Evenin' Flo! Another nice night, eh?
I'll just have my evening decaf if you please. What? Oh THAT is just a scratch... It'll stop bleeding on its own I think. Got a visit from one of those polar bears outside whistle trying to get my evening coffee. No, no but a band aid would be fine, don't you think, eh.
What Jim is on the phone and can't find the place. Let me talk to him. Hey Jim! Now just listen, I'll give you the directions. Ya just drive on up to Toronto to the Ontario Northland Railway Station. Yep that's the one! Ya get on the passenger train called the Northlander. Huh? well of course they have passenger service up here! Now listen, ya take the Northlander up to Cochrane, Ontario, and then you switch trains and take the Polar Bear Express up here to Moosonee. Ya got THAT, eh? When you get here the diner is right behind the station. Just be careful there are a bunch of hungry white animals outside. Of course we keep the doors shut! Don't want to let all the heat outside ya know!!!
OK he'll be here as soon as he finds his passport.
Got a couple more feet of ties set in place tonight. Should be ready to start gluing track down by tomorrow evening if all goes well.
JimRCGMOLOVE that enginehouse photo (THAT's on your layout, right?) - love the detail!
Why thank you Jim! THAT was part of the layout used for the Master Builder Scenery Certificate. I kinda like it myself......
Rob, when you hook up the layout for DCC does the power go down (Beep, beep ,beep) if you short across the tracks? If nothing happens, you are not getting power to the tracks.... The other possibility is the decoder is installed wrong or is a DOA. Just thinking out loud.
[edit] Rob I see you snuck in here when I was posting. Glad you got the problem figured out. Be carefull! DCC is addictive.
I'll catch you all tomorrow if I can outrun the...........
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
I'll have tonight's Special, please.
***Jeffrey, after starting from the very beginning, figured out the problem. If I had hooked up the wires to the track A & B, it would have functioned just as you described. But...D'oH...I had it hooked up to the program A & B, (I think that is what they were called). Discovered my mistake when I went to hook up a separate test track. So bottom line, ALL IS WELL. And it sure is way smoother running off DCC than it was on DC. Thank you!
Can already see the advantages of DCC in running trains. As a kid, I would have had some mighty pull offs to find out which of the locos were mightiest. Fortunately, I've long outgrown such tendencies. That and it could get costly to "play" with them in that way.
Only wish decoders were cheaper. Then I'd transform many of my N scale fleet. Only DCC loco I own is a Bigboy, and it runs fine on DC.
Cheers! Rob
JimRCGMOSawyer, I saw your post about the new layout. As you said, kitbashed is kitbashed, but scratchbuilt mostly has to go in the space where you built it for. (THAT's poor grammar/English, but you know what I mean...). Your acquired skills from the 'old' layout will make this one even better, I'm sure. I like your forested hill there. Also like your new (travelling) layout plan; shows you've been thinking on it.
Sawyer, I saw your post about the new layout. As you said, kitbashed is kitbashed, but scratchbuilt mostly has to go in the space where you built it for. (THAT's poor grammar/English, but you know what I mean...). Your acquired skills from the 'old' layout will make this one even better, I'm sure. I like your forested hill there. Also like your new (travelling) layout plan; shows you've been thinking on it.
Thanks. Right now I'm trying to decide between the Hollow Core Door layout and the 6x6.
the hollow core door is:
-cheaper
-already basically planned out
-kinda what I want to do
However, the 6x6 has a longer mainline. I almost wonder about sticking two HCDs together though, I'll get back to y'all on that idea
Sawyer Berry
Clemson University c/o 2018
Building a protolanced industrial park layout
Cederstrand***Jeffrey, did exactly that....still no go. Hooked back up to DC and it chugs away. Switched to the Digitrax and nothing. Wahhhh!
***Jeffrey, did exactly that....still no go. Hooked back up to DC and it chugs away. Switched to the Digitrax and nothing. Wahhhh!
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
Jim......The load came with the car. Its been awhile since I did a gondola, so hopefully this one goes high $$$$.
"Rust, whats not to love?"
Evening, Chloe, I'll have a dish of orange sherbet and a Santa Fe mug of TH, please. Thanks!
Had a post written the other night and clicked on 'Post', and it must've gone by slow---mail. Never did get back to the Diner, i think. So we'll try again (my apologies for anyone I missed with not saving a copy before I hit the button)...
Good to come in here, with our blazing weather today; we hit 99 F (I'm sure Jeff beat that by a mile or two - or a few kilometres, since we're NOTB here), and by 6 p.m. it was STILL 98 F and heat index of 117 F (Yipes!) But that's not too bad, since tomorrow they're talking 101 F (air temp). Definitely a day to give thanks for air conditioners and electric to power them!
Barry, sorry to hear about Audrey's mishap, and may she be healed up ASAP. (And maybe talk to the local barrister, maybe a percentage-based suit might bring in some MRR and other funds. Heck, if they can afford that Maserati...?). I say, string 'em up by their...uh... Uh, never mind, Chloe..you really don't have to go get Vinnie.
Robby, good to hear you've not forgotten how to weather cars (as IF! that would happen). I like that gon - what'd you use to make the load?
Ulrich - thanks for keeping the move smooth; I wonder how many times they had to refuel the 44-tonner on the way up here? When I asked Google Maps to figure directions here from St. Louis (I thought no sense in making it too difficult for them), I got this message:
I guess we might be off the beaten path a bit, eh?
And Ulrich, I as well, am sorry to hear about your house's sale price. As Ray said, keep the faith and keep your eyes open for a different way you and Petra can hop the pond. May take a little different schedule, but we're sure you will get here.
Keith, those pushpins brought back some memories from my initial tracklayin' days. Looking good there. I think I can see the elevation on your 'inside' track.
Galaxy, thanks for the tip on the 'emergency info' list idea. I've copied it and saved it so I can start on that for myself. Hope you find the (deceased) critter (VERY) soon. Not a great smell...
Ray, about those pics of the 'diesel' rigs... ROTFLMAO! LOVE that enginehouse photo (THAT's on your layout, right?) - love the detail!
Todd, your MR subscription must run out about the same time as mine. I got their first email - with the offer of a 6 or 8 page layout/reprint/whatever. Like THAT's for sure gonna suck me in with money in hand, tongue a-waggin'...
And I would be in the "Can't think of a good reason I need one" (only for actual emergencies) camp on the cell phone poll. I do NOT want to have folks able to reach me in certain places (like the loo/W.C./terlit...)!
Ryan, on those RR figures, if you want variety, Preiser makes a wide range, but there also are several sets of figures from Woodland Scenics that would be useful. The Preisers will run more $$, so check around to catch places that have them on sale or discounted, The W-S and the Preiser ones are at times on sale in the Walthers flyers, but some places have overall good prices for either. Check the usual suspects online. Good to see you back by the place, and especially with the longer trip to our new digs!
All right, Chris - with those Santa Fe Geeps ya got me droolin' ! And just keep those 'batchelor' days RR photos coming.
Garry - I'd say THAT's the end-of-the-train car (or a close cousin to it) that I saw in the video! How's your weather been today?
Jeff, liked your photos (especially that ex-UP/L&A comin' at the camera). And good to hear your Mom appreciates (in a MRR way) your helping her with her doctor's visit. Hey, you didn't patch over THAT UP boxcar? I was wondering, too, when you said something about w**king on the vehicle today "in the cool" of the day... Glad you got it done - now, cool off for about a day's worth!
Lee, your backdrop w**k sounds good - will look forward to pics once you get to that point. How've you and yours been?
Rob, make sure you either have NO other locos on the tracks, or your programming track is completely isolated from the rest of the layout! That's one mistake you will only make once, from the tales I've heard. Keep at it, and whatever Jeff says on the directions, follow them. He's been down that track before, y'know.
MRR club meeting last night was moving about all the layout sections around. We finally got them into rough position. Our chief architect, Kevin, was trying to fine-tune how to widen some of the aisleways, but there's only so much space to move the pieces around. We also found that the two air conditioners (and the lights, maybe) were a bit too much for THAT circuit (tripped the breaker, plunging everything into darkness until I got to the doors and opened them. (The other lights on that floor were on a different breaker, as was the A/C in the landlord's staff meeting room, where we have the business meeting part of our meetings). So they'll run the one air conditioner to another circuit between now and next week. One club member was headed for cooler weather, I think. He's going to go up across the Northern U.S., and see that big yard tower in Nebraska. The club members figured he'd be about Ames, Iowa by last night.
Got started on an Accurail 41' Wabash gondola over the weekend. (The weekend was a great on-call - NO pages or even phone calls! Nada, zip, zero, none! On the gon, I got the weight glued in with Goo, but am having some problems with gluing the 'floor' in over that (& between the sides). Partly, that may be difficult because the cement brush (forgot the brand) is split like a 'Y', which makes applying cement to the sides of the 'floor' difficult. Will return to that tomorrow a.m., I think.
Wanting to find some other waiter & waitress figures. This week I got in the Faller set, but the waitress appears to have about six beer mugs she's holding (great for Germany, but not what I wanted for my U.S.-located setting). I looked on the Walthers site, and the Preiser set isn't any more transportable 'across the pond', so to speak. I may wind up doing some 'surgery' to the Frau/Fraulein to remove the mugs and perhaps make the shape into a tray or something like THAT.
About time for me to head for home (and take some of this cooler air up here with me). Prayers will continue for all of us needing them (about all of us, for one or another reason).
Blessings,
Jim in Cape Girardeau
My Model Railroad: Tri State RailMy Photos on Flickr: FlickrMy Videos on Youtube: YoutubeMy Photos on RRPA: RR Picture Archives
Cederstrand***Jeffrey, is there any reason I need a separate test track rather than just using the layout track? I did as you suggest (except it is on the layout track) and it reads: "d003" I assume this is the locodecoder address, correct? Still, when I program for 03 (and yes, track power light is on) there is still no response from loco??? Still confused. Rob
***Jeffrey, is there any reason I need a separate test track rather than just using the layout track? I did as you suggest (except it is on the layout track) and it reads: "d003" I assume this is the locodecoder address, correct? Still, when I program for 03 (and yes, track power light is on) there is still no response from loco??? Still confused. Rob
galaxy Went to Scranton to pick something up for the FIL. A 3 gal compressor he wanted at Harbor Freight Tools store.
Went to Scranton to pick something up for the FIL. A 3 gal compressor he wanted at Harbor Freight Tools store.
Which one did you get? I plan on heading there next week to pick one up for my airbrush. look at the flier for Aug 5th to the 8th http://www.harborfreight.com/retail-flyer they are going to have one on sale for $50
Also a follow up, My first batch of rocks came out pretty good, only 2 broke, but that's OK they can be fixed - No air bubbles, and the detail turned out.
Evenin' folks!
Flo I'll have the Northern Seafood Platter with some fresh sweet corn and the salad bar. Oh and an unsweetened Ice Tea.
Been a nice day, eh! I finally broke down and watered the garden pots on the porch THAT have pole beans in them. Should result in some rain tonight... They are growing very well and are almost in blossom as are the ones in the garden. Brought in 3 huge heads of broccoli tonight. The garden is in prolific mode with lots of zucchine, yellow squash, and broccoli at the moment. The local sweet corn around here is a 10! So I have been gorging myself on the fresh bounty!
Ulrich, I was saddened to hear your house will not sell for enough to pay off your debts. Keep the faith! Something will come your way and allow you folks to get by better.
Jeffrey, I was going to suggest you put in a switch for the fan and turn it on manually when needed.... Great minds think alike (and then there is us.....)!
I did a bunch of odds and ends THAT needed to get done today like going down to the Credit Union for some pictures of dead presidents, mailing out some bills, and a couple things for the MLK Committee. Even got down cellar to make sure the trains are still there. Yup! I put down ties for another couple feet of roadbed. Will do another couple feet tonight.
Later!
Cederstrand***Oh Jeffrey!!! HELP, please: The Digitrax DCC thingy arrived today. Following the quick set up, all is fine except that I cannot find the Loco (Decoders address). I tried the find thing but not even sure what I'm doing there. Directions are simple enough, but still cannot find loco/decoder. I'll shoot an e-mail off to the guy I bought it from, incase when he attached the speaker & programmed the specific sounds, he changed the base address from 03 to something else. I think he's on vacation now, so in the meantime, any suggestions? I know the loco/decoder works in DC mode with the old DC Tech II transformer. Puzzled. Thanks!
Good Evening Folks!
I would like to order 2 foot long chili cheese dogs, with mustard onion, and hot peppers with a cherry Dr. Pepper.
Just poured my first batch of rock molds, waiting for them to set to see the results. It's also National Night Out, so I am listening to the scanners.
Coffee refill, please.
***Oh Jeffrey!!! HELP, please: The Digitrax DCC thingy arrived today. Following the quick set up, all is fine except that I cannot find the Loco (Decoders address). I tried the find thing but not even sure what I'm doing there. Directions are simple enough, but still cannot find loco/decoder. I'll shoot an e-mail off to the guy I bought it from, incase when he attached the speaker & programmed the specific sounds, he changed the base address from 03 to something else. I think he's on vacation now, so in the meantime, any suggestions? I know the loco/decoder works in DC mode with the old DC Tech II transformer. Puzzled. Thanks!
The heat knocked me down today pretty good. Just can't handle it like I once did.
Flow, (is that her name) 40 pounds of ice and a tube to sit in, my brain is over heated!
It is 101 F here in Maryville, and my wife wants me to BBQ? Guess I could just throw the meat on the concert, I am pretty sure it will cook.
Need to install some decoders, but it just seems wrong to fire up the soldering iron on a day like today.
Not like I did nothing today, did get the back grass cut and it whopped by butt. Been 4 weeks, when it not hot it is raining so it was 8 to 10 inches tall. Had to cut it twice, first was to get it down but looked like I could make hay from the clippings. Second time was to bag the grass.
Time to fix some rolling stock and then to the grill, I guess!
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
galaxyI tell ya, I don;t know how you survive down there in those temps without A/c in that car or van! {Or did ya give up on the van and I missed it?}
Hi guys
Went to Scranton to pick something up for the FIL. A 3 gal compressor he wanted at Harbor Freight Tools store tehre. We went to Steamtown anyway, and were very shocked to see all the static locos out front Gone! There are like 10 of them at least besides the Big BOy out front usually. The Big BOY was the only one! WHEW! they were only out back getting asbestos abatement and a "preservation paint job" of black paint. WHEW! I thought Steamtown was a Ghost Town for a minute....and not too far from Steamtown used to be an amusement park called "Ghost Town in the Glen" in Moosic PA!! {that's right moosic like a cow moo....} #2317 pacific and #3254 mikado were parked in the roundhouse stalls quiet. They only run steam on fri-sun now{we knew that before we went in, but} ,as their steamers are running short of their 1374 day runs {I think its 1374}. #2317 will run for two days for Labor day for RAil Fest 2010 and then be torn down and rebuilt. #26 is to take her place, but still a LOT of work to do on her...so next summer at least before she fired up again. #3254 is running down her days as well, but darned if they fix one thing on her and something else goes worng! jsut like an older car! They had the pair of Reading FP7A's sitting there,,, they will run an excursion on rail fest 2010. They also had a couple F-somethings A's they were re-painting to E-L color scheme of the 70's {the maroon/gray/Yellow}.
Oh, while we were there a consist of 5 E-L {yes they were all E-L's of varying E-L color schemes including the Pocono Mountain Express} went by toting a boatload of CP, CN, Canadian, Covered hoppers musta been 75+ cars on that run to s/e of Scranton. Empty or full who knows? but we watched it go by.
Jeffrey, had that problem once with an old 88 Caravan i used to have a long time ago. Had to install a switch to turn fan on or off as I drove it. BTDT> but it does work well for the purpose of keeping one vehicle from overheating... I tell ya, I don;t know how you survive down there in those temps without A/c in that car or van! {Or did ya give up on the van and I missed it?}
LAter all, have a good evening
-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.
Chris and Ulrich, thanks y'all! Chris, I'm actually having space problems; it's a little cramped, as Ulrich noted. I'm back-tracking and redoing one of my old 6x6 plans, then we'll see where it goes from there. I have plenty of time and there's no rush to build a new layout. I'm thinking eventually I'll get to where I have no problems with the plan and then bingo, we'll have a winner.
Got the radiator fan problem taken care of. A neighbor picked the relay switch up for me while he was in town. I changed the relay out but that made no difference. The fan still wouldn't work. I looked at the wires going to the relay and ID'd the supply and load for the fan, the two large wires. That left the two smaller wires that work the relay contacts. I isolated the trip wire and cut it, stripped the end, added on a length of 14 gauge to reach the fuse block in the dash, wired in a switch, crimped a spade connector onto the end of the wire and plugged it into an available 30 amp port in the fuse block. I flipped the switch, the relay clicked and the fan came on. Flipped the switch back down and the fan stopped. That's good enough for me. Now I can turn the fan on and off as I need to instead of hoping that I can keep moving fast enough to cool the radiator. That's not a problem on the highway but in traffic a non-op fan can be BIG trouble.Stupid idea to work on the car during the heat of the day when it's around 105. Now I'm overheated and seriously need to cool off. Me and a gallon jug of cool water have an intense friendship going right now.
I wondered when we'd move. But c'mon, Canada? Good thing one of my rail customers happens to be a 40ft alien robot, or the gas would be incredulous...
Lesee here, Anything in the ol' fridge? Ah, heck,. I think I want some Raman Noodles. An easy lunch
Then, me thinks I'm gonna check some paint stripping, and paint a few Bachmanns up. What's the cutoff date for cars with roofwalks?
-Morgan
Coffee in a BURLINGTON NORTHERN mug, please.
Nice pics, all.
Blazzin Question: I am looking to add some "people" to the layout and in particular I want some railroad workers, farm workers, and laborers doing various jobs, painters, construction, etc... I guess it does not really matter what they are "doing", my real question is: What brand has good quality, painted figures / people? What brand do you like? LOL.. I gotta get my two cents in on this one. I'll take em all .. all kinds .. all sizes. What to look for is that even though they say they are N scale.. Or HO.. I tend to see all sizes of varying degrees. I think I am getting at.. the 'Forced Perspective' that is.. the larger size of ppl.. go up front and smaller or graduating smaller towards the back. I do remember when my son was going throught Micro Machines.. he handed me a plastic toy soldier and said.. "Here dad, paint this gray and mount it as a statue in the center of town"~
Question: I am looking to add some "people" to the layout and in particular I want some railroad workers, farm workers, and laborers doing various jobs, painters, construction, etc... I guess it does not really matter what they are "doing", my real question is: What brand has good quality, painted figures / people? What brand do you like? LOL.. I gotta get my two cents in on this one. I'll take em all .. all kinds .. all sizes. What to look for is that even though they say they are N scale.. Or HO.. I tend to see all sizes of varying degrees. I think I am getting at.. the 'Forced Perspective' that is.. the larger size of ppl.. go up front and smaller or graduating smaller towards the back. I do remember when my son was going throught Micro Machines.. he handed me a plastic toy soldier and said.. "Here dad, paint this gray and mount it as a statue in the center of town"~
Thanks Blazzin, I'll take any cents I can get!
Hey Todd, just remember to wash your hands before cooking and licking!
Great pics Bob!
Hope this heat spell ends soon....oh right...that would be when fall comes!
Ryan BoudreauxThe Piedmont Division Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger eraCajun Chef Ryan
Just a quick stop.
I made it to a LHS and picked up a couple of boxcars. I have to get them faded today, and maybe start on one tomorrow. I also finished up a "gon" today.
Here's a few pictures of it.
Good Afternoon Folks,
Zoe, please dear, something strong to calm down my nerves. Thank you!
We just received devastating news about the sale of our former house. It´ll go for less than half of what it had cost to build it 13 years ago! The amount will not even cover the mortgage!
There goes any hope for getting a buck or two out of it to finance a new start at some nicer place of the world.
There are times when I start to wonder how much more I can bear. I wish I could sing the blues away:
Lots of chocolate for me to eat. Lots of coal makin' lots of 'eat. Warm face, warm 'ands, warm feet. Oh, wouldn't it be loverly?
Oh, so loverly sittin' absobloominlutely still. I would never budge 'till spring Crept over the windowsill.
Someone's 'ead restin' on my knee, Warm an' tender as 'e can be, Who takes good care of me. Oh, wouldn't it be loverly? Loverly, loverly, loverly, loverly.
Remember this one?
Mornin' everyone! Nice day, eh?
Zoe, yes, I know I'm late, but I had to stop and get my haircut this morning.... OK, OK, yes, I got them all cut..... I'l just get a cup of dark roast coffee and a couple Bavarian Creme Filled Doughnuts to tide me over 'til lunch.
I also had to visit the local financial institution to get some pictures of dead presidents first. Huh? Two of Jackson and a Hamilton to be exact. What? Nope no thievery involved! And, I like thieves... I have several good friends who are thieves. Why just last week I had a Bank President over for dinner! Barber wanted to know why I just didn't walk through the woods rather than drive over to his new shop... I told him there was too much Poison Ivy in there.
It's a bit warm here in Moosonee today, eh. Currently 25° but should be better tonight with a low of17° and light rain. Zoe, is that a polar bear out there? Ah just Barry in a white coat, eh!
Thanks for the kind words about the roundhouse photo. Rather liked it myself. You know that rather, uh, rotund fellow wiping his brow does bear a certain resemblance to the..... Ah, photographer, doesn't he, eh?
teen steam fanRay, thanks I'll look into getting the stuff I need at Walther.com or my next trip to the hobby shop. Hopefully the stuff I need will be in stock.
You might want to try Caboose Hobbies as well.
Best get a move on....
Went to town to get some grocery shopping done. The car was like a sauna. Too bad I couldn't dress accordingly but the cops seem to lack a sense of humor about that sort of thing. I did find out one thing. The relay for the radiator fan is smoked. I jumped the wires on the relay and the fan started up so thankfully it wasn't the problem. I had to replace that several years ago. Only a paltry $160 for the motor! I'll have to get a new relay tomorrow while it's still cool.
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 morning. Supposed to be another scorcher today with a high of 103 with a heat index of 112. The temp now is a comparatively cool 79. It's partly cloudy.Not much going on today. I'm still recovering from yesterday. I really dislike long drives. My ankle hurts, my knees hurt and my back hurts. Not sure of what I'll be doing today but I can safely say that most of the day will be spent doing a lot of nothing.
Good morning. Might get some rain today, and maybe tomorrow. I haven't seen a good rain in about a month or so.
Both of the boxcars sold last night, and I have to ship another car out this morning. After that, a trip to the LHS to get some new projects.
Todd.....Grass cutting???? I haven't done that in a month at least!!
Hope everybody has a good day, and I will pop back in later.