Good mornin' Ya'll From Sunny Taxachusetts,
It's a seasonally cool 45 this AM with a high of 56 forecast for today. A 20 degree swing from yesterday when we basked in 75 degree weather. I have to give the pumpkins a bath today for pumpkin carving and pumpkin seed baking with the granddaughters tomorrow. Ah, tradition! A beautiful thing where one gets to relive childhood memories, or add some things to life one never had growing up.
The political ads now seem downright slanderous and libelous as election day approaches for next Tuesday. Governor's ads extol that Taxachusetts is on the move......yup, we had more job losses last month, and the continued irresponsible spending of money we don't have continues, despite all of the jacks in taxes and fees. Shameless special interest ads warn of the end of the civilized world if some of the tax and fee reduction referendums pass. What I detest is when the pols speak of impending cuts when the fact of the matter is: it's mostly a reduction in the increase in spending or a flat-lining of expenditures. The State budget is a joke, and we are a few billion in the hole.
I took Laz' advice about the outdoor Fall cleanup chores....."do a little each day and fuhgetaboutit until tomorrow." Will finish cleaning out the 3,000 gallon kiddie pool and cover today and tomorrow will conscript the SIL to help me fold it up and put it away when daughter and family show up for the pumpkin carving and weekly dinner at Grammy and Grampy's.
Brutus.....it's time to stop and smell the roses. Char will be home soon, the little one got straight A's, and your boss is happy. Month after month you have been the family glue, a daunting task. But you didn't fold. You deserve our congratulations, and an expression of respect and admiration are in order. Leading by example! Prayers continue.
Fife......prayers on the loss of your mentor. The world has too few folks like him, willing to pay it forward. Your post made me start thinking about the mentors I have had in my life, those that had the greatest and lasting impact on me.
Chief.......with the ramp up in ammo and armament, are you expecting a Yankee invasion?
JimmyT....your bro ought to be taking notes about your sound investment strategy, the trains. Will he be surprised when they pry the AF collection from your cold dead hands in about 6 decades and get it appraised. Then the tears will commence when they read your will which stipulates you are to be buried with it.
JimSP......sorry I have to agree with the Chief on something. But something is seriously amiss in Snohio when Halloween is observed October 28. What's with that? 2008 Honda Odyssey towing capacity: 3500 pounds. Enough for camping?
Pat......what are your cows going to be dressed up as for Halloween this year? They do seem to enjoy their forays into the neighborhood so much.
8n......you could dress up as Brett Farve for Halloween with your balky knee and get rotten eggs thrown at you while trick or treating this year. Just don't take pics of your thingy and send them to any of us.
RT......that jike about vet meds was funny, until I realized that another type of vet meds (for the dog) is costing me $7 a pill.
JoeyD.....great job on the kiddie costumes! The personal time and touch with the little ones create memories for them that will last a lifetime.
DonB......it seems that at every turn we know someone barely hanging on and have run out of options. Too bad that guy couldn't have stayed in his home with the family and moved his business out of there, cutting the overhead.
Bob.......the animal rights people think you should build a shed near the scope up in the mountains to keep the skunks safe for the winter.
MikeC......you have to admit your soccer team had quite the season despite getting bumped from the hunt last night. Loved the comment about your 60 minutes and "old age and guile....."
Buckeye.....your comments about routing things during a project made me laugh. The powers that be in Salem MA have torn apart about a mile of one of the main streets entering and exiting the City 3 times in the past three years. Seems like spending (taxpayer) money is of no concern when you are given $ to keep redigging the same holes in the exact same stretch of road. Poor planning, or yet one more example where state and local governments cry poormouth and couldn't manage a dollar if their lives depended on it? They simply don't care.
Laz......we all know that you let your Bro win at golf on purpose because you are so sensitive to the needs and feelings of others.
Chuck.....inquiring minds want to know. Did you ever clean off the layout this past week like you said you planned to do?
Gotta run. Later, gang. TGIF and on the cusp of Halloween.
Jack
PS: Time to replenish the Halloween candy we all devoured the past two weeks. I ate 3 bags! What did you eat? I tried to tell my wife it was necessary to test the candy to make sure it was suitable for the little ones.
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
Good morning everyone. Worked on the computer this morning and it is much faster...yeah! Nothing I can take credit for....I just looked around and let Microsoft tools do the fix. I am going in late as the case was delayed. Not much else to report. I am looking forward to my delivery of the F3 ABA set.
Fife, I was saddened to hear of the loss of your friend/mentor. It is tough to lose someone who has been there and invested in you as he did. Pray that he will be with you in your memories as you spend time in the hobby. I am sure you will have moments that make you wish he was next to you while you take in some cool train thing. God Bless.
Chief, one thing you may want to do is get a canvas change bag from your bank. You fill it with kitty litter and then tie off the open end. They make great rests and are lightweight so you can carry them with you. I have a couple that work well in a deer stand, or even on the side of a truck when you pop a fox or two.
Ray, yeah we really enjoy the violin. Our studies have quite a variety from folk to the classics. We also have a few of the broadway show pieces we are working on. I don't know if the kids will continue for years to come, but certainly for the time being. Studies have shown that kids who learn to play music actually do better in all other areas of study. We are making it a family affair as we all enjoy it.
I am looking forward to tuesday night at 7pm...when it is all over and the phone calls, mailings, emails, etc. from the politicals will finally stop. Although, I hear that here in Georgia, if a candidate doesn't top 50.1% of the vote, a run-off is called.
Hope each of you has a blessed day.Dennis
TCA#09-63805
Open for business, but a little windy last night. More coming this weekend I think.
Fife - sorry to hear about your friend
Anybody want that caboose shell?
Ok, here's a pic of the Mothinator 2000 XL. The zapper portion of the bug zapper has been removed and the ballast for the blacklight is below the frame that supports the rack fan. These were working used fans than we just replaced, so recycling at it's best. Must be at least 4" of moths in the bottom of the bucket right now. Pardon the duct tape, but this was a prototype. I forget who said that there are very few things in science that can't be solved w/ an adequate application of duct tape.
Have a good Friday
Bob
Tucson, AZ (aka the Ol' Pueblo)
Home of the Mt. Graham & Arizona Eastern Boiler Shops
Dennis.........are you more in line with Itzhak Pearlman or Charlie Daniels when you pick up your bow????
dbaker48 Later guys been a long day, hopefully will have a LOT of available time in the future. Have a great day!
Later guys been a long day, hopefully will have a LOT of available time in the future.
Have a great day!
Don - Good luck with that. If you are like most of us, you will have LESS available time now that you are "retired".
Fife - I would bet most of us have or had a mentor. I doubt we would be where we are today without them. It is hard to loose them, but we can relate to your loss.
Autographs - I have Barbra Mandrel, Don Williams, The Oak Ridge Boys, Billie Crash Craddock, all from the late 70's, back when they were willing to play small, local 200 seat dives.
Navyjack - Farm work settling down a bit here. Have finished clipping the fields for winter to get rid of the broom straw, and around the outside of the fields, a once a year thing. Still need to take two loads of calfs to market, move hay feeders and repair some fence.
Train time in my future? You bet!
Pat
RFD-TV --- Rural America's most important network!
RockIsland52 Dennis.........are you more in line with Itzhak Pearlman or Charlie Daniels when you pick up your bow???? Jack
I vote for Charlie Daniels! If you can play like him I can get you a lot of bookings.
Dennis - At election time, we let the answering machine monator all calls. Works great. Most just hang up without leaving a message.
RockIsland52 Brutus.....it's time to stop and smell the roses. Char will be home soon, the little one got straight A's, and your boss is happy. Month after month you have been the family glue, a daunting task. But you didn't fold. You deserve our congratulations, and an expression of respect and admiration are in order. Leading by example! Prayers continue.
I couldn't resist, this is so well said, and right on target! It really deserves repeating !!!
Don
Navy Jack may be wrong but I believe the semi scale ( 14") GG1 that some were dicast shell.The scale G1 is 18" long I beleve.
Waiting for wife then rush rush rush today lol
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
Good Morning
Overcast and 50s today, summer is gone in michigan.
breakfast was toast, eggs, and taters. Not sure about today yet grass needs cutting but it's not very nice out...Take care all..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
Good morning all, wow! Lots of news today from all of you guys.
Fife, sorry to hear of your loss of a dear friend. I had three real special ones. Two are gone and one is on the way out. It;s hard to say goodbye but my life is better because of them.
Don, I'm sure the parts guy will be at Cal Stewart.
Dennis, keep up the good work on the violin. Sounds like you are doing well. BTW, I you tubed Jack Benny and Giselle McKenzie playing that famous violin duet they did "Getting to Know You". Jack used to clown around a lot but he was actually an acomplished volinist. During my searches I ran across some of the old stars doing cigarette commercials. Seems so odd in this day and age. There was even one about which brand doctors preferred most. How times have changed. Thankfully I have quit myself but I tell people I was brought up when it was almost unamerican if you didn't smoke.
Brutus, congratulations to son on report card.
Ray
SPMan
Jack, California is a mess too. Billions in the hole but the guvenator still calls us the golden state.
Off to the lake house.
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
Just been one of those days. Took truck to have oil change at walleyworld had sign up for a special $24.00 told that it don't start till tomorrow told them they had to do it for the $24.00 as it has no date on it so its false advertising falls under bait and switch and thats federal law they had to. tried arguing with me so I said I want a manager continued arguing said get a manager now! manager came in told her that by federal law since it didn't have date on it they had to do it she said calm down were going to. the employee tried to tell her couldn't override it she said yes you can. Go do shopping comeback didn't do oil change my truck has no oil in it it has massive oil leak. I go wrong may be low but it reads 40psi on oil gauge don't sound empty to me . may be low but not empty if it had no oil it wouldn't of got me here. ( by the way checked drive way when I got home no oil drops anywhere. ) Okay so lets explain oil being low well any car leaks a little 2 this truck has 152000 miles on it so I bet it burns a little oil also 3 I been neglectful been about 7 months since changed so sure it was low ( I actually put 2 qts of oil in it ( its a 6qt engine) and dip stick read a little over full doesn't sound like major oil leak and no oil to me.
We don't do crowds good and yes wal-mart was full of screaming kids so that didn't help either. We were glad to get out of there and home.
For all you who have been around as long as me and longer i got an email today that i think most of you would be glad to read
Subject:It's ALIVE
I got your friend request, but I couldn't get into my account, after almost 4 years, so I started a new one, which I really don't want to use. I sent an email to Kalmbach in the hopes of getting them to reactivate me. I think the problem is, when they changed the forum to the new software, I never posted again, so I got bumped. It could take a few days.
I gotta warn you, I don't do anything with trains anymore. Ever since the cancer diagnosis, I've lost all interest. I've been thinking about selling everything, but I can't quite bring myself to do it.
The surgery got rid of the cancer, but it's never really gone. It hangs out there like a dark cloud. 18 years of diabetes is also starting to catch up with me. That's why I quit working on the layout.
That's the story in a nutshell. I hope it's not too depressing.
It's nice to know that you sitll remember me after all this time. It's fun to see that the diner still bears my name 4 years later. If you want to post this for the guys, that's fine with me. If i get reactivated I'll try to post myself.
Have Fun,
Elliot
Big_Boy_4005 or 6 (whatever it takes) ;)
RT, walmart pays peanuts so they get monkeys.I dont know which is worse the fact they think you believe what they say or that they believe what they are telling you. Chief its going down into the thirties tonight. Probe I would rather have a picture of Christina Applegate myself.Fife sorry to hear about your friend.Too few good people in our lives and each lose hurts.
RT - In my opinion, you never argue with those types and then leave them alone with your car/truck/ 4-wheeler/ Etc. I stay with them while they to their thing, and I don't care what the Insurance sign says. Its like giving McDonalds a hard time and wandering why someone spit on your burger.
Again, just my opinion.
TGIF Guys!
Fife: Sorry for your loss. I do remember you speaking of Harold. A great mentor and friend, he will be remembered. Through your work, he will live on.
Well, the trip was a success, averaged 13MPG . Got to Virginia about 11 PM and noticed it was a might chilly. When I left FLA it was 90! Blew through Baltimore at 0730. Got to Jersey about 10 AM and it was 50....a small change in temp....slept until 4 PM.
The goodbyes with my little one was tough, but I'll see her in a month and a half. The goodbyes with the wife were teary but decent. Hope springs eternal.
Time to get some grub. Was out to storage empting out my car, visited the FD, catching up on stuff. The family went to a Trenton Devils game. I was invited, but just too tired.
Fed-Ex Orientation tomorrow, maybe this is a job? Then Thursday....BCFD time!!!
OK all around...will check back tomorrow....
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
Good evening guys. Jack, can't say my bowing i s anywhere near either. Charlie Daniels plays a good fiddle, but he uses cheap bowes so they fall apart as he plays. Perlman is a master. The feeling in his playing is incredible. I have no aspirations to be able to play like him, but I would love to just play along without missing a beat.
RT, it is great to hear from BigBoy. I have thought about him a number of times over the past few years. Last I had read was a post from his wife. He was having some troubles. I also have the "How to Build a O-Gauge Railroad Layout" that he did the second portion of. Shame he doesn't take the time for enjoying the hobby, but I understand. Just hope that he has something else to keep his spirits up.
With regard to the engines I won at auction. They were advertised as F3s. In reality, they are FA2s. It is a ABA set from Weaver and they are custom painted in Erie Lackawanna by Lenny Carparelli. Very nice job. All are powered units and have Pittman motors. I am actually glad these are not F3s as I have a set of K-Line scale F3s that are great and this will add more variety to the layout. They look great.
I got home late tonight (actually, this is the second time I came home). I had been home for about 3 minutes when they called me back to the hospital for a emergency. Not too bad and had me back here before too late. I am looking forward to getting some work done on the layout. Hope it is a great night for everyone.
God Bless,
Dennis
Jack and Don, you guys are making me blush. Thanks to all you guys! A lot of folks have dealt with worse. RT, glad she runs anyway, who knows with those guys. At least they didn't send you home with a wheel coming off! Good to hear from Elliot. I've seen some of his stuff, but I think I just missed him when I came on here back in 2004 or so? I did remember his wife sending us information a couple years ago too.
Kids spent the day with the grandparents, my folks, and are now spoiled rotten of course That's fine with me! I visited with Char for about an hour after work at the hospital. A buddy at work gave me a book to loan her as she has been reading more. She wants out of that hospital, but has to turn the corner on that CMV stuff and have more tests to show her digestive tract is healed enough for her to improve on the outside. It sounds like her Mom will be able to be here and help her when she does get out, but it might not be for another week or so now. We'll see. God is taking care of us. Not in the way we wish, but I trust He knows what He is doing.
Prayers for all. I read all the posts every day and really appreciate all you guys - love hearing what you are all up to. Bob - that thing looks pretty lethal, be careful! Good luck with the family and also with the job, Rich! I have relatives who work for Fedex and really have done well there.
Missed chats tonight, but know all are doing well.
Tardis is ready, freddy!
RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.
Fife,
Sorry to hear about the lose of your friend.
RT,
I am with Pat on the Walmart issue. I don't trust people in places like that. It is good to hear from Elliot. I thought about him recently when I watched the TM video on Entertrainment.
Jim,
Congrats on that 271 Whistlestop set. There is a mint one on ebay that I saw this morning after I read your post.
Just got home from work. I've got tomorrow off, which is the first Saturday that I've had off for some time. That reminds me, I need to request off for Saturday the 13 to to to the Greenberg show in Monroeville.
Evening all
Elliot - Good to hear from you. You have had a lot of challenges face you. I pray for your continued health and lift your spirits.
Jim - Yes I saw the 271 set you are talking about. I have bought a lot of AF drom that dealer. Very good guy. Quality stuff and he knows the value of it. I have never been dissapointed with the things I've brought from him, but you will not get a bargin. I bid on the set but my reserve and his were not the same!
Jack - Won't be taking the Odyessy camping. It is cool van. LOTS of bells and whistles. This is what we take camping
and the old 5th wheel
Jim F - I am glad Char is doing better. During Masses this weekend I will kep here intentions in my prayers. There will be six services this weekend. The three regular and I start doing 3 services at the prison at Lucasville this weekend too.
Going to do some reading then off to bed.
May God bless you guys, your friends and loved ones too
Jim
Sunny and cool here today.
Fife - condolances on the loss of your friend. Always a hard time to lose the special ones.
I'm stirring things up at work again. To keep some prototypes we are building on schedule, I spent yesterday morning running a lathe and a couple hours this morning running parts through a press. Seems the management is not real happy with one of their engineers doing this kind of work. I just pointed out that we were out of people and time, so I did what I needed to do to keep the project moving. We are bringing a lot of this type of work in house. The amount of support I'm going to need to do this work is just now starting to sink in . I'm not sure I was taken seriously when I started this work when I told them what kind of support it was going to take - of course we've had a management change and a re-org since then...
Good news at work - we were awarded a contract on two new part numbers. Decent volume on a new type of product for the plant. I'll be in the thick of this one too.
All for now.
Well guys, the mothinator works pretty well, but I could have put some more thought into emptying it when I put it together, albeit it is a prototype. When I "tried" to dump it this evening, well it was like something out of a cheaply done horror movie. Fortunately, I had an industrial shop vac at the ready! Plus, the beauty of the mothinator is that if they get out they go right back in. Was downright funny for a bit, moths flying everywhere, w/ me thinking "Re-engage, re-engage!!". Made a few improvements to the emptying method including a little known thing as a "bag".
Dennis - Congrats! Nothing like getting Alco's instead of F3's! Let me know if you need any head or cylinder work. I have a bit of experience on a 244 prime mover:)
Anj - glad to hear you made it back. How'd the car drive?
Brutus - thoughts and prayers for the wife and family.
This comet shift is a bit of a bear. Kind of exactly when I would normally sleep. Oh well, at least the system is working.
Good Morning from Blueberryhill....
It is a cold 32 degrees. Going up to 58 today with some sunshine.
Today is a busy day. The usual chores and a project to work on. I will be in the train room today and tomorrow. I have some dusting to do and scenery to work on.
BigBoy....Good to hear from you. I have asked about you several times. Maybe you will gain interest in trains, again, soon. Take care.
Dining car is here with Cheerios for breakfast.
Y'all have a great Saturday.
Chuck
Mornin' boys. Close the door, can't walk around with my bathrobe open kinda weather here in the Mid-Atlantic region. Taking wifey and middle princess to Chestertown this morning. Stop off at Chesapeake City for eats and a little shopping on the way back.
Thanks for the warmth everyone. In a nutshell, if it weren't for Henry, trains would certainly not be prominant in my household.
Hi GUYZ,
30 here and only getting to 55. Great day for Pheasant hunting today with BRO. Hope to see some today or otherwise get a good walk in.
Fire later....
RT, thanks for the BB post. Hope ELLIOT all the LUCK in his endevors. Hope he gets back in the hobby.
JIM PHISH, nice caper, enjoy!!!
Stay frosty,
laz57
Aloha all. Sunny and cold for the final soccer game of the season for the youngest. They're undefeated no thanks to him, who is not quite as motivated / skilled. My condolences to you, Fife. Good news that Char's on the mend, Brutus. Jack, if you want to see a screwed-up state, check out your old homestead. No place has a worse budget or fiscal future. Ah well. Good thing I voted already. Glad to 'see' Elliott but he seems so sad. Hope he has folks around him. I like that camper. Bob, can't wait to see the Mothinator ads on late-night TV. Looking forward to Halloween, one of my favorite holidays - just to see the neighbors.
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
Morning all. Quick stop over before getting on with the day. Looked up my engines. Bob, thanks for the offer of assistance. I may need some. While these don't have the 244 prime movers, they do have the Pittman 8514 motors with the chain drive. I don't have any other Pittmans and will need to find out how to maintain these things. Also, want to know how to set them up for the lashup, etc. I will most definitely be putting TMCC in these puppies if they will take it. They look great though.
Some major layout work to get to and the bride wants some yard work done, so ya know where I will be. Jim, nice looking trailers. For me, I was brought up in tents and until my back can't take the ground, I will use them. Plan for retirement is to get a RV and tour the country and the national parks. Put my photography to work.
God Bless,Dennis
hello guys hope all are well. dennis good luck on your new engine. i won a thunder valley 0-6-0 on ebay and it looks real colorful. need some nice sf or ic f-3s now. sbmmbob, sounds like you are doing good. all you guys are invited for thanksgiving. johns mrs could bring the ice cream for the sweet tator pie. rt i am still fiending for s--i on a shingle. wife says it is not healthy. if she only knew navy knows better....ha..ha.. navyjack
Dennis, the 244 prime movers were a fun engine to work on. Head and cylinder removal involved an overhead crane and everybody standing on the catwalk (except the guy running the crane). I was the only guy w/ shoulders small enough to fit into one of the crankcase access ports to see which cylinder was leaking, so I've actually had my head up against the crankshaft on one of these. It took 3 of us in 3 steps to get to the 1500 footpounds for the cylinder head nuts.
The best part was that our advisor in the project was not only the former president of the museum, but also worked for the railroad and was the last person to tear down these particular RS engines. Talk about a time capsule. having that kind of connection w/ history was a true privilege.
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