Good morning, everyone! We had a touch of rain come through yesterday, but nothing significant so I'll be putting the sprinklers back on again in support of my seeded-10-days-ago lawn. It's bright and sunny today and should be around 80.
It looks like it wil be the mountain bike for a few days for me. I took a closer look at my front wheel and I'm not sure I can straighten it back properly. I'll probably need a new rim. Well, it's an original on a 30-year-old bike, so I've gotten my money's worth out of it.
Another good Tuesday Night Hockey game last night. We won by one goal. OK, 19-18 isn't exactly an NHL one-goal kind of score, but for us it was a close, hard-fought game. As sometimes happens, I found a bruise on my elbow while showering, and wondered where it came from.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Mornin' everyone!
Zoe, I'll have a bowl of Heritage Flakes Organic Cereal with skim milk this morning to go alomg with the pot of Seneca Lake Blend Dark raost Coffee. What? Yes my FGLK Mug would be perfect....
The sun is out for the moment here in the Finger Lakes Region of NYS. Won't last though. By mid afternoon we may have a some thunderboomers passing through. Currently 68°F with a high later of 88°F.
I have an eye Dr. appt. this afternoon. "Oh joy, oh rapture." I'm pretty much certain I'll be getting new glasses, most likely trifocals.... I can finally use the bifocals he sold me about 4 years ago, but they still aren't comfortable to use for long periods of time. I will need regular reading glasses for use here at the computer as the bifocals I have to have my head tilted way back to use.... The distance part of the bifocals used to make everything look weird.... When I have them on the computer screen looks like a trapiziod through the distance portion.
Hopefully, the contractor will be arriving soon....
Catch you all later!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Ray, I'm constantly changing glasses to deal with different parts of life. I've got a couple of pairs of bifocals, which I just love, but when looking at the computer screen I have a pair of full-sized single focus glasses just for that. I would get a stiff neck just using the lower third of the bifocals, bending my head back to put that part on the screen.
Hello? Is there anyone in hear?
Wake up Flo, I like a
Took it pretty easy today, did some running and sprayed the Wild Grape Vines again. Just to hot to do all I wanted to do. Need some more weed killer, I am just about out. Saw a little wilting on the Wild Grape Vines but not a lot.
Trains are runing nicely this evening. Did a test run of the Y6b she seemed normal, no odd sounds? (Had been on the RIP track for 6 months) Thursday I going to lash a coal train on to her and see how she does.
Galaxy Hope to see pop in soon.
Ulrich Don't push your self to hard, OK.
Ken
I hate Rust
Italian roast coffee in a UNION PACIFIC mug, please.
***Ken, I would love to see any of those beasts in person, steam or diesel. Cool pics!
Has been one of those periods where "Murphy" is having way too much fun with me. Won't bother listing things that have happened.
Eventually I'll be back in the train room, just not sure when.
Healing thoughts for those in need.
Cheers! Rob
Hello Railfans! I hope this post finds you all safe and well. Its been a while since my last report so now that i am able, i figured i would come out of the shadows and let you folks in on whats up.
First, I am in NC now (move finished). Though upon my arrival, it became apparent things here are exponentially worse than I was aware. To that end, some plans have either had to be changed, or trashed all together in place of new.
Alot of medical/legal mumbo jumbo to take care of now. I guess we all go through this at some point in our lives. And then there is the assundries of life that going from a major metropolitan area to a place that is just getting sunshine for the first time.... it takes some getting used to!
Take for instance this here INet connection im using. I went from ultra-fast cable to using a cell phone as a "hot spot" connection. Back in the late 70s and early 80s data transfer was a big deal. Not even a thought now-a-days. But on a hot spot connection, it is like reliving old times. I wasnt kidding about the sunshine part!
Fortunately for you folks, this means i wont be pestering yall as much. However, I just happen to be in a much better place for railfanning activities. There is a bit of a trade there. Hope yall aint bothered by me spending more time at the railyard than with you guys!
Ya see, here is where i cut my teeth railfanning wise so to say. Yep this is where i first planted my caboose in the god seat and layed a hand on the throttle. A GP38 in Southern trim if my memory serves.
So lets skip off the personal news and git down to passin on some of the railfan news ive done so far.... but first, a bit of history to set the scene.
About a year ago i was here on family visit. As per my usual routine a trip down to the yard is a given. I mosey on up to the depot with water jugs in hand (never railfan without peace offerings for the crews!) and let a rap tap tap out on the office door.
Now folks down here are corn fed, needless to say the "hulk" in overalls and suspenders opened the door. It looked like he hadnt been fed in a while as he had a mean, gruff look on his face. Well, more mean and gruff looking than railroaders usually have.
Undetured, i let out my usual howdy and asked what was up as i stepped into the office amidst what looked like 3 or 4 crew compliments. Plus office staff. Very unusual as there is only one crew at a time on duty at this particular yard.
His reply was "I just lost my job". Right then and there i new i was a fresh hamhock dangling by a fraid string over a lions cage. Not the place for a "foamer" to be at this particular time. And especially around NS folk who are notorius for hating railfans.
In 2.2 microseconds i think i got out an "Im sorry to hear this", set down the water juggs, and did my best "Exit, stage left". This pretty much summed up what the freshly rebuilt/repainted 6 axle units where doing in a four axle yard.
Indeed, i passed these brutes on my way into the depot. All sitting on the house track with a maintenance crew giving them the pre-start up look over and lube. What was going on? Well i will tell ya....
It seems NS sold this branchline to WatCo.. And will be operating the branch as "Blue Ridge Southern". Believe me when i say, I was sad when Southern left, cant stand NS no matter where they run, but I am glad to see them go.
On this day there was 4 days to go before BRS took over the branch. That was a year ago. Lets get to today, now.
Here we are a year later and what a change BRS has made. Depot remodelled, sand tower erected, and the house track sees more maintenance than it ever used to in the 40 years Ive been coming here. Even the tour bus that sits at the depot has been stripped of NS decor.
Back in SR days it was one GP38 for a yard switcher. Now its 12000 hp worth of 6 axle SD40s and SD45s (of ex-UP namesake). The 45s have been re-engined im told with 16 cylinders dropping them to SD40 specs.. And that is how BRS classes them. Theres a couple GP39s hanging around for good measure.
(There was a post before i left on here about someone asking if using heavy road units for industrial switching was done. I have proof it is!)
While BRS has erected some 30 "No Tresspass" signs all over the yard (even NS didnt do that), one meet with the trainmaster has restored my faith in railfanning this yard.
I mean the whole lot of these BRS folks are just really a nice bunch of guys. They seem to understand railfans, and tolerate us to more of a degree than i have seen any railroad do since the 70's.
Though problems here at my new home are worse than I thought, it is limiting my exposure time at the yard. Rest assured, i wont let it stop me from going.
If any of yall are interested in the new kid on the block, i have pics from the last week of NS, and recent ones. Since MR still does not host pictures, you will have to email me if you want them as i dont use third world spam sites.
Well folks thats about all for this round. Dunno when i will get back. My kid graduates HS this weekend so believe it or not im heading back to Va this weekend. How i wish it was by train.
You folks take care, i will see you when i can!
Douglas
Good Morning Diners,
Flo, I'll have my usual barrel sized cup of coffee with gallons of cream, please.
No Galaxy for a couple of days. Sure hope he's ok.
Douglas: That's a nice story about the BRS yard and history thereof.
Dennis: Yeah, LAPD helicopters are never a good indicator of tranquility!
nothing exciting to report today; however I'm getting excited about next week. There is a major trade show in town next week and I've gone for the last 11 years. It's called NeoCon and its North America's largest office furnishings trade show. For me, it's a gas! There's just so much new stuff to see. Un fortunately, I only get to go for 2 days instead of three this year.
I'm hoping I can work it out to go to KBIS, which is the big kitchen and bath show in Jan., but that remains to be seen.
Ok I digress.
I have to go.
I hope everyone is OK and safe.
Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)
Well! Last night I was just about ready to pop in and say howdy when there was a flash of light outside followed a couple seconds later by "Ruuuummmmmmbbbbbblllllleee". So I figured since theyt were talking about a couple thunderboomers coming through, I best shut down for the night. That was about 10PM. I hadn't checked the weather channel in a couple hours so I didn't know about the Tornado Warning they had for the area.... By the time I got the computer off the winds outside had to be around 60 mph with lightning every 5 seconds or so. Real nasty stuff coming down by the bucket fulls!!! Sideways! A possible tornado did touch down near Shortsville, NY during the stroms. May have been strong straight winds or a Microburst (these are more likely around here). They are waiting on a team from the Weather Service to arrive to assess the damage to know for sure. Shortsville is about 18 miles to the West and just north of where I am. We never lost electric here, but I did see a bucket truck going down my street when I got up this morning. Will mosey over there to see what is going on later. http://www.whec.com/news/stories/S3823000.shtml?cat=565
Zoe, I could use a large pot of Seneca Lake Blend Dark Roast this morning and a pair of binoculars....
Trip to the eye doc went well. I will be getting a new pair of reading glasses to use at the computer. The bifocals seem to be working well so I will start using those rather than the half glasses I have been using for 18 years.... Yep! The doctor looked up when I got them, started to laugh, shook his head, and told me He prescribed those back in 1997! Guess it is time to start using the ones I got 4 years ago....
OK Galaxy, where are are you???? Do hope you are OK!
Good morning everybody .
Got home last night from two days in Nashville, TN where I had medical appointments and Vanderbilt University Hospital.
Not much model railroading to report. Prior to leaving here to go to Nashville, I cleaned up the weathering mess on the work table. So, I'm done with weathering for while.
Douglas ... Sounds like interesting railfanning. Where in NC is your new home?
Happy Model Railroading.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Howdy....
Chloe I could use a refill for my coffee please...
Twister confirmed over in the Farmington/Shortsville area. Not much of one. They rated it as an EF-0.... Lowest catagory. It produced winds between 70 and 80mph, but did take down a farmer's workshop, a couple barns and a lot of trees in the area that damaged a cemetary. No injures due to the storm.... The weather service will issue a complete report tonight or tomorrow on it. I was in a catagory EF-1 tornado when we lived in the Batavia area many years ago. I can tell it is a scary, scary thing to be in or near the path of even a small one!
Later!
Evening, Folks!
My daily PT was very tiring today, so I slept most of the afternoon. My therapist says I am making good progress, but I hardly can see where. I was able to walk about 30 ft. without a walker and without falling. Yesterday it was maybe 28 ft. ...
No word from Galaxy? I am worried!
Ray - stay safe!
If Vinnie permits, I´ll stay snug in the corner booth for while, waiting for some of the MIA´s to show up.
CU tomorrow!
Galaxy is probably okay. Sometimes you don't feel like talking. I been on this website a few days but nothing to say. It's nice to see you again Ulrich.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
Afternoon Dinners.
Flo, please and if the Buick Guy shows, give him one as well.
Went to Hanger Prosthetic Clinic and as soon as I showed my foot to Andy,[My Tech] he said "That is a infected foot ulcier"! Got straight on the phone and started calling the VA about getting me in. Came back and told me "They will be calling you shortly". Yea, right!
That was 8:30 AM, it is now 2:51 Pm and not a word? What bothers Andy and myself the most I went to the Hospital last Thursday. Was seen by two Dr's from India (OK, Sorry about the India part) that I told "the wound is activty bleeding" and they Let Me Walk Out with out doing nothing! Come on Folks, a trained Boy Scout would have done something if the wound was bleeding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Andy did what he could by changing the inserts in my current shoe to take pressure off the wound. All so said to walk like Chester from Gunsmoke, in other words with a limp.
Worst part for me, I really cannot afford to be off work like last time I had a foot ulicer. I was in the Hospital 6 days and was off work for 2 months. Just in one of thoses "why do I even try modes" right now.
Only good news so far today? Y6b is back dragging freight! I do wonder if I had changed a CV that makes the awful screeching sound I was hearing? Only thing I have done is restet the decoder to default.
See you all later.
My Version Of The VA Health Care In Train Terms.
evening all just a coldfor me
Well that is the contents of our old flat in a van at a depot waiting for our glorious entry into our new abode tomorrow. I never realised how much "stuff" I had but my good lady refers to her's as family "heirlooms" not sure on that. Hopefully I can get into the Diner over the next few weeks as we unpack the "family heirlooms".
Ulrich keep up the good work. Small steps lead to bigger steps.
I hope Galaxy is OK.
Regards to all other diners.
Brian
Hi guys
just checking in quick tonight. I'm going to the Indy car race in Toronto tomorrow, well over the next few days I should say. Should be a good time. Will try to drop in each night as we are coming home each day. Toronto is only a hour from here.
Evening Diners,
No post in 7 hours and only 10 people were around today. Just popped in to hey hi.
My dad is planning to leave to Virginia to visit his daughter Jackie on Sunday or Monday.
Flo, my usual gallon of coffee with a quart of cream, please.
it would seem that everyone is involved with outdoor and other activities and don't have anything railroading to say, or the diner has just gotten boring and fans are losing interest. I hope the latter is not the case. Well, I don't have anything profound or entertaining to offer today either.
Sure hope Galaxy is just taking one of his "breaks" because his last post indicated he was not ok.
Ulrich: keep up with your PT even though it wears you out. What's the old phrase, " No pain, no gain." There was an old John Wayne movie where he played a Navy pilot who pioneered aircraft carriers or something like that. Anyway, he crashed, was paralyzed, and couldnt feel anything below the waist. In therapy, he just kept saying, "I'm gonna move that toe," and eventually, not only did he move the toe, but he fully recovered. It was inspirational.
Ray: Sounds like that excellently finished oak flooring will really accent the trim, wall plates, and will pop that Amish furniture.
just a quick pop in before I leave for the first day of practise for the irl race. It's raining and looks like it might keep raining througout the day so don't know how long we will stay today to watch the other series of racing. If no one is running we might not stay too long. Be back sometime tonight
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Lion ... Good to see you ... I like your subways. Most of my subway riding was in Cicago, but I did ride the New York subway a long time ago.
Ulrich ... We're all hoping your progress continues. Your courage remarkable.
Ken ... Your situation sounds very bad. You must get proper care for that foot infection pronto.
Brian ... Sounds like the move is going well.
I have several items on my to do list for the model railroad, and hope to work on them later today.
Happy Model Railroading !
Zoe, I'll have an egg and sausage breakfast sandwich this moring and a pot of Seneca Lake Blend dark roast to wash it down.
I need to get the last 3 oak boards upstairs for the contractor, then head out to mow the lawn... most of the neighborhood did theirs yesterday. If I don't get it done today, it will be Monday before I can get back to it. This afternoon is calling for liquid sunshine.....
Ulrich, keep hanging in there. You will see improvement all the time, just not a quickly as you want! I know you will do well with it.
Ken, do hope they get you in very quickly with the foot problem. Be a pest!
Brian, hope the move goes well for you! I hate moving...... Guess that is why I still live in the house we bought 30 years ago. Besides it has been paid for for years. I ain't moving the model railraoad. That joy will be left for my son's when I am gone.....
Have a great day out there, folks!
Extra strong coffee in a AT&SF mug, please.
Have a great day all. Healing thoughts for those in need.
Afternoon, Folks!
Today´s PT did not go well. It was too hot for me to feel comfortable. The room was stuffy and sticky, as the therapist kept the windows shut to keep the hot air out. Of course, no A/C - hatdly anybone has A/C in my neck of the woods.
I am just glad I have two days of rest ahead of me. Maybe I can run a train? I don´t know yet - my friend will hopefully be calling today.
This place has been quite empty lately. The list of MIA´s is more than a mile long. Just to name a few, who have not dropped by for a long time:
This list is by no means exhaustive!
Out of the more recent posters, Galaxy´s missing, Barry has not come in for a few days, Todd is a rather seldom guest, just like Rob.
Good to see Bama´s back!
I think we need to give this thread a little kick to attract new people and to "lure" old ones back. Any ideas?
The wife went to a ladies' bicycle clinic last night, so I went to a bar for dinner. Draft beer and a tasty gumbo, but now I've got heartburn.
My City Classics company houses should be waiting at my LHS by now. I think I'll make my standard loop of LHS, grocery store and hardware store after lunch. Later on it will be the mountain bike again, but I want to do a short ride on the road bike to decide if I've got the wheel straight enough or if I need a new one. I stopped in to a bike shop yesterday, and the mechanic told me that on a wheel as old as that one, 30 years, the spokes get brittle and it's cheaper to go with a whole new wheel than to replace the rim.
We are now entering that part of the year when I actually do a lot of modeling, because there's AC in the train room and the rest of the world is just too damn hot.
Mr. Beasley, I'm with you on the to heat deal. It is 90 F in SE Ohio this afternoon and I should be outside with the sawsall finishing a demo project but heading to the basement with A/C sounds better. Still a month before I head north to escape the heat.
Hope everyone has a good weekend.
Jim
back from the track, just having some pizza for dinner. The rain settled onto the track around 2:45 and nobody was running so we came home. Traffic was brutal out of toronto but it always is on the weekdays. Leaving tomorrow around 8:30 again
Evenin' folks!
Janie, I'd like a refil for my decaf, please...
Been a very interesting day around here in the Finger Lakes Region. I got outside well before lunch to start to mow the lawn. Got about 2/3rd.s of it mowed before the heat started to wear me out (and I needed to use the little room at the end of the hall in side...). So I put the mower away and plugged it in to get some charge on the battery. Checked on a couple items I needed to do inside and then had lunch. Just finished lunch and the contractor arrived.... He got to w*rk and I headed downtown to do some banking at the Credit Union. Wanted to get that done before the predicted thunderboomers showed before 3PM. At 3PM we got a few sprinkles and that was about it. I did get the whole lawn finished before we got any rain.
The contractor has about finished the project. Has only a couple minor things to finish, clean everything up and get all his saws and other tools packed in his truck. He did make one error cutting the (Expensive...) oak! He made a cut on the wrong side of the board.... He called me over and had an oh **** look on his face. Luckily the board did fit perfectly but the unfinished side was out. I looked at it, Laughed, and told him I wished I had a $ for every time I have done that. Told him to put it in place and I will stain and finish it there. No big deal...
He was just finishing up all the trim when I saw at the Weather Channel online that there were 5 (yes five!) active warnings for very strong and dangerous thunderstorms to roll through the Finger Lakes Region (along with several tornado watches for the same areas...)! There was one listed for Ontario County but it didn't include Geneva where I live. I headed to the living room to see if the contractor was aware of it (He has several jobs going at the same time...). He hadn't gotten a warning on his phone, but said it was starting to lightly rain outside. He pointed out the window and right as we looked it hit. Torrential rain and strong winds. The rain continued for about 45 minutes and dumped big time on us. It was pouring a sheet of water off the roof (literally an unbroken sheet of water all the way to the ground), the usually dry for the season ditch out back had about 5" or so deep running off going out the road which was completely covered in water running to the drain at the corner (usually it is just a stream of water by the side of the street...). I have lived in this house over 30 years and have never seen that much water come out of the sky that fast... I would guess that we got somewhere between 1.5 and 2" in about 45 minutes...
I'm going to go out and install more of the oak elecric outlet covers out there... catch you all later!
Good evening, a glass of ice tea and a dish of chocolate ice cream, please. After posting earlier this afternoon I did head for the basement to stay cool and finish the no. 4 turnout at the top of the turning wye. The whole wye is now finished and its time to layout and lay some more track. This evening I primed some more Homosote road bed.
We did receive a little rain this afternoon but nothing like Geneva Lakes. Just enough for the new grass seed which has already germinated after the finish of my gutter drain project just a week ago. I guess the grass came up about four days after seeding. Hot weather and a little moisture seems to be the ticket for getting grass started.
Pleasand dreams to all.
Evening Dinners
Flo, please.
Rob and Ray Thank you for saying something about my foot ulcher.
VA Front I called my CBAC today and caught hold of Vicki the nurse that over looks my case. She was stunned that a Intern and her Attending Dr look at my foot and did nothing! She said "When a Diabetic with your history comes in with a foot wound, they need to do somthing"! Then she played phone tag with Andy from the Hanger Clinc and he told her what he saw Thursday.
Bottom line, she got me a Antibiotic called in and I am taking it now. One of the reason's I think Andy had no luck calling the VA for me was he was calling the Attending Dr that saw me Thursday before last that DID NOTHING! I sort of hope he has got his caboosee in a Jam, but yet I feel some what sorry at the same time?
Besides getting the need med, only other good news is the Y6B is still running great! I sure missed running it. Next, I will see if I can get the Big Boy back on the rails.
Latter, Ken
Hey diners,
Does anyone have these feelings about our hobby. That you been buying freight cars and locomotives, and just got tired doing it all the time?
I been connecting freight cars and diesels since 2006 (almost all 9 years). Lately I'm getting a little tired by not having a layout.
The layout might get started next year. It might be BNSF or Conrail because of my freight car collection.