Rats. It's supposed to be 66 today, and now (1:22 PM) it's only 54. That's a big difference on a bicycle. I'm holding off for a while.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Ulrich I agree you may have that problem there. BUT if you can design not build in areas away from your area where the money is better all you would have to do is get teh client to give you a plan of teh room, Some pictures etc and you could design remotely. It would be a way to easrn the seed money it would take to get you outta there in that bad area you live in.
yougottawantaUlrich - I think you way under estimate what people will pay and what they will pay for.
When I was still in business, my hourly rate as a business consultant was between $200 and $300, but unfortunately, not all of that ended in my pocket -
I still don´t see anybody spending that kind of money on a hobby in this country. Professional model builders have a hard time making $ 10 an hour and you have to deduct shop cost from this.
Lion - Beware I am hearing in here that there are some that think a kitty like you would taste "tatsy" with a few herbs and veggies ! Maybe you should camouflage yourself as a skunk or a Porcupine until after Lunch !
YGW
Ulrich wrote "In total 55 hrs. (if the customer cooperates and communicates well). At $ 10/hr. , that´s $ 550 for this job. I doubt that anybody is prepared to pay that kind of money."
Ulrich - I think you way under estimate what people will pay and what they will pay for. Are you sitting down? If not you may want to before you read further. I autherize ( I do not negotiate the price ) on a daily basis work to be performed by Architects, engineers, consulatants etc... that the company I work for, has hired to plan, design and consult with that cost us over $200 an hour ! There are lawyers around here who are billing at a STARTING rate of $300 an hour !
Ten dollars an hour here ?! That would be considered a STEAL ! In fact carpenters here get $20 to $25 dollars an hour for non union work. A labor if you can find one can be hired at $12 an hour.
If you could find a way to hang out a shingle and in the Washington DC area and work remotely you could pick up some nice pocket change.
By the time he got to the Pacific Ocean, Merriwether Lewis preferred dog over elk. Clark like elk better. I'll take Clark's word for it and stay away from the canine side of the menu.
Gotta hit the gym
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Tram Races...
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
yougottawantaUlrich - I would think that there would be a market for comprehensive design which could include, the intial track plan, wiring diagram, power needs, sound systems, signaling systems and could even include recommendations on engine types and rolling stock recommendations for the period ?
YGW - if I were to make an offer for planning the little layout, it would look like this
Developing layout specifications w/cusomer - 10 hrs.
1st idea and reconciliation - 15 hrs.
2nd idea and reconciliation - 10 hrs.
Final design - 10 hrs.
Wiring diagram, power etc. - 10 hrs.
In total 55 hrs. (if the customer cooperates and communicates well). At $ 10/hr. , that´s $ 550 for this job. I doubt that anybody is prepared to pay that kind of money.
I remember working daily on a layout design for my Swiss friend - over a three week period. It would have cost him a couple of thousand $ - better to keep a good friend!
yougottawantaI know that many cultures such as Asians ( my son married a South Korean ) it is acceptable to eat dogs and I think cats. Here it is almost akin to being a cannible to consider eating fluffy the poodle the baby of the family ?
Well, IIRC, the native Americans or 1st Nation People (if you are Canadian) didn´t mind feasting on a dog, but only on special occasions.
There are many cultures beyond out steak & fries, hamburgers, schnitzel and sauerkraut culture eating things you would not dare to even look at. I better stop here - any mentioning of what they eat may be found obtrusive
Morning all
Ken - I also have a bunch of diesals too. Many I have bought way back when and are the cheaper Atlas versions, I think they were $20 then. I have also bought several small etstate sales out and there was a hobby shop that went out of buisness and I dropped a small fortune there buying up steeply discounted stock and supplies. I have bought a bunch of $5 and $10 RIP engines that once I get set back up I intend to rehab. There are about twenty or thirty of those. Of the top dollar stuff I only have about twenty to thirty units. MTH, Broadway limited....
Herringchoker - Man dont let PETA hear you say that, they will bury you under the jail I know that many cultures such as Asians ( my son married a South Korean ) it is acceptable to eat dogs and I think cats. Here it is almost akin to being a cannible to consider eating fluffy the poodle the baby of the family ?
Ulrich - I would think that there would be a market for comprehensive design which could include, the intial track plan, wiring diagram, power needs, sound systems, signaling systems and could even include recommendations on engine types and rolling stock recommendations for the period ?
Garry - I agree we are all friends here and friends dont have to agree all of the time or even most of the time. I will say this also. If I do not agree with you I will treat you with respect, endeaver to understand your point of view, listen closely to what you have to say. In the end I may agree and change my perspective or I will argue mine and try to convince you of the correctness of my position. What I do not tolerate very well at all is a bigot and hateful person on either side of the discussion. I have defended a young African American lady who had the misfortune of being a single mother who was reduced to using food stamps because the so called "man" was no where to be found, against two white men who were belittling her because she had to use food stamps to feed her and her child. I invited them to a discussion in the parking lot ! I have also been to subject of racism and assaulted by an Afircan American who said to my face that all "Honkys smell like dogs" then she pulled out a utility knife and cut me in the throat...I have faced ridicule because of my faith on a daily basis, I distinctly remember certain person saying they "cling to there guns and religion.." Racism in whatever form is ugly. I do not have much patience for it in whatever form it takes. Enough said.
TTYL
Ulrich,
Thank you for posting the video. That layout looks amazing.
Alvie
This must be by far the best Z scale layout ever:
Good morning ... Coffee and a donut.
We're all friends here no matter what. Enough said.
Ulirch .... The layout plan looks very professional.
Duke ... Glad you still have the bike and are making porogress on the layout.
Ray .... Congrats on the third place prize.
I once came in third place in a contest. The other two contestants were better than I was.
I tested the tracks I was owrking on, and one of the turnouts need some work still. Otherwise, everything works well. These tracks will be difficult to reach later on, and therefore, I want all trains to run on them with no derailing or other problems.
Happy Model Railroading, everybody.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Brent - I am not quite aware of what you try to tell us
Good Morning!
Winter has come back to our neck of the woods. It is rather unpleasant outside, but there are always two sides to a medal - it is quiet outside. Now if our neighbors would quit making such a noise inside the house, it´d be a good day!
I did some more work on the track plan, ironing out some kinks it had, and added a few more dtails, which are not really visible in the pictures. I even created Z scale figures, but you don´t see them
Some more pictures:
There is no money in making track plans for others. No one will be paying for that service here. There are just too many good (?) track planning books around for the "normal", i.e. Marklin-type model railroader and those who have moved up do their own planning, using either Wintrack (expensive) or SCARM (free). The actual drawing job is not the difficult part, but finding out what a customer has in the back of his head. Communicating his thoughts, sorting them and then developing a track plan takes hours and hours, making it a really expensive affair - too expensive! So I do it just for fun or a good friend needing my assistance.
I wish we would hear from Barry and Galaxy!
.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Good evening everyone, many wishes for a good night, and a good end of the weekend.
Chris, I'll suggest the name Milkshake, or Snow Tiger.
YGW, glad to hear of how your health has improved. Modern medicine is amazing indeed.
Henry, I too love seeing Howard Zane's work. I'd love to have one of his structures on a layout as well.
Ulrich, sorry to hear about the crummy neighbor situation. I hope resolutions come your way soon.
Ray, love the photo, thank you for posting.
I skipped Timonium today to help a friend do some furniture moving between Philly, Conshohocken, and Lancaster. Overall, went well. I have off tomorrow, and Tuesday. And go figure, other friends are asking for moving help. This is the reality for those with pickup trucks, your friends, and their friends, will hit you up for moving/hauling help often. Trash, firewood, camping gear, furniture, carpets, gardening supplies, bicycles, lumber, small boats, and even towing cars. Ive hauled it. At one point I had a minivan, plus my truck, to use. I enjoyed the feeling of two vehicles to handle all of my needs.
Going to try and get some model building work done, namely paint a few pieces so long as the weather's nice tomorrow. I managed to get a new Bowser RS12 in PRR the other day, and it's been fun to try out. My first diesel with sound, and hopefully not the last. I'm still figuring out how to make the sounds work as I'm so used to steam engines, the diesel is a different beast entirely.
Ray Didn't say,but CONGRATS!!!
"Don't take a wooden nickel,because it isn't worth a dime" by my Dad
"There are only 3 things you need out of life:A gentle grade,the wind in your face,and cinders in your hair.....But keep an eye on the water glass!" Jack Evans
YGW--
I very much like cats,---- with bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, bean sprouts, in a spicey brown sauce, over fried rice. Dog is good battered, and stir fried with green and red peppers, onions and pineapple chunks in a sweet and sour sauce.
herrinchoker
top of page--them what wants- mug up, put it on my tab.
Garry I edited my post.
Brent - You misread my now deleted post nor am I a racist. My wife is Cuban/Lebanese some of my best friends are central americans, asians and African Americans. I do not begrudged anyone the chance to expierence the American dream and be recognized for there accomplishments. I do have a HUGE problem when those that feel they have been oppressed use that as an excuse to become the bigots they despise. If you would like to discuss this via a PM I will be happy to have an open and RESPECTFUL discussion with you on the subject.
Good evening.
I suggest we once again review the Forum Policies regarding controversial topics, divisive topics, politics, etc.
A couple of you may decide it is a good idea to edit or delete your posts before Steven returns.
Thanks
Evening Dinners
Flo, please.
Peacfull day at work with No Ash Pit in the store. Sad part was the only person in my store all day! I sure don't want to get another job, but I cannot live on what I am making this month. I will be dipping into the savings soon to make the house payment.
Well the bright side with it being a easy day I did get most of the front yard cut. Still need to do the side of the house. With us still not knowing if I really have a heart problem, Sue sat on the front pourch and kept a eye on me. Guess she still cares for me.
yougottawantaUnfortunately I have "gottahave moresteampower" too. Yea that one is expensive ! I think I am up to around 150 engnes
YGW If you have 150 steam engines, well I am not sure what to say? While I love steam power, I am pretty much done with them. They are just to fickel for my track laying skills it seems. Plus there is just way to many things that can go wrong and I have bought the good stuff by BLI and PCM. Only other steam engine I want is the Bachmann EM1.
Funny, when I started I swore I would never spend over $60.00 for any engine. After the first $250.00 engine for a BLI Class J $400.00 did not sound that bad?
Ulrich I wonder if there is any money to be made in desiging layout on line? That layout looks great.
Still wonder what happened to Barry and Galaxy?
Later, Ken
Photo is from a fellow member named Art Hill. Have not seen him on line for a year or so.
I hate Rust
Good sunday afternoon to all
Big goings on today at church. Our childrens minister is getting ordained today he is an awesome young man who is already doing a great job. He is making a tremendous difference in the kids lives. First time back to church in about ten days. Really good to be back. It was like getting a cool drink of water after being parched for days.
My health has greatly improved. The operation was a succes and I can feel the difference already, I have way more energy than I have had in the past. I think I was way closer to a heart attack than I realized. I distinctly remember one day having all of the classic symptons, left arm pain, slurring speech, chest pain....Thank God for modern medicine.
Howmus - sounds like an interesting meet ! Congrats on 3rd place !
Angel - that is impressive - scratch built Z scale. How is the knee ?
Ulrich - you are a Piccaso ! Do us a favor and trip that no good ....I hope he hits his head and knocks some sense into his head.
Dave - you are lucky 30 years a good neighber ! That is a blessing. I have had the misfortune to have two bad neighbers. One who parked his vehicles on my property and one who drove his dirt bike through my property !
Ken - Nice photos. LOL ash pit ? Unfortunately I have "gottahave moresteampower" too. Yea that one is expensive ! I think I am up to around 150 engnes
Reinhard - WOW 12 hour day !? Thanks yes I do feel better : ) How is your health ?
Herrinchoker - LOL Lunch !?? Thats just wrong I take you dont like cats ?
Chris - How about Blizzard ? Snow white, Blanco if a male Blanca if a female
Duke - 1000 will come faster than you think.
Cats - I am thankful that I dont have "gottahavemorepassenger" too. Between rolling stock and engines I would be in the poor house if I add passenger to that list !
Doug - Here you can have my cornedbeef hash - dont care much for that stuff !!!
I went to the Timonium show today (Maryland) Few dealers and even fewer attendees. Apparently yesterday was poor attendance too. Zane had different buildings than the last show, all magnificent. I don't know were he finds time to build them with that kind of detail.
Met a natily dressed black guy at the flyer table. He said he couldn't afford trains as a kid, but now, at age 80, he can. I wouldn't have guessed he was 80. Probably just came from church.
There was a concurrent dog show at the fairgrounds. These people travel in RV's, BIG RV's. They had little metal dog corrals set up and they were grooming dogs in the open sided covered fair buildings. The few women I saw looked a lot better than the ones you see on TV, that are stumpy and dumpy. Oh oh I must be channeling someone running for president.
Does anyone here have suggestions for a really great name for a white male cat. Let me know but don't forget the "better half" has to approve it too :-) Perhaps it could have a reference to locomotive history that I am not aware of (which is most). But can I get some ideas please?
"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.
Hi Garry Yup,still have the bike and there has been some progress on the layout. I am able to run trains and I need to update the progress pics in Photobucket but you can see what I have if you go to my account and look under 2014.
Ulrich Wish there was someway to help out.
Best to all on sick call and those recovering
Duke
howmusAny idea where you will be moving to?
No, Ray, and it´s going to be more than just challenging to find a better place. The ones we can pay for are those in not good a neighborhood
Good afternoon Diner Patrons!
What Chloe? Yes I am now more or less awake and ready to sit and relax for a bit more. A nice hot cup of decaf and a Bavarian Creme filled doughnut would do nicely to tide me over untill the Birthday Party tonight. Oh, yes, the party is at my DIL's Sister's house and it is the sister's birthday. I think my son has to work today so it will be mostly DIL's family that will be there. I got a call from Granddaughter #1 early this afternoon inviting me.
Ulrich, I like the layout plan, but in z scale I would have to be very close to the layout to see what was going on and there would be a disaster trying to switch cars into sidings..... Any idea where you will be moving to? There are two houses for sale right near my house, and I am hopeing the people that end up buying them will be good neighbors... One of the houses was looked at by our new District Executive and his fiancee, but they said it was a bit over priced for them. It is a nice house and this is a good neighborhood... I told him to make an offer for about 10% less and see what happens.
YGW asked about the program for yesterday's Meet. OK... We had three clinics. Making Car Cards, Engine Cards, and Waybills on the Computer, Quick and Easy Weathering with Pan Pastels (By our resident expert on the subject - does superb work. If you check out NCE ads, you can see his layout.), and Rolling Stock Standards. All three were well liked and enjoyed by the 50 members and guests that attended. We also had a Popular Choice Photo Contest and a Popular Choice Model Contest with a lot of great entries (yours truly took 3rd. place on the Photo Contest with this photo)
One of the people who brought a bunch of entries was at one time a professional photographer, so it was a very excellent competition! (He took first place and a member from a different division took second with a great protoype steam loco.) Lastly we had a large number of door prizes that were drawn for at the end of the morning session. In the afternoon we had three layouts on tour. Two of them are mostly plywood centrals at the moment, but you can really see that they are going to be spectacular in a couple years and one was a small but totally stunning layout (by the guy who was a professional photographer before he became disabled).
Have a great day... 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!
Good morning diners,
I saw a video at a train show way back maybe 14 years ago. One guy scratch built a NYC 20th Century Limited Hudson locomotive in Z. Which to me was very impressive, I thought he bought it.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
I have added a few more details (trees) and a cassette staging yard:
I quite like it - lots of switching operation plus a merry-go-round!
Afternoon, Folks!
Yup, me again! Instead of taking a nap after lunch (which I would dearly like to do), I fired SCARM to indulge in my second most loved pastime - making track plans.
I have to admit, tha,t had I known we urgently have to find a new place to live, I would not have embarked on building my narrow gauge layout. It´s nearly finished though, but not yet in a saleable condition. The minimum I have to do is get the catenary installed (have to buy it first), finish the tunnel portals and build the grade crossing, not to forget to wire up the signal and the street lights. With this done I have a fair chance of selling it for a reasonable price.
Should I ever build a layout again, it´ll be something one can easily move - like a briefcase or a suitcase. That eliminates anything bigger than N scale, better Z scale. Just for the fun of it, I have developed a track plan for a layout with a harbor scene - all my layouts hace to have a water feature
Here is my idea:
Doesn´t look like much, but the plan wins in a 3D view:
Layout size is about 65cm by 130cm, so just a tad over 2´by 4´- the size of an average suitcase.
Just food for thought...