Blackwater Canyon Line - April 2, 2025, Brick Street Extension Planning

Myles, I am going to start doing what you are doing.  As you can see, I didn’t type a lot and there was only one photograph.  I didn't have to think about it as much and I condense it a bit on the second go round.

For those who may not have seen what he is referring to, I had a couple sentences where I described what happened.  On my original attempt to post, the Crowdstack application OGR uses, timed out when I tried to post, then refreshed with none of that post saved.  I’m not complaining, I just have to be aware and save my typing every so often like Myles suggested.  Thank you!

Gary, thank you for sharing the method you used.  Yes, we have to adapt how we do things as we age!

Mark,

Had to catch up. The firehouse is a nice kit. You are doing some nice work with your building placement. Can't wait to see them when you finalize the locations.

Dave

Morning Mark, you are doing an outstanding job on the fire house! I think it is a smart idea to keep going and setting the roof aside for when you get the shingles you need! Sorry I haven't commented more but my new job is kicking my rear and by the time I get home it dinner, shower, and bed.

I haven't even made it to the train room yet! LOL

Always here to help my friends out of jams...

Thank you, Dave, Mike, Myles!

Dave, as you have shown, building placement is something to be worked on to get a look we like.  The manufacturer of the kit makes mostly HO, but offered this one in O scale.  There are some minor variations between the kits as is evidenced by the HO photographs in the instructions, but there are no glaring issues.  I did email the manufacturer with a question early on, and he responded almost immediately.  It is a good kit for a building with minimal details.

Mike, I knew you started the new job, and was wondering how it was working out for you.  Your reply sounds like what I felt the first job I had right after I graduated from high school at age 17.  I was whipped for a week or two.  I hope you can bounce back quickly.  At 66 and with my back and nerve issues, I couldn’t possibly do it.  I hope you get some time in the train room this weekend!

Myles, you certainly have been helping friends out of jams for a long time!!

I pealed off the shingles that didn’t work well and sanded the roof surface smooth.  I also took photographs of three built-up and one kit-built buildings that I will list for sale maybe tomorrow.  I still need to research what would be fair asking prices.  I’m going to go with smaller/narrower kits for buildings in town.  The ones I picked to sell take up too much valuable real estate.  Besides, I want to build instead of just plopping down a pre-fab building.  😄

Mark, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your parents.
The firehouse kit is coming along nicely and looks great. Thanks for the progress as you go. I enjoy your problem solving as you work through an issue.

Andy

Andy, thank you very much!!

I hope to be able to share some things that worked for me.  Hopefully others are helped or encouraged.

Hey Mark, I hope your parents are making out okay. It can be rough at times, and really trying for everyone. Models giving you trouble, me too. I think my issue is just me being clumsy. I may have messed up what I was doing, resulting in a repair. Building looks okay though Mark. Pretty soon the fire company will be parking their truck indoors.

Thank you, Dave!  I’ve tried to not mention much off topic about my mum and dad.  They are both back at the personal care home.  We will see how well they perk up.

Clumsy is my middle name!

I cut, glued, and painted a strip of styrene at the top of each side wall.  They look passable, especially since the eaves will mostly block the view anyway.  I added the little roof over the man door.  I’ll leave it set until the shingles arrive.

Here’s how it looks now, Dave.  I think it will work okay.

That kit looks great Mark!

Andy

@Mark Boyce posted:

Here’s how it looks now, Dave.  I think it will work okay.

Looks great from what I can see Mark. The styrene could pass as a piece of fascia board.

Gene

@Mark Boyce posted:

Here’s how it looks now, Dave.  I think it will work okay.

That looks excellent Mark. Just wait till when it is done. The firemen will have to have a breakfast buffet to celebrate(and help for the cost of it).

Thank you, Andy, Gene, Dave!

I just put the roof back on, and it even fits correctly!!!

Breakfast buffet, chicken barbecue, carnival, Bingo…I’ve heard of all kinds of things to raise funds! 😊

The building is looking great Mark!!! I’ve been away and I’m finally getting caught back up on several threads. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your parents.

Catching up on your progress - looking good, and I'm impressed by the quality and amount of work you're getting done.  Sorry to hear about your parents - it's sad, but it's nice that you are able to look after them.

@Mark Boyce posted:

Breakfast buffet, chicken barbecue, carnival, Bingo…I’ve heard of all kinds of things to raise funds! 😊

How about a train show?

Hall rentals too. Our local firehouse has had receptions there, sandwich sales, breakfast's, dinner's, and a whole host of other things. Come harvest time I don't exactly recall what they do, but pumpkins could be involved.

Thank you, Rich, Mallard, Joe, Dave!!

For some reason it seems I am slow at progress, but a few minutes a day add up fast!  Thank you!

Joe, You got me there!  How could I forget the train show held several times a year at the West Kittanning Fire Department just 27 miles over US 422 from my home?  I know the VFD at least gets money from rent and concessions.  😄 🚂 🚒

Dave, good deal!!  A local VFD makes a good bit on hunting rifle raffles.  Boy do they have a sweet activities hall!  Another local one sponsors an annual carnival in a large lot behind the fire station!

The ideas are endless!