Kinda sad

[Anonymous]

I havn't got to do much with trains here latley. I have mounds of school work to do and I have this irregular heart rythm thing ( I had to wear a heart monitor) which gets me very fatigued and I go to bed early and don't get a chance to get on here and talk with ya'll. I did set up a train under our christmas tree, so that was fun. the dog is scared of it. I am thinking about joining the local club and building a module in HO. does anyone have any ideas for a reall interesting scene that could be a module? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Hi Alex [:)]

I am sorry to hear about your heart rhythm I hope things improve for you.

I don't remember what time slot you are modeling but one idea does come to mind. Oklahoma sent "tons" of oil out by railroad tank car during WWII so an oil refinery and tank farm would work well. Another idea would be a stock yard shipping cattle in/out by rail.

[Anonymous]

Jim had a good point. A lot of people don't realize that the OKC stock yards is the largest in the world. A stock yard scene would do well for you. Have you chosen a club yet? ComRail is a large one in OKC, I don't know much about them, but if you have questions drop by Woodward's Hobby Shop on a Saturday and there is usually a member of the club working there.

Glad to see you back on here,
Greg (also from OK)

[SP4449]

Hi OklahomaTrainNut.

An idea would be to use brown and green latex paint to depict dirt road/driveways and grassy areas then put a few of the buildings Walthers has to build a small town or residential neighborhood. It would take only two or three buildings that you can store in a box between layout setups so there would be minimal damage when transporting the module. A few ready made trees of various types, stored in a box between shows, would round the scene out. Not too difficult to setup and tear down but would be impressive and fun and easy on you when your strength is not so high.

My wife does her module this way and since it is easy to set up, she has the fun of building a scene quickly and then she can take it easy while the public enjoys her handywork. She has days she can hardly move so I know where you are coming from. Keep it simple, not a lot of clutter but just enough detail get your point across.

Good luck and good railroading. [:D] [;)]

[Anonymous]

I hope you get to feeling better,along with the stock yards, depending on the era,there would probably be a meat processing plant ice house icing platforms this would also give you lots of truck traffic transporting livestock in from the many ranches, ,hauling out some of the processed meat for local delivery.

[Anonymous]

Best wishes and Merry Christmas to you! How far are you from Tulsa?

[Hawks05]

i know how it is with school work. i have 46 or so questions for english on the first 120 pages of the book Moby ***. also have a bunch of pre calc stuff to do and read for my ecology class. i'm going to have a fun sunday.

last week was the worst i've had since i've been in high school i'd have to say. everything that could go wrong did go wrong. i went to a friends house last night around 11 after i got off work. her and just sat outside talking. we figured we'd talk for an hour or so. i ended up getting home a little after 3. it was good to just talk, but dang was it cold out.

anyways as for your club, congrats. i wish i could join one but i don't feel like driving into the cities twice a week. for a module i'd go with the oil refinery idea or the stockyard maybe. both excellent choices.

[AggroJones]

Sometimes medical problems can make modeling tough. I know first hand. Hang in there.
Keep pressing on, and we hope you feel better.

[twhite]

Hi, Nut, sorry to hear about your health--don't know if this helps, but I had an irregular heartbeat in High school, too. Seems I just outgrew it after a year or so (just turned 65), so you hang in there, kiddo--I'm going to say some serious prayers for you. About that module--RailguyHO has a really excellent suggestion--and it would be a chance to get some of those really cool Accurail stock-cars and wood reefer kits. And keep up the schoolwork--I know it gets hot and heavy about this time of year. Where I taught, we weren't allowed to give homework or assignments over the Christmas Holidays (which seemed fair to me), so we had to pack it all in before to keep the schedule. Have a great Christmas, and let the rest of us know how the module turns out, okay? like maybe some photos?
Best to you,
Tom

[krump]

TrainNut - wishing you health and happiness, enjoy the hobby at your pace. You're in our prayers.

[joseph2]

Good Morning.What time era will the module be in ? My idea would be to have a RIP (repair in place ) track.Outdoor RIP track is where minor repairs were done on all sorts of cars.So it wouldn't take any special buildings,just a shed or two.I have children your age and will pray for your recovery. Joe G.

[Anonymous]

Good morning Alex, you are youth going for you. This medical condition is often outgrown, and you will get better with time. [tup][tup]

Lots of ideas here for you to consider. All seemed to be very simple to do. heck I might try one of those. [(-D][(-D][(-D]

[Anonymous]

Sorry to hear that, Alex. I'm in the same boat with homework right now. It seems that in these last two weeks before Christmas holidays, all the teachers piled on the work. I guess they wanted to get a lot of stuff out of the way before the break. Thankfully, once this week is over, the holidays will be here!

[Robert Langford]

Alex, Keep your chin up, do what the doc says to do, and look for the good aide. Last year I had a heart attack , two cardiac arrests, and a flood of blood clots. Ended up with amputation of two toes, 5 clots in my brain, much memory loss. Just turned 70, and won't give up. Model R.R. and watching trains is my salvation. Have a Merry Christmas.
BOB

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Oklahoma Train Nut
I am thinking about joining the local club and building a module in HO. does anyone have any ideas for a reall interesting scene that could be a module?

Are you doing a straight, inside, or outside curve? Do you want serious, funny, realistic, whimsical?

Our most popular "scene" is simply a bridge over a deep canyon. Since so many people go from track level up this is more intersting because it goes from track level down. Unfortunately I can't find any pictures, and it is currently "packed" up in storage.

My son also did a fantasy "Mars" module it was an outside corner. Red dirt, steaming craters, Mars agriculture, flying saucer, bubble buildings. Kind of different and fun. Got lots of people stopping to look at it, almost more than anything else on the layout. It was sold when he left YIMR.

[Anonymous]

Hi Alex,

I'll hope and pray your heart condition betters itself.

Since your outwest, either a tank farm or a stock yard would be amusing.

Could try a trailer park, but that may be a bit much.

I have finals in a couple days, been studying hard. Hope to not fail.

Hang in there.
Alvie.

[Sunset Limited]

I really hope you get better! You are really young and have a long life ahead of you! Just remember, think positive and do too much at one time. As you can see on your topic, we are all together here to wish you the best!

Merry Christmas!! and a better New Year!! Take Care!!

[AntonioFP45]

You've got a lot to look forward to, keep you chin up and your head in the right place, my friend. If your doctor permits, go walking and enjoy the outdoors. I used to get depressed a lot and I noticed after a walk or bike ride, I felt so much better. Even after "very moderate" physical activity, it's been proven that your body "fires off" endrophins, the hormones that make you feel more relaxed. (This is the high that a lot of speed walkers talk about)

Homework can be such a chore, but I learned the hardway to tackle it, even grudgingly and get it out of the way. It's nice then to breathe a sigh of relief after clearing that hurdle!

Consider building a module using the Walther's DPM building kits and create a small "Middle American" town that is served by a rail line. You can include a passenger station and 1 or 2 businesses, like the Walther's "backdrop building" printing company and a small warehouse that receive rail cars would fit the bill nicely.

Good news is that there have been a bunch of these kits for sale on e-bay and internet discount dealers, so they're affordable.

Looking forward to your posts. Let us know what type of scene you build. Don't put it off, go for it as soon as you knock your school work out of the way!

God Bless and keep looking ahead...................................

[Anonymous]

Alex,
I too have irregular heartbeat, but I'm about forty years older than you. So take care of yourself, do what the doc says, take your meds. There's a lot to be said for modern medicine.

As for the module, model what you know. I don't know where you live in Oklahoma. I grew up in Tulsa, and I know that it looks lot different there than it does in the panhandle. You've got a lot of good suggestions here.

mike

[krump]

Hey TrainNut,

How are you doing buddy? Wanted to know how the heart situation is, and letting you know that you are still in our prayers... take care. Happy TRAINing also.

[Anonymous]

Oklahoma Train Nut, I'm in a wheelchair and require lots of bed rest. I'm building a module beside my bed of an engine sevice facility. I have power and the DCC bus hooked up so I can also test locomotives. I have a turntable and six stall roundhouse. If your modeling diesel you could have a diesel shed and service pits. I'm modeling the transition era so I also have a car repair shop that I'm using as my diesel shop. I do alot of work on this module while I'm in bed. I hope your condition improves and I will say a prayer for you. Model railroading has really helped me through some tough times. It is relaxing and gets my mind off of my problems. Keep us informed of your progress.

[cisco1]

Hey Alex
Hang in there man, we're all pulling for you. An irregular heart rhythm can be caused by a number of things. Just follow doctors orders and you'll be fine. Had the same thing show up with me a year ago. Started walking and worked up to a couple miles a day. That and a change in diet has really helped. Doc said if I hadn't overdid it with the Honey Baked Ham last Christmas and aggravated my condition he may not have found it for a few more years. As it is, he says if I behave, I should get to chase a lot more trains! We'll keep you in our prayers. God Bless.
Chris

[dave9999]

Alex,
I don't know if you recall, but back in June I had an accident at work. I was laid up for
nearly two months. About the only thing I could do was visit this forum and read books.

I was a little stir crazy, but found that it was a good opportunity to do some research.
Just hang in there and things will get better. At the time it seemed like an awful time,
but looking back, it was just a bump in the road. Just remember to try and have fun in
what ever you do. Good luck. Dave

[Anonymous]

We haven't seen you in a couple of days or maybe I missed you when you were here. Hope you're OK.
Keep in touch, you're in out prayers

[douginut]

Two suggestions for modules...
1. visit the club and look at the modules and make ANYTHING that no one else has done.

2. sorta off the wall but the mention of a fantasy "MARS" module prompts me to suggest a marslike deaeert scene with a siding and NASA freight cars and astronauts with gear PRACTICING for a mars landing in the desert. supplies brought in by rail to the desert, modules, rovers, and assorted trucks and tractors to move the practice stuff around.

Take care of yourself, we dont want to lose ANY Model Railroaders!

Doug, in Utah

[Anonymous]

Hello, train nut, Here's to good health for you. I'm praying for you. I've had my share of problems. I had asthma as a kid, I outgrew it. I once had a fever that was like 106, I think. I could here myself talk out loud, while in my sleep. Now, that's a serious situation. I am still here. And once I had to get three shots at one time. Two in one hip, one in the other. So, I know what you're going through. I've stepped on rusty nails a few times, too. May God bless and keep you. Praise The Lord.

Robert

[Paul W. Beverung]

Alex: Just a note to let you know that I'm thinking about you. I've been lucky during my youth and had good health. Now that I'm old and beat up I've got the usual old age problems. Diabeates, high blood preasure, bad hearing, missing left ear drum, etc. Best advice. Listen to your doctor, do what he tells you to and keep the faith baby. Remember, I'm pulling for you. We're all in this together. ( Quote Red Green )

Paul

the Duluth, Superior, & Southeastern

" The Superior Route "

[PennsyHoosier]

A module is a great idea--very rewarding and as demanding as you want it to be. I say go for it!

Also, hope you feel better.

[Anonymous]

Thought I would share an idea that would look great for a section of your plan layout. Ever drive past an old drive Inn theater? I have been thinking about building one using a new DVD or MP3 Player with the 4 to 5 inch screen. Removing the screen face from the player and mounting the player under the table and run recorded train video's etc.

The picture would be faced in with that drive inn theater look with the parking lot set with the little humps. Classic Metal Minitures parked next to the speaker post with small thread attached to windows. The old drive Inns always had a small play ground where kids could go swing while mom and dad watched the movies. Also the loads of people who would bring blankets and sit in front of the car or with trucks and wagons pull in backwards.

The womens restroom always had a long line while us guys could just walk in and right back out. Someone was alwayssneaking in either through or over the fence and the trunk was a great place to sneal two or three in.

And then there is always one car with the windows really fogged. Hmmm and the snack bar. Well, a layout is your imagination coming to life. Whatever you plan, good luck with it, best of health and HAPPY HOLIDAYS. God Bless

[Anonymous]

austinsdad: Great idea!!! Might have to try that

Greg