Good Morning Everyone,


Another day in what some call paradise, but it is warm and no snow. I thought I would add to the well wishes for Tom, as we all know we want a quick and thorough recovery for him.


Tom, you are on your way in getting this crap behind you, a few days in bed and then you will have a another story to tell. Hopefully the hospital staff will be cognizant of your stature on this forum and provide you with excellent service and care, maybe even a RR magazine or two. The down side of your visit, this weekend you will be in your hospital bed bored stiff and ready to get up and leave, but just take it easy, the end results are well worth the rest. I can attest to that!


So, the best to you and your surgeons, I will call next week, you can tell me what the scars look like.


To everyone, enjoy the day.


Bob

Good Evening,


A week ago I made an impromptu (I actually called) visit to see the president of the A&S Railroad known as ACL1504. Even though I had three others with me, he agreed to the disruption of building his empire. As has happened in the past he was a most hospitable host, answering a litany of questions about techniques, thought processes, color choices, structure placements, and so on. Whether it was respect of what they saw, or the fact that Tom has a weapon on site, none of the guests were touchy/feely, so all of Tom's efforts remained unscathed.


The axiom "Pictures don't do it justice." rings true when you walk into the building and see the east side of the layout from the doorway. Once facing the entire layout you can see the direction in which Tom has focused all of his effort, continuity. When you see one scene transition into the next and to the next, you realize there are no abrupt stops, it all blends, something you can't get in a cropped picture. A lot can be learned.


Anyway, it was an enjoyable visit, an educational visit and all the guests were impressed, it was the nights conversation subject. So, if you have the chance and most important, the invitation take advantage, it's better than George's. At least Tom's buildings have a coat of paint and he does have street cleaners in Tahope and his motive power and rolling stock are not derelict.


Thanks again Tom!


Bob

Tom,


Nice grouping of buildings, granted you had something to go by, but the scene is well represented in miniature. Another impressive scene on the railroad!


Bob

Jaime,
I am glad that you had a good time and thank you for the coverage. Does the "Best of Show" look familiar?
Bob

Tom,


After a long hiatus from this site and your fourth page and some of your third, I am just catching up with your progress and there is much of it. It all is coming along quite well, but something we all would expect from your ethics. More importantly, I am glad that you got through your bout of Covid and came out on the other side. I still get headaches, or a runny nose at some of the most inconvenient moments. But, back to the progress and a question.


Is there a reason that you chose to support the next level from the bottom instead of the top? Why did you not consider hanging the final level from the roof rafters? Gussets could have provided longitudinal and lateral support and the space between levels would have been clear.


Again, looking very nice!


Bob

Dave,
Shawn never has been one to reply quickly and he does vacation with the family.
Bob

Bill,
I expect your recovery to be expedient, not much grows under your feet. Hopefully it will be a walk in the park, or on the beach considering we are in Florida.
As far as age is concerned, many things and avenues were easier years ago, but it is only a mental state. Take care and get well soon.
Bob

Tom,


The other board member of the A&S reported a problem with motive power. I am well aware of BLI's frame swelling, I had a few that were problematic, to the point I cut a shell off the frame. To my knowledge only the F units were affected with the "Zinc Pest", the E unit and Shark frames that I have are stable. I too contacted BLI, told them what the problem was and asked what can you do to fix this. I didn't have one, I had six and the problem arose because of incorrect paint and lettering on Pennsy units.

As you stated they were courteous and helpful and I was told what it would cost to replace the frames. Considering I had these, boxed, for well over a decade the cost of getting them running again was worth it. I was told that I would receive more than just frames, possibly mounting screws, maybe a truck with sideframes, maybe a PC board, but not a bare frame. True to their word the frames were not bare, all had trucks but one, sideframes too, all had speakers, some had decoders, some had motors, so the cost of replacement was reasonable.

So, consider getting a few frames if your other BLI engines are as old as mina are, it could be worth your while, plus they paid shipping. No matter what you do, just some information on my experience with them.

Stay safe and take care!
Bob

Bill,


Another great story of your conjured characters, with the supply of material you base the stories on you could go well into the next century. As everyone has noted, keep them coming.


Stay safe
Bob

Tom,


I have been following your paint jobs, very nice work, especially the Mallet. This should be another fine outcome.


Stay safe
Bob

Mr. Simmon's was very innovative in his approach to craftsman structures, I hope to see him offering the structures again. In the meantime, the same techniques Jimmy used in burning wood are being offered by Imagine That Laser Art out of Canada. They are also very innovative in the hobby, there are others I realize, but ITLA comes to mind first. In respect to Jimmy, I think he made everyone aware of the capabilities of the laser cutter at an early stage.


Stay safe folks
Bob

A removable cab, how nice. Detailed cab interiors really place a great paint job into the category of an exceptional paint job. The light Apple Green that ALCO used will set the engine off nicely. Good step by step again Tom.


Bob

I see you numbered it for the second one rostered, The striping came out excellent, it will look exceptional when you finish all the enhancements you plan on. What are you using for lenses in the markers? Looking good!


Bob

Tom,
A Pennsy engine with straight Langford Black, I thought you would at least add three drops of Southern Green to the mix.
Bob

Tom,
Again, nice step by step, baking temperatures and times. I have used the new Scalecoat from MSM and I agree the formula has changed, but with a bit of Xylene in the mix it comes out hard after baking. Are you lettering the K4 for the A&S?
Bob