March 2020 Coffee Pot. 15 years old. Bacon and Country Ham to smell up the kitchen. Some Eggs and Hot Coffee.

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  Rainy and 40 along the Patterson Creek cut-off.  'Tis the calm before the storm.  Got outside and raked up the rest of the tall, ornamental grass, yesterday.

Youngest Princess painted a little more color onto the creekbed, and laid down another coat of artist gloss medium.  I will put down another application this morning.  The more you add, the "deeper" the water looks.  You just can't pour it down, or you'll get ridges where you don't want them.

Also, I've made the decision to install a "fake" spur track, leading to the railroad tie plant, along the back wall.  I've wanted to add an operating siding, but that would put the Lionel switch in a hard-to-get-to position, and would probably be an operational headache.  The faux siding will allow me to stage some flats and gons, and a tank car for the creosote there.  Moving things along.

[wrmcclellan]

Good morning from lock-down! Hey! This is where all my stuff is!

Finally, a day that started with bright sun! Have not had that happen in weeks. Nice!

Hit 84 yesterday, a bit higher predicted today. 70's for weekend.

Progress is slow on the train inventory. I have now hit an area where things are mixed up and I have to search for the matching components - in 2 other closets...this is because many times I found components that went together over a period of years of searching and there was not room (or time) to reorganize all of it to put the pieces together (ice cars with PW icing station, matching PW pass cars, etc.). I also had a lot of modern cars in tubs for easy access when running at train shows, so I am reboxing all of it. Cars/accessories not in their boxes created more of a space problem.

Dennis - sorry you are stuck at home and from all your normal activities. This will pass. Hang in there!

Kev - I tried the screwdriver trick one time after a dealer change (during an annual inspection). Twisted/ripped half the body of the filter off and did not budge the base at all....argh...luckily it was my el Camino and there was space to work unlike the newer stuff. I was able to get channel locks near the metal base and finally work it off by tapping the junction of the channel locks nose and the filter base with another screwdriver and small ballpeen hammer. Worked my way around about 1/2 turn before I could twist it off. The language I was emitting was blue/hot enough I probably heated the base like a torch would have and loosened it. I recall I probably spent 2 hours or more and was covered in oil...fortunately I was single at the time and there was no one around to hear me (if they did they kept their distance! Wise!). I had a house (built in 1922) in the old part of Dallas NW of downtown and the previous owner had poured a nice big concrete patio in the back that I used when I had auto work to do. Big hackberry tree for shade.

Fife, the fake spur is a great idea!

[KRM]

wrmcclellan

 

Kev - I tried the screwdriver trick one time after a dealer change (during an annual inspection). Twisted/ripped half the body of the filter off and did not budge the base at all....argh...luckily it was my el Camino and there was space to work unlike the newer stuff. I was able to get channel locks near the metal base and finally work it off by tapping the junction of the channel locks nose and the filter base with another screwdriver and small ballpeen hammer. Worked my way around about 1/2 turn before I could twist it off. The language I was emitting was blue/hot enough I probably heated the base like a torch would have and loosened it. I recall I probably spent 2 hours or more and was covered in oil...fortunately I was single at the time and there was no one around to hear me (if they did they kept their distance! Wise!). I had a house (built in 1922) in the old part of Dallas NW of downtown and the previous owner had poured a nice big concrete patio in the back that I used when I had auto work to do. Big hackberry tree for shade.

Fife, the fake spur is a great idea!

 

 

 Roy I can see that. I too have had that happen. Wifey's car is a 2008 Torrent with a 3.6. You can't hardly see the filter let alone reach it. I used a wide pry bar to loosen it so I could push on the whole side of the filter just so what happened to you would not happen to me. Once I saw it had moved some is when I took the screwdriver to it. My right hand is sore today and blown up. Must of hit it good. I learned a long time ago that cursing at or throwing wrenches does no good. 

[wrmcclellan]

Kev - 'not' throwing wrenches - riiiiiigggghht 

Really good 1946 Pennsy film - some great shots (near the end) of their shops and a T1 on their stationary test platform. Very cool!

https://youtu.be/WiLIS2Sl29s

 

[dbaker48]

Good Morning,

Had a good day yesterday, Kay had a "Skype" type call with her Mom yesterday, then went with her to visit her Dad at the Cemetary. So all was good.  

The bike path behind our house has been like a thorough fare, I've never seen so much traffic on it.  

Not much more, hope everyone stays safe with all this going on!  More and more closures going on.  Need to roll with it!

[fifedog]

Chaos at Fifedom.  Grandsons are here.  The sights.  The sounds.  The smells (2 yr. old).  Wifey had the house cutely decorated for Easter.  Had.  The 8 year old tested Fifepop's "boundaries" all day.  I won.  Curly Top did want to see "Pop's trains", so I set him on the Lionel bar stool, and opened up all 4 lines.  He was happy and content, for 5 minutes.  Then he became consumed with why the engines parked on the layout, and in the display cabinet, were not running...

V8Vega - Your doggie and FifeMax must've been from the same litter. 

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

Quiet day at work.  At least I am still working.  Traffic was much lighter today.   Did an hour walk outside last night.  Drained oil out of Toro mower.   Slept well.  Much better mood today.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[ChiefEagles]

Cloudy but suppose to clear off.  Warmer.  Young man helping me do things is here.  No feeding kids today.  Got plenty of help today.  Back tomorrow.

Stay safe.

[KRM]

Mid 40s and rain on the North Bluff,

Took the Colorado to the dealer for an oil change and shock replacement. They gave me a new 2020 Equinox with 25 miles on it. Nice car.

You know what, they had a shock in stock?? Guess they know there is issues with them. Hard to think that with only 14,400 miles a rear shock would be leaking already. The Z71 package should have the better shocks on it to. My 2003 Ranger has the original shocks in the rear with 173K.

Dealer service area is still open but he said if things don't change they will more than likley be shut down soon to.

Chicago is closing all parks because when it got a little warm yesterday they were flooded with idots.  Now they will give them citations. Oh well?

Best get.

[wrmcclellan]

Afternoon from lockdown-town,

Another day with a sunshine start. Takes the edge off. Might hit 90 today. 

Dennis - I used to stay glued to the Lionel displays at the downtown Houston Dept stores. I think my parents avoided taking me there too often..."there's an abandoned child in the toy department...".

Had some house cleaning chores for today. Mopped/scrubbed the tile in the kitchen and breakfast area. Damp mopped the wood floors in living room. 

Almost completed the first walkin closet of trains inventory yesterday. Will get back to it this afternoon. Then just two partial closets, the garage,...

Fife - batten down the hatches...short boarders! 

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  Damp and 50 along the Patterson Creek cut-off.  Yesterday was pretty, so we spent some of it outside.  Oldest Princess can't sit still.  8 yr. old brought this rocket that he wanted to build and launch.  I supervised, and we took it up to the school.  This project is "powered" with a mix of vinegar and baking soda.  We couldn't get the blend right, and I wound up wearing most of it on 3 attempts.  Even SpaceX had their mishaps...  The older boy was much better; the curly top , just getting started.  Woof.

[Buckeye Riveter]

Dennis... Take care of yourself and please no more falls. My balance is not what it used to be either. I received my first Lionel Train for Christmas in 1961. In the spring of 1962, my fifth-grade class took a field trip to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. After that my mom couldn't keep me away from every type of model train layout, store, outdoor display, etc. Of course, riding the B&O or Pennsy for 12 + hours one way every summer to see my Grandparents in Baltimore, MD did nothing to discourage my passion for trains. 

 

Yesterday we drove to Mohican State Park a few minutes north of here near Loudonville, OH. Mohican is Ohio’s canoeing and mountain biking area. The campground was closed so we walked around one of the big loops in the campground enjoying the scenery along the river. Nice and quiet while the trail parking lots were packed. The park is also noted for its trout fishing. A rare river for Ohio.

 

 

Today I may take Mrs. Buckeye on a trip to see one of our ghost towns in the county. During the canal era, this area of Ohio was considered a location for the state capital.

 

 

I have a relative near Los Angeles bragging how he is going to Walmart every day. His sister is disgusted with him and I just roll my eyes.  I stay away from Walmart even on a good day.

 

Roy…. High temp for the Valley is to be 57°, much cooler than Texas.

 

Have a good day.

 

 

Edit: What is wrong with this software? I typed my post in Word and then copied and pasted. Kalambach's software reformated it such that you couldn't read it. I went back in and manually edited it. I'm thinking that Kalambach doesn't use software that is compatible with MS Word. 

[sir james I]

Cloudy and 50s for today. Gonna be an on/off weekend of rain. No news here as the lock down is already a few days old. Last time out gas was $1.59 and no where to go. News from family is the store shelves are looking better. Not everything but enough.

S.J.

[Banks]

Hello there,

Buckeye.......I  don't think Kalmbach softsoftware is compatible with anything.

Mrs is still coughing up stuff and winded easily.

Still social distancing. Haven't been in a store since Sunday. Planning to keep it that way. Considering trying the Wallyworld pickup.
 The 1st case reported in Blair County PA today. Ten PA counties are "shelter in place" they're all the large metropolitan areas. 
The Ace Hardware is doing pickup orders only. Got some stuff for the bathroom. Mrs was glad, pulled up, popped the trunk and we were on the way.

Mrs and I  split a few more pieces of tree trunk yesterday. Probably about half done. Need to do the rest and add it to the wood pile.

Best get on with the day.

Prayers for those in need

[cnw1995]

Aloha all. I've missed you. I've been emergency-planning for work - lots of 14 hour days in the past few years - and lots of adventures pulling back students from overseas. I too have good memories like Roy and Buckeye shared about watching and playing trains in stores and museums when i was growing up. The old O gauge layout at the MSI was wonderful! The HO one is pretty neat too. Wow, $1.59 gas is amazing - I know it's gone below .99 cents in Wisconsin - still high here because of the taxes and there's no where to go. 

[KRM]

Hi,

Not much going on here, it seems that sensibility leaves in the rural areas later and comes back sooner. Stores seem to have everything needed. Wife picked up some extra TP for the kids in suburbia if they need it yesterday. We had a fire in the fireplace last night and just chilled out. I am trying to clear the wood pile off the front porch.

 Good to see Doug is doing fine and had time to check in.

 As for me it was my Dad that drove the trains into us. He got a set from a friend and set it up in the basement on a 4x8 sheet of plywood for my brother and I as a diversion for us after mom died in January 59. I was just 6 years old and my brother was 8. We spent hours down there and it helped. There was a hobby shop in Joilet he would take us to called Emil & Eds on Broadway St. where we would eye our next wish. We also went to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. I loved that layout when it was still 0 gauge. Later when dad re-married, we set up a layout in the attic of my step grandparents with the help of our uncle that was 4x20 with a 4x8 switch yard. Good times were had there as well. All of dad’s life he never stopped getting us or later our kids trains for Christmas. So, it was not a question of if, but rather when I would build another layout.

Best get.

[ChiefEagles]

Sun came out.  Then clouds.  Must be out again as jumped from 70 to 78 and a few.  Mowed grass while waiting for food boxes [enough for families for weekend] to be prepared.  Hope I get enough.  4 trailer parks to cover.  

Then go to FIL's to help whatever.  Seems In-laws think I should be there every day all day long.  I have had a young man hired to help me do stuff here.  BTW: tractor is running.  I may have to rebuild generator.  That I can do.  Not moving there per Wifey now.  Wind changed. 

Stay well and safe.

[wrmcclellan]

Morning fellow shut-ins!

Started out cloudy but sun just came out. It only made it to 83 yesterday. Glad they were wrong. Temps in 70's for the next week

Finished the walkin closet train inventory yesterday. On to the next closet!

Good stories from all regarding train experiences when youngsters!

Banks - watch that cough!

[Banks]

Hello there,

Roy.........Mrs has been coughing for near a month. Had a round of antibiotics and Doc says cough could last 8 to 10 weeks.

Gable's Dept store in Altoona had display layouts as a kid. The Altoona Model Railroad Club had scale layouts ne HO, S and O two rail. They opened every year for the holidays. They're still in existance in a different location with N, HO and O scale. Also saw the layout at the Carnegie Sciene Center in Pittsburgh. Then there was my uncle who's Christmas layout covered his living and dining rooms

Best move on.

 

Prayers this pandemic ends soon

[cheapclassics]

Good afternoon all,

Yesterday was a great day.  The 500 was rescheduled for August and I mowed the yard for the first time of the season before the neighbor did (never did that before).  Work is still going well but few people here.  Weather is wet now but was dry enough last night for me to get yard work done.   Person at work asked me if virus would prevent 500 in August.  I said if it is still this bad by then, no one will be around to watch it.  Felt good to be outside doing a "normal" activity.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[dbaker48]

Howdy,

Boy, the national and local news is frightning!  But it is what it is.  Gas down to $2.49 !  Cant remember when it was that low!  Must be barely covering the taxes.  We did go for a bike ride yesterday, plan to make that a daily event. Unless traffic gets really bad.  We stay in our tract, but I have never seen as many people as there is out walking etc.,  Dogs must really be getting tired of all this.  I haven't seen any dogs with masks on yet.

We did discover reruns of "The Virginian" on TV, and been recording them.  My family didn't watch that show as a kid, I think probably because they were a hour and half long episodes.  But what we like is the stories and plots are different, not just good guy vs bad guy, but interesting.

Had the oil changed today, 3 attempts.  The usual place we go to was closed went I went there.  Called this am, and they were closing areound 1 or 2 if they were not busy.  Can't blame them, but did get in to them today.

Hopefully the weather is going to warm up, its been in the low 60's here for the past week.  Suppose to be warmer starting tomorrow and through next week.

Finally, I believe the USN Hospital ship is arriving today in the LA Harbor, will be docking at one of the cruise ship berths.  Its only going to be handling NON Virus cases, freeing up  space for the other hospitals.

Wishing the best for all of us!  Be Safe!

[anjdevil2]

TGIF ! ! ! ! ! !

Hey, all....

Went shopping last night, got food for all of God's creatures, including us and scored a 20 pack of Scott's TP!!!  YEA!!!

Hammer fell today, I've been cut back to 30 hours per week, so now I work 9 to 3 Monday to Friday.  No one on my team is being laid off or furloughed, so that is a positive.  Not sure how the finances will shake out, but fortunately, I have my tax return and should be my last fat check coming next Friday, so the AmEx will be paid off and the Mortgage paid.  Not sure about the car payment, but that's the last think I need to worry about right now.

Got my NS First Responders set and it's pretty cool, Jenni is trying to make the helicopter fly while I work.....lol

62F right now, BRIGHT SUN so I can't enjoy it right now, but come Monday I will be able to.  Especially since I can't spend any money or go anywhere.  And gas is $2.19/gallon...time to break out the muscle car!!!!

[Buckeye Riveter]

Good morning from the Valley,

Don... For a state that has oil wells, $ 2.49/ gallon is not much to be happy about. We are bouncing around at $ 1.65/gal. 

Dennis.... You want a good story? Here it is:

The  National Limited Train Wreck

---

May 1956

We left Baltimore’s Mount Royal Station in the usual fashion late in the evening.  The big diesel engines growled as the brakes squealed entering the train shed.  We boarded and took our seats in the sleeper car as usual.  In the middle of the night we awoke from an awful commotion.  The porter was yelling and my mother said we had to move.  We left the compartment and began walking towards the back of the train.   Injured passengers in the coach behind us could be seen in the dim blue night lights.   Relocating to another sleeper car I fell back to sleep.

 

 

The train was traveling backwards when  I awoke the next morning, and breakfast was not being served.  At mid morning the train stopped in a small mountain town. We disembarked and walked to a small coffee shop near the train platform.  A small breakfast was purchased, and we returned to the train just in time to see a railroad relic uncouple from the remainder of our train. The small coal black steam engine chugged along the tracks towards the old roundhouse, much to my delight.

 

Later we learned that our train had been wrecked when it struck a rock slide exiting a tunnel. The engines and baggage cars derailed and plunged  from a bridge into a steep river gorge. Several cars left the tracks, including the dining car located directly ahead of our sleeper.  The engineer and fireman were killed in the wreck.

 

March 2002

To celebrate my birthday this year, Molly and Kathy planned an outing at North Bend State Park in West Virginia.  Molly being a senior at WVU, would meet us at the park.  After reading the literature in the room at the park’s lodge, we discovered that the bike trail followed the tracks of the B&O National Limited. In the pamphlet it said that on May 31, 1956, the B&O’s National Limited exited Tunnel No. 13, struck a rock on the tracks and plunged into the creek, killing the engineer and fireman.  I excitedly read to Kathy and Molly the story in the pamphlet, and Kathy looked at me and said that was the same story I had been telling her for years about my train wreck.  We drove down to the wreck site and tunnel and took photos.  What a wonderful birthday surprise!

[ChiefEagles]

Morning. 78 and sunny. Been relaxing for a while. Did sleep until 8:15. Much needed sleep. Wiley the Yorkie had to come wake me as Mom was outside digging in gardens. Off to FIL's to work and have lunch. Seems Uncles and Cousins cook every Saturday. Those folks don't understand I have things here to do. Move there, will always be in your business. Expected to be in theirs's. No feeding sites open and not delivery food this weekend. Why we delivered weekend boxes yesterday. Lost a State Trooper last night in an auto crash. Not much details on the news. Inheited Farmall 140.  Running like new now. Gas is $1.51 now.   Everyone stay safe and well.

 

[fifedog]

Chief - I like Farmall Red, better than green.  (sorry JonAdel, wherever you are)

Buckeye - Quite the story. 

cnw1995 - Thanks for checking in, matie. 

 

[KRM]

Fife,

"Nothing" Runs like a Deere!  

Dennis, best run with it and hope they are getting their advice from the medical professionals not a politician.

Rain all day so as long as we are locked in the plan for the day is detail and wax the Colorado. Sure glad I have my shed. I would go nuts locked in the house all day. Only so much to do on the layout.

[Banks]

Hello there.

Still "social distancing", 2nd Blair county case reported this morning. A grocery store employee, has everybody freaking out.

Tried to order from WalyWorld yesterday. but no dates or times available. Got a pickup scheduled for 5 to 6 PM tomorrow at a local chain grocery. (different than above)

Thunder storms just before daylight this morning then off and on showers. About 11 had a huge downpour with pea size hail. Mid 50's now, 70 predicted tomorrow

I prefer OLIVER green.

Buckey........Great story!!!  HILTI tools are the best, I've used them a lot. For your use I'd recommend this

https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-45a-hammer-drill-64119.html 

and plastic anchors. Cheap but under light use work and last well.

Best move on.

 

Prayers for those in need

[KRM]

Banks, My dad was a Minneapolis-Moline guy. We had a U and a Z

 

Well now that that is done,,, what to do tomorrow?

Man I love that Meguiar’s Ultimate Liquid Wax. It sure works good and gives a deep shine. Not hard to do either. So everything is clean and it is raining. I even got the old Trident done.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[dougdagrump]

A sign of the times.

[fifedog]

Dougnottta - I thought was a cute one-piece.  Shows you where my mind was...

Mornin' boys.  Foggy and 51 right now in Fifedom.  Noticed 2 of the sofa cushions were scrubbed down and drying in dining room, so something transpired after I went to bed.  Only activity in train room was adding wisteria vines, from an old AMSI landscape kit, to the 106 tinplate bridge.  Need to get the older grandson under the layout to string some feeder wires.  Maybe also get him to make an updated video.