Think good thoughts, do good deeds!
Good afternoon all, just chillin out today at home. Cold last night and the furnance ran most of it. Kept waking up last night with dry mouth probably from something we ate (ham) so I am still sleepy this morning. Tried watching some railroad videos and fell asleep in the middle of it. Something about riding on a train that puts you to sleep. However, I remember my first time trying to sleep on an Amtrak economy sleeper, I couldn't sleep a wink. Probably too excited from the trip we were on to see ATSF 3751 run at the Grand Canyon. Part of the problem was the upper berth. It was like sleeping in a submarine and too close to the ceiling. Funny when I worked on the railroad, I could sleep anywhere while deadheading on trailing engines or in crew vehicles enroute to and from trains/terminals. Hard to stay awake running freight train at night sometimes. Fortunately, I never dozed off at the wrong time but some people did and wound up in the newspapers. I wonder if the truckers get enough sleep on the road?
Jack, sorry about your friend's wife. Hope the family gets some closure. Tragic situation!
More rain forcast for our area tonight and tomorrow. We are suppose to get high speed internet from Verizon FIOS hooked up tomorrow. They did some preliminary wiring yesterday. Hope the rain doesn't interfere with the hook up.
Breakfast today was bacon, grits and eggs with double fibre wheat toast and coffee. I think I'm going to try out the pulled bar-b-que pork tonight on buns with cole slaw. I will see if I can make it taste a little bit like Eastern Carolina que but that's a big challenge.
Time now to head for the garage/train room and give my stuff a work out before the rain comes.
Later,
SP Ray
SPMan
Seems we have a train town . when I was there it was mainly HO and RC items had a few Lionel/MTH sets and track and a few cars all full retail didn't see any bargains at the one here.
Not a lot going on here little tired today not sure why when I got up this morning felt like I hadn't slept but the night went fast and alarm woke me so who knows. And I went to bed early like 8:30 oh well.
Not much else happening here thought I would stop in and say Hi. Hope all had a good day talk to you all later.
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
JohnF,
Somebody in the UK made a very graphic video that shows what can result from being on the phone while driving. I won't paste the link here, but I suggest you show it to her. Definitely was an eye opener for me. Let me know if you'd like me to send the link.
Jack,
Sorry to hear about your friend.
I got the 3562 barrel car from Toy Town today. More on that later.
Hay Spank:
Let me know what you find at TrainTown. I can be in Charlottesville in about the same time as you, less than an hour. My favorite train place, Train Depot in Manassas moved to Fairfax near the Expo Center.
Pat
RFD-TV --- Rural America's most important network!
Good Evening
30 but the cold rain is gone. Snow up to 6 inch's just north of here. Doc say's nothing on my test's to show what happened to me. He told me to switch from childrens asprin to full strenght every day. Just guessin I think. Banilla is ready and I got the real keys to the thingy...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
39 and nasty, windy and rainy here at exit 77 GSP tonight!
John - The Suburban is all gassed up! All 44 gallons!
SJ - Isn't that frustrating? All to often when you want to know what caused the problem you just can't find the answer! Well, in any case, whatever it was I hope the asprin works!
Traindood - NOBODY!
8N - Nice set and enjoy (BTW Happy Birthday (it must be!))
Jack - You're right on! My daughters all too often do this and I know I used to do it more than I do now because of all we've heard, thanks for the sage advice!
Buckeye - Have you been following your NCAA team? They look real strong and could win it all.
Fifedog - I'll let you know this weekend how I made out. Keep it up!
Ray
Bayville, NJ
Life is what happens to youWhile you're busy making other plans - John Lennon
AF53 Buckeye - Have you been following your NCAA team? They look real strong and could win it all.
AF53...... Yes, the OSU Buckeyes look very strong and they could win it all, but I put my money on Kansas. (In the pools I'm in second, and I don't think I can get to first.) The last NCAA game is in the big stadium in Houston and everytime you take a hot three point shooter into that environment their percentage falls drastically.
fifedog.... I wrote a nice email today to the Chief.
jon.....York? Fall?
Buckeyeland was hit with hail and tornado warnings this afternoon. It is that time of year!!!
I have been working on installing electro couplers and LED lights on a Williams FM Trainmaster. Several years ago I put the ERR Cruise in the Trainmaster. After two years of running I'm sold on the ERR Cruise system. They are easy to intall.
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
I think ERR has cut down on their available products? Didn't you also upgrade a docksider, Buckeye? I thought someone did?
Had a nice birthday dinner - salad and a 10 oz ribeye with mushrooms for me Cake and icecream later and we have plenty to share, so we'll be over in the TARDIS as soon as I find the real keys that I swapped for fake keys, which SJ then stole and replaced with his own fake keys
Oh, here they are!
RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.
Here is a quick picture of the 3562 that I got from Debbie and Rich of Toy Town Antiques & More in Berlin, MD. I've been looking for this orange variation since I saw Roger Carp's Collectible Classics article in a 2001 issue of CTT, and I couldn't be happier with this one.
A previous owner swapped in a ramp from the gray variation, but I've got a ramp on a parts 3562 that I spray black and swap in.
I've said it before, but I'll say it again; Debbie and Rich are two of the finest people I've ever dealt with and their store is amazing. Here is a link that I found containing pictures of the store:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/modbetty/5185443327/in/set-72157625413464910/
PS: Look closely at the photo showing the shelves. This 3562 is visible.
Good night. Wife and I have been sick. I keep going. She did not. CPA did taxes. Seems she over estimated capital gains and I rounded up when I sent my "quarterly" federal and state taxes in. Getting back a BUNCH.
Bought a new Springfield Arms M14 [.308]. This one can not be turned to full auto like the one I carried in the Army for a period. Would not want to fire it that way anyway. Putting a Leupold scope on it. Seems the US Army is using them again with scopes as long range shooters.
Reclinerized since 9 PM. Was just awaken buy heavy T'storms. Need rain bad. Off to bed as have to be back up by 5 AM. Meetings in Raleigh till noon and then some here.
Raked pinestraw and did all of Wifey's flowerbeds and bushes. [house just rattled with thunder] Over three pickups piled higher than the cab.
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 Morning from Rain / Hail / Sleet / Snow / Ice in NJ, depending where you are. I have seen it all this night / morning. Called in to work earlier. Pretty quiet now until rush hour.
SJ, You are right, they are just guessing.
Chief, Last night here was wild with the thunder and lightning in the middle of the sleet and snow. I heard reports of a tornado in Pa.
Traindood, How many inches of snow?
Here is the link for the driving / texting video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EJwNe1g
John
Good morning all,
IIABSDISEI with cooler temps in the 40s. Lots of rain and thunder last night. Did get to scrimmage with high school kids. I had the regular fare on the dining car for breakfast before sending it on to "Points East". TBIL anytime and I can drive (whenever the real keys show up). I hope everyone has a good day.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
Morning all. Off to early meetings in Raleigh [free breakfast ]. Then a ribbon cutting and a TV interview. Busy day for me. Rains gone and fairing off. Temps to drop 20 degrees by evening. Was in the 80's yesterday.
Have a good one.
Hi GUYZ,
32 and a little SNO HI O ,AGAIN. Suppose to get more thia weekend, can't wait.
laz57
Good Morning from Blueberryhill....
It is a cloudy 31 degrees. Had a little snow last night. Big difference from 70 degrees yesterday. Going up to only 42 today.
Today is a busy day. I have a bunch of chores to do and a project to work on. I'll be busy until this afternoon. Then, naptime.
Dining car is here from "Points West" . Cheerios for breakfast.
Y'all have a great Thursday.
Chuck
Taxes back from CPA. They tell me I owe a bunch of $$$$$$$ because some guy in North Carolina is to get a huge refund. Somehow, there was a big math error and they need everyone to help pay this tar heeler.
Hudson#685 Good Morning, 34, Rain/Snow miserable day for working for the electric company. RT, want to trade? I just went over the posts, the phone rang and I have to run. Everyone, Be Careful, Looks like winter is not over yet. Thoughts and Prayers for all in need. John
Good Morning,
34, Rain/Snow miserable day for working for the electric company. RT, want to trade?
I just went over the posts, the phone rang and I have to run.
Everyone, Be Careful, Looks like winter is not over yet.
Thoughts and Prayers for all in need.
I'll Pass
Mornin' boys. Wet and 39 here in the Mid-Atlantic region. Hopefully the front will swing back next week so I can get busy with the "yatchet".
Buckeye - Funny you mention taxes. I was watching Robin Hood (Russell Crowe) last night, and was kinda thinking the same thing...
Hudson - video was a no-go.
Good morning
Bright sun but only 27/32 today.
Jim 97 what a great store to browse in, I would want to pack a lunch and spend an afternoon there. We have no plans for the day so I guess it will become a goof off one. Brutus got the Tardis keys back but he still couldn't start it, I removed the coil wire S.J.
Thank you for your kind and thoughtful words of encouragement and support during the manslaughter trial I attended this week in my feeble attempt to bolster my friend, Joe. The defendant in the vehicular manslaughter case (by negligent operation) was found guilty yesterday and was sentenced to prison and other life-altering conditions. He was taken away in handcuffs.
This one hit too close to home. My friend's wife of 36 years, our friend Linda, is gone. My buddy is thrice devastated, having lived through the tragic events that fateful day, the time between her senseless death and the trial (21 months), and then having to relive during the trial in the most graphic, grotesque, and horrific detail those events. Mom and Grandma is never coming home.
One may observe that justice was served with this conviction. But the real life devastation created for both the victim's family and friends, and that of the defendant, cannot be erased. The tragedy and the aftermath remain.
The sentence handed down yesterday in the courtroom to the defendant provided absolutely no sense of comfort or satisfaction for me. The scales cannot be balanced. Yes, there was a sense of numb closure but little else.
I am not a turn the other cheek sort of person even though my religion teaches forgiveness. I found myself walking out of the courtroom yesterday feeling unfulfilled, neither with the verdict nor the defendant's sentence. Everyone involved lost on this one, and not just my friend, his family, and those of us who miss his wife terribly. The devastation will continue for the defendant's side as well. Everyone goes home a loser. I may very well lose this good friend as he tries to move on with his life and to avoid any reminder of the painful loss of his wife......of the happier days when the four of us got together. I wouldn't blame him one bit. He has to find a way to survive, to move on. I hope my wife and I can be a part of his new life, but I fear that won't be in the cards.
I am not a turn the other cheek sort of person even though my religion teaches forgiveness. I found myself walking out of the courtroom yesterday feeling unfulfilled, neither with the verdict nor the defendant's sentence. Everyone involved lost on this one, and not just my friend, his family, and those of us who miss his wife terribly. The devastation will continue for the defendant's side as well. Everyone goes home a loser.
Last night I couldn't get my mind off these events. I don't want to wake up some day wishing I had done more to make this tragedy a valuable learning experience for my loved ones. And for myself. I have to admit I am just as guilty as the next person, at times allowing my mind and body to wander off the task at hand while piloting a 4,000 pound weapon.
Last night my wife and I phoned my daughter and son-in-law to relate the outcome of the trial and our reflections on distracted driving. "Don't think it can't happen by you/me or to you/me. Sooner or later it will, and we may not have another opportunity to change. Either we, a loved one, or an innocent party may be maimed or planted. Can we live with that?"
You know how that parental or family conversation goes. Your loved ones may agree with you without reservation, but you fret in your mind they will not make any substantive changes to their/our driving habits. My kids are adults. My influence may be feeble at best.
We gravitate to this nonsensical notion that something like this fatal incident due solely to negligent, distracted driving will not happen to us, or by us. Somehow we think we are different, more capable behind the wheel than the next person. Somehow we feel we are immune or that we can safely handle the driving distractions. That conclusion is nothing more than a totally irrational rationalization for our own driving habits and our driving behaviors despite all evidence to the contrary.
If only one person on this forum besides myself makes a conscious effort to change our driving habits and those of our loved ones, my rant here will have been worth it.
There is no frivolity, light-heartedness, or silver lining in the dark cloud within me today. Sorry.
Jack
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
RockIsland - Feelin' your hurt. If this happened to one of my close buddies, I would be planning a trip (just me and him) to some place warm, in the not-so-distant future. He's already gone through all the firsts (birthdays, Christmas, etc...). Just need to reset his compass.
Jack I feel your pain. I lost my sister because of a drunk driver and she only got five years. A sex offender can get 20 to life, where's the justice in that?
JACK,
Sorry for your loss and prayers for you and your friend. This is one of the big reasons I do not want a cell phone. I am not that important that I have to be on the phone with someone all the time, especially while behind the wheel.
Good morning,
As usual after reading all the posts, I can't remember all of them, must take notes as I go.
John & Jim thanks for the offer of the video link, would appreciate it.
Rained most of the night and is supposed to clear up, but haven't seen the sun yet.
Traindood, isn't it nice to have grandsons living close by?
Got a few errands to run today and that's about it.
Mornin' All.
Jack_It is always hard to lose a loved one, but under these circumstances it is even harder to understand or accept. Your eloquence truly conveys what the impact of such a senseless act causes. Based on your knowledge of your friend would he have the strength to use this loss to speak out and help to educate others much the same as the founder of MADD ? Either way the best we can do is stand with our friends and be there for them whenever they need a shoulder to lean on or someone to talk with.
Rained like the dickens again last nite, if this keeps up the shrinks will have to come up with a new psychosis. The Flatrock Syndrome, feeling like a flatrock and Pat's cows are airborne far to frequently. Lots of blue sky this morning however more rain for this afternoon & evening.
CNW_You're welcome.
Museum motive power all packed and ready to go, two MTH GP-7's, an Atlas GP-9 and K-Line GP-38. All freight all day, mite even try a DCS Record & Playback with two consists running in opposing directions.
refill time !
Later
Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.
www.sd3r.org
Proud New Member Of The NRA
SJ,
That store was the highlight of my week in the area. I was in there twice during the week, and I can't wait to go back this summer. It's not just that store either. Berlin is loaded with antique stores. Makes burning to a crisp at Assateague worthwhile.
I sent you a PM containing the link.
Good morning all, Verizon due today for FIOS hook up. We had a little rain yesterday but nothing like Doug in San Diego. Tried the pulled pork bar-b-que last night that I got from Costco. It was OK but Eastern Carolina Bar-B-Que, it ain't. No substitute for the real thing.
Jack, unfortunately at the end of these things, all you can do is move on. Prayers for all concerned.
Papers full of stories about Liz. Quite a gal! My sister met her once when she worked on a campaign for Senator Warner. She said Liz invited them to some kind of lunch one day and my sister told her that she wasn't sure they were suppose to be there. However, Liz said, "Well you know how to eat don't you". So they did.
Train friend of mine who is also a Jazz musician just got back from trip to New Orleans. He said he got invited by the tour guide to give talk on history of jazz for the people in the group. I'm sure he knew a lot more about it than the tour guide. Folks on the tour got their money's worth that day.
later,SP Ray
dougdagrump Mornin' All. Jack_It is always hard to lose a loved one, but under these circumstances it is even harder to understand or accept. Your eloquence truly conveys what the impact of such a senseless act causes. Based on your knowledge of your friend would he have the strength to use this loss to speak out and help to educate others much the same as the founder of MADD ? Either way the best we can do is stand with our friends and be there for them whenever they need a shoulder to lean on or someone to talk with. ................ refill time ! Later
................
DougDG, Ray, and all......thanks for your thoughtful words.
My buddy is a quiet, humble , and unassuming guy. But I saw a side in him yesterday I had never seen before, when he was permitted to deliver a victim impact statement to the convicted defendant (emotionless from the start of the trial to the finish) and to the court after the sentencing.
Powerful, moving, and heartbreaking.......the only way I can explain his statement. A lot of tears freely flowed on our side of the isle, men as well as women, myself included, as my buddy delivered his statement. I don't know if he could ever relive this horror yet again. I am proud to be his friend.
The defendant had waived his right to a jury trial and opted to let the judge make the final ruling. The judge held nothing back in his closing remarks when recounting the defendant's gross negligence and an incident that he termed unquestionably avoidable.
On a final note, I cannot understate my respect and admiration for the state and local police, the fire department, the EMTs, and the District Attorney's office. They performed their duties flawlessly and professionally in what could only be described as gruesome and challenging circumstances. Justice was served only because they did everything they could and missed nothing.
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