Robby - Your comment about the drunk getting arrested twice in the same day reminded me of something I witnessed a number of years ago. I was heading westbound on the PA Turnpike between Philly and Harrisburg when a Corvette passed me at a really fast clip. A couple of miles down the road a State Trooper had him pulled over. Some time later the same Corvette flew by me again. You got it. A few minutes later I passed him again after being pulled over by a different Trooper. I figured by the time he got to the Ohio border he might have to sell his car to pay the fines.
Tom
Pittsburgh, PA
BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret) L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes
An early Good Afternoon!
A slow day today, there is a mix of rain and snow coming down, with temperatures around freezing. Gonna be fun driving home from work for those of us who have a job. I hope the weather will improve tomorrow, as there is another meeting scheduled with my future partners. Yes, folks, I was offered a partnership for all the work I put in so far! I cannot contribute to the share capital, but they put that much value to my work. Now it is still up to the bank.
Janie, just a coffee for me, please.
Ken - yes, gifts are duty free and no VAT to be paid. But there is a limit to the value. Anything which is above $ 50 will see collection of duty and VAT. They do open the packages to check on that!
TTFN
LSWrr Big fire out here yesterday; the gas company over pressurized the gas lines in the town down the road from me and several people are homeless due to the resulting fires. We had 16 fire departments come to the rescue and the county busses evacuated the town. They said the pilot lights went from 1 inch to 5-6 inches inside peoples homes.
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
Good morning. We are having a heat wave!! Its 32 degrees right now, so.............bring out the shorts!!!
I was going to make a LHS run with a few guys today, but one of them got a call to work a train (norfolk southern)....So the hobby store will be on hold till tomorrow.
Todd........Thanks for the mini helmets. But wouldn't it be fair for us to throw the teams "items"...Packers = cheese, and the Steelers = steel
John......Thanks for the comments. I just don't like how they came out. I guess I will have to dig out my back porch.
Barry..........That must have been a sight to see. I've only seen one drunk driver in my life and that was years ago!! All over the highway. A story in my old home town in NC was about a drunk driver that got arrested twice by the same trooper in the same day!!!! Made bail that morning, and got caught again that evening. Just stupid!!
Ray...........I've always worried about taking pictures of certain things ( boy that didn't sound good). Just what I would say if its a cop or the train police. Most of my pictures are of trains, but a guy I knew took some train pictures and the police was called. He had to pay a $150 fine, and was put on some "list". Just crazy if you ask me.
"Rust, whats not to love?"
Good Morning,
It warmed up last night. All day it was in the single digits then by midnight it warmed up to 30F.
John that oil heat must be costing you an arm and a leg.
Big fire out here yesterday; the gas company over pressurized the gas lines in the town down the road from me and several people are homeless due to the resulting fires. We had 16 fire departments come to the rescue and the county busses evacuated the town. They said the pilot lights went from 1 inch to 5-6 inches inside peoples homes.
Ray, I agree and disagree with you. There are times when it’s smart to ask who is taking pictures and why. Taking pictures of trains is innocent enough. If I were taking pictures of the hazard placards of the rail cars to develop a pattern so I knew when to cause havoc you might hope someone asked me what I was doing. If I were taking pictures of your house, car, or family from the street would you stop and ask me who I was? I’m on public property so I can do whatever I want, right? So they won’t stop you from taking pictures, they aren’t asking you to surrender your pictures so they can censor them; they just want to know what you’re doing and who you are. My buddy and I will stop in security and ask if we can take pictures. Normally we are escorted onto the property and allowed to do whatever we want. My buddy Ken actually caught a ride on the lead engine of a train in Canada that dropped cars off inside a mine. I was invited inside a blast furnace to see how the torpedo cars were loaded...
Good Morning...
Well, got home late last night and promptly fell asleep...very busy day yesterday. Had a few interesting things happen...one not so good...on the way home last night I was heading up Sarnia Road when I happened to see a car weaving in and out of the traffic..I followed this car and as we got close to Wonderland Rd he suddenly swerved right into on coming traffic heading the other way...he pulled away just in time..only to run into the retaining wall on the other side of the road...I stopped and checked him out...drunk... ...s I phoned this in...police were there inside 3 minutes...and he went to the jailhouse...
We are going to be having a mixture of freezing drizzle and little tiny snowfluffies today with our high all the way up to...30F!!! We're having a heat wave...tropical heatwave...
Flo, I'll have a coffee and a pile o' pancakes with REAL Maple Syrup...none o' that Califo'nia stuff....please...I'll be at the RC for a bit...
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/
Good Morning ! from Tipton IN.
Bill Tidler Jr.
Near a cornfield in Indiana...
Hey TODD? The NFL Commissioner is on the phone, says he wants "their fair share" for you using the "S-B" word... Thanks for the accomodations, I'll reserve a seat with you and Mr. P as well. I'm quite sure I've been a Steelers fan longer than he's been alive!
In the name of being neighborly and good sportsmanship, congrats to Vincent and SAWYER on "the PACK" making it to the big game. May our STEELERS reduce your guys to quivering, crying masses of decimated humanity.
Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood Evening, bucket of boot coffee, with extra boot please. Thanks.
It's been an interesting (well, to me anyway) past few days in the never ending quest to obtain and produce content for THAT Editor. Friday night, I journeyed up to Anamosa (Grant Wood country) for basketball. The sports editor for their rag has been doing sports photography for probably 20 years or so...and STILL doesn't know how to hold a camera properly. Had to laugh at THAT, THAT and his insistence on using a flash in a well-lit gym. I saw one of his shots on their website...hee hee hee. Made me feel better about my efforts. Yesterday, I about froze my ............well, it was cold. I had to cover an ice fishing program put on by the Johnson County Conservation Board. A good cold time was had by all. Well, except for the two bluegill who were caught. Then again, they were promptly tossed back into the icy pond. This evening, I met an old hippee. He's an artist and endocrinology researcher (at the Iowa City VA Med. Center). Neat guy! What was to be a "half-hour to an hour" interview turned into nearly 2 hours of pleasant conversation.
Next Saturday, I get to go freeze for most of the day at the annual Winter Waterball Fights in Coralville. Firefighters from across the frozen tundra of Iowa gather for an afternoon of spirited competition. Last year, Tiffin and North Liberty was represented; two of the towns I cover. I'm hoping Tiffin Fire returns, they kept me well supplied with beer!
The things I do, just to keep the Boss happy...
Best wishes to all in need, regardless of the "need."
Chris
The Cedar cRapids Industrial Branch: Proudly Shipping Yesterday's CrunchBerries Tomorrow!
Evening Folks
Flo, just a beer please.
Well today sucked caboose. Was feeling pretty sick all day, felt hot then the chills. I don't know if it is me, or if the offices section just does not get good heat?
Work was slow and I only had two customers. One was a gentleman that was in his 70's+ and wanted a rock hard mattress in a full for $300.00. Other guy named Rick had around $400.00 to spend on a queen and he bought.
Ulrich Is there a import tax's on gifts? Went I sent a friend a radio for a 68 Charger we got around the import duties by calling it a gift. K-10 sales Kato N scale track and I be happy to help. If you want to check shipping cost my Zip is 62062.
John and others.This is what the Micro Mark gear puller looks like.
With me feeling so bad today I never even thought about calling them to see if it would work.
Going to sleep in my bed tonight. I guess it has been 6 months now that I have been sleeping on the couch in the family room. Mainly because I snore and hate getting woke up by the wife. Plus Tiff (16 year old American Eskimo) won't sleep in the bedroom if I am there. She use to, but in her old age I think her night vision is not good and when I get up she is afraid I will step on her. Now that I am working, I need a better night sleep and the couch is no longer cutting it. Plus my Kingsdown Mattress is pure heaven, over 2000 springs in King Sizes!
See you all Tuesday!
Ken
I hate Rust
Dum de dum de dum. ( scartles around placing pillows and soft rubber salt and pepper shakers on boothes on opposite sides of the diner and replacing the metal silverware with plastic) There! Vincent and Sawyer sit over there and Robby sits over here. Nothing solid or heavy for either to throw at the other during the Super Bowl. I'll sit with Robby. (places miniature yellow Steelers helmet on the pile of napkins) There. The proper color helmet.
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 chilly and windy evening Diners! A JR Regular please.
Waiting in the mail box this afternoon was a package from California mailed on December 27th. Think about that. Ulrich gets a 4 day delivery from Tokyo to outside of Hamburg; and it takes the combined might of the USPS and Canada Post just under a month to perform a lesser task. The implications are frightening....I'm waiting now (well, actually I've been waiting for some time, the "now" is that it's the next bit of news I want to hear ) for word about a package I mailed to the US near the beginning of this month. I just hope it makes it there in time for a "celebratory event".
I just got out my decoder tester rig and tried the TCS M4 that wouldn't work when installed in the LL GP 38-2 on the modified light board.
It took a factory reset with encouraging noises from the motor (but not a flicker from the lights) Then I re-programmed it, and it responded, again with motor chirps, no lights; but it took every CV command. So, I changed to track power, and turned up the throttle - NOTHING. No lights in either direction, and not a peep from the motor. So I guess that this one too has to go back under warranty. I am, to say the least, disappointed.
I think I'll go run a train. Goodnight all, and God Bless. Prayers for all in need of Healing, Comfort, Prosperity and Peace.
"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.
teen steam fan I know what you mean on the diesel engine Jeff. I cut the muffler off my Jeep once. The 4.0 sounded like a Cummins from the cat and stock pipes. Not from rod clatter though. Just how the engine was built I guess. Sounded sweet, but can't do that around my neck of the woods without a ticket. Hope that van lasts you for a while.
I know what you mean on the diesel engine Jeff. I cut the muffler off my Jeep once. The 4.0 sounded like a Cummins from the cat and stock pipes. Not from rod clatter though. Just how the engine was built I guess. Sounded sweet, but can't do that around my neck of the woods without a ticket. Hope that van lasts you for a while.
jeffrey-wimberly I got this sot this morning at the Museum of West Louisiana. With the oversize pipes and the sound of the push rod clatter some people think there's a diesel engine in there. If you're wondering about the bumper sticker it says "THIS PROPERTY PROTECTED BY PITT BULL WITH AIDS!". It's been on there for years.
I got this sot this morning at the Museum of West Louisiana. With the oversize pipes and the sound of the push rod clatter some people think there's a diesel engine in there. If you're wondering about the bumper sticker it says "THIS PROPERTY PROTECTED BY PITT BULL WITH AIDS!". It's been on there for years.
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!
Another sleepless night! Mybe I am just too edgy about getting that hopefully positive feedback fro the banks,,,
Zoe, a strong Whisky Mac for me, please!
CNCharlie Ulrich, that is a really lovely loco you have there. I'm new to N scale too and find that you do get used to the small size. You are right that Kato track is expensive but it does work well. I have an oval and one turnout but I think I'll use Atlas track as it is more to North American prototype. I found that Klein's had about the best price on Kato track. A #6 turnout is about $17 while a #4 is $24.
Ulrich, that is a really lovely loco you have there. I'm new to N scale too and find that you do get used to the small size. You are right that Kato track is expensive but it does work well. I have an oval and one turnout but I think I'll use Atlas track as it is more to North American prototype. I found that Klein's had about the best price on Kato track. A #6 turnout is about $17 while a #4 is $24.
... which makes them just as expensive as they are here, if you add shipping, duty and VAT. It is hard to understand why a #4 turnout is more expensive than a #6 turnout, but it is a track set than just a switch. Personally, I prefer Atlas or Peco code 55 track, but if I want to go down the mini-module route, it requires either Kato Unitrack or Tomix Finetrack, as they actually interlock when put together. The connection of the modules is only made through the track joiners and Kato Unitrack has somehow developed into being a certain standard for that. Oh, well, it means saving up for some more time...
Trying to get some sleep now - it is past 3 am over here!
I got this sot this morning at the Museum of West Louisiana. With the oversize pipes and the sound of the push rod clatter some people think there's a diesel engine in there. If you're wondering about the bumper sticker it says "THIS PROPERTY PROTECTED BY PITT BULL WITH AIDS!". It's been on there for years.Speaking of diesel engines I did manage to get a shot of KCS #2822, a GP40-3 with SD40-3 #3138 coupled on ahead. The locomotives were busy with a switching job at the time. Even though it wasn't yet noon the heavily clouded sky made it look like evening as it was a break between thunder storms.
Hey folks. Not much from me.
Just got done studying algebra. Just a slice of apple pie for me. Thanks girls.
Good Evening from Winterpeg,
We had more snow last night so they are prediciting that there will be some fairly serious flooding in the spring. Thank goodness for Duff's Ditch. That is the floodway that was built around the city 40 years ago by a provincial government with a lot of foresight. Anyway it is actually warming up and we are in for a "tropical heatwave' by Thursday with highs of 25F!!! See I told you, a tropical heatwave. Bet you wish you lived here.
Someone was asking about Jerry. He is active in on an N scale forum , N Scale Community, as I saw as posting from him a couple of days ago. Hence I guess he is well.
Anyway have to run, see you soon,
CN Charlie
Decaf coffee in a UNION PACIFIC mug, please.
Not much to report on. Trying to get up the energy to head down to the train room.
Cheers! Rob
They hung out too close to the tracks.
Packer Jeff, what happened to the squirrels' tails?
Jeff, what happened to the squirrels' tails?
David Parks I am the terror that flaps in the night!
Afternoon guys
So like Mine (and Sawyer's) Packers are gonna be playing the Steelers. This ought to be a good superbowl.
Still waiting at college for my 6pm class to start. Who had the motto "first in and last out"? Kind of that way with my schedule. Got in at 8am, don't leave till 9pm.
Well the misfiring keeps coming and going. Again around 1700-2200 rpms. Gonna try re-gapping the spark plugs to .042, maybe a new distributor cap and rotor. (already have an MSD cap, so it might be just the rotor)
well best get back to work.
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.
I don't want o spread undue alarm folks, but there's only 11 months to Christmas!
Ulrich:
Janie - a strong coffee, one of those eye openers, please. Or should I go for a Whiskey Mac, as John suggested? Sounds like strong stuff!
Jeff: I must have missed the photo of the grey primer finish on the work car, the last I saw was maroon. (I did miss a few pages)The grey is what I was expecting, which left me wondering about the maroon.LOL
Robby: Remarkable restraint on that covered hopper! Looks great.
Ray:
Got the usual wave from the Engineer.....
Getting on to dinner time, and a decision about walking or the treadmill. From the sound of the wind out there it's probably not too difficult ......
TTFN.
Ray - I stopped at the office a couple of times when we were on our annual wine run. I was interested in just walking back through the lot and taking some photos at the rear of the shop. The ladies in the office were always very nice, and after signing the same form you probably did, I was permitted to do so. Usually somebody working back there would say hi and ask if I had any questions. I always appreciated them allowing me to do that. It doesn't happen at any of the class 1's or short lines around here. When I am lucky enough (3 times to be honest) to catch them heading north out of Watkins Glen, I've always got a toot and a wave. Bottom line, nice folks.
jeffrey-wimberly Sign a form to take photos of the trains while you're on public property? That's a load of bull cookies! If you're on public property they can't stop you from taking photos of anything. It against the law. Even the Dept of Homeland Insecurity and Rules Made Up on the Spot can't tell you that. Here's a downloadable flyer of The Photographer's Right that I keep on file at my forum.
Sign a form to take photos of the trains while you're on public property? That's a load of bull cookies! If you're on public property they can't stop you from taking photos of anything. It against the law. Even the Dept of Homeland Insecurity and Rules Made Up on the Spot can't tell you that. Here's a downloadable flyer of The Photographer's Right that I keep on file at my forum.
Hey Jeffrey.... don't need to get at your forum... I have right here on my computer. Been there for several years. LOL! I did tell her that, she just grinned as if to say, "Yep I know" and then rolled her eyes. I will have a copy of that document with me as well. The document I got from her does allow that if I stray onto their property, I would just be told to leave with no trespassing charges. It basically lets them know I will be around and that even though I have a beard, I am not one of them terrorist types...... The Finger Lakes is actually very public friendly, but they do have to go through the same Bull as all the rest of the railroads today. If I was near the ROW and most of their crews saw me, they would most likely wave and yell, "Hi Ray!"
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
howmus So I ask what this gives me permission to do? She says you can take photos from Public Property. I stare at her and say, My dear, you do know that it is perfectly legal for anyone to take photos of anything as long as they are on Public Property." She grins and shrugs her shoulders. I then ask about what time trains would be running through Himrod where I want to take the photos.... "Oh, I'm not allowed to divulge that information......" I tell her, I'll just have to stop over to the hobby shop and ask what time trains go past. She grins and nods her head yes...... You gotta love it. Now I could go buy a scanner set to their channel (Radio Shack has them) and just wait until they give the train permission to move South...... She did confirm that they run on that line Tuesday - Thursday. Of course, it says THAT on their system map.......
So I ask what this gives me permission to do? She says you can take photos from Public Property. I stare at her and say, My dear, you do know that it is perfectly legal for anyone to take photos of anything as long as they are on Public Property." She grins and shrugs her shoulders. I then ask about what time trains would be running through Himrod where I want to take the photos.... "Oh, I'm not allowed to divulge that information......" I tell her, I'll just have to stop over to the hobby shop and ask what time trains go past. She grins and nods her head yes...... You gotta love it. Now I could go buy a scanner set to their channel (Radio Shack has them) and just wait until they give the train permission to move South...... She did confirm that they run on that line Tuesday - Thursday. Of course, it says THAT on their system map.......
Afternoon folks!
Zoe, I'll have the hot Turkey Sandwich, side order of Onion Rings, and large Dr. Pepper.
Went down to the FGLK Office this morning to sign for permission to do some railfanning along the FGLK. The lady at the front desk was most helpful. Wanted to know who i spoke with on the phone last Thursday.... I told her i had no idea but was told I needed to come down and sign some paperwork. She asked for some ID, I gave her my Drivers License. Filled out the visitors form saying I held them Safe Harmless in case the train jumps the tracks and runs me down. She gives me the "Official Definition" of what I can and can't do, which goes something like, "YoucannotatanytimebeonneararoundanypropertyownedleasedorpartoftheFGLK donotclimbonorboardanyequipmentonornearthetracksdonotstandbetweenanyrailsatanytimeandyouhavetostayoffourpropertyatalltimes"
I explained THAT I have passed the Museum's Rules Class, work train crew, and know enough not to be in the wrong place around RR equipment.
Basically all the signed "Guest" form does is give me something to show the Dept. of Homeland Insecurity and the local donut eaters I have gone through proper channels and have permission to use a camera on public property. I have to carry it on me at all times I am taking photos of their trains!
I did happen to see a 3 engine consist pulling a half a dozen cars going East out of Geneva on their way to the Solvay, NY interchange. So I headed out THAT way and did a few photos. I stayed completely legal and of the ROW and had the signed form in my pocket the whole time............... Here are a few shots I got.
Later!
Lunch.....Well a light snack then. I didn't know it was almost 2:00.
Finished up around town and also finished up a hopper. It was a FMC hopper (with the bright red letters FMC). That was patched over, and just a touch of grime was added.
With all of the snow on the ground I don't wanna dig out my picture taking area. Plus with more snow coming, I couldn't get any good outside shots with the snow falling. Now I will have to make something in the basement for picture taking until it warms up. These shots didn't come out to bad, but they could've been better.
der5997 Jeff: What colour is the MOW storage car going to be? The work car is maroon, are you keeping to that, or have a change? Nice conversion BTW.
Jeff: What colour is the MOW storage car going to be? The work car is maroon, are you keeping to that, or have a change? Nice conversion BTW.
Good Afternoon, Folks!
I left home early this morning to be on time with the social security folks to renew our allowance for the next 6 months. I was there when they opened at 7.45 am and was out again by 8.00 am - a miracle! Must have caught a good day with them!
John - I like the loco a lot, but I have yet to get used to how small it is. I think I have to build some contraption to raise my modular desktop layout closer to eye level to enjoy all the detail it has.
Jeff - for the squirrel massage. Showed the pic to Petra and told her what I would like to get tonight - spare me her answer!
I am still searching for a cheap source for that Unitrack tracks I need to get started, but no luck so far - seems as if the price level is "level" throughout the world. UK had been a good source for Peco track, 40 % below the price level of Germany, but Kato track is just about the same level as in Germany. I´´ keep on searching...