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.

[fifedog]

88 - Along the PORT ROAD, where NS (former PRR) crosses the Octararo River, is a cool cement viaduct (3-4 arches), and an old through truss bridge (former PWB) actually spands thru it.  This was actually going to be on my "planned" empire, but it might just fit the bill for the space you are using.  Would be easy to replicate with some plywood and a Plasticville truss bridge.  Anyway, I feel a "work" session is in store at Brent's abode.

[Anonymous]

Fife - Sounds good... will have to wait till you return from VT though.

[anjdevil2]

Now that you guys have past the He*lish temps, I can bring my electric chain saw for clearing the trees for Brents new Caboose hide a way, and kibitz on the bridge building thing.

Up to 90 & 90 again, summer temps here with a vengence.  Should have more PM storms like usual.  Global warming my foot.....

Ran some trains Monday night.  Was kinda cool to run all diesels for a change.  My Beeps pulling my Road Runner/Wiley Coyote gondola (MEEP MEEP!) and a PRR flat with 2 1970 Plum Crazy Road Runners.  Of course, we had the usual PRR boxcars, post war and modern, ended up with my lighted CNJ Red Baron caboose.  The CNJ Boxcab pulled 8 Sunoco tankers with the PRR caboose.  Lights off with the TV on, kinda relaxin'.

Softball was a rainout last night, Mrs D just HAD to get some grocery shopping in, so there went the night.

Prayers to Jim SP's bro & Jon & family in Ioway...youse can send the water down here, anytime...

Rich

[sir james I]

Good Morning

We made an early trip to Walmart this AM. The dogs had trouble pulling the sled now that the snow is gone but we made it. Reg gas is $4.05/4.09, E85 is still $3.54. Prices at the pump is not the only place we are getting it. Those of you who grocery shop know what's happening there, just like gas.ouch.

There are still a number of schools closed because of no power, most all were suppose to be done this week so I guess if they have used all there snow days some kids will still be in school next week. Nothing new from the store,shipments are just not arriving on schedule. some say the earthquake others have different ideas, oh well see y'all later....S.J.

[ChiefEagles]

Good Morning

We made an early trip to Walmart this AM. The dogs had trouble pulling the sled now that the snow is gone but we made it. Reg gas is $4.05/4.09, E85 is still $3.54. Prices at the pump is not the only place we are getting it. Those of you who grocery shop know what's happening there, just like gas.ouch.

There are still a number of schools closed because of no power, most all were suppose to be done this week so I guess if they have used all there snow days some kids will still be in school next week. Nothing new from the store,shipments are just not arriving on schedule. some say the earthquake others have different ideas, oh well see y'all later....S.J.

Snow finally gone.   Not everywhere as I saw on WC that Washington State is still getting it.   We are getting squash, cucmbers and a few tomatoes.  Yuz giz are just getting grass to turn green.   AH, sit back and enjoy a bowl of grits and then sweet ice tea later.  I have been to mid and up state Michigan this time of year and they were planting big fields of corn.

Cooler today.  High round 88 [not Brent].  Out to set out more tomatoes and peppers.  Plant more corn.  Gives me veggies all summer and until frost.  Meeting at 2 PM.  Enjoy the day.

[RockIsland52]

John.....nice "Hole In The Wall Gang" job.    I hope Chief has already contacted you to purchase the autographed blueprints and to provide you with a construction consulting contract at $100 per hour.   Don't accept grits or home grown tomatoes in lieu of your fee.

Thanks for the pictures.

Jack

[SPMan]

Good morning all, going to grandson's school this AM to see him in a play.  School will be out this week I think.  Ran my trains yesterday for a little while.  Things get tempermental on the layout when you don't run enough and keep track clean.  Finding alternatives for the tomato scare.  Man, it's always something!  Getting frustrated trying to figure out logistics for traveling in the future and taking care of my oxygen needs.  I need supplemental oxygen at night only and I'm trying to find out somethiing about renting oxygen concentrator machine at whatever destination I choose.  The airlines will supply oxygen on flights for a fee ($100 per take off and landing).  I have read where the cabins on planes are only equal to 8000 feet on land so it's like being on a high mountain.  People with reduced oxygen blood levels could have problems without it.  I would like to go see my relatives in Virginia and North Carolina before I get too old to travel.  Ray

[Anonymous]

SPMan - Why not take the train? Not sure if you can get on with a medical note. I know when we flew last year to Alabama with my FiL (he had just had radiation seeds inserted into his prostate) he had to take a medical form incase he set off any 'detection devices'.

[cnw1995]

I witnessed a nice railroady moment today on our commuter train's swing into the Northwestern station. You might have seen photos of 'The 400' or 'City of San Francisco' posed on a sweeping elevated curve in front of the Chicago skyline - well, it's right by where the former Burlington and Milwaukee lines come together too. As we came around that curve, I could see the skyline with two Metra trains ahead of us on the Northwestern tracks, an Amtrak Hiawatha (late) and two Burlington trains (one coming in and one outbound) down below coming into Union Station and to top it all off, an El crossing over the Northwestern approaches on the Green line. Wish I had a camera. The curve is in the upper right in this image.

[SPMan]

Brent, I have thought about taking the train but I would still need supplemental oxygen at night sleeping on the train.  That would involve some kind of portable oxygen concentrator that you could carry.  I think they rent for around $275 per week.  I think the airlines would be a more effecient way to go although it's not cheap either.  I need to talk to someone who has had experience with this kind of thing.  There must be a forum somewhere for folks with oxygen needs. Ray

[dwiemer]

Good Afternoon everyone.  Just checking in.  Have a little work to get done.  Have a meeting regarding benefits and such.  I hate meetings, but if you don't go, your opinion is not heard and they can make ones life misserable.  Was going to reply to some folks, but can't remember all the issues.  One big best wishes for Jon.  Hope things are settling down out there.

God Bless,

dennis

[jonadel]

Everything is under control at the moment with the levee's in Cedar Falls and Des Moines holding  so that's the good news, the bad news is there a possibility of 2-4" new rain tonight in the upper basins, ugg.

Here is a pic my son took yesterday in Cedar Falls, they purposefully put these box cars on the bridge to add more weight, so far so good.  In Waterloo (which attaches to Cedar Falls) they lost one train bridge last night that John Deere uses to move their equipment across the Cedar River.  Keeping our fingers crossed.

 

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Evening all from Sunny Southern Ohio

I have been busy as a one-armed paper hanger lately.  Thanks for all the kind words for my brother.  One more class this weekend then off for the summer!!!!  There are several projects I've got lined up.  Two projects are train related.  I bought an s gauge DC Birney Trolley kit.  I am not sure what color to paint it.  Any Suggestions and as far as the printing on the sides, I have no idea where I could get those.  The second project is two 586 Wayside Stations I am re-doing.  I have the stripped and primed and will do color over the next few days.

I met with the insurance adjuster about the water damage on the camper and it will be covered, but I am unsure if they are going to total it or not and if so what they will give me for it.  Typically it is 75% of resale value.  We shall see.

Jon- major prayers for you and the other folks in your area.

Everyone take care and be careful working out n the heat.

May God bless

Jim

[Blueberryhill RR]

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

Well, today was interesting. The A/C guys came out and pulled the panel off the heat pump  and said " You have a lady bug stuck in your contacts". Cleaned them out and the A/C started right up. Now that was a new one. I had them replace the contact set anyway. All is running good now. This was a good experience. No big cost. I just thought I'd share that with you guys.

Chuck

[kpolak]

Evening all!

Power just back on.  Went off Tuesday am in light rain with no wind.  Estimates said Friday.

Borrowed generator from friends, and plugged in Ref, and freezer...but didn't have water.  We're on a well.  Found last 125/240v generator plug in area today.  Everyone elses power went out Sunday night.  Connected well pump...took kids out for fried rice dinner.  Came home and power was on.  Generator on list of things to buy.

Kurt

[sir james I]

EVENING ALL

Nice day 82, TV news says lots of areas still without power. The wind blew huge old trees onto the lines and of course all that has to be removed before Edison can rebuild. They brought in some out of state help but many other areas have their own damage to repair. They claim they got as much help as they could find. I gave a couple trains a lap or two but no big train day.

Chief-my dad who knew nothing about growing things, use to say that in our area. Corn was suppose to be knee high by the fourth of July. If it was, the farmers crop was ok.

Thats all I can think of except for those that want to stop by,come on....S.J.

[Anonymous]

Just saw on CNN that a dam in Johnstown, IW was crested tonight. That isn't too far from Jon... prayers that he and his family and friends are OK!

[Brutus]

Wow, prayers for a dry spell, Jon - we got hit like that in 93.  God bless.

Kurt, glad you got power again, what a mess!  Did you check into a hotel or is it relatively cool there?

Doug Murphy, thanks for the picture -- it's now my wallpaper on my work computer!  I've had several people stop, look and then go on and on about the time they were at that station etc...

Tired and a little worn out today.  Maybe tomorrow will be better.  Doug, you can use your extra set of keys and get the guys if you want.

TTFN

[jefelectric]

Brent, I have thought about taking the train but I would still need supplemental oxygen at night sleeping on the train.  That would involve some kind of portable oxygen concentrator that you could carry.  I think they rent for around $275 per week.  I think the airlines would be a more effecient way to go although it's not cheap either.  I need to talk to someone who has had experience with this kind of thing.  There must be a forum somewhere for folks with oxygen needs. Ray

 We traveled on the same sleeper last fall with a gentleman who used oxygen, don't remember if he had a concentrator or a tank.  As he was also in a wheel chair he had the handicap compartment on the lower level.  If you are thinking of trying the train, check with Amtrak and see what they suggest.

[ChiefEagles]

Good night all.  Busy day.  Re-watered most of garden.  Planted some more tomatoes, corn, okra and hot peppers.  Then had meeting.  Cooked dinner for wife.  She washed the dishes [usully I get to do them the next morning].  Fish fed, birds fed and deer fed.  Rest time now.  Sturg, things grow fast up there.  Longer days during the summer than down here.  Reverse is true for winter.  Jon, still hoping your son will remain dry.  Dennis, hope to get by Miss Edna's this Sat AM.  Pam has events [friend's daughter's graduation party, her boss's son's B'day party in our park and FIL's Father's Day cookout that evening] planned for all day.  Chuck, good news on A/c.  My contactor goes out about every other year.  Been lucky so far as that has been all.  Later.

[wrmcclellan]

Well, today was interesting. The A/C guys came out and pulled the panel off the heat pump  and said " You have a lady bug stuck in your contacts". 

Chuck

Chuck - the Ladybug Anti-Defamation League will be knocking on your door tomorrow and will be expecting you to put appropriate guards on your heat pump to ensure that no Ladybugs accidently get into your heat pump again. Of course you will have to hire very high dollar certified ladybug shield installers - but only after the appropriate environmental impact investigations and statements are filed. Check with Buckeye as his firm has the ability to bill at high enough rates to be considered experts in this area.

Busy the last few days and no time to post. Contractors moving at record snails pace. We have now torn out the flooring in the kitchen, breakfast area, and utility room (ceramic tile over sheet flooring - two layers - required jackhammer with wide blade to peel up). Tomorrow they plan to rip out the carpet in the living room. The good news is we have not gotten one single project completely finished yet. Lots of little punch list items to cover on every project so far. This reminds me of the movie "Money Pit". I just hope it is as beautiful at the end???

Jack - hardwood floors (oak laminate - can't do solid oak planking as the slab here is not indented to allow for proper subfloor for oak planking as I have had in previous homes) in dining and living room. New ceramic tile in the kitchen/breakfast/utility room.

Hope the flooding subsides soon in the upper Midwest.

98 here today. Supposed to be 95 tomorrow and dropping to 93 for the weekend. Temps have been running 7-8 degrees above normal for the last month or so.

Hope everyone has a great day tomorrow.

[kpolak]

  Kurt, glad you got power again, what a mess!  Did you check into a hotel or is it relatively cool there? 

Weather broke here Tuesday...80, but only 40% humidity.  Better than the 70-80% we had Sunday and Monday.

Looks like the Baby Trainmaster is going back for a look see.  I received the return info.  Looks like Trainz is doing a good job with this.

Kurt

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a sunny 66 degrees. Going up to 90 today, with sunshine.

Today is a busy day. I have o drive up to Cambridge to get groceries. I could not do it yesterday, due to the A/C work. I'm glad that is done and working good. Gas has dropped in price, in Cambridge. Believe it or not. It is now at $3.85 there. Still at $4.06 here. I wonder how long that will last ????....... Everybody in the County will be there to fill up.

Roy.....With my luck, Lady Bugs are an " Endangered Species "..LOL

Dining car has rolled in and it's time for breakfast. Later.

Y'all have a great Thursday.

Chuck

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

IIABSDISEI with temps near 90.  I think I can go meet my Maker now.  Probably the last realistic goal I have set in my life was achieved last night as all three of the kids and I were playing soccer together in a game.  Due to the number of subs available and our general lack of speed and playing ability, there never was a time when all four of us were on the field at the same time, but that may happen as the season goes on.  Lorelei had to leave after the game, but the rest of us celebrated the moment with supper at Steak'n'Shake.  On the way, Lucas and his girlfriend informed us that her dad got a new job in Texas and that she would be moving away shortly.  What impact that will have on the rest of the summer remains to be seen, but I do not see any good coming from it.  I was hoping for a nice, tranquil summer before he went off to school.  Guess that idea went to h--- in a handbasket. 

Doug, nice picture of the Chicago skyline.  I had the usual fare for breakfast on the dining car.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[Anonymous]

Mornin' Fellas.

Well Comcast showed up last night - 15 minutes EARLY - installed the new equipment (but still out of date as I needed a HD receiver with HDMI output (the one he brought only has DVI), and a digital receiver with SVHS output (the two he brought only have composite)) so I have to disconnect two receivers and take them back to the customer service counter in Frederick on Saturday... oh well... at least we have picture and sound on all three TVs (something we haven't had in over a month).

Next up is a new receiver for the family room with HDMI Inputs and Output so I can reduce the number of cables creating spaghetti in the back of the stereo rack which is reducing air flow, then a new TV for the Family Room with HDMI Inputs so I can reduce the number of cables further. Then need a HDTV for the Master Bedroom to gain some floor space AND reduce the heat being generated by the TV - it is a good 5 degrees warmer in the Master Bedroom with the TV on... didn't realize Cathode Ray TVs created that much heat.

Have to stop by the LTS on the way home to exchange the O45 switches for O54, then it is home to install them and maybe even mow the yard.

MikeC - I can feel for Lucas, having your GF (even in HS) tell you she is moving 1,000 miles away is tough. Stress to him that even though he thinks he is losing her, it is much more important for him to get his education completed. He can still email her and talk to her on the phone (much easier now especially if they are on the same carrier), and try to make a long distance relationship work, but he MUST complete his education. You're a great Dad and I'm sure you know the right things to say. I can honestly say that I am learning a lot about being a Dad from all you fellas, learned a lot from my Dad as well so I'm doomed to get it all wrong! LOL!

Roy - We need some before, during, and not yet complete pics... from what I gather you have no floors in your house right now!

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  Forget my weather, come someone tell me what in San Juan Hill is going on with IOWA!!!  Four dead boyscouts,42 others hospitalized.  Jon, I just don't see that railroad bridge holding up much longer if the water doesn't reside.  Geez Louise...

Roy - It's nice of you to try and personally lift the home contracting industry out of the current recession...Thanks to you, hundreds will eat tonight, and payments can be made on all those RAM 3500's parked out front.

cnw1995 - Cool pic, is that your view everyday?

[Wes Whitmore]

I picked up another 3KVA inverter yesterday for nothing...it's the best price.  That makes 3 total for 9KVA.  Tripplite models.  Pretty clean sinewave, especially for the price.  Electronics like PCs and motors are fine with it.  Probably the best part of these is that unlike a generator, you don't have to fire up an engine.  When house power is on, power flows through the inverter and to the appliance.  It also charges batteries internally, and a backup string.  When power fails, it silently kicks over to batteries.  Good for brownouts, and won't wake up the neighbors at night.  Not for everyone since free seldom comes along.

This model accepts 48V external battery strings, which I have 4 of now.  They daisy-chain together.  The tripplite external batteries are just a bunch of motorcycle batteries in a 6U chassis.  More than a one man lift.  Cleaner setup than car batteries, but I might tie that string in too ( I have 6 big batteries from a previous inverter setup).  These inverters monitor the remaining charge of the batteries, and allow you to shut down non vital outlets as time goes on and voltages start to drop.  It also will send you alerts that power is off, batteries are running low, etc.  Pretty slick, especially for free.  Reserve power is only as good as the amount of batteries you have, but it's expandandable, and clean/quiet.  I also have a hookup on all of the free deep cycle 12v batteries I want from a company that refreshes company's large UPS systems.  These batteries are only 1 or 2 years old.   Mine is only good for 120V.  Requires a 30A Nema connection and breaker.

Still fiddling with deployment.  I'm starting to zone my house circuits and group them to tie onto each inverter based on importance.  Sump pumps get their own, or course.  Trying to design and wire cleanly and safely.  I already did the sump pump.  I pulled the circuit going to the pit out of the electrical box, mounted it in it's own metal 1 outlet box and put a thick extension cable coming out of the box with a 20A plug into the back of UPS.  I'm not sure of a safer way to do it since I can't hardwire anything to the UPS since it only has Nema plugs.

Its all a work in progress.

Wes

[ChiefEagles]

Morning all.  Wes, have fun with your new "toy".  Well, don't want to have anything like CA but, NC now has the largest working fire in the USA.  The Eastern NC fire has been burning for days.  Most of it is swampy.  Also some peat.  Peat fires burn under ground and pop up anywhere.  Smoke has now blown as far west as Roseyville.  

Business Expo 4 to 8 this evening.  Always something.  Out to spray the garden, roses, grapevines and fruit trees.  Have a good one.

[laz 57]

HI GIZ,

   Well yesterday was first doy o vacation.  Spent it as follows.....

0530-took dog for 1 mile walk.

0600-ran a nice 3.5 miler.

0700- ate breakfast.

1000- went to dermatologist and had a 3.5inch X 1.5 inch X half inch deep chuck o skin taken off my back.  Followed by 7 internal stiches and about 20+ external stiches.  Was told not to do anything for a few days.  Asked if I could GOLF, NO!

Asked if I could run, NO.  Nothing for a few days.  Was told by DR. that if I tore stiches open he would charge me triple to put them back in.  So I guess I'll do nothing till Monday?  He allowed me to run the riding mower yesterday afternoon.

1400- did lawn.

Rest o day- NOTHING, and its driving me nuts.

JON, Prayers for lower water.

B GOOD or B GONE,

laz57

[fifedog]

laz - Time to sit back, grab a few OL' MILs, and watch the grass grow.  Add some excitement at night by hookin' up a bug zapper.   Come to think of it, howzdat layout comin' along;long time - no pics...