Elliot's Trackside Diner, March 2013

[Packer]

Evening guys

Went out for pizza tonight. THen my sister wanted to go to a place called "yougurt mountain." That place is AWESOME. I had a 50/50 mix of cake batter and cookies and cream, with all sorts of candies and such on top. My calorie count for the day is probably overboard....

Gary, The ones you painted look right. The jar I have looks kinda light, and the one Pollyscale I tried was much lighter than the Front Range centerbeam I was trying to touch-up.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Watched one of those super shark movies today. Very big bogus moment. A warship captioned on the screen as a destroyer was very obviously an Iowa Class battleship. Time for me to call it a night. See y'all tomorrow.

[Curt Webb]

Evening All,

I just wanted to say hi. Just got back from Gainesville (had awesome time). I have a bunch of photos and videos of the NHRA event if anyone is interested. Of course I need to load them into the computer.

I just quickly glanced over the forum--Is Ulrich in the hospital?

Hope everyone has a good night and prayers for those in need. 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

chochowillie

Well folks, here we are March 15th, and it looks and feels more like Feb. 15th I kid you not. Oh well, aside from having to shovel the white stuff it means more modeling time .

Beware the ides of March oh mighty Caesar.

[chochowillie]

jeffrey-wimberly

I usually just leave it connected.

Thanks Jeffrey, I like that idea, simple..

Dennis

[jeffrey-wimberly]

chochowillie

So now you mention it.... OK, how many ohms Jeffrey???

I believe it's a 1K (1,000 ohms) resistor. I soldered mine to two rail joiners then soldered one joiner to the end of the track and left the other one unsoldered so I slide it on and off as needed. I usually just leave it connected.

[chochowillie]

Well folks, here we are March 15th, and it looks and feels more like Feb. 15th I kid you not. Oh well, aside from having to shovel the white stuff it means more modeling time .

New dining room set coming tomorrow so I had to move the old one after I took pictures of it to put on Kijji. The old one is just over 2 years old but MOH just had to have a fancy round wood one so ya know how it is. Happy wife, happy life.  

Did a few different things today in the Train Room. Did some wiring, then some re-wiring. Laid some cork roadbed on the revised mining branch line. Tried to get JMRI working  again and was sort of successful .

Even ran some engines and took a very shaky hand video of one of them.  It's not very good I won't post it . Not great but here ya go if you are interested.

I must say that it's nice to finally be able to actually "run" something. Oh right, I started to sort out how and where to put the scenic decider in or up or whatever. 

Cheers

Dennis

[galaxy]

I mentioned earlier to "beware the Ides of March" and meant to post something about THAT earlier, but got sidetracked by the search for a vehicle.

Here is the stuff behind the phrase:

 Caesar's Assassination

A more well known occurrence on the Ides of March, in 44 B.C., Julius Caesar was assassinated, at the foot of a statue of Pompey where the Senate was meeting.* Before Caesar went to the theater of Pompey to attend the Senate meeting, he had been given advice not to go, but he didn't listen.

Source of the Expression "Beware the Ides of March"

Because of the assassination and the soothsayer's exchange with Julius Caesar about the dangers he faced in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar tragedy, the Ides of March now signifies a fateful day. Here is the relevant passage:

Caesar:  Who is it in the press that calls on me? 
I hear a tongue shriller than all the music 
Cry "Caesar!" Speak, Caesar is turn'd to hear.

Soothsayer: Beware the ides of March. 

Caesar: What man is that?

Brutus: A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March.

Julius Caesar Act 1, scene 2, 15-19

Changing Significance of the Ides of March

1. Before the historical assassination of Julius Caesar, the Ides of March was:   
   • A division of the calendar based on the phases of the moon.       

               In some months, the Ides is on the 15th, and in others, it is the 13th. It's supposed to be on the day of the full moon. [See Roman Calendar.]       

   • March's Ides marked the beginning of the consular year: The two annually-elected Roman consuls took office on the Ides from c. 220 B.C. to 153. From 153 B.C. the consuls began to take office on the Kalends of January (what we call New Year's Day).
2. Even immediately after the historical assassination of Julius Caesar, "the ides of March" could be understood to refer to the assassination. Cicerodidn't have to say "the assassination of Caesar." He could assume he would be understood when he alluded to the assassination just by reference to "the Ides of March."   

   Instead of saying something like the take-down of the dictator means there is hope for the Republic, he wrote -- with complete confidence that he would be understood:

Idus Martiae consolantur.   The Ides of March are encouraging.   ~ Cicero Letters to Atticus.14.4 (url = homepage.usask.ca/~jrp638/DeptTransls/CicLetters.html April 19, 44 B.C.)

 

HAve a great night, sleep well...

[chochowillie]

jeffrey-wimberly

I put a resistor across the ends of the rails and then I could read them.

So now you mention it.... OK, how many ohms Jeffrey???

Dennis

[chochowillie]

Cederstrand

Time to just bite it and buy the dang extra device. Sure don't need several locos all programmed to 03.

Funny you should mention that Rob. I finally gave up and bought one of the "devices" myself. It makes life a lot easier. 

Dennis

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Cederstrand

Just up from the train room, test running a little Bachmann 0-6-0. It is DCC, but of course I can't change the CV # with the Digitrax until I buy one of those additional thingys to hook up to it. Couldn't read it on the program track and couldn't change it on the main either. Time to just bite it and buy the dang extra device. Sure don't need several locos all programmed to 03.

I have several Bachmann locos I couldn't read on the program track with my Digitrax Zephyr. I put a resistor across the ends of the rails and then I could read them.

[Cederstrand]

Coffee refill, please. And some chips & salsa, too.

***Jeffrey, I sure hope I never experience anything remotely approaching what you deal with as for neuropathy. Mine is so minor by comparison it is hardly worth mentioning. I could still feel the needle, although it didn't hurt any. This could simply be one of the numerous oddities that happens from the underlying sarcoidosis and although an unwelcome change, just maybe it is not permanent. Time will tell.

Just up from the train room, test running a little Bachmann 0-6-0. It is DCC, but of course I can't change the CV # with the Digitrax until I buy one of those additional thingys to hook up to it. Couldn't read it on the program track and couldn't change it on the main either. Time to just bite it and buy the dang extra device. Sure don't need several locos all programmed to 03.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Cheers!  Rob

[Burlington Northern #24]

thanks Heartland, I plan on getting some more of the bachmann domes to repaint for NP(maybe) and GN. phew just went for a quick jog, I'm outta shape.

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Howdy .... Just checking in. Still in Cincinnati. ... Looks like a lot is going on. I ready everything when I get home.I just posted in the thread about using puns ofr names on the layoput.

Gary ...... I like the BN dome car. Several years ago I modified a Bachmann HO Santa Fe Dome to look like a GN full dome. I painted in GN Empire Builder. Then, a couple of year later, Walthers announced it would produce the entire Empire Builder including the dome.

Ho[e everyone is doing well.

Cheers !

[Burlington Northern #24]

The floquil BN green is what I used to Custom paint #5624, #24 and my sky dome is the color off? 

[Packer]

Afternoon guys

Dunno what I'm gonna do with the rest of today. I might work on some trains. I need to buy some Scalecoat Black, BN green, silver, and Reefer yellow. I'm not happy with the Foquil/Pollyscale BN green as it looks really light compared to everything else in BN I have. I don't know how well the Foquil enamels would work with scalecoat... I figure on the Fs I should go ahead and paint the black and green before putting on the rear doors and grabs as the color speration line would be underneath the side grabs; and the it would be tricky to get paint into the areas behind the rear door if I put them on.

Jeff, some earlier P2K geeps had hot frames. The GP20 Ken has is one of those.

Ken, I think I mave have soldered the wire when it was pinched between the screw and the frame. On those older P2Ks I like to mill the weight a bit so I can stick an Atlas light-board style decoder in it. I can then drill a hole through one of the power pick-up tabs into the framwe, and screw it to the frame. No lost power there. I thought about extending the wire down thto the brass screws in the frame, but it would interfere with how the shell fits... But it looks like the wire is still attached. What kind of decoder did you put in it?

[Burlington Northern #24]

Galaxy hang in there, is there any way I could help? 

[galaxy]

Well

 found out the payoff for the kia. Lower than I expected. MOH doesn't think I/we ought to sell it. BUT we need to get out form any payments we can. I will talk to my father to see if he will pay it off so I can get clean title to sell it with. I should get some equity out of it- quite nicely to get something, yes maybe a year or two older, a few more miles, BUT we won't have the payment!

MOH is napping now, but to bolster my argument I will point out the following things: 1} can MOH guarantee that within the next 3 months will have a job? {no} 2} cna MOH guarantee me MOH WILL get accepted into the CNA or LPN course training school {need placement test, interview on why to be CNA or LPN, and letter of reference from an employer, acceptance panel to get it {no} 3} can MOH guarantee we will have money from any other source to cover bill shortfall {NO}...so I think I may just win my argument!

Now we got new notice on SNAP..they upped it since MOH has NO income, BUT it is still not enough to feed two of us. Will have to be cheap, crafty and budget carefully. Sounds like  a lot per month, but break it down and...well not much for dinner, especially in 5 week months..and there are 5 of those in a year.. No snacks or nonsence foods,  {which MOH adores and will miss}, and food pantries will still come in handy to stretch the budget.

Winter is still here...and next Wed. is the first Astrological day of spring. Snowing spitting now here. IS nice 70* in {hot}lanta now! Nice to know somewhere in the continental USA is warmer but not to the nether regions of FL, who had frost warnings too I heard.

Well, I can sleep on sellign the KIA as won't do business on weekends when business offices are closed.Still need to get out form under payment though.

Well off to nap, my shoulder is killing me so will rest it.

HAve a great evening everybody!

We will have to have either a $1.98 pizza or $1 pasghetti with $1 sauce can for dinner...might as well get used to it! And they wonder why people get fat! Cheap foods, when necessary can mean less healhty diets.

 

[Burlington Northern #24]

Probably, just let me get some more BN stuff! 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Cederstrand

Had the spot on my foot biopsied today, so should have the results towards the end of the month. Because of the new neuropathy in that leg, she wanted to have it looked at. She cut deep and tried to get it all, so whatever it is/was, hopefully will stay gone. Takes a couple weeks to scab over and heal.

That's one of the few things I like about neuropathy. Any time they've had to go into my foot to remove something I never felt a thing except a little pressure if they were snapping off a piece of bone, then or afterwards. My right foot has been broken over a dozen times since 2004 and the left one has been broken three times in the past five years. The worst I ever felt was a minor ache.

*

Gary, are we going to have to tie you to a chair?

[Cederstrand]

Strong coffee in a UNION PACIFIC mug, please.

I would love one of those pennsy GG1's, too. Though I would prefer it in Union Pacific colors.

If I haven't mentioned it, there is a local fella around here who has an original 1957 Lionel train set. He wants $300 for it. My oldest brother might be interested, if it is identical to the one he had as a youth. I'll look into it this weekend and find out particulars. I will recognize it if it's the same train, because I grew up with it, too. Anyone have any idea what those things run for these days?

Had the spot on my foot biopsied today, so should have the results towards the end of the month. Because of the new neuropathy in that leg, she wanted to have it looked at. She cut deep and tried to get it all, so whatever it is/was, hopefully will stay gone. Takes a couple weeks to scab over and heal.

Cheers!  Rob

[Burlington Northern #24]

Guys halp! I keep thinking of getting a pennsy GG1 and the broadway limited set!  Curt what's happening?! 

[kbkchooch]

howmus

Finally did it....  Got the maximum benefit from the EV mode in the PIP...  Managed to drive all the way to my son's house yesterday (the ICE fired up once to warm up the system, as it was in the mid 30's outside).  Charged it at my son's house, and then drove home on EV and had 1.9 miles of EV left.  Headed over to the Boy Scout Troop meeting, got there and had .9 miles left.  Since it is uphill to the meeting, I was able to get back to the top of the hill around corner from my house and have .1 mile left.  Coasted down the hill around the corner and into my driveway and still had .1 mile left of the trip display...  (Grin, grin , grin)  I dunno, just fun to do stuff like that!

Admit it Ray, its just another toy isn't it?

[jeffrey-wimberly]

cudaken

Jeffery, I am 99.99% sure it has a hot frame. The trucks have the L shape tap that has the + red wire ran to it. Negative wire is solder to the engine weight it self from the looks of it.

 After looking at just now I am thinking the trucks are not making good contact with the frame. So tonight I am going to spray down the frame and trucks with CRC and lube the trucks.

 Once this problem is problem is solved it will be a great engine.

Why not run wires from the ground plates on the trucks to the frame? This will insure a good connection.

[cudaken]

 Jeffery, I am 99.99% sure it has a hot frame. The trucks have the L shape tap that has the + red wire ran to it. Negative wire is solder to the engine weight it self from the looks of it.

 After looking at just now I am thinking the trucks are not making good contact with the frame. So tonight I am going to spray down the frame and trucks with CRC and lube the trucks.

 Once this problem is problem is solved it will be a great engine.

Off to W@@K.

  Ken

 

[howmus]

Mornin' everyone!

Zoe, just a bowl of Pumpkin Flax Granola and a pot of dark roast coffee for me this morning.

Ulrich, I do hope you headed to the hospital, and are doing OK!!!  My prayers for you sir.

Looking outside this morning I see clouds with a few rays of sunlight on occasion mixed with little white things falling.  Probably will continue to be about the same most of the day.......

Finally did it....  Got the maximum benefit from the EV mode in the PIP...  Managed to drive all the way to my son's house yesterday (the ICE fired up once to warm up the system, as it was in the mid 30's outside).  Charged it at my son's house, and then drove home on EV and had 1.9 miles of EV left.  Headed over to the Boy Scout Troop meeting, got there and had .9 miles left.  Since it is uphill to the meeting, I was able to get back to the top of the hill around corner from my house and have .1 mile left.  Coasted down the hill around the corner and into my driveway and still had .1 mile left of the trip display...  (Grin, grin , grin)  I dunno, just fun to do stuff like that!

I think I shall do a bit of house cleaning today....  Sure needs it!  The layout is calling me too.  Catch you all a bit later!

73

[jeffrey-wimberly]

cudaken

 Jeffery, I am thinking the screws that hold on the weight would be a better ground mounting point for the negative wire, any thoughts?

That's a good idea provided it makes a direct connection to ground. In many locos I've worked on the left rail pickups connect through the truck to the frame (hot frame) and any metal object in direct contact becomes part of that circuit. On many Proto 1000/2000 locos I've worked on though I don't think the frame is directly grounded to the left rail pickups unless it's designed like the FA1/FA2 which DOES have a hot frame.

[cudaken]

 Good Morning

 Flo, Diet Dew

 Hope Ulrich s doing OK!

 Dang, my 2 days off are up. So back to work I go.

 Vince's I am thinking it is the ground my self. After I posted I shut the layout down for about 10 minutes and when I powered back up got nothing out of the GP 20. Before the LED's would come on, now they don't work either. Decoder is not burnt looking, so must not be getting power.

 Did you solder the ground wire to a screw or just the weight?

 Jeffery, I am thinking the screws that hold on the weight would be a better ground mounting point for the negative wire, any thoughts?

 See you all later.

 Ken

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning. It's 46° with 95% humidity. The high will be 78°.


I have a lot of doing nothing planned for today.

[kbkchooch]

Morning gang! 

Flo, since Todd's buying, I'm eating!  Howabout a big stack of flapjacks and some bacon along with some coffee!!

BIG yellow thing in the sky this morning, frost on the car now, but it's supposed to get up into the 50's today!  So I'm off to the Post office, then stacking wood, cleaning off the deck, then painting engines!

Catch y'all later!