Oi, haven't stopped in forever.
School is out in.... 2 hours, 49 minutes... (probably 45 by the time this is posted)
I haven't even gotten to school yet today... Will in 20 minutes or so.
Hmmm, trying to think of new things to talk about... Oh yeah, we're going to dog-sit for a friend, and the kittens went away to be adopted yesterday. They were special kittens...
As far as the layout, I haven't done anything really. I need my backdrop... Once I get that, I can go to town on the town, and the hillside... It's gonna be fun, but it's taking some time.
Well, I'll see you guys later.
Mark
A strong coffee, please & thank you!
***Philip, neat bikes. Hope you get many an enjoyable mile out of them.
***Duke, that Southern 4-6-2 is a beauty. Would love to have a live steamer on the ol' farm. Would be interesting to see how the various critters would react to it. (Not in this lifetime)
***Ed, didn't someone report on an old model railroader who lost a huge layout to a fire in recent months? That would make ours #3, so everyone else should be safe.
Last nights thunderstorm not only knocked our well out (which did reset...thank god), but also sent a large tree branch sailing through the air, landing inches from where our porch dog was laying down on the little porch. We immediately brought him into my "painting porch". Wife is picking up a new doghouse for him as I type. A lightbulb also blew out at the same instant lightning struck around the studio and that tree lost it's branch. Couldn't tell if the tree had been hit or not, but I suspect it would have lost more than one branch if it had??? At least all the storage tanks & troughs are full again, which is good.
Two nights ago we had a violent lightning storm come through with what I suspect was a microburst. One orea of a pasture looked like a giant hand came down from above and flattened the grass/weeds in a large swath, fairly well defined. Didn't see this one, but had one do the same thing some years back which I did witness. That one knocked down a large tree by the creek. I was in the barn hanging onto a beam that time.
Long day ahead. Take care, all. -Rob
I'm expecting the new fridge to be delivered sometime today. They told me it would be in the afternoon but we all know how old Murphy works. Reschedule all your plans for the morning so you can be there in the afternoon but for some reason the delivery team arrives in the morning when you're not there, knocking all your plans into a cocked hat.
Remember what I said about Murphy's law? The Lowe's delivery truck showed at 9:45! It wasn't due until mid-afternoon. So I got my new fridge about six hours early. Some good news! The truck driver bought my old computer main-board and display card for thirty bucks. GAS MONEY!
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 all:
Well, the winds have died down today in SunnyCal, but not before leaving a swath of wild-fires in the Valley. There's a new one in the Santa Cruz mountains about 2 miles north of the one that burned through there about 2 weeks ago--this one's at Bonnie Doone, which is near one of the redwood groves. Also another one in Chico that is burning toward the foothills and a little town called Paradise (which lives up to its name). The ones around our area are either out or contained, but not before injuring several firefighters--one very seriously with 2nd and 3rd degree burns on his hands and arms. Luckily the hot gases didn't invade his lungs. He's at the Burn Unit at UCD medical, so he'll be getting the very best of care. Those guys are real HEROES in my book. I put myself through college working summers on a fire crew for the Forest Service in Truckee, so I know what these guys go through every time the alarm goes off. Really DANGEROUS work--and with the winds the way they've been, you never know when the flames are going to shift and come right at you.
My prayers to all of you in the Midwest--that tornado that killed the Boy Scouts is a terrible tragedy. I read that rescuers had to cut through a tremenduous amount of downed trees to even get to them. I saw news footage of the devastation in Indiana and Iowa--unbelievable!
Jeff: Wow, you got the 'fridge EARLY? Congratulations--out here in Cal, deliveries are usually made right at the last minute of the time frame you're given. You really lucked out. And got gas money to boot in the transaction--hoo boy! Hey, the latest picture of your park is really neat--how'd you do the fencing? Looks really good.
Terry: I PROMISE I'll get the underside of the layout 'organized' soon. Since the wind has died down, I think I'll take the Creeper and start some prelim work on the Buttes this morning. It's supposed to hit the mid 90's today and the low 100's tomorrow and Saturday, so I don't think I'll be out there in the afternoon--that's when the air quality takes a nosedive.
Well, I THOUGHT I'd retired, but got a call from the Passionist Retreat Center--seems they're having their annual 'Family Fiesta' this Saturday, and their pianist conked out. Which means I said 'Yes', naturally, so I get to spend the day there--at least playing for the Mass. Brother Kurt, the supervisor, gave me the music list and it's all pretty familiar stuff, so I'll have to get cracking on that this afternoon. He also said that the food will be really delicious--all Mexican. I didn't tell him that I'm ONE native Californian who doesn't LIKE Mexican food (actually, it doesn't like me), and that Cilantro tastes like bad cod-liver oil. Oh well--I'll stop by Round Table and treat myself to a pizza on the way home, LOL!
Better get out to the garage while the weather's still palatable. 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!
twhite wrote:Jeff: Wow, you got the 'fridge EARLY? Congratulations--out here in Cal, deliveries are usually made right at the last minute of the time frame you're given. You really lucked out. And got gas money to boot in the transaction--hoo boy! Hey, the latest picture of your park is really neat--how'd you do the fencing? Looks really good.
evening gang
just a tea please girls.
howa all got to do catchup later.
the work tv situation is that after the first 1 got nicked i came back into the other building to find that the 1 in there had been stolen as well. what a night.
the 1 stolen from the other building has been recovered by the police and we're awaitong its return. the other has gone for good we think
see you all later
Gav
"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.
Evening, everybody,
Guess how I spent my lunch period at USF? Well, I had lunch with four of the girls in my class. One of them put me on their myspace blog (even though I think MySpace is stupid and sucks away your life; this place does only the second, but in a good way ) They all say they are going to get me a shirt that says 'ladies man' lol. After lunch we all went to the library, and hung out for a little bit. Better still, I've been invited to eat with them tomorrow.
To keep this on topic, I should be coming out with a trackplan picture for you.
railroadnut
good luck with the girls and the trackplan
keep us advised on both
Alex
Good evening, gone most of the day today, which included a trip to Warren, Ma to LHS and some purchases which included an RS-3, an F3 A&B unit, and 7 cars of various types. We had lunch at the Steaming Tender ( Palmer Train Station at the Diamond ). Two freights on the CSX line went through plus the Lake Shore Limited at 60 MPH, and one freight headed north over the diamond, Central Mass RR. We never got back home until 4pm. We got an early start, about 6:30am due to a crew of guys from Power Company headed up behind the house to paint the steel High Voltage towers. In the 40 years I have lived here, I never saw that being done. They all wear this special clothing which they throw away when done. They climb up the towers to the top and paint their way down, coming within 3 feet of the 115,000 volts lines ( 6 lines on these towers. ), They use some sort of sponge brush and really paint in hi-speed mode, quite an operation.
My prayers go out to the families in Iowa who lost children in that terrible tornado at the Boy Scout camp.....I just can't imagine the loss of a child.
Also, The flooded areas now in Iowa, what a trajedy!!!!! 12 feet over all time flood stage, and entire city!! Prayers for all these people also, just heartbreaking to see the losses.
And in Northern California, terrible fires and drought, is there no end to what is happening? And the Hurricane season is predicted to be very bad this year, I hope they are wrong again this year, we don't need any more disasters please Lord.
Later,
Evening, Chloe - how about a hot fudge sundae and a cup of coffee, please?
Thanks. Luckily, it looks like Dick saved me from the TOP honors. (Whew!)
Jeff, you made out like the proverbial bandito! Let's see, on your car, that gas money would last for, what - two trips to town and back? Great that you got the fridge so quickly! That is pretty amazing.
Tom, just be sure that at the retreat they don't twist your arm and say "Oh, c'mon, you can have just one helping; this is great Mexican food!" If you go along 'to be nice', your stomach (or your entire body) will make you regret it... Keep holding out for that pizza on the way home.
RRNut - you 'sly dog,' you! How're you going to keep all those ladies straight and not get yourself in a heap o'trouble with the others? Remember, you're there for the course(s), right? Right?...
Well, Mark, I bet you're having fun and enjoying your summer by now, huh? Will you be starting on your backdrop this weekend?
Rob, keep dodging that nasty storm and lightning stuff, you hear? We don't want your studio (and remaining shelter) to get burned down. Is the barn still standing, by the way? (Just in case, of course)
I'd best be getting my sundae finished up. On-call tonight and I usually go to bed by 9 or so, in case I get called out late/early in the morning.
Prayers for some good drainage for all those in the soggy areas (including south of Cape, where they are dreading all that water coming down the Mississippi from up north). And prayers for good night's rest and for peace and quiet.
Blessings,
Jim in Cape Girardeau
In order to keep you folks advised on my social and railroading life, I present you with a very crude depiction of my layout. I don't really have all this free space, just imagine the buildings larger and maybe the lumber mill track longer and closer to the fire station.
While I'm at it, why don't I give you a complete copy of my roster:
1x CSX SD-70(Spirit of Tampa edition)
1x Seaboard Coast Line SD-35
1x Amtrack FP-40
2x Acela engines
Hello everybody ....
I got an intersting perspective on the Iowa flooding for my friend Gus. He's a retired IC RR loco engineer and a model rail roader, too. He's from Waterloo, IA and his daughter, SIL, and grandkids are still lving there. They're on high ground and are fine. Gus said the railroad bridge that was washed away yesterday was a UP RR bridge that provided service to a John Deere assembly plant. Another railroad bridge over the river in town is the IC RR birdge (Now CN). They've had floods in prior years and have a method to keep the bridge from being washed away. The railroad parks loaded hooper cars of coal or other bulk commodities on the bridge. Sometimes it is covered hoppers full of grain. The weight of the cars keeps the brrdge firmly in place, and it does not wash away. They've had cars parked like that in the present flood. It does block the main line during this procedure, but that's better than losing the bridge and the amin line for an extended period.
Dick ... Good stuff from the LHS! Wow......
Happy Model Railroading!!!
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
The Time is now 1:42AM, do you know where your children are?
After 3:00am and we just returned from the ER. Wife's father had a seizure and was taken by ambulance around 9:00pm. Ashame they wouldn't take him to the local hospital, but at least now we found him a closer neurologist, who he will have to see early next week. Fine line between taking enough of something to prevent seizures and taking too much and losing clarity & balance. He is fine now.
This morning I discovered we lost one of the three big poplar trees on Goose Island. Amazingly, it crashed without damaging either gates. Guess the smaller locust tree it pruned before coming to a stop helped some. Best thing is none of the mini horses or donkey were around the impact zone at the time. Going to leave it for the crew that will be removing the house debris.
Utterly exhausted...will try to catch up on posts tomorrow. Good Night! - Rob
Ah Guilford, we should make you the patron Saint of people staying up late for school projects. I can finally ask someone to intercede on my behalf next time I have a big science project.
In Nomine Patre
In Felio
In Sanctus Spiritus
Aaameeeeen
P.S. Please pardon any bad Latin grammar
Good Morning from Tipton IN !
Bill Tidler Jr.
Near a cornfield in Indiana...
Good morning
Good morning all,
Hot and humid today, but the rains are coming (again). Most of the flooding rain has been diverted to Michigan and Canada, so we have been lucky down here on the south shore of Lake Erie.
Jeff the park looks really good!
I go on vacation for the next 2 weeks starting Tuesday, Wahoo! I Also here I might be eligible for a bus or rail pass free from the State Government for working in the Federal Building.
Lee
BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret) L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes
Good morning! Sunny, 74F, 38% RH and a DP of 47F, it doesn't get any better weatherwise.
Logged all the MRR stuff bought yesterday into spreadsheet for inventory tracking. I think this is a good idea after the very unfortunate fires lately to Diner members. I hope I never need it, but for insurance purposes, I think it is very necessary.
Where is everyone today? We just got back from grocery shopping for Father's Day event here at Grampa's house, I can't believe the price of food!!!!! I think I will have to go back to work!!.
Later guys, the lunch bell is ringing,
in a Union Pacific mug, please & thank you!
***Jeffrey, nice park setting. And not too many children so other folks can still enjoy the park setting and examine the old steamer.
***Jim, yes the barns are fine. Set up a new doghouse for PD (Porch Dog) and he has already taken to it. He's old and after that tree branch crashed inches from him during one of the recent storms, he deserves the protection. Wife and I are debating taking down all the big trees from around the studio. I really like having large trees around, but after seeing huge limbs and several complete trees crash to the ground in recent times, not sure it's worth having them next to our (now) residence. Will have pictures to share when I have more time.
***Dick, that is interesting about the bridges. Can't be good for JD losing the one delivery bridge though. Excellent suggestion to record what you own. Then be sure to locate copies with a relative or close friend. Wish we had done that. I have all my photo CD copies sitting here in the studio, but they are all of wildife and artwork. I'm about 2 years behind on making copies as it is. I am asking my siblings to help figure out dates and such for those things I had for many years. No way will we remember everything. What a mess.
Wife left early to get her dad's new prescription filled. Hopefully he will have no more siezures.
Met with a builder to get an estimate on the rebuild. Have no idea of the time frame, but it seems in construction, everyone is looking for work these days.
Have a good day all. Rob
No north wind today here in SunnyCal, which is a REAL blessing--the Humboldt fire between Chico and Paradise has grown to around 6400 acres and is threatening the town of Paradise--about 26,000 people. They're on stand-by evacuation alert. Only about 10% contained as of this morning. The temperature for the weekend has been revised down from the low 100's to the mid '90's (big Whoop!), and we MIGHT get a moist Delta breeze to help with the fire conditions. God, I hope so--this has been the driest spring on record in the north part of the state. I don't even want to THINK of what the summer holds for us around here.
Saw newsreels of the flooding in Cedar Rapids--weatherwise, this has got to be one of the WORST seasons in history, all across the country. And there's more predicted today. I hope it stops soon. My sincere prayers to all of you in the Midwest.
Crawled around on the Creeper yesterday, mapping out where I'm going to lay the Rubber Rocks on the Buttes. Have to do some cutting and trimming and probably filling in spots with Hydrocal castings, also. This is a BIG job. Bigger than I anticipated. My next door neighbor got his Federal check yesterday, wondered if I'd gotten mine yet. I told him I was STANDING on it, LOL! And of course, I ordered it just BEFORE Micromark had their 25th Anniversary sale and I could have waited and gotten it for about forty dollars less. Oh well--
Found out today that the Mass tomorrow for the Fiesta is OUTDOORS and I'm going to be playing an electronic keyboard. Yuk! Damned Appliances! Hate them with a passion--like dipping your fingers in mush. Oh well--it's only for an hour. And as I said, I'll pass on the Mexican food, thanks.
Well, out to the garage for further planning. Wheel out the Creeper and watch the neighbors gather, wondering when I'm going to 'rent' it out for their pickups.
Best to all, and prayers to those in need.
Oh, BTW, Railroadnut--the way I learned it was:
In Nomine Patrie
ET Filae
ET Spiritus Sancti
But it was a Franciscan father, who also told me that God's phone number was EtCum-Spirit-Two-Two-Oh. Gotta watch out for them Franciscans, LOL!
"My Train"
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=iB7i7SLdRV4
LSWrr wrote:"My Train"http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=iB7i7SLdRV4
twhite I was just guessing off the top of my head.
Went and had lunch with those girls again...
Hello ....
I have exchanged a couple of emails with JP who is deployed to the "sand box".. I'm sure he would appreciate emails from everybody.
We had a modle railroad get-together today. 3 guys from here at the lake plus one friend from Paduch. ...Gus said his friends and family in Waterloo/Ceder Rapids/Ceder Falls area are doing fine. The LHS has a basement model railroad layout, and gus wonders how it's doing with the floods. No derailments on any of the 3 layouts here today. Amazing. (We are all follwoing Tom's example still!)
Rob ....Sounds like you are on overload. Let us know of anything we can do.
Happy Model Railroading!