I would like some breaded mushrooms with some blue cheese dressing, please.
On the modeling front, given all the help that I have gotten with my crossing needs, I figured that I would give my friends a picture of the crossing:
(Apologies for the poor resolution. It is a cellphone picture.)
And no, that is not a pre-manufactured unit. Each tie is a separate piece. They are the wood ones that handlayers use. They started out as turnout length but they had been trimmed down for another project which is a unloading ramp based on one we have here in town. It is a kitbash from the ramps that came with the HO Walthers team track kit. I soaked the ties to make sure that they were somewhat flexible. The overheight areas were carefully carved off with a hobby knife to get them level with the rail and the flangeways were trimmed again by using a hobby knife. I didn't paint this one as I ran out of ambition. Building this took a lot more time and energy than I thought. When I get to painting it, it will be painted grimy black to represent creosote.
I have three other crossings that are built the same way. (One of those does use curves in it, but I preformed them before they were installed.) I have four more to install and paint. I have one other one that needs paint.
Edit: In case anyone is wondering, yes the roads are what they look like: Shingles. (They came from when my now late paternal grandparent's had their house, which is the main house on the ranch, reshingled. I gathered the scraps and unused shingles and ended up with plenty of pieces for roads.)
FRRYKid:
The grade crossing looks good.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Ricky W.
I hope for the best for your dad.
I am firmly convinced that the medical so called 'professionals' who suddenly decide to change all the meds someone has been on are playing with fire. I'll quit there!
Ulrich!
Have fun with your 'new' Marklin track!
P.S. Please send some of your rain our way. Last year we didn't have to water the gardens much at all. This year it is costing us a fortune.
Good Morning!
The days of great heat and humidity seem to be over and I am glad for that. I just feel so much better when it stays a little cooler and dry!
hon30critterHave fun with your 'new' Marklin track!
Dave - I certainly will. It´s not much track, basically the same oval I got for Christmas 1963. As I still have the little station building that came with it I can re-enact my childhood days with it. OK, the loco is a different one and I don´t have any cars, but maybe one fine day ...
I just hope my loco will be able to negotiate those minimum radius curves of 29cm!
And now for something completely different and not train related at all.
I came across and old film made in 1963, showing the making of a Porsche 356. It is incredible how much skill and craftsmanship were necessary to build them back then. It also shows how primitive the cars were, compared to our today´s overly complex monsters. I have my doubts, that the cars we drive today will still be seen on our roads. While it will be possible to maintain the mechanics in 40 years from today, all the electronic devices will most likely be lost and beyond repair.
Well, here is the video!
Enjoy listening to Ferry Porsche, son of Ferdinand Porsche and designer of the legendary Porsche 911, giving the introduction - with a terrible German accent (like mine!)
Good morning all.
Flo, the breakfast special, with eggs, bacon, home fries, and wheat toast, and a OJ please. Thanks.
Ken: It is under the advanced settings in the AVG (the same antivirus I use, and installed on my parents computer, although they have the paid version) but I would have to be in front of my computer to give step-by-step. Once I get back from hospital tonight I will look and post the steps.
Speaking of Hospital: Dad is still in ICU, but moving to step down room today, hoping to be released soon. (They had talked about release today, but now talking about moving to step down room first, so unsure of release date now.) BP is back down in normal range, and he is back to acting like himself, so that is good news. His Dr. is flat out torked at the insurance company, over their refusing to pay for his normal meds, thus forcing a change, and creating this whole big mess. Not a good thing to get a Dr. this angry with you.... Especially my Dad's Dr. He can get quite feisty, and will speak his mind, very clearly and forcefully, when he is forced too. (Not a complaint, just a statement. Here, it could even be a good thing... A Dr. should fight for what is best for his patients.)
Weather: Wet morning, but it cooled us off from our 97 yesterday, to mid 80's today. Still quite humid, but not anywhere as oppressive as yesterday's high humidity coupled with very high temps.
W**k: After the issues, had the weekend off, though it wasn't scheduled off. Boss has been very helpful,making sure shifts were covered, and that I had everything I needed. (Even volunteered to come up to the hospital after her (really my) shift past two days, an hour drive one way, just to be here for support if needed. I have had so many nearby friends here though, so I didn't need it. I do appreciate her offering though. Big difference from my prior boss, who didn't care about you or your family, only about how much $$$ you made for him.) Was scheduled off next two days, so will be helping out/being with family.
Trains: NS 8099, Southern Heritage unit, is in Lawrence Park, @ GE, set off this am, according to reports. I might have to swing by there when I take a break from the hospital and run some errands later today. Models have sat at home, no progress due to being at hospital all weekend. Last project was painting hopper weights, while the are painted and cured, nothing was done with the kits themselves yet. On a side note, Vallejo Surface primer sticks well to the metal weights, and craft paint (properly thinned) will stick well to it. No scuffing was done to the weights, just as a test for durability, and the paint will not come off unless you are really scraping at it, so no issues anticipated from "normal" use. (Unless you are named Gomez Addams.... But then you would not be doing "normal" use! )
Well, got to go, will check in later with the steps for Ken.
Enjoy the day!
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
A quick stop to the diner before departing for the airport for my flight to Vienna. Attending a last minute conference of Surveillance Staff this week in Austria. The topics should be fascinating.
YGW - hope you received my PM; can not meet today since I am flying out. It sounds like you had a great weekend. The next time we meet I would like to hear all about the trip. Have to leave now.
Hope to drop in later across the pond.
All the best.
Joe F
Mornin' everyone!
Zoe, I'll have the #2 special, over easy eggs (free range organic), bacon, homefries, and a double order of the sourdough toast please. Oh yes, I'll need a large pot of Marrakesh Express Dark Roast organic coffee to wash it down with.....
Got some much needed rain overnight. It was close to morning when it rained so I don't know how much we actually did get, but the street is just now drying off.... Currently 77°F outside with a high of 91°F late this afternoon.
I will be heading out to Boy Scout Camp right after lunch to take some measurements of the stage area and get some needed info about what is already part of that sound system (portable). I plan on donating some new speakers for the stage that will be permanent and give them the 180° coverage they need. That will lower the $$$ in the Tesla Fund by a bit I'm afraid. Probably won't get it done until after camp season as they really need it for a huge ionternational camporee in the Fall.
Ricky, glad to hear your Dad is doing better. It is very frustrating dealing with many insurance companies insisting they want to save you (the bottom line themselves) $$$ by changing medications! The Doctor should have the final say whether to even try other options! I am lucky that mine is a non-profit that does charge several tiers of co-pays, but basically doesn't tell the doctor what he can prescribe. I asked my Dermatologist to change my Rx's for Psoriasis last time I saw her to save me some $$$ on the prescriptions. I'll be seeing her in a few weeks and will be asking her to switch it back!
Looks very possible that I may have over 600 kWh this month from the solar panels. First time that has happened in June since they were installed. There is only one other month that I got over 400 kWh in the 4 years they have been on the roof...
Have a great and safe day out there!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Hello Railfans! Boy I sure am hungry to which a nice blue plate special should do the trick of wiping that out. Im sure Flo could accomodate along with a tall, cold frozen glass of straight Pepsi.
I have been reading the posts concern our hot weather and sympathize with alot of you. To my good fortune this past weekend a brand spanking new A/C system was installed. Typing this post its a shweet 75f in my room. The old one ran and ran never cooling anything. Too small a unit to properly do its job. One of mankinds better inventions!
Speaking of better inventions.... the Railroad front: Still the same here. No room or proper time for any actual modelling efforts. Pretty much just messing around with the website when i can. No real railfanning either. If it counts, I have passed over half a dozen grade crossings. Thats the extent of my hobby right now. And this place, ofcourse. Does daydreaming count? I try and fit alot of that in when i can. Or is that considered procrastination?
Ken: Cant believe your still on XP. Well, atleast it isnt iWindows 10! I told ya, ya have my addy and number. Consider them tools. Use them!
With out any more to add today that pretty much means im down to just eating the dinner Flo just brought. Ill catch you folks later!
Douglas
hon30critter FRRYKid: The grade crossing looks good. Dave
Of course the other problem I ran into: Super glue all over my fingers. But that's not anything new.
As you all know I was supposed to chop the weeds at my parents' house. I managed to get the front yard chopped. I shut down for lunch and due to the fact that my hands were going somewhat numb. Unfortunately, when I went to start again after lunch the weed whacker decided to malfunction. The start cord wouldn't pull out all the way. I got it to turn over partially but it wouldn't stay running. That problem left everyone grouchy. Mom and I took the machine back to the rental place and they didn't charge us for the time that we had it.
Mid evening diners,
I wish there was some model railroading news, but I haven't done anything or bought anything since the monroe models bridge that I bought on the 6th. That reminds me I need to buy the expansion set for a two track bridge.
The 1943 steam layout I thought of will be on the back burner for the time being. Their was nothing wrong with it, I just don't know if I want to spend money it. I like designing layouts, but I don't have room to make one or store it.
My sleeping pattern is off lately. I no longer wake up at 6 or 5 in the morning. I been waking up around 7:30 to 8 to walk the dog in 80-90 degree heat. I reason is my dad plays video games in my room until 10-11 at night. Making me to go to bed at 12 midnight, because taking the dog outside, putting away dinner, and brushing my teeth afterwards.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
Ha ! I'll bet there is not one of us over 60 who complains about sleeping late. The prostate/bladder alarm goes off and we are up for hours. Or else we go back to sleep but it's really a snooze alarm and goes off again.
Tell you dad to get out of your room and go play with your mom. Everyone will be happier.
Whoa Top Post. I am buying everyone a shot of Under Armour's new Rye whiskey, Sagamore Farms, also the name of CEO Kevin Plank's thoroughbred horse farm.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Evening All.
Chloe, a Rootbeer Float, please. Thanks. I will pass on the free shot, thanks though. (Asthma meds say no alchohol. I kinda like breathing, so I stay away from it, as per med instructions.) If you would instead give mine to someone else, I am fine with that. (Unless there is a virgin one, but I kinda think not...)
Ken - Once in AVG, Open "Proection", then click on the "options" and "Advanced settings". Next, "Web Browsing Potection", and there should* be a check box near the bottom that says "Scan as SSL/TTL Secure", click in the box to either check, or uncheck, this option, making it opposite of whichever it is currently. (NOTE: I'm on Windows 10, but the actual AVG program should* be the same across all windows platforms. (I will be back dating to 7 when I have the time. 10 does some really crazy things at times....)
Dad - They are talking of releasing him in the morning, so long as nothing changes tonight. (Should* be good to go.) And yes, the med change was to save some money, but is not worth it. Insurance was paying a big fat zero towards this med, as they do not cover this brand at all, but Hospital staff (ER Dr., Social Services, Nuero Surgen, ICU Dr.), Nuero Dr. and Family Dr. are all fighting to get insurance to pay for the one that works, as will be myself and the family. (I'm a pretty mellow guy, until you mess with my loved ones... Or start a fist fight whilest shopping where I work. Neither case flies with me very well.)
Hope all have a good night!
FOOTNOTES: Should* = It is supposed to be, but I make no guarantees!
Evening Dinners
Flo, you look tired! Can I have a Brew Please.
Mr B Said "Ken, that sounds suspiciously like the problem I had with one of my Proto 1000 subway cars. It was running fine and then one day it died. I pulled out the decoder and the motor and lights were fine with a 9V battery, so I replaced the decoder, programmed it successfully and took it out for a spin. After a short time it died again, and the decoder was no longer responsive."
Mr B When my stopped running I was a 50% throttle. I hope it was just the wheels / track was all gunked up. So far it is running fine, crossing fingers.
Rick First I am glad your father is feeling better! Far as the AVG I will have to recheck and see if there is a advance setting's in the option's. I will report back.
Buick Guy You don't want to think of you as a tool! I have been know to throw them once's in a while! Not often, but it has been know to happen. What time frame would work? With you being on the east coast I am 2 hours behinde you and I don't get home till 8:30 PM from work.
Ray Thanks for chimming in on the raised garden, I was hoping you would. I don't plan on rasing anyting that we would eat in it.
YGW Glad to hear you had a good weekend, mine was a Ash Pit.
Train Front Well on the onslot of today running the Train's where being mean to me! Now they are playing nice. Got a old friend back on the rails, a Rio Grand SD 7. Good tohave her back dragging freight, now if can only get the light's working again!
Later, Ken
I hate Rust
As I have previously stated, I will pass on the free shot as well, but I will take some raspberry ice tea.
Had one of those nights where I was planning to get the plows installed on my GP30 project, but I just ran out of oomph.
Not yet lunchtime, but I am already hungry as a bear after waking up from hibernation!
My car was due for the first DOT inspection and the annual service (oil change, brake fluid change) so I had to take it to the garage this morning. There is also a minor issue with the switch to shut of the passenger airbag if you want to mount one of those "kiddy containers". It´s never been used, but needs to be replaced. How can that be?
The whole job will cost a fortune ($ 500!) and completely deplete my savings! I wish we could have a nice and cheap electric car, which does not need such an expensive service. We don´t drive much these days and would not need a car for long distance traveling at all.
Nothing in the market, though!
Have a good one!
Morning all
Crazy busy here. Site looks like an any hill stirred up with a stick. People and equipmenyt EVERYWHERE.
V8 Make sure you put two 2xs on edge at least. Dont put one flat. Being a exterior wall ( Assuming it supports weight ) it will bow down eventually.
Reinhard - yes I did get your message.
Will get back to the rest later. Have to attend to many things this morning. Just didnt get a chance yesterday to say Hey so I wanted to stop in this morning and give you all a Hello.
TTYL
YGW
I don't know how you eastern folk handle it. This morning it was 86F, with a relative humidity of 44%, and a dew point of 62F. To me, this much humidity is oppressive--how do you deal with 80%, 90%, or more?! Perhaps acclimation is part of it. A week ago we were looking at humidity in the low teens. With the increase in humidity comes an increase in the clouds, and great sunrises. Here is the view from this morning's ride.
Richard
Good morning.
Flo, the breakfast special, with scrambled eggs, bacon, home fries, wheat toast, and OJ please, and thank you.
Richard - Nice sunrise pic. And, I would love a 44% humidity level this time of year... That I could handle better with less asthma issues! When it gets near 85+, and humidity is sitting at 70%+, I simply do not breathe well at all. Lots of AC gets run, and many outdoor things get put on hold for a nicer (read less humid) day. It simply gets harder to deal with the heat the more humidity you get, add in any health issues, you lose. Heat and humidity 1, you and doing anything 0.
Dad - Hoping that they will release him later today, BP is still holding normal, and no other issues have occurred. (As I type this in the waiting room, the hospitals "new baby" tone just started... Congrats to whomever!) They are just waiting on last blood work up to return with results, if as expected, no new issues show up (like wrong med level, or BP issues start back up) plan is release after mid morning.
Weather - Mild day today, 75-80, chance of r**n showers. Overcast right now.
Well, hope all enjoy the day, and will check in later.
LUNCH TIME !
Hey all. Man you all are enjoying some good stuff ! Roor beer floats ( YUMMY ) Raspberry ice tea ( OH JOY ! ) Siggghhh Cant have that stuff. So I will sit in the booth enjoy you all enjoying the good stuff Making progress on weight loss but I have a LONG way to go.
Ricky - Hope your Dad gets better soon and the meds get worked out. Was there when my wife was sick. Very frustrating.
Richard - Beautiful photo - Heat and humidity - we just grin and bear it - sweat a LOT - Then when we cannot stand it any longer go to the AC and a nice tall glass of ice water.
Ulrich - Man that is a lot for that little bit of work. Did you ask where the gun is ? Thats robbery ! I have a question. Since the photo of the Roanoke yard will not scan what about if I take a photo and send that. Do you think that will work ?
FRRYkid - Raspbery ice tea ??!!! Oh man I LOVE Raspberry ice tea !
Ken - If I get time I think I am goinna go ahead and ship the smaller box of coal cars this weekend and you can catch up when ever you can. Maybe that will help improve your week : )
V8 - What is your ext made of ?
Henry - I ll pass on the whiskie BUT if you have any ice water Ill take a drink of that
Angel - Man I would move the puter out of my troom. I do not do good with out sleep
Douglas - I agree AC is one of mans better inventions - I remember what life was like before it - Lying in bed with a window fan sweating - couldnt sleep because of the heat - YUCK !
Howmus - Sounds like your electric bills are gonna be lower ? Do they have to buy the electric back from you if you produce more than you use ?
Dave - Send buckets and we will send water ! Last night we got a gully washer and more expected this evening !
Train front - My father came up weekend before last and helped me shoot grades on the barn with a hobby room. Now all I have to do is finsih the permit application, submit and we can start installing the fdn. AND THEN start finishing and installing the hobby room section ! Yep life is going good !
MIL - house - they finally got the two trees off of her house. Now she is fighting with the insurance company - they do not want to bring in a structural engineer to asses the structural damage - WHAT ???!!! I still think the house should be condemned and start over. It is a mess !!
My sisiter in law is still not doing well from the beating and attempted murder on her life she took earlier this year/ She is struggling emotionally. She is unable to take care of her two sons. It is wearing out the in laws.
yougottawantaUlrich - Man that is a lot for that little bit of work. Did you ask where the gun is ? Thats robbery ! I have a question. Since the photo of the Roanoke yard will not scan what about if I take a photo and send that. Do you think that will work ?
Well, the bill turned out to be slightly less but still amounted to about $ 450. The garage took over the cost for replacing that airbag lock switch and gave me a voucher for getting an oil refill should the car need to have the oil topped (which won´t happen) . The piggy bank has now an empty belly and my MRRing plans will have to be on the back burner for a long, long time
YGW - a picture would be fine - just make sure the size does not exceeds maybe 2 megabyte. It takes ages to download from the mail server if it is bigger than 2MB.
RickyW - I am glad to hear that your Dad´s on his way out of the hospital! My insurance required my doc to change my heart meds over a year ago and I am still not fully adjusted to the new medication.
Sir Madog I wish we could have a nice and cheap electric car, which does not need such an expensive service. We don´t drive much these days and would not need a car for long distance traveling at all.
Well, you might not need an engine oil change, but my guess is that the braking system and safety stuff like an airbag shutoff are going to be common to all cars, including electrics. A few years back, a friend who had bought a Prius hybrid said they cost about $5000 over the cost of the same car without the "hybrid" features. Gas is a lot cheaper now, so it's not clear to me that you would ever actually make up for that up-front cost over the lifetime of the car.
It's been hot here. I've been running the AC because I don't sleep well in the heat. Tonight is hockey so when I walk into the rink I'll be walking into 2 hours of winter, and I will temporarily be in heaven.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
MisterBeasleyGas is a lot cheaper now,
Not here, prices are on the rise again.
I agree, that there is hardly any advantage in a hybrid car, im fact, having two systems to build and maintain makes any hybrid car uneconomical. A simple electric car , however is a lot simpler than a gas car and has virtually maintenance free drive train.
Hey all
Just killing some time. MOH and I rode to work together today. She wanted to work ouyt in the gym so I am killing some time while I wait.
Ulrich not sure how much the picture take I will only take one and send it and see how that does.
MrB I am NO fan of summer. I am with you on winter
Galaxy - I assume you are checking in I hope all is going better and we hope to see you in here sooner
Garry have you been in today ?
Lion - Are you hiding again on the train somewhere ?
Reinhard - hope your trip is going well.
JaBear - send some of your coo winter air this way to us folks on the wrong side of the earth !
Flo - I think I will cheat a bit on the saw bones order. Can I have a small Raspberry ice tea ?
Good afternoon all.
Mr. B - Hope you got those new pads first! Don't wanna hear you singing tenor again!
Dad - Dr. is keeping him tonight, one test result was still not back in yet, so he missed the release time... Oh well. At least he is feeling much better, and as soon as that result is in, he is home free.
W**k - Boss called me to check in, making sure dad was ok, and checking to see if I needed anything. She then offered a shift tmrw, just to get me some hours. {I've missed all week so far...}Some boss's are nicer than others... This one is one of the nice ones.
Hobby/Train Front - Haven't really been home, so nothing new here.
All have a good day!
YGW,
You don't shovel snow off your roof at least twice a week in the winter ??
herrinchoker
ricktrains4824. . .Boss called me to check in, making sure dad was ok, and checking to see if I needed anything. She then offered a shift tmrw, just to get me some hours. {I've missed all week so far...}Some boss's are nicer than others... This one is one of the nice ones. . .
In my experience, this often says as much about the value of the employee as the manager.
Herringchoker - what shovel snow off a roof here ? Naw , way to steep for that. The roof is about a 45 degree angle and in the back three stories in the air. Not getting up in that !
cudaken Evening Dinners Flo, Beer please. No Flo not a Colt 45.
Flo, Beer please. No Flo not a Colt 45.
Hi Ken
I thought I recognized that picture.
Hope you enjoyed the site, that portion of the layout is now gone and replaced with something else.
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-north-dallas-train-show-plano-tx.html
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
Evening guys
not much going on here. I'm off the next few days so that will be good. Not much planned other then to relax. Tomorrow is the last day of school here so I'm sure kids will be happy, I know I always was. It meant a whole summer of playing baseball from morning until night. Haven't really worked on the layout much since the winter as free time has been spent playing table top baseball and have been organizing some of my trading card games into binders.