Monday, December 5, 2011 Lethbridge

5:40 am

The temperature is -6° C, with a high predicted of -4° C. From the Environment Canada website: Today A mix of sun and cloud. Wind west 30 km/h gusting to 50. Temperature steady near minus 4. Tonight Partly cloudy. Becoming clear this evening. Wind west 30 km/h gusting to 50 increasing to 60 gusting to 80 late this evening. Low minus 4. Normals Max: 1°C Min: -11°C.

6:40 am Science

Here is my concept map for the last 3 chapters of "The Tree of Knowledge".

As I indicate on the map, I was surprised to see no mention of this book in Steven Pinker's new book "The Better Angels of our Nature" which focuses on altruism.

8:00 am Model Trains

I have spent the last hour with a hot cup of coffee and the last two issues of Canadian Railway Modeller magazine. Here are a few pseudo-random thoughts:

• There was a comment that one of the modellers always had a conductor or trainman on the rear porch of every caboose on the layout. I like this! I am now running my trains with realistic stopping at each mainline and yard switch. Adding a human switcher seems like a good idea. I have one such person at the moment.
  
  
• I noted that one of the train hobby stores in Calgary has moved during the summer (as did the one in Lethbridge!). I must remember to buy some bumpers to place on my spur lines.
  
  
• I really should try writing an article for the magazine. I have not seen anything similar to my approach in the magazine.
  
  
• I need to spend some time learning how to improve my photos of the layout.
  
  
• Here is a website that specializes in Candian railway books: http://www.brmna.com/
  
  
• I have ordered (Nov 14) Volume 1 of "Canadian National Railways Diesel Locomotives" published by CNRHA. Due in 2012.
  
  
• I could spend some serious time mounting hand-thrown switches for my manual switches on my layout. This is a serious idea. I have sent an email to Central Hobbies in Vancouver enquiring about a product that appears to be what I want:
  • This switch stand kit comprises a set of one piece stand bases cast in polyurethane resin and a sprue of etched stainless steel detail parts including the tables, handles, switch locks, staffs, targets, and washers. As completed the kit yields an accurate representation of the Racor 31B switch stand, which was used by Canadian National, British Columbia Railway, BC Hydro Railway, and a host of other Canadian railways. The kit can be assembled as a static model or as a working model with rotating staff and targets. Production is limited to 300 kits for the two-packs and 40 kits for the ten-packs.
  • What is not clear to me is whether the kit moves the points on the switch while rotating the targets.
  • It doesn't move the points but I have ordered it anyway. It appears like the prototype and I will see what I can do with it.

11:00 am Geocaching

I found a cache on the way to buy a Christmas tree. Successful with both ventures.

• GC38CVX - 'sno laughing matter

This was the 222nd different day that I have found a cache over the 3.5 years I have been playing this game. There is only one cache left in Lethbridge to find and this is a night cache. I have made arrangements with TeamDJM to search for this tomorrow night.

8:00 PM Literature

I am now about 1/5 of the way into this novel and the pace is picking up. I have no idea where this is going to go but it is fascinating.

I bought one book while at Costco this afternoon:

• "Carte Blanche" (2011) by Jeffery Deaver.

What caught my eye with this book is that is a James Bond novel. Deaver is the 5th author to write a James Bond novel. I have read a number of his books and they are gripping. The Ian Fleming books are not - they are just fun. I wonder if Deaver will portray a more adult Bond.