HAPPY NEW YEAR New January Coffee Pot. 10 years old. For those to visit and chat. Open to all. Besides coffee; soft drinks, water, oatmeal and GRITS.

[Buckeye Riveter]

Good by January!  

[ChiefEagles]

Wow, still above freezing.

Sleep tight.

[dougdagrump]

Evenin' All.

Wow, I am proud of all you guys. After Don's description regarding his newest prescription, not one inuendo or double entendre was forthcoming. Good news even if it means more PT and more recovery time, better to find it now than later.

Jon, Watch out for the carpet snakes, they'll jump right out and get you. For some reason they seem to love crutches. When the wife and I would ski together I'm not sure which was a greater hazard, the wife or snow snakes.  

for Doug M. Follow the the Doc's orders and don't try to do to much to quick.

Buckeye & Hudson John, Take good care of your "BetterHalves" fastfood takeout/delivery gets very old very fast.

No museum today, had a full crew+ so I took the day off to visit a local layout. This thing was amazing. The first and second floor are essentially a wall to wall train layout with a helix and an incline so they can run from first to second floor. Between the two I would estimate at least 5k to 6k square feet. In the area that was once a pool has been covered with another addition, at least 3 car+ garage size, and converted to another train layout by covering the pool itself and installing a pop-up as an access for storage in the pool area.

Took the BetterHalf out for an early dinner tonight, now I'm full and getting very sleepy.

Continued for all our friends in need.

Night all. 

[submmbob]

Hello all

Windy and cold on the mountain tonight. We have been closed up for the last 24 hours. Light dusting of snow in the morning. Supposed to be more on the way early next week. 

Using the time tonight to catch up on a few maintenance issues. With the big project at Kitt Peak a few things have been put off over here.

Jack - we haven't had that much snow this year as yet. Hope we do get some more otherwise it will be a dry summer. Have not seen the 'striped kittys' in a while, but I'm sure they are around.

DougM - thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery

DonB - that does not look like fun, but glad you are on the mend

Jon - glad to hear the surgery went well

SPRay - those videos of the 4014 on the move sure were cool

Read a very interesting book on the gas turbine electrics that UP used in the 50's and 60's. Very interesting mode of motive power. I find it hard to get excited about diesel engines (unless I'm actually next to one), but these were some extra-ordinary engines. The Super Turbines are still the most powerful locomotives ever built @ 8500 HP. The book has a few shots of them double-heading w/ a Big Boy. Now how cool is that! If anyone is interested the book is called Turbines Westward. 

Bob

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

No progress on IT issue.  Boring staff meeting today that accomplished nothing.  Will watch Arrow on CW.com tonight.  Maybe a Premiere League game tomorrow.  Quiet weekend due to weather.  Wow, I am amazed at how many people are on the "sickie and mending" list.  I think the healthy ones of us here make a shorter list.   Prayers for all.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[rtraincollector]

Well prayers continue for Jon, Doug, Don, and Buckeye's wife I feel the sorriest for her she has to depend on him for everything I can see that won't last long as she will give up and start walking by morning.

Evening all hope the rest are doing good been a relaxing day. Did get the people finished glued in the PRR cars will try to get some pics up in SPF talk to you all later

[ChiefEagles]

Evening.  Spent the afternoon and up to 6:30 in the Train Box with Walker and Alan [the Grandboys].  We ran trains and etc.  Even took a diesel apart and fixed a smoke unit.  I had put some of the new Mega Smoke smoke unit "cleaner" in the unit on the track.  Seems to have helped.

Glad to hear Jon is doing as good as can be expected.  Shake and Bake is a big baby.   Buckeye, don't forget she needs to run the snow blower too.   Doug M, keep on improving.  Miss your posts.

Well, time to fix a sandwich.

OH, high 50's today.  60's by Sunday.

Later.

[sir james I]

We have 31 degrees with snow expected for most of tomorrow.

Don B and Jon all the best in your recovery process.

Doug Murphy had a very good day with a doctor report that all known cancer was removed and he is progressing nicely but will be on the take it easy list for several more weeks.

S.J.

[jonadel]

Good late afternoon from the Heartlands where the weather is cold but no snow remains on the ground, whew.

Surgery went well on Wed. and no surprises although the surgeon did say that was one of the worst tendons he has seen, YES!  I am in a non weight bearing cast for two weeks and then I think it's going to be a boot for four weeks.  What I have discovered is that I'm not so good with crutches but every day it get's a little better, I've also discovered that thick carpet is not my friend.  I'm starting to slow down on the pain killers so I feel good about that.

Jack -- the surgeon is about 6'4" with a heart to match.  I really like this guy and trust him 100%.

My train buddy will arrive soon, Sharyl and I are really looking forward to his being here this weekend.  I set up Thomas (in the dining room) before the surgery so he is set!  I doubt that I can make it downstairs to the big boy train tables and that's OK.

Thanks for all the good wishes, life is good

[dbaker48]

Hey There !!

I am finally home again.  And even brought home extra parts.  The Dr had discussed with me various options that may be required dependent upon what he found.  So I was rather optimistic about what he would find, but that wasn't the case.  As it turned out the rod that was previously put was not bent but had actually broke.  At the top of the wound near the knee the bone re-generation was very well and had healed well.  Lower down near the ankle their was literally no knitting of the bone or re-generation.  This was hidden from the x-ray views due to the abundance of hardware.  Also the fact that the quantity of small pieces had prevented re-generation.  So the Dr determined that grafting was indeed necessary, and that was done, along with some grafting supplement stuff.  Also replaced some of the screws in the upper section of hardware.  THEN to hold it all together used on external device, looks like an arrow was shot through my foot just below the heel.  And extends out about 6 inches on both sides.  Then in the front I have 3 pins that are just below my knee and screw into the leg bone!  All of this is surrounded with an A frame type device.  Sure is uncomfortable!!  Walking, sitting, laying in bed, whatever.  And I only have this for 2 months maybe 3. 

So the hospital bed is back, wheel chair back, and moved back downstairs to the family room.

I think I might have come up with a project to work on.  Digitizing all my slides from years ago.  I can do that essentially from the bed.  So will see how it goes.

So thanks for all the thoughts and prayers, it meant a lot!

Don

[MichRR714]

Here comes more snow here in the Mitten state.  Have to stop and get some gas tonight for the blower.

Prayers for all those knees that are on the mend.

Stay warm.

[Buckeye Riveter]

TGIF 

Thanks for all the well wishes for the wife.  I assume by next week she will be able to haul the firewood to the cabin and fetch water from the stream located 1/2 mile down our mountain.  Seriously, she will be going to rehab next week at the facility where the PT will get really grueling.  

[SPMan]

Good morning all,

Hey we actually had some rain last night.  Not much but it was at least enough to wet down the burned areas in the hills above us and hopefully help some grass to get started or something to hold back mud  slides.

Hope Don and Doug M. are doing OK at home.  Looking forward to thier post.

All the hoopla over the Big Boy has died down now since it has been moved to a U.P. Yard at West Colton, California.  It will eventually be towed back to Cheyenne in the Spring for restoration.

Chief is lucky he has those pretty doctors to look after him.  I just have a male doctor but he is a very good one and voted doctor of the year at our local hospital.

Need to survey the garage some more and see what else I can throw out.  After that, should do the same thing in the house.

later,

Ray

[RockIsland52]

Sorry, JON......... I did not mean to forget you in my well wishes for recovery. I hope your procedure went accordingg to plan and that you are home recuperating nicely. BTW.......is your orthopedic surgeon young, female, and blonde like the CHIEF'S cardiologist? :-) JACK.

[fifedog]

Chief - She says it's from sharing the remote.

[RockIsland52]

Hi Y'all From Warming Taxachusetts,

It looks like our temps will finally top 32 for the first time in a while.  Same for the weekend.  Keep the warmth coming, Chuck!!!! 

T-minus 14 days and counting until Valentines Day.  I thought a warning would be in order.

LAZ......let there be mountain!!!!!!!! 

RaySP...........hang in there with your sister and her dental challenges.  You are a good brother.  Lucky you are not in FLA. to "help" out.  You would be in jail, dentist would be the complaintant!!!

HudsonJohn and Buckeye........LAZ echoed what my friend with a double knee swap out has said.  Getting the flexibility back is a challenge along with strength.  And none of it comes without the pain factor.  He takes his pain meds BEFORE his workouts to get the most out of the workouts.  The exercycle is good for both flexibility and strength.  Non impact.  Slow and steady wins the race.  And progress is not a straight line process.

Fife.....sinus infections for me and my wife never seem to go away on their own.  We get them around the same time and have given up waiting them out.  Once we finally caved and went into the Doc's at about the two week mark, when both of us were trashed. 

Brent and RT.......them little ones provide the complete workout:  physical, mental, and emotional.

Bob......is this a light snow season so far up on the mountain?  I remember some of the pictures you posted previously, and "deep" does not adequately describe some of the pictures.  Awesome would be a better word.  BTW........is the skunk and related family still hanging out up there?

Chief.....despite all of the teasing about recent weather events in the Southeast, I was impressed to read that your locale was wise enough to call off school tiday.  Good judgement.  The opposite happens up here.  They call off school at the blink of an eye, even though we are well-equipped to handle it, should be used to it, and the kids wind up paying the price by sufferring the consequence:  inadequate classroom time preparing for standardized testing, and then through an extension of the school year into late June!!!  By the way, do you pick your Doctors by age, sex, and hair coloring?  Just curious.  . 

JoeyD......it won't be long now until we get all of the propaganda spin in the upcoming baseball season.  You are right, we get pumped up based on what we think the season will bring.  My complaint with professional sports today is that injuries seem to throw a wet blanket on our hopes, and we think "If only......"

HudsonJohn.......so glad your Mom is doing well.  I had to laugh at your comment about the laughter while swapping family stories.  The good thing is that you never run out of stories.  And each of us thinks privately that we have the wierdest family on the planet.  As my Dad used to say, you don't get to pick your relatives and neighbors!! 

I keep waiting for Don and DougM to surface.  I am glad that they are OK and home.  I truly hope that they are making progress, albeit it slow progress.

Later, gang!!!!

Jack

[ChiefEagles]

Morning all.  Up early.  Wifey left early to babysit Great Niece.  Wiley then would not let me sleep.  Walked on me continuously until I got up.   Been drinking coffee, cooked breakfast [bologna, cheese and egg on toast] and fed the crew.  Washed and cleaned kitchen.  Watched DVR'd shows.  Now to get ready for the day.

Sun is shinning bright and headed to 50.  White Yankee pelage melting fast.

May go get the "boys" and do Train Box.

Shake and Bake home with his hardware.  Says he impels his right leg when he walks with walker.  Told him to wrap it in foam.

Prayers for Doug M., Jon and Mrs. Buckeye.  Speedy recovery.

Fifey, you all are too old to "pass germs" that way.

Later.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill..........

Good Morning,  Joe......

It is 30 degrees. Going up to 40 today.

Today is an easy day. I have a few chores to do and then I can relax and do some reading. Lunch and a nap for sure.

Buckeye & LAZ.......TGIF

Cheerios is being served on the dining  car for breakfast.

Y'all have a great Friday.

Chuck

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  Sunny & 25 here in the Mid-Atlantic region.  I've been sidelined the past couple days with some nasty sinus thingie, and it looks life Wifey is starting to come down with it too.  Hope to salvage the weekend with a visit to the train show, perhaps Sunday.

cheapclassics - NASCAR can tinker all they want, but the cream will always rise to the top.  And right now, the 48 team is king of the hill.

88 - The BP meds will, at the very least, knock off the "edge".

[laz 57]

Hi GUYZ,

  Nice here at 23 and getting to 35!!!!!   Wow heat wave.  Gotta do bills today and take a trip to see what new at BARRYs Train Shop.  Gotta do some train jawing today.  Get my NERD on.  Then have a date with WIFE for supper.  Crab cakes.  Maybe get a little time finishing mountain today?

DON B., and DOUG M., hope all is well wit YUZ GUYZ.

BUCKEYE hope WIFE feels better.  Tell her its gonna hurt but she has to keep working the knees to get the flexibility back in there.  Our retired Math teacher just got his done and I loaned him my recumbent bicycle so he could get that flexibility back.  He said first few days it was everything he could do to go 2 revolutions.  Hope she has a high threshold for pain.  Being married to you I think she does.

CHUCK & BUCKEYE, TGIF!!!!!

Stay frosty my friends,

laz57

[Demay]

Konbanwa and Ohayo Chuck,

 

I had a great 5-mile run this morning before going in to the office.  The workday was somewhat busy and mostly consisted of paperwork.  We have no big plans for the evening.

 

RT – Good one RT!  That is probably high intensity exercise, not moderate. 

 

Buckeye – I’m glad the Mrs.’s knee surgery went well.

 

Sayonara,

Joe

 

[ChiefEagles]

Good night all.  Sorriest software in the world.  Switches to bold on its on and can not be turned off.  Went out and back in, same.  Closed the whole thing down, paste, and still the same.  Closed down and retyped to get this.

Prayers for Mrs. Buckeye.  Now Buckeye can wait on her.  She has seen him through several kidney stones.

Thought Shake and Bake would have posted by now. ?????

Was in the high 30's with lots of melting.  No problem getting around.  Some of the secondary roads are still covered in shady spots.  Refreeze tonight and so schools closed tomorrow.  50's tomorrow.  60's by Sunday.  Then high 40's Monday and Tuesday and back to 60's Wed.  Up and down and up and down.

Cardiologist I met today is a great Dr.  Young blonde.  Very friendly and knowledgeable.  EKG indicated I have a heart flutter.  She asked me it I felt it.  Said, "No."  She says nothing to worry about.  She did add a med.  Will be a walking pill disposal.

Thought we would possibly hear from Doug M.  Prayers.

Sleep tight.

[Hudson#685]

Good Evening! 14 and Cloudy in South Amboy, NJ.

Stayed over Mom's tonight for my weekly visit. We had a nice dinner and a lot of laughs making fun of my relatives growing up.

RT: Glad you are enjoying yourself. No more pressure!

Charlie: You are right! York will be a celebration! Glad that I am retired and not working these storms. And to think that the Electric Company that I worked for took over Long Island. Glad that I retired!

Doug M: Glad you are doing well!

Buckeye: Glad your wife's knee replacement went well. My wife, Doray, had both replaced on New Years Eve. She is doing well. Good luck to your wife.

Chief: You guys learned from the past, Atlanta did not.

Be Careful With This Weather!

John

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

Buckeye, make sure you take good care of that Hanover College graduate.  There are not too many of us.  IT still has not solved my issues I have with IT today.  Go figure.  The evening was nice as we went to see Frozen again.  I realized why I was so sore from soccer last night as I played offense the entire evening.  Every time the ball went forward, I had to make a run with it.  Do not have to do that with defense.  Just hang back and wait for the ball to come to you.  All day staff meeting Friday.  That will be a day wasted.   Good to hear good news on Doug M and Don B.  I see where NASCAR is tinkering with the "chase" again.  I would love to see someone win 35 races, finish dead last at Homestead and have someone else win the "championship".  What a joke.  Indycar could advertise, "All our races count toward the title."  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[rtraincollector]

Buckeye on Mrs. buckeye knee surgery sounds good. Question thou is this getting to be contagious first Hudson John's wife with both knees and now your wife. Still glad to hear all is well.

 

got home from some running around 6" below the sign on my front door that says no soliciting was a advertisement from Time warner wanting me to connect with them I called and told the guy you know I have a sign right on my door no soliciting I could take you to court for this understand stop it now 

Had to have some fun lol just get tired of the flyers we get here. 

Hope all had a good day  

[Buckeye Riveter]

Up at 4:30am today and off to the hospital before 5.  The Doctor pronounced that Mrs. Buckeye knee replacement surgery went "perfect".  A nap  and then back to hospital.

[SPMan]

Demay

SP Ray – I’m sorry to hear about your sister’s woes.  I would have thought Florida would have some sort of senior shuttle too.  I suppose her town/city is not large enough.  You should give eBay a shot with that TCA quarterly – you never know.

I have finally calmed down about my sister's problems.  There were some other circumstances that I was not aware of.  Also she lives in an unincorporated town with no local government/services.  Governed by the county.

Don B. and Doug M. prayers for good recovery.

Chief, exciting video of Frankie doing his thing.  Front of car looks sort of like a half track cab.  I drove one of those in the Virginia National Guard back in the 50's.

I think the swimming pool is straighened out now.  Looks clear except a racoon decided to wash his hands in it last night and left a little dirt plus some foot prints.

Forcast calls for a little moisture tomorrow but I'm not holding my breath.  The Times forcast is calling for showers.  Even a drizzle woud be better than nothing.

later,

Ray

 

 

 

[rtraincollector]

Brent – I hope your BP comes down.  It seems as if you’re doing the right things diet wise.  I wonder if some moderate exercise would help. 

 

Joe like chasing down and keeping up with two children under the age of 5 isn't considered at least mild exercise

Sorry couldn't resist

Morning all still cold but warming up suppose to get to like 45 today I think. So its at least heading in the correct direction.

Hope all having good day will talk to you all later need to go and sign all my paperwork to retire 7 feb

[sir james I]

Cloudy and 17 degrees.

Doug M. reports he is trying to move around some, a good way for him to get up and going again.

All the best to Don B, glad he is doing well.

S.J.