Steam Team Work Session 7, May 5, 2007 By Hans Brandes- Photos by Rich Currie MNGRR Steam Engineer
Today was our seventh work session of 2007 and what a day it was. This was a memorable day in that the call had been made by our Steam Operations Manager that #8 was to come out of the house for work to be done.
Another well attended session by the following: Rick Knight, Roger Merrow, Joe and Jay Monty, Gerry Bagley, Rich Currie, Brian Durham, Mike Moulison, Don Sanger, Steve Kohut, Bob Meckley, Richard Bock and yours truly. John and Michelle Roppel also stopped by (many thanks to Michelle for making the burger run)
Hans, Steve, Rich and Brian all arrived at 0800 to start what was to be a significant switching operation. Moving almost 90 tons of iron, namely #4, #7 and #8 is no small task. Getting #8 out required that #8 and #7 swap places. Rich and Steve fired up #1 while Hans and Bob took down the tarp and framing around #8.
Since #7 and #8 had not been moved since last year, the next order of business was to get out the oil cans and grease guns and go at it. This took quite a bit of time as every cup and oil point needed to be serviced before a wheel could be turned. As Rich said: “If it turns, oil it, if it slides, grease it.” First #8 was heavily greased and oiled as it was the first to come out of the house, followed up by #7.
The big iron was pulled out of the house as #7 and #8 had their positions switched to facilitate work on #8.
With switching finally completed by 1130, the first order of business was to finish putting #4 back together and performing the hydro. Rick lead a group and reinstalled the steam supply line to the lubricator while the boiler was filled up. A fire was light to warm the water. The pressure was pumped up to 185 PSI. This time, no leaks. Everything was sealed tight. Having successfully completed this, the front end was put back together and the fire was stoked to make steam.
In parallel, Joe, Steve and Hans worked on getting the throttle (at the head of the dry pipe) out of #8. This was necessary in order to perform some ultrasonic testing as requested by the FRA. It involved removing 5 nuts and bolt assemblies in a very confined space. No regular tools worked so Joe did some forging and modified a couple of wrenches so that the could be used. Very ingenious Joe. Once completed the fitting came out allowing the testing to be performed. This testing will be done by Brian Fanslau from the Boothbay Railway Museum. Brian has done this type of work for us on a volunteer basis in the past. MNGR is very appreciative of his skills.
In parallel, Bob and Richard took on the dirty task of working inside of #8’s tank. Bob donned mask and suit and went on in to scrape and grind. The tank has a lot of loose rust on it that will have to be removed in order for it to hold paint. A cleanly painted tank is very important so that the water source remains free of particles that can plug up the supply system.
#4 continued to build pressure when Michelle came back with a box of ‘round steaks’ and fries from McDonalds. They like it when we show up and order 20+ burgers.
After lunch came the really tough work. Rick has mentioned for quite a while that the wheels and axles inside of box car 70 needed to be moved. These are tons of iron sitting in the middle of an old box car resulting in sag to the point of breaking if nothing were to be done. Gerry got the loader so that Steve, Hans, Rick, Richard and Rich could move these parts. Each part was very heavy requiring at least 3 guys per move. Who knows how many tons of iron were moved, but it was a lot. Moving this iron is a prime example of thought and work being done with regard to caring for equipment. Box car 70 is now breathing a big sigh of relief. Thank you Rick for making us do this.
#4 continued to build pressure and was finally ready to roll. The first steam up is a time where one carefully listens to see if anything is not quite right. Today, everything was right. The blue flag was removed and #4 with car 102 (being painted) were backed out of the yard on to the main line for coal loading and some test runs.
Steam from the cylinder cocks is a sign that #4 is back under steam for another year.
The runs were made and #4 and #8 were put to bed after a long day. Fortunately Mother Nature allowed us to perform a large amount of work outside.
This is our last scheduled work session for a little while. Our resources will now be turned to car painting and track work. Both are very important not only in terms of our presentation to the customer but to the safety of operations.
Our spring track weekend is in two weeks and we have 100 new five foot ties to put down on the mainline along with building the siding in front of building 7. In addition we will now be able to start replacing the variety of nuts and bolts being used with industry standard hardware.
Yes, it’s been written in previous articles and is now written again…we continue to have a lot of talent and will power inside the engine house. But we can only do as much as money will allow us. We still need money, it’s that simple. Cars can only stay in service if there is sufficient funds to perform the required maintenance and repairs. Our superintendent, Brian Durham, along with the rest of us would be very grateful for any contributions, large and small to help keep our fleet in operation. We are very creative when it comes to stretching a buck with many people digging into their own pockets to keep MNGR rolling stock going.
Please help us by contributing what you can so that we can provide safe and presentable equipment to our public. Thank you.
I didn't help on this one but hey the National Narrow Gauge Convention will be held here
Colby
Good morning to all....70F for a temp this morning and an Rh of 74%...a bit humid I would say. Yesterday's TS's, not predicted I might add, also did some damge to 6 houses in the town of Holden which is just two towns and 10 miles north of us. Lightening struck these 6 homes at various times over an hour, blew the chimney right off one house....no serious damage however, thank God.
COLBY: That is quite an editorial this morning......are you planning to be an editor someday? Very well written!!
BOBK: I do not envy your driving in the Boston area traffic each day. I had enough of that over the years when I worked at Raytheon, and SEI in Waltham. Give me the country any day.
JEFF: How did the workday go yesterday with all those desks to cut wood for?
The Diner Missing Person Squad , otherwise known as the DMPQ, is on the lookout for the following people who have not been seen in the Diner for eons:
Ohh oh big clap of thunder, here comes the front through the area.....time to get off the PC for a while, talk later guys,
Morning all!
It's a nice morning out there this morning.
Bob K., a very touching story. Thank you for sharing it....really. I'm glad you liked the video too. I sent you an Email. I hope that it helps.
Well, there goes the work thing again! Better get to it!
grayfox1119 wrote:COLBY: That is quite an editorial this morning......are you planning to be an editor someday? Very well written!!
I plan to work for the Maine Montreal and Atlantic RR. and I got this off the MNGRR web site
Good Afternoon All
No MR'ng today as I'm in the garden and working around the contractor. He's in the middle of building the Sun Room and Deck and hopefully we should see this finished within the next 4 weeks (walls are up and the roof is going on)
Yes I have my land legs on as it never takes me long to re adapt. I've already spent $100+ on garden dirt and will be spending more.
Just waint for a rain day so I can finish wiring the 2-10-2's and that will be it! (for this project anyway as I have 6 sound decoders to intall in the rest of the fleet).
Yes John and as I've said in the past "A tear shed for a loved one and friend is truly the deepest form of love and respect we can express"
Well I have beds to prepare and roses to plant.
Later All
Fergie
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5959
If one could roll back the hands of time... They would be waiting for the next train into the future. A. H. Francey 1921-2007
Good afternoon everyone....still cloudy but rays of sun pop through the clouds now and then as the front still hasn't moved off the coast yet.
I picked up the tiller section of the rototiller this morning, $265 in parts, $95 labor, $13.22 state tax....$380.64 for 20 years of use and abuse. If it lasts another 20 years again, I will be 88...well, I might still be around.
I see another 5 yards of hemlock bark mulch has arrived, so that will be this afternoons work once it dries up a bit.
COLBY: Two days ago I was at the Hotspot of New England, Palmer, Ma, and the Central NE RR was pulling into a siding and there was a nice brandy new box car in the consist...guess who owned it? Yup, MMA, the RR you will be working on one day. I was wondering what product it was carrying, but I couldn't get close enough to talk with the crew.
FERGIE: That didn't take you long to get heavily into the yard work.....how long will you be landlocked this time? You will really enjoy the sunroom, especially during the Winter......it is surprising how much heat enters those rooms in Winter via the low angle sun.
MIKE: There was no way I could have repaired that tiller. The bronze gear, the tine shaft and bearings were all shot. I don't have the equipment to pull the gears and bearings, nor to press them back in. Hopefully I will get 20 more years from this workhorse. Now I have to go place the shroud and depth gauge back onto the repaired tiller section and mount onto the tiller engine.
I don't know how many of you guys subscribe to TRAINS magazine, but this months edition has a great article on small RR's and how they are expanding their business, and, how they work with the Class1 RR's. I found the article extremely well done and very informative. You should be able to get this at your library also.
TIFN
the MMA usally carries wood products.
Jeff- when you send the track up could you send a motor that has the same kind of drive shaft mine does? thanks.
and today I did some 'testing' on it. I letting it run at half power. the copper in the motor might be a bit coroded.
8500HPGASTURBINE wrote:Hi everyone. First time in here. Just wanted to let you know that I need a place like this for understanding and guidence. It's been hard, and it seems to be getting harder. I don't know if I can handle this or not. How can it get easier??? I can't imagine getting used to the rest of my life without my son. Does it really get better?
to the Diner! Have a virtual libation, and it's on me today! Chole, Zoe, and Flo are our resident attendents and will virtually serve your every request.
I cannot image what pain you have gone through and are still having with your loss. I pray every day for my son's, and that they have the same opportunities that I have been blessed with through my life.
I do know that with pain and loss comes healing, and time heals all wounds. Expressing your feelings here in the Diner is a great way to find relief, there is a great bunch of people here and are always willing to listen and provide an ear anytime!
Welcome again!
- Ryan
Ryan BoudreauxThe Piedmont Division Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger eraCajun Chef Ryan
Michael,
I know it is tough now, and saving the train stuff is a good thing.
I had most of my train stuff boxed up for over 15 years, and some of it is still in boxes. I'm glad that I saved every bit of it too, sort of like a keep sake of memories! You will be glad too many years from now, trust me!
Thoughts and prayers for you and your wife.
8500,
I won't even pretend to imagine that I know what you're going through. All I can say is that we're here for you. We all experience the heartache of loss in our lives, but the type you're going through has to be one of the toughest. I know all of the people here in the coffee shop will be here for you anytime you need. And as for myself, you can feel free to Email me if you like. It's my work Email, but I can get it at home if I know to look for it. Contact me anytime, OK? And lean on all of us for a while. We won't let you down.....I promise.
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
Hello Michael and I'm glad you're here in the diner. I know your loss is extremely painful. I believe God can help you and your wife through this time. Two days ago I posted some thoughts in this thread to Bob K of my recalling remarks at church from a man who lost his wife of 47 years. It may be some comfort to you to read that post. We all must remember that each of us is a child of God including your son. God is looking out for you, your wife, and your son.
Sounds like your wife really needs you now. I believe God will give you all the strength you need to care for her.
Please keep sharing your feelings with your model railroad friends. Your thread included people from across the USA and from around the world,too. Each of us cares for you very much.
Pass the tissues, please.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Evening, Diners! Chloe, I'll have a cup of coffee and a hot fudge sundae, please.
Philnrunt wrote: HARHARHAR! Then I remembered that she was built too wide for the locks (Mackinaw, not Amyjo) just to make sure the USN wouldn't do just that, and our Pirate plans were dashed upon the rocky shores of reality. Don't worry though, I have my eye on a real nice sub in Cleveland.......
HARHARHAR! Then I remembered that she was built too wide for the locks (Mackinaw, not Amyjo) just to make sure the USN wouldn't do just that, and our Pirate plans were dashed upon the rocky shores of reality. Don't worry though, I have my eye on a real nice sub in Cleveland.......
Philnrunt, you're skirting on thin ice there with AmyJo... and does she know that you're flirting with subs now? Well, good to see you in the Diner, and that you're still gainfully employed (well, employed at least, huh?).
Cheese4432, I like those mugs for rootbeer floats too - when did the girls get those unboxed? Thought for sure they had been lost in the move to the Diner.
Paul wrote: Colby: you will have to solder that wire. Hot glue and the others will not conduct electricity. Fergie is good at soldering things. Mostly his body. Check into a soldering iron.(no comment...)
Paul wrote: Colby: you will have to solder that wire. Hot glue and the others will not conduct electricity. Fergie is good at soldering things. Mostly his body. Check into a soldering iron.
Colby: you will have to solder that wire. Hot glue and the others will not conduct electricity. Fergie is good at soldering things. Mostly his body. Check into a soldering iron.
So Paul, how'd your LHS run go with the friend? What kind of bargains were you able to find?
DerJohn - I'd seen that story long time ago (as a letter from the worker to his insurance company, justifying why his medical expenses were so high for the incident) - might have been the first joke I read on the internet, even. I'll find the other one I was thinking of, which was almost as long as that one in the link, but different chain of events. Good also...
Colby, thanks for the story on the steam work day. I didn't begin to imagine all the work involved in a club like yours. Good writing and editing.
All right Bob K., it's your fault - I'm drooling all over myself over the cityscapes on your club's layout. Those are fantastic - do you have Dave Frary in your club or helping you guys (or someone of equal caliber)? I think I'm gonna save those pics to give me something to shoot for on my measly little layout.
About your last bit of time with your wife....Wow.... Thank you.
Jeff, that is too young for your firefighter friend. Heck, even at 53, it would be too soon (IMHO).
to the Diner, 8500Mike. As the others have said, your loss is unimaginable for those who haven't experienced it. I know that it seems so unnatural for a parent to have to say goodbye to his own child instead of the other way around. Give yourself time to mourn, and time to heal. Feel free to share what you want and are able to, here with those of us in the Diner. Many of us will be (or already are) praying for you and your wife. And feeling angry with God isn't unusual - I'm sure He can take it, because He knows what it's like to have a son die. He loves you, your wife, and your son. I think it's great that your son was able to enjoy seeing George's layout and running trains. There are a lot of caring people in this hobby, as you are learning. Lean on us anytime you need to, and email me if you want to. And hug your wife and be there for her, as well. We are praying for her healing as well.
I think I'm all out of words for now. Everyone get some rest tonight and tomorrow's a new day.
Blessings and prayers,
Jim in Cape Girardeau
Good evening Diners! Fog instead of sun today, so we didn’t enjoy the warmth that most of the Maritimes had. Rain for tonight, and we probably shouldn’t complain, especially with the fire rating being so high.
BobK: Thanks for sharing the story of your wife’s last day here. Others have said, more meaningfully, more than I could add, and like them, I was moved. I’m glad that you are able to speak about her, (may we call her April?), as this is not an easy thing for many experiencing such a loss.
Instead of placing white castings for the rock cut, have you thought of coloring the plaster? I use powdered masonry dyes,
but if the colour change is on the same exposed face, one needs to be able to do the colours, sort of blending into, or emerging from each other…
Leaving the plaster white also allowed me to do a quartz intrusion (the lines were there in the projecting casting, and I thought it would be interesting to try, and also extend down from and away from that one rock.) I had forgotten to put in those extensions when I was doing the lower courses of rock, but was able to scratch the paint away, revealing the “quartz”! This feature incidentally should lead the eye away from the seams of the access hatches in that area, once the vegetation is in place…
Altering the brown I don’t much like with a grey wash worked out OK…
Here’s where I left off on the last colouring I did. It shows another reason I am doubtful about pre-colouring the plaster. I join castings into larger continuous faces with ceiling spackle. This takes colour much like plaster. I don’t think I could do this with the solid pre-colour…
8500Michael: I am sure that shutting the door of the train room is the right choice for you at this time. As you say, you can’t possibly get into that now. I’m also sure that Ryan is right in advising not getting rid of the train stuff. There will be precious memories. Your wife is blessed to have you by her side through this. It is “through” this, there will be a closure and a resolution. But being there, as you are, for her is a great gift you can give her. Presence is hugely important, even if words don’t fill a silence. I learned that as a student minister, with the first death in the parish. A young father had been killed at night in a snowmobile accident. I found my role was to simply be with his widow; sitting wordless holding her hand for about four hours into the dawn. It was only after that time, and that silence, that she had anything to say, or I anything to answer.
You know you are both in our thoughts and prayers.
Time once more for bed. Goodnight all ,and God Bless. Prayers for all in need of healing, comfort and peace.
"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.
Evening Diners:
JimRC: About the trip to the not so LHS. No bargins. I picked up a package of Kadee replace ment wheel sets, Gary got some dull coat and a bottle of paint and Ron got a couple of 40s Ford four door sedans and a copy of Great Model RRs 2007. Other then a really good Tex Mex lunch that was it. There is a train show the end of this month, I'll try and get a bargin there.
8500 Mike: Hang in there friend. My wife and I almost lost our son shortly after he was born. He did loose a leg when he was only 3 weeks old. I was so scared and angry. It took a long time for us to get over that but we did. Take care and like the others have said, We're here for you.
Well I think that I'll head for bed.
Good Night and God Bless.
JimRCGMO wrote: to the Diner, 8500Mike. As the others have said, your loss is unimaginable for those who haven't experienced it. I know that it seems so unnatural for a parent to have to say goodbye to his own child instead of the other way around. Give yourself time to mourn, and time to heal. Feel free to share what you want and are able to, here with those of us in the Diner. Many of us will be (or already are) praying for you and your wife. And feeling angry with God isn't unusual - I'm sure He can take it, because He knows what it's like to have a son die. He loves you, your wife, and your son. I think it's great that your son was able to enjoy seeing George's layout and running trains. There are a lot of caring people in this hobby, as you are learning. Lean on us anytime you need to, and email me if you want to. And hug your wife and be there for her, as well. We are praying for her healing as well.
I couldn't have said it better myself! You may be all out of words for tonight Jim, but really, I think you've said some of the best, and truest, words yet. Well said my friend.
Good morning ! from Indiana.
05-12-07
Bill Tidler Jr.
Near a cornfield in Indiana...
Today's Weather for: Leesville, LA 71446 5/12/2007 Live Conditions 6:21 AMFort Polk Airfield Temp 64.0°FWind 0 mph High: 69°FLow: 64°FWind Chill: 64°FHumidity: 92%Dew Point: 62°FRain: 0.00"Rain Rate: 0.00"/hGust: 6mph N Today High: 88 Patchy fog in the morning. Mostly sunny with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 80s. Light and variable winds.
Tonight Low: 65 Mostly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the mid 60s. Light and variable winds.
Good Morning All
Phil: missed the Sub thing the other day. But there are days I feel like i'm in the sub as I see more water than sky, well not quite but it sounds, how does one say... Nautical, Ohh Raather Old Boy, top hat, pipp pip! man the pumps and all that rot
Richard: The trip did me the world of good as it got me away from a situation that was slowly swallowing me up. Though I cringe when I see the state of the back yard and the debris field I have to straighten out when the project is complete. The Inlaw Suite and sun room have been a major concern as the amount of windows will be a heat sinc in the winter and will result in a higher heating bill. The area that the Sun room is going is where the deck was and can get up to 100f on a day where temps hit the high 80's. So hopefully with the sky lights having vents in them and partially covered with stained glass windows the heat thing won't be an issue.
MICHEAL
I'm very glad you've meandered into our midsts, though I must warn you some of these guys are excessive "parta~ay'rs" in every sense in the word. Kinda makes a mariner blush at the best of times. Look up and notice the reinforcing cable around light fixtures, hurricane proofing you may ask, nope! Florida Phil, Dick and Luc doing their "Me Tarzan, You Jane" imitations with Flo. Lucky we still have her especailly after the rafter came down and Flo and Phil landed in the basement. Luckily Phil broke the fall, kinda like a bag of potatoes hitting a trampoline. One second Flo is gone next second she's back! It was amazing, never spilled a drop of coffee, Well not exactly as Phill has worn sevaral cups since that episode. Sad... Truly Sad!
But I digress. Micheal We're here for ya and I for one hope you stay and become a regular. I love your work and I'm sure we'll enjoy your company!
John! The crowd was getting ready to send me on a search for ya. Glad to see your not missing.Did you know ther's a show in Truro June 2nd?
Well that it for me! House work, flower beds, garage, planting bulbs, excavating. Home was not built in a day!
Mornin, Janie think I'll have a irish coffee and a couple doughnuts today,
Down in the mid 50's now looking for a high in the mid 70's, with some clouds.
8500Michael,, a welcome to the dinner from us too, glad you've joined in.. I really can't offer any more words than too repeat what has already said and mine would not be as well spoken. I have lost a son and grandson, but both as infants. While the losses were painful, it still cannot compare to your pain. Time, faith, family, and friends will help ease the hurt in time, so hang in my friend.
BOB K,, thanks for sharing your story with us. It was very touching for us all, I'm sure.
DICK,, that wasn't to bad on fixing the tiller. Even at that price, it's still cheaper than a new one. Now ya can get the garden out at least.
PC,, enjoyed the poem a lot, so I sent it off to a friend who'd lost her husband of 45 years. Hazel said to tell ya thanks.
I've enjoyed all the PHOTOS that's been posted this week, keep'em coming.
Well I think I'm bout caught up with the goings on here. Nothin been happeng round here any different with us. Gotta busy baseball day lined up, first ones at 10:00, then one at 1:00, both here in town. Then we're suppose to go to Paris for a double header this evening [darn grandkids] and in-between all that I need to start mowing again. Well best get back on the have-to chores, Yall have a gooden
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/4309
Good Morning, Janie! Think I'll have some of Ed's orange juice, a bowl of those round cereal thingees with some milk, and a cup of coffee, please.
Yum! - and good for my cholesterol, too!
Got the weekly laundry run to do this morning, so I won't be long.
Looks like we're going to have a hot one here today in SE Missouri, but no rain. Supposed to get to the mid 80's, and the humidity is at 93 percent already. Are we sure the summer didn't sneak in on us, and it's already August?
Well, need to finish this breakfast and head out. Hope everyone has some good weather for your weekend where you are.
Hello everybody........
I'd like some of Luc's Tim Horton's coffee, but I don't see any. Some of you other Canadians should feel free to bring some to the diner too. I'll settle for some Starbucks stuff instead this morning.
This week, I performed a little kitbashing. I modified some of passenger cars in my attempt to make them look like drawings and pictures of Bulington passenger cars. I've been operating the layout too. A couple of days ago, some model railroaders stopped by for a session.
Upon reviewing some thoughtful posts in the forum regarding indivuduals who are grieving, I continue to conclude that model railroaders are the nicest group of people in the world with really big hearts. To me, that's the main reason why model railroading is "The World's Greatest Hobby".
My prayers continue for those in need.
Happy Model Railroading, everyone!
inch53 wrote: PC,, enjoyed the poem a lot, so I sent it off to a friend who'd lost her husband of 45 years. Hazel said to tell ya thanks.
She's welcome...but I'm merely the messenger.
Good afternoon Diners. A good rain last night, and a cold cloudy morning, with a persistent wind. However by lunchtime it cleared to a cool but very sunny afternoon.
Fergie: Where would that Truro train show be held? I’ve yet to get to the Truro one, and this might be the year. (Especially as the tax rebate came this week!)
Sue, I’ve been building fences too! Actually it’s a proof of concept model for a 3 strand wire fence using our granddaughter’s hair for the wire. (Donated from her brush on Wednesday) These shots were taken in the sunlight on the train room floor about 25 minutes ago.
The posts are stainless steel headless pins that look about thick enough for N posts. Doing the whole fence line on my cattle pasture, about 20 inches, is going to be quite the challenge. I’m waiting for a reply to a question I sent to Liquisilk Ltd, whose new product was mentioned in the “New Products for Week of May 10th” thing in the MR newsletter before I decide just which adhesive to use for the steel/hair bond. I’ll probably go with ACC. I used Chinaweld for this test as my ACC has dried up! Anyway, no hurry, the field hasn’t had a fence for just over a year now!
It’s getting on to Rosie-the-dog’s dinner time, so I’ll say Have a Happy Mother’s Day to Sue, and Kathy, and all mothers.
TTFN
I really wanted to follow up on many of the replies since my last post. Was tied up all day and evening, this to be a story expained further down. Friday did turn out to be a very good day for me. As I mentioned Friday morning, thoughts of April were an enlightenment for me rather than sorrow. I hope this will continue. This is why I'm so glad that Michael, you have decided to join us. We have never met, but we have so much in common right now. Believe me,I do know exactly what you're going through. With all the support from this great group, I want you to start to feel some peace as I am experiencing. For 2 weeks after my wife's death I was in shock and was running on adrenaline. My house was a beehive of family and friends. Some stayed for a bit longer to help out and be there for us. Reality hit home about the 3rd week, was not pretty at at. I just went back to work, needed to keep ocupied. A good friend, another contractor, gave me some kitchen and trim work. He said if for some reason I needed time just take the day (as I needed to do last week). I couldn't afford to do this on any of my kitchen jobs still on hold. Real friends do shine in times like this.
The first time the house was empty was the absolute worst. No wife, the kids off at work or practice, just was very hard to take. Michael, I noted your anger toward trains, as I posted on the other thread, I was angry at Cancer. It seems everywhere, I just had enough- no more. I do hope that your initial anger will subside and things will become a bit more tollerable for you as they have for me.
I am looking at things under a new light these past few days. I have a promise to keep- I did tell my April that, "Not to worry, I will take good care of your babies". When I think of this it gives me strength to carry on. She would expect no less.
Jeff: You do have your work "cut" out for you (pun intended). Is the mill take off easy for identical desks or did a wrench get thrown in the works. I find the later can make it more interesting. I find that much of what I do is on site mill and cut to fit. People ask, "You must have a great shop?", I have to say no, my shop is mostly in the truck for all on site custom work.
Dick: My drive to Cambridge from Weymouth is only short term. The next jobs are Sommervile, Charlestown, Lexington and Belmont. Why can't I get some close to home? I try to leave early to beat most of it. I do have a great story of what happened yesterday at 3:15pm while just leaving the job. I backed out of the jobsite and made it about 1/2 block when "Boom/ Crack", My lower ball joint sheared in the middle of a fairly busy cut through. That truck was not going anywhere. The tire was jamed in the fenderwell and the lower control arm was still suspended. Called AAA, said needed priority tow, Cambridge Police had not responded yet. 1 hour later called AAA, where's the wrecker? Be there within the hour, What? Now the police showed up. They would hold for 30 minutes and it would be a police tow. The driver calls, can't find me, turns out he is at the right named street but in Brighton not Cambridge. Called AAA set up with a Cambridge outfit, same as the police tow. The cop was great talked about kitchen remodel, my wife and kids, how I was handling everything, a real nice guy. The truck shows up at 7pm and they take me to their lot. There is no driver to take me to my house. What about the guy driving now? No, he has to go out on local calls. Great, hours go by now it is dark, The ramp truck w/ my truck on it has no lights and it is the only flatbed available. Long story, I slept in my truck until morning and waited for a new driver to show to get my van loaded with tools to my door. The first real good day for me ended in a 18 hour ordeal. But I took it in stride, Yes AAA and the tow outfit were incompetent, but flipping out would have only made matters worse. Would you like to know what it was like staying in the "Dodge Hilton"? (my truck) absolutely fantastic and my back agrees with me.
Phillip: Since I have been feeling better these days I really needed to share such a beautiful experience with people that have shown consideration over these troubling times. I haven't checked emails yet.
GARRY:I did appreciate the post about the older man in your church, I do hope it will help Michael as well.
Jim:Dave Frary did have a hand in some of it Model Railroad Scenery (I have his singned copy of the 3rd edition), but no, he's not a member. I wish! The member that did the city scene, never did scenery before. You're looking at his first attempt. Not bad for a beginner, Ay. The member, John, is good at anything he does. Lots of research, practicing weathering on cheap buildings, lots of thought and trial and error, but look at the results- I know it is top notch. I feel that most of us in the hobby are already a cut above and when we apply ourselves, great things happen. It was a real hit at our last show.
inch53: It's hard not to love a great story like that. And der5997: I would be honored for you to call her April. Always loved the person and the name.
The dyed castings are only a base color. When the pics were taken the plaster was still damp. Once dry they will lighten and they will be drybrushed with all different shades and colors. The different texture between the rock types won't matter once the cast on area recieves all the brush and trees. the rocks will be only outcroppings. The cripplebush rubber ones started as dark gray primer, I colored them to what you see now. They still need some lightening and final drybrushing. This will be done when all the other rocks are set as to have uniform coloring throughout.
Well guys thanks for your support. I think, no I know it's time for a couple of cold Sam's.
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
bogp40 wrote: Jeff: You do have your work "cut" out for you (pun intended). Is the mill take off easy for identical desks or did a wrench get thrown in the works. I find the later can make it more interesting. I find that much of what I do is on site mill and cut to fit. People ask, "You must have a great shop?", I have to say no, my shop is mostly in the truck for all on site custom work.
Afternon, a barley pop please Janie,
Well two games done [watched 3 kids] and part of the yards mowed even. Going to get washed up, eat a very early supper, then head north for the double header [4'th kid] in Paris, probbley won't stay for all it though, be to late for us. Mother just hoolered, so best gets round
inch
Michael - sorry to hear about your son. I've also lost family members, though all of you guys here at the dinner have never know about it untill now. I lost my dog pepper back when I was in 1st - 2nd grade. She died of cancer, and my Grampy (granddad) on my dad's side durring the summer of.. was it 2002 or 2003? can't remember because of a heartattack, he died at the hospital in Bangor. I have some memories of him but I didn't know him real well. At his funeral it was the only time I have ever seen my dad cry.
Come hang out at the dinner for a while and stick with trains.
JimRCGMO wrote: Paul wrote:Colby: you will have to solder that wire. Hot glue and the others will not conduct electricity. Fergie is good at soldering things. Mostly his body. Check into a soldering iron.(no comment...)
Paul wrote:Colby: you will have to solder that wire. Hot glue and the others will not conduct electricity. Fergie is good at soldering things. Mostly his body. Check into a soldering iron.
WHAT'S THAT SUPPOST TO MEAN?
Hey all thought I'd come by and say hi. Got the walls in my trainroom/office done about a month (3/8" plywood)ago and finally got the floor (5/8" plywood ) done today lets see I only had to fall though it twice befor I finally got it fixed lol.
See Fergie telling on us again. It wasn't phils faught it was that weak floor from the other owners that we never knew about till then (yeah right believe that one and I'll sell you my share of the Brooklyn bridge)
Any way time to paint walls next (white sealer ) to prime them and then not sure but thinking of a faint light blue as in sky color so I don't need to worry about a sky color just add clouds and all.
Hello to all I've missed I'm the odd ball around here I come to learn some good advive and to say hello to some great modlers) I collect/run O gauge 3 rail i do have a HO set but its Marklin you know the strange HO with the middle rail as long as it has 3 rails i'll run it lol
Well time to craw back into the corner and start watching everyone again
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/