But I can post those photos for you, James...


My comment to James was "the floor looks too clean", most machine shop (color) photos I've seen have floors stained by oil, fine shavings, etc from the operation of the machines.

dave

I got the first cut of the architecture slides done yesterday, and sent off to my brother the architect for a check-out.  So it's back to the train room this afternoon.  James Van Bokkelen sent me some great slides of the belt driven machine shop at the Thresher's Reunion location in Iowa.  

dave

Cloudy and cool, 63 heading to 71. Shows/rain likely this afternoon, and we really need the rain! Today and tomorrow is the local Greek Festival, we always go for the food.  There's a line to get in, which means we could be standing in the rain.

Dr Jeff, enjoy the reduced work hours.  

Yesterday I knocked out the first draft of my slides for the 'Dover Architecture' talk and sent them to my brother the architect for a check-up.  I'm sure I'll revise those a bit over the next 2 weeks, but the general shape is there, and I think it should go pretty well, although there's almost 50 slides of photos to discuss.  I'll have to keep the narration tight.

dave

James is missing perfect weather back here in SE NH.  We had some short periods of (much needed) rain yesterday, including one 10-minute cloudburst.  It got down to 48 last night, currently 64 en route to 75, no clouds now after patchy fog.  

My focus for today will be to work on the architecture talk for next month's NMRA meet.  

dave

This one is for Reading Bob and everyone else who's worked in IT/software:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsDkmVo2fg4  (Stan Rogers, "White Collar Holler")

dave

Here's my latest thought on making the machine tools visible:  Laser Modelers 3 is still in business, as a custom architectural models firm.  I sent them an email asking if they could cut the trackside (viewer side) wall from clear Plexiglass.

dave

I find it's best to position stuff, then come back the next day to see if I still like the positions.  Of course, that's "analysis paralysis," but I usually end up liking the revised layout more.

By the way, the Masonic emblem at the top of my structure came from a charm I got on Etsy.  It was too big to glue directly, but I scanned it, played a bit with size and lighting, and then printed & glued it into place.  I was quite happy with the result.  (If you look carefully, you can see the loop at the top of the dividers for the charm...)

dave

Steam engine and its belt installed:

I'm pretty sure that's the Rio Grande Models kit.  It's a beaut!

The foundry goes behind the steam engine, I'll start on that part next, while waiting for my 'oil staining products' to arrive.  I need a good Blacksmith figure, any suggestions?

dave

I really hate it when the publisher republishes a book with a different cover, and I only figure it out after I've started the book...

These days, though, I'm mostly reading non-fiction from real books, or "space opera" military SF fiction on the iPad (mostly to keep me from getting too bored on the exercise machine.)  Next week a friend's new biography of the Roman emperor Tiberius comes out, to get ready I've been reading a lot of Roman history covering that time period (death of Julius Caesar through the arrival of Caligula.)

dave

Fewer hairs to be cut, but they don't give you a discount!

dave

Karl, I've had the PO fumble packages (also UPS and even Amazon - there's the air conditioner that I ordered where the handoff between Amazon and USPS was screwed up, and I couldn't figure out what happened.)  But in general, I've had great luck with packages from local internet orders, including scalehobbyist.com and northeasternscalelumber.com  

Tom, I used to love going to used bookstores, but frankly we're at saturation for bookshelf space.  That hasn't stopped me from buying books, but I'm now a lot more careful/deliberate about what I get.  

dave

It's a bit cool and cloudy in SE NH, 62 heading to 72.  Might see some sun this afternoon.  

Yesterday I installed and hooked up the steam engine to the drive shaft.  I have to finish attaching the belt today.  I also ordered some MIG oil stain washes after watching a video on adding oil and grease stains to tanks and airplanes.  It's a local company, so once they ship, I should get the order the next day (their post office, local sorting center, my post office, out for delivery.)

dave

My favorite live album is Allman Brothers Band Live at Fillmore, and this is my favorite track:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rQWh62VUHE  In Memory of Elizabeth Reed

dave

Here's my rough approximation of a Masonic Hall:

The wall posters came from period Masonic posters I found on the Internet.

The scene is shallow, maybe 1/2" deep, it fits in a 3d flat.



dave

Perfect weather in SE NH.  68 heading to 78, low tonight of 55, sunny with some puffy clouds, low humidity.  So I'll spend the day in the train room.    Plan for today is to weather the floor under the machines, and then glue the operators into position.  I may also hook up the steam engine.

dave