Mister Bob's model works emporium

Malachi 1:6-11

2012-01-29T09:28:00.002-06:00

A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible. And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts. And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he regard your persons? saith the LORD of hosts. Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand. For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

Mantua HO scale 0-4-0 "Shifter"...

2012-01-28T20:47:00.007-06:00

...a gift from an online friend. They came with the simple drive rods of most toy trains but, for a couple dollars, one could buy the optional full valve gear kit...

Before...

...after.
Sadly, when they were first offered, the slide gear was made with zinc castings that were prone to becoming brittle with age from crystallization or "Zinc-mites", the bane of all model train collectors and enthusiasts. This set was no different, obtained in the usual box lot of goodies I'm always looking for...

However...I found that the later plastic ones were a fairly easy retrofit. The peened rivet that held the original to the slide rod keeps a good grip when carefully pinched into the plastic one and the hole is already predrilled...

A full set of valve gear makes for a much more complete looking steamer, and would please the original giver of the model who, like me, is a tinkerer of the first order and an old school modeler as well...

Yes...this old girl now sports one plastic, and one cast slide rod but, since you can only see one side at a time, I figured no one would notice that the other is of a different material. I do have a plastic south paw rod should this one decide to go south on me in the future.

Mantua HO scale 4-6-4 Heavy Pacific, circa 1980...

2012-01-23T18:18:00.005-06:00

...a nice runner--when you can get juice to the motor--they are plagued with contact issues that come from a combination of zinc castings, steel axles and brass wheels working against each other by their various corrosion and rust abilities. The older ones have a separate bell and hanger that protrudes over the smoke-box and headlight. They are now offered under the Mantua Classics name by Model Power.

One way to improve pickup is to remove as many contact points as possible, bringing the electricity to the motor is as directly as one's abilities and materials on hand are able to muster. I made these pickups with some strip brass, 2 round terminals that fit around the bolster and some wire...

Knowing modelers will immediately see the impending screw-up--since fixed--...unknowing modelers get to find out on their own...

The fix works great, completely bypassing the zinc floor of the tender and the trucks, though the original source points of power remain. Adding 3 ounces of lead helps it stay in contact and track better.

Zephaniah 3:8-17

2012-01-22T17:45:00.001-06:00

Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.

For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent. From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering. In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain. I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.

The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.

Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

Athearn HO scale 4-6-2 Heavy Pacific, introductory ad 1959...

2012-01-21T14:17:00.002-06:00

Back in the 50s and 60s, the running joke in the industry went something like this:

Salesman- "Look boss, our model of the Onion Specific 460 Grobnick we announced earlier this year has proven very popular with modelers over the last six months."

CEO- "That's great...I guess we'll have to actually design and manufacture one now..."

In Athearn's case, they did in fact make them but, their mechanism proved so unreliable, that they went though a complete redesign that took almost two years to complete, delaying this model until 1961...

Word is that several of these early Hi-F drives did escape the factory, though no one has ever seen one. In the world of HO, it would truly be worthy of the words "rare" and "highly prized".

Gem Models, 1964...

2012-01-20T21:00:00.003-06:00

In their quest for legitimacy in the eyes of other adults, model railroaders turned to Mel Torme to show the world that...well...by golly, we don't play with toys, we're a real hobby. It happened with Micheal Gross (Bert in 'Tremors') in the 80s and again with Rod Stewart in the last couple of years.

Sound ridiculous? No more than those who name the Name of Christ pointing to Tim Tebow or Chuck Norris as brethren, as though star power legitimizes the Gospel of Jesus Christ as a place for real people with a real message...not some haven for folks too dim to believe in evolution or moral abstracts.

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.--(1Corinthians 1:18-25)

HO scale picket fencing...

2012-01-20T18:54:00.006-06:00

One way to improve one's model work is to stop looking at an item as the end all/be all for your layout. With careful cutting and joining, a picket fence can fit your model's specific needs, rather than building your model to fit the stock item...

...stock piece positioned for measuring...

...necessary lengths are cut, fitted and glued, mounting pins drilled and installed and gate positioned where I want it...not where the manufacturer put it...

...final result, a fence any neighbor would be proud to chat over the day's events. Use a small amount of cement and give it plenty of time to set...

...and, yes, I straightened the two corners after the pic was taken--the only time stuff like that shows up...sigh...... ;-P

Mid South Model Railroad Club, Baton Rouge, LA...

2012-01-16T19:24:00.002-06:00

I like this layout--but--I detest sound systems...yeesh.

Northwest Short Line 18 ton HO scale Shay...again...

2012-01-16T19:02:00.002-06:00

It just looks better here than it does sitting on some white paper...its empty eye socket now filled with an M.V. Products .166" light lens.

Psalm 37:7-11

2012-01-15T08:18:00.001-06:00

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.

For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Pittmann, K.T.M. Sagami...

2012-01-14T11:41:00.003-06:00

...a box full of model railroading history came my way, filled with open framed wonders of yesteryear, gear boxes and can motors including Sagamis, which haven't been available since the Kobe, Japan factory was destroyed in the Great Hanshin earthquake in 1995.

They come from the estate of a modeler who obviously knew what he wanted in running qualities and pursued that end thru the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. I will eventually feature several of the older motors to show the evidence of balancing the armatures that used to be done before precision motors became available and affordable.

This is just a small sampling of what came my way...

Woodland Scenics burns down...follow up...

2012-01-11T18:29:00.001-06:00

From an online source...

Woodland Scenics Recovers Quickly from Fire at Manufacturing Plant

Woodland Scenics experienced a fire at their manufacturing plant in Linn Creek, Missouri on Thursday, January 5, 2012. The determined cause of the fire was the failure of an electrical motor. Osage Beach Fire Department and several other central Missouri fire departments assisted, responding quickly and containing the fire.

The fire took eight percent of Woodland Scenics total facilities. Manufacturing and shipping operations in other buildings continued even as the firefighters fought the blaze. Several employees temporarily displaced by the fire, returned to work Friday morning to assist with clean-up and resume business operations, and many continued to work through the weekend. All employees were back to work Monday morning, January 9.

“While we still have some clean-up to do,” said CEO Dwayne Fulton, “our dedicated Woodland Scenics team has pitched in 110% to make sure we continued with business as usual! We are most grateful that no one was hurt. Friends and customers from all over the world contacted us to offer their encouragement, prayers and help. We are very appreciative and humbled by this outpouring of support.”

Alabama 21, LSU 0...still hurts...

2012-01-11T17:31:00.008-06:00

LSU 0, Alabama 21...

2012-01-09T17:43:00.002-06:00

13-1

Ken McMillan's West Hades & Beelzebub S scale 4-6-2 Pacific...

2012-01-09T17:29:00.004-06:00

...an unbelievable chance find in an Edmonton, Alberta pawn shop, a piece of model railroading history that is one of the scratchbuilt masterpieces of yesteryear...

From the PNR NMRA Region 6 Highball, Summer 2010, page 6...

Ken McMillan Passes

Ken McMillan passed away on May 31, 2010 at the age of 86.

Ken built and operated the West Hades & Beelzebub - a mostly scratch-built S scale layout.

His prize-winning brass steam engines were controlled with a home-built CTC-16 system.

The entire layout operated flawlessly.

Who can forget dumping live ore loads in his automatic rotary dumper, complete with a working kickback track?

The craftsmanship on the layout was surpassed only by Ken's hospitality to guest operators.

Several of us were honoured to take part in operating sessions late into the evening, the first exposure to operations for many.

Many of us also remember Ken's voice - he was known in some circles as "Edmonton's Frank Sinatra" - and was a frequent singer at Edmonton-area karaoke bars.

One of the treats of the 6th Division spring meet in 1978 was Ken's after-banquet singing.

Ken will be remembered fondly by all who had the good fortune to know him

---Mark Johnson

---owner photos

Amos 5:6-15

2012-01-08T07:46:00.000-06:00

Seek the LORD, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel.

Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth, Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name: That strengtheneth the spoiled against the strong, so that the spoiled shall come against the fortress.

They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly. Forasmuch therefore as your treading is upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them.

For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right. Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time.

Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken. Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.

Athearn HO scale Hustler diesel, Yellow #60...

2012-01-07T20:47:00.004-06:00

...and then there were three in my stable. This one, a recent online purchase, shows what NOT to do when re-wiring an Athearn locomotive. Like most Athearn owners, the modifier replaced the metal clip contacts with more direct wiring to the motor from the frame...

Unlike most modifiers though, they left the brush clip on the plastic motor frames, essentially melting them into the motor...sigh...

It runs, but maintenance will be a kick...

UPDATE: New upper clip, new wire and terminal, a soldering job that would make my 8th grade shop teacher proud...much better.

Pittmann Electrical Developments Company...

2012-01-07T15:08:00.003-06:00

...the source of most motors in American model railroading through the 1970s for both manufacturers and hobbyists. A large box lot of old motors coming my way made me realize that there is very little information out there on these little machines.

Matchbox Pierce Velocity 100' Aerial Platform...

2012-01-06T23:00:00.005-06:00

As a fireman's kid growing up, what can I say? It sure stands up to most HO trucks offered out there. Its only detraction...the boom is 45' long and reaches 35' in the air, a good bit shy of the 100 foot mark on both counts.

Woodland Scenics burns down...

2012-01-05T20:30:00.008-06:00

...a well respected and long time manufacturer of various forms of scenic ground foam and kits.

---unknown photographer

Quite a loss to the hobby, I hope they fare well.

UPDATE: From Trains.com

"Dear all,

As you may have heard we have experienced a fire here at Woodland Scenics and there is good news and bad news. The good news is that no one was hurt during the fire or evacuation process. The bad news is that it took out a couple of our manufacturing buildings. However, and fortunately, there is more good news than bad.

We encompass multiple buildings that are spread out all over the town of Linn Creek. We only lost two of those buildings and those two contained just a small portion of our manufacturing facilities. Our shipping department, warehouse and corporate offices were spared any damage, as were most of our manufacturing buildings, so it is business as usual.

Thanks for all your concerns.

Respectfully,

Gale Cousins
Director of Sales & Customer Service
Woodland Scenics"

Mantua HO scale CM&PS RR. 2-6-2 Prairie...

2012-01-02T11:14:00.003-06:00

...coming in for the New Year....

My plans for this blog remain unchanged from my original mission statement...the year promises to be an interesting one on all levels. I earnestly pray the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus Christ carries you, my readers and followers, through the coming year.

Amen.

New Heaven, New Earth

We are coming to plead now with one whose arm is not shortened, and whose ear is not heavy. Renew your strength as you think of him. If you have doubted the ultimate success of Christianity, renew your strength as you remember who it is that has sworn by himself that surely all flesh shall see the salvation of God. You are coming to plead with Jesus Christ. Be silent, and remember those wounds of his with which he has redeemed mankind!

Can these fail of their reward? Shall Jesus be robbed of the power he has so dearly earned? The earth is the Lord’s, and he will unsheathe her of the mists which dimmed her lustre at the fall, and he will make this planet shine as brightly as when she first was rolled from between the palms of the omnipotent Creator. There shall be a new heaven and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Think of that, and renew your strength. Hath not the Lord said concerning his beloved Son, that he shall divide the spoil with the strong, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hands? Shall it not be so?

From a sermon by Charles Haddon Spurgeon entitled "Solemn Pleadings For Revival", delivered January 3, 1875.

Amos 5:4-15

2012-01-01T11:15:00.002-06:00

For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live: But seek not Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beersheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Bethel shall come to nought. Seek the LORD, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel.

Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth, Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name: That strengtheneth the spoiled against the strong, so that the spoiled shall come against the fortress. They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly. Forasmuch therefore as your treading is upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them.

For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right. Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time. Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.

Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.

A Encouraging Word for the New Year

2012-01-01T11:09:00.004-06:00

I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” — Joshua 1:5

The consolation given to Joshua would be exceedingly suitable in the presence of his enemies. He had spied out the land, and he knew it to be inhabited by giant races, men famous both for stature and strength. The sons of Anak were there, and other tribes, described as “great, and many, and tall.” He knew that they were a warlike people, and expert in the use of destructive implements of war, such as brought terror upon men, for they had chariots of iron. He knew, too, that their cities were of colossal dimensions — fortresses whose stones at this very day surprise the traveler, so that he asks what wondrous skill could have lifted those masses of rock into their places. The other spies had said that these Canaanites dwelt in cities that were walled up to heaven; and, though Joshua did not endorse that exaggeration, he was very well aware that the cities to be captured were fortresses of great strength, and the people to be exterminated were men of ferocious courage and great physical energy.

Therefore the Lord said, “I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” What more was needed? Surely, in the presence of God, Anakim become dwarfs, strongholds become as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, and chariots of iron are as thistle-down upon the hillside driven before the blast. What is strong against the Most High? What is formidable in opposition to Jehovah? “If God be for us, who can be against us?” They that be with us are more than they that be against us, when once the Lord of hosts is seen in our ranks. “Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be removed, the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” Though a host should encamp against us, our heart shall not fear: though war should rise against us, in this will we be confident.

From a sermon by Charles Haddon Spurgeon entitled "Strengthening Medicine For God's Servants."

Duratrax 1/10 scale Evader ST electric stadium truck....Happy New Year...

2011-12-31T17:19:00.002-06:00

...celebrating with family and friends and staying off the road.

...or is it off road?

Blessings, grace and peace to you and yours, may you have a happy and safe celebration...

I now understand what my parents and grandparents meant....

2011-12-26T12:25:00.002-06:00

...when they would say that their best Christmas presents were us...

...from my kids, the monster truck "Derailed".

I pray that this holiday season has been a blessed and safe one, abounding and abiding in the love and grace offered by the only gift that really matters, our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Blessings, grace and peace to you and yours as we count down the last days of 2011, and endeavor to trust 2012 in the hands of the One who is already there....

Duratrax 1/10 scale Evader ST electric stadium truck....

2011-12-26T11:56:00.002-06:00

...a gift to my son from an online friend. My boy thinks the battle scars just make it all the cooler...especially when he did his own aerial 360 back-flip off the neighbor's driveway yesterday---and planted it on its feet. Not bad for a first time R/Cer...he'll be impossible to live with now....

Luke 2:7-20

2011-12-25T09:11:00.000-06:00

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Ummmm....

2011-12-24T21:54:00.001-06:00

NOTE TO SELF:...

2011-12-23T19:35:00.002-06:00

...ALWAYS know the location of your neighbor's main breaker panel. The life you save might...just...be...his...

The Incarnation is a promise....

2011-12-23T06:23:00.001-06:00

Think of it for a minute. If God loves us so much as to become man, then the blessings which he intends to bestow must be incalculable. The Incarnation is in itself a promise big with untold blessing. Gaze upon the Son of God in Bethlehem’s manger, and you feel sure that if the Infinite has assumed the forum of an infant, his incarnation betokens infinite love, foreshadows intimate intercourse, and foretells unbounded blessedness for the sons of Adam. If Jehovah himself in human flesh walks toilsomely over the acres of Judea, if he bears human sicknesses and sorrows, if he in human form gives his hands to the nails and his heart to the spear, there must be boundless affection in his heart towards the seed chosen from among men. What rivers of blessings must come to us if God himself comes to us, and comes in such a fashion and in such a spirit.

What meaneth the union of Godhead with humanity but this, that though he was rich yet for our sakes he became poor? And what can his purpose be but “that we through his poverty might be made rich”? rich with riches as vast as those which he renounced in order to espouse our nature in all its poverty and degradation? Let us at this time joy and rejoice in the Son of diary, the Son of Man, who is also the Son of God; let us exult to-day as we believe that Jesus is as truly man as he is truly God.

From a sermon by Charles Haddon Spurgeon entitled "Rivers Of Water In A Dry Place," delivered July 11, 1875.

May you and yours have a blessed holiday season...

2011-12-21T18:08:00.001-06:00

...Merry Christmas.

Ephesians 2:8-18

2011-12-18T07:42:00.001-06:00

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

...up and running.

2011-12-14T21:18:00.003-06:00

From left to right: HO scale Bachmann Spectrum GP-30 in Pennsy colors, AHM/Pocher 4-4-0 "Genoa" circa 1969, Marklin HR800 4-6-2 Pacific and a President's Choice 4-6-4 Hudson in CP colors...

...and then there was light.

2011-12-13T17:30:00.004-06:00

Three Christmases ago, my building light string inexplicably went "Poof", without the benefit of the customary magic blue smoke of all things electrical. Replacing bulbs (there are only ten), jiggling wires, liberal doses of magic blue language...all was for naught, leaving my Christmas village a dark and dreary place to behold for the next two Christmases.

Then, in what can only be described as that Biblical "still, small voice", I was bid to try just one more time, on a socket I know I've tried many times before, and after we had already set up the tree, leaving any ability to really service it impossible.

The result....

Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.----(1Corinthians 3:18-20)

Nehemiah 9:32-38

2011-12-11T14:35:00.000-06:00

Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day.

Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly: Neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept thy law, nor hearkened unto thy commandments and thy testimonies, wherewith thou didst testify against them. For they have not served thee in their kingdom, and in thy great goodness that thou gavest them, and in the large and fat land which thou gavest before them, neither turned they from their wicked works.

Behold, we are servants this day, and for the land that thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof, behold, we are servants in it: And it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins: also they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.

And because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal unto it.

Intermountain HO scale 33" replacement wheelsets...

2011-12-10T12:48:00.004-06:00

...my product of choice for most of my rolling stock. I try to replace all plastic wheels with metal ones because the metal ones work as they roll to clean the track, just like the real ones.

A short circuit that showed up recently had me momentarily baffled until my alter ego, CAPTAIN OBVIOUS came to the rescue. One of the last cars I converted was an older Athearn 50' reefer with its original metal sprung trucks. When I lifted the car off the track, all my power was back.

NOTE TO SELF: When installing metal wheelsets, get into the habit of checking the insulated side of the axles to make sure they are all on the same side of the car. That way, self is not inadvertently creating a short circuit through the metal truck...duh. Bonus points are gained by making sure both trucks are insulated on the same side in metal framed kits.

NOTE TO NEWCOMERS: The insulated side is the one done in a non-conductive plastic, usually black. --->Can you believe they used paper or varnish not too long ago? The varnish breaking down over the years is the more likely reason Grandpa's old trains aren't working for some right now...that creates a dead short, leaving folks to believe that the motor is toasted.

WRONG WAY

RIGHT WAY

Legacy...

2011-12-10T09:49:00.004-06:00

...do You have one?
Local 'Can Man' —Giant in the Lord
December 2011

Everybody in his neighborhood in Tucson, Arizona, knew him as “The Can Man, Charley.” Every day he had a route of about 6 miles where he walked to collect recyclables. But you didn’t meet Charley for very long without realizing that money from the cans didn’t just go into his pocket, supplementing his retirement income. He was really about something else. And everyone that he met on his route was offered one of those other somethings: a no-nonsense gospel tract. You soon would learn that the sale of the cans kept the tract supply going.

And if you followed him a little while, you found a complex system of ministry in this tiny little man. And it started early. Charley remembers the Holy Spirit prompting him to praise God while playing toy cars with his friends. Later, in World War II, the Lord erected a sudden wall of protection against an enemy attack that should have killed him.

Back home, working in the steel industry, Charley began buying tracts and sharing the gospel. He organized outreaches for his church covering specific neighborhoods with repeated visitations leaving a different tract each time. Over the years, his consistent passion for God’s word deepened his ability to follow up the tracts with strong personal ministry.

Retirement freed him to expand his vision. To him the tracts were just an opening where personal ministry began. His consistency in reaching out to others built confidence in his contact with the Lord and strangers began approaching him with additional questions about their relationship with God and their concern about eternity. With hours of personal Bible study each day, he seldom was at a loss for an appropriate biblical answer to their concerns.

His can collecting not only provided funds for more tracts, he became well known to the businesses on his route. They began saving cans for him and he would leave stacks of tracts on their counters, replenishing them on the next visit.
His wife, Dot, says he would frequently come in from his route with a little bigger smile and more spring in his step, to announce: “One more led to the Lord, today.” Maybe it would be the homeless man who was begging by the supermarket or someone he had met on the street. Occasionally, someone driving by would recognize him and pull over for a chat.

His obituary reports that, after he was saved in 1961, he logged over 285 cover-to-cover trips through his Bible. “Seldom was he at a loss for a scripture to share with anyone who might have a question,” says Dot.

Only the Lord knows how many tracts he actually handed out in his lifetime, but in the last 10 years of his retirement, Chick Publication’s records show well over 125,000 tracts bought, mostly with money from sale of his cans. As friends on his route learned how he financed his ministry, they offered money to help. At first he refused until Dot convinced him that it was not for him, but so that more tracts would reach more people for Christ. At 87, his eyesight and hearing was fading and his gait slowing. One morning in October the Lord welcomed him home from doing what he loved, crossing the street while walking his route. The driver of the SUV saw him too late, but some of his tracts will still be pointing people to the Lord for years, perhaps until Christ returns for us all.

Dundalk Firehouse Christmas Garden...

2011-12-09T21:31:00.003-06:00

I love my new home state but...man...they don't know nuthin' about Christmas Gardens. Growing up around Baltimore, THIS is what you looked forward to every year. Get a bunch of firefighters to bring together their trains, clear a truck out of one of the engine bays...a couple of tools, some adult beverages and a plump member of the station to be Santa's helper...and, WA LAH!...a high voltage Christmas that would give a coronary to any unwitting Fire Inspector...

Click on the pictures for more....

Luke 1:1-56

2011-12-04T09:43:00.002-06:00

Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

LSU 42, Georgia 10...

2011-12-03T22:52:00.014-06:00

WE'RE 13-0....

GEAUX TIGERS!!!!!

UPDATE: That's Brutus dealing with the BCS circus clown that put Alabama in the National Championship game by .009 points...sorry Cowboys, guess they didn't think you had enough of a market share. In the end, it's all about the Benjamins...

Miniatur Wunderland...

2011-11-29T18:37:00.001-06:00

...if you find yourself in Hamburg, please go there in my place...

Modeling water...

2011-11-28T20:25:00.005-06:00

...in short, I hate it. I'm not too fond of any of the current techniques, each having their own compromises. One simply learns to live with the shortcomings of ones chosen technique, mine being varying shades of acrylic paints coated with many coats of clear gloss medium, interspersed with gloss coats that have been tinted with various shades of brown, green and blue.

The water where I live has a noticeable tea color from the cypress trees along the shore. I simulate this with a couple drops of brown craft paint to tint the gloss coat. Ditto for one coat of green for algae and one coat of blue for reflected sky. The effects are much more subtle than the camera gives justice. A nice touch is the ripple effect in the simulated sand bottom created by the tinted water settling in the styrofoam beads that is very noticeable near the ends of the bridge...

The acrylic, like most products, has an unsightly edge creep that needs dressing up...not as bad as most but foliage patiently applied works very well here.

The girl is Frankensteined together from 3 different Plasticville figures. I made a putty out of styrene sprues dissolved in liquid plastic cement. Once applied and hardened, it carves easily to any shape, in this case, the hair and contouring her body to be more feminine (she started out life as a brakeman, mail carrier and male pedestrian).

The pier is cobbled from scraps in the junk box with some wood dowel for pilings, then aged and weathered.

Matthew 24:4-14

2011-11-27T15:58:00.007-06:00

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

One need only look to last Friday, the day after the day when everyone supposedly gave thanks for all they had (...up to that point, I guess) to understand that we, as a nation, have a problem. And, since God sees fit to start His judgment at His house (1Peter 4:17), then it is a safe bet that our problem as a nation can be traced back to its pew warmers.

I'm not going into the list, it is long, nasty and bloody and does not need a Congressional committee to have a hearing on it to know that it exists. I do know this, as some wise sage put it sometime back;

"Because nations are temporal entities and not eternal, their sins must be judged in the here and now, for there is no judgment for them in eternity."---paraphrase, currently tracking source.

If we as a nation do not repent, then we as a nation will fall...and all the evidence points to right soon.

Where is your treasure stored up?

Where lies your anchor?

To whom will you/do you call out to?

...just saying.

BTW: The problem people have with Tim Tebow is not his praying, it's his faith and that, for once, there's someone on the field whose testimony off the field matches his genuflecting on the field. American "Christian", stand up and take note or sit down and shut up...

Mehano HO scale 4-6-4 Hudson semi-streamlined in Canadian National paint, epilogue...

2011-11-25T22:20:00.003-06:00

Remember that cool bell I made?

Guess what I found in my parts bin...

Seems like all those part lots I buy for a couple of bucks at train shows can hide a gem or two...in this case, an original Mantua bell the fits just fine with a little adjusting of the bracket holes---and it has a clapper to boot.

I'm not tossing the other bell though...it'll serve to stand in somewhere else as needed.

LSU 41 Arkansas 17...

2011-11-25T22:07:00.003-06:00

...I love smoked ham...woo hoo...

Scenicking the Procrastenatan River...

2011-11-25T20:24:00.003-06:00

...4 1/2 years after I put the shell down...sigh...

My technique is fairly simple...buy lots of cheap half-full bags of Woodland Scenics ground foam at train shows for pennies on the dollar. Paint the shell with a generous coat of equally cheap Wally World craft paint...then coat it liberally with various shades and coarseness of ground foams while the paint is still wet. Over spray it all with a mist of water with a bit of alcohol in it to help drying time, then dribble a 50/50 water and acrylic matte medium solution over it all...touch up as needed.

Thanksgiving 2011...

2011-11-23T20:32:00.004-06:00

Anything I come up with sounds too superficial and self-centered. I've given God countless reasons to flick me off of this planet like an old rag and into any tormented flaming eternity He deemed fit and all with more than good cause.

That my family is laughing together in the other room right now, in a home that is mortgage free and secure, with food enough to feed a small third world nation, provided by God to the benefit of this wayward and thankless husband and father is more than I can take in at times.

May you and yours have a blessed holiday...

National Day of Thanksgiving, October 3, 1789

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be. That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks, for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation, for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war, for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed, for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions, to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually, to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed, to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord. To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and Us, and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Go: Washington

The Delmarva Model Railroad club...

2011-11-21T17:18:00.001-06:00

...glad to see they're getting it back together after a very hard year...

John 21:20-23

2011-11-20T08:18:00.001-06:00

Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?

Con-Cor/Rivarossi N scale 2-8-8-2 N&W Y6b....

2011-11-19T22:56:00.007-06:00

...gets an early Kadee Micro-Trains #1048 conversion kit installed. Nicely engineered for a relatively painless install, Kadee is to be commended for its early foray into a fledgling scale, without which N scale probably wouldn't enjoy the following it does, and certainly at a time when what was offered usually did not line up with the quality of the conversion kit Kadee designed for it.

The Con-Cor Mallet was one of the better running locomotives offered in its day, and certainly well worth the extra work to convert...even today. The conversion kits are still relatively easy to find online for these old locos, and usually run between $3-10 apiece.

The original pilot coupler provided in the kit grenaded on me, leaving me to modify one (actually two, one of THOSE grenaded as well...sigh...) from a U-boat conversion kit I had lying around. It does work but serves as a reminder to how fragile they are...

AHM/Rivarossi Limited Edition HO scale Conrail Bicentennial GG1 #4800...

2011-11-18T21:21:00.004-06:00

...the first GG1 built and the only one with a riveted carbody, the others being welded, hence the nickname "Old Rivets". Along with this paint scheme, #4800 wore Pennsylvania RR, Penn Central and the standard blue Conrail paint before being retired to a museum siding around 1980.

Number 2091 of 2700 made, the AHM/Rivarossi model falls short only in that they use a welded carbody on their rendition, but is an otherwise faithful and accurate reproduction of Old Rivets when she wore this paint scheme in the years around our nation's 200th birthday. I especially enjoy the silver running gear and the kitschy 70s stylized graphics. It comes complete with its original foam lined box, certificate of authenticity and commemorative belt buckle...

Mehano HO scale 4-6-4 Hudson semi-streamlined in Canadian National paint...

2011-11-15T18:14:00.004-06:00

...part of a set offered in a Canadian retail chain. I just love the colors, the whitewalls and elephant ears---a feature added to some passenger engines to lift the smoke higher over the equipment behind for appearance and passenger comfort.

It is an excellent runner but...alas...its bell had gone the way of odd socks and Kadee coupler springs. Since replacements are hard to find, I made my own with a bit of brass wire, an odd rivet in my scrap box and a blob of solder...

After a bit of bending and then a good buff with my Dremel tool, my Canadian Belle had a bell again...

Jeremiah 23:1-8

2011-11-13T08:19:00.001-06:00

Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.

And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.

And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.

Con-Cor/Kato JNR DD13 N scale Centercab Switcher, circa 1978---boo boos....

2011-11-12T18:49:00.003-06:00

...it has developed a nasty grind, especially climbing grades. Further inspection revealed a gear that has had half of its teeth chewed off by the worm gear...

...what it should look like...

...what it now looks like.

By removing these three spur gears, including the offending one, I am now able to run it still...albeit with greatly reduced traction ability...

I wonder if Kato still stocks 35 year old locomotive parts?

TCU 36, Boise State 35

2011-11-12T18:11:00.004-06:00

Thank you Texas Christian University Horned frogs for shuttin' them Boise State "We deserve a shot at the title" Broncos up...

Apparently, our guys came all this way to play in the Meineke Bowl...sigh...

UPDATE: Maybe not, I think they found their game somewhere in the icy stare of the Mad Hatter during halftime....

Final score...LSU 42, Western Kentucky 9

Matthew 24:3-12

2011-11-06T11:49:00.000-06:00

And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

LSU 9, Alabama 6....

2011-11-05T22:41:00.001-05:00

"...'round the bowl and down the hole...Roll Tide, Roll!!"

As we enter the holiday season...

2011-11-05T15:31:00.008-05:00

I detest most group movements and boycotts as they almost always start with finger pointing at some boogeyman or another that needs knocking down. An honest assessment of our nation's current situation starts with realizing that, for every finger we point, there are three pointing back at us.

With that I offer this -- slightly edited version -- of a current movement that has caught my eye. Without further comment, I ask, "What say you?"

Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide North Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of Canadian/American labor. This year could be different. This year North Americans could give the gift of genuine concern for others. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American or Canadian hands.

Yes there is!

It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?

Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, locally owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down the $$$$ on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town businesses with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.

Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of lights, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas could no longer be about draining North America's pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas could now be about caring for our neighbors and encouraging small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about our neighbors, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.

THIS could be the new Christmas tradition.

Consider forwarding this to everyone on your mailing list -- or posting it to discussion groups -- or throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in your city -- or send it to the editor of your local paper, radio stations, and TV news departments. This could start a revolution of caring about each other as a people, and isn't that a part of what Christmas is about?

Tru-Scale Models READY-TRACK, November 1970...

2011-11-05T12:20:00.002-05:00

...can you believe it's that time already?

Pennsyvania Railroad engine crew fire control video....

2011-11-05T11:32:00.001-05:00

N scale Arnold 0-8-8-0 Tenderlok BR-96 Mallet

2011-11-03T17:40:00.004-05:00

Having wanted one for many years, I was pleased to have the opportunity to have one come my way...even if it was only to repair damaged running gear.

Pretty tight work for my beastly mitts---keep in mind that the drivers on this locomotive are just over a 1/4" in diameter and that rod is a half inch long with a 1/16" hole to line up with a 1/32" hole.

A beautifully detailed locomotive and an excellent runner, its one shortcoming appears to be the egg shaped eccentric. Unlike the rest of the rod work, it is made of plastic and appears to crack, but only enough to pop the rivet out under stress. Because the rivet is peened, it simply snaps back in...albeit with the aid of high powered magnifiers and a jeweler's needlenose pliers.

I wish I could have taken better pictures but I simply don't like to take chances with such models in my house. Though 30+ years old, they still command a premium price, usually $200-250 easily. They came in four colors, each a representation of an actual color used on the Bavarian Railways at the time: black, blue, green and tan and all with the colorful red running gear.

So, like some "catch and release" fishing trophy, one more picture before I sent it back to its owner.

...sigh...

Nothing wrong with this HO scale 4-8-4 Mountain...

2011-11-02T18:14:00.003-05:00

...start with a good running mechanism, a empty six pack and some hand tools...woo hoo...

The 'Twilight Zone' meets "Mister Rodger's Neighborhood'...

2011-11-01T19:24:00.001-05:00

...hands down the best model train video yet.

Amos 8:4-6

2011-10-30T11:21:00.004-05:00

Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail, Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit? That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat?

There was a day when stores were closed on Sunday and stew bones and chicken wings were priced so that the poorer folks had some form of affordable meat on the table. Lest there be finger pointing though, it helps to remember that SIN is spelled S-"I"-N...not S-"T-H-E-M"-N. You'll find God an ever present help to those who don't forget that...

...(B)e clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.---(1Peter 5:5b-11)

Long week at work....

2011-10-28T23:02:00.002-05:00

Yes...that's a floor that level is sitting on...sigh....

Too early for Christmas lights yet...

2011-10-24T21:01:00.002-05:00

...but...dang...some folks have a lot of time on their hands to be able to do this for two holidays so close together...

Let us trim our lamps,...

2011-10-23T08:05:00.002-05:00

It is of the greatest service to us all to be reminded that our life is but a vapor, which appeareth for a little while and then vanisheth away. Through forgetfulness of this worldlings live at ease, and Christians walk carelessly. Unless we watch for the Lord’s coming, worldliness soon eats into our spirit as doth a canker. If thou hast this world’s riches, believer, remember that this is not thy rest, and set not too great a store by its comforts. If, on the other hand, thou dwellest in straitness, and art burdened with poverty, be not too much depressed thereby, for these light afflictions are but for a moment, and are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Look upon the things that are as though they were not. Remember you are a part of a great procession which is always moving by; others come and go before your own eyes, you see them, and they disappear, and you yourself are moving onward to another and more real world.... Our duty is to trim our lamps against the time when the Bridegroom comes; we are called upon to stand always ready, waiting for the appearing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, or else for the summons which shall tell us that the pitcher is broken at the fountain, and the wheel broken at the cistern, that the body must return to the earth as it was, and the spirit unto God who gave it.

From a sermon by Charles Haddon Spurgeon entitled "Stephen's Death," delivered May 24, 1874.

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.---(Matthew 25:1-13)

Aurora N scale Postage Stamp Trains, October 1968....

2011-10-22T21:07:00.001-05:00

LSU 45, Auburn...10?....

2011-10-22T18:58:00.003-05:00

Wait a minute...I thought we played Auburn today? Ain't they the reigning National Champions?

Is that "War Eagle!"...or..."Brawlin' Buzzard"?

Mike the tiger say, "It still taste like chicken..."

Run night....

2011-10-21T21:18:00.004-05:00

...been a long 2 weeks with over 2000 miles of driving and a complete make ready in a house---including cleaning the stove...

...sigh...

AHM/Rivarossi NYC Dreyfus Hudson, Proto 2000 PRR GP30, Mantua 2-6-2 Prairie...yes, I do possess a rather eclectic collection...

Proverbs 30:11-15a...

2011-10-16T08:14:00.001-05:00

There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.

There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.

There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.

There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.

The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give.

UPDATED: Revell N scale Diesel Engine House, kit #N2805...

2011-10-15T19:20:00.006-05:00

Something that escaped my noticed when I examined the building...it was in fact, offered by Arnold Rapido, not Revell...

What I did not know at the time was that Rapido and Revell had joined forces, effectively pushing out Rapido's stateside importer, Charles Mertzbach, who went on to introduce the Charmerz HO scale train line. The engine house was reintroduced in 1969 under the Revell name with more roofing detail...and...

...without the automatic door feature evidenced in the Rapido issue of the model. Note the elements necessary to raise the doors with some under the track type mechanism shown on the doors and in the center aisle.

Charmerz HO scale rolling stock ad, November 1971...

Arnold Rapido N scale fantasy paint Southern 4-6-2 Pacific

2011-10-15T12:27:00.010-05:00

...because it does not have the see-thru spokes or working headlight as advertised in February of 1969, I could only conclude that this would be one of the earlier ones...

It runs quite well, having survived a trip across the Atlantic from the UK. It has a diecast metal boiler and frame (no zinc-pest, yeah!!!), and features something rarely seen in N scale, electrical wiring that runs from the tender to the engine, quite a feat in its day. The valve gear is metal and exceptionally fine for the time as well.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-14

2011-10-09T08:11:00.001-05:00

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

1956 Post Cereal premiums...

2011-10-08T15:10:00.004-05:00

A long standing mystery for me has finally been solved.

For years this little truck graced my grandparents Christmas garden. My earliest childhood memories of this garden always included this little truck, primarily because it was so out of scale to the surrounding details, it being near N scale vs the near HO size of everything else. I was always told it came from a box of cereal.

When Pop Gus went home to our Lord some years back, Mom passed this and several other vehicles that graced that layout all those years ago on to me. Upon finding a link to "Ken's Cereal Car Collection", a favorite vehicle on my N scale layout now has a more complete history...

Revell N scale Diesel Engine House, kit #N2805...

2011-10-08T14:56:00.002-05:00

I've always enjoyed stumbling upon "ancient" model railroading...this piece dates back to the late '60s, when N scale was in its infancy as a commercial enterprise.

Scaling out at just over 73', it can barely handle servicing two family minivans, much less two full size diesel growlers. Ahhh....but such was model railroading back then, when folks were content to pull three boxcars into a siding to an "industry" that was hardly big enough to fill a UPS truck every day, much less produce three full railroad carloads of goods.

I happened upon the original America's Hobby Center ad where this kit was featured for $3.98 back in 1969...

1961 Athearn HO scale 4-6-2 Heavy Pacific...progress...

2011-10-07T18:20:00.001-05:00

...it's ALIVE!!! Muwa-huhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhaaaaaaa!!!!!

Since that season is coming up fast...

2011-10-06T19:31:00.007-05:00

...it's time for my "7 Rules For Beginning Model Railroaders"...

1. Put your wallet back in your pocket and don't pull it out until you've read all 3 volumes of Robert Schliecher's "The Model Railroading Handbook" from cover to cover.

2. Do not plan one inch of track until you can call upon at least 2 nearby modelers with several years of experience between them...find a local club if possible.

3. Please take up stamp collecting if you have little or no mechanical and electrical aptitude. A free pass is given to anyone who has successfully restarted a TYCO locomotive on their own.

4. Accept the fact that you will loose approximately 40-60% of the resale value of your equipment should you decide that this isn't the hobby for you.

5. Before you lay one twig of scenery, remind yourself over and over again, like a mantra, that the layout shots that wow you now are products of serious time, money and effort over a period of months and years---not daze and weaks.

6. Your first layout must be no larger than a standard sheet of plywood and finished before you; a) go bigger, or b) change scales.

7. You must have the full approval of you spouse and must reciprocate accordingly...i.e. spend $180 on trains means spend $180 on spouse before one spends yet another dime on said trains.

UPDATE: #8. You're debt free first...you'd be amazed at how easy it is to plunk down 2 1/2 Bennies for your favorite DCC, sound equipped toy when you're not already sending that many to Master Card every month...

...just sayin'....

Permission is freely granted to distribute said wisdom to any and all takers...

Matthew 25

2011-10-02T17:08:00.002-05:00

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

TYCO, January 1969...

2011-10-01T19:26:00.000-05:00

Athearn HO scale 200 ton crane, Strasburg Railroad...

2011-09-30T22:01:00.002-05:00

Yup...it's football season...time for some model work to get done...

...can you believe that this kind of delicate stuff actually is a restful activity for me?

Ezekiel 34:2-31

2011-09-25T08:46:00.002-05:00

Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.

And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.

Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock; Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.

For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.

And as for you, O my flock, thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, between the rams and the he goats. Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet? And as for my flock, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet; and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet.

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD unto them; Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle. Because ye have thrust with side and with shoulder, and pushed all the diseased with your horns, till ye have scattered them abroad; Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle. And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it.

And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods. And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing. And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them.

And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen, neither shall the beast of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid. And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more. Thus shall they know that I the LORD their God am with them, and that they, even the house of Israel, are my people, saith the Lord GOD. And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord GOD.

Athearn ad, May 1961...

2011-09-24T20:41:00.008-05:00

...oh, yeah...who'd o' guessed?

While advertised at $9.95 in this ad (an impressively low price at the time for a locomotive model of this type), by the time of the January 1963 issue of Model Railroader magazine "Trade Topics", it had risen to $10.95, $15.95 assembled. Other changes include the electrical pickup and metal drivers...

All in all, I count three variations, my geared one with the plastic drivers, the one in Trade Topics, with the metal divers, and their first version with...can you believe it...their Hi-F rubber band drive? That will be an interesting find should one come my way...

UPDATE: A reader writes... "(T)hat would be the second production version (not counting the pre-production RB drive, of course). The first version still had the large steel axles for the RB drive with teeth cut into the rearmost axle driven by a worm on the motor shaft, and no whitewalls (that's the one I have). The third version was upgraded with metal drivers and loco pickup. According to the guys on the Vintage HO forum a while back, no one has ever seen a pre-production RB drive.

Many thanks...

1961 Athearn HO scale 4-6-2 Heavy Pacific...

2011-09-24T20:18:00.002-05:00

...some interesting notes on this locomotive...

The slipping problem it came with was a result of an ear clip breaking. It is used to hold the worm gear in line and in contact with the bull gear. This would hold until a load was applied, whereupon it would push up and out, disengaging the drive. By installing a cone spring that pushes down on the top of the worm gear housing, it keeps the gears engaged while retaining the drive axle's ability to flex and roll in motion...

The tender electrical connections are shear genius. At a time when models were not quite standardized, leaving locomotives wired to go in different directions because of polarity, Irv came up with a novel solution. By making the terminal ends interchangeable with a simple plug in socket installed in the tender body and frame, polarity--and therefore directional travel---could be correct, even if one took their new prize to another layout...

1961 Athearn HO scale 4-6-2 Heavy Pacific...

2011-09-23T21:43:00.005-05:00

First announced in 1958, it had many bugs in the drive. Finally released in 1961, it followed their unique 0-4-2 Lil' Monster and preceded their 0-6-0 USRA switcher...for four short years, they were the only three steam locomotives Athearn ever offered until the Genesis line in the late 1990s.

Highly desirable to Athearn collectors, I picked this one up as an unidentified model on an inner hunch that it was a Mantua Pacific, only to be pleasantly surprised by what it actually was upon further investigation...

My first clue was found on its arrival...the tender wheelsets are a spot on match to the popular Hi-F drive Budd RDC rail cars that Athearn had out at the time...

Equally fascinating were the all plastic drivers, pilot and trailing truck wheelsets---all power pickup is thru the tender...

All in all an exceptional catch that will keep me busy tuning up this winter...

2Timothy 4:1-5

2011-09-18T12:47:00.001-05:00

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

May you live in interesting times.

May you come to the attention of powerful people.

May you find what you are looking for.

Varney, April 1951....

2011-09-17T15:47:00.000-05:00

AHM/Rivarossi HO scale NYC Dreyfus 4-6-4 Streamlined Hudson...

2011-09-16T19:50:00.004-05:00

...stock #5095, this one dates to about 1972 and originally sold for $37.98. This particular purchase came with a five car consist that I will post later.

The original was coal fired...can you imagine what a beast this thing was to clean in its day...

Psalm 50

2011-09-11T07:56:00.001-05:00

A Psalm of Asaph. The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.

Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God. I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before me. I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds. For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof. Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee. When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers. Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son. These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.

We have forgotten...

2011-09-09T18:46:00.002-05:00

...we have forgotten...a thousand times, WE HAVE FORGOTTEN.....

The Towers Have Fallen
But We Missed the Message
by David Wilkerson | October 8, 2001

On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City were destroyed. Five days later, as I was preparing this message, I looked out the window of my study in our 30th-floor apartment. Huge clouds of smoke were still smoldering from the ruins. They rose from the rubble and drifted out over the Hudson River, passing above the Statue of Liberty.

The following Sunday, just before I preached this message at Times Square Church, I wept at the sight of the utter devastation. I pleaded with God for mercy: mercy for the grieving families who lost loved ones. Mercy for the workers still digging through the rubble, hoping to locate survivors, but finding only corpses and severed body parts. Mercy for all the police officers, fire fighters and volunteers, who wept openly over the indescribable horrors they saw.

Our church was allowed to set up a relief tent at ground zero of the disaster. Ministry leaders and volunteers from our congregation worked tirelessly around the clock, helping to feed and encourage the weary workers.

Six weeks prior to the disaster, the Holy Spirit forewarned our pastoral staff that a calamity was coming. We had scheduled several major events for the weeks ahead, including our Missions Conference and Youth Convention. But God's Spirit prompted us to cancel them all. Instead, we felt stirred to call our congregation to prayer.

We decided to hold prayer meetings four nights a week. From the very beginning, each meeting was marked by an awesome stillness that settled over the congregation. We sat quietly in the Lord's presence, often without a sound, for up to an hour, followed by soft weeping and heartrending repentance. In one meeting, I had to steady my knees with my hands, to keep them from trembling in God's awesome presence.

During this visitation from the Lord, the Holy Ghost revealed there was a reason for the weeping in our hearts. We were being so moved because a tragedy was coming. A severe calamity was coming to the nation. And even though we didn't know what it was, our hearts were stirred to intercede concerning it.

Then suddenly, the calamity struck. And it hit not only our city, but the nation's capital. One network anchor declared, "Think of it, our two symbols of power and prosperity have been smitten in one hour." Little did he know, he was quoting Revelation 18:10: "Alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour is thy judgment come."

As a policeman from our church helped out at ground zero, his fellow officers kept asking him, "What's this all about? What's happening?" Meanwhile, the whole nation has been asking, "Where is God in all this?"

We're right to ask this question. We need to understand where God is in this calamity. And to do that, we have to trust his holy Word alone. We've heard hundreds of opinions from media experts and politicians. But all their rhetoric has begun to sound the same. There's no real understanding about the meaning of this sudden destruction.

There is one thing I can assure you of: God wasn't taken by surprise. He knows the thoughts of all human beings, including every ruler, despot and terrorist. The Lord monitors the movements of every person in the entire mass of humankind. He knows when we sit down or stand up. And I can tell you, this one thing is sure: God has everything under control. Nothing on the face of the earth takes place without his knowledge of it, his permission for it, and, at times, his doing behind it.

If You're a Christian, You Know God Has Delivered a Message to America and the World through this Disaster.

Ministers and theologians everywhere are saying, "God had nothing to do with these disasters. He wouldn't allow such awful things to happen." Yet nothing could be further from the truth. This kind of thinking is causing our nation to rapidly miss the message God wants to speak to us through the tragedy.

The fact is, we have to have a word from God. Like many pastors, I've wept and grieved over this awful calamity. I've sought the Lord in prayer and through his Word. And I want to tell you, I've experienced a grief that's even deeper than the mourning for innocent people dying. It's a grief that says if we miss God's message, if we turn a deaf ear to what he's loudly proclaiming, then much worse is in store for us.

The prophet Isaiah speaks directly to what we've just experienced.
(If you object to using the Old Testament for examples, consider Paul's words on the subject: "All these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come" [1 Corinthians 10:11]. Paul makes it clear: the examples of the Old Testament reveal just how God moves in times like ours.)

At the time that Isaiah prophesied, God had been dealing patiently with Israel for about 250 years. The Lord had sent "light afflictions" upon his people, calling them to repentance. He was trying to woo them out of their brazen idolatry and back into his blessing and favor.

All of the prophets throughout the years had spoken to Israel the same essential word: "Humble yourselves." Scripture says, "They served idols...yet the Lord testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes"---(2 Kings 17:12-13).

But God's chosen nation rejected his call to repentance. "They would not hear, but hardened their necks" (17:14). These people mocked the prophets who called them to humility. And, instead, they "followed vanity, and became vain...and they left all the commandments of the Lord their God...and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord...therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel"---(17:15-18.)

God Sent Wake-Up Calls to Israel.

The Lord's first wake-up call to Israel came in an invasion by Assyria. This arch enemy attacked two Israelite provinces, Zebulun and Naphtali. Fortunately, the attacks were limited to these two points, and the damage was minimal. Yet God was clearly speaking to his people. The Lord's chosen nation lost their sense of security. Yet they still missed the message God was speaking.

Israel then received a second wake-up call. This one was very severe. Two nations whom Scripture calls the "enemies of Israel" -- the Syrians and the Philistines -- combined forces for a sudden attack. According to Isaiah, this attack came from both "before, and...behind"---(Isaiah 9:12). This means the invaders came from the east and the west, surrounding Israel. And their sudden attack was totally devastating.

Now we come to the heart of my message, and to the question most Americans are asking: Where was God in this sudden invasion of his chosen land? What were his people to make of the disaster that had come upon them? Isaiah tells us God was faithful to speak to his people: "The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel"---(Isaiah 9:8.) God spoke a clear word. And he sent the message to the whole nation.

Beloved, this verse tells us something very important at our own time of devastation. It says simply, "God always sends his word." Never in history has the Lord left his people clueless in a time of calamity. He has never abandoned us and forced us to figure out things on our own. He always provides a word of understanding.

Even now the Lord is raising up godly watchmen to speak for him in these times. These shepherds are grieving, weeping and repenting as they seek God's face. And I believe they're hearing and understanding the Lord's message behind the present events. Moreover, they're not afraid to proclaim dire warnings, because they know they've heard from God. They're compelled to speak of his purposes behind our calamities.

I Have to Speak a Word None of Us Wants to Hear.

Many readers won't receive the word I'm about to deliver. They'll think it's heartless, cruel, unkind in a time of grieving. But, I tell you, if we don't hear God's truth and face it, our nation is doomed. Here is the word I hear the Lord speaking to us right now: "The Lord shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and join his enemies together...for the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the Lord of hosts" (Isaiah 9:11, 13).

The Bible makes it crystal clear: God used enemy nations to chasten his people. The Lord wielded these enemies as an instrument of warning to Israel, calling the nation to repent. "O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation. I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets"---(10:5-6).

God charged this coalition of Israel's enemies to chasten his chosen people. The Lord was trying to warn Israel, "You've lifted yourself up with pride. Now I'm about to bring you down. I'm going to allow you to be disciplined by your enemies."

The enemy coalition launched their massive attack. And, suddenly, the Israelites watched in horror as their buildings began to collapse. Fires raged throughout the cities, burning down stately structures. In a short time, Israel was in flames. And God's people began to wail, "The bricks are fallen down...the sycamores are cut down"---(9:10).

After witnessing the recent disasters in New York and Washington, we can begin to imagine the emotions of the ancient Israelites. Yet, did Israel repent after this horrifying attack? Was there a nationwide acknowledgment that God was sending them a warning? Did the rulers hear God speaking through the awful calamity? No. Israel's reaction was just the opposite. The people's initial fear quickly gave way to a flood tide of national pride. "All the people...say in the pride and stoutness of heart"---(9:9).

The Hebrew word for stoutness in this verse signifies a sense of greatness. In other words, once the attack died down, the Israelites regained their confidence. They declared, "The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycamores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars"---(9:10). They were saying, in other words, "These calamities aren't from our Lord. They're simple fate, unfortunate disasters that can't be explained".

"We're a great and mighty nation. We're made up of a proud, unbending people. And we're going to let the world know we're coming back. We'll build everything back bigger and better. Where we used bricks before, we'll use stone. And where we once built with cheap construction, we'll use better materials. We're a God-blessed nation. And we're going to come through this disaster stronger than ever."

Doesn't this all sound very familiar? The Lord himself used an evil enemy to send a warning of chastisement to his people. He wanted to wake them up to their compromise, bring them back to himself, pour out his blessings on them, and surround them with his protection. Yet, throughout their days of grief and horror, God's people never once acknowledged his hand in it all. No one asked, "What is the Lord saying through all this? Is he trying to speak to us?" No one thought for a moment that such a proud, great nation could be humbled and chastised. On the contrary, the people used the occasion to defy any such thought. They refused to hear God's warning to them.

I ask you: does Israel's example hit home with you, after everything we've witnessed in recent weeks? Please don't misunderstand me. I thank God we have a moral President leading our country. I thank the Lord for all the devout Christians who serve in high office. Our church prays diligently for our nation's leaders. And we're grateful for the temporary outpouring of prayer nationwide. It's encouraging to see people sobering up and beginning to rethink their lifestyles.

Yet, even so, we risk missing God's message to us. Think about it: when our public assemblies call for a moment of silence, we think it's true repentance. When we see politicians singing "God Bless America," we think our nation has turned back to God. When we see sporting events observe a silent minute at halftime, we think it's a spiritual experience.

But is this all that's going to come out of our recent disaster? Will people in sports stadiums stand in silence for a minute, then go back to painting their bodies in wild colors, chug beer after beer, and scream maniacally for their favorite team?

Like most Americans, I wept as I saw Senators and Congressional leaders standing on the steps of the Capitol, singing, "God bless America...stand beside us, and guide us..." Yet, as I was crying, the Lord reminded me, "Many of the leaders you see singing have worked to rule me out of American society. They are even determined to remove my name from American history books. And they've allowed the murder of millions of babies through abortion."

Suddenly, I was struck by the absolute hypocrisy of it all. We give lip service to God, but we continue our slide into the mire of immorality.

When a Nation Is Under Divine Correction, It Will React in One of Two Ways.

A nation under chastisement may humble itself and repent, as Nineveh did. Or, it may give lip service to God, but then turn inward to its own strength to rise above the correction. There will be a rallying cry, stating, "We have the strength to endure any disaster. And we have the ability and resolve to overcome any problem. We're truly a great nation."

I'm as patriotic as any American. And I'm as thrilled as anyone at the unity our nation is experiencing. I thank God for the heroic efforts and incredible sacrifices we've seen in the wake of the terrorist attacks. The whole world is in awe of the fortitude and love displayed by the people of New York, Washington, D.C. and America in general.

But we face the same danger Israel did. In our fiery patriotism, we could easily miss God's message to our nation. And right now, we're standing at the very same crossroads where Israel stood.

I wonder: if we had lived in Isaiah's day, would we have listened to his prophetic warnings? Or would we have turned a deaf ear to him? Both Jerusalem and the nation of Judah refused to believe they could be brought low. Yet Isaiah prophesied, "Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols?"---(Isaiah 10:11). God was saying, in essence, "I've judged other nations for the very idolatry you're practicing. Why wouldn't I judge you? What makes you exempt from my law?"

All across America, people are holding meetings for "prayer and remembrance." It's right and honorable (and totally scriptural) to remember those who have died. But why are we so afraid to also call for meetings of "prayer and repentance"? Right now, most Americans are focused on remembrance and revenge. Yet, where is the call in America to turn back to God?

As for the punishment of terrorists, Isaiah addresses this issue as well. He declares, "When the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria"---(Isaiah 10:12).

Indeed, when God was finished using Assyria as "the rod of mine anger," he destroyed them. Likewise, God will bring down any terrorists who attack and murder innocent people. It won't be long before they meet their eternal destiny in hell.

Here Is the Message I Believe God Is Trumpeting in Our Calamities.

Deep in my spirit, I hear the Lord saying, "I've prospered you above all nations. Yet, for years you've persisted in worshiping idols of gold and silver. I've endured your shameless sensuality, your mockery of holy things, your shedding of innocent blood, your tireless efforts to remove me from your society. Now time is running out for you.

"I've sent you prophet after prophet, watchman after watchman. You've been warned again and again. Yet still you won't open your eyes to your wicked ways. Now I've stricken you, in hopes of saving you. I want to heal your land, to destroy your enemies, to bring you back into my blessing. But you don't have eyes to see it."

If God wouldn't spare other nations that have outlawed him, why would he spare America? He'll judge us even as he judged Sodom, Rome, Greece and every other culture that has turned its back on him.

Consider what God spoke through Ezekiel: "Cast away from you all your transgressions...and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye"---(Ezekiel 18:31-32).

For anyone who doubts that God feels pain, here is proof positive of his great compassion. He too feels grief and sorrow over death. He's telling us in this passage, "I take no pleasure in seeing you suffer and die. That's why I'm pleading with you now: turn from your sin and live."

God weeps especially over those calamities that befall innocents. In these past weeks, you can be sure Jesus has been weeping over the victims of the terrorist attacks. He is said to "bottle the tears of his saints." Indeed, I believe many of the tears shed by Christians are God's own tears, prompted by his Spirit in us.

Yet, at times, God's justice and righteousness cause him to restrain his pity. And he's forced to carry out his righteous judgments as a last resort. The greatest example of this is the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus. Justice demanded that the sins of the whole world be laid on an innocent man, and that this man would be condemned to die for all. Tell me, who could be more innocent than God's own Son? Yet Christ willingly gave himself as a sacrifice, to offer deliverance and salvation to all of humankind.

What Will Happen to America If We Miss God's Message?

What will be our nation's fate if we reject God's call to turn wholly to him? What will happen if abortions continue and fetuses are used for research...if we keep erasing our Savior's name from American history...if we rebuild all things bigger and better, only to enrich ourselves more...if we rely on our armed might rather than on God for power?

Isaiah describes what happens to every nation that rejects God and boasts of its own greatness: "Wickedness burneth as the fire...they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke. Through the wrath of the Lord of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother. And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry...they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm"---(Isaiah 9:18-20).

Devouring fires will rise to the heavens. Darkness will cover the land. The economy will be hit with a staggering blow. And there will be disunity in the nation, in communities, in neighborhoods, in families. People will look out only for themselves, in a desperate fight to survive. And God help you if you come near them.

>>>I was given a prophetic message nine years ago, and I delivered it at Times Square Church on September 7, 1992. Let me share it with you now:

"This warning is not meant to scare you. It's meant only for you to take to the Lord and pray. This is what I believe God has shown me":

"Thirty days of chastisement will fall on New York City such as the world has never seen. God is going to let down the walls. There will be unimaginable violence and looting. The violence will be so ferocious, it will shock the whole world. Our streets will be lined not just with the National Guard but with militia".

"A thousand fires will burn at the same time throughout the city. The Los Angeles fires were confined to a few sections of that city, but New York will be ablaze in all its boroughs. Times Square will be ablaze, and the flames will ascend into heaven and be seen for miles. Fire trucks will not be able to handle it all".

"Trains and buses will be shut down. Billions of dollars will be lost. Broadway shows will stop completely. Businesses will flee the city in an unstoppable hemorrhage. Such things are expected in Third World countries, but not in a civilized nation like the United States. Yet, in not too long a time afterward, New York City will go completely bankrupt. The Queen City will be cast into the dirt, becoming a city of poverty".

"You may ask, when will all this happen? All I can say is, I believe I will be here when it happens. Yet, when it does, God's people are not to panic or fear."

Calls and messages have flooded our ministry offices, asking, "Was the terrorist attack on September 11 the calamity you were prophesying back in 1992?" No, not at all. What I saw coming will be much more severe. Indeed, if America rejects God's call to turn back to him, we'll face the same judgments Israel faced. And they will hit not only New York but every region in the country. Even the heartland won't be spared. The nation's economy will collapse, and violence will erupt. Fires will consume our cities, and tanks will rumble through the streets.

I believe our window of opportunity to respond to God's call is brief. We all should pray that our nation repents and turns back to the Lord. But our most intense prayers should be for our own hearts: "Lord, let me tremble not at the disasters, but at your Word. I want to hear your voice in all of this. Cause me to turn wholly to you."

Igarashi 18X33mm flat can motor for a Bachmann U33B...

2011-09-05T15:50:00.006-05:00

...hardly an Athearn but, maybe there was something to gain.

The new motor came from an online vendor. Since dual shaft motors can be expensive, I had to take a chance when I found these for around $7.50 each, including shipping. They were a drop in fit for the Bachmann and AHM all wheel drive diesel models, but the shaft is too small for an Athearn...a good thing as I found later.

The only modification required for the Bachmann was a simple bend on each of the posts to clear the frame. Once the leads were soldered on, it was a simple matter to place a small blob of silicone adhesive caulk to the frame, nestle the motor into place...making sure all remains properly aligned while setting.

You can see in this side-by-side that the motor truly is a drop in fit, being about 10% heftier in the field magnet and case but well within tolerances for clearing the body shell...

An honest evaluation would include increased pulling power, it is a beast compared to its former self. It also runs much slower at the top end of the throttle, both great qualities that I figure comes from the new motor's beefier measurements over a stock buzzer.

Sadly, it does not have very good slow running qualities, not even for a road unit, dashing any hopes of mass re-motorings of the fleet on a budget. The original motor runs much quieter and has better low end throttle control---unless it's burnt out like this one was, of course. Because the new motor is also a good bit louder, that leaves it relegated to the holiday tree lapping fleet for the most part...a good thing since these locomotives tend to chew through motors about ever three years under those conditions anyway.

In the end, it's not bad for seven bucks, just save you peanuts up for one of the better can motors when you want a whisper quiet tie crawler. However, this one is more than worth it for rescuing the family Christmas gear grinder, and will last for many holidays into the future.

Proverbs 18:22

2011-09-04T12:34:00.002-05:00

Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

To my beloved, wife, lover, best friend, mother of my children, my treasure and chief ornament for these 20 years...

...I love you.

LSU 40 Oregon 27...

2011-09-03T22:41:00.002-05:00

Not a great game...but a solid one.

Going away for some much needed R&R...

2011-08-31T22:40:00.001-05:00

...you can figure out what I'll be doing part of the time...

Word...

2011-08-28T00:39:00.011-05:00

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.---(Hebrews 4:12-13)

***People are disturbed and troubled by the real Gospel: under the false gospel they can sleep unto destruction. Bring out the Sword: it is meant to wound; let it exercise its salutary sharpness. The Gospel has two edges so that none may play with it.

When they think to run their fingers along the back of it, they will find themselves cut to the bone. Whether we regard its threats or promises it cuts at sin. Let us therefore know that the power of the Church does not lie anywhere but in the Word as Jesus Himself speaks it.---Charles Spurgeon

***With our loss of the sense of majesty has come the further loss of religious awe and consciousness of the divine Presence. We have lost our spirit of worship and our ability to withdraw inwardly to meet God in adoring silence. Modern Christianity is simply not producing the kind of Christian who can appreciate or experience the life in the Spirit. The words, “Be still, and know that I am God,” mean next to nothing to the self-confident, bustling worshiper in this middle period of the twentieth century.

This loss of the concept of majesty has come just when the forces of religion are making dramatic gains and the churches are more prosperous than at any time within the past several hundred years. But the alarming thing is that our gains are mostly external and our losses wholly internal; and since it is the quality of our religion that is affected by internal conditions, it may be that our supposed gains are but losses spread over a wider field.---A.W. Tozer

Mantua hook/loop couplers...

2011-08-27T17:45:00.002-05:00

...pretty much an HO industry standard until the introduction of horn/hooks...look carefully at pictures in any pre '65 or so model mag and you'll see that many folks used them....

You opened them by pushing these uncoupling pins up from underneath with a ramp or a tool called a "spoon"...

This box I purchased at last week's train show was pristine from one end to the other, the metal looks brand new. It's bare zinc, as I prefer it over other peoples paint jobs when I buy old school stuff like this, so I can show newcomers their hobby's roots.

Note that this Mantua 0-4-0 Booster has 2 wheel pick up---2 WHEELS...the other two being nylon. You had to be pretty faithful to the hobby to keep with it as balky as this thing had to be on that old school brass track...note the solid metal saddletanks to aid in power pickup. Even then, there was no way it could make it through Atlas Tru-Track with its plastic switch frogs...as soon as one wheel touched, the current flow would stop immediately.

The full valve gear would have been purchased as an aftermarket kit...an item I knew about but, until now, had never seen an original one, though there have been plenty of copies made by a variety of manufacturers since.

Aurora Plastics, November 1961...

2011-08-27T11:16:00.002-05:00

...you just don't see this kind of "Rah-rah" advertising anymore, no matter how self-serving it may be.

The Great Train Show...

2011-08-27T10:39:00.005-05:00

...came to town last weekend. Looking to move into another market, it was important to attend if for no other reason than to show the organizers that there was a market to cater to. I bought a couple of trinkets...

...an HO scale AHM/Rivarossi 2-8-4 Nickel Plate Road "Berkshire", in excellent condition...and...

...this nice vintage lot containing a 1953 Mantua 0-4-0 Booster, two assembled Mantua flat cars and a 4 wheeled bobber from 1960-62, as well as an Ulrich two bay hopper from 1959. Note that they have the older Mantua hook/loop couplers that were pretty common at around that time, and that the bare zinc metal and brass looks like it hasn't seen air for most of their 50+ years of life.

I'll give more detail reviews of each as time goes on...right now, I'm enjoying a slow day at the house.

It's only a little sin....

2011-08-26T17:39:00.006-05:00

And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed. And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord: Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die: Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.---(Genesis 19:17-20)

Read the whole story, it does not go well for Lot, ending up with an incestuous relationship with his daughters that birthed the fathers of Israel's enemies to this day...

Why do I point that out?

LSU fans were looking forward to a great season. Traditionally, 2 weeks before the first game of the season, our football team breaks curfew and gets stupid 'til about midnight. They get caught, they run laps, boys will be boys...right? This year has it running 'til the wee hours of the morning and ending up with four players in a fight and in trouble with the law. Now two are out on bail, arrested for felony battery. If convicted, their football careers, their free rides through college are gone...done finished, period, the end.

Their lawyer is already feeding the classic line..."(The police) ruined the kids' careers."

Male bovine effluvium...

A conscious decision on their parts---a wrong one---snowballed, leading to other conscious decisions on their parts that led to the final decisions that ruined their lives...period. This is yet another classic example of "The Garden Syndrome"...Adam busily blaming God for the woman He gave him, whilst Eve blames a snake...it's always someone else's fault, never mine. Go ahead and plan on standing before the Great White Throne on that one...

Your sin ripples through life and eternity like a stone tossed in a pond, ever spreading out and affecting anyone and everyone around you. Picture it this way...two boneheads won't yield on the Interstate, ending up in a fender bender that ties up traffic for miles. Before God, they are accountable for all the gas, all the lost wages, all the business expenses, all the wear on the vehicles, all the cost of clearing the road and posting law enforcement, all the resulting road rage, all the missed appointments, all the grief that anger generated from this event inflicts on the lives of others, all the pollutants, all the lost commerce...shall I go on?

Whatever it is, get it right...now...before you find out how you look in a tangerine jumpsuit...and ultimately, whether Hell is real or a Victorian concept created to keep the masses under control---a place you could have avoided, if you had repented of...

...those little sins.

James 1:12-26

2011-08-21T17:12:00.001-05:00

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.