Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Leon, just give me a cup of coffee, please! No, not tonite!
My first plan for tonight was to catch up on everything that happened here this week, but there was too much problems,too much frustrations so I have to postpone it another day or so. You think that when they are "upgrading/updating" something things should improve, get better, easier, more fun. But I guess that is not what the goal is/was. I certainly don't understand them.
So I will not spend too much time here tonight, but before I go I will post something very classic. I've have shown it before, but it is worth a rerun!
I'll also show this view from a former classic railroad station, Union Station, St. Louis.
Round for the house!
Eric
All right Leon I'm back for a refill.I'll drop off a couple more photo's for everyone to ponder.
Here's a cringe worthy photo. this wrap is not near as attactive as the Budwiser one, it was however the number two unit on our trip on the Ocean in 2006.
A shortline shot in Sault Ste Marie (2002)
A unique workcar at the Rockhill Trolley museum.This is a single truck workcar from Oproto Portugeal.
Museum shot.
Rob
Good evening Leon. Lets see a CR with a Keith's chaser if you don't mind. I'll leave an extra twenty for a round as well.
Tom- I have to say I'm still not in love with this new system. I haven't got a post to work from word yet,so I'm back to just typing in the "post" box and hoping that it does not get eaten by gremlins.
Nice to hear that the basement dig is comming along well,it will be nice when your is dry as a desert again.
This was the first election that I worked , the money such as it was went into the Christmas shopping jar.As frightening as that is we're basically at two months and counting now. They paid us twelve bucks an hour to basically sit on our butts so what the heck.
When I went to the station on Thursday night to shoot the you know what and collect my prise from John,I noticed that VIA finnally bit the bullet and dug up the foundation of the station to address a long standing leak and sagging,new footings and reatining wall inplace and they were just waiting to remove the concrete forms and fill the hole back in.
Fergie-Yes I did get my prise last night . Thank-you sir.John only made me buy three Atlas two bay covered hoppers to get it. It is a nice little shop too bad they are on the closing stages. The other little shop in the city is in a guys garage.He is an electronics guy so his shop is mostly the electronic gizmo's and gadgets and high end craftsman kits. I know all up your alley but he's not open on Sunday's.
The corridor trains are what they are I suppose but they are usually on time + or - 15 minutes.They never are high on service , unless you pay the extra for VIA one. i find the run from Brantford to Toronto isn't long enough to merrit the extra cash.
Allan-Yes the new forums quirks are a tad trying but we shall over come.
Pete-Nice to see you in briefly, hope your having a whale of a time.
Nice to see Eric and Shane in with comments as well.Kept as a busy as possible which is a good thing to quote a Martha Stewartism.
Nick-Loved the latest batch of photo's sir.Some great looking steam and the shiot of the commuter train absolutly popped off the page,a ton of detail.
Hi Tom and all,
Leon, the usual round of Tui`s for all the guys` please.
Eric. Sorry to hear about your page problem, luckily I already had Windows browser version 8 but still find it a lot slower to load the pages just now, hope you can resolve the problem.
Nick. Good to see you. A very nice selection of Brit railway pix from you once again.
CM3. Glad you`ve mastered the changes to the site. A very interesting bit of news on the B&P RR track abandonment and the MILW 261 railfan happening.
Fergie. Good job you had some navigating training, this site needs a lot more finesse reading the charts.
Tom. Good to hear the work is progressing steadily, sounds as if you`ve got a couple of walking wounded but at least they are getting results. One of my mates said that age was a state of mind, but the body wo`nt listen. Would love to do the flicks but would not be able to upload the posters, anyway you are doing a 1st class job of it, and as the old saying goes "If it works, do`nt fix it!" Sounds as if the new site is causing quite a bit of frustration, it takes a heck of a long time to load the pages down here at the moment, hope it`s just a minor hiccup with it being new and just needs a bit of fine tuning?
See ya, Allan
G'day Gents!
I've spent the better part of TWO hours totally wasted in trying to get a pre-prepared Post to transfer from Word to the Forums. Totally useless . . . lots of time blown. So, for those who say "all is fine" or "it works for me" - I say: depends on what you are trying to do. For the simple narrative with NO Fotos or graphics, perhaps. And IF you're not into colors ‘n different font sizes - perhaps. But it just isn't working for Moi. So, unless ‘n until something changes for the better - I'm afraid things are going to be drastically scaled down from my end of things.
I see we have another "happy" customer - so let's get right to it <wonder how many times it will take for me to get this "simple" acknowledgment to transpose from Word to the Forums <barf> THIS IS NOT FUN.
Page 49 – CM3 Shane <coalminer3> at 3:46 PM <4:46 PM EDT>: Good to see ya twice in one daylite period!
Comments above refer to "most of them seem to be working."
The bright note on this day <for Moi> is that work has proceeded exceedingly well with the "big dig" - given no interruptions, looks like a mid-week finish. I'm impressed . . .
Sorry, but I'm just not of a mind to chit-chat - so let me simply offer my continuing thanx for your support for what we're trying to achieve ‘round here!
And yes, GO SOX!
Bon weekend, mon ami!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Tom
Here's something NOT seen at the bar 'n presented for the enjoyment of our customers. Also trying to find out if my format compatibility between Word 'n the Forums is on the right track . . .
TGV trainsets are manufactured primarily by Alstom, now often with the involvement of a subcontractor, such as Bombardier. Except for a small series of TGVs used for postal freight between Paris, Lyon and Provence, the TGV is primarily a passenger service. Trains derived from TGV designs operate in South Korea (KTX), Spain (AVE) and USA (ACELA Express).
For remainder of narrative, click the link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TGV
For additional narrative, click the link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/InterCityExpress
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinkansen
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Enjoy!
Here's something not seen at the bar 'n presented for the enjoyment of our customers AND to continue testing the format exchange from Word to the Forums . . .
France
TGV trainsets are manufactured primarily by Alstom, now often with the involvement of a subcontractor, such as Bombardier. Except for a small series of TGVs used for postal freight between Paris, Lyon and Provence, the TGV is primarily a passenger service. Trains derived from TGV designs operate in South Korea (KTX), Spain (AVE) and USA (ACELA Express). <from: wikipedia.com>
Namely Tōkaidō Shinkansen is the world's busiest high-speed rail and carries 375,000 passengers a day. Though largely a long-distance transport system, the Shinkansen also serves a few regular commuters who travel to work into metropolitan areas from cities beyond the metropolitan areas. <from: wikipedia.com>
Good afternoon Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. I'm trying out all sorts of things with the forum and most of them seem to be working. Hey, Awk, what does this button do?
I read the accounts of last night's hoorah in the Boston Whizbang this morning. They had a nice set of 62 pictures so I feel like I didn't miss all that much.
Buffalo paper had a somewhat sad story yesterday about how the the B&P hopes to bandon 28 miles of track between Orchard Park and West Valley, NY. A quote says, "Affected would be 27.6 miles of track...from just north of ...Orchard Park to West Valley in Cayyaraugus County." The track passes through Aurora, Colden, and Concord (and close to mom's home place. The last train ran in 1997. The last picutre I got along there was of a trio of SD45s(!) There was a big flood and washouts after that and that was the end of everything.
For those who are ferroequinological classicists (affter all we must use big words since this are a new forum (lol)) this line was orriginally part of the dearly beloved Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh (one of my all-time favorites) and then part of the B&O. The Buffalo&Pittsburgh, the current owner, is part of Genesee & Wyoming. There is a lot of hisotry along the right of way if you know where to look so guess what I'll be doing while up there later this year.
OK, Boris, time for a story, MILW 261 ran a special train over the line, and I had the experience of watching a faverish railfan bury his SUV in a cornffield when what he thought to be was a road to get closer to the tracks turned out to be a mud wallow - this happened after he drove in a most alarming and erratic manner to get there,
Well better wind this up - happy weekend to all. Go Sox!
work safe
Let's get right to it:
Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative):
Page 49 – Fergie <Fergmiester> at 11:18 AM <1:18 PM ADT>:
Well, well - looks like Fergie figured out how to make a Post <again> to the bar on this Friday! Noticed a screwed up one <perish the thought on these new 'n improved Forums> then apparently deleted - then a reappearance. Can't hide from our surveillance crew <gotcha>! <grin>
From the appearance of your Post, sure looks like a formatting "thing" has impacted you as well. <uh oh>
Hey! We don't refer to anyone's proper names when defaming them 'round here. <geesh> The last thing we need is for you or anyone to bring down the "wrath" of the LOCKMASTER upon our humble abode. After all, we were LOCKED at 63 <old count> when the rest of the Forums went unscathed.
Where in the world did YOU get THAT notion anyway
I don't follow the exchange rates between our countries UNLESS planning a trip. It's a far cry from the $1.55 against the Canadian Loonie a few summers ago . . . that stuff is really for the banks who deal in milliions not the likes of Moi who dibbles 'n dabbles. BUT of course, you being deep into the international hobby trade . . . <grin>
Corned beef on rye with waffle fries Good Gawd Gertie, the man DOES have a cast iron gut! <yikes>
Many thanx for the good cheer, visit 'n business!
Take care BROTHER Fergie . . . see ya in church! <uh oh>
Oh yeah, took me 3 edits just to get the "brown" portion squared away for formatting transfer . . .
Good Afternoon Cap’n Tom and Crew!
Beer and Corned Beef on Rye Please and some waffle Fries!
Rob: Did ya get your prize?
Not much on the go here as I completed physio this morning and realize immortality will have to wait! Yes this “Old” crap is a real nuisance!
Yes how-a-bout those Bo-Sox! It ain’t over until the fat Lady Sings or sinks
Nick nice bit of photos! Especially enjoyed the ones of the track guages. Wonder if I could ever incorporate that into the MESS as a dock scene? Eastern Canada had multiple guages (Newfoundland).
Yes and thank You Tom… For reminding me of our beloved $$$$ as it is down to
$.84 US. Yes say it isn’t so! Good Thing we kept our trip to Ontario as a trip across the border would have been prohibitive. Gas this morning in Halifax is at $1.07 / litre
Shane: If your going to talk about Deer in that manner then we should think about having some deer steaks served up one of these days…SOON!
Pete: Glad you found the time to drop in from your busy drinking traveling schedule! Do us all proud!
Eric: Sorry to here about your woes! Been reading about other issues on the MR site. Take heart you are not the only one with issues but also the issues are slowly resolving themselves as the bugs are ironed out.
Allen: Yes it took a bit of time bit I am here and firmly plated! Despite what Tom threatens me with!
And NO I am not one of Bergie’s disciples! I just like it here.
Any gents I have a few matters to attend to this afternoon so I'm outta here
Fergie
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5959
If one could roll back the hands of time... They would be waiting for the next train into the future. A. H. Francey 1921-2007
In my quest to master the CHANGES, I'm trying this ‘n that with the formatting - so these "real time" responses are perhaps a bit more frequent than in the past. Still way off for me to submit my pre-prepared material - that's going to take TIME to ensure format compatibility. <ugh>
So, let's see how this one turns out! <grin>
Page 49 –CM3 Shane <coalminer3> at 9:19 AM <10:19 AM EDT>: Great to see that things have settled down for our working-stiff out in WVA! <grin> It's tuff when one has to earn their keep in order to maintain a level of lifestyle, eh Not to mention eating, housing, clothing, etc. <grin>
Ya gotta read today's Boston Globe sports section - it's a good accounting of last nite's 2-out comeback in the 7th inning by your BoSox . . .
As mentioned previously, the "big dig" is proceeding toward completion. Have the same 2 guys back this morning, so we'll see . . . weather is excellent, cool, crisp ‘n clear.Juneau has had 2 walks thus far <each in excess of a mile> ‘n we're gearing up for another! Oh, the merry chase he has me on! <grin>
All kinds of ‘stuff' out there regarding the CHANGES to the Forums. Noticed that Fergie has chimed in as well - he usually does in a positive manner. I suspect he's one of the LOCKMASTER's Discipiles! <uh oh> <grin> Ooooooooops, that should awaken him! Wish I could direct youse guyz to these Threads - but I'm afraid that's a bit too challenging right now! <ugh>
Appreciate your support for keeping this going during daylite - which is the most important part of the day insofar as interaction is concerned. Anyway - THANX! Also, ROUND ‘n quarters help immensely! <KaChing> <KaChing> Hmmmmmm, have you adjusted the amount of quarters for inflation Hmmmmmm.
AND this is the 5th attempt at getting this Post to Format correctly from Word to the Forums. <barf>
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. Heavy fog here this a.m. (right on the deck) with deer all over the place – that’s right Boris, it rained and they’re on the move. Gas is at $2.99/gal this a.m. and I went to bed b4 the Red sox staged their comeback – the games start too late and when you’re up and about around 5:00 a.m., you have to keep to schedule.
First off, my apologies for not posting. It had nothing to do with the forum changes but rather with a lot of unexpected stuff that came up at work. It’s quieting down for a moment so I’m truly in catch up mode.
Nor much to say about the new forum except that it’s a bit hard to navigate. Custom zooming the pages has solved the size problem; I set it at about 85 percent and text is about 11-12 point and the pictures are within reasonable limits. We shall get there.
Nick has been in with all sorts of model and prototype information. Your layout work continues – remember, it’s only a hobby, it’s only a hobby. The shot of the 0-6-0 in your last set of pictures (last photo in fact) was a keeper. Last issue of Steam Glory had an article on specially painted southern Pacific 0-6-0s which were used as passenger switchers at different terminals such as Oakland, Sacramento, etc. Colorful paint jobs and decorations abound.
Rob was in with pictures.
Fergie visited as well.
Eric – I understand your frustrations – puters are great when they work. I enjoyed your story about our friends from the eastern side “twisting the lion’s tail.” Aircraft do tend to calm things down a bit.
Pete – Hello: I hope you are enjoying yourself.
OSP – see my comments above re the Red Sox. I did see the highlights on ESPN earlier today. Nice set of logos you have been using as headers. Also have enjoyed the series of NKP pictures. One of NKP 760 is actually a PRR train (behind a K4) near Englewood. There are a lot of mail and express cars on this one – maybe it is the Duquesne. Anyway, good picks all. Speaking of picks, I trust the entrenching work is going o.k. at your place.
Call of The Trains is supposed to be here either today or tomorrow – looking forward to this one as I mentioned in my email.
Well, let’s see if we can cut and paste files in this new iteration of the forum. Holy cow! It did what it was supposed to do.
Work safe
<In my modest hardcover RR book library!>
Friday has rolled ‘round once more - a relief for the working crowd! <grin> Join us for breakfast as our coffee is brewing, pastries freshly stocked in The Mentor Village Bakery Case ‘n our breakfasts ready to order from Our Menu Board - featuring <light> ‘n <traditional> bills o' fare!
Turned the TV off when the BoSox were "out of it" by the 7th inning. Ha! They have to be the best come-back team of this era. Unbelievable turnabout!
Did watch my Blues on the split screen as they continue to amaze on the ice. They beat the Stars, handily ‘n are off to a fine start this season. Leading the league in power plays ‘n other "stuff." Yeah, it's early - but good to see. Luv hockey!
Also heard that the Blues have the lowest average ticket prices whereas Toronto is the highest.
It’s “You Post, I Post” at the Bar by the Ballast!
Page 49 – Allan <Gunneral> at 7:47 PM <1:47 PM Friday NZ DST>: Always a treat to have our Resident Downunder Kiwi swing by!
A fine all-inclusive effort from our FlickMeister! Covered the bases well ‘n provided a bit o' this ‘n that for the crew! Too bad your connection situation is so tenuous, otherwise I'd relegate the "duties" to you of putting together our Emporium Theatre listings for the week. Something I'm sure you'd do a great job with . . .
The "big dig" has slowed to a crawl, unfortunately. One of the guys has had an injury <not job related> ‘n it has really put a crimp in his ability to get on with the labor. The other guy had a medical appointment which turned yesterday into another half day. Wondering about this day as well as the guy with the foot problem has a visit to the Doc in mid-afternoon. Seems the contractor has run out of workers as he's had a tuff week of it with several not showing up - therefore no extra help available! Oh well . . . "stuff" happens. BUT there is a light at the end of the tunnel - they aren't that far from completion. So, I suspect it will all be history by this time next week! <phew>
I'm tempted to "boot up" ‘n jump in the trench to help things along - but I'd definitely be more of a hindrance than help. Then I'd have to suffer the consequences of my over exuberance with the worsening pains in my hands ‘n back. Old age is for old people! <grin>
Many thanx for the visit, chat ‘n ROUND!
Page 49 – Eric <EricX2000> at 1:37 AM <11:37 PM Sandbox time>: And our Resident DESERT Almost-Retired Swede made it "in" with a narrative to keep things alive at the betwitching hour! <grin>
Extremely unsettling to know that you're having such a terrible time at what should be fun. After all, that's what this bar was created for ‘n I'd have to make the assumption the Forums were as well. It's hardly fun when one spends an inordinate amount of time ‘n effort just to try ‘n get things to a baseline of acceptance. If you, perhaps our most astute ‘puter user ‘n techie are having this kind of problem, then there IS something gone wrong. We can hope there are efforts underway to correct these problems - that is IF the concerns are being read through Email sent to Kalmbach <which I know you have sent>.
Thanx for helping us out thru remaining with us, but oh so sorry that our Sandman is displeased . . . ain't the same ‘round here without the good cheer from EricX2000! <groan>
Appreciate the ROUND - of course!
Page 49 – Nick <nickinwestwales> at 5:45 AM <11:45 AM GMT>: An unexpected pleasure having our Resident Musician in Wales drop by for breakfast with the gang!
Was surely wondering whether we'd have a severe drought set in as nearly 7 hours elapsed between Posts at the bar . . . we're just at a point where it's very difficult to figure out when our <GoR> will show up. But, thanx to you - things began rolling again as the night sky took over.
Noticed your Foto sizes were automatically reduced, which is a good feature BUT surely wonder why it seems to be so selective Perhaps no answer to that one - just as the "new" narrower Page has made things even more - ummmmmmmmm - different. <barf>
As always, a fine spate o' Pix for the gang! Are you downsizing those Fotos or is that a Forum's "thing." It's not a bad idea ‘n if the Forums is responsible it would be nice if ALL Pix received the "treatment."
That Whitland scene is a <keeper> fer sure, fer sure as is that mixed gauge track shot.
No way will there be pay! That's not part of the deal from this side of the pond. Remuneration for postage can always be arranged in some other fashion - but the devices are excess to my needs ‘n if you can use ‘em, your most welcome!
Narrower Pages equates to a quicker arrival at LOCKDOWN! <barf>
I noticed that there's a "blurb" next to my cyber name for me to subscribe to Classic Trains Magazine - hmmmmm, I have a subscription thru 2012! Apparently that too is without explanation . . . <triple barf>
Well, no point in the sniping bit, eh I mean unless ‘n until we relocate, this is what we're destined to put up with . . . it's FREE afterall. <grin> But then again IS IT for everyone I'd wager a guess that the money some of us put forth for subscriptions ‘n other purchases from Kalmbach are bank-rolling at least a bit of these Forums.
Many thanx for your wake-up call!
Reminder: Ruth has the bar from 9 AM until Leon the Night Man comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing.
TODAY is Pizza ‘n Beer Nite! - and - Steak ‘n Fries Nite!
Saturday is Steak ‘n All The Trimmings Nite!
Dinner begins at 5 PM so come early ‘n often!
Cindy is our Saturday bartender!
Morning chaps (well it is here anyway) just a quick note through the door-the rest of the crew are off walking for the day so I am gonna sneak off to the train shed for an hour or two -Will be back later with some catch ups-good to see plenty of action about the place I see the page size has been narrowed to fit in adverts .................Hmmmmmmmm..
TOM-A wonderful & generous offer my friend...-will check up the `spec` on the stuff and if I can use them will give you a fair price for them (that bit is non-negotiable)--If you won`t accept cash,then I have another idea which I suspect you will find difficult to resist
Right,lets try a pic or two to start the day rolling
img{}/img
Down Milford Haven service at Whitland
Mixed bag from the Vale of Rheidol
A pair of retired switchers on the quay at Milford,before the re-development-since gone for scrap I believe
Mixed broad & standard gauge tracks at the G.W.R society centre at Didcot
A nice little `kettle`-this is the 4ft gauge forerunner of the Llanberis Lake line that PETE & i showed pix of recently (little quarry Hunslets in red,yellow & blue liveries plus a funicular wagon hoist)
Right-off to pin some rail-it`s a through-the-window job,so best get it done whilst its dry out.......
Have a good day one and all
later
Leon, coffee and a cheese danish, please!
A very brief stop tonight before I hit the sack. This evening was way too short because of other things that had to be taken care of and trying to post something now is time consuming. If the post I am replying to is short it isn't too bad, but if it is longer, like twice the length of Allan's post (above) all kind of strange things are happening when I am scrolling down to the bottom of the post in order to type my message. Parts of the post are disappearing and then partly popping up again before disappearing again. The message area is only partly visible. Crazy, very poor job!
Sorry for being so negative but I couldn't believe that Kalmbach would do it again, screw up this place totally, narrowing the number of browsers to 2. I already have two different browsers in my computer because of Kalmbach and now they want me to add a third one. No way! 2 1/2 years ago both worked just fine and now no one does!!! I wonder who is at fault?
I'll try to stop by tomorrow with an inclusive post.
Rob. Great to see you made it into the new place, looks like we had the same hassles. A nice set of train and trolley pix, they look a lot sharper on this site. N scale is a bit of a challenge, but I`ve found that I do best having something as a challenge. Good to hear you're doing your bit for the community over there.
Eric. The ICE train was a lucky guess, the German labels were the giveaway. Hope you`ve got over the getting on site problem by now? Who would have thought of a NURSES station pic, very topical for Our Place!
Nick. They model NZ rail in Hon3.5 scale mostly and NZ 120 on N track. Congratulations on the fine selection of your layout pix, things are looking really great, you will be highly chuffed with the results.
Fergie. Good to see you made it into the new site, I found it slightly frustrating to get in to it.
CM3. Good to see you made it into the new site, looks as if we got over all of the same obstacles.
Pete. Great to see you in at the new place mate, it was good to hear you had a great time at the NRM and your trip behind the Duchess. Looking forward to all of your photos` when you get back.
Tom. You are so right about aging, I do`nt feel old at all, it`s just that the body begs to differ a lot of the time! Am finding that the new site takes a lot longer to load up and am getting the wide page phenomenon now and again, have had that problem of going back to page one when posting a reply too. Hope the digging phase of the basement water fix is progressing OK at the moment, you`ll be glad when it`s finally completed?
Just dropping this off "in case" Wolfman is still in that cyber café over in Merry Olde . . .
Page 49 – Pete <pwolfe> at 12:31 PM <6:31 PM GMT>: And surprise of suprises as the Wolfmanhas visited from Merry Olde <2nd time since his departure>!
Must not have picked up on the CHANGES ‘n I'm amazed that he simply Posted as if nothing happened! I'm impressed . . . apparently "no sweat" for our Interim Governor General!
Pete, my bags are ALWAYS packed ‘n ready to go - just some "small" things get in the way, like getting YOU to make a decision regarding WHEN along with little annoyances like leaking basement walls, etc. <grin> But YES, I'd love to visit the National Railway Museum at York ‘n the rest of the places we've discussed - ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh yeah!
Noted that the dollar has gained some against the pound with this crazy topsy-turvy fiscal crisis. Guess that takes a wee bit of the sting out of it for your friends from the states . . .
Wondering if your Mates have had a hard time understanding you, now that you've become Americanized! <grin>
TURN ON YOUR CELL FONE - Nick MAY HAVE LEFT A MESSAGE FOR YOU!
Regards to your bride! Many thanx for taking the time ‘n making the effort to stop by - it isn't everyone who does that when away ‘n for the ones who DO - this BREW is for YOU! And of course, THANX for the b
Hi Tom and all.
A round please for all please RUTH.
Not long arrived in Chester from York and have found a cyber cafe.Tried last week at a library but I could not reply and half the photos did not appear.Thought I would drop this note in first then have a read through the posts as time allows the bar looks to have been quite busy.
Went to the National Railway Museum yesterday had a great time, you will have to come sometime Tom and the Duchess on the steam tour last week worked really well.
Well I had better post this now as the slow typing speed is coming home to roostwith the cyber time.
Hope you are all keeping well and hope to see you in the bar soon.
Pete.
Figured I'd keep going with the narrative stuff since I'm really against the wall today with other things going on . . . the "big dig" is proceeding quite well. Yesterday's rains were restricted to the afternoon, so they got a good half-day "in." Really lucked out with the guys who are doing the work - cudda been far worse. These two give a Rat's Patoot - so in spite of the exorbitant amount of personal gold being transferred from my vault to the contractor's, I'll make sure the two who are busting their humps get a little extra from me.
I haven't been out since taking my bride for an impromptu trip to our favorite Italian Ristorante the other evening - but then petrol ‘round these parts had dropped to $2.80 <rounded>. Still too high - but better-er.
Okay - here we go . . .
Page 48 – CM3 Shane <coalminer3> at 7:41 AM <8:41 AM EDT>: A rather early visit from the coal fields, but pleased to see our Resident WVA Connection found the path to our door!
We've been down this road before ‘n confident that our <GoR> will master this latest rocking of the boat!
Appreciate the visit - ROUND ‘n quarters!
Hope the "bracer" did the trick . . .
Page 48 – Fergie <Fergmiester> at 9:22 AM <11:22 AM ADT>: Always a treat to have our Resident Canadian Maritime Mariner on board!
I don't recall being asked to "support" or otherwise make comment on CHANGES around here. We're "guests" - that's pretty much the way I see it. Ain't ours to <moan> ‘n <groan> about, except I suppose to one another. Reminds me of the old "mess deck" days <daze>. <grin>
That's a nice lil' hobby shop at the Brantford station ‘n I'm glad you found it. Too bad you couldn't meet up with Rob- but you tried! That "counts" . . . Maybe one of these days <daze> you'll get a "liberty pass" ‘n we can take off on a rail journey where the dome car is in the consist, the dining car ready for us ‘n the beer served just right <aka: often!>
Your report on VIA Rail's corridor service was of interest to me. I suppose if one doesn't ride the trains on a regular basis, it's kind of natural to comment about the sway, etc. Don't have a clue when the last time either of you traveled on the rails. I will say this about VIA Rail - the service is most-times OUTSTANDING when on their long-distance trains WHEN in a bedroom booking. Corridor trains are corridor trains - commuters for the most part. So I don't look for anything from the crew ‘n am not surprised when they offer nothing! I've traveled VIA1 class several times between Montréal ‘n Toronto - even with the exorbitant upgrade price, the service ain't that grand - but there is meal service included, etc.
Regarding the queuing up thing - when booked on the Ocean or Chaleur or Canadian, there are designated areas set aside for bedroom passengers in Montréal, Toronto ‘n Vancouver. Get a bit better comfort zone while waiting. But of course, once "marching" to the platform - how else could they do it
So, should the day ever arrive when you ‘n your bride decide to take an overnighter in a bedroom car - I think you'll quickly note the difference. Coach is coach - you get what you pay for - nothing more, most times. Same applies to Amtrak, where the service most times ISN'T!
Glad to know that you've FINALLY experienced some steel wheels on steel track!
I never returned to the RailImages Foto hosting once they CHANGED <there's that word again!>. I found the instructions totally out of my sphere of understanding ‘n wondered just WHO really did understand that gibberish Anyway, I let ‘em die on the vine, transferring from other sources to PhotoBucket those images I use to this day. Anyway, I'm confident you'll get A-ROUNDTUIT one of these days <daze> ‘n we'll all be treated to some FergieFotos!
Thanx for the visit, chat ‘n support for the bar!
Boris, serve ‘em all another "belt" of the "spiked" OJ they can handle!
Some housekeeping items as a result of yesterday's CHANGE:
(1) As many have picked up on, the Page numbers have advanced - astutely explained by Nick as probably a result of the LARGER Fotos.
(2) The Page number changes are not just restricted to the current Threads, but all of them.
(3) Identifying past Posts is going to be rather difficult ‘n for awhile I may dispense with providing URLs to "features" that I've put up before. It's a rather time consuming process to find ‘em. <groan>
(4) The URLs that have been provided for the past iterations of "Our" Place are useless - as are the URLs that appear in my "features."
(5) Here's the locations for "Our" Place I, II 'n III with "new" final Pages . . . these will appear on "multiple of ten" Pages along with our ground-rules as has been the practice.
"Our" Place I <originally LOCKED on 31 Dec 2006, at Page 451 BEFORE Format change of Oct 15th, 2008 - new Page is 601.
http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/t/35270.aspx?PageIndex=601
"Our" Place II <originally LOCKED on 21 Mar 2008, at Page 201 BEFORE Format change- new Page is 267.
http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/t/83765.aspx?PageIndex=267
"Our" Place III <originally LOCKED on July 31st, 2008 at Page 63 BEFORE Format change - new Page is 84.
http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/t/122422.aspx?PageIndex=84
I'm trying to figure out why SOME Fotos on our Thread have been "marked" for enlarging, whereas others are LARGE. All of mine come from the same source - PhotoBucket. Hmmmmm.
Back later with an "enabling" Post, thanx to Shane ‘n Fergie’s visits!
Good Morning Captain Tom And Crew
Yes I'm quite happy everyone could make it to morning muster and chime in. Overall I will support the upgrade as I'm sure it has it's advantages and will over time will prove benificial (sic) to us all.
Anyway I'm buy'n I guess so top her up and feed the ponies. I'll just have the Canadian Back Bacon Sandwich with a feed of home fries. Yes Nick i made it home after our adventure into the backwoods!
Rob: You'll be lucky if you can get John to part with "your" gift. (It got me a 30% discount or so he said) Great little LHS crammed with stuff. Sorry to see it go as it is truly one of those really classic LHS's that has all the right ambiance. Though I was told there was another place not too far away.
Eric: Glad you overcame the issues haunting you yesterday. New formats are always an issue and will confuse and baffle for times to come. I tend to be a bit resiliant to these issues as I have to deal with new programs and different formats on a regular basis. Saying that... Yes it's a real pain none the less and yes I've "Lost it" on occassion! Ya say it's not so!
Nick: As always thanks for the photos of the layout. Amazing what you've crammed into such small areas! Then again from what I understand this is the British way of maximizing realestate! As I'm a fine one to talk!
I see Allen and Shane also made it in! Good to see ya
Tom: You'll be happy to know I have a whole lot of new photos to share but until I load them all up onto Railimages the sharing isn't going to happen! I may have to re-arrange my galleries as the number of photos is getting to be a tad overwhelming.
So what are my reflections on the Ontario trip: Well lets see. Some VIA and TTC personnel need a refresher course on smiling, service delivery and courtesy but apart from that it wasn't bad. Lisa on the other hand wasn't too sure about the train travel thingy. We travelled from Toronto to Kingston on a LRC car, the next day it was a Budd car from Kingston to Toronto then an LRC from Toronto to Brantford then finally Brantford we were again on an LRC. Lisa found the good Ol' Buddsn were comfortable and rode the tracks well. As to the LRC's she didn't care for their Livelyness! Personally I thought I was back at sea again at times. Man can those things roll! Fall colours were excellent! And I will give VIA their due... they were on Time! Though this lining up and waiting for the train in Toronto while standing for 25 minutes is reminiscent of a Cattle train.
Anyway Gents that's my brief report from steerage.
Later All
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present: coffee, please (wtih a bracer - had a fun time getting here, believe me); round for the house and $ for the jukebox.
We'll let this serve as a marker for now because I am absolutely covered up here today. Will tray and post again later today
Thursday - the "day after" ‘n I'm sure that there are more than a few scratching heads regarding the CHANGE that has befallen us on the Forums. Whether easy or hard - good or bad, it requires lots of learning - kinda like doing homework while on vacation. <yikes>
Oh well, while mulling over your thoughts on this ‘n other subjects, join us for breakfast - pastries ‘n coffee! Everything is fresh ‘n waiting for your order!
Page 48 – Nick <nickinwestwales> at 7:08 PM ‘n 7:18 PM <1:08 AM ‘n 1:18 AM Thursday GMT>: For a guy who wasn't gonna be ‘round very much ‘til perhaps Sunday, you've done one hulluva job on this day of CHANGE!
There's all kinds of comments "out there" regarding whether this latest iteration of "newness" is good, bad or indifferent. I get a kick out of those who say it's GREAT - but fail to say WHY! It seems that those who are critical are more inclined to state their reasons. At least from what I've been reading . . . I'll keep my comments here ‘n of course via our "back channel net." <grin> I found some "stuff" by clicking on that "RSS Available" button on the bottom of the Forum main Page . . .
More super-fine Fotos from the S.O.B. - seems the effort you've put in has paid dividends in viewer enjoyment!
Ohhhhhhh yeahhhhhhhh, those are STARS awright - notwithstanding the form. Now we'll see a "rush" to get another "notch." <groan> Always have kinda wondered why the importance in the numbers game anyway Perhaps some guys didn't have any toys when they were kids, or something like that . . .
I will say THIS, though - going back to Page 1 is beginning to get "old" in a hurry. <grrrrrrr> What in bloody blue blazes is THAT all about Nonsense, I say - nonsense. Inn Keeper, another brew! Oh yeah - that's Moi! <grin>
Nick, I have a stash of under-the-table-switch-mounting devices. I ordered them well over 30 years ago from a custom shop in Pennsylvania. Anyway, they are designed for the types of switch MoSheens on your layout. You are most welcome to ‘em - but I will add this: they require dexterity of finger movement ‘n of course soldering from beneath! <arrrrrgggggghhhhh>.
Since I changed over to all new stuff for the Can-Am Railway - those devices are just sitting in a box - dozens of ‘em. In fact, I've got over 3 dozen Atlas snap-track switches AND MoSheens AND controllers. Yeah, I should list ‘em all on eBay. Just musing away here - I guess. BUT seriously, if you want those under-the-table "things" - lemme know how many!
Enjoyed your 2nd spate o' Fotos! ROUND went down quite well too! <grin> Enjoy your time "off" . . . we'll miss ya ‘til the next time! <clink>
Page 48 – Allan <Gunneral> at 8:02 PM <2:02 PM Thursday NZ DST>: And our Resident Downunder Kiwi Connection has been heard from! So, we've got the "corners of the earth" covered!
Thanx for the check-in along with the Tui!
Page 48 – Allan <Gunneral> at 8:02 PM <2:02 PM Thursday NZ DST>: And along comes our Manager with a two-fer to pretty much solidify the appearance of our small, but active, group!
Doing a bit of civic duty, eh So, whatchagonnado with that extra cash <grin> Anyway, the poll workers in these parts are all mostly the "blue hair ‘n walker set." They seem to cause more problems with turning the simple into the complex. Oh well . . .
Really enjoyed your Fotos, especially the first one! That's a terrific setting ‘n the Budweiser "wrap" surely caught my attention. Amazed something like that would be rolling north of the border. Molson or Labatt, sure - but <horrors> an American beer! <yikes> Globalization, eh VIA Rail looked fine with that mixed consist. And the trolley reminded me of our 1st Rendezvous in 2006 - same for the museum shot!
As with anything we've seen on these Forums, you have "cheer leaders" patting those behind the CHANGE on the back along with <grumbles> <mumbles> from others ‘n some just plain common-sense comments. Sure would've helped to figure out IN ADVANCE just what the results would've been - maybe even a trial run over a weekend or something like that. But we're all "in" now ‘n if we wish to remain here - what's our choice Believe me, I'm not thrilled with this given the amount of time I devote to doing things like this <Acknowledgments> - it's added time just to do the colors - font sizes, etc. <grrrrrrrrrr> And of course with the larger fotos comes Page Skewing - gonna be hard to locate our "stuff" on Pages Past. <triple grrrrrrrrrrrrrr>.
Two visits - two ROUNDS - good cheer ‘n Fotos - thanx!
TODAY is Fish ‘n Chips Nite!
Friday is Pizza ‘n Beer Nite! - and - Steak ‘n Fries Nite!
Boris, serve ‘em all of the "spiked" OJ they can handle!
Well Leon another round of the good stuff if you don't mind.I'll put up a couple more photo's ( just to see if they still work )
Shot of Via train on the Copetown hill,trains heading up the Dundas sub towards Dundas and Brantford and places west.
VIA train 93 Toronto to Niagara Falls just leaving the GO/VIA station at Aldershot,Niagara bound
CLRV from the first 1976 order on Spadina Ave (2006)
The Museum's Oshawa Railway line car 45 in yard two (1993 )
enjoy
Well good evening Leon , I think. I have to say don't like the new and the bold.Every screen has the wide page effect now give everyone an extra stiff shot of whatever they like Leon.
Eric- I can only imagine what all this is like for you using a MAC I've just about put my hand through the screen a couple times.Yes Boris I know that H&H offer an anger managment/hand to hand combat coarse over at the railroad YMCW I may just take the coarse.
Great shots sir,I could see the wood grain in that inside station shot thanks to teh extra large format the new forum is displaying it in.
Nick- Lots "o" great shots of the layout sir.the detail just pops off the page with the big shots. I like those paper card stores, they look quite good really.
I figured that you would get and expand upon my Pink Floyd comment. I have to aggree with you big thumbs down for the LED nonsence the new software has reinstituted,It will go somewhere bad just like the stars again.
Just for the record I don't need no steeenking typing or spelling or apptitude test H&H say I'm the smartest person they know beside I think Molly likes seeing me week in week out.As I've told her I'm not typing poor I'm just big fingered
Allan-I had some fun re-upping my screen name as well,looks like theer are lots of bugs to still iron out of this mess,here's hoping it gets better.
Tom-Some fine BIIGGGG !! steam shots from you today. I do hope they loose the make everything huge and wide thing eventually.
To clarify I was working the polls yesterday,maning the sign in tables for elections Canada,that's why I was home so late.Glad you liked the shot of the REN car ( tongue in cheek of coarse. )
Fergie-Nice to see you back in,too bad we couldn't meet up. The next time for sure Thanks for the drop off. I'll go try and wrestle it from John tomorrow night <grin>
Leon, the usual round of Tui`s for all the guys` please!
To all. Just managed to get into the new site after a bit of a hassle over using my old name tag. Will get back in again as soon as i`ve mastered all the changes here. Enjoyed all of the posts and pix that i`ve had a scan through from you all.
Quick footnote-see they have re-instated the dreaded stars in another guise-a sort of mock LED display in the I.D box
Here we are then for the next bout-Leon-I think another round is called for ,just to settle the nerves...good man
So -onwards:-
The bottom of the yard-the big warehouse is temp. located to give scale-gonna have to re-do brickpaper-printer was running out of ink and is all much too pink-SHANES Jn is in far back corner
Newly scenicked loco yard-all looks far too bright
Different angle of same-definately needs blacking down
Electric pencil turnout controls-operation should be self explanatory
Re-Cycled control panel-all works and didn`t cost a penny...
And just to round off with-two of the shelving units-one in grave need of a wipe down before use-darn near popped a spring getting `em up there.......
Right-that looks like me for the night-got a seriously full-on day tomorrow-In fact,as previously noted,gonna be very thin on the ground between now and sunday-will look in if,as & when I can...Leon-here`s a fifty-should cover a couple of rounds a night for the guys between now and then
Have a good weekend chaps ! -take care and be lucky
ATB
And yet another batch of Acknowledgments as Eric ‘n Nick are giving it a try! . . .
Are we seeing STARS again <groan>
Page 48 - Eric <EricX2000> at 5:24 PM ‘n 5:29 PM <3:24 PM ‘n 3:29 PM Sandbox time>: Very pleased to see that you've given it another chance.
Yeah, I've noticed that one gets shunted back to Page 1 far too many times. It's a nuisance . . . perhaps "they" will work that out.
Believe me, I'm not convinced this change has been helpful to my way of doing things on this Thread - primarily because of all the stuff I've put together in the past that now requires all kinds of reformatting. <barf> BUT, it's not my "showcase," ‘n the bottom line is we're "users," FREE to us at that. Sooooooo - guess that sez it all, eh
Also noticed that Fotos come out super-large. Guess that's something either the users <us> or "they" will have to figure out too. Can't expect it all to be "seemless," although I'd have given it some trial runs . . .
Your Foto <from Springfield, IL train station!> came out super-fine, but LARGE! <grin>
Thanx, Eric - we surely wanna keep ya with us!
Page 48 – Nick <nickinwestwales> at 6:02 PM 'n 6:36 PM <12:02 AM 'n 12:36 AM Thursday GMT>: Yeah, it's a trial ‘n error kinda thing, which we WILL overcome! I'm coming up with more errors though . . .<grin>
My guess <and it's just THAT!> is the old "one size fits all" - doesn't. With differing operating systems, computers, et al, surely there will be some oddities ‘n perhaps even some that will turn one off more than on.
Even if we had moved to that pay site a couple of months back, we would have had to make adjustments. In fact, as many of you already know, I was totally exasperated trying to do the simple stuff! So, we need to keep at this thing - and once mastered, rest assured "they" will change it again! <oh oh>
And you found the time to provide us with some terrific Fotos from your S.O.B. layout!
Was it THAT obvious where we were headed The LOPM just "happen" to be meeting up in the Penthouse Suite - it IS Wednesday dontchano! <grin>
Good to see you inserting some "normalcy" into this day - ROUND appreciated - good cheer most needed ‘n Foto is HUGE!
O.K-Back for more-just passed ERIC & the Boss heading off to visit with the ladies of perpetual motion for some `stress management` advice
So-Layout progress update-here are the pix to go with yesterdays data-dump
Here we are down in the yards with the Avonmouth tanks and the Gloucester through gds ready to go
Here we are at the low level stn with island platform & footbridge restored and brit style shops on the roadway
Shops are starting to look their age now-not bad for cardboard press-out kits at about $5 the pair...
Here are the new turnouts at the south of the intermediate stn-still awaiting pinning-they are sat on carpet underlay and I need pins long enough to bite into the board underneath but thin enough not to split the ties.....
And from the same location (leaning through the window) the rest of middle stn
And a few inches below the last shot-at the location which will now be known as SHANE`S LAW JUNCTION-the troublesome turnout-not a great pic but this and the next one should give an idea of clearances here
As can be seen-a very restricted area-a rod for my own back here.....Weymouth local & coal train on staging tracks
O.K-gonna post this then back with the rest
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