Hello all
So normally I try not to do the 'cut and paste' but I think some of you might find this interesting/amusing:My time off last week was fairly typical. Caught up on sleep and went to my first board meeting which was good. Made a few small improvements on the motorhome and helped out around the barn on Friday morning. We got the clutch and tranny back in the Datsun on Friday afternoon. Finished the job up late Saturday afternoon and drove the truck back to the barn leaving the Corvan at Bill's. Truck ran very nicely so I celebrated w/ a pizza from my favorite local joint. About a half mile from the barn the truck starts throwing sparks. I stop thinking I am dragging something and nothing is hanging down and the truck is running fine. Go another 200' and the truck now catches fire. I stop and put out the fire w/ the help of a timely donation of drinking water from a couple of guys walking by and my old navy shirt. While I'm waiting for a friend to help me tow it to the barn another couple guys in the neighborhood help me push it off the street and I get a visit from the local fire department. After towing the truck in I help my friend Barry modify a part for his van. The next day I pull out the melted battery cables (in the dark and a hurry I forgot to tighten the bolt holding the cable to the starter, it had come off and decided to weld itself to the frame!) and figure out what small wires needed to be repaired. I had a nice ride over to Bill's on the bike Sunday afternoon to get the van and then picked up the parts I needed. Monday morning I installed the cables, repaired the wiring, and put the recharged battery back in and drove the truck to a couple of appointments. Just another typical week off.
Fife - congrats on the job! 1309 is an impressive engine.
Kev - hope Sandra is better soon.
Bob
Tucson, AZ (aka the Ol' Pueblo)
Home of the Mt. Graham & Arizona Eastern Boiler Shops
Good Morning,
After two full days disconnecting wire, think the layout is ready to load up. We will be doing that today, then I leave tomorrow. First stop Flagstaff. Thanks for all the well wishes and concerns regarding the empty seat. (Roy, I would be Happy to drop in and pick you up!) Asked Doug DG about going, he wasn't convinced it was a good idea. Will probably be unloaded and free on Thursday.
I have an Aunt (favorite) who lives in Rockford, and her husband passed this past fall. So this is her first Christmas alone. We discussed it here and I'm going to visit her, and fly home Christmas night. So that will really work out well, just hopes the weather holds until Christmas Day, it should from what I've seen on the forecasts.
So got to get busy, will post more later or from the motel room tomorrow eve.
Take care and be safe.
Don
Good Morning All !
First frost last night, BRRRR. I know ! It's not like what some of you are getting but remember this is SoCal, we ain't used to this.
Post op issues seem to be on the mend. Was released from restrictions by the doc's with the caveat that resumption of activities be slow and very incremental. Made a trip down to the museum yesterday with the BetterHalf for a short visit to see how I would handle the drive. Little bit uncomfortable but not to bad.
Don, Safe travels my friend, we'll catch up when you get back.
Fife , Sounds like you are having to much fun.
Gotta get a move on.
Stay safe all ! Mother nature must be a little cranky.
Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.
www.sd3r.org
Proud New Member Of The NRA
Afternoon. 42 degrees and sunny. Temps going up. Mid 70's tomorrow. Had freezing drizzle that amounted to nothing here. Western part of county wrecks.Got Sister-IL's wedding and I have to pronounce them "man and wife". In NC, Mayors can not marry people. So, to be legal, several of us belong to the Universal Life Church. $39 and you are officially ordained a minister. Some folks that are not elected officials do it. They then can marry folks that are friends and relations. Interesting. Get to eat eastern NC bar-b-q, fried chicken, yellow slaw, boiled potatoes and sweet ice tea.
Don, safe trip. Do your route so you can do some famous train watching spots.
Later
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
Morning all!
Well 72 at 11 am. Still predicting 50 degree drop in 12 hrs starting later this afternoon.
One of my older cousins from Akron died suddenly of a stroke day before yesterday while at their vacation place in Florida. Fond memories of strolling Lake Erie beaches, big family picnics at the family farm, and Euclid Beach Amusement park as kids. Tough when relatives of my generation pass. She was a heavy smoker when younger. Likely had some impact.
Regards, Roy
Thanks for the worry on Sandra guys, She will be okay in a few days I think. Don't know how she got so cut up falling into snow? Must of been the mulch sticks in the flower bed she fell into.
Roads are not to bad but icing on the windshield is bad. Got to have the defrosters on high to keep it clear. Saw some dumb cluck that was on the side of the road with a windshield you could not see out of. Another truck almost hit him. Stupid is what stupid does.
Bob, sounds like you have my luck at times.
Roy sorry about your cousin.
Joined 1-21-2011 TCA 13-68614
Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL.
Best wishes for Sandra.
Kevin I remember when I was in MD. We had a snow and this guy thought because he had four whell drive he could go anywhere and bot get stuck. Well he hit ice and went into the ditch. then started to burry himself as he was trying in 4 wheel drive high range and stepping on the gas. I felt sorry for the idiot and stopped and told him to stop and move over, I'll show you how to get it out. I put it in low range and added gas very slowly and it still had enough traction amazingly that I was able to walk it out for him.Then I gave him some facts about 4 wheel drive.
Not much going on here. Not going to be a white Christmas for sure. ( the only day a year I would love to see snow on the ground. ) I keep forgetting to stop by a liqour store while I'm out and see if they have any boxes.
They ought to have plenty next week lol getting ready for the New Years Eve parties.
Talk to you later
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
Temps have dropped nearly 30 degrees in under 5 hrs. 44 right now.
Kev - sorry about the Ms. Quite some years back we were in CO skiing and a buddy slipped into a snow bank face first. Turned out it was more ice than snow and it cut his cheek all up. We were somewhat amazed by that.
I know it's been a while since I was on this thread.
Been busy with my new train layout here in southeast Florida. Got over the bankruptcy and foreclosure about 2 years ago and finally settled in at the new house.
I have a couple new engines, an Atlas U23B and an FM Trainmaster in Reading Lines.
Any body on here remember Hogan's Hereos character Colonel Krittentondon or his stage name Bernard Fox? He died on 12-14-2016 of this week. Go to www.metv.com for info. I still watch Hogan's Hereos either on metv.com or on dvd.
Lee Fritz
It posted twice. A lot of empty space in here but I didn't dude it.
Maybe Bob will take this out on Monday.
"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
Yep I watch Hogans Heros and Columbo. I also like Carol Burnet if Mrs Wiggins has a skit.
S.J.
27 degrees...wind is howling....
philly - welcome back!
wrmcclellan 27 degrees...wind is howling.... philly - welcome back!
Good evening all,
Interesting day. Lucas had some issues going home Friday night and long story short he and wife are ok and car has some dings, but we did not hear from them for several hours and were quite concerned. Stayed with grandkids so parents could see daughter perform. We left as soon as they got home so we could beat the next round of bad weather. Younger daughter had some travel issues as well but she too is safe and sound. Strange weather. I hope everyone has a good day.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
KEV, most of it is put out by the ulta left wing TV station. Doing the samething the other group did when they were the majority. Jealous.
Wedding went great. Meal great.
53 degrees and climbing. Was 51 degrees 30 minutes ago. Hit mid 70's later today.
Sleep tight.
Sun and a high of 20 today. 10 will be tomorrows high.
No snow in the current forecast and a little warmer by Wednesday.
WOW It is cold out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
0 here heading to -16 by midnight, Full sun,
Had to get out side and clean up some before it gets any colder. That John Deere can be a cold place. We ended up with less than 3" of snow and it is light and blowing so I still had to clear the drifts.
Want to watch people freezing?????,,,See the Bears packers game today.
Chief, Yeah I saw that to. Never thought the other group ever was a majority there.
Just looked out the front and here is a perfect 8 point.
15 this morning. If it is going to be this cold we should have snow.
Glad I am mostly retired and what work I do is from home.
Kev - thanks and glad it still works - you could go to the same place you got the first thermostat and get different temperature versions so you could switch in higher temps. I use 15W light bulbs under covers to keep outdoor water stand pipes from freezing. Also have a small light bulb arranged in a safe way in a garage wall with a north side wall faucet to keep that pipe from freezing. I could not find short heat tapes to use and winding heat tape is too hot. Builders here are very stupid (as well as housing codes) when it comes to building a home where pipes cannot easily freeze. The same idiots that came up with the codes for failing foundations in this crappy soil.
On very cold nights, the father of a long ago girlfriend use to put a work light with a 100 watt bulb under his car.
About to go cut grass for the last time this year. Actually go and mulch the leaves by running lawnmower over them. They cover the whole yard so might as do the whole yard.
Hope all having a good day
Good Evening from 30°F Southern Ohio,
The trip with a bunch of kids from the Parish youth group to the Columbus Zoo to see the Christmas lights and animals was beautiful. It was a breezy 17 °F and was fun, there is a great bunch of kids. The trip home saw rain turn to sleet and freezing rain. We left maybe 15 minutes before the others and went straight out of town and that little bit of lead kept us out of the bad driving conditions. We had no issues but the others had really slick roads. No one had a mishap praise be to God. The crazy weather was then up to 62°F on Saturday.
Going to try and get another AF Scenic panel off Ebay tonight. It is part of my plan for an All Aboard Layout that will be easy to set up and transport. Hopefully by next fall I’ll have the pieces.
Kev - That is a very healthy buck!
Lee - Welcome back
Roy - May God have mercy on your cousin’s soul
DougDG - Glad you’re feeling better
Don - Safe travels
Bob - I’m glad the truck fire went out without too much damage
Got to go
May God bless
Jim
Great weather here today. Single digit temperatures, calm winds, and a sparkling clear blue sky. The dog and I took a walk somewhere between 1.5 and 2 miles. When we were walking with the light wind, the sun was providing enough radiant heat that I almost felt like I wearing too many layers.
Nothing on the train front, other than I don't currently have any tracks set up. I really wanted to run some trains yesterday. Must be the time of year.... I've realized that I have all of the Polar Express add on cars. I wonder if the P.E. Berkshire can pull all of them. Will have to set up an oval long enough to try in the near future.
Did not go for a run today. Instead, stayed in and put together the Mianne benchwork for the 4 by 8 table (future O layout). Only took one day. For the constructionally challenged such as myself, it is wonderful. No cutting, no measuring, just some assembly required. Only one left to do is the 6 by 12 for the standard gauge and hopefully I will have that one done by Christmas. No scenery as of yet but will have track down and trains running. I plan to have 2 standard gauge loops with trains on both so there will be thundering rails in the Hoosierland. I hope everyone has a good day.
Aloha. 8 below in air temp. right now. Whew! Unfortunately the snow blower died. this am. The motor runs but the rotor doesn't move. I'll take it apart tomorrow. Hope DonB has a smooth drive. We live about an hour from his aunt in Rockford. We've gotten a lot of snow each weekend and bitter cold. But it looks to break warmer soon. We had a nice jaunt into Chicago for the symphony Christmas concert last night. The dire forecase for snow only ended up to be 4-5 inches...Bears lost again. Sigh.
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
Mornin' boys. Clearing and calm 23 along the Patterson Creek cut-off today. Might start Christmas shopping later on (gotta ease into these things...). Have to slide by the WM station later to drop off the threads.
It was certainly a memorable experience working on the Santa trains this weekend. Got to see all the behind the scenes work done back at the yards (especially when the water lines freeze up), met some fine co-workers (all devoted to their railroad), and made a few friends along the way (especially the chef). Must have visited with 500+ children and just as many adults over 6 trips (I was bumped up to the big train after first night). Pets were high on a lot of "wish" lists (much to the surprise of parents...), including puppies, bunnies, guinea pigs, and one small chap wanted "a snake and a duck". I learned that Santa just needs to show love, joy, and have self-control (leave cheekiness at home). And although initially they thought Dad was "weird" for being Santa, the princesses loved reading the letters I brought home. I guess it was my way of hearing the call.
Now grab a Kleenex.
She was the second to last child, on the last train of the season, to visit with me at the station. I remembered greeting her (Mom was sleeping) in one of the coaches, and kidded Mom as my Sleeping Beauty. Mom didn't speak English. The girl said,"I'm 17 (looked younger), and I still believe in the magic of Santa". Then she proceeds to take me on the events of the past year, in which her father had a brain tumor removed, endured kemo, and was still rather debillitated with his motor skills. "All I want for Christmas is for my father to get his mobility back again." I told her he had my prayers. Then the dad in me bounced off that make-shift thrown, hugged her, and told her she had given her father the best gift for Christmas, by growing into such a beautiful, thoughtful, and selfless daughter. Phish, et al - Santa needs some back-up on this case.
Fife - Done and will continue prayers for this kind girl, and her dad. Fife, you're a good man.
Good morning all,
A rare morning post to compliment you, Fife, on a job well and tenderly done! I hope everyone has a good day.
Fife Prayers for her father. What a wonderful Daughter he has. Thanks for sharing. She sounds like some with internal beauty.
Morning all. No plans for today. 44* going to 54* today. Hope all stay warm and have a good day.
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