BarstowRick's H&P Layout Restoration

BarstowRick Sep 15, 2020

  1. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Truckers lament? I hate them, too. Supposedly safer. But I see plenty of black marks on the curbs and pavement, at most of them. Usually along with some glass fragments, etc. Never cared to wheel a semi around one. They are an el cheapo way of saving money, instead of building a proper overpass. Several in my area are now being replaced with an overpass, so the initial expenditure was a waste of money, coupled to the cost of removing the roundabout and the fact that the new overpass costs (far) more than it would have initially...
     
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  2. BigJake

    BigJake TrainBoard Member

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    Speaking of black marks on curbs, used to be that was nothing more than a scuffed sidewall...

    Now with the insanely low profile tires, that's often a new tire AND WHEEL! I hit a small pot-hole a year ago or so. No flat or anything, so I didn't think anything more about it. A few days later, I had a low tire pressure warning. Sure enough, the rim was dented, beyond repair, right where the bead seals on the interior side, so I needed a new wheel for almost $500! (the tire was ok) And this was on an SUV with stock wheels! That's something I never have to worry about in my old pickup, shod in load range E tires with nice, tall sidewalls... So it doesn't hang with the SUV in the corners (or the straights); at least it passes the tire/wheel shop!
     
  3. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    My county roadworks department also like to leave louse gravel on the roundabouts. This can cause a lot of trouble. For me, on a scooter, I lost control, broken shoulder, arm, all left ribs, punchered lung, concussion and damaged eye. Five weeks in the hospital, seventy days in jail, seven thousand in debt and lost my license for ten years. Because it was found I had the beginning of Covid-19 while driving and was totally at fault.
     
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  4. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hey Rick !!!!!
    Wake up !!!! Ya fall asleep under the layout again doing wiring ? o_O:rolleyes:;)
     
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  5. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yawn! I'm awake, I think.

    Haw, haw, very good. No I've been falling asleep while sitting at the computer.
    I've been waiting to see how things were going to pan out with regards to the house I live in. As it turns out the land lord isn't going to sell the place after all. The apartment below me will be rented out to students attending a local University just about six blocks away. So, it's edumacation for them and train layout for me. Can't beat that.

    I met the boyfriend of one of the girls. He saw my layout and wanted to jump right in and help me get it back together, on the spot. Now that's help I can use. Won't this be fun.

    So, I've been clearing out the stuff that has collected under the train table so I can get my big fat "SSS" in and underneath it to put the wires back together again. Won't this be fun?!?

    George, liked your video about your layout. Saw some things that delighted me. Especially the "Burger Diner". Can't remember the name you gave it. That's one way to put a Shorty GN passenger car to good use. Kudo's!!!!





    Now when they start fining you for having Covid, no fault of your own. That's an ugly picture and smacks of a breach in "Patient Confidentiality". It's about choices and they are stepping all over "Patients Rights". Just thought I'd throw that into the mix.

    Just something wrong with this picture. Read on.

    Not good, not good. Hang in there. This to shall pass.
     
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2021
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  6. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hate those round about's with passion. Yes, I've seen those black marks. There are other places around town here where if you cut for a right turn you can get bumped by a curb. Not sure why they had to build the curb out so far into the street. A yellow florescent paint job would help and older man see it.

    Hey, on another subject. These trains coming through here are almost as long as the Nampa Union Pacific train yard in town. One to two DPU's added into the mix. I watched as a DPU starting up mid-train kept bumping the car ahead of it. You had slack going several direcitons at once. Wondering how long before they break a knuckle coupler.

    Also, understand from crews I had the fortune to talk to. The DPU's are controlled by a computer "RC" and can be over rode by the engineer if and when needed. Next thing they are going to have DCC. LOL.

    Noted lot's of derailments as of late. Hummm??
     
  7. trainman-ho

    trainman-ho TrainBoard Member

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    Here in Nova Scotia they are putting Round-a-bouts (the locals call them rotaries) on each side of over passes.

    Not the way I would build a highway system!

    Jim
     
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  8. badlandnp

    badlandnp TrainBoard Member

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    They just added european roundies to the interchange at Miles City. Truckers leave a lot of black marks on them, and they are miserable. The emergency services folk do get more practice tho.

    As for Shortrounds issues, wow. That is just plain dictatorial and putting trouble onto the pains of the accident. And just plain un-American.
     
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  9. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    Good to see your up and stirring around Rick! How is the wire work coming along?
     
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  10. logging loco

    logging loco TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hi Rick, I just caught up on your last three months of posts.
    How are the new strippers working out for you?

    I was thinking of you l last week. I got a new long-handled garden tool. It reminded me of the stripper comments on your thread.

    I'm glad to read that you don't have to move.

    My wife and I have been back and forth to Johns Hopkins University Hospital many times this Spring and Summer. Each time we go through a new traffic circle near the Pa/MD border. Traffic on it is very light, nothing like the circles I'm use to when I had to commute to the NJ shore.
     
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  11. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    Only two roundies at over passes? The one a half mile from me has 5 to overpass US41, two major railroads and the Neenah Slough. It's a big industrial area on both sides. So, the truckers love it and leave many of the marks. And noise.

    Strippers? :whistle: No, I gave them up when I moved out of Milwaukee. ;) Along with tobacco and beer. :)
     
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  12. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thanks for your responses.

    Moving? Not for now. However, the possibility is still an option. So, since that's still hanging over my head. A uncertain possibility. I will approach the layout with a different thought process.

    I've seriously considered keeping it as a one level layout. That would never satisfy my longings for a mountain railroad. It would turn it into a relatively simple roundy-round. I've had enough of those.

    The "Wireus Repairus," wiring project is going along at a painfully slow process. I have a good start stripping wires. That is, from where I can get to it topside. Now getting under the layout will be a challenge.

    An electrician friend shared with me how he uses a 2x4 to wedge it in so it braces his back when working overhead from under the house. I may put that idea to work.

    My feline colony of cat's are all doing good. Even the oldest momma cat "Mommason" Now approximately 20 years old gets around on her own. Still manages to find time to play with the older youngsters.

    Idaho and the smoke. Apparently this isn't new to Idaho. They've been cussing out California, Oregon and Washington for not caring for their forests and letting them burn instead. Although, if you allow me to point out, we get the smoke from our own forest fires. We are the Smoke Chimney for the West Coast.

    Next the hard part of a move to anywhere. Making new friends. I've only made one and he works here on TB as a volunteer. That's it. He doesn't have time what with his own family and the attention they demand of him.

    I thought a lot about what I was going to say next. Thinking this is more then likely a private thing. You guessed it, you know me all to well. Quiet about confidential issues absolutely. No one else needs to know. But on a personal level, I'll say what I think.

    I left good friends behind in Big Bear Country. Although, that group has all but broken up and moved away from the mountain. It's true Big Bear Lake and the communities around it can make for a difficult place to live. Utilities are the highest in California, Traffic grid-lock in Big Bear, with different events and road closures is a pain in the glutinous-maximus.

    What I appreciate. I still hear from these friends via phone calls. Thank-full for that.

    Well enough groveling, bitching and moaning. I need to get re-focused and get serious about getting back to work on the layout.

    As to friends. It took almost 12 years in Big Bear Country, before I met and made friendships with the mountain men of Big Bear Lake. Pretty much a closed community and they don't like Flat Landers, intruding on their territory. Like they do every weekend. Snow, ice, and when that's gone the Lake. Aiiyiiyii !!

    Now with a HVAC that works efficiently and keeps me cool it's time to get busy. I have a long ways to go before i can catch up with George and the THERR.
     
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  13. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    My thoughts:

    1) Get the single level working. If the rest doesnt happen...oh well! Getting trains running is good for the soul and mental stability. NOTHING beats watching trains run !! (y)

    2) It's not a competition ! :rolleyes: Motivation my friend ? YES....;)(y)(y)

    .
     
  14. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    When you live in a ultra conservative neighborhood and I'm speaking of all of Idaho. We get confused with Utah, if you get my drift. Just try to find a place to go and see Strippers. Boise may have a place but I wouldn't swear to it. LOL

    You'll have to find a Party Train.
     
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  15. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Good advice~!(y)

    I do need to make sure the bottom level is ready to go, including the helix i portion before I can add the top cake layer. Cake, oh boy! No more wedding cakes in my line of sight.:whistle::whistle:

    I need to make sure the supports are in and will hold the top layer. So, right you are.:)

    No competition as you've got it all over me. ;) Motivation, yes it is.:cool:
     
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  16. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Shortround, I met to say earlier, Congratulations on leaving the beer and cig's behind. Those that don't are a Mortician's best friend, sorry to say.
     
    Doug Gosha likes this.
  17. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    I see, I miss understood. Yes they have been gone since 1990. But then, I moved to this country in 2007. (n)(n)
     
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  18. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

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    Jeez, towns so conservative, they won't even let you remove insulation from wires the easiest way.

    :D

    Doug
     
  19. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    In some circles, (did you get that?) it would be a sin. :confused::eek::rolleyes::ROFLMAO:
     
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  20. BigJake

    BigJake TrainBoard Member

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    Wait... you guys hire someone to come in and remove the insulation from wires?!
     

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