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2008 [PART 2] and the Coffee Pot is still on and now 4 years old. Here we gather as friends with trains. Sweet ice tea too.

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Posted by sir james I on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 8:46 PM

GOOD EVENING

We had a very nice day, topped at 81. I took advantage of it and cut the grass. The days sure seem to go faster and faster, oh I know you  working folk don't think so but just look over your shoulder and see were you have been already. No trains today but did get into OGR. CTT is always a while after OGR I think my mailman reads it considering the condition a few of them have arrived here. Well if Doug is driving I guess I get to lite the fuse again, get ready..S.J.

"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks 

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 8:49 PM

Evenin' Fellas.

Long annoying day at the office. They are panking because they FINALLY realized what I do/did for them. Had a meeting today where the other senior analysts were asking questions about the 3 web apps I built. At one point I stopped, looked at them and asked 'Have any of you bothered to open the source code and read? I mean really, 90% of these questions could have been answered by you simply opening the source and reading.'  Then one had the audacity to say, 'We don't have time to read source code, you are supposed to have documented it.'  'Well if you bothered to take 5 minutes and read the code you would have SEEN that the code IS self documented, and any complex procedures are FULLY documented.'  SA#2 'Well I'm not a developer and don't know how to read code.'  'Then what are you doing in a IT support department.'

Had a discussion with my boss later in the day. He asked if I received my Exit Interview package.  Told him I had.  Then he asked I had submitted it yet.  Nope.  What are you going to tell them?  The truth, nothing but the truth.

---
Update on the bimmer's A/C. Requires a new Auxillary Fan... $1,000.00 honestly not too bad as they have to remove the dash, and a whole mess of stuff inside the dash. Then the service tech tells me... You need new brakes, front and rear... $1,000.00. "What? $1,000 what are you installing? I have performance rotors, pads, and new sensors at my house and they cost me $350.00 for both front and rear!'  'We use factory spec parts.'  'So do I. I'll do the brakes myself.'

---
Buckeye - Susan is disappointed that you didn't invite her on your 'trip' to San Fran. She said she could have spent a week in Napa drinking wine. Then she asked where here Peanut Butter and Chocolate Buckeyes are? And her flowers? ---- You started it! Whistling [:-^]

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Posted by fifedog on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 9:17 PM
WEEEEeeellll, the layout has runnin' river past it right now, but nothing I sceniced.  Mother nature is dumping everything on my house, and I've spent the past hour unclogging drains by hand, while the sump-pump is working in overdrive.  Great googly-moogly.Disapprove [V]  It should smell pretty "pleasant" down there tomorrow AM...
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Posted by kpolak on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 9:54 PM

Doug:  Beacon on!  I'm in!  Banilla-a-plenty!

Date night went well.  Dinner, and off to the toy store...toys R us.  Been looking for Mario Kart for the Wii.  3- stores today...'You should have been here Sunday'...DAH.

Log loader arrived today!  Looks great..Didn't have time to hook it up.  Did remove a dent from the front.  Still looks great!

Kurt

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Posted by Brutus on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:42 PM

Kurt, check out the Wii video I emailed earlier - totally hilarious!  Sir James lit the fuse and then lost email?  Okay, we are go from Doug's house, I'll be right there!  I'm out of beer, but brining Famous Amos cookies!  Not as good as Mrs. Laz' cheesecake, but still pretty good!

Buckeye, maybe you can get the house next door to that first one that the politician sniped from you?

RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.

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Posted by ChiefEagles on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:48 PM
Good night all.  Busy day and then big rain storm came while at FIL's.  Got home and 1.1 inches.  Pond flowing over spillway.  Now grass will grow more.  5 gallon bucket of cucumbers again.  Good night all.  Sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite.  BTW: Microsoft XP service pack 3 took a little over 2 hours to download and install on this old box with RR.   Be prepared.  

 God bless TCA 05-58541   Benefactor Member of the NRA,  Member of the American Legion,   Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville Laugh,   KC&D QualifiedCowboy       

              

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Posted by mitchelr on Thursday, July 24, 2008 5:43 AM

Morning to All,

Just quick note to let you know that I am still here and kickin'.  School is rockin' and rollin' Contractors everywhere the last two days.  The final push is on.  Two of my wife's sisters are here for a visit this week.  Makes things a little busier, but lots of fun.

See ya,

Mitch

Bob Mitchell Gettysburg, PA TCA # 98-47956 LCCA# RM22839

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Posted by fifedog on Thursday, July 24, 2008 6:14 AM

Mornin' boys.  A very pleasant 68 here in the Mid-Atlantic region.  Guessing from my pond that we got 3 inches of rain last night.  Had shop fan blowing on the basement floor all night long,and did dry up a good bit.  Gonna have to dig some better trenches out back, but when you get that much rain in that short of time, whatcha gonna do...?

Obviously, mitchie was too busy this morning to clean the pot and put some fresh grounds on...NO, nevermind now, I got it...

 

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Posted by GregM on Thursday, July 24, 2008 6:28 AM

Buckeye,

 Yes, the OTTS picnic is an annual affair.  I just received notice that the picnic has been postponed until a later date.  This year is the first time we were able to attend ourselves.  Will have to wait to see what circumstances are when it gets rescheduled.  Maybe I will have a garage sale on Saturday instead.  Still trying to whittle away at the years' accumulation of stuff.

Greg

GregM
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Posted by GregM on Thursday, July 24, 2008 6:30 AM
 fifedog wrote:

Obviously, mitchie was too busy this morning to clean the pot and put some fresh grounds on...NO, nevermind now, I got it...

 

Nothing like FRESH coffee!  Just need a couple warm glazed donuts to go with it.

GregM
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Posted by Blueberryhill RR on Thursday, July 24, 2008 6:30 AM

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a sunny 62 degrees. Going up to 82 today with sunshine.

Today is a busy day. I will be mowing grass. Good day for it. No train time until this weekend. Not much else new, here.

Dining car has arrived and it's time for breakfast.

Y'all have a great Thursday.

Chuck

Chuck # 3 I found my thrill on Blueberryhill !!
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Posted by Sturgeon-Phish on Thursday, July 24, 2008 7:16 AM

Good Morning from beautiful Southern Ohio

A little fog off the river, but it is to clear and be a nice day.  I am going to put some trim pieces on the garage and giving the paint job a "onceover" to ensure mistakes fixed, then cut grass.

Brent - At some point you wonder how some managers got to the position they are. 

Fife - I hope you get a break in the weather and the sump pump keeps up

Mitch - Can you post any pics of the school or is there a public link?

Doug and Jim F - I think I'm going with a course drywall screw.  A single â…›" hole won't be bad.  Before I hang the plane I am going to modify a plasticville man to be the pilot.

I will check back later

May God bless

Jim

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Posted by kpolak on Thursday, July 24, 2008 7:33 AM

Morning!

DougDaGrump:  The antenna he bought to help with the TMCC signal was a 'Hawking' 7 db hi gain antenna from Best Buy.  About $40.  It was recommended from someone at Lionel, and works well for him.  You have e-mail with additional information.

Kurt

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Posted by anjdevil2 on Thursday, July 24, 2008 7:36 AM

Hey Guys,

Got HAMMERED yesterday weather wise...Saw the storms coming from the NorthWest, wind, rains, Old Testament stuff...going up to 91 more humid and more violent storms on the PM.  And I have softball tonight.  Aluminum bats and electricity - sorta don't mix.

Been checking out the Lionel Drag Race spec, just need 30' of straight (X2)....my Jersey Central #2000 would be an awesome runner (Top Fuel Locomotive? T/FL or how 'bout Funny Loco  F/L?)

Ran the CNJ 8604 last night, runs & smokes really great, had to shut 'er down after 10 minutes, smoked that well!

Company lunch today Dinner [dinner] for a well done job during May @ Maggiano's today, taht'll knock off almost 3 hours www.maggianos.com  I have to wear the long sleeve shirt & tie & nice shoes, no golf shirts and sneakers...Disapprove [V]  Hey Buckeye, any fashion tips?

Be safe & dry, I'll see ya later...

I am the monster in your head...And I thought you'd learn by now, It seems you haven't yet.
I am the venom in your skin  --- Breaking Benjamin


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Posted by laz 57 on Thursday, July 24, 2008 7:56 AM

HI GIZ,

  Beauty of a day here today at 62.  Got 3 inches o rain in my rain gauge yesterday.  Got some inside jobs done and pushed the weights in the afternoon.  Finally turned off AC and had windows opened last nite felt great.  Today got to go to lumber yard for Roof acrylic got a couple of leaks in back porch roof.  I will apply tomorrow, got to leave roof dry out.  GOLF against BROTHER tonite then wings and YENGs after GOLF.

  BUCKEYE, I'm still waiting for my OTTS ball cap?  Now you say we have shirts coming?

  Happy Friday EVE,

b good or b gone,

laz57

  There's a race of men that don't fit in, A race that can't stay still; Robert Service. TCA 03-55991
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Posted by ChiefEagles on Thursday, July 24, 2008 8:08 AM

Morning all.  Time for breakfast.  Been up a while.  Got 1.1 inches of rain in a short while yesterday PM.  Pond going over spillway.  sun shining now.  Got care package from Shake and Bake in CA.  Thanks.

Fife, it is called a French drain.  The ranch house will full basement where I had first layout use to do the same when a hurricane or tropical storm hit.  Had French drain [plastic pipe with slits in it in bed of stone down sides of house].  So got neighbor to dig down at lower ends of house.  French drain stopped there and was plugged with clay.  Attached more pipe and ran it down hill and out of the ground.  No more problem.  Big rain, water went out end of pipe.  Good luck.

Got big Greater Raleigh Chamber dinner in town tonight. 

Later.

 God bless TCA 05-58541   Benefactor Member of the NRA,  Member of the American Legion,   Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville Laugh,   KC&D QualifiedCowboy       

              

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Posted by fifedog on Thursday, July 24, 2008 8:21 AM
Chief - That would be a "quick fix" compared to what I am dealing with.  I have blacktop that butts up against the back of my house, that unfortunately wasn't sloped properly.  The probable best solution is to have the asphalt yanked up and put sod down, thus retarding the flow of water.  Right now it just wants to "pond" at the lowest point, which happens to be my basement steps.
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Posted by kpolak on Thursday, July 24, 2008 8:38 AM

 anjdevil2 wrote:
Been checking out the Lionel Drag Race spec, just need 30' of straight (X2)....my Jersey Central #2000 would be an awesome runner (Top Fuel Locomotive? T/FL or how 'bout Funny Loco  F/L?) 

I'm thinking about adding a blower to the 2025.  Laugh [(-D]  and maybe some wheelie bars....Did ERR do a TMCC controlled parachute yet?  Laugh [(-D] Laugh [(-D]

Brent:  Isn't that the usual case????  Sounds like you made the right move.  Don't know what they lost until it's gone.

Kurt

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Posted by sir james I on Thursday, July 24, 2008 8:40 AM

GOOD MORNING

Everything is sunny this morning, going to low 80s. A/Cs off and windows open.

fifedog, wet basements are no joy at all, I learned years ago not to leave anything of value on the floor. I'm sure you have been there before and know what to do. I have had two small floods here, both when sump pump quit and the backup systems are a lot of money for so small percentage..2 out of 29 years. At least its rain water and not sewage. I read some OGR last nite, still don't have CTT. No plans for today so everyone play nice...S.J.

"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks 

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Posted by cheapclassics on Thursday, July 24, 2008 8:47 AM

Good morning all,

IIABSDISEI with temps in the 70s.  Soccer season ended Tuesday with a 5-2 defeat in a game that was not close.  Got the latest CTT.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

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Posted by cnw1995 on Thursday, July 24, 2008 8:59 AM
Morning all. Beautiful day here again - sunny but cool. No A/C needed. Getting dry though - top of the trees turning brown. Got the laptop back today with a new keyboard. Gas down 36 cents in two weeks. It's all good news.

I've wondered about putting in a sump back-up someday.

Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.

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Posted by fifedog on Thursday, July 24, 2008 9:21 AM
Sir James - Nope, only casualty was a box of trees that I had left on the floor.  My layout sits safely 41 inches above floor, and is supported by pressure treated 4x4s on casted cleets.  My real nemesis are the "tree boogers" that find there way to the drain outside!Banged Head [banghead]
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Posted by ChiefEagles on Thursday, July 24, 2008 10:50 AM
Fifey, can you add some speed humps to that blacktop to send the water away from those steps?   Also, add drain and piping at bottom of stairs to help take away water [widow lady here has one of those at her basement entrance].

 God bless TCA 05-58541   Benefactor Member of the NRA,  Member of the American Legion,   Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville Laugh,   KC&D QualifiedCowboy       

              

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Posted by dougdagrump on Thursday, July 24, 2008 11:57 AM

Mornin' All, Afternoon to the Easties !

Feelin half way alive today, was a last minute draftee for the museum on tuesday. Seems that some signees decided at the last minute that they had changed their minds. One man can't be left to operate the place by himself, running it is no problem but unless you have some insect ancestry giving you extra eyes problems can & will crop up. All packed up for tomorrow's run, need to order some parts from lionel especially traction tires.

Kurt, Thanks for the response. The signal booster I am wondering about is the one by TAS that supposedly improves the signal at the tracks. Their catalog says that although originally designed for two rail operations it has also shown to be effective for three rail operators.

Fife, I hear ya on the tree stuff, keepin it G rated. Like a dummy when I extended the frecnh drains to the street I used the flexible drain line instead the rigid with glue joints. With the flexible I don't care how well you "think" you have the joints sealed tree roots find their way in and GROW. Spring before last my front yard looked line the front in WW I with having to dig up some of the drain lines, trench warfare.

Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.

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Posted by fifedog on Thursday, July 24, 2008 12:10 PM
Chief - "Speed humps" is a plausable idea, but would have to remount door to swing in rather than out.  Another element creating havoc is a mature maple tree rooted nearby, which does its part to dam things up as well.
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Posted by cnw1995 on Thursday, July 24, 2008 1:41 PM

Chief, I dug down in one of our basement light wells to find the french drain after the well filled with water. - went way down and it wasn't there - never installed! So I sealed the top of the well instead. So far so good.

Waiting on a tow truck after the accessories belt shredded whilst driving the mini-van around town - the big clue: suddenly no power steering. As Homer would say 'This's gonna cost me...' Glad I was home.

Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.

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Posted by dougdagrump on Thursday, July 24, 2008 4:08 PM

OK, I just came across something that the "Wallace & Gromit" fans as well as you gamers out there mite like:

Oscar-winning 'Wallace & Gromit' animated series to become episodic video game.

 

 

 

Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.

www.sd3r.org

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Posted by GregM on Thursday, July 24, 2008 7:28 PM

 cnw1995 wrote:


Waiting on a tow truck after the accessories belt shredded whilst driving the mini-van around town - the big clue: suddenly no power steering. As Homer would say 'This's gonna cost me...' Glad I was home.

I feel for ya brother.  Karen came home and said "the check engine light came on." I agree, "this is gonna cost me..."

GregM
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Posted by rtraincollector on Thursday, July 24, 2008 7:28 PM

Hi all not much happening here. got a rude awaking today but was able to soften it some . They told me to regester my truck here in S.C. I had to pay a personal proerty tax on it and it being a 2003, 1500 silverado extended cab it would be $370.00 I about dropped the phone. I asked how much they had my truck valued at and they said $11,600.00 I said whoa I only paid $9700.00 for it a year and a half ago at a chevy dealership in VA. and kelly blue book has a value of about $4700.00 for trade in. She said go get Personal sale value and bring that in and we'll lower it if it warants it. went and looked it up for personal sale and it was valued at $7219.00 so I ended up only paying $197.22 so I get to look at that every year now. They get you one way or another geese.

I still have to go get tags and then Drivers licessen yet. but still have a month to get that done.

Talked to chief for a little this evening but he was heading into a town meeting. also talked to laz's wife for a couple as he was out with his bro.

talked to brutus for a while too.

Waiting for brutus to bring the tarris around the beacon is on

 

 

 

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

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Posted by Buckeye Riveter on Thursday, July 24, 2008 8:22 PM

 ChiefEagles wrote:
Fifey, can you add some speed humps to that blacktop to send the water away from those steps?   Also, add drain and piping at bottom of stairs to help take away water [widow lady here has one of those at her basement entrance].

Chief...the answers is pervious concrete, not speed humps.  Again you were sleeping in Engineering 101.

Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum. Smile, Wink & Grin

Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..

Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR

TCA 09-64284

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