Running Bear's August 2022 Coffee Shop

[troyphoto]

Good morning all,

56° and sunny in East Central Minnesota. Weather forecast shows only sun for the next seven days, however I am skeptical.

Troy - I enjoy seeing your figure painting projects. I need a better magnifying glass to paint my figures better. It is one of those details I have not got around to

Solar, Wind, Nuclear power, Electric car batteries - we still don't know how we are going to process/dispose of the "leftovers". Someone elses problem? Maybe we will fly them to Mars. This is the saddest commentary on technology.

When it comes to painting details, I cheat. Large magnifying light on my table, and I use a lot of techniques and tools, like ink washes and "contrast" paints (thickened inks), then drybrushing.

As for disposing of leftovers, the batteries in EVs and home power storage are full of rare metals. I believe the market will take care of that. Might need a nudge or two from federal governments... but that's too much metal to fire off into space.

I remember a few years ago everyone was lamenting that we're cutting up windmill blades for the landfills.

Well... not all of them.

Carbon Rivers Makes Wind Turbine Blade Recycling and Upcycling a Reality With Support From DOE

Company Commercializes the Only Currently-Available Technology that can Recycle Fiberglass From Decommissioned Wind Turbine Blades

www.energy.gov

Of course, with any tech in its infancy, costs are going to be out of alignment for a period. I remember seeing a story that one company was working to get the resin and fiberglass blades reconstituted into planking suitable for outdoor decking.

Whenever I hear someone say, it costs more in fossil fuels to... I usually add an * to their statement, followed by "*Now, but give it a few years and a federal push. Once the industries see they can make money by developing better processes, the capitalists will do so..."

 

[JeffH]

[snip]

As for disposing of leftovers, the batteries in EVs and home power storage are full of rare metals. I believe the market will take care of that. Might need a nudge or two from federal governments... but that's too much metal to fire off into space.

[snip]

Whenever I hear someone say, it costs more in fossil fuels to... I usually add an * to their statement, followed by "*Now, but give it a few years and a federal push. Once the industries see they can make money by developing better processes, the capitalists will do so..."

Generally, I agree with all that, but recycling metals from batteries often time involves acid baths to dissolve everything, including the rare metals, then combining other chemicals to bond with and/or extract the rare metals... followed by more refinement to remove the bonding agents, followed by... you guessed it... disposal of the toxic waste.

I believe the future is Hydrogen based fuel. Hydrogen is the most common element in the universe. Turn water into H and O2 gasses. Capture both while using minimal electrical current to split water into 2 gasses. Combine the 2 gasses with a spark from a piezo electric ignition, and the result is energy (burning the H gas), with the only emission being water vapor. The fuel cell won't even consume O2 from the environment... both the fuel (H) and the O2 will be in the fuel cell.

The hydrolysis can be happening all day every day simply by using a small wind turbine and an inexpensive solar panel. that charges a small, say 9 volt battery, which then meters out just enough electrical current to perform the hydrolysis. Add a little salt to water and away you go! As I said earlier, the hardest part would be compressing the gasses into a fuel cell.

I would venture to say that a homemade electrolysis gizmo using a Harbor Freight solar panel could provide enough H gas to power a hit n miss type engine for as long as you could keep the water reservoir full.

 

[santafewillie]

Good Morning All. Cloudy and 74°, rain storms nearby. One came close last night but stopped short by about 4 miles. Pop-up thunderstorms are in the forecast for the next four days. Still moderately warm in the low-90's.

Thanks for the reactions and comments regarding the printed background structures featured yesterday; Alan, Karl, Tom O, James, Longvallon, Guy, Chad, Sherrel, Patrick, Louis, Hughie, Gary, Curt, Smudge, Chet, Rick, OB Ken.

Out in the train shed yesterday, I tidied up the printed structures and fastened everything in place, after painting part of the backdrop.
I painted the lower part of the backdrop so I could raise the cut-outs up a bit for that "forced perspective" look.

Here's an out of focus shot of the one with the vehicles.

The overall view.

Just started raining heavily here. We will finally see how well the new ditches, that were done about a month ago, along the road out front work.
Meanwhile I will shut down the computer for a bit until the lightning stops. See y'all in a bit.

Karl - I remember my first week in college in 1969. Me and my classmates came from a conservative Catholic High School environment and college was a real eye opener. The girls and subsequently the guys discovered that the university health clinic distributed free birth control pills to any girl that asked; we all discovered that pot was easier to acquire than booze; and that there was a party going on somewhere 24/7.
Dave B - I have seen snappers moving rather quickly before. The species around here cannot fully retract inside their shells which makes them look quite menacing.
Chad - If cost to society was a consideration in the past, we wouldn't have hydroelectric dams, railroads or Interstate highways among other things.
James - While I hate to see news of any member's passing, that does lead to closure. I often wonder about members who simply disappear. Interesting that you mentioned Larry, the Long Winded Old Fart from Arcadia Fl, I bought several hundred vehicles from him and some other stuff when he left the hobby.
Troy - I was obviously confusing the caffeine in Diet Dr Pepper with the level in Diet A&W Root Beer which I drink. The root beer has none.
Capitalists don't need a federal push if they can make money!
Sherrel -

The human body is 98.6 degrees F --
The average temp on earth is not that high --
Every increase in population is adding a small amount of heat to the atmosphere.

Are you perhaps suggesting that maybe the most ardent "greenies" need to sacrifice themselves for the good of the planet???

OK, lightning stopped and we only lost power once due to a surge. There's 1.5" in the rain gauge. The Weather Underground station around the corner is off-line, so the power is off down there. I have had trouble in the past with lightning caused power outages and this computer, despite having a surge protector; so it is best that I just shut it down.

Everyone have a great day.

 

[montanan]

Good morning. I will have to make it quick as I have a plumber coming in to install a new toilet. The one that is here is of course a builder's grade and is too freaking low. When I remodeled my old place I put in a taller toilet and if I used one of the other ones, I can't count how many times it scared the crap out of me thinking I was going to fall. Incredible what a couple of inches can be.

Tried to post a number of times yesterday but never got to it. It was one thing after another and before I knew it, it was time to start supper.

TomO - Target is nothing but an upscale Wal-Mart. Neither one is up here, but Bozeman was over run by big box stores. Haven't been to either a Wal-Mart or Target in over 20 years. Target pissed me off when they wouldn't let the Salvation Army bell ringer stand in front of their stores at Christmas.

Ken - I feel your pain. I never could take high humidity. That is probably one of the reasons my wife and I split up. She wanted to, and did move to Florida. I stayed in Florida when I got out of the service because there was no work in Montana. When I was a cop, I was asked numerous times why cops always took off their sunglasses when they got out of their car. I would just show them the fogged up sunglasses as when you get out of an air conditioned car into the humidity, instant fog.

Willie - Interesting way to show depth to a scene. Like it.

Got to go, the plumber is here. Can't count how many toilets I have installed over the years, but the bum arm won't let me do it.

One quick photo. If anyone is interested in this turntable, let me know. It did suffer some damage when it was removed from the layout. I had never intended thaqt it be removed.

Later

 

[logandsawman]

When it comes to painting details, I cheat. Large magnifying light on my table, and I use a lot of techniques and tools, like ink washes and "contrast" paints (thickened inks), then drybrushing.

As for disposing of leftovers, the batteries in EVs and home power storage are full of rare metals. I believe the market will take care of that. Might need a nudge or two from federal governments... but that's too much metal to fire off into space.

I remember a few years ago everyone was lamenting that we're cutting up windmill blades for the landfills.

Well... not all of them.

Carbon Rivers Makes Wind Turbine Blade Recycling and Upcycling a Reality With Support From DOE

Company Commercializes the Only Currently-Available Technology that can Recycle Fiberglass From Decommissioned Wind Turbine Blades

www.energy.gov

Of course, with any tech in its infancy, costs are going to be out of alignment for a period. I remember seeing a story that one company was working to get the resin and fiberglass blades reconstituted into planking suitable for outdoor decking.

Whenever I hear someone say, it costs more in fossil fuels to... I usually add an * to their statement, followed by "*Now, but give it a few years and a federal push. Once the industries see they can make money by developing better processes, the capitalists will do so..."

I wouldn't call it cheating WRTO painting techniques. More like adapting.

I am not worried that planet earth cannot handle all our manufactured crap, nothing a few good earthquakes can't handle ...

Its the idea that the huge "angel" we call technology can fix anything.

Dave LASM

 

[Alcomotive]

And it's never siezes to amaze me.....

Going up and up

vintage tyco usps boxcar ho scale rare find! | eBay

<p>Excellent shape and besides a little dust this is a clean piece. Couldn’t find any other box card in this style through my search so I considered it a rare find. Will be packaged with extra care considering this is out of my grandfathers collection and I would love to see them go to a true...

www.ebay.com

EDIT:


Yet another one.....

Vintage TYCO United States Postal Service box car HO Scale | eBay

Boxcar is in great shape for its age. It's a very nice piece for anyones collection. See pics for detail.

www.ebay.com

I came up with an idea for the one I have. I have a complete set NIB and with all of the pieces along with the Post Office building, track and relay switch. Complete nothing missing nor damaged. Like new!

So what I am going to do is screen capture pictures of these (2) ebay sales that I posted above of the cost or rather ending bids.....and post the pictures with my pictures when I sell.....that will stoke'em! lol

 

[Texas Hobo]

Good morning, all! Currently the sun is out, though somewhat dimmer than normal. Dumped 2 1/2" from the rain gauge. More rain forecasted for this afternoon.
Today is grocery shopping day. With any luck, we will be back early and I can get some train time.
1 to 1 life has kept be very busy, hence absolutely no progress on the Keystone Mill.

Wilie - like the back drops
Troy - It ain't cheating if you get the results, you are looking for. You obviously do!
Guy - Check out the CRV. Ours is pretty comfortable and roomy. Getting mid to upper 30 mpg isn't bad. Good photos
Dave - the down the track photo at the sawmill, really nice.
Mike - Great photos
Curt - Layout looking good, making progress.
Snowman - I always escape TO the train room. Wife finds me anyway!

STAY SAFE
LATER

 

[D&J RailRoad]

Ugh! This heat n humidity. I went up to the church cemetery to do some more chopping on a tree stump. Got almost half way around it, chopping feeder roots. I'm sure I've lost a few pounds in sweat.
Done for today.
I sent out an invite to the club again for a free running on the layout this weekend. No organized op session, just run what ya bring or drag my stuff around.
Most are leaning toward Monday.

 

[bnsf971]

Good afternoon.
Has anybody else been getting non-stop calls and texts wanting to "help" with their student loan forgiveness? Loans that, by the way, I never had...

 

[Snowman]

I wouldn't call it cheating WRTO painting techniques. More like adapting.

I am not worried that planet earth cannot handle all our manufactured crap, nothing a few good earthquakes can't handle ...

Its the idea that the huge "angel" we call technology can fix anything.

Dave LASM

I wouldn't call it cheating WRTO painting techniques. More like adapting.

I am not worried that planet earth cannot handle all our manufactured crap, nothing a few good earthquakes can't handle ...

Its the idea that the huge "angel" we call technology can fix anything.

Dave LASM

I agree 100% with logandsawman here, Troy: I, too, fail to see any way you are cheating with those techniques. Pretty much mainstream stuff, all of them.

So I respectfully slap you upside the head with a wet...
...drybrush.

 

[Snowman]

Good morning. I will have to make it quick as I have a plumber coming in to install a new toilet. The one that is here is of course a builder's grade and is too freaking low. When I remodeled my old place I put in a taller toilet and if I used one of the other ones, I can't count how many times it scared the crap out of me thinking I was going to fall. Incredible what a couple of inches can be.

Tried to post a number of times yesterday but never got to it. It was one thing after another and before I knew it, it was time to start supper.

TomO - Target is nothing but an upscale Wal-Mart. Neither one is up here, but Bozeman was over run by big box stores. Haven't been to either a Wal-Mart or Target in over 20 years. Target pissed me off when they wouldn't let the Salvation Army bell ringer stand in front of their stores at Christmas.

Ken - I feel your pain. I never could take high humidity. That is probably one of the reasons my wife and I split up. She wanted to, and did move to Florida. I stayed in Florida when I got out of the service because there was no work in Montana. When I was a cop, I was asked numerous times why cops always took off their sunglasses when they got out of their car. I would just show them the fogged up sunglasses as when you get out of an air conditioned car into the humidity, instant fog.

Willie - Interesting way to show depth to a scene. Like it.

Got to go, the plumber is here. Can't count how many toilets I have installed over the years, but the bum arm won't let me do it.

One quick photo. If anyone is interested in this turntable, let me know. It did suffer some damage when it was removed from the layout. I had never intended thaqt it be removed.

View attachment 150913

Later

Now that is a upper crossbridge design I have never seen before. Almost an upside down A-frame.
Is there a prototype for that anywhere?

 

[Bruette]

Walmart is our pharmacy source, as well as our primary grocery option. Then again, MBH has worked in the same store for the past 14 years, right around the time she transferred to UWSP.

I love Walmart, online and the super store. We have bought everything from basic automotive parts, clothes, groceries to video cards and almost everything in between, even toy trains!

When I buy nearly anything I check Walmart's price and availability. They are often the cheapest and their shipping rivals Amazon.

I also like the cash back when I use my Walmart credit card.

I have to say I only like to go into the store early in the morning. After that things can get weird.

The store is way too big for my liking, but they do have almost anything. Can't fit all that into a little store.

 

[PRR Modeler]

Afternoon All,

Started with a couple of small chores then painted the 2 hills. After that was dry I put down the first dirt layer on the hills. I realized that I needed my last new container of ground cover but was sorry to see what I thought was medium ground cover was actually gravel . Of course the manufacturer is out, and my LHS doesn't stock SE products so Ebay it was. I might have enough to do around the 2 hills but definitely not the 3rd section. No pictures. I figure I'll post some when the 2 sections are complete.

Thank you for all the photo likes yesterday. They surprised me since it was just paper and plaster.

TomO- It's always fun to recieve MRR items.

Troy- Really nice painting job on the figure. I have found that if I use a Optivisor for more than about 20 minutes I'm guaranteed to get a headache.

Mike- Nice 1:1 photos. MOH also wants to shop at Wally World.

Dave- Great photo. I really like the perspective and angle of lighting.

Willie- The scene is looking very good.

Chet- We had to put in a taller toliet before Dad moved in.

Hughie- Thank you.

I hope everyone has a good night.

 

[logandsawman]

I love Walmart, online and the super store. We have bought everything from basic automotive parts, clothes, groceries to video cards and almost everything in between, even toy trains!

When I buy nearly anything I check Walmart's price and availability. They are often the cheapest and their shipping rivals Amazon.

I also like the cash back when I use my Walmart credit card.

I have to say I only like to go into the store early in the morning. After that things can get weird.

The store is way too big for my liking, but they do have almost anything. Can't fit all that into a little store.

Louis - I have never been to walmart and not been wierded out a little. Not that that is a bad thing, just often see things somewhat out of my comfort zone.

We have visited several, including one in Woodbury (kind of an upward mobile St. Paul bedroom community) which could almost be listed as an upscale walmart.

One thing I like about some of their stores is the skylights. I noticed the light getting brighter and dimmer one day, asked an employee and was informed that the lighting was natural. Nice.

 

[Boris]

Walmart...ya either love 'em or hate 'em. The ones in this area have numerous issues. Insufficient employees to restock shelves, or man more than two registers at any given time. Insufficient automatic cashier stations. Shrinkage and loss recovery. They are never a pleasure to shop in, and we only go there when no one else has something they have. I have been in others in different parts of the country, that are, (or were), not an ordeal to shop in. Target, is much better, although somewhat more expensive.

Right now, I'm waiting for the paint to dry. I covered over my recent attempt at Bob Ross scenery technique. Next week, I go to a Spine Specialist, then the next day, I see the doctor who did my knee replacement.

Curt, I'm not always patient. I have tossed failed projects...the oil loading rack almost became the latest, but it finally worked. Walthers instruction sheet, left off the last step...

 

[Patrick]

Hi all,

Short visit with mom as she was getting a migraine. So now I'm back in town getting the local grandkids, ok the youngest one of the 2. Her brother is out later due to wanting to be on the cross country team at the middleschool. I'll pick him up later. Wife will be happy I didn't spend a lot for lunch, as mom asked for a raincheck. In fact I had some cheese when I stopped at the house before going to get the grandkids.

Surprisingly, work didn't call me...yet!

Walmart opened 6 neighborhood markets in the area 6 years ago. They closed all but 1 within 2 years. 1 because there was not enough business in the small town they opened in and the other 4 due to too much stuff walking out the door. They built them in areas that other stores moved out of due to stuff walking out the door.

The tyco stuff has me rethinking what I have...

BBL

 

[BigGRacing]

Tom, Chris and Gary.

The Utah Belt is a Model Railroader Magazine favorite free lance railroad. Eric has sort of become the mysterious guru of FreeLance railroads. His is the first well known freelance layout that reasonated with MR magazine readers. He is a quiet, non social media person but one of the nicest people if you get to meet him. He constantly updates his railroad and sells off the older equipment that won’t fit his current operating era. His items have become collector items and that is a portion of the reason for the high price.

Thank you, interesting info for sure

 

[MikeInHubCity]

Yeah I‘d say they are done for the year.

We actually have 2 outdoor theaters within 30 miles of us. They use the radio in the car instead of hanging it on the window. Business I read picked up pretty good during the 2 Summers of Covid. Terry said she’d go but no way was she getting in the back seat with me. Something about an ambulance to get us out!

That’s what the Delsea Drive-In in Vineland, NJ does. They're the only drive-in left in the state that created the phenomenon(Camden/Pennsauken in 1933). They sell Outside Food permits for $23(for the whole carload)- admission tix are sold per person. They have 2 screens, bioth with a double feature. The Delsea was originally open from 1949-87 & reopened in 2004.

 

[bnsf971]

And, local news showed this. Small rural community off I-69 in Indiana, just south of the Michigan state line.

They're about a 45-minute drive for me. I didn't know they were there, but I'm looking forward to a road trip next year. Might take the wife up for a fun anniversary night celebration.

View attachment 150898

They could always charge half-price admission.

 

[kbkchooch]

Time for a hair cut at Jimmy's

Before I stop for a fill up and a cold soda.

Granny feeds the chickens

Watch out for that tire swing!