We're running on the final turn of August and when this weekend is through, we'll be in September. Time for Weekend Modeling Plans. With Labor Day here, I wonder how many like I have decided to take Friday off? This part of Illinois is probably going to get rained out starting later this afternoon, so time between now and Tuesday will probably be spent indoors. I'll use this excuse to get some things put away in the garage and further organize both railroad and airplane hobby items as well as a Jeep part or two. I need to get the track cleaner out and get some of the main cleared up and also start more work on my T-Trak module as I just found out I'll be going to Trainfest in Milwaukee. We'll see what else happens, but with two teenagers and a girlfriend all wanting attention, modeling may be limited. So how about you? Will tropical storms keep you away from the grill and close to that building project? Will module work or track work keep you busy? Any train shows this long weekend? This is a long weekend so remember, we won't be back to see how we all did until Tuesday, September 4th. Until then, have a happy and safe Labor or Labour Day and... High Greens!
I just checked the weather, and it looks like we'll have pleasant conditions through the weekend here in New England. My hope, now that the brutal summer heat seems to be behind us, is to get some bicycling in before it turns too cold, but that's not going to dominate my time. We'll start what may be a weekend of grilling tonight with a get-together at the swim-and-tennis club, a last hurrah for that place this season, perhaps. Last night, I cut out number decals for an Ann Arbor RR boxcar I'm renumbering to distinguish it from its twin, and also for a SoundBugged dummy GP-9. The Geep has been running in a consist with a GP-20M. (It's quiet. Too quiet.) A GP-20M is a converted GP-9 with a low nose. Just to be perverse, I looked up the history of Milwaukee #974, and found it was originally #2380, so that's what I'll number its consist-mate. Maybe the Silflor static grass will arrive at my LHS. If so, I'll be doing a bit of scenery work with it. I think it's also time to work on that Bachmann 0-6-0T tank engine. It needs to be repainted grimy black, decalled and weathered. I'll be taking the shell off and checking it to see if I can fit in one of those TCS Keep-Alive decoders. This nice little engine has poor pickup, even on good track, and running it over the street-running girder rail for its intended assignment pulling cars from the carfloat has proved unreliable, so I'm thinking this might be the solution. I've got some ballasting to do, too, but I'm saving that task for the start of football season. Football, beer, brats and ballasting. Now there's a quality day for you.
I've been working in my hotel room late intot he night all week, continuing work of wrecking derrick D&RGW 028, 2 D&RGW GP40-2's (one with the late angled blower bulge transplanted into the shell), and D&RGW 100, Wilson McCarthy. I started with a Kato business car, shaved the corrugations above the mid point of the car, trimmed the skirting, and sanded it smooth. Much work yet to go on it--new step wells needed, changed tail end treatment, etc.
I am right at this moment preparing to glue ballast on the Main, A/D and Yard 1 Track to finish up ballast on the bottom level. However, my ballast has a shine to it in the Yard around a couple switches where I switch up the mixture I used last year. I cannot for the life of me remember if I used matte medium or elmers white glue with the water/alcohol mixture. Once I have that figured out, I will probably leave the layout along until it is good and dry, perhaps lay rail Monday morning.
Our neighbor above us had their water heater blow a couple weeks back. I have to clean the garage and move stuff in order for the drywall guy to come in and fix it. I'd do it myself, but lifting 4x12 sheets over my head while helping watch out 4 month old boys....it ain't happening. I plan to do that part of today, and tomorrow. After that, the boys nap time = modeling time, since it is supposed to rain much of the weekend. My goals are to finally get the Delta truck onto my Soo Line Mountain, and start working on a few odds and end projects that are quickies.
The last few weeks have been taken up renovating my kitchen, removing walls, installing new windows and wiring changes. I'm taking off from that work this weekend to make another section for my T-Trak yard to get ready for a show on Sept 22 in Mahopac NY.
I'll be in the attic tomorrow. Pulling wire. Chipping away at getting my trainroom done. I'll work in the AM until the heat drives me out. Then its down to the workshop to finish some cars I've been working on. Also, as I keep chipping away at the room, I have a couple of buildings I started years ago that I may pull out, assess, and rekindle some work there. Pictures to come later in the weekend.
