Good Evening,
Happy Birthday Ulrich! Hope things improve for you.
Been a quiet day here as I didn't get to bed until nearly 4 a.m. My wife had a really bad evening yesterday. First she was stung by a wasp on her back and as she is allergic, it got really swollen. While looking for some cream to put on it she sliced the top of her thumb on a shaver and boy did it bleed, not to mention hurt. We drove to a walk-in but it was just about to close so we went back home. After several hours it was still bleeding so at about 2 a.m. we drove over to the Emergency at one of the local hospitals. There wasn't any wait to take her but she was still there until after 3. Everything is ok. She was told by our GP to always get cuts on the hand looked at as they are the most dangerous for infection. In fact our friend in Thief River had a small wound from a dog bite and after a few hours it got infected. He spent 5 days in IC and nealy died.
I got my Classic Trains in the mail today so I have something good to read. It really is a great magazine. I think it is the best RR one of all.
Well soon time for a little supper and then TV is in order. We will likely watch a movie we recorded on the PVR.
I have never been in a Beaver but have flown in a Twin Otter floatplane. They operate from Vancouver harbour to Victoria harbour. A great ride.
CN Charlie
Good Evening, Diners...
Flo, how about a Ploughman's Lunch with lots of Branston Pickle on the side, maybe a few of those hard-boiled eggs, too. I think a Guinness is in order to wash it down.
Wow, miss a day, miss a lot!
I'll try to get caught up here and I apologize if I missed anything.
First, Happy Birthday, Ulrich, If you recall, I have you beat by two weeks. I wish you well.
I can not contribute too much to the discussion on Otters and Beavers other than recalling my first "plane ride" on Tag Airlines out of Cleveland to Detroit. The craft was a de Havilland Dove, N2300H, that my dad and I flew on to ride on a Canadian National steam fan trip out of Windsor. Two years later that craft crashed into a nearly frozen Lake Erie killing all nine on board...
I did get to fly in a Ford Tri-Motor a few years later (1973) at Put-In-Bay, Ohio. THAT plane crashed on takeoff three years later! The FAA has asked me to stay away from aircraft in the future... (OK, not really, a few of the jetliners I've been on have enjoyed a much safer service history!)
YGW, you asked about "the Gun" Hydropress was an up-and-coming technology just after the War and a few companies were getting on board. GE bought and modified three surplus 16" Mark 5 "Navy Rifles" and essentially lopped off 2/3 of the length, plugged the muzzle end and turned it into a big pressure tank.
The guns we had (one was later sold to Corning Glass) were made by Bethlehem Steel and finished at the Watervleit Arsenal in 1923.
Here is one still in the gondola after arriving at the plant in 1958 waiting for the millwrights to lift her out.
And the breech end...
Very interesting stuff. Sadly, it was announced last week that the plant is closing after 84 years eliminating the few remaining 35 jobs. I wonder what will become of these guns.
The 1850° C furnace temperature is obtained by using electric elements made of molybdenum and running about 400 amps at 90 volts through them in a zirconium brick enclosure. The hydrogen atmosphere is to maintain purity of the parts and to prevent oxidization of the elements.
So, back to trains...
I wonder if LION was able to secure a set of MTH Subway cars? I see that they have recently arrived, and just as quickly disappeared. I know such things are not in his budget but I sure hope he managed to acquire some. The timing is bad since he is on his travels...
I'll be posting some photos of the Broadway Limited P70 coaches that were delivered to my layout this afternoon. Overall, the cars look great other than a few minor goof-ups. They r o l l like ball bearings on glass!
Ken, any better luck on the Broadway F's? I sure hope so. The progression of BLI sound decoders is hard to keep up with and that silly QSI reset reed switch, (or push button on some?) is whacky! I thought they were Paragon 2 but I guess they ARE Paragon (without the 2) now there's QSI Paragon and BLI Paragon, Paragon 2 and now Paragon 3! I can't keep up with all the new names these manufacturers are coming up with (Econammi?)
I wish everyone well and offer my hopes for a better day for all.
Regards, Ed
Happy birthday ,Ulrich! And many more!
I flew on those Otters when I used to go fishing in Canada. They were fun!!
Here's a short video:
Terry
Terry in NW Wisconsin
Queenbogey715 is my Youtube channel
Flo I'll be having the ribs tonight. With my insomnia last night I was watching Steven Raichen smoking all sorts of food. I'll let someone else try the smoked cheese cake though.
My mother had almost no maintenance on her house for 15 years. What little she had, she was taken advantage of by workman who realized she was a confused little old lady. The roof leaked, the hot water heater was 30 years old, the water conditioner was obsolete the carpets were filthy and the well water was contaminated.
Forturnately she was very frugal and invested her money in the stock market for 60 years so she has enough money for assisted living. We just had to hire an outside nursing aide to come in twice a week to make sure she takes a shower and puts on clean clothes. She always swears she just took a shower but the evidence was to the contrary. Assisted living said they couldn't force her to take a shower unless they transfered her to the full blown Alzheimers floor.
I have a friend who has an old reefer in his back yard that he uses for storage. I want one of these, I even know on which side of the yard it should face.
Do any of these still exist? It doesn't look like it could hold the Amber Room from Stalingrad. Anyway the hunt for the Polish/Nazi gold train is back on.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/19/wo...old-train.html
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Good afternoon. A piece of Petra's cherry crumb cake sounds pretty awesome. Happy Birthday, Uhlrich. August birthday's are in style this month, eh.
Sun is shinning and it is 15 C this afternoon. Just doesn't get much better.
Taking my lunch break and it is time to get back to work on the boat. Need to move the throttle box as I understand the cables are too short for its current location.
Jim
Regarding the discussion on DeHavilland Beavers and Otter type airplanes. Don't think I was putting them down. I loved flying in those planes when going on fishing trips, but it was not like flying a commercial airliner. Most of the pilots were ex-RCAF guys and were very careful with the airplanes and their passengers.
Another amusing incident that occured was one morning they had a heavy frost and they pulled a rope over the wings to get most of the frost off so we could take off.
Regarding helicopters, the number of engines etc is not the determining factor if a helicopter goes down, if an engine quits the helicopter will sort of flutter down. The major cause of a crash is if the tail rotor goes out or the main gearbox self-destructs then the pilot has no control. My son just finished the electrical system on a new fly-by-wire helicopter that just crashed, they believe the cause was a main gearbox failure.
Rick Jesionowski
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
Do NOT discuss religion in the Diner or Uncle Vinny will show you his Old Rugged Right Cross.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
yougottawantaHowmus - FIL 95 ! Is he scowling at you or just everyone ? Nice picture of the American.
Nah that was just his "Happy" look.... I was his "prefered" son in law. The only one he liked..... Barney was quite a character. Was a plumber most of his life and had some very colorful language at times, but, He was a very loving and caring Husband and father. Both he and my MIL were fine people. Miss them as much as my own parents. Barney would be 103 in just a couple weeks, passed away just 7 years ago. She was Deaconess in the Church I grew up in. Wonderfull Lady! Here they are on their 71st. wedding anniversary... BTW they ended up having a room together in the Nursing Home for the last year of her life. Still sat and held hands after all those years....
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Afternoon Diners,
The dish network guy came and installed the new satellite dish on the other side of the house.
I broke the mailbox door handle two days and replaced it with a knob.
Ulrich
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
YGW https://cv10navalaviator.wordpress.com/2010/04/16/uss-laffey-attacked-65-years-ago-today/
hon30critter FRRYKid: Are you working in HO or N? If your Modulars are N scale I might be able to help. I have a bunch of N scale Modulars partial kits which I can send you if you cover the postage. Dave
FRRYKid:
Are you working in HO or N? If your Modulars are N scale I might be able to help. I have a bunch of N scale Modulars partial kits which I can send you if you cover the postage.
Dave
Unfortunately, they are HO. However, I think I have an idea of how I will make the walls work. One of the packages I got was the large walls. The desired building is small enough and there are enough of the large walls that I can use them to "harvest" the pilasters from the middle. Additionally, I need to do some surgery on the vehicle entrances as one isn't big enough for what I need it for. The roof is a challenge I haven't figured out yet, but something will inspire me. It's definitely going to be an interesting project.
Lunch time
Flo - Since FRRYKid is picking up the tab I will have the largest T-Bone stake, baked potato with the works, LOTS of ice tea with lemon, Lemon meringue pie whole one please ! ceasar salad and some of that black bread that is hot and melts in your mouth ! oh and a coach to nap on when I am finshed Well maybe on second thought I will take it easy on his wallet. Can I have a cheese burger and onion rings ?
Howmus - FIL 95 ! Is he scowling at you or just everyone ? Nice picture of the American.
Ulrich - HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Henry - Did the train get through the fire without being damaged or the product it carried damaged ?
Reinhard !!! You had me worried! Havent seen you in a while. Dad is doing better - still a long road to go !
JaBear - American football bores you ? It is a physical chess match. Watching a game in person is much better than on TV. What is the thing on the front of the truck and over the plane ? Hope my comments about the plane didnt offend you I was talking tongue in cheek about teh overall conditions. I am sure they take the maintenance very seriously
Garry - Just "Yes!?" Oh what torture ! Give us some details !
Tom - I reasearched the USS Laffey - Man I do not see how that ship stayed afloat ! I couldnt find any pictures of the ship after the attack. The captain at the time was hard core !
Angel - Why would your dad move to a retirment home so his house could be updated ?
Herrinchoker - I find that whole scene amazing. Welding and cutting with a torch under water. Wonder who was the first person whop tried to weld under water - Wonder if he survived the attempt ?
Lion, DER, Galaxy, Flip, Douglas, Ken, Jeremy ....hello hope your day is going well !
Gotta run
YGW
These conversations about Beaver & Otters are bringing back some memories. Both were used extensively by the US Army in Viet Nam. Along with the DeHavilland Caribou. All were reliable & real work horses. I was trained & qualified as an Aircraft Engine Mechanic on all Army aircraft in 1966. From O6 thru turbines. Never got to work on radial or opposed engines though, as I was assigned to an outfit with 33 Hueys with turbine engines. Sorry to say, I don't remember much about piston driven engines these days. Probably would have trouble getting the cowling off.
Tom
Pittsburgh, PA
Mornin' folks!
Hey, we got a major party going on here this morning I see! Zoe I'll have a rather large piece of Birthday cake and a pot of Marrakesh Express Dark Roast Coffee this morning to help celebrate!
Happy Birthday Ulrich!!! I know all of us here in the diner are glad to have you here and hope to see you around for a long time to come....
I have been following the airplane discussion with more than a little interest. First, let me introduce you to my FIL.
He was celebrating his 95th. birthday on the day I took that photo. A few seconds later his head was turned skyward to see what the small plane was flying overhead. He rattled off some niumbers and the year it was made, then went back to scowling...
You see, my FIL was a charter member of the Experimental Aircraft Assn. He used to build airplanes down celler at his house. According to him airplanes can't possibly be safe built out of steel. Nope! Airplanes should be built out of wood and cloth covered with something called........ "Dope"! Here is a photo of one of the airplanes he built:
Yep! Pietenpol Mono Plane. I have mentioned in here that he still has two exhibets at the Gleenn Curtise Museum in hammondsport. One of them is the Ford Model "A" Conversion to be used in the Pietenpol. (I have a photo of it somewhere, but can't seem to locate it...)
Barney had everything down cellar needed to make a Piper Cub from Scratch. he used to recover them for people (put new cloth and "dope" on them). I remember the smell of Benzine quite well. Three people in the immediate family (my wife, MIL, and BIL) all died from bone related cancer!
He told me the extensive safety inspections they had to go through every couple of years... Nothing inherently "unsafe" about older planes. they still have to prove airworthyness to be flown. Here is an extra photo of one of Glenn Curtiss's planes, the "America" being flown a few years ago (2009) over Keuka Lake near Hammondsport. Enjoy!
Got stung by a wasp while onboard the caboose last night at the Museum. Another member out on the porch of the PC Caboose also got stung right baout the same time, so we figure we have an active nest somewhere up near the North end of the line. Hopefully that will be found today and deralt with before we start Diesel days on Saturday. I will be on the old erie C-154 being pushed by our FM H12-44. That is always fun. The old girl is quirky and can sometimes give us a good jolt when operating. The FM H12-44 has a weird throttle/brake combination and is tricky to operate nice and smooth...
Have good one. Catch you all later!
Happy birthday, Ulrich!
Skunk update--once the sun went down (skunks are nocturnal), we put the hose in the irrigation pipe, turned on the water, and after a few minutes, out he went, down the street away from our house.
Richard
I love chocolate cake, but with diabetes (well, more with diabetes meds) I find that a decent-sized piece will make me feel terrible the next day. Other cake? Forget it. Chocolate or nothing. OK, just a small piece for me.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Thanks for all the good wishes, folks. It feels good to know that there are friends out there!
One´s birthday should be a happy occasion, but I just don´t feel that way. I feel more like an animal being hunted down today. I hope this feeling will go away soon.
Got a surprise gift today, which made me smile, despite all the uneasiness having the grips on me.
It´s a two-axle open observation car the Rhaetian Railways employ in there special "Albula Experience" train, which must be some ride in an open car like that. There is also a 4-axle version, but Bemo is not yet making that. The train is usually pulled by a RhB Baby Crocodile, which was also in that prcel, but is already on its way back to the dealer, as one of the crank pins holding the rods was missing.
That sucks big time!
I hope to get the replacement by next week!
Something´s wrong with this day...
BigDaddyI hope the birthday cake is chocolate
Sorry, BigDaddy - it´s only my favorite cherry crumble cake. Petra and I only had a slice each, so there is plenty left over for you chowhounds!
Edit: That´s the RhB Baby Croc:
I hope the birthday cake is chocolate. Happy Birthday Ulrich.
Can't believe the engineer drove into that fire
Good morning .....
Coffee and a piece of birthday cake, please ..... Thanks Ulrich. ..
Did any of you see the images in the news of the trains in Cajon Pass, CA with the huge wildfire? It looked like the monster flames were going right over a stack train and a signal bridge. I heard rail operations were halted because of the fire.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Ulrich!
Morning All.
Ulrich - wishing you all the best and Happy Birthday. Share some of your birthday cake with the doctor. My wife celebrates her birthday today as well.
YGW - hope that things are going better with your father. The road to recovery can be long and difficult; I know.
All the best.
Joe F
hon30critterI will say that this is perhaps a bit extreme on Transport Canada's part, but their message has to be consistent - follow the rules and we will all be safe!
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Bear:
What's happening in the picture of the white and yellow Beaver?
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Ja Bear:
I hope I didn't imply that the De Havilland Beaver that we flew in while on vacation was anything but ship shape and utterly reliable. Indeed, other than the beautiful patina of slightly worn paint on the instrument panel, the plane looked like it was brand new. The classic De Havilland logo on the instrument panel gave me goose bumps - the good kind!
In fact, I was much more concerned when we took off out of Toronto in an Airbus at the beginning of our trip because of all of the banging and vibrating that it did while getting into the air. I thought parts would be flying off at any moment. The Beaver was superbly smooth by comparison. Even the classic miss-firing of the engine on startup was entertaining!
I can offer a recent example of how stringent Transport Canada is when it comes to sticking to the rules. Transport Canada has just stopped British Columbia's Air Ambulances from landing at seven different hospitals because the choppers being used don't officially meet the standards required to land at the helipads. Apparently it is a matter of getting the proper testing done. The helicopters are not deficient.
None the less, the authorities aren't taking any chances. I can't blame them. Obviously it is not a good situation because it has caused an increase in transportation time for critical patients, but can you imagine the results if one of the choppers was to crash into a hospital? The Air Ambulance company is negotiating a temporary exemption from the rules while the testing is done so the delays will be eliminated.
I will say that this is perhaps a bit extreme on Transport Canada's part, but their message has to be consistent - follow the rules and we will all be safe!
FRRYKid(Edit: Just my luck. Top of two pages in a row. Tabs are on me again.)
Happy Birthday Ulrich!
or or
Good Morning!
It´s a beautiful morning and I am glad I can enjoy it!
About 18 years ago, I had my second heart attack - the big one, which nearly did it. On the rocky road to recovery, my doc told me then, that it was highly unlikely for me to see 60 candles on my birthday cake. He was wrong! Today´s my 60th birthday.
I should be happy, but I am not. For once, I know I live of borrowed time. Furthermore, the life Petra and I have is a life under the constant threat that we may not only lose the little we have. The overall situation is getting tighter day by day. We should have left this country a long time ago, but we don´t have the means to do that.
I try not to let that put me down, but I don´t always succeed.
There won´t be a birthday party today, nor on the weekend. My son and his GF are on a vacation trip and the few remaining friends are also not available.
We will enjoy a nice dinner, as Petra will be preparing my favorite food. And, of course, a slice of my birthday cake - without candles!
Got myself into one of those "What do I do with this stuff now?" problems. I ordered some of the old Walthers Modulars parts from eBay. I didn't realize that I would need more components than I can get to properly assemble them (According to the instructions, I need a Wall Columns and Caps kit which is unavailable.) Additionally what I was intending to do with the kit will require some size bashing as a component is too short and too narrow. Wouldn't be the first time I've had to make lemonade from lemons.
(Edit: Just my luck. Top of two pages in a row. Tabs are on me again.)
yougottawanta Garry - What a cliff hanger ! What did you run ? Freight ? Passenger ? Just ran a loop ? Point tO point ? Steam, Diesal ? TTYL YGW
Garry - What a cliff hanger ! What did you run ? Freight ? Passenger ? Just ran a loop ? Point tO point ? Steam, Diesal ?
TTYL
YGW. .... Yes ! ..