Good Morning!
Again, I was woken by rays of sunlight knocking at my window - nice! It was a bit too early for my taste, as the night was not too good - got a pain in my shoulder and still not the right pain meds available.
Ulrich´s Train Movie Theatre stays on the Indian sub-continent. Today´s feature is
An Indian Fairy Tale (Part Two) - The Kalka - Shimla Railway
The Kalka–Shimla Railway is a 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge railway in North India travelling along a mostly mountainous route from Kalka to Shimla. It is known for dramatic views of the hills and surrounding villages. The Kalka–Shimla Railway was built in 1898. to connect Shimla, the summer capital of India during the British Raj, with the rest of the Indian rail system. At the time of construction 107 tunnels and 864 bridges, were built throughout the course of the track. The Chief Engineer of the project was H.S. Harington.
The locomotives used during the earlier period were manufactured by Sharp, Stewart and Company, and larger locomotives were introduced which were manufactured by Hunslet Engine Company. The diesel and diesel-hydraulic locomotives were started operation in 1955 and 1970 respectively. The railway was declared a heritage by the Himachal Pradesh government in 2007, and in 2008 it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the other Mountain Railways of India.
Enjoy!
Well we’ve had the first two frosts for this year and have got the fire lit for the third night in a row, during the day it’s still been shorts and t shirt weather as long as you’re out of the breeze and in the sun.
howmusWell..... A deep subject! Looks like you folks may have to put up with me for a while longer according to my Doctor
Cheers, the Bear.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
howmus What you are saying is she "owns" an outdoor layout.... Kinda like somebody who is very proud of the beautiful garden they have on their property because they hired a wonderful gardener to do it.
What you are saying is she "owns" an outdoor layout.... Kinda like somebody who is very proud of the beautiful garden they have on their property because they hired a wonderful gardener to do it.
That's exactly what I meant. Kind of got lost in translation I guess, plus the fact that I forgot to include that fact intially. Sorry for the confusion!!!
Now I could be quite wrong, (the Bear, wrong? Good Grief!!) but a lot of the younger generations think that Thomas the Tank was just a TV series, that then morphed into books and a myriad of other merchandising. But the first book in “The Railway Series” books was first published in 1945, Thomas the Tank Engine was the second book, first published in 1946, so Thomas has been an influence since then. Because my Mum passed my copies, published in the early 60’s to my younger brother, then to his son, (they’re well loved, but are still in good enough condition for a third generation to enjoy), she bought my son the series, and at one stage when he was at the age for a bedtime story, I nearly knew most of them off by heart. Cheers, the Bear.
Actually, you'd be very suprised. While many of the very young fans don't know any better other than the show, the volume of people who recognize the fact that Thomas's stories started out in book form is quite large. I was given a collection of all the Rev. W. Awdry's stories before I was introduced to the show, so I personally always knew the order they came in, but I would say as time ticks on, less and less kids will read the books and go straight to the show.
They are picking away at the far pile of ballast at Rochelle. Hard to see but front end loaders are taking it off screen. Ha there was a spider in the center of the lens, It was the size of boxcar
Rainy here and expected to rain all day. Neighbors on both sides of me had significant tree damage with Fridays thunderstorms.
YGW Your land reminds me of my grandfathers farm near Johnstown PA. Then it was a gravel road and a dairy farm next door. Now it is paved, condos, and a house on a hill with a yard full of llamas.
The advice I got on my partly assembled, used resin gondola kit turned out to be wrong. It definitely needed the missing bolster or else the wheels hit the undercarriage and the suggest piece of styrene was too thin to help. I cut a bolster from my parts bin and it looks like that will work fine.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Morning all
Will be VERY BUSY the next several days may only have time to look through the forum. After this week it will slow down a bit.
Hobby Barn - THANKS AGAIN, Ed. We had an incredible day Saturday lots of progress. Before we even started installing we had to Rip the Frieze board, Battons, corner boards etc.. We ripped material for about 45 minutes! I was very pleased. Next weekend we attack the gable ends.
Ulich - 120 MPH Crash ! Yes you were very lucky. Yep I agree you had angels watching over you that day! WOW 107 Tuynnels ! Man that is a LOT of blasting/jackhammering etc...
JaBear - You are scary looking when riled up ! Remind me to never cross the bear ! Good morning how was your weekend ?
Howmus - What is Rule "G" ? Is 250 people an average ? Or was that less or more than you would expect in that time frame ?
Jame / NWR05 - WELCOME ! Glad you have joined us. I would recommend joining the NMRA. Through that organization you will meet tons of other modelers in and around your area.
Ken - I thought maybe YOH was trying to do you by taking your medical equipment because I thought you used the money to buy the trains ! LOL - You know in some cases I am sure it is cause to make us die sooner !
Angel - I think cork would be better.
SAR 500 / Cam - Welcome to the forum, So glad you joined us !
Ed - Thank you again : )
Batman - Thanks for the positive comments on the Hobby Barn. You had me rolling this morning with your "large credit" comment and the stripes/Hockey comment ! Hmmm I wonder how well one can referee with the ole ball and chain attached to the ankle !
Henry - Do you have Thomas stuff ? I do. I mostly have it for the kids and grandchildren. They like it a lot.
FRRYKid - Serious to a fault ? I did not pick that up in the forum about you. Why do you go to punning when you get tired ? Puns can be fun !
Herrinchoker - How does one remove ice from a boat and not slip off into the ocean ? I think that would be a crazy scary job !
Steve - LOL yes I did. Now I know which Juan is which Juan !
Yannis - Hope to see you in here soon !
Histroy qoute of the day :
“Among the strange things of this world, nothing seems more strange than that men pursuing happiness should knowingly quit the right and take a wrong road, and frequently do what their judgments neither approve nor prefer.” ― John Jay
― John Jay, The Federalist Papers
No matter what you do, you'll never run away from you.
yougottawantaUlich - 120 MPH Crash ! Yes you were very lucky. Yep I agree you had angels watching over you that day!
When I saw the remnants of my car, I got sick. It definitively did not look like the Mercedes E300T I started out with. The police told me that I would not have survived the crash if I had been just a little slower, so one of the guardian angel´s name was called the force of inertia. After 25 years, I still get nightmares about it.
Good morning everyone.
Chloe - I will take a nice cream donut or two, with a glass of milk. Thanks.
Lets see if I can catch up -
JamesNWR05 - to the diner!
Cam - as well!
YGW - Nice progress on the hobby barn.
Ken - Sparkie still doing better? I hope so.
Batman - Glad you got let back out.... I think....
Ulrich - Nice vids, as always. Like the new "late summer" look!
Galaxy - Hope the new job is going well.
Weather - Spring like, for sure. Tons of temperature swings, and tons of pollen!
W**k - Slow month. Had to wrestle with a built in wall oven over the weekend, that was supposed to go in a display on the salesfloor. Stupid fact time: If the display is supposed to hold a double wall oven, it should be slightly bigger than the wall oven... Not the other way around! Display opening was about 1/2" too small... So some brute force due to frustration later, it went in... Some touch-up paint was required for the display... But it went in. Might also be a few smaller dents on the wall oven.... But I don't know how they got there...
Trains - Have a covered hopper ready to weather.
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.
Good morning ...
It's good to see so many Diners today.
Howdy to ... Ricky, Henry, James, Ulrich, YGW, and Bear. ...
Any food left ? ...... Chow hounds are known to devour anything in sight!... LOL
I'll have coffee and a left over donut please.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Morning diners,
JaBear and JamesNWR05- When I was 2 years old my grandpa give me a Thomas video. Later on I read the stories.
YGW- Yes your right. Sheets of cork will work better. If I get the width wrong it can be easily fixed.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
Mornin' everyone!
Zoe, I'll have a large pot of Seneca Lake Blend Dark Roast Organic Fair Traded Coffee to keep my R&GV RR mug filled until lunchtime. Thank you M'am!
yougottawantaHowmus - What is Rule "G" ? Is 250 people an average ? Or was that less or more than you would expect in that time frame ?
Rule "G", according to the NORAC Rules, 10th. edition (basically used by all railroads operating in the Northeastern US and eastern half of Canada) -
G. Drugs and Alcohol Employees are prohibited from engauging in the following activities while on duty or reporting for duty:
1. Using alcoholic beverages or intoxicants, having them in their possesion, or being under their influence.
2. Using or being under the influence of any drug, medication, or other controlled substance - incliuding prescription and/or over the counter medication - that will in any way adversely affect their alertness, coordination, reaction, responce, or safety. -----------------
3. Illegally possessing or selling a drug, narcotic, or other controlled substance. An employee (Volunteer in our case) may be required to take a breath test and/or provide a urine sample if the Company reasonably suspects violation of this rule. (Failure to comply means Bye, Bye! Your fired!)
(Smoking is also prohibited out at the museum for safety reasons and especially when dealing with the public.)
------
250 is actually a bit below average but worked well for this type of event open from 12PM to 5PM. We normally operate from 10AM until 5PM when we are open. A sell out crowd is about 800 people. We had several weekends last year (saturday and Sunday) where we had 1,400 or 1,500 people total. That is a tiring and busy weekend! Calls for absolute attention to detail on safety 100% of the time.
I am hoping we will have everything roughed out for the NMRA Meet coming up in less than two weeks by the end of the day. Just need a couple items resolved and I can layout a schedule for the morning session.
'tis raining out today, so I think I shall postpone mowing the lawn......
Oh!!! And a big "Welcome Aboard" to Cam as well!
Have a great day out there!
Quote for this morning:
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world" - Mahatma Gandhi
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
I have the second meeting with a potential employer today. Today's meeting is with the head of technology for the company and is critical to the opportunity progressing forward. Needless to say, I am pretty nervous.
Richard
Good morning from the sunny WestCoast.
Ray (Howmus) Keep on with those solar energy reports. I have been keen on having panels on the house for sometime now. I have won over the wife and now she is putting a lot of thought about solar in our plans for a house when we move. We are thinking of moving to Vancouver Island and will maybe build new to suit our weird needs for a house. Saw an Elon Musk video on the new solar roofing shingles. We have natural gas for heat and hot water now and it is pretty cheap compared to using electric. On Vancouver Island natural gas isn't available to all areas yet, even if it was, using solar is the right thing to do anyway. We have made one trip over to the Island to look at different areas and will be going again in the next couple of months to check out some other areas.
Angelo, I enjoy hearing about your purchases of model railroad stuff. It is too bad you don't live in my neighbourhood, you would be more than welcome to come run trains on my layout until you get your own.
Brakie, I would just hang on to all that stuff, just in case you want to go back to it someday. I enjoy hauling some of my old stuff out from time to time.
#1 kid got an inquiry from a director who is currently in South America. He is coming back to Vancouver to shoot a movie when he is done down there and had the kid in mind for a roll. I am not sure how that will work out as he hasn't done speaking parts in all his extra work yet. Although he did have to yell things at Dan Stevens on X-Mens "Legion". His voice was dubbed with the scary sounds of the monster that he was made up to be. He spent an hour and a half in the makeup chair for that one, he was totally unrecognizable. He spent the day working with just him and Dan Stevens and as they both have a wicked sense of humour they both had a great day. The kid said it was the first time they ever had to do retakes on him as his monster costume made him trip a couple of times. It may appear on the blooper reel as he ended up in Dans lap on one of them.
Went for an incredible sushi dinner on Saturday and then to the casino where the two wives came out $340.00 ahead. I lost $19.98. That is all the money I was prepared to give them.
Best get on with the day, the honeydo list grows longer.
All the best to all
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Hello all
Batman - watched your whistle video. Some of the cliffs are VERY STEEP and VERY close to the edge ! It made me nervous just watching the video !!!!
Ulrich - I understand years ago when I was rear ended my a large truck doing 55 ( I was stopped ) I had nightmares until I finally went to see a psychiatrist who helped me get rid of them. Then I finally got a decent nights sleep...
ROR - you will do fine. Remember he is just person and he puts his pants on one leg at a time too...
Howmus - they have to have a rule to tell workers not to do drugs or drink at work ? I caught one guy who had been drinking at my site. When I confronted him about it he said " what? I have only had three beers" and it was only lunch time !
Angel - something you may want to consider is putting " Homasote " board down first. It helps deaden unwanted track noise and sound more prototypically.
Garry - Howdy back to ya
Ricky W. Thanks for the positive comment
TTYL
YGW
Evenin' folks!
Janie, I could use a refil for my Decaf please.... I'll go have a seat at the rivet counter for a bit.
yougottawantaHowmus - they have to have a rule to tell workers not to do drugs or drink at work ?
Aayup! (As my grandmother would say having been a New Englander as a child...) If you want the law on your side in liability cases, you best spell it out. In the case of railroads, being drunk and on duty very often ends up with someone being dead. Been around for a long time, at least 80 years maybe longer.
"Rule G. Rule G is a prohibition against railroad employees working while intoxicated. It was originally a near-universal provision of individual railroads' operating rules, and is now part of the universal code of the Association of American Railroads."
CSX Handbook: https://www.csx.com/index.cfm/working-at-csx/employees/operation-redblock/operating-rules/
Same reason there are state laws for driving to that effect.
Batman, I have gone electric for almost everything these days since I can produce close to 70% of my power requirements on the roof of the house. The Volt gets over 4 miles per kWh and since that means I can go about an average of 40 miles on 10kWh, and since a kWh costs me 12.8¢ if I buy it, I can drive 40 miles on $1.28 worth of electric. Lets see my DIL gets 15 miles per gallon in her car and a gallon costs...... Well you get the idea. Good luck with getting a solar installation when you get a different place. My son is fascinated with the concept of the "Solar Roof". He would love to be able to put solar on the roof of his house, and he needs to get a new roof soon... His house is oriented very well for solar, except there is a hedgerow blocking the morning sun. He would have to get the neighbor to let him remove the trees that are a problem. (And they are a problem in some other ways as well....) Good to have you back, BTW!
I have finally got things in line for the NMRA Meet coming up. Tomorrow's major task will be to get it written up and out to the membership. I'll be doing a mini clinic on layout lighting, mostly about Color Temperature and CRI, and why they are important....
Have a safe and restful night out there!
yougottawanta FRRYKid - Serious to a fault ? I did not pick that up in the forum about you. Why do you go to punning when you get tired ? Puns can be fun !
I've never quite figured that one out. The only thing that I can come up with is that, when I get tired, the mental controls I have developed to combat my ADHD start wavering and my humor comes out as my mind starts to wander. Of course, there are times even my humor gets out of hand. Yesterday, I came up with the weirdest image in my head: An emu wearing a moo-moo! The only thing that I could come up with to explain it was the rhyme got stuck in my head and it morphed to that image.
On a totally different subject, I don't know how many of the group on this side of the pond (British expression) are familar with the RFD television channel. It is one that my local cable system carries. I don't watch it for the most part except I have my DVR record a certain program on Monday afternoons: Trains & Locomotives. It is an approximately 1 hour long program that shows various segments and videos that have been recorded over the years of various trains all over the US. This week's talked about the DRG&W Moffit Route and the Royal Gorge. (I happen to be watching that episode while I'm typing this.) In the past, there have been episodes have do with the BN in Western Montana, military trains (including some video from the WWII era talking about bringing vets home via train), and many others. The clips are from the various sellers of video images that are out in cyberspace. Very interesting. I seem to think that that channel can be pulled up on demand.
Hobby Front: Got both of the caboose that I had on order for my projects. The wide-vision caboose required an almost complete redecaling as the stock lettering was a little transparent for my liking. (The number was being changed anyway and I had plenty of extra logos on the sheets.) I need to install some brakewheels (the model didn't have any which is why I was able to get it at a reduced price) as well as a different set of ladders as the ones on the model weren't in great shape.
The other caboose is the starting point for a "Q" caboose. For it being from a "toy" train manufacturer, the model is fairly accurate and not grossly overscale on the handrails. The only grumble is the trucks aren't the right type, but that's nothing new. They have been tossed and a new correct set in in the works when the budget is recharged.
Evening Diners
Flo Ed, Brent, Jan and I will have a please.
Work was so so. Had more customers today than this whole weekend. Sure not saying much I will add.
Sparkie The Rocket Dog Front. Rick Sparkie seems to be doing much better! He is eating me out of house and home! He has been wanting to play Feisty Dog with the wife. I need to take the time to rough house with him on my day off.
Train Front Got the old Athearn F7B unit up and running. For being a old Blue Box it is pretty quite. I had plained on speed matching it to the Bachmann Sound F7A's but never got around to it.
Trains are running fine and have not cleaned a wheel yet after treating the track with ATF. All so became a fan of Bachmann Sound Vaule engines!
Depending on the weather (yard work) I may post some photos and review on the main page about the Bachmann Sound Vaule and ATF on the rails.
Later, Ken
I hate Rust
Good evening Diners,
Brunhilda, I'll have a cup of Earl Grey tea with cream and honey, please.
Allow me to belatedly welcome James, Cam, and Sar, oh, and Yannis to the diner.
its a good bunch here. I think you'll all enjoy it here.
Nothing to report RR wise.
I started a new job last week. Have a little angst because I hope to do well, but I do like it and everyone is friendly. I'll be doing what's called concepts for a remodeling firm.
YGW: haven't forgotten pics of the Grand Canyon. Congrats. Your hobby barn is shaping up very nicely. Will it be heated?
Prayers for the people in Manchester.
Hello to everyone, and I hope everyone is ok, safe, and warm.
Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)
Another nice day has started - in terms of today´s weather! Not sure, what the day will bring, though, but again, "que sera, sera" will be my motto!
Janie, I have been eating too much virtual food lately, so it´ll be just a gallon of coffee for me, served right here at the RC, please!
Ken - good to hear that Sparkie is doing much better!
Jim - back!
YGW - I received some counselling immediately after that horrible accident. It took me quite some time to get behind the wheel again and to get rid of some of the pictures in my head. However, when you have lived through such a nightmare, you will never be able to completely get rid of them - they still pop up now and then.
Ulrich´s Train Movie Theatre is featuring
Fast, Faster, Shinkansen - the Story Behind The Japanese Bullet Trains!
Enjoy a flight at flight altitude "Zero"!
Everyone please pray for the deaths in Manchester, most of which were children and young adults. I attended the Ariana Grande concert in April and all I keep thinking is what if it had happened to me? Keep them in your thoughts today. Hope this doesn't bring up politics or any other agenda, as that isn't the intent. Absolutely not the intent...
JamesNWR05Everyone please pray for the deaths in Manchester, most of which were children and young adults
I refuse to accept acts of terrorism as being normal in today´s society. My prayers go to those who lost a loved one and those wounded and mutilated.
Hey guys. I'll be in and out today, moving more stuff. Another trip back down to the South Hills village in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, dropping off my presentation to the guy bringing the projector(Test compatibility in Microsoft powerpoint), And at some point, do shopping online for a new matress.
Train related- Started on the GP40 Rio Grande project, and won second place in a bring and brag for a crane I weathered.
Well, at least there isn't gonna be any heat today. Enjoy the day everyon e.
(My Model Railroad, My Rules)
These are the opinions of an under 35 , from the east end of, and modeling, the same section of the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway. As well as a freelanced road (Austinville and Dynamite City railroad).
Same about Manchester
They are pulling up track at Rochelle like it's sectional
I've been watching the Rochelle web cam as well. Watched them cut & remove the 2 track sections. Now it looks like they are reparing the ballast base. Darn, looks like my chore schedule for the day has taken a hit. Wife isn't going to be happy.
Tom
Pittsburgh, PA
Sir MadogI refuse to accept acts of terrorism as being normal in today´s society. My prayers go to those who lost a loved one and those wounded and mutilated.
Mike
Really busy day today.
Coffee and donuts on me today folks. Prayers for the surviviors and injured and their families in Manchester
Good morning .
I agree with all the comments about Manchester.
Jimmy ... Sounds like a busy day. Congrats on the 2nd place .
I'm will be working on the layout today. Yay !
Lunch time
Hello everyone.
Hobby front - Well I think my heavenly request were actually heard yesterday! For once I shoveled off a pick up load of #57 gravel without getting rained on. Hurray !!!
W**k front delivering two units back to back today and tomorrow Wearing me out !
Jimmy - What ??! You tell us about this great model and winning second place and no photos ??? What a tease ! Please let us see this master piece.
Ulrich - I certainly can understand that. Even though it has been six years+ since I lost MOH. I still have days that I my memory recalls some horrifying incident we went through......The siezures she suffered were beyond frightening... I can imagine that what you went through would affect one forever...some things in life have a way of haunting us.
UP831 - Thank you for the nice comment. I am looking forward to your photos : )
Ken - I am glad to hear Sparkie is doing better . Did you install a decoder in the Athearn ? If so was it hard ?
FRRYKid - LOL a EMU wearing a moo moo ? Now that would be a site !!!
Howmus - That makes sense ! Shame in this day in age that it has to be spelled out. Sad commentary on our society !!!
History qoute of the day:
The most effectual means of preventing the perversion of power into tyranny are to illuminate, as far as practicable, the minds of the people at large, and more especially to give them knowledge of those facts which history exhibits, that possessed thereby of the experience of other ages and countries, they may be enabled to know ambition under all its shapes, and prompt to exert their natural powers to defeat its purposes.
The press is impotent when it abandons itself to falsehood.
The spirit of 1776 is not dead. It has only been slumbering. The body of the American people is substantially republican. But their virtuous feelings have been played on by some fact with more fiction; they have been the dupes of artful maneuvers, and made for a moment to be willing instruments in forging chains for themselves. But times and truth dissipated the delusion, and opened their eyes.
I greatly fear some of America's greatest and most dangerous enemies are such as think themselves her best friends.
Good morning from the sunny and hot West Coast.
My wife talks to a good friend of hers every day on facebook. This morning we found out her friends' Grandaughter was at the concert in Manchester and suffered a broken ankle in the ordeal. When will it ever end.
I started filling our pool today with the 60,000 LTRs it holds. Last year I had it up in April. This is the coldest and wettest spring I ever remember, third worst on record according to Environment Canada. At least we are money ahead as far as forest fires go.
Ray, once we move in two years, we will be getting a hybrid vehicle for sure. The wife needs to haul around her dogs to shows and other places. We are looking at the Pacifica from Crysler as she finds minivans work best for her. I will have to keep the P/U truck as we use it to go to some pretty remote places and also to tow our trailer. I am excited that there are three companies working on electric P/U trucks, their range and power are still limited though, however that will change. If I take the generator, I can always charge the truck up while in the bush.
Once the wife is convinced something is a good idea, such as solar power, she takes over on the research which works for me because she is much better at it than I am.
Time to go hop on the John Deere again already, with all the rain turning into hot sunny weather the grass is growing at an alarming rate.
All the best to all.
Afternoon Diners,
YGW- I will need to buy homosote to try that. Early techniques will help me narrow things down.
I finally bought furniture felt pads for my under the bed layout. Now I just need to finish getting sculptomold.
Maybe later on I'll get some new shoes.
Here's my second place winning crane, since it was asked for lol