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.

[Buckeye Riveter]

Jack... The electric company would rather take a pass on trimming trees in "hostile" territory until the emergency forces the situation.  

They do not want the bad press when a homeowner gets on the local TV and says, "Look what they did to my rare wee willie wonka walnut tree that grandma gave me thirty years ago on her death bed after she donated her organs to the save the trees foundation!!  They have destroyed it just to keep those ugly power lines working for those evil people in the city.  Can't they just leave me alone?  They only paid me $1 Billion Zillion dollars to run this power line through here and they didn't tell me that my wee willie wonka walnut trees would be a problem. Sob-sob."  (Crying at the end makes for better TV.) 

Nope...Power Company doesn't want bad press when they are going for a RATE HIKE in Ohio.

[SPMan]

DBaker48, I read with interest your report about the Metrolink crash.  I did not know they had pinned down a time for the text messaging or if it had any bearing on the accident.  I know the engineer on the U.P. train.   I worked with him a few times when I was a fireman before being promoted by the Southern Pacific.  I heard that he and the conductor had broken legs and wrist but survived.  That must have been a heck of a stop when they hit.  The smaller Metrolink engine was no match for those big UP units.  They were a lot more crash worthy than the Metrolink.  Otherwise everyone on both engines could have been killed.  There was an article in the L.A. Times today about Metrolink and how it seems to be a shoe string operation.  It is controlled by the areas it operates in by local politicians foremost of which is the Mayor of Los Angeles.  Some of these people admit that they don't know enough about operating commuter trains.  They do not hire their own operating people but get them from a contractor.  I wonder how much oversight these employees get?  I doubt there is any comparison but when I worked on the railroad we had railroad clerks operating the carryalls that transported train crews to and from trains and terminals.  The railroads eventually got rid of the clerks and contracted those jobs out.  Time proved that they were a lot more unsafe and unreliable.  At least I thought so.  I read about the Blue Line collision with the bus too.  It's been bad lately.  They need to get their act together.  The public needs to have confidence in these much needed services with today's prices on gasoline.   I heard ridership really took a dive for a while after the accident. Ray

[jonadel]

Jack--

I have few WW II aircraft over my layout, I'll try and post them on tomorrow's Photo Link. Also for Jack, since you are a history buff you need to plan a road trip on I 80 to Nebraska, yes, I said Nebraska. Just west of Omaha is the Strategic Air Command museum and the only two words that comes to mind is "absolutely awesome". The boss and I stopped there two weeks ago on a Sunday afternoon and we were just taken back by the actual aircraft on display and the history detailed for each WW II, Jet, Space Capsule, etc. is just the best. It's hard to describe how big this place is but it's simply amazing. We were there about two hours and I would love to go back, they have the actual aircrafts hanging or grounded and when you walk into the lobby you see a Tomahawk jet---that just blew me a way.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Evening from Blueberryhill....

Beautiful day. My leg is a little better. Still using a walker.

I can't get down to the train room. Now, that's bad. I can finally put weight on my left leg but hard to bend.

Buckeye has power. The light in the outhouse works.

See ya later,

Chuck

[dougdagrump]

Buckeye,  Hate to burst your bubble but the utility company will be getting sued anyway, at least it's that way out here. Sued for cutting to much, sued for not cutting enough. Maybe they should sue the homeowners who blocked the easement.

SP, Don't know about when you were with the RR but we had definite limitations on hours worked. There was an article which indicated his schedule was 6am to 9pm with a 3&1/2 hr. break somewhere in there, sorry but this sounds not to condusive to creating an alert engineer. I worked most of the time on the extra-board, on call and available every other 8hrs, which could wear you down after a while. just my 2*.

[sir james I]

Good Evening All

I'm happy for those that got their power back on. It sure takes a long time doesn't it. Like Ive said before, having the lines underground is fine but it doesn't keep the power on when the lines that feed the underground is on the poles. We had a very nice day of 82, got some tinkering done outside this AM but watched Ohio State and Michigan State win their football games this afternoon. So  no trains and gasp no nap. 8:15 and dark already, thats not good. Tardis and banilla are ready. whos going?      S.J.

[wrmcclellan]

Evening all!

Well Buckeye has power and Chuck is starting to walk again - life is good.

Son talked SWMBO into letting him buy another snake. I could not believe it. Now we have a Baby Boa (whatever that is - only gets to 6 ft in length). At least we got in the trade that he would keep his room clean. He even picked it up tonight - course the snake just got here.

Ice storms here take out trees and power. Utilities here show no mercy to trees since a few years back about 100,000 - 250,000 went for weeks without power from an ice storm.

Have a great evening all!

[jonadel]

Utilities here show no mercy here either when it comes to trimming around power lines. Do the utilities in Ohio need an attitude adjustment?

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

IIABSDISEI with temps in the 70s.  Reffed two youth games this afternoon.  Went to the Fall Festival parade this morning and the Asia Concert tonight.  Soccer boys lost 2-0 in a road game.  Going to IU tomorrow to see a soccer game (naturally) and maybe see Lucas and younger daughter as well.  Roy, such a deal with your son, clean room for a snake.  I wish I could talk the missus into letting me have a scaly for a pet :-(, but we are stuck with the "furball".  Buckeye, glad to hear you have power and Chuck, glad to hear you may be getting to the dining car soon.  Had cereal and toasted cinnamon bread on the dining car this morning.  TCA meet in Cincy for tomorrow has been canceled due to a lack of power.  Lots of comments about the train crash in LA.  Sad story all the way around.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  Sunny & 55 here int he Mid-Atlantic region.  S'posed to be in 70's all week.  It has been gorgeous, but the allergens...  Well, had a nice time at DOVER yesterday with the fifeclan.  Got to watch CUP "Happy Hour", and from our seats in TURN 1, we got to see Jr and a lot of other top drivers.  Pre-Race ceremonies included a flyover by 3 Black Hawk helicopters (boy was impressed).  Only 6 cautions for a quick race (200 laps), but unfortunately Kyle won; no, dominated.  Dinner at CRACKER BARREL on the way back home.

Roy - The upside to the new family member: rodent control .  The downside, late-night encounters (it will get out) on the way to the bathroom

RockIsland - A bunch of folks here represent some aspect of WWII on their pikes  (HiRailJohn comes to mind).  I even use WW2 tanks and jeeps for my military trains.  We used to enjoy airshows at our local airport, until the AirForce had a Stealth bomber fall outta the sky, then the NIMBY's came out in force.  Oh well. 

[fifedog]

Buckeye - I hear wee-willie-wonka-walnut (that's just fun to say) makes for good fire-wood...

[mitchelr]

Morning All,

 

Been pretty busy lately.  I've been trying to keep up on reading posts, but have not posted much. Friday I had oral surgery to remove a partially erupted wisdom tooth that the dentst has been watching for years.  Oral surgeon could not believe I was not in more pain than  I was given the condition of that tooth.  No fun having your lower jaw carved up.  Had to chisel the tooth into 4 or 5 pieces to remove it.  Still pretty swollen but not much pain at all, ibuprofen is keeping it under control, have not needed the percocet. 

 

Still piddling with minor construction details at work.  Getting subs back to fix small problems is a pain. We are making some progress though.

 

Talked to my buddy from college and he will be making the trek here for the York Meet.  Think we may hit the new Gettysburg Battlefield Visitor Center in the early AM before heading to York around noon on Thursday.  Then we will spend all day at York on Friday.  Probably meet up with our other fraternity brother for breakfast on Friday before we hit the show.

 

Have not had any vacation over the summer so the Mrs. and I are going to head out on a trip down Skyline Drive some time in early October.  Not sure where we will end up.  May go further south on the Blue Ridge Parkway,  head west to Nashville, or go east toward the Carolina beaches. 

 

Today will be another quiet day. Church and then NASCAR mixed with a little reclinerizing to help prepare for a long week.  I have three late nights in a row (Tues., Wed., and Thurs. ) due to Back to School Nights and a PTA meeting.  This is the worst week and then it will calm down.

 

Take care,

 

Mitch

[fifedog]

mitchie - OW-WOW-WOW!!!  Hate wisdom teeth.

[laz 57]

HI GIZ,

  44 and cool here today going to get to 79.  Had nice visit with ex principal and his family yesterday.  We took his kids to open house at Masonic village and checked out train display.  Wives went shopping.  Nice RR display with all gauges present.  Then came back and he made supper for us along with OL MILs ah it doesn't get any better.  Left about 8PM and came home about 9.  Watched a western on History channel with KEVIN COSNER, pretty good, fell asleep in recliner.

  MITCH, wife, dog and I hiked the whole 105 miles of the SKYLINE DRIVE in Shennadoah a feww years back.  Had deer everyday walking around tent in the morning, pretty cool.  Saw lots o bear but didn't have any problems.  Nice hike, we walked about 18 miles a day.

  BUCKEYE, YEP FRIDAY came and went.  Wait til this week again.  I leave for my ANNUAL SALMON FISHING TRIP TO PULASKI, NY. 

  TRAINS TONITE!!!!

  GO BEARS!

laz57

[ChiefEagles]

Morning all.  Slept from around 9:30 or 10 PM to 9:10 this morning.   Had ben running on zero for hours.  We came back Friday night [Pam forgot to pack the food boxes in her vehicle.  I got hungry about 8 PM.  No store for shopping except driving back the Henderson, NC.  So we loaded up the dogs and came home.  Got only 3 hours sleep due to leg [another long story] I had pounded with a hammer.  Went back with another load and a cable for golfcart [which had corroded away].  I serviced golfcart and fixed it while Pam unpacked everything inside and put it where SHE wanted it [do not get in the middle of that one].  Got all the ouside things put away [she does not want to get in the middle of that one].  Came back from house to Lowes in Henderson to get paint [for me to do this week], locks for doors on buildings, lockset for back door [now keyed to our house locks so only carry one key] and ordered a stormdoor for the back door.  Got home and ate dinner [picked up eastern NC pork bar-be-que and brunswick stew].  CRASHED  Now to rest up for the week ahead.

Long story short.  Taking up a wooden fence that Gail gave up to enclose Wildthing [Lucy].  Post were cemented in the ground.  Using big hammer to break off the concrete.  If you hit it real hard, it will finally split and come off.  Big swing, hit concrete, glanced off and hit inside of lower part of left leg.  Big knot immediately and bleeding.   After walking on it all day on Friday at the lake, came home and leg swolen real bad.  No bleeding.  Now big bruse and a big knot.  Took some hydrocodone I had.  Killed the pain but kept me awake.  Dare say Pam drove for me yesterday.   

Chuckster, get that leg going.  Called him yesterday and did not know about leg.  He was trying to tell me but connection on cell was real bad. 

Hope all pets are recovered and OK.

The Rosyville Airforce flew some hampsters into Ohizo with our Sopwth Camels.  I see they got in their cages and got the power back on.  As for food losses, we are offering free GRITS for a year to all those in Ohizo.

Now to "conger" up something good to pull on my good friend in MA. {would say his name but everyone knows it is Jack]  Has to be real good thought.  I'll come up with something.

Now for some coffee and food.

BTW: Eagles' Nest is now the equivalent of Camp David.

[sir james I]

GOOD MORNING

Oh I love the the Skyline drive. I have cousins in the Waynesboro area and never miss going on the  Blueridge. Darn I forgot again,oh well the chief will only miss a little bit. We have clear blue and 70s for today and the week ahead. The lame Lions don't play until 4 pm so maybe a nap before and during. I might even  run some trains today. Whatever your doing, enjoy your sunday....S.J.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Afternoon from Blueberryhill....

It is another beautiful day. Sunny.

Getting around on the walker pretty good. Pain is bad. Taking meds.

Skyline Drive is beautiful in October.

Y'all have a great Sunday.

Chuck

[CSXect]

Good afternoon everyone, bought some durhams water putty(4lbs)a putty knlfe and some wood glue for under $15 bucks at lowes. Now to fill the few gaps in table top with putty

 

Got my DVD and Truck from Historicrail, Will order from them again if they have what I want.

 

 

[cnw1995]

Afternoon all. Very hot and sunny today. Worked at church operating camera lens. Five year anniversary. That time sure went fast. Hope to get a nap in today or will not last long. Tired from cutting down a 30 ft. tree I let grow too fast and close to the house. Also dealing with a wasp nest in an old vole hole in the ground right by the front door where the youngest sat down to play with his trucks and cars. Poor little guy got stung a few times. Prayers for Chuck.

[RockIsland52]

Another gorgeous clear and mild day in New England.  Duke the Doberman nearly back to normal on anti-inflammatory/pain meds, but the cause (growth behind front shoulder joint) may have to be dealt with.  Will wait to see what vet says Wednesday.  Could be something as simple as a bone chip that calcified/cartilage chip that calcified/arthritic calcification, or as serious as .........C.

Wife getting aggravated with the roar of the B24 and the B17 passing overhead, along with a couple of the WWII fighters that have been part of the show.  Last day of the show.  Dogs stand in the back yard and bark skyward at the planes, it's hilarious.  They must think their aggressive actions are scaring the planes away.

Chuck.....you need a hot tub and an aroma therapist for the leg.   Seriously, prayers for a speedy recovery.

Chief...... reread the caption below my signature.  It doesn't say anything about using the bigger hammer on yourself.  Bone bruises take months to subside, hope you get it checked out.  And I hope you are feeling better, will take a couple of days.

Mitch......I had 4 impacted, partially erupted wisdom teeth removed at once.  Yup, they use a chisel and a hammer to break them up.  Surgeons in one respect are skilled mechanics.  I was foolish, should have had them removed a couple of decades earlier as they did a number on the proximate molars.  Beach or mountains.....how can you go wrong with either choice?

Buckeye.....glad to hear the power issues have been straightened out for the time being.   When we in the NE (4-5 state impact) got a winter ice storm with massive power outages about 12 years ago, the food losses were bad.  But major plumbing damage due to protracted sub freezing temps was the greater threat, ruptured water pipes.  Affected folks had to drain 1st and 2nd floor pipes and hope for the best.  Took weeks for some to get their power back, most had to find alternative living quarters too, no heat.  Buddy had 6 80-foot pine trees down that miraculously missed his house; but he couldn't get in or out of his driveway, nor could he hire anyone to remove the trees because they were all booked solid.  Neighbor graciously helped dissect and relocate the one blocking the drive.  Fences flattened.  Neighbor's Grand Cherokee literally a pancake.  Then began the war with the insurance company.....

Roy.....loved the snake negotiation with the son.  Might be a good idea others.  My wife would take to a snake in the house about as easily as she would to a pet tarantula or scorpion.

DougM.....had an old timer give us a piece of advice re pest caused holes from moles, snakes, chipmunks, and bees.  Option to digging them out or nuking them with poisons and chemicals.  Small wadded up gas-soaked rag (4-6 inches before wadding) jammed down the hole, plus an ounce or two of gas added to dirt for good measure.  Gas (fire hazzard, but small and temporary) evaporates. Critters may displace the rag, but the residual petroleum scent is very offensive, they relocate.  Worked for me more than once.   BTW, the displaced chipmunks cleverly relocated to my attached garage for the winter to join the field mice in peaceful coexistence.   However, some of the field mice must have objected to chipmiunk  presence and moved into the house.  

RT.....hope you are feeling better.  Prayers continue.

Rich.....sweet ride!  Harley pics finally rectified and I can view them.  Personally, I like your extended seat for the better half to join you.  And you live in a climate where you can enjoy the bike 24/7/365.  Is another bike in the thought process for the wifey?

SPMan......never heard the outcome of your eye issues.  Hope all came out ok.

SirJames.....did the Doc tell you that white powdery substance was aggravating your sinuses?   Seriously, prayers you too are on the mend.

Fife.....you remind me that wife and I  need to take in an auto race venue closer to home.  Lime Rock Ct. or Louden in NH.

Kurt.....hope all the sniffles in your domicile are fading.  Knowing what happens with kids, the former sniffles have already been replaced by a new batch.

Laz.....keep us posted on El Capitan.  What a great find!  Plus you are expanding on the initial find.  Nice to get the entire set squared away up front.   Bet not many operate an El Capitan ABA with dual pullers, if anyone.  

John/J&J......I got to wondering if you ever wrested the lawn mower away from your wife's grasp this Summer.

Later, gang.

Jack        

 

      

[sir james I]

Rock Island, thanks for asking I've said little of late so not to just go on about it. The ENT said my sinus problem should not be causing the headaches I described and thinks it MIGHT be migraine, so is sending me to a neurologist. In the meantime he gave me a script for tylenol 3. I have been breaking them in half.

[ogauge]

GRRRRRRR Bears gave another one away!  Or maybe they just stink!!!!!

 

Oh well,

Time to go run some trains...

 

[dwiemer]

Good Sunday Afternoon everyone!

Jack....I believe the group with the most flying vintage military aircraft is The Confederate Airforce based in Texas.  I have seen a number of their pieces at shows and they do a great job as well as having actual combat crews that flew them. 

Chief, if you are on Plavix, you better keep that let elevated!  You'll have a black and blue area the size of Rhode Island there.

I get off call tomorrow at 0700, so I am hoping for a little peace soon.  We have a conference at our church this week, then, my anniversary is this week and the movie opens this week.  I may get some sleep next month!  Anyway, I hope everyone is doing well.  We have had some pleasant temps here and I took care of some honey dos at home to take advantage.  Burned a few trees that had come down in some storms and cut up some others. 
Dove season is in but alas, I have no time to get in the field.  Some day.

May you all have a blessed week ahead,

Dennis

[ChiefEagles]

1/2 asprin and that is too much. 

BTW:  Spelling of the lake house is EAGLES' NEST and not Eagles Nest.  Anyone know why?

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Hitler's retreat in the Alps was Eagles Nest.

[kpolak]

Evening all!

Finally got out of bed today to run sound at Church, and off to fancy schmancy brunch at the Gandy Dancer...Yes, the previous Ann Arbor Station.  Spent Saturday in bed with fever and chills, but I got to watch the Rider Cup!  Anthony Kim spanked Sergio in today's match, and USA wins!

I don't go into 'town' much, but I'll be back for some photos of a new building.  the area used to be an old coal depot?  The cars are elevated, and the coal dropped out the bottom....Anyhoo they rebuilt a section of the elevated line, placed a car on the tracks, and you drive under it to get into the parking lot.

Kurt

[Buckeye Riveter]

Just finished my email to the Mayor of Roger's Corners about the power line easements not being cleaned by the utility company.  

Jack....Four years ago, we had the ice storm where 250,000 homes were without power.  Buckeyes who were in Florida and had failed to turn their water off came home to soaked ceilings that had fallen in and basements with two feet of water.  About a week after they were able to get everyone power another ice storm hit Ohio and just tore the trees apart near Marysville, Ohio.

Chuck...How's the leg? 

If the Chief's Lake House needs a name here are few suggestions:

• Hog Heaven
• Chief's Trash House
• Grits Palace
• Mosquito Heaven
• Sweet Swamp T
• Dancing Carp Lodge

Back to work tomorrow.  Night meetings.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Just finished my email to the Mayor of Roger's Corners about the power line easements not being cleaned by the utility company.  

Jack....Four years ago, we had the ice storm where 250,000 homes were without power.  Buckeyes who were in Florida and had failed to turn their water off came home to soaked ceilings that had fallen in and basements with two feet of water.  About a week after they were able to get everyone power another ice storm hit Ohio and just tore the trees apart near Marysville, Ohio.

Chuck...How's the leg? 

If the Chief's Lake House needs a name here are few suggestions:

• Hog Heaven
• Chief's Trash House
• Grits Palace
• Mosquito Heaven
• Sweet Swamp T
• Dancing Carp Lodge

Back to work tomorrow.  Night meetings.

How about " Grits Gorge " ????

[fifedog]

Gonna have to put some of you boys in a rubber room...the other half in quarentine.  More painting this afternoon while listening to the RAVENS desimate the BROWNIES.  Cut grass and grocery shopping early with fifey's-wifey (who complained of being cold in the store...she was ).

Just curious, are our friends in Massachusetts on "suicide watch"?

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Evening all from beautiful Southern Ohio

I am on the last night shift for this trick, and on the way into work the deer were really moving.  Saw 15- 20 and 3 really nice bucks, 8 & 12 pointers.  Also saw 5 nice turkeys with 6"+ beards.  All of this was on our plant's reservation so it was like driving through a zoo.

Mitch - Hope the jaw is feeling better.  The Skyline drive and the BRP are great drives, especially when the fall colors start.  We're going down next month.

Chief - I have done the same thing more than once.  It has brought stars to my eyes and for a few minutes.

Chuck - Is the leg better?  Continued prayers.  If on opposite side maybe you and Chief can lean on each other

Wes - The water putty is good stuff.  I used regular drywall mud to smooth the top; it was a little easier to work.

Doug M - Too bad for the little guy, ever use meat tenderizer on stings? 

Rich - Nice bike!!

Laz - your hike sounds like it was a lot of fun.

Fife - I am still trying to find some small flamingos for the layout.  If / when I find them I'll put them in the park.

 

May God bless

Jim

 

[fifedog]

Phish - check DEPARTMENT 56; that's where I got mine.