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

[jefelectric]

Good evening,

If I was still working, I would have been working today.  Around here for everyone but Gov. employees and schools it is business as usual.  Not much of a holiday for most folks.

Colin, Glad to see you found time to check in to the pot.  Did you see the post I did that had the train sound ring tones?

Mitch,  Sounds like you visit ended on a pretty sad note.  Hard when it hits someone so young.

Good night all,

[mitchelr]

Mitch, sorry to hear about your cousin. Sad thing.

Thanks for the kind words - Colin.  I spoke to my Mom earlier tonight  after I posted the original message. I found out that my cousin  did not die froma heart attack.  He was up on a ladder trimmming a pine tree with a chainsaw and fell to the ground landing on top of the saw.  He was not cut, but the trauma of hitting the ground, casued his heart to stop and even though his son was there and started CPR right away, they could not revive him.  That is even sadder than what I thought had happened originally.  His son was there and winessed his father's death.  How tragic.  The memorial service will be Saturday, so I will be able to attend.

Mitch

[csxt30]

Mitch : that is an awful accident. I'm sorry to hear that happened. Many prayers for you & your family will be in order.

John   

[Jumijo]

Good morning, all.

What a great 3-day weekend I had! The weather could not have been better, and we used it to full advantage to get a lot of work done outside. Then we had one last cookout for this year yesterday. Too much good food. A fun time too!

The Atlas steamer looks nice. I wonder what that will cost.

Have a nice day, everyone. Even you, Columbus!

Jim

[Jumijo]

Almost forget . . . The Monkeemobile I entered in Sunday's model car show took second place. Good enough for a trophy, which my daughter has since claimed as hers. It's now in her room on her dresser.

Below is a photo from the show.




A lot of incredible models there this year! The show even made the front page of the local paper.

Jim

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

It is cloudy and mild in SE Indiana today with temps in the high 60s.  I cleaned gutters for the first time this fall.  Mitchellr, I am sorry to hear about your cousin and especially the way he passed away.  Dennis, I realize a lot of people work on Columbus Day, but Doug was the first to comment on it.  That is one of the few perks of government work in having lots of time-off.  That was an interesting comment earlier about Alaskan weather.  I think they will be warmer than we will be in the next couple of days.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

 

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a sunny 51 degrees right now. Going up to 71 , but suppose to rain later today and tonite and tomorrow. That's not good.

Mitch... That is a sad death of your cousin. Our sympathies.

Today, I am going to run a couple of errands and spend some time in my train room. Outside is caught up and now to get things going with the layout. I will run trains in the process.

Our favorite Southern person has been kind of quiet lately. Did the GRITS factory ever stop burning??

Well, off to the Dining Car. Breakfast is served.

Y'all have a great Tuesday.

Chuck

[Buckeye Riveter]

Mitch, sorry to hear about your cousin's accident and subsequent death.  Our sympathies are extended to your family.

Our favorite Southern person has been kind of quiet lately.

Chuck, hasn't it been great!  

BTW,  Chuck look at the forecast for our friend John in NE Ohio

Thursday Night

Cloudy. Rain and snow showers likely in the evening...then a chance of rain and snow showers after midnight. Lows in the mid 30s. Chance of precipitation 70 percent.

 

[laz 57]

HI GIZ,

   50 and foggy today to get to 74.  Last nice day for the week, then sharply colder.  49 for high on Friday.

    Last day of inservice, on curriculum, YUK.

   MITCH, sorry for your loss, prayers go out.

   All have a good one.

laz57

[ChiefEagles]

Morning all.  See what happens when you Yanks are NOT nice.  Snohio on the way.  Sunny and pretty here.  Better get greenhouse ready [almost there] as frost might slip around soon.  Meeting with County Commissioners was good.  Got Dr's apt. this afternoon and Sheriff's Pig Picking tonight.  Got to get moving.  Have a good one.

[jefelectric]

Good morning all,

Chief, Thanks for the reminder, I also need to get the greenhouse cleaned out and sanitized.  I always spray the inside with a 10% solution of chlorox.  Not sure if it does any good, but it makes me feel better.

Anyone in the market for an F9?

Check this out.

F-unit era over at Erie Mining

Print | Email | Contact Us

October 2, 2006

(Doug Buell)

(Doug Buell)

HOYT LAKES, Minn. - Since 1957, F9s have been powering taconite trains over
a 72-mile private railroad from the Hoyt Lakes taconite plant of the Erie
Mining Company and successor LTV Steel Mining Company to Taconite Harbor, on
Lake Superior's North Shore. Even after the plant was shuttered in 2001, the
F9s would occasionally be brought out of storage to haul stockpiled or
reclaimed ore over the railroad.

Now it appears the F-unit era is finally over. The remaining F9s are
officially up for sale. Cliffs Erie, LLC, which bought the plant and related
properties from bankrupt LTV Steel in 2001, has told its locomotive broker
that the company would like the units off the property by Dec. 1, 2006 if
possible.

Erie's F9 fleet originally included 11 units, five As and six Bs built by
EMD for Erie Mining in 1956. The fleet remained intact until 1997, when a
runaway derailment at Taconite Harbor destroyed two As and two Bs. The units
for sale are two F9A units, 4210 and 4214 and three F9B units, 4223, 4224,
and 4225. All are operable to some degree or another. Also on the property
are two units that are now owned by the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in
Duluth, F9A 4211 and F9B 4222. The 4222 was donated to the museum in
exchange for allowing the use of museum-owned 4211 in autumn 2004 when
reclaimed ore was hauled to Taconite Harbor. Other than the F9s all other
locomotives from Erie's 42-unit diesel fleet, which included such rarities
as Baldwin switchers and Alco RS11s, have already been sold.

The last F-unit run was made on June 5-6, 2006, when an A-B set and a leased
ex-Erie RS11 made a round trip from Hoyt Lakes to Taconite Harbor to pick up
eight mill shells being sold to a company in India. ­- Thanks to Doug Buell.

 

Oh, did I mention that they are full scale?

[cnw1995]

Good morning from a grey and cooling Chicago where it is expected to snow on Thurs. So much for global warming in this part of Illinois. At least natural gas prices aren't as ridiculous as this time last year. Gas seems to have stabillized at $2.19 - I can just imagine what'll be next June.

Metra might use one of those F9s...
Had an interesting commute home last night - the F40 pulling our scoot just stopped working in Fox River Grove. Blocking two road crossings of course. So I got out and called the bride to come get me and watched the trains behind us stack up (because we stalled before the cross-over track). Someone must've gotten a bright idea because they pulled the next train up - coupled its F40 to the rear of 'my' seven car train and then, diesel roaring, push-pulled it slowly home.  It sure looked funny - dead F40, seven cars, mid-train helper F40, with its eight cars. One of the longer consists I've seen.  And with me standing there on the platform on the 'wrong' side of the tracks with hundreds of others unable to get back on. Oh well. Wouldn't you know, we paced it all the way back to my station to pick up my car. Got home only 45 minutes late - second time in 2 weeks one of these workhorses has stopped working - all on the way home of course.

Mitch, I'm so sorry to hear about your cousin's death. My heart goes out to his son. I gotta admit when I was way up on a ladder recently, I sure thought of falling. Made me move extra slowly and that the ladder was anchored.

 

[Jumijo]

Mitch,

I did not read your posting this morning before I posted my 2 previous notes. Sorry if it appeared as though I was ignoring your tragic news. It was not intended that way. I just got online and started writing. I just did not see it till now.

I'm sorry to hear of your cousin's death. And especially sorry to hear that his son had to witness it. My condolences and prayers to your family.

Jim

[1688torpedo]

Hello All!    Mitch- Sorry to read about your cousin's untimely death & especially the fact that his son saw it happen. Lot's of prayers will go out for your family. Take Care.  Chief- What in the World is "Pig Picking" Or is it "Adopt a Pig week in Roseyville"? Doug M- You may need to buy yourself a Handcar for the Rails in order to get to & from Work. It may become a trend & faster than riding a train to work? Jefelectric- Nice Lackawanna K-Line Train you have there. Looks good. Take Care all.

[Dr. John]

Mitch, I'm terribly sorry to hear of your cousin's death. I'll be praying for you and his family, especially his son who witnessed the fall. It just goes to show we never know what tomorrow may bring.

Getting cooler down here in Dixie. Should be much cooler by the weekend. Our H.S. football team's homecoming game is Friday night - should be ideal football weather.

Went to my internist yesterday. My wife (who is an RN) had checked my blood pressure this past weekend after I complained of feeling out of sorts. Showed to be on the high side. Doc put me on beta blockers. Pretty mild, but I'll feel kinda "slow" for a few days until I adjust to the meds. Also have to reduce salt intake in my food . Oh well, pretty minor in the scheme of things. Be sure to keep your BP checked - it can sneak up on you. Never had high BP before.

Hope everyone is having a good day. Later!

[Blueberryhill RR]

Mitch, I'm terribly sorry to hear of your cousin's death. I'll be praying for you and his family, especially his son who witnessed the fall. It just goes to show we never know what tomorrow may bring.

Getting cooler down here in Dixie. Should be much cooler by the weekend. Our H.S. football team's homecoming game is Friday night - should be ideal football weather.

Went to my internist yesterday. My wife (who is an RN) had checked my blood pressure this past weekend after I complained of feeling out of sorts. Showed to be on the high side. Doc put me on beta blockers. Pretty mild, but I'll feel kinda "slow" for a few days until I adjust to the meds. Also have to reduce salt intake in my food . Oh well, pretty minor in the scheme of things. Be sure to keep your BP checked - it can sneak up on you. Never had high BP before.

Hope everyone is having a good day. Later!

Dr. John.........Prior to my operation in April, I had been on BP medicine for about 10 years, due to the fact that I smoked. I quit in Dec. '05, and my BP has been normal since. Stress can cause it to go up and also colesterol.

Chuck

[csxt30]

Almost forget . . . The Monkeemobile I entered in Sunday's model car show took second place. Good enough for a trophy, which my daughter has since claimed as hers. It's now in her room on her dresser.

Below is a photo from the show.




A lot of incredible models there this year! The show even made the front page of the local paper.

Jim

HEY HEY, WE'RE THE MONKEES !!   Makes me think of that song !!  

I knew it !! Well I almost knew it !! I thought it would take 1st. Place !!  Great job Jim !!

Well, can't wait for that snow to get here !! We'll show them Southerners how Tuff we are !! I always say," When the snow comes, the tuff get going " !!   ( me & Chuck are heading south !! ) 

Hope everyone has a nice evening !!

Thanks, John

[dwiemer]

Mitch,  sorry to hear of your cousin's accident and death.  Very sad situation.  I have seen a number of such accidents when I was with the FD many years ago.  They are hard to take.

Mike, I was just kidding, I am pretty used to working at all different hours and days.  I have had to do emergent surgery on Christmas and every other major holiday.  You learn to take it in stride.

John, thanks for posting the photos, looks like I have some passenger cars to get!   They are nice.

Dennis

[Brutus]

Mitch - sorry to hear about your family, prayers are with the son and widow and all your family in this terrible time.

Well, working today, though I am taking a few minutes break - had some crappy stuff that didn't count toward goal and had to make it up - brain hurts.  Jim - way cool model car!  Also can't get the song out of my head now.

Still able to post at work - guess something broke in the IT dept?!

[Blueberryhill RR]

Well, can't wait for that snow to get here !! We'll show them Southerners how Tuff we are !! I always say," When the snow comes, the tuff get going " !!   ( me & Chuck are heading south !! ) 

Hope everyone has a nice evening !!

Thanks, John

What a choice....... Snow and cold  OR  go South???  I guess I will get out the warm clothing and love it.

[tmcc man]

Hello everyone,

  We had another flag football game today, and we won 37-12. Our record is now 3-0, and we have a pretty good team. Got a 90 on my History Test, and a 100 on my Vocab test, so I am pretty happy about that.

Jefelectric, I did see the topic, and did get the backgrounds, but I didn't get the ringtones. Nice Lackawanna set you have there, I have always wanted one.

[luther_stanton]

Mitch, I was saddended to hear about your loss.  It was a tragic situation.

The wife and I just returned from dinner and a trip to Hobby Lobby and Garden Ridge. She had went to get the oil changed in her Jeep this afternoon and saw that Garden Ridge had all their Christmas wares out and wanted me to shop with her. We grabbed dinner at Carrabbas. Nice place to eat – a little expensive.

I picked up some scenery supplies – a rock mold, some ground cover and a foam cutter at Hobby Lobby. At Garden Ridge they had all the Halloween and Christmas Lemax pieces out. I got an interesting light up moon for the layout. It lights around the perimeter and is on a long thin rod that extends up to a foot. I think it will create a neat effect.

Today was an easy day – I worked from home. I started with a work out. Unusual for me as I usually like to lift in the afternoons. I am just getting back into exercising from our two week vacation. At lunch I finally got the radio / CD player back in the car. When we were in Gettysburg, we attempted a driving tour of the battlefield with a CD narration. The darn thing got stuck in the player and wiped out the changer. We had about 1200 miles of our trip with no radio. It was all good though as we had great conversation for the rest of the trip. However, no music and more importantly no traffic reports on a three hour + per day commute was driving me nuts. I picked up a unit on Ebay and swapped the CD changer pieces as I could not find a silver unit, only black ones.  The modular design of the entire radion was nice - an impreesive piece of engineering.  At least now a little sanity will be back in the drive.

On other fronts, my track cleaning car arrived yesterday. I need to pick up some track cleaning fluid and give it a try. Shipping was a little slow – I ordered it over a week ago from a dealer in Wisconsin, I believe.

[Brutus]

Luther - there are some really cool Lemax items this year!

PS - Almost forgot to post - my Halloween Animated Gondola came today from Trainz!  Way cool!

[mitchelr]

Thanks for all the kind words and prayers.  I really appreciate all the support.

keith/1688torpedo wondered aloud about The Chief going to the Sheriff's Pig Pickin'.  I wasn't exactly sure myself.  Sure hope it has something to do with food and not a dance or a mixer at the local barnyard.... (I'm hearing dueling banjoes in my brain)  .

Mitch

[1688torpedo]

Hello All!      Maybe the Pig Picken is a Couple of trained Pig's that play Dueling Banjo's at the local community theater? Or it could be some sort of Party Game where the Contestant's are Blindfolded & have to chase a Pig around a Barnyard in order to catch or "Pick" Him & it turns out to be a comedy of errors as the contestant's keep running into walls or tripping over the Pig. Stay tuned. I'm sure we'll find out what it is. Take Care.

[wrmcclellan]

Another late day and check in for me to say "hi" to all the forumites here.

Mitch - I am so sorry about your cousin. Our prayers are for your families.

Hopefully my work load will go down by November. I have put some things in motion to ensure that happens.

Looking forward to York, although it still depends on a lot of factors c\not completely in my control. As I still have to travel up to the PA area late next week, I may make York but miss the CTT gathering as I may arrive later Friday than I wish.

Have a great day tomorrow all!

 

[ChiefEagles]

Mitch, sorry man.  Prayers from here.

Pig Picking = pork bar-be-que where the pig is cooked on a big cooker and you go by and pull off what you want.  In this case, they chopped it up before we got it.  You always have cole slaw and boiled potatoes.  Topped off with hushpuppies and SWEAT ICE TEA.   Went to dermotologist.  Got lots of placed "burned off" and one cut out.  Think she was trying to pick me up.  She said she could "get into" fishing [had on a sport fishing shirt] and then into hunting when I mentioned that.  Then when I mentioned trains, she said she loved trains and got her son a Thomas the Tank Train.  She was pushing her son towards trains.  Pam says I can not go back to her.  Dr. made a follow up for 4 weeks [better keep my clothes on the next visit ].   Good night.  

[jonadel]

"SWEAT ICE TEA" good grief Chief......... is that your new medication kicking in? It's a good thing winter is coming to slow down that "SWEAT ICE TEA"

Jon :)

[dwiemer]

Chief, now that the pig pickin' is on the plate, anyone up for  a little cow tippin'? 

Gotta go to work so a quick post.  I am excited today as my new Lackawanna F3s should be here tonight.  Also got a message that my fastrack delivery should be here Friday!  Yahoo!!!!!  Say Amen and pass the ammunition, I got some benchwork to get done!

Have a good one,

Dennis

[mitchelr]

Chief - SWEAT Tea... that's the kind you make with salt instead of sugar right

Good morning from G'burg.  Currently 58 possibility of rain today.  Looks like rain headed in for the weekend.  Today I spend the whole day in a Human Resources Seminar.  I'd rather be bound and gagged and set out in a field of fire ants.  But,  I gotta go.  Only good thing about the day is that lunch is provided.

Have a erat day.

Mitch