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

81974 views
1073 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: upstate NY
  • 9,236 posts
the DIner 03/07/2012
Posted by galaxy on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 4:02 AM

GOOD MORNING!!!

Today is Wednesday, March 7th, 2012!!!

Make it 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.

  • Member since
    March 2005
  • From: IN/USA
  • 2,495 posts
Good Morning...
Posted by wetidlerjr on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 3:13 AM

 

Good Morning! from Tipton IN.

 

 

Cool

 

 

TIPTON

 

Bill Tidler Jr.

Near a cornfield in Indiana...

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Finger Lakes
  • 10,198 posts
Posted by howmus on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 11:02 PM

Evenin' folks!

Janie, another cup of hot decaf would be nice....  just typed a nice long message about the new iMac I am typing on at the moment and I did something with the "magic Mouse that came with it and deleted it rather than posted it....

I did find out the 1 Tb hard drive was indeed fine and the lady at the store talked me out of having it copied to the new 2 Tb HD as all I needed was to put the old drive in a case they sell for $15 and it will plug in with USB, Firewire, and a couple other high speed ports it has.  I still bought the 2 Tb drive and will set it up as a back up (Time Machine) to save all info automatically.  The iMac is the 27" screen with 4 Gb of RAM and a 1 Tb built in Hard Drive.  It has the 3.1 GHz intel quad core processor in it....  Running Lion, BTWE.  I'm sure there is at one person in here who likes THAT idea.....WhistlingSmile, Wink & Grin  Should keep me happy for a while.

I have been spending tonight upgrading software, transferring files form the laptop (used the migration assistant to transfer all program, computer settings, and certain documents to the new computer via Firewire.  I still need to upgrade a few biggies like Photoshop and Indesign....  I am now networked with the other two computers on my home network so I can move data easily between the 3 of them.  The old 1 Tb drive will be used as a drive I can not only save photos, PDFs, Movies, and other things, but can be moved from computer to computer.  That will be  a great things when I take the laptop on the road and wish I could access the photos which used to be on the old G5...

Der, you had to go and remind us we lose an hours sleep this weekend now didn't you!  Actually I don't care as I will compensate by sleeping an hour later!

Hope you all have a great night.  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
    September 2002
  • From: Nova Scotia, Northumberland Shore
  • 2,479 posts
Posted by der5997 on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 8:53 PM

Garry:

CN Charlie ... Glad you have some "winter time" to work on trains. Speaking of N scale, where is Der John?
...Thanks for asking...to paraphrase Cliff Richard, "I'm looking in the window, I'm waiting at the door, to see if I can mmr the way I did before" MusicMusicMusicMusic Clown  Just plain too many things going on in the real world - to which you may now add that our daughter has reported an outbreak of bed bugs in her house (actually she didn't, #1 grandson did because mom thought we'd be mad!

...and so it goes. New military display at the museum also taking a bunch of time.Sigh

To Town tomorrow to have the undercoat checked  (1st Anniversary to keep the warranty on it sweet)

Could do with a gift of TIME

Speaking of clocks, ours go forward this weekend - how about other folks?

Goodnight all, and God Bless. Prayers for all in need of Healing, Comfort, Prosperity and Peace.Angel

(The forgoing is not an automated message.Clown (Just to show I really have been lurking!)

 (for Oz Jim)

"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Euclid, Ohio
  • 2,822 posts
Posted by LSWrr on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 7:19 PM

Garry the LS&W terminates in Chicago so I have to have a few “Western Roads” in the mix….

Inch, remind me what you were looking for, I'm very handy at searching Walther's or I might see it at one of the train shows this month.

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

  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: Western transplant to the Deep South
  • 4,256 posts
Posted by Cederstrand on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 7:18 PM

A late coffee refill, please.

Sister and elder son may be here tonight. Train room is still a mess, Still better than no train room at all, that is for sure.

Next few days could get busy around here. If I don't make it back in, y'all have a great rest of the week.

Cheers! 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 6, 2012 7:12 PM

Time for me to pack it in. I'm not feeling well tonight. 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
    July 2006
  • From: upstate NY
  • 9,236 posts
Evening at the Diner 03/06/2012
Posted by galaxy on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 5:27 PM

Evening all

enjoyed a relaxing do-nothing day. Not that I overdid it the other day, just did the dishes and got some prescriptions and that was it.

Dinner was Roast beef smothered in gravy with noodles and carrots.

Later

have a GREAT Evening!!!

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
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
  • 10,660 posts
Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 2:46 PM

Inch ...  You are plenty smart enough. I see Walthers was selling gas station details but are sold out. The manufacturer is Great West Models.  http://www.greatwestmodels.com/  At their wesite look at the column on the left. Under "Gas Station and Details", they list 2 gas staion kits with details. Under "Create a scene detail parts", they list sets of detail parts for gas stations. 

Lion ... Sounds like you are an electronics guru. Hope the circuit works for you.

Jeff ... You are welcome.... Looks like a storm uprooted a tree on your layout. ... We have an abundance of prototype uprooted trees here.  

Lee .... GN and NP freight cars? You can't go wrong.

Ken ... We were just talking about how government messes things up, and there you are with SS messing up things.

Ulrich ... Your government is like ours. It messes up things. 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • 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 6, 2012 2:35 PM

Well I decided to go ahead and put the manual starter safety in the van. Why? Because if I have the engine off but the ignition on while working on it and accidentally press the button it will start even if it's in gear. If I have the safety switch turned off that won't happen. If I forget to turn the safety off and that happens it's due to my own stupidity. Turning the safety off after the engine starts will become second nature quickly enough. Besides, why put off till tomorrow what can be done today.

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 6, 2012 2:26 PM

LSWrr
It’s good to hear a positive Ulrich this afternoon!

Stops me from turning nuts, and - what´s life without a dream to cling to?

  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: Lancaster city
  • 682 posts
Posted by cats think well of me on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 1:28 PM

I think I might need to start looking for an RSA chapter here in Lancaster. I've only about 80-freight cars, but I want more! More!

-Alvie

 

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: hillbilly hide away and campground C, M-ville,ILL
  • 2,153 posts
Posted by inch53 on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 1:22 PM

Afternoon, Zoe a hot ham n cheese, coffee, dear.

Your right bout the wind out TODD, just not as windy down here with gust to 30 or so. There is a wind advisory’s just N of us.

 LEE,,,, thanks for the link. They didn’t have what I’m looking for either, but found some things I’m wanting.

GARRY,, I gave up on finding anything on-line at Walthers a long time ago. Maybe I not be smart enough,, because I have yet to see what a 100 pages of cars, engines, building kits n whatever, have to do with the H.O. picnic tables I was looking for that time.

Got laundry an out, so far it’s still on the line, weekly cleanup on the pellet stove and a few other odds n ends. Getting ready to work some more on the new girls bathroom vanity frame work.

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/4309

DISCLAIMER-- This post does not clam anything posted here as fact or truth, but it may be just plain funny
  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Euclid, Ohio
  • 2,822 posts
Posted by LSWrr on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 12:49 PM

Garry, I went to the RSA in Chardon and was assigned a sponsor.  My sponsor has beaten the odds and is slowly reducing his inventory of rolling stock, matter of fact he sold me 3 GN refers and 3 general purpose 40 foot NP boxcars….

It’s good to hear a positive Ulrich this afternoon!

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

  • Member since
    April 2002
  • From: Paducah KY
  • 1,183 posts
Posted by moelarrycurly4 on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 11:28 AM

Time for lunch!!!!

  • Member since
    September 2014
  • 200 posts
Posted by jwar41 on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 11:10 AM

Ken , havent chatted with you in years, I would surly check in with a SS lawyer to see what is really going on, there have been so many cut and different rules and laws in the past two years, it might be worth to effort to get someone in the know,

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 11:04 AM

Just to give you an impression of what I am going for :

The only issue I have is how to make the transition from the mountain module to this one - 6 by 12 inches are not much of a real estate for transitions....

  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: Lancaster city
  • 682 posts
Posted by cats think well of me on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 10:55 AM

Good morning from Lancaster PA! 

I'd like a fried banana with vanilla ice cream please.

Ulrich, I'm saddened to hear that there is so much bureaucratic absurdity going on! We're all rooting for you here and know you'll get out of this mess.

Thank you for posting that photo, I love the trees and looking forward to your piece with the Buddhist shrine. 

I sold a few things on eBay this last week and happy to see that things sold for a half-decent amount of money which will be used for surprise, more trains. Two people who have won items I put up for auction haven't paid me for a week now! A week! Including one piece that is over $100. I've emailed them both and I'm awaiting response before complaining to eBay. 

Alvie

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Maryville IL
  • 9,577 posts
Posted by cudaken on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 10:40 AM

 Morning Folks

 Flo, Diet Dew to go please.

 Gurīn'u~eru jinja or Shrine of the Green Well. Yes I like that Ulrich! Whistling

 Got to go fight with SS Offices on my day off this coming Thursday. Seems they claim they over paid Sue last year by $1,000.00 and they want it back! Bang Head They diced what to send, not us. So how come they keep over paying her?

 See you tonight.

            Ken

 

 

I hate Rust

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 10:06 AM
こんにちは Kon'nichiwa!

I know we have left Japan and are back in the States, so here is a "Good Afternoon" to you!

Not really a good day today - my lawyer called me this morning, as we have not received a word from the labor administration, handling our allowance. To make things short, they deny my claim, so we have to get a court ruling. This will take quite some time. I had hoped we´d be able to get out of this without cuts and bruises, but no luck!

Tinkered around with my trains this afternoon, just running my EMU up and down the line a couple of times. I forgot to borrow my friend´s tripod last weekend for more pictures, but I´ll make up on that by coming weekend.

At least one more shot:



I know now how to scenic the next module! It is going to be the long promised temple module, well, not really a temple, but a Buddhist shrine.

グリーンウェル神社 - that´s Gurīn'u~eru jinja or Shrine of the Green Well. There is a set of buildings for that, but they are right now sold out and they cost $ 50 Crying

Time will tell.

Hope you are having a good one!
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Finger Lakes
  • 10,198 posts
Posted by howmus on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 9:50 AM

Mornin' everyone!

Zoe, a cup of dark roast and a breakfast bagel w/ bacon and cheese to go.  Have a bunch of errands THAT have to get done before noon today.

By this evening I hope to be logging in with a new computer........

Catch you all 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
    March 2005
  • From: IN/USA
  • 2,495 posts
Good Morning...again
Posted by wetidlerjr on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 9:46 AM

Heartland Division CB&Q

...Bill T ... I like the old photos especially the one of the interurban car.

That photo was taken in Tipton IN (my hometown) beside the interurban depot which still stands in downtown Tipton.

Bill Tidler Jr.

Near a cornfield in Indiana...

  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: Western transplant to the Deep South
  • 4,256 posts
Posted by Cederstrand on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 9:39 AM

Extra strong coffee in a  UNION PACIFIC  mug, please. Maybe it will help shake off this headache.

Have stuff to get done before my sister and eldest son arrive (probably tomorrow). Just a quick visit, but will be nice to see them.

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 6, 2012 9:24 AM

Heartland Division CB&Q

Jeff ... I hope you can find a way to sleep better. ... I like your layout photos.

I got a good nights sleep last night. Put on a Stephen Hawking documentary and I went out like a light. Thanks for the compliment on the photos.

 

Good morning. It's 56° and partly cloudy. The high today will be 78°.

I need to do some cleanup on the layout today. Other than that I don't plan on doing much. At the moment I have a shortage of projects to work on. Maybe I need to break something so I'll have something to fix. One thing I need to do is wire in a safety switch on the vans starter button so it can't be accidentally triggered while the engine is running. It can also serve as a deterrent for unauthorized use. There are people around here that'll steal virtually anything that rolls. But that'll probably be a project for another day.

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
    October 2010
  • From: Centennial, CO
  • 3,218 posts
Posted by Stourbridge Lion on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 9:18 AM

Good Morning Modelers!

Well, it should get up near 70F today and then 35F with snow on Wednesday; good old Colorado weather!  Have not had a chance to read all the posts here in the diner over the last few days but I hope all that had family in harms way of the nasty storms are all OK.

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: North Dakota
  • 9,592 posts
Posted by BroadwayLion on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 9:13 AM

Heartland Division CB&Q

Lion ... I laughed at your 404 Error photo. Good to hear you are working on trains. Evidently, you are not a DCC guy if you are concerned about constant lighting. The Rapido lighting system has small batteries, but their units might be too long for a subway car. I have two passenger cars where I installed my home-made battery lighting They have a small on-off switch on the bottom. Problem is I must lift the car off the rails to reach to electrical switch. Otherwise, I'm happy with that idea.

100% DC. LION has Analog Automatic Train Control. There is a variable regulated power supply set for 10.5 volts and capable of putting 15 amps on the layout. There are no blocks per se, but each station is gapped from the rest of the layout. Gaps and resistors slow the train as it approaches or departs the station, and an open gap stops the train. A timer pulls in a relay allowing the train to continue.

So to keep the lights on, I have tried batteries and switches and stuff, but am now working on a design that will keep LEDs lit while the train is in the station. It consists of:

1) a full wave rectifier so that there will be correct polarity on the lighting circuit regardless of which way the train is going.

2) a 5 volt power regulator with associated capacitors to control the voltage on the lighting circuit.

3) any number of 3.3F super capacitors (with a 5.5 volt limit--thus the need for the regulator)

4) two pair of LEDs in a plastic straw emulating a florescent light with an attached 350Ω resistor.

The power source (rectifier and regulator) is one per trains, the lighting circuit is train-lined from car to car as is traction power. Thus motor cars can get away with just the lights, and other cars can carry whatever capacitors are needed to keep the circuit lit for about 90 seconds.

I will let you all know if this works out. A similar circuit with micro-farad capacitors can keep the train lit for about 5 seconds.

ROAR

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

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: Winter Garden, FL
  • 1,546 posts
Posted by Curt Webb on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 8:56 AM

Morning All,

At w**k again today. High will be 76 F and breezy. Flo could I have a caffeine IV pleaseSleep. I w**k tomorrow 2-10 PM but it is OT. I recieved my Atlas RS-1 (DC) yesterday. I looked at it briefly and will run it a little tomorrow to make sure it works, then plan on getting DCC sound installed in it.

I guess I don't qualify for RSA since I have arround 110 pieces of equipment and that includes everything that has wheels (powered and unpowered).

Well I got to get going. Hope everyone has a good day. 

Curt Webb

The Late Great Pennsylvania Railroad

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

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
  • 10,660 posts
Everybody is Welcome in the DIner!
Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 8:18 AM

Good morning .... 

It's good to see how busy it is here in the diner. 

JimCG ... Evidently your zzzzz's were not loud enough to awaken Duke. He must be really conked out. 

Has anybody seen Vinnie? I suppose people are on their good behavior. 

Jeff ... I hope you can find a way to sleep better. ... I like your layout photos.

Ray ... I'm using the Imac now, and it is great. I'd hate to think you would have to borrow however. 

Rob ... I like your layout pictures. That is some "sports car"! 

Inch ... Walthers may have gas station interiors in their on-line catalog. Say hello to Jerry again. Miss seeing him here.

CN Charlie ... Glad you have some "winter time" to work on trains. Speaking of N scale, where is Der John?

Alvie ... I did not know you had a BLI Q2. Sounds like you are enjoying having it. The prototype PRR Q2 was an amazing locomotive. 

JR ... You are shuttling back and forth to Florida a lot. If I were you, I would wish we could still ride the overnight trains on the ACL or SAL. 

Bill T ... I like the old photos especially the one of the interurban car.

Oz Jim ... I wonder about your bridge problem. I have two Walthers 2-track bridges, and they are perfect. I hope the ankle continues to improve.

Ulrich ... I hope you are doing fine now with your health situation. Also, some of Petra's strudel woul be goo again sometime. 

Lee ... Chardon sounds liek a very nice town. Do they have an RSA chapter for you? I do not know how many cars and locos I own, but it is more than a few. 

Todd .... I'm afraid your floor wars are taking too much time from your layout. Perhaps the floors will agree to a truce. 

Barry .... That big steam tractor is remarkable. The cat erros signs were funny.

Lion ... I laughed at your 404 Error photo. Good to hear you are working on trains. Evidently, you are not a DCC guy if you are concerned about constant lighting. The Rapido lighting system has small batteries, but their units might be too long for a subway car. I have two passenger cars where I installed my home-made battery lighting They have a small on-off switch on the bottom. Problem is I must lift the car off the rails to reach to electrical switch. Otherwise, I'm happy with that idea.

Galaxy ... Thanks for reminding us of the date every morning.

Terry ..... I like the downtown photos.

Curt ... I like your layout pictures with the new buildings.  .... Yes, government is often create more problems than it solves. 

Ken ..... You seem to be in a better mood these days, and that is good. I hope work is fun now. 

There sure are some sad stories regarding the recent tornado storms. I heard there were were 20 deaths just in KY.  Many others were severely injured. Other states such as Indiana had similar reports.

 

 

 

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

Moderator
  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: London ON
  • 10,392 posts
Posted by blownout cylinder on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 7:44 AM

Todd:  You get to do more stuff, right?SighWhistling

BTDT...tiring....

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
    November 2008
  • From: Williamsville, ILL
  • 3,698 posts
Posted by TMarsh on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 7:41 AM

Good Morning!! Just coffee please. Thanks.

Sunny, with a high near 65. Breezy, with a south wind between 22 and 29 mph, with gusts as high as 47 mph.

According to the weather guessers, Inch might as well not bother combing his hair today if he’s goin outside. Don’t let anyone under 150 lbs out either.

Cabinets came in and are as good a match after 17 years as you could hope for. Better than I thought actually. Got the base units set, now I just have to do the top cabinets. I need a tad bit of help for that. I could make a support I suppose. Hm…Hmm..that’ll save time waiting for someone to help. Oh and Brenda is picking out the counter top and guess what, no it doesn’t match, nor is it even close to the ones in the kitchen so guess what that means…….Sigh

Not much else going on, I have a headache do to the change in weather, but it’s going away a little bit at a time. Should clear up in about an hour if all is as normal.

This is my “full w**k day” Whistling Laugh so I haven’t much planned othernat.

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

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!