Brent, the Mercedes lights tend to haze over. Mine needed the polishing. MB wanted $400 to do it. I took it to Toyota as they also have a very good detail guy. Did the lenses for $20. They look great.
I just hope that Fife doesn't show up on SPF wearing his new bikini....that would be too much!
Had a nice morning with the bride. Kids are at school and we watched I-Spy with Owen Wilson and Eddie Murphy. Funny picture. It is nice to be able to have some alone time with my wife. Too little of it. Son is feeling better, but has a few more days left on his medication. Daughter was funny this morning. Had to wear a expensive pink dress for school. Now, why does a 4 year old need that? I suspect that she is going to be very high maintenance when she gets older!
Hope everyone has a great day.Dennis
TCA#09-63805
sir james I Good Morning A very nice sunny day. The "Christmas Carol" train is here in the Detroit area today, even made the morning news. I may be off by one but I think Cedar Point near Sandusky Oh. has 17 roller coasters. Those things can rattle your brain for real. Way back in the old days Cedar Point was an old fashion amusement park with a great beach on lake Erie. BLT's for breakfast but running out of fresh T's. Have a great weekend...S.J.
Good Morning
A very nice sunny day.
The "Christmas Carol" train is here in the Detroit area today, even made the morning news. I may be off by one but I think Cedar Point near Sandusky Oh. has 17 roller coasters. Those things can rattle your brain for real. Way back in the old days Cedar Point was an old fashion amusement park with a great beach on lake Erie. BLT's for breakfast but running out of fresh T's. Have a great weekend...S.J.
S.J..... I remember those days at Cedar Point. No road to it. Had to take a ferry boat out there. All white wooden buildings. Old Breaker's Hotel. A great beach to swim. Lots of sand on the walkways. About 1953, I guess. A ticket booth for each ride. That was all you paid. Those were the good old days.
Chuck
green97probe Brent, Before replacing the lens, run your hand over it. If it feels rough, that is oxidation that can usually be cleaned off by wetsanding and polishing. I have had to do that to the foglights on the Probe and the headlights on my brother's Grand Am, and it removed the oxidation and cloudiness. I used the sandpaper and block that are included with the Duplicolor scratch repair kit, so I am not sure of the grit. It was very fine though. Most lens are glued to the housings, so replacement involves baking the assembly in an oven at a low heat to soften the glue before the lens can be removed. If you have to do that, do it when Susan isn't home.
Brent,
Before replacing the lens, run your hand over it. If it feels rough, that is oxidation that can usually be cleaned off by wetsanding and polishing. I have had to do that to the foglights on the Probe and the headlights on my brother's Grand Am, and it removed the oxidation and cloudiness. I used the sandpaper and block that are included with the Duplicolor scratch repair kit, so I am not sure of the grit. It was very fine though. Most lens are glued to the housings, so replacement involves baking the assembly in an oven at a low heat to soften the glue before the lens can be removed. If you have to do that, do it when Susan isn't home.
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
"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
fifedog Mornin' boys. Just another pleasant day in the Mid-Atlantic region... Where has Ole Timer been hiding... Got my local NRHS newsletter, and just learned of the heartbreaking fire that destroyed the 100 year old Helmstetter barn along the Western Maryland Scenic RR. This is the same scene depicted on my CONNELLSVILLE SUB. As well as the structure and equipment, 14 cows and the owner's border collie were lost. The railfan community has rallied to the cause, and donated 22K for rebuilding, and will be running special photo freights with WM Scenic #734 to further the donations. I have more info if needed. I need a haircut. Lookin' like a hippee....
Mornin' boys. Just another pleasant day in the Mid-Atlantic region...
Where has Ole Timer been hiding...
Got my local NRHS newsletter, and just learned of the heartbreaking fire that destroyed the 100 year old Helmstetter barn along the Western Maryland Scenic RR. This is the same scene depicted on my CONNELLSVILLE SUB. As well as the structure and equipment, 14 cows and the owner's border collie were lost. The railfan community has rallied to the cause, and donated 22K for rebuilding, and will be running special photo freights with WM Scenic #734 to further the donations. I have more info if needed.
I need a haircut. Lookin' like a hippee....
Good Morning from Blueberryhill....
It is another beautiful day. 65 degrees and sunny. Going up to 82 today, with lots of sunshine.
Today is busy. I have a bunch of paperwork to do and then some errands to run. Then, I will relax. Maybe in the train room. I am getting things ready to paint the rest of the walls and hang a bunch of pictures. I have some more train paintings of my wife's to hang too.
Dining car was here for the usual breakfast.
Buckeye....TGIF
Y'all have a great Friday.
Good morning all,
IIABSDISEI with temps in the 70s. Steve, I am sorry to hear of your troubles. I went a year without a steady job once, and it was no fun. I do not know your background or education, but if you have at least some college, you might check out the local school systems to be a substitute teacher. In Indiana, you have to have 60 credit hours or an Associate Degree. Some systems are absolutely desperate for help. It is not steady work all the time, but it might be worth investigating.
Speaking of troubles, "my" soccer girls really got clobbered last night, 9-2. It was a road game so I did not go (boys were at home), but last year we tied the same team 1-1. This was a game I had marked on the schedule as winnable, but now there are only three or four potential such opportunities left. I was not planning on going to the Friday practice as it is usually shorter, but I may drop by to gauge the mood and perhaps cheer them up. The boys played well, but came up short 2-1. They lost one starter for the rest of the season and another one had six stitches in his head last night. Still, with them, there are reasonable expectations for some more wins.
I just did weights at the YMCA last night. I had the regular fare on the dining car for breakfast. TBIL, and I can drive (or watch Don B.'s neighbor!). I hope everyone has a good day.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
Mornin' Fellas.Been rough around work the past couple weeks. Our VP of HR's sister passed away on Tuesday from a 2 year battle with cancer. Started out as *** Cancer and eventually made its way into the bone marrow and liver. Really sad as she was only 49. Really puts life into perspective. I didn't get much sleep last night as spent most of the night reflecting on my life.Steve - Personally I feel those tests should be outlawed. I know what they are trying to do, but they are so easy to mess up and also easy to lie on (we've had this happen at my current job). Listen to Rich (anjdevel) he knows what he's talking about. I have a 2002 BMW and I've spent who knows how much on over priced repairs. I got an online subscription to Mitchell1 online (http://www.eautorepair.net) and last night I replaced the driver's side mirror glass. Was worried that I would damage the mirror shroud, but I followed the step-by-step instructions and it went smooth as silk. Now I have to figure out how to remove the driver side headlight so I can change the headlight glass (actually plastic) as the existing light is so cloudy you can't tell there are lights inside. Tried last night but couldn't figure it out, need to research on the headlight. Also need to figure out why my passenger headlight washer is leeking and if I can fix that. Anyway, the subscription is $29.99 for a year. IMHO, it has saved me lots more than that.
A fairly good week on the hill. A lot of cleaning, sorting, and organizing, but that is a good thing. Figured out why we get so many moths in this one light fixture. There was a 1/2 knockout missing under the ballast cover. The subreflector situation is getting more interesting. I think it's coming off for maintenance for sure.
Dennis - I think the reflux meds are helping. My blood sugar does seems to vary quite a bit. Sometimes I seem to be fighting hypoglycemia rather than the other way round. I had to stop and have second breakfast (maybe I'm turning into a hobbit:) this morning. I also seem to need to eat more often at altitude now, and climbing four floors of stairs at 10,400' all the time may be part of it. Overall, things do seem to be better though. I'm very interested in what the diabetic education class has to say.
Steve - hang in there. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
The narrow gauge info in the latest Trains is very interesting. Noticed the map shows the Magma Arizona RR as narrow gauge at least at some point. I think the tracks are standard gauge now, but on the way to Phoenix in a few weeks I'm going to stop and measure. And I was looking at the tracks for the gypsum mine in Southern CA a few months back when we hiked to the Goat Canyon Trestle.
Home tomorrow w/ a lot of surplus in the truck. Will talk w/ the bearing guys on the way back to campus. Enjoy the weekend!
Bob
Tucson, AZ (aka the Ol' Pueblo)
Home of the Mt. Graham & Arizona Eastern Boiler Shops
Partly cloudy and high 70's here today.
Bummer about the interview, Steve. Keep digging. Sooner or later something will turn up.
My IRBM launching flat car arrived today. It will need some cleaning up and a new diaphram/spring. Another reason to call Jeff at Train Tender. Hopefully, I'll get pictures for SPH.
Anybody else's hobby shop have Lionel volume 2 catalogs yet? Think they were supposed to be out about Sept. 1. I stopped by my LHS today to check. He hasn't gotten his yet.
I think my wireless network weirdness is due to signal strength - either that or Buckeye is tinkering with my computer too!. The hub is up on 2nd floor, this computer is in the basement. The antena for the wireless is almost at basement floor level maybe 8" from the basement wall, running parallel to the back of the computer case, which is probably grounded. I've moved the computer away from the wall by about 3" and got an immediate increase in signal strength. It seems to be running better tonight since I moved the computer.
I've shown up on corporate executive staff level radar again today. Got called into the plant manager's office for a conference call meeting. Who shows up and sits down next to me but the plant manager's boss, a VP of operations type, and says 'hi Bill'. Like I said last week - I'd rather keep a lower profile.
Later all.
Steve try www.usajobs.gov as the goverment is still hiring at present.
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
Steve, sorry about the news. RT brought up something that got me thinking. Have you checked into hospitals and large industries that could possibly use your talents outside of the type of job you are used to? Our hospital has a number of departments from Plant Ops, Carpentry, Motor Pool, etc. While many hospitals are having a hiring freeze right now till they figure out the direction of health care, some are still hiring.
Rich, make sure you rest up and take ALL your meds. You don't want to get pneumonia. If your lungs are already getting full, you need to watch things. Regarding the meds, many folks get to feeling better and stop the meds, even though they still have several days left, bad as often the illness hits harder the second go around.
Buckeye, I remember the cards, but was not programing at the time. Came in with FORTRAN and Basic. Forgot most of it and just fumble my way through computing these days. Speaking about Ohio, watched a neat video of best roller coasters and supposedly, you guys have a few up there. Then, heard Grassley on a radio program and several other Ohio references.
Well, I just saw a program with the aunt of that girl in CA who was abducted 18 years ago. Just a reminder for folks to watch your kids and give them a hug, let them know you love them.
God Bless,Dennis
Good Evening
Spent the day on the couch. The evening at a funeral home. And now waiting for Brutus and the thingy. Root beer and banilla ready....S.J.
Just got back from dock. Canvas lady installed my new bimini (Sunbrella/Pacific Blue) and it looks great. Sat and sipped, took in the sunset, fish jumping, ducks swimming, geese flying, then skeetos withdrawing...
anjdevil - Get better soon. You have been running on the ragged edge lately...
Jim,
Do you have the 770 Loading Platform to go with the 732?
Steve,
Don't let that interview get you down. You will find something. I had a similar experience before I got my current job, and it seems that lead me to a much better job.
LawsonFarmsRR Don, do you suppose Buckeye has an undetected link to your computer, and is playing with it?
Don, do you suppose Buckeye has an undetected link to your computer, and is playing with it?
I haven't hacked computers for 30 years, give me a break!!!!
Back in the old days, when we used punch cards to run the big IBMs, you could write code that would tell the high speed printers to skip a page. We determined that you could write a loop in the code that made the printer skip, say 100-500 pages, until a student assistant hit the stop button on the printer. It only took about three or four cards of code to make the loop. We would sneak those three or four cards into some unsuspecting student's computer program and then when they ran the program, the paper would pour out of the printer and hit the ceiling.
It was a sad day when they made us write code using the teletype machines. They were no fun.
Fortunately, Professor L, a former bridge engineer for the railroad, taught me how to program arrays to solve multiple simultaneous equations and I got a job, got married, had a kid and lived happily ever after running my trains. End of story.
Steve....I have been without a job three times and it is not fun. Everyone you know should know you are looking and what you are looking for. Every two weeks, if you don't have employment you tell everyone again. When I was looking the construction/engineering community in Ohio knew I was looking. You gotta tell people you want a job, 24/7. The volunteering that Jim mentioned can sometimes introduce you to people that you would normally would never have a chance to meet. Good luck and keep digging. (BTW, do you really need a car in NJ? You guys have so many trains to ride and we have zero.)
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
Steve W. So I drive the santafe back to pick up the geo (360.00 just to patch that car) leave the santefe with him to find whats wrong with that and he calls me back and said crank position sensors are bad, 800.00 to change both and that SHOULD? fix it.Steve
So I drive the santafe back to pick up the geo (360.00 just to patch that car) leave the santefe with him to find whats wrong with that and he calls me back and said crank position sensors are bad, 800.00 to change both and that SHOULD? fix it.Steve
Just a thought - Steve could you rent a used car (not lease)? The $1150.00 should rent a car for maybe 6 months, to allow things to improve.
Pat
RFD-TV --- Rural America's most important network!
Evening all,
Just got the kids to bed. I am beat but have a few things to do before turning in myself. Got a bookcase to relocate and clean out. No order to the books. I will try and change that. Had a good time with the kids tonight. After homework and supper we went to the park, came home rode bikes bathed the bed.
I won a 732 baggage car on eBay. When it comes I post some pictures. Since I will not be able to go to York, I have saved up some extra $$ for thebay!
Steve - be patient, something will turn up. In the meantime have yu considered volenteering at the local food pantry or hospital. Sometimes volenteer positions can lead to things.
Well, need to get started on the bookcase!
May God bless
Jim
Steve, RE: Crankshaft sensor:
it is behind the plate on the bottom pulley
The crank sensor is located behind the timing and balance shaft belts. depending on condition/age of belts, you may want to consider replacing them both. Note: if you plan on doing this repair yourself you'll need to research how to properly align the oil pump pulley.
Get your self a Haynes manual for $20 and you do this yourself cheaper. No tax on books in NJ as of yet, but I'm sure you can do it.
Sorry about your interview, maybe they'll redo the test for you? You're a Jersey guy, you can do it!!
Quick post, been home 2 days sick, massive infection in my lungs (so my PA says). Been raining last 2 days - s'ok, been unconscious due to the meds.
I'll check back tonight or tomorrow, depending how alert I am!
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
Sorry to hear Steve. Those questions ( the first test) are suppose to be made to eliminate the bad guys but sometimes it gets the good guys too. I've never had much stock in them as I got lucky a couple of times with them where the hiring manager would over rule the test as he didn't have much stock in them either as there set up to trick you and should you answer the same question differently than the time before ( they do ask the same question over and over again just worded differently or back wards.) then you fail.
Well better luck next time I guess is the only thing to say now at this point. Sorry to hear thou of your troubles for the day but I was always told it happens in 3's and seems you had your 3 today. Tomorrow will be better I'm sure of it.
Evening all not a lot happening. Hope all doing well will talk to you all later tired as along day only 8 hours but it was just a long day.
Well here it is guys.......Interview couldn't have gone worse. What ever I answered on the first test I must have picked all the wrong things. One of those tests that ask you if its ok to steal from the company and stuff like that. I have no idea what I said that could possibly been negitive but I got a "red flag". SEcond test (electronics) was a breeze, I'm sure I got all right and the third was engines two stroke and four and again there wasn't any of it I wasn't sure of. But the first test stopped it dead. Now take the geo in for a ball joint and yeah the ball joint is bad but the entire frame of the car is rotted out, front and rear. Had to plead with the guy just to put a control arm on it so I had a car for the next few days. He says its to dangerous to drive and hes right but I need something. So I drive the santafe back to pick up the geo (360.00 just to patch that car) leave the santefe with him to find whats wrong with that and he calls me back and said crank position sensors are bad, 800.00 to change both and that SHOULD? fix it. Somebody just shoot me PLEASE!!!!!! The Lord doesn't give us more than we can handel, I just wish he didn't have so much confidence in me. (heard that somewhere and thought it was funny) Not trying to be a cry baby, just thought I'd let ya know how it all went. The sun will come up tomorrow and Lionel will still be making trains and I'll still have my family..............Steve
Dennis, we did that 'gym party' when the kids were younger. Much fun for them - tired them out - and didn't wreck the house. Happy birthday to your daughter. A nice side-bar to all our kids being in school full-time and all-day is the bride and I had some time for a nice outside lunch today, now to do a bit more work and raise the stakes in my battle with the Japanese beetle (I'm winning)
dbaker48LawsonFarmsRR Don, do you suppose Buckeye has an undetected link to your computer, and is playing with it? Pat,I think you were "Spot ON", the guy showed up this morning at 7:45, (surprise). We discussed the problems, he checked signal strengths. And FOUND a faulty connection where the cable comes INTO the house! Replaced underground cable from the street, signal improved 10 fold. Problem was UNDERGROUND CABLE !Now remember old Buckeye talking just a day or so ago, about working underground? I'm extremely suspcious! Just to coincidental!But up and running!
Pat,
I think you were "Spot ON", the guy showed up this morning at 7:45, (surprise). We discussed the problems, he checked signal strengths. And FOUND a faulty connection where the cable comes INTO the house! Replaced underground cable from the street, signal improved 10 fold. Problem was UNDERGROUND CABLE !
Now remember old Buckeye talking just a day or so ago, about working underground? I'm extremely suspcious! Just to coincidental!
But up and running!
As Larry the Cable Guy would say "Now that's funny, I don't care who you are!".
Good Afternoon everyone! Was a long night as expected and so far, a good day today. We had a cold spell come through and the temps dropped way down to 88 today. Going into lower 90's through the weekend.
Steve, good luck with things. When one thing after another comes to remind us that we have no control, it is a good idea to look up to the one who has all control. Prayers, for you and the family.
Buckeye, just kidding. Not sure what the message you were sending me was, but I figure its better that way.
Chief, old cemetaries often cause officials to take pause. Have a friend who came home from work one day to find Georgia Power on his land clearing trees. He asked what they were doing there: "we are going to run a main power line through your property" he was told. Then he mentioned that they should have at least let him know: "we don't have to do that and you can't stop us" was the word from the foreman. He simply went into his house, called GA Power and told a super visor about it. They told him what the foreman said was correct. My friends response, "would you like to know where the indian burial sites are?"....long pause....supervisor comes back with "they will be off your land in the hour". Done.
Son has ear infection. Was out of school yesterday and today. Have him on antibiotics and tylenol. Hope he will be good to go tomorrow, but we will see. We have our daughter's birthday party this weekend. She will be 5, hard to believe. Plan is to go to a private Gym where they can do all kinds of acrobatics, etc. and be safe.
Well, gotta run. Hope that everyone (including rats) have a good day.God Bless,Dennis
dbaker48 LawsonFarmsRR Don, do you suppose Buckeye has an undetected link to your computer, and is playing with it? Pat, I think you were "Spot ON", the guy showed up this morning at 7:45, (surprise). We discussed the problems, he checked signal strengths. And FOUND a faulty connection where the cable comes INTO the house! Replaced underground cable from the street, signal improved 10 fold. Problem was UNDERGROUND CABLE ! Now remember old Buckeye talking just a day or so ago, about working underground? I'm extremely suspcious! Just to coincidental! But up and running!
Don
Aloha all. Beauty of a day here too - 70s . LHome from work yesterday, literally stepped inside the door in the middle of the boys bickering and the bride going crazy. That's always pleasant. So gave her the night off and worked things out. This morning visited the eye doc where he's giving me some drops for some blurry visioning - too much computer and reading and not enought blinking, Hope it's that instead of some other things he mentioned. Drove home like an idiot with dialated eyes. Just followed the truck in front. Hope your interview is going well right now, Steve!
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