Mornin, just a coffee please Zoe.
I'm getting tired of rain. It rained on us while we were gone, got back n dump 1.4 from rain gage here Sun. Then we got almost 2" yesterday [news said JERRY had almost 2.5 in town from the same storm]. And more rain forecast for today and tomorrow.
You folk sure do write a lot, I'm so far behind, I'm not going to try n catch up on all of it.
I see FERGIE's back to sea. May the winds be favorable to you this trip.
Still have several on sick call too. We'll keep ya'll in our thoughts.
TOM, heard on the news this morning that they're gaining control on some the fires there. Hope the luck n weather stays with them. If I could I'd send some of this rain out your way to help out.
The layout progress seems to going almost full bore for some. And after seeing all the layouts last weekend, I've got an itch to get on mine some again.
HAPPY BURTHENDAY to all those I've missed. Sure seems to be a bunch of them some times.
Here's a few pics from our trip on the way down, off the digital camera. First ones are of the Flat Rock Depot. I'd heard it was there, but this was the first chance I'd had to check it out.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/inch53/vacation102.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/inch53/vacation104.jpg
The next town we came to was Grayville. Nice looking place, so we turned downtown to see it, and glad we did. There was a city park by the river were we found the IC depot, an IC caboose and a beautiful view of the Wabash, where it makes a big loop
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/inch53/vacation110.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/inch53/vacation112.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/inch53/vacation115.jpg
It's also where the IC [Mattoon-Evansville line] crossed the Cairo line. Here's a couple of the river.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/inch53/vacation120.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/inch53/vacation123.jpg
They've got a campground there; I figure it'll be a good base to rail fan where the old rail lines went thru. There was also the Hard Times Fish Market and we found the towns parade engine.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/inch53/vacation113.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/inch53/vacation125.jpg
Next town we drove around in was Carmi. Found a simple wooden unloading dock, that'd be easy to model. I've got a few more shots of it with more detail.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/inch53/vacation129.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/inch53/vacation130.jpg
Next 2 are of the views on IL-145. It's one of my favorite roads to travel.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/inch53/vacation137.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/inch53/vacation139.jpg
We needed to make a pit stop, found the Chocolate factory by Dixon Springs, of course Mother just had to stop there. After all chocolate the most perfect food, just ask her.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/inch53/vacation140.jpg
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/4309
I see that Inch has TOP honors this time around. I'll have the bacon and eggs.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Morning folks, I'll have what Jeff's having...thanks Chloe and Mike!
Nice pics Mike, I see the river crest marker shows a few lines and the hard times market seems like the truth too!
Not much happening around these parts. I do have a few items up for sale on eBay, not any RR related stuff though, just some spices and a few recipes, only 1 watcher and no bids. Times are tough I guess, oh well.
Monique found out about a local bottler from the NC Specialty Shops that will mass produce in bottles, jars, or bags for sale. Might check that out, but need to find out what the minimum order is for that kind of production. Still using some of Dick's money saving tips so we can make ends meet, too much debt and bills to pay.
You all have a goodin'
Ryan BoudreauxThe Piedmont Division Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger eraCajun Chef Ryan
Morning!....Its cloudy and looks like more rain here today...I'll have coffee and a sweet roll please..Thank You...Did some more clean up of old back drop and plan to set down with a stack of magazines to look for shots I can use for back drop...
Mike...Thanks for photos..Hard Time fish Market would make a neet model...
Jeff...Like the ball game on your park scene great work on the park details make it come alive...
Rob..You can't burn the candle at both ends for very long ...hope you get some rest...
You all have a good one...Jerry
G'morning, Zoe - I'll have some scrambled eggs, bacon, glass of Ed's OJ, and a cup of coffee, please. Thanks!
Tom, I for Flash, but I'm no expert on diesels. I just got lucky, and was able to answer your question. Hope your Mom can stay cool, whether her power comes back on, or at your place. Just chuckling, trying to picture Spooky napping in the water dish... And as for which Challenger to pick, I'm with those about like you are with diesels...
Rob, let me see if I have this correct - your wife got you the subscription for you, right? Might need another subscription, if you want to read the MR's in the month they arrive. But sounds like she's enjoying it, and I'm sure you will, too (once you get your turn).
Garry, I've liked Shays since the first one I saw (they're just unique-looking), and on my layout (since there will be vanadium/uranium mines) I'll need them to get up into the mountains where the mines are located. Besides, my (off-layout) sawmill industry will be kind of up in the hills, also. Just need to fine tune the drives.
Speaking of Shays, Sue, would you email me which NWSL parts/kits are needed for upgrading my Shay(s)? I figure that it would be good to get a list of what's really needed (from someone who's successfully upgraded). Then I could get what I need in parts/kits the first time. Thanks! Good to hear that you're getting some trains running done. Oh, no railfanning trips on the horizon for me. The ones I would be interested in, would be farther away (like Arizona or Colorado).
Mike, nice pics - you have some of the nestest ones (loved that Chocolate Factory bear), and sorry to hear you and Jerry are catching that rain that's been missing our area. If it were up to us for a vote, I'm sure most in Missouri and Illinois would volunteer our share of the rain for SmokyCal to cool things down and clear up their air.
Some more roadbed gluing (I sanded edges of what was laid last week) at the MRR club meeting. Our new member, Raymond, was there, and brought a couple of signs for the club - a RR Xing 'X' and a '2 Tracks' sign to go below it (life size - I'm pretty sure he got it legally ) Also some fiddling around with the track design for the intermodal yard and the other side of the scenic divider. There'll be a work day on Saturday (to finish up the top and supporting benchwork for the last 1/4th of the layout), but I've already promised to help some friends from church get stuff loaded for their move to a new (to them) house. (And Friday evening after work, too)
Jeff, how hard did you celebrate yesterday, that you're tuckered out today? Maybe we should ask the twins if you partied late last night after the rest of us were gone home? Hope you get more up to speed today and feeling your usual peppy self.
I'll be at the window booth when the rest of the Diners come in, Zoe.
Blessings and prayers for a good day,
Jim in Cape Girardeau
JimRCGMO wrote:Jeff, how hard did you celebrate yesterday, that you're tuckered out today? Maybe we should ask the twins if you partied late last night after the rest of us were gone home? Hope you get more up to speed today and feeling your usual peppy self.
Good Morning Diners!
Yes I know its odd for me to be here in the morning but I'm on holidays and what better place to start the day. Mind you I did manage to spend a couple of hours at the office yesterday too.
Jeff, a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you as of yesterday. I wanted to send greetings on the day but the CEO was on the computer so I have to wait my turn.
Well I got the decoder and Soundbug installed in my PK2 0-6-0 yesterday. The motor control is great and the sound is OK. Not as good as a Tsunami but the cost was half. It is fine for a small loco but I don't think it would be good for something large as it just seems a little weak. It just sounds like a small loco. I also started on my engine shed. I managed to get most of the painting done and also did a small relay of the sidings it will go on as the spacing was a little off for the doors.
It is cool here today with a high of 65F after a rainy day yesterday. It will be sunny and the mid 70's tomorrow so we plan on going out on the boat.
CN Charlie
Morning all--
Well, guess what's BACK! Filtered in late yesterday evening and according to the weather, the smoke is here to stay until at least Saturday, when we're supposed to get a weak Delta breeze. So not only do we have the smoke back, the heat yesterday hit 105 here in Carmichael, and is predicted to go as high as 108 before a 'cool-off' into the high 90's this weekend. Fires are still going--one that they thought they had contained in Butte County up in the Feather River canyon just exploded up again, and there's a possibility that several of them won't be contained until OCTOBER! The Guv's called up the National Guard and they're undergoing very fast and very extensive fire training right now.
Wow, a jogger just came by my window wearing a face-mask. Now that's either the height of Dedication or the height of Stupidity in this weather--it's already 95 here right now and it's only about 9:00 in the morning. Hope she makes it around the block.
Power came back on in Nevada City this morning, my sister phoned and said that they won't be coming down after all. Mom spent the night drinking A&W root beer and reading her sexy historical novels by the light of a Coleman lantern. Their two cats spent the night sprawled on the kitchen linoleum. Hey, whatever works, LOL!
Inch: Glad you're back, hope you had a fun time. And you got to see Garry's Burlington layout, you lucky dog!
Fergie: After I wrote that about your loco, I realized that you were out to sea. Hey, it's called 'short-term memory loss' and it's EXCUSABLE at my age, LOL!
Flash: You're right, my F's have those little-bitty rings, too. Man, if I'm going to have a couple of diesels, I suppose I'd better read UP on them a little, right? How's your father doing, BTW?
Jeff: Sorry your B'day turned out to be a series of fire calls. But as I said, you guys are my heroes!
Well, looks like it's going to be another kitchen table day, working on some buildings and making sure that Spooky doesn't wander off with little tiny parts again. She sure likes to help Daddy work on the train--yah, SURE! Lowell's still pretty active--as active as he EVER is, so I think the new diet is helping his kidneys. I've had a stray cat hanging around the back-yard the past couple of days, don't know if she's a runaway or a feral, because I can't get that close to her to find out, but she looks like an Abyssinian. Don't know how much anyone knows about cats, but Abys are a very RARE and expensive breed--they look like little cougars with very big ears--and if she's a runaway, I'm sure someone would have put out some posters around the neighborhood. I've put out some food for her because she shows no signs of leaving. Maybe I can eventually get close enough to her to find out what's going on.
Well, that's about it, have to open a can of Chicken of the Sea tuna for Spooky, mainly because she's standing on the computer desk STARING at me.
Best to all and prayers to those in need.
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
Hi guys have not been in for a long while just sitting in the corner sipping milk shakes.
Tom My wife has a big old wuss of a cat called Raisin ( he loves Raisins, you have to hide them). Any how a few years back he had to spend time in a kitty coma for urinary problems. The vet told us not to give him regular food but Science Diet CD (urinary health formula) or Purina has a urinary health food. But he warned us not to feed him any tuna or an human food that could trigger a blockage again. My wife says if you can catch the Abysinian she would take it! She loves those things
Rob I have found using Tylenol Pm or Avil Pm works even better for insomnia. Maybe the stress is getting to you.
Flash prayers for your dad.
Take care all
Kevin
Kevin--
That's what I've got Lowell on, the Science Diet. He kind of likes the stuff, at least he's eating better now that I'm using it.
Tell your wife that if my back-yard stray is an Aby, I'M keeping it, LOL! Though I can see why she's crazy about the darned things--had one about 20 years ago, and it was a really entertaining little beastie. They 'fetch.' And they love to swim. Unfortunately, they've been bred down so much lately that they're susceptable to all kinds of weird diseases. Wow, you live in Maine and you're not inundated by Maine Coons, LOL? Lowell and Spooky are both MC's, and they're TERRIFIC little critters. Well, not 'little' at 18-20 pounds apiece. Definitely cats for dog-lovers!
Speaking of cats, here's the one that Inch did not get to see. It's Shelley's "adorable" creature during a mood swing. We have alwys called her "Little Kitten" although now she's about 15 years old. If you think this is something, you should see her at the vet's office.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Afternoon.
Today we got a puppy. She's a rotwieler, and extremely cute... Only 7 weeks old. We haven't named her yet, but we will soon. I'll get pix at some point.
Garry: That looks like one POed cat... I love cats, only time I've seen one that mad was when our cat, Fergus, saw a dog on the road, full arch HISSSS...
I'll see you guys later.
Mark
Hello everybody ...
Mark ........ congratualtions on the new puppy.....
Everybody ..... Something to watch.......
http://photobucket.com/video/Prius%20vs.%20Train/pbhomepage/video2/TrainvsPrius.flv?ref=homepagequadv2
Good Evening All,
Out to Raleigh Durham today to look at a car for a client and back again. Would have been back in time to go to the museum tonight but we lost an hour on the ground waiting for the vice president to take off. He should consider flying commercial they usually keep a tighter schedule.
Nice pics Mike - i see your stuff on Trainboard all the time usually in pics of the week. Congrats. I love the faded white depot a real classic look. Do we get a report on Jerrys' layout?
Catch y'all later. J.R.
Afternoon all--we've got a breeze. WhoopeeDip, it's a hot Northerner and all it's doing is raising the temperature (106 today, thanks), whipping up the fires and stirring up the smoke. Spooky and I are working on the Forest Service lookout tower. I'm cutting little pieces of clapboard and she's making off with them. Fooled her, though. Started working on the smoke-stack and she went away. She doesn't like oblong round things. Can't get a real good grip on them with her teeth, I guess. Right now she's sitting out on the grand piano pouting. Could anyone explain to me why a 20-pound Maine Coon cat would be so crazy about STYRENE, for cryin' out loud?
Garry--Whoa, and I thought Spooky could be a Prima Donna when she wanted to be, LOL! "Little Kitty" is not a subtle feline at ALL, is she? Sure a cute cat (despite the expression), though. Love that video--I wonder when people are going to realize that rubber tires on asphalt does not necessarily mean they have better traction than steel wheels on steel rail? But they keep trying to prove it. And out here in Sacramento, at least, we've got the smashed SUV's as evidence.
Well, nothing much else around here. House-bound. Got most of the Lookout tower kit-bashed and as soon as I finish the painting, I'll put it on the base, and as soon as I can get out to the layout without either Heat Stroke or an oxygen tank, I'll work on securing it to a Butte (oh, darn, I PROMISED I wouldn't mention them again!) and then build the trail up to it. Actually, I think I'll start the trail from the lookout tower and build it DOWN the Butte to Bassett's Station. What the Hey-- Then I've got to go raid the LHS for some pack-horses. Last time I was at Bruce's, he grinned at me and asked me if I was ever going to buy a TRAIN. Heck, trains' I've GOT!! Just want to run them in some neat SCENERY! Assuming I'll be able to run them at ALL, this summer, the way it's started out
Best to all, prayers to those in need.
Oh, and PS: I think I've decided on the GN 4001 Z-6. Okay, OKAY, I need one like a hole in the head, but I WANT ONE (he said, pouting like a 10-year old), and I just like the looks of them. Phoning Mike tomorrow. No sound. Straight DC. I don't want the extra voltage to stop me from doubleheading it with--say, one of my Yellowstones
Grilled Salmon & veggies with garlic mashed potatoes, please & thanks.
***Inch: wonderful assortment of trip photos. And that road does indeed look inviting.
***Jim, actually hat issue is my free one. And yes, we are going to subscribe soon. I want to check out oll the extras on this website offered to subscribers. Figure it will be worth trying for at least a year.
All this talk of kitties and what does our indoor Millie Kitty do tonight? She throws up a HUGE mound of food that my wife found with her foot. Great pic, BTW.
Rob
Rob--
Cat's don't 'throw up ', they COUGH! It's called a 'hairball', no matter WHAT it is! . Spooky assures me of this about twice a week, LOL!
Gee, maybe I should n't put these up, but I gots a puppy too. Had her for a while, just photoed her yeterday. It's kinda funny, shes more of a cat person than a dog person.
At her old home, the cats slept with her and they shared warmth. Now, we can't walk down a street without dogs jumping on her. (already fixed)
-Morgan
Heartland Division CBQ wrote: Hello everybody ...Mark ........ congratualtions on the new puppy.....Everybody ..... Something to watch.......http://photobucket.com/video/Prius%20vs.%20Train/pbhomepage/video2/TrainvsPrius.flv?ref=homepagequadv2Saw that last night on the homepage. WHat an idjit
Saw that last night on the homepage. WHat an idjit
Flashwave wrote: Heartland Division CBQ wrote: Hello everybody ...Mark ........ congratualtions on the new puppy.....Everybody ..... Something to watch.......http://photobucket.com/video/Prius%20vs.%20Train/pbhomepage/video2/TrainvsPrius.flv?ref=homepagequadv2Saw that last night on the homepage. WHat an idjit
LOL, that person has a death wish.
Sawyer Berry
Clemson University c/o 2018
Building a protolanced industrial park layout
Flashwave wrote: Gee, maybe I should n't put these up, but I gots a puppy too. Had her for a while, just photoed her yeterday. It's kinda funny, shes more of a cat person than a dog person. At her old home, the cats slept with her and they shared warmth. Now, we can't walk down a street without dogs jumping on her. (already fixed)
Flash--
One thing we do here at the diner frequently is brag on our pets. And from the looks of that sweet little lady, you've got BIG bragging rights! That's one loverly puppy!
Morning all
Just a tea for now please
All the little cherubs are going home in droves and as I'm on days now get to do the room checks( oh sweeet revenge) absolutely lashing it down at mo. typical English summer lol.
oh well better do some work and break the habit of a lifetime.
will check in later
Good Morning from Tipton IN !
Bill Tidler Jr.
Near a cornfield in Indiana...
Good morning all,
Flash, congrats on the new puppy
Rob; "From Friday, July 11 at 5:00 p.m. Central Time, through Sunday, July 13, take a free tour of all the great online content that's usually available only to Trains.com registered users or subscribers to Trains magazine. That's right, free access to Trains News Wire this weekend!
I ordered 40 new knuckle couplers yesterday from LHS (pg 15 of the Walther's sale catalog) and I'll be calling today to order some sprung ground throws (page 22).
I finished decaling 1 hopper car, only 49 more to go, LOL!
BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret) L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes
Mornin, coffee n a short stack with sausage please Zoe
Like Jerry said we got rained on again, not that much here, but we had some high wind gust. Played h with the garden n took down a couple trees [one in the road], also knocked the electric out again here and over in Marshall for 2 hours. It's rainin now, but the forecast does look better.
JIM,
We finished last year about 4" above normal rainfall. So far this we've gotten our yearly average already. Some areas are 2 to 3" above yearly.
TOM,
Sorry to hear of the smoke being back. I got to see 4 layouts while we were gone, Garry's, Gus and Dan's. Plus we seen the one at the Paducah RR museum [pics coming later]. I thought of you on our way to Garry's
GARRY,
From the looks of photo, I'm almost glad I didn't see him. He doesn't look too friendly.
JR,
The flat Rock station is in purrty good shape, but still needs a lot of work to restore it to like new. I haven't been in to Jerry's for a spell, but he's been giving regular reports on here.
FLASH,
That be a good looking little dog, we had one that looked about her one time. Good with kids but hated coyotes. Seen her fight 2 one time and she won.
Good morning
just a cup of tea please
on my way in for another treatment
4 more to go.
Friday is my last day then maybe I can begin to heal
Hope all is well with everyone and remember to have a little fun today
TerryinTexas
See my Web Site Here
http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/
Good Morning....
Flash.......That looks like a very nice dog....
Inch.... I see you got a photo of the nearby ranger tower. I know precisely where you were with that picture.............The Land Between the Lakes..(LBL).....(National Park)..
(It's story time)
Inch's photo reminds me of an experience we had very close to there. The park has a buffalo & elk range only about 3 or 4 minutes away from the tower. (15 minutes from our house) Visitors may drive through the range and watch buffalo and elk. When we do that, we do it early evening just before sunset because the herd of buffalo stays out of site in the woods during hot summer days.
Anyhow, Shelley's sister from MI was here with her husband, and we decided to drive through the LBL and see the buffalo. At the time, Shelley had not yet retired from her CFO job and she had borrowed her boss's (CEO) company car, a then-new Lincoln LS. The men were in front with me driving. Shelley was in the back behind the brother-in-law. Her sister was behind me. Visitors are not allowed to get out of their cars for obvious safety reasons, and therefore the road has several parking areas to stop and look at the wildlife.
We stopped in a parking area next to the herd grazing in a nearby field. We had all windows down to get a better view and to take photos. The herd then decided to cross the road, and therefore we were blocked from driving while they crossed. Many of the buffalo walked within inches of the car. The women talked to them, but they did not answer.
Next thing we knew, the Bull entered the parking area. He was huge. Maybe 2000 lbs. He found a rock to scratch himself on. He was scratching a private area for a considerable length of time. The ranger pulled next to us in the LBL truck and talked about the bull. He said he once had a female visitor ask if he could stop a bull from scratching himself becasue it was not "decent" for the public to see such behavior. He said he told her there was no way to stop a bull from doing that.
Soon the ranger drove off, but we stayed to watch the herd. Then, the bull walked up to our car. He was on the passenger side. Brother in law in front; Shelley in back. Remember, our windows are down. His massive head was within inches of the car and he looked right at us.
Ar that momnet, he sneezed. Huge globs of buffalo snot were flung right at us.
I'll stop now. Needless to say. It was messy. We never did wash the car, and Shelley did not tell the boss what the dirt on the car consisted of.