Elliotts Trackside Diner (est 1-1-07)

[pcarrell]

PC stay away from the big meals please

Surely you can't be talking about little ole me?

[GMTRacing]

Good Evening All,

    Missed this morning as I was late from scraping all the frost off my car windows. Isn't any warmer just now either. A regular coffee and a slice of warmed up blueberry pie would do me a treat. Assuming ol' PC hasn't cleaned it out yet.

    Still working on the iNpossible scale buildings trying to paint the windows and doors, don't suppose I'll complain about the Horribly Oversize stuff any more. I do have a greatly increased appreciation for those of you who model N as I just can't get used to the size of stuff.

Rob - One piece at a time will work as funds are available and you see something you just can't get by without. Have you looked through the track plans section of MRR? They have all the track plans spanning at least the last decade in all shapes and sizes that they've published. I have a copy of the Wescott book and found it useful but in the end I made my own plan starting with the room I was granted plus a bit more I snuck by moving the water heater to the other side of the furnace. We won't talk about the week long saga of trying to get the resoldered joints to seal afterwords or tipping the heater over on myself (really did think I had all the water drained out before i started heaving ho). 

Time to get back to it and finish up for the evening.  , J.R.

[Cederstrand]

***JR, I tried to look at those MRR layouts but none of them open for viewing, just brings up the same page over again??? Tried clicking on everything possible but had the same results!?!

I was sharing my interest in trains and recent SD90MAC model acquisition with this one customer of mine (a real Engineer) and asked him about the coal trains he pulls. If anyone is interested, here was his response which I found interesting:

[Hey Robert, Coal trains to Newport News are normally 100 cars,(12,000-14,000 tons, 5,200-5,400 feet long) to 150 cars,(20,000-22,000 tons, 7,600-7,800 feet long) depending on the type of coal cars. CSX does not have any SD 90s but we do have 12 SD 80s 5000hp all of them are former Conrail Locomotives. The newer EMDs such as the SD 60s,70s or the 80s are not our favorite locomotives, but the old EMDs are good locomotives such as the SD40-2, SD50 and even the 4 axle GP40-2s. But me and my fellow Engineers like the BIG GEs such as the CW4400AC, and the bad *** CW6000AC, but even the older GEs are good locomotives like the C4000-8, and CW4000-8, they were built in the late 80s and early 90s. I"ve only seen one SD90 it was 3 or 4 months ago down Newport News it was a UP engine it looked nice, but I think I rather have my Big GEs. Hey Rob if u have any questions just ask away, I'll be glad to answer them.]

Now I'm curious about those CW6000AC and wonder when KATO will make a model of one in N scale? Sounds like it would be pretty cool. All for now. Rob

[der5997]

Ryan:

Sounds like a good plan with the talus and rock formations.

....colouring the glue works out quite well from the get-go.  However, pre-staining the crumbled castings needs more experimentation, and I’m not sure I’m up to fiddly work on all the variables involved.  By the time it’s all done and I’ve moved on, I probably won’t even see the differences I was trying to create!  So, I think I’ll build that cribbing wall, glue the slope with coloured glue, pile on the pieces less generously than I did the first time, and then stain the talus when I stain the actual rock faces.

 

Sue, and I think it was JR: On the tree planting, it’ll be well north of 400 that are needed, the 427 of that type of spirea is just this year’s harvest, and adds to the 200+ I have in hand from last year’s crop. But, Sue is right, I’ve got to make the trees from the flower heads before I can plant them. 

Sue, I like your forest floor, but must confess to having missed the deer.  The Aggro-trees are looking good.

I decided to prop them up while they dry.

…What? No mounting holes? I have a number of headless nails of various thicknesses that I keep for boring tree holes in the scenery base.  I must confess however that in Normal scale, with the small trunk diameters I’m dealing with on many of my 10’ and smaller trees I’m having to use a pin vise!

 

Jerry:  Hope that service guy shows up to fix the chair.  It should be a priority job, but they aren’t the ones needing to get around!

I got the roof and floor cut out for the Small Town Building may finish this week...I "roofed' it with a thick coat of craft paint then N' scale ballast and today another coat of paint...

…I start with a suitable grade of sandpaper, and weather that to what I want with whatever powder colours fit the bill.

 

Jeff:

There's a bunch of stuff right there that's getting in the way. Coupler mount, front truck, frame, that sort of thing.

…If there’s room further aft for the resistor, could you run wires from the power source back to the resistor parked where’s there’s room for it, and forward again to the lights?  You’d only be dealing with one half of the circuit anyway.

 

Bed time again, and given the choice between a snack and doing the gif file graphics, it’s going to be the snack.

Goodnight all, and God Bless.  Prayers for all in need of healing, comfort and peace.

 

 

 

 

 

[JimRCGMO]

Evening, Diners! I'll be nice, Chloe. Just a cup of hot cocoa for me, please.

Thanks, RT! Sounds like you had weather about like ours this morning. Makes it a bit tricky figuring what to wear for the day, huh (short of wearing a coat in the morning and taking a jacket for the afternoon...)?

Rob, do you have cookies and Javascript turned on in your browser? Some webpages won't load if cookies are disabled (though I'm not sure the MR layouts page is that way). And it may be there - have you scrolled down? The pull-down menus are also on the page with the layout results thumbnails, so try scrolling down to be sure it's not just hiding lower down on the page. Hope that helps some.

'bout time to finish up my hot cocoa and head home for bedtime.

 

Blessings,

Jim in Cape Girardeau 

[Cederstrand]

I see there are no Night Owls in the Diner. Tis' just past 3:00am and I just finished watching another episode of Trains & Locomotives on RFDTV. Why this isn't prime time stuff...well, guess not everyone loves trains. Good Night! 

Rob

[wetidlerjr]

Good morning ! from Indiana.

10-30-07

[Cederstrand]

And a Good morning to you, Bill! from Georgia. " border="0" width="15" height="15" /> Tonight is as bad a case of Insomnia as I have had in some time. Went ahead and did critter rounds early & unloaded the van full of feed so when I finally do fall asleep, I won't have that on my mind.

Hope everyone has a good day.  

" border="0" width="25" height="23" /> Rob

[fec153]

Good morning Rob. I get Trains and Locomotives on saturday mornings at 9 a.m.

Flip

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning.

Today's Weather for:
Sundown, LA  71446-6114      10/30/2007

Wind Chill:  51°F
Humidity:  90%
Dew Point:  49°F

So Far Today
High:  57°F
Low:  52°F
Rain:  0.00"
Rain Rate:  0.00"/h
Gust:  7mph NNE

Today High: 78    Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 70s. Light and variable winds. 

Tonight Low: 52    Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 50s. Light and variable winds.

[GMTRacing]

Good Morning All,

     Another frosty chilly morning - maybe summers' gone? I'll have a regular and one of Bills' coconut covered donuts please.

Rob - the track plans are in the interactive part of the MRR header and if you hit the PDF download it shows the track plan as a full page and you can then print it out if you want. The plan as shown includes a grid and scale so you can size it as needed for the scale you work in.

    Work continues on the Nano size houses. If I get all of them done we need for the museum display I'll probably be qualified for microsurgery.

Hope y'all have a goodun and it's time to pick up wrenches.    CUL,  J.R.

[ModelTrainLover]

Morning.

 I'll have a glass of OJ to-go.

Well I have my layout up and running after a power pack change (again)

Jeff- You remember the last 2 power packs you sent me right? I now have them both and only one works. the one that I gave my friend Alex, he gave back to me and sunday it died. now I can't controll how fast the train goes.

   I have 3 power packs (thanks to Jeff) and only one works but I think it's on it's way out. Luckly there is a train show this weekend.

[JimRCGMO]

Good Morning, Zoe - glass of Ed's OJ, cup of the TH, and one of Bill T.'s donuts. Thanks!

Rob, hope you get some this morning/afternoon/soon. Gonna need your rest!

Not much new today. I did get a CMW Ford F-350 pickup in last night at the train club meeting (our LHS owner/member brought my order to the meeting). All black & shiny - got to weather it. Looks too new!

Hope everyone has a good day in your area. We're supposed to hit almost 70 (F) this afternoon (within a degree of it, that is...). Might have some frost to scrape on the car windshield, though. I'll finish off my donut and head out.

 

Blessings,

Jim in Cape Girardeau 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

   I have 3 power packs (thanks to Jeff) and only one works but I think it's on it's way out. Luckly there is a train show this weekend.

You must be putting quite a strain on them to burn them up that quickly. How many trains are you running at one time?

[SilverSpike]

Good morning all ye railroad modelers!

A spot of green tea for me please!

Frosty temps this morning and had to bring the tender vegetation in from the porch last night. Burrrrr.....it was cold!

Jerry - Good news on fixing you power chair. The suite was great, and plenty of food...I ate way too much and had a few beers too!

Dick - That is good to know about drying out the pine and conifer type woods before burning indoors. They do burn quickly and hot too! Great job with cutting them down yourself, you did save a lot of money too I'm sure!

Rob - I have the 101 Track Plans for Model Railroaders, By Linn Hanson Westcott. Here is a short synopsis on the book: "Each of these track plans is an adventure in itself, like a visit to another model railroader's home railroad. Each plan is built around some railroad theme with an atmosphere of real, or sometimes imaginary, countryside. The plans range in size from tiny layouts that would fit on a card table to a huge estate-size railroad designed for a specially built building." Now this book was originally published in 1956, so if you want some plans that are about 51 years old, then go for it. I have had that book since the 1970's. It has some great ideas, but I am not sure that I would actually use them in their entirety for a current layout.

And Rob, I know what you mean about those downloadable books and references, and then you have to print them out on YOUR OWN paper. It is a racket eh! Seems like we should be getting a discount since it really does not cost them much extra in materials.

Ryan, Are you putting tools and benches in the RH? I planted a couple trees and several bushes this morning.  I was hoping to plant the whole hillside in one evening, but it looks like stages it will be.  After the trees falling down the hill, I decided to prop them up while they dry.

 

Sue - In reply to your recent tree and shrub work, I tend to end up doing all my work in stages too, the law of physics and Murphy seem to ring a bell. In answer to your question, yes! Here is a partial list of the items that I will be detailing inside and around the exterior of the roundhouse and roundtable area:

• Steel storage baskets
• Lathe/tool maker
• Pedestal tool grinder
• Modern Drill Press
• Milling machine
• Air compressor 160 psi
• Load industrial machinery
• Acetylene Tanks
• Various Barrels
• Oil Drum Rack w/ 2 Drums
• Oil storage tank black
• Electric motors assorted
• Diesel oil storage tank
• Industrial junk
• Industrial Tanks Set
• Dumpster Set
• Auto Rail Lifter
• Diesel Sanding Tower
• Instrument cases
• Industry Accessories
• Tanks & Details
• Interstate Fuel & Oil Cornerstone Kit
• Deluxe Cushman Truckster w/Details

 

Congratulations RT! You made to the TOP!!!! And thanks for the update on your work. Since I missed dinner in the Diner last night, I'll take you up on breakfast this morning. So...lets see.....Chloe, I'll have the Lumberjack Special! Thanks RT!

Jeff - Pineapple chicken looked good last night, sorry I missed that!

Garry - German food eh! Sounds like a plan for lunch today! Will it be Sauerbraten or Wiener schnitzel?

Welcome back home Ed! Now it is time to take a rest from the trip eh!

Paul - Seems like dealing with insurance, CPA's, IRS, finance, etc, etc...is always work that is never done! Good luck with the Shell and IRS snafu!

 

...colouring the glue works out quite well from the get-go.  However, pre-staining the crumbled castings needs more experimentation, and I'm not sure I'm up to fiddly work on all the variables involved.  By the time it's all done and I've moved on, I probably won't even see the differences I was trying to create!  So, I think I'll build that cribbing wall, glue the slope with coloured glue, pile on the pieces less generously than I did the first time, and then stain the talus when I stain the actual rock faces. 

Der John - Trial and error are great ways to learn new techniques, I try to do my experimentation on small scrap pieces of plywood or other materials first, but sometimes I have to work on the real deal to get the results as accurately as I can.

Have a great model railroading day!

Ryan

[pcarrell]

Hey everyone!  Breakfast on Jeff!

 

 

Morning all!

Check this out!

Today: Sunny and warmer - High: 68

Tonight: Clear and not as cold - Low: 44

And tomorrow looks like it might be 70!  Here, in Indiana, on Halloween, 70!

That'll work!

So, I've got a huge pile of schoolwork sitting here, I've got tons of work to do, and I've got family issues to contend with........what to do first?  Oh, COFFEE!

What's up with you all?

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Since breakfast is on me today, I know exactly what I'll have.

Some steak and eggs.

[SilverSpike]

Since breakfast is on me today, I know exactly what I'll have.

Some steak and eggs.

Well, in that case I'll have another round of breakfast on Jeffrey! Yum!

[ModelTrainLover]

I usually use one engine, but now that I have 2 F7s that go about the same speed I've been using both of them for some of my heavier trains, and I've been running my trains often and for a good 15-20 min. sometimes for 30. I've also done a fair ammount of switching.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Ok, I was just wondering. The only things I know of that'll kill a power pack quick is running too heavy a load on it and short circuits. I sometimes have three trains running at once, and that's the older Athearn BB locos. They pull quite a bit more power than the newer ones, but the EZ-Command pulls them well.

[ModelTrainLover]

Jeff- occasionally one of my F7s would derail at a switch because of a chipped wheel making the rear set shortout on the frog, and wiring misshapps.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

That would do it. When you go to get a new power pack, see if you can get one that has a circuit breaker.

[ModelTrainLover]

how much would those go for?

[jeffrey-wimberly]

They typically range from $30.00 on up new. A used one shouldn't be that much. Even the cheap trainset quality Bachmann power packs have circuit breakers. It's actually a thermostat. When it gets hot enough, it trips. After ten or fifteen minutes it'll reset.

[ModelTrainLover]

ah. ok. I might be able to find a cheap one at the train show. BTW how can I tell a Power that has a circuit breaker from one that does not have one?

[ModelTrainLover]

also Jeff when the power pack burnt out I thought something came loose inside it. I opened it up, and you would not believe how dirty with was inside the thing. Dirt, dust and a little bit of loobracant, and some food crumbs. man was that thing dirty!!! 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Sometimes it's written on it. In many cases, the seller should know. If you can't see it anywhere on the pack and the seller doesn't know, pass it by, unless you just absolutely have to have it.

[inch53]

Mornin,, a coffee to-go Zoe, while KC is napping

Not to bad a morning for almost Nov. A little bit of frost and expecting a high in the upper 60's

RYAN,, sounds like you had a great day at the game Saturday, and the free food made it even better. A happy birthenday for you early, in case I don't get in tomorrow

A short story of something bout like that, but not as happy an ending. I won 4 tickets to a Bears-Viking game on the 50 yd line, including tours of the locker rooms to meet the players. Me and 3 guys I flew with made plans to go, we were all suppose to be off duty that Sunday. But Uncle Sam [AF] decided, our plane and services were needed else where for 7 days [left on Friday]. Didn't get to go to the game [didn't even get to watch it on tv] and the TDY ended up being 32 days.

DAVE,,, seems like ya'll enjoyed the weekend if your team didn't win.

ED good to hear the trip went well and looking forward to the pics.

JERRY,,, hope they get your chair a going. Their probably missing ya at the store by now.

Here's three more from Jamie's, not the best in the world though.

All I seen over there was either coal drags or grain trains. There was an Amtrak also, but couldn't get a pic of it.

Best gets round KC's stirring, hope ya'll has a gooden.

[Hoople]

Morning all.

Yesterday we lost our soccer game. Oh well, there's always next year.

I haven't done much layout work and train running, I had soccer games ALL weekend. Maybe because we have thurs-fri off from school I'll get some train time in there.

Mark

[Paul W. Beverung]

Hi Gang: We're on page 2 again. I'll give things a bump. KA-BUMP. Opps, maybe I shouldn't have used the Euclid.

Not much going on. I was just on line looking for other C-IH dealers to get some price comparisons on that tractor. The BOSS wants a couple of more bids.

Hoople: Sorry about the game. As you said " there's always next year. "

Well, I guess I'd better get going.

See you all later.