Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Elliot's Trackside Diner- MARCH 2012!! Locked

81938 views
1073 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Saskatchewan
  • 2,201 posts
Posted by last mountain & eastern hogger on Monday, March 19, 2012 12:37 PM

Whistling

Galaxy,  You said it well. we cannot change other people, we can only change our attitude towards them.

A very wise man once told me, " Don't confuse the two Ps "  They are Principle and Preference...

If it is a matter of Principle >> It really does matter.   If it is only Preference >> then several years from now it won't matter at all and you probably won't even remember it.   So be wise in the battles that you choose.

Ulrich,  Sincere congratulations to your Son, Christian  for his accomplishment  and also to you and Petra on being fine Parents.  Stick your chest out and be a proud Papa.   BTW,  love the job you have done  on the "Bluenose"

Ray, my Man,    I am impressed,  I named Jeff the "Spray Can Rembrandt"   I now officially proclaim you as the "Cloud Rembrandt"   Great job there,  and eagerly waiting to see the finished project.

ROB.  I am always concerned about your health. Wish I was closer to help out. But I don't know what I could do to help, as I am allergic to hay and straw dust and molds and fungus. I guess I wouldn't be much help after all. But I can operate a Bobcat and fork lift.    How is that tile floor coming?  Did you get it finished?  I'm sure it is going to look great.

What a strange year this is,  CN Charlie and Seamonster are basking in 60 degree temps today,  360 miles west where we are it is in the low 40's and 200 miles west of us they are in a full blown winter storm and expecting 12 to 16 inches of snow.  Whatever comes will come. Cant change Mother Nature.

Got a couple of days off and I am going to get our Income Tax gathered up and get it to the accountant today, for one thing, then help out MOH as she prepares for a shower for my DIL and new Grandson on the week-end.  I will try to be the good husband and cooperate leaving the MRR till later.

Well it is almost lunch time, but I don't feel very hungry. So I think I'll just pass on it for now.

You all have a great week, safe driving to all and especially Garry in the Big D.

A special Hi-Ho to Cape Jim,  Tipton Bill and Gerry and Sallie of IS fame.

Where is Bama Chuck ?, haven't heard from them for a month or more.

Have a great Cruise Curt, relax and enjoy.

Good work Barry,  we need more guys like you and Amanamedic and Curt.

Will check back later, gators.

Johnboy out................................................and to the tax man.Blindfold

from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North.. 

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

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Maryville IL
  • 9,577 posts
Posted by cudaken on Monday, March 19, 2012 2:58 PM

 Afternoon.

 Flo, just some ice water.

 Boy, what a waste of a beautiful day. Ick! Head is still stopped up, but I could feel worse. Just wish I felt like taking advantage of the extra day off. Sigh

 Will drop by later and maybe have a Beer

          Ken

 

 

I hate Rust

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Seattle WA
  • 1,233 posts
Posted by Hoople on Monday, March 19, 2012 3:06 PM

Afternoon all.

Still sick today. Gotta love strep, right?

Got an e-mail back from BLI already regarding my Big Boy. For whatever reason, it won't "chuff." The rest of the sounds work, it moves... it just won't make chuffing sounds. Which is a little annoying. They seem to think it's a broken chuff sensor and could mail it out to me to replace it- I should probably learn how to solder at some point. Might come in handy- seeing as I also need to re-wire my Marshall 4x12 guitar speaker cabinet at some point.

Needless to say I was a little surprised that BLI emailed me back before Athearn did- I sent an email to them on thursday asking about my Challenger- only one of the driver wheelsets moves. The front one is just dead weight, won't roll or drive. Then there's my spectrum 4-8-2, which has god knows what's wrong with it, and then my spectrum 2-8-0, which had it's female orange connector come off the PCB on the tender... I remember how much I hate those Bachmann orange plugs now!

Not to mention the Digitrax Zephyr's explosion... I forgot how much stuff there is I gotta fix!

RAY: I haven't thought about RIT. It's not in my area at all, although it may be in yours! I live over here in Seattle. I am looking mostly out of state though. Part of the reason I was looking at the Colorado School of Mines is because it is next to the Forney Museum (Big Boy #4005), the Colorado RR museum (D&RGW C-19 #346 and others), and it's pretty close to the Georgetown Loop RR. Lots of fun stuff in the area! I'll be visiting there in a month or so to see what the campus is like. Oh, and yes, I will be taking a look at the RR museums as well... Big Smile

LION: Did your brother enjoy working at the school of mines? It's one of my top picks. Also, I'd rather be an engineer for the air force- it's just personal preference. And to top it off I am a terrible swimmer. But, you are right that it's better than my flying!

GabeusMC: I don't want to be a Marine. Don't get me wrong, being a marine is an honorable thing- but I don't think I could do it. Being in combat isn't for me- I'm not willing to give it all up for my country. I'm sorry, but I'm not. I've only really considered joining any of the military branches as an engineer to work back here stateside one something because of all the good benefits and whatnot, not so I can go shoot at people.

Lee: I didn't know there was a Coast Guard academy. I'll have to look into it.

Sue: I can feel your pain. That's happened at most of the concerts I've been to. It wasn't really a problem when I saw AC/DC back in 2009... we had second balcony tickets, way in the back because they were bought last minute; but we could see everything and didn't have to stand up. Balcony/raised seating are a must a lot of the time- floor seating is nice but can be hard to see. Especially when you manage to get tickets behind a bunch of 6'6"+ bikers, like my dad and I did when we went to see Jason Bonham.


That's all for now.
Mark

Mark.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, March 19, 2012 3:38 PM

Calling it a day for today. Heading for bed, will do a little bit of reading before switching the lights off!

G´night, everyone!

  • Member since
    July 2011
  • From: right around here
  • 267 posts
Posted by gabeusmc on Monday, March 19, 2012 4:23 PM

I'll have a (pant, pant) diet coke, Laura... yah just finnesed my run... A quick two mile sprint on the nearby golfcourse

finnished painting a Bachmann Gp40 into MINRail colars. It had broken down past all repair so i made it a dummy unit. Just painted it with a brush( I know, the "horrors") and it still needs some decals.

Hoople- it was just a sugestion, anyway you can be an engineer in the marines, its like any other branch but your expected to Know how to be Riflemen at all times. Actually in the Chosin Resivoir battle the Corp used cooks and drivers as riflemen. if you don't want to get killed serving your country i wouldn't suggest joining the Coast Gaurd? Coast Gaurd dangerous? Yes instead of the 99% training 1% combat in most branches, in the coast gaurd its 10% training 90% combat( or combat equivelent situation) they are always boarding ships and stopping smugglers, even the engineers are involed in that. Just food for thought.

See y'all

"Mess with the best, die like the rest" -U.S. Marine Corp

MINRail (Minessota Rail Transportaion Corp.) - "If they got rid of the weeds what would hold the rails down?"

And yes I am 17.

  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: Western transplant to the Deep South
  • 4,256 posts
Posted by Cederstrand on Monday, March 19, 2012 4:35 PM

Coffee in a  SOUTHERN  mug, please.

***Ray, superb clouds!YesCool

***Johnboy, I sure appreciate that. Would be happy to turn over the key to my sports car (excavator) and let you have at it. Seems every day I get up planning to get to work stumping and I just don't have the energy most days to do much at all. Frustrating. The floor is all laid out and ready to set. However, I've decided to add a support beam down in the dungeon (workshop) to handle the extra weight over the long term. At the moment, have no reliable truck to go get the beam with. The good news is it seems winter is over here, so there is no rush now.Hmm

***Jeffrey, you sure do capture beautiful loco pics with the headlines burning. Well done.

Healing thoughts to those in need.

Cheers! Cowboy Rob

Moderator
  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: London ON
  • 10,392 posts
Posted by blownout cylinder on Monday, March 19, 2012 5:17 PM

Good Evening.

Thanks for the well wishes and prayers guys. I went up to the hospital yesterday and spent the night with him and his brother there. He slipped in and out of consciousness a few times as his heart would do its thing...they operated on him and he is doing a bit better although his heart rhythm is still out of sorts. Triple Bypass surgery is not fun....

I'm going to be doing the hospital in and out routine for the next little while with him I guess..his wife is here as well....Angel

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/

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Monday, March 19, 2012 5:23 PM

Cederstrand

***Jeffrey, you sure do capture beautiful loco pics with the headlines burning. Well done.

Thanks. It surprised me too. When I took that shot the only light in the room (besides the loco) came from the bedroom at the other end of the hall. I know the old Olympus is sensitive to light but cripes. I was trying for near full darkness. The layout and the train were black blobs with the exception of the headlight.

I was trying for something more like this:

That 's the ex-UP FP7 trying to light up the world.

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


  • Member since
    July 2011
  • From: right around here
  • 267 posts
Posted by gabeusmc on Monday, March 19, 2012 5:33 PM

Hey Jeffrey what do you model exactly, I mean any thought as to a protype, or do you just like to build whatever enters your head (I am a little like that). Do you have operating sessions. maybe you answered this along with all of thoose pics you posted a while back. Thanks.

Think I'll go operate the layout

"Mess with the best, die like the rest" -U.S. Marine Corp

MINRail (Minessota Rail Transportaion Corp.) - "If they got rid of the weeds what would hold the rails down?"

And yes I am 17.

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Monday, March 19, 2012 5:52 PM

gabeusmc

Hey Jeffrey what do you model exactly, I mean any thought as to a protype, or do you just like to build whatever enters your head (I am a little like that). Do you have operating sessions. maybe you answered this along with all of thoose pics you posted a while back. Thanks.

Think I'll go operate the layout

My layout is protolance based on a defunct railroad (fallen flag) named the Louisiana and Arkansas (L&A). My premise is what might have happened had the L&A not bought KCS. Now as far as building things, I sometimes get the itch to have my shops go crazy and I scrape the pieces together and build a Frankenstein loco. The most recent was a GP9m built with parts from Front Range, Life-Like, Athearn, Walthers and one or two other companies. Another is a three unit consist of F units built from Athearn, Stewart, Kato and Life-Like parts. There;s even a Varney metal body shell thrown in for weight. I don't have operating sessions. My layout room is far too small for that. The most that can be in here comfortably is two people as the ;ayout takes up almost all the room.

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


  • Member since
    July 2011
  • From: right around here
  • 267 posts
Posted by gabeusmc on Monday, March 19, 2012 7:21 PM

jeffrey-wimberly

 gabeusmc:

Hey Jeffrey what do you model exactly, I mean any thought as to a protype, or do you just like to build whatever enters your head (I am a little like that). Do you have operating sessions. maybe you answered this along with all of thoose pics you posted a while back. Thanks.

Think I'll go operate the layout

 

My layout is protolance based on a defunct railroad (fallen flag) named the Louisiana and Arkansas (L&A). My premise is what might have happened had the L&A not bought KCS. Now as far as building things, I sometimes get the itch to have my shops go crazy and I scrape the pieces together and build a Frankenstein loco. The most recent was a GP9m built with parts from Front Range, Life-Like, Athearn, Walthers and one or two other companies. Another is a three unit consist of F units built from Athearn, Stewart, Kato and Life-Like parts. There;s even a Varney metal body shell thrown in for weight. I don't have operating sessions. My layout room is far too small for that. The most that can be in here comfortably is two people as the ;ayout takes up almost all the room.

So do you operate it bitself, like me. Ya know run some through freights and local freights?

"Mess with the best, die like the rest" -U.S. Marine Corp

MINRail (Minessota Rail Transportaion Corp.) - "If they got rid of the weeds what would hold the rails down?"

And yes I am 17.

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Monday, March 19, 2012 8:01 PM

gabeusmc

 

 jeffrey-wimberly:

 

 

 gabeusmc:

Hey Jeffrey what do you model exactly, I mean any thought as to a protype, or do you just like to build whatever enters your head (I am a little like that). Do you have operating sessions. maybe you answered this along with all of thoose pics you posted a while back. Thanks.

Think I'll go operate the layout

 

My layout is protolance based on a defunct railroad (fallen flag) named the Louisiana and Arkansas (L&A). My premise is what might have happened had the L&A not bought KCS. Now as far as building things, I sometimes get the itch to have my shops go crazy and I scrape the pieces together and build a Frankenstein loco. The most recent was a GP9m built with parts from Front Range, Life-Like, Athearn, Walthers and one or two other companies. Another is a three unit consist of F units built from Athearn, Stewart, Kato and Life-Like parts. There;s even a Varney metal body shell thrown in for weight. I don't have operating sessions. My layout room is far too small for that. The most that can be in here comfortably is two people as the ;ayout takes up almost all the room.

 

 

So do you operate it bitself, like me. Ya know run some through freights and local freights?

 

Yesterday and today are the first chance I've had to run the trains in a long while. The front of my layout was so cluttered up with project debris I couldn't run anything longer than a couple of cars, mostly locos for testing after I worked on them. I did have some fun today though. My friend brought his Bachmann GP9's over and we had a time trial race. Could his new GP9's get a train around the layout faster than my GP9 Frankenlocos? The answer is NO. Mine beat his by six seconds. They run the same speed but he lost because of the slow startup speed of the Bachmann decoders. Mine have Digitrax decoders and can almost jump from a standing start. He wanted to know how his would run if they had Digitrax decoders so I let him run my Digitrax equipped Bachmann GP7's. He'll be ordering a couple of DZ125's for his locos.

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


  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Finger Lakes
  • 10,198 posts
Posted by howmus on Monday, March 19, 2012 8:18 PM

Evenin' Folks!

Janie I could sure use a cup of decaf at the moment.  I'll be in the back booth for a while.

Been a long but productive day today.  When I went to my sister's house I took a walk down the trail where the RR used to be in Canadaigua (well it is now one track, used to be a yard) and checked out the top side of the old coal dump I want to model.  There are no keep away signs posted by it so I guess it is OK to check it out.  I will be measuring it with a friend of mine.  I am hoping he can recreate it from what little is still left of it.  Pretty rotted old ties (with lots of carpenter ants all over the place) and mostly filled in with dirt.  But if anyone can come up with it. it would that guy.....

Did a bit more sorting out and recycling of old boxes, and other stuff.  I plan to get rid of all the stuff that has been hanging around here for the last decade or more THAT I will never use again.....  I also spent a few hours getting the Excel File done for the printing of the envelopes for the MLK Scholarship Invitations.  Still need to update info for the schools and city council, etc. but it is almost done and ready to go to print.

Got the rest of the forest painted on the backdrop while I was getting a couple loads of wash done tonight.  Now I can move onto some other stuff

We broke another record today.  Not just broke it, completely destroyed it!  Old record high for March 19 was 61°F set back in 1969....  Today the high was 76°F....  Back in 1993 the record low was set at -7°F  Surprise

Have a great night everyone and prayers for all in need!

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Monday, March 19, 2012 8:25 PM

howmus

Got the rest of the forest painted on the backdrop while I was getting a couple loads of wash done tonight.  Now I can move onto some other stuff.

Great to hear you're making progress.

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


  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Monday, March 19, 2012 9:07 PM

Time for me to call it a night. Had the GP9 Frankenlocos running tonight and made a slow run-by video. It's grainy but my camera only does 320 AVI video. Here's the video link: Frankenloco run-by. See y'all tomorrow.

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


  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Cape Girardeau, MO
  • 3,073 posts
Posted by JimRCGMO on Monday, March 19, 2012 9:40 PM

Evening, Chloe - I'll have a Santa Fe mug of coffee, please. Thanks!

Cederstrand

***Jim, haven't heard the coyotes lately. Did a head count last week and all were still present and accounted for.Hmm

So, Rob - how many coyotes were accounted for? Oh, you were counting the other critters! Smile, Wink & Grin Gee, your cookout dinner sounded pretty good! Dinner Your post reminded me that you were looking into a wood stove (wasn't that part of your reason for the extra support, right?).

MARK(Hoople)! Goodness, it's been "a while" (quite a while, actually) since you were in here. And [ditto] what Jeff said (don't be a stranger). Good to hear you're still thinking (some) about trains, even if you are (ahem...cough..) distracted by other matters. Wink Best wishes on your college choices - you have some 'challenging' ones on your list. For what it's worth, I was a second alternate for AF Academy back when I was a senior in high school. For me, I decided not to, after learning that you start in the summer (with survival camp) and your first dance or chance for a date isn't until that year's Christmas dance(!). (No, I was not THAT much of a social guy back then, but sheesh!). Wink I did later on get to see the Academy (maybe 30 or 35 years later). Great-looking place, it is!

Bill T. - nice shot of the Fishers Depot there! Thumbs Up

OzJim, I like the bridge - was surprised to see that you got that thick of a pier and made the bridges fit right (to my eye, for sure). Bow What'd you make it with, carve it out of wood or plaster?

Barry, sorry to hear about your friend's heart attack (but good that you were there to help him get to the hospital). Surprise Adding him to the Angel list here.

Lee, thanks for the update on your friends in the hospital, and may their healing continue. AngelAngel

Jeff, sometimes that nephew of yours actually CAN learn a thing, eh? Smile, Wink & Grin

And Todd?... Sigh I'm sorry, I forgot to bring you your birthday card. Forgive me? Whistling (And did Ziva show up at the DIner and I missed it? I hope NOT!) Oh, I see she missed her plane. Well, that's okay, cause you have paintin' to do, right? (Since you won't be able to get a decent nap in, that is...Grumpy) [ditto] what Galaxy said about being a parent.

JR, pleurisy is NO fun. One gal I had dated (I later found out) had one of those attacks, and she said it was NO fun, nope, nada, zip! Take care of yourself on that!

Ray, keep at it with the new backdrop (and the new use of the space. Good job on those clouds! Thumbs Up (Refresh me about how you do that, please).

Ken, the muscle cars were something I somehow didn't get into, but then again, by that time, I was out of high school and concentrating on college (and didn't have a car, so had some double dates with my older brother (who also for a while was at one college where I went). But I gotta admire those of you all who know that stuff better'n me. [bpw]

Lee, hope you get your photos of those cast items posted. Sound good.

Ulrich, I'm sure you and Petra are very proud of Christian (as well you should be, with his academic record)! BowBowYeah Your Bluenose keeps getting better and better looking, too. Thumbs UpThumbs Up (Cannot for the life of me, figure out what is wrong with his grandparents..)

ChessieJim, Welcome to the Diner (or had you been in before when I was out?) Wink

Curt -.....Storm... groan...Smile, Wink & Grin

Johnboy, you're right, it has been a while since Bama (Eddie) or Chuck was by. But if you have allergies to all those outdoor things, I'm betting our MIssouri pollen and such in the spring or fall is murder on you if you visit you son at college.

Today I made some more progress on my double-wide Heritage Furniture - got the three (visible) walls put together, added the loading doors wall (under the overhang), and added the backs to the columns. Fairly sturdy, which is good. I want to do some painting/weathering to soften down some of the plastic shine (and put some variation in the color), then will be adding the windows. Also (mostly yesterday) I got a couple of Accurail boxcars put together and Kaydees put on an Athearn ATSF 40' boxcar. Hope to have picture of the Furniture building (before painting) posted tomorrow, or at least by Wed. Wednesday night they're talking some thunderboomers rolling through. Won't be painting weather the rest of the week, I bet.

And about time for me to head home (unless I get TOP with this, in which case I'll have Chloe start my tab for you Night-Chowhounds on your midnight (or early morning, in Ulrich's case) run on the fridge). Smile, Wink & Grin

Prayers for healing on several fronts, as well as some good nights' sleep, Diners.

 

Blessings,

Jim in Cape G.

  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Brisbane Australia
  • 1,721 posts
Posted by james saunders on Monday, March 19, 2012 10:40 PM

CapeJim - I used a block of balsa wood which is about 3/8" smaller than the original pine piece I was using as a guide. I'm pleased with the results so far.

Since the photos I've added some more base grass (WS fine turf) I plan to glue some talus in place after feathering the riverbed colour a bit with sandy coloured paint. I will then move onto planting tree's and ground cover in and around the bridges.  I also installed the tracks to the double track bridge, although it still needs to come out to finish it.

I will be keeping you up to date. Smile

As for the on going gas price updates we've hit just a tad over $6 a gallon, not near poor Ulrich's $9 prices, but certainly much higher than the states!

 

Cheers,

 

OzJim

James, Brisbane Australia

Modelling AT&SF in the 90s

  • Member since
    March 2005
  • From: IN/USA
  • 2,495 posts
Good morning at the Diner - March 20, 2012!
Posted by wetidlerjr on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 6:38 AM

 

Good Morning! from Tipton IN.

 

 

Cool

 

 

TIPTON

 

Bill Tidler Jr.

Near a cornfield in Indiana...

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Euclid, Ohio
  • 2,822 posts
Posted by LSWrr on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 7:25 AM

Good Morning All,

 

Mark, Ken, a friend of mine, his son is graduating this year with a 4-year mechanical engineering degree. Total cost: $0 and you get paid E-5 salary while you’re going to school.  If you get accepted it’s not a bad way to go.  The catch is you owe us 6 years of hard labor after graduation, LOL.

 

BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret)
 L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Williamsville, ILL
  • 3,698 posts
Posted by TMarsh on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 7:58 AM

Good Morning!! Coffee and an vegetable omelet with cheese please. Thanks.

Hm. Doors were locked here a bit ago for maintenance. All's well now I see. Didn't take long.

Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Breezy, with a south wind between 14 and 24 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.

Happy Spring everybody. Sorry, no cards.

Ulrich- Yes we love em. And yes, considering Brenda’s mom is ½ Italian ½ German and her father is 100% German, it is possible they are related. Also, I understand your frustration over not being able to buy a gift for Christian. But I’m sure he is more than satisfied with the pride you have in him.

I agree with Chessiecat ( and others) Ray, those are some of the best clouds I’ve seen.

Sue- You must be rather shor…I mean petite like Brenda. At 5’3” concerts are not fun. She always gets behind someone who stands up and she can’t see even when she does. I’ve even laughed (and got that look) when the only three people who stood up were the three in front of her. Seriously. Happened at a Willie Nelson concert about, well right at a year ago. Bleacher type is no better. I think the folks who always get the tickets in the row in front of her have to be the tallest people row or the big hat club. And standing or what the fair calls track tickets….we won’t even go there. It’s just amazing.

Ken- I forget again why you’re “Cuda” Ken instead of “Charger” Ken. You seem to be a big fan of the Charger. That’s not a bad thing, personally I happen to think the 1969 Charger is one of the best looking cars ever designed. Followed by the ‘68 and then the ‘69 Plymouth Belvedere/Satellite/RR/GTX. After that I don't really rank. Well, maybe the ‘70 Challenger may take 4th.

As for serving our country. Though being in one of the Armed Forces is generally what is referred to as serving ones country, let’s not forget that it is also accomplished by being and active and productive person in the civilian world as well. Many folks don’t realize that being in the job market such as an engineer, is very much serving your country to make it something to be proud of and, yes, a reason to fight for. Let’s not forget the reason we came here in the first place was to get away from government control. Not live by it.

Today is let’s take the sink out, pull the counter tops away from the wall, scrape the old caulk, mud the parts where the caulk pulled the paper on the drywall and then put the countertop back, then reinstall the sink, so that I can do it all again this weekend or Monday so we can have the kitchen part at least painted when the new counter tops arrive, hopefully, after Wednesday of next week. All in a couple free hours I have today. Probably won’t finish until tomorrow seeins as how Mr Murphy is scheduled to arrive. Then of course it’s plumbing issues as the new sink is designed slightly different than the old and is deeper. One thing though. The PVC piping is one heck of a lot easier to deal with than the old metal stuff.

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

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 8:26 AM

Good morning. It's 72° and cloudy. A wind advisory is in effect. The high should be 78°. There's a 90% chance of rain with locally heavy rainfall possible. Wind is SSE 20 - 25 mph gusting to 30.

Well here it is the first day of spring and I'm wondering what the heck happened to winter. It never got cold here. The mosquitoes are going to be the size of trucks this summer.

Gave the Atlas H24-66 Trainmaster a run this morning. The decoder in it was a junk box find and lasted longer than I thought it would. Third trip around the layout the decoder fried. Oh well. What could I expect for free? Gasoline? It gave me time to evaluate the loco though. It runs smooth and quiet, goes over the turnouts with hardly a sound and can pull a big load. The kicker? This loco was free! The front and rear handrails were gone so I installed a set of metal handrails from an old Athearn GP7. What the heck. They get the job done. When I get another decoder it's going into the Trainmaster.

I have the GP9 Frankenlocos running right now. Amazing how quiet they are considering they were cobbled together from bits and pieces. The Atlas FP7's make more noise than these geeps do.

Well, that's it for now.

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


  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: upstate NY
  • 9,236 posts
Morning at the Diner - March 20, 2012!
Posted by galaxy on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 8:27 AM

GOOD {late} Morning!!!

Today, is, Tuesday, March 20th, 2012!!!

Spring is here!!!

I slept very late.

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.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: North Dakota
  • 9,592 posts
Posted by BroadwayLion on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 9:11 AM

jeffrey-wimberly

Time for me to call it a night. Had the GP9 Frankenlocos running tonight and made a slow run-by video. It's grainy but my camera only does 320 AVI video. Here's the video link: Frankenloco run-by. See y'all tomorrow.

http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l608/scott-running-bear/DSCN1751.jpg

What is that HUGE building in the middle of your layout? It looks like the CIA headquarters or something.

Maybe you should make a false front for it to disguise it as something less sinister, otherwise people will think that thre are black helicopters in there.

 

ROAR

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 9:50 AM

BroadwayLion

 

What is that HUGE building in the middle of your layout? It looks like the CIA headquarters or something.

Maybe you should make a false front for it to disguise it as something less sinister, otherwise people will think that thre are black helicopters in there.

That a/c unit does make quite a statement. I've thought about making a false front for it but it's only a couple of inches away from the track. A false front would have to be thin yet not be sucked right up against the grille. The control panel also has to be visible so the remote will work.

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


  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Finger Lakes
  • 10,198 posts
Posted by howmus on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 9:56 AM

Mornin' everyone!

Zoe, I'll have a raison Bran muffin w/ real butter and a cup of Seneca lake Blend Dark roast coffee in a FGLK Mug.

I've been sitting here at home looking out the kitchen window and watching a pair of beautiful cardinals that are nesting nearby.  They are eating last years berries from the flowering quince in my front yard.  The squirrels have been using them all winter for food and many birtds finish them off in the Spring.  Some get roaring drunk on them.  I have had several die from insisting they can fly through my large windows......  there are at least two pair of robins nesting here as well.

Have several errands to do this morning so i won't stay long.

LionJeffrey does have black helicopters in there (Actually just some Southern big bugs, but they are huge in HO! ROFL! Laugh

Later!

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Maryville IL
  • 9,577 posts
Posted by cudaken on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 10:25 AM

 Morning.

 Flo, Diet Dew please.

 I feel like my head is over inflated! Slight head ache, feel lite head but sines are not as bad. Guess I better go to work, I need the money.

 Speaking of money after I pay the bills today we will only have $100.00 to last us to the 30th when I get paid again. Guess the only Beer I can afford will be here at the dinner.

 Todd Reason I have the Screen Name of Cuda Ken is when I joined the Charger site someone had all ready taken Charger Ken. Never did see them post? Besides Cuda Ken as a nice ring to it.

 Well, the wife is rushing me to do some stuff before my head pop's so I may see you all after work.

                          Ken

 

I hate Rust

  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: Western transplant to the Deep South
  • 4,256 posts
Posted by Cederstrand on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 11:16 AM

Extra strong coffee in a UNION PACIFIC mug, please.

***Jeffrey, how did the Alaska loco escape the L&A patch?

***Ken, that's probably my favorite car you've posted yet. With wings like that can it fly, or does it handle more like a boat? Beautiful auto!

***Jim, here's my own version of the Diner. (pardon the mess) Only wish it was inside an old train car parked in the front yard. Would like to replace that flood light with a neon sign one day, like "DINER'S OPEN" or some such thing.

Have a good day all.

Cowboy Rob

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 11:31 AM

Cederstrand

***Jeffrey, how did the Alaska loco escape the L&A patch?

It's on the schedule. It's appointment with the paint shop hasn't come yet.

Cederstrand

***Ken, that's probably my favorite car you've posted yet. With wings like that can it fly, or does it handle more like a boat? Beautiful auto!

I used to have a car that looked a lot like that one. 1958 Plymouth Fury in near mint condition and I picked it up for a song. It looked very nice, ran well but rode like a tank.

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


  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 12:37 PM

A freight passing through dropped off this mysterious rail car. Nobody seems to know what it's for.ClownLaugh

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


  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 1:07 PM

Good Evening!

Just took our son to the train station. We had a really nice day with him. He invited us out for lunch at our favorite Chinese restaurant, where we had a gorgeous lunch. Petra made a great tasting cake, which we had while chatting. It was so good to have him ( and only him, not his GF) with us for the day.

I am still feeling sad about not being able to give him more than our love and a couple of slices of Petra´s cake.

Sorry , folks, I better leave now - tears are running down my cheeks. Won´t be a good sport today.

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!