The Carolina Sandhills Lines in HO Scale

[eric220]

Last year, my neighbor had solar panels installed on the roof and now he's getting a Tesla powerwall battery unit.

We got our panels through SunPower, and we’re on the schedule to get their battery installed, hopefully in about two months. PG&E’s Public Safety Power Outages can last for days.

[davefoxx]

We just got a new roof, so we are considering solar panels.  Much research to do.  Probably ought to start a new thread in the Crew Lounge for that.

Our power is back on, but the Delmarva Power guy told us that it might go out again, as much of our neighborhood is still out and they’re still working on it.

DFF

[DKS]

Last year, my neighbor had solar panels installed on the roof and now he's getting a Tesla powerwall battery unit.

I might trust a solar panel installation, depending on who did it, but I wouldn't bet a wooden nickle on Tesla. Sorry, IMO.

We got our panels through SunPower, and we’re on the schedule to get their battery installed, hopefully in about two months. PG&E’s Public Safety Power Outages can last for days.

How long is that battery power supposed to last, particularly during a long stormy spell when Mr. Sun is kinda rare?

Our power is back on, but the Delmarva Power guy told us that it might go out again, as much of our neighborhood is still out and they’re still working on it.

What the heck happened down there?

[davefoxx]

Not sure. Cynthia said she heard a boom before we lost power last night.  Probably a transformer blew up due to demand for AC in the heat.  Not sure why we’re still having problems today, unless one defect caused a cascade of failures that Delmarva Power is chasing.  Glad we’re in the trees, which kept our home from warming up to an uncomfortable level.

DFF

[DKS]

Probably a transformer blew up due to demand for AC in the heat.  Not sure why we’re still having problems today, unless one defect caused a cascade of failures that Delmarva Power is chasing.

And this is only going to get worse...

Do you have a genny to keep the refrigerator running, at least? Highly recommended--you'll spend less on a little genny than on all of the lost food...

[davefoxx]

So, what do you do in the dark to make the best of a bad situation?  You find a window with good natural light and do some modeling.  I finally applied the decals to the other side of the business car formerly known as Oscar.  Here it is with the Micro Sol drying.  It ain’t perfect under macro photography, but it’ll do on the layout.  It was never meant to be an award-winning model.



Now, if I could get that vendor to supply the paint and clear spray I ordered a couple of months ago . . .

DFF

[davefoxx]

And this is only going to get worse...

Do you have a genny to keep the refrigerator running, at least? Highly recommended--you'll spend less on a little genny than on all of the lost food...

I do, but, thankfully, we haven’t needed it for a long time.  I wouldn’t dare try to start it now, because it needs an oil change and the old gas flushed out.  Yes, it had fuel stabilizer in the gas, but it’s been years since I last ran it.  Now seems like a good reason to get it serviced, before I really need it, considering 2020.

DFF

[eric220]

How long is that battery power supposed to last, particularly during a long stormy spell when Mr. Sun is kinda rare?

It will be 24kWh total, and max 6kW output. For what our house uses on an average day, that’s pretty much enough to take us off the grid for most of the year. Living in sunny California, we don’t have to worry much about stormy weather. Besides, once the storms hit, everything gets wet, so the PSPSs stop. That said, even in the darkest stormy days of winter, the PV system does generate enough power to run the house at peak production, just not much extra.

[DKS]

It will be 24kWh total, and max 6kW output. For what our house uses on an average day, that’s pretty much enough to take us off the grid for most of the year. Living in sunny California, we don’t have to worry much about stormy weather. Besides, once the storms hit, everything gets wet, so the PSPSs stop. That said, even in the darkest stormy days of winter, the PV system does generate enough power to run the house at peak production, just not much extra.

That's awesome... and not an option for us 'round here--well, particularly for me, living in the woods and all...

[davefoxx]

The Seaboard Central’s Vice President of Operations, L.C. Weldon, surveys over his domain from the rear porch of Gull, while those Amtrak fellas onboard the northbound Silver Star are doubled over in laughter at Mr. Weldon’s and the SC’s “shortcomings.”



DFF

[GimpLizard]

"...while those Amtrak fellas onboard the northbound Silver Star are doubled over in laughter at Mr. Weldon’s and the SC’s “shortcomings.”



DFF

Ah... they're just jealous.

[wm3798]

Imagine how big that guy would be on an N scale layout!!

[Vince P]

Amtrak crews jealous because of the SC party bus on the next track.

[Chris333]

I would have stuck him in the gondola 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/DHKhTQfFsws2zdzt9

[davefoxx]

I’ve done three coats of spackling, with light sanding in between coats.  One more light sanding when this last coats dries, and the backdrop should be ready for paint.  All of the screws visible at the bottom of the backdrop will be hidden by scenery.  I even moved a siding to get more room for the “hills” against the backdrop.



You can see the old track centerline, which continued straight before.  This will allow more natural looking hills and leave room for an industry.  Note that I used N scale cork roadbed to lower the siding from the mainline.





DFF