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Jeffrey's Trackside Diner, February 2018 Locked

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  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Maryville IL
  • 9,577 posts
Posted by cudaken on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 10:45 PM

 Eveing Diners

 Flo, give the gang a Beer and Steven and Rick a RBF.

 Steven Sorry to hear about the club member going to the Big Roundhouse in the sky. To bad you don't live close by! There is really a box of stuff for you here, just need to add a few things then ship it.

 Worst Customer I Ever Had Was When I Was In Auto Body And Paint! We gave a 3 to 6 year warranty for peeling or fadining on any part or whole car I painted! Had a lady come in and said "The paint on my left front fender fell off and I want it fixed!" Went out and looked at the crumpled remains of her left front fender? Yes, my paint, the factory paint and primer was missing from where she hit a street light post. She freely admitted she hit one!

 I explain (well I trided) that I could not cover a wreck under the warranty I give. She said " you never told me that if I hit something you paint would come off!" Pointed out the factory paint came off as well! She said "The dealership said becuse I had you repair my car, it voided my factory wrannty! for the fender!"

 Hum I think, lets try this! Big Smile OK I will replaced the fender for $$$ and paint it at no cost, hows that? It was a $100.00 off the last time I repaired the same fender. She said "No! I just want you to paint the fender not fix it and done under warranty !!!!!!!" This fender had a dent bigger than my butt!  I all so saw I was not going to win the this battle with the idiot! Sigh So I painted the fender with the dent for free. Cost back when this happened in the mid 80"s around $40.00 my cost and well worth to get rid of her!

 Later, Ken

I hate Rust

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Posted by NWP SWP on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 10:43 PM

Evening diners,

Got an email today about Tom's funeral arrangements, he is going to be buried in his GBRMRR Polo shirt, which I think is fitting...

My layout is moving along hopefully going to start the bench work this weekend, I am trying to see if I can do a 2x8 with a 2x4 extension at one end making a 4x4 space allowing for a bit more operating space...

Steve

If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 10:03 PM

Getting ready to watch the Women's Hockey Gold Medal game... USA vs. Canada.

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I am hoping for an upset! Go USA!

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-Kevin

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Living the dream.

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,878 posts
Posted by maxman on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 10:02 PM

gmpullman
If that ain't all... the new vanity is 3½ inches TALLER than the old one. WHY do manufacturers have to change stuff just for the sake of change. There is NO reason whatever to have the basin height so high

Umm, yes there is.  That is made for us older folks who have suddenly developed stiff joints and have difficulty bending over as far as we used to.

And if I were you, now that you've had to remove the hopper I'd look into getting one of the taller ones that don't force you to squat down as far.  We have two bathrooms upstairs and have a normal and a taller.  Trust me, the taller one is much more comfortable to get on and off.

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • From: Miles City, Montana
  • 2,289 posts
Posted by FRRYKid on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 9:45 PM

Evening All!

Hobby Front: The SD40-2 is completely lettered (including the number boards). It is just waiting for me to order a new rotary beacon. (I lost the orange lens somwhere. Ugh! I hate dealing with beacons!) I would then need to reinstall all the handrails as well. The SW1200 is waiting for a person from FB to get back to me if they have a replacement horn. (Broke the original.) Got the GN boxcar weathered to tone the repaints down so that they blend better. I decided that I will leave the GN lettering alone as I like the condition. I might pull out the BN boxcar data and tweek with that data a little as the car doesn't have a reweigh date on it. The NP caboose has gotten a bit further in the process. (Four of the five new window outlines are carved in. The fifth window needs a little more research.)

The new (to me) power pack worked perfectly. I hooked it up to the test track and ran the 1200, which is sitting on said track, to test the pack. After getting the direction switch set correctly, it took off.

Question for the group: What does it mean when you can look at a long list of freight cars for the railroads you model and can't find a single car that you want to purchase? I was looking at an certain auction site and that happed. (Did confirm that one of my cars was mismarked when I bought it. I was told when I showed it but I saw a listing for that specific car that confirmed it.)

However, I did discover that I will be seeing a new car soon. A car that I had put in reserve order on last February was released and I got an invoice for said car this afternoon in my email. (I had forgotten that I had ordered said car. It was one of Athearn's new release covered hoppers in Great Northern paint. I didn't have a hopper in that scheme so it seemed like a good idea at the time.)

Given that I have to be at work at 0600, I better call it a night.

"The only stupid question is the unasked question."
Brain waves can power an electric train. RealFact #832 from Snapple.
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 8:35 PM

Hello, Everyone...

I'm a little sore, achy AND tired at the moment. Spent the day on a little project that quickly turned into a huge undertaking.

At Mrs. Pullman son's house, all we had to do was replace the bathroom vanity in their utility/laundry/lavatory room. No Problem... Piece of Cake

Well, one thing leads to another! New vanity was in crumbles inside the box. Particle board in chunks, staples pulled out, glue joints broke. Home Depot charged $80 to deliver this. Not my choice on delivery. I have a truck but this was arranged by others.

We go to Lowe's, get a new, replacement vanity. All plywood construction. Not great, but much better strength.

Well, as these things go, the style now is to have the bottom open, like a fancy piece of Victorian furniture. Gotta replace the floor covering (old stuff was two, wet layers Confused)! So, I have to pull the hopper (toilet in non-railroad speak) so here goes a new wax ring, new bolts. Of course the flange is split where somebody over-tightened the bolts!

Then the taps (faucet) that were purchased is a "wide fit" and will not fit in the 4" centers of the replacement vanity top!

If that ain't all... the new vanity is 3½ inches TALLER than the old one. WHY do manufacturers have to change stuff just for the sake of change. There is NO reason whatever to have the basin height so high Super Angry. Guess what, as a result now the drain pipe tail piece is 3½ inches too short Bang Head

Fortunately I brought along a universal, silicone trap that had enough height to compensate. Geeked  Finally got 'er done, looks nice, No leaks!

Whooee am I glad that j*b is over with. Truth be told, none of this would have ever come-to-pass if the "homeowner" wouldn't have removed the little "pop-up" ball from the back of the drain tailpiece. Eventually water got all over the place and rotted the particle board, baseboards and vinyl floor cover!

 

Ok, time for a Drinks — tomorrow will be a better day.

Back to trains Yes

 RR_views_0036 by Edmund, on Flickr

 

Snappers at the Allegheny Summit!

I hope you are all doing well and Angel for those in need...

Regards, Ed

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Finger Lakes
  • 10,198 posts
Posted by howmus on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 2:21 PM

SeeYou190
Howmus: Tht book was from an excellent series that included "Dragons", "Elves", and "Beasts". The "Humans" book is by far the funniest, and even funnier if you read a couple of the other first.

There is also the sequel to "Humans" which is also hilarious....  That is: "Humans at Work".

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 12:12 PM

Howmus: Tht book was from an excellent series that included "Dragons", "Elves", and "Beasts". The "Humans" book is by far the funniest, and even funnier if you read a couple of the other first.

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Jimmy: I can't comment on being single. I met my wife when I was 19 and was married at 20. Two of my girls married the guy they went to Prom with. My youngest is engaged at 22. She is the "old maid" of the family.

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I am the only person I know who actually NEVER went on one single actual date in my entire life. That is true.

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I know nothing about being single.

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-Kevin

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Living the dream.

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Currently in Chicago area
  • 830 posts
Posted by up831 on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 12:06 PM

Good morning Diners,

Brunhilda, I'll have an extra large coffee with lots of cream, please.

Just dropping in to say hello, "Hello!"

the Olympics are still going full tilt, but they will start winding down soon.  Whether or not it was a bunch of wasted time to watch it all, I don't know.  Sometimes (notice I said sometimes) I feel a little guilty to sit and watch because there's other things that need to be done.

Then after the Olympics, then there's March Madness.  I don't get too excited about that.  My team is usually ranked in the top 5 in the country every year, usually a 1 or 2 seed in the tournament every year, and every year they somehow manage to lose in one of the middle rounds by teams they could and should have defeated.  Funny, they beat everybody up to the tournament, then clutch.  Go figure.

Nothing MRR wise to report.

im still hungry for a chili dog!

Big Smile

Hello to everyone, and I hope everyone is OK, safe, and warm.

Less is more,...more or less!

Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)

  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: NS(ex PRR) Mon Line.
  • 1,395 posts
Posted by Jimmy_Braum on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 10:52 AM

Morning all.

  Wow... actual history on the history channel today- a 2 hour show on Lincoln.

  The weather is still being one day nice, one day nasty....almost 70 outside, but the sky is a dark blackish blue.  So, more flooding rains, lovely. 

  Job hunt- Got a lead for something that might actually provide the means to possible schooling.  What do you all think, Is the medical field one worth getting into?

Life in general. 

Went to a wedding on the 10th....real nice time and glad I went.  No, I didn't take a female friend, and didnt meet any there.  The mid 20s is a weird time to be a single guy.  The women within my age are all either taken, married, have kids, or are just too unplesant to be around...or they forget I exist, like high school all over again.  I mean like, I ran into someone I graduated with in 2010...she was asked if she remembered me, she said "no", even after I mentioned my name.  oh well, singleness=money for trains

 I'm still having my up and down days healthwise. 

Train front:
Presently leading the MCR division 2 bring and brag...it probably wont last for a long time, but hey, I can say I did lead the points at least once.

Working on trying to solder wires for the first time to the rails...it's difficult.

Finished up another boxcar I was working on.

A couple more from the Mon Valley.  Both Wheeling shots.

(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).  

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Finger Lakes
  • 10,198 posts
Posted by howmus on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 9:31 AM

Mornin' Everyone!

Well, I did it!  Was goaded by my pastor (she is great!) to show up at the "Community Lenton Breakfast and Service"  this morning....  It is held every year at my church, BTW, but has people from many churches and ministers from all different denominations come and give talks.  I was doing "Penance" for a face I made a couple weeks ago at church.  She was hawking the Lenton Breakfasts and mentioned that they are held every Wednesday during Lent at 6:45AM.  I couldn't help myself and looked at my watch and made a "You want me to be there at what time" look.  She saw it and pointed, first right at me. and then around the congregation, saying, "Yes you can get out of bed and be there!!!"  This morning she came over at the start of breakfast and sat right across from me.......  While we were chatting I told her I was there doing my "penance", and she laughed and told me she did see the face I made.....  Luckily she also has a great sence of humor. Whistling  I actually did enjoy it.  I told her the last one of these I attended was about 20 years ago and I was there providing guitar for singing....

 NWP SWP, I think that is a good choice.  Start small and add on later....

SeeYou190
POST PICTURES!

I'll post one...  This is from a book I got from my #2 Son many years ago when he was into Dungeons and Dragons.  The book is called "Humans" which are some semi-mythical species of animals or something.  This shows the 4 stages of "Coothood".  I appear to be somewhere between "Duffer" and "Codger" I think.....

Enjoy!

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 11:29 PM

NWP SWP
I have settled on a 2x8

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That sounds like a magnificent decision.

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I am sure someone can send you a simple track plan that is also fun.

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HAVE FUN! - - - - - POST PICTURES!

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-Kevin

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Living the dream.

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • 2,980 posts
Posted by NWP SWP on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 10:58 PM

Goodnight diners, 

I am much closer to having a layout now than I have ever been... I have settled on a 2x8 with a possible future expansion to 2x16...

That's all for now...

Steve

If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 4:59 PM

Steven Otte
gmpullman... I'm surprised those bad puns didn't cause more of a flap. Smile, Wink & Grin

Whistling I'm also surprised. I had a whole flock of witty retorts, too. 

Well, maybe folks didn't want to ruffle any feathers.

Well — time to fly-the-coop...  Bye Laugh  Ed

  • Member since
    December 2012
  • From: Mesa, AZ
  • 1,530 posts
Posted by RideOnRoad on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 4:40 PM

SeeYou190
. . .Business to business sales is the only way to go. . .

B2B can have their own set of challenges. (Talk to someone who supplies product to Walmart.)

Richard

Moderator
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  • From: Waukesha, WI
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Posted by Steven Otte on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 4:35 PM

Catching up on a few days of posts...

BigDaddy

No necks on oysters that I ever saw.  There is a lot more to swallow if you are eating them raw.

Here Robert, eat up

Hate to be the one to point this out, but those look like clams to me. These are the kind of oysters I used to catch in the salt flats off Chincoteague Island:

As for seafood, there are only two ways I like it. If it's got scales, slice it raw and put it on rice; if it has a shell, bread it and fry it.

On to other posts...

Steven NWP SWP... My condolences on the loss of your friend.

SeeYou190, Cudaken and others in retail... have you ever read the website Not Always Right? It baffles me sometimes how some people can be so entitled and so stupid at the same time.

gmpullman... I'm surprised those bad puns didn't cause more of a flap. Smile, Wink & Grin

--
Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editor
sotte@kalmbach.com

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • 2,980 posts
Posted by NWP SWP on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 3:03 PM

I am taking it better than I expected, I was kinda mentally prepared for the news...

Steve

If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 2:51 PM

NWP SWP
Tom Mills has passed... this is a terrible blow to his family and the club...

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Steven, 

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I was a member of the local train club from 1983 through 1993 or so.

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In that time, I was always the youngest member of the club, and judging by the recent train show, I would still be the youngest member.

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Having club members pass away really took a toll on me. Especially when new members moved to the area when they retired, and I knew they were not going to be with us much longer.

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It never got easy for me to deal with, and their widows were always completely tragic stories.

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I hope he lived a good life and refined enjoyment from everything he did.

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-Kevin

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Living the dream.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 2:36 PM

NWP SWP
Got some bad news... Tom Mills has passed... this is a terrible blow to his family and the club... may he rest in peace...

I prefer to say, "Do not mourn, but rather celebrate a life well lived."

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 2:10 PM

NWP SWP

Howdy diners,

Got some bad news... Tom Mills has passed... this is a terrible blow to his family and the club... may he rest in peace...

 

My condolences to his family and all that knew him. I hope you are holding up well, Steven...  Angel

On another note —

I see ModelTrainStuff is re-working their web site. It sure has been slow lately. I hope the new site is an improvement, but I'm not too sure? It is supposed to be grared for the "Twitter-Box" crowd. That usually means another 30% of dead space on either side of my 20" monitor Hmm

Regards, Ed

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • From: Miles City, Montana
  • 2,289 posts
Posted by FRRYKid on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 11:38 AM

Morning All!

Didn't go out to the ranch this morning. Snow again. My uncle hadn't had a chance to get the roads plowed. Unfortunately, that means I have to stow a box with a couple of cork sheets for another week. (The box is not exactly small.)

Hobby Front: Bought myself the passenger station for the new yard area.  http://www.ebay.com/itm/HO-scale-Aurtown-Passenger-Freight-Station-with-Passenger-Platform-Completed. I decided it was unique and I see where I can get creative with the paint colors. I had been looking at it for a bit and finally decided to bite the bullet, as it were.

Other Hobby Notes:

  • Planning to get the nose stripes on the SD40-2 this morning.
  • Finally got the coupler reattached on the SW1200. Just waiting to here about options for the replacement horn.
  • Got the weight correct (Two pieces that I don't remember where they came from) and the new couplers mounted on one of the boxcars. (the one that I replaced the door on.) It is still waiting for the weather to warm up so that I can get the needed paint ordered.
  • Depending on my ambition, I might also take a look at the GN boxcar as well. It needs relettering.

Won't get to the projects sitting here, though. See you all later.

"The only stupid question is the unasked question."
Brain waves can power an electric train. RealFact #832 from Snapple.
  • Member since
    January 2017
  • 2,980 posts
Posted by NWP SWP on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 11:11 AM

Howdy diners,

Got some bad news... Tom Mills has passed... this is a terrible blow to his family and the club... may he rest in peace...

Steve

If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!

  • Member since
    April 2002
  • From: Paducah KY
  • 1,183 posts
Posted by moelarrycurly4 on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 9:16 AM

Garry have a safe trip. Enjoy the dry while we get all the rain.

 

Speaking of clams, I love fried clams. Don't you know clams have legs! according to the comic strip B.C.

 

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
  • 10,660 posts
Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 7:56 AM

Good morning .... 

Coffee and a pecan roll, please. 

Steve O .... Thumbs Up... Thembs up and hats off to the MR staff. I saw the MR Facefook post about the generous donations to a charity that provides shelter to homeless youth in Milwaukee.  .... Kudos ! Yes

Today, we are getting ready for our trip. We leave tomorrow to Arizona to see our daughter there. Travel .... Most years, it would be warmer there than here, but not this time. We sat on our deck yesterday afternoon in sunny weather in the 70's. It was in the low 60's in AZ yesterday. .... The weather here will be changing, however, starting late today. It will be raining for a few days here while it will be sunny in AZ. ... We'll be back in a week. 

Cheers, everybody ! 

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
    January 2017
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Posted by NWP SWP on Monday, February 19, 2018 10:52 PM

If the customer is always right I wouldn't be posting this on a Samsung smartphone... but that's another story...

Steve

If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Monday, February 19, 2018 10:50 PM

SeeYou190
Business to business sales is the only way to go.

You mean like when a supplier of air-bags, rubber floor mats or ignition switch springs sells to an auto maker?  Whistling

Cheers! Ed Smile

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Monday, February 19, 2018 10:46 PM

cudaken
Who ever said "The customer is always right" never ran a business!

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If the customer was always right, everything would be under warranty forever, and that warranty would include a clause saying we would reemburse them for every single perceived inconvenience they could imagine.

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Customers are very seldom right. Customers seldom care what the actual paperwork says.

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When something breaks, you have to repair the component, and repair the customer at the same time, because neither one will be functioning correctly.

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2% of your customers will take up 98% of your time.

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Business to business sales is the only way to go.

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-Kevin

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Living the dream.

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Maryville IL
  • 9,577 posts
Posted by cudaken on Monday, February 19, 2018 10:27 PM

 Eveing Diners

 Flo, get the gang a Beer and Rick and Steven what they want.

 

Heartland Division CB&Q
Ken ... your stories indicate you must deal with goofy people whether it is the public or with coworkers.

 Gary Tell Me About It! OK, customers well I can sort of understand. Who ever said "The coustomer is allwise right" never ran a business! But letting the crazy wife on the owner work the floor? Whistling Now don't get me wrong, she is a heck of a sales person! She just not want to be bothered with the details like They don't make them anylonger, we don't have one in stock and we don't buy from them any longer.

 Later, Ken

I hate Rust

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Monday, February 19, 2018 8:51 PM

I picked up two junker steam locomotives for $15.00 at the Scale Rails of Southwest Florida train show last weekend. They were complete basket cases.

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I figured I would do quick-fixes on the broken parts, then paint them to use as new members of the "Prop Fleet" I use in my photographs.

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I am amazed what a little repair and paint will do! These are looking so much better, and they are not even fully painted yet.

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-Kevin

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Living the dream.

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
  • 10,660 posts
Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Monday, February 19, 2018 4:47 PM

Good afternoon ..

Henry ... Your video shows creativity for sure.... Prayers for your wife and yourself.

Steven NWP SWP .... Sounds like a routine appointment, and that is good.  

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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