HALLELUIAH!
Phone service is finally restored after three weeks to the day. Thanks to California Public Utilities Commission, someone lit a fire under Verizon. They called me back this morning with a special person just assigned to my problem apologizing all over the place and offering all kinds of service. I was beginning to lose faith in my communication ability. I knew I was talking, I could feel my mouth and throat moving. Moral of the story is, if something works, don't fix it. I had good service with AT&T but went for something better with Verizon. The whole thing was caused by one person putting out bad information.
I thought banilla had something to do with that Tardis thing.
Now back to more fun things like trains. Thanks for the lend of your ears folks.
SPMan
Mitch, your reference to Gettysburg caught my eye. I heard something on TV this morning about a theme for the inaugural tomorrow which will be called "A New Birth of Freedom". Of course that is right out of the Gettysburg Address which Lincoln gave at the dedication of the military cemetery there in 1863. It made me interested enough to go and read the Gettysburg Address. It reminds me of why that document is so moving and famous. BTW, Gettysburg is one of my favorite places to visit as a Civil War buff. I spent almost a week in and around there back in the 90's. Moving experience and would recommend to all Americans. You are lucky you live so close Mitch. I would visit there often if I lived where you do.
Regards, Ray
Afternoon Y'all,
Jon, we seem to have the same idiots here as well. We get so little rain here that when we do it tends to bring up up all the oils and other residues on the freeways, almost like black ice. The fog is the same way, don't think any of them have any common sense or it's the prevailing attitude of "hooray for me and to heck with everybody else" rant echo over.
If you haven't done so check out the thread for "wall mounted info", he has a link to his Christmas Dept 56 layout. Wow is the only thing I can say. I gave him some info on the garden forum and suggested he also look here.
Don, Did you ever get the AC guy away from his vacation hideaway, it has cooled a little here so we won't be needing the AC however I did have to pull the fans out and clean 'em up.
Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.
www.sd3r.org
Proud New Member Of The NRA
SPMan Mitch, your reference to Gettysburg caught my eye. I heard something on TV this morning about a theme for the inaugural tomorrow which will be called "A New Birth of Freedom". Of course that is right out of the Gettysburg Address which Lincoln gave at the dedication of the military cemetery there in 1863. It made me interested enough to go and read the Gettysburg Address. It reminds me of why that document is so moving and famous. BTW, Gettysburg is one of my favorite places to visit as a Civil War buff. I spent almost a week in and around there back in the 90's. Moving experience and would recommend to all Americans. You are lucky you live so close Mitch. I would visit there often if I lived where you do. Regards, Ray
OK guys, correct me if I am wrong but during the halftime of the Ravens/Steelers game the network had to do some more hype for the inauguration stuff and one of the promoters was talking about Obama placing a wreath at the "Tomb of The Unknowns". Is it no longer called "Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers" ?
dougdagrumpSPMan Mitch, your reference to Gettysburg caught my eye. I heard something on TV this morning about a theme for the inaugural tomorrow which will be called "A New Birth of Freedom". Of course that is right out of the Gettysburg Address which Lincoln gave at the dedication of the military cemetery there in 1863. It made me interested enough to go and read the Gettysburg Address. It reminds me of why that document is so moving and famous. BTW, Gettysburg is one of my favorite places to visit as a Civil War buff. I spent almost a week in and around there back in the 90's. Moving experience and would recommend to all Americans. You are lucky you live so close Mitch. I would visit there often if I lived where you do. Regards, Ray OK guys, correct me if I am wrong but during the halftime of the Ravens/Steelers game the network had to do some more hype for the inauguration stuff and one of the promoters was talking about Obama placing a wreath at the "Tomb of The Unknowns". Is it no longer called "Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers" ?
The Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., is also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and has never been officially named. The Tomb of the Unknowns stands atop a hill overlooking Washington, D.C. On March 4, 1921, Congress approved the burial of an unidentified American soldier from World War I in the plaza of the new Memorial Amphitheater.
The white marble sarcophagus has a flat-faced form and is relieved at the corners and along the sides by neo-classic pilasters, or columns, set into the surface. Sculpted into the east panel which faces Washington, D.C., are three Greek figures representing Peace, Victory, and Valor.
The Tomb sarcophagus was placed above the grave of the Unknown Soldier of World War I. West of the World War I Unknown are the crypts of unknowns from World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Those three graves are marked with white marble slabs flush with the plaza.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Doug, those TV guys are always messing up names of things. Look how they murdered the description of how a train takes a siding and the description of a track switch etc. when they reported the Metrolink wreck. They act like real trains are toys or "The Big Lionel Set". I'm not surprised.
Ray
SPMan - Hey, now that you finally have your phone workin' right, who was it that you wanted to talk to...? If you want to trace the Civil War sites, better get back east soon. A lot of the region around the battlegrounds is being developed into McMansions and strip-malls. CSX and Gettysburg College even bulldozed a site about a decade ago.
mitchie - When my oldest boy was in middle school, I chaperoned a trip to Antietam/Harper's Ferry. Of course he chose 3 other "knuckle"-heads for me to lead. I gave them free reign, with this caveat- each boy was given one thing to remember historically from the places they visited. I believe from Antietam, the points I gave two of them were the casualty rate, and what the "Dunker" church was. At Harpers Ferry, I believe the points I gave were that a black B&O worker was the first man killed during Brown's raid, and that Robert E Lee was in charge of the Union forces that ended the raid. The rest of the day was filled with mustard pack splatters and shoving off rock walls, but no broken bones. On the ride back home, I sat next to the History Teacher who chartered the trip, and he looked spent and relieved that we were headed back to Baltimore. We got talking about whether or not this trip meant anything to the kids, and whether the kids actually gleaned anything from this event. I stood up and started firing off odd questions, calling on my boys, and each one got the answer right. I sat back down, and told the teacher, "see, ya never know..."
Happy Birthday Robert E Lee!!!
And Happy Birthday to Thomas Jackson on Wednesday!
"Lionel trains are the standard of the world" - Jousha Lionel Cowen
Just a quick stop...on the way out...
DougnotaGrump: Thanks for the heads up...Couldn't find him...must have ended Sunday. Your PM didn't appear in my inbox here on CTT. I'm looking for some Heki stuff, from Scenic Express. I would rather see it before I buy it, but no one seems to have it in stores. Looking for Heki Micro Turf, Foliage, and Wild Grass Fiber.
Kurt
R.E. Lee? Who's that? Oh yeah, a hero of the Mexican War.
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
Two and 1/2 years ago in the fall we made our long planned trip to York. We allowed 7 days as we had never driven that route and we wanted to do touristy stuff. Even though York was wonderful, our two days at Gettysburg were the best part of the whole week--we were absolutely delighted with our time there. I had no idea of the breadth and scope of the battlefields and the carnage that happened. We just took our time and soaked in everything that part of the country offers. I have since read a few more books about the war and for Christmas my wife gave me the limited collectors DVD set of the Civil War Journal from the History channel and the Blu-Ray set of Band Of Brothers. Even though we watched Band Of Brothers years ago I'm anxious to see it again as my surround sound system is much better now, it's a good thing we live in the country with the closest neighbor 300 yards away
The next time we go to York (a few more years yet) we plan on spending time at Antietam which has been highly recommended to us by friends. Being on those battlefields simply is overwhelming, more than once I have tried to visualize what it must have been like.
Jon
So many roads, so little time.
Robert E. Lee ------- Didn't his team win the civil war, and then he became president of the South? Yes, Happy Birthday Gen. Lee. Why no mention of him in the press today!!
RFD-TV --- Rural America's most important network!
Ah, Robert E.Lee, a brilliant man. I had the good fortune to have come across his writings while in college. IMO his letters should be required reading.
Now onto a more humble note. I ran into the director of the cardiac cath lab this afternoon. I asked how he was doing and he said, not too good. He had just come back from burying his 27 year old son. Kid had a seizure dissorder that had not been diagnosed. He had a seizure and aspirated. Just goes to show how precious life is. I can't imagine losing one of my kids, but have seen it all too often. When you get a chance, tell your loved ones that you do love them. Make a call, or better yet get ahold of them and give them a hug.
God Bless,
Dennis
TCA#09-63805
A graduate of the Point, I believe a YANKEE military college. Found many of his classmates and teachers using the plans and history he was taught there. In the end, though, it U.S. Grant, (who is really buried in NYC, on the banks for the Hudson near Columbia University), who won the war.
Dennis, you are so right. If you look at the LODD stats, many have died in their prime. You and I both have seen the tragedy of this world. The older of use is not as tragic as those of the younger. I thank God every day for my kids and nieces and nephews.
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
anjdevil2 In the end, though, it U.S. Grant, (who is really buried in NYC, on the banks for the Hudson near Columbia University), who won the war.
In the end, though, it U.S. Grant, (who is really buried in NYC, on the banks for the Hudson near Columbia University), who won the war.
That has less to do with the military knowlege of Grant than it does with the fact that the Union had much more supplies and men. It was like Russia in WWII... Stalin didn't care whether we lost 10 or 1,000 men in a battle because he had unlimited manpower...
magicman710 anjdevil2 In the end, though, it U.S. Grant, (who is really buried in NYC, on the banks for the Hudson near Columbia University), who won the war. That has less to do with the military knowlege of Grant than it does with the fact that the Union had much more supplies and men. It was like Russia in WWII... Stalin didn't care whether we lost 10 or 1,000 men in a battle because he had unlimited manpower...
Reguardless, however of the means, the result is the same. Washington, of course, did more with much less. Which dosen't say much for Lee, if you look at it from your perspective.
We can all be students of history and hindsight is always 20-20. I hope that we don't repeat the mistakes that were made before this day. With the in coming admisitration, I fear that this will be the case.
On the train front, got some flat cars with load. 3 for $50 delivered. a bargain, I think.
See ya inna bit
Your loyal bllue belly Yankee sympathizer...
Rich
lionroar88 magicman710 anjdevil2 In the end, though, it U.S. Grant, (who is really buried in NYC, on the banks for the Hudson near Columbia University), who won the war. That has less to do with the military knowledge of Grant than it does with the fact that the Union had much more supplies and men. It was like Russia in WWII... Stalin didn't care whether we lost 10 or 1,000 men in a battle because he had unlimited manpower... Partially true Grayson... Pickett's charge during Gettysburg was Lee's first mistake that started the end of the war. If you have never had the opportunity to visit Gettysburg and stand on either side of the field where the charge took place, you would ask the same question I did... 'Who in their right mind would send troops across that wide open expanse of land'... Lee should have seperated his troops and sent 1/4 of his men to flank the Union entrenchments, had he done that the Union would have had no where to retreat to and he could have easily broken the lines. There are others who believe that if he had merely kept 1/4 of his troops in the center and used the rest to attack the flanks, as he had done in previous days, he would have had a resounding victory. The problem was he was hell-bent on taking Cemetery Ridge, and he felt his troops' moral was waning, that he simply overlooked what he was doing, sending 1/2 his troops to die in a 3/4 mile gauntlet.Some fairly acturate information for wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pickett's_ChargeIf you ever get the chance check out Gods and Generals, Gettysburg, and Adamsville (the Civil War movie about the Union's POW camp).
magicman710 anjdevil2 In the end, though, it U.S. Grant, (who is really buried in NYC, on the banks for the Hudson near Columbia University), who won the war. That has less to do with the military knowledge of Grant than it does with the fact that the Union had much more supplies and men. It was like Russia in WWII... Stalin didn't care whether we lost 10 or 1,000 men in a battle because he had unlimited manpower...
That has less to do with the military knowledge of Grant than it does with the fact that the Union had much more supplies and men. It was like Russia in WWII... Stalin didn't care whether we lost 10 or 1,000 men in a battle because he had unlimited manpower...
There have been many speculations, including the ones you listed, on how the battle could have better taken place. I personally believe that Lee made the mistake when he miscalculated the numbers of the Union troops and the numbers of the reinforcements they were getting. He did not wait for reconnaissance reports from General Stuart and attacked "blind".
I to think that Lee's greatest mistake was Gettysburg. Even Longstreet himself thought it was foolish and did not send his own men into the fight.
BTW, I have seen both Gods & Generals and Gettysburg (probably 10 times too ), but not Adamsville. I'll check into that.
I too am a Civil War and WWII history buff. I have enjoyed the history of it for a long time. I could tell you everything about Pearl Harbor when I was 8. (Well, maybe not everything, but you get the point ) Just don't ask me anything about WWI, the Korean War, or Vietnam.
I have always been a reader and a information wanter. We have a old set of 80's encyclopedias that I used to read all the time when I was little when I heard something I wanted to look up. (I am still they same way, except I now use the Internet) I am what some call a "Book hound". I enjoy learning new things (but, they have to be things I am interested in) and like to be corrected when I am wrong so I won't repeat false things.
cnw1995 R.E. Lee? Who's that? Oh yeah, a hero of the Mexican War.
I think that's BILL "SPACEMAN" LEE's brother? BILL pitched for the Bosox and EXPOs.
laz57
Good evening all,
It is a cloudy day in SE Indiana with temps in the 20s. I ran the 10E and the 8E with the restored freight cars on a floor layout with old track and a 210 switch, which was not the best combination. The 10E just simply would not run consistently thru the switch but the 8E did well. I may have to tinker with the 210 a little. Wife got the new washer / dryer today and hates it already. Something about the timer and not being able to set it. Went to the YMCA, did weights and 30 minutes of track time, plus juggling. Wife had watched "Fred Claus" earlier and wanted me to watch it with her again. It is ok, but no "Ernest Saves Christmas". It is back to work tomorrow. I had the regular fare on the dining car this morning. Wild ride on the Tardis last night, but a good time was had by all. I hope everyone has a good day.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
Good Evening All
Talked to Brutus this morning but I don't think we got any world problems solved as everything still seems the same. We had a sunny 20 degrees today and that sure is better than the beating we got last week. Ran a couple of trains for a short time today and all went well. I also am still trying to decide how to get the hook coupler off the Flyer tender, the guy I bought the knuckle from said to hammer the pin out but I'm thinking a Dremel and a cut off wheel.
Those are my thoughts for the moment so I'll check on the banilla and wait....S.J.
"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks
Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC) - Detroit3railers- Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS
Thanks for the chat this morning, Jim - at least we got a driving roster for the Tardis hammered out. I think it's Dennis' turn, but he might be impaired due to medication from operating machinery? I'll take his turn and he can just sit back in one of the recliners and enjoy some banilla. Put in a couple hours on the basement today after a very light lunch. Moved some stuff around and put drywall under the stairs on the dividing wall. It will be storage there, also. Just don't want stuff ripping into the insulation or hitting wiring etc. We then went out to an early supper at Olive Garden. Son had some money coming, so we took him to Gamestop and let him get a couple used games.
Doug - I think you are thinking of Banilla Foster
Watched a train show my wife DVR'd for me about train trips to National Parks - very cool! We looked it up and would cost about $3000 for the 4 of us to go, then figure a stay for a couple days at the park.... Hmmmm.....
RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.
laz 57 cnw1995 R.E. Lee? Who's that? Oh yeah, a hero of the Mexican War. I think that's BILL "SPACEMAN" LEE's brother? BILL pitched for the Bosox and EXPOs. laz57
Are you kidding me??? It was that orange car the Duke's drove.. Gooot Yeout Yeout.
Happy New Year everyone. I been real busy at work so I have not been on as much.
I hope everyone has had a good year so far. Hopefully better that mine. I banged up my truck last week going to work. I hit some black ice on a off ramp of I-95. Lucky I was going slow and did not get hurt. But I did do a little frame damage my buddy said who has it in his body shop. I just don't know if I should put the money into it or not. I don't have the money to buy another one. Right now he's just gonna look into how much it's gonna cost me to get it where it's good enough to drive back and forth to work. So I guess my train buying days are on hold for now.
Good evening all had to work today and even got some O.T. in for a change. Worked out Okay I got paid double time for first 8 hours and time and a half for the last 4 hours
Jim S. I hope that paint don't freeze in your mail box when they deliver it.
By the way check out the spelling of your state on it Chief taught me how to spell
Been fair day starting to rain suppose to get some snow here tonight there all upset about it I think they said something like 1 inch possible. ( sorry but 1 inch isn't measurable from where I come from. )
you all have a good night oh by the way S.J. theres a pineapple upside down cake in the frig if you look hard enough all the other stuff in there might make it hard to find
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
We had snow off and on all day, but it only amounted to about 2 inches as it didn't start to lay until after lunch.
Grayson, If you have never been to Gettysburg it is worth the trip. The good part is it can fit right in with a trip to York in either the fall or spring as these are the best times to tour Gettysburg. Probably less chance of rain in October.
RT-we'll let Brutus root around in the fridge, he'll find the cake. Sounds good right now.
Evening all. Grayson, it's good to be a reader! Praying for Dennis' swift recovery and an ease to the sorrow of that cath lab dir. Would love to go to G'burg someday. So much history out east - when I was a tad, helped excavate a revolutionary war fort in my hometown. Beacon is on. Love that banilla foster - LOL, Brutus!!
jefelectric Good evening all, We had snow off and on all day, but it only amounted to about 2 inches as it didn't start to lay until after lunch. Grayson, If you have never been to Gettysburg it is worth the trip. The good part is it can fit right in with a trip to York in either the fall or spring as these are the best times to tour Gettysburg. Probably less chance of rain in October.
A freind sent this to me about a year ago and I forgot about it but in the light of the moment and seeing chief may be getting some snow
Chief I'm on my way from snohio to save you
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month