Good Afternoon All,
Still in the shop beavering away. Did get some more "mud" time in last night and stained and ground foamed the section I'd done the night before. Started on ballast on the siding adjacent to the new mud as well, so some nice progress at last.
Another way to use the rods to support the helix and to keep the double nuts from warping the plywood is to use beveled washers or the wedge shaped square beveled washers used on I-beams (both available from Fastenal or other industrial suppliers). The square washeras are designed for a 1:6 slope beam side and work well for a variety of angle shim applications. J.R.
Good afternoon to all, just took a quick break for lunch. I awoke this morning with a no voice. I am very hoarse.....don't know how this happened, I was Ok when I went to bed last night at 11:30. I feel Ok, no cold, no fever.
BOBK: No train action of Thursday at Palmer on the Main line, but two GP38's were on the VT and NE central tracks behing the station ready to pull out across the diamond on the north/south line of the VT central.
JEFF: Ohh great guru of Diesels....I have a question. I just purchased an Atlas Alco RS-1 and I am trying to find out how to remove the top to install a decoder. It looks like I have to remove the grab irons, then the cab, then the top by squeezing the lower part of the top to release what looks like tabs on each lower corner of the top half the shell. Have you done one of these Jeff?
grayfox1119 wrote: JEFF: Ohh great guru of Diesels....I have a question. I just purchased an Atlas Alco RS-1 and I am trying to find out how to remove the top to install a decoder. It looks like I have to remove the grab irons, then the cab, then the top by squeezing the lower part of the top to release what looks like tabs on each lower corner of the top half the shell. Have you done one of these Jeff?
Now, if it's anything like the Kato RSC-2 that I have, I remove the handrail ends from the cab the pinch the sides of the hood body in just behind the cab and about one inch from the end of the hood body and gently pull it up.
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
Good afternoon, Janie - how about a nice root beer float, please? After hearing about Dick's foray into the freezer last night, I figured I'd better bring a bucket of ice cream. (Hide the rest and leave Vinnie on guard tonight...) Thanks, Bob K.!
Bob K., you bet the twins will take the "green stuff" for a tab in here (so long as it's the folding kind and not the stuff from Woodland Scenics...)!
I got a nice surprise today - a knock on my door, and there was my daughter(!). We got some visiting and catching up, and she treated me to lunch (sort of for Father's Day - I asked about the possibility of my getting a visit on a Father's Day, perhaps alternating years with her father-in-law...). Turned out things are semi-on hold with them moving to a newer house. The potential buyer for their current house bailed, and the new(er) house sale was contingent on them selling the older one. But they're supposed to have someone by this afternoon to look at their house, so maybe it might go through after all. Son-in-law (and RN) Andy has been thinking about going back to school for his Master's and becoming a Nurse Practitioner. He could complete the degree here in Cape. Andy could still work most of his hours at the hospital where he is, and take the classes. So I'd appreciate prayers for wisdom and guidance for him & them (on the house, and on the M.S. for Andy).
Dave/claymore1977 wrote:I hit the 'shakes' part of the MRR withdrawal so I started back up on the forums :)You?
I hit the 'shakes' part of the MRR withdrawal so I started back up on the forums :)
You?
Dave, I still need to get my wiring done (have several feeders hanging down below the tracks, but need the main buses and attaching the feeders to them), have a nice sort of diorama at the moment. Put some buildings in place, vehicles, locos and freight cars, but will have to take those off before I do scenery (after the wiring, that is...). At a standstill, but hoping to put together some freight car kits this weekend. Need to clear off the dining room table first, however.
Brandon, nice pics of the BL2 and all - bet that was fun for you. Good to see one of those still running!
What, Dick, you don't want Ryan to pass along that storm front to water your blueberries for you? Guess it's kind of like Murphy's Law of weather on the rain missing the berry patch. Hey, you weren't watching a Red Sox game in your sleep and cheering all night, were you? Guess it's time to baby that throat and give it some time to rest up.
I was reading my new issue of MR yesterday, too - I really like the background scenery on the Sherman Hill article.
Jeff, you have the knack for fixing up things on a loco! Good raid on the LHS and HL, too. I guess young David P. might keep his ears peeled and listening for you so he doesn't miss the next trip.
Doctor Fergie, it sounds like this has been a quite productive trip for you, MRR'ingly speaking. Sutures, huh? Who'd have thunk it?
Need to get going - have a lesson to read and study for small group/study at church tonight. See everyone later!
Blessings and a good afternoon to ya,
Jim in Cape Girardeau
Dick,
I did decoders in both my RS-1's (Atlas) and seem to remember a couple of screws on the sides of the fuel tank. If the job can hold til I get home (6 ish) I'll refresh my memory and post an edit for you here. Just promise to leave me enough vanilla ice cream and root beer for a float - it's been a long hot day and the rest of the peeps are pretty steamed about your last foray into the fridge here. J.R.
'Afternoon all you diners,
Not too much going on today. While out running some errands, I stopped by a friends machine shop. Haven't seen him in a while. Dana didn't know about April. He started out from an after school job working at an auto machine shop and now is one of the best machinists in this area. Has quite a successful business in custom engine building (his shop is Custom Automotive Machine). This shop is loaded with some fantastic equipment. Engines for Pro gas, funny cars and racing boats are lined up all over. Back when I raced and built muscle cars, he was the only one that I would let do my machine work. I of coarse loved to assemble the engine myself. You get quite a lot of satisfaction specing out the machining and building a winning car. Big block Chevys, the LS6 my favorite and of coarse the Mopar 340, a real incredible engine. Boy, did I waste a ton of $$$ when I was young but it was shure fun. He asked why I don't do cars anymore, I told him of a much better hobby- "Trains". I said that if your not careful you can spend as much on this hobby as on cars. Everyone got a chuckle from that.
The rest of the day was spent putting my Caravan back together. The AC evaporator was leaking and need to be replaced. I've done some serious work to cars over the years, but this was a total PITA. The entire dashboard right to the sheet metal firewall had to be stripped to remove the enormous heater/ AC box. It's almost back together only need to figure where all the extra parts go. Only kidding there. Since it's apart, I'm changing the dash speakers and setting up a better amp/ CD player. Now if the mess from the aftermarket entry/ remote start can ever get crammed back into that tight space I'll be happy. I may be a good carpenter and mechanic, but the wiring thing is usually left to others. "Only Colored Spaghetti" to me.
My mother is back at my house until she leaves to go back to TX on the 4th. Right now she's about done with dinner, Her meatballs and sauce over thin spaghetti. Well another night eating out, or away from the dinner. Too bad there's not enough to go around. Once the kids and their freinds get a wiff of them they're history.
Well dinner is done, catch you later tonight,
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
Good evening gents, back inside for the night, had a lot of work to do rebuilding a stone wall next to the driveway, and some planting to do for the CFO. ( Keep the CFO happy and you can buy many more things at your LHS, that takes 47 years of marriage for all you young guys still in school).
JEFF: Thank you for reply, it also looks like J.R. might have some info on Atlas Alco RS-1's. Even so, what you told me about your switcher looks like it might be identicle to the Atlas design. I still can't talk, so I think I will try some of your watermellon wine, that sounds really good. The wife is worried about me because I awoke Friday morning with what looked like a big mosquito bite on my butt. I didn't have it when I went to bed, and we have no holes in the screens, so I don't know where it came from. No fever though, and I feel fine otherwise.
J.R. Thanks for reply, I will wait for your input. I do see two screws, but they are underneith the loco, not on the fuel tank.
CAPE JIM: All that rain looks mighty close to your area, are you Ok at the Cape? As for taking it easy, that is not me. Unless I am really sick, I continue with daily chores, I believe in making ones immune system work. I sort of treat it like a muscle, use it , or lose it attitude. I see some people pump themselves full of all sorts of pills, and they are always getting colds, or anything else that is going around. Plenty of rest ( 8 hours a night ), a glass of wine at night, and we are ready to go.
TIFN
Well I see I made the TOP again.
I already ate earlier, but come on and order up.
I guess some dessert, maybe Key Lime pie and a soda, please.
J.R. Thanks for the info, I am headed for bed right now, so I will give this a try tomorrow....tired hands are not the ones to start pinching "lightly" to remove cabs & tops.
Ahhh gee...all the Vanilla Bean ice cream is gone......was PC in here again on the sly??? Now I know why, Jedd is asleep on the corner table, he didn't see PC sneak the last pint.
Evening Gang: Something strange happened today, no rain. I think the folks west of us had some and east towards Dallas. I didn't make the outside dogs go into the dog house inclosure. It's so middy and wet that they have been missarable. I have to build a new house for them.
Daisy will sit up that way and give you the I'm a poor little puppy dog please feed me a treat look. They are really cut and funny little dogs. She gets out into the grass and if it hasn't been mowed she bounces through it. I guess she dosen't like the feel of it on her belly.
No MRRing today. I'll try again tomorrow. You guys are making me look bad.
For supper Mary Ann and I had cerial with fresh peaches. I do mean fresh. We just picke them yesterday. They were the first that this little tre produced and there were only 3. Our other trees all died out and the only other one never produces usable fruit. I guess we'll have to plant some new trees this winter.
Well it's time to hit the sack.
Good Night All
Good evening......... KY RY Museum photos are below.
Look at the 0-6-0T next to grand daughters. (Don't tell Fergie, he'll be cornering the market for 0-6-0T's next.)
The L&N 4-6-2 was out and on display.
The Santa Fe CF7 was doing the work at the opposite end of the train from the 0-6-0T. You can see Brandon's BL2 in the background.
We road in the seats closest to the CF7 in view in photo.
It was a great day! (Except grand daughters complained that they did not have clowns on baord as was the case last year or the year before.)
You can see my new bagggage mail car posted in week end photo fun if you are interested.
Happy Model Railroading!
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Good morning ! from Indiana.
07-01-07
Bill Tidler Jr.
Near a cornfield in Indiana...
Good morning.Today's Weather for: Sundown, LA 71446-6114 7/1/2007
Sundown Fire Dept., Station 23 Heat Index: 79°FHumidity: 95%Dew Point: 73°F So Far TodayHigh: 76°FLow: 74°FRain: 0.00"Rain Rate: 0.00"/hGust: 3mph NNE Today High: 90 Partly sunny with numerous showers and thunderstorms. Highs around 90. Light and variable winds. Chance of precipitation 60 percent.
Tonight Low: 72 Mostly cloudy. Scattered showers and thunderstorms in the evening...then isolated showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the lower 70s. Light and variable winds. Chance of precipitation 40 percent
it clear outside now but theres clouds movin up from the gulf
David Parks I am the terror that flaps in the night!
Good morning,
A ham and cheese omlet, side of hash browns and a coffee sounds good this morning.
What a beautiful day here. At the fireworks down the beach last night it was rather cool. Very unusual to be cool and dry, no bugs, a great night with a fantastic display out over Quincy Bay. What's nice is I'm within walking distance 1/4 mi to the beach. No hassles of parking and traffic.
Well today, I should wrap up the Caravan and have it ready to charge the AC. I might even get a chance to clean my truck. The tools/ supplies inside are a mess, been procrastinating emptying out the van to sort out all the mess.
GARRY: Some nice pics, looks like all had a good time. Your granddaughters are adorable. Funny how they were looking for the clowns.
Dick: Doing all that yardwork is one thing, but lugging and fitting feildstones can really give you some sore muscles. Well at least you couldn't ask for any better weather for it. 47 years, I guess you have figured how to keep the CFO happy. Good advice to the younger crowd. I had a wonderful 23 years with April.
See that stone wall must have been such a PITA, now you have proof. Hope it was only a spider or mosquito bite. Just check that it's not a deer tick.
JR: Thought you'd be off at some races. My daughter and friends were up to Loudon, NH yesterday. Had some great tailgating and really enjoyed the race. She'll run the NASCAR circuit as much as she can. Her friend, a little 22 year old will go almost anywhere there's a race. Funny seeing this cute, petite girl jumping out of her Dodge Ram sport when she stops over. I'm surprised that Atlas set up the RSs similar to Kato for shell removal. All my EMD stuff is straightforward.
As for the layout, we went from a crowded small basement to almost a gymnasium. Our members meeting room, office, kitchen and entry is actuall more sq ft than the old place. The entire building is 50x200. We have left 50x150 for the layout, wood shop, modeling shop and offline and storage. The far wall of the shops is 2 floors with the dispatch overseeing the layout. The dispatch is Paul3's home away from home. Instead of placing just a window, I built a mock facard of a tower. The second floor is actually canterlevered 18" and windows are installed to resemble a tower. A 9 light panel-dutch door and clapboard finish the exterior. Don't have a direct shot of the tower, but the windows can be seen above the wall here.
Dave (claymore): Good luck on the new house, at least the forums can keep you a bit into the hobby- not total withdrawal.
Philip: So can you keep up that pace on the tracklaying? No pressure or anything! Been doing pretty good, seeing some older friends some didn't even know about April.
Well got to get in gear, need to get stuff done,
Later, enjoy the day,
Good Morning All.....Wow we have a great day here today Sunny and mild....I'll have Biscuits and gravey, American fries,Pork chop and 2 eggs over easy,order of flap jacks,and coffee please...Thank You...I have been setting in easy chair catching up on reading this morning and I think I'll put the New DPB dvd in before my brother comes,,,and then put the Cards- Reds game on and turn down the sound....This week plan to finnish catwalks on mine and then set in and detail around it....maybe get some more work on hand car set out....
Gary....Thanks for the pictures..I saved the " tank engine" to show to my Grand daughter Tootie shes a big fan....
Bob K.....Wow what a layout...I'm looking forward to seeing more photos of progress...Does everone bring thier own engines and rolling stock or is it club owned? Gonna take a lot of stuff to operate a railroad that big...
Jeff....Looks like you got another good haul at the hobby shop...How is your Mother doing?
My brother will be here shortly..Sallie is down for a nap she is tuckered out Her sisters and her took thier Mother out to eat...You all have a grat Sunday Afternoon....Jerry
G'day mates!
That's for those of you down under!
Bob K. & GMT,
Thanks for the ideas and words of encouragement on the helix. As to the seperation of stories, I forgot to ad in the roadbed and track. I need 2" from railhead to the bottom of the next story. Adjusting for that I get a 1.9% grade. Maybe I can figure a way to make that better, but it's not too bad.
grayfox1119 wrote: Ahhh gee...all the Vanilla Bean ice cream is gone......was PC in here again on the sly??? Now I know why, Jedd is asleep on the corner table, he didn't see PC sneak the last pint.
I saw Fergie in here last night. He was saying something about a Canada Day party....I don't know.
bogp40 wrote: Philip: So can you keep up that pace on the tracklaying? No pressure or anything! Been doing pretty good, seeing some older friends some didn't even know about April.
I've been solering feeders for days, but I'm keeping at it. I'm about done with that now, so next is wiring them all to power.
And it's good to see old friends, huh?
Cox 47 wrote: Bob K.....Wow what a layout...I'm looking forward to seeing more photos of progress...Does everone bring thier own engines and rolling stock or is it club owned? Gonna take a lot of stuff to operate a railroad that big...
Jerry: The club does have a complete roster, "The East Coast Lines". Some of the club equipment is always on the layout. A good 90% of the equipment left on the rails is member owned. For operations, some are asked to remove or to add any appropriate rolling stock and engines to suit the needs of the operation itself. Otherwise, as a member you can basically keep any registered piece on the layout and you can run anything left on the rails, yours or not. If someone doesn't like others running their equipment then they need to remove it after playing. Any new member can run trains, usually club stuff, even though any piece is fair game. There have been only a few instances where a careless newby has done any damage to personal stuff, usually they will only use club trains.
I usually keep my Chessie SD50s and 35+ loaded hopper train parked on the staging. Occasionaly, I'll switch out to a pair of SD7s, maybe GP40/38s or SD35s. There's not all that many tracks available to store such trains and it's a PITA to R&R a train like that. My B&O passenger is usually on the rails somewhere. The pic is blurry but the Chessie coal drag fills the rest of the 16-18' of track
Me backing out of the upper staging
B&O passenger out for a run, this time an ABA Stewart F3s instead of E units
I kind of call this my own personal storage yard, Not wired yet, set out extra equipment generally for show display.
We do have some fun with this layout, and on most Saturdays a few will gather to work and run trains. No official ops just play.
Afternoon gang: The sky is blue and very few clouds. The sun is shinning and the humidity is sky high. Temp is 80f on the back poarch. Mary Ann and I worked outside for about 45 min and we're soaked. She has headed for the store and I have to go out and trim trees so we can get her storage container in.
I'd better get out there and get started. See you all later.
Good afternoon, just a Dr. Pepper for me, please (to go). Checking in before I try to finish clearing the DR table...
Ah'll be back, as a certain Western state's governor might say...
Blessings,
pcarrell wrote:Hey! Whats this doing back here on page two? Whats up guys? Can't a guy take a little break and trust you all to keep up?
Well was kind of a slow day, so we figured we would wait for you.
Cox 47 wrote: Jeff....Looks like you got another good haul at the hobby shop...How is your Mother doing?
I had a busy day today. Seems that the hot water feed line in David's (TrainMaster) trailer went ka-flooie this morning. Guess who and who else were working on it all day. That's right, David and I. I didn't know how close to the ground that trailer is, and me being claustrophobic!, Man, I was scared half out of my mind being under there. It helped a lot to have someone to talk to as I worked. I replaced pipes, he looked for leaks. The original pipes were so rusted that was no choice but to replace them with cold roll. The trailer is about 36 years old. After about eight hours work, it was all done and they once again have hot water and a dry home. Of course it had to be raining bucket loads most of the time and I was getting my backside wet and muddy most of the time. I'm glad that's over with.
Good Evening All,
Jeff - nothing like it is there? At least when you end up getting nasty dirty it is also not 20F with a 30 mph wind. No snakes under there right? I like the new pushlock plastic pipe and fittings if only it didn't cost a fortune to buy. I always love the home improvement shows when they use 3-4 K worth of fittings to hook up a slop sink.
Spent the day at the shop again and doing chores. Did get a couple of minutes in here at home on the layout and now I'm ready to do some tidy up.
this is the industrial area with the backdrop in and the fascia to hide the edge of the foam
here is the same pic with cropping the idea being to ignore the part of the layout you're not operating on.
and the same area from the other direction (ho hum)
It's good to be able to get back to the layout after the month or so layoff. Now if I can only catch up jobs in the shop. CUL,J.R.
Good evening everyone: We’ve had a really good Canada Day, and now have to turn around and buy some fireworks so our U.S. friends up for their summer break can celebrate on the 4th. when we all go over to New Glasgow for a get together. (yes, they could have brought their own, but what with the border being post 9/11 and all, it’s easier to get some here.)
Kris had a terrific “Book Launch” on Saturday, and they sold out all they had taken to the store, 21 copies! If I’m allowed a plug, look for “Lucky Strike” by Pat Wilson and Kris Wood, ISBN-13: 978-1-894917-51-3 and ISBN-10: 1-894917-51-0
Had a surprise today too. Ed emailed yesterday asking for our phone #, and today phoned from St. John’s Newfoundland, where he is for a couple of days before he goes to stay with his family etc. up the shore a ways, for 3 weeks or so. He said he’d drop by the Diner if he could. I hope he sees BobK’s and PC’s layout photos, and gets all inspired again to get back to his layout.
Small mystery in the paper over the weekend. The Garfield cartoon’s last panel showed a house with a night sky, and the stars spelling out VALETTE, which is I think FAREWELL in Latin. Does this mean no more Garfield?
Mega bucks trouble getting the van its Motor Vehicle Inspection sticker for the end of June. There was some brake work needed doing, and they couldn’t give the sticker because the ABS light was on. (brakes work fine without the ABS, but them’s the rules now.) So, had to get a new sensor, despite the fact that the light went out once they scanned the system. So they do that, and on the road test the light came back on. More scanning, and it’s the sensor on the other rear wheel that’s gone this time. Late Friday afternoon we get the van back, duly M.V.I.ed, but are now seriously looking for a more reliable replacement. Like Jeff’s comments about Atlas locos, I would never ever again buy another Ford product. I wouldn’t even buy a ticket on a draw if the prize was a Ford! The used car dealership in the Harbour is owned by a Ford dealer in another community. The used vehicle manager from there was in on Friday afternoon when I dropped in to ask about a Caravan on the lot. We got talking about the Windstar we have, and I pointed out some of the wrong-from-the- get-go manufacturing faults. He showed me a Ford truck on the lot, and pointed to the way the box is off centre about half an inch on the frame. He said all the Ford trucks are like that. Can’t seem to make them straight……
Jeff: Nice haul at the Hobby Lobby! Now we know what to order for you for dinner, Beef stew and potatoes! BTW, any further news on your mom?
Dick: If your screens are OK, could that bite have been a spider?
Paul:
For supper Mary Ann and I had cerial with fresh peaches.
Michael: Great to see you again, folks were getting concerned. We’re glad you kept the mrr stuff too. Any chance of posting pics of what you’ve built so far? Please say Hi to your wife from us all.
That’s about it for me for today. Have to sort the van out, tidy it up a bit if we are sending it on soon. Also have to get at the riding mower as the drive belt for the deck stripped a section of its outer layer, and turned inside out. (Too many chances with the multitude of rocks in parts of the “lawn”, I guess ) The nearest dealer is in New Glasgow, and we won’t be there until Wednesday, but maybe not early enough to catch the store, since the get together isn’t until dinner, and we’ll likely have our U.S. neighbours with us.
all, and God Bless. Prayers continuing for all in need of healing, comfort, peace and guidance.
"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.
Michael (8500HPGASTURBINE),
Glad to see you back in here! I've been wondering how you are. I haven't stopped praying for you. I know it's tough, but I'm glad to hear you're going on. Stop by any time. And yes, we mostly eat around here......at least we do when inch hasn't cleaned out the fridge on a midnight raid!
Good evening, Janie - I might just have one of those chocolate donuts like DerJohn had - and a decaf, please. Thanks, Bob K. And a Happy Canada Day to our northern brethren!
Michael - great to hear from you, and that you are working on your MRR'ing again. As PC said, we haven't forgotten you (anymore than we would forget how to eat! ), and give your CFO a hug or two for us. More pics, more pics, though!
Maybe Ed'll get a little visiting in up there in your neck o'the woods, DerJohn. Fergie, if you hurry, you might be back in time for the visit, too. Our congrats to your CFO and author Kris, by the way, Der - very good start on the new book. I've copied down the ISBN #s to check it out on Amazon later. I see you're using the same model of 'dozer I was, to clear the rocks out of your yard. Careful, DerJohn - some of those rocks are like icebergs, way more under the ground than you see on top!
Oh, speaking of the DR table - I got an area cleared and started to work on one of my Accurail kits (the T&NO 3-bay hopper), almost had a disaster with the glue tipping, and in the end decided I need to work on those kits in daytime when the light is brighter. The kit looks very well made, I'd say - the stirrups are much better scale than some of my older bluebox ones. Hmm, wonder if I'm careful with an Exacto knife, if I could shave my Athearn hoppers' steps and stirrups down to a better thickness? Boy, am I glad I'm not working in iNvisible scale...
JR, you have been quite the busy beaver in your city there - fine job! Is that a home-painted, or a commercial backdrop between the two buildings in that one photo? Fine job, whoever made it.
Jeff, sounds like a good hot soak in your own tub is in order. Might want to let those clothes soak in a tub overnight themselves to try to let the mud rinse out before you wash them. Good thing indeed that young TrainMaster was there to assist (and he may have been the first into his own shower, once the hot water was running again, too).
Well, about time for me to get ready for bed. Work beckons tomorrow morning - - did I just say that? Sorry, Paul...
Hope all have had a good (and even productive) weekend, and that the rains will soon call a halt in your area so the gardens can dry out a little. Prayers for the family members (and Diners) in need of healing.