hon30critterWe will have to start saving for a visit to your homeland!
Cheers, the Bear.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Ulrich - good to hear Petra's recovery is moving along in a positive direction :)
Garry - wow, I haven't seen that since we had cable in the early 1980s at my parents' house. Do kids even watch these old toons anymore?
YGW - You make me jealous! Looks terrific though :)
Lion - I'm glad I'm not where you are. Fresh bread is a no-no! I'm on a low carb diet. That means wildebeest is OK to be on the menu though!
This weekend was beautiful, the girlfriend and I spent Saturday shopping (with a stop at the train store of course.) I got a bottle of Solvaset to try and strip these really stubborn decals off my Walthers Gold Line Hubinger corn syrup tank car. I tried one application and it did take a little bit more off. I bought another roll of scotch tape. I suspect what I had was old. I'll try it again tomorrow.
I cleaned out the train room and put up new shelves in the workbench closet. It's always been a bit cramped but now I can spread out a little bit more and have a spot for my unused tools like the scale and DC power pack I only use intermittently when I have a loco apart on the bench before a decoder is all the way in.
UP 8000 finally has its decoder in, though it's a replacement, an ECO-100 instead of an ECO-PNP. The latter was just too big to install. The speaker baffle was also wrong by Soundtraxx's instructions - I had to lower it to just under where the edge of the speaker's bezel is, and fill the 4 holes with silicone before doing as they say and installing the entire thing with silicone in the top of the shell. The sound is great though, as loud as the Bachmann DDA40X it's paired with, and super clear.
Pairing those two back to back was a chore. I got an Accutrack II speedometer in the mail during the past week and couldn't get them matched until I realized the Bachmann unit had the acceleration step set to 6, and when I matched that on the Econami, everything went smooth as butter. I'm still fighting with the forward/reverse consisting though (see my other threads).
I bought a big pile of stuff this week for the layout as well, several structures I needed and the bits to finalize the track. I was okay, and then I broke down when MBK had a sale on Atlas items and uh...rounded out my need for hoppers. It's definitely a sale you should check out if you're on their email list - especially for the N-scalers here (I saw a lot of it when I was getting my HO items.) I snagged a WP GP40-2 with Loksound as part of it. I'm so excited! My first non-UP loco, and also my first ESU! Too bad the era I model has WP locos breaking down and the crews stealing seats, radios, and anything else wasn't welded down for the WP. Still so much fun :)
All in all, a good end to a relaxed weekend.
Julian
Modeling Pre-WP merger UP (1974-81)
Ken,
Have been running a F-7 A+B Penn. that out of the box were both mabe i'll run, mabe I won't. Would have to run each unit alone, helping along--ran them both last night for over two hours, fast, slow, along with a 4-6-2 that I had all but given up on. All are running fine, have also noticed a lack of dog fur, wood ash on the rails--WTH ?? Re-bottle and sell as Fur Be Gone !
JaBear,
That is a pretty country you live in, thanks for sharing the video. However, I did not see any snow plows----
herrinchoker
Nice mower Ray!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Evening Diners
Flo, Ed, Tom, Jan and I will have Crown Royal with a chaser please.
Boy it was a pretty day! Whent out before work and did some yard work. Some how I lost track of time and was 30 minutes late to work! Not really a big deal with this company and I am seldom late. This the first time I just plan messed up.
Track Cleaning Cars For Sale! Finally used ATF on the main line and saw improvements eminently!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Walthers PK 2000 Bessemer SD 7 just a few passes after wheel cleaning started stalling on turnouts. Just a split second, sound went off then engine would move and the sound came back. Was getting on my nevers! Mighty Strang B&O F7's B unit was doing the herkey jerky and it wheels was cleaned Saturday!
ATF the main line and Poof stalling and jerking was gone just like that! Walthers PK 2000 Bessemer SD 7 can now go though my unpowered turnout frogs at speed step 1! I know the Clipper Oil trick has been around from the 50's if not later. Sound like Snake Oil Medicine to me! Same with ATF on the rails! Saw no reason either would work! But I will be dang, this stuff works!
Ed, Gary and others. How often do you folks have to clean engine wheels? I run my layout every day and I have not cleaned wheels on the short line for 2 months. I had been cleaning them every other day.
Later, Ken
I hate Rust
Evenin' folks!
Janie just a cup of decaf for the moment.
galaxyMowed the lawn for the second time, but first time for actual mowing, first time was just a cleanup.
Well.... I mowed most of the lawn today for the second time because the grass was 6" tall in places (again). Most of the neighbors have now done the first mowing. My next door neighbor got theirs done this afternoon. Didn't get quite half way through the lawn using both batteries today and the mower was fighting me and trying to turn left all the time because the drive wheel on that side is shot.... So I stared at the computer this afternoon thinking about whether I really want to deal with this all summer and fall..... (While I was working on some plans to teach Railroading MB to a Scout Troop at the Museum next Saturday). Looked up and compared some costs for the mower I want to get and finally said what the hey! It's only money and I can afford it. Worst Case scenario I will have to wait one more month longer to replace the hearing aids. They could probably keep working for a couple more years if They had to.....
So.... I unplugged the Volt and headed over to the Home Cheapo in Victor, NY (the closest one that had the one I wanted), talked to the first employee I saw after walking in the place and asked where I might find that particular mower. He nodded his head and pointed over his shoulder to a display about 10 foot from where he was leaning against a railing. There it was! Came back over and asked him for help, he went and located a flat thigie to use to load it over in the garden section and came back over to get it for me. He looked to be about my age... I told him my back wouldn't take kindly to putting the huge box on the cart, he looked at the box and the cart, and found someone a few years younger to get it for me. Took the cart and me over to the checkout where I became $600 poorer and they got a much younger guy to load it in the Volt.... I did manage to get it out of the Volt and up on the porch after I got home. Charged up the battery while I had supper, read the manual and got the rest of the front yard done before the sun disappeared. Man! This thing is a lot more mower than the old B & D one.
It even has headlights if you need to mow after dark..... The mower battery will completely charge in one hour and has a one hour run time. Handles beautifully and easily. Even ramps up the power if you hit a section of higher and thicker grass. The old B & D just bogged down and you had to stop. The B & D could run for almost 45 minutes in light grass and took 4 hours to gain an 80% charge. Right now I can get about 20 minutes of run time on a battery..... As I said before the technology has improved a whole lot! Here it is:
https://egopowerplus.com/products/21-inch-self-propelled-lawn-mower
Need to go and start the siphon for the pool behind the steps down cellar.
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
yougottawanta. . .ROR - is it hard to see below with that type of glasses ?
Not sure what you mean by below. The office glasses are definitely "fit for purpose." They are designed to be used in an office setting where you don't need to see anything too far away. (Like driving.) The more I use them, the more I like them. Given the range, close-up to 10-feet, they are going to be pefect for working on the layout.
Richard
WEll
I'm trying to sat up tonight so I can be awake for work tomorrow. Far cry from going to bed at 8 pmand getting up at 3 am, now I need to be asleep by 3 am and get up around 9 am instead. If not earlier as my appts are all scheduled earlier in the morngin, will ahve to change that to 10-11 am appts.
Mr B will reply soon as I ahve more time, dinner is in the oven.
Mowed the lawn for the second time, but first time for actual mowing, first time was just a cleanup. My, but May is aroud teh corner...one week of April left. SOon well complain aobut heat of sumemr, then first snow flakes! time really does fly, but this winter with record snowfalls dragged on...and on.
Gotta see the dentist aobut pullign a tooth, It broke off and now is starting to bother me, but my personal fave dentist is only in on wed afternoons at the clinic....have to have another dentist pul it, probably the one I hate, just don't like him or his demeanor...that will only leave one tooth on top, all the rest are fake,a dn I need new fake teeth.
well, dinner is aobut done...BBQ chicken, dry rub, stuffing and corn.
Oh Oh my seedlings are starting to pop!
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
After two days of futile attempts to access my Photobucket picture account, I finally succeeded a few moments ago!
The part that´s missing on my loco is the one encircled.
It´s not a big issue, but it adds to the specific character of this loco and for the price of it, I can expect the loco to be complete. I think of returning it to the dealer, but will not be able to get a replacement, as the loco is out of stock and will not be re-released until next year!
John - "Happy Days" was my favorite TV show back in 1973 and I remember Erin Moran quite well. 56 is way too early to go.
Sad, indeed!
Afternoon Diners,
My received my Volkswagen bugs yesterday and a get a nice surprise. I got a NS Croxton work sheet summery from April 14.
I thought it might be to good. I also saw a YouTube video on April 15 with the exact locomotives. Later on I'll post a photo.
YGW- I'm feeling better and no longer in shock. It's nice to see the start of the benchwork.
JaBear- New Zealand is a beautiful place.
Garry/Ulrich- I remembered parts of that Donald Duck video but that was a really long ago.
Der5997- Hope to see them when the castle is being built
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
fit-as-a-fiddle! Wonder where that phrase comes from?
"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.
jlehnert Ken, You can also get ethanol free at most marinas.
You can also get ethanol free at most marinas.
Gee, that is great, out here we have to buy ethanol!
And dang, the Exthaol plant is right here in town too. If the wind is just so it makes you want to run right out and buy a fresh loaf of bread!
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
yawn... try again...
Good morning ...
YGW ... At first, we thought Chip and Dale were cute little critters, but thye created too many Chips and too many Dales. The result is destructive. So thye are getting relacated. ..... Your Hobby Barn is progressing nicely. Maybe, you could have the carpentars get you started with the layout benchwork.
John Boy.... It was me who remembered the classic Donald Duck cartoon, but Ulrich is the one who posted the link to the You-Tube video of it. ... By the way, I hope you are doing well these days.
Ulrich ... Thanks for posting the Donald Duck video.
Today is Shelleys birthday, and I have plans to spoil her as if she is a queen. I'll be busy with that most of today and much of tomorrow.
Have a nice Sunday.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
hon30critter Bear! Beautiful scenery!! We will have to start saving for a visit to your homeland! Dave
Bear!
Beautiful scenery!! We will have to start saving for a visit to your homeland!
Make that a one-way ticket for me!
Edit: Grrrrr!!!! I just found out that there is a tiny, but important part missing on my dear little "Heidi"! It´s the lid on the smoke stack, which must have been broken off during packing! I have just sent a message to the manufacturer for a replacement part, but I am not sure whether they have any body parts as spares for this type of loco. Let´s wait for their response (which will hopefully be not to long a wait!).
yougottawantaLake Rotorua is beautiful. Was it created by a meteor strike ?
"Lake Rotorua lies in the crater of a volcano that apparently erupted 230,000 years ago, last Tuesday. The area is still geothermically active, Mount Tarawera, some 15 miles south east of Rotorua, last erupted in 1886, with the loss of an estimated 120 folks. Operating a model railroad in an atmosphere that contains hydrogen sulphide (with its associated rotten egg smell) is why I’m a big fan of the “John Allen” track cleaning cars."
Good Morning!
Sunday! Time for my (virtual) big breakfast! Janie, my regular order of a stavk of hot cakes, maple syrup, fried bacon & scrambled eggs, buttered toast, assorted jams & honey, a not so tall glass of OJ and gallons of coffee, please.
Looks like being a rather dull day today, wet & windy. Our morning visitors did not (yet) show up. Somehow I have become accustomed to watching the deer playing and feeding in our "backyard".
last mountain & eastern hoggerGreat to see you playing with your Swiss layout and your small modules.
Johnboy, I am back to enjoying it very much. Helps me keep my mind off whatss happening in my body and also what´s happening around us.
last mountain & eastern hoggerI'm almost sick about my Wife and her Siblings going to Denmark, Sweden and Norway this fall.
While Norway is still OK to travel to, Denmark and Sweden are a different story. I certainly cannot recommend to go to Sweden at all. The whole country has been turned upside down and is on the brink of a civil war. I cannot say more here, other than you should try your best to make your wife cancel this trip.
G'd Evening Gang,
Brunhilda, I see you are working the week-end nights here. Well, I'll have a hot cross bun with strawberry jam and a HC. to send me to bed. Thanks.
Hope this finds you all behaving yours selves on this Saturday night (bath night).
Spent some time this evening on the RIP track. I worked on a Bachmann GP-30 that had turned into be a bit of a growler. I put it in it's place and now it is running as smooth as a kitten. Also did a few rolling stock issues, couplers etc. so all is good for now. But there is usually something sitting at my desk requiring a service of some sort..
Got the Air Dam for my truck back today, it is the one I had to replace after hitting a deer on the U.S. side of our border coming back from Billings a couple of weeks ago. Rather than painting it, I took it and had it Line-Xed (similar to RhinoGard). they did a great job on it, coated it on both sides so it sure stiffened it up alot.
It was chilly here today and they are even forcasting light snow overnight, but spring will arrive for good later in the week they say.
Ed., I too am sad and sorry to here about your Puss cat. I hadn't been in for awhile.
Ulrich, So glad to hear Petra is getting back to normal and fee;ing like doing a few things. Great to see you playing with your Swiss layout and your small modules. Don't give up on them as they seem to bring you some satisfaction and enjoyment. It is a very professional looking layout, be proud of it.
Garry, Thanks for the old cartoon. I remember it well. You could tell that "Walt" was a model railroader.
Cody, my rescue dog is doing great. He now seems that he is free of Cancer and I sure hope he is as it was getting very expensive. But he is a great Guy and for a young Dog with what he has been through, it is amazing that he has kept his loving personality and good behavor.
The Wife of a very good buddy of mine, who had been cursed with Parkinson's for the past few years, succomed to it last week. We laid her to rest on Tuesday. I was their Best Man 51 years ago next month. Next month I will be a best man again, at my youngest Son's wedding. I was more that surprised when he asked me, but I am really honored that we are that close that he would choose me.
Y.G.W. I just think that Garage/shop/train layout room/workshop that you are building looks fantastic. Keep the photos coming,,, and thanks Ed. for your help there too.
Galaxy, Congrats and good luck with your new employment. Hope it works out well for you.
CN. Charlie, Glad to hear that you seem to be all healed up and getting back to all your favorite things. That Birding-- Breakfast thing sounds great. I'm with Ulrich on this one, I wouldn't be going back to Africa or Europe at this time either. I think that is sound advise. I'm almost sick about my Wife and her Siblings going to Denmark, Sweden and Norway this fall. But there is no changing their minds. I might go at that time and ride a couple of narrow guages in Colorado, if I am up to it.
I guess it is time to hit the hay, so I will wish you all a very happpy Sabbath Day tomorrow and I hope the new week goes well in all ways for you.
Night all, sweet dreams of shiney rails in the moon light.
Johnboy out..................for now
from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North..
We have met the enemy, and he is us............ (Pogo)
Good evening all.
Zoe - A RBF please. Thanks. What's that? Oh, thanks Ken!
Ken - Thanks for the RBF! Around my area, ethanol free gas is sold at a few different stations, a bit higher than "standard" gas prices. (.80 cents or so more per gallon, in NWPA anyway.) Where I work, just at the bottom of the hill, less than 1/2 mile away, is a place that sells car parts, and sells fuel. He carries only "regular" fuel (87 octane grade), with the 10% or so ethanol, high octane ethanol free (pure) gas (91 octane minimum, lots get sold to the local dirt track boys and girls, as well as small engine use), and off road diesel. So, we reccommend our customers to him, then there is a fuel dealership just across the NY state line that carries everything from LPG to fuel-oil, including gasoline (ethanol and non-ethanol) and diesel of all kinds, a Shell station just up the road from where I live (next town north of work in PA), and west of us is a fuel dealership that does everything the dealer in NY does. Our store also carries it, by the can, in straight fuel, and pre-mixed for 2 cycle engines, in both 40:1 and 50:1 mixes, but that is very pricey. (More than double the price per gallon if bought at the station!) East of work, near the refinery, is another station that carries ethanol-free fuel, but that is close to a 30 minute drive.
YGW - Woo-eey those are some nice homes! A bit too pricey for my likes though... The house my family is looking at is coming in at around 100K... So one less "0" and "," than those ones! We do sell more LG fridges than Kitchenaid ones, maybe that is a good thing from what you are finding. The GE Slate fridge we have has got to be the heaviest of the bunch weight wise (coming in at around 525lbs, empty!), but we haven't sold a lot of that one yet. (Fully stocked, it would definitely have a "floor-breaking" possibility in some homes!) Yes, that one is a beast to try to move! (Easily out-weighs two of us together who try to move it!)
Galaxy - Congrats on the new job! I too agree with part-time first, just to get used to it, and then "playing by ear" from there.
Photobucket issues - (Ulrich, I think...) I am unable to get in at all as well, so "the game is afoot" as the saying goes. (Sherlock anybody?)
Weather - NWS confirmed a EF0 tornado did in fact touch down nearby (way too many photgraphs and cell phone vids to deny it!) on Thursday night. (They did miss it though, it was the 911 call center that issued the warning. After the thing was on the ground! I myself was keeping a very close watch on that storm, and was thinking there should have been a tornado warning issued as it was near me, about 15-20 minutes before the tornado actually hit, as that storm had clouds trying to qualify for the NASCAR race!) It is now cooler and calmer though! Minor damage, and zero injuries from the storm, which is good news!
W**k - Decent sales day today, hit a $20 spiff in one sale alone, with a decent commission on top of that. Our grand reopening sale is next weekend, and we should have some very good deals on items. (Including a riding lawn tractor for under $1K!)
Hope all are well, and all enjoy the night!
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.
Flo, Ed and I will have a Crown Royal on the Rock and give Jan some gas to drink.
Galaxy Yes I have diabetic shoes, mine cost about $520.00 a pair. While I have good blood flow in my feet, the feet keep changing and that cause problems.
Mike (I think it was Mike) I will do a search for real gas in my area.
Jan, Moonshine? That was what I was thinking when you posted about the Blue Flame but surly not. My ruel of thumb is if it will Burn, I won't drink it! I have broke that rule a few times, but never again.
Work Front Mix bag of nuts. Sales where OK with $2112.00 and may have made $105.00 in spiff. What got me sort of up set was when I spoke with Marvin (owner) today. Long story made short I don't have the $2500.00 deductible to have the hail damage repaired on the house. Some how that came up and he was very kind and said "I will call Monday and have a $2500.00 check cut for you"! So he does care for the people that work for him! Then he asked " Can you pay me back $200.00 a week?"
Come on Marvin, if I could save $200.00 a week I have the needed $2500.00! So far this year I have only be able to save $25.00 a week and it has been hard! I really know now He has no clue how little he pays us! It was a kind but out of touch offer. Still a kind offer!
Later Ken
yougottawantaEd - how are you doing today ?
Thanks for asking, YGW! Doing fine, fit-as-a-fiddle! Wonder where that phrase comes from?
Thanks, too, for everyone's kind words regarding Cicero. It is sure great to have this community of friends!
YGW'S Hobby Barn
WEEKEND UPDATE!
Recent progress on the Hobby Barn!
Here is the final product. The work bench has been framed with 2x4 @ 16" oc, 3/4" plywood installed on the top of the framing.
The work bench/shelf runs the entire length of the back wall. Which is 26' long.
I would rather have been installing siding but the weather just didn't cooperate !
Well it's time for Ibuprofen and some dry clothes.
See You Later! YGW
Photos submitted by YGW and posted by GMPullman.
...and there you have it!
I'll stop in later, myself
Regards, Ed
Ken - yes location has a lot do with cost. I suspect our labor rates and material cost are way higher. Also we have granite and standard even in the laundry room, most have Elevators, 120 + recess lights, slate patio and deck standard ( decking has hidden fasteners and maintenance free rails ), level 3 cabinets standard, Kitchen aid appliance, two zone gas heat, 16" floor joist, custom trim, solid doors ( vs hollow core )...These house are built top knotch and have very high end finishes.... another reason for the high cost.
ROR - is it hard to see below with that type of glasses ?
Henry - Toby is lucky. If MOH caught one off our dogs doing that we would be minus a dog. She hates to even have them sleep on the bedroom floor much less the bed !
Ulrich - have you ever watched or read Johnny cashes story ? Did you know early on that he and Elvis and some other musicians traveled to shows together ?
Garry - why are you trying to get rid of chip and Dale ?
Herrinchoker - 200 proof ! That's not a drink that is rocket fuel !
JaBear - that is very interesting ! Thanks for sharing. Lake Ritoria is beautiful. Was it created by a meteor strike ?
Angel - how are you feeling today ?
Ed - how are you doing today ?
Jeremy - haven't seen you in a while ?
Lion - must be out on the prowl ?
TTYL
YGW
It is starting to heat up quickly in the mornings. I left for my ride at 6:45 and the temperature was 65. I got home at 9:00 and it was 80. We are supposed top out at 95 today, and thus begins our seven months of summer.
I have my new glasses. I ended up getting a pair of "office lenses," progressive lenses with a small patch on the bottom for close up, a big patch in the middle for the computer screen (about 24" distant), and a small patch at the top for moderate distance (up to about 8'). It took a little geting used to but I like them. Before them I had single focus lenses for just the computer.
Finally, Fidelity, the company where my 401(k) lives, has a tool to tell you how prepared you are for retirement. I plugged in some reasonable values for my retirement expenses and a retirement age of 62 (I am 57 now). It ran "250 simulations," whatever than means, and came with a rating. The range is from 0 to 150 and my score was "150+". I guess I am in pretty good shape.
Photobucket won't even load for me. I'm switching to imgur.com. It's also free and so far no popup ads. It's a rainy day, I think I'll join Toby upstairs.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Some more - just because I am in the mood for it!
... and one of my favorites!
Good Afternoon!
Wow - what a day! We are "enjoying" an all-season waether - within less than half an hour from snow to hail to ra*n to thunderstorm to sunshine! No fun spending time outside the house!
I worked down a small HD list this morning, mainly the weekend grocery run and a load of laundry. With Petra on the road to complete recovery, we can now slowly go back to the normal sharing of household duties
Anybody being able to access Photobucket? I have been trying since this morning, but all I get is an error message from them, asking me to retry it. That try ends up somewhere in the nirvana of the Internet, but does not give me access to my picture account. I think, Photobucket wants us to sign on to the pay site, but I won´t let them blackmail me into opening an account I have to pay for!
Heartland Division CB&QDoes anyone recall a classic Disney cartoon with Donald Duck, his outdoor model railroad, and Chip & dale (the chipmunks) ?
I certainly do and I just love it!
Enjoy!
Galaxy - Congratulations on the new job!
Herrinchoker..... 200 proof ! .... No wonder a neighbor went home on hands and knees. Wow.
Galaxy ... I know you will do well. Of course, dealing with the public takes a lot of patience at times, but you can handle it.
One of my current non-model-railroad tasks is getting rid of chipmunks. We are using a trap. We release the critters on the other side of the lake in Land Between the Lakes where they can live happily ever after (unless a hungry preditor sees them).
Reminds me. Does anyone recall a classic Disney cartoon with Donald Duck, his outdoor model railroad, and Chip & dale (the chipmunks) ?
Good Morning All!
Ken: I can sit in the office when the front deck is not busy..that will be a welcome relief to standing all the time. If there are no chcek ins or outs, I can't imagine they'd expect one to stand there looking dorky all night. I will ahve to man the occasional phone, but I can do thta in the office... KEn: do you have diabetic-made-for-your-feet-custom shoes? I had some made and i don';t have foot problems yet and they made a world of difference in my support! If not, you should see about having them made., if you pay cash they are onlylike $85. I had slipeers {my around the house wear} ad sandles made {sumemr outting wear} made the slippers were $50, the sandles I think $65 & 75 {two pair, one enclosed one open}
I'm gonna give it my vbest shot!
Train nut frined is comign over, he has bad back also, and I will lte him do the more heavy lifting. He has implanted TENS liek unit he can turn on for relief. I don't.
Well, best get ready for his arrival...
later dudes...