Good Morning Diners,
Flo, coffee with lots of cream, please.
Just a quick hello to all before I go to work.
Ulrich, Ray, Lion: All excellent modeling, gentlemen.
I have to admit I had never thought of modeling subways (or undergrounds). Lion, that's an interesting concept.
YGW: sounds like you're busier than a one legged man....... I hope your stress levels out, soon.
Well, have to go.
Hello to all, and I hope everyone is OK, safe, and warm.
Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)
Link to information about bluebonnets:
http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/texas/state-flower/bluebonnet
There are rural areas that appear to be carpeted in blue at the height of the season. Other wildflowers also pop up, creating patches of red and yellow.
Good morning ....
I hope everyone had a nice St Pat Day. .... We went to a New Orleans style restaurant in TN with neighbors last evening. .... This evening it will be corned Beef served at the local Catholic Church.
V8 Dennis ... That sounds like a very good prograam you attnded at you church.
YGW ... That does sound very stressful ... You need to take a lot of model train breaks to calm down.
Bear ......... NZ might mean New Zealand to you, but on the Burlington railroad, it means "Nebraska Zephyr".
Below is the NZ in the 1950's
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Spent 8 hours doing yard work; mowing, weed eating, raking leaves. I burnt up the motor in my leaf vacuum; was trying to clean out beds of leaves so my wife could plant flowers. Was exhausted last night.
Going to Houston airport this afternoon to pick up my daughter, who starts her spring break today. On to Dallas tomorrow to go to a Stars hockey game; home Sunday, and back to work on Monday...
Good Afternoon!
Time for some coffee and sweet stuff! I think I feel like having a big slice of that "Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte" (Blackforest Cherry Cream Cake) Brunhilda made for us!
Folks I feel flattered, but that layout is certainly not a masterpiece - like Garry´s or Ray´s. It´s good old home cooking, with a lot of ready-made ingredients, most of them on the cheap side. Nothing scratchbuilt, nothing special!
Building it within the limitations I´ve got is a lot of fun and I am proud that it served as an encouragement to a number of people to get started on building a small layout of their own, instead of dreaming about the big one, which will most likely never be built.
Today is a day of rest - I´ll be just running a train and drive Petra mad with blowing the loco´s whistle too often!
Do we have to worry about Galaxy - he hasn´t been in for a couple of days!
Edit: I am participating in a forum specializing in Swiss narrow gauge model railroading. One of the members likes my layout so much, he is sending something for it to me as a surprise gift! I wonder what that could be!
LUCAS DE WETLion - Excellent photos. Did you make the signals yourself? If so, how big are those LEDs?
ON maked the signals himself. When you need several hundreds of them you cannot afford to buy them.
The LEDs are the T1 or 3mm variety, depending on how you measure them. These are NYCT signals, and so they have no targets. They have hoods outdoors but not in the tunnels. I will post a tread on them.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Cool, thanks Lion. That'll be great.
Lucas.
Howdy all !
Another beautiful sunny day with blue skies and wisp of clouds here in good ole Va.
Ulrich - That is so nice that someone is sending to a surprise. You seem to be in a better place. Glad to see it. Kinda of like my German friend !
Tin Can - 8 hrs of yard work ----say it isnt so ! I think 8 hours of train work is much better ! I like both types of Blue Bonnets
Garry - LOL - I AGREE !
UP831 - Hey buddy ! Glad to see you in here ! Unfortunately the stuff is about to hiyt the fan I am gonna be busier than a paer hanger with no arms ! I will have 10 houses going with three fdns to be released to frame on !
Lucas - So glad you decided to visit us ! Welcome aboard. Can I treat you to a cup of Joe and Brunhildis triple cholate cake ? My treat !
Herrinchoker - good to see you in here ! You doing okay ?
Galaxy - wwwwhhhheeerrrreeee are you ? Hope you are okay !
Ken ?
TTYL
YGW
LUCAS DE WET Hi diners,I've been staking your group from the beginning of the month and I think it's about time I said "Hi". I love reading your posts, it feels like a family in here.Tin Can was explaining the bluebonnets thing and mentioned "warbonnets". I've seen that word a lot around trains, but can someone please explain to me what a "warbonnet" is. I asked Google and it told me it is a fish. Somehow I don't think it was catching my drift.Lion - Excellent photos. Did you make the signals yourself? If so, how big are those LEDs?Ulrich - Gotta work now.Later folks. Lucas.
Hi diners,I've been staking your group from the beginning of the month and I think it's about time I said "Hi". I love reading your posts, it feels like a family in here.Tin Can was explaining the bluebonnets thing and mentioned "warbonnets". I've seen that word a lot around trains, but can someone please explain to me what a "warbonnet" is. I asked Google and it told me it is a fish. Somehow I don't think it was catching my drift.Lion - Excellent photos. Did you make the signals yourself? If so, how big are those LEDs?Ulrich - Gotta work now.Later folks.
Lucas
We like international representation here. ....
Hi, Lucas, to the Diner.
Warbonnet is a term applied to the Santa Fe's particular trademark diesel paint scheme, first introduced on F units. It's so called because of the red shape's vague resemblence to a traditional Indian headdress (as seen in the logo of the Santa Fe Chief). In particular, the term is applied to the red, silver, and yellow version of the paint scheme, used on passenger units. Here's one.
Blue-and-silver versions were used on freight units. These are called bluebonnets.
Some freight units were painted in a yellow version of the scheme, called, obviously enough, yellowbonnets.
More modern equipment was painted in similar swoopy schemes, but the -bonnets term is most often applied to those schemes where a color is paired with silver.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
Time to hit the hay!
It´s been a quiet day and I am thankful for that. I have come through it without major issues, which is a blessing these days!
Lucas - welcome to the finest place of the entire virtual world! Yes, we are a sort of family here. Although there is hardly a chance we meet in this life, we do care about each other! It is not a closed shop, though - anybody is welcomed to join and share the day! Looking forward to reading more from you and see some of your work posted here - you know, we all love pictures!
G´night, Folks!
Sir MadogIt´s good old home cooking, with a lot of ready-made ingredients, most of them on the cheap side.
That's what makes it so impressive.
Richard
Flo, or the night staff, gimme a shot of JD and some prozac please.
Our new dog (Mickey - from a rescue shelter - not a fancy dog) is destroying our house. Not that it was a pristine palace anyhow. Maybe he can do a few improvements.
How much energy can a dog have? More than us old folks.
Any pet lovers out there with advice how to deal with a new "crazy" dog.
Chris.
Loco Guy - is a state of mind - not an affinity to locomotives.
Sit back and enjoy your track...
What is the dog doing??
herrinchoker
Evening Dinners
Flo, for me and Tin Can. Oh, give one to Lucas as well.
Work Front Well for the first 2 hours I was trying to figuer out what Jerry sold. He cannot get a sku number or manufacture name right? I know he handed out one wrong futon mattress and may be two? At this point I really have no idea what he thinks he sold. Was busy and had a good day for the company with $3750.00 in sales.
YGWSorry I did not call, every time I started to dial you, a customer walked in. I will give it a try Saturday.
I was in a good mood till I got home, still not in a bad mood but not in as a good. Reason is because I applied for a Chase Slate Credit Card. I recivied a pre-approved invitation to get one. I tried calling and was told they where very busy by machine and they would get to me as soon as they could. Recording as so said I could apply on line, so I did.
Site nevre asked me for my invitation number. Invitation said I would know in 15 seconds! Site said I would get a letter in the mail with in 30 days! Hum, I think I know where Jerry can get a job! Main reason I want this card is No transfer fee and no intrest for 15 months. My no intrest charge on my Captital One card runs out on May 7th.
Later, Ken
I hate Rust
Heartland Division CB&QBear ......... NZ might mean New Zealand to you, but on the Burlington railroad, it means "Nebraska Zephyr".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Zephyr
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Good Evening,
After a heat wave earlier in the week ( temps of 55F ) we are now back to normal as in 32F or 0C as we go by here.
Not a lot to report so I have been looking in but not stopping lately.
Chris, what is the dog doing? If it is out of control, then you need to establish yourself as the leader of the pack. Just think what Cesar would do if you watch his show on TV. We have had terriers for over 30 years and they always need to know who is in charge otherwise they will try to assume that role. You can't do it with force either as you want the dog to respect you not be afraid of you.
Lucas, welcome to the Diner! My wife and I were in Pretoria 3 years ago when we boarded the Rovos Rail train for the trip to Cape Town. We were back in South Africa and Botswana last year and will be again later this year. South Africa is a beautiful country. We were on safari in the Kalahari and also at Phinda.
Barry, glad to hear you are home and on the mend. Nice that you are going to Europe with your band. Do check your health insurance for that trip. A friend of mine couldn't get insurance for a year after he had a couple of stents put in as he had to be stable for at least 6 months.
Well not much to report, no action on the RR front, I haven't even had power to the layout for at least a week. Guess I had better rectify that tomorrow.
CN Charlie
Hello all
Nice warm day here in the Ol' Pueblo.
Working on the 1924 Brill trolley we are trying to re-introduce historic streetcar service to Tucson. Lots of sleurthing the recently installed low voltage system.
Corvair club picnic tomorrow. Will be driving my friend's '61 Lakewood wagon for him since he has trouble seeing.
Listening to a 1952 Silvertone radio (one of my other hobbies) I repaired. Finally figured out what was causing the output problem. Sounds wonderful even though is only mono. Nothing like the warmth of tube electronics.
Ulrich - was just chatting w/ someone in Switzerland. We even found the little town I learned to ski in on google earth. I remember European RR's w/ much fondness. I think I remember seeing some of the last steam on the DB. I gave the only two HO pieces I had left (both Fleischmann) to Jeffrey W a few years back. Got them when I was a kid in Europe.
Bob
Tucson, AZ (aka the Ol' Pueblo)
Home of the Mt. Graham & Arizona Eastern Boiler Shops
JaBear, thanks for posting that Zephyr link! Sure brought back memories. A friend of mine in high school drove a '53 Consul. That was when I lived in Vancouver. Crazily that car had vacuum wipers which seems strange for an English car. My Dad's '51 Morris Oxford had electric ones. When I was in grade 7 here in Winnipeg my best friend's dad had a '59 Zephyr. They were nice cars and quite popular here. He was with me to witness the last steam train to run on the CNR which occured in April, 1960.
Good Morning!
Am I the first one in today? Usually it´s Galaxy unlocking the diner for the day! I hope he is just taking a time out and is doing fine. In the back of my head I am worried, as he hadn´t overcome this pneumonia spell before he went missing.
Modern times have come to my layout! This morning, the mailman delivered a new coach, which I had won off the "bay" for, say, 20% of MRSP. That means I paid about $ 20 instead of $ 100! The car is brand new and has never left the box!
The car is one of the new panorama coaches. It needs to be populated, so I think I will have to buy a set of seated figures - the cheap Chinese ones, where you get 100 figures for $ 18, including shipping.
Have a great weekend!
Hello everyone,
Thank you for all the warm welcomes.
YGW - You're on, but if I get addicted to the cake again, I'll blame you. Steve - Thank you for clearing up the warbonnets. Now I know as well. BTW, I saw on the webcam what you did to that loco. Ulrich - Thank you. I'll try to post regularly. I like this group. I don't have a layout yet, but I do have a load of questions.Cudaken - No for me please. I'm a cheap drunk and don't want to embarrass (why do I always spell it embareass first?) myself (again). I've just met the folks here, the scandals can come out later. Flo, can you make mine a very large , better yet, can you leave the pot. Excellent photo. Your layout? Did you make the trees yourself? What did you use for an armature?Charlie - Thanks. Yes, South Africa is a beautiful country. Glad you enjoyed your visit. BTW, you've seen more of my country than I have.
Time to go tinker outside. Hopefully I don't get myself shocked while I'm building a home made static grass applicator.
Thanks for the java Flo, you can have the pot back now. I licked it clean for you.
Guten morgen, Herr Ulrich.I need to start collecting people for my eventual layout. Do you perhaps have a link to the cheap Chinese figures?
Thanks,
CNCharlieJaBear, thanks for posting that Zephyr link!
No, no need to send out the brigade. I have just been SO busy that even the dishes are piled high above the sink to the botttom of the gooseneck faucet!
I ahve had as many as 5 appts a day this week.
Three appts/meetings/groups were for the train nut friend for grief counseling. He said at the last one "I guess I go with you to a couple more then I go by myself"...I said" I will go as often and as many times as you NEED me to go with you"... He is a bit shy and timid about new situations, even though he is a LEO's Lion and can ROAR too. {I am a libra...The balance.....I strive for balance amongst all things/people, even if it means I am out of balance myself-sometimes to my detriment.}
Then there were two counseling sessions one for me alone at mental health and one jt marriage counselling with MOH, then there were the other Drs. APpts, the pulmonary function test one day, the pulmonologist again, and blood work with the vampire, etc etc etc, you get the picture.
I jsust did not have the time to post anything.
I AM FINALLY after 14 weeks, getting over the pneumonia. I think. MAybe. COuld be. Not really sure. Yet.
Today will be busy too, as Trian nut friend is coming to help me do some things. The 3 season room, now the bonus room with the addition of an 8' electric heat strip {expensive to run, BTW}, will get all cleared out to the garage, and then the floor painted with DRY LOC to seal the concrete floor, then two area 5x7 rugs laid down and the door areas painted with deck/floor paint so as to be durable aand not so white for dirt's sake. THen we will re-furnish it with the good stuff leaving gteh "to go into the shed" stuff in the garage until the shed comes to be built. so we can use the 3 season room as a dining/fun room. It WILL need window A/C too as the ehat form the sun will get unbearable this summer! We'd liek to have a sliding glass door installed,and the windows replaced with double pane and the ceilign inished, but for now,.....with no $$$ we will deal.
Then the train nut friend and I will tackle the computer room and get it organized for use finally.
This is all more to keep him busy as his wife is out of town visiting relatives, and he tends to get into trouble on his own,,,,like drinking 3 or 4 glasses of wine, which for a tea-totaller is a LOT of vino!
HE still has nightmares about finding Christian hanging there from the ceiling. The REv. at Grief services siad he needs towrite dwon all he knows about those moments as some he has blocked out,and that may help him to get past the image of him hanging there.
Turns out the one group we went to is run by a lady whose 26 y/o son hanged himself leaving 3 children under 6 behind. They were having problems and the wifey had a boyfriend on the side. It turns out our electrician's neice was the son's wife! THe electrician said he tried to straigten her out, and didn't "think they [the wife and bf] had done anything yet....".....{yeah RIGHT...why else does one have a BF or GF on the side??????????????? ASk me how I know!
ANywho, will be busy.
YGW: I havent forgotten you, will get to ou this week coming i think you know why I want to email/message you, will shortly. I promise, I think I hope.
Trian nut friend will be here in 10 minutes, so I;d est try to do a fEW dishes before he gets here.
Laundry is at 12 loads and piling too, need to throw some in the machines too!
HAve a great weekend all...
-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.
Lucas,
check Ebay for HO scale seated figures, there should be a number of good offers on that site. I have sent you a PM with a personal question.
Galaxy,
I am a Leo myself and, despite being fairly weak at the moment, I can still ROAR - just ask Petra
Afternoon Diners,
I was thinking of buying a Rix HO Highway Overpass instead of buying 4 N Scale ones to make a 4 lane bridge. I don't know if the dimensions will transfer well. If anybody knows nor has done it let me know.
Ulrich- I like the new coach.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
Good day to you all! I finally woke up this morning feeling good, unfoggy and alert. I've had a cold for 3 weeks which took a lot out of me. Beautiful day, sunny and bright, but....40 degrees? It looks like the bike rides over the last couple of weeks were a tease. I'll be getting my exercise at the gym for a while more, at least. That's OK. Biking doesn't do much for my upper body, other than cardio and burning calories, and I do like the results from the strength training machines.
We had our corned beef and cabbage last night, with two other couples over for dinner. I make this once a year, and always enjoy it. A few beers, not too many, and a good night's sleep.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I was thinking of buying a Rix HO Highway Overpass instead of buying 4 N Scale ones to make a 4 lane bridge.
I've got an HO scale one, but here's a picture:
This is the "vintage" model. If you used it in N scale, I think the railings would be too big.
The road piece is nothing more than a lightly-scribed thin piece of styrene sheet. You could easily replace that with a wider piece of styrene to get more lanes. The underneath structure is girders, but unless you're spanning a tall gorge, you will never see the interior girders so using only half as many would not be an issue. I don't have the piers and bases, but to me they appear to be just styrene shapes, nothing special.
Although Walthers doesn't list them, Rix sells the individual parts to these bridges. I'm not sure what the most cost-effective way to go is, but I'd consider buying the rails and perhaps the girders, using sheet styrene for the roadway and making the piers out of plastic tubing or even wood dowels.
whew!
It is definitely NAP TIME.
We got the bonus room all cleaned out to the garage an some stuff from garage and bonus room to the basement {now we ahve to celan THAT out}.
We got hte floor taped off and painted wiht teh DRY LOC. If you don't know what it is, its a concrete sealer you paint on so as to keep moisture out. It will help to keep the rugs from getting damp and moldy, hopefully.
TNF went home to feed the dogs,and then will come back aobut 4-4:30 to help paint the gray floor enamel on in the door opening areas that the rugs wont cover. THAT sSHOULD dry overnight as I have the heat UP in the room so all dries quickly.
TOmorrow we can then put down the rugs and move stuff like the dining room table back and my sewing ccabinet {yes, mother made sure I knew how to sew, doesnt mean I do it all that often} and the chairs adn tables set up to look good in there and make it a bit more pleasant than just a dumping ground.
Then after we do that we get the computer room finally set up! I will have to go get some brackets to attach the two small 2 drawer file cabinets on top the other and screw them together....then set up things in there...that will be aTOTALLY nice piece of wok towards geting the rooms done!
break time is over!
back at it.
no rest for the weary
Heading for the bed, although it´s kind of early for that. I am not feeling well, struck by a panic attack, which makes my heart entering the Capetown Races.
Maybe trying to rest will help.