The pot of coffee is always on [even after 2 years have passed]. Come on in. Sweet ice tea too.

[FJ and G]

I stopped watching TV about 6 months ago; too busy!!!! Am I the only one??????[:O][:)][}:)]

And, am I missing out on life?

[csxt30]

Dave; we didn't have cableTV, though we watched movies from our church library, till 911happened. We only watch sports & races & airplane shows & the news. I guess it was a couple years later I got internet. I think you'll survive without tv & you'll get tons of other stuff done on the trains !! I don't think you're alone on that one [:D][:D]
Thanks,

[mitchelr]

QUOTE: Originally posted by FJ and G

I stopped watching TV about 6 months ago; too busy!!!! Am I the only one??????[:O][:)][}:)]

And, am I missing out on life?

I'd much rather be on this forum or searching online for trains or parts or layout ideas. There's not much on TV that I will actually sit and watch (except NASCAR[:D][:D][:D] ). The Mrs. watches all of those crime dramas and they really don't do much for me. If I sit and watch TV, I fall asleep in the chair.

Mitch[swg]

[Brutus]

June 6, 1942 = Battle of Midway. I should have remembered, I did a report on that for Sr. Olympia in the 8th Grade.

[ChiefEagles]

6-6-44 was D Day. I would think a small U36B fuel tank would be a baffle for a speaker. May try to put a cone inside and see. Got more light rain. Went to Miss Edna's. Got nice store credit from Frankie for B'daya nd F'day. Will hold it and buy some switches with it. Good night.

[mitchelr]

Good morning to everyone. Another cool crisp morning. Supposed to be mostly cloudy and a chance of thunderstorms and showers.

Today and tomorrow we have early dismissals at 1:15 so things should be busy. Today I have a ton of meetings and a farewell assembly for Grade 4 students who are headed to the middle school for Grade 5 next year. Tomorrow normal farewell assembly for Grade 5.

LAZ - This is it for your students. Enjoy.

Have a great day.

Mitch[swg]

[Buckeye Riveter]

Well the earth didn't end as predicted and the sun came up this morning. Just proves that man's ego is no match for Sun, the Moon and the Stars.

[:(] Mrs. Buckeye is starting the day on a very sad note. A house fire in her school's neighborhood has taken the lives of at least two babies this morning. Two other children are hospitalized. At this time we do not know their ages. The fire department is already talking arson. Somehow drug dealing will be the culprit when all is said and done.

[MartyE]

Morning all. Today is my performance review at work. Wish me luck. I don't forsee anything bad so I hope I'm in and out quickly. Hope everyone has a good day.

[Buckeye Riveter]

QUOTE: Originally posted by MartyE

Morning all. Today is my performance review at work. Wish me luck. I don't forsee anything bad so I hope I'm in and out quickly. Hope everyone has a good day.

Marty, from all of us that have seen your work on TV, you do a great job.

[:(] One of the children at Mrs. Buckeye's school was killed in the fire. A first grader who was new to the building this year, therefore the Mrs. had not had him in Kindergarten. It had been over ten years since they have a child killed. Several of the surrounding schools have been hit hard with drive bys and fires.

[spankybird]

Good Morning All from NE Ohio

where the temp is 57 and going up to 82 with Blue Clear Skies and showers on its way this afternoon.


OTTS Meeting this Friday at The Western Reserve Model Railroad Museum www.wrmrrm.shutterfly.com Anyone wishing to join us can e-mail me for directions.

MartyE – good luck on your review.

Buckeye – how very sad, our payers are with their souls.

Pick of the Day

Look who is at the museum

All be safe
Tom

[FJ and G]

Marty,

You SHOULD NOT have to guess at your performance review. If your boss is worth his/her salt, he/she (can't they make a word for males and females so we don't always have to say he/she) would be giving you interim appraisals or work progress reviews in between the performance reviews.

It amazes me when I see all the managers who are getting paid the BIG BUCKS who know nothing about management, let alone leadership.

-------------------

Survived 666 (unless just a few were raptured)

-----------------
THOUGHTS on railroad signalling.


One thought is to remove the computers and do it the way they used to do it when it was more reliable. A computer glitch shuts down the whole system; ruining commerce and passengers' day (mine) on VRE. Happens all the time.

Usually it is CSX with problems; but this time it was NS.

Here's yesterday's message...

This message is for our Manassas Line riders:

Delays on the Manassas Line This Morning

Before we get started with the explanation of the delays this morning, we want to take a moment to apologize not only for the delays, but also for the confusion that occurred as a result of the delays. Unfortunately, when delays of this magnitude happen, communicating the minute by minute changes can be difficult.

What Happened?

At about 5:40a this morning, minutes before train #324 was scheduled to leave Broad Run, Norfolk Southern experienced a system failure to their signal network. Normally, when this occurs, they reboot the system and a delay of about 20 minutes can be expected, affecting only one or two trains. However, today, Norfolk Southern was not able to get the system to reboot. This caused significant delays that created a domino effect throughout morning service on the Manassas line.

The Extent of The Delays

-> Train #322 was already on the CSX system outside of Alexandria when the NS system went down. As a result, they did not experience any delays.
-> Train #324 was given permission to proceed 63 minutes behind its original schedule at 6:48a. Because it had already boarded a large number of passengers at Broad Run, in order to space out the trains and to prevent crowding, the decision was made to skip Manassas, Manassas Park, and Rolling Road.
-> Train #326 was given permission to proceed 11 minutes later at 6:59a. Originally, it was told to skip stops as well. However, because it was operating so close to train #324, skipping stops would have only brought it closer to #324. As a result, a field decision was made to have #326 stop at all stations.
-> Train #328 was given permission to proceed 7 minutes after #326 at 7:06a. Despite the announcements at some stations, this train made all station stops.
-> Train #330 was cancelled because the turn back trip from train #322 (southbound train #321) could not return to Broad Run.
-> Train #332 departed Broad Run at its regularly scheduled time.

Once NS was able to bring it's system back up, they immediately gave permission for the trains to move. Because of the extent of the delays, our trains were not able to stick to a specific schedule. Creating a schedule on the spot only would have added to the difficult communications. Instead, we issued the best updates that we had and advised passengers to seek alternate transportation, including our Metro Option.

At 6:55a, we contacted Metro and asked that VRE passengers be permitted to board with their VRE ticket at Vienna, Franconia/Springfield, and King Street. We are aware that some of our riders still had difficulty using their VRE ticket to board Metro. We are looking into why this occurred and will work with Metro to see how we can streamline this process for our passengers in the future.

FRCs

FRCs were handed out on all trains that operated at 30 minutes or more late. However, because we know that a number of people took advantage alternate transportation or were on the on-time #332, rather than the cancelled #330, we will be handing out FRCs on #324, #326, #328, #330, and #332. If you received an FRC this morning or were not eligible for one, we ask that you remain on the honor system and refrain from accepting one.

This Evening's Service

The signal system is back up and completely operational. At this time, we are not expecting any problems with tonight's service.

--
For the latest information, don't forget to check out the VRE web site at:
http://www.vre.org.

[FJ and G]

Just noticed Spring O Life's long post on his selling his postwar collection with prices disappeared. Perhaps there's a taboo against advertising here?

[Blueberryhill RR]

[code]Good Morning from Blueberryhill[/code]It is 67 and cloudy right now. Going up to 76 and a possible
rain shower this afternoon. Hope for sunny.
Buckeye...That is a very sad situation, with the kids. Sounds like there
is an arsonist out there. We, too, offer our prayers. Including strength for Mrs. Buckeye.
And, YES, we are still here today. The sun came up. False prediction.
Today, the wife and I are going shopping in beautiful, downtown Cambridge. We will
go to the elegant WalMart. Then, we will go to the little shop called Vac Shack, to
get some vacuum cleaner bags. Isn't that exciting. Oh, well, at least I'm geting out
driving more. Can't stay home all the time.
Now for breakfast.
Y'all have a great day.
Chuck

[jonadel]

Good Morning,

I need your help today (I know, some would say I've needed help long before now) and here's the situation. A friend of my brother lives in CA and he absolutely believes that the sun rises and sets in CA and looks down his nose on the other 49 states. I'm obviously biased about our state but try to keep it in check. If you have any tidbits about the "shortcomings" of CA would you mind sending them to me? I do not want to start an on line flame war so if you could send it off line I would be forever grateful, I just need some extra ammo to have some fun. I'll keep you posted on the progress or lack thereof!

Jon

[e-mail]

[MartyE]

QUOTE: You SHOULD NOT have to guess at your performance review.

It used to be a lot worse though. We'd go into the review and the manager would say "Well we want to give you more but so and so client said...." My response was... That was 11 mons ago and your just telling me now? So how do you keep from repeating mistakes if you don't give us a heads up when the mistake was made. I realize that it was more about justifying a lower raise than what you did or did not do.

[laz 57]

HI GIZ,
Best day o the year!
Last day just gave out my Golden Hammer Awrds to the best shop students in 7th and 8th grades. Its a nice award and the kids really try and outdo everyone else.
A golden hammer attached to a piece of oak and then I have their names etched on a brass plate.

I got my MOHAWK back from TRAINS AMERICA.
EOB works great!!! Can really creep the engine at a slow speed all around the track.
SMOKE is teriffic and just keeps on going.
I will consider giving them another engine to work on for me.

BUCKEYE, sorry to here about the kid in the fire. What a sad event, you never know what would have that student achieved later on in life. Ealier this year 2 of our HS students were killed in a car bus crash after school.

MITCH, hang in there bud your almost there.
Character Education? If only I could teach the two days then maybe it would be bearable?

Have a good one GIZ.
Oh yes we are ALL still here and lived through 6-6-06.
laz57

[Jumijo]

4 more days of rain. I guess God has a mad on for New England. I hope he gets over it soon. It's been raining here since the beginning of May. One or two days a week, it stops to reload. Give me a break!

Very sad happenings, Buckeye.

Jim

[dwiemer]

Morning guys, going into work late today, so I figured I would stop by for a little coffee at the pot.
Buckeye, I worked for the FD many moons ago, and I vividly remember one day when one of our fire prevention cars called in a house fire. The flames blocked the front entry and they had those iron bars on the windows and across the back door. You could see the kids inside and by the time they were pulled from the fire, we had to do CPR. both very young kids, one lived for a day, the other for a few hours. Still brings tears to think about. Never good when kids die.

I think I will go hug my kids now.
Dennis

[jefelectric]

Good Morning,

Nice day here.

Laz, Happy last day of school.
Did you have TAS put their smoke unit in the Mohawk?

Buckeye, A very sad situation.

Chief, I looks like you are not the only one having trouble with US Air. An interesting article in WSJ this morning. If you have not read it and would like to, send me an email with your email address and I will send it to you.

Have a lunch meeting today and then I am going to help my brother in law replant his mailbox post, they are widening the road.

Just about done with the install of my video cam in my williams FA dummy. Hope to test later today.

All have a good one.

[cnw1995]

Sorry to say, Jim, it is warm and sunny in Chicago today. No hint of rain. Spent the evening fixing up this single mom's house. Struggled a bit looking over the pool, three-car garage, and spectacular landscaping...then was able to put a few figures on the layout - one fixing a broken down Indian motorcycle - and run something on every loop: to notice when the trolley clipped a tree or even the side of a house - one inadvertently tore down three feet of 'stone' wall. So I have that to fix later this week.
Don't watch much TV either, David. Prefer to listen to sports on the radio or putter around the basement - only watch the occasional DVD with the bride. I hear I don't miss much. Have you ever said to yourself how lucky you were to watch two hours of re-runs and commercials - how they edified and filled you up?
David, we just get the automated messages on board Metra saying 'This train is operating approximately ... 19 minutes late... due to.... waiting on other trains (or signal problems) As we cross the CP and CN, sometimes we stop in the middle of nowhere and wait on a dispatcher.
I don't care how good a year one had, performance reviews still stink - especially if they are the only time one sees the boss all year - check that, it may be a good thing depending on the boss [;)] good luck, Marty.
That's very sad, my heart goes out to Mrs. Buckeye.
Winding down Little League - one of the last three games tonight. Then hope to 'drop by' Stuff-Mart on the other side of town to see if they have any more Indian motorcycles left.

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

It is rainy and warm in SE Indiana. Buckeye, sorry to hear about the kids in the house fire, especially if arson was involved. We had a family of 7 killed in Indy due to a robbery that went bad. It made the national news as well. Three of the victims were kids under 12. Sometimes you wonder if there is punishment appropriate enough for killers like that.
On to more pleasant topics. I hope the rain ends early today so I can get my game in tonight. We play in the rain, but not in lightning. I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[FJ and G]

Doug, Marty,

Years ago I got a glowing review; then new boss and doing same great job and got a terrible review. These things can be very subjective.

Another thing to keep in mind. If you did 1,000 things right and flubbed 1, then they will remember that 1 flub and not recall the 1,000 great things you did. That's the nature of reviews.

Also, they tend to remember the most recent things you did.

It would be interesting to hear from others' performance review experiences.

The ultimate solution is to work for yourself!

[laz 57]

JELECTRIC,
Yes TAS did put the smoke unit in.
They said that there had to be some machining done to it in order to make the unit fit.
Smokes like a chimney on a cold winter morn.
I love it.
Considering sending them my other MOHAWK?
laz57

[ChiefEagles]

Morning all.
Buckeye, was in a very busy Volunteer Fire Dept [Asst Chief] for 16 years before I moved to Roseyville. Early on morning [about 2 AM] resonded to a call. House fire. Mom, Dad, girl [about 8] in closet, boy [about 5] in closet, two little dogs lying between the little girl's legs and Grandmother. Boy would not respond. Girl, air in, she'd cough, air in, she'd cough and that was it. Still can see it plainly to this day [over 25 years ago]. No fire or smoke alarms [not in the code back then]. Best we could determine, bar-be-que grill was sitting in open garage door. T'storm came up and wind blew sparks from still burning charcoal and ignited something in garage. Fire spread through out the roof. Smoke killed them. I saw guys burned in vehicle fires until they looked like chared dogs, one guy hanging out a pickup window with his legs burned off, but nothing like those two kids and especially the little girl trying to respond.

Lots of thigns to do before flying out to Cincinnati Bas Pro tomorrow. All these guys from Ohizo and no one lives in Cincinnati????

Later and God bless.

[FJ and G]

Chief, how did your town get its name? Rolesville is very unusual name. Almost sounds like everyone there has a role to play.

[ChiefEagles]

A man with the last name of Roles established it from a land grant. He was a big farmer. We are the oldest town in Wake Co. except for Raleigh. Raleigh was a wooded area that was laid out as the Capitol and then other towns "poped" up around it. Rolesville was the largest slave market between Richmond and New Orleans. The town was located on the Richmond to Atlanta stage line and on to New Orleans. The town originally had gates on this road. They were opened during the day and closed at night. We are the smallest town in Wake Co. but the fastest growing [27% growth]. Was mainly rural tobacco farming until the past 6 years. Still a lot of farming but decreasing as they are sold to developers [due to the tobacco alotment buyout]. There is a big rock quarry out of town. It is now a big scuba diving attacting as it is full of water. There was a railroad from the quarry into another county to mate up with the Seaboard Airline RR. It is now abandoned. Road bed is still visable in alot of places. Rolesville sits on top of the big granite rock that reaches up into New England and down into GA. This rock formation is known as the Rolesville Granite. I am lucky. My lot has no rock near the top of the ground. Lots of lots in Rolesville have rock at the top of the ground. Lots of blasting to build in Rolesville. Soil is sandy loam [if not rock]. Here is a picture of a rock outcropping at my pond.




To get to my pond, I go down a rock outcropping about 40 feet long [which is my path to it] and then cross a pipe that allows water from out of the same rock to flow under the path and into the pond.

[dwiemer]

looks and sounds like a nice quiet place. I hope to have such a place to retire to Chief, but if retirement is like yours, then I doubt I would have much time to enjoy it.
Dennis

[FJ and G]

Chief,

Interesting history!

Did you say YOUR pond?!!!

[FJ and G]

Did you notice how dead this forum gets in the afternoons?

[dougdagrump]

Boy did I make a mistake, turned on the news and here is this snot-nosed little Lt., 1st or 2nd don't know, from Tacoma Wa. refusing his orders for Iraq. You VOUNTARILY join the military and do what you are told. You refuse a valid legal order ship their butt to Leavenworth to make very little rocks out of great big rocks. This pisses me off to no end, I saw to many of my friends go to S.E.A., not happily, but they followed orders and some never made it back.
Sorry for the rant but this kind of manure just really gets my dander up.
Now back to our regularly scheduled programming.
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