Running Bear’s November 2021 Coffee Shop

[McLeod]

Good Morning!
Other than having to repair a vehicle out in the cold sometime today, it's going to be a good one. Just wishing I had a shop to put broken cars in. That's so much nicer than laying on the ground out in the cool. - But, it's gotta be done, if I want my son to get to work. at his new job on Monday.

22F out there right now, with no snow.

Jaz avalley - I really like the reference photos of the aged, grey building. Thanks for posting. Plus, I think you did a great job on the model.

Christian - Nice looking pair of pooches.

Jesse - I split the floors on a similar kit the same way you did. Mostly because I wanted to light the lower floor and not the upper. Then I started making curtains, which caused me to get frustrated, and I set the kit aside until later. Now, I can't even remember where I set it aside, and will have to wait until it shows up again.

Toot - I really like the Hatton Coulee photo. - I agree that the unwrapped flat car load of rough-cut lumber is probably destined for pallet manufacture.

Today's photo is a re-run, but, I like it.
These large and powerful engines were being used for switching duties on this day. They took a couple of closed hoppers to the local silica facility, and then moved some empty flat cars over to the Millar Western sawmill. In the photo, they are all done, and heading home to the yard.
I'm not sure if the two fella's hanging on are called 'conductors', 'switchers', or just rail workers.

And here's an extra photo of a flat car wrapped lumber load:

Well, I'm going to get dressed, walk the dog, and then get working on a car. Have a great day!

 

[OBTC 1909]

Good morning all! Day off again today, second of two. Worked out in my garage most of the day yesterday while listening to the NASCAR season finale on the radio. Before that, I tried to flood the kitchen working on the dishwasher. Figured it was safer to just go outside to the garage.
Sunny and 36 right now, heading up to sunny and 70 for the day. I'm grateful for another beautiful day for my two days off.

Jaz: Model looks great!

Gotta haul some stuff to the scrap yard later and then try to do a few more things around home. Hope you all have a great day!

 

[santafewillie]

Good Morning All. Clear and 49° here this morning, heading up to the mid-70's for a few days with rain possible Wednesday. Yesterday at 56° wasn't bad at all. I still have not taken out the jeans yet as it's still shorts and tee shirt weather here as long as I don't venture outside for too long before sunrise.
Got all of the clocks reset except the one that requires moving furniture to get at it on the wall. I also don't reset the one by the pool since I only use it in the summer anyway. Besides that one requires a ladder to reach as it's high up on the wall below the eave!

Just a couple of over easy eggs and a plateful of bacon this morning Flo. OJ but no toast.

Thanks to all who liked or commented on yesterday's post; Steve J, Rick, OB Ken, Christian, Mikey, Patrick, Karl, Joe, Hughie, Greg, Curt, IB Ken, Jesse, Tom, Guy.

Yesterday being Sunday, I didn't get much time in the train shed as I normally get. I did paint the roofwalk grab irons.

And I changed the number of the car. First was removing the existing last digit with an unused corner of a Walther's Bright-Boy.

Then I looked at my almost depleted supply of 3/32" tall dry transfers.

I decided on 7 since there are a couple of extras.
They aren't an exact match height wise.

With a little judicious trimming with the Exacto, I got them a little more even. Weathering will help disguise the difference.

The end numbers were a bit more difficult.

Initial attempt failed. After two more tries, I got this.

These dry transfers are over 20 years old and just aren't the same quality as new ones, but I have only one more car in the stash that will use these Gothic numbers, so I am not springing for a new package. I am going with this one and I will use a lot of weathering powder on it. The other end did not give me the same failure rate. In person, it doesn't look as bad as the picture shows. The car then got a coat of dull coat, and it's been checked for coupler height, weighed, inspected and logged into my freight car inventory with all of the pertinent info, like kit #, cost, store purchased at, date purchased etc. I'll do the weathering the next time that I get the powders out which won't be too long. That forklift in the Ramone's scene is also in the queue.

Jesse - Not to dissuade you, but I have found that even in HO scale, any interior detailing that is not right up next to the window is not visible. Some background is visible if the structure is lighted as I think I remember you posted that you were going to do. I like all five of the Merchant's Row structures that I have. Patience is needed for a train shed. I lived here for 30 years before I had the funds and time for mine. Prior to that, the layout was in a non-climate controlled, and non-varmint proof lean-to attached to the back of my barn. Not always fun. Funny that you bring up the new home. When we moved from a 900 sq ft house to this 1500 sq ft home, there wasn't enough room for everything! Mostly because my wife insisted on having some room between the pieces of furniture.
Guy - I see that you're in really early this morning. Do you have to deal with Daylight Savings time up north as well? I cannot answer regarding the wrapped vs. the unwrapped lumber, I often wondered about that myself.
Mikey - I really sometimes wish that there was a club near me with a permanent layout. The closest one to me is 30 miles away and it's only modular. They set up only at shows and a month long display at Christmas in a strip mall.
Patrick - While I don't generally have a problem with stairs, I cannot imagine having to live in a house where they are required. For me, I gotta have a handrail if there are more than four.
Joe - I agree regarding the Kadee #148's (or #5's) work better for me in almost all applications. I will however use the Accumates since I have never had one fail. I have had trouble with Kadee #118's and #119's, shelf couplers that I have put on some tankers. Hughie has more patience than me with those N scale laser-cut wood kits.
Curt - I don't generally fly either as I just dislike being cooped up with others for so long. I flew on a few flights to Albany NY and back in 2013, the first time since 1984 when I flew to Austria and back. Couldn't really drive to Austria! No fear, just dislike.
Terry - A 90 mile commute each way might be a bit too much. I drove 50 miles each way for over 40 years, but on the roads that I used, it generally took only 42-45 minutes each way. The time of day also helped, before 6:00 am and between 3:00 and 3:30 pm.

So today is National Harvey Wallbanger Day, I tried one once in the early 70's, and quit drinking distilled spirits shortly after. Yuck!
Everybody have a great day. Be safe.

 

[OBTC 1909]

Nicely done on the decals Willie. I've never used dry transfer decals, but know without a doubt that I am TERRIBLE at using regular ones. I wind up with a mess, but nothing else. I need to pick up some dry transfer type and see how it goes.

 

[TLOC]

Good really early morning for me. 2:45am as I write this. Paradise seems to be a tough place for me to sleep. Starting between 11 and midnight is fine but I have been awake between 2 to 5 which is fine, it’s the trying to go back is the issue. Oh well, a nap around 2 pm with a 60 minute alarm set. It is 68f degrees and the sky is amazing, so many stars, heading to 80 around noon.

work travel times, when I graduated from college my 1st job in 1974 was 18 miles from home. Travel time was anywhere from 60-100 minutes in Chicago expressway traffic or Chicago local traffic at 7am. If I left at 6:30am I could get to work in under 30 minutes.
I ran a window company in Merrill, Wi., and travel was 45 miles and never more then 1 hour unless it snowed. While there my car met it’s first deer on the front hood and on a winter drive going to work one of the Hwy 51 signs jumped in front of the car. Unless it is clear sailing going and coming home I would think 90 miles is a bit much everyday. Good luck on that decision.

modeling, nothing being done so far. I have the time but no real interest and no place that feels right

We have meetings today with the contractor and 2 subs will be with him. Should be interesting. The son and his g/f leave at noon for Texas and the daughter’s family leave at 2 for Wisconsin. My brother has a meeting with his realtor tomorrow. A neighbor and golf partner has offered my brother his place to rent till our houses are done. Not sure that’s a good idea as he does not want to spend 200+ days here as then he becomes a Hawaiian and would have to pay their terrible taxes. We need flat tax rates as IMO no one should be allowed to avoid taxes because they can afford to. That includes my brother, so wrong but legal.

I am going to try to sleep again
TomO

 

[TLOC]

 

[CHRISTIAN]

Christian - Nice looking pair of pooches.

 

[OBTC 1909]

Meant to mention in my previous post that I found a book I'd been looking for while I was working the garage yesterday. I bought Tony Koester's Realistic Model Railroad Operation a few years back and had been wanting to re-read it lately. I bought it 5 years ago for $17. I'd about given up on finding my copy and went to order a new one. It's out of print now and the asking price on Amazon currently $98. $98!!! Went over to Feebay and found it for $75. Just crazy. I definitely gave up on the idea but got lucky and found it with some of my modeling stuff out in the garage, still in good condition.

 

[MilwRoader_Steve]

Meant to mention in my previous post that I found a book I'd been looking for while I was working the garage yesterday. I bought Tony Koester's Realistic Model Railroad Operation a few years back and had been wanting to re-read it lately. I bought it 5 years ago for $17. I'd about given up on finding my copy and went to order a new one. It's out of print now and the asking price on Amazon currently $98. $98!!! Went over to Feebay and found it for $75. Just crazy. I definitely gave up on the idea but got lucky and found it with some of my modeling stuff out in the garage, still in good condition.

Durn - - I saw that one at the Train SHow Saturday for about $18. Is it a good one?

 

[CHRISTIAN]

I'm planning to buy a new loco for my layout:

 

[Boris]

The downside is, I’d have to commute daily to Charlotte, which is neaarly 90 miles each way, plus I’d be a couple of hours from home in case of a problem.

That is a very big downside...I used to commute 72 miles one way, and it was a drag, especially the drive home. Would you consider relocating? Is it even practical under your circumstance? Just more stuff to consider.

 

[MilwRoader_Steve]

My only complaint re the clock changing is up here at 45 deg North, it got dark yesterday about 1730. I was aching for my bed at 1900!

 

[OBTC 1909]

Durn - - I saw that one at the Train SHow Saturday for about $18. Is it a good one?

Yes, definitely a good one! I always enjoy Koester's books and article and this one does not disappoint.

 

[MilwRoader_Steve]

I'm planning to buy a new loco for my layout:

View attachment 135073

Where's Coyote?

 

[OBTC 1909]

My only complaint re the clock changing is up here at 45 deg North, it got dark yesterday about 1730. I was aching for my bed at 1900!

Same problem here in Illinois.

 

[CHRISTIAN]

Where's Coyote?

Here !

 

[chadbag]

That is a very big downside...I used to commute 72 miles one way, and it was a drag, especially the drive home. Would you consider relocating? Is it even practical under your circumstance? Just more stuff to consider.

Yeah 90 miles is a pretty good commute, even for a young person. The most I ever commuted was, as a young person, I lived about 50 miles outside Munich and commuted to Munich for my job. It was about an hour commute (I did not indulge on autobahn driving for the commute as the gasoline costs were very high and driving 100mph gulps the gas, vs the sip at 60mph). About 7 years later I commuted about 45-50 minutes -- probably like 30 miles but mostly non highway -- from New Hampshire to Maynard Mass. Any longer than that would have been a hardone to do day after day.

 

[OBTC 1909]

I commute 25 miles one way every day and it's as long a commute as I'd ever want. I already feel like I'm always either at work or on the way to or from work. More than that would be way more than I'd want.

 

[bnsf971]

Further on my Alco S-2.

I git the decoder installed but the command system does not see it. Possibly a bad decoder? I bought it new from LHS - I'll go by Tuesday and get a new one. I wonder if he has a decoder tester? There is such a thing, yes?

The loco runs fine on address 00, just no lights.

IB Ken - - I am now suspecting that very thing - that it had an ESU decoder but removed. The DCC 8 pin socket had no plug/dummy/blank-board like I think most do if only "DCC Ready." While I had the shell off, I verified that it does have a speaker onboard.

ANy suggestions welcome - - - - Steve J

I answered your question in the thread you started about it, but the reason it won’t read is the negative motor lead doesn’t look like it’s connected to the board.

 

[kbkchooch]

Good morning gang!

I did the long commute thing, for 19 years,, 33 miles each way. It wasn't the wear and tear on the car, or the fuel usage that bothered me and caused me to rethink my commute. It was the time lost to that commute. 1 hour each way x5 days a week was 10 hours a week. Time away from the kids and family, and being too far away for emergencies (which kids do have) . Now I have a 13 minute commute, much better! Same job, better $, and closer to home. Win-Win. Also more modeling time!