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

[csxt30]

Wow, what a frustrating morning.
Go to drop some stuff off at son's school, which is across from a shopping center.  Police start coming from all directions!  Traffic is stopped, only lanes open are for left turns, the police their started directing everyone to make U turns away from the shopping center.  So here is 15 cars or so making U turns and just going around in circles, another dozen or so police cars are swarming in on area, two helicopters, more police cars.  Traffic is then stopped, (beats driving in circles), finally after a 20 minute wait traffic is released.  Now we have grid lock.  Get out of that finally.  As it turns out a murder, suicide committed at Insurance company.  Gunman killed a woman then waited for police and had a shoot out.  Good news is no drawn out legal issues.

Then go on to Home Depot to buy carpet for train room.  Carpet suppose to be 3.77 sq ft, installed with padding.  Clerk comes back with, we  only sell it by sq yd..    (Well  yeah.....).  cost per sq yd is 48.  Now this doesn't make sense to me.  So ask it to break that down to what the advertised sign says as 3.77 sq ft.  So I was reminded that it is only sold by the sq yard.    Ok, Ok, so what is the price of  per sq yard, again 48.  Ask her how many sq feet make up a sq yard, she answers I'm not sure I will get the manager.  Manager comes, yes your right sir, it is 3.77 sq ft or 34.00 sq yd.  Ok, great were ready to go then, but then they say its 4.50 a sq ft to install.    Now wait, the sign says 3.77 per sq foot installed, with padding.  Guess where this went, Sir we don't install per sq foot only sq yard.  (I'm feeling like I'm in an Abott and Costello routine.)  After considerable discussion finally get the price to 3.77 sq ft or 34 sq yd, installed with padding.  THEN, we need a $35 fee to send the guys out to measure the room so we can develop the actual quote.  and IF you place the order the $35 will be applied to the purchase.  Ok that's fine as long as the workorder has a unit cost identifed as we agreed, and it indicates the carpet I selected.  Sorry sir, the computer doesn't print that information on the order.  OK so if the price changes from the unit cost, do I get the $35 back?  Sorry sir we can't do that.    By the way installation would be scheduled AFTER Thanksgiving! So decided that this was not the day for ordering carpet.  THIS LITTLE EVENT ONLY TOOK AN HOUR AND HALF.

In the meantime, a person I talked to last week had called the wife and was on the way to the house to provide a quote and show samples.  He had the exact same carpet, with a heavier pad for the same price and will install it on Monday.

So I'm going home and having some wine, or JD whatever I can find.

Don : that was really good !! I liked that one, though you must have been getting a little frustrated by the end of all that !!  

Good to see PE TIM back !! Can't wait to see some pics. of the layout if you haven't disasembled it yet !!

Thanks, John

[cnw1995]

Happy Halloween! I'm out back looking for the Great Pumpkin. Nothing finer that going around the neighborhood with a 4 year old dressed like a knight. 'Look at that pumpkin - it's on fire inside.' 'Wow, they gave me two candies.' 'My mouth is cold.'

Of course he runs to the door to give out candy - makes it a 5 minute production 'let's see - what candy do you want? And what candy do you want? etc etc'

Great to hear from Tim and Gil.

Don, that's a funny story - sorry you had to live through it.

[Buckeye Riveter]

Tim, for the newcomers to the pot, please post a couple photos of your bridges.  They will be amazed.

[1688torpedo]

Hello All!    Don-Whew!- Those Californians are real rascal's with their regulations,nonsense, & craziness. You should write a Book entitled- "The Trials & Tribulations of Don Baker" The proceeds can go to your train room in case you incur any more additional expenses due to contractor's or builder's working on it.. Your ordeal sure did sound like a Abbott & Costello Skit. Maybe it was one of their relatives who you were dealing with, almost sounds like it. Chief- Glad you had a nice time with your friend in the Sandhills area of N.C., Tim- Glad to see you posting again. Time to go. Take care all.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Tim, for the newcomers to the pot, please post a couple photos of your bridges.  They will be amazed.

Yes, do that , Tim. I'd love to have one of those bridges.

Chuck

p.s.... e-mails are messed up tonite, John.

[ChiefEagles]

No it is me, John.  My Dermatologist wants to go hunting, fishing and play trains with me.  Wife says I can't go there again.  Will next Tuesday and she called and left word I need to come in then as the bump she removed had "pre-cancer" cells and needs to be retreated.  Think she just wants to talk more about our activites.

Sorry about that Chief,  You two fight like brothers and I tend to get you confused. 

AHH GAG!!!!!!  UP CHUCK!!!!!!  INSULT!!!!!!!

Think I will hit the sack early.  Got early Town meeting in the morning and then Debbie the Exterminator is coming by at 10 to spray basement.  [Why is she spraying?  For any Yankees that might try to slip in during the winter. ]

[Blueberryhill RR]

No it is me, John.  My Dermatologist wants to go hunting, fishing and play trains with me.  Wife says I can't go there again.  Will next Tuesday and she called and left word I need to come in then as the bump she removed had "pre-cancer" cells and needs to be retreated.  Think she just wants to talk more about our activites.

Sorry about that Chief,  You two fight like brothers and I tend to get you confused. 

AHH GAG!!!!!!  UP CHUCK!!!!!!  INSULT!!!!!!!

Think I will hit the sack early.  Got early Town meeting in the morning and then Debbie the Exterminator is coming by at 10 to spray basement.  [Why is she spraying?  For any Yankees that might try to slip in during the winter. ]

Chief...you got bugs ?????

[dwiemer]

Evening everyone.  Don, ya had my wife and I laughing  I have also had similar episodes with our well educated citizens in the work force.  While my stories would never be told with the eloquence and wit of yours, they do make you shake your head and hopefully laugh later.

Oh the courts and the railroads, it is a shame the way our legal system has turned.  My neighbor who owns a railroad has some trackage agreements with NS.  As part of the agreement, he has stopped the passenger cars that he has from doing the specials.  They used to run Santa train for the poor areas around to bring presents and food.  They used to have special excursions for folks during certain festivals to take perhaps the only train ride they would ever have.  Not anymore.  The legal issues have just become too great for such service from our friends in the industry.  I was on the last train and while we did not know it at the time, in retrospect it is a sad ending to such a great time for many to enjoy.  Perhaps if we took all the trial lawyers and used them as spacers for the cross ties.....Oh no, I guess we would not want them as they are rotten. 

Dennis

[Brutus]

John Wrote: Emma Scott was born this morning at 7:58.  Weights 6 lbs. & 5 oz. and is 18-1/4".  Mother and daughter are doing fine.

OOPS - I was tired and forgot - easier to type than back up and look!  Sorry man.

Kids are winding down now.  I let them run the train and switches etc for a while, but they like the whistle and Chewy DOES NOT!  LOL, poor little doggie went over and hung on mommy until they were through.  Then they watched a bunch of Halloween cartoons and now getting ready for bed, which should take a good half hour.

You are right!  My kids were upset and then my wife pointed out that the layout will be up until Christmas if it goes like last year, then for the Polar Express to make it's reappearance!  Hi to the new old guys and old new guys and all you guys! 

Don, maybe those HD guyes used to work for the Susquahannah Carpet Company? 

[csxt30]

No it is me, John.  My Dermatologist wants to go hunting, fishing and play trains with me.  Wife says I can't go there again.  Will next Tuesday and she called and left word I need to come in then as the bump she removed had "pre-cancer" cells and needs to be retreated.  Think she just wants to talk more about our activites.

Sorry about that Chief,  You two fight like brothers and I tend to get you confused. 

AHH GAG!!!!!!  UP CHUCK!!!!!!  INSULT!!!!!!!

Think I will hit the sack early.  Got early Town meeting in the morning and then Debbie the Exterminator is coming by at 10 to spray basement.  [Why is she spraying?  For any Yankees that might try to slip in during the winter. ]

Chief...you got bugs ?????

WOW Chuck !! Wait till this gets out !! People will think it's cooties & we know they're spraying for GRITS !!  Ha !! My Dad would say " get the Bugaboo " !!

Thanks, John   (havin' too much fun !! )

[ChiefEagles]

No it is me, John.  My Dermatologist wants to go hunting, fishing and play trains with me.  Wife says I can't go there again.  Will next Tuesday and she called and left word I need to come in then as the bump she removed had "pre-cancer" cells and needs to be retreated.  Think she just wants to talk more about our activites.

Sorry about that Chief,  You two fight like brothers and I tend to get you confused. 

AHH GAG!!!!!!  UP CHUCK!!!!!!  INSULT!!!!!!!

Think I will hit the sack early.  Got early Town meeting in the morning and then Debbie the Exterminator is coming by at 10 to spray basement.  [Why is she spraying?  For any Yankees that might try to slip in during the winter. ]

Chief...you got bugs ?????

WOW Chuck !! Wait till this gets out !! People will think it's cooties & we know they're spraying for GRITS !!  Ha !! My Dad would say " get the Bugaboo " !!

Thanks, John   (havin' too much fun !! )

NOPE, just YANKEES.   Don't want to upset John Bakeer so I will not shoot them, just spray them.   [a few camel crickets get in basement when it turns cold. this spraying will last about 2 years] 

Don, I've learned to STAY AWAY from Home Depot.  We use Lowe's and get better service and products.  I've got two HD gift cards and will use them to get some treated timbers to build Pam a potting shed.  Any thing needed over their amount, will be spent at Lowes.  Got friend at Atlanta Headquarters who tried to help improve service and I just gave up.  Had to keep filing complaints over contractor services and the products.  No sevice and help at store.  If you do find someone to help you, they don't know doodlee about what they are talking about.  Remember we made them completely replace the new carpet they installed for FREE.  The fishing forum I am a member of has had lots of HD "fun" experiences posted from various places all over the USA.

[wrmcclellan]

John - we do not spray for GRITS. We spray GRITS - good yankee repellent!

[cnw1995]

All this Southern talk makes me hanker for a Moon Pie. I don't think I could find one within say about  400 miles.  Just thinking of one after stuffing myself full of Kit-Kat bars.  We now return to our regularly scheduled programming...

[ChiefEagles]

Did the Great Pumpkin rise out of your pumpkin patch.  Yankees can not say, "Yes."  All their pumpkins are frozen.  

He did in my pumpkin patch.

GOOOOD NIGHT

[MartyE]

I can see it now as the Peanut gang leaves Chiefs house...  What you get Lucy?  I got a candy bar!  What you get Linus?  I got a candy apple!  What you get Charlie Brown?  I got a grit.

[John Bakeer]

Went to the local timber merchant for some 2"X1" obout 25'0" would be OK.
"It's all metric now sir" the clerk said, quick firtle with my brain cell "that's 48mmX22mm then", "that's about right sir". More creaking in my old brain "I'll have 7metres then", "it comes in 2.45 metre lenths" more machinations, "OK, I'll take 7,35 metres,how much is that then?" "It's 29pence a foot". I then was obliged to seek medical attention to the head wound I had sustained when I banged it against the wall.
Never going to get that new base board built.
First frost of the winter last night -1.

[mitchelr]

Went to the local timber merchant for some 2"X1" obout 25'0" would be OK. "It's all metric now sir" the clerk said, quick firtle with my brain cell "that's 48mmX22mm then", "that's about right sir". More creaking in my old brain "I'll have 7metres then", "it comes in 2.45 metre lenths" more machinations, "OK, I'll take 7,35 metres,how much is that then?" "It's 29pence a foot". I then was obliged to seek medical attention to the head wound I had sustained when I banged it against the wall. Never going to get that new base board built. First frost of the winter last night -1.

John Bakeer - sounds like you had the same kind of customer service as Don Baker in California.  My wife has been doing battle with American Honda.  Last year we bought a new CR-V due to an accident that totaled the old Honda we had.  The new one is just about 12 months old with about 16,000 miles.  It starts making a noise in the rear end.  She call the dealership where we bought it. They tell her the differential fluid needs to be replaced and it will cost $75, not covered under warranty and it will need to be replaced at least every 15,000 miles.  She pulls out her owners manual, and finds out that differential fluid is not to be replaced until 90,000 miles according to the service schedule.  She calls back and talks to Service Manager who refuses to budge and gives her some line of bull---- and then gives her the 800 number for American Honda.  She talks to Rep who says it should be covered under warranty and should not need to be replaced so often.  She calls another dealer who tells her it won't be covered but will cost $51. She winds up taking it to the second dealer to have it checked and raises such a stink they did it for free under warranty.  I wonder how many other poor people pay $51,  or $74,  or more for what should be covered under warranty because they are afraid to speak up.  I won't even get into the design or engineering flaws that causes the differential fluid  to need to be replaced every 15,000 miles.

Take care,

Mitch

[ChiefEagles]

Morning all.  Pretty day.  Clouding up tonight and then some rain with cool temps [well below November average for NC] tomorrow and then ext few days.  Glad I have the BIG SEAT to Ft. Myers FL for a few days.  Sure it will be warmer down there.

Mitch, she does not have to fight with dealer.  Just tell them to get Honda on the line.  Also, keep ticket so it can be evidence if the noise reappears and she wants warranty.  I never had trouble with Chevy as I bought millions of dollars of them and the dealers knew I would call [could have done the same with Ford and Chrysler if I had personally owned them].  Nissian, I had to jerk real hard one time on wife's car.  They got the word and it was fixed and the dealer begged forgiveness.  Goes against their rating.  Call and tell them yu want to file a complaint against the dealer.  If you get the run around, tell them you want arbutration.  They don't want that.

Got a Town meeting over a developer trying to get out of something required.  Then the exterminator lady is coming.  Maybe some trainroom time.  Got boxes and fixtures to mount the bar with mini spotlights and the fixtures from Lowes yesterday PM.  My goal is to get them installed today. 

Marty E, I will be sure to bribe US Airways and get them to serve you GRITS the next time you get the big seats.  

Have a great day.

[Jumijo]

Good morning, everyone. Welcome to November! Can you believe it? November already!

Thanks to all of you who posted such kind words about my layout. I'm flattered.

Doctor Hotty (she really is gorgeous) gave me a clean bill of health. I've had some skin cancer problems in the past, so it was kind of surprising to hear nothing needed to be biopsied or otherwise looked into this time. I did feel like a fool standing there in my underwear while she looked me over. Next time, I'm going to suggest we both do the exam in our skivvies!

Chief,
Good luck with your rat and roach problem! I hope the exterminator gets the job done. The only thing worse than rats is roaches. Both are filthy and gross! 

Jim

P.S. I looted my kids Halloween bags this morning. I'm now going to OD on Reeses cups! Death by peanut butter!

[dwiemer]

All this Southern talk makes me hanker for a Moon Pie. I don't think I could find one within say about  400 miles.  Just thinking of one after stuffing myself full of Kit-Kat bars.  We now return to our regularly scheduled programming...

Doug, 'round these parts, it's a RC and a Moonpie.  They go together, like a steam engine and tender, like Grits and Eggs, they just belong with each other.  All this talk of food, I think it is time to "Hit the Dining Car" as one of our friends "Mr. Blueberry" would say.

One note about spreading Grits, they actually do keep the slugs and snails away when spread in the garden, so Chief, perhaps we can spread them along the Mason Dixon Line and keep the pests out.

Dennis

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

It is cloudy and cool in SE Indiana with temps heading into the 40s today.  I handed out candy last night and went to the Y as well.  We watched "Veronica Mars" also.  Lucas was helping his girlfriend give out candy at her parents' house.  Tonight he goes back to work for the first time since July.  I hope it goes well.  Dbaker, I feel for you with all your battles on your projects.  You do tell the events in a humorous manner.  John Bakeer, thank you for your insights from another country.  I sympathize with your measurement struggles.  I do not think we in the states will ever go completely metric.  I mean the Indianapolis 806 Kilometer Race does not quite sound the same as the Indy 500.  Before all the math people get on me about the exact conversion formula, I was only using the number as an example.

I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a sunny morning of 42 degrees. Going up to only 52 today with overcast skies. Maybe some showers later.

Today is November 1st. This year has gone fast. I hope to start next year a little better than this year. So far, so good.

We are going grocery shopping in Cambridge today. That is not exactly fun anymore. Gas prices are creeping back up, slowly but surely. It is a silly game they play, with the oil countries.

Maybe later this afternoon, I will run trains for awhile. I will need the relaxing time after shopping. Tomorrow is a scheduled work day on the layout. For sure.

Dining Car has arrived. Breakfast.

Y'all have a great Wednesday.

Chuck

[AKKevinT]

Good Morning,

It is 4:30 in the morning here in Fairbanks! I just got home from my office! We have a large proposal going out in three day to the department of education so it pucker time! Grab a couple hours sleep and head back into town.

Roy– I saw your note about having family in Anchorage and fishing. It is no fun to get skunked sorry that happened. Where did you fish during your visit? I get down to Anchorage from time to time for work or to play in handball tournaments. (More work the last couple years than handball, bummer.)

While you were in AK did you catch a ride on the ARR? If so where did you go and how did you like it?

When this proposal is submitted it will be time to dust off the Christmas layout and decide what to add to it this year.

Regards from the Freezer,

Kevin T.

[1688torpedo]

Hello All!  Chief- Never heard of "Camel Crickets" before. They must be the type that smoke Camel Cigarettes in basements all over the South!  Jim A- You better be careful your wife does not peek over your shoulder while you're writing about your Doctor here   Dennis- if Grits are spread over the Mason-Dixon line.Then, you & the Chief will be unable to get any shipments of Toy Trains from the North. Be careful what you wish for! Take Care all.

[cnw1995]

Good morning from a sunny and cold Chicago where winter has definitely arrived with the month of December. Felt sorry for the people in stereotypical Euro dress (liederhosen, toreadors, kilts - a bizarre bunch) outside the downtown train station handing out coupons for an American Airlines contest. We seem to have a Home Depot, Lowes and Menards right next to each other every few miles out here. I perfer Lowes. Nice Lowes manager let me buy a single shingle recently. Actually he gave it to me - for that he gets all of my future business.

Just polished off my morning Kit-Kat chocolate bars.

[Jumijo]

Hello All!  Chief- Never heard of "Camel Crickets" before. They must be the type that smoke Camel Cigarettes in basements all over the South!  Jim A- You better be careful your wife does not peek over your shoulder while you're writing about your Doctor here   Dennis- if Grits are spread over the Mason-Dixon line.Then, you & the Chief will be unable to get any shipments of Toy Trains from the North. Be careful what you wish for! Take Care all.

Keith,
My wife is a nurse and she knows my doctor(s) very well. She also knows my sense of humor is warped. I'm a very happily married guy! Besides, my wife is quite a hotty herself!

Jim

[Anonymous]

WE had no children stop here. It was rainy somewhat but these lots are so large making the houses far apart, kids wont come to our development. They like to work the other smaller hoods and apartments here.

[John Bakeer]

Hi Mitch,
What a difference a couple of thousand miles makes.
I have a Honda Jazz, large cars and tractors as we call 4x4s take up a lot of room on our narrow crowded roads. My car has a five year warranty (it's now two and a half), took it in for service last year, I pointed out to the man that the clutch pedal squeeked. The master cylinder was replaced immediately, the only other problem was a puncture. a man came out, changed the wheel (for one of those silly low profile things), escorted us to the local tyre house and saw to it that we were OK, before leaving---No charge. This car was built in Swindon on the site of the old Great Western Railway shops. I K Brunels spirit lives on. I rode Honda motor cycles for over twenty five years, the only problem apart from wear and tear was an O-ring failed on a new CX500.
I won't bore you with the horror stories of British cars I have cursed over the last fifty years. At long last the Japs have finally taught us how to built them.
We get some Chryslers imported (compacts), they are generally of poor build quality with the handling properties of a jelly.
Had our first frost last night and the council have been out gritting the roads.
What's RC and Moonpie please?

[Jumijo]

What's RC and Moonpie please?

It's a bellyache waiting to happen. RC is a brand of cola (Royal Crown). A moon pie is small chocolate cakes with whipped cream in the middle if I remember right. Bad combination for my tummy!

Jim

[dbaker48]

NO, NO, NO.......
RC, yes alternative cola, however Coke and Pepsi were typically  8 oz bottles, and the RC was 16 oz, for the same price.  (Unless of course you went with a quart bottle of NEHI soda for about 5 cents).  Was very popular, however not easily found anymore if at all. 
Moonpie had a marshmallow creme center, between the two large chocolate cookies.  It too was a good deal they pie was 4 or 5 inches in diameter, and about 3/4 inch thick. 
When I was a kid you could purchase both for less than .25, maybe 30 cents.  15 cents each.

AND THEY WERE GOOD !

Can still find Moonpies.