Well, well, well. It seems like forever since I've posted here. And we were having so much fun. In the meantime, the quiet time. I thought I was going blind and not because of the reasons we used to hear as kids. "You do that to often you'll go blind". Say what? Typical of most diabetics, the diet we insist on... having, because we aren't going to let this disease get the better of us and take away the things we like to eat. Harrumph. Let's just say that attitude will bite you in the butt every-time. Don't ask me how I know. Followed by a sheepish grin. I've been waiting for two Eye Specialist Dr's evaluations and considering the options available. To See or not See? That is the question?? Just how important is my vision toooooo meeeeee !! It's everything. Right? I know some of you are uncomfortable talking about your medical conditions. Yeah, I'm touchy about that too or as well but not afraid to talk about it. Just not in detail. That would take forever. So, five surgeries later. With one eye working extremely well and the other still healing up. I felt like I had been in a fight and someone got a lucky punch in. Aiiyiiyii !! Still bothers me but it's obvious. Did I say obvious? My vision in that eye is coming back. That would be welcomed!! Right about now. The bright background here bothered my eyes and I decided to stay away. Now not so much, now. So here I, AM. To those wishing I was gone, sorry about that. LOL At the same time it feels good enough to say Haw haw hee hee haw haw. How good it is! The train layout? What about the train layout? It's been a cat perch for the better part of all of this time. Wondering how I'm going to reclaim it? I did, I really did. I've been working on wiring from time to time. When you consider it took me the better part of five years to wire it up, in the first place. I'm going to be busy for awhile. So, much not so good fun when the chest decides to inflict a wee bit of angina. Did I say a wee bit? How about unexpected or stunning or halt everything. Stop. Into any stress I put myself under. Now don't be feeling sorry for me. That's just the way it is. So, I grumble a lot, take a nitro and wait for things to settle down. Always the waiting game. Hurry up and wait. Yes, back to trains. Still collecting freight cars and passenger cars from the pre-mega merger era. Hard to find Santa Fe motors, engine, locomotives in the Boy Scout pin stripes, Yellow Book ends, and Yellow War bonnet liveries. Love those GP 20's. Looks the the guys and gals in HO are going to get a chance at them. I was going to add a set of Heavy Weight passenger cars, Southern Pacific in the two tone grey of the Lark paint schemes. That opportunity came and went at the wrong time. I went looking, did I say looking, yes I did. As much as my vision would allow, for a Southern Pacific E9, in the black widow livery. I didn't find it. Not in my stock pile. I have replacements for the outdoor tent city. No not on the layout. In the back yard. I purchased two pop ups. They had to be something I can set up during the warmer summer months and take down during the cold winter months. They will both be up soon, my table saw, chop saw and other tools will be back under them. Where I can get to them. Look out layout. That's it for now. Do or don't wish me well. Right now I'm to excited to be influenced by any negativity. Just thankful someone here forewarned me as to what was coming next. Thank-you and you know who you are. Thank-you for those of you who contacted me through the P.M. here. If I didn't respond. Now you know why. A big shout out of thanks. Now is not the time to give up and go set on my toucans. Never mind what I was thinking. Time to get things in gear. Set-up the job ahead. As good friends and Larry the Cable Guy would say, "Get'er done".
Good to see you back! You have a great attitude in the face of "age-related adversity", one that will serve you well. Onwards!
LOL Thanks Guys. No time for pushing up daisies or in my case tumble weeds. Not ready for that. I'll explain the tumble weeds. The kids know to scatter may ashes in the wind on Cajon Pass and leave me a chair to set-in so I can watch the trains go by. How cool is that? With the advice of a retired mortician. Keep the coin and the paper work but scatter me back to the mother earth from which I was made, in the first place. Then I can rest.
Okay, sad news and I don't know where else to put this. Feel free to move this, if you wish. I lost the Most Unlikely Friend, a dear friend just last month. A fellow model railroader, railfan and over all train enthusiast. Known to much of us as DGAS. Think it through, you'll get it. Much of my layout has shown off his handy work. The Mini-City and the Bendejo train station. His train equipment has ply-ed my layouts rails. That will continue I say with my fingers crossed. To Greg McGinnis, salute good friend. Now get started on the greatest train layout of all. So when we all catch up with you, we can share in the fun. I intend to add pictures of the structures he scratch built, kit bashed and put his own touch to. More to come. For now I will miss him and the others that have gone ahead. Wonder what the other side will really be like? Better be trains. My luck I will be stoking coal in the boiler down under. LMAO Not yet!
Now, aka More Track Rick, is about to get busy and add...yes...more track to the layout. I will be building a train yard. Go back to George's THERR and look at his yard. Same idea.
All kidding aside...good to hear from you again my friend ! Gotta love getting older and...well...you know. Wishing you well on your recovery. Call me...I think you have my #. If not...send up some smoke signals....lol.
Dang, Rick! Diabetic stuff ain't no fun! And sorry for the loss of a friend. Glad to hear that modern med has you fixed up some!! So now we can get back to grunting under the layout to fix up wiring and the run trains! Keep on rolling! No you do know that if there are no pictures of the tents or layout progress......
No fun is right. It's not something you get over and your okay again. This just get's...well, i think you know.
Sorry to hear of your health woes, Rick, and I empathize as I am experiencing some myself. As the old saying goes, "Keep on truckin'. Hmm, adding more track before completing the wiring. Sounds just like what I would and do do. Doug
Sorry for your loss of your friend and your health issues. Good luck on your health and layout, I know what you are going through. I haven't worked on mine for several months because of my legs. Joe
Thank-ful that we have a hobby and layouts to express ourselves. There's always something I can do despite the limitations. Of course blurry vision doesn't help. Nor does certain leg problems. Thanks for the condolences. Right back at you on the health and well wishes. Take care.
Here is the Mini-City that Greg Mcginnis built for his N Scale Train Layout. His vision started to wane and he sold off most of his N scale collection. The Chipewa Chief a commuter from San Bernardino to Los Angles, Ca. sits out front of the Rio Bendejo train station. A scratch built loose interpretation of the San Bernardino, Santa Fe train station. Train Time at the Station. The Grand Canyon, in the foreground. Super Chief on the 2nd track and the Chief on the 3rd track. The East end. You might recognize some of the kits that have been kit bashed. Also note the tightest radius curves on the layout. Comes in at a radius 7.5 inches. For a short trolley line. Not sure what I'm going to do with that. I don't have anything that will run on it. Above: Main Street. Above: There is a Brothel in the picture. I'll let you find it. Greg had the quirkiest sense of humor. Below: A Brewery. He would say he wasn't one for details. You expect me to believe that? Below: Dispatch we have a problem. The Chipewa Chief is still sitting in front of the station. There is a SP switcher on the lead part of the wye. The Chippie needs to get out to go to Redlands. The switch crew has gone to beans. Dispatcher: Say What~~!! Sadly, this whole section of the layout was all but destroyed due to the handling of someone who doesn't understand or appreciate a model railroad and all the work that goes into it. Sigh. Rebuild time. More Track Rick has plans for it on a new section of the layout. It will take time but will eventually grace the H&P in the future. Greg, once again thanks for this gift. Rest in peace you rascal or raise hell. Whatever suits you. Perhaps more later.
Had a nice phone convo with Rick this morning. Just catching up. Lots of "old people" chat...like doctors...eyes...diabetes...etc.. You know...old people talk. Yes trains where part of the call. Talked a lot of train stuff. ..LOL. 3 cups of coffee and half a pack of smokes later we both had to end the call. Again...old people stuff we both needed to get done. Talk to you again soon my friend...