Good morning all,
Same old, same old with weather. Amazing what right music will do for work attitude. Could not find anything to get me going, slapped in a little Beyonce and the day went much better. Took it easy last night and did not do much. I had bacon and biscuits on the dining car for breakfast before sending it to "Points East". Good to hear from John across the pond. TBIL and I can drive. Pat and I are getting pretty good at swapping the driving chores. I hope everyone has a good day.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
Don , Most cars/trucks buses etc. are manual gear change (stick shift) here in UK, my TARDIS Mk II is also, goes like stink-governed to 120mph.
Only took me nine days to find the pot this month.
Happy Thingummywallop and Complications of the Session from Jolly England, just in case the excitement causes me to forget.
The roads are mostly ice free now, and we are off to see Santa.
John Baker
dougdagrump Mornin'/Afternoon All. Jack, I know it ain't near as cold here but it has been well below normal. During the T'day holiday it was nice having the frost/freezes (invoking fond memories) , but the holidays are over for a bit so enuff of the upper 30's and low 40's at nite. Let's get it back to normal.
Mornin'/Afternoon All.
Jack, I know it ain't near as cold here but it has been well below normal. During the T'day holiday it was nice having the frost/freezes (invoking fond memories) , but the holidays are over for a bit so enuff of the upper 30's and low 40's at nite. Let's get it back to normal.
Doug - You guys in the South, are spoiled down there! If you want to hear about the cold, those of us up North here have REALLY been having it. It got down to 36 here during Thanksgiving. Heck, we've seen it in the low 50's practically every night since. Today we only had it up to 68. And you inSane Diego guys think its cold there !!??? And then poor Ray, right up there against the mountain really gets it, all those clouds just bunch up trying to get over the mountain, and back-up until other ones coming in pushes them up and over. I doubt he has even seen the Sun in a week !
FINALLY, got to run some trains today, a friend of mine came over, and had a good time. I decided I would exchange a G Scale train out, (runs around the ceiling), with a Christmas LGB train. It worked great! Until, another train running parallel derailed, and fell over on the lower track. Nothing got damaged, but didn't look good.
Things are beginning to shape up around here. Shreaded 18, 32 gal bags! That made some space but still have more to do. Too bad cant roll them into firelogs or something.
Hope you all don't mind, but just got a few pictures of Chris, from when he worked the Oscar Ceremony last Feb.. (Our customer is the photographer for the event and had lost the pictures in amongst all the others taken. Anyway he just sent them to me. So wanted to share one. Chris worked the recent Govenor Awards, and one of his duties was working as a Valet. Only a few guys new how to drive a stick shift, so of course he wants to learn. I don't know anyone around here that has one. Will have to go and rent something I guess. But, even that isn't easy. (Could probably go down south and borrow Dougs truck, when it warms up.)
Hope everyone has a good day, we are going to do some media converting for a Sale this weekend. Take care, and STAY WARM.
Don
Praying Char gets great report and gets to stay home. Off to bed. Something new. Cat is staying in the mud room with door closed. Can't stay in main part of the house due to Burg. Never stayed in before. Hope this works. Do she can stay in during the winter and be warm.
Sleep tight.
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
Good evening all,
I had a busy day at work as I have many tasks to complete before the end of the year. I am also hoping to take next week off so I can study for an upcoming promotion test. It just seems more things keep popping up that need to be done before the end of the month. I'm doing my best to stay in the Christmas spirit and remember what this time of year is all about.
The family and I went out to dinner tonight; the wife did not feel like cooking since she was tidying up the house and wrapping presents all day. Afterwards I had Bible study at church.
R.I. Jack - I'm actually a Dolphins fan. Dan Marino was just drafted when I first began paying attention to football and since he was from PA I went with the Fish. And not to get on your bad side, but I will root for any team that plays the Pats. However, I will admit they look like the best team in the NFL right now. Also, thanks for the advice on the roads. I’m just not sure what type of shingles to buy and what I should expect to pay.
It’s time to bid on my Christmas present and then hit the sack.
Good night,
Joe
Prayers for Vince!
She's getting a little better each day. I think being at home has helped her a lot, but we're anxious to see if she is "thriving" when she has her doc appt tomorrow.
Jack - I used to love the old Flash Gordon serials, they showed them on Saturday mornings. I remember the scene you mentioned! I was always partial to Ming's daughter
Tardis is ready - thanks for driving for the last few nites, Pat and Mike! Have been hitting the hay early as son has to sleep on the couch and goes to bed early for school. I've kept up reading the pot, barely!
RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.
Good Evening from the Jersey Shore, 27 and cloudy,
Thanks for the prayers for Vince. Out of the 28 guys that I grew up with there are only 7 of us left. Cancer is the #1, heart attacks is #2, accidents /military #3.
Ray, I will looking for a tree with the family on Sunday also.
Prayers for all in need.
John
Evening all,
Getting cold out! I fired up the kerosene heater in the garage tonight. Grandson Gabriel and I started working on his pinewood derby car. He cut it out on the bandsaw mostly by himself. I’ll start him sanding and filing Thursday.
I’ve thought about the AF HO from time to time. Thinking next layout an HO would look neat in the background.
John – Prayers for Vince.
Jim F – How is Char?
May God bless
Jim
Good Evening
26 today, blah.
Right chief Walmart already has the hitching posts set up for the christmas rush. K-Mart 4 miles farther north just leaves them up year round. Just a goof off day for me but the banilla is ready for the thingy crew...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
Your right about my Wells Fargo set. It was a few years ago (about 50)! And it would still be running under the tree this year if it wasn't for the wifes CAT! Oh, by the way, it would be running under a real tree! We are scheduled to get it this Sunday with the kids. As two are not living with us this year I guess daddy's buying three trees this year.
Ray
Bayville, NJ
Life is what happens to youWhile you're busy making other plans - John Lennon
RockIsland52 Later, gang. Have to go look some more for my green heavy duty 3 prong long outdoor extension cord (blends in with the ground and bushes better than orange) so I can fire up the spotlight in front of the house. Jack
Later, gang. Have to go look some more for my green heavy duty 3 prong long outdoor extension cord (blends in with the ground and bushes better than orange) so I can fire up the spotlight in front of the house. Jack
You mean white to match the snow on the ground.
sir james I No the Rangers not a horse. This is Michigan, chief thinks we use dog sleds from September to June.
No the Rangers not a horse. This is Michigan, chief thinks we use dog sleds from September to June.
Well!!!!!! You do don't you??
Still cold out but we got all the blowup decorations up and looking good. These as well as the deer and angle.
Got old stuff hauled to the dumpster site and bags for Goodwill in back of the 4 Runner. Can get back in the garage now. Every vehicle is full of gas. For some reason, Rolesville went down a couple of cents while Raleigh went up a bunch. Now to stay warm.
Later.
DougDG.....look at the bright side of things. The Southrn CA. cold weather makes Don's neighbor look much more appealing, though he won't admit to it.
Re the backlight issue with your digital camera......there should be an automatic setting that accounts for the bright backlight, adjusts the shutter speed and/or f-stop, and forces the flash to go off......overcoming the bright backlight.
Later, gang. Have to go look some more for my green heavy duty 3 prong long outdoor extension cord (blends in with the ground and bushes better than orange) so I can fire up the spotlight in front of the house. The spotlight illuminates the Christmas wreath on the front door. I keep all of my extension cords in the exact same spot in the garage, but the son was over for dinner Saturday night. It must have walked over and gotten in his car when he wasn't looking.
Jack
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
Trying to shoot some photos of the Christmas layout but have to wait a bit for the sun to pass a bit further west. Getting to much background light which drives my old digital camera crazy. Not to mention the lack of abilities of the photographer, better throw that in before someone else does.
Are there any good books around that cover maint/repair of Marx loco's & rolling stock ? My neighbor's son has a set handed down from his Great-grandfather and it is really starting to show it's age. His Dad is good with mechanicals, built some really sweet hotrods, but not sure of his "train-abilities".
Time for more coffe and a couple Aleve, xxxx'd arthritis is driving me crazy.
Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.
www.sd3r.org
Proud New Member Of The NRA
sir james - What's a stage coach...?
sir james I Good Morning 22 and overcast. no wind though. Eggs and corn beef hash this morning, better go with cereal tomorrow eh doc. I have a 2000 Ranger on a heavy duty chassis, designed for towing. love it but rides like a stage coach. Have a great day, oh yea its wednesday so hump away..S.J.
Good Morning
22 and overcast. no wind though.
Eggs and corn beef hash this morning, better go with cereal tomorrow eh doc. I have a 2000 Ranger on a heavy duty chassis, designed for towing. love it but rides like a stage coach. Have a great day, oh yea its wednesday so hump away..S.J.
Good Mornin, Ya'll, From Crystal Clear But Cold Taxachussetts,
Just time for a splash and go.
Looks like the 30 degrees we now have won't be going up, will dip below 20 tonight. Oil company has not showed, was told they would be here before noon. No biggie, but the tank is reading empty, don't need a heat outage, and I should not have pushed off the delivery date thereby cutting it too close.
SJ.....I knew you were an experienced guy.. I just didn't know just how far back that experience ran. Is Ranger your horse?
MikeC......speaking of Christmas cards, we have not even started them, hope to get to them this weekend.
Fife.....I like the Ravens to represent the AFC in the playoffs. I like their brand of football and their defense. A couple more points here and there might have had them ahead of the Jets and a couple other AFC contenders at this point. Tough close losses. Much has been made of the Jets' record versus their schedule in these parts. Our rivalry with them is beyond heated. Despite Sunday's victory over the Jets, the Patriots can't expect to score 32 every time out and/or overcome their defensive shortcomings with takeaways. They give up per game yardage measured in football fields. Ultimately, football championships are won on defense.
Prayers continue for Brutus' Char's continued recovery. Also, prayers for HudsonJohn's friend Vince's recovery.
Later, gang. Off to buy a Christmas wreath for the front door and set up the spotlight for it. Brrrrrrr!
Lunch time,
GOOD GRIEF!!!! I MISSED CHARLIE BROWN ALSO. I really wanted to see it. It has been a while. Since cable took over we miss a lot.
RI Jack, I know all about someone with LONG HOT SHOWERS.
Navy Jack, It is not advisable to use a portable heater, but if you do use caution. Besides a fire hazard there is carbon monoxide, the silent killer.
SJ, Ray forgot to mention, that Marx Wells Fargo was a gift from his parents "a few years ago".
Prayer request: A good friend of mine since childhood, Vince is having major medical problems since March. He had to have a kidney removed last week. He is home resting.
Thoughts and prayers for all in need.
hello friends. hope that everyone is staying warm and has time to run their trains. loved the discussion about af o gauge. they made some neat stuff. my favorite is the bulletnose in chrome. anybody have experience with catalytic heaters? for you firemen is it ok to use a coleman caty in the house during a power failure? see we have electric heat. appreciate your advice. navyjack.
Was awaken earlier than I wanted. Lucy jumping on me and barking. Seems she slept in when everyone was going out early with Mom.
Morning all. Cold but not windy. Warming later in the week and some rain [we are actually a little dry]. Next week they call for more COLD. Got to rehang a shutter on the second floor for Pam's friend that lives here. Crawl out the window on the roof. One blew off a year ago. I put them back on with long deck screws and a washer. Spray them black as same color of shutter. Then I have to get out the blowup Christmas decorations. BURR. No Town today except a "drop by". Later.
PS: speaking of Pearl Harbor, seems 9-11 has over shadowed it. I always honor Dec. 7. New generation of folks.
Mornin' boys. Tis cold - "uncle".
Some mad miles on some of those Rangers. Good thing I have no quips about long-term relationships.
RockIsland - Actually Jets losing was advantageous to the Ravens, in the playoff scheme.
Good Morning from Blueberryhill....
It is a cold 24 degrees. No new snow. Going up to 34 today with a chance of more snow.
Today is a busy day. I have a few errands to run and the usual chores to do. I will be busy until this afternoon. Maybe a short nap later.
Dining car is here with the usual breakfast.
Y'all have a great Wednesday.
Chuck
Hi GUYZ,
25 here this mornin and cold breeze. Getting up to 32. Ran trains for an hour last nite had one derailment on a switch, OL MIL reefer went over. NO PROBLEM saved all the suds, LUCKY ME!!
DOUG DA GRUMP, SIS and BIL are ready to throw in their CHARGER jerseys. They gotta do something there in SANDY EGG O?
Stay frosty,
laz57
It is cold in SE Indiana. Did some work on Christmas cards last night. Watched "Glee". I had the regular fare on the dining car for breakfast before sending it on to "Points East". TBIL anytime. I hope everyone has a good day.
Good Mornin Ya'll From Seasonal Taxachussetts,
Dog got me up, needed a pit stop. Think it was the pepperoni I gave him earlier in the evening. Then I ate some leftover pizza with breakfast cereal for dessert. Now I can't sleep.
Had a nice long chat with my FIL about Pearl Harbor Day. This forum member won't forget nor will I let my kids. They have no clue how close we came to speaking another language or two. And as Rich so aptly said: "Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it."
Still no snow yet this year in my neck of the woods despite the prime snow temperatures. Parts of Maine not too far to the North of me are getting hit pretty good right now. It wont be long now for me.
Guys have been commenting on heating costs, and I for one get hammered every year. Oil is the only game in town around where I live, and the oil companies know they have a hostage audience. The underground ledge and rock is bad nearby, and the gas companies refuse to invest in blasting to install underground feeder lines. Electric is mostly delivered above ground on poles for the same reason, so the maintenace costs are excessive and outages all too common.
The fuel oil companies have me by the short hairs.....always an excuse "reason" why the prices are high this year versus last. And the reason given changes to fit the high price propaganda. You point out higher supplies and they blame oil prices. You point out moderated prices versus prior year and they blame colder weather and supply. You point out warmer weather over prior year and they blame transport costs....etc., etc. They must have a script.
JimmyT.....love that Christmas video from last year with the 755. Must have watched it 20 times. Thanks for reposting the link.
DougDG, Joe, and Fife.....you all sound like you are disappointed the Jets got hammered. Consider that the Pats have arguably the youngest and most inexperienced defense, definitely the worst in football in the stats. Yet they held the Jets to 3 points after getting beaten in New York earlier in the season, made the plays when it counted. Patriots could go far depending on what defense shows up. Laz' recap of the game was concise: "Butt Whuppin."
Joe.....personally, I'd go with the roof shingles for your roadbed if you can pick up what you need for little or nothing. Durability, easy to work with, it's thin enough, pliable, and the textured feel and look. The colors work too.
RT.....I am down to just my wife and I in the house, kids gone. I have a forty gallon tank, but if I try to take a shower after my wife does....need I explain? She has a countermeasure for low flow shower heads and the 40 gallon capacity. It's called duration. I've got my tank set at 134 degrees, not what the dishwashers like (145?) but it works because the dishwasher will make up the differnce.
Regarding roof repairs, I have used off-duty firefighters in the past for roof repairs. Roofing businesses are the high priced spread and don't like to monkey with repairs, just want to tear it all off and start over. Repair guys.....I don't trust to do it right because as often as not they don't.
SJ.....you hit the nail on the head. I have bled my hot water tanks annually since the dawn of man, for no apparent benefit.
AF Ray.....great to see you here. I am a relative newcomer.
DougM....at the rate the single digit temperatures are going near Chitown, the wife may have to invest in some mink underwear for you.
Fife.....congrats on the Ranger. We know you are a guy of many interests, so we need some pictures of your truck with the gun rack mounted, roof lights, jacked suspension, and the monster truck tires.
8N.....I agree with your national security observation and the strategic need for manufacturing jobs. Plus, jobs drive the economic bus. All else follows. Politicians on both sides of the isle make matters worse, as they have for generations. Solutions lie in the tax code for businesses and international trade equity. On the former, tax benefits tied to employment caveats. On the latter, we need to level the trade playing field. If a (foreign) company wants a presence here they can build it here or get nailed with import tarrifs in the same measure their governments employ against us.
Banks......your mention of having a hand fired-coal boiler reminded me of an old Flash Gordon episode with a captive Flash (Buster Crabbe) being whipped by guards while shovelling coal into the evil Emporor Ming's blast furnace. The older guys will remember that. Does your wife use a whip or something else?
DougDG.....you are in Sothern California. Will you please be a little more specific about what you mean when you say "It's really chilly here" ?!? DougM is particularly interested due to the fact he is about 50 or 60 degrees below you. I'll be more interested tomorrow when I get 220 gallons of heating oil delivered at $3.25 per gallon which, if I am lucky, will last me until the third week of January.
Later gang.
Good late night or is it early morning. Wifey and I both went to sleep during Charlie Brown. Woke up at 11 PM news. Been on computer paying bills. Had to write a few checks for estate stuff. Hate writing checks now as computer is easier.
Had cold trip down east. Flat land sow winds were blowing hard. Wind chill was something. We are about 20 degrees below normal for our highs. Warming tomorrow to high 30's.
We don't have much going on here. We had some nice deer tenderloin steaks for dinner tonight. An acquaintance has bagged two deer and has plenty of meat to give out. The meat was processed very well: it was tender and not at all gamey. I cooked it on the grill and it tasted just like regular beef. The wife made some cheesy scalloped potatoes to go with it. Oh, and to keep it healthy we had some steamed broccoli as well.
I missed the Charlie Brown Christmas show tonight. I never saw it advertised; they show these classic Christmas shows too early nowadays anyway. Nothing on the train front tonight; so I'm off to bed now.
Sun and 20s all day, we did some more shopping this morning. Got 3 flannel shirts on sale at JC pennys for $20. with a $10 off coupon.
Ray your welcome, everyone does try to help. Sometimes its tough without being able to see the problem in person. Yours was easy, thanks.
Banilla is ready, I can wait on the porch with it no chance of melting. Just talked to Charlie on the phone he was on his way home....S.J.
I want to thank sir james for helping me this afternoon. I did not know that my Marx Wells Fargo loco was able to use the same fluid as my American Flyer loco's. He was quick to respond and I really appreciate his help!
Sturgeon-Phish John – I have bid on some of the AF clock work sets, they are neat. Have not seriously looked at the AF in O, . . . . yet. Greg has been working on me to broaden my AF horizons Good Night and may God bless Jim
Phish,
Why not look at some of the GILBERT HO
Banks, Proud member of the OTTS TCA 12-67310
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