howmus Jeffrey, glad you are doing well after the surgery. So.... What were we supposed to recognize in yesterday's photos? I didn't "Heard it through the grapevine" and "I'm about to lose my mind...."
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 evening. Only a few sporadic showers today. No computer games but I watched a ton of TV. Also did a little work on a couple of locos. One of my remotored Varney F3's and a little Lima CN 0-4-0. Earlier today radar showed a massive storm system coming off the gulf and heading in our direction. When I looked at it just now it seems to have dissipated. However Weatherbug is still warning of a 50% chance for tonight and tomorrow. Needless to say scanning the sky with the telescope would be a waste of time.Time to call it a night. See y'all tomorrow.
Good Morning!
Sunday, August 31st, 2014 - the last day of Summer, if we were to follow the meteorologist´s calendar. We are covered with a solid blanket of clouds, with the odd drizzle coming from them.
I did not catch much sleep last night. One of our neighbors was having a party, which lasted into the wee hours of this morning. At 2am, I had enough of it and called the police. It took them an hour to get here, but it was quiet thereafter. I guess I have a new set of friends ...
While waiting for it to get quiet outside, I gave my model railroading activities some deep philosophical thoughts, which led me to the conclusion , that I am stuck in a dilemma, which I cannot solve. Let me share my thoughts with you - maybe one of you has an idea I have not come up with:
Fact is, that I am hard-pressed for space and funds. This certainly imposes a strong limit onto what I will be able to do. The space I have is about 10´6" by 19", any extension makes the layout to intrusive. This space limits any layout idea to a shelf switcher type layout, which I am not really happy with. All of the layouts I built in the last 10 years were of this type, and, frankly, letting a train shuttle back and forth doesn´t really make me happy. I would like to be able to let a train run for a while without having to "interfere" after a few seconds. A "roundy-rounder" type layout in the space I have available could be done in either Z scale or, with limitations, in N scale. Both scales have proven to be to small for my eyes and my hands to do the amount of scratchbuilding I have (and want) to do. Any larger scale limits the operation to switching again. How to solve that dilemma?
I have been thinking of mounting drawer slides to the top of the heavy duty wall brackets my On30 layout is currently built on. This would allow me to slide the layout away from the wall and add a staging facility in the back of it. Add two loops on the sides and I would be able to have a continues running option. The flip side of it is, that the staging yard is out of reach and cannot be overlooked. According to Murphy´s law, this will be the place for something to happen. Not a good solution for trouble free operation.
Adding up all thoughts, the only way for me seems to be a shelf-switcher, but I am not happy with it. That´s also one of the reasons I am not happy with my current layout, so taking it down, building a new one and/or change scales and gauge would not solve the issue.
Joining a club is no solution either - there is none close by and club dues are prohibiting.
I am at the end of my wits. I feel like chucking it and giving up on the hobby, which has accompanied me for over 50 years and has me kept my sanity in recent years.
No, I am not a happy camper today.
Have a good one!
Try to make the most of your small space and budget. Don't expect maricles. Expect Murphy to intervene often. Don't attempt to super detail the entire layout. If you're not an expert electrician try to avoid complex track work.
Good morning. It's 75° with 100% humidity. The high will be 88°. Cloudy with a fair chance of rain. with Looks like it's gonna be a typical slow Sunday here. I have no plans.I'm getting to where I can better. Last week I couldn't take a deep breath without experiencing sharp pain. My food tolerance is much better than I thought it would be. However beans are off the list for now.Haven't tried fries or potato chips yet. I'm sure my father will see to that. Today's list of things to try includes olives.
Good morning! It's kind of cloudy in New England today. It looks like we'll have warm temperatures and thunderstorms later. I guess I'll roll down the umbrellas on the deck and plan to hunker down with some modeling.
Ulrich, y'know what? You're a Builder, like me. I'm not an Operator. I like to build a layout with a lot of detailed scenery, and then railfan my own trains. I'm building staging now, in hopes of actually doing some operations later on, but I know what I am and I'm happy with that.
Have you considered selling some of your scratchbuilt models? You've put together some nice ones, but you are limited by space in what you can display. If you could sell them, you'd have space to build new ones and a bit of money for materials. Don't think of it as a job, because it's not going to make you rich, but rather a way to keep doing something you enjoy.
Gigi, my GG-1 and her whole "posse" slept across the river last night. I glued the rails on the bridge deck which will span the liftoff section and started doing trackwork on the other side. As with all new trackwork, there were some hiccups, and it was a slow-speed move at best, with several derailments. I will probably replace the existing turnout on the main line that leads to the new section. It's an Atlas snap-switch, which was fine when I was just pushing a few hoppers down to the mine, but now I'll be running full trains and that sharp S-curve isn't going to cut it.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Mr. B. - That´s what I will try to do. I might be able to get some money for the engine house, also for the layout, but it ain´t going to be much. The locos will put some money into my budget, hopefully enough to do something in terms of MRRing. If I´d only knew, what that something could be! You are right, I am more of a builder/rail fan type of model railroader, so having an option to just let the wheels roll on rails is a must.
Here is a bit of news which caught my attention today:
Archeologists have detected a steam loco built in 1852 in the river bed of the Rhine river. The loco went overboard during a storm while being transported by a freight ship in the same year. It never saw service. As it is covered by a thick layer of mud, the loco is expected to be in a fair condition. Here is a picture of this loco:
All it takes to recover the engine is money ...
Morning Dinners
Flo, Cramberry Jucies on ice pleases.
About time to go to work. Just hope I don't get over ran today.
Ulrich What kind of radius does your scale need to make a 90 degree turn?
See you all after w@%k
Ken
I hate Rust
Good morning, diners. 66f and cloudy with rain later.
Ken: sorry 'bout the camera work. I was shooting video with my cell phone AND trying to plug/unplug the throttle as I followed the train. There's some grades involved, so I couldn't just let'r rip. As it was , it was still faster than I normally run trains. It usually takes about 11-12 minutes to run the main, not 7 or so. And yes, it's a single track with passing sidings. I'll try another video with wider shots later so you can see more of the layout. Thanks for the comments!
Tom: It's been about 8 years or so from finishing the basement( well, such as it is) to what you see now. Still lots of trees to plant, details, rework some scenery,etc. But that's the fun of this hobby. It's never really done, right?
Hope everyone has a good day!
Haugen, Wi.:
Terry in NW Wisconsin
Queenbogey715 is my Youtube channel
Ken - in my current scale On30, I´d need a minimum radius of 24" for a "U turn", which would add 4 ft. to the layout, which I don´t have. Any idea on having a continous running option would mean a change in scale (again).
O scale even as narrow gauge is too big for the space I have - that I have learned the hard (and expensive) way. Next down in line would be HOn3, for which I still have that little ten-wheeler.
I did some playing around with the idea I had last night.
This is about the maximum I could do - not looking into the cost of this venue. Benchwork will be delicate to build, but could be done. What I don´t like is, that the staging has to be limited to just a passing siding, as it will have to be permanent. The boards left and right need to be taken off and stored in the attic, when the layout is not in use. Therefore, these would remain without any scenery. The visible part of the layout are just the two boards with the station.
Not yet convinced that this is a good idea.
Hi Ulrich,
I feel for you guy, that is a conundrum you have there.
My thoughts are, on your present, layout have you considered making the penninsula a drop down, so that when you are not running the layout you could fold it down towards the floor and it wouldn't be any wider than the original portion? .
It would have to be , in length, the same as the height of the original layout, so you might have to shorten in a tad.
I hate to see you give up on it. You have done a class act with it to this point, stop being so hard on yourself and enjoy what you have, not what might be. We all have some druthers that probably will never be met and we make do, satisfying ourselves that if we can't have it all , we can still enjoy parts of it that keep our minds and bodies alert and creating.
How about "L" shaped shelf layout across two walls. That again wouldn't be so intrusive. Explore all posibilities and remember how difficult it was for you to get the supplies and equipment you now have. Just use what you have in the best way you can and stay modelling.
Don't think about what you can't do, only concentrate on what you can do. That is how I am getting through my days right now. And I have gotten pretty good at it I might add.
Best wishes as always,
Johnboy out........................I will stop preaching now
from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North..
We have met the enemy, and he is us............ (Pogo)
Johnboy - you are not preaching, just being reasonable. I am not. I am unhappy with the way we have to live and where we have to live. I have been unhappy here from the day we had to move into this place. I have tried to cover this up, but it keeps coming to the surface now and then. I feel uprooted and left alone. Our social life has come to a stop - there is none around with whom I can share - only you folks in the Diner and another British forum. I am a born German, but my heart is in Washington State.
I am a tad anxious about tomorrow´s appointment with my heart doc. I am prepared to accept bad news.
Had some quiet time to myself today. A large thunderstorm came through and knocked out the power for a couple of hours. Light died and was buried in darkness! So I used the time to do a bit of reading. Weather radar says there's more rain coming and that it'll start in about sixty-nine minutes.
Wow! Almost September. Winter coming in soon. Typically don't see too much of an Autumun in northern Nevada.
Winters here have been getting gradually milder for many years and the drought is full tilt. Very little skiing in the Sierras this past season.
Anyway. Will have to start commuting to Reno about mid January...130 miles per day. Have to start looking for a newer wreck for the drive. Can't afford to move or live in Reno, and for that matter don't want to live there. Think I would rather live in Harlem...much nicer place.
The railroad is coming along...slowly but surely. Want to get it a little more presentable for the Reno-Sparks-Carson City layout tours in early November. My roster of Reading locomotives is looking sharp.
Ah...4 PM, got to go. Only going to be in the grind for 3 days this week. Xtra day off on Wednesday, taking it as a vac day.
Take care everyone.
Mark H
Modeling in HO...Reading and Conrail together in an alternate history.
Evening Dinners
Flo, Beer Pleases and BBQ Chicken.
Work, well not worth talking about.
Workout. I was all ready to lift and thought about it most of the day. But it had stopped ranning and the sun was out and front grass looked liked heck. So my workout came from behinde the Lawn Mower.
Ulrich So you need 48 inches to turn. For some reason, with you using HO wide tracks (I know it is no HO track) and it being narrow gauge I was thinking around a 12 to 18 radius. I have a few ideas, but I need to rethink some. How tall are your scale bulidings, say 1, 2 and 3 story?
See you all Monday!
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Good morning. It's 77° with 100% humidity. The high will be 91° with a fair chance of thunderstorms. with Only thing going on now is I'm waiting for my Home Health nurse to call. Other than I have no plans.Had some bloating last night so any movement was uncomfortable. Just breathing hurt. I feel much better now.
Mornin' everyone!
Zoe, I'll have a short stack of blueberry pancakes to start the day. Oh, yes, I'll need lots of dark roast coffee to wash it down with...
Slept late this morning... Needed to get caught up after several nights of less than normal sleep. Some from having to get up early, and some from just tossing and turning all night. I do feel better this morning. Got up after Blackie jumped up on the bed and came over to check on me. He knows when he is supposed to get his treats... (Pills)
Had a fun day yesterday out at the Museum. Small crowd, but very pleasant day onboard old Caboose C-245. I radio the Conductor after we load and everyone is saftly sitting down. Since C-245 has a cuppola, I need to make sure no one is climbing up or down before we start the train. Half way through the afternoon the Museum President calls me to the porch of the caboose. He is on the Back Walkway of the 80-Tonner. He says, "Ray, stop saying "1654" when you make the call to the conductor!" I said, "Huh?" He replies that I am not on the locomotive and shouldn't be identifying myself as being "1654"! I scratch my head and say, I say I'm C-254, not 1654..... (Now say both of them fast and sit in the cab of an old 1940s 80 tonner while 900 hp of diesel is roaring......) He suddenly figures it out, turns red as a beet, and slaps his face starting to laugh. He says, never mind, carry on. I yell to him, "That's OK, I can't understand the radio in that cab either." When we got to the other end, I told him I'll try to be more clear from now on. So the rest of the day I said, Caboose C - 254, to start my call.
This afternoon will a picnic over at my son's house. Should be fun! Their lives will change on Wednesday as both girls will now be school full day. My son will have a few more hours of time to get things done on his days off. He asked me to come over to get the girls off the bus on Thursday, but I have 2 doctors appointments and a Retiree Health Insurance meeting that day. I could do it except there may be some major not so good things happening with our health insurance and the meeting is very important.
Need to get moving.... Want to spend some time in the train rooms before I head over to my son's house. 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!
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.
Happy Labor Day, everybody.
Found out yesterday that olives are a no-no for me. Today I had pizza for lunch. Feel OK so far but the day is young. Found out the hard way this morning that sneezes are to be avoided if at all possible. Had a big sneeze while my nurse was changing my dressings. I've had worse pain but I can't remember when.
Evening guys.
Been away the last few with a stomach bug whic caused me to miss work on Friday and Saturday. Well 9 pounds lighter then I was wednesday I am feeling better. I ate food today. Work tomorrow is a long day too 9am-7:30, its going to be long as I have no strength. I see we havent started a new September diner yet? all I have done for the last couple days is lie around and play alot of games of monoply on the ipad. I cant believ that kids go back to school tomorrow and that summer is un-officially over. It has been warm the last few days here too.
Talk to you guys sometime, I dont know if I will be in tomorrow morning or not, more likely the evening.
Flo, Pleases, after this weekend I need one.
Work I have had dry spells before but nothing like this before! I think in the last 2 weeks I have only had $900.00 in sales? Looks like I have fallen from favor. Again I was scheduled to work in St Charles on the weekend and again it was changed to Fairview Heights! Paul was right, I make more money in St Charles, now that I had a taste of it, I miss it.
Digitrax Cv's? I use to know them, and for the life of me I have forgotten them! I did a google search with no luck. Looked at Tonys Trains and no luck. Looked on a DP 123P instrustions, again no luck!
Why is the Dinner still here? Seems Ulrich is MIA again, Galaxy well who knows when he will pop back in again? While I am fine with it staying in the same spot, I think the site host wants it changed every month?
I would move it (Have before) but I broke half the dishes and glasses and just finally paid that bill off!
See you all Tuesday
cudaken Digitrax Cv's? I use to know them, and for the life of me I have forgotten them! Whistling I did a google search with no luck. Looked at Tonys Trains and no luck. Looked on a DP 123P instrustions, again no luck!
Good Evening Diners,
I see the supper dishes are just being finished up, glad I missed that although tonight I could have paid for my supper.
Hope everyone had a supercalafragilisticexpalogosish week-end and that everyone is home safe.
GARRY, I hope your trip goes well for you and all your family. Hope all the Birthdays, Anniversarries and I believe you said a Wedding all go as planned and everyone has a great time.
KEN, I'm sorry to hear of the work woes, sometimes you are the windshield and sometimes you are the bug. Spplllaaaaat. Hope things pick up for you monitarily and healthwise too.
JEREMY, That is too much weight to lose in just a few days. Best get back to the Sawbones again and soon.
GALAXY, Whats going on there ? We are all wondering and hoping for the best. You are in our prayers. You could have given yourself a bit of a rest by backing off a couple of posts a day rather than just going cold on us. Really miss your morning greetings and Tipton Bill's Coffee Pot.
Yougottawanta, I am very happy for you that all your wedding plans went well and that you were able to fix the bed. Also very glad that your girls like the new Wife. In some families that becomes a real problem. Long, Happy and fulfilling life for you all.
ULRICH, We need you here to move the Diner, our lease is up on this space. How about a stop at the Western Developement Museum in Moose Jaw, Sk. Lots to look at and for this next month we can watch the Harvest activities going on in the Province. They are on the CP. mainline too as well as some branches of the CN.
Just heading back out to finish up (for the night) some work I have been doing on the Fiver today. Took a break this afternoon and went to a show/n/shine. There was some really great looking vehicles there. I especially liked a 57' GMC pick up that for me was the pick of the litter.
Prayers and blessings to all in need, eat well sleep good and keep smiling..
Johnboy out................................for now
Evenin' folks!
The R&GV RR has just dispatched the US Army Fairbanks Morse H12-44 switcher to move the diner for the month! See you in the new place!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ih3eEeylUYY