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
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.
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 folks!
Tall coffee and how about an English Muffin with orange marmalade Chloe?
Thanks!
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.
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
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,
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.
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.
Proverbs 3: 5-6
There's no need to worry......God's in the drivers seat!
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.
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.
Hi Chloe - lunchtime (okay, so I'm a little late today...)! I'd like the cream of chicken with rice soup, and a Tuscan chicken sandwich, please, with a tall Dr. Pepper. And it looks like I'm covering everyone else's lunch today, too! Okay, Chloe, total me up the damages when I come back later today. (But don't let PC or the rest try to put that rare bottle of wine you've been hiding in the cellar on my tab - just lunch; I don't want to pay for any party, y'hear?)
Not too busy of a morning at that place where they pay you to go (w**k), today. I've actually been getting some paperw**k done! Ah, I won't get up on my about the joys of paperw**k...
But come quittin' time, I can go home and see about some fun stuff - like MRR'ing! May start drilling the holes in the benchwork for my main power bus wires, so I can see about stripping & soldering feeders this weekend.
Dick, I'm just starting with the rail joiner feeder wires, so I don't have a lot of experience to tell you how I like them so far. I partly went with them because I figured I might melt too many ties (with my very rudimentary soldering skills)... The most likely way I've seen of hooking power up (and also one of the harder ones) was somewhere I read about people who would solder leads to the*underside* of the rail joiners - out of sight, but easily changeable later on! But we'll see how I do with the joiners I have.
Jerry, good to hear Sallie's doing well and no new problems. Congrats on your eBay loot, too! Inch must be busy today - don't think I saw him come through this morning.
Well, lunchtime's almost gone, and I need to run by the bank before I head back to w**k...
Blessings on your afternoons,
Back in again, Chloe - doesn't look like you've had a very busy afternoon. How about a nice root beer float, please?
Got a question for those of you coming in this afternoon/evening. I have some flextrack I was given, and the back of it only has something about 'Italy' imprinted on it, no name or anything I can tell the brand from. Anyone know who the manufacturer would be? It's code 100 nickel silver, if that helps narrow it down any. Trying to figure, in case I want to order more once I run out of this batch. Anyone who can tell me?
pcarrell wrote:Well, the wife and kids left for Disney World yesterday (driving).... Better yet, my company is footing the bill for the whole thing! God is soooooooooo good!
... Better yet, my company is footing the bill for the whole thing! God is soooooooooo good!
Uh, PC,... does your company have any branches in my part of Missouri (drool, drool... ) Good, indeed!
Blessings (and thanks for any answers to my question),
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
JimRCGMO wrote: Back in again, Chloe - doesn't look like you've had a very busy afternoon. How about a nice root beer float, please? Got a question for those of you coming in this afternoon/evening. I have some flextrack I was given, and the back of it only has something about 'Italy' imprinted on it, no name or anything I can tell the brand from. Anyone know who the manufacturer would be? It's code 100 nickel silver, if that helps narrow it down any. Trying to figure, in case I want to order more once I run out of this batch. Anyone who can tell me? pcarrell wrote:Well, the wife and kids left for Disney World yesterday (driving).... Better yet, my company is footing the bill for the whole thing! God is soooooooooo good!Uh, PC,... does your company have any branches in my part of Missouri (drool, drool... ) Good, indeed! Blessings (and thanks for any answers to my question),Jim in Cape Girardeau
Evening everyone.
Dick, I thought I could help with the Bowser question but the kit I put together several years ago is an old Roundhouse 0-6-0. It's a pretty nice little engine. Definitely needs cleaned and some repair after sitting around for several years. But even for an small switcher it has some nice heft to it. It's the first engine kit I ever did so I'm thinking of trying to fit it for DCC. It will need a new motor as the one in it is an old open frame motor. All I've ever heard about Bowser has been good. I'm not sure but didn't they buy the MDC Roundhouse company? I know all their engines are (or at least were) made with diecast bodies. So they should pull pretty good.
Sue, I'd like to see those butterfly bush trees too. My mother has a couple butterfly bushes, they may "need" pruned soon.
See you all later.
Good evening all......the temp is dropping like a rock off a freight car now that the sun has set, down to 9.2F and I can actually watch the temp drop because by gauge is digital and reads in 10th's of a degree. The record for this area is -6F, but I don't think it will get that low, maybe -3F, but we will know by 6am.
ATTABOY: Thanks for comeback on Bowser. I figured that "someone" in the Diner must have built a Bowser kit in the past. I would like to try one for the experience, but was wondering how well they ran/ pulled loads, etc. and covertability to DCC.
SUE: I'm not sure, but back before Christmas we were all talking about types of Christmas trees, and I thought you mentioned a fir called Canaan Fir. Well, I just received the seedling catalog from the Central Massachusetts Conservation group, and they are offering Canaan Fir trees this year!!! So I bought 25 seedlings ( about 1 to 2 feet tall ) and will give then a try. They won't be ready for about 5 years, but from then on, endless supply. They have specials were you can but 100 seedlings in groups of 25 of the same variety, for $75. When you think how much ONE 3 foot Canadian Blue Spruce goes for at a nursery, it sure makes this a nice investment. Lets see now, 25 blue spruces at $30 each, that's $750 for MRR ...YES !!!!!
PC: That is one sweet deal for your family at Disney.......I hope you can cook !!
Time to feed the stove,
Good Evening All,
Busy day today and now I'm just winding down before doing some with the layout.
Sue - dito Grayfox - we'd love to see a couple of pics of tree construction. I'm still doing mostly WS armatures and Senic Express super trees - not enough nerve to scratch build yet. The water tank(tower is a Tichy train Group steel tower, but I am not sure it is within period for the 40's/50's display. Looks too swoopy and modern so we may need to kitbash.
Dick - I have a Bowser Casey Jones still in the box. Not sure it's all there, but what is looks good....
Jerry - Glad Sallies doing well now. Congrats on your new acquisitions - abought time you won.
PC - so what company business will you do at Disneyworld? Are you surprising the family or is the trip there surprise enough?
travel stop on upper level of swing bridge track
Ryan - tried to put my blurry photos on your swing bridge string. If I can find the CD from my old Railimages account I have more. Time to get after it. CUL,J.R.
Good evening y'all.
Howdy howdy. Oh, I'll have a lemon water since I'll be going to bed in a few.
I broke my glasses a few days ago...And have finally gotten new frames. Does anyone else have problems with Flexon glasses? Those are the supposedly indestructable, bend 'em, flex 'em, things. I've had two pairs snap on me while cleaning them with my shirt. And I don't even play with 'em.
At least I can see once again...Don't like straining my eyes. They aren't that bad. But I don't need to make them worse.
Good thing I didn't have a car...I wouldn't be able to drive it anyways.
Jim in CG: It should be at least a bit warmer when the cruise takes place. It think that winter is supposed to be over for Maryland this weekend. Supposedly, it'll get up into the 50s. As of now, it doesn't pass 40. Each morning is about 10-15 degrees when I'm waiting for the bus.
Dick: I plan to have a good time. Last year in High School, I have to do as much as possible!
Ryan: Thank you.
I'll see y'all later.
Scott - Dispatcher, Norfolk Southern
Evening Gang: Well the locomotives are all loaded, the track panels are ready and we made one load out to the gardens. Tomorrow we haul the locomotives out and the rest of the track and my dunp cars and assorted stuff. I'll be glade when this thing is all over with. This retirement has been too much woooo,woooo. You know that word.
Garry: I hope that things work out. We are here if you need us . My prayers are with you and yours.
Well I guess I'd better get to bed. I won't be able to sleep in tomorrow. John and Wayne are coming at 8am and I have to get everything feed before I head out.
Good Night All
All,
GMTRacing wrote: PC - so what company business will you do at Disneyworld?
PC - so what company business will you do at Disneyworld?
None! I haven't had a true vacation since 2004 and they think I deserve it I guess. They're even paying for Disney and some spending cash! Guess it goes to show that hard work does pay off!
Are you surprising the family or is the trip there surprise enough?
They know that they're going, but they thought I wouldn't be there for it. My wife also thought that we were footing the bill, but thats changed now. I called them to let them know that I'll be there and they were very excited. I haven't told the wife yet that the trip is being taken care of by the phone company. I'm bettin' she'll be surprised by that, huh?
Hi.
On my last back shift for this rotation, I get to go home around 6:30 am and back to work on Tuesday for 3pm.
Gloria had a minor set back last Sunday with what was described as a possible mini-stroke. The good news is that there does not appear to be any apparent damage but I'll have my hands full over the week-end, my puter will have to wait.
MR wise not much has been done. The cat stays away from it but has claimed everything else, including my tools and my work table and chair.... I look forward to the local train show at the end of the month and hope to get together with Der John and Fergie. Has anyone heard from Fergie?
To those who are/have celebrated special occasions congrats.
To the new faces I see here welcome.
To the ones who have lost love ones and/or not feeling well, you are in our prayers.
Hope you all had a great day and will have a safe and fruitfull week-end.
Happy MRRing
It's gonna be more cutting up wood today.
Today's Weather for: Sundown, LA 71446-6114 3/9/2007
Sundown Fire Dept., Station 23 Wind Chill: 52°FHumidity: 83%Dew Point: 47°F So Far TodayHigh: 52°FLow: 52°FRain: 0.00"Rain Rate: 0.00"/hGust: 0mph NNE
Now: Low: 48 Partly cloudy. Patchy fog after midnight. Lows in the upper 40s. Light and variable winds. Today: High: 75 Partly sunny. Patchy fog in the morning. Highs in the mid 70s. Light and variable winds becoming south around 10 mph in the afternoon. Tonight: Low: 50 Decreasing clouds. Lows around 50. Light and variable winds. I'll have french toast today.
Good morning ! from Indiana.
03-09-07
Bill Tidler Jr.
Near a cornfield in Indiana...
BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret) L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes
Good Morning All,
A brisk 5F this morningj but the suns out and we're supposed to hit 33 this afternoon. Break out the lemonade it's a heat wave with temps in the 40's predicted this weekend.
Morning Lee, Bill, Luc, and Jeff you are all up and around early this morning. Sorry to hear about Glo Luc. They call it a minor event but it never is for those involved. Hope and pray it all works out ok. No we haven't heard from Fergie either, assume he's busy trying to get his house stuff done and his dad back up to snuff.
PC - That's a great deal. It's nice to hear some companies still notice hard work and even are willing to reward it. Have fun and say hi to the mouse for us.
The weird pic from last night is the upper level of the swing bridge and the pin we soldered on to give a positive stop to line up both upper lines with each other. Works like a charm so far. Still struggling with the race trailer and cars but gaining on it. Lots to do again today so time to get to it. CUL, J.R.
Good Morning, Zoe - a cup of coffee and one of those twisty donuts that Bill brought in, please - thanks!
Luc, sorry to hear about Glo - make sure her doctor keeps on top of things. As others said, 'mini' isn't mini to her (or you). Keep taking care of her. The MRR'ing will be there after she gets feeling better. for her.
Jeff, I hope you get some good MRR'ing money earned up today!
Fargo - thanks for mentioning AHM - that jogged my memory, and I do recall AHM carried some italian-made items, so the track probably is theirs (or Rivarossi, perhaps).
Attaboy, I think Roundhouse was acquired by Horizon/Athearn. I recall that Bowser took in Stewart, if memory serves me right.
Scott - yeah, that warmer weather would be nicer on your senior dinner cruise. Good that you got your glasses again. I know (and my glasses are mainly just for close-up stuff/reading) when my previous set of glasses would come apart, it was a pain until I got them re-assembled (or took them by an optometrist's and had them re-fasten the lenses in).
Lee, good to see you in - been busy? You must be in good company - I'd agree with Luc that Fergie probably is riding herd on his contractor and renovation crew (and watching out for his Dad). Maybe we'll have a report back from DerJohn or Luc after the weekend.
Paul, good luck with the weekend's train-driving and all!
Time for me to get back to the paperw**k (now there's an eight-letter word for you!)
Blessings and prayers,
Hey y'all! does anyone remember this old face? lol im back online and it feels great! Well progres on my new N scale layout is great! I have foam layed down and im starting to lay some track. Im sure many of you remember my old HO layout. I used to love taking pictures on that thing! Well stay safe everyone!
Happy Railroading
Adam Thompson Model Railroading is fun!
Hey, Adam, back! Tell Zoe to put your drink on my tab. What've you been up to since last time in here? Nosy Curious minds want to know. Got an image of what your layout plan looks like now?
Good morning everyone....started off below "0" this morning but the cold air is being pushed out to sea and the cold air is hopefully history. It is a balmy 22F now and headed for 40's today near 60 by Sunday..YESSSSSSSSS!!!!
Tonight, three of our grandsons arrive for 10 days while mom and dad go on a belated honeymoon cruise. The 12 and 10 year olds are no problem, but the 1 year old is just walking now, and into everything. This should keep me really tied up for the next 10 days.......hey, what's with these new type diapers? Where are the safety pins? How come they throw the diapers away? Where am I going to get some nice cotton rags to polish my car? My things have changed since we raised our four kids in the 60's......how do these new fangeled portacribs work? This car seat thingee....where do all the seat straps go, I need a diagram !!! Good Lord what a contraption, it will be time to come back home before I ever leave. LOL
ADAM: Hey young man...WHERE have you been ????? We haven't seen you in the Diner since RYAN was a teenager and SUE was a high school cheerleader!! Sit down and have a breakfast or lunch on me...tell us what you have up to?
LUC: Sorry to hear about Gloria, thankfully is was a minor event, and as you know, if they get the medication before 3 hours have elapsed, the recovery is nearly 100%. We keep Gloria in our prayers daily Luc, have done so right along.
FERGIE: Wherefor art thou??????
RYAN: IT"S FRIDAY !!!! Yippeee day for all you guys still working and paying into SS to give, Jeff, me, Paul, and a few others our monthly paycheck....
JEFF: Watch your back doing all that cutting, you know what happened the last time you thought you were indestructable. LOL
Time to run, see you guys after lunch.