Howdy Joe....Wow, just you and me again. I'll have a tap please. Seeing how you haven't had anybody all day...I'd suppose you all the glasses really sparkly!
Did everybody leave town? Squeaky is going to go broke at this rate! When I'm done with this beer, maybe I should wander over to the diner or the whistle stop...Just to see if anybody is around.
Still cold here with temps. in the teens and twenties below 0. Very unlike February! And still not a lot of snow either.
I worked on the SL backshop a little today and should finish it up tomorrow. If I do I'll post a picture.
Well Joe, that one went down REAL fast, I think I'll have another and then what say, once you lock up, we both take a walk, looking for anybody moving about tonight.
Morning, all. Coffee, coffee and more coffee for me. Gotta shake the chill somehow. I've got a bit of a cold, but I think I'll have to wait for the weekend to sleep it off. Trouble is, we might go skiing again. Or maybe I'll just beg off this week to get healthy again. For now, though, I'll put the Quarrantine signs on the stools on either side of me.
JB, do you remember the thermometer which was calibrated not only in degrees Fahrenheit, but also with the thermal effects on Californians and Minnesotans? The coldest entry for Californians was about 30 degrees, and it read "Californians freeze solid." Somewhere down around 50 below was the end of the scale, reading "Minnesotans fasten top buttons on shirts."
I got the water putty down on the roads downtown, and they're painted gray now. The surface is all even again, so the next step is to put down the raised styrene layer for sidewalks. This worked pretty well down the road in front of Woolworths, so I'll try it again. A couple of the buildings are Model Power kits, which came with sidewalks out front. I'll have to cut those off to make everything uniform, but that won't be much trouble. Unless, of course, it's cold enough that my Dremel freezes solid...
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Evening all. Joe I'll have a cold Bud please.
Just checking in after a long day at work to see what is happening here. It seems like I hardley ever get here any more, I check the forums at least once a day to see what is happening. I seldom have time to do mugh typing, seems like there is always something to do. I do get to the train room ever once in a while and run some trains, I don't do much work, But I can run them. That is what it is all about isn't it? Is it really all about running the trains or is there something to the building phase?. I do enjoy building as much as I do the running.
Well I have got to go feed the dog, catch you all later. Mike
Just a quick shot of Nyquil tonight, Joe. I think I've beaten the cold back enough that it's not going to turn into a full-blown keep-me-up-all-night hacking cough like I sometimes get, but it will be a few days before my head is back where it belongs.
Mike, I know what you mean about the building. I took some time tonight to just run trains, but I kept thinking I really should be cutting styrene for sidewalks. The girls were out of the house, though, so I took the opportunity to toot the whistles and ring the bells as much as I wanted. At heart, though, I think I'm one of those guys who really has to have a project going on the layout. Or, maybe it's Nature's way of telling me my layout is too small, and I'm running out of variety. Well, it will be a while yet before I run out of projects, so we'll just have to wait and see.
Hi guys....Good to see you here tonight. Good to hear your feeling better Mr. B!
Joe, I'll take a Porter and if you could please, throw in a pizza or two (I'll share), I haven't had much to eat since 1400 this afternoon! I could stand some grub...Anything at all actually!
Yup, the time thing.....I'm still between a rock and a hard spot regarding this new job opportunity. I now have an interview next Wed. If I were to be offered and I take this job, basically I am starting from square one loosing five weeks of vacation and at least 200 sick days. At my age that just doesn't seem the right direction to be going! Not to mention a demand for more hours and no flexible hours. This will FOR SURE impact Trainroom time!
On the other hand, I didn't work for more than an hour in the Trainroom today, because I was working on the library project....But then again, that's my choice, kind of. We always host a winter birthday party (Dad, myself and nephew) in March and usually have a house full. The boss would like to have the construction area, not looking like a construction area by then and that is going to take some doing. I'm thinking that once the plumbing is done, a door is hung and the tools are back in the shop, most all will be well. I have NO intention of doing any varnishing or tile setting this winter.
Soooo....I did however, take about 50 minutes to MRR today and weathered the big doors for the backshop. I also cut a back wall and one side wall from styrene (won't be able to see them from anywhere) to use in place of the kit panels, thinking that I will have some additional "bash" materials for down the road. As for runing any trains.....I didn't run any trains today, but I do just run trains sometimes, even with projects looming! I too seem to have to have a project going, actually a bunch of projects going, to keep the juices flowing! But running a train now and again helps with that flow too!
It's warmed up a little, only -10 tonight, but that's still cold for use in Feb. I'll have to head for home soon to throw another log on the fire. What's that the pizza is ready...dig in boys, and Joe I'll take another Porter too.
Morning all, Joe I need a cup of black coffee, to go, thanks
Just checking in befor I get off to work. I am glad it is Friday, Maybe this weekend I can get some more cleaning done in the upstairs where the train will run in the future. I am really looking forward to starting on the bench work, I am thinking on getting a book on building the benchwork, do any of you know of any good ones? See you all this evening. Mike
Howdy guys... Joe, I'll have a tap...before going to work today! I don't have to be at work until 1930 this evening, so I think it will be OK.
Mike, regarding books: Two that I have found to be of great benefit to me in the construction of my benchwork and trackwork are; Model Railroad Benchwork by Linn Westcott, available from Model Railroader and Trackwork Handbook by Paul Mallery, available from Carstens Publishing. I really feel these two are all you really would ever need.
Gotta' run, I've got spaghetti sauce simmering and I hear it calling for some attention. Later......
Hello, I'm back...And I'll have a tall tap please Joe.
Work went well this evening, nothing extra going on and nothing extra to do either. I do get short, easy nights every once in a while, but they seem to be few and far between of late.
Tomorrow morning I get a chance to meet with the fellow that I may replace, providing I get offered and I take the new job. I'm really looking forward to having a face to face with him. It may help me make up my mind! Then in the afternoon, I get to play in the Trainroom! I scored an old card catalog (huge, three drawer, all metal, 1970's vintage) that will be great for rolling stock and locos! So, the main project will be to get it into the Trainroom and replace a smaller, multiple drawer cabinet. I'll recycle the lesser capacity cabinet to the off pike staging area, replacing a three drawer file......Which I can then move to the library to use as a file...Wow! Just another project or two...or six! I also hope to get the backshop completed tomorrow! That "finishing" has been on hold now for the past two days.
I did, however, finish up with the waste plumbing in the library today! Geeeee.....I wonder if I could spin a few more plates??
Mr. Beasley, I do remember a thermometer that had all sort of funny things on it regarding the "hardiness" of Minnesotans. It was pretty crazy! I for the most part fit the mold as a person that doesn't get cold very easy, but lately I think I've sissified. There was a time that I felt a bit more cold weather hardy then I do this year....Don't know if we're just not used to it (we had a WAY warm Dec. & Jan., now Feb. is much colder than normal) or if I just can't cope with the cold temps. as well any more. I used to say -20 was my "cut-off" for skiing. This year -10 feels way cold! And tonight we're at -8 with a major stiff wind out of the N.E. that is a real bone chiller! I just threw another log on the fire. At least it's nice inside!
Good Morning All. I will have a cup of coffee, just cream, a toasted english muffin, some Contact (daytime). Make that two and some Buckley's. In that order. Just a little cold.
Time seems to be more an issue now than ever before. More demands at work. I don't know about you guys but it seems that the in a paperless society there is more paper than there was ten years ago. And, the people supposedly doing the work are actually doing less. But i had better stop here, because if i continue with this rant I will probably get censured. Suffice it to say the quality of help is not what it use to be.
I might get up to the attic later today to start cleaning and organizing. I beleive the phrase should be "get drastic" meaning to be ruthless in throwing stuff out. I am a 'Pack Rat' by nature. And I am a very good one at that. When we purchased the house, I thought look at this attic, just think of all the crap I can store up here and 17 years later that amount of stuff, crap, whatever has grown to monumental proportions and so... if I want a layout up there I must remove, transfer, burn, throwout, give away, dump all the things I have collected over the past 51 years and become a minimalist. Of course that will not apply to model trains. In that area I can still retain my 'pack rat' status.
So my first project of the day is to get off my duff and go to Home Depot for some basic supplies. I built one of the office wall cabinets last week with a friend of mind and today we will hang it above the desk. The walls are really bad so we'll get this one up and then we'll see if we can bulid all the rest or one wall at a time. It is a very small room leading out onto the second story deck, again very, tiny. So ... I guess I had better get going. Must take advantage of the time I have on the weekends. Cause during the week I won't have any time, especially next week. Three budgets to do, four Extra to Contracts to price and at least two jobs closing. With curling on Thursday night and ......
Gotta Go for now. Will check back in later. Everbody have a great day. Keep warm. Keep safe and have some fun.
And really .... Buckley's has to be the most gawd awful, most disgusting crap on the face of the earth. But it does work. Just thought you aught to know that. (If you don't already) and if you do i thought I would reiterate that fact.
See ya's all later.
GUB
Morning all, Joe I'll take a black coffee and a bowl of hot oatmeal this morning, thanks.
GUB, I am with you on this one, we have been collecting stuff for around 80 years and it all seems to end up in the attic, the place where I soon will be building a new layout. Last weekend I opened the window and started throwing stuff out the window and later on to the fire. Sometimesyou have to just close your eyes and do it. I hope to get up there today and do some more, although I think I have most of the trash out. I did find a brand new acetylene lantern, Never been lit with the original container (metal) and the instructions, no I did not ger rid of it. I will send a pic.
No telling what else is up there, I am still hoping to find my old Linol 3 rail train and hot wheels set somewhere .
Got to go for now, will check back in later. Mike
Mike;
The funny thing about this attic is that it was empty the day we moved in. Unless there is something hidden under the floor boards I think it will be not be likely that I will find a gem like that. Everything up there is ours or my brothers which I have been storing for him for the past 15 plus years. Time to get rid of it.
Didn't get up there as planned. However, I am not going to complain. I did manage to get two of the cabinets up in the office. Man the walls and ceilings are bad. Nothing is plumb or level. But I have to say I am rather pleased with the progress. Tomorrow we finish the shelving. Then the wife can take over in the painting department.
Right now, I here dinner calling my name. Gotta go.
good evening folks,
Well I'm new here, so drinks are on me. Feel free to order what you want, enjoy
Welcome to the Barn, Wisconsin...And thanks, I'll take a tall tap too!
Mike & GUB....Geeeeee...I'm a pack rat too! Maybe most model railroaders are! Have you ever really thought about it? I mean, not to mention all the other stuff I have stored away, I have boxes and boxes of MRR stuff that I might be able to "bash" into something, someday! We should try for some money (from one or both of our governments) to do a study!!??!! The three of us could spearhead the study...And maybe get the rest of the regulars here at the Barn on the payroll as staff writers!
Sooo...Back to reality. I spent the better part of the morning and early afternoon meeting with the fellow (very nice guy, BTW) from the county. I now have a REAL feel for the job and know that I could do it "hands down" and able to do it smiling! Still not sure I want to though! An added twist to my giving up major vacation time and sick leave to take on this new job, is that as the facility supervisor I would also be on call 24-7. You know what? I last did that as a chief engineer 25 years ago! It was a nightmare then and I have to wonder if it would be a nightmare again! Just not getting a "warm and fuzzy" on this.
Anyway, by the time I got done meeting with this fellow, running errands in town, doing chores, getting dinner and watching a bit of TV (Red Green and Austin City Limits) I only had two hours to spend in the Trainroom. The SL Backshop is STILL not done, but I did get the new card catalog in place and darn near filled. I was able to move EVERYTHING from the multiple drawer cabinet that was replaced along with the contents of THREE regular file cabinet drawers into the new cabinet with some room to spare! I think I've also devised a method to get at least 1/3 again more space with a stacking type system. This has been a GOOD deal.
When I have the SL Backshop together, I'll post a pic of the shop building and the new cabinet too! Both are turning out to be beauties!
BTW Mr. B, I saw your post on the city streets. Looks Good! Nice job!
And Mike, really nice looking find regarding that lantern! Hang that baby up in your new trainroom!
So, with all of that...Wisconsin....It's my turn. "What be your poison, mate?" It's my turn for a round.
Morning;
Well, I see we are on page 2 once again. Can't let that happen. So .... I'll have a coffee to start. Just waiting for the neighbours to show up so we can all go for breakfast at Dean Michaels. A huge yum factor there.
Anyways ... I have a train related question. Well ... actually it's more of a model train question. Is there a point when you actually stop buying the magazines. I've been noticing that my unread magazines seem to be piling up. I read and purchase Model Railroader, Railroad Model Craftsma, Classic Trains on a regular basis and have been since I got back in the hobby. In addition to those I will pick up occsasionally Trains. I used to pick up Railmodel Journal and Mainline as well as the occasional British Mag and then there is Canadian Railway Modeler. So ... do you buy or subscribe? My thought on not subscribing is that i am supporting the local mom & pop variety store and I am not all that interested in the minimal savings that I would receive. How many do you buy? Along with the books I have purchased and at the rate I am going I will be able to fill a small library soon. Well ... maybe that's a slight exageration. I guess I had a few more questions than one. Now here's the last question before I have to go. Do you keep all your magazines?
Gotta go. My ride is here. Will check back later.
Good morning GUB. Joe I'll take a coffee and an oat meal too.
It's above 0 this morning! It's actually +5 with a wind of 8 mph, making for a wind-chill...But we will be skiing today!
To answer your questions GUB, I subscribe to Classic Trains, MR, RMC and recently Model Railroad News. I have had subscriptions to others over the years and pick up copies of others every now and again, but MR and RMC have been the main ones.
I too have copies stacking up (just get behind, but I do catch up...mostly) and have asked myself the same question regarding "Do I really need these?" But then I read an article that really fires my missile and I again feel it all worth while!
Regarding keeping back issues.....Well, that is a story in itself. I have boxes and boxes of them that I hope to get stored on shelves under my benchwork some day. That way they would at least be available for use and reference. As it is now, I have no idea what issues are packed away where! My oldest are an issue of RMC (1958) and a MR (1962).
Mornin' folks. Let's see, it's Sunday so I'll celebrate with coffee, OJ and maybe a Mexican omelet. Some bacon with that, too. Thanks, Joe. Yeah, very funny. Now please bring the real sugar.
The downtown paving project has been moving slowly for the last month or so, but yesterday the wife and I were both down with colds, and 16-year-old Annie is up north with the ski team, so I had the day off. Today I'll hunt down some fire hydrants and mailboxes, and add some pedestrians to the scene. Y'know, I've got a dozen or more sets of WS and Preiser figures waiting to be placed, but almost no people just walking down the road. I overbought on the "seated passengers" category, and it will be at least a year before I finish up Clampett Corner and have a space for all those rabbit hunters and jug band musicians.
GUB, I've been through the "magazine cycle" before in other interests. What I found is that after a while the articles get repetitive. Yeah, the electronics keep changing, and somebody's always releasing another Big Boy or K4, but once the whole magazine is deja vu, then it's time to give it a rest. I just got a subscription to MR, so I'll see how it goes. I haven't got one in the mail yet, so I bought one a couple of weeks ago. I'll have to admit that I've actually spent more time thumbing through the Walthers monthly catalog I picked up at my LHS. Dagnabbit, they released another series of subway trains, this time in green. I want them I want them I want them NOW, but there's no place for them on my layout. (So, sez I in my best Snidely Whiplish impersonation, I'll wait until they go on sale.)
'Morning, everybody. Joe, coffee and oatmeal, thanks.
Seems that everybody has a love-hate relationship with magazines. I've been a MR subscriber since JFK was in office, but didn't subscribe to RMC until shortly before Hillary's husband got in trouble over Monica. The two mags are on totally different tacks - MR with big layouts, RMC with articles on how to position every rivet on a single-sheathed box car.
My one oddball in the magazine department is Tetsudo Mokei Shumi, the Japanese-language equivalent of MR. Considering how much coverage Japan's railroads get in our mags, I have to keep up with developments on my prototype the hard way.
I sort of 'subscribe' to the Walthers sale flier, too - which is handy for the shipping discount.
Mister B, I can identify with your 'deliberate speed of advance.' I finally got all the pieces needed for the down local freight staging throat whittled out of raw rail. When I get back from services, I hope to engage in a soldering frenzy and get it all put together. Then I'll have to stop procrastinating on the design and construction of the staging zone control panel...
Speaking of services, I'd better get going. Wouldn't do to be late...
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Evening Everyone;
For starters Joe could I have a glass of your finest Scotch with a little ice and just a touch of water. Well ... maybe just a double to start and we'll see how it goes. Busy day at work and just as annoying as always. Must be a full moon.
Thanks for everyone's response to my magazine question. But I do have to ask; Chuck, what is the connection with Japanese Railroads?
Since I have only been back in the hobby for a couple of years, well actually i'm into my third year so to speak I haven't noticed the repeats that you have Mr. B. But then again I wasn't really looking for it.
Colvinbackshop is Model Railroad News the oversized almost newspaper like mag? I think I just may have one of those kicking around somewhere.
I had hoped that I would finish the Office Shelves this past weekend. Unfortunately, when we got to the last shelving unit we were tired and one mistake compounded another, and another and in the end we had to call it quits and have a beer instead. We'll try again next week end. Then I can turn the room over to the Paint Department (wife) and move on to the next project. And then ....... Drum Roll if you plaese ....... The Train Room! ..... Very exciting indeed!
Well, I hear dinner calling me. If I don't fall asleep I will check back later.
BBFN
Yeah! I just burned through some scenery over the last couple of days, and and what was once a few square feet of pink wasteland is now, well, mostly a paved-over asphalt wasteland. But, that's what things look like down by the tracks. To be fair, all that roadway is fringed with slowly-drying dirt-brown Gypsolite, and I was happy to skim-coat a bunch of stark raving white plaster cloth with that, too. One day this week I'll brush on some green wash on parts of the ground, and then I can take my time and apply the turf section by section.
How about a round for the house, Joe? Think I'll have a Harpoon tonight, and some nachos to go with it. Thanks.
I went digging through my egg cartons of ancient detail items, and found a number of stop signs. They're old, but some are black on white, and the rest are black on yellow. Does anyone remember when they started using which colors for stop signs?
Oh, for those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. I really want to paint the gas station apron with Floquil "weathered concrete," but that's a foul solvent-based paint, and I'd never get away with doing that in the winter with the house buttoned up. Also, I'd love to spray-paint my Plastruct guard rails, but I'm not going to brave the cold and go out for that. Not a problem for me, mind you, but it's the spray paint that prefers a warmer climate.
Evening, Joe. I'll have a beaker of Ballantine, and a round for the house.
Mister B, you're making me anxious to get built out to where I can justify some scenery! I'm still slogging away back in the underworld of staging that will eventually be buried under the visible route of the Tomikawa Valley Railway. Since it will be effectively buried once the upper layers go on, I'm taking my time and run-testing EVERYTHING!
Gub, you asked about the Japanese connection. A big part is that I spent several tours of duty in Japan, including some very memorable visits to the area(s) that I'm trying to capture. The transition era lasted until the '70's in Japan, and was mostly steam to electric, with diesels left to pick up the crumbs (lines with traffic too light to justify the expense of catenary.) Having picked my prototype time and location with care I can now justify steam, heavy electric and diesel-hydraulic locomotives, as well as commuter-zone EMU and both local and express DMU (think RDC cars, only beter) without stretching reality beyond its elastic limits.
This link should bring up a listing of Japan National Railway steam locomotives.
http://www.kurogane-rail.jp/sl/esl-idx.html
I have the C11, C50, C56, C58, D50 and D51 classes on my JNR roster. The TTT runs ancient Baldwin and Alco tank locos, as well as some more modern Japanese 'built for short lines' tanks and a highly unlikely 2-6-6-2T kitbashed from a Mantua kit.
The nice thing, from my point of view, is the heft of HOj (1:80 scale) equipment - very similar to standard HO, except that the 4-wheel freight wagons are about the length of N scale box cars. A true-to-prototype freight train (2-8-2, 20 cars and a 2-6-2T pusher) is only about eight feet long.
Well, almost midnight, locally, and I'm about to turn into a pumpkin! Good night, all.
Thanks Mr. Beasley...I'll have a Pale Ale, Joe. And let's do another platter of nachos, my turn, this time!
Yes, painting this time of year can be a problem! I remember painting upstairs with a 20" box fan in the window. It wasn't the best set up! Not only did the fan get full of paint...there was always a bit of over-spray where it shouldn't be! Now with the Paintshop out in the Trainroom I no longer have to worry, but the furnace sure runs a lot more when I'm moving the air out, and the make up air is below 0.
And speaking of the paintshop, I did finish painting the "blank" walls of the SL shop (black on the inside and khaki outside) and got it all together today!
Blanks cut from .60" styrene.
Finished...except for some weathering.
The NEW storage unit, with two drawers behind the three doors.....It's pretty cool
Coffee and a bagel this morning, toasted with cream cheese. Got one of those with onions? Yeah, perfect.
Hey, JB, you've got the same MOW train that I do, the old Tru-Scale. I spotted the stacks on top of the cars, and then looked around to see the rest of them. It looks like you've got a tanker as part of the set? I've got a ballast car in mine, which I don't see in the drawer but maybe it's there. I like the bright yellow on the crane - it adds nice contrast.
Good afternoon all. Man is it ever good to be here. Joe I'll have a Dr. Pepper on Ice, Thanks.
Off the subject of trains, but yesterday at work about 10:30 AM I got to having BAD chest pains and was rushed to the Emergency room in Altus. In about 5 minutes or so I had about 25 wires/hoses hooked to me, I kinda looked like the underside of my layout. To make a long story short, The Doctors decided I wasn't having a heart attack at the time but the pain was probley leading up to one. I was kept in the hospital over night while test were being run on me (Nurses came induring the night about every 6 hours and took blood. Meanwhile I was kept full of morifine, sorry for the spelling. I am home now and feeling mugh better, I have a small bottle of Nitro to keep with me at all times.
Makes me think about the thread that was started a few months ago about what would happen th the layout if I were to pass from this scene. To be ferw honest, I was quite scared!
nyway I guess I will stick with the DP for now anyway. Great to be here. Mike
Good Evening Folks,
I'll take a shot of your finest Bourbon. We are in a deep freeze, with snow and hail, now being from Wisconsin, I am getting a kick out of these Ohioians freaking out over this little bit of winter weather. I got out of work eariley, and drove to the wifes work so I could clean off her car and get it warmed up for her before she got out of work. Looks like I will be home from work tommorow. Boss called and said we might hit a level 2 snow emergancy. It'll give me a chance to watch the new DVD's I got from Sam's club. It was a 4 pack called Train's Spectacular ($14.95). Also my brother just sent me 2 new airbrushes, they are double stage paasche. So I might fire them up and pratice on some cheaper plastic models. I have really never used a airbrush before, so this should be intresting.
"im new here"
I am new here too.
Welcome, gents. Joe, a round for the new fellas, and another Doctor Pepper for Mike. Gee, dude, glad to see you made it through the hospital episode. I have it on good authority that the virtual brewskis here at the Beer Barn will not affect your cholesterol level, but I'm glad you're already tuning into the necessary lifestyle changes that you'll be making. In the long run, you'll look back on this event as "the first day of the rest of your life," and you'll be glad you got such a mile dose of hospital before things got really serious. Hopefully, the doctor will tell you to take up a calming, relaxing activity where you can spend an hour or two each day quietly sitting at your workbench.
Nothing new to report on the layout. It's hockey night for me, so I didn't even venture up to the trainroom. (I'll have to later, 'cause the women folk left the lights on up there.) I am happy to announce that my daughter Annie, now a sophomore, finished the season as the top women's skier at Bedford High School. Sorry, I just had to brag about that a bit. JB understands, don't you?
Howdy guys...And a big "welcome" to the newbies! Joe, I'll take a brandy tonight please. The temp. is heading to -20 again tonight, so I'd better put a little anti-freeze in the system!
Mr. Beasley.....I sure do! And congrats to Annie!
Mike, sure glad to hear your home and doing OK! Keep to the S&N and do what the Doc. wants!
GUB, yes, MRN is the over sized publication. I like it, as it seems to be covering things the others skip over...At least a little.
Gotta' pour this brandy down the hatch and get off to bed. Last night was late, I'm tired and I have my interview tomorrow morning!
Latter! And have a god one.