"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
That restaurant needs some waitresses on skates
But the Bear's business empire is expanding -- or at least his fame. Check out this new sign that went up in Black Cat Junction this week...
This collection of housing for the down to the earth has been nameless too long -- or at least one local politian claimed it was so and made a point of getting a fence up to keep the young ones from wondering onto the wye track and a big full color sign so everyone getting off the train can see it from the station. Amd that was it. The indoor, flush toilets at the top of everyone's wishlist? Naw, we can't afford nice things...oh welll==,
But the sign is really great stuff. Not in Beartown, but within easy walking distance is a the remedy for all those work irritations.
Besides honoring the MR Forum's favorite Bear, Beartown honors one of my favorite remote camping spots near Silverton otherwise know as...yep, Beartown You head east from Stony Pass, eventually arriving at a location that crosses the Rocky Mountain Trail. Beartown isn't much more than a collection of primitive campsites. By that standard, the frugal, but fun loving residents of Beartown have it pretty good.
The majority of work at the Outlaw Mine is done, but work continues on support structures and details.
I've added some detail to the supply dock
I better go for now, will post some more stuff tomorrow.
Lots more pics on doings this week at: http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/219241.aspx?page=5
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
That's pretty cool Mike! Your little dock area also looks great....love detail!
Bear.....Have another one! Oh! By the way. JaBear construction LTD. owns the ''Diner'' LOL Will have some ''new'' progress pic's soon, on the Transload scene area, now that I kicked the ''flu''.
Take Care, All!
Frank
Bear, Mike and Frank, thanks for starting off the weekend with a little hilarity and some great modeling!
I got nothing done this week although a lot of projects are in various phases of construction. I took a couple of in progress pictures on some of them.
Atlas Phase II C-425 Locomotive. Removed the cast on dynamic brake unit (What a PITA), filled in the resulting hole and also filled in two of the inlet screens to match the prototype. This will end up as a New Haven unit, still have to do a C-424 and C-425 for the Wabash, again no dynamic brakes.
Atlas 3560CF ACF Covered Hopper kit, removed the cast on roofwalk and am smoothing everything out prior to installing the supports for a Plano Roofwalk, this really dresses up the car and makes it look outstanding when done.
Thanks for looking!
Rick Jesionowski
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
Bear ... Thanks for a fun start to weekend Photo Fun.
Frank ..... Thanks for a fun reply to Bear. I'l just grin and JaBear it.
Mile L ... Nice photos of some old west buildings. I like the name of the town and its welcome sign.
Rick ... Are you having fun yet ? ... I bet the Aloc will look good when you complete it.
ELEPHANT STYLE
I am running a Burlington passenger train with an Elephant Style locomotive consist. "Elepahant style" is a railroad term meaning all locomotives in a consist are running forward. In the photo, my train is departing from Union Station.
The CB&Q often operated passenger trains with elephant style consists especially in the 1960's
The photo below is NOT the sort of elephant style I am talking about.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Frank,
That is a nice truck. Now Bear will need a CDL in addition to all those other licenses he has to work on flying stuff.
Rick,
Those sound like major projects, but also something to look forward to seeing more of.
Garry,
Your city skyline is magnificent. I've heard the elephants work for peanuts, just don't ask them to switch any peanut-laden cars!
One of my operators gave me this G&D caboose when I was over working his layout last weekend. I was needing another narrowgauge caboose...and now it is.
Black Cat Junction's station finally got its freight and express dock, also.
A bumpout added a little more real estate around the mine...
...and then I wanted more.
That's going to be the location of the mine's powerhouse.
Mike L ... Thanks for commenting. ... Your photos are fabulous. .. My last photo shows there is a prototype for everything..... Look carefully. It is an 0-5-0.
No pictures this week, it has been WnF this week - Week NO Fun.
It stated about 10 days ago when I went to test run a loco I was working on. Fired up Digitrax, turned on track power and got a series of beeps with flashing indicator lights that I did not recognize.
Got out the manual to check the error message chart, and the beep sequence was not listed.
So I unplugegd Loconet, and plugged the throttle into the command station, turned on track power, and got 5 beeps -> short circuit.
My DCC is simple. One power district and no extra DCC electronics like stationary decoders or circuit breakers. I have many locos that are still DC, so I have a DPDT switch so I can run DCC or DC. Switched to DC, and turned the Tech II. When I cranked the throttle, the yellow track power light dimmed, and the red Overload light came on. Confirmed that it's a track problem, not a DCC problem.
Next I inspected all the tracks including hidden, staging, and those covered by buildings. No tools or anything on the tracks that did not belong.
Next I removed all the rolling stock from the tracks, and tested again. Still a short.
I did not feel like crawling under the layout that day, but did a couple of days ago. With a flashlight, I looked at all the wiring, and did not see anything that looked wrong.
Next I will have to start cuttings wires to try to isolate the problem.
Sorry for the rant, but it is darn frustrating because I had not done any work on the layout that could have caused a short.
BTW, I remembered that the loco had a dual system decoder. I pulled out my test track, and connected my 40+ year old power pack. It ran fine on DC.
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
Bryan B.
Just Finished an install of a TCS mother Board and a 21 pin decoder in an Atlas U-23-B
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZlOmaVq7rk
TerryinTexas
See my Web Site Here
http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/
I have 3 C&O hoppers that were in excess of my needs. Researching my area I model I came up with a solution on how to use them. One in buffer car service and 2 for MOW for carrying old ties. Step 1, lots of rust and grime..
Tony
EK Sub in HO Scale
G PaineNo pictures this week, it has been WnF this week - Week NO Fun.
George,
Arrrrgh, I hate stuff like that. Consider that low humdity makes wood shrink? Maybe that closed a crucial gap in the track? Good luck.
Bryan,
Thanks, man! And that's a nice(-ly dirty ) SP unit. I have a soft spot for SP stuff, even though I don't model it, as I lived within a short hike of SP tracks during most of the 60s.
Thanks Bear for starting off WPF again this weekend. Lots of great stuff here already!
My grandson's PRR J1A, 2-10-4 passes under the Rt. 32 overpass at the head of a long mixed freight. This monster is a real crowd pleaser and Zachary's current favorite engine. (I know it needs numbers in the keystone.)
Keep the photos and ideas coming guys. Thanks to you WPF is always the best thread of the week.
Remember its your railroad
Allan
Track to the BRVRR Website: http://www.brvrr.com/
Get well soon Frank.
Hi everyone.
Excellent work all round!
Mike: Nice detail on the mine dock.
Bryan: Great weathering! It is heavily weathered but it doesn't look overdone.
Tony: Love the rust! There are some ballast cars parked on tracks not too far from our home and they look just about as rough.
Allan: Good to hear that your grandson is into trains with you.
In case you didn't see the pictures of the completed McKeen Motor Car on my thread, here is the (almost) final result:
Sorry, some of the picture aren't as clear as they could be.
I still have a little bit of touch up to do. If anyone ever releases a sound file for a large gasoline engine I will put sound in it. Some have suggested the Galloping Goose but I don't think it would be accurate. Unlike the Goose automobile engines, the original McKeen engine was huge.
For the whole saga of the McKeen car project have a look here:
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/246923.aspx
Regards everybody!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
More fun with New Hope and Ivyland 9 with a kind of company promotion image.
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/60361449@N02/
Anthracite Modeler - YouTube
A little Friday afternoon work at the coal yard.........
Some freight action at the Northside loop including a freshly rusted gon......
mlehmanThat restaurant needs some waitresses on skates
I'll second that
Thanks for kicking off yet another fun filled photo weekend, Bear! That big rig parked in front of the diner will sure help to draw the hungry travelers in for a spell...
I had my Mohawk out for a "Show Me Something" photoshoot involving some C&NW bi-levels so I thought as long as I had 'er fired up why not get a few pics of some Pacemaker cars on the drawbar, rolling into the setting sun?
Ed Nowak, official NYC RR photographer can't be far away
Nice contributions, everyone— Where's Jimmy?
Have FUN, Ed
Lotsa great stuff in here this week, don't want to name names for fear of leaving somebody out! I haven't posted on this thread in ages because my new layout hasn't been scenicked yet, but now I think I've got something worth sharing.
I recently figured out how to use my airbrush for weathering, so I've been weathering and [in some cases] upgrading my B&O loco fleet. A few years ago I got four Bachmann GP9s in the dark blue scheme from MBKleins for $50 apiece, and I've been gradually improving them. I started by swapping out the decoders with NCE D13SRJ's and installing grabirons on the ends; exchanged the orange headlight LEDs with YelloGlo's; and obviously I also had to renumber them. Recently I relocated the louvres and weathered the shells, here are some before-and-after shots:
6445 - before:
6445 - after:
6454 - before:
6454 - after:
6458 - before:
6458 - after:
6487 - before:
6487 - after:
These are all still works-in-progress, but hopefully they look a little less toy-like!
-Ken in Maryland (B&O modeler, former CSX modeler)
Ken:
They look great!
This afternoon I finaly had time to crawl under the layout with my wire cutters to hunt the short I talked about above. I started at the far end and cut off wires to Greenvale, the latest addition I made a couple of years ago. Then went to the oldest; Lower Sheepscott was a place I thought might have the short. When I cut that off, the short seemed to go away. I did a test run with a DC locomotive, and the short came back ARGGH!! Back under and tracing wiring again, and discovered I was wrong:
G Paineno extra DCC electronics like stationary decoders or circuit breakers.
I had forgotten that the DCC throttle panels on the fascia have a track connection that lights an indicator showing when track power is on or off. One of these panels must have fried. When I disconnected the track power wiring from the back of the panels, the short went away for good.
mlehman But the Bear's business empire is expanding -- or at least his fame. Check out this new sign that went up in Black Cat Junction this week... This collection of housing for the down to the earth has been nameless too long -- or at least one local politian claimed it was so and made a point of getting a fence up to keep the young ones from wondering onto the wye track and a big full color sign so everyone getting off the train can see it from the station. Amd that was it. The indoor, flush toilets at the top of everyone's wishlist? Naw, we can't afford nice things...oh welll==, But the sign is really great stuff. Not in Beartown, but within easy walking distance is a the remedy for all those work irritations. Besides honoring the MR Forum's favorite Bear, Beartown honors one of my favorite remote camping spots near Silverton otherwise know as...yep, Beartown You head east from Stony Pass, eventually arriving at a location that crosses the Rocky Mountain Trail. Beartown isn't much more than a collection of primitive campsites. By that standard, the frugal, but fun loving residents of Beartown have it pretty good.
Bear,
When You get all that done in Beartown.......You might consider opening up a Truck/Auto repair shop and I'll consider loaning out My furry mechanic's...That are excellant! All You have to do is try to get them from ''clowning'' around so much! I believe they originally came from some Abby in ND....LOL.
Also.....a lot of great Modeling guy's....too many for this old fart to remember......Like the McKeen Dave...
Those B&O GP9's look great....all for 50 bucks a pop too!!!
Rich
mlehman But the Bear's business empire is expanding -- or at least his fame. Check out this new sign that went up in Black Cat Junction this week... SNIP I am rather afeared that this sudden acquisition of a construction company, a diner and having a suburb, partially, named in his honour will go to JaBears head. The next he’ll become Mayor of Black Cat Junction (“wot nefarious means!!!?” “Bribery?!! No they were just donations!!”), and in conjunction with a reputable (??) developer will turn Beartown into a high end ski resort for celebrities and the very rich, all the work being carried out by a certain construction company. (“Conflict of interest?!! How dare you!!!) (Splutters indigently into large brandy snifter and manages to look suitably outraged.). The wye will have to be scrapped to make way for the heliport, and the Overtime Saloon and its surrounds will also be demolished for the casinos construction. The displaced residents of Beartown will be offered alternative accommodation , at very reasonable rates, at the “Thistle Dew” Trailer Park, a subsidiary of Ursidae Corp, and located on the reclaimed site of the former municipal tip, where not only will there be hot and cold running water, but also flush toilets, though only in a communal block.
mlehman But the Bear's business empire is expanding -- or at least his fame. Check out this new sign that went up in Black Cat Junction this week... SNIP
Well, so much for "development."
I think we all concluded that you'd get more days off if you became, ahem, the principal behind all this hocus-pocus
I will say that there's room for the heliport in the upscale part of BCJ on the hill above Beartown. They may go all NIMBY, but hey, THEY are the ones who can afford that ride to work.
This reminds me of one trip on the D&S. When the train got to Ah Wilderness, here came the helos to drop off some guests there. I suppose the train was too slow for them, but if it were me, a charter of one of the business cars would be cheaper, plus they have a full bar (usually not part of a helo's standard fitment).
mlehmanWell, so much for "development." I think we all concluded that you'd get more days off if you became, ahem, the principal behind all this hocus-pocus
Not only that, but maybe Bear will then have some time for the important stuff - model railroading .
Bear, Thanks for opening the WPF, seeing Frank's haulers is always fun and a 22 wheeler to boot.
Paycheck in hand and gazing at his reflection Ted contemplated entering the card room...
Thanks to all and regards, Peter
Despite the rather bad weather, thegardening crew decided to brave the gusts of wind and rain and plant more fir trees on the layout, spray paint them and sprinkle them with a generous dusting of fine turf.
Started working on a scratchbuilt 50ft flat car for a NMRA scratchbuilding certificate towards a Master Model Railroader certificate/
(My Model Railroad, My Rules)
These are the opinions of an under 35 , from the east end of, and modeling, the same section of the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway. As well as a freelanced road (Austinville and Dynamite City railroad).