Running Bear's January 2024 Coffee Shop

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Louis- I'm sorry if I offended. Being an animal rescuer, I would never condone abuse.
I understand completely. There is not much worse than being cruel to an animal.
I still thought that was funny - knowing the difficulties of giving a cat a bath - but I guess that's just me!
It's something you and I would never think of doing, that's why it was funny.

To know people really do such things evokes anger.
 
Morning All! We're getting the crap kicked out of us this morning with snow. If I were driving, I'd say it would be close to white out conditions. I predict a two-snow thrower run day, and I'm waiting for the plow to go by before the first run. That rascal tends to undo all my work! Heading off to the home office next week for a week there, then to Boston the week after, then return here and off to Amherst for the big show there. Anyone going? My bonus is burning a hole in my pocket! Not that I need anything, but WTH none of this is about need! Anyhoo, the point is I'll probably be scarce around here for a couple of weeks, starting Sunday. Maybe posts in the evenng. We'll see how busy they keep me.
Safe trip

James (ALCOMOTIVE) usually goes to Amherst
 


Welp... it wasn't snowing when we left to get pizza. Been kinda freezing drizzle off and on, with some small flakes most of the day. But with traffic, and a little residual heat, the roads were good.

While we ate, the weather shifted to big fluffy flakes and I had a good half-inch to brush off the car windows for the drive home. And yep, the roads were freezing up under that white blanket.

Only a 3 mile trip home. Drove slow, laughed at the fast idiot roaring by me, until he did the cut across my lane to get into the left turn. Inconsiderate boob. I made it through the intersection before he was able to turn.

Tonight's Tiki Drink was the big bamboo!
1/2 oz each of Lime j, OJ, Grapefruit J, Passion Fruit syrup
1/2 oz of Dk Rum
3/4 oz of Gold rum
Dash of bitters

Wife said that wasn't enough rum, so I doubled the amount. She liked it better after that.
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In MRR news, I started the Steve Brown method to laying out my layout. (Put it on the table and don't glue anything until you figure it out.

It's a folded dogbone, and I'm trying to get a figure 8 out of it. But the elevations vs where the tunnel through the backdrop come out. I think I've figured a solution, but I'm going to sleep on it and see if the little grey cells come up with a better plan.

Here's the Rt side:

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This is my mining quarry end, and the offshoot lower center will connect with the future helix to the upper level. I Think I'll have a ground level loop cut through this section for the other part of the fig 8. I'll have to tighten the radius on the foam risers here.

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and the middle in the above photo. Above the power strip will be my waterfront area... Amusement pier and such. This middle section left is where I'll have at least one line, perhaps two punch through the backdrop.

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Inner left side. The 2" tall risers bend around the curved backdrop and will hug the backdrop down the back side, curve and punch through to hit the raised pink foam in the middle. Gonna be some tunnels or bridges in that area.

And the outer left below:
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This side will have the yard, and the inner and outer loops for the fig 8. The yard will be serviced by the ground level portion of the loop.

I'm going to do a basic drawing on graph paper eventually. The only reason I didn't is that I can't translate 2d into 3d. I needed to put the foam down, and see the elevations in real time.

That's my job for this weekend. See if I can get this finalized enough to go purchase the rest of the risers I'll need to make it work.

Oh, and once I finish this, and the upper deck, there is room to the camera left to expand into the TV watching area with a shelf layout.
 
Only a 3 mile trip home. Drove slow, laughed at the fast idiot roaring by me, until he did the cut across my lane to get into the left turn. Inconsiderate boob. I made it through the intersection before he was able to turn.
That's the way you do it, well done sir!

Those inconsiderate ... people can make you want to "bitch slap" them. You did good to laugh. I'm learning getting angry only makes me feel worse.
 
Found this interesting article while browsing the net. Talks some about aging model railroaders, Hattons closure, and needing to attract more youngsters into the hobby.


I'll stand up and disagree.

Because of Covid Model Railroad shows stopped. Now they are returning. Here in the U.K. Doncaster in February. Warley in 2024, Bristol 2024. Then there are a host of smaller venues throughout the year.

Go to any Heritage Railway in the U.K. There are more young families than older people to be seen. Children are seen talking to locomotive drivers and firemen.

I see more and more children asking their parents to buy model railroad items.

What is changing is online shopping causing some stores to close. Yes the personal service is going, but (a lot of) people are not wanting that. (A shame)

People want 'straight out of the box' and not build it themselves.

Model railroading has a great future. Just different from before.
 


Good morning. It's 62 and cloudy, and this is supposedly the high for today. It "may" get a degree warmer--maybe.

I can tell it's going to be one of those days.
I moved here a little over a year ago, after moving away from the Tampa area in 2002. So far, all my friends I knew then, or people I knew, or places I went, are either out of business, dead, or in nursing homes. It's kind of depressing... Last Saturday was the funeral of another friend...
 
Good morning to all. A nice day in Wisconsin that is making me re-think my position about moving to Maui! The weather app says in the last 24 hours we’ve gotten offically 6” of snow. Well they weren’t out in my driveway yesterday and I know I got twice that. Right now the real temperature is 21f degrees moving up to a high of 23. But the wind chill is at 9 and will be going down. The winds are blowing at 15mph with gusts in the 30’s. There are definitely a few drifts in the driveway per the security cameras and it looks like the overnight highway crew dumped the whole road in my driveway entrance. The app says the winds will pick up as the day continues. I have come to really dislike the Winter winds. The patio though is fairly clear for my grilling out tomorrow.

I have to head this morning to the office. The guy we hired to clear the snow quit yesterday morning when he saw how much was there. As soon as my driveway is cleared I will go over

So much for staying off the roads yesterday as I had visitors to the train room and shop yesterday. I finished 6 structures before the first of the year for a guy who is about 60 miles from me. He texted if he could pick them up, gave him my PayPal ID and replied sure. He says will you take cash and said sure. Well that was a bummer as I only keep a couple hundred and Terry the banker gets the rest. Right now PayPal has enough that if they send me the tax forms I have enough for the government. I was hoping the structure guy‘s payment would speed up the layout build which has slowed. He comes in with a buddy and the guy pulls out the tape to measure one of the buildings. Says he’s sorry he gave me a wrong dimension and we need to cut off 4”. Dumb founded as all along I check dimensions from beginning to end and had the text messages saved. He said no you’re ok. I did something to the background and forgot till this
morning to let you know. So we discuss where to cut. They load up the other buildings and I moved the building to be adjusted into my shop. They finish loading as I lop off the 4” and ask if they want to eat? It takes a couple hours for the glue to dry for the parts and trim I need to finish off the building. As they are deciding I get a call and my intermodal crazy guy calls and asks if he can stop by and are Bill and Chuck still there. Seems he is the guy who highly recommended me to Bill as they are good friends and business competitors. Intermodal guy did all the stonewalk on this house. He comes over and drops off some more well cars for weathering. They ask if I’d join them for lunch but I have to put the details back on the building. Off they go. They are gone a few minutes and the buzzer goes off indicating someone has driven onto the main driveway. 2 of the layout build guys come down to the train room with Terry tagging behind asking if anymore are coming and are we hungry. They were as was I and 1/2 hour later we are eating pulled pork one of the things we are having at Sunday’s Packer tailgate party. It was good! They were just coming back from the LHS. All these guys traveling in lousy snow covered roads. So a quiet day planned turned into visitor day from late morning till 4pm when all left.

I go over to my IPadPro sitting on the end table next to my chair in the cave. The LHS guy has texted me, thanking me for sending the 3 guys to lunch right next door to the shop. Thankful enough he added a $100 credit to my account. I will use it tomorrow and find out how much they spent.

Today I will work on 2 diesels to be used at a ops session on Tuesday. They have been inspected, cleaned, clear coated and the fade started. If I like how far the fade is I will do some weathering. At 5 we will head to the UW campus for a Women’s conference hockey game. The cupcakes for the season are done.

enjoy the day
 
Good morning. It's 62 and cloudy, and this is supposedly the high for today. It "may" get a degree warmer--maybe.

I can tell it's going to be one of those days.
I moved here a little over a year ago, after moving away from the Tampa area in 2002. So far, all my friends I knew then, or people I knew, or places I went, are either out of business, dead, or in nursing homes. It's kind of depressing... Last Saturday was the funeral of another friend...
Well, we're in that demographic now. I had my 50th high school reunion this past spring. There were over 30 of my friends, kids I knew, had classes with, or grew up with on the deceased list. You just have to keep on keepin" on. 🤷‍♂️
 
I hear you Tom! I was right, yesterday was a two snow thrower run, and the plow guy left me somewhere between two and three feet of snow at the bottom of my driveway when he finally came through, bless his heart! You have to remove that stuff right away. Let it freeze and you'll be sorry! I'll have to run her again this morning, and wouldn't you know it the pull start rope gave up the ghost yesterday! Lucky for me it has electric start as well. With this much accumulation and the icy conditions that will result from the upcoming temperature drop, the wife will have to take me to the airport tomorrow (which just pleases the bejesus out of her!). It's just too dicey to try and drive the Crossfire. It's a fun car to drive, but without the winter tires I didn't bother to install this year, it's downright dangerous in the snow! Staying close to home today.
 
Happy Birthday to you today, BILL T.
Thank GOD that you survived that "mess" - so many did not!

If there was only one person that I could send to HELL - it would be Johnson for escalating that war!
I have very strong feelings and opinions about that entire debacle. I won't share here, since it is poolitical in the extreme. My brother ended up drinking himself to death over the things he did and saw there.
 
Good Morning All!

-24F @ 44% and clear. Good thing the humidity is low or it would be real cold. No wind yet and it is supposed to get to a balmy -10F about noon.

Pellet stoves in the train cave is not keeping up, so no play time in there until noon or later.

As far as escalating - would rather have it over there than here. What a mess!

Since I have computer time inside the house waiting for it to get at least above 50F in the Train Cave, am going to try and figure some small switching sections for various industries. Have three approx 10' x 28" spots, and two corner spots; think L shaped: 12' x 28" x 12'. Main line passes through both of the 10' x 28" which should make it interesting, whereas the L shaped are the end of Branch lines. One will have a small engine facility with TT, the other probably not; maybe just some engine shed or the like. Time will tell.

Have the North end of the Helix base laid out and want to cut it. Then the South end of the thing. Should go fast as me thinks I know what ima doing now....

Later
 
Good Morning - Gonna be some cold players and fans today - I cannot even imagine!

36 balmy degrees and looking for 60 with clear and sunny.
I hope I can find the energy to cut up some scrap lumber for the fireplace. I must have a small P/U full of scraps from prior work - and then there is all the "hobby sticks" - 12 to 24 inches long that I made mostly for O scale 1/48 dimensions - I hate to dump them -- postage only for anyone who would like
some or all. I'll try and get a photo later.

I don't mean to bore anyone, but I only told 1/2 of the "meeting my spouse" after she called me out!
If you are interested - Give me a "sad face"!

Have a nice day Folks!
 


Good Morning All. Clear and 29° out there right now, expecting a high around 55° later today. Then the forecast is for rapidly falling temperatures down to 12° overnight. It will remain below freezing for 78 hours until maybe noon on Wednesday; not a pleasant forecast. The chance of snow however has been taken out of the forecast. The single digits have also been removed, but still in the low teens overnight.

There's not much talk yet about the Texas power grid failing like it did in 2021, as that event woke some people up. A major contributing factor was the rolling blackouts which affected many natural gas facilities. The regulations regarding the power blackouts will exempt certain places from being cut off during the rolling blackouts; places like hospitals, fire stations, grocery stores and the gas well pumps that pump the gas into the pipelines. But only if they filed the proper forms ahead of time. Many had not. Our coop water company did not and as a result their pumps froze and we were without running water for a few days. Many natural gas pumps in the state were affected as well, which contributed to the overall problem of not enough gas pressure to run electric generators! We personally had no real issue with the rolling blackouts other than inconvenience, as I heat with wood and use my own propane to cook. But the water began to be an issue. We used some of our reserve jug of distilled water for consumption, and we had enough advance indication when water pressure began to drop to fill the bathtub with water for flushing. Not all of the water company's pumps froze at once, but eventually all of them did. We did go to a daughter's home for showers one day, and a hotel with their own backup generator on another. By comparison, my eldest daughter in a Dallas suburb lives four doors away from a fire station and wasn't affected by the blackouts because that part of the neighborhood grid never lost power. My other daughter a mile away did have the blackouts. The state utility commission has since made sure that the natural gas producers have all filed their exemption paperwork. As a footnote to this, the gas well operators used to use their own gas to power their pumps, but after electricity prices were deregulated in 2002, many switched to electric pumps because it was cheaper.

Now to the present! Yesterday, I located the flapping piece of house underpinning and fixed that. The main thing that I have pending today, is to get out the "freeze blanket" and drape it over the perennial herb garden. They may be perennials, but temperatures as low as predicted may kill them. Bringing in a healthy amount of reserve firewood is also on the agenda, to reduce the potential number of trips that I have to make over the next few days. I don't have enough room to store all that I need for the next four days unless I make piles in inappropriate places, but I can get a good amount in. I'm reminded as well, to 2021 when a neighbor who has electric heat and a fireplace; bought a pickup load of wood and backed it up into the yard next to his door. He did have to pay a premium price for that load.

I did go out to the train shed yesterday for a visit. It's a bit chilly out there as I only have three small electric heaters to keep it warm. They do manage to keep it about 25° above the outdoor temperature, despite 6" of insulation in all of the walls and ceiling. I ran trains the whole time as I don't expect to get out there after this afternoon.
Let's see what random layout pictures I can pull out of the archive this morning.
The cougar family.
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When you gotta go!
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Cop and donut.
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Planting a tree.
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Snow removal - Boy, that's something that I am so glad that I don't have to deal with.
Mike - That article may be reflective of what is happening in the UK, but stories about this hobby's demise have been in the news for 40 years or so. When I go to train shows, next one is next weekend, or go to clubs on the layout tours; I see plenty of young people. Yes, most at the shows are just looking with their kids, but even in my case, I couldn't afford the time or $$$ until I was at least 40 years old. Prior to that and I believe it's still true today; you spend a lot of time with kids growing up and their many school and after school activities. I note that there are many younger (to me anyway) modelers here on this forum and in the Coffee Shop in particular. By younger, I mean anyone younger than say 60 or so. There may be more than I think because not everyone put their birthday in their profile.
I do however agree that too many LHS's are shutting down. Sadly, 3 of the 4 that I dealt with 10 years ago are gone. I personally like having the product in my hands before I purchase it. ScaleTrains is the exception to me. My favorite shop local to me, shut down when the owner retired. He had no children to take over the business. I seriously talked with him about buying the business, but while it could have been a good deal to him, he talked me out of it. At the time, he admitted that he was just breaking even for the previous three years, his lease was about to expire and was going to go up, he was required to get a new (expensive to him) credit card reader by all three major companies plus Walther's and Horizon were both lowering their dealer discount to him (and others). At the same time he knew that I was retiring and would be reducing my purchases from him. I had spent the previous five years stocking up stuff and supplies in advance of retirement. He was looking at the overall business losing about $20K a year after all of that.

I've rambled on enough this morning. Everybody have a great Saturday and stay safe and warm.
 
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