Aloha from a dark and windy Crystal Lake. This'll help blow leaves off the trees. Ran trains last night. Brutus, the Bang is sure a sharp-looking engine. Chief, you have a new calling as an actor. Roy, hope everything goes smoothly. Jack, something in me doesn't want to let the utility be able to shut the a/c off usually at the peak of the hottest day of the year. I'm on their budget plan which evens everything out. Joe, that brings up memories. My youngest ate just peanut butter sandwiches for almost a month.
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
Konbanwa (Good evening),
The weather was fantastic again today. The family and I ventured off base for lunch today. We ate a local Japanese place (Japanese fast food) which served shredded beef and onions over rice. It was very delicious and it came with some soup and some various side salads. One was basically coleslaw, but it was very fresh and crisp. The other two were similar to Korean kimchi. The wife, princess, baby, and I enjoyed it very much, but our older (8y/o) son refused to try it. He has three years to warm up to it. One thing I learned last week which is very important in Japanese dining is to finish all the rice; it is good etiquette to pay homage to the rice farmer. So since my wife and princess were unable to finish all theirs, I scraped away every bit of rice for them. Thank goodness Japanese rice is very sticky which makes it easier to pick up with the chopsticks. As for the chopsticks, it is not good to stick them straight into the bowl of rice and leave them there. That is something they do at funerals.
Subbob - I'll be on the lookout for all kinds of toys. I'll let you know if I see any Sakai.
Dennis - We checked out the lemon lot. We ended up buying the van from a Navy member stationed out here; she advertised it on a local online classified ad. However, I need to find a cheap car for myself so I'll continue to scour the lemon lot for new arrivals.
Brutus - I'm glad things are looking up for Chewy.
Jack - Fortunately, my bank caters to military members and knew we moved out here so the funds are still flowing. The train budget has not been cut yet. I bid on some prewar items this morning but was outbid at the last second. I suspect something was rotten in Denmark as I placed my high bid with 1 minute remaining and I was the highest bidder until 1 second remained.
Sayonara,
Joe
Good morning all,
It is cloudy and rainy later on in SE Indiana. Well, the season came to an end last night. We went down hard with the final score being 2-1. Our lead in the second half evaporated on a free kick, and a shot with a minute to go from way out cleared just under the bar to give the other team the win. I played well again and no one got hurt so it was not all bad. I may try to find some indoor soccer of some sort to get me thru the offseason. TBIL and I can drive tonight. I see where Ed Carpenter is forming his own team. Not sure where that leaves SFR for next year. I hope everyone has a good day.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
Good Morning from Blueberryhill....
It is a cold 36 degrees. Looks like we may get some rain today. Going up to 48 degrees.
Today is busy. I have an errand to run and some chores to do. Then, I will take a long nap. Didn't sleep good last night. Right knee is starting to ache from exercises. Need to rest it.
Dining car is here with Cheerios for breakfast.
Y'all have a great Thursday.
Chuck
Hi GUYZ,
33 and a bit cool here. GOLF today last day.
FORE,
laz57
Boy, you guys can type...
Very clear out tonight. Waiting for the next source to come up. Boss is here beating on the computer system as well.
RIJack - hope they get the power situation figured out soon in your neck of the woods.
Jeffrey - about 10 years ago I gave away all my HO stuff to a father and son who were interested. Lots of Tyco stuff in there. Kept only a couple of German pieces. I hear you on the size constraints. I only have a 4 X 8 O-scale set-up and that's probably all it will be for the indefinite future. I guess that's the reason I started messing around in N-scale.
JimProbe - sounds like you and I both have problems of getting more cars than we can drive at once...
Excited about UP #844 coming to town. Thanks again for the heads up SPRay. May chase it up to Phoenix and out west a bit. Been a while since I've seen some live steam. Not since the Freedom train in '76 have I seen anything this big before. Makes the engines on the Ely Route seem like switchers.
Brutus - diesel engines!? Never that! (Maybe if it's an Alco...) Actually gonna sell off the Williams SW 1500 I bought last Christmas. Nice locomotive, but just doesn't do it for me. I need side rods, eccentric valve gear, and smoke
Joe - glad to hear you and the family are safely in Japan. I have a Sakai tinplate set from there that my grandfather picked up when he was stationed there after WWII (he was an AF chaplain). May have to have you keep an eye open for some more Sakai stuff...
Four more hours to go on this 23 hour day. Starting off on nights is a looooonnnnnggggg day...
Bob
Tucson, AZ (aka the Ol' Pueblo)
Home of the Mt. Graham & Arizona Eastern Boiler Shops
Hey Chief - good job on the video! I've got you on my cell phone now too - had you on the house phone and when I got your text it came up as a phone number?! All fixed now
Well, we were sure worried about Chewy. The doctor thought it was a tumor, so they did the ultrasound. He was pretty sure. Luckily, it turns out to be some kind of crystals in her urinary bladder. We have her on a special diet for GU problems already. They will do a surgery in a week to clean them out and let her bladder heal up. She also has a hernia, so they will fix that as well. All should be well, although we are still concerned due to her heart murmur. I thought we were going to be making a really serious and sad decision today and this was really a relief, thank God.
Well, for my upcoming birthday I'm getting one of the ATSF RMT BANGs (S-4) locos from Trainworld for a pretty good price. That should be fun - only my 2nd Diesel engine
TARDIS is ready and banilla and cookies and cupcakes are on me boys, wife has been baking!
RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.
Chief... Great job on the video!
Good luck in the morning.
Charlie a.k.a. MichiganRailRoad714 (Charter Member TTC)
fifedogI have a Proc-tor appointment tomorrow too. Will you hold my hand...?
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
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.
Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.
www.sd3r.org
Proud New Member Of The NRA
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.
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 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
TCA#09-63805
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.
Jack
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,
Joined 1-21-2011 TCA 13-68614
Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL.
fifedog Chief - my enforcement numbers are a little low, d'ya mind driving up this way for awhile.
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!!".
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.
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.
"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
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
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.
Jeff,
Hope you feel better.
Rich,
Hope you are ok. See Jack's post about MA drivers...PA's the same.
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.
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.
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
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 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.
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.
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.
Jon
So many roads, so little time.
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
CHIEF, sounds good with da woodworking. Gee you want to fill my shoes after this year they might hire you?
Stay frosty,
No thanks. Still have all my fingers.
Posts from JAPAN. How great.
Later.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month