Fife, Great job on your part and even better on the girl's part. Prayers for her dad.
Maybe Sandra will get dressed today, got to see how her foot and leg are. They look way better.
-3 with full sun 17 for the high today and temps will rise all week up to high 30s by Christmas. That is about it.
Oh one good thing about the cold. Only 9 people got shot in Chicago this weekend. That is way down from the norm.
Joined 1-21-2011 TCA 13-68614
Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL.
Morning. 34 degrees and wet. Hope no ice tonight. Got Mayor's Assoc. party tonight. If it wasn't for wasting the Town's money, I'd stay home. I'm sure others feel the same.
Prayers Fify.
Hope Don Baker makes Chicago OK. Will cell phone him later to see how its going.
Have a great week ahead.
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
wrmcclellan 27 degrees...wind is howling.... philly - welcome back!
27 degrees...wind is howling....
philly - welcome back!
Thank you.
Guess it is cold up north or north of Gainesville FL. Here in southeast FL it is around 82 again today. If we would get anybody to come down here for the holidays it would be Sandy Claws; a big house that is over weight at the beach, maybe Flipper could deliver stuff as well as there are canals down here too.
Turned on the news last night after coming home friend a friend's house and saw that Zsa Zsa Gabor died. I liked her younger sister Eva better, she is the one who played in Greenacres sitcom as Lisa.
Any way I am trying to work on my layout some more when I have time. Installing another shelf for displaying my O gauge trains. Just finished wiring lights in the houses on the upper level. When finished I should be able to run 7 trains at one time.
Lee Fritz
fifedog 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.
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.
https://brentsandsusanspicutures.shutterfly.com/
Aloha from the land of minus-temps. 9 below now although hopefully by the time DonB gets here, the temps will be more 'normal'. What a heartwarming story, Fife! On my commute the other day, half the train was 'reserved' as the Polar Express - complete with volunteer elves, Santa and very excited kids. They just go the hour-and-a-half into the city -- don't detrain; get more hot cocoa aboard and and then back again. Brought smiles to my fellow curmudgeonly commuters.
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
It would be quite an adventure to go with you Don and I would if I weren't already up to my waist in alligators. Prayers for a safe trip.
SPMan
Chief, we'll have to start calling you Parson Eagles. BBQ sounds good.
Special one for KEV.
Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts.
That face tell you something.
Well, I suppose by now Don is playing a tape of Willie Nelson's "On The Road Again" and wheeling through Arizona or New Mexico. Doug, hope things go well for you during the holidays. Easy does it. One of my sons and I payed a visit to my wife at her memory care home last night. She has a new room mate who is not used to me yet. Shouted get out at me when I tried to put Helen to bed. Turned the whole thing over to a regular care give and beat a hasty retreat. I did not want this particular roomate for her in the first place because she has some issues. They assured me that if any problems arrise, they will move her. I think it's time to blow the whistle on her if she doesn't get along. I don't need this. Trying to get along over there but it's a challenge sometimes. Haven't done much for Christmas yet except go to church services but my kids will do whatever we need to do. Meanwhile, I am enjoying the Christmas music that two local stations are playing 24/7. Have a good Christmas week y'all and Don, keep on truckin.
Ray
ChiefEagles Special one for KEV. Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts. That face tell you something.
Tells me it looks like it could be this person's Older Sister, maybe???
Now, now Frank, You will sound like someone else soon if you start to rate on a scale of 1 to 10.
And to think I posted that picture of the 8 point buck just for you.
Anyway like Doug M said still in the deep freeze so worked on the 252 crossing signals set up and posted this video on another thread.
Good evening all,
Finally sunny in Hoosierland. Brisk weather for walk. Quiet day but busy at work. I got started on the 6 by 12 layout. I hope everyone has a good day.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
Evening,
Day started at 16 or so. Got above freezing for a while. 20's tonight and 50 tomorrow.
Fife - for that young lady and her family. Nice interaction on your part.
Mike C - glad to hear the Mianne framing works well.
Ray - prayers for you, your wife, and family
Today went from relaxed to a very busy day today. Tomorrow should be back to more relaxed.
Regards, Roy
Talked to Shake and Bake [Don] at around 11:30 EST. He was in Amarillo, TX. At a LaQuinto Inn. Why? Waffle House next door. CA doesn't have Waffle Houses. He say he is in heaven. Been a clear skies drive with satellite radio. Watched Santa Fe trains for some of his drive. Tracks ran parallel to highway.
KEV, don't think you caught what I was referring too.
Now to bed.
Good Morning,
It was great talking with the Chief, and the waffles were terrific!! Roy... I'll buy breakfast if your in the area, (of course at the Waffle House of my choice.) Just give me a call.
Going to change my schedule a little bit, was: Amarillo to Springfield, Mo. tomorrow. Then Springfield to Wilmette on Wednesday. Off load on Thursday. NOW: Amarillo to Joplin tomorrow, then Joplin to Peoria on Wednesday, and Peoria to Wilamette Thurs AM, then unload. Makes for a couple of easier days, and still be on schedule. The truck is fantastic, it is practically new! Started with only 30k, and with the satalite radio has been great, Classic Country.
Fife, That is what I miss most about Knott's, the kids. Especially on little toot, I made stickers of the various trains and would have age appropriate questions for them then give them a sticker, i.e. Is this a steam engine, or a diesel engine, or a steam engine, or a electric engine, or a steam engine. ONLY 1 missed the correct answer in my two years, I found out later people (families) would come back and ask for the guy with the stickers. But had so MUCH fun with them. Your story is truly one of the best, and YOU sure handled it WELL !!!!
Take care all, hey Doug and Kev, how about you guys turning the heater on???!!! Sure would appreciate it! I WILL TRY TO BRING SOME WARMER AIR WITH ME. Oh yeah. I noticed some white stuff scattered on the roadside, and I don't think it is cotton falling from trucks! Hmmm
Later, (Bfast at Waffle House, dinner at Cracker Barrel.)
Don
Good Morning from a beautiful clear 19°F Southern Ohio,
I needed to come into work early because since I work 4 10 hour days and holiday pay is based on an 8 hour day I need to make up 2 hours to make my 40 hour week. Oh well, it is quiet.
I didn’t get the All Aboard panel on Ebay, it went higher than I wanted to go. I’ve got time before I “need” it. Gabriel got a mild concussion in the basketball game last night. The coaches pulled him and the defensive game under the boards really suffered. Got to hand it to the coaches to put the kids above a game.
Don – Sounds like you trip is going well. What’s for supper?
Kev – Neat crossing gate
Doug – The PE commute would be fun to see and participate in
Prayers for all especially Fife’s contact
May God Bless
Jim.
Hello all
About 40 deg on the mountain this morning, fairly warm compared to what we had last weekend.
Sounds like Don is having a good trip, safe travels.
Fife - great story and nice work sir:)
Kev - the crossing gates work nice.
On the train front, I found a good deal on the bay on something I've been hoping to find for a while now. A lithographed Marx #897. I believe these were used w/ the prewar Army sets. Tough to find one in decent condition and even harder at a decent price.
I gave up on fixing the Chromebook yesterday. Needs a new hardrive to be funtional again and just didn't want to invest the time and money into it. Still using my old Thinkpad for the time being. Walmart has a good deal on a fairly basic tablet w/ a keyboard. While I'm not a fan of touchscreens, I think I can deal w/ it if I have a keyboard. Thought it would be useful on my trip up to CO and then use as a backup machine for now. I gave the chromebook to my co-worker who is kind of into that stuff.
I head home tonight and then tomrrow will be a long day of errands and what not and then I get on the bus in the evening to head to Flagstaff to catch the SW Chief to CO.
Bob
Tucson, AZ (aka the Ol' Pueblo)
Home of the Mt. Graham & Arizona Eastern Boiler Shops
Morning all
The other night,( Friday ) I got down on the floor to get my cat, and think I cracked a rib on the left side as I remember hearing something not right and sudden pain at the same time. It has not gotten any better as of yet. No train news for today that I can think of. We have to goto the store for a couple of things. I told her she's lifting everything and pushing the cart. It hurts to burp or any thing more than normal breathing.Oh well need to take it easy for a few days. Hope all have a good day. It's 41* with high a of 52* cloudy at present.
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
Only thing I order at Waffle House is the Pecan waffle, love em. But we have none in Michigan that I have ever seen. Stop at one in Ohio once, nastiest place we ever ate in. One would think the chain would inspect their franchise once in a while.
Don B I have $3.00 left on a Cracker Barrel gift card if you want to use it.
Sun and 28 for today, gradualy getting warmer through the week. Bacon and egg sandwich this morning. NO GRITS at this house.
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 morning,
Much warmer today, 17 now, heading to 29 later. By the time you get here Don we should be in melt down. 36 tomorrow and 56 by Sunday. Sorry if you miss out on the snow and cold.
I think I did Chief, just working around things can be better and they do look like they could be sisters.
No big plans today. Wife got dressed and went into town yesterday so she is on the mend.
Morning all!
30 here this morning. Sweating. Had to change to a lighter shirt. 50-53 this afternoon.
Don - too bad you are not a bit further south. Love Waffle House! Safe travels! Glad you are taking your time.
RT - ouch! I hope that is just a pulled muscle!
Hey, guys, how's it going!!
Yes, still alive. 2 jobs are kicking my a$$, but I'm starting to catch up a bit. The killer was I has bought a bookshelf for $1 at an auction and I was measuring the basement to see if it fit and found out the oil tank was empty.....I could only afford 100 gallons @ $234...the fuel oil people are local and friends of the family, so I'll float them a check later this week. So much for Christmas shopping...lol....
I'm slowly dismantling the Santa parade layout and bringing things home. The tree is up and decorated and finished the house outside on Saturday. I do wish I could slow down and enjoy the season, but just not gonna happen.
It was nice to see my Giants win against the 'Boys and the Lions...just wish my Devils would get off the schnide....
Got my 2 day tickets to Greenburgs in Somerset on the 6th and 7th $6.95!! Wowsers!! Hope to see the Jersey shore crew there!
Back to work, I'm off Friday during the day, working at night, though.
Fife - great story. You're awesome, dude!! I was also thinking of you last week with that accident with the tanker in B'more. I was thanking God that you retired. We need a get together prior to York. I miss hanging with you all. Been way too long.
OK, guys I gotta get back to it, prayer for all in need, will check back soonest!!
I am the monster in your head...And I thought you'd learn by now, It seems you haven't yet.I am the venom in your skin --- Breaking Benjamin
Good afternoon,
It's about 82 again here in sunny southeast Florida.I'd love to see some cooler weather to keep the AC bill down.
I used to live in Reading PA when going to junior high & high school so I know about cold weather. Lived in Stratford CT for about 10 years before moving back to Reading PA. Also was stationed in Germany with the US Army in the mid to late 1970's & again in 1982.
I just finished putting up another shelf in the hallway, ran out of room in the main train room. Will wait for the paint to dry and then put some freight cars on the shelf.
Also installing some LED lights instead of CFL's, supposed to last longer and be cheaper to use. Even found 3 way LED lights at Home Depot, only thing is they start at the higher watt setting and go down to lower instead of starting at lower and going to higher watt setting.
Quiet day at work. Good day to walk outside at noon. Will be working on benchwork tonight. I hope everyone has a good day.
50 degrees - ahhhhhhhh.....
48 today Roy 55 Tomorrow
Good Morning from frosty 27°F Southern Ohio,
Last day of work today before Christmas, and lots of stuff to get done so I came into work early. Looks like I’ll be spending some time in the garage as the alternator on the van went out. Of course it is buried under the power steering reservoir, window washer reservoir, a plastic panel and held on with a blind bolt that is accessed from the block side of the alternator. Oh fun. Maybe it will have better access from underneath. Can you say bloody knuckles? At least the temperature in the garage will be 40°+.
Mike – Are you taking progress pictures of the layout? If so please post them.
Lee – The LEDs really seem to be taking over. I had a recessed flood in the kitchen and replaced the CFL with an LED and the color is the same and brighter without being blinding. Supposed to last 9 years. The CFL I removed was 6 years old. I write the install date on the base of the bulb. Yes I can be OCD.
Rich – Good to hear from you! Sounds like you are as busy as a one armed paper hanger.
Bob – Gotta love the Marx. The litho has an appeal of it’s own.
RT – Hope the ribs are OK and you don’t need to sneeze or hic cup.
Gotta go
Jim
40 this morning and 65 this afternoon - double ahhhhhh! - cool front tonight and back to 50's tomorrow. Maybe 65 and 70 for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day With some rain.
Phish/Lee - I also write the install date on CFL and LED lights. I started that when the darn things rarely lasted longer than an incandescent. So far I have gotten 4 years out of a CFL. Regarding the van, you forgot to mention some custom tool needed to remove some custom bolt/part!
Anj - hang in there! - we here in da Big D need the Iggles to beat the G-ain'ts tomorrow night ( unlikely but one can dream?)
Jim it hurts to burp also. lol
Not much planned for today. Waiting for a guy to show up and fix the upright freezer as it likes it stays in defrost and freeze at the same time as it dries out meats and puts crystals on the inside of packages and will dry out bread and make one side hard as rock. And it's not like I'm in it everyday as it is the second freezer and its out in the garage.
Oh well we will see.
Last day at work for the year was yesterday. Now, to work at home.
We will not be traveling north for Christmas this year. First time in about 25 years. Won't miss the hassle of the trip.
On the train front, I'll be doing some minor projects for the Polar Express layout, getting it ready for its next show - whenever that is. I'm looking at a Great Lakes Express set on e-bay, trying to decide if I want to pull the trigger or not.
Got to take care of a few items on my to do list this afternoon. At least the weather has warmed up and is sunny.
Was 26 when I got up and is heading to almost 40 today, We went to KFC for lunch then Krogers for food and supplies. We took her car to put some miles on it. Now that she is not working it hardly gets used. Let alone up to temperature.
Dan SIL some-day-maybe is coming out on Thursday to hunt and is bringing the kids so they can spend the night. So when they are here Daughter and him will do all of their gift wrapping and stuff when he is done hunting. Then when they come to pick them up on Friday we will do their gifts. Then Christmas dinner on Sunday at their place.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month