Elliot´s Trackside Diner DECEMBER 2010

[TMarsh]

Bama- Easiest way to get that bolt out by far and GAY-ROAN-TEED to not bust a knuckle or say one foul word is......get someone else to do it.

J.R. - I'm surprised you don't know what a cookie boxcar is. Well, I'm not goiing to tell you. It's best you learn how to research these things. If I told you you, I'm told, it wouldn't be fair to those who had to spend the time finding out themselves.

(walks out mumbling "I've Googled the durn thing for the last 20 minutes. I hope someone tells him. I sure as heck can't find it.") 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning. It's 66° and cloudy with fog. The high will be 75° and cloudy.

Only thing on my schedule today is layout work. I was going to do some yesterday but other things (as usual) got in the way. One thing I plan to do is to remove the shell from my F3 and prep it for a spraying of Clear Flat. That glossy shine has got to go. Had dinner at my nephews place last night along with several other guests and a good time was had by all. He found a great way to get some exercise without having to do any running or setting foot in a gym. He has an old three wheeler (200cc) he's rebuilding. Right now it has a problem with at least one of the piston rings and is getting some oil up into the cylinder so starting it is somewhat tricky and requires a lot of pulling on the recoil starter. It's also helping him to increase his vocabulary. Just yesterday while trying to get it started (he eventually did) he came up with at least three words I can't find in Webster's. We both put our minds to work on the problem (the engine, not word definition) and have deduced that the oil ring (bottommost piston ring) is either cracked or has totally broken up and is laying in pieces in the bottom of the crankcase. We'll find out soon enough. Getting it started isn't easy but once it's running it runs like a champ, though nobody wants to be behind it on the trails as it burns almost as much oil as it does gas and for the time being it does a great job of keeping the mosquitoes away. He plans on tearing the engine down sometime next week and we'll see what we shall see.

[wetidlerjr]

 

Good Morning ! from Tipton IN.

 

[SilverSpike]

cudaken

Jim is "Cajun Chef" Ryan's a member here on the site or a real Chef? I did a goggle search and found a food chef by that name. Is it the same person? 

 Ken

Yup, dat's me Ken! I wear many hats, lately it is the freelance writer hat, putting together some website design tutorials, in-between cooking pots of gumbo, selling spices, and reading a back log of MR and Trains mag issues.

Did you have a question for me, I heard maybe you needed help with 3rd PlanIt or something!

Hey folks, hope all is well with everyone.

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

Bon appetit!

=:~)

[BRAKIE]

Good Morning All!

Not much to report from the land of Buckeyes other then after the Holidays I will start building Slate Creek the old fashion way-plan as I build.      That method as never failed me yet..

Been busy thinking and rethinking about a era change.I dunno why but,the steam bug has bitten me quite hard and that hasn't happen in a long time..I can't seem to shake it off this time.

I shall have a cup and look over the forum.

Have a good'un!

[LSWrr]

Brakie, buy two Berkshires and call us in the morning…..

It should make you feel better

[howmus]

Afternoon folks!

Zoe just a hot cocoa for me right now...

Spent all morning at Church where a crew installed and checked the new recording mics....  Only problem is that we are picking up a local radio station on one of the mics!  It is very faint and we have to have the mic wide open on the board to hear it at all.  We will take a wait and see for the moment.  It may not be able tobe perceivable on the recordings.  If it isn't we won't do anything about it.  This may be a problem that will vary fro day to day as well.  Solution may be as simple as adding a short length of cord in line with that side, or at worst there is a RF squalch unit that can be installed in line.  Ah the fun of pro audio!

I see Ryan and a couple others have been in this morning!  Good to see you back in here!

I may actually get some time to work on trains today....  We will just have to see what the afternoon brings.

Later!

73

[Cox 47]

Howdy all...Its cloudy and in mid 30's here...I'll have cocoa and Christmas cookies please..Thank You..Havn't been in for awhile..not much going on the I&S right now..You all have a good one...Jerry

[GMTRacing]

Todd - so you won't tell or you didn't know either

 Larry - I find it's easier your way as well. Easiest to build the benchwork and basic top then fit track to that.  I'll try a combo this time of planning and winging it.       J.R.

[TMarsh]

Woah. Man. Why am I on the floor? Does anybody else smell burnt hair? Hm. Shocking.

Was Ryan here? I smell Gumbo. Wanted to say Hi.

 J.R.- It is against all I stand for to admit I don't know something.....So I won't.  

Brakie- I end up doing just what you're thinking about. I do have a plan, but it inevitabley gets altered as I go. I'm building mine in essentially two main phases. Approximately half now,(so to speak) and half when I finish....scratch that. When I get the urge. But after at least the benchwork and track gets laid. I've already tossed and altered the track plans for the second half and decided to come up with the dimensions I have to work with, my want to have's, and place it up for suggestions. It seems others are much better at it than I.

I too have the fondness for steam and also for the modern. Luckily I Freelance and have come up with a brilliant plan to get the two together. Just do it and make up some reason. Tourist trains are the ticket so far. Later, who knows what I'll come up with. As strange as it may sound for me, I at least want the reason to be somewhat plausible. Pay no attention to the age of the cars that are used. My world, and in it......I am king.

Say, where's Rob? I'm kinda curious if he is still gonna do the volcano or if he already has.   

[ns3010]

Afternoon all.

Today was the last day of classes before break. We have a prayer service, locker cleanout, and other pointless crap tomorrow and then we get out at 11:30. You have no clue how excited I am.

Please add one of my mom's former students, her family, and their neighbors to the prayer list. Their entire apartment building burned down over the weekend, and they have absolutely nothing. Absolutely terrible, especially around this time of year.

Well, I'll catch you guys later!

[fec153]

J.R.   and Todd.   Jeesh fellers, I thought you would know this. D. & R.G. had abunch of 40 ft. steel boxcars with the word Cookies  on it.  I guess Cape Jim hasn't seen the post as he models D&RG.

Hope all are well and have done most if not all the shop lifting needed.

Blessings and prayers for all of us.

Flip

.                                                       

[blownout cylinder]

HeeHeeHee...

Good Evening...

My ICD is doing quite well--as is the incision...

Now, I am doing the same thing as regards the steam/modern thingee...well, as 'modern' as the 1980's can get. I have a couple of fellows, name of Fred 'Howdhedodat' Thompson and Earl 'Megh' Jones, who own the Williston and Exceda Hysterical Society's 'Train Museum & Side Show'. You see, there always is a way to have steam and modern at the same time...

Chloe, I'll have a coffee and a slice of that Key Lime Pie please...I'll be at the RC for a bit

[GMTRacing]

Good Evening All,

   Off to the museum to play with trains.

  Flip - thanks for the reply. I cna go look, butTHAT doesn't ring a bell with me as far as what I might have. I will copy the list and keep a look out at the Big E next month asit's the biggest train show I attend. I'll be there at the Danbury Railway Museum booth(s) again if any of the rest of you are going (hopefully Galaxy will make it by).

  Long day here again, but we''re making some progress.   CUL, J.R.

[cudaken]

 Evening Folks

 Flo, I will take a and a Big Boy Sub.

 Work Front Took the written test today and got a 100%. What amazed me is how many of the collage educated people that failed. One girl thought Mother's Day was a true holiday?

 Ryan At this point I don't really have a question. Main reason is I have not really tried to learn it. I have the plan that Chris drew up that I hope to build. Plus I only have the free version so I cannot save anything that I might come up with. While I while I find it a great entertainment to run a train on the layout, I do not foresee being able to afford the full blown version at $125.00.

 I all so wonder if my computer can handle a fully sickened layout. I have added around 300 trees (I don't shut down the computer so I can save the plan) and a plain white ground with no buildings. I am using 820 gigs of ram. When I added a few 3D buildings I jumped up to 112 gigs and the train was very jerky. My computer only has 125 gigs.

 I guess at this point my only real question is if I can get the full blown version, how much ram do I need?

 A link to your site would be nice as well.

 See you all Wednesday.

          Ken

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Hey! Someone must have left the side door open again this morning. Look who slipped in! Cajun Chef Ryan ! ... Holy Cow! Good to see you Ryan.

Barry ... I'm glad the device is fine as well as the incision. Now, you're wired for sound! ... The technology on those things has advanced significantly, I know.

Flip ... I remember cookie box cars.

Regarding steam vs. diesel, I think the transition era (late 1940's through early 1950's)  is popular in this hobby because you can do both.

Not much done on the layout. We'll be shoving off Thursady to OH and MI for Christmas time.  I'm working on a scrap yard for the layout, and most will be completed after we return.

Livin' ain't simple any more. They's too much non-MRR stuff going on!

 

[fec153]

J.R.- The numbers posted are what I have. Am looking for numbers I do NOT have. Oh, in H.O. of course.

Thanks for taking the time.

Prayers and Blessings to all.  And of course- MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!

Flip

 

[Packer]

Hey guys.

The tap extractor arrived today. When I finally saw it, I was skeptical that it would work. But lo and behold, that spindly little tool got it out. Best part is that the threads are still good despit my many attempt to drill and punch the old tap out.

Drove out to Navarre and picked up a BBK prochamber, with no catalytic converters for my car. Also was given a power mirror switch.

Robb, Good to hear. hope if shows up AFTER christmas. last year my parents wrapped up some stuff I bought or had repaired (TCS decoder) and called it a present.

Chris, yet another example of people on the phones when they should be driving? We have a bunch of idiot drivers, but then toss in a bunch of pig-headed (rude is an understatement) drivers. I saw one driver deliberately speed up to prevent another person from changing lanes. That driver retaliated back by nearly running them off the road (weird seing a small nissan run a big chevy truck off the road )

Sawyer, I saw the game too. Flynn did pretty good (heck, he upstaged brady) until the last minute or so.

[BamaCSX83]

Good evening y'all.  I've been a busy boy today.  Started at 5:30 this morning and still going now, although bed is starting to seriously call my name. 

Got the Honda running again, just repaired the damage to the sensor's wiring.  I did, however; fail at getting both bolts out of  the thermostat housing on a Chevy Venture Van (exhaust crossover pipe and throttle bod are slightly in the way.  Will complete the tackling of it in the morning.  Going to be an even longer day tomorrow as I have to w*rk from 1:30 till 9:30 tomorrow night, so yeah, I'm going to be tired.  Oh well, its part of it.  Thanks for the suggestions on getting the bolt loose.  Welp, gonna have RBF, check things out then go study my eyelids.

Later taters!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Intended to work on the layout today but as usual other things interfered. Maybe tomorrow.

[der5997]

Good evening Diners: A hot chocolate please and some cookies by D&RG special delivery!

 

Ulrich:

As I am probably the one among us to be the closest to the North Pole,

....dunno, but I think Johnboy would run you a very close second, if you are correct.

The Bama Shoe Co

Bata Shoes were a well known chain in Canada.  Czech in origin, now based in Bermuda and headquartered in Lausanne! Bama looks like it does specialty footwear, Bata is general. (Thinks, thanks to Wikipedia!)  Good luck with the TV project deadlines, and I hope the information comes in to you in time. 

That´s one of my issues - I put looks before operation

...Kris would say "How like a man!" (ran that past her, BTW, and she said "That's very funny", and really meant it!)  That D&RGW C-18 is perhaps the best looking yet - or is it because it's just like the one in a video I have?

 

Barry: That's quite the year - and on the Corner Office  Oooooh!  BTW, there's another Barry on London who is a friend of mine. You may have heard him on Inspire 105.9 FM (3-6 Wed/Thurs/Fri, and Sat mornings) Barry Kentner  was the chap who inflicted "Phone -in " radio shows on an unsuspecting public 50 years ago this coming January!

 

Lee:

Der, those silos came out really good!

...thanks, I'm liking them a lot - and Kris even said they were good!  The mention of Testors yesterday got me to thinking about how to paint them. I don't really want to lose the metallic look by using just plain grey paint, so I'm leaning towards using Testors silver, which I have anyway, and getting a light grey to mix with it for the zinced metal effect. I don't like to air brush solvent based paints, because of the clean up, but I've lots of Varsol, and the spray booth will take the fumes OK. I'll Dullcoat everything first anway to give the paint some traction on the shiny aluminum, and to seal the plastic against solvent damage.  (Update for Dec 21^st. Spent a very frustrating couple of hours while shopping in New Glasgow / Stellarton today trying to find Testors model paints. No-one sells them there any more "We used to - try xyz" Five or six different stores , small to Big Box, nothing, nada.  So, since it's unlikely we'll be into Halifax before the New Year, and I'd like to get the silos finished, I'm going to see if a spray can of Barbecue Black can be found in the basement, and if Kris' spray can of white is compatible with it. If so, then, will the Testors silver I have mix with both?  If yes to all that, then maybe I can concoct enough to be able to airbrush the result onto the silos.  Well, OK, I'll have to test  a number of mixes to get the right "zinced metal" look I'm after - a slightly silvery dull light grey.

 

Ken: Tiffany, even if its getting a bit late. Never knew a dog to pass up stale cake!. Rosie reached that exalted age before permamently retiring this past July. She would have joined in the general celebrations! Reversing loop into one arm of a wye....I'm using one MRC stationary decoder to handle the polarity on my two reversing loops, which is fine unless trains are at the junction of both at the same time. THAT's a thing I can prevent easily enough. In your situation, if train lengths put you into a situation where a train is at both points at once, you may need two stationary decoders to sort out the polarity issues.

 

Ray:

BTW, Just bought a bumper sticker last week that says:  Hang Up and Drive!

Studies here show that driving while using a cell phone (illegal in Nova Scotia, and a bunch of other Provinces) is equivalent to driving with a shot or two of spirits.  Speaking of which, other studies have shown that the popular energy-drink-shot combo DOUBLES the alcoholic content and effect. Don't ask me how, but those are the results. Take care people, especially the younger set.

 

Chris:

ULRICH: Schnaps 'eh?? I get the red, squiggly line under it when I type it like THAT...seems schnapps is what the 'pooter likes???

....Mr. W. Gates has much for WHICH to answer! If you want red squigglies, try spelling in English, neighbour, harbour, etc.

 

Todd:

Ahem, It's Hand-i-cap.

...or of course, Andy Capp! http://comics.com/andy_capp/

 

Flip: ah, now we know what to Google (my nearest approach was a guy who was NOT going to use "Cookie Cutter" N Scale wheel sets!  I guess this http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/irc/irc46017.htm is what you were talking about!  Wouldn't Robbie like to rust up that puppy?

 

Time once more for bed, so I'll say Goodnight, and God Bless. Prayers for all in need of Healing, Comfort, Prosperity and Peace.

 

 

 

[howmus]

Evenin' folks!

Flo, just a cup of decaf, and I'll disapear into the back for a few minutes to sit by the stove and relax.

Got a bit done tonight for the layout.  Got the last needed wire soldered to the track.  It is just an on/off switch for the tack going into the engine house/workshop.  Glued the Quarry Stone Crusher building in place and started a kit for machinery for the workshop in the Engine House....

Question for you folks.  The tracks going into the Engine House at the moment are just glued onto the ties in the building.  Should I ballast the ties/track with some fine ballast/Stone Dust (ie; from the quarry) or put down a wood floor matching the rest of the floor over the ties showing a bit of the ties on the side?  Remember this would be back in 1925....

Der, Using a cell phone while driving (except the hands free) is illegal around here too.  THAT doesn't stop anyone!  Kinda reminds me of the line form Jeff Foxworthy, "What's tha Sayence o' drinkin' if ya ain't gonner drahve..."  Sort of what's the sence of yakking on the cell phone if ya ain't drivin'........  Every 3rd car has a driver talking on the darned things!

Ahhhh, hope everyone has a great evening!

73

[GMTRacing]

Good Evening All,

   Tonight we had the case of the moving station at the museum. As I've rew..ked the track on the iNfuriating gage display, we had to dig it all up by the station. Now on the display as in real life, the station is on the outside of a loop track (double loop track actually) and has a long platform outside the doors also curved to follow the tracks. Once all was uprooted and replaced and fixed with latex caulk funny things started to happen. The platform is slowly migrating closer to the track so locomotives and cars can foul it. I've cut the platform back twice now but it seems as if the station has a mind of its'  own. I suppose the track may be relaxing and moving slightly, but it's hard to believe with the amount of caulk I used under the ties to fix it to the EPS board. Actually had to replace a burnt out B&A Lifelike Proto E-8 that fouled and spun in until it burnt up. We'll see how  I've fared in two weeks time as we're taking next week off. 

Der - could you try a test patch of silver or gray with some white talc sprinkled on over? I did that a while ago on some aircraft models and thought it worked out ok for a weathered look. 

   Gotta go - the back of my eyelids beckon.    CUL, J.R.

[wetidlerjr]

 

Good Morning ! from Tipton IN.

 

[Anonymous]

Bill, you must be burning midnight oil

It is not even 8 am over here in snowy Germany. The weather guessers are predicting some more of it during the day - a White Christmas is safeguarded!

Flo, a strong coffee for me, and buttered toast with jam, please.

My old computer lets me choose the languages for the spelling check. I have set it to AE (American English), so I do get all those squiggly lines when I type favour, neighbour, harbour, enquiry. Looks like the only thing that parts the US from UK is the common language

I will be off to a meeting with the TV people to get the missing information. It is only a 25 mile drive, which will take me 90 minutes today As we are all set for the holidays, we will stay put for the rest of the week - all shopping done, all goodies for Christian stacked up in the fridge. Boy, will he gain weight in those days!

Chris - I also got the squiggly lines when I typed in Schnaps, but that´s the correct German spelling. Funny to see it spelled with a double "p".

John - the C-18 is also my favorite. The K-27 looks somewhat wrong - just like the prototype. A too big an engine resting on too small drivers. It was quite difficult to draw it - there is so much detail, which unfortunately is hardly visible.

Have a safe and rewarding day!

[blownout cylinder]

I like me my schnapps with the double 'p' thank you very much!

Good Morning --how be ye?

JohnDer: I have heard him on Inspire...as well, I believe I may have heard him on a few stations around here.....

It is going to be ccold and a bit snowy today and tomorrow---will get about 2-4" of the stuff by tomorrow afternoon which will just add to the amount already on the ground...no worries about whether we will be permitted to have a white Christmas this year...snowcover on the ground here? ---44" worth....

Today I am heading out with a friend to get some more Xmas goodies and to see whether I can get a mixing board I can use for my computer...this oughta be fun...

Flo, I'll have a coffee and a breakfast bagel please...I'll be at the RC for a bit...

 

[Wisconsin Railfan]

Good Morning Folks!

Cup of coffee please

Have a great day all!

Steven

[Robby P.]

 Good morning.

 Just a cold/flurry day.   Just a good day to stay in the basement.

 John..........Maybe just enough to get the shine off .

 Vincent.........I hope you get it by then. 

[blownout cylinder]

Going to be interesting here...got a friend of mine who had bought himself a real ALCO RS2--don't ask how..I am going to record his turning the engine on--after he finishes up the work on it...this guy must be nuts..

I'm going to be recording the audio using this little fellow..

I've got the tripod for it as well...we will see how this goes....

[LSWrr]

Good Morning,

Ray, can you tie a looping over hand knot in the microphone cable to change the resonance?  I would do oil and soot stained dirty wood floors in an engine house.

 

The Cookie Box: http://www.modelrailroader.net/img/e1015.jpg

 

DerJohn, the silver sharpie markers do a good job if you want simulated brush marks, been using it on my signal masts and friends ask me how small of paint brush it took to get the swirls.

 

Dorothy (my GF) failed a lung function test yesterday, been fighting this lung issue all year.  She never smoked, lived healthy and now she is having breathing problems…

 

No MRRing this week, tonight is the Christmas Party at the club layout but that’s about it.