Coffee Pot #7 JULY 2012 SIX years [April 1 is Anniv.] and going strong and its for all to chat. Plenty of coffee and sweet ice tea for all. Come and join us and chat. GRITS for the Yankees

[dbaker48]

Hey Everyone......

I'm still alive and fine.  Sorry I haven't posted in awhile.  No excuses, just whenever I sit for more than 20 minutes I manage to fall asleep.  So here is an update....

First, Sure hope those fires in Co. are out soon!!!  Just so devastating for sooo many!  Also, glad to hear the power is back for Bucky and Chuck!  Don't realize how much we depend on electricity until we don't have it.

Can't believe the progress Chief is making, WOW!  That's going to be one heck of a layout!  (When does a layout become a pike?)  It sure is looking great!

As far as me, I managed to break my left index dinger finer finger.  Its no big deal, broke one of the crowns of the middle knuckle.  Kay and I were preparing the front courtyard so Chris and I could till it up the next day, and try to plant a new lawn. (This area has been a real pain!  (only 250 sq ft)  Originally, this was all dairy land, and very high clay content.  It was all concrete in '84, and we took that out to try and get some grass to grow. So since then we have put sod in 3 times, stolons once,  Seed can't say how many times.  Even brought in top soil.  Problem is 1/2 of it gets too much sun, the other not enough.  The sun hits a large pane glass window on the garage and reflects back to the ground burning anything before it gets going.  Then the neighbor built a partial 3rd story and that blocks the sun.  So IF this doesn't work I will go to plans A or B.  (Plan A - put in artificial turf/grass, which is illegal in this city!  Or Plan B - Paint the !#!@$ dirt green!)  However,  Did find some growth beginning to bud this evening!!    

Back to the finger,  I was barefoot and slipped on the wet sidewalk.  My right hand grabbed a wrought iron rail fence which kept me from falling, but the left hand found the gate and fingers split around the rails.  Big OUCH for about 1/2 hour!  The next day Chris and I tilled up the yard then Kay and I went to Urgent care that evening, and they thought it was just badly bruised. Had a follow up with the Dr on Saturday, and the radiologist had looked at the x-rays and said it is broken but bone chip was still in place.  So I now have a splint for a couple of weeks, but it is dine  fine.

Still pushing the train around Knotts, and haven't got lost yet either!  Been a bit of a challenge the past couple of days with the finger.  The Dr asked me if I worked and if so he would give me a "light duty" slip.  Now, just how do you fire a steam engine with light duty?  So I've been avoiding my boss, I did see his boss but he didn't say anything about the bandage or splint, and I've been keeping the gloves on as much as possible, But, that has been really difficult in the locker room changing clothes.  If I get challenged I will just tell them I sprained it and put the splint in the glove finger as oppossed to being taped to my finger.

I think some changes may be coming soon at the ol roundhouse.  About 4-6 weeks after I started there another person was brought in.  She had some influence and came in through the back door.  (One certainly would not accuse her of being a girly girl for sure!)  Anyway, apparently she had some previous experience working one of the tourist RR's and is verrrry self assured!.  Within the 1st week she had lodged a complaint with HR, and has been a thorn to everyone since.  Right or Wrong, this is Knotts RR and it is all on private property and does not fall under Federal Rail requirements.  Then with all the additional requirements set by Calif on documentation demands regarding Safety/Maintenance record compliance which isn't optional, she fights the need of complying.  Beyond that, she has managed to tell off ALL the trainers, so its just a matter of time, I'm sure.

I'm still doing the Firing of the big loco, and firing & engineering the small one.  The certification process requires that you be tested on the opening and closing processes as well as operation.  Additionally, a reading list of a good 6-700 pages is required.  I have gotten to the point where the engineers on the big one have been asking when will my certif be complete, it seems that they are satisfied with my "firing".  Then the little engine I am routinely schedule full afternoon shifts alone.  The past two weeks have been working the closing process with someone coming behind to check everything, and I was urged this past week to finish up the reading.  So I think the certification is coming up quick.  Also, I noticed next week they have me scheduled with the supervisor for three days, and it looks like it would be engineer training on the big engine.  Actually, I hope I'm wrong, I would prefer to stay as a Fireman for awhile, I enjoy it.  The heat isn't too bad, especially when we are moving, there is a nice breeze right thru the cab.  So far I've only burned myself once, and it is just about healed.  The hours are a bit more than I want, but it will only be for a couple more months, then should go down to 20-24 per week.  This 40 hours is too much like a job!  (I'll have to be retrained for retirement.)

I have managed to steal away some time for my layout.  Put new skirting up, and have new trim boards that Kay and Chris installed.  Usually, I get 1 night a week or if Im lucky 2 to run trains.  The only thing bad about that is I see all these little things that I would like to do or change.  No point in making a list cause it gets to long then becomes discouraging.  I ALMOST worked on the Dogbone for the G-Scale today.  But after got all the other little things wrapped up it was "just" too late to start on it.

Finally, I was at a train shop 3 weeks ago that was having a Clearance Sale.  Found this G-Scale engine that was made by Delton in 1988, it was a 2-8-0, C-16. (Ours is C-19, the difference is the boiler diameter.)  Anyway, it had a Yellow original paint job, but just like the one I'm operating.  Price was right, $40, and it had never been run.  So I thought that would be great on the Dogbone, and I could repaint it.  Then started looking into it further with some help from John Fullerton and TCA.  Turns out the one I have is the "Bumble Bee" paint scheme, and quite rare.  Then to top all that off it runs GREAT!  (The "black" ones that were made had 1 motor and drove only 1 of the drivers. The "Bumble Bee" version has 2 motors and individual gear sets that drive 2 sets of drivers.  Also, a lot of the ornamental parts, (bell, cylinder box covers, whistle, grab irons, etc.) are all brass!  So this may only see limited use outside.

Sorry I'm not posting more, I'm sure that will change in the future.

So God Bless you ALL, Stay Healthy and may Wealth find you.  Even though I don't post a lot, I think of you all often.  And, forgive me for not responding to all the special intentions, that certainly deserve acknowledgement

[ChiefEagles]

Good night all.

Glad Buckeye has power and is OK.  Also did not have a kindey stone attack at the same time.  Bad enough as they are for him.

8N, you will be OK.  Heard it from a higher source.

Sleep tight all.

[Brutus]

I got it Mike - you take it easy in the lounge room.  Buckeye - so glad you are okay and have your power back!  Pat - I think about a generator like that.  Everyone made fun of my folks' neighbors, who put in a whole house backup gen years ago.  Then in the ice storm they were the ones taking coffee door to door to the neighbors!  Go for it, dude!  You and Kev will be the cool kids on the block

Went to Home Depot after work and looked at the showers again.  I like one, my wife likes a different one.  I think my choice is far superior.  Guess I will probably get that one and see if she even notices   If she ever does, oh well - too late!  I need a new drill as my old one is on the last of the battery life and new batteries for it are too expensive.  I think I've had it about 10 years and really used it a lot.  I'll salvage it for parts for the layout. 

Lots of stuff going off around us - Chew is twitching, but doing okay. 

TARDIS is ready - let's go!

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

IIABSDISEI with temps in the 90s.  Buckeye, glad to see you back online.  As far as the pictures are concerned, WOW is the only word for it.  Long day today.  Went to Indy to bring dog home from daughter who was watching her for us while we were gone.  First bad news was phone call from wife's nephew saying his dad (wife's BIL) was in hospital after having or still having a series of small strokes.  This is the one who has battled brain cancer for over a year.  Next bad news was daughter had to take youngest granddaughter to doctor.  Fortunately it was "just" two ear infections (yeah, "just").  Finally took same daughter to Barnes and Noble so she could use my discount and coupons for some home schooling supplies for her kids.  That went well.  On the way back to her place, van started acting crappy.  Took to daughter's mechanic.  Turns out engine computer on fritz.  Will either be 250 or 1000 to fix. Had to get rental car to get home.  Did not get home til almost 8 PM.  Very long day.  Will do nothing tomorrow.

TBIL and someone else had better drive.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[8ntruck]

Anther sunny triple digit day.  Getting really dry here.  The trees are starting to show some signs of destress.

My trip to the dermatologist today went about as expected.  He carved the 'weirdo' mole off.  I'll know in about a week if it is friendly or not.  Had to razz the doctor about his tools, though.  His choice for the cutting tool was a double edge razor blate that had been broken in half!

About all for now.

[sir james I]

Hey Buckeye, Welcome home.

We finally got some much needed rain. Several small storms passed through here during the daylight hours. I don't know how deep it soaked into the ground but I'll take it. Fireworks all over the place tonight, it use to be fun but some of them started a month ago and it's getting old now. We sat on the porch till after dark but it was stuffy out there. Banilla is waiting..S.J.

[Buckeye Riveter]

After 100 plus hours, the power is on in Rogers Corners, Ohio. 

It only took a few minutes to tear the town apart.  I saw the fire shown below and the high voltage lines are just north of the house.   

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Time for me to call it a night. See y'all tomorrow.

[SPMan]

Hi Pat, I sent it to whatever was on your profile.  It's not that important anyway.  I just wondered if you had some of the sound system problems I have with DCS since I know you run MTH stuff.  I get some awful screaching noise and electronic noise.  Since then I have put some electronic contact cleaner on the pick up roller shafts and it seems to have improved some.

Chief, nice progress on the layout.

My gung ho neighbor and I have finalized the block wall construction plans to be started next week.  I have to have a couple of trees removed on property line but he will pay half the cost.  He needs to lighten up a little though until after the 4th.  Got a tree guy in today and he gave me a good price.  Says they will cover pool with plastic to keep debris from falling in while stump grinding and fell the trees away from the pool.  This project means a lot more to the neighbor than it does to me but good fences make good neighbors.

Andy Griffith was good people,

Ray

 

 

 

[ChiefEagles]

I bought a 5,000 watt portable about 10 years ago for a little over $450.  Wired it up myself.  Runs everything but A/C and electric range [trying to get wifey to get natural gas like water heater and furnace].  Runs everything else including furnance.  Only problem, a gas tank only runs 8 hours.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

LawsonFarmsRR

If you can't justify whole house or stand by generators you can get smaller generators for about $2500. Sure is worth it to me.

For somebody like me $2500 is a load of money. That's almost a third of my annual income. I only get $8376 a year. Take away what's needed to live month to month and there's not enough left for nice things like a generator much less the fuel to run it.

[KRM]

LawsonFarmsRR

 

Don't understand why folks like buckeye and blueberry don't have generators. You can get less than whole house generators with transfer switches. If you can't justify whole house or stand by generators you can get smaller generators for about $2500. Sure is worth it to me.

 Pat,

Humm. it may be no one reads the pot or my posts. You are way above my $250 investment. I have gen set power when I need it and it is no where near $2,500. If it cost $2,500 I would be like them ... without. The reason folks don't do it is all folks don't have the same amount of cash in the bin.

JMHO

[Blueberryhill RR]

Chief... Your layout is looking good. Lots of work, but it will be worth it.

Chuck

[Anonymous]

jeffrey-wimberly

laz 57:

JEFF, were you calling people names again?  They shooting ya with paint now, THOSE &^%$#@!&.  Hope ya nab em.

 

They better hope the cops get them. Some of my friends are out looking too and some of them have real active imaginations when it comes to dealing with people like that. And yes, some of them are Indians and they feel they have a personal stake in it.

Jeff,

          I'd feel the same way.  Those that did it didn't think or care that someone could've lost an eye or worse.  If I was in your situation, I'd want them found and given paintballs to the face.  Show them what it's like, and drive home some accountability.  The emerging "it's all about me" mentality is sickening.  People need to treat others how they want to be treated.

Chuck,

                Glad you are ok.

Fife,

          Have you heard from 88?  Hasn't posted in awhile.

Ray,

           I just saw the news about Andy.

Need to catch up.  In what free time I've had, I have started on a Revell 06 Mustang GT kit.  First go at this, so it is a challenge.

 

[ChiefEagles]

Was posting from laptop in Box.  Now for some photos from desktop.

Coal mine area.  The hole is where a mountain will go.  From switch at back wall to the curve at the post on wall.  Mine area and building will be on the two track next to the mountain.  On the other side of the isle, the two track are for staging coal cars [full or empty].  Outer mainline goes through mountain. 

John Deere Factory siding to the left of entrance.  Also both mainlines come together here to cross the mighty gorge.

Other side [right] of mighty gorge is where mainlines split off some and intermodal yard is [the two sidings].

Long outer mainline and passing siding with grain elevator siding [I have silos for this elevator].  At edge of layout is inner mainline.  Off of inner mainline is entrance to switching yard.

Switching yard.  Waiting for one 054 left switch and one 072 Y.  Also 1/2 072 curves [Edna was out.  Got them being shipped.].  This table is 17 feet long.  Where excess track is will be diesel engine service area.  Back area not filled will be switcher storage.

Switching yard looking from other end.

Back entrance to switching yard and where two mainlines seperate.

Now to turn large sections of track over and solder.  Then screw down.  Then build gorge crossing and the lift bridges.

Wifey came in Box about an hour ago.  Said it looked crowed, cramped and not "roomie".  What does she want in the middle?  A dance hall.  This is a train layout.

Now to the shower and a tomato sandwich.

[this software stinks when you have to do more than one photo with writing in between]

PS: don't you love the color.  Desert beige in honor of our old buddy.

[LawsonFarmsRR]

No, Ray I didn't get your email. Did you send it to [e-mail]?

Don't understand why folks like buckeye and blueberry don't have generators. You can get less than whole house generators with transfer switches. If you can't justify whole house or stand by generators you can get smaller generators for about $2500. Sure is worth it to me.

Pat

[ChiefEagles]

Box work all day.  Headed into the house to post them.  Edna out of Y switches and 072 half curves.  Internet ordered Sat. night.  Just got shipped today.   Holding up the switching yard.  Only thing not built is the groge.  The entrance bridge and track.  Got to build all lift bridges but that is OK.  We will turn track over and solder.  Then screw down.  Then wire.  Then start demolition of the old layout.   

In a few.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

laz 57

JEFF, were you calling people names again?  They shooting ya with paint now, THOSE &^%$#@!&.  Hope ya nab em.

They better hope the cops get them. Some of my friends are out looking too and some of them have real active imaginations when it comes to dealing with people like that. And yes, some of them are Indians and they feel they have a personal stake in it.

[cnw1995]

Aloha .  Got my second bionic eye installed and it seems to work. But seriously folks, all the cataract stuff went well on Monday, and they took off the pirate patches today.  I can see with the best vision I've had without glasses (which I will eventually get again).  The last gigantic storm just missed us, went barrelling by a few miles away just as our Fourth of July parade kicked off. So we've been fortunately with power in this ferocious heat.  Jack, been there. Prayers for those recovering from the weather and ills like Don Baker and BoC.

[fifedog]

RockIsland - No more pool-boy "role-playing" for the Mrs.....

Hudson - No Jersey for me.  I'm a Mountaineer at heart already.

SPMan - For a dozen years I worked a rural area.  And, yes, I actually tried to solve things like Sheriff Taylor would.

[rtraincollector]

Jack I'm on your side Laz actually a big pool is easier to take care of as its pump and all is a lot more efficient. Afternoon all just been working on some paperwork today and relaxing in between at times. Bout time to go to watch some tv talk to you all later

[laz 57]

Hi GUYZ,

  WOW it JULY already.  Boy have I been busy around here cementing posts, putting up fences doing all this yardening stuff and not to mention all the workout stuff and my MINNIE walks.  This retirement is really a lot of work.  But who's complaining, I LOVE IT!!! Tonite fireworksdown on the Susquehanny!!!!

CHUCK and BUCKEYE glad YUZ GUYZ got back lectricity.

BLOWNOUT, still prayeing for ya bud.

JEFF, were you calling people names again?  They shooting ya with paint now, THOSE &^%$#@!&.  Hope ya nab em.

SHAKE and BAKE hope you are ok.

JACK, WOW lots o work on a kiddie pool.  Can't imagine a big pool.

Stya frosty bouz, and yes I mean it,

laz57

[KRM]

RockIsland52

NEWS FLASH:  Grampy Jack is soon to be renamed Grumpy Jack.

 Grumpy Jack.

Himm, Seems to me a better name would be Sucker Jack. 

Sorry Jack I could not help myself.

With the heat and the 104 they are talking about for tomorrow the wife is giving her 27 gallon watering can a good workout today.

I made this for her three years ago and boy it gets a workout. But I don’t know if it is as good as the ones LAZ gets.

Stay cool.

No Plans for tomorrow but to stay off the roads and stay cool. Happy 4^th Guys!!!

2.5 Gal a min and 70 psi at closed head. works good. she likes it a lot better than hauling the cans around.

 One of the many jobs the Gator has.

 

[RockIsland52]

NEWS FLASH:  Grampy Jack is soon to be renamed Grumpy Jack.

About six years ago I agreed to a kiddie pool in my back yard for my first grandchild.  My daughter and son-in-law have no place to put one where they live.  But my offer to do it at my place has turned out to be a a huge mistake.  Initially I thought "How hard can a stupid kiddie pool be?"  Then I found out the hard way.  Everyone was on board in the beginning, with offers to help out with the pool, offers that never materialized. 

So today I just declared an immediate moratorium on kiddie swimming pools in my yard moving forward.  The old one has too many leaks, both bottom and sides.  It has to be cut up, bundled, and hauled to the curb for disposal, and then replaced (again, would be #3).  The pool is 15 feet in diameter and 47 feet in circumference, 26" deep, the deepest permissable in my municipality without building a sturdy, free standing fence with a lockable gate.   Pool is all inflatable, with no solid sides.  And here is why I have declared a moratorium.

This is New England.  We use the pool  maybe 4 weekends an entire season.  The rest of the time the pool sits idle while all the time still needing weekly maintainance.  This has been the case for the past 6 years in a row.  What "work" does a kiddie pool entail?  

Each year I buy all of the chemicals and the disposable cartridge filters (figure $125 per season)..  I do almost all of the heavy lifting to take the pool out of storage and set the pool up at the beginning of each season and then the draining, the cleaning, and the storage (in the garage) in the Fall. 

I periodically take in water samples and get them tested.  Of course, I also perform the twice a week, at-home water testing.  I do all of the required chemical administration.  I do all of the vacuuming and skimming. 

I have to pump water off the cover every time it rains or the cover winds up pulling off of the sides and winds up under water or in the yard.  I have to run the filter 12-16 hours a day to keep the water quality where it should be.....because these inexpensive kiddie pools understandably come with cheap pump/filter combinations that are not nearly equal to the task (gallons per hour).  I cannot put the cover back on the pool whenever I work on it because it is a two to three person job (stretch and cinch).. 

Other associated chores?  Patching leaks, replacing pool covers that don't hold up (when you can find one that fits), and dragging out water toys and then stowing them away so that they do not blow away or become science projects.  Each week I have to get down on my hands and knees and carefully manually trim the 47 feet of grass around the circumference of the pool base, being careful to not poke a hole in the pool.  Oh yeah, I have to drag out and then later put away the ladder for safety reasons, as advised by the city inspector, can't leave it out.

Working in the broiling Summer sun performing these pool boy duties is not my idea of fun either.  

My wife is totally with me on this moratorium.  But the daughter and son-in-law were shocked at my announcement.  "You're wrong.  We use it a lot more than that!!!" was their response.  So I named the exact times we used it each of the past two seasons and asked if they wanted me to continue back a couple of more years.  Yes, I have been keeping track because I have been doing all of the work.

I don't need to tell you what the older 8 y/o granddaughter will think about this turn of events.....the very one who arrives each Saturday afternoon about 5  for Grammy/Grampy dinner/evening with her folks and then doesn't want to go in the pool for one reason or another.

This decision has nothing to do with money.  It has everything to do with the required labor and the helping hand which never comes.  I realize that two working parents.aughter and SIL, they don't have any spare time on their hands.  But enough is enough.  I offered a compromise: sign us all up for trips to a water park or the beach (ocean or lake), we'll make a day of it, and I'll pay the expenses.

Grumpy Jack.

[SPMan]

Good morning all,  cloudy this morning (marine layer) and cool so I chopped down a small live oak tree behind my garage that needed to come out.  Got all wet with sweat from unusual work for me.  Talked to neighbor behind us again this morning.  He is all hot to trot to get the new fence started.  I still have to get estimates on tree removal etc.  He agreed to let us haul out all the tree cuttings through his yard because I have no place on my side to fell trees except in the pool.  Not!

Been playing some new CD's this morning that I found on the internet of one of my favorite trad Jazz bands.  Turk Murphy and Bob Scobey et al from 1949 through 1952.  Real treasures.  My son ordered for me through Amazon.com.  These CD's were remastered and the sound is very good for something that far back.

Prayers for the firefighters in Colorado and the West.  Condolences for the loss of the NC ANG fliers.

No plans yet for the 4th.  Might go to special service at church with two choirs singing patriotic songs.  My drummer friend in the jazz band is not working this 4th.  They used to play in neighboring town park every year but budget cuts must have killed it.

Talked with old friend at train meet yesterday who had some bad news.  He told me he has cirrosis of the liver now.  He is not a drinker either.  Not a good prognosis for the future.  All I can do is offer prayers.  Seems like I am getting to that age where we are all held together with chewing gum and bailing wire.  How does that song by John Hartford go?  "Lost my lunchbox somewhere but I'm still here".   That's me.

Sad news.  We lost Andy today.  R.I.P. Sheriff  Taylor.  God bless you.

Ray

 

 

 

 

 

 

later, Ray

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Got my errand to the post office done. Only cost me $15.23. Afterward I went to Wal-Mart and spent $46.92 of the states money on thirty-eight food items. Back home now. I'm really tired for some reason. Head feels a little fuzzy, eyes burn and ears are ringing. Of course all I've had today is an oatmeal creme cookie and a Dr Pepper so that probably has something to do with it. It's almost lunchtime so I'll soon have more substantial to munch on.

[Stourbridge Lion]

Lunch TIme CTTFans

Have I mentioned it's HOT and look were the heat seems to be centered at...  - YUK!!!!!!!

[Hudson#685]

Lunch Time:

Progress being made with the power restoration in South Jersey. Talk is that we might be sent to W. Virginia or Ohio to help out after we are done in NJ.

Dennis, to your son!

Fife, different circuits. Our power grids are set up in a loop so that we can feed from different circuits to restore power faster. Instead of Berkeley Springs, how about Berkeley Twp., NJ ?

Chuck, glad that you are back. Hopefully Buckeye will have his back on soon.

Have a Great Day!!

John

[KRM]

Hot, hot and hot on the weather menu for the rest of the week. NO RAIN, So dry now that the trees are showing the stress and browning the leaves when they should be in full green. 
 Dropped of the SKS with the neighbor Jim and he is going to give it a look over and cleaning for me. He has all of the required equipment to do it. And he knows what he is doing.
RIJack, I have been only watering around the house where I have new seed. It only cost me the $$$ to run the well pump. If we were still in Plainfield we could not afford to water. Water bills in the towns include sewer charge and out of site. Lake Michigan water you know.
 Trying out FireFox today as I am getting too many issues with IE. How do you change font size ??
Chief, Time for a photo update.
Can’t say enough about the firefighters and the loss of the NC C-130 crew, just sad and god bless them and their families.
I hope Buckeye gets power back today.
Prayers for all in need. 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning. It's 79° and mostly cloudy this morning. This afternoon will be partly cloudy with a 20% chance of rain. The high be 95° but will feel more like 104°.

Today I'll be going to the post office to drop off a couple of packages then from there to Wal-Mart to do the remainder of my grocery shopping. $49 isn't much so as usual I'll be getting what I can get the most of for the least $$. No layout work planned for today.