Hey Ken, a belated happy birthday and congratulations on the success at work.
Good morning everyone from a cool and dreary south west England where I am visiting my parents having come over on business to the UK last week. I was able to pop into one of my favorite model shops yesterday, a store in a platform structure right on an active main line in a station at Bridgwater Somerset. I did not get anything, bur enjoyed browsing around. It is rather fun browsing around as high speed trains go blasting past outside. Back to the US Monday and then hopefully back into my layout work which has rather fallen behind in recent months.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
Goooooooooooooooooooooooooood, I guess, Evening... I'll take one of those CUDA KEN is buying everybody...
Well, I made a discovery this evening THAT will cause some drastic changes. Yes, drastic indeed! I have made the realization THAT the Athearn 55' ACF CenterFlo hoppers I've been using for many years to replicate the CNW's 180000 series hoppers...are completely and totally WRONG!!! Seems they are a 5200-something cubic foot, and the CNW cars are 4600 cubic foot...a perfect match for the Accurail hopper car.
All this time, I've thought the Athearn hopper "looked right" and THAT the Accurail car seemed...off somehow. I "knew" Intermountain's 4650 hopper didn't look right... THAT also kept me using the larger Athearn hopper.
Accurail has even made the car (kit form and RTR) in the original dark yellow paint scheme (THAT nobody gets right...it's darker than CNW yellow), AND did a limited-edition 3-pack of the bright yellow "Zito yellow repaints" for the CNW Hysterical Society in the past year or so... I thought they were cranking out more foobies... Turns out, I'M the "FOOB."
Or is THAT "FOOL?"
Now, I could've avoided all this...IF I'd done some research years ago...
So, how did I come to this realization? And the need for a visit with Rerun about HIS fleet of hoppers???
Trainlife.com has been putting Rail Model Journal and other fine magazines online. I found a bunch of articles tonight covering the CenterFlo hoppers... Also confirmed with a magnifying lens and the correct Herald King decals.
*sigh*
Fortunately, the fleet conversion can start soon. I've got an Accurail THAT IS a true "foobie" in need of paint stripping and re-painting. The Athearns will be replaced on a 1 for 1 basis. But what to do with them? I've hacked-out a bay (making them 3-bay hopper cars) and bashed together roof hatches. I'm not sure they've got any prototype at this point. They weren't exact for the CNW...but "close enough."
Not anymore.
I talked with Rerun about the situation...he thinks I should go find an all-night Wally World, acquire the necessary brake fluid for paint stripping and get the first one started!
The railroad is, of course, HIS.
Here's what I'm rambling on about:
Best wishes and prayers continue for those in need...
Chris
The Cedar cRapids Industrial Branch: Proudly Shipping Yesterday's CrunchBerries Tomorrow!
Greetings fromWest Palm Beach,
Left on the CFO's Birthday and we've been hard at it since 2/24 same as Kens Birthenday. We're running cars at Brian Redmans Targa 66 weekend at Palm Beach International Raceway before packing up to go to Sebring next week. The usual 12 hour days, but all the cars are behaving except for the Indy Lightts which has electronic glitches yet to be fully sorted out.
It's been in the 80's and clear here as opposed to home where they had rain then snow ending with ice and one of the rigs just stuck between shops unable to move. Got that sorted and the second trailer leaves for Fla Monday morning to join us and the rig from Ca by Weds with luck. sure will be glad when the winter weather is finally over.
Good to see Ken is doing well and Jeff is getting his packages. Hope the rest of you are hanging in there. J.R.
Evenin' folks!
Flo, just a decaf for me. I'll be sitting in the back booth for a while getting warm by the stove.
Had a good day at the concert.... 6 fiddlers, a guitar, hammer dulcimer, a banjo, and a (acoustic) bass player. Did a bunch of old traditional American songs (most of which came from Europe). Just plain good old fun... A lot were songs I used to teach to elementary students. Then I was treated (along with her gentleman friend who lives in the same complex) to a great meal of beef stew and warm bread, tea, and a wonderful lemon dessert! BTW, she taught the cooking part of Home and Careers class for many years. We were often treated to her cooking at lunch time way back when we taught in rooms next to each other so I knew it would be good. There was originally supposed to be another couple coming, but they had to cancel.
Turns out her friend was originally employed by the NY City Subway to install and repair signals. He also ended up doing some design for specific installations. Needless to say we had a great conversation!
Rob.... I kept looking at your photo above, and I couldn't figure out what kind of trains those were. Finally I read your post..... Duh! LOL
Tim, if your hanging around here, I doubt I am going to make to the show this year. Just too much I have to get done. I try next year.
Jeffrey, Billboards, eh? Don't be too SLOW posting photos of 'em!
Ken.... You snuck in when I wasn't looking. Glad you had a great day and will come out ahead for the month!
Hope you all have a good night! Stay warm!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Evening Folks!
Flo, the bar tap is on me, and I will start with a pitcher off please.
Work Front, I was Smokin Today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kick butt to the tune of $5200.00 plus today. $4000.00 should be out the door by Monday. I all most hate to say it, but I am getting just a little full of my self right now. Think I should be fine with taking the trains to work to work on them now. This will be the best month the store will ever had.
Only bad thing? Pretty much sealed my fate on the store being open after 6:00 PM on Saturday! Wrote another $1700.00 after 6:00 PM.
Talking about work so much. I will calm down about it in time. But right now having a job again and doing well is a big part of my life. So I hope you can bare with me for a while.
Jeffery You are more than welcome about the supply's. I wished I had a little bigger box, if I did I would have sent more trees. It is all so my way of paying you back for befriending me when I joined the site. I am a firm believer in the old saying What goes around comes around. Heck, that little act might be the reason I was in the Zone today!
See you all Sunday, and hope your day was as good as mine!
Ken
I hate Rust
Strong coffee in a Santa Fe mug, please.
Below is a pic of progress on my (N) layout, accomplished today. Decided to smooth out some of the grade. Used spray foam between layers. So, all the wood, bricks and fence posts will be removed once the spray foam has finished setting. which should leave a decent bed to lay track on. I should have stayed there and monitored it better though, as one area didn't fill up (expand) fully. Might fill it with sheetrock mud or I might need to respray that section!?! Anyway, it's progress which brings me much much closer to laying track in it's permanent location. Then the FUN stuff begins, making mountains.
Cheers! Rob
Evening All...Its cloudy and cool here...I'll have a diet Coke please...Thank You....gonna slip into back booth and see who drops in..
You all have a good week-end...Jerry
Jim: I just opened your box a little while ago. Trees, ballast, foliage, turf of all kinds, talus. The two Bachmann turnouts are much appreciated as well. How'd you know I had one that was acting a little flaky? Thank you very much.
Many thanks to all who have contributed, no matter how small the contribution was. Every little bit helps. When I get what Ken is sending I should have enough to dive in and start work on a spectacular layout project. Grass, trees, roads, lichen, scenic details, ballasted track, new loads for my gondolas, bill boards that will be prominently displayed. It's more than I expected.
To all who have contributed, you have all made this seemingly impossible project workable. You all know who you are. Thank you.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Todd.......Thanks for the comments. I guess I can use this "box" for certain pictures, and the outside for others. I still need to touch the box up some.
Ron.......The camera is a just a basic Kodak 5.0 mega pixel camera (one of those square looking cameras). Nothing fancy at all. Its about seven years old. I would like a new camera but I want a nice fancy one, while the wife wants something like we have.
"Rust, whats not to love?"
Morning All,
Just a short stop before it get back to tearing out the toilet and vanity in the 3/4 bath.
I wanted to let you know that last evening the UPS man came and brought my new EXACT RAIL depressed center flat car lettered for QTTX. all I can say is "WOW". Way to go E.R. you really have done a number on this. I am really impressed, even more so than with several of your other that I have splurged on, although they are all wonderful models.. I don't have many RTR units, but these will sure get the miles piled on them.
But they are truly worth it.
Have a great week-end Fellas and gals. May all be well.
I'm Johnboy.........................and out for now.
from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North..
We have met the enemy, and he is us............ (Pogo)
Mornin' everyone!
Zoe. I'll have a short stack of blueberry pancakes with real Maple Syrup (leave the bottle), and my cup of dark roast coffee as well!
Sn*w has stopped for the moment...... Road out in front of the house is still covered with slush and ice though. May have a few sn*w showers this afternoon with some steadier stuff this evening... probably just about the time I head home from the Concert today. I just called the lady for final directions to her place, and she said a couple of people have said they can't come of the bunch she had invited. Guess it will just be 3 or 4 of us going.
I'll probably stop in late tonight. Best get moving, I still have to feed the kitties and do a couple of other things before I head out for the day.
Good Morning Diner Crew. Hi Flo coffee please in a Santa Fe cup, eggs scrambled home fries and soft bacon.
Well they are calling for rain today, and it froze last night but right now the sun is shinning and it is a beautifull day in the Great Smokey Mountains.
Heading over to the bigbox hardware store for the last couple sheets of plywood that I need, and then I will look and see if there is any Norfolk Southern traffic in town. I am trying to catch a photo of them on a small trestle just outside of town and can not seem to figure a schedule for them.
Robby; Love your photo,s as always, I was wondering what type of camera and lens you are using? I have to photograph my wifes art work and have a proffesional light system with a 3' and a 6' light box I am using a NIKON D40x and an 85mm micro lens. I am still learningthis digital stuff though and am not allways happy with my shots. With a film camera I would consider myself a semi pro.
Well the Wife has a little plumbing emergency, gotta go.
Ron
I refuse to grow up!!!
Good Morning!! Coffee and biscuits and gravy please, thank you. Today: A chance of freezing drizzle before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 39. Robby- Saaaay, I like the new photo box! It gives your photos a whole new look. The cars too. It really shows off your work. The old one I liked also, with the trees in the distance it showed the cars well too. Ray- I had a generator that was like your snowblower. An ether baby. Mine would only need a shot of starting fluid, however, when the generator was needed. Not when I would start the thing once a month to make sure everything was working (called it PMCS in the Army), it’d start just fine then. BUT, seems even if I'd had it running that day, need it to run that evening? Won’t start. I have a son like that too.
Good Morning!! Coffee and biscuits and gravy please, thank you.
Today: A chance of freezing drizzle before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 39.
Robby- Saaaay, I like the new photo box! It gives your photos a whole new look. The cars too. It really shows off your work. The old one I liked also, with the trees in the distance it showed the cars well too.
Ray- I had a generator that was like your snowblower. An ether baby. Mine would only need a shot of starting fluid, however, when the generator was needed. Not when I would start the thing once a month to make sure everything was working (called it PMCS in the Army), it’d start just fine then. BUT, seems even if I'd had it running that day, need it to run that evening? Won’t start. I have a son like that too.
Welp, today is another pack and move day. Hopefully we will get the apartment emptied and ready to turn back over to the landlord. That would be a major step in the process. THAT translates to “one major headache gone” The next and last major issue is her house and hopefully once the weather breaks the market will speed up a bit.
I’m a hoping to get some train time in this evening if all goes well. (dum-da-da-DUUUUM!) I've gotta BRIDGE tuh build!
Not holding my breath though.
Ya’ll have a Great Day!!!
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.
Good morning.
Not much planned today. Go by the library, post office, and grocery shop. Maybe later go in the basement and finish up the hopper.
Have a good morning.
Good morning,
I’m glad you enjoyed the collection Jeff. Those JTT trees look good in a group I hope you have fun with them.
Last night I started putting stuff away and making room on the work bench to assemble the Suydam mining buildings for the train layout annex. Latter today I’ll head out and pick up a new belt for the snow blower.
BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret) L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes
Gooooooood Morning...
We are right now looking at 13F going to a high of 30F, in the 1-2" of snow we are going to get..this will all turn to rain tomorrow as we go all the way up to 49F....
I'm strapped to mine beeper today...hopefully nothing major occurs on me watch...
I might get a bit of time in the trainroom today although i got a feeling that might not happen... It appears that a few hd things showed up.
Flo, I'll have a large jug of boot coffee and a toasted breakfast bagel please...I'll be at the RC for a bit..
Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry
I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...
http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/
A cup of chamomile tea, please.
Have planned my attack for later in the train room. For now, heading back to bed.
Have a nice morning, y'all.
Rob
Good Morning ! from Tipton IN.
Bill Tidler Jr.
Near a cornfield in Indiana...
Evening Morning all.
Sorry, I did not make it in tonight. I was busy. Doing nothing.
I'll catch up in the morning.
My Model Railroad: Tri State RailMy Photos on Flickr: FlickrMy Videos on Youtube: YoutubeMy Photos on RRPA: RR Picture Archives
LSWrr Jeff, well most of the diner helped out with the billboard project. We tried to do it off line without you finding out, I hope you were surprised. If you get a chance post some pictures.
Evening Folks
Flo, pitcher of pleases.
Again, Thank You all so much for the Birthday Wishes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Means a lot to me.
Work Front Not a great day, but still better than a stick in the eye. Had $1055.00 is new sales, so I did not cover my draw today. (need $1495.00 to cover draw). Looks like I will make some commission this month. If the month ended today I would make around $150.00. Again better than a stick in the eye, but not what I was hopping for. Still have Saturday, Sunday and Monday to go. But the hitch is it must be delivered sales! Delivery's are back up, so now I am hopping for people wanting to pick up! Wasn't I complaining the other day about pick ups at the store? If I can get another $3000.00 out the door, I will make another $210.00 and with the $150.00 I have all ready made I will make $370.00 extra. I was hoping for $800.00, but some of the bigger sales will not go till March.
Galaxy I need your HELP! This SSI stuff is driving us nuts! We know the amount Sue will change depending on what I make, we understand that. Thursday we got a letter that told us that Sue payment was going to drop to $103.50, where the guesstimate was $253.00. Sue called today and was told her benefits where suspended and she need to contact SSI. Sue asked "I am contacting SSI, you work for SSI right"? Answer was "well I am with SSI but you need to contact your local branch". Sue called to local branch first, but was given the other number to call because there computer system was down, again! Must be Charter, and we know Charter , never mind.
When Sue got hold of the local offices, they did not know what the other offices was talking about, and her next check would be for $327.00, not $253.00? Is there any rhyme and reasons to this madness Galaxy?
Time to watch some NCIS
Flo, just a decaf for me right now. I'll be in the back booth relaxing by the stove.
We got a good old fashioned Winter Storm here today. 10 or 11" of heavy wet white stuff being blown around by 30+ mph winds. I waited until everything calmed down before venturing out to run the snow blower to make it possible for me to be able to drive out of the driveway. Didn't need to drive out anywhere tonight anyway, but tomorrow I have to drive over to an old friends home a few towns over from here to attend a concert with her. She taught in the room next to mine at the Middle School for many years. She has been trying to get me to come hear a Fiddle Group that plays on occasion at the Independent Living place she now lives at for about a year and a half. This time I put it on the calendar....... Should be fun.
I spent most of the day down in the layout room w*rking on the Engine House... Little by little I guess. I put in a wall that will become some shelving for storing wood, pipe, Angle iron, etc. used there. It also covers up the wires from the lighting in the smaller workshop room....... Also redid the belt drive stuff I didn't like, and started putting together the next section of the belt drives.
Oh... When I went out to start the Snow Blower, as usual, it didn't want to start without using the starting fluid. So I removed the spark plug (you can't reach the air intake to spray it there) and sprayed some in the cylinder. Put the spark plug back in, set the wrench and the starting fluid over on a bench on the deck. Came back and gave her a yank... Phooom! Flames shooting up from the top of the engine.... Seems I didn't put the spark plug wire back on the spark plug! The spark ignited the liquid that hadn't evaporated yet. Tried to blow it out, reignited.... So I just made sure that the spark plug wire was not in the flames and let it burn. Went out after about 20 seconds. Then I plugged the wire back in place gave her a yank and she started right up. Funny, runs great after it starts, but just won't start when it is below freezing by itself. Had 2 foot + drifts in the driveway and lots of very heavy deep snow at the end of the drive where the city emptied its plow into my driveway......
Hope all of you stay safe and warm tonight!
Hey guys
Day went as planned; after work start taking the front end apart. Went pretty smoothly until I tried to remove the left front ABS sensor. That casing for it cracked when I tried to pry it out. I'm hoping it didn't break, since those things are expensive. Also managed to get the old tie rod ends off without loosening the bolt behind it. Found out my car also had the hydro-bushings (don't know if the arm was replaced or not; those bushings weren't supposed to appear until 1996) Got as far as putting in the new control arms before calling it a night.
Tommorow I'm going to put in the Bilstiens shocks, H&R springs, and Maximum motorsports caster/chamber plates.
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.
Evenin'
We got the fully expected 3" of snow today..half of which has melted away..by tomorrow we will get another 3"...of which all will melt in the rain come Sunday and Monday...before it turns back into icy and slippy again...
It is going to be fun around here...tomorrow I start another weekend on-call then on Monday my classes start back after Spring break...heeheehee
Jeff, well most of the diner helped out with the billboard project. We tried to do it off line without you finding out, I hope you were surprised. If you get a chance post some pictures.
Well the official count is 10.5” of snow here in Euclid. Sunday it will be 40F and Monday will be 50F. I’m guessing everything will melt by Tuesday when we will fall back into the 30’s.
Got boxes today from Jim and Lee. Thanks guys.
Coffee in a SUNNY SOUTHERN mug, please.
Lots of good MRRing work being accomplished around the Diner. Perhaps by this evening I'll make some train room time, too.
Off to put out some hay. Cheers! Rob
Snow stopped, I had a 4 foot drift between the house and my truck, 5.5" of fresh snow on the ground and now the sun is shining. I sucked the news paper up in the snow blower and broke a belt, I hop the neighbor will plow me out. 50F on Monday should make for a nice flood when all this stuff melts.
Just a quick stop.
I almost got my one hopper done. I can't take in pictures outside since it wants to snow!! I made a photo box, and they came out good. I think the pictures will be better outside.
Good morning All...Its cloudy with an inch or so of snow but posta get up to 50's in a couple of days so maybe won't last...I'll have coffee and toast please..thank you...Got CD playing...Preservation Hall Jazz Band Live...Picked it up on Ebay for .99 cents..got some good stuff on it...Always wanted to get down to New Orleans to hear them but never made it..
working on Shot gun shack..gotta get roof on it just about finnished..
Trying to work out a deal with a guy for some "junk box" stuff to rehab..I have just about worked my way to bottom of my "junk box"...
You all have a good one...Jerry