gotta love Christmas… especially when Greenberg’s train show comes near you two weeks before hand… picked up An Athearn CSX GP 38-2, an Athearn Amtrak AMD-103, and a P1K Powered Budd RDC
Greetings from the eerily mild Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia. Was able to finish off the outside lights in comparitive comfort; so we are in full Festive Mode, having done the inside decorations yesterday.
The compressor is run in, and the airbrush up from the basement where it lives in the spray booth. So, I’m thinking of making up a train to completely clear the lower yard. I’ve had the interchange up for some days, so I may as well use it to clear the layout before I put it away. It’s a duck under when it’s up, so I don’t have it as a permament thing. [banghead][B)][:D]
Then comes vacuuming, and then finally doing some scenery over the foam in the yard. I plan to paint a smallish section by brush, and dust on sieved ashes, let it dry and see if I like the look. All being well, the whole yard will get this treatment, then the ballast inside the rails will be wet down and glued. Then the rails get painted, and some weeds may sprout if I’m feeling ambitious. I just hope I can be careful around the turnouts. I reckon that the ash will contrast well with the light grey Woodland Scenics ballast I have on hand for the mainline. I’m also hopeful that I can control overspray on the walls, and elsewhere by suitable shields. There’s a section of embankment in the rear of the yard that has glued sawdust as a major component. I want to see how that paints up, and if it needs much in the way of ground foam to make it interesting. It has a lot of texture as it is. Since I want to use the sawdust mix on most of the rest of the scenery, it will be interesting to find out what works best to bring it to life, so to speak. This will be my first landscaping in some time, and I hope I haven’t forgotten too much!
It’s time for tea, and then some TV, so I had better get that train made up.
TTFN.
Evening, RDL and anyone else who comes in while/after I write this!
Teffy, the only cell I have is what I have to carry for work, and my pager is set for vibrate unless I’m on-call and hoping to sleep (i.e., hoping for a night without getting called out…). And you comment about “…the mind…”? I take it you’re assuming some of those people talking and driving have one, right? [;)][}:)]
Actually, Teffy, it worked out pretty well on the coffee setup. You switched it over about 30-40 minutes before I got here, so my first cup was great! Your story about coffee pots reminded me of a campus ministry center I used to habituate in my early days of being a college student. They had one of those big tall aluminum coffeepots. I remember that you filled the basket up to one ridge line with the coffee, but you also (if you were wise) put a teensy pinch of salt on the top of the grounds (to counteract the ‘old aluminum pot’ taste). Now, I have a couple of the 4-cup quick perkers. Only other feature I could wish for is that they would be the kind which cut off if you sneak an early cup out of it…[:)]
Congrats Chris! I hope your stomach problem wasn’t due to my mentioning rat-kabob…[}:)][;)]
Luct, my daughter’s a southpaw, too. Me, I think I use both sides a lot - picture that my undergrad degree was in art educ. and I then started back on a computer sci. degree (but switched to the counseling Master’s), so I have lots of intuition plus lots of analytical - go figure! Guess I was wired with extra parts!? Maybe God does ‘kitbashing,’ too? [;)]
Hey Teffy - the R is my last initial, CG = Cape Girardeau, and MO (take a guess, c’mon…) [;)] Makes sense to me! [:D]
Got a question for the benchwork/scenery folks here in the shop. I saw a letter to MRR mag (either the Jan. 2005 issue or one of those I checked out of my library), and the writer was asking about safety in using foam board because if it catches fire, it produces toxic fumes. If that’s s
Howdy, all.
egmurphy: I said it would be within 48 hrs for my account at railimages to open. It was more like two hours.
der5997: I got your e-mail. Thanks for the info.[tup] I’ll give it a try. If it doesn’t work, I’ll e-mail you, or Ed.[B)]
krump: Come on down, let’s get that rat. Bring your equipment, and let’s go hunting. I have a BB pistol that can shoot BB’s, pellets, darts, or bolts. Getting that rat is a bit hard. He’s a good hider. Why don’t I shoot him, he comes out when I least expect him. I’ll get him someway, though.[xx(]
Guy’s, don’t get to excited about those stars. For they are, after all, big balls of gas![:D]
TTFN, Robert
Guy’s, I said I’d show the logo for my Valley Belt Ry. Here it is. Sorry, if the size is small. This is my first time to post a picture.[^] If you don’t see a picture, I’m working on it. So, please be patient.
I don’t know if I’ll keep the box, or the colors of the logo.
der5997 & edmurphy: Thanks for the help.[tup] I have one more question. If I want to add multiple pictures, do I type this code for each. I know yes is the answer. Just thought I’d ask, anyway, to be for sure. And, must I skip a line between the codes, or write them one under the other.
'til later, Robert
Good logo, I like it. If you click on the logo, it enlarges. So it was big enough for me to see. You’re a quick study.
That’s a roger.
If you don’t skip a line you’ll wind up with the photos touching one another. No problem, but I prefer to skip a line and get a small space separating the photos.
Regards
Ed
Fresh grounds? New filter? What are you trying to do? Break us. Rat Kabob, Now my green beaney friends are drooling.
It’s been a slow day here. I haven’t been able to get any mrring done. There is too much to get done this time of year.
I had to spend most of the evening yesterday trying to get the puter fixed up. I finally figured out how to uninstall Microsoft SP-2. If you get this, DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT DOWNLOAD IT. I haven’t heard of one person who has not had problems with it. The puter is much better now but is still not quite back to it’s best.
After Warthogdrvre sees a tank it is a hole in the ground.
I’m hoping that the Athern 2-8-2 will pull more than 10 to 15 cars. On the DS&SE the standard for a 2-8-2 is 25 cars up the grade to the ore yard. Maybe I’ll make it into a tank engine with a solid lead tank. Or whole in the ground. I’ll have to get out some of the ore cars and give it a try.
Good Night all
Paul
the Duluth, Soperior, & Southeastern
" The Suprior Route "
egmurphy: [tup]thanks for the advice. That’s what I thought. I am a quick learner[^]. Der5997 e-mailed me a step-by-step instructions guide. If any one wants it. Please write me, and I’ll send it to you.
When I get a new USB cable for my camera, I’m gonna post a picture to show everyone just how close I live to the tracks. As I’ve mentioned elsewhere, so close, my house shakes everytime a train goes by.[:D] As well as other pictures I’m gonna take of trains in my area. Including a bridge (trestle) thats stretches for several hundred ft. with a dirt road and a creek going under it. It’s not as big as some in places like colorado, but it’s still a great bridge.
Paul: I’ve had the same problem with my computer. I foolishly downloaded SP-2 and couldn’t play some of my games. I took it of mine, too. So, you’re not alone.
TTFN, Robert
Hey y’all hows things goin?
Haven’t checked in lately, thought I’d see how things were going.
Robert: Lookin’ good
Jim: It’s true: if foam catches fire it will produce toxic fumes. However don’t let that turn you away from it. if you completely cover the surface with plaster or sculptamold it shouldn’t burn. Unless the rest of the layout is on fire, in which case you better get out of there anyway, foam doesn’t burn easily by itself.
Der: Sounds like you’ll be busy for a while.
Ed: Sounds like your weather is about the same as Oklahoma in the springtime. It gets hot here in the summer, the summer before last we went over 30 days with highs well over 100. Winter is the opposite though, we get down to less than 5 sometimes, and snow a foot or more deep.
See ya later
Greg
Well I did it again, [:(!] I had typed out a reply and went to add some more to it, I was going to hit the shift key but slipped hitting some other key and wipped out my post. [:(!] [:(] [:(!]
That kind of takes the wind out of your sails, know what I mean? [V]
Chris
Sorry to hear you are not well, but I hope you are better for tomorrow.
Robert
Man that rat, boy is he gonna get it one of these days. [;)] Do you have other animals in the house too (dog, cat, etc.,)? If not you might have to revert back to the large varmit traps, just be careful if you do. Also should you use a poison please be sure when you finally get that rat to put the carcus where no other animal can eat it. We lost a barn cat once to a poisoned mouse. [:(] [V]
Everyone [:)]
We have a young man in the forum who could use our prayers. Alex (Oklahoma Train Nut) made a post yesterday about needing info and ideas for an Oklahoma scene for a module. He also stated he was having some heart problems and was not posting due to the fact that he is very tired after doing homework and all. So please remember him and his family in prayer. (If I find the thread I will paste a link here.)
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=26098
Man it was such a beautiful day here for this time of year I sure hated to see the sun go down. Our weather is going to drop down into the icebox for a few nights and I am not looking forward to that. [:(] [:(!]
FYI
For you last minute shoppers you still have 12 days before Christmas. So don’t forget my nice, big, expensive Christmas present. [}:)] [;)] However, I will accept cash ($50s or $100s) in lieu of a boxed gift. [:p] [;)] [:D] (And don’t forget, I love Alcos.) [:D] [;)] [:D]
Shhh, don’t tell Ed, but I am sending him some colder weather, and SNOW for Noah
Teffy- When it comes to my sugar, I have such a bizarre life due to my midnight shift that getting a routine is (so far) extremely hard. I’ll go home at 6, and most days sleep til 10-12, other days stay up, other days sleep an hour, …WILL SOMEONE STOP THE MADNESS!!!.. sorry, just thinking about it makes me nutz. I’ll be up til 6-7PM, then back to (hopefully) sleep til 833PM, ride the bike and go to work. I plan on getting in touch with a local Diabetes support group and see if they can help figure it out. And you bet I take notes. Only way not to leave someone out.
Ed- Actually, if you have 80 degree temps, I don’t care if all there is is a campground, it still sounds great! And about shooting rats, back when I was much younger and better eyeballed, I (attempted) to shoot flies off the ceiling with my BB rifle. Hit a few, but had a great time. And a unique tile pattern.
Christopher- It’s always something, no running board or a broken r-board. Always something. Glad you can fix it now that you have it.
Jim- The best thing about pitchforks is you can fix 4 rat-kabobs at a time, so your friends wont have that long wait.
Robert- I only have 3 words for you- STEEL WOOL- uh…er…BUDDY! Yeah, steel wool buddy. Jam it in those holes (I speak from experience) and they will wear their teeth out before they get in. Otherwise, flamethrowers might be your best bet. Sometimes you have to destroy the village to save it!
Noah-GREAT PIX. I was wondering what kind of camera you use. Night shots are the best. Good job.
Der- I have the same deal with my friends getting me “train type” stuff. Tho I would love to see them spend that $ on HO anythings, the things they buy seem to take on a special meaning.
Fergie- Boy oh boy, you should have given Lisa her props when you posted the pix. Probably a good thing you’re headed out to sea, she’ll not be able to get to you out there. If you had one of those patrol boats, you would at least have some protection when Lis-zilla co
Good Morning All:
I got the last of the subroadbed laid yesterday and didn’t like the verticle curve at the top so I’m going to think about it for a few days and then make a decision as to weather to keep it or replan the rise. I did have to test the rest of the track and be sure that it was still operating correctly. With the BLI 4-8-4 running at 99% throttle it takes better then 2 minutes to make the two loops minus 3’.
While I’m thinking about it, if you HO guys want to prolong the life of your light bulbs in the locos - set your Digitrax on “N” scale as it only puts 11.4 volts on the track. The average person never runs at full speed anyway.
I’m running late so let me get ready for work
Have a blessed day and remember SANTA FE ALL THE WAY
Bob
[#ditto] It really works, and we keep a box of the stuff in the basement just in case there are new breakthroughts. Mind you, our critters are mice, but the principle is the same.
Erdle: Logo looking great. Gives me hope that I may be able to come up with something sometime.
Trainwreck:
…busier than I thought, since one of my gondolas in the train I was clearing from the lower yard decided that the middle of the upper tunnel was just the spot to shed a BOLSTER PIN!!! That never happens, or hasn’t until now. Those access hatches showed their worth anyway [:D]
I’m incharge of the drier and lunch as Kris is away on a shopping expedition. so I had better be busy again!
TTFN
Hi All
I received this in an email today and thought I would share it.
We all need a laugh now and then so here is one for today. [:D]
I’m very surprised that something like that occured. After all, you had already made provision for access by building the access hatches. This type of freak incident usually only occurs when you haven’t provided access. [:D]
Ed
Phil, I used my families new Fujifilm finepix F700. It’s a new camera, so I’m still learning the basics. It’s much better than the camera we used to have.
Chris, congrats on number 1000!
Well, I don’t have much else, and I got home work, so I guess I’ll see you all later!
Noah
der & phil: Steel wool, I’ll try it. As for the flamethrower, only if you can give me a spare house.[;)][:D] We don’t have the bling bling to buy another one.
phil: I have a undecorated Athearn GP38-2 I would like to paint. I unfortunately don’t have an airbrush, or air compressor. Painting with a paintbrush is something I’ve thought about. There is an airbru***hey sell at Wal-Mart for less than 20 dollars, I’ve thought about buying. It is, I believe, made by Testors. [?][?]One question though, how many cans of air would it take to paint the loco? Or does anyone have an air compressor I could borrow? Or, paint it for me. I also, want do super-detail it. Any takers?[:D]
der: If you want I could help you with your logo. I don’t have much to do anyway. E-mail me and let me know.
jhhtrainsplanes: I’m gonna get that [censored][banghead][xx(] rat. We have put out something called “Just One Bite”. We always dispose of rats and mice properly when using poison.[tup]
luc: About the leftside/rightside mind [#dots] , could be?[?]
'til later, Robert
Hi everyone,
The bad new is: I was thinking [:O] last night and (the not so bad news)decided to start a small website to keep you informed about GLOWTOWN and also to document my progress. Not much on it but I intend to add photos as they become available and also a guessbook. As this progresses along, I’ll be looking forward to your comments and input. I only ask that your keep it simple, I’m only an engineer (naval acoustic).
http://www.freewebs.com/gloetown/
Robert - nice logo, can’t wait to see on your engines. Good Work [bow][bow] I agree with the others, steel wool should help. You might consider wrapping steel wool between sheets of foil paper and wrap same around some of the vital cables of your computer. Not pretty but It may provide some protection until they can be evicted.
Jim - “Maybe God does ‘kitbashing,’ too?” It would not surprise me one bit.
Well must go for now.
Hey y’all just droppin in real quick.
Luc: How do you get pictures to a small enough size (dimension and bytes) to post on a website? I have a railimages account now, but can’t shrink photos enough.
Be back later,
Greg
Greg I haven’t really looked into that issue yet. So far it’s been luck rather than good management. This is one bridge I’ll face later and I’ll post my solutions then. Sorry I cannot be more specific at this time.