Good morning .
Terry .... Thanks for stopping in to show your trees. I was thinking the craft stores sell a product for floral arrangemnts that may be similar to goldenrod. .... Your picture in WPF looks great too.
Ulrich .... I like your tunnel portal ! You do great work.
Ken ... You have a nice looking foreat in your picture.
FRRYKid ... Sounds like a good idea to post of photo of what you are talking about.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Thanks, Garry.
I made this video a few years ago. I think it gives a good idea why store bought RTR trees would be prohibitive for me.
For a smaller layout/ diorama/ photo op type situation RTR or Supertrees might be the way to go. Or if you have unlimited funds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD_9JxW_rqY
Terry
Terry in NW Wisconsin
Queenbogey715 is my Youtube channel
I am melting!
It´s hot, too hot! Not a breeze - you can cut the air with a knife!
Not in the mood for anything.
I am battling the forum software. I have bookmarked the page and I used to be looged in everytime I clicked on the bookmark. That´s gone and I have to log in about every second time I go back to the forum. Quite annoying, but I have no clue to what is causing it and how to correct it.
Janie, three , please - two of them poured over me feet to cool them down and one for me to enjoy.
Someone was complaining about yellow water. Here is the Gowanus Canal.
Here is new Halliburton Plant just outside my train room window.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
With great sadness I have to report that more terrorist attacks have taken place during the last two days.
In Hamburg, a 13 year old boy got shot, but survived. In Reutlingen, a pregnant women was killed following an attack from a man armed with a machete, several others were wounded. In Rotenburg, that´s 20 miles from my place, a man attacked passengers on a local train with a knife. He was overwhelmed by daring passengers before he was able to seriously hurt anybody.
Should you plan to visit Germany, I can only recommend to postpone this trip.
We are at war!
Afternoon/evening all. Yesterday as wife and I where running around I saw something that made me think of here. http://zoeskitchen.com/Home.aspx
A place called Zoe's Kitchen. Had to share it with you all. Looking it up in the yellow pages and I see there is 4 of them. Our gal Zoe is doing good I would say
Hope all had a good weekend. Ours was okay we drove about 120 round trip to find out a place we use to like to eat at was out of business. Man a lot happens in a year.
Not much else going on here talk to you all later
edit:
Sir Madog I picked something up in O gauge the other day you might like to see.
I got both of these in a auction but the one in the front is a 50's? toy trolley with a American Flyer 3 rail prewar engine in it.
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
Evening Diners
Flo, a please and a bucket of ice. Man it is Hot out there!
Work Front Far from a great day but heck of a lot better than yesterday! Might have made a extra $60.00, but at this point I am not sure.
Weather Boy I am glad I felt like cutting the front yard today before work. Temps where only in the 80's. When I left work it was 102 and here at the house it is down to 94. House is real warm, I am gussing around 86. Garage on the other hand is around 75 so it feels good out here. I had toyed with the idea of cuting down the rest of the old fence tonight. Boy the temp changed my mind!
Boy I am sure glad I had the coolent top off on my Car A/C. It took a while, about 5 miles and it started to feel good.
Heartland Division CB&QYou have a nice looking foreat in your picture.
Gary It is more of a small woods but thank you anyway! If I ever get to where I am not worrying about keeping the house I will start adding more trees. You threw me for just a second with the "foreats". But being the King Of Bad Typing And Spelling I under stood pretty quick!
YGW You still have not gotton the snail mail? Maybe your Post Offices Horse died? Looking forward to the other coal cars. I love B&O. Now if I could only find more Monon cars. OK, I like Monon better than B&O but still love both.
BBQ Grills I use to trust the name Char-Broil, not any longer. First two last me 10 years each. Yes I replaced 2 burnners in each grill, but not every 2 years. I have had this one for about a year and a half, all 4 burners and flame deflectors are junk! Maybe I expect to much?
Well BBQ is about done and the trains are happy, so I am happy.
Later, Ken
I hate Rust
Ulrich my sympathies for what is going on in Germany and the world, for that matter. I see there was an explosion in a bar since your last post.
Watching the TV is bad, at least here, because they talk about breaking developments and new video and it's really the same video and news they have have been presenting for hours or days. You feel, incorrectly, that you need to keep watching to stay informed.
I am not having the log in issue you are having.
Too hot to do much of anything here. Watched Kyle Busch win his second race this weekend. In his early days he was so obnoxious, you just wanted to put him in a head lock and punch him. In fact his former boss, Roger Penske, did just that. He has mellowed with age, marriage and 2 broken legs from a racing accident. It was a racing feat today, but not an interesting race as he led nearly all the laps.
Nascar doesn't get the attention it deserves in my opinion. There are almost no perfomance enhancing drug issues, gambling, or drivers getting shot or posting inappropriate tweets. For a bunch of guys that didn't go to college, they speak better english than the college grads from a more popular winter sport. Instead of being penniless ten years later, all the successful drivers have charitable foundations.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Evening Diners,
During the past two hours I was worried about buying a C30-7 SF Kodachrome. Erasing off the SF letters, and adding more red, black paint on the warbonnet. Or maybe more simple keep it. I just don't know if the SF and nose banner are decals.
I know it will easy to add yellow/gold safety strips on the sill.
A little difficult to do with a undecordated shell, than to start with a finished product.
I'm probably over thinking things about modeling a small Class III switching railroad. That has three to four locomotives.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
Howdy .
Terry ... I like the video of your layout.
Ken .... LOL ... I did not see the foreat for the trees ... .....Forest is what I meant. ... Sometimes auto correct on the Apple gets me in trouble if I don't carefully proof read every word.
Angeloob6660 .... The C30-7 sounds like it will be a fun locomotive for you.
Ulrich .... The bad news keeps happening. Prayers for Germany. ... and France .... and the rest of civlization.
RT .... Interesting auction items.
Given the heat around here as well, could I get a jumbo glass of raspberry iced tea and keep it refilled please. Thank you.
Heartland Division CB&Q FRRYKid ... Sounds like a good idea to post of photo of what you are talking about.
How about four? Different angles and such to show all the areas.
I hope these give the group a better idea of what I'm looking at for having to cover. And, yes, as can be seen in picture 2, that half is a big hill. It is roughly 3 feet wide by 5 feet long and it is a bit of a bear to wrangle. (Mostly from the hydrocal portals and retaining walls. The wall that can be seen in the front of pictures 2 and 3 are modified hard plastic (concrete) retaining walls. (It's been too long to remember where they were from but a quick check on Walthers didn't lead to them being found. Mountains in Minutes product I think. My Dad ended up helping me with them by using the radial arm saw to rip one set into a few pieces and cut the rest in half and then I glued them together to make them tall enough to cover the area in question. )
BigDaddy Nascar doesn't get the attention it deserves in my opinion. There are almost no perfomance enhancing drug issues, gambling, or drivers getting shot or posting inappropriate tweets. For a bunch of guys that didn't go to college, they speak better english than the college grads from a more popular winter sport. Instead of being penniless ten years later, all the successful drivers have charitable foundations.
There is an exception to that no college rule. IIRC, Ryan Newman has a degree in engineering from one of the Indiana schools.
I hopefully should be able to post a few pictures of the GP30 tomorrow.
FRRYKid:
You have put a lot of work into your hills, but IMHO they are much too square. Mother Nature doesn't build things square. Only Man does.
I'm not suggesting that you start over, but you might consider chopping off a couple of corners at different angles, or maybe even cutting in some curves.
Just a suggestion.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Hello Railfans!
Made it back from the weekends ritual routine only to catch myself a good case of insomnia. Thats the excuse I use anyways. Truth be known Ive always been a third shift person. Either that, or I was born on the wrong side of the planet. Cant sleep a wink.
So I thought Id mosey on down here to the diner and catch up with you folks for a couple minutes. Since were at the top of the page - the tab is on me! Better bring another bucket of ice for Ken though.
I see from the pics above some very good work is happening. Especially Terry, I like your trees. Ken, yours look pretty good too. I just cant imagine the hassles, hair pulling (if Ive any left by then), cursing, stomping, etc etc, I am going to go through when I finally get my chance to do scenery (and love every minute of it too!).
In the world of real railroading Ive managed to catch a couple NS intermodals in passing. And by passing I mean both times we passed in opposite directions. The second of the two trains featured 2 UP units - of a three unit lash-up. Ive seen those frequently on the NS the last few years. Even a couple Canadien units too. Those are rare!
Ulrich - I sure hope that wasnt Kens beer you poured all over your feet!
Well thats pretty much it. Work week starts tomarow. Im thinking it is another slow week. If so, I may stop in a couple times. Id be curious to know how the opening page is gonna look for next months installment of the Diner. Is it decided on presentation? Is the list done? Is it secret - is it safe?
See you folks later!
Douglas
Good morning.
Demolition crews blew up the old bridge over Kentucky Lake near here this morning.
http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/story/32520401/explosion-takes-down-majority-of-old-eggners-ferry-bridge#.V5YR5qfAkyI.facebook
This new bridge is one of two similar bridges under construction here at the Land Between the Lakes in western Kentucky. ... The second one is very close to where we live, and we can hear construction noises. It was started about 1 1/2 years after the first bridge was started.
Each will have a large arch span in the center with smaller approach spans. Each new center span is 550' long and 100' from the deck to the top of the arch.
Mornin' everyone!
Zoe, I'll have a bowl of Heritage Flakes Cereal with fresh blueberries and a pot of Marrakesh Express Dark Roast organic Coffee to keep my R&GV RR mug filled for a while.
Very nice morning here in the Finger Lakes Region..... Well, it really is because it is what we really, really need! RAIN!!!! Complete with thunder and lightning even. Talking about as much as an inch of rain today. Kitties are terrified and in hiding... We are having a break between the storms so I got on line to check and see what is happening out there.
I'm hoping to get some quality time in the train room today! We shall see what we shall see.....
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 Evening!
Another hot and humid day! We had a thunderstorm later in the afternoon, followed by downpour, which did not bring the expected relief. Au contraire, Messieurs - it´s now steaming, just as in India during the monsoon!
I tried to get my mind of that horrible suicide bomber attack in Anspach, where a terrorist tried to enter an open air music festival and blow himself up amidst 2,500 people. As he was not admitted he went to a nearby wine place and blew himself up in front of that place, luckily killing only himself, but "only" injuring a few others.
Unthinkable what could have happened, had he been able to enter the festival ground!
I did the second tunnel portal and I have to admit it came out even less perfect than the first one. Still, it is a significant improvement in the overall appearance of the layout!
Just a couple of pictures (I don´want to use "shots" after the Munich shooting on Friday):
Slowly, I am getting to where I wanted to be!
Afternoon Diners,
It's supposed to rain too, with a 50% chance in the afternoon or evening.
My dad is traveling today to Virginia to visit Jackie and bringing her back home within a week. Hopefully the travel down will be a week or two if we're lucky, instead of 4 days.
I hope model railroading is helping you heal, Ulrich. Maybe you should stop watching and reading the news.
Sir Madog,
That Locomotive is a Rhaetian Railway GE 4/4 II pulling a RHB boxcar and a few passenger cars.
LGB released the same models in G Scale.
I've always been fascinated by the fact the GE 4/4 II, GE 2/4, and GE 6/6 I locos have a "steering wheel" in the cab?
I've taken a cab peak in some of the LGB RHB Models.
What does that wheel do?, I also saw a black lever near the windshield, I assume this must be an emergency brake.
ATSFGuyWhat does that wheel do?, I also saw a black lever near the windshield, I assume this must be an emergency brake.
It´s not exactly a steering wheel, but a kind of rheostat for acceleration and deceleration in speed steps.
The RhB Ge 4/4 II (second series) is my favourite RhB loco for it´s typical Swiss look that all SLM Winterthur (Swiss Locomotive Manufacturer) had in the late 1950s to the early 1980´s. The newer Ge 4/4 III are too modernistic for my taste and they also have lost the typical Swiss whistle tone. They don´t have taht wheel any longer, just a joy stick.
The Ge 4/4 III will be last loco series acquired by the RhB. SLM Winterthur went belly-up in 2005 and has since been taken over by Stadler Rail who is only making rail cars. I doubt that Siemens or Bombardier is intersted in developing a new narrow gauge electric for those Swiis narrow gauge lines - not enough business to pay the cost.
As promised, here is a picture of the GP30 that I have finally finished:
The board that the track is sitting on is my test track.
I agree, The GE 4/4 II's have a high pitched whistle, whilt the GE 4/4 III's have a rather odd sounding horn. In the GE 4/4 III cab the engineer sits in front of a big dashboard. You don't see that in the GE 4/4 II's cab.
I listened to a sound demo of an LGB GE 4/4 III loco, It started with a BOOM, then the motor started reving up and a faint whirl sound until a conductor announcement came on, then the horn sounded and the locomotive started moving. After mabye 5 seconds I heard the brakes being applied and then a very loud noise for 5 more seconds, then stopped and then another BOOM.
I'm guessing that loud noise was a cool-down fan, I'm not sure.
Flo please and if the Buick Guy showes up, give him one as well.
Work if you can call it that stunk. I don't mind if a customer will let me do my job and don't buy. I hate it when they will not let me help and walk around clue less at what they are looking at! Then they have to ask me the price, and again will not let me help the idiots!
Still should have been a good day! Got a check from BOS (Bank Of Stupid DBA Bank Of America for the new diners) for $775.45 because I over paid the escrow account. But my Wife Quickly made me mad! She was watching that stupid show where a single woman is trying to find the love of her life on TV? Anyway I wanted to tell her something, But I cannot speak when she is watching the crap! Yet, if I am watching something, she just starts Talking Away!
Train Front Well it seems my new Atlas B&O ate a decoder! Not sure if the motor took a dump or the motor. Rather it be the motor, the decoder sucked. It was a early Atlas and I never cared for the way it ran.
YGW Did your Post Offices get a new horse yet? Looking forward to getting the other coal cars. Guess you are back at the Mill Stone today.
Ulrich I am sorry to hear about the sad state of affairs in Germany. Just do not understand what drives that kind of killing?
cudakenUlrich I am sorry to hear about the sad state of affairs in Germany. Confused Just do not understand what drives that kind of killing?
Ken - the answer is hate! Hate that has been taught them since their early childhood. I can´t say more here.
Good Morning!
I had a bad night with very little sleep. Not because today´s our 32nd anniversary, it has just been too hot! The missus and I will go out for lunch today, most likely to our favorite Chinese place (hear the bell ringing, Todd?). You get good food for very little money during lunchtime at that place. A BigMac and fries at McD.´s are more expensive and a lot less tasty!
I hope it´ll cool off soon, this is just not my kind of weather.
TTFN!
Madog: Happy anniversary to you and your Mrs.
Hobby front: Once I put the plow on the F45, the rest of it goes on hold. The detail part that I purchased to help me put the extra windows on the cab shows me that the handrails are interferring. As I will see an NP expert modeler in September, I will take the engine with me and see if I can pick his brain.
The freight car bug struck again. I found an NOS Walthers BN FGE RBL. I had one of them many years ago and unfortunately it was damaged and rendered unusable. I'm also looking at a pair of MDC BN bulkhead flats.
Time for me to go to bed, though. Got to work tomorrow.
Ulrich:
Happy 32nd Anniversary!!! I hope your chinese food is as good as usual.
Our favourite chinese restaurant was sold recently. The new owners jacked the prices up, reduced the size of the containers, and are producing lousey food to boot. We ordered from them once. We won't be back! Unfortunately, we haven't found a replacement.
Our go to place now is a Wimpy's Dinner just around the corner. The name is a take off of the Popeye The Sailor Man cartoon character who was always eating hamburgers. The food is typical diner fare, not fancy but it is terrific. The staff are very friendly and welcoming.
The restaurant has been owned by several people over the 28 years we have been here and several of the owners were less than capable. Two years ago it was bought by a Korean lady (emigrated to Canada when she was 12) who has an admirable work ethic. She brought her brother in law who has been dishing food for 35 years into the kitchen. Between the two of them they have worked wonders. Everything on the menu is great. Even the vegetables are cooked perfectly every time. In fact they are done better than any restaurant that I have ever eaten in regardless of the prices on the menu. It is really nice to have a reliable place to go to when my back won't let me stand in the kitchen long enough to make a meal.
All the best!!
Thanks, Dave!
32 years were normal in the good old days, nowadays it appears to be an extraordinary achievement! Being married for that long a time is a daily give and take and there are certainly times when there is more giving than taking ...
Just got back from a short trip into town. I had to post two little packages containing some stuff I sold on Ebay. No treasures, just dust collectors from an earlier layout attempt. The money was already transfered, so I was able to buy a little nothing for Petra on today´s occasion. Their is some money in my pocket so the restaurant bill can be taken care of.
TTFN - I will drop by later in the day!
It's the thought that counts!
August 14 will be our 35th. We are celebrating by going to British Columbia to do some grizzly bear and whale watching! I just paid the last installment for the lodge we will be staying at. I'm still out of breath at the price - way way way over our normal travel budget!!! However the reviews are fantastic. We fly out Friday afternoon.
G'day all...
Geez Flo...I could go a nice hot choclate thanks with some toasted bannana bread...its been cold out today.
On the work front...I am still waiting to start on a new job...Admin has been a bit slow so I have taken the time to take the oldest to school and look after the youngest while the wife trys to get her career back on track. Its been a little hard for her to find something after raising the 2 lil fellas for the last 5 years.
On a good note...I received a call from the local hobby shop today and my new pride of the fleet has arrived...I purchased a EMD GMD-1 from Rapidotrains... I loaded the lil one into the car and off we went to pick it up...I checked the local club General meeting times and we got lucky...today the club was open so we went down to give the new loco a run...
Here is the new road switcher...and some pics of it stretching its legs on the club layout...It will soon become part of the local loco power on my layout.
Very happy with this lil runner. I only have it in DC silent as to suit my home layout but it operates so smoothly it has just become one of my favorites already.
Just heard there are some big aniversaries coming up...congratulations to you Ulrich and Dave thats something to be proud of...I am only looking at my 8th in October...and I can honestly say being married isnt for the faint hearted...its a test of ones temperament... knocking out some kids and managing a lifetime together. Many resects to those that have tried and failed...I would think it fair to say we were all built to do things a little differently...after all, that is the key to progress.
Best wishes to all for the future.
Ooorroo...
Cheers...
Chris from down under...
We're all here because we're not all there...
Good morning .... I'll have coffee and a donut, please.
Chris .... I like your new acquistion, the GMD-1.
Ulrich .... Your Swiss model railroad looks fabulous. You do great work!
Dave ..... The trip to BC sounds wonderful.... Several years ago, we went there. On the way back, we rode the Rocky Mountaneer from Vancouver to Calgary which was a great trip for us.
I'm planning to work on my scenery project later today. Also, I am planning for a project to include bridges.
Lunch was great and Petra and I enjoyed eating out for a change very much! Last year we went to try out a new Greek restaurant and were utterly disappointed. When it comes to food, we are a picky bunch!
Just been doing some experimenting with that new camera of mine. It´s a clever point and shoot thing and I am quite happy with the way the pictures turn out.
7 months ago the layout looked like this:
Quite a transformation!