I guess that it is my turn to rescue this from page 16. We need to hang out more even it just to say, "Hello".
Lisa, How are things going? Have you decided where you are moving to?
George, What is your current car project? We are thinking of selling the '41 Plymouth. I guess that it time to downsize on our hobbies. Did you that your track fixed? I miss your photos. Any new locos?
Sue
Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.
16? Sweet. I guess that means that the forum has been pretty active, a good sign for the hobby. Actually, I've noticed quite a few new members lately, too.
The weather is just turning to mud season here in New England. We had a late-season snow dump last week, so the ground, which could have been getting some sunshine and warming up this week, is instead still recovering from the snow and the thick glazing of freezing rain that followed. Maybe that's good. I can go out on the deck and use smelly MR chemicals (like Instant Rust) outside, but I can't be asked to do yard work if I can't even see the yard yet.
The current train project is the cobblestone plaza and a street over on "the other side of the tracks." Last night I made the "positive" impression in modelling clay for the mold, and brushed on the first layer of latex rubber. I found a product called Perma-Comb, which is a plastic material used by beekeepers. I pressed the clay into the comb structure, and came out with a perfect hexagonal grid. It will take several more layers of latex before I can pour the hydrocal, but I think I'm on my way on this one.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
MrB, The cobblestones sound fun. Are you casting individual stones or did you carve the section?
When do you start your bragdon stuff? I love the hard shell. The last section that I did would make a good ski slope if I was modeling that. It is funny what we think about while we are working a scene.
Have you adjusted you track for that fancy birthday present?
I am hoping that the birthday fairy will bring me a something cool.
The cobblestones are less than a quarter-inch across, so I'm casting a sheet. It's 2 1/2 by 6 inches. There is a "bar" across the Perma-Comb, so I limited the width to 2 1/2 inches. Turns out, that's a reasonable size for a mold anyway. I'm hoping to get to the Bragdon casts this summer, but it will depend on how much other progress I make. The castings are intended for the "shoreline" around Moose Bay. Right now, the "bay" is a yawning chasm in the pink foam, and I've hesitated to fill it in because I may need to climb in there to do some scenery and ballast work. I could do it by reaching over, but it's a lot easier if I can just get closer.
The Hudson is now running around the layout counter-clockwise, but earlier in the week I found another spot where the engine wants to climb off the track and head to the lumber yard, so clockwise travel is still limited. That spot is going to take a bit more adjustment. I put my old passenger cars behind the Hudson, so I've got my own little 20th Century Limited there.
I understand the do this before you can do that thing. The corner that I am working needs to be finished before we can finish the spur line. I hate doing one piece of flex track at a time, but oh well. One of these days the two tracks will meet. I suppose that we should put a special spike in.
Share some pictures. I thought your scene was great when you added the light fixtures. We are no where near having any city scenes.
Oh, it's worse than that. The Moose Bay project is held up until I can finish the scenery on the other side of the bay. But then, I can't permanently mount the Moose Bay Bridge until the bay gets scenicked, and that means I can't glue down the mainline track beyond that.
I can, however, use careful camera placement. The city scene with the lights is only inches from the edge of the scenic abyss.
Actually, I should be working on the center of the layout, but that means the turntable pit-bash project. I just need a big chunk of uninterrupted time for that, and that's not going to happen until ski season is over. So, I'm doing small, "completeable" projects in the meantime.
LISA, my brother moved and his family moved to CT about 10 years ago, he lives west of Hartford in a small town called Wolcott, about 30 minutes west of Hartford. His wife is from that town ( hence the move ). He works in Insurance Industry ( what else in Hartford ) so the move has been great for them.
Of course you are going from a state with "0" Sales Tax, to CT with it's 6.5% ( I believe ) State Sales Tax. So I hope the increase in your husbands salary takes this higher cost of living into effect.
On the positive side, Hartford is only about 25 minute ride to West Springfield, Ma and the biggest MRR show in the whole Northeast every January.
gear-jammer wrote: I guess that it is my turn to rescue this from page 16. We need to hang out more even it just to say, "Hello".Lisa, How are things going? Have you decided where you are moving to?George, What is your current car project? We are thinking of selling the '41 Plymouth. I guess that it time to downsize on our hobbies. Did you that your track fixed? I miss your photos. Any new locos?Sue
Current Project is a whole in the water called "Empty Pockets" 24ft Grady White. Got a new PCM Y6b and have all the tarck work as perfect as it can get. Train time has been about zero for the last 3 weeks. Between buying the boat, truck and getting into the Honey-Do Spring list.
Realy no new pictures of the trains that are worth a flip. Just some planning shots that I take to get a better look at an area before I call it done. Working with "background buildings" to get a feel for how they will look. Like what I see so far.
"Empty Pockets" is being true to her name! You know what BOAT means don't you!
Bring Over Another Thousand
Lisa, We have not heard from lately. I hope that all is well with you and yours. Has your decision on the move been finalized yet? I hope that you are at least checking in from time to time.
George, You shared one of your weathering tips with india ink. I am trying to remember if it was a barn or engine shed. I was having touble finding the thread. I do like the india ink trick. Thanks.
This One?
It is the 91% IPA and India ink wash over Roof Brown Paint. Let the paint dry, then Brush over, DO NOT WIPE. It flashes so fast it looks white.
Take care Sue. We are in the process of just RUNNING the trains. I have purchased 100% of the buildings, bridges and Scenery items.
The missing are people, auto and of course MORE TREES!!
claycts wrote: This One?It is the 91% IPA and India ink wash over Roof Brown Paint. Let the paint dry, then Brush over, DO NOT WIPE. It flashes so fast it looks white.Take care Sue. We are in the process of just RUNNING the trains. I have purchased 100% of the buildings, bridges and Scenery items. The missing are people, auto and of course MORE TREES!!
George,
Yes, that is definately the one. I should have checked with you prior to doing the wash on my present project. It is a scratch built wood tunnel portal and retaining wall. I did a straight wash of india ink/IPA. It is ok, but I wish it had just a little more color. Larry liked it. However, you know how we nit-pick our own work. I think that it well blend in once I put the hard shell in.
Are you hitting many car shows? A few sunny days and it is tempting to take out the Plymouth. The brakes need bleeding, so that has kept me under control.
I went to town to get grass seed this morning and should get in on the pasture, but it is raining now. Maybe I will hit the hobby room.
Thanks, Sue
If all goes well, we will try to come down for a short visit when you come to Washington.
Lisa,
Dick said that you might be without power from the last storm. If you check in, we are all wishing you well.
Hey Everyone,
Sue, I didn't lose my power but my phone service was out for almost 2 weeks and even now I can't get on line Verizon is still working on the problem. I'm at my Mom's using her computer to check in. I haven't been doing to well the last weekor so, I had to have a deer tic removed and now I am in the eary stages of lyme, heavy doses of antibiotics,luckly they caught it soon and there should be no lasting affects from it.
Lisa, Sorry to hear about the tick. Those little guys can sure burrow into the skin. I pray for swift recovery. Are you still moving?
Jim, Yes, Whistle Stop has been quiet lately. I almost felt like I was carrying on a conversation with myself. Not that I haven't done that before. We all have spring fever and layout fever.
Hi Lisa, sorry to hear about the deer Tic, they are the carries of Lyme disease. I work up back in the garden a lot, and in the wooded areas near the house also. I always have long pants and long sleeve shirts or sweatshirts, and hat, when in these areas. Also, after working outside, I always check things over while taking the shower. If you get a tic removed within the FIRST 36 hours, you are OK, after that, all bets are off.
The deer herd has been exploding here in New England, as the deer do not have any natural predators with the possible exception of Coyotes taking the weak, or young.
Glad to hear that you didn't get any damage from the flood waters in Raymond. What is happening with the CT move?
Tic-Tic-Tic sounds like Peter Pan to me.
Sorry about the Bambi tic that is no fun at all.
No train progress for a long time. Boat, Camper, land, 6x4 Gator and a 94 Ford Bronco have taken all my time up. We still run on Tuesday nights but no work just running on the plywood central.
Busy, busy, busy. Glad to hear that you are having regular operating sessions on plywood central.
Are you managing to reduce the number of autos at your residence? We have been lazy about working on the Plymouth. This weekend Larry's family will be in town, so I am tidying up the layout, and the house. I worked outside today and will manage to get as much done inside before Larry gets home about noon tomorrow.
Any new locos?
No new locos just bought a 1994 Bronco Eddie Bauer with a 351 Clevland in it. Low miles 115k not bad shape. Got it to keep the miles off the 07 Chevy.
I am trying to learn Rail-ops but to many other things going on. Going to Va this week for BMW then to Tenn. For Mercedes then to NC for Rolls Royce. Busy time for me. Thinking of taking 2008 off like I did in 2006 that was nice.
We, wife and I, have talked about retiring 100% and just selling the business but that is all it is at this point is talk.
Lisa, We have not heard from you in a while. I hope things are going well with the move. Any train activity?
George, What is involved with total retirement?
Sue 100% is simple to achive. If i sell the business for what the consultants say about $26.4 mill I think I can EASLY retire on that don't you!!!
I have reached the had-it stage and will be working on trains starting as SOON AS I GET HOME from this trip. My BP is up since I stopped working on them, that is NO GOOD so back to the layout. I can Camp with the wife and boat with the wife and work on the trains for me.
I am going to sell off some cars for sure and just keep what I like to drive. Well back to the grind, have a seminar to do Saturday. (I am in Washington DC for this one)
Yes, I think that you and Krysti might survive on that. Think of the layout time.
I am enjoying only working 2 days per week. It definately does not provide the spending money, but I seem to stay healthier when I am not working as much. Maybe that is what you need for your BP.
I am putting in a lot of extra work days in May. I will be working 4 days this week and three next week. Then I should get back to my regular schedule.
I am in the early stages of this scratch built tunnel with retaining wall.
I found the photos of the 41 Plymouth
Hello everyone,
I think retirement is the only way I'll get significant train time in. We're in the process of selling our family business of 18 years - that means my wife gets to retire, but I'll continue to toil.
Worked on The Drinkwater Place kit this weekend - small house, lots of windows, and lattice on the porch. Yikes - my eyes are starting to cross.
Sue - nice 41 Plymouth. Always had a soft spot for a 41 Willys - kind‘a resembled the Plymouth.
George - retirement sounds like a no-brainer but it can be tough to give up something that you've nurtured for so long.
Hey, I've got a D-Day wife, too - 1947, though. I beat her myself by 3 months.
Lisa - if you're still in the frozen North (I was at the UNH graduation this past weekend, and it was a lot closer to freezing than it was to room temperature) there's a new train shop in Nashua. I only heard about it from a non-railroading friend, but he's interested in trains and even has train paintings in his office. Anyway, this shop is just opening up downtown, not even advertising yet. Supposedly, he has a lot of O-gauge but plans to support everyone. Have you heard about this one?