Back from the clean up!
Had a 3 car MVA earlier today...some people don't know how to MERGE into traffic!!
Was in the high 50's today and will continue tomorrow, sunny and bright.
Princess made it back from her friends house and is doing homework and going to watch GLEE later. I'm heading for Shop Rite for bananas and something to drink...
Soon, I'll have to get the track plan together...8 X 16, some will be elevated, but looking at Skip's center elevated layout, I may do something like that or a hybrid of that. I have 3 weeks.
That's all from Exit 8...
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
A beautiful 74 degrees here today, we have had an awesome fall but extremely dry. It will all work out with snows and spring rains. I noticed on the national news that it's been extremely dry in the south west and now here, I guess that's why we have "averages". Too many folks crying wolf just to be heard.
All lawn equipment now winterized with fresh oil and Seafoam in the gas tanks, I did ride the bike into the dealership this afternoon for needed service and fresh oil, hate to see the season come to an end but at least I'll be ready to roll in the spring!
Working downstairs in the train room will take precedence beginning tomorrow, weather is turning crummy and I'm ready to take several days and just tweak things up.
All the politico's are in Iowa now sharing with us how they are going to save the country, blah-blah-blah, will be glad when January 3 arrives (caucus time) and even happier when Jan. 4 is here and they are gone. Very difficult to take any of them seriously, guess my cynicism is showing.
Stay well.
Jon
So many roads, so little time.
Jeff,
I think you are trying to pull my back into HO... I was heavily into Bachman, Life Like, and Tyco until I sold it all off in 99 to focus on O and S.
Bought the GL today. Had a couple heartstoppers on the way home, but nothing serious. The first occured when I took it to fill it up. The gas gauge isn't working right now, so I didn't know it was nearly full. As I was pumping, I noticed the sound changed. When I looked down, I saw why. Gas everywhere. I thought it was a rotten tank, but it turns out that it was just a vent line. My BP dropped back to normal, and I felt better.
So, everything was ok and I proceeded home with my brother behind me in the 97. Turns out the front brakes are questionable. No big deal. It runs and feels great aside from that. Some very minor surface rust on the body, but I'll take it to the guy that fixed the 97. It has a new exhaust all the way back, and was under $1300 total. I can't wait to dig into this one. I like it more than the 97, which is something I never thought I'd say.
green97probe Jeff, I think you are trying to pull my back into HO... I was heavily into Bachman, Life Like, and Tyco until I sold it all off in 99 to focus on O and S.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Time for me to call it a night. I didn't get much sleep last night and having a busy day didn't help much. See y'all tomorrow.
Another busy day. More work under shelter done. Walled up bay where tractor is parked with treated 2X4's and plywood. Now to paint. Cleaned out big bay for wood working area. Table saw on treated plywood floor and compound miter on stand behind it. Can cut on miter saw, turn around and cut on table saw. Drill press to one side. All mower pull behind equipment and chipper/vac lined up between big trailer and wood working area. Almost through.
Very tired. Off to bed after shower.
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
Awaiting the arrival of the halloween "Ghouls & Goblins".
Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.
www.sd3r.org
Proud New Member Of The NRA
Good Evnin' Ya'll From Chilly Taxachusetts,
About time to hit the sack.
HudsonJohn.........hope you are holding up under the strain and weighty responsibility of this storm's aftermath.
News from Connecticut and the Northeast.......still a massive mess from an electric power outage perspective due to this past Saturday night's storm. And it will continue to be so, as will the economic and personal impact. CT Governor (as is ours) is very unhappy and very vocal about it. Officials are now saying that getting all the folks back on line is going to take another week, for some longer. The beleagered local utility workers meanwhile are totally overwhelmed and need help too slow in coming.
CT and MA. electric utilities, as in all States or regions, understandably do not individually have the resources in place to handle by themselves a catastrophe of this magnitude. But what is an enigma to me is that the power companies, even if they compete against one another, don't seem to have an effective formal mechanism in place with further outlying and unaffected electric utililties to "borrow and mobilize" personnel and equipment in advance of a weather-related mess that they know full well is going to happen.
This power stuff doesn't happen infrequently here in the Northeast. I know the electric utilities have the infrastructure in place to buy and sell power to/from one another in a blink of an eye and a flip of a switch, and they plan quite well for spikes in electric demand (Summer) or a reduction in localized capacity (due to maintenance or unexpected equipment failure). Why not a similar responsive partnership to deal with above-ground power line damage?
Is government deregulation or over-regulation at fault for the failure to have something more far reaching and responsive in place?
This snowstorm and its magnitude was not a sudden, unforeseen weather event. We had a solid week of advanced notice with this "perfect" snowstorm and N'oreaster, with ad nauseaum media warnings (meteorologists) that the trees were going to take a horrific hit and, along with them, the power lines.
I realize that the CT. and MA governors may be doing some political grandstanding here. But imagine the position you and/or your family and business would be in if you had no electricity in your home for two weeks, with nightime temps dipping to 30.
RaySp.........it was good to hear you are in the home stretch in your preparations for your travel East this coming Saturday. It's always good to have a backup plan for that pesky back pain. Your family reunion should be quite memorable, and I am certain your sis will enjoy it very much. Prayers continue for her.
JimmyT........are you going to change your name to 91RedProbe? Congratulations on your new acquisition!
Brutus........I hope the tests on Chewy help the vet get her/his arms around this problem.
Jon........is Seafoam a gasoline stabilizer like Stabil? I add the latter to the remaining gas in the gas tank of the mower and the snowblower when their seasons are over. Then I run them for about 5 minutes to circulate the stuff through the fuel system. For the mower, i usually wait to get in that last yard cleanup before Winter, blowing the remaining leaves out of the flower garderns and bushes first. It is so much easier for me blowing and picking that stuff up now rather than waiting to the Spring. The leaves are not all down yet either.
Good night, ya'll.
Jack
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
Good morning everyone. Bit on the chilly side but will be in the 70s most of the day. Feel sorry for y'all up north, we have never been without power for more than a few hours. Still real busy with the adoption paperwork. Have our second meeting with the social worker this weekend. Also have to do a report on how we are to deal with any needs for the children. Last night I had a nice conversation with a lady with Georgia Pines, a group that works with the blind. We are supposed to bring them in when we get our daughter. They will come to the house to teach her. One great thing about the lady I spoke with is that she is Chinese and speaks fluent Mandarin, so that should make the kids more at ease.
Joe, from what I hear, a lot of deployed folks purchase such items as cars,etc from military returning state side. At Ft. Benning, we had "the lemon lot.". Unlike the name sounds, it was where you could pick up some nice deals. Hope you have a great time there. Please share some photos of the local area when you get a chance.
Time to head in.
God bless, dennis
TCA#09-63805
Good Morning from Blueberryhill....
It is a dark and dry 40 degrees. Going up to 56 today with a little sunshine.
Up early today. I have an appt. to take care of and then I can relax the rest of the day. Looking forward to running trains. I have to take it slow and not rush going down the basement steps. I remember a few years ago and it took me 3 months to get down there. It has only been 5 weeks, so far.
Dining car is here and it is Cheerios for breakfast.
Y'all have a great Wednesday.
Chuck
Hi GUYZ,
30 here to get to 54. Nice run with my MINNIE dog yesterday in da woods. Ran for 30 minutes. Today another run then suck up leaves with tractor.
CHIEF, sounds good with da woodworking. Gee you want to fill my shoes after this year they might hire you?
Stay frosty,
laz57
Konnichiwa,
It was another beautiful day weather wise and another slow day of getting oriented at the office. This assignment will have a much slower pace than I'm used to and will allow me more time to travel with the family. We took the kids to the Enlisted Club tonight for dinner; they had a special kids-themed buffet with movies and games for the kids as well. The kids did not want to leave, but the wife and I hit our fun limit after an hour or so. The base clubs offer many fun activities for families out here. We withdrew some Yen from the ATM tonight so we should be heading off base for lunch tomorrow - we'll be pointing to a picture on the menu and hoping for the best. I sense the need for some Japanese classes in the future.
Doug M. - Thanks for the link. I am an AA Advantage member with plenty of miles and never used the site like that before.
Dougdagrump - We are going to have a blast here in Japan. Also, the wife is planning a few other trips to Singapore, Thailand, New Zealand, etc. since it is cheaper and easier to get to those places from here.
It's time to go place some Yen under the princess's pillow; we told her the Tooth Fairy has to change currency when working overseas.
Sayonara,
Joe
Hi all,
Having my Honey Nut Cheerios checking the pot before I head out to the tender truck. Not much time to keep up. Cold mornings and nice days this week so far. Not to bad driving in weather like this. Corn is almost all harvested now. Long days, 10.5 hours or better so far.
Had a bad day with the tender truck on Halloween, pulled out of a field and forgot to fold in the auger tube and hit a phone pole……….the pole won!!!!! Sucks to get old. Yesterday was better. Got some bumpers for the switchyard on e-bay last night.
You all have a good day.
Kev.
Joined 1-21-2011 TCA 13-68614
Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL.
Mornin' boys. A crisp 37 here in the Mid-Atlantic region. Pretty sunrise. Fifedom is perched on a hilltop that looks to the east, and most days I can glimpse the bay. One of the few things I shall miss...
anjdevil - Hope you weren't hurt. I got rear-ended on the way home last week by a company van.
dougnotta- Nice layout. Hope to see more pics on SPF. The Halloween stuff has a charm all its own.
Morning. Still Yankee chilly. Hope to finish project this AM. Pam's test is this afternoon. Got a meeting at Town Hall at 10 AM, so out the door I go.
laz 57 CHIEF, sounds good with da woodworking. Gee you want to fill my shoes after this year they might hire you? Stay frosty, laz57
No thanks. Still have all my fingers.
Posts from JAPAN. How great.
Later.
Jack --
I've used both Stabil & Seafoam and they work as advertised, I prefer Seafoam as a fuel stabilizer as it just seems to work a little better. Like you I top off all tanks with fresh fuel, add the number of ounces recommended from the stabilizer and then run them for 5 minutes, always works for me with no gummed up carburetors in the spring. Sure beats taking them into a repair shop in the spring and waiting three weeks plus these shops need the business right now.
Aloha from another beautiful Fall day in Chicago. Ran trains last night in between Top Gear episodes. Jack, sounds like a great Hallowe'en tradition. I'd be sure eager for the troops to go off T&Ting so football could go on the TV. Speaking of power, come back to IL where Com Ed just rammed through a 'smart grid' bill that lets them set their own rates. LOL. Congrats on the GL, Jim. Glad you're taking your time getting ready for the trip to the basement, Chuck.
Boy, we still have green leaves on the trees. I keep the mower going until they fall and can be mulched up.
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
Good morning
46 going to 63 today
We have trees with leaves here to. But today is the last cut. I just drain the tanks and run the motors till they are dry. Then I put Stabilizer in the gas can. Pancakes for breakfast and I'm waiting for the grass to dry...S.J.
Joe, keep em coming.
"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
I'm not feeling up to par today so I won't be doing much. I haven't gotten much sleep the past couple of days so I'm feeling really tired.
Good Afternoon Ya'll From Crystal Clear Taxachusetts,
The temps dipped to an unseasonably cold 28 last night, 47 now, 50 by 5PM, and tonight back down to a more seasonal 37. Lots of folks still suffering in these parts with no power and no heat, among all of the other hardships a power outage includes. Prayers for all of those still suffering through this.
May hit 60 later in the week, with no rain in the forecast. Still have snow on the ground, about 15% of the yard. Like SJ, I'm waiting for the grass and leaves to dry enough for another yard assault. I'll bet nearly half of the leaves have yet to fall, must be super glued on there.
Day 8.....my lawn mower still sits in the repair que at the repair shop as they continue to be inundated with repairs and/or maintenance of snowblowers and lawn mowers, said their repair business is up 25% over the same time last year.
Fortunately, I still have my SIL's lawnmower which I borrowed last week when I broke a throttle cable assembly on mine (on order). I had asked SIL to help me load his mower in my CUV so I could accompany it with him back to his place when he left here Saturday night, and then asked again on Halloween when he was here. But both times he was too tired and said "another time." So I am in still in business for the time being, and he is not.
V8 Dennis.......your California weather posts are depressing when I am still staring at snow in the yard and temps in the 20s.
MikeC........isn't your big soccer game tonight? Best wishes your team comes out victorious.
Jeff.....I hope you are able to get some sound sleep and are feeling better. You need to consult with the Chief on some advanced methods for reclinerizing. He's got it down to a science!!! I think these methods include overdoing everything, then going from drowsey right past sleep and directly into a comatose state.
JoeyD...........did you open up a bank account in Japan? Otherwise, I could see your US bank, as a precaution, suspending your US account, thinking you don't normally do your shopping in Japan. Was glad to hear that the kiddies are assimilating this change in their lives and are enjoying it. Was sobered to hear your wifey has cast furtive glances South/Southeast at locations for your next vacation, big $$$ even if you are a lot closer. Train budget has been frozen!!!!!
DougM.....re ComEd in Illinois. My FIL South of you about 15-20 miles is still signed up with that variable rate program. Price per killowatt hour changes hourly from $ .01 per KWH in the off hours between 11PM and 6AM but can rise to as much as $.15 per KWH during peak hours. On balance, I think he is averaging about $.04 per KWH because he and my MIL are keeping some odd hours and run the dishwasher, washer and dryer, dehumidifier, heat, and A/C mostly during off-peak hours. That is HALF of what I am paying per KWH!!! He's lucky during the putrid 98 degree heat of the Summer to reach $40 per month for electricity, lower in the other 3 seasons.
Yes, there is a demand meter on his central air, and his contract gives ComEd the right to shut down just the A/C down with advanced notice, and only if they are struggling meeting the region's power demand. But FIL has only seen ComEd shut off his A/C once in the past three years, and only for 3 hours. FIL is a maniac with his programmable thermostat and gets ahead of things, like dumping the inside temp in the Summer to 66 degrees before 6AM and doing the same in reverse with raising the heat during the colder months.......then riding out the indoor temp changes until the rates drop. He gets the projected hourly rates in advance by phone, and they are also available on-line, but he doesn't have a computer. He also gets the projected versus actual readings as well.
Chuck.......easy there, boy, on the basement stairs idea. The trains are not going anywhere. Methinks you are feeling a bit too chipper a tad too early.
Jon........thanks for the product and practical advice on gas stabilizers and maintenance schedules. I need all of the help on pre-emptive measures I can get!
Rich.......I thought you meant that you had to respond to a 3 car motor vehicle accident, not that you were actually in one!!! Hope you are OK and that the damages to your car were not catastrophic. Folks in my neck of the woods merge onto the highways by looking back at the approaching traffic while piling into the vehicle that has stopped directly in front of them. Then WHAM!!!!!!! Followed by the chain reaction. Others just drive 25 while not even looking while merging into 55+mph traffic, then they take about a half mile to get up to highway speed.
Kevin.....if you had been drinking or none of this would have ever happened.
Brutus.......what is the word on Chewy?
DougDG.......I would like to echo Fife'e sentiments and compliments on your Halloween layout. It seems like such a shame to have to tear it all down after so much painstaking work.
Dennis.....prayers seem to be working, and everything with your upcoming adoptions seem to be falling into place nicely. My prayers will continue for you and your family as these wonderful additions move closer to a done deal. Your train addiction is safe with us.
Chief.....was glad you politely declined LAZ' advice about teaching a class that requires the use of power saws. Brent sure could have used your advice on these devices, as well as taken a class on Ladders 101.
Gotta run! Later gang.
Good afternoon all,
IIABSDISEI with temps in 60s. We won 3-1 in the first round of the playoffs last night!!!! All the missed shots we had in the regular season found their mark. We had some substitutes so I did not have to play the entire game, and when I was on the field, I was on top of my game. The only bummer was that one of our team members broke a leg trying to score. Definitely a downer moment. That is why I do not go "all out" for these games as we all have to go to work the next day. We play tonight at 7 PM for a shot to play in the finals on Thursday.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
Dennis,
I do regret selling it. I had a good amount, and I sold it all for $60. I am planning on calling the local yards on Friday to see what I can get my hands on. I wanted a project car, and I certainly got one. I love it though.
DougM and Jack,
Thanks. Can't wait to get going on this one.
Hope you feel better.
Rich,
Hope you are ok. See Jack's post about MA drivers...PA's the same.
Evening all!
Another really busy week. 70s here but headed for high 50s tomorrow and maybe a shower tonight.
Got a doctor procedure tomorrow where they scope the "lower unit". Cannot eat anything today or tomorrow which is not pleasent. Procedure is at 8 am tomorrow so I can have a bite when I get home. Then spend the afternoon sleeping off the anesthetic.
Jack - thanks for the Cliff notes!
Jeffrey - feel better soon! Sorry you are under the waether.
Well - gotta run - really!
Regards, Roy
Good evening
63 right now.
Grass is cut, mower is done.
Roy been there twice, tomorrow will be better. Hope you get a AAA rating.I'm thinking I won't be doing it again.
For everybody but Roy, banilla is ready for the thingy...S.J.
Roy- I have a Proc-tor appointment tomorrow too. Will you hold my hand...?
Welllll, used my benchwork skills to build a cedar closet for wifey and me. She says it looks like one of those Hollywood closets (whatever that means). Now my wardrobe won't get smooshed in favor of hers. BTW, cedar 2x4's are rather pricey ...I wouldn't recommend building a layout with them.
Chief - my enforcement numbers are a little low, d'ya mind driving up this way for awhile.
fifedog Chief - my enforcement numbers are a little low, d'ya mind driving up this way for awhile.
What Fifey is referring too. Chief getting arrested for DWI. Watch ewtv.org Rolesville Mayor's Show. Just got to see the complete video myself. Text the guy and told him the bloopers were suppose to run before the ending credits. Hope he adds them. One where she says she is going to arrest me and I say you may want this. I pull my .380 out of my pocket and hold it up. Another one is when she does not take her que to start talking in our sumary. I shove her with my shoulder and say, "Wake Up!!".
Nice day today,
Hi guys,
Things were better today. I did not destroy any equipment. They went to spreading Lime at 2:30 PM so I got out after only 8.5 hours in the truck.
Raked and burnt a blanket of leaves when I got home and finished at dark. Wanted to get them before the rain.
Probe Jim,
Good to hear you got the project you wanted. I can say I hate those auto engulfing seatbelts.
Prayers to all in need,
Kev,
Good evening everyone. Jack, thanks for the kind thoughts and prayers...they are both welcome and needed. Had a slow moving day as it seemed to take forever for very case...just one delay after another. Finally got done in time to go fetch the kids. Got to get the house ready again for the social worker. It always seems that you get busier when you have an obligation to get to.
Fife, good luck with the procedure, the prep is the worst part, but the sleep the medicine gives you almost makes it worth it. Hope they find things clear and as they should be.
Chief, try to stay out of the big house!
God bless, Dennis
You will not believe this. Just finished sewing a batch of dog scarfs for Saturday's Fall Festival. Wifey volunteered to do them and she did not know how to use our sewing machine. Yes, Mom gave us a Singer for our first Christmas. Came with free sewing lessons for Pam. She never took them. Mom tought me how to sew when I was a kid. I think Pam now knows how to tread the machine, fill a bobin and sew. Actually she is interested in doing it.
Tired. Popcorn and bed. Off to Edgecombe Co. [the farms] to deer hunt tomorrow.
Finally got my latest CTT !
Jon, , .
Chief, Even though SWMBO took "Home Ec" in highschool I had to teach her how to use the sewing machine. I am far from being a "seamstress", I just couldn't bear the tears when she would try to use it.
Spent a lot of time on-line going over a BUNCH of insurance plans today, my eyes are really tired. Have to make-up my mind fairly soon, my current insurance is gone as of Feb 1st as I turn 65 on the 11th.
Nite all.
p.s. Brutus, Hope thimgs are going well for Chewy.
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