Good morning.
It looks like Siberia here. I've never been there, but I did stay at a Holid... The snow is deep, there's ice on everything, and Daisy the Dachshund would rather hold everything in for three days than to walk outside.
Kevin -- that's too bad about your train cars. Hope your hand is OK.
TF -- I think a lot more people understand what you've been saying. There are a lot more people who believe like you than you may know.
Ulrich -- I know it's easy to say, but don't get discouraged. You never know what good things might yet happen. I wish you could come to my part of North America. I think you'd fit right in here. We do have crime here -- five years ago someone shoplifted from Walmart.
Ed -- that's a great picture of the Canadien. It's too bad, but those kind of pictures are no longer possible in the U.S. with Amtrak's ruling on nothing being open while trains are moving.
Lion -- that track picture really threw me until Oldengineman explained what it was. Mike's link to the article was interesting.
Ken -- good luck with the roof. I had my roof done about 15 years ago, and it was close to $7,000. So $10,000 doesn't sound out of line to me.
Timmy -- I had to look up "THACO" and I still don't understand it. Maybe that's why I never got into gaming -- my intelligence isn't up to that level.
Henry -- good luck with the house.
For everyone who is having health issues or money problems, I hope for the best for you.
Edit: Top of Page!
It's still morning and everyone is home. Maybe the diner will deliver whatever you want for breakfast. I'm not sure if the diner has a liquor license, so the Bloody Marys will have to be homemade. Use Zing Zang mix -- it's delicious.
York1 John
Good morning, everybody .
Wow, Kevin. Sorry to hear about the freight cars falling onto the floor.
Ed .... I like the photo of the Canadian.
Anybody who wants to see my photos of work I have done on the layout, can see it on Weekend Photo Fun.
Happy Model Railroading.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Heartland Division CB&QAnybody who wants to see my photos of work I have done on the layout, can see it on Weekend Photo Fun.
Great pictures, Garry! Lots of work right there.
Hi All,
This is an experiment to post a picture from Flickr. Ed was gracious enough to help me out, with a process.
Trouble is, I do almost all activity on the forum from my iPad. Ed said to use BCC from he share tab. Well, my Flickr app on the iPad doesn't have that option. I got on my laptop into Flickr and found what Ed was talking about.
So, here goes. The picture is of a BB caboose that I painted and decaled when i was in high school. This is going to be my first remodel project when time permits. Su7re hope this is visible.
gn caboose by Jim Stewart, on Flickr
Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)
Hey, success! Thanks Ed. Thank you very much.
Glad that worked out for you, Jim. You should be able to find a "preferences" menu in Flickr so you can remove your last name from the photo link. I just use "Edmund" for mine. As you say, Less is More. I at least try to keep a little bit of anonymity on the web.
York1Ed -- that's a great picture of the Canadien. It's too bad, but those kind of pictures are no longer possible in the U.S. with Amtrak's ruling on nothing being open while trains are moving.
Yep, things sure have changed. One time I was riding the Pennsylvanian and as we approached Horseshoe Curve the conductor said, "I see you have a camera, would you like to take pictures out the Dutch door?" That was around 1988.
RR_views_0026 by Edmund, on Flickr
Yeah, whole different culture out there these days.
We have about three inches of S**w here. Back to more trains, I guess.
Cheers, Ed
When I was in college on Sunday we would play Avalon Hill board games like Battle of the Bulge, Africa Corp, Stalingrad, Guadalcanal, Jutland and Midway among others.
Rick Jesionowski
R
York1 Steven Otte Does anybody else here remember playing D&D or other RPGs as a youngster? Or still do? I think I may be too old -- those weren't around when I was younger, and by the time it got popular, I did not know anyone who was a player. Risk was the big game for us in college. I think Kevin is the big game player in the Diner.
Steven Otte Does anybody else here remember playing D&D or other RPGs as a youngster? Or still do?
I think I may be too old -- those weren't around when I was younger, and by the time it got popular, I did not know anyone who was a player. Risk was the big game for us in college.
I think Kevin is the big game player in the Diner.
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
Evening Railfans
A bit of a bender last night but I still got up at 6 cuz I have extra work in the building here which is nice.
In between dry time on the few projects I'm working on I worked on some of my modeling on the glass table today.
There's a problem with that and I hope I got it solved, if or if not I will post it on Weekend Photo Fun.
Judy and I cooked up some really good chicken enchiladas last night. She said they're the best ones we've had in months.
With salt knocked out of her diet I didn't have the heart to tell her I used Better Than Bouillon for the good-tasting nectar that went into the chicken last night
I just got done with that awful thing called wxxk a half hour ago. I'm going to kick back in my living room a while and talk to you guys soon.
TF
The gateway error keeps knocking out my post.
The board games I played where Monopoly, Parcheesi, Life, Risk, Cribbage and Wari, a Carribean board game.
Had a fist fight with the shower ceiling light. The light fixture died and the new light base did not match the previous paint or previous drywall repair around the light. Spackle-sand x4 to get it to look decent. I would not make it as a drywall guy.
Good news on the house front. After some back and forth, we have what we consider a fare offer. Maybe we could have gotten more if we replaced the carpet and refinished the floor, but who knows what will become of the housing market.
Had a virtural appointment with my internist. He said 5 weeks ago he would have said the idea of a televisit was rediculous. He also said 50% of all ER patients were to rule out corona. He has seen 3 patients he thought had it but they tested negative. There is a significant false positive rate. He advised me to stay locked down.
I'm going to save this post in case it gets lost
I forgot, no coronavirus money has hit my bank account. You can go to IRS Get My Money, but it only says "we don't know, maybe you didn't file taxes for the last 2 years"
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Sometimes the real railroads never get around to finishing their scenery
CP_Rail-Kanaka by Edmund, on Flickr
Friday night.
Wow Ed. That is some amazing photo there.
Hope are all well here. This is all I have to report...
Thanks to help from some people, this was able to be photographed. For those who aren't from the Pittsburgh area, this is the Norfolk Southern Ellsworth secondary Branch. The sole customer on the line was Consol Eighty Four Mine. That mine shut down in 2010, and so did thhe train traffic. Well, today NS reactivated it, for car storage. Here is probably the biggest diesel power ( Besides the SD80MAC) this line ever saw.
(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).
Afternoon Diners
Flo, give the gang and I a please, Ed a crown royal and Dirk half a dor treat.
TF When we bough the house we where told there was 2 layers of shingle's on it. Neighbor and 2 roofers has told us there 3 layers. So I am going with 3 layers. As far as Squares, well I think I was told 20 so that is 2000 square feet and that sounds right. There are 2 peaks, house looks like a upside down T with the family room that is in the back. Front part of the roof has a dormer and the bid includes replacing the rotten wood with vinyl siding.
High estimate last year was $12000.00 and low was $9000.00 so this one was not bad. Going to check with the second contractor that gave a $9000.00 bid after I get the home Loan. He has done work for a friend of mine and Larry trust him. Liked the thrid contractor as well. Fixed the knowen leak for free, which is good move on his behalf.
Later, Ken and Dirk say's Woof, Woof.
I hate Rust
It's been a long day, but I got some work finished. The layout is getting lots of attention since there's not much else going on.
dti406 When I was in college on Sunday we would play Avalon Hill board games like Battle of the Bulge, Africa Corp, Stalingrad, Guadalcanal, Jutland and Midway among others. Rick Jesionowski
I had Gettysburg, Tactics, DDay and Dispatcher, a railroad game, when I was a young teen. Last year, I still had the games in my attic and donated them to a gamer shop. He seemed happy to have them.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
cudakenHigh estimate last year was $12000.00 and low was $9000.00
I have always had a rule never to go with the lowest bidder. I usually go with the middle one.
The company that employed me for the last thirty years was NEVER the lowest bidder, but we always delivered all expectations. I look for companies that do the same.
However, after my experience with the first three windows, I am going to rethink this strategy.
The dumpster is full with the remains of all the bedrooms and two bathrooms.
That was a lot of work to load it up. I am worn out.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Good Morning All,
Halfway down the page we were.
Kevin - is that all the demo or do you still have the slab to cut? What happened with the first three windows? Did I miss a post? If my CFO saw a dumpster ready for pickup that wasn't full to the brim she'd figure I hadn't done enough and get some more to do.
Ken, The roof is right there after the foundation for importance. Good luck with the project. I don't do roofing. I don't like heights. When we got our house it needed a roof and the CFO said "We'll just do it ourselves" I've done plenty of roofs (farm girl). I got up there and it's 2 1/2 stories down and the roof was ancient so the grit in it wasn't really fastened any more. One step up and slide half a step back so I opted out and we hired a pro. Worked out well and it lasted until the fire so no complaints there. Our marraige was young enough then that she didn't trade me in on the spot so it all worked out.
Still reworking the one outside corner backround building though I put some asphalt streets in last night also. I had some of the AMI O scale track bed left over from another project so I used that. After I work it and get some texture I can paint it with asphalt coloured paint and add some extra fine ballast here and there. Not as much as the parking lots because I will want to add centerlines and stop lines which is nigh impossible over rock.
paving 3 by J.R. Mitchell, on Flickr
All for now. Ciao, J.R.
Just got back from the two mile walk on the trail. I saw the blue heron today -- that's the first time I've seen it this spring.
I think I may go for a ride today to see something different. Like most other people, this is the longest stretch that I've ever spent at home.
When we moved to this town and bought this house, the roof was not in good shape after a hail storm. I got the insurance money and decided to keep the money and do the roof myself.
When I started, I was able to carry a bundle of asphalt shingles on my shoulder up the ladder. By the time I finished, I was carrying about two individual shingles up the ladder, and dying each time. Even though I did a good job and it lasted for years, I swore I would never do it again.
Have a good Saturday everyone.
To whomever suggested packing my building is big zip lock bags, thank you. We are still waiting for a written contract. My SIL's contract to sell her house fell through. She is also moving to VA and will be about 8 miles away from us and 1/2 block from her daughter.
That works out for the daughter because she and her husband work shift work and they have 4 kids, from 1 -15.
Checked into Facebook to see that a friend, who is my age, mother died. Then there was a reminder that it was Susan's birthday. Susan, another friend passed away a couple years ago after long term side effects of a cardiac arrest and a stroke because of it.
Sometimes family member use it to say how much they are missed. However it alway looks creepy when somebody just wishes them a happy birthday, as if they are still around to read it. I'm not fond of those road side memorials either.
For some good news, it's raining and I have some flex track with ballast I removed sitting outside.
Good Afternoon!
We are "enjoying" lovely Spring weather - nice, and sunny, not too hot. Just the way I like it. If we could only go outside! We are really locked up, with the police harassing anyone who dares to just go for a walk.
I am trying to come up with an alternative to our plans of moving to Denmark. I still have that dream of a small log cabin by a lake, with a mountain view and a red pickup parked in the drive way, but when I start to count my pennies, they tell me it´ll remain a dream. That sucks rail spikes, as Ken would say! I have to watch out not to slide into a depression.
Here is a nice toy for us boys!
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
GMTRacingKevin - is that all the demo or do you still have the slab to cut? What happened with the first three windows? Did I miss a post?
That is just my part of the demo. Drywall from four rooms, carpet and tile from those rooms, bathroom vanity/toilet/tub, old bedroom furniture, garage door opener, two ceiling fans, stepping stones, and one train layout segment. Whew.
The dumpster cost four times what a Bagster costs, but holds ten times as much, so it is OK if not 100% full.
The slab is not cut yet. I am waiting for the tub to be delivered before I contact a plumber.
I did not post about the windows. This was the first time a contractor has 100% let me down on my house. I have had two roofs installed, A/C replaced twice, house repiped, carpets, cabinets, counters, and so on all done, and the work has always been good and I have been satisfied. This was terrible, and I really am not ready to talk about it.
No, I am not being a post hog, but I found this interesting footage of Spanish steam in the 1960s. Filming and taking pictures was prohibited during the time of the Franco regime, so these pictures are quite rare!
Note the broad gauge of Spanish trains! The gauge in Spain is/was 1,676mm compared to the standard gauge of 1,435mm.
Good morning ...
Mr. B ..... You metioned the board game, Dispatcher. I ahd that game long ago. I do not recall much about it now.
Ulrich ... Thanks for sharing the videos.
JR..... I like the way you put togethr buildings to fit your city scene.
Henry ..... Sorry to hear your friend's mother died. .... Also, I hope the moving goes well.
Kevin .... That looks like a lot of very hard work.
Ken .... Good luck regarding your roof situation. Three layers of shingles? ... How old is the house ?
JImmy .... That is a nice photo.
Afternoon All,
Not going to be in the shop much longer today. Got done what I needed for Monday but my knee hurts so much it's really uncomfortable to walk.
Did remake the roundhouse roof in aluminum so it won't keep warping up so that's good.
Thanks for the kind words Garry. i have lots to do before I even approach your level.
Jimmy - where was that shot taken? The bridge in the backround is fabulous! I didn't know NS had trackage rights out that way. When I stay in Pittsburgh, I always try to book the hotel on the south side that overlooks the tracks but all the traffic I've ever seen is CSX.
Kevin, I feel your pain but I won't pry. When we had our house fire, the first contractors we had in did such a terrible job that we actually went to city hall and got the head building inspector (who nobody wanted to deal with) to come out. He shut the job down, called in the contractor, his boss, and the insurance company and gave them hell. That was after they didn't tarp the building properly during a hurricane and the secondary claim was twice the initial one. Hope it goes better.
Made the mistake of clicking on one of the popups here (vintage racing posters) and now i get innundated with cheesecake poster pics every time I log on. The boss thinks it's hilarious. J.R.
cudaken TF When we bough the house we where told there was 2 layers of shingle's on it. Neighbor and 2 roofers has told us there 3 layers. High estimate last year was $12000.00 and low was $9000.00 so this one was not bad. Going to check with the second contractor that gave a $9000.00 bid after I get the home Loan. He has done work for a friend of mine and Larry trust him. Liked the thrid contractor as well. Fixed the knowen leak for free, which is good move on his behalf.
TF When we bough the house we where told there was 2 layers of shingle's on it. Neighbor and 2 roofers has told us there 3 layers.
Nine sounds like a great price Ken especially if your guy comes recommended
A lot of contractors don't even like taking three layer roofs because they're so hard to clean up the bottom layer is usually cooked and brittle falls apart in crumbs.
So many contractors through the years told people a layover is fine, but it's not, your roof life is shortened by half laying over. The layer underneath creates a heat sink and burns your roof out quicker.
I would definitely go for the $9,000 guy, it sounds like a really fair price. Being that he buttoned-up the leak for you for free, sounds like he is a great guy
Jimmy_BraumThanks to help from some people, this was able to be photographed. For those who aren't from the Pittsburgh area, this is the Norfolk Southern Ellsworth secondary Branch. The sole customer on the line was Consol Eighty Four Mine. That mine shut down in 2010, and so did thhe train traffic. Well, today NS reactivated it, for car storage. Here is probably the biggest diesel power ( Besides the SD80MAC) this line ever saw.
Jimmy, that is a neat bridge in your photo.
I know that photos can compress distances, but that house appears to be just a few feet from the track.
HA! I made it in the door today before they could lock it, they must have not seen me coming. Yep, it is hit and miss on whether I can reply to threads or not, at least I am able to see what you rabble rousers are up to on a daily basis.
Today is day 16 of sunshine, had a bit of a sprinkle overnight but it is back to 20c temps today.
Our trainroom bathroom reno has ground to a halt as we cannot get a pan for the shower anywhere, I may have to uncover the layout as I am going through serious withdrawl. I had covered and sealed it to protect it from the drywall and construction dust.
Heartland Division CB&QBrent ... I like the photo of the CP train in snow. Is it The Canadian ?
Yes Garry that is the Canadian heading East. It has just gone over the continental divide after climbing up through the Spiral Tunnels and past Wapta lake where the divide is. It is close to Lake Louise in that photo. The photo was on Google images, it is not mine.
Roofs are just one of those things you have to deal with. I have put three new asphalt ones on in my life on new construction when I was helping friends or relatives build their new houses, but that was a long time ago. It was so long ago we used a hammer, not a nail gun like I would use today. It would be a much quicker job nowadays.
My roof is 6000 sqft and I had a steel roof put on it when the cedar shakes needed replacing. That thing is amazing as we have had some huge branches fall on it and they just bounced off. They would have gone right through the shake roof.
Talking board games, back in 1930 when the world was thrown into depression my Dad wanted a Monopoly game so bad he decided to make one. It is probably my greatest treasure. He got on his bike and went to a lot of paint stores in Winnipeg to get enough paint chips for the properties and title cards, he typed up all the cards and carved the pieces. The only thing he bought was the money. We have spent hundreds of hours playing on this board.
Ed and Jimmy, I really like the pics, something about that NS paint scheme I like.
Went for a 3 hour walk through the woods yesterday with three of the dogs, it was very quiet and we just came across a mom and her two kids that was it. I think we will head out soon and do it again as I am sick of house projects and need a break.
The kid got his $2000.00 from the government as he cannot work in the movie industry as it is shut down. I think he will get it for four months but he really wants to get back to work as he can make $2000.00 in less than two 12 hour days on a big budget movie.
Well I best hit the trail before I get kicked off of here. I think they know I am here now I heard the back door of the diner slam.
I hang this on the fridge when the kids get frustrated.
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."
BATMAN It was so long ago we used a hammer, not a nail gun like I would use today.
When I used to do a lot of volunteering with Habitat For Humanity, we used a hammer to put on shingles. Volunteers were not allowed to use power tools.
Brent,
That Monopoly board is one of the neatest things I've seen in a long time! What a treasure!
Kevin,
Sorry to hear about your hand and the train cars. That sucks. On the other hand, I'm glad you clarified about what all made it in the dumpster. I was starting to think you had trains in the bathroom!
All,
Hope everyone is healthy and safe!
Cheers!
Mike
Hey all, quiet afternoon here. I got some railroad work done this morning, just glueing down the risers for my grade and put down the plaster cloth to cover it. I also finished up a bridge for it.
Thank you to everyone who commented on my pic. This bridge is located about 40ish miles southwest of Pittsburgh PA. The house is really close to the tracks, close enough to reach out and touch, from the edge of the berm there. The trestle above is on the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway (ex NS,ex ex NW,ex ex ex P&WV) built between 1929 and 1930 on the way to Connelsville.
Water Level RouteSorry to hear about your hand and the train cars. That sucks.
Yeah, that accident really took the wind out of my sails, and it happened the same time the window installers were here botching up my house. It was too much.
The fan did not hurt my hand, it startled me more than anything else.
The thing that bothers me the most... one of the resin freight cars was decorated with a set of decals for the CALLOOSAHATCHEE CENTRAL, which was the private roadname of a local modeller back in the 1980s that was a great influence on my early modelling.
He passed while I was in college in 1986. I held onto those decals for decades until I had a suitable car to use them on, and now it is gone.
It is not like that car was my most treasured, or most special, but it was something I was proud of.
Between that accident, and the problems I am having with my right arm, I am really in a funk right now.