Labor Day Labor - Or "Keep on Painting"

Men,

Some think that Labor Day is a day to take off from labor; however, this labor day I actually did some work for a change - on the railroad. After weeks of looking at the unpainted alcove addition I decided that I was FINALLY going to get the drywall mud work done. I was surprised to learn that there was only a little smoothing to do, so after everything had dried I painted the area. The paint is a pretty fair match to the existing paint and I can blend the two colors with a third color when I do the sky and clouds. I'm amazed on how the addition looks painted as the curved walls fool the eyes into thinking that there's no end to the room. I want to thank all of you that helped me get the alcove ready.

Now that I've got things rolling I plan on doing the floor next, adding molding, and putting the trim rings on the ceiling lights this week.

Scott's View of the Going Away Photo

The NCI Operating Group

The Legendary Men of the North County Interchange Operating Group

From left to right

Back: Bob the Builder, Popsicle Rick, Band Camp Weiss, Concrete Keith, Iron Mike

Front: Coalfinger Ken, Gator Scott, Steve-bay

Here are photos from last evenings festivities!

High on the HOG

In attendance:

Gator Scott
Steve-bay
Packrat Paul
Coalfinger Ken
Concrete Keith
Bob the Builder
Popsicle Rick
Band Camp Mark

We had a full house last evening! It was a very productive evening sprucing up the HOG last night. Painting facia, laying ties, securing track and laying ballast, removing extra feet of wire from under the benchwork, correcting some operational issues like dead sidings, and preparing for serious scenery work for next weeks session.

Paul - you left the Korean meat marinade behind. Keith - there was something (can't recall what)that you left behind as well. I may be wrong but Scott has it because he said he'd see you soonest.

Again, thanks to everyone for all the support!

Steve B

Friday 8-20-10 at Scott's - Cast of Thousands!

What a crowd!  What a crowd!  We had a great turnout tonight!

Concrete Keith (late)
Band Camp Weiss
Coalfinger Ken
Packrat Paul
Popsicle Rick
Steve-bay
Neighbor Mark
Gator Scott

I didn't take any photos, so if you have some please upload them!

We spent most of the night learning how to make resin castings.  Each of us had some Alumilite resin and cast different objects.  We learned about different resin, mold building and other things about reproduction.  Not THAT kind of reproduction!

Then Scott gave away all his lumber, plywood, sheet foam, luan and other building materials.  He also dumped all his flammable paints since he is moving soon.

Was great to see everyone!

Friday 8-13-10 at Rick's

The group was at my house this week and what a treat! Present were: Scott (Gator) Perry, Packrat Paul, Steve-bay and Coalfinger Ken. It was especially nice to have Scott back as he hadn't been to the Richlawn Railroad in ages! We missed the rest of you guys! Bob & Keith (drywall experts) - you would be proud of the job the guys did!

We started by having a little mini-tour of the latest (if not little) progress which included adding static grass in the foreground of Hoovertown, starting the back section of Hoovertown which will include the residential area, and the addition of JRMI to the railroad to starting with Decoder Pro.

Have you ever had a "sticking" point on your railroad construction where you just can seem to make any progress? Of course you have! For me, it was finishing the drywalling of the alcove addition (6-1/2' x 7' area). Tonight's main objective was that drywall completion and to "get-r-done"...... and the guys did!

I actually did do a little work, although it was documented. My main function was to make the cuts using my radial arm saw as I think the guys were a little scared of this 50 year old DeWalt wonder. I also ran tools and of, course ran my mouth (I'm an expert!). Enjoy the pictures!


Someone had made a remark at the last get together that "these aren't Doublestuff" so I made sure that mistake wasn't repeated. We had the usual mix of cookies, soft drinks, water and coffee. It was warm in the basement due to our Georgia heat wave and all of the furious working!


Recycling is the name of the game, so we reused the lumber taken down from the closet demo. Here Paul & Scott are removing nails, screws, etc. from the lumber before measuring and cutting.

Steve manned the measuring tape much of the night and is laying out one of the studs. The next "un picture" is of me making the cut.

Paul brought his handy-dandy driver gun to make short work of attaching the plate to the floor.

I had a couple of sections of 4' x 9' 1/2 dryway ready for the guys. Here Scott & Paul are marking the bottom to remove 1/2" before taking the sheet into the alcove.

An up it goes! The guys also brought the other sheet in the room before sealing it up.

Scott mans the gun while Paul & Steve hang on.

Heeeerrrrs Johnny!!! - I mean Heeeeerrrs Ken! He just couldn't resist the impulse to stick his head in. It's a good thing that he didn't get a drywall screw in it!

Scott's not afraid to get down and dirty when it comes to railroading. Here he's making the cut for the final piece. I'll make the rest of the cut from my end once he's through.

Steve was our "high man" when it came to driving the screws. Scott had just finished trimming the sheet to fit in between the existing wall. Somebody made the comment that there weren't any trains running, so I fired up two throttles using my laptop and Decoder Pro and ran them around the layout for a lap.

Talk about some nice looking studs! I'm talking about the wall, not the NCIOG guys!

Done! All I've got to do now is taping, mudding, and painting! After the work was done we had a nice chat about Scott's upcoming casting clinic. Scott is an expert the the art and the guys are really looking forward to learning from him. I got out a bunch of possible canidates for casting while we all hammered Scott with questions about casting. Can't WAIT!

We ended around 11p and I really appreciate the guys making the trek and "unsticking" me! Thank you!