Good Morning All,
Pretty foggy this morning the weather keeps shifting back and forth but yesterday was ok. Finally got our cable back at the shop after a bit of detective work. Seems the cable company hired a subcontractor (can you spell outsource?) who detached the lines to the shop while running some fibre optic stuff. Only took 4 days, but the breakthrough came when ATT showed up and I asked why they were messing with our cable. They replied that they didn't use outside contractors and when we gave them the name of the company involved promptly told us that the people (Rocky Mount Cable) were soing sub work for Comcast. Of course we'd been on the phone with Comcast several times at that point trying to get them to send someone out and they had never mentioned that the people at fault worked for them (wonder why?). It was all less than satisfactory and still took a call to the local supervisor to straighten out.
Still working on buildings at home - paint, paint trim, windows, curtains, ad infinitum. I will soon have a block roughed in and need to think about how to place the buildings and sidewalk so that I can still get to the tracks behind for service. Has anyone ever tried putting a block of buildings on a sub-board so it can all be lifted in and out? My idea at the moment is to use a piece of thin foam core board, slice off the top layer at the edge where the buildings sit to sink them a bit, then detail the sidewalk and between building walkways leaving exposed foam behind the buildings leading up to the track so scenery and buildings would lift out in one piece. The street would stay behind to give an edge to align the sidewalk to when it's all replaced. Whaddaya think?
We are getting closer here at the shop to being ready for the next four races which are Lime Rock, Watkins Glen, Elkhart Lake, and Virginia International all on consecutive weekends and involve 17 different cars with three different sanctioning bodies. Sometimes it feels like this season will never end.
My prayers and best wishes for those in need. Jerry, hope the visit with Sallie goes well and she's doing better
Inch- sounds like you had one of my home job list weeekends. By the time you fix all the stuff you need to fix the stuff you needed to begin with it's either too late to start the job or you've forgotten what the original chore was.
Ed - nice pics again. Wouldn't it be great if they reopened the original Cumbres line as a tourista railroad? Could be fun with a couple of Shays or Heislers (ok ok ar a Garrett).
Duke - that outdoors railroad is wild. Lots of nice details and maybe the museum will start on that next as we have a couple of good spots to lay a garden railroad line out in the yard area.
Gota go w..k beckons. CUL,J.R.
Mornin, coffee please Zoe
Like I said last night, hot today and tomorrow, with a chance of rain tomorrow night. Then turning nice for the weekend, highs in the low 80s and lows round 60s and lower humidity, good camping weather.
DICK,, we've had kids move back in with us before with their kids. It makes for stressful times just keeping up. Guess I shouldn't complain bout the mowers, seeing I have hardly used them for 3 weeks or so and they always give me fits, if their not started every week.
Kids all day [Leroy n KC here already] and by the time they leave, it'll be to hot to do much out, so no plans to speak of.
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/4309
Good morning ! from Indiana.
08-28-07
Bill Tidler Jr.
Near a cornfield in Indiana...
No no no. You have it wrong.
My sister is hijacking it... she stole my password... I'm sorry for whatever she did...
No one Hijacked your account You had the same IP adress for the days you were on those sites.
Also dont play that game with me i wil post every thing you said to me over AIM from that horrible night. you know i banned you from Western Rail in fact you gott ticked of and started yelling stuff that should have never been in my screen.
So now then are you going to be good?
Army National Guard E3MOS 91BI have multiple scales nowZ, N, HO, O, and G.
nscaler711 wrote:Hey Hyce are you going to be good?I am considering un banning you later this week.
Hey Hyce are you going to be good?I am considering un banning you later this week.
So you're who banned me from Westernrails and MWR...
I'm not exactly sure what I did... I haven't been on Westernrails or MWR in 4 days or so...
Unless... OI!
Well I gotta change my passwords before somebody hijacks my accounts AGAIN...
Mark
Good evening......a very nice day here today after the cool front moved through late yesterday. Warmed up to 80's today but will be in the lower 50's tonight. Finally getting some tomatoes, it has been too cool at night this summer, and now it has been very dry, but at least we are getting about 15 a day and they sure taste good.
Got the doorway and stairway all framed, drywalled, plastered and painted in the garage, this should allow me to keep the upper level warmer in the winter, as I prepare that area for a future layout. Small progress, but steady.
ED: Can you believe the Red Sox?? Swept Chicago?? And how about Detroit Tigers, they wiped out those Yankees again 16-0!!!!! Yanks are now back to 8 games out!! Nice photos Ed, are you going to place them on a DVD?
JEFF: I like your grass work in the yard, and between the old siding tracks, look very realistic !!!
MIKE: When I hear your tale of woe, it reminds me of our house a few years ago when we had two of our sons and their families living with us while their new homes where being built......it was very stressfull to say the least, the parents where fine, the kids and the animals ( rug rat dog ) took considerable time and energy every day and night. Equipment failures also, as I never had enough time to do preventive maintenance, only "repair" maintenance...lol
SUE: Are you near the top of the list for " White Cascade" ?
ATTABOY: Sorry to hear about your Aunt.......her memories will come back to you over and over at different times when something happens to remind you of her.
DUKE: I love the photos of that Garden layout, I would love to try one someday, but if I don't finish my INSIDE layout, the CFO will have some choice comments.
later guys,
pcarrell wrote:inch, don't you just hate it when the day starts out like that? I do! But look at it this way.....the rest of the week should get better, right?
I'm hoping so, even with kids here everyday, guessing it was just Monday.
Suppose to be up in the 90's tomorrow and increasing humidty, looks like another AC day.
Laters all
Derrick Moore wrote: We here in Ridgecrest, CA we didn't get jack-sh for over a year........
Dude I used to Live There!
Evening Gang: Not much doing. I did get to work on the 7.5 gauge. I ran the weed eater over the entire mainline. I had to switch to the weeder with the saw blade for the last section. Boy those weeds were like small trees. Anyway it's all cut down now so tomorrow I'll spray with Round Up. I bought a 25 gal spot sprayer this afternoon so no more pumping and running back to the depot to mix another 2 gals of round up.
Ed: Thanks for the history lession. Those are good pictures too.
Well I have to get back at it. I have to do some puter work for Mary Ann tonight.
Good Night All
Hello everyone....
A piece of pie would hit the spot, but I see I followed Philip into the diner. What are the chances?
Terribly sorry to learn about Attaboy's aunt.
Enjoyed Ed's Mexican photos and the explanations of them. Also liked Dukes photos of outdoor railroad, and i like Jeff's layout pix. Nice to read about eveyrone's actvities.
Shelley and I continue to travel back and forth to the hospital to see her sister. Other family members are now in town to be with Shelley's sister, Janet, too. Janet remains on life support in the ICU, and we've nearly lost her three times the past week. Test results today suggest there may now be some cause for optimism, and we are glad for that. Prayers and thoughts are deeply appreciated.
I've take some "sanity breaks" in the model train room working on some small projects. Good to have a hobby like model railroading.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Looking good Jeff!
Don't let the people bash at your modeling, I like it.
My layout is in a No-scenery-except-buildings stage.
Cederstrand: It is possible to have fun with three engines... I have seven, but three aren't in any good condition, nor were they, as they are all pre 1990, the other four, one doesn't work, and they other dislikes my trackwork.
Its a two train party here.
I've been doing a bit of layout work today. Remember all the exposed plaster where the crossovers are?
I put some glue mix down and sprinkled liberally with WS green blended turf.
After it's dried I'll clean up the excess and work on putting some ballast in.
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
How about a couple of old E7's.
Afternoon, I'll have a barley pop Cleo.
Not to bad a day here, weather wise, down to 56 this morning and it's 86 now, with light S breeze. Tomorrow suppose to be the hottest this week.
Been outside trying to mow an do some chores after an argument with Leroy bout going to school. Grandma was still home [labs at doc office] and she didn't help abit. I'll just say I wasn't happy with either of them. The day went down hill from there.
Had some stuff to move over the hill and found the wheel barrel had a flat tire, so I go get the air tank, it's empty, plug the compressor in, bout the time the tanks full, belt breaks. Did get the wheel barrel tire aired up and the stuff moved. Then went to get the mowers out, rider had 3 flats, luckily still had enough in the air tank. Got them out, serviced, push mower won't start, ended up changing the plug, and got most that mowing done. Then the rider won't start, messed with it awhile, got it started and mowed awhile, still not done. That was all before noon, so far the rest the day has gone some better.
Ok, I'm done complaining I think. Spent yesterday afternoon in Paris at Ralph's football game, then went over n seen the DIL and the other kids. Missy's the one having the baby [girl] and is due this week or next. Kris is on vacation for now and home to help her the 4 boys. I did get a couple train pics while we were there.
I'm kinda behind again, but away JERRY, hope your visit with Sally goes well and she's doing good. Any idea when she'll get to come home yet.
ATTABOY, sorry to hear of your aunts passing.
ED, great pics and a good story form down that way.
Sat. I had mother drop me off by the tracks in Casey, while her and Mack went to the store. Was there bout and hour, no trains, but I did get some pics pf a couple buildings there along side the tracks. Don't know if they were RR or part of the old lumber yard that was there.
It was double tracked through there at one time and looks like there was a siding along side. JERRY, might remember, it's not far from the radio station he worked at
Afternoon all
Attaboy Sorry to hear about your Aunt.
ED Your pics have all been good too.
Paul That was the way Jack used to clean his locomotive when the steam meet was over and sometimes during the meet if it got really dirty. Plugged flues are not fun and he used a rifle cleaning brush on a long rod to run through his.
Not much more to say so here are some more from the garden
I have one more to post from the back of the house and some from the front,but before I post the ones from the front I will post some pics of the cars at Grattan.
That's about it
Best to all on sick call and those recovering
Talk to you later
Duke
Well I went and done it,so everyone belly up.
"Don't take a wooden nickel,because it isn't worth a dime" by my Dad
"There are only 3 things you need out of life:A gentle grade,the wind in your face,and cinders in your hair.....But keep an eye on the water glass!" Jack Evans
jeffrey-wimberly wrote:Gotta go for a while. We have a big ugly thunderstorm coming through.
Hey,I'm back from summer vacation........................
You guys are getting a shload of rain........
We here in Ridgecrest, CA we didn't get jack-sh for over a year........
They say that this is related to the magnetic poles starting to flip.
see ya,
Derrick
Ouch, the natives seem to be a bit restless out there on the main forum. Maybe just my perspective, but there seems to be a general decrease in politeness (quaint old term) and general manners these days. Maybe those concepts have gone out of style. And it's not just here at the Kalmbach forums. There are a lot worse places.
That's a big reason I read a lot fewer posts out on the general forum these days, and post there even less.
I appreciate it that all of you guys and gals here in The Coffee Shop manage to maintain this place as calm and pleasant as you do.
Just an observation after a brief perusal of a selection of threads on page 1.
Later
Ed
Cederstrand wrote: ***Philip, are you sure 3 of those 2-8-0's is enough? There is always a way to justify more motive power,
***Philip, are you sure 3 of those 2-8-0's is enough? There is always a way to justify more motive power,
Yeah. Like a Tripple Header!
Hey Guys. and Pie Monster (PC)
Well been busy with a babysitter course at the Red Cross. Finished that Friday, and now I'm CPR certified, S**oo* starts tomorrow for Freshmen (9th grade). I can't believe it. seems like yeasterday I was a 7th grader poping in here when ever I had the chance. how 2 years went by so fast? Why by watching PC eat 50 40ft High-cube boxcars load to the max with pie.
I'll check in later with MRR pics and updates.
Morning all, thought I would stop in for a visit.
I missed reading several pages the past few days so I won't be making any specific comments. I missed them because my last surviving aunt passed away on Wednesday and the funeral was Saturday. We were close over the years and it has effected me more than I expected.
On a more pleasant note, I bought a couple train prints at the national train show in Cinncinatti a couple years ago and just had one of them framed. It looks really nice hanging in the living room. Now to get the other one done.
See you later.
Looks like a hot, sticky day in your neck of the woods Jeff.
It's not too bad around here, though it will heat up into the high 80's later as the humidity creeps back in.
I'll be packing up my tent this evening. I got it out this last weekend so the kids could sleep out in the back yard. It actually served a dual purpose as it needed aired out too. Since it's been up for two days I suppose I can pack it up now. It just takes a while because it's so big.
Looking forward to the three day weekend! How about you? What are your plans?
Oh, and Ed, I've got to get down to your neck of the woods sometime. You post some of the coolest prototype pics!
Good Morning Coffee Clubbers,
Didn't make it out to the orange grove over the weekend as we had hoped. A few things came up, and we also had enough rain to ensure that the road out there would be good and muddy. And I'm afraid it won't happen today either. I suspect that my alternator has gone out in the car. I hope there's enough battery left this morning to allow me to limp over to my local auto mechanic's place.
JimRCGMO wrote: Ed, I can imagine how you feel about being without power (and a/c). Does your place get much in the way of breezes, at least? Don't think it would be tolerable if you didn't and the a/c was out.
Ed, I can imagine how you feel about being without power (and a/c). Does your place get much in the way of breezes, at least? Don't think it would be tolerable if you didn't and the a/c was out.
Some, depending on the time of day. The problem is that with a solid concrete roof and solid masonry walls, once the sun beats on them for a while they soak up heat and radiate it out. Best thing to do at that point is find somewhere shady outside.
It's way overdue, but I thought I'd do another "show and tell". This was a railfan outing that I went on with a few of my friends back in early March. I'm just now finally getting around to editing and uploading the photos to Rail Images.
About 15 of my railfan buddies from down here decided to organize a weekend checking out an interesting section of the Ferrosur (FSRR) mainline between Mexico City and Veracruz. The trip would include camping out beside the tracks on Saturday night. Fran and Junior decided to accompany me.First a little bit of history (okay, stiffle the groans). The first rail line down here in Mexico was the mainline between the port of Veracruz and Mexico City, which opened back in 1873. The first 85 miles (135 Km) or so wasn't too bad a grade (considering the terrain they were crossing), only climbing some 4,000 feet (1,250 meters), with a max ruling grade of 3%, with many sections only between 1.5% and 2.5%.And once the line was on top of the sierra, the line from Esperanza to Mexico City was actually slightly downhill (obviously with some ups and downs) over the last 130 miles (210 Km).But the problem area was through what was called the Maltrata Incline (Cumbres de Maltrata) where the line had to rise some 3,800 feet in 24 miles. This gave a ruling grade of 4.7% (I believe this may include adjustment for curvature). Tough stuff for a mainline. Through the first 50 years of the railroad, they used double-boilered Fairlie locomotives to move trains up and down the Maltrata Incline.In the 1920's, the railroad worked with GE on a project to electrify the section between Paso del Macho and Esperanza, including constructing 12 boxcab electric locomotives to run over this section. This helped a lot, but the operating costs and load restrictions continued to be a problem, even through the dieselization era.Finally, in the early 80's, the railroad embarked on a program to straighten and reduce grade on a couple of key segments of the route, taking advantage of engineering not available to the original constructors. The bigger of these projects involved bypassing the entire Maltrata Incline section. The new line (SC) swung southwest from the old mainline (Line S) at Encinar, Veracruz, just west of Orizaba, headed up the valley towards Acultzingo (utilizing a number of tunnels and curves), passed through the longest tunnel in Mexico "El Mexicano" (2,600 meters or 8,530 feet long), and finally rejoined the old mainline at Esperanza. I'm not sure how much longer the new line is, but it drastically reduced the ruling grade (down to the range of 1.5%, or so I believe).In any case, we planned of following this section of the mainline, starting at Esperanza, camping out at El Mezquite (near Acultzingo) and winding up at Orizaba. Because it's so far from where we live, we drove up on Friday. We stopped briefly in Apizaco (on the Mexico City - Veracruz mainline) to grab a few pictures there.Apizaco was an important rail center on the F.C. Mexicano (and later the NdeM after F.C. Mexicano was absorbed by NdeM) with a good sized yard and large shops, but since privatization activity there has been drastically reduced. Now it's basically a passing siding along the way, although there is still enough local industry to keep a switcher busy full time.Here we see a trio of B23-7's on a siding alongside the old main locomotive repair shop building.We can usually count on an eastbound train to make a quick stop in town while the crew sends someone for take-out food. This day was no exception, and we see a Ferrosur (FSRR) AC4400-CW holding the main before continuing eastbound, down the hill towards Orizaba and Veracruz. You'll note right away that this locomotive is not as clean as the ones I shot in Coatzacoalcos the other day. This is more typical for FSRR. It's not just that they don't clean up the machines, but they do pass through a large number of tunnels on this route.Heading out from Apizaco, we spent the night in Puebla (which is a great old colonial city). We had an early rendevous planned with the group on Saturday morning.
So Saturday morning we're up real bright and early and out looking for something for breakfast when the car gives out. To make a long story short, it was the fuel pump, which required a tow, dropping the fuel tank, and the replacement work. We were lucky (being far from home and in relatively unknown territory) in finding a good taxi driver who took us to a good mechanic (having to wake him up in the process, as it was still before opening time for the shop). Everything went as well as could have been expected, but it was still early afternoon before we could get outta Dodge. We'd missed the group caravan, but figured we could still catch up at them somewhere along the line (we had a rough schedule). Unfortunately, cellphone reception in that part of the country is virtually non-existant, and we couldn't track them down.By the way, while this new route may be great for the trains, driving down that mountain is still an adventure. Here's a shot looking down towards Acultzingo. You can see one of the many tunnels on this new route in the foreground. That's Acultzingo in the left background, with another tunnel just above the trees. Gives you a rough idea of the vertical drop.So we picked a place where we figured they'd eventually get to, and decided to wait there, and see what trains passed by in the meantime, of course. We drove ahead to Encinar, which is where the new bypass leaves the old mainline route. When they opened the new bypass, they built a small plaza/park at this point, and put one of the old boxcab electrics on display. Unfortunately, both the park and the locomotive suffer from lack of maintenance and tlc. Here's a shot of the loco.We climbed up on a pedestrian overpass that straddles the tracks. Here's a shot looking west along what was the old mainline. You ca
Good morning.
Jim: You're welcome.
Today's Weather for: Sundown, LA 71446-6114 8/27/2007 Heat Index: 83°FHumidity: 82%Dew Point: 72°F So Far TodayHigh: 79°FLow: 77°FRain: 0.00"Rain Rate: 0.00"/hGust: 6mph SSE Today High: 95 Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 90s. Light and variable winds becoming east around 10 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight Low: 72 Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s. Light and variable winds.
Good Morning, Diners! Zoe, a cup of the TH coffee and one of those twisty donuts for me, please.
A bit nicer weather here this morning. Only 61 downtown at the local TV station, and 68 (F) at the airport (where the official temp is recorded), with the humidity suposed to be lower today. But we'll still be hitting the 90's this afternoon. But hey, I want that lower humidity!
Great dinner with friends last night - grilled fish and chicken, plus brauts, salad, and a nice yellow cake with a lemony icing. Went walking after dinner to w**k off some of that.
Not much more done on my layout over the weekend, but I didn't get called by the primary backup and have to go out any of the three nights either. So I'll be seeing about finishing up the radio station tower this week, and get back to the wiring this next weekend.
Jeff, thanks for the painting tips/info.
Jerry, hope you have a good time visiting Sallie this week.
for those among us who are ailing, recuperating, or otherwise in need of prayers.
Blessings on your w**kweek,
Jim in Cape Girardeau
08-27-07
Evening Gang:
Rob: I have had axles break before. The basic problem is that I used 5/16 bearings on them and that just is too small. The wheels are also too small but I have the correct size ( 6 inch dia. ) and will replace them and the bearings as soon as I can make the new axles. I'll use 1/2 inch bearings then. The 5/16 bearings are for skate boards or in line skates and are very inexpensive. I'll still use them for show cars that don't carry riders.
John and I went back over to the track and fired up the locomotive again. We only made one run and shut it down. The flues really needed cleaning and it was not steaming very well. Before we clean it up we like to have a hot boiler and use the steam for steam cleaning the running gear etc. As long as you are going to build a fire you might as well take a ride.
Mary Ann and I took a short nap and then hauled hay until dark. So that pretty well made the day.
Jerry say hello to Sallie.