Hello Railfans!
Been kinda bummed out today. And usually, spending a bit of time with the hobby cheers me up. Since Ive no layout, and I dont railfan hardly anymore, that leaves the diner. I know what your thinking, what did you do to deserve this?
Ive got a long time close friend going under the knife tomarow. A family member (already disabled) is having more problems - enough to warrant a trip to the hospital. And on top of that, Bill Paxton up and died on us. Not that it matters, but more fuel for the fire.... not even a preferred race team won at NASCAR today (I hope were allowed to mention that.)
So before i head over to youtube and eyeball me some 765 and 1225, i figured id come here. One note for the diner, i wish yall would stop posting pics of food.... everytime i read this thread i gain 10 pounds!
A cheerful thought is there seems to be word going round that MR has reached 1000 issues. Never doubted that would happen but Id like to pass on my congrats to all those who made that happen. Ofcourse, best wishes for 1000 more and beyond.
Garry, I think its a good idea for next months Diner to reflect back on those 1000 issues. Just think of where this hobby would be without MR! MR has been very inspiring, very informative, to my hobby. I suspect alot of you feel the same, even if the front cover date aint exactly on par.
YGW, my first job ever was working in a ma & pa hobbyshop. I was fortunate to have 2 such stores in fRednecksburg (then). Being under age (to work) meant i didnt make a 'real paycheck'. However, i was paid. Being a kid of hardly any responsibility, no bills, and no Peggy-in-the-wallet (fancy term for girlfriend), naturally i spent my paychecks on trains. So in a sense, yes, i was paid in trains. Mark twain would call that a 'stretcher'.
Back then Rivarossi was the top producer of plastic steam. I still have my first, "worked for, bought and paid for" locomotive. Then again, I have all my trains. I think getting rid of trains is a sin. And Im not even religeous! It took my whole weeks pay of $50, but i got it. "Will work for trains"!
From Dave.....
Hey Douglas,
PM Railfan In my opinion, you should only store your passwords in written form, personally hidden. No programs, no online sites, no nothing but pen and paper.
I hear what you are saying. I have to be more diligent, period.
Thanks,
Dave
Glad to hear it Dave! 1 down, 450 million to go! Dont forget to back up your personal data, create a restore point often, and definately run your malware scans weekly as well.
Lastly, for our resident Lion.... Im shaking my head over here as I cant believe i just read you post a password. To you folks it might not be anything. To me you just committed a red-birded sin!
Make that 2 sins as using a password program might be the easy way, just better hope the hard drive storing that password program and its password list never dies!
I wont even touch the part about the domain admin pw being easy, or the fact your using a 'telephone' person to handle this stuff for you. All I will say is I sincerely hope that this never bites you in the caboose. In my opinion my furry little friend.... your asking for it! And posting a pw is begging!
If it would take 'us guys' no time to figure out your pw, then why even have one? Your totally defeating the purpose of a pw. If I was your potter, Id put a tack in your chair for posting that. All I can do is warn you. Its your data, your money. Be as protective as you want with it. Or in this case, not.
$100/hr is the avg price for such services. Wait until you get the bill to fix it.
Well i guess yall are prolly as bummed as i am now. My appologies. Hopefully next installment I will have better news. This place shouldnt be a downer. take care all!
Douglas
Ed - Nice pictures of the wildlife at the feeders. We use to enjoy Gold Finches in the back yard, but our neighbor had a large Oak taken down, and they stopped coming around. I think it's just too open with not enough cover. Too bad as we would get quite a lot of them at one time. Beautiful little birds.
Dinner tonight was a London Broil, mashed potatoes with gravy, cream style corn, chocolate cake & a bottle of wine from Seneca Lake. A bottle of Catawba actually. Speaking of wine, I watched a program on TV this evening called "Uncorked". It was about a group of people studying to become Master Sommeliers. Anyone who obtains that certification has really earned it. What they must be able to do is simply amazing.
We caught 21 trains railfanning this weekend.
11 intermodals
9 mixed freights
1 trash train
Foreign power were a couple of Union Pacifics & a BNSF. For the 1st time we spotted a NS AC44C6M, a DC to AC Conversion. Fortunately for us t was also in the lead.
Tom
Pittsburgh, PA
Ed:
Good shots of the Pileated! You are so lucky to have him as a regular. Amongst many others, we have Nuthatches, both White and Red Breasted, nesting somewhere nearby. We can hear them chattering back and forth all day long. They are constantly inspecting the Morraine Locust right beside our deck and they even tour the deck regularly while we are sitting there.
We have our hotel booked for Point Pelee in mid May. Three days at Pelee and two at Long Point just up the lake. We will also try to get to Long Point in March to see the swan migration.
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Evening Diners!
Flo, give Rob a in a UP Mug, Ed a Crown Royal and I will have a please.
Work Front was much better today thank Goodness! Had 3/4 of customer traffic and had $55.00 more in sales. Not a great day by any means, but I was not my head all day either!
Looks like the best check ever with this comany, but far from my best check. But if I have done the math right should be around $1600.00 before taxes.
Cederstrand***Garry, excellent idea. As was also suggested, we could park at the MRR home state site
Rob I think we should camp in there offices! I am sure they have a bar and with out the diners Steve would be bored all day with nothing to do! Well he might type a little?
Ed Some great photos! I sure wished it snow more here in Maryville IL. I never did find the Humming Bird, was it in the photo?
Later, Ken
I hate Rust
Scrambled eggs with toast, please.
***Garry, excellent idea. As was also suggested, we could park at the MRR home state site!?!
***Der, I've planted walnut, almond and hazelnut trees in recent years. First pecan trees just this month. Time will tell.
***Ed, neat pics, both the bird life and the wee little folk life.
Have been researching those Intermountain cab forwards. Sounds like the 3rd run has all the earlier bugs worked out of them. Wonder how to identify a 3rd run loco online? Anyone know?
Cheers! Rob
Heartland Division CB&QAnybody else agree that we honor MR's 1000th edition with the next Diner ?
Sounds good to me! Does that mean that the Diner will be parked in Milwaukee Intermodal Station? (I don't care much for that name, sounds like a place for truck containers to be trans-loaded).
Or do we camp out at Kalmbach's new location in Waukesha?
http://landmarkhunter.com/196267-chicago-and-northwestern-railroad-passenger-depot/
Given a choice I vote for the Waukesha depot... Can't wait for some Beer & Brats! Usinger's Sausage is one of my favorites
Things are quiet here in NE Ohio. After a record-breaking week of warm temperatures things returned to near-normal yesterday after a "precipitous" drop in temperatures.
Things were busy at the bird feeders with Mr. P and a Cardinal and a squirrel visiting...
That Pileated Woodpecker has been a fixture around here for years! Quite a friendly fellow!
It amazes me when I see a hummingbird and the Pileated sharing the same space. Talk about a variety of size!
Train Fun!
I had a chance to run the new Rapido RDCs that arrived a few days ago... Nice!
My little commuters will be happy with the new equipment
I spent a little time with the farm house scene, too...
Thanks for the beverages and the cheesecake, Ken! I hope you partied like you were 55 all over again!
I hope this finds everyone well, safe and happy—or at least contented.
My thoughts and prayers go out to those in need...
Regards, Ed
{edit} TOP-O-The Page! Tab's on me!! I'll just leave my credit card here with Chloe NO shoe shopping this time, dear!
Or I WAS, something changed?
Garry, ok with me. Does this mean we will be moving the Diner to Milwaukee? Free beer for the month would seem a great way to celebrate.
CN Charlie
Sounds ok to me (I trust that Steven won't find anything Political in honoring the 1,000th issue).
Angelob6660 and Der ... Thanks for answerring .... so far, nobody object to the idea.
Anybody else agree that we honor MR's 1000th edition with the next Diner ?
CN Charlie .... I'm glad you figured out the problem. Where will the gremin appear next time ? LOL
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Good Afternoon,
A sunny, cool, as in 11F, day here.
Garry, it was the track. I had installed a road crossing that is on a curve and I guess I disturbed the ballast enough to cause the track to tilt. It doesn't take much with N scale. I use a small level, a line level I believe, to check track level and sure enough it was off. I shimed it so should be fine now. The Kato RDC is running great after a wheel clean. I bought one of those Woodland Scenics wheel cleaning gizmos and it seems to work well. I also cleaned the track. It seems to 'gunk' up very quickly. Not sure why. I find that alcohol works great on HO but not so well with N. For that I find a Peco eraser to be very good. It is quite a bit finer than a Bright Boy so hopefully won't damage the track. It doesn't seem so.
Think I'll watch a train video today. I have several of steam shot around here in the late '50s by a fellow from Washington state. It has sound too so it is really good. I also may view a DVD I have on the Halifax bomber. After seeing that show on the Lancaster, I want to view again the plane my Dad flew. There aren't any Halifaxs flying. In fact there are only 2 on display, one in Trenton, Ont. despite over 6,000 having been built. Mind you as the average lifespan of bomber crew was only 12 trips many planes never made it back to England.
See you soon,
Have been planting more fruit and nut trees. Also pruning some. Never did get them all sprayed during dormancy. Some are starting to bloom now.
I decided to buy myself a tablet. ..Main places I plan to use it is as a notepad for working on the layout (No hunting for pens or paper.) and it will come with when I go to swap meets to make sure that I don't purchase cars that are not accurate (That has happened to me before… Not a hard transition as my phone is an Android phone so I am used to dealing with touch screens.
IDEA ..... For the March Jeffrey's Diner, let's celebrate Model Railroaders' 1,000th issue instead of selecting a location for the month .. ... What do you think ? .... There were some good ideas for locations posted last month, but maybe we can wait a month to do one of them. .... Please post if you like the idea or not.
"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.
Good afternoon all.
Zoe - Pepporni pizza and some BBQ wings, and a Coke for Daytona day please. Thanks!
YGW - Fixing the lift involves a lot of "elbow grease" to shove it back into place... Not my idea of "fun".....
Weather - 74 on Friday, 58 yestrerday and 28 today.... OUCH!
W**k - Slow day yesterday.... Made 0 in spiffs... And all I sold was a hammer!
Trains - Finishing up the gift box for my friends son.
Hope all enjoy the day, and Happy Daytona Day!
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.
Morning diners,
Garry- I believe your right. We should celebrate the 1,000 issue of Model Railroader or 83 years.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
Good morning ....
IDEA ..... For the March Jeffrey's Diner, let's celebrate Model Railroaders' 1,000th issue instead of selecting a location for the month .. ... What do you think ? .... There were some good ideas for loctions posted last month, but maybe we can wait a month to do one of them. .... Please post if you like the idea or not.
CN Charlie ..... Regarding the PA's you say a troubling, I sometimes have problem locomotives. It could be the PA's, the track, or some of each. ...With track, I sometimes check to make sure the tops of the rails are even using a straightedge place on the tops of the rails. ... WIth the engines, sometimes the trucks are too snug and do not pivot as freely as they should.... But then again, the sneaky gremlin has other tricks.
Ken .... I agree with your comment about Ulrich and Galaxy. Hopefully, they will return soon.
JohnBoy .... Actually, I have been at home since the AZ trip in January.... However, we do have a FL trip being planned for April.
Have a nice Sunday.
JaBear,
Went into the cT-8Hyw site, incredible plethera of options, everything from train re-rail video, demolition gone wrong, to ship collision, at sea rescue, to rail service around the Black Sea area. Most interesting, thank you.
herrinchoker
Finally decided to bite the bullet in a sense of the word: I decided to buy myself a tablet. (A customer bought a couple of them on my register.) Main reason I decided is that it was only $25! I had thought about it at points but couldn't justify previously. Main places I plan to use it is as a notepad for working on the layout (No hunting for pens or paper.) and it will come with when I go to swap meets to make sure that I don't purchase cars that are not accurate (That has happened to me before.) and lugging the laptop to those situations is not resonable. Not a hard transition as my phone is an Android phone so I am used to dealing with touch screens.
Good Evening,
A belated Happy Birthday to Ken.
I actually did some work on the N scale layout today. I got both of those finicky PA's running but then one decided to derail at a point it never had a problem before. I can't seem to find the issue. Then it picked up a piece of ballast so I had to take it apart and remove the ballast from the front truck. I cleaned the track, cleaned the wheels but still have a hesitation issue. They are both back in their cases and will likely stay there for some time. They are really nice looking engines especially in their D&H colours but very frustrating. I had a BMan Heavy Mountain running over the same tracks with nary a hiccup.
I watched a great documentary on the Lancaster bomber that was flown from Hamilton over to the UK where it was flown in formation with the only other flying Lancaster. Great sight.
I had another session with the physiotherapist yesterday. Besides the massage, she did 'dry needling' which involves sticking a needle into the calf muscle to make it contract. Not fun. Also I had my first acupuncture session which was no big deal. No great sign of improvement in my heal as yet but it is early days. I did get some better running shoes though which should help when I walk the track. She wasn't impressed with the ones I had as they had little arch support.
My wife saw the Houdini rabbit this afternoon do his leap over the fence. She was outside with Robbie so I imagine he frightened the rabbit just a little. Robbie isn't fast enough to catch one never mind the snow. The Afhgan Hound I had once could easily follow that rabbit over a 6' fence and then run it down. The speed and agility of that breed is absolutely amazing. Too bad they changed the breed standard to the present state making the dog skinny and dumb. They bred them for a narrow skull, too small for the brain. The dog I had was more heavily built than they are now and he had been a show dog.
Well time for a little tellie.
Evening Diners
Flo, I will have a Keg of with a straw and give Ed what ever he likes.
Work Wars Man I am so glad today is over! To say it was a Ash Pitt of a day is a understatment! One of those days where I could not sell a $10.00 bill for $5.00! Lots of customers looking for soft $300.00 queen sets, 14" thick King Mattress for $400 to $500 range and the list goes on and on of the stupid stuff and stupid prices people where looking for!
Around 5:00 PM customers stopped coming in. At 5:45 I thought I was going to get out at closing time which is 6:00 PM. But Noooooo, at 5:45 I had a couple come in! I did my job, but at 6:00 the open sign was turned off and I locked the front door! Around 6:10 another customer tried to get in, TUFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was beat and I still had the couple in the store.
They did buy and I made a little extra and got the heck out of there 45 minutes late and my first tasted great when I got home! Month started out verey badly at work, but looks like a good ending is coming! If I have a decent next 3 days it may be one of my best months yet.
DC Jim Sorry I for got to welcome you to the dinner. Lot going on the last few days. I worked for Radio Shack when thet carried real Stereo Grear and when they first came out with computers! I liked working there back when no one knew what a cell phone was.
YGW Sorry I let you down on posting the photos of the hobby barn. Photo Bucket just bogs my computer so much it pretty much comes to a stand still. And honstely you where over wheliming me with all the photos. Send me 1 or 2 of the framing and I will try to get them posted.
Ulrich and Galaxy Hope you post again soon. I still think of you folks when I am in the dinner!
Later beaten with the cheap stick all day Ken
Afternoon Diners,
der5997 angelob: Nice looking track plan! Are you sure there will be sufficient clearance on the end curves for the overhang of your long cars?
Yes there will. The picture shows the track plan inside the frame. I haven't placed the foam in yet. The only long cars will the Amtrak Amfleet coaches or three heavyweight coaches.
Henry- Yes I agree with the other people it is extremely tragic.
Hey all!
Flo dear, I'll take a Philly Cheese steak, fries, and a large milkshake, in ToGo boxes please.
Wow, wacko weather this week. Hit 80 yesterday, so got out and did a bunch of yard work. Had a bugger of a time sleeping last night. Still have the flannel sheets on the bed (it IS still February), so too hot and throw the sheet off, too cool and pull it back on. Back and forth all night.
Pulling a 24 hour volunteer 911 shift today. Got 3/4 of the way through breakfast before we got our obligatory nursing home call. Restaurant normally gives first responders a discount if on duty, but they made out today. We didn't have the check yet when the call came in, so one person dropped a $20 on the table, while another went by the register and dropped $60 before running out. After we got the patient to the hospital we realized that we paid $80 on a $35 bill!
YGW - yes, I go by Inova Fairfax on almost a nightly basis. On the ground though, not by air. Nowadays, the flight crews need to be both Paramedics *AND* RNs, instead of one of each. Too edumacated for this country boy.
Ken - Happy Birthday! I put myself through college working at Radio Shack. At times I miss the interaction with all of the interesting people while working retail, but then I remember the scumbags, thieves, long hours, etc. and am thankful that I got out.
DC Jim
Der - Oh I was wondering, How will you finish or scenic the area where the two pieces join ?
(By Steve )By the way, I also deleted your violent anti-Vinnie fantasies from your post. I'm pretty sure you expected that.
Morning Gang,
Sat. morning and I am back at work. Not really my shift but a co-worker is off sick. He thinks he has the Norwalk virus. Says he has never been so sick in his life and he is 79 I believe.
Henry, Those are really sad tales of life, my condolences to you and their families.
Cuda Ken, A belated Happy Birthday, hope you got some leftovers for today.
Garry, You sure do spend alot of time travelling, always glad to hear you had a good time and got home saftley.
Does any part of the lake there freeze up? Enough to ice fish ?
Ray, I thought the look of your last scenery was great. I haven't tried the broken ceiling tile yet, even though I've known about it for years. But seeing yours, I think I want some.
Frank (Z), I really enjoy seeing your skills on those trucks, they are wonderful.
YGW, Glad to hear the weather held for you and the build is going ahead. I would be excited as well. Your Wife will always know where to find you now.
Br. Elias, This has been several mornings without those sticky buns of yours, they must have gotten lost amoung all those passwords.
Neil, Cody, Steven and all M.R. Staff, congratulation on reaching the big 1000th issue. That is a remarkable achievement for longevity in a select magazine. Make sure you all have a Barley Pop on me. I am eagerly waiting the mail to get a look at it.
Still run a few trains at least every other day, but still working on some lite construction (refurbishing) around the house. That should be done soon and then some time will be given back to the LM&E.
Must get back to work now, so a wish for you all to have a great week-end.
Johnboy out......................for a spell.
from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North..
We have met the enemy, and he is us............ (Pogo)
Lion ..... Did you come to the Diner without sticky buns ?
Ken ... Thank you for the cheesecake.... It is a good one. ... Glad you had a nice birthday.
Steven .......... I'm anxiously awaiting my copy of the 1,000th edition of Model Railroader . It looks like the MR staff had fun putting it together. I've seen the FB posts from MR about it.
hon30critterI am one of those people who hasn't changed my passwords in a while. What is your opinion of the password programs that supposedly safely save your passwords for you? I am very hesitant to use one.
A password program is only as safe as your computer, which to say if it is turned on, and you are logged in, it assumes that anything you do is ok with it.
LION does use a password program, protected of course with a password. LION has a root password, lets him onto any puter in the house, lets him open password program too. But once in password program, there are several hundred accounts that require passwords. for these LION uses 25 character random passwords generated by the computer. Big Random passwords require a computer to remember them, so that you can cut and paste them into place.
My usesr do not change their passwords although they *could*. They just use the one that I gave them when I set up their profile. So the potter has a password "P0tMak3r" or something like that. If I were to force password changes shuch as would be at a real business, I would have a rebellion on my hands. Funny how I can remember most of my users passwords, eh?
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
hon30critter Hey Douglas, PM Railfan In my opinion, you should only store your passwords in written form, personally hidden. No programs, no online sites, no nothing but pen and paper. I hear what you are saying. I have to be more diligent, period. Thanks, Dave
Whale, the LION does use a computer to store the passwords of him.
Him would loose a piece of paper sooooo fast!
Program is password protected, but it also generates passwords.
Lately the LION has be using 25 character passwords using caps, lowers numbers, and characters. Computer generates these at random. Since they are on the computer, cut and paste works just fine. If I want to send a password to a different computer, I can email it to my self.
It is a good system, but it would take youse guys only a few minutes to hack my root password. But some pass words have to be easy, and this one is not really private as it is the domain administrator's password, and so the business manager knows it as does consolidated telephone who assists me with the stuff that I can not handle by my self at $100/hr.
Evening Birthday Party Diners
Flo, take this! Man that is a 25 pound Chesse Cake my wife made for the diners. Bar tap in on me, start Ed out with a Crown Royal and I will have a please!
Birthday Work Front, I love working on my Brithday! Why you ask? Simple, my wife Birthday is 2-15-???? and I have to do what she wants to and I understand! But if I am off on my Birthday, I have to do what she wants to agian? Just does not seem right some how?
Karm was on duty today at the main offices and I warned him to watch my ticket dates. Told him 99.999999% of the time I write 2-24 I end it with 1956. He caught on quick and said Happy Birthday. Around 5:40 he sent me a Fax with a drawing of a mug on it with a pick up order number for Somkey Bones BBQ! That sure was nice of him! Saved it for home, it will taste better that way!
yougottawantaEd, Ken - The employers also pay a matching 7.5% to your 7.5% so every pay check the Gov. is collecting 15% of your pay for your retirement. Heck of it is they use your money interest free and you dont get ANY interest ! What a racket !
Yep YGW I agree with that! Heck if I made only 1% intrest I be way away.
Later Ken
Chamomile tea, please.
***Henry, that is dreadful news. How sad.
***Ken, a belated Happy Birthday. Hope you had a nice one.
Healing thoughts for those in need.
Steve
I will write you a PM. I don't think this is the location. For this discussion.
Henry
That is tough news and I am sorry for the loss of your friend and the injury of your other friend.
YGW
Evenin' folks!
Janie, I'll have a cup of decaf please.....
Been dealing with a slew of emails today form people in the NMRA on a whole bunch of stuff that is transpiring at the moment. Quite a bit concerns getting the program nailed down for a combined meet with the division nbext door to us..... Also supposedly had a meeting of the class reunion committee in Canandaigua.
Now today was a day that I didn't need to drive all the way to Canandaigua and back as my SIL was taking care of my Sister's kitties.... But I drove all the way to the restaurant in Canandagua where we were to meet to find there was only one other committee member there. We were early so we sat and talked about nothing in particular until it was a half hour after the meeting was supposed to start. We wondered what was going on and finally called the Committee Chair to see what and where everyone was. Couldn't get in touch with him, so after waiting another half hour or so we decided to go home... I got back home, checked the email I had gotten a couple days ago and found that yep the meeting was for 3PM on the 24th. ....................... Of March! So that wasted a lot of time that I should have been using for other things and a lot of electrons as well.... Although being about 70°F outside, the car didn't need to use any electrons to keep the inside of the car comfortable so it said I had 54 miles of electric range!!! (That's a bit better than the 42 or so I was getting when it was 15°F outside and still running on EV....)
I'm waiting for some WS Flocking to arrive at my LHS to get the rest of the trees done on the hillside on the SLOW. May stop down there tomorrow to see if they have finally arrived. Would love to get a few minutes to do some hobby stuff.
Henry, sorry to hear of the bad news you got.... I hope that the third news will be good......
A quote for the day...
"Denial ain't just a river in Egypt!" - Mark Twain
I like this one...
"All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence, and then success is sure." - Mark Twain
Have a great one out there!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Henry ... I am saddened to hear about those events. ..