herrinchokerI enjoyed the videos of the ore trains, about how long are they, generally---?
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Free donuts far all again, get them will they last. Enjoy.
Modeling on the cheap
Evening Diners
Flo I will have a please and if Ed makes it in, given him a Royal Crown on the rocks.
Strange Day At Work. Was dead till 12:20 PM. Saw a woman over at Mattress Firm across the street get in a pick up when she left. She reminded me of the lady that was mean on the Drew Carry show. She had blonde hair, over weight and wearing short shorts that did not fit! Thought to myself "bet she is coming here" and again I was not looking forward having her in the store. (there I go sort of prejuding again)
5 minutes later, she was in my store. Well she did not have much make up as the lady on Drew Carry Show but still was not a plesent sight. (sure she was thinking the same about me!) After she came in 20 minutes all heck broke lose! Again they came so fast and left so fast I had know idea how many people came in.
After 3:00 PM store was dead. But it was a good day! Had $2756.00 in sales! Best sale? Lady that looked like she was from the Drew Carry show! She spent $1420.00 plus tax and I made a extra $175.00 to boot! I would have never guessed that.
Gary Yep it is strange that the Mighty B&O F7's have sound again, two nights in a row yet!
CNCharlieKen, the cancer was found in a biopsy that was done a year ago. My PSA was rising and via the 'glove' the urologist said my prostate was enlarged
Charlie So first they found a higher PSA level in a blood test then they went to the glove. I need to find out if the VA is testing for PSA levels. Far as having the Glove Test, that would not be a problem! With all the Companys I have worked for having something shoved up my Caboose the sizes of a finguer would be easy!
Ken
I hate Rust
yougottawanta FRRYKid - That is fascinating. Grinding paper up in a blender ? Would never have occured to me...You know on a construction site there is dust EVERYWHERE and I just thought that the dust on the switcher was prototypical especially given that your RR is under construction
FRRYKid - That is fascinating. Grinding paper up in a blender ? Would never have occured to me...You know on a construction site there is dust EVERYWHERE and I just thought that the dust on the switcher was prototypical especially given that your RR is under construction
I've used the ground newspaper for quite awhile. When getting landscaping material is as difficult as it is for me, you learn to improvise and it is eco-friendly. I even blown up at least two blenders using that idea. (Water leaking on one. Over taxing the motor on another.) The use of the colander to remove the excess water is a fairly recent innovation.
The dust on the switcher isn't from the construction. The building that I have my layout in was formerly used as a chicken coop. As a result there is still a lot of dust floating around and it sometimes gets quite dry on the ranch and dust gets blown around. The switcher is an older Walthers SW1 with the rubber tube replaced by some NWSL driveline components.
I am back from my first bike ride in over a month. While it was good to get out, it is a little discouraging as to how much fitness you can loose being knocked on your butt for a month. I just have to remind myself that 14 is greater than 0.
I received a reminder email at work today telling me that my password was set to expire in 14 days. That's okay I thought, I am set to expire in 8.
Richard
Good afternoon all.
Flo - A nice pulled pork sandwich, with fries, and a Coke please. Thanks.
Weather - Very nice for mid February! It is 53, and sunny!
W**k - Slow day yesterday. I only made two sales, but one was for a good one, I made just under $27 in spiffs and commission off of it alone. Add in the second one, I made about $28 in commission and spiff money... Not too bad considering my daily sales were under $800!
Trains - Airbrushing today! Middle of February and I am airbrushing! Doing primer on a undecorated boxcar kit, and weathered some freight car trucks. (Wheelsets will be hand painted.) If I get to it, might do some flat clear coating of some assembled car kits to prepare for pastel weathering.
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.
Hobby Barn pouring the garage area using the Pump Truck
Here is an early photo from this morning with the grade beams in teh garage area poured.
Good Morning Diners,
Flo, I'll have an extra large coffee with lots of cream, please.
Just checking in. Been keeping up with the posts somewhat, but don't have anything earth shaking to contribute to the discussion.
Ive wanted my own kitchen and bath design studio for some time. It's a dream in progress. I drove past a small sign that said $10/ SF. That would be to rent a store front. If one was to rent at that rate, 1000 SF would cost $10000/ mo. Many K&B showrooms are in the 3-5000 SF range. That's a lot of money Per month!!
This may be a dream that doesn't have a prayer.
Assuming I could do this, each seat of design software is around $3000, the computers to run it all on would be 1500 each. Then around $500 each for additional software (Office, accounting, etc) for each license. Plus furniture for the office and workstations. Then, there's cabinet vignettes, plus sinks, plumbing fixtures, and lighting.
Does anyone have any winning lottery tickets they could spare?
Lastly, location can be critical, depending on the targeted client demographic. If one is offering very high end cabinetry, one wouldn't want to locate the business in a run down or industrial neighborhood, or vise versa with contractor grade cabinets.
Oh well, thanks for allowing me to rant.
Hello to everyone, and I hope everyone is OK, safe, and warm.
Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)
Good eavening all !!!
Train front - The BIG day has arrived. The pump truck and concrete trucks have all arrived and we are POURING the slab today. New set back ! Carpenter cannot get here until March 2nd I am a bit frustrated by this. I was in the line up and he bumped me for our contract manager and put him ahead of me who is also having work performed. Never the less I am lining up friends and family and will start framing this coming Saturday with out him ! He will get to do what we havent finished. Just means less money paid out and longer build time. I also recieved a Walthers mini catalog in the mail. Dog eared and circled a lot of scenic detail stuff I would like to have. Do you remember when you were a kid and the Christmas Catalogues came out and one would spend hours on end dreaming and relooking at the toy section ?It is like that all over again when I get a train catalog.
W**k front - I am (supposed to be) off today for Presidents day. HOWEVER the plumbers turned on the water in one of our houses and leaks are springing up everywhere. Phone is RINGING OFF OF THE HOOK ! We think there may be some payback going on between the plumber and the cabinet guy. They did a 'sidejob" together and the plumber mechanic did the work half way, the stupid cabinet guy trusted him and paid him in full and then the plumber disappeared. I expect more trouble....
MoeLarry - Mississippi trooper are incredible. Years ago my sisters son was killed in a car accident. As we were driving to the cemetary we passed a African American trooper. As we went by he stood at attention and took off his hat and held it over his heart. The symbol of respect in our hour of sorrow choked me up. One does not see that here in my area. It was even more incredible given that where my sisiter lived at that time is where the movie " Mississippi burning" took place. Much has changed for the better.
Garry - Morning to you also
Dave - What was the cost of the radio add where you live. Here it would be crazy expensive. Like $50k +! for top radio programs. Only 1%, not knowing these things that sounds like a small percentage. I believe you though.
Rich - Love your stories keep em coming
Tom - The war bonnet has an interesting way it has faded on the war bonnet red section. I wonder how one would weather that on HO scale ?
James - Free tickets ? WOW hope you had a great time.Was it a good game ? I have only been to one hockey game in my life ( Capitals game ) they scored five goals. It was a fun evening.
CN - GREAT NEWS ! I am so glad you recieved that great report. I am sure YOH is relieved also !
Lion - Lion slept in ? I thought Lions prowled all night and slept during the day ? Is teh "ham" wildebeast ham ?
Ed - The photo is odd looking. There are parts that are sharply focused and sections that are fuzzy. And the two guys with that hat. Looks like the same guy in the front just a shorter version. Very interesting photo. Thanks for sharing.
JaBear - Thanks for the photo. Man that is a lot of smoke ! If that was a passenger train would hate to be the ones in the back !
Rickyw- The protesters didnt like the extra time off. The plumber super was harder on his men than I was. He told his men if they took off they could just keep off !
Howmus - King was fist a Pastor and I beleive he borrowed that qoute from this qoute. "...and have not charity, I become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal...have not charity, I am nothing, though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor...and have not charity, it profith me nothing. Charity suffereth long,is kind..envieth not, charity vaunteth not iteself up, is not puffed up etc... there is many more stanzas to it and if you want to PM me I will respond where to find it.
Alvie - Auction site ? Can you PM me with the site ?
JLehnert - Do you fly to INOVA on Gallows road
Angel - You are welcome. Feel free to PM anytime
Der - Can you PM your email address again. Changed phones and teh import did not carry through with your email address.
Herrinchoker - Speaking of wild turkeys - Yesterday on the way to church we had a flock of wild turkeys cross the road in front of us. I think there were about 6. My father in law who hunts them said they are one of the smartest wild animals out there. Who would have known !
Dave - You are correct. One should neve build on concrete less than seven days of curing time. However I am not building on the slab. I am building on the walls which have been poured for about a month and I half. Very good ! How did you know that ? Not many folks outside of concrete buisness know that !
History qoute of the day:
But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.
But what do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American war? The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people; a change in their religious sentiments, of their duties and obligations...This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people was the real American Revolution.
Heartland Division CB&Q FRRY .... Your enginehouse is impressive.
FRRY .... Your enginehouse is impressive.
Thank you. That is not the only big building that I have on that layout, either.
Good Morning,
A drizzly day here as promised. Mind you I estimate a third of the snow has melted which is a good thing. According to the flood forecast, there is a good chance there will be one this year as the ground is saturated and there has been a lot of snow in the watershed. It all depends on the melt rate and the amount of moisture we get in the spring. Thank goodness for the floodway.
Ken, the cancer was found in a biopsy that was done a year ago. My PSA was rising and via the 'glove' the urologist said my prostate was enlarged so a biopsy was done. That is a process done via the glove route whereby a spring loaded needle is fired through to the prostate a dozen times. It isn't much fun but at least they 'freeze' it. I suppose that is more info than you wanted but right now this whole prostate thing is top of mind. Again, get your PSA tested annually. Doing so saved my life.
I don't think I will attach the nozzles to the hoses on the Sunoco gas pumps as they are way out of scale. They must be about 4' long. The pumps are a very old version and certainly not those used by Sunoco in the mid '50s. I am very familiar with Sunoco blender pumps as I had many occasion to set the pricing pins on them when I was a rep for Sunoco in the early '70s. It sure seems like a long time ago now, almost in a different life. All the Sunoco stations are now gone in Canada. I looked for one on my last trip to London in 2011 but then found out they had been sold to Petro Canada.
Today is a holiday in our province. It is Louis Riel day. He was a Metis leader who really was the founding father of our province but then went on to lead a rebellion that ultimately resulted in his being hanged for treason. His family home is an historic site on the river not far from where I live. Such holidays don't matter much anymore. Retirement will do that.
I just found out this week that the current owners( Lowes) of the hardware distribution business where I worked for 35 years are closing the Winnipeg office and DC. It is one of the largest warehouses in the city at over 400,000 S.F. Back in the '80s it employed 250 in the office and 200 out in the DC. Now it has about 50 people in the office.
I think I have rambled on enough for one day. Hope I didn't bore you too much.
CN Charlie
Good morning,
Have been away for a bit. Work and taking some time away for the PC.
Had a small adventure on the road yesterday, the upper radiator hose came loose and blew most of the coolant out. So there we sat, I-55 in Mississippi. I normally bring tools on raod trips and did not this time. We called the motorist assist program of the highway patrol just to see if they could take us to the next exit so we could get water and a flat head screwdriver. About an hour later two troopers showed up, one with a jug of water. and one with a flat head screwdriver. we were back on the road in 10 mins after clamp tighten and fillup. One trooper follwed us to the exit with available services to make sure we made it ok.
after buying a set of tools for the car ( that will stay with the car ) and a back up jug of coolant I checked things and we had no issues for the rest of the trip.
I was not expecting them to bring me water and a screwdriver.
Good morning, everybody ..... I'll have coffee and a donut please. .... A sticky bun would have been good, but Lion has not been here this morning.
Rich .... Sounds like you had a lot of fun running trains.
Dave ... Glad your club's show was a success.
Ken ... Mighty Strange ... hmmmmm.
Tom .... The Santa Fe warbonnet has been a favorite of mine. It is sad, however, to see the weathered version in your photo.
Happy Model Railroading !
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Evening all! Whoever happens to be manning the Diner tonight: While it isn't "late" night, could I get my traditional order of breaded mushrooms with blue cheese dressing. Thank you some much.
Hobby Front: As promised I have pictures of the new monster engine house. I also have pictures of the area that I rebuilt the afternoon.
Starting Point once the original track and cork was removed but before the river bed was removed and before the sag was discovered. (From last week.) Cork reinstalled. (It had to be removed and reinstalled due to lumps and humps and the deck was also smoothed with a Surfoam tool.) Area with screen installed and covered with the paper mâché. (I did manage to stab myself with a nail a couple of times. The nail didn't stay in the wood when I was trying to nail down the screen and stuck to the hammer and I didn't catch it. OUCH! The paper mâché is newsprint ground in a blender with a great deal of water. Resultant mixture is throw into colander to drain the excess water then it is used on the screen.) Side of engine house. (All 22" of it.) SW1 switcher (Hence the colors of the engine house. Apologies for the dust.) Front of engine house. (The track clearance issue was not noticed when the engine house was planned out. It will be hopefully fixed next week.) Detail of the riverbed in the cut into the hill.
I don't quite have the area completed to what it was before the tearout as I need to fill the cut back in. This area had to be torn apart when the river bed had to be removed. The fill was built on top of the original screen. (Last week I was discussing this with Mom and I relized that the original screen that was used came from a screen that was replaced at my now late maternal Grandmother's house. She passed in 2001. Additionally, the foam pieces that were used to build the hill came from a job that I had in 1996-97 and the summer of 98. These point that the area had been built close to 20 years ago.
We just got in the door from my club's annual show and sale (Barrie Allandale Railroad Modellers) and I have to report that it was a roaring success! We had a huge turnout and most of the vendors were very happy. It was three days of hard work, especially the set up and take down (us oldtimers don't really care for handling 150+ rental tables!) but it paid off. We attribute the success primarily to two things. First, the weather was gorgeous - 10C (50F) both days and sunny. That is in Ontario, Canada in the middle of February! We could have had a howling blizzard. The second was that we invested in radio advertizing for the first time. We ran two spots a day for six days during morning and evening rush hours on the two most popular local stations, plus we got mention during their contest spots because we gave the stations family passes for prizes. We managed to draw in more than 1% of the stations' listening audiences. If you understand advertizing ratios you will know that that is a pretty respectable result.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Flo, Ed will have a Crown Royal and I will have a please.
CN Charlie Great News! How did they find out you had Cancer in the first places. Blood test or Rubber Glove?
Work Front What the sales God's give, they can take can all so take away. While today was not busy, nor was it slow. Had a whole $776.00 dollars in sales, well better than a stick in the eye. Not looking forward to Monday with it being a Holiday. Most holiday suck at this store. 19 places with in 3 mile square miles that sell mattress. Normally get a lot of Frame Kickers (tire kickers) that want to look at every store in that 3 square mile area.
Mighty Strange B&O F7's. Seems they feel like speaking tonight? Did nothing to make them to start making sound, just did? They do not sound good, they have a lot of static in the sound. Mo, Culey and Larry any ideas?
Later, Ken
Good evening all, nice to be able swing by and grab a bite..........Flo, I'll have a large cup of hi-test and two boston creams, please and thank you.
Nice to take a break for a bit. Getting back into the weekly grind is taking some getting used to again. It's been pretty quiet on the HVBL up until last night. We had the LV come through with a solid line up of coal hoppers from a few different roads.
The PRR was running a private party excursion with an RS3 and an old heavyweight observation car that was detailed up by my dad.
The CNJ came through on main number two with an old reefer train and then hooked up to a string of empties headed back to home rails.
Dispatch called at the end of the night and told us to be on the look out for the PRR scrap train sometime on Monday. We also have a local constuction company looking to put in some new roads and highways. Some of the locals have been complaining about the dirt roads and rough grade crossings. Guess I better get my act together.
Flo, I have another cup of hi-test please.........
Rich
CN Charlie - I'm very happy for you. I would imagine quite a weight has been lifted from your shoulders.
Dinner tonigt was a chuck roast, mashed potatoes & gravy, whole kernel corn, chocolate pudding & a wine from Seneca Lake. As usual I over ate & now need a nap.
Weather here this weekend was absolutely terrific, but very unseasonable. Mid to high 60s both days. I will admit that I'm having some problems this year with the temperature fluculations. I just wish the temperatures would go one way or the other, then stay there.
Railfanning was excellent. 27 trains in all.
15 intermodal
10 mixed freights
1 coal
1 crude oil
Foreign power was a couple each of UP & BNSF. One of the BNSF however was a War Bonnet. I knew they had a couple, but this is the 1st time I've seen one. Kind of dirty & tired looking, but neat all the same.
Tom
Pittsburgh, PA
Heartland Division CB&QLion .... Ham steaks ? .... Where is the roast beast ?
LION did not chose menu.
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
CN Charlie .... Wow ! ..That is fantastic news from your doctor! I'm pleased to hear it.
Ed ... I like the photo of the old rail bus with interurabns in the background. Definately, the good old days.
Der .... You menioned Ulrich and aid he wants tp keep to himself for a while. I certin wish Ulrich the best and look foreard to seeing him return here. Hopefully soon.
Bear .... I saw a report in the news about scientists saying there is a lost continent under New Zealand. I suppose, if somebody wants to hide something, New Zealand is the place to do that. LOL
Lion .... Ham steaks ? .... Where is the roast beast ?
Jim M ... Perhaps bathing dogs in the tub causes drains to stop up.
Nice weather today here. I worked on the old Porsche earlier this afternoon.
Good Afteroon,
Say Jim, which symphony did you hear? Beethoven's 7th is one of my favourite pieces of music.
I did open the package of those Sunoco pumps and find you have to form and glue on the nozzle and hose. That ought to be fun considering they are metal and very small. Think I'll do it another day. Might just run the HO a bit. I have the Pacific pulling a short train of heavyweights on the tracks now. I did run the N scale yesterday for a few minutes but the Kato PAs were hesitating so track and wheel cleaning is in order. I find N to be very fussy about track and wheel cleanliness and frustrating in that regard. I don't plan on spending any further on the N layout but will finish it eventually. If I had to do it over, I likely wouldn't. I built it because I had thought we might move to a condo in B.C. but I doubt that will happen now.
Just finished playing with Robbie. He sure enjoys chasing and retrieving toys. They get a good shake too. I tell him to whack it and he does.
Good afternoon, it's a hockey weekend for us as we went to a Columbus Blue Jackets - Pittsburg Penguins game in Columbus Friday and have another game to see tonight. Daughter's employer offered a three ticket deal to promote the Blue Jackets. Two of the three games we picked happened to be this weekend. Last night we attended the local symphony orchestra's winter concert. Nice music. The lady sitting next to me used to play cello in the orchestra and told me that this performance concludes performing all of Beethoven's orchestral symphonies.
Just finished the nasty job of cleaning out the bath tub trap. Then gave the dog a much needed bath as see had started to have the dirty dog aroma. She is funny about getting a bath, big battle to get in the tub but then just relaxes and go with the flow. Our last airedale before Adele would voluntarily get in the tub for a bath.
Hope everyone has a good week upcoming.
CN Charlie, great news about your health. That has to be a tremendous relief.
Jim
Another very mild day here but it is cloudy. We should get up to 40F today and then rain tomorrow. Amazing for this time of year. It isn't supposed to last much longer as we expect to be back to normal by Thursday which means 20F.
I had some great news on Friday. I met with the urologist who did the surgery and all tests have come back showing the cancer to be gone so no follow up treatment is needed. Looks like it was caught just in time though so I regard myself as being very lucky.
I did have an appointment with a physiotherapist on Friday as I have Plantar Fasciitis in my right heal. It is an inflamation that makes walking painful at times. Luckily it can be treated so I have an exercise plan and further treatments planned with the therapist. I have to wear this special sock at night that pulls the toes up to stretch the muscle in the foot. It isn't painful and doesn't interfere with sleep.
I haven't done anything with either layout lately. Just can't get motivated. I have new Sunoco gas pumps to install to replace the Gulf ones but just haven't done it.
We have been going out a fair bit though. We went out for lunch Friday to celebrate the good news from the Doc, and then again yesterday with friends.
Time I did something here. Not sure what.
Ham Steaks and Baked Potatoes for Dinner.
LIONS get to sleep in and let the cooks do all of the work.
ROAR
Hello...?
Humm, looks like it is self-serve day at the Diner. Flo? Chloe? Brunhilda...
Well, I'll just help myself to a bear-claw maple-pecan sticky bun and a cup of mud to go.
Another 60° day here in NE Ohio! I'm going out for a "walkabout".
See you all later, I hope everyone is doing fine.
How's this for a neat little critter to model? Looks like everyone is having fun!
Regards, Ed
Good morning ...
Bear ... Videos were very interesting. Thanks for sharing ..
Ricky ... That is remarkable about the broken Kadee coupler shank. I once bent one, but usually stuff like that does not happen with Kadees.
Ken ... Glad your sales are doing well.
JaBear,
I enjoyed the videos of the ore trains, about how long are they, generally---?
angelob6660I created that particular paint scheme but with a scarlet red instead of blue without the logo
Cheers, the Bear.
Good evening all.
Zoe - A RBF please. Thanks.
Howmus - Only 60? We hit 73+ here!!!
Cudaken - Wow! Wish my day was that succesful!
YGW - Maybe the protestors will ask permission next time... Or maybe they will protest the unwanted mini vacation!
Weather - Official high record set today, 70 even at ERI (Erie International Airport), but my way hit at least 73, maybe higher. Lowest high in the next 5 days is a whopping 45... Normally we are doing good hitting anything above freezing! Shots at records on Sunday, Thursday and Friday before a cold front is forecasted to come through.
W**k - Ken beat my entire stores sales today! We did, total, just under 1700 in sales. Not a good Saturday for our store, weather was just too nice to spend it shopping must be!
Trains - Well, have a first (for me), today... I snapped a actual Kadee coupler shank tonight! Had the coupler knuckle, trip pin, and a piece of the shank on one section, the rest of the shank still attached to the loco!
No, I was not trying to pull everything from the yard, including the yard! At least not with a Bachmann loco... Athearn BB maybe.... But not Bachmann...
Yes, I am sure it was an actual Kadee, as I replaced it myself, then replaced it again tonight....
That was the clue to stop with the trains for the night... Who knows what would have happened next!!!
Although, I did save the pieces, so I might stage a photo shoot, with a pulled drawbar somewhere, and a supervisor looking over the issue.
And, yes, the engineer was verbally chastised. Although he blamed the maintenance dept... Who then blamed the purchasing dept.... Who then claimed it was due to "metal fatigue".... Likely story.....
Well, Goodnight everyone.
Hope all are well, and all enjoy the day!