Thanks for the beer, Mike. I will buy the second round.
Chuck, I am sure that you will get back at it. I find it a lot easier when it is raining. It was 33 this morning with frost on the deck, so it was easier to stay inside.
Sue
Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.
Thanks, Sue. It's a bit early in the day, but what the heck? It's Friday, and the Sox are hot. The good teams win the close ones, they say, not to imply that both teams aren't good. Anyway, a Harpoon IPA for me, Joe.
The stockyard is progressing slowly. I did cut down the excess roadbed, and cut a notch in the packing plant wall to get the throwbar for that hidden Atlas switch machine out. The stockyard is back to being a "workshop" project I can do down in the tool room, so I started another "on-layout" job. Those are incompatable with family TV activities, so I like to keep one of each running. "Family TV" includes the Sox right now, though, so last night I did both by stripping wires in the 5th inning.
I never did get the station lights into the Penny Lane subway stop, so last night I pulled up the liftoff and started work. I punched a couple of holes through 2 layers of 2-inch foam, and ran tubular coffee stirrers through the holes as conduit for the wires. Then I took a couple of lengths of phone wire and stripped off all the insulation. I'll run those lengthwise down the roof of the station, over the girders, and that will be the two bus wires for attaching the individual bulbs. Not much actual work, but now that I've looked at the job and figured out exactly how it's going to be done, I figure I can move more quickly. The big problem now is that I'm out of juice on that old Lionel transformer, and my little 30 milliamp bulbs have added up to an overload if I turn all the toggles on. Methinks it's time to scrounge through the parts box for another wall-wart.
Well, I hope the rest of you have a fine Friday. Thanks for the brew, Sue, too.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Good morning. It is still early enough that I will just have coffee.
MrB, You seem to make good use your time. There is no TV in our train room, but a great view of the valley, so I like to work in the daylight. One of my friends is an avid Red Sox fan, so we cut our climbing a little short on Wednesday. He is happy.
I need to go to town this morning. It is property tax time. Ick.
Hi!
Everyone knows I haven't been around here for a few months. But....
I have lost complete interest in the hobby. For good.
Sorry to dissappoint, but how much more bull should one put up with; considering a 4X8 double ovals and constant maintenance with the tracks/ or trains.
I gave up. Threw in the towel. I don't care anymore.
I have discovered a new adventure!
Camping!
Yes, it is the greatest stress reliever I know- but! the money I was spending for trains will now go into camping- the greatest hobby of them all!
Sorry-
Squeaky
I'll drink to that Squeaky! Margarita time!
Camping and other outdoor adventures are one of my interests too! Sorry to hear that you are leaving the MRR hobby, but you might want to just box up what you have and put it in the attic or storage, you might want to get back into it years from now. That happened to me too many moons ago and I am so happy that I saved all my stuff from the 1970's original layout.
Cheers,
Ryan
Ryan BoudreauxThe Piedmont Division Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger eraCajun Chef Ryan
Well, I can drink to camping, too. I used to be a backpacker, many years ago. I had a friend (my teenage train friend, actually) and we'd go off for a weekend a couple of times in the summer. We rode the Long Island Railroad into New York, then took a subway down to the PATH trains, took that under the Hudson River and then picked up a "real" train (Lackawanna, maybe? I forget) up the Hudson to a small station called Tuxedo junction up just outside of Bear Mountain State Park. From their, we slipped into our packs and hiked up the road, over the tracks and the Interstate, and finally into the park itself. No stoves back then - we scrounged for wood and built fires for every meal.
Now, we're strictly car campers. We still pitch a tent, though. I've never had any use for "camping" inside some form of motor vehicle or trailer.
Squeaky,
Welcome to the world of camping. It is a family hobby. Maybe you will come back to MR again. My husband, Larry, and I rotate through our hobbies. You might just be taking a break. When we gave up on the 4 x 8, and went to a larger layout, it gave us more variety with operating sessions.
Hope to see you back in the hobby. Check in with us occasionally.
Well, Squeaky, I can understand that. My (brief) experiment with powered model aircraft ended in terminal frustration. (Then I spent most of my adult life working on 1:1 scale aircraft. Go figure!)
OTOH, forever is a long time. Don't be surprised if you find yourself back in model railroading after age and physical problems make backpacking and camping unattractive.
MisterBeasley, Tuxedo was on the Weerie Snailroad. Somewhere in my past is an accidental double exposure taken with a box Brownie about 1950 - mail crane with mail sack ready for pickup, then the snatch - and a flying bag tossed out of the moving train, caught in midair. The location? Tuxedo Park, NY. I was camping with my Scout troop at Spruce Pond, a couple of miles up Route 17. I've also crossed Bear Mountain State Park a couple of times on foot.
These days my hiking is confined to the prepared, reasonably level path between the parking lot and the overlook/museum/viewpoint/whatever. Likewise, I limit my camping to motels. My days of running up mountains are, sadly, history.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Dubya-Are-Construction, don't, repeat DON'T, use that cee-ment for overshoes!
I finished up wiring the lights for the Penny Lane subway station today. Then I had to take a break from railroading because we had some friends over. Last week, we had some really fine beef short ribs for our gourmet club, and we saved the bones and leftovers for broth. Wife Penny, after whom the station is named, is our family broth-maker. We took the broth and made a hot-and-sour soup tonight. Yummmy. I love going to the oriental grocery store, partly because it's fun to be the only Euro type in the place, partly because I love stores where I can't read the labels on 3/4 of the stuff, and partly because it's very close to my LHS.
Sue and Larry - "Liesure Suit Larry" was the title character of a series of early PC-based games, base on the exploits of a "lounge lizard" out to score with the ladies. The character in the subway has been named that for years, but he had no "prototype" until now. Not a bad person, really, and hopefully he's ended up as well as the Sue and Larry we've come to know and love.
OK, time to go watch some Sox action.
Good afternoon gang. I'll have a Meininger Special Bitter, Joe. And one for any other takers too
Spent the morning at my Mom and Dad's place changing out a circulating pump on their furnace...Getting to be the time of year where it's better to fix now, then when it's 20 below! It wasn't a real big project, but none the less, time consuming. The great part of course, is that Mom had lunch ready when the project was done. So a belly full of good lunch (home made soup and fresh baked bread) and a nice visit was a great reward!
Mr. B, the soup sounds really good....Tis the "soup season"! I love making soups and stews, especially in the fall and winter.
Squeaky.....Most have already said the important stuff, but I will repeat one thing: Don't toss in the towel to the point of getting rid of your MRR stuff. Seems a few of us (including myself) have been in and out of the hobby over the years. You just never know.....And me thinks that once bitten by the bug, the itch is always there. At least it was in my case, and also for a close friend here in town.
I got to spend most of the afternoon in the Trainroom yesterday and for the most part finished up the bashing of the oil distributor at Sawbill Jct. Just need to build some sort of car unloading racks and do a bit of piping, and it'll be a done deal.
The weather forecast for the week is looking good, so I've got some fall projects (cutting some fire wood, clearing and mowing ski trails, pruning the grapes and making the garden "black") for the remainder of the week. If I get back to the Trainroom....I'll snap a picture of Burnstrom Oil.
Gotta' get a move on for those outdoor projects.
Almost quitin' time for me in these parts of the east coast time zoners over here....
So....I...think.....I'll.....have.....a.......beeer.......
How about an Abita Fall Fest.....
Then on to Happy Halloween Celebrations...
MrB, Are you still celebrating Halloween with moonshine? Where is Mike?
Ryan, You are our resident goblin,
Morning all, well early afternoon. Joe, just a glass of ice water this morning, I need something to wash down a pain pill. Thanks.
How is everyone this day? I just stopped in and noticed that Joe is already getting some calls for my moonshine. Joe, here, take this jug and hide it behind the bar, CAREFUL!! That stuff is dangerous! I will be back in this evening for a shot or two, Go ahead and set up anyone that wants a shot but save me a couple. I wonder how many here have actually had a chanch to try the stuff? Really isn't that bad, kinda sweet if I remember right. Time for a nap, does anyone but me take afternoon naps any more? The ones at your desk don't count. See you all later. Mike
Thanks Mike...I'll have a shot. Haven't had any for a few years now so I'm sure it's time to clean out the system again!
Just got in from working on my old Ranger Tractor....I blew a tire while out in the woods the other day. Of course it's always at a place FAR from home and NON accessible with any thing but the tractor. Oh well...If life were easy.......
Haven't been out to the Trainroom and won't get there for a few days (maybe a week or more) with demands for my time elsewhere. With the good weather I'm finishing up the outdoor chores and then I'm running away to Whisper Wings for a few days to be the Bull-Cook for Deer Camp and maybe shoot a duck or two. It will be good to get away for a bit.
Once back home I'll be officiating the Sec. and State swim meets..........Then It's TRAIN TIME!!
For now though....I've got to head out to the garden making it ready for winter (we already had snow flurries yesterday) which feels just around the corner.
I'll be back later, with Mike, for another "shot of shine".
Thanks, Mike.
I just stopped in for a quick bite before I head back to mowing the pasture.
Later, Sue
Seems as if everyone is going agricultural here - even Mike's jug came from a country place.
Tried a new fertilizer on the incipient jungle in the back yard (a HUGE honeysuckle, three hibiscus bushes, a miniature lemon tree and a banana plant in a pot, spread across the grass- and weed-free gravel.) We shall see if it's all its creator claims. The stuff is called Worm Poop and it comes in a recycled 2-liter soda bottle (with the soda cap seal ring still on it.)
Wheels are rolling regularly on the very limited part of my railroad that's operational, but I still haven't quite solved a few (opportunities) with control of the railroad's only reversing section from two different locations (zone and CTC panels.) As soon as that's sorted out, it's back to the caulk, spiking pliers and soldering gun!
Thanks for the sip, Mike. I needed that.
Well....I made it through my shift at the pool and back home again! I should be thankful.
And so with that; I'll take another shot of that shine Mike....If there's any left. This time I'm thinking that it should be along the lines of a hot toddy. Maybe a little lemon and honey...and if we put a jigger's worth in the cup, I ought to sleep like a baby!
Nothing new here. Nice evening with a clear sky and a temp. of 46. Seems all is right in my world for now.
See you all in a few days. Hope life treats you well till we meet again.
Morning, everyone. Friday at last. I'll have some coffee, Joe. Eggs 'n' bacon, too.
Gee, I woke up this morning and thought Mike's Moonshine had made me go blind, but then I remembered that it's still dark out at 6 in the AM. Daylight time goes away tomorrow night, though, so my eyesight should return. Not that I really want to see myself in the mirror at that hour. Don't forget to set your clocks BACK tomorrow night.
I did a bit more on the stockyard, adding the Gypsolite to give me a rough surface, and gluing down the fences. I also put the Gypsolite on the "scenic covers" for the Atlas switch machines, and painted on the green washes so they'll be ready for turfing tonight. Got the lights in the old Scollay Square subway station, too. Originally, I had planned for that station to be "abandoned" and dark, but it came out too well so now I'll have to populate it, too.
This station is on a dead-end spur that comes out to the edge of the layout. The spur was placed as a possible "extension" off the layout if I ever decided to do that. So, it comes out looking like a tunnel entrance, and that's the only visibility from the outside. It's also a short station designed for the trolleys, so the platform height is inappropriate for the other subway cars. I'll have to put some pictures up after I've got more details in that station.
Well, It is 5:00 o'clock somewhere. I will have a beer. Anyone care to join me?
MrB, You have really become the expert at interior lighting. I can't wait to get to something that needs lighting.
I will check in later.
Wow, Has Joe been on vacation the past few days, I had to go to page 6 to find this.
Anyway, Joe, Any of that Shine left, I got busy (yea right) and didn't get back in. None left? Well I might see if there is another jug in the cellar, OH I'll take the jug and fill it with some fresh stuff next time I can get to the still. Just bring me a Cold Bud for now Thanks.
Not much going on here, I did get to Lawton and found Hobby Lobby had there train stuff for 25% off, I used a 40% off coupon and picked up another Bauchmann B23-7 loco, now I have 2 of them and have been MU'ing them. I kinda like the Bauchmann locos, they are a little noisy but they will stay on track MU'ed very well. When I bought my 2 P2K Geeps I had to do a lot of coupler work on them before I could even run them, and they still do not run as consistant as the B23-7's. I am now teaching myself to run 2 trains at the same time in DC mode. It works pretty good as long as you stay on your toes, no room for mistakes. I have beem pulling 12 flat cars loaded with new Cat Equpt. with the 2 B23-7's and a 10 car tank train with my 2-6-2 steamer. I still remove a tree now and then, I need to plant some grass/weeds where the trees were.
While I was at Hobby Lobby I picked up a couple bags of different sizes of tallas (SP) and sprinkled a little on the hillside where I have thinned some trees. How do you do this and make it look like the rocks were there and the grass/weeds grew up around them? Mine look like the rocks were sprinkled on the top of the grass, Imagine that.
I guess I need to go to the basement and fix the broken window before winter really sits in and I really don't want to do it in 12 degree weather. Take care and I will see about more ''shine'' Mike
Hey, Joe, I will have a beer while I warm up the bar stool. Mike, JB, Chuck, and MrB, will be in shortly. Then we will break out the shine. We plan to have a big brag session over who is getting the most done on their layout. Maybe someone will have photos.
Right you are, Sue. I'm just in from hockey. I'll be drinkin' Bud tonight, since I've already started with that, I don't like to mix, and I've got to get up at 6 and go to work. We're a bit light on hockey players, so if anyone wants to join us, it's 2 hours every Tuesday at 8. Festivities thereafter, either in the entryway to the rink or in the parking lot, depending on the weather.
I decided my layout needed an LHS, and I named it in honor of my own favorite shop in Chelmsford, MA, Maine Trains:
The original structure was Pam's Pet Shop from DPM. It was the first "new" building I put together after I got back into this a few years ago. I never did put on any signs to make it any particular building, so over the weekend I printed up some Lionel logos and the Maine Trains sign, plus a couple of those engines from a Monopoly deed that you see hanging above the street. The figures are from Woodland Scenics "Window Shoppers." I think the young boy looks like a Romulan from Star Trek.
Top o' the evenin' to ya. Joe, bless me with an Irish coffee, if ya will.
(Somethin's got me Irish up! Fortunately, the humorous side, not the hostile side.)
Sue, am I that predictable? Or is it that you've noticed me dropping pennies here and there around the forums? Not much to boast about, I'm afraid. Just running the occasional train or three. (At the moment all four are parked out at the extreme ends of the available track and the yard is empty - except for a wedge plow and a four truck machinery flat.)
Mr B, that should be good for a special discount at Maine Trains. What I want to see is an animated layout in the window. (Nanotechnology, anyone?) Maybe that would take the Romulan's attention off whatever (or whoever) he's watching so intently.
Horticulturist's report on the new fertilizer. My wife dosed some basil that had been on the verge of expiring, and now the blasted stuff is growing like it means to overtake the honeysuckle (which is at least 12 feet tall.) Looks like Worm Poop really works as advertised.
Well, it looks as if the Missus has sent a couple of Leprechauns around to escort me home. 'Til I get back...
{[( UNHAND ME, ye spalpeen, afore I...)]}
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September 1964)
Irish coffee for me too...If you please Joe.
Wish I could do some bragging about my accomplishments on the pike, but I'd be lying. All I've done is to walk through the room.
Thanks for the pictures....Love seeing the work that folks can get done!
What I have accomplished is being the Bull-Cook for the past five days at the Whispering Wings deer camp. The boys didn't do all that well at bagging deer, but we ate real well with hearty breakfasts, soups and stews for lunch and steaks, chops, turkey and pasta for dinners!
Today is preparation day for the section swim meet tomorrow and Sat. So I'll be tweaking the water chemistry, doing some cleaning and setting up all the electronics most of the day and evening.
I'll stop by when I get back home.
Irish coffee for breakfast? Not me I am off to work. My patients would not appreciate that. Maybe tonight after climbing I can drag myself onto the bar stool.
Have a great day.
'Evening, everyone. Joe, can you scare a Blatz out of your time machine? Thanks.
Guess it wasn't too hard to figure out that I was up a little past my bedtime last night. Sanity returned this morning.
Just a minor aside on the contents of the entire forum. Here in Model Railroader land a busy day of posting can move the Barn from the top of the first page at breakfast to the bottom of page 3 by bedtime. Checking on (and sometimes posting to) the other forums I've noticed that they don't get anything like our level of activity. Also, over here, we're into the nuts and bolts of sorting out real-world problems. Elsewhere, I've seen a lot of wordage burned on (to mention two) building a new 1:1 scale Triplex and digging a railroad tunnel from Alaska to Siberia. Plus, a lot of discussion on political matters impacting the railroads - most of it by people who are nowhere near the place where all the heat and smoke are being generated, and who can't have any impact on the decision.
Oh, well. Still just running trains. The yard is full again, but the work train should roll in the morning. Time will tell.
Enjoy,
It is Thursday evening. Joe, I will have a tall one. We'll see if anyone else shows up.