Good morning!
Bill Tidler Jr.
Near a cornfield in Indiana...
der5997We are so used to thinking that something “3rd Rate” is very much inferior – but the Rating scale ran 1st. through 6 – and a third rate ship was still a very lethal piece of kit!
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Just pokin' my head in the door before I turn in folks...
RideOnRoadBTW, I just finished David McCallough's The Wright Brothers. Good book. Now I am ready for a little junk-food reading.
Richard, I, too, am a fan of David McCullough. Johnstown Flood, Path Between the seas, The Great Bridge and more. My preference is audiobooks. Some of his audio titles are read by himself. He has a great voice.
A few of my other recommendations would be some titles from Erik Larson:
http://eriklarsonbooks.com/
I just finished Dead Wake. In The Garden Of Beasts, The Devil In White City, Thunderstruck are also good, IMHO. All mix a bit of history with a little added drama.
Stephen Ambrose is another of my favorites. Nothing Like It In The World was interesting about the wheeling and dealing that built the Transcontinental Railroad.
Ulrich, I just happened to catch the news story about the woman that was dragged behind a car in Hamelin, a few days ago. It makes a very grave underscore to the conditions you have shared with us. I'm speechless.
Garry, Glad to hear you're back in the saddle, um.. cab seat!
Herrinchoker, I'm probably preachin' to the choir but— be sure to have your dust mask, or better yet, a respirator when you're cutting that nasty Fiberglas! That stuff is awfully dusty and glass fibers can't be good on the lungs!
Ken!
... it's ALL good!
Glad your package got to you with only a little crunching! Did you find the decoders? I hope it is an easy replacement for your E7. The Digitrax one was a spare and I tested it and it works fine. It has been reset. Glad the cars are all running well for you. The Ohio dust is free, no need to return it!
After the Holiday I'll get those LEDs to you and... maybe a few other goodies?
DER, as always, great to hear your stories!
TRAINS:
I know my back and knees will regret this but, after I fixed up the unfinished drywall last week it got me looking at the hodge-podge of carpet remnants scattered around the layout floor.
SO, tonight I began installing 400 Ft2 of carpet tile. I stumbled across it at Amazon and it arrived today.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01C7DYZCQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
So far, I really like it
Have a great Thanksgiving, to all who participate. And to all, best wishes for a safe, rewarding and healthy week!
My thoughts and prayers to those who may be in need—
Regards, Ed
Ulrich:
Thanks for posting the video of Amira Willighagen! What an amazing voice! I love seeing young people with talent.
I have to admit that I went nuts over Grace Vanderwaal who won the top prize in America's Got Talent. Her voice is rather croaky but that was what made her so entertaining. Kind of like a modern day Janis Joplin in the making (although I hope without the drugs). Totally the opposite of Ms. Willighagen and without the depth of voice, but none the less a great young talent, especially since she has succeeded on songs she wrote herself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNxO9MpQ2vA
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
For the history fans here, try "The Rising Sun: The Decline & Fall of the Japanese Empire, 1936-45". It's WWII from a Japanese viewpoint.
Good Afternoon!
It´s already to late for a lunch, so I´ll go for a slice of that apple crumble pie, topped with vanilla ice cream, and lots of coffee.
Young Ms Willighagen certainly has some volume to her voice and I hope she remains that charming little girl growing into a woman without all the glitches that come from fame! I´ll be listening to some more of her music later on!
Got a surprise package in today´s mail. It came from Japan and had a little scratchbuilt steam tramway loco in it:
The built quality is absolutely stunning, as is the finish of it. The backhead of the firebox has all gauges and levers you´ll find in such a loco. It´s freelance, but follows typical British specs! The loco is OO9 scale, that´s British OO scale (1/76) running on 9mm track. It´s a gem and I am lucky to have some leftover 9mm track so I can see the tiny loco run!
Ed - the news on the Hamelin incident is just the tip of the iceberg. The US authorities have issued a warning on traveling to Germany for a good reason. It´s not a safe place anymore! In my small town community, crime meant usually the odd bicycle being stolen by a bunch of misfit kids, or a broken window. Since the beginning of this year, we have had 10 cases of rape, the same amount of attempted rape, 64 cases of robbery, 192 cases of burglary, 4 cases of homicide and 7 cases of attempted homicide. When we moved to this town 20 years ago, we had 3 police officers twiddling their thumbs. We still have a police force of three ...
Total count of crimes committed by illegal immigrants (that´s what the so-called refugees are) is estimated to have surpassed the 200,000 mark up to now for all of Germany.
No, we don´t feel safe in this place!
Bill - good to see you again!
Herrinchoker - continuing for your recovering from hand surgery!
I wish we would hear a word from Galaxy!
//signed// John Powell President / CEO CNY Transportation Corp (fictional)
http://s155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/nuts4sports34/
Hunter - When we met in January of 2000, you were just a 6 week old pup who walked his way into this heart of mine as the only runt in the litter who would come over to me. And today, I sit here and tell you I am sorry we had to put you down. It was the best thing for you and also the right thing to do. May you now rest in peace and comfort. Love, Dad. 8 June 2010
I love you and miss you Mom. Say hi to everyone up there for me. Rest in peace and comfort. Love, John. 29 March 2017
Sir Madog Ed - the news on the Hamelin incident is just the tip of the iceberg. The US authorities have issued a warning on traveling to Germany for a good reason. It´s not a safe place anymore!
Ed - the news on the Hamelin incident is just the tip of the iceberg. The US authorities have issued a warning on traveling to Germany for a good reason. It´s not a safe place anymore!
Ulrich, the US warning is not specific to Germany, it is a Worldwide Caution due to continuing terrorist threats pretty much everywhere, except perhaps Antartica. Geopolitical areas, such as Europe, are broken out with more detailed information, sometimes country specific, sometimes not. Germany is certainly not singled out as being particularly dangerous as opposed to neighboring countries.
Here's the link:
https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/worldwide-caution.html
CG
Good morning, everybody .
Coffee and a donut, please.
We had been thnking of making one more trip to Europe, but not anymore. Too much bad stuff happening.
Ulrich ... That is a very nice little locomotive.
Ed ... Back in the cab is better than back in teh saddle.
Once I was addicted to the Hokey Pokey, but I turned myself around.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Der glad you liked the site
Books, if you don't remember reading Tom Sawyer, Treasure Island or Moby Dick they are all well worth the read. Report back on what the doctor told the pirate after examining his tongue. My favorite book was a 2 vol annotated set of Sherlock Holmes. I read it 3-4 times cover to cover. It is footnoted with historical background about the places, and time of Victorian London. They are on ebay for less that $20
Herrinchoker Prayers for your son. Make sure his docs keep in mind that he is at risk for staph pneumonia.
They used to ban hunting around the Savannah River Nuclear Weapons Plant in SC. The same thing happend to their deer, which were small to start with. They opened up hunting with dogs and the rule was that you had to shoot everything that came by. Not only did they solve the malnourished deer problem, every year they kill a few deer with antlers the circumfrence of your wrist. Statewide the arrival of coyotes curbed what was an exponential rise in the deer population. I saw a dead coyote on the Baltimore Beltway on Saturday.
Ulrich in another thread I was talking about a murder in Toronto. Their annual homicide total is less than 60. We do that in 2 months in Baltimore and Chicago does it in one. I took care of a young black guy a handful of years ago. His chest and back was covered in tattoo tributes to 4 of his friends that were murdered on the streets. I, personally, never knew anyone that was a murder victim. His life is unimaginable to me.
Brightening up the conversation, they have the steam engines cranked up at Chama in the snow http://www.coloradonewmexicosteamtrain.org/camera-portal-horizontal.htm
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
BigDaddy Books, if you don't remember reading Tom Sawyer, Treasure Island or Moby Dick they are all well worth the read. Report back on what the doctor told the pirate after examining his tongue. My favorite book was a 2 vol annotated set of Sherlock Holmes. I read it 3-4 times cover to cover. It is footnoted with historical background about the places, and time of Victorian London. They are on ebay for less that $20
BigDaddy - On the subject of books, as a kid, my favorite series was Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary. I had most of them and read them cover to cover on a few occassions.
Heartland Division CB&Q Once I was addicted to the Hokey Pokey, but I turned myself around.
Garry - I never noticed your quote until now. Too funny.
So, I am back in from shoveling off the section of the roof that needed to be done.
Now, time for breakfast. Chloe - How about a nice plate sized fritatta with some Wegmans Hickory Smoked, Maple Flavored, Center Cut Bacon. Oh, and a coffee please? Thanks!
On the work front... Wegmans is still keeping me busy. Got another pay raise at the beginning of November.
On the MR front... Nothing to report. I did attend the train show at the New York State Fairgrounds 3 weeks ago. And while I did make sure I had spending money, I did not buy anything. Figured the money would be better spent on getting my house put back together and cleaned up so I can start building a layout.
On the Life front... between personal counseling sessions and anger management group meetings, I'm doing better than before I had started them. I'm still not where I want to be as a person, but I am making progress and moving in the right direction. And, I have decided that I cant date another woman just yet until I am in a better place. Yes, it will suck being single for the holidays, but that's the choice I have made. It wouldn't be fair to any women if I were to date and still have these issues and not be in a "good" place.
On the Amazon business front - No progress to report. Still working out the legalities... name, business certificate, lawyer, etc.
On the Landscaping business front - Closed for the season. Although Monday was making me wish I had a bigger truck with a plow on it. There were a lot of residence in my area that got stiffed by the guy they hired to plow their driveways this winter. They were all scrambling to find someone else to do the job. I could have taken on a several of them and been making some good money, but unfortunately, equipment and insurance prevent me from doing that.
Anyways, I am off. Chloe just brought me my food. Time to chow down.
In case I don't make it in later tonight or tomorrow, I would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. And please, during these holidays, Remember Everyone Deployed (RED) who are making the personal sacrifice and wont be able to spend it with their families and loved ones.
Take Care!
RideOnRoad All: Thanks for the reading recommendations! Johnboy: I was thinking about trying Clive Cussler. Any recommendations for a good one to start with? I don't want to start in the middle of the series if the books build on one another. (I was looking and many of his books are not available as ebooks. I know many can't stand reading on an electronic device, but I am hooked.)
All: Thanks for the reading recommendations!
Johnboy: I was thinking about trying Clive Cussler. Any recommendations for a good one to start with? I don't want to start in the middle of the series if the books build on one another. (I was looking and many of his books are not available as ebooks. I know many can't stand reading on an electronic device, but I am hooked.)
I have enjoyed all that I have read, but I think the ones I would recommend to a new reader of his would be, "The Wrecker" "The Chase" and the "Dragon".
Happy winter evenings when the trains don't call you.
Johnboy out..........................
from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North..
We have met the enemy, and he is us............ (Pogo)
RideOnRoadJohnboy: I was thinking about trying Clive Cussler. Any recommendations for a good one to start with? I don't want to start in the middle of the series if the books build on one another.
I've read most of the Clive Cussler books by now. The original Dirk Pitt series is somewhat continuous, but I've read a number of them out of order and they're still fine that way. The Isaac Bell series is the same way. In both cases, the characters get a bit older as time goes by, but each book is complete unto itself and you aren't left hanging at the end, nor is there anything missing from the beginning.
There are also a lot of paperbacks based loosely on the framework set up in the Dirk Pitt novels, but they were not written by Clive Cussler. There was a series of authors, and the quality varies between them.
11/22/63 by Stephen King is not a horror novel at all. It's more like thinking-man's science fiction, exploring the oddities of time travel.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I am a happy person today. Just got home & all my Christmas shopping is done. I will wrap everything this weekend & just enjoy not having to go to the malls & fight the crowds anymore. There have been years in the past where all this has been accomplished by the end of October. Still, I'm ahead of the game I think.
Books & more books. I am an avid reader of fiction. We go to the library just about every week, & I buy some at Sam's Club, Costco & Amazon. My favorite author by far is W.E.B. Griffin. Beware though, most of his books are part of a series & it's far better to read them in order. Some other arthors I keep an eye out for are:
John Stanford, Peter Lovesey, Peter Robinson, C.J. Box, J.A. Jance, Preston & Child, etc.
The wife isn't able to read anymore, so it's audio books for her. She enjoys the above authors, but also likes romance novels. I pass on those.
Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving...
Tom
Pittsburgh, PA
Afternnon all,
Just checking in.
Garry glad to see you back and that surgery went well.
Not much happening on any front. Had family in over the past weekend so we had our thanksgiving then.
I am on call this week so I prob won't have tomorrow off. ( I am sure someone will break something)
rainy and cold here in far western KY
I will be finishing the Christams decor tomorrow.
later all
FRRYKid & Mr. B: Sorry for the confusion. My comment about horror novels was directed at Stephen King generally, since this is what he is known for. I figured 11/22/63 was not of that genre. It is on my list.
Ed: I will take a look at Erik Larson. I, too, am a fan of Stephen Ambrose. I have read Undaunted Courage, D-Day, The Wild Blue, and Nothing Like it in the World (of course). As for David McCullough, after reading The Johnstown Flood, Mrs. ROR and I scheduled a vacation to Johnston to see the dam site and museum. I have also read John Adams and 1776.
Today is a glorious example of why we live in Arizona. I went out for a lunch time bike ride and it was sunny with a slight breeze and 75F. Gorgeous.
Richard
Good Evening,
Not a bad day here with a temp around freezing but cloudy. Still better than normal for this time of year.
Yesterday I ran the new RS3 which is an Athearn model. I must say that I am impresssed with its running qualities. A step 1 it just crawls and it only has about an hour at most on the clock.
Went to the track today but only walked a few laps and then rode on the stationary bike. I can't walk too long as I have an inflamation in my heel. I am on Naproxen for it and it is slowly improving.
Hope everyone is doing well,
CN Charlie
Evenin' folks...
Janie, I'll have a pot of decaf to warm me up tonight.....
I managed to get about half of the things I wanted to get done today, done today. But all told I am almost ready for the festivities of tomorrow in the family. Still waiting to hear what time I should be showing up at my son's house with the squash dish and the extra stuffing.... I drove the Volt over to the nearby plaza and bought the seasonal imbibment items that I stock up on once a year (Southern Comfort, the original 100 proof, and a large bottle of Myers Dark Rum for spiking eggnog). The electrician (who used to be Scoutmaster of the same troop I was only after me) came over to turn the electric outlet 180° (he installed it the wrong way technically back when he did it) dedicated for charging the car (15amp seperate circuit). Had a good chat with him and no charge for the service. Took him about 5 minutes to do. Finished the wash so I will have something clean to wear for the feast tomorrow.
Oh, I got a few photos of my new toy:
I am little by little figuring where all the stuff I will want to use is located on the Volt. Roads are clear and the sn*w is melting. Of course, the forecast for overnight is: Snow Showers, Few Snow Showers, Rain, Light Rain, Freezing rain, Snow Showers, and clouds tomorrow..... That time of year here. I think I shall retire to the train rooms for a few minutes and see what I might get done.
Later!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
You Might Be a Redneck This Thanksgiving If... ... you've ever had Thanksgiving dinner on a ping-pong table. ... Thanksgiving dinner is squirrel and dumplings. ... you've ever reused a paper plate. ... if you have a complete set of salad bowls and they all say Cool Whip on the side. ... if you've ever used your ironing board as a buffet table. ... your turkey platter is an old hubcap. ... your best dishes have Dixie printed on them. ... your stuffing's secret ingredient comes from the bait shop. ... your only condiment on the dining room table is ketchup. ... side dishes include beef jerky and Moon Pies. ... you have to go outside to get something out of the 'fridge. ... the directions to your house include "turn off the paved road." ... you consider pork and beans to be a gourmet food. ... you have an Elvis Jell-o mold. ... your secret family recipe is illegal. ... you serve Vienna sausage as an appetizer.
Heartland Division CB&Q You Might Be a Redneck This Thanksgiving If... ... your stuffing's secret ingredient comes from the bait shop.
You Might Be a Redneck This Thanksgiving If... ... your stuffing's secret ingredient comes from the bait shop.
You mean behind the bait shop.
Evenin'......... Ah.... Hello?
Well OK, as long as no one is in here. I'll just post this little note on the Bulletin Board to see how many read it....
I am writing in response to your request for additional information. In block number 3 of the accident reporting form, I put “poor planning” as the cause of my accident. You said in your letter that I should explain more fully, and I trust that the following details will be sufficient.
Securing the rope at ground level, I went up to the roof, swung the barrel out and loaded the brick into it. Then I went back to the ground and untied the rope, holding it tightly to ensure a slow descent of the 500 pounds of bricks. You will note in block number eleven of the accident form that I weigh 135 pounds.
Due to my surprise to being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I lost my presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope. Needless to say, I proceeded at a rather rapid rate of speed up the side of the building.
In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel coming down. This explains the fractured skull and broken collarbone.
Slowed only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the fingers of my right hand were two-knuckles deep into the pulley.
Fortunately, by this time I had regained my presence of mind and was able to hold tightly to the rope in spite of my pain.
At approximately the same time, however, the barrel of bricks hit the ground, and the bottom fell out of the barrel. Devoid of the weight of the bricks, the barrel now weighed approximately fifty pounds.
I refer you again to my weight in block number eleven. As you might imagine, I began a rapid descent down the side of the building.
In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel coming up. This accounts for the two fractured ankles and the lacerations of my legs and lower body.
The encounter with the barrel slowed me enough to lessen my injuries when I fell onto the pile of bricks and, fortunately, only three vertebrae were cracked.
I am sorry to report, however, that as I lay there on the bricks, in pain, unable to stand, and watching the empty barrel six stories above me, I again lost my presence of mind --
I let go of the rope!
Evening Diners
Flo, Ed will have Crown Royal on the rocks, here Flo I brought some rocks that where on the patio. I will have a Please.
Well, lets forget about work today OK.
Sure not ready for Thanks Giving. What it means to me is working in the kitchen helping Sue make stuff I really should not eat. While I like Turkey some what I would rather have ribs. I love stuffing! I all so it will kill my next A1 C test. I should not eat bread, and there is no way my wife would use Whole Wheat bread. Sharon (my daughter) will not be coming over this year. Dr told her it is still to soon to try eating any meat.
Jay Hope you find your happy places.
Herion Choker. Hum, my new son in law name is Herion, no I do not want him choked yet. Best wishes for the Step Son #4.
Ulrich Sorry to read what sad state Germany is in. Good looking Engine!
Ed Yes I found the decoders. Any idea how to get the QSI decoder out of it socket? Bessmer cabosse is on the rails and I think the conductor has a bottle of Crown Royal in his desk. He seems pretty happy!
Depending on how Thanks Giving goes I may made up and take some photos of the Ed Ball Express. If the wife leaves me some what a lone I hope to get the Mighty B&O F7's pulling the Ed Ball Express.
Authers Ones I like
1 Tess Gerritsen. While written from a woman point of view (I skip the sex stuff) a great mystery, crime, medical point of view (she is a Dr) and just a plain good writter.
2 Coben Mystery and crime.Pretty good action books. OK writter but with good storys.
3 Lee Childs Love Jack Reacher to a point. I guess I relate some what to Reacher because I was Military Polices. But, I do not like many of his actions. Story's hold my intrest. OK writter and worth reading.
4 Dale Brown Was in USAF and SAC. Flew in Buffs Big Ulgly Fat F----rs. All so know as B-52's. When he started writting he was pretty bogged down on the tech end. Still pretty good story lines, all around the Air Forces. Books where better and better as he wrote more. I am now on my 28th book by him and it is pretty good. Last time I looked I think he was up to 33 books. Best read in oder but not a must!
Feel Good Movies
Just finshed watching Second Hand Lions. One of the best movies I have seen in some time.
Bar Fight, pretty funny.
Later, Ken
I hate Rust
... and blessings to all!
Good Morning!
The sun is just rising now and it looks as if we will have a dry day with some sunny spells - good! I have no plans for the day, maybe just a little daydreaming with SCARM, my track planning tool, for a little British outline narrow gauge layout. I have a couple of ideas in my head for a simple layout and, if my memeory is not failing, I still have some 9mm track put away somewhere. The chap who build the loco also wrote me that he will be sending an open "Summer" coach to go with the loco. I really feel honored!
Ray - nice looking car! I like the color! I just wish they´d market a cheap little electric car here. For the little we drive, an electric vehicle would just be perfect - that is, when the world around us still were the place it once was.
The story of yours was turned into a song called "The Sick Note" - here is it sung by the Dubliners:
Happy days to you!
It is Thanksgiving day in the USA. Kinda wet and rainy here in the land of government corruption. We will have a housefull as all the kids and grandkids are coming over.
We have a tradition of saying what we are thankful for.
I am thankfull that I have enough money to indulge my model railroad habit and I am thankful for a wife that enjoys the hobby as well.
So what are you thankfull for?
Mike
CGW121So what are you thankfull for?
To have survived being held at knife-point in a holdup a few weeks ago. And for each day I have without major health issues. And for the love my wife gives me - an aging, hairless and snoring monster!
Thanksgiving is not celebrated the way you do that in the US, celebrating the first harvest in the new world. Families do not gather and there is no special food. It boils down to a special church service on the 1st Sunday of October.
Happy Thanksgiving ....
CentralGulf Heartland Division CB&Q You Might Be a Redneck This Thanksgiving If... ... your stuffing's secret ingredient comes from the bait shop. You mean behind the bait shop. CG
CG ... LOL ...... The bait shop here served Bait Shop Pizza for many years. They went out of busineess when State Highway Department bought it. They demolished it to make room for a new highway. .... That's why I no longer bring Bait Shop Pizza to the Diner to share.
MLC... Thanks for the kind words re recovery from surgery.
What am I thankful for ? ..... Actually, my long list is growing. Suffice it to say I have much to thank the Lord for this Thanksgiving.
A year ago I was walking around with hardly any blood pressure and felt like it. I am grateful for better health and people that love me.
Happy and a safe Thanksgiving to all, and you don't have to go back for a 2nd and 3rd helping of stuffing.
Maybe we should all post pics of something, the turkey, a desert our family. Just a thought.
Good morning all.
Chloe, I will take the brunch special, Garry's pancakes, eggs, bacon, a slice of that pumpkin bread, and a slice of the Dutch apple pie alla mode style for desert. And, a large OJ please. Thanks!
Howmus - We got hit pretty good by Argos, with the lake-effect to boot here as well, ended up with about 18" of the white stuff. Today we are foggy and misty-rain.... So I can definitely sympathize with your weather related issues... It was a fun few days getting to w**k during that!
Ulrich - Glad to see you posting again. Sorry that your area has gone crazy though...
YGW - I've always like NASCAR, and always said, if I could do it safely, I would love to do it. The schedule would be brutal though.
Weather - After Argos, with it's 18" s**wfall, we now have ~40 degrees, with fog and misty-rain today. Forecasters are calling for a nice bit of cool rain for the next few days.
W**k - Not that busy the past couple days, but expecting lots of people this weekend... Stayed busy prepping for it though!
House - Dryer cord shorted out.... Caught it, before it caused a fire... Not sure if that is a good thing or not though....
It would have taken care of the whole needing to do some repairs thing, but...
At least we caught it with no damage, other than we need a new cord... The good news? I sell those at w**k!
Hope all are well, and all enjoy the day!
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.