Packer Jeff, Nice looking Trainmaster. I assume it's an athearn? Have you tried sticking the TM drive under an AHM/Rivarossi U25C? I've tried finding the Kaslo shops U25C drive and detail kits to upgrade my U25C to no avail, but the trainmaster truck has the same wheelspacing as the GE tri-mounts...
Jeff, Nice looking Trainmaster. I assume it's an athearn? Have you tried sticking the TM drive under an AHM/Rivarossi U25C? I've tried finding the Kaslo shops U25C drive and detail kits to upgrade my U25C to no avail, but the trainmaster truck has the same wheelspacing as the GE tri-mounts...
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Good Morning!!!
Coffee and an order of biscuits and gravy please. Thanks.
Sunny, with a high near 85.
I also am a three finger typer. No four….. Five. One finger on my left hand and at least two soooometimes three fingers on my right. The thumb on the right is used exclusively for the space bar. Guess that makes me a four finger and a typer. Impressive suh!
Not much going on here. Super Duper Evil sister is to bring records of MIL’s spending to the house Sunday of all days, so the siblings can see just where MIL’s money has gone. She has been taking care of her finances for a couple years. THIS should be interesting. I’m thinking of contacting Homeland security so they don’t assume it’s some sort of terrorist explosion. Just a family exploding. Did I mention I won’t be there. Could be a doozy.
Gotta trim up tree or three today so I can burn tomorrow. Last day to burn til September. Actually if I don’t get them burned it’s no biggy. The village has limb and yard waste pickup throughout the summer or, I can just haul it down there myself.
But first…. laundry.
Ya’ll have a good 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.
Mornin' everyuone!
"It's a lovely day today, and whatever you've got to do..." Ah yes, Zoe, I'll have a short stack of buttermilk pancakes w/ real dark amber Maple Syrup, and lots and lots of fresh brewed dark roast coffee for my R&GV RR Mug.
Just as I was finishing up the crossword puzzle this morning I look out the window and see the roofer's truck out front. I was sitting there with only my bathrobe on so I ran to the bedroom and threw on a some clothes and met him more or less fully dressed at the door. he came in and we both signed for him to get working on my roof.... Told me he had someone back out at the last minute and he will be here on Monday morning to start the job. YES! I also showed him a section of the lower roof over the living room by the wood stove that we think may have a rotted and broken beam in it.... He said not a problem, they can repair it easily as we are taking all the roofing off anyway.
I spent about a half hour on the phone yesterday afternoon with a company that partners with NYSEG Solutions talking about adding solar electric panels to the new roof... Surprisingly affordable. Pay back with all the state and federal credits available today is about 10 years with a system that would provide me with about 84% of the electric I currently use. I am seriously thinking about going that route as I have a perfect roof alinement to take advantage of the sun, and i sure hope to be still living here 10 years from now! She said my electric usage is very low compared to most of the people who call about it. i do need to get the old Blue Spruce cut down this summer though. I is starting to crown up at the base and if it fell the wrong way would take out my house very fast.....
Todd, I shall keep an eye out on the horizon for any fireballs...... If you end up being around then I would suggest taking up a periphery position and have your cell phone ready to dial 911!
Vincent.... just remember the Boy Scout Motto, Be Prepared!
Best get moving as I have much to get done today!
Later!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Morning Folks
Flo, Coffee please.
Far as the One Day Rest In Seven Law. I know it and have it booked marked. From when I was wrongly let go from Mattress Giant. At this point I am scheduled to have Wed off. If he ask me to come in Wednesday I more than likely will. I am still hoping for a store. I am all so hoping my feet don't fall of either! Besides, I need the money badly, still have the $998.43 house payment.
Curt I forgot to tell you about the engine with the long hood. Nickname of the engine is a Alligator. Official name is RSD-15. Mine is a Blue Line version. Sadly for you I don't think PPR ever had one. Good puller, I would say around 30 cars and has very good sound.
Only thing I do not like about the engine is I never could keep the handrails in places.
See you all later.
Ken
I hate Rust
My sincere thanks for all the prayers and expressions of good will you folks have offered to my wife. We really appreciate it. We saw the surgeon this morning and he told us he didn't think putting in screws or screws with plates would work well for her because the bones have seperated so far and the amount of arthritis. So we are to see another surgeon in two weeks and see if he thinks bone fusion of the entire ankle or an ankle replacement would be better options. So we shall see.
In the by and by, I have spent the last couple of days roto-tilling the flower beds, planting flowers and watering the new sod in the front yard. Because it's getting harder to plant all this stuff, especially with the wife not being able to help, I converted half the flower bed to perenials this year. If that works out, maybe I'll eliminate annuals altogether.
We might ride up to Conneaut, Ohio someday this coming week to do a little railfanning on CSX. I don't have much luck on the CSX line here in Pittsburgh. Traffic is kind of spotty. But Conneaut is very nice and we sometimes drive up to the lake and just chill out. She can't walk too far, but being in the house this much is driving her crazy. Her words, not mine.
Hope everybody has a great one. Tom
Tom
Pittsburgh, PA
Afternoon guys.
Got the car washed. It really doesn't look that different when washed, but it needed to be done because it's been about a month or so.
Jeff, Trust me, we noticed you do things your own way (Fs on AAR trucks). I tend to be fairly strict about my stuff bein prototypical, Chris is probably a little more strict than me. Each to their own I suppose.
Ray, Never was a Boy Scout, but I know I should be very catious.
Ken, the PRR had high-hood RSD15s. I think they were called RSD7s or RSD12s though. They look and sound the same.
Vincent
Wants: 1. high-quality, sound equipped, SD40-2s, C636s, C30-7s, and F-units in BN. As for ones that don't cost an arm and a leg, that's out of the question....
2. An end to the limited-production and other crap that makes models harder to get and more expensive.
Howdy ...
PA Tom .... Sorry to hear the latest about Mrs. PA Tom... Prayers continue.
Ken ... I recall when Santa Fe acquired the RSD15's. Those locos along with Santa Fe's SD24's were the first with low noses for the short hoods. Other railroads soon followed with low noses on other locomotive types. .... PRR's RSD15's had the traditional high noses for the short hoods.
Curt ... Nice video in WPF.
My picture in WPF has a dynamometer car with 2 SD24's.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Well I tried calling Ashley's number. I got a recording from verzion saying that said the line is either disconnected, changed, or no longer in service... IDK what's up with that (then it is verizion, and they kinda suck). I'll probably bug her the next time I see her.
Garry and Curt, Nice work in the WPF. I'm waiting on stuff in the mail to show up so I can put something in there.
WEll
I called for an emergency appt. at the Center for Pain Relief {CPR}. Because my back has been absolutely killing me! I went to Wally World this AM and 10 minutes into my trip I was near tears. SO at 15 minutes into my trip I went to the mens room just to SIT for 5 minutes. Then I left at a half hour because I could no longer stand the pain!!
So I called and Monday I get to see the Dr. for injections.
I was a busy beaver here at home not only doing laundry, but going through clothes that either: I cannot any longer wear, won't wear cuz I no longer like, or won't wear as they don't fit me right and prepared 4 tall kitchen garbage bags for Salvation Army Thrift store. THAT was a BACK breaking chore!
Yesterday our *train nut* friend came over and we entertained him. He had back surgery to implant electrodes in his back that don't do much. He can no longer stand the cold, so he was asking about Hawaii. His wife would like beach front in Florida.
Some of you may have seen me mention Hawaii. That is where MOH and I would like to retire to. Dream of retiring to. I have an inheritance in FL to share, but MOH and I have decided we don't like Fl all that much, and the duplex is rented . but has migrated into the bad section of town,, so we don't want to live there. WE will take all inheritances {IF there are any} and invest in HAwaii. Problem is NOW is the time to buy in Hawaii and we have $0 for it!
Train nut friend would like to take a trip there to look around because as he said " I just have to get out of here" to a warmer climate. SO we hooked him up with lots of info found online we had bookmarked OR that were the result of our trip there in 2005. WE are so looking forward to going back..if it doesn't sink into the ocean! We expect to maybe retire there when MOH is 70...just a few 17 years away! {lets see now, 17 years into 1 Million $$ retirement fund, means we have to save ...oh bugger, bother and nutz!}
*ALas* Oh. to dream. perhaps to live it...
WEll I got to tend the washer now and my back has rested a few minutes now and MOH is home and after I put in dryer I join MOH and the putkins {cats} for a nap. I need it.
Dinner will be Chili tonight, Hot tamali!
-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.
Afternoon All,
Went grocery shopping earlier. Got home and painted the stand for the programming track and hooked it up. I was successful in changing a loco number and back again. Thanks Jeff.
I put together a $1.20 cent cardboard cover for the TT when not in use, while I find something nicer. I also put together some Cornerstone track bumpers. They are better than nothing since my suppliers of the PRR concrete bumpers are all on backorder.
Has anyone heard from Barry about his results?
Tom- I continue to say prayers for YOH.
Garry- Thanks. You have another great scene on WPF and I resemble the remark. I'm trying to get it passed at the club that every train has a PRR car. Not much chance but a man has to do what a man has to do.
Everybody have a good night and prayers for those in need
Curt Webb
The Late Great Pennsylvania Railroad
http://s1082.photobucket.com/albums/j372/curtwbb/
Good Evening..
We found some sun today..after a dull start...
And...Got more tests done..they think I ended up with another dang bone tumour. I had one of those dang things when my Leukemia kicked up a fuss several years ago. If so I'll be doing the full on chemo/radiation/surgery routine on my leg....
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/
Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooood afternoon everybody. I thought I heard my name called out.
"Chris is probably a little more strict than me. Each to their own I suppose." Wellllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll yes and no Hoss. For example, I can live with the fact THAT the nose on the Walthers GP-15 is longer than CNW's units had. I can't live with the fact THAT Athearn put the CNW's "Falcon Service" logo and engine numbers on later-model SD40-2s than what the CNW used. The nose length isn't as noticible. The detail differences in the 40-2s was. So, those two Athearn "Special Edition" locomotives were stripped and repainted for units in the appropriate number series. Likewise a GSB Ltd. SD40-2 I picked up was "perfect" for the CNW's first units, so it became the CNW 6801. There are some RR-specific details I didn't incorporate, and I'm cool with THAT. The locomotives look like what they're supposed to look like, and THAT's my goal.
I will add styrene strips to a boxcar, hopper, etc. to get it to look closer to the real thing, but you'll never find me in the "expert" lounge at a convention. I'll leave the extreme rivet counting to others...besides, I lose count too quickly!
Selective strictness perhaps?
Best wishes to all in need,
Chris
Here's a shot from 20 years ago:
***EDIT*** I see we got "top," so order-up boys and girl. Rerun will go fetch his apron and start washin' dishes since payday is NEXT Friday.
BARRY: Sorry to hear the diagnosis, sounds like you're familiar with it all though. We'll send some additional good thoughts your way.
The Cedar cRapids Industrial Branch: Proudly Shipping Yesterday's CrunchBerries Tomorrow!
Packer Jeff, Trust me, we noticed you do things your own way (Fs on AAR trucks). I tend to be fairly strict about my stuff bein prototypical, Chris is probably a little more strict than me. Each to their own I suppose.
Curt: Good work on the turntable. I like the cover you made for it. Reminded me of the numerous hat boxes my mother has tucked away.
Nothing much going on here. Did a little work on the H24-66 and the U30EM645. Other than that I've been watching the TV and running a couple of trains.
Barry- I am really sorry to hear your news. I will continue prayers for you.
Evenin' folks!
Janie, just a decaf for me right now.....
Haven't even been down to turn on the lights in the train room today. Had to do some shopping, groceries, and new sneakers for the year. I got a pair of Bib Overalls to wear out at the museum for car host duty. Wish I could have found a pair having the typical RR Strips on it, but they don't seem to make them anymore, so these are just plain denim. I bought shortest ones they had in my waist size so I will only have to cut off 4" excess material and re-hem them later tonight.... Also mowed about 2/3rds of the lawn. Will finish tomorrow.
As soon as I got home, I took my old sneakers out of the new box (I wore the new ones home). The box was sitting on my bed and was immediately tested out by Manét:
He just fit!
Barry! So sorry to hear about your test results. You are and will be in my prayers!
Curt, nice work and nice photos!
I best be getting the hemming of the new coveralls....
I got three things in the mail today.
1. A stewart F-chassis with an F9A and F9B shell. Painted for Jeff's RR.2. A 1977-1980 BN annual.3. A bunch of freight car kits. UP PS hopper (BB), SSW centerflow hopper (BB), CNW 50' FGE insulated box (Walthers), MKT 50' modernized PS1 (E&C/LBF), and a BNFE 57' reffer. Most of the cars are in good shape. The BN reffer needed some help, I replaced the missing stirrups with wire. The actually underframe broke. I've reglued it back together, but IDK how well it'll hold. I may have to get a replacement from athearn.
Still waiting on 2 BN GP38Xs (ex-conrail GP38s), a CB&Q SD40, and F7 AB shells.
Barry, Sorry to hear about the news.
Chris, is the CNW FGE box accurate? I assumed that because it's a newer Walthers kit that it'd be fairly accurate.
Jeff, BN actually got a few of the Torpedo-tube GP35s and a few Alco-trucked GP35s from the SLSF. I think a couple may have had both torpedo tubes and ALCO trucks.
Packer Jeff, BN actually got a few of the Torpedo-tube GP35s and a few Alco-trucked GP35s from the SLSF. I think a couple may have had both torpedo tubes and ALCO trucks.
YAHOOO
I'f free of the pain in the rear that is Joliet Central High School.
Today was my last day of class. Graduation is Friday, and I am finally getting over the surrealism that my 4 years there are finally over.
One thing I did was work on the benches for Chicagoland Speedway. The school actually put up a video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJJbFqY6GTo&list=UUvwxk9ia_t4Aq-sAIEQChdQ&index=2&feature=plcp
That ugly fella at 41 seconds in is ME. (I was working on 2 days without shaving )
That's my big news. Spent today chasing skirts (Hey, last day, sue me.) and wrestling with a Dead in Transport mower. One of those zero turns too. Not pretty.
Hope things turn up for everyone else
If you can read this... thank a teacher. If you are reading this in english... thank a veteran
When in doubt. grab a hammer.
If it moves and isn't supposed to, get a hammer
If it doesn't move and is supposed to, get a hammer
If it's broken, get a hammer
If it can't be fixed with a hammer... DUCK TAPE!
Barry - Our very best wishes for a quick and complete recovery.
I was just helping my folks attach felt feet to the furniture to protect the new floor. I say was because my father dropped the TV wall unit on my foot. This thing is so heavy hit has to be moved in 3 pieces by two people. Luckily it was just the lower part. No swelling yet, but I stuck a bag of soybeans (couldn't find peas) on it as a precaution.
TSF, congrats on getting out of the [blank]hole that is high school. Are you going to go to college?
Time for me to call it a night. See y'all tomorrow.
"Chris, is the CNW FGE box accurate? I assumed that because it's a newer Walthers kit that it'd be fairly accurate."
Yeah, I did too.
Actually VINCENT, it's not TOO BADLY far off... For a company headquartered IN former CNW territory, you'd think they would nail it. But, alas. Here's where their Chinese artists goofed. The CNW logo says Railway. This car shows the final paint scheme (a too orange "traditional yellow," large CNW and the colored ball and bar). The herald should say "System." To be clear, it would be from top to bottom: Chicago And NorthWestern System. I guess the Chinese artist can be forgiven for dropping a 1960s ball and bar on a 1992+ paint job I also have always felt the large CNW was too thin and a little short height-wise. I never quite got around to digging out a Microscale decal set I've got for the 1992-end of CNW cars to compare though.
I added an extra "System" herald I had from a Herald King box car set. I couldn't abide the error. I also cut off the draft gear and added Walthers extended cushion coupler set. I hope they get THAT item back in-stock, it's only been listed as "unknown" on their website for a year or more. To be honest, I "goofed" too when I "fixed" their boo-boo. I neglected to hit the car with Glosscote first, so there is a lovely bit of decal film visible as with any decal applied to a FLAT surface.. It may end up rebuilt in the not-so-distant future.
If I remember right, you're modeling the 1970s/80s? If so, these strip pretty easily and repainting them is a snap.
A Paint scheme for your era, patched for mine
I just realized, THAT's a Details West car I did, but of a very similar look to the Walthers. Turns out the Walthers cars I re-did went into the Zito yellow scheme (also too "new" for your era).
Here's what they looked like after the Cheap and Nothing Wasted got their hands on 'em.
TEEN STEAM FAN: Congrats on your graduation!
Well (down a little, toads are very happy however), this weekend I have nowhere to be. THAT means I'll have little to no excuse to not mow, yank offending weeds, and any other tasks in need of doing. Next weekend is busy with a high school graduation to cover as well as a Memorial Day event. "Three day weekend?" Not for me it 'taint.
Chris, I think Walther's is more geared towards the MILW. How could they get the green on the new BN SD9s so wrong, especially given they were in ex-GN territory. Technically I model 1977-1987, mainly adjusted to have tiger stripes and ALCOs.
I did some searching and it says zito yellow came out in the early 80s, so it looks like my athearn 86' hicube boxcar is fine. Mine says Chicago and NorthWestern Line. But it does look a bit orange. There is no date, so in theory I could fade it out enough to look like zito yellow. I think the BN had a few of these, but they could be cars closer to the DW insulated boxcars.
Janie I'll have a cup of decaf and the strawberry Cheesecake, please.
No train stuff today, but I did get a lot of other things accomplished and a new supply of code 83 rail arrived this afternoon, so all was not lost!
About time to call it a day I think. Prayers for all in need.......... you know who you are.
VINCENT: That's right...they had even OLDER lettering on it ("Line"). I remember now how dismayed I was when I first saw it. I want to say Zito first appeared in '81 or '82. I doubt you could fade it enough to "Zito"-it, but I'm not gonna say you can't try to either. You do what you want to do, live like you wanna live, rock on wit yo' bad self! Athearn got the Zito pretty good, so with the 86' hicube, you've got a target to shoot for on THAT RBL (insulated box car).
One of the many sad things about Walthers, THAT lousy CNW yellow (orange)? THAT is their "default yellow" for anything CNW.
I "need" a fleet of RBL's, both to service Quaker Oats (proudly shipping yesterday's Crunch Berries tomorrow don'tcha know?) and to deliver the crappiest beers on the planet to Jerabek's Distributing. So, between Walthers, Accurail, Athearn and Details West; I've kinda had the occupational hazard of kinda learning about them.
As for botching the BN green, I remember a photo in a 1980s railfan magazine THAT showed a herd of BN SD40-2s. The greens didn't match. I think the darker green units in the photo were C&S units... But, the GE's I tacked up earlier were darker than the EMD's I remembered. Lighting, film used, who mixed the paint, who printed the photo/scanned the negative all impact what any color looks like.
Weathering is your friend...
It could always be worse: Athearn blew it big-time when they released an Iowa Northern CF-7, a one-of locomotive. The IANR used what looked to me like John Deere yellow. With a shop in Waterloo (Deere country), it makes sense. Uncle Irv's Chinese friends picked and used a putrid yellow-orange shade nowhere near reality. Put it this way, Athearn's color not only isn't in the same Zip Code as the prototype, I'm not sure its even in the same solar system...
Bottom line, this all points to why I love UNDECORATED KITS: I can take 'em, compare 'em to photos, modify, paint, decal to match (more or less). With factory decorated stuff, I have to try to match their paint and most of the time knock it down so it doesn't look "factory fresh." I also enjoy taking the factory stuff and dunking it in brake fluid (most of my purchases are 1980s vintage kits, when plastic was plastic and brake fluid was the standard stripper). I love "rolling my own" when it comes to paint and decals.
Barry - I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Petra and I send you all the best wishes for the upcoming therapy and a healing .
Tom - your wife is included in our thoughts and as well!
Evening Fellow Dinners!
Thank You Flo!
Well my next post will be #6000! All that really means is I broke a lot of stuff and need help, or I was in the dinner keviching about work. Hum, don't think I spelled that right!
Work Front Got out late again, last customer out the door at 9:30 and I got out at 10:05. Dave jumped my caboose again and finished with " I am told you before, stop being lazy"! Well he never has told me before and I pointed that out to him and all so pointed out to him I have done everything you have told me! He just stormed off and went home I think.
What I did was tell the customer in the waiting room he needed brake work and gave him the specks and explained why he needed the work. Now in retrospect, I should have taken him out to his car, showed him his brake parts and explained why they needed to be replaced. Guess I got in that habit from being around I Am The Larry. After all, why would Larry want to take them out to show them a perfectly good part and explain why they need to be replaced?
First off, Dave was right, I should have taken him out to the car. What made me mad was he said he has told me before!
Dave dropped in after all the customers where gone again. (hum, think he had been ) I took that time to apologizes and admitted i made a mistake and I will never do it again.
I all so pointed out.
Dave, I have done everything you have ever told me. I take the customer out with me every time to get the car information like you said. His answer was, I Know.
I never asked if there car has TPM's at counter after you told me to stop. His answer. I know.
Dave, I willing to come in on my days off early so you can teach me stuff I need to know! His answer was, I know.
Dave, did not come here to sell tires, I want to be a manager! His answer, I know.
Well, I need to stop talking about looking for a job I guess and do it. Your answer, We Know!
Later, Ken
Barry and Tom,
You Fellas and your Families are in our prayers.
That is sad news from both of you.
Know that we are here willing to do what we can to ease the burdens.
Galaxy, please light the prayer candles tonight before we shut down the shop.
Garry, Glad to see that the new bridge span is going in so quickly. That did surprise me.
Congrats to all the Students who made it through another year. My Son at MSU (Missouri) is sure glad to have this year in his tail lights. He will be taking one course through the summer as well as the research work he has to do there and that will make his final year of his Masters a little lighter.
Prayers and blessings to all in need this evening.
A special "HI" to Chuck, Bama, Ryan, Keith, Fergie, and all other MIAs from the Diner.
Night all, I am off to dream land (I hope ).
Johnboy out............................................
from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North..
We have met the enemy, and he is us............ (Pogo)
Dear Friends,
you have probably noticed that I turned into an infrequent patron to this place lately. I have been lurking around, but not posting in the post days.
As I found out that not being able to have a more active part in our hobby is adding to my depression, I have decided to take a longer break. I don´t know whether I will be able to return - there are just to many things that need to be sorted out in my life before I may return.
Having to say goodbye to our hobby, which has accompanied me for nearly 50 years, hurts very much. It is just like losing a good friend. But unfortunately there is no way for me to stay in it.
My job situation has not been resolved - all my attempts failed. I have to accept, that applying for jobs in the US and Canada does not work unless you are already a resident there. I am out of a job for three years here in Germany, removing me completely from the job market. I don´t know how to achieve this, but Petra and I will have to settle in the situation we are in, which means, there is no room for any extras, not even a car any longer. Petra and I will have to relocate to a place, where we don´t need a car to get around. Given the budget we have for housing, this won´t be a fancy place in a posh neighborhood. A thought which had been unthinkable so far!
I am really sad to hear that so many of you folks have ongoing health issues - please know, that you will always be in our thoughts and prayers.
Fondly,
Ulrich