Large Scale Central

Brrrrrrrrrrrr

General Discussion
#121
Ron Simpson said:
I fully intend to spend the worst part of the winter (Nov thru mid-March) in some more hospitable place, like the American southwest.
Like here?
"AFP" said:
AFP: California on flood, mudslide alert as storms hit

(AFP) – Jan 21, 2010

LOS ANGELES — Torrential rain and strong winds pummeled California for a fourth consecutive day Thursday as officials warned of tornados, flash floods and mudslides in areas ravaged by last year’s wildfires.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hrTMZotGg8PZNXGNZnTmN1a-kNzw

#122

I do not consider California to be part of the American Southwest. I was thinking more along the lines of the high desert country of Nevada or Arizona. In fact, I have been looking at this option for several years now.

#123
Ron Simpson said:
I do not consider California to be part of the American Southwest.
Might even be debatable as to whether it is even part of this universe.
#124

Forrest Scott Wood said:
I’m getting jealous of Ralph and Shawn and all you guys with actual track out in the landscape - yes, even with knowing the weeding in August heat, the money year round, and other maintenance that’s required - got no garden at this upper floor apartment. Best I could do to get close to a Ralph-type image was go drop a Bachmann reefer in the snow out back of our building :slight_smile:

(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa309/FSW4picts/G%20gauge%20projects/IMG_5630-1.jpg)

Having an outdoor large-scale model railroad layout is worth every bit of cost and effort. And it IS costly and time-consuming. Originally I only intended to have an indoor set-up, but the expansion outside proved to be one of the best things I ever did as far as providing personal satisfaction.

#125

Ron Simpson said:

Forrest Scott Wood said:
I’m getting jealous of Ralph and Shawn and all you guys with actual track out in the landscape - yes, even with knowing the weeding in August heat, the money year round, and other maintenance that’s required - got no garden at this upper floor apartment. Best I could do to get close to a Ralph-type image was go drop a Bachmann reefer in the snow out back of our building :slight_smile:

(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa309/FSW4picts/G%20gauge%20projects/IMG_5630-1.jpg)

Having an outdoor large-scale model railroad layout is worth every bit of cost and effort. And it IS costly and time-consuming. Originally I only intended to have an indoor set-up, but the expansion outside proved to be one of the best things I ever did as far as providing personal satisfaction.

I have to agree with you on that. Its also a great way to get outside even when its cold and snowy… Although up by you might be a little too cold. I bet you guys appreciate the warm weather and take full advantage of it.

#126

Having a LARGE outdoor model railroad, is a lot of work, but so is any hobby that you allow yourself to “Dig” right into.

Around here we tend to reserve our OPERATING fun for the Summer months (May through October), leaving the Winter for indoor projects, that support our Summer fun.
We always do a lot of maintenence on rolling stock, during the Winter. This makes for fewer derailments, and less frustration. Winter is also the time to build buildings and rebuild any switches that will be needed for the always planned, Spring project.

Spring is when we dig right in and do any planned, heavy-duty rebuilding, or building of roadbed or track. Our track and roadbed is always in top notch shape, but changes are always needed to improve on operation.

All I’ve talked about is what seems to be WOR*K, a four letter word ending in “K”…not a nice word around here…!!!
…but working out in the warm shop, or in the crew lounge, with friends; enjoying good humoured jokes, a few bheers, or pop, while coming up with new plans for operation; makes for a short Winter .

Due to our Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall; we seem to have different things going on, all year long.
Our maintenence on track, roadbed, and rolling stock, helps us to have relatively “Frustration-free” OPERATIONS all Summer long…almost no derailments, other than operator caused ones.

Have a great NEW YEAR everyone.
#127

Forrest, I have seen some people here in California that I would agree with you about! And their driving habits help prove the point!

#128

Doug, my birth certificate says San Diego; but I am one of the lucky ones, my parents helped me escape from California when I was 4 or 5.

Shawn said:
Although up by you might be a little too cold. I bet you guys appreciate the warm weather and take full advantage of it.
Especially since my health isn't the greatest and I get very cold very quick.
#129
Forrest Scott Wood said:
I'm getting jealous of Ralph and Shawn and all you guys with actual track out in the landscape
Gee, I'm jealous of all the guys with indoor layouts ;) Ralph
#130

Meanwhile Alaska remains in the grip of what has turned into an extended cold spell. And that means that some of you statesiders will be seeing more of the same. When cold spells persist up here, they invariably are reflected either in the Midwest or the Pacific Northwest. Usually it is the former, but it appears that the Pacific Northwest is about to share with us some of this cold weather. We now have a break in sight, so WATCH OUT ! The cold air will be on the move south !

#131
Ron Simpson said:
Meanwhile Alaska remains in the grip of what has turned into an extended cold spell. And that means that some of you statesiders will be seeing more of the same. When cold spells persist up here, they invariably are reflected either in the Midwest or the Pacific Northwest. Usually it is the former, but it appears that the Pacific Northwest is about to share with us some of this cold weather. We now have a break in sight, so WATCH OUT ! The cold air will be on the move south !
Thanks a lot, pal. We've already got 6 inches of the white stuff this morning. :P
#132
Steve Featherkile said:
Ron Simpson said:
Meanwhile Alaska remains in the grip of what has turned into an extended cold spell. And that means that some of you statesiders will be seeing more of the same. When cold spells persist up here, they invariably are reflected either in the Midwest or the Pacific Northwest. Usually it is the former, but it appears that the Pacific Northwest is about to share with us some of this cold weather. We now have a break in sight, so WATCH OUT ! The cold air will be on the move south !
Thanks a lot, pal. We've already got 6 inches of the white stuff this morning. :P
Wow. I see a "Winter Storm Warning in effect until 4 PM PST this afternoon..." for Spokane.

“Snow…heavy at times. Total snow accumulations of 7 to 12 inches. Areas of blowing and drifting snow. Temperatures steady or slowly falling in the mid 20s to around 30. Northwest wind 10 to 20 mph. Gusts to around 30 mph. Chance of precipitation 100 percent.”

Looks like this system has already arrived.

#133

Yes Ron it has already arrived. I blew 6" off my 300 foot long driveway around 10:30 this morning and now it is 4:40pm and I have another 6 to 8" and it’s still snowing hard. I’m going to stay in the house until this c@#$%^p stops, then I will blow my driveway again after it stops. No more snow after today just really cold weather until Monday of next week.

Warm coffee and watching train DVD’s is in my future.

#134

I have been thinking about possibly getting a green house or a sun room. Build an indoor garden layout. That whay you can run trains in a garden and be warm during snow storms. Of course it would not bbe a large layout but I think it would be neat to have. Problem is money to build one. Some day though that is my goal.

#135

Reading this Forum and another one based in the United States I see many posts about snowfall.

Snowfall this year for most parts of the United Kingdom has been not only early but exceptional. There have also been extremely low temperatures in many parts for weeks on end. Luckily where I live only a light dusting of snow occurred and temperatures have not been far below zero.

However, Canada and the United States have regular falls of snow during the winter but I wonder if the falls, in some places such as some southern States, is uncommon. I know GA has had some snow this year and also last year. Very large amounts have been experienced in the North East (USA) it seems. Virginia has had a good snowfall but interestingly the Roanoke Railcam only showed us a light fall of snow just on one day (about the time of the wreck). It has more or less cleared now.

#136

I’ve lived in the Southeast for almost 20 years. Last Winter was much colder and brought more snow than what I consider “normal”.
This Winter seems to be a repeat of last year.

My wife says last Winter was typical of Winter 40 years ago when she was a child.
Ralph

#137
Alan Lott said:
Reading this Forum and another one based in the United States I see many posts about snowfall.

Snowfall this year for most parts of the United Kingdom has been not only early but exceptional. There have also been extremely low temperatures in many parts for weeks on end. Luckily where I live only a light dusting of snow occurred and temperatures have not been far below zero.

However, Canada and the United States have regular falls of snow during the winter but I wonder if the falls, in some places such as some southern States, is uncommon. I know GA has had some snow this year and also last year. Very large amounts have been experienced in the North East (USA) it seems. Virginia has had a good snowfall but interestingly the Roanoke Railcam only showed us a light fall of snow just on one day (about the time of the wreck). It has more or less cleared now.


Up until this last last storm my area in the Northeast was actually warmer then normal and not much snow. This fall and winter has been below average on snowfall. The Blizzard this past Sunday was our first real measurable snow, that is late for my area. We usually see our first snowfall by mid to late oct.

#138

Two years ago at the holidays we got a 36" dump but this year we’ve only seen a few flurries. It is cold though. Our high today will be in the 30s and windy. I was hoping for a “warming trend” but the 10-day forecast isn’t hopeful. I know 30s isn’t cold for many of you but it’s cold to us!

#139

We are finally getting our break from the severe cold up here and are currently at minus 11 F and rising. Regrettably, I still had to plug in the truck this morning. And, as is often the case, a warming trend here in the interior of Alaska after weeks of being under the frigid arctic air mass does translate into cold air moving south. It appears that eastern Washington, Idaho and Montana received the brunt of this cold air this time around.

#140

You’re right Ron, that cold air did come south. At 4 p.m. we were at 32 which is cold for the High Desert in December. We’ll burn lots of wood tonight!