Good Morning,
so far no news about Alison. Don´t know whether this is good or bad. I will try to get some track laid on the modules - just to get my mind onto something more positive.
Flo, I´ll just have a coup of coffee, please. It´s too late for a breakfast, and too early for lunch.
Chamomile tea, please.
***Garry, I agree completely regarding our insane tax code. Fair Tax or Flat Tax, either would be 100% better than the monster we have now. My 2 cents worth.
Went back down to the train room and laid more track. Also cut out the foam where a couple more bridges will go. Might need to figure out and paint the backdrop there before laying those sections of track, becuase one of those bridges is mighty close to the wall. Will have to contemplate that for a while.
Well, calling it a night. Rob
Evenin' everyone,
Haven't been in for a few days. Had a busy weekend at my dad's place.
Discovered an awesome guitarist...His name is Jonny A. He's really talented.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ7amOCI6DI
I'm going to have to learn how to play that.
Mark
Good evening.
Jeff .. the baggage car has been adequately "uglyfied".
Ulrich ... You deserve praise for assisting with Allison's situation, Praying for a health miriclal.
Ken ... I like your layout pictures.
I've been busy working on my mother's taxes. When I was there with her, I picked up a pile of papers for her 2010 taxes. I said I would do them for her. She had hired somebody to do them for her until 2009 tax year when she did them herself. .... Well, the papers for 2010 included an unanswered letter from the IRS pertaining to 2009. The deadline for responding was March 30th. I don't know why she did not tell me about it because I was with her for much of February and March. .... So, I have been correcting the 2009 tax returns. and working on the 2010 returns. ... It's a lot of work, but I'll be done by middle of tomorrow. ... The older I get, the more I dislike our tax system.
Meanwhile, I have been taking sanity breaks with the model railroad. One little project is to complete a replica of a 1948 Ford COE truck to go with a semi-trailer I painted last year in Great Northern's orange paint scheme. I'm nearly done with it, and the two look good together I think.
Regarding the North Carolina storms. My son and his wife live near Durham. They had no damage, and that is good. .
I just now sent Cajun Chef Ryan an e-mail to see if he had storm damage. Anybody hear from Robby?
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
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
Trust me Galaxy, the neighbor hates my guts. Not my parents, MINE. Don't ask me why, because I don't know.
The guy we normally have is good. All the mail is sorted out ads, then magazines and then letters and bills inside held together by a rubber band. On Thursdays though, the woman on our route likes to play hide the mail. I'm bout ready to play outrun the dog, but parents stop me for that. Every time she gets one of my packages, she throws them. That just gets me P.O.ed. I've been ready to complain, but my parents once again stop me and I'm thinking about ordering some lightbulbs. Very fragile light bulbs and then going to the Post Office when they get delivered broken.
Sorry for the rant. Septic tank backed up. Had to dig up the inspection port for the guys pumping it.
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!
Evening Folks
Flo, Big Boy sub and a please.
Today was perfect, 70 degrees, blue sky and gentle breeze a perfect day if you where not selling mattress. Should have dragged some over to Loews next door in to the garden center! It was not just my store, all 4 stores only did $11,000.00. That is what one of the bigger stores should have done. Guess I can kiss the $1,500.00 bounces good by for hitting $60,000.00 I will be lucky to hit $48,000.00 with being closed Easter.
Jim Dang, you must take notes when you come to the dinner. Yes, it does feel good when you get reorganized for doing a good job. I would guess I am given the $5,000.00 extra bottom line profit over what the last manager was doing. In a big company no one notices, in a small Mon and Pop company they see it in there wallet.
Rob Glad you like the shoot. I have gotten pretty god making Super Trees if I say so my self. Weak link is the trunks are to thin, I know how to make them thicker but really don't care with being a rail fan and not a rivet counter.
Ulrich As you know I hope to have your supplies sent out next week. Then you can really start building your modules. It is just to darn bad we cannot get you here to the states. Even with the troubles you have, you still find the time to help a neighbor in need.
Y6 b Front Open up the engines (2-8-8-2) and lubed the center gears and the bronzes bearings. While I had the engines (drive wheel) covers open I could not find my gear lube, so I used Bachmann oil. As soon as I button up the engines, I saw the lube? Engine is still making the whirring sound. Going to open the engine again and try oiling the motor bushings again. One of the flywheels is up against the front bearing. If one is dry, it will be that one.
See you all Monday.
Ken
I hate Rust
Chicken & veggie stew, please.
Finally made it down to the train room tonight. Got about 3' of double mainline track set, 2 bridges across the canyon and a smoking unit for the small volcano dome.
Rob
teen steam fan Afternoon Galaxy-That does bring some thought. Problem is though, my mail service by me is hit or miss. (Mostly miss) Half the time we get my uncle and neighbor's mail and they get ours. The neighbor who get s our mail doesn't even bring it over. The guy just burns it. (Still don't know how much stuff we've been supposed to get went to him and got turned to ashes)
Afternoon
Galaxy-That does bring some thought. Problem is though, my mail service by me is hit or miss. (Mostly miss) Half the time we get my uncle and neighbor's mail and they get ours. The neighbor who get s our mail doesn't even bring it over. The guy just burns it. (Still don't know how much stuff we've been supposed to get went to him and got turned to ashes)
We have locked boxes at the end of the road. Ocassionally we get a neighbors mail, or they get ours...there are 20 boxes down there...all slots to him in the back when he opens it...but we are all good at giving over misdirected mail. You must have a nasty neighbor.
You obviously have an inept delivery person, if you have to report him/her to your local Post Office Postmaster for improper delivery of your mail. If that produces now results, Then what you do is report it to ADC of the Postal Service for your area. That is the the Postmaster of the ADC. This would be the guy in charge of the sorting center Post Office center that sends it to your PO, or your Post Office's "boss".If that doesn't straighten things out, You write to the Posmaster General of the USA. It is a government agency, but they should be working for YOU. OR you could get a PO Box where you know your mail would be delivered.
I wouldn't put up with that crap if I had faulty delivery where I lived.
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
Strong coffee in a Burlington Northern mug, please.
***Jim, no harness horses here. It's a big pasture with plenty of room. That tree will require a good chainsaw workout, to be done one day in the future. I still haven't finished removing all of the previous fallen tree. Sadly, only so much energy for physical stuff these days.
***Ken, excellent layout pic. Love those trees.
Need to do some more bushhogging soon. Flowers are taking over out in the pastures and the goats are not keeping up with them.
Cheers! Rob
Today's just been a lazy day here. Nothing special going on. Tomorrow morning I have an appointment with my primary physician for a general physical then in the afternoon I'll be going to a birthday celebration at the Mexican restaurant downtown. Other than that I may get something done on the layout.
Urlich-prayers for the best.
Afternoon, Janie - I'll have the grilled cheese sandwich, pickle spear, and a bowl of chili, with a RBF to wash it down, please. Thanks!
I was by yesterday evening, had my (short) post about done, and (in haste, as the WiFi place was about to close) I hit the wrong keystroke and closed the tab for my post(!). Decided to head for home and - as others said it - "call it a night".
Ulrich, glad to hear that you were able to reach Allison's brother, and I'm praying for things to improve enough for him to get her moved closer to where he lives. Being just the kind of doctor she needs at this point, it would be great for he to be where he could supervise her care (and he likely may know most of those specialists and which one would be her 'official' doctor). It's good that Allison had friends like you and Petra there, or she might already be gone home. Continuing for her, the brother and you and Petra.
Glad that it appears none of our Diners have been hit by the nasty storm front that went through our area on Friday. We had some dime-sized hail (not as much as south of us or in the next town west got) and a buncha rain. Bet the ground around here is very, very soggy!JR had it pegged about the well no longer being dry lately. If we get very much more, I expect that Fergie could sail by and say hello! 'Twill be the season of spring floods soon...
And speaking of Fergie, good to see you stopping by the Diner, Cap'n! Any further progress on the M.E.S.S. and your widening of the curves for those 2-10-2's? Or are you w**king on some other projects when you're out on the briny blue?
Garry, good to hear you made it home safe and sound from 'Bama. Yep, I could just about see the nursing home folks visiting a while in the halls at the home after hiding out from any tornado or storms.
Ray, you do seem to have quite a bit on your to-do list the past several days weeks (months?), as JR mentioned. Sure you haven't been taking 'retirement' lessons from Paul B. in Texas? He's busier now than it sounded like he was when he was w**king for Six Flags.
Todd, I was trying to tell you to check your email last night (when I started my 'quick' post in here). Sent you info on something I thought might interest you (no, it was not a special price on Texas beer in your area....). Wasn't a "Get-Out-of-Going-To-Town-With-CFO" pass either....
Ken, it's always good to get those acknowledgements that your company appreciates you (lessee, last time I got one was... when?). It's better yet when they keep your paychecks and commissions up to date, right?
Barry, that's a nice shot you posted of that grain elevator! I only wish it was in color; then I'd have what I need as a guide for weathering the Walthers kit (which I need to build yet). That ghost town photo you posted, looked a lot like the Chama, NM ATSF depot (the one Walthers used as a starting point for their Mission station).
Ah, Lee, I see you'll be loaded and ready once you get that new lens. Of course, we expect to see some examples of how well that thing performs for your trainspotting...
Hope you all don't have to do much picking up of branches and such today. Rob, are your critters finding their way around that one downed tree okay? Maybe you could hitch up one or two and let them drag it out of the way, instead of breaking your back.
I also hope we hear back from Robby and any other NC Diners who haven't checked in yet.
Watching a couple of items on da Bay that should end soon. We'll see how that goes.
My Saturday started a little early yesterday - 4 a.m. - and the on-call part finished up about 8 a.m., so I just stayed up, since I had laundry to get done, then meet with my buddy Mark to go get pizza for lunch and catch up on each other's doin's. After that, I went home and caught some 's until about 4 p.m. This week's on-call has been a bit more busy than I would have picked, and some of it with bad timing (but nobody was asking me...).
We've already hit our high temp for the day, and it's now 68 F/ 20 C; supposed to drop to about 54 F/12 C tonight, which is a little warmer than last night. Sun's shining this afternoon and a little breeze.
I got a nice surprise recently - I was going to pick up some backordered Grand Central Gems lodgepole pines that had come in, and our LHS owner/MRR club member told me that he had some freebies (I think from another MRR'er in the area that had passed, and his widow was selling off stuff). Turned out to be some scenery items (including Silflor grass mats, couple of colors of turf/flocking). The box of freebies also had a bunch of those signs that Walthers includes with the Main Street type building kits. I bought some shacks and sheds for about $6 or so, that look about perfect for my logging area. I think they're resin castings, maybe part of the JV Models "Boyd Logging Camp". Already weathered and looking really grungy (nice!). I also bought a D&RGW 40' flatcar for $5 from other stuff she was selling off.
Before I tried to get my (lost) post written last night, I was viewing a series of videos of Earl Smallshaw's presentation at the 2009 NMRA conference (on how he planned and built the town of Mystic on his layout). Very worthwhile, and covers a lot of topics (planning, modifying DPM & other structures - so yours looks different from the ones that hundreds of other MRR'ers out there have on their layouts, lighting, scenicking tips, and more). The video links are on the Model Railroad Hobbyist website.
I'll be at the RC, taking a gander at Curt's yard plan (not that I would know enough to suggest anything for you, Curt ).
Blessings (and prayers for our not-yet-checked-in Diners in the Southeastern US),
Jim in Cape Girardeau
Afternoon all
chore day. get as much laundry as I can done and am running the dishwasher. BAck is killing me from the antique/train show yesterday.
I found this in an email. It bears some thought!!!! :
Dr Pepper please. Thanks.
Welp, went to the trainroom and painted up the last wooden portal. I will have to go get another cut stone and then a blasted rock one too. Also need a concrete one. We'll see. Still have to make the concrete abutments and the other two..... bridge.....things. (recall isn't exactly instant today).
Now here's the funny part. A while ago I made some decals. Or more like a trial run. I think I must have used the regular setting as opposed to the photo setting on the printer as the picture ones are rather, um, blurred. From normal viewing distance, probably ok, but don't get too close. Thirty or forty feet should be fine. I'm not going to change them though, especially considering what they are for.
Aaanyway, I also put the Texas & Pacific road name on the old AHM Pennsy SW2 switcher I had since oh, about 1972 I think. The one that still runs as good as it ever had. This was my experiment (practice) loco for paining and decals and of course, weathering. I figured if it turned out pretty ok, I could use it. It will be an oldy but a goody for the railroad anyway, so perfection would not be required. Shoot, just so so would be fine for an old beatup workhorse right? Well, I noticed, after the decals were applied of course, what happens when you get your lettering done by the lowest bidder and don't really look at it until after you take possesion and pay (chuckle). Don't think I'll change it. I think it's kinda funny so I'll just leave it and see how many even notice. Considering the amount of peple who will stop by and check out the layout, probably just you guys here.
I'll post a picture later. Now.......I must mow.
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.
Afternoon All!
Flo just a decaf for me at the moment.
Just got home from the Palm Sunday Brunch at church. I didn't stay for the "One Great Hour of Sharing" auction that follows the brunch.... Afraid I would point at something or nod my head at the wrong time. Sat next to Granddaughter #1 who was being a sweetheart today. She singed her name on a card and gave it to me....
Ulrich, you, your family, and your friends remain on my prayer list. Glad to gear that Alison's brother has arrived.
I have to do a bit of house cleaning this afternoon and finish a project for the editor of the Division newsletter (actually put together some photos and explanations for a short article he is doing about my layout for another publication he writes. He will be stopping over tomorrow so it has to be done today!
Hope all of you have a great day!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Good Evening Folks,
it has been a sad, but busy day. Alison´s health has not improved over night and the docs are still fighting for her life. I met her brother at the airport at took him to see Alison. As I am not a relative, they would not allow me to see her. She is in the IC unit - limited access. Her boyfriend and her former husband are now taking care of her brother.
I tried to do some MRRing in the afternoon, but all I could do was to give those corner modules a coat of paint. I used acrylic paint this time, which has a smell of ammonia. The paint dries pretty quick and maybe I can lay some track tomorrow.
Zoe, I´ll go for a burger and a RBF, please.
Y´ all have a good one.
Btw, I hope none of our NC friends was hurt by the tornado!
Morning Folks
Flo, BLT and diet dew if you would please.
Weather sure cannot make up its mind in my neck of the woods. Saturday before last was 85 degrees, yesterday it was 45 and today it will be 70? I am surprised I have not gotten sick again.
Jeffery I will agree with you on steam being a pain to keep working. Main problem as been keeping the engines picking up power. All my engines are BLI / PCM, seems there weak link is the tether from the tender to the engine. Rather it be the cannon plug or the cable it self.
Y6 b on the other hand has not had that many problem with the hours she has on her. Only stupid problem after only having her for 6 months was the decoder came lose. Other than that, it had around 300 hours before it had any real problems.
Well, time to go to work again, see you all this evening!
Hi again,
This is for LSWrr since he has been trying to help a dense headed PRR fan or anyone else that feels like helping. I have taken a picture of what I propose for my yard. Anybody please speak up if you see a problem.
Thanks
Curt Webb
The Late Great Pennsylvania Railroad
http://s1082.photobucket.com/albums/j372/curtwbb/
Good Morning!! Breakfast Burrito and a muguh Dark Roast please. Thanks.
Robby? Sawyer? Doesn't someone else live in North Carolina? Heard on the news Raleigh got hit with a Tornado. Can't remember were Robby moved to. No details don't know how bad. Check in Carolina people.
Partly sunny, with a high near 62. I should mow today. If not it looks like I won’t have a chance for the next few days.
Yesterday went well up until Brenda came home a bit before 1:30 (1330)after spending a couple hours with a couple hens from the Foundation still planning the giant Easter egg hunt next…..Saturday. I was settin down after doin a few things that mornin and was contemplatin turnin the lights on in the train room now, or after I got a sandwich when she blew in the door, plopped down, exclaimed she was staaaarving and asked if I wanted to go town n eat. I said “sounds good”. I hadn’t got intuh the train room yit anyway and figered, "main meal out of the way, I can git intuh the train room fer the remainder of the day and then jist a sandwich or some warmed up sump-m from the refridge-a-deezer… perfect. Theeeeen she said the “while we’re there’s”. Suckered again. Left at 1:30ish, returned home…quarter til six. Sat down said to myself, well I have the evenin anyway and ….then I notice she's standin there, still in her jacket..... and then she says it. That word, let me rephrase that, one of those words that strikes immediate terror in my heart… “Ready?” Cautiously I reply “ready for what?” To which she responds somewhat huffy, (and we aaall know what I meanby somewhat huffy) “Josh’s surprise party.” My shoulders drop as I say “that’s tonight.” She says “yes and we are late. Get moving.” (the cracking of the whip could be heard for blocks)
So, today I hope to get into the train room FIRST, then outside for a bit to mow once the grass is dry enough. Hopefully there won’t be some reason to have me “spend time with her” today. Usually it sounds great and I do like spending time with he, but oft times her “spending time withe me” usually involves trips to town shopping for something or moving something for someone I don't even want to be involved in and taking all day. Quality time they call it. Yah right. I fail to see the quality boppin from store ending in "mart" to store ending in mart looking for six things for children in each of the various year groups starting at 0-2. Really? We need to find a bike, actually tricycle or equivelent, one for a boy and one for a girl for the age group 0-2? Really?
I don't really care for the Eatser egg hunt.
Ya’ll have a Great Day!!!
GOOOOOD MORINING VIETNAM!!!
I'm the only one up right now, so I guess I'll have some steak and eggs, a side of hashbrowns and a cup of coffee.
Not much new to report. Got to the layout yesterday for the first time in a while. Today may be another day of lightly working on my Jeep. If I can get the paint on my Easter Sunday, I'll be happy.
I'll be in the corner booth for now.
Morning All,
Flo I would like a sausage biscuit and a cup of coffee please.
Supposed to be in the mid 80's today. Probably no work on layout until next Fri or Sun. Today I have to replace a ceiling fan, a hard wired electrical timer on the pool pump and possibly plant some trees. I did sleep through the night but am still feeling tired. My sleep is not as bad as some of you but it hasn't been good for awhile. I used to be a heavy sleeper but now any little noise wakes me. If you have animals in the house you know how that goes.
Ken- Congrats.It is good to be appreciated.
Ulrich- My prayers are with you and Allison.
Everyone have a good day.
Good Morning ! from Tipton IN.
Bill Tidler Jr.
Near a cornfield in Indiana...
Tall glass of cool water, please.
Have a good day y'all.
Good Morning...
Partly cloudy but kinda nippy out..30F going for a high of 36F today...oh well...by Wednesday we'll be 70F...
Up early to go to w**k and get some office stuff done, then it'll be off to the university to see how some of those refresher courses are looking like
Flo, I'll be having a cofee and a breakfast bagel 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,
Very soggy outside as we had hail, thunder, lightning, and rain most of yesterday. Today will be high winds then back to rain in the morning.
I ordered a 50-300mm lens for the camera yesterday, now it will be time to go train watching.
Todd, we are down to only 2 stores in town and neither of them seems to have quality stuff and their prices are too high. Sam’s has a meat department and a bakery. Oh yes, we keep corndogs in the freezer.
Ulrich, Our thoughts and prayers will be with Allison and her family and for your Mom on her upcoming surgery.
BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret) L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes
Good Evening All,
Spent the day in the trailer fixing stuff and putting in some new cabinets. Helped the CFO install a rack on the mighty and majestic Dodge Ram 50 so she can haul her kayak (and the DILs') to the river of choice. Won't be happening tomorrow though as the rains continue, sometimes heavy. Makes the water too fast and the trip too dicy. As for me I've had enough with boats and ships (sorry Fergie) and can do without the excitement.
Spent some more time on the layout toniight laying out the elevated section that will run through the urban area - double track main on cut brownstone. I'll try using foam scored for the blocks and covered with a thin coat of plaster. If I don't like the looks of THAT,I'll revert to the paper sheeting again but it is tough to make the edges look right. We shall see.....
Ulrich - that was very nice what you did for your neighbor. Our prayers for her and her family and for your Mom on her upcoming surgery as well.
Galaxy - sorry the train show was a bust but glad you got out to do some house hunting. Unless the MOH can find other employment, you couldn't pursue it, but I always liked the area about an hour west of you. Not sure what the housing situation is there either but the Corning area seems nice.
Ken - It's nice to have your efforts appreciated. And we all know it's for more than polishing the brassw..k on the big front door.
Ray - if you try to do much more you'll have to unretire to get some time to rest!
Good to ear those who've checked in so far have gotten through the latest round of weather ok. Bad to see the one trailer in TN that was blown to bits by the wind despite being tied down ! Must have been some storm.
Well (steadily filling as the water table rises) - time to get some shut eye. Catch y'all tomorrow, J.R.
cudaken Train Front Y6 b is making a whirring sound. It moves at the same speeds at the same throttle settings before it started making the new sound. Oiled the motor bearings and oiled the tower gears and the sound is still there? Guess I am going to have to open the engines (two set of drive wheels, it is a 2-8-8-4) and lube the gears from the bottom and see if that stops the sound. Sure cannot complain BLI / PCM got this one right. It now has well over 600 hours of run time. Well over 140 real miles, not scale miles.
Train Front Y6 b is making a whirring sound. It moves at the same speeds at the same throttle settings before it started making the new sound. Oiled the motor bearings and oiled the tower gears and the sound is still there? Guess I am going to have to open the engines (two set of drive wheels, it is a 2-8-8-4) and lube the gears from the bottom and see if that stops the sound. Sure cannot complain BLI / PCM got this one right. It now has well over 600 hours of run time. Well over 140 real miles, not scale miles.
Evenin' folks!
Just a decaf Flo!
I'm beat! Got a lot done today including some stuff I have been putting off for months, like cleaning the old 55 gal. aquarium that has been sitting empty for the last 2 years waiting for me to stop procrastinating..... I scraped down all the sides with a razor blade after wetting it well with a bleach solution. Then used the wet/dry shop vac to empty it all out. Also did some track cleaning down cellar and fiddled with a couple other small projects as well.
Still raining out here in the Finger Lakes. Need to get up a bit early tomorrow so I am calling it a night!
Have a good one and stay safe!
Work Front Well today was another pain in the caboose day, but did OK. Got this E Mail from Valerie, she and Barry owns the comany. Looks Like they may keep me around a little longer.
Ken,
Attached is your March sales/commission sheet. Your check will go out in the mail today. Good job! We are really glad you are on the team! We are committed to making sure you have everything you need to continue making Belleville a success. If you need anything, let us know.
Thanks,
Does make one feel good when they are appreciated. Been even better if I was not shorted $100.00 in commission. But they will take care of it, it is a good company to work for.
Ulrich Boy you sure don't get a break do you. If Alison time is here, I hope she passes peacefully. But I am crossing my fingers that she makes it.
Simon 1966 I know you poke your nose in here to see hows things are going for me. Would love to see more pictures of what you are up to and sure the fellow dinners would as well. Looking forward to you and the boys dropping by again and run some trains.