Time for me to call it a night. Did a little work on the layout today and replaced a popped decoder. I just happened to notice while the Frankenstein trio was running around the layout that the lead units headlight wasn't on. I pressed F0 on the controller to turn it on and nothing and then I noticed the locos wheels weren't turning. A Stewart F unit is fairly hefty but the other two locos were pushing it around the layout like it was a feather. The three of them together weigh four and a half pounds with the second unit being the heaviest. I never saw any smoke from the lead unit. But when I sniffed it I knew. No mistaking THAT odor! Took about two minutes to program the new decoder with the information it would need and about ten minutes to install it. Put the shell back on and back into service it went. Got a short video of the GP7's at the shop. No motion but there's sound.See y'all tomorrow.
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
Evenin' folks!
Janie, I could use a refill on the decaf, please.
Got 2/3rds of the lawn mowed today.... Should have mowed it a few days ago I think! Picked and had a mess of asparagus from the herb garden by the side of the house tonight along with hot chicken wings left over from yesterday and a baked potato for supper. Just took my sugar and it was right where I like it. I guess the last big piece of cake left over from the Meet on Saturday didn't hurt me after all.
Also spent some quality time down in the train rooms today. Cut and stained a couple hundred more HO scale ties and put down about 6 feet worth of them on a siding and a couple other spots. Started to get the rail on the siding on place. will finish tomorrow I hope. I also removed the throw wire from one of the Torti under one of the new Fast Tracks Turnouts that just wasn't throwing well and didn't seem to want to let me tweak it it to do so. It was replaced with a slightly heavier piece of piano wire. It now is working perfectly!
Getting pretty close to bed time for me, so I think I'll sign off for the night. Prayers for all in need!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Good Evenin'
Windy day up here..winds from the ssw to w at upwards of 55-60mph...all kinds of stuff be flapping around...
Everything got done today..did the eTax thing, paid some other bills, got groceries, got LHS supplies...
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/
Evening Folks!
Flo, Beer please.
Sea Monster You don't want to give up your Manly Chore of cutting the grass? Quick, go to a doctor and get a check up from the neck up! Personally I hate cutting the grass, even when I was young and health.
Work Front Just to give you the idea of fun I have. Dave was in the shop and did not see me, he yelled at the top of voices "Ken get back in the shop and do your job"! He assumed I was outside smoking. I was standing right behind him and said "Excuses Me"? No apologize and went on his way.
Shop Audit Seems last Saturday we had a visit from the Auditor and the store is missing 4 tires from back in February? He wants to talk to Keith again and me. So Tuesday I work from 2:00 PM till 9:00 PM, but if the Auditor comes in before I go to work I have to rush right in to be grilled. Fine with me, wire me up to a Polygraph (cannot believe I spelled that word right) I have not taken a thing from this company! I would give $50.00 bucks to be in the room if they wired up Larry! Bet it would look like the 4th of July then it would burst into flames!
See you all later.
Ken
I hate Rust
Flo - I'll have the soup of the day and a grilled cheese sandwich please, with a diet coke.
Bob
I have a Black and Decker 36 volt 18 inch cordless mower and it works great. It is not very heavy at all, certainly less than the old gas mower. The battery is built in. All you do is plug the mower into a regular 120v outlet between uses and away it goes. It will mulch or bag depending on your preferences. I studied the manual but I can't find out how many square feet it will cut on a single charge. I have about 2000 sq ft and it handles it just fine. I'm sure it would do much more. The battery seems to be pretty robust. After five months of storage off of the charger it fired right up and did not take the full 12 hours necessary for a full charge from a dead battery state.
If there are any drawbacks they are minor. For example, if the grass is thick you may have to cut a narrower swath or walk more slowly. The safety interlocks are a pain ( find the hidden button, push it, then pull the lever down to get the thing started) but heck, that is the modern over protective coddling age we live in. You have to do a head stand to see the recharging connection to plug the charger in, but hey what better way to keep your neck muscles limber eh?
Overall I am quite pleased with the mower.
Take care all
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Afternoon folks...
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/man-shot-dead-by-police-in-brisbane/story-e6freoof-1226330044827
The above story happens to be about a shooting today that was literally 200m away from home, less than a block. He was a friend of a friend, but I have to say I must back the detectives as they walked in to chat with him and he pulled a gun and pointed it at the detectives, so they fired fearing for their safety, tragically he was killed, but the police had no choice.
My mum drove past around 30 minutes ago and there is something like 30 police cars there. It is a sad state. Last week we had 3 murders by gun and now this...
Moving on, Today I picked up a new turnout to replace one in the yard which has died, now power routing, and a couple of flex track lengths.
Better get back to w*rk...only an hour to go.
OzJim
James, Brisbane Australia
Modelling AT&SF in the 90s
Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood Morning, thought I'd best poke my head in and say "hello and things" lest anybody fear I'd been blown away this now past weekend. Not to worry! All the bad stuff was in far western Iowa. The hospital I w**ked at (paramedic on the ambulance and in the ER) took a direct hit from an F-2 though (Creston, Iowa), I was doing a "virtual storm chase" via live internet scanner feed (Radio Reference.com) and about fell out of my chair when Union County paged-out the on-call crew to report to the hospital because "a tornado hit the hospital."
I was also watching live video streams from WIBW in Topeka, KS, monitoring long-track tornadoes heading toward Manhattan and my beloved Flush. All Kansanian relations turned out OK, no twisters.
Other than THAT, been busy with w**k stuff. Big Boss is gonna have a stroke when I turn in my hours for payroll on Friday, most I've had in a long time. THAT and he's decided to cut mileage checks once/month, and he didn't this last pay period so it "should" come with the next paycheck. I can hear him sobbing already.
Speaking of w**k, I'm putting together an article about a railroad crossing. There's a "gravel" road just east of Tiffin, Iowa THAT crosses the Iowa Interstate (IAIS). A new pedestrian and bike trail is right alongside the road. IAIS will eventually put in a crossing for it, AFTER the city agrees to put in crossing signals FOR THE TRAIL. Now the road crossing has flashers, gates and the electronic bell. Did I mention it is RIGHT NEXT to the trail? The trail is marked with cute little crossbucks and stop signs. Right next to the "real" crossbuck, lights, gate, etc. Seems the IAIS now insists on signalling every crossing. So, the city gets to pay at least $40k to put a pair of signals in. On the south side, it would be a signal, the trail, a signal, and the road. I guess "stop, look and listen" either isn't taught anymore, or just doesn't work. Seems like a waste to me...maybe I can get Todd Starnes or John Stossell to pick up on the story once I'm done with it.
I've got ideas on how they could signalize the trail crossing, much simpler and probably cheaper...but they never ask the newspaper reporter.
Been peeking in the take-out window here in the Diner, so have been more or less keeping up on things. Hoping for better health for those in need of THAT, better jobs for those in need of THAT, and better luck all-around for some others. I might not make it in as often, but I still offer up concerns for the crew.
Have a good, SAFE day everybody!
Chris
The Cedar cRapids Industrial Branch: Proudly Shipping Yesterday's CrunchBerries Tomorrow!
GOOD MORNING!!!
Today is Tuesday, April 17th, 2012!!!
Here I sit: fat, dumb and happy.
-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.
Good Morning All,
I currently have a Troy Built FWD push mower with almost 7hp engine that works great, got it almost brand new for painting the bottom of a boat. It starts on the first pull every time. The best mower I ever had for starting was a Sears Craftsman; a handle on top of the engine unfolded and you wound it up then pulled a trigger that released the spring to start the mower. Tonight’s mission is to cut the grass before the frost. My uncle had an electric mower that hovered. The blade was a tough nylon line, no wheels, a fan above the string hovered the mower deck. The whole thing weighed maybe 5 pounds. If you want to try out the Troy Built stop over and you can practice on my yard….
Yesterday it was 84F, today 53F; tonight we have a frost warning, and tomorrow will be 63-70f. I’m keeping 3-4 jackets by the door until the weather figures out what it wants to do…
I signed my 12 month work evaluations this week. 2012 Dec-Feb-Mar work load was the same as 2011 Jul-Aug-Sep workload. That says a lot when normally nothing is happening on the lakes in the winter. Replacing 1 RR Bridge in Wisconsin, removing 2 RR bridges in Wisconsin, 1 in NY, and converting one in OH to a pedestrian bridge. The other 72 projects are automobile bridges. So I guess I better get to work.
BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret) L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes
Good Morning
Nice and sunny out..coolish though..high supposed to be near 48F now....
Got some dethatching of the flower gardens to get to today as well as some other home related stuff...friend actually got sent home yesterday and is recovering quite nicely at home....
Have a good day people!
Chris: That looked scary on video!! Friend emailed me a few...
Good Morning! from Tipton IN.
Bill Tidler Jr.
Near a cornfield in Indiana...
Good morning, Chloe. A large coffee, please. My first patient is at 10:00, so I don't need to move as fast as usual on Tuesdays. I will have time for an hour swim before work.
Sue
Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.
Good Morning!!! Coffee and a sweet roll please. Thanks.
I don’t like the way the wireless mouse works. The keyboard works great, but the mouse is very touchy as it needs to almost point directly at the computer to work smoothly. May switch back to the wired one, but I do like not having any cords.
I’ve owned Chrysler products for the last oh, thirty some years. I can say that other than service items and normal wear and tear things like belts, tires, brakes, an alternator on one, and exhaust systems (except for the ’94 Ram I just got rid of which didn’t and still didn’t after 17 years), I have never had any issues with any. I still have the very first Mopar I ever had. The old 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner. Course it doesn’t run, but that’s my fault not the cars. And no, I’ve never had an issue with the old ballast resister. I take that back, I had one go out in the drive. But, I always carried an extra in the glove box because they were supposedly bad for quiting. Couldn’t prove it by me though.
Oh, we’re on mowers now. I have a John Deere J25 I think it’s a 25. Plastic "dashboard" with the model broke first year I had it and I took it off. Doesn't do anything but make the handle look more modern I guess. Anyway, it’s rear wheel drive, one of them faster you walk the faster it goes it stop when you do so no grab handle it off like a rocket jobs, and a one pull start. Even first start of the year with gas in the tank from last year. Mows like a champ and really like it. I also have a IH Cub Cadet 1250 that Dad bought new in the winter of 1977 and he gave to me before he passed in 2000. Kept it out at Mom's for few years to do her yard with until she decided it was too much of a burden on me and hired some friends son who was starting a lawn mowing service. Charged her cheap I'll have to say. Still runs, but is starting to puff some oil on start up and the PTO doesn’t want to engage when the motor is hot. But hey it’s worked every year for 35 years and is about due for something. It doesn’t get very good yarage per gallon, about a gallon to do our yard whereas the push mower uses less than a quart, so I probably won’t use it much this year. Still has the original tires on it too. Starting to get a bit finicky to start as well. There’s a guy in town here who collects/rebuilds old Cub Cadets, I may see if he still wants this one while it still is worth something. Hate to get rid of it, it’s more a family heirloom. Course our whole house has been filled with family heirlooms lately.
Hey Chris, glad you stopped in.
LEE!!! We had a mower like that wind up and twist the knob one you spoke of!!!!…..course I was like 7. But I remember it. I thought it was neat.
Well, Checked the bank acount on line and the checks to the IRS and the State have cleared so I suppose that means I've met the deadline for filing.
Today is my full day of w**k so I best get doin stuff around here until I have to leave about 9:30……Hey, us retired guys have to go at things slow. We may not get that nap if we’re not careful.
Ya’ll have a good 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.
Good morning. It's 62° and cloudy with a slight chance of showers in the morning. The high will be 72° with a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Feeling a bit fuzzy this morning. Can't concentrate and keep forgetting what I'm going to do. I had planned to do something with the Frankenstein F unit trio. It's right in front of me and I have no idea whatsoever what I was going to do with it. Nor do I have any idea about what I was going to type next.Not the same photo as yesterday but it's close. This one's an F7. Yesterdays was an F3.
Well, SAfelite is here to replace the windshield, about 90 mins to 2 hours to do, mostly waiting for the glue to dry. He just reached up and gave a few tugs to the rearview mirror and it came off...doesn't seem like it was on too good then.
With my back killing me at the moment, I told him if he needed anything to come bang on the door that I have to sit down. He said to bring out my chair and sit- he doesn't mind the company. I will pop in and out on him to see the progress...
Have the dishes done, more than a lot of 'em as I cleaned out the refridg-idator so I had a bunch of empty containers in addition to the dishes leftover from last night after dinner.
Will get started on some laundry have a bunch of towels to do.
I can amuse myself and pop out to check on him.
And Here I sit: fat, dumb and happy.
Italian roast coffee in a BURLINGTON NORTHERN mug, please.
***Jeffrey, understand all about brain fog. Haven't been able to fix it though. Good luck!
Have a great day all.
Rob
Good Morning All...Its sunny and 51 here....I'll have Biscuits and gravey and coffee please..Thank You...setting here listnening to the FireHouse Five plus Two on Spotify....I sure like their service...They have some great dixieland....Not much planned today...got make a run to store on my power chair...Here is a shot of Mattoon Yard on the new Illinois Central....
You alll have a good day....Jerry
Good Morning Modelers
Currently 42F and sunny here in the Mile High city. Nothing new to report so here is a photo that was just posted in my most current RRAdventures topic "Railfanning South of Town (2010)"
Darren (BLHS & CRRM Lifetime Member)
Delaware and Hudson Virtual Museum (DHVM), Railroad Adventures (RRAdventures)
My Blog
Hey, I remembered what I was going to do with the Frankenstein trio. I was going to check the wheels to see if they needed cleaning. Complete waste of time on my part. They're spotless. I've had trains running pretty much all day every day for the past couple of weeks. Ran my fingers over the rails a little while ago and got a barely visible gray smudge. That's GLEAM for you! I have three locos pulling fifteen cars. Only one of those cars has plastic wheels, a Tyco Diamond Chemicals tank car. All the others have metal wheels.
Morning All,
Just wanted to step in and say Hi. I will talk to you all tomorrow.
Take care.
Curt Webb
The Late Great Pennsylvania Railroad
http://s1082.photobucket.com/albums/j372/curtwbb/
Morning Fellow Dinners!
Flo, big cup of
Having phone problems again, Sue friend said she sounded like she was under water. Go figure, Phone problems with Charter!
Have not heard from work yet today, don't know for sure what time I am to go in. Besides having to go into meet the auditor about the missing tires at a unknown time, Dave did not have a schedule up? Just seems odd. Who knows it might be a set up to get rid of me.
Todd,as you know I still have my first Mopar, 1968 Road Runner. I got it when I was 17 and it had 43,000 miles on it. I think the first thing that broke was the Alternator at around 70,000 mile. Then I took the trans out at around 85,000 miles. Sure cannot complain, ran her hard.
Time to hook up my PR 3. My E7 is acting silly. Top speed is down to 33 MPH and I hear no odd noises. I wounder if there is a switcher speed CV I changed my mistake.
Mornin'..... Ah? OK, Afternoon folks!
Nothing for me right now Zoe, had breakfast at home. I'll grab lunch a bit later.
Already done at least a half day's w*rk and have little to show for it. Hopefully will finish the lawn in a bit, and then may head down to the layout.
Catch up with you all later.
Todd, I think that mower was for me to use when I was 7 or so also. I found them on the internet; I guess Sears sold them in the 1950’s and 1960’s.
Besides having to go into meet the auditor about the missing tires at a unknown time, Dave did not have a schedule up? Just seems odd. Who knows it might be a set up to get rid of me.
Ken - Good luck , Back in the early 80's I worked for a local convenince store here in Indianapolis. One night I was working closing shift about 8:00 pm dist. supervisor came in went into manager's Office & locked the door, went back to get the broom in the back room and heard filling cab. being opened. about 2 hours later he came out and told me that he was not there and to not say anything. Next morning I went in to pick up my check and the manager was in the office being fired,( Supervisor was known to not like women managers). Later that day I called the manager and let her know what happened ( I know a set up when I see one). A few day's latter I left for a better job. Otto
Thanks to all who offered their thoughts and opinions on battery operated lawn mowers: Johnboy, Howmus, CN Charlie, Cudaken, V8Vegas and Dave. Unfortunately I don't have a garage to wheel it into to recharge the battery, just a metal garden shed with no electricity near it, so the battery would have to be brought inside to recharge. I do have a 2-wheel handcart that I could use to carry it. Self-propelled is tempting. Cudaken, I don't mind mowing--my doctor says I need to get more exercise anyway.
My wife feels pretty strongly that we should get someone to mow the lawn for us and that's looking more appealing all the time. It's expensive, but so is $400 for a mower and I don't know if we'll still be here long enough to get our money's worth out of the investment. Neither one of us is in good health and moving to some kind of assisted living accommodations is definitely in our future.
..... Bob
Beam me up, Scotty, there's no intelligent life down here. (Captain Kirk)
I reject your reality and substitute my own. (Adam Savage)
Resistance is not futile--it is voltage divided by current.
Coffee refill, please.
Got the micro card for the little vid camera. Perhaps later this week I can test it out in the train room. Have farm stuff to do first.
Long day running errands and toe is bothering me now. Friend at the feed store tells me it's 8 weeks to heal in our age bracket. Could be even longer with my particular health issues. Yikes, that is a terribly long time for me to be good. I'll add a bunch more tape.lol
Hope y'all are doing well.
Good evening.
The Safelite guy did it in an hour and even vaccuumed the interior front and cleaned all the windows! The new windshield looks as if it isn't even there!
MOH's Birthday is tomorrow...53 big ones...trying to decide what to have out to eat if we do on the FIL's dime....
WEll did some laundry, did the dishes, will do more laundry now.
Here I sit fat, dumb and happy...
Howdy ... taking a short break. Looks like I will barely meet the midnight dealine for electronic filings.....
Galaxy ... Happy B'day to your MOH!
Back to work for me.
Cheers, everybody
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Went with my father today to a place in town for soup and a sandwich. I had Cajun gumbo and a Cajun roast beef sandwich on jalapeno bread. To be honest I've had hotter wheat bread. I couldn't taste any jalapeno and the only thing Cajun about the sandwich was the name. Tasted like an ordinary roast beef sandwich. As for the gumbo, it was a bit lean and tasted more like a thin beef stew with rice. The meal was fair but definitely not what I was expecting. Nothing done on the layout today except to check if the track needed to be wiped. Complete waste of time. Other than a very light gray smudge on my fingertips it's clean as a whistle. Other than the above I've been watching some TV and getting some rest.