Good Morning from Blueberryhill..........
It is a sunny 36 degrees. Going up to 40 with some rain.
Today is a busy day. Wife is grocery shopping and I am doing chores. Not much else planned for the day. Lunch and a nap, later.
Dining car has the usual for breakfast.
Y'all have a great Monday.
Chuck
Aloha. Had a nice weekend, especially with slightly warmer temps. Served at church Sat and Sun as video director, then saw the middle boy off back to college later Sunday. Laz, I should've figured there was a bullet-pulling tool. Thanks for the info - I looked up a few videos to see how you load one of them. It would've been such a great shop class to actually make one! Buckeye, glad the lake house is OK. Charlie has a neat alarm at his cabin that sends him a message if the power goes off .
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
Morning all. Shirt sleeve weather here. Going to do some outside stuff. Also carry new feeder to Main Street Park and activate. Sure nice to see the pretty weather. Will get a walk in sometime today.
Have a great week.
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
Good morning all,
Still bummed out over my MTH Premier Santa Fe 4-8-4 breaking down. Called MTH this morning trying to get parts and waiting now for call back. Even if they have a part I will still need someone with wheel pullers to get that gear off the axle. I have heard that you might have to buy a whole new chasis with just wheels and axles to repace it and that they don't sell just the gear. This whole deal should be a lesson to me to lubricate the gears more often but I have been reluctant to take some engines apart for fear of damaging electronics or breaking wiring. You run that risk every time you take one of these things apart Same thing applies when just changing traction tires on some of the older engines. I got some of that Bullfrog Snot stuff to put on the wheels for traction but that went South on me just sitting in the bottle which was $25 for a small amount.
Today is my clear liquid only diet in preparation for the colonoscopy tomorrow. Have to start drinking the radiator flush tonight. I can hardly wait.
My son went out to see the Big Boy one more time yesterday before they move it on January 26th. It was the regualar open house day for the Rail Giants Train Museum over there. He said he got some inside information from the head of the steam team about the move. They plan on connecting it to the main line in the early hours of that Sunday morning before 7:00AM and will take it to the next siding about a mile or more West where it will be on display for a media event for a short time. Then it will proceed between two diesel engines to West Colton, California for more servicing. The move to Cheyenne, Wyoming won't be until sometime in March we hear since the weather is a factor at this time of year. Immediately after picking up the Big Boy from the Fairground, the U.P. will leave a newly refurbished SD40 Diesel locomotive and a caboose to be donated to the museum. I think they are also going to leave an early refrigerator car. They said the donated SD40 will transit across the parking lot to the museum under it's own power using prefabed track panels to get to the mueseum.
Ray
SPMan
Hey All.
Beauty of a day here, 80* and nuthin but sun.
Good day at the museum on Friday, although pretty tiring. Oh well seems as though everything is anymore. Saturday & Sunday were veg-out and football, unfortunately I was skunked as far as the teams I had hoped would win.
Great news is that my L&N Madisons arrived and they are sweet. Got some seated passengers on order, should be here soon so I can get started on populating the cars.
Chief, Last week on the news they showed some big bull Elk down there in NC with a baby swing tangled in his antlers. Are you trying a new tactic to help fill the freezer ?
John, Great news on SWMBO, by Thursday you should be able to get rid of all the pizza boxes, burger wrappers and empty beer cans before she gets home. for the Mrs.
Ray, Hope things are moving smoothly today & tonite, mine starts tomorrow for a Wednesday morning appointment. So long as the doc doesn't look like Capt. Kirk and start talking about going where no man has gone before.
Laz, I've started searching for the two car madison add-ons, 30-6968, and if I can't find them before York I'll let you know.
Back to eating some of the things I normally can't, tomorrow is clear liquids only.
Later all !
Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.
www.sd3r.org
Proud New Member Of The NRA
Hi GUYZ,
Late one for me. Been busy as the BEE LINE aka Reading RR. Did run and weights this morning then a 5 mile walk with dog. Came home worked on my mountain and got a little done in 2 hrs. Then had to give basement a good cleaning. Then another 2 mile walk with dog. Great being retired.
SPMAN, hope you or your son get some pics of the BB on the 26th?
DOUGDAGRUMP, let me know but I'll keep my eye open for them at the Allentown show in February.
DOUG M, yes it was a great class we made about 12 of them that year. Had it a few more years then they pulled the plug.
Stya frosty my friends,
laz57
Like Buckeye, I too had to make a run to the lake house. Furnace blower motor gave up the ghost when it was about -5 last week. Thank goodness it did not quit at -20.... Thanks to a freeze alarm device I have installed I was notified when the temperature fell below a set threshold. I sent the local HVAC guy over to find out what happened and he replaced the blower motor. To put my mind at ease though I run up over night this past weekend to make sure all was well.
It did however pull me away from my basement project which is ramping up. Really looking forward to having a space again to run my trains.
Charlie a.k.a. MichiganRailRoad714 (Charter Member TTC)
MichRR714 ... Thanks to a freeze alarm device I have installed I was notified when the temperature fell below a set threshold. I sent the local HVAC guy over to find out what happened and he replaced the blower motor. To put my mind at ease though I run up over night this past weekend to make sure all was well.
... Thanks to a freeze alarm device I have installed I was notified when the temperature fell below a set threshold. I sent the local HVAC guy over to find out what happened and he replaced the blower motor. To put my mind at ease though I run up over night this past weekend to make sure all was well.
MIch...I have been looking into having my freeze alarm call me using the Verizon product on the website referenced below instead of the land line. The land line is costing $33/mo and Verizon wanted about $21/mo. In our area the land line did not stand up to the high winds of 2012 while the cell remained in service. Have you had any experience using the cell for the freeze alarm?
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/device/home-phone-connect
I guess your frost line goes much deeper in Michigan. My basement is only insulated about four feet below the top of the basement wall.
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
Charlie, did you bring in the sled dogs when the temps got so low? Glad you and Buckeye's villas are OK.
Just finished a 2+ miler and only a light jacket. Rain tomorrow [what's new?].
Evenin' All.
I know it isn't "train related" but have any of you seen this NASA photo from deep space ? It's a dieing star that has been referred to as "The Hand of God"
Good Evening!
Spent my morning with Doray at the Rehab Center during Physical Therapy. She is doing great and we do not have to do any modifications during her recovery. We just need to get the bench for the tub. She handles stairs well, but I will be there in case she slips. The afternoon I spent taking down the outside Christmas decorations. Then I seviced the vehicles. Then a dinner run to the Rehab Center and an Ice Cream run to the shop and back. Now it is time to relax and run the trains a bit.
Dougdagrump: My son and I already cleaned up the pizza boxes and fast food containers! lol
Laz: "Johnsson" has college classes during York again!
SPMan, Ray: Prayers for a good report from your colonoscopy. Good Luck tomorrow.
V8Vega, Dennis prayers for the fire victims.
Prayers and Thoughts for all in need!
John
John,
If it is the same one that I saw a news report about in Sylmar it took the lives of a family of four. The parents and two children, ages 12 & 7, if I remember correctly. No smoke alarms and they all died of smoke inhalation. So sad.
Good evening all,
Chaotic day at work, but quiet evening at home. No other news to speak of. I hope everyone has a good day.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
Buckeye Riveter Have you had any experience using the cell for the freeze alarm?
Buckeye, I have not used a cellular connection such as that one on my Freeze Alarm. I have mine connected to a bundled cable line from Charter. I have the phone box connected to a large battery backup that provides me 12-16 hours of dial tone in a power outage.
I know if a dial tone is present my Freeze Alarm will make the call. Wonder if that device from Verizon provides a dial tone?
Not sure about a significant difference in frost depth between Ohio and Michigan. I know it got darned cold though! My place is on a crawl space, it was only going to be a matter of hours at those temperatures before I started to have some major problems.
Mornin' FellasPosted yesterday but it appears the software didn't like what I had to say. Got to play with the NPC Zephyr over the weekend. VERY nice train set! Don't think you could easily get it to navigate a grade due to the articulated cars (there is very little gap at the top due to the cars having a V shape at the top). But I am really looking forward to getting started on the new Christmas Garden for next year!Most Alarm companies are moving away from POTS lines (landline) to Cellular as the Cellular systems have a longer battery life, are harder to 'hack' or 'cut', and are in the end more reliable. The only concern I have is during an emergency situation cellular services tend to get overloaded pretty quick. Personally if you are thinking of going cellular only you should invest in a pretty hefty battery backup as a failsafe, one that provides you at least 3 days power for the device.
https://brentsandsusanspicutures.shutterfly.com/
Aloha. Looks like a sunnier day here but snow is supposed to arrive later. Hope they're wrong. Glad Doray is doing so well and you won't have to make many modifications. Charlie, the basement is looking good! Brent, that looks like quite a runner! Never think to check the clearances for a grade - usually just focusing on curves.
Doug - it is an awesome runner! I had it running on an O72 loop on my basement floor (carpeted), and it was super quiet. I also couldn't get over how heavy it is! Also the detailing was impressive as well. The interiors were detailed and had passengers, and the cab I think has 3 or 4 engineers.I hope to get some pictures and a video in the near future.Oh - and the 4 smoke stacks.... A W E S O M E!!!!!!!
Good morning all, finished the prep for the colonoscopy this morning. Will go to outpatient part of hospital in about two hours from now.
MTH says no parts available for my bad order 4-8-4. Friend of mine says he knows somebody in O scale that might be able to fabricate a gear for the engine if necessary. Waiting for more inforomation from him.
I bought a picture frame from Goodwill industires yesterday for a large train print for the garage. Only problem is that it is pretty heavy with wide borders of walnut wood. I picked a lighter frame but the glass broke when the cashier was handling it at the counter so I had to pick another one. This was the only other one big enough. Probably wind up buying one from a frame store and trashing this thing. So much for bargains!
later,
Afternoon all. Hectic morning. Got call from Wake Med. Specialty ofc. saying my ins. company denied some medicine implant I am suppose to have tomorrow. It will cost you $2,200. Called ins. co. and they had not been contacted. Called Dr's ofc. and they were "stuttering". 5 mins. later Dr's ofc. calls back apologizing and saying $30 copay. Think someone is in trouble. Then had to deliver a nice sum of money to High School Principal for some needy homeless students. Donation from a person. She cried. During all of that, got a hair cut. Now off to the first workout session I get free with my new health care ins.
Brent, it does tricks with me all the time. Mine is mostly turning on bold print from somewhere. Can't cut it off even if I leave and repost.
Ray, good luck with "exam".
Got to run.
OH, guess what? Yes, warm and RAINING.
Greetings from Guatemala where it's only in the mid 80's, this is the one time I can safely say that we are warmer than the Chief in January :) Deams do come true, a trip we've planned for years has come true and I have pics from the Panama Canal showing working electric Mule trains that show how well they work! Home soon after a short stop in Sandy Eggo. Sure is fun to wear shorts and t-shirts in January!.
Jon
So many roads, so little time.
Hey all hows it going? anybody hear from Joe in Japan lately haven't notice any post in a while so starting to wonder.
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
Brent, that sounds like a great purchase! Jon, what a wonderful trip - especially this time of year - both my boys were born in Guatemala. I lived there, and in El Salvador, Nicaragua and Panama for most of the 1960s.
Howdy All.
Jon, When will you guys be in town and for how long ? Drop me an e-mail if you don't want to post to much info in public. Hope they didn't make you gain to much weight on that cruiseship.
Brent, Sounds pretty cool !
Just sitting here drinking some Ice Punch Gatorade, clear liquids, dreaming of an In-N-Out Burger with fries and a choc shake. Almost time to drink my radiator flush as Ray called it.
Oh yeah, my figures arrived so maybe tonite between trips to the head I can start putting some passengers in the cars.
Later all.
Busy day at work. Good day at work. Was able to do my regular walk today at lunch. Weather was semi-nice then, but turned lousy this afternoon. Supposed to be miserable the rest of the week. Wife has been busy the last two days subbing and has 3 more days lined up. I hope everyone has a good day.
Ray SP.......I hope all went well with your "adventure" today. DougDG......I hope yours goes well tomorrow. HudsonJohn.......was glad to hear your better half is making significant progress and will be home. BUCKEYE and CHARLIE......thank you for that technology exchange on remote monotoring, good stuff to know. CHIEF.......please stop sending all that rain up the coast, our ground can't take any more as the rain continues and the pond behind my house continues to rise. Later, gang. Jack.
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
Spending the night with Mom. Spent the morning at occupational therapy with Doray. She has no problems getting in and out of the Explorer. While there, she tried telling me that since she had both knees done, she was told that she can not do any kitchen work for a while! It did not work because they went over how she should load and unload a dishwasher! lol She comes home Thursday.
Doug / Dennis: That seems like a real tragedy and loss of life for the price of a smoke alarm. Sad. When will people realize?
Doug M: I bet you wish you were with Jon on his trip with the weather you are in for!
Jon: The trip sounds great!
Brent: That Zephyr sounds like a great set. Smoke them up!
Chief: That was great for that person to donate. A happy part of the Mayor's duties.
Charlie: The Basement is looking GREAT!
Ray: Hope it all went well today.
Thoughts and Prayers for all in need.
Cold foggy frosty morning here. Made a few portals yesterday and painted them. Slow progress on the mountain scene but its coming along. No work on it today gotta go up to MOMs and take down Christmas decos.
HUDSONJOHN, sounds like DORAY wants you to be full time HOUSEHUSBAND, like me. I love it now I need to find a nice apron?
Stay frosty my friends,
Mornin' FellasTheQ had some professing duties to attend to last night so the kiddies and I spent 1/2 hour running the Zephyr! It was lots of fun just sitting with them, running the train, and listening to the princess sing and tell stories. Apparently my FiL has been telling TheQ that I am ripping the train garden out and starting over... not sure where he got that from because I've told him repeatedly that I am redoing the Christmas train garden... Would love to see the Zephyr run for about 20 ft on straight track, that would be cool!Jon - sounds like a neat trip. Would love to go through the Panama Canal some day (bucket list item)Chief - your duties as mayor do have some benefits. Laz - post some pics of the mtn?
Aloha. Happy Birthday Jack! Boy, it's back to single digit temps with the breeze from the west. Brrr. The Trib reported some interesting stuff (at least to me) about Metra (my commuter train agency) and its woes in this weather. Metra contracts with the UP and BNSF to run its trains (it used to be with the Burlington, C&NW, Rock Island, IC, etc) - I always enjoy writing a check to the UP for my ticket. And they've had their troubles getting fuel delivered to the outlying yards (it was so cold it froze the moisture in the pumps and the trucks couldn't get into the yards for all the snow), replacing brake shoes on the cars (I didn't know they usually need to be swapped once a week - I can certainly smell their application), clearing switches by hand (usually takes 10 minutes in 'normal' bad weather but was taking 50 and requiring blowtorches, picks and shovels instead of the usual brooms and blowers. $440K worth of OT). Apparently the snow collects in the undercarriage of the cars too, jamming and freezing the doors so they are out of service. Lots of excuses for leaving folks out in the sub-zero and having to stand in the remaining cars not designed for it, But I found it interesting just the same. I note they used to have open flame heaters in the yards (they used to look like the entire yard was on fire) and apparently some of the forced air blowers that replaced them don't work as well. We handle things differently on Ivor's line
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