34 replies to this topic

[Andy Y]

Even I've reached the point of acceptance/frustration that no matter how many times I kick the server and the techies it's near impossible to give the forum the kiss of life between 7.30pm and midnight so I've taken to getting some modelling done.

Last night saw the basics of a Silver Fox/Bachmann/Craftsman hybrid 07 form a useable and functional whole and DCC'd, an innocent bystander Dapol L&Y pug saw a service, chip fitted and prepped for the spray gun. Add to that an early variant 33/0 join the spray queue now it's 95% complete and I'm actually getting to the point where I enjoy the site being down. It'll still be a race against the clock to get them running in time for Stafford show due to my favourite local 'bits' shop not having many of the 'bits' that I was hoping to pick up.

It'll all go downhill when we get on the new server!

Anyway, I hope you're all managing to get something useful done.

[kintbury jon]

I painted a class 03 up as 03179 in NSE yesterday evening. Trouble is my son wants to claim it on the grounds that I already have an NSE shunter (08600). He's only 5!

I used to hate Why Don't You by the way!

[Taz]

Andy Y, on 27 January 2010 - 18:24 , said:

...I'm actually getting to the point where I enjoy the site being down.

Andy,

I hope that doesn't mean the down time becomes a regular occurance post server move

[Ragtag]

Downtime is great, I've never done as much modelling

[60B]

I haven't done much in downtime though I have almost got the boards complete and hopefully will have some trackwork down by Sunday.

[stewartingram]

Well done Andy! As a 'lurker' on here with regard to stating my thanks to you for your efforts, its good to know that you realise the benefit of railway modlling to unwind! Anyway belated thanks for all your efforts, enjoy the alternative pastime now you have found it again....

[SouthernRegionSteam]

The forum downtime has come at the wrong time - I have modellers block at the moment!
Can we have a scheduled downtime when i've got rid of my block, please?
Seriously though, glad you have found time for the hobby, I have enjoyed your progress on the reach wagon.

['CHARD]

This enforced evening spare time is a bit of a double-edged sword for me. The one night that I braved the cold and worked in the garage I had a Damascene moment that may well have answered 75% of my prayers on the subsidiary trackplan front, i.e. sidings and loco facilities (yesterday's Layout Blog entry refers). The rest of the time I have tried to focus on W/B subjects (yesterday's W/B Blog entry refers), with a limited degree of success, as working indoors has other distractions, or should I say justifiable demands on my time! I will say though, that as my laptop has crashed and burned, it's easier to share my daughter's whilst the forum's down

[Kenton]

Just when you get used to it being down at 7:30 every night - it seems to be working

[mezzoman253]

Hi, As an occasional poster, but mainly long time lurker, I've finally kick started my layout. Yesterday converted Peco 14 points for live frog switching and in the next few days will start laying them down and connecting it all up.

It's so easy to switch on the PC, go to RMWeb and "lose" several hours browsing. As the layout takes shape, I'll post something for comment, so someone else can "waste" some time on here.

So I'd better get back to it, or maybe I'll just have a few more minutes, honest.

Regards,

Rob

[Mallard60022]

mezzoman253, on 27 January 2010 - 19:45 , said:

Hi, As an occasional poster, but mainly long time lurker, I've finally kick started my layout. Yesterday converted Peco 14 points for live frog switching and in the next few days will start laying them down and connecting it all up.

It's so easy to switch on the PC, go to RMWeb and "lose" several hours browsing. As the layout takes shape, I'll post something for comment, so someone else can "waste" some time on here.

So I'd better get back to it, or maybe I'll just have a few more minutes, honest.

Regards,

Rob

I think 'Mr Jackson' would approve of 'down-time'
36E

[ewsjo]

Meh, I seem to be backwards! Do the modelling in the daytime, then I'm working or watching telly whilst RMweb is down. The joy of working evening shifts!
Mind you, with the laptop on for reference images whilst modelling, the draw of RMweb does tend to mean modelling progress sl-o--w---s ever so slightly! Thanks Andy

jo

[Max Stafford]

Been working in the evenings but I'm off for four days now, a bit of Workbench and 'Radcliffe & Maconie' scheduled for tonight! It is International Radcliffe & Maconie Year after all...!

Dave.

[28XX]

I RM web at lunchtime at work. That's French-style lunchtime, 2 hours or so....

[Jim T]

Andy Y, on 27 January 2010 - 18:24 , said:

It'll still be a race against the clock to get them running in time for Stafford show due to my favourite local 'bits' shop not having many of the 'bits' that I was hoping to pick up.

...

Anyway, I hope you're all managing to get something useful done.

I would be if I could find the bits I need. What is this local bit shop of which you speak? It's getting hard these days to find anyone who stocks a range of parts and generally I'm having to mail order or pick things up at shows. A shop in Staffs with some bits is better than no shop at all.

Jim

PS: Since RMWeb has been having problems I have nearly finished a coach! Dramatic progress for me...

[Jon_Eng]

Quote

Why don't you switch off your computer and go and do something useful instead? If you grew up in the 70s you'll know what I mean...

Is this why don't you switch of your Television (or was it TV) and do something useful instead?


Back in the days when you couldn't do anything useful with the computer, but now I find myself using it as a "ready reference" library of prototype pictures.

[PhilH]

More time on the PS3

[Oldddudders]

My wife normally watches tv - generally stuff she's recorded off obscure overnight channels - on my behalf. But she's been back in hospital after another knee op since 30th December, so our tv hasn't been switched on. I generally light the fire about 19.30, have a drink ,cook dinner, so the evening dropout time hasn't hurt a lot, although finding it still down at 2200-ish, after the evening is over, can be a bit boring, and has been known to drive me onto ebay, where my plastic gets another hard time.... How many Maunsells can one man buy?

[PMP]

[attachment=20885:IMG_3101.JPG

Well I've found something to do

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[Tom Bayford]

I had a month away from a computer i got new baseboards made up track all down fully wired and im now 60% complete on the ballasting front. so rather than wait for the Rmweb server move to a house which has a faultly phone line!

[Ben Alder]

I too have by default been spending more time at the workbench, as the evening is my time for here. Started off by giving it a good spring clean and a realistic assessment of future modelling projects, with the result of a full WPB and a pile of projects to be put in the classifieds when the site settles down. Things like half built chassis for locos that Hornby or Bachmann have now released and in all honesty would never have been finished, along with half hearted attempts at point building. All in all it is now physically and metaphorically cleansed, and I feel like I've started anew to an extent, and although there still are plenty of WIP's around, they are generally attainable and relevant to my present activities. So, time well spent.

My other distraction was doing something that I rarely indulge in- no, not that - poking around other railway forums. Apart from a very occasional glance at NRM, the rest I have ignored, and it was interesting to see what they had to offer. I discovered that I have been a member of MRF for nearly three years now, but can't remember joining it or ever visiting it . Did recognise a few names there though. Our little home does seem to have a bit of a reputation in some circles as being a bit above some others, which is something I have never found here at all, but each to there own. Anyway, they all have their levels and places in this hobby of ours, but there was nowhere where I felt at home anything like I do here- its like your favourite local, where there are some whose company you maybe don't actively seek out, but the beer and general ambience draw you back again and again.
So the occasional bit of abstinence just now is making me appreciate here more, and realise what a haven RMweb is despite its toll on my modelmaking.

Richard

[noiseboy72]

I need to get a PA system that someone has bought from me and paid for over 2 months ago, but has still to collect, out of my garage so I can actually GET to my layout...

Still, the C69 card built stock is coming along. 1 DM & 2 trailers are almost finished and the 2nd DM is printed and ready to cut.

Sunday, she assures me, will be the day she comes to collect it.

[Pennine MC]

Ben Alder, on 28 January 2010 - 22:58 , said:

... Our little home does seem to have a bit of a reputation in some circles as being a bit above some others, ...

It does amuse me to see some of the comments elsewhere. The novices think we're anal, the pseudo-finescalers think we're all obsessed with RTR, and so on. But with 8000 members, you're pretty much going to find any attitude you want to, if you look hard enough, and it's stupid to generalise to that degree.

I know received wisdom is that surfing the Net stifles modelling time, but I think I have to buck the trend. Plenty of things conspire to stifle my modelling time, but if I'm motivated by a particular project, very little stops me; conversely, if I know I'm not in the right frame of mind, it's usually a mistake to force it. I'll often dip in during a session, especially with the Netbook a few feet away, but I dont think I could stay engrossed even here for two or more hours, which is what I'd call a worthwhile stint at the bench (table)

[ewsjo]

I've got to agree with you there Ian, being in the mood is definitely a big part of getting a decent modelling session in. Whilst the interweb is a distraction, I've had it on all afternoon (laptop and cutting mat both on the kitchen table) and have had occasional trips to the forum, but mostly while waiting for glue to dry, or thinking about a problem. My class 59 has been in the same state for ages, with a part painted shell, and a very bare underframe, but for some reason yesterday I had an urge, and after 2 afternoons work it's pretty well ready to paint. Still having a bit of trouble with the bogies, but it's getting there, and being in the modelling mood has definitely resulted in 'modelling inspiration', and a bit of engineering bodging too

cheers

jo

[gordon s]

I was really glad of the downtime as this place and others can become addictive. The more you visit the less time you have, so I guess I going to balance my time a bit better in future.

It was great to get back to the layout and do some work. Managed to turn two of these round in a couple of days/evenings. The first one didn't work as I'd forgotten to leave clearance for the overhang on coaches which happens on curves....

So first one was cut in half and a new bottom section put together. Maybe we ought to have a curfew as a matter of course...