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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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edw
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Posted by edw on Thursday, September 18, 2008 8:26 PM
 RockIsland52 wrote:

Please say a prayer for my old dog, Duke.  Following last month's "clean" annual physical, dog went to bed in the pink of health Sunday night and woke up Monday AM severely lame (one leg), and we and the vets can't figure it out.  Lyme ruled out.  No swelling.  No fever.  No known "incident" or activity that we know of that could have caused it.  Dog in for imaging (x-rays) now.  I'm crossing my fingers and fretting as if he's one of my children.

If the lameness is in one of the rear legs it may be a torn or ruptured cranial cruciate ligament, perhaps the most common cause of lameness in dogs. A dog's cranial cruciate ligament is similar to the ACL in humans. For dogs over 30 pounds, surgery is usually recommended. However, in smaller dogs, with a less severe tear as opposed to a complete rupture, the injured joint can slowly heal on its own, without the need for surgery, if the dog's activity level is severely restricted.

My 13 year old mutt suffered two such injuries, one in each rear leg, over the past three years. Fortunately, my vet suggested a conservative approach after the first injury, and over a 2 to 3 month period she slowly regained full use of her leg. Because there may be a genetic component to such injuries, dogs who suffer one injury often injure the other leg, as well. Sure enough, that's what happened to my dog. After the second injury I followed the same forced rest approach, and once again she made a full recovery.

It all depends on the severity of the injury, and several studies suggest, that without the surgery, the injured joints are more likely to become arthritic as the dog ages. So far I'm keeping my fingers crossed. But three years after her first cranial cruciate ligament injury my old dog can still take off at full speed after the mailman. Not bad for a 13 year old dog even without any past injuries.

I hope everything turns out ok for Duke.

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Posted by laz 57 on Friday, September 19, 2008 6:38 AM

HI GIZ,

  47 and great again here, to get to 70.  I get out of school early this morning because of the GREAT GRATZ FAIR.  So going down to BARRYs TRAIN SHOP today and see whats new and to pick up my engine from the break up set.  FT El Capitan set.  Also he has the 2 add on cars.

  Lost at GOLF again last nite, but a perfect nite to play.  Wings and YUENGs were good.

  Having fire with wife tonite and eating dogs and burgers.

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 cheapclassics on Friday, September 19, 2008 6:47 AM

Good morning all,

IIABSDISEI with temps in the 70s.  Both the boys and "my" soccer girls lost 2-0 last night.  Boys JV tied 0-0.  Did "work" work as soon as supper was done.  Very frustrating.  Toasted cinnamon bread and cereal on the dining car for breakfast.  Sending it to "Points East" stocked with extra goodies to help those ailing.  Also, sending extra power generator to Buckeye so he can keep posting.  Chief, congrats on the new house.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

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Posted by kpolak on Friday, September 19, 2008 6:53 AM

Morning!

Just popping in...I got the runny nose bug...sniff.  Youngest has it too...sniff.

Sir James:  Thanks for the update on Brutus!

Roger:  Why don't we see more of your great work on Sundays?

Buckeye:  Would you quit playing games and turn the switch to ON already?

Blueberry:  Prayers for your health.

Rock:  Prayers for your pet.

Chief:  Hope closing goes smoothly, and no one discovers Blueberry actually owns the house and has been there for years.  I do hear he may have a bridge for sale...or swampland or something...

Kurt

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Posted by anjdevil2 on Friday, September 19, 2008 7:16 AM

'Morning' Boys

Been very busy at work, Just read the 'pot just to keep ahead of the curve...No train store this weekend as I havce to work my "real" job.  Some special sale off site.....Banged Head [banghead]

As requested, I finally have some pictures of the Harley

Sorry, my computer at work hates photobucket linksAngry [:(!]

Got my crossing gates back from Lionel and my 152IR controller, they replaced both.  Of course, 1 broke right out of the box, I futzed with it and it works.  I scared to touch the other one.

Played softball this week and we lost both games...so far I'm 2-4 run scored and 1 RBI.  I'd be 3-4 if that guy in left didn't make a spectacular circus catchBanged Head [banghead]

Hope everyone is good, hope Duke is better and Chief, your move is smooth...Kurt hope you and the littel one feel better soon

Angel [angel] for all that I missed

Buckeye - turn on the generator!!! Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

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 ChiefEagles on Friday, September 19, 2008 7:16 AM
Morning.  Fox on the run.  Errands and then fence to take up and haul to the Lake.  Got to squeeze in a Town meeting [CVS wants to move to new stand alone].  Never fails.  Can't get away from Town stuff.  Have a good Friday and weekend.

 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 cnw1995 on Friday, September 19, 2008 8:16 AM
Morning. Beautiful sunrise today. TGIF - hopefully it'll be a quiet day and Buckeye gets his power back. Raced Thomas and James last night (Jamess is handicapped in that he has a slightly longer run). Big football game with rich school from other side of the tracks tonight - LOL.

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

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Posted by laz 57 on Friday, September 19, 2008 8:58 AM

BUCKEYE,

TGIF!!!!

laz57

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Posted by RockIsland52 on Friday, September 19, 2008 11:08 AM

Thank you everyone for your kind words and wishes for dog Duke's recovery.  Vet reviewed xrays with us last night.  Looks like he's got a roundish thumbnail-sized static/stationary "joint mouse" behind humeris bone (left shoulder joint) that could be a piece/chip of bone, cartilage, arthritic calcification, or cancer.  Only a biopsy or second opinion from an all-star veterinary radiologist or orthopedic surgeon will confirm.  As EDW said, do nothing and severe arthritis and (maybe)recurring lameness.  Vet tab not inconsequential, more to come.  May take a road trip and have Dennis fix this mess personally in his spare time.  Wife sad and worried, me too.  Decision time. 

Buckeye and Ohizo Boys......hope you get power soon.  Power lines in my neck of the woods mostly above ground, same with cable.  Problem is, vast runs of ledge rock is so pervasive, running anything underground requires either blasting or electric, gas, and cable companies partnering with the town to include access to install lines under the road beds if that is even feasible.  Cost sharing during resurfacing?  That would be too easy, too cost effective, or too practical.  Wink [;)]  We don't have access to natural gas in many places for the same reason, including me.  Heating oil companies have us by the throat, less competition!  You'd think the recent 50% drop in a barrel of oil would bring the prices down, but they haven't. Banged Head [banghead] 

Wes.....didn't know they had in-state surgeons in Ohizo.  They've got pills for joints that don't work properly. Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]  Glad the surgery was successful.  Take it slow and don't screw up the surgeon's fine repair work by getting overzealous during the prescribed recovery.  Surgeon has been paid enough already.

Chuck.....leg cramps, bad stuff.  Hope you are feeling better.  Never had a leg cramp until I reached 45 despite 8+ years running track and running for health.  Hydration, sodium levels, potassium levels, daily stretching very important.  And you may want to loosen the sheets/blankets at the bottom of the bed so feet have total freedom of movement at night.  Works for me.

ANJ/Rich....I can't pull up your Harley pic!  Sad [:(] Banged Head [banghead]

Don.....I think you are assuming Chief has electricity and indoor plumbing at "Eagles Nest." Big Smile [:D]

Don/DougDG.....how long does it take the powers that be in CA. to pull some text messaging records to determine if the engineer (RIP) ran the red signal due to distraction in the commuter rail disaster?!?!?  Call Arnold. 

SirJames......prayers your ENT/nasal plumber is finally getting to the bottom of things.

Chief.....this is repetitive but, congrats on your new digs!  Glad one of us is thinking about the rest, especially us Yanks, by providing a free Southern vacation venue.  Especially diring snow season.  Whistling [:-^]

JohnBakeer.....prayers your Doc visit was positive and your progress too.  I think the Tardis management needs to reassess the sugar content of the on-board offerings.  Put a note in Brutus'/Jim's suggestion box.

MikeC.....sorry your soccer teams are still struggling.  Keep the hammer down and the spirits up.

Laz.....I may have missed it, but is that Santa Fe El Capitan engine acquisition/addition powered or no?  Sweet either way. 

Kurt.....hope the little ones get well soon. Sad [:(]  You can suffer.  We don't mind.  Laugh [(-D]

Roger.....wow, ya gotta love how your scratch built tender turned out.  Pics were exceptional. Thumbs Up [tup]

Brent.....you have created some confusion in my life.  Used to think my wife Pam was most like Chief's Pam in the way their minds work.  Now with your car escapade, Suzieq is in the running.  My wife always gets the new iron and I inherit the hand-me-downs.  She is hot on me to dump my 1998 Olds Aurora (102K, love the car), take her ride, and plunk herself into an AWD 7 passenger 06 or so Cadillac SRX.  Says we need it for the dogs (they aren't complaining now), hauling stuff (no issues, have friends for that), adding passenger capacity (we don't need), and a hedge against the New England snow (got along without awd thus far in life).  With fuel prices what they are, the used market is looking somewhat tempting while the annual fuel cost of such a change is not. Banged Head [banghead]  Re your acquisition, congrats.  My personal preference is the 5 series for the additional size and space.

DougM.....glad you avoided getting thrown in jail or your son expelled from school the other night at the parents/teachers conference. Laugh [(-D]  Watched a documentary last night on out of control high school and college hazing.  Glenbrook North HS in Northbrook front and center, not far from you.

Later gang. TGIF.

Jack

IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.

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Posted by cnw1995 on Friday, September 19, 2008 11:17 AM

Jack, I think we just beat them in football last week Wink [;)]

Whenever it gets blustery or icy outside, I am very appreciative of the buried utilities in our town's subdivisions.

ATT sez they're sending me another gift card for getting their TV. Not telling anyone this time.

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

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Posted by CSXect on Friday, September 19, 2008 11:39 AM

Hello all,

Power on last night so layout work will resumeBig Smile [:D]

Was just watching a dvd of American classic steam rail ways will have to make a trip to New Hampshire to ride the 3 railways on the White Mountains national park area.

Chief that $500.00 would buy a decent CSX LocoWhistling [:-^] 

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Posted by RockIsland52 on Friday, September 19, 2008 11:59 AM
 CSXect wrote:

Hello all,

Power on last night so layout work will resumeBig Smile [:D]

Was just watching a dvd of American classic steam rail ways will have to make a trip to New Hampshire to ride the 3 railways on the White Mountains national park area.

CSXect......try www.conwayscenic.com/ That's your ticket.

I've posted on the NH rail experience.  There is also a cog rail ride to the top of Mt. Washington, elevation ~ 6200 feet, highest peak in the NE US, and nestled among several similar high peaks.  Mt. Washington has documented recorded winds in excess of 200 mph, I believe the highest winds ever recorded in the U.S., more than any hurricane or tornado.  Conway has a recently restored steamer and tender and should be available for a tour, complete with dining car if you want to eat on board.

Jack 

IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.

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Posted by dougdagrump on Friday, September 19, 2008 5:41 PM

Afternoon All !

No museum today, celebrating grandson's third birthday today. Had a pizza party for lunch at his preschool/daycare. Tomorrow is the big family shindig.

Jack, You know how it goes with the legal system, got to have all the BS in order to get a subpoena. It is beginning to look more and more as if he did run the red but he should have noticed at least one of the two yellows before the red. One before entering the siding and another midway, and if normal practice was for the engineer and conductor to readout the colors to each other what was the conductors response when they weren't called outfor him to acknowledge. Could have been avoided if there were a three man crew instead of just two.      With regard to SWMBO, how about a little "reverse psychology". Start looking at new trucks, quad cab V8's, not the juice, 4wheel dr, etc. Big Smile [:D]

I still think the "doorbell" that was in SirJ's redneck collage would be an excellent housewarming gift for somebody.

Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.

www.sd3r.org

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Posted by Roger Bielen on Friday, September 19, 2008 6:51 PM

kpolak wrote: "Roger:  Why don't we see more of your great work on Sundays?"

kpolak - I've needed to hold off on showing photos of my layout since CTT will have an article on it eventually.  The CTT photos were taken going on two years ago and the ones I do show are of items added since the photo shoot.

Roger B.
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Posted by CSXect on Friday, September 19, 2008 7:29 PM
 RockIsland52 wrote:
 CSXect wrote:

Hello all,

Power on last night so layout work will resumeBig Smile [:D]

Was just watching a dvd of American classic steam rail ways will have to make a trip to New Hampshire to ride the 3 railways on the White Mountains national park area.

CSXect......try www.conwayscenic.com/ That's your ticket.

I've posted on the NH rail experience.  There is also a cog rail ride to the top of Mt. Washington, elevation ~ 6200 feet, highest peak in the NE US, and nestled among several similar high peaks.  Mt. Washington has documented recorded winds in excess of 200 mph, I believe the highest winds ever recorded in the U.S., more than any hurricane or tornado.  Conway has a recently restored steamer and tender and should be available for a tour, complete with dining car if you want to eat on board.

Jack 

 

Thanks for the link to Conway and the cog train will have to plan a trip there someday. Thumbs Up [tup]

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Posted by dwiemer on Friday, September 19, 2008 7:48 PM

Good afternoon everyone!  Jack, what is the latest on your dog?  Be happy to work on him, but I think someone who does it all the time may be better.  I know they have had a lot of developements in orthopedic surgery for vets.  One thing is in the area of Platelet Gel.  It is derived from the patient's (pets) own blood.  Fractionated, it is concentrated with lots of growth factors that speed recovery.  It also keeps the infection rate low.

On the train front, I have recently picked up a fair number of magazines lately.  Has been nice having some reading material for in between cases while I have been on call.  Hope to get some more reading in, but would prefer it be in the comfort of my own home.  I also got a "Aladdin" car from Lionel on auction from the Train-station.  SWMBO was pleased to see that one.  I have a few more that I hope to pick up.  looking at some K-Line diecast hoppers in Lackawanna livery that I'd like to pick up.

Chief, how are things at the Eagle's Nest?  I hope that you and Miss Pam have many enjoyable, peaceful days there.  It sounds great.  Congratulations!

One week till the opening of the movie.  I picked up my tickets today on pre-sale.  I figure that the shows will be sold out around these parts.  Still is important for high attendance for the first weekend as they tell me that will determine addition of more theaters.  They are at over 800 theaters, which is around 95 more then they expected.

I hope that everyone has a blessed weekend.

Dennis

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Posted by sir james I on Friday, September 19, 2008 8:00 PM

GOOD EVENING All

I'm still wondering how many women would not touch that door bell button. Opps I forgot again. We had a nice day in the 70s I think 82 for tomorrow. My friend and I  spent the morning and part of the PM at the train store as he was one man short today. I did just fine as I have worked part time in a local hobby shop in the past. One day I decided that I was retired and thats what I should be so I quit,with notice of course. Heres an odd piece, The Lionel Alien Spaceship Recovery set. He got twelve a few days ago, said he didn't know why he ordered so many,but,when I left today he only had one more to sell.As usual one never knows.

Banilla and the Tardis are ready so all aboard...S.J.

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Posted by SPMan on Friday, September 19, 2008 8:13 PM
Good evening all, just popping in for a short visit at the end of the week.  Rock Island, best wishes for your pet dog.  I hope the vet bills are managable.  If you love an animal you have to take care of them regardless of the cost.  Sounds like Chief is busy moving things to his new palace by the lake.  Lot of press about the Metrolink crash out here all week.  I have never heard so much revealed about a railroad accident in such a short time in my life.  Usually the NTSB takes about a year to come to any conclusion.  The whole thing is so tragic.  I suppose the fight will go on to get new technology installed to prevent these wrecks but I think they should put an extra pair of eyes in the cab in the mean time.  The papers are really trashing the engineer out here by dragging up all kinds of stuff about his personal life which I don't think has any bearing on the accident.  The guy is dead and can't defend himself.  Is'nt that enough?  The police officer who died in the crash was given a huge funeral with riderless horse in a procession and hundreds in attendance.  It looked like a service for a fallen president.  The Mayor spoke and others.  It is testimony to how well she was regarded by her peers.  They seem to have concluded that there was some text messaging going on between the engineer and some railfans at some point but nobody seems to know just when.  I suppose we will never know for sure.  Another article in todays L.A. Times about some of the boys who text message.  There is nothing wrong with being friendly with the railroad people providing you don't interfere with their work but these kids were over the top with this game.  It sounded like hero worship to me the way they went on about this guy.  These kids were the kind that give railfans a bad name. It's no wonder that some rails call railfans foamers. The guy may have been a good person but he was no saint.  Sorry for the rant.  I guess I'm getting old.  Have a nice week end y'all.   Ray

SPMan

              

 

              

 

              

 

              

 

              

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Posted by Blueberryhill RR on Friday, September 19, 2008 8:16 PM

Good Evening..........

It's been a rough day, but I feel better. Left leg is locked up. Supports my weight. but can't move it. Wife got me a walker to work with it. At least now, I can get around. Right leg has arthritis in knee. Ain't I doing  great ?? Can't run trains.

Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes, Guys.

Chuck

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Posted by wrmcclellan on Friday, September 19, 2008 10:05 PM

Evening all!

Well my sister in Houston finally got her electricity back. The Ohio boys must have fixed it up before they headed back to Ohio!

Buckeye - hope things get fixed up there real soon.

Chief - that tent by the lake sounds pretty good to Buckeye!

Chuck - sorry about your leg. Hope it loosens up real soon.

Jack - sorry about your dog.

Doug - so far life here with the son in the HS has gone real smooth - too smooth in fact - it's scary...

My daughter came home with her homecoming mum this afternoon. The best I can describe it is it is as gawdy as a Macy's Thanksgiving Parade float - and just as big...since she is a senior - it has four mums - and her boyfriend maxed out the ribbons and additions. Ithink a bank loan was required to finance it.

Hope everyone has a great weekend and things start looking up!

 

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Posted by laz 57 on Friday, September 19, 2008 10:56 PM

HI GIZ,

  Well went down to BARRYs and had a nice conversation with a guy who is building a layout for a gentleman that has some deep pockets.  He had bought a house and has converted it into his toy train chest.  This guy is building a layout for the $$ionair on his time there working.  I don't know exact dollars and cents but the guy works 4 day o week at 7 hrs. a day and he started about July.  Big layout, yes, hope to see it?  Maybe it will get done before Christmas?

  Got the FT Engine from El Capitan set and other cars.  Put them on the track and tried to cycle the Ft to go and lock in reverse to NO avail.  Everytime I get it into revese then when I put it on track it goes forward.  Did the switch thing under the engine and can get it to run independantly by itself in reverse but can't get it to work with other FT.

  Ran trains for 2 hrs. NO PILE UPs in the MILLERSBURG,PA. yards.

laz57

 

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Posted by dbaker48 on Friday, September 19, 2008 11:17 PM

Jack -

Lots and Lots of talkin going on regarding the Engineer and the Metrolink accident. Just some of the issues going on:

- Lot of effort in trying to locate the engineers cell phone, hasn't been found.  There was a priest on the news earlier that was abord the train.  He had helped in providing First Aid for a few hours, then talked to the Fire Dept about providing "Last Rights" for those that had perished.  He indicated that it was extremely difficult when he came to the engineer, that there was less than 20% of the body available.

- The timing of the text message was apparently within 2 minutes of the collision.

- No indication of any braking on the Metrolink train, the freight had the Emergency brake on.

- The Board of Directors of the Metrolink have had extensive "closed door" sessions trying to estimate the legal exposure and the estimated $ risk.

- One suit was filed earlier this week.

- Just received our "sample" ballot for the upcoming election in November.  One of the initiatives is for a Bond Measure to finance High Speed Commuter Service.  (fat chance on that).

THEN THIS MORNING THE LOCAL 'BLUE LINE' RAIL SERVICE, (runs between Long Beach and LA, as a collector and feeder for the MetroLink)  RAN INTO A BUS!!  THE BUS APPARENTLY TURNED A CORNER AND THEN STOPPED, THE COMMUTER TRAIN THEN HIT THE REAR 1/4 OF THE BUS.  SINDE IT WAS PROPANE FUELED IT COULDN'T BE MOVED UNTIL THE GAS WAS RELEASED.  THE BUS WAS EMPTY BUT APPARENTLY 10-15 PEOPLE ON THE TRAIN SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES.

BUT, overall I think the legal issues are causing the problems.  LA is in big trouble financially currently there are a number of major suits the City and County have lost that have been very expensive.  Even one where the Fire Dept was hazing one of their own, and fed him dog food.  He has won a multi-million dollar suit, as well as other people in the dept for reverse discrimination.

Definitely will be a eventful time.

Don

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Posted by RockIsland52 on Friday, September 19, 2008 11:27 PM

Don.....I wouldn't mind getting a few mill $ for eating dog food!  My take on the train wreck is that some critical details of the train crash, like the precise time of the engineer's texting relative to the train's position and all of the signals, may be withheld.  As Doug suggested, there will be zillions of dollars on the table when the lawyers move in.

Jack

IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.

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Posted by fifedog on Saturday, September 20, 2008 6:08 AM

Hey boys, I'm heerrrrreSign - Dots [#dots]

Sunny & 54 in the Mid-Atlantic region.  S'posed to get up to 74.  Nice day to go to the races.  Think that's what we'll do.  Give ya'll a reprt from DOVER tomorrow.

anjdevil - Me likey all that chrome.Thumbs Up [tup]

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Posted by laz 57 on Saturday, September 20, 2008 8:18 AM

HI GIZ,

  47 here this morn.  Got my CTT yesterday.  Today wife and I are going to see retired principal in ELIZABETHTOWN, Pa.  Going to take his kids to Masonic Village where they are having a open house and are running there train layout.  I never saw it but they say it is a great layout.  Then principal is making us dinner. 

  Have a good one,

laz57

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Posted by sir james I on Saturday, September 20, 2008 8:59 AM

GOOD MORNING

A nice sunny morning, going into the middle 70s. At the moment I have no special plans for the day but I like to check in. Enjoy your weekend and go easy on the fall yard work..S.J.

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

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Posted by cnw1995 on Saturday, September 20, 2008 9:51 AM
Morning all. Beautiful day here - probably will spend it going over homework with the middle boy. He forgot one assignment and did the wrong part of another. It's driving me nuts, but I'm trying to put it in perspective.

Prayers for Chuck. Looks like Ohio got power back too.  I grew up vacationing in North Conway, NH - have very fond memories of the Conway Scenic Rwy and Mt. Washington Cog Line. Can't wait to see Roger's layout in CTT.

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

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Posted by RockIsland52 on Saturday, September 20, 2008 11:10 AM

Gorgeous AM here in NE Taxachusetts.  Got down to the mid 40s last night but 70s and clear today.  This morning I say another prayer for our servicemen and servicewomen, past and present, wherever they may be.  Defending my right to be free.

Right now I've got a Consolidated B24 Liberator bomber and a Boeing B17 Flying Fortress bomber buzzing my house at low altitude, doing some flyovers out of my small local small airport, about 20 miles Northeast of Boston.  I live about 3 miles from the airport.  No, these are not part of an offensive air campaign launched out of Roseyville Air Force Base by Colonel Chief Eagles to pin down us Nawtheners or drop bags of propaganda grits.  They are really two beautifully restored WWII combat aircraft which tour the country and call Ohizo their home base.

I've got some great video footage of the planes in the air from my deck and from the tarmac at the airport, including flyovers and takeoffs and landings.  Had the sense to use a tripod so I could zoom as much as I wanted and not get the video distorted by an unsteady hand.

Our smallish runway can accommodate these largest of the 4 engined Allied WWII heavy bombers because they have mega horsepower and, running without load (bombs, ammo, crew, and fuel load) can easily manage smaller takeoff and landing venues.

Off the top of my head, out of the 13,000 B17s (1/3 lost in combat) and 18,000 B24s manufactured for air combat in WWII for both the Atlantic and the Pacific theaters, there are only a couple of these still flying in the world today.  Rare indeed.  

I have to go back to the net to get the name of the organization that sponsors and provides these around the country tours.  More on that later as I will provide the link.

Admission to the airport is free, but there is a small parking fee ($5) sticks in my head).  You can walk out on to the tarmac up to within 20 feet of the aircraft and, for a small fee, go inside for a tour.  The machine guns in the turrets and in the belly are also there for your viewing.  For $450 (a couple of years ago), you can actually go up for a 35-45 minute ride!

Next to the tarmac, they have live displays with pics and the actual ammo used, displayed side-by-side with some of the stuff the Axis countries were using in their fighter aircraft against the Allied bombers.  Also displayed are the antiaircraft shells that were used against us.  The Axis spent years building their air and land defense of Europe and Southeast Asia, against both air and sea assault by the Allies.

The bullets and cannon shells make a 9mm or 45 caliber round look like a pea.  And the inside of the aircraft is today as it was 60+ years ago, thin sheet metal.  The brave airmen were at the mercy of every round that found it's mark.  Anti-aircreft fire and the resulting flak (fragments) shredded the aircraft skin like it wasn't there.  Armor in the Allied planes was eschewed to save weight for the bomb ammo, and huge fuel loads required to complete the long out and back bombing runs.  There was no such thing as kevlar to protect the crews back then, and bullet-proof vests were considered excess weight, a luxury that could not be afforded.

As many of us older guys and history junkies know, the mortality rate of the aircraft and the crews was frightening during WWII, particularly when the bombers had to fly unescorted over Germany without the benefit of fighter escort.  Allied bombers could cruise at about 220 mph while the opposing Axis fighter aircraft were capable of twice that speed.  They were sitting ducks, launched on semi-suicide missions.  You really get a wake up call when you read the display which lists the crews who served aboard these surviving aircraft and notes those killed in action. 

John Baker and the other UK boys may be able to correct me on this, but I believe the American crews provided the bulk of the daytime (more accurate) bombing runs and suffered the highest casualties.  We tend to think the sacrifice and casualties in WWII among Allied pilots and crews was minor, but such was not the case.  The casualty rate was horrendous.  As a pilot, if you were not already a casualty, you were grounded after 25 missions.  Such was the burnout rate. 

If it were not for the vision and tireless (fundraising and tour) work of a few, we would not have an opportunity to witness history actually flying.

I'll add to this post later so I don't lose what I have posted to a time out.  I sit here a free man because of the ultimate unselfish sacrifice of others who paid a price I can never repay.

Jack

PS:  Anyone got some WWI or WWII combat aircraft flying over your layout?         

IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.

  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Jelloway Creek, OH - Elv. 1100
  • 7,578 posts
Posted by Buckeye Riveter on Saturday, September 20, 2008 12:26 PM

After 5 1/2 days, Roger's Corners has power and I've put some new people on my $@#$% list. 

The idiot homeowners north of our subdivision have been planting trees in the utility easement for the last thirty years.  Guess what trees shorted out the power lines for a 500 home subdivision with underground wiring?  The northern subdivision sits outside the juridiction of the the city.   These people built fences such that the tree trimmers could not get to their trees, so the trees just grew into the power lines.   

Laz...Did Friday ever show up? 

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

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • From: Cape Ann Taxachusetts
  • 3,780 posts
Posted by RockIsland52 on Saturday, September 20, 2008 12:51 PM

Buckeye.....time to call in the Roseyville Berets. 

Don't the utility companies have an easement that allows them to take "corrective" measures with or without the approval of a property owner?  Or issue cease and desist orders?  Or "take corrective action or we will, and bill you" orders?

My FIL in Illinois has a neighbor directly behind him with a large old tree he planted 20 years ago, plunked squarely in the utility easement that runs between the back to back properties.  When a box died (underground feeds) and had to be replaced two months ago during an outage, the electric company came in, annihilated the tree, and replaced the box.  And then hauled all the tree debris off.  Fence sections were left laying on the ground post removal. 

Think the obstructing fence issue became the responsibility of the homeowner due to exactly what you said........trying to plant or build on an utility easement.  With the fence down, the utility trucks just drove with (justified) impunity down the property line to the offending spot.  Wonder if the guy got a bill for the tree removal from the utility. 

Jack

IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.

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