Elliott's Trackside Diner XXIII: Moving on...

[Packers#1]

 Jim, I got the ground throws.

4 day weekend this weekend y'all. Going to relax and rest up after my rugby scrimmage tonight. 3 20 minute periods will be played instead of 2 40 minute halves. and it will be a coaching scrimmage, so the coaches will be on the field telling us what we're doing right and wrong.

[Trainman Sam]

Hello Again Folks!

Another day into the books…

I’m finally starting to feel confident about the territory, hope it isn’t a false sense of it… we’ll see!

Jim, the date of my wedding was August 8^th. Sorry, I should’ve put that in the first post.

I am waiting to hear when BLI plans on releasing the MP15 that I pre-ordered. Hope it’s soon, as I like the look and sound of their other offerings… Anyone have experience with BLI stuff? I’d like to hear what you have to say about it, whether it be good or bad.

Todd, the mud on your shoes match the mud outside by the “Launcher” (as you call it)… Hmmm what is that in your hand??? Could THAT be the auxiliary controller for the DCC decoder that seems to have been installed overnight???

Chloe, may I have a LARGE coffe in a NH&I/NJT mug please?  I'll also have a ham sandwich with the works, a side of pastrami, and a giant slice of the Keylime pie, please again?  Thanks!

Well, I have the house to myself for the weekend!!!  Susan is petsitting at a customers house, and I have a lot of studying to do, and mrr-ing too![wink]

Be in the storage room for a sec, got to get this substance off my hands... What's that you say?  I have a foil plate on the back of my head?  WHO DID IT???  WHO DID IT???

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Cederstrand

***Jeffrey, sounds like an exciting ride. How is your foot after all that pumping of the brakes?

My LEFT foot is just fine. I haven't used my right foot for the brake for years.

[Robby P.]

 Thanks!!! 

 I'm not even using the upper part anymore.  I've taken up most of the track for the lower part.  I could always replace it thou.  Thats what the "white" part is in some pictures.  Just the track missing.   Its still in DC, but its ready to go when I get the DCC going.   

 I still need to add a couple more lights.  One over the new table, and one in the corner of the layout. 

 The train runs real good, but I need to add some "feeders" to the other part.   I'm just waiting to see what is going to happen in the middle, and then I can add some more feeders to the track. 

 I think painting the legs black really helped out.   I would use a cloth or something to cover the legs, but our cat "Hannibal" likes to dive bomb curtains, chirstmas tree, etc...  So the cloth probably wouldn't be up long.  

 I will probably post these pictures in the WPF.  Seems like I haven't added any layout shots to it in awhile.

[Cederstrand]

Some mixed nuts in a bowl, please.

***Jeffrey, sounds like an exciting ride. How is your foot after all that pumping of the brakes?

***Robby, your layout is expanding nicely. Looks like a fun one to operate as well.

Rob

[LSWrr]

Garry, What years did the Detroit and Toledo Short Line operate?

 
Robby the layout looks good!

 

[Robby P.]

 Good afternoon.  Believe it or not we are above 32 degrees.  The last time that happened was Jan. 1st.  So its been kinda cold.

 Worked on the layout some today, and I added a scrap yard.  I will probably go by the LHS and get some things this weekend.  I don't know why but all of my layouts have to have a scrap yard .

 Here's some pictures of the layout.   You can see where I've been painting the legs black.  I think that really helped.  Also the middle table is where I have no idea on what to use.  I thought maybe a couple of turnouts (shipping, a small industrial plant, etc...), and the middle will be a small town.  

 Bama................I was bound and determined to get the kit.  Well I guess I will think of something else.  I guess I could buy it and add a small dock and use it for the boxcars.  Maybe for pallets of bagged cement, etc..

 

[howmus]

Afternoon everyone!

Didn't manage to get in to the diner this morning.  Had to go get my hair cut.  Actually I had them all cut while I was there.

Chloe is it too late to get breakfast?  OK I'll have the #2 special then.  Over easy on the eggs, bacon, homefries, and a double order of sourdough toast if you please to keep the cup of dark roast company....

GMTRacing

Ray's making a bridge to nowhere and now we have bent trestles too? you two should team up.

 

ROFL!  I now know what to name the bridge!  Love it!  In actual fact the bridge would go to what the Bear saw.  The other side of the mountain........  It just happens THAT the "other side of the mountain" is where the aisle is.

BTW, the "insult" over across the street was about Photos and Computer Graphics not music...  As the only full time "employee" of my little recording company, I not only get to do the set up for recordings, the recording of the raw data, mix, final mastering of the CD, but also the page layout and computer graphics for the inserts on the album as well.  In fact the page layout, graphics , and printing is one of my favorite parts of creating a CD.  In the early years of doing the work, I used to have problems exactly matching what the client wanted when printing.  Colors were often much different in the printed copy than what you see on the monitor.  My Apple Cinema Monitor is calibrated for "direct to Print".  What I see on the monitor is what it looks like (reasonably at least) when it is printed on the Color Laser printer.  The problem was the poster across the street was saying that when you upload a photo to the web it darkens it.  I can't duplicate what he is seeing.  I pulled up photos from my Photobucket account and the original on my computer and put them side by side and checked them out.  I also did the same with photos uploaded to the Forum directly across the street.  I can see no difference at all in the exposure, color, or anything else in the photos.  So, I suggested to the person that maybe what he was seeing was not under exposed photos, and suggested he recalibrate, or at least brighten his monitor.  He then asked why a Music Teacher was giving advise to a Professional Photographer!  How am I supposed to know what he does???  I was not trying to question his knowledge, but rather offer a suggestion I thought might be helpful given my own experience.  Anyway, I just let it lie as I have gotten other very terse and put downish responses from him before.

OK, I'll just go have a seat at the Rivet Counter and eat my late breakfast.

Later!

73

[jeffrey-wimberly]

It's 49 here and cloudy. The high should be 60 and there's talk of rain.

Took the car to the repair shop in town this morning to have the brake booster and master cylinder replaced. I left plenty of space between me and the vehicle ahead to compensate for the spongy brakes. One moron almost got T-boned when he decided he needed to turn left onto a side street. Problem was he in the right lane so he turned and cut straight across in front of me while I'm pushing the brake pedal into the floor board and blasting his eardrums with my police air horns. The only other point of excitement was when I turned in at the shop and hit the brake an dthere was nothing there. I had to pump it several times before they took hold. It was a relief to leave it there. It should be ready sometime today or tomorrow.

[Cederstrand]

A large fruit & veggie smoothie, please. 

***Ulrich, glad to hear your mother's doing better. Hope the roads improve so you can make the trip out.

Picked up a couple Athearn (HO) billboards for the wife's layout. This way I won't have to build the kit she already bought, at least not for some time. And I can make whatever kind of signs she wants on them using photoshop.

Wife has the 24 hour bug. Her temp was up last night but seems better this afternoon. Sure hope I don't catch it...yuck!

Back to farm chores. Have a good day y'all.

Rob

 

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Good morning .....

I suppose it is brunch today....

I just wrote in the thread under the layouts category. A model railroader named Tim has a thread about modeling the DT&I and GTW in the Downriver area south of Detroit. I wrote in the thread because I am familiar with the location. (One of my chores when working for CN/GTW in Detroit was to write sections of its application to the ICC to acquire DT&I and D&TSL.)

I'm pleased to say half of my FT ABBA is now on the layout and operating. I now have a FT AB set, and I like it.

Someone, please pass the alphabet soup.

 

[LSWrr]

Ulrich, Where do you get your salt from, is there a mine close by? If you think that’s bad I live smack dab between two major salt mines.  2008 All the local communities ran out of money to buy salt because of poor planning.  Even I-90 and I-80 were sometimes impassable. I see this year they fixed the problem and stocked up over the summer. 

 

[Blazzin]

  "Coffee please Chloe"   

  Hey I just dropped in to say thanks to all of you....  and for the words of encouragement.  I must admit,  I thought this was going to go a lot faster.  I think it was Todd or Tom who said don't rush it.  Well,  I'm not rushing.  In fact, its been going rather slow.   Each area of laying track is a hurdle,  trying to put in everything I can, including a switch/jump onto another main if left alone.  And as I have said before... there is a good chance I'm doing this all wrong..lol. 

  Ok,  .. Thank you for the words of encourangement.  I really needed it.  I truly did.. Jeanne too. But for now, I'll be busy fixing a broken water pipe.  I hate this too,  because if I can't fix it... due to the leak in the slab, well thats a 2 thousand dollar fix it job.  The 'Pride Of Home Ownership'  .. ppl think .. if I can just buy that home at the end of my troubles .. does anyone every figure out how much work is needed ..once you buy a house?  I've done electrical, plumbing, flooring,  drywall, pouring of concrete.. it never ends.  These houses are built rather cheap too.  Brick houses do not stand up against earthquakes.. but loosely built 2x4's..on a slab of concrete does fine... until the pipes in the slab break.  Yikes.. bye for now.. and probably for the next day or two . . I'll need time to recover. 

  Todd,  yeah.. ~  Them C&NW colors are nice.  I must admit,  I went for the nicer colors of liners.. not the actual time period or station.  I just like certain types.  I also went for the 'Southern Pacific'  Green.... some other line I think called 'Stark'  Dark green with black stripes.. with gold pin stripes.... sorta like a Canadian line.  Of course the B&O liners.. some of the nicer ones.  But believe it or not,  I don't have an engine for 11 cars of C&NW.  The closest thing I have is a New Haven.. colors reversed.. Dark Green.. yellow stripes.  I'll get there.

  Jim and JR I agree .. the sheet of cork should do nice.. and the digging out of the cork to give more detail.. and less flat look.. is a great idea.  I only wish I was out buying cork instead of copper pipe. 

OK.. bye all Keith and Jeanne

[BamaCSX83]

Morning all, just an order of biscuits and gravy please Zoe.  Our high today is going to be in the upper 50s today, just about normal for this time of year with highs tomorrow in the low 60s but the chance of rain also comes back up into the picture for us. 

Not much planned for this morning, gotta go to w**k at 11:30 today so I'm going to spend the morning goofing off. 

Vincent sorry to hear about the dead battery/brake light switch issue, I can say that I've been there and done that before. 

JR so uhh, how exactly do you bleed the brakes on the '35 Bentley?

Robby sorry to hear about not getting a smaller rail-oriented concrete plant, but at least you've got somewhere for the fleet of concrete trucks to go!

Ulrich glad to hear that your mom is doing better, however not glad that the road conditions have prevented you from getting up there to see her and your dad, continued prayers from me and mine to you and yours sir. 

Jeff I didn't say it before, but that is one fine looking SAL boxcar!

Hmm, I think that just about covers it for me, I'm going to hang out in the window booth, as it appears I see a billowing smoke cloud coming this way and the ground is starting to tremble.  It appears we might have a steamer coming!

[Robby P.]

 Good morning.  The high will be about 40 degrees.  IT ABOUT TIME!!!

 Went by the LHS and what I thought was a smaller cement company for my hoppers, was a cement plant for the cement trucks.  Well so much for that idea. 

 Not much planned today.  Maybe see what I can do on the layout.  

 I will stop in later, and hope everybody has a good morning.

[TMarsh]

Good Morning Flapjacks and sausage please and a large mug of Java thank you. I'll be here at the Rivet Counter until I decide what I want to do with my AMTRAK. You see the paint schemes for the cars (Phase 1), don't match with the loco (Phase 3), nor does the years of use for the paint on the cars and for the loco (F40PH). Nor does the loco fit my time frame. I know, I know. For me that should be no big deal. However it's one of those things that nag me. This whole trainset thing is taking a turn for the worse.

Well, all went well yesterday. Mom called and said she had a Doctors appointment. We went, he took her off over half the meds the hospital and the (what did Ulrich call his?) Stalag put her on. Then stopped in at the restaurant for a bit and was put to work. Got home late and tired. Well not really late, but for me......

Keith- I like the way the area is shaping up. I also like the way you've got some staging hidden in there by using the repair house.

Just a Music Teacher- Sorry the old Mac couldn't be fixed but it's probably for the best anyway. Besides like you said what's money, they just print more every day. Wow, did I just say that? I also am glad to see your workbench. I don't feel too awful bad now.

I've not had many problems with IE like I hear others do. Now the Keyboard typing wrong, THAT's another thing. I do however, type in word and cut and paste if I think it'll be long or is my main post of the day. Better safe than sorry.

Ulrich- Sorry to hear about your Mom, but glad to hear of the doing better part, you don't need the added concern. Prayers for her recovery.

For the record, I'll have each and every one of you know I have nothing, nothing at all to do with any type of launching device. Hmm. Why do I have whipped cream on my hands? And the toes of my boots, they're strangely worn, almost like I've been scratching at the ground. Odd.

Have a Great Day!!!

[GMTRacing]

Good Morning All,

    A regular in a to go cup please. 15F out just now with the high all the way up to 38 and 40 tomorrow and over the weekend. Pass the SPF30 when you're done please Lee.

   Sending three of the team out to Ohio to pick up more Audi parts Monday then back to the grind with the first weekend out coming on fast Feb 567 at Palm Beach International Raceway. Only one of the four cars going is done with the other three underway. Should make the deadlines.

Vincent - so the lights were on and no-one was home? At least you found the cause of the short. Likely you'll have more surprises before you straighten it all out. Love new used cars

Jeff - good luck with the brakes. Ask me about bleeding the brakes on the 1935 Bentley sometime..

Ray's making a bridge to nowhere and now we have bent trestles too? you two should team up.

Ulrich - glad your mother's doing better. i know all about the dificulty getting your partents to act their age. Liked Rays comment also.

Time to get moving so we can keep up. Catch y'all later.  J.R.

[blownout cylinder]

Good Morning

We're going to 1C today---notice that there is no '-' in front of the 1----YAY!! And it is a sunny day as well. Well until tonight when some dribble will show up. But after tomorrow we'll see some more sun!!

Got a few more of those bents done for the trestle so I'se be a happy camper---I'm actually seeing progress here----heeheehee

Chloe, I'll have a coffee and a 2 egg special please---sunny side up if you will-----I'll be over at the RC for now----

[Anonymous]

 Good Morning,

well, it´s lunchtime over here, so I have a steak sandwich and a mixed salad as side dish, bluecheese dressing and a Coke, Zoe, please n´ thanks.

My mother is doing better - I was able to talk over the phone to her. I am not worried as much anylonger, as I know she is in good hands.  Thanks for all your , friends!

I hope that the road conditions improve so I can drive to see my mother and my father. My father really needs my support.  He is not the strong man of my childhood anymore. There is help available for him in the little village my parents live in, but he needs to have "family" around. The roads are still icy and most communities have run out of salt ...

CUL

[LSWrr]

Good morning all,

  Well it’s going to be almost 40 today! Wahooo! Pass me the SPF 30.  The built up 4-5” of snow on my street melted off and you can see blacktop.  I had the block heater on my truck short out the other day.  Last night I was out with the heat shrink and a new pig tail and that seems to be working.  Looking forward to a long weekend hopefully filled with work in the train room. Ulrich, prayers to your mothers continued recovery.  Maybe more pictures are in order Monday or Tuesday depending on what work I get done.

 

[Packer]

Morning ya'll

My father and I manneged jump my car last nigh. We hooked are cars up and let them sit for a while. I noticed while doing that the brake lights were on, but all the brakes were off. A look at the brake light switch revealed why. Turns out the isulation on the wires to it was toast, and it had shorted out against the frame. When I looked I wiggled it around some to see if it'd go back to normal, but it just blew a fuse. So after a new fuse and about a foot of electrical tape it's all good.

On the MRR side I tried to put a wash on a bachmann RI 50 box, and it ended up eating off all the lettering and stuff. So I have a shiny blue unmarked boxcar, that I spent some time get athearn trucks (that have been hit with the truck tuner), kadee coupler and correct weight on doing nothing...

Jim, Yeah it's kind of slow when I build kits. I take a while because every car gets NMRA weight, KDs, and tuned trucks; well that and I was watching the tube. On the cars that maybe it.

Jeff, that's a real nice boxcar.

[JimRCGMO]

Good Evening, Chloe - I'll have a medium (size) ribeye, medium done, a salad with Italian dressing, some broccoli (with a little butter over the top), a baked potato with sour cream, bacon bits and chives, a glass of Finger Lakes wine (yep, it's been one of those days, and Tuesday was one of THOSE days...), and some peaches, please. Thanks!

AmanaMedic

Hey....THAT's something I've always wanted to do...go chase twisters. I'm tired of sitting on the hilltop waiting to see if one comes my way (trained spotter)...I wanna go out and get 'em!!!

Hey, Chris - go get 'em, cowboy, lasso them dogeys varmits twisters!

Jeff, glad to see you were able to (sorta) get something a little closer to tolerable on the repairs (but that's still a lot of money). And it sounds like the mechanic has a good attitude about getting the job done right, instead of low-balling on the repairs but having to come back again next year) Great to hear of the progress on your foot healing. Keep it up!

Vincent, you could actually have a production line, it's just that it's a rather slow one... Wish I could say that I don't have any kits that sit around for long. Hey, on the cars, maybe it's so you can get the cars at better prices, and then YOU know how to undo all the other folks' foobies, and get a good w**king car (for you or to sell for a bit more)!

Gee, Todd, now that you mention it... I haven't seen any talk lately on needlepoint - go figure!

Hmm, I see that Barry's been practicing his hypnosis, huh? How's that going - Todd? (Todd starts to strut like a chicken: "Buck-buckaw! Buck-buck-buck!" and scratches at a spot on the floor...)

PC, I definitely understand about your joy over getting up to (almost) freezing point again! A local radio station a day or two ago was describing that we were going to reach the mid-20's (F), and said "That may not sound like much, but it's the highest temperature we've had in the past week!" Will check Winndy'sWorld once I'm back to a quicker connection tomorrow.

Sam, when I tried to look for your wedding pics, there were four of the five in August that had 'Sam' (not counting the one with 'Samuel' for last name). Which date was your wedding? Not sure how far back you posted about the wedding date. And it looks like your wife will be fairly helpful in terms of MRR'ing purchases/considerations/planning.

Blazzin

Google has taken over my computer.  Help.

Keith

  Care to elaborate on that, Keith? Oh, I see you both explained and figured it out. Good! And impressive-looking setup with those liners on it, my man!

Bama - good to see you've come out of the 'RC closet' . I'm sure your RC card will be ready soon. Sounds like you have a keeper on your loco (well, after the decalling and all...)

Ulrich, I really like that second edition (haven't got to all the posts, so I may change my mind for a later) of your/Paul's layout. For the transition 'off' that scene, you could put a corrugated metal fence between the back track and the (transfer siding? - I'm guessing that light blue color is a road, right?) to mask/hide it. that, or have the track in the back go under a building (like the Heritage Furniture background building Walthers makes), with a fence as if it's around the transfer siding.

Lee - I think your new neighbor is a bit slow on the uptake when it comes to realizing what he will get into trouble for doing there. Maybe a few more tickets, trips to court, and possibly some fines will get the point across to the (ahem...) 'dullard'. I'm suprised the entire police department there hasn't got his address and even phone number memorized.

Ray, you don't know about music and audio because you're "just" a music teacher? ROTFLMAO!! Yeah, right you don't! (Chuckle... giggle...). Any progress on your Mac yet? Well, I see you sort of made progress..(cha-ching, cha ching!). Yep, Migration Assistant is a very handy program, all right. Do you already have a spare mouse for the Mac Mini? And just in case you need to transfer large files, it might be economical to get one of the FW800-FW400 cables.

Joe, on your centersill car there, it looks like either a) they need to build them stronger, b) they need to beef up their padding in the box to better protect the car, or c) both of the above. Not good, not good there. Hope that you can get them to check the next one before shipping it, and then pack it with extra padding around it in the shipping box. Oh yeah, and good luck on your exams!

Sheesh - I was almost caught up Monday night (I think it was Monday), but had to head for home, saved what I'd started in a text file. Then yesterday at w**k was a madhouse (pardon the expression...) and I didn't get done until I headed to local police station with commitment copies (having had no lunch break). Today got busy about mid-day, and I wound up getting done at the office a bit before 5 (again, no lunch break). But tonight, I was able to get together with my daughter, SIL and WGG (World's Greatest Grandson) Drew for dinner and our (belated) 'Christmas' (exchange of gifts):

Drew & his Mommy:

Drew after he decided he did like Panera's macaroni and cheese:

and Drew sharing some of his mac & cheese with his Daddy:

A very enjoyable evening! 

Well, I need to get heading out now and STILL haven't caught up. Will some of you put it on your prayer list for my w**kplace to be very dull and boring tomorrow, so I can get caught up on the posts? Thanks! I will continue my for those in need of healing, comfort and for other needs.

 

Blessings,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

[BamaCSX83]

Evening all. Just a RBF for me.  Well, I was right, we were out of gas.  Gas company has been called, too bad they will not be able to make it out until Friday.  Glad that we're warming up.  I believe that I've narrowed down where the camera cord is so I can get those pictures up.  I really didn't have as many cars as I thought I had (well at least ones that I would be willing to release to friends).  But still, I have some that don't fit my world.  Will check back later.

[howmus]

der5997

Hopefully you have plans to get to the other side!

 

ROFL.....  Actually not.  The bridge will end in mid air at the aisle.   BTW the "paint" is one of the parts of the "sophisticated finishes" rusting solutions.  I'll post a photo as soon as it is looking more like a trestle bridge than a couple of poles sticking out of the ground.......... 

73

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I'll be taking the car to a shop in town early tomorrow so I can beat the traffic. My father will meet me there and we'll find a place to have breakfast. So far today I've cleaned some smeared paint off of a Bachmann GP40 shell (non-acetone nail polish remover took it right off), put a new floor and trucks in a Seaboard boxcar and started work on a Con-Cor Conrail flatcar. The truck pins are missing so I'll fill the pin holes with glue and let it dry. It'll be a simple matter to tap in a couple of screws to hold the trucks.

[der5997]

Good evening Diners; and Chloe, could you fix a JR Regular and a slice of fruit cake please.  Looks like I'll be over at the RC for a bit.  Inspired by Jeff's "fix that trouble now" policy, I've spent a while today finding out why one of my 6 axels  consistently derailed at the same spot last night. Turned out to be a combination of little things. The main cause was a rail end slightly out of alignment at a joint, with a dip in the track at that same place due to there being a small plastic insulating gap insert that had become depressed. Not enough to upset my 4 axel units, but this Kato AC4400CW (I think that's  right) just couldn't get over it!  Now I'll have to find out why it doesn't like the turnouts for the passing siding in my lower tunnel. (Apart from the fact hat they are awkward to get at.... )

Barry:

and a couple of dental probes---new--of course

...Must have a generous dentist! The ones I was able to cadge from our dentist in Spruce Grove were both broken! Haven't tried here...maybe next time.

Chris:

the tar trailer shoulda sealed THAT deal...

...thanks! I thought the Rivet Counting was more of a "bean counting" thing...so worrying about the "numbers of mullions / square tower" would be the qualifier.

JR:

Looked like the prototype had 6 panel windows to begin with. Don't fancy doing that!

...neither did I! (Besides, I think that the prototype "upgraded" their windows to those double glazed jobs where the "mullions" are just a plastic insert sandwiched between the glass. Could be  wrong, but that's   the impression I get from the smooth look of the window panes.

Ray:

Didn't anyone tell him that the RC is for those people who think they know everything, not those who actually do......  

...I'd never of guessed that from the distinguished company who usually sit there! BTW, that's a work bench after my own heart!  I see you shop for paint the same way do.

If I hurry, I can get some more done on the trestle bridge I am creating without any real plans as I go along........

  Hopefully you have plans to get to the other side!   Of course, we have the advantage, as modelers, of building the bridge and then forming the terrain!

Joe: Sounds like Walthers are doing right by you, that's good! ...and you're left with extra cars to fix and run, it's a tough life!

Ulrich: Sorry to hear about your mother, but Glad to get the update on her improvement - check your emails BTW.

Well, we've a recorded Mid-Sommer Murders to watch, so I'll say Goodnight all, and God Bless. Prayers continuing for all in need of Healing, Comfort, Prosperity and Peace.

 

 

 

 

 

[howmus]

Evenin' Folks!

Zoe I'll have the roast chicken, Mashed taters, String beans, and Crumbly Bleu and Italian on the salad.  Just a decafe along with it.  I'll be in the back getting warmed up.

AmanaMedic

RAY: OK, your revised photo of your w**kbench puts mine to shame...

 

Yep!  Looks a whole lot better without me in the picture doesn't it Chris......

Joe, yes that is Steamtown, Scranton, PA.  I have a small group of my favorite on the rotating desktop background file.  Those are all I can find from when I went there with my old Boy Scout Troop back in 01 I think it was.  I should add some of the ones I took when my oldest son and I went there in 2004.  If I lived closer, I can tell you I would be a volunteer at Steamtown!

Ulrich and Jeffrey, when my Father was in his mid eighties, he had called and told me (not asked....) to bring up my rototiller so he could finish a ditch he was putting drainage pipe down in (by hand).  I told him, "Dad, your not 75 any more...."  I hadn't heard him laugh that hard in years!  My tiller was out of commission, so he borrowed a neighbor's......  He made it to 88 years old, had a major heart attack, and died a few weeks later....  Not a bad way to go.

If I hurry, I can get some more done on the trestle bridge I am creating without any real plans as I go along........

73

[jeffrey-wimberly]

[AmanaMedic]

ns3010

I've been fine the last two days, so I guess I'm fine. I have practice tonight, so we'll see how it goes. If anything should happen, I'll make sure to take it easy... And thanks for the concern!
As for the centerbeam, it's the end walls and the floors that are broken, from the moment they came out of the box

JOE: Glad yer doing OK... As for the concern, well part of THAT is just the nature of the Diner, and part of it is the former paramedic in me, and head injury survivor I am. When I hear of someone getting clonked in the head, it perks up my ears. With the centerbeam, is it something fixable? Something a solvent cement (like Testor's liquid) would fix? Maybe a little weathering (or a load) would cover? Don't get me wrong, my flakes would be frosted if I shelled-out the kinda bucks they're asking for only to have the product arrive busted. Sounds like some fine Chinese assembler really crammed it into the box, or someone had a field day kicking the carton full of them around the distribution center. Sounds like Walthers is taking care of things though... Do you suppose the third time will be the charm???

Crossin' the fingers for ya...

***EDIT***

I just had an idea... JOE, if the centerbeam you have is too busted to fix, you could: 1) weather it to look like its been in a derailment. 2) procure an older 75' piggy back flat. 3) Place the "wrecked" centerbeam on the older piggyback flat (with trailer hitches removed, of course), put some straping on it and... 4) Have a realistic load heading for a repair shop. May I suggest Transco in Oelwein, Iowa??

Good evening, Chloe? double cheeseburger basket and a Coke please 'n thank-ya... I don't know nuthin' 'bout nuthin', but I'ma gonna sit me down at the RC anyhoo.

Welp, the big story for Mr. Boss is gaining some traction...thankfully. The lady I'm writing about died in November of '07, and left a pile of money for some organizations. From the people I've spoken with, it sounds like we could do a whole 16 page issue on her. I wish I could've met her. I've almost got the specifics of what Mr. Boss wants...one more phone call and I should have it. "Lucky" me, we have a POS cordless. While talking to an extraordinary lady (who I interviewed last year after she was awarded "Senior of the Year"), the phone beeped and died. Dead battery! My cellphone is out of minutes (TracPhone), and Loving Wife has her's with her. So....the very nice, exceptional lady keeps calling me back. I let the thing charge up for a short while, finally managed to be able to call her back, explain the situation to her (she thought her phone was going wonky), thank her profusely... and now I'm going to let it charge up so I can try to (finally) track down the last source.

The joys of newspaperism.

RAY: OK, your revised photo of your w**kbench puts mine to shame... Comparatively, a line from "Mr. Grinch" comes to mind: "...an appaling dump heap overflowing with the most disgraceful assortment of rubbish imaginable!" Well....maybe not THAT bad...

Think I'll go take a closer look at that...whatever it is...'a-pault.

Chris

 

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Good evening.

I'll have my RBF before JimCG sneaks in the side door to take the rest.

Yikes! Did y'all see Ray's work bench ???????

Ulrich ... Prayers for your Mom's health.

I posted a link to an articlke in the Trains forum. The politicians are working towards re-regulating raiload companies. The de-regulation of 30 years ago changed the whole rail industry. The bankrupt, broken down carriers of yesterday are gone. Uh, oh; companies are earning profits, and politicians imagine that is bad.