Ulrich!
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
Good morning .....
Coffee and a piece of birthday cake, please ..... Thanks Ulrich. ..
Did any of you see the images in the news of the trains in Cajon Pass, CA with the huge wildfire? It looked like the monster flames were going right over a stack train and a signal bridge. I heard rail operations were halted because of the fire.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
I hope the birthday cake is chocolate. Happy Birthday Ulrich.
Can't believe the engineer drove into that fire
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Thanks for all the good wishes, folks. It feels good to know that there are friends out there!
One´s birthday should be a happy occasion, but I just don´t feel that way. I feel more like an animal being hunted down today. I hope this feeling will go away soon.
Got a surprise gift today, which made me smile, despite all the uneasiness having the grips on me.
It´s a two-axle open observation car the Rhaetian Railways employ in there special "Albula Experience" train, which must be some ride in an open car like that. There is also a 4-axle version, but Bemo is not yet making that. The train is usually pulled by a RhB Baby Crocodile, which was also in that prcel, but is already on its way back to the dealer, as one of the crank pins holding the rods was missing.
That sucks big time!
I hope to get the replacement by next week!
Something´s wrong with this day...
BigDaddyI hope the birthday cake is chocolate
Sorry, BigDaddy - it´s only my favorite cherry crumble cake. Petra and I only had a slice each, so there is plenty left over for you chowhounds!
Edit: That´s the RhB Baby Croc:
Happy birthday, Ulrich!
I love chocolate cake, but with diabetes (well, more with diabetes meds) I find that a decent-sized piece will make me feel terrible the next day. Other cake? Forget it. Chocolate or nothing. OK, just a small piece for me.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Skunk update--once the sun went down (skunks are nocturnal), we put the hose in the irrigation pipe, turned on the water, and after a few minutes, out he went, down the street away from our house.
Richard
Mornin' folks!
Hey, we got a major party going on here this morning I see! Zoe I'll have a rather large piece of Birthday cake and a pot of Marrakesh Express Dark Roast Coffee this morning to help celebrate!
Happy Birthday Ulrich!!! I know all of us here in the diner are glad to have you here and hope to see you around for a long time to come....
I have been following the airplane discussion with more than a little interest. First, let me introduce you to my FIL.
He was celebrating his 95th. birthday on the day I took that photo. A few seconds later his head was turned skyward to see what the small plane was flying overhead. He rattled off some niumbers and the year it was made, then went back to scowling...
You see, my FIL was a charter member of the Experimental Aircraft Assn. He used to build airplanes down celler at his house. According to him airplanes can't possibly be safe built out of steel. Nope! Airplanes should be built out of wood and cloth covered with something called........ "Dope"! Here is a photo of one of the airplanes he built:
Yep! Pietenpol Mono Plane. I have mentioned in here that he still has two exhibets at the Gleenn Curtise Museum in hammondsport. One of them is the Ford Model "A" Conversion to be used in the Pietenpol. (I have a photo of it somewhere, but can't seem to locate it...)
Barney had everything down cellar needed to make a Piper Cub from Scratch. he used to recover them for people (put new cloth and "dope" on them). I remember the smell of Benzine quite well. Three people in the immediate family (my wife, MIL, and BIL) all died from bone related cancer!
He told me the extensive safety inspections they had to go through every couple of years... Nothing inherently "unsafe" about older planes. they still have to prove airworthyness to be flown. Here is an extra photo of one of Glenn Curtiss's planes, the "America" being flown a few years ago (2009) over Keuka Lake near Hammondsport. Enjoy!
Got stung by a wasp while onboard the caboose last night at the Museum. Another member out on the porch of the PC Caboose also got stung right baout the same time, so we figure we have an active nest somewhere up near the North end of the line. Hopefully that will be found today and deralt with before we start Diesel days on Saturday. I will be on the old erie C-154 being pushed by our FM H12-44. That is always fun. The old girl is quirky and can sometimes give us a good jolt when operating. The FM H12-44 has a weird throttle/brake combination and is tricky to operate nice and smooth...
Have good one. 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!
These conversations about Beaver & Otters are bringing back some memories. Both were used extensively by the US Army in Viet Nam. Along with the DeHavilland Caribou. All were reliable & real work horses. I was trained & qualified as an Aircraft Engine Mechanic on all Army aircraft in 1966. From O6 thru turbines. Never got to work on radial or opposed engines though, as I was assigned to an outfit with 33 Hueys with turbine engines. Sorry to say, I don't remember much about piston driven engines these days. Probably would have trouble getting the cowling off.
Tom
Pittsburgh, PA
Lunch time
Flo - Since FRRYKid is picking up the tab I will have the largest T-Bone stake, baked potato with the works, LOTS of ice tea with lemon, Lemon meringue pie whole one please ! ceasar salad and some of that black bread that is hot and melts in your mouth ! oh and a coach to nap on when I am finshed Well maybe on second thought I will take it easy on his wallet. Can I have a cheese burger and onion rings ?
Howmus - FIL 95 ! Is he scowling at you or just everyone ? Nice picture of the American.
Ulrich - HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Henry - Did the train get through the fire without being damaged or the product it carried damaged ?
Reinhard !!! You had me worried! Havent seen you in a while. Dad is doing better - still a long road to go !
JaBear - American football bores you ? It is a physical chess match. Watching a game in person is much better than on TV. What is the thing on the front of the truck and over the plane ? Hope my comments about the plane didnt offend you I was talking tongue in cheek about teh overall conditions. I am sure they take the maintenance very seriously
Garry - Just "Yes!?" Oh what torture ! Give us some details !
Tom - I reasearched the USS Laffey - Man I do not see how that ship stayed afloat ! I couldnt find any pictures of the ship after the attack. The captain at the time was hard core !
Angel - Why would your dad move to a retirment home so his house could be updated ?
Herrinchoker - I find that whole scene amazing. Welding and cutting with a torch under water. Wonder who was the first person whop tried to weld under water - Wonder if he survived the attempt ?
Lion, DER, Galaxy, Flip, Douglas, Ken, Jeremy ....hello hope your day is going well !
Gotta run
YGW
hon30critter FRRYKid: Are you working in HO or N? If your Modulars are N scale I might be able to help. I have a bunch of N scale Modulars partial kits which I can send you if you cover the postage. Dave
FRRYKid:
Are you working in HO or N? If your Modulars are N scale I might be able to help. I have a bunch of N scale Modulars partial kits which I can send you if you cover the postage.
Dave
Unfortunately, they are HO. However, I think I have an idea of how I will make the walls work. One of the packages I got was the large walls. The desired building is small enough and there are enough of the large walls that I can use them to "harvest" the pilasters from the middle. Additionally, I need to do some surgery on the vehicle entrances as one isn't big enough for what I need it for. The roof is a challenge I haven't figured out yet, but something will inspire me. It's definitely going to be an interesting project.
YGW https://cv10navalaviator.wordpress.com/2010/04/16/uss-laffey-attacked-65-years-ago-today/
Afternoon Diners,
The dish network guy came and installed the new satellite dish on the other side of the house.
I broke the mailbox door handle two days and replaced it with a knob.
Ulrich
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
yougottawantaHowmus - FIL 95 ! Is he scowling at you or just everyone ? Nice picture of the American.
Nah that was just his "Happy" look.... I was his "prefered" son in law. The only one he liked..... Barney was quite a character. Was a plumber most of his life and had some very colorful language at times, but, He was a very loving and caring Husband and father. Both he and my MIL were fine people. Miss them as much as my own parents. Barney would be 103 in just a couple weeks, passed away just 7 years ago. She was Deaconess in the Church I grew up in. Wonderfull Lady! Here they are on their 71st. wedding anniversary... BTW they ended up having a room together in the Nursing Home for the last year of her life. Still sat and held hands after all those years....
Do NOT discuss religion in the Diner or Uncle Vinny will show you his Old Rugged Right Cross.
Regarding the discussion on DeHavilland Beavers and Otter type airplanes. Don't think I was putting them down. I loved flying in those planes when going on fishing trips, but it was not like flying a commercial airliner. Most of the pilots were ex-RCAF guys and were very careful with the airplanes and their passengers.
Another amusing incident that occured was one morning they had a heavy frost and they pulled a rope over the wings to get most of the frost off so we could take off.
Regarding helicopters, the number of engines etc is not the determining factor if a helicopter goes down, if an engine quits the helicopter will sort of flutter down. The major cause of a crash is if the tail rotor goes out or the main gearbox self-destructs then the pilot has no control. My son just finished the electrical system on a new fly-by-wire helicopter that just crashed, they believe the cause was a main gearbox failure.
Rick Jesionowski
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
Good afternoon. A piece of Petra's cherry crumb cake sounds pretty awesome. Happy Birthday, Uhlrich. August birthday's are in style this month, eh.
Sun is shinning and it is 15 C this afternoon. Just doesn't get much better.
Taking my lunch break and it is time to get back to work on the boat. Need to move the throttle box as I understand the cables are too short for its current location.
Jim
Flo I'll be having the ribs tonight. With my insomnia last night I was watching Steven Raichen smoking all sorts of food. I'll let someone else try the smoked cheese cake though.
My mother had almost no maintenance on her house for 15 years. What little she had, she was taken advantage of by workman who realized she was a confused little old lady. The roof leaked, the hot water heater was 30 years old, the water conditioner was obsolete the carpets were filthy and the well water was contaminated.
Forturnately she was very frugal and invested her money in the stock market for 60 years so she has enough money for assisted living. We just had to hire an outside nursing aide to come in twice a week to make sure she takes a shower and puts on clean clothes. She always swears she just took a shower but the evidence was to the contrary. Assisted living said they couldn't force her to take a shower unless they transfered her to the full blown Alzheimers floor.
I have a friend who has an old reefer in his back yard that he uses for storage. I want one of these, I even know on which side of the yard it should face.
Do any of these still exist? It doesn't look like it could hold the Amber Room from Stalingrad. Anyway the hunt for the Polish/Nazi gold train is back on.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/19/wo...old-train.html
Happy birthday ,Ulrich! And many more!
I flew on those Otters when I used to go fishing in Canada. They were fun!!
Here's a short video:
Terry
Terry in NW Wisconsin
Queenbogey715 is my Youtube channel
Good Evening, Diners...
Flo, how about a Ploughman's Lunch with lots of Branston Pickle on the side, maybe a few of those hard-boiled eggs, too. I think a Guinness is in order to wash it down.
Wow, miss a day, miss a lot!
I'll try to get caught up here and I apologize if I missed anything.
First, Happy Birthday, Ulrich, If you recall, I have you beat by two weeks. I wish you well.
I can not contribute too much to the discussion on Otters and Beavers other than recalling my first "plane ride" on Tag Airlines out of Cleveland to Detroit. The craft was a de Havilland Dove, N2300H, that my dad and I flew on to ride on a Canadian National steam fan trip out of Windsor. Two years later that craft crashed into a nearly frozen Lake Erie killing all nine on board...
I did get to fly in a Ford Tri-Motor a few years later (1973) at Put-In-Bay, Ohio. THAT plane crashed on takeoff three years later! The FAA has asked me to stay away from aircraft in the future... (OK, not really, a few of the jetliners I've been on have enjoyed a much safer service history!)
YGW, you asked about "the Gun" Hydropress was an up-and-coming technology just after the War and a few companies were getting on board. GE bought and modified three surplus 16" Mark 5 "Navy Rifles" and essentially lopped off 2/3 of the length, plugged the muzzle end and turned it into a big pressure tank.
The guns we had (one was later sold to Corning Glass) were made by Bethlehem Steel and finished at the Watervleit Arsenal in 1923.
Here is one still in the gondola after arriving at the plant in 1958 waiting for the millwrights to lift her out.
And the breech end...
Very interesting stuff. Sadly, it was announced last week that the plant is closing after 84 years eliminating the few remaining 35 jobs. I wonder what will become of these guns.
The 1850° C furnace temperature is obtained by using electric elements made of molybdenum and running about 400 amps at 90 volts through them in a zirconium brick enclosure. The hydrogen atmosphere is to maintain purity of the parts and to prevent oxidization of the elements.
So, back to trains...
I wonder if LION was able to secure a set of MTH Subway cars? I see that they have recently arrived, and just as quickly disappeared. I know such things are not in his budget but I sure hope he managed to acquire some. The timing is bad since he is on his travels...
I'll be posting some photos of the Broadway Limited P70 coaches that were delivered to my layout this afternoon. Overall, the cars look great other than a few minor goof-ups. They r o l l like ball bearings on glass!
Ken, any better luck on the Broadway F's? I sure hope so. The progression of BLI sound decoders is hard to keep up with and that silly QSI reset reed switch, (or push button on some?) is whacky! I thought they were Paragon 2 but I guess they ARE Paragon (without the 2) now there's QSI Paragon and BLI Paragon, Paragon 2 and now Paragon 3! I can't keep up with all the new names these manufacturers are coming up with (Econammi?)
I wish everyone well and offer my hopes for a better day for all.
Regards, Ed
Good Evening,
Happy Birthday Ulrich! Hope things improve for you.
Been a quiet day here as I didn't get to bed until nearly 4 a.m. My wife had a really bad evening yesterday. First she was stung by a wasp on her back and as she is allergic, it got really swollen. While looking for some cream to put on it she sliced the top of her thumb on a shaver and boy did it bleed, not to mention hurt. We drove to a walk-in but it was just about to close so we went back home. After several hours it was still bleeding so at about 2 a.m. we drove over to the Emergency at one of the local hospitals. There wasn't any wait to take her but she was still there until after 3. Everything is ok. She was told by our GP to always get cuts on the hand looked at as they are the most dangerous for infection. In fact our friend in Thief River had a small wound from a dog bite and after a few hours it got infected. He spent 5 days in IC and nealy died.
I got my Classic Trains in the mail today so I have something good to read. It really is a great magazine. I think it is the best RR one of all.
Well soon time for a little supper and then TV is in order. We will likely watch a movie we recorded on the PVR.
I have never been in a Beaver but have flown in a Twin Otter floatplane. They operate from Vancouver harbour to Victoria harbour. A great ride.
CN Charlie
JaBear:
Neat video - thanks!
I don't recall ever seeing a Beaver with just wheels on it!
Cheers
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Evening Diners
Flo, Beer for Ed and I and big slab of cake.
See I made it back just in time to see Ulrich hit 60! Buddy, we all live on browed time and you are doing better than many!
YGW may have told you I was having computer problems and could not get on line. I fixed some of the problems but I am running around naked with no Ant-Viurs so this will be a short.
YGW Got the coal cars today! Now I may have time to open the box.
Ken
I hate Rust
Given that I kept forgotting: Happy Belated Birthday Ulrich!
So wishing today was tomorrow. W*rk has been a royal pain this week (and I still have one more day yet).
Positive note: My new gondola (the new release one from Athearn that I placed on backorder) is on the way. According to tracking I should have it next Saturday. Will go with the ExactRail flats that I already have.
Hobby Front: More layout work on Sunday. (My release from all the stress from work.) Main hope: Get the river extension screened and hopefully covered. (I use aluminum window screen for mesh and ground newspaper for cover. Have a blender specifically for that purpose.) Sandbars probably won't be for a week or two yet. Secondary: Get more legs attached and change fasteners in one spot. (Got the needed carriage bolts, etc on Thursday.)
Good morning ...
FRRY ... I have leftover HO Walthers Modulars parts ... Hang on until I have a chance to see what I have.
Ed .. Interesting stuff.
I am starting my bridge project which should take a few weeks with all of the non-model-railroad interuptions consdiered.
Does anybody else have plans for working on their layouts in the days ahead?
BEAR- Thanks for the vidio.
RAY- If you quit dusting you can use the coffee table for a message board.
FLIP
Another great day in the saddle. Last night I had pretty much decided I was not going to ride this morning because I went to bed a little later than planned. When I woke up at 5:00 (I usually get up at 4:15 when I am going to ride to beat the heat) the temperature was only 78, the wind was light, and I decided I needed to ride. The temperature stayed under 80 for my ride--25 miles in just under 90 minutes. Glorious.
Today Mrs. ROR gets back after being gone for a week. She went up to BYU with her lady friends for Education Week. It will be good to have her back home. After 32 good years of marriage, I feel like I am missing a part of myself when she is gone. It will be good to be whole again. (Plus I am excited to show her the skirting I received for the layout.)
I have a piano lesson today. We are putting together a repertoire for a solo recital. I have never had a solo recital before. It is scheduled for December and will include about 50 minutes of music, all me. It's a bucket list thing.
Good morning all.
Chloe, I will do the breakfast special, scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, and a OJ please. Thanks.
Wifi Issue - Modem was bad, got that replaced yesterday, got home from w**k, was just getting on when the power went out. Got the power back for a short time, and it went out again, and stayed out until early morning hours. (The Zero-dark-thirty kind.) So, now that we have that back, attempting a post. Power issue was possibly weather related.
W**k - Tech issues last night, killed email, and that kills reports. Good thing I had the district managers cell number, as I at least could report part of the reports to him via text message. Our truck deliveries have been nuts, getting 250+ pieces last 8 days. Have well over 100 still waiting to get stocked in the proper places, and about 20 not even opened to tell us what they even are. Being short handed and no official store manager as yet is really hurting our productivity now. Just got called in early today, so will be getting ready to go in soon.
Weather - Hot and humid, in the area last night, expected this afternoon, and forcasted for tomorrow. Last nights rolled through shortly before 8pm, was cleared out by 845, but the wind had caused some issues, and just after 9pm is when our power went out. It came right back on, but was acting like a tree limb was brushing up against the line somewhere, fading in and out for a little while, before going out and staying out just after 930pm. Never got restored until around 1am. By then, the house was quite warm, so sleep never came until around 230-3am.
Hobby - Plan was to work on a boxcar kit last night, but no lights kinda shot that down, maybe get it finished tonight. Scaletrains kits are well built, and fairly well detailed for the price. Just need to do final assembly (weather the wheelsets and install, add Kadee's,) and then do a weathering job on the car itself. Car is already been sealed with clear-flat, and trucks received a grime coat, along with that they are now also dead-flat. (Joys of acrylic's - most leave a flat finish.) Will use PanPastels to do a fade and grime coat, and then find a nice rust treatment on the roof panels and truck springs. I also need to highlight the bearing caps.
Well, off to get ready for w**k now. Hope everyone is doing well, and all have a good afternoon!
Ricky W.
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.
Good morning.
I've decided I like my new "anatomic" bike seat on my road bike, so I'll be getting another one for my mountain bike. Today is cooler so I'll install it and get out for a ride later.
My wife was supposed to return today from her trip to Florida to visit her parents, but she extended the trip 2 more weeks. They are very old and frail, but they still manipulate her and she goes along meekly and waits on them hand and foot. To be honest, I like the peace and quiet of living by myself right now.
Just a quick stopover before I´ll be entered on the MIA list. Our weather has turned to hot & humid again, leaving me with respiratory problems. I tried to go for a walk, but had to go back after only a few yards. I will have that checked on Monday, if things don´t improve. Never had it that bad.
Hot and humid does me in, too. I hate to skip even a walk for a bit of a workout, but when the weather gets to me, sometimes it's better not to.
But, good for you for giving it a try. Keep that attitude.