Coming to you from Illinois this morning, counting our blessings that our location was untouched by the wrath that was unleashed last night over much of Illinois. Fortunately for me, I have a weekend to model with. My old stomping grounds in Northern Illinois however was not so fortunate. Rochelle, a place famous for railfans, was hit hard by the tornado where in fact a restaurant that was very familiar to me was leveled. Fortunately, no one in the establishment was seriously injured or worse. Prayers to those who were hit hard and have lost so much. Typical of honest, hard working mid westerners, relief crews are already on the way. Turning to happier thoughts, it is finally Friday and the weekend is looking better on all accounts. I have the house to myself tomorrow as Jared is working all day tomorrow and since he is only this close to getting his licence, Ang will be playing the mass transit duties. My plan for the weekend is to finish up work on the two GP38's and maybe get some paint on them. One unit still needs the BLMA fans installed and both need cab detailing by way of sun shades. Next weekend my buddy from the north is coming down for the weekend to get his three modules ready to connect to mine to complete the Galesburg City Job. Galesburg RR Days is fast approaching and I can feel the pressure. The goal for me this weekend is to see what he needs to get the modules he has up to my specs as far as hardware. He still needs to add the risers and sub roadbed. With next weekend free of distractions, we should be able to accomplish a lot. The Facebook page for my City Job is growing in fans and has become a great way to stay on task. I plan to add an update there today soon and may even start a YouTube channel as well. Sometimes social media is a good thing! With spring here, I'll need to clean up my off site work shop for next weekend's activities as well as the home office, maybe get some painting done on the fascia as I have one module all wired up and about ready for the foam base and basic scenery. Next to tackle is module two with all of its eight turnouts! Fortunately only the mainline turnouts will be servo controlled. So a busy weekend and one filled with accomplishments. So how about you? What do you have planned? Let us know. We'll come on back here on Monday the 13th. Until then, have a safe and productive weekend and... High Greens!
We had some severe storms move through yesterday and some high waters resulted. More on the way with dark clods looming as I type this. I installed more Sergent couplers this morning and lettered a boxcar for the Kanawha Belt Line. I got a new Bachmann Mogul w/DCC and sound for $115 on eBay, thought that was a pretty good deal, should get that next week. Not sure what else I'm going to get into this weekend. So many little projects.
This will likely be the last weekend of skiing. I was there last weekend, too, and there is plenty of snow, but once April gets here all the families turn their children over to soccer or baseball and they don't ski anymore. Hence, not much revenue for the ski areas. Us season pass holders aren't paying anything, either, so they run at a big loss from now on. By Monday, they'll be running with a skeleton crew and most of the lifts will stop turning for the season. So, no trains. Penny is back from Florida, so she wants to get in a few more days on the mountain, but I don't think the trip will be worth it after this. Then I can finally install the detectors for those crossing gates.
Hmm. Well, I have not as yet decided what to try. Maybe a building kit long awaiting assembly, for a T-Trak module. Possibly general work bench cleanup. Perhaps finally starting work on an HOn30 diesel critter shell.... We will know what happened when Monday arrives!
Glad to hear you guys dodged the tornado. I spent a month one year cleaning up after one when it struck my area. I have a couple switch stands waiting for installation, think I will do that Saturday. Sunday afternoon we are heading to a local museum for a presentation on the 1920's. The switch stands are Tomar, and I am not sure if I will have them operate or just for looks.
I'll be going to a hobby show on Saturday, one with a big train section plus all sorts of other models (RC, military, etc.) On the lookout for bargains as usual, and satisfying my train fix!
