Hey Joe..I'll take a cold one please. And that pizza idea sounds good too.
Mike, not sure if you're a "Bad Man"....chalk it up as a mental health day! And congrats from me too on not smoking! That is really great. It's a hard habit to kick, and you kicking it's butt.
Regarding some silly threads: I did spend some time looking through the forum last evening...Yup, there is some *#*&*&%%**### going on. For the most part I don't bother myself with this JUNK....But I did read one. It's pretty funny actually. I'll give you that the Beer Barn isn't right up there with the "how to" threads and we have some fun along the way with sharing life stories and even some MRR stuff....But we're not fighting! I really had to laugh at some of this.
I've been up to my eye-balls with OTHER stuff of late. I've got all sort of BAD things going on with union and administration right now and our weather is nice, so I have demands in the garden too. Actually I just came in from the garden (putting the grapes back up on the arbors) to do more union phone work. The line to the personnel...oh excuse me, the new Human Resource Director was busy...So I got to stop here for a beer! Not all that bad of a deal.
Worked in the Trainroom for a little bit last evening and now have a really good start on the CCRY Freight House for Sawbill. It's a bash of an old MDC 3 in 1 with a few other added, extra streams of thought....It's coming along pretty well.
Well, gotta' try the "HRD" office again............ Maybe latter if I get a chance.
Shello-
Hey Joe, go round up some drinks for us, and the guys. Due to my lack of participation, I will buy.
I have been bummed out for the last few weeks.
I inserted a post over in layouts about the soundtraxx lc series, and the LokSound decoders not putting out at full potential. Yes, they are both set at maximum CV values for the volume.
Anyway, the responders posted that I didn't know what I was doing.
Ha. Yes I DID!
Although I haven't gotten around to modifying the LokSound yet, (half watt audio output), I did get around to the soundtraxx DSD100LC sound decoder.
They advertise it as having a 1 watt output. If so, then why don't the horns sound the way that they should- LOUD? (MRC horns are LOUD, though the decoders are not very reliable- I know because I own four MRC's, two soundtrax lc's, and two LOKsound decoders)
The reason is that they have two audio amplifiers connected in tandem- but why they did this, I don't know. I even tried to get a schematic diagram from Soundtraxx- but they wouldn't budge. Anyway, by using a few capacitors, I was able to raise the gain high enough to give a startling horn sound when operated.
Really the main reason for this design is that capacitors use up space- lots of space, plus it makes it friendly to the user.
Are there any tech heads out there? I am on my fifth 16oz beer- I will share some beer with 'ya.
And for the LOKsound, I am working on an audio booster that would raise the output to 1 watt, but I will need to experiment with a prototype circuit board, until I get it all figured out. Beer, or no beer.
Anyway, you guys are doing nice work. My work looks like nothing because I am screwing around with microscopic electronic particles.
Thanks for keeping the Beer Barn alive.
I'll have one of those free beers that are floating around, thanks. Put some nachos on the bar too, would you, Joe? Thanks. They're on me.
Yeah, it's too nice out to stay in. I went to the varsity girls' lacrosse game on Saturday, and those of us in the "stands" agreed that this was better than going to the Red Sox. (The stands, of course, consist of whatever chairs and blankets you haul over from home and place on the lawn by the field.) It really helped that they won a see-saw battle, 13-12, with full-speed action up until the whistle blew. That evening, daughter Annie suggested biking over to the next town for dinner, which was a great fun evening for both of us. It's a good 10 miles each way, too, so we earned that dinner at Mario's.
Sunday was spent on the Mothers' Day gift. Mom was out on a "girls weekend" with old friends in Pennsylvania, but I was pulling out old timbers and rebuilding a flower box in front of the house. The funny thing is, she got me a chain saw for Mothers' Day so I could do the job! My old chain saw reached its quarter-century mark and wasn't working too well, but nevertheless someone picked it up when we put it out a day early for the trash.
I did manage to do a bit of interior work on 2 of the Penny Lane businesses on the layout - Woolworths and the House of Haggis restaurant.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Just got done with work for the day.... A cold beer and nachos sounds good to me too...Add some veggies too please, extra olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet peppers, jalapeños...what ever you can find... And set a round for the house too...If you please Mr. Joe.
Mr. Beasley: Sounds like you have been a very busy boy of late...But, hey, you got a new chainsaw out of the deal.
We are hot and dry here...80 degrees again today (we've been in a pretty warm pattern of late) and a very stiff wind too. That certainly isn't helping the wildfire situation up on the Gunflint. Now encompassing over 90 sq. miles...and now into Canada too. She is a "Hot One"! With a mind of her own!
We are supposedly out of the drought condition area here...But it sure is getting dry! Had a fire to the West of us that was put out, and another to the East that re-kindled last evening! I'm keeping an eye on the horizon!
Squeaky, good to hear from you! Sorry about the sound decoder problem....Wish I could help, but I have absolutely no idea about any of that stuff. I've got DCC and PLENTY of decoders, but none have sound...Other than an occasional HUMMMMM! What I can do however...Is buy you a beer! So what's your poison tonight?
Need to finish up some outdoor (garden) chores in the morning and then I hope to get to the Trainroom and finish up the CCRY Freight station.
Latter
Morning all, I'll have the eggs and bacon with a cup of black coffee.
The weather here is hitting around the 90 deg. mark with humidity nearly as much, about all a person can do is SWEAT. I guess I will get back to work this morning, such a chore. I have been thinking,, I cannot remember a man ever getting a chainsaw from his wife on Mothers Day. You must be doing something right.
Guess I better get, See you all later. Mike
It's morning- Just java for me, please?
Mike,
With the 80+ temperature mixed in with the humidity- I think that I will hide out indoors. With my luck, a car will break down, and I will have to go out and fix it. You can't drink enough suds to keep cooled down.
Those are not really problems I am having with the decoders- it's just that I am trying to enhance the output for more volume.
My next experiment will be getting two TCS or Lenz decoders, and buckling together sound only decoders from Soundtraxx. Then if I am not happy with the way the sound is, I will only have the sound part of the decoder to worry about. Even if they have to be modified, with the cost of adding resistors and capacitors, it will probably be cheaper in the long run.
In the meantime, I am cutting up a bunch of pink StYrOfOaM for making some mountains. Really, foothills to be more accurate. The pink particles are all over the living room. Ha. The vacuum is going to have a nice workout.
You guys take care, and have fun.
Done again.
I like this working early stuff....I'll have a tap and I'll buy a round too, Joe, and keep the change.
Squeaky...Isn't that "styro dust" a trip. No matter what you do...it's stuck to everything. Even had it in my ears! Thank God for vacuum cleaners! And the more "suck" they got the better!
Worked in the house all day today and have a busy slate for tomorrow too, so no Trainroom report tonight...OR tomorrow for that fact, unless I can sneak out there for a bit before I have to go to work!
Cool today, 50-ish and a mist so that should help with the wildfires!
Joe, I'll have another....maybe something to munch too. Oh, you've got the fire up! In that case, I'll have a burger please. Any one else...I'll buy.
Hi JB,
If it weren't for vacuum cleaners, how would we get the pink mess up? I can't think of any other device that would do the trick. It comes in handy for removing dust after sanding down plaster as well. And, I keep a dedicated bag for sucking up the excess ballast, and re-using it.
My biggest problem is lack of ambition. Days will go by and I will do nothing. Then all of a sudden, I will get a wild hair up my A**- (the beer helps too) and I will go in there an get some work done. The mistakes will wear you down.
One big flub I made was with "Kim's Classis American Home" kit from Atlas. So easy a caveman like me could do it. It went together so easily (you know- there is bound to be something wrong). Whellp, it went together fine, until I went to put the porch railings on, and realized that the slots that the posts were to fit into on the side of the wall was missing. That is because they were on the opposite end of the house. Talk about being riled up- and in the instructions, there isn't even a hint about the south or west wall being that particular. And, I used that Ambroid Pro-weld to put it together with. I knew that I should have used Elmer's school glue.
I was going to cut the porch off, and move it around to the other side of the house, but then a basement window is in the way. So, all I can do now is toss it out, buy another, and try again.
I e-mailed Atlas about it- no response. I told them that they need to inclue a notation in with the instructions to make sure that the south wall is on the same end as the porch.
But it is things like this that just bum me out, and feeling totally stupid- that slows any progress I might have made.
Except for taking my wife back and forth to work, I have almost the whole day, everyday to play around, but the ambition holds me back.
This hobby is expensive enough without causing a bunch of mistakes. And, the mistakes never happen with a few beers- it's always when I am fresh up in the morning with my java that these things happen.
Then, I am sort of into electronics, so I am trying to acheive things that may not work. And when working on some of the sound projects, I find out that I don't have the right parts, and have to order some from Digi-Key- so the project gets put on hold for a couple of weeks until I can round up enough stuff to justify an order from them without a handling charge.
Sorry to post a boring message, but that is me. It keeps me out of trouble.
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
jeffrey-wimberly wrote:I'll have a vodka martini before I set off for work. Shaken, not stirred.
Kinda early for a stiff drink don't ya think! Just watch all those power tools there Jeff!
Ryan BoudreauxThe Piedmont Division Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger eraCajun Chef Ryan
Howdy gang: I'll take a cold one Joe, and I'll spring for a round too.
And...While you're drawing those taps Joe, I see we have a total dorkmister on the forum tonight, draw an extra and feel free to throw one on this guy. Maybe it'll put out his fire! Oh, and I'll be happy to buy that tap too.
Squeaky, always good to hear from you...No matter. It's never boring to hear about one's "adventures"! And isn't life just one adventure after another?
And speaking about adventures...I have to agree with SilverSpike: Drinking and power tools don't mix very well. That's one adventure we don't need!
No work in the Trainroom again, and it now looks like it may be some time before I get out there again! I've got all sort of EXTRA stuff (both inside and out) going on that will demand ALL of my time for a week or two. With good weather, I have plenty of chores in the garden and I also need to get busy again with my library addition and an insulating project for the Solarium.....WAY busy remodeling. Maybe that's why we haven't seen GUB for awhile. He had some major projects going. Oh well...When I do get to finish up the freight house, I certainly will be fresh on MRRing and ready to tackle those projects again.
Here is a picture of me and Sparky. Don't know who the Indian is, but was part of a "Sitting Bull" bronze statue set down in Fredricksburg Texas.
I have been wanting to post a picture of me for some time, but due to lack of cooperation from my better half, it didn't happen.
Sorry that the image is so large- I will tone down future pictures. No wonder it took so long to download to photobucket. I am on dial-up, so this download was quite painful.
Anyway, I thought it was not fair for all of you guys to show your faces, and not me.
And later I will get pictures of my layout and post them as well. Hopefully.
Morning all, Joe I need a coffee to go, Thanks.
Just a short note befor I get to work, I noticed last night we had a moron on the forum. I figure he must be about 8 years old, I can't see anyone any older acting so childish, Does anyone know what started the outrage? Just wondering. Well It is off to the grindstone. see you all this evening, Have a good one. Mike
mikesmowers wrote: Morning all, Joe I need a coffee to go, Thanks. I noticed last night we had a moron on the forum. I figure he must be about 8 years old
I noticed last night we had a moron on the forum. I figure he must be about 8 years old
jeffrey-wimberly wrote: mikesmowers wrote: Morning all, Joe I need a coffee to go, Thanks. I noticed last night we had a moron on the forum. I figure he must be about 8 years old8? That's giving him far too much credit. I figured about 2, going on 1.
My estimates:
I notice that Bergie did a quick job of cleaning out its threads this morning. Haven't checked to see if its posts to more serious threads are still there, but I doubt it.
All this is thirsty work. Set up the house, Joe. I'll have a Heineken.
On a more pleasant note, my mundane visitors were pleasantly impressed with the rather small percentage of the railroad currently operable, which was an equally small percentage of a very enjoyable weekend visit.
And now, back to the salt mine, er, train room.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Hey, good news. Time for a beer to celebrate.
I checked one of the "real" threads that had been disrupted by He-who-must-not-be-named. After Bergie cleaned up, the offensive post was gone, but the rest of the thread was still there. I guess the forum software now allows the Moderator to do that. I was a bit afraid to post anything, lest the thread rise to the top and be sniped at by the Bad Boy. I was concerned that the only way to eliminate a single offensive post might be to delete the whole thread. Fortunately, we now know it's not the case.
Anyway, I was playing around a bit last night. I got a few of the new Athearn autos from the 1930's, and one Mini-Metal:
MisterBeasley wrote: Anyway, I was playing around a bit last night. I got a few of the new Athearn autos from the 1930's, and one Mini-Metal:
Black and white really makes that scene pop out.
Sue
Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.
gear-jammer wrote: Black and white really makes that scene pop out.Sue
Thanks. It completely loses that old-time flavor when you do it in color:
Ut-oh Tricky tricky. Different cars and different locos will make the scene look different too. Ha.
Nice work though, Mr. B. One of these days I might be half as good as you.
I'll have a cold one Joe...
Well, I didn't get to the Trainroom but I did get to put in a 16 hour day...Guess that means I only work part time!! Right? Got 8 more hours on my hands with nothing on the slate for now!!??!!
Got all of the South wall taken apart in the solarium and I'm now ready to tackle the "footings". Need to get everything cleaned out, with-in the walls below ground line, right down to the dirt or concrete (which ever the case may be) before shooting it full of poly urethane foam! That means getting the saw out and cutting things apart under the four big, floor to ceiling windows, to be able to get at the bottom....."AAreeeiett......More Power!".
Don't know just how that will happen yet, but two "modes of operation" involve a saws-all or a chainsaw! We'll see.
Better have one more, Joe. It's going to be a tough day with auditions for Showboat in morning, a run to the garden center with the wife a bit latter....And then, maybe a chainsaw!
Mr. Beasley...I like the looks of the town square! You've got a real good eye for detail. Do you hire out?
Squeaky, you must have been looking at another thread......I don't recall any "person" pictures here at the Barn....Not that it wouldn't be a bad idea! I'll see if I can come up with one that actually looks like me...But then what the Hey...Who would know anyway??
One more, Joe...I think I'm on a roll here! I may be WELL beyond pumpkin at this point! Oh....And one for the house too. I'm feeling rich, even though I have NO money!
JB,
But, but (see I am stuttering now) I could have been sure that you posted pictures of you and your daughter from the swim team here in the Barn. But after searching through pages, and pages, I can't find them. Good thing I wasn't placing bets. There was another thread though (I can't find it either) about showing ourselves. So what am I good for? I can't find anything.]
Supposed to go and start forming a mountain out of the pink foam, now that it is all glued together- and due to having too many beers, I guess, I forgot which way to cut the angle on the pink foam slices, and they came out upside down. Will have to fill all of it in with joint compound, as filing and sanding the stuff down to get it where it is supposed to be- There won't be much left.
Then again; with all the fine work you guys have been showing, I might just give up and become a spectator. Ha ha. A computer armchair railroader- Toot toot.
Nah, that wouldn't work- I would have to fight my wife over this machine first because she is the one who is on here the most. It's not worth fighting over.
Besides, I still like building things, no matter how bad the outcome may be.
And the saying goes: If at first you don't succeed, destroy every shred of evidence that ever showed you tried.
Time for cold one Joe...It's been a long day, but fun! Something to eat would be alright too...
On the other hand...Maybe I'll just have the White Plate Special in the CCRY Dining Car. Tonight it's a Mediterranean Chicken dish, with squash and peaches!!??!! Never have tried / done this one before, so I'll let you know.
Squeaky, you are right on about the photo!! I had forgotten that I had posted a pic of Rae and I...Wet as we were! But I did see a thread with / regarding "faces" that I had thought you were thinking of.
Still: Maybe we (the Beer Barn crew) should do a picture post to be able to put a face to a name. On the other hand...I have trouble with remembering names so a picture may not have much merit, in the long run of things....But would be fun anyway!
Ahh, so this is where everyone's been hangin' out instead of working on trains.
Been by this place hundreds of times- who knew. So I see some of the Regs from to diner are here also.
So besides a cold one is there eats here too? Don't want to drink on an empty stomach.
So who's the barkeep here, I need a Sam. I ran out wasting them putting out them torch fires, ya know.
So besides the diner crew, I see that misterbeasly, Mike, JB, and Chuck frequent the Barn. If you guys don't know, the diner crew have been a godsend for me with their support helping me over the past couple of months since loosing my wife. Great people, these railroad types.
So what's happening here, my first time and haven't followed everyone?
I'm hoping to have pics of the first test run of the Old Colony Greenbush as soon as my daugther can download them from her D70. These runs are supposed to continue throughout the rest of the month. Today we chased the train all along the route and stopped for the pics at grade crossings. The T sent an F40 and 5 cars. I wish they could have at least washed the beast for the first run. Looks like they just grabbed anything that came in from last nights commute.
Later in the afternoon, we stopped by the club and took about 50-60 shots of the layout. Some were for showing the progression of benchwork, trackwork, and scenery. Others are from just play- running trains. About 6 members were there and decided to run. Hope they are good.
It's been a quiet weekend, not like the madness of last. Actually some real train/ modeling related stuff.
Time for another one, these do go down easy. This round's on me.
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
"bogp40".....Welcome to the Barn.
Yes, you can get a "SAM" here! Or most anything else you want...Except Alice! Just like at Alice's Restaurant....
I did get the drift of your support from the diner through another thread. Isn't it great that we can do that for one another...Even if we have NO CLUE (other than through words on a monitor) who is on the other end!! Very sorry to hear of your lose...That has to be hard. And I hope and pray that you are doing well...
Sooooo....Regarding the Barn: This is a great place to hang out, with a number of really great folk that stop by every once in awhile for a bit of camaraderie. Joe, our bartender is great too! He can and will put anything you want together....Not to mention he is REALLY GREAT at the grill. Also, there is a kitchen staff (24/7) with great daily specials, breakfast, lunch and dinner.....Squeaky (the propitiator) has left NOTHING to chance! Talk about a guy that know his public!! What you want is what you get.
Hey, we even talk trains once in a while...and post a picture or two. What more can a fella' ask for then that!!
Welcome! Let me buy you a cold tap...And a round for the house too...
"gobp40" Oooppss...
You mentioned your daughter and I had thought I should comment, but then didn't...Sounds like you are having some fun with her. That's important, keeping connections!
I have a 15 year old that plays with me in the Trainroom...Sometime. But, what she / we are really into is the singing, dancing and theater! We are very involved in community theater and Raeanne is un-stoppable when it comes to (listed in order) dancing, singing, stage and violin! I'm in trouble...I just don't know it. Or, so I'm told!
We just auditioned for Showboat this morning, an outdoor summer theater, that we've done for the past two years...I'm thinking that we're in again. Up to our eyeballs! But, what fun to be able to do this with her!!??!!
I'll have another cold one Joe. But then I've got to hit the hay. I have a long one on the slate for tomorrow working on the insulation project.
Latter.
Morning all and welcome gobp40 to the barn. Joe I need a plate of toast and fried eggs with some black coffee.
Sorry to here about the loss of your wife, gobp40, But there is always someone at the barn to talk to you when you need it.
As far as a pic of yourself hanging on the wall at the Beer Barn I kinda like the idea so I will start. Here is one of me at the layout.
Please, don't laugh out loud.
Not going to do much today exceptt mow my grass and maybe hang out here for a while. You all have a good day ahd I'll See you later. Mike
Good morning! Too early for the beer, so guess I will just stay with coffee- black, please?
bobp40 Nobody knows more about the loss of a loved one than him/her self. We can only try to imagine the pain you are suffering. All we can do is console you, though I am sure that it doesn't help much. I am sad to hear about your wife's passing.
Mike That picture you are trying to show us of your layout would look a lot better if there wasn't somebody standing in front of it. Can you get another shot, and ask that person to please move?
Just KIDDING. Nice shot of you, and what is being shown of your layout. Thanks for sharing.
I am starting to feel like Herman Munster. I post nothing in here for weeks (going to happen again) and then when I show up, most everyone leaves. Ha.
Done playing around here for now. Guess I will go back down into the dungeon to pester Grandpa.
That is pretty brave, Mike.
Oh, by the way, I will have a coffee, too.
It is a good day to be inside.
David Parks I am the terror that flaps in the night!
David, welcome back! Let me refill your Dr Pepper. I'll have a Shipyard Export, since that's what I seem to be drinking this weekend. (The Summer Ale is too hoppy for my taste, but some folks like it that way.) How've you been?
We went to my nephew's graduation from the University of New Hampshire on Saturday. 45 degrees and overcast, but fortunately the rain stopped before the ceremony and didn't start again until it was done. I really liked the speech by one of the Deans. He talked about how we still tell our kids to look both ways when they cross the street. "Dad," they protest, "I'm 22 years old now. I don't need to be told that."
He explained that sometimes it's hard for us to look those young adults in the eye and say, "I love you" the way we did when they were in diapers, but the feelings are still there. So, instead, we tell them to look both ways when they cross the street.
The speech was great. Short, and to the point. No grand, sweeping statements about World Peace or To Serve Man. Just that simple statement of love and warning.
There were a couple of other speakers on the program (Dubya's dad and Hillary's hubby) but I don't remember much of what they had to say.
And so, to all of you, "Stop, Look and Listen" before you cross the tracks, OK?