Thanks for all the well wishes guys. Here's a status update on the toe and the trip.
The toe is going to come off. I met with the surgeon yesterday. If it wasn't for the trip, I'd delay taking that action as the soft tissue is healing pretty well. The problem is that the bone is infected, and may never recover. The best course is to get removed and closed up. This will make the trip better too. The worst part of this thing is going to be having to stay off it for two weeks afterwards, with the foot elevated above my heart for 21 hours a day. No trains for two weeks, sucks.
The trip has a couple things that need to be resolved before it gets the green light. Of course, the toe, but I have to find out if my insurance will pay for dialysis on the road. I never thought twice about that, and just assumed they would. Monday, the insurance coordinator made her monthly rounds at dialysis, and I told her about the trip. That's when she warned me about the possibility. I need to call them, but I need find out exactly which clinics I'll be landing at. My wife and I have a list of preferred clinics scoped out, but there's no guarantee that they'll have openings when I need and want them. Sure makes life more interesting, but not in a good way.
John - Thanks, I would also consider you to be larger than life. I'm excited by the prospect of finally meeting y you in person. You've helped so many people around here with electrical issues, myself included. The super chuffer isn't really my thing, since I don't do much steam. However, Dale's booster is a real godsend. I can't run my layout without it. I've given it some thought, and see my contribution to this community coming in a couple areas. So many people have said that I motivate them. The other thing is a lot of experience that I'm willing to take the time to share.
JHZ563 - Love those pictures! I'm beginning to wonder if everyone who has ever visited the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay has taken those pictures. It might be a fun topic to start on its own.
Ray - That was a fun evening, I just wish you could have stayed longer. Thank you for coming. I love your photos, and I don't normally quote pictures en mass, but I'd like to provide some captions for everyone's benefit. Again, it's always fun for me to see the layout through the visitor's eyes. Don't feel bad that you didn't get more pictures. It's difficult when you're overwhelmed. I've had it happen so many times when visiting layouts.
This first one was the subject of some discussion the other night on the topic of Big Boys. This is Ray and his now grown son, when they lived down in Texas.
Darlander (Dave) brought me this little gift. A friend of his came across one of my old enterTRAINment coupons from 25 years ago. Dave framed it, and presented it back to me. I love it!
When I power up the layout, the security cameras come on. There were some small gasps of amazement from the guests.
Using Google maps, I'm giving a short geography lesson of the railroad before starting the train.
Starting the train on its 15 minute journey around the room.
Using the cab-1 antenna as a pointer, I indicate that the train is heading up the big helix on its way to Red Wing.
I took the train around twice, once eastbound and once westbound. This is during the eastbound run, as the train rounds the corner at Northtown.
Dave on the left and Paul on the right, standing in aisle 3 next to Dayton's Bluff.
The train emerges from the helix at Red Wing. Take a look at my feet. This may be the last look you get of my toe.
Everyone gathers in aisle 1 as the Builder goes through Cottage Grove.
I really love these next two. Low angle close ups make the trains look so real. This is at Western Avenue. BTW, that ballast is chicken grit sifted to the correct size.
A similar picture taken over at the Hiawatha Milling District.
This is my stash of scenic supplies.
George - I wish I lived closer to the train population too, but Minnesota has always been my home. The lights are all LED's and they aren't hot at all. I wouldn't have been able to do this with incandescent lighting because of power consumption and heat. Can lighting wouldn't work, because of the multiple decks. The lower deck would be way too dark, and a can light doesn't have much coverage at close distance. I guess you could call it enterTRAINment 2, but this layout is almost the antithesis of that one. Everything is different the second time around.
Bob - Ray did take some nice shots that I couldn't take.
Brian - Love to have you visit. I'd be happy to help you plan the trip. I have a lot of train related suggestions.
I'm anxious to see your pictures, because I was too busy hosting to take any. I also want a little perspective on what you as a viewer found interesting. I see this thing all the time, so I can't really judge it the way a guest does.
From a very early age, I've been something of a showman. I love having people visit. I'm glad she talked me into continuing this project.
