Running Bear's August 2022 Coffee Shop

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ctclibby said:
Kinda didn't think I would get a definitive answer is the question was sorta out there. To me, waiting at a crossing is pretty much the same as waiting in a siding. To get to the siding is a 1 block slow down ( flashing yellow 1 block out, then yellow entering the siding on my pike ). On coming movement is the same. Passing movement has to slow down 2 blocks before the meet unless dispatch has managed to time stuff perfect. Crossing is pretty much the same except the slow down is 2 blocks.

I guess when I get all the blocks, sidings and crossing locations defined with track segment lengths, I can set up a spreadsheet ( or database ) and test the times. Might be better doing this exercise first rather than having to re-align stuff at a later date although I do love cutting and pasting with scenery, wood and rail! Probably be more on this at a later date.

Right now we are thinking 1st week in Oct to get off the truck. Ya know how stuff circles around you? You could go for quite awhile, then you start seeing accidents and other goofs that are pretty fresh? The you go for awhile again. Seems that circle is getting smaller and smaller for us and those accidents are closer and closer. Our thought is we need to get out of this business before we are caught in something. Both of us are safe and sane drivers and we will continue with that not overly worrying about those circles as that is how we operate, it is just in the back of our minds.
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A crossing will most definitely slow up operation. Only one train can pass at one time. Usually, they are protected by some sort of signal system set up for first come first served priority. Sidings and Interlockings will also slow up operation, as will speed restrictions on curves, or through towns or villages. There are all sorts of prototypically correct methods of accomplishing this.
 
ctclibby said:
Kinda didn't think I would get a definitive answer is the question was sorta out there. To me, waiting at a crossing is pretty much the same as waiting in a siding. To get to the siding is a 1 block slow down ( flashing yellow 1 block out, then yellow entering the siding on my pike ). On coming movement is the same. Passing movement has to slow down 2 blocks before the meet unless dispatch has managed to time stuff perfect. Crossing is pretty much the same except the slow down is 2 blocks.

I guess when I get all the blocks, sidings and crossing locations defined with track segment lengths, I can set up a spreadsheet ( or database ) and test the times. Might be better doing this exercise first rather than having to re-align stuff at a later date although I do love cutting and pasting with scenery, wood and rail! Probably be more on this at a later date.

Right now we are thinking 1st week in Oct to get off the truck. Ya know how stuff circles around you? You could go for quite awhile, then you start seeing accidents and other goofs that are pretty fresh? The you go for awhile again. Seems that circle is getting smaller and smaller for us and those accidents are closer and closer. Our thought is we need to get out of this business before we are caught in something. Both of us are safe and sane drivers and we will continue with that not overly worrying about those circles as that is how we operate, it is just in the back of our minds.
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They alway say watch out for the other guy. Since I got my license on the day I turned 16 I hear that in my head every time I use a vehicle. My son says pretty much the same thing he tells me because I would tell him that all the time. The daughter, she still is miss know… she thinks I’m nuts

Todd. I draw practice it in my mind, build it and then rearrange. I don’t know how guys can be so meticulous about drawing a planning and sticking to it. Part of my fun is the changes I make
 


Good Morning All. Clear and a warmer 77° this morning. Had to run the A/C last night after a few nights with open windows. Afternoons are staying in the mid-90's. Pool is warming up, I'll have to open the shade umbrellas today to keep it under 85°. It's been perfect since Wednesday.

I finished mowing the front yard yesterday, and some area on the north side of the house. Today, I tackle the triangle made by the driveway and road on the south side, and the SW part of the yard over the septic system and leach field. Always heavy growth there. I skipped tomato canning yesterday, so I will definitely have to do it after Mass today.

Thanks for all of the comments and reactions to the photos yesterday and answers to my questions; Hughie, Louis, Joe, Chad, Karl, Guy, Sherrel, Tom O, Gary, Curt, Patrick, Rick, Tom, Smudge, George, OB Ken.

I did some stuff out in the train shed yesterday. I've been playing around with background printed pictures to fill the space between structures. Not all good, and I struggled with my printer for nearly an hour. It's an inkjet printer and the colors changed almost from the moment I printed them. I'll look at them today to see if they are worth using, meanwhile I failed to take any progress pictures.
Maybe a few random scenes from my town of Budville.
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Troy -
troyphoto said:
In the meantime, what other e-vehicles are people purchasing. So far I'm not impressed by anything with a big T on it. Too many horror stories are coming out about those things.
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Believe it or not, I have never actually seen a Tesla on the road here in TX. I saw a couple at a charging station when I stopped for gas near Austin on my way to San Antonio earlier this year. There's a Tesla supercharging station in Denton TX 25 miles away, but I have never seen anyone at that place or at either of the two Walmart's (type 2) in town. None of them post prices!
Joe - I agree that if I was thirty years younger I would be more open to solar panels.
Chad - Not all green projects are ecologically damaging. Note that the 18,000 acre wind farm built near me is ecologically neutral. Nothing was destroyed and the original property owners still own and control their own land. It is built in place on open range land and the landowners still graze their cows on the land. The trees and creeks were never disturbed. Birds are another thing. I don't know how they couldn't miss it. These blades never spin very fast.
I think that nuclear and hydrogen power both have a place in the future alongside wind, solar, and to some extent petroleum and natural gas. We just need to find the right blend of all of the technologies.
Tom O - Thank you for taking the time and finding and posting Greg's information. May he RIP.
Todd - I am still pondering my answer to your question regarding the branch lines.

Everybody have a great Sunday.
 
Good morning, everyone.

I just spent some time looking through Greg's posted photo album; what wonderful modelling work he committed himself to. Find myself very sad about his passing, but, realize that he now knows more than any one of us. He might well be in a far greater place. God's speed, Greg!

Here on earth, it has been very busy for me. Yesterday was our 17th wedding anniversary, and today, my son will get married in my backyard using a JP alone. The son is getting married in the same way and on the same spot that I married Lisa 17 years ago. I'm glad that my son has learned from me that a 10cent wedding is all that's required, over the $10.000.00 extravaganza.

Here's a couple of very recent photos that I snapped on my downtown travels:
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Well friends, have a great day! I need to put a tie on and witness my son getting hitched.
 
I haven't done much with the hobby for a bit. Summer and all, plus my recent sparring match with the Big C. This weekend changed all that around! My long awaited Rapido PA-2's came in. They weren't cheap, but they are exquisite. I haven't found any boo-boos either. Details are fine but can stand a bump from your finger. The sound is about what you'd expect from Lok Sound though I have never heard a genuine Alco 244, I'm told by a few who have that it's a pretty good remaster of recordings of them. I got an A-B-A set for my SP Lark. That train is heavy, with a 19 car length and a mixture of brass and Walthers cars. It heavily taxed my A-B set of Walthers E units. These should handle it without issue. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for, and considerably cheaper than the Brass ones UTI did some time back. I lusted after those, but I couldn't handle the near $5K price tag an A-B-A set would have demanded. These will do nicely! worth the three year wait!
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Good morning Crew from the dry inside of the house. The 30 seconds on the south deck ended as I was barely in my chair when I received a heavy shower without soap! Since I was immediately soaked I jumped in the pool. That’s done and dry again but in the cave! The high today will be 70 with rain on and off with severe storms likely.

Did 5 Guys last night after the grandson’s successful second game of the day. 5Guys pricing sort of now borders on gouging IM… but it was still great.

Real drama amongst the coaching staff in game #1 that I am glad I did not witness and the SIL was smart enough to stay out of. They were getting crushed in the 1st 1/2 of game #1 of this tournament and this season. Seems the 4 hockey players who missed Thursday practice were going to be benched for the whole game not a 1/2 per the coach’s rules in writing. Assistant coaches #2 and 4 (my SIL is coach 4) also have their sons on the team and are 2 of the 4 hockey players. A mess at 1/2 time of the game on the sidelines. Head coach physically attacking coach #2 with the cops hauling both away after parents called them on 911. The daughter and SIL said the kids just sat there stunned. Team down 8-0 at 1/2 time with coach #3 pulling his kid out and going home! SIL is now coaching with help from 2 mom’s on the sideline. He put the 4 players in and the team scored 8 goals to tie but lost 10-8. Game 2 at 6:15PM they won 10-2. This morning’s game they won 6-0. They play again at 4:30 in the championship game against the team they lost to in game 1. The SIL said between games yesterday the head of the league and 2 board members called him. He told them his version and was asked to be head coach this weekend and week for 2 practices coming up. He said yes to that but no to being the head coach after that due to business reasons. Head coach is paid 250 per week and assistants 100 to 150, a 16 week season of at least 48 games! This morning his dad who is a former youth and highly decorated high school coach in the Milwaukee area came over for the 8AM game to help. His brother who teaches and also coaches soccer at a University of Wisconsin school will be here for this afternoon’s game to help on the sidelines. The SIL definitely has the experience.

Meanwhile at the wet homestead it is calm. I am bummed by the fact Greg and I never met up even after a bunch of attempts. Those all got derailed by Covid related things or of poor health, medical appointments for both of us and weather events. I will miss him here and our personal emails.

The rain this morning was not really predicted for this early. We have 1 or 2 soccer games we could attend at noon and 4:15 depending on the weather. We have a grocery run to make that SWMBO thought maybe tomorrow until I reminded her of the Monday shelf shortages. Then she says maybe we will skip this week!!!

I am working on the Warehouse backdrop building facade and will again attack the slowly being developed Transload Facility while glue sets on the details of the warehouse.

enjoy the day
 
McLeod said:
Good morning, everyone.

I just spent some time looking through Greg's posted photo album; what wonderful modelling work he committed himself to. Find myself very sad about his passing, but, realize that he now knows more than any one of us. He might well be in a far greater place. God's speed, Greg!

Here on earth, it has been very busy for me. Yesterday was our 17th wedding anniversary, and today, my son will get married in my backyard using a JP alone. The son is getting married in the same way and on the same spot that I married Lisa 17 years ago. I'm glad that my son has learned from me that a 10cent wedding is all that's required, over the $10.000.00 extravaganza.

Here's a couple of very recent photos that I snapped on my downtown travels:
View attachment 150792View attachment 150793

Well friends, have a great day! I need to put a tie on and witness my son getting hitched.
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Great pictures as usual Guy.

Have a great day at the wedding and best to your son and his bride
 


One of my primary concerns when deciding on buying the Tesla was if I could carry modules in the back of it.
I was able to do a test load today and yes, I can easily fit 5 of them in there, stacked with room for a couple plastic bins and luggage.
Now just have to streamline it so the modules can be loaded easier, i.e. a platform that can extend out the back then be rolled into the car after all five are stacked.

20220828_124328.jpg
 
Espeefan said:
I haven't done much with the hobby for a bit. Summer and all, plus my recent sparring match with the Big C. This weekend changed all that around! My long awaited Rapido PA-2's came in. They weren't cheap, but they are exquisite. I haven't found any boo-boos either. Details are fine but can stand a bump from your finger. The sound is about what you'd expect from Lok Sound though I have never heard a genuine Alco 244, I'm told by a few who have that it's a pretty good remaster of recordings of them. I got an A-B-A set for my SP Lark. That train is heavy, with a 19 car length and a mixture of brass and Walthers cars. It heavily taxed my A-B set of Walthers E units. These should handle it without issue. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for, and considerably cheaper than the Brass ones UTI did some time back. I lusted after those, but I couldn't handle the near $5K price tag an A-B-A set would have demanded. These will do nicely! worth the three year wait! View attachment 150794View attachment 150795View attachment 150796View attachment 150797
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Oooooooooo! Pretty.... Shiny!

I almost never like Red and Orange as colors, but when I was researching the SP for a book a year or so ago, I found the daylight orange locos of that era and love them.

They're on my list of "I NEED those" loco paint schemes to purchase.

Gotta get the layout operational, though. First things first.
 
D&J RailRoad said:
One of my primary concerns when deciding on buying the Tesla was if I could carry modules in the back of it.
I was able to do a test load today and yes, I can easily fit 5 of them in there, stacked with room for a couple plastic bins and luggage.
Now just have to streamline it so the modules can be loaded easier, i.e. a platform that can extend out the back then be rolled into the car after all five are stacked.

View attachment 150798
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Ken, check with your local funeral homes. They may have gurneys to move bodies in and out of their vehicles, and may have one to sell you. They're about the right height, and they can easily fold up to be loaded into your car.
 
Afternoon All,

Started out with chores then tried to get the British app to work correctly without success, so I sent an Email to them. Technology is never easy. After lunch we drove about an hour to take yesterday's rescue to his permanent home so nothing in the train room. Coming home on the interstate was ridiculously slow for a Sunday.

Very sorry to hear about Greg. He will be missed. Condolences to his family.

TomO- Thank you for letting us know. Great looking progress.

Hughie- Great looking build. It should be pretty easy to block the light leak.

Chad- It looks like you're making good progress on the house.

Karl- Nice layout shot.

Jeff- Great modeling.

Gary- Really nice layout pictures.

Guy- Nice photos. Happy Anniversary to you and congrats to your son and future DIL.

Alan- The PA looks awesome.

I hope everyone has a good night.
 
Bruette family Covid update. Sorry I have not mentioned it sooner. I try not to focus on negative things. Although a negative test would be nice!
My grandson tested negative again this morning. He is now free from the covid house.
My wife and I are still positive. We don't feel too bad, but we can feel it lingers.
My wife was sad to miss my sister Cathie's cookout today. I feel bad for my little Angel. She was looking forward to being a guest instead of the host.
We have kept busy these last few days by clearing things off the to-do list.

Have a great day Everybody!!!
 
Espeefan said:
I haven't done much with the hobby for a bit. Summer and all, plus my recent sparring match with the Big C. This weekend changed all that around! My long awaited Rapido PA-2's came in. They weren't cheap, but they are exquisite. I haven't found any boo-boos either. Details are fine but can stand a bump from your finger. The sound is about what you'd expect from Lok Sound though I have never heard a genuine Alco 244, I'm told by a few who have that it's a pretty good remaster of recordings of them. I got an A-B-A set for my SP Lark. That train is heavy, with a 19 car length and a mixture of brass and Walthers cars. It heavily taxed my A-B set of Walthers E units. These should handle it without issue. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for, and considerably cheaper than the Brass ones UTI did some time back. I lusted after those, but I couldn't handle the near $5K price tag an A-B-A set would have demanded. These will do nicely! worth the three year wait! View attachment 150794View attachment 150795View attachment 150796View attachment 150797
Click to expand...
Alan it is great to see your post!
 


Good afternoon. Would have been on earlier but was waiting through the rain delay to see who would win at Daytona.

I an very sorry to hear about Greg. Kathy, his wife called this morning to let me know what had happened. It was unfortunate as he really wasn't that old but it seemed that many different problems had cascaded and got the best of him. We had talked for years and found that we had a number of things in common and was able to locate a dachshund puppy for his wife. I will miss him.

Ken - Glad that you were able to fir the modules into the back of the Tesla. I hadn't mentioned it here, but was wondering how you were going to move them when you mentioned that you were trying to sell your truck. Glad things worked out for you.

Todd, Ken - I had thought about putting solar panels on the roof of my old home but considering the price, at my age, I would probably be dead and buried before I would see any savings. Wind would probably also have been a good addition as at the location I was at near the mouth of the canyon, we might have been better off with windmills over solar. I had checked years ago about some smaller windmills and they might have worked. Where I am in this condo, whichis all electric, the highest bill was last month with the heat we had for weeks and the bill was only $63.

Gary - Great photos.

Hughie - Great photo and I like your engineer.

JeffH - That decking came out great. Outstanding job.

Guess it's off to the photo archives. Here is the Libby dam about 18 miles upriver where we get our power from.

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Now some train stuff.

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Time to take the girls to the dog park.

Later
 
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