a picture a day....

MTH BNSF SD40-2 rests at Paterson, NJ.

 .

"Logging Blocks" continued...

Real-life "Loader" equipment in action...

...and my Loader modeling "in action"...

FrankM.

had to work to get this one, over 30 pics to get the moon to look right in the picture....

should of had the lights on this one......

up close

More . . . my photography

Here's my contribution on this fine last day of June 2017.  " Water stop "

When I began making my "Logging Block" scenes, I discovered I only assumed I knew what the floor of northeastern forests actually looked like. I started modeling but soon realized I really didn't know  what the truth was about such places. I wasn't going to model something fictitious. Soooooooooo, I took a little excursion to Upstate NY to do what the Japanese call Shrin-Yoku,  "Forest Bathing."

 I learned.

The modeling continued, with my being more informed, more truthful, about what I was saying through my work...

So, I hope you enjoyed seeing my experience of modeling "Logging Blocks."

And my Thanks, again, to voices here who have continued sending me "Likes" for my postings of that work : trumptrain; Diverging Clear; N5CJonny; BAR GP7#63; Coach Joe; briansilvermustang; Mark Boyce; trussman; SouthernMike; RivesM; RSJB18; gandydancer1950; Toledo Ed; Scrambler81; EBT Jim; p51; Henry J; Jerry Williams; mike g.: phlashgrdon.

FrankM.

I had to stop while in California and at the Tulsa Santa Fe Convention.  I will try to post a picture a day again throughout July.

   Here is one for July 1, 2017  " taking on sand "

phlashgrdon posted:

I like that metal fence dividing the tracks. Where did you get it?

O gauge guy, I bought the fencing from an dealer in the white hall at the York TCA meet this past spring. I don't recall his name. I thought it was quality plastic fencing that would have lots of uses. He did tell me alot of slot car guys by it too.

Happy July, summer has come, it's nice to have an inside hobby.....The pictures above me, Moonson, and many others are simply awesome....Wow...

Last week I rode the Hiwassee Loop 3 and a half hour ride. It's depot is located ina small town in Etowah, TN. Here is a few of the depot itself.

By the way the shiny stove with silver decor is for sale ...$4000.00������

Larry

phlashgrdon posted:

O gauge guy, I bought the fencing from an dealer in the white hall at the York TCA meet this past spring. I don't recall his name. I thought it was quality plastic fencing that would have lots of uses. He did tell me alot of slot car guys by it too.

 

Wow. Slot car people. I never thought of that. Thanks for the tip phlashgrdon. I jumped onto Google and it looks like some slot car people do some nice modelling. With slot cars being 1/32 scale, any fencing just looks a little more 'high security' when placed in a 1/48 environment.

Here's my first photo of the day for July.  It's a Santa Fe photo, but it has no train in it.  Let me explain below . . .

While in California during June, I arranged this get-together in Fresno, to honor Jack Elwood.  Jack is 98 years old, a retired Santa Fe Road Foreman of Engines and former Los Angeles Division Engineer.  Jack is spry and very sharp, walks to daily mass to begin every day, and still has a good life.  Margie and I went to daily mass and surprised him after it had ended, took him to breakfast, and then surprised him with this gathering.  We really reached back into the past and spent the entire day telling stories about Santa Fe and some of its people we all knew.  What a great day!

Left to right:

Stan Kistler, 84, noted photographer of western trains, especially Santa Fe, beginning in 1945.  Stan not only took photos, but made friends with numerous Santa Fe engine crews, and has known Jack since he was firing steam engines on passenger trains in the late 1940's.  Stan and I have been friends for over 35 years.

Dan Elwood, 61, Jack's son, formerly a Santa Fe Valley Division Engineer.  Dan is one of Jack's two sons, both of whom are retired Locomotive Engineers.  I got to know Dan at our get-together, and have now found another good Santa Fe friend.

Jack Elwood, 98, who entered Santa Fe Mechanical Department in 1939, and became a Fireman in 1940.  Jack was the Engineer on Train 75, with Alco-GE PA1's 61L and 51C, which was wrecked when it hit a truck loaded with Rock in 1965.  From late 1965 until around 1990, Jack was a Santa Fe official at Gallup, New Mexico, and Fresno, California.  I first met Jack in 1992, when he was the Engineer on 4-8-4 3751 and I was the Needles District Road Foreman, riding the engine over my territory.  However, decades earlier, I, as a 19-year-old, had heard over the radio in my 1955 Ford, about the wreck of No.75, and had driven over to look.  I got there after the injured had been removed and before the wrecker arrived, and (in that more innocent era) walked all around the wreck, up close, never realizing that the injured Engineer would later become a good friend.

John Herndon, 71, who began as a Bakersfield Switchman in 1966, transferred to Engine Service in 1973, and was a Road Foreman of Engines at San Bernardino and at Fresno, retiring in 2007.  John and I have been friends for over 40 years, and had many great adventures together on the railroad.

Tom Campbell, 70, (Yours Truly), who started in Los Angeles Division Santa Fe Engine Service in 1970 - 30 years behind Jack - and was an official from 1984 until 2007.

All of us personally knew a lot of the same Santa Fe Coast Lines railroaders and have a lot of fondness for that late, uniquely great railroad of the west, which has now been gone for 22 years.

Tom

Best picture yet!

time for some trains outside,  and a "Bud wei ser"

maybe sit back and watch the 3 pond frogs practice their lines.....

have a great 4th of July !!

uh ohhh ! ran out of Bud.......

back up on the way !!!!!

here come the snacks.....

Larry Sr. posted:

Tom

Best picture yet!

Tom,

I agree with Larry!  That is a great photo of old Santa Fe friends!  

Here is my newest photo.  I just received this Legacy N&W Train Master in a trade with a fellow Forum member.  It looks and runs great!!

Nice Train Master engine Mark! 

Thank you N5CJonny!  And those are some nice cars as well!!

Thanks Mark.

Here's one for today.  It is a PS2 Baldwin AS-616.  I bought it thinking it was very much like the Fairbanks Morse Train Master.  And so it is, but once I got the Train Master, I saw it is larger, both models are scale, and I checked the prototypes lengths as well.  I like them both!!

delivering the snacks for the holiday !!

Here's another thing your can do with the fencing. It's real easy to cut with a exacto knife & straight end.

With the sound of Willie Nelson's voice in the background....On the road again...(for the holiday weekend)...

Have a happy and safe 4th o' July! Everybody!

FrankM.

Yes Frank, I can hear Willie singing!!  Great photos!

Mark Boyce posted:

Yes Frank, I can hear Willie singing!!  Great photos!

Thanks, Mark. It's always nice to hear from you.

FrankM.

Moonson posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Yes Frank, I can hear Willie singing!!  Great photos!

Thanks, Mark. It's always nice to hear from you.

FrankM.

Thank you Frank!  Hopefully things have settled down some for you, and I will post more often.

Mark Boyce posted:

Moonson posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Yes Frank, I can hear Willie singing!!  Great photos!

Thanks, Mark. It's always nice to hear from you.

FrankM.

Thank you Frank!  Hopefully things have settled down some for you, and I will post more often.

Thank you, Mark, all is well.

Few real old trains. These are from the museum in Chattanooga last week. We  rode the 630 for a short ride and turned around on a turntable. 1st time I ever seen a real one that actually worked.

scene on Clem's layout.....

Happy 4th !

Real nice ballasting and landscape, Briansilvermustang, not to mention one good lookin' locomotive, too!

FrankM.

thank you Frank, but the lighting and camera hide a lot, I still have much more to learn....Brian

and I keep forgetting to turn the train lights on...

I love the work and detail you put into your scenery, looks great, awesome work !!

Happy Independence Day!!

Delightful, Mark, cheerful and fun!

FrankM.

Thank you, Frank!!

Mark Boyce posted:

Happy Independence Day!!

Very nice scene!

My  brother and my son checking out Brickerville while the bicentennial gg1 pulls through freight.

gandydancer1950 posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Happy Independence Day!!

Very nice scene!

Thank you!

My son running trains on my father-in-law's layout.  At 3 years old he is pretty good with a DCS remote.  My father-in-law finally got a grandchild who loves trains, or as my son calls them "woo woos ".  My father-in-law use to model in HO, but I got him to see the light of going to O gauge. ��

check these sparks out....

https://youtu.be/8grHpQAB1jA

https://youtu.be/YQAGWo3PbZk

JackieJr, BSM love those tractor dealerships.

Mark sweet bunting on those bildings.  Where did you get it or are they DIY?

tumbleweed56 posted:

My son running trains on my father-in-law's layout.  At 3 years old he is pretty good with a DCS remote.  My father-in-law finally got a grandchild who loves trains, or as my son calls them "woo woos ".  My father-in-law use to model in HO, but I got him to see the light of going to O gauge. ��

Great photo and great story, Tumbleweed56!  Looks like your father-in-law has a nice O gauge layout. 

oh no, think we got a turbo going bad....

https://youtu.be/u8RvoppZT0Y

https://youtu.be/cXY2JZeK5Hw

Mark Boyce posted:

tumbleweed56 posted:

My son running trains on my father-in-law's layout.  At 3 years old he is pretty good with a DCS remote.  My father-in-law finally got a grandchild who loves trains, or as my son calls them "woo woos ".  My father-in-law use to model in HO, but I got him to see the light of going to O gauge. ��

Great photo and great story, Tumbleweed56!  Looks like your father-in-law has a nice O gauge layout. 

And I would add, the total ease of the grandson with a handheld electronic device is charming. His causal look of confidence and control is indicative of his whole generation's comfort and quick mastery with such equipment, I believe.

FrankM.

coach joe posted:

JackieJr, BSM love those tractor dealerships.

Mark sweet bunting on those bildings.  Where did you get it or are they DIY?

Thank you, Joe!  It did turn out pretty good.  The bunting came with the flag.  My wife got them at a thrift store last year.  Now if I saved the package, I'll let you know who made them.

Ah thrift stores, dollar stores and 5&10s.  The sources of so many details.

coach joe posted:

Ah thrift stores, dollar stores and 5&10s.  The sources of so many details.

Well I can identify this one.  Department 56 #56.52943 from 2001.  How about that, I forgot because I didn't have time to decorate for Independence Day this year 

Here are a couple little shots of little spots it was fun to flesh-out...

FrankM.

Is heavy equipment moving in for possible public works projects?

NJCJOE post

NJCJOE posted:

Joe you have one heck of a collection.
How long did it take you to acquire the real train items?

The Gateman, always reliable.

Classic Accessory!

Another mother and baby photo.

While 95% of my trains are from the steam/diesel transition era, I do have a soft spot for some Chessie equipment, having seen them in my late teens and 20s. I actually couldn't resist buying it.  

Here's my photo for this day July 8, 2017 and 6 more for this past week, for I've been away all week and not able to post.  Click on photos at bottom of post for captions. 

trumptrain posted:

Here's my photo for this day July 8, 2017 and 6 more for this past week, for I've been away all week and not able to post.  Click on photos at bottom of post for captions. 

Great scenery !

Today was work on the turntable day...re-programming the lead and whisker tracks....PTC 3 by NYRS...(programmable turntable controller)...

Here is my contribution for today July 9, 2017.  " Sunday afternoon at the lake "

hello, what kind of track is that with grey ties, thanks

I have been planning on buying and modifying parts in order to have a replacement floor for my Atlas reefer that suffered from Zinc Pest. Since I have no idea when a replacement from Atlas will be available, I thought of and planned what I would do to solve the problem myself and not have to worry about zinc pest again or when I could expect a replacement. I saw a very good price on replacement floor boards that were made of plastic and were close to the original dimensions and look of the original floor. The picture below is the replacement I installed and for me it is a great solution to the problem I had. I even added weight inside the car to make up for the difference in weight between the diecast and plastic parts.

New street lights...

HMorgan125 posted:

New street lights...

Great photo!

Briansilvermustang, The track is Atlas O with concrete ties. They are actually more of a flat white.

phlashgrdon posted:

Briansilvermustang, The track is Atlas O with concrete ties. They are actually more of a flat white.

thank you, they are really cool looking, never seen them before, nice.

For July 10., 2017  " Our Lady of Locomotion "  Patsburg, Maryland

trumptrain posted:

For July 10., 2017  " Our Lady of Locomotion "  Patsburg, Maryland

Very nice!

Here's a nice shot from the TCA museum yesterday

Realized while I was there I don't have any Ives or American Flyer O gauge.. I guess now I have something to look for!!

RB&BB Circus arrived on the South Fork Railroad.

Afternoon local arriving at Elizabeth City......

gandydancer1950 posted:

Afternoon local arriving at Elizabeth City......

Excellent photo and engine!

Photo for today July 11, 2017    " Firebox glow "

Gandydancer 1950, wow, nice layout makes PostWar Proud, and Trumptrain, neat layout, neat Scenes, Wow, and Briansilvermustang---very nice line up of motive power...All you guys make the Hobby more fun...

leapinlarry posted:

Gandydancer 1950, wow, nice layout makes PostWar Proud, and Trumptrain, neat layout, neat Scenes, Wow, and Briansilvermustang---very nice line up of motive power...All you guys make the Hobby more fun...

Thanks so much Leapinlarry!!  You also make a HUGE contribution which makes this hobby BIG fun!!   Wonderful photos of your engine facility and turntable!! 

ran my " Earnhardt " train at lunch today.....miss watching Dale  #3 ....

Here's my contribution for Wednesday July 12.  " Small and Mighty " 

My contribution for 7-12-2017......

New arrival on the Team Track.

looks like it might fit....

trumptrain posted:

Here's my photo for this day July 8, 2017 and 6 more for this past week, for I've been away all week and not able to post.  Click on photos at bottom of post for captions. 

Like the way you worked the rocks into the bridge supports. How did you do that?

       my train depot in the house...

looking in the depot window...