Okay, open Forum, off-topic, or whatever (grab a cup and sit)

[John Busby]

QUOTE: Originally posted by toenailridgesl

F O R D....
Fortuitously Only Rarely Driveable

Hey Phil
I always thought it was Fix Or Repair Daily[:D]
regards John

[tangerine-jack]

Found On Road Dead
Fast Only Rolling Downhil
F%#^ng Old Rusty Dumpster
Can Hear Every Valve Rattle On Long Extended Trips
Swedish Automobile, Always Broken
Big Money Waste
Poor Old Nucklehead Thinks Its A Caddilac
Lucas. (stands alone, doesn't it?)

[Curmudgeon]

Fine, old, reliable driver
Favourite of race drivers.
First on race day.
Flip over, read directions.

And, after all these decades of driving and working on autos for a living, fixing daily is a lot better than annual overhauls on some brands (or thin-wall casting cracks on 84 and later 350's, shlves full of flat small-block chebbie cams, 700R4.....one of the biggest nightmares until the computer-controlled Chrysler mini-van transaxle.....

TOC

[tangerine-jack]

Shouldn't that be "trash cans" full of SBC cams? That's where I put GM and FOMOCO parts- all are unrebuildable. Why would you want to clutter the shop with worn out junk parts? At least MOPAR uses twice the materials to make thier stuff. But I agree about the Chrysler trannys, they didn't do a good job of copying a bad Ford idea.
So why is it the Japs continue to produce reliable, rugged, cost effective autos and we can't? I drove a new Mustang to Maine and a new Toyota Corolla SE to PA, no comparison. The Corolla is a better car in every area, and can easily blow away the gutless Mustang for the same price. Both were 2 dr, AT/PS/PB V6, yet the Corolla left me gasping for breath on acelleration, wheras the Mustang embarrased me at every toll booth and stoplight.
Guess we're back to the "global economy" thing again................

[Curmudgeon]

The only reason NoPar uses twice the material....its they have to make the parts twice to get anything close to passable to get the car off the showroom floor....

I am really surprised at the Oz contingent.
Especially when it was rusting out Holdens (GM) that caused the law about body inspections and no rust anywhere in Oz.....as rusty Holdens tended to come apart in multiple pieces on the road.....

[Capt Bob Johnson]

I thought it was "Mutha Only Parks Along Roadside"

(Nowadays they won't even start if you can't cuss at them in ***!)

Please Leave Yours, Mine Only UnderTakes Hardship!

[Tom The Brat]

TJ,

Not to be off-topic, but I love that slogan, "Serving the back yard since 2001."[tup]

[tangerine-jack]

Yeah, I'd hate to be "off topic" here.

I'll probably change that slogan after a while, I'll see if it sticks. If anybody noticed I actually named my RR for the first time. It's interesting how much more motivated I am to do projects for the "Dixie D Sort Line" as opposed to puttering around with the "RR with no name that runs everybody's stuff". I'm working on revamping some older rolling stock into the Sylvan Green of the DDSL, and the recent loco repaint was a part of that rebirth. I never really put much faith in the naming of a model RR, but it seems to be working a kind of magic for me. I haven't thought of a convincing background story yet, but I'm sure something will pop up.

It still hauls about half tourist and half light industrial freight, I don't see any reason to change that. The operational aspect is much more interesting now, the customer can ship DDSL or NS/Chessie. Like I said, I haven't got a convincing story yet, so just go with it, OK?

The logo is the real Confederate flag (national) with a bust of Robert E. Lee superimposed and the Dixie D in gold lettering. This will appear on all box cars and locos, with just the double D on flats or other places where the full logo won't fit. The first official loco bearing this emblem is my repainted, batt/RC converted B'mann Big Hauler, Engine #14- named the "Fearnot 4". All I need now is the decal paper for my printer and I'm off!

[vsmith]

Hi Jack

DDSL sounds good, if your going to use the Confederate flag that one is better than the stars and bars, can have alot of negative baggage with that one if ya know what I mean.

Hiya Tim where you been hiding? Things about the same except for my tiny garden RR i manage to wedge into some open space.

Let me add to the auto discussion

FIAT Fix It Again Tony
BMW Bring Money Withya,Break My Windows

[Curmudgeon]

Another....
FIAT
Final Italian Attempt at Technology

[tangerine-jack]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

Hi Jack

DDSL sounds good, if your going to use the Confederate flag that one is better than the stars and bars, can have alot of negative baggage with that one if ya know what I mean.

Only negative to those who insist upon speaking out of ignorance and distorted history. The "war of Northern agression" was fought because of the crushing economic and political terrorism of the North 9(see "Atlanta, Sherman's march to the sea" for a clear example of who the aggressor was). Southern States, by constitutional right, could at any time leave the Union, and felt that the time had come to do so. As thier grandfathers threw off the British, they would throw off the North. Slavery was issue number 472,604, the war was the second American Revolution, nothing less. Virginia in fact seceded from the Union, but didn't join the Confederacy until some months later. It's all water under the bridge now and we have a solid sense of what the United in USA means (after a few hundred thousand dead)

As far as the "stars and bars" being used by intentionaly stupid people to propigate lies and hatred, isn't the Christian cross and the US national flag also used by these groups? Yet these symbols aren't associated with misguided history or hatred. I'll never understand why the ignorant wi***o single out just one battle flag when there were literaly hundreds in use.

The "stars and bars" was the battle flag of Robert E. Lee, the only officer ever to have graduated from West Point with NO demerits. He believed in the Union, and turned down command of a Union Army as he felt it wasn't right to be fighting against his homeland. Lee was clearly the best general to have fought in the war, but his cause was doomed from the start due to manufacturing and supply problems from the economic opression of the South for 80 years by the North.

Next thing you know, we'll be hearing that Cleopatra was black, and we were wrong to fight the Japanese in WWII. I wonder how the people of Nanking feel about that?

Ok, I'm not getting political, just relaying factual history. Do with it what you want.

[Tom The Brat]

Or that Hitler wasn't such a bad fellow, once you got to know him?

[tangerine-jack]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Torby

Or that Hitler wasn't such a bad fellow, once you got to know him?

EXACTLY!!! That's the sort of alteration of the historical facts that I can't stand. History IS, it cannot offend, demean, criticise or lie. It is a collection of documented, supportable FACT, not FEELING.

It's like the black Cleopatra thing. Where on Earth did anybody get that nonsense? Does it feel good to believe a lie? All contemporary paintings and statues of Cleo's era clearly show a Caucasian queen. Why? Well, my friends, DOCUMENTED history (ie. the writings, songs and artwork of that time) clearly and irrefutably establi***hat Cleo was a Ptolomeic queen, that is to say, she was the direct blood lineage of the Macedonian general, Ptolomy, who was left in charge of Egypt after Alexander died. Sorry, not a black queen. You must be thinking of the Jugurthas of Numidia, now they were black Africans as well as great kings and rulers of a vast empire, with alliance with the Roman world.

My point is, don't forge off into "history" without doing factual reasearch. You might be pleasantly surprized by the truth.

[Anonymous]

Black's not allowed.
You have to say 'ethnic'
Or 'minority'
The fact that I live in a Christian country and my Queen is the defender of the faith,we cannot celebrate Christmas in case it upsets the 'ethnic minority'
If that does not breed racism ,nothing will.
No wonder the 'far right' is associated with the Union flag (not Union Jack.That only applies to boats)
They are the only ones with the guts to fly it any more.

OK.
Rant over.

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tangerine-jack

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

Hi Jack

DDSL sounds good, if your going to use the Confederate flag that one is better than the stars and bars, can have alot of negative baggage with that one if ya know what I mean.

Only negative to those who insist upon speaking out of ignorance and distorted history. The "war of Northern agression" was fought because of the crushing economic and political terrorism of the North 9(see "Atlanta, Sherman's march to the sea" for a clear example of who the aggressor was). Southern States, by constitutional right, could at any time leave the Union, and felt that the time had come to do so. As thier grandfathers threw off the British, they would throw off the North. Slavery was issue number 472,604, the war was the second American Revolution, nothing less. Virginia in fact seceded from the Union, but didn't join the Confederacy until some months later. It's all water under the bridge now and we have a solid sense of what the United in USA means (after a few hundred thousand dead)

As far as the "stars and bars" being used by intentionaly stupid people to propigate lies and hatred, isn't the Christian cross and the US national flag also used by these groups? Yet these symbols aren't associated with misguided history or hatred. I'll never understand why the ignorant wi***o single out just one battle flag when there were literaly hundreds in use.

The "stars and bars" was the battle flag of Robert E. Lee, the only officer ever to have graduated from West Point with NO demerits. He believed in the Union, and turned down command of a Union Army as he felt it wasn't right to be fighting against his homeland. Lee was clearly the best general to have fought in the war, but his cause was doomed from the start due to manufacturing and supply problems from the economic opression of the South for 80 years by the North.

Next thing you know, we'll be hearing that Cleopatra was black, and we were wrong to fight the Japanese in WWII. I wonder how the people of Nanking feel about that?

Ok, I'm not getting political, just relaying factual history. Do with it what you want.

Whoa there Jack

I think your reading too much into my statement...for all you know my "negative baggage" could have been referring to the flag being used in that train-wreck of a film "Dukes of Hazzard"[;)][:D]

Yes any symbol can be perverted. The Swastiga was an ancient and powerfull symbol from Buddistism, perverted forever by those idiots in Germany.

We'll have to have a conversation sometime as to who fired first at Ft Sumpter, as it wasn't supposed to happen, but the Confederate commander who was a raging warhawk, took it upon himself to instigate something he was sure could not be undone, which turned out to be the case. Dont have my Civil War books handy so I cant remember his name except that I remember he commited suicide at the end of the war rather than live under the "yankees". [8)]

Clark Gable as Rhett Butler in "Gone With The Wind" at the Ball the night Ft Sumpter was fired upon describes perfectly the conditions of industry that would doom the South.

Anyway, like I said, dont read too much into my first post. and no matter what you do DO NOT see that "Dorks of Hazzard" train wreck of a film . Woof![:D]

[tangerine-jack]

I repent. Truly. Just don't rob me of my heritage in the name of political corectness.


Ok, on another note, I just got back from seeing "Polar Express" (finaly). Cool movie! I saw it at the IMAX, 40ft screen, 12,000 watt surround sound, digital compensated picture and in 3-D. I liked that fine bit of train driving skill over the frozen lake, power sliding a steam loco- now that's my style! Not bad from a couple of goober engineers.

[vsmith]

PS North South has a different meaning here

SoCal vs NoCal

Los Angeles vs San Francisco

Dodgers vs Giants

Chargers vs Raiders

Ducks vs Sharks

LA Lakers vs Sacremento Kings

Smog vs Fog

[:D]

[tangerine-jack]

So what's wrong with Dukes of Hazzard?? I know people like that for real. A true and accurate documentary as ever filmed. Brings tears to the eyes.

Anyway, I wouldn't have thought anybody would be so nieve to think that a ruthlessly bloody civil war started because a few shots were fired at a fort? No, the powderkeg was stoked and smouldering in the political halls of New York, DC and Pennsylvania for many years prior. All that naval commander did was declare to the world that enough was enough. Had the South been liberated, he would have been declared a hero.

[Anonymous]

Welcome back Tim! I'm still just working a bazillion hours per norm.

On the car truck issue, I just wish I could afford a new one, every since it became the "thing" for everyone to own a pickup truck they are WHEEEEYYYY over priced for this carpenter's budget. I'm still driving my 1991 Chevy V6(wish it was an V8) with a 163,000 miles on it. I bought it new for $12,000.00 now I couldn't touch one for almost double that.[:(!] I'm going to brave it and probably and drive it to the ECLSTS this year.

Oh and my work van is a Ford on it's second transmission, apparently they are only good for 30,000 miles(and no I don't tow with it). The ball joints are also shot and it has only 80,000 on it. Only 10,000 more miles till my next transmission. Ford customer service BLOWWWWWS!

My 1991 truck has cost less in all it's miles than this 2000 ford E250 van.

[RhB_HJ]

Matt,

Good thing we're back to a safe topic like what's with ............. vehicle. [;)][:)][:D]

[ttrigg]

Vic

My wife went off the deep end when she saw your sig. pic. She brought out her copy of the Mt. Lowe Trolley. She was very disappointed to see that her copy was B&W where yours is "colorized". I can remember one time as a kid, we took the red P.E. Cars from where we lived in south central LA to the mountains and the observatory. Too bad it is only a memory and no longer there to be enjoyed again.

[TurboOne]

Hello again one and all, whew has the talk changed.

I agree with Vic. You all got North South wrong. It is the Chargers and the Raiders, baby.

Only for the last two years the boys in blue, rule.

I would add Padres vs. Dodgers, but the Big blue is the only club I know that can ruin a farm system second to none. They should be bigger, badder, better, yet my little icky Pads creeped into the western title. Don't matter how bad, they made it....

So while I didn't get to see how beautiful the day was here in town, it was in the 70s today and will be all week. Very, very, very dry. Reminds me of the big fires, and the useless sentence they gave the guy who set the Cedar fire. Still wish we could burn him.

As for all you history buffs, as the old Mr. M says those who do not learn from history, will repeat it....


I think trains a lot. I am hoping to set up one at the store this next week, we will see if it works out.

Tim

P.S. Good to see the old crew still here....

[tangerine-jack]

Yes, Matt, thank you for bringing into sharp focus the Ford tranny and ball joint failures. I also worked as a mechanic for long enough to learn that Ford keeps repair shops in buisiness, Japs don't.

I think the most involved job I ever saw on a Toyota was the day a guy came in complaining about a rough idle. I test drove the car, ran just fine, but did in fact have a rough idle. When I opened the hood, the oil filter was missing along with a baseball sized chunk of engine block and the piston that was under it all. The guy drove away. Facinating.

Ford on the other hand, I could set my watch by the mileage failures of certain components, ball joints, alternators, transmissions, fuel pumps, spark plug wires, just to name a few. They kept me working and put food on the table, but I saw enough of them to not want to own one.

GM has it's share of dogs too, make no mistake. Camaro's are the worst piece of junk ever infilcted upon the motoring public. Every single part of that beast has a problem of some kind. Fieros? Well, we don't have to go there now do we?

That is why I like MOPAR, fewest problems overall of a domestic vehicle. Currently I have an '84 Maxda B200 pu holding up the import side of the house, can't kill the thing. Finaly after 21 years the carb crapped out and I found one on ebay, brand new in a box for $20.

BTW, welcome back Tim!!![8D][:D][:D][:D]

[Anonymous]

TJ, clarify on the year or years on the camaro, mines a 68, first car I ever bought big block stick car. Just need to finish welding that last quarter panel and rocker.

[tangerine-jack]

68's are a great year. Mostly it's the '73 and up, particularly any Crapero from the '80's.

In the end, however, they are all junk.[xx(]

[John Busby]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Torby

Or that Hitler wasn't such a bad fellow, once you got to know him?

Hi Torby
That was probably true before the election that voted him into power
his gripes against the victors of WWI had some just cause for discontent.
It went down hill real fast after that election a classic case of power
corrupting because there was nothing to balance it.
The doctrine he started preaching absolutely stinks and we can
thank the WWI allies for people taking notice of him.
A classic example of the North & South argument like TJ mentioned.
Wonder why man kind never learns from history just learns history
regards John

[Tom The Brat]

On the subject of Fords...

A good friend was an adamant Ford guy. It's a good thing these guys like to fix cars. Anyhow, we were helping a friend move, and of course, he was teasing us about our "Chivvys." We had just filled up the "Dodge Chivvy," and he was going to get his pickup. Susan and I were carrying something past him to our "Izuzu Chivvy," as he was starting his truck and it didn't crank.

So I called out, "Somebody get a Chivvy! We need to jump start this Ford!"[:-,]

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tangerine-jack
...............................................

In the end, however, they are all junk.[xx(]

That's right, sooner or later they are all junk!.

BTW except for 3 years of owning a Rabbit in the 70s, it has been GM products for me since I arrived in NA early part of '69.
They all had what it takes to get me from A to B, including the present Chevy Venture mini van. [;)][:)][:D][:D]

[Capt Bob Johnson]

I seem to recall an advertising campaign from the 1950's "When better cars are built, Buick will build them!"

[vsmith]

I have to admit I've hated almost ALL Big 3 products built after 1970 since before I could drive. Always liked the modified Vdub's and Porsche's for performance and the Japanese cars for reliability. Never thought any American car maker would ever make another car to tempt me as they were always sooooo fugly ! [V]

But I have to admit Diamler-Chrysler now has 4 cars I really like, the Chrylser 300, Dodge Magnum, Dodge Charger, and the Chrysler Crossfire and Ford has sorely tempted me with thier finally great looking again Mustang. Of course if I hit the lotto forget all of those, I'm getting a Ford GT40![:p]