galaxyAin't Holmes a great guy? "Do it right the first time" "Thats not to code". "tear it all out". WE wish we had a house with problems just so we could call him and say "come fix it right, please"....By the time we buy a house and do work on it by a contractor who "messes" it up, he and his show will be long gone. Maybe not.
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
Cheeseburger and fries with gravy and Dr. Pepper for me Zoe.
Just got home form the Dodge dealers. They replaced several vacuum hoses coming from gas lines. Truck is now running smoother..... Got home and walked in the house quickly to avoid the pouring rain we are getting right now. We got about a quarter of an inch of precipitation over night. Now we are under a flood advisory for a storm heading right towards us THAT is dumping around a half inch in less than an hour..... Oh, and according to the weather service the watering need for the area is Very High...... yeah, Right!
Good reason for me to disappear into the layout rooms....
Later!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Hello Diners from a soggy Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia. We had a 13th. Anniversary of our arrival on the Shore celebration lunch today. Philly Cheese-steak - it was just wonderful, and I followed mine with a Blueberry Crisp and ice-cream - took extra precautionary insulin to speed the plough! Kris had the Chocolate Mouse with whipped cream. Her mom had Chicken Fingers and ice-cream with Maple Syrup.
Very slow progress on the layout as many chores and inside outside projects have got in the way. Kris repainted and re-organized the sun porch, which meant the treadmill had to be moved - and the only place for it was the mud room - so long as the shoe and dogfood storage units were re-configured. Of course that also meant re-painting the wall behind where the aforementioned units stood - and naturally the other shelves in the mudroom had to get a coat to match....you know how it goes....
I have been able to get the card building mock-ups that covered the upper level return loop replaced with a re-positioned hotel, two apartment buildings, and a row of stores. You last saw those mock ups like this, with the hotel stuck out into the street. Now that scene is thus. with the hotel, minus roof billboard, set back, and two appartment buildings replacing the mock-ups. The rear of the new buildings looks out over the East Sydney yard lead and the RIP track. You can see where the return loop runs through the buildings. They have to be placed exactly to avoid fouling rolling stock and I'm using sidewalk sections to act as stops, which seems to work quite well. The row of stores I had to design site-specific as I went along, and the cladding is from at least 4 different buildings on the CD I bought for this project. Next up is the re-make of the card section on which the office towers sit - I'm thinking solid walls like a parking garage (not the see-through kind) sections of brick between concrete piliasters. Shouldn't be too hard, just time I don't seem to get....
Keith: You wondered if I would be able to identify your scene...and even before you brought in the Stargate portal thingy, I was thinking that the place looked sort of Pre-Flood Atlantis. Am I close? - the resolution wasn't that terrific, but given the time lapse, it's hardly surprising!
I've been keeping an eye on the various joys and difficulties here "through the window". Be assured, you're on my prayer list. Thanks for the inspiring layout and other photos.
TTFN
"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.
Jim........The road is going to loop around the gas station, once I can find the right buildings. I was planning on putting a hotel in that area, and maybe a few other businesses. That's why the road isn't finished as well.
"Rust, whats not to love?"
jeffrey-wimberly galaxyAin't Holmes a great guy? "Do it right the first time" "Thats not to code". "tear it all out". WE wish we had a house with problems just so we could call him and say "come fix it right, please"....By the time we buy a house and do work on it by a contractor who "messes" it up, he and his show will be long gone. Maybe not. Mike Holmes is really a great guy. If I was going to have somebody build me a home he'd be the one I'd pick.
Oh, Id start with him if'n he was available to build me a house....
-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.
Decaf coffee, please.
***Der, nice progress there. Your layout is coming along well.
Ran some errands today (Inlaw stuff).
Discovered a mallard duck with 4 teeny tiny ducklings in the smallest pond near the barn. She must have been sitting on them completely hidden this whole time. Cute little things.
Cheers! Rob
If you can read this... thank a teacher. If you are reading this in english... thank a veteran
When in doubt. grab a hammer.
If it moves and isn't supposed to, get a hammer
If it doesn't move and is supposed to, get a hammer
If it's broken, get a hammer
If it can't be fixed with a hammer... DUCK TAPE!
Good Evening Diners!
A toasted cinammon bun and a large cup of Ray's dark roast please Chloe.
It has been a while since I was last in but I have tried to keep up with all the posts.
Not a lot new up here, just constant bailing what with all that water Johnboy keeps sending our way. Ok, we give up, please stop and may the Roughriders beat the Bombers in ever game. Actually I sincerely hope the Bombers lose every game from now until eternity. I am rather riled as are all our neighbours with the new stadium plans. Oh,oh that soapbox is creeping towards me.
Not a lot new on the RR front. I have just finished installing a Digitrax SDN144PS decoder into a Bachmann decapod to replace the MRC decoder. To say I'm shocked at the abysmal sound out of that thing is an understatement. The chuff sounds like a very small jackhammer. There is only one whistle choice and the volume is very poor. I used the N scale decoder as that tender is small but I put in a larger speaker. I am tempted to post my opinion on the DCC forum but as it is Digitrax I likely would start a flame war. Sad to say but the MRC sound blows it away. The motor control is better but I have removed the tender shell, and the Digitrax in preparation to re-install the MRC. I feel like I have just thrown away $50. Say what's that box I'm standing on.
Layout progress has been slow as it usually is this time of year. I'm slowly working up to getting the water poured for the harbour. I have to paint the harbour bed and likely will spend a lot of time trying to get the colour right and fully expect that I won't. I'm not good at mixing colours. Too bad Rob is so far away.
We finally have some grass in the backyard. The grass area is small but for some reason it largely died off over the winter. Our options were to re-sod and have to pay to get that done or try something else which for us was Scott's EZ seed. That stuff is amazing. The grass started growing in a week and is now even filling in a very heavily shaded area where we haven't had grass for 3 years. It is an expensive product but a fraction of the cost of a re-sod.
I'll be back in again soon as I start holidays on Thursday. Hurrah!
CN Charlie
Wow Robby, the vehicles and trees really added to the area. It looked good before but now it looks fantastic.
John- your scene is looking great too. Now I really DO regret not getting in the trainroom. Maybe tomorrow.
CNCharlie- I'm right there with you on the colors. That is my biggest problem, I know what I want but can't get there if I have to mix colors or decide what they are.
Well, like I said, tomorrow I'm gonna try to get some RR stuff done. It's my day off. Sorta. After unloading the truck I'm done except for the stuff I should do around here. Oh and I gotta see Mom. And a tree I guess, ought to be trimmed up off the driveway and another off the roof. I need to pick some Rhubarb, the Berry patch still needs tended too, and alot of weeding needs to be done on the south side of the back porch AND something else that I'm sure I forgo..... oh, the side of the house needs washed off of mold. Hm. maybe less time in there than I thought. Oh well, I don't have to do it all tomorrow.
Prayers for those in need.
Todd
Central Illinoyz
In order to keep my position as Master and Supreme Ruler of the House, I don't argue with my wife.
I'm a small town boy. A product of two people from even smaller towns. I don’t talk on topic….. I just talk.
Mixed nuts & fruit, please.
***TSFan, that would be a cool loco to have. Must admit I would repaint it in Union Pacific Greys, which would not sit well with some folks. But it would better fit my roster.
***CNCharlie, remind me to go with MRC for my wife's Bach 2-8-0, when the time comes. At least you learned what not to do next time.
Started on the wife's smaller ferris wheel tonight. Long ways to go and will need to do a little soldering and pick up some slower drying glue before finishing it.
Lots of heavy rain and thunder boomers here tonigh. "HURRAY" The tank up at the house went from below half to almost full. Hopefully the tank at the barn will have similar results. Power went out 3 times and some branches crashed down on our roof. Will check it all out in the daylight.
Have a good night all. Rob
Rob,
If you add sound to your wife's Bach 2-8-0, bite the bullet and get a Tsunami. I have factory installed Tsunami in my 2-8-0 and it is by far the most realistic steam sound I have heard. The MRC decoders sound quite good but they don't have a good relability reputation and the motor control isn't really great. I have been tempted to try a Loksound but can't justify buying any more decoders.
Good morning all,Not much going on, just going to try and catch up on posts.
BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret) L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes
TMarshCNCharlie- I'm right there with you on the colors. That is my biggest problem, I know what I want but can't get there if I have to mix colors or decide what they are.
That's the main thing with this one too. I've gone and redid the main road through williston about 3 times and still can't seem to get the colour down----- I have this idea for one road that we have here that has a slight pinkish colour to the concrete---do we have that colour anywhere in here?----noooooo
Hello---
This morning is a cool one--we are sitting at 11C going to a high of 17C today---in the mix of sun and cloud A nice sunny but cool next few days are in our forecast----
Going to have to get my eyes checked today---time for ye ol' droplets placed in me eyes and walking around half blinded by the light----sunglasses will be the name of the game here--
I, too, need to get into the traiinroom and actually DO something--- maybe today I will-----
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/
Good Morning All,
I'm back from the road trips and back out again next week for the start of another round. This will be the Mt Tremblant,Qc Elkhart Lake, Wisc Pittsburgh, Pa Nashville,Tn leg. Nashville will be a first for me as the 280ZXT has been invited to the Z club national convention. If I can get it going right, it'll participate in a track day as well.
I agree about the MRC decoders. I had a few installed and removed them in favor of NCE's and the Tsunami for the non Blueline locomotives. I kept the non smoked MRC's to use in my electrics if I ever get to them as the hum and buzz they make will be almost prototypical LOL.
We're unloading one trailer today to start the preps for the next race while I sort a couple of other jobs so I'll be back and forth and try to keep up. Mid Ohio was so hot and humid we got back from dinner and I didn't even take the laptop out. Just crashed and slept. I'd say it was old age but the rest of the crew was just the same at the end of the day. CUL, J.R.
Morning. Coffee and a glazed donut please. What? Oh yes I guess a Krispy Creme is fine. Better make it three of them, they're pretty small. Thanks.
Where has the month gone. I think I'll mosey on down and see about attaching the other curb side to the cross brace before I head out. Maybe pick up a bit. I know I've been saying that for quite some time now, but sooner or later it will have to happen. Besides, It's about time for a new layout progress avatar. Don't sit on the edge of your seats waiting or give up anything you plan on doing or watching on TV, I don't know just when I'll do it.
Have a Great Day!!!
Mornin' everyone!
Zoe, I'll have a short stack of blueberry pancakes with NYS Maple Syrup and a side of bacon to go along with a cup of dark roast coffee in a FGLK mug. Thank You ma'am.
Looks to be a nice day round these parts. Currently 67°F under partly cloudy skies with a high of 70°F later this afternoon. Nice! A day without the air conditioner running!
The plan for the day is to tackle the lawn hayfield next to my house and see if I can finish up the tailgate on the trailer. May even do a bit more on the last turnout I need for quarry area on the layout.
I best get a move on.
[edit] Well it seems lunch will be on me again. No problem - Order up! (Zoe, I'll settle up later, OK? Like the first of the month when I get my retirement money....?)
Good morning, Zoe, I'll just have a cinnamon roll and a Santa Fe mug of coffee, please. Thanks.
TMarshMorning. Coffee and a glazed donut please. What? Oh yes I guess a Krispy Creme is fine. Better make it three of them, they're pretty small. Thanks.
So JR, I take it that it's not that the whole crew is old, eh? Sounds like you've all been w**king hard lately. Time for some rest, I'd say.
I can see from the comments by CN Charlie, Barry and others on road-painting that I may have some 'figuring' to do on the color(s) once I get started on roads (after I get where I'm gonna have them figured out, that is...).
As for the sound decoders, I've heard some at our MRR club, and I'm not so sure I want all the noise of a couple of locos whining, whistling, etc. Definitely another thing to think about. For now, I'm just looking at some decoders that I can later upgrade to sound (or the ones I can stand to hear going at once...). We'll see.
I'll chill out at the window booth a while before it gets hectic at the office. Ah....
Blessings,
Jim in Cape Girardeau
Hello ......
Just returned from Nashville.
I took a couple of photos from a bridge over CSX tracks in downtown Nashville. Union station still looks good. It's a hotel and restaurant complex now.
Der ... That Nashville & Eastern passenger train looks familiar.
I waited at a crossing for a Nashville and Eastern train, but I could not get a photo. It had an ex-Santa Fe GE unit just like the one Ray sees in his area still in blue and yellow paint Santa Fe scheme.
JR .. When are you to be in Nashville?
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Extra strong coffee in a UNION PACIFIC mug, please.
***Ray, when you're all doen with your chores, care to swing by and help remove a down tree?
***Jim, I've heard the same thing regarding multiple sound locos, but I would still be inclined to try it. Do the 2nd & 3rd units in a full scale train switch their sound off?
Lost 2 trees to the storm last night. One BIG tree that crashed through 2 fences, landing into the riding arena plus a cedar tree across the driveway. Was able to move the cedar with the tractor, but the other tree will require lots of chainsaw work. Ugh! (will take a pic of the big one)
It's raining lightly as I type with a little thunder off in the distance. Guess I can't start up the chainsay yet. Awe, too bad, eh? Another day I will not need to water the garden...excellent.
Good afternoon.
Well went out of town this morning, just to do some shopping. The body shop called and said the car will be ready Thursday. Of course we will go over it with a "fine comb". My wife emailed the body shop manager about getting "compensated" for the time it took them to do the car (Friday will be 9 weeks). No email from him yet. She's talking about calling the news channel people. I'm sure the *&$# will hit the fan Thursday.
Hope everybody has a good afternoon.
Afternoon boys,
WEnt to Dr to get new scripts for my pain meds.
Also had him look at my shoulder. It has bothered me off and on for years but gets worse everytime it happens. He is concerned about rotator cuff issues. Just what I wanted to hear. Know two people with bad torn rotator cuff issues who are not faring well, even after surgery.
well, I'm exhausted form my outing so see ya all later.
Have a great night!
Good Evening All,
Getting ready to head off to the museum in a few. Back at the iNvisible scale display to see what we can do to keep the project moving.
Jeff - I think the latest boxcar is your best ever. Nice job!
Jim - I'm not the oldest person on the team, but most of the crew in in their 20's or 30's and the senior mechs are mostly early 50's, not old geezers like the truck driver and I.
Garry - I'll be in Nashville July28 to Aug 1 for the Z-Car Club convention. Hard to believe but the Datsun Z is 40 this year.
Speaking of iNvisible scale, does anyone know where a good deal on Grandt Line windows and doors can be had? I'll probably need a bunch to scratch build a bunch of hat factories that surrounded the rail yards in Danbury. CUL, J.R.
teen steam fan9 weeks Rob, what happened to your car?
To sum it up in a nut shell. They got the damage up to $8,000.00
Robby, I know where your car was built! Your vehicle was manufactured by Hyundia Motors Manufacturing of Alabama (HMMA), at their plant in Hope Hull, AL (where my parents and grandparents live). The plant is rail-served by CSX on the CSX Dothan Subdivision (the same sub that I'm modelling). The engine, if it was a 4-cylinder was imported from South Korea, but if you had the V-6 it was also built in Hope Hull. The rear suspension and body panels were built at Glovis Manufacturing just outside of Montgomery, AL (actually about 15-20 minutes to the west of the plant).
Ok, ok, enough of my babbling on and on, I just thought it was interesting to see an Alabama-grown vehicle on here....
Well y'all its been intersting for me so far. I've been once again tapped to run the fireworks stand for our church (partnered with a pastor that owns an import company and is able to get the fireworks. We sell them and a portion of the profit goes to us). So far, so good with that, no problems that I can speak of. I haven't had any time to do anything MRR-related aside from reading the July issue. Enjoyed it as normal and it went into the stack of this year's MRRs. Going to really start cataloguing them so that I can find information and articles for future reference. The wife and I have decided that this year we're going to go on vacation up to my Aunt's house in Beaufort, SC. Going to go and catch the Water Festival that they have. Amy and the girls have never been, and I haven't been to one in about 6 years, so its going to be fun. We will be leaving on Thursday, July 22nd and not returning until Monday, July 27th. We are going to thoroughly enjoy ourselves on this one. I might even get to do a little railfanning while I'm out since a goodly portion of the trip has a fairly active NS mainline running adjacent to the road. Other than those things I've been w**king, keeping my shop/mobile repair business going (been a little slow, but lots of people are interested in getting jobs done....just have to actually commit and get their funds together), keeping Amy and the girls straight, and of course getting my necessary and needed rest.
I'll just have a RBF for the night, might see if I can scare up some pictures of the rails along my proposed driving path and see if I might be able to see something fun.
Good Evening Everyone,
Well I have the MRC decoder back into the decapod and it not only sounds better, it actually runs better. There is still the MRC problem of the chuff not always starting in synch with the loco but it is just a momentary thing. The engine was also stalling on 2 Kato Unitrack turnouts which had never happened before and doesn't now that I have the MRC back in. Digitrax make great motor decoders but their sound ones are really poor.
Jim and Rob, I solve the many loco sounds at once by isolating the service yard where the locos are stored so I can shut off the power and not have to listen to ones I don't want to hear. You can mute the sound on each loco but having a shut off is a lot easier.
Well I have just discovered that we are out of milk and even though it is nearly 10 p.m. I'm heading to the store as I just can't start the day without my Raisin Bran. First thing in the morning is one time when I really like a routine, the same routine, every day. Yes I'm in a rut but it is a comfortable one.
See you tomorrow,
Evenin Folks!
Flo. just a decaf for me tonight.
Got less than half the lawn done today. It grew like crazy the last 3 or 4 days with the rain and hot muggy weather. I'll keep at it tomorrow, may get it finished. In between while waiting for the batteries to recharge, I'll run out to camp and finish the trimming around the tents. Should get THAT done at least.
I am almost finished with the trailer. If I had all trhe hardware I need, I would have got it finished early this evening. I gave up and decided I heard the trains calling my name, so I went and w*rked on the Turnout for a while.......
Rob, what size is the tree? My saw is a Sachs - Dolmar 16" bar. It can handle up to about 30" diameter if you do it right. Lets see, You live where??? Oh and can I have the wood for the stove? If I lived close by you, I would certainly go over and help you out. Glad to hear that the Mare is getting better also!
Robby, hope you get the car fixed and returned soon. What a hassle to have to go through!
Got a hold of the Director of a museum where my district of the NMRA will be holding its Summer Picnic and he has agreed to give a talk/tour of the museum with a bit of the history of the place. So it looks like I have all the ducks in a row and can get some info out to the membership in the next few days.
Well, I think it is time to turn off the lights and cut some
Catch you all later!
Robby, kudzu soup? oh lord. Glad you'll finally hopefully get the car back.
Well, the beach wasn't much. Was really windy. I read for the most part; I get real bored swimming unless I'm hanging out w/ friends.
Today finally got the DPM touched up and the walls glued together. Next is window glazing, then the roofs. I think this will be how I arange them, but I want to get one more store:
Sawyer Berry
Clemson University c/o 2018
Building a protolanced industrial park layout