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.

[sir james I]

GOOD EVENING

Brutus your looking for banilla, Funny you should mention that, I just happen to have some. A pumpkin pie too. Talked my wife into just putting up a small six foot christmas tree so I would not have to get all the stuff out, and she got even with me and didn't know it. She wanted the Lionel large gauge christmas train, I think it was from the  80s, Xformer conntrolled DC. Anyway yep it was buried way under the train table. Took me longer to get it out than to  set it up. But I also ran my trains today no pile ups....TTFN  S.J.

[rtraincollector]

sir james I

GOOD EVENING

Brutus your looking for banilla, Funny you should mention that, I just happen to have some. A pumpkin pie too. Talked my wife into just putting up a small six foot Christmas tree so I would not have to get all the stuff out, and she got even with me and didn't know it. She wanted the Lionel large gauge Christmas train, I think it was from the  80s, Xformer conntrolled DC. Anyway yep it was buried way under the train table. Took me longer to get it out than to  set it up. But I also ran my trains today no pile ups....TTFN  S.J.

Speaking of Christmas tree I believe I told you all we put our artificial tree on the coffee table and I put the coke set around it and the standard gauge set around the table . Well the other morning I got up ( this tree slips into a base that lights the whole tree up I believe they said it was fiber optic) and the train was not touch and still on the track but the tree was gone ( yes I understand the tree is only 26" tall ) found tree in den about 2 feet from fireplace. Told wife they wanted to burn it so they could cook marshmallows while we slept they got hungry. I'm now looking for a cat stun-gun as don't want to hurt them just calm them down some lol.

Evening all not to much going on been getting severe pain in left side of back about 8" up from waist just about where I use to befor when I had kidney stones and its always worst while driving like before well going in to see Doc tomorrow afternoon to find out hope I just pulled a muscle and its the way I'm sitting at work and in the truck. But it don't hurt here Infact when I get home It usually really hurting and sitting in this chair it usually goes away within 30 - 45 minutes.

Hope all have a good night and incase I didn't say it yes Dennis the good lord had a reason for you to stick around that day. And were all glad you did.

[Brutus]

RT - seriously, use a water pistol!  My wife trained her old cats with a water pistol and said it worked great.  She had to trade the cats for me as I'm allergic to cats, though.  Okay guys, we'll go to Mike's and then Sir James' house....  DDG has a standing invite if he's over the crud, as do all the fine folks on the CTT site.  Hope all know that? But, no crud on the TARDIS - have to go through the decontamination field

Lionel Teddy Bears arrived in time for Christmas gifts to da kidz!  Yay!  Now, have to get them to go to bed so I can check them out

[cnw1995]

Our cats would climb our big artificial tree- they're so large I was afraid they'd break a branch. This year for some reason they've stayed out. Bride is home from her retreat and still on the phone 2 hours later. Just watched PolEx with the youngest - he says he likes the happy ending. Wrote letter to Mr. C today after school with him. Santa's gonna need a bigger sleigh. Beacon is on! 

[CSXect]

Went to go get paint for layout and came home with 2 train sets, a woody wagon, a bunch of Christmas village street lights a set of small c clamps and paint(Green).

 

I am logging off for the night speaking of bannilla Krogers has private selections 1 pint icecream 10 for $10.00 may have to get some black raspberry chocolate chunk

[ChiefEagles]

Reclinerized too late.  Wife on couch and me in recliner.  Returned from senior ladies class [wife teaches, we're not that old] Christmas meal.  I picked the local paper [not the big state wide one] and she was watching Chirstmas show on TV.  This paper has main editoral supporting my fight against Raleigh over waterlines.  I just woke her up and we are off to bed.  Suppose to be turning cooler.  Was real warm today.  Both of us are still coughing and coughing.  Sucked up lots of leaves under pecan trees.  Now have to get out and pick them up.  Speaking of Nike sites.  Never knew there was one in GA.  Must have been closed before I joined them.  When I got my "call", the Defenses were Korea, Germany, Okinawa, Hawaii. Alaska, Anaheim CA, Boston MA [glad I did not chose that one], Hampton VA [Langley], Miami FL [mine] and Ft. Bliss TX [main training facility].  Might have been one in the Chicago area???  Funny, don't remember one in NY.  Guess they did not count.  Probably the Boston covered NY.  The Miami Defense did not exist until the Cuban Missile Crisis.  When you say Miami, batteries were from north of Miami and all the way down to Key Largo.  Mine was in the Everglades National Park.  Last visit to the area, abandoned and grown up.  Actually we were air defense but we had nuke warheads with surface to surface plugs [device to allow missile to explode just above ground zero].  We were watching Castro.  We could have launched nuke warheads into Cuba.  There were two systems.  First was a shorter range Ajax and then the two stage long range Hercules.  Ajax was gone when I joined them.  All the sites were "underground" [elevators brought the missiles and launchers up top] except Germany and Miami.  Germany was mobile.  Miami could not be under ground due to water table.  Our missiles were kept in big "barns" and missiles were rolled out on rails [raised metal framing with track, just like RR, on top] to stationary launchers on concrete pad.  All enclosed by horseshoe shaped burms.  I volunteered to be assistant panel operator [raise the missiles and set them up electronicly for firing].  As soon as I was trained, the panel operator was shipped to Germany.  That left me having the cushy job.  I was inside a room [A/C and heated] on the back side of the burm.  The whole area was built up out of the everglades.  It would flood all around us during rainy season or hurricanes [had one while I was there].  The only battery left is in the Roseyville Div of NS.

 

Aimed north [mainly toward Ohizo].

Dennis, are you within 100 miles or so from the old Redstone Missile arsenal?  If so, could have been it.  Been 40 years so and may have forgotten one or two [don't remember one in Seattle].  The idea was to string them around the USA, Germany and Korea to stop Russian bombers.  Got revised later for surface to surface.  System develped by Bell Labs and built by Western Electric in Winston-Salem and Greensboro NC.  My Uncle was engineer on the system.  He never would talk about his job when I was growing up.  Thought he was "foreign" and withdrawn.  After I left the Army, we both sat down and laughed as we suddenly could talk.  Everyone in the Army wanted an Expert Rifleman badge.  Had one of those and one with missiles on it.

 

Missile story over.  Good night.  [can't sleep for coughing]

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Good Morning all

Just a note before off to work.  I won't be "supervising" today as my regular crew is off, I'll be testing some new equipment, so I dont need to be to work till 0630.  I finished cleaning up the 954 car. Really nice car.  It makes me want (desire covet??) the rest of the set!  I hope you all have a great Friday.

Laz - Good luckhunting

Buckeye - TGIF

Chuck - Careful on those stairs

May God bless

Jim

[Buckeye Riveter]

TGIF

Busy week.  It is not what you know, but who you know.

Speaking of missiles,  back in 1984 when we were building new interchanges near the airport in Gary, Indiana,  just off of the construction site, there were two abondoned silos.  One was filled with water. 

I need to run some trains.  Chicken Soup and trains are a sure fire cure for a head cold.  

Gotta run, out the door and back to work.  

 

[anjdevil2]

Hey yo,

Up to 69 again today with sun and clouds. 

Took the little one to the basketball game as she is on the high school dance team.  Home team lost.  She danced.  It was interesting....(sorry, don't care much for HS sports or the abnoxious parents that go to these things)

That's funny yuz giz talkin' 'bout Nike sites.  On the Moparts Forum this came up not too long ago.  There is an abandoned Nike site about 45 minutes south of me in NJ.  Part of the Penn Circle.  Sits on County Route 539 on the borders of Fort Dix and Lakehurst NAS.  Always went by there when we went to Atlantic City.  On GoogleMaps its: 40.034959, -74.441900 . Those are co-ordinates.  I really didn't know about it until WeirdNJ.com did a story about it several years ago.  Seems there are A LOT of these missle sites still around.  One being in Sandy Hook, 20 miles or so south of Manhattan.  It still exists to this day.

On the train side, ran the C&O again yesterday, I'm kinda liking it.  Now to get the needed cash together.  I have a Christmas tree to purchase and all the gifts that go with it, so cash is wee bit tight.  Especially snce I'm in a quandry 'bout the Harley thing.

Oh, well, this to shall pass.

See ya on the next lap!

Rich

[kpolak]

Morning all!

Assignment today is to find a 'Sleeping Beauty' cake pan for the almost 4-yo...she was very specific.

Nike sites...I grew up not far from (about 1-1/2 miles) one just outside of Detroit.

Need to complete Christmas Layout base today, and get that up and running.  Children's Christmas Show rehersal tomorrow afternoon...I'll be running sound in the main auditorium with a Yamaha LS-9-32 Digital board...Never run a digital board before....I'm used to Tweesting the knobs on the analogue boards.  Pushing a button, and having all the faders snap into position is pretty cool!

Kurt

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

It is cold but clear in SE Indiana with temps in the 20s.  Went to the YMCA to do weights last night.  Spent some time over at my dad's working on standard gauge layout.  Have to get everything set up at the museum this weekend.  Going to be a lot of work.  Work was.....work yesterday.  Not much fun.  Glad to have a job though.  BTD, welcome to pot.  Good to see someone acquainted with Norway here.  As most of the regulars here know, I have a special Norwegian soccer friend who lights up my life if and when she ever visits.  I had a little extra on the dining car this morning for breakfast.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[ChiefEagles]

UGGH  Could not go back to sleep.  Now I am sleepy.  Got things to do.  Will stay inside as turning colder.  Maybe nap some.  Missiles.  Also, there were Hawk sites.  Hawk was a short range low altitude missile.  [don't tell Buckeye.  When he came south, we caught him asleep and inserted a tracking device under his skin, we can send the Roseyville Nike after him at any time]  Chat later.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a cold 28 degrees. Sun is trying to come out. Not going up much warmer today.

Today, I have some things to do around the house. Should be an easy day. Right knee is stiff due to the weather. I have to walk it out.

Chief...I will make it to the basement to run trains. Thanks, anyway , for your help

Buckeye...TGIF

Dining car was here for the usual breakfast.

Y'all have a great Friday.

Chuck

[dbaker48]

Good Morning (I think)

I made a mistake and turned on the news this morning;

- Major fire in downtown LA, 3rd day in a row.

- One half million people lost their jobs in NOVEMBER !

- Supreme Court considering Obama's citizenship validity. 

- Sentencing day for OJ.

- Car manuf groveling goin on.

With all those issues seems like it would be a good day to stay in the train room!

 Expecting a package from MD today, looking forward to that.  I know that one should arrive in IA, I checked the tracking and it is scheduled for delivery.

The reindeer are holding up rather well on the roof, I know the whole crew is on high alert.  They seem rather confident and not to concerned.  Mumbling something about a deer that was shot 3 times, then managed to get up and attack the hunter.  He ended up in the hospital with hundreds of stitches.

Did notice that the Chief posted practically a whole page.  That's a lot of words all at once.  And they were different ones too.  Things must be slow in Roseyville, I know that took a lot of time.

Looks like this weekend is going to be spent Christmas decorating,  BE REALLY GLAD WHEN THAT IS DONE !!

[cnw1995]

Morning all. It was 8 yesterday. Today it is 4 - what's with that? Coldest season in 12 years - sheesh. Chicago and the north shore had a few Nike sites along the lake - now parks with concrete bunkers. Buckeye, TGIF - hope the cold is getting better. Kurt, digital board sounds fun.  Don, the bride reports it is still cold, snowy and tree-filled in Rockford at the retreat house on the south side. Of course, now that I have something from Iowa to take a photo of, both our cameras have mysteriously died...

[dbaker48]

cnw1995

Don, the bride reports it is still cold, snowy and tree-filled in Rockford at the retreat house on the south side. Of course, now that I have something from Iowa to take a photo of, both our cameras have mysteriously died...

 

Doug, I remember your post that she was somewhat reluctant about making that trip.  I had intended to respond back that you must be very understanding and tolerant of her reluctance.  But, I missed that opportunity.  Thankfully it was a relatively short trip.  However, the recovery time may be a bit more than expected.  Also be cautious of a overwhelming Swedish traits begining to develop.  There is no known treatments for that conditions.

[fifedog]

BRrrrrrr boys...  The globe is warming, Doug-a-roo, so get on the same page.  Now excuse me while I step outside and empty out this can of Aqua-Net...

Chief - Scary to think what we had laying around.  Even more scarier to guess where all the Russian warheads went to...

dbaker - UPS GROUND said 5 business days...

SPMan - Congrats on your smoking anniversary.  Imagine all the trains you could've bought...

[SPMan]

Chief, we had a first generation Nike sight near where I grew up in Southeastern , Va.  It was in an area called West Norfolk and was manned by the National Guard when they just had 90 millimeter AA guns  but later by the regular Army after they got the Nike missiles.  We called it the "Big Army" when I was in the Virginia National Guard in the 50's.  Our unit was a AAA battalion in Portsmouth (Battery C) also know as "Grimes Battery" which was a historic unit dating to the Civil War.  Once our unit was invited to tour the Nike sight but were told there were parts they could not show us without security clearance.  I think they meant the underground part.  The officer in charge said he could not say anything about it but if we wanted more information we could read it in Life Magazine at the time.  So much for security.  There is a place here in California in the Bay Area I think where they have a preserved Nike sight open to tourist.  They still have the underground storage area and can run a missile up to the launch position for visitors to see.  A local TV guy (Huel Howser) did a program about it once.  See you later,

 

Ray

[laz 57]

HI GYZ,

  24 and cold here to get to 37.  Tomorrow more cold and windy high30?

Going deer hunting with BRO tomorrow up at MOMs.  Hope to get one?  Then MOM is making up PHEASANT SOUP for supper.  See YUZ GYZ on SUNDAY?

STAY FROSTY,

laz57

[RockIsland52]

cnw1995

........Chicago and the north shore had a few Nike sites along the lake - now parks with concrete bunkers.

DOUGM........there was also a missile site located on Chicago's North side......on the south side of Bryn Mawr Avenue (5600N) just east of Kedzie, nestled on the west bank of the sanitary canal, along with the barracks.  It was abandoned in the early 1960's if I recall correctly.  I mention this because you used to travel Eastbound on Peterson Avenue, parallel to Bryn Mawr and just a half mile north of there.

Many moons ago you mentioned a getaway with Murphy-Wifey for your upcoming anniversary.  Ever consider Door County Wisconsin's peninsula?  There used to be stand alone single unit A-frame units available with fireplaces on the northeast (Lake Michigan side) just yards from the water.  Can't remember the name of the place but will do some searching.  It used to be pretty rural and serene, though that may have changed.

Jack

[sir james I]

Good Morning All

Cold here, and It looks like it will stay this way as no warm temps. on the map at all. I am very concerned about the auto industry as this area is the big three home. Jobs and families and gone for good and it's a bleak outlook for many more. And just as bad is there are so many people that don't seem to care. Even if you remove the humanity part, we are all affected by what these lost jobs won't buy, won't pay taxes, which means less of everything for all of us. I just don't understand how so many not affected just shrug it off when overall it will affect everyone.   S.J.

[jonadel]

Don B., looking forward to the CA package    Busy week for a retired guy, 3 schools in 4 days but I enjoy my time with the kids and renewing friendships with great directors but 5:30 AM does seem early to hit the shower.  I think I'm done until January, hope so.

 Our Christmas gift to each other this year is a new 46" LCD HD flat screen, GREAT buys out there right now but getting DirecTV out here has been a fiasco.  They were supposed to be here yesterday but it was a no show, lots of time on the phone last night and VERY early this AM.  As it turns out they are crediting our account big time and with a very apologetic attitude, that's kinda nice.  The problem seems to be with 3rd party contractors, supposed to be here this afternoon, we'll see.  We have no other options except Dish Network.  I hope our new TV lasts as long as our last one, no complaints or repairs for 12 years and the picture is still very good, but small.

 Doug--we are headed to Cedar Falls to take care of the princess this weekend and I know she will want to hit Caboose Stop Hobbies tomorrow with Grandpa.  If that red MTH Standard gauge is still there, it's going to come back to Adel   They've had it for over a year and it needs a home.

I know it's only morning but I think I need a nap, when one gets up so early it seems like the days are a lot longer
 

[RockIsland52]

sir james I

Good Morning All

Cold here, and It looks like it will stay this way as no warm temps. on the map at all. I am very concerned about the auto industry as this area is the big three home. Jobs and families and gone for good and it's a bleak outlook for many more. And just as bad is there are so many people that don't seem to care. Even if you remove the humanity part, we are all affected by what these lost jobs won't buy, won't pay taxes, which means less of everything for all of us. I just don't understand how so many not affected just shrug it off when overall it will affect everyone.   S.J.

SirJames........people had better care about this one.  While I don't live anywhere near you, from my perspective you have hit the nail squarely on the head.  Jobs fuel our entire bus.  It's that simple.

If this auto industry loan guarantee is denied, the amount of the requested guarantee will seem like a grain of sand in the desert compared to the devastating and immediate negative tax revenue impact, both Federal and State, that the loss of these manufacturing jobs will create.

Jack

[Blueberryhill RR]

RockIsland52

sir james I

Good Morning All

Cold here, and It looks like it will stay this way as no warm temps. on the map at all. I am very concerned about the auto industry as this area is the big three home. Jobs and families and gone for good and it's a bleak outlook for many more. And just as bad is there are so many people that don't seem to care. Even if you remove the humanity part, we are all affected by what these lost jobs won't buy, won't pay taxes, which means less of everything for all of us. I just don't understand how so many not affected just shrug it off when overall it will affect everyone.   S.J.

SirJames........people had better care about this one.  While I don't live anywhere near you, from my perspective you have hit the nail squarely on the head.  Jobs fuel our entire bus.  It's that simple.

If this auto industry loan guarantee is denied, the amount of the requested guarantee will seem like a grain of sand in the desert compared to the devastating and immediate negative tax revenue impact, both Federal and State, that the loss of these manufacturing jobs will create.

Jack

AMEN....

[ChiefEagles]

fifedog

BRrrrrrr boys...  The globe is warming, Doug-a-roo, so get on the same page.  Now excuse me while I step outside and empty out this can of Aqua-Net...

Chief - Scary to think what we had laying around.  Even more scarier to guess where all the Russian warheads went to...

dbaker - UPS GROUND said 5 business days...

SPMan - Congrats on your smoking anniversary.  Imagine all the trains you could've bought...

Fifey, what is "scarier", the Chief was sitting there with a toggle switch with a red plastic cover that could launch a nuke.  Grant it, the Fire Control Officer could have destroyed it after it left the launcher.  No special key to turn and no double control.

Working at Town Hall as turned cloudy and COLD.

[fifedog]

Just finished watching MODERN MARVELS episode on WMD's...Cheerful.

[cnw1995]

Jack, I think there was also a second battery further north too. Door county is still somewhat rusticated - though far less because it's so close to MILW and Chicago -- I think I'm doomed - she has her heart set on somewhere more expensive - like Italy  - ack!

Jon, it's a sign! You and I are both meant to get something Standard Gauge...

[dwiemer]

Rich, there was another Missile site up in Mahwah near the fire academy.  I don't know the specifics, but when I was in the USAF, my major had been stationed there.

Chief, the Redstone site is near Huntsville, Alabama (Near the NASA location).  That is located in north-central Alabama.  Our location:

TU-01 AADCP

Albany -

Loc: NE Albany, US-82 Cur: (P) Miller Brewing Company, Federal Job Corps Center

As you can see, it is now the location of the Miller Brewing Company.  The above is from the TAC web site.  I am not sure what is left of the missile installation.  I suspect it is one of the same High water table styles like Florida.

An update on the babies I spoke of, both are doing better.  One should be leaving NICU today, and the other is being taken off the "Critical Unstable" and upgraded to "Critical Stable".  Answered prayer.

It is finally Friday.  I have a Christmas Party for the heart team tomorrow.  Going to make a Caramel and White Chocolate Cheesecake.  Also hope to get some train time in.  At least I am starting to feel better.

Hope everyone has a blessed weekend.

Dennis

[kpolak]

RockIsland52

  If this auto industry loan guarantee is denied, the amount of the requested guarantee will seem like a grain of sand in the desert compared to the devastating and immediate negative tax revenue impact, both Federal and State, that the loss of these manufacturing jobs will create. 

Chief:  You better get involved in this one...If they go under, they'll close Michigan.  Almost all business here is related to the Auto companies.  I'll be moving to Rosiville!  (pronounced rosee-villee)

All kidding aside, if you work for the big 3, you can't get money from a bank...They simply won't give you credit.  If you don't have cash to make payroll, you're done.  Look for more related businesses to go under soon.

Doug:  The afternoon freight stopped by....Looks like the MOW is going to be up to something on the Christmas Line.

Don:  I've been watching the jobless claims...Previous week was at 475,000...That means jobless claims doubled in one month.

Kurt

[ChiefEagles]

kpolak

RockIsland52

  If this auto industry loan guarantee is denied, the amount of the requested guarantee will seem like a grain of sand in the desert compared to the devastating and immediate negative tax revenue impact, both Federal and State, that the loss of these manufacturing jobs will create. 

Chief:  You better get involved in this one...If they go under, they'll close Michigan.  Almost all business here is related to the Auto companies.  I'll be moving to Rosiville!  (pronounced rosee-villee)

All kidding aside, if you work for the big 3, you can't get money from a bank...They simply won't give you credit.  If you don't have cash to make payroll, you're done.  Look for more related businesses to go under soon.

Doug:  The afternoon freight stopped by....Looks like the MOW is going to be up to something on the Christmas Line.

Don:  I've been watching the jobless claims...Previous week was at 475,000...That means jobless claims doubled in one month.

Kurt

You might not like my answer.  Poor upper management [over blown salaries and "big shotiness"] and the UAW are the cause of the US Auto Manufacturers problems.  The foreign manufacturers have loses in sales but still keep going.  Unions are good but that one pushed it too far.  As far as you moving to Roseyville.  Can't get any worse. We have folks here from OHIZO.