Good morning. It's 79 and partly cloudy. The high will be 92. There's a 60% chance of thunderstorms today.Work on the layout progresses slowly. This morning I have to go into town to get a money order to pay the C.O.D. due on the steering column when it's delivered. Other than that the day will be taken up by layout work. I have the track laid down and it now has to be leveled and anchored in place.
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
Good Morning. No w**k on house today. Once again people "need" my attention. When this project is done, if ever, I am going to commit myself to paying attention to when people are busy with something, then ask them to do something for me. (That could be rough as I very rarely ask for assistance.) Then, when they say they can't because they are busy, as is usually the case on the rare occasion when I do ask, I will ask why. When you needed or better yet wanted, help you expected me to drop everything for you. Then proceed to analyze their need to do their project in relation to MY priorities. Nah, on second thought I won't either. I'd probably get some answer like "that's different" or "but I need to get this done" or worse, " but I work and you don't. You have time to wait" and all it'd do is make me a taste bit angry.
Jeff- GREAT NEWS!!! ( on the steering column) Boy when that ole Keith puts his nose to something...... like a Bloodhound. Welp, sorry to se the old loco scene go, but I'm sure as it was one of the more popular scenes, you'll find another local and a bit of freshening up will return it to it's rightful spot....... In the weeds.
Chris- Sorry I missed your impending loss. It's honorable that someone with so many problems serves so many. It makes some of our, mine included, excuses for not serving in some way sound very embarrassing. My prayers go out for you and the family also.
Barry- At least you just woke up to a fur ball. I woke up to this horrific smell to which I exclaimed " MISSY! BRENDA! Which one of you is responsible for THAT! Brenda gave me a look of distaste and impending bodily harm, to which I noticed the exact second she too caught whiff. And a look from the dog that casually said, " Well Daddy, had you let me use the outdoor facilities at 4:30 this morning instead of telling me to get back to sleep, I could have removed that little burst of air then and not had it hanging around building in intensity until passing the level of containment at this particular moment. So how about it. Potty break?"
Well, yesterday, or was it the day before? I can't recall, but, I DID do some layout stuff. Yup, I dug two buildings out of their storage tubs and placed them on the layout in the Tourist Trap Town. Between projects. Yesiree, set them right there. Good news is, I'm dealing with selective compression better this time around. I must get pictures. I've promised, what, 3 pictures now and have not yet followed through? Oh wait 4. I forgot about the one I just mentioned.
Have a Great Day!!!
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.
Good mourning Flo, a big Dew in a Monon glass please. Yesterday I cleaned up my mess from trying to pull 70 freights cars around my layout. Took around a hour and a half, but did have fun doing it. Longest I have ever ran a switching operation.
Packer What do you need to know about the Accurail Fallen Flags series? They are good looking cars and besides the stupid pegs to hold on the couplers pockets and wheels I like them. Where you looking for covered hoppers or box cars? I have not looked at boc cars for sometime now. Last time I looked my LHS still had some.
Todd Thank you for the kind words about Richard.
Ken
I hate Rust
Good morning.
Well lets see.......Finish up the Railbox, an maybe start on the next car. Maybe find some projects to do around the house.
Lee......I'm glad you are asking some questions about DCC. I haven't started mine yet, and I will have a ton of questions.
I know we have people come and go here, but Ulrich has been missing for what......two weeks?
"Rust, whats not to love?"
Good Morning Folks!
Just some coffee please!
Been a crazy work week so far, glad it's almost over. I have 3 day weekend coming up, off on Monday. I plan on heading up to Marion, Ohio this weekend to watch some trains.
Have a good day all!
Steven
Good morning all,Digitrax Vs. MRC; Ok I got it figured out last night, thanks for all the help. To change the MRC Dual mode sound decoder in the Atlas locomotives CV settings with a Digitrax DCC system you have to have the locomotive on the mainline with the Digitrax set to RUN mode and the throttle set to Po mode. When you do it right on the throttle display you will see 055=X00. This is the sound setting for diesel volume (CV55) so you can run the locomotive without earplugs. Seriously I spent my life around large diesel engines and the Atlas F7 hurt my ears at the factory setting of 3 (range = 0-3).At the club layout I helped install a wood kit lumberyard. Didn’t do much just the dirt parking lot and some grass, this week I’ll pour some plaster lumber stacks and paint them for next week’s meeting.
BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret) L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes
Bill: Nice to you my friend!!
I woke up to a little Spring curled up right by my face this morning. No wonder I was spitting up furballs!! lol!
I am having a wonderful morning here--we went for an early morning walk and I found a couple of old doors that I think will do just fine as part of the extension to my layout. I ended up driving the car back to pick them up---heeheehee
As for the new quarry I'm building up I've decided that the foamboard will be my foundation for now for the dug out part--it is afterall going to be limestone block as well as clinker bits as well---oh, BTW, Ray: I'm thinking of scratchbuilding the seperators as I can't seem to find them in N scale---this oughta be fun--heeheehee
Has anyone heard from Ulrich yet?
Anyways---Flo, I'll have a coffee and a toast/jam please---I'll be at the window booth watching the morning switcher do its thing----
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/
Bill Tidler Jr.
Near a cornfield in Indiana...
Ray ... You're welcome about the Chapel Car. I'm sure it's tough on you and other family memebrs now.
Chris .... Sorry to hear about Ross. Praying for him.
Still concerned about Ulrich.
Dan, Gus, and I are having layout tour tomorrow, and we're getting ready. Also, Gus's storm-destroyed dock made it to front page of local paper.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
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!
Ray: In my case I decidedd that the one near Beachville was going to be my model--up to a point--First off is the mill itself--as you can see it is quite the weathered looking thing
I was going to go all white but this one looked a little too pristine I guess--
Then there is this small matter of the colouring of the rock formations herein
Of course my idea may take a beating when it comes to forming the sides of this as there is this little galery like opening as well
I also have a double main going through this site as well
Note that they use it for storage of autoracks here---sheeesh
I had a good day today. I managed to actually spend a bit of time in my trainroom getting some things done in it--now to remember to get batteries for the camera so I can take some half decent shots of the dang thing
Chloe, I'll have a big ol' mug o' coffee and a large burger platter please---I'll be at the window booth for a bit here
Hey guys
Just got the lawn mowed about an hour ago, and now it looks like it's gonna rain (again) soon... drat...
Ray, sorry to hear about Bernie's passing
Chris, Yup, those would be the ones. That would be great, thanks.
Ken, just curious on the cars. I've been wanting to get the UP and BN fallen flags sets, just to have a bit more variety in my rolling stock.
Lee, it's an MRC, right? More often then not they seem to not take any sort of programming. I tried adjusting the speed curve on my MRC_equipped F45 and got nowhere. took it and disconnected it from the motor and wired in a digitrax decoder for the motor. still keeping the MRC for the sound.
Vincent
Wants: 1. high-quality, sound equipped, SD40-2s, C636s, C30-7s, and F-units in BN. As for ones that don't cost an arm and a leg, that's out of the question....
2. An end to the limited-production and other crap that makes models harder to get and more expensive.
Lot's of good looking pictures. Maybe I need to do some shots of buildings . Here's a couple of shots of the Railbox. I still have the roof to do and that will be done tomorrow.
Good news! The steering column I need for my van has been found! It will be pulled and shipped today, so I should have it by Tuesday at the latest. If UPS is on their toes it may be here by Friday.
BlazzinJeff, sorry I forgot.. I found one.. hopefully close to you in Texas. I need a steering column (automatic shift and power steering) and steering box for an 81 Dodge 3/4 ton Ram van (B250) The results came back pretty fast. Here's what I got for a reply in my mail. Call this place. Call Hannah at : 254-754-3969, 866-477-3969, text 254-733-2835B & B AUTO PARTS BandBautoParts.net Thats the only reply I got, and I don't know if its close to you. I do know Texas is Big. As a kid driving to Texas with my parents, we got to the Texas state line and I said "Oh good we're almost there!" My dad's head leaned over his shoulder and said.. "When you get to Texas state line, you're only half way there" Then I learned how big Texas is. On a small note here.. concerning your letter to me.. I do agree with you on those 'high end' cars ppl buy. I think its about 3.8 years of ownership of a new car, ppl start to have major problems and run into unexpected expenses that they never figured on when they signed on the dotted line.
Jeff, sorry I forgot.. I found one.. hopefully close to you in Texas.
I need a steering column (automatic shift and power steering) and steering box for an 81 Dodge 3/4 ton Ram van (B250)
The results came back pretty fast. Here's what I got for a reply in my mail.
Call this place.
Thats the only reply I got, and I don't know if its close to you. I do know Texas is Big. As a kid driving to Texas with my parents, we got to the Texas state line and I said "Oh good we're almost there!" My dad's head leaned over his shoulder and said.. "When you get to Texas state line, you're only half way there" Then I learned how big Texas is. On a small note here.. concerning your letter to me.. I do agree with you on those 'high end' cars ppl buy. I think its about 3.8 years of ownership of a new car, ppl start to have major problems and run into unexpected expenses that they never figured on when they signed on the dotted line.
blownout cylinderI'm now in the process of redoing part of the Ansun Spur to include a "new" quarry. I'm wondering what you used as the actual base for the quarry you have.
Hi Barry! Nice photos of the mill. I think I will have to excavate another section of my property to add more layout space for all the STUFF I would like to put on the SLOW.... I used a local quarry, The Seneca Stone Quarry in Fayette, NY just South of the place that used to known as Seneca Falls.... I got the photos of the stone formations at a Cornell University website found here. I also drove over to the quarry and got some free stone samples from the piles they have for individual use. I will use both the stone samples and the photos for color and texture as I create Quarry on Bare Mountain. I would love to be able to audit the course when geology students from Cornell University go there to visit! I also took some photos of another limestone quarry near where I live, Hanson Quarry near the Thruway in the town of Phelps. I will use these to get a good feel for the stone piles from the crusher at the quarry.
All of these were taken with a telephoto lens from public property. I don't advise any trespassing to get photos for modeling use........
Enjoy!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Allenghenny.. I've been around latex molding making since1976 when Keith and Jeanne were a hot item. Jeanne's mother had her own plaster shop along with hollow castings. She sold to the retail stores and small shops. For me to be around the mold making was a real treat.
Now concerning.. your flaired edges? I think that was your concern. I can only tell you what they did at the shop... especially for the larger molds and concerning the 'ruffled edges'
They called it a 'boot' After you make your mold, they would make a boot by framing the latex mold.. pour a casting on the backside to help hold the mold in place. Taking into consideration the weight of plaster casting.. well things could and more than likey 'get away from ya' The boot, holds the latex mold in such a fashion.. well it just contains it all and might help you with any ruffled edges that show up now or later when you pour plaster.
Ok.. talk is cheap.. but a pic is worth a thousand words. "Now no hard feelings.. but show me~" is a favorite phrase I heard all the time.
So here ya go.. my very first latex mold I had done trying to include even the railings. Oh no.. I don't start small.. I take on the biggest hardest projects.. lol.
I guess I should have thrown on a thin coat of craft paint.. for you to see better, maybe I will later.
Other things to keep in mind.
1. The sun will ruin your latex. Let each layer of latex dry for 24 hrs.. in the shade.. not sun. And never leave your latex mold in sunlight.. or even any kind of light.
2. When you put your strips of cloth on.. take into consideration the actual 'pulling out the plaster' from the mold when its dried. If you make your mold too stiff, by adding too many cloth layers.. well you might get broken pieces by trying to pull out the casting out of the mold.
3. I've read so many opinions concerning the 'releasing of the mold'.. from spraying Pam or something on your latex mold. Down to even water. All I can tell you is.. If you make a good mold the release is fairly simple. I do believe in using only water.. not some spray.. that might contaminate your castings with oils and make painting even that much harder.
I prefer to explain why water is used.. and what not to do with water. To me, and its just my opinion... Water is only used to break down the static in a mold. Its somewhere closer to being in between damp and dry. Water is used ONLY to remove that static that would make a partial filling of the mold. At the other end of the spectrum, if you do used too much water (for the releasing of the mold).. the plaster mixes with the water forming a poor mixture of plaster.. thus creatiing an improper mixing resulting in broken pieces. If there is one drop of water somewhere in that tight area of your mold.... the mixture is weak and will break.
4. When pouring your mold.. paint in the hard areas that might not fill correctly, then pour the rest in slowly. The shaking of the mold to release the bubbles.. well sometimes .. you might add some.. so I prefer the above method.
I hope this helps.. in anything.. it just gives you some food for thought.
Keith
Good Morning
Ray: Sorry to about your BIL. We'll pray for his family. Also, I'm now in the process of redoing part of the Ansun Spur to include a "new" quarry. I'm wondering what you used as the actual base for the quarry you have. I'm considering using foamboard as the foundation for it but---? I've even considered just using part of my fascia as the quarry and not putting a hole into the deck but---?
Chris: We've put Ross's family on our prayer list as well. BTW---love that late evening shot of that plant.
Speaaking of which I'm going to be going out of town next week or the week after and hopefully get some more pix of the Eureka Foundry in Woodstock. I got permission to get some pix from inside the plant.
And a few more---
Good Morning.
Ray- Very sorry to hear of Bernie's passing. At least it didn't drag on for a long time. My prayers go out.
Well, the morning is half over and I'm still here. Slept til about 8:30 because I stayed up too late last night watching "Gene Simmons Family Jewels". I like that show and watch it when I stumble across it. I have to w**k tonight because of a schedule change to allow someone to go to the ILLINOIS STATE FAIR!!! With their Granddaughter, and if she wasn't so darn cute I would have said no I can't. I have too much to do and not enough time to do it. The rest of my week is destroyed for various reasons THAT I will address on a daily basis so as to not make this post overly long since I really have no RR stuff to talk about.
Garry- I know I've said it before, but since there is a modeling of the diner going on, your Chapel Car is what I envision the diner to look like. An old rear deck observation car not as brightly colored mind you but that has always been the vision that pops in my mind since I first found it.
Ken- Sorry for your loss also. Christmas had to be rough.
Derjohn- First I have no idea on the computer problems. Or should I say posting problems. I'd hang with it until we get a new forum here, what in a week or two, and see if it doesn't help. I can show and/tell how a grain elevator gets the grain moved, but how a flour industry does it I can not be sure they all do it the same way. I would assume it is done the same. Most of what you would see in the form of elevators for the type of silos you are using would be hidden. Only the pits where the grain is dumped would be seen. On top there is what they call a "head house"
this contains the distributors and the tubes that direct the grain into their respective bins or silos. In some instances where long horizontal distances must be traveled, they use a conveyor from the top to the top. On Metal bin type grain storage the elevators, or single concrete type silos, distributors and conveyors are all generally exposed.
On concrete types most that I have seen, are concealed unless they added to later and there was a reason for the stuff to be exposed.
As far as getting the stuff out, they have either spouts that stick out of the bin that will allow grain to flow into the truck or car until the product gets down to the draw,
or through a series of under conveyors and/or augers, transfers the product to an elevator that will lift the product and the distribuor directs it down a tube to the car or truck. Most have both. The side draw is the fastest way to unload the bin,
Partway down the line, it is hard to tell if you don't know which one, but the longest looking tube is the tube from the elevator. It is shared with the pit leg. I would assume your set up would have that type in addition to a spout from the "leg" as they call it.
As far as the flour and any special buildings or requirements.....that I don't know. I would assume the process would be the same for removing from the silos though.
Just one small note here. For those of you that looked at the vid, well if you saw a nice pic.. only for reference.. and you wanted to make a copy of it.
1. Pause the video, make sure its on large screen setting.
2. On your keyboard hit Ctrl and print screen at the same time. You have now captured that freeze framed shot.
3. On your start menu, bring up MS paint, most ppl have it.
4. Under edit tab, scroll down to the paste.. and paste the shot.
5. Under the file tab click on 'Save As' lable it and now you have a shot for future reference to color you town.. place trees and what have you.
To me its the simple way of capturing a shot you might want to study.
Ta Dah~ Now I know this subject has been covered .. not too long ago here in the forums. I just believe showing ppl how ez it can be. When I first came here to the forums, I didn't even know how to post a pic, more or less how to even work Photobucket.
I hope this helped someone out there that didn't bother to read the other post and really see how easy it can be.
Only at the Diner~
Morning all
Large coffee please
Well it's finally raining here but I suspect it isn't going to amount to much so near drought conditions are still here.Had to run out to my local Agway this morning and it seems like all the traffic lights are out all over town. Thats a lot of lights considering the township is about 150 sq. miles
Well I have been making progress on my latex mold making. I have learned other then heating the latex up with a hair dryer to accelerate the drying process a bit it's a time consuming project.I started making a second mold soon after the first one came off the board and made some modifications. I layed down three layers of latex and then in between 3 & 4 i put a layer of cheese cloth all around the edge of the mold but not right up against the positive. On #2 the outer edges seemed to roll up which may or may not be a problem won't know until I pour it later on today. I intend to mold some tunnel portals as well but am going to try a different material I found at AC Moore but thats for another day.
Well another day of job searching and working on other projects both mrr and around the house junk oh joy....lol
You all have a nice day and stay dry.if it's rainng where your at.
BTW Jeff I scoured the junkyard for a couple of hours and not a single Dodge van sorry bout that. have you tried looking on craigslist.com locally near you?
Mornin' everyone!
Zoe I'll have one of those Breakfast Bagels and cup of dark roast in a FGLK mug this morning. I'll be in the front booth watching all the stuff going on outside today.
Currently 71°F here in the Finger Lakes under partly cloudy skies with a high this afternoon around 78°F. My kind of day! In case you are wondering..... In Moosonee, Ontario, CA it is currently 15°C with a high of 18°C this afternoon. Some showers are expected, eh!
Chris, I have added Ross to my prayer list. Hope his end is peaceful. Sounds like a fine gentleman who has had more than his share of trouble.
I have a dentist appt. for teeth cleaning first thing this afternoon. The rest of the day is up for grabs. May get down to church to re-hook up the old mixer board which has been repaired. Have to mail a package to my sister the Rev. while I am out.
I have already gotten busy with the NMRA Fall meet for my division. Hope to have a date spiked down soon. Have one of our members already offering to open his excellent layout for the event.
Well, I best get moving. Catch you all later!
Blazzin Jeff, once again you amaze me with your ability to get things done, with passion. You actualy make me wonder .. lol.. where do you get all this energy? Sheeesh~
*Door swings open, walks over to Jukebox and picks a tune*
"Morning folks, a song dedicated to all those born in a small town.. coffee please"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CVLVaBECuc John Mellencamp 'Small Town' of course a foot tapper.. lol.
Todd, I picked that one out for you.
Der John.. doggonit.. you are whizen away with your layout, I am impressed at the pace you are going.
Jeff, once again you amaze me with your ability to get things done, with passion. You actualy make me wonder .. lol.. where do you get all this energy? Sheeesh~
As for me, well forget about the diorama's.. I've got to lay tons of cork.. then I'll hit all of you up for .. "Now what?~"
Ray, I am so sorry for your loss, words can not express how I feel other than a prayer to ease the pain for you and your family. It truly set me back a couple of days. I feel sometimes, its a reminder how precious life is and who and what we spend our time with is so important.
I'm short for words now, if I forgot anyone.. any questions.. any compliments.. come back at me.. and remind me.
JR, Thanks I did try and program in OP mode last night, still no effect, I'll give it a try tonight...
Good Morning All,
Things are still crazy here in the shop as we get two dozen cars ready for back to back weekends. Monterey went well enough visiting with friends and helping with a car we ran earlier in the season.
Ray - Sorry to hear about your BIL. I think the reserved spot at the desk is a nice touch that would be appreciated.
Lee - I have had problems programing/altering MRC stuff unles I did it on the main. I got around the "move everything off the layout problem by hooking the "main" to a section of track (just like a programming track) isolated from the rest of the layout and having the feed only to the "main" section. I have found that even with a good signal, the power isn't enough on the programming track to do the job.
Jeff - That's some major demolition there. Can't wait to see what you've come up with for revisions (knowing that the finished product is often different from the plan).
Der - I concur with Chris. Clean milled flour would likely be bagged or put directly into a bulk hopper (probably these days one of the shaker types). I would think that milled flour would be impossible to dispense from a silo as tall as the ones you show not to mention problems with condensation and leachate from the concrete walls.
Gotta run - lots to do again today. CUL, J.R.
I'm debating to go get some shots/train video of the "street running" today. The area where the trains run is about 30 minutes away. I don't have to much planned today, and thought today would be a good day.
I do need to start on the RBOX thou. Maybe get it patched up, and start the process of weathering it. I also ordered five cars yesterday to give me something to do over the next few weeks.
Jim.....The wife and I keep going back and forth. Refinance now, or wait till next year (spring). We will know more in a few weeks. Also.........eBay has been doing real good for me. I have a total of seven cars to do. It cost me about $100 for the cars, and if they all sell for just $30, that will be a total of $210. Not to bad.