Eveing Diners
Flo, Ed with have a Royal Crown on the Rocks, give Bob and Mike what ever they like and I have a please. Flo, did Bob bring any sliders?
Ed Thanks for picking up my slack for YGW.
Hum, how to turn off back ground programs on XP? Tonight I looked it up on line. MSCONFIG. That is the same way I did on Windows 98. Getting old sucks. Will try it Saturday after I get home. Did not want any computer problems tonight, well ever but I am sure you know what I mean.
DC Mighty B&O F7b. In this case DC stands for Dazed & Confussed. Yep, tonight it was dead again, just sat there like a lump. Will do another decoder reset but I see a DH 166 decoder in it's Futer.
Later, Ken
I hate Rust
Evening all,
Since Mother Nature is bipolar and it's back down to 25 degrees after being 80 on Thursday, I'll have a nice Hot Fudge Sunday, hold the nuts.
Henry - Didn't know that I was in such esteemed company. Three years ago this spring I had my aortic valve replaced for the same reason. No souvenir pictures though.
Ed - I attended several knee replacement surgeries while doing clinical rotations. They still look like an episode of This Old House.
YGW - Sounds like a hectic week. Surprised that you survived the meeting with the FM. Usually when you argue with the inspectors it's like arguing with your wife..... Even if you win, you still loose.
Doing the 911 gig tonight. Three calls so far tonight, and two of them have been at motels that advertise "great weekly and monthly rates". Definitely NOT 4 star quality. I frequently stayed at one of them 17 years ago when I was building my house, but things have gone down hill since then. Now I lock the doors to the ambulance while I'm inside the patients room.
Finally got started on a new layout. GE Appliance Park is still on the horizon, but I decided that it wasn't the wisest move to start with that monster as the first layout after a 30 year absence. Now I'm working on some modular pieces that will help refresh the skills and give me something to play with while working on the larger stuff.
Tried cutting some extruded foam, but the first attempt was less than successful. The cut had more of a reptilian shape than a straight edge. Wrong type of blade and wrong technique. Will make another attempt this week.
Been doing a lot of browsing for plans. Came across Spookshow's "Confessions of a Mediocre Modeler". All I can say is that I aspire to "mediocrity".
Time to hit the sack again. Hopefully will get to sleep until shift change at 0800.
DC Jim
Thank Ken, cheers!
YGW. Those must have been some thick grade beams. I actually did an early retirement at 62, in July of 2011, as the union expects 63 as a full retirement age. I took a tiny, tiny hit on my pensions for it, but nothing I miss.
I was a member of the BAC (Bricklayers and Allied Craftsman) for a short time, so I get a small pension from that, but I was in the OPCMIA Local 599 for 30 yrs. http://opcmia599.com/ where my main pension comes from.
Back in the early 80's, I was a forman for a mason and concrete firm that did hundreds of basements, block, brick, etc., in all of the fast growing subdivisions around the Milwaukee / Waukesha, WI area. On a typical 12 to 1400 sq. ft. ranch, 3 of us, 2 finishers and a laborer were expected to have the garage floor, basement floor, and front and back stoops done and out of there in two days.
On the 3000 and up sq. ft houses, I got an extra finisher and an extra day, maybe 2. You have to keep moving, but all in all, where else are you going to get a good pension and excellent health coverage, for life!
I spent the last 20 years working for a huge GC, WWTF's, was where I spent a lot of time.
Your shed looks like a great idea, train room with a basement, and garage.
See you all later diners!
Mike.
My You Tube
Afternoon diners,
yougottawanta Angel - I am very interested in the Wood land Plug system. Can you keep us posted on how that goes ?
Angel - I am very interested in the Wood land Plug system. Can you keep us posted on how that goes ?
I just planning on placing them on without lighting it up. If the layout was more permanent I might turn them on.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
jlehnert Tried cutting some extruded foam, but the first attempt was less than successful. The cut had more of a reptilian shape than a straight edge. Wrong type of blade and wrong technique. Will make another attempt this week.
Try using a hot knife. I use a lot of bead board type foam for my hill construction. (A lot of recycled packing blocks from irrigation pipe and sheets of beadboard insulation.) If I don't use the hot knife, it creates a great mess but the hot knife melts the foam and the "beads" don't get all over the place. It does take a bit of practice to get the cuts exactly right but it is a very handy tool.
Hobby Front: Got the decal sheets that I had ordered. First piece of business is to get a coating of decal protectant on them. Even if they are new from the company, I put a coating on them. (Improves the strength of them especially on stripes.) I got three of them sprayed last night and need to get the other three sprayed. (The area I use is only big enough for three sheets.)
DC Jim, to cut foam I use a hot wire that I bought at Michaels. It is battery powered, was cheap, and it works very well. No mess.
Another cold day here so a good one for a little work on the layout. I should be able to get the last of the ground foam down this weekend.
CN Charlie
Evening Diners?
Flo, wake up! I will have a , if Ed and Jim make it in given them a as well.
DC Jim On cutting foam I use a razor blade. If it a 2" thick section, I make the first cut, bend a little and cut again. You might try a cheap Harbor Freight razor knife for opening boxes. There blade slides out and will get around 4" long. (blade can be broken off bit by bit) I thing they are around 49 cents or so.
For craving the foam I use a bread knife. Yes, it makes a mess but that is why I have a shop vac. On semi smooth slopes I use a sanding block and 220 grit sand paper. Again, it makes a mess but I like the resulits.
Der- Progress is looking good. Don't worry about the missing scenery ideas it will come in time.
"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.
My favorite tool for cutting foam is a snap blade. I tried steak knives and a hot wire cutter and, for me, neither came anywhere near to the results from the snap blade. By controlling the length of the exposed blade, you can control the amount of bend in the blade which is great for shaping. Hands down, my favorite.
One other foam tip, for what it is worth. When it comes time to sweep up all of the static-infused strips, a light mist from a water bottle neutralizes the static and makes it much easier to sweep up.
Richard
Good morning ...
Just out of curiousity, does Daylight Savings time cause climate change ? ....
It's cool here now.
Continuing with this months theme. As a kid, I rode on various trains in Wisconsin between Chicago and the Minnesota. (I grew up near Chicago.) The Milwaukee Road named its trains "Hiawathas". This photo shows one of them leaving Chicago for Milwauee and points beyond.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Good morning! I almost missed morning. I took an antihistamine too early yesterday, then had a couple of beers at the bar. I've got a bit of a cold still, and with the clock change it was almost noon by the time I got up. It's very cold right now, and Tuesday we could get a foot of snow. This is not what I'd expected for March this year after all the bike riding I was able to do since winter started.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Good Afternoon!
Spring has finally sprung in my neck of the woods! It´s a bright and sunny day, not too warm yet, just comfortable, nice for going on a walk!
I rescued my Rhaetian Railway Crocodile from its display and gave it a workout on my layout. I hadn´t run it since early December last year, so in order to celebrate the occasion I coupled it up to my "Albula Experience" special, which consists of an open panorama car, a vintage passenger car and a couple of freight cars.
Here is a short video of the event:
Talking of cutting foam - I tried quite a few different ways, from a steak knife to a hot knife and finally, my trusted Japanese saw I bought for this purpose about a year ago. The Japanese saw worked the best, but only on that pink or blue Styrofoam, Gatorfoam or whatever the brand name is in your neck of the woods. I don´t use that beaded stuff at all - Petra would kill me if I did. You´ll find those beads in places you would not think of!
We are not yet on DST in Europe - the change will come in two weeks. I am looking forward to have the sun set an hour later! Talking of which - it´s slowly getting dark here right now!
Have a great one!
What is this "Daylight Saving Time" of which you speak?
Ulrich: My son has been near your neck of the woods for the past week. As part of the MBA program he is enrolled in, they have been visiting various businesses in Germany. This week they visited Sennheiser and Continental. (I am running Conti's on my road bike.) In addition to businesses they have done a little sightseeing, visiting the Wieliczka Salt Mine, Auschwitz and Birkenau.
Strong coffee in an Undecorated mug, please.
***Ulrich, I like that train vid. Always thought the Crocodile was especially neat looking.
Back to wearing the winter jacket out on the ol' farm here. Looking forward to summer, whenever it finally arrives.
Cheers! Rob
Afternoon folks!
Chloe, just a cup of hot chocolate right now. I've been doing the laundry down cellar which is a good excuse to stay down there and get some lighting moving and reinstallation done on the layout. Which, of course is not happening easily... Have to9 hold up an 8' long piece of masonite white baord material in place with one hand while screwing the ting in place with the other at the same time.... My back is already screaming at me to stop and I will have some other muscles showing their presence by morning.
Ulirich, good to see you Sir! And good that you have been "working on the Railroad". I'll catch the video later tonight.... Need to get to the grocery store to "Stock Up".
We are under a Winter Storm Watch here in the Finger Lakes for the next few days.... Buffalo Weather Service says:
"... WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING... * LOCATIONS... MONROE... WAYNE... NORTHERN CAYUGA... LIVINGSTON AND ONTARIO COUNTIES. * TIMING... FROM EARLY MONDAY EVENING THROUGH EARLY WEDNESDAY EVENING. * HAZARDS... HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW. * ACCUMULATIONS... 9 TO 17 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE. * WINDS... NORTH 15 TO 25 MPH. * VISIBILITIES... AS LOW AS A QUARTER MILE AT TIMES."
Fun, fun, fun! Tomorrow should be fine during the day, but then.... Tomorrow I have to get up a couple hours early to be at my son's house to go over to Granddaughter #1's School. She is is recieving a Major Academic Award I hear! Then Wednesday I am supposed to be over there to meet them getting off the bus. If they even have school and if I can get my driveway plowed out in time. Who knows?
I am finishing up a Clinic I will be presenting at out combined Lakeshores Division and Central NY Division NMRA Meet next Saturday. We will be announcing a Major development that is happening and will have some, ah, shall we say High Mukky Mucks in attendance. Can't share on here what is happening yet....
Sun is shining and trying to clear off the solar panels before they get a foot or two of sn*w on them over the next few days...
Gotta get moving!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Henry:
http://www.ozarkmountainrailcar.com/index_rw.asp
Made link clickable. All you needed to do was hit the return key before pasting the link, and then after pasting it. It has to stand free of other text.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
There is a model railroading aspect to this post. You will have to read the third paragraph to find it.
For those birders among us, Dianne and I just got back from Long Point on Lake Erie. We saw literally thousands of ducks! More than I have ever seen. The waters close to the shore in what is called The Inner Bay were thick with ducks for at least 10 kms. There are several small ports along the shore of the bay where you can get close to the water. At each port the ducks were thick as far as the eye could see in either direction. We identified nine different duck species but no doubt there were more. We also saw Mute Swans, Common Mergansers, and a Bald Eagle. It was bitterly cold in the wind but most of the birds had brains enough to be out of the wind as much as possible so we did most of our birding in those areas. Much of the time we could park close enough to the water to be able to watch from the comfort of the van.
Now the model railroading connection. We stayed at a wonderful B&B. Last night a second couple arrived and this morning we enjoyed breakfast together. The conversation eventually came around to spare time activities and of course model railroading was mentioned. It turned out that the husband, Terry, works at a hobby shop in Kingsville called Action Hobbies. I deal with Action Hobbies all the time! I had spoken to Terry on several occasions in the past! Small world! There is a theory called 'Seven Degrees of Separation'. For those not familiar with the theory, it is suggested that all of us are only seven people removed from everyone else in the world. You know somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody..... and by the time you get to the seventh person in the chain it could link you to anyone on the planet. I view it with a bit of scepticism but it is an interesting theory none the less.
Take care everyone!
RideOnRoadWhat is this "Daylight Saving Time" of which you speak?
You cut an inch of string off one end and tie it on the other end and you have saved an inch of string. At least I think that's how it works??
Here is YGW's Photo Progress Report:
Here is Saturdays efforts. This is, believe it or not is ten hours work for four men ! We installed two rows of 2x12 blocking for joist stiffners, finished installing the subfloor, moved two hacks of plywood from the driveway down the hill closer to the building, precut about 50 studs, built 4 headers for the windows, cut 6- Jack's studs, started the first wall, loaded all of the trash into the pickup for haul off. - OH MY ACHING BACK
Busy weekend for me. I'll try to stop in later tonight.
Best wishes to all,
Ed
Thank you for the kind welcomes, folks. I think maybe I'll try the toast!
Evening Diners,
Ed- That's a lot of process within what one day or two?
Ulrich- Its been a while since I saw the back of that layout. I forgot were there people inside your passenger coaches?
Der- I found this post for you. http://forum.atlasrr.com/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=42852
It seems that bridges were built on grades.
My layout process hasn't really coming along as I thought. It might be postponed until later this year but no longer than next year.
I still need to buy a lot of non train materials that are really slowing me down. I never really thought I would need all these things.
I think I am really an armchair modeler and likes buying locomotives, rolling stock and drawing a trains and track plans.
Evening, or is it afternoon? Either way Hello.
Flo, Ed and I will have a Royal Crown on the rocks please.
Work Front Weekend. Real strange one, was slow but a good slow? Saturday only 3 customers, all 3 bought for $2056.00 and today 3 customers and 2 bought for $2200.00 in sales? Bad side, each customer seem to take for ever. Today the last one took 2 hours, the sale was simple. Getting the Futon is his Mercedes E class. Lets just say I was glad when he did what I told him might work and got him out of the store.
Gamp Do you work for White Castle? Was wondering why you are using them in your Icon?
Computer Front. Did the MSCONFIG and it has helped. Have not tried walmart site yet which really dragged down the computer. Photo Bucket is still slow, but better than it was.
Mint tea, please.
Actually made it into the train room. The original HO layout has Bach EZ track (Worlds Greatest Hobby pack plus some extra trackage). Took out the Kato W.G.H. version and that track is not in the same dimension. Bummer, I was hoping to remove the Bach and replace with Kato without having to alter areas and move structures, etc. on the layout. Main problem is I didn't do a good job of ballasting the Bach track and those auto gates were starting to get glitchy. I could start with all new Bach stuff and just not put any ballast between the rails. At this point, I care less about looks than I do function. Just want to run trains smoothly.
Almost time for late night horse feed rounds. Take care all.
YGW Beautiful area
Howmus They have been talking about this Nor'Easter since Thursday. Panic grocery buying has been in effect since Friday. No snow expected till 9 pm Monday.
My wife sprained her ankle yesterday and the phamacy is out of Lortab until Monday People have stocked up on anything. The way she complains, it's a wonder you don't see a big chunk of bone sticking out from her skin.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
angelob6660Ed- That's a lot of process within what one day or two?
Keep in mind, Angelobob, I'm acting in behalf of YGW by posting the photos for him.
Any progress is to his credit
angelob6660It seems that bridges were built on grades.
One of my favorite railroad engineering marvels is the Thomas Viaduct in Relay, Maryland.
http://www.asce.org/project/thomas-viaduct-railroad-bridge/
Built in 1833-35 on a 4.5° curve and a .14% decending grade. The top "deck" was built to 26' 4"! Can you imagine the forethought, in 1833 to build a bridge that STILL carries CSX trains on double track!
If I'm not mistaken, Benjamin H. Latrobe, the Assistant Engineer of the B&O, was only 25 when he designed the bridge. Given the difficult conditions and the fact that this bridge is still in daily use 182 years later I think the B&O made a pretty good investment!
Regards, Ed
Hi cudaken,
No, but some friends from high school and I had a punk rock band and wrote a song about White Castle burgers and later shot a music video at one in Queens, NY near where we all lived. To mark its 30th anniversary I decided to scratch build the same restaurant as it appeared in '87. From there it just made sense to build a layout of the IRT Flushing Line elevated subway across the street.
Wake up, everybody !
I hope those affected by snow storms are doing okay .
Cheers. ....
*stomps snow off boots* Good morning, gentlemen... and I mean "good" in a relative sense... Finally made it in, about an hour late. Snow is piling up here and many of the roads don't look to have been plowed yet. I would have brought in another Wisconsin delicacy today, but this is what the stores look like this morning...
Not looking forward to snowblowing when I get home tonight. Stay warm, everyone!
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
Steven Otte I would have brought in another Wisconsin delicacy today, but this is what the stores look like this morning...
I would have brought in another Wisconsin delicacy today, but this is what the stores look like this morning...
And this being Wisconsin, the liquor store shelves are even more depleted. We take no chances here in the Badger State.
Dave Nelson
Morning diners,
Steven- How bad does snowstorms get? To show a empty gerocery store. It's not like a hurricane, tornado, or earthquake evacuations.
Extra strong coffee in a UNION PACIFIC mug, please.
***Ed, enjoyed reading about the Thomas Viaduct.
***Steven, as long as there is coffee, who needs food anyway!
Question: What would be a good solution for bridges, viaducts, etc, to use with HO scale Unitack, seeing as they don't offer any? Also, is there anything pre-build that would line up OK with the Unirack, once the connecting tabs are cut away? Thanks for any suggestions!