2008 and the Coffee Pot is still on and over 3 years. Here we gather as friends with trains. Sweet ice tea too.

[Buckeye Riveter]

We have an inch of snow on the ground tonight.

Brent...Package arrived today from you.  What a complete surprise!!! I'll try to open it tomorrow.  I can't believe you sent me something all the way from Baltimore, MD. 

Friday I have a big test to take.  I might pull an all nighter and study round the clock. 

Chief...I have a garbage disposal to sell you and it won't be cheap.

[ChiefEagles]

Meetings over.   Spend evening with Grandson.  Starting to rain here.  Homemade spaghetti.   Hope all had a great day.  I see HOG [not you John] has gone "hog wild".   It went something like this, "I don't spend a lot of time on the forum.  I go down stairs and run and work on my trains."    Later [exit laughing]. 

[Nick12DMC]

Evening All,

 Been rather busy with work of late so not had chance to check the pot. Trying to clear the decks before holiday. 2 weeks sitting on a beach (I'll go barmy). Luckly the new CTT arrived today so I'll save it to read.

Working on some articles for the new Lionel Collectors Club UK website at the moment.

Hope everyone is having a good day. 

Nick 

 

 

[RockIsland52]

Good evening from wet Southern Ohio,

John- I'm not so much counting down the days as much as being more aware of options with retirement.  Once fully vested the retirement kind of goes on hold, continually accumulating but at a lesser rate.  I'd like to get off shift work, and if it takes retirement and going to work as contractor then so be it.  No firm decisions need to be made right now.  A friend of mine retired early several years ago and started a company that does training and procedures on a contract basis.  They've wanted me to go to work for them for some time now, and they were just awarded the contract to develop the training and procedures for the process I've been working with for the past 5 years.  I've been hesistant to go the contractor route before due to the travel involved, but it would be literally in the facility where I am now.

Need to go, take care and may God bless

Jim

 

Jim, 

You hit the nail(s) on the head with contracting. Logistically and expertise-wise, the opportunity you describe couldn't be better, you could just change engineer hats. 

As you noted, the travel I have experienced with contracting makes the shift dilemma seem like a walk in the park.  And the hours can be brutal.  In deadline scenarios, very stressful, especially when some of the customer's key players seem more inclined to impede progress rather than embrace it, or you. It's an ego thing, and your interpersonal and problem-solving skills will be put to good use as well as the technical.

One pleasant byproduct....in my experience, good contractors seem to be more easily granted acceptance, credibility, and respect in a way full time employees aren't.  Works for me.  You often find yourself spending more time productively rather than fighting the personalities, agendas, and politics.

Jack    

[johnandjulie13]

Good Morning All:

Another day of incremental progress.  I am going to see if I can drive a car today.  If so, I hope to be back to work tomorrow.  My range of motion continues to improve and the pain continues to subside.  Hopefully the progress will pick up speed. 

Mitch:  It looks like you are right on schedule.  Thanks for posting the link but it did not work for me.  Congratulations on the appointment it is a big responsibility.  How many students will the school house?  With 35 full time teachers, I would guess about 700 students.  Is that close?  Please keep us posted on the progress.  With everything you have to oversee, it is similar to building a layout, only slightly more important.

Roy: I guess the airline has only limited options when dealing with a large group.  Good luck with the trip, let us know when everyone is home safe.

Jim (Sturgeon-Phish):  Whether you count the days or not isn't important.  As you pointed out, the important thing is the flexibility it creates for you.  It is great to have options.  I hope to have that same type of flexibility someday.  Consider yourself fortunate.

RT:  I am glad things are still moving forward.  Good luck and stay positive.

I hope everyone else has a good day.

Regards,

John

[anjdevil2]

Morning!

RT =

GregM - Keep going, you'll get something soon...!

Well, to quote ClickMatch...We've been bamboozled!!! Suppose to rain today, OOPS!! wrong again!  Held over until later today, that shoots all my outside work until 2 morrow, when, of course I have meetings!!!

Partly cloudy up to 80F, very windy right now, March must be in the LION(EL) phase.

Ran some trains during lunch, ran Dad's 1666.  Still surprised and pleased it runs sooo good!  Thinking expansion on the train front.  Once the station wagon is gone, then I can use the garage floor to proto-type the layout and then measure for expansion.  After that happens, I may spring the '73 Satellite project on the wife....ummmm, maybe not...!  Started putting in the LED tailights on the satellite, looks good, need some connectors then the installation can start.

OK boys n girls, gotta clean the office for visitors on the 'morrow.  Yak at ya later!

Rich

[cnw1995]

Morning all. Another grey and cold one in Chicago. No rains here. I guess it's all to the south of us. RT, good luck!  Ran trains last night with no pile-ups. I'm thinking of tempting fate to add another loop to connect the trolley lines - this would be a good weekend to do it with Fri. off.

[sir james I]

Good Morning

Its wet and lite rain in the 40s. Wifes b-day today so I am taking her to lunch,thats what she wanted. As usual no plans for the day except lunch so no exciting news at this time.

Take care and  stay well,,,,,,,,,,,,S.J.

[Anonymous]

RT - Glad things are looking up for you! Hope it all works out.

Greg - We're stilling crossing the fingers and toes and praying for you!

[rtraincollector]

Got a call from the VA this morning at 7:45 asking where the nearest VA was to us andtold them Accually Johnson city is but would prefer to goto Asheville, NC as it would be an easier drive. So there contacting them to have them contact me to set up for a physical . So its one step closer and wife is getting crazy this is moving faster then we thought. So to me Its right on tract to what I was expecting. I was thinking mid april to early may there saying mid april to late april so were right on target.

Not to much else happening now getting ready to make some break fast. And then work at noon so talk to you all later

[ChiefEagles]

Mike, send some of that water this way.  Actually the lake is getting full.  About 1 /2 feet to go but usually over flowing this time of year.  Pond is doing fine but springs around it are not flowing.

John, you doing better?  Hope so.

Morning.  Cooking breakfast.  10:30 meeting at Town Hall with one power company [Town has small section of Co-Op] about burying lines.  Progress Energy buries all their lines.  Co-Op does not want to do the capital outlay.  Guess what?  Yes the will.  Then meeting with contractor/developer and YWCA person about a YWCA in Roseyville.  Then Transportation Meeting this afternoon.  BURRRR  Have a good one.

[Anonymous]

Mornin' Fellas.

Installed some more ceiling tiles last night on the second level, hope to finish that area tonight, then it is on to installing the carpet padding/foam roadbed, then I'll drop the power drops and start work on the control panel. Then it is on to the next section of the second level, just need 1 O-54 left hand switch and the Atlas 2 track pratt bridge and I'm in business, really striving to have that done by York, and should be able to do that if school doesn't get too involved.

Went to Panera last night for dinner, was nice to get out of the house for a few minutes and spend some time with Susieq. Then we stopped at Target so we could get some house supplies. We're trying to consolidate trips as gas here is approaching $3.30 per gallon. If it hits $4.00, like they are predicting that will really put a hurting on construction. We were going to do some landscaping this summer, but with the price of fuel that doesn't look feasible, about the only thing that I really want to do, and may still try to fit it in, is replace the front walk, but we'll see.

Well need to get started on the next paper for school, do a few participation posts, and see what my team members have been up to... later.

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

RAIN is the four letter word of the day for SE Indiana.  The sump pump is going full tilt, but at least we are staying ahead of the water so far.  Saw a huge shipment of lumber on a train with a sign saying, "Headed for Noah and Family Ark Construction Company".  I wonder if I should be concerned?  Did weights at the YMCA, and did a little work with my brick blocks.  May have to rethink some ideas I had.  Very, very busy at work yesterday.  Starting to get a little concerned about the economy.  The more I read, the worse it looks.  Maybe I will stop reading about it. 

Doug, glad to hear your daughter is ok, and Roy, sorry to hear about the NYC fiasco.  Just a few more weeks and I will be done with the high school years.  I will be so glad.  My wife is worried about the "empty nest" syndrome, but I am looking forward to it.  Chuck, the dining car just rolled in from "Points East" (talk about a fast trip from the Ohizone to the Hoosier state) and it was loaded with bran muffins.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

Getting closer to 1,000 posts

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a cloudy 54 degrees. Going up to 57 today, with more rain coming. The ground is soaked good. Flooding in lower areas will happen.

Today I am staying home all day. Wife has to go out on business. So, I will do a few chores around the house and then spend some time working on the layout. Had a good train running time , yesterday. GG1 looks great going across the blue bridge. Need to take more pictures.

Dining car has rolled in and it's " All Aboard " for breakfast. Then, it will head out to " Points West".

Y'all have a great Wednesday.

Chuck

[mitchelr]

Hello Mitch:

I have been following your updates for a while now with some interest.  However, I wasn't able to find the start of your posts.  What kind of school is this?  What is your involvement?  Has there been some delays?  It appears as if the project will be done in the next several weeks, an odd time for a school completion.

Regards,

John

John -  I was appointed Principal at the new school about 9 months ago. They give us a year to get ready, ordering furniture, hiring staff and the like.  The building will be substantially complete April 21, which basically means all major construction projects (and sub-contractors) will be done.  Then it should take until about the middle to end of May to receive Use and Occupancy permits from our local government agencies.  Once they are received the great move in starts with delivery of furniture, equipment and materials in June and July.   In August teachers will move in and then students start August 26.  I am attaching a link to the school website. Hopefully I will get some more photos posted today or tomorrow.  I have really enjoyed the process which has also been overwhelming at times, especially interviewing over 110 teachers for about 35 positions.  We still have to interview for secretaries, assistants, cafeteria staff, and custodians so this Spring will still be busy.

http://www.carrollk12.org/ebbvalley

Edited URL - If I Could type I'd be dangerous.

 

Take care,

Mitch 

[kpolak]

Town Board ran until 10.  Suddenly wake up a few minutes ago.  Off to bed. 

This is why I didn't sleep in school.  We left plenty of kids in their chair after the bell. 

Kurt

[ChiefEagles]

Town Board ran until 10.  Fed deer [they were waiting].  Came home and ate a bag of microwave popcorn.  Suddenly wake up a few minutes ago.  Off to bed.  Buckeye, nice that Brent called me [or I would have reversed the charges ].  Tomorrow is meeting all day.   Later 

[rtraincollector]

Should I be concerned when any animals I see currently are only seen in pairs?

 

Naw thats just ayour imagination running away.

Hey noah you need anymore nails

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Good evening from wet Southern Ohio,

It has been raining and the rivers are already over their banks, with more rain to come.  I took the first 4 hours of the shift off to attend the Chrism Mass in Columbus.  It was really a neat Mass with a nice dinner afterwards.

John- I'm not so much counting down the days as much as being more aware of options with retirement.  Once fully vested the retirement kind of goes on hold, continually accumulating but at a lesser rate.  I'd like to get off shift work, and if it takes retirement and going to work as contractor then so be it.  No firm decisions need to be made right now.  A friend of mine retired early several years ago and started a company that does training and procedures on a contract basis.  They've wanted me to go to work for them for some time now, and they were just awarded the contract to develop the training and procedures for the process I've been working with for the past 5 years.  I've been hesistant to go the contractor route before due to the travel involved, but it would be literally in the facility where I am now.

Fife- That sounds like quite a deal.  After Mass, walk over for a black cow and a footer on Sunday afternoon.

Doug- I think it is 5 x 4.  On my next day off I plan on setting it in a few places to see how it looks.  Maybe over by the Branford Dinner?

Need to go, take care and may God bless

Jim

 

[wrmcclellan]

Was that the airline's idea or the high school's?  Driving 210 miles just ain't right.

American Airlines' plan - only other offer was to wait until Friday for next available flight for the group....

[johnandjulie13]

Doug, that's a shame.  I was just reading about Arthur C. Clarke.  What an interesting guy, he invented stationary satellites (Clarke orbits), etc. 

Truly a gifted writer.  One of the best books I ever read (also one of the scariest/wierdest) is Childhood's End.  One of Clarke's best.

 

Guess what?  I am typing this from my desktop!  I am up and around even more today.  While I am still not happy with my progress, I am able to sit at my desk with only minor discomfort.    Now if I could just bend over I could get my DCS upgrade done...

I hope everyone else is doing well.  Have a good evening.

Regards,

John

[sir james I]

Goodnite all, goodnite Chewy. sleeper is ready.

[Brutus]

Doug, that's a shame.  I was just reading about Arthur C. Clarke.  What an interesting guy, he invented stationary satellites (Clarke orbits), etc. 

Okay, see you guys at Doug's house - GO!

[sir james I]

All IS WELL

The little monsters are gone after the family was here for grandmas birthday,which is tomorrow but she is an Awanas leader at the church wed. nites.so tonite was it.Ahhh quiet.love them though.

Doug I'm glad your loop is working but me I would have replaced one peice at a time till I found the bad one. don't  want to use it again without see what is wrong with it. I'll stop by but will pass on the goodies,you know,birthday cake and banilla ice cream already.

We had a lite rain most of the day but no heavy rain,just right for the fertilizer I put down a couple days ago. I shall return,,,,,S.J.

[cnw1995]

On my way, Brutus. Love those Sci-Fi movies -- a moment of silence please, to recognize the passing of Arthur C. Clarke... ...  ....

OK, Buckeye, I think I recognized your area code on the officer's cell phone - when he kept going outside to 'check in with headquarters' or maybe he was calling North Carolina...

Looks like this might be the first March in 10 years without a 60 degree day in it. Sigh.

Roy, hope they don't end up following that plan in which you have to drive 3+ hours to OK city - that's nuts. John, on Sunday night, after following some suggestions from Brutus, Sir James and Kurt, I pulled up all the old track on the loop and simply replaced it. Now it works. Go figure. Come to think of it, let's go downstairs and run some trains. Have to enjoy this Tues evening - one of like 4 a year when I don't have work...

[Brutus]

Congrats Jim Sturgeon Phish -- that will be a real milestone!

RT - is that the factory where they make those creme filled chocolate cake thingies?  Yum, those are good!

Doug, thank God your daughter was okay, that would have been my big fear!  Sounds like her friend is learning a lesson.

Welcome back, Roy!  We're in the 50's here in the St. Louis Area and rained all day here as well.  Oh well, it beats snow and ice!

Chief, be sure and let your grandson test your Legacy system.  I have learned that if I want to really learn how something works, it's best to let a very young child play with it for a while.  Then, I learn just what makes it tick and how to get it all back together and ticking again!

Kurt, Sir James, Doug and any who want some, we have strawberry shortcake (WW) in the freezer and Earth vs The Flying Saucers on DVR, so come on over!  I also still have the documentary on Freight Trains on there.

[johnandjulie13]

Roy - Look at it this way... US Airways is giving their employee's $1,300 bonuses for increasing customer service and on-time flights... The only time Susieq and I flew with them last year we were 1 hour late getting to Birmingham AND they lost our luggage in Philly...

That's what you get for going to Birmingham. 

Regards,

John

[johnandjulie13]

Well the daughter is stuck in NYC along with her HS Choir and Theater group (25 folks including chaparones). They cancelled their flight earlier today. The only plan they have been offered at the moment is to fly to Atlanta tomorrow morning and then wait 5+ hours to fly to Oklahoma City where we (I and some other parents) have to drive up and retrieve them (210+ miles one way). What the airline failed to consider in this grand plan is the front that is hitting us right now extends all the way to PA and hits NYC and Atlanta tomorrow. 100% rain predicted for NYC and Atlanta tomorrow although not heavy like it has been here all day (4-5 inches average rain fall since this morning). Should I be concerned when any animals I see currently are only seen in pairs?

Was that the airline's idea or the high school's?  Driving 210 miles just ain't right.

"I would keep playing.  I don't thing the heavy stuff is going to come down for quite a while, yet."  - Carl Spackler, assistant greenskeeper, Bushwood C.C. 

Regards,

John

[Anonymous]

Brent....I'm so sorry you had to talk to the Chief.  I will call AT&T immediately to get the darn call screening back on line.

Doug.....Don't worry, an officer of the law regularly visits my house in the cruiser.  I never tell him anything about you or your family.

Buckeye - actually I called him to harras him! LOL! We had a good chat, I don't think your name came up... well maybe once or twice, but he didn't say anything negative about you other than something about dynamite and fishing...

Doug - We haven't seen one officer here at the house that wasn't invited... not sure that is a good thing or a bad thing...

Roy - Look at it this way... US Airways is giving their employee's $1,300 bonuses for increasing customer service and on-time flights... The only time Susieq and I flew with them last year we were 1 hour late getting to Birmingham AND they lost our luggage in Philly...

[wrmcclellan]

Well the daughter is stuck in NYC along with her HS Choir and Theater group (25 folks including chaparones). They cancelled their flight earlier today. The only plan they have been offered at the moment is to fly to Atlanta tomorrow morning and then wait 5+ hours to fly to Oklahoma City where we (I and some other parents) have to drive up and retrieve them (210+ miles one way). What the airline failed to consider in this grand plan is the front that is hitting us right now extends all the way to PA and hits NYC and Atlanta tomorrow. 100% rain predicted for NYC and Atlanta tomorrow although not heavy like it has been here all day (4-5 inches average rain fall since this morning). Should I be concerned when any animals I see currently are only seen in pairs?