TJ's mission

[vsmith]

Haven't heard from you in a while! Yer railroad still running that homebuilt stuff made outta wrecks instead of breaking down and buying some good 3rd or 4th hand stuff?

[Capt Bob Johnson]

Can't hire someone who has retired to the chicken farm!    

I think you're getting rusty!  You may need to go get that tin suit sandblasted, and have yer oil changed!

Haven't heard from you in a while! Yer railroad still running that homebuilt stuff made outta wrecks instead of breaking down and buying some good 3rd or 4th hand stuff?

[vsmith]

Memo: From: D. Flatbottom, Pres, RbFSRWy.
             To:     Fat Capt,  Roundtuit & Faraway RR:

Ref: Port dockside space availability:
Capt. Bob, it has come to my attention that the shipment recently dispatched to Commando Group TJ has been desperately awaiting docking rights at the port of delivery.  The RT&F ship SS Gopher commanded by your wife's cousin's nephew has been run aground by it's mutinous crew trying to escape from all that melting chocolate and exploding kegs of beer.  I told you we needed to stop a couple of times to take on more ice for the transit.



Your Friend:
D. Flatbottom

Someone should have told ya not to hire Joe Hazelwood as yer Captain....

[Capt Bob Johnson]

MEMO

TO: Landlubber Flatbottom, Pres. RbFSRy

FROM: Fatcapt, Pres., CEO, COO, RT & F

RE: Your last missle

TEXT:         You lubbers get me!  You can't even tell the difference between a carfloat and a feeder container ship!   Besides, anybody can tell from the funnel markings on that feeder ship that it isn't one of my fleet!    Isn't that the funnel marking that guy in the tin suit uses?    Besides, I'm smart enough to use the local pilots when my ships get anywhere close to shore; it's the cheepo operators that try to save a buck and sooner or later lose the ship!

I think you need to stick to your land transportation and leave the intermodal stuff to us international operators!   Just tell us what you need and we'll move it so you can just go down to your local Walfarts and get it!

Remember, we let you in on this deal so's you could share the expenses as well as the profits!   TJ is on the scene running things, and we go back far enough that I'm not worried about any doublecross coming from him!    Everything else is purely ancillary to the main mission of lining our pockets!

[ttrigg]

Memo: From: D. Flatbottom, Pres, RbFSRWy.
             To:     Fat Capt,  Roundtuit & Faraway RR:

Ref: Port dockside space availability:
Capt. Bob, it has come to my attention that the shipment recently dispatched to Commando Group TJ has been desperately awaiting docking rights at the port of delivery.  The RT&F ship SS Gopher commanded by your wife's cousin's nephew has been run aground by it's mutinous crew trying to escape from all that melting chocolate and exploding kegs of beer.  I told you we needed to stop a couple of times to take on more ice for the transit.



Your Friend:
D. Flatbottom

[vsmith]

Been busy, Giant Robo was in the shop.....got an upgrade!

Robo in action...even includes trains!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9iH1lnlsm0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccX-M8CpTfI&mode=related&search

[Capt Bob Johnson]

PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL

TJ

I know Flatbottom likes to claim his old steam stuff is omnifuel fired, but even as dastardly a person as I wouldn't be expecting some poor guy to have to shovel camel poop into a firebox under a boiler; could you imagine the stench!   Try to run a railroad that way and you'll drive passenger traffic away quicker than autos and airplanes killed it around here!

  I sometimes worry bout old Doug out there on the left coast (or is it left field???)!

  Ben e-mailed me that he's glad his carload of Hershey stuff made it onto the barge so's you could get some quick energy pick-me-ups out of it!   (Might be able to bribe the locals with it too!)

  The tug will have to make a couple of refueling stops on the way over there, so if those thieves in the crew don't pilfer too much of it to go party ashore, you should have it in a couple of weeks!

  Waiting to hear from you!

  Fatcapt.

[ttrigg]

RbFSRWy
From the Desk of the President

Confidential

To: Commander; Commando Group TJ

Sir, please be advised that the flotilla is in route to your current location as specified by the Fat Capt.



Above shipment should arrive your location in next few days.

As per your request to study the possible uses of the newly discovered transportation system.  Local engineering experts have determined the creatures in question to be too slow for any mainline usage. However, they are of sufficient speed to handle yard switching protocols.  An unintended side product of this critter is a biomass waste product sufficient to drive mainline locomotives a fair distance, when properly dried.


Please advise this office of any further finds that may assist in our endeavors.

As Always
Your Servant

Douglas Flatbottom

[tangerine-jack]

FOUO

 

FATCAP- DELMARVA PENINSULA

Intercepted advanced transportation system believed to run on bio fuels.  Sending samples to our labs in Texas for possible use on rail system.

Received heavy yellow metal shipment in good condition.  Awaiting shipment of beer.

 

END TRANSMISSION

 

[Capt Bob Johnson]

MEMO:

 

FROM: Fatcapt, Pres., CEO, COO, RT & F

TO:  Tangerine Jack., Pres. Dixie D & CO Commando Grp. TJ

TEXT:  In view of the excellent work you have been doing for the Amalgamated Railroad Ventures in the matter of the hostile takeover of Eden Lines, your partners have dispatched a care package for the use of you and your men!

Tow sailed Delaware Estuary @ 1400 EDST July 22, 2007 with RT&F tug "Southhampton" towing a carfloat loaded with;

1 reefer car of fresh fruit from Doug Flatbottom, RfSRWy

1 reefer car of Hershey's Kisses from Ole Ben, Benny'sRR

8 reefers of Dogfishhead beer from RT&F

Also loaded sleek modern (1953 model) 44 ton loco purchased by Eden lines from RT&F.

The tin junk Vic sent was so rusted when it got here we had to scrap it!

Have deposited your share of the proceeds from crab sales and the heavy yello blocks in your bank in Va. Beach!

I would expect that when Flatbottom gets the pix developed (I sent him some of the tow to confirm his shipment) he will send you some copies so's you'll know what to look for!

Keep up the good work, Keep your head down, and your friends have not forsaken you!

[Capt Bob Johnson]

MEMO:

 

FROM:  Fatcapt, Pres. CEO, COO, RT & F

TO:  Douglass Flatbottom, Pres., RfSRWy

TEXT:  Tow left Delaware Bay Sunday, July 22, 2007 at about 1400 EDST!    PBY had Red Sea Crabs unloaded and was refueled and serviced for it's further flight.   Capt. Holtgrewe informs me that the PBY contacted him via radio and the rondevous for picture taking was made.   PBY made several passes taking pictures from ahead, and both sides of the tow!  The plane will be dispatched directly to Rosebud Falls so that you can see the pictures and confirm that your reefer full of fresh fruit for Commando Group TJ did arrive and was duly loaded onto the carfloat!    Request you send the PBY on back to Texas with our sincere thanks for the assistance!   (Might have it take some of that soup in the bread bowl down there for the Major!)

[Capt Bob Johnson]

MEMO

FROM: Fatcapt, Pres, CEO, COO - RT & F

TO:  Douglass Flatbottom, Pres - RbFSRWy

TEXT:  The crabs, since ole Ben is sending a reefer full of chocolate down here from central PA, there should be no problem in backloading the crabs; and we should be able to have Ben make his fuel cost out of it while all 5 of us turn a tidy profit on it!   (We can cut Carrales in on that since he ‘s lending us his big bird.)

Equipment, unless the bean counters can see a way for us to sell that junk to the "Eden Lines" at about a 950% profit PLUS shipping costs, I wouldn't hardly think it worth wasting our time doing!

Sailing, I'm told we may be loading the barge and getting it ready to sail on Sunday; will advise.

[ttrigg]

RbFSRWy
From the Desk of the President

Confidential

To: Fat Capt

I have it on reasonably reliable sources that that fellow in the tin suit has lost most, if not all, of his trackage right of way.  Seems as though his local governmental authority seized his right of way for housing construction.  My sources tell me that he currently has more motive power that track on which to run them.  In his predicament I'm sure that we could pick up some of his excess local freight/passenger equipment for a cheap song.

Some examples of his excess equipment are as follows.






As Always
Douglas Flatbottom

[ttrigg]

RbFSRWy
From the Desk of the President

Confidential

To: Fat Capt

Just received word from Cpt. Jeramiah Jones (pilot of the PBY) and he states that since they had lost one of their anchors from the PBY, they have been using crabbing nets when landing.  He tells me that he has almost a  ton of "Red Sea Crabs" and was asking if I knew of a point of delivery for these items.  Since there is not any real demand for crabs in this part of the country, Would you have the means to transport said merchandise to the Pennsylvania area for retail sale.  I understand that there is a large market in that part of the country for this type of product, since these will be "imported goods" we should be able to apply a hefty margin of profit on them.  Allowing room for ice, I would say that a 40 ft ice car should handle the load.

Cpt. Jones has forwarded by carrier pidgin the following photograph of the crabs in question.

I await your reply

As Always
Douglas Flatbottom

[Capt Bob Johnson]

MEMO

 

FROM:  Fatcapt

TO:  The Honorable Douglass Flatbottom, President RFS RR Co

TEXT:  Boy, Have you ever got your act together.  You sure took care of the work out there on your side in short order!   I'm going to break my rules and talk with TJ about giving you another 5% of the cut!   You earned it just by taking care of the tin suit guy!    Don't recruit too many of those chocolate commandos as you must remember that Ben is retarded (er, retired) and probably can't afford to send but one carload of chocolate!   His railroad is just for a bit of supplemental income, and running it interferes with his fishing and crabbing!

            I'm hoping to have everything loaded and set the sailing board in the next day or so!   Should I notify you or Carrales about when we'll need that picture taking airplane?

            One good thing about the PBY, they don't have to worry about any old reverse thruster, they just throw out an anchor if it's going too fast when they set er down!

[ttrigg]

RbFSRWy
From the Desk of the President

Confidential

To: Fat Capt

As to your request for temporary use of the PBY.  Your request has been approved.  You have been scheduled for the next airlift services open time slot.  Current mission of the PBY is the elimination of the al qada submarine forces (mission completion date later this week.).

Follow up mission is to transport an unknown metallic bars, yellow in color, and as heavy as lead, for disbursement and examination between the three CEO's.

 After a brief stand down for maintenance the aircraft will be available for your use.

As per your request for a specific outer garment, in particular, a white cotton long sleeved jacket with leather strapping and stainless steel fasteners.  The item has been found and dispatched with the appropriate husky attendants.


As per your request for assistance with that chocolate guy from Pennsylvania, please be advised that a fully trained commando squad is being form of the best trained and best equipped chocolate bunny destroyers the world has ever seen.


As for the fellow in the tin suit.  A squad of tin man eliminators has been dispatched.



We anticipate his total and complete capitulation within hours.


Your devoted associate
Douglas Flatbottom.

[Capt Bob Johnson]

Hey Flatbottom, It looks like you need to get the boys in the white coats after that Vic guy, has he been smoking or drinking something illegal???

Man, I aint trusting my money to somebody that far out!   How can he ever run a railroad wearing that tin suit?  Next thing you know he'll be trying to tell us that he's the super locomotive of the future!

Heck, I'd bet old Ben's dingy ole Hershey RS-3 could outpull anything he's got, even if he wore that tin suit!

[vsmith]

Tin Suit? Tin Suit?

OK you asked for it!

Giant Robot! Activate!

Robot, up an away!

Uh oh, Your in deep trouble now!

There they are!...its FatCapt and his henceman Flatbottom!

Giant Robot! ATTACK!

Atomic PUNCH!

Crush them now Giant Robot!

Activate Finger-rockets!

Fire!

Hope you enjoy the smoking remains of your Railroads there Buddy!

This Has Been An American International Production

Giant Robot, avalable now at Sharper Image.*

Heres the TV spot:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbOjEPbSkpU

* Nuclear powerpacks sold seperatly

[Capt Bob Johnson]

Fatcapt, Pres., CEO, COO

Round Tuit & Faraway Railroad Company

Delmarva Peninsula

 

Douglas Flatbottom, Pres.

Rosebud Falls Scenic Railway Co

Left Coast America

 

Dear Doug,

 

            Can you believe that neighbor of yours Vic is trying to get a piece of the action!   Just look at that picture of him, that tin suit he wears is gonna rust away in a week or so!    Slip him some oil so he don't squeak!   Do something to keep him from claiming a share of the take; even if you have to contract him to do some runs on your railroad with that falling apart homebuilt dime store equipment he runs!

 

            Unless he brings a big bankroll to the table I don't even want to talk to him about letting him in on our takeover of the Eden Lines; if we ever decide it'd be worth doing!   

 

            By the way, send me another carload of carrier pigeons to put on the barge; TJ put a note on his last message that he was running out.   Seems that the Arabs are stealing them and saying they taste just like lamb!

 

                                                            Your friendly enemy,

                                                            Fatcapt.

 

[Capt Bob Johnson]

EXPRESS MESSAGE

Hey there chocolate man!   If you are really serious about adding a carload of those Kisses on to that bargeload of care package we're fixin to send over to T-Jack you'd best get your old Hershey RS-3 cranked up and rolling!   We need that stuff! 

It's costing me money holding that tug from sailing!   I already turned down a couple of jobs for it just to accommodate you!   I don't care if the fuel oil to get it here is 4 cent higher this week, you'll just have to bite the bullet!   Sides, when you get down here with that train, you can go fishin; they tell me the flounder are bitin pert good!

It's also costing Ole Flatbottom and me a small fortune in ice for those reefer cars we got sitting there waitin to be loaded onto that barge!

Get the lead out!

Fatcapt!

[vsmith]

Top Secret:  FOUO

Guess we know what happens when them there Chi-neeze built engines hit a camel.

I hear the camel is fine, just need to buff out a little paint on its fur.

[Capt Bob Johnson]

Dave, based on what was in his last posting (another thread) I'd say he's already "Over There!".

[FJ and G]

TJ,

Email me a cool training shot at Camp Shelby or wherever you're going for predeployment training; like doing one of the obstacles or tactical thingies. If it's any good i'll post it on the Army homepage and link it here. I'm at [e-mail]. No smiling or anything. Look real mean. I know you won't have trouble doing that

[Capt Bob Johnson]

MEMO

TO :  Doug Flatbottom, PRES. RFSRR

FROM:  Fatcapt, Pres, CEO, COO, RT&F

TEXT:  That grumpy old reprobate Ben from the Chocolate Servicing railroad up there in the foothills of Pennsylvania called me wanting to get in on this deal of taking over the Eden Lines.   Did you spill the beans on this thing???   Next thing you know we're gonna hafta split the takings so many ways it won't be worth the doing!

            Beings Old Ben does send us care packages at holiday season, and only charges us for the merchandise and no freight, I guess we'll have to bend and let him in on the deal!    Maybe you can figger out some way we can stick him with a lot of the cost of this venture so's the 3 of us can make even more on it!

            Hey, do you suppose you can talk that Carrales guy down there in Texiass to loaning  you his PBY again?  I might be wanting some pictures took from an areo plane!

            Regards to the Mrs.

The old round Capt.

[ttrigg]

RbFSRWy
From the Desk of the President
Confidential

To: Commander, Commando Group TJ:


The Rosebud Falls symphony would like to offer to conduct a musical / moral building tour for the boys assigned to your commando group.  They are willing to do this show free to your troops and all they ask in return is for reimbursement of travel and lodging expenses.

[ttrigg]

RbFSRWy
From the Desk of the President
Confidential

To: FatCapt
Indeed, this expedition has potential for vast margins of profit.  I have about twenty carloads of marginal random length timbers that were heat cured during last years forest fires.  I'm wondering if Commander TJ could find some unsuspecting villagers to offload this firewood.  As far as old equipment, what was damaged by Vinie and his gang of hooligans during last years raids has long since been repaired or dropped to the bottom of the local lake.

[Capt Bob Johnson]

CONFIDENTIAL

TJ, I took another look at those things you captured.   It looks to me like they came from that outfit that recently went under; if that is the case, we can unload our old junk on that railroad and sell what you got for spare parts at a nice profit!   We also get paid to get rid of our junk, while the new subsidiary shows a paper loss that would have to be paid for out of it's oil holdings.   Give me the word, and I'll start a couple of my Suez Max tankers in that direction!

Doug, look at this opportunity.   We get paid for our junk, then we make a killing on the oil they have to use to pay us!    I'm looking at 800 or 900 % profits out of this after we make all the expenses and payoffs!

[ttrigg]

Memo From The President
RbFSRWy

To: Commander; Commando Group TJ

If I understand the FatCapt correctly, this is the hunk of junk he is looking to sell you.


On the other hand Rosebud Fall Scenic Rail Ways can offer this fine specimen of motive power for a nominal lease fee of five dollars per mile and twenty five cents per switch crossed.

Some obvious differences between the two engines are: The engine offered by the FatCapt require highly skilled diesel mechanics and impurity free diesel fuel, which as you are well aware of can be hard to find in the desert.  The masterpiece offered by RbFSRWy can be operated by most anyone able to read the gauges and can operate on a range of fuels readily available, crude oil, used motor oil available in large quantity at any military motor pool, to cut wood to dried camel dung.  We await your reply

Your Friend
Douglas Flatbottom

[powlee]

Four days before he left,TJ entrusted me with this item to keep in a safe and secure place. `One of Thirty` he said. I will treasure it.