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Elliot's Trackside Diner NOVEMBER 2010 Locked

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11/21/2010
Posted by wetidlerjr on Sunday, November 21, 2010 6:59 AM

 

Good Morning ! from Tipton IN.

Dinner

 

Bill Tidler Jr.

Near a cornfield in Indiana...

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Posted by Cox 47 on Sunday, November 21, 2010 8:36 AM

Good Morning All..Its cloudy and in the mid 30s here...I'll have coffee and toast please...Thank you...Thanks for all the birthday wishes yesterday!..Gary I got a good laugh out of your joke too..told that to Sallie and she laughed too..When I was a kid I always asked for Chili and hot dogs for my birthday and thats what I had last nite for supper so doesn't get any better than that!..

Sallie is getting ready to go to dailisis..has to go in today so she can be off thanksgiving..gonna be a long day..planning on weathering transfer caboose..

Thanks to all for photos you have been posting they are all good...

You all have a good one...Jerry

ILLinois and Southern...Serving the Coal belt of southern Illinois with a Smile...
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Posted by howmus on Sunday, November 21, 2010 8:59 AM

Mornin' everyone!......  Mornin' Bill!  Mornin' Jerry!  Where is everyone???

Hello Zoe, just a quick cup of dark Roast coffee to go.  Have to get to church!  Granddaughter #1 is singing with the Nursery School choir this morning.  Can't miss THAT!!!

Later!

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

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Posted by TMarsh on Sunday, November 21, 2010 9:35 AM

Good Morning! Coffee and toaster waffles with butter and Apple jelly please. Don’t look at me that way. You should try it. Add peanut butter and it’s even better.

Was that Ray running out of here? Liked to knocked me over he was in a hurry. What did he say? Nothing? Hm. Wonder why he stopped inTongue Tied. Oh well he’ll be back I’m sure.

Hope to do some drywall today, set the door, then go see Mom. Oh, she gets out of the Stalag on Wednesday, so that’ll start to occupy much of my time running in town to take care of her. At least the house is almost done except for the doorway, a few odds and ends and the cleanup.

Jerry- Happy late Birthday!!! Can’t beat a bowl of good chili and a hotdog. I Have to agree with you there.Dinner You a dunker, a spooner of the chili on top, or do you doctor up the hotdog by itself. Me, I'm a dunker.

Ken- Oh Ken, I’m liking the way this plan is going. Ohhhhh yes I am! Now I’m not keen on such big yards, to me that is HUGE! But that is personal preference. Like steam or diesel, loop or point to point, Freelance or prototype. You know, just what you like. I like the center section you have going also. Nice compliment to the large yard and gives a feeling of distant and separate town. Is the upper right your mountain covering the loop that I assume is to get you to your upper height? I also want to chime in with others on the duck under. I myself am not following it to the letter, but I am doing my best to avoid duck unders and popups. Popups especially. I may have to strain or get a boost to reach the back to work on scenery, but I can reach the track for those derailing/stalling problems that happen only in the I can’t quite reach it areas. As for duck unders, I will have to have one. To enter the layout you will have to duck under. I maaay be able to work out a lift out but for now it looks like a duckunder is required.

I had one spot on my original, no, second, redo of the layout, that I could not reach because of a wall on the four foot end and a partial wall (gone now) “T”-ing off that wall. It was just long enough I had about 12 square inches containing track I could not reach. Yup, just happened to be a curve and a turnout involved. The only place, and I repeat the ONLY place, I had problems with any repetitiveness......., was there.Sad

Ozarkbelt- Nice pictures! I especially like the bit of humor you threw in with Dart Vader working for the railroad. At least it has a retirement plan.

Galaxy- Yes I have noticed the dimensions of wood have changed. While working on Mom’s house I’ve noticed this quite a bit when matching things up. No, some ½ inch OSB or ply is not ½. There still is some out there though, you just have to be sure you get it and it doesn’t say in tiny print “actual dimensions…” Also found out in 1972, and still in Todd’s mind, a 2X10 was 2X9¼. Now, 2X9. Oh the list goes on. I hope they don’t start shortening the distance between the little marks on tape measures to squeeze more inches on a 30 foot tape. “NOW! More inches per foot.”

Best get going I’m late. I’m draggin butt I’d like to take a day and do nothing but piddle around here and do some things need done. Or work on the layout some. Oh well, soon. Reeeeal soon.

Hey, what’s this stuck to my back? A sign. “Walmart lover.” I wonder what that’s all about? Hmmmmm.

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

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. Laugh

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Sunday, November 21, 2010 9:46 AM

Good morning. It's 61 and mostly cloudy. The high will be 77 with clouds yielding to sun this afternoon.

I got some work done on the layout yesterday. Nothing major, just clearing away most of the clutter caused by the partial tear down and laying new track according to the new track plan. I had to stop when I became too exhausted to continue and had to rest. Before I could start again my schedule got changed. My sister called with plans of going out to dinner then seeing the new Harry Potter movie at the local theater. Dinner and a show! How could I resist. Today I intend to get back to the layout and get the rest of the clutter sorted but you know what they say about good intentions. That is, as long as my energy holds out. The longer I have to stand unsupported means less time that I can work. When I was younger I never thought I'd see the day when maintaining my balance would require massive concentration on that one act. Having part of the layout to lean against helps a lot and extends the time I can work. There's one chair in my trailer and small as it is it won't fit in the walkway of the layout area and there's no way to make the walkway wider even if I wanted to. Once the clutter is cleared I can place the structures where I want them and drill the holes for the wires for the lighting. Not all the structures will be lighted, just maybe 60% of them. I'm thinking about wiring them so I can turn some on and off for a different look. At least I can sit under the layout for most of the wiring. I can work a lot longer that way.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
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Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
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beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


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Posted by bjdukert on Sunday, November 21, 2010 11:11 AM

Ken   When I had a duckunder this is what I was using.  Sit down,bend a little,give a push,sit up,and stand up,no more getting on the hands and knees.

Had to do it this way because Photobucket wouldn’t put the whole link up for the pic to show.

http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b350/bjdukert/BENCHWORK/?action=view&current=HIGHVIEWBENCHWORKJAN06004.jpg

Best to all on sick call and those recovering AngelAngelAngel

Talk to you later

Duke

 

"Don't take a wooden nickel,because it isn't worth a dime" by my Dad

"There are only 3 things you need out of life:A gentle grade,the wind in your face,and cinders in your hair.....But keep an eye on the water glass!" Jack Evans

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Sunday, November 21, 2010 12:20 PM

Duke said: "Talk to you later." ... I hope it's soon! ....  Feel free to bring some scrumptious goodies from MI to the diner, Duke. Now that winter is approaching, Duke, will you have time for layout work? Time to fire up your Berkshire!

Jerry ... Glad you like the joke, Have a good one today.

 My scenery is progressing, and the new industril sized bakery is looking better with the scene.

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by howmus on Sunday, November 21, 2010 2:23 PM

Afternoon folks!

Just poping in for a Hot Cocoa, Zoe.  A bit chilly out there today.

Duke!  You are awake!  Something wrong?

Saw Todd leaving just as I was walking in....  He had on one of my favorite Tee Shirts:  "Mall Wart your choice for cheap plastic crap!"

Garry, looks like it is just you and I and Duke here this afternoon.  Probably something of interest on the "Idiot Box" or something?

Got to church and imediately found my son and #1 Granddaughter checking out tables loaded with baskets...  Seems it was the annual SERRV Shop Basket Sale day.  We host one of the Largest SERRV shops at our church and they do a brisk business this time of year.  Many years I do my entire Christmas Shopping there.  I can get exquisite gifts and support artisans around the world by buying fair traded goods!  I gave Livy a big hug and asked her if she was ready to sing for Grandpa?  She says, "Nope!"  Turns out she was not singing today, but rather in two weeks (when I will be at the RIT Show....Grumpy)

I will be heading over to my son's house later.  He has some small logs he wants sawed up for the wood stove.  Not only THAT, but he is cooking some steaks for supper!  I just cut some Broccoli shoots in the garden to take over.  I still have one developing Cauliflower out there. 

Later!

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

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Posted by cudaken on Sunday, November 21, 2010 4:41 PM

Evening Folks.

 Flow, just a Beer please.

 Messed with the computer some today and I must say I am hating the darn thing! But, it was free and it works. I need to get my sorry butt messing with the old one and see if I can get it running again.

 Track Plan Started a new one today but not worth posting at this point.

 Ulrich Yes I am fine with the 4 lines running side by side some.  Looking forward to any plans you feel like posting. All so remember, at the top, that is the garage door so we can go wider there if needed.

 Todd Glad to see you chime in as well. On the yard being big. Does not have to be that sizes, more to see if I could draw a decent looking one. On the mountain, first thing you have to remember is the out side two lines are 4 inch higher then next lower or as I call them The Branch Lines. Where they start going up, the outside track has a 248 inch run and will go up another 4 inches, that is a 1.6 grade. After the clear the first set of bridges they will start down a going down around a 1.5 grade to the original 4 inch height.

 Duke Thanks for posting your pictures, you wood working was a inspiration!But it did rise a question? I think the style you are using is called a L grid or L gridded. What is the advantage? Is it so it is easier to install risers for grades?

 Talk at you all Monday.   

I hate Rust

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Posted by galaxy on Sunday, November 21, 2010 5:18 PM

evening guys,

welp, I ran some errands, ran the diswasher and did some laundry. ANd took a nap. I am pooped. Back hurts. what else is new?

It was amazing yesterday that there were so many "Id-jets" on the road going to Scranton. {idiots with strong "JJJeh" sound in the middle.They are real serious than "id-e-yuts"  "idiots"}. Going had to be 90 in a 65 and cutting in and out of traffic like they were in the city driving and here we were on a country-fied sometimes desolate interstate. We don't cotton to  that around thesehere parts. Many were from {gulp} CANADA! GOing south for the winter of off to somewhere in a certain hurry cutting people off so close you could read the bumper stickers. And they weren't all young'uns either!  I'm surprised more cops weren't out on the hiway. Then on the way home we had to stop short as did the 4 cars/truck in front of us at a changing lite. ANd a young'un, who was paying any attention to the cars ahead of him that he was following to close to slammed on his break and bearly escaped rear-ending us! HAd it beeen wet, he would have!

Welp, MIL is doing better put on a blood thinner as her blood was too thick for her to function well. Is doing better, much better, but is nowhere near out of the woods.....she declines every week as time marches onward. Thanks for all thoughts and prayers for her!  She wanted Fillet Mignon....the GOOD stuff...and wanted us to have some too so the other Half {OH} is bringing home Good stuff Filet mignon form teh grocery store freshly cut just for us by the favored butcher. I, of course have to cook it-broil it med-well for me, emphasis on well, and med-well for OH, emphasis on med. to go with it we have asparagus tips, and flavored rice and flavored noodles. OH loves noodles. I get teh rice.

Well All I can prepare is the asparagus in the pan as the steaks aren't here yet! The noodles and rice are actually leftovers but taste better when they have had a chance to meld flavors.

WEll, will talk at you all tomorrow for anyone who takes the time to listen!

have a great night!

-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.

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Posted by ns3010 on Sunday, November 21, 2010 7:03 PM

Evening all.

Sorry I haven't been in lately. Been really busy.

Got a lot done on the layout. To make a long story short, I was forced to buy $100 in track. So, since I have it, I laid a lot of it last night. See my Construction Blog for photos. Enjoy!

Well, I don't want to miss much more of Elf (best movie ever!), so I gotta go. Bye!

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Sunday, November 21, 2010 7:06 PM

Got outside today and cut back a large winterberry bush by the driveway. At least it was something I could do sitting down.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
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Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
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Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


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Posted by Packers#1 on Sunday, November 21, 2010 7:06 PM

Jerry...HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY!

Well folks, nice to finally be stopping by. It was an EXCELLENT sports day for me!

  • JIMMIE JOHNSON IS THE 5-time champ!!!!!!!!
  • And green bay DOMINATED 31-3

also moved a lot of stuff around in my room, should be done soon.

Sawyer Berry

Clemson University c/o 2018

Building a protolanced industrial park layout

 

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Posted by JimRCGMO on Sunday, November 21, 2010 7:34 PM

Good Evening, Flo - I'll have a Santa Fe mug of hot cocoa, please 'n' thankyou!

Figured I'd stop by while I could today - started at 12:30 a.m. (through 6:30 a.m.) at the ER. Certain St. Louis hospital's psychiatrists should have their pay docked (the hospital couldn't reach him for about two hours - cell or home phone or pager - so we couldn't get the admit for the patient in our ER. Mutter, mutter...Bang Head) So I stayed up through early worship service, then went home and crashed for a few hours to add to the two and a half I'd had before I got called out. Ah, wonderful job - some days! But the extra pay for on-call helps get bills and student loan balances paid down sooner, so I can't complain tooooo much.

jeffrey-wimberly

 

 galaxy:

 

Yep, and by then Jeffrey will be at 30,000! Boy, some of us have way to much time on our hands, don't we?

 

Well, no job to go to and I don't get out much, so what else can I do?

 

Of course, that's when Jeff's cable company doesn't drop his Internet connection, right, Jeff? Smile, Wink & Grin

...and Congratulations, Galaxy on your first 2000 posts! Yeah

OzarkBelt - is that a 'house car' in your layout pic? Cool! - easier to move when you get tired of one place, I'd bet. Wink And don't know that I've seen you in the Diner last time I was by, so a belated Welcome and have a beverage of your choice on me. Just tell Flo or one of the other servers whatcha want. Thumbs Up

Ulrich, your benchw**k description sounds good to me. I think (except for the wall brackets - mine is free-standing design) my layout sections are something like what you described. Good to hear you're getting into the swing of your new job. Thumbs Up

Happy B-Day, Jerry - you "young'un," you! Was your birthday dinner done "Windy City" style like you like it? Dinner

Johnboy, looks like your winter has definitely arrived - WowSurprise -23 C?? Surprise Don't think I'd want to go outside until spring thaws arrived (if I had that option...)

Ken, I like your progress on the layout plan - that big yard works great for staging (besides looking sooo impressive when you get a passel of cars in it)!Bow

Todd, I'd be careful in the Diner, if Ray's around, ya don't want that kinda sign on your back - about like those 'kick me' ones we'd put on our buddies' backs when I was younger. Oops (And no, Iiiii did NOT put that sign on your back! Nosiree! (though if I'd have thought about it sooner....) Whistling

So, Ray - your son's making you w**k for your steak dinner? I thought you'd trained him better than that... Smile, Wink & Grin Hey, enjoy your dinner (after the log sawing - hey, ask Duke for some tips on the best way to do that...Clown

Robby, check your email...

Will try to catch up some more tomorrow once I'm off-call (and it's PAYDAY!! YIPPEE!! I feel like PC's pic of the zebra inched up the giraffe's neck, saying "I can almost see payday from here!" Wink

Was able to get 3/4 of the MR w**kbench (aka dining room table) cleared off. Of course, there is the big carton under the DR table which I will need to go through and sort/pitch/whatever later in this week... But now I have a place to set up my (early) birthday present that'll be arriving Tuesday (from my dear brudder Mike).

I'll kick back here in the window booth a bit until it's time to head for home (or - hopefully not - this #$% pager goes off..). Prayers for those needing healing, comfort and/or a good night's sleep.

 

Blessings,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

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Posted by GMTRacing on Sunday, November 21, 2010 9:07 PM

Good Evening All,

    Long day trying to get chores done. Ended up cutting corrugated roofing for the CFO's rain water collection project, emptying more of the shed into the basement (I had no idea how much model stuff we had let alone train stuff) and moving furniture projects to the shed. Now I'm suffering through the Giants game.

Jim - you asked about a pic of the swing gate closed. The only one i could find is really out of focus and the gate of course no longer exists. It was 2x4 framing with bracing and a turnbuckle to adjust for seasonal changes (in two years it wasn't needed).  The top plate was 3/4" plywood 2' x 2'. I measured and marked out a radius from the center line of the two door hinges I used and cut the gate free on the mark checking for clearance before adding 2" foam to the 3/4" plywood. The pic shows it better even if unfocused.

Hope the rest of you are doing all right.   CUL,J.R.

 

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Posted by der5997 on Sunday, November 21, 2010 9:34 PM

 

Hi gang! Too many pages to catch up. I had a whole bunch of replies building in WORD, but their "best before " date passed.Ick!  Looks like the food and drinks are on me - I'll have a glass of the Sober Island Winery Rhubarb and Elderberry 2008 please Chloe.

Happy (Belated) 63rd. Jerry Hope it was  all you expected!

 

Galaxy: My apologies for the crazy driving snowbirds - just anxious to flee the coming cold I suppose - still no excuse for bone-headed driving. You didn't happen to notice the Province of the cars in question? I have a private hunch that they were from a large Province tot  he north and east of Nova Scotia.Hmm  Your talk of the Christmas Tree layout made me get out my test track / Programing track that's more or less an oval on a bit of hardboard. (back of a chalk board IIRC)  I had to tweak the track a bit as I threw it together, which didn't matter too much for programming, but for continuous running there were serious glitches. These have been taken in hand yesterday and today - so I've now broken in two locos in DC mode ready for when I can get decoders for them (waiting for funds to do that...

 

Ken: On L Girder bench work. The layout building books I've read say that the vertical rib of the "L" stops the flat one on top from sagging....and yes, putting in risers is a sinch because there are all kinds of places on the vertical ribs to attach them.Thumbs Up

 

One of the two locos I was breaking ( an Atlas GP7) in will have the shell of this loco -..that's the one that the rear coupler broke off - and I couldn't get the sill unit replacement for the longest time. Well, in the mean time I put a different shell on the mechanism so I'd have the loco "in srevice"

.......so now I've got the sill unit, I've been busy painting the handrails, and today bit a long outstanding bullet and did some weathering (Thanks RobbyP for all the weathering tips). I tried first on some car shells, just fade to see how that went - and then some grime. General conclusion so far is that I need a better air brush to really get the effects like those stripes of spray from the wheels up the ends of cars. In a rush-to-publish here are the bodies....I've done the trucks for a couple (the other  two were just shells, ) and I did the loco as well, but that's still drying in the spray booth.  I'm going to see if I can get some of those rusty streaks on the cars, needs a pretty fine paint brush by the look of things.  Anyway, that, and life in general has kept me from saying much here for some days.

Time to get some ZzzZzzZzzZzz  Goodnight all, and God Bless. Prayers again for all in need of Healing, Comfort, Prosperity and Peace.Angel Johnboy, with all that cold, this one's for you!

 

"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.

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Posted by AmanaMedic on Sunday, November 21, 2010 9:46 PM

Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood Evening People, bucket of apple cider please...and thank-ya.

First, a belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY to JERRY, hope you had a good day sir, and many more to come.

'Twas yet another busy weekend in the eight ball house... I installed a replacement sconce light, replacing an antique THAT has out-lived its functionality. To do so involved cutting and chisel w**k so as to make a hole in the plaster/lathe big enough to fit the outlet box. New light looks good, functions well, Wife is happy.

Today was the feature on the Cowboy Church. Other than the Southern Gospel music and one or two guys wearing cowboy boots...I'm (still) a bit lost on what is/was so "Cowboy" about it. Seems a lot like another non-denominational church I covered a few months ago. The difference: the other church does rock music and people wear flip-flops... Gonna be tough to make something out of this one.

Tomorrow is "The Battle of Ireland Avenue" at the monthly school board meeting. I've got a school board president vs. a mayor/pastor. Should be an "interesting" meeting. I'm considering taking bets on which guy will cave.

CUDA KEN: Man....your trackplans are making me jealous. I would all but KILL for a yard like THAT. Maybe if I took over the entire upstairs.............nah, THAT would mean forcing the king size bed back downstairs....NOT happening! I might have missed what the "bad news" was...hope whatever it is/was is something you can get through quickly!

ULRICH: Welcome back to the world of the w**king! Very glad things are finally turning around for you!! Your latest trackplan has me...again...re-thinking my re-thinking on my re-thought trackplanning thinking!!!

JIM: Don't even get me started on docs who don't answer their pager/phone/cellphone...

 

I'll dip my toe into the Wally's World discussion. I obtained a number of items at Theisen's, a Farm and Fleet kinda chain. Tools for the light installation and tools for the Wife's refurbishment of the former bedroom into her new studio. The tools were all "made in China." A pack of razor blades, for a Chinese-made scraper...were "proudly made in the USA." People rag on Wally's World for "cheap crap made in China," but Target, Sears, Theisen's, Menard's, Lowe's, Home Despot, etc. aren't much different. The Wife gets much of our groceries from Wally...typically lower prices than Hy-Vee, much much much lower than Family Foods or Gary's (in Mt. Vernon). Thanks to the continued de-valuation of the dollar and the resulting inflation...we'll get what we can get the cheapest, wherever the cheapest may be. If THAT be Wally's World...so be it. If THAT be Family Foods, GREAT! For us...it's all about the bottom line: the most for the least.

Speaking of the Wife...Rerun and I have to change our ways...at least for about a week. The Wife is taking a week off starting Wednesday, which means she'll be home...all...day...long. This will require much adjustment to Rerun's schedule and our daily "bachelor's pad" lifestyle!!! We tend to "clean up our act" shortly before her return in the evening...Whistling Maintains harmony THAT way...

In other news, I was thwarted in attempting to "wow" her this evening. Last year, I dug out some O-27 track from my childhood and put a circle of it around the Christmas Tree along with the train set I got for Christmas when I was 2 or 3. She loved it. Said she'd always wanted a train around the tree. I said, "gee, only took her six years to tell me this!" Anyhow, THIS year, she wants it actually run. For the life of me, I can NOT find the insulating pins. Thwart No. 1. Thwart No. 2, I was going to use a longer table, run more track, rehabilitate a Plasticville House, do a little scenicing, etc. Uh uh...the longer table isn't wide enough. Thwart No. 3, IF I can find the correct insulating pins for 1971-1972 vintage tubular track...I'm wondering if the locomotive will even move, or if decades of damp basement storage hasn't rendered it's guts into rust.

*sigh*

 

I'm gonna have a seat at the RC, ponder these great questions, and see who-else makes it in this chilly pre-winter's eve...

Chris

 

The Cedar cRapids Industrial Branch: Proudly Shipping Yesterday's CrunchBerries Tomorrow!

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Posted by TMarsh on Sunday, November 21, 2010 9:46 PM

(flings door open) WHO wrote this on my T-shirt??!! And how did it happen and me not notice? I was asked to leave Walmart.

Robby- Start buying the potato chips. I think the Steelers will be in the Super Bowl against the Packers. Should prove to be interesting conversations between you and Sawyer. I’m getting a bag of chips, no, a bag of peanuts in the shell and a reserved seat in the booth to watch.

Ulrich- I use 1X4’s (United States size) for the bench work. Legs and all, with ¼”OSB for the surface with 2” foam board on top of that. Sturdy? Yes it is. Also relatively inexpensive and easy to build.

Ken- I want to make it perfectly clear. I was not criticizing the size of the yard. I don’t think you took it that way, but juuuust in case, I want you to know I was just commenting on my personal preference. See, switching is not my favorite aspect. At least yet. If someone has need or desire for a large yard, have at it. Myself, I like the looks of a large yard yes, but personally I’d rather use the space for something else. That’s me. Not necessarily you or anyone else. I have a yard planned, just not that big. Again, that's me.

Installing the back door was a b***h, oopsEmbarrassed sorry (it was THAT bad) I mean bear, like I’ve never experienced before. Mr Murphy was there and decided to help. A lot. Trying to rush so I could get into Springfield to See Mom definitely didn’t help. 3hours and it still isn't perfectly square. I decided close enough. They may not notice I hope.

I think I’ll retire to my bed chamber early.

By the way, I brought the circular saw home. One tool no longer required. YES!

PFTIN.

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. Laugh

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Shalimar. Florida
  • 2,622 posts
Posted by Packer on Sunday, November 21, 2010 10:28 PM

Hey guys.Been busy the last few days.

Saturday I went to Pensacola to root around in the junkyard. Didn't find a 5.0 powered explorer to pull heads off of. I found an explorer (GT40) upper and lower intake for sale on the web over there that someone had already removed for about the same price as they would have been from a junkyard. Picked up a few small bit and pieces (switches, bubls, and other  electrical stuff) while in the junkyards.

After work today, I got several of the little bits and pieces installed. Managed to get the power locks, dome light, trunk lights to work. Also got license plate light bulb covers on my car. The old ones were cracked. Also noticed It's still leaking coolant. Looks like the water pump gasket is shot. Not really looking foward to that. It's a slow leak though. I am thinking of replacing the stock engine with a modified one. My father suggested pulling a Lincoln mark 7 engine becasue they had better cams and would give me a 302 block to modify and build up until I replace the engine.

The only train related thing I did was buy some #72 drill bits for those SV handrails.

I got my schedule for next week and I work thanksgiving. Family said they'd hold the turkey until dinner. At least I get time and a half for those 7 hours. So that's $13.13 for those 7 hours, but $8.75 normally. There isn't a whole lot here, just service industries, aerospace, or military. Can't really join the military (although I want to).

Ken and Robby, check PMs

Robby, CSX doesn't seem to care about how there engines look or how there track is.

John, why you gotta patch a BN loco on me?

Galaxy. The only white christmas in florida is from the sand. Although it snowed for about an hour last year an hour away.

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.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Marion, Iowa
  • 1,263 posts
Posted by AmanaMedic on Sunday, November 21, 2010 10:56 PM

Well (shallow, rusty, non-potable), the Onion Pacific has seen fit to run the UP 1995 (CNW Heritage unit) on the East-West mainline tonight. It's on MPRCB, or Manifest, Proviso to Council Bluffs. The Northwestern called it PRCBA. It's holding at Brophy, just outside of Clinton. The bastages in Omaha ran her through a few nights ago on MCBPR...again well after dark.

She hasn't been out this way for many, many months. Nice to hear she's back on a regular basis...NOT NICE to hear she's back in the dead of night!!! Bang HeadSoapBox

Fortunately, I have seen her in full daylight. I managed to catch her on the first run July 16th, 2006. Rerun and I caught her on a crew change in Clinton, and chased her back to Clarence. I was dismayed at the azzzzzzzzclown behavior of many railfans, including the then-president of the CNW Hysterical Society. In particular, the rudeness in the photo line at Clinton, and the road rage/stupid driving on Hwy. 30.

For the first run, Uncle Pete saw fit to put "the dynamic duo" CNW 8701 and CNW 8646 with her, the last two Dash-9 locos left un-patched.

TODD: Yer using 1/4" on 1x4s??? Hmmmmmmmmmm. See, now I gotta re-think my re-thinking about re-thinking about THAT! I've been debating between 1/4" and 1/2" plywood. If the 1/4" is w**king for you...I may go back to THAT line of thinking.

Chris

The Cedar cRapids Industrial Branch: Proudly Shipping Yesterday's CrunchBerries Tomorrow!

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 22, 2010 1:26 AM

Good Morning

I am running late this morning, as I did not sleep well last night. Got up at 1 am and could not find my sleep again before 4 am. Now I overslept Sigh

Janie, just a strong coffee, please.

Ken - I have been toying with a few ideas so far, but nothing presentable yet, which will take a while for me to elaborate. My idea is to basically have a once around the room design with a big peninsula in the middle acting as a "scenery stage". A big yard and station on the left wall, and some industries "scattered" along the main on the other parts of the layout. The mine operation I want to put on hill in the peninsula, with a branch line connecting it to the Yard/station on the left wall. Again, I need some time to get my thinking right, before I can draw it.

Regarding my benchwork, I found out that using 1 by 4´s as the "spine" will make it too heavy to be manageable. I am planning to use 1/2 plywood instead.

CUL

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Euclid, Ohio
  • 2,822 posts
Posted by LSWrr on Monday, November 22, 2010 6:20 AM

Good Morning,

I made it to 8 home layouts that were on tour Saturday, I was just out of steam come Sunday to hit the 5 that were open in Cleveland, so I spent the day working in the train room and watching the Browns lose….  I have the turntable running smooth and most of the east end finished.  I plan on a movie and some pictures this Sunday for the group.

 

 Ken, nice track plans.  I only drew my mainlines on the computer then transferred the lines to the bench work, and then I started building my buildings to see 1:1 how they would look.  You have a more complex mainline than me, looks like it will be an interesting layout.  Check out my progress pictures for 2008, I made a drop leaf (like on the end of a bar) and so far it’s worked great.

OzarkBelt, welcome back!

 

Galaxy, congratulations on the 2,000!

 

Jerry, happy belated birthday!

 

Todd, I thought the oil in fried foods lubricated your arteries and made the blood flow faster and your heart work more efficiently; hum, maybe that’s my problem, LOL.

 

Vincent, a 302 is a 302 (5.0L) right? Did you look for an F-150 in the scrap yard?

BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret)
 L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Williamsville, ILL
  • 3,698 posts
Posted by TMarsh on Monday, November 22, 2010 6:45 AM

Good Morning! Biscuits and Gravy, (where I come from all biscuits and Gravy is sausage gravy. No need to specify) hash browns and three scrambled eggs. Put it all in a pile and put the gravy on top please. Coffee too thanks. Yes. Dark roast.

Today: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. Last day for good temps for a while it looks. Tomorrow, 47 then in the 30’s. God has seen to it that the temps stay up so I can mud the drywall in Mom’s garage today. Some things you just can’t call luck. It’s the end of NOVEMBER for crying out loud and it’s 70’s.

Chris- Weeeeell now I have 2”extruded foam board on top, I have a “joist” every 12” on center….ish, AND the back board of the benchwork is screwed to the studs of the wall and the corner legs are 2 pieces screwed together at a 90. Yes it is seems very sturdy. Basically the OSB is just keeping the frame square and sturdy laterally. The peninsula is made the same way except does not have the foam on the upper level. This due to height requirements and grade percentages and space restrictions that just wouldn’t cooperate with each other any other way. Though not as sturdy, due mainly to the fact it extends 5 feet out from the layout as opposed to 14 and 21, it is as sturdy as any other form of construction would be and is plenty strong.. At least for this purpose. Yes you can shake it. But if I lift and shove on any layouts bench work I bet I can move that too. I doubt if it would hold up the house should it fall in, but it will definitely hold up my little world just fine. Yes I have sat on it. Knelt actually. Never underestimate the strength of the mighty 1X4! (don’t overestimate it either)

Ulrich- Question Too heavy? 1"X4" ? Are you using pine? I would use them on the outer edges to add support to keep the plywood from twisting and sagging. However using ½”  ply and depending on how deep the layout is, I may forgo the “joists” so to speak. But I would definitely put a frame around it.

Well I’m gonna get a jump on things this morn. Last full day I have all week to work on Mom’s house. Once she is home I end up running around for her. Oh well, just about done anyway. I hope.

Does anyone else find the scrolling feature on the post box annoying. What I'm refering to is, I use the scroll button on my mouse. When I scroll down as I proof read and if I'm not veeerry careful and the thing reaches the bottom of the page, it resets and zips back to the top of the posting. Annoying.

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

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. Laugh

  • Member since
    March 2005
  • From: IN/USA
  • 2,495 posts
11/22/2010
Posted by wetidlerjr on Monday, November 22, 2010 7:32 AM

 

Good Morning ! from Tipton IN.

 

Dinner

Bill Tidler Jr.

Near a cornfield in Indiana...

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Shelby, NC
  • 2,545 posts
Posted by Robby P. on Monday, November 22, 2010 7:45 AM

  Good "warm" morning.  The high will be 67 degrees, bu the high Friday will be 35 degrees!!   What a drop off.

 The plan today......Work in the basement some, and clean the house also.   The MIL is coming in on Thanksgiving, and I have to have a clean house Whistling.

 Todd..........That would be nice to see them in the Super Bowl, but the AFC is very tough this year!!  Next week the Steelers have the Bills 2-7, so hopefully that's a win!!

 Vincent......I sent you a PM.

 "Rust, whats not to love?"      

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: New Milford, Ct
  • 3,232 posts
Posted by GMTRacing on Monday, November 22, 2010 8:22 AM

Good morning All,

     34F and cloudy this morning with rain later and most of the week. It's already startng this morning in the shop between customers showing up hours earlier than we'd agreed, etc. No issues there just tough to schedule what you're doing that way. At least we're back up to normal strength with the new guy back from W.Va. and the unit room staffed again though he's on light duty til his collarbone heals (darned dirt bike!).

   Chris - like Todd I use 1/4" underlayment but i used Luan cause it was cheaper (free in this case - left over from other projects). I glued the 2" foam to the luan.  I used shelf brackets screwed to the wall on 16" more or less centers for the upper level where it was no more than 12" deep (around 6" depth on the straight areas). Where I had a swing bridge for access I used 3/4" ply over 2 x 4 framing for rigidity. If I had it to do over (and someday I will) I'd try the OSB as it is usually more stable season to season.

   Galaxy - you must have been on 81 south, no?  For some reason people drive like loons on the streach from Bingo to Scranton and it's too twisty and hilly for that nonsense.

   Well the next set of diversions have cropped up and I need to get tuit.   CUL, J.R.

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Monday, November 22, 2010 8:41 AM

Good morning. It's 67 and cloudy. The high will be 78 and tyhere's a 50% chance of rain.

Well the job for this morning is laundry. However after that's done I'll be working on the layout some more and I might even make another attack on the closet and see what I can dig up as I go through the boxes of assorted model railroad stuff that are in there.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Finger Lakes
  • 10,198 posts
Posted by howmus on Monday, November 22, 2010 9:39 AM

Mornin' everyone!

Zoe I'll have a hot bowl of oatmeal with brown sugar and a double order of sour dough toast this morning along with my Dark Roast Coffee in a FGLK mug, please and thank you!

Dark, gloomy, and gray outside this morning.  I have to clean this pig pen I live in for the company (my sister from Indiana) on Wednesday.  No MRR today.........Grumpy

Best get at it as I see I only have 3 days to get it done....

Later!

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: East central Illinois
  • 2,576 posts
Posted by Cox 47 on Monday, November 22, 2010 9:57 AM

Good Morning All..Its cloudy and 62 here..got some rain with more on the way..just coffee please..Thank You..daughter-in-law went to hospital last nite but grand baby still isn't here..could be any time now..

John..wow looks like lots of modeling!..Looks great..

Jeff..nice weathering on "cookie box"..

I finaly finnished tranfer caboose..its kinda kit mangled freelance!!...most of the parts are B-man..cut down box car..frame from same with caboose steps added and hand rails from b-man engine..

I feel a nap coming on!...You all have a good one...Jerry

ILLinois and Southern...Serving the Coal belt of southern Illinois with a Smile...
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 22, 2010 10:02 AM

Good Afternoon,

the sun has set and I need something stronger than just a RBF to soothe my shattered nerves.

Thank you; Flo, for bringing me a Drinks!

This turns out to be a not so good day. To keep it short, the chance to get the necessary public funding for the TV station is close to zilch, as the budgets for this purpose have been reduced dramatically in the coming year. We need the public funding to finance most of the equipment purchases and operation costs - without these moneys, the project will most likely go down the drain, and with it, my job!

This puts me back where I am - too little to live, too much to die, as no other job is anywhere near in sight. Petra´s teaching job also ends end of this month and chances that she can continue are also pretty slim.

I will have again to shelf all my plans on getting into MRRing. Am I sad? That word does not describe the state I am in properly - I am shattered!

Definitely not a happy camper!

 

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