Weekend Photos - January 2021

[healey36]

Yup, but 2x6's only because pressure-treated 2x10's were out of stock.

PM'ing the backside of the tunnel project today, and applying a few bits to the frontside where it seems a bit fragile. Adjusted the mix of white-glue and water to 60/40, which makes things a bit gloppier. In a couple days it should be dry, so then I can figure out what's next. I need to "detail" the portals a bit to give them a tinplate cut-stone look, so that needs to be done before the overall coat of primer/anti-skid paint (I'm developing a formula for that).

I seriously messed up conceptually near the top of the road, so I might have to rework that a bit. A key design element may go away, replaced by something less dramatic. Hopefully it'll be fine.

[gregj410]

Hopefully it'll be fine.

It will. I find most of the hobby is improvising as you go. I’ve rarely planned something out from start to finish.

[healey36]

Had to do a bit of sealing around the base, as I seemed to have left the papier-mâché a bit short on the back side. I had a previously-opened tube of DAP Dynaflex which seemed to work. Says its paintable once it's dry (and waterproof!). I also used the stuff to touch up a few spots on the shell, and have a few more. I see now why it was so important not to cut the paper into strips, but tear it instead. Wherever the paper's edge was not torn, it left an ugly, obvious seam. I'm going to have to go back and touch those up so they don't look so bad once painted. The primer might hide most of them, so I'll have to experiment with that.

I then moved on to the masonry for the tunnel portals. Basically just some cereal box cardboard cut into L-shaped bits and cemented in with some Weldwood contact cement. Here, too, I'm hopeful the thick primer/anti-skid paid hides the gaps. I guess we'll see. I flat out stole this idea from my mate who already finished his version.



Put your prewar-tinplate imagination in gear...does this work? I'm thinking it looks passable. Still gotta do the other end, but we're getting there.

I've developed a cheat approach for the dilemma at the top. I'm not happy with it, but I fiddled around with it last night and couldn't come up with a way to make the original scheme work. We'll see...pretty far off on this project's timeline.

If you're thinking that back side sure is a steep slope, well, it should be if we're going to make the top bit work. Think sheer cliff.

[gregj410]

pretty far off on this project's timeline.

Wait.....these things have timelines? I’m still hoping to get back to my miners cabin here soon. Took a short break to do some shelving and now my focus has shifted to ballasting my train yard. Hope to get back on it by the weekend.

I like the way this is shaping up....always adjustments along the way.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

pretty far off on this project's timeline.

Wait.....these things have timelines?

I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.

[healey36]

Timeline might be the wrong term; more like a long list of steps in some sort of chronological order, but not necessarily with a scheduled end-point.

As I look around here, I find my project list kinda overlays an actuarial table. Not intending to sound morbid, but there is a recognition that time will eventually grow short.

So many good things to be worked on, yet so little time. I really feel bad for guys I know who retired, than six months in, couldn’t figure out what to do with themselves. Me, I have more to do than I think I have time to do it.

Spent a good part of today hanging kitchen cabinets in a 110 years-old apartment building in Baltimore. That kinda stuff is humbling. Man, if those walls could talk.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

I really feel bad for guys I know who retired, than six months in, couldn’t figure out what to do with themselves.

If they do not figure it out, they don't last long....

[gregj410]

Not intending to sound morbid, but there is a recognition that time will eventually grow short.

I get it. I’m 51 years old and I’m not sure I’ll even see an end to my layout. I don’t know if we will live here into retirement years so I’m going to cherish the moments while I have them. I may never have a layout beyond this one and certainly not this size if I do.

[healey36]

As Sarge always tells me, “Don’t think about it, there’s too much effing stuff to do.”

On to the next.

Looking at the tunnel tonight, I nearly convinced myself it was too narrow. I scrounged up a piece of 3-rail tubular and a Lionel 1684; shoved it through with room to spare.

[rogruth]

As Sarge always tells me, “Don’t think about it, there’s too much effing stuff to do.”

On to the next.

I agree with Sarge.
I retired at 65 in 1999 from teaching then worked part-time for a music store going to school on an irregular schedule that stretched over the
school year and part of the summer for @ 19 years. Kept me involved with music. Eye problems sort of forced retirement from that in 2019
and now I really have nothing useful to do. But I am not ready to die ( not pass or go to the big layout in the sky ) so I avoid crowds and
wear a mask, which I hate, when I need to go out. And I try to have some FUN.
Hang on and in there.

[gregj410]

Roger,
How were you involved in music?

[healey36]

I’ve been lucky. I take precautions, but at times press my luck. My daughter, the sixth-grade math teacher, still lives here at home. I figure if anyone’s going to take me down, it’ll be her, infected by one of those snot-faced twelve year olds she teaches. I like to think I’m in decent shape, could fend this off, but at 64, Dr. Fauci tells me I’m at elevated risk.

My interests would normally bring me face to face with folks. I’ve been an avid wargamer for close to 50 years. I would usually spend a couple weekends each month huddled over the game table with a half-dozen mates, but it’s been nearly a year since our last session. Similarly, all of the Cons I usually attend were bagged. I miss that a lot. Then there’s the Healey, which hasn’t been out of the garage to a car meet for nearly two years.

Fortunately I have a pile of toy train projects to work on and you guys to bounce stuff off of. If not for that, I’d probably have gone crackers by now.

[rogruth]

Roger,
How were you involved in music?

OK. You asked so the whole bunch.
8th grade-learned to play tuba was put into the HS band. 9th-played in HS band and orchestra and a minor symphony orchestra. Learned string bass to
play in the HS orchestra and the junior symphony. I played tuba with various concert bands and string bass with various jazz and dance groups of many sizes for which I got paid. I also sang in HS chorus. Band chorus and orchestra in college along with jazz and dance playing. After college played in community bands. Also directed. That may cover the playing.
After making a decision to teach rather than play professionaly I taught in eight school systems in three states with some college and university involvement for 43 years full time and 7 part time. I taught all types of music from 1st grade through high school. And I really liked what I did and have no regrets.

Probably lots more than you wanted to know.

[healey36]

There are few examples of patience I can appreciate more than that of an elementary school music teacher.

I think I'm going to defer painting until I finish fabrication of the project in its entirety. A few bits to finish on the base, then its on to the top section.

One of the things I need to run down is a bit of single-faced corrugated packing material. My daughter, a coffee hound worse than me, gave me these as a start:



These are nice, in fact very nice, but I need a few pieces a bit larger. I found some on eBay, but the corrugation is a bit coarser than these. Scrounging around...

[gregj410]

Probably lots more than you wanted to know

Not at all. Very Impressive. Music has been an integral part of my life. I can still remember my 5th grade music teacher, Mr Reid. Mainly played clarinet. He was so encouraging and supportive. I can remember I had a part of a song that he wanted me to stand up and play.(I played trombone) He probably has no idea how much confidence I gained in many areas of my life from that moment.

Thank you Mr Reid! And thank you Roger! Likely the same way. You may never know on this side of heaven how much you have encouraged, impacted or even changed the course of people’s lives for better.

I now play drums and have played at some capacity for 20 years. My daughter at 17 has become quite an accomplished piano player. Without the encouragement and support from people like you she may have never made it to where she is today.