Evening all. Chloe, I'll take some clam chowder (really regretting not getting some while I was in Boston...) and a RBF, thanks.
Who knows when, and if, I'll ever get to catching up on 5 days of posts. So I guess I'll just start from here...
Well, while I was in Boston, my plan for seeing some trains was kinda a flop... Alls I saw was three Green Line Trains, a Red Line Train, three Commuter Rail trains (one on the Framingham/Worcester Line, and two sitting in North Station), one Downeaster in North Station, and a bunch of CSX stuff (mostly intermodal), although all I actually remember of that stuff was 5430 (a GEVO), 312 (AC44CW), and a Standard Cab Dash 8 (WOOHOO!! just about the only GE stuff I actually like, besides the U Boats).Also, on the way home on I-84, I saw the Waterbury Depot, the same one seen on David Popp's Naugatuck Branch layout in the April '06 MR. Dang this thing is huge! All I could actually see was the clock tower, but sometime I'd like to go and check out the entire station. And now I know why he needed to selectively compress it- if he built it fully to scale, even in N, it would be over 18 inches tall (so for all you normal HO guys, it would be just under 3 feet tall!)!!!!! Now I feel this sudden urge to model this thing...
Well, I'll shut up for now. I'll probably be up for a while, so I'll let some of you guys talk some more, before I start talking and can't stop...
My Model Railroad: Tri State RailMy Photos on Flickr: FlickrMy Videos on Youtube: YoutubeMy Photos on RRPA: RR Picture Archives
Good Evening, and a very Happy New Year to everybody....at least let's hope it is.
JIM:
JimRCGMO I just need to figure out what I'll put on the left side of the boxcars... I may need to go back to your photos and take another look - I thought the wall looked more regular/even in thickness than what I think of as riverbed rocks.
LEE: Ahhhhh, so you truly were a "Glow Worm." My condolences. The unofficial motto of the Palo (Iowa) Vol. Fire Dept. is "First to Glow, Last to Know." They have the former Duane Arnold Energy Center (nuke plant) in their backyard. Florida Power and Light owns it now... go figure THAT one out. A Florida utility owns a nuke plant in Iowa.
ROB: THAT's a neat little hospital. JIM has a good idea for stairway access to the roof...but I think the staff of the hospital would prefer access to an elevator...
JR: I've toyed with the idea of shooting trains for publication, heck, I've got the UPRR mainline 3 blocks away... The trouble with freelancing is it truly does take money to make money. On the rare occassions when something truly "special" rolls through, the photographer convoy is amazing. You shoulda seen the circus when UP 1995 (CNW heritage unit) made the first run west. Clinton PD coulda/shoulda done some wholesale towing/ticketing/busting for all the stupid crap the railfans and foamers were doing. Driving back to Clarence on Hwy. 30 was an exercise in suicide as idiots jockeyed for position, each trying to get THAT all and ever precious "run-by" and pace shot. The president of the CNW Hysterical Society at the time, whizzed by me at about 90, darn-near got himself into a head-on in the process. I dropped them and their magazine not long after...partially for financial reasons, partially for his stupidity and the example he was setting. What I'm trying to get to, is I just haven't figured out how to ace-out the dozens of yahoos out trackside with their cameras...and how to turn a buck if I do. So....I keep writing and shooting for THAT.
Speaking of THAT, I picked up the "Holiday Basket" from the office yesterday. It's a little wire basket, very nice in a froo-froo sort of way... It contained about $10.00 worth of food items (beef log, M&Ms bag, crackers, home-brew party mix, homemade fudge). I recall a Pluggers cartoon from the mid 90s. It showed a bear in a shirt and tie holding a can of mixed nuts. The caption: "You're a Plugger if your Christmas Bonus is a food item." I tacked it up over my desk at the paper I was w**king for at the time...THAT owner/editor/publisher/bossman didn't like it one iota. I think he thought I was knocking his gift...'cause I got a can of mixed nuts THAT year. With THAT, I've been gracious and appreciative...just really hoped I woulda seen some cash...
CN CHARLIE: Very sorry to hear about Pippa, Rerun sends his sympathies as well.
VINCENT (PACKERS): I can empathize with you throwing down and storming out...but keep in mind, at the next potential job, they're gonna ask you "why did you leave your last job?" It's considered bad form to bad-mouth a previous employer...and saying "I quit" raises all sorts of red flags. I lucked out one time when I stormed out of a job...I found another not long after with an employer who only cared THAT I'd a) show up, and b) do the job. The second time (from the employer I just mentioned...) I went back to school, took out a buttload of student loans, and lived off of those. I'm still paying them off years later. I wish you good luck with the job hunt, I just think you're going to have some difficulties. THAT said, I probably woulda gotten myself fired for telling the employee and the manager where they could go, and suggesting an activity for them on the way ...which really isn't better, it still leads to embarassing questions at the next interview... But hey, "stuff" happens.
SAM: Neat pic of you and Mrs. Sam... I gotta get something like THAT of me and Loving Wife. On your sketch, I really like the switching yard part, I like the extension with the station, and I like the engine house. Beyond THAT, I'm not a fan of "roundy-rounders," but THAT's just my personal opinion, currently rated as being worth less than a half-a-cent. I think there are some operational possibilities, and depending on the scenery, the oval could probably be "camoflauged." Short comment long, I think you're on to something here.
Lets see, SAM is planning/building a layout, PHILLIP wants us to poke and prod him into w**king on his.... Crap. I'd best get serious about seriously drawin' up my trackplan this year. Maybe around May or June, I'll be back to where I can grab some lumber and get some more brackets made/installed.
JP: I guess I missed it earlier, so THANK YOU for your service (Air Guard)!
I'll have me a seat at the RC with a delicious RBF...yield the floor, and see whom else comes in this evening...
Chris
The Cedar cRapids Industrial Branch: Proudly Shipping Yesterday's CrunchBerries Tomorrow!
Hey ya'll, RBF for me.
Went to a friends today for a New years eve party/ops session. Had a blast. By some luck one of the guys that works at a good hobby shop in pensacola. He may have found out my favorite road...
Todd, looking back; the broad probably wasn't the greatest idea. But I've been to drag strips before and have never seen any flying rubber actually damage anything. Really just sticks to it (mostly the car doing it) and is kind of a pain to clean off.
Jim, definately was no prize. The pay was above average for a burger joint, but the incompetence in the chain of command kind of made it not worth that much.
Vincent
Wants: 1. high-quality, sound equipped, SD40-2s, C636s, C30-7s, and F-units in BN. As for ones that don't cost an arm and a leg, that's out of the question....
2. An end to the limited-production and other crap that makes models harder to get and more expensive.
Good evening all, and all the best for 2010, despite the shaky start alrready reported for some folks. After a good and reasonably quiet New Year's celebration (sparklers outside this year - no repeat of the unstoppable smoke alarm of 2008/9 -) we had to change our plans and return the grandchildren and daughter to their respective homes a day earlier this morning. The reason is a humungous storm coming up the eastern seaboard and about to clobber the Maritimes later tonight and through Sunday. It doesn't look like we are going to come off too badly right where we are, but where our daughter and grandchildren live, and the route between those places will be murder on Saturday. No traffic today as everything (except fast food and some gas stations) was shut for t he New Year Holiday. So it was an un-eventful run. Now we have to clean up a bit - but peace has descended, for now.
Keith:
What is the length you can run power down the line. ....
I also endorse Ray's comment about not leaving DC locos on a live DCC layout. In fact, I'm leary of running DC equipment on a DCC layout at all.
CNCharlie: That MRC Tech4 was purchased at the hobby store in Victoria you found this summer! I was reminded of this just after Christmas when my rechargeable razor died. I bought it in about 1985 at that same store. (Had to replace the batteries once - but when it went Phttt when I turned it on this time, I knew that wasn't an option!)
Sorry to hear about Pippa - a tough decision, if I'm reading you correctly. To everything there is a season....
Sam: Nice hat! Can I ever relate to the added exercise potential of mrr over more than one storey! If you do bash your curved crossing, take it slowly, and test everything more than just once. Ask not how I know...but that HO/Hon30 crossing was an interesting exercise too.
I was wondering, what is the difference between using Birch, Oak, or MDF
Chris:
the pickup, yes...I named her, doesn't everybody name their pickup truck??)
Rob: I agree with CapeJim, the helipad is looking fine!
All it needs now is a windsock
Ulrich: Glad you dropped in, that "funny in the head" thing is a concern given your recent history. We'll continue to pray for your complete recovery.
JR:
Anyone ever try to use the poles above the layout to route power?
Vincent: Rotten way to have to start the year. Sorry about the job situation. Sounds like you would have a discrimination case on the "stupid" remark. Trouble is that takes more effort and time than it's worth - besides what do you get out of it in the end - the old job back?
Rob:
Black-eyed peas, collard greens & whatever else is traditional Southern fare on New Years day.
Ray: That's a tough thing for your BIL and family. Our thoughts are with them - quite a shock to start the year.
PC: sounds like the stomach flu? Hope it's all cleared up now.
Time for bed again. Goodnight all, and God Bless. Prayers continuing for all in need of Healing, Comfort, Prosperity and Peace.
"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.
Good Evening All,
Just stopping in on the way. A coffee and a slice of pie ala mode please - yes over behind the prune juice where we hid it from..... whaddaya mean it's 3/4 gone! Hmm, prune juice is gone too? Explains someones recent illness maybe? Hope you're feeling better though pal. Watched a couple of twilight zones on the box after the sugar bowl turned into a rout. Perhaps that's why the site here directed me to page 38 out of 37.
Just about finished making bits for the museum turntable bridge. I'll bend up some aluminum sheet for the base of the bridge and then epoxy the rest together onto that. With any luck it'll turn out acceptably. Got some more stuff moved at home after we got back from the shop so I'll keep moving towards that emptied basement. Catch y'all tomorrow. J.R.
Ah, mystery explained - Jeffery hadstarted a post but hadn't clicked the postbutton. Thanks for the snack Jeff.
tcwright973When I bought my first PC, an Apple IIe, I thought it was a giant at like 26 or 28K.
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
The discussions about old computers and their capacities brought back some interesting memories for me. Around 1963-64, I worked for a major bank in Pittsburgh when we converted over to data processing. The first two main frame computers used were GE-225's. They had a memory capacity of 4K. Input was either punch cards or magnetic tape. Storeage was magnetic tape as well. 4K was plenty as systems then were sequential only, no random access. In other words, one block in, process and one block out. When I bought my first PC, an Apple IIe, I thought it was a giant at like 26 or 28K. My how things have changed.
Tom
Pittsburgh, PA
Good Evening (and New Year), Chloe - I'll have a roast beef sandwich with the veggies (tomato, lettuce, onions, couple of pickles) and some of that dressing type spread on it, and oh yes, some cheesey fries and a RBF, please. Thanks!
I stopped by the Diner last night and had my post almost done and ready to send, then went to look up something on another website, and made the (BIG) mistake of turning on Google-Analytics' permissions for that website. Wel (as Todd might say), the forum software noticed that my edit page hadn't refreshed, and did it for me (losing my entire post...). (Memo to self: NEVER turn on permissions for Google-Analytics!)
I also didn't get my wish for a Blessed and Happy New Year!! (and a big Thank You!) (<--Picture this guy tipping his hat...) to all you Diners last night, so I'll say it today!
Heartland Division CB&QJim, ... Nice private road paint scheme on that switcher. It has that NP look to it. What does CAW stand for? Crooked And Wobbly?
Garry, actually, it stands for Colorado, Arizona and Western RR - after all, Johnboy already uses 'the Wobbly' for his layout's RR, so it would be too confusing, anyway. So, did your MRers' meeting involve talking about what's in the sale flyer, or what got your order fingers a'twitchin'? And I'm glad to see that you didn't do the thing I've heard of some families doing with kids having December birthdays: "This present is for your birthday and Christmas also..." (Sheesh!)
Jeff, good that your Dad decided to help you get what you needed for your 'puter (for now, anyways), and good that you got your startup to a more agreeable speed. I hear you on the computer history thing - when I was in college, I w**ked for a while in their mainframe center, which had a few programs that still required using an ancient punchcard reader (probably came with their first mainframe purchase), and their main storage then was the big reel-to-reel decks. By the time I left, they had upgraded to cartridges for the backups. And my first Mac (in late 80's) had 4MB of RAM and the hard drive was a whopping 80 MB(!).
And Ulrich, good to hear you have the laptop now to help you stay in touch here (and I'm sure it won't slow down how quickly you can bring in Petra's strudel to the Diner). But watch out for the staying up too late - your body likely needs all the energy it can get so your heart and other systems don't get tired or worn down. Okay?
SteamTrainFan, at least for your braces (I'm guessing they haven't made it easier since my daughter got hers about 15 years ago) they just glued them to your teeth. Why, young grasshopper (switching to my 'geezer' voice...) when I had braces, they put these metal bands around each tooth and tightened them down - talk about a mouth full of metal!
Bunch of interesting "training the cat" stories there - and some 'surprised' felines, I'm sure...
DerJohn, it's a good deal that you were able to track down your electrical gremlins - they can be so annoying (on top of not being able to run trains!).
Chris, good to hear you won't be "going postal" on anyone up there. Thanks for the comment on the boxcar. Now, I just need to figure out what I'll put on the left side of the boxcars... I may need to go back to your photos and take another look - I thought the wall looked more regular/even in thickness than what I think of as riverbed rocks.
Sam, in my post last night, I was gonna suggest you look up the Turtle Creek layout in MR (the extension's in the track plan database lookup, and the PDF shows a little of the main layout at the edge of it). The main (4X8) part of the layout was in articles in Jan./Feb./Mar./Apr. of 2003, and the extension was in Jan. or Feb. of the next year, I think. They used a crossing to get to the extension (or planned it for future expansion in the original design, not sure which), which might only be a 60 degree or less of crossing. Hope that helps you some. If you don't have those back issues, email me.
On your doubled pics, use the IMG (bottom of the four choices for a pic), and then just double-click in that text box beside that, then copy and switch to the forum editor page you have open and go to the text entry box there. Put your mouse pointer where you want the photo/pic to go, and paste there. That should do it. Like this:
Uh, Johnboy, I think I missed something a bit back - your 'destroyed room"?? Refresh me on that, please. (You had an excellent Christmas 'haul,' by the way)
Lee, you had me wondering what you had done to be called "RAD" (and then I realized...). And would that designation be a good thing, or...??? Me, I'd rather be cordoned OUT of whatever area they're measuring. But that's just me, I guess.
Robby - no problem on your not staying up. I served as your designated stay-upper for you.
Vincent, I hope you find the new job before long; sounds like the one where you were was no prize. Hard part is that there are a lot of places where politics is too much a part of w**king there. (I won't go beyond that, as we don't need a rant session till dawn. ) Good to hear you've already been checking out possibilities for another job.
Rob - NICE job on the hospital! For the ER entry, you could put a sign on top of the overhang/awning, instead of under it. The rooftop entry could be fairly easy to scratchbuild like this.
Heard some neighbor shoot off something bigger than a firecracker (Maybe an M-80, if they still sell those things?), but only one, so wasn't too hard to get to sleep after that. Getting up when the alarm went off at 7? Now that was another matter, but finally got to the laundromat and got that done.
I also got the roof off of the Delaney Transfer building today, and painted some gesso on the 'stucco' areas. I figured that the gesso is supposed to have some 'tooth' to it, from my art major days when we'd use it to prime our canvases, so it should give something of a concrete/stucco/rock type of textural look to the panels. Then paint the 'wood beams and after that's dry, mask off them and paint the 'stucco' with some antique white or other off-white color.
I have on-call tomorrow and Sunday, and am hoping for an exceptionally dull couple of days (except for church on Sunday, and some MRR'ing stuff (on either/both days). Supposed to drop to 16 F tonight, and 10 F tomorrow night. Brrr!! (Yeah, I can hear Barry and DerJohn razzing me about what 'cold' really is...). Hey Flip, how would you like their temps?
Sorry to hear about your BIL's health, Ray. Will say for his healing (body and mood).
CN Charlie, glad that you and the wife were able to have a good dinner. Sad to hear about Pippa's health slipping. Will add her to my prayers.
Want to get this done before something eats this post like last night's. Everyone get rested up and stay warm and out of any white stuff your area may have. Yep, winter!....
Blessings and prayers,
Jim in Cape Girardeau
I have been violently ill for days! Feeling much better today though.
Guess I've got some catching up to do.
Good Evening--
Spent the last bit out in the snow playing with the new blower--next door neighbour and I got a few of our more elderly people's drives and sidewalks done---probs gotta do it again in the morn due to the ongoing snowsqualls---another one popped up and I cain't see a dang thing ag'in out there.
CNCharlie: prayers for everyone there about little Pippa.
Ray: BIL's issues always worry me. My BIL has a heart arrythmia that sometimes wants to play tricks so we're always watching out-----prayers will go out for your BIL as well Of course---of all the cars I had I still got a big kick out of the Mustang fastback with the 429CJ----
Anyhoooo---Chloe, I'll have a coffee please---I'll be at the fireplace warming up
Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry
I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...
http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/
Happy New Year!!
Greetings from Winterpeg with an emphasis on the winter. The windchill right now is -31F and it is supposed to be -45 by the morning but the sky is clear and oh yes, it is a dry cold. I was just out with Robin and I can confirm that windchill value. He sure didn't take long to do his 'business' and ran back to the house.
Not good news on our little Pippa. We had her at the vet's on Wednesday and her eye still isn't looking good but he wanted to wait until Monday before making a decision on whether to remove it or not. I think it will be a bit of a moot point as she has other problems. The anti-biotics haven't stopped the blood in her urine so she likley has bladder cancer. She really isn't eating much which for any dog is a bad sign. I have a feeling that next week will be a very sad one for me as Pip really is a Daddy's girl. She still waits for me at the door to come home whenever I go out, even just to the store.
My wife and I had a very nice New Year's last night as we went out to Mirlycourtois which is the French restauant where she works on Tuesdays. We had a really great meal. I had mushroom soup and a filet mignon with shitake mushroom and green peppercorn sauce. My wife had a fois gras terrine for a starter and a risotto with lobster tails and scallops in a lobster sauce. We had Kir royales and a couple of glasses of wine with the meal. I ate far too much and had to wait until about 2 a.m. before I could go to bed and get to sleep.
A really quiet day today. I have been doing a little scenery work on the layout and running my RS3 a little plus watching a little TV.
Having some lasagna for supper tonight and then I thin a little more TV is in order. I have the basement fireplace on so it is toasty warm down there.
CN Charlie
Evenin' Folks!
I have spent much of the day cleaning house, finishing a few projects, and worrying about my BIL. He was taken to Strong Hospital in Rochester yesterday after being diagnosed with a clogged artery in his left leg. He had been told that his pain was Gout caused by a blood condition he has that also keys into the Sclerosis stuff he was dealing with last Summer. Turns out the Sclerosis symptoms are from the blood disorder. Anyway they couldn't give him blood thiners due to the condition and he ended up having the clot removed surgically last night.
My Sister in Law just called to say that after a few hours of wait and see, they decided that the foot and lower leg were so far gone that they decided his best bet was amputation. So he has lost the entire foot and part of his lower leg..... Only good news is that they will be able to fit him easily to a prosthesis that he will be able use and he should be able to walk again. Anyway please keep him in your prayers if you would. He is the guy that loaned me his Jeep for a couple of weeks back when I was in colege.... (see the VW discussion). The one with the Chevy 283 dropped in it.
I'll just have a nice cup of decafe and go sit by the stove in the back for a bit!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Below are a couple pics of the wife's hospital. The heliport is a medium gray, not black (must have been the falsh). Still needs an rooftop elevator, a wind sock and an EMERGENCY sign under the ER entryway, plus some touch ups. Almost there.
Have a nice evening all.
Rob
If you can read this... thank a teacher. If you are reading this in english... thank a veteran
When in doubt. grab a hammer.
If it moves and isn't supposed to, get a hammer
If it doesn't move and is supposed to, get a hammer
If it's broken, get a hammer
If it can't be fixed with a hammer... DUCK TAPE!
Good evening all and Happy New Year!
My 1st computer was a Commadore 64.
Anyways, just got a Weather Alert on my cell phone... Lake Effect Snow Advisory is in effect for my (Syracuse NY) area till 6am Sunday....
Tonight: Snow showers. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 17. West wind between 8 and 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.
Saturday: Snow showers. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 21. West wind between 14 and 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible. Saturday Night: Snow showers. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 12. Wind chill values as low as -6. Breezy, with a west wind between 17 and 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible. Sunday: Snow showers. High near 19. Wind chill values as low as -7. Breezy, with a west wind between 18 and 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.Sunday Night: Snow showers. Low around 17. West wind between 13 and 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%
Thank god I have a snow blower for my driveway!
Anyways, I have yet to get any train items for Christmas. Tomorrow may change that as I'll have my 4th and final Christmas of the year. Yes... my 4TH! Thing is... my family lives all over NY and PA. So, we have to have it on a Saturday that is convenient for the college aged relatives, as well as me (being in the Air Guard means I do have to work 1 weekend a month). So, tomorrow is the day.
Well gang, off to take care of the g/f. She's under the weather w/ a migraine and a upset tummy. Prayers and well-wishes to those in need!
Take care!
//signed// John Powell President / CEO CNY Transportation Corp (fictional)
http://s155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/nuts4sports34/
Hunter - When we met in January of 2000, you were just a 6 week old pup who walked his way into this heart of mine as the only runt in the litter who would come over to me. And today, I sit here and tell you I am sorry we had to put you down. It was the best thing for you and also the right thing to do. May you now rest in peace and comfort. Love, Dad. 8 June 2010
I love you and miss you Mom. Say hi to everyone up there for me. Rest in peace and comfort. Love, John. 29 March 2017
Trainman SamJeff- the first computer I had was an ATARI, also with the "floppy" disks and the atari cartridges, that was the mid 80's. My next computer was a Zenith, which I got from one of my brothers friends who used to attend the U.S. Naval Academy with him... that only had 10Mb, I think, of HD and I had Prodigy as my first ISP!!! Oh the days of super slow dialup!!! Now I have an Hp Pavilion Slimline that came with 250Gb of HD and I have an external HD of the same capacity... I couldn't have imagined this much memory 19 years ago when I got the Zenith!!! amazing
Sam, That makes good sense. J.R.
Happy New Year all...its sunny and 22 here...I'll have egg nog and a cookie please...thank you...You all have a good one...Jerry
GMTRacingSam - I like the sketch in the link. One thing you can try is extending the passing siding on the right side of the loop by using a curved turnout down on the bottom of the sketch. The curved crossing is a good idea and easier if you trim away the straight track either side of it to blend into the curved sections better.
Actually, I am attempting to keep the station area of the layout prototypical... here's a link to see the ariel view of the station and the engine house.
http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCC&cp=qqtns98rmg5x&style=b&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=21190157&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1
The station is on the right side of the screen right where is says "Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park. The tail track at the far end of the station just goes out into the woods and terminates, this is what I am using the trees to mask the fact that it actually loops on my layout.
Jeff- the first computer I had was an ATARI, also with the "floppy" disks and the atari cartridges, that was the mid 80's. My next computer was a Zenith, which I got from one of my brothers friends who used to attend the U.S. Naval Academy with him... that only had 10Mb, I think, of HD and I had Prodigy as my first ISP!!! Oh the days of super slow dialup!!! Now I have an Hp Pavilion Slimline that came with 250Gb of HD and I have an external HD of the same capacity... I couldn't have imagined this much memory 19 years ago when I got the Zenith!!! amazing
Packers- I wish you well on your search for a new job.
Well, Susan (my wife) should be home any minute now, and we have to get some things ready for the festivities tonight! I hope the new year will find everyone healthy and Railroading along!!!
Sam
May He bless you, guide you, and keep you safe on your journey through life!
I Model the New Hope & Ivyland RR (Bucks County, PA)
Hey! looks like the first page of the year tab is on me!! What an honor!
Vincent- Your post kinda got my blood pressure up. I've been around employees like her and managers like her. Worked both with and for them too. Grrrr, can't even explain how they irritate me. Luckily for me I am in a position where I can speak my mind without fear of theats to end my source of income. I must agree enough is enough and if you do get a call from the GM, I definately would tell him about your two "buddies" actions and what really happened. Adding, you'll never keep decent employees with managers and employees like those two. Good luck finding a new job.
Um. By the way, I know you were angry and not exactly thinking things through, but for future reference, the burnout leaving wasn't that great of an idea. First, it more than likely made the girl who wanted it her way happy at your display of aggravation. Even if she did have to work the drive up after all. But probably did not. And second, if you did happen to damage someones car, it could well have been someone who was innocent and that would be bad. Even if it wasn't, and this is worse, well your still liable for damages, and THAT my friend, would eat me UP! Knowing now I'm paying to fix that (expletives for about 27 and a half seconds) car!
Todd
Central Illinoyz
In order to keep my position as Master and Supreme Ruler of the House, I don't argue with my wife.
I'm a small town boy. A product of two people from even smaller towns. I don’t talk on topic….. I just talk.
Good mor...afternoon. And HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! Coffee please. No I didn't just get up. I just wanted to not start the new year off doing something, so I sat and drank coffee and ate oranges for a bit and watched TV.
Turned real cold last night , you listening Flip?, 9 degrees. I think I froze to death walking to the car. Then was in bed watching TV by midnight and was half asleep from watching Night in the Museum again when I received my New Years smootch. Our evening consisted of going to the Restaurant for dinner. They had this guy singing, Brian Garrison I believe is his name, he is very very good. We had two salads, two Lasagna's, she had the white and I had the red, and two Canoli's. She had a soda and a glass of white wine and I had two PBR‘s. The owners threw the ticket away and said, "I got it". Total expense for New Years Eve, gas to drive halfway across town ( about five blocks and a Baseball field plus playground for the few of you who, surprisingly, have never been to Williamsville), a frozen pinky toe, a stingingly frozen nose, and a nasty chill to the bone, but no cash outlay. What a way to say so long 2009.
I think I'll go to the train room today.
Sam- Not being the expert layout designer, I like the latest design you drew.
I've had "Moonshine" a few times (clear), and I don't see all the fuss some people give it. Of course I don't care much for the taste of alcohol, but unless it's just dirt cheap (and from what I‘ve heard it‘s not around hear), I think the store bought Whiskey tastes better. And yes I supposedly had some good stuff from Kentucky or West Virginia, can't remember where he said he got it. Didn't taste much different. Smoother? Well, I guess you might be able to say that. Then again, I suppose diesel is probably smoother than gasoline if you chose to drink it.
Jeff- I understood only that your hard drive was going bad and that you went to Walmart and got some groceries. I guess you've got it under control.
Have a Great Day!!!
Hey ya'll, RBF and a pizza for me
Not even 7 hours into the new year and it's already bad...
I got into an arguement with some broad I work with, and then I quit because of the new manager's sexist actions. The one lady kept whining to the manager that she had to work drive through again, enough that she ended up getting her way and I ended up having to do it; and this isn't the first time it's happened. So as I'm cleaning up after the last shift (again...) she comes around the corner rapping some about having it her way (irony) and tells me "don't roll your eyes at me"... So I ask her, "why does it say you're drive through, and I'm the one working it?" She gets mad and says "Why!?!?!? Maybe I'm tired of working it." I said "I work it every weekend, and it is much worse than work it during the week." She gets even more furious, and starts calling me stupid, lazy, and retarded (the latter ticked me off since I'm autistic) and it esalates, to stuff that isn't approriate for the forum. She then walks away and fetches the female manager, who hides out of my sight while I'm still cleaning up. Then she starts again, and as I retort "you're just mad because you had 3 kids before you were married, then you married a dead beat cause no one else likes your attitude and your lazy, fat ***.." The manager comes out and tells me to shut the (explicative) up. I ask, "So it's fine for for her to call me all of that, but I can't call her out on her attitude or other things?" The manager says "you're being disrespetful cause you called her fat." I rolled my eyes, and said "I don't want to or have to put up with your sexist actions." While the manager stands there mouth agape, I throw what I was working on down and yelled "I've had it, and I quit." As I get into my car, one of the other managers and a few other employees run out and try to get me to reconsider. I declined, and left in a hurry, leaving a good-sized skid mark (making sure to have the back of my car pointed at the offending manager and employee's cars; hopefully they have to clean up some rubber) in the parking lot.
I've worked there for over 2 years, been one of the most reliable and hard-working people, and yet still get treated like crap. I'm kind of glad I quit, but I need to find another job; however, a few people I talked to this about said that the GM (one of the people who think I'm the best worker they've had) will probably call me. I kind of doubt it, and I probably won't accept it. I'm looking at other jobs on monster right now. All that I've seen so far is a front-end loader/pipe fiter, a customer service rep for a extermination company, or something watching kids in a gym. I only have to take 4 more classes before I get my AAS, so I want it to be temporary and flexible.
Trainman SamJeff- Glad to see you're resolving your 'puter problems so quickly. I am what people would call a technical infant. I don't get half the stuff that goes on with wiring and such for these things...
Good Morning All and Happy New Year
A regular in a New Haven mug please. Quiet evening last night except for the neighbors fireworks at the appointed time. Kids were all off elsewhere and the CFO had her sinus thing going and turned in early.
Got quite a bit of sorting of boxes done with the storage stuff going into the attic (but all now in one piece top plastic bins not the cardboard and plastic flip top totes we used before). I now have a sizeable empty spot on the basement floor and just need another dozen or so storage bins to empty the floor entirely. After that it will be insulation for the base of the foundation and the walls for the exercise room then the walls for the remainder of the basement. After that we can restablish the wood shop and hobby bench. The first gas bills are starting to show up and it looks like we're running about 20% below the previous years. It may be better than that after factoring in degree days and all that.
Chris - By freelancing I was thinking along the lines of sending stuff into railfan magazines and the like. Doesn't interfere with your relationship with THAT editor and is an outside source of additional income if you're successful.
Keith - by contiguous blocks I meant the sections of track controlled by the block power. All you need is to branch the feed wires to the track and feed sections where the trains seem to get slower due to voltage drop, etc. In other words keep it simple. You should not need to rip everything apart to do that though you may need to do a bit of the old limbo down to run some of the extra feed underneath. Anyone ever try to use the poles above the layout to route power?
Sam - I like the sketch in the link. One thing you can try is extending the passing siding on the right side of the loop by using a curved turnout down on the bottom of the sketch. The curved crossing is a good idea and easier if you trim away the straight track either side of it to blend into the curved sections better.
Jeff - glad you've got your 'puter sorted out. Hopefully things will improve for you this year.
Ulrich - please take care. The last bit of your last post sounds worrysome. Hope they find out whats up sooner rather than later.
Another day in the shop taking care of the company vehicles and casting pieces for the museum displays. I've been making bits from a Girder bridge so I can piece together a 20" turntable for the O gage layout we're bashing from an older smaller Weaver unit. I'll drop in later, CUL, J.R.
Good morning and a HAPPY NEW YEAR to all!
Zoe, coffee (dark roast of course) in a FGLK mug and a bowl of OFC for me this beautiful morning. Yeah gotta get back on a reasonable diet starting today. I'll be at the front booth watching the world go by outside......
Didn't make any resolutions this year. Never keep them anyway..... Ended up going over to my son's house for New Years Eve so I got to remember why I leave the Idiot Box off at my house. We watched the ball drop in Times Square hosted by the 90 year old teenager who they had propped up like a cardboard sign. Maybe it was a talking cardboard sign, amazing what can be done with electronics today. (Thank goodness they buried Guy Lumbago many years ago...............) But hey, if Dick Clark enjoys being there and being part of the "Festivities" God bless him and may he have many more! We also ate way too much, played a boardgame, and watched Shrek II.
BTW, we're having a white New Years day here in the Finger Lakes with a temp. of 33°F outside and little flakes of white stuff falling as I type.
Got all the CD's labeled and ready to take to church for this year. (I donate the CDs used to record the services to be taken along with Deacon visits to "shut ins". I have to wrap Christmas Presents for my sister who went to Mexico for when we get together sometime in the next few weeks, clean the house for my son and his family who are coming over for a Roast Beast dinner on Sunday. Ought to take care of any modeling time today.........
Ulrich, I will keep you in my prayers for better health and a bit of improved prosperity in this new year!
Jeffrey, I thought for sure you would order that Mac I pointed out to you. Heck, just get a long term loan.......... Glad you have your PC back up and running. We miss you when your not around!
OK, since it is almost noon already (I just got up...) I best get moving and do some w**k THAT needs to get done today. Later!
Hello everyone.
I'll start the year with oatmeal and OJ. (boring, I know)
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Gmorning. Janie, I'll take a cinnamon roll and some coffee, thanks.
I'll catch up, and chat once catchin up is done.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Good Afternoon,
Zoe, I need some black n´ hot coffee - need to stay awake. Stayed up much longer than I had planned to, but the young folks came for a surprise visit. It must have been 2 o´ clock before I finally could hit the sack, but did not sleep well. There are just too many bad thoughts still haunting me. I had hoped to be able to leave them in 2009, but they showed up, as merry as ever, in 2010. Is there no bottom to worse?
Monday will see me reporting back to the clinic -I am not at all feeling well, kinda funny in my head.
You all have a good time!
Good Morning--
Found 'Spring' stayed behind the printer all night---the last of the guests left about 8am this morning---mmm---now THAT sounded a wee bit redundant------that was when 'Spring' came out from behind the printer----going ---"mmm?--mmm?---megh? megh?" all the way
Going to be a quiet day---we getting those snowsqualls again---going to get about a foot of snow by tomorrow afternoon------neighbour and I are going to get to play with new snowblowers---(with a good bit of attached)
Today will be doing some work on the new addition to the layout---my Implement and feed supply kit
Chloe---I'll have a coffee and a toast with jam please-----I'm going to the window booth and watch the proceedings
Good morning, and Happy New Year!!! We had a white Christmas, and now a white new years day. Calling for several inches for the weekend. Starting tonight. Its sleeting right now.
I'm 30years old, and was in bed at 9:00pm. Now isn't that pitiful. I guess with me getting up at 3:00am for months now, my body is ready for by by 9:00pm. So.......I didn't "ring" in the new year.
Not much planned today. I might head into the basement later. Finished wiring up the liftout yesterday, and it works good. I was going to make a trip to Lowes, but I believe "old man winter" is stopping that trip.
Hope everybody has a good day!!
"Rust, whats not to love?"