Henry,
Bad news on both counts.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Flo I'll have a seat in the back and just have a glass of water.
Bad news comes in buckets lately. A former colleague, a cigarrette smoking heart surgeon died. It was not unexpected as he had been on oxygen for 10 years. He never told me the story but apparently he won a medal for operating on a GI in Vietnam with some sort of unexploded ordinance in his body. Evidently these days it take a year to be buried in Arlington Cemetary.
The next email imformed me that a gynecologist fell off her deck. There was an article in the paper but it didn't mention any names but knowing the neighborhood I immediately wondered it I knew the person. I assume the railing failed or maybe she fell into it and it didn't hold, but she was a light weight. She is now a quadraplegic. Short of being held captive by ISIS I can't imagine a worse fate.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Hey Douglas,
PM RailfanIn 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,
Evening Diners,
yougottawanta Angel - Thanks for the picture. What is the X on the bottom left hand corner for ?
Angel - Thanks for the picture. What is the X on the bottom left hand corner for ?
The X was placed when the Home Depot guy cut the board into the appropriate length.
I calculated around $400 in supplies and detail parts. I can't found some the cars I wanted on the road.
I was thinking of getting another bed frame since the one I have is bent. It will probably a good idea before the layout is started or finished. I'll check for the cost.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
yougottawanta Steve - so are you saying if it is not about modeling it is political or if someone complains about the subject matter its political ? If my subject matter is that I am discussing men taking a day off without approved leave and I give them an extra day off as punishment vs. firing them, then that is political ? Again not arguing trying to understand.
Steve - so are you saying if it is not about modeling it is political or if someone complains about the subject matter its political ? If my subject matter is that I am discussing men taking a day off without approved leave and I give them an extra day off as punishment vs. firing them, then that is political ? Again not arguing trying to understand.
You seem to be doing your best to not understand. It should be quite obvious whether a subject is political. The walkout you were discussing was a political protest.
By the way, I also deleted your violent anti-Vinnie fantasies from your post. I'm pretty sure you expected that.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
Hey I carved out a little time! First meeting went quick. That is usually not the way of meetings! This day is getting better by the minute !
Der - Oh I was wondering, How will you finish or scenic the area where the two pieces join ?
Douglas - Howdy to you also. Now that is one heck of an idea !!!!! Paid in locos ! I love that idea
Ed, 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 !
Mr.B - Hope you are feeling better.
SSExpress - Man that is one heck of a good story with pictures too !
ROR - OOOOhhh that is creepy - I agree -
Tom - Yep cars will do that to you also. Runs terrible and the minute you pull into your mechanics garage it will purr like a kitten !
The nation which indulges towards another an habitual hatred, or an habitual fondness, is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest.
A government is like fire, a handy servant, but a dangerous master.
My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.
TTYL
YGW
Ken .... again, Happy Birthday. ... I'll pay the tab for everybody's cake.
Der.... The new LED fixtures cost about twice as much as the two-tube fluorescent fixtures. They use less electricity and should last much longer. It seems like they provide at least twice as much light. It is a very bright white light. ... The older fixtures were getting very dim even after replacing tubes. Furthermore, fluorescent lights flicker, and LED's do not do that.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Besides I’m sure that Vinniewill definitely Not allow “Puha and Pakeha” on the menu.
In the layout room, I removed two 4' florescent shop light fixtures, and replaced them with new 4' LED shop light fixture. I am more than happy with the new lights. I am now thinking of replacing all florescent shop light fixtures in the train room with 4' LED's. .
"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.
Morning diners,
LION- I hoped you had a good night sleep on those mattresses.
Ken- Happy Birthday!
I thought you guys could like the process. It shows the footprint of the size and scale.
Although construction won't start until next month or so. I thought I'll show something. And this time it isn't just talk.
Ken: Have a great birthday!
Good morning ...
Lion ... What? ... You should have taken a trip to Ken's store in Illinois ! ... Also, if you can complain about lack of meat in zoos, we can complain about lack of sticky buns this morning.
Hello all
Finally just about over the nose and lung crud and its FRIDAY ! Blue skies and in the 70s in Feb. !!! Hurray !
Train front - Doors and windows delivered yesterday. Buddies set up for tomorrow. Will dig out my now rusty hammer and will start framing tomorrow ! Og I will have to gety out teh aspirin because I will be sore at the end of teh day saturday !
I have to keep this short. All day meetings. Finish the last one at 3pm today, walk the site and tehn head into the sunset around 4pm.
Did scan through the post.
Ken Happy birthday !
Lion you had me rolling on the floor ! LOL. If I tie red meat around Vinnies neck. Which will you eat first ? The red meat or the fresh meat ?
All have a good week end if I dont get back in later.
Now as for THIS LION, him went out and bought a new mattress. WE got some mattress merchants in here, so lion will talk about mattress.
$329 for a twin sixe mattres with no foundation. They used to be called box springs, but now they are called foundations. LION knows knot why.
LION also buyed two mattress covers at $79 each. spendysive, but better than what was gotten at Walmart.
Apparently they do not want you to eat wildebeests in bed. Stains it seems voids the warranty.
Him shopped at MattressFIRM. New chain, but lady says is 30 years old. Radio says they bought out Sleepys. Now Sleepys LION knows all about. LION listen to Sleepys ads on radion and TV ever since LION was old enough to turn on TV. Established old firm. Sleepys ads are still on the radio, since of course, even if LION is in North Dakota, LION listen to New York radio station.
Good luck to all our mattress merchants out there.
If mattresses were still filled with feathers could we call you a feather merchant?
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Steven OtteThe guidelines aren't unclear. I don't remember a plank in either party's platform advocating for or against X2F couplers.
LIONS are always political. They live in a ZOO, and zoos are run at the discression of politicians.
LIONS not always understand issues, but neither does the LION understand why there is no fresh meat in his den. You keep lion with meat him leave you alone, you not give LION his meat, him come and eat you.
der5997On another topic, you may have noticed mention of the Diner relocation. Since you and Peter have the time advantage, would you care to think about this?
Cheers, the Bear.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
der5997:
der5997What’s your venue show area? ‘Cos that’s quite a good crowd in the average aisle space. Nice! Even if the casual visitor stays 20 minutes, elbows would have been rubbed, I’m thinking.
I'm not sure of the exact size of the venue but I will guess it to be around 18,000 to 20,000 sq. ft. All aisles were eight feet wide but people seemed to be able to get around, albeit slowly sometimes. The biggest obstacles seemed to be the families with young children because they tend to line up sideways and take up most of the aisle. The only bottleneck was at the entrance. When we opened it initially took about an hour to get into the show. I don't think that is unusual for train shows though.
The leftover cans of chili did go to a local hostel but we sold off the frozen hot dogs to club members. I don't believe the hostels or food banks will take frozen product from the general public because they don't know the refrigeration history. I'm pretty sure we will be able to sell the pop and chips to club members, not that any of us need that stuff!
Dave: The listening area is about 35 miles north of Toronto and contains about 275,000 people total. We had a little better than 1% of that through the door. Not huge by some standards, but much better than what we have had in the last several years.So, 2700 give or take. 2days? 1350/day or 225 for a 6 hour show day. What’s your venue show area? ‘Cos that’s quite a good crowd in the average aisle space. Nice! Even if the casual visitor stays 20 minutes, elbows would have been rubbed, I’m thinking.
The listening area is about 35 miles north of Toronto and contains about 275,000 people total. We had a little better than 1% of that through the door. Not huge by some standards, but much better than what we have had in the last several years.
Nice tunnels. Thanks for the tutorials.
We ordered too much pop and too many snacks so we have a lot of leftovers to deal with.
I 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.
By the way $10.00 per sq foot is pretty cheap for retail.
I afraid der5997, that the Bears limited brain almost equates that to arriving before you’ve left!!
On the other hand, Der, if you move the Diner feel free to invite Diners to beautiful Nova Scotia.
Der - HOW DO YOU PLAN to get the engine out if it rerails in the tunnel ?
Thanks for the reply YGW, Dave and Der5997. I do believe it is a little expensive and it should be cheaper. The painting is sloppy, the trimming needs patching up, the roof isn't fitted properly.
I'm the guy who dreams and collects locomotives and freight cars with little track, scenery and vehicles.
So much for keeping sight of your safety spotter....
The paper "mush", as I call it, ends up drying to a light silver-gray (almost the color of a light gray primer).
I had to fill out some electronic retirement paperwork today. When I was finished it said, "Richard Scott: Terminated." Very Jason Bourne.
Hey there Dave!
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.
You should change them often. Its free, its easy, its alot more peace of mind. Yeah, I know, its a pain to do so too.
Changing once a month is vigilant. Changing once every 3 months is diligent. Changing once every 6 months is asking for it. Changing once a year or hardly at all.... hand it to them on a silver platter. Why even use a password at that point?
Whats behind your passwords is your property. Your business. How much is it worth to you? Pay free now by taking an active stance in protecting yourself, or pay real, actual, bonafide, hard earned time and money later! Thats a given.
I say to all of you, take the 15 minutes (just 15!) it takes to write your passwords down, then secure them in a safe place only you know about. Dont store them in a program, dont store them on your computer or other electronic device, and certainly never use a service (online or otherwise) to store them for you.
Never let someone else hold the keys to your castle! Or in our case.... train room.
Hope this helps, any other questions please do ask.
Douglas
PS: Ken, Happy Birthday buddy. Your drink is on me. Hey there Garry! Thanks for the congrats. Ed, YGW and the rest - howdy yall!
cudakenYep, 2-24 is my Birthday. Only thing it means to me at 61 years old I only have 18 months to spouge off the Feds and I will!
Happy Birthday, Ken!
Sponging off the Feds? That's money you put into an annuity. You worked for it and you deserve it.
Re: NYC 1609. It looks like it "split a switch" and the only damage was minor. The "shoe" I refered to was for the automatic train stop system and that is what the NYC Police sergeant is looking at.
High today was 65 and for tomorrow is supposed to be 74! We were out doing yard w**k today! Amazing!
I hope to check in again later—
I Hope everyone is doing well, my wishes for a better day and prayers for those in need...
Take Care, Ed
Howdy ..
Ricky .... Was that an on-the-job-training truck driver?
Douglas ... Good to see you. Congratulations on the biggest sale ever.
Rich .... Interesting eastern railfanning there. PRR, CNJ, and LV ...
Ken .... Happy birthday a day early.... Also, you have good advice on not judging people based on how they look.
Steven .... LOL ... Well, I certainly won't vote for a politician who advocates X2F couplers.
I've had "The Cough" for a couple of months now. I went to the doctor last week, and he told me to take Benadryl so I could sleep better, and to get a chest X-ray "so he could sleep better." Well, I got the X-ray, it was "negative" so hopefully we both sleep well tonight.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Afternoon Diners
Flo, Give Ed and the Buick Guy what they like to drink and I will have a Please.
Birthday Eve Day Off. Yep, 2-24 is my Birthday. Only thing it means to me at 61 years old I only have 18 months to spouge off the Feds and I will! I will still have to work, but the extra will help a lot!
Rick I have learned my lesson well from both sides of the coin about Pre-Jugding Customers.
As a seller first time was when I worked at Raido Shack while I was going to trade school. Older black man in bib-coverall's came into my store looking for stero gear. Other sales people did not want to give him the time of day. My store was dead, so what the heck. Stared pulling off stero gear off the shelf that had spiff's because I was bored. Hooked up all the stuff so he could see how to use it and hear it. Pulled out a white gym sock with a 4" thick roll of $20.00 bills! He spent $1100.00 and I made $123.00 in spiffs, and this is in 1978 money!
Reciving End My custom full stack guitar amp reverb pan died. Amp was to old to get it fixed so I wanted a electroinc unit. Sales person let me play 5 of then ranging form $50.00 to $500.00. I told him "I like the Yamaha Sythesizes and I will take it". He packed up the gear and left the studio. Stood at the counter for 5 minutes wondering where the sales person was? Finally saw him selling guitar picks to a long hair Metal Head! Asked him "where is my Sythesizer"? He looked and said "did you want it today'? And yes it was the $500.00 unit!
Later, Ken
I hate Rust
Good evening diners........Flo, I'll have 2 slices of extra mushroom pizza and a large diet pepsi, please.
Since it was such a nice today I got a chance to get out of the dispatch office with my camera and do some railfanning. I didn't need to wait long when that PRR private party excursion came rumbling along.
A few minutes later the CNJ came by with that string of empties and reefer cars headed for the docks.
I figured I wait it out for the LV with a run of loaded coal hoppers from an assortment of roads.
That PRR scrap train was delayed because of an employee walkout at the trash and recycling facility. Rumor has it the were complaining of the smell....crazy stuff I tell ya!! The PRR found no humor in this.
Rich
yougottawanta Steve - I understand the intent but if you apply that rule to just about any conversation just about everything is or becomes political. For instance - Kadee vs. McHenry couplers, N vs O scale, code 100 vs. code 83, North vs. southern living...Are you saying if someone has an opposing view it is political ??? Not arguing trying to understand and live within the guidlines.
Steve - I understand the intent but if you apply that rule to just about any conversation just about everything is or becomes political. For instance - Kadee vs. McHenry couplers, N vs O scale, code 100 vs. code 83, North vs. southern living...Are you saying if someone has an opposing view it is political ??? Not arguing trying to understand and live within the guidlines.
The guidelines aren't unclear. The topics you cite may be contentious among our community, but (except for the last one) they're on topic. Politics is politics, and it's not hard to tell if a topic is political or not. If political parties have taken a stand on an issue, it's likely political. I don't remember a plank in either party's platform advocating for or against X2F couplers.
Richard
Weather here in the "Burgh" is a balmy 67 degrees. Kind of crazy for this time of year, but I'll take it. Yesterday was also nice. Got the car washed & the wife & I spend some time giving the interior a good cleaning. Got the windows done both inside & out. For some reason, that's a chore I don't like.
Today my printer would not turn on. Unplugged it a couple of times at each end, tried a different outlet, & finished up with a lot of cursing seeing it was only purchased this past December. Out of ideas, I lugged it out to the car & drove back to where I purchased it. Yep, you guessed it. The lady plugged it in & it turned right on with no problems. I can't describe how much I hate that when it happens.
Oh well, things could be a lot worse. Hope everyone is having a good day. I think I might just break out a bottle of Reisling from Seneca Lake & not worry about anything for the rest of the day.
Tom
Pittsburgh, PA
Hi Douglas,
PM RailfanJesting aside, another friendly reminder is to change your passwords regularly.
Hello Railfans!
How yall doin? Fair to middlin' on my side of the fence. Nothing extravagant as winnin the lottery happening here. Pretty dry (as usual) and very temperate. For being the middle of winter youd never know it with temps around here ranging from 60-70.
Made my biggest sale ever (with this cmpany) last week. Also happened to be the companys biggest sale in its 7 year history under this mgmt. How i wish i was working in the hobby industry and the commissions were paid off in models! I spose what the angle here is.... im not a salesman.
Which leaves me with my regular duties - reversing iWindows 10 back to Win 7. Get alot of that these days. Alot of data recovery aswell due to hard drive failures. Just a friendly reminder folks... PLEASE BACK UP YOUR PERSONAL DATA. I cant say that enough to people. Especially if your computer is 3 years or older. Mac OR IBM compatable, makes no difference.
Have you changed your password today? A play on the saying 'Have you hugged your kid today?'. Which was taken directly from the saying 'have you hugged your favorite loco today?".
Jesting aside, another friendly reminder is to change your passwords regularly. I know, I know, its hard enough to keep up with the one you have. And Im betting more than half of you reading this DO NOT write them down and store them in a safe place. (Like stuffed inside boxcar #135004, somewhere on the layout, way back in a tunnel). Its like track cleaning. No one wants to do it, and if you dont, it WILL bite you back in the end.
On the railfront, not really any good news here. Actually bad news. On a recent regular sojourn of mine to Canton (home of the Blue Ridge Southern, ex NS, ex Sou.) I had noticed one of the locomotives of a string of four, was on the ground. Precariuosly sitting at a very obvious angle in reference to standing straight up. Still coupled at both ends. Both coupled locomotives did have their closest axle on the ground aswell. All were EMD SD's.
Obviously a slow speed accident, it was apparent the crew cought on to what was happening and prevented a worse accident from becomming reality. No fuel loss, and it looked like more damage to track and bed than to locos.
The next day saw a front end loader and a rather small sized mobile crane on site. Day after that - things looked back to normal.
The rest of the bad news is the shortline here in Charlotte (Piedmont and Northern) is on its way out. The lease is up (NC State owns the line and leases it) and the PN doesnt want to renew. This on top of a grade crossing accident in which a life was lost. Thankfully it wasnt a rail crew member.
Ofcourse since a death occured, this means litigation. And being a death occured, that means jury trial. Its a foregone conclusion the railroad (who has money) will lose the legal battle to the family of deceased (who dont have money). It has been said to me more than once, that this is the usual outcome. Its a money game, and the PN is a small line.
Along with its only locos on the line damaged, a losing proposition of a court case, and lack of business, were going to lose yet ONE MORE shortline. Let it be said they arent going down without a swing. Planned for early next month the PN wants to run an excursion down the line and back (less than 15 miles). Seats are extremely limited and go for over $100 per. One, i repeat ONLY ONE cab ride seat is available at $250.
Last cab ride i took was in a steamer, and cost $10. Best cab ride I ever had as I got to fire that loco that day. That was the last time I was in the cab of any loco. Giving serious thought to getting that golden ticket. However, Im quite sure that since im hearing this info late.... that seat is gone! No worries though, aslong as SRI will continue to allow hands on the throttle of 1225.
Let it be said Id go for 765 too if i ever got the chance! Its a given those two will never get to come around here. Im going to have to go to them. Times like this i hear that old ketchup commercial jingle in the back of my head. An - ti - ci - pa - ay - tion.... its making me wait! Im savoring every minute of it.
Well folks thats about it. The lunch rush is about to commence. Sorry its not better news. Kinda has me bummed too. Ill be in touch!
Evening all
Cough, sneeze, cough ...still feeling bad. It is springtime here in Va in Feb ! Blue skies, 70s and in short sleeve shirt today ! At least the weather is fine while I am under the weather !
Train front - Bought a used Athearn N&W gondola yesterday on ebay - very cheap. less than $4 !
FRRYKid - Hmm I wonder if it will bleed through when you paint it brown ? Do you mix glue with the paper ?
Ricky W - How did they fix the lift? We have been very fortunate we do not have the delivery trucks running into our buidings. Although we did have a Track Hoe take out some exterior soffit with his boom once ! We have used Track Hows to crunch up old houses and tear them down. That machine can take whole down in a few hours !!!!
Angel - Why cant you start sooner ? What is blocking the start ? Maybe you can find some other used stuff on Ebay ? Can you make an offer on the painted buildings at less than his asking price ?
Dave - Hey to much left over snacks ? I knwo where you can bring the Pop and snacks. I know a fine group of MRR will help you dispose of them
Rob - That is the problem with Life. To much life and not enough Hobby time !
UP831 - Sounds like a plan with the "go fund me" I PM you back
Ken - Sounds like your sales in your part of the country are improving like they are here. Glad things are turning around !
CN Charlie - How big is that wood pecker ? They are interesting birds. We had a lot where I used to live. Very beautiful. We had a Red headed wood pecker and he would get around 10 to 14 inches tall. I loved to hear them as they attacked some tree in the woods and the sound would echo through the fields and woods...
Ed did the front of the NYC unit get damaged too ?
Avie - I also responded to your PM.
Howmus - Interesting discussion on the PM. I responded. Thanks for the feed back
History qoute of the day:
The people are the best guardians of their own rights and it is the duty of their executive to abstain from interfering in or thwarting the sacred exercise of the lawmaking functions of their government.
The chains of military despotism, once fastened upon a nation, ages might pass away before they could be shaken off.
When you get in debt you become a slave.
Rickyw
Considering that the protest some of you are discussing was a political one, that makes the protest a forbidden topic.
The rule of thumb is: If someone arguing the opposite of your viewpoint would be political, then your post is political, too. Don't do it.