Trains.com

Tropical Storm Fay is here

7333 views
51 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Hurricane Alley, Florida
  • 469 posts
Tropical Storm Fay is here
Posted by EMPIRE II LINE on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 7:13 AM

Well we are getting the first effects of this storm this morning. Not really bad at present though, I've taken the time to tie everything down and the signal is on red, no trains operating today.....

They say we'll be dealing with this for about 36 hours or so, hopefully there will be no, high winds or twisters......We'll see.....

Byron C.

He Wore Arrow Shirts Too
  • Member since
    November 2007
  • 147 posts
Posted by lownote on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 7:50 AM
Good luck, keep your head down...
Skeptical but resigned
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Smoggy L.A.
  • 10,743 posts
Posted by vsmith on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 11:55 AM
Send some of that rain thisaway, we can use it.

   Have fun with your trains

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Hurricane Alley, Florida
  • 469 posts
Posted by EMPIRE II LINE on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 1:25 PM

Well it's now 2:00 PM Tuesday, and we're getting about 20 to 40 MPH winds and steady rain for the past hour, prediction is for about 8 inches or more of rain, fortunatly the center of the storm will be passing to the right of us, so the worst will be along the eastern coast.

I've heard that the county is quit concerned about the M H Park that I live in, as it is designated a flood zone, since the storms of 2004, and extensive flooding happened back than. But so far since I've been here for 3 years now, they have seemed to alleviated the flooding pretty much, after installing a pump system about two years ago, but we'll see tonight.....I've lived here since 2005.

I've done all I could to try and prepare, with some sand bags across the front of the screened room, at the front of my train room, the trains are atleast on a raised platform about 8 to 9 inches above ground level, so far so good.....and the rest of the layout is higher than that.

My dogs all seem to be pretty calm, so I'm not to worried about it getting worse for now. You know, animals always seem to sense things as to the weather before we can.....

Byron C. 

He Wore Arrow Shirts Too
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 2:48 PM

Get the john boat out.

Toad

  • Member since
    April 2002
  • From: Wisconsin
  • 1,839 posts
Posted by Rene Schweitzer on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 3:14 PM
Best wishes to everyone in the area. Stay safe!

Rene Schweitzer

Classic Toy Trains/Garden Railways/Model Railroader

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Hurricane Alley, Florida
  • 469 posts
Posted by EMPIRE II LINE on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 5:05 PM

6:00 PM now and it seems to be about the worst for tha past half hour or so, winds topping out at about 50 MPH gusts, no flooding here as yet though, but some tornadoes hit the east coast area about an hour and half ago 51 homes damaged, 9 real bad, in Barefoot Bay area.

All power is still on here, but I have heard what sounds like a power transformer shorting near by, twice so far today, local Fox 35 station is set up on site here, covering the possible floooding in our park.

I have the fountains and pump running to keep pond levels at proper levels, all seems to be working as planed, and over flowing properly into the street.

Puppies are still acting calm, and contented....I probably won't sleep alot tonight though, guess I'll keep tabs on the TV through the night, as this thing will probably be passing about 50 miles to our east side through the night.

Byron C.  

He Wore Arrow Shirts Too
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 5:18 PM
 EMPIRE II LINE wrote:

6:00 PM now and it seems to be about the worst for tha past half hour or so, winds topping out at about 50 MPH gusts, no flooding here as yet though, but some tornadoes hit the east coast area about an hour and half ago 51 homes damaged, 9 real bad, in Barefoot Bay area.

I have the fountains and pump running to keep pond levels at proper levels, all seems to be working as planed, and over flowing properly into the street.

Puppies are still acting calm, and contented

Dude,

Lock them trains down and pups, don't need them damaged!

New pump system sounds like it is running well!!!! Good news to hear.

If you need to just swim out like a ole toad.

Toad

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Nebraska City, NE
  • 1,223 posts
Posted by Marty Cozad on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 5:24 PM

My #2 son is down there working on the power plant project. He said they stopped work and the bad thing is the cable TV is out.

 Hes bord.

Works for Zachery

Is it REAL? or Just 1:29 scale?

Long live Outdoor Model Railroading.

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: Australia
  • 39 posts
Posted by cmoore on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 6:15 PM

Take it step by step mate and stay safe. Storms can be very unpredictable so ba careful, I agree keep those trains and dogs safe.............and the house too. Hope the family are keeping well.

Cameron

He who has the most trains wins!!

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Jones County, Georgia
  • 1,293 posts
Posted by GearDrivenSteam on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 11:50 PM
Byron, you gonna get out front in a raincoat with a microphone and give us a report like Dan Rather????   Seriously, hope all is well.
It is enough that Jesus died and that he died for me.
  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Hurricane Alley, Florida
  • 469 posts
Posted by EMPIRE II LINE on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 1:06 AM

2:00 AM Wednesday and all is well, it's just off the coast east of us about 80 miles and believe it or not it has quit raining and all together. We came through it pretty well, however who knows it may come right around and back to us again they are saying on Thursday maybe.....We'll see....been sleeping right on through it.

Byron C. 

He Wore Arrow Shirts Too
  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Hurricane Alley, Florida
  • 469 posts
Posted by EMPIRE II LINE on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 1:16 PM
Is it ever gonna quit raining ??

He Wore Arrow Shirts Too
  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 262 posts
Posted by pimanjc on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 8:09 PM

We are keeping you guys in our thoughts and prayers concerning the storm.  Marty, I didn't know your son was down there.  We will add him to the list.

JimC.

"Never promise more than you can give. Always give more than you promise." ~JC "You don't stop laughing because you grow old, You grow old because you stop laughing." ~AU
  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Hurricane Alley, Florida
  • 469 posts
Posted by EMPIRE II LINE on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 11:04 PM

Well lower pond walls are caving in and washing out under trestle, hope it stops raining some day soon, so far upper two ponds were OK as night fell, will see in the morning, it's pooring right now and has been for the past 24 hours....no flooding in our park as of yet though...

Byron c.

He Wore Arrow Shirts Too
  • Member since
    November 2006
  • From: Dacula, GA USA
  • 188 posts
Posted by Coogler Rail Line on Thursday, August 21, 2008 4:16 AM
I am sorry to here that Bryon.  My prayers are with you.
  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Hurricane Alley, Florida
  • 469 posts
Posted by EMPIRE II LINE on Thursday, August 21, 2008 6:08 AM

7:00 AM Thursday now, its been raining most of the night, will try and get out with the camera this morning and take some photos to document flooding and brige and trestle damages, hope its not too bad.....Will post photos later today...

Thanks all for your concerns. Just glad I'm not on the east coast for now, they've had more than 2 foot of rain....

Byron C. 

He Wore Arrow Shirts Too
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: North, San Diego Co., CA
  • 3,092 posts
Posted by ttrigg on Thursday, August 21, 2008 10:41 AM
Take care when going out for pix.  Do NOT take any chances to get that "special pix".  I for one would rather have you at the "other end of the keyboard" than a life threatening pix on the net.  Take care my friend.

Tom Trigg

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Hurricane Alley, Florida
  • 469 posts
Posted by EMPIRE II LINE on Thursday, August 21, 2008 10:44 AM

Time now is almost noon and it's finally quit raining, so time to survey the damages...

 

Well guess the maintenance crew will need to be called out, have a major main line bridge wash out.....

 

 

As well as a mainline pilling support wash out.....

 

There is also quit an underwashing of the high trestle Too....

 

A lot of work ahead for the next week or so .....

 

Byron C.

He Wore Arrow Shirts Too
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 21, 2008 10:56 AM

Any fish left?

Toad

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Smoggy L.A.
  • 10,743 posts
Posted by vsmith on Thursday, August 21, 2008 11:26 AM

Could have been worse...at least you didnt end up with your bridges floating to Cuba.

   Have fun with your trains

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Jones County, Georgia
  • 1,293 posts
Posted by GearDrivenSteam on Thursday, August 21, 2008 12:42 PM
That's some pretty major damage. Take some of them trains you're havin trouble gittin warranteed and make a run......be sure to take video.Whistling [:-^]  Seriously though, glad it wasn't any worse.
It is enough that Jesus died and that he died for me.
  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Hurricane Alley, Florida
  • 469 posts
Posted by EMPIRE II LINE on Thursday, August 21, 2008 4:51 PM

5:30 PM Thursday and it's blow'in and rain'in as hard as ever, But we need to get goin on these repairs so trains can get moving as soon as it clears.

So it's time to Hustle soom Muscle out here, an try to shore up these pillings and drop in a new bridge ASAP........

 

 

 

Toad..... the fish all went deep FAST, and swam for their lives, some have already been transfered to safer waters.

Yeah Vic and GearDriven, it could'a been worse, but the other day the ball was set to red and all trains were stopped, all in anticipation of a scenario just as we have here, and no lives were lost.....

 

So now the work needs to proceed.....

 

 

Hopefully this thing will move on soon an let us get to work....but first we gonnna need a BIG pump......

 

Byron C.

He Wore Arrow Shirts Too
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: North, San Diego Co., CA
  • 3,092 posts
Posted by ttrigg on Friday, August 22, 2008 12:10 AM

 ToadFrog WhiteLightn wrote:
Any fish left?  Toad

He probably harpooned them for emergency rations.

Tom Trigg

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Hurricane Alley, Florida
  • 469 posts
Posted by EMPIRE II LINE on Friday, August 22, 2008 7:11 AM

Well we may finally get rid of this thing by late this afternoon.

I"m Glad, but not for those who had to deal with it, that this thing went all around us, and didn't just sit on top of us here and dump over 24 inches of rain.......

We can rebuild......

Byron C.

He Wore Arrow Shirts Too
  • Member since
    February 2008
  • From: Western, NY
  • 245 posts
Posted by enginear on Friday, August 22, 2008 10:39 AM
Good to see ya made it!Pirate [oX)] I watched the news and thought it maybe worse. That storm still looks huge. I hope you get running and have the sun shine bright on those dashes!!!! Joe
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: North, San Diego Co., CA
  • 3,092 posts
Posted by ttrigg on Friday, August 22, 2008 11:52 AM

Now here's your problem!

Your maintenance crew is running away, instead of reporting for duty at the damaged track and bridge sites. You might want to consider tossing out those black and red behemoths and getting a group of coal burners as they generate more loyalty to the company. Then your maintenance crews could take pride in their work instead of running away. Seriously: just glad to hear you are doing OK and not floating down the street like some of your landscape.

Tom Trigg

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 22, 2008 11:59 AM
 ttrigg wrote:

 ToadFrog WhiteLightn wrote:
Any fish left?  Toad

He probably harpooned them for emergency rations.

Man Triggy......ROFLMAO Laugh [(-D]

It is not shrimp dip! It's goldfish dip...... Big Smile [:D]

Toad

 

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Hurricane Alley, Florida
  • 469 posts
Posted by EMPIRE II LINE on Friday, August 22, 2008 2:45 PM
 ttrigg wrote:

Now here's your problem!

Your maintenance crew is running away, instead of reporting for duty at the damaged track and bridge sites. You might want to consider tossing out those black and red behemoths and getting a group of coal burners as they generate more loyalty to the company. Then your maintenance crews could take pride in their work instead of running away. Seriously: just glad to hear you are doing OK and not floating down the street like some of your landscape.

 

You did a flip flop on the picture T., no wonder it LOOKS like they's runn'in away, they infact is just gett'in there, an by the way, that's Glacier GREEN and OMAHA Orange.

Great Northern Colors          The "Empire II Line"

Byron C.

He Wore Arrow Shirts Too
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: North, San Diego Co., CA
  • 3,092 posts
Posted by ttrigg on Friday, August 22, 2008 4:42 PM

Byron:

I know my trifocals need adjusting, but that does not cause a color shift. Check your camera to make sure it is not translating colors. My wife said to tell you to get a color chart, this time with word names of the colors. Stay well my friend.  Glad to see that even though you are all wet soaked, you still have a sense of humor.

Tom Trigg

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Garden Railways newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Garden Railways magazine. Please view our privacy policy