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I would have to agree with you. Don't know which would be the worst place to be, in the engineers seat or stoking the fire. If one ot those side rods let loose, what a mess.
This is a locomotive I am a bit partial to, especially being a fan of the Northern Pacific. Originally dubbed the Four Aces, it was the first locomotive to be equipped with Timken roller bearings. The Northern Pacific numbered it 2626. Liked it so much, I got a brass model of it. Alas, it wouldn't have shown up on my layout although it does get out of its box and is run for an hour or so to keep things lubricated.
Spent 4 hours on the project today and finished the 6 legs. I counted the parts as 16 per leg. Today I ended on step 12 of 34. It looks like almost a third of the parts in the kit are not needed since I have short legs. I have to read ahead tomorrow because you can either build the top straight or curved (I am doing straight).
Never made it to the blueberry patch today, MOH slept really bad last night so she didn't feel up to going. I forget who mentioned that they are ripe later in the year but you have to remember that Florida really doesn't have a winter.
Oh, MOH asked me today..Why did it take you so long to make 6 legs?...sigh.
I just did some tinkering around with my blinking circuit.
With very little modification it now alternates between a red and green.
My assortments bubble type LEDs showed up yesterday so I just had to figure it out.
Now I have to figure out how to design an actual circuit board layout - which I've never done.
At least I did a little something today.
They were designed with oversized fireboxes so they could burn anthracite coal. Anthracite burns more slowly than bituminous coal, so a large grate area was need to heat the water sufficiently. In order to keep the length of the locomotive within reason, the cab was moved to a point astride the boiler.
Here's quicky video of my alternating blinking LED circuit and also shows the spotty ground covering effort when the glue didn't want to stick to the paint I had on the table.
[video]https://youtu.be/EkPsm4ryMoI[/video]
Chet ..... Thanks for showing the video. I enjoyed it. Reminds me of train travel before Amtrak. As was mentioned in the video, trains allow passengers to get up and walk around. It is better than being packed like sardines in airplanes or fighting traffic on the Interstates. Speaking of that, are you still planning your road trip?
Curt ... You work on the bridge looks great.
I'm still busy with a home repair project. Not much model railroading to report.
Good morning. 44*F clear and calm in central MD with T-storms expected around lunchtime.
Chet and Garry - I envy you guys having been able to experience first-class rail travel when the RRs still took pride in their passenger service. I was born a bit too late for that...
Sherrell - hope the chemo will be tolerable. When my F-I-L had it all it did was make him feel a little tired.
Curt - bridge sections looking good, your photo brings back memories of when I was scratchbuilding my ore bridge. This was before Walthers came out with one of their own (6 weeks after I completed mine LOL). I made a few jigs for assembling the redundant sections, made things much easier...
Looks like a fine start to the day at 41 with temps in the 70's expected.
Curt - Sometimes women just don't understand. Looking good so far. Waiting for more updates. Which bridge is it?
Garry - Rail travel back then was the way to get across the country. I always looked forward to ridig on these trains. Still don't know what I liked better, riding in the dome car or enjoying a meal in the dining car.
Terry - They were still ugly. The old NP Z-5 Yellowstones also had oversized fireboxes designed to burn the "Rosebud" coal. I believe that they were about 22 feet long. Another one of my favorites and a brass model of it in my extremely small brass collection. I did get to ride on them during their last duties as helpers over Bozeman Pass before they were scrapped. Geeze they were big.
I had a great day off yesterday. I actually made it into the train room where painting of the Merchants row kit continues. I swear I will never buy another kit where so many different pieces are molded together! I'm starting to get to the point that I can see the end of the tunnel though. A few more sessions of brush painting and I should be able to start assembling this blasted thing. I also need to think about installing the backdrop as well before I repopulate the city of Mankato scene with buildings.
Things in life otherwise are somewhat uneventful. Work is going well and I have my health to be thankful for.
Corey - Wait until you start painting all of the windows and doors. I built the Merchants Row 4 and a number of DPM kits for the last town on my layout and when I finally finished I think my eyeballs were looking at each other. What a pain.
I still have to put signs on the buildings and add a lot more detail, but after all of the fine painting work, I thought I would take a break from it.
I've done a couple Merchant's Row kits but really only did two tone paint jobs on each building. This time I'm trying to vary the colors and stone trim more.
Looking good. The signage sure helps. I got to the point where they have been printed, but not put on the buildings yet. DPM also makes some nice looking buildings, but again, all the painting they require is so time consuming to get them looking good can be some tedious work with a paint brush with three bristles on it.
Taking a break from household chores. I may not work on the bridge today since I am not feeling the love. I probably need a break from the last 2 days.
Question- I have a Shinohara bridge track that I have to connect the 2 ends where inside rails come to the "V" shape. Do I need to use rail joiners on both the inside and outside rails, or will just doing the outside rails like normal be enough?
BigE- Nice circuit. If you use 2 red flashing lights you could probably turn it into a RR crossing signal. Your layout is coming along nicely.
Ken- Finish a project then a kit becomes available. That's about par for the course isn't it?
Montanan- It is a ME Tall Steel Viaduct Low Bridge 210 ft. (I think that means it can be either one). Part number 75-550.
I hope everyone has a good day.
Montanan & Corey- Very nice work on those buildings.
Here is a photo I took of a Santa Fe Pleasure Dome at AZ RR Museum. ... I road on one of them with my family from Chicago to Los Angeles on the Super Chief in the late 1950's. I have a couple of old photos taken inside the dome car. If you are interested I'll dig them up.
Sweet. I loved riding in the dome cars. Ken posted a video on the D&J that reminded me of riding in the dome cars and watching the signals change as the train moved past them.
WOW .. Nice postings from everyone last couple days. Passed the Dr. Exam, so have to make appointment with the Chemo Dr today. Just finished adjusting 1/2 dozen yard sprinklers in the front yard. One of our Bunco friends volenteered his help as he knew that I could not do much getting up and down and digging. What a blessing to have friends who help when needed. Should be in pretty good shape until I am well enough to tackle a few of them in the back yard.
GARRY, Awesome picture of the SF dome. Must have been quite a thrill to travel in such luxery. I am disappointed in myself that I still have not taken the train from San Diego at least to Santa Barbara.
We are coming to the time of year that we have a lot of low cloud cover.. The temps have been more mild, high 60's - low 70's, and usually overcast until about noon when it starts to burn off. Just too bad that we never get rain from this condition.
Enough "jabbering" ... Hope everyone has a good day.
