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Jeffrey's Trackside Diner - August 2016 Locked

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Posted by ATSFGuy on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 12:50 AM

Good Evening,

Sorry I haven't been here, been busy with odds and sods.

Had today off, work tomorrow and Thurs 1130-8, a short shift on Fri 4-8, weekend off, back on Mon 4-8.

School started back up yesterday, I'm taking 6 units this semester (2 classes) 

 

1. History 17 MW 8-915am (Survey of American History)

 

2. CMT 230 Fri 9-12pm (Computer Networking)

 

Since Aug 2012, I have been taking classes at Saddleback College after graduating from CAPO High School in June of that same year. I am going for an associate's degree in Computer Maintenance Technology as well as a certificate in that field. I'll probably be done in June 2018.

Nothing much has been assigned yet, but I'm still previewing the textbook and checking Blackboard (The Class Link) for upcoming assignments.

 

Now on to the fun stuff:

I ordered an NIB Athearn Genesis SD75M SF/Warbonnet #226 with DCC installed on ebay. It came today safe and sound. I plan to pull either an intermodal or grain train with it. I might track down a BNSF SD60M for extra power at some point.

 

The product number is [ATHG62207], it says on Athearn's website under "retired models" it was announced in March 2009 and is SOLD OUT!

 

I'm going to bed, getting sleepy, I might drop by tomorrow, not sure yet.

 

Good Night

 

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Posted by ATSFGuy on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 1:31 AM

One more thing I wanted to ask, Does anybody own Athearn TTX Spine cars? How about Bowser  Roadrailers? Do they run okay, any problems?

 

That's what I wanted My ATHG SD75M to pull, either option is fine, but it's nice to get feedback. 

 

Thanks

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Posted by BigDaddy on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 6:56 AM

BroadwayLion
Him rode AMTK fromn MOT to RMT,

Google maps says 27 hrs and 1775 mi by car and 11 hour by plane.  11 hours?  No wonder you took the train.

My wife and I smellled something electrical after dinner. It came and went, twice.  We could not pinpoint what it was.  At bedtime I realized the AC compressor was turning on and off every couple minutes but it wasn't getting any cooler.  Wonder what that is going to cost?  At least we are having a few days of cooler weather.

Train front I need to tackle what to do with the light bar and LED in my first DCC conversion.

 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 8:38 AM

Howdy ...

On the news, they said today is Waffle Day ! ... So let's have waffles. I prefer real butter with real maple syrup..... I'll have that with coffee, please ..... 

Still busy here. ..... We leave for Nashville, TN, later this morning..... I'll be back tomorrow. 

Happy Model Railroading, everybody !  

As Jerry of IL (RIP) used to say.... Have a good one. 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by Steven Otte on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 9:11 AM

FRRYKid

der5997: As I understand the differences between Trekkies and Trekkers is the following: Trekkies are from the 60s (TOS) in the same vein as Hippies. Trekkers are the more modern Trek fans (TNG, ST:DS9, ST:V, etc.).

 

As I've heard it, "Trekkers" is the preferred term, while "Trekkies" is pejorative and disparaging.

--
Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editor
sotte@kalmbach.com

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 9:30 AM

Steven Otte
As I've heard it, "Trekkers" is the preferred term, while "Trekkies" is pejorative and disparaging.

Newspeak perpetrated by Romulans, no doubt.  My Mom was a Trekkie way back in Season 1 of Kirk, Spock and McCoy.  I was too.  I was proud to be a Trekkie.  Nothing disparaging about it.

Of course, I play with trains.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 9:33 AM

Good Afternoon!

Trekkies? Trekkers? Man or Beast? I know not of such things! I know of "Voortrekkers" and maybe the LION knows them as well!

It has turned really hot again - temperature is at 31°C at the moment and expected to rise in the next days. No A/C means sleepless nights, fatigue and general feeling of discomfort. With the type of windows we have here, one cannot install one of those window mountes A/C thingies so popular at your end of the Big Pond.

Janie - I have to turn down Garry´s generous off of waffles. Mike mine ice cream, please!

Breaking News!

Reptile being sighted by trainspotters in Engiadina!

A reptile has been sighted by a group of trainspotters. Police officials confirm the sighting. The reptile was seen on the tracks in Engiadina, apparently taking a rest, a police spokesperson said. It was identified as a Rhaetian baby crocodil, also known as RhB Ge 6/6 I to the aficionados de Ferrocarril Retica. It is believed that the baby croc will eventually settle on this layout. Rhaetian Crocodiles, although somewhat fierce looking, are good natured creatures and not deemed dangerous, if a certain distance is kept.

The baby croc in question will have to spend some time in a shop to mature, i.e. have those numerous tiny detail parts applied, before it is allowed to freely roam the line! Right now, it is undertaking first steps to get acquainted with its new habitat!

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Posted by ricktrains4824 on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 9:47 AM

Good morning all.

Flo, I will take a order of Waffles as well, but I will do cinnamon waffles, if possible, and a OJ please. Oh yes, of course, real butter and real maple syrup please. Thanks.

ATSFGuy - I have a couple of the Bowser Roadrailer units, they track and run flawlessly, as does their adaptor truck. I am not sure who's spine cars I have... I will look tonight after w**k and let you know. (IIRC, they are Walthers for one set, Bowser the other, but I will need to double check that...)

Weather - Starting to get warm and humid again. Not too my liking....

W**k - No steak, but, we now have an official store manager, the Sr. Asst. Manager was promoted to store manager, the second Asst. Manager is now the Sr. Asst. Manager, and, I was offered the second Asst. Manager position. (Is a promotion, and would be a bump up too full-time 35-40 hours per week instead of part time 28-30 hours each week currently.)  Will be discussing it with the new store manager when we work together this afternoon. (We now can get back to having 4 key holders! Yay!) We had the 4th delivery in 8 days on Monday, making well over 350 pieces in that stretch! We still hadn't even touched that delivery last night when I left. Have probably 150-175 pieces to stock and/or break into. 

Hope all are well, and enjoy the day! Will check back in later with the answer for ATSFGuy. 

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.

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Posted by RideOnRoad on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 9:56 AM

Steven Otte
. . .is pejorative and disparaging.

perjorative, adj. - expressing contempt or disapproval.

Steve - Thanks for expanding my vocabulary. Not a familiar word to me.

Last night I won major points by taking Mrs. ROR to the Coldplay concert in Phoenix. This is the third bucket-list item we have been able to cross off for her this year. I am quite a hero this year.

On the train front, we have decided we are not happy with color of the skirting we bought. Good thing I only bought one 3' panel to decide if it would work. We also wanted to see the workmanship of the skirting, which was better than expected. The problem with the color is it is too "green." When we looked at the 1"x1" cloth sample it looked like in had more brown in it, but when we saw the full size panel all we saw was green. Mrs. ROR's comment: "It looks too pretty." We decided to play it safe, and are going to go with a charcoal color.

 

Richard

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Posted by howmus on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 11:06 AM

Mornin'!  Well it is as I'm typing at least for a couple more minutes....

Zoe, I could use another refill for my Marrakesh Express Dark Roast, Please!

Busy cleaning house!  Only have 3 more days until the party and at least a week or two of cleaning to do.  Looks like there be only about 9 or ten of us attending.  I am not going to worry about getting the trains up and running as only a couple folks will want to see the layout.  I can't talk with them and run trains anyway, so.....

"Ma" D. stopped by this morning just as I had gotten out of the shower to drop off some table cloths and paper supplies for the party.  She is the "self appointed" person in charge of these things (with our complete blessing I might add).  She taught "Home and Careers".

 Ride On Road, I went with black cloth as skirting as i wanted it to be very dark below the layout.  Bought a entire bolt of the cloth and need to get one more to finish up.  Except in one place I am just using velcrow tape to put it up.

Before:

After:

Have a great 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! 

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Posted by yougottawanta on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 11:38 AM

Lunch time

Mrs. YGW Packed my lunch last night, I always really appreciate that. This morning she left a love note in my lunch box Big Smile Thumbs Up Yesterday was our second anniversary. I gave her a very nice card, This week I have brought home three pick up loads of flowers and planted them and gave her a little cash. Mrs. YGW has a very big Big Smile. As they say if Momma is happy everyone is happy! My dad is getting better and will be going from a private room to a semi private room and he can now feed himself, button his own shirt, sit up by himself etc... I tell you for some one who is 80 years old, stops a car with his body, lives to tell about it and four weeks later can sit up in bed is one amazing person and a testiment to all of the prayers and a loving God. Again thanks for all of the prayers !

Richard - You are a wise and lucky man! You even sound like a hero to me !

Ricky W. - Congrats on the promo. Did you get a raise to go along with the hours ?

Ulrich - I laughed out loud about the ice cream ! I love ice cream to ! What is your favorite flavor ?

Mr. B - Track shortage what is causing that ? Which track ? Atlas ? You know I heard it was those nasty Klingons and not the Romulans spreading that rumor !

Garry - Waffle day ? When is ICE CREAM DAY DinnerSmile, Wink & Grin

Henry - Was it low on Freon ? We see that a lot in my industry when it cycles on and off.

ATSF Guy - You cant go wrong with computer school. My wife went that route and she makes way better money than me !

FRRYKid - I thought Trekkers were those guys on PBS that go around the gloge and film their travels ? I think the show is called Globe trekkers ?

Lion - Thanks for popping in. Hope you are getting to see a lot of your family!

Ken - When I first saw those hoppers I fell in love with them and wish that they had some N&W hoppers like that. Did you figure out the manufacture ? Heck they are weathered, coal loads ...amazing ! I would really LOVE to see them on your layout being pulled. Can you post some pictures ?

Steve - Oh geez I missed the ribs yesterday! Any left overs ? Or did DER and Lion eat them all ?

Gotta run.

TTYL

YGW

 

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Posted by RideOnRoad on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 2:18 PM

howmus
Ride On Road, I went with black cloth as skirting as i wanted it to be very dark below the layout.  Bought a entire bolt of the cloth and need to get one more to finish up.  Except in one place I am just using velcrow tape to put it up.

We thought about black, but with Arizona dust and a cat in the house, we wanted some a little lighter. I am really hoping this works as we are going to bite the bullet and order all of it this time.

I really like the construction of the skirting. It has 2" of velcro sewn into the top. All I have to do is attach a corresponding strip to the fascia and blammo, done. I like how easy it to remove if I want to access what is below.

Richard

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Posted by howmus on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 3:43 PM

RideOnRoad

We thought about black, but with Arizona dust and a cat in the house, we wanted some a little lighter. I am really hoping this works as we are going to bite the bullet and order all of it this time.

I really like the construction of the skirting. It has 2" of velcro sewn into the top. All I have to do is attach a corresponding strip to the fascia and blammo, done. I like how easy it to remove if I want to access what is below.

 

 
I do hope what you are getting is washable........ Whistling  My kitties are not allowed down in the train rooms!  I also have put a portable Hepa Filter unit in the space.  I make my own dust too often down there and it does have an effect on the scenery and the top of the RR cars.....
 
I just got finished with the trips over to the Vet with the boys.  Manét was sleeping on the bed as usual and came out to see about a snack.  As soon as he walked out of the bedroom I quickly closed the door.  About 10 minutes later I went to get the pet carrier from the storage bedroom next to mine, and he was right there desperately trying to go hide in my bedroom!  As soon as he saw the car carrier he made a bee-line to the living room and hid behind one of the chairs.  His brother made a bee-line in to the old "play-House" I built for them years ago.  I followed Manét into the living room and moved the big chair.  He desperately tried to get under the chair, but I quickly moved it and grabbed him.  Stuffed him into the carrier with him yowling pittifully and took him over for his vaccination, blood test, and check-up.
 
Then brought Manét back home and had to lossen Blackie from the little room in his play-house with him yowling and doing everything possible not to be coaxed out.  Finally had both my hands in there, one on each front leg and he tried to stop me from pulling him out by the front legs by putting his head so I would have to break his neck to accomplish the grab....  Got both paws in one hand, reached in and got his head straight forward and pulled him out.  Put him in the carrier!  His responce was MEOOOOWWWWwwwwwww!!!  Now when I get them to the vet's office they are as calm and sweet as can be....
 
They both had good checkups and are in good health.  Blackie now weighs .3 lb.s more than Manét, who has always been bigger before.  He weighed in at 19.9 lbs.
 
I have a little over an hour to do a bit more cleaning, have supper, and head out to a Commissioner's Training session tonight.  Have a good evening!
 
73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

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Posted by saronaterry on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 5:36 PM

Hi, all!

78f and not too bad out. Rained overnight. Again.

DER: Nah, I just sprinkle on the green blend everywhere on the trees.

Dave and Ed: Thanks!

FRRY Kid: Looks great! Keep the pics coming!

Got the foundation on house #2 poured, forms stripped and should backfill on Friday. Then finally I'll be a knuckle-draggin' hammer-swinger again.Laugh

I missed the ribs, too!

That's all for now.

Terry

Terry in NW Wisconsin

Queenbogey715 is my Youtube channel

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Posted by cudaken on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 5:43 PM

 Afternoon Dinners

 Flo, I will have a Beer and give Ed a Wooden Nickel Float in Beer.

 Hot Pain in the Caboose day. Driven around in a car with out A/C today was awfull!

 Bob said he could half caboose my other car A/C for $425.00. Then he told me to go car shopping! That sure tells you something!

 Fence Front Tested fitted a new stringer for the lower gap, slipped right in. To bad it was to hot to do any real work.

 Train Front. Bang Head Good news is I got the coupler pocket seated right on the B&O F7B. Then I thought I get cleaver! OK, F7A runs, so why not write all of the A units CV's into the B unit decoder! Big Smile Yes! Wrong darn B unit will still not move on the main line! Whistling I would normally think there was something wrong with the motor! But the B unit moves on the program track while I was writting new CV's? Sometimes I wished I had stayed DC! But, when it works, man I love it!

 Ed I have not forgotten the other engines you sent, but you knew I would fall for the F7's first! I may take the Pen SD-7 with me to work Wednesday. Boy it is a good looking engine!

 Gary I am glad you enjoy the photos I post!  Photo bucket and my computer do not like each other so its a bit a chore.

 YGW I will get some photos posted of the coal cars and the engines I got from Ed. Just takes time but they will come!

 Rick Let me guess, your raise well be by the fact you are working more hour right?  Hope I am wrong, but I have been there and done that.

 Later, Ken

 

 

 

 

I hate Rust

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Posted by cats think well of me on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 6:22 PM

Good day all, 

On the work front, an 8-hour shift will now turn into a 24-hour shift as my coworker will be unable to be here. Oh well, I need to be back here first thing on the morning anyway, so it works out in a way, plus, extra money!

I spent 90-minutes yesterday cleaning up trash at this one popular swimming spot on the Susquehanna river. 3-bags full of been cans, bottles, broken glass, old styrofoam, old clothes, and other nastiness. It's a fun spot but wow people do not pick up after themselves. Not the first time it's gotten trashed, as my friends and I cleaned up loads of trash down there several times. 

On the MR front, I took my P70 coaches and several other pieces of rolling stock down to the club layout. They roll super well, better than any passenger cars I've had. The coupler set up I am not enamored by, and will eventually alter it. The arrangement will not allow for converting over to Sergent couplers, so they'll keep their Kadee clones for now. The passenger seats in the cars will make it relatively easy to add figures which I'll do in the future. 

Last night I converted two Walthers B60bs to Sergent couplers. That project took me awhile as I had to remove the old box, then add the Accurail coupler box to each end and space it out enough for a bit of a gap between the diaphragms, to handle the club's tight curves. Also got all of my locos, (I have four all together) and my two cabin cars done. 

Alvie

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Posted by der5997 on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 7:41 PM

 Good evening again Diners. Before it gets too late, I’d better hand in my home work!Smile, Wink & Grin Had a very pleasant short trip to the local Provincial Park’s beach for a lol and a swim this afternoon. Local as in no more than 4 miles. Took tea chairs and books. Discovered that both pairs of our beach shoes had reached disintegration point simultaneously.Alien Maybe we can find an end-of-season sale and get replacements before the next foray. Need them because of the possibility of the kind of trash Alvie has so public spiritedly been clearing in his neck of the woods.Bow

FFRYK:

der5997: As I understand the differences between Trekkies and Trekkers is the following: Trekkies are from the 60s (TOS) in the same vein as Hippies. Trekkers are the more modern Trek fans (TNG, ST:DS9, ST:V, etc.).
Count me a Trekkie then. Began watching the OS in the late 60s.(Bought our first TV to watch the Armstrong moon landing.) Mind you we can’t bear to watch those episodes now – spoiled by TNG, DS9 V and the films (even the first one! GASP)

 Discovery is the newest series that will premiere on CBS in January with the rest of the episodes to be shown via CBS All Access. A good locale for info is here: https://www.facebook.com/StarTrekCBS/?fref=ts

Yes, and that All Access thing kills it for us – thanks for the link though.

I haven't hooked that particular unit up to power as of yet as I haven't completely figured out where I'm going to put the panel for the switches yet.

…and I’m planning on roughing in the wiring for mine and tidying it up when I’ve got the fascia determined which won’t be until the scenery is in and the final fascia profile known! I just have to have the machines working properly and that means wiring them in, before I can test run the entire layout. Different strategies!
I have put enough wire on the machine to reach a couple of different locations.
All my machines have sufficient wire below the layout so that when the time comes wiring up won’t be too arduous– about 3 inches minimum of wire below the layout base. In this photo the machine wires have the white (common) wires and the wires beyond those are track power feeders. 
I don't know if I mentioned it on this post or not, but the river clams are inspired by a sandbar on the river that runs by the ranch where I grew up. It would frequently have shells strewn on it when the river was lower during the summers.
Yes, indeed you did – I tried replicating the mud bars which form in the tidal rivers flowing into the Bay of Fundy on my last layout. I’d show a photo but the only ones I could find were shot from the wrong angle and the light shining off the water obliterates the mud bar detail! Oh, let’s just test your imagination and put this one in anyway.

As you can see, the river was on a module (which crossed a window.)  It had to be easily removable for fire escape access. (design feature which lead to operational/maintenance  headaches) However, as a module of a local geographical reference, it sold quite easily too! Thumbs Up

Dave:

der5997:

It wasn't my son's car that was taking up space in our garage. It was his exercise equipment, tons of it!

– I can see that. One fair sized treadmill is getting to have the footprint of a Smart Car (Two Four for the Brits listening LOL) these days!

The garage is actually built under the bedrooms (house is a side split). It is drywalled and insulated. This past spring we had new insulated garage doors installed with good weatherstripping. The doors made a huge difference when compared to the original galvanized steel doors. The garage stays cool in the summer even with direct sunlight on the doors for several hours every morning, and I can work with just a light jacket or vest on in the winter when it's -25 C outside.

Sounds ideal – those doors may not be the least costly solution, but the fuel savings over time would be impressive, and with Ontario Hydro rates, necessary from what we’re hearing.

MisterBeasley and Steve O: 

(by Mr.B) Newspeak perpetrated by Romulans, no doubt.  My Mom was a Trekkie way back in Season 1 of Kirk, Spock and McCoy.  I was too.  I was proud to be a Trekkie.  Nothing disparaging about it.

Of course, I play with trains.

Newspeak doubtless – who knew Romulans were that jealous of those fortunate enough to have lived in the Golden Age? LLAP.

Ulrich: That is one seriously good looking piece of kit! (RhB Ge 6/6)  Must give your spirit a lift, even if there is backshopping to do! Happy for you! The 6/6 refers to the trucks nein?

YGW: Great news about your Dad! Angel Thanks for letting us know.

Steve - Oh geez I missed the ribs yesterday! Any left overs ? Or did DER and Lion eat them all ?
  LOL, but you must be thinking of our grandsons! Ribs are their thing!

Terry: On the trees, my gardening wife told me today that she was going to dead-head a whole lot of the flowers – but had actually thought “I’d better ask John if he wants any particular ones saved for the railway” Definitely a keeper, wouldn’t you say?

Just watched the PBS Mamas & the Papas special (fundraising but we had used the PVR so zapped those bits) That’s our era pop-musically so loved it! Brought back a ton of memories – not of the group but of mid-sixties life, marriage, emigration….

Done and dusted – have a very good night all. Prayers for all in need Angel

"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.

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Posted by FRRYKid on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 11:51 PM

der5997

FFRYK:

 Discovery is the newest series that will premiere on CBS in January with the rest of the episodes to be shown via CBS All Access. A good locale for info is here: https://www.facebook.com/StarTrekCBS/?fref=ts

 

Yes, and that All Access thing kills it for us – thanks for the link though.

I will have to see what the first episode looks like before I decide whether I sign up for the All Access myself. (I have the fastest connection my provider has so the video shouldn't be a problem.)

saronaterry

FRRY Kid: Looks great! Keep the pics coming!

Just have to remember to take my camera with me on the Sundays that I work on the layout!

"The only stupid question is the unasked question."
Brain waves can power an electric train. RealFact #832 from Snapple.
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 25, 2016 12:23 AM

Good Morning,

Another very sunny day today. The night was quite OK, as it already cools down considerably at the end of August.

Zoe, coffee and a cinnamon roll, please!

der5997
The 6/6 refers to the trucks nein?

The Swiss loco class denomination is like this:

G - speed class (G being reserved for narrow gauge)

e - type of traction, e being electric traction

6/6 - 6 driven axles out of 6 axles in total

I, II, III mark the releases.

A G 4/5 is a narrow gauge consolidation, a HGe 4/4 is a narrow gauge electric rack and pinion loco operating in two speed classes...

Back to reptile watching ...

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Posted by JEREMY CENTANNI on Thursday, August 25, 2016 12:30 AM

Good morning?  Noon?  Night?

 

Finally got my 4-8-4 running and its passed 2 successful club outings since the last round of repairs.............. Still annoyed of $$$$ spent vs. quality, but she runs.

Now onto the DDA40X....

 

Bowser RoadRailers someone asked about.  I do not have any but another guy at the club runs them at least once a month or so and he seems to have pretty good luck with them.  nice looking and something different that's for sure.

 

Hawkins Rail Services, made a trip out there today.  No one was home..........

Talked to them on the phone last week.  190 mile round trip wasted.  On vacation, so had to give it a shot.

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Posted by gmpullman on Thursday, August 25, 2016 4:24 AM

G'mornin' Diners...

Just a quick hello before I turn in for the remainder. I'm a nocturnal creature to say the least!

Chloe, I think an egg salad sandwich and a cup of Mississippi Mud will do me nicely.

Stephen, I thought you fellows were all about the brats and (yum) Liver sausage there in Milwaukee, Ribs are for the folks in K-C, Saint Looie or Omaha? I like to order once in a while from the Usinger Elves in your neck of the woods. Sorry I missed it, though.

YGW, I'm glad to hear of the progress mede in your father's recovery. Yes

Lion, I hope you have safe travels and are enjoying the pride of your pride after your ride.

Ulrich, I'm glad you finally had a cooler night. Our summer here in northern Ohio has also been hot, muggy and with VERY little rain. weather patterns are certainly making some very unusual cycles.

Are you aware of the portable air cooling units that use a flexible duct to vent the hot air away? Several staffers used them at my w**k when the AC was down.

Glad for your imprived w**k situation, Rick! Hope it eases some of your burden and gets you more free time for trains!

I run maybe six Bowser Road-Railers on my Amreak trains and have never had any problem with them. I put a Ring EOT on the tail end and it looks sweet!

I envy you for getting some saddle time ROR! I hope to get my bike out soon and get to pounding the old B&O r-of-w here soon.

Mrs. Pullman made some skirting out of nine yards of a sand-beige fabric that looks like suede. She was able to cut it lengthwise and get double the run. It only covers about half the layout but it was a big improvement!

KEN, my friend...

I hope you haven't lost any sleep over that silly B unit! As in my reply in the other post, I'll gladly send you another one. I have a set of test rollers, something of high quality that actully is made by Bachmann! I would place the engine on those rollers and use a variable dc power supply with amperage meter to see if the motor is OK.

That would show any problems in the drive train, too. I have a bunsh of those BLI Fs. Some were sound, some were their short-lived silent series, some were blue-line and some I bought from the 'Bay so I really don't know the history of those.

If you can't get anywhere, let me know and I'll send you another.

Speed matching will only work to bring the faster engine down to the speed of the slower one. It can't do anything to raise the speed if there is something inherently wrong with the decoder or drive.

Nobody can say GMPullman doesn't stand behind his freebies! Whistling

Hope the SDs give you no pain. Are you going to keep the Bessemer one painted that way? If you need a bay window caboose to go with it I just found a duplicate.

Wow! That photo you posted is amazing! In all my sixty years, I have never seen a dual turntable setup like that before! Cool Beans!

You guys talking about Star Trek and the All Access Pass got me scratching my head?? I looked all through the MR All Access Pass and didn't see one single episode listed Tongue Tied Humm, I must be corn-fused!

Alvie, Those P70s sure do sail! They are the free-rollingest pieces of stock I have ever witnessed right out of the box. Actually the MTH streamline HO cars are pretty free rolling but these may have them beat.

The wishbone coupler mount is a bit of a pain but I only had trouble on one two cars. The setup actually works pretty well to draw the cars together on the straights and allow them to stretch in the curves.

One thing I AM having a little difficulty with are the truck bolsters being too stiff and not allowing enough rock-n-roll. I have some superelevated curves and a few of the P70s don't like them. There is no way to adjust the bolster pins. BLI has them generously oiled, though.

The steam, signal and train-line fittings are wrong, of course. Not sure if I'm going to worry about them just yet. Otherwise, great cars.

Have you tried to pry the floor off yet? I haven't gone there. I'll need 528 seated preiser figures if I want to fill every seat!

Well, I see my sandwich is up and don't she look grand.

Dinner

Check in later, fella's

Regards, Ed

Moderator
  • Member since
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Posted by Steven Otte on Thursday, August 25, 2016 10:05 AM

gmpullman

Stephen, I thought you fellows were all about the brats and (yum) Liver sausage there in Milwaukee, Ribs are for the folks in K-C, Saint Looie or Omaha? I like to order once in a while from the Usinger Elves in your neck of the woods. Sorry I missed it, though.

 

That may be, but the Diner isn't in Wisconsin this month. So I picked traditional diner fare, not a regional specialty.

Speaking of diner food, next guy who spells my name wrong has to eat tuna casserole.

 

--
Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editor
sotte@kalmbach.com

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    April 2007
  • From: Northern Va
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Posted by yougottawanta on Thursday, August 25, 2016 11:05 AM

Hey all

Life for my Dad is improving. I feel much better about his prospects. Kids are with grandma ttonight. Me and Mrs YGW will have a date night !

Ed thanks I am glad too !

Jeremy c - You went 190 miles and no one was home !?

Ulrich - So glad to see you doing better ! What is up with the reptiles?

DER - What ?! The grandsons got it all ? I know grandsons can be eating machines !! My little grandson can put away a pile of food and I keep looking for teh little puppy belly but he doenst get it. Must be two hollow legs !

Alvie - Dont you just hate that ! I saw a person who lived near me throw trash out her window. I wanted to go up and down teh road pick up all of teh trash and fill her mailbox ! Then I saw their yard. I could tell they do not take pride in where they live. The message would have ben lost.

Ken - I cannot figure out how the two circles pass each other at the point. Seems like the wheels would get stuck in the rail gap ? Looking forward to the photo : )

Howmus - When I go to the vet I MEEEEEOOOOOOWWWW too. In fact today I get an injection in my knee you will probably hear me around 3pm ! All the way from VA !

Gotta run

YGW

 

 

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Posted by angelob6660 on Thursday, August 25, 2016 11:40 AM

Morning diners,

Steven Otte

Speaking of diner food, next guy who spells my name wrong has to eat tuna casserole.

 

I never get your name wrong Steven. I got a cousin with the same name. Plus I'm not fond of tuna casserole.

Modeling the G.N.O. Railway, The Diamond Route.

Amtrak America, 1971-Present.

  • Member since
    April 2003
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 25, 2016 11:47 AM

Guten Tag Herr Stefan Otte!

I love tuna casserole, may I order it now, as Steven invited me to it?

It´s sweltering hot today, hitting 34°C around noon. It has not yet cooled off, so we have a unhealthy temperature of 27°C inside. I try to cool off by thinking about ice cream - plain vanilla, topped with rum raisins and a hot dark chocolate sauce - yummy, but a forbidden fruit for me.

I love watching the Croc running on my layout! As it seems, the Bemo staff must now sport a sound engineer, as the hum of the motor sounds quite realistic. Even the slightly stomping noise of the prototype can be heard! Love it!

YGW - what´s up with the reptiles, you ask? Well, one of them, a crocodile (that´s the official nick name of my new loco) has chosen my layout as its new habitat!

Allow me to give you a little insight on crocodiles:

1. The original Swiss Crocodile

Built in the 1919 for service on the Gotthard line.

2. The Rhaetian Railway "Baby Crocodile"

Built in 1921 until 1929, 6 surviving, two frequently operating nostalgic trains.

3. German Crocodile

Not officially recognized as a "Crocodile", often also refered to as "Eisenschwein" (iron pig). built from 1940 to 1956.

4. Austrian Crocodile

Built in 1923 onwards. A copycat Swiss Crocodile, but not as good, though. Built for the Arlberg line.

There are more locos having a similar appearance, but none of them earned the title "Crocodile".

TTFN!

  • Member since
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Posted by ricktrains4824 on Thursday, August 25, 2016 12:15 PM

Good afternoon.

Chloe, the special of the day is BBQ Ham sandwiches? I take two then, please! A lemonade would go well with that, thanks. 

ATSFGuy - Sorry, but there were no markings on the spine cars, had to go find the box. I have a set of Walthers' 48' five car set, and, a Athearn 57' three car set. (I thought it was Bowser before, my bad... When it wasn't marked underneath I figured it was someone else, all my Bowser stuff has their name underneath somewhere.) The Athearn spine set is their newer run, so is metal, and tracks much better than their plastic Husky Stacks did. Never had any issues with it. 

YGW and Cudaken - The promotion comes with about 5-6 extra hours each week, and a base hourly rate increase as well. The newly appointed store manager (had been acting store manager since the other one retired, and doing very well at it, if I may say so.) flat out stated that she wanted me to take it, and would push so that it worked for what I needed. (She knows I have been looking elsewhere, and giving out résumé papers where I have applied, but would like me to stay with her, so is pushing for the highest raise allowed with the promotion for my hourly rate of pay.) So, once all the paperw**k is finished, that is when the extra hours (current average is 29.5 over past 6 weeks, will go to around 35-37 each week, guarenteed no less than 32 even when payroll is cut during the week, which happens when no deliveries are made.) and the pay increase will occur. (Probably next week as her boss is in NH this week at meetings.) 

Weather - Hot and humid again, with a current temperature of 84, with a 80+% Humidity rating. The guru's are calling for strong, maybe severe Lightning storms later today. Will have to monitor that as we go through the day, just incase.

W**k - Speaking of that promotion, other w**k stuff - Got yet another delivery yesterday, giving us ~200 to open, (actual count is between 175-190) with another ~80 or so opened, but not stocked just for shoes/boots, and a whole bunch of blankets for a display, and then a bunch of toys for our upcoming shift to holiday prep. Over 10 days, we have received almost 600 pieces, with only 6 people available to work them, and customers, and general cleaning and maintainance. Any wonder why we have this much freight left? And don't get me started on the tech issues the past week.... But it is a nice place to work, and I have a very good manager. Much better than a prior place of employment... And, speaking of a very good manager...

Had someone challenge that our new manager was not doing as well as she should be doing. I disagreed, heartily. She is doing a very good job, espescially for a newly appointed store manager. Her hands have been tied by corporate on what we can have for hours, so.....

Hobby - Not much new here, but do still have a few small projects going, that are slowly getting done. One of those do it every now and again, just for a little relaxation and unwinding. Have a couple car kits going, and some weathering and painting projects still. Hopefully I will get some done that I could getba couple pics posted. 

Hope all are well, and all have a good day.

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.

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 25, 2016 12:19 PM

Me again!

I am watching an old Hollywood classic called "Broadway Limited" from 1941. Nice shots of a streamlined PRR K4 pulling the Broadway Ltd.!

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
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Posted by gmpullman on Thursday, August 25, 2016 1:29 PM

Steven Otte
Speaking of diner food, next guy who spells my name wrong has to eat tuna casserole.

Ouch!

My apologies! My father-in-law used the "ph" spelling. (brain was in neutral at 5 am)

I often get Edmond, Edmund and Edward spellings for my name so I just keep it to Ed.

Steven, Your next plate of ribs is on me Smile

Regards, Ed

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
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Posted by BigDaddy on Thursday, August 25, 2016 6:10 PM

Don't buy a Trane.  At 11 months, old a solder joint went out and dumped all the freon.  This time [15 months since new] it is either the motor or modulator.  They did not remove either, went back to the shop and decided that there are 2 possible modulators and waited until today to find out.  The parts are, according to the clueless owners mother, who mans the phone, is coming from Texas, ...or maybe Georgia and will be here tomorrow.....or maybe Monday.

I lost the light pipes to my RS-1  It is a small double headlight, so I tried to fashion new light pipes out of some clear styrene sprue.  Either I made it too small diameter, too long and it broke to short trying to cut it down or it fell off the patio table and down thru seams in the deck.  I'm really good now with a dremel and a flat file.  Tomorrow I will figure out how to anchor the LED's and run the wires without anything getting pinched and still being able to attach the shell.

Galaxy always had a word for the day.  This is a new one for me clowder.

A group of cats is a clowder, I always thought it was a herd.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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Posted by howmus on Thursday, August 25, 2016 7:00 PM

Evenin' folks!

Janie, a tall cold glass of lemonade would be great right now.  Thank you Ma'am!

I am beat!  Today I have been up an at all day.  Mowed the lawn, cleaned a "Dry Sink" type cabinet that came from my parents house about 15 years ago when my dad passed away, continued to set up the deck where the party will take place on Saturday, and did some weed whacking around the house, trees, and raised bed gardens.  I should sleep well tonight.

Just taking a break before heading to the kitchen to bake some vanilla chocolate chip toll house cookies.  So far no one has told me they are bringing desert for the picnic, so i want to have something on hand if we have no desert.  I can just bring them out if we need them....

About the only thing that isn't going to get done is to get trains running opn tyhe layout.  I was hoping to clean track and check out one of the long trains (pulled by one of the two 2-6-6-2s I have), but I got an email from the Financial manager at church who also is the guy doing sound that he would like to get the new DBX sound EQ up and running before Sunday as he will be gone  the week after.  He doesn't want the guy who does it as a sub to have to adjust the channels on the board and be the first to use the system with the new EQ applied....  So tomorrow afternoon I will take a couple hour break from clean ing to stop down and hopefully get the job done.  It has only been 3 months since we first started the project......

Time to go make cookies....  Hope to have time to catch up on posts before I turn in for bed later.

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

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