Running Bear's March 2026 Coffee Shop

ModelRailroadForums.com is a free Model Railroad Discussion Forum and photo gallery. We cover all scales and sizes of model railroads. Online since 2002, it's one of the oldest and largest model railroad forums on the web. Whether you're a master model railroader or just getting started, you'll find something of interest here.


Status
Not open for further replies.
The only thing I did yesterday was to check the whole house generator. No sooner did I get outside and it kicked in. The area was without electricity for maybe 40 minutes. The text message from the utility company said a squirrel got into something at the local substation. Then the reply messages started that the utility company has to do a better job of protecting the squirrels from self immolations. Yeah, really! Yes, the generator worked well!
One of my big tech manufacturers ( 7 fabs on site) didn't want or see the need for bait station coverage on their electrical grid boxes.....those big green 8'x10' transformer like things. A rat got into one, munched on a wire, became like an overcooked rat-on-a-stick, and knocked the entire campus grid down. This is a company that normally runs 3 shifts a day. I received a call later that day with a "request" to place every box on the property under coverage $$$$. A bait station at each one, with 2x monthly service.
 
42°F here, good morning.

Slept reasonably well with the neighbor gone. He didn't come home last night so he didn't wake me this morning. Heard his wife leave in the Suburban, but that's nothing compared the turbo Diesel I get to hear nearly every morning.

Picking up a couple of scripts in a bit and the search for the Iranian numbers station continues. I have a new frequency to check, but he's probably already moved to another. I'm sure if the SW and amateur listeners know where he is, the jammer does too.

Thinking about a new structure on the layout. A medium sized manufacturing facility, three stories, but don't have the real estate without removing an existing structure and re-working the landscaping. Something I've thought of doing in the past, but I might get serious this time. If I can't find a suitable structure, I'll have to scratch build it.

Have a great weekend folks. Servus!
 
Woke up to ~1" more white stuff on the ground. Mid 40s today and tomorrow, sixties on Monday so not going to bother with clearing it.

I'm another one that Glock just does't fit my hand well. Kind of shocked that they didn't go with FCU/replaceable frame on Gen 6. I love that my P320 and P365 are like Lego for adults.

Wife wants to go car shopping later today. Hers has 130K on it right now and it is only a 2019.
 


Woke up to ~1" more white stuff on the ground. Mid 40s today and tomorrow, sixties on Monday so not going to bother with clearing it.

I'm another one that Glock just does't fit my hand well. Kind of shocked that they didn't go with FCU/replaceable frame on Gen 6. I love that my P320 and P365 are like Lego for adults.

Wife wants to go car shopping later today. Hers has 130K on it right now and it is only a 2019.
The P320 has been banned by a lot of LE agencies and academies. We get flooded with them from LE agencies and we can't give them away.
 
Now forecasting the snow starting tonight in feet, not inches. So canceling worship tomorrow and trying to get the word out. Got a call this morning that a dear woman of the church, age 98, passed to Christ last night.

So not much time to chat this morning. But will have more modeling time tomorrow!! I should get the last of the track laid.

Collective guidance counselors all - - - - - You advice please.

I will be using flex track atop the trestle, with the ties removed. I would appreciate your suggestions on:

  • adhesive - rail to painted styrene.
  • how to keep gauge? The trestle has molded 'spikes', but I don't think relying totally on those will keep things aligned.
  • General things I have not yet thought through.
Thanks in advance!

Steve J
 
Now forecasting the snow starting tonight in feet, not inches. So canceling worship tomorrow and trying to get the word out. Got a call this morning that a dear woman of the church, age 98, passed to Christ last night.

So not much time to chat this morning. But will have more modeling time tomorrow!! I should get the last of the track laid.

Collective guidance counselors all - - - - - You advice please.

I will be using flex track atop the trestle, with the ties removed. I would appreciate your suggestions on:

  • adhesive - rail to painted styrene.
  • how to keep gauge? The trestle has molded 'spikes', but I don't think relying totally on those will keep things aligned.
  • General things I have not yet thought through.
Thanks in advance!

Steve J


I have used with great success, A MEK/Barge cement mix. But MEK has a very strong odor and in Ca. is known to cause…

Switched to CA to bond rails to stryene or wood about 5 years ago. Everything is still bonded

I have tried recently, 2026 using Power Grab by Loctite and it’s thick and can spread when clamped. I like it but it’s only been maybe 6 weeks and you have to clean up the ooze…
 
I have used with great success, A MEK/Barge cement mix. But MEK has a very strong odor and in Ca. is known to cause…

Switched to CA to bond rails to stryene or wood about 5 years ago. Everything is still bonded

I have tried recently, 2026 using Power Grab by Loctite and it’s thick and can spread when clamped. I like it but it’s only been maybe 6 weeks and you have to clean up the ooze…
Loctite Black Max is a forever adhesive. My wife's old employer used it to secure laser assemblies that weren't supposed to every come apart. It's anerobic. I tried separating parts using heat and it took some serious attempts.
 
Now forecasting the snow starting tonight in feet, not inches. So canceling worship tomorrow and trying to get the word out. Got a call this morning that a dear woman of the church, age 98, passed to Christ last night.

So not much time to chat this morning. But will have more modeling time tomorrow!! I should get the last of the track laid.

Collective guidance counselors all - - - - - You advice please.

I will be using flex track atop the trestle, with the ties removed. I would appreciate your suggestions on:

  • adhesive - rail to painted styrene.
  • how to keep gauge? The trestle has molded 'spikes', but I don't think relying totally on those will keep things aligned.
  • General things I have not yet thought through.
Thanks in advance!

Steve J
Central Valley recommends Barge Cement for attachment to their plastic ties.
Make sure the bottom of the rail is free from all oil or other coatings.

John
 
The P320 has been banned by a lot of LE agencies and academies. We get flooded with them from LE agencies and we can't give them away.
Yes, I know all about it, some competition groups as well.
I still love mine and use it at the range all the time. It is no longer used as the carry gun, the P365 is so much more concealable and lighter. Range days are usually the P320, M&P9C and XD-S 9 4.0. Then, serious work with the P365 in two configurations w/ and w/o RDS begins.
 


Everybody have a great day.

I'm working on what I hope is the last iteration on the residential stair project I have. I finally had to tell my customer (the steel fabricator) that he needs to meet with the home owner and general contractor. I had to send him a sketch that showed what dimensions I need to properly complete my drawings and that all three parties had to be in agreement on the dimensions. The builder kept changing the floor tile thickness and I told my customer to pin this guy down on the tile and setting bed thickness and sign off on it. The home owner has no concept of how math works in figuring triangles. I had to have a conference call with the builder and home owner to school them on the Pythagorean Theorem. The owner wanted to set certain work points and I had to explain to him that he could not do that and have the final product he wanted. The owner didn't say much, as he just wants to keep his customer happy.
I'm on the fourth set of drawings now and hope this is the last. This project has been going on since last December.
We have already built one set of stairs that are in place now, but the home owner didn't like them after seeing them in place. These stairs were approved by the engineer on this project but apparently no one else took the time to review the "Approval" drawings. Now the existing stairs will have to be removed and replaced. This has been one big FUBAR because no one really wanted to take responsibility for the final product. The architect bailed out several months ago.
Architects are dreamers, engineers make the architects dreams work on paper and while I draw the actual pieces required, the fabricator finally provides a finished product.

I'll bet no one read that whole paragraph. It just describes what I have been going through in the last several months.

I'm hoping to get back to my layout work and learning more about FreeCAD to be able to use my 3D printer.
My table for the printer was delivered by UPS on Thursday and as expected, it was damaged. Home depot had UPS pick it up yesterday after I spend about a half hour taping up what was left of the shipping box.

Gotta get busy....John
 
Central Valley recommends Barge Cement for attachment to their plastic ties.
Make sure the bottom of the rail is free from all oil or other coatings.

John

How long before it sets up? Will I have time to make adjustment? Will I need to weight the track?

I have these:
20260314_154534.jpg


I'm thinking the ribbon rail will get grabbed by the cement, but I am thinking the middle gauge should work so long as there is not much squeeze out to grab it. Then I could put some weights on.
 
Well, howdy there internet peeps and those trying to unlgue their fingers

It's Troy again

Back safe and sound from our trip to Indy. It would be nice if the construction on the interchange between 465 and I 69 on the NE corner of Indy would finish. It began during the pandemic. It's been going on for about 6 years, and is only 80% complete.

The funeral was nice (if such can be said). It was the father of a close friend from when we lived in Indy (the Euchre guy). Heard some interesting stories. Got to reconnect with some friends from that circle.

One funny story we'd heard before, but was reminded of:
John (the deceased) was in the Army 60 to 63. Charlotte was about five years younger, but had her sites set on him. They grew up in the same Holler in West Virginia but didn't connect much before he went off to serve. So she started writing him while he was serving. That turned into a real romance (albeit quick) when he got out. By the mid 1960s they were engaged.

John was working a county or two away, and decided to propose. So they set the date for the next weekend. Meet at her parents house. Minister would be there, along with family.

Only problem, John took a wrong turn trying to get back and ended up 250 miles away. The minister had left by the time he finally arrived. Apologies abounded. Fortunately his reputation as being "directionally challenged" was well known. He offered to spend the night on the couch and they could go find the minister in the morning.

Charlotte said no way was she waiting any longer, and told him how to drive to the preacher's place. NOW! At midnight! On the way up the stairs to bang on the preacher's door, John fell off the porch!

Nothing broken! Just his already wounded pride. With the Preacher, the two witnesses witnessing, the happy couple said I DO and made it official.

A few weeks later, John and Charlotte moved to Indy in hopes of finding a better job. They arrived on Saturday, and on Monday he started working in a brass factory.

After the funeral, knowing our kid wasn't around yet, we headed out for pizza. Wife remembered Brozinni's pizza on the south side of Indy. We haven't been there in over 11 years!

They had remodelled in that time. Classier place. but the pizza was great (New York Style)

Here's the "garlic knuckles"! These used be "just the knots, but in the last decade they made them into the bow-tie style. classy.
Brozinni 1.jpg


And here's the small hand-tossed NYC style ... greasy and scrumptious.

Brozinni 2.jpg


It was a welcome change of pace from the pizza we normally get. It may be a while before we get back there, but I'll look forward to it.
Not that I want to go to another funeral in Indy any time soon.
 
Just finished watching a program on PBS about the Hudson Bay Railroad and the trials and tribulations of maintaining the track for trains going between towns in Manitoba. Some of the local people in the towns have no other means of getting food, medical help, etc. There are no roads in the area! Problems can range from one rail sinking to rail ends separating due to the cold (-30 F to -50 F!). In one place a maintenance crew had to set fire to the rail to get it to expand enough to get the ends together so new bolts could be inserted in the plates! Having worked in temps along those lines maintaining missiles in Montana, I can well understand the problems involved. Great video.
 
Good evening, gang!

Trying to get on this morning the forum wouldn’t load, try to get around 4 o’clock this afternoon, and still won’t load. However, my phone and my PC both can do whatever they want on the web without issue. I can only assume the forum is still having problems.🙁
 
Good evening folks, had a good day at work, just myself and the manager, but we made it. @MilwRoader_Steve praying for you guys, you have had a couple losses this week.
On firearm side, it took a lot for me to give up my beloved Commander for daily carry, but the Sig P365XL did it. The extra length lets my XXL paw hold it comfortably and with the Wilson grip module it feels really good. The Fuse length grip is also quite comfortable, I may go the Wilson Route on it too.
@westtexjohn I helped my parents on house remodels when growing up, and can only imagine how if we could have afforded an architect, they would have lost their mind dealing with my Mom!
Anyway, got called by my Pastor and will be teaching Sunday School tomorrow,as the fellow who was supposed to teach, fell and hurt himself.
 


Status
Not open for further replies.




Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website (Learn More Here)

Back
Top