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COFFEE POT #8 August 2010 for all to take a drink and chat. Welcome all posters. 5 yrs old and still going. Sweet ice tea too.

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Posted by 8ntruck on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 11:48 PM

My dashboard thermometer read 106 when I started home tonight.

My wife made her morning 0.6 mile walk today without her walker.  Progress!

Bob - sounds like you are recovering well too.  Just don't overdo things.

Work is interesting.  The new plant manager is starting to show sighs of a manage by conflict style.  Fortunately, I've not been in the hot seat yet, and am learning from others experiences.

Later all.

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Posted by submmbob on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 10:58 PM

 Well back at work for a few days as of yesterday. Came up to find a lot of things broken, not done, ignored, or all of the above. 3 hospital visits in 3 weeks including surgery, and I was more frustrated by just being at work for 30 minutes.

Spent several hours watching a slow train wreck as two computer types and an engineer worked on replacing the squirrel cage in the computer room AC unit. The original contractor installed it upside down and backwards and too close to the steel part of the building. I took all three of them to get it out and back in. Can't believe John got it back together by himself last year, but that may be part of the reason we had to revisit this.

Spent today working on my favorite windbird again. Fortunately our most capable engineer was here and helped figure it out. As least it was something different, but probably my fault from some work on it several iterations ago. Nobody's perfect I guess.

I changed my schedule this week because the site will be completely off power this weekend and they wanted some advice in setting the scaffolding up. Due to the computer upgrade they won't  be setting it up until next week. Oh well, good thing I trust these guys. 

Doing better w/ each day and not having any problems at altitude. I'm letting the other guys handle the heavy stuff and just being here, fetching tools, and knowing where the tools are. 

Bob

Bob

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Posted by Brutus on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 10:10 PM

PS - we went totally laptop this year, no desktop computer any more.  We have two toshiba laptops and a gateway netbook my wife used in the hospital.  I really recommend toshiba laptops.  Our first one is still going strong - MiL has it, but battery is no good and only runs on AC power.  We replaced the battery to no avail, so I suspect that a battery connector went bad.  Still - it continues to work otherwise.

RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.

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Posted by wrmcclellan on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 10:08 PM

Evening all!

Been busy the last 2 days so missed posting yesterday.Hope all are well.

The weathermenpersons here are boasting about rain and lower temps in the forecast ! - well maybe next week - and maybe if that cold front arrives - or maybe if the tropical depression in the gulf comes this way - or maybe if some well known underworld place freezes over - riiiigggghhhtttt!

I personally have had great luck with Dell laptops and always order via their website. Never had one fail. I am on my 4th one in about 15 years and the reason for changing is a need for greater speed and memory as work docs I produce get larger and more memory intensive. Has been cheaper for me to buy new one than spend a week upgrading an old one.

Daughter goes in tomorrow for some minor outpatient surgery. No issue and should go smoothly.

 

 

Regards, Roy

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Posted by Brutus on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 9:53 PM

Howdy guys from a hot and sticky Saint Louis (again).  Well, my wife's claim for leave from the leave bank has been denied.  Not just "no" but "H--- No".  She can request advance leave and people could even donate to cover it for her, but she wants to just go on train restrictions and use savings until the doc lets her go back to work.  I guess we will give that a couple weeks and see how it goes.  Did find out that Lionel dropped the camelback I had preordered, so that is one thing I don't have to worry about.  She's down to 2 Mg of her immune suppression drug twice a day and they have been dropping it by 1/2 mg per dose each week, so in about 4 weeks she should be totally off that med and have a green light to return to work part time.

Tardis is ready, but you guys will have to buy rounds for a while - I'll get you back later Wink

RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.

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Posted by jefelectric on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 9:26 PM

 Probe, We have had three Toshiba laptops over the last few years.  Wife is on her second one and I have had mine about 3 years.  Her first one just ran out of HD space and we decided to replace it rather than put more money in an outdated computer all worked well and had no problems.  Mine has traveled quite a bit via Amtrak in a laptop backpack with no ill effects.  Like a lot of the manufacturers, they do make several different models at different price points. 

John Fullerton Home of the BUBB&A  http://www.jeanandjohn.net/trains.html
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Posted by sir james I on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 8:40 PM

Good Evening

Well the rain did it again, huge storm all the way across the state, got here and disappeared.

Banilla is ready and the beacon is humming...S.J.

"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks 

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Posted by dwiemer on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 7:37 PM

Good evening.  Been very busy day.  Started out about the time Rich woke up....slackerWink  Just kidding.  Did a case this morning, followed by a visit with a sales rep as we are looking at some new equipment.  Then home to take kids to violin practice and had wife drop me off for another meeting and finally home, only to do it all again tomorrow.

Rich and John, this link was sent to me today in remembrance of the Waldbaums fire with the FDNY.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTzBg1YIZmI&feature=player_embedded

Hard to believe it has been this many years.

Not much else to report.  Wife told me they had some guys running from the sheriff's dept.  They had the helicopter out looking for them around our property.  We are well armed, so no worries.

Hope everyone is having a good night.
Dennis

TCA#09-63805

 

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Posted by rtraincollector on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 7:00 PM

LawsonFarmsRR

rtraincollector
Got a letter from Pat today in the mail

Dear RT,

got a job last month first I have had in decades, We're rich now 217.28 every Thursday. we went to sears for one of them new fangled bathrooms like the rich northerns have (Chief would be impressed) It finally came and we got it all set up. You should see it. One side of the room is a long white thing like the pigs drink out of, only you bathe yourself all at one time in it. Hanging on the wall is a qu eer gadget called the sink. Its for small washing, like hands and face. but the corner-- Wow!! There is this thing where you put one foot in and wash it clean and pull the chain and it changes the water for the other foot. They sent us a roll of writing paper, but it's kind of cheap it rips too easy

Yours Truly,

Pat

P.S. They also sent us 2 lids with the darn foot washer. We couldn't find any use for them so Ma used one for a bread board and we framed Gram pa's picture in the other one.

 

Got a letter from RT today.

 Dear Pat,

I am jealous. Now we are saving our egg money so we to can have one of these new fangled bathrooms. Until then we will continue to use the creek behind the house. We saw a used one last week that would do. The bread board had stains that should add to the flavor of the bread. And the streaks on the frame will match the tobaccie juice on Grampa's chin .

With the money we save buying used we can put something over the large openings in the walls to keep the rain off the dirt floor, and the wind from blowing out the candles. Hate walking in mud to light them things.

Yours truly,

LT

Sorry you got me mixed up have had one of those things for years and I know what true use of foot washer

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

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Posted by rtraincollector on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 7:00 PM

dang duplicating

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

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Posted by SPMan on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 6:55 PM

Good afternoon all, took my ailing MTH ACL proto 1 F3 to the shop yesterday.  While I was there, I picked up some of the Bull Frog Snot I have been hearing about to put on my locomotive wheels for traction.  Haven't tried it yet but will give report later.  I have looked at a couple of videos showing how to apply it.  If this works, it will take a lot of work out of changing tires on some of those hard to do locations on some steam engines.

Went to get together with our "Prime Club" friends from church at the local park last night.  We hold our meeting over there a couple of times in the summer when it stays light longer.  The rest of the time we meet at each others houses and plan outings etc.

 Been helping wife with request for food from our church food pantry this week so haven't spent much time in the train room.  Need to get back in there tomorrow.  I have found that my train room is a good place to listen to all my old CD's without bothering anyone in the house.  It's nice to play stuff I haven't heard for a while.  Kind of like when they were new again.

Don't think I will make any train meets this month.  However on one of those dates I am going to take a private railroad car trip with some retired railroad friends of mine from L.A. to San Diego and back featuring two private cars, one of which is a dome diner and the other is a converted baggage car for recreation and open door photography.  The trip includes lunch on the way down and dinner on the way back.  Drinks are included.  A good time should be had by all.  I hope to see some faces I haven't seen for 10 years now.

Have a good evening,

 

Ray

SPMan

              

 

              

 

              

 

              

 

              

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Posted by LawsonFarmsRR on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 6:48 PM

rtraincollector
Got a letter from Pat today in the mail

Dear RT,

got a job last month first I have had in decades, We're rich now 217.28 every Thursday. we went to sears for one of them new fangled bathrooms like the rich northerns have (Chief would be impressed) It finally came and we got it all set up. You should see it. One side of the room is a long white thing like the pigs drink out of, only you bathe yourself all at one time in it. Hanging on the wall is a qu eer gadget called the sink. Its for small washing, like hands and face. but the corner-- Wow!! There is this thing where you put one foot in and wash it clean and pull the chain and it changes the water for the other foot. They sent us a roll of writing paper, but it's kind of cheap it rips too easy

Yours Truly,

Pat

P.S. They also sent us 2 lids with the darn foot washer. We couldn't find any use for them so Ma used one for a bread board and we framed Gram pa's picture in the other one.

 

Got a letter from RT today.

 Dear Pat,

I am jealous. Now we are saving our egg money so we to can have one of these new fangled bathrooms. Until then we will continue to use the creek behind the house. We saw a used one last week that would do. The bread board had stains that should add to the flavor of the bread. And the streaks on the frame will match the tobaccie juice on Grampa's chin .

With the money we save buying used we can put something over the large openings in the walls to keep the rain off the dirt floor, and the wind from blowing out the candles. Hate walking in mud to light them things.

Yours truly,

LT

 RFD-TV --- Rural America's most important network!

 

              

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Posted by rtraincollector on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 5:42 PM

Rich maybe one of my trips to Lancaster, PA we'll connect somewhere. If I go up I try to go during York week even thou I don't make it to York. but one of these time I'm going to right now I'm shooting for either April or more likely Oct of 2012. Need to get a few things straightened out first as in bills mainly. So I can have some $$ to spend there. don't really need a place to stay while there as brother lives about 25 miles away in Brickerville, PA (right next to Lititz and Lancaster)

Evening all hope all had a good day today mine was so so spent 2 hours to get info that took 5 minutes to be given to me. anyway its the first step.

No train relate things today. Do need to do something train soon as there just sitting in boxes in a pile 2 feet away from me here at my desk.

Will stop in again soon hope to connect with the tardis crew tonight.

Got a letter from Pat today in the mail

Dear RT,

got a job last month first I have had in decades, We're rich now 217.28 every Thursday. we went to sears for one of them new fangled bathrooms like the rich northerns have (Chief would be impressed) It finally came and we got it all set up. You should see it. One side of the room is a long white thing like the pigs drink out of, only you bathe yourself all at one time in it. Hanging on the wall is a qu eer gadget called the sink. Its for small washing, like hands and face. but the corner-- Wow!! There is this thing where you put one foot in and wash it clean and pull the chain and it changes the water for the other foot. They sent us a roll of writing paper, but it's kind of cheap it rips too easy

Yours Truly,

Pat

P.S. They also sent us 2 lids with the darn foot washer. We couldn't find any use for them so Ma used one for a bread board and we framed Gram pa's picture in the other one.

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/

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Posted by RockIsland52 on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 12:27 PM

My cell phone is so old it has a crank on it to ring up the operator to place the calls and comes with luggage.  The more senior experienced knowledgeable experienced historically-savvy members know what I am talking about.  Wink 

Jack

IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.

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Posted by Black Diamond on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 11:27 AM

Jim, 

Was reading about your laptop problems.... one we have had for 4 years now and has never gave us any trouble Sony Vaio... (using it now) just wanted to let u know to check out one of those very reliable....

--Black Diamond-- One thing about a train, it doesnt matter where it's going, You just have to decide to get on... Woo Wooo.....

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Posted by Demay on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 11:16 AM

Good morning all,

Just taking a quick break from work.  I have to drive back down to OKC for work again today; I don't mind since I should have time to stop by the hobby shop.  I'm not even going to bring up the weather for a while since it will be very hot for the immediate future.  Unlike most, I truly enjoy winter and very cold, snowy weather.  You will only hear me compain in winter if it is not cold enough or snowing.

Probe - We have had a Gateway laptop since Dec 07; it runs Windows Vista.  We have moved twice since then and taken the laptop on many trips.  It works very well and I have not had any issues with it.  I am very pleased it has lasted almost three years, and I will not buy a new laptop until this one craps out.  Conversely, prior to the laptop we had a Compaq desk station and it consistently had problems.  I hope this helps.

Regards,

Joe

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Posted by Ole Timer on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 10:40 AM

Anjdevil2 .... you should have bought an Iphone ... i bought the 3GS and LOVE IT !!! Walmart had them for $99.00 !!! Then my son and I jailbroke them ... WOW !!!

       LIFETIME MEMBER === DAV === DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS STEAM ENGINES RULE ++++ CAB FORWARDS and SHAYS
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Posted by anjdevil2 on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 9:16 AM

Mornin'

Doug, I feel for ya...My Droid is the phone I waited for and it is a waste.  The keys stick and texting is near impossible.  It dials by itself and is very very sensitive to the touch.  I've lost more e-mails that way.  I'll more than likely put my enV back on the plan and sell the Droid....very dissapointed.

I have an ancient Gateway laptop.  The screen goes out every so often, but it is serviceable and does the job.  I am not complaining, just happy I have no issues with it, other than the screen.  I think I'm running windows nt or somethin like that...I don't remember.

My brother and his family are heading to Washington state to visit his in-laws.  I was up at 0430 today, to deliver them to the airport,Banged Head took a nap and heading to my temp appointment soon.  Need to shower and shave and get moving.  Banged Head  Just want to go back to sleep.  Oh, yeah, up for a fire call at 1100 last night didn't help much Smile,Wink, & Grin.  I was told during the run I was too enthusiastic for an "old guy"....Laugh...told the guys to treat me like a probie....that drew a chuckle..

Dennis, I'll get a clear picture of it and change the Avatar, soon.

Sorry we'll miss you RT...I'll just have to get to Columbia again sometime..

 

 

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


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Posted by sir james I on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 9:00 AM

Good Morning

Yep the air feels heavy again today, but I'll take it over any winter day. Missed Doug M last night and I was on time too. Did some loop-d-loops with the thingy and a couple guys complained. You would think by now they would know to keep their seat belts fastened. Have a great day....S.J.

"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks 

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Posted by cnw1995 on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 8:40 AM

 Aloha all. Can't activate the new iPhone. So I sat with this nice looking thing on the train without being able to do anything with it. Ah well. A project for today. I've already called ATT and been directed to our support and our support sent me back to ATT.  The worst part was missing my fellow 'riders' home last eve. Sorry to have missed the pleasure of your company, gents.

Speaking of laptops, I had a Dell Inspiron for years running Vista Pro with no problems. Now got a Macbook with Office....

Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.

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Posted by rtraincollector on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 8:13 AM

thanks brent exactly looked it up like 12 hours one way.

Morning all not much happening here just relaxing.

hope all have a good day

Bob remember no climbing Big Smile

 

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 7:52 AM

Brent,

         Toshiba is one of the brands that I have been looking at, so it is nice to get good feedback on them.  The only thing I don't like about laptops (maybe it is just a HP/Compaq thing?) is what a PITA they are to service.  I was able to glue the ribbons into the broken ZIF connectors, so that will give me some breathing room while looking for a new laptop.  It looks like I may have accidentally zapped my wireless card, but I am using a USB wireless adapter until the replacement arrives.  Thanks for the info on Toshiba.

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Posted by fifedog on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 7:48 AM

My door is always open...which is probably not good when I'm in the "library"...Dead

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 7:41 AM

Mornin' Fellas.

Probe - I bought a Gateway from BB and The Q has a Toshiba from BB. Both run Windows7 and neither have A N Y issues. My boss also has a Gateway that he uses both in the office and at home. The three of us all like our laptops for different reasons.

fifedog

Work Confused Stay home Confused Work Confused Stay home Sign - Dots

    I shall keep working...less D-R-A-M-A at work. Besides, I 've been told the fifelings are more free to express themselves when Dad's Yul Brenner "King of Siam" personna is not around.  Wonder what they mean by that, ex-ce-te-ra ex-ce-te-ra...

rt - Excuses, excuses.  Take the train!



You are simply leaving too many doors open!

and the comment to RT was 'my thoughts exactly' but to get from there to here by train takes 1 day each way... may not be doable for him.
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Posted by fifedog on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 7:04 AM

Work Confused Stay home Confused Work Confused Stay home Sign - Dots

    I shall keep working...less D-R-A-M-A at work. Besides, I 've been told the fifelings are more free to express themselves when Dad's Yul Brenner "King of Siam" personna is not around.  Wonder what they mean by that, ex-ce-te-ra ex-ce-te-ra...

rt - Excuses, excuses.  Take the train!

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Posted by Blueberryhill RR on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 6:20 AM

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a very humid 74 degrees. Going up to 90 today with a chance of rain.

Today is a busy day. I have an errand to run and chores this morning. Then, I will go work out at the FC.  It's a good thing that place has A/C. The air outside is hard to breathe. Not much new on the train subject.

Dining car rolled in from "Points West" and we will have a Cheerios breakfast.

Y'all have a great Wednesday.

Chuck

Chuck # 3 I found my thrill on Blueberryhill !!
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Posted by cheapclassics on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 4:46 AM

Good morning all,

IIABSDISEI with temps in the 90s and thunderstorms a possibility.  I had the regular fare on the dining car for breakfast before sending it on to "Points East".  Back to work today.  TBIL anytime.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

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Posted by Brutus on Tuesday, August 10, 2010 10:09 PM

Howdy guys!  Hot and sticky in Saint Louis - glad I'm in the AC.  No Doug on the scope tonight?  Your beacon must be down, bro?!

Watched Clash of the Titans (new version) with the family tonight.  Char loved it!

Nice chats with RT and SJ - I think I solved a problem of the world, but I don't have the power to make it happen, lol!

Brent - I did work-at-home for 3 years and it was okay.  Allowed us to save on daycare costs etc.

Tardis is ready, but SJ has it right now - he'll have to come get us Thumbs Up

RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.

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Posted by 8ntruck on Tuesday, August 10, 2010 9:57 PM

Sunny & hot again today.  Thermometer in my dashboard said 104 on the drive home tonight.

Taking my wife out in the morning before work for her daily walk.  Much more pleasant than in the evening.

Later, all.

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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 10, 2010 9:08 PM

Brent,

          I'll take your job.Smile

Well, I decided to replace the DC in jack on my laptop today.  One afternoon and two broken ZIF connectors later, I am stuck sharing the family desktop from 2001.Thumbs Down  It takes slow to a whole new level.  I am looking for another laptop.  I had a Compaq, but I am not sure if I want another, or if I should switch brands.  Compaq seemed somewhat cheaply built.  Any suggestions?

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