OK, guys, I'm back, so you need to rein it in. Discussing politics obliquely is still discussing politics. Drop it.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
Good Evening Diners,
Brunhilda, I'll have an Earl Grey tea with cream and honey, please.
Work front: work has been very stressful as of late. People not showing up, whether they're sick or not, just means means those who are there have to do double and triple extra and as a result actually get less done.
Well, that's not anyone else's problem.
Ulrich and YGW: I found your conversation on layout design and consulting fascinating. Ulrich, you have the right approach if you plan for the public. When designing for others, what we may like has nothing to do with it. To have a satisfied client one has to ask the client lots of questions to determine the best course of action to achieve their desires. I know that sounds like vague gibberish, but it is nonetheless true. I wish I could command $200/hr for design consultation. Funny, interior designers have to know so much just to do their jobs, we should be paid like Architects, etc., but alas most of us scrape by. But I wouldnt dream of doing anything else. I'm sure you feel similarly about layout design.
Got to get some rest.
i hope everyone is OK, safe, and warm.
Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)
Evening Dinners
Flo, please.
MisterBeasleyI was put on Metformin, a medication that did its job for my blood sugar but made me feel terrible. I had no energy, could not exercise, and I was mentally sluggish as well.
Mr B That is how I feel. When I spoke to the VA Dr about Metformin he said it does not do that. What does he know, he works for the VA.
YGW I beleive your math is off. If you have 1/3 more diesels than steam that would be 195 diesels engine's + 150 steam engines that would be 345 engines. That = 11.5 engines a year. Tad over the 4 a year you claim! But hey I would probley be in the same boat if I had got into trains and not cars. 15 years ago I spent $25,000.00 on the Blowen 440 in the 69 Charger, that is not counting the 69 Charger it self!
By the way, I called my self a Chest Beating Liberal Red Neck. That will take a phone call to explain.
New Computer, well sort of. Got a free computer from the bank my daughter works. It is a Dell Optiplex 360. Came with a Intel Dual Core 2.93 GZ processor, could have only 2 GB of ram, but will take up to 4 GB of ram, the max I can use with XP Pro. With it being from a Bank, they took the hard drive, that I understand.
I only need say 80 gigs memory for the hard drive (I only have used 40 gigs on my current one) So far I have not found any for less than $50.00 at New Egg.com. Most hard drives that are Sata like this one in 500 gigs or a TB for $80 to $120.00. But, I can get a whole used one for $59.00 but it has Windows 8.1 installed. I want to keep my XP Pro as long as I can.
Trains like me tonight.
Ken
I hate Rust
cudakenMr B That is how I feel. When I spoke to the VA Dr about Metformin he said it does not do that. What does he know, he works for the VA.
It's you that's taking the medication, not him, so you need to tell him that it's not working for you. There are other medications available, and it's his responsibility as a doctor to find the one that's right for you. Metformin is a perfectly good medication for most people, but if you're not one of them, it can be pretty dismal.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Steven Otte OK, guys, I'm back, so you need to rein it in. Discussing politics obliquely is still discussing politics. Drop it.
Steven ... Thank you for reminding us.... I have been unable to start a new thread in the PM's (Start a conversation) in at least a couple of years. Others have told me they try to PM to me, but I do not receive their medssages. I think PM's is where people can take care of off topic matters when PM's are functioning as they should. I have tried changing my settings and stuff like that. ... Thanks much. Again we appreciate what you are doing.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Gd' Evening Gang,
well, we have had a great visit here in the Billings area with my Son and future DIL, but the time has gone very quickly and we must leave for home tomorrow morning. It is about a nine hour drive, so hope to get away in good time.
I have caught up on the forum here twice since we've been here and was glad to hear from all of you. It was great to see that "DUKE" checked in, we hadn't heard from him in a while.
I am still concerned our two MIAs, hope they are OK.
Last week here was beautiful, but very cool and rainy this week.
Must get to bed to have a good start in the morning.
Will check back in Thurs or Fri. after we get home. I have to work those two days then have the week end off.
Keep smiling and dreaming of those silver rails in the moon light.
Johnboy out....................till later
from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North..
We have met the enemy, and he is us............ (Pogo)
Godd Morning!
last mountain & eastern hoggerLast week here was beautiful, but very cool and rainy this week.
Same at this end of the Big Pond and no change today!
With the surplus stuff now having been sold, I am wondering whether I should continue with my work on the layout (which involves still a sizeable (fdor me) amount of money) or should try to sell it as it is. I think it is pretty presentable at this stage and only needs some wiring work to be fully functional. Since I know it has to go, I seem to have lost all my enthusiasm about it.
I´ll be doing more research on Z scale. The market is dominated by Marklin and other German manufacturers, but there are a number of smaller businesses catering forn the non-European customers. American Z Lines has a number of fine Diesel and steam locos, some of which are extremely high-priced. Their Big Boys, Cab Forwards and Challengers are way beyound $1k, which, although way beyond my means, is certainly justified for a super-detailed, hand-built brass loco of that minute scale. AZL´s USRA Mikado is about on the same price-level as MArklin steam locos, but with a lot more detail.
Here is a short video on it, presented by a British model railroader on his nice-looking NKP layout:
Quite nice!
... and, as a bonus: "Ladies and Gentlemen - the Big Boy!"
I am in Minneapolis today, flying home tonight. I may have a few hours to kill this afternoon and remembered that there is a MRR museum in St. Paul. Unfortunately, I just discovered the museum moved and is closed for reconstruction. I suppose I could always go join the masses and visit the shine at Paisley Park (not). I will probably go to the airport and hang out for hours. Luckily I did download a couple of movies to my iPad.
Richard
Hello all
Well, toady with school has been pretty boring, reading the diary of Anne Frank in study hall. So I figured i would come here instead ant present my new plans. I plan to upgrade my 4x8 DC layout to a 4x11 DCC layout! I will add a Amtrak station, a new yard, and a tunnel, which I'm most excited about. Cant wait to operate Amtrak and conrail! I'm going to start saving my money now, but my birthday(coming up in May) and christmas will do a majority of the work. Hope you all have a wonderful day!
Chris
Running DC and modeling conrail in 1983 with a 4x8 layout using the Madison central track plan
Good morning all
Flo could I have a cup of French Roast with a dusting of N&W coal dust and a sprinkle of New river valley cream to knock off the edge. Hmmmm good that is perfect. Thanks
Batman - I saw your PM. Thank you for comments and I responded. Please feel free to respond back.
Garry - I agree with your comments about blood pressure and trains !
Richard, Johnboy - Praying you have a safe trip,
Ulrich - I will respond with an email today. $1K for a z scale Bigboy ? WOW !
Ken - Math was never my strong point (although I love math ) and I was speaking in generalities not specifics. I have not counted in the last few( to busy getting married, repairing two houses and two moves) years but I think the count is a 150/30 split and it is probably closer to 50 years than it is 40.
Also I didnt want to leave the impression that we have always been 'in the money" We both came from desperately poor families and upbring. My father was from "mountains" where they lived with out running water and electricity. He had only a third grade education. My wife parents were immigrants who lost everything when Castro came in and robbed them of their small farm and monies and fled to America with the clothes on their backs and worked in the garment sweat shops. I started out as a Labor and worked my way up senior supervisor of the mega sites our company builds. Long very hard road to get here! Call when you have some time I would LOVE to hear that redeck liberal !
UP831 - Maybe you should go to engineering. I recieved a proposal yesterday guess how much they want to charge an hour ? $500! And supposedly that is their friends and family rate !
V8 - Sounds like you got a good deal on the mechanic rate. Seems here lately I cannot get things repaired for under $1k
Gotta git back to w**k
TTYL
YGW
Afternoon!
I felt like enjoying a cup of in my favourite hang-out place.
The weather is just awful - I have not spent a second outside. It´s rather windy, with lots of ra*n coming down.
While searching for more info of what´s going on in the world of Z trains I found this video:
IIRC, the layout was featured in MR a few years ago!
Wouldn´t it be nice if MR would have a Z scale layout as a project? I think they should do a little promotin´ of this scale!
And here is the ultimatelayout for the space starved, apartment dwelling city slickers!
Mornin' Everyone!
Zoe, I'll have a large bowl of Flax Plus Maple Pecan Flakes cereal, skim milk and a handful of fresh blueberries on top along with a pot of Marrakesh Express Dark Roast Organic Coffee this morning. Please and thank you Ma'am!
Sun is shining outside today... To bad it didn't yesterday as I would have ended the month of April with a surplus of electric... I came up 4 kWh short when I read the meter late yesterday afternoon... Still not bad for April. So my Electric bill for the month will be the line fee (what they charge for rent of the wires attached to the house, and about 60¢ for power. Today should make over 25 kWh.
You know, since Galaxy has been missing we haven't had any good quotes for the day. So I offer a few:
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony” ~ Mahatma Gandhi
"What is important is the way you look at things, not the way things look.” ~ Hady Sy
“You are always responsible for how you act, no matter how you feel.” ~ Robert Tew
Hope some sunshine falls on each of you today!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
LION must be oblique or something. Him saw it knot. Now if you what to know what a LION thinks, ...
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Foo. The Canon inkjet printer is generating an error code. From looking online, the suggestions on how to fix it from Canon are a waste of time. If you choose the "new print head" route, it's more than a new printer. The last option is to leave it unplugged all night in hope that the problem is an overcharged or leaky capacitor that will stabilize if left unpowered long enough. (A half an hour was not long enough.)
I suspect I may need a new printer. I only use it to print decals and the occasional signs or structure interiors, but the wife likes to print photos, put them in folders and never look at them again.
Evening Diners,
I helped Chris earlier with his Amtrak/Conrail 1980 layout. Researching the line but know nothing about glueing structures. He might want to look at MRVP for answers.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
Afternoon Dinners
Not a totally bad day off. Had to take the wife to a Dr appoment, that was the worse part of the day. All she can talk about is what we need, what she wants, what she worried about. This is not the person I married 40 + year's ago.
Did some running after I took her home. Bought some lumber to patch up what is left of the fences. Bought some food, went to the Libary paid a few bills.
YGW Don't worry about the fact your family has more income than some of us, that is just life. Far as all the engines you have, well not something at this point in life I want. (well may if I had the funds) But I do understand want a lot of the same thing. Whe I was heavy in Coin Collecting I had all of the Mercury Dimes by date and mint mark and all of Franklin Half Dollars. They all looked the same excpet small dates and mint marks. Wife head all most fell off when she learned my Mercury 1916 D was worth $563.00 dollars.
By the way YGW what is the best brand of paint to protect wood out side, well that semi cheap. I wanted 1" X 8" X 8' lumber that was pressured treated and Lowes did not have any.
Went to new Egg and found some hard drives that will work in the new computer I just got for free. All so some DDR 2 800 MZ 2 K memory that will work that I can afford.
Later, Ken
Good evening all
Howmus - Thanks for the qoutes. Nice of you to take those up. Sure wish we could get some news on Barry and Galaxy.
Ulrich - sent you an email
Lion - Sure lets hear it !
Mr. B - Hope your printer problem gets solved
Angel - what is MRVP ?
hello to the rest - Batman, DER, UP831, V8.....
MRVP I don't see the post but a good bet would be Model Railroader Video Plus
Lion another lion today at Nat Geo http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-of-the-day/
Galaxy & Barry can't help but feel that no news is bad news.
On the train front, I painted then glued the windows into my Union Crane & Shovel building. Every single window fell out, so I had to sand the paint off and reinstall. At least I hadn't got the walls glued together.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Stopping in for a late night cup o' mud since all the excitement at work is over. Seems like a damp fall night in Northern Virginia at 22:45, not at all like the end of April. Feeling a little better other than being fatigued due to the late hour.
YGW - sorry I didn't call, work has been crazy (worse than last week) yesterday and today. Feeling better, thanks.
Lion - thanks for your thoughts which are logical. That is most likely what the doctor is doing with the results.
Ken - yeah, the mirror does not sugar coat things but tells the truth. I feel the same as you do. Redneck Liberal? Fascinating combination.
Hi to all the rest of the gang and wishing all a good night.
All the best.
Joe F
Henry:
That's a really interesting bit of information about calling porters "George". They were obviously in fine company.
Thanks
Also, unfortunately your link to the National Geographic Picture of the Day goes to the current 'picture' so the photo of the lion isn't showing up anymore. OH well.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
yougottawantaAngel - what is MRVP ?
That´s Model Railroader Video Plus - how I like those abbreviations!
Good morning!
Another grey day - not as bad as the days before, though! Signs of improvement? Hopefully! Temperatures are on the rise, an indication we may have a better May - at least in terms of our weather!
My right shoulder is acting up again - I should get that checked soon. Probably all worn and torn in they, so do I really want to know?
Petra will take me to the post office, so I can mail those packages. On the way I have to check whether the buyers have transferred the money. I am not sending the stuff without them having paid!
No plans for the day, waiting for a hopefully pleasant surprise!
YGW - email is answered - with a lot of questions.
No news on Barry and Galaxy, makes me fearing for the worst!
hon30critter Henry: That's a really interesting bit of information about calling porters "George". They were obviously in fine company. Thanks Also, unfortunately your link to the National Geographic Picture of the Day goes to the current 'picture' so the photo of the lion isn't showing up anymore. OH well. Dave
In one of the Thin Man movies, where they travel from LA to NYC William Powell calls the porter "George" I can't find that clip, this will have to do, heavyweights at around 1:12
Nat Geo it's not that hard, there is a button that says Previous at the top right of the picture, or you can just click on the picture or click here http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-of-the-day/yellowstone-cougar-camera-trap/
Good morning from the West Coast, just North of the 49th.
Dennis (V8Vega) Do you own any Vegas? My friend has six. Two he uses to drag race. I remembering helping him put in a motor he spent $30.000.00 on and a long time building. (a scratch build)
One time another friend and I were way off in the boonies and we found a Vega in the woods on some guys property. He said we could have for free if we could pull it out of the bush. We got it out and had it towed to our friends house just in time to be a Birthday present. It had a foot of fallout on it from being in the bush so long and was covered in moss. Six years later it was totally restored to showroom condition and is his nicest Vega he owns by far. It has won many awards at car shows for best restoration.
He has a lot of brand new Vega parts and accesories still in the boxes. He even has the tent that was fitted in the hatch back to make it possible to sleep in the car. It is also new in the box after 45 years.
As far as Galaxy being "MIA", I seem to recall him showing the realestate listing of the house they bought a few months back. I am not sure how things work in the U.S. but it should be possible to get a name and phone # from either the property tax people or city hall. Also unless he has an unlisted phone # tracking that down after a little digging. Are there public directories in NY?
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Ken wrote - "By the way YGW what is the best brand of paint to protect wood out side, well that semi cheap. I wanted 1" X 8" X 8' lumber that was pressured treated and Lowes did not have any."
Ken it is my understanding that there are three paint manufactures in the country and they make paint for everyone. Lowes, Home Depot Sherwin Williams, McCormick etc....I assume you are using PT wood ? If so you are not supposed to paint/stain that for one year. On PT wood it is better to use a stain. Paint will sometimes ( depending on the type) flake off after a few years. McCormicK paints is the one I most often use because they are builder friendly. And give contractor prices ( for instance 5 gallons of int. latex flat paint can be had for $40 +/- ) And the counter guys are actually professional and know their product, have a support team, engineers etc....vs a Home Despot that hires some flunky who does know a sheeps skin roller from a Nylon roller. On the fence you want to get a stain that can either look like stain (translucent ) or with a second coat look like it is painted or soilid in color. My next choice would be a Sherwin Williams brand. Mid grade something that will last five years.
Henry - I agree with Dave that, that is a neat bit of history info
V8 - What do you shoot ? Targets ? trap? What gun ? The pick your own junk yard do you have to take it off or do you ?
Reinhard - I hope the doc news is good. I am so looking forward to our meeting.
Ulrich - I gave lots of answers. How does it work when you sell stuff on EBAY ? I have never sold anything.
Howmus, UP831, DER, Batman ETC....Hope to here from you soon
Good afternoon, everybody .....
Good afternoon, especially Garry. I tried to post yesterday but either my laptop or the local internet was acting totally wacky. Typing was delayed about a second and a half from appearing on the screen. When I got ready to post a picture the whole typed posting disappeared for good. Don't know about technology some times.
I was chased inside this afternoon by a thunder shower. The new dog is really bothered by thunder and heavy rain. Fairly understandable as she was separated from her previous home by severe flooding in Mississippi.
I have been fairly busy working on the layout. Stained up a bag of ties, cut two sets of turnout ties and stained them, then glued them down and they are ready for track and turnouts. Also have been spiking track in one curve. Should have plenty to keep busy with until we head north.
YGW, do you have any experience with Trex decking?
Hope everyone else is having a good Thursday
Jim
Progress picture of turnouts:
JAMES MOON The new dog is really bothered by thunder and heavy rain.
Jim, You can buy a thunder coat for your dog at the pet store. They work really well for pets that freak out in storms or have other anxiety issues. Most pets will will calm right down. We only get one or two thunder storms a year, however one of our dogs bounces off the walls without his thundercoat. With it he just keeps watching the tube.
It is also great for pets that don't like car rides or trips to the Vet, or a host of other things.
There are lot's of You-Tube videos on them.
Flo, please and you may have to lift my arms so I can enjoy it.
Yard War's. Clearned some more bush, vine's and small trees. It was hard work and I am feeling it, but it is a good feeling. Some of the vine's are trying to grow back, so I will nuke them Friday before work.
Talked with the Zoning Inspector today. Told me I was getting a nasty letter in the mail about my property. But he is a nice guy that is why he called to tell me about it. He is giving me another 45 days, but he has changed the focus of my efforts.
Said I have cleard suffecnt brush (he was out this last Tuesday) and now he wants me to work on the fence and pool.
1 Fence Front told him I bought some lumber Wednesday to start the repairs. He was OK with that, but I do need to get the missing section in places. Guess it is time to buy a gas power post hole digger.
2 Pool Cover Now this part sounds a little odd to me. He told me I cannot have any water in the pool cover unless it is moving? I know it is because of Mosquito's and told him I have Mosquito Dunks in the pool and keep track when I throw them in. No, I have to have the warter moving? He was told that if the warter was not moving the Mosquito Dunks will not work? Guess I will buy a fountain pump from Harbior Freight. They have one that moves 200 GPH, uses 12 watts of power and cost $20.00. I donot know if it has to be ran 24 hour's a day?
YGW Lumber I was asking about is not PT lumber. Lowes did not have any 1" X 8" X 8' foot PT lumber. If you think paint will not protect sufficiently I will ask Lowes about pressuer treating them.
Train Front I cannot believe I did this! I was heading too K-10 Model Train's to buy another 50" covered hopper. I was thinking about things I would need as well, more Kedee #5, wheels plus the cost of the car. But why? As hard as it is to believe I turned around and went home! Maybe I am growing? Nope, I need more lumber.
Are MIA Not sure if I am worried about either one. I would think Barry wife would let us know it there was something really wrong, well I hope. Was'nt his band ready to go on tour? Far as Galaxy, not the first time he has not dropped off the site. Stll be great to here from them!
Hey, what happened to the warmer weather we had last weekend? It has been really cool this week, but not out of context for April.
YGW: you suggested I try engineering. Funny thing is, I was an Industrial Engineering Technician for over 20 years. Now I do kitchen and bath design and really enjoy it.
Hello to everyone, and I hope everyone is OK, safe, and warm.
Morning all.
I see there are a few questions for me here. I will check back in later and respond. It is Friday and my weekly 3+ hour production meeting I hate meetings. Life would be so much nIcer with out them.
Well gotta run and spend two hours prepping for the meeting.