.

Eric- Welcome back! Glad you're doing better.

Ray- I think if it moved, you could probably save yourself a few bucks by using what you have. WD-40, my personal opinion here, not saying no one should use it or it‘s no good. It is. And if you like it, and I don't dislike it, by golly keep using it. A buddy of mine uses nothing but and won't use anything else. He's a farmer and gets along just fine with it.  Anyway WD-40 is pretty much an accident. It's rust busting properties are a side affect of the water displacement formula. Nice side effect by the way. Or so I've been told. I still always have a can of it around, I use it for squeak stopping and outside lubing where I don't use white grease, drilling through metal,you know, general spray lube. But when I want to unstuck (unstick?) something, out comes the (I call it) "Peanut Butter Buster". (get it? "PB"... "Peanut Butter"? (he he) Makes people look at you when you say "let me get my Peanut Butter Buster." (giggle)) If you deal with a lot of stuck stuff, I would say it's worth a try, if you don't, well, I think I'd stick with the WD-40. Cheaper too I think. Unless of course you're curious.

Keith- Yessiree, sure is looking good.

Ok, I'll try to make this quick. Missed the storm last night, a little sound and light kinda windy but nothing severe. Did get an additional 1 ¼" of rain add that to the 7/10" we had Friday and Saturday total and well....guess that's less than 2. Depending on your gage I guess. Sun's out now but looks like rain to the SW.

I have to wash the dining room carpet this morning. I had a wee bit of an incident that made the decision of which room to tackle next in the Spring Cleaning. Putting the lid back on a almost but one glass worth from full 2 liter Coke bottle and it somehow, slipped and fell over. The lid wasn't quite on yet, and as I lifted it up quickly the thing, of course, began to spew this grotesquely brown fluid in a beautiful arch about 3-4 feet. Perfectly lined up for a direct hit to ole Missy who was patiently laying on the floor watching hopefully for something good to be shared with her. Artillery guys would have been proud. That fat thing can get up and scoot I tell you. I admit I let out an utterance my Mother would be embarrassed to hear me say, she prefers the term "crap". Go figure. Anyway, this brings Brenda into the scene, asking what happened. Missy is standing in the living room looking like "I didn't do it". cleaned up as much as possible last night and I must say. Ever seen that commercial where the kid hoses down the mom with orange soda? And she responds by hosing him down with the sink sprayer with a war ensuing and cleanup involves a paper towel?? It's a lie.  Today, it's clean the dining room.

I shall use the drying times to work on the MRR. WHICH is what I was saving today for anyway. I sorta hope either it rains a bit later on or the grass doesn't dry out today.

Have a Great Day!!!!

[Cox 47]

Good Morning All..Its rainny and 53 here...I'll have coffee and dougnut please..Thank You...Just mess'in around this AM..watching a couple of Jazz CD's on Ebay trying to decide to bid on them..Waiting on my brother to come this afternoon..He has made a wall mount for our kitchen table so it can be mounted to wall should make it easier to get power chair under it..

Keith Wow! I like your buildings and ramps..Great modeling...

You all have a good one...Jerry

[Blazzin]

  Jeff,  lol.. 'Thank you'.. Jeanne says.. "If Jeff said that.. that says alot"

Barry.. you too.. thanks.  I had no idea what I was stepping into.  Yesterday, I gathered up some thoughts,

and would care to guess that this / any small project.. takes about 3 days.  I truly understand that you

can't rush it.

  I do have the staging area .. cork and track done.  Elevated.. at each level of track.  Maybe I'll get a pic

of that posted.. but I am at that point with the track.. I have to weather it.  I am at that point where I have to find

an easy way to weather it.  And its alot fo weather to do.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

ewl01

Hope you folks down south made out okay.  Those tornados really made a mess from what I've seen.  Been away too long, had some health issues that put me in the hospital for a while.

Weather down here was a bit harsh for a while but we came through OK.  I know where you're coming from on hospital time. I've had quite a bit of that myself. It gets old after the first day or so.

 

Blazzin: Good shots there.

[fec153]

But if a hammer doesn't fix it the problem is Electrical.

 

[fec153]

Hi Gang- Been caught up with family garbage. Didn't wish to set a BAD mood on anyone. Glad to see all in here and enjoining yourselves.   To remove rust- loosen parts, use "COKE" . Yeah, Coca Cola.  Mechnics use it on tailpipe hanger bolts. The acid cuts thru the rust. Try it, you'll like it.   Hope the bad weather didn't affect anyone.

Wish I had the talent, heck, half the talent you fellahs show in your post. Please keep the pixs coming.

Prayers for all and BLESSINGS From above.

Flip

 

[ewl01]

Morning, sausage, eggs and coffee please.

Had neumonia aggravated asthma.  Neumonia was in the left lung with asthma in both.  In hospital for 7 days and bed rest at home for another 10 days.  I've never been gived so many drugs before.

Hope to stop by here more often.  School is almost done for the semester.  Summer class doesn't start until July sometime.

Eric

[blownout cylinder]

Keith: That is getting to be more interesting everytime I look at it! Keep it up!

Good Morning--

Lotsa people in here I see. Not so much that you can't find a dang place to sit but sheeesh--

Right now it be dull, windy, chilly and rainy. Just lovely out there---but we are getting the needed rain--

I'm going to hide in the trainroom and work on a couple of building projects that did not get much done to them as of yet---

[Blazzin]

 

[blownout cylinder]

howmus

 

TMarsh

howmus

After THAT it is just a matter of whacking it in and then whacking it out.

Whacks on, whacks off.  sorry. (giggle)

ROFL!  Hey I think it moved....  Maybe a 1/16th. of an inch, but it moved!!!  I am using up a can of WD40.  If it still hasn't come off, I'll go get a can of the Blaster stuff.

Later!

73

I'd get the blaster stuff anyways. It worked with a recalcitrant garage door opener we have here very well

Back!! Ew101--Eric. I ended up in hospital myself not too long ago because of a heart attack and my diabetes made me give up on a few things---what happened with you that you ended up in hospital?

[ewl01]

I'm sure you all thought I disappeared.  Been looking in from time to time but have been busy as usual.

Hope you folks down south made out okay.  Those tornados really made a mess from what I've seen.  Been away too long, had some health issues that put me in the hospital for a while.

University is done soon, looking forward to getting the layout work going again.  Finally got the float bridge started.  Going to concentrate on the car float and the bridge section.  The coffee factory still needs to be finished.  Worka nd school just eat up all the time 

[howmus]

 

TMarsh

howmus

After THAT it is just a matter of whacking it in and then whacking it out.

Whacks on, whacks off.  sorry. (giggle)

ROFL!  Hey I think it moved....  Maybe a 1/16th. of an inch, but it moved!!!  I am using up a can of WD40.  If it still hasn't come off, I'll go get a can of the Blaster stuff.

Later!

73

[TMarsh]

howmus

After THAT it is just a matter of whacking it in and then whacking it out.

Whacks on, whacks off.  sorry. (giggle)