Elliot´s Trackside Diner February 2011

[jeffrey-wimberly]

OK folks, here's what's going on in the world of Running Bear. The Charcot condition in my foot and ankle has flared up again. Just moving from the bedroom to the kitchen/computer/layout room is painful and it can last from four or five days to several weeks. You can pray for me if you want to but I would rather that you pray for my mother. My father and niece had to take her to the hospital the other night where she still is at this time. She has liver trouble and they think she may have had a heart attack. They don't know yet. The ammonia level in her blood is high and they're trying to get that down. She's on a heart monitor twenty-four hours a day and every time it even lets off a blip that doesn't belong there they're right there. I'm worried about her and so are many of my friends. Most of them are Apache, Comanche and Cherokee who are set in the old ways, so you can imagine what's going on there. She's Cherokee herself. My father is absolutely beside himself. He tries to hide it but I've known the man nearly all my life. There were times he couldn't be there because of the military. It's hard to hide things when someone has known you that long, and I'm reading him like an open book. He's a nervous wreck. I'm not much better. I may not be on for a day or a even a few days. I'll be on a vision quest to seek answers and put my mind at ease.

[Cederstrand]

Coffee in a SUNNY SOUTHERN mug, please.

***Packers, if you had driven just a tad over an hour north of Atlanta, you could have visited us here on the ol' farm. Cracker Barrel is one of our stops when we check on the wife's folks in town. Nothing fancy, just good basic food. Wonder if the one you ate at had all the usual antiques plastered to the walls and hanging from the ceiling?

Already been a long day here. Have a good one y'all.

Rob

[Packer]

Hey guys. Haven't dropped by in a while, so I'm probably not gonna hit everything right now especially since I'm working on a paper at the moment

Had a blast at the Atlanta show. Didn't find what I was originally looking for, but that doesn't mean I didn't bring in a decent haul.

On the way back I ate at a Cracker Barrel. One of the waitress said that Bart Starr was sitting where I was a few days ago. At least I was in the same seat.

Joe, That dictionary is pretty funny IMO.

Well I gotta

[ns3010]

Evening all.

Relatively boring day today. Not too much homework today, so I'm free until I have to leave for the game.

We have our playoff game tonight. To be honest, I'm not all that optimistic, but hopefully I'm wrong!

Chris, here are some definitions of "Snooki" and "Lady Gaga" from the Dictionary of Joe:

Snooki:
Noun- A short, orange guidette on MTV's "Jersey Shore," who is not actually from NJ. In fact, she is not even Italian. Standing at a full 4'9", she is actually only 3'3". Her "poof" adds a full eighteen inches to her height. She can often be found acting trashy along the Seaside Boardwalk.
Synonyms- Oompa Loompa

Lady Gaga:
Noun-A rather odd pop singer who wears meat and hatches from oversized eggs.

Robby, sorry to hear about the job.

Ulrich, glad to hear about the job!

Ken, hopefully everything will work out fine for you. Unfortunately, I have no knowledge on the subject, so I can't help you. Sorry...

I'll be at the RC if anyone wants to talk for a while.

 

[TMarsh]

Ken- I am no lawyer and I really don't have any factual advice to give you. What I DO know is, Brenda called one of those credit card debt reduction companies that were supposed to help you settle with the CC company. They told her to cancel the card then stop making payments and the bank would stop the card and then they will call after a couple months of missed payments and settle the account for pennies on the dollar. WROOOOONG! They had no intention to do any of that and in fact, much the opposite. They raised, no JACKED her interest rate sky high after the first missed payment, then 2 months later they subpeoned (sp?) her for court claiming the entire amount, interest, late fees, court costs and attornies fees and I think even Grooming costs for the CEO's wifes dog.. She did contact them and did settle out of court, but be wary of any company that tells you just quit paying and all will be well.

Again, I don't know about your case or what the B of A whol;es will do, or what the law says. I only know about what happened to Brenda when given the "stop paying them" speel. By the way, the agencyy then wanted her money to do nothing. Even though she fired them and settled herself. They claimed she would not have been able to settle herself if they hadn't told her to srop paying. She said while she was in court for that, she might as well just file against them. They refunded her money. 

Call the Illinois State Bar Assoc, or the Attorney Generals Office for a number. There are credible firms out there that will answer your questions and/or give you the number of an attorney you can AFFORD or may even be available to work for nothing depending on you finances. Keep in mind, the banks have been given money and such to help with these very situations and the Government is NOT happy with the way they have been handling them. You do have backing out there, a powerful one. Unfortunately each and every case is different and there, of course, is no guarantee they can help. BUT it's worth a call.

P.S. I SURE hope no one is dealing with Chase bank. Man can I tell you stories. Court AGAIN is Thursday on THAT one. They have the final entire paid balance amount on her credit card, (another) IN FULL and have for 3 months but refuse to accept and keep taking her to court for unpaid balance. Continuances to see why and no answers even to their attorneys. Should be hit in the face with a brick. APPARENTLY, Brenda isn't the only one as there have been several folks in there for the same thing. Last time the Judge said he's getting tired of hearing this and he hopes the Attorney has a few answers this time.

[LSWrr]

Ken, sounds like you have some educated advice there to follow. Jeff, those units look great!

[dkawala]

Hi Guys,

Please see the message below from the director of the O.Winston Link Museum, regarding posting O.Winston Link photographs. Thank you for your cooperation.

Dana Kawala

Senior editor

Model Railroader

 

Hey Railfans,
 
Thanks so much for the support and interest in Winston Link’s N&W photography and his efforts to document the final days of steam power along the Norfolk and Western Railway. We know you guys are as passionate about this work as we are. If you don’t mind, please be sure to check in with us when you want to use an image in a post. It may seem like harmless promotion or just including a great shot, but Link’s work is actually protected by intellectual property rights and we do have some guidelines we have to follow. We love that you want to use these images but please, send me an email, give me a call and ask if it’s okay. We’d discuss and get right back to you.
 
Thanks!
 

Kimberly Parker
Director
O. Winston Link Museum
[e-mail]-
540-982-5465

[cudaken]

 Morning Folks. I am at work so there is not spell check!

 Just got off the phone with a law firm that helps stop forclosers. They said don't belelive anything the bank tells me and stop throwning money at them. My biggest problem they said is the fact the house is worth more than I owe on it.

 I gave them my personal information over the phone and will fax them what they need Wednesday from the house.

 Here is a link to there site.

 http://www.homerescuehelper.com/

 While I don't feel like I am off the hook (this could be a scam as well) I am feeling a little better about things.

 Only time will tell.

 See you later today.

               Ken

[Anonymous]

Good Afternoon Gang!

I am just back from what I´d say was the most important meeting in recent years. It is a kind of break-through. We are now able to register the company and start work. The bank has not yet given the approval of our funding requirements, but we found a way to start without major investments. This also means I will have a job starting April Back in business, so to speak. The salary will be low, as the company will not be able to pay a fortune, but anything is better than nothing. I may be able to sneak in a little purchase of MRR stuff, now and then. What more can I expect?

Zoe, whatever these chowhounds are having, put it on my tab. I shall be going for a mug of hot chocolate, if you don´t mind.

Robby - I am sorry that the job with NS did not work out. I will keep on pulling for you!

Blessings to all of you!

 

[Robby P.]

 A sweet tea for now.

 Got some things finally done around town, and now I need to smooth out some "dips" in the driveway.   Dang winter weather!!

 Ray.......Maybe one short line, but I would have to ask a buddy of mine on what the name of the company is.   The NS job wouldn't have been the long hauls.  The farthest I would've gone would have been Altoona, Pa.   I will ask about the short line thou.   I guess I will keep a eye out also for future NS jobs.

[howmus]

Mornin' everyone!

Zoe, I'll have a short stack of buckwheat pancakes with maple syrup (leave the bottle.....) and a cup of dark roast coffee in a FGLK Mug.  I'll sit at the rivet counter for a bit this morning.

Robby, sorry about the NS job....  Are there any shortlines around your area?   I know the guys working for the FGLK love their jobs and are on fairly regular hours and get to be home every night.  A lot better for family than the gone for the week schedules on the big lines.

Jeffrey, THAT dieseasally thingy looks dogone good!  What do those thing do on a RR anyway?

Ulrich?  Looking at offices?  Does that mean you have the job back?  I sure hope so!

Ron, Glad you are getting to like country living....  Only thing I hate about where I live is I am in a city!  Place is teeming with over 13,000 people.....  Place is crawling with them!  Funny, when you look it up they show photos of nice country scenes.  Much better if you want to attract more humanoids here!  Lucky for me I live on the edge of town and only have to walk a block to see farmland and woods!!!

Galaxy, only thing I can say is that the Grammy Award people finally picked someone I can actually call an artist for the "Best New Artist" award!  Esperanza Spalding is an incredible musician and is head and shoulders above the rest!!!  As a musician I..........  Well.  I'll stop before I get in trouble.

I'm waiting for a package to arrive today......

Later!

73

[galaxy]

AmanaMedic

What

 

is

 

a

 

"Snooki?"

 

Is THAT anything like a "Lady Ga-Ga?" (by the way, WHAT is a "Lady Ga-Ga?"

Do a google search for "snooki" or a wikipedia search. It will tell you what a "snooki" is and yes, it is kinda like a "LAdy Ga-ga" or a "Bieber" {Justin}.

Remember, however some of our parents wondered what a "KISS" or a "Pac-Man" was, and some didn't approve.

Oh well   *alas*....

[Cox 47]

Good Morning All...Its partly cloudy and in the mid 30's here...I'll have coffee and toast please..Thank You..Thanks for all the well wishes on our anniversary..We had a great day..

got a couple of things going on work bench..and rans some trains...

You all have a good one...Jerry

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning. It's 52° and cloudy. The high will be 67° and mostly cloudy.

I;m feeling better this morning. Temp is down and bp is normal. We'll see how long that lasts. Today I'll probably be doing a vacuuming of the entire layout. It needs it. Some of the structures at the back of the layout have cobwebs on them. I might even get around to applying decals to my pair of Stewart U25B's. The one in the photo below originally had a Kato drive but the motor was dead. I replaced it with an Athearn motor then had to change the trucks out because the shafts weren't compatible with the Athearn flywheels. I replaced them with Proto 2000 trucks with Athearn worms and shafts. I did end up cutting the shafts and extending them with heat shrink tubing. Looking back on that I probably done that with the Kato shafts and put the Athearn hex end on them but I wasn't thinking about that at the time and I had already destroyed the joint on the end of one of the Kato shafts by then.

[DrgnTrappr]

Good Morning Gang!

Flo, coffee please.

Well I scored some major Husband points last night, taking the wife out for a Romantic steak and lobster dinner and then surprising her with diamond earrings. Being Valentines Day, the Wife's Birthday and Our Wedding Anniversary I always make sure the gift is big enough to cover all three, but I am the sensible one and being that my wife is an artist I usualy get her tools and such more usefull things. The diamonds totaly caught her off gaurd, and she scored with a great gift for me, the Dremmel Trio, I am sure this will come in handy on the layout.

Jeff; Hey take it easy and watch that blood preasure, I know how easy it is to over do it, so be careful.

Ken; I wish I could tell you that everything will work itself out with the bank, but they seem to play with there own set of rules and we dont get to see them. Back in Oct. of 09 when the Dr. took me off work for the latest battle with my cancer, I tried to work out something with the bank on an auto loan. All I wanted was to lower the payment some, well they got me so ticked off that I took the truck and parked it at there offices, three months later they sold it at auction at a loss of 5000.00 dollars which I am paying at 50.00 a month and put a reposession on my credit. The funny thing about all this is that on dissability I am bringing in less than a third of my old sallery, and we have more money now than when I was on the road busting my butt 70 hours a week.

Robby; Sorry the job with NS did not pan out, but if that is what you realy want to do, dont give up.

Jerry; Congradulations on the Anniversary.

Rob; Stop that laughing I can hear you! Even though we have had this horse for 9 years now, it has allways been my wifes thing, I am a city boy from sunny southern California and this country living is still new to me. We have been here for over ten years now but before dissability I was on the road six days a week and realy did not get the full experience. I still have alot to learn, but over this past year i now know what the appeal was to get out of the city for my wife.

Well I had better get out and finish fixing that fence and then its up to the studio to work on bench work. I am still coughing some but feeling much better than I was. It is supposed to be another spring like day here so I had better enjoy it while it lasts.

See you all later.

Ron

[TMarsh]

Good Morning!! Coffee and a couple slices of French Toast with cinnamon and Maple syrup please. Thanks.

Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 47.

Robby- Sorry about the railroad.

Well I did not make it to the basement to start on my bridge last night. Not because I got roped in to wo*king, just because I, well, sat down and didn’t get up.

So this morning, I plan on heading to the layout room and do a bit of bridge figuring. I know I’d ciphered it out and figured it’d work, but it may not suddenly. Maybe it was the way I looked at it yesterday.

Anyway, that and probably a piece or two of roadbed can be put down. Then we’ll see what happens after I head to w*rk for the first shift of the day at 10:30. I’ll probably head into Mom’s apartment and be back for wo*k at 5, for a load of something going somewhere. Goodwill.., local missions.., neighbors.., dumpster.., they’re all getting something.

Best get a move on.

Ya’ll have a Great Day!!!

[Robby P.]

 Good morning.  Its going to warm up for the next couple of days, and I can't wait.

 Well got a email at 3:00am this morning saying,  no job with NS.   I'm a little disappointed, but not mad/upset about it.   Jessica asked if I would ever apply again, probably not.   I tried, but at least I have the other job.

 Not much planned today.  Got some running around town to do.  

 Have a good morning.

[LSWrr]

Good Morning,

 

Garry, back before the collapse Country Wide offered me a “drive by loan”; just tell them what I want to borrow and they were going to loan it to me.  I picked the value of my house and that was it. Well up to $300,000.00.  Needless to say I didn’t do it.

 

Ken, something to keep in the back of your mind; locally here banks have threatened to foreclose.  The bank is so overwhelmed by the sheer number of foreclosures in my area and they don’t want the house because then they are responsible to keep the grass cut and pay the taxes. Not to mention liable if someone hurts themselves on the property.  People move out and abandon the house before they are officially evicted. The bank is not transferring the house into their name, but they are writing off the mortgage.  A year later the former home owner gets a bill for the property taxes.  Like I said it’s a problem in my area and my buddy makes good money watching houses to see if the people abandon the property before they are evicted.  If they leave early the bank auctions off the house and transfers everything by court order to the auction winner.  Not everything is the same in all areas, but I wouldn’t physically move out completely until the bank gives you notice.

 

I’m starting to get nervous about my house and the ability to continue making payments.  Not because of the mortgage, I’m at 3%.  I’m worried about the taxes.  In 2007 my mortgage payment was $600.00/month. Now I’m paying almost $900.00/month. What will it be in another 4 years? $1250.00/month? For a $90,000 1949 house?  Who would buy a house if the taxes and insurance is $695/month?

[blownout cylinder]

Ulrich: Hope things go well with the endeavour...

Chris:  Some of the music forums I'm on are having a wonderful time of this... I think this Snooki personage is the same thing this "lady Ga-Ga" is...all googoo

Good Morning

As you can tell I'm all piculous today..I get to do a bunch of grocery shopping and various other hd things..maybe later on I'll get to do some layout stuff as well

We are sitting right now at the mighty -2F with our high going all the way to 26F..by the end of the week we'll see a high nearly at 50F!!...in the rain, of course...

Flo, I'll have a coffee and a big ol' stack o' pancakes please---with REAL maple syrup...I'll be at the RC for a bit...

[Wisconsin Railfan]

Good Day Folks!

Cup of coffee please!

Looks like we will hit near 60's this week, finally out of the deep freeze.  Have a great day all!

Steven

[wetidlerjr]

 

Good Morning ! from Tipton IN.

 

[Anonymous]

The door slowly opens. A man, dressed in a black suit and with an intimated look on his face, enters the room, where a group of people are sitting on chairs, arranged in a circle.

Welcome, a stirringly beautiful woman greets him, why don´t you take a seat and make yourself comfortable? Mind introducing yourself to us?

My name is William, and I am a banker, the man says. Welcome to the BAoA, the Bankers Anonymous of America, the woman answers. We are here to help you...

Could be a true story

Good Morning Folks!

Janie, coffee and a breakfast bagel, please.

Ken, I am not familiar with foreclosure procedures in the US, but if they are the way they are over here, once foreclosure is initiated, there is hardly a way to stop it. I agree with the others who said that you should get legal advice on the issue before you continue to make payments into a maybe lost case.

Another busy day ahead of me - hope I will be able to drive to our new office. It is raining outside - at temperatures below freezing, this is no fun!

CUL

[Cederstrand]

Insomniac Special, please.

***Ray, like the blacksmith idea. You must have plenty of patience to do trackwork like that.

All I did tonight was "run trains". Pulled the S.P. Daylight around a few times to check grades & curves, no problems. Of the half dozen trains run, only trouble was with the Bigboy. No doubt (with it's weight & length) it did not like a few of the temporary shims, which will be replaced. Other than a few additional switches, this new track plan should suit me fine.

Funny how after all these years, I still love watching model trains go round. Just can't see them as well or as close up as I once could.

Cheers! Rob

[AmanaMedic]

What

 

is

 

a

 

"Snooki?"

 

Is THAT anything like a "Lady Ga-Ga?" (by the way, WHAT is a "Lady Ga-Ga?"

*shakes head in disbelief of the decline of contemporary culture while heading for the juke box to see if any KISS is in there to soothe his soul*

Chris

***EDIT*** Egads! TOP! Order up boys...Rerun will bring in the debit card....

[ns3010]

*Door blows open and I come flying in, carried by the wind*

Phew! It's REALLY windy out there!

Long day. Typical Monday. Monotonous Monday. Nothing to talk about. Nothing at all.

Jerry, Happy Anniversary!

Chris, I'm not supposed to tell you this, but...
You said the lady on the phone was a, well, you know... Well, I hear that MTV decided to put Snooki working in customer service for a day... Just cause it would be "interesting" for Jersey Shore... THAT's why the lady you talked to was so ___

But don't tell anyone I told you!

On a serious note, when I talked to Atlas about getting the board replaced for my genset (which I STILL haven't done!), the people I talked to were very nice.

Robby, glad the interview went well. Hope you get the good news soon.

Well, it's getting late. I'll see you guys tomorrow.

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Thanks for the comments about my situation. Much appreciated.

Recovering huge amounts of money may be hard here, but  we are considering legal actions. .It is time consuming for me to go through her records in AL.

On the plus side, Mom agreed to ride with me for a few days in KY. I can get stuff done, and scammers can't get at her. Also, she now is considing moving to a really good assisted care center for seniors in AL we have visited in recent days. That will be a blessing if she does so. ... She'll ride with me tomorrow for KY, and I'll drive her back in only a few days.

Meanwhile, my MI sister is having her surgery on her retina next week. .... Grand daughter is doing well.

Speaking of Bof A mortgages, I recall B of A acquired Countrywide Financial during the Financial Crisis. Countrywide was one of the very bad ones. Countrywide Financial did special favors for politiicans who got away with their corruption. ... Enough before getting political.

Take care, everybody.

 

[howmus]

Evenin' all!

Flo, just a cup of...... ah, is that a Strawberry Rhubarb Pie over on the counter?  It is?  Hmmmmm  Ahem!  I'll have a slice of Strawberry Rhubarb Pie with a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream on it and a cup of decaf.  Thank You ma'am, I'll be in the back by the stove.

Barry, I have a black and white kitty sleeping right by me at my computer as well.  He has not been happy with me today because I spent way too much time downstairs in the train room.

I carved and installed a few pieces of foam that will comprise a small hill near the quarry.  The soon to be created Blacksmith's shop will be in that location.  The Blacksmiths shop will hide the Tortoise sitting there as i couldn't mount it under the layout where it needed to be.  

I will be scratchbuilding the octagonal Blacksmith shop to cover the torti.  The shop will be made removable so access can be had to the Tortoise.  The prototype for the building is a few miles south of Lyons, NY not far from where I live. 

have a good one!

73

[blownout cylinder]

Ken: I concur with everyone else here..they are using forceful language to make you run around like a chicken with the head cut of...I would keep up the payments anyhow...

Jeff:  We''ll pray for you as well...take care...

Ray: My Spring is right here by my computer with me......that fickle thing that showed up a couple of days ago is now gone again..we are now at that mighty 14F going down to -2F...

Good Evening

I've got a lovely bunch of homew**k to contend with from w**k..2  reports need done...

Chloe, I'll have two burger platters and 4 slices of Strawberry/Rhubarb pies...I'm going to have my comfort food...

[mononguy63]

Hey Ken

I read your latest interpretation of BOA's nastygram. My take on that letter is the bank is saying, "Just because you've sent us buckets of money, that doesn't mean you're off the hook. We still own the mortgage you've promised to pay and we expect you to pay it." Corporate attorneyspeak is, by design, intentionally worded to threaten and intimidate the recipient into complying with the company's desires. But I'll repeat here what I've mentioned to you before: the bank DOESN'T WANT your house. They want your MONEY. They are purely profit motivated. A vacant foreclosed house that they can't sell COSTS THEM MONEY, especially in this depressed housing market, which is exactly opposite of what they want. All a foreclosure does is choke off another source of cash flow for them, and they are fully aware of it. It's simply bare-knuckle strongarm tactics.

I second the opinion of those here who advise you to secure legal counsel. Believe me, the bank is glad you've resumed payments, but they will continue to bludgeon you with ugly threatening letters until they either get all they feel they're owed or have been otherwise restrained.

Jim

[Train Master]

JEFF: I hope you feel better tomorrow. Your friend Mr Raintree will have a vision candle burning for you as he takes his vision quest tonight.