Coffee Pot #4 APRIL 2013 TEN 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 Yanks.

[cheapclassics]

Good afternoon all,

It is rainy in SE Indiana.  Sorry to have missed yesterday.  Did not really do anything last night.  Work has been busy but somewhat good.  Daughter is improving, but it will take awhile.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[lion88roar]

RockIsland52

Wifey pulled over and immediately called the police.  After they determined by talking to her that there were no injuries and the cars were driveable, they told her to come down to the police station and fill out a report.  She did.

This is why you ALWAYS demand the police respond... I always call 911 and not the direct PD line... why? Because the police respond to 911 calls. They are there to 'protect and serve' the community, not flub off and sit in a coffee joint. It my cause them to have some additional paper work - but they is their job. We are paying their salaries, so they work for US.

[RockIsland52]

fifedog

Redfire - Sorry about your .  Let's be honest; you contributed to this accident because you left your house (most accidents occur within a mile of your house, that's why I'm moving...).  It was good you "locked" the other driver into a fault statement.  But, don't be surprised if she doesn't spin it differently to her insurance.  I am constantly setting the record straight with agents days, weeks, months after the fact.

 

JimmyT.........same thing happened to my wife. A guy stopped at a side street stop sign across traffic to her left (a street dead-ending into her street),  zipped out across one lane of traffic and t-boned my wife.  She had no traffic signal on her busier through street and she had  100% right-of-way!!!!!  She got hit square on her left rear driver's side wheel by the knucklehead!!!! 

 

Wifey pulled over and immediately called the police.  After they determined by talking to her that there were no injuries and the cars were driveable, they told her to come down to the police station and fill out a report.  She did.

 

Less-Than-Desireable Conclusion:   the other driver's insurance company declared her 50% at fault!!!!  My insurance company got our car squared away and took it up with the other guy's insurance company.  No deductible paid by us.  I got a rental paid for while her car was laid up.

 

What aggravates me, however, is that while she was clearly not even 1% at fault and that the logistics/physics made it imposiible for it to be anything but the guy's fault for failure to yield, the guy's insurance company somehow believed some BS he spun and let him off the hook by declaring him only 50% responsible.  So he also saved on his deductible.  One reason why automobile insurance rates are so high.....folks are not held accountable for their carelessness.

 

What aggravates me more so is that the insurance companies do not "go after each other ex-post-facto" in a case like my wife's.  They just "settle" large volumes of cross claims against each other, and one writes the other a check for the difference.  The insurance companies' reasoning is that it is too expensive for the insurance companies to investigate and pursue actual fault and place the blame where it belongs.  You and I pay for that because the lousier drivers get away with the poor driving......something we all subsidize, even with a squeaky clean driving record and no claims!!!!!.

 

More Desireable Conclusion:  Fast forward.  A guy in a strip mall parking lot who was parked next to me (while I was standing there) cut his wheels too soon backing out of his space and took out my right rear quarter panel and rear fascia.  My insurance company said they would take care of it, told me to go get my car fixed, and that they would pursue the matter with the guy's insurance company. 

 

After my wife's escapade I realized that while I might get my car fixed with no (immediate) impact on me, the other guy might spin a whole different story with his insurance company and get off.  And I don't want my insurance company to directly or indirectly associate me with incidents they have to pay for, fault notwithstanding.  That is what the insurance companies care about......having to write you or me a check for damages, even when I am NOT in any way at fault.  Claims paid on my behalf still make me a higher risk.....may think that somehow I keep winding up at the wrong place at the wrong time and am therefore a higher risk to insure.  

 

I asked my insurance company if it would be OK if I handled the matter directly with the other guy's insurance company and they said: "Why?  That is what we are here for.  You won't have to pay any deductible because it was not your fault.  We will take care of you.  But if you insist, no problem, keep us posted, and send us your documentation.  If you are not successful, let us know and we will make you whole and go after him/them." 

 

My carrier's involvement was unnecessary.  I called the other guy's insurance company the day of the incident.  They took care of me and my car 100% in short order, including a rental, and they then had their own customer to deal with. 

 

Now you might ask what did I gain?  Yes. it was a PITA.  But I gained the satisfaction that my policy and my carrier stayed out of it financially and administratively and paid nothing.  More important, the other guy's carrier picked up every penny of my expenses, including my deductible and the rental car.  And the person at fault was held fully fully accountable with no BS or "settling" at 50% based on lies..

 

Jack

[sir james I]

The temp is 38 with dark overcast skies. Rained most of the night.

Doug M what a great pic and beautiful lobby. Cost would be in the millions today. I would like to do some yard work but the weather is either wet or cold so whatever is waiting for me out there will have to wait a little longer. A short chat with Brutus and RT last night then off to bed a few minutes earlier than usual....S.J.

[blownout cylinder]

G'mornin'

Dull and dribbly here..temperature going down as well..in the wind...sigh....

Got a few things done earlier this morning so it looks like the rest of the day is all mine..

[ChiefEagles]

Morning.  Beautiful day.  Was a little chilly [50] early but warming fast.  Fruit trees to spray as little peaches forming.  Then outside light fixtures to do [Wifey wanted new fancier ones].

Charlie B., go with the 72" curves.  Makes trains look a lot more like real railroads.  Then you do not have to worry about running large scale cars or engines.  Takes up a lot of real-estate but worth it in the long run.  I do have some 054 switches in some sidings.  I used a lot of 072 Y switches for switching yard.  Longer but puts tracks closer together.

Have a  good one.  

[KRM]

Same forecast as DougM here on the north bluff.

 When I was picking out a shirt in the closet this morning I found a packet of things from my dad. In it were six old Lionel sale catalogs.  Not in the best shape but interesting. There was also a instructions for assembling and operating Lionel trains book from 1947. I am not sure on the year of the other books. I think one is 1950 and I know one is 1961 the other four I will have to look into.

I will spend some more time on the addition today because it ain't worth going outside.

Have a good day.

After looking these catalogs up they are 1950, 1954, two from 1960, 1961 & 1963. Neat stuff.  

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  Mornin' English.  Sunny & 54 here in the Mid-Atlantic region.  tonight.  Need to get a haircut this morning.  Don't want anyone thinking I'm some hippie, or worse yet, Justin Bieber.

Waiting for my Generals...

Redfire - Sorry about your .  Let's be honest; you contributed to this accident because you left your house (most accidents occur within a mile of your house, that's why I'm moving...).  It was good you "locked" the other driver into a fault statement.  But, don't be surprised if she doesn't spin it differently to her insurance.  I am constantly setting the record straight with agents days, weeks, months after the fact.

Unfortunately, police response (like anything else "service" related) is headed downhill, as us dinosaurs give way to younger cats.  Our agency is pushing towards more on-line reporting, and I cringe when I hear "call the complainant back and explain e-reporting" over the air.  I cringe even more that supervision doesn't "correct" that.

I won't miss it.

[Hudson#685]

Good Morning:

50 degrees and partly sunny. Warmer than yesterday already!

Today it is a goof off day today and then school tonight.

Kev: LOL about the pump. Found all kind of critters, including snakes in vehicles and equipment.

Redfire: The insurance laws vary from State to State. The one thing that they have in common is that the car has to be repaired to pre-accident condition. I do not know about Pa, but depending on the age of the vehicle, in NJ, LKQ and aftermarket parts can be used as long as they meet the OEM specs. Also, in NJ if you go thru a Direct Repair Shop, the repair is guarenteed for the life of the car. The insurance laws are changing and what was common practice may not be now. I would check with the insurance company for the warranty for repairs, ask for a list of shops that they work with and go from there.

Have a Great Day!

John

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning. It's 46° with 100% humidity. Wind NW at 23mph. There's a fair chance of showers and thunderstorms. The high will be 65°.


It's been raining off and on all morning, most certainly since 3am when I noticed it. I couldn't help but do that. Thunderstorms with almost continuous thunder tend to be hard to sleep through. My only plan for today is to stay dry. The new medication seems to be having a positive effect. The tingling in my right arm is nearly non-existent and my fingertips only hurt a little. It wouldn't be so bad if I could feel something other than pain, like to be able to actually feel something when I touch it or be able to feel my hair when I run my fingers through it. That's a very distant memory. I may get some layout work in today. That will depend partially on how ugly the weather gets.

[cnw1995]

Aloha from a grey, cold and rainy Chicago where our local weather folks say it's the wettest April in 143 years of records. I can believe it.  Watched a scary Doctor Who episode last night when the youngest was out. Then tinkered around the layout and went to bed early. Busy season now for me to update / edit lots of content before mid-May. $3.23 a gallon for gas is a dream. Paid $3.90 last night. Ah well. Jake, congrats on the job. Sorry about the accident. IL Central station. Mich Ave at 12th (Roosevelt) in 1895

[charliebrown]

Good morning ...

We had rain most of the night. It turned to snow and yes we are getting snow showers at this time!

40's for a high today but they say we will be in the 60's for the weekend.

Nothing done on layout last night. The wife had deliveries to do so she couldn't make the stop for lumber. Maybe today.

Kev thanks for the info on the curves. I'll have to do some surfing to see what I can find for new price on the 40 inch o gauge. It seems on the bay it was running 50 plus dollars for 6 sections. The ones I seen were used but didn't look bad.

[rtraincollector]

Morning all looks overcast this am but it might clear off. Time to get back to working on my to do list lol some is my own some is the wife's had english muffin with ham and egg and cheese this am ( type you microwave) not much else going on right now. Talk to you all later. Hope all have a good day

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill RR....

It is a cloudy 62 degrees. Going up to 72 today with rain.

Today is a busy day. Wife has errands to run and I have a bunch of chores to do. Busy until lunch.  Then, a nap. Not much else new.

Indians / White Sox game this afternoon.

Dining car is here with Cheerios for breakfast.

Y'all have a great Wednesday.

Chuck

[Lehigh Valley 2089]

Good morning.

Nothing new to report. Will likely be the same things that have been going on the past few days.

[8ntruck]

Redfire - congrats. on the job.  Bummer on the accident.  Kind of reminds me of the time I was broadsided by a lady who ran a stop sign.  She insisted that I hit her!  Fortunately, a good friend of mine from out of state was visiting and was following me.  He provided an apparently 'independent' account of the accident. 
I had paid $1,200 for the truck I was driving.  The insurance settlement from the other driver paid me $1,500 for the truck.  The back axle was bent.  I used the money to replace it and I am still driving my 'free' truck.

I scored a X3464 A.T. & S.F. operating boxcar on e-bay for just under $9 last night.  Was not really looking for one, but I can't beat the price.

The bad news came back from the dealer on the SS today.  A failing throttle control module threw the code.  $960 installed.  Being a drive by wire car, I'm thankful that it failed into the 'off' position!  My inoperative cruse control was caused by a failed clutch position module.  $320 installed.  Leaking half shaft seal on the tranny - $280 installed.  This will put a damper on train funding for a bit.  On the other hand, I didn't pay much for the car to begin with and it is under average mileage for a 2006, so it is worth keeping up.

All for now.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Well I didn't get much done today. Some tools were put away. I considered whether or not to cut the grass but decided I wait until after the rain. Had dinner at my fathers place. Chili dogs. I have a pile of Atlas FP7 number boards, eight of them I think. I have no idea what I'm going to do with them. probably dump them in the junk box. I mounted inlaid number boards on the FP7's so there's no need for for surface mount boards. I also looked at some coupler height issues and I think I just about have that worked out. There on some old train set cars so it really doesn't matter one way or another.

We're expecting rain tonight and tomorrow, 60% tonight maybe 70 tomorrow, so we might actually get wet. Looks like the wind will be civilized.

Tonight I'll be taking the first full dose of the gabapentin. Had a half dose yesterday to get started. I felt all right today, still a bit of tingling but it doesn't feel like I'm trying to squeeze a pin cushion full of needles.

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

[KRM]

charliebrown

Okay fellas I have a few questions.

I have been shopping for o gauge track on the bay. How much should I be looking to pay for a 40" straight?

Also somewhere on here I had found some info on curves that gave measurements for across radius.

Just trying to figure out if 072 would actually be over kill.

Till the morning .... have a great night all!

RJ, 40" straights in 0. I have found that you can get track NEW at Model Train Stuff for less than used or new on the bay. Wide is nice and depending on what your running, or more so what you plan on running will tell you how wide of a curve you need. Most Postwar will work on R31" but a lot of the new stuff and scale cars and engines need at least R72" so you have to decide. I would say no less than 042" but that is your call. My tightest curve on my outside loop is Marx 034" I use 027 on the small sawmill loop. and 042 on the Thomas loop.

[KRM]

Hi,
Well an uneventful day on the North Bluff.
I worked on the layout addition for about 1.5 hours and called it quit because I just am not sure what I want or how to do it. 
I did get a premonition today about my old trash pump. I have this 2” trash pump form the late 50s to mid 60s. It is so old it has a rope pull for the start. NO PLASTIC and built to LAST. We used this at the old house to pump water from the river to the yard in the dry of summer. When I got it in the late 70s it was old then and had about 4” of rust in the gas tank. Well I saved it and it has been nice to have around. Tonight for God knows why I decided I needed to get it running because the last time I ran it was May of 2010.
The tank was dry so I blew the dust out and added some new gas. Put a coffee can of water in the pump and a little gas down the carb and gave her a yank and it fried right off and died. So a few more sips of gas and it took off. Then is when the strange stuff happened: This blue foam started coming out of the pump and I am thinking WTH is this.
Anyway I took it out of the shed and set in on the drive and put the hydrant hose in it and fired it back up. Well Out comes about three packs worth of the happy mouse food and a large mouse nest. I always like to know things I have will work if I need them. Anal I guess. I will be getting some 2” plastic pipe caps to close the pump off so this will not happen again.
Yesterday I transformed the flammable cabinet into my ammo / pistol, and short rifle cabinet. I had forgot that my SKS has the collapsible stock and my Winchester 1897 shotgun breaks down in a flash so they fit well as well as all of the handguns and ammo. I checked on Crags list and E-bay and the cabinet would only bring about $400 at best so I will just use it. At least I can lock up all of the ammo and stuff so the kids can’t get at it when I am not looking.
Prayers for all in need. 
I will be skipping on the ride tonight Boys. 

[charliebrown]

Okay fellas I have a few questions.

I have been shopping for o gauge track on the bay. How much should I be looking to pay for a 40" straight?

Also somewhere on here I had found some info on curves that gave measurements for across radius.

Just trying to figure out if 072 would actually be over kill.

Till the morning .... have a great night all!

[Lehigh Valley 2089]

Good evening.

Worked on rough draft for English. Seems to be coming around well. Also just got "A Higher Call" ordered on Amazon today. Hope to get it soon. Sounds like a really good book!

Redfires197: Ouch! Sorry to hear about that.

Night everyone.

[rtraincollector]

Evening all 73 today suposely 81 tomorrow We already have roses will get pics for you all tomorrow thought I did today but can't find them now lol

Had a good day got some things done some started ect so tired now waiting for the tardis only SJ & Kevin showed up last night.

[sir james I]

Temp is 58

It was 72 till the rain came this evening. Nothing special today, I messed with the new engine awhile and had my nap. Dessert tonight was Black Cherry ice cream but I have a good supply of banilla..S.J.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Zero Export

Jeffery, I see all post have the small abuse icon on the bottom left

Why do some have REPORT ABUSE in big red letters? instead of the small icon?

does the software pick up on possible abusive word groups?

No. That's just a bug in the software that causes everything to be piled in the corner.

[ChiefEagles]

Evening.  Actually had un-forecasted rain last night.  Misty cloudy and chilly this AM.  Sun came out by noon and it warmed up.  Did Town "stuff" most of the day.  All afternoon shooting videos for Mayor's Shows.  Camera man want to shoot the box.  He wants to do it and then show later stages of development.  We might.

Ryan, if you have the words abuse and not the icon, they expect you to be abusive.   No, crazy software.

Later.     

[anjdevil2]

JimT - Brent and Jack are correct - it's your car and your money.  If you get no satisfaction, work your way up the food chain.  Make sure you have part prices, production figures vehicle maintenance records, pictures...any thing that proves you have a vehicle that demands the best quality parts.  Don't take no.  When I lost my '68 Hemi Charger, they were going to give my $1500.....I got $4000 AND the car (hey, it was 30 years + ago....). Suffice to say I wound up better off and a faster car to boot.

Went shopping with Mom, got some food items.  Went to Home Depot for body screws and paint for my N5c project.  At least I'm getting something done while I'm convalescing....

Still no paperwork from the County....I'll be a calling them tomorrow.

The local hockey team (Trenton Titans - ECHL) went belly up today.  Mom & Dad plus my Sister and BIL all had season tickets....refunds are imminent..

[RedfireS197]

RockIsland52

lion88roar

RedfireS197

Brent,
Replied.  Everything seems straight structurally. Core support is fine and the panel gaps are still even.  I don't like the fact that the repair will be made with LKQ (salvage) parts.  It's taken some kind of a hit before with the previous owner judging by the overspray around the front bumper/ RH fender.

Absolutely NOT! YOU demand NEW parts from the repair shop. They have to repair the car to your specs... not what the girl's insurance wants to pay. If you don't get any where with them, then call your insurance agent and speak with them.

RedfireS197

Thinking someone needs to clone Fife after the runaround with the local PD.  If it isn't an emergency, you have to leave a message on their machine.  If it is an emergency, the recording says to hang up and call 911.

Going down to the station doesn't help either since they just have someone to answer the door without any officers in the place.

I'll reserve my thoughts here as to avoid angering others.

JimmyT......Brent is right on the money.  You neither have to accept non-factory or used parts, nor do you have to take your car to an insurance company's (hers or yours) "approved" list of collision shops.  You can choose your own. 

And you should be provided a rental car as substitute transportation.while yours is laid up.

Re the accident forms......the police here and in Chicago don't customarily show up at an accident scene unless there are injuries, the vehicles cannot be moved, or they are obstructing the roadway and safety.  Get the form to report it from the police officer that comes to the door, fill it out, and return it to the department.  That is the record (yours) that will follow the accident.  And your pictures and schematics in the form will substantiate your claim.  They will give you a copy of your submitted form for your records and for your insurance company. 

I don't think you need an attorney.  I have been in your boat and if there was any problem my insurance company made me whole and protected me regardless what the other insurance company says or does.  And don't be surprised if her company decides, based on her explanation, that you are at fault!!!

By the way, since you have a responsible party (with insurance), you are not required to pay any deductible.

Hope this stuff helps.

Jack

Jack,

           I made sure to leave the car and truck right where it was, blocking a busy road/intersection.  When I was asked if there were any injuries, my reply was " No, no injuries yet that I am aware."  Had two units there quickly.

One thing that amazed me was that you can be involved in an accident next to a busy gas station, yet not one person had the decency to even come over.  Not one.  A friend that lives down the street heard the noise and came down.

[RedfireS197]

lion88roar

RedfireS197

Brent,
Replied.  Everything seems straight structurally. Core support is fine and the panel gaps are still even.  I don't like the fact that the repair will be made with LKQ (salvage) parts.  It's taken some kind of a hit before with the previous owner judging by the overspray around the front bumper/ RH fender.

Absolutely NOT! YOU demand NEW parts from the repair shop. They have to repair the car to your specs... not what the girl's insurance wants to pay. If you don't get any where with them, then call your insurance agent and speak with them.

Unfortunately that is due to my insurance company.  I don't have one of those cheap companies either.  My ins. company does offer an OEM policy, but they never said a word about it until today.  There's nothing I or the shop can do.  If the work isn't up to my expectations, they'll guarantee they'll make it right.  One thing I'll never do is settle for anything but the best.

RedfireS197

Thinking someone needs to clone Fife after the runaround with the local PD.  If it isn't an emergency, you have to leave a message on their machine.  If it is an emergency, the recording says to hang up and call 911.

Going down to the station doesn't help either since they just have someone to answer the door without any officers in the place.

I'll reserve my thoughts here as to avoid angering others.

  Between Fifedog, Jim Reed, Pete Malloy, and Frank Bullitt, you'd have an unstoppable force that actually cares.

[RockIsland52]

lion88roar

RedfireS197

Brent,
Replied.  Everything seems straight structurally. Core support is fine and the panel gaps are still even.  I don't like the fact that the repair will be made with LKQ (salvage) parts.  It's taken some kind of a hit before with the previous owner judging by the overspray around the front bumper/ RH fender.

Absolutely NOT! YOU demand NEW parts from the repair shop. They have to repair the car to your specs... not what the girl's insurance wants to pay. If you don't get any where with them, then call your insurance agent and speak with them.

RedfireS197

Thinking someone needs to clone Fife after the runaround with the local PD.  If it isn't an emergency, you have to leave a message on their machine.  If it is an emergency, the recording says to hang up and call 911.

Going down to the station doesn't help either since they just have someone to answer the door without any officers in the place.

I'll reserve my thoughts here as to avoid angering others.

JimmyT......Brent is right on the money.  You neither have to accept non-factory or used parts, nor do you have to take your car to an insurance company's (hers or yours) "approved" list of collision shops.  You can choose your own. 

And you should be provided a rental car as substitute transportation.while yours is laid up.

Re the accident forms......the police here and in Chicago don't customarily show up at an accident scene unless there are injuries, the vehicles cannot be moved, or they are obstructing the roadway and safety.  Get the form to report it from the police officer that comes to the door, fill it out, and return it to the department.  That is the record (yours) that will follow the accident.  And your pictures and schematics in the form will substantiate your claim.  They will give you a copy of your submitted form for your records and for your insurance company. 

I don't think you need an attorney.  I have been in your boat and if there was any problem my insurance company made me whole and protected me regardless what the other insurance company says or does.  And don't be surprised if her company decides, based on her explanation, that you are at fault!!!

By the way, since you have a responsible party (with insurance), you are not required to pay any deductible.

Hope this stuff helps.

Jack

[RedfireS197]

Zero Export

good afternoon every one

seems like its been awhile since I posted but i looked back and saw it was just on Sunday

Not much going on

Jim, I just dropped 1,000 on parts for my truck, with me doing the labor.  what a PIA

I'll sell you the soon-to-be-x 's Mustang CHEAP  1998 230K miles, V6

Its a nice car, runs well, but, well, its you know , uh a  V6,     Oh yeah, its a FORD as well, very embarrassing to be seen in

I've been a BOW-TIE boy from day one (ok, GMC)

LOL

I'll get caught up on the pot and address replies, a little later on

Ryan

 

Ryan,

            I'll let that slide since we're on the same page with V6 "Mustangs"  A Mustang without a V8 and manual trans isn't a Mustang to me.  I want torque and sound.

I was pricing parts to do the work myself, but with what little I'd be saving, it wasn't worth it.  Nothing about this is beyond a bolt on ( no filler or metal work needed) and paint.