Trains.com

Flat Wheel Cafe - Winter '09 Locked

14205 views
371 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,024 posts
Flat Wheel Cafe - Winter '09
Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 6:19 PM

Well, it appears that the cause of the server slowdowns may have been identified - 350 (more or less) pages of the Cafe.  This problem has been mentioned by the admins in the past and we need to pay attention to it.

So I'll go out on a limb and fire up a new "Cafe" thread.  While we seem overly preoccupied with virtual food at times, it is a place where we can share news and other events, commiserate about the weather, and generally chat with the "family" here on the forum.

There is a caveat, however - we need to "remodel" on a seasonal basis, so as to keep the size at a manageable level.   There is no reason to keep a thread such as this going for several hundred pages.

That said, if Bergie and the other admins determine that the Cafe should close for good, so be it (just let us know when you lock the thread). 

In the meantime - It's snowing here, and blowing, and it's supposed to get cold.  I'm hunkering down and staying in the house as much as I can tonight.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: US
  • 1,431 posts
Posted by Bergie on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 6:52 PM

 Hello everyone,

We need to get into the habit of creating new versions of this thread on a more regular basis (possibly monthly). As you may have noticed earlier, the forum speed was being killed by the varous "coffee shop" threads found throughout the forum.

Thanks for understanding.

Bergie

Erik Bergstrom
  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 7:57 PM

I brought in a calendar.  Maybe the 15th of every month - close and reopen? 

However, the good news is - I - notice the pronoun I - sealed our windows in the bedroom and now I don't have that constant draft.  Also found a window that was open at the top.  However, even with the heat vent closed - I wake up about midnite - overly warm.  (Almost turned on the ceiling fan last nite.)

Is it April yet?

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Muncie, Indiana...Orig. from Pennsylvania
  • 13,456 posts
Posted by Modelcar on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 8:14 PM

Mookie
However, the good news is - I - notice the pronoun

 

......The cold weather must have helped you to remember of the plastic we talked about J.....If that is what you used, I've heard it really does do a pretty good job of sealing out the leaks...{wind leaks}.

Yes.....This afternoon was terrible trying to get on here.  I was trying to get on to send Erick a message of what time {from 3:30 on }, the forum was so unresponsive I couldn't even get on to send him a message.

I also found an original photo on the internet today that proved the cell phone photo posted by Brian yesterday {I believe it was}, is correct of an original Lustron home....It showed one with an entrance door in the exact same location.

And....the cold is settling in....13 here now.  But we did escape todays snow prediction of 1 to 3"...Just flurries.  Now tomorrow might bring some....weather news a while ago said possible 3 to 5". If so, that will be the most of any one time this season yet.

Quentin

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Cedar Rapids, IA
  • 4,213 posts
Posted by blhanel on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 8:34 PM

Bergie
We need to get into the habit of creating new versions of this thread on a more regular basis (possibly monthly).

 

Would seasonally be enough, Erik?  Fits nicely with Larry's new title- we could "clean house" on the first day of each season.

Modelcar
I also found an original photo on the internet today that proved the cell phone photo posted by Brian yesterday {I believe it was}, is correct of an original Lustron home....It showed one with an entrance door in the exact same location.

Alright, thanks Quentin!

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 8:59 PM

A clean house?  I hardly recognized the place.  No smoke, no fire.

I seem to have triggered quite a discussion in the old place about Lustron Homes.  No doubt all of them that you folks have been seeing were Lustrons.  There were about nine of them in Louisville at one time.

If you come across one that hasn't been too heavily modified, you'll find that it has its own builder's plate--and builder's number!

There were at least six different house designs, four different exterior colors (blue-green, yellow, gray, tan).  They had two or three bedrooms, but the total area of the house was under 1000 square feet--very small when considering houses today (usually no basement, either).  One thing that was unique to all Lustron homes originally was a built-in machine that served as both a dishwasher and a clothes washer (depending on when you changed out the agitator).  A vanity and drawers in the master bedroom, a china closet and drawers in the dining area, and kitchen cupboards were all built in, as was plenty of closet space.

To keep railroading in the subject, Mr. Fetters' book reports that the Lustron company approached several midwestern and western railroads (including CNW, MILW, and RI) about the possibility of piggybacking the trailers with the home kits to the west (keep in mind that this was the late 1940s, well before piggybacking was common), and they turned them down, afraid of upsetting major lumber customers!

I've been in a twilight zone all evening, since a gastroscopy at the local hospital this afternoon.  Better skedaddle before the owners come around.  As soon as certain people come in, I'm so outta here!

Carl

Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)

CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Muncie, Indiana...Orig. from Pennsylvania
  • 13,456 posts
Posted by Modelcar on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:15 PM

CShaveRR

If you come across one that hasn't been too heavily modified, you'll find that it has its own builder's plate--and builder's number!

Carl.....Back in 1963 the first home that Jean and I purchased was a Gunnison home...{not sure of spelling}, and they were constructed by US Steel....It too had a builders plate and number....Located right {inside}, at the back door.  It too was about a 1000 sq ft. of space plus basement.

Triva:  Just this past summer we had a chance to reenter that home....Drove into the neighborhood and the owner and wife were setting on the front steps enjoying the evening.  I stopped the truck and backed back in the drive way and introduced myself, and so on and they invited us in to take a look and what a surprise.  He is an engineer and had put his touch into it and added a room to it...I could't believe how quaint and nice it was currently. He really had done a nice job with it...New kitchen and other updates and decorating, etc....

A touching experience.  We had sold it after living there about 5 years.

Quentin

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,024 posts
Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 11:28 PM

blhanel

Would seasonally be enough, Erik?  Fits nicely with Larry's new title- we could "clean house" on the first day of each season.

Can't speak for Bergie, but I think we need to keep the page count under 90 or 100, maybe even less.  It took us almost exactly 11 months to get to ~350 pages, so a quarterly (seasonal) change would usually keep us under 100.  A monthly change would keep it even smaller, which is desirable as well.  We'll go with Bergie's guidance.  If he says the seasons are fine, so be it.  Otherwise mark your calendars for the 15th (per Madam la Mook).

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Louisville, KY
  • 9,002 posts
Posted by cherokee woman on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 6:15 AM

Good morning, everyone.  Carl, nice to see you in here.  Stop in any time.  

We have a temp of either 18 or 19 degrees this morning, depending on the source of information.  Very, very cold for our area; believe they said the wind chill this morning is down in the single digits (I believe I remember hearing 2 degrees wind chill).  

Coffee, juices, hot chocolate, etc., are ready to go this morning, and regular breakfast menu is on the warmer bar, including bagels and bear claws.  

You all have a good morning, stay warm and take care.

 

Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,324 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 7:06 AM

good morning

cold and snow showers here in nw ohio.CW thanks for breakfast.Apparently q 351 has permission to go on track 1(probably at reduced speed) and head west for Carl.Us 24 was reopened last night at 7 pm.Time for a nap.mookie you have a S 381(second section) coming your way.

stay safe

joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,024 posts
Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 7:34 AM

cherokee woman
We have a temp of either 18 or 19 degrees this morning, depending on the source of information

Put a minus in front of that and you have what I saw at my house this morning...

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 8:31 AM

mmphhfffffttttt......

Morning paper blew over my face.  Sunny, bright morning - no snow again - but 9 above.  Not a typical January.  We never have this much sun.  And we always have snow, snow, snow.  But we have wind, so "sweeping down the plains" is still ok.

Joe - won't be out to see what you are sending.  However, I am sure it will "blow by"....Oh dear, I am starting to sound like another forum member.....Blush

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Muncie, Indiana...Orig. from Pennsylvania
  • 13,456 posts
Posted by Modelcar on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 9:49 AM

At this late morning hour we have 18.5 degrees.  Blowing light snow has been occuring since I have been up. Radar does show it to be moving on and we should soon see it minimize...In fact, it's getting brighter now.  But no sun.

Forecast has lowered estimate snowfall to 2 to 4" in the area.  The really cold will settle in overnight.  Believe Friday morning will be the lowest.

Don't have plans to drive anywhere in the area today....no need to.  Tomorrow we'll be attending a viewing at our church and a memorial service the following day for a dear friend who has passed on.  That will not be very pleasant for the family at graveside with the temp we're projected to have for Friday.

Quentin

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Kenosha, WI
  • 6,567 posts
Posted by zardoz on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 10:02 AM

Oh No!  Does this policy also apply to the (rarely used and mostly forgotten) "Humor" thread? 

 http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/t/7594.aspx?PageIndex=1

This one has been around since September of '03, and has become (IMHO) a classic, with 229 pages so far.  I like going in there occassionally and just wander around aimlessly; sometimes it's just what I need to lighten my day.

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: MP 175.1 CN Neenah Sub
  • 4,917 posts
Posted by CNW 6000 on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 10:19 AM

zardoz

Oh No!  Does this policy also apply to the (rarely used and mostly forgotten) "Humor" thread? 

 http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/t/7594.aspx?PageIndex=1

This one has been around since September of '03, and has become (IMHO) a classic, with 229 pages so far.  I like going in there occassionally and just wander around aimlessly; sometimes it's just what I need to lighten my day.

I hope not!

Dan

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 10:25 AM

I hope not, too, Jim.  Somebody could shorten that thread a little if they were to eliminate the "Good one!" comments and the duplications.

Has this become more of a problem with the new provider having only 15 items per page instead of 20?  That increased the page count significantly.

Playing hooky from work today under doctor's orders, but getting paid for it anyway.  Get to go back tomorrow, when the temperature is not likely to rise above zero.

Carl

Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)

CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Winston-Salem, NC
  • 247 posts
Posted by piouslion1 on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 11:28 AM

Home with a bad cold today, seems that the bug gets to folks that  work with large groups of people daily.

Sunny and very cool (that is to say slightly at or above freezing) today in            Winston-Salem NC.

I was wondering Miss Paula if you still had in mind that great beef and veggie stew with cornbread for supper sometime soon? Great for cold days and guy's stuck home with colds (pun intended)

PL 

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 11:42 AM
I thought my email inbox looked bare this morning--no comments from the Flat Wheel Cafe today. Now I know. When I tried to go from page one to page to of the new thread, I was given this message:

Oops something went wrong!

Either the site is offline or an unhandled error occurred. We apologize and have logged the error. Please try your request again or if you know who your site administrator is let them know too.

I hope that this was a one-time thing. Can any of you explain "unhandled error"?

Carl, I trust that if anything bothersome was found in your gastro that it will be taken care of quickly and properly.

We may yet get our gift from Canada. Currently, one local channel predicts a low of 28 and a high of 45 every day for the next week, with a dark cloud hanging over us as a high pressure cell moves in. It will be warmer up at the ski resorts than it will be here, and we may well have fog.

Several years ago, we really had fog at night, and I missed a turn after leaving work at midnight. Rather than back up, I continued until I reached a point where I knew I would have to make a sharp right turn to get back to where I wanted to go. After making the turn, I thought that the road was a bit bumpier than asphalt should be--and realized that I was on the Rio Grande's line out to Magna and Kennecott. I did back up then, and got back to where I wanted to go.

Johnny

Johnny

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Louisville, KY
  • 9,002 posts
Posted by cherokee woman on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 11:57 AM

Roy, you must have read my mind this morning.  I have made a big ole pot of beef stew, w/plenty of veggies and beef, along with two containers of cornbread.  One container is just plain cornbread, and the other container is slightly sweetened cornbread.  There's also some chili (both mild & medium), and some vegetable beef soup, and some navy bean soup.  All guaranteed to warm everyone up (the inside of us, anyway).  

Everyone stay as warm as possible, and be sure to bundle up real good before going outside!  I think we have enough of us around here with colds, etc., that we don't need anyone  else getting sick.  We want everyone to be well!!

Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 12:37 PM

Deggesty
Carl, I trust that if anything bothersome was found in your gastro that it will be taken care of quickly and properly.

Johnny

Thanks, Johnny.  This is a biennial checkup.  At the very first one they found three problems.  One is hereditary and can be lived with.  Another has disappeared, and the last one is being kept under control with medication, and actually showed signs of improvement since the last check (something I never expected).  Samples were taken for biopsy, but that's more or less routine, and I don't expect any bad news from that.

Carl

Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)

CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Hampshire, England
  • 290 posts
Posted by germanium on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 12:39 PM

You've all got it wrong ! Faced with the threat of a karaoke machine, Bergie and the cops closed the diner on public health grounds, so the landlord gave us new premises down the street.

Dennis 

 

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: Rockton, IL
  • 4,821 posts
Posted by jeaton on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 2:31 PM

Things seem to be back to normal, but I did encounter the time-out earlier this morning.  I have never been in a place with a karoke machine.  Frankly, my bucket list has that on the "never do" side.

The frigid air has arrived from up north and is going to hang out until Saturday.  I would have kinder thoughts for our friends from Canada if they would keep their weather to themselves. 

Since it used to be my step-daughter's unit, I think about our friends in the US Army Field Band that will be the lead unit in Inaugural Parade next Tuesday.  It appears that the weather in DC will be in the high 30's so it won't be the worst ever.  The veterans in the unit would rather have other things to do for that day.  As a concert band, they much prefer to perform places where the temperature is a steady 70 degrees.  It is not only the parade, but security requires that the parade units report to a staging area very early in the morning.  Field tents and portable "facilities" are provided, but otherwise it is standing around for hours.

"We have met the enemy and he is us." Pogo Possum "We have met the anemone... and he is Russ." Bucky Katt "Prediction is very difficult, especially if it's about the future." Niels Bohr, Nobel laureate in physics

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,324 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 3:39 PM

afternoon

very fine snow falling now.mother nature has opened up the freezer.Cw thanks for the stew.Time to get ready for work.

stay safe

Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Muncie, Indiana...Orig. from Pennsylvania
  • 13,456 posts
Posted by Modelcar on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 3:49 PM

Deggesty

Oops something went wrong!

I got that message too earlier this afternoon as well as I couldn't get the forum to respond much at all.  Now as I came back on about 4:30 ET, it seems to be back up to good speed.

Quentin

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 4:39 PM

Well, I guess it's time to close the Trackside Lounge--it has been deemed "excess baggage", as has been the latest "Railroad History Quiz".

So, if nobody minds, I'll just build a small addition at the appropriate end where the quiet, fun-loving, intellectual (have I covered everybody?) railfans can hang out, talk photography, ask questions, etc.

For those who need it, here's the link to the old Lounge:  http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/t/106091.aspx

You'll find me in this new lounge a lot, but not necessarily doing much talking.

Carl

Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)

CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Winston-Salem, NC
  • 247 posts
Posted by piouslion1 on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 5:17 PM

cherokee woman

 big ole pot of beef stew, w/plenty of veggies and beef, along with two containers of cornbread.  One container is just plain cornbread, and the other container is slightly sweetened cornbread.  

And it sure was good! ! !

Feeling a bit better now 

Thanks

PL

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Florence, SC
  • 1,614 posts
Posted by grampaw pettibone on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 5:25 PM

Good evening. I too ran afoul of that error message earlier and gave up. I guess it's just growing pains. Paula, thanks for supper. I like beef stew or veggie soup when it's done right, and am a firm fan of sweetened cornbread. It don't get much better than that. I had another visit with the quack today. He may be a great surgeon, but he is also a world class sourpuss. I wish he had a better view on things. Everybody take care and stay warm

Tom

COAST LINE FOREVER

It is better to dwell in the corner of a roof than to share a house with a contentious woman! (Solomon)

A contentious woman is like a constant dripping! (Solomon)

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Aledo IL
  • 1,728 posts
Posted by spokyone on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 5:37 PM
Deggesty

Oops something went wrong!

 

Johnny

(raising hand). My new signature was too wide. That was fouling things up for me. I've had trouble for a few days. Fixed now.
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Winston-Salem, NC
  • 247 posts
Posted by piouslion1 on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 7:08 PM

Mr. Tom

Maybe he just did'nt get to eat as well as we did to day. Perhaps a glass of buttermilk to go with the corn bread would help the guy's disposition at least a little bit.

PL

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 7:25 PM

Boy - the forum now just about rips the mouse right out of your hand!  What a difference!

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

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