Good afternoon, everyone.
It's been another day where I've been busy but haven't accomplished much.
I have been working on a kitchen drawer. I have been using the table saw out in my shed, but it got too hot to stay out there very long. I go back and forth from the shed to work and then back inside the house to cool down.
Kevin, it sounds like getting a job is mostly to have something to do. You're still young, so that is probably a good idea.
When I retired, I thought about filling up some time by getting a part-time job. However, my days have filled up with some volunteer things I do, and with some projects I have. Now, at age near 70, I doubt I will look for much else to do.
While looking for photos, I came across this unusual one. It's an older photo, so I don't know how the colors have changed, but it looks like these locomotives almost have a purple tint:
This is on the BNSF Cresston Sub, with ballast headed to Plattsmouth, Nebraska, to repair flood damage in 2019:
Top of the Page! It's so hot and humid here, you can join me in a Dairy Queen break. I love these:
York1 John
I asked my doctor if I gave up delicious food and all alcohol, would I live longer? He said, "No, but it will seem longer."
Good morning, it is still raining but should turn to sunshine by noon and be sunny until further notice.
My wife is all but living at the hospital as her mother is so much better with her there. She is tormented with her dementia and is happier with the wife by her side. We don't think she will get out of the hospital, but who knows. Our mini-vacation on Vancouver Island after we drop off my Daughter for University will likely not happen. No biggie. I am sitting here trying to cover for the wife in the phone dept. as she had a lot going on this week.
SeeYou190 Thursday is lawn maintenance day
Gaming night I understand, but I thought you had a lawn care company, they can't cut the grass without you?
SeeYou190It always amazed my when I would be in Home Depot buying spray paint for a Cosplay prop, and someone would just walk up to me and ask "Will this circuit breaker be suitable for 8 gauge alluminum wiring?"
It is likely the way you carry yourself, you must have that look of self-assured confidence and look very approachable.
DoughlessMost young men think about being a husband and father in their early 20s. I didn't, but most do (maybe some shouldn't).
Ya, I saw marriages struggle and/or end because either or both partners did not have a chance to spread their wings first and knock off a few things on the bucket list. I never had plans to marry but I mellowed with age. Having kids was the best thing ever. Having them at an older age meant money was not an issue, energy was.
hon30critterI have a bit of experience with kitchen design but it is probably just enough to seriously bother the real kitchen designers.
We just had our kitchen done and had a designer come in. I was a little skeptical about that but it was a case of not knowing what we didn't know and in the end, the cost was well worth it.
Bear, love the Mount Cook pics. I went on a very long all-day hike up towards Mount Cook on a beautiful sunny day. A day that lives as a hi-light. Then in the same area, I went on a two-day backcountry adventure on horseback. The thing I remember about that was the horses were stunning, not the usual nags you end up riding on those sorts of trips. The trip was for experienced riders that allowed us a lot of latitude on where we went. It was such a good trip.
The lady whose Estate I am looking after was from big money in Massachusetts, she traveled the world her whole life up until she was 96. She would often tell of going to Mount Cook and running into Sir Edmund Hillary the day she arrived and they ended up having dinner together and they apparently had an interesting few days together by the sounds of it.
That photo of Lake Pukaki sure jarred the memory banks.
On that trip when I was taking the ferry over to the South Island I met this girl from Switzerland. I spent the next ten days with her, she left for Ballie and I went back to Australia and then onto Fiji. After we both got home we met and traveled together a few times. A trip around the Adriatic was a good one as well.
The Sun is out, time to go.
Another Rocky Mountain perch I rode the mountain bike into.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
SeeYou190I am 6' 7"
Well.... You are definitly somebody I would look "up" to!!! Our new Boy Scout District Executive is about 7' tall. He stands up.... and up..... and up!!!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
BATMANYa, I saw marriages struggle and/or end because either or both partners did not have a chance to spread their wings first and knock off a few things on the bucket list.
Your comment remined me of my FiL's comment at their 72nd. wedding anniversary party (in the Nursing home I might add). They were married at the age of 19 IIRC. He sat in his motorized scooter chair out side and was asked to say a few words about being married 72 years. He took a puff on his cigar, thought for moment and said, "Damn teenage marriages never last!" Then he grinned and took another puff on his cigar! (His wife was a perfect 10, btw and not just the way she looked. Absolutely wonderful, loving, and caring lady! Her daughter that I married took after her!
I have been asked why I never remarried, and my answer is always, "Nobody wanted me................ that I wanted!"
howmus SeeYou190 I am 6' 7" Well.... You are definitly somebody I would look "up" to!!! Our new Boy Scout District Executive is about 7' tall. He stands up.... and up..... and up!!! 73
SeeYou190 I am 6' 7"
Kevin will be very useful if the forklift breaks down.
howmus"Nobody wanted me................ that I wanted!"
I just about always had a girlfriend, very attractive knockouts that joined me in my semi-extreme adventurous lifestyle. However, I never wanted to marry any of them.
I had two very good friends that were both real sweethearts and both Veterinarians. They were workaholics devoted to their professions. I was a real free spirit, hopping on a plane whenever I wanted to, something they could never do. I knew my wife well for 14 years and one day I guess as I was starting to slow down a bit we started hanging out a lot more often and I really fell in love with her. She still asks why it took me so long as I later found out she had been interested in more than friendship for a long time. Thinking that I could have missed out on my life with her haunts me.
There was no doubt in my mind when I decided to marry her it was all I wanted. I have had people ask me if they thought they should marry someone. My response is always, the fact you are asking the question should be your answer.
Good evening Diners. A large coffee please, Janie.
A busy day today. Played cricket this morning. We won.
Lunch with friends.
Back to make dinner.
Back in the day the U.K. supplied locomotives to the world. Nowadays we get them from Canada and Japan!
Here are what we have now.
Liverpool to Scarborough.
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
POST HOG!!!!!
I am stuck at my desk and my daughter sends me this.
My truck is 21 years old and has taken us on many adventures over the worse roads. I don't really care about its wellbeing at this point in its history, BUT!...... I always tell my daughter to park it far away from other cars so I don't get door-dings. It is nice to know she listens.
I have a good selection of photos she has sent just like this one.
York1Kevin, it sounds like getting a job is mostly to have something to do. You're still young, so that is probably a good idea.
I just received a phone call from Home Depot that my background checks out OK. That took three hours... what did they even check? The background checks we did on new hires took seven days. I am completely convinced that they just needed a pulse, nothing more.
My orientation was moved to Thursday because the Tuesday session was full. The lady on the phone kept appologoizing for that. Like I care at all.
Yes, the job is just to have something to do. With what they are paying it will barely put a dent in the negative cash flow, but that does not matter. I will probably just be buying more trains.
howmusWell.... You are definitly somebody I would look "up" to!!! Our new Boy Scout District Executive is about 7' tall. He stands up.... and up..... and up!!!
That must be miserable for him. If there was an elective surgery I could have to make me 5' 11" tall I would do it tomorrow.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Someone that does not visit the diner asked me how I get my canopy on and off.
To put it on I back in under it, unhook the 2 x 4s from the chain letting them rest on the truck. I then climb in and push up with my back and slide the 2 x 4s out and and lower the canopy onto the truck and then clamp up.
To take it off the procedure is in reverse, obviously.
Heartland Division CB&QKevin ...... I was saddened as I read your update about your Sister In Law. Prayers continue. ... Sorry, I'm not interested in moving to Florida although you would most likely be a very good neighbor.
Thank you Garry.
I can understand you not ever wanting to move, I cannot blame you one bit there.
I am a great neighbor, I am the one everyone else can count on. I wish just half of my neighbors tried to be as good a neighbor as I am, but that will never happen.
BATMANGaming night I understand, but I thought you had a lawn care company, they can't cut the grass without you?
The lawn service I have is what is called a "quick cut".
All they do is mow, edge, and blow the clippings off of paved surfaces.
Horticultural yard waste is collected on Fridays. So, on Thursday I prune the trees and shrubs, make sure there are no weeds in the rocked areas, pick up any debris from the yard, gather the pine needles, and so on. Then I take it all to the streetside for collection. I also perform any necessary fertilization, insect treatments, or repairs.
Basically, I pay people to do what I don't enjoy, and I do the parts that make the yard look really good and I take pride in.
JaBear The Weka Pass Railway inspection car, built by the British firm of D. Wickham & Co in 1950, and was in NZR service until 1984.
The Weka Pass Railway inspection car, built by the British firm of D. Wickham & Co in 1950, and was in NZR service until 1984.
I have saved this picture to my idea file. If I ever do build a speeder shed, I would like to have one of these in it.
That rail speeder has pizzazz!
SeeYou190If there was an elective surgery I could have to make me 5' 11" tall I would do it tomorrow.
One of my university buddies was quite short, but not short enough to be a jockey. Horse racing was his passion. He seriously considered having a few inches of bone removed from his legs!
I'm 6'2", at least in the morning. I wouldn't want to be any shorter, or any taller!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Speeders, scooters and motorcars:
The Erie 300 sure looks like it has a family resemblance to the Wickham one shown by The Bear —
Erie 300 Inspection Car by Edmund, on Flickr
GMC_Bus by Edmund, on Flickr
and if your social status requires you to arrive in a Cadillac:
Keokuk_Jct_Cadillac by Edmund, on Flickr
I thought something like this would be a neat feature on a layout. This hump buggy would run out along the yard tracks on its own dedicated track. The brakemen would ride back to the top of the hump on it to save time and shoe leather from walking back after tying down a cut of cars.
PRR_Hump-Buggy by Edmund, on Flickr
Fun Stuff!
The plant manager at the GE facility I called home was Bob Nardelli. He was passed over to become CEO of GE so he moved on to Home Depot.
Bobby_edited-1 by Edmund, on Flickr
After his illustrious seven year career at Home Depot he was given his paltry $210 million "package" to move on to other ventures (Coca Cola, Chrysler). He was named one of America's all time worst CEOs.
Cheers, Ed
Good night
Late PM These Kids are really wearing me out
Thanks for the pictures of your holiday Bear! Well loved and much appreciated I'm so glad you and her in doors had such a good time
Thanks for the bridges Ed, David! I always enjoy a great bridge
These Kids up here don't put away the campfire Only I do for the last 3 nights
I wake up every morning and no one is around
I sit around in the garage from 6 in the morning the time I always get up They don't get up till about 9
I have this electric fly swatter and it comes in handy because there's a lot of bugs up here
The tower works but Judy doesn't seem to like me using it on my vacation
I leave you with this if I can Alan's psychedelic breakfast
From the sounds of it, it does sound like a good breakfast and believe me I haven't been suffering from that up here
Steel guitar again
I'll talk to you Kids later when I get in the next sneak! After 10:00 at night seems to be working now but maybe 6 in the morning tomorrow
That will always work on my watch
TF
I like the Post Hogs!
It's High Noon Kids, long after 11 and I'm hitting the rack!
Double post This is A, advance to point B
(B)ut I have to leave you with this one
Look at all the railroad tracks in that video among the happy sound
Of course it was only predicted
Anyone have any good ideas we're going next month?
Good morning Diners. Nearly lunchtime here, so I'll have a large coffee please, Flo.
TF I think we are visiting railroad/railway stations next month.
A film of the 'Blue Era' on British Railways.
1990s
ScotRail at Dalmeny Station. 2021
Thoughts & Peace to All who Require.
Thanks but — no thanks. No coal for me today
Blue Water and a Coaling Tower by Craig Sanders, on Flickr
Now just where did this guy get his backdrop photos?
The Green Bridge by Mike Danneman, on Flickr
The Royal Blue lives on!
CSX P001 by Todd Dillon, on Flickr
Actually this is pretty spiffy paint for these old F40s!
RE: The thread on track spacing
Crossing Logan Hill by Mike Danneman, on Flickr
Good morning. Black coffee, please.
Ed, those CSX locomotives look great. A good paint scheme and clean!
I'm making plans for a small hiking vacation for me. The woman who lives in my house does not want to go. I love hiking the national parks. Hopefully I can hit the right time for weather not too hot, but not too cold, either.
More North Platte, Nebraska:
Have a good day, diners!
York1More North Platte, Nebraska:
John,
I have fond memories of being just a mere boy of ten when my dad and I ventured west to visit the Durango & Silverton in 1966. We made an overnight stay at a "motor Court" on the outskirts of town (the interstate hadn't been finished yet) in North Platte.
UP_North-Platte by Edmund, on Flickr
In the evening my dad wanted to pick up a few newspapers and the place he went was the Union Pacific Station. I'll never forget the sights there as the City of Everywhere was coming in and minutes later a second train, just as long — eighteen cars or so — and a neat little SW-9 switcher went to work pulling cars out, adding other cars. They may have even made up a whole new train.
All I remember was thinking I've never seen so many clean, colorful sleeping cars and diner-lounge cars and chair cars... and the E8s, dozens of them. Just a beehive of yellow and gray activity.
About twenty minutes later a few horn toots and the sounds of throttling EMD engines and they were gone, off to who knows where.
Domeliner through Verdon by Mike Danneman, on Flickr
A lifelong memory.
Good morning
Railroad Stations sound good to me David. I have a few good pictures visiting some Depots through the years.
That's some good track spacing you found Ed. I like how the thin light beams shine on the ballest through the hoppers. As well as that beautiful green bridge I'd like to see some green machines on it Enjoyed reading your fond memory
I've always wanted to go to Colorado to see Durango & Silverton John Maybe someday.
Steady As She Goes floating on a cloud of steam like she does
Have a great day gentlemen
Post Hog!
I've been saving these pictures for a rainy day but it ain't raining up here today
Hopkins Minnesota.
It seems the government is spending a few billion dollars to re-route the Twin Cities & Western to hang a left or right instead of going way out of the way to get to those tracks that are up higher.
The approach.
Definitely a 2% grade don't you think?
It fascinates me how these new modern Bridge builders build Bridges like a game of Jenga balancing from the center support. It was my calculation that day the supports are two or three football fields apart if not more!!! These Engineers are evolving and Building Bridges like an art for sure
I'll meet you in the middle Dave! Sounds good to me Mike! Are you sure you have your latitude and longitude projections the same as mine because we're running out of room to re-adjust here?
Fascinating
Climb that hill in your own way....
I go well out of my way to visit this project periodically while I'm in town. I can hardly wait to see the trains run on it It will be like the icing on the top of the cake so to speak!
Building the Huey Long Bridge in New Orleans in the 1930s. You can see the railroad bridge in the distance with its long approach.
York1I'm making plans for a small hiking vacation for me. The woman who lives in my house does not want to go. I love hiking the national parks. Hopefully I can hit the right time for weather not too hot, but not too cold, either.
I woke up this morning and the sunshine was pouring into the room. The very first thing that came to mind was hiking up in the Rockies. I was thinking that if I was single and did not have all these commitments I would just hop in the truck, drive to one of the National parks near Banff and go for day hikes. With my arthritis I cannot carry any weight so backpacking is out, however, even on my worse days I can still put one foot in front of the other and go for a hike with a light daypack.
This time of year is the best with the fall leaves in all their splendor. The Grizzlies have very full tummies as well. I remember long ago with an old girlfriend, we would sometimes drive up to Lake Louise at the last minute, check into the Chateau Lake Louise or Banff springs, and spend a few day's day hiking. Come back at the end of the day and have a superb meal at the hotel and take it all in.
TF, good to hear from you. They have and are using the same construction methods with the Greater Vancouver transit system. Vancouver's system is the largest fully automated system in the world, at least it use to be. I am thinking that the one you showed is fully automated as well by the photos I saw online.
I think Vancouver has had the system for almost 40 years and I have not ever been on it.
Both my kids prefer transit almost every time and drive to the park and ride and go from there. We have a very long walk to catch a bus where we are so a car is a must, however, my daughter doubts she will ever buy a car, and since my son moved out he only uses the car to visit us. He has his own parking spot at work and still hops on the train instead of driving.
I am looking forward to fall, I usually do. If I had to work in an office I would not have survived.
This is the view 200 metres through the forest from my back door at my old house. Great hiking right out the back door.
I really miss living there at times but the trade-off was getting a big house on acres instead of a small house on a lot.
BATMANWith my arthritis I cannot carry any weight so backpacking is out, however, even on my worse days I can still put one foot in front of the other and go for a hike with a light daypack. This time of year is the best with the fall leaves in all their splendor.
I think the elevation has been my biggest problem lately. In July, I did some hikes at 9,000 feet, and I was not sure I was going to make it. I had to really slow down and take rests every so often.
York1 BATMAN With my arthritis I cannot carry any weight so backpacking is out, however, even on my worse days I can still put one foot in front of the other and go for a hike with a light daypack. This time of year is the best with the fall leaves in all their splendor. I think the elevation has been my biggest problem lately. In July, I did some hikes at 9,000 feet, and I was not sure I was going to make it. I had to really slow down and take rests every so often.
BATMAN With my arthritis I cannot carry any weight so backpacking is out, however, even on my worse days I can still put one foot in front of the other and go for a hike with a light daypack. This time of year is the best with the fall leaves in all their splendor.
I know how you feel, it is a symptom of getting old. All the fitness in the world can't stop that. My wife gives me H-E-double hockey sticks when I come off the bike sometimes because I am starting to turn blue. A clear sign of not enough oxygen, the same thing happens at altitude and our old geezer bodies can't compensate like the young punks we once were can.
Hi all,
Ed, love the old pictures. That Cadillac with the railroad wheels is an inspiration!
I did some networking with a local lawyer in the area about possibly hiring on as a legal assistant, and I liked meeting her a lot and she even messaged my advisor that they liked meeting me as well. I'm hoping that goes somewhere, even if it's parttime I'll take it and supplement from my old job and do gigs on the side for income.
On the MR front, once the Liquid Nails For Projects dries, the styrofoam base will be done on the shelf layout. I'm going to do a mix of Central Valley and Micro-Engineering Code70 track and turnouts. All #6s. I won an auction last week for a South River Model Works Cambridge Crossing kit (actually four kits) in one. It's my first hydrocal kit and I felt initially quite intimidated to do the window openings but decided to try some drilling with a bit in a dremel and opening the windows went super easy! However, I did realize that after about 20-years it's time to replace my Dremel (actually a craftsman) multi-speed rotary tool as there is a noticeable wobble and it does not turn as straight and true as it used too. I'll still keep it on hand for work not needing to be to precise. I'm selling a handful of trains to help fund the shelf layout. I already sold numerous plastic and resin freight car kits I'm not planning to build and have other models listed on the notorious auction site and a couple mailing lists. This includes some brass.
Alvie
DragonCon is next weekend in Atlanta.
My youngest daughter contacted me and wanted me to build some props for her cosplay costumes.
I have not built any CosPlay props in a couple of years. I got excited about doing this pretty quickly, and got to work.
I made a couple of spears that are currently hanging in the garage with the second coat of wood glue drying.
Tomorrow I need to put the finishing touches on this blade.
I had a really fun day working on these. This is by no means my best work, but it was a rush job. Still, it was great to spend some creative hobby time today.