Evening Boys..Joe set us all up with a glass of whatever is needed! I'll have a pale ale.
Well, the afternoon / evening has gone well (or at least close to well) so far. I went to work at the pool at 1530 to find the water chemistry really messed up! The morning fella didn't bother calling me about the pH being off and so nothing was corrected, but I got it mostly under control before heading to the Reif for rehearsal. That went very well and then I was back to the pool to finish up.
Doing the Nutcracker is really fun this year, with all sort of new choreography. Of course the students of the program are truly the stars....Us adults are just the wall paper, working hard at the little bit we have to do....And having fun! Dress rehearsal is on the slate for tomorrow and then it's show time Fri., Sat. & Sun.
Mike, we haven't heard for a while regarding how you are doing with not smoking??!! Hope it's all going well...It's a hard habit to stop!! I know first hand.
Mr. Beasley, you mention a mother / daughter pot luck, but you didn't mention how many were expected...Only that the estrogen levels would be high. Most of the time that's a problem for me here and I only have the wife / daughter thing going on! Hope you had fun in the shop playing!
Tom, Wow! Hope you are feeling better and that the Doc's will be able to find out the cause. I'm thinking tha gastro-intestinal is better than a problem with the ticker though. Keep us posted, OK?
Hi There;
Have'nt been in for awhile just got out of hospital. After 6 days of hospital food i need one of those pitchers of beer & a triple cheeseburger with the works. Friday had all the symptoms of a heart attack so drove down to Emergency. They did all the usual things & admitted me. Put me on the cardio diet. I don't know how they do it but they are able to cook something & remove every bit of flavor. I mean this crap has absolutely no taste at all. Amazing. On Monday they took me by ambulance to town an hour & a half away for an angiogram. Great news all my arteies are clear. no heart damage. They don't know what is wrong.I go to my Doc. tomorrow. They said it might gastro intestinal. So I supose I will be having more tests. As if that is'nt enough I also have a bad disc in my back that is pinching the sciatic nerve-can't sit, stand or walk without intense pain. Oh & while I was in hospital the fridge quit working-$165.00 later it is. Well enough whining from me.
Tom
Hey Joe...I'm thinking that a couple, three cold ones will make the dances go a bit better at tonight's rehearsal...Maybe? We'll have to see??!!
Well, the glue is dry and I took the pins out of the track and ran trains to see if everything was on the "OK side of things" this afternoon and I'm pleased to say "they ran well".
Here we have a bit more track down at Whyte Junction and some additional placed to see how it will all fit and operate.
I also finished the carpentry on the turntable bridge, with the side skirts now in place. Next up, I'll do some staining and weathering and also finish up filling in the recesses (hope that turns out looking right) on the Atlas turntable with the drywall mud.
First up is a shot of the underside, showing some detail as to how the skirting is attached. The others are of the "almost" finished product.
Gotta' run, but I'll check back latter this evening.
Coffee and lots of it. Last night was hockey, and we kept playing beyond our 2 hours. The Zamboni guy is our friend, and since we're the last ones on, he lets us keep going. I've always got one on ice for him after the game.
Friday night I'll once again be excluded from the Family Room. This time, it's a Mother-Daughter potluck, so the estrogen will be dripping from the ceilings. I get to wear a Santa suit, but other than that I've got no responsibilities. My plan is to gather my tools and materials and hide down in my workroom. I've got some couplers to do, and that $3 caboose from the show last weekend could use a set of wheels or maybe trucks. I could start a couple more building kits, too. I might pull the shells off of a couple of P2K's to see if it's feasable to add sound.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Evening all. I had to rescue this from page 2. Joe, I need a cold one, and some of those beer nuts, Thanks. Didn't do much today, I am tired, Mom & Dad have gone to Dallas for a few days and left me to baby sit there 13 year old toy poodle. She has gotton in the stage where she barks if there is no one around. She started in at 5:30 am and would not stop so I went ahead and got up. Later I laid down on the couch for a power nap and after about 15 min... you guessed it. Yep..Yep..Yep......Will be glad when mom & dad get back.
I have got one of those magnifying glasses that mounts to the work bench and has a round floresent light in it. Well the mount has been broken for a long time, so I took an old gov. issue desk chair and used the bottom with the casters and converted it to a stand for the light, now I can roll it any where I need it.
You all take care, and I'll check back in later.
mopac.... You can have all the snow you want, I don't want any of it. Mike
Mornin all. It's 0430 in Manila. Insomnia kicked in about 0330, but I am playin through. Coffee knocks the edge off and I will catch up tonight. Still negotiating with my minister of finance/interior regarding the install of a 5X7 layout in our extra room. Can anybody tell me if a 30 inch radius curve is enough to run an HO DD40X (8 axles)?
Congras Mr. Beasley on a sound decoder! That must have felt good!
Rejoice...I spent some time in the trainroom today working on the turntable and laying some track at Whyte Junction. One of the tracks is the lead to the turntable, so I thought I'd better get that one down.
Pictures will be coming...But latter. Gotta run
gear-jammer wrote: How about coconut choc chip? Sue
We like chocolate chip cookies made with a box of vanilla pudding mix. Way back in third grade, my little girl had an assignment to bring in a cookie recipe. We found that one on the web, and we've been using it ever since. They're really moist and fudgy.
Joe, could I get a glass of milk? Thanks.
Oooppsss...
Sorry, guess I missed a page (I had thought to myself, there hadn't many folk at the Barn) and answered a question that was already answered. Again sorry!
On the other hand (if I can come up with an excuse) it is late, it's been a long day and I am WAY past just being a squash and am totally in the pumpkin state of mind at this point.
I'd better just say good night! "Good night"
Evening you all...Or, I guess it's actually morning, isn't it....I'll have a cold Alt Joe, and set the place up with whatever they may need.
Just got home and most all is right in my world. The union meeting went well, the Nutcracker rehearsal went well, my shift at the pool went well....only thing missing is a little time in the Trainroom and it's too late for that. I've done that...and then the next day you have to scratch your head and wonder..."What did I do that for, it's all messed up now!"
Mike: No! I'm not "tomikawa" and I don't mean to, nore want to step on any toes, but I can answer your question re: cookie cut. This is a method where a roadbed (usually, but I've seen other uses) outline is cut in the plywood or even foam, resulting in it's ability to be rased or lowered, changing elevations. Really a pretty straight forward way to have varied levels with out the "risers attached to girders" and a roadbed then attached to the risers type of building benchwork.
MrB, I am amazed how much actually fits in those shells.
How about coconut choc chip? They just melt in your mouth. Sue
Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.
Yes, Sue, it's not the sound of draft beer gurgling into a glass, but I really like the diesel horn and bell coming around a curve. It wasn't so much a celebration of the sound Alco itself, but of getting the whole dang thing squeezed into the engine shell. I expected this to be a one-evening job, and it took close to a week. At least twice I deliberately stopped because I was tired and becoming ineffective, and I didn't want to break anything. I even took it back down to Maine Trains to ask Gerry for advice on mounting the speaker.
I just sat by the scenic end of the layout (the end with scenery. Pink foam isn't scenic) and ran the Alco and the 0-6-0 around with short trains, chasing each others' tails. As each came around the bend through town, I'd ring the bell and toot the horn. It took half a century, but I'm back having the same kind of fun I had with my old Lionels.
Mmmm, who brought the cookies?
MisterBeasley wrote:Yessss! Beers all around! I got my Alco to work with the sound decoder. I ended up inserting a piece of wooden coffee stirrer to keep the wires out of the flywheel when the shell was pressed on. I adjusted the volume on the exhaust, played with the horn but ultimately put it back the way it was, and now I've got a sound-equipped RS unit. And that was the easy one...
Are the beers to celebrate the Alco sound? Congrats! Success always feels good.
On our Amtrack trip home, we hit the track layer of a work crew and initiated the emergency braking system. It was exciting.
Sue
'Evening all. Joe, if you please, Ruppert for the house. (Got reminded of old Jake's Brew by a thread over in Classic Trains.)
mikesmowers wrote: Afternoon all, Joe, my fhroat is awful dr could I get something alcholic to wet it? Thanks, much better. tomikawa, I have one rather stupid question for you, What is meant by ''Cookie Cut''? I have the term used all over this forum and don't know what it means. Thanks. Mike
Afternoon all, Joe, my fhroat is awful dr could I get something alcholic to wet it? Thanks, much better.
tomikawa, I have one rather stupid question for you, What is meant by ''Cookie Cut''? I have the term used all over this forum and don't know what it means. Thanks. Mike
Don't see Mike around, so I'll just leave word and trust you good folks to pass it on.
Cookie cutting is the practice of laying your track plan on plywood, then cutting away all the plywood that isn't going to be supporting track (or lineside structures, if you pre-plan for them.) Makes things lots easier when your only level track is between yard limit signs and your (hardshell or other) scenery stands on edge. Adjusting and supporting non-level track on a 65mm wide strip of plywood is a lot easier than doing the same with a full sheet.
Speaking of roadbed, I have to mount a safari tomorrow to get my preferred material - fan-fold underlayment (1/4 inch thick pink foam.) Nearest source is two hours and two state lines away. Then, when I get back, I'll be cutting it to ballast-former size. Layer cookies, anyone?
Thanks for the Ruppert, Joe. After the Knickerbocker, I just had to try. Next time, Ballantine!
Chuck (native New Yorker, several thousand miles removed)
Evening there jeffrey Not exactly sure what you mean but I will figure it out.
Looks like you are on the top again, I'll just have another beer. Thanks, Later Mike
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Morning, Joe. Coffee, for now. Lots to do today.
Below freezing this fine AM, but the one lonely flake of frost blew away before I got a good look at it. Haven't checked Mount Charleston yet - it's the only place around here that usually has snow. It's also a ways to the west and a mile plus higher than the valley...
Time to cookie cut some subgrade and start putting track on it. Hopefully, that will get my work train onto rails that aren't destined to disappear. Now, if I run fast enough, I might catch up to that snail.
Chuck (still making haste slowly)
Morning all, Joe I'll have the pancakes this morning with the usual black coffee, Thanks.
Got home from the train show yesterday evening, was very tired so Ithought I would wait til this morning to give the details, I guess you have seen jjryen's pics, they are about the same as mine. I really had a great time, Lots & lots of N scale. I did pick up some things that I could no longer live without. I found ond (new) Dodge 4WD 1 ton PU. Really a nicemodel with opening doors and tailgate, The man there said he didn't know what brand it was and sold it to me for $4.00, Thought that was allright. Well I post mote later but my breakfast is getting cold. Later Mike
Just a coffee for now...I've got to get out a shovel a little snow. It's not much, just getting an inch or two at a time over the weekend, and it's the light fluffy stuff so it's easy on the back.
Was a busy weekend with the starting of a swim lesson and rehearsals for the Nutcracker taking up most of the day both Sat. and Sun. Today I have the morning free to catch on the chores (and move some snow) before a union meeting this afternoon, more rehearsal this evening and then my CPO shift. Doesn't look good for getting to the Trainroom today......Darn these "Stop Orders"!
A glass of French Pinot Noir, Joe. I don't like to mix after 10...
mopacforever wrote: Mr. Beasley, keep us posted on the decoder install.
Grumble..grumble...grumble. I still don't have it right. I got it all together and put the shell on, the sound was good, the lights worked, but the loco just crawled around the track. There are just so many wires and things that something was rubbing on the flywheel. I'm still working on it. (Dinner party tonight. A banker friend needed help with his old 60's vintage pinball machine. I'd have to admit, that's a cool machine, so helping out is a noble task that will win me marks in heaven if God happens to be a pinball wizard. I think he needed to replace the fuses with slo-blows.)
The Marlboro, Mass, train show was today. I thought it was a great show, with a number of fun layouts to watch and a lot of good vendors. The Euro-layout was there, expanded with a whole new string of modules. I picked up some detail parts and an old junker caboose that will be perfect behind my 0-6-0, once it's outfitted with Kadees and maybe some new trucks and wheels.
There was one lonely setup in the corner with a Free-Mo module. The overall display was not much, just a couple of modules, but I took a look and discovered quite an impressive level of detail in the structures. Free-Mo is another module standard, using a single-track line in the center of the module, and pretty much no other restrictions. I'm also a big fan of interesting structures, so I struck up a conversation. I like the roof detail on the buildings, and I found that we both used family members and friends as inspiration for shop names. I really liked his use of some Preiser figures for hanging out the wash on laundry day.
It's 0530 in Manila and I am getting ready for work. Gotta get some Joe for the road.
Mr. Beasley, keep us posted on the decoder install. I am getting ready to try my first one after Christmas. Just don't seem like Chrsitmas without snow. I just look back at yall's pics of snow and that makes it better.
I couldn't wait for coffee until I got here, so I've already got a cup of my own. I'll have another once this is done, though.
Train show in Marlborough, Mass., today. Nice weather for a drive - temperatures in the 40's, clear skies and I don't see the trees dancing around too much, so I guess it's not too windy. Then it's home to put up more decorations. The wife is on one of her Martha Stewart decorating jihads. Way too much of this stuff, IMHO. Maybe next year I'll put up lights and a Santa on Main Street of my layout, but right now I don't even have a Main Street yet.
Still working on the sound decoder installation. I attacked the frame with a Dremel yesterday, and I think it will all fit, but after a few beers I thought it better to wait until my head was clear and my fingers were steady before proceeding further.
Well, see you all later. I'm off to the show.
Morning All. I'll have a coffee to start. Well actually this will be my third for the morning. Think I'll go up to the attic today and measure the area up and start planing the space for the layout. At one time I thought I would be limited to one side of the room. However, I think with some planning I might be able to incorporate a Trestle or a hanging bridge across the entry stairs and thereby enabling the layout to go around the room and maybe have access to both levels without having to use a helix. I have always wanted to put in an engine facility and with the original design I was never able to figure out how in such a limited space. Of course I need to clean out all that junk in the attic or at least figure out away to at least store some of it behind the knee walls where it can be accessed easily. Then I need to finish the space. Work, work work!
GUB
Beer for me, I'm gonna drink all night.
MisterBeasley wrote: Yeah, Gub, they upgraded the forum software a day or two ago to deal with the IE7 problems. Funny how Microsquash creates a problem, and then everyone else has to scramble to fix it. Yeah, scrambled sounds good, three eggs, bacon and of course some coffee.Mopac, I remember being in Switzerland. I still refer to the whole country as "the world's biggest train set." The trouble is, they don't weather anything. Even though they've got a thousand years of history right there, it all looks new. The trains run exactly on time. Incredible scenery, too, and it's solid enough to walk on. I wonder how they do it.Speaking of "I wonder how they do it," I've got my new sound decoder and speaker all wired up and tested for my P1K Alco RS, but it doens't go back together. I'm afraid I'm going to have to attack some of the interior weight on this one. Both the decoder and the speaker baffle box sit up too high, and the shell won't go down far enough.
Yeah, Gub, they upgraded the forum software a day or two ago to deal with the IE7 problems. Funny how Microsquash creates a problem, and then everyone else has to scramble to fix it. Yeah, scrambled sounds good, three eggs, bacon and of course some coffee.
Mopac, I remember being in Switzerland. I still refer to the whole country as "the world's biggest train set." The trouble is, they don't weather anything. Even though they've got a thousand years of history right there, it all looks new. The trains run exactly on time. Incredible scenery, too, and it's solid enough to walk on. I wonder how they do it.
Speaking of "I wonder how they do it," I've got my new sound decoder and speaker all wired up and tested for my P1K Alco RS, but it doens't go back together. I'm afraid I'm going to have to attack some of the interior weight on this one. Both the decoder and the speaker baffle box sit up too high, and the shell won't go down far enough.
Mister Beasley,
Yep, that's Switzerland! They keep everything in perfect running condition. The streets are all clean, the crime rate is virutally non-existant, and the air is REALLY clean. I miss it. I bought my buddy an air brush for his birthday and he is areally excited, because he wants to start weathering his stuff. He has some old rolling stock to practice on and he will get good before he starts into the more expensive trains. While I was there, I did notice that some were starting to weather their trains. Truth is, that the passenger trains IN Switzerland are VERY clean, but the freight trains show their usage. Switzerland is a great country to model too because they don't run long trains there (no need too). If you are modeling a small layout, it is perfect. The mountain tracks are incredible and they still use narrow gauge in many places. There are also still some operating steam engines in the mountains. The Swiss love their trains. There is a clud there that purchased the right of way to one of the old railroads in the Alps in order to restore it back to it's original glory with actual steam locomotives only. They are doing this purely on donations, but it is coming along.
Speaking of perfect running condition, my buddy & his wife bought me a gift before my wife and I departed. It's a Swiss Railroad watch (made by Mondaine). It matches the clocks in all the stations in Switzerland and is of the automatic winding variety. Now THAT'S a railroadin buddy! A Swiss watch and a Railroad watch to boot!