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Elliot's Trackside Diner JUNE 2011

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  • Member since
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  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Monday, June 27, 2011 8:33 AM

Good morning. It's 76° and mostly cloudy. The high will be in the mid 90's and it will be partly cloudy.

I was going to continue work on the U25B this morning but my mother may need me to take her to the dentist. She doesn't know yet. She had the appointment info written in her appointment book. Guess what has gone missing. You got it, her appointment book. So until I know different all activities are on hold. I don't want to get tied up with something only to have to stop in a hurry. Last night I had a pleasant online chat with several friends. It's a good way to pass the time.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


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Posted by cudaken on Monday, June 27, 2011 8:20 AM

Morning Folks

 Yet more LightningLightningLightning today, I think we got some hail last night as well.

 Lee Do you have the links where you found the work at home jobs? I have looked for that kind of work before and all I found where scams.

 Ray I hope they quickly find your nieces problem. 

 Well, I wired up the F7 A LED last night, but could not find the section of track I use for testing? Whistling After looking for 15 minutes I gave up. Just found it, it was under the keyboard! Sigh Oh well, I have the rest of my life to get it wired up.

 Off to work.

                 Ken

I hate Rust

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Posted by TMarsh on Monday, June 27, 2011 8:18 AM

(door flings open and a soaked figure of a man wearing a wide brimmed hat and a rain slicker comes in the door. Goes to the corner and hangs up the wet gear over the newly installed floor drain under the coat rack.)

Good Morning!! Brakeman’s Special, scrambled, and Dark Roast please. Did NOT sleep well at all last night. Didn’t snooze until after 3 am when the last storm went through. I fell asleep shortly after I saw 3:25 on the ceiling and the storm had calmed. Power outage watch dontcha know. Sump pump's cycling every 13 seconds. 

Had a pretty whiz-banger of a storm last night. The dog took Mommy to the basement and kept looking back at me as if to say “come on”. I was on a roll with a crossword puzzle after arriving home about Midnight from the cleaning up of the park from the 4th of July Celebration. Went very well by the way. I told Brenda as we were leaving Springfield from returning the truck the Packing Plant lets us borrow, "I haven’t seen ground to cloud lightning bolts that strong and bright and (wow) big, in a looooong time. You know, it isn’t really bright to drive into this thing.” She looked at me and said nothing. I knew what she meant and what we had to do. (trumpet sounds dum-dada-durum)Drive on….. her baby was alone and probably scared. Spoiled dog. Any way second round hit about 3, no damage, no power loss and well, now you know the rest of the story. Page….TWO.

Garry- Prayers for Shelley’s Mom.

Ulrich- Need I say more on the job front than what these guys have already said? No job is beneath you (well at 6’5”, I’m sure some are). You do what you have to do. Ken put it the best. The job does not make the man. We wish you the best, but it matters not what you do to make a living. No matter what you do, you are still Ulrich. The same guy we’ve always known. The same guy we call friend.

Welp, wanna get the Church work done, payroll week plus the proceeds from the pork chop sandwiches, then I have to go out to Mom’s house and check the basement and hope the drain tubes worked. If they did, after the rain we got last night ….should never have a problem again.

Best get movin now. I’ll be wanting a nap today for sure.

Ya’ll have a Great Day!!!

(two blasts on the whistle)

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. Laugh

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Posted by howmus on Monday, June 27, 2011 8:13 AM

simon1966

Howmus,

Regarding your Son's niece.  Having been in the EEG equipment field for a long time, I have a very good idea what this little girl is experiencing.  First of all, as you probably know the Children's Hospital at Strong is very well regarded, so she has access to some of the best care.  No doubt they have her on continuous EEG monitoring, more than likely with full video observation.   If she has any more seizures while being monitored like this, the physicians and staff will be very closely observing the EEG recordings and the synchronized video.   Their primary goal it so identify and classify the type of Sz she is having so they can determine the course of action.  It is at times like this that you begin to realize what a complex and not well understood organ the brain actually is.  In all likelihood they will be able to control the Sz, even if they can not cure them.   But until they have identified the cause and possible source of the Sz it will be hard to know. 

EEG monitoring looks much more scary than it actually is, the test itself does not cause any pain and is more irritating than anything else.

My continued prayers are with your family.

Thanks Simon!  Yes, Strong Hospital is THEE place around this neck of the woods to be if you are in trouble.  I'm hoping they will have some answers for the family soon.  And, I pray there will be a way to control what is going on.

You are in a fascinating field!

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

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Posted by simon1966 on Monday, June 27, 2011 7:58 AM

Howmus,

Regarding your Son's niece.  Having been in the EEG equipment field for a long time, I have a very good idea what this little girl is experiencing.  First of all, as you probably know the Children's Hospital at Strong is very well regarded, so she has access to some of the best care.  No doubt they have her on continuous EEG monitoring, more than likely with full video observation.   If she has any more seizures while being monitored like this, the physicians and staff will be very closely observing the EEG recordings and the synchronized video.   Their primary goal it so identify and classify the type of Sz she is having so they can determine the course of action.  It is at times like this that you begin to realize what a complex and not well understood organ the brain actually is.  In all likelihood they will be able to control the Sz, even if they can not cure them.   But until they have identified the cause and possible source of the Sz it will be hard to know. 

EEG monitoring looks much more scary than it actually is, the test itself does not cause any pain and is more irritating than anything else.  Here is a photo of one of my boys being used as a guinea pig for one of the systems I am involved with.

 

My continued prayers are with your family.

Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum

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Posted by howmus on Monday, June 27, 2011 7:42 AM

Mornin' everyone!

SLOW day here I guess....  Mornin' Bill.  Mornin' Lee.  Mornin' SFB...  Oh, hi Barry!  Didn't see you sitting way in the back.  Zoe, I'll have a short stack of blueberry pancakes, maple syrup, a side order of bacon, and dark roast coffee in a R&GV RR mug if you please.

Just got a call from the guy THAT runs the docent list for the museum.  The tour for this morning has been canceled.  glad they caught me before I headed out for a 100 mile round trip drive....  May head out to camp this afternoon to do some more cutting around tents.... 

Guess I'll check out the rest of the forum and finish my coffee.

Later!

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

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Posted by LSWrr on Monday, June 27, 2011 6:29 AM

Barry, the round house out here in Cleveland has something like the small crane you have in your picture. I understand they were very popular in engine service facilities back in the day.  I think the one here in Cleveland was built by Vulcan. They also have one that was used in track service.

 

My GF and I did about 12 hours of yard work on Saturday.  Sunday we did laundry and I assembled a BUSH corn field and worked on several locomotives.

BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret)
 L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes

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Posted by LSWrr on Monday, June 27, 2011 6:24 AM

Good Morning,

I’ve tried to keep up on posts this weekend, but just didn’t have the time to compose anything.

 

I feel fortunate I was able to serve 22.2 years in the military.  Pay was never that great in the service, hence why I’m working a 40 hour/week job after retirement. My kids are profound-severely hearing impaired and service pay and insurance never covered everything; hearing aids, audio trainers, batteries, ear molds, etc…  As an E5 I found an at home job doing piece work for a local printing company. I started by tying string to tags for clothing. It was only 1.5 cents per tag, but after about 6 months I got very efficient. One weekend I made $2K. I did a few quality control jobs for them.  I brought home sheets of cardboard tags, popped them from the giant sheets and bundled the good ones in groups of 12, discarding the bad ones.  This only paid .3 cents/tag but it was easy work right in my living room and I made $200-$300/day.  If you have the time and need a little money I highly recommend looking into it.

BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret)
 L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes

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Posted by blownout cylinder on Monday, June 27, 2011 6:13 AM

Hello?

Good Morning...I just got in myself...

My day yesterday was packed with interesting things...that had to be done...stuff to do ....in the office, at home, at neighbours home, at a clients home.....hefft!

Today it will be a few more things to do at the office, at home, at neighbours home...heeeft! pt 2

If there is any chance of traintime it won't be today eitherHuh?

Flo, I'll just have a coffee and a breakfast bagel please..I'll be at the RC for a bit...

I guess this was not one of Laurel and Hardy's better days...

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/

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Posted by steamfreightboy on Monday, June 27, 2011 5:52 AM

Wow, where is everyone this morning???? Only Bill has checked in!

Well, good morning all! The slag dump is all done, even with the little dude spraying the slag. All it needs is an excavator, but I am saving for a trip right now so I don't have the money to get one for it. I also painted the rock outcropping in the front of my layout. Might have pictures up later today.

Have fun, y'all!

sfb

"It's your layout, only you have to like it." Lin's Junction
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06/27/2011
Posted by wetidlerjr on Monday, June 27, 2011 2:28 AM

 

Good Morning ! from Tipton IN.

 

Bill Tidler Jr.

Near a cornfield in Indiana...

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Monday, June 27, 2011 12:00 AM

Hello .... It's good there have been so many diners this week end.

Ray ... It's hard to beleive a rivit counter can find anything to change on your machine shop. By the way, I recall reading all sorts of neat ideas in a poblication called Narrow Guage and Short Line Gazette when I was modeling the 1900 era 20 years ago. Also, Ray, still praying for your son's neice.

We're concerned because Shelley's Mom in Nashville was admitted to the hospital this evening, She has prior heart problems.

On my model railroad, I completed detailling all of my SD7's and SD9's consistant with CB&Q practice. I have 3 of each, and all are Proto 2000's.  The old Burlington had the second largest fleet of both models behind Southern Pacific. Now I am adding grab irons and other details to another Stewart F-unit. This one is an F3A (phase IV).

My model railaroad friend near here just completed a model of a Cadiz Railroad 4-4-0. This is a replica the first locomotive owned by the short line that once operated in this county.

On the subject of making extra money, I know several model railoraders have earned extra dollars in this hobby. There are several things from eBay selling to decoder installing. Robby here in the forum weathers freight cars to sell on eBay. None of the ideas is all the money in the world, but anything is better than nothing.  

 Regarding security guard jobs. My brother in law started with that job in a shoppong mall. He worked his way up, and now manages the entire mall.

 

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Sunday, June 26, 2011 10:08 PM

galaxy

 

When you are declared disabled, It is hard to pick up odds and ends. George W. Bush DID sign into law that SS disability people can earn up to $5,000 a year without risking their SSI or SSD and "contribute to their communities", but if you can do ANY work, they question either : 1} your abilities or 2} can you then work fulltime and go off the rolls.

When I was working up to $85 was allowed. Above that they took off $1 SSI for every $2 I made. While the extra income was a help the extra time in the hospital and the life threatening were of no help whatsoever.

 

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


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Posted by howmus on Sunday, June 26, 2011 9:31 PM

Evenin' folks!

Janie, just a decaf for me right now.

Today has been somewhat of a day of rest for me....  I got the Sunday paper in the house about noon after I got breakfast and did an old crossword puzzle.  I can always tell what day Sunday is because the paper comes early and is thicker than the rest of the week..... Whistling  Got an email from a rivet counting friend with more suggestions for the engine house, so I will be building a few more items for it.  He says the walls are too bare and the corners of back of the shop would never be bare like they are....  So, as per his suggestion I will be adding some "Spud Bars", a few Gandy Dancer's tools, some scratch built crates with new supplies inside, and some cone shaped, sand filled Fire Buckets on the walls (never had seen them before).  Learn something new every day.  I also just ordered some more Oil/Grease Barrels, Oil Highboys, a Drawer Cluster, an old style Crank Telephone for the wall by the door, some various fire fighting equipment, and a horse collar (left over from a few years before when horse teams were used to pull stone up from the quarry). 

BTW, for all you Rednecks out there, remember "Never relieve yourself from a moving vehicle, especially while driving.  Also, do not lay rubber while traveling in a funeral procession...."

My son's niece is still in Strong Hospital.  They are still trying to find out what is causing the problems with her.  She had a heart monitor and EEG going on all day today.  Tomorrow she will have a spinal tap, and some other tests......  poor little girl. Sad  Hopefully they will find out what is happening soon and be able to correct it.  Please keep her in your prayers!

I have to be out at the museum for a tour tomorrow quite early.  I may not get in here until mid afternoon or so.

Prayers for all in need (and there seems to be quite a few)!

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

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Posted by tcwright973 on Sunday, June 26, 2011 9:02 PM

We had a good day railfanning at our favorite spot on Norfolk Southern's main line between Pittsburgh and Conway Yard today. Seven trains in two hours, which is much better than it has been the last couple of weeks. Power was interesting today with a total of 17 engines comprised of 5 different models and 2 slugs. Two of the engines were in Conrail colors as well. They are becoming less common than they were evan a year or two ago.

Tomorrow will be busy as Monday is our shopping and errand day. We will start off with breakfast at our local diner, then grocery shopping. That's followed with the library, drug store, mall, Lowe's, and oh yeah, a ride out to my nephews house to water the vegtables and flowers as they are on vacation. And as is her usual practice, I'm pretty sure the wife will think of other places we absolutely have to go to before heading home.

Hope everybody had a good weekend. Tom

Tom

Pittsburgh, PA

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Posted by galaxy on Sunday, June 26, 2011 8:40 PM

jeffrey-wimberly

 yougottawanta:

Jeff - You are truly an inspiration. Is there any computer work you can do ? I have heard that some people transcribe stuff for doctors from their computers and pick up a few bucks?

 

There's nothing like that here. Doctors here have their own transcriptionists on staff doing the work for them. I used to do janitorial work part-time but that was when I could walk and it wasn't the kind of work my doctors want me doing. That leaves working in the wood shop but that requires being able to get around freely, so that's nixed too. That's also the work that kept landing me in the hospital most of the time.

When you are declared disabled, It is hard to pick up odds and ends. George W. Bush DID sign into law that SS disability people can earn up to $5,000 a year without risking their SSI or SSD and "contribute to their communities", but if you can do ANY work, they question either : 1} your abilities or 2} can you then work fulltime and go off the rolls.

I have high medical bills too, and high Prescription bills, and frequent hospitalizations SO I would not be "kept" as an employee either, UNLESS the employer wanted a "dasabled quota" and would hire someone disabled.

There are lots of things I might LIKE to do, but cannot physically do anymore. I have difficulty doing everyday tasks!!

No matter what your situation, there is always someone worse off than you..even when you are on welfare or disabilty. ANd neither is pretty from where Jeff and I sit.

-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.

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Sunday, June 26, 2011 8:28 PM

yougottawanta

Jeff - You are truly an inspiration. Is there any computer work you can do ? I have heard that some people transcribe stuff for doctors from their computers and pick up a few bucks?

There's nothing like that here. Doctors here have their own transcriptionists on staff doing the work for them. I used to do janitorial work part-time but that was when I could walk and it wasn't the kind of work my doctors want me doing. That leaves working in the wood shop but that requires being able to get around freely, so that's nixed too. That's also the work that kept landing me in the hospital most of the time.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


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Posted by Curt Webb on Sunday, June 26, 2011 8:08 PM

YGW- Yeah it is real easy to get caught up in all the day to day stuff and forget what is really important, but life has a way to showing  us what is. I had a health scare with MOH and it is amazing how all the BS just becomes unimportant. I am very happy your wife is doing much better. 

Curt Webb

The Late Great Pennsylvania Railroad

http://s1082.photobucket.com/albums/j372/curtwbb/

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Posted by cudaken on Sunday, June 26, 2011 7:24 PM

 Evening Dinners

 Flo, I will have a Shrimp Cocktail to start, Prime Rib Medium Rare, Tender of Onion Rings, Brussels Spouts, Salad and a Pitcher of Beer please, and give your self a 35% tip. But it on the New CEO tap. Heard he has deep pockets! Cool

 Darn Nat's I feel like the Battleship Arizona and it is December 7th.

 Work Front 6 weeks ago I would have called this a Bad Day, but with how it has been lately I am pretty happy with $1,700.00 in sales. Still going to finishes dead last but what are you going to do?

 Ulrich Believe I know what you are going through. While I have not had the education you have had I had a good career at one time. 20 years ago I was a executive, had a secretary (because I cant type or spell Smile, Wink & Grin ) company car was a Town Car, flew First Class, Company Credit Cards, and at one point in charge of 8 states and had the highest profit margin in the company. My take home pay after taxes was $3,800.00 and that was in the late 80's! I was up for a VP position, then the owner died.

 Then the company downsized and it been down hill from there. There have been some peaks afterward , but I have hit more valleys than I care to think of. So now I am selling mattress, am I happy I am doing it for a living? Well I do like reading and playing guitar! Big Smile But sure not the way I though my life would turnout even only 10 years ago. Much less worrying how I am going to pay my bills.

 Far as them taking your dignity, that they cannot take from you! You have to lose that your self. I still have mine, it is just in a lower tax bracket! Big Smile

 While I understand where you are coming from quite well I all so know the job does not make the man. I know you are a man, you stand up and do the right thing. That make the man, not the paycheck.

 I have all so been a security guard and as a whole I did enjoy it. No one to pester me, did not have to be nice to anyone I meet and in fact I could beat the stuff out of them. I could all so read and play the guitar. Hey I am doing that again.OK, have to be nice and tell the parents what sweet scream brats they have and wishes I could beat the stuff out of them!

 Well back to the railroad, time to install LED's in the F7 A.

                     Ken

    

 

I hate Rust

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Posted by Curt Webb on Sunday, June 26, 2011 6:55 PM

Evening All,

Flo I would love a piece of blackberry cobbler with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a coffee please.

Today was a good day. No Modeling done, but good never the less. MOH and myself pretty much moved all her sewing stuff into the sewing room (some odds and ends are left). This leaves the loft in my possessionWink. On the one side of the layout I have a 8'x10' area for me to work on projects in. I just finished moving some of my RR pictures around the room. Later in the week my Son-in-Law and I are installing a 10' Formica counter in the sewing room for her machines (four) to sit on instead of individual cabinets.

I did get under the layout and straightened up cords, loco net cables and generally got rid of the snake pit that was developing. My OCD likes neat.Whistling

Later in the week my son and I need to move all the furniture into the downstairs spare bedroom that is currently sitting in the room by the front door. He was house sitting for my daughter this weekend.

Hope everyone has a good night and those in need are in my prayers. 

Curt Webb

The Late Great Pennsylvania Railroad

http://s1082.photobucket.com/albums/j372/curtwbb/

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Posted by yougottawanta on Sunday, June 26, 2011 6:36 PM

Good evening all. Flo? Can I have a slice of lemon Pie and a cup of coffee.

Today things a little different than usual. One of the little princesses is sick. So I stayed home with her and MOH went to church with the other princess.So we slept in a little. Had some breakfast and then I spent the next four hours trying to repair the broken airgun. Good news , finally got it running. When MOH arrived home I went out got THAT weed eater started Surprise then helped MOH fix dinner- SWEET - she is getting better as each day passes. The girls are VERY glad mom is cooking again. Must say I am too.

Ulrich - so sorry you are where you are. I can tell you from some one who has an extremely bad year it does get better. While laid off I took a job as a bread delivery guy. Up at 2am at work at 3am. Worked to 3pm. and only brought hme five hundred a week. I think the grocery store managers were spawned in he!!. I will never have respect for another grocery store manager again in my life. Anyway. It has gotten better it just took some time.You also have some people here who think a lot of you. Chin up we are praying and pulling for you.

Galaxy - Wow that is one nasty root canal. Amazed to see you post such a spirited post.

Jeff - You are truly an inspiration. Is there any computer work you can do ? I have heard that some people transcribe stuff for doctors from their computers and pick up a few bucks?

Curt - I am sorry but the skunks just amaze me. I all most fell out of my chair when you said you feed them special "skunk vitamins" Where do you find skunk vitamins ? Who would have ever thought ? Oh let me tell you about my private space. We purchased a house with an unfinished basement that was a little bit of a fixer upper. Once I had things inj working order my wife and I made a deal. She could do anything up stairs if I could have half of the basement for my man cave. Well I installed a kitchenette, full bath,recessed lights three piece crown, two piece chair rail, wainscotting, flat screen TV,surround sound etc.. Well Mrs. comes down and decides this will make a great play area for the kids Bang Head. So I build a 12x20 shed thinking again, man space. After I finished building that she decides to start storing her garden and the kids stuff(bikes,wagons,tricycles etc...) in there Bang Head. One more attempt. I start finishing off the other side of the basement with train room in mind ,nope she has to have a hobby area herself, so I give her some more space and reduce the size of my intended layout. Now being tired of all the building and out of cabbage I gave up on the idea of a man space and settled down to the idea of having estrogen around me all the time. At first I was really torked. But after her getting cancer that went away.Now I am glad to have her by my side all the time. It is amazing how many "little  foxes" get into the relationship and how fast they go away when trouble hits.

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Posted by cats think well of me on Sunday, June 26, 2011 4:59 PM

Afternoon all, I'll take some Thai spicy rice balls, the uncooked vegetarian spring rolls and a tall glass of coconut milk in the smoking section please. 

Been working all weekend on preparing for a six-credit (college, finishing my BA) test I am taking Tuesday. In lieu of a class, I sign up for this test, I just need to study a lot in the meantime. My study habits are such that I wait until the last minute and go for it. As I had three months, I've only been really working at it for a week, that said I am putting myself in a positive mindset for it. Right now, I'm breaking from studying  with two very loyal cats at my side. 

I'm abandoning my '49 Crescent project and putting the passenger cars and diesel I acquired up for sale, so I can better focus on, and fund, my '49 Powhatan Arrow project. 

Alvie

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Sunday, June 26, 2011 12:30 PM

The remotoring of the Stewart U25B is going well. Getting the motor out was the easy part. I opened up an old Proto 2000 road switcher and after figuring out how the weight comes off I removed the motor, shafts and worms. The motor looks very similar to an A-Line Proto Power West motor. It had a pair of plastic mounting adapters already on it and would take the Athearn screw-down mounts with only a little modification. I had to trim the mounting adapter slightly so it would fit in the Stewart chassis. I then had to notch the adapter so the Athearn mounts could be added. I then had to shoe horn it into the chassis then put the mounting screws in from the bottom. It reminded me a lot of squeezing a big block Pontiac 400 engine into a Chevy Vega. I got the new motor in, attached the shafts, removed the Athearn worms from the Proto 2000 FA trucks and replaced them with the worms from the Proto 2000 road switcher making sure the spline shafts went together properly, snapped the Athearn worm housings  on and turned the motor the motor by hand to insure everything was working. There was no resistance, no binding and the wheels turn smoothly. And that's the point I'm at now. The next step will be to wire everything. That's going to be the fun part. The wiring will all be attached to an 8 pin plug for which I have a Digitrax DZ143 decoder. The photo below shows my progress thus far. The motor in the foreground is the one I pulled out of the U25B. Behind it you can see the Stewart U25B chassis with the new motor, shafts and worms in place.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: upstate NY
  • 9,236 posts
Posted by galaxy on Sunday, June 26, 2011 11:39 AM

howmus

Mornin' everyone!

Morning!  right back at ya Galaxy!  You seem to be in a cheery mood today.  Hope THAT means the tooth has quieted down for you.

Reading the posts about w*rk, I was fortunate to be able to ultimately get a Masters Degree plus a number of hours beyond.  ...

I learned very early in life there is no job that is beneath my dignity if it is honest and serves a good purpose in the community.  I am very lucky to have a good retirement income at least from all those years of w*rk and make no apologies for what I have (as it isn't THAT much, and I w*rked D@%& hard for it over the years).  I will also second or third those that have said how much respect they have for both Ulrich and Jeffrey.  You have had a lot to deal with over the years and are both good, honest, decent people whom I am honored to call friends!

I was just BEING cheerful. I wasn't even awake when I posted that.

I still have a headache, some discomfort,  and the nasty stuff is sitll draining down my throat so it is nauseus making.

I have worked as a teen doing lawns and early young man as a lawn keeper and a store clerk. I have also cooked in restaurants and unloaded trucks for a store for some odd years. I have also worked fast food and ALWAYS had at Lesat TWO JOBS at the SAME TIME all my working life. SO when It became apparent that I no longer functioned well as a healthy human being, I was forced to go on welfare for a little while before my disability was approved. I paid into the system all that time and now I am entitled to my share since I can no longer work.

I go hide in the corner booth and calm down now.

-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.

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: East central Illinois
  • 2,576 posts
Posted by Cox 47 on Sunday, June 26, 2011 11:04 AM

Good Morning All...Its cloudy this morning after storms last nite...Flash flood warnings just south of here...I'll have a Krispy Kream and coffee please...Thank You..

not much moving on the I&S today...Sallie and I are taking in free HBO watched 5 movies so far..

I never though I would end up not able to work back in 1992..It was hard to take SSI and all the other help..Sallie and I have a care giver that comes in 5 days aweek but at least we can stay in our own apartment..I count my blessings every day..

Well thats my 2 cents...You all have a good one...Jerry

ILLinois and Southern...Serving the Coal belt of southern Illinois with a Smile...
  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Sunday, June 26, 2011 10:31 AM

Sir Madog

I am in a somewhat low mood and up to nothing. It really gets me that, with all the education and experience I have, I am not able to find a job. I still can´t picture myself in a security job, clad in a fantasy uniform and "armed" with a flashlight. What kind of society is this, that puts well-trained, highly experienced and intelligent people into such type of jobs? One thing´s for sure, they took away all my worldly possessions, but they can´t take away my dignity.

I still wish I could just pack up and go away, but I am afraid I am already too old and too "penniless" to do that.

I know where you're coming from on that. I've been there myself. When you're at the bottom there's nowhere to go but up. There are times I look at my own situation and wonder 'What the heck happened!'. As happens with all of us there are big changes in life, some good, some bad. I;ve had some of the bad ones myself. I never considered the possibility of not being able to work, not being able to support myself, but it happened and I found myself ill-prepared to handle it. I lost most of what I had just as you did but through the help of friends and family I managed to establish a living zone I can deal with. I can't work anymore so income from that direction is out of the picture. SSI and food stamps are a big help. They pay the bills and groceries. I do what I can to help my parents (both in their 70's). It isn't much but it makes their lives a little easier and in return they help me out when I need it. I would love to be able to go back to work but that's not going to happen unless some kind of miracle occurs. You're still able to work and there is some work available. I would grab what I could get and hold onto it and make the best of it. In the meantime something else could come along.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Williamsville, ILL
  • 3,698 posts
Posted by TMarsh on Sunday, June 26, 2011 10:15 AM

Good Morning!! Coffee please. Lots of coffee. I’m starting at bottom of page 62. I may not get to the current page without a refill.

Ray- You son’s niece is in my prayers.

Partly sunny, with a high near 80

Fourth of July in Williamsville was canceled (we can do that due to the fact that we celebrate 9 days early. That way people won't say "you're late!" Brilliant, don't you think.) about 7:30 local time dues to the threat of a severe thunderstorm that never happened bearing down on us. It did rain and there was some thunder rumbles and some lightning at first, but no high winds. It looked pretty bad coming, but never really hit us, broke and went south I guess. Could have had the fireworks after all. However, really had no choice, if it had stayed together and hit us, it would have been too late to get the people out. When looking down at 50mph winds and lightning etc... in a park...better safe than sorry. Reshoot is scheduled for tonight, weather permitting. Of course tonight’s report reads,

A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.

Chris- Missy’s favorites are the half hour shows on Court Tv, or I guess it’s TruTV now, like Forensic Files, that Dominic Dunn show, FBI Files…, those type shows. Can’t think of the names of more right now, but those type shows supposedly taken from real files. She does also find “World’s Dumbest” somewhat intriguing from time to time. Seriously, if those shows are on TV she’ll lay there with her head up watching TV until she decides to lay her head down and go to sleep. Sometimes an hour. Most times just until the timer on the TV turns it off. If there is something else on, she looks at the TV long enough to see that what is on is not her shows, (seems to know the difference between shows and commercials too. Freeky)  then lays her head down to go to sleep. Spoiled dog.

steamfreightboy- Congrats on being named CEO of Kalmbach. You also missed the part about you have to buy PIE for all of us. Whatever kind we want. And Ice Cream.

Don’t know what I’ll do today as I haven’t been told.

I want to play with my trainset.

Ya’ll have a Great Day!!!

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. Laugh

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Finger Lakes
  • 10,198 posts
Posted by howmus on Sunday, June 26, 2011 10:13 AM

Mornin' everyone!

Zoe, I'll have a short stack of blueberry pancakes, a side order of bacon, and lots of dark roast coffee in a R&GV RR mug to start the day.

Morning!  right back at ya Galaxy!  You seem to be in a cheery mood today.  Hope THAT means the tooth has quieted down for you.

Currently 68°F outside here in the Finger Lakes this morning.  Still, not even a breeze, high humidity, and not even a hint of sun.  Probably not a good day to paint the shed....  Only going up to the low 70's today, so at least the air conditioner can stay off for another day.

I plan to continue to w*rk on the roof joists on the engine house.  May have a photo later.

Curt, glad to hear your friend is better.  Hopefully he will be able to keep it from getting to the point where surgery is needed.

Reading the posts about w*rk, I was fortunate to be able to ultimately get a Masters Degree plus a number of hours beyond.  Many, many times in my teaching career I didn't make enough $$ to be able to pay the bills with young kids and all the expenses we had.  We also lived frugally.  I still do.  I worked on my Fathers farm as a kid, shoveled manure, taught calves to drink from a pail (not a fun job) buried animals that died, learned to shoot vermin if they hung around the barn or made their home in the fields, dehorned calves with an electric dehorning iron, and many other unpleasant tasks.  I worked in High School and College on a Golf Course mowing, fertilizing, and spraying chemicals (some of which made me very sick for a few days).  Then got a job summers working for Rochester Telephone.  I was one of the "grunts" THAT wired Xerox Tower in Rochester one summer.  Graduated from Eastman School and got my first teaching job.  Made $6,400 that first year.  Thought I was rich!  Found very quickly I needed to make a bit more, so I hired on to the crew that worked the weekly Garbage Collection in the Trailer Park where I lived (Elba #2 and #1 - Galaxy may know). Then became a bartender and the Maitre D' at the restaurant.  Later worked as a Mechanic and Gas Jockey at a local service station, taught private guitar and voice after that.  Most of those jobs were at the same time as putting in 60 or more hours a week teaching (it is a lot more than just showing up for class).  At one time when I taught in Waverly, I had one full time and 3 part time jobs so we could pay the bills.

I learned very early in life there is no job that is beneath my dignity if it is honest and serves a good purpose in the community.  I am very lucky to have a good retirement income at least from all those years of w*rk and make no apologies for what I have (as it isn't THAT much, and I w*rked D@%& hard for it over the years).  I will also second or third those that have said how much respect they have for both Ulrich and Jeffrey.  You have had a lot to deal with over the years and are both good, honest, decent people whom I am honored to call friends!

Have a good one!

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, June 26, 2011 10:05 AM

Good Afternoon,

I am in a somewhat low mood and up to nothing. It really gets me that, with all the education and experience I have, I am not able to find a job. I still can´t picture myself in a security job, clad in a fantasy uniform and "armed" with a flashlight. What kind of society is this, that puts well-trained, highly experienced and intelligent people into such type of jobs? One thing´s for sure, they took away all my worldly possessions, but they can´t take away my dignity.

I still wish I could just pack up and go away, but I am afraid I am already too old and too "penniless" to do that.

Curt - I am glad your friend is doing better. I wish I could say that for my mother. There is no sign of recovery. I guess she has given up. Makes me very sad.

I have packed my layout away - I just don´t feel like doing something in that respect. I know it´ll change, but for the moment I am just not in the mood, with all my dreams seemingly going down the drain.

I am afraid I am not a good sport today.

 

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Sunday, June 26, 2011 10:00 AM

Good morning. It's 83° and it will be mostly cloudy all day. The high will be 94°.

Today I'll most likely be taking one of my Stewart U25B's apart. It originally had a Kato drive but the motor was dead. I pulled the motor and trucks and replaced them with Athearn components. The motor has turned out to be a dud. The locos highest speed is a crawl. I thought the problem could be the decoder but I did a reset on it and there's been no change in the top speed. I don't know if I have another hex shaft motor to put in it. I don't like the idea of putting in a blue box drive but what has to be done has to be done. It seems like the last year or two the motors I've gotten from Athearn have had serious quality control problems. I wonder how much trouble it would be to shoe horn in a motor from a Proto 2000.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


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