Running Bear's April 2023 Coffee Shop

[AmtrakCr74108]

Good morning. It's Palm Sunday. 48° and sunny...another sunny Sunday!

Not for nothing, wife and I are feeling very blessed, in that we were spared major damage last night. Just before sunset, our phone alerts went off, indicating a Tornado Warning. Since the trees indicated it was very calm, I stepped out into the yard to check things out. To the West and North, there were the ugliest purple clouds with white swirls. Overhead and to the East and South, the clouds were broken or skies were clear. Wife decided we should heed the warnings, so we captured the cat and placed her in her carrier, and gathered lights and battery radios and went down to the basement. I looked out the West basement window and it was wall to wall lightning and a wierd sounding roar. (They weren't kidding).
About 20" later, the weather radio channel went dead, and five minutes after that, the power went off. We could hear hail (described as golfball sized by others), banging on the West facing Wall, then the North facing wall. Once the warning expired, we went back upstairs., to sit in the dark and listen to a radio station in Trenton, that was giving reports every 10 minutes or so. Power was restored by 10:50 PM. (3 hours).

This morning, facebook was loaded with photos of funnel clouds and reports, as well as photo evidence of damage. I stepped out into they yard, to survey conditions. Lots of small tree debris in the yard, but no discernable damage to the Baker, Charley or Delta exposures of our house. None of the neighbors fences bordering our lot were damaged either. The only damae, was the cap of the chimney that vents the gas water heater, had blown off and was found under the forsythia bushes. aalso, the banner flag broke off and flew like a spear, to a point adjacent to the tree in the East side front yard. Haven't checked the full front or roof, but I don't think I'll find anything. The TV antenna appeared to remain in place.

It appeared that the worst damage was to our Northwest or Southeast, all within a mile of the house. We were spared. To repair or replace the chimney crown, and flag holder will not come close to my HO deductible. We are just thankful we weren't in the path.

Tornados are generally rare in these parts, although not unknown.

Good . Not used to seeing FD designations for a house on this forum.

 

[TLOC]

You know, it's kind of weird being the same age as old people....

Old is 80 now

 

[Smudge617]

Good afternoon. It's mostly sunny and 85.
I decided earlier this morning since I'm probably going to be stuck in this trailer for the foreseeable future, I might as well figure something out, as far as being able to run some trains.
I found what looks like a nice, roughly 2x4 layout, twice around (with a pretty steep grade). It's blow-molded plastic, painted in color, with some grass applied, and needed Kato track and bridges included for assembly. The price including shipping looked reasonable, and the system showed "in stock, ready to ship". So, I created an account, added my address, found shipping was $20 via UPS, and placed my order. I don't think the page fully loaded when I got an "out of stock" message. So, they'll be getting a phone call from me tomorrow, canceling my order.

You might have bought the last one, as soon as the system recognised your order it would have triggered the "Out of Stock" notice. Have you received a email confirming your order and payment ?

Or someone beat you to it.

 

[santafewillie]

Willie - nice scenes ... I think you must have "saved" most of CHET's layout?

Not most by any means, just selected stuff that fit into my era and locale. For example, no passenger or freight depots, no turntable or steam servicing equipment, none of the logging stuff, and only one industry, Robert's Milling & Cabinets. Just one home, so far! I was expecting the cows but not 89 of them! He told me "just a few". I'll see about more soon. I feel good about memorializing what I have already. It deserves to be honored.

 

[bnsf971]

You might have bought the last one, as soon as the system recognised your order it would have triggered the "Out of Stock" notice. Have you received a email confirming your order and payment ?

Yes. The confirmation email said: "All items are out of stock. We will notify you when items are in stock, and shipped"

 

[Smudge617]

Yes. The confirmation email said: "All items are out of stock. We will notify you when items are in stock, and shipped"

Ah well, depending when they have it in stock, week to ten days I suppose would be ok, longer I would definitely cancel the order.

 

[CambriaArea51]

This company needs a name

CCRR (Constantly Changing Railroad.)

Sometimes when I play a U-tube video I get a total green screen like when I played Curts video on Wed.

Was it a closeup of Troy's green ooze.

 

[truckdad]

Was it a closeup of Troy's green ooze.

The color was close. Here's a screenshot.

 

[Smudge617]

The color was close. Here's a screenshot.


View attachment 165836

That's strange, I've no problem with the video.

 

[PRR Modeler]

Afternoon All,

Started out with a walk at 71F and getting to 89F today. I shot a nighttime video last night, but it was so dark it was useless, and I deleted it. MOH is in SC for 5 days. Of course I have lots of things to do to get the house ready for the Easter family get-together on Saturday. Based on this, I have already started chores inside and out. More of the same tomorrow.

Thank you for the video likes yesterday.

Gary- Thank you for the very kind words.

Terry- Nice haul at the train show. At least you didn't have to call a plumber to fix the issue.

Sherrel- Thank you for the very kind words also.

Karl- Great steamer photos and they aren't boring to me.

James- Interesting videos. You're much more knowledgeable than I am.

David- Nice layout scene, and interesting station built on the Baltic Sea?

Willie- Thank you. Neat details and lighting.

I hope everyone has a good night.

 

[McLeod]

Good Afternoon, folks! Hope everyone is well.

The snow gods decided to put us under another blanket of snow overnight. I had to break trail while walking the dog this morning, and it was hard getting anywhere quick in that heavy, wet snowpack. Every now and again, I would just stop and take a photo of the forest:

I expect that snow will be around for a few days. It's not supposed to warm up much until next week.
This is a notable difference from last week, when I was walking the dog in a light jacket and the song birds were returning from the south.
Spring migration is a favorite time for me and my camera. Lots of birds pass through that we don't see other times of the year.
I got a few shots of a Crossbill the other day:

I haven't been posting much, because I haven't been modelling. The wife will be retiring soon, and wants the house renovated and painted before she does. So, that's what I've been doing throughout the modelling season. Kitchen, bathroom, and foyea reno will the house exterior coming in the summer. Doing it all myself, so it seems to be taking some time. - There has been absolutely no progress on the layout all winter.

Karl - I very much enjoyed seeing the steamer photos. Far away from being boring.

Curt - Super impressed with the video's of your layout. Wonderful work! I saw you duck outta sight there.

Sherrel - I hate electronics as well. Even this PC I'm typing on is acting up, and I recently replaced the mother board. In my opinion, the biggest problem with electronics is the 'Made in China' label.

David Northbrit - Thankyou for posting the photos in your visits. I like that.

Willie - The Cafe' interior looks great all lite-up. Your daily layout work is very inspiring.

Troy - I often get burn-out when doing too much of the same. Just take a break; take a rest. I believe if you have modelling in your blood, it always comes back sooner than later.

Have a great day everyone!

 

[Boris]

Good . Not used to seeing FD designations for a house on this forum.

Second nature . FF was my second occupation for about 5 years in the 1970s.

 

[santafewillie]

Guy - Great to see you again. I'm glad that all is well. Renovating the home is like modeling trains, once you start you cannot quit! Glad to read that your wife is retiring soon, more time for ice fishing!

 

[santafewillie]

Good Afternoon All. Cloudy and 68°. We got two waves of severe[?] weather this afternoon. First one came through around 4:00 CDT and brought nickel to quarter size hail with the light rain. My rain gauge only showed 0.1", but it has an opening too small for hail to fit through!
Here's a view from the train shed porch.

First wave lasted about 10 minutes. The second wave lasted almost 20 minutes and started at 6:15 CDT. More rain this time with about 1/2" for a daily total of 0.62". Sun is back out now as everything has moved east. Radar shows some potentially heavy thunderstorms just outside Shreveport LA right now. We are still under the tornado watch which has been in place since noon, but likely is a moot point by now.

 

[TLOC]

Good Afternoon, folks! Hope everyone is well.

The snow gods decided to put us under another blanket of snow overnight. I had to break trail while walking the dog this morning, and it was hard getting anywhere quick in that heavy, wet snowpack. Every now and again, I would just stop and take a photo of the forest:
View attachment 165844

I expect that snow will be around for a few days. It's not supposed to warm up much until next week.
This is a notable difference from last week, when I was walking the dog in a light jacket and the song birds were returning from the south.
Spring migration is a favorite time for me and my camera. Lots of birds pass through that we don't see other times of the year.
I got a few shots of a Crossbill the other day:
View attachment 165845

I haven't been posting much, because I haven't been modelling. The wife will be retiring soon, and wants the house renovated and painted before she does. So, that's what I've been doing throughout the modelling season. Kitchen, bathroom, and foyea reno will the house exterior coming in the summer. Doing it all myself, so it seems to be taking some time. - There has been absolutely no progress on the layout all winter.

Karl - I very much enjoyed seeing the steamer photos. Far away from being boring.

Curt - Super impressed with the video's of your layout. Wonderful work! I saw you duck outta sight there.

Sherrel - I hate electronics as well. Even this PC I'm typing on is acting up, and I recently replaced the mother board. In my opinion, the biggest problem with electronics is the 'Made in China' label.

David Northbrit - Thankyou for posting the photos in your visits. I like that.

Willie - The Cafe' interior looks great all lite-up. Your daily layout work is very inspiring.

Troy - I often get burn-out when doing too much of the same. Just take a break; take a rest. I believe if you have modelling in your blood, it always comes back sooner than later.

Have a great day everyone!

Welcome back. I was worried you were missing for a different reason than remodeling. If you are doing the honey-do list now before she retires, wait and see what she comes up with after she starts her retirement.
Glad you are back and I missed your pictures

 

[TLOC]

I took the weekend till Tuesday morning off from doing any weathering. That doesn‘t mean I am not in the train room or responding to messages. I am a good way (maybe 70%) through making 1200+ trees for a layout of a modeling acquaintance that has become a very good client.

Why then would I entertain the notion of making another 9 trees of a kind that not only I have never made before, but I‘ve never seen one in real life. A Quaking Aspen tree. I thought at first, easy! Why it’s just like a birch tree and I have seen and made 100’s of birches. Turns out they are similar pretty much in trunk color only. Oh, oh!

Mature at around 80‘. They can be found in Montana but I am especially looking for the ones growing at the Marias Pass. The reason, on 4/29 I am attending an opp session on a triple deck layout who’s main feature is operations through the Pass.

So, looking for help. Does anyone have pictures of Quaking Aspen during any season? Has anyone made model Aspen trees of the North America.

I found a few YT videos but only 2 stood out. South Alberta Rail showing his method in N. Then Marlklinofsweden showing a Euro version in HO. His method is interesting and helpful for many other tree building adventures.

Some Aspens from online

The start on the bench of a tree. 5’ of the trunk will be buried into the ground. 40’ of exposed trunk before branches.

Than branches for the canopy. I think this canopy should be about 20’ high.

If there are not enough branches it’s rather easy to add more. Remember this is a test and it’s only 9 trees or so. The trunks and branch structures are cut

South Alberta Rail melted white crayons for his trunk and then a Sharpie was used for the black splotches.
Marklinofsweden used a powder dust for his bark and lots of White glue. Again some nice info and tips but the Euro Aspen is way different then the ones in Montana

Any tips would be appreciated

thanks

nex

 

[McLeod]

Evening folks.
Just before bed, I read TomO's query regarding the Quaking Aspen.
Around here this tree is very common, and is known as the Trembling Aspen. It's the same tree, though; so called Quaking or Trembling due to the sound it makes when wind rustles it's leaves.

After reading Tom's post, I quickly looked through my file of local forest photo's to see if I'd caught some in a frame. For Tom, here are a couple of photos that show the shape of Trembling Aspens.

In this first photo, there are a stand of Trembling Aspens to the right:

Here's a winter photo that I just captured this very morning. All of the deciduous trees in this photo are Trembling Aspen. The winter photo gives a good idea of the way they shape, and proves there can be variety in branch structure. The branched example is also a Trembling Aspen.

If I were to paint the pale green colour of Aspen bark, I'd probably lighten up some Tamiya XF21 Sky. I'm betting that would be fairly close to the colour of Aspen bark, which is notably more green than the white of Birch.

Hope this helps you out a-bit, Tom. Goodnight!

 

[McLeod]

Made a mistake in that last post. In the first photo, the stand of Aspens is to my other right.
Apologies.

 

[Chrιstιαη]

Your getting awful brave Christian.

Thanks !

 

[Chrιstιαη]

Will Christian add the rest of the track?

Only God knows...