Good afternoon, so we're in "Swiss 'er land" 'eh? Neat. Maybe I can pick up some genuine "Swiss cheese" for Rerun while we're here.
I don't want to stir up anything over the whooping cough issue, and I generally ignore "news" from outlets with a "B" as their second initial... THAT said, the Clear Creek Amana (CCA) school district (my assigned beat) had enough pertussis (whooping cough) cases confirmed THAT it sent a letter out to all of the parents: how many cases, what to look for, what to do, what not to do (panic, for one thing), etc.
Naturally, they didn't seek out me or my "media outlet," so I haven't heard the exact number of cases. The Middle School principal confirmed they'd had "a few" cases in his building. But, no mass vaccination clinics, nobody running around in gloves, masks or moon suits. The schools haven't been locked-down and encapsulated in large bubble tents with 'quarantine' signs...
Far from "epidemic" proportions to be sure, but it is out there. Silly me, I thought it had all but been wiped-out. Guess not. Maybe people stopped getting the DPT (Diptheria (sp.), Pertussis, Tetanus) vaccine for their kids?? Probably the same parents who didn't get MMR (Measels (sp), Mumps, and Rubella) shots for the kiddos who then go to community college for a health-sciences program and are denied access to a) the program, and b) clinical rotations because they don't have all of the required (CDC requirements, maybe OSHA too, don't remember) vaccinations.
All THAT said, I get to interview a chiropractor who just recently hung out his shingle in North Liberty. He's among the "don't even think about vaccinating yourself or your children!" crowd. *sigh* I'll ask him why he thinks THAT way, he'll tell me about all of the terrible things in vaccines. I'll report his opinion as his opinion, and privately agree to disagree.
W**k has kept me busy of late, RR projects on the w**k table now have a lovely layer of dust upon them. Thanks to the arrival of a partial order from Walthers, some "needed" parts have shown up for the CRANDIC SW-something project, and a re-build on a CNW GP-50. Now, I just have to have time to do something with this stuff. Gee, maybe by the time I can spare some bucks for the next Walthers order, the "out-of-stock" stuff will be back "in-stock." One can hope, I 'spose.
One good thing about today, no assignments in Iowa City (Das People's Demokratik Republik of Iowa City). I'm not sure which they're celebrating more there today: Marx' birthday, or one battle in Mexico's Revolutionary War. My guess would be Marx' birthday. After all, it's very "forward" of them...
Well (full from recent soaking rains, frogs and toads are very happy little campers), I'd best get back to the w**k I'm 'sposed to be getting done today: a business feature on a new cafe' in North Liberty and some kind of article about some really awesome high school kids trying to show middle school kids THAT they don't have to: drink, party, fornicate, chew, smoke, toke, etc., etc., etc. to be cool.
What's the Swiss word or words for "seeya later?"
Chris
By the way, I still have some surplus buildings needing a new home. *hint hint* *nudge nudge*
And, a parting thought/shot. I found a bunch of Pacific Rail News magazines at Train Life.com. They had a bunch of CNW news from my time frame. In 1987, when the following pic was shot, the 950 was the only "original" SD-45 running on the property, with the rest of the 45's parked due to a downturn in business. Lucky me, I caught her on a westbound empty coal hopper train in the summer of '87.
The Cedar cRapids Industrial Branch: Proudly Shipping Yesterday's CrunchBerries Tomorrow!
Got my Walthers Flyer in the mail today. I was just glancing through it when I came across the new SD9's. They look really good but at $189.98 for standard DC ($289.98 for DCC/Sound) I won't be buying one anything soon nor anytime in the foreseeable future. The manufacturers must think we all have money falling out our butts.
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
Good day!
I worked this morning, second job on weekend mornings, and that went well enough. I borrowed a car from a friend, returned it back to original spot, than realized after I got home, I'd left my laptop bag at their house, so I walked back, it's a short walk, grabbed it and just left for home. When home, I grabbed some lunch, fridge-raid plus creativity equals lunch of course, and went to an event downtown featuring local, live music! Something I love doing occasionally. And for more art and culture, I have a ticket for Madame Butterfly at Franklin and Marshall later tonight. I've read about the show before and know it's famous, and heart-breaking, but had never seen it, so tonight's the night that last part changes!
On the MR front, there is very little to report, I have about a dozen freight cars without couplers and after another paycheck, I'm making sure they're not without a way to connect to the other freight cars. A few kits have yet to be built, but overtime I'll change that too!
A couple weeks ago, I helped a friend consolidate stuff from 2-storage units into one, and while she went through one drawer there were two double action airbrushes and a compressor! I'm selling one airbrush, an Olympus, and keeping the other, a Paasche VL with 1-3-5 tips, plus the compressor, also Paache! I've fixed up the VL and started practicing creating smooth, consistent lines on some cardboard before I move to junker piecess. I can't wait to use it to weather my freight cars and steam engines!
-Alvie
I'll have this...
Bill Tidler Jr.
Near a cornfield in Indiana...
Well,
The weddnin' was great. The weather was cloudy until right before the outdoor ceremony started under the pergola in the north-western corner of the north-east garden in the north back 40. When we gathered by the pergola, the sun came shining through! Not a hot sun as there was a gentle breeze to offset the heat. I, of course, wore my air-conditioned {hole filled} wicker dapper chapeau. The weddnin' party had Christian, Native American and Jewish influences in the ceremony, along with arias and noted songs of ceremony sung by volunteers. The stomping of the glass was a troublesome spot, but otherwise it went without a hitch, well, except for the faux pa of mixing up the banded rings! The Hitchin' at the Hitchin' post of the Hitchin' parties was the only other hitch that there was!
The ring bearer boy {2 going on 3, note} was unsure of how to lead the procession, until MOH jumped out into the aisle {a trusted member of the "family" that surrounds this little boy} and urged him to "come hither" with his pillow, which the cute but active toddler was all to eager to give to MOH rather than carry it up and deposit it on the altar under the pergola! Likewise the flower girl, all of about 9 or 10 wasn't so sure how to "spread flower petals for the weddnin' parties to trod on. MOH kindly motioned the directions with the "come hither" motions when it was her turn.
The parties from NYC, in a chartered bus, arrived almost "fashionably late" but early enough in time.
The Manor Mansion house fairly shined wiht the efforts of the cleaning crew, who doubled as the catering/serving crew. The head housekeeper is meticulous in all her extra efforts to maintain a clean house wiht all the trafic to and fro. She was even seen wielding a Dyson contraption wisking away dirt from the room sized oriental rugs.
Food was delicious, though MOH wasn't impressed. I tried a small helping {I emphasize small as there was a lot to try} of each, save the Seafood Newburg, as shellfish and fake lobster and crab meat and I don't get along so well. There was wine of all sorts and soft drinks for those who choose to imbibe with their favorite under the big tent. After the first dance and toast, MOH got me on the dance floor {which I am loathe to do} but I humored. I also insisted we dance with each of the weddnin' parties! Tired, and well, near deaf from the LOUD music, and my back not liking me much, we bowed out gracefuly and exited stage right. provided by the DJ, who tried in vain to get anyone to take him up on his karaoke, but found no takers by the time we left.
The seven {yes seven} cakes sort of stole the thunder away from the floral arranging MOH did for the ceremonies, so MOH is a bit miffed. The cakes were beautiful, but once cut were as dry as a cattel head in the death valley heat! SO MOH was "vindicated" somewhat. We both declined to taste such carbord offerings.
The Weddnin' party has been together for 10 years, 2 years shy of MOH and I. We figured it was about time they got themselves hitched. I knew both parties separately long before MOH did, who. of course, met the weddnin' parties through me. I had nothing to do with bringing both parties together, though, so I can take no credit there, and seek to take none..
Now home and out of stuffy suit of dress clothes {which I used to love to wear, but now can't stand and only wear once every 5 years it seems} I am in comfy clothes with a cool can of seltzer water-pomegranate flavored, mind you.
Ah, the respite of rest bestows me to perhaps take a long over due nap. But first, I think I shall partake of an offering NOT avaialble at the weddnin'....some ice cream," what would I do for a Klondike bar" to be exact.
I do belive it will be an early night.
Hope you'all enjoyed your day!
-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.
Evenin' folks!
Chloe, I'll have the BBQ chicken dinner... Huh? well whatever they serve over here close to THAT. Oh, a cup of deacf to go along with it.
cats think well of me I grabbed some lunch, fridge-raid plus creativity equals lunch of course, and went to an event downtown featuring local, live music! Something I love doing occasionally. And for more art and culture, I have a ticket for Madame Butterfly at Franklin and Marshall later tonight. I've read about the show before and know it's famous, and heart-breaking, but had never seen it, so tonight's the night that last part changes! -Alvie
I grabbed some lunch, fridge-raid plus creativity equals lunch of course, and went to an event downtown featuring local, live music! Something I love doing occasionally. And for more art and culture, I have a ticket for Madame Butterfly at Franklin and Marshall later tonight. I've read about the show before and know it's famous, and heart-breaking, but had never seen it, so tonight's the night that last part changes!
Ah yes! Madam Butterfly.... Alvie don't forget to bring a very large box of tissues with you as this one falls into the "14 Handkerchief" variety. A little history. Pucchini was a diabetic and was very fond of the new automobile among other things. This wonderful Opera was originally cast poorly and it's first performance was a complete disaster. In the "Garden Scene" several audience members had been hired to make "bird sounds" and such during part of it. By the time the "Garden Scene" happened the Leading Soprano had pretty much lost her voice, there had had been several dropped lines and miscues. So instead of nice romantic bird sounds, the audience members began making the sounds of dogs barking, donkeys braying, cows mooing, and such. The audience went hysterical and laughed all the way through to the "Die Aria" which the soprano had by the end of the opera...... The greatest thing was the Review in the newspaper the next day... "Butterfly Diabetic Opera! Result of automobile accident!" Written by a guy named Chris I think.....
My Mother studied voice for many years and was exceptionally good at butchering "Un Bel Di". I can still hear the catterwalling in the living room while I was trying to eat my breakfast......... My mom should have been a Contralto, but her teacher insisted he could make her into a Soprano.... About all she ever had that sounded Soprano was the Vibrato you could drive a truck through.....! He later tried to turn me into a tenor, but soon realized I would make a better Basso Buffo!
Got the rest of the lawn mowed and the trimming done outside today. Took inventory and used up the last 2 PC ties I had for the sleepers in the yard... I have more PC ties on the way from Fast Tracks. should be here Monday or Tuesday. I am completely out of tie stock to cut more ties so it is a moot point. I have Two 3 packs of Micro Engineering code 83 rail left, am out of rail bars, and a few other things. I ordered some Homabed roadbed a month ago and was told they would get to my order within 2 to 4 weeks... They didn't mention what year though. Guess I will just do some other projects i was supposed to do last year.....
Later!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Evening All,
Back from the club early, just couldn't keep interested tonight. I am back to w**k tomorrow and there is a 20% chance of rain but I am not holding my breath. I expect it to be around 90 F and dry, so I should be busy.
When I got home tonight my SIL was replacing our pool pump with a new one he had in his garage. Our old one was shot and a estimate to just replace the pump was $1800. It is good to have a SIL with general construction and pool experience.
Well I hope everyone has a good night.
Curt Webb
The Late Great Pennsylvania Railroad
http://s1082.photobucket.com/albums/j372/curtwbb/
howmus Evenin' folks! Chloe, I'll have the BBQ chicken dinner... Huh? well whatever they serve over here close to THAT. Oh, a cup of deacf to go along with it....
Chloe, I'll have the BBQ chicken dinner... Huh? well whatever they serve over here close to THAT. Oh, a cup of deacf to go along with it....
Here ya go...
Time for me to call it a night. Had two characters pop in on me unexpectedly. Tiredness and exhaustion. Time to go see what my pillow is doing. See y'all tomorrow.
Evening guys
Just got back from some Cinco de Mayo stuff. Had to call the night early because I'm beat and have to work at 6 tomorrow morning. Hiopefully it won't be too busy.
Chris, long time no see.The building on the right looks nice, but I have no layout to use it on.
jeffrey-wimberly Got my Walthers Flyer in the mail today. I was just glancing through it when I came across the new SD9's. They look really good but at $189.98 for standard DC ($289.98 for DCC/Sound) I won't be buying one anything soon nor anytime in the foreseeable future. The manufacturers must think we all have money falling out our butts.
I saw that too. What makes it worse for me is they got the BN Green wrong. They had it right on some of their previous locos. I have only gotten 2 brand-new locomotives in my time in the hobby. My F45 and GP15 were new Athearn Genesis models. Still amazes me that in the 2 or 3 years since my F45 the price of new locos has gone up by almost 100 bucks... I'm hoping to be able to get a new Stewart C636 for my birthday
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.
"Chris, long time no see.The building on the right looks nice, but I have no layout to use it on."
Thanks! I don't either... and what I'm envisioning once I get THAT far, there won't be a place/purpose for it. It's a Design Preservation Models (DPM) "Cutting's Scissors Works," I think. It was originally knocked together in 1987, re-worked a bit in 1988, and again in 1997.
Gooooooooooooood Evening, I'll have a burger like BILL's, only make it a double, no...a triple please, with some bacon. I'd best take it "to go," gotta get the cafe' feature finished-up. It's slowly coming together. The story on the cool kids who aren't jerks is filed. IF things go as planned (jinx! jinx! jinx!) I "might" be able to spend some quality time tomorrow with the SW-something and/or the GP-50.
Did I just hear God laugh?
Evening Dinners!
Flo, Beer Please.
Work Front I feel beat to death, my feet are killing me. Went in at 8:30 AM and we close at 7:00 PM. Took a late lunch and at 5:00 PM, only 1 car in the parking lot. Cool, should get out at closing! Well it goes with out saying we got a 5:00 rush. Got out of the store at 8:45 PM, good thing we closed at 7:00 PM.
I am Training another new Manager In Training! Guess that tells me what Dave thinks of me. I just need to find time and speak up and tell him I want a shop! But, it is hard to find him with free time!
Seems I have 2 day off sort of. I am off Sunday and after today I need it. I am off Wednesday as well, but I have to go to a training class? Well, that is sort of off. At lease I will be sitting!
Sunday As luck would have it, K-10 Model train has it's open house Sunday!
Gary If by chances you don't need your Erie's Let me know.
Ken
I hate Rust
Morning
Happy Day Off!
AmanaMedic What's the Swiss word or words for "seeya later?" Chris
Chris - that´ll be "uffwiederluege".
Good Morning Gang,
I don´t want to hurry you folks, but we have a train to catch, so please finish your breakfast and get going!
I talked to the Rhaetian Railway management and could persuade them to assign a special motive power to our train to St. Moritz today.
Helper service will be done by this cutie:
Good reasons to be at the station on time!
Garry - the layout will be done in the tradition of Marklin´s show layouts of the 1950´s and 1960´s, exclusively using materials from that time. I could persuade him to leave out the colored saw dust and use WS ground cover instead
To give you an idea of what layouts liked like in my youth days, here is a picture:
Have a good day!
GOOD MORNING!!!
Today is Sunday, May 6th, 2012!!!
Warning: Mother's Day is one week away {For those who still have mothers or are married to or know a mother}!!!
Good Morning
We are having a mix of sun/cloud with the ever popular chance of showers
Today is a relaxing day of train stuff and cuddling the little Spring..who is demanding attention now lol!
Ulrich: I can see a combination of Marklin's plan with WS scenery...oh my....
Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry
I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...
http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/
Good Morning!!! Coffee and yes, the breakfast buffet please, thank you.
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
OK. I have good news. Yesterday I did go uptown to a garage saler using the old bank as a multi-family thing. Now I know this guy naturally, and he is/was a MRer and he was selling some of his stuff. Mostly the Circus Train stuff so I didn't really expect to get anything. I did however pick up a box of scratch building pieces and parts for $5. The whitepicket fencing I could use and themisc feed bags, shovelstools etc not to mention decls, just a plethora of stuff in a shoe box size container was worth waaaaay more than $5. Also got another one of them multi little plastic drawer things with a bunch of couplers, lot’s of horn hook which will find their way to the trash….uuuuunlessss…..anyway and some plastic couplers but quite a few KD’s and their boxes and spring things. So those, the handy cabinet several Caboose ground throws (of which I do need some more) some solder and a magnetic uncoupling tool and some misc stuff with a few small tools is worth ten bucks to me. Could I have haggled a bit? Sure, but I need him to do a roof repair again. Boot around the vent pipe leaks and well, don’t want him thinking he needs to recoup his loss with interest. Just kidding. He’s a real nice guy.
Well, hauled a lot of stuff to the village garage cleanup day thing. Problem is you can’t really tell anything is gone.
Today do some more cleanup outside and guess what. You’re right, it’s been three days….gotta mow again. I don’t get it. It hasn’t really rained all that much either.
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.
blownout cylinder Ulrich: I can see a combination of Marklin's plan with WS scenery...oh my....
You know, Barry - I can see that too. I don´t know what it is, but there is something to the way layouts were built in those days. A very simplistic approach to scenery, but it made young and old boys´ hearts go "boom, boom, boom" , when they saw a layout like this. And to be honest, I think they were just great - in a different, but nonetheless appealing way.
I could actually see myself building one like that. But again, hold the colored sawdust and those awful plastic trees
Just a quick poll among friends:
When it comes to operating your layout, what do you prefer (or do most of the time)?
I am right now that my way of operating a layout is changing. It used to be trying to attempt to re-enact prototype operation as close as possible, but now I find letting trains run more appealing. Makes my mind wander back to my youth days...
Is this just age?
Good Morning! from Tipton IN.
Still working on that tin-plate layout plan:
Introducing curved turnouts makes the dang thing look a lot sleeker and increases the platform length. Need to rework the wiring diagram
Next step is "scenery".
Good morning, Chloe. Coffee, please. This afternoon it should be nice enough to get our motorcycles out for a short ride.
Yesterday, Larry and I did a short operations session on our layout. It is amazing how fast time flies. Maybe I will get the lawn mowed today.
Sue
Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.
Good morning. It's 76° and cloudy. The high will be 88° and it'll be partly cloudy.Nothing planned for today. Don't feel like doing anything.
Mornin' everyone!
Zoe, I'll have a raisin bran muffin with real butter and a cup of dark roast coffee this morning.
Currently 57°F outside under sunny skies with a high later around 66°F. i tried to get a decent photo of the super sized full moon last night. I think I need a lot larger glass to get anything world class.... LOL I did get an interesting shot through the neighbor's Maple tree using my 100mm lens.
Most of today I will be over at my son's house babysitting the granddaughters while he and his better half are doing a wine tour this afternoon. Then I will stay for dinner which is always excellent! Need to be careful how much and what I eat though as I have a blood draw tomorrow morning for my 6 month check up at the doctor's office next week.
Bill, I love the old Pennsy Station you posted. Somewhat similar to the NYC Station used to look like in Canandaigua way back when.
Ulrich, nice work on the layout.... Keep us posted with the updates. The guy you are doing the design for is lucky to have your help!
Need to get a few things done before lunch time. Catch you all later!
An explanation of the subject I used for this mornings photo. I know it looks like an Athearn mechanism. It isn't. You have to look closer. The weight on it is for an Athearn F7 but had to be filed to fit the frame it's on. The flywheels, shafts and worms are the newer Athearn 'hex' drive type. The motor is Proto Power West from A-Line. The trucks are Proto 1000 AAR and the frame (are you ready for this?) is a modified Stewart/Kato frame. The loco is DCC. There's a Bachmann decoder mounted under the far end of the weight just above the rear truck. The body shell for it is a Proto 2000 F3B shell. This is truly a 'junk box special'.
Morning everyone!
Worked this morning, and right now making for an easy day cleaning up the house, especially after the furry family members :(
Well Madame Butterfly had been an amazing production! The acting, arias, and the orchestra! Perfecto! After getting home last night I spent an hour playing some of them on Youtube.
Going to setup the airbrush to play with again, this time on an actual model itself! I have a real Athearn car or two that'll be perfect for that.
Tikes! ... Don't look, kids! ... Ray "mooned "the diner.
Our sky was hazy last night, and it was not a good view.
Galaxy ... Glad to hear it was a good wedding.
Chris ... good to see your posts here in THAT diner.
Jeff ... You keep the Sundown Shops busy. Overtime costs must be big on your railroad. .... The KCS photos I mentioned are in Kalmbach's current Classic Trains issue I just received. You may wish to look at it on your next LHS visit.
Ulrich ... I like the Swiss steamer pictures.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Good Afternoon
Sunny and 66F right now...had to spend some time mowing...no...make that CUT...our hay today..dang nitrogen enriched rainwater....
Ulrich: On that question of running vs operating..I tend to do both here..depends on what I feel like more....
Coffee in a UNION PACIFIC mug, please.
Hope everyone is doing well.
Cheers! Rob
Afternoon guys
Just got back from work, boy was it busy.
F-unit hunt: It seems everytime I find what could be a decent deal on a stewart F-unit, the price goes crazy. I'm gonna call the hunt to an semi-active stage. Mean I'll keep looking, but I won't make it a priority.
I'll stop in later, I have some things to do around the house.
Afternoon Folks
Beer Please, thank you Flo.
Pretty much napped this AM, still tired. Getting Old Sucks!
Went to K-10 today. It was open house today and when I pulled up the parking lot was packed. As luck would have it I ran into Simon 1966 and we had a good chat.
Vince What is a good prices on a Stewart F unit on E-Bay? Reason I ask is Ken (owner of K-10) had set aside a A B set for me last year. He finally found them and asked if I still wanted them? Well Jeffery all ready have more of my junk than I care to think about so I told him No. I saw them today on the shelf for $59.00 NIB. Is that a good prices? If so, let me know and I will help you get them. A is power, B is a dummy. Santa Fe Freight Warbonnet paint.
Later, Ken