lee drennen posted:

Well I’ve started another All Nations Boxcar I’m at a stopping point and going to let the decals cure for a few days before I clear coat. Lee D. 

Nice work Lee!

Mike CT posted:

Atlas had done both, BNSF, and Santa Fe Warbonnets, (4) axle Dash 8-40 BW

Very nice Mike CT. 

Finished my first S.B.R. passenger car, Vista Dome X9910 "Dianne".

Mike, Nice SF engines.

Brian, Nice SF engines.

Lee P51, I'm glad you had a wonderful operating session!!

Lee Drennin, The cars look great!  I haven't decaled in years, but I think it would be easier to line up in O gauge than when I did it in HO and N scales.

Johan, The Dianne looks great!  The passengers really have a nice view, and the interior looks great!

Mark: thanks it is so much easier than HO 

Mike: thanks these are so much fun to build in O Scale 

Thanks to all who gave “likes” on my post this week. It’s very encouraging to keep building. 

Went to MetLife Stadium 

Mark Boyce posted:

Mike, Nice SF engines.

Brian, Nice SF engines.

Lee P51, I'm glad you had a wonderful operating session!!

Lee Drennin, The cars look great!  I haven't decaled in years, but I think it would be easier to line up in O gauge than when I did it in HO and N scales.

Johan, The Dianne looks great!  The passengers really have a nice view, and the interior looks great!

 

Mark: Thank you. Maybe couple cars more, then tourist train is ready. 

Johan

Added a sand tower, sand house/power house, diesel tank and pump, water column and tank, and steam locomotive fuel oil column and tank to my engine service track. Along with a service dock. Still needs some figures and other details but it's most of the way there. There will be no coal tower, as my AT&SF and SP steam locomotives are fuel oil fired.

Yes the Dianne will be a very special ride. The detail is marvelous. Great job !

And I've been a part of Metropolitan monthly pay plan since before I began working in 1970. So I feel as part of the home crowd there in NY!

My Hogwarts Castle cacked it at the Arkansas and Missouri Museum yesterday.  Brought it home and the motor is okeh, so it's the DRM that's at fault...

My choices at this point are a) order a new module or b) clip the harness and wire in a diode bridge (hopefully wiring it so it goes forwards).  Since I'm painfully poor (see my profile for details) and can't really afford the parts cost plus shipping (and I want to get the little indefinite back into service quickly),  I suspect b) will be in the offing this evening.    I will leave sufficient wire to reattach the harness at a later date,  of course.   

This is a case where sloth paid off;  since I haven't unloaded the trunk of my car since BBB&G, the 2026 I used there is filling in at the moment...  

Mitch 

Lou, The service facility is looking great!

Mitch, I'm sorry about the Hogwart's engine problem.  I'm glad you have a workaround to get it going forward in the time being.  If anyone can do it, you can!!  Boy, I don't know how many times I have had to come up with a workaround at work in my 42 years as a technician with the power and telecom companies.

Hi Everyone,

Besides running some trains I detailed  and weathered two of my Ameri-Towne Midtown Hotels. The first pic shows both versions before weathered.

The first version is built up per instructions. Still needs lighting, and a divider in the inside so that you can't see the other side when looking in. I also will add signage and growth on the outside of it. 

The second version was kit-bashed and is good to go.

These were my first attempts at weathering.

Dave

Mark Boyce posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Here is the makeshift Halloween display sans trains.  I have them on track and will post them later.

This photograph shows just how makeshift it is.  I'll be rebuilding the Christmas layout before you know it, so why go to too much trouble.  The trains are a Western Maryland freight with an "unusual" cargo, and the LionChief Hogwarts Express.

Mark- The Hallow-mas layout looks great!

Bob and Tom, Thank you!!! 

Actually, it was more a function of time instead of planning.  I never got the Christmas layout taken down, and at this late date, I didn't want to pack all the Christmas buildings etc away.  Also I don't have that much Halloween decorations to fit a 4x8.  So I decided to make this vignette in the middle and have the viewer focus on the center.  I guess there was some ingenuity in imagining how I could set it up in the middle.  It was a quick and dirty setup, but it works I think.  

Mark Boyce posted:

Lee, You are most welcome!  They intrigued me because they looked so familiar, but I didn't have time to check out my remembrances until late in the evening.  We always see transformers modeled for flat car loads, and Vepco had banks of three single phase transformers in the 500KV-230KV substations, but they were always rectangular with the typical cooling fins.  All of these are shipped empty, and they need to be filled with mineral oil, current transformers and bushings need installed, and some gauges, etc have to be installed as well.  Having a background in power, I find the loads all interesting.

I guess they wouldn't be as heavy as I thought

The "Ghost Town" looks good. It takes a real hard going over to see you really don't have that much there to fill up the space with.  I think a moon (full moon ) and or maybe a few (paper?) clouds would break up the starkness of the black background, adding background depth to the scene

🌚   🌒🌓🌔🌝🌖🌗🌘    🌙   🌛    🌜      🌩️ 🌫️          

  🌫️ 🌃 🏙️  🚂🚃🚃🚃🌫️  

  🌫️🎑🌫️.     🌫️🏚️🏡🌛🌫️

Maybe a lighting streak?   I've seen ”bat glitter" for a swarm in the sky ?

    Once I take in the general scene in, I'm drawn to the windmill. The little Dutch boy with his finger plugging a **** was always a disturbing image for me. That type of mill immediately takes me there.

Got an extra brick wall and kid handy? 

💂👻👷👽👮💀🤴👩‍✈️🤡👺🙈🙊🙉☠️👰🐮😈👹👾🤖💩🎃👶

Luvndemtrains, Your weathering looks good!  I like the Fort Steuben Hotel!!

Adriatic, You are right, about the black sky.  I'll see about doing something about that.  Right now I will say it is the dark of the moon with heavy clouds. 

Mark Boyce posted:

Luvndemtrains, Your weathering looks good!  I like the Fort Steuben Hotel!!

Adriatic, You are right, about the black sky.  I'll see about doing something about that.  Right now I will say it is the dark of the moon with heavy clouds. 

Thanks Mark! 

briansilvermustang posted:

mike g. posted:

Brian, nice pictures once again! But I may have missed it but do you have the BNSF engine in the Red and Silver paint?

 

                               added it to the wish list...

Is it just me or is the crossing gate a little close to that engine in the first pic?

Dave

Sure looks it.

Bob guess what! SEAHAWKS WIN!! 

Lou, very nice work on the service area! An impressive statement for any layout! Did you scratch build the service dock?

Mitch, I am sorry that your engine broke and that what your speaking is over my hear! DRM? What the heck is that? Either way I am so happy you have the knowledge and skills to fix it!

LUVINDEMTRAINS, Nice weathering job, looks very nice and I cant wait to see them back on the layout!

Hi Guy's and Gal's, today I just did a little more wiring on my power cart for my slowly going layout build! I got all but the last 2 of 11 switches prewired to help the time spent under the bench work!

mike g. posted:

Bob guess what! SEAHAWKS WIN!! 

Lou, very nice work on the service area! An impressive statement for any layout! Did you scratch build the service dock?

Mitch, I am sorry that your engine broke and that what your speaking is over my hear! DRM? What the heck is that? Either way I am so happy you have the knowledge and skills to fix it!

LUVINDEMTRAINS, Nice weathering job, looks very nice and I cant wait to see them back on the layout!

Thanks Mike! I will be sure to post when I put them in place on the layout. 

Dave

Mike, the connections look good.  

I see the Steelers beat Cincy!  ;-)

mike g. posted:

Lou, very nice work on the service area! An impressive statement for any layout! Did you scratch build the service dock?

 

Thanks. I built that dock/platform a few years ago. It wasn't too hard, just a few pieces of balsa wood and some time.

mike g. posted:

Mitch, I am sorry that your engine broke and that what your speaking is over my hear! DRM? What the heck is that? Either way I am so happy you have the knowledge and skills to fix it!

Thanks!  DRM = Digital Reverse Module,  i.e. a solid state E-unit.      

Mitch 

John d Sewell posted:

Yes the Dianne will be a very special ride. The detail is marvelous. Great job !

And I've been a part of Metropolitan monthly pay plan since before I began working in 1970. So I feel as part of the home crowd there in NY!

 

John:

Thank you very much.

Johan

Started improving my grade crossings by adding wood ties between the rails.

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

mike g. posted:

Mitch, I am sorry that your engine broke and that what your speaking is over my hear! DRM? What the heck is that? Either way I am so happy you have the knowledge and skills to fix it!

Thanks!  DRM = Digital Reverse Module,  i.e. a solid state E-unit.      

Mitch 

Ah ha!  Mitch, I was wondering too; I hadn't seen the acronym before.  Thank you!

Mike, Thank you for asking!

Mayor Magoo posted:

Started improving my grade crossings by adding wood ties between the rails.

 

That's a great improvement!!  Much easier on the little vehicles suspension and tires!  

Lou, thanks!

Steve, the wood planks add that finished look! Nice.

Sawed some gsd shelves in half for a small down the stairs display.  Maybe I should just do away with the pictures hanging on the walls.   

Ted looks good! I am with you on taking down the pictures for more train stuff! But I would strongly suggest checking with the wife first! LOL

Looks good Ted!

Put my backdrop up for my new train layout.  Purchased it from Railroad Backdrops.  I really like the backdrop scene.

I really like those backdrops too!!  What are the dimensions for that area?

The overall dimensions of the layout are 12 x 21.

That's great, Utowntech!!  That is just about the space I will have to work with when I get started on my new layout this winter (I hope)!  I'll be glad if you post your progress so we can follow along!!

Utowntech posted:

The overall dimensions of the layout are 12 x 21.

Great looking backdrop! What did you have them print that on? I was just checking out the prices!

I agree that backdrop is nice!  Did you glue onto plywood and hang that using the ledger board?  What is the length n width of backdrop. Guessing 15’-17’ x 3’ and 5’x3’?  Looks great.

TedW posted:

Sawed some gsd shelves in half for a small down the stairs display.  Maybe I should just do away with the pictures hanging on the walls.   

 

Take the plunge Ted- more shelves + more trains on shelves =

Get enough on display and maybe the CEO will suggest you build a permanent layout and get them off the floor.

Bob

  good answer !!

TEDW, nice display with the shelves. Are they out of reach of someone brushing against them. I have a friend who had his walls lined with shelves. They covered all his walls on the one side of the stairs. The stairs mentioned did go to the attic. When we were all going down the stairs the clothing one of the people in front of me caught a shelve and unfortunately two engines went to the floor. Might be better to leave the trains higher on the wall.

UTOWNTECH, nice looking backdrop and the size of the area you have will make for a nice layout. Keep posting of your progress.

Mark, looks like you are getting to the stage of construction this winter. Long time in coming but it will be worth it...........Paul

paul 2 posted:

TEDW, nice display with the shelves. Are they out of reach of someone brushing against them. I have a friend who had his walls lined with shelves. They covered all his walls on the one side of the stairs. The stairs mentioned did go to the attic. When we were all going down the stairs the clothing one of the people in front of me caught a shelve and unfortunately two engines went to the floor. Might be better to leave the trains higher on the wall.

Good point Paul, the lowest shelf is at 60”, so someone would have to have a lot of wine to clonk those shelves, I think.  I’ll screen my visitors closely... 

I agree that backdrop is nice!  Did you glue onto plywood and hang that using the ledger board?  What is the length n width of backdrop. Guessing 15’-17’ x 3’ and 5’x3’?  Looks great.

The backdrop that I ordered came with an adhesive back.  All I had to do was peel and stick it directly to the hardboard that was already mounted to the wall. The photo backdrop came in 4 individual pieces (each 75" in length). The width of the photo backdrop is 3'.  If you go on their website the have set dimensions for backdrops you can order.  For example they come in lengths of 72"/96"/ 120"/ 144" & widths of 18"/ 24"/ 30"/ 36", or you can have them custom design a photo backdrop like I did..... The long wall is 20' and the smaller of the two walls is almost 5' in length.  The company that I ordered it from; Railroad Backdrops/ Affordable Model Railroads, has a YouTube page that has a how to video for putting up their photo backdrops.  I included the link.  How to video on installing photo backdrop

That's great, Utowntech!!  That is just about the space I will have to work with when I get started on my new layout this winter (I hope)!  I'll be glad if you post your progress so we can follow along!!

Thanks Mark!  I always enjoy your post.  I will try to include updates on my layout as it takes shape.  Good luck with yours!!  Maybe both of us will be running trains on our new layouts by Christmas.  That's what I am working towards.

UTOWNTECH, with the length of the backdrop how were you able to keep a straight line going and keep wrinkles out. Did the adhesive allow for going back redo.............................Paul

paul 2 posted:

UTOWNTECH, with the length of the backdrop how were you able to keep a straight line going and keep wrinkles out. Did the adhesive allow for going back redo.............................Paul

Paul...the photo backdrop came in 4 - 75" long pieces.  I would only peel half of the adhesive back off of a 75" piece at a time and get it in position.  Once it was adhered to the hardboard/ Masonite I would then peel the other half off and apply it.  You also had the option of spraying the adhesive back with some water mixed with 1 - 2 drops of dish soap. That would give you a little more time to play with the backdrop if you need to make some adjustments.  I did use that technique when I got to the corner section.  On the long straight wall I applied it without spraying the back.  With such long pieces (75") it definitely helped having a second pair of hands (my wife) get the photo backdrops in position.    Check out this YouTube video link in my last post.  It was made by the company that I purchased the backdrops from ...I definitely used it as a reference.

Mark Boyce posted:

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

Thanks!  DRM = Digital Reverse Module,  i.e. a solid state E-unit.      

Mitch 

Ah ha!  Mitch, I was wondering too; I hadn't seen the acronym before.  Thank you!

A more common acronym is DRCU (Digital Reverse Control Unit),  for what it's worth.   

Mitch 

Utowntech posted:

 

---

That's great, Utowntech!!  That is just about the space I will have to work with when I get started on my new layout this winter (I hope)!  I'll be glad if you post your progress so we can follow along!!

---

Thanks Mark!  I always enjoy your post.  I will try to include updates on my layout as it takes shape.  Good luck with yours!!  Maybe both of us will be running trains on our new layouts by Christmas.  That's what I am working towards.

Thank you!  I'm always glad when I learn someone has enjoyed or seen value in what I post.  I'm not shooting for running trains by Christmas, but since my Mianne benchwork for the 12-foot wall should be shipped in early November and I have my roll-out turn-back section built, it is a possibility I could have some track down.  

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

Thanks!  DRM = Digital Reverse Module,  i.e. a solid state E-unit.      

Mitch 

Ah ha!  Mitch, I was wondering too; I hadn't seen the acronym before.  Thank you!

A more common acronym is DRCU (Digital Reverse Control Unit),  for what it's worth.   

Mitch 

Yes, that is the term I have seen.  I'm used to things having more than one name to describe them.  

Brian, Something looks oddly familiar in that last photograph, though I just can't put my finger on it!  

I did nothing, because yesterday I was swearing, because the day before I...

  Placed a covered bridge that was 1/16th too narrow

Dropped two whole trains 8 feet

Burnt up one direction on an MTH trolly

Broke a drive band on a VW mow van

Set up too small a diode chain for other locos and they got hot enough to fall appart; melted solder...onto my hand

Removed a bridge roof and replaced the bridge only to discover the pilot on the only motor suited to run on the power supply hits the bridge....

so I aint doing  nothin' 

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

A more common acronym is DRCU (Digital Reverse Control Unit),  for what it's worth.   

Tried hooking up the bridge rectifier.   The motor,  which had run at least briefly on a DC power pack,  simply hummed and let out Magic Smoke.   

Examined the E-unit.   When wired to AC track power,  it works fine,  cycling from forward to reverse and producing the proper DC voltage.   

So,  guess the Hogwarts  Express stays on the disabled list until  I can afford a replacement motor... 

Mitch 

The last branch line now laid into the last town. Great satisfaction at this point.  just need about 7' more track laid to the engine house and the last TT., then finished laying track.  Next step, final wiring.  Big layouts can be a drug out event.  Wish I had made it smaller.

Hosted my very first guest for brunch and to run their own engines yesterday.  

An hour here and an hour there can get stuff done if you stay at it. 

Sounds great Tom!

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

A more common acronym is DRCU (Digital Reverse Control Unit),  for what it's worth.   

Tried hooking up the bridge rectifier.   The motor,  which had run at least briefly on a DC power pack,  simply hummed and let out Magic Smoke.   

Examined the E-unit.   When wired to AC track power,  it works fine,  cycling from forward to reverse and producing the proper DC voltage.   

So,  guess the Hogwarts  Express stays on the disabled list until  I can afford a replacement motor... 

Mitch 

Mitch;

You any relation to Dr. Frankenstein (or is that pronounced “Fronkensteen”???). 

If I remember correctly, I have an old Lionel GP-9 (possibly a 6-8477 - won’t be sure till I get back home). Any chance that would help your motor issue???

Sincerely;

Eye-gor 

I want to thank you Mark for your help on this project and others I went back and corrected these this evening and hand painted the tops. Think I’m going to stop here tonight. 

Apples55 posted:

You any relation to Dr. Frankenstein (or is that pronounced “Fronkensteen”???). 

That's FRONKENSTEEN!   

If I remember correctly, I have an old Lionel GP-9 (possibly a 6-8477 - won’t be sure till I get back home). Any chance that would help your motor issue???

Worth a shot, I suppose.  If nothing else,  I could use the Geep to push the Hogwarts Castle around... 

Mitch

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

Apples55 posted:

You any relation to Dr. Frankenstein (or is that pronounced “Fronkensteen”???). 

That's FRONKENSTEEN!   

If I remember correctly, I have an old Lionel GP-9 (possibly a 6-8477 - won’t be sure till I get back home). Any chance that would help your motor issue???

Worth a shot, I suppose.  If nothing else,  I could use the Geep to push the Hogwarts Castle around... 

Mitch

OK, Froaderick... I’ll send it along. As the chihuahua said in that Taco Bell commercial... (and please read this in your best Mexican accent) - “I think I need a bigger box”.

Sincerely;

Abby Normal

Ran trains, created a scene for Team Track Tuesday Thread and took photos.  Enjoyed the entire process!!  

Well, I’m still installing LEDS in Passenger Cars when I get the  time.  I did an MTH full dome car.  It was quite a bit more challenging than a standard coach since there are two lighted levels.  It used about twice the amount of LEDs than a standard coach does.  The original lighting strips, upper and lower, were separately powered by each truck.  I ran extra wire between the trucks so the pickups were in parallel and between the LED power supply and the opposite end of the car for the upper level LEDs.   Probably spent more time figuring out how to do the install than actually doing it.

Larry

                busy down at the station last night...

                                   that B&O switcher had a lot of work to do...

Adritaic, Sounds like a good day to take off!

Mitch, sorry that wasn't the fix, but you amaze me how you always look at the positive side of things! 

TOM TEE, congrats on reaching this point on your layout! Just remember its all about the FUN!

APPLES55, what a great gift to Mitch! That's what I love about this forum! Big Hearts!

LEE, things are looking good!

LARRY, sure sounds like a lot of work! But I bet it looks great and lights so much better! Please post a picture when you get a chance!

Apples55, That is a great help to Mitch!  He will make something out of it all!

Brian, That is a busy station area for sure.

Pat, You always make such great "action" scenes!  That is a lot of activity for sure.

Larry, That's great you are getting the LEDs in!  I have 9 cars, and 2 to be added, plus all the LEDs and electronics from Gunrunnerjohn that I got at York in April.  None are dome cars, so I will have an easier time.

Adriatic, I was sort of down and didn't feel like doing anything yesterday or this morning for different reasons than you.  Being a semi-retired telecom engineer, working on an open ended contract, I have been working only three days a week for over a year, after 2 years of full time work.  I had 6 weeks off in the summer, and it looked like there would be work again for a while, but the permanent engineers are too few with too much to do to do the field work, so I can document it.  I waited over my long weekend only to learn yesterday morning that nothing is ready for me to continue with.  They don't just tell me, we don't need you for 6 weeks, they just leave me hanging.  Waiting to learn if I should reopen my unemployment claim got me down.  I guess coupled with all the problems I had helping the elderly relatives over the weekend got to me.  I also learned the youngest, healthiest aunt has breast cancer.  I just felt like laying down and doing nothing yesterday.  Very strange for me.  I'll get over it, I need to go to the bank and Wal-Mart now.  Too bad we don't have a Menards here.

Thank you everyone here on the OGR Forum for being there.  Your comments that I just read now were an encouragement and you didn't even know it!!!  

Yesterday I took a little time and finished prewiring the last 2 switches for my power cart! Now I can go back to putting the bench work top on and buying track!

That sounds great, Mike!!

Mark Boyce posted:

Apples55, That is a great help to Mitch!  He will make something out of it all!

Brian, That is a busy station area for sure.

Pat, You always make such great "action" scenes!  That is a lot of activity for sure.

Larry, That's great you are getting the LEDs in!  I have 9 cars, and 2 to be added, plus all the LEDs and electronics from Gunrunnerjohn that I got at York in April.  None are dome cars, so I will have an easier time.

Adriatic, I was sort of down and didn't feel like doing anything yesterday or this morning for different reasons than you.  Being a semi-retired telecom engineer, working on an open ended contract, I have been working only three days a week for over a year, after 2 years of full time work.  I had 6 weeks off in the summer, and it looked like there would be work again for a while, but the permanent engineers are too few with too much to do to do the field work, so I can document it.  I waited over my long weekend only to learn yesterday morning that nothing is ready for me to continue with.  They don't just tell me, we don't need you for 6 weeks, they just leave me hanging.  Waiting to learn if I should reopen my unemployment claim got me down.  I guess coupled with all the problems I had helping the elderly relatives over the weekend got to me.  I also learned the youngest, healthiest aunt has breast cancer.  I just felt like laying down and doing nothing yesterday.  Very strange for me.  I'll get over it, I need to go to the bank and Wal-Mart now.  Too bad we don't have a Menards here.

Thank you everyone here on the OGR Forum for being there.  Your comments that I just read now were an encouragement and you didn't even know it!!!  

Mark,

My mom has copd, lung cancer, and a broken hip. She is 79, dad is 83. They live in my brothers duplex, we are over there all the time helping. It does take a toll on you but it is the right thing to do. 

Stay strong Mark, God never gives you more than you can handle.

  You have been going seemingly non-stop for a bit Mark. You deserve a break; I'm just pouting till my luck changes. 

 Don't wait to file, your already going to come in under the expected. 

( Do as I say, not as I do )

Tightened tabs and sulked a bit over two dings in the fallen Marx tinplate. The CV landed on the oil tender setting it askew on the frame and knocking out the thick lens I added to the shell for the first time since I put it there. The lens had gone in the hole for a test fit and and I could never get it out again to fine tune the circle .. My "lemonade"  

 The headlight visor is a tiny bit loose now too, which worries me as it was soldered or tack-welded and I'd not seen that before. It also had an undocumented bulb-style smoke unit when found Unpainted it rusted away to dust in about a year oroso after I unburied the engine in the old carraige house's dirt floor.

Other than that, I haven't noticed any "sore thumb" damage. If there is, it will be an axle or flange I'd guess. The other Crusader CV was fine, as we're the both the two wheel and four wheel passenger cars.

Hang in there Mark my brother just had a kidney removed that was cancer he’s fine and cancer free now at this time last year my youngest girl had heart surgery she very healthy and doing well. It looks dark now but it will get better. This fourm is supportive with good people to back you up.

Thank you Mike, Adriatic, and Lee!!!  If I worked full time, it would be harder to do everything for everyone!  I can see God's hand in it over 3 years ago when the "retirement" came.  My wife just hobbled in from work.  It would be great if she wasn't working instead of me.  Who know, we may find that to be the case tomorrow!!    My morning devotion book today was expounding on the fact that we are to be prudent to do our work, but God is the one in control of the results. 

Mark Boyce posted:

Thank you Mike, Adriatic, and Lee!!!  If I worked full time, it would be harder to do everything for everyone!  I can see God's hand in it over 3 years ago when the "retirement" came.  My wife just hobbled in from work.  It would be great if she wasn't working instead of me.  Who know, we may find that to be the case tomorrow!!    My morning devotion book today was expounding on the fact that we are to be prudent to do our work, but God is the one in control of the results. 

Mark - God bless you & yours. 

What Mike said.  Hang in there,  Mark!   

Mark

I love reading those morning devotions especially when I need God to speak to me. May God pour out his devine spirit on you Mark. 

Thank you Matt, Mitch, and Lee!!! You are all the best!

Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Mark.

Mark Boyce posted:

Apples55, That is a great help to Mitch!  He will make something out of it all!

Brian, That is a busy station area for sure.

Pat, You always make such great "action" scenes!  That is a lot of activity for sure.

Larry, That's great you are getting the LEDs in!  I have 9 cars, and 2 to be added, plus all the LEDs and electronics from Gunrunnerjohn that I got at York in April.  None are dome cars, so I will have an easier time.

Adriatic, I was sort of down and didn't feel like doing anything yesterday or this morning for different reasons than you.  Being a semi-retired telecom engineer, working on an open ended contract, I have been working only three days a week for over a year, after 2 years of full time work.  I had 6 weeks off in the summer, and it looked like there would be work again for a while, but the permanent engineers are too few with too much to do to do the field work, so I can document it.  I waited over my long weekend only to learn yesterday morning that nothing is ready for me to continue with.  They don't just tell me, we don't need you for 6 weeks, they just leave me hanging.  Waiting to learn if I should reopen my unemployment claim got me down.  I guess coupled with all the problems I had helping the elderly relatives over the weekend got to me.  I also learned the youngest, healthiest aunt has breast cancer.  I just felt like laying down and doing nothing yesterday.  Very strange for me.  I'll get over it, I need to go to the bank and Wal-Mart now.  Too bad we don't have a Menards here.

Thank you everyone here on the OGR Forum for being there.  Your comments that I just read now were an encouragement and you didn't even know it!!!  

Mark, you fill these forums with your kindness and good will day after day with a cheerfulness no one can match. I had no idea you were going through so nerve wracking an employment crisis. Please forgive my ignorance. You are not alone, brother. Many of us have endured similar challenges, and it seems that the job growth statistics  have not applied to anyone over 50 for years. Just  keep positive, and trust in the Lord.

We will miss you at York!

The work being done on the many individual train layouts is fun to watch.

The friendly support that the members of OGR Forum offer each other is by far the best asset of this web site.  Thank you for sharing your good work and friendship.

Sincerely,  John Rowlen

Arnold, Thank you very much!  I am always appreciative of prayers.

Pete, Thank you very much for the nice comments and your prayers.  Yes, it can be difficult for the young and old to get acceptable employment.  Our daughters and their husbands all in their mid 20s are certainly paying their dues at low income and moonlighting as well.  It is best I decided to not go to York this time.  My Dad has been having issues at the personal care home where he and Mom live.  We have an elderly aunt and my mother-in-law who need help too, so I am kept busy!  That is another age group that is unprecedented in the numbers we have now.  I don’t know how people who don’t have faith cope!  

I will miss seeing good friends more than looking for bargains at York!

John, you are so right.  A common interest brings us together from all walks of life, and I appreciate everyone here!!

Looked at the layout and made a list of things to look for to put on the layout for York.  Packed the car and will be leaving right after work today.  Safe travels to all who are venturing over to the mecca of train shows over the next couple of days.

Bryan,

Have a great time!!  I’m sorry I won’t be going and won’t meet you!

I am packed and will be hittng the road shortly. I second what Bryan said. May everyone going to York have a safe trip......Paul

Mark Boyce posted:

Bryan,

Have a great time!!  I’m sorry I won’t be going and won’t meet you!

Sorry you have to miss out maybe this April.  I'll try to avoid any incidents with Paul while over there.  I don't want a repeat of the grudge he has held for years about a z-4000 that I was able to snag for 295.  We both heard about it but since I am younger and quicker I was able to get to it first.  He has never let me forget that fact.

paul 2 posted:

I am packed and will be hittng the road shortly. I second what Bryan said. May everyone going to York have a safe trip......Paul

 

Have a great time Paul!!

Paul and Bryan, Wave as you go past the Butler Valley Turnpike exit Pa Rt 8 as you go by!  I’ll be 20 miles north!  ;-)

As you notice Paul has to leave early so he can get a full nights rest because he is old and slow and needs his rest in order to try and keep up with me finding all the good stuff tomorrow.  

Bryan, you have no respect for your elders, especially me. I am over the Z4000 incident. There is nothing more you can take from me. I learn fast. Now I pre order everything. At York you a like a vulture swooping down on it's pray, namely me LOL. See you at York. Safe trip buddy........Paul

You too my friend and don't forget your badge because you know what kind of work you had to put in to get that back.  

Bryan and Paul, I get a kick out of your friendly banter!  I must confess I am closer to Paul’s age than Bryan’s.  I say why not go early if retired?  Last York I wore my knee brace the whole time at the fairgrounds.  Right now I would be stopping several times on the way to shake out the kinks from arthritis!  LOL. That is why I have to add about 20% of the time Barney Google gives me when I check on s destination!  LOL. 

Have a great time!!  I think I told you that last message too!  ;-)

Mark, I agree with everything that all have commented about your rough day! I know you will get threw it as you are a strong man! God has a way of watching over those who watch over others! The way you take care of your parents and aunt shows you have a huge heart and lots of love to share with them! I know what you are going threw as far as the employment, after 25 years of service for the local county I was laid off. Put me back in the search for work, which wasn't easy! Keep strong as you do a lot to keep a lot of us here strong!

Bryan and Paul, Have a great time at York! If you guys ever decided to carpool there I would love to be the fly on the wall! LOL

Nice Brian! I really like the little camper on the hill in the first picture! Also great picture of Izzy!

Brian, your photographs have a grimy railroad look!  Izzy is keeping an eye on you!!

mike g. posted:

Mark, I agree with everything that all have commented about your rough day! I know you will get threw it as you are a strong man! God has a way of watching over those who watch over others! The way you take care of your parents and aunt shows you have a huge heart and lots of love to share with them! I know what you are going threw as far as the employment, after 25 years of service for the local county I was laid off. Put me back in the search for work, which wasn't easy! Keep strong as you do a lot to keep a lot of us here strong!

Bryan and Paul, Have a great time at York! If you guys ever decided to carpool there I would love to be the fly on the wall! LOL

Thank you very much, Mike!  I have been laid off (severed) from 5 places in my 42 years, and quit one 3 weeks before they closed the doors!  I should be an expert!! LOL

These guys may still come up with something for me to do!  They have more work than they have people, but they don’t want to spend money!  LOL  My personal opinion is they bought too many companies in too few years!  The left hand never seems to know what the right hand is doing!  LOL

LOL

Well not much to report.  I did manage to run trains for about 10 minutes before turning in last night.  As brief as it was, I enjoyed the time immensely!! 

Mark - hang in there.  There is always brighter days on the other side of a storm....  At least that has been my life experience.  Just know we are all pulling for ya! 

I fixed my postwar UP 2023 Alco's horn! I have had these since I was a kid... probably at least 30 years. Was doing some motor maintenance and decided to tackle that broken horn. A little internet research, some solder, cleaning electrical contacts and new wiring and it works! 

Always cool when you make a horn sound that probably hasn't sounded for at least 30-40 years!

Tfabrizio posted:

I fixed my postwar UP 2023 Alco's horn! I have had these since I was a kid... probably at least 30 years. Was doing some motor maintenance and decided to tackle that broken horn. A little internet research, some solder, cleaning electrical contacts and new wiring and it works! 

 

Always cool when you make a horn sound that probably hasn't sounded for at least 30-40 years!

Attaboy! 

Mitch 

Well sorry to disappoint everyone but there will be no good Paul/Bryan stories coming from York.  I have to give my friend a HUGE thank you for getting me here tonight.  I usually take 80 over from Ohio and save the tolls.  It only takes about 40 minutes longer so no big deal.  Well my in laws gave my wife and I an eazy pass preloaded just to be nice (Not train related or anything] so I was going to take the turnpike over.  Paul sends me a message before I leave that traffic is backed up on the turnpike real bad.  He left at 10 this morning and I was leaving at 4 and he should have been there already.  So I take 80 over and got here a little before 11.  Paul is still on the turnpike since they closed it and had to reroute everyone.  So his 5 hour trip is now going on hour 13 and he just called and said he just got back on and has another 80 miles to go.  Prayers to the truck drivers family as I saw the reason they closed the turnpike was because 2 semis crashing and 1 burst into flames killing the driver.

As Bryan said the journey to York was the longest trip ever. 12 hours before we got to the hotel. 76 was closed all day and to get off at the exit traffic was stop and go all the rest of the way through the detour to the exit we could get back on. At one point we moved a total of 3 miles in over an hour. But most importantly the wife and I got here safely ........Paul

Bryan and Paul, I always hate driving the Turnpike, and usually use US Rt 422 and 22 out past Cresson and get on I-99 near Altoona, then get on the Turnpike at Breezewood.  Still The Turnpike can be a bear, especially when there is a terrible accident like that.  The Detours are always a log jam.  I'll pray too for the trucker's family.  My dad says that the part of the Turnpike you travel on from Pittsburgh east was opened in 1939, and even with the ongoing bridge replacement and 3 lanes either way construction, it was never meant for traffic like we have now.  (Another bonus by running US 22, When the leaves are off, you can follow the NS trains on the long hill just west of Horseshoe Curve.)

I am glad all of you got there safely!  Rest up and have a great time!!