Good Morning!
Sunny but icy cold in my neck of the woods. No snow - yet!
I had to turn in a cheque we had in yestarday´s mail. It was a refund for a broken down toaster, which gave up its ghost after using it only twice. Cheques are an usual form of payment these days and the bank teller did not know how to handle it. It took more than an hour to get it credited to my account. Makes me wonder what people working in banks learn these days ...
No, Vinnie, I am not going to rant about ist, just reminiscing on better days gone by ...
Rick - my sincere condolences to you and your family. No matter how prepared we are, it always hits you right between the eyes, losing a loved one.
Ed - I live close to Altona, which is a part of Hamburg. I wonder if Altoona is a name sake of Altona, which means "all to near". Altona used to be Danish until 1854 and for the people in Hamburg, this was too close to them - hence the name.
I will do a bit of day dreaming and search the web for log homes in Maine, or in the Appalachians or even Alaska. Not that I ever could afford to buy one, let alone move to the US, but what would I do without at least dreaming about it!
Have a great one!
Good Morning, Fellow Diners...
Ricky— Rich,
My sincere condolences to you and your families. It might be reassuring to know his suffering is over but there is still the loss to cope with and for that, I wish you prayers and blessings.
Chloe, I'll have one of those famous Cognac Cog Concoctions for a night cap, please.
Glad you all liked the photos. I knew I was hanging on to them for something!
Ken, Good to know that oiler worked for you. What did you put in it??? I just replaced an old decoder in a Life-Like PA1 and could not get the annoying, intermittent whine noise to quiet down coming from the front truck! I took everything apart, cleaned and lubed and—still, it sounds like the BUG amusement park ride...
I had several "Op-sessions" over the weekend. It was great fun to give the layout a workout! The few days since then I have been correcting little "issues" like turnout throw rods that are too thin to move the points and coupler height adjustments.
I still scratch my head with some of this DCC stuff. I went to move an A-B-B-A set of Alco FA2s and dialed up the address, 1000, and nothing happened
Out of desperation, I put them on the programming track to read their address and all four came back as 9373! ? I don't even have a 9373! I had just run them a few weeks ago and they ran on address 1000! What gives?
Jimmy, I started an inventory for locomotives when I began installing DCC decoders about eleven years ago. I made up my own database in Microsoft Works and it has paid off many times over. Glad you're making progress.
Don't you wish the "WayBack" machine was working today?
Three and-a-half miles of locomotive shop!
Dreams of the Altoona Works tonight!
Off to the lower berth for me... I hope everyone has a safe, healthy and enjoyable day!
Regards, Ed
ricktrains4824My uncle is now resting,
Hi Ricky:
Sorry for your loss. You did well to be with him at the end. I know how exhausting that can be.
Regards,
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Good evening all.
Zoe - Hope your vacation was good. I will take a large peppermint hot chocolate please. Thanks.
Want to thank everyone who gave the well wishes to me and my family once more, it was and is appreciated.
Speaking of family - My uncle is now resting, he stopped breathing yesterday morning, shortly before 4am. While it is tough, it is for the better, as he is no longer suffering.
Weather - Snow, cold, and wind. Then wind, cold, and snow...
Forcast called for 1-3" today and tonight, but we have already passed that mark. Storm total is supposed to be 8-12, but at this rate, that is going to be a lot bigger.
The weather has also been keeping area first responders very busy, causing numerous accidents, including a ~15 vehicle pile-up on I-90 this afternoon. Yep, Winter is back!
W**k - Made some spiff money the past 2 days, so that is a good thing. I hit a hot streak on one spiff, hitting more the past 2 days than I did all of last month, and have passed even the store manager at this point. Normally we would see 1 spiff achieved in about every 8-10 eligible transactions, with a goal of 20% by month end, but I have hit 3 in 5! Woohoo! So far, for the fiscal month, I am now sitting just above 45%.... Wow!
Hope all are well, and all enjoy the night and day tomorrow!
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.
yougottawantaHoncitter - I was and am to a computer dino. But I have found that by just wadding in and asking questions I have learned a lot and it has been very usful. I would encourage you just to try.
YGW:
I can usually figure out how to get something to work if I spend enough time on it. My biggest problem is that I would rather be doing something else - anything else!
I do have to push myself to get into the world of Arduinos sometime soon!!!
Cheers!!
cudaken She Lives
Ken!
I love the rear profile shot! It just says "muscle car"!
Ken, I still have that camaro I bought back in 1985. I was 19 at the time with a chevelle project car in the garage and dad said something gotta go!!! I got rid of the chevelle and been sitting in this camaro ever since. Hoping to get a few passes down the 1320 in the springtime. I think I picked two of the most expensive hobbies I could. Muscle car parts and trains ain't cheap anymore, but I always tell the wife it beats sitting in a bar drinking all night. Think I am going to grab a couple boston creams to go!! I got a serious sweet tooth tonight.......
Rich
Evening Diners
Flo, Ed will have a Crown Royal, SS Rich and I will have a Cam 2 please. Code name for beer at a Mopar Site I go to.
SS ExpressKen, the SS reflects my other paasion from a very young age. I have owned an original 1970 Camaro SS 396 for almost 32 years now.
So Rich you just got the Camaro? My baby is my 1968 Road Runner, Mom and Dad bought it when I was 12 years old. I talked them out of Miss Lumpy (nick name a Mopar friend gave her because of the nasty cam) when I was 17 years old. I am now 61 (in a few months) so I have been with her 44 years! Her orginal 383 is sitting under the train layout. Has a 1963 426 Maxie Wedge under the hood now.
I was not kind to her, sat out side (to many cars) and let her sit for 10 years with out starting her. Took the top off the motor 2 years ago, oilded down the holes, cleaned out the rotten gas and pre-oiled the heck out of her! Fired right up on first try! Right now she at a friend house in one of his 3 garages till next year.
Train Front Giving the Bessemers a break, using the PCM N&W Y6B to drag there freight. She had been making a humming noise so I stopped running her. I hate working on my big steam, afraid of breaking something. Tonight I opned her up lubed her. (think it was the worm gear's) Y6b is dragging the Bessemer train like it is nothing!
C&N Charlie Just think about having a catheter would make me pass out! Glad you are back home.
YGW If weather was not a factor, when should the Hobby Room be up and ready for you to start buliding you empire?
Lok 2.0 Sound Decoder owner's. When using decoder pro, should there be a Sound Level File showen? I lost the orginal file, hit the wrong button an it was gone. Tonight I re-read the decoder but there is no Sound File like the other sound decoders I have? Y6b is just to loud even on the lowest setting I can get using F-8. I do have the down loaded Big Book Of Lok Sound if I have to do it that way.
Ed Pin point olier came in handy tonight! Re-sat the Might B&O F7a tonight, let you know what happens. Far as the CB&Q's they are Monsters and like there new home!
Well, later I have a waiting on me.
Ken
She Lives
I hate Rust
Another glorious day in the Valley of the Sun. I just returned from a late-afternoon bike ride where it was a balmy 65F. I know, I know, talk to you when it is 115F in the summer. These are the good times to live in Arizona.
Richard
Good Evening,
Today I dubbed 'freedeom day' as I got the catheter out and the staples. Was an interesting and fast process. Now I just have to go slow for another 5 weeks as in lifting no more than 5lbs. and no stairs.
I had an interesting, scary time last night at supper time. I was about to sit down to dinner when I passed out. My wife called 911 and the ambulance arrived with 2 paramedics, then 4 more arrived with the fire department. The ambulance stayed and they did a basic assessment which showed my BP at under 100. I went to the emergency of the hospital that is 5 minutes away. They did a lot of test and determined that my heart was fine. The doc said I likely had a vagal nerve reaction from the catheter. He's seen it before. By 10 I was back home again. Feel fine today. I think I had worked myself up a bit about the catheter removal which turned out to be a 2 second process. Oh well. Only real downside is the $500 ambulance fee. Mind you they were with me for about 2 hours so I guess it really isn't that bad.
Still cold here but at least the snow has stopped.
Stay warm,
CN Charlie
LION been to orthopedic doctor today. Can bare wait on the paw. Still will wear the CAM Boot in the day time, but knead it knot at night. Can walk about my room or my office, but will still drive the power chair to church and to the dining room. Dining Room is 500' from my room.
Will sea the doctor again in two weeks.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Oh boy....not the dreaded "I" word again!! I may never go back to the basement now.......
Afternoon Diners,
I use to use the woodland scenics model inventory app. The app no longer works and it forces back to page 1 or the main menu.
Every time I make a inventory list it's easy than it becomes hard. Trying to remember what paint scheme or logo it carries.
A fast inventory of Union Pacific, Amtrak diesels. BNSF, Conrail, New York Central freight cars. Mix match of BNSF, CSX, NS, SP, CR, UP, NYC, ATSF freight cars and locomotives.
I'm hoping this year I would buy some structures, vehicles, and people. To many modern freight cars.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
I forget the program I'm using ATM, but it gives sep options for locomotives and rolling stock. It has a ton of AAR classifications in, as well as hundreds of railroads already programmed in. I'm up at present to nearly 70 entries including rolling stock,, and I think I'm pnly half done. Edit...it's easy Model railroad Inventory. I'll post the totals as soon as I finish lol. I've been looking to donate some of my older rolling stock to the club i belong to. I mean like my non PRR equipment, since I originally planned to model PRR, But then switched to the NS, then my freelanced, then finally I've settled on the Wheeling and Lake Erie.
(My Model Railroad, My Rules)
These are the opinions of an under 35 , from the east end of, and modeling, the same section of the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway. As well as a freelanced road (Austinville and Dynamite City railroad).
Hello all
Sun is finally out ! Hurray ! Two days of rain is over.
Train front: Concrete company bumped wall form and pour to next Tuesday. Cold snap is moving in and they are two days behind due to the last two days of rain. Patience YGW Patience !
Ulrich - Howdy ! I for one am impressed you could remember that list with all of the details. My memory is short ! Use a lot of sticky notes.
Galaxy - Why are you doing all this work if the relationship is going down the tube ? Do you expect to increase the value on the home and get a bigger return if you have to sell it ? Or are you planning on staying and her hitting the road ?
Honcitter - I was and am to a computer dino. But I have found that by just wadding in and asking questions I have learned a lot and it has been very usful. I would encourage you just to try. Cant break the internet after all
V8 - I agree I have never understood the ball drop and frankly couldnt care less. Never watch it.
Rich - 70 mph down a zip line ? OH - You are 70 years old and went down the zip line
ATSFGuy - What is a grade of 17 or 230 ? Way back when, when I was in school it was 0 to 100 or ABCD & F
Henry - Well that is pretty neat gift. How in the world did they get a book made like that ?
History qoute:
A free, virtuous, and enlightened people must know full well the great principles and causes upon which their happiness depends.
The best form of government is that which is most likely to prevent the greatest sum of evil.
Oppressors can tyrannize only when they achieve a standing army, an enslaved press, and a disarmed populace.
What a night! We had a terrible storm, dumping buckets and buckets of water on us! The storm´s calmed down now, but the ra*n remains.
I guess I don´t need an inventory program to keep track of my locos and rolling stock. Let me see whether I still have it all in the back of my head:
That´s all! I am afraid that´ll be all. With the exception of the two Märklin locos and the T-12, all will have to go!
No plans for the day! With the weather being what it is, I don´t feel inclined to spend any time outside.
Have a good one!
Hmmm, INVENTORY.
The trains should have beeen inventoried BEFORE I packed BEFORE we bought the new house/moved.
The train boxes are all on one 4'x18"x7' shelving unit..you know the steel wire ones. That's probably less than many of you, but I think enough for me. Thats including MOH's N scale stuff too. Now watch me buy more.....
Now to plan a new layout. ANd as much as we have/are spending/want to spend getting the house "just right" with back yard poured concrete patio, the greenhouse up and the pergola, removal of at least three trees, the new layout may have to wait, especially if the divorce happens.
Yeah, yeah, I know, I should make my trains a "priority"...LOL
-G
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
All this talk of trying to do inventory on our collections reminds me about the time I decided to physically reorganize all my cars and engines (Get all the cabooses, boxes, hoppers, etc in the same stack). When I did it, I actually discovered how many cars and engines I actually had. (I've even picked up a few more after that: 3 more flat cars, a couple more box cars and net two additional engines.) I wouldn't want to take my computer to try because there is really too much dust for the coputer.
Hi CG:
I agree. The Yard Office program doesn't do exactly what I would like it to do. However, I'm afraid I have never mastered the art of using spreadsheets, although I did manage to get my blood pressure measurements on an Excel sheet once. I am a computer dinosaur and I now lack the will to learn what I should have learned a long time ago.
hon30critter Jimmy_Braum Started doing an inventory of my roster. Why, WHY didn't I do this sooner? my hand is cramping and I'm not even halfway done. Jimmy: Are you doing the inventory manually or using a program? I used this: http://www.musicmixradio.com/yardoffice/ It works ok but I wouldn't describe it as being well organized. Maybe that is just me and the way I am using it. Dave
Jimmy_Braum Started doing an inventory of my roster. Why, WHY didn't I do this sooner? my hand is cramping and I'm not even halfway done.
Jimmy:
Are you doing the inventory manually or using a program? I used this:
http://www.musicmixradio.com/yardoffice/
It works ok but I wouldn't describe it as being well organized. Maybe that is just me and the way I am using it.
The trouble with canned programs is they are all somebody else's opinion of what you need. I use a spreadsheet instead. It's free and I get to set it up the way I want it.
CG
Happy New Year.
Great to see this discussion. Did the trip in front of the old steamer, summer 2010. Back of the passenger car and could feel the heat from the loco. Managed to climb the pile of rock at the observation platform.
Next day, zip line at Bretton Woods.
Not bad for seventy at the time.
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
If the radio is going to turn classic hits into pure backgound noise by playing the same dam songs over and over and over and over and over and over again ad nauseam, then I will stop listening again. Come on FM,
Show some Creativity,
Show some GUTS
Bring Back the Top Ten at 10 and other specailty programs you used to have.
A few have told me local radio is not what it used to be.
Happy New Year!!!
Saw the Ball drop on Dick Clarks New Years Rockin Eve on TV just before Midnight!!! I don't watch the entire celebration, usually tune in at 11:57 and keep the TV on until 12:10/12:15. This year, I watched it from 11:56 until 12:20am, going to bed afterwards because I had work the next day.
Trainfront: Saw two ATHG SD75M's on evilbay, (No's 200 & 248) I will purchase them on Thurs/Fri. It will be a great addition to the one I already have (No. 226). Some of you may find this following statement wierd, On my railroad the SD75M would be in every way Santa Fe's "Dream Locomotive".
Work: Off Today, extra shift tomorrow (1pm-6pm) off Thus, Back on Fri.
School: Final Grades came in on Dec 20th,
CMT 230: A
HIST 17: P
I go back to School on Jan 23rd, It's nice to have 4 weeks off.
The semester ended Dec 18 and starts Jan 23rd.
Other: Last month I renewed my Siruis XM subscription for my phone, it was only $18.21!
Outside of Trains, I also spend time on Siruis XM's Fansite, Radio Discussions, and Radio Insight. Certain topics regarding Oldies/Classic Hits tend to get pretty hot. I find myself cracking up over the circular arguments the discussions take.
But I also gain knowledge at the same time.
Just remember this one thing; The day YOU pay for radio, you will get what YOU want.
Sidenote: The radio is hard to listen to these days because every station pratically overlaps each other. Plus all the 55-74 stuff has largely disappeared as well. Mad Ave was hesitant about the oldies format being played on then current stations so CBS started adding in currents about one per hour in 1973. It was a good idea and over the decades it evolved into a natural evolution. The playlists were scaled down in the early 90's and the station became a stagnant museum. Then the demographic rot caught up with them in the early 2000's and they panicked. The stations were up s--t's creek by 2005 and killing them off was an act of mercy. It also gave the format another shot on HD-2 a few years later.
Milk and apple pie please, yes my gibanica was on the verge of exploding. Those silicon pads make clean up super easy.
Jimmy I need to catalog my rolling stock too. I'm afraid I'll find too many cars for the RIP track
Was trying to help another poster with photos and checked out Imgur.com. It seems to be slightly more user friendly that Photobucket without the popups and glitches and easy to figure out how to link to the forum.
My son gave me a late Christmas present, it's a "coffee table book" maybe 16" x 16" of pictures of his daughter, my granddaughter in her first year. It's a big book, maybe 70 pages and the photo quality is excellent. A really touching gift.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Hey all
Brutal first day back at w**k oh my. Couple of HO had a large puddle of water in teh raod and they were not HAPPY - They called the sales agent, the VP of the company and the county site inspector ! Took a beating from the site inspector, Had to listen to the VP who was not happy... Geez I tell you some people are so spoiled if they get a hitch in their get along they are raising cane and whining to anyone who will pacify them - glad the day is over.
Train front - Not much today. Need to get my vender some info so he can price up some of the material.
Hope to have time tomorrow to read post. Hope everyone has had a great day ( at least better than mine ) and a better tomorrow.
TTYL
YGW
Hey all, just a quick check in. Started doing an inventory of my roster. Why, WHY didn't I do this sooner? my hand is cramping and I'm not even halfway done.
Good Afternoon Diners,
Flo, I'll have an extra large coffee with lots of cream, please.
Yesterday, I watched the Rose Parade. Had it on both NBC on the tube and KTLA (independent channel in LA)on the computer, which ran it mostly commercial free. If anyone has never seen the parade live in person, it is worth the trip to do so at least once. Television just can't do it justice.
When MOH and I were younger, OK...much younger, we camped out for the parade a couple of times. It was a lot of fun. A couple of years later after our son was born, I wrapped him in a "snugly" and my coat and my wife and I walked virtually the entire parade route and back on one New Year's Eve. It's a six mile long party! Ah, good memories.
After the parade, I watched the Blackhawks' outdoor hockey game on the tube. I've only seen a couple of hockey games live. I was surprised to learn how much the puck is actually in the air. TV doesn't convey that aspect of the game very well. And as for watching a game outdoors in the cold, no thanks, I'd rather not.
I was unaware that there is a cog railway in New Hampshire. That would be fun to do.
It seems that there's a lot of health issues going around in the diner. I hope everybody gets well and have no complications.
Hello to everyone, and I hope everyone is OK, safe, and warm.
Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)
Good Evening!
An uneventful day today, which suits me fine these days! The only "thrill" I had was running a train on my layout for a few minutes. I will shoot a few pictures of it in the coming days for putting it up for sale in "The Bay". I decided to sell it as it is, without any further additions or changes made. I am not going to auction it, but will ask for a price and offers, so I can control for how much money I will let it go.
Heading for the hay - see you tomorrow!
Good morning .
Inch ..... Prayers for you and your having surgery tomorrow... Please make sure we are informed of the results. ... Thanks.
In a rush..... Catch up with everybody else later. ...... Coffee and donut to go.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU