Hi GUYZ,
It was 8 tis morning at 0530. Getting up to 27 today. Started a new project in train room. Starting on my coal scene with all this talk that JOEY D, and I been having going to do it up. Pulled up half the track this morning and placed down 15 lb. tar paper. Do other half tomorrow. Little at a time and then to start pondering what to do. I have a tipple by Lionel, to dump bathtub gondolas, that will stay and also gonna build another mountain with train going through and then have a bootleg operation on top. Also have a Lionel crane with clam bucket and two 397 coal loaders to play with. Got to try and make a conveyor to take the tipple coal up to the bucket crane to fill the 397s? On other side gonna have a scrap iron yard set up with the Lionel magnetic crane. I have a couple of ideas but gotta have a few Ol Mils to figure it out yet?
DOUGDAGRUMP,yes I saw that with YUENGLING. They have a free beer tour at the brewery there maybe they will have a BEERFLOAT? One never knows?
JACK, get ready CHUCKS gonna hit us again!
DOOD, did you meet up with HUDSONJOHN, at the train meet? His neck of the woods.
Stay frosty my friends,
laz57
Thanks a lot Doug M. Snowed off and on today but too warm to stick. No one what is going to happen. Some are forecasting little snow, some sleet and some 8 to 12 inches. God only knows.
Jon and Doug W., Wifey had one of those bells for me when I came home from having by-passes. Never used it.
I see rules in a new post. I think everyone has done real good following them.
Later.
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
Hey all there calling for up to 3" of ice here tomorrow so wife is in over react mode GRRRRRRR she freaks out with any type of storm.
Got my replacement E-Unit for my 2359 GP-9 the old one would go to neutral going down the track with it locked for forward only. So will probably install that tomorrow. Have a couple of other engines I need to work on also ( ie put back together) Really need to repaint them as there both in bad shape one is a 2037 and the other is a 2026. I might do both as a 2037 seeing there both the same just different numbers and why buy 2 sets of numbers you will probably only use once.
Oh well that's down the road I guess.
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
Konbanwa and Ohayo Chuck,
Yes, the snowfall from this weekend was more than this area is used to and it was record. The day off yesterday was nice and I was able to help out the wife with some chores around the house. I had a deacons’ meeting at the church last night and by the time I came home I was pretty tuckered out. It was cold today and there is still plenty of snow on the ground. We’re enjoying some Olympic coverage tonight.
Laz – Both of my grandfathers worked in legitimate coal mines, but they were gone before I was born so I don’t have any stories directly from them. My father has told me a couple about his father but I will have to ask my mom for some about hers. I do find it interesting that my father’s father left a tough life in Italy to come work the mines in US.
Jack – I’m glad the A-Rod nonsense is over; I hope his career with the Yankees is too. span="" id="mce_marker" data-mce-type="bookmark">
I hope you all have a great day.
Sayonara,
Joe
THURSDAY CHUCKs SNO HI O CANNON is directed at us. They say 12+ inches? We'll see? CHIEF is gonna get it tomorrow? Lots o snow!!!!! Gonna work on layout today for a couple of tree hours?
JOEY D. I think lots o peole that lived in the old country had it bad? But to leave there and take a job in a hole in the ground WOW? I know both of my GPs came over from Slovakia and that's what they did. Work in the ground, just what they did overseas is a mystery to me too? But I guess it was the lure of starting a brand new life here and that's why lots came?
Good Morning from Blueberryhill............
Good Morning, Joe........How is the snow?
It is zero degrees. Going up to 30 today with sunshine.
Today is an easy day. I have a few chores and then I will relax and do some reading. Not much else new here.
Dining car has the usual for breakfast.
Y'all have a great Tuesday.
Chuck
Mornin' FellasWell seems we can't kick this Global Freezing spell. Supposed to stay below 32 today, tonight dip down into the teens, then tomorrow not above 32 again, then tomorrow night into Thursday "Our most significant weather event of the season"... now 2 weeks ago we had over 10 inches of snow and last week we had ice which knocked the power out for 41 hours... it is years like this that make seriously consider burrowing underground in November and not coming out till April.Been doing research on generators and think I have found the one I want, now just waiting on my BiL to get me some prices... also started researching new A/C and Heat Pump last night... sent that list to BiL for quotes as well. Found out that our existing system is < 70% efficient and the outside A/C unit is under 8 SEER. New Heat Pump would be over 95% efficient and outside unit is between 15 and 19 SEER depending on the system we go with. Oh the joys of home ownership!Still have to get the pictures uploaded and then posted from the mountain work Christina and I have been doing. We attempted making rock castings last week and they turned out really good. Just have to figure out the best way to mount them and then blend them together to make a larger face.
https://brentsandsusanspicutures.shutterfly.com/
Aloha. Another bitter cold day here - but with sunshine. Garage door froze closed, I think one of the tires has a slow leak, forgot to bring the youngest's band folder to school. broke the zipper on my winter coat, the plow knocked the mailbox again - sounds like a country music song, doesn't it? But the important stuff is going well. Heat works, roof doesn't leak, car runs and I can work at home for another few weeks. Dennis, I am with you about the Hondas, although I was a big Fiero fan too. Our CRV is a decade old and still working well. Jon, it would be fun to see the Field of Dreams someday - that was a good movie. Never been west of DonB's old hometown, Rockford...RT, congratulations on your well-earned retirement. I am glad to be working and imagining my SS going to all of you who worked so hard for so long in the time before me. HudsonJohn, got your package - thanks very much.
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
We finally got tired of power outages and had a 11K natural gas generator installed. It comes on if the power is out for more than a few seconds. I hope we never need it. It will be worth the money to have the power stay on. We also have a new Carrier 2 stage 96% furnace, love it. The air flow is better and we feel much more comfortable at the same temp we had set before.
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
Good Mornin' Y'all From Frigid Cape Ann.
A balmy 7 degrees this morning but at least it is sunny. We are also going to get hit Thursday and there could be accumulations approaching 12 inches here. As SJ mentioned, when the temps are this cold and the highs don't reach 32/freezing, the white stuff just keeps piling up. If you don't keep up with it, the stuff becomes ice and is impossible to defeat. I am going to have to break up some by my rear door or lose the use of it for a few weeks.
Brent and SJ.......no natural gas supply to my neck of the woods, so 96% efficiency is out the window for heat. I am stuck burning heating oil with 84% efficiency. Not allowed propane tanks because of what is called cluster zoning, based on the proximity of where the tank would be relative to surrounding homes.
Daughter and SIL having logistics issues today with the other grandparents and the grandchildren. They both work. his parents at doctors' appointments, pre- school for one little one and elementary school for the other. That makes me the limo service and babysitter.
Later, gang. Duty calls. Jack
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
Morning all. Chilly and cloudy. No precip as of yet.
Going to fill some gas "cans" and have them ready for generator. We didn't have natural gas when I first got this generator. Runs under shelter and feeds back to house. Got high efficiency natural gas furnace and all I need is 110 to run the fan. Actually generator will run house except A/C. Only problem is have to shut it down every 8 hours and refuel.
Hope we get snohio and not ice.
Everyone have a good one.
Sure hope it's just snow and not ice, ice is the worst! In the 24 years we've lived out here,in the forest, we've only lost electricity once (last year for about 30 hours), not so much fun. If I could have a small generator to simply run the furnace fan and fridge I would be happy. When we did lose electricity a year ago it was a feeder line a long ways from our property, several miles. It's well below zero here today but the good news is that we are going to hit the '40's this weekend
Stay safe.
Jon
So many roads, so little time.
Good morning all,
Best wishes to you guys that are coping with the ice and snowhio.
I went to the TTOS train meet in Arcadia on Sunday and dropped off my problem MTH 4-8-4 Northern steam engine for the repair clinic guy to take a look at. He took it home with him and hopefully we will find some way to fix this thing.
I have a doctors appointment this morning for regular check up. I don't think he is going to be happy with my weight. I think I gained a little since Christmas. Also hoping for the best on triglycerides. Had blood work last week.
V8, regarding Honda's, I have only the one 1996 Honda Accord but it has given me great service since it was new with just normal wear and tear service. I only have about 118K miles on it now since I don't dirve as much since I retired. I had it painted about 6 months ago and it looks great now like a new car.
Chief, I suppose generators are a must in your neck of the woods. Guy next door to me lets me tap into his when we have power outages. At least enough to run my refrigerator.
Hope D. Baker is doing well on his way back from second surgery. Need to call him.
I have been doing some soul searching about buying and selling my trains. I don't want to pay anymore big bucks for train repairs so I am reluctant to buy any used engines now. I have been lucky so far but there are no more parts for some of the older modern trains. As far as selling goes, Im amazed at what people think they can get for older modern trains. They don't have collector value like the old stuff did. I look at money spent on the newer stuff as money for recreation and don't expect to make any profit on it if I sell. Most of the newer stuff seems to only bring about a third of the purchase price unless it is truly rare.
Just got another phone call from a contractor soliciting business. We have been flooded with them this year and last. We used to be on a do not call list but don't know if that still exist any longer.
later,
Ray
SPMan
No Natural Gas for us either - and thankful for that... why? Because I have heard of too many home blowing up lately for me to ever want to go back to NG.This is the generator we are looking at http://www.generac.com/all-products/generators/portable-generators/gp-series/gp17500e17.5Kw with 26.5Kw startup. I think it will allow us to run the whole house. We decided against the standby generator like what SJ has because we are hoping to move in the next 5-7 years and don't want to leave this behind. The house will be prewired for a generator so that will be a selling point - no auto transfer switch as we will have a manual switch installed. I have 4 5 Gallon gas cans so I will be able to fill this, go get gas, and get back before I would need more, I may get two more 5 gallon cans as backup. I have the 4 filled right now because the generator my BiL lent us only ran for 5 hours at load... just hope I can use the fuel before it goes bad... I only buy premium fuel for the tractor and other small engine devices because it holds up longer and does not have ethanol added to it like regular and plus grades. The John Deere dealer told me to use it in the tractor because the ethanol breaks down and causes water to build up in the engine... and we all know that water and engines don't mix very well.Last night TheQ asked why it was so cold in the house... so I told her to go stand by any of the windows in the main part of the house (sunroom has new windows). If you stand next to one of the windows you can feel the cold air coming in! I told her if you want to stop the draft.... you gotta buy new windows... I don't think she is planning on that any time soon.
We did the standby because a bad storm can prevent us from getting out for gas and many times the local gas stations don't have power to pump it....S.J.
I am in florida but pray for those less fortunate every day. your winters are our hurricanes. may god bless us all. stay warm and happy.
Evenin' boys. Sunny & 30 here in the Mid-Atlantic region. But, for how long, Spock? How? Long?
Afternoon/Evenin' All.
Hope all are prepared for what Mother Nature is sending your way.
I'm in the doghouse with the BetterHalf. Had some heart issues in the wee hours of the morning, very minor not even requiring any Nitro pills. But in less then 5 minutes after doing my Cardiocom weigh-in and health survey I get a call from my cardiac care nurse and somebody overhears the conversation. Needless to say she wasn't happy with me, but why wake her up for what was very minor. Had it progressed I would have definitely got her moving. Unfortunately we did miss the CHF support group meeting, after not getting much sleep I was far to tired.
Ray, We get so many of those sales calls, the solar panel people were the worst. At one point it seemed like we were getting 5 or 6 calls a day at all hours. Thanks goodness for caller ID !
Brent, Not sure which would be worse, NG or storing full cans of gas to keep a generator running.
Need to get moving, supposed to go out for supper tonight then a board meeting & supper tomorrow night. Not very good for diet.
Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.
www.sd3r.org
Proud New Member Of The NRA
Good evening all,
Thought I posted last night, but evidently did not. Work was good both days. IT has stopped bothering me at least for a while. Got the new attic stairway put in today. A little steeper, but much easier to close. Moved stuff around last night to get ready for today. Wife is feeling poorly and is upset that Shirley Temple passed away. Wife really loved her movies. Not much going on. I hope everyone has a good day.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
lion88roar No Natural Gas for us either - and thankful for that... why? Because I have heard of too many home blowing up lately for me to ever want to go back to NG.
No Natural Gas for us either - and thankful for that... why? Because I have heard of too many home blowing up lately for me to ever want to go back to NG.
That is Very Funny, That is like saying I don't want electricity in my house because of all of the electrical fires.. Your joking ,,,right???
I am with SJ, If I don't have power the gas stations don't either. SJ must of been a Boy Scout.
Well for all of you in the way of weather your not used to be safe and stay home if you can.
Us northerners got it covered by now. What a winter,,,,,,,, A heat wave tomorrow. It will hit the low 20s
BTW Thanks for the answers on the ballast question.
Joined 1-21-2011 TCA 13-68614
Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL.
Woke up to 0 degrees and sunshine. Got up to maybe 20. Supposed to be in the 30's tomorrow at the start of a warming trend. Weather guessers are saying probably in the 50's come Sunday.
I just sniped a 4 truck double drop flat car on E-bay. 80's version. I'll have 3 now.
Years ago, one of my projects was moving a large press from Chatham, Ontario to Bowling Green, Ky. The three big pieces went on three heavy duty 4 truck flat cars, with the rest taking something like 40 truck loads.
I want to make models of those loads for my railroad. The actual heavy duty flat cars were not double drops, but that is what is available in O gage, and I can live with it. Actually, the double drop cars look better than the flat cars that were actually used.
EF is elevated at work. You guys would probably get a kick out of the story, but I'm not going to put this sort of thing out on a public forum. Suffice to say, when I imformed my boss about the situation and what I intended to do, he replied with a "WHAT?!!, send me an e-mail, I want to get in on this."
All for now.
Kev --
I received a link tonight about the Middle East Memorial Wall in Illinois and thought it might be close to where you hang your hat. I had not heard of it before tonight but there's a You Tube video about it and I found it to be an awesome tribute to our Veterans. Just curious if you knew about it.
really wish there was an ignore feature on this site like on many others.
jonadel Kev -- I received a link tonight about the Middle East Memorial Wall in Illinois and thought it might be close to where you hang your hat. I had not heard of it before tonight but there's a You Tube video about it and I found it to be an awesome tribute to our Veterans. Just curious if you knew about it.
Jon, yes it is in downtown Marseilles three miles from our house. I take the old T160 Triumph Trident to it and it is a great time. There is also a great weekend bike run for a great cause. Sometimes about 10,000 to 15,000 bikers come to the wall in June. I think the 21st. PM me if you want more info. http://ilmotorcyclefreedomrun.org/
Brent, "really wish there was an ignore feature on this site like on many others" If there was I would be the first to use it. Like they say, you can't fix stupid.
Good night all. Snow? Ice? Snow and ice? We'll see.
Natural gas is pretty safe. Now a propane leak will send you to the "wild blue yonder". Natural gas pretty much dissipates into the air. Propane becomes a cloud that settles. One source of a spark and bang. Rich has had that in fire training [I did years ago].
Got some wiring done in the Train Box and installed a new TIU. DCS Why so complicated?????
Off to bed. Sleep tight.
Today’s high temperature ended up in the upper-30s which caused some more snow to melt. The forecast shows some more snow coming Friday and I hope it is right. The workday was smooth and our new commander is settling in nicely. The kids have piano practice tonight so we’ll have a low key evening.
Chuck – The snow is melting. Please send more.
Laz – I also don’t have much info on what they did in the old country, but based on my observations of the area in Sardinia where my father’s father came from, I’d say he was one of the following: farmer, sheep herder, or rock/marble quarryman. I agree that there must have been something about starting a new life in a new country. About seven years ago I took my father to the village that his father came from and it was a great trip. We found out my father had an aunt that stayed there which was cool.
dougdagrump – Please take care of yourself and be safe.
I hope you all enjoy your day.
Good Morning from Blueberryhill..........
Good Morning, Joe.........More snow on the way.
It is a cold 4 degrees. Sunny. Going up to 36 today with all sunshine.
Today is a busy day. I have the usual to do and a quick errand to run. Then it will be lunchtime and a nice nap.
All you guys down South stay safe. Nasty storm.
Dining car has Cheerios for breakfast.
Y'all have a great Wednesday.
ChiefEagles Good night all. Snow? Ice? Snow and ice? We'll see. Natural gas is pretty safe. Now a propane leak will send you to the "wild blue yonder". Natural gas pretty much dissipates into the air. Propane becomes a cloud that settles. One source of a spark and bang. Rich has had that in fire training [I did years ago]. Got some wiring done in the Train Box and installed a new TIU. DCS Why so complicated????? Off to bed. Sleep tight.
Aloha from a grey and bitter cold Illinois. Jon, that memorial is neat. I hadn't seen it before. Brent, it is interesting to see all the options for generators and back-up power supplies these days. We've been fortunate to have avoided power outages over the years- mainly because I'm told the utilities have to be buried here. I understand your perspective on NG. We've had it powering lots of things (dryer, hot water, heater/ac et al) in our homes over the years and have been pleased with its low cost (here in IL) relative to electric. I also use a budget plan with our utility so I pay the same amount each month (that lets my wife crank up the heat when she's cold ) Sure hope the weather breaks soon - we may get Jon's high 30s and low 40s for a few days though our March outlook is still far below normal. Laz and Joe, sure is neat to hear your family stories!
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