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Elliot´s Trackside Diner - January 2012 Edition Locked

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Posted by blownout cylinder on Saturday, January 14, 2012 6:25 AM

Good Morning....

Just in time for a weekend on-call and we get this in the mix...http://cprailmmsub.blogspot.com/2012/01/chinese-manufacturer-of-model-trains.html...oh wellWhistling Want to bet that this thread will be pulled before it gets to 2 pages?WhistlingMischief

Had an interesting night ...we had an operating crew of 4 guys here...so 4 different things went and messed up...non-turning turnouts, locomotives developing issues that were not there before we started, things falling off/down....lighted structures not lighting up....GrumpyBang HeadWhistling

Flo, I'll just have a coffee and a toast with jam please..I'll be at the corner booth expecting a food fight to  break out ...Whistling

 

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

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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 14, 2012 6:24 AM

Lunchtime here in Germany!

Flo, a burger, fries, salad and a Beer, please.

After due-fully completing the weekend grocery run with Petra, I spent a couple of hours finishing off Pascal´s layout idea.

This time, I chose a slightly different way of drawing it by adding geographical contour lines, just to somehow depict the drama of the alpine scenery of that layout. The track at the lower right side is a "fake" to avoid the roundy-rounder atmosphere of a otherwise quite simple figure 8 layout. The layout is just a little over 4´by 8´, has quite sharp radii, but as it is narrow gauge (1000 mm), it should not be a problem.

 

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Good Morning...
Posted by wetidlerjr on Saturday, January 14, 2012 3:49 AM

 

Good Morning ! from Tipton IN.

 

 

Cool

 

Bill Tidler Jr.

Near a cornfield in Indiana...

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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 14, 2012 2:11 AM

Good Morning Gang!

It´s been a while since I came here and I probably have missed a lot. I won´t even try to catch up on the posts, but I´d like to tell Jeff, how sorry I am that he had to give up his post at the FD.

Jeff - I do hope that retiring from the FD does not hurt you as much as I think it does. I know it has been a major part of your life, giving that up for reasons of health must suck a lot. You are in our thoughts and prayers!

I am still w*rking on that track plan of a Swiss mountain railway for my friend Pascal. The ideas the two of us had developed strike his liking, but seem not to have the right appeal to him. Either too big again, or to simple. I am now trying a different approach by designing the scenery first and than add the tracks to the plan. It´ll be challenging to give this layout an atmosphere of "going somewhere" and to disguise its nature of a simple roundy-rounder. Might be able to post something tonight.

Must get going - Petra is waiting for me for the weekend´s grocery run!

CUL & have a good one.

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11/14/2012
Posted by galaxy on Saturday, January 14, 2012 1:46 AM

GOOD MORNING!!!

Today is Saturday, January 14th, 2012!!!

Have a GREAT Day!!!

Geeked

-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 Heartland Division CB&Q on Friday, January 13, 2012 9:34 PM

Ray ... The inside details for the power house are terrific. Bow .... You said they will be visible through the windows. If it turns out to be not good enough, you can have a removable side to a building.

Here are photos of my Electric Furnace at the steel mill. No windows on this building. The side is held in place with velcro, and can be removed to see inside details. This has worked well for me.

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Friday, January 13, 2012 9:21 PM

Time for to call it a night. Got the new (to me) Walthers GP9 cleaned up and lubed. Pickups had lube oil on them when I took it out of the box. Not good for contact. A quick cleaning with CRC 2-26 took care of that. Fixed everything that was wrong (not much) except the missing horn. When I find another horn I'll probably mount them both on the long hood if for no other reason I just want to. Do I need another reason?

See y'all tomorrow.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
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Posted by howmus on Friday, January 13, 2012 8:59 PM

Evenin' folks!

Janie, just a decaf for now.

House is cleaner than it was.......  I'll leave it at THAT!  I did get to use the Snow Blower today...  First time this winter.  We have had about 4" of the fluffy stuff and lots of wind to blow it into piles in all the wrong places.  We may get another half inch overnight, but nothing to cause any problems.  Several nearby Schools did close today.  Geneva stayed open. 

I got a bit of time to track down the short circuit on the new track.  Took about an hour.  It was a PC tie that didn't get cut right.  I checked out where all the wires (track feeders) were connected to and where they were supposed to go and THAT they matched the color codes.  No Problem.  I checked to make sure all the little cuts isolating each frog on the Fast Tracks Turnouts was cut properly and wasn't shorting.  They were all OK.  I finally climbed under the layout and started unhooking the track feeders from the terminal strips.  Did one section and checked the DCC, and it was up and running.  Turned my hearing aids to Omni Directional and all the way open.  Climbed back under and started to hook wires back up.  Got down to the very last wire, and while I didn't hear a thing (being Deaf has its drawbacks), I saw a spark when I touched the wire to the terminal....  Then got out and looked over the section of rail and very quickly realized a cut was not made where it was needed on one of the PC Ties.  Got the dremmel and it was back up and running very quickly.

So, if they want to run trains tomorrow, they can use the whole layout (except for the lower staging.  No track connected yet).  My lumber order has been shipped from Kapler, so I should be able to finish the section soon.

I will be turning in early tonight as I have to be at the Methodist Church for the set up of the Kiosks for the Art and Poetry display before 9AM.  Probably won't get in for breakfast either.

Have a great night, and stay warm!

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 jeffrey-wimberly on Friday, January 13, 2012 8:44 PM

Man Cave, DIY channel, tonight they're doing a room with a train layout. Don't know what scale.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
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Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Friday, January 13, 2012 7:50 PM

cudaken

 Work Front I told the manager (use that term tongue in cheek) Saturday they did not have someone to close, remind him Monday they did not have someone to close, and one last time Wednesday they did not have someone to close! Guess whet they asked me to do tonight? Told them to stick it in a nice way but I did hang around till 5:30 PM till things slowed down a little. Then I was out of there!

The ?? ??manager?? ?? needs to get his head out of his duffel bag or wherever it's buried and do his job. After he leaves the store with no one to close a few times maybe they'll find someone who CAN do the job, but I doubt it. He probably got the job because he knows someone or is related to someone with influence. Those crap bugs are hard to get rid of!

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
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Running Bear Enterprises
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Posted by cudaken on Friday, January 13, 2012 7:31 PM

 Evening Folks!

 Flo, Beer please.

 Work Front I told the manager (use that term tongue in cheek) Saturday they did not have someone to close, remind him Monday they did not have someone to close, and one last time Wednesday they did not have someone to close! Guess whet they asked me to do tonight? Told them to stick it in a nice way but I did hang around till 5:30 PM till things slowed down a little. Then I was out of there!

 Writing in the cold OK, guess I did not make it clear. When a customer drops of there car, I have to go outside and get there Vin number, mileage, tire sizes (this can be a pain sometimes) Plate number, and tire tread depth on all 4 tires. This can take some time and my current pens do not like temp in the teen's.

 Got the big hook out and got the rails clear again so I get to run some trains tonight!

 Talk at you later.

               Ken

I hate Rust

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1/13/2012
Posted by galaxy on Friday, January 13, 2012 7:07 PM

Zandoz

Speaking of biting off more than I can chew, I've got it stuck in my head that I'd like to do some kind of a water powered mill scene on my layout.  Something like this wit a railroad bridge instead of a road bridge.  http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/Glade_Creek_Grist_Mill-square.jpg

 

I'll have to start looking for a mill kit.

 

Actually I HAVE a "Cute little " waterwheel mill kit that I built just about exactly almost like that you pictured. I found the kit at  a trains show..I think in Mass At the Amherst Society January annual show. I thought it just so intreging I HAD to have it!

then later at a hobby shop I found a lumber mill storage shed that looked to be about right for the mill...similar in style I HAD to have THAT too!
So now I have the mill, the storage shed and i can did have my lumber mill by the water way up on a  hill... Now I had just a section of track independent of any other to simulate a rail side lumber loading zone.

It CAN be done!

you will just have to search for it. My kit was by a European company and probably out of production.

Geeked

-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 Curt Webb on Friday, January 13, 2012 6:59 PM

Evening All,

Flo I would love a Beer please.

Tomorrow we have the vet in the morning then nothing much going on. I will probably work on the coaling trestle instead of going to the club since I w**k Sunday. I think MOH is supposed to do something with our daughter.

Well I attempted to hook up the last 2 signals today. After Emailing LRT we figured out that there is a problem on the board so in the mail it goes, I have to say I'm disappointed. I took down the diesel servicing area, removed the old track, scrapped the cork roadbed and  put down WS Inclines and Risers.

Everyone have a good night. 

Curt Webb

The Late Great Pennsylvania Railroad

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Friday, January 13, 2012 6:23 PM

Hello everybody ...

These photos of cars reminded me of riding with my grandparents when I was a child. Their pet peeve at the time was the new cars did not have running boards. .... Remarkable.

Zandose ... A water wheel powered mill should be fun for you. My 1900 era layout of long, long ago had one I made from a wood kit available back then.

Ken ..... So you're not interested in selling lumber, eh..... Perhaps, you could try toilets instead. Whistling

Well, it has been a full day. I may be back later. 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by Zandoz on Friday, January 13, 2012 3:49 PM

Good afternoon folks.  Low 20s, light snow, and windy here.  With the hype put out by the local TV stations last night, one would think that white death was goinig to be falling from the sky....we havn't gotten enough snow to accumulate on the driveway.

We're still unpacking  from the move, so no actual layout work going on yet.  What is going on is a lot of second guessing.  I like the layout I have planned, but I keep thinking I'm biting off more than I can chew, and should do someting smaller..  What I have planned is not all that complex...just a double track dog-bone, a loop on each HCD...with a narrow bridge between them. On the other hand, a simple single HCD would be so much easier, would take up less space, and would be easier to get around and work on.   Confused  

Speaking of biting off more than I can chew, I've got it stuck in my head that I'd like to do some kind of a water powered mill scene on my layout.  Something like this wit a railroad bridge instead of a road bridge. 

 

I'll have to start looking for a mill kit.

 

Zan

Reality...an interesting concept with no successful applications, that should always be accompanied by a "Do not try this at home" warning.

Hundreds of years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove...But the world may be different because I did something so bafflingly crazy that my ruins become a tourist attraction.

"Oooh...ahhhh...that's how this all starts...but then there's running...and screaming..."

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Friday, January 13, 2012 3:14 PM

TomOnHudson

I'd be interested in knowing how the decoder install goes for you. Good luck!

I've already done a decoder install on one Walthers GP9m. I hardwired a Digitrax DZ125 decoder into it. It was very easy to do. Keep in mind that the truck wiring is reversed front to rear same as Model Power. Front is black on the left, blue on the right. Rear is blue on the left, black on the right.

 

Cederstrand

***Jeffrey, is that loco going to become a KCS re-paint?

Nope. It'll be an L&A repaint or rather a patch. Yeah, a white L&A smack in the middle of that big CSX. Hehehehehehehe!

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
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Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
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Running Bear Enterprises
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Posted by Cederstrand on Friday, January 13, 2012 2:38 PM

Coffee refill, please.

***Jeffrey, is that loco going to become a KCS re-paint?

Cowboy Rob

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Posted by TomOnHudson on Friday, January 13, 2012 1:52 PM

Yep, they're cheap alright. The engine came with a starter set. It's been waiting on the decoder-upgrade queue ever since the move to DCC, and has not seen any action in about 5 years.

I'd be interested in knowing how the decoder install goes for you. Good luck!

-tom

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Friday, January 13, 2012 1:30 PM

If yours is like mine the couplers are cheap McHenry's with the plastic whisker. I replaced mine with Kadee #119's. Now I need to find a decoder for it.

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


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Posted by TomOnHudson on Friday, January 13, 2012 1:11 PM

Interesting... I have the very same engine, including the broken couplers and missing horn! I went to check that my GP9 was still there :-) It was, though its road no. is 889.

-tom

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Friday, January 13, 2012 12:56 PM

I got this in the mail this morning. I picked it on another forum for $22. It's a Walthers GP9. It needed new couplers and is missing a horn. It ran OK on a test run.

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


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Posted by last mountain & eastern hogger on Friday, January 13, 2012 12:41 PM

cudaken

 

 

 Writing in the cold? One of the problems I had yesterday at work was it was 17 degrees and my pen would only write for 3 minutes before the ink stopped flowing. Besides a pencil, any ideas?

 

           Ken 

Whistling

Ken, keep your pen on your shirt pocket under your jacket.  The heat from your body will keep it working longer than three minutes. Be sure to put it back there after each use.  It worked for me in much colder weather than yours.

Johnboy out...................................

from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North.. 

We have met the enemy,  and he is us............ (Pogo)

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Posted by TMarsh on Friday, January 13, 2012 10:10 AM

Good Morning!! Coffee please. Already ate.

Scattered flurries before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 19. Wind chill values between 1 and 6.

Welp, only got about an inch yesterday and over night. They say 3 inches in Springfield but here if they go in a drift you may be able to say that. Not complaining.

Floor Wars Williamsville: Phase….I lost track - Only a couple things to do before the bathroom, living room and dining room are done. Completely. They should take maybe a half hour tops. Yes I said done. That means so far, my new Years resolution will be upheld so far this year. Considering how far we are into it, it’s got to be a record for me.Laugh

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. Laugh

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Posted by howmus on Friday, January 13, 2012 10:08 AM

Mornin' everyone!

Zoe, I'll have a bran muffin with real butter and a cup of hot dark roast coffee.  Whatever mug you want to use, dear.

"Let it Snow, let it snow, let it snow...."   Had the first snowfall this year THAT can actually ve called Snow!  Oops, sorry!  Forgot I'm not supposed to use such language in here........  We had 2.5" of light and fluffy over night and could get another 5" of it today.  right now it is coming down pretty well and blowing around to make deeper piles so it looks like we had a lot of it. Whistling

Galaxy?  They actually have a snowplow these days down where you live?  They haven't been out in my neighborhood yet, but they will wait until there is enough to make it worthwhile, or until most of the neighbors have cleaned out the driveways so they can have a place to put the snow from the street....!  I'll just let it accumulate for now.

Ken, one idea THAT might w*rk.  (whispers)  Have them turn up the heat.....Whistling  From what you have told us about the joint where you w*rk, I would tend to believe the nutty lady and wonder what they did to the battery myself. Smile, Wink & Grin

Thanks for the comments on the details for the Powerhouse...  Next "fun" part will be to get it installed inside.  The floor it is on is the second story of the building and so I have to get it past some other things THAT were put in the way.  If I have measured correctly, it should just fit.  Will know in a few days.

Those of you in the path of the storm, drive carefully and stay safe.

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 Friday, January 13, 2012 9:33 AM

 Morning Fellow Dinners!

 Flo Coffee to go please.

 Boy I slept late, did not get up till 8:56 AM.

 Writing in the cold? One of the problems I had yesterday at work was it was 17 degrees and my pen would only write for 3 minutes before the ink stopped flowing. Besides a pencil, any ideas?

 Short day today, 11:00 AM till 4:00 PM. Yes

 JR Thanks for the tip and I will check the turnout. Personally I am thinking the front truck is wore out on the car that keeps picking. I will check both when I get home tonight.

See you all later.

           Ken 

I hate Rust

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Posted by Curt Webb on Friday, January 13, 2012 9:27 AM

Morning All,

Waiting on the dryer to hang up my uniforms before I go to the old vet and pick up Raine's records. High today is supposed to be 60 F today and tomorrow, so blue jeans instead of shorts. When I get back home hopefully I will finish the signaling job.

Ray- your modeling is always top notchBow.

Everybody take care.

Curt Webb

The Late Great Pennsylvania Railroad

http://s1082.photobucket.com/albums/j372/curtwbb/

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Posted by gear-jammer on Friday, January 13, 2012 9:17 AM

Good morning, Chloe.  I will have a large mug of black coffee.  Is anyone still here?  I overslept.   I slept until almost 7:00.

Ray,  Nice job on the powerhouse.  Can't wait to see photos.

The mircromark order came.  We can get back to labeling car card boxes.

Last weekend, I framed the ends of a car shop.  Years ago there was one I liked in the Narrow Gauge Gazette.

Later,  Sue

Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.

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Posted by GMTRacing on Friday, January 13, 2012 8:47 AM

Good morning All,

    42F and partly cloudy this morning. Been swamped doing computer and data acquisition wiring harnesses so no puter or train time (did do the museum thing Tuesday). Off to Essex shortly to deliver and splain what I need to the dealer so we can order stuff.

Jeff - I'm sure it was a difficult decision but your reasoning seems sound. as others have already said, your service is appreciated and the memories will always be there. Thanks.

  Ken - it it's picking s switch intermittently, is the actuating bar fouling something or do the points need filing/adjustment ?

Gotta run - I really must be going cause I'm late I'm late I'm late... J.R.

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Posted by Cederstrand on Friday, January 13, 2012 8:46 AM

Strong coffee in a UNION PACIFIC mug, please.

***James, South Park is a riot.

***Ray, your work continues to impress. Well done!Yes Sorry about the DCC trouble.

Have a good day all.

Cowboy Rob

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Posted by blownout cylinder on Friday, January 13, 2012 8:27 AM

Good Morning

Near Zero visibility. bitter cold windchills near 0F...a lovely day to be had here...

Got some banking to do today then on-call for the weekend...

On a car note...

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/

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