Morning all,

Hot and humid again today high of 93.  At least we don't have the wildfire haze/smoke.  Hopefully that will clear some before we go to Oshkosh next week.  

A short walk later this morning to push the knee before tomorrow's ortho appointment.  After all, I don't want it not to hurt before I go see them.  But after reading all the medical issues Tom is going through, I'm not going to complain too much.  

There is a kit that's been sitting on the work area since early May, maybe I should get back to it...

Jeff

Good grief, you've really been hit all at once.  Good luck with the surgery and recovery.  You'll be in all our thoughts. 

Jeff

Morning all,

Another day of heat warnings with a "feels like" over 100 this afternoon.  Will have similar through Saturday.  

I have a very needed haircut appointment this morning.  Otherwise no plans for the day. 

Many trains were run yesterday.  My son in law took them back over to his parents for the night and the next few days.  They'll return one day this weekend before they go back to Oregon.  No track issues, a few derailments (mainly due to running against turnouts), and a mystery steamer which ran fine the first time, now just starts and stops.  Brass is so fun to run.  

Jeff

Morning all,

Our heat index will be over 100 degrees later today.  

I did take a mile walk yesterday, knee bothered a little and is pretty good this morning.  No walk today as grandchildren will come over sometime and trains will be running.  

Received a Walthers Proto GP7  from Midwest Models "used" category yesterday and I wish all my locos ran as well.  I'm sure the grandson will run it at top speed all over the layout so it will get a true test.

Jeff

Beautiful boat.  Welcome back.

Jeff

Morning all,

Headed to 92 today with some humidity.  I may try a short walk as my knee feels a bit better.  Next week is the air show and I'll be standing/walking for about eight hours (and probably eight miles all told).  

Fixed all the turnout motors that could be done (two were unreachable, but can be totally replaced if needed), along with the non working motor (wire came loose) and a dead yard track (same issue).   Tightening the motors up caused a couple of the throwbar wires to raise and stopped a train, so I had to examine them all and cut them if needed.  Two of the motors were loose and probably would have fallen off soon.

Did have a coupler issue with a pair of F3s, so they were replaced by other units.  My grandson is coming over tomorrow so everything needs to be ready to go.  

Jeff

I'd suggest getting all one inch thick pieces, as the two inch are harder to cut, whether using a knife or a hot wire.

Jeff

Morning all,

High of 90 today, but the humidity isn't so bad.  

Fixed another seven turnouts yesterday, Only three left to do and didn't get to the non working one, so that will get looked at today as well.

Jeff

I wish I had your art talent.   Nice looking backdrop.

Jeff

Glad to hear the doctors aren't concerned about the aneurysm nor the kidney lesion and the scans showed no other issues.  Good idea to get the biopsy, though.  Hope the radiation treatments aren't too difficult for you.

Jeff

Morning all,

Sunny with a high of 88 today.  

I will go to the grocery store this morning, and probably mow this afternoon.

I fixed the track issue and then screwed  in seven switch machines yesterday and replaced the one that fell out.  Testing shows one of them now no longer functions.     Will check into that issue today and continue working on the remaining machines. 

Jeff

I did replace the outer track "bend" as well. 

Jerry, the inner one is 48 inch radius, the outer is a bit larger.

Rick, thanks for looking in, though this work isn't really "fun".   

Yes, Dave, there is about 1 mm at each end of gap. 

I'm now screwing in all the Tortoise machines as I've had another which was hot glued in place fall out.   

Jeff

Morning all,

Headed to a humid 85 with possible storms later.  

I have a track repair on tap for today.  I also had another Tortoise come loose which had been hot glued a few years ago.  I think I'll have to screw in all the switch machines, which will be a pleasant time working under the layout (sarcasm!).

Jeff

I didn't use adhesive, just the spikes.  We'll see how this holds.  I could try some ballast here as well to hold this down, but this area may never get scenery, at least not in the near to fairly distant future.  

Ran a couple of trains through without issue.  I will probably fix the outer track tomorrow. 

Jeff

I originally used the metal radius gauges for this, but I like the wooden "sweepsticks" better, as you can spike the track down easier due to the center holes.  

Jeff