Elliot´s Trackside Diner August 2010

[Wisconsin Railfan]

 Good Morning All!

 A cup of coffee and a doughnut please.

Made some rocks last night, and watched a few airbrushing videos.  My lady and kids spent the night at Grandma's so it was quiet in the house.

[TMarsh]

(yaaawn)Good Morning. Coffee please. Thanks. I know I know, I was just here. Not much has happened since. (stretch, groooooan) I don't know how Duke does it. Sleeping in a booth is rough on this ol back. Went to leave last night and there was this big ole Moose standing in the way of me getting to my truck. I think he was eating a cabbage. They do have cabbage up here don't they? Anyway, I knew these things were big, but my gosh they're HUGE! A LOT bigger than a horse I tell you what. So, I went back in to wait for him to leave and I guess I fell asleep.

Well NWS says 106 today, 102 tomorrow. Guess that's better than 110. Actual temps today will "only" be 94. Locally they say tonight it will feel as if the low is only 90 so there's some relief after the sun goes down.

I have a plan of attack for the day. It involves the backyard mowing, but other than that pretty much moving from one air conditioned location to another. I think I'll use the air conditioner in the truck also. Maybe not. Always makes the place I go seem cooler that way.

Have a Great Day!!!

[LSWrr]

Good morning all,

Catching up on posts…

Garry I use the staple gun and Elmer’s glue method of laying cork myself with the few taps of a hammer to set the staples below grade. For the track I used brads from HD to go through the tie, cork, then into the plywood base.

Hot and muggy this morning, I hope the showers this afternoon cool things down a little.

Last weekend I ripped tempered masonite down to 19” strips and painted them Tuscan sky. I edited several corn and wheat field images on the computer so the clouds and tree lines would match-up and printed the backdrop on 11”x17” paper. So far so good; last night I cut and glued the first course of corn to the masonite with 3M spray adhesive. This gave me a clear space at the top so I decided to print a top boarder of various old RR pictures.  I hope to install the first wall of backdrops this weekend.

[Anonymous]

 Good Morning Fellow Diners,

seems to turn into a nice day today, at least in terms of our weather over here. 

Zoe, I´d like to have some buttered toast and honey, and a bucket of coffee, please n´thanks.

Todd - I wholeheartedly agree to what you said about cell phones. Like with most inventions, it is not the "thing" itself, but the way people make use of it. The worst part is the fraudulent use and abuse, which we are constantly confronted with. Viruses, worms, trojans, dialers and what else is around to make us bleed - what a pest!

Sawyer - your plan pretty much captures what I had in my mind, maybe a little less track  . I was thinking of something like the HoG layout in N scale, with some spurs added to enhance operation.

Ray - it took me a couple of looks to find out that it is not a pic taken at the museum. I sincerely thought, that the chap to the left is you! Cool! 

 Well, I´ll be in the corner booth and wait for some of you folks to drop by for a chat!

TTFN

[AmanaMedic]

 Goooooooooooooooooood Eve, uh Mornin' 'eh.

Sedation please, and thank-you.

 

First things first, TODD: Standing ovation buddy!!!   I too detest Mr. Bell's invention. The worst was back in my program director days. I HAD to be reachable 24/7 via either landline, cellphone, or Linn County fire pager. THAT was one of the 500 reasons why I quit THAT position.

VINCENT: THAT BN loco was the BN 2913, maybe BNSF 2913. I didn't get a shot of it, but this one was also w**king yard assignments at Creston at the time: 

Here's my favorite Creston photo. Ten years ago, I was w**king there. Kinda had Creston on the mind lately, thinking about what was, what coulda been, and what is. Anyhow, the mainline was close to my "bachelor paramedic's quarters." This spot was about three blocks down W. Adams St., near the former CB&Q depot.

 

SAWYER: Neat trackplan. I had to do a double-take when I saw it was only 6' x 6'. Then I remembered..."oh yeah, he's in N-SANE scale..." As for future college plans, in my case I discovered my college roommates didn't exactly care for the aroma of solvent-based styrene adhesives and Floquil paints. I also had zero room for any modules, dioramas, etc. And, I was in a large room designed for 4-5 complete with a kitchen, bathroom, living room/study area, and two sleeping "rooms." It was rough enough the day I drug home a 6' chunk of telephone pole and an 8' long crossarm!!! I was an avid insulator collector at the time, and the CNW was busy chopping down their pole lines. A wall made out of empty Old Style cases was "cool." A hunk of telephone pole...well....we just won't go there.

 

G'night 'eh

 

Chris

[TMarsh]

Good evening. Dr Pepper please.

Mowed part of the yard today, then got hungry, then ate, then played with dog, then short nap, then shower, then w**k. Tomorrow, I shall charge the battery on the tractor, which I found dead today or the yard would be done. Brenda came home and said it wouldn't start for her either. I think I know why the batteries dead.

WARNING, RANT FOLLOWS

The thing I hate about cell phones is a phone is attached to me. I dislike the phone anyway and now it's attached. The reason I dislike the phone is not it's capabilities, but the attitudes of the people on the other end has soured me forever. People feel when they are not busy and want to chat, I should be available as well. If I'm indisposed or have my hands full or am RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE of something the phone rings. I don't answer. They call back later and give me the first degree on why I didn't answer the phone. As if my entire life should revolve around waiting for them to call. USUALLY it's absolutely nothing. My beloved wife has this tendency to call me for many worthless things including telling me something for 5 or 10 minutes only to retell me the same thing when I get home! What took you so long to get to the phone? Have you heard that one yet? Oh don't get me wrong. I think the cell phone is a great idea and it undoubtedly comes in handy in case of emergency. Same with the phone. And I too was a CBer and still have one and use it, but the cell phone is much better especially when traveling. But to just chat for no reason. Uh uh. Now. Some other day, if you're unlucky enough, I shall get on that real high horse about TEXTING!!!! I don't respond. First it's a quarter. Second if you don't want to talk to me.....then don't.

RANT OVER.

Hey Ryan- Good to see you again. Don't know if I told you yet, but the Finger Lickin rub is aptly named. My compliments to the chef!

Cork to "ground" I use Aileene's (sp?) Tacky glue. I like that stuff. It's tacky aand holds well until it dries. I use track nails to hold the roadbed in place until the glue dries, then remove the track nails. Last layout, I also used Aileene's Tacky glue to hold the track to the roadbed as well using the same thing with track nails except on the turnouts where I left the nails in. This also worked well. This time around I'm doing the same except for holding the track where I'm now using Latex caulk. It's cheaper and so far holds well. After ballasting glue or caulk shouldn‘t matter.

Ray- Nice looking roundhouse your museum has. I noticed you even have a tender lettered for the S.L.O.W. HEY WAIT! That's a model! I agree with you on the handlaid track. It does look better and has the ability to make it look more prototypically accurate, especially for older track, than commercial ready made track. But like you said, for me, I don't believe I'm ready or willing to do my whole layout. I may someday try a bit after the layout is a bit farther along, but for now, I'm happy with flex track.

Well this lasted longer than I planned so I will say Good Night eh. (thanks Garry). Tomorrow is supposed to be 110 with the humidity so I will be dreading finishing the yard. I have to go see Mom anyway and get back and hit the house some more.

PFTIN.

[howmus]

teen steam fan

is it cheaper?

 

Ah....  Well?  Yes and no.  Hows that for an answer?  Cheaper but very time consuming.  The cheaper would be for the main tracks, but then you get to a turnout......  They can be made without a lot of additional cost, but how good are you with a file and a soldering iron?  Years ago I made a couple stub end turnouts from scratch with no jigs.  I did it and they worked, but I also used a lot of those words polite people don't use in public.  I bought a set of Fast Tracks jigs and some assorted items for making turnouts (#6s) a couple months ago.  Shelled out almost $500 just to get started.  Now if you make a lot of them, the cost per turnout is around $12 and they are slick!

This is a Fast Tracks turnout before it is placed on the ties.  Remember you have to make the parts of the frog, file the edges of the main tracks where the points rest against them, and file the point rails to fit.  Then you have to form and add all the guard rails.  With Fast Tracks, it is just a matter of following the directions and some practice.

teen steam fan

Flextrack is somewhat easier to me

 

Most likely for where you're skill levels are at this point in your life, and if you want to get up and running soon, you will find flextrack will be a very good choice.

I am not trying to turn you away from trying hand laying track, just being honest with you.  I would suggest you buy some rail and "profile ties" and give it a try on a small area of the layout.  A spur or siding would be a great starting point and would be an easy learning session (and is a place where if it isn't perfect it will be more forgiving than the main line).  Give it a try and see how you like it!

Have fun!

73

[teen steam fan]

Ray, nice pictures you got there, but one question I have about handlaid track, is it cheaper? Flextrack is somewhat easier to me, but handlaid track does look better, and more realistic possibilities too, IMO

[howmus]

 Evenin' folks!  Been a nice day, eh?

Flo I'll just have a cup of decaf and maybe a slice of the fresh blueberry pie with some vanilla ice cream on the top.

Kieth.....  Think "Liquid Nails for projects".  Put down a thin layer on top of the cork (I have used a putty knife to spread it) and then set the track in place on top.  You will have plenty of time to adjust the track.  It can be held in place with those little push pins while it sets up.  Leave it a couple of days before you go messing around with it........ or.....  Do like I am doing and hand lay your track.  For that I use Pliobond adhesive (Use it with ventilation).  I put down some ties tonight:

After a couple more nights of cutting, staining, and hand laying the ties, I will be ready to put on the track.  Any of you guys ever use a Gandy Dancer's tool???  The track will be glued in place with Pliobond as well.  It will also get the heat treatment with a 25w soldering iron to firmly keep it in gauge.  Actually I have forgotten how much I enjoy hand laying track.  It looks sooooooo much better than store bought.

Here is a shot I just put in the WPF thread, it has hand laid code 70 track:

Later!

73

[Blazzin]

"... but have you thought about using latex caulk?"

  I think about all kinds of glues.  One end of the spectrum I guess would be liquid nails.  Then some CA Gel, Gorrilla glue, Latex glue.  I've been going up and down the whole range of glues.. down to even the New Improved Forumula of Elmers white glue.  The latex caulk is next up on my list.. (water soluble) dries clear. 

  Even though I have had some terrible results with the Latex caulk, I plan on using it.  Here's what happened and what I did.

  Here's a pic of some latex I tried a few months ago.  I glued cork on paper.. then glued the track to the cork.  A day later the track comes off the cork.  What did I do wrong.. aside from no nails and not mounted on stable cork. 

  Now this wasn't the water soluble, but the other type of latex caulking.  The glue came apart between the cork and the rail ties.  I can only think of two other reason why this broke loose.

1.  The glue seemed to dry at the initial glue application.. half way through, in other words I took too long to apply the glue.. my guess anyways.. because the only half really held to the cork.

2.  And most important...I didn't sand down the bottoms of the ties.. leaving a smooth surface for the glue to adhere to, just didn't make it.

  If I am going to approach this the best I can, I will sand the bottoms of the ties.. for a better adhesion of the two, but also pre apply a thin coat of latex to the ties.. to really get it down into the plastic.  Then come back and glue the track to the cork.

  If you ask why? .. well I guess at best I won't have great access to nailing down some of the ties..(no room for hands) and at best I might be able to nail in a few nails here and there.. but only to the sides of the ties.. in those hard to reach areas.

  I really don't see it as a problem so long as I find good glue.. sand down the ties.. and pre-glue the ties.

  Thats it for me~

Keith

[Zandoz]

Good evening folks.

Low 90s and high humidity today...fun fun fun!  Today was another doctors appointments day for wife and I, so not much else was accomplished today. 

Still waiting on my friend to get time to help get the train table started...or for the weather to get condusive to working outside, since wife has said she has no problem helping me.   All the waiting has me playing the 2nd guessing game on my design for the support/stowing aspect of the table.  Last night I thought I'd had a flash of inspiration , but this morning when I started to draw it out, it immediatly became apparent that it wasn't going to work .  I just keep thinking that there has to be an easier way to accomplish what I need .   Back to pondering.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Packer

Jeff, How'd you get your mother to get you train stuff? All my mother does is get me clothes, so much in fact that it's starting to take over my MRRIng space like her shoes did when I had a layout.

I buy my own clothes with special attention being given to the pants as I have to get one leg hemmed up so it's 1.5 inches shorter than the other. My right leg is shorter than the left leg by that amount because of how much my foot and ankle have compacted. Shirts are no problem. A pack of 2XG T-shirts does the trick. Shoes on the other hand are the expensive item as I have to have them custom made. One pair can run as much as $700! For her, buying train stuff is somewhat cheaper.

[Packer]

Hey guys.

Got a box of car in the mail today. Contains a A&MR, UO, and MILW double door FMC (aka double door railbox); a CMA covered hopper; and a Rayonier Canada and Bennet lumber thral all-door. Something tells me the grey MILW box might be a foob. I really want to get more Bennett Lumber thrall all-doors or centerbeams because there is an article in an RMC I have that has a BN (went from being the WI&M, to MILW, to BN) branch line.

Adding to the Cell-phone conversation, I don't really care for them either. They may be handy in an emergency, but it seems most people my age are so engrossed with the things they are always buying the newest phone with the most gadgets. I'm fine with mine that just calls and texts, but I rarely ever use it.

Jeff, How'd you get your mother to get you train stuff? All my mother does is get me clothes, so much in fact that it's starting to take over my MRRIng space like her shoes did when I had a layout.

Ray, dunno if a Leslie S-3L would fit on my car without being visible. Frankly I think if I did that she may have just went and shot a bird. Well that and IIRC, they are illegal in the not-so-great state of Floriduh.

Rob, lots of neat stuff in those things. The wires, resistors, and capacitors are pretty useful.

Chris, Took me a while to find the paint difference. I think I'm gonna go ahead and get it. It's gonna be a long while before I get a layout going. I'm just biding the time by gathering up the locos and frieght cars I'll probably be using. Nice pic, btw. did you catch what the trailing unit was?

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Keith ... I hope I did not sound like I'm picking on you because I don't intend to do that. You deserve prasie for the stuff you are doing.

Here's a picture which shows "my way" of laying track. I'm sure there is no perfect way of doing it but, this works well.

 

I use rulers and home made curve templates to help align the cork and the track. I use them to draw a pencil line on the plywood to start with. I staple the cork in place. At turnouts I cut it as needed to fit. I use a hammer to make sure the staples are deep enough into the cork to prevent causing the track to be uneven.

I paint the track first. I use ordinary rattle can primer. First, I cover switch points with masking tape. I spray flat red oxide color first. Next, I immediatly spray flat black while the red is still wet. The two colors blend and look like rusted track. Sometimes I add earth color spray, too.

Work slowly and carefully laying the track. Cut rails and remove ties as needed. For flex track, I turn each section over and remove plastic connectors from between 2 or 3 ties at the end. I slide those ties awy from teh rail ends. (Later, the ties are moved back.)   File off paint where rail connectors will go at the rail ends.

To get the curves installed, I will solder rail connectors at this time between two adjoining sections that will be on curves.. Then I place the track down where I want it holding with push pins.

The transition curves are very subtle on my layout. Broader radius is close to connecting straight track than way from the straight track. The flex track will position itself to some extent while you hold the ends down. I hold it down with push pins. Sometimes it pays to pull a push pin out and let the track move on its own slightly one way or the other. Then put the push pin back in place.

When track is in correct position, replace push pins with track nails. You may need to drill more holes in the ties for enough track nails to secure track. Solder any rail joints not yet soldered. Slide the 2 or 3 ties back to rail ends for each rail joint.

Clean off paint from tops of rails. Ballasting comes next, but you should wait to correct any problems that show up with running trains.

 

 

[Packers#1]

 Ulrich, here's my new trackplan. I didn't draw the benchmarks in, but it will be built in sections that, with a bit of track being removed, can be transported.

 Size=6' x 6'
The maroon tracks are staging. the top and left sides will be agaisnt walls.
Maroon=staging
Blue=branch
Yellow=town switching
Red=Mainline
Orange= structures
Black thick lines=roads
the lines with a blue line through them allow for the branch to function as a second mainline.

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 Made it back from Alexandria in one piece and I didn't come back empty handed. My mother sprang for lunch and a 50' UP boxcar. She was more than happy to do it too as I was blowing a whole day on her account. I also picked up two Model Power Exxon signs and a three pack of Testors paint brushes.

[teen steam fan]

Hey guys, a large blue plate for me.

Well, Personally I use brads to hold down my cork roadbed, but have you thought about using latex caulk?

[galaxy]

Evening guys....

I will have some cheesy fries with a dallop of sour cream on top and a double cheeseburger bookended by two grilled cheese sandwiches {since the diner here has no calories} like they have at Friendly's or Denny's.

The appt for the dermatologist is NEXT monday, not today, boy was it strange showing up and they not expecting you and the Dr. on vacation no less! My face wasn't quite red, but....

have looked in the easy places for the dead mouse stinking up the place, naturally it would have to pick a "safe spot hidden away" to curl up and die in! We apparently have a whole family living here as the cat has presented me with one mouse, my other half with two, and I saw her chasing {but lost} the one we think she injured enough that it is the dying thing stinking up the place. Windows open and bought one of those air freshener electric pump thingies to help with the smell until we find the mouse.

Going to Scranton tomorrow to pick up something for the FIL so we may pop in at steamtown for a bit. If we get tehre early enough, they may be bringing the steamer out and the morning ritual will begin that we like to watch. OOPS...I better check the website they may not be running the steamer on tuesdays now, durn it....wouldnt it be our luck...

well, here's hoping your house smells beter than mine!

later have a great evening!

 

[blownout cylinder]

Blazzin

Barry I thank you also for the input on staples.  But Chris and Barry.. I dont' think staples would travel deep into this hard wood I am using.

There could be 1/4" brads that could be used as well---the trick is to use an electric nailer/stapler on those--I've used it on bird's eye maple and they certainly gone in deep on that---mind, at 1/4" it ain't in very deep---maybe a little longer in the tongs might help..

Blazzin

Weathering the tracks.  I still am not sure as how or what paint to use.. more or less the colors.  I would imagine some type of darker 'grime' for the 'main lines' and some lighter rust or brow for the yard rails.  And some dark brown for the ties.  The ties seem as if they would take a thin wash and come out nice.

I'm wondering about using a kind of gray for the ties. Most ties that we see up here tend to be a grayish tinge as well. Could be a combination of grays and blacks for oil and such on the ties--especially around the yards as well. I've done some o' that around some areas recently--got to take some shots of that sometime....

Good Evening--

I'ma gonna have a large bucket o' fries as well as a couple of great big quadruplex burgers please---this boy is Hoooooonnnnngggrrryyyyyyy!!!!!

It has been an interesting day--seems the lawyer did get in contact with the guys insurance company---and they're talking---heeheehee

Anyhow---gotts ta run---have some things I need to pick up from TigerDirect heeheehee

[Robby P.]

 Just a quick stop.

 Coming home from work, and all of these rescue cars all over the place.   I thought some one got ran over by the train.   About 2 helicopters are over the house right now.  Here's the story.   http://kdka.com/westmoreland/Monessen.donora.bridge.2.1838833.html

 Keith.......Looking good   

[Blazzin]

  Garry,  I guess.. you mean the 'transition'?  Why yes.. and thank you.    I finally got it when you said transition.  I thought first you meant an elevated outside rail to ease the transition.  But yes, I can and wil incorporate as many transitions as possible... along with 're-railers' here and there.

  Barry I thank you also for the input on staples.  But Chris and Barry.. I dont' think staples would travel deep into this hard wood I am using.

  This is where I am at.

  Some where during all this I am suppose to...

1. Wire the tracks... no they have not been glued in or nailed or anything.  I left it that way to give me some play in laying tracks that would come together later on.

2.  Weathering the tracks.  I still am not sure as how or what paint to use.. more or less the colors.  I would imagine some type of darker 'grime' for the 'main lines' and some lighter rust or brow for the yard rails.  And some dark brown for the ties.  The ties seem as if they would take a thin wash and come out nice.

3.  In the foreground is my latest wood addition.  I had changed the plans to give more room for the yard area, well just a tighter turn thats all,  I'm glad I started with a 37 inch diameter.  So today I'll be cutting foundations for this added bridge.  And plan on making a stone bridge myself out of the plastic sheets that have large stones.   We'll see~

  Some where all this.. once I get past a few hurdles, I imagine I'll get a 'breakthru' and really start laying some track.  Until then~  A Dios Mio~

[Cederstrand]

***Duke, you could have swung down and visited with us here in northwest Georgia. I haven't been on that road in many years, but do remember it as being both beautiful and windy.

Rob

[bjdukert]

Afternoon all

Rob

I wonder if rocks ever come loose from in there.

From what I could see,the inside of the tunnel was smooth.

Flip

How did you get so lucky with that CFO of yours?

Like most of us,she set the trap and I stepped into it.  At least that’s my story and I am sticking to it.

Todd

I've tossed the idea around of one of my tunnel openings to not have a portal. I think I will on one that is more or less difficult to view, but you can see it.

I do think it makes it a little more interesting rather than having a portal all of the time.

JimCG

your CFO is looking at the camera, but she's smiling! Was somebody other than you taking the pic?

  Naw,I was taking the pic but she wasn’t real crazy about standing there and it surprised me that she smiled.

Ok now for some more from the Skyline Drive

How about trees growing from the rock     

http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b350/bjdukert/SKYLINE%20%20PARKWAY/?action=view&current=022.jpg

http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b350/bjdukert/SKYLINE%20%20PARKWAY/?action=view&current=021.jpg

http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b350/bjdukert/SKYLINE%20%20PARKWAY/?action=view&current=016.jpg

Mother Nature’s prototype

http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b350/bjdukert/SKYLINE%20%20PARKWAY/?action=view&current=019.jpg

One of “my baby” http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b350/bjdukert/SKYLINE%20%20PARKWAY/?action=view&current=020.jpg

Ulrich  You do need to come to this side of the pond if at all possible.

Barry  Best to Audrey and throw the book at the guy.

Like some of you,we have a cell because of the bike trips and for emergencies only.

That’s about it

Best to all on sick call and those recovering

Talk to you later

Duke

 

[Cederstrand]

Small bowl of mixed nuts and a coffee refill, please. 

***Ryan, the room under the porch only has one small window (I should have put in to for cross flow) and is not hooked in to any form of AC or heat. I suspect most of the moisture comes through from where the wood walls meet the concrete knee wall. Perhaps a small amount comes from the slab, too. I could run a dehumidifier in there 24/7, but that would sure add to our power bill. (Regarding people): Personally I like a lot of Woodland Scenics and some of Preiser. For crowds (fill) the cheapo ones from HK will help. Might want to touch a few of them up with your own colors for more variety. Keith makes a good point about the variation in sizes. Heck, real people vary quite a bit, too.

***Chris said: [WHAT in the world could they be talking about mile after mile after mile????] The answer should be obvious, they must be discussing Trains. BTW, that's a great pic.

Rob

[Packers#1]

 Afternoon y'all. I'll have a roast beef sandwich and a mtn dew please and thanks.

Just got back from my driver's ed training, the instructor I was driving with was nice and we went through the driver's test several times. I think I'll pass the test, but idk abt a perfect score. parallel parking was pretty easy, but I had to straighten up once, and a few times I was too far away from the curb.

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Keith ..  You may see my earlier post to you about cork roadbed.

Jim, Todd, others  ... Look at this link for Amtrak Business Car 

http://www.railroadpix.com/rrphotos/detail/417.html

[Blazzin]

  Chris .. Nice shot.

  I love it.  Jeff, Chris and others.. I save these.. this is so much fun when I wake up in the morning.

"KEITH: Always good to see your layout progress, don't have anything to offer on the curves, transistions, glue vs. staples"

  You mean I could have used staples?

[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"~

[AmanaMedic]

 Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood Morning 'eh.

RAY: Hope I didn't freeze you out.... I tend to make the electricity company happy when I crank the AC up to "polar ice cap" level.

 

Just heard a funny story on the radio. An older gent in Waterloo got fed up with his neighbors blasting "hippie music" so he decided to retaliate. He bought an airhorn from a scrapped-out dump truck. Aimed it at the neighbors, and blasted away!  They called the Po Po...and the arresting officer said he heard the horn "about every 2 seconds, from 5 blocks away." Mr. Policeman busted the guy when he "refused to cease and desist."

 

VINCENT: Thanks for the update...I was seriously thinking my brain had melted... THAT 1st pic is the 1970s repaint, and the most common variant. The 2nd is the 1960s scheme, the 3rd is the 1960s scheme with the later ACI and lube plates...gee, just like I thought they woulda done!!!  Thanks for posting the pics, I've added them to my files. I've got a handful (in the 1970s paint) assigned to bagged feed service out of Cargill East....uh, when the layout is completely built, the tracks are in, buildings built, etc., etc., etc. BUT, they stand ready on the shelves...just waiting for THAT day in a nearby decade....

 

My half-a-cent of opinionated opinion about cell phones: I hate them. I detest them. Like TODD, it was the wife THAT prompted me to have one installed on my hip. Why? Not for endless "blah blah blappity blah..." conversations, but strictly EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS. I'm in the ditch, she's in the ditch, I'm broke down, she's broke down...urgently important messages only. Then, mine evolved into w**k use....  I for the life of me, can NOT understand nor rationalize these morons who drive along with the stupid thing to their ear...WHAT in the world could they be talking about mile after mile after mile???? 

BARRY: Very belated with this, and I apologize for the delay, but very GLAD to hear Audrey is OK...especially considering the circumstances!!!  I hope they not only throw the book at the moron...I hope they cram it up a particular bodily opening as well! and beat some sense into him with the other volumes of the law library. I'd even be all for Audrey using her good arm to beat the snot out of him with her cane!!!

RYAN, BILL: Good mornin' guys, GOOD to see ya in here!

KEITH: Always good to see your layout progress, don't have anything to offer on the curves, transistions, glue vs. staples, etc., etc., etc.

TODD: I thought I was the guy with the ever-changing schedule...THAT keeps getting changed! 

ULRICH: Since you surely took such good and detailed notes during your time at the GULAG, I'm sure Petra will fly through with high marks! Actually, I'm sorry she has to endure THAT bureaucratic crap! I thought she'd already gone through it though...didn't they qualify her to run a forklift or something???? Oh, no, wait...they were talking about certifying her to run a forklift... Welp, Worley Warehousing in Cedar Rapids is always hiring forklift operators... Seriously though, I hope and yes, pray, THAT a good opportunity comes your way!

 

For now...I ought to make some phone calls for THAT, so as to line up more content for "the little weekly miracle" (our newspapers).

A good and safe day to all 'eh.

Here's a pic for the day...this is what I was looking at ten year ago in Creston, Iowa:

Chris

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

 Good Morning, eh. ... 

I'll have a TH coffee in a CN mug with a TH original donut, please.  

SilverSpike

Morning folks!

Garry

  .... What spice to you suggest for gopher stew?

GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR</quote>

Hey Garry, that Finger Lickin' rub should do you good! 

We adopted three kittens this weekend, they are all girls and are named Ryanna, Bella, and Delilah.  

 

Ryan ...Thanks for such a quick reply. ...Three kittens!    ... Uh Oh.

Todd asked: "  What's Canadian for "Good Night "?" ... Try "good night, eh".

Keith ... You can save a lot of time if you DO NOT GLUE cork roadbed.... None of mine is glued at all........... I use a staple gun, and I use the fewest number of staples needed for holding until track is nailed down. The track nails and track hold it in place...... After stapling, I tap each staple with a hammer to be sure it does not protrude higher than top surface of cork, and casue track to be uneven.... ... If you later need to relocate the roadbed, it's easy to pull out the staples to do so.