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 Diners,
Flo, I'll have a gigante cup of coffee with boo coo cream, please.
Nothing exciting to report today. Would that I had some good train news to report, but alas nope!
Ray: Your living room is starting to take shape and look homey. Hope you were able to warm up after cleaning out the downspout with a nice cup of tea (or whatever) and relax in your new improved living room.
Lion: Nice pics of your subway. I liked the route map posted on the platform so your passengers could figure out which train they need to take to where they need to go. Let me guess, you reduced a picture of the route map to roughly scale size, then glued to a backing and placed on the platform. How did you actually do it?
Ulrich: How's the PT going?
Galaxy: Hope things go better for you.
Ken: take care of that foot.
I hope everyone is OK and safe.
Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)
Evenin' gents!
Janie, I could sure use a cup of decaf right now. Been a busy day around these parts...
Wet! That's what the word is for today in the finger Lakes Region of NYS. Wet! Rain coming down. Sometimes just a dreary drizzle, and then a definate downpour and then just light rain, but since 9:30AM it has been raining all day. So far no floods in the basement, but I imagine by tomorrow morning it will be wet again down there! I noticed that there were maple trees growing in the eave troughs on the deck side of the house, so, in the rain, I got out the step ladder from the living room and put on my jacket and hat and cleaned out the mess in the rain..... Later this evening when it was pouring out, I noticed that the eave was major overflowing near the downspout.... What was still in the eaves had washed down to the downspout and clogged. So in the pouring rain, I went out and stood on one of the chairs I have out there and dug out the rest of the Maple seeds that were sprouting so the flood could now go down the water spout taking the 'eeinsee weensie spiders' with it.... I was not wet! I was drenched! Completely soaked to the bone!!! Probably needed a shower anyway.
Just another lovely day in the Finger Lakes!
Did some stuff in the living room. Changed a couple of things. Much better. Hope you agree. I can now see outside and can put some little knick-knack thingies on the window sill as I wish too. The couch will likely cover the nice oak window sill anyway.
Also got the curtains up on the east window:
Believe it or not, I did iron the curtains before I put them up…. I hope they will "relax" after hanging for a while. Still have to clean the brick and scrub the stone floor before the 100 gallon aquarium can be moved.I needed two more of the brown curtains for the west window. So, I drove down to Lowes late afternoon hoping they still had a couple left in stock. Ran into one of the employees who is a friend from Scouts. He directed me to where I could find some other stuff I decided to get (Stud Finder so I can put up some hangers for a couple antique railroad lanterns). On the way back through the store I found the aisle where the curtains are, picked up the curtain holdbacks, and found they didn't have any more of the curtains I bought on the shelf. Who should magically appear at the other end of the aisle? The guy who I saw as I entered Lowes…. I ask him about them, he checks his handheld iPhoney thingie and says, "we have 5 of them in stock". I say, "have any idea where they might be, they aren't where I got the ones yesterday. He takes me right down to where I was looking and…. Sure enough, no curtains of that # left on the shelf… So he takes me over to the main help desk for the curtains, introduces me to a nice lady about my age…. And she takes us both back over to the same location, and there still isn't any left on the shelf… I hate it when I am right sometimes. Anyway It seems there are 8 of them in stock in the Auburn, NY Store…. I ask if they can be shipped to this store so I don't have to drive all the way to Auburn, NY. She says, oh the store is easy to find, it is right next door to WallMart. I say, "Oh in the bad part of town…" She tells me it's a nice part of Auburn… I say, not if it is next to a WallMart it isn't. My friend who knows what I think about MallWart was howling by that time! Anyway we figured out I can order it online and have it shipped (free if I buy twice as much STUFF) right to my doorstep by mid next week. I wouldn't be able to drive to Auburn for a couple weeks at the earliest. Too many other things going on. So I ended up ordering online and will get them in a few days. Got some other items I have been putting off buying to avoid the shipping charges.
I see Galaxy still has power! BTW, having a cat sit on your lap is probably very good for what ails you sir! Nothing like hearing and feeling a cat purr to help me relax anyway... Spend more time with the cat since you don't have a dog! Remember, Dogs think they're Human, cats know they're Divine!
Hope everyone has a great night. Stay dry and warm out there (going down to the mid 50's in these parts tonight).
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
well, here we are, eventide, or is it technically nght? I guess after 9 pm would be night?
I see few were in todya. It did naught but rain here all the day long.
We WERE going to make the trip to the military cemetery in Bath to visit MIL, but with the rain, maybe not. Thye say the western third {where it is} and the eastern third of NY are having flood issues. So maybe we don't go tomorrow either?
well, I have been bummed all day. The cat has stuck like glue to me, He "hops on pop-pop" to be near me,, and gets HOT after a bit. Heputs out a LOT of body heat for a little guy! He was getting annoying after a while.
well, I guess soon to bed...
later
-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.
Evening Dinners
Flo, is there such a thing as with Caffien in it? If you have one I will take it.
Have no idea why I am so beat, I think I sleep OK last night.
Lion Enjoying your photo's.
Later, Ken
I hate Rust
Afternoon guys
it has been downpouring rain since about 10 this morning. A perfect day for working on the model railroad. I also played a few games of nhl 15 this morning also
Be careful what you ask for...
I have been missing my grandkids who were visiting a couple of weeks ago. They live 1000 miles away, so we only see them a couple times a year. Well, the youngest two (one-year-old twins) are coming back. My DIL's mother is quite sick so she is coming out to help. Honestly, I am pretty happy they are coming to stay with us for a while. I feel a little sorry for my son who is going to have to hold down the fort with the three older kids (7, 5, & 3) by himself. Luckily he has a fairly strong support structure that will be able to help out.
Richard
I am still here. Dunno why.
word of the day:
Mornin' everyone,
Zoe, I'll have the #2 special this morning... Over easy on the eggs, bacon, home fries, and a double order of sour dough taost to start the day. What? Yes, a pot of Seneca Lake Blend would be great!
It has started.... Rain is falling here in the Finger Lakes Region. There are no watches or warning issued at the moment, but WU says we should get 1.76" of liquid sunshine today and more tomorrow... So much for a dry basement! I was hoping to get outside and unplug the battery chargers in the back of the PiP... (for the string trimmer batteries). Heck, I wanted to unplug the PiP too! Got up this morning to find the house was only in the mid 60°F so I turned on the heat for a bit if only to dry the air out some.
I will continue with the curtains that I have so far today. Have enough to do one of the two windows that will get them. Depending on the weather, I may get over to Lowes and try to get the rest of them and a pair of tie backs for the picture window...
From what I see at the Weather Channel online, Galaxy may be really be being dumped on today big time! If he doesn't show up it probably means his power is out.
Catch you all later! Stay dry out there!
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Evening Diners
Flo, Beer Please
YGW Glad to see you back and hope to see more of you. I am going to have some simple pluming questions. Far as losing my job when or if my store is sold, not this time around I think. But it will happen, I just don't know when. Marvin is 82 and Nancy is 72. (Owners) Marv is all so cheap and set in his ways, last Ad we had was over a year ago. Far as what is wrong with Dave? I personaly think it is Alzheimer’s, but what do I know?
James That poem make me cry every time I read it. Boy if it is ture, I will have a whole dog pack with me in heaven. This may sound a little odd, but I have my dogs after death and cremated. Then I have there ash placed in stuffed dogs by Bulid A Bear. Seems I am not the first person to think of this idea, Bulid A Bear does it often on certain days.
Latter, Ken
Evenin' folks!
I am suitably pooped out tonight and should sleep well I think.... Janie, I could use a cup of decaf for my R&GV RR mug please...
Spent about 3 hours out at Boy Scout Camp today using my little Battery powered string trimmer around the tents in their largest site. The B-D battery one is very light and easy to use in the close quarters next to the tents. Got that whole site done. Will be back out there two or three days next week to get the other sites done.
I spent most of the late afternoon and evening getting the curtains up around the picture window in the living room. Here is the room as finished by the contractor:
Not sure I like the curtains.... The sheer gets in the way of actually looking out the window and the brown heavy ones cover up most of the oak.... Guess that is what it is supposed to do... LOL I am going to get some hardware so that I can pull the bottom half of the sheers over to each side and see if I like that better. At least I will be able to see the ladies out walking their dogs and kids around the neighborhood....
Spaniel? We had a wonderful Springer Spaniel for 12 years. He used to sit right by my side all the time I was teaching private guitar. He ended up having a compromised immune system and had to be put down as he got mange. It took a long time for me to get over him.... Sweet dog.
Hope you all have a good night. My prayers for those who need them!
word for the day:
Yeah, like mentioned we are getting MASSIVE Rain showers tomorrow{sat} and {Sun}.
We WERE supposed ot go to MIL's grave to place flowers for her birthday tomorrow.
Actually we were supposed to be out of town this weekend, but $$ says NOT. We were going to Lancaster, PA where there is a celtic festival {wear my kilt!!}, but NT.
I am in no mental shape to go anywhere anyway. I should MAYBE have been released from CPEP TODAY, NOT last friday.
SO, I am still here, but if we lose power over the weekend, won't be able to be on...so will miss yall.
Good afternoon, all. Just returned from a trip to Lowe's to pick up supplies to properly pipe up the drier vent after years of having it vent between and window and an expanded sheet metal grill. What a mess. Sure glad we have an electric drier and not gas as it probably would have caused a fire with higher vent gas temperatures from a gas drier.
Ken, thanks for posting the Rainbow Bridge as we did not have a copy. I could not bring myself to read it Wednesday but did yesterday and it is a beautiful thought. It brought lots of tears to my eyes.
Galaxy, we wish you the best in your quest for better mental health treatment.
Ulrich, hope progress becomes faster as you continue with your PT.
The weather was mixed yesterday with light rain all morning and clearing and a really nice cool afternoon. Made for a nice evening at the weekly music in the park Thursday night. The duet was a daughter and son-in-law of a 93 year old friend who was out to support them. Hope if I make it that far I will still be out and around as much as he is.
Train front, working on placing ties on the two passing curves. About ready to lay 8 more feet of track. That should be about 360 ties to hand push. Will keep me busy for a while. Shown below is the finished turning wye with two no. 5 turnouts and a no 4 turnout at the top of the wye. All hand fabricated and laid.
Hey all
Finally carved out a minute to say high to everyone. W**k has been nuts with acres of land development, utilities, 14 houses in varies stages of construction and 3 more released to start plus it seems every day some meeting for some purpose or another.
Home front we are FINALLY 100% moved into our new location. And to boot we have a contract on my house for 100% of the asking price. We did give a few thousand towards their closing cost.
In my mind I have been running through thoughts on how to finish off the future YGW rail road room. I think I would like to set it up for contiunous operation and encorporate a point to point operation along with a shortened version of the Roanoke yard. Problem is I think the room is WAY to small for all of this ???? Hmmm
Cuda - does this mean you will be unemplyeed ? Did you ever discover what Daves issue was ? Any hints ?
Ulrich Prayer goes out to you hope your health improves much
Garry - Hello how is you ticker doing ?
Galaxy - Will keep you in prayers too
V8 - WOW 100 miles an hour and busted teh hydrant ? Did you know those things go anywhere from four feet to seven feet in the ground ! That is a lot of force to break one of those. Hope that fellow was ready to meet his maker !
Well gotta get back tyo w**k
Prayers to all in need and Hope all is well with everyone !
Back again guys
was out for a bit enjoying the sunshine before the bad weather moves in. They are now saying 60-70mm of rain over Saturday and Sunday. I guess the grass will get a good watering,lol
this afternoon back to making up car cards and waybills
TGIF, Folks!
It´s been an exhausting week and I am just glad I have two days of rest ahead of me. My Drill Sergeant says I am making good progress, but right now I don´t feel that way.Well, Petra does not have to hold and support me while I am taking a shower, so that´s progress!
Did not play with my trains the whole week, but maybe tomorrow I´ll find the mood to do just that.
Jim - I am so sorry to hear about your dog. It´s always hard to lose a friend, be of the two-legged or the four-legged kind.
Galaxy - I don´t know what to say. I just hope that things turn to the better for you - soon!
Ray - I can hardly wait to see pictures of your "new" living room!
Flo, I think I can make to the corner both on my own, but how about a RBF for me, please?
Have a great weekend!
Hey diners it's been a while since I posted. Nothing to say or to report back that might sound interesting.
I been watching the X Files season 6 lately and tomorrow moving into season 7.
Train News: I bought 2 48' Micro-Trains Conrail Mercury trailers and 1 Walthers 48' Conrail Mercury container.
After getting these items I was thinking of a early 90's layout, but still need a good working train plan.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
Morning guys
Well, as you can see, I am still here at home...for now.
I saw the mental health therapist and psychiatrist yesterday.
My thereapist, knowing I was in CPEP/Hospital due to disclosure regs, sat there an said " I am sitting here serious wondering If I should call and send you back to CPEP". I said "if you can guranatee me to NOT spend 2 horrid days in the ER { a prerequisite to be medically cleared before admition to the psych ward}, and If you can guarantee I will get into General Hospital in Binghamton, OR RPH in Sayre PA {just across the border down the road W of where we live {we are 5 miles from the border}, Then I Will go VOLUNTARILY".
She decided then to at least for now NOt to send me back. their proceedure is to call the sheriff and they take to the ER and WHo knows where/what NYS CPEP will do with you.
Or WHeRE in the state they {CPEP} will send you.
CPEP= Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program for those who don't know/forgot.
SO, I told her and the psychiatrist If I could not get admitted to eihter of those hospitals, I'd rather just go home please.
We MAY launch a lawsuit at the ER/Hospital who abused me while holding me for CPEP for 42.5 hours Offering NO food,No water, NO meds, No access to a psychiatrist, Under constant Security watch, lucky to have a potty chair in my ER room{the security guard had to WATCH me use it..I mean REALLY???} as I wasn't allowed to leave. Once I was medically cleared and CPEP INVOLUNTARILY admitted me {essentially meaning I have NO more civil rights}, The ER/Hospital there was "simply hoding me for CPEP until they had a bed to place me in, and therfore had to DO NOTHING for me as I was "no longer our{their} patient"..."
I mean REALLY? Had MOH NOT gone to the hospital's patient advocate who pulled a few strings, I would have not been treated any better than a caged animal..and at least they feed/water caged animals! One string pulled as to {late} monday {30 hours later} get me some meds and food finally {the food was like rubber though].
Then Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown booted me a whole week BEFORE they should have, really. They couldn't get rid of me fast enough. They claimed they need the bed"..but there was a vacant bed in y double room and there were other rooms {female} empty beds there too, so they DID NOT "need the bed"...
I told my therapist I WILL NOT GO THROUGH ALL THAT AGAIN!
She is still VERY concerned about me. ANd may have the sheriff drop by to keep an eye on me. {I WONT answer the door!} If fact THAT is how I would have gone back to CPEP from the mental health office..they call the sheriff who takes you to the ER to get medically cleared for admittion/commition to the CPEP psych wards. Meanwhile when I went, becuase MOH was at work, I called for ambulance, I just picked the WRONG hospital to go to to the ER. I should Have GOne directly to General Hospital where, they may have put me in secured regular room to hold me until a bed on the psych ward opened up. They Had Femae beds open but no male beds open was the reason I DIDN'T get to to go to General Hospital. I have ALWAYS been in the General Hospital psych ward when I needed to be admitted, but due to 2 suicide attempts, when I go voluntarily now,they tend to INVOLUNRTARILY commit me now.
I don't know, I am NOT happy. I have one months supply of the med that WAS working for me that is now so expensive I can't afford it now. {it is a $800-$1200/ MONTH med depending on dose/pharmacy that the insurance USED to cover fro me with justa $3.50 Copay form me}. Now the copay to me is hundreds of dollars.It has now gone "generic" BUT the cost has only dropped by aobut 15%, not much of a budge, and would only drop by 20% for my out of pocket expense!
I don't know, I just don't know.
FOr now I am alive, and :safe: at home is all I can say.
Morning all. New plan going on for me-body mounting couplers for my ihc passenger cars. Have a great day all.
(My Model Railroad, My Rules)
These are the opinions of an under 35 , from the east end of, and modeling, the same section of the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway. As well as a freelanced road (Austinville and Dynamite City railroad).
a nice start to the day the sun is out and is going to be a nice day, a big change in store tomorrow and Sunday with rain and wind. Plan on doing more layout work today, might go out for a bit to enjoy the weather.
Evening all,
I'm ready for an icy cold . Yow! What a scorcher today. 101 degrees here at my house...95 inside the house, and only one room with AC. Glad the humidity is only 10%. Suppose to hit 103 degrees tomorrow. Not common for northern Nevada. Smoke from the 16,000 acre wildfire south of Lake Tahoe is hazing up the area and trapping in the heat at night.
Want to work on the layout...but...no way, that's not where the AC is.
Think I'll make it a movie night in the one cool room.
Heading to Carson City tomorrow morning to get the car serviced and make a few other stops...then home.
Good night all
Mark H
Modeling in HO...Reading and Conrail together in an alternate history.
Flo, please and give the Buick Guy one as well! Wow, 2 days in a row Douglas!
Lack Of Work Front. So far this week my store total income has been a whole $30.00? I really don't know what is going on, the outside of the store looks better than it did but is getting slower?
Realestate Agent came by today and took some photos for the listing. Kind of made me sad, I hate to see the store close, but I all so see no reason Mavin should keep it open!
Dave Front Pretty sure I have seen the last of him untill he picks his junk up from the store if he remembers he has stuff there. Last day Dave worked Marv was asking him what the Dr's are saying is wrong with him? All Dave would do is clear his throat then stare at Marv. Marv asked again, Dave cleared his throat again and just stare at Marv some more?
Shoe Front Boy the Hanger Clinic is way faster than the VA! Last time I got shoes from the VA it took a hour to fit the inserts to my feet. With Hanger Clinic everything was all ready pre-fitted, fitted fine and I was in and out in under 10 minutes!
Well we have a and I am beat, so later.
Ken
Hello Railfans! It seems by some grace or another I have managed to get a day off from the routine. And you see where I went to - straight to something that involves trains. Though I should prolly be down at the yard, right?
Garry - Thanks for the kind words. I figured with so many of us having health issues and/or problems with beloved family members (our k9 friends), a break from the woe and despair was needed.
V8Vega - Being in the puter industry since the beginning, typing was a must. You might not believe it but a story like my last post only took about 15 minutes to eek out. I can type as fast as you and I can talk.... as long as neither of us stutters!
With the one exception of - texting. They are so small who can type on them? What I really dont understand is why does anyone do that anyway? I mean, they are phones people.... you TALK on them, they arent typewriters!
Without further adieu, lets get to...
The Railroad Front - Now in my last post i told you folks some of the past history of the rail action found here. I also said my next post (this one) would bring us to the current.
Since i didnt go to the yard today, i will relay what I do know so far.
About a year ago, NS sold the Murphy Branch to WatCo. Some conglomerate holding company located out in the midwest. The railroad they use here is called the Blue Ridge Southern. I am sure there are photos available of the paint scheme around the net somewhere. If you havent seen them, their units are base coat = dark blue, with yellow block striping.
The logo has other colors such as orange and red along with blue and yellow resembling a sunset. Its a circle type logo.
I am not aware of any rolling stock owned (havent seen or heard of any) other than locomotives. I have been told the Murphy Branch isnt the only branch out of Asheville they are operating on. To wit: they run south from Asheville to the famed Saluda hill. They also run north east out of Asheville to a point unknown to me as of yet.
I am told that Canton is their servicing facility which seems odd to me. Like any service facility, you can always find a loco on the team track as I have everytime i pass the Canton yard now. For heavy work, they send them to Linwood yard or one other place. Asheville yard im told only has a car shop now. Only a year old, none have had to go yet.
The service area has a few new sheds and supplies lying about but mostly only light maintenance happens here. You know, monthly inspection stuff. BRS did erect a modern sanding tower, and repainted the old depot/offices. I havent been inside yet. (in SR days, it resembled a locker room, an office, and storage room. Who knows what NS did on the inside, and now its BRS's turn).
About all you will see in the service area is a late model Ford utility truck, and a fork lift. They do have a box container (same you see on container trains) used for storage over next to the depot. Theres about 75 yards between the depot and the service area.
Google map search will show you the layout of the place, but not the advancements since NS was here (they need to update the satellite photo).
Now for the juicy part - the locomotives. Which, other than personel, is really all that BRS brought in. Going small to large, the roster ive seen so far is 2 GP-39's, 1 SD40, and 3 SD45's. The latter 3, all reengined with 16 cylinders dropping their hp to 3000. For some reason, BRS classes these as SD40-2's. Same frame as the SD40 class, but thats where any pertinant similarity ends between the two models.
Now BRS has other units in the area. The other two branchs Ive mentioned, and the times I have been there, some units were out on the road. My guess is there is atleast 3 more GPs around here somewhere. I will find out and update later.
Being that the 45 series has always been my fav EMD (F units a very close second!) i decided to check these out first. Apparently other than the new prime movers and paint, all other details give them away as Union Pacific units (originally, SP units secondly, now BRS units). Again, more i find out about the units i will update.
The strangest thing of all this was until NS came round, SD units were never seen here. Now, not only do they run the local service between Asheville and Canton, they also use the 4 SDs as the yard switcher. All the while the GP39 sits on the house track. How totally reversed from yesteryear. And IMO, if railroads are trying to save money, it makes NO sense to do yard work with 12000hp when 2000 would suffice.
I have seen not only the 4 SDs do the switching, but at same time at west end of yard, two other unknown units were switching (the missing units - i dont know what they are as my view angle and distance was not good enough to tell). I could tell that the way they were switching, was saving them run around movements.
I do have some nice pictures (well nice as i can make them, i do NOT make any claims to being a good photographer) of NS (from the past) and BRS (from a year ago to present) if anyone wants. Email me using my email address in my profile. I do have Southern pics too, but those are sooooo not good shots. Hey, i was a kid, ok?
There you go fellow railfans. Your catching up to me now on the what fors and where weres of the BRS Murphy Branch. Take care all!
Douglas
Hi guys
a beautiful Day out today. I was able to get the garden cleaned,grass cut and bushes trim. The backyard is really nice right now. I'm going to spend the night working on the layout. we are under a special weather statement for the weekend as we are suppose to get a lot of rain and wind. I will just stay in and work trains. Today was the last day of school so I'm sure kids are happy today. Well off to check on dinner options and some layout work
howmus Lion, that is some interesting trackwork! How many levels are shown in the photo?
The bottom level is a single track from South Ferry on the left to Courtland Street on the right. The main line runs from 242nd Street 4.5 miles to South Ferry, this track loops around the table and returns to 242nd Street. This track is level, at the table top level.
The next level, almost completely hidden is the "Secret Tunnel" holding two tracks that run between Nevins Street in Brooklyn and Lenox Avenue in Manhattan. It allows the express trains (the red trains) to run in a continious loop and is running up hill from left to right.
The third level are two single tracks that go up from Smith-9th Street on the left to 8th Street on the right.
The fourth level is a double track line that runs from Smith-9th Street on the left and Lenox Avenue in Manhattan. The third and fourth levels are on the same level at Smith-9th Street, the express going down to Lenox, and the local going up to 8th Street directly above Lenox on the right of the table.
The fifth, top level runs from 42nd Street on the left up to Coney Island on the Right.
Morn in' everyone!
Jim, I'm keeping you and yours in my thoughts and prayers... I know how difficult it was for you to say goodbye to your beautiful dog! I've had to make that decision a couple times myself and don't look forward to the day I'll have to do that again for my sweet kitties. It will be doubly hard as they were a gift from my dad just before he died.....
Zoe, just a refill for my cup of dark raost coffee please.
Have to run a couple of errands, then spend most of today cleaning house. I have to vacume the living room and then can start getting some items moved back out there. May go get the curtains and curtain rods today as well. have a Scout Meeting to go to tonight. Last meeting before they go to camp, so I will do a Commissioner Evaluation of what I see tonight.
Lion, that is some interesting trackwork! How many levels are shown in the photo?
Catch you all later.