Hi,
just a short stop to bring some of that delicious apple crumble cake Petra made - for you to enjoy!
It is ra*ning outside - a boring day. Good to relax and read in my book!
Have a good day!
Good Morning,
Greetings from a very soggy Winterpeg. Yesterday we had over 3" of rain and needless to say the storm sewers have been backed up all over the city. The river is very high and they are supposed to open the floodway gates tomorrow when all the water from the south hits us.
It has been a very railroad week-end for me as I am attending the convention for the Thousand Lakes Region of the NMRA that is being held here. There are about 140 people here from all over, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Minnesota, and every province west of Quebec. Yesterday we went for an afternoon run on the Prairie Dog Central which is our local tourist road. They have a 4-4-0 built in 1882 that is used to pull a string of 5 all wood coaches built before WW1. The loco underwent a complete re-build which was just completed last year and it certainly looks, sounds, and runs great. It started to pour with rain just after we boarded for the 17 mile run up the line they own. We stopped on the way back for a banquet at rural dining hall that is very close to the line. I had to leave right after dinner and managed to hitch a ride on a school bus that had delivered the crew for the return run as my wife called and said our pond, that is below grade, was overflowing and she was worried water would get in the basement. I got home and found that she had hooked up the submersible sump pump and had lowered the water level in the pond to a non-threatening level. Today it is layout tours and an operating session on a 7.5" outdoor railroad called the Assiniboine Valley Railway. Should be fun as the have a couple of live steamers, both Pacifics.
Well it is time that I hit the road and I just hope the rain has stopped as has been promised by the weather guesser. The same one who said we would just have showers yesterday but I guess it depends on how you define 'shower'. Apparently it includes anything that lasts no less than 4 hours.
CN Charlie
Sawyer Berry
Clemson University c/o 2018
Building a protolanced industrial park layout
Hi guys!
a nice big slab of thick and juicy 5 cheese lasagna, please. {The Lean Cuisine one isn;t bad and only 300 calories}.
WEll, Steamtown will be running Canadian National 3254 Mikado tomorrow so we may very well go to Steamtown for the day. They won't have excursions except the short ride through the yard called the "Scranton Limited" for $3.00, We often go sometimes just to watch them "Play" with the steamers. Fascinates us to no end for hours on end. I can get us in fre because it's a national park and I have a national park pass due to being disabled. Even still, admission is only $6. Not bad at all. The 2317 PAcific is down for it's total rebuild. They have another small steamer with a slope back tender they are currently and have been for a long awhile {years} rebuilding, that would be nice to see that put together and on the tracks by summer's end, maybe for the Labor Day weekend Train Fest. Of course, once they get that going, the mike has to count down it's usefull days before inspection/teardown also I think. The park ranger said they really only ever have "1 and a half" steam locos to run at any given time. But we like to go and watch. Hey maybe we'll do a cab ride again.
Since we don't know what will happen with the neurosurgeon on the 17th, and my back and/or surgeries and/or heart issues, we may not get Strasburg this July for our anniversary. My other half is getting nervous about making reservations for motel and it is only about 6 weeks away. Point taken, so I said go ahead and make the reservations we can always cancel it. ANd we can buy the tickets at the ticket office once we get there at Strasburg. Now we have to decide which days of the week of the 12th of july whichis vacation week to go. There is a train show the 17 th nearby that we may want to go to. The other issue is we were going to have a friend go with us but he has had a couple of back surgeries and spinal taps done which have failed to seal so he's in bad shape and may not be able to go. SO we make reservations for 2 possibly 3 adults when we make them, and cancel if it looks like we can't make it...
HAven't yet had a chance to play with my new toys I got yesterday, first I have to find the tracks. then have to clean the tracks befoer I do. Then I have to figure out how to take the GP7 apart to oil it. MR's June issue mentions it as it tests the new Bachmann GP7 w/DCC as it just came out.
Jeffrey, I hope you resolve that issue with the steering column, as you can't drive it with that defective. MAybe you can online to search for 1981 b250 dodge parts and see if some junk/recycle/teardown place across the country has one you can use. You may have to pay them to take it out to ship to you, though. I missed how you aquired it, but I think maybe you aquired a bit of headache with it to between the fuel tank and the steering column?
The hot weather is nice, but I think the A/c bill is gonna be high this year.
Well, all have a great afternoon/evening and a safe Memorial day weekend. Be safe, drive careful and buckle up-its the law in may states.
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
galaxyJeffrey, I hope you resolve that issue with the steering column, as you can't drive it with that defective. MAybe you can online to search for 1981 b250 dodge parts and see if some junk/recycle/teardown place across the country has one you can use. You may have to pay them to take it out to ship to you, though. I missed how you aquired it, but I think maybe you aquired a bit of headache with it to between the fuel tank and the steering column?
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
Extra strong Italian Roast coffee, please.
***James, good progress there.
***CNCharlie, now that sounded like a fun day, except for the rushing home part. Glad the was not a flooding problem.
***Galaxy, Steamtown sounds like a great plan.
My wife brought up the idea of a garden RR again, as if we don't have enough on our plate with HO & N. She thought it would be fun to fill some cars with veggies and then send them up to the house. Only problem, it would make for a he// of a grade. And then there is the expense of that much track, not to mention a powerful loco to pull the cars. Don't think this idea will be going anywhere.
Hope everyone is doing well.
Rob
Afternoon everyone!
Just got home from the museum a few minutes ago. Janie, I'll have a RBF to tide me over til supper. thanks!
Today ended up being a very light day at the museum. probably had a maximum of 40 people come through. We get THAT many in one load sometimes when we are running the diesels..... A few had some very good questions about the history of the museum and how trains operated. I had fun and really didn't have to w*rk too hard.
Tomorrow will be plant the garden and rake up the trimmings from the hedge and put it out by the street day. Not sure what else my family might have in mind for the day as well.
galaxyWEll, Steamtown will be running Canadian National 3254 Mikado tomorrow so we may very well go to Steamtown for the day.
Galaxy, you mean this sweet machine!
She is my favorite steam loco! Beautiful piece of equipment to say the least. I am surprised to learn that the Pacific is back in the shop. I had thought she recently had a rebuild??? I would love to be down at Steamtown with you folks tomorrow. Have a great day! Took THAT photo back in 2004 when my son and I went there. Hope you take your camera with you and share when you get back home.
For any of the others here who haven't been to Steamtown, if you like steam, it is well worth the trip!!!
Later!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
howmus Afternoon everyone! galaxyWEll, Steamtown will be running Canadian National 3254 Mikado tomorrow so we may very well go to Steamtown for the day. Galaxy, you mean this sweet machine! She is my favorite steam loco! Beautiful piece of equipment to say the least. I am surprised to learn that the Pacific is back in the shop. I had thought she recently had a rebuild??? I would love to down at Steamtown with you folks. Have a great day! Took THAT photo back in 2004 when my son and I went there. Hope you take your camera with you and share when you get back home.
She is my favorite steam loco! Beautiful piece of equipment to say the least. I am surprised to learn that the Pacific is back in the shop. I had thought she recently had a rebuild??? I would love to down at Steamtown with you folks. Have a great day! Took THAT photo back in 2004 when my son and I went there. Hope you take your camera with you and share when you get back home.
WEll,,if you meet us at my house in APalachin at 7:00 Am on the dot, you could go with us! THat gets us there about 8:30-8:45 depending if we stop at rest areas or not, and how long the pit stop lasts. That puts us right there for opening gate time at 9 and are usually first in line at teh admission window.
The pacific had run out of her allowable running days. This is new stuff determined by officials after the boiler explosion at Gettysburg some 15 {?} years ago. The steam locos are allowed to have something like 1,375 days of operation before they must be torn down and rebuilt {about 4 years if run every day}.. The ultrasound on the boiler panels etc. and new codes must be done. This is in addition to the routine checkups to look for things like cracks, or loose parts or such. DON"T QUOTE ME ON THE EXACT NUMBER but it's about like that many days. That is not necessarily consecutive days unless the loco is under fire for all the consecutive days. If it only operates 3 days a week, that only counts as 3 days of running out the 1,375 days of operation, using my number here. SO they stretched and timed the the use of the Pacific all last summer so it's last running days would be at teh Rail Fest last Labor day weekend. I think they were hoping to have the other smaller steamer rebuilt to take the Pacifics place, but it's not finished yet. Last I heard {with no promise of truth} that they hoped hoped hoped to have it done and under fire again by Sept. but they still had a long way to go and don't know how much they got done getting her back together this last winter. I will find out at the back shop tour tomorrow if they have it. The Mike is about half way-3/4 through her allowable fire days too as I understand it and they have had lots of problems with her lately tracking well enough to stay on the tracks while in reverse.They fix one thing in alignment, then something else goes out of whack! She also heats up the rod joints quite a bit so on the excursions, they pause and measure the temps of the rod joints and determine when to move again.
She is a beaut though, but I do favor the Pacific I think of the two.
have a great night.
galaxyWEll,,if you meet us at my house in APalachin at 7:00 Am on the dot, you could go with us! THat gets us there about 8:30-8:45 depending if we stop at rest areas or not, and how long the pit stop lasts. That puts us right there for opening gate time at 9 and are usually first in line at teh admission window.
Lets see, I figure about an hour and 45 minutes or so from my house to yours, plus a little extra .... Hmm, if I can leave my house at 5 AM I could make it. I'd have to get up about 3:30 to get showered and all...... Maybe next time.
I think your math is pretty close now that I think about it. I remember the Pacific had just come out of a major rebuild the year I was there (2004). She was doing run by duty pulling a couple cars in the yard at that time. I remember the Park Ranger saying she was being broken in. I know the Mike was out of service for some time last year. I guess I'll wait til they have both back up and running to visit again.
Again, have a great day!
howmus Lets see, I figure about an hour and 45 minutes or so from my house to yours, plus a little extra .... Hmm, if I can leave my house at 5 AM I could make it. I'd have to get up about 3:30 to get showered and all...... Maybe next time. I I guess I'll wait til they have both back up and running to visit again.
I I guess I'll wait til they have both back up and running to visit again.
This last summer on the back shop tour the PArk Ranger stressed that at any given time Steamtown really only has 1 and half steam locos to run. Number 25 {I think it is or maybe its 26}, a smaller loco wiht a slopeback tender is being put back together and they hope to have it running the end of this summer. I don't know if their plans are on target for that or not. If it gets finished it will be she and mike running when they run steam together, not the Pacific for awhile until rebuilt. Then, when the Pacific is back together, it will be the Pacific and number 25 running while the Mike goes down for her service.
SO you might have a wait a few years if you want to see the Mike and the Pacific run side by side.
If you decide you want to get up at 3:30 some morning to make it here at 7 am to go with us, we go down frequently often just to watch them "play" with the steamers, be it the Mike alone, or the Mike and Pacific, or #25 and either of the Pacific or Mike. Just lemme know! We go about 3 times a year and we won't miss this years labor day train fest if we can and you wanna go! {assuming my other half has some time off the days they run it} they have visiting trains {not necessarily steam} and some fascinating things going on then!
WE have done the excursions to both Moscow and to Tobyhanna. and to the Tunkhannock Viaduct. We are toying with the Founders day Delaware gap excursion {all day ride} this year. Other wise we really don't need to do the rides much, just watch them play and service the steamer{s}and enjoy the smell 'o' coal burning!
It is admittedly more exciting when they have two steamers going, one for the excursion going out to watch them service her and then watch the other run the Scranton Limited yard hop and do a side-by-side runby!
{As for pictures, I usually don't take a camera as we are used to much of what is going on there}
If we get to Strasburg again this summer assuming I have no back or heart surgeries going on or recovery from then, I will take pics, though.
Have a great night!
Evening all.
Wow this weekend flew by!
-Took my friends out surfing today. They had fun and it was great to get back in the water, even though it's freezing!
-Got new shoes- needed those REALLY bad...
-Had the interview for badge checking, but that's probably not going to work out, only because there probably won't be a spot. BUT...
-Probably got a job at the ice cream place across the street. Went in this afternoon and gave them my name, and they said that she would call the guy and it would probably be a yes, and then she'd call me back tonight. Well, I went in there before to get ice cream, and it was PACKED! I can understand why they didn't call back... Hopefully they do soon with good news!
Well, I guess that's it. Going back home tomorrow morning. Yeah, IDK. Dunno what else to say. So I'll give the floor up to someone else now.
My Model Railroad: Tri State RailMy Photos on Flickr: FlickrMy Videos on Youtube: YoutubeMy Photos on RRPA: RR Picture Archives
Good Evening,
Well I certainly had a great afternoon! After doing a couple of layout tours I went over to the Assiniboine Valley RR site as I had signed up for an operating session on their 7.5" ,well not layout, so I guess it would be called a railroad. It has about a mile of track on 7 acres. Anyway I was the only one to show up of the 10 who signed up. I got to operate their F7 and spent about an hour and a half running all over the track picking up and dropping cars at various sidings. Talk about an operating session. One of the crew acted as instructor, conductor and brakeman. The loco is battery powered ( 6 car batteries) but it does have a good sound unit so it sounds like the real thing. I was told it weighs 950 lbs. so I was very careful indeed slowing it and although there were 7 notches on the throttle I never went over 4. You can see what it looks like if you visit the website of the Assiniboine Valley Railway. The whole thing is owned by one guy on whose property it is built. They also have 2 steamers but only a few are qualified to run those.
Rob, in your quest for new N steam, have you considered a MP mike or pacific? Trainworld had them for $50 a while ago and they may still have a few left. I bought 3, 2 pacifics and a mike and find all run great.
Well time to get ready for another work day tomorrow.
Coffee in a STORMY SOUTHERN mug, please.
***CNCharlie, those AVR locos look like a ton of fun, or at least 950lbs worth. Neat stuff! And yes, I have considered the MP Pacifics, but have not bought one yet. Still have an old Atlas Pacific (sentimental reasons) remotored with a 5 pole motor. If I ever replace her, it will be with a newer MP version for sure. You found a heck of a deal there. Did you replace the rapido couplers and if so, was it much trouble?
Had some fun thunderstorms last night. Millie Kitty was slinking around the house trying to find the safest hiding place. Poor little think gets scared easily.
Cheers! Rob
Good morning. Its still warm, and some rain today.
Not much planned for me today. I gotta go into work this morning, but just for a few hours. Maybe later today do some MRR. I will also try to get some pictures up./
Hope everybody has a good Memorial Day!!
"Rust, whats not to love?"
Good morning all,Quiet here, not much going on today. This Friday I’ll be heading north to Detroit (Macomb TWP) for my son’s high school graduation.
BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret) L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes
Good morning ...
Lee ... next weekend I will be in the very same part of Michigan. ... Sometimes, I see Duke who is in teh same area.
This week end I'm working on my layout. Also, worked with Gus and Dan on planning a little diplay layout for a model of shortline, Cadiz Railroad.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Morning guys!
Happy Memorial day to you all.
While we remember those who are fallen, we also need to remember those who survived,those serving now, and those who will serve in the future.
May those who passed rest in peace.
May those who serve now, survive to tell about it.
May those who serve in the future survive and live on in a new and peaceful world.
WE decided not to go to Steamtown today. WE both kinda overslept, though we didnt set teh alarm either. Any other day we would be earlier than the birds, but not today. WE figured we must have needed the sleep.
So we are left with figuring out what to do. The local parades will appear on local TV so we dont need to go bake in the sun for those. Near 90* today. whew! WE are thinking of going shopping for plants to put in the raised planter out front around and in the pond. First the pond needs to be cleaned, and a new pump must be purchased for the waterfall. But his year I have no idea what I want to plant, and unfortunately the dandylions have severely infiltrated the raised bed.
I wore my back out yesterday doing household chores. Over did it, which doesnt mean too much can get done without being "overworked" and in severe pain.
I hope you all have a great day!
C Ya L8r
I think tonight the Diner will close again and be moved to a new local. Perhaps I will be the lucky one to move the diner???
galaxyI think tonight the Diner will close again and be moved to a new local. Perhaps I will be the lucky one to move the diner???
... only if you can beat our friend in OZ or me, mate!
Good Afternoon,
The month of May is ending the way it had started - wet! I will be glad, when it is over - not a good month for me so far. The news about my Mom are alarming and we have to fear for the worst. Also no news about my job yet - difficult to be a happy camper.
I have postponed all MRR activities until all open issues have been settled - it is not good to dream about something which may not materialize after all. Things are really getting tight over here now, I might even have to give up my internet connection.
Right in time for Memorial Day, our President has resigned from his office - for words of support he had addressed to our soldiers serving in Afghanistan. Our press unduly tore him into bits and pieces and fat Angie did not even back him! Now he is chucking it. He is certainly a man of honor, very well liked, but also outspoken and highly critical towards our government. Unfortunately, his office is a mere representation thing and has only little influence on politics. A good man leaving a sinking ship!
You all have a good day and blessings to all in need!
(comes in whistling and smiling) Goood Morning! Just coffee please. I'll sit here at the Rivet Counter cause, well, 'cause lately I've been a little more concerned about prototypicality ( cool word. I hope it makes it into the dictionary some day) than usual.
Didn't get the yard mowed yesterday so today after bookwork at the church I'll have to do that. Bank's not open today so I might wait til tomorrow. Nah, that's what gets me into time crunches.
I may get some time to play in the train room today. Sad thing is the drywall mud I'm puting down, wet it's the EXACT color I want as a base before the lightening and the black washing. Perfect color. Until, of course, it dries. (shakes head) oh well. I need to put some more bench work up to complete "Phase one" of the construction. Then I can at least run a train more than a few feet. But that would require me to move some stuff and well... I shouldn't get too involved until this Mom's house thing gets taken care of.
Not much to report on for the choo choo trainset. I'll take some more of those fabulous pictures I'm known for when there is noticeable progress. I have to sand the roads in Gold Creek to see if they need more mud, then the town set back in place to see how it fits etc. then maybe a picture before I color the concrete.
Have a Great Day!!!
EDIT Guess we better figure who's gonna start the diner. Oh G's volunteered? No Ulrich, hm.
Garry- If you tell me that is a model......, I'm quiting right now!!
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.
Sir Madog I have postponed all MRR activities until all open issues have been settled - it is not good to dream about something which may not materialize after all. Things are really getting tight over here now, I might even have to give up my internet connection.
Things are that way all over. I did managet o splurge and got a DCC onboard loco, box car and cupola caboose for $70, but that was a stroke of luck, now all I have to do is pay for it next month when the CC comes due. I am basically packing up my trains, except to run them aroun hte xmas tree come novemember when we put up the tree {early so we can enjoy the trains for a month or two}.
WE had broadband high-speed internet connection on a 3 year contract for free as a gift. Now, in July it will become our responsibility as the contract expires and the gift will not be renewed. WE are facing going back to dial-up {ugh}, maybe dropping our expanded cable TV channels {unfortunately we prefer to watch those on the upper more expensive channels}, or going to satelite dish for connection. WE are facing doing witout broadband internet or without the cable channels we love so much. So I feel your pain. I am on disability so I don't get much, and my other half has been cut back at work to as few as 12 hours a week.
Think of it this way-When we get down as low as we are, we may just have nowhere to go but UP!
Mornin' everyone!
Zoe, dark roast coffee and a couple of those glazed donuts you got behind the counter.
Got caught up on some sleep this morning. Now I need to get busy raking up the hedge trimming THAT have been laying on the ground for a few days. If time permits I hope to get the garden planted as well. Need to done by 3PM to observe a few minutes of prayer for all those who have lost lives, limbs, or have otherwise been crippled by war. Then I will be off to my son's house for BBQ Ribs done on his grill......
Ulrich, very sorry to hear your mom is not recovering well. Sure hope you hear some good news on the job soon! I will keep you and yours in my prayers.
Galaxy, sorry you folks didn't make it to Scranton today, but living that close, there will be other opportunities, hopefully soon.
Well, I see the crew is starting to pack up all the breakables in preparation of the upcoming move. Guess I better finish my coffee and get to raking!
Morning All: Today is the day ,going to legion for games and fun for all that of who are left and those that did not make it...Cloudly(the way I feel) 55deg and still wet. To all of us that are still here THANK YOU and God must love us even we still hurt. God Bless .........chuck......Fair Winds and Following Seas..........
Just got done at the Church and the skies opened up and the rain and thunder came. Sitting here watching it rain cats and dogs, so I can't....Ooo, a Tabby. Haven't seen one of those in years. Anyway the mowing is put off until tomorrow. I guess I'd best go to the basement and, uh..... keep an eye on the sump pump. Yeah, that's it, keep an eye on the sump pump. Oh, I just remembered the trainroom is down there. I could work a little on that and keep an eye on the pumps. How unexpectedly convenient. Besides, even when the rain stops I won't be able to mow or much of anything else. I don't want to step in a poodle you know. (that was for you Garry)
Afternoon All...Its sunny and 83 here.I'll have a large RBF please...Thank You....Working on a swap for a shell for Atlas SD 35..gonna run as a "lease unit" on the I&S...Also got some CGW decals coming planning on doing a CGW F unit always like the lash ups of F's that they ran and a caboose to go with it..Sallie should be home in about an hour and I'm watching the two Grand Daughters...In case any of you are interested they are running a Phineas and Ferb all day marathon of Disney Channel..Think I may go crazy..First 2 or 3 were kinda funny but after 8 or 9 I'm just kinda zoned out...LOL...You all have a good one Jerry
Coffee, and make it extra strong, please.
Just replaced the fuel hoses in the Polaris 6x6 and it still didn't start. That left only one last place to look, "inside the gas tank". Discovered there is NO line running down from the top of the tank into the fuel. Going to head back down with a coat hanger and see if I can snag what is now at the bottom of the tank. Then I'll know if it's rubber hose or something else and can then replace it. Who would have guessed that one!
Hope to have some model RR time by tonight.
Healing thoughts to those in need.
I opened a new diner for JUNE here: http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/t/174829.aspx
This one will surely get locked up tight and moved quickly so the ice cream doesn't melt!
See you in the NEW diner!