shortliner

SWMBO refers to them as "Snakes" - don't ask me why ! Edit somewhile later - SWMBO read this and said "'Cos they're VIPERS, of course !"

Looks like something by Chester Fesmire - and for those who don't know who he is - he is a brilliant modeller/painter/converter of old vehicles - See http://modelingin1-87.blogspot.co.uk/ & http://www.87thscale.info/models_by_chester_fesmire.htm

Somewhat late arriving today - various jobs were considered to be more important by SWMBO such as obtaining milk and bread - can you guess who was elected to go out into cold, wet, windy and dark to get them? Now that I'm back in the warm and dry it is blue sky and a shiny yellow thing has made an appearance ! Glad to hear that those who had visits and more to the hospital are all in recovery or progressing mode - lond may they continue to improve.

Shore, 'n' if were tellin' the oirish jokes, oi' jest 'ave ter post dis! This is confirmation of ‘Murphy’s Law’ with a wonderful Irish explanation Murphy drops some buttered toast on the kitchen floor and it lands butter-side-up. He looks down in astonishment, for he knows it's an imutable law of the universe that buttered toast always falls butter-down. So he rushes round to the presbytery to fetch Father Flanagan. He tells the priest that a miracle has occurred in his kitchen. He won't say what it is, but asks Fr. Flanagan to come and see it with his own eyes. He leads Fr.Flanagan into the kitchen and asks him what he sees on the floor. "Well," says the priest, "it's pretty obvious. Someone has dropped some buttered toast on the floor and then, for some reason, they flipped it over so that the butter was on top." "No, Father, I dropped it and it landed like that!" exclaimed Murphy "Oh my Lord," says Fr. Flanagan, "Dropped toast never falls with the butter side up. It's a mir…. Wait... it's not for me to say it's a miracle. I'll have to report this matter to the Bishop and he'll have to deal with it. He'll send some people round; to interview you, take photos, etc." A thorough investigation is conducted, not only by the archdiocese but by scientists sent over from the Curia in Rome . No expense is spared. There is great excitement in the town as everyone knows that a miracle will bring in much needed tourism revenue. Then, after 8 long weeks and with great fanfare, the Bishop announces the final ruling. "It is certain that some kind of an extraordinary event took place in Murphy's kitchen, quite outside the natural laws of the universe. Yet the Holy See must be very cautious before ruling a miracle. All other explanations must be ruled out. " "Unfortunately, in this case, it has been declared 'No Miracle' because they think Murphy may have buttered the toast on the wrong side!"

Having said which - if anyone wants a Chinese High Quality (Their words) copy of a dremel ( now called a DEMEL) see http://www.banggood.com/Dremel-Multipurpose-220V-Electric-Grinder-Potary-5-Gear-Power-Tool-Kit-p-922435.html?utmid=284 I have dealt with the firm who seem to be a Chinese wholesale buyer and retail supplier, for around a year without any reason at all to complain - however remember caveat emptor (yer pays yer money and yer takes yer chance choice)

FWIW www.Banggood.com do a fair amount of fairly inexpensive items for raspberry pi - no experience of these but have dealt with Banggood site multiple times in the past year and been very pleased with items and service - no connection, just happy customer

Looked at these the other day - be interested to know if it is any good - or I should stick to my Dremel

Rob, Have you used EZ Line for the wires ? - they stretch if you manage to catch one accidentally http://www.misc.kitreview.com/tools/ezlinereviewbg_1.htm great stuff!

Each layout gets better, Ray!

Ian - I don't know if it still applies, but Brit Mil decided away back that you did not appear in uniform, or identifiable Mil T-shirts, (IE Squadron ones) in public areas except when on duty (and preferably armed) as it made you an obvious, identifiable terrorist target. - it may be worth waving that at her with all the shooting incidents in the USA

Read the small print, sucker!

Get out clause!

The use of the rice pudding and condensed milk was apparently because it looks exactly the same coming back up as it did going down

If anyone would like the original IOTA article PM me an email address and I'll send you the two pages

An old geezer became very bored in retirement and decided to open a medical clinic. He put a sign up outside that said: "Dr.Geezer's clinic ... "Get your treatment for $500, if not cured, get back $1,000." Doctor "Young," who was positive that this old geezer didn't know beans about medicine, thought this would be a great opportunity to get $1,000. So he went to Dr.Geezer's clinic. Dr. Young: "Dr.Geezer, I have lost all taste in my mouth. Can you please help me??" Dr. Geezer: "Nurse, please bring medicine from box 22 and put 3 drops in Dr. Young's mouth." Dr. Young: Aaagh !! -- "This is Gasoline!" Dr. Geezer: "Congratulations! You've got your taste back. That will be $500." Dr. Young gets annoyed and goes back after a couple of days figuring to recover his money. Dr. Young: "I have lost my memory, I cannot remember anything." Dr. Geezer: "Nurse, please bring medicine from box 22 and put 3 drops in the patient's mouth." Dr. Young: "Oh, no you don't, -- that is Gasoline!" Dr. Geezer: "Congratulations! You've got your memory back . That will be $500." Dr. Young (after having lost $1000) leaves angrily and comes back after several more days. Dr.Young: "My eyesight has become weak --- I can hardly see anything!!!!" Dr. Geezer: "Well, I don't have any medicine for that so, " Here's your $1000 back." (giving him a $10 bill) Dr. Young: "But this is only $10!" Dr. Geezer: "Congratulations! You got your vision back!; That will be $500." Moral of story -- Just because you're "Young" doesn't mean that you can outsmart an "old Geezer" Remember: Don't make old people mad. We don't like being old in the first place,so it doesn't take much to tick us off. ENJOY YOUR DAY

So far overnight and today - no big (or even a bit of) wind - some showers but nothing to go daft over here in the northern Highlands north of Inverness - Take care and bunker down all you people farther south.

Does that mean it is "A Runner" then?

No - the Scots wear kilts so the sheep don't get frightened by the sound of zips! - Stage left (hastily!)

Another modeller with a similar area and lack of space - http://bigbluetrains.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=8594 - may be of help.

Pretty sure that you are right - but that doesn't preclude your shortline from have bought/inherited a couple for use in MOW service,or an industry using them for a specific purpose - and you can always use Rule One ! IMRR

If you need a couple more "shortie" cars for a small space railroad there are the short Taconite cars ( shipping very heavy ore), and the "Beer can" tank cars. Both have bogies and take up little space Beer and Tacos Somehow that almost sounds like a Mexican Lunch ! Both these are available through Athearn, and if you need ideas for layouts in small spaces - if you haven't already found Carls small layout scrapbook try http://www.carendt.com/ These are N gauge http://www.cke1st.com/m_train2.htm Moving up a bit in size https://huntervalleylines.wordpress.com/2015/12/01/the-end-of-one-year-and-the-beginning-of-the-next/look at his layout designs

Can I suggest a search on Ebay for "Hat pins" They are longer, there are thousands available, and they are SO MUCH MORE effective !

I wonder if a Pickfords removal lorry might be a"timely" era-specific addition with a family moving in , or "flitting" - not sure if one of these would be suitable eBay item number: 262129606191

According to the lunchtime Radio4 BBC news - it has been dropped by many US retail stores - takings in UK retail were carp, and only internet traders did well - Amazon profits were superb they say.

A quick trip to the (local) shops this morning (Farmfoods/Lidl/More reasons) together with the thought that it is clucking fold - Got back into the car and realised that the snow line on the local Bens is at around 75 meters which is only around 40' above where we live - here it persisteth in large quantities. I suspect this is set to continue throughout the weekend - that will put an end to further expeditions! May your day proceed expeditiously and in the manner you would like it to - may those exhibiting have a gremlin-free day