Elliot's Trackside Diner OCTOBER 2010

[Packer]

Hey guys

Intresting day today. Had to go to a doc appointment. On the way there somebody on a cellphone honks at me because I'm trying to dodge a pot hole and think's I'm in his lane (I moved close to his lane but was still in mine). Even those he's driving on the line with his truck. So after a little bit I pull out onto the turn lane and stop. He gives me the stink eye, but doesn't pay attention to the road ahead. keeps driving at 45 into the school zone and turns around in enough time to slam the brakes in an attempt to stop from rearending the big rig in front of him. There was a cop right there too. I started cracking up when the guy got out and started yelling at the truck driver and the cops... (I probably shouldn't have laughed)

So after the appointment my father calls because his car's (another red 1990 mustang LX, like mine, but with a black interior, black bullets, and a 400 hp 5.0 [apparenly 1 out of 14 red 1990 LX 5.0s made ]) battery died. I head over to where he is and my brother is their with his car; except my brother's car isn't technically legal since the exhaust hasn't been put together yet (taking it to the shop tomorow). Well the 3 of us make in home in our respective mustangs then we get to testing the battery with me watching our charger, father looking under the hood, and the bro in the driver seat. I ask my dad if this was a good idea since my brother hit the house. he looks at me funny and tells him to start it with the charger. He starts it and nearlly runs my father's foot over and into the house. I don't if my brother didn't know where/what nuetral was on manuals. So anyways I had to take to the zone for a new battery.

Then I had to pick up my sister who has a real attitude problem (like most people in these parts)

Sawyer, lol. He paid me 200 cash, which is more than I would pay for any engine, even with DCC sound. Besides if I wanted a loco I would have gotten F-units, SD40-2s, or another SW1000. I have 6 to 8 uboats (if you count C30-7s as a uboat it's 8). I put that money towards fixing my 90.

Ulrich, Sorry to hear about your friend. Best wishes to his family

Jeff, good someone said something or I would have wrecked more. After I saw that post I went into my room an pulled my old soundtraxx and any decoders that may be good out of them. Guess that explians why some NCE and digitrax decoders have been bad from the package (plastic bag)

Nerm, Wikki says this "GE is currently performing electrical work and changing out the original 7HDL engines with a new 6,000 hp (4,500 kW) GEVO-16 engines on several CSXT..." but it says it for units 606, 620, 628 and 640. Maybe those units you are or undergoing similar work. Still a bit odd for equipment that isn't even 20 to undergo overhauls like that

Wolfgang, never seen you in here before.Nice work on the guy with the flare

[teen steam fan]

the North East Rail Modeler

 

Oh, yeah.   Can anyone tell me if there has been some sort of re-call or something on the CSX 600 seres of the AC-6000 CWs, or is it about time for them to get some kind of a major overhaul?

THe reason why I'm asking is because of these two photos:

http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=339665&nseq=1

http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=339768&nseq=0

I saw these same locomotives a few weeks ago on a trip down to St.Augustine, and all of them had the exaust stacks/ turbochargers removed, and it has been on my mind ever since. This was about  3-4 weeks ago, and they look very much the same in these photos, as they did the day I saw them.

If I didn't know any better, I'd say cannibalism for parts, odd because those diesels are new. Just doesn't make any sense to me. 

[the North East Rail Modeler]

galaxy

Since you have top honors, I'll have the blue plate special..apple pie ala mode for dessert ...and, uh, oh what the heck, a glass of wine from Ray's wine list...

O.K, you can have the blue plate special, and the apple pie. But no alcohol, unless it's from a domestic supplier. If you want imported stuff, you got to pay that tab on your own.

Also,  does anyone know how come I forget so much stuff? (I had somethin really important to say, but I can't remember it now...)

Oh, yeah.   Can anyone tell me if there has been some sort of re-call or something on the CSX 600 seres of the AC-6000 CWs, or is it about time for them to get some kind of a major overhaul?

THe reason why I'm asking is because of these two photos:

http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=339665&nseq=1

http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=339768&nseq=0

I saw these same locomotives a few weeks ago on a trip down to St.Augustine, and all of them had the exaust stacks/ turbochargers removed, and it has been on my mind ever since. This was about  3-4 weeks ago, and they look very much the same in these photos, as they did the day I saw them.

An extra cheeseburger and 5 gallons of sweet tea to anyone who can tell me what is going on with these units, if anyne knows.

[teen steam fan]

Hey guys, just me. My dad had his compressor go south on him. Spent all day today finding a new one. Some people at home improvement stores are really something else. We just finished installing it. 

I'll tell you folks what, sure is a nice spot for the diner here. Right by a platform so we won't track up the floors so bad in the rain. 

Oh, and whoever needed some HO rolling stock, I've got some I wouldn't mind getting rid of. Just taking up space I would rather occupy with British style stock. 

[galaxy]

the North East Rail Modeler

EDIT: I'm on the top of the new page. My first time with this (I always miss it by 1 post)

What happens now?

 

All it means is that you pick up the "tab" of "waitress checks" for the "meals" the diners on that page "eat" and "pay" for them. That is what "Top Honors" is about. It's the honor to pay a round for all who follow on that page. I have had to "warm up the Credit Card" a few times...even in a series of top  pages in a row!!

Since you have top honors, I'll have the blue plate special..apple pie ala mode for dessert ...and, uh, oh what the heck, a glass of wine from Ray's wine list...

{TGoodness theres no calories or alcohol involved so I can drive home "fat and happy"!}

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Packer: If you have electronic stuff in Ziploc bags get them out! The plastic of the bags develops static electricity and can ruin ruin electronic parts. If you need to store them in bags go to a computer store and get some special anti-static bags. That's the kind that computer parts such as hard drives, circuit boards and memory sticks are in.

[the North East Rail Modeler]

ns3010

NERM- (the other day, I was going to call you that, but i hesitated, but I now see that you're cool with that) When you get Top Of Page (TOP) Honors, you have to pay the bill for that entire page.
But since it's your first time, it's on me today.

I see now. Thanks.

[Packers#1]

Ulrich, sorry to hear about your friend. I do hope to build the next layout after rugby season. Until then it will be stockpiling track etc and also building up both my locomotive and freight fleets.

Vicnent, i would have milked that situation for a locomotive or something; if he wants the front clip he has to get you a BN U-boat or something hehehe

Well, I'm reffing soccer tonight, should be fun. We're getting paid $2 per game than last year, not that I'm complaining or anything haha

[ns3010]

Afternoon all. I'll take a bacon cheeseburger and some hot chocolate, thanks! It's absolutely disgusting out!

Ulrich- sorry to hear about your friend. He and is family are on the prayer list

NERM- (the other day, I was going to call you that, but i hesitated, but I now see that you're cool with that) When you get Top Of Page (TOP) Honors, you have to pay the bill for that entire page.
But since it's your first time, it's on me today.

Wolfgang- sure, I'm down with some lamb tonight! Thanks for bringing it in!

Well, I guess I better get going on homew**k...

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Sorry to hear about your friend Ulrich.

[wedudler]

Well, following the idea from BATMAN I offer Roast Lamb for dinner tonight!

Wolfgang

 

[cudaken]

 Flow, just a Diet Dew please.

 Galaxy I have a set of the Dr Scholes shoe inserts (not the fitted kind) the one they advise as Jelling. They helped me a lot with the foot pain I was having while working for VW.

 As far as saving change, would you believe at one point I had saved $9,500.00 in quarters? Back when I was making a good income I would ask for all my change back in quarters.  When I went to the bank to make the company deposit I would get a roll or two. Sure added up. Plus, my wife can smell money if I have any. But, she would not take the change! Stored it in the drawers of my Snap On Box here at the house. Plus if there was a fire, they would not burn.

 RTM I tried the 2 x 4 trick before and I still could not cut a straight line? I think the 2 X 4 was waive The Luna did fit, I just did a quick measurement with a yard stick.  

 Ulrich First I am sorry to hear about your friend.

 Did I miss read your last post about planing a layout? If so I am sorry I miss spoke.

 Do you have any room for a small layout? Reason I ask, if you don't mind American Engines and rolling stock my self and I am pretty sure some folks here at the dinner could spare a few item's

  Ken

.

[the North East Rail Modeler]

Sir Madog

Edit: I just received a call that one of my friends and member of my old round robin group of narrow gauge model railroaders died unexpectedly yesterday, aged only 59. Wolfgang Schmitz was not only an expert modeler, but a dear friend - please include him and his family in your prayers! I will miss him!

I'm sorry to hear that. I'll keep him and his family in my prayers.

[the North East Rail Modeler]

AmanaMedic

I heard somebody say he was looking at GP-15 pics, wanting to scratch build one. Well, maybe this will help, maybe it won't. With so many various variations in how EMD built the durn things...

Two sides, one shot...how 'bout THAT???

 

Thanks Chris.  O.K., now, that just leaves a roof-top view, but I think I got enough refrence to keep me buisy detailing the sides and ends before I need to worry about that. If all else fails, I'll just go by the drawings, and do a mix-match of details for up there (and claim my railroad added some more items)

Doubble Edit: I just found a roof-top  photo of a GP 15-1 that should work. http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=268570&nseq=101

Now, I just need some sheet metal, and I'll be in buisness.

EDIT: I'm on the top of the new page. My first time with this (I always miss it by 1 post)

What happens now?

 

[the North East Rail Modeler]

Packer

NERM (you okay with that or do you have something shorter we can go by?), I highly doubt it since all my locos and stuff is in my room. I even went as far as to keep them in ziploc bags. Although something may be up since I get a bunch of decoders just dropping dead for no reason. So I've got 5 decoders (3x DA-SR, a DH123, and a DH120) that went poof for no reason. may be a static electricty thing.

Hmm, mabe, with the static electricity. I say if you have any other electronics in plastic zip-lock bags, get them out, and leave them out. If humidity may be a problem, get a De-humidifier, and that should take care of that problem.

When it comes to electronics, I can tell you (sort of) how it works, but I'm garunteed to shoot someone through a wall if I tried to show them how to do something. [That's all I have to say about that.....]

     As for my name, Well, I'm O.K. with NERM, Or y'all can just call me Railfan 233 (my forum handle on several other forums that I frequent) I'm O.K. with eather one.

[galaxy]

Sir Madog

Edit: I just received a call that one of my friends and member of my old round robin group of narrow gauge model railroaders died unexpectedly yesterday, aged only 59. Wolfgang Schmitz was not only an expert modeler, but a dear friend - please include him and his family in your prayers! I will miss him!

Done. WIll be added to the prayer list when the  prayer candle is lit tonght May he rest in peace in the arms of an .

[Anonymous]

Just a short stop-over before I call it a day.

Janie, how about a   for a night cap, and would you please bring the guys and gals whatever they would like to have. No, it is not a special occasion, just a little thank you for bearing with me.

Ken - making plans can be fun, if you ever have a chance to get started on something. That plan is out of question, unless I rob a bank. The kits for the buildings of Ospizio Bernina station run up to about $1,500 and one EMU is $ 450. The brass model of my favorite loco sell for a cheap $ 1,850 - European prices differ quite a lot ...

Ray - I wish I could see something coming up. If I could have a wish, it would be being an engineer on the Rhaetian Railway in Switzerland - that be just .

Well, out for the day - see you all tomorrow (or tonight, if I cannot find any sleep again).

Edit: I just received a call that one of my friends and member of my old round robin group of narrow gauge model railroaders died unexpectedly yesterday, aged only 59. Wolfgang Schmitz was not only an expert modeler, but a dear friend - please include him and his family in your prayers! I will miss him!

[Flashwave]

Ray: In the essence of good cartoons, I enjoy the new Garfield show. Not quite as good as the old 2d flat drwings, but the 3d renderings still captures the characters nicely, and still makes the classic Garfield funny. Ignore the digital movies though, they aren't quite as good. As a kid at heart, I still enjoyed the Pokemon series. Havign been with it since the get-go, some of the life lessons of friends and pets etc get repeated, but it hasn't lost it's edge for being as long running as it is. Not bad, considering it;s there to sell cards and games. Along those same lines, Hasbro/Cartoon Network's last Transformers cartoon was pretty good too. A new art style, but they did very good with old references and new takes. The new one looks like it could be promising too. These are not tied into the Bay Movies, whicha re a whole nother topic for a whole different forum.

Ah, one more. Cartoon Network is running a sereis of Star Wars digital renderings called CLone Wars. The thing I like best is that it ditches the serious undertones from Eps 2 and 3 (where it falls chronologically and goes back in for some classic Star Wars fun. Characters get better developments, new sides, gaps get filled, there's some good humor, (such as force bowling with Destroyer droids) it doesn't involve dirty jokes, and we see some cool vehicles as well. C.N. (versus our CN) has done other decent cartoons that fall before and after the above that might be found enjoyable by kids. No, none of them have the deep hearted jokes that I still find funny 40-60yrs later (and wish I could ask Dad about their historical meanings) like Looney Tunes did, but there are some shining lights in the Cartoon world still, if you get tired of ghosts and riverplants.

 

[gear-jammer]

Good morning, Chloe.  It is probably lunch time for some of the patrons.  I will have coffee and a cinnamon roll, please.

der,  I have not made any flat Aggro trees yet, but I plan to make the structure, trim one side, and then apply the ground foam.  I plan to try some skinny ones because I am concerned about the butterfly bushes turning to dust over time.  Hopefully, there is enough preservative and hairspray to keep that from happening, but........

Garry,  It takes a lot of time and money to convert to DCC.  We only had a few that needed changing, but that was expensive enough.  Some of MDC were wired backwards and blewout the decoder. Back to the LHS for another decoder. 

 Our changing the layout to allow more operations, which includes a staging yard that is 10' x 2',  has been a slow process.  We are going to include the Walthers 130' TT when they are back in stock.  We figure that the turnouts that we can skip will save enough to pay for the TT. We won't be handling the locos as often which should protect the fragile parts.

Robby P,  Since you are one of the best resident weatherers, what method do you use to oxidize boxcars.  I have a turquoise GN boxcar  that needs the color muted.

Sue 

[GMTRacing]

Good Afternoon All,

    Raining and in the 60's today but otherwise ok. Got a lot done over the weekend, a couple of gov't jobs at the shop and best of all the last of the pallets in the basement emptied. It was just this time last year that we sent off the storage container and moved the contents of the house into the basement on said pallets. With everything pretty much stowed away a tidy up is in order in the basement, then construction of a hobby bench which will in turn allow construction of a room for the layout. Progress - gotta love it. Still lots of trims and painting/repainting to do plus the outside stuff, but I am nearly to where I can in good conscience start back up with trains. Yeah!

   Ken when you need to shorten these pieces of Luna 1/8" or so what are you using for a saw? If it's anything normal you can clamp a length of 2 x 4 or 1 x ? to it for use as a guide on long straight cuts. Makes life easier. When I do that with my circular saw or sawsall it works a treat (now that you are nearly done I tell you this, right?).

   I'll have a toasted cheese and tomato sandwich to go please and a large coffee. Catch Y'all later. J.R.

[galaxy]

HI guys

well got a lot accomplished this am:

went to bank cashed in coinage for dollar bills

went to lowes and got the bulb for the BA overhead fan  AND got the drainage gravel for the driveway "ponding spots" tire ruts so we hopefully won't get the tires frozen in there when the water starts to freeze/melt/refreeeze. It's   so we will do rocks later when not .

Other half did not get to talk to all he wanted to at work...wanted to see 3 people about extra hours,but only could saw one.

Other half got new shoes, too and Dr Scholes Schoals {SP?} insoles- the special ones they have been advertising on TV where you step on a pattern maker and they tell you which ones you need based on foot impressions.

Now I think it time for nap  as I have a headache probably from the . I'm kinda on my feet so to speak. Needed the cane today it came in real handy.

Hope you all are well and enjoying your day!

TTYALLL8R

[cudaken]

 High Folks

 Flo, Cheese Burger with everything to go, and a Diet Dew.

 Boy the dinner got busy after I left last night, make me wonder if it was Me?

 Ulrich Good to see you are thinking about a new layout, some times the planing is the most fun. I enjoyed the video as well.

 Floor went smoothly this mourning, only 70 more inches to go!

 Got to run, need to take Sue to get some meds.

                   Ken

[howmus]

Mornin'..... er.... ah.........  Afternoon everyone!

Zoe I'll have  late breakfast.  How about the #2 special with eggs over easy, bacon, home fires, and a double order of sourdough toast.  And a bucket of dark roast coffee in a R&GV RR Museum mug.

Ill go and sit in the front booth and watch the repairs being made on old LV #211....

Yesterday turned out to be a beautiful Fall day around here and so today it is drizzling a cold icky rain. Currently 47°F and wet.  Too warm to light the wood stove, and too cold to not have the gas heater going.  If you don't like the weather here in Upstate NY, just wait a minute.....  It will change.

Went to the bank and then over to the post office and picked up a package from Fast Tracks.  They mailed it on Sept. 30 from Ontario, CA and It arrived at my house Oct. 2.  Too bad I was w*rking at church and couldn't sign for the package.  Anyway everything I ordered is in the box, so I might be able to find a few minutes to continue assembling the module for the Civil Merit Award.

Ulrich, sorry to hear you didn't get the job in "the very far outback of Africa", but I know you will soon get some good news from someplace else......  I can just feel it in my bones.  You certainly have our prayers!

Hope all of you are doing well and have a fine day!

Later!

73

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good to see you here David. Long time no see.

[Train Master]

Morning all. I haven't been here in a long time so it was a bit of a surprise to see things have changed some, and not for the better IMO. We are still trying to get the water wrung out of everything here from all the rain.

[Packer]

Morning guys

NERM, Here's a link with a bunch of BN (ex-SLSF) GP15-1s. Personally I'm waiting for the Athearn Genesis version

Chris, I was aware of all of that, but I went ahead and bought one anyways. The floor and center partion were warped pretty badly, but once I got them to fit together (after some cleaning up of the parts) they straightened out really nicely. It's odd no one else makes the earlier 60' centerbeam, and the only forseeable option is to hack up a Walthers once to get it to 60' feet. Guess I should go bug accurail to bring it back.

[Anonymous]

Good Afternoon,

Zoe, just a cafe au lait and a croissant for me, thank you.

Well, I pulled my act together and started working on a new track plan. I had a conversation with Garry about traveling in Europe, where he expressed a strong liking of taking trains in the Swiss mountains, so I took this as a reason to develop an idea based on the famous Bernina-Express of the Rhaetian Railway. This is a narrow gauge mountain line, with gradients up to 7 % , sharp curves - basically all goodies of a toy train layout! The track plan will focus on the Ospizio Bernina station. All the buildings are available as craftsman kits, just don´t ask for the price of them! Bemo in Germany has all necessary locos, EMU`s and cars and Sommerfeldt provides the correct catenary system. Would be a nice project!

To give you an idea of what I am talking about, here is a nice video

Todd - I really like those old cartoons! Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Coyote Sam - I still like to watch them. Unfortunately, there is way too much of that new (expletive, deleted) stuff on TV nowadays and too little of the good stuff - . Well, they don´t make ´ em like they used to!

Have fun!

Edit: I just received a message from Tanzania - well, to sum it up, we won´t be going there. I don´t know whether to be happy or unhappy about this, but still it is sad to be turned down once again

[jeffrey-wimberly]

der5997

 

Jeff: A spider in the shower the other morning made me wonder - how is your resident wolf taking to the disturbances in it's hunting grounds?

The wolf spider is long gone. It passed on a couple of months back.

[TMarsh]

Good Morning!

Bowl of grits and some real Maple syrup please. Yup coffee too thanks.

Cold out this morn. 34 degrees with a high of only 64.

Bookwork for the Church first and then out to Mom’s house for another day of fun filled remodeling. The only “modeling” I’ve been able to do for way too long now.

Garry- "The Reeds" was the Sci Fi movie. Started to watch it and lost interest real early. Changed to Animal Planet and watch Haunted. Or something like that. Half hour shows about real haunting’s (if you believe in them or real imaginations if you don't. Me, I'm on the fence.) On Animal Planet you ask? Yep, in every episode the family had a pet. Animal Planet qualified.

Der- I’m in the same printer boat as you, Jeff and… someone else I think. I was disappointed when I tried to print a decal for the small badge for the front of my S2. I figured a photo print would do it. In the words of Waylon Jennings…. WROOOONG! I splurged this last time on the printer and got a Brother combo unit that also bragged on photo resolution. Not good enough I guess.

Chris- Might as well start the floors. We need a “Floor Wars North”. Also could use a “Floor Wars South” and “…West” while we’re at it.

Ray- I used to like those Funniest video shows and still watch occasionally and few and far between. However, I soon got tired of pants falling down and the ever present and waaaay overplayed “got whacked in the ole not funnies”.

Ulrich- Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny and all, I say, I say ALL of the Looney Tune characters back in the day, were such great cartoons. They appealed to audiences of all ages. Action and slapstick for the young and young at heart, and a dialog that, in my opinion, was ingenious. It made sense to youngsters and then as you got older and became more and more aware of what was going on in the world as well as more versed in the arts, you saw a whole different side of the cartoon. Almost like watching a whole new episode. They just don’t make them like that anymore. Do NOT turn on the cartoons of today. Will make you shake your head and your eyes glaze over.

Longing for good cartoons I shall make my departure.

Y’all have a Great Day now ya hear?!!!

[galaxy]

Morning!

Cup of coffee please!

Off to Lowes to get some gravel and a new bulb for the fan fixture in the BA.

The other half wants to pop into work to talk to some people too.

Stop at the bank to turn in some rolled coins for cash as we need it.

And see what other trouble we can get into!

Have ag reat day!