Frank:
That is a beautiful car!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Ulrich:
Again, I totally agree. We drive a 2014 Honda Odyssey. I love it. It's big - it's not likely to be missed by another motorist. It's powerful - being able to get out of the way of other traffic (idiots?) is important to me. It's comfortable - I have four fused vertebrae so ducking my head to get into most vehicles is very uncomfortable! And, it holds a ton of stuff.
We bought our first Odyssey because we needed space for two kids and a dog. To be truthful, I thought at the time we were spending an extra $10,000 just for dog space but the dog was really comfortable! Now, I just like the way the thing drives and I like the elevated view of traffic that it gives, and I like Honda's service. They are good people, at least at Newmarket Honda.
To be honest, every time I get into it I feel good. How's that for customer satisfaction?
cudakenPaint is starting to peel. Next year this car paint will be leaving the car like The Exodus!
Ken,
Nice clean looking Merc.....they are good cars.....one reason why they stopped making them, people wanted to hang on to them longer, in this throw away age and buy new!
Also more than likely...the paint is not peeling...it is the clear coat, that is peeling. You should know that...You said You ran a body shop. Most all cars now a days, are base coat clear coat and the UV rays from the Sun, eat that clear coat right up, in a few years depending where the car was, in the part of the country. Factory clear coat is Not the most expensive or lasting.
My 86 Town Car had that problem...it was a Gun Metal Grey Metallic...I wet sanded the whole car, except top, it was padded black Leather. Then put two coats of clear coat on,,,wet sanded and put a final coat on. The car looked brand new when done and sold it two yrs. ago and still got 5 grand out of it...everything worked, new exhaust, tires, You name it...had 136,000 on it, but had the throttle body injected 302 cui. A guy in My neighborhood bought it and He drives it everyday and it still looks new! My next door neighbor had a 98 Cadillac De Elegance and He said, His car is a piece of junk, next to the Lincoln, He was sorry He ever bought the Caddy... should have bought the Merc........keep Your oil changed regularly in that motor.
Good Luck!
Frank
Thoughts and Prayers, for All who need them!.........
hon30critterGlad to see you are feeling better these days my friend!
Physically - no, mentally - yes! I just try not to be pulled down too much by my health issues, as well as the not so good social and economical issues we are subjected to these days.
Steven may kick out the following, if he feels I crossed the border into politics or any other touchy issue:
I sincerely believe, that our traditional car makers will not be able to build the car for the electric age, as they are not interested in it, nor do they have the right kind of thinking. An electric car cannot be just any "normal" vehicle equipped with electric motors and a battery instead of a gasoline or Diesel engine. To develop the new "electric Volkswagen", i.e. a car for tomorrow´s people, you need to identify (again) the basic needs of transportation people have, just like Henry Ford did with his Model T. We, as the future customers, also have to re-evaluate our actual needs and shed the ideas of ever more greater power, comfort and gadgetry, which have made our today´s cars over-complex and way too expensive. We will have to re-think where and how we will live and should not shy away from taking a look back into history, how things once have been. Our generation may not be prepared or willing for such a drastic thinking, but I am sure the coming generation already is.
And, hopefully, there will be more trains - and where there are trains, there are models of trains!
Sir MadogI guess we have to wait for Google to build the Volkswagen of the electric age
I totally agree, and I hope it will be soon.
Glad to see you are feeling better these days my friend!
Dave,
the Tesla is actually selling quite well in Europe - outside of Germany! It´s mainly the unwillingness of our power companies to build up a network of quick charging stations that prevent the Tesla being sold in larger numbers here. Add to that the fact that folks would be tempted to make full use of its acceleration and speed potential and this otherwise well-engineered is not fit for this country. Interesting fact is that the Tesla is doing quite well in those rather cold Scandinavian countries.
Anyhow, the Tesla is a rich man´s toy, overpowered, over-equipped, not what Joe Schmal und Fritz Müller need!
I guess we have to wait for Google to build the Volkswagen of the electric age
It might be a little chilly in that open observation car but that's where Dianne and I would be. I can smell the fresh air now!
Great video! I eagerly await seeing the cars and street lights illuminated.
On the subject of electric cars, I see a lot of Teslas on the road here in Ontario. They are very nice looking cars. Apparently they have caught on much better then the Eclipses and Prius's (sp?). Those are pretty rare.
Unfortunately the current electrical vehicle technology wouldn't be all that convenient for us. For our everyday driving it would be fine, but when we go away we are driving several hundred kilometers. Stopping long enough to recharge the battery once or twice a day would be a PITA because it would require that we totally re-arrange our schedule. In fact it would probably add a day or possibly two to the trip. That costs money for hotels, meals etc. If and when they come up with long(er) distance affordable electric vehicles I would definitely consider one.
Cheers!
Good Morning!
Looks as if we will be having another nice & sunny day - not too hot, and refreshingly cool at night! My kind of weather!
Brunhilda, although it is not yet Sunday, I´ll be going for a big breakfast - a stack of pancakes with syrup, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, toast & jams, a tall glass of OJ and coffee in an IV bag, please!
As I am typing this, I can hear the local sirene calling the voluntary firemen. Must be a forest fire, as it is too dry. I can´t see any smoke rising, though.
Ken - I do understand your hesitations both on accepting that gift and what you may end up of having to do with it. "Timeo danaos et dona ferentes" - I hate the Greek even when they bring us gifts - famous last words of the King of Troy! A used car loaded with all those gadgets, that - aside from A/C, hardly anyone really needs, is bound to be a troublemaker! It´s really a pity they don´t build cars like the old Model T anymore. Basic transportation, simple to maintain and operate, didn´t need 4WD to take you just everywhere you wanted to go, rugged and cheap! In a way, our little VW up! is like that - just basic transportation, void of any gadgets! What´s not in cannot break!
For the amount of driving we do these days, an electric car would be just fine, even one with only a range of 100 miles between charges. We don´t drive longer distances, the car is used mainly by Petra to do the various shopping runs. I hardly drive at all - done enough of that in my life! But, alas, there is no such simple and cheap electric car available and I doubt there won´t be for a long time, as neither of the involved parties really has an interest to make and market one, other than the customer.
I am rapidly approaching the borderline to politics, so I just leave it there.
All the best!
Evening Diners
Flo, Ed and I will have a , but Not In A Buick Mug!
Work Sucked but was peacful, did not get a customer till 5:00 PM.
Newer Car Front First of all, I did not buy the car. It was a gift from Bob and Sue (her name is all so Sue) the friends that came from Indiana and stayed 2 days. I did not want them to buy us a car! I am not sure what my wife was telling the other Sue but for some reason they thought I could not a afford another car? What was real happing I could not find one I liked for the money I wanted to spend! But I was looking!
I am guessing my Sue was telling the other Sue I was going to fix the other car again and I would not buy a newer car for Her! Enery night she would nag me about buying a car and there where a few bad fights I am sorry to say. At one point I told her "If you don't stop complaing right now, I am leaving and not coming back!" I did mean it, and has been in the back of my mind for years!
I finally told her "They can buy You a car" and left it at that. Bob wanted me and my wife to understand "We are buying a car for both of you!" Do you think my wife looks at it that way?
Bob and Sue made a list of cars they wanted us to look at. Lots turned out to be Buy Here Pay Here Lots and all the cars where junk! Hard to believe 2004 car with 74,000 can be trashed as bad as it was! So we ended up at the Buick Dealership 5 miles from where I live. (drove 60 miles total to look at junk!
ricktrains4824 Although, not what we were all expecting you to get..
Well Rick, I did not want this car! But I felt pressued into it from Bob. Kept telling him (I want to do some rearch on the this 4.6 liter, some have problems) and I did not want him to buy the car that day. I finally gave in, and said OK.
Strong Points
1 Car is very tight feeling
2 Inside the car is great looking and clean
3 Underside of the car is dry, no leaks
4 Tires look good, about 80% tread left
5 Over all, 3 owners and well cared for and no wreck on car fax. (does not mean much with having been in auto body 20+ years)
Con's
1 158,000 miles. Now the miles on the engine is not a real problem to me. Problem is there is 158,000 miles on the Power Windows, Power Seat, Air Ride (Did not want air ride again $$$$$ to keep working) Climate Contol and this list goes on. Been there with the current Town Cars.
2 Look at the small gray spot in the center of the roof in this photo.
Paint is starting to peel. Next year this car paint will be leaving the car like The Exodus! It is peeling on the hood, roof, trunk jams, engine jams and around some other spots. I know what that means, it will need to be stripped to bear metal before repaint. For right now the car looks great! Well, I do like auto body.
I know I sound like I am looking a gift horse in the mouth. Well, in some ways I am. I am turly thankful for the car, I really am! I just know what is coming down the road.
Later,Ken
I hate Rust
Evenin' folks!
I could use a large cup of decaf right now... I am out at camp and have been getting evertything ready for tomorrows training session.
We are right now trying to figure out a bit of a problem between two younger scouts. Basically the two of us are watching the interaction to see what the dynamics are and will tomorrow make sure some appropriate lessons are learned as a part of what we are teaching them..... This is exactly the kind of training we will be mdoing with the Troop tomorrow. Ah the fun of teenage kids.... Could be a long night! This is a typical problem between two "friends" in the Troop.
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!
Evening all.
Chloe, RBF please. Thanks.
Ken - Nice looking new ride. Although, not what we were all expecting you to get...
YGW - Realy hope your back starts getting better soon.
Ulrich - I like the night scene, very well done sir!
Garry - I hate driving in Ohio, it's always like that, every time I'm there. Once, while trying to leave Cleveland, it took over 1 hour just to get across the beltway bridge! (For those unfamiliar, it is the bridge on I-90 that goes along Progressive Field (AKA Jacob's Field), and Quicken Loans arena.)
Weather - Hot and humid again... Hate to say it, but I'm kinda ready for sn*w at this point... At least it would be cooler! Supposed to cool of late next week, to "more seasonable temps" to quote the guessers.
W**k - We are so behind on freight, that it is getting ridiculous. Have ~200 pieces waiting to be opened, with another ~100 on the salesfloor to do. (No room in the back receiving room for them!) Cardboard "out the wazoo", as they say... That offer for free cardboard stands for all, if interested just PM me, only need to pick it up. Our dumpster for it is overflowing, and we have enough inside to fill it at least two more times, maybe more. (No, I won't make you all dumpster dive, I will make sure I am there to bring out a stack, or two, for you.)
Hobby - Not much to report, still a few projects (slowly) being worked on.
Well, hope all are well, and have a good night. I'm going back to the ACM honors on tv, then bedtime.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
Ken:
Is that your new wheels? Nice! Leather even! Looks to be in pretty good condition, but of course you can't really tell until you get her up on a hoist.
My dad's old Caprice looked great from the outside, but it was so rusty under the skin that the windshield washer bottle fell out on the road one day! After he stopped driving we decided to donate it to the local high school's auto shop. It died half a dozen times on the way there. I doubt that the shop teacher was impressed once he got a good look at it.
I hope you have better luck.
BigDaddy Flo can the chef whip up this rockfish and coconut slaw I found in OC Md? Decided I needed to see the ocean for a couple days. They continue to build everwhere, farms on the way to the beach are turned into condos and housing developments. No time for MR. Have a good evening folks.
Flo can the chef whip up this rockfish and coconut slaw I found in OC Md?
Decided I needed to see the ocean for a couple days. They continue to build everwhere, farms on the way to the beach are turned into condos and housing developments.
No time for MR. Have a good evening folks.
OC, MD?
Last Saturday big storm. Last Sunday, aftermath of storm. Last Monday aftermath of the aftermath...can't go in the water because it is too rough. Last Tuesday was not bad. Wednesday, Thursday, and today, vicious flies drove everyone off beach. Wife bought Killer 100X bug spray. Lable said product had been tested in jungle environment and was guaranteed to keep everything away including enemy combatants.
Flies said "oh look, they put on barbecue sauce."
Hi all.
Just a quick note, if anyone in the NW PA area needs cardboard for any scenery or whatnot, PM me, I can get you all you can carry the next few weeks for free from w**k.
Check back in later, after I finish w**k tonight.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Quoting W.C. Fields "I came to Ohio but it was closed" ...
I had great fun preparing that short video today, but I have difficulties watching it. Apparently, my ISP is throttling video streaming from Youtube or Youtube has load problems. I have to downgrade the quality to max 480p to watch a HD video without jagged motion. Grrrr !!!!
Well, time to head for the hay - CU all tomorrow!
Heartland Division CB&QOhio Scenery as viewed while parked Interstate 75. .... Lovely.
Yup.... Dats Ohio......... I once saw what I thought was a big hill over there. Turned out it was just an off ramp. Actually they do have some nice scenery in the southern part of the state when you get below the Great Lakes Plain.
I'll catch you all tomorrow night, "God willing and the creek don't rise".
Weighmaster It's a Mercury Grand Marquis
Correct!
And the dealer is...
Ed
YGW:
Look at the grill and steering wheel emblems, and the center of the dash. It's a Mercury Grand Marquis...
Howdy ..... I'll catch up on your posts later.
I'll leave you with this photo I took on the trip.
..
Ohio Scenery as viewed while parked Interstate 75. .... Lovely.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Mornin' everyone!
Zoe, I'll have a bowl of Vanilla Almond Granola and a pot of Seneca Lake Dark Roast coffee to start the day... Thank you Ma'am!
Ulrich, nice! Very nice!!!
I am busy packing for camp this morning. Will be leaving this afternoon to start setting up for the training session. Should be a fun day on Saturday!
Currently 79°F outside under partyly cloudy skies today. the high will be in the low 80's and in the 60's overnight. Saturday will be in the high 80's with some thunderboomers in the afternoon.... We will be inside a large building used for training and meetings at camp, and should be heading home before the Thunderboomers arrive.
Have a great day!
Night Train in Engiadina
Ulrich: I am in awe.
Richard
Alvie - Happy Birthday !
Ken - OH MY ! I think you need to go to the ER !! Did someone drop something in your ???? Are you going to change your avator ? Did your engine run off the rail ? Caboose back over you ? WHAT HAPPENED ?! A buick ?
Ulrich - That is an amazing photo Nice !
TTYL
YGW
Good morning diners,
Sunday's my 33rd birthday, and all I want to do is get a few good folks together, go kayaking, get some good food, and beer, then have a small fire in the backyard.
On the MR front: I have the afternoon free so I'm going to the club to run trains a bit. I have a loco to program, and I want to see how double heading a pair of Paragon2 K4s will go today. They will be the power for a mail and express train I am building up.
Wishing everyone here a good weekend and good health.
Alvie
Ken!
At A BUICK Dealer??? No Way!
Did you wear a disguise?
How can you ever pick on the Buick Guy with a clear conscience again!
Have Fun! Ed
When night falls in Engiadina:
Those streetlights on the road above need to be wired up and the cars to have interior lighting!
Ken - nice looking car!
Flo, just a bowl of muesli and some coffee, please!
Flo, Ed and I will have a please.
Been a busy 2 days off. Had some old friends spend two days with us. I was not looking forward to the visit in a few ways. But, Bob and I hit it off way better than I had ever hoped for!
Plus, part of our car problem has been taken care of for now!
I will give more details Friday.
Ken
Hey all
Been a tough week. The ole back is giving me fits. Working a full day and then bed rest once home. Geez I really dislike that. Tried to go to our Wednesday night prayer Bible study and had to turn around and return home half way there. Back was just hurting to bad.
My father is doing better. He actually is home and fed his cat ( that is an amazing story my dad and cats ! ) He really likes this cat for some reason. He is all black. My girls nicknamed him "Batman"
SIL may finally being taking a turn for the better. I hope so.
Train front. This week we decided to apply for a loan to build the barn/train room. If successful I will apply for permit next month. Really hope I can get that started. Waiting my whole life for that day !
W**k front is brutal. We have to deliver 7 houses this month for a total sales around 6.5 to 7 million. They have shifted some staff around to help. Thank God. If not the W**k load would have killed me ! Walked a unit today with a couple. It took 4 hours and I finally had to kick the HO out of the house. She wouldn't shut up ! Even her agent was rolling her eyes!
Thanks for all of the prayers and well wishes. They make a difference .
One note of good report. I have a friend who is out of work. I made some calls to a few of my venders who are is desperate need of help. One company hired my friend at a decent rate and he will be working 40 hours a week getting around 20 hours of overtime. An answer to prayers !
Ken if you decide you don't want the trucks PM me and let's work something out on them.
Gotta run.
Heartland Division CB&QWe are on our way home. Just went through Louisville.
Oh, man, Garry. I wish I had known you were going to be in Louisville. I would have sent you by Jerry's Junk to see if he would part with this cast iron New York Central bridge sign (under the bay window).
Too bad the google photo is in the shade. I wonder if Jerry is even willing to sell it. Folks that stop by there find him in varying moods. I'd sure love to browse through his "stuff" though!
Here's a better photo...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/n8myc/28227088330/in/dateposted/
Take care, Ed