SUE: You struck a cord when you mentioned that you make your trees from "Butterfly" bushes. We have three in our yard, I would love to know your technique. Can you also add a photo here in the Diner? That is a great idea !!!!
As for lawn tractor, I have a Wheel Horse ( now owned by Toro ) and my drive belt for the blades is tightened quite easily by just turning a knob on the front of the tractor. If it is the drive belt for the rear wheels and xmission, I have never had to tightened that belt in 20 years because it has an idler pully that takes up the slack as the belt stretches with age and wear.
JR, The Empire? I have been planting trees, and as you probably know it is a slow process. Most of our trees we make from butterfly bushes or sedum. I have had my husband Larry making the trees while I plant them. Of course, he would rather be weathering cars. My other project is another tunnel portal from the bragdon geodesic rock. What type of water tank are you building?
Dick, I am safe today, because the lawn mower is still out of order. It looks like a 2 person job to tighten the belt so maybe it will get repaired this weekend. It looks like it will be a week before the weather will dry out again.
Ryan, We have 3rd PlanIt, and I never noticed the swing gate plans. I will have to explore that. We will look forward pictures of your end product.
Philip, We are waiting for those progress photos.
MrB, I would like to be the first to wish you a . I never know from day to day if I will be checking in so tomorrow. Play hard, go skiing, you are only a day older.
Jeff, What is for lunch? Something healthy?
Well,I had better go check on my trees.
Sue
Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.
Philip, yes, we pray & thanks for yours. Guidance from God is much needed now, and we can tell He's there. But another phone call was more stressful to us. My wife's was up quite a bit during the nite so I'll let her sleep now before we go.
Proverbs 3: 5-6
There's no need to worry......God's in the drivers seat!
Mornin' all!
Busy day already today!
Went out last night and got some new "natural light" lightbulbs for the lights in the train room (they look great) and picked up 200' of 2 strand 12ga. wire for the main power feeds. Also grabbed some weather stripping to use as roadbed. It comes in a roll of 1/4" thick putty, so it conforms to curves and lays flat. I laid some of it out last night and it works great. It's tacky, but not tacky enough to hold to the foam subroadbed, and I'm not sure I trust it to hold the rails, so I'm still using some caulk of it, but it's working out great so far. The rolls are even wide enough that I can cut them widthwise in half, so I'm getting double my moneys worth from each roll. As if that wasn't enough, this morning I ordered my backdrop material. I ordered two rolls of this: http://www.diyhomecenter.com/products/building_supplies/flashing/duraflash/detail.aspx?iid=10021. I'll be working on this on and off this weekend, so I'll take some pics when I get something worth showing.
So whats up with you guys?
SilverSpike wrote: Phillip, I know what you mean about catching the local. CSX has a northbound freight that passes through Wake Forest every morning between 8:00 and 8:30 am, and I can hear the horns, the track is just about 2 miles away from the house. I need to get out there with camera ready and wait for it, might try it tomorrow since I am off work on Friday.
Phillip, I know what you mean about catching the local. CSX has a northbound freight that passes through Wake Forest every morning between 8:00 and 8:30 am, and I can hear the horns, the track is just about 2 miles away from the house. I need to get out there with camera ready and wait for it, might try it tomorrow since I am off work on Friday.
I can't see or hear this train from my house, even though it's just up the road. I just keep driving by and the cars are all swapped out. I finally honed in on the time that I needed to be there and was rewarded with what has to be one of the last CSX cabooses still in use for it's intended purpose.
I'll look forward to some pics of your local. Gotta love the "milk run" trains!
BTW, I'm glad things worked out for Monique.
Good morning everyone, another cold wave is speeding towards us, we had a clear sky at 8, but now the sky is milky white with temp at 17.3F with wild snow white-outs due here soon and rapidly dropping temps. We set all kinds of records this week for low temps for the date, low high temps for the date, etc. I have some stove cleaning to do this morning, the Pellet stove has been going non stop during this cold wave over the past month. The wood stove is easy, just empty the ash drawer every other day...the Pellet stove is a PITA, a lot of vacuuming inside and use of brush to clean the heat risers et and air fan duct etc., and I have to wear a mask because of the very fine ash particles.
We had a bad house fire in our town yesterday, the house was badly damaged. The owner did a very foolish thing, he emptied his ashes and the phone rang, so he left the ashes unattended. The rest is history. His cat died in the fire also, but the family was OK. I think he must have had his ashes in a 5 gallon plastic bucket because metal pails/buckets would not have been and issue. WHY do people do dumb things ...WHY ???
GARRY: Our prayers for your family, and have a safe trip.
RYAN: That is real good news about Monique, that can be very un-nerving until you know the results. Glad to hear that things are getting back to normal at work, you don't need added pressure.
CAPE JIM: How do you like those rail connectors with wires attached? It seems like a nice way to go, but if you don't solder the connectors to the rails, you may have troubles down the road later. However, if you DO solder the connectors, then the rails cannot expand or contract with Temp or Humidity variations. Food for thought Jim.
DER JOHN: Cheer up, we have a big warmup coming next week, maybe, just maybe, we have seen the last of real cold air.
Have any of you guys ever bought and built one of those Bowser Steam Locomotive kits? If so, thoughts and comments?
Time to go do maintenance...ohh oh, here comes the snow, white out outside. See you guys at lunch,
Good Morning folks!
Tall coffee and how about an English Muffin with orange marmalade Chloe?
Thanks!
Paul, been busy getting ready for show I see! Sounds like a lot of fun for this weekend!
Garry, thoughts and prayers included for you and your family, and have a safe trip.
jeffrey-wimberly wrote:Been pretty slow in here today.
Jeff, you noticed that too! I had been out of the Diner for a week and only 7 pages were posted in that time.
J.R., Thanks for the encouragement for Monique, I will be sure to pass it on to her. Hey, I thought that backdrop looked familiar! Thanks for the interest on the swing gate, if you are interested you can post any detailed comments about your swing gate and tips on my thread in the Layouts and Layout building forum section: http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/1059584/ShowPost.aspx
You all have a great day!
Ryan BoudreauxThe Piedmont Division Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger eraCajun Chef Ryan
Jim RCGO , your thoughts and prayers are appreciated.
We'll be driving most of today and much of tomorrow. Don't know if I'll be here before we leave or when I'll be back. Thanks again.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Good Morning, Zoe - I see Bill has been through early, so I'll have a donut and cup of coffee. Judging by how early he was here, Bill must've got by the donut shop right when they opened! Thanks!
Not much new for me since last night. It's about 31 F this a.m., with a wind chill of 24 F currently. Supposed to be a bit cooler today, upper 50's or lower 60's. I can hear the robins and other birds chirping away outside. Tomorrow our Seattle rainy weather will be coming in, and supposed to continue off and on through Saturday.
Paul, good thing you got all that track done before this weekend. As was said earlier, maybe you need some more equipment if you'll be doing that kind of w**k regularly? Hope everything hooks up and runs fine this weekend for your show.
Time for me to head out of here. See you all later.
Blessings,
Jim in Cape Girardeau
Good Morning All,
I'll have a regular coffee and a donut please Zoe. Bitter cold and breezy here this morning - hard to believe this weekend is the "spring ahead" Sunday with the clocks.
Ryan - Glad the deal with Monique is minor - can't be too careful of course, but we seem to have more than enough issues with our diner clientel and their loved ones already. to answer your question, I've used a combination of Faller and Walthers backdrops in places, but the big nice looking backdrop for the upper level is from Backdrop Warehouse. You need to be careful how you order it so that you keep the perspective you want, if I'd had my druthers I'd have made it just a little further away (smaller) so I didn't need to be so careful about the transition between foreground and backdrop. The scene itself is of mountains in Virginia (I think - or was that Tennesee) and looks like typical New England summer foliage to me - maybe not enough rocks LOL. I also have a 24" wide two level swing gate on the entrance to the layout on curved track no less and can give you some pointers and shots of that if you want. I have minor trouble with track alignment between seasons, but geting a dehumidifier for the train room cured 90% of that. The big thing is bracing and repeatability as it's opened and closed.
All for now, time to go make trailer ramp parts. Hope you all have a goodun' as Inch says. CUL, J.R.
Good morning ! from Indiana.
03-08-07
Bill Tidler Jr.
Near a cornfield in Indiana...
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 Evening, Chloe - a cup of hot cocoa, please. Just a short stop in here for the evening.
Garry, thanks for the info on your steel mill forum - the pic you posted looks great! Sorry to hear about your family's bad news - we'll be keeping you in our prayers .
Cox 47 wrote:Jim....I always liked those Athearn 34 foot hoppers I had about 40 of them on the last HO layout I built but back then they were just 1.98 and some of the discouters would sell them 10 for 15.00...I like the Church lets us know how the build goes..are you going to scratch windows or use something over the counter?
grayfox1119 wrote:CAPE JIM: What are you wiring at this time, extension of power buss or track feeders?
Evening Gang: I'm early tonight. I finished the rail joiners today now all I have to do is drill some holes in the ends of the 1st, middle, and last tie so we can nail them down. That way they won't slide around while we,re running. Son John is coming over tomorrow around noon to help finnish up and load the track sections, then go over to the track and pick up my locomotive and cars. I think that we are going to load up another loco for one of the guys and haul it out also. The show is this weekend.
Well Daisy the Dog is waiting to go out so I'd better take her out. I'll see you all tomorrow.
Good Night All
SilverSpike wrote: Nice signal tower pic Phillip! From the looks of it, it was cold too!
Nice signal tower pic Phillip! From the looks of it, it was cold too!
It was! I didn't even get out of the car for that pic. Shot it right througn the front window!
Oh, and what a nice spread of pics from the CSX industry tracks!
Been trying to catch the local there for a while, but I kept missing it. Glad I had the camera handy that day!
JR, I liked reading about your Amtrak ride from FLA to NYC. It brought back memories of an Amtrak trip I took from New Orleans to NYC back in the 80's. That northeast corridor was very industrial, especially around Baltimore and on was exactly like you described it, seems like it has not changed much since my trip over 20 years ago.
Hey, JR, what are you using for your backdrops?
jeffrey-wimberly wrote: GMTRacing wrote:Jeff - that's quite some roster you're building. Are you using a book to guide you on what power was used on the prototype for the era you're doing? Nosey people want to know.I don't model any particular era. I just do what I want. I've been known to lash up an 1860's wood burner with an SD40-2. Hey, it's on it way to a railfan trip someplace.
GMTRacing wrote:Jeff - that's quite some roster you're building. Are you using a book to guide you on what power was used on the prototype for the era you're doing? Nosey people want to know.
I don't model any particular era. I just do what I want. I've been known to lash up an 1860's wood burner with an SD40-2. Hey, it's on it way to a railfan trip someplace.
Jeff, nice KCS locos you acquired there on your LHS trip. BTW, I like that approach to era specification, or lack thereof. I like to model the 1970's era give or take 30 years.
Duke, nice to see that you were awake on Friday evening last week...
...just sorry I missed you again.
BTW, is Apex getting ready for the spring meet?
grayfox1119 wrote:RYAN: Haven't heard much from the hills of North Carolina lately, whatsup?
RYAN: Haven't heard much from the hills of North Carolina lately, whatsup?
Dick, thanks for asking! Work has been the "whatsup", I typically check the forums and such in between calls, but since filling in for a co-worker who has been out for the past 5 weeks my work load has increased. He is supposed to return on Monday. Wednesdays are a lighter day for some reason, so her I am, back in the saddle. Looking forward to making it into the Diner more often starting next week.
BTW, I hope all is well now with the water problem from last week!
Scott, happy belated birthday!
Nice signal tower pic Phillip! From the looks of it, it was cold too! Oh, and what a nice spread of pics from the CSX industry tracks!
Jim, I like that church as a modeling prototype!
Garry, thanks! 3rd PlanIt is a great CAD tool, it took me some time, but having used it for about 4 years now I am starting to master more of its abilities every day. I might just have to write a tutorial on what I have learned from using it in my layout plans.
And your steel mill photo looks very much like one I saw displayed at the Neuse River Valley Model Railroad Club Train Show back in October 2006. Very well done!
hey guys! I'm doing my best to raise money for the train show. and the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad is looking to raise money for restorating some cars. I'm top so enjoy.
Colby
Ryan... the 3rd planit drawing is impressive. I have a copy of 3rd planit I purchased 6 years ago. I worked with it for a while; decided the learning curve would take too long; and drew my plan the old fashioned way instead. I bet the software has improved by now.
Jim (cape) the steel mill thread was entitled "steel mill" (just to prove how original my thinking can be). It's in this forum. Here's a picture from the thread:
Those who asked, what's next?........... Just to the right of my coke oven, pictured in the thread, is presently just boards and track. Not far beyond that is benchwork only. Next it's just open space with no benchwork. ....so, I will be building in that direction towards the town of Heartland (existing now only in my imagination). It's a very slow process........
Good afternoon folks!
Seven pages since my last post a week ago.
I've been working on a swing gate drawing in 3rd PlanIt for the layout where I have the main line track crossing the aisle way. Here is the current drawing:
I was inspired by the recent MR article and pdf download "Build a swinging gate for easy access" by Gary Hoover. I hope to build this swing gate on Friday.
I posted a new thread on this topic here: http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/1059584/ShowPost.aspx
Chloe, thanks for the water. I'll have a grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of tomato soup please. And an un-sweet tea too! Thanks!
Here is a funny story for ya:
I was at the local bank drive-up teller yesterday after work. This is a relatively new branch that was just built and opened up about five months ago. The drive-up has video monitors that let you see the teller, and they have a camera on the customers so they can see you too. Well, I put my deposit in the box and sent it on up the vacuum tube. Since I was stopped now and waiting for the deposit receipt, I took this opportunity of rest to clear my nasal passages. Took me about 5 tissues to get it all out, at my age and with the amount hair in my nose some of dem little buggers need a little tugging to get out of there. So, just as I finish up with the nasal emergency, I hear the teller...
Teller:"Mr. Boudreaux....hello....Mr. Boudreaux?"
Me: "err....a.....yes! Hello!" While struggling to finish wiping my nose.
Teller: "We have great rates on CD's at 5.5% for 12 months right now, would you like to put some of your money in one today?"
Not sure if she saw my nasal antics on her little video monitor in the bank, but it must have been a show if she did! I told her I needed to review all their rates before I committed.
Monique found a lump last week, went to the doc and the x-rays showed it is a fibrocystic cyst, and not cancer. So that is good news! Now she has to go back for a follow-up visit in 6 months.
Thoughts and prayers to all in need!
Cheers,
Ryan
Lunch time here. I'll have the cheeseburger with lettuce, mayo, and tomato, an order of fries, and a Mt. Dew, Chloe. Thanks.
Dick, I'm going home for vacation. No plans to travel anywhere, just some time off to recharge the batteries. I'm having a new water softener installed next Tuesday and want to see if I can get my lawn tractor serviced next week so it is ready for the grass mowing season. Otherwise, if the weather is good I'll clean up the yard and take care of some things outside. If the weather is bad I'll work on some projects I have going inside, including the MRR.
Good morning everyone.....another bone chilling morning under bright blue skies here in the highlands of central Mass. It is currently 10.9F with 11 mph winds from the Canadian direction (NW). We have yet another Arctic blast coming in for tomorrow night with temps below zero, then a big warm up over the weekend .....finally.
SCOTT: Have a great time on your Senior trip, these are the times you will remember all your lives.
ATTABOY: Yes, I was watching the weather Channel and the local stations out of Boston, and we have warm weather headed our way for this weekend and next week. Enjoy your vacation, where are you headed?
SUE: Ya I know, I know, you guys had it tough in November, December and January, now it is our turn, tsk tsk...go cut your grass !!!!!! LOL LOL
CAPE JIM: What are you wiring at this time, extension of power buss or track feeders?
J.P.: NECN news this morning said there were so many accidents down your way on the Interstate that they gave up counting. Hope your drive in was safe. It was a local thing, the storm to the south just grazed southern NE and got you guys, we have sunny skies jut 30 miles north.
Anyone have a chair that Phil could have? I mean Florida Phil not midwest Phil. He needs one for the bus that he drives...I will let Phil clue you in, something about 500 pound guys that destroy the seat so badly that Phil has to sit ( fall ) into these deep ravines with his butt, and that caused severe back pain after 8 hours of driving. I was thinking more in the line of a nice leather recliner with auto heat and vibrator.....
JEFF: Where are you this morning?
gear-jammer wrote: Dick, Today was another day that was near 70 degrees. Yes, we had snow last week. Tomorrow it will cool off again and rain.
Dick, Today was another day that was near 70 degrees. Yes, we had snow last week. Tomorrow it will cool off again and rain.
Morning everyone.
Paul W. Beverung wrote: Mary Ann is letting me order 48 6" dia wheels for the narrow gauge cars. Roll Models is having a 50% off sale and a couple of the guys will be able to pick them up and bring them here so no shipping. We ordered Mary Anns new cook stove and over the stove microwave today. Now I have to move out the old stove and get ready for the new one.
Mary Ann is letting me order 48 6" dia wheels for the narrow gauge cars. Roll Models is having a 50% off sale and a couple of the guys will be able to pick them up and bring them here so no shipping.
We ordered Mary Anns new cook stove and over the stove microwave today. Now I have to move out the old stove and get ready for the new one.
Paul, is there a connection here we should know about?
That nice weather is coming Dick, I'm on vacation next week and the forcast is for a high temp of 60 on Monday.
Good Morning, Diners - Zoe, I see Bill's been in. One of his donuts, please, and a cup of coffee, please. Thanks!
Yep, I figure the cut-outs on the bell tower would be too much w**k to make (and don't look typical of that kind of church that I've seen). I'm planning on the braces under the eaves to be simpler too - just straight-line braces across and down from the top of the eave roofline.
JR, sounds like you've been busy at the museum doing that 'w' thing on the layout. Hope that the rest of the crew has/will be keeping up with you on their end of the layout.
Scott, good to see you in the Diner again. That's the spirit on maintaining a layout. The Senior Dinner Cruise thing sounds like it should be fun. Hopefully, it will be warmer when that's supposed to happen, right?
Sounds like it's still cold back east there. We're already up around 36 F this morning, and supposed to have a clear day, up into the low 50's for our temp. But the weatherguessers are talking rain for the weekend (of course?). Good excuse to stay in and do some MRR stuff (almost slipped and said wk, Paul...)
Garry, I'll have to track down the link to your steel mill work (in whatever forum it's in), so I can see your handiw**k.
Jeff, are you really going to have cooler weather down your way today than us? Maybe you'll get a bit warmer than 43 - sure hope so, for your sake!
Time for me to go get ready for my day. Everyone take care!
Blessings for your days,
Howdy howdy.
If I could have a cup of coffee please. There's no school today due to snow, so I thought that I would drop by the good ol' Diner.
Thank you all for your kind words and regards about my B-Day.
Train show wasn't impressive at all...I don't think it was worth the admission cost. There wasn't even a full hall. I guess that is to be expected from a first year train show.
Got my tickets for the Senior Dinner Cruise the other day. Can't wait to go. March 24, I'll be on the Chesapeake Bay, on the Lady Baltimore (if I'm not mistaken) with my girl.
Dick: I don't want to wait that long to start playing with trains again...Hopefully, if we can move into a bigger house in a few months, I'll have enough space to at least build a switching layout of some sort. That'll be fun; especially, if I can't sleep.
Der: I'm going to try to jump on here whenever I can. I'm not sure how often I'll be though.
Inch: So far, haven't worn myself out yet...But I think the Senior-itis of high school is lingering around...
Fargo: Car's in the shop as we speak. Should have it back the week after next.
PC: Loved the pictures!
Mmmkay, I'l be around. Catch y'all later.
Scott - Dispatcher, Norfolk Southern
It's a little on the cool side this morning but it'll warm up later.
Wind Chill: 39°FHumidity: 88%Dew Point: 36°F So Far TodayHigh: 43°FLow: 39°FRain: 0.00"Rain Rate: 0.00"/hGust: 0mph NNE Today High: 72 Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 70s. Light and variable winds.
Tonight Low: 45 Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s. Light and variable winds.
I'll have pancakes today.