Good Morning! from Tipton IN.
Bill Tidler Jr.
Near a cornfield in Indiana...
Morning guys
Got my final class paid for last night. It's on wenesday nights from 5 to 9.
I'm off today, so I get to watch some carpenters work on the 3rd (or 1.5th) floor. It wasn't bad, but my folks wanted to change the tile. In a few more weeks, new flooring will be installed in the 2nd floor (technically ground level). Wonder where my folks are getting all the money, they said they'd buy me subframes and a chin spoiler for my Mustang a few months ago. My tax return came in, so I could buy them myself. I need to buy need pads for the new brakes got for my car. I already painted the new brakes and they look slick.
Todd, Sorry to hear about your MIL. As for the staring girl, that seems to be the general consensus among the dinners who commented on that. I had a chuckle at the nose sausage part. I asked my boss and she said she stares at everybody. perhaps she goes both ways?
Ken, Check PMs
Garry, Nice F-units. The NP F3B matches one of the groups that became the first BN 703. I have a picture of it in my '72 motive power annual. The second 703 was a GN F3B, that was bumped down from passenger service, and the only BN F3B that made it into my modeling era. My F3B is correct for a class of GN F3B and it's also the right phase for the 2nd 703, but it needs the overhangs cut off and the DBs removed for the sheel to be right.
Vincent
Wants: 1. high-quality, sound equipped, SD40-2s, C636s, C30-7s, and F-units in BN. As for ones that don't cost an arm and a leg, that's out of the question....
2. An end to the limited-production and other crap that makes models harder to get and more expensive.
Tried to post at 5:30 AM, but thie site would NOT let me in or even come up on any thread!! I gave up trying.
So if you missed it:
GOOD MORNING!!!
Today is Friday, May 11th, 2012!!!
The weekend will soon be upon us!!
-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.
Morning All,
Sitting here finding it hard to get motivated today.
Ray- It's nice to hear your scholarship stories. We all see and hear so many bad things about youth today.
Ken- Good or you.
Cats- Glad the meeting went well.
Todd- Sorry for the loss of your MIL at least it sounds like it was quick and painless. Please give my condolences to Brenda. I have never heard of Nose Sausage before...I love it.
Everyone take care and prayers for those in need.
Curt Webb
The Late Great Pennsylvania Railroad
http://s1082.photobucket.com/albums/j372/curtwbb/
Happy Friday Modelers!
It's 42F and cloudy and only expected to reach the low 50's today with chance of rain for a few days now.
Coffee is again on me today...
- -
Darren (BLHS & CRRM Lifetime Member)
Delaware and Hudson Virtual Museum (DHVM), Railroad Adventures (RRAdventures)
My Blog
Todd: Sorry to hear of your MIL's passing. At least her battle is over. Now, as you said, the war begins.
Ken: Glad to hear that 'I am the Larry' finally got his. Guys like that usually do.
Good morning. It's 62° and wet. Rain and scattered thunderstorms. Some thunderstorms may produce heavy rainfall. The high will be 75° with a 90% chance of rain. Well I had planned to mow my parents yard today but that's been put on hold by the rain. It started at 3:30 this morning and hasn't stopped. It's supposed to increase to 100% for tonight and tomorrow. Danged grass is gonna go nuts!While rummaging through the closet I came across another Proto FA chassis complete with a working motor. If I can find another F unit frame I'll have a good start on building another loco. That'll give me something more to think about than the weather.
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
Todd - I am sorry to hear about your MIL´s passing. Please accept Petra´s and my sincere condolences.
Good Afternoon Gang,
it´s a hot and humid day, makes it difficult to breathe for me. Not my type of weather. Took my car to the garage this morning to get the tires changed. Each time I take it to the place, there is something to repair. It´s not going to cost a fortune if you have a regular income, but in my case any amount above $ 5 means trouble. I wish I could do without a car. This month, we have put only some 50 miles on the odometer, just the grocery & post office runs. A taxi for those trips would probably be cheaper.
This afternoon I am doing some research on the history of the Bernina Railway in Switzerland. It is amazing that those electric cars they bought at the opening of the line in 1910 are still in service. OK, they have been revamped a number of times, but it is good to know the Swiss don´t throw away things that easily. Thrifty people!!!
No news on the job front, other than having received another turn-down letter. There is only one open application left ...
Have a good one!
Morning Dinners.
Flo Coffee Please.
Todd Sorry to hear about Brenda's Mom passing. Hope it does not get real ugly over the assets.
Got up a little early and I am feeling it.
Later, Ken
Wonder where that came from?
I hate Rust
cudaken Wonder where that came from?
So Ken has Jeff's steamer? There's a 007 joke in there somewhere
I have been looking through the pictures I could find of BN F7s and found one I really like, and has several good reference shots (including a roof shot):http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locopicture.aspx?id=76311Looks like a phase 1 F7 with a single light. I like that it has DBs and a plow. Looks like the overhangs were cut down, so if I get a Phase 1 F7 with single light and DB I'd be set I'd probably have to sand it down.
Jeff, you found a P2K FA in your closet? You wouldn't by chance have any unsued stewart F-unit shells or whole units in there?
Packer Jeff, you found a P2K FA in your closet? You wouldn't by chance have any unsued stewart F-unit shells or whole units in there?
Hi guys,
Todd,,, our thoughts and prayers and a special prayer candle lit for your MIL's passing...
Well, Safelite just left here aftrer replacing the replaced windshield from last month. It had a tiny 1/2 inch long horizontal defect in the glass...right in the view of passenger's vision field. SO they replaced it. The "boss" at the locla shop finally got an angle on it so he saw it adn decided if it was bothersome to us, he'd better replace it. He also siad he never had anybody ever complain about such a small defect. Well, yesterday when he looked was an over cast day,As I told him, it stands out and glares right in the passenger's field of vison!
Well, We will investigate a local Credit Union to join. Not sure we want to change banks. but will join to start better IRAs at and turn not-much-paying Gov't bonds into a CD with a better interest rate than our bank offers! Now in our 50's and not having anything saved, I have begun saving 10 % of MOH's net paychecks to see how we do. Not much yet, but will add up. Then If we can do it the rest of the year, we can then try 20% net take home next year, then the following year we will try 25% of gross income and see how it goes. Wishful thinking. Now as long as I cna get us out of debt by then will be a miracle! If not,along the way may take savings to pay off bills.either way, the saved money won't go to waste.
Beautiful day but now is windy so the wind chillis something.
Been watching only the lower TV channels as next tuesday the higher bargain channels will go away. SOme hours it's boring. TV is always on for background if nothing else.
Well, going to lie down for nap,have a mild headache.
have a great afternoon!
See you all later tonight, off to a Larry Free Work Zone!
Ken
Aaaarrrrggggghhhhh! Been one of those days so far. making progress but this is the first I've had to stop by. I am multitasking even so at the moment.
Todd, my condolences to your wife on the loss of her Mother. I'm glad she went peacefully though. There is a time, so I'm told, when a person just gives in to the inevitable and goes easily. My prayers for your whole family as they go through the passage and all the "fun" that now happens. May it go better than you hope!
I finished the Draft of the Dinner Program early this afternoon and then went to download an upgrade to Acrobat Standard..... Nope! Don't make the "Standard" one for the Mac... Everyone using the Mac would want the Pro version as the Mac is used where people do Pro w*rk I guess.... I also can't do an upgrade as my old version was Acrobat 6. They only want $450 for the Pro version for the Mac.... Maybe after the Roof is paid for! So I can't send the others on the committee a PDF of the Program for proofreading. I'll get printed copies out to them as much as possible.
Galaxy, the Credit Unions are just a whole lot better than Commercial Banks in most every way IMHO. I don't and won't ever do business again with a commercial bank. And it's not just about the interest rates there either!
Back to multitasking!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Todd ... I'm very sad to hear about Brenda's Mom. Prayers for your family.
Ulrich ... The Swiss railway looks interesting.
Ken .... Glad to hear the troublemaker at work is gone. I hope work is very fun without him.
I keep seeing the MTH ad for the NP F7. Tempting, but expensive.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Afternoon All,
Today I plastered, painted, and weathered service leads. I was going to start putting down ground cover (cinders) but my back said no, so that is next weeks project.
I talked to MOH and I convinced her that I should pre-order the BLI pre-war K4s, H-10 (2-8-0), and 4 pack of PRR K-7 stock cars. Of course this is spread out over the next year if on time (fat chance). I told her I would do OT shifts to pay for everything, but my wonderful beloved wife said no, we will take out money every week, and if needed I could do OT. Did I ever tell you all how lucky I am.
Garry- Great photo in WPF.
Everyone take care.
*moves over to the rivet counter* Akk, I think I may have wound up making a mistake on my F-unit project. I just put in an offer on a late Phase 1 F7 for modeling BN 668 Given 668 was built the same month that production changed from Phase 1a (early) to phase 1b (late). Then I this picture, with a open hood door:http://www.locophotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=16968
Looks like the open hood door is square, which would make it an early phase 1. Luckily it'll match some other F-units. Maybe one of which will have the plow (which looks pretty cool IMO)
Garry, I'm still iffy about MTH since they were kind of like BLI about their diesels (generic, no prototype specific details) and because of DCS's unfriendliness to DCC. But they seem to be changing that on their GP35, and newer locos that are DCC ready. I would be tempted by a Q or GN GP35, but I have 2 athearn RTRsI have to spruce up first.
Ray, can you port that draft to another program, perhaps word or whatever Mac's equivalent is? I guess printing would work.
Curt, I wish my folks were 1/4 as suportive as your wife. If a $5 frieght car shows up, I get griped at... I'm fearing what happens when the F45 and SW15 show up next week...
Jeff, so you found an unused stewart/kato F9? Very tempted to make an offer there. How much of the end door is cut out? I could probably rebuild it from styrene (diapragms would hide it, but are wrong for my era). The coupler bracket is no problem since I'd replace it with the Kadee one anyways. I'm probably gonna wind up getting 2 F9s from someone else, so it could be useful.
Me again....
Chloe I'll have a cup of hot chocolate to tide me over to dinner and a seat in the front booth to see what's going on outside.
I managed to get almost half the lawn done before running out of charge. Lawn is still thick and growing like crazy. I'll get a bit more done before dark. Just set up the page for printing the actual Scholarship Certificates. I used to use a bunch of 3rd. party fonts that were excellent for things like this on the old G5 Mac... They all went to the recyclers along with the G5 a few weeks back...... Of course I only have about 150 or so Typefaces on the iMac to choose from..... Around 200 if you include Hebrew, Braille, Chinese, and Japanese.....
Packer, nope, can't directly port InDesign to Word or other programs like that. Word is not a Publishing Layout Program... Way, way beyond anything you can do in Word... I use Word for typing letters and reading stuff other people send to me.
Curt, I was going to thank you earlier for your kind words about what we are doing for kids. Our Keynote Speaker this year is again one of our Scholarship Winners from a while back. She was just a a baby when I first moved to Geneva. Her Father was a 6th. Grade teacher in the same building and lived just around the corner. We used to car pool to work the first couple years. He ended up getting his Administrative Degree and became the Vice-Principle at the same building and later became principle of another building here. He also was Asst. Superintendent. Jennifer is a kid who didn't have much choice but to turn out right... (Pun intended) Her Bio is below:
"Jennifer L. Wright, an associate in the commercial real property group at Harter Secrest & Emery LLP, in Rochester, NY, is our featured speaker at tonight's dinner. Ms. Wright, a graduate of Geneva High School in 1998, attended Gettysburg College where she graduated Magna C(word that can't be used) Laude in 2002. She then attended Georgetown University Law Center graduating in 2005, at which time she moved back to the area. Ms. Wright is on the Board of Directors of Rise Up Rochester, a not-for-profit organization which provides support to families who have lost loved ones to homicide. She also participates in the Lawyers for Learning Program of the Monroe County Bar Association which is a program where lawyers in the City are paired up with a student at School #29 in Rochester, where she acts as a mentor and tutor."
Last years Speaker has done very well also. She is the reigning Miss Virginia State University. Info about here can be found here: http://www.ebony.com/campusqueens/46/ She was one of my true favorites back when she was a sweet little 2nd. grader in my music class! She is an absolute Class Act!
Later!
Good Evening..
Welp...get the dang bone scan thing done this morning..now I'll wait and see what transpires... All I know is is that there better not be a phone call from an oncologist telling me summat is up...
Ray: The stuff you guys are doing is really something else...
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/
I hope things work out Barry, I know what that wait can be like. My wife and I went through it back in 2003 except it was a Hematologist we had to wait for.
"I think I may have wound up making a mistake on my F-unit project. I just put in an offer on a late Phase 1 F7 for modeling BN 668 Given 668 was built the same month that production changed from Phase 1a (early) to phase 1b (late). Then I this picture, with a open hood door:http://www.locophotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=16968
Looks like the open hood door is square, which would make it an early phase 1. Luckily it'll match some other F-units. Maybe one of which will have the plow (which looks pretty cool IMO)"
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh yes, the joys of modeling "diesely things" as RAY calls 'em.
Good evening, triple cheese burger and...what? No, not "Swiss" cheese. I realize we're in Swiss-er-land, but....geech!
Anyhow, VINCENT: Railroad shops do all sorts of things to the locomotives, for so many reasons. "Phases," a modeler's designation, I'm told, mean little or nothing if the RR adds louvers, blanks-out/plates over, or otherwise relocates or replaces something.
Here's a case in-point:
Now son, you tell me what "phase" of GP-9 THAT is...
"Luckily it'll match some other F-units. Maybe one of which will have the plow (which looks pretty cool IMO)" There you go...attaboy! Now you're getting it. THAT's the "path of least resistance." I'd dig through the photos and find a unit THAT is a "pretty close" match and make minor modifications if I couldn't find an "exact match."
Oh, and good luck with the staring girl at w**k. Might be five kinds of crazy. Might be a dream come true. You can't lose if you don't play...
CUDAKEN: Did I hear you right? The guys at "I am The Larry's" new shop set his cycle and truck on fire? Seriously? Dang Hoss...THAT's hardcore.
TODD: Sorry to hear about Brenda's mother, it sounds like a difficult time is going to get even more difficult. If the Evil Twin gets too uppity, you could always flick a nose sausage at her...
Well (down a little, toads still very happily basking in the abundant sunshine today), RERUN is insisting THAT it is time to go decorate the yard, so will move on down the line.
Chris
Oh yeah, an update: Not long ago, I mentioned a bike/pedestrian trail alongside a road. Both cross the Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS). The city engi-nerd followed the MUTCD manual. IAIS said "not good enough." Now the city has to come up with at least $40k to put up two additional flashing light signals...
The city thinks it will get some Metropolitan Planning Organization money. THAT's fed money given to the state DOT, which gives it unto the MPO to disburse via a competitive grant process. So, you's guys could be buying RR crossing signals to keep idiots from getting smeared all over the front of an IAIS Dash-9. The City of Tiffin, Iowa thanks you... Especially since the Iowa Dept. of Transportation (IDiOT) wouldn't finance them, but paid for the road crossing's signals. Some Federal reason why...
The Cedar cRapids Industrial Branch: Proudly Shipping Yesterday's CrunchBerries Tomorrow!
Good Evening, a meatball sub for me.
My new F45 6633 and SW15 302 came in. The seller of both didn't know the F45 already had a decoder, so that's a plus for me. I stuck my soundtraxx non-sound decoder into the SW15 since athearn had the beacon wiring in it already. For my SW10 394, I'm gonna install a soundtraxx sound decoder and use one of the SMDs I got from a fellow forum member, after some McGivering in the wiring (bypassing athearn's 1.5v output on it's boards, to light the beacon.
Chris, I'm going to guess it (CNW 4XXX) is a phase 2, by the lack of a lower louver set under the first 2 louvers closest to the cab and the lack of the 48" fans used on the phase 3 model. The other hood doors may have been re-arranged. If you're wondering, I looked to my P2K GP9s (phase 1s and phase 3s) for refference. FWIW, BN stuck the plow onto 668, it never had one as a GN unit, so I know what you mean by shops doing wierd things. I don't think IAIS has Dash-9s, but they did buy ES44ACs (which look the same). I thought the RR's paid for the grade crossings, guess the government does too (with our money)
Barry, Hope nothingbad shows up on that bone scan.
"Chris, I'm going to guess it (CNW 4XXX) is a phase 2, by the lack of a lower louver set under the first 2 louvers closest to the cab and the lack of the 48" fans used on the phase 3 model. The other hood doors may have been re-arranged. If you're wondering, I looked to my P2K GP9s (phase 1s and phase 3s) for refference."
VINCENT: You're probably right about THAT geep being a "phase 2," but my reference info doesn't list THAT. However, the CNW 4543 has 36" fans. She was built in May of 1957 and originally CNW 1727. The famous Oelwein, IA shops chopped her nose and rebuilt her to a "GP9R (rebuilt)" and gave her the new number of 4543 in 1979. Late in her career, she spent time on the East Iowa Wayfreight and kept having over-heating issues. So, some genius, probably the MIC at Clinton, swapped around the hood doors to try and ventilate her a little bit better.
Also, the more I think about it, the IAIS diesely things ARE ES-something somethings. They all pretty much look alike to me anymore. I used to be good at spotting EMD products (1980s and 1990s). Anymore, I couldn't tell you an SD-70 ACE from an SD-80 or SD-90 MAC.
"I thought the RR's paid for the grade crossings, guess the government does too (with our money)." The entity desiring to cross the RR's tracks is on the hook for the crossing and signals. I guess the RR sees it as if someone or something wants to cross the property, then they (the entity wishing to cross) oughta pay to keep themselves from becoming pink goo. The state DOT ponies up bucks, of course a lot of THAT money comes from the Feds. In the case of the IAIS, they have a contractor assemble the signals and install them. THAT's part of why they don't have a final price yet, the contractor has to spec-out a pair of basic signals, plus install, etc. Then, the contractor will bill the IAIS, who will then send the bill to the City of Tiffin to pay.
In this odd case, IDiOT paid for the road signals, knowing a trail was going in, but some Federal restriction prevented them from paying for the trail's protection too. The city did what is mandated, but the RR says "you buy signals, or we won't put in the crossing." So, some $40K later, there will be signals for the trail too. And some jack wagon will STILL get turned into pink goo by an IAIS ES-44-something or other. I just hope it isn't the Rock Island "heritage" unit...oh well, it all washes off easily enough I guess.
Oh, and back to the CNW geep, according to "Diesels of the Chicago & North Western" by Paul K. Withers... "Although EMD had switched to 48-inch roof fans on post-October 1957 GP9 production, C&NW units were built with 36-inch fans." I guess THAT means a Geep 9 could have "phase three" details AND "phase two" spotting features too... Yowza.
For my diesel projects, I get as many photos of a particular unit, then try to get as many details "right" as I can without having to do major surgery. Each one of my three GP15-1s has some "error" THAT I didn't catch (or care about) at the time I built it. I keep intending to go back and "fix" the "glitch," but then it gets back-burner-ed on the stove in my mind...until I look at them and have caniption fits about "why didn't I FIX THAT?!?!?!"
Model railroading: a peaceful, relaxing, rewarding hobby...
Packer Jeff, so you found an unused stewart/kato F9? Very tempted to make an offer there. How much of the end door is cut out? I could probably rebuild it from styrene (diapragms would hide it, but are wrong for my era). The coupler bracket is no problem since I'd replace it with the Kadee one anyways. I'm probably gonna wind up getting 2 F9s from someone else, so it could be useful.
Had a bad wind storm come about 11:30 this morning. Knocked out power and cable service. Power was back on at 11:34. Cable was out until 8:10 this evening. No excuse for that! <<<WARNING!!!! RANT FOLLOWS!!!!>>>There are lots of people out here who have their phone service through Suddenlink, the cable provider in this area. That means for about eight hours these people had no phone service unless they had cell phones to fall back on. And what about those with alert systems to get help if they fall or need assistance? What are they supposed to do? Every time I start thinking about this I want to hit something. It just ticks me off that they wouldn't have some kind of fall-back system in place. <<<END OF RANT!!!!>>>I went down tocheck on my mother a few times. She was one of those with no phone service. She has a cell phone but wouldn't you know today was the day the battery decided to die. The charger is in the next room and she has a difficult time getting around so it didn't get put on to charge until someone else plugged it in. Other than that I've been watching TV. I have a satellite dish so I don't have to look at a blank screen when the cable is down. It was too wet to do anything outside due to the rain. It's looking like we'll be getting more rain tonight. I'm looking at the weather radar at a storm system coming across east Texas and it looks like it has us in it's cross-hairs. If it's anything like the one we had this morning, oh boy!.Hope everyone else is having a better day.
Still looking at that storm on the weather radar. Time for me to get out of here. See y'all tomorrow, IF the cable isn't knocked out all day again.
Evening Fellow Dinners!
Flo, Beer please.
Work Front Pretty boring today, went 2 hours with out a customer or phone call. Saw Keith today, when he was turning in his uniforms. (person I Am The Larry got fired when he was trying to frame me) He is waiting to hear back from unemployment if he will get his funds. If he does not and has to have a hearing I told him I will tell the judge what I know. Yea, it could cost me the job, but you have to do the right thing!
Chris Personally I think he got of lite. Pun is intended. In the short time I knew the Son Of a female dog he.
1 Lied to customers.
2 Jacked up a all ready high mark up.
3 Stole my commissions.
4 Took money out of the cash drawer trying to get me fired. (nights I was closing)
5 Hit on female customers.
6 Fired employees just because he did not like them.
7 Harassed me trying to get me to quite. ( I stood up to him )
8 Tried to cover up a honest mistake by using my password ( so he would not lose any commission ) and frame me or Keith. Not sure which one of use was his true target. Or was it just to keep from losing $30.00 or so.
You know, I hate to say it. But if I was 30 years old and not older and wiser (read that fat and out of shape) I would have WORKED IT OUT ON HIS HEAD.
Well, I hope this is my last I Am The Larry Rant! Sad thing is if he would use is skills for good he could go far. But he went to the Dark Side.
Night all, Ken
5
Good Morning, it is Saturday!
Today is Saturday, May 12th, 2012!!!
The weekend is here!!!
Yippee Horay!!!
{what Kind of drugs am I on?}
Chris wrote: Oh, and back to the CNW geep, according to "Diesels of the Chicago & North Western" by Paul K. Withers... "Although EMD had switched to 48-inch roof fans on post-October 1957 GP9 production, C&NW units were built with 36-inch fans." I guess THAT means a Geep 9 could have "phase three" details AND "phase two" spotting features too... Yowza.
uuummmmmm Chris... were those GP9 units done during the changeover? That got my attention right away... I'd loved to have seen the production numbers of those things...oh...and BTW...I have a few GP15's here that I fell over with a few errors as well...sigh...
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And a Good Morning to you all...
A certainly sunny start to our morning here..high getting all the way to 74F
I'm up and getting stuff already started for the weekly yard sale hunting again..apparently some people in our neighbourhood got it into their noggins that this would be a great start to the yardsale season..hence...up and all energetic here
We had an interesting day in London ON..a child molester/killer will be sent behind bars for the rest of his life for the molestation and murder of Tori Stafford. And, across the street the London Knights put away the Hamilton Ice Dogs for the OHL championship...and a berth at the Memorial Cup....
Well, better get going here..have a good'un!!!