#016 04 Tybee Pier - Need a Lift?

 

I left the office a bit early today since I have to work on Sunday and I stopped by the old train store.  Everyone else was out buying milk and bread for the ice storm of the century.  Yeah, right.  Today I purchased some Kadee 33" steel wheelsets for some cars I want to work on.

I also bought a pile of used Railroad Model Craftsmen and a Wayne Wesolowski book to read the week after next when I'm laid up recovering from a vasectomy.  What fun.  I told my wife not to take it out of my train budget but to charge it against medical.  Smart me!

Repair time!  Time to fix the section that my daughter knocked down so that I can start laying track tomorrow.

First I mark where the foam isn't so that I don't put glue where it is not needed.  The handy kerosene heater in the back knocks the chill off pretty well when the ice starts to fall.

I double check the surface for smoothness and then add a bead of glue around the web.

The guilty party is glued to the chair and not allowed to move while the repairs are done.  I'm out of duct tape or we'd be using that around the always-running motor mouth.  Why, why, why, why, why, daddy!

There!  Glued and stable.  Ok, maybe not so stable.

This area was lifting up, so I clamped her down.

I re-glued all of the uprights and will screw them in tomorrow when the glue dries.

My wife takes pictures while I repair the broken foam section that was knocked out from the fall.  Daughter got loose and I panic.

I don't see her so I figure she went upstairs.  I carefully glue the broken piece back in place.

Now let's test fit the pier into its home.  Nice fit and it really looks good.

Not bad for an old fat guy!

We'll let the section dry and start on another project.  I want to put this hoist assembly on the dock.  Let's study the parts and see if it can be used.  The piece was set on the pier and it fits nicely.

The base is really nice.  I don't know what kit this came from but it is perfect for hauling cotton.

Before I get too far I take out the handy notebook and a handful of Sharpee pens and quickly sketch the derrick and its three cables.  One rotates the boom.  The other raises and lowers the boom and the third raises and lowers the hook.  There are tie downs to anchor the top to keep it stable (guylines).  Always make notes when you disassemble things, and don't forget to photograph it as well.

Meanwhile the Popsicle Bandit practices making models beside me.  She is taking after some of the guys in the NCI group that she adores.  She has glue everywhere (Bob), Popsicle sticks glued to the table (Rick) and keeps spilling stuff on the floor (Ken).  At least it is not tie stain.

After careful consideration I've decided that the metal hoist operator shack has got to be replaced with a wooden one.  It is just too modern and already assembled, so I'll throw it in the salvage parts box and scratchbuild one.  I'm in need of a pile of Grandt Line windows and doors, so I'll add that to my shopping list for the show coming up.

The more I play with this the less I like it.  It is VERY tall and a bit unruly.  My guess is that every time I move the layout I'll be unscrambling cables.  I'll set it aside and pray about it for a while.  Maybe I'll not use it.

Christmas Fun Cleaning Out the Shop

Stopped by Trainmaster Models last evening. My next door neighbor called me at four o'clock on Christmas Eve and decided he wanted to buy a train set. Ok, a LITTLE BIT late, but what the hell. I took him to Trainmaster and they helped him pick out a nice Lionel set. They also had a package for me. My new train car had arrived!


Southern Boxcar #27001 arrived. This will be perfect for hauling cotton! The doors move and it has magnetic couplers and steel wheels. Perfect!



This is Athearn RTR car #70357 and it cost $14.45. It really looks good! Was rolling very nicely on my test track (shown in the picture.)


Just a note to remind me to buy 1 1/4" drywall screws the next time I'm at the store. I'm always running out of these.


Tonight I spent two hours cleaning up the basement again. Here is the pile that is going to the dump. Wow, that is a lot of trash!


The construction shop is covered with sawdust. I have to get it up so that I stop sneezing.


Here is my home made 8' work table. I keep my saws (sabre, circular, etc) underneath as well as my brad nailer. I use the bench for heavy construction. It is heavy enough to be hard to move, but can still be relocated. It is also a very tall table since I need something higher than normal.


Here is sits by the window. Storage is to the left, the main room to the right and my On30 layout room is directly behind me. The model shop is even further behind me.


Cleaning up is always fun! I found a ton of stuff. For the caboose I wanted to add ladders. My childhood friend and buddy Reece gave me a box full of his trains that he no longer wanted. These ladders for a caboose were in there, so I've moved them to the shop.


This old gondola with cheap trucks and horn hooks will look great with some details and new coupers and trucks. I'll use it!


Here is another future Dixie Central car. Southern - excellent! Looks great, just needs some work, remove the gravel load, new wheels and couplers. RIP track.


Here is another goodie! A three dome riveted tank car. New couplers and trucks, plus a little weather. Awesome chemical car.


This is a bit longer than I wanted. It is a 50 foot flat, and I wanted a 40, but to save $20 I'll use it. Needs just a little work and some new couplers. Off to the shop with her.

This is a deal! I'll save $90 on new cars, but will spend about $24 for couplers/trucks. Not a bad way to save money. Used equipment is GOOD equipment.