Elliot´s Trackside Diner - February 2012

[howmus]

Anata no subete ni utsukushiku, hareta asa!

Zoe I'll have the #2 special, over easy on the eggs, home fries, bacon, and a double order of sourdough toast to go with my dark roast coffee in my R&GV RR mug.

Currently 31°F outside here in the Finger Lakes with a high around 33°F this afternoon.  A bright yellow orb is peeking through the clouds every now and then.  But tomorrow......  OMG!  Winter will arrive back here!  We could get an inch of sn*w!!!  WOW!  THAT is the most exciting news of the day.

Johnboy, you are certainly welcome.  Problem is my workbench is back to being just as messy as it was before I cleaned it.......

Ulrich, friend, hang in there!

Good to have some of those who have been missing in action reporting in for some chat.  Good to see all of you.

Have to get the laundry done today before several other tasks take over...  Probably little or no modeling on the agenda for today.

Later!

73

[Anonymous]

I tried to run some trains today - just to get my head off the situation we are in. Everything went smoothly, until the train entered the station module . I cleaned the track, made sure that the switch was working properly, cleaned everything again - still . Took the modules apart, cleaned the rail joiners - again just . I was just about to give up and go to bed sulking, when I checked the joiners with the feeder wires. Gave them a good cleaning, cleaned the track once more - ta da! My trains are up and running. Makes me a little happy and proud. Checked our bank account this morning, there is just enough left to pay coming months energy and telephone & Internet bill - . At least I can stay on-line. 

Zoe, just a coffee, please and mind if you write it on my account until I can pay? Thank you, madam!

I have a doctor´s appointment coming up tomorrow. My left side is still kind of numb and the old ticker has a hitch in its gitalong. See what he will tell me.

Have a good one!

[last mountain & eastern hogger]

Morning Gang,

Hope you all slept well.

Chloe, when it eases up a little, see if you could rustle me up a bowl of Special K with berries, some cinnamon toast and a HC.   Please & thanks.

ULRICH & PETRA,  you are in my thoughts and prayers. Good advise has been given here and I really don't have anything to add to it.  I know with your resourcefulness that you will find a way out of this dilemma and you will do it without sacrificing your layout. None of us want to see you do that after all the sacrificing you have done to get to that point.  Hang in there Buddy.

JR.  have a great season, safe miles, few breakdowns and nothing you can't handle quickly, adding up to lots of Ws in that final column.

INCH,  If you would for me as well, please tell JERRY and SALLIE, they have been in my thoughts as well of late.  I always enjoy when he visits the Diner. Tell him there is a chili cheese dog waiting for him and I'll buy.

CURT,  You should teach us all how to get that amount of modeling done in such a short amount of time. What you do is remarkable and enjoy watching your work and updates.

BARRY, What was that one photo that you posted all about? It was the one that looked like some kind of a complex with various covered ramps leading into it.

JEFF, I still like those GP-30s. They look like the only thing they have on their mind is hard work.  Sure hope your Doc. won't be too upset with the re designing of that boot.  But whatever works for you is the main thing.

Well, I had three days off over the week-end and I planned on doing a lot of wiring on the LM&E but that was not to be.  I have two degenerative discs in my neck, that are partially pinching a main nerve.  It is part of the reason that I blacked out a year ago and had that fall injuring my shoulder.  It all came back to haunt me last WE., and by Saturday at supper I was very close to tears I was in so much pain and my shoulder had completely froze in place.  Made contact with a Masseur I know and he said he would take me in at his home early in the evening and he was able to get the shoulder freed up some and did a lot of stretching on the neck muscles to free them up and get a little more space for that nerve.  I'm still in quite a bit of discomfort in the neck area but the shoulder feels good.   I go back to see him again this evening, so I hope it continues to improve.

The only thing that did occur is that I got my desk cleaned off and re-organized. It looks wonderful and will be great to get back to modeling on a space of about 30 inches by 24 inches rather than trying to do it on the space of a dinner plate.        Thanks for the push RAY......

I am at work today and had better start to make it look like work here, so I will check out for now.  I don't always post but I do check in on you folks several times a day.  You are like family to me and I want to know what is going on with you.

Prayers and Blessings to all standing in need , and specially for the families of those three engineers that perished in Burlington and the others that got injured  in that Via Rail crash..

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

[inch53]

Mornin,,, an irish coffee and a short stack- sausage, please Zoe, no not havin what the kids are, mom brought doughnut holes. A sunny start to the day, high upper 50’s, becoming cloudy later and a chance of rain, possible thunderstorms tonight into tomorrow, with a high of [get this now] 68 for Feb 29’th.

ULRICH,,,,,,,, sorry to hear bout your troubles over there, hope ya can get things worked out.

ROB,,,,, if the want-a-be help shows today, I’m afraid there would be nothing for him, if’en it was me. Late’s one thing, no-show + no call = gone.

GARRY,,,,, I’ll be sure to tell Jerry when I talk to him, which I need to remember to call him today. From what you’re saying, I gather you folks will be taking the long way round to Paducah for a long spell, just waiting on the state to decide.

SARONATERRY,,,,,,,,, is your son finishing up his AIT??.

 Our grandson is there now doing airborne after a year in Korea. He thinks he’ll be stateside after that, I sure hope he’s right.

JR,,,,,,, hope you folk have better luck with your racing than they’ve had with the getting the Daytona. Sure glad I’m not a transport driver to the next race today.

Zoe nother coffee irish coffee please i know been dealing with kids getting up way early, getting the others up, fed, n on the bus [long day already].  Best gets on ta chores, finish getting trash for a start n go on from from dar. G-son’s championship game tonight in Paris for either 1’st or 2’nd. If they have the same refee’s as a couple games they’ll end up 2’nd and cops will have to be call to save them this time [mother said I have to leave the rope and duct tape at home, but didn’t say I couldn’t help if some-one brought tar, feathers n a rail].

 Thoughts n prayers for those in need hope ya’ll has a gooden

[moelarrycurly4]

Good morning from west ky again 40 degrees warming up to high 60's today. Strong storms in the forcast for tomorrow and friday. looks like tornado season is starting early.

 

Jeff: neat Exxon station

[cudaken]

 Morning!

 Flo, Coffee please!

 Work Front Well, Dave did tell me to call him Monday about a job with them and I did not call him back. If it comes up again, that is my answer I did not call him back. But either way I need to get the heck out of there. Rather it be a different shop or company.

 It will be a long day today, 10:00 Am to 9:00 Pm.

 Ulrich Man, reading what has happen to you and Petra really knock the wind out of me yesterday. I will let you know around the 5th if I can help out a little. Need t see if I have to make a house payment and when it is do.

 Going to run the trains a little then head into work.

                        Ken

[BroadwayLion]

Curt Webb

Evening All,

Lion- I watched a show last night where a NYC subway line was above ground and it looked like they were using the PRR PL style signals. Is that true?

 

Nope. But the subway equipment might have been running on the LIRR for the movie shoot. I have heard of movies where the setting was supposed to be NYC but was actually shot on the CTA. They tried to disguise Chicago equipment as NYCT equipment.  Some studios have either built mockups or had purchased old NYCT equipment for their shoots.

Many subway sequences are shot at Court Street; Hoyt-Schermerhorn, or other places without regular service. NYCT is a busy railroad and to get shooting time there is very expensive. Some shoots are taken at one of several trolley museums that have NYCT equipment.

ROAR

[Curt Webb]

Morning All,

At w**k again today. Highs for rest of week supposed to be in the mid 80's without rain. The AMB building kits came in yesterday, after w**k last night I looked at the kits and they look like they are going to be fun building (wood kits). I was impressed too about the quick shipping. I ordered Thursday afternoon and recieved them Monday. Tomorrow I start putting the layout back together again.

Talk to you all later. Prayers for all those in need.

[Cederstrand]

Columbian coffee in a SUNNY SOUTHERN mug, please.

***Ulrich, hope your lawyer can get things set right for you in short order.

***Todd, he is the son of a guy at the feed store (who actually does work hard). Anyway, do you know "some" of those folks holding "Will Work For Food" signs are total scammers. Not only employed, but own homes and drive nice cars. A gumshoe type from a news team followed a few of them home with mind boggling results. One guy in particular had 3 cars, including a BMW in front of a beautiful house. Sheesh!

Have a good day all.

 Rob

[blownout cylinder]

Good Morning

We are getting some sun this morning...which is a good thing!

Having one of those days wherein HD things will take up the majority of time. This is because of the current bout with Floor Wars, London ON division, part3..or summat  Now it appears that we...meaning, SWMBO...has decided that the closet needs to be 'reorganized'..which usually means more shelves and things like that...

Flo, I'll just have a coffee for now please..I'll be at the RC for a bit...

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning. It's 61° and cloudy with patchy dense fog. The high will be 75° and there's a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms.

It looks like more cleanup on the layout will be the order of the day. I was able to put my walking boot on this morning with very little discomfort and can move around quite comfortably. Looks like the modifications I made yesterday are a good thing. Actually they were the actions of a desperate man who needed some relief. This morning I find myself looking at an Athearn C&NW F7-A shell and I wonder what I'm going to do with it. I also have an SD40-2 shell that I'll probably chop up for pieces to use on my U25C project to make it a slightly unusual beast.

[saronaterry]

Good morning! 22f and cloudy, light winds. Some flurries and "they" are saying the snow will start around noon. 8-12" is still the guess. We're going to try to set some of the 4  seven x nine foot patio doors before the blizzard.

Thanks, Curt. I'll pass it along to PFC Son.

JR, I started the layout after finishing the basement in 2006, so 6 years to get this far. The mainline and all spurs/sidings are complete, scenery is about 70%. The next "big" project is installing valances to get a shadow box effect. I'm not real sure how I'll do that,so I'm waiting to get my "round tuit". That's on backorder ! LOL!!  I want to re-do some of the backdrop. As I moved around the layout painting it, it seemed to get better and better with experience. The first stuff I did looks pretty sad.I've always wanted an operation type layout, so actuallly starting operations is a kind of milestone for me. It's a ton of fun, even running by myself! Thanks for the nice comments.

Chin up, Ulrich. It'll work out.

Jeff, I hope you were talking about pics of the boot modifications and not foot mods!! LOL!

DerJohn, Did it arrive?

Where's CapeJim?

That's about all for now.

 

Terry in NW Wisconsin

[LSWrr]

Ulrich, sorry to hear things are not going well.  Is there any temporary help from the government for you?

 

I’ve always been 30-60 minutes early to work.  In the long run it helps when you arrive late or need to leave a little early once in a while.

 

[gear-jammer]

Good morning, Chloe.  Just a quick coffee before I head to the pool.

Tonight we have an orientation for our intermediate climbing class.  We are giving it for 2 guys that couldn't make the first class.

Later,  Sue

[LSWrr]

Single part Molding is easy since everything is mixed one to one.  For an example let’s say you want to cast an assortment of boxes/crates with fine details.

 

Micromark 1:1 self vulcanizing silicon (cures without heat) #82083.

An empty Athearn box

Latex gloves

Safety glasses

Paper towels

Two liquid measuring cups (glass preferred).

Old screwdriver

Disposable plastic bowl

A level table (this is the single point of failure)

Timer

Goop or household goo adhesive

Bag of dry sand or fine RR ballast (you’ll get this back).

Razor blade or box cutter knife

Wood stir stick or tongue depressor

 

Take the old Athearn box and glue the objects in the box arranging them so you have 1/8” between the sides of the box and the objects this is to support the shape of the mold during pouring and de-molding.  There should be at least 1/16” between objects. Let the glue dry completely.  Don’t skimp on the glue.

 

Fill the box with ballast then pour it out into your measuring cups, this will give you a rough idea how much #82083 you need to mix to cover the objects to make your mold.  Make sure all the ballast is removed.  Let’s say you need 16oz to fill the box submerging the objects by 1/8".

 

Pour 8oz of part A and part B of the #82083 into separate measuring cups. Pour both measuring cups into a plastic bowl and set the timer for 1 minute.  Using the screwdriver start mixing for one minute, one part is white the other is blue so after 1 minute of mixing everything should be blue. Do not change directions when mixing to avoid air pockets/bubbles.  You will be amazed at how long one minute really is.

 

Slowly pour/drizzle the 82083 over the objects in the box; pouring it directly on each object ensures a good bond between the details and silicon and prevents air bubbles in your finished mold.  If you don’t have a level table at this point you will be wishing you had one and when you go to cast your mold you will see how important this step was.

 

Now that you have poured your mold wipe out the glass measuring cups with several paper towels, clean off the screwdriver, and store the remaining 82083 upside down.  The 82083 is impervious to water so wipe everything clean with the paper towels.  The bowl that mixed A and B is discarded.

 

Let the mold sit for 30 minutes before moving it.  You can proceed with the next step after 4-5 hours.

 

Take the razor blade and cut the corners of the box, remember you want to cut in line with the sides of the box so you don’t cut into the mold.  Trace around the silicon and box sides like you removing a cake from a pan. Do not cut into the silicon. The box side should be flat now.  Peal the box off the molded objects, the objects should remain in the silicone.  Discard the box.  Using your fingers break the seal around the sides of the objects.  Push up slightly under each object until it starts to pop out of the mold and remove it carefully.  The silicone is tough and flexible; just take your time working each object out of the mold.

 

Now you have your finished mold that will last several castings and you can use plaster of Paris or a 2 part plastic resin.  Since you used a box to make the mold the mold will stand without having to be supported while poured.  

[Anonymous]

Lunchtime!

The stuff we have in the freezer will help us over the next days, but weekend come, the picture is bleak.

I went to a lawyer this morning, which was quite promising. She said the case is a no-brainer, as the decision is utterly wrong. So that´s the positive side. The flip end is, it´ll take 3 to 4 weeks for the appeal to get through

I will start to round up former friends and neighbors and try to "collect" some help. Never thought I´d have to go out and beg for money

I am so glad that Petra is on my side - most women would have said good bye a long time ago.

Stay safe!

[LSWrr]

Good Morning All,

 

Gary thanks; mom seems to be doing well hopefully she will leave the nursing home in a few days and go home.

 

I would think the only hold up to repairing the bridge would be money, I would hazard a guess that replacing that span will be around $5M mark or higher not to mention the State working with the ships insurance company to repair the span.  IMHO this would be a repair not a new bridge so a full blown permit might not be required providing the repairs meet or exceed the original bridge clearances at that location.  A lot of May and might not’s since it’s out of my area and I’m only speculating.

[TMarsh]

Good Morning!! Scrambled eggs, loose, fried bologna and hash browns please. Thanks.

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54.

Ulrich- I’m so sorry for this set back. I’m at a loss for words.

Same as here. I don't understand why the ones who want to work have the most trouble getting hired. I also don't understand why it's the deserving recipients of Government assistance programs that have the most trouble getting and keeping the assistance. It's like that all over. Look at Rob. Finds a guy that says he's looking for work. Gets the job...., doesn't show up. (unfairly not giving the guy the benefit of the doubt I know, but history with the type has, well, stereotyped. I will appologize should something become known that is a reason.)  Yet somewhere, there's a guy who'll pull stumps all day for half the wages and be glad to, just to feed his family. Funny, but it wouldn't surprise me if that guy was the next guy Rob would have talked to if the one who didn't show up had not have accepted.  

Moelarrycurly4- Hey, long time no see!

Rob- Don’t know where you run across this fella, but the ones who are around here who’ll “work for food” or “need work” usually just want a few bucks handed to them from hundreds of people leaving the Walmart. Offer them a job, they may accept, but they won’t show. Too much work.

I wish I had taken a picture of the fella standing at the Walmart exit with a work for food sign. Next to the exit was a sign for a…. burger joint…oh for crying out loud, can’t think of the name….butter burgers…oh this is aggravating…what the heck is that name…yeesh…any way there was a sign that said…”Help Wanted” HAHAHaahaha .he was standing under this…hahaaha, holding a “will work for…”, hahaha…, haha.. ha….. guess you had to be there. CULVER’S!!! That’s the name of the place.

Well, Brenda’s getting a bit antsy for her car to run again. Only been about a year or more since it ran last. I don’t see why she’s so….hurry up about it. Guess I’ll have to get on that here pretty quick I suppose. Maybe tomorrow.

 

Ya’ll have a Great Day!!!

[galaxy]

NiPon

GOOD MORNING!!!

Today is Tuesday, February 28th, 2012!!!

Our Last two days in Japan!

[wetidlerjr]

 

Good Morning! from Tipton IN.

 

 

 

 

TIPTON

 

[james saunders]

Howdy folks, I was just browsing but I saw Ulrich's post...

 

Man that is just a downer! Ulrich, like many have said I believe you can get thru it!! Hang in there! I'm sure there is a church or charity that will be able to give you something. Do you have any trusted friends who could loan you some money or give you a big basket of food?

 

If you weren't in Germany I'd send you a whole lot of stuff. It is a shame we can't help apart from wishing you well and giving you ideas.

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Good evening. 

Der John .... I see you just posted, and I was very glad to see you. 

Ken ..... I'm afraid you are in a pickle now. If somebody at Calvert Express told Larry about your desire to change employers, they breeched your privacy. It would be hard to trust that company, too. We'll pray all works out for the best. Meanwhile, keep doing what is right. 

Ulrich ... I read your post, and it made me very sad. I would agree you should arrange with the landlord for a delayed rent payment. The delay in your income is not your fault. Everybody here in the diner cares about you and Petra. We'll pray for your health and your finances. Keep your spirits up. 

Curt ... I heard about all of that rain in the Sunshine State. 

Jeff ... The lighting in the U25C looks very good. You are a master at doing such things. 

Inch .... Tell Jerry I'm asking about him. Tell him I would like to see him in the diner when he can be here. 

Lee ..... I'd like to know more about the plastic  molding stuff you purchased. I have tried resin casting. Results were so-so, and it was very messy. .... Hope your Mom is improving. 

I wonder if we will ever see the bridge replaced across KY Lake. The state would like to consider a temporary ferry boat service, but it will take a half dozen federal agencies to approve it after maybe a year of deliberations. Also being considered is temporary replacement for the missing 350' span. The replacement might be two spans of 175' each placed on a new pier that would be needed. ... Meanwhile, funding for an entire new bridge remains delayed. It's been at least ten years of delay so far. 

It seems like governments mess things up all of the time here, Europe, and other places. 

 

 

 

 

[GMTRacing]

Charlie. I have picked up IDC's at Canadian Tire stores but they are not in quantity.The best source for me has been electric supply stores. There are marketed here as 3M Scotchlock insulation displacement connectors and come in several sizes. Jeff will not give them a glowing recommendation but I find them useful and more fun than dropping hot solder on myself whilst jammed under the layout.  J.R.

[der5997]

Anybody hear from DerJohn

  Yup, was talkin' to him just a minute or two ago.

Actually folks, I've been lurking now and then (last look in bookmarked was page 47!) but up to here in looking after Kris following retinal surgery (all going very well in that regard) and museum research projects, and new display development. So, very little mrr - but I do know where the layout is still!

Ulrich's situation really gets to me - and I don't think it's a mater of just waltzing out and doing a few odd jobs until the case gets sorted.

Have to get to bed - it's been a too long day. Good night all, and God Bless. Prayers for all in need of Healing, Comfort, Prosperity and Peace.

[CNCharlie]

Good Evening,

We had winter back again today. Windchill this morning was -30C.  It is supposed to warm up tomorrow but I guess my definition of warming up would be a little different from Jeff's.

Ulrich, now for my 2 cents worth. On the monthly expenses such as rent and electricity, if it is anything like here you could get away with delaying those payments for 30 days. A call to the landlord explaining what happened might help. As far as food goes, do you have anything there such as a food bank? Here they are places where you can get food if you can't pay for it. They are all run with donated food. That might buy you the 30 days you said you would need to straighten out your monthly cheque. Can such a decision be appealed?

Well I managed to get the door layout all wired up. I used suitcase connectors and soldered some. Surprisingly I was unable to find anyone who carried the suitcase connectors here so I guess they are a U.S. thing. The ones I did have I bought in Thief River Falls.  I checked the power tonight with the multimeter and found one bad connection so I removed the suitcase connectors and soldered the feeders. Now for a test run of a loco. Tomorrow or maybe not. I think I'd rather run the HO. I put the CP locos on the layout as I haven't run them for nearly a year. I only have 3 CP units, a S4, SW9 and a RS3.

J.R. Good luck at Sebring.

Well it is nearly 10 here so I best start the getting ready for bed routine.

Hope everyone is well.

CN Charlie

 

 

 

[howmus]

Evenin' folks!

Janie just a decaf for me.  I'll have a seat in the back by the stove to get warmed up.

Been an interesting day I think.....  Did my financial report for the MLK committee, went down to church and finished the hook up for the new social hall sound system and did a sound check.  Works really well, BTW.  Then dealt with a few emails back and forth with a couple of my division members who are bent out of shape about some perceived problems...... and finally spent an hour starting to build another #6 Fats Tracks turnout.  Decided to call it a day after filing one of the stock rails the wrong direction, which I discovered after I had soldered it to the PC ties......

Rob, I agree, unless the errant helper has an awfully good excuse for not showing up or at least telling you why he wasn't showing up, I would look for some help that will! 

Ulrich....  Hang in there!  Something will work out for you!  My prayers to both of you.

Ken, you have gotten some very good advise here.  A few months ago I came across a file of hand written and dated accounts of meeting with an idiot principal I once worked against (can't say I really work for him as i had to fight my way to doing the job most of the time...).  Good luck with getting something better.  Hope it comes through for you.

Jeffrey, glad the boot doesn't cause as much pain now.  Healing thoughts going your way!

Hope you all have a great night.  Prayers for all in need!

73

[Curt Webb]

Evening All,

Waiting to get off shift at midnight, then do it again tomorrow.

Flip- Thanks for the info. I'm going to try to get there on Friday but not sure if I will. If not I will definitely get there next week. I'm a glorified EMT ( a Paramedic), the EMT's make sure we don't do something stupid.

Jeff- I'm glad your boot is working better for you know.

Lion- I watched a show last night where a NYC subway line was above ground and it looked like they were using the PRR PL style signals. Is that true?

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Time for me to call it a night. Still sore after mowing the parents yard today. See y'all tomorrow.

[GMTRacing]

Konbonwa,

    Long day today . Still struggling with computers on one car but did get my trailer brakes adjusted.

   Ulrich - how can anyone do that to you in good conscience? I hope and pray you find some charity or other organisation to help you through the gap. Nothing for a month - really? I'd go to his office every day and follow him to lunch!

   Ken - danger danger! Larry is a snake. He already steals from you, he has no morals. He probably knows you're looking. In retrospect you should have answered a question with a question as in "What do you mean?" If there are repercussions I would immediately bring charges through your state labor board. For the time being I would make written notes of any interaction between the two of you,

   Rob - unless he has the best excuse ever, I'd give him one more chance and if you get no joy. Can him and brush up on your Spanish,

   Jeff - I had the same issues with the moon boot I had to wear while my foot healed. I did just the same and got better results after.

   Terry - again with a great shot of a great layout. How long have you been at it with this layout?

   Watching Daytona - what a bizarre race? Looked like JPM had two wheels on the painted border when he touched the brakes and then just went for a ride.

   Catch y'all later, J.R

  

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I got window glass into the cab of the U25C today and moved the light from the top of the front truck to just behind the headlight of the cab.