Elliot´s Trackside Diner March 2011

[blownout cylinder]

Good Afternoon...

Got the yard work done...such as what could be done when snowpiles are still around the driveway...covering up what are euphemistically called gardens......as it is I managed to clear about 6 garden bags worth of crud and guck off the lawn and such...

A friend called a little while ago and we talked a bit about a possible gig that we are putting together for our so-called band...and a sort of release of some music of some sort......

As for the layout..right now the evening looks like I'm going to be able to go to the trainroom and actually get some things done down there..namely a small diorama that I'll be using for my photographic stuff..such as that is...

Todd, Alvie: I can see that being the case as well...we do not always know why such is the case but there we be...

Chloe, I'll have a coffee and a slice of blueberry pie please..i'll be at the window booth for a bit

[cudaken]

 Evening Folks

 Flo, beer please and none of that green stuff! What you mean that no Irish, I have Irish every day!

 Yep, the big one is a Irish Wolfhound, now that is Irish!

 Saving / Coin Collecting Front Made a good haul at UNB Bank today in half dollars. Scored $100.00 in half dollars!  Have yet to sort through them to see if there are any good ones. 

 Train Front. Finally felt like working one some of the engines

 Y6 b Found why it was stalling all the time. Seems one of the wires from the tender to engine has slight pulled out of the cannon plug. All the power was coming from just the tender, engine was not picking up in power, so it stalled. Going to cost me $13.00 with shipping, but it will be nice to see it dragging a load again.

 Big Boy While I had not posted about it having a problem it has had one. Sometimes it would make 20 to 40 laps around the layout with out a problem. Then sometimes it would short out making left turns only? Figured it was the same problem the Y6 b had a few years ago, mounting points wore on the engines ( drive wheels ) and where touching the frame. (BLI could not fix the problem, but I did)

 Today I field stripped it and think I found the problem's. I will add it was a lot harder to take apart than the Y6 b. Front engine, left eyelet that transfer power to the PC board screw was backed out, I could see it swing over to the right side of the engine and causing a short. Then I found the rear engine left wire had totally broke away from the eyelet. Got that solder back on. So I think I am good to go. I have not test ran it yet, but it powers up just fine.

 Well that is all that happened today besides BBQ'ing.

            Ken

[Cederstrand]

Coffee in a Burlington Northern mug, please.

***Ken, now that's a big dog! Glad you found the problems with your locos. Would be ashame not to have those beast rumbling down the tracks.

***Jeffrey, enjoyed seeing your progress pics.

Some items for the wife's (HO) layout arrived today. A few Herpa autos (they sure have a strong odor), a couple other autos and a grain truck (for filling the chicken house silos). Other items included some hay bales (will need painting) and a little propane tank. 

The last bridges I needed for my (N) layout were also in the box, so gluing down track can continue.

Has been a very long farm day with more still to do. Yawwwwwwn! Catch y'all later. Rob 

[teen steam fan]

Evening. 

Howmus, Don't worry about that one I always enjoy driving my Jeep. 

Speaking of the Jeep, anyone know where I can get an off-road bumper for it? I don't care if it's able to hold a winch or not, just something for looks. I've looked online fro Rusty's off-road, ARB and 4wheeldrive.com along with Warn and a few other names. Can't find one cheaper than 500 pictures of dead presidents. My uncle is giving me a set of gently used BF Goodrich tires off of his wrangler that are 120 a piece. 

Another predicament is a name. My dad and I are repainting it and he came up with the idea to name it instead of putting the expensive Jeep decals back on.  

[Curt Webb]

I have been looking at postings here and this seems like a good old fashion conversation instead of the specific postings on the rest of the site. So....can anyone join in? Are there any specific things that a poster would need to know?

[Anonymous]

Curt - you´ve put it to the point! This place is meant to be a meeting place for friends to meet and chat about MR-related and non-MR related issues. We share the day´s life, with all the ups and downs we encounter.

A big from a sleepless guy from northern Germany!

[Cederstrand]

Coffee refill, please.

***Curt, we're a friendly enough group. Tell us a little about your MRRing endeavors and post a pic or two if you're so inclined. Welcome!

Wife joined me in the train room and saw her (HO) layout "lighted" for the first time. She was most pleased and commented how cool the carnival will look. I'll work on that project over the course of this coming summer.

Has been a long farm day and I'm beat.

Cheers!  Rob 

 

[LSWrr]

Evening,

Welcome aboard Curt.

Teen Steam; http://www.jcwhitney.com/jeep-parts-jeep-accessories/j4s2.jcwx  I’ve helped a friend build an entire Jeep out of this catalog!  I had a CJ-7 and I never left home without this catalog!

[teen steam fan]

Hey come on in Curt and join the party.

There is a friendly lot. So feel at ease. One of the others can bring you up to speed with Vinnie. 

[Curt Webb]

Thanks for the welcome. By the way I lived in Buedigen for three years when I was in high school (a very long time ago).

Well it is definitely warming up here in central FL, was 85 today, as far as I am concered summer is here. At least we had some cool  weather this winter.

I finished laying cork and sanding turnout pads last night on my layout. I am going to paint the pads Grey tomorrow to help with ballasting when I get to that. I should start laying track next week.

I am going to a trainshow in Tampa saturday, hopefullly to buy more turnouts.

I would lovea Guiness, but I am on duty today. Oh well.

Everyone have a great night. 

[galaxy]

Curt Webb

I have been looking at postings here and this seems like a good old fashion conversation instead of the specific postings on the rest of the site. So....can anyone join in? Are there any specific things that a poster would need to know?

Top o' the evnin' to ye CURT! Hope you enjoyed yer St. Patty's day. a wee bit o' Irish or not!

Curt, anyone can join here, just be a model railroader who wants a place to sit a spell and share life's travel, travails, happy moments,sad moments and anything that is clean and general to sharing life's experiences. WE come here to vent. commiserate, share, consol, uplift and share downtrodden moments. All are welcome!!

This is the ONLY thread that our esteemed leaders of MR magazine allow "free range conversation" that may not be MRR related. Oh, there is the"beer barn" but it is not as popular as the Diner.

Here the diner moves every month to a different local across the USA, the waitresses {there are a few} will wait on you fairly, and COusin Vinnie keeps an eye on things. If you get the top of the page posting it is your job to pick up the "tab" for all the diners that page.

Rules are few, just keep it clean or the moderators WILL throw you out after Cousin Vinnie has had his way with you! WOrk is a four letter word here and usually spelled thusly: W**K.

There are no calories to the meals here so you may eat what you like as much and often as you like.

You may post a  pic or two but no more as the moderators have warned us about band width dwindling with more that that in a posting, and prefer tehm to be RR related.

Post as often as you like, even several times a day. WE will look forward to your ramblings and sharing. MOst do get read,some get skimmed if one is behind a few days.

If you become a regular, we will miss you when you are out, and wonder about you.

I think that about covers it, CURT.

Come in and enjoy yourself here! and again!!!

HAve a great top o' the evnin' to ye, Irish or not!

[Train Master]

Galaxy: Thanks for laying out the rules. I was a little fuzzy on some of them.

Jeff: Good work on the ballast so far. More pics of the ballast work and more pics of those billboards! That one is of Wolfgang's roadname isn't it?

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Train Master

Jeff: More pics of those billboards! That one is of Wolfgang's roadname isn't it?

You got it on the first guess. It was the first one I picked up.

[fireman216]

Good evening diners!!... HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY!!!!!. I am part Irish so I will have a corned beef sandwich...skip the cabbage...just a plate of mashed taters to go with it and a glass of the GREEN stuff to wash it down. Speaking of the "green" stuff...we have a wonderful restaurant/bar here in Syracuse called Colemans. It is in a part of town called Tipperary Hill. It's loaded with Irish bars and has I believe one of the only traffic lights that is upside down..(green light on top..red on the bottom). Anyways..it's a big thing every year as they have a tanker truck pull up full of green beer. We have also one of the largest St Pats parade in the country to go with it...(that was last Saturday)...at least 3 hours long!!! Been kinda rough around the house the last several days as everyone has been sick with a nasty flu type bug ...even the dog was ill. Several people at w**k are out with the same type stuff. Slowly we are all getting better...Ginger Ale is worth it's wait in gold!!! Jeff.. the ballasting is coming along great...hopefully I will get your "care" package out soon for you with some cool stuff to go along with your scenery. March madness is here and I have already taken a few losses on my brackets...good old Louisville gets beat... Our Syracuse boys play Indiana late Friday night and they should get the win. Well...that's all from me tonight...one more day of w**k and it's the weekend....Have a good night everyone!!!.....Tim

[cats think well of me]

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Lancaster!  

I had a fine dinner of bangers and mash planned, also Yorkshire pudding for the family members who are not enamored by mash. Sadly, that did not work out as hoped, but I still ate it. Also washed it down with my very infrequent bottle of Guinness, seriously I've only drank it twice in the last two years, good beer but I'm a pale ale guy.

Tim, there's something going around Lancaster too, I've yet to get it but many of my friends got sick recently forcing social gatherings to be postponed or put off entirely. I'm currently thankful to spend half the time in the city as before :)

Alvie

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Good evening everyone.

Good to see so many diners. Hope you had a good St P Day. Welcome to newcomers. Prayers to those needing them.

As I have posted lately from time to time, my AL sister and I are working to solve major problems regarding my 91 year old Mom. So I'm still in AL and my layout in KY remains untouched.

Late in the afternoon, my sister here fell into a ravine, struck a tree head first, and almost landed in the creek. It took almost an hour from time of the fall for firemen to get her up the hill and into an ambulance. My sister is now resting and recovering from head injuries and broken ribs.

Meanwhile, my other sister in Michigan is recovering nicely from retina surgery of a few weeks ago. She should be able to travel to AL and help.

.

[wetidlerjr]

 

Good Morning ! from Tipton IN.

 

[Wisconsin Railfan]

Good Morning Folks!

Frosty mug filled with sweet tea please.

Hope everyone has a great weekend, and that all your projects go well.

Steven

[blownout cylinder]

Curt!! As what Galaxy said...it is a place for all and sundry to come and rest their bones for awhile...mind Flo and her frying pan though....

Garry: We put your entire family on our prayer list...the fall down the ravine thing I've done before ...it's not the thing to be doing....

Ulrich: Nice to see you in here...

Today is the start of an up/down week for us..temps can range anywhere from 55F to 22F then 68F then 18F all in three days....

Most of the yardw**k that could be done is finished..now I have to wait for the snowpiles to clear up a bit here...and yes I did break some of it up...

Flo...I'll have a cof....kerrrrrrrcllaaaaanngg!!!!!.....

*thud*

[LSWrr]

Good Morning,

Roofers are 99% done with the roof.  They will return this morning to trim the edges, install the cap and finish cleaning up the yard.  They had to replace 2 sheets of plywood on the roof yesterday so the project took them a little longer than planned.  They found 2 missing shingles on the main roof and they replaced them for free.  Just over 400 sqft tear off and replacement with #90 rubber roof system; total cost $2080.00.  Insurance paid $1240, my cost was $840.00.

 

Garry, when it rains it pours for your family.  Thoughts and prayers for you and yours.  I hope everything settles down for you soon.

[Cederstrand]

A brownie, please.

***Garry, sure hope your sister who fell will recover quickly. Ouch! Also hope your other sister's eye heals well, too.

Rob

[cudaken]

 Morning Folks

 Flo, just a Diet Dew to go, back to work again.

 Went through the half dollars, out of 200 of them I only found 5 that I could use in the current collectors folder I have.

 Big Boy Seems I done something wrong, it now shorts ever time it hits a turnout. Have a pretty good idea what the problem is. There brass washer that I was not sure if it went under the frame on top of the mounting mount for the front engine, or in the frame and the engine mounting screw spring rode on top of it. I put it under the screw. 

 Think the frame is touching the front engine (front set of drive wheels) when it hits a bump. When I realized I did not see the placement of the washers I called BLI for some help. Only time I was disappointed with BLI service department. I was helped by Carlos, and I asked him if he knew the PCM Big Boy, said he knew them well. Well, he didn't, kept calling the engines, trucks and at 1 point he asked if the Big Boy was a 2-8-8-2?

 He is sending a explode diagram of the Big Boy (or a 2-8-8-2 ) by snail mail. I tried to get him to fax it or E Mail it to me but all he would do is the snail mail in 7 to 10 days? 

 Time to head to work.

                              Ken

[TMarsh]

Good Morning!! Um…..Cup of Dark Roast? Oh hi Zoe. (squints) Chloe? Zoe. Fried chicken dinner please. Green beans and apple sauce. Thanks. Just sounds goo…..BBQ!!! Someone said BBQ. Hold up Zoe.., Chloe. Just bring the coffe for now. Gotta think this one over.

Temps only to 54 today. Cooler than yesterday but I’ll take it over 44.

Brenda gave me my Birthday present. A pair of jeans and a shirt. Good for me. But guys, let me ask you this, why, do they buy you something they know you won’t like or wear, tell you they know this as they are giving it to you, then, (after a five minute discussion about why they decided on these particular items and saying, “I know you only wear this, but I got this and I know you don‘t like this style, but I got it anyway because blah blah blah. ) ask.… “So, do you like it?”   But WE are supposed to know it is a mortal sin if we stray even the slightest from what we should know they like. Even..., if they never said. Women. Can’t live with ’em, can’t trade ’em for a horse. Well, not around here anyway.

Ulrich- Sometimes the test is difficult and hard to understand, but the reward in the end is great. It was difficult on us financially going through what we did with my Mom. Though I’m the first to admit many have it worse, it was still very tight.  I can’t help but feel if I had to do it again, I most definitely would. I’m sure you will feel that way too. Where there is a will, there is a way. Tricky part is finding the way.

Curt- Come on in. You got it. Friendly is the only requirement here. Oh sure we talk about MRR stuff, that’s what brought us here. But even in a club there is idle chit chat about things that go on in everyday life. Sort of like a break room. That’s the diner. A place for us to sit and visit, have a cup of Java and a bite to eat and visit. We love to talk about our layouts or train interests, and we love to hear about what’s going on outside the train stuff. Show us, tell us, what ever you feel you’d like to do, what’s going on with your MRR stuff without fear of a tongue lashing. We offer suggestions, but that is what it is. A suggestion and that is all. We want only for all to enjoy our hobby as we individually want to enjoy it. We still have to follow the rules of the yard (forum), but the good folks who run this realize there is more to the hobby than just trains. Many friendships are born and they kindly afford us this little moving piece to keep the rest of the forums on track while giving us a bit of the old leeway. Very kind of them and we appreciate it.

Garry- Oh good grief. What next? I’m glad your Sister is ok. Still thinking of you and of course…

Today, I must do the grocery truck thing at 11:30 then w**k at 4. No, 5. In the meantime, I’ll probably go downstairs and check on the coat of drywall mud I put on the foam tunnel inner wall yesterday morning. Might give it a bit of color while I'm there. Then think about how I’ll attach it. Afterthoughts are a pain. Naturally, this is the worst tunnel of all to have to get to from underneath.

Best get a movin’

Ya’ll have a Great Day!!!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning. It's 63° with clouds and sun. The high will be 76° with the clouds giving way to some sun.

Today is the day to get everything together for the next step in getting the layout done. That will be green paint, foam brushes, green blended turf, some coarse turf, trees, deadfall, billboards, etc. Time to start getting some turf down.

[blownout cylinder]

Happy Birthday Todd!!!!!

[galaxy]

Morning {grumbling}.

HAve a migraine trying to settle in. The neurologist gave me a new med that is supposed to prevent them, not something to be taken after you have one. But I take 1 capsule at bedtime for 4 days, then 2 capsules at bedtime for four days, then three capsules for the rest of the time. Each capsule is 10 mg, so it ends up with me taking 30 mgs, which he said is the most effective starting dose. One can take up to 200 mgs of the stuff. So far I have had only 2 one nightly doses, so I don't expect it to work just now. SO I took 2 percosets and they seems to be helping. I tried with 2 extra strength Excedrine {same compound as their "migraine" pills but cehaper- they charge mroe for the "migraine" label. They didn't do it so I went on to the percs.

Garry seems like your family isn't getting much of a break lately. More headed your family's way.

The darn cat has been jumping up on the under the table top xmas tree layout still set up in the LR. I can tell as the sectional track keeps getting separated where he jumps up and RR cars get turned over. There is no tree on it and was a new larger sized baord this year, and we just laid the track on it for the season. We will work on it this summer by adding the "safety boarders" and painting it white for a snow like scene. Then we will glue down risers so the N scale oval is slightly higher than the outside 18R" HO loop {old baord only had a 15R" loop}. Then we will mount everything and run some more permanent wires to power it hidden by snow scenery. MOH wants to take it down, but we have no place to put the board. Also we want to get some train cases to put our new-this-year trains in for summer storage, rather than just wrapped in paper towels and stuffed in shoe boxes. WE will ahve to bite the bullet and order tehm as they are not really in the budget now. I think next xmas we can forego any gifting of trains as we have accumulated more than we really have room for! But *alas* come next xmas, I am SURE there will be something that will catch our attention to ask Santa for!

Hope everyone enjoyed "being Irish for aday" yesterday. WE Irish are like that, we share our holiday with all the non-Irish and let tehm drink our green beer and watch our parades!

Have a GREAT Birthday Todd!  So she didn't get you what you want..take back and exchange. Next year, for a month before your b-d try sending her emails with direct links to what you would really like for your special day. I do this with MOH, and get hints from MOH too-which should be starting soon as MOH's is next month. If she is smart {not to say she's dumb}, she will follow the links and buy or order you exactly what want! eat lots of , and try to enjoy the thoughts behind your .

Well, I'd better sign off, as while the pils seem to be working, my eyes are getting buggy and I want to check out rest of the forum before I go lie down again to rest my throbbing head.

TTYALLL8R

 

[LSWrr]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODD!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

LSWrr

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODD!

[howmus]

Mornin' everyone!

Zoe, I'll have the.....  Uh..  Birthday Cake?  At this time if day?  Who?  Oh!

Happy Birthday Todd!!!

Do you feel like you are a year older???

Zoe a big piece of the cake and a cup of dark roast.......

Another nice day here in the Finger Lakes , already hit the high of 60°F and the temp is now sliding downward for the rest of the day.  Sun is peeking through now and then with a strong gusty wind blowing.

Gonna go downstairs and stare at the layout for while.

Later!

73

[last mountain & eastern hogger]

Good Morning gang,.

Hi Girls, when you get a chance I'll have a large bowl of oatmeal,  a cinnamon bun with a HC in a WP mug.

A hearty WELCOME to all the new guests at the Diner here. We are glad you are now on board.

GARRY,  wish I could share your burden with you. But things come in threes and you have had your three.

 LEE,   You have missed your calling, you should be in advertising with Billboards that look as good as those that Jeff is showing.

 JEFF, Glad to see you are able to overcome the trials with the ankle enough to be able to get some work on the layout happening again. Always feel bad that we can't help you out more than with just moral support.

I have been so busy lately that I have not posted, but have snuck in through the back door fairly often to try and stay abreast of what's going on with ya all.

ROBBIE,Congratulations on the new job, I hope it holds out for you until the right one comes along.

ULRICH & PETRA,  May this week bring you better news all around.  You remain in our prayers.

GALAXY,  Really hope your health situation continues to improve.

BARRY,  What are you doing anyway????????? Are you trying to show the rest of us up ??  Our wives are getting all excited and fired up to get us all outside doing yard work.  Weve got layout work to do, we don't want to be raking lawns yet. You are making it bad for all your buddies.

And big Howdy, how ya doing to the rest of the Gang.  Sure glad that all the old regulars are taking time every now and then to srop by and give us an update on themselves.

Not much happening on the LM&E right now.  I have splurged and bought another ExactRail car.  I think I am getting addicted to them.  They are really sweet.   I'm still having tracking problems with a Walther's Great Dome.  Think I might have to find some smaller wheels for the center axle to make the lead one hang on the track better.

I have a long bridge to build on the track leading to my reverse loop that I have been holding off on.  I think I might just lay the track on plywood roadbed right now and give it much more thought before under going a construction project there. Other than that I have quite a bit of wiring to do and that is a priority for me now. After that it will be carving out a river along side the mountain range. I thought this would have all been done this winter, but I don't move as fast as I used to and then only get about half of that done.  There are advantages to living alone I think.  Am I right Ray ??

Well I am at work so I had better cut this short and make like I am earning my keep.

Hope you all have a great week end and that you didn't suffer too bad from all the green bubblies on St. Pat's Day.

Johnboy out..................................................and back to work