Running Bear's May 2024 Coffee Shop

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Todd It is good to get things 'off your chest', otherwise it could drive you insane.

As for some doctors and nurses, the only thing they seem to know is band aid. Some time back I took Dawn to hospital. The doctor asked a nurse to cut off the bandage on her leg. Taking an ordinary pair of scissors? she asked Dawn where the bandage was??? Fortunately I had a pair of surgical scissors and began cutting the bandage off.
"Oh! Is that a bandage?" the nurse asked.
 


Tha
troyphoto said:
Hand paint with mostly Speed Paints from Army painter.

Priming is a "Xenithal" technique from the Warhammer 40K crowd, using the airbrush

  1. prime black
  2. From the top with at most a 45° angle add a layer of grey to highlight the midtone areas
  3. From the top with at most a 15° angle add a layer of white (I use white ink in the airbrush) to demark the highlights
Then, when using the speed paints, the priming job accents the shadows and highlights even more.

Then I drybrush on hightlight colors, like the mane and fur.
Most of the metalics are the Speed Paint 2.0 metalic range.

When knocking out an army of figures, it’s about speed. So the speed paints and Xenithal highlighting hel
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Thank you. I live near Noble Knights corporate HQ and will venture over when I get back home. I think an Orc army to start will be fun. I have thought about military armor building and painting but I want something totally different!
 
@troyphoto the benchwork looks great. would also not change. but if i see this, what could maybe be done is lowerdeck, N Scale, upperdeck H0 Scale :D maybe this could work? The "problem" with H0 is always the curved sections. or at least what i found out. if you want to build a realistic curve in US themed H0 you need sooooo much room its brutal :D

But overall i love detailing and building out little scenes and i think thats why i did "switch" to H0

cheers
jay
 
Morning all,

90° and cloudy this morning, high near 75° later with some storms possible this afternoon. We had severe storms in the area last evening, but nothing at the house. We did have some thundershowers after midnight, but nothing severe.

Troy: Hope all goes well with your mom soon. And hope the new hearing aids help with the tinnitus.

Todd: Hope Maria gets better quick. Let her know we're thinking of her.

KriegslokBR52: While I didn't respond yesterday, I try to avoid the interstates as much as possible as I think the scenery is better.
 
Good morning Crew.

Todd, best wishes to Maria.

Vegas area weather. 73f degrees now at 5am but 97 this afternoon

Home in Wisconsin, 54f degrees and waiting for the rain to start. The high this afternoon will be low 70’s. I think I’m glad to be in Vegas today. I don’t seem to be missing the trains!

We are staying home tonight and grilling out on the brother’s patio. The golf tee time today is 9:40 and we will be done before it hits 90 degrees. The courses we have played here have been fairly empty so the play has been quick. It was the same in Arizona.

Sunrise here is at 5:32, so in another 25 minutes or so. But the sprinklers came on a few minutes ago and if they were on 5 minutes that’s a lot. Not sure why if you have a “zero” landscape any water is needed. The brother is awake but working in his office, so I can wait to ask.

My golf partner and his wife explored the Boulder City and Hoover Dam area yesterday morning. They thought everything was great. But last night we did a helicopter tour after dark and seeing the Strip lit up was so cool for all of us. Seeing the dam at night from close up in the air was spectacular.

I feel very relaxed here! Not something I’ve ever felt in Arizona and rarely have felt on Maui. It’s great to have a brother who has places all over!
 
troyphoto said:
Well, howdy there internet peeps,

It's Troy again.

Doc uploaded a new report, nothing new in it. He mentions that she is being discharged (time unknown due to the AFIB episode) to a nursing care facility. I'll try to call later and make sure she's up to speed on that idea.

Went to bed with the tinnitus at a 7. Woke up at 2:30 for the pee run, with it at a 7. Gave up on bed and came down to the recliner. Put the headphones on with the babbling brook on the computer. Got another 2+ hours of sleep. Tinnitus still at a 7. Hearing aids in with white noise, and the babbling brook still on the computer speakers.

New hearing aids today with the tinnitus tech. Guess I get to see how well they work.

Todd: Best wishes to Maria. Not breathing is a bad thing. Hopes for a speedy recovery

Jay asked an interesting question: Will I be happy with my N-scale. I've been looking at the cool HO Pics, and keep thinking that I like to model scenes. And with N-scale that's pretty much track, buildings and scenery.

I do NOT want to rebuild my benchwork. I've had enough of that. But the curve radius is maxed at 17" at the shallowest portions.

Pros for HO: Better scenes with people. I have 3D printers and can make all the people and critters I want.
Cons: Need to sell a small number of Locos, and rolling stock, and some building kits
- Need to sell off the box of Pico Track, and turnouts I've accumulated.
-Need to sell of the structures I've purchased but not built.
-Then I have to purchase new stuff in HO.

I don't mind trading the dollars, but I'm not sure if I want more railroad, or more "realism" in the scenery. Any insights to those who have done both scales? Here's a shot of the benchwork I'm working with:

View attachment 187625
On the lower level, the rightmost depth is 42". Across from it is 28" from backdrop to edge. The full peninsula (both sides) total 60"

Thoughts? It'll be a week or two before I get back to the layout. I have to get the back healed up enough to do the bending and twisting
Click to expand...
While i have never built a layout in N gauge, i did have some locomotives and cars in that size. From what i see at train shows, N gauge is mostly for scenery and running prototypical length trains (the US) in decent amount of space. Not really good for operations if switching is your interest.
H0 gauge; incredible variety of equipment with a lot if detail, also a lot more doable switching operations. As for 17" curve radius, i would avoid that at all cost, unless you know for sure that you will stick with small steam or diesel locomotives and 40' cars. Personally i found while building my second layout is to keep it simple and usable; wide curves and simpler trackwork with at least #6 switches. I'm sure others who have a lot more experience than i do, will stress good trackwork is the key.
 
TLOC said:
Tha

Thank you. I live near Noble Knights corporate HQ and will venture over when I get back home. I think an Orc army to start will be fun. I have thought about military armor building and painting but I want something totally different!
Click to expand...
I have a lot of 3D printed orcs I'd be happy to set you up with if you don't find what you want in Noble Knight. I'm always printing more than I need, or something might have a FUBAR occur, but its still usable (one armed or one legged). Message me if you are interested. Just ask for reimbursement for the resin used (pennies per model) and shipping.
 


KriegslokBR52 said:
While i have never built a layout in N gauge, i did have some locomotives and cars in that size. From what i see at train shows, N gauge is mostly for scenery and running prototypical length trains (the US) in decent amount of space. Not really good for operations if switching is your interest.
H0 gauge; incredible variety of equipment with a lot if detail, also a lot more doable switching operations. As for 17" curve radius, i would avoid that at all cost, unless you know for sure that you will stick with small steam or diesel locomotives and 40' cars. Personally i found while building my second layout is to keep it simple and usable; wide curves and simpler trackwork with at least #6 switches. I'm sure others who have a lot more experience than i do, will stress good trackwork is the key.
Click to expand...
Ops are not my interest as of now, but that may change. As I'm about to hit 6-0 in a couple of months, and with my PVD this past winter (Posterior Vitreous Detachment) - I've got a ton of floaters in my left eye, I'm reconsidering my N-scale decision. I'm leaning towards selling and switching, but not definite yet.

I definitely want a loop to rail-fan with. I like ambiance weather it's music, lighting, or scenery. Having a train running in the background, where I can see it from my desk appeals to me.
 
troyphoto said:
I have a lot of 3D printed orcs I'd be happy to set you up with if you don't find what you want in Noble Knight. I'm always printing more than I need, or something might have a FUBAR occur, but its still usable (one armed or one legged). Message me if you are interested. Just ask for reimbursement for the resin used (pennies per model) and shipping.
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Thank you for the offer. I’ll be home for a week late next week. I will venture over to NK and browse and get back to you on this

Tom
 
Good morning all

Been a night of thunderstorms but we got through it. Dog gets nervous when storms roll in. This time had to be able midnight so he kept wife and I up for a few hours (well wife, I rolled over and went to sleep🤪🤪.

Not much else going on in Kansas just work and home 10 hour days and the humidity getting me and it’s not even hot yet, must be getting old 🤪.

You all have a great day and I’ll do the same, catch you on the flip side!!
 
troyphoto said:
Ops are not my interest as of now, but that may change. As I'm about to hit 6-0 in a couple of months, and with my PVD this past winter (Posterior Vitreous Detachment) - I've got a ton of floaters in my left eye, I'm reconsidering my N-scale decision. I'm leaning towards selling and switching, but not definite yet.

I definitely want a loop to rail-fan with. I like ambiance weather it's music, lighting, or scenery. Having a train running in the background, where I can see it from my desk appeals to me.
Click to expand...
I’ve done some “N” in the past and have always had issues with its small profiles because of my eyes. I have been though in HO seemingly forever and until I had cataract surgery in 2015 at age 63 I sometimes had issues putting wheels onto the railroad tracks.

I understand the lure of N and occasionally still get to operate on a large home based N layout and have over the years operated on a large N modular club layout. Operating with N scale equipment is fine, no better or worst than a finely tuned HO or O scale layout. Sound (a super subjective) in N just seems tinny to me. With good speakers HO is very good and in O it’s fantastic. As I write this though, YMMV!

If you are worried about your eyes down the road, start selling the N now. It will take awhile.

My cataract surgery changed for the better my eyesight. If I had known in 2015 the improvement I would experience in my overall eyesight and how well it has stayed over the past 8 years (9 in October) I would have switched to N. I like long trains but I love to switch. I would love to have seen my paper mills built out in N scale within the foot prints I have them in now

Your eyes are possibly going to get worst. I love HO and have been fortunate to experience building a couple large layouts with the 300’+ mainline and also the 84’ mainline Industrial switching layout. My current layout will max out at about 61’ of mainline, point to point. All have been great but seriously think about what amount of space you are willing to give up. The smallest radius curve I would use on any HO scale layout is 24” based on experience. If you stick to 40’ equipment and model the early transition years, say 1960 you can get away with 18” radius.

As you are a writer, I would love to read your story as you go through your decision process as you either continue with the current layout or move up in scale.

No matter what you do, have fun with it
 
KriegslokBR52 said:
"I will make kids their officials, and women will rule over them..."; Isaiah, chapter 3. Men don't want to be men anymore, so you've got this nonsense. It's coming to a theater (local office) near you.
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A Haka is not just some fighting talk that the NZ rugby team perform at a rugby international, it has great cultural significance in NZ, not just to the Maori people but to the whole country.
That a 21 year old has been elected to represent her constituency not only shows how far ahead the NZ's are in not allowing "the old guard" to dominate their country, let's be honest, they haven't had a new idea in the last 5 decades.

But now we're heading into forbidden territory, so I'll stop there.
 
Morning folks

Cloudy, 48F, and 73 for a forecast high.

My wife has an appointment at the hospital for a swallowing evaluation today. She had one about a year and and half back and it may be interesting to compare the results but I expect absolutely NO useful information will be forthcoming from it. It is more than apparent a feeding tube isn't too distant in the future. I think her doctor is setting this stuff up so we think she is actually doing something. A visit to a neurologist is also on the future agenda, another completely worthless endeavor. "Yup, you have supranuclear palsy and there isn't a damn thing you can do about it. That will be $1500. Thanks".
 
Good Morning All. Cloudy and 69°, not supposed to get much warmer today. Yep! I woke up this morning to a wet porch, it did sprinkle some overnight, although there is less than 0.1" in the rain gauge. Expecting more a bit later, about the same time as the weekly grocery trek.

Yes, today is the weekly grocery trek. Haven't discussed it yet with my wife, but depending on the weather, I might delay until tomorrow. We could live out of the freezer for a while except for fresh fruit. She has enough iced coffee for almost a week; I have 5 weeks worth of beer!

It did dry out enough yesterday to get some mowing done, my highest ground around the train shed and garden. I also installed about 1/3 of the Tomato cages. Even though I put up all of the T-posts last week, it's a slow process while I straighten out and make minor repairs to the cages. I made them out of 12 gauge hog wire fencing over 45 years ago and they are still going strong. Much better than those cheapo cages available at Lowe's or Home Depot. I also picked all of the Onions that were ready, they're ready when the tops fall over.

Out in the train shed yesterday, I did do a little more ground foam and other scenery stuff, but nothing significant enough to take pictures. Over on the workbench, I pulled out another one of the trucks that I got from Mikey last year.
IMG_0145.JPG

Time to fix another one up. Have to start with the landing gear on the trailer.
IMG_0146.JPG

The set that I retrieved from my parts cabinet just doesn't match the holes lsft when I shaved off the old ones.
IMG_0144.JPG

Nothing a little whittling can't fix. I also painted it.
IMG_0151.JPG

Some orange or red paint to simulate lights and ready to go.
IMG_0149.JPG

I also dug out a pair of mirrors to add.
IMG_0148.JPG

Then some dull coat and it's on to the layout.
IMG_0152.JPG



John - That's great that you were able to fix the throttle problem with that simple fix. I run straight DC, so I don't have to deal with all of that programing stuff.
Troy - Good luck with the Mom issues. And best wishes to her with whatever life's fortunes have in store.
Regarding the possible switch to HO: I cannot really advise since I chose that to begin with and I have no experience with N scale. But I am real happy with my choice because I don't think that I could work with and detail something as small as N scale very well. I have talked with many modelers while on layout tours, and the general consensus is that N scale is for running trains, and HO scale is better suited for switching. While I like both, switching is my favorite.
Bunker - Welcome to the Coffee Shop.
Mike - While loud music at concerts and headphones contributed most to my hearing loss and tinnitus, the work environment was also a factor, especially since many years were spent in the plant before noise abatement became commonplace in the early 80's. Ironically the old-timers resisted the hearing protection (and eye protection) the most.
Todd - My positive thoughts and prayers go out for Maria. I hope that her recovery is as rapid as yours was.

Hearing lots of thunder right now, but the radar shows that the heavier activity is slipping by to both the North and South. Maybe I'll be lucky.
Everyone have a good day and prayers to all who have kin-folk who are having health issues right now.
 


troyphoto said:
Jay asked an interesting question: Will I be happy with my N-scale. I've been looking at the cool HO Pics, and keep thinking that I like to model scenes. And with N-scale that's pretty much track, buildings and scenery.

I do NOT want to rebuild my benchwork. I've had enough of that. But the curve radius is maxed at 17" at the shallowest portions.

Pros for HO: Better scenes with people. I have 3D printers and can make all the people and critters I want.
Cons: Need to sell a small number of Locos, and rolling stock, and some building kits
- Need to sell off the box of Pico Track, and turnouts I've accumulated.
-Need to sell of the structures I've purchased but not built.
-Then I have to purchase new stuff in HO.

I don't mind trading the dollars, but I'm not sure if I want more railroad, or more "realism" in the scenery. Any insights to those who have done both scales? Here's a shot of the benchwork I'm working with:


On the lower level, the rightmost depth is 42". Across from it is 28" from backdrop to edge. The full peninsula (both sides) total 60"

Thoughts? It'll be a week or two before I get back to the layout. I have to get the back healed up enough to do the bending and twisting
Click to expand...

You can do details in N. Obviously figures etc are harder to paint so you may not have quite the detail but at "eye distance" they look good. The thing I like about N is a given benchwork area allows you to do a lot more scene wise. You can make a small city instead of a small town or whatever. Or you can have more complicated trackwork -- for example for Japanese mdoeling you can have the Shinkansen bullet train tracks, separate commuter rail, and even a freight yard. They are doing amazing things with N scale details on locomotives and rolling stock now (compared to the past) and at the "eye distance" you look at they look good.

H0 for me is too big. I did it once when I was young and it was hard for me to put what I wanted to put in my available space. At the time N was very lacking in detail. That's not the case any longer. All sorts of trains, buildings, bridges, detail oriented stuff is available.

Just my opinion.
 
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