Another oldie, but goodie!
Congrats on the new neighbors, Ray, but sorry you missed out on the firewood. You said you're getting ready for a strawberry festival. This wouldn't be this weekend's Owego Strawberry Festival, would it? My in-laws are coming down for that because my F-I-L could live on steak and strawberries alone. My wife, ironically, is deathly allergic to strawberries (think Linda Blair with pink pea soup), so she may not go. Anyway, I may try to sneak away and take some pics along the Southern Tier line through town, just to get away from the crowds. And next Fri is supposed to be my annual day to sit in a chair in the Syracuse area and take pictures of anything that moves on the CSX tracks. About the only stress comes from screwing up a shot or getting crap from friends were I to not go to the Tilted Kilt to ogle waitresses as they do.
Everything you always wanted to know about model railroaders
- but were afraid to ask!
Good Morning!
Zoe, make that the #3 special breakfast menue for me, that´s French toast, a tall glass of OJ and a gallon of coffee, with lot of milk, but hold the sugar, please.
I git up quite earyl and have been trying to repair my WiFi connection. I have filed severely complaints with my Internet provider and only this morning I was told that it´s not the line, but my FritzBox! WiFi router. It´s brand new, so I expected it to work properly, which it didn´t. I had to dig down deep into the guts of the settings to get a reading that apparently neighboring WiFi networks might influence the transmission rate, causing it to lower it. Now at only 1/10 of the rate, the overall speed went down to literally nothing, causing page loading to go into the Nirvana of the web. With a couple of clicks after an hour of guessing what to do, I was able to select a different channel, which apparently provided the solution to the issue, but for how long?
Grrrrrr!!!!
YGW - IIRC, Walton´s Mountain was broadcasted in 1973/1974 - the time I spent being an exchange student at Bainbridge Island Highschool. One of the teacher strongly recommended us students to watch it, as the series supposedly showed a true picture of rural US life during the Depression. I was more into watching "The Fall Guy" with Lee Majors and that gorgeous Farrah Fawcett than having to look at the rather homely Mary-Ellen Walton. Well, I was 18 then ...
The crazy thing is, that I got so bored by watching Walton´s Mountain that I still remember it!
I just wonder how the made those trains running on the same track in different directions? With AC power, you just can´t switch the polarity of the track, there is a little relais-powered swith in each loco which has to be tripped with a short "blast" of a higher voltage (which made the locos jump). I have only one Marklin loco, so I can´t try running two locos in opposite directions on the same track. Any which way, the flat car load makes an operating session a real killer!
Today´s video shows ex Royal Prussian State Railway classes P 8 and T 18 on their final day in service in 1974. I missed that occasion, as I was still in the US at that time.
You see the words "Letzte Fahrt" written on the smokebox door. "Letzte" means "Last" and "Fahrt" - no, not what you just thought, it just means trip!
Evening All
yougottawanta Curious how is the train game played ? By oneself or is it played with others ? How do they earn gems ? Do you switch?????
Curious how is the train game played ? By oneself or is it played with others ? How do they earn gems ? Do you switch?????
For the most part, it is a solo game. Once one gets to level 10 one can send and receive trains from friends. You can earn gems by completing international tasks and by receiving trains from Mr. Bill (who in theory runs the whole show). Mostly you build and rebuild trains as to obtaining materials needed to build structures, decorations, etc, in order to advance levels and get more passengers to earn gold.
Hope that helps.
I just stopped in to add the Sirius radio thing, from ATFSguy. We, the wife and I, have 2 units. The wife's came from the factory in her Mercury Mariner, and mine came from our kids, a "plug n play" radio, for my truck. We pay about $52. a quarter for both. Mine, I can bring into the house, and use the "Home docking station". We love it, and couldn't imagine being without it, especially on road trips. We both love classic rock, all the country channels, and I like "Symphony Hall", which is the reason the kids oringinally bought my truck radio, as the ONLY classical music station in the Milwaukee, WI. area, went off the air, and came back as some type of "hip-hop" station, about 6 years ago.
Mike.
My You Tube
Evenin' folks!
Janie, I could sure use a tall glass of decaf right now.... Oh, thank you my dear, you read my mind...
Well.... A deep subject. I am all packed for tomorrow evening to do sound at the Strawberry Festival. Spent most of the day packing and figuring out the best (only) way I can provide some monitor speakers with the equipment I have. Decided I will run both main speakers off one side of the old main amp I saved and then run a single monitor from the choir at church off the other half.... Should work for the groups that will need it.
Neighbor across the street moved in today. Sign in the yard got changed to "SOLD". The old Pit Bull has gone to the great doggie place in the sky, I guess. It was his time and he would not have happy being seperated from his Human conpanion (she couldn't possibly take him with her) anyway. Turns out the people moving in have 3 dogs... I went over to say welcome to the new owners. Old friends really. I worked with the guy for 19 years at the Middle Shool and found out his (Soon to Be) second wife is a teacher at one of the elementary schools I taught in part time at the end of my career... A bit before I went over there was a police car sitting in front of the house for about 20 minutes... So when I stopped over I said, " You know Randy this has always been a nice neioghborhood here!" "You move in and within 5 hours the police show up???!" He started to laugh and said, "You do know who the Police Officer is don't you?" I said yeah, Your son Randy Jr.! His son and his daughter were students of mine way back when. He also had about 50 questions about the solar panels on my roof. He is thinking of putting them on his house as well. His house is oriented almost perfectly for them... Who knows.
Got a call mid evening from my son letting me know that his wife is home from her Rotator Cuff Surgery she had today. Ended up being a long operation. She had more damage in her shoulder than they thought. She had a very serious tear and also had to have a large bone spur removed. He said she will probably be out of work for 4 months..... So... I will be on call as Chaufeur for a while.
Oh... Happy Flag day to you folks. Today would have been my Mother's 99th. birthday if she hadn't passed away 11 years ago at the age of 88.
The Apple Tree next door and their mostly dead Sugar Maple were taken down today. Unfortuately there is no way my son and I would have been able to move the wood to his house soon so they carted away 4 or 5 face cords (what would have been) of class I firewood....
Hope you all have a great night!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Just stopping in quick
im off on holidays until nex Tuesday. A few shores to do like wash the windows and weed the garden. We went very minimal this year on flowers and I like it. Might roll some games of strat o matic baseball and read a book I'm currently enjoying outside tomorrow
Evening Dinners
Flo, for me and give the other guys like they want.
Another Fun Full Day At The VA. The VA hosptial I use, uses Valet parking and it was packed. Took me 15 minutes to get the car parked but I did make my appoiment on time. Foot Doctor said the friction wound now has a callous covering it and I need to check it daily. She all so saw no request for new shoes and added one.
Went to my CPOC walk in clinic. I wanted to find out about my heart, A1C test and I have been fighting a Urinary Track Ifection for about 2 months. Luckly the addmitting nurse gave me a cup so I could leave a urin sample when got there.
Well some good news.
1 I have lost 4 pounds, more than likely from Yard Wars!
2 Seems my Heart might me OK. I had 3 odd EKG the day I first went for the Stress Test I never got to take because of the EKG. When I went back Friday and spent the night my EKG was normal all night. Now for some reason I have to request the Echo Gram?
With me having quit a few Urinary Ifections the walk in Dr wants me to be checked for Kindey Stones and have a Prostrate Exam. With all the places I have worked in my life, the Prostrate Exam should be easy! Kind of use to it. Got some meds for the Urinary Ifection and I hope the will clear up.
Bad News
1 A1C was 8.0! Been eating a lot of bread on late and I react badly to bread. So bread, pizza and bread meat like fish is back on the No No List.
2 Lossing my Primeary Dr end of this month. It is a sham, I did like him plus he is a American. Don't get me wrong, I don't care about race or creed. But some of the floks in the medical feild today I cannot understand what the heck they said!
zstripeAnd been in and out of the VA Hospital in Hines Il. since 1968
zstripebecause all VA's are not the same
Frank First time I used the VA I was impressed. They saved me from lossing part of my foot. After that it started to go down hill. Went to the Vetrans Advocated and told him when I called the Belleville IL to set a apponitment they would hang up on me he tought I was full of Ash! He called them, they hung up on him as well! Then he belived me.
Got transfred to John Cockern in St Louis and I was happy for sometime! Then they started dropping the ball as well. Went with out a blood test for 5 months. (should be every 3 months) Then I may have heart problem came up! I have gone from April 15th with out a peep from the VA about the heart! Does that sound like they give a Caboose to you? Well they don't, I am just another Brick In The Wall to them. But why would they care? I cannot fire them, they work for the Goverment.
I am glad I did my time and still happy I have VA Health care. Just be nice if they could fill in the cracks that let Vets fall throught!
Flo you may have the Soap Box back.
Ken
I hate Rust
RideOnRoad,
You gotta haggle with them over the phone, they will give you some options, you might get a low price in the end (20-30 bucks for 6 months).
I'm more than happy to pay 12 to $15 to keep it on my desktop to listen to while I surf the web.
When I'm driving, I'll just use my phone for hd-2 channels that play lost hits from 55-73.
With everthing all digital now, I'm curious how much longer terrestrial radio is going to survive before it's off to the dump.
ATSFGuy. . .Any of you have/tried Sirius?. . .
Funny you should ask. We had a trial subscription to SiriusXM that came with my wife's car. It was set to expire and I called them today to tell them I was not interested in paying >$200 for a year of car radio. The heavily accented woman's voice (no judgement on my part, Vinnie, just stating a fact) said, "Do you listen to Sirius on the Internet?" "No." "Do you listen to Howard Stern?" "Heavens, no." "Well, how about a promotional rate of $99?" I figured my wife's driving sanity was worth $100 for a year so I agreed.
As for me, I would much rather listen to Pandora. I can create my own stations, pause a song I am listening to if I am interupted, and skip a song I don't want to hear. I do pay the little extra (much less than Sirius) to listen to Pandora commercial-free.
Richard
Tin can,
One of my associates at work has Sirius XM in his car, had it since February 2014.
He told me before he got it, he used to listen to Kearth 101 until it got repetitive and the station dropped all 60's and went 70's, 80's, and 90's.
2001-2002 - I started listening to Kearth and it was an Oldies Station covering 1955 - 1973, the other stations were either classic rock or adult hits.
Here on the west coast, all radio stations sound the same and there's a lot of listener overlap.
We have Sirius radio in our VW road trip car; it is a must for the 17 hour trips to see son in Indiana and daughter in North Carolina.
I like 70's on 7 and the comedy channels; and different sports, depending on the season. My wife listens to country music.
Good Afternoon,
My club has the usual monthly meeting tonight at the Duck Club in Irvine 7-9pm.
I printed out the monthly batch of train orders required for each train meeting.
Except for the monthly meeting and workshop at Dave's house, June has been a been an empty month for the club.
We will review the calendar and upcoming events tonight.
Broadway Lion-saw your photo of Ramu, That is quite a Kitty.
Been listening to Sirius XM on my desktop. I don't have it in my car (2010 Toyota Corolla) which has the standard push button radio.
My favorite channels on XM are 60's on 6 and 70's on 7, with a handful of pre 64 hits from 50's on 5.
Everybody whines about paying for it, but you really get a lot for not a whole lot of money.
Any of you have/tried Sirius?
yougottawanta. . .Lion - How did you go from being a warrior to a Monk to a Lion ?. . .
Chaplain?
Ulrich - You never cease to amaze me "Remember Walton´s Mountain?" How is it that you know so much about American culture ? Wow what a sinister thing to do with trains. That video gave me the chills ! Yikes !
Mr. B - LOL I misread your statement I thought at first it said 1890 not 1980 ! I guess in 1890 there would have been solar heating ! Directly from teh source onto the logs !
wojosa31 - Oh ! No wonder. MD Hmm should have guessed something like that. What took you away from MD ?
Lion - How did you go from being a warrior to a Monk to a Lion ? ? That is some transition ! Bruce Jenner has nothing on you !
Good night Ulrich
TTYL
YGW
zstripeI'm a Purple Heart Vietnam Vet 67' and have been going to and been in and out of the VA Hospital in Hines Il. since 1968.... and have had absolutely no complaints about how I was treated
As it *SHOULD* be. As a Viet vet with combat injuries they damn well better take good care of you. I too, and a Viet vet, but I was never injured in the NAVY.
Still I have heard and seen more issues than their should be. Undoubtedly, you have heard them too. LION does not trust anything related to government health. Further discussions off line.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
10pm and yours truly is heading for the hay!
Remember Walton´s Mountain?
G´night Mary Ellen!
BroadwayLion cudaken Sometimes I think the VA is trying to kill us old Vets off! Now that we are not of fighting age we are a burden. When they need young men to go to south East Asia we where hero's. LION is a veteran. LION has NEVER gone to the VA. LION could say more on this subject, but the forum rules would delete it. ROAR.... ah...er... GRRRRRRrrrrrr.........
cudaken Sometimes I think the VA is trying to kill us old Vets off! Now that we are not of fighting age we are a burden. When they need young men to go to south East Asia we where hero's.
LION is a veteran.
LION has NEVER gone to the VA.
LION could say more on this subject, but the forum rules would delete it.
ROAR.... ah...er... GRRRRRRrrrrrr.........
I'm a Purple Heart Vietnam Vet 67' and have been going to and been in and out of the VA Hospital in Hines Il. since 1968. Had My right shoulder rebuilt 6 times, chest tumor surgery 77' Bladder cancer surgery 99' and had a stroke in 07' and have had absolutely no complaints about how I was treated and NOT one dime has come out of My pocket for anything. Was even a Volunteer in the ECC ward (Extended Care Center) for Vets who had no family for three yrs. In all that time......I think I'll stop here, because all VA's are not the same.....so I don't want to anger anyone, with any further discussion.
Take Care, All!
Frank
Ray - unfortuantely, some beep (expletive, deleted) persons have granted building permits for solar panels in some of the most beautiful medieval downtowns of Germany - a genuine eyesore!
Much of our beautiful nature has been completely ruined by giant windmill parks, most of them not even producing any energy.
The strange thing is that the same people who have been strongly advocating wind power are now fighting against the destruction of of our nature. I have given up trying to understand the world ....
Mornin' Evenryone!
Zoe, I'll have a couple eggs over easy, bacon, and a couple slices of sourdough taost with grape jelly to go along with a pot of Seneca Lake Blend Dark Roast Coffee. What? Oh, yes, the R&GV RR mug would do fine.
Ulrich, agreed, there are places where solar panels should not be placed (like in many historic locations)! When I installed the panels here in Geneva, we actually had to go before the Planning Board before the city would grant the permit for them... The big issue of the evening was the color of the new roof on my house and the "color" of the solar panels... A couple ladies on the board were very concerned that they would look funny (the rest of the board sat there and rolled thier eyes). After discussing the "color" issue for about 45 minutes, I finally said, "Ladies the panels look like solar panels! They reflect whatever the sky is above them during the day, and nobody can really see them at night!!!" I got a "shut up" glance from the guy representing the company, but a couple others on the board said I made sense, and who cares!" They voted unanimously to allow them. Now for commercial instllations they have to be completely hiden from view on street level as do all air conditioners and other equipment on the roof. There are quite a few businesses downtown that now have installed them. Also here in the area there are a couple companies that have put in very large arrays that people can then buy to own and use solar if they don't have a suitable roof to put them on. One local installer has bought up some old factory land that would have taken several millions of $$$ to clean up and use for commercial space. He got the land cheap and now has it filled with panels.
MisterB, there was a similar house build on Rt. 96A back in the 80's. same thing happened. It was used for a few years, and then the whole thing was left to decay for a decade or so. The entire system has long since been taken down. I found out they also had major leaks and large maintanence problems. My house actually has some good early morning solar passive heat during the Winter months. This time of year the sun is higher in the sky and light only comes in the pitchure windows in the early morning. It does actually help the inside of the house in Winter though... the kitties move around as the sun spot does in the dining room to keep warm.
Joe, I never buy from door to door salesmen!!! (Well, girl Scout Cookies and Boy Scout popcorn being the exception and then I know the kids selling...) That is one of the best ways to get scammed I hear. I have a habit of putting on my Tevia routine, pointing to the street and yelling at the top of my lungs, "This is still my land! Get off my land!!!" Last time did that it was after talking with a certain politician locally. I also never, ever, use leases. I have yet to see any of them that were actually cheaper than buying outright! Read all the fine print and make sure you know what it means!!! I seldom even take out a loan for the things I buy. My credit card is paid off every month in full so there is no charge (Credit Union Card). Only loan I have is for the PiP and that is at 0% interest for the life of the loan. I expect to pay cash for my next car (Tesla I hope). And, no, I am not at all wealthy.....
Gotta whole lot of items thaty have to get done today, so I best get moving! See you all later...
Running trains on an old. 1960´s style Marklin layout can be a dangerous experience!
Good morning!
When my house was built in 1980, it was solar heated. The system had the entire south-facing roof, optimally angled and sited for winter and covered with copper panels. The coolant was drain-down pumped water, with one bank of panels reserved for a glycol loop to provide domestic hot water. Heat storage was in a 12,000 gallon tank in the basement. I would start running the pumps in September and get the tank up to about 120 degrees. Once it started getting cold, the system could still increase the tank temperature but only when I had a day of bright sunshine. Overall, it worked very well, when it worked.
The problem was that there was a lot of plumbing up there. In the summer, there was no coolant circulating, because I certainly didn't want 12,000 gallons of hot water in my basement in July. That put a lot of thermal stress on the pipes and panels all summer long. In the winter, there was no coolant at night, and with radiational cooling and occasional sub-zero nights, there were thermal stresses then, too.
The result: Leaks. The builders failed to anticipate the need for maintenance, and a single broken joint took 2 guys the better part of a day to repair. The builders provided this unexpected service free for quite a few years, but eventually they moved away.
In the end, it was a noble experiment that failed. The thick walls and heavy insulation are still keeping my energy costs down, but it ended up being cheaper to heat with oil than to maintain the solar heat.
If I were younger and planning to stay here longer, I'd look into putting up electric panels. Some friends did it, and with all the rebates and tax credits their payback time is about 10-12 years. I won't be here that long. On the other hand, when it comes time to move, the large perfectly-oriented roof will be a big selling point for anyone looking to install panels themselves.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Good Afternoon!
Chloe, coffee and a slice of that cherry crumble pie, please. I don´t mind if you top the pie with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream!
I made a small but important step out of the dumpster today by starting on the wiring of the Z scale layout. I was able to finish the track wiring and completed the wiring of one phase of all other electric components on the layout, i.e. switches and uncoupling devices. The other phase has to be wired via the switchboard, which will take some time - too much at the moment.
At least my head is now out of the muck!
Solar energy is a big thing, although all federal subsidies have been cancelled (for new installations). Although payback time is beyond a regular home owner´s life expectancy, people like to "go green" - even in areas, where the sun does not shine much (like mine). Although solar panels are by far not as intrusive as windmills, they sure look awkward on old, historical buildings. Old meaning dating from the 15th and onward century ...
I´ll be staying at the RC while enjoying my coffee and my slice of the pie, so feel free to join me, should you drop in.
I'm fortunate, in that I don't have to deal with the VA. I have had encounters with them in the past, and I do not see them favorably.
The biggest problem with the VA in my view, is that their employees are career government workers, who have never served in the military, are insensitive to the needs of their patients, and are more interested in enforcing government policy and regulation than in providing care and compassion to their clients. Really, not different than the administrative end of any civilian hospital, medical practice, or nursing facility.
Most of the veterans who use the VA are there, because they lack the financial resources to seek treatment elsewhere, and have no other choice. Therefore, they cannot "fire" the VA, and go to a different provider, if they are not happy with their treatment.
Good morning, Today, is the 241st anniversary of the founding of the US Army, and Flag Day.
Ken, BL2s are neat, with their unique appearance. My layout is heavily Baldwin, partially because My Grandfather worked there and partially because that's what the PRR was using on the Chesapeake Division when I hired.
YGW: I am an Orioles Fan, in NJ, also a Redskins Fan. I'm also a fan of Jersey's only Pro sports team, the NJ Devils. That's because I used to live in Maryland ouside of DC. I also watch the Nationals and Ravens. (BTW, that was a good game last night vs. the Cubs).
Ray: I have been following your comments on Solar for a while, I did lurk here, but saved my commentary for across the street. Few years some outfit was coming door to door, selling leased solar. My neighbor, signed on, and now has a twenty year commitment with the provider, and a 20 year lien against his property. His purchase rate is 1.5% higher than the current rate for the local utility, and 2% higher than what I pay through the township. However, during the summer, he has zero energy costs, just his lease payment.
if I were to go solar, I would opt to buy my own, rather than lease. liens are a issue when one goes to sell. I would also have to remove four large oak trees, to allow for maximum sun exposure. Quite an expenditure of capital. My HVAC equipment is all high efficiency, so my utility bills are at best moderate, and we buy our electricity through a bulk purchase arrangement with the township, so I'm not sure how the numbers would crunch. However, it is a consideration . I'm more interested in saving a buck than saving the planet, so it becomes an economic issue.
Morning
Off the first half of the day. Sawbones appointment. Have a growth on my chest and meeting a general surgeon about getting it removed. Very sore. When it first appeared the doc said it wasn't cancer. Going for a second opinion.
Flo
Could you bring me a large cup of Joe with some N&W anthracite coal dust sprinkled in .
cudaken FRR How old are you? Or is it a life choices to drink? More power to you if you don't drink by choices.
FRR How old are you? Or is it a life choices to drink? More power to you if you don't drink by choices.
I turned 40 last October.
The not drinking alcohol has many prongs. As mentioned earlier, I grew up on a ranch south of town and went to a rural school via bus. It starts by going back to when I was either in third grade or fourth grade. (Too many years ago to remember precisely.) One day, a couple of high schoolers snuck some adult beverage on that bus in pop cans. By the time they got to my stop, which was one of the last ones before town, they were well loaded. Suffice it to say, I didn't see them on the bus again. Anyway, that afternoon the bus driver didn't get all the cans that were used discarded. Me being a curious kid, I picked one of them up. Whatever they had smelled worse than dead cow. Growing up on a cattle ranch, one knows what dead cow smells like.
Second, I was a science nerd in High School and College. I learned too much about what alcohol does to the body. While I was college, I saw one of my dormmates, who was ADHD, like me, when he was drunk. Suffice it to say, after that, I knew I didn't want to see what I would be like drunk. (He was quite annoying. But then he was annoying on a good day. but that's a whole another story entirely.)
Third, after college, I stayed in the same town and worked at a 24 hour food service place (can't spell the right word)/bar/bowling alley/bus depot. Many of the college kids would come in drunk on Friday and Saturday nights to eat after the bars closed. (Almost all of them knew me so they behaved themselves. There were a few problems but not very many.) Seeing those people was another reason for me not to drink either.
I hope that answers the question sufficently for you.
Flo, Beer please and what ever the new folks would like to drink.
Work Front Nickel and Dime my way to a fair day with $1540.00 in sales. Think I made a extra $45.00 today. Now If I could do that every day, I be happy. That would be a extra $945.00 per month. But, that is not how it goes.
Tuesday, off to the VA I go. Have a foot Dr appontment at 11:00 AM. Then I need to find out a few things the Dam (Sorry Steve) VA has dropped the ball on!
1 Do I have a Heart Problem or not! They never did call and set up the Echo Gram for my heart. For the new folks, I went in for a stress test and when they took the EKG before starting off to the ER I went. Spent the night in Double Hockey Stick land and sent home.
2 Never got my blood test numbers? I have no clue how my A1C test or other thing are doing!
3 New Shoes When I went to see the foot DR last month, I had a friction wound on my left foot. Dr thinks it time for new shoes and sent in a request to have them looked at. No appointment?
Sometimes I think the VA is trying to kill us old Vets off! Now that we are not of fighting age we are a burden. When they need young men to go to south East Asia we where hero's.
Joe So are you a BL2 fan? I still have 3 in Monon Colors. One of these days I will find time to remotor them so I can used them as DCC engines.
YGW Yes I still want the B&O coal cars. When I said to buy them I was still doing OK with commison. Soon as I said I take them things dried up. Plus this week Sparkie The Rocket Dog had a $85.00 Vet bill. I have a stamp laying on the Flat Car to send you a payment. With some luck I will get it sent Wednesday.
Later, Ken