OCTOBER coffee pot. 11 years running, Sweet ice tea and grits for the southern gents, coffee and donuts for the ,Yanks

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

And a good evening it is, judging from the news about Chris.  He is a most fortunate young man, and yes, multiple angels were watching over him.   Once again, we are reminded in the midst of what we think are major disruptions of our lives about how truly precious our families really are.  I was going to relate about the enjoyable dinner train trip the wife and I took Saturday, but that can be saved for another day.   I hope all of you have a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  Sunny & mild in the Mid-Atlantic region.  Trying to get over some type of crud for the past week.  Felt good enough for cards with the crew at the yatchet Sat night, then worked the Komen race yesterday.  Then by dusk I was physically drained.

Inspecting the crash pics (that is my area of expertise), appears the car was traveling around 25-35 at impact, just from the maximum intrusion.  Was lucky to hit the left rear wheels of the tractor trailer, seeing the impact crater on the windshield.  All the damage you see to the roof appears to be where fire department would have made its extrication.  Without seeing a better picture of the passenger side, my guess is the light jarring he felt prior to impact was the car dipping off right road edge or guard rail swipe.  There is a slight angle to damage, indicating a possible recovery steer.

All in all, very glad the boy is okay, Don.

[ChiefEagles]

Morning all.  Chilly but warming.  Hit 80's tomorrow.  Then maybe first frost Sunday AM.  Not much happening Town wise.  Got Dr's apt. and then headed east.  Hunt this PM and tomorrow AM.  Back.  Got to go to lake house and plug crawl space vents.

Hope all have a great week.

[cnw1995]

Aloha. Supposed to be the 'last' summer-like day of the season today. I am so glad Chris is OK. Thank you God!

It is really amazing what Fife can tell by looking at the photo of the Accord. 

Mike C, I hope you share more about your ride on the Indiana Railroad Museum. I would love to go there someday.

We had a nice quiet weekend - worked around the house, went on a hike in a new wooded area yesterday to avoid the Bears loss and I managed to get lost on a circular trail because the leaves covered everything and I missed a turn. Fortunately, my Scout experience came to rescue as I followed a compass heading back to the parking lot. My compatriots weren't amused. Next time I'll take a map. 

[lion88roar]

Don,
Sorry to hear about Chris' accident, but very happy he survived. Back in my college days I fell asleep at the wheel while driving home from my girl friend's house. Hit a guide rail doing @ 40mph, took off the passenger mirror and left a perfect profile of the guide rail on the front quarter panel, passenger rood, and rear quarter panel. Sounded like a cannon firing when I hit it.

Got all of the kitchen tile floor removed this weekend, made it till the 5th to last tile before I sliced my finger on a shard... now it is hard to type since it is the index finger on my left hand.

[fifedog]

cnw1995 - Two things that never get it wrong on a crash - 1) Marks on the road, 2) Damage to vehicles.

[KRM]

Hi, We have been gone the last four days for our annual anniversary trip up north. Saw the post about Don's son. Wow glad he made it out of that mess basically unscathed..  It made me think back to when I was working traveling in Georgia and Katie totaled her car. I know that was the worse time trying to get home and not knowing her condition. Like John said, the car seems to have done what it should of as did the car in Katie's case.

You were blessed Don.

[jefelectric]

Thanks for the call Don, I've been so busy since York that I probably would have missed your post.  Showed Jean the pictures & she was flabbergasted.  

As others have said it certainly was a gift from God that he survived with minor injuries.

[MichRR714]

Don so glad your Son is ok.  That damage is very scary to look at.

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

And a good day it was.   Got new tires for the PT, had a doctor visit (BP 138/60 and do not have to go back for 3 months), got new glasses, paid property tax, had cavity filled by dentist, ran into a coworker from the factory who was looking for a hobby for his dad and I showed some of my train layouts as in idea, and will be watching Jane the Virgin tonight.   As AJ would say, all in all it was a good day.   I have a game tomorrow in that all American sport, which by the way, my favorite team is now undefeated in their last 4 games.   Doug, I will try to post more about the train ride later this week.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[dbaker48]

Good Evening!

Been a little busy today.  Not bad and no complaints, for sure! 

Chris was released from the hospital yesterday, (Sunday).  Grandma and Grandpa came over and had a relatively quiet night.

Today Chris was off work and we did some errands.  He had some material that needed to be taken to a job site at the port of Long Beach.  So I went with him , and then we went by the Tow yard for disposition of the car, and to the police station to complete the accident report.

The trip to the port was really interesting will try and get some photos up in a day or so.  Checked the car for any remaining personnel property in it.  Ended up signing the car over to the tow company.  I checked on "junk" value with a couple of yards and the best value was $150.  At the yard if we would have done that the fees would have increased $300 to $400 higher.  As it was signing over we only had to pay $140.  Extra fees would be storage, extra clean-up required at accident site, etc..  Just didn't think it was worth the difference, plus didn't want the neighbors gawking at it for a couple of days.  So the Honda is history.  Then wen to the PD and they said we're good, if we need any info we will contact you.  (Different than what I was told earlier, but no argument from here.)

It was extremely interesting reading Fife's post and how accurate his information was.  I have additional photos, but I don't think its of benefit to post them.  Kev, how long will it take to get those images washed from your mind?  As Kay and I have discussed you just have to look at everyday as a gift !

Unfortunately Chris had other bad news today.  One of his "Frat Brothers" who lives in Texas was involved in a traffic accident Sunday morning.  Unfortunately he was thrown from the car, and killed.  The driver apparently is being charged with vehicle manslaughter.

I REALLY appreciate all your thoughts and prayers, thanks !!!!!  We are still in a daze as to how he survived!  And as far as we are concerned, we just used up all our good luck for a very very long time!  And, I'm good with that!!

Wish I had something prolific to say, but don't.  So, just looking forward to tomorrow and very thankful for all our blessings! 

Have a great day and STAY HEALTHY

[cnw1995]

Aloha. It was a lovely warm day yesterday in the Loop - the warmest day that is the latest in the year since the 1940s. But temps should crash by Friday (my almost-most-favorite-day-of-the-year) with the high expected to only be in the 40s - ugh. I took advantage of the warmth to walk down to the lake during lunch-time. Dennis, you would love a Chromebook for what you use your computer for - and they are very inexpensive. Sorry to hear about Chris' friend... 

[rtraincollector]

Don sorry to hear about your son's friend. Still tell your son he needs to count his blessing's as that was a bad crash and he was lucky. 

Evening all Made our Halloween cake today ( chocolate cake with orange icing ( and orange flavoring) so were good on that:) 

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

Quiet but busy day at work.  We tied 1-1 tonight, and I think I was happy with the result.  I have more stories which I will try to tell tomorrow.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[submmbob]

Hello all

Just finishing up for this work week.

Don - just read your posts and saw the photos. I'm so glad Chris is ok. You and he are both blessed. I had a friend just out of college who was driving into town from the worksite and fell asleep and drove into a tree in the median. He did not survive. Some of our operators here will drive home after working a 12 hour shift at the end of the week. I always try to grab a few hours. It's something that it easy to under estimate and also something to be taken seriously. Very sorry to hear about his friend. Your family is in my thought and prayers.

Chief is a good man to talk to. I talked to him when I was on the way to the 'resort' a few years back.

Dennis - I have a chromebook and like it. I bought it at a time when I just needed an inexpensive simple computer and liked it so much I have not 'upgraded'.

Time to find breakfast and a pillow. 

Bob

[sir james I]

Hello sleepy heads

We have sun and 47 degrees.

A big train show nearby this weekend but I don't think anyone from here is close enough to want details. This one use to be the largest, but a show in January has surpassed this one in size.

S.J.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill..........

Good Morning, Joe...... I hope all is well.

Today is cloudy and 60 degrees.  Not much going on. A few chores and then taking it easy. Last game of World Series tonite.

Breakfast of Cheerios on the dining car.

Y'all have a great Wednesday.

Chuck

[KRM]

Hey,

Bob, good advice on getting sleep before those long drives. I did 6 hours on Sunday and found myself fighting it off.

We had one heck of a wind yesterday so the trees are mostly stripped of leaves. I can see the end of sweeping and burning is getting near. Temps dropping into low 40s for a high by Friday.

[ChiefEagles]

Morning.  Slept late.  Extra hot for fall.  Changing tonight and thru weekend.  Seems the weather is not going to cooperate for my Harvest Festival/Family Day.  That is the FREE HOTDOGS day.  I along with the PD give out free hotdogs to all.  Calling for breezy rain with high of 50 [if it makes it that high].  Not good.

Saw lots of deer.  6 pointers, 4 pointer, spike and lots of does.  Nothing I wanted to shoot right now.

Off to lake house to mow, close foundation vents, and turn on heat.  Back later. 

Skimmed over posts.  Seems everything is now back to the same.

Have a good one. 

[fifedog]

Last couple days my knees have been sore.  Feels like bone-on-bone, especially on steps.  While I'm trying to reduce the tonnage they hold up, what are some of the remedies youz older guyz use...?

[AF53]

Fife - And, my friend, what readings did you get from your drag sled?

[lion88roar]

Afternoon fellas

Fife - my sister is going through something similar. Her orthopedic surgeon (or who ever he is) told her about an injection he could give her... I don't remember the specifics but 10 or so years ago he gave it to a pro-athlete who they thought would require knee replacement, well he still has his original God given knees. I'll hit her up tonight to get the details.

Kitchen Cabinets are being delivered tomorrow... BIG and I do mean BIG changes are coming for our kitchen over the next few weeks!

[anjdevil2]

Hey....quick fly by DonB - Someone was watching over him... Had a wonderful time in Florida with my Princess and her friends Halloween Horror Nights were just great albeit too crowded. Leaving Florida I was delayed 8 minutes as my Princess and I couldn't stop crying. She's a great kid with awesome friends. Miss her terribly. Fife - Mom had cortisone injections in her shoulder and her hip to help with the pain she has. It helps her. Brent - been watching your progress on FB....looking good!! Need to catch up, just haven't had much time with vacation and work. Be back soonest!!

[jonadel]

Don B., I know I'm late to the party but I'm so thankful that your son survived a horrific scenario.  Back in the day when I would finish a gig I would be on my way home at 2:00 AM and the only thing that kept me awake was rolling (no power windows then) down the windows and singing at the top of my lungs, it worked.  Now we seldom drive late at night, older and wiser.  I'm reminded of the old saying "ride no faster than your guardian angel can fly", Chris caught a break, AWESOME!  Lesson learned.

[SPMan]

Good afternoon all,

Slow day today except took my wife for her appointment with the accupunturist.  This makes about 6 treatments now.  Three this week and will cut down to two next week.  I hope this is doing some good.  Can't see any dramatic improvement yet althought it does seem to help.  She seems to go longer now without needing pain medicine.

Hudson John,  I have called and left messages for Midge at MTH re my engine and also sent E mail.  Still waiting for answers.  She must be busy but she is normally good about calling back.

Chief, sounds like you see so many deer you can afford to be choosey.  Must be nice.  Glad you were able to talk to Don after Chris' car wreck.  Hope the boy is doing well now.

Starting to get colder at night now but still too warm (for me) in the daytime close to 90 some days.  They are predicting possible showers this week end.  We need it.

Halloween is only two days away.  Got my candy ready for the munchkins and leftovers for me.  Whoops!  I'm not suppose to have any now.  Hope they get it all and don't leave me with temptations.

Did not make the TCA train meet last Saturday.  No more meets from either club until December.  November is taken up by the Cal Stewart meet here in Ontario, Ca.  Doubt if I will/can go.

Ray

 

[Plate Rail]

Evening Gents,

Dry but cloudy today.  Went to the doctors yesterday for a meds refill.  Regular doc wasn't their but his partner saw me and glancing through my records said I probably have Arthritis.  Being real careful with the meds as just enough dulls the pain to tolerable but recommended dose makes me real drowsy.  Golden Years me arse!

  On the way home I bought some supplies at Michaels.  For you DYI guys, they carry miniature chain in the jewelry section. About $5 for 72"...probably cheaper in the States.  To O scale it has links around 2" so it would serve well in heavy MOW equipment and such.  Will look great hung up or piled on a work caboose.  A good selection of wire for crafting railings and grab irons in different diameters too  Their selection of wood in balsa or basswood is pretty good but pricey.  Decided to buy enough wood plus green and white beads to make telephone poles till the cows come home.   The cashier shocked me by automatically giving me the Tuesday Seniors discount...my first ever.  It only seems like yesterday I was being carded in bars

Bruce

[dbaker48]

Good Evening,

Things are beginning to normalize, and Chris is doing well.  He went back to work today, and seems to be doing fine.  He definitely has two black eyes and sure looks like a raccoon.  I sure appreciate all the well wishes, it is an experience I hope no other parent has to experience.  Sure has heightened my empathy for those that have lost a child due to a traffic issue, and those that have kids that work in law enforcement.  Those parents don't get enough acknowledgement for what they have to contend with on a daily basis.  We will never forget this. 

We disposed of the car on Monday, took care of insurance, and police reports.  The tow yard told me on Saturday that the fees were $288 IF we signed the car over to them.  If we were to sell to a junk yard they wanted $344 + $40/day storage.  I checked with local yards they offered $150 if we delivered, $100 if they pick up.  So Monday took Chris there he got remaining stuff from it.  Then went in office to settle up, asked what the charges were IF we signed over, they said $140.  Whoa, so signed over.

Police Dept wanted Chris to complete a TA report, so we went in to do that, the responding officer was not there, so we were told not to worry about it.  And IF he wanted more info he would contact us.  Asked about a copy of report, should be available in 2 weeks.  Also asked if it would automatically be sent to Insurance Co., or registered owner of parked semi that Chris ran in to.  Told No, unless they contact the police dept.  Interesting.

Now onto more interesting stuff.  Still working with the Chief's engines.  Think I have the truck problem resolved.  Just had to move some wires around.  (Coupler wire was wrapped around truck pin.  Don't know how that happened.)  But, 1 problem resolved, another opportunity....... Thought it would be a good idea to clean the engines.  So used simply water and a toothbrush to get into all the crevices.  Well I'm sure you are all aware of the "Black Widow" engines.  While I was cleaning and AFTER I finished brushing the engines, the NS decals just rolled up and came off!  Now I'm on a hunt as to where I can find some replacements.  So far the best I've found is the "Northern" railline and a different "Southern" railline.  The biggist issue is one is red, the other green.  So I ordered them and think if will cut the Northern and modify it to Norf, then fashion the "olk" and see how that works.  Worth a try, and regarding the colors, Christmas is getting close.

Ray glad to hear the acupuncture is provide some results.  Hope it continues.  I doubt that I will make it to Cal-Stewart either.  Will just wait until December.

Thanks for all the fellowship, you guys are more significant than you realize.

Take care and STAY HEALTHY !

[wrmcclellan]

Quick stop. Been super busy since returning from York.

Don, again glad Chris is OK.

Have a great day tomorrow all!

[rtraincollector]

Morning all.

Hey Don on the decal thing with the chief's engine I might have a solution for you. You know he said he's a Yankee's fan Well you could change the decals to NYC I have some NYC decals I can send you Just let me know. 

Up getting ready to do medical appointments this am have 4 all to be over with befor 10.  

Talk to you all later

[ChiefEagles]

Morning all.  Showered hard early last night.  Turned cooler.  Now saying clod, breezy and rain Sat. for my free hotdogs at Town Hall. 

Few chores and then off to the woods down east.  Back tomorrow afternoon.  Not staying till dark.  Time change messes up everything.  Will have to hit the stand at 5 AM instead of 6.  Then days get dark quicker so hunting gets shorter.

Have a good one.