Elliot´s Trackside Diner - September 2012

[tcwright973]

Good evening everybody,

Took the wife to her Ophthalmolosist this afternoon. He did the same procedure on the left eye that he did on the right one two weeks ago. She is simply overjoyed with the improvement in her vision. Although she is still legally blind, she is much better than she has been for 6 or 7 months. We had to wait over 2 hours in the waiting room for this procedure that only took about 5 minutes. But we weren't complaining, as we would would have been willing to wait all day and night for these kind of results.

Afterwards, we went to a steak house for dinner. I had a delicious steak and baked potato, while she had her baby back ribs and baked sweet potato. We then celebrated with desert. They were so good, but I don't think I will test my blood sugar until Sunday. The results would probably scare me to death.

I think we will be railfanning again this Sunday. It should be a good day for it with the temperatures in the low 70's. I hope everyone has a great weekend. Stay safe and enjoy,  Tom

[GMTRacing]

Good Evening All,

   Haven't done much for the last couple of months but work or sleep. The container to Oz leaves Monday two weeks early because of an impending east coast dock strike the first of October. Of course we found out over the weekend while at Watkins Glen when we couldn't move to get anything done. Oh, well. It's stilll better than the alternative. It's just been a very difficult couple of months.

   I'm trying to catch up posts to see how y'all are doing. Catch ya later, J.R.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Curt Webb

Jeff- Hope your foot is doing better.

A bit of pain from pressure on the bones but other that I can't complain.

*

*

Time for me to call it a night. Fixed the trucks on a Gramps tank car but no other layout related work. See y'all tomorrow.

[howmus]

Evenin' folks!

Janie, just a decaf for me...  I had a very nice dinner at the Mexican Restaurant in Canandaigua with my sister and a friend of hers who teaches here in Geneva these days.  Mid afternoon I remembered I told my sister we could go out to dinner tonight... Had to call my son and cancel out the dinner invite at his house. My sister does not like to be "stood up" and both my son and I figured it was best to go to Canandaigua tonight!  Ran into a real downpour on the way up there.  Lots of driving rain and high winds.  By the time I got there it had passed and was just sprinkling out.  Nice and cool outside as well.

As predicted, I didn't get much done down in the train room today.  I spent about a half hour doing a bit more ballasting along the upper staging tracks.  Tomorrow I will be taking the log splitter to the museum, Sunday I am w*rking Train Crew for the start of Fall Foliage by Trolley and Train.  Busy weekend for me!

Garry, I was being very general in my statement.  The Electric Companies here in NYS do qualify for grants from NYSERDA as well, but it is under a different heading I think. They also can get quite a bit in Federal subsidies as well.  I have no idea what percentage of cost it amounts to at this time.  I can tell you that according to a National Geographic (2010) article about a study using a worldwide inventory of national budgets says that the US subsidizes the Fossil Fuel industry (Oil, Coal, and natural gas) to the tune of $15,400,000,000 per year.  Globally in "Developed Nations" it is somewhere between $45,000,000,000 to $75,000,000,000 per year depending on who tabulated it and whom they included in their report.  So yes, I don't feel too bad about getting a Federal Tax Break on my investment as well...

Barry, good luck with the inquiries...

Tom, glad to hear your wife's vision has improved!  It is great that they can help her...  Are you going to make a wine run up this way this fall?

About time for me check my blood sugar (Should be a bit high after the supper I packed way), and then to bed for the night.

Hope all of you stay safe and do know my prayers go out to all in need!

73

[galaxy]

Morning Coffee in the Diner

GOOD MORNING!!!

Today is Saturday, September 15th, 2012!!!

We may often refer to our quick work in MRRing to be "a piece of cake"...but do you know where that phrase came from???  SO:

cake walk, piece of cake/takes the cake/takes the biscuit/takes the bun:

- easy task/wins (the prize) - from the tradition of giving cakes as prizes in rural competitions, and probably of US origin. Brewer (1870) tells of the tradition in USA slavery states when slaves or free descendents would walk in a procession in pairs around a cake at a social gathering or party, the most graceful pair being awarded the cake as a prize. This also gave us the expression 'cake walk' and 'a piece of cake' both meaning a job or contest that's very easy to achieve or win, and probably (although some disagree) the variations 'take the biscuit' or 'take the bun', meaning to win (although nowadays in the case of 'takes the biscuit' is more just as likely to be an ironic expression of being the worst, or surpassing the lowest expectations). The variations of bun and biscuit probably reflect earlier meanings of these words when they described something closer to a cake. On which point, I am advised (ack P Nix) that the (typically) American version expression 'takes the cake' arguably precedes the (typically) British version of 'takes the biscuit'. Maybe, maybe not, since 'takes the biscuit' seems to have a British claim dating back to 1610 (see 'takes the biscuit'). This all raises further interesting questions about the different and changing meanings of words like biscuit and bun. Biscuit in America is a different thing to biscuit in Britain, the latter being equivalent to the American 'cookie'. Bun to many people in England is a simple bread roll or cob, but has many older associations to sweeter baked rolls and cakes (sticky bun, currant bun, iced bun, Chelsea bun, etc).

[wetidlerjr]

Good Morning! from Tipton IN.

Saturday, September 15, 2012.

Former Wabash RR yards and station, Fort Wayne IN

TIPTON IN

[blownout cylinder]

Good Morning

We are getting a mix of sun and cloud today...high of 66F forecast for this afternoon...right now current temperature is 50F....we had a fair bit of rain out of the last batch.... a .75 inch fall...

Having some friends over this afternoon for an operating session to see if my yard ideas are actually going to work this time...they [curse mode] BEEEEEP!!![/curse mode] better......otherwise a 'minor' little fix will do the job....

[LSWrr]

Good Morning All:

GF and her friends went to Syracuse, NY for a CG conference this week so I get to run to her house and check on things while she is gone.  This weekend plans are to get the 4x8 layout running.  I have to take Katje to the vet this morning for her shots and heart worm medicine….

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning. It's 69°. Humidity is 100% and there's a small chance of rain. It'll be mostly cloudy with a high of 88°.


Nothing planned for today except staying off my feet as much as possible. May run the F unit Frankenstein trio.

[pascaff*]

 Morning All,

   Currently 54 with an expected high of 90 under sunny skies.

    Had a closing shift last night, got to bed around 11:45, have an opening shift today, so wa up at 6:00 I am kinda tired. After work will stop at hospital. If I get home early enough I may make up a train.

   Prayers to all in need.

   Any word from Ulrich?

   Paul

[Curt Webb]

Morning All,

Flo could I have a cup off coffee please.

Not much planned today. Will probably go to Lowes today to pick up a couple of styrene for sale signs so I can finish the platform I am working on. MOH picked up the wood I needed from the LHS earlier in the week since she was in the area Thursday. I will probably go to the club later. My building lights came in yesterday. That is my next project after I finish what I am working on now.

Paul- I was thinking the same thing this morning about Ulrich.

JR- Good to hear from you.

Hope everyone has a good day and prayers for those in need.

[blownout cylinder]

Ulrich!!  Where are you?!?!?!?!?

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Good morning. 

My GE 44T is progressing. Looks like I will be able to use it with DCC after too much time and too many frustrations. I'll have more to report in a day or two. 

JR.... I was wondering where you were. 

Ray ... Thanks for the explanation. I hope you can forgive me for being too snoopy. By nature, I am very skeptical especially when it comes to numbers. Much of this is old habit. I am a retired number cruncher, and  I get suspicious of everything I read automatically if numbers are involved. .... I am happy for you that you have your system, and I hope it works out for you..... Also, I wonder why government spends so much money. If they subsidized all 70 million houses as yours was at about $8,000 each it would add $560 billion to the deficits. ... The National Geographic article raises more questions in my mind. For starters, a tax break is not a subsidy according to the definition I use. Also, total taxes paid by oil companies after the tax credits is still about 30% of their total revenue. By comparison, cash dividends to shareholders is only 2% of revenue.... I conclude the government is the "price gouger" causing $4.00 gasoline prices; not the oil companies, and government is not giving significant tax breaks. .... Sorry for the rant, but many of the politicians misinform everybody they talk to. .... None of this means I think less of you. To the contrary, I admire you for taking advantage of this program.  ..... Back to my background. My work included preparing operating budgets and capital budgets. Many department heads would "fudge" numbers in an effort to get their pet projects approved. I learned to double check, triple check, etc. everything they provided. 

Ulrich ... please let us know how you are. 

Actually, there are many  MIA's now. Where are they? 

[howmus]

Mornin' everyone!

Zoe, I'll have a nice bowl of granola with a handful of blueberries on top to go along with my dark roast coffee in a R&GV RR mug this morning.  Thank you, Ma'am.

Currently 61°F outside with a high of 65°F this afternoon.  No need for the air conditioners today, I guess (Doesn't hurt my feelings one bit).  Partly cloudy skies around here alternating between bright sun and shaded within a second or two of each other.

I'll be heading out to the Museum early this afternoon to deliver the wood splitter to them so we can get the fuel supply split and stacked for the depot for the winter.

Sheesh...  Once again i started this an hour ago and got side tracked...  Guess i should hit post!

Have a great day!

73

[TMarsh]

Good Morning!!!

Just coffee please, I already ate. Thanks.

Hey JR! Glad you’re still kicking.

Ray- Is Canandaigua pronounced “Cannon-daw-gwa”? Been driving me nuts for a long time.

I see why the “incentives” are given. Kinda helps push things in a direction and People like Ray are relieving some burden, if you will, on the power companies and providing jobs for the installers and the manufacturers so good things other than just easing the power bill, getting a little more change at the end of the paycheck and helping conservenatural resources. Also the power companies are in fact a business and like all businesses they want to make a profit and the workers would like a raise from time to time, so many modifications not “necessary” will go undone unless you give them a way to still make a profit. Let’s face it no one starts a business to just break even though many would be happy if that would just happen. Unfortunately with every action, there is always a negative reaction. Less dependence on coal for instance, means less demand and therefore no need for as many Coal Miners, coal haulers (trucks and trains). Lost jobs. Of course there is the short term perks with increased construction of the facilities, and that is something that shows up in the state of the country reports so our politicians can say oo looky what I did for the jobless rate re-elect me. Same with tobacco. Less demand means less tobacco needs, therefore less tobacco farmers and every job that goes along with it. The answer? Who knows, got me. BUT all in all it’s good that Ray and others do what they are doing. It really helps them and others out so kudos. Hey he may run that AC unit more next summer.

I also am skeptical like Garry on some numbers. Especially when they give the most easily manipulated statistics of all……percentages. They can be factually twisted in just about anyway you want depending on which way you go an how you word it.

Got an early start on the plumbing and of course….gotta make a trip to Menard’s. If I did this for a living I’d have every little fitting in abundance, but as it stands, I'm cheap, er, frugal, and  I buy what I figure I’ll need and find out I was wrong. Imagine that. Me...wrong.  If I were smart I’d buy excess and spend less in gas running in and out of town.

Hope all and their spouses and families start feeling/getting better.

Ya’ll have a good day!!!!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

TMarsh

Is Canandaigua pronounced “Cannon-daw-gwa”? Been driving me nuts for a long time.

kænənˈdeɪɡwə. Uta'narahkhwa' in Tuscarora. Learn more HERE.

[last mountain & eastern hogger]

Hi Guys and Gals,

How goes your week-end ?

Chloe, when you are free, I'll have a Toasted Bacon, Tomatoe and Onion Sandwich with  a side order of Home Fries and a  RBF float, Thanks much.

I have just finished eight days off and they have been fairly productive.

We got the fifth-wheel winterized and secure for the winter out at it's permanent site.  Been there for thirteen years now.  First with a Motor Home and for the last nine with the Fiver. It has been used for traveling several times as well in that period.  Then I got the roof on my largest shed, here at home, redone. Tore all the shingles off of it and put on rolled roofing, (which seems hard to find these days). Just finished that up before supper yesterday then mowed the lawn and took up a lot of the leaves as well.  In there somewhere I also found and repaired a solder joint on the second main line that had not received enough heat and had came loose. Took me awhile to locate that as I though the problem was in an electrical switch.  However all is good to go for now.  Still some more wiring to go.  Glad I found it before that portioned got landscaped.

Well I am back to work for the week-end, my Wife is tied up (no I don't do that)  with a nursing reunion for three days, so I won't see too much of her for a couple of days.

Seeing it is that time again, here is your week-end History lesson.  This is about a tracked Traction car that goes where there are no tracks as it carries it's own.  Kind of interesting.

Improved Portable Railway.
Scientific American—August 5, 1868 

The main principles upon which depend the movements of all wheeled vehicles are the same, whether like the locomotive and wheelbarrow the wheel is secured to the axle, or runs freely upon it as in other vehicles; the rotation of the wheels takes the carriage forward. But in the device illustrated in the accompanying engravings everything is reversed; the carriage moves forward on its wheels, the latter turning against the carriage instead of against the ground. The contrivance is very simple and quite unique.

The principal engraving represents a perspective view of a street car built on this plan; it has a very strong frame and is really elegant in form. The sides of the frame are of parallel rails meeting at the ends in a curve, so that the form of the continuous rail is a flattened oval. The rail, A, which is of a double angle section as seen in Fig. 2, is of steel and is firmly bolted to a rim of wood, B, thus making a side framing of unusual stiffness. To this the sides, roof, and floor may be secured in any manner desired. Running on this endless rail are a series of trucks placed at equal distances apart and connected by steel rods, C, Fig. 3, thus forming an endless chain. As those on each side of the car are separate from those on the other side, their action is independent; this is important in turning curves. The large wheels, D, have their peripheries in bearing with the outside of the rails, and are held in close contact by means of the small or keeper wheels, E. The frames of these trucks extend some distance beyond the outside rim of the wheels, D, and form a series of feet, F, which, as the trucks move over the rails or the rails and car are moved over them, come alternately to the ground and support the weight of the vehicle. The bottom of the feet may be made of any width to adapt them to the nature of the ground over which the carriage may pass; if it is of a soft and yielding nature the feet should be proportionally broad.

From the foregoing description the operation of the machine maybe easily comprehended. Whether the power is applied by turning one of the wheels, D, or by drawing the body of the vehicle forward by a span of horses, the result will be the same. As the wheels revolve the carriage moves forward, each truck with its foot coming down from the top portion of the rail and seating itself on the ground in front of and under the vehicle, and it thus remains upright supporting the load until the body of the car or wagon has been borne over it, when it is taken up at the rear over the curve and goes forward over the top to repeat the movement.

For the purpose of turning curves the spindles upon which the wheels, D and E, revolve are made longer than the bearings so that the body of the carriage may slide or be steered to one side or the other. This steering is effected by means of guide rods—a section seen at G, Fig. 2—which when operated bear against the sides of the recess in the caps of the journal of the small or keeper wheel. This operation is done by the side movement of the pole or shafts to which the draft animals are attached. There is no more cramping or binding of the wheels in turning curves or corners than with an ordinary carriage, as the wheels on either side are entirely independent one of the other. For public carriages in place of omnibuses or street cars this plan is intended and seems capable of being adapted, no permanent track being required. The carriage may be built very light or as strong as the heaviest freight wagon. It is believed by the inventor to be specially adapted to agricultural purposes on moist or swampy ground. Steam power can be easily applied in place of animal power; for water navigation the inventor claims that paddles may be substituted for the feet and operate the whole length of the boat. A boat on this plan is already in process of construction to be tested on the Erie canal for towing canal boats at high speeds.

Patented through the Scientific American Patent Agency, Oct. 22, 1867; an other patent is pending on improvements. All communications for information, etc., to be sent to J. Glenn, 141 Broadway, New York city. Foreign patents are already secured.

   It was great that Jess Red Horse checked back in, I always enjoyed his postings.

I do wish Ulrich would check in more regularly, I worry about that Lad.  He really needs a break as well as a lot of our regulars here.  Lots of tough breaks right now.  Those involved have my sympathies and prayers.  Keep smiling Guys, if nothing else it will keep everyone else guessing. >>>

Go Redskins and Panthers this week..

Johnboy out...............................with my ear to the ground  

---

[howmus]

Afternoon folks,

Flo, a nice glass of lemonade would hit the spot right now.

Todd, Jeff found the Wiki about the place I see....  In Rochestarian (Local dialect with a very hard "A") we say it Can-an-day-gwah.  The word is from the Iroquoian, meaning "The Chosen Spot".  Couldn't gradeeate from 3rd. grade there unless you knew all about that and why the little island at the head of Canandaigua Lake is called Squaw Island!  The Tuscarora word really means "The place where those &*%%#$ people live"... Of course that was before the Tuscarora became the 'little brother' of the Iroquois and were then protected by the confederacy.  The first treaty made by the new US Government was with the Seneca Nation and was signed by Chief Red Jacket in Canandaigua, NY.  It is still in force today and involves a quantity of cloth and a few other things given to the the Seneca nation each year.  There is a parade and celebration of the treaty every year there.  The Wiki Article is incorrect saying that Ganondagan is a name for Canandaigua.  Ganondagan is the old Seneca Village that is located just South of Victor, NY and is now a park and museum run by the Seneca Nation.  I have several friends who work there as educators.  My sister gave me a water drum hand made by one of my friends at Ganondagan a few years ago at Christmas.

Garry, I think I hear Vinnie stirring in back....    So I guess I will just have to say we disagree on a few things, and I totally respect your right for you to have your beliefs.  I don't think friends need to or even should always agree on issues.  If they have to agree totally then it isn't really friendship!  With THAT, I promise not to bring up the subject here again....  (I may give updates on KWH's though!)

Got the woodsplitter out to the museum, unloaded, and back home without incident this afternoon.

Catch you all later!

73

[james saunders]

GMTRacing

Good Evening All,

   Haven't done much for the last couple of months but work or sleep. The container to Oz leaves Monday two weeks early because of an impending east coast dock strike the first of October. Of course we found out over the weekend while at Watkins Glen when we couldn't move to get anything done. Oh, well. It's stilll better than the alternative. It's just been a very difficult couple of months.

   I'm trying to catch up posts to see how y'all are doing. Catch ya later, J.R.

J.R - The strikes are common here by the "Wharfies" on the east coast. The company I work for imports product from China we receive 100 - 120 containers a year and probably half are affected by either go slow or strikes which shut down the ports.

I hope your container isn't held up too long if at all.

In news for me, I'm working on track plans for my new layout. Today there is a model train show on the other side of town which I may attend. Later on I will move the layout into position and drill and install the pilot holes for the bolts which will hold the two modules together.

Thats all from me.

Cheers

[cudaken]

 Evening Dinners.

 Flo, just a beer pleases.

 Nothing really nothing to say tonight, just wanted to stop by and let you all know my heart is still beating and there is a roof over my head.

 Ken

[JeremyB]

Hi Fellas,

Just stopped in to say Hi. I have to go back a few pages and catch up.Well, I start my new job on Monday morning at 6:30am. I will be working 45 hours a week. Being off on my severance for the last year and a half its going to be a big change getting back in the work groove. I am a little nervous about starting a new place so this weekend Im just trying to keep busy and keep my mind occupied. I guess when it comes down to it Im lucky I have a job.

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Good afternoon.

I'm glad to say the GE 44T is back on the rails and running on DCC. That was a very tough job for an engine so small. Everything that possibly go worng kept going wrong. Sometimes repeatedly.

Ray ... I hope you understand I value your friendship more than anything else. I am delighted you have your new system, and I hope you continue to provide updates. Perhaps, my character flaw is I am suspicious every time I see numbers for the first time. I'm very skeptical every time. I automatically suspect they are wrong and then look for information to verify my thoughts. Maybe, I'm a rivit counter of economic data. .... Vinnie? .... Barry says he's already looking for me? ..... Should I believe Barry, too?

This afternoon, I was at my friend, Gus's house near here. He is a retired Illinois Central locomotive  engineer, and I took these photos of his layout. His locos show a variety of colors used on the IC, and some of the models are units he operated during his long career. The trio of Alco S1's are of the Cadiz Railroad which operated in this area. It connected with the IC RR.

 

 

 

 

[kbkchooch]

Howdy gang!

Bizzy day,,,had to work from 7 to 3, the dinner at the in-laws, came home, worked on the Cub Crapette for an hour,,,,no joy. Put new latches on the shed doors, then cut and placed landscaping ties for the basement entrance, placed stepping stones and pea gravel,,,,darn, now its dark!!

Gotta cut the grass tomorrow (thank goodness the John Deere hasnt died yet) plus attempt the Cub again tomorrow, BEFORE the Raven's game and Nascar come on!!

Somewhere in the I need to sneak a little hobby time too!!! 

[GMTRacing]

Good Evening All,

    Ooooooh twwo days in a row here. Got all of the support equipment and parts loaded and started on tires. With 5 cars in the container there won't be any free space when done.

   Jame - thanks for the heads up, I meant the east coast U.S. for the strike. Hopefully we won't have sililar issues in Oz. The container should go to bonded impound and then to Eastern Creek where it will be released to us then reloaded at the end of the weekend and go to New Zealand for races there before returning to the U.S. The CFO has handled the paperwork and is at her wits end with the U.S. agent who haven't a clue. The EPA is involved now and have made it all very confusing - this for cars that have never seen a street or even been capable of registration for street use.

   Garry - the 44 tonner DCC conversion was indeed difficult. I finally used an N scale NCE piece that just fit the body. I wouldn't have been able to do that with the older twin motor version as they drew too much amperage to be safe. I think Wolfgang Duder posted installation tips a while ago (now that you're done) and he also added sound to hs. Someday, someday.....

   Jeff - good to see you're hanging in there. I know your situation is very limited money wise but you really are an inspiration to the rest of us with your no quit attitude.

  Ray - I looked at solar as well but don't really have the house position to take advantage of it without making a fairly hideous looking installation. I'll be interested in how it works out for you.

     Time for some Z's gotta get back at it to finish loading tomorrow so we can ship Monday morning. J.R.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

GMTRacing

   Jeff - good to see you're hanging in there. I know your situation is very limited money wise but you really are an inspiration to the rest of us with your no quit attitude.

Never say die. Just keep pushing on.

*

*

Time for me to call it a night. Yeah it's a bit early but I've been really PO'd this evening and I don't want to tie anyone in a knot. I figure the best thing is to shut down and go to bed. The reason for all this is that I was trying to get my mothers power chair to take a charge and it won't. I did everything by the book several times. Checked the battery connections ana went over all the wire connections seven ways from Sunday. We get a red power light on the charger but no charge light. My father was in the next room reading the manual and telling me what it said. I was going over it for the tenth time and I was beyond extremely annoyed. He knew from hard experience he'd be better off staying in the other room until I cooled down a bit. I have a really short temper and when it snaps it goes all at once and my anger lashes out in every direction seeking a target. Trust me, you don't want to be there. My anger is something to behold at the best of times and well worth avoiding at the worst of times. I've tried all kinds of therapies, all kinds of anger management courses and routines, tranquilizers, nothing has worked. This isn't a recent thing either. I've been like this all my life. I'm agreeable enough most of the time but when I get mad it's best to just step back and avoid the fireworks. Hence my shutting down early. Tomorrow I'll go down and put a meter on the charger and see if it's putting out anything. If it tests good the techs are getting called to work on the chair. If it isn't good the techs are getting called to replace the charger. Enough about that. See y'all tomorrow.

[howmus]

Evenin' folks!

Janie, a cup of decaf and a plate of cookies would be very good right now!

Garry said, "I hope you understand I value your friendship more than anything else."  Thank you sir, and the feeling is absolutely mutual!  The biggest reason for my earlier statement was I figured we were very close to going past the out of bounds line with the subject...  Didn't want either of us to get a visit from Vinnie!

J.R., good to see you here again!  I figured you have been way too busy to just sit and drink coffee around these parts.  Too bad when you go to the Glen you don't have a spare day to come up here to the other end of Seneca Lake for a visit.  "Hideous looking installation..."  LOL!  I'm sure there are some around here who probably think that about my house now!  My own sister called within minutes of me sending her a photo of the system to tell me it was OK but she wouldn't want anything that ugly on her house!  Actually in most locals a permit wouldn't be issued unless it was just right in terms of everything about it.  I now know way too much about the whole process....   So... You are going South for an Holiday I see....    Do hope it all turns out good for you.

I have to be out at the Museum a bit earlier than usual for Crew Call tomorrow (or should I say earlier than if I was a Museum Guide).  So I will be heading out for a long nap soon.

Prayers for all in need!

73

[galaxy]

Morning coffee in the diner

GOOD MORNING!!!

Today is Sunday, September 16th, 2012!!!

Have you even been told to "hold down the fort"? or have you ever told someone to "hold down the fort"?

 

hold the fort/holding the fort - take responsibility for managing a situation while under threat or in crisis, especially on a temporary or deputy basis, or while waiting for usual/additional help to arrive or return - 'hold the fort' or 'holding the fort' is a metaphor based on the idea of soldiers defending (holding) a castle or fort against attack by enemy forces. Fort and fortress are old English words that have been in use since the 1300s in their present form, deriving from French and ultimately Latin (fortis means strong, which gives us several other modern related words, fortitude and forté for example). The first recorded use of 'hold the fort' is particularly noteworthy and although earlier use might have existed, there seems little doubt that this story was responsible for establishing the expression so firmly and widely. The expression seems first to to have come to prominence in American Civil War newspapers and other reports (notably that of Daniel Webster Whittle, US Civil War army major, evangelist and writer) of semaphore (flag) messages exchanged on 5 October 1864 between General Sherman and John Corse, a commander of 4th Division, Fifteenth Corps, who defended a crucial position (because it contained a million and a half rations) with 1,500-2,000 men (reports vary) at the Battle of Altoona Pass, near Atlanta GA, when attacked and outnumbered by 3,000-6,000 men and heavy artillery of the Confederate army under the command of general Samuel French. Corse's men suffered casualties of between a third and a half, but against all odds, held their position, inflicting huge losses on the enemy, forcing them to withdraw. After the battle, newspapers reported that Sherman had sent a semaphore message from a distant hilltop to Corse, saying 'Hold the fort; I am coming. WT Sherman.' According to these reports, the message had a stirring effect on Corse's men, although Corse it seems maintained that he had successfully held the position without Sherman's assistance, and ironically Sherman seems later to have denied sending such a message at all. Whatever, the story of the battle and Sherman's message and its motivating effect on Corse's men established the episode and the expression in American folklore. Shortly afterwards in 1870 a rousing gospel song, 'Hold the Fort', inspired by the battle, was written by evangelist Philip Paul Bliss (1838-1876). Bliss was apparently later presented with a conductor's baton, made from wood taken from the pine tree on which Sherman's semaphore flags were flown at the battle scene. The song became very popular and would no doubt have given wide publicity and reinforcement to the 'hold the fort' expression. The song was also brought to England and Ireland in the 1870s by evangelists, where it was apparently received rapturously by all who sang it and heard it. Incidentally reports after the battle also quoted Corse's message of defiance to Sherman after his troops' heroics, 'I am short a cheek-bone and an ear, but am able to whip all hell yet..' and for a time this became a famous saying as well.

Hold The Fort (Philip P Bliss, 1870)

Ho, my comrades! see the signal waving in the sky!
Reinforcements now appearing, victory is nigh. (Chorus:)
"Hold the fort, for I am coming," Jesus signals still;
Wave the answer back to Heaven, "By Thy grace we will."
See the mighty host advancing, Satan leading on;
Mighty ones around us falling, courage almost gone! (Chorus)
See the glorious banner waving! Hear the trumpet blow!
In our Leader’s Name we triumph over ev'ry foe. (Chorus)
Fierce and long the battle rages, but our help is near;
Onward comes our great Commander, cheer, my comrades, cheer! (Chorus)

(Sources include: Robert G. Huddleston, writing in the US Civil War Google newsgroup, Aug 24 1998; and cyberhymnal.org)

Please note: a Fortnight is equal to 14 days..the length of time certain members of the defending forces were kept on patrol/defence of the fort. They would work 2 weeks on and one week off to be with their families. SO the fortnight means 14 days {of service}.

[wetidlerjr]

Good Morning! from Tipton IN.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

East bound NKP, Downtown 1950s, Fort Wayne IN

TIPTON IN

[LSWrr]

Good Morning All:

JeremyB, congrats and good luck on the new job

Jeff & Ray, everything in my job depends on me pronouncing FRENCH or INDIAN named locations, I have no idea why I haven’t been fired, LOL.  It doesn’t help matters that the spelling of certain locations has changed since way back when.  I do find it very interesting to learn what the name means and how it got the name, it sometimes provides entertainment when dealing with people.

A friend and I stopped in Weyauwega, WI for lunch and I asked a girl working in the restaurant if she would pronounce where we were slowly so I could get the proper pronunciation.  The young girl looked at me exasperated and said: Bur-ger-king….  

TMarsh, I base the difficulty of the job on the number of trips I make to Home Depot.

Jeff, I hate those simple troubleshooting jobs like your Mom’s power chair not recharging.  For me it always boils down to a stupid safety switch or setting that has to be engaged before you can do what you want.  Good luck…

[blownout cylinder]

Good Morning

Weather here is sunny with a few cloudy periods...high near 72F. 

Have to go after the garden a bit this afternoon...maybe get a bit of hobby time in later...

Yesterday went off without a hitch...no issues to speak of...well, maybe excepting that I did not have enough waybills....d'uh....

Ray, Garry:  That was why I was not going to say anything...Vinnie was sitting right behind me....

Jeff:  Bookmarked the site