BEER BARN

[MisterBeasley]

Pretty basic dinner tonight - steaks, butternut squash, garlic bread and salad.  Add a cheap but palatable Pinot Noir, and I doubt the Emporers of Rome often ate that well.  Yeah, I do take a lot of pride in the steaks that come off my grill.  Inch-thick Rib-eyes from BJ's warehouse, USDA prime.  Sure beats dead cow from the super market.  Another red wine, Joe, to keep the streak alive.

I spent my railroad time putting in some timber retaining walls, to hold back that pink foam which we all know will wash out like crazy the first time there's a heavy rain.  I bought a few pieces of 1/8-inch balsa wood, and then scored it every inch-and-an-eighth with the Dremel to simulate a row of 8-foot timbers.  I mixed India Ink into some light gray wood stain, and then added a few washes of plain India Ink to bring out the wood grain and make it look more like the old creosote-dipped timbers.

The pipe on the upper tier is for drainage, but don't be surprised if Old Man Burns from the Fuel Oil business upslope just tapped into it for all his waste disposal needs.  Fortunately, model railroading isn't modelling smell quite yet.

[91rioja]

Evening ya'll!

GUB, how do you like the Spanish wines?  My name here is from my absolute favorite Spanish wine, Rioja.  Recently, I have also been getting into wines from the Toro region as well.

I have chicken roasting on the grill right now, with roasted red potatoes and green beans.  Washing it all down with a Samuel Adams Black Lager or two.

I'll check back in after dinner.

CH

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Here's something I just pulled from the archives.

Here ya go, 5 F units lined up, ready to pull! I took this pic three years ago on my previous layout. They're all Athearns, all powered and were pulling a 40 car train.

 

[91rioja]

JB, I got em.  Thanks a bunch.  Time to go an mow the grass.  Hopefully it will be the last time this year.  I want to work on my trains.

Ch

[GUB]

Good morning all....Strong coffee here please Joe!

I've got so much to do and just want to set down for the day...Man, it's been a long busy week. But chores and projects call and I'd better get after them.

Chris, I sent a couple of recipes off to you in an email (if the rest of you want to see them too, we can do that). I should also get that "Frogmore Soup" recipe out to you too.

Latter, boys...Gotta' get busy.

Good Morning to you All! I'll have a coffee please, maybe some toast perhaps, rye if you have it.

JB - I would like to have your recipe for the Crabcakes. I have a rather good one, but am unable to find it now. The office and for that matters the upstairs is in quite a state of mess due mostly to the renovations. Also can you fill me in on the Frogmore soup - what is it? Maybe you could send both via a PM or email, which ever you would like.

Tried a great inexpensive wine last night at a party. It was called Vampire and I think it was a Pinot Noir. Things may be a little fuzzy this morning. Anybody tried Arogant Grog - Ribet Red or Mad Dogs & Englishmen? Mad Dogs is from Spain and the Arogant Frog is from France.

Well I should probably get a move on. Afterall it is 10:30 and haven't even been outside yet. Think I will try this new Stew recipe I found - Beef Stew with Greek Flavours. I'll let you know how it turns out.

There was also some talk about practicing our sweeping. So our team might be off to the Curling Rink to throw a few rocks and for those of us who are neither the Skip or the Vice to practise our sweeping. Can't tell you how much i do not look forward to the sweeping part of the sport. Mostly the part where my butt comes in contact with the ice. I know you are not to suppose to fall, but then again....

And speaking of music... The new Tony Bennit CD Duets is very, very, very good.

Well ... agian I must go. I will check back in later to see how everyone is doing. Have a Great Day!

GUB

[colvinbackshop]

Oooppsss...

I think I may have sent those recipes off to Ryan! If I did do that...Sorry Ryan, hope you like the recipes and...Sorry Chris, I'll get this straightened out, I hope!

Again, latter Boys...

[colvinbackshop]

Good morning all....Strong coffee here please Joe!

I've got so much to do and just want to set down for the day...Man, it's been a long busy week. But chores and projects call and I'd better get after them.

Chris, I sent a couple of recipes off to you in an email (if the rest of you want to see them too, we can do that). I should also get that "Frogmore Soup" recipe out to you too.

Latter, boys...Gotta' get busy.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Crabcakes are one thing I avoid. Crab makes me itchy. My mother is deathly allergic to all shellfish. I guess that's where I get it from.

[91rioja]

Hey Colvin, I'll be more than happy to let you hook me up with a crabcake recipe.  My wife's birthday is Friday and she loves crabcakes.

Chris

[MisterBeasley]

It's hard to beat this bunch, with the exception of Trainmaster. He needs to grow up, literally. lol

Why should he grow up?  So he can put away his trains, live for 20 years, have a mid-life crisis, re-discover the trains and end up right back here?  Nah.  Check my signature, dude.  We are all just boys playing with toy trains, no matter how you cut it.  TrainMaster doesn't need to grow up, the rest of us need to grow down.

Except, of course, you need to be old enough to drink beer, and you need to earn enough to support your model railroading habit.  Everything else is just gravy, preferably with mashed potatoes.

[csmith9474]

Just time for a Russian beer then it's off to bed.

Night folks!

That is kind of funny. I actually got a pint of Obolon (the green bottle) in my hand, and after that I am going to swill some Baltika. Russian beer night for me!!!!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Just time for a Russian beer then it's off to bed.

Night folks!

[colvinbackshop]

Mr.Beasley, that sounds like a great get together....And really good food.

We did baked (smothered in a cream, onion & mushroom sauce) grouse, bread dressing and squash. And yes, a bit of wine too! Life is good.

I've got a crabcake recipe that I will be happy to share, if you might be able to share yours....I like comparing "notes" so to speak. I also most usually serve the cakes with a mustard sauce. Both of which are my concocktions, that actually turned out pretty good.

One more cold one Joe...Then it's time for some shut-eye.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

It's hard to beat this bunch, with the exception of Trainmaster. He needs to grow up, literally. lol

[MisterBeasley]

Just a quick one before I set the clocks back and hit the hay.  We had our gourmet group over for a fine dinner tonight.  Each couple brings part of the meal to one house, and we get together for a royal feast.  We had crabcakes for an appetizer, veal shanks and apple-spiced potatoes for the main course, and a chocolate mousse in phyllo pastry with raspberries dessert.  We went through 7 bottles of wine for 8 people tonight.

I took the crowd up to see the trains, too.  Mostly, they were pretty impressed, and they appreciated the effort that went into the layout.  That was nice.  I was able to talk modelling with some folks and technology with others.  Overall, a great group of people, kind of like the bunch we hang it with at the Beer Barn.

 

[Train Master]

hey, now this is flashy, i been in this one

[colvinbackshop]

It's been a long hectic day...I'm in need of a cold one here Joe...And a round for the gang too...

Chris, my thoughts are with you on the loss of your friend!! Keep the good thoughts going and I'm so glad to hear it was a celebration! As it should have been. I know I've gotten in some trouble regarding having too much fun at a funeral (my cousin passed away very unexpectedly)...But we really do have to celebrate the life...And remember the good thoughts and times. I sure hope someone throws me one hell of a party when I'm gone from life as we know it! Regarding work, keep in mind it's just work! Sometimes we just have to let things go and let them be as they will be.

GUB, I run a Digitrax system (give you it's an old Big Boy that I have upgraded to using radio throttles) and think it is the cat's meow! I really love it! And it works flawlessly! As far as track goes: I have seen literally 100's of layouts very up close and personal, when I was able to afford attending the NMRA National Conventions, and I can't tell the difference between the code 100 and the 87 once it is ballasted, weathered and sceniced. And you are right...A lot of the pikes we see in the "pages" are done with 100. I personally use 100 everywhere, again because I can't tell a difference, it is very available, very reasonable in price, will run ANYTHING and thus can see no reason to use an other. I do however attempt to remove and move about a few ties when putting down an old spur or abandon track.

BTW, I found the posts on the oil depot photos....Looking good!

[91rioja]

When we remember friends who've passed on, try to do it in a spirit of celebration of a life well lived.

MisterBeasley, you are wise beyond your years; that is just the way his wife wanted the celebration to go today.  It was a celebration of his life.

Guys, thanks for all the kind words.  Thanks also for listening.

GUB, go with the Digitrax.  I did, and will never look back.  I have two high hood geep 30's with sound, and I don't know how I did without it for so long.  The only issue I have with the Zephyr is that it will not do F9-F12 (which is where some of the functions are located); you can do it with the Super Chief of Empire Builder, but IIRC, those will not read back CV's.  Only the Zephyr will.  But, I see at DT400, or whatever it is now, throttle in my future, so the F key thing will not be an issue.  Take a good look at the Digitrax.

Mike, where can I get a remote like that?  I want to give one to my wife

Time to go back to football.  Later.  Chris

[MisterBeasley]

Put the Beer and Food buttons on my Lenz throttle, and I will be a happy man.

Speaking of which, Joe, I could use a Bud (in honor of the headquarters of BudCorp, St. Louis, and their World Series victory) and some curly fries (in honor of Curly from the Three Stooges.)

Man, I like my little P2K 0-6-0.  It's been on the mainline ever since I got it, with only one short stint on the turntable and on to a roundhouse track, just to see if it would fit.  To my surprise, it fits on an Atlas 9-inch turntable, so I can pop it into any stall.  I've been tweaking track and clearances ever since I got it, though.  I've found that the sand pipe catches on things when running in reverse, so I'm doing small bits of scenic trimming.  And there are places where nothing ever came off the track that will pop this baby off about one time in four.  Fortunately, it's pretty stable, and it stays upright.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Uh huh! If you're mother saw you looking at that, she'd skin you.

[Train Master]

     I know I was the last to post here but I just got a glimse of what I am getting for Christmas, and I LOVE IT!!!!



   I do not where Santa got it but if you want one you better not waste time and tell Santa right away.   Somehow I think this might be a pretty hot item  this year, for the guys anyway.
       You married folk might want to check with your CFO befor ordering.      Mike

man, somebodys kinky. little guys like me shouldn't be seein that kinda stuff, but i like it!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Oh man, that's rich!

[mikesmowers]

     I know I was the last to post here but I just got a glimse of what I am getting for Christmas, and I LOVE IT!!!!



   I do not where Santa got it but if you want one you better not waste time and tell Santa right away.   Somehow I think this might be a pretty hot item  this year, for the guys anyway.
       You married folk might want to check with your CFO befor ordering.      Mike

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Either that or a chorus of "Macho Man!".

[mikesmowers]

    MisterB,  I think that scene is awsome,  One thing I might add but maybe not, maybe painting the insides of the barrels a floresent green and maybe some spilt in the hole
     As to your suggestion about the propane tank for filling small propane cylinders at Coleman Fuel, I am almost done with the tank, and I am building a pump house to go by the fuel tanks. I think I might try to build something like the one you got with your kit for unloading tank cars.
     I'll try to get some pics up later.        Mike
  P.S.  If they do break out in a chorus of YMCA,     I'm leaving  and you can deal with them.

[MisterBeasley]

When we remember friends who've passed on, try to do it in a spirit of celebration of a life well lived.

I've been doing a bit of scenery the last few days.  Here's the result of the "buried toxic waste" discussion we had here a while back.  It still needs some more paint and a bit of turf cover here and there, but you can get the general idea from this:

 

Is it just me, are do those guys with the shovels a deep-V necklines look like they're about to break out into a chorus of "YMCA?"

 

 

[GUB]

Afternoon All.

I got an idea for my 2nd diorama. Actually it is large enough to be a module for my eventual layout - 30" x 60". I have a basic idea of what I want to do. But I have a couple questions and hopefully those who read this could give me some advise.

The first question is this. Should I use code 83 or code 100 flex track? I was at a local train show recently and talking to one vender who told me that code 100 was the equivalent to rails that would be 14" high in the real world. He went on to say that the code 83 was more realistic and there were plenty of switches or turnouts to match the code 83 and if i wanted to I could use code 55 for sidings and yards. One of the disadvantage (at least to my way of thinking) of going with the code 83 track is the cost. Of course if I was to buy in bulk it would be considerably more economical.  I also read somewhere and I cannot remember just where that some of these spectacular layouts we see in magazines use the code 100. Any thoughts on this?

My second questions has to do with the operating system. I want sound and eventually will have accesories on my layout so I'm thinking DCC is the way to go. From what I have seen, read and heard about it appears that Digitrax is the likely choice, unless someone can tell me why not. I would like to have power on this Diarama. But would like to be able to use it on my layout eventually. What system should I buy? Anyone? Any thoughts?

Think I'll have a glass of juice. Too many late nights as of late and I really do not want a drink now. Perhaps later at the party.

Will check back later. Bye for now.

GUB

[mikesmowers]

  Chris, sorry about your friend. I also lost my Grandmother a week ago this past Friday, although not a tumor but to cancer, I don't which would be worse. We all watched the cancer on her face grow until it was nearly as big as a baseball, She couldn't open her left eye because of the huge growth, this all took place over a 16 month time frame. Needless to say there was a closed casket . 
   I hope things will get beter for you over time, and I'm sure it will.         My sympanthy twards you.    Mike

[GUB]

Hey Chris sorry to hear about your friend. It doesn't seem fair does it? Never is.

I can sympathize with you about shorts deadlines and all. I go through this every week. The paperwork keeps piling up and you never get caught up no matter how many hours thatn you put in. I've got almost 2000 messages in my inbox. Most of them do not need my attention but some of them will. The problem is even if i was to do 30 or 40 each night it will take forever. But now I'm venting.

I keep telling myself things will get better and they will.

Again I'm sorry to hear about your friend. Let my buy you a drink. Whatta you have.

GUB

 

[91rioja]

Hey all.  I know I'v been away for a few weeks.  It was a bad week last week, so set 'em up across the bar.  I need a few right now.

I got a project at work tossed on my desk with an unreasonable completion date placed on it.  Not only that, but on Tuesday, I found out that one of my co-workers has passed away early that morning.  He had spent the past couple of years fighting a brain tumor.  The docs took it out, and he was better for a few years, and then it came back, this time resting on his brain stem.  He lost the battle on Tuesday morning.

I think the thing that gets me about this was why it chose to attack his brain.  That was the essence of what he was, and it was brutally attacked.  If you ever met this man, your life was changed for the better just by knowing him.  So anyone care to tell me why this would attack what made him who he was?  It really hacks me off!!!

So anyway, I took over some of his programming work this week; I swear I felt him looking at me laughing and pointing his finger saying "Heh, heh, heh.  You've gotta fix all that bunk code now.  It's no longer my problem!"  It was kinda comforting and weird at the same time.

His celebration of life was this morning in Texas; I was not able to be there in person.

I'm still reeling from this week.  Sorry for venting, ranting, and spewing.  I do not mean for this to turn into a pity party; just needed to talk about it.  Thanks for hearing me out.

On the train front, one day I was in the train room, and realized that the only way my layout was going to come out of the room in one piece was a) remove the north facing exterior wall entirely, or b) with a very large hammer and a load of debris for the garbage men. Both options were not acceptable. So, needless to say, I came to a grinding halt rather quickly.

My wife and I are in a new house (3 years this past July), and FedEx is adding an additional runway to the Greensboro airport to expand their services. Depending on which study you look at, I am either in the flight path or in between it. So, each and every day we have the discussion "Are you ready to move or not?"

With that being said, if I invest the time and $$$ into this layout, if we move, I want to take it with me. So back to the design stages. I have a few ideas floating around in my head.

Ryan, I made a big pot of sausage and chicken gumbo Thursday.  Man was it good.

I'm going to have to get back to see all the past pages; looks like a bit of catch-up to play.

Thanks for letting me get some things off my chest.  I'll be back later.

Chris