Will someone kindly take this god-forsaken upper midwest winter weather away. Fuel companies are seizing the opportunity to boost their end-of-year numbers, just to add to the misery. Neighbor's picket fence is looking pretty good right now....
On the sunny side, purchasing a used Ford Ranger pick-em-up truck. V6 and very clean from grill to tailgate.
Looks like the Ravens and j-e-t-s will be fightin' for the right to fly to Sandy-eggo.
Good morning
Sun but 22 and windy.
December 7th, 1941, I don't remember that day but I sure remember the war. A nice chat with Brutus & Charlie last nite kept me up past bedtime lol. Have a great day..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
Cold and sunny here today.
Fifegramps - congratulations on the new addition to your family.
Worked this weekend. Finally got enough prototype parts built to cover the customer's orders. Now I'm able to take some vacation time that I have been posponing for a few weeks. Get some decorations out, maybe run some trains, check odd jobs off of the list, etc, etc.
Pearl Harbor - let's not forget. Like somebody said, it seems to have dropped off of the radar screen. The way manufacturing operations are being sent offshore in recent years, it appears that many have forgotten the improtance of a strong manufacturing base in reacting to events like that.
All for now.
OK Yanks, cut it out!!!!! Tied record lowest high yesterday. Expected to break the same today. Wind chill in the low teens.
Off to Edgecombe Co. with cousin to see the farm and etc.
Had a very cold Christmas tree lighting last night.
Have a good one.
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
Aloha from a sunny Chicago where it has climbed to 11 from 5 and I am appreciating my overheated office. Declined to take the L up to Lincoln Park for a meeting. Too cold. Had a nice gathering of church leaders last night. Felt able to encourage the newcomers.
Off to blow more cold air eastwards.
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
Fife had a ford ranger with a V-6 in it when I finally got rid of it ( bought it with like 175,000) with 250,000 on it and still going strong. only reason got rid of it was needed something a little bigger don't like camper shells and it was reg cab no room for groceries when it was raining only other problem rear end very light so watch it in the rain and snow.
Hey all at work again but normal day 3:30 out of here but ot next 2 days.
Have a good one
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
Good Afternoon...
Breezy (!) and 34 here. Partly Sunny. Going out to help with decorations on the out side. Wind chills in the low 20's.
As this generation remembers 9/11, Pearl Harbor was our fathers 9/11. It's been said before: those who don't watch history are doomed to repeat it. Not getting political, but you get the point.
Was up early this morn for alarm in a neighboring township....and where were all the officers? Abed I think, so Engineer 41 was in charge all the way up the street until we got recalled.... Then couldn't sleep, Princess called at 0630 missing her debit card (Momma "borrowed" it ), various and sundry phone calls later I'm up, groggy but up....shoot me quickly...even the caffiene didn't help. I guess sleep is over rated.....
OK gents, stay warm and safe....off into the cold...but, hey, I have my bunker gear!!!!
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 morning all,
It was a bit chilly this morning, but not too bad. It will hit the low-50s today and tomorrow, and I believe the weather report stated it may be in the 60s this weekend. What in the world is going on? You Rebs (Fife and Chief) can send that cold weather out here to Oklahoma. I'll be more than happy to take it off your hands.
Back to work to fund the SS for you old-timers.
Joe
Lunch Time,
Cold but no SNOHIO. It must have been the SNOHIO deflector that our Governor but up to keep the snow removal budget down.
Fife we have a number of Ford Ranger pickups in the fleet. No real problems. A friend of mine has one with over 275,000 and it keeps going.
Let us not forget Pearl Harbor. Try to buy American.
Back to work,
John
Hello all,
Quick cup at lunch. Windy and mid 20"s here.
Fife, Your cost of heat comments make me glad I installed a hand fired coil boiler to heat my house. Did that in 1981 at a cost of about $2,000.00. Ever since then five ton or less (now about $110 a ton) will keep me comfortable as well as temper the water going to my electric water heater. Oil boiler will kick on if I let the fire get down. Been working on the same 250 gallon tank of oil for about 10 years now. Got about 1/4 tank left.
If this weather keeps up I may hunt deer out the back window on Saturday. Can't take cold like I used to.
Almost forgot "REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR"
They did mention it on a couple of local TV and Radio stations this AM
Best get busy. The SS fund needs me.
Prayers for those in need
Banks, Proud member of the OTTS TCA 12-67310
Almost Afternoon All !
Really chilly nites here but at least it is reasonable during the day, ski areas are in hogheaven most everywhere. Kind of a bummer this ol' beat-up body can't handle it anymore.
Fifegramps, To quote one of our resident teachers, "Congas on the Grand-fifepup".
After watching lastnite's game I don't know who stunk up the networks worse, the Jets or the Chargers on Sunday.
Dec 7, 1941. for the survivors and the families who lost loved ones.
Later all.
Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.
www.sd3r.org
Proud New Member Of The NRA
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
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!
Ray
Bayville, NJ
Life is what happens to youWhile you're busy making other plans - John Lennon
Good Evening
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.
Good evening all,
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.
Good night,
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.
Sleep tight.
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.
Jack
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
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.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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!
sir james - What's a stage coach...?
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.
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.
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.
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