Good Afternoon!
What a dull day! It´s been raining lightly since I got up at 6.30am this morning, without a minute´s break. According to our weather guessers, this is what the weather will be like for the Easter holidays!
With nothing better to do at the moment, I started to watch steam train videos on Youtube. I found a nice showing the Swiss Furka Mountain Railway, one of my favourite narrow gauge lines in the southern part of Switzerland. The mountain line became obsolete in 1981, when the base tunnel connecting Oberwald and Realp was opened, allowing the famous Glacier Express train to run year around instead of only May until October. The line had to be closed during Winter, covered under 10 or more feet of snow. Beginning of May, the line was literally dug out and the catenary re-strung.
Enthusiast from all over the world prevented the demolition of the line and in 1985, preservation work started with hundreds of volunteers pitching in an incredible amout of man hours of work to get everything into working order again. Since 2010, the mountain line is completely back in business. The trains are pulled by the original locos, which had been sold to French Indochina following electrification in 1941. A team of steam loco specialists located the in Vietnam and were able to bring them back home, where they underwent complete restoration from rusty hulks into the shiny steam engines they are now!
Whenever I watch a video showing this line, my eyes get all watery. It was in 1966, when I traveled down the line - a 10-year old, full of hopes, none of which are left.
Henry - the BMW K100 is a great bike! I have never seen one with a Russian sidecar, though!
yougottawanta FRRYKid - Thanks for posting photos it is always nice to see others work and the way they put it together. What are your plans for the hillside ?
FRRYKid - Thanks for posting photos it is always nice to see others work and the way they put it together. What are your plans for the hillside ?
The front hill will get a coat of Sculptamold to even some of the rough spots out. (The front of the hill ended up a little short on the concrete retaining wall side as somehow I had a wrong dimension. The Sculptamold will help to fill in the shortage.) The back hills will get another coat or two of ground newspaper to round them out a bit more.
I will have to see what my mood is when I decide to get the hot knife to the L-shaped pieces. The plan is to round them off to blend them better and make them not so angular.
Brunhilda reminds me it's National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day, so today's special is...
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
LUNCH TIME !
Steve - Thanks for teh reminder. Flo can I have THREE of the grilled cheese sandwich one with fried baloney in the middle ?
Henry - How does he make those ? Out of fiberglass or metal ? Thanks for the positive comment on the Hobby barn. It is something i have been dreaming of since I was a wee little lad when I held my first HO F unit in my hands. It was a LOVE at first site. Now I can finally build it a real layout after waiting 45 years !
FRRYKid - Are the hills in the area you are modeling rounded ? Do they have rock faces ?
Ulrich - There is Hope, Did you read the little brochure I sent you ? You have a wonderful wife, a great friend down the street, friends here ....All is not lost.
TTYL
YGW
Good afternoon.
We are at airport ready to go home. Not on United Airlines.
Cheers
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Steven OtteBrunhilda reminds me it's National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day
I made a grilled swiss-and-cheddar sandwich for lunch. Steve, thanks for the suggestion.
I am going to the eye doctor today. My current prescription is about 2 1/2 years old so I decided it is time for an update. The worst part is picking new frames. We get our glasses from Costco and their selection is not all that great. Add to that if your size of a specific frame is not on the wall, you are out of luck, pick something else. I may have to look elsewhere, we shall see.
Richard
However as I’m quite partial to a “Cheese Toasty” as they’re known in these parts, could I have one with ham, cheese, pineapple and hot English mustard, please Chloe.
Heartland Division CB&QNot on United Airlines
Cheers, the Bear.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
LIONS may have been in hiding, him busy ewe know!
LIONS do not eat Cheeze.
LIONS want nice rare wildebeest.
Spaghetti is also good.
Open House last Saturday... Sold over 500 bottles of whine.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
BroadwayLion LIONS do not eat Cheeze. Open House last Saturday... Sold over 500 bottles of whine.
Cheeze goes pretty gouda with whine, you know.
BroadwayLion LIONS do not eat Cheeze. ROAR
That may be true for North Dakota lions, but I know a very small Florida lion (about 5 pounds, I think) that loves cheese. Cheesy omelettes are his favorite. Here's the thing . . . once small lions eat human food, they don't want to go back to lion food that comes in cans. Slippery slope, that.
LINK to SNSR Blog
Evenin' folks!
Janie, I could sure use a cup of Hot Chocolate right now....
Just popping in to say hi. Hi! It has been a monstrously busy couple of days here getting everything ready to meet with the Guidance Councilors at the High School about our 15 MLK Scholarship Applicants. This is going to be a tough one, as we will only be giving out 7 scholarships ($2,000 each) for the 2017-2018 college year.
I am almost ready to clean track and run some trains on my layout. Been completing and repairing a bunch of wireing in what little spare time has been available. May actually get to run a train tomorrow after I get back home from Canandaigua. Have to visit a fantastic chocolate store there to get the Easter Bunny well stocked for the coming weekend.
Speaking of the Easter Bunny, he will be visiting the R&GV RR Museum and on Saturday which also happens to be our Opening Day for the season. Yours truly will, of course, be Car Host on the Erie Caboose that day.
Best get moving and finish up a couple items before heading to bed. Prayers for all in need! Stay safe out there. Oh, I'll add my quote for the evening since I have wandered in:
"If you are neutral in times of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppresor." - Desmond Tutu
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Evening Diners
Flo, Ed, Tom and I will have a Crown Royal with a chaser please. We will all so have a Grilled Ham and Cheese on Rye Bread with onion, pickel and mustared.
Rick I made $18.00 in spiff today! Every little bit helps. What I need is a couple of $120.00 spiffs. The $5.00 and $10.00 should be the icing on the cake, not the meal it self.
Jan Have you tried the ATF on the rails yet? I had ran the Might Strange B&O F7's on the short line for two weeks with no wheel cleaning. I have them on the none treated main line for 3 days, just got done cleaning there wheels.
YGW I know you are busy getting the Hobby Barn bulit. Any plans on the Pike it self? What will the layout be supported? One thing I really like about K-10 Model Train layout (besides it being 80' long) is Ken used Kitchen Cabinets to support his layout. Got to love storeage!
Train Front After a few hick up's trains are running great. Have not cleaned any engines wheels on the short line in 5 weeks thanks to the ATF! F units are doing all the work, Monon, CB&Q and B&O.
Later, Ken
I hate Rust
yougottawanta FRRYKid - Are the hills in the area you are modeling rounded ? Do they have rock faces ?
Most of what I have is mostly good old gumbo hills with the occasional shale hill. About the only place that has a real rock face is at the river but that it a good 100-150' tall and the prototype railroads (NP/BN/BNSF and the CMSt&P) don't go that far upriver. (If one wants to look at it, punch up Google Maps and follow 59 North out of town until it crosses the Yellowstone and go slightly east and look at the north bank of the river.) We're "flatlands" for the most part. There are the occasional hills but nothing real major. Not like I'm trying to model the Rocky Mountains. The closest I will get is in the expansion. That is planned to be something duplicating the Missouri Breaks (the Milwaukee PCE from Kingston Junction to Denton or something similar.) That will take a little more research on the terrain if and when I get to do it.
What I have is a lot of ideas that I have blended on the layout. Just about every piece of track has changed at least once. (I don't know of any car ferries in Montana. However, during the late 1800s we did have passenger boats that came to Miles City on the Yellowstone.)
Ken,
Have not done anything with the ATF, have had a un-scheduled, un-planned, un-wanted, un-needed--event with my heart. I am waiting to find out the scheduleing for some tests. I monitor my vitals twice a day, and started feeling like crap, I checked by O2, it was at 86, and my heart rate was 132, not really good. I was wondering what to do this spring---guess the decision has been made for me. It has been 17 years since my last surgery on the main pump, could have waited a bit longer, but what the hey---
I had been giving serious thought about trying to make some trips back out to Georges Bank- there has been a rebound with the haddock bio-mass, one of the young fishermen I hunt with has been making just over $6,000.00 for a 10 day trip, and there are two sites open on the boat, ( 100 foot trawler) In the past I have shipped as engineer on a 120 foot trawler, so nothing that I have not done before, yes, I was much younger, but cutting fish is more monitoneous than physical. Anyway---that is on hold as well. Great life if you don't weaken.
I will be trying the ATF before the week ends,( or I do) curious as to how it will work, will let you know.
herrinchoker
Then there is the issue of the cheese sandwitches, dripping with butter, running with melted cheese-------!!
Morning all
Lots happening today. W**k front. I recieved a call at 6am from a home owner that a pipe had burst in their kitchen ceiling and was flooding there house! Turns out the plumber had forgot to glue a 3/4" elbow and after three years it finally worked itself loose and water went EVERYWHERE major water damage. I cannot fathom how that line held up for that long and never showed up on any pressure test, running water test etc...Go figure !
Hobby/Barn - Went through a Major hurdle yesterday at the Hobby barn. It passed the framing inspection. MOH happened to be home when the inspector showed up and he told here the work was done well. start Installing siding Saturday.
Herrinchoker - $600 a day is not bad money if one can get it. If I could make that it would buy a Lot of N&W Steam of the highest calibre
FRRYKid - How deep is the yellow stone ? There was a civil war battle in which the yankees at Balls Bluff got their butts handed to them by the rebs. The yankees were driven back into a "river" that some brave yankee skipper floated a boat of some size up and rescued a bunch of them. When I went to the park where this happened I was absolutely amazed they could get a Johnboat up the river much less a larger boat loaded !
Ken - I havent decided yet. I have cabinets that are extra (8) from work that I plan on using but there isnt near enough for that size room. I have am considering making some wood work that looks like steel that might support a bridge to support underneath. I am kicking around some ideas. Ulrich last year also worked up a drawing that I will use. He is an excellant designer. But the final design has not been decided.
Sawbones visit yesterday - they are discussing another heart surgery. They want me to wear a machine for a week or so to read the heart and then see what needs fixin...if they do this will be the sixth heart procedure this year
Howmus - Would you share some photos of your layout ?
SNSR - Your post brought a smile to my face. Yes that is a very "slippery slope that"
Lion - How does a Lion eat noodles ? I gouda see that
JaBear - Hot english Mustard, I thought English food was known for being bland ? That cheesy toaste sound delicious. Do you all put pinapples on everything ?
ROR - Hope the eye exam goes well and just as important that you are able to find frames you like.
Steve - You should recieve a "pun"award That was pretty funny.
Garry - Yea glad you skipped United. Those guys dont play around there !!! Here is a for a safe return trip.
Ulrich here is a for you and Petra.
Der - How are you ? Recover from the reaction ?
History qoute of the day:
Trial by jury in civil causes,... trial by jury in criminal causes, [and] the benefits of the writ of habeas corpus... all stand on the same footing; they are the common rights of Americans.
So far as this has gone, I am satisfied to see a spirit prevailing that promises to send the system out free from those vexations and abuses that might be warranted by the terms of the Constitution. It must never be forgotten, however, that the liberties of the people are not so safe under the gracious manner of government, as by the limitation of power.
A militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves... and include all men capable of bearing arms.
Good Evening!
It´s been rather quiet in the Diner today!
A day of typical April weather, with all the works, from snow flurries to a heavy down pour and spells of beautiful, sunny weather.
I took Petra to the doc this morning to get the stitches pulled. Everything is healing nicely, but she still has to goes slow for the next couple of weeks. No heavy lifting or stretching allowed. Two more weeks of extra household chores for me - what fun!
Did some last minute shopping for the upcoming Easter holidays. Tomorrow, all shops will be closed. It is a "quiet holiday", meaning no public music, dances, not even church bells. As a child, I didn´t like Good Friday, as we had to stay inside.
Saturday is laundry day again, plus some more shopping to be done - how I love that!
Today´s video shows British Steam in 2016:
Enjoy following the steam events throughout the year!
CU tomorrow!
The blocks were originally destined for the hill already pictured but I changed my mind.) and few other scrap pieces I found around the layout. As the shapes had to be built from various pieces, they are just sitting on the hills. They will be glued on next week as well.
"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.
Well
I was up to my ankles in er, uh, dung today. Added cow manure to the raised beds along with compost.
Also added wormcastings soil to the trellis beds.
Also added some more red mulch to the short but growing{?} privacy bushes. THey are supposed to grow 1-2 feet a eyar, HAH. Of course I added the recommended root rocket root fertilizer, but it's supposed to grow both the roots and the plant...HAH. Maybe its growing roots, but I don't know about the plant!
It was a nice day as long as the sun was out, now chilly and cold adn I think rain sets in tonight.
Got my 3 hairs cut yesterday, only one gray one.Ha. She said she saw NO gray hairs, just stress marks.!ha.
well, I best get to planting somehtin, got GOJI berries, BLACK BERRIES. AND RED RASPBERRIES AND ASPARAGUS AND ONINON SETS TO PLANT. YUM!
prayers for those in need...
oh your quote for tthe day:
Travel is fatl to bigotry, prejudice and narrow mindedness, Mark Twain.
-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.
Hey diners,
First things first. I'm posting at the library. I don't have enough time. (If you guys missed me I'm okay). The internet was off at house since last Sunday. During the last 10 days we had our phone installers put in new phone lines, modem and etc. I don't know when I'll be back on. They still can't find the problem.
Be safe and have fun.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
Afternoon Diners
Flo, Ed, Tom, Jan and I will have a please.
Far as day's off this one sucked big rail spikes! Felt really bad today, got up and go had all ready went and left me standing there. Did get some needed running done and made The Hated House Payment to Bank Of Stupid! (DBA Bank Of America) This getting to be the norm, my car broke down. This is the 4th time my Car as broken down while I have been making a house payment! Car died while I was driving it. Coasted in to a parking lot, would restart then started chunging and die again. Hoping it a fuel fliter, but more than likely a fuel pump.
Had to use some of the insurance money (wife car was totaled from hail) to make this house payment. With the ash pit sales I have been having guess any hopes of a new Sound Engine or computer is out the window.
Jan Are you having heart problem or is it a lung issue? I was depressed when my blood oxgen went from 99% too 98%. Far as the ATF I hope you have good results like I have had.
Down in the dumps again, Cuda Ken
Good evening.
We and home, it will take while to get back in the routine.
Galaxy. For some reason your images are hard to see in this iphone. Looks like it may be a green houses. Good luck if you do that project.
Ken. I like the black and white photo of the B&O passenger train. I enjoyed rail travel before Amtrak.
Der. I'm impressed the the Nn3 turntable. perhaps only you would attempt building one. Looks good so far
YGW. Thanks. We arrived in Nashville on time but Main Squeeze wanted to see her family in Nashville. While we were in Florida, Shelley's Mom in Nashville was in the hospital. She is home now and they think she will be okay now.
Janie I could use a cup of decaf to warm me up before I head out to bed.
Garry those images are hard to see on my iMac too..... Not sure what Galaxy has been taking these days for meds, but...............
I made my twice a year pilgramage to Sweet Expressions, the chocolate store in Canandaigua to get the stuff ready for Easter Bunny.... I tell the girls working there that I try not to breath when I walk in that place. I can gain 5 lbs. just walking in the door. Man does that store smell good. Millions of calories on the shelves and rather pricey goodies for sure. But, oh man do they make good chocolate! About $115 later I got back in the Volt and headed home. Most of the stash is in the refrigerator to keep it solid and me out of it at the moment. Tomorrow I will decide who gets what and get it all ready to take on the Easter trail. After church My family will head out to the traditional dinner out with my sister, the big boss. That will happen this year at a very pricey restaurant over in Clifton Springs, and then we immediatly head over to my son's house for Easter dinner with his MIL's family. My sister still has the misguided notion that everyone's world should revolve around her and her wishes.... (After all SHE is the Aunt and they are much more important than......) We finally got her out of the habit of insisting that Christmas dinner had to at her house.... (Sings, "We've always done it this way before, we'll always do it this way therefore!..." [sung to the tune of the Old One-Hundreth]).
I did manage to spend about an hour working on the layout, and actually managed to run one of my 2-6-6-2 Mallets from under the bridge where it has been hiding for the last year to the yard at Kanadarqua (Canandaigua). I then was going to hook it up to pull the heavy track cleaning car, but decided to vacume and check in the tunnels first... Decided I need a "window" in one place to be able to see inside the tunnel so I got out the saber saw and started work on that project instead. Wired up some small 12v lamps under there so I will be able to see a little better. May need about 2 more of them in different places as well.
May get out the lawn mower and be the first in the neighborhood to start that crap this year. Also need to plant some the Milkweed seeds I collected last fall. Taking out the strawberries that I have never had many of (the squirrels and birds love them) and putting in something for the Monarches if any should come this way. Haven't seen any around here since I was a kid. They say 90% of the population has dissappeared in the last decade or so... Sad, they are beautiful butterflies and excellent polinators.
YGW, just click on the links in my signature..........
Time to head for bed. I think this quote may be appropriate today considering a few of the posts I read.....
"Sitting on a sofa on a Sunday afternoonGoing to the candidates' debateLaugh about it, shout about itWhen you've got to chooseEvery way you look at this you lose" - Paul Simon
yougottawanta FRRYKid - How deep is the yellow stone ? There was a civil war battle in which the yankees at Balls Bluff got their butts handed to them by the rebs. The yankees were driven back into a "river" that some brave yankee skipper floated a boat of some size up and rescued a bunch of them. When I went to the park where this happened I was absolutely amazed they could get a Johnboat up the river much less a larger boat loaded !
Off the top of my head, I don't know how deep on average but it is recommended to not go swimming in it because of the depth and the current. There were times that the boat had to wait as the river was low enough that a boat would get stuck on sandbars. There have been others where the river has flooded things out. The river is actually called "Yellowstone" as it starts at Lake Yellowstone in Yellowstone National Park. The geography of our rivers gives us problems with ice jams. Town is usually safe with the dike. (The dike has its own problems which I can't go into as Vinnie would get on my case.) The rural areas tend to minor flood if those rivers jam. During WWII the ice jams got bad enough that the mayor requested the military at the air base to bomb the river to try to break the jam. It didn't completely clear but it broke it enough to save the town.
yougottawantaLion - How does a Lion eat noodles ? I gouda see that
Lunchtime on Good Friday!
I know I should eat fish today, but I will use the opportunity to get some of the stuff we are not having these days - like a big, fat and greasy burger with a big plate of fat and greasy fries. Zoe, please do me the favor, but don´t let Petra know!
The day started nicely, with plenty of sunshine. Now it´s back to dull and grey again and I expect it to ra*n any minute. Suits my mood! I was hoping our son would find his way to us this weekend, but he chose not to come. He´s breaking our hearts and doesn´t even see it!
Galaxy - I like that little conservatory! Or is it a greenhouse? Any way , it´s fun to have when you have a green thumb, but also a lot of work to maintain. I still miss my garden quite a lot!
Out for the moment - I may come back later!
Sir MadogI know I should eat fish today, but I will use the opportunity to get some of the stuff we are not having these days - like a big, fat and greasy burger with a big plate of fat and greasy fries.
Shrimp is Nice!
Good Morning,
A dull day here with showers but it is quite warm, about 60F. Yesterday was a beautiful day here so I took the opportunity to get the pond cleaned and the waterfall working. It takes me about 4-5 hours to do that job as I have to fill and then pump out the pond several times to clear out the sediment that seems to build in the fall and winter. Anyway the waterfall is falling so hopefully the Warblers will hear it and come down for a drink and bath.
Not much on the agenda today. Most stores are closed which is fine with me so will just stay home. I might run trains for a while. I say that most days and actually manage to do it even if it is just for 15 minutes.
Ken is having good luck with his ATF on the tracks. I have some stuff I bought a long time ago called Rail Zip that is supposed to improve the conductivity. I think it is just ATF in a small bottle as it is red and sure looks and feels like ATF. Anyway I put some on my N scale tracks as they seem to get dirty very fast so here's hoping.
Time for another coffee. Yesterday I was able to sit outside and enjoy the birds, squirrels, and chipmunks frollicking on the lawn but I think I would get a little wet today. My wife tamed a chipmunk last year and he is back again. He runs up to her when she calls his name and will take a peanut from her hand.
Have a nice day.
CN Charlie
Hello all
Very busy "Good Friday"
I am very disappointed in this week. I thought I would be heading into a regular production time with std easy stuff happening. Instead it has been a nightmare, A flooded house, failed electric meter inspection, Site inspector showing up and fining one of our vendors for major money........is there a full moon or something ? Witching hour what gives ??
FRRYKid - I bet the military jumped at the chance to blow up the ice dam. The guys I know in the military enjoy demo work using explosives, bombs etc.. !
Garry - Glad your trip has been safe and to hear that Shellys mom is home from the hospital bunch of blessings there !
Ken - I think your luck is not going to improve until you change employers. Sorry your life stinks currently. We found out from our tax lady that we will OWE 2K dollars and this after we increased our with holdings a LOT last year, this REALLY STINKS ! There goes Hobby barn money !
Angel - Glad to hear you are okay. I had been wondering what happened to you. Hope you get it fixed soon so we can see more of ya.
Der - is that a bridge or a turntable ?
Ulrich - Have you seen the wolves lately ?
LION - LOL No forks for the sphagetti ?
CN - I wouldnt consider running trains nothing to do. If I could do that right now I would think that a great fulfilling day. Oh I cant wait to get some main line up......
Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.
Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.
Let us not be unmindful that liberty is power, that the nation blessed with the largest portion of liberty must in proportion to its numbers be the most powerful nation upon earth. Our Constitution professedly rests upon the good sense and attachment of the people. This basis, weak as it may appear, has not yet been found to fail. Always vote for a principle, though you vote alone, and you may cherish the sweet reflection that your vote is never lost. America, in the assembly of nations, has uniformly spoken among them the language of equal liberty, equal justice, and equal rights.
Der - How are you ? Recover from the reaction?
JaBear - Hot english Mustard, I thought English food was known for being bland ?
Ulrich:Really enjoying your videos, thanks…also we are both enjoying the “Full Steam Ahead” programs by the BBC which we see Sundays evenings from PBS out of Boston. Tomorrow it’s about how the railways pretty much invented holiday travel and the sea side tourist industry in Britain. A stat which was dropped in a recent episode is that there are over 500 miles of regular steam powered rail line in the UK, and from last week, that rail travel in Brit is now at an all time high! Glad Petra is doing well – this current phase won’t last very long, in my wife’s experience from earlier this year. Please give her our very best wishes. Sorry about your son’s careless attitude, we feel your hurt.
got GOJI berries, BLACK BERRIES. AND RED RASPBERRIES AND ASPARAGUS AND ONINON SETS TO PLANT. YUM!
angelob: The internet was off at house since last Sunday. During the last 10 days we had our phone installers put in new phone lines, modem and etc. I don't know when I'll be back on. They still can't find the problem.…must be endemic. Our friends a few miles away switched internet and phone providers recently and still aren’t fully back on-line after three weeks. He has my email but his test posts don’t come in.
The internet was off at house since last Sunday. During the last 10 days we had our phone installers put in new phone lines, modem and etc. I don't know when I'll be back on. They still can't find the problem.
May get out the lawn mower and be the first in the neighborhood to start that crap this year.
Anyway the waterfall is falling so hopefully the Warblers will hear it and come down for a drink and bath.
yougottawantaUlrich - Have you seen the wolves lately ?
Unfortunately not. Wolves have quite a bit of a territory they roam in, so chances for another sighting are pretty small.
It started to rain later in the afternoon, so not even our "deer" visitors showed up this evening. I caught a glimpse this morning, though!
Started to watch a video on how the rails conquered Alaska - quite interesting!
I´ll continue to watch until the bed bugs bite!
Over and out - for today!
Edit: John - the "Canadian toothpaste" has arrived yesterday - a big thank you! It´ll come in handy!