Uncle_Bob I voted. I feel like a nice dunk in some nitric acid to get clean now. I think the voting is heavier in past years, in our area anyway. I think the mood there was more one of grim determination than of "I actually want my person to win." There were no people electioneering, but there were several near-cornfield meets in the lot. Fun times.
I voted. I feel like a nice dunk in some nitric acid to get clean now. I think the voting is heavier in past years, in our area anyway. I think the mood there was more one of grim determination than of "I actually want my person to win." There were no people electioneering, but there were several near-cornfield meets in the lot. Fun times.
Yeah, I did my civic duty too. I am now drowning my sorrow in red wine. (pretend its a wine glass)
This was my first time voting at this precinct. It is the most rural I have ever seen. Only four officials and just two voting booths. There was no line, no electioneers, and no poll watchers. I was in and out in just a few minutes.
CG
Just when I was going to order a Mazel Tov cocktail, Vinnie shows up to put a lid on things. Oh well probably too sweet for most of our A1C's. Anyone who doesn't get the joke will have to google it.
Did my civic duty at 9:30 and it didn't seem any different in terms of crowds than 4 years ago. There are always a bunch of campaign workers in the parking lot trying to stuff literature in your face, there wasn't one today. We have early voting for the last week.
On the train front, Sunday KD coupler springs and I went to war. I had to retreat until Monday when the spring gods were suitably appeased.
Typical day on the webcam from Rochelle
It was 35 when I woke up this morning. It's supposed to go to 69. It's very clear this time of year and one of the Baltimore TV news choppers got a shot of the Washington Monument 40 miles away in DC.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
A friendly reminder from Cousin Vinnie that there is no political discussion allowed on the MR Forums, not even in the Diner.
Now let's all sit down peacefully together and have some milk and cookies. There's a fresh batch right over --
Dangit, Chloe!
Cookies will be distributed randomly... no requesting a particular shape, please.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
Hey all
Sorry I missed everyone yesterday. It was one of those days that was supposed to be slow but wasnt ! Had a very "intense discussion" with the Elevator comany who installs elevators in our houses. They are building custom elevators to fit the shaft we build, then they install it and go through a series of inspections. At their final inspection their inspector and their mechanic is there and we get a FINAL APPROVED inspection. Then the Elevator mechanic comes back in after the HO moves in for service and FAILS the Elevator and tells the HO they will not warranty the product Now I am taking the "discussion" up the chain of command. This is not going to end well for them. They are in danger of loosing a LARGE contract !
Then the carpenter super schedules a doctor visit the same time he has several tractor trailer loads of wall panels, roof trusses, floor trusses to arrive, so guess who gets the call to do the job they are being paid to handle ? so as a result I missed my lunch and hanging out with you all !
Train front still waiting on the stamped drawingd from the engineer so I can resubmit the plans Oh lord snail mail can be painfully slow sometimes.
Ed - Having fun playing with blasting equipment ? Using black cat firecrackers Geez that is a fat cat ! Did you build all of the caboose by scratch ? Well done ! Where did you get the yard lights ?
Bear - Watch the Beer - Johnny law is watching and he loves to give out DUI ! Here in teh states I am told the average DUI will cost the driver about $25k once all is said and done.
FRRYKid - Dont you hate it when a project turns into twice the work !
Ricky W - My vote would be model train day ! Sales has to unload inventory ? We are installing Kitchenaid frigs here. They are so stinking heavy we factor that into our floor engineering and it takes about 3 guys to move those beast !
Ken - Yea I know what you mean. I woke up thgis weekend at 5:30 twindling my thumbs. My internal clock still on the old time. What came of your saga with the fence and the local officials ?
Der - Howdy ! So glad you made it in. Pretty nifty work with the hill. Well done ! Loved your statement " tight budget = desperate measure" so true. Nifty control holder. The first photo of the basket looked like a "holy tub" no need for a drain there !
V8 - What in the world - why would anyone sit in a car with police yelling to get out and a lot of guns pointed at you ? What is a Jack in the box ?
Mr. B - No one likes to listen to rock hammering equipment including us in teh buisness. Just than God you dont have to run that thing 5 days a week !
Richard - Have a safe trip
MoeLarry - Hope your sinus headache gets better. What is "burn...radio" ? 10 for 2 positions ? We used to have to look at 20 to find one. Then 50% of the time the one didnt work out.
Tom - What ? Christmas lights already ?
jecorbett - Chili burger ? How do they keep the chili from oozing out ?
Howmus - Molala -That is a brave little girls . That is a good oath.
Garry - Did you make any purchases at teh hobby shop ?
Central gulf, Lion, Robert P., Angel, Dave .....Howdy hope you have a great day.
History qoute of the day:
Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.- Anne Frank
Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth
George Washington
TTYL
YGW
Hi, Folks,
Just a quick night cap before I turn in... I hear Brunhilda makes a mean Brandy Alexander. I seem to recall it was a favorite beverage of Mr. Lucius Beebe so I'll have one, or two, in his remembrance.
Just love the shades of blue & gray on those B&O units, Ken!
cudaken Hee, Hee, Hee. I am the last person you want living next to you Ed. I be bring over all my broke junk for you to fix! You feel like you where working full time again!
True, Perhaps... but I know you have experience with putting up good fences. and you know what they say about neighbors and fences
You shouldn't have to cut any wires to get the motor bearings lubed, Ken. I have a super-skinny needlepoint applicator that fits between the flywheel and motor end. I'll throw one in the "Goodwill" box for you. I like to use the very light CRC 6-26 for motor lube.
DER, I like your throttle pockets. I picked up some clear plastic baskets that, I guess, were intended for use in the shower or something. They had suction cups on them, easily removed. Anyway, they made great throttle holders for Digitrax throttles. I'll have to get a photo posted.
Rick, maybe everyone has election-day jitters and that is keeping away the customers? I think everyone in the U.S. will breathe a sigh of relief come Wednesday, just to get it behind us.
Good to hear from you again, Uncle Bob, Dave and Bear... among others
Hey! With all the goat dishes being ordered, I'd better go out to the barn for a nose-count!
Patty: "If I stand in my food bowl and look cute, will you fill it up again"???
Trains:
I'm making a real mess on the north side of the layout but making good progress, too. Ballasting, blasting tunnels into solid rock and slopping plaster all over! What fun... I have a couple of RR friends visiting Friday so I have to get everything cleaned up and trains running by then
Photos next time!
I hope everyone is fairing well and is safe, healthy and happy.
Regards, Ed
Uncle_Bob I'm not looking forward to this......
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Hobby Front: Got the door problem figured out: Ended up having to order new doors as the ones supplied in the kit weren't right. One didn't have the correct detail. The other was neither the right width or the right type. Should have them later in the week. Also found that I will need to use part of a decal sheet that I had left over from a quintent of coal cars that I built last year. (I had just filed them in one of my storage area.) The car is turning into more of a project that I had anticipated but the car does fill a hole in my freight plan.
der5997:
Great ideas for the throttle and uncoupler holders!
Your re-use of the (very nicely sceniced) hill was quite well done. I'm curious to know what types of trees you used, both decidious and coniferous? They look good.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Hi guys
It's been awhile since I've stopped by. For one thing, the Kalmbach site kicked me offline repeatedly over the last couple months for some unknown reason. For another, I've been busy with RL stuff, largely family but also the never-ending fiasco that is this year's election campaign. Good luck to your assorted candidates, but win or lose, hopefully this eternal trudge through the sewers will end tomorrow. Enuf sed.
Thursday AM will be cataract surgery number one. I'm not looking forward to this (pardon the pun), even if I'll see better afterward. I'm a wuss, no two ways about it. It would be nice to get through a calendar year without at least one or two trips to the OR, though!
Yesterday was our seventh wedding anniversary. It was low-key. An awful lot of our plans got waylaid by life, which bothers me a lot; it bothers her, too, but she just sighs and goes on with things. We both went through a lot before we met, but hoped-for trips and adventures and a small army of kids didn't materialize. Oddly, my brother, who always hated kids, has two. Go figure. I just feel like I've let her down, even if a lot of it is just "**** happens" type stuff. Oh well, we all have our problems and regrets.
Sorry for rambling. And see you guys again soon (or as soon as I'm able to get back here anyway!).
Good evening all.
Chloe - A mint-chocolate milkshake please. Thanks.
Weather - Cooler at night, but still 60ish daytime. Later this week they are calling for a sharp cool down and some lake-effect s**w... Yikes! (But only one days worth... Then back above 45 by Sunday...)
W**k - Well, I caught one of Cudaken's slow days today... I Didn't sell a single cent! My boss sold a freezer, but that is all. By the time I left, we had a whopping 260 in sales after a return. (Going against a 3100 goal.) Seen a whole 8 people, one return, one sale, 6 window shoppers. Should have made it "national take a book to work day". (Or "take a model train to work day"!) Have tomorrow off, per the schedule, but our appliance delivery is tomorrow... That means that the store manager, and a helper sent from a nearby store while the other employee is on vacation, will be alone to do customers (non-existant today!) and unload the appliance truck... While I have not met the helper from the neighboring store yet, the store manager cannot move those appliances off the truck herself. (We do not have a forklift, so we unload via hand trucks {AKA dollies} and a pallet jack. Not knocking the store manager, as I have a hard time moving some of those appliances by myself. Some of those fridges and freezers take all 5'6" of me to handle! I didn't think I was as out of shape as I am, but those big items prove I am.) If the helper is like the store manager, and myself, I just might be going in, just for the appliance truck. (Again, yikes!)
Trains - Well, the SD40-2 project that had stalled might be moving forward again. The rear light is what is got me stuck, but I think I have a solution. (Will be trying it out shortly, and it should* work... *I hope....) Maybe my day off will be a productive one....
Well, hope all are well, and all have a good night!
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.
Evening Diners
Flo, Ed and I will have a please.
Work Front I need a job where napping is not a option! Yep, it was that sloooow today. Did get a good nap in and I needed it.
Time Change My clocks says it is 9:46 and my body say's it's not.
Train Front Messed with the Might B&O F7's some tonight. I thought the drive shaft nosie was coming from the B unit. Seems the noise is coming from the A unit. Now it sounds more like the motor needs to be oiled, not draft shaft problems. I looked at the bottom of the engine and it looks like there might be just a chances I can oil the motor after I remove the fuel tank! But I am 95% sure they would not make it that simple!
I really wish they would take in acount that owners need to be able oil the motors with out cutting wires!
gmpullmanWe have a lot in common and I think he would make a great neighbor!
Hee, Hee, Hee. I am the last person you want living next to you Ed. I be bring over all my broke junk for you to fix! You feel like you where working full time again!
Now, I would not mine living in your Potting Shed! If I was single I be more than happy to live in a 570 sq foot room with a patio. (pretty much do, sizes of the garage) Room for a good size layout, twin mattress, work bench / desk, TV, computer, rest room, sound system, and grill on the patio.
Beat again, Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
7 hours since last post it says, so without further ado, and guessing not many are going to see this any time soon...
Modeling on the cheap
"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.
Flo, could I get a clubhouse sandwhich, american fries with white cheese, and some cold borshch? Thank you so much.
Hobby Front: Got the new boxcar this morning (much earlier than I was expecting). Unfortunately, it has a minor problem. For the prototype, it has the wrong kind of door. That issue is being worked on in another post.
Bah. They are still working with that rock-hammer a few houses down. They're cutting a road behind an existing house for another house. It's all ledge, and every morning M-F they start at 7:30 AM with so much noise it's not worth trying to sleep. This has been going on for 3-4 weeks. It must be costing somebody a fortune for all that equipment. I'd hoped they'd be done by the time I got back from vacation.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Today I am flying to Seattle for w*%k. Hopefully, the world as we know it will not end tomorrow, and I will return on Wednesday. (Vinnie: This is entirely tongue in cheek; please don't toss me.)
Look at that; I am on the top of the page. Lunch is on me!
Richard
ROBERT PETRICK I didn't know Old Fashions were called Old Fashions in 1943. I thought they'd be called something like, you know, whiskey with sugar.
I didn't know Old Fashions were called Old Fashions in 1943. I thought they'd be called something like, you know, whiskey with sugar.
If an Old Fashion was an Old Fashion back then, maybe it should be called a Really Old Fashion now. Or an Antique Fashion.
Anyway, here's today's Harvey House lunch menu. May we recommend the King Sized Martini for $1.
Mornin' Diners!
Monday again!
I think a grilled, breaded chicken breast sandwich with melted provolone cheese, lettuce and tomato, fries on the side and Ken's free beer to wash it all down would be just the ticket, Chloe...
De LuxeI LOVE it so much when animals from different species get into non violent / friendly contact with each other!
CentralGulfMaybe Wilson is just appraising a future meal. Have you been feeding him lately? Cats like to sniff their food before chowing down.
I certainly agree, De Luxe! I guess that's why YouTube is loaded with all the "cute" pet tricks!
Central Gulf, Wilson doesn't miss too many meals, he's one BIG fellow!
Here he is a few years ago sharing a snack with Fiona while the chickens wait around to get their turn...
It's a regular Doctor Doolittle atmosphere here at the little farm with the goats, ducks, chickens and cats all playing their roles. The one downside is when the occasional fox comes around. Well, that's nature... at least I don't have to deal with the LION!
I feel badly that you are having a tough time with the building department, YGW.
I recall the raised eyebrows when I first brought plans for my "cabin-in-the-woods" to the zoning department. Well, I had bunks, a galley, running water (I didn't mention the toilet!) and they about ran me out of there! Only ONE residence allowed on the property! That's FINAL! You already have a house on the property. NO cabins or anything like that!
So, I innocently ask, can I have a potting shed? Oh! Sure! A potting shed, no worries. I told them don't go away, I'll be right back. I took the drawings home and deleted any sign of a "Residence". The bunks became planter shelves, took the faucet off the "dry" sink and made the galley counter a potting table. Brought the plans back and got approved!
When I took the same plans to the building department for approval they said, "Did you know this almost looks like a train caboose?" Oh, really? I reply. Yeah, I guess from the right angle, maybe it does... a little bit.
The lady from the zoning department visited the site three times and MEASURED the distance to the property boundary EACH time (as if I was trying to pull a fast one by moving the foundation) it was over 200 feet to the closest property line. I never could figure out why she had to measure three times?
I hope you have better luck soon!
My highlight today—as well—was to chat with Ken for a little while. We have a lot in common and I think he would make a great neighbor! Hope to chat again soon, my friend...
I have continued work on the northside of the layout which has been on the back-burner long enough! I got some wiring updated and frogs powered. I ripped out a whole yard ladder and replaced the turnouts with "DCC Friendly" Shinohara's, painted the rail and ties on about a hundred feet of track and as I write this, I'm taking a break from ballasting.
I got bummed out when I opened my new tub of Scenic Express ballast. Somehow, they changed the formula and it acts and looks more like the Woodland Scenics stuff. I don't like it. Formerly they used Smith and Son's ballast. Maybe they just can't get it anymore? Since two of the main-line tracks are about four feet from the viewer I'll go ahead and use it but now I'll have to look for a new source. Maybe Arizona Minerals?
Well, I hope you are all doing well and I offer my thoughts and prayers to those in need...
Happy Monday to all...
Evening all,
Not much going on here today, had a massive sinus headache that I could not shake all day. It finally stopped so i basically got nothing done. Spent yesterday doing a burn in of a 1929 Atwater Kent radio, it is ready to go out the door back to its home after the rebuild ( nice that something that was built 87 years ago will work) . Not much on the train front. We are interviewing for 2 positions at work have 10 or candidates. whew...
About time for bed..
Evening Diners!
Work Front Only one customer and they where Fact Finders. Had around 10 pages of notes they had all ready made. My store was page 11, so no sale.
howmus"On my honor, I will do my best, to do my duty to God and My Country, and to obey the Scout Law......."
Ray Soory I missed that when you first posted it. I was a scout for 2.5 years, troop 109 from Fisher Ind. Dad was a Eagle Scout but I only made it to First Class because I found C.A.P. The Civil Air Patrol had camping (search and rescue) Planes and Females. Hard to pass up as a 13 year old! My faviriot Merit Badge I earned was the 100 Mile A Foot And A Float. The first 25 mile hike just about kicked my butt, my feet where killing me by the time I was done. But I made it and that is what counted!
Train / Ed Front Highlight of the day is I got to speak to Ed on the phone! Ed you sound younger than 60 to me! Just to bad the time change has my butt kicked. Looking forward to speaking to again!
Well that is it for tonight so later, Ken
Not too bad a weekend for railfanning. 11 trains on Saturday, & 7 in 3 hours today. The only foreign power all weekend though was a Citirail ES44AC today. I saw on the internet this week that Norfolk Southern has picked up some more SD90MACs. A couple of them are former Indiana Railroad in their red & white paint scheme. It seems they have been patched & are out & about. I'm hoping to catch one of them before they go into the rebuild program & are repainted.
The weather has been pretty nice here, so I'm hoping to get the Christmas lights up that go around the gutter. The lights on the front railings can go up later. I just hate dragging the ladder out and messing with them when it's really cold out. They won't get turned on until Thanksgiving at any rate.
Tomorrow we will start the day with breakfast at a diner we like, them grocery shopping followed by any errands or other shopping that needs done. Do believe the list is short this week, so maybe I can get some chores done inside. We haven't had a frost yet, so it's a little too early to cut back & dig up the cannas. I store mine in the attic where it's cool. Some of the annuals are done & could be pulled up now, but I'll wait do all the yard work at one time.
Nothing else new here, so every have a good week & enjoy yourselves...
Tom
Pittsburgh, PA
I use Pale Moon (derived from Firefox) and Adblock Latitude on Linux. I have no problem with the cams.
Chama webcam It turned out to be Adblock Plus. Why Adblock suddenly had an issue after ignoring it for weeks or why it permited the veritcal views and blocked the horizontal is beyond me. All is good now.
All they are running now is work trains, until their Christmas runs. That has to be one cold trip. Looks like they had a little snow in the mountains Friday or Saturday.
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Steven Otte
Robert
LINK to SNSR Blog
EggMcMuffin and a coffee.
Mr B The nanny state of MD allows growlers and flights. Growlers are bar specific. Bar A will not refill the growler you bought at Bar B.
I was talking to the homebrew store owner. If he opened a brewpub in VA he would need a low wall between diners and the brewery. In MD he needs fireproof glass, or an automatic drop down firewall. He got a price and it would be cheaper to create a video wall with stadium type multiple big video screens than either of those options.
The federal Brewers Notice takes a year to get and you need a signed lease, architectural plans, etc before you apply.
Evening Diners.
Work Stunk! 2 main reasons?
1 Folks came in with there 2 year old boy. (never a good idea to take a 2 year old mattress shopping) As soon as the kid got in the door The Kid Bomb went off! Yelling, screaming, jump on beds and made me wish they would leave! But Noooooooo, they stuck around for a whole hour! Only quite time was when the kid filled his ash pitt and Mom took him out to change it. I tried to close the deal, but that was when I was told there credit sucks and they where going to buy when they get there tax refund!
2 Couple came in looking for a power base and memory foam matters, split king. They seemed to know a lot about them and was impressed with our prices! They all so looked like buyers. Spent a hour and a half with them. Made some calls to make sure how soon I could get what they wanted. When I had them at the counter ready to write up a $3000.00 deal, they dropped there bomb shell!
He lost his good job and not making what he use to. They just went Bankrupt so no finance would touch them. Plus, they need to get there layaway money back from a comany based is Kansas? Yea, good luck there folks!
Well, I am done for so stick a fork in me.
Ken
Ricky my prayers for your uncle.
I don't know if there was such a thing as a whale oil tank car, but I have been looking for a pic. I stumbled on a site of "railcar owners", speeders. Like a sports car group, they get together and take them for excursions. Who knew?
http://www.railspeeders.com/Setoff/Setoff,%20V.%2016,%20No.%205,%20Nov-Dec,%202002.pdf
Good evening. Got back from my vacation last night. We were on the coast of Delaware and visited Richmond, VA. The historic Jamestown settlement was fun. We stopped at a number of brewpubs, most notably the Sone Brewery in Richmond. It sits right next to a river and an elevated trestle. We saw a couple of CSX trains, a coal drag and a mixed freight, while sitting inside drinking some very interesting ales.
Other states have brewpub customs we don't have in the People's Republic of Massachusetts. First, there are "flights," sets of different beers served in small glasses, samples of many different options. Then, there are "growlers." These are larger bottles with airtight seals. You fill them with draft beer and take them home. I'm guessing we have nanny-state rules against that kind of enjoyment here. Do you guys have flights and growlers where you live?
Hello, everybody.
The chili burger sounds good. Give me onion rings and a Coke with that.
For me modelrailroad season begins when golf season ends but it has been so warm here in central Ohio that I figured I better not wait for cold weather. Just a few days ago I resumed work on my branchline peninsula. Right now I'm connecting the backdrop and benchwork with the existing layout. It's slow going right now but once I make the connection I think it will pick up.
The New Mexico diner reminds me of a trip I took a few years ago. I had always wanted to drive the old Route 66 highway and when my niece and nephew were graduating from college and high school in Scottsdale, AZ I thought it would be a good time to cross that one off my bucket list. I picked up the old highway just west of St. Louis. Once you get west of Oklahoma City it pretty much parallels the interstate except for going through the cities and towns. Right before I left Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives ran a show about old Route 66 diners and I wrote down several places to try. Naturally I left that list at home. On day two I got to Albequerque around dinner time and I knew one of the featured places was there so I drove through town hoping to find it. I couldn't remember the name so I just looked for a retro looking diner and came across this place:
http://www.bing.com/mapspreview?lvl=17&style=x&mo=om.1~z.2.06&v=2&sV=1&cp=35.083574~-106.643623&where1=35.083574,-106.643623&dir=187.4&signedup=1&locsearch=1&form=RIMGSS&name=&q=320%20Central%20Ave%20SE%2c%20Albuquerque%2c%20NM%2087102&ss=ypid.YN594x10254725
I walked in an BINGO!!! There was a poster on the wall indicating they had been featured on DDD. I had their Bourbon Burger which was one of their specialties. Excellent choice.
In addition to driving Route 66, I checked 3 more items off the bucket list on that trip. The Grand Canyon, Four Corners, and The Durango and Silverton RR.