Good Morning, Zoe - Looks like only Colby has been in today. Others sleeping in? I'll have a waffle with maple syrup and a side slice of ham, a tall glass of Ed's fabulous oj, glass of milk and a cup of coffee to wash it down. Dick's still paying, too? Great - thanks, Dick!
Oh, I also brought in a few of these for the early bunch - enjoy! (The ones in the 2nd row underneath were made with Splenda, for those watching their sugar intake)
Somewhat cold this a.m. - about 28 degrees (F), some frost on the cars outside, but no wind blowing at least. Sun's shining, and we might hit the 50's today.
Paul W. Beverung wrote: The weather was perfect again today. About 70f and a clear blue sky with a light breeze. Sorry guys up north. The Devil made me say that.
We're not as fortunate as you, Paul - but you indirectly reminded me of one cartoon I'd seen:
Got my track all down last night. Planning on painting the figures for the club's diner (that I assembled for them) today. Tried to take a couple of pictures of the layout last night, and the camera acted like the batteries didn't have any oomph. I changed for some other battteries and could only get one shot with flash out of the camera each time. Guess I'll have to start saving up for a digital camera sooner than I'd thought.
So what's everyone else got in store for their day? I figure that Colby will be giving us the report on the big fight at his school (later today, "film at 11"). Good that you weren't too close to it, Colby! Sounds like you might have a possible future in something like engineering or a technical field, based on your project of the last few days.
Well, I need to chow down and then get going on my painting job. Hope everyone is doing well. Haven't heard from our Nova Scotian crew recently - DerJohn, Luc, Fergie, are you guys snowed in or what's up?
Blessings and prayers for those in need of healing,
Jim in Cape Girardeau
I'll have a cheese amd mushroom omelet and one of the splenda rolls that Jim brought in.
Today's High: 78 Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 70s. Southeast winds up to 10 mph.
Tonight's Low: 52 Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 50s. Southeast winds around 10 mph in the evening becoming light and variable.
My blood sugar crashed early this morning, read 28 on the meter. I have it back up to 130 now but still feel like s**t.
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
Tsk, tsk - what is this? The Diner on page two? Where has everyone been today?
BUMP!
Well, I know where I have been today Jim, here is my list of what I did today:
So Jim....you asked...WHAT have we been doing all day? This is MY list, how about the rest of you guys and gals?
Now I have a raspy throat, feel really tired, have to keep swallowing, so that means bad news unless I get this thing early. So a real hot shower is in order, then a tablespoon of grandma's cure ( 1/2 cup of vinegar, 1/2 cup honey, mix well ) 6 per day.
Later,
Hi Gang: Since JimCG is hollering about nobody being in this afternoon, I'll chime in early. I just came in from the shop. My back got to the point that I had to quit for the day. I did get 2 more track panels finished and all the parts for another. I may still weld it up later after my back gets a chance to rest.
The weather is about like yesterday but winder. There is also some dust in the air but not a dust storm.
I think that I'll head back out and try and finish that track panel. No pain no gain.
See you all later.
Hi again, Diner denizens - didn't mean to stir up a hornet's nest, really! Chloe, I'd like a nice salmon steak, please, with a rice bed and a nice green salad. Oh, and a cup of coffee, too.
Dick, you might want to get yourself (and your wife) to your doctor - the symptoms you're describing for your CFO and yourself sound a lot like what mine were like (sinus headache, sore throat, having to clear my throat/cough). My doc gave me an antibiotic and an antihistamine, and it's helping clear some of the yuck stuff out. He told me I wouldn't be infectious by Thursday, but I have been feeling better today, even (still have four more days on the meds, though). Wasn't singling you out.
Paul, I sort of thought you might be in your shop, working on your track, from your earlier posts. Wasn't really thinking of you, either. And Jeff was in after my morning post, too.
I was wondering more about where the others (besides you guys) were. Maybe it's partly 'cause I'm starting to feel better, but not enough yet to go back to the 'W-word'. Got my wiring holes drilled and the wires pulled under the layout (and re-arranged one track section), even got out some buildings that I've already assembled and put them in place to make things look a bit more like a 'real' layout and less like the Plywood Prairie. Weather was really nice - the temperature only said it was mid-50's, but with the sun out this afternoon (when I went to the store to get more liquids) it felt closer to the 60's. I even heard our local ice cream truck's tune this afternoon - that guy must check the weather forecast each day, I'll bet!
Hoping to hear from some of the rest of the troops tonight. I know Sue and Chuck and Kathy were in a day or so ago. Anyone hear from DerJohn? I got an email (back) from him today, but haven't seen several of the 'old-timers' crew in. Must be busy, too, I suppose.
Chloe, could I have a brownie a la mode for desert, please? I'll be in the corner booth if anyone comes in before I finish up.
Blessings,
Grayfox,
Babyproofed, huh? Man, my youngest is 11 and I can't imagine having to babyproof now, let alone after all those years! I'll probably do like you one day and just run my fool head off trying to keep up with the little tyke!
Good evening Tracksiders. Rosie-the-dog’s water dish didn’t freeze today. That’s the first time in quite a while.
Not much mrr in the last couple of days, but a fair bit of rock work around the major access hatches west of the lower tunnel before that.
Have to let that all dry really solidly before disturbing it.
Alex: You asked about the pros and cons of foam and “conventional” web and plaster scenery. Up to this layout I’d not used foam, having no need to for one, and being put off by tales of static electricity making it a pain to clean up the bits, especially sanded foam dust.
On previous layouts I’d used a web of cardboard strips (cut from grocery boxes etc. about 1 inch wide. The fastest way to glue them together is, I think, a hot glue gun, and clothes pegs. In no particular order:-
Pros, quick, you can make changes relatively easily. Quite impressive scenery, like mountains, achievable for low cost.
Cons. You have to remember to allow space on the sub road bed for the attaching the strips. Potentially messy if you cover with paper towels soaked in plaster. Plaster cloth is said to be much less messy, but it’s way out of my budget. Another con, if you plan to move your layout around, the plaster can weigh quite a lot, depending on the size.
Foam. Pros. Light weight, so easy to move. In N at any rate, roadbed can be laid right on the foam. Flat surfaces form bottoms of bodies of water with little additional work. Easy to carve in details like track side and road side ditches. Can be glued into layers with white glue etc. to form hills and mountains. Can be rasped or sanded smooth, takes paint well. Access hatches are fairly easy to make, should you need to.
Cons. If no sound deadening support given to the foam, acts like a speaker for train noise, trust me, I know! Static cling of shaved or sanded bits. (I’ve not tried to use “Static Guard” or similar products on this problem, but it works on ground up clear plastic cookie trays, so I don’t see why it wouldn’t cut the static problem on foam as well.)
Until painted, there is a “sea of blue” (or pink) If you have a lot of vertical layers, hiding that fact is difficult with small rock castings, but that can also be used as a geological feature, as I’m doing on this layout.
On the derailments, in addition to what has already been said, check that al the rail joiners are in fact joining rails together, and that none are sitting with one end below a rail instead of being connected to the rail. Also, if the derailments are happening at the same place it may well be a track problem, even if it doesn’t happen all the time. But, if they are happening randomly all over the place, then it’s more likely to be the wheel sets that are out of gauge. You say you’ve checked the wheels, but did you check to see if there is a build up of crud on the wheels themselves? This happens more quickly on plastic wheels than metal, but dirt from the track collects on the wheels, causes them to no longer be exactly round, and kerplunk!
On the oils spills paint, there is a Poly S paint called “Oily Black” that looks pretty good. It’s not an acrylic, so you’ll need solvent to clean up with. Remember on those spills, it’s easy to overdo it, so start small.
OZJim: Tough on that umpire call. It would have been nice to end the season on such a note, but as the Boston Red Sox fans are said to say…”There’s always next year!”
Sorry I don’t have any cricket ball gifs, you’ll have to put equatorial seams on these, and colour them red (I hope they are still red?)
Colby: You asked how the harbour was going. It’s mostly done, and I’m working on details. I’ve stopped that though to do some more rock casting and scenery work on the cliffs that hide the tunnel up to the upper level. I’ve yet to build a Rear Range Light to go up on the cliff behind the harbour. I’ll post some more pics in a while.
Garry: That’s an impressive layout! Thanks for posting the photos.
Got to go. all, and God Bless. Prayers for all in need of healing, comfort and peace.
"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.
Evening Gang: Well I didn't get back to the shop. My mind was willing but my body said no. Mary Ann and I feed the animals and I walked down to check the cows and hay. Well have to put out hay tomorrow.
Right now I think that i'll head for bed and get an early start tomorrow. The clean up man from Shell is coming out to look at the well site with me. There is a bunch of trees and brush that were pushed down when the site was prepped 2 years ago. I want to get that cleaned up and get the gravel area cut down. The gravel I'll use for roads. We also want them to replant the grass so we'll have some grazing again. I'd like them to make the site a real show piece since it's right next to the road. That would be good PR for them.
Well I'd better get going. I'll see you all tomorrow.
Der5997: thanks for the complement regarding my layout!.. I see you're in Nova Scotia.... very nice part of the globe! ...... my wife and I had an interesting time there which I could share if people are interested.
Everybody... my day was full but I did some work on the layout this evening.
I can hardly wait to see the pix of scrumptious goodies posted in the morning for breakfast.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
JimRCGMO wrote: Tsk, tsk - what is this? The Diner on page two? Where has everyone been today? BUMP!Jim in Cape Girardeau
JIM, I can tell ya where is was, baby sitting 3 kids, Leroy and J Bird was only for bout 4 hr, and of course KC, who's 14 months now and when she leaves, all I want to do is take a nap. I did peak in the window here, as I went by on a kid chase
Had some sad news last evening, our youngest boy's house burnt [furnace]. Heather and the kids were gone, but Clyde was home in the garage, heard the dogs raising cane, thats how he found it. Fire dept got it out, but 4 rooms are gone, the J Bird and Jocko's room the worst, the rest are smoke damaged. Every ones ok, including the 2 dogs and 5 fish.
Great thing bout a small town, people were there, before the fire trucks left with food, clothes and some toys for the girls. There'll be a bunch there today too, helping them recover what they can
Nothing else going on here, I've got kids again today, so not much will. I will be helping with some clothes washing, for the kids. I best get on some chores, hope ya'll has a good one
inch
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/4309
Inch: It's really nice when a community pulls together to help one of their own.
Today's Weather for: Sundown, LA 71446-6114 2/28/2007
Sundown Fire Dept., Station 23 Wind Chill: 60°FHumidity: 88%Dew Point: 57°F So Far TodayHigh: 61°FLow: 55°FRain: 0.00"Rain Rate: 0.00"/hGust: 8mph NNE High: 74 °FLow: 61 °F
Today High: 72 Cloudy. Patchy fog in the morning. Slight chance of sprinkles in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 70s. South winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.
Tonight Low: 62 Cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers. Patchy fog after midnight. Lows in the lower 60s. South winds 10 to 15 mph. I want an omelet with all the fixings.
Sorry to hear inch glad small town area as its the same here.
All take care talks later
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
Best wishes and prayers for INCH.
Jeffrey's breakfast looks great. Makes me hungry.
Good morning, ETD'ers! Zoe, I'm feeling hungry - I'd like some scrambled eggs, bacon and maybe a biscuit or two, please.
Oh yes - Zoe, a cup of coffee, too - and do you have some blackberry jam? Great!
Inch, sorry to hear about your S-I-L's fire, but good to hear you all have caring neighbors to help out (especially for the kids). for them.
Jeff, that omelet looked good, I was almost tempted to have one of those. I might tomorrow morning if I have a little time.
It's supposed to get into the 60's today - already the temp's up to 46. Sun's shining nice and bright, but a slight breeze (15 mph out of the east). Another feels-like-spring kind of day (apologies to our guys up in the snowy northeast).
Went through some boxes with my MRR buildings last night - consolidated some, have some that might be going out to the dumpster today (too modern, and too urbanized for my area). They're some of the IHC 'Painted Lady' townhouses (2 assembled but worn, one not assembled). Not sure how well they'd travel (the assembled ones), but if someone in the Diner's interested in them, please email me. I also am working on finding the right size box for another shipment I've promised someone else earlier.
I've decided I need to sit down and do some sketching/planning of what buildings will actually fit where on the layout. On one track, it turned out that I don't have room for the freight station I was going to put there, so I'll have to put something smaller/narrower in there (I had thought about putting it elsewhere). Probably will put a Brownstone crane and a small office in, and make a junkyard, or else put a loading ramp (team track), perhaps.
Question for you all - how do you approach what buildings go in what locations on your layout? Do many of you start with (some of) the buildings in mind, and plan the tracks to fit around them, or do you start with your layout plan, and then kitbash/scratchbuild or hunt to find a building that will fit into that space? Maybe I've been going at this backwards, I'm thinking...
Well, I may get a pad of paper and do some doodling in the corner booth for a while. Let me know what some of you think and/or have done.
Blessings, and good weather for your day,
JimRCGMO wrote: It's supposed to get into the 60's today - already the temp's up to 46. Sun's shining nice and bright, but a slight breeze (15 mph out of the east). Another feels-like-spring kind of day (apologies to our guys up in the snowy northeast).
Jim, we have been having that, but it cooled down and at 500' above sea level it's snowing again...
We have another big storm coming our way starting tonight and on into Friday. We our edge of frezzing rain or snow or both. Thats what happens when you get a mild of a winter as we have had so far.
Half day of today, going to work on some of my engine house buildings. Putting together Wathers cinder pit and new diesel fueling stop.
Inch sorry to hear your bad news. fires suck and there even worse in the winter.
Good afternoon folks!
Feels like spring around here that past few days with highs in the low 60's.
What's for lunch today? I'll have the Cajun Meat Pie that Dick is having....
Time to play catch up from page 80 on Friday.......
Hey RT, I will always remember your worker motivation story. Thanks for sharing, and now work will never be as much a pain in the butt as I thought it could be!
And prayers for Elliot continue, hoping he gets well soon!
Mike (Inch) thanks for the photos of the tracks and crossing grade. Sorry to hear of the fire at your son's house. Sounds like they got a lot of help already and our prayers are with them at this time of need.
Congrats Colby on the swim meet!
JimRCGMO wrote: Is there a Murphy's Law about tracklaying - like measure twice, cut four times?
Is there a Murphy's Law about tracklaying - like measure twice, cut four times?
Jim, I feel for you on the track cutting technique. Been there and done that too many times too!
PC, glad to hear that your wife is feeling better now! Prayers must have helped some!
Dick, thanks for the reminder on DST changing to March 11. The LAN Admins here have been applying patches to every piece of equipment around here from servers, routers, firewalls, PC's, telecom switches, and more. Besides starting 3 weeks earlier, it also ends a week later in November.
And that Cajun style meat pie with hot sauce sounds good too!
Welcome back Fargo!
Der, nice write up on the Pros and Cons for scenery.
Ryan BoudreauxThe Piedmont Division Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger eraCajun Chef Ryan
afternoon guys. the TT motor instalation is stalled I can't seem to get the gears to keep from moving out of place.
Colby
hey guys, der5997, thanks for the advice. i was just experimenting with the styrafoam, and i think i'll probably go with the styrafoam sheets. the cleaning up of the small pieces of it isn't really an issue since we have a shopvacum, and it sucks up everything.
Colby, you might have to attach the electric motor to the turntables hand powered unit. try and take the crank arm off and put the motor on. Oh, and what was the fight you were talking about? Good luck with the turntable.
-Alex
Good evening ! from Indiana.
02-28-07
Bill Tidler Jr.
Near a cornfield in Indiana...
Good evening everyone. A calm before the storm here on the Eastern Shore. Actually that’s supposed to happen Friday night into Saturday for us, and mainly as wind and rain. It could be snow before the rain if it’s faster moving. The load of firewood that we were conned with last fall has now dried sufficiently to actually burn, so although it’s small stuff, at least it’s giving us a solid heat.
CapeJim: Forgot to say thanks for the Splenda Cinnamon Rolls.
Haven't heard from our Nova Scotian crew recently - DerJohn, Luc, Fergie,
Question for you all - how do you approach what buildings go in what locations on your layout? " style='width:14.25pt;height:11.25pt'> " border="0" width="19" height="15" />Do many of you start with (some of) the buildings in mind, and plan the tracks to fit around them, or do you start with your layout plan, and then kitbash/scratchbuild or hunt to find a building that will fit into that space? Maybe I've been going at this backwards, I'm thinking...… Yes, to just about all that! I’ve a general idea of what industries I think will be needed. But things happen...like I was given a Plastics covered hopper once that meant I just had to have a plastics factory for it to service! (Ended up with a Heljan kit that I bashed to fit the site. Right now I’m finishing scratch building an office /lab that just fits onto a site where one side of th building is cut off, and the others butt right up to tracks etc. I nearly always start by using small boxes as my first representation of buildings. Then if I come across a kit that can be used outright, or kitbashed into roughly what I envisage the industry would be like, I’ll buy it if the price is reasonable. Same for built ups of course. I nearly always end up bashing a kit or two, or outright scratch building what I want. To that end I accumulate as I can sheet styrene from disused advertising signs (tire shops and other automotive related stores are, or were, a hunting ground for those. ) The reverse is usually unprinted, and the thickness is just great.
Question for you all - how do you approach what buildings go in what locations on your layout? " style='width:14.25pt;height:11.25pt'> " border="0" width="19" height="15" />Do many of you start with (some of) the buildings in mind, and plan the tracks to fit around them, or do you start with your layout plan, and then kitbash/scratchbuild or hunt to find a building that will fit into that space? Maybe I've been going at this backwards, I'm thinking...
Planning the tracks around buildings is for me a matter of fine tuning rather than “Oh here’s a neat building I must have, how can I run a track to it if I get it?”
Alex: I thought of another Con about the foam scenery. Unless you get some free from building sites, like off cuts and such, it’ll cost ya. (Just ask OZJim who is looking at over AUS$ 50 for a 4x8 sheet of only ½ inch!)
Paul: I hope that Shell rehab your well site to your satisfaction. As you say, the PR should entice them.
Garry: I see you're in Nova Scotia.... very nice part of the globe! ...... my wife and I had an interesting time there which I could share if people are interested.…But of course…I hope though that it’s not “interesting” as in the Chinese curse “May you live in interesting times.”!...and of course, "Y'all come back now, y'hear?"
I see you're in Nova Scotia.... very nice part of the globe! ...... my wife and I had an interesting time there which I could share if people are interested.
Mike: That small town spirit is really great at times like this. So good that no-one was hurt. The stuff can be replaced. Hope there was some insurance. Let them know we’re thinking of and praying for them.
Colby:
the TT motor instalation is stalled I can't seem to get the gears to keep from moving out of place.
Jerry: That’s a real pain (pun intended, but I know it’s not a laughing matter) about Sallie’s dialysis after effects. Hope all goes well.
watching the Great Dictater on TCM..
Hoople:
You guys in the east, expect cold over there...
Evening Gang:
Mike: I'm sorry to hear about your sons fire. It's a good thing that he was home. The dogs must have been going out of there minds. Poor things. I'm happy that no one was hurt and the animals and fish got out OK. How are the kids taking it? It's nice to have neighbors that come to help like that. I doubt that would happen around here. In the old days we knew everyone in the vally and nearby.
I didn't get much done today. I got one track section out and was going to start on ties for another lwhen I couldn't get the mist coolent unit to work. I took it apart and cleaned it out but no go. I went over to my friends track to check his unit but it was different so no help. Finally I went in to town to a supplyer. They could order me a new one for only $972. I told them to forget it. When I got back to the shop I fiddled with the thing some more and by turing the air pressure way up it started to work. I got a set of ties done and started on another. I was almost done. Only a bit over 1/2in to go and the the milling cutter broke. I managed to get finished when Mary Ann came in and wanted to put out hay for the cows. I was hungrey also so we put out the hay and headed to Cracker Barrel for supper. When we got back I found a nother cutter and set it up but was worn out so here I am getting ready for the sack. I've got everything ready to weld up 2 more sections so in the morning I'll get them out first thing.
Well I guess I'll sign out and see if I can get ahold of PeoplePC. It's been almost a week since I've been able to read my E-mail.
Der: That was Mel Brooks in To Be Or Not To Be. " All I want is a little peace. A little peice of Poland, A little peice of France. " A very funny film. I liked the part where Brooks as Hittler opens the door of the pub and asks, " Is this England? "
Good Night All.
Good evening, all - just a quick stop for a cup tonight (a few things to finish up tonight). Chloe, a cup of hot cocoa, please.
Jerry - any word on Sallie's surgery yet? Hope they got the clots all cleared out. for her (continuing) recovery.
Inch, I hope your son-in-law's family all have place/places to stay for now. Any word on insurance covering their loss (or at least a goodly chunk of it)? They may need prayers longer for the necessaries (like place to stay, food, etc.) while they're trying to regroup & rebuild things.
Must have been a busy day for several people today - Bill T. came in pretty late in the day for him (or else he was like me some mornings, and trying to get out the door quick! ) Good that you were able to get in today, Bill!
Thanks for the ideas and info about 'planning' for buildings, DerJohn (and the update on Fergie's and Luc's whereabouts). Good to hear that I'm not the only one who 'semi'-plans things... I wonder if the storm you guys are getting this coming weekend is the one that's supposed to blow through here tonight/tomorrow? They're saying slight risk of rough weather tonight, and moderate risk (for most of Missouri and northern Arkansas and even Memphis area) tomorrow - hail, strong winds, possibly some tornadoes. From the w-guessers' description tonight, sounds like there's a lot of 'iffys' in predicting on this one. Temps are to drop a bunch after the storm clears out (tomorrow night or Friday). If this isn't the storm you were talking about, John, you might get another storm after your predicted one! Hopefully not, though. Good to hear you're finally able to make use of that green wood.
Dick, good to hear you two are open to getting to the Dr.'s. I had the flu shot, and the symptoms on the thing I had were different (no nausea, no vomiting, just the nasty sinus headaches and coughing you mentioned). So I don't think it was the flu, though could be something else/lesser (if you want to call it that). Glad I'm coming out of whatever it was.
Time for me to head home. Everyone, drink some extra helpings of Ed's oj and get your rest.
Blessings and prayers for all those who need 'em (spoken or not),