Some stew, please.
***Chris, your TT building looks GREAT.
***Jeffrey, great pics. My old Sony 5mp camera took better pics than my new, expensive Canon 10mp, but I suspect this is because I'm using older US lenses. They work, but perhaps not being "digital" by nature??? I have a LOT to learn. Could take excellent pics with film, especially transparency. Oh well.
***Ray, neat still. My wife has insisted on having one behind a cabin up in the mountains. Just add that to the endless list she has created for me.
Spent a good bit of time on the wife's layout tonight. Lots more little stuff. May not seem like it, but there is definite progress being made. One inch at a time.
Rob
(yaaaaaawn) Think I'll try one of those Spretcher Root Beers please. Casey's carries Dad's Diet Root beer but not the regular. The dogs.
Time to hit the..... what's that smell? Fuses? yeah right Randy. I'd blame the fuses too.
Etu Ray, etu?
OK, keep this up and I'll be forced to post a picture to lower the bar.
Jeff- I remember that R-box. The rust work was/is impressive.
Looks like some of us got to play with their trainsets () today. Me too! Not really very long, but long enough to assemble my boulevard border. I still have to attach the ties that will pull the end arcs back and hold in place, but I wanted to be sure the CA was completely dry on the one end of the brace before attaching the other. Started to use regular styrene glue and also tried the solvent but it just didn't seem to want to set fast enough for the arcs and the handling of the assembly for the center sections to not pull the joints apart . CA and 60 seconds of holding worked like a champ.
I've got a question. Does anyone else try to work in an area clutterd and in too small of space? Instead of cleaning the area to a more suitable size, you just fight with the project knocing into, hooking on, or setting unlevel on the CRAP that is laying around instead of clearing off the work space first? Or is it just lazy me? Maybe I don't want to know.
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.
Hello ...
Chris ... the roundhouse looks great. I assume it represents one that was converted to other purposes with those garge doors.
Jeff ... Close up photos are really good.
Ulrich ... Interesting commentary from you abourt language and our founding fathers. I'm trying to imagine the phones saying "Press one for Deutsch".
Rob ... I once was in N scale. I was involved with an N-Trak club, and we could run 100 car freight trains. Kinda neat. I prfer HO size when it comes to working on the trains.
Todd .. I try to avoid being too messy in the work areas because I can get more done if things are neat.
More layout progress today. Made more sawdust.
Happy Model Railraoding!
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
TMarsh've got a question. Does anyone else try to work in an area clutterd and in too small of space? Instead of cleaning the area to a more suitable size, you just fight with the project knocing into, hooking on, or setting unlevel on the CRAP that is laying around instead of clearing off the work space first? Or is it just lazy me? Maybe I don't want to know.
OK Pally....you asked!
RR room with wall repainting and wall bracket installation taking place. Shelves containing the fleet keep getting shifted here and there, helter and skelter as-necessary...no place else to put THAT stuff! Ideal situation? Far from it. Extreme caution employed when doing ANYTHING? Yooooooooou BETCHA!
No place to put the still not quite finished ex-RI roundhouse... most of the paints "should" be back in the tacklebox (ex-paramedic school drug box, actually...) to the left. Many items "in storage" on the w**k table awaiting: parts, decals, something I've forgotten but know its missing...
And to think, THAT Editor thinks I'm "highly organized!"
It's just about midnight...mere minutes until the 234th birthday of this great nation...
Let's get Old Glory flying guys... and make ready the fireworks!
Good night, and God Bless the United States of America!
Chris
EDIT: ROB and GARRY, thanks guys! The roundhouse, and a good chunk of the RI yard in Cedar Rapids became Feder and Sons junkyard when The Rock went udders-up in 1980. I'm not sure when Feder put up all the crazy colored tin, replaced the doors, etc. But, this is how it looked from '88 until it's demise in...'94 or '95.
The Cedar cRapids Industrial Branch: Proudly Shipping Yesterday's CrunchBerries Tomorrow!
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!
Congratulation to all of you to the birthday of one of the grandest nations in the world! There are times, when I feel a little envy, as we take no pride in our country. German class rooms see no German flag and for most of us, being German is just a word in our passport. Only on the occasion of a Soccer World Cup you can see that tar, blood and mustard colored cloth in the streets!
In deep humbleness, there is also not much we can be proud of, at least not in recent history.
Zoe, I need a strong coffee and a hearty breakfast, please - the choice is up to you! Thank you!
Last night was just terrible. Way too warm to get a decent rest, and to add to this, one of our neighbors had a few glasses too many while celebrating the defeat of Argentina in yesterday´s battle of the Islas Malvinas. He was blowing his vuvuzela until 4 am this morning and only the police we called, could finally stop him. Now he is facing a $ 1,000 fine - good for him
Jeff - those close-up shots are fantastic! Unfortunately, they also reveal some times the things we want to hide. What looks good to the eye, does not look good on a pic! And vice-versa! I have noticed that, while visiting the Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg lately. The pics look actually much better than the original, as they are focused on the details, which you overlook when viewing the layout.
Chris - now that´s the way a decent train room has to look like! After all, it is our man cave, isn´t it? But lucky you - Petra would kill me, as we have to share this facility.
Garry - if that info is correct, there are more than 60 million people of German descent living in the US - quite a large group of people! Anyhow, that story about that missing vote seems to be a myth, but one which is told by the students who w*rk as waiters in that tavern. True or false? I don´t know. But if the "German" population would claim their language rights, it would look something like this:
Now wouldn´t that be fun? Each road sign in 4 - 5 languages, each restaurant´s menu a big book?
Thank goodness only a little more than 1 million people speak German (at home) - mainly the so-called Pennsylvania Dutch (Deutsch). And my wife´s uncle and his family
Come to think of it - some of the leading names in our hobby are German or German sounding:
They are likely to be a lot more.
Well, enough of that!
You all have a safe day!
Good morning. We were spoiled with cool weather, and now we will be in the 90's all week!! Just think (this is for us "northern" people), it will be snowing in a few months .
My boss is having part today, and I guess the wife and I will go. Just for a few hours. We sat on our back porch last night, and got a nice show. We have a good spot to see some good fireworks, even thou they are illegal.
I bought a motel the other day, and got it put together yesterday. I'm going to try and get it weathered up some today. I also bought a new shop light for the layout, now I need one more and I can mark that off my list
Todd.......I'm the same way. I will spend a hour or so cleaning up, and it looks real nice/neat. Then a week later it looks like a mess. I also us to use my layout (open area) to work on things, and now I'm loosing that space.
Chris.....I agree, nice shots, and a good looking space.
Well I hope everybody has a good 4TH, and a safe one.
"Rust, whats not to love?"
Chris: Todd: Talking about disorganized rooms are we? I've got a room that needs serious makeover help. Right now my HO diorama that I'll be using for my compression scenes has taken over my chair--due to no spac for it elsewhere, my puter sits on what should be the extension to the layout, and, to top the insanity off, my cat thinks he can lay abouts the bookcase knocking the books out on to the floor---which then lay there for about 5 days before I get frustrated about the room and clean it up---
Welp--this week will featre the three H's, heat, haze, and humidity. We're supposed to go up to the mid 90's by Monday---and we all know the humidex will be up there----
I've really got to get cleaning up the trainroom today--I do have time to do this too so I'll be going after it---only to have it be a total disaster by Thursday----- I really have no excuse, ern, reason for this---
So, anyways and anyhow----you all have a great JULY 4th--INDEPENDANCE DAY!!!
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. It's 79 and partly cloudy. The high will be 91 and it will still be partly cloudy.Happy 4th of July! And a big thank you to all those who kept this country free and to those who are doing so now. Well yesterday something that I've been praying for finally happened. We had several long downpours throughout the day and the ground got well and truly drenched. Now I'm not so worried about all those fireworks that will be going off later today. Before the rain came the whole area was one big tinder box just waiting for a spark and the fire dept was preparing for a long night. I got word in my email that my order of weathering powders has been shipped and is on it's way via FedEx and should be here in about a week. There's just one other thing that I have to face. In three days I'll be another year older, but that's something we all have to put up with once a year I guess.
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
Happy July 4th!
Lest we forget those who fought to give us this independence, those who have fought to keep it, and those who will fight to keep it for us!!
Ragarding BBQ's and drinking, and Fireworks parties: "Don't go forth on the Fourth with a fifth, or you may not go forht onthe fifth" {well you may but with a nasty headache?}
And stay HYDRATED {with water} if you are out in the heat!!!
Have agreat day!
-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.
Hello Diners, and an excellent for those many patrons celebrating THAT today. We're off to New Glasgow after a light lunch for and some kind of supper. It was going to be a BBQ by our NG friends with our various mutual USA friends and relations. I had been delegated to do the BBQ, but that's been changed to an indoor do. Probably very wise - why anyone would think of asking a Canadian ex-Brit to BBQ for a bunch of USA citizens on "THEIR" day - unless there was malice aforethought - I just don't know. Anywho, we're taking the chicken kabobs we said we'd bring. They'll be pre-cooked though, and can just be heated up for serving. The chicken's been marinating in Kraft Mandarin salad dressing for a sweet and sour effect - we shall see.
Sawyer: On your summer reading and The Water is Wide. It would be interesting to see if that book bears any relation to this song.
Again, thanks for the great photos - an inspiration as always.
Here's today's Dear Abby stumper:
Dear Abby,I have a man I can't trust. He cheats so much, I'm not even sure theBaby I'm carrying is his.
TTFN
"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.
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!
Happy Independence Day!!!!!!!
Missed Church.
Gonna head down to the layout and glue the arcs to the braces, then see what time we have to leave. Or should, is a better term.
Ulrich- Flag waving isn't like it used to be here. There are still many flags flown but mainly on special days. Go to Texas and see how many state and National flags are flown there, now that is a great patriotic state I tell you what. Maybe if you started flying the flag yourself others may follow. Some are just afraid to be different. Pride in your countryt doesn't mean you have to agree with everything they do. But sometimes pride helps the country do things they wouldn't, or couldn't do that make you proud.
Anyway, ya'll have a safe and happy day. I myself will not be hanging out at drinkfests. We usually go to a friends house in a nearby town where there is a small gathering and we sit and talk, have a couple leisurely beers and eat just short of burnt hamburgers, hotdogs and the salads and sides people bring. Probably a dozen of us at tops. No drunks, no power slams, just a relaxing afternoon in the shade like our brave men fought and died for us to be able to do. Non of us like that so that's why we started doing it. Then, we will retire to the house until evening where we will motor over to my SIL house in Sherman, to watch the fireworks the town puts on. Great view from her back deck.
We used to go to the SIL's every year. She always puts on this huge party with a band and everything. (husband owns his own HVAC business= *MMTTKWTDW.) But they have no shade, not many places to sit, most of the backyard is in ground pool and the rest is concrete and a little cabana bar looking building. Beautiful backyard, er, behind the house area, but when it's hot, it's hot. AAAAnd it's a drink fest. Plus I don't know many of their friends so if I want to sit and talk to my wife will sipping a beer in the blazing sun while listening to a band, I'll put my lawnchair in the middle of the street and listen to the radio. Concrete has it's uses, but I prefer grass and trees.
Have a Great Day!!!
*(More Money Than They Know What To Do With)
Happy 4th, everybody! Weather is perfect here and there are plenty of boats on the water today! I suppose, I should get the Seadoo out again. Problem with it is the little battery needs replacing again. Bateries will last only one or two years.We had an inboard/outboard speedboat when we got here, but it was sold maybe five years ago.
Ulrich ... One of the 60 million German descendants is my wife, Shelley. So, from my perspective, you Germans have much to be proud of. Fly your flags! You have a great country!
Although, weather is nice, I'll spend more time making sawdust indoors.
Cheers.
Mornin' everyone!
A Happy 4th. of July to all! May freedom and justice prevail wherever you may be!
Zoe I'll have a couple blueberry creme filled doughnuts to go along with the dark roast coffee this morning.
I am cooking potatoes for the Potato Salad I am taking to the celebration out at my son's house this afternoon. Got out of bed late this morning and the house was already 90°F inside. So both air conditioners are chugging away full blast at the moment.
Have a great day and remember, "What doesn't kill you, makes you hard of hearing..."
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Happy Forth of July, Independance Day to all our US. Friends ...where ever you may be or where ever you are serving.
May you all play safe on this wonderful day.
We are just getting ready for Church now and have a few trees to trim after that, so that should keep me in line for the day.
I have been rehabilitating an old (Ihc)?? MOW tender/caboose. It looks pretty good now except there are no handrails on the brake wheel end. I have tried to make some, only the wire is too soft and won't stay where it is bent or my other wire is so stiff it just doesn't want to cooperate . Some of you fellas do such great work can you give me some hints as to making railings for the like of this. It appears that there never were any on this car as there are no holes to accept the railings. I'm not talking about the grabs, I mean across the end of the car.
By the end of the day, I hope all your tummys are full and there is a big smile on your faces. Have a great one.
Johnboy out.........................for now
from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North..
We have met the enemy, and he is us............ (Pogo)
TMarshI've got a question. Does anyone else try to work in an area clutterd and in too small of space? Instead of cleaning the area to a more suitable size, you just fight with the project knocing into, hooking on, or setting unlevel on the CRAP that is laying around instead of clearing off the work space first? Or is it just lazy me? Maybe I don't want to know.
So.... What's your point?
Good Afternoon,
still too hot for me outside - a sizzling 95 F! Our flat does not cool down very much at night, so catching some good sleep is a task!
Flo, I am in a dear need for a refreshing RBF this late afternoon! Thank you.
Ray - potato salad? Petra is asking for the recipe! Her potato salad is a winner. Add a nicely grilled sirloin steak and a glass of cool and refreshing medium dry Riesling from the Rhine Valley and you have a perfect meal!
Today, we had a mixed salad, with lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, hard boiled eggs, green olives, grated Gouda cheese, tuna fish and Petra´s home made cocktail dressing for supper! I even had a glass of Montepulciano d´Abruzzo - yummy! It is those little things that make life livable.
Petra and I have decided to leave Germany at the best opportunity that may arise. With her talent, we could open up a bakery, or even a small restaurant. It would most likely be a winner. I have started to do some research on this issue. Now we have to find a place where we could go to. Choices are the US, Canada, Southafrica or Namibia. These are all the places where we have friends.
Garry - Germany is a beautiful country, almost a fairy tale country, but only by the looks of it. Living here is dreadful - our personal freedom is so much limited. The worst of it is the lack of any communal spirit - maybe because we are just too many in such a small country.
Well, I´ll call it a day - have a nice evening!
howmusTMarshI've got a question. Does anyone else try to work in an area clutterd and in too small of space? Instead of cleaning the area to a more suitable size, you just fight with the project knocing into, hooking on, or setting unlevel on the CRAP that is laying around instead of clearing off the work space first? Or is it just lazy me? Maybe I don't want to know. So.... What's your point?
Ditto!
I've got a question I'd like to pose to the group.
I'm getting to the point in my layout building where I'm starting to add scenery and buildings. I'd like to add a model of our humble eatery, but would like some input from the group as to what it would/should look like.
I've save a spot on the front edge of the layout and I have a City Classics (I think) 50's diner to use as a starting point. Other than that I have pretty much a clean slate for you guys to work with. Note: I don't have to use the diner kit if you guys feel that maybe a converted passenger car would have more "character"
One thing I have already decided is that, in a bit of anachronism (my layout is set in 1984), I will include Guy Fieri (Diners Drive-ins and Dives) red Chevy Camaro in the parking lot.
Suggestions?
-George
"And the sons of Pullman porters and the sons of engineers ride their father's magic carpet made of steel..."
PA&ERRI'm getting to the point in my layout building where I'm starting to add scenery and buildings. I'd like to add a model of our humble eatery, but would like some input from the group as to what it would/should look like.
Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmBcLVLeU50&feature=related
der5997 Sawyer: On your summer reading and The Water is Wide. It would be interesting to see if that book bears any relation to this song. Again, thanks for the great photos - an inspiration as always.
I have no idea, it's by an author who lives here in SC in Charleston. thanks.
Johnboy (from idk how many pages ago) hey, the three extra cents was worth it!!!
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!
Sawyer Berry
Clemson University c/o 2018
Building a protolanced industrial park layout
Good afternoon....
Welp, the National Weather Speculationists (NWS) have really outdone themselves today. The forecast for the Clarence area WAS 80% chance of rain this afternoon...or "it's probably gonna." NOW it's 50%, otherwise known as "it either will or it won't."
Loving Wife wants to go down the road to Tipton for their 4th of July parade...in the hopes of seeing the Pirsch (fire engine I sold to Tipton's Chief). I'm OK with THAT... just wish it wasn't dog-cooking humid and hot out...*grumble grumble grumble* We'll probably procure cold, ice-filled beverages of a non-adult nature, and partake of the parade festivities.
ULRICH: It pains me to say this, but forces are at w**k in this great country, to try and make it more like Europe. Opening a restaraunt sounds great, but here you'd have the nanny state all over you regulating the crap out of you over trans fats, salt, calories, etc., etc., etc. Our latest Supreme Court nominee thinks THAT while a law requiring Americans to consume a certain amount of fruits and veggies everyday would be "silly," she otherwise had no problem with the concept! Our very Constitution is in daily jeopardy... Hmmmmmm seems the soapbox has gotten underneath me. I'll just step off of it, usher it back to it's rightful corner... Anyhoo, as discussed previously, I'm also one of those many decendents from Germany...sad to see what has become of her. I've seen my Dad's slides, taken there in the early 60's during his time in the USAF (Spangdahlem AB, 49th TFW), hundreds of times... wonderful scenery, very picturesque.
On THAT note...time to get ready to load-up and head for T-town...
Afternoon all.....
Worked on the tank cars some more this morning, and actually figured out that these particular kits are at least 12 years old, and they are finally being finished up. The fact that these will probably have to go into the paint shop for paint and decals has started me thinking on how to set up a paint booth here (apartment complex, so most likely will have to paint on the porch), starting to get quite a few things stacked up (also have two Atlas SD24s and an SD35 to paint in WC Maroon and gold).
Tore apart a Sergent Engineering type E double shelf coupler that was stuck closed today as well, after cleaning out all the super glue that got inside, and reaming out the hole for the little ball bearing that locks the knuckle closed, it works properly. Is now reassembled and installed on a car, now just need 2 more for the last tank car that needs to be finished.
Will get going shortly, parents invited sister and I over for the holiday to have cookout and enjoy the day (though a 68 degree dewpoint makes it difficult to enjoy), and Ma Nature will be providing the fireworks later tonight when the storm system arrives.
Have a good day, and try not to blast apart the diner with fireworks, looks like someone tried that last night.....
BTW, Ulrich, traced back my family history, we came over from Germany to settle in the New Munster, WI, area (West of Kenosha) back in 1846, most of us are still in the same area. Milwaukee was known for the high concentration of Germans, and the beer they drank and produced.......
Randy Vos
"Ever have one of those days where you couldn't hit the ground with your hat??" - Waylon Jennings
"May the Lord take a liking to you and blow you up, real good" - SCTV
Welp, 'bout time to leave for the festivities if that's what you want to call them. Missy's pretty excited right now and is a handful. No beer for her today. Besides, she's not 21 (actually in dog years yes, but the law doesn't recognize that). Think I'll take about 2 or three. That oughta cover me for the day before I switch to tea or lemonade.
Ray- I should have disinvolved you. I have seen your work bench before. It makes me feel right at home. Well, except for the quality work that turns out.
Ulrich- My prayers are that your plans work for you. And I wish you all the luck. My Father fought the Germans in WWII but always contended he wasn't fighting the Germans. We were fighting the N*zi's. Two different things.
George- I believe that the diner is whatever you envision it. Since I've been peeking in the windows, eves dropping and subsequently walked through the door, I have been picturing it as a railcar not unlike Jeff's except larger. Actually like a transformed old heavyweight Pullman observation deck car from the steam era like this. I've never really pictured a color even when we discussed it a while back for I don't remember who. I picture it however as on the rails and movable. With a refridgerator car in front and a tanker in front of that. Ed‘s OJ don‘tcha know. The last photo of the closed June diner Tom posted is a spot on example of how I picture the interior. Though I never thought of the fire extinguisher. (Sorry Chris). But, if track space is going for a premium price in your world, a stationary one is AOK too. Myself, I will use my vision, if I get to that point. Actually I missed my opportunity at the train show Inch and I went to. They had one for like ten bucks and I said I'll think about it and come back. Just now remembered it.
What did I stop in for?
Oh yeah. Visited the train room and finished the curbing for the boulevard in Gold Creek, though now I think I'll make a solid styrene inside. Less fill that way. Don't know. Maybe not, will see. Worked a bit on the Whataburger. With the new layout/track plan I have no idea where it will go or if I can even use it. But while cleaning off the workbench (yes I said cleaning off the work bench) it was in the way and I figured why work on stuff I need to or on things I will use when I can work on something I may not. Made sense at the time.
Brenda and Missy are now looking at me like "are you ready?" So TTFN.
Just finished taking up about a hundrfed scale feet of road on the layout. I've been meaning to do it for nearly a year and just got around to it today. I forgot how tough plaster can be but with the help of a flat tip screwdriver I got it pulled up even if it's in several hundred little pieces. Once I get the area smoothed out and filled in I'll have a good place to set the diner into. I may use the one in the pic I posted earlier or I may make a larger one. I haven't decided yet.
Strong coffee in a SUNNY SOUTHERN mug.
HAPPY 4th OF JULY
***Ray, you are obviously a neat freak, huh!
***George, I picture the Diner as a large silver dining car. That said, I will second Todd's suggestion, that it is whatever YOU envision it to be.
***Ulrich, I'll second Todd's comments on the direction of the USA. It's very sad to see happen at such a quickening pace.
Question: (HO) Bach E-Z track switches & DCC: Are the switches still hooked up to regular DC source for automation, while the track carries DCC current???
Good afternoon....RBF please 'n thankya...
Welp, just back from the big parade in Tipton (county seat). "My" Pirsch was running...very smoothly, I might add. The new owner has her purring along nicely! He also managed to find a "Q" for her. More specifically, a Federal Signal "Q" motor driven siren.The ONLY siren acceptable for fire apparatus in my not-so-humble opinion...
http://www.fedsig.com/products/index.php?id=111
A classic first used in the 1950s and still made today. He had THAT "Q" singing nicely... I still hate having to sell the old girl, but very, very, very glad she went to a very, very, very good home! I almost parted her out...glad I didn't now.
Got shots of fire apparatus from Tipton, Bennett, Mechanicsville, Mt. Vernon, Stanwood, plus my own Clarence pumper and brush truck. The best shot I didn't take however, came at the very end of the parade. A rider on horseback tossed candy at some kids near us. As they dashed toward the goodies, the horse...well...um, ah..."unloaded." The...."stuff" plopped and landed in close proximity to said candy!
The kids decided they didn't want it THAT badly...
Raise a glass to the U.S.A. a wonderful republic for as long as we can keep her...
Hello again everybody ..
I suppose each of us envisions a different apearance of the diner. Once a month we move it to a new location with a switcher, and so at least once a month its still on the rails. Other times, who knows. I have one of the City Classics diners myself. JR had one in his city before lsoing his layout to his house fire. Jeff's diner pictured today looks terrific.
Ulrich .. That's sad about Germany. I think much of the world is in a sour mood with the global recession going on. There are without doubt worse places than Germany, however. Of course, it would be great if you and Petra came to USA. If you need help with your research, let us know. Taxes vary between the states, and there are websites to compare the taxes. I've resided in 8 states, and I think western Kentucky is one of the friendliest and most peaceful of all locations I've been in. I think less densely populated areas are better in that regard. We enjoy the German village in Michigan (Frankenmuth) and it is near Crossroads Village with a real narrow guage train and a model railroad club. I'd like to take you up on your offer of visiting you when we are over there, but don't know if or when we will do that.
CederstrandQuestion: (HO) Bach E-Z track switches & DCC: Are the switches still hooked up to regular DC source for automation, while the track carries DCC current???
Coffee refill, please.
***Jeffrey, already glued those witches & track down in place at the start. Would be a major mess to try to pull them. They came from the HO NS EZ World's Greatest Hobby Track Pack. I suppose that makes it easier then, should my wife switch to DCC. As long as there isn't anything underneath the switches (as they come from the factory) I need to change, then I should leave them as is, right? Do they actually have decoders in them?