The DisFort's Chit Chat Cafe

[bama_ed]

Recently on page 251 of this thread I posted some pics of the locomotives in my G-scale model railroad. I've been chipping away at it lately but the build-out, basic though it is, is finished. Even collecting new motive power and other rolling stock, is mostly finished. There's one or two more pieces I'd like to have that I don't yet. But over the years I've learned a lesson.

I started collecting slowly in the late 90s and in the last 10 years came to regret that there were certain items available (in the 90s) that I don't see offered for sale (new or used) any more that I wish I had moved on.

On this thread, @Stratman50th was thinking about setting up his trains.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/i-want-to-run-my-trains.3914953/

And it got me reminiscing about that first favorite train piece that I wanted as an adult.

I often peruse ebay and certain web stores specializing in used model train sales looking for those early favorites. And last week, I came across the piece that started this whole hobby for me. I was shocked looking at my screen - THERE IT WAS. Today it was delivered to my railroad. I think ya'll will like it.















It's an old Mickey/Donald Handcar from Lionel who made a FEW pieces in G-scale and this is the one I saw in train and hobby stores in the early 90s. The figures' arms move up/down as the hand bars oscillate. Simple transportation with two loveable characters. It's in "Like New" condition and runs fine.

Now there have been other Disney-related train pieces in recent years and even more Disney handcars. But this one is special and I'm glad I found it.

Ed

PS - I have a Mickey Magic Band and DW has a Donald Magic Band too so that's cool ...

PPS - see our trips listed in my sig. Dec 1995 DW & I made a trip with our two infant sons (DD was a gleam in our eye still) and we had a Contemporary Tower room on the MK side. That relit the love of going to WDW for me. And being a train guy, seeing this handcar in stores during that time lit the fuse.

 

[Stratman50th]

So Ed, this is G scale. It's a copy of the piece that saved Lionel during the depression? That's a question, not a comment. I'm not really familiar with G. Is that what size the "garden" trains are? Larger than O, correct?

 

[bama_ed]

So Ed, this is G scale. It's a copy of the piece that saved Lionel during the depression? That's a question, not a comment. I'm not really familiar with G. Is that what size the "garden" trains are? Larger than O, correct?

Yes, larger than O.

O is basically 1:48. As in 48 ft of real train was 1 ft of model train on the tracks. G-scale (depending on the manufacturer) was 1:32 to 1:22.5. The smaller the 2nd number, the bigger the units.

Lionel was not a big G-scale player, Don. LGB (Lehman Gross Bahn) or "Lehman Big Train" was a German company that came out with lots of G-scale (1:22.5) stuff in the 70s in Europe mostly, 80s in the States initially, and THEY were the ones who set the G-scale track width at what it is today (distance between the rails). Different (American) manufacturers came onto the scene to create engines/rolling stock that would run on that track. European railroads drove LGB's designs/sizes.

I own a lot of Aristo-Craft locos and rolling stock. They went bankrupt in the 2008 financial collapse but they had been an HO (1:87) common hobby railroad builder who said, "ya know, if we expand our HO blueprints by 3X, they would be 1:29" which we could squeeze onto those 1:22.5 rails that LGB made popular". And they did - and I was a buyer. They created American locomotives and rolling stock at a reasonable price with decent quality. If you look at the LGB loco's of the day, they are all European. Later they created some American models but they were all stunted and shorter than the real thing. But LGB set the size/width of the track decades ago and the rest of the builders came up with stock to fit those tracks.

G-scale was also built to run indoor/outdoor. In my old house (before I moved in 2017) I had outdoor G-scale track in the back yard to run my trains. Sold the house, of course, but point is that G-scale can run at higher temp levels (high/low) than most other scales. Pulled up the track and brought it with me to the attic of the new house. But since it can run outside, G-scale is also referred to as Garden Scale/Railroading.

I said I own a lot of Aristo-Craft (AC) at 1:29 but they bought out the Delton line (1:24) where the molds to make the plastic bodies in China were the treasured gold assets so I have several 1:24 engines and rolling stock (some classic Delton some AC 1:24).

Thing to know is G is about twice the size of O. LGB set the track width/size for G although other folks made "G" tracks that were approximately the same size. And G-scale has higher temp limits (high/low) for indoors/outdoors use. My attic in Alabama gets warm in summer but I don't worry about the trains. They can take it and keep running.

ED

PS - Lionel jumped on the bandwagon and made a few G-scale pieces in the 90s and my handcar is one of those. They called that line of theirs "Large Scale". They obviously had a huge presence in the S- and O- scale trains with decades of popular trains and quality. So they "dabbled" in G-scale and soon exited but this was the piece that caught my eye and DC power runs most garden railroads the same way. Win-Win for me.

 

[4077]

Back from our spring break trip to San Juan, PR. We had a great time! The early Tuesday flight was a bit draining, though a nap on the plan and in the hotel room later that day made it possible. We took off at 0600 to JFK, then connecting flight at 0810 to SJU.

The nice part is that 0600 takeoff afforded us a gorgeous sunrise photo.

View attachment 752364

The flight was not bad at all, like the people mover. The landing at SJU due to winds and storms, was closer to a ride at Cedar Park.

Since we arrived around noon we had lunch by our resport pool while waiting for our room. The view was EXACTLY what we hoped for. This was so nice to wake up and see every morning.

View attachment 752363


Once in our room it was a short nap then officially down to swim in the pool and unwind from the flight. Even cought a rainbow, which we took as a good sign for our vacation.

View attachment 752365

That evening we had dinner at a nearby low key resteraunt called Wiakiki. It was the first time DW and I had Monfongo which is a plantain based bread bowl of sorts stuffed with various stuff. M had shrimp, I had lobster/shrimp and the girls tried chicken. We all enjoyed it a lot.

Wednesday we had a walking tour of Old San Juan booked, our guide was fun and full of information about the city and the sights. We picked hers because it wasnt just the major attractions of the city, rather more intimate of the history of the city. We really enjoyed the tour and spent the afternoon touring the city. The intersting part of Old San Juan is they have a program called "Save A Gato" in which they actually protect and feed the local cat population. The cats are mostly ferral, however are caught given vaccinations, and most of them sterilized to control population. This is done because the recognize that with the mostly ferral cats wandering around Old San Juan they have neven had much of a rodent problem. After our tour we worked our way up to El Morro following a geocache adventure lab. We also hit several geocaches through the city, and explored the grounds of Casa Blanca. After our day was done we had dinner at a local favorite Ropa Vieja which was really good.

Hiding from the rain, or a managers meeting....you decide....

Thursday we were off to an area near El Yunque rainforest. Due to the limit on the visitors at the NP since the hurricane, we where treated to the tour of a private property on the edge of the NP. Got to see some of the rainforrest, slide down some natural water slides, and swim in the basin pools. Afterwards was lunch at Liquillo beach on the atlantic but behind a breakwater reef. The water was calm, soft sand and sun. The non main resport prices where great, 4 people fed a full lunch for under $25. M and I got some 'large' mojitos. I thought large was the 32oz cup in front for me....who knew it would be a giant Quart container. So 8 drinks in hand for under $30 was still a deal......and a heck of a buz. The guide gave us lots of useful information for a return trip and some great places to try for meals! That eveing we chose a place called Birra House, kinda steak and pizza joint. DD and DW got a pizza to split, oldest DD got a burger and I ordered a calzone based on the waiter saying it was enough for one person. What showed up was a 12" pizza stuffed and folded in half....it was a 2 person meal. We had good fun, but man was I stuffed.

View attachment 752362

Friday was spent mostly around the hotel beach and pool. We stared with breakfast at the hotel Cafe which was tasty and filling, enough to take us past lunch when we ordered a small snack by the pool and snapped some finale pictures.

For our final dinner we ate at a place called Social, higher end dinning and a chance to dress up a little.

View attachment 752366

The next day we had a late flight out of San Juan. It started out pretty rainy, yet we stil went back to Old San Juan to explore and have lunch. We picked up a few small things we wanted and I got some locally roasted coffee. We had an early lunch and then back to the hotel to collect our bags and change. We knew it would be significantly colder when we got home. Due to weather quite a bit of turbulance at take off and on decent DC. Enough so I was thankful we did not try to eat anything before the flight after being filled up from lunch. However, between both sets of turbulance we where afforeded a comfortable flight and a unique sunset.

View attachment 752369

We got home shortly after 9pm. Had a few light snacks before crashing hard. Easter was slow start, pancake breakfast and later in the afternoon I had to go food shopping. Thankfull I was able to pull togeter a nice Easter dinner. Today it is back to the grind and starting to finalize our Disney plans in just over 90 days.

Great report and both fun (and funny!) pictures… man what a calzone!!!

 

[4077]

Recently on page 251 of this thread I posted some pics of the locomotives in my G-scale model railroad. I've been chipping away at it lately but the build-out, basic though it is, is finished. Even collecting new motive power and other rolling stock, is mostly finished. There's one or two more pieces I'd like to have that I don't yet. But over the years I've learned a lesson.

I started collecting slowly in the late 90s and in the last 10 years came to regret that there were certain items available (in the 90s) that I don't see offered for sale (new or used) any more that I wish I had moved on.

On this thread, @Stratman50th was thinking about setting up his trains.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/i-want-to-run-my-trains.3914953/

And it got me reminiscing about that first favorite train piece that I wanted as an adult.

I often peruse ebay and certain web stores specializing in used model train sales looking for those early favorites. And last week, I came across the piece that started this whole hobby for me. I was shocked looking at my screen - THERE IT WAS. Today it was delivered to my railroad. I think ya'll will like it.















It's an old Mickey/Donald Handcar from Lionel who made a FEW pieces in G-scale and this is the one I saw in train and hobby stores in the early 90s. The figures' arms move up/down as the hand bars oscillate. Simple transportation with two loveable characters. It's in "Like New" condition and runs fine.

Now there have been other Disney-related train pieces in recent years and even more Disney handcars. But this one is special and I'm glad I found it.

Ed

PS - I have a Mickey Magic Band and DW has a Donald Magic Band too so that's cool ...

PPS - see our trips listed in my sig. Dec 1995 DW & I made a trip with our two infant sons (DD was a gleam in our eye still) and we had a Contemporary Tower room on the MK side. That relit the love of going to WDW for me. And being a train guy, seeing this handcar in stores during that time lit the fuse.

Awesome, Ed! So happy for you that you were able to get that piece that has so much meaning… enjoy!

 

[garneska]

Today was registration day for Marathon Weekend 2024. @bama_ed knows the stress level i had here. Last year Bert did not get in. This year i was ready to register both of us. Turns out he had to be at the office today so it was only me on the computer trying to get a lucky slot. Our plan for 2024 was to ONLY run the half as we are saving some vacation for a big trip in 2024.

I managed to get us registered for the Half. It was super stressful but as of typing this 67 minutes after opening the half, marathon and surprisingly Dopey was still available. Though i doubt for long.

I feel like i just ran a marathon to get through registration.

 

[jbrostek]

@garneska I can not doubt how stressful that was. It seems to be many of the more popular marathons are still seeing record levels of registration. I guess that is a good thing though as more people are working hard to train for half or full marathons. Rest assure, I will never take a slot from you.

An RV site or park reservation however....


@bama_ed LOVE the trains. They where not my thing, but I appreciate the hard work of those that build tracks and track down the nearly unabotanium cars like your Disney related find.

This weekend is another race weekend, so ill be heading on back to Summit Point Raceway. So far I just have the new timbren helpers on and what a difference for towing. I can't wait for time to get my truck shocks done too. I think it will have to wait till next week though. We are going to a local burger joint to support a fund raiser tonight, tomorrow is DD's 17th birthday, and Friday I leave for the track. Still need to fit some lawn mowing in too.

 

[Teamubr]

After having the 4 really old batteries tested. I decided the government can wait a little longer for their money, so I picked up 4 new ones. The last 2 were only 3 or 4 years old and were in good shape, so I'll hold off on those for the moment. Everything is wired back in and the inverters love all the new capacity. These should let me run through the night without using the generator.



j

 

[Part-Time Paradise]

The weather is nice for once. Like REALLY nice. DS had the honors of the first mow.

 

[jbrostek]

@Part-Time Paradise Already overdue for our second mowing! Things wake up fast in VA!!!

 

[bama_ed]

The weather is nice for once. Like REALLY nice. DS had the honors of the first mow.
View attachment 752647

Send him down to Alabama to do my yard, PtP. Tell him there's $10 in it for him. ED

 

[bama_ed]

I feel like i just ran a marathon to get through registration.

I'm glad you and Bert got the HalfM's that you wanted, Kris.

I had a bad experience not long ago (as you alluded to) trying to get the 5/10K races for January so I'm going to take a pause on those. But our DISMeet in Nov24 might fall (at the end of our week) on the Food & Wine Half Weekend and I might try to sign up for those short races (one or both).

Here's hoping you get the RV back soon and can get back to the great outdoors.

Ed

 

[Part-Time Paradise]

Send him down to Alabama to do my yard, PtP. Tell him there's $10 in it for him. ED

He did lay in bed last night and ask if he could start a mowing business. I think he might spend a little bit much in overhead to make that $10 worth it. I'll let him know though

 

[bama_ed]

Headed down to the Alabama Gulf Coast this morning in the rain and wind to spend some time at Gulf State Park. They had some fierce weather/rain down here that blew out this morning (more on that later) and it's an absolutely beautiful afternoon in the 70s with blue sky and a few puffy white clouds.

We made good time (I love travelling on weekdays) and hit a lot of green lights which was nice. Gas Price Story: I leave Tuscaloosa, right the interstate to Birmingham and then down to Montgomery on I65 and on south. I could drive directly from T-town to Montgomery but part of it is 2-lane and red lights and I like to roll on the interstate - it adds 15 minutes.

Anyway, got off I65 in LA (Lower Alabama) and went through Bay Minette first. Every. Single. Gas. Station. That. I. Use. There was $3.23/gal for for E10 (there are about 5 stations thru there I will/can use and they were ALL the same). Getting down to I10 the prices at those stations were $3.39. But it's a short roll to the Buc-ees and the Baldwin Beach Express and the rodent was selling E10 for $3.14. So I filled up (30 gallon tank). Sometimes I guess wrong but I guessed right today. I got 16.5 mpg in the rain the first two hours but after the rain stopped the wind took over and when I got off I65 after 4 hours I was down to 16.0 mpg.

But we got to Gulf Shores in 5 hr 15 minutes which was 15-30 minutes less than usual. As luck would have it, we got into town at lunchtime. We stopped in at The Original Oyster House (which has parking across the street to take me and the Aliner) which is DW's favorite. They do have a lower priced lunch menu.





The draw here, besides the good food, is the view on the back side for most of the tables that look over the marsh of the lagoon. The marsh over to the right is connected to Lake Selby and MIddle Lake (the latter is at the state park campground). Nice view of pelicans, fish families in the water, ducks, turtles, and more.



This is maybe the 3rd time in a row we arrive in Gulf Shores and eat lunch at TOOH. It has a good salad bar option that has REAL hard boiled eggs which our two sons used to empty out when they ate here with us.

DW had the Shrimp Au Gratin with cheese grits, slaw, hush puppies, and garlic bread.



I was in the mood for a Soft Shell Crab Po Boy sandwich and it was truly a shelled crustacean (actually 2 of them) with fries and slaw.



Lots of standing water in parking lots and gusty winds blowing as we left the restaurant to check in at the GSP Campground. Double Red Flags flying for NO SWIMMING in the Gulf due to riptides. During checkin the guy told me a travel trailer along the canal campsites (pull throughs) blew over in the early morning hours (with a couple inside), ended up on its back, and only came to a stop because it rolled up against a 5th wheel next to it. It was cleaned up by the time I arrived but still......

We are not staying along Live Oak Road which has been our usual area the last few years. Nope, our poster @rocketmom (whom we met at the Pigeon Forge DISMeet), suggested we try the Gator Road neighborhood along the lake just past the pool and store area. So I booked a waterfront site a year in advance (to the day) and was glad I did.

I'll share pics in the next post.

Bama Ed

 

[bama_ed]

Our site has some shade in the back and is across from a Comfort Station and has a very peaceful view of the water. Here are the pics.









Looking right towards the store then left from the water's edge:





and then back towards the road.



Due to the gusty mid-day winds (which have calmed some) I did not yet put up the EZ up and may not at all but we will see. I did bring the griddle (new regulator and tank) to do some cooking but since we ate out for lunch, we will eat lunch foods tonight and then start cooking tomorrow. After unloading and setting up, we went for groceries and I got some red snapper for dinner for tomorrow at Blalock's (local fish monger who sells locally caught products when available).

We sat outside this afternoon and enjoyed the peace and quiet for about an hour in the sun. DW likes the site and I told her that I have already booked this site for next year. So @rocketmom, good on you. Not giving up on Live Oak but if this makes DW happy, that's a good thing.

That's all for now.

Bama Ed

PS - campground wifi running 41 MB/s down. Maybe the Fort will eventually catch up ....

 

[rocketmom]

Our site has some shade in the back and is across from a Comfort Station and has a very peaceful view of the water. Here are the pics.









Looking right towards the store then left from the water's edge:





and then back towards the road.



Due to the gusty mid-day winds (which have calmed some) I did not yet put up the EZ up and may not at all but we will see. I did bring the griddle (new regulator and tank) to do some cooking but since we ate out for lunch, we will eat lunch foods tonight and then start cooking tomorrow. After unloading and setting up, we went for groceries and I got some red snapper for dinner for tomorrow at Blalock's (local fish monger who sells locally caught products when available).

We sat outside this afternoon and enjoyed the peace and quiet for about an hour in the sun. DW likes the site and I told her that I have already booked this site for next year. So @rocketmom, good on you. Not giving up on Live Oak but if this makes DW happy, that's a good thing.

That's all for now.

Bama Ed

PS - campground wifi running 41 MB/s down. Maybe the Fort will eventually catch up ....

View attachment 753066

Glad you like Gator Road, it’s my favorite. I will be your Gator Road neighbor on Monday if you’re still there

 

[bama_ed]

Glad you like Gator Road, it’s my favorite. I will be your Gator Road neighbor on Monday if you’re still there

We will be here. Ed

 

[bama_ed]

 

[bama_ed]

One last photo from last night (with Mars over the Aliner) and then sunrise this morning.



















The condos in the distance are on the coastline for directional reference.

Bama Ed

 

[jbrostek]

@bama_ed The fuel prices are so sporatic I call it the because we can prices, doesnt seem to be any ryme or reason half the time. Glad you found a surprise savings!!! Sadly with gasoline there are just limited ways to save compared to some of the diesel programs out there.

Yesterday was a busy one. Got the lawn cut and everything trimmed. So now it looks more like a lawn again and not a hay field. Also got the DW and my truck washed what felt like a 1/4" of pollen off the vehicles. Both where due for a wash since the winter. They both could use a full detail, but it will have to wait a little. Many free weekends in May compared to now. Little Blue (my hyundai tuscon) could use some soap and water soon. It has to go back to the shop as the AC has decided it doesnt like the new compressor anymore. So not much of a priority.

This weekend is back at the track for me. Another race to run Emergency Services for, so I put another 25 gallons of water in the RV, and started to pack everything and prep it all. I need to make a small food and stuff run at noon today, and hopefully be on the road around 4.