Mostly cloudy and 50 today. The stupid daffodills are starting to grow!
My #600 NW-2 now has lights. Details on the other thread I started - no need to repeat them here. I'll post pictures in this week's SPF.
The directional part is not working yet, though. I'm taking power for one headlight from one motor brush and power for the other headlight from the other motor brush. Thought I read somewhere that this would give directional headlights. Might work for incandecent lights, but it is not working for the LED's.
Phillyreading - Cats don't steal just food. Had friends over playing Fortress America once, cat jumps up on the table and makes off with an infantry unit!
One more Covair story - I met a guy at the Buick GS Nationals that solved his Corvair's handling ills. He cut the floor out of it and mounted it on a Regal chassis and floor pan. Now it has a 455 in the front and runs the 1/4 in the low 11's and high 10's. Surprizingly, this works. Turns out that the track and wheelbase of the last of the rear drive Monte Carlos, Regals and Cutlass is close enough to call the same as the Corvair. I never realized that a Corvair was that big. Says a lot about the size of the 'big' cars in the '60s and what we are driving today.
Prayers for health, weather safety, and job hunts.
Late Nite All !
A short respit tonite, had one heck of a storm rolled thru. Lots of thunder & lightening, for about 20 minutes or so we had rain like I have never seen before. It was even worse than Charlie when I was down in Fl, literally could not see the lights of the house across the street. Have to wait and see what happens the rest of the week.
8n, I seem to recall an article aways back, many decades back, about a VW with an engine out of a Porsche that was described as a Corvette Killer at the strip.
Jim, Prayers for Char & the rest of the family.
Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.
www.sd3r.org
Proud New Member Of The NRA
I have read with interest the back and forth (again) about computer problems, operating systems, software problems, and PC vs.MAC. Or was it Comcast versus Verizon versus DirecTV versus Dish Network? I am one of those guys that usually buys the box with pre-loaded software, some additional software. and then just plugs it in the wall.
Working through issues is not something that comes as natural to me as others because it is not something I care to bone up on too much. I leave that to others and do what I do best, whatever that is. Yes, that can lead to some frustrations and inconveniences others don't have because they can work their way through them while I am on the phone with tech support or just take the box into my local nerd.
Brent has in my mind hit the nail on the head. A hacker isn't interested in creating havoc among the minority. That makes the PC the prime target. And MAC does some things the PC doesn't......just not the things I want or need. Each to his own, and THAT is what is important.
Certain operating systems have , do, and will continue to show their glaring deficiencies just because WE are the beta site and there is no NHTSA-like entity to hit a manufacturer in the wallet with a devastating and costly recall should the new product turn out to cause as many problems as it solves. But customer dissatisfaction when you own the market by a huge margin is something that can be weathered, or so "management" thinks for the time being.
Sweeping statements about what is best is like me telling you Lionel RULES and the rest is for idiots. It just isn't so.
And I am just one person whose observations are insignificant because my world is this: the miniscule and irrelevant experience of one. I belong to some auto forums, and if you read some of the stuff posters post in there, then look at a vehicle I am about to buy, you would say "Jack, why on earth are you buying that piece of junk?"
Well, it isn't junk....just because some have had unresolved issues. Some of the risks I am willing to accept because what I want out of the vehicle I can't get from the others. It's like making the decision to marry a good looking person versus the Mensa poster child because we felt "Why not marry a good looking woman/man of average intelligence whose multiple attributes I will enjoy every single day rather than focus on those brains?" If you want a more clear analogy, no one would buy a Corvette unless they were willing to put up with the shortcomings, regardless of the single price/performance advantage this vehicle brings to the table.
Personally? I just bought a new box, PC, and had the local storefront guy build me one from scratch rather than hit Best Buy for the best price/performance combo. It is because I choose to not be totally computer and software literate and self-sufficient, and he's my back up plan. I bought no new software except for an auto backup one. Why? Because I have had so few problems over the past six years that the latest and greatest meant nothing to me. This guy merely took ALL the stuff off the old box hard drive and loaded it in the new box. XP and Windows ? and IE ? to name a couple of the installs. Comcast's free McAfee. Why? Because they have worked for ME......and that tells me all I need to know.
So let's not get into a peeing contest over a stupid pc, MAC, or operating software. One man's beauty queen is another's Mensa wizzard. What works for you is all of the validation you need for your choice and everyone else can go live in their own shoes.
Jack.
PS: Postwar RULES
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
HI GUYZ,
22 and cold one here, had to scrape windshield this morning. Watched Barrett Jackson Auto Auction last nite on SPEED CH., some nice cars and trucks.
HAPPY FRIDAY EVE!!!!
BRUTUS prayers for you and WIFE.
Stay frosty,
laz57
hello ray, hope that your wife will be ok. sorry about the bad weather. when i was in the navy, we had a house in fontana. i commuted to long beach every day. all we got there was wind. i wish i could get down on the floor and set up tracks, but see i cant walk and have not been out of bed for ten years. i just recently through physical therepy was able to sit up on the side of the bed. to make matters worse, ray, i cant close my right hand. i have a wish that someday soon with help i could have a 4 by 8 train layout next to my bed with a simple layout with 042 curves and a few sidings. that way i can run some trains. i feel real lame that i have accumulated some cool trains, but cant run any of them. hope you understand my situation. i am not looking for sympathy but it is just a problem that i have to overcome. your friend navyjack
Good Morning from Blueberryhill....
It is a cloudy 28 degrees. Going up to a cloudy 43, today, with a slight chance of sunshine, later.
Today is busy. Wife is grocery shopping. That means, she hates me, because I am not doing it. So, I will prepare for the worse. Maybe, I can warm this over. Pizza for supper ?
Dining car has arrived and we are having the usual for breakfast. I could go for a nice omlet, but this is not a good day to ask. So, I will shut up and eat my Cheerios.
Y'all have a great Thursday.
Chuck
Mornin' Fellas.I've decided to NOT be run off by some frivilous email from a 'user moderator' never understood that concept as 'user moderators' don't abide by the same code of ethics as 'paid moderators'.Brutus - Prayers out for a successful transplant and speedy and full recovery!Jack - enough said about that subject DDG - I never understood the 'directional lighting by motor brushes' thing either. Aren't both motors powered when power is applied to the track?Chuck - I've been informed that 'just because something tastes good doesn't mean it is good for you' not that just ain't right! Follow the Dr's orders and get yourself better!Not looking forward to this evening through tomorrow morning's weather. Looks like we're due for Winter Weather Advisory #5 of the season... seriously... global warming!?!?!?!
Jack--good verbage in your analogy, thank you, it's all about personal choices.
Jim & Char---certainly thinking about you today, best wishes.
Terrible/horrible weather here, flooding has now started with heavy rains expected today, still have 20+ inches of snow in our yard.
Jon
So many roads, so little time.
Good evening all,
It is cloudy and slightly warmer in SE Indiana (above freezing). Played indoor soccer last night. Some good moments. Slept well. Work continues to be "interesting". Wife is feeling some better. Many prayers going out to Brutus, Char, and family. Will drive the Tardis tonight and do victory rolls over St. Louis. Sage advice from many members of the 'pot. For the Californians, all I can say is, "Wow!" Stay safe. Regular fare on the dining car. I hope everyone (including me) has a good day.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
Good Morning all. First things first...Big prayer lifted for Brutus' wife and family. May God direct those in who's care you are in and may He bring her safely through this procedure and process. Today is a big day for all of you and you are in our thoughts and prayers buddy.
As for Jack, "And I am just one person whose observations are insignificant because my world is this: the miniscule and irrelevant experience of one. I belong to some auto forums, and if you read some of the stuff posters post in there, then look at a vehicle I am about to buy, you would say "Jack, why on earth are you buying that piece of junk?"
Your observations are not insignificant, one thing that is sorely missed when you are absent here is your perspective and observations that are listed and directed to both the individual and the group as a whole. That being said, I look forward to your posts. Please keep it up.
Well, one big case and a few smaller ones. Should be relatively short day allowing me to head to the hospitals gym facility and work out. Then, I have to head home and see what kind of damage the storm left when it came through last night. About 0400, a bolt of lightning hit in our back yard. I actually saw the strike and was impressed. Given the number of trees back there, I am sure one got struck...so have to see if any are down.
Hope that everyone has a blessed day.Dennis
TCA#09-63805
dougdagrump I seem to recall an article aways back, many decades back, about a VW with an engine out of a Porsche that was described as a Corvette Killer at the strip.
Doug.... I think that Paul Newman used to do that. He raced VWs with Porsche engines
Another great chat session last night .... found out SJ lives only a couple miles from my favorite niece ! Trainz shipped my Shay .... due tomorrow .... no cars going off yet on the bay for it . Man other stuff is going sky high on there .... the economy's not hurting train buyers . Really feel for all in California .... that rainfall is unbelievable ... stay dry guys ! Glad I live on top of the hill here ... I watch the small rivers blow by my house when we get a cloud-burst .
Brent .... maybe some took my comment on Win 7 bugs too seriously .... only one I found was a minor bug in internet explorer . Otherwise it's great. Since I never got my t-shirt from big bill gates ... thought I'd stick my finger in his eye .... . Don't let anyone run you off ! Don't know what happened and with my big mouth .... better that I don't .... .... or I'd probably get one of those emails too !
SJ ... I think we made the correct call on what we were talking about last night .... more of it today ....
Good Morning
20 this morning but still overcast, going to 32. unreal for January. Cal. rain expected here sunday with 43 degrees.
Opinions: We are all entitled. I won't knock yours and you respect mine. Thats the way it should be. discussions are good for all but an out and out "you are wrong"is not the right way. To be honest I am getting tired of trying to help someone only to have someone else say oh no not like that. I have played with electric trains since I was five guess I should know a few things by now. Eggs and potatoes for breakfast I better cut back but it's so good. Computers, I know nothing, just ask Brutus or Charlie they know how little I know.
Prayers for Char, today and through her recovery.
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
Brutus
I will be thinking about you and your wife today!!!
Well.....no idea what temp it is this morning.....either the thermometer broke ......
or it's frozen!!!!!!!
underworld
SJ when my cholesteol kept blowing through the roof I switched to egg beaters they're called and never looked back . Man I was eating about 2 dozen or more regular eggs a week ... can't have them sunny side up like I love .... but did'nt have to give them up completely . I fry my potatoes in peanut oil too . as well I use it in my fry daddy ... brought those numbers down to a decent level . Wife bought me a big pack of instant breakfast french vanilla to help also ... only problem I want to drink them all the time ... LOL ... they're good . It was'nt the opinion part I was referring to ... it was that same ole song ... I'll tell ya on the chat tonight .
Actually my rant was not pointing at anyone. It's just something that has been bugging me lately. In many case there is more than one way to do something.
Mornin' Boyz & Girlz !
Guess what , it's raining. Again ! Still believe that up the road in Ray's neck of the woods they are having much bigger problems than we are. So far we are only having flooding issues, power outages and trees coming down. Unfortunately one of the trees that did come down, 100' eucalyptus, came down across a big 5th wheeler killing the lady in it. Tomorrow they are calling for 20' breakers with some sets getting to 25'. Sure wouldn't want to be in the beach area during hi-tide.
Back in a bit
Good Afternoon all
A quick check in during lunch. Real busy as fire protection services distributed the annual inspection report on one of the facilities I manage (and the building covers almost 4 acres) and I have to create a punch list of items to address and develop and manage the correction plan.
Even with that I am thinking and praying for Jim F's bride and her caregivers!
Got to go
May God bless
Jim
Good morning all,
Brutus, more prayers for Mrs. Brutus and you.
Navy Jack, Thank you for the explanation of your situation regarding running a loop on the floor. I understand now but hope that eventually you can get some assistance with a small set up that you could run from your bedside. At least you can share your thoughts with the rest of us here on the ole coffee pot. Thank you for the well wishes for my wife. She is doing fine.
Morning started off with heavy overcast and rain held off just long enough to mail some stuff at the post office. It has started raining again now and looks like it will all day with heavy rains predicted for later in the day. Made a survey of my property this morning while it was still dry and everything looks good so far. The sandbags I put in front of the garage door paid off yesterday when we were getting wind blown rain in that direction. We are suppose to have a nice weekend. I'll vote for that!
Got another E mail this AM about a friend of mine in TCA who had trains stolen. They were at a different location than his regular address. The worst part of the story is that the thieves came back a second time and stole some more. These guys either have brass b--- or are the dumbest people on the planet. If that happened to some of our well armed friends, those guys would be nursing big pieces of daylight in their exterior on their second visit.
My friend has reported this to our local TCA Western Divison and hopefully they will pass it on to National. Among other things taken were about 100 6464 Lionel boxcars in original boxes, some prewar metal trains including an M 10000, a Rio Grande Aluminum passenger set and also some Ham radio equipment.
Still have not found the right time to visit my terminally ill neighbor. I am ready any time but am waiting for an invitation by his family who know I would like to see him if possible. Bad weather and some things I may not know about has delayed my visit.
Don, man the pumps again today buddy. I like your pictures of the flood control channel. We used to go beside a lot of those on the railroad along the L.A. River. That thing would really roll in a rain storm. Must have been pretty scary before they lined it with cement. Before I arrived in California in 1958, I saw that river on a map and had visions of something like the L.A. River yacht club. Boy was I in for a surprise. It just looked like a big ditch but we really need them when it rains.
Have a good day,
Ray
SPMan
Afternoon Y'all! Ray, regarding your friend, tough situation. My advise for what it is worth....write a note. Let him know that you care about him and would like to visit when he is up to it. You don't need to say anything when there, just be there for him. Let him know that you can be counted on should a need arise. It is in the tough times we find out who our real friends are.
Well, I did go and work out today. Felt sore when doing so and at one point, didn't think I'd be able to keep my shoulder exercises going as one arm got sharp pains....I am just out of shape. Glad I did, but I was sure to take some ibuprofen when I came home.
I have a honey do to tackle, so I had better get going on it. Toilet has a leak by the ballcock intake. I had replaced the gasket, but I think the flange on the feeder is not seated right. Of course when they build these houses, they don't allow for any room on either side of the commode to work on it. In the master bath, it is a separate enclosed room. Tight quarters to say the least.
Hope the folks out in CA dry out. We had several inches of rain so far today, but I know conditions are more severe out that way. One thing about having troubles, if you open your eyes and see what others are going through, yours don't seem so bad.
God Bless,Dennis
Well, my visitors VISA ran out and I had to come back. Made some head way into new abodes if I relocate to NJ. Just planning ahead is all. No new information yet. Sent a quick Thank You e-mail to my interviewers, who were really cool people. Maybe work there one day, but I’ll find out soon enough.
for Mr. & Mrs. Brutus and Ray’s Mrs.
I was the Assistant Chief when I left the department 17 years ago. I was to be the next Chief. Fate and my wife made sure that didn’t happen. I’m still sitting on 19 years and 9 months. One of the guys that got in after me, just got his 35 year ring. I was happy for him and sad for myself. I’ll be 70 by the time I get my 35 year ring. But we’ll see. The dinner was fabulous and not to be missed. I’m glad I didn’t. Like I said, my first chief will handle my uniform needs and I’ll be ready for the 175th Anniversary parade in October. I just can’t wait. My uniform and gold Assistant Chief’s badge was stolen from Delta Airlines 5 years ago...we won’t go further.
A tip o’ the cap to our own Roy McC for the honorable mention in that “other” magazine. Congas, Roy!!!
As for the differences in opinion....hey, opinions are like a##ho#es, everyone’s got one. As long as we can agree to disagree...we’re all friends here. Jack – your commentary is not insignificant. Trust me on that one.
The rain is very heavy now and my outside activities are about done right now...hey I ain’t getting soaked on THIS salary...’posed to be up in the 70’s (like the 50’s yesterday in Jersey.)
Brent – I totally agree with your assessment.
Later, guys!!
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
Ole Timer,
I hear you on the Instant Breakfast. A box of ten packets just isn't enough. There is a web address on the box, and you can order in much larger quantities there.
Brutus,
Continued prayers.
After I posted last night, I decided to watch some footage of Silent Hill 2. Needless to say, I had some trouble sleeping. I might play it this weekend depending on what my workload is. I need to continue with the 326 resto as well, but buying the foosball table crushed my funds.
dwiemerRay, regarding your friend, tough situation
Dennis, I just found out this morning a little while ago that my next door neighbor passed away peacefully yesterday afternoon about three thirty PM with his family at his bedside. Although I did not get a chance for a final goodbye, I did tell him what I thought of him about month ago about how I was going to miss him and what a great neighbor he has been. So he died knowing how I felf anyway. God rest his soul.
Aloha all. Grey here in Crystal Lake, no sign of rain - maybe it'll go south of Chicago. Bride and teen going to church camp for the next three days so it'll be the youngest and me - running trains. Maybe we'll take in a movie suitable for 7 yr olds if I can find such a one. Glad you're still with us, Brent - and Jack. And everyone. Praying right now for Mrs. Brutus.
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
Evenin' boys. Watched a little weather channel this morning. Actually feel a little sorry for the left-coasties.
SPMan - You're a good person, and I'd be your neighbor anytime.
88 - thought I schooled you better. Print out the email, then line tweety's cage with it...
Ray sorry to hear prayers to your freinds family and for you also.
Prayers also for brutus's wife and all shes goingthrew and for the kids as it must be rough on them too. of corse for brutus we can't leave him out can we
Rainy day here and a little cool high was in the fortys today. but supose to be 70 come sunday and guess who's off yeah baby me !!!
Not much else happening did win a mth flat car with 2 VW Vans on it red & White ( white on top half )
Well take it easy and prayers to anybody I missed that needs them
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
Evening all. Another long day and driving down east to add to it. Got the County tax stuff doen right on the farmland. Folks there were great to work with. Main one that helped was a preacher's wife. Very calm and nice.
SJ, I know what you mean. Even some advise "out dated" info.
Brutus, remembering your wife.
CA folks, C-130 circling with life jackets being dropped. Good luck to all of you.
Now for some rest. [popcorn later]
BTW: got a 8 AM Mayors'/School Board members' breakfast across the county [1 hour drive].
Later.
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
Freezing rain - sleet - then 2 inches or more of snow on top of it tonight and into tomorrow morning here ... ... pity the folks who'll have to be on the roads . Organized my detail parts for some car work . Getting ready to eat and then munchies for the tardis/chat ... fire up the machine SJ or Brutus ... I've got my flight suit on ...
Navyjack ... won't your wife stick the track together for you ?
Ray, sorry for the loss of your friend. Glad you were able to tell him.
Ray, sorry to hear about you losing your friend. It was good that you got the chance to tell him, how you felt about him.
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