Mornin' y'all. Does anybody know why Flo has that odd little smile this morning? I mean, I always like her smile, but it looks like she's up to something today...
Light showers at the beach and so I couldn't walk at morning low tide; perhaps it will clear by early afternoon.
Just finished reading The Lost City of the Monkey God by Douglas Preston. I enjoy those adventure/history/archeology sorts of things, but believe that excavation would really be better if conducted by a fully accredited university or formal archeological society. No need to take the Diner to that part of Honduras, though. All kinds of creepy-crawly things, and when they bite you they tend to also insert unfriendly diseases that are unfamiliar to U.S. doctors. Yeech.
I had a minor issue with a refund request from the doctor's office, but a curious thing happened this morning. Just two days after my third request to them was received by the Better Business Bureau I received a very nice call from them and the refund check is being processed.
Not sure if this happens to others, but I sometimes "stew & brew" about what project to undertake for the layout. I've got drawers full of kits, but the layout is generally operational. What should I do to take advantage of this time without yard work? I tend to lose time in the decision-making but am happy to announce that I have decided to go ahead and build the fire house. It is the "last" structure needed on the layout (although a replacement station is planned) and will house the Jordan fire truck between the town and the sawmill. Should be good to get back to the workbench.
Bill
Good morning ...
Ulrich ... I'm thinking of you and your medical procedures, and am praying for you.
Der ... Your tunnel liner process is interesting.
My tunnel liners are very simple to make and take little time. ... They are based on my opinion the tops of the tunnel liners are never visible, and so I did not make any tops for my tunnel liners. Only the sides of the tunnel liners would be visible, and that was all I made.
The process is simple. I made a shallow wood box with open top. I lined it with crumpled aluminum foil. That became the mold for casting plaster sides. I poured plaster into the mold. When plaster was hard, I colored it with acrylic paint. Finally I secured it with construction adhesive behind the portal.
Also, It does not need to go deep into the tunnel where it would not be seen.
Edit ... YGW ... While I was writing my post, you appeared. Sneaky you.
FRRY ... Those non-model-railroad projects can be nasty. Not having heat in montana could be brutal too.
Edit ...
Another photo of the same tunnel. You can not see there is not a top to the liner, and you can not see far into the tunnel.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Happy Friday to all !
At w**k day not starting off well. The framing contractor two weeks ago FINALLY brought in a great Carpenter super - well guess what they did today - laid him off !! Back to crews running wild without any leadership. Very frustrating. We are paying them to manage and they lay off the manager ! I have already expressed my frustration with their upper management. I have also forwarded some cost to them that they will have to pay for because of stupid mistakes that were avoidable if they kept a manager here. Maybe they will realize after a while that it is cheaper to manage their crews??? Not to sure though, they are a bit thick in the skull.
Train front - Trucking company spoils pile didnt work out yesterday. So back to searching for more spoils ??? Bought a HO scale ruler from Micro mark yesterday.
FRRYKid - Why dont you get a space heater and put in your train room ?
Garry - I heard on the radio that one of the ground hogs is actually stuffed ! Not real ! And I also heard he is only correct 46% of the time.
V8 - What ? How in the world did they detect hitting a opossum ? Did they see it and not know what it was ?
MOELarry - LOL !!! Better watch out Peta will be coming after you with torches and pitch forks !
UP831 - How does having a sunny day eqaul a colder day. Logic would lead one to think it would be warmer ?? Thats very curious.
DER - Who is Wiarton Willie and Shubenacdie Sam ? When building your tunnel doid you use any kind of gauge to verify the clearance inside the tunnel to make sure the train didnt hit the walls or ceiling ?
Ulrich - Glad you are having a peaceful day. How is YOH feeling today ?
Howmus - Are you feeling well ? Dont see you in here as often ?
History qoute of the day:
The eyes of all America are upon us, as we play our part posterity will bless or curse us.
Let us march immediately, and never lay down our arms until we obtain our independence.
I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.
TTYL
YGW
Heartland Division CB&Q More time for model railroading.
More time for model railroading.
Not for some of us. There are some of us that don't have heated areas for their layouts. And I don't seem to get much non-layout work done during the winter months. (Too much other stuff keeps coming up.)
Dennis.... Being February 2nd, it may have been a ground hog.
Speaking of that. There will be 6 more weeks of winter. More time for model railroading.
Goood afternoon
give me the groundhog grinder.
Not much going on today just on call at w*rk
need for people to quit calling the helpdesk at one time.
they all wait until 3pm
then call
Vegimite yuk yuk yuk
Good good Afternoon Diners,
Working the day shift again Brunhilda? I'll have an extra large cup of coffee with lots of cream, please.
The sun is out and it's a beautiful day here. Normally I dread seeing the sun in January and February because that usually means the temperature drops like a rock. But not today! It's around 40F.
Vegimite has its fans, but I am definitely not one of them. I don't care for the stuff at all!
If the groundhog sees his shadow we get 6 more weeks of winter, but if he doesn't, we only get 42 more days.
Gotta run.
Hello to everyone, and I hope everyone is OK, safe, and warm.
Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)
Steven: Thanks, I’ve sent you an email.
Train Front: Had to do some “mining” to get at the tunnel lining casting from last night. This is a reminder to anyone following this technique that if you have tight spaces such as these diverging route tunnels, it’s probably best to do the liners BEFORE putting in scenery form which would trap (as mine have) the liner casting making removal a “challenge”. So, I had to pry up the offending hill in order to get at the liner from that side, to free it up. Once that was done (thanks to our longest carving knife) I removed the wax paper barrier on that side of the liner casting. Surprise! The foam had not completely cured overnight in the airtight environment created by the wax paper. So there’s the second technical note of the day. Patience mes braves! This race is not to the swift.
"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.
Good Afternoon!
It´s been a quiet day and that´s fine with me. Nothing thrilling to report, in fact, nothing to report at all.
I am not looking forward to tomorrow´s day of tests, but this time I´ll be prepared by taking a few back copies of MR along with me - just to cover the endless of of waiting on not really comfortable hospital chairs.
CederstrandItalian roast coffee in a "City of Canberra" Beyer-Garrett locomotive mug, please.
... and here is the video to your mug!
Enjoy!
Hello all!
Another busy day at w**k. Unscheduled meeting at lunch time !
Train front - Should find out today on the availability of the fill material keep it in your that they find some. The Hobby barn is on hold until we are able to backfill !
Ken - Hope you fill better soon
Gagal - What do you model down under ?
Der - OH ! I have an app on my phone I use soemtimes to communicate with the hispanic workers on my site. I am slowly learning spanish here.
Garry - LOL ! Duck under/down under !
Ricky W - LOL "work or something like that ..." What do you do when there isnt any traffic ?
Ulrich - I ALWAYS take a train magazine with me when on my way to the saw bones. Especially if taking someone to the ER. I know its going to be at least a three or four hour visit around here. Especially during the kids sport seasons. Local kids fill up the ER with cuts, knee and arm injuries etc....
History qoute of the day
What are the maxims of Democracy? A strict observance of justice and public faith, and a steady adherence to virtue.
We cannot be happy without being free; we cannot be free without being secure in our property; we cannot be secure in our property if, without our consent, others may, as by right, take it away; taxes imposed on us by Parliament do thus take it away.
What I can do for my country, I am willing to do.
Italian roast coffee in a "City of Canberra" Beyer-Garrett locomotive mug, please.
Healing thoughts for those in need of them.
Cheers! Rob
der5997 Steve: Der5997, if the photos you've been taking to document your process are in sharp focus and of a sufficiently high resolution to print (2500 pixels wide at least), you might consider submitting an article to MR. Your technique is interesting. I’m going to take some more pics as I go along on this journey. How about I email you a couple of the originals and you can see if they are up to snuff. (Properties say 2304x1728 pixels in the original) I was going to PM you, but I use Photobucket, and that will change the Properties right there. So, if email seems good to you, please send me a suitable address.
Der5997, if the photos you've been taking to document your process are in sharp focus and of a sufficiently high resolution to print (2500 pixels wide at least), you might consider submitting an article to MR. Your technique is interesting.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
Thanks fo the donuts! One of the managers at an office I support in the greater DC metro area brings bagels every Friday. The favorite are cheese jalapeno - mmmmm....
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Evening all. Well I live down under, but might as well be up over because we have had a pretty poor summer. Lot of rain and few hot days. Even had the fire going in January! Unbelievable!
Being Sick is not good.
Ken
I hate Rust
Garry: " Down under" ? .... That is where we are when we are woring on wiring beneath our layouts ... Next month we can do "Duck under " ..... Are you perhaps thinking of Crocodile Duckdee? If so, maybe it’s this one https://ca.news.yahoo.com/video/daring-duck-plays-dangerous-game-164617145.html My version of this autoplayed, which was annoying. Other’s results “may vary” LOL
" Down under" ? .... That is where we are when we are woring on wiring beneath our layouts ... Next month we can do "Duck under " .....
Good evening ...
" Down under" ? .... That is where we are when we are woring on wiring beneath our layouts ...
Next month we can do "Duck under " .....
Good afternoon.
DONUTS?!? Thanks Steve!
Slow day at w**k today, snowstorm is probably not helping that. We have sold, so far, 7.98....
So, to go along with the donut, could I get a glass of milk Flo? Thanks.
Ulrich - Hoping for a positive outcome from the tests.
Well, back to w**k.... Er, uh, something like that anyways.
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.
Austrialian summer sounds good especially around here. We had a snowstorm here in the last few days and it has made the roads to the west a nightmare. A part of I-90 is closed due to three accidents in short distance. Pulling out my shorts and muscle shirts (or as I call them "ink shirts" to show my two tats off) sounds very good.
I am back from my day in our hospital. They did a number of test, which, if done one after another, would have taken not more than, say, two hours. I should have brought something to read with me, but as I didn´t I had to spend the time counting the tiles on the wall of the hallway. GRRR!!!
No results, yet - I have to show up for that on Friday!
Steven, thanks for bringing the box of donuts. I am going to wolf `em down - didn´t get anything to eat all day long!
angelob6660To bad they didn't standardize to one size.
That´d be quite boring, wouldn´t it? Oh, btw, American railroads alo have three different gauges, IIRC.
I hope you folks are happy with my choice of location for the month.
Today´s video does not only take us back to Japan, but also back to Winter. Enjoy today´s feature of steam and snow!
Morning diners,
Thanks Steven, I will have some chocolate donuts.
First of the month. I know that Australia has three different railroad gauge tracks. To bad they didn't standardize to one size.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
Hello all
Another day in paradise ! Overcast, temps in the low 50s....no snow or rain. Still 6 feet up, so it must be a good day !
Steve - Thank you for the donuts ! I love jelly filled and boston cream pie donuts
Ken - Hope your knee is okay ?
Ulrich - I agree with Henry "you do not have permission to leave us" !!! Hope your doc visit goes well !
Ed - LOL First trip was the lawyers . I looked at the trestle and frankly I do not think I would ride across that thing. I have seen way to many failures where, the wood is bolted to the face of another timber and it failed. I want to see it notched in and bolted ! Glue wouldnt hurt either !!!
Dave - Dont you hate it when one misses the obvious ! Like forgetting to soak the ballast. Sound like a few members need anger management !
Ricky W - How in the world do you sell in the middle of a remodel ?
Henry - I am with you on the Ulrich comment ! He just simply cant do that !
Let us take care of our rights and we therein take care of our prosperity. Slavery is ever preceded by sleep
Our Constitution is color-blind, and neither knows nor tolerates classes among citizens. In respect of civil rights, all citizens are equal before the law. The humblest is the peer of the most powerful.
A country cannot subsist well without liberty, nor liberty without virtue.
Good Morning,
Those donuts look good but as we are Down Under, I better have a brew and toast with Vegimite. No brew doesn't mean a beer, it is strong tea. That is the extent of my knowledge of local lingo.
Sure is hot here, but I shouldn't be surprised as it is summer. Mind you 35C is a big change from -20C.
There is a great Australian TV series called Sea Patrol that ran on a channel up here for some time. I watched all the episodes. You might be able to view it on Youtube.
I'm off for another class this afternoon. Yoga is on the agenda but I won't be able to participate yet. Think I will just do some laps on the track.
Laters,
CN Charlie
Good luck with your tests today, Ulrich.
Meanwhile: Someone brought in donuts today! Woohoo!
All right, I admit it, it was me.
BroadwayLionNot so many lawyers down there.
The lawyers were all invited to ride the first train that almost made it across the bridge!
Happy February, everyone!
Ed
gmpullmanI see there isn't a sign on the Puffing Billy to warn riders to "Keep Arms And LEGS Inside The Train At All Times"
Not so many lawyers down there. Maybe they do not take cases on whatever... maybe they can see that there is no point in litigating for the benefit of a dope doomed to loose.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Good morning all.
Zoe - Welcome back, glad to see you are feeling better. I will take a apple danish, and a large OJ please. Thanks.
Der & Howmus - Nice looking work, really good progress.
Ken - Well, sounds like we both had a "fun" day yesterday... I pulled muscles (almost every one) in my left leg trying to unload a trio refridgerator in the snow... Slipped on the wetness on the trailer deck plate. Not something you want to do when trying to move a large (400lbs plus, easily) fridge! Luckily, I didn't have it, or me, tumble off the trailer. (That could have ended really bad!) Hoping for (both) you (and me) to be able to move around better soon! (I'm just a little gimpy, but can handle it.)
Speaking of Snow - Lake effect today.... Yay! (Not really....) 6-12" today, more tonight... Already lots of incidents due to the weather... Going to be a "fun" day.
And, speaking of w**k - The new DM came last week, but bumped up his visit to a day early due to Leo, to Wednesday. He was very nice, and liked what we were doing, for the most part. We will be remodeling this month and next, moving around departments, and repainting the store.
Most likely going to pass the "opportunity" at the other location, as someithing just doesn't sit right with me on it.
Hope all are well, and will check in later. Enjoy the day!
EDIT: Corrected a auto-correct fail.... Stupid tablet thinks it's smarter than me and found out it wasn't...
Went to the club (which shall remain unnamed to protect the guilty) Tuesday night and got treated to two heated arguments.
One was about trying to keep ourselves from destroying the newly repaired parts of out travelling layout. The new repairs are on the outside edges of the layout where constant leaning on the surfaces had pretty much destroyed the scenery. Somebody said we should be able to lean on the layout if we want to. The guy who just spent several hours repairing the damage disagreed. (Can you blame him). That took the better part of 45 minutes to sort out before everybody calmed down. I thought at one point there was going to be fisticuffs!
The other was about whether or not we could fit an 18" x 18" cash dispenser into our floor plan for the upcoming sale. We have 10,000 sq. ft. of floor space. The person who had spent hours trying to fit all the vendors and displays into the available space was adamant (rather loudly I might add) that there was no more space! He is a rather senior citizen. We decided to not stress his heart anymore. We decided to defer to his opinion and see if we can fit the cash dispencer in next year.
Once the dust had settled, several of us got down to the job of replacing some rather lousy ballast. We pounded and scraped away at it for about an hour before I remembered that the easiest way to remove old ballast was to soak it first with a water/alcohol/soap solution. (Thanks to the forums for that suggestion). Once we did that the old ballast came up easily. What took us an hour to do poorly we could have done much better in ten minutes if we had soaked it first!
So, interesting night at the club!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Ah, the process of natural selection at work!
G'day Mates!
Great choice, Ulrich! Lots to see here. I've always wanted to visit the Sydney Opera House! Here's my chance, just an 881 km. side trip.
I see there isn't a sign on the Puffing Billy to warn riders to "Keep Arms And LEGS Inside The Train At All Times"
Photo by Diliff; Creative Commons
Neat Stuff...
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Ulrich, during your hospital stay...
Regards, Ed