Running Bear's April 2022 Coffee Shop

[bnsf971]

 

[TLOC]

View attachment 144978

Oh, not good. Found after a second look see!

TomO

 

[logandsawman]

Good afternoon all,

31° and cloudy in east central Minnesota. We had a big rain over the weekend and yesterday I got a glimpse of one of our ponds well over its banks. The frogs were chirping last night, even in the 30° weather, something I did not expect. It must be the clock and sun triggering them cause its not the temps.

Curt - thanks for posting the info about your backdrop, it is an idea I may modify and use on my layout.

Willie - the garden looks GREAT. And, I use a splitting maul on all my firewood. Over the years, I feel I have become an expert at swinging it with the least amount of energy to get momentum then slightly flick the wrist at the end to get some torque, 90% split everything in one whack. It helps that most of my wood is straight grained and not huge pieces. Even though I only weigh 160# I think I am pretty tough.

Hughie - nice pic of layout

I am working up plans for the river crossing bridge on my layout, I started out with this photo from the Northern Pacific RR Historical Association, then got a plan view photo from the Aerial Photo archives of the University of Minnesota

My span is 17 7/8" so trying first to figure out how to condense it, also get it to work (above)

Here is the air photo, I included one of the islands in my river plan. I have kayaked this numerous times and there are concrete pads still there

This is where it goes on the layout

The river is painted and roughted in, also a small tributary which is typical for this stretch

This is a work in progress, not sure if the colors are going to work or how I am finishing the water.

Most of my new layout is taken from photographs, actually makes the modelling easier (in my mind) because I don't have to design everything.

I am heading for Northcentral Arkansas for a vacation with my wife tomorrow morning. Our neighbor is looking after our place, as I watched his all winter while he lounged in Arizone. Will be out for about 8 days so will be offline. We are visiting Mt. Nebo state park. This is our fist vacation in 7 years, may be our last one cause we are not overflowing with cash and I am trying to prepare for retirement.

PS just remembered to post a pic of the plans I am drawing:

This will be a fun build once I get the materials worked out. Note, this is a wooden truss bridge.

more later, Dave LASM

 

[Jaz avalley]

Good afternoon all,

31° and cloudy in east central Minnesota. We had a big rain over the weekend and yesterday I got a glimpse of one of our ponds well over its banks. The frogs were chirping last night, even in the 30° weather, something I did not expect. It must be the clock and sun triggering them cause its not the temps.

Curt - thanks for posting the info about your backdrop, it is an idea I may modify and use on my layout.

Willie - the garden looks GREAT. And, I use a splitting maul on all my firewood. Over the years, I feel I have become an expert at swinging it with the least amount of energy to get momentum then slightly flick the wrist at the end to get some torque, 90% split everything in one whack. It helps that most of my wood is straight grained and not huge pieces. Even though I only weigh 160# I think I am pretty tough.

Hughie - nice pic of layout

I am working up plans for the river crossing bridge on my layout, I started out with this photo from the Northern Pacific RR Historical Association, then got a plan view photo from the Aerial Photo archives of the University of Minnesota

View attachment 144979

My span is 17 7/8" so trying first to figure out how to condense it, also get it to work (above)

Here is the air photo, I included one of the islands in my river plan. I have kayaked this numerous times and there are concrete pads still there

View attachment 144980

This is where it goes on the layout

View attachment 144981

The river is painted and roughted in, also a small tributary which is typical for this stretch

View attachment 144982

This is a work in progress, not sure if the colors are going to work or how I am finishing the water.

Most of my new layout is taken from photographs, actually makes the modelling easier (in my mind) because I don't have to design everything.

I am heading for Northcentral Arkansas for a vacation with my wife tomorrow morning. Our neighbor is looking after our place, as I watched his all winter while he lounged in Arizone. Will be out for about 8 days so will be offline. We are visiting Mt. Nebo state park. This is our fist vacation in 7 years, may be our last one cause we are not overflowing with cash and I am trying to prepare for retirement.

PS just remembered to post a pic of the plans I am drawing:

View attachment 144983

This will be a fun build once I get the materials worked out. Note, this is a wooden truss bridge.

more later, Dave LASM

I personally think the soil colour is excellent, don’t forget to let the odd patch show through,fyi water is rarely blue unless the sky is really blue,colour is sometimes a reflections of nearby but usually matches sky, all depends just how much sun reaches the water, if the ground is bare blue is more likely if taller trees nearby green is more likely, if water runs fast then it churns up the soil and brown is more likely, white only appears when fast water oxygenates, fyi it looks nice if blue works, more often moving water is green brown at least in the uk. find a nice picture to work from as this will help you get it. real pebbles often look nice placed on the sides.The last one is NOT my layout but their winter scene is worth a gander

the white in mine is thinned white dribbled onto wet varnish, and thicker white pulled through the varnish with a cocktail stick, looks nice near rocks where water can become agitated and oxygenated.
I understand this is not what you plan to model, just some factors that you may or nor wish to consider.

 

[Jaz avalley]

Weir, I played a lot with finishes when I did mine just to see what you could try, some more successfully than others, I did paring my base in the direction of the running water, which looks more natural

 

[Jaz avalley]

Water, I personally found the paler blues harder to pull off,but that said any number of modellers have it done it really well,at the time I was trying the lighter blues I was also doing the lighter greens for grass etc which in my opinion do not look as realistic, but everything is in the eye of the modeller, these are for you to consider and should in no way point you only in the direction I personally like. FYI I loved the autumnal colours but at that time I did not do well with those colours either, I think now I could do autumn better, but do not need a new area at the moment to see if that is actually the case.
The one thin I have learned is there are certain modelling skills I should. Avoid at all cost, super glue and soldering are not my best skills. I tend to get the superglue on me, and have accidentally twice overheated a model when soldering I leave that to the other half, much safer that way

 

[D&J RailRoad]

I had the Ashland Virtual RailFan page open this morning while working on my state income tax return. An elderly woman with some kind of walking aid went out on the walkway that crosses the two tracks and stood in the middle, looking down the tracks to the south. She looked fairly stable but not where one would expect her to be able move quickly. As I was watching, she unfolded her walking aid into a chair and sat down on the walkway between the tracks. She sat there for awhile, facing south, not even looking north. I decided to call the Ashland police to see if they would check on her. I posted on the page chat what I did and was surprised at how many thought it was none of my business. Obviously, the kind of people who would just get their cell phone camera ready instead of helping this woman.
My faith in humanity dropped a few more notches today.
Eventually, the person controlling the cam moved the cam so nobody could see her and I think someone on the platform got her off the tracks. I'm inclined to think the cam operator might not have cared if she suffered harm as he commented that I shouldn't have called the police either. After all, video of a train pedestrian incident gets page clicks.
I never did see a police car show up though.

 

[TLOC]

I had the Ashland Virtual RailFan page open this morning while working on my state income tax return. An elderly woman with some kind of walking aid went out on the walkway that crosses the two tracks and stood in the middle, looking down the tracks to the south. She looked fairly stable but not where one would expect her to be able move quickly. As I was watching, she unfolded her walking aid into a chair and sat down on the walkway between the tracks. She sat there for awhile, facing south, not even looking north. I decided to call the Ashland police to see if they would check on her. I posted on the page chat what I did and was surprised at how many thought it was none of my business. Obviously, the kind of people who would just get their cell phone camera ready instead of helping this woman.
My faith in humanity dropped a few more notches today.

Ken, screw what other people think. I believe you did the right thing. I am not sure you should have posted about it but nothing wrong that either in the long run. Always better though to be safe rather then sorry. People are really strange now a days.

Countless times I had to call the local police to request a welfare check on a debtor a collection agent called. When people mentioned death and killing themselves the agency felt it was imperative to do it. I know by making those calls we saved at least 2 out of hundreds of calls. The police almost always called us back. That made it worth that tough call.

There were 2 small medical facilities in Central and Northeastern Wisconsin that dropped us because we would make those calls. So yes, folks are strange

TomO

 

[TLOC]

Water, I personally found the paler blues harder to pull off,but that said any number of modellers have it done it really well,at the time I was trying the lighter blues I was also doing the lighter greens for grass etc which in my opinion do not look as realistic, but everything is in the eye of the modeller, these are for you to consider and should in no way point you only in the direction I personally like. FYI I loved the autumnal colours but at that time I did not do well with those colours either, I think now I could do autumn better, but do not need a new area at the moment to see if that is actually the case.
The one thin I have learned is there are certain modelling skills I should. Avoid at all cost, super glue and soldering are not my best skills. I tend to get the superglue on me, and have accidentally twice overheated a model when soldering I leave that to the other half, much safer that way

I see guys on You Tube who use CA on all sorts of projects and how easy and great it is. Not in my experience, CA sucks and in my use gets all over the place. My fingertips always seem to get covered. Whenever possible I will use something else.

TomO

 

[logandsawman]

Weir, I played a lot with finishes when I did mine just to see what you could try, some more successfully than others, I did paring my base in the direction of the running water, which looks more natural

Wow Jaz, thanks for the info, so you like varnish as the medium? I saw on the tips thread a NorthBrit using varnish and putting clear thin poly over it I thought made great puddles.

We kayaked that stream numerous times and when on the water in blue sky, do get blue, plus I think I want a little whimsey with the blue might be ok for this layout

Here is some past work I did which I like even though not realistic, here I used a two part coating bought at hardware stores used on bar tops just remembered it is envirotex two part epoxy.

Here (above) I like the area on the left, even though colors are backwards everyone knows it is water, the sticks a beaver dam. On the bottom center I was never happy with that area but left it

(above) I liked this channel, it is all about the color I get that. Even the blue green area. I did drop some rocks in can be seen.

Colors backwards here, too (above) but I was happy with the effect, ended up with lots of depth. I do not like the way my substance "creeped" up the sides, otherwise if I could have stuck a couple fish in there would have been perfect.

(below) I think the colors and everything are good here, however still the same problem of envirotex creeping up the sides making it look unnatural:

(above) no paint in this water feature, was going to be a dry wash but had a lot of stuff left so poured it.

The last pic is probably the most realistic, however still on the fence with this water body between realism and whimsey.

JAZ thanks so much for sharing your pics since you are an AMAZING artist.

Dave

 

[kbkchooch]

Karl - Love the duck picture. One of my neighbors raises Muscovy ducks and every so often, one will fly down and nest somewhere on my property. Muscovies are big ducks and dress out between 5-6 pounds. I generally keep a couple and have him round up the rest of the brood which is generally 16+ ducklings.
Yep! You're about to get hit with the same front that drenched us. Watch out!

Willie 2:45 this afternoon it started after being dismal all day, raining like a cow peeing on a flat rock right now. Good weather if you are a duck!

 

[D&J RailRoad]

Ken, screw what other people think. I believe you did the right thing. I am not sure you should have posted about it but nothing wrong that either in the long run. Always better though to be safe rather then sorry. People are really strange now a days.

Countless times I had to call the local police to request a welfare check on a debtor a collection agent called. When people mentioned death and killing themselves the agency felt it was imperative to do it. I know by making those calls we saved at least 2 out of hundreds of calls. The police almost always called us back. That made it worth that tough call.

There were 2 small medical facilities in Central and Northeastern Wisconsin that dropped us because we would make those calls. So yes, folks are strange

TomO

Well, I posted it so others wouldn't be calling the police too.

 

[Smudge617]

Oh it was big, wider than than the car

it was winter dark, my mum had asked me to collect sil from her friends house I had never been there before, I was turning, reversing to get back out of the house car park area and I asked. Sister in law to get out and look and she said too cold but she could see and it was all clear, gee thanks.
Brother divorced her not because she made me crash my car, but she was not missed I can tell you. I lent her clothes. When she was pregnant and when I got them back most were only fit for the bin as they had milk stains, which is easily avoided! Hmmmm too much info for y ou guys I think….sniggers.

She could see???, hope she went to the opticians for a new pair of glasses, she obviously needed them.

 

[Bruette]

have you done a speed test? I’d be interested to know as I have been looking at T-mobile for the house

Thanks
TomO

Yes I have done several tests. The down load speeds.range from about 225 Mbps on my Amazon kindle HD 10 to just over 390 Mbps on my Grandson's PC. I also tested my T-Mobile Revvl 5G phone that operates on my Wi-Fi network at 245 Mbps.
I've tested it many times and it is comparable to Comcast. I only used the Xfinity Speed test available online.

The biggest factor is your 5G signal strength. I'm fortunate to be near two T-Mobile 5G towers. If you call T-Mobile they can tell you how far you are from there nearest 5G tower.

 

[logandsawman]

I see guys on You Tube who use CA on all sorts of projects and how easy and great it is. Not in my experience, CA sucks and in my use gets all over the place. My fingertips always seem to get covered. Whenever possible I will use something else.

TomO

Tom - I love CA, use gorilla glue which is a little thicker form of CA but not as messy as some

Keeping it off the fingers? I put a few drops on a small piece of paper and apply with a pointed toothpick. I never get any on my fingers but waste quite a bit and often get it on my forearm.

 

[PRR Modeler]

Afternoon All,

Made a trip to Wally World for groceries then after getting home I dusted everything in the train room and master bedroom including the dust bunnies that were hiding under the bed.

Smudge- Why don't they give the temp busses to the drivers that damage theirs?

Hughie- Nice layout shot.

Guy- Nice pictures. I like the end shot of the tank car with the handrail that goes all the way around and so hard to get right on a kit.

Sherrel- My only experience driving in SOCAL was in 1981. We dropped a truck off at Long Beach to ship to Hawaii. We got a rental car and took daughter to Disneyland for the day. The following morning at 4 AM we were driving to LAX, and the traffic was as bad as I've ever seen. To top it off the wife left jewelry in the hotel that the staff helped themselves to and the car rental company tried to say there was damage after we flew out, but we beat it. I left a message on Phil's phone but no response in 2 days.

IB Ken- You should post photos of your ops session.

Patrick- I'm doing the same thing after seeing my Doc last week.

Willie- Nice looking estate and first weathering attempt.

Steve- You definitely don't want to be in Florida during the summer.

Dave- Nice progress on the layout and cool scenes.

Here's a photo of Roxie our senior skunk. She's between 8-9 years old and as you can see she's starting to lose her hair on her muzzle. She's sleeping on my chair.


I hope everyone has a good night.

 

[Smudge617]

Smudge- Why don't they give the temp busses to the drivers that damage theirs?

The guy's I drive are all 16-17old college kids, so a bus can be used as they are old enough not to require seatbelts, where the other drivers usually have school runs with much younger kids, and legally they have to have a vehicle with seatbelts

 

[Patrick]

Tom - I love CA, use gorilla glue which is a little thicker form of CA but not as messy as some

Keeping it off the fingers? I put a few drops on a small piece of paper and apply with a pointed toothpick. I never get any on my fingers but waste quite a bit and often get it on my forearm.

I do as well. I do find though that using a toothpick under my magnifying light makes MUCH neater joins with less CA oozing out of the joints.

On a side note: My smart grandson won a 5 day\4 night space camp experience at the Kansas Cosmosphere this summer. Had to write a 2 or 300 word essay on what he thought we would need for a trip to Mars.. It is a Mars themed summer camp. I told his mother we'd go to Disney while he went...And yes I'm kidding. Can't afford the 2nd mortgage to go.

 

[chadbag]

As a long time old fashioned RC plane builder, CA glue is awesome when used correctly. It is not for every job. It is easy to get everywhere on your fingers. The thicker gel types are best for small parts. The thin stuff is mainly used when penetration is needed as it will wick into cracks and joints between two surfaces together. (Think placing balsa strings on bulkheads or wing ribs on spars -- drop some thin on to wick into the cracks).

House update: oh so close to the first pour. Finishing a few joist hangers and started wall penetrations (sticking ins ome PVC or galvanized ducting into the wall to create a channel through the wall after concrete is poured for things like wiring, water pipes, vents, etc). One small part in the porch area needs to be completed as well 9foam cut down and a little more rebar added). I mainly get Saturdays, and a few lunch hours and/or after work hours (weather permitting) during the week...

Also trying to get more bracing. I decided to buy my own since the extended build times are making renting the ICF bracing very expensive (5 months has been close to 17k). I bought three crates of 12' braces plus 15 extenders (that let you use two braces to make a 24' one) that was supposed to be delivered for almost $21k (I am still paying and am almost done with 6th month on rental). The problem is the seller can't find a shipper who will deliver to a residential address even though we have had many 53' trailers on the street dropping supplies. They just won't do it (the ones in their area, which is in Quebec). So I am trying to find a shipper to pick it up and bring it or as a second option a local guy who will pick it up at a loading dock locally and deliver onsite in a box truck. 4 crates, three of which are 1900 lbs each and one about 900 lbs.

I need 3-4 more braces before we can pour and the guys I am renting from didn't have any extra untl last week but since mine are supposed to e here by now I told the guy I didn't need them (but may). But then this delivery problem arose. A guy in the neighborhood works for a freight company buying and selling loads (broker) so I am going to see if he can help me out. He was on spring break out of town last week so I haven't talke with him yet.

 

[MilwRoader_Steve]

We finally got out at 11:45. Was a cold front nine. Got better toward the end, but still nice to get out. I will say though, my knee is really talking to me now. Got ice on it and will take a hot bath in a bit.

Box from Model Train Stuff arrived with the BLI Gopack for my Paragon 3 4-6-2 steamer. Hopefully I can get that installed and tested tonight after my meeting. I did a quick test of the problematic electromagnet uncoupler now that I relaid those tracks over it. Works MUCH better! One of my golf buddies is also an HO modeler, so got to show him pictures of the layout progress and see some of his.

Found a Golf Ball on 18 with a TC&W logo on it. Fitting, I thought.

Steve J