Ulrich,
It is terribly saddening to see you in this situation and having little choice but to give up your beloved hobby, car and home. Three years is a long time to be out of work. It is a shame that someone who to me seems to have a great ethic and be willing to do anything cannot get a job. I really wish we could all help you out in some way.
I'm sure the entire diner wishes you well, and I do truly hope you will one day in the near future gain employment and your situation improves.
Please also do stop in from time to time, You are a nice fella and I don't think the diner would be the same, at the very least stop by and post the new diner...
As to the folks such as Barry etc who are having health issues, good thoughts are with you.
Once again Ulrich, thoughts with you mate.
Cheers,
OzJim
James, Brisbane Australia
Modelling AT&SF in the 90s
Morning guys.
My foot is still sore from my father dropping fruniture on it last night. I can walk normally, but I'm not putting weight on the outside of my right foot.
Ulrich. That suck. Keep your head up, and hopefully you can find a job somewhere.
Chris, I've read that the West Burlington shops used a BN green from a different manufactuer than Alliance or any other of the BN's shops. The walther's one is supposed to represent an ex-C&S unitthat had the back end patched. The fade color is what bugs me, it looks almost blue, but the BN green looks right compared to some other locos...
Prototype: http://archive.trainpix.com/BN/EMDORIG/SD9/6219.HTMModel: http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/920-48601
Not to mention it looks like the Walther's model is the wrong phase. I like the picture of the C30-7s and the GP39E
As for that CNW car. I have a friend who models the CNW in the 80s-90s, and he likes my weathering. So perhaps if I can't make the CNW yellow-orange look something like zito, I could try selling it as a weathered car. I haven't actually decaled anything yet and IDK if painting the athearn hopper bottoms the body color counts as painting.
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.
GOOD MORNING!!!
Today is Saturday. May 19th, 2012!!!
The weeeknd is here!!!
Enjoy your day!!!
The Prayer candle is lit for all those in need of special thoughts and prayers. It will be lit all weekend {unless we leave the house for errands}.
-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.
Good Morning
Sunny and a high near 78F today
Well the best part of the news is that at least it appears to have been a slow acting tumour-such as THAT is.. So my 'prognosis' as my doctor put it is actually quite good...but the treatment...oi.
Thanks for the well wishes...gonna need those...
Today we have already done the rounds of some yard sales around here and did come across another hoosier cabinet for Audrey's workroom...needs a bit of refinishing but no big deal...
Going to go back out and see what else one might find around our neighbourhood...
Ulrich: Well, gee, that bites...try to visit a bit more often though...keep the chin up!! We'll pray something comes up your way...
Chris: Did you come up with a magic formula for the paint scheme? I've come across a couple of foobied GP9 units I might redo at some point..
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/
Good Morning! from Tipton IN.
Bill Tidler Jr.
Near a cornfield in Indiana...
Morning All,
Sitting here drinking a second cup of coffee. I go back to w**k tomorrow and it will be the usual hot and humid temps. MOH gave me a choice last night: 1. Go to the train club today or 2. Go to Disney tonight to watch Mickey Dolan (Monkeys) in a short concert....Guess which one I picked?
Next week I am taking a Spectrum K4s in to Jon to replace the burned out headlight. It drives me crazy to run it without a light. This is my sound equipped one.
Next week I am going to at least start the last project on the layout (the pond next to the farm).
Galaxy- I meant to mention last night to take care of yourself and I hope you get some relief from your back pain Monday.
TSF- Congratulations on your HS graduation.
Ulrich- I am very sorry about your situation. I know it must hurt deeply to not be able to participate in our great hobby. As always you and Petra are in my prayers and hope things will soon look up for you. Please remember not to close yourself off from the people that care for you. Take care of yourself.
Everyone take care and prayers for those in need.
Curt Webb
The Late Great Pennsylvania Railroad
http://s1082.photobucket.com/albums/j372/curtwbb/
Mornin' everyone!
Zoe, I'll have the #2 Special this morning, over easy on the eggs, bacon, home fries, and a double order of that sourdough toast my dear. Thank you much!
Currently 70°F under bright sunny skies here in the Finger Lakes. High be be in the low 80's.... getting too much like summer for my likes. I better get the fan in the window soon and some windows open. I need to get out and finish the lawn before it gets too hot also.
Ulrich.......... I wish there was some way I could snap my fingers and make life better for you! My prayers go with you for better days ahead. Stop in and say "Hi" every chance you get! We will miss you!
Barry I do hope your treatments will do the job and get rid of the tumor without making you too uncomfortable. Prayers continue from here......
Doesn't look like I will get to the train room again today, and tomorrow is opening day at the Museums.
Later!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Good morning. It's 76° and sunny. The high will be 90°.Not feeling my best this morning. Woke up with a blood sugar level of 62. So I had a breakfast that included a lot of starch. I feel better now. Nothing on the schedule today. I may make up a set of torpedo tubes for the H24-66 and GP35 later.
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 donut, please.
Barry ... Just read your news Wow!. .. Sorry to hear about it. Prayers for you.
PA Tom ... Prayers continue for your wife.
Ulrich ... Continued prayers for you. I know its bad in Europe with 11 countries in recession. I wish you could move across the Atlantic. Unfortunately, the economy here is basically stagnant and any job growth is more than offset with population growth and productivity. Perhaps, you can somehow make money with your own small business.
I know there are others with difficult situations, too. Perhaps, the Chapel Car should be dispatched to the DIner again.
Let me remind everybody that in spite of trials and tribulations, LIFE IS ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!
I'll be busy again outside. Rented a Bobcat to move some dirt.
Cheers, everybody!
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Afternoon all
Beutious sunny day warm in the 80's {or more} here! Neighbors had Central A/C installed the last two days, I believe they are glad they did!!!
They say the real estate market is picking up here and it si becoming a seller's market. Bash on that! the Invetory is low because of all the flood damaged houses are not on the market, are not ready yet for remarket or are awaiting funds to rebuild! But Clark Howard, financial guru on CNN Headline news says nationwide it is slowly picking up! I don't know,.,.,I still see the same old houses on the market here- if they fall off mayny of them come back on with a differents listing agent or different asking price...seems the real estate market here is more finicky is all!
MOH has a dept manager in another dept and the assistant for that department going to try to get MOH on full time and permenant. DOn't know if they can push for that or not, they are going to try hard- that way MOH doesn't have to worry about current Dept manager who is nasty and treats badly. ope it happens and SOON!
Ulrich, Oh DO stop in once in awhile...you don't have to be actively building a monster layout to participate!!!! YOu can be "armchair modeler " status! We like to see you in here and worry about you when you don't post! With Europe's econmy on the verge, with the world economy on the verge, well, you are nto the only one sitting pretty in a mire of muck around you! Think of the Greeks..basically their country is ALREADY beyond broke and financially instable! SO stick around...you might even pick up clues to "what to do" when you have an active layout and money and job for trains to do it with! There are people in this country who gave up looking for work after 3 YEARS of no job! And their Gov't unemployment ran out months ago! SO chin out, head held high Stay with us!{sent you a PM}
Ken- Each customer should be taken out to see the parts needing repair. That should be a known rule...and it should be explained in plain English what is wrong and why it needs to be done. If they drop off their car to you and you have to call them, well they have to take your word for it unfortunately. If you treat the customer honestly you will have them coming back. ANd as I said yesterday, DAVE is your new "I am the Larry"! There is one in every business...in fact they are fruitful and multiply among all the management...There are very few managers who are ever well liked, as they always seem to ride employes hard and put them away wet. But that is thier job.
Curt...I probably won't get much relief on Monday immediately...it's a case of the cure being worse than the affliction! Fortunately it is temporary taht I am cripplied even more than with the back pain to start with.
Well I'm off to a nap to ease my back some more...
Have a great afternoon.
Goooooooooooooooooooooood afternoon, plate of cheeseburgers and a large RBF please 'n thank-ya.
ULRICH: I really don't know what to say. No words from me will solve any of your problems. Just know we're with you, we're still pulling for you and we'd do anything we could for you. I'll echo the others and ask you to keep stopping by even if only once in awhile. You're a big part of the "family" THAT is the Diner!
VINCENT: I see what you mean, the Chinese painters sure blew the "faded green." I use Fallen Flags RR Photos, Rail Car Photos, RR Picture Archives.net and the CNW Historical Society web pages for photos to w**k from in addition to the too few I shot "back in the day." I think weathering the car (or maybe your CNW buddy would want to trade for it?) might be a better bet than trying to turn THAT nasty orange into a Zito lemon. In my case, it represents a car fresh out of the Clinton shop in 1993 so the only weathering it has is rust on the couplers and "fresh rust" on the wheels and bearing end caps.
Of course, the extreme rivet counters would freak IF I ever get the RR built, and THAT car shows up on a 1989 day... Then again, since THAT car keeps bugging me (I'd all but forgotten it was even on the shelf until you brought it up...thanks! It may be heading for stripping and a coat of Zito in the near future! I'd take it back to its black N&W days but never have figured out how to get the large white C I'd need. I 'spose I could take the Microscale black C, trace it, cut a stencil and paint it on. Hmmmmmmmm. Just what I need, something else to ponder!
BARRY: Sorry Pal, you lost me there for a moment, a squirrel must've ran by or a robin flew past or something. I don't have any "magical formulas," but I've got some opinions on what I think w**ks best for CNW paint. The long-gone AccuPaint CNW yellow was the "best" in my opinion for "old yellow." Scalecoat's CNW Yellow looks like Zito to me. Floquil CNW yellow isn't bad. I mixed it roughly 50-50 with Floquil reefer yellow for the last GP15 I did, and I'm happy with it. It stands in stark contrast to the Walthers yellow-orange unit I only renumbered, detailed and weathered though.. For the Zito yellow I'll either go with Testors 1112 light yellow or their Model Master Cadmium Yellow. An awesome custom painter named Kelly Dufford put me on to the Cadmium.
http://www.dufordmodelworks.com/
I recommend his site as a good reference. He does more than just CNW stuff...so other road's modelers may find some hints, tips, tricks and inspiration there as well. I asked him about some of the detail parts he uses and some other things he does on the locomotives. I thought since he SELLS his w**k he might be reluctant to give away any "trade secrets." He was only too happy to help and said any modeler who doesn't offer help and advice is "a tool." Good guy!
Today is Armed Forces Day in these United States of America, THAT said, I'm gonna offer up a big "THANK YOU" to our vets and current military members.
Have a good day folks, continued good wishes for anybody in need.
Chris
The Cedar cRapids Industrial Branch: Proudly Shipping Yesterday's CrunchBerries Tomorrow!
Hello again ...
Vincent ... You were talking with Jeff about preferences for modeling. You like to be prototypical and Jeff likes to freelance. I bet Jeff has a lot of fun with his Sundown Shops, and he makes models with"plausible realism".. They remind me of low budget creations from less prosperous railroads like Rock Island. Also, there was a period of time when a locomotive was rebuilt by a different manufacturer than the original builder. There were many creations that actually were prototypical. Another creation was the "slug" unit.
I try to be fairly prototypical but if not, it's not going to cause me lack of sleep.
Johnboy ... The bridge repair is going quickly because the piers were no damaged. They built a new span and floated it on barges to the site. Two huge cranes were moved by barge, too. Now, the new pavement is being installed.
Afternoon guys
Well I went and checked if any of my friends had any sort of flywheel puller. 1 had an NWSL puller, but he doesn't think the press part is long enough to press the flywheel off. We'll find out on Tuesday. I also pressure washed the rear patio and the front driveway. My old craftsman pressure washer vibrates so much it jiggles it's throttle to stop. Except that stop doesn't stop it any more. The only way to shut it off is to hit the primer button with the throttle in stop until it shuts off, or disconnect the spark plug cable. The later results in the operater getting a jolt...
Chris, "the extreme rivet counters would freak IF [snip] THAT car shows up on a 1989 day" Wonder what some people would think if I ran a GP38X (name given to ex-Conrail GP38s, the difference between them and the BN units was the smaller fuel tank and were purchased in 1985) with my Alcos (all retired in 1980). Of course I have had C425s pull the autoracks of Chevy Citations.
Gonna order pizza to watch the race tonight.
Heartland Division CB&Q Vincent ... You were talking with Jeff about preferences for modeling. You like to be prototypical and Jeff likes to freelance. I bet Jeff has a lot of fun with his Sundown Shops, and he makes models with"plausible realism".. They remind me of low budget creations from less prosperous railroads like Rock Island. Also, there was a period of time when a locomotive was rebuilt by a different manufacturer than the original builder. There were many creations that actually were prototypical. Another creation was the "slug" unit.
Packer Gonna order pizza to watch the race tonight.
Another package from my recent binge on ebay. 2 Eel River Models 62' boxcars, one UP and the other SP, an unkown manufactuer 45' trailer in BN, and enough details west parts for an ABBA set of F-units. I used the trailer on my Accurail 89' flat, turns out the ATSF flat that it is has a prototype picture with a BN trailer on it. But the accurail trailer is closer to the trailer in the picture.
As for the F-unit project, I painted the chassis black and have used my existing stewart motor. Both of the sideframes on 1 truck broke their mounting pins and won't stay on. So I'm adding more to my bowser order by the day (truck detail parts, 2 sideframes, cal-scale detail set for the stewart F). Still have yet to strip the L&A F9s as I may not use the F9A depending on how some more ebay auctions go.
I test fitted the DW parts on the F9s I have and the striker plate fits nicely, but the door is a bit undersized and has the wrong window (round instead of rectangular). I think I could use some styerene as filler to get the door in place and I don't think anyone will notice the door on a B-unit as long as it's behind another F-unit. Besides, if the BN swappedan F3 DB vent onto an F7, I think the rear door on an F9 could have gotten swapped with one from an earlier F7.
Edit: it did happen.http://www.trainpix.com/BN/EMDORIG/F9B/843.HTM So the F9B I got from Jeff will likely become BN 843. The cut-out door is even on the right end.
Jeff, The Gulf Coast and Western (GC&W) is the name used by my local MRR club for their freelanced RR. Coincidence, or were you actually in my era several years ago? As for the pizza, Lol. I'm pretty sure you know I meanr that I'm ordering some and watching the race.
"...2 Eel River Models 62' boxcars..." VINCENT: let me know what you think of those. Are they kits or already knocked together? I'm thinking at some point I "should" get a few for the beer traffic I hope to eventually have. Also, whaddaya think of the Accurail 89' flat? IF I was to model the TOFC/COFC traffic THAT came and went from the CNW North Yard, I'd "need" some of those too. Not crazy about the prices on the Walthers and BLMA flats though.
I actually got a little time at the w**k table today, getting a little farther on the CRANDIC SW-something. I added Custom Finishing Models extended range air/fuel tanks, got a pilot beam installed and filled in the huge gap between it and the coupler pocket. I "should've" gotten the buffer plate/coupler pocket to go with it. Oh well. It looks fine as-is. Now, I'm trying to w**k up the nerve to drill for the coupler lift bar. Always a fun time.
Have a good evening folks,
Morning folks,
I'm off to Dreamworld today with the family. Dreamworld is a amusement park with 7 of the best thrill rides in Australia including the "giant drop" and "Tower of terror"
The giant drop is my favourite, its a 120m (39 storeys) drop at speeds of 135km/h It is the tallest vertical free fall ride in the world. I also like the tower of terror... Tower of terror accelerates you to 161km/h (100m/h) backwards before shooting you 100m up a vertical ramp before hanging there for several seconds and plummeting back to earth.
Here is the Giant drop and the Tower of terror (they use the same tower.) from the carpark.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_q8C8AP7Vx_c/SsAyCRoxqZI/AAAAAAAAB_s/XPAWQRQN-V4/s1600-h/3535953008_bb30320603.jpg
Good Evening
Well, got a nice ol' sunburn today..spent the day out in the garden and worked up a couple of flower beds that needed major help..and got a good roasting in the bargain...oh well, it were a good day for doing stuff out there
Think I'll spend the evening dong some running of trains...
As for the other stuff...my own period is about 1970-1990...so anything between those periods is fair game...I'll even work up duplicates of buildings..one earlier than another to make things a little more period correct if need be...although I am not that particular about that approach. The rolling stock/locomotives though are particular to that period...and I have stuck with RS2,3,11's and H14-44's ....
Howdy ....
It was Bobcat vs. Copperhead Snake. .... The Bobcat won! ....
Lesson learned. If you are acopperhead snake, get out of the way when a Bobcat is coming.
Packer Jeff, The Gulf Coast and Western (GC&W) is the name used by my local MRR club for their freelanced RR. Coincidence, or were you actually in my era several years ago? As for the pizza, Lol. I'm pretty sure you know I meanr that I'm ordering some and watching the race.
And yes, I knew what you meant about the pizza. It was too good to pass up and I just couldn't resist..
Well it looks like I had the rear doors on the F's reversed as far as the phases was concerned. They went from square to round in later models. Still thinking of how to fit the DW F-unit door and striker plate into the stewart F9s. Looks like quite a bit of filling is in order to get it to work. Perhaps the Detail associates kit would have been better. Too bad I can't find a good picture of them like I did of the DW kit.
Garry, looks like you're having fun with the bobcat. Looks like it was a good thing you rented that. Saves a lot of work, and prevents you from getting bit.
Chris, the 2 ERM boxcars I have were kits, but someone else knocked them together. They are pretty nice IMO. I haven't taken them apart as I normally would because whomever put them together actually did a good job, they even have Kadees and Metal Wheels. The only thing wrong is they left the underframe metal wires unpainted. I don't have an SP brown but a silver sharpie should take care of the UP car. Either way weathering the underframe is kind of a must.
Jeff, the time of your GC&W and the local one is actually pretty close then. But the scheme for the local one is olive green with a white or cream cab and lettering. I'm assuming it was a coincedence.
Packer Jeff, the time of your GC&W and the local one is actually pretty close then. But the scheme for the local one is olive green with a white or cream cab and lettering. I'm assuming it was a coincedence.
Well I got a pair of Proto 1000 AAR trucks fitted to the Athearn GP35 frame.And after a bit of grinding on the frame and a little filing I got a Walthers GP9 shell to fit on the Athearn frame as well. The filing I mentioned was to remove the inner corners of the rear step wells on the Walthers shell
I started working on the F9s I have.
I've modified parts from the DW detail kit to fit the stewart shell. So far this is the end with the door still on. I stuck the striker plate and rear door onto the F9B. On the cut-off doors, I have to add some styrene that is the same thickness as the shell to glue the doors to. The ones in the picture are friction/gravity fits.
Here's a pic from yesterday afer I washed my car:I wonder what a CB&Q style paint job would look like on it. I have one of those billet grilles that I could install too (like the painted on grilles of the CB&Q Es)
The first picture of my mustang reminds me that I need to pick the buleberrys on the bush that kind of gets in the way of the picture.
Evening All,
Ended up going to the Meat market and a grocery store today instead of the train club or EPCOT. Sitting here watching a really bad Navy movie on SyFy but they are showing actual Navy ships including a Battleship so it's not a total waste.
Vincent- Looking good. Can't wait to see the finished product.
Garry- 1 Snakes-0. Is that you in the Bobcat?
Well I will talk to you Tuesday. Everyone take care.
Packer- I'm going to Joliet Junior College. Gonna get a degree in welding
Cold Green River if you would be so kind, thanks.
Thanks to everyone on the congrats
Barry - I hope things get better.
So, I worked today, made 70 bucks, nearest I could figure was I was payed about $12/hr. Even got a job offer, I don't know if the guy was serious or joking. I don't think much of Computer repair, (My idea of a good anti-virus involves a baseball bat) but work is work.
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!
Time for me to call it a night. I'll have a glass of Dragon Fruit with Tabasco.
One of my projects today was to fit a pair of Athearn F7 trucks to a Front Range GP7 frame. All was fine with the exception of two places on the frame that came in contact with the contact arms on the trucks. It was an easy matter to cut the two projections off the frame and refit the trucks. This loco is a GP9. It has a Proto motor and flywheels, Athearn shafts and trucks. It's DCC and is fitted with a Lenz Silver decoder. There are no motor mounts, the motor is glued to the frame.See y'all tomorrow.
Evening Fellow Dinners!
Flo, Beer for the house! Why? Because this is my 6000 post!
I wanted to make this post here in the Dinner. I wanted to make it a special post telling the folks here at the dinner means to me. But today just plain beat me into the dirt! I feel like that Copper Head! With that being said, you folks mean a lot to me.
Ulrich My friend you and and I are in simpler boats. While I have a job, it is not much of one. Every month I wonder how I am going to make the house payment and the other bills. In one way you are better off, you don't have Evil Overlords to answer to. Well if your Federal Government is anything like ours maybe you do!
Far as needing to have money to enjoy the hobby, are you sure? Yes we all dream about what we want to do next to the layout. ( I still have mine) That is one thing that keeps us young at heart. Yet in the last 12 months I have only spent maybe $100.00, maybe on the high side $150.00. I have not done a thing to my layout far as scenery for 2 to 3 years. Yet, I am still in the hobby?
Now I admit, I am lucky I live by a great LHS and when I was making good money I bought a lot of stuff. I all so have a large layout (most of it looks like it was done by a 10 year old) so that helps. I have all so wonder what would happen if or when I lose the house? Could I be happy with a small layout? I hope I don't find out!
But, I can tell you one thing, I will never totally quite be a MRR! Just like I will never stop being a gear head!
All so think back to the roots of the hobby! 80 years ago there where MRR's. Yet there was no Woodland Scenic, DPM building, Kadee, Walther's or pretty much anything! What did they do? Well, they made there own stuff from Cardboard, Old Can's, Twigs, Match Sticks, Saw Dust and things growing in the yard. So, I don't think you have to have money to be a model railroader, just imagination!
When I started my bench work (started as a HO slot car track) I was out of work. Did not have more than say $30.00 to spare if that. I went around to building sites and got scrap wood and broke up pallets for wood. ( I did ask first )
One thing I do hope (besides winning the Lottery, then both our problems will be solved) is do not sell anything! If you have to pack it away but hold on to your dream, dreams can happen!
Well, that was a long one for me.
Happy 6000 post!
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust