Well, as close as possible I guess!! Not that far yet, but slowly getting closer! Took a little time yesterday, to set up a short, 3 car narrow gauge train and caboose. Powered by the Rio Grande #50. Just to see how the narrow gauge stuff would run. Aside from coupler height issues, things ran pretty good. Gotta get the side rods on the K27 fixed!! Have something clicking and some binding. Think part of the problem, is the result of bad counterweights on the drivers. Replacement weights are NOT available any longer. Otherwise, quite happy with things so far.
Track and maintenance crew have been given a little time off. Either raining, or just on the edge of being too wet to work! Getting much closer to having the front finished. Need to level a section of track slightly. Maybe an inch overall, which gives me a little room to add ballast and level track! Then, I can start working my way towards the back. Next to go in, will be the small wye. Which will require some cut and fit work. Fence work could be any time between now and Aug 24. They are so far behind, because of the rain....So if I can get to the fence line, or just past, I'll Be good. They will know what/where to go to avoid the trains! Granted, my work MAY be restricted even more now though. Have a Disability Benefits hearing on July 27. So, I may not get to do as much as I might have hoped to get done. Last train to run, was my little LGB Rio Grande #50 with 3 AMS narrow gauge cars and an Aristo caboose. Use the narrow gauge as a test since those cars are notorious for derailing at the slightest disturbance in the track! Gotta try a few different cars now, since the drop bottom gone have always run pretty good, regardless of track condition! Oh well........At least I'm very slowly getting things done!
Rain? Wet? Sounds more like what I knew while living out in the Puget Sound area. We actually had a little here this morning. Actively seeking donations of any excess moisture! Ha ha. If I had an outdoor empire, it would have melted by now.
Kind of nice, since it's cooler. But, back to the 90's by the weekend!! Upper 80's and up to 92-93* for the weekend. Might try to get something done then. At least before it gets TOO hot, or later in the afternoon, when it cools down slightly! May take all summer yet, to finish what I'm currently working on! But, I WILL get it finished!! Eventually!! Gonna be one of those type of years it looks like. Could be worse I suppose.
It's been cooler here the last couple of days. But slowly building in forest fire smoke and haze. Hotter in coming days, they say. So, no fresh air. Ugh. I'm going to hide at the modeling bench, or something.
Into the 90's by the weekend. Up to 93 or so by Sunday. Getting smoke this way also. From fires somewhere up in Canada. Should have 4-5 hot days available to work. For very short periods. Maybe a tad longer in the late afternoon, early evening. Before the mosquitoes start coming out, and I'm eaten alive by the #%$&@ things!! Although, about that time, it's too dark to see what I'm trying to accomplish!! Would try to do some minimal work today, but rain the AM, and rain forecast for later this afternoon......Not gonna be working. Maintenance crew getting a decent break as a result!!
Dr appointment early. Some local train action as well. On computer for an hour or so, then a 3 1/2 hour nap instead. Plus a bit of reading from a new book recieved today. The Switzrland Trail of America. Book #1111, signed by author. Includes an extra chapter. Copywrite 1978. Still want to get an original 1962 copy. Signed/numbered also. With clear dust jacket.
Now, I'm dead in the water for an unknown time!! Left knee is acting up now. Difficult at best to walk. Barely able to bend my knee now, and certainly can't kneel down without major pain!
I hate to admit it but it's been too hot down here to do much outdoor railroading. Maybe I'm getting old. I've done some r/c flying and a lot of building but RR maintenance has been deferred. I've finally got out my new airgun and painted a U-25 I bought at last years convention down in Tampa. It's waited patiently and is now a nice silver. I'll photograph it before I put it back together and begin weathering. It will also get an Airwire system. It's funny, when you get buyers fever you don't always see the faults you find a year later. This was one dirty locomotive, took quite a bit of cleaning to get it ready to paint. Worthwhile though. Pics to follow soon. This winter I am hoping to refurb some outdoor buildings and re-establish the HO version of this road in a bigger and improved setting. I decided to keep some of the brass I was going to sell for the lady I've been working with, just too nice to let go of or that's what I tell myself. It also needs some work to get running properly. Still considering DCC conversion, I may try a few and see how practical it is. But wait, that is a different forum, sorry. Keith good luck with that hearing man, I know they don't do anything in a hurry. One word of advice, if you didn't get a lawyer, get one now. Find one who works on percentage and doesn't want $$ up front. My opinion is that it is something of a racket but it works how it works and if one is truly disabled then that is the most effective way to get benefits. I've seen it up close a couple of times, seems to work the same way each time. Again sorry for going off topic but thought it should be said. No more, promise, just trains. Rick H.
Rick, My folks and I looked around, when my initial application(solo) was denied. I've had a lawyer retained for the case, for about a year or so. From what they said, if I get back benefits, but ONLY IF I get back benefits, do they get paid. I'll get an outcome notice in the mail, about a month after hearing. Only then, will I know the outcome. A fitting coincidence, or not?? About a week ago, I managed to somehow mess up my LEFT knee now!! Same problems as with right knee previously. Intense pain, unable to walk without crutches, and NOT knowing when or how I messed things up! Did I kneel wrong, land on something wrong, or just stand up? Gotta see if I can see the Dr pretty quick. Maybe we can use this incident as well, to my advantage. maybe if I enter the court, on crutches and my knee the size of a small grapefruit......... Only downside is, I can't work on the railroad, and can't even haul equipment outside to run! Need to have my folks do that for me, for a while, until I can move again! Things WILL get better eventually. Hoping everything works out. Keeping fingers, toes and even eyes crossed!!
With all of my injuries, I understand. Atop them all, I blew out my right knee July 2nd. Can't afford to go to the doctor. Like moving around with someone whacking my knee with a pipe numerous times a day. Sure don't feel much like anything hobby related. And I am trying to get the place spiffed up for relatives visiting this coming weekend. Ugh.
Easier said than done, isn't it?? No visitors here, save for maybe a friend, or neighbors. But, no one that comes down to see my place anyway!! Managed to get a Dr appointment in 2 hours, to check out my knee. And maybe get some updated medical information for hearing on the 27th. Have found, it's easier to get IN my folks car, than it is to get into MY OWN truck!! Been through this 3 times. Once while working, Once after I quit working, and now. Twice with right knee, this time with left. What I find interesting is, it's my left heel/ankle that's messed up to begin with! If I can clear access to the N Scale, I might try working on it a bit. As long as I can manage anyway! Need to add a couple of short, ramps for a couple of Spurs. Sand them from track level, to ground(bare foam) level. Paint road bed, glue track etc..... Start figuring out how to install Caboose Industries ground throws for turnouts etc... Maybe find out what it'll cost to order several more 1" high rock retaining walls.
Finished up more track ballasting. Still have maybe 4 feet of track to ballast. As far as main lines go. Next, I'm hoping to start working on the wye. Getting track placed again, and then cut and fit were needed. After track work was done, I ran a train for about 6 hours!! Pulled track cleaning gadget out from under a boxcar, since it was causing me all sorts of trouble!! Gonna try adding a coupler to it instead, and pull it along, behind the caboose. Overall, it was a good day!
More medical info needed, from Jan 2014 to present. Was faxed to lawyers office, then they faxed to SSA. Now, they can review stuff and decide. Waiting game begins. Again! Might not know anything for about a month or so from now.
Got another couple of hours running in today! This time, I used the NW-2 8 narrow gauge cars and caboose. Not right, but it looked good!! Next best thing, with the K27 down. Had constant problems. Was able to cure part of that, by doing minor track work. The other half, requires replacing AML couplers with KD. Couplers would come apart in a couple of places. And at least one coupler would pop open on its own!! So now, I'm working on swapping couplers. Another painful, but fun day! May sit back and do nothing for the day or two now.