Thanks John I have been waiting for you to post a picture of that Disney Monorail.
I took my kids to Disneyworld when they were very little. They are 31 and 29 now. I don't remember the monorail because possibly they didn't have it back then. Or I just don't remember.
I do remember the long day we spent taking many pictures of all those beautiful small buildings of different parts of the world in Epcot Center. That was back when you took your film to Walgreens to have it developed. I couldn't believe they charged me at the counter because when I got home someone had exposed them and they were all orange
Went to Disneyland some years after that but haven't been to either one since.
TF
GMTRacingThe bridges are not so critical but I tried (this in HO) to use a full length of track through them so the joints were far from the bridge itself.
That's a good idea I hadn't thought about. Since this is a first for me making bridges, I'm thankful for suggestions.
gmpullmanThis has worked wonderfully for me in the almost 30 years my layout has been operating. I might try foam for my next layout. Then again, I might not
I hadn't really planned on using foam. I was keeping the same table and layout dimensions on my new layout. However, when I took the old layout apart, there were too many cutouts, holes, caulk, and a large river to make the old plywood smooth for the new layout.
I decided that instead of buying new plywood, I just covered the entire thing in ½ inch foam. The result was a nice, even, smooth surface on top of the old plywood. I'm happy I did it. The foam is very easy to work with.
Track fiddlerMy understanding of cookie cutter was if you were building a layout with many inclines for different elevations, you'd cut the whole layout stencil out.
That is a pretty amazing layout, TF. To me, an inexperienced layout builder, it looks complicated. Very neat!
I wish I had some Florida trains photos to share. I've been to Florida a number of times, but never stopped to take any pictures of trains.
Last year, the kids, grandkids, and I went to Disney. This is the view from the door to our rooms of the 'train' coming right into the lobby. We could go down in the elevator and catch the 'train" to the Magic Kingdom or to Epcot without ever going outside.
I guess I will have to sit down and start looking for some online photos of Florida trains.
It's too bad that one of our 'main' diners from Florida is unable to post! Kevin, I hope you can get the posting issues straightened out and give us some first-hand photos of Florida's railroads.
York1 John
Like those Bicentennial Trains Ed
My understanding of cookie cutter was if you were building a layout with many inclines for different elevations, you'd cut the whole layout stencil out.
After that placing all the risers accordingly to the heights they need to be and fasten the cookie cutter back on top of the ascending and descending risers.
Then put the other filler pieces of the cookie cutter puzzle back in at the different levels. The long middle cookie in the last picture hadn't been raised up to the right height yet
I just learned FEC Railway all runs on natural gas. Mexican Conglomerate, Grupo Mexico purchased FEC for 2.1 billion dollars in 2017. 350 million down and 1.75 billion in debt. I guess they're doing alright.
Image courtesy of the Miami Herald.
GMTRacingYou're up early Lion. So what is a cookie cutter incline? I fon't remember that term.
This is what I used for my 3/4" plywood sub-roadbed. I spliced, glued, screwed and clamped the beginning of my "incline" to the mating edge of the flat section— while still laying flat. Then made two cuts on either side of the right-of-way back about 18" or so (for HO) on the already anchored flat section.
Once the joint was set and the glue dry I began to raise my incline to the desired grade and the "cookie-cuts" allowed the base plywood to spring upward in a graceful arc.
This has worked wonderfully for me in the almost 30 years my layout has been operating. I might try foam for my next layout. Then again, I might not
The 4449 Freedom Train visits Lakeland, Florida, 1976:
Memorable portrait, 1976 by Fred Clark, Jr., on Flickr
Cheers, Ed
Good morning
Errand day and cold and grey out there. Starting a new Loco Fund for a new Alaska F7 AB set I like as soon as I pay off my last Oops on my train card
The layout is taking shape with some nice contour you have going on there John As JR pointed out and it seems your aware of the importance of grade easements at the foot of the incline and the tail as it gradually plains out to level ahead of the bridge.
(Edited as I didn't understand at first) I agree the cookie cutter method that Lion likes was to my liking and that's what I ended up doing. My brother liked the WS risers and said they are So Quick!
Quite impressive how you used Brents idea cutting the grade approach into the foam base Some friendly advice to just make sure your Bridge Approaches are gradual enough for the length of trains you want to pull up them A quarter inch per foot of rise or less and you should be Golden
You do some really clean sharp looking work John
Lots of phosphate mining in Bone Valley. Today and Tonight.....Two day & two night CSX FloridaTrains
https://youtu.be/244IuzO-JlM
Well, ...Make that three??? I didn't think that first Night Train would ever end appearing out of the darkness from under that bridge...(237). I didn't see a Pusher! They must have some really good Knuckles down there Florida appears quite flat which must be an advantage to their Railroad Industries
Hoping the best for Dawn David
Good Morning All,
Back to 12F this morning. Just a regular to go please Zoe.
John, sorry they looked like the WS inclines after you covered them. the transition at the top is indeed more daunting. If you,ve tested it you should be ok. The bridges are not so critical but I tried (this in HO) to use a full length of track through them so the joints were far from the bridge itself. I had three short girder bridges on inclines and they were no issue as they were all in the same plane as the adjacent track.
You're up early Lion. So what is a cookie cutter incline? I fon't remember that term.
All for now, we are at the final day for the Lotus 11 before it leaves for Italy and it's new owner. As always, the last little bit takes the majority of the time. Ciao, J.R.
NorthBritRussia. People in Florida wouldn't do such a thing.
Yeah, after my post I googled the thing and it became obvious.
Sorry about this, I will put Dawn on our prayer list
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Good morning Diners. A coffee on the go please, Janie.
It is raining and is forecast for the rest of the day.
Having work done in the house, so helping out.
Hopefully back later.
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
BroadwayLion NorthBrit We are allowed to say Dawn caught Novichok whilst in St Petersburg.
NorthBrit
Russia.
People in Florida wouldn't do such a thing.
Here are more passenger train films, this time from 1936. Watch for the fancy automobiles in the station parking lots:
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
NorthBritWe are allowed to say Dawn caught Novichok whilst in St Petersburg.
Florida or Russia?
York1Lion, does the Abbey have a designated cook, or do you all take turns cooking? I'm afraid no one would eat my cooking, good pans or not.
No we hire our cooks. They are the only employees we have at the moment, qalthough we had hired maintenance persons at one time, an maybe in the future we may hire others, but as long as we have enough young vocations to do cleaning work that will not be necessary.
We use the young people for these jobe because they need to have some work around here, but we do not yet want to burden them with rewponsible work when their primary work at this stage is to attend classes, study and prayer. We can dump them in the soup later.
And of coursed older monks also do cleaning. I cleaned the break room for 25 years and enjoyed the work, but my body is no longer up to that, thus my retirement at such a young age. I will be 74 in June.
GMTRacing David, We are all rooting for Dawn, John, I see you are using the WS foam inclines. You will find you need to massage the top and bottom to keep the track smooth and prevent derailments there. I extended the inclines and sanded them smooth especially the top.
David, We are all rooting for Dawn,
John, I see you are using the WS foam inclines. You will find you need to massage the top and bottom to keep the track smooth and prevent derailments there. I extended the inclines and sanded them smooth especially the top.
This is why the cookie cutter inclines are the best. I did that once and it was PURRFECKT
GMTRacingJohn, I see you are using the WS foam inclines. You will find you need to massage the top and bottom to keep the track smooth and prevent derailments there. I extended the inclines and sanded them smooth especially the top.
JR, I actually didn't use the WS inclines. I cut out foam shapes for the track roadbed, and supported it underneath with more foam that I shaped into the incline. I covered the sides with Sculptamold just to cover over the foam until I can decide what I will be doing with the sides of the inclines.
I took Brent's suggestion to cut a trench out of the foam and begin the incline under the foam's surface. I was able to make a very gradual rise from the surface doing that.
I did lay out some track, alligator-clipped some wires, and ran a locomotive with some cars up and down the inclines before I glued anything. It would be just like me to get everything built and then find out it wouldn't work.
I'm more worried about the top now. Since I will be building the bridges, I will need to make sure I have it exactly level leaving each side of the bridges. I'm not sure I will get that right on the first try.
York1 David, that's not good news about your wife. She has really suffered with her condition. I'm glad you can keep her and your spirits up with what is a discouraging situation. I'm not sure if you want, or are free, to say how she was exposed to that.
David, that's not good news about your wife. She has really suffered with her condition. I'm glad you can keep her and your spirits up with what is a discouraging situation. I'm not sure if you want, or are free, to say how she was exposed to that.
Hi John. We are allowed to say Dawn caught Novichok whilst in St Petersburg.
It has been a constant 'battle' since our return some 5 years ago.
But hey! Dawn is a fighter. She'll not let the xxxxxxxx grind her down; as she reminds me (often).
Good morning, everyone. It's late morning, so it's time for brunch. I'll try something different -- sausage, eggs, and black coffee. If I start to experience withdrawal, I'll make bacon later and put in on my hamburger.
Charlie, keep that cold weather up there. It was cold this morning, compared to the past few days. It was 24°F with a north wind when I walked. That's not real cold, but the past few days of 50-60°F makes it seem worse. My wife is upset that the warmer weather means the starlings have come back earlier. They are cleaning out her suet and woodpecker bars.
GMTRacingThe weekend went ok though I had to park one car with engine issues not of our doing. Best part was the driver and car we've had the most issues with of late made the podium and finished first in class. We were really pleased.
Congratulations, JR. It's nice to have all your hard work pay off like that.
Texas ZephyrNot visited this thread in years.
It's nice to have you at the diner again. I don't think I was in the diner the last time you were. It's good to have you here again.
gmpullmanOrange? Reefers? These we got! More Juice, Please! by Doug Lilly, on Flickr
More Juice, Please! by Doug Lilly, on Flickr
Ed, that's impressive. I don't recall seeing any clean, bright cars like that in a long time.
Bear,
My problem is that knowing I’ve a BIG day of W**k ahead, is that I get angry with myself not being able to get back to sleep!!
I can sympathize, but that is something that has gone away with retirement. Nothing like sleeping like a 70-year-old baby.
Mike, good luck with the car shopping. Like you said, this is not a good time for car buying. Even my old Durango is worth almost twice what it was worth a year ago. Of course, back then it was worth only two dollars, so it wasn't much of price increase.
Lion, does the Abbey have a designated cook, or do you all take turns cooking? I'm afraid no one would eat my cooking, good pans or not.
TF, I've got the places for two of the new bridges planned. I have plans for two more later. I've never built bridges before, so this will be new. Temporarily, I got some wooden boards laid out so I can lay some track and get trains running while I build the bridges.
This is a reminder of why I picked N scale several years ago. I can get quite a bit of track into the small guest room allowed by the wife.
For those I mentioned and those I didn't mention, I hope everyone has a great day today.
Probably not.
Meanwhile after viewing Trains, One should expand their horizons on other pastimes in Florida, ... Such as feeding the fish.
https://youtu.be/IsFqiab8UwY
And if you can tolerate the annoyance of WAY too much screaming taking the sport a bit further. Otherwise I'd recommend grabbing your earplugs for this one.
https://youtu.be/OdnHGm5VGwM
Track fiddlerActually you're not too far off Lion. Our condo has limited space so one needs to get creative. Our Pan-Tree is right above the stove. Judy is too short to reach the pans so I feel like a Cherry Picker when I get one down for herLaugh
We have like that for our pans and utensils but the rack is very much lower from the ceiling, but then our ceiling is so high that even you could not reach it.
hon30critter gmpullman Orange? Reefers? These we got! I know we are not supposed to talk about graffiti but I have a question that I hope doesn't offend our hosts: There is no graffiti on the Tropicana reefers. How do they avoid it, or is it simply that those reefers are brand new? Dave
gmpullman Orange? Reefers? These we got!
I know we are not supposed to talk about graffiti but I have a question that I hope doesn't offend our hosts:
There is no graffiti on the Tropicana reefers. How do they avoid it, or is it simply that those reefers are brand new?
Probably for the reason that there is no graffitti on the New York City Subway.
The paint is likely to be such as the stuff just washes off. Maybe they have a wash rack at their terminal. They have to inspect and refuel all of those coolers, they may as well have a wash rack and make the job complete.
Liked the Beartoon Bear. I know exactly how that is living in tomorrow before tomorrow comes. When you're trying to get to sleep that certainly isn't any fun. Nights like that, the harder I try to get to sleep, the worse it gets. Finally got some good Quality Sleep last night. Felt so energized jumping out of bed this morning, it was like Daffy Duck bouncing off the walls on the way to the coffee pot
https://youtu.be/ygVFbz6AsnE
I like the new Pantry Dave. Certainly better than the old closet door one. The new one looks like it's always been there like it should
Long Trains Yep, ...I counted 147 cars on one of those. I enjoy Mike Armstrong's videos and checked out your passenger train one. His studio quality filming and sound is quite decent.
BroadwayLion Pantry? Pantree? Ok a pan tree then!
Pantry? Pantree?
Ok a pan tree then!
Actually you're not too far off Lion. Our condo has limited space so one needs to get creative.
Our Pan-Tree is right above the stove. Judy is too short to reach the pans so I feel like a Cherry Picker when I get one down for her
Have a wonderful day gentleman
Good morning guys. Zoe, I'll take the special, with three eggs please.
Went to bed early last night and slept like a rock. I feel so much better this morning.
hon30critterThe new pantry is finally installed.
NorthBritIt's been a few difficult days here with Dawn not well.
Well, we've started looking for a first car for my oldest daughter. What a miserable time to look for one. Especially for a 17 year old kid with a 17 year old's budget. She has a fair bit of money saved up, but knows she is going to need money for college as well. My job is to find something in her price range that will be reliable for her. Not an easy task these days.
Have a good day guys.
Mike
gmpullmanTexting while flying? Texting while engineering? Sounds pretty distracting to me
Cheers, the Bear.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Track fiddler...where all I got was Junk Sleep last night as well. I hate when that happens...
Good morning Diners. A coffee on the go please, Flo.
It's been a few difficult days here with Dawn not well. Not only has she difficulty with walking because of Novichok nerve agent, now her arms are hurting when she moves them. Just another battle that will be won.
The pictures of Florida sunshine are great. They brighten up the dark, wet scene I see through the window.
I'll try to be back later.
Thoughts & Peace to All who Require.
Hi Everyone,
Florida was a good call. I'd almost forgotten what a palm tree looks like.
Dave: I like your pantry cabinet. I think you were smart to get roll out trays for it. I believe you'll find if you haven't already that those roll outs will make things easier and way more convenient. It also gives your pantry area more continuity with the rest of the kitchen.
Ed: I've seen plenty of PFE and ART reefers, but I'd never seen a Tropicana reefer. Are those pretty much an East coast thing?
We've been having beautiful weather the last couple of days. I think it even got over 50 F.
Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)
York1Dave, that's a nice kitchen addition. You'll wonder how you ever got along without it.
Hi John,
We love it already. We filled it this afternoon. We were able to keep similar items together, but it will take some refining to get it right. We pretty much filled all the trays. That presents a bit of a challenge because we are out of stock on a few items so when we buy those items, we may have to rethink what we will keep in the pantry and what will go to the basement storage area.
Thanks for your interest,
Quote: Texas Zephyr:
instead of a more Florida RR scheme with reefer cars.
Orange? Reefers? These we got!
Back for more OJ by Don Kalkman, on Flickr
Good Evening,
Lion, nice photo of a Thompson's Gazelle. Saw lots of them in Afrca but they are more Cheetah prey as they are very fast.
Not much new here. I went on a grocery run today. That is the extent of my excitement. Still cold here, about 3F today. I think we are in for a late spring which means the snow until the end of April.
Watching a NCIS re-run as I type this.
Got a nice cheque in the mail from RR stuff I sold at the LHS. It was mostly N scale stuff but I did sell my HO rotary snowplow.
CN Charlie