Good morning all,
IIABSDISEI with temps dropping to the 40s. I had the regular fare plus a donut on the dining car before sending it on to "Points East". Some good news. Wife got a note from the doctor saying all the skin cancer has been removed. Now we just have six month checkups for her once the infection from the surgery is gone. TBIL any time tonight. I hope everyone has a good day.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
Hi GUYZ,
44 already to get to 51? Thanks for all the CONGAs on the layout. Gonna try and get it covered tonite? I gotta plan just hope it all fits?
Stay frosty,
laz57
Good Morning from Blueberryhill....
It is a sunny 46 degrees. Going up to 55 today with sunshine. All the snow is gone.
Today is a busy day. Chores to do and grocery shopping. Wife is happy about that. I will work on a project. Maybe some time outside later.
Dining car is here with the usual breakfast.
Y'all have a great Monday.
Chuck
Happy Valentine's day to all
41 this morning, dropping to 28 by nightfall. We still have at least a foot of snow on the ground but above freezing all week should get rid of a lot of it. I had a good chat with Brutus and Charlie last night, no breakfast yet....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
Aloha and Happy Valentines Day! Feels like summer yesterday and today with temps in the 40s. Funny how you adjust. Long day serving at church, but fun. Still going through paperwork prepping for taxes - ugh. Brutus, is that the basic Hulu with the old stuff or Hulu Plus? RT, hope you're feeling better. Laz, beautiful!
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
Good Mornin' Ya'll from Hazy and Warmer Taxachussetts,
Temps started rising overnight and we are now over 40 since who knows when. Looks like we are in for a major snow melt this week. Three feet of the white stuff in most places on the lawn and higher where the snow has been piled. The larger mounds range sit at about 6' so even with this warm snap we still won't be seeing grass anytime soon.
Saturday the wife and I drove down to Scituate Rhode Island to conduct a home visit interviw for the New Hampshire Doberman shelter from whom we got two of our previous dogs. The potential adopter is a former Dobie owner (2) and will provide a wonderful forever home for an orphan dog. He lost his previous pup after a 15 month valiant but futile fight with cancer.
My father once said observed that one way you can tell the humanity of a culture by the way it treats it's animals. We don't fare very well in that regard. Folks don't take pet ownership seriously, do not plan that this is a lifetime committment for the dpg/cat, then discard them like they would garbage. You would be shocked at how these people get rid of pets they don't want any more. Bet nearly 40% of the dogs at this particular rescue are former strays.......folks just drive down the road and open their car/truck door, let the dog out, and then drive off. Depending on whose statistics you want to embrace, shelters euthanize between 4-5 million dogs each year in the U.S. because they can't/don't find homes for them. The carnage amongst cats must be worse. If there are so many dogs available for adoption that will get put down because a home cannot be found for them, why are some rescues importing stray dogs from PR? Many of these are multi-generational street dogs, feral. They are difficult to train, even more difficult to make safe for the average pet adopter. We have trained along side of a few.
Chief.......I do not envy your project. It is physically and emotionally draining. Prayers, brother.
MikeC.......great news on the wife. There is a lot on your plate, and that was certainly good news. Prayers continue for your Dad and your family.
Brutus........was elated to hear Char was out and about with you and the family. Now you have to figure out how to keep a lid on her so she doesn't overdo it in the short run. Continued prayers for her progress, and that of your Dad.
train_doc.........most people don't fully appreciate what we have here until they go "there." Congratulations for being a man for others.
JimmyT.....I felt the same way about Fastrac's cost but over time got hooked on the advantages of the appearance and the snap together advantages. Stays put, connected, and carries power well.
LAZ....... why do you need heat and hot water? The furnace, ductwork, and the hot water tank are taking up valuable layout space. I suppose they do keep the wifey out of your basement man cave. Where does the bar fridge go for the Ole Mils? With the room you've got on the layout you could plunk it right down on the board and disguise it as a huge manufacturing plant or multi story condo or office building. What a layout you are growing!!!!!!!!
Joe.......sounds like your layout is progressing nicely. Considering the job and family responsibilities that are very time consuming, you continue to forge ahead.
Dennis.......warning!!!!!!!! Some day when the little ones are grown up and out of the house the wifey will remain the rock of consistency in your home and will continue to haul prodigious quantities of shopping bags into the house without assistance.
Rich........congrats on showing the young whippersnappers how it's done.
Gotta run. Hope everyone has a great Valentines Day.
Jack.
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
Morning!
Well it couldn't last forever, we had an absolutely Beautiful weekend! Mid 70's absolutely clear Blue Skies. Forecast is now for rain starting Tues, possibly thru Sunday !!
Can't get over the size of Laz's layout, really awesome. And just a few items on the shelves, heh?
Going to be busy the next couple of days, working on "The Layout", and my boss is out of town, so need to get a lot done. (Don't want to get fired.)
Had one of those Hallmark moments a couple of weeks ago. Was working on the layout and doing wiring. I'm laying underneath it on a creeper, on my side. The electrical panel was directly in front of me. So this super friendly Golden Retriever, (100 lbs), comes in to check things out. He walks in between me and the panel and STOPS. So, I say OK, Thad, you cant stop there, you need to move one way or the other. I touch him on the rump, and he looks at me and gives me a big lick all up the side of my face, then walks on. If it would have been on video it would have been hilarious. I was in a brief state of shock.
Worked most of the weekend, and also doing a wire list for the layout. So far its over 350 wires, and I've got about 17 more switches, and all the lighting to define. Also, going to have some LED's to show train position on the Control Panel for some blind areas. And, havn't started on the CP wiring yet.
Hope everyone has a great day, need to go pick up some paper, then get to work.
Take Care All !
Oh Yeah, saw where Wake County made the National NEWS. Issues regarding busing and schools. I would be REALLY upset if my kid had to spend an hour or more on a bus, passing local schools!
Don
Good morning and happy Valentines Day! weather here is warming up; hope some ice will melt from the road. it's like driving on rails the ruts are so deep. neighbor tried to plow with heavy truck with no luck. i told him to grt a jackhammer. maybe by Easter we will see some green. Hey Jack, you are 100% right about the doggie issue. we always had doggies around our homes. makes us feel a lot more human. we had all kinds of dogs. right now we have two Dachshund's, they think they are Pit Bulls until you try to pet them, then they roll over and play dead! what an act! Hey Laz; great PIcs on the layout. eveyone have a great day. later.
Think good thoughts, do good deeds!
Morning. Project #2 has started. Taking out walls in the closet [now empty] in master bedroom. More plaster cutting adn that is DUST!!! Got electrical switch to move. Think it is going to be easier than we thought. Sunny and 60's. Shirt sleeves. Later.
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
It is practically spring here. It was 43 when I woke up and today's high is 64. The snow is pretty much gone and I'm sure today's warm temp will ensure of it. I have some training to complete today at work; all of it done via Power Point which can be dreadful. Otherwise it will be a typical Monday for me. I had powered donut holes for breakfast this morning, and also some chocolates the wife bought me.
RI Jack - Thanks, I am being realistic about the layout progress. All the finer scenery details can evolve slowly over time. My biggest goal at this time was to have the layout operational to keep the kids' interest up and allow them to have fun with it. Also, those figures you provided about pet euthanasia are staggering. We would love to adopt a dog, but it’s not going to happen anytime soon since our kids have asthma.
Mike C. - I'm glad you received such great news about your wife. We know you needed some of that at this time.
Train Doc - You are doing a great service, thanks for what you do.
Good day,
Joe
Morning all!
Hit 73 yesterday and by 10 last night the last of the ice finally melted off the patio. Temps to hit 70 again today.
Spent all day yesterday making the custom hangers for the drapery sheers for the entry way doors. Had four doors to do. Made bushings (16) on the minilathe and then cut alum 1/8 x 1/2 rods (8) to match. Painted the parts with an almond color to match doors. Got them pre-mounted to the doors last night and then finished it this morning when the paint was dry. I would like to think that once I get these projects crossed off the list the list would shrink, but the list grows faster than the project completion.
Mike C - good to hear about the Ms. and your father. Our prayers continue
Have a great day all!
Regards, Roy
Lunchtime and it feels like summer,
Nothing new on the train front for me. Time for some home updating.
Chief, I am right behind you on the home front.
Mike C. Good news about your wife and dad.
Laz, Great layout
Train Doc, Admiration for your work.
Jack, You are right about pets.
Thoughts and Prayers for all in need.
Back to work,
John
dbaker48 Laz, That is one Fantastic Layout. If it was my job to finish it I would have to live to 300 years. GREAT Job ! Pics are fantastic !
Laz,
That is one Fantastic Layout. If it was my job to finish it I would have to live to 300 years.
GREAT Job ! Pics are fantastic !
Laz - I totally agree with Don. You are progressing by leaps and bounds. Must be the carpenter in you. Ever thought of teaching a shop class? You do know how to motivate the rest of us.
Buckeye
Pat
RFD-TV --- Rural America's most important network!
Good morning all, Went to TTOS Southwestern Div. train meet yesterday. Lots of stuff on tables but I did not buy anything. Guess I need to be selling, not buying. I did see a Lionel limited addition FM trainmaster in SP gray and red color with asking price of $250. Nice looking model in original box. Don't know what they originally sold for. It was used however. The same engine showed up in the auction later in the day and got up to $200 but the owner passed and withdrew it. Funny thing was, he told the auctioneer he had a $200 minimum but when the bidding got up to that, he said it was now $250. High bidder withdrew at that point. I think the club gave the guy a pass because he must have been having a senior moment. He does this kind of stuff all the time.
Laz, great looking layout! Come over to my house when you get through and fix mine.
Like Don says, we are expecting a wet week starting about Wednesday. Man the pumps!
Still having pains in left leg when I stand up after sitting for a while. I think it must be a nerve problem. Pain subsides after I walk a little. G.I. problems thankfully under control for now. Getting old is not for sissys.
RT, hope you are feeling better.
Chief, don't breathe that drywall dust.
Have a good week all,
Ray
SPMan
Good Evening
It's too early for the beacon but banilla is ready. I can see some snow melt progress but we still have plenty if anyone wants to come by and pick some up....S.J.
Feeling better today but not 100% asked to do OT and I turned it down ( yes me the king of OT turned down OT) .
Running trains right now. Learning new tricks which you all know that run TMCC/legacy already but like I said yes I have had it but didn't have layout so didn't really read it that much other than how to hook it up.
Wow as I was writing had to stop there for a couple lost all sound northing seemed to help did a complete reset still northing then playing with the switches notice teather had come out must not of had it in correctly as its normally tight to pull out so human era there lol.
But have now reset minimum speed along with max speed on the engine so if I have anyone else running it don't have to worry about it going to fast and jumping the track.
Not a lot going on here. Switch to my old mouse but its not infer red it has the ball in it and its not the best but its working for me till I get another probably get a wireless keyboard and mouse with infer red.
Computer vs human on Jeopardy is now on so will watch putor beat the humans
Hope all had a good day I'm off the next 2 so plan to relax. :)
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
Happy V-Day (ugh...)!
Had lunch with best female friend and her 2 year old daughter, exchanged presents...now I have a whole bunch of home made chocolate treats....
Warm today in the mid 40's I think, up to 50 then 60 on Wednesday...very windy now, and I'm expecting a "wires down" call tonight....
Laz - WOWZER!! Very nice...I'll live vicariously through you until I get mine up....maybe summertime.
RT, Char, Brutus' Dad, Mike C's Dad and the "spicy wench"
Gonna scrounge up dinner then go to bed... See ya tomorrow or later if I can't sleep...
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
SJ - saw a sign somewhere, maybe in an email? It showed a pile of snow with a big FREE SNOW - HELP YOURSELF sign on it XD
Char's numbers were all good again today - tests/doc visits are on Mondays. Tomorrow, she has a date with an oral surgeon to get a broken wisdom tooth removed.
Big deal in Saint Louis - Stan Musial is getting a medal from the President. I'm not sure why, though? More interesting to me is a WWII vet who finally received his medals including the CAR and a Pearl Harbor award.
Doug - regular, free HULU. They have odd episodes of this and that show including some full seasons here and there? Some good stuff :)
TARDIS - READY! LAUNCH!
RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.
Good Evening All !
Had a really GREAT day today. Ended up great, didn't start out too well. Chris was pressed for time, and asked if I would fix the headlight on his car. So checked and it was the low beam burned out. OK start to figure out how to replace it. (The only one NOT in the manual.) So after a half hour finally figure out how to get the bulb out of the housing. Go to the auto store check the book, find the bulb. Interesting note: probably 80% of this particular bulb was in broken packages, previously returned. Find one that looks good. Take it home put it in, but the alignment pins dont match. (Figured that must be why so many were returned, car probably to old, '92.) So decide to cut out the alignment pin, now the bulb won't stay in place. Tell wife I will take care of it later, OK. She subsquently calls and offers to go back to the store and pick up "other" bulb based upon the old bulb's p/n. So I come home tonight and go to put it in. Come to find out I had bought the HIGH Beam bulb and was trying to put it in the Low Beam holder!! Come home this evening and realize I'am putting the bulb in the wrong place. Go back get the correct Bulb and install it in the Low Beam socket. Now everything is OK now, ended up replacing both bulbs, I ended up buying 3 when if I would have done it correctly would have been only 1.
But, this is what is REALLY Great ! A new Engine added to the livery;
Talk about sweet, this engine surly is !
Need to get some paper work done, and getting late.
Hope everyone has a great day.... Heavy rain on the way! (SUBMBOB - Get your Poncho dried off and ready.)
IIABSDISEI with temps in the 40s. My dad got a beautiful card and note from my Norwegian soccer friend. It was quite moving and deeply touching. Watched a special with him about Tom Carnegie as well. He was doing better last night. Work was quite chaotic yesterday. I had the regular fare plus a donut on the dining car before sending it on to "Points East". TBIL after V tonight. I hope everyone has a good day.
Good Morning from Central Jersey,
It was 30 and windy when I left the house this morning. It is in the 20's in beautiful Edison and very windy. It is supposed to reach into the 30's today and get warmer by the end of the week.
Traindood, The snow and ice around the State range from the mess that you still have to almost non existent farther South.
Don, Nice Edition.
Brutus, Great News.
NJDevil, Rich, Hopefully the wires held. It is very quiet here this morning.
Mike, That was nice of your friend to send your dad the card. Friends can make a difference in your life.
Thoughts and prayers for all in need.
Time to get ready for the safety huddle.
27 and a bit cool here only to get to 38? 60 by friday? Thanks for all the CONGAs on the layout. I hope to get the tunnel covered up this weekend?
DON, VERY COOL ENGINE. MTH? Have fun with that one. Is it a sloooow mover like all Shays?
dbaker48 Good Evening All !Had a really GREAT day today. Ended up great, didn't start out too well. Chris was pressed for time, and asked if I would fix the headlight on his car. So checked and it was the low beam burned out. OK start to figure out how to replace it. (The only one NOT in the manual.) So after a half hour finally figure out how to get the bulb out of the housing. Go to the auto store check the book, find the bulb. Interesting note: probably 80% of this particular bulb was in broken packages, previously returned. Find one that looks good. Take it home put it in, but the alignment pins dont match. (Figured that must be why so many were returned, car probably to old, '92.) So decide to cut out the alignment pin, now the bulb won't stay in place. Tell wife I will take care of it later, OK. She subsquently calls and offers to go back to the store and pick up "other" bulb based upon the old bulb's p/n. So I come home tonight and go to put it in. Come to find out I had bought the HIGH Beam bulb and was trying to put it in the Low Beam holder!! Come home this evening and realize I'am putting the bulb in the wrong place. Go back get the correct Bulb and install it in the Low Beam socket. Now everything is OK now, ended up replacing both bulbs, I ended up buying 3 when if I would have done it correctly would have been only 1. But, this is what is REALLY Great ! A new Engine added to the livery; Talk about sweet, this engine surly is ! Need to get some paper work done, and getting late. Hope everyone has a great day.... Heavy rain on the way! (SUBMBOB - Get your Poncho dried off and ready.)
Good Evening All !Had a really GREAT day today. Ended up great, didn't start out too well. Chris was pressed for time, and asked if I would fix the headlight on his car. So checked and it was the low beam burned out. OK start to figure out how to replace it. (The only one NOT in the manual.) So after a half hour finally figure out how to get the bulb out of the housing. Go to the auto store check the book, find the bulb. Interesting note: probably 80% of this particular bulb was in broken packages, previously returned. Find one that looks good. Take it home put it in, but the alignment pins dont match. (Figured that must be why so many were returned, car probably to old, '92.) So decide to cut out the alignment pin, now the bulb won't stay in place. Tell wife I will take care of it later, OK. She subsquently calls and offers to go back to the store and pick up "other" bulb based upon the old bulb's p/n. So I come home tonight and go to put it in. Come to find out I had bought the HIGH Beam bulb and was trying to put it in the Low Beam holder!! Come home this evening and realize I'am putting the bulb in the wrong place. Go back get the correct Bulb and install it in the Low Beam socket. Now everything is OK now, ended up replacing both bulbs, I ended up buying 3 when if I would have done it correctly would have been only 1.
Don........loved this account, but I saw too much of me in you. You have proven one of the precepts I live by: A plan ill conceived but violently executed will nonetheless succeed!!!
By the way, the crossover vehicle we now have has headlamps and front turn signals installed especially for guys like us. In order to change any front end light bulbs, you have two ways to approach it. You can remove the entire front bumper/fascia. Or you can remove a wheel, take off some of the inner fender well fasteners and pull it back, and access light bulbs from there. Those that only replace the dead bulb are destined to repeat the process with the rest of them in short order.
It is a sunny and cool 32 degrees. Going up to 45 today with sunshine.
Today is an easy day. I have a few chores to do and some paperwork. Then, I can relax. Maybe some outside time later.
Dining car was here with the usual for breakfast.
Y'all have a great Tuesday.
Aloha all. Sunny and warmer for my long day. Thanks for the tip, Brutus. Can't wait to play with Hulu looking for old stuff. Nice quiet v-day, nice meal at home with the boys and an old movie afterward. Had to take one of the bride's small gifts back when I noticed a $5 price difference on the tag and receipt - never had that experience before - the store was pretty nonchalant- won't be going back. Don, that's a beautiful Shay - I like those engines with lots of busy-ness.
Good Mornin' Ya'll From Grit-Free Taxachussetts,
Last night the temps dropped from the 40s into the teens. Will remain in the mid 20s today with sunshine. But the temps will scoot to the high 40s tomorrow and remain a bit higher than normal the next few days. Thanks to SJ, Joe, Chuck, and ya'll for sharing your respite from the frigid cold. DonB, DougDG, and RaySP need to strip off some of that moisture so we don't get any more snow.
MikeC.....I was glad to hear your Dad was feeling better and that you got to hang out with him. Moments to remember and cherish. Prayers continue.
Brutus......good luck with Char's WT extraction. The oral surgeon usually starts by beginning with a course of antibiotics with these procedures. May want to make sure they use the right one for her, based on her recent regimen.
Rich......there are advantages to bachelorhood. You do not have to share your chocolate haul, and your stash remains safe. In my house.....never mind.
HudsonJohn......I suspect the continued high winds on the East coast will keep the power boys busy. It's been pretty breezy up my way th epast 15 hours and will remain so today.
LAZ.......possession is 9/10ths of the law. And you possess quite the square footage for your layout. It looks from your pictures that a lap on one of the main lines might approach a scale mile!!!!! Of couse you ran trains for an hour with no pileups. The trains only made 20 laps.
Chief........is the finish line truly in sight? The State troopers must sigh every time you go flying past with your gun rack and shotgun featured prominently in your truck.
The Sports Illustrated annual swimsuit issue is released today. Guess we'll have to suffer through it until the next issue returns its emphasis to sports.
Sorry for the posting yesterday about dogs. What I didn't realize a few years back was the true plight of lost or stray dogs. Although there are some "no kill" shelters and rescues, most shelters do not have the means to retain (until adoption) the lost dogs they take in. They only keep them for a few days. The owner recovery rate is dismal. In the absence of finding a foster home, the shelter dogs are euthanized, hence the 4+ million annual dog carnage I mentioned.
If you have a dog, and she/he escapes your care, the odds of you getting your dog back are not good unless you are lucky. Those dog ID tags are good, a must, but too frequently the collar and tags don't stay on/with the dog. Microchipping your dog is short money. Using a separate collars, one for the leash and another for ID tags helps too. And while those plastic clip fatener collars may seem fast and easy, they pop open and break.....better to use a metal buckle collar.
Later, gang.
Jack
Good Morning
15/35 today. Bright sun. Snow depth is dropping but there is still plenty if anyone wants some. This might be a lazy day..S.J.
Hey Don: that's one sweet logger you have!
Hey Laz: fast track looks coooooooooool!
Morning. Busy morning. Finn to vet to have stiches out and then here with contractor. Wired until 11:15 last night. BX cable to romex. Old small metal boxes. Splices and short wires. Now contractor is adding pot light over chest of drawers in nook. Means I wire again.
Off to two meetings. Tired. Need a lake house break. None in sight. Dentist and meetings tomorrow and meetings Thursday. Friday. down east again. Probably Saturday. That a weather in the 60's and 70's. Fishing time.
Later
TRAINDOOD,
Thanks for the kudos on the fasttrack. I had all 0-27 track before but gotta few sets with the fasttrack and liked it so went with all fasttrack. I am pleased with it and the switches.
Watched JEOPARDY last nite and it was so so. I'm still rooting for the humans. They don't need all the explanation of how they put together HAL.
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