Good Morning,
Rain hasn't started yet but is expected soon.
Ken, you have my sympathy on the fence problem. I am faced with it too. If I want a new one I would have to pay for all of it like I did the last time. I am not willing to do that so I will keep on mending it as best I can. I hope it can be made to last another 15 years as that is about as along as we will stay in the house. The neighbour on one side would likely pay half but it would look funny with a new fence on just one side. The wood might be cedar. It has a distinctive smell when cut.
As far as computer security goes, I use Microsoft Essentials. When we bought this computer it was recommended by the staff at the store. We bought the computer at the university store as they have a lot of very keen computer staff, mostly students who seem to really know what they are doing. I have Windows 7.
Think I will get a cup of coffee and sit down with the latest Model Railroader. I flipped through it when it arrived and it looks to be a very good issue. I think the binding change is due to the thickness. Sometimes I buy Brit magazines and they have the same binding as they tend to be quite thick.
I have my 'course' again today. I think it will be cardio and weights today. Not quite as relaxing as yoga.
Have a good one,
CN Charlie
up831 Got the 1000 th issue of MR today. Very nice. I noticed the binding is different, making the possibility of copying drawings for personal model making virtually impossible. Is MR going to stay with this binding?
Got the 1000 th issue of MR today.
Very nice.
I noticed the binding is different, making the possibility of copying drawings for personal model making virtually impossible.
Is MR going to stay with this binding?
No. That was just for the special 1,000th issue (and our annuals, MRP and GMR).
But while we're on the topic of puns, one of my favorites is kind of geeky:
A helium atom floats into a bar. "Hey!" the bartender shouts. "We don't serve noble gases in here." He doesn't react.
Anyway, today's Wisconsin delicacy is bratwurst. Sauerkraut is optional, so be sure to tell Brunhilda whether you want yours mit or mittout.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
cudaken Antivirus Help OK, I let AVG up grade and this computer is SLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW now! Bang Head Takes 10 minutes to get on the internet. Any ideas on free antivirus besides AVG?
There are many, but LION uses Eset. Is NOT free, but is good, and with four servers and more than 30 workstations I am not about to ditz around with a free product. Eset allows me to manage these puters from my admin console.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Happy Monday Morning, Diners!
I hope this finds you all well! Some of you have gone through some disheartening times and sometimes I'm at a loss for what to say other than I wish to offer as much comfort and encouragement as humanly possible. My thoughts and prayers for you all...
I found a listing for the Ringling Brothers Circus cars and bidding instructions. These folks aren't wasting any time!
https://app.smartsheet.com/b/publish?EQBCT=687fed9230ab456284c9c45ddb206dec
LION, here's your chance to buy a real, honest-to-goodness LION car so you can travel in style! Not all cramped in an Amtrak coach!
Fifth of March already... wow the time sure flies! Friends warned me that it would be like this... they weren't kidding. We have almost fifty chicken eggs in the incubator. Some folks make quiche, we make more chickens!
Thanks for the Crown & Brew, Ken! Very tasty.
The red-winged black birds are in NE Ohio already. I'm sure the warm February had something to do with the early migration. I had better get the oranges ready for the Orioles. They're one of my favorites!
I have been busy with dozens of "projects" on the railroad. I have to get them all wrapped up by the 18th for a visit from a few modeling friends. Time keeps on ticking... ticking... into the future.
Well, that about wraps things up.
I'll check-in again soon—
Regards, Ed
Heartland Division CB&Q FRRY ... LOL about training.
FRRY ... LOL about training.
With much of my humor, I get a lot of groans on people realizing that the riddles are quite easy when they don'y get them and then I get all sorts of reactions when they do get them.
Layout Notes: Got a little bit of everything on the layout this afternoon. Got a coaling tower closer to being repaired. (Discovered a couple of damaged parts that needed to be painted and I didn't take the paint with me. Pieces are now painted and will go out next week.) Got the supports for one of the ferry yard bridges that previously didn't have any. (Can't remember why I didn't install the supports beforehand.) Ended up also cutting another layer of cork on the ferry yard as the track wasn't level as wll as under the yard lead on the other side of the river. I won't install the cork until next week to allow the river bed to dry as I filled a few holes and tweeked it in a few other places to cover the bottoms of the supports for all three bridges. I had enough water and newsprint to get one side of the river cut rebuilt and a good start on the other. Another thing to be finished next week. Also finally got the HQ backgroung building up. (The building pieces had been sitting for quite awhile.) However, one of the joints decided to be stubborn and wouldn't glue properly. Didn't have the right clamp to solve the problem. It didn't seem to give the rest of the side a problem so the side is glued up and the right clamp will also go out next week to solve that. a.k.a Lots of project pieces done but not very many completed.
Hi all,
Hoping the best for everyone here.
I got back home yesterday night. I loved the carribean cruise. Definitely recommend Disney cruises. Even if you're not in love with Mickey Mouse, one can still have a great time. We had stops in both the US and British Virgin Islands and I enjoyed both quite a bit. I'd gladly go back if given the chance.
On the MR front, I went to my club layout and ran first a 24-car freight train powered by a Bowser Pennsy RS-12, and then a BLI Reading T1. I later added a dozen hoppers, I think Athearn, to create a 36-car train. Nice way to spend a couple hours today. I had the day off so aside running trains I did an approximately 4-mile walk on the riverside park about 10-miles from home. Great to just get outside and relax.
Alvie
Good evening all.
(Music playing...) "Some folks think I'm hiding, it's been rumored that I've died, but I'm alive and well in........ NWPA..." (Music stops.) Yeah, that just doesn't work.....
Zoe - Some fried cheese curds and a Coke please. Thanks!
Lets see if I can catch up here.... Been lurking, but haven't been posting.
Steven - Congrats to you and the rest of the MR/Kalmbach crew on 1000!
Galaxy - Sorry you are having so many back issues, they are not fun.
Ulrich - Sorry about the diagnosis. The (somewhat) upside (?) is that it is manageable with treatment. Hoping for the best. Wishing a speedy recovery for Petra as well.
Der - Nice progress on the layout.
Cudaken- I would stick with AVG. It's the one I use, and it catches things others miss. It is also the only one my friend Charlie will use, or reccommend. (Charlie is my computer guru, and he actually DOES work for Microsoft. Unlike those idiot scammers who call you claiming that you have a virus... I have way too much fun with those guys before I deadpan them in their tracks.) It sounds like there is something else that needs updated as well...
Weather - Well, we had that same 74 to 24 pattern, but not as severe of weather as some had. Forecasters say close to 50 tomorrow. I am not liking this roller coaster style weather pattern... Neither is my Asthma....
Asthma - Yeah.... Not been the best week... It is not happy, nor am I.
W**k - Remodel is going (slowly) along, but is getting on my nerves... We haven't had a garbage dumpster for two weeks as the company we used before kept raising the rate, so they got dropped. The new company has yet to start... And we are in the middle of a entire salesfloor remodel.... GRR is an understatement right now... We have garbage out the wazoo.... On the plus side, our store finished #3 in the entire district (out of 27) on one of the metrics last month, and #4 on a second, so I got a extra bonus, in addition to the commission and spiffs. Decent sales today, but we are behind on a lot of metrics, sales included, for the month.....
Trains - Working on a couple projects, but not much progress this week.
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 Post Hole Digger and a Chaser and give CN Charlie what ever he likes.
Today counted it up and I have been going to work for 45 years and I am sick of it! If you count the years I had to have a work perment (under 16) close to 46 years. Went to work again sold some stuff, talked with a late customer. (not a good sign when she asked if we where hiring and want to shop and asked if we had Finacing) Got out late, cleaned more engine wheels and rerailed the derailed train.
CN Charile I am so sick of this frigging fences problem! Guess I cannot coplain a lot. I have been told that my fences is 50 years old. Not sure if it was made of Ceder or Red Wood? It is red in side and still sort of smells good when I cut up the remains.
Antivirus Help OK, I let AVG up grade and this computer is SLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW now! Takes 10 minutes to get on the internet. Any ideas on free antivirus besides AVG?
YGW Till I get this computer to run like something again I will not be able to up load any photos. I am sorry.
Ken
I hate Rust
I am enjoying day #5 of my five days of retirement. Tomorrow I am off to Sacramento to start the new job. I am a little nervous, but not too bad ... yet. I figure I will be a little more nervous as I climb off of the plane.
Richard
ROBERT PETRICK Heartland Division CB&Q ... Past, Present, and Future walked into a bar. ... It was tense... .... If they had walked in, it would be perfect.
Heartland Division CB&Q ... Past, Present, and Future walked into a bar. ... It was tense... ....
... Past, Present, and Future walked into a bar. ... It was tense... ....
If they had walked in, it would be perfect.
Robert ... I'm glad to see you appreciate a good pun. Wlecome to the DIner and feel free to visit often. I saw your thread about your SNSR layout, and was very impressed.
Ray .... Too bad your son did not express his wishes sooner.
CN Charlie ... Gald to hear you made some progress on teh layout. Ground cover improves the looks of a layout.
Dave N ... I noticed #1,000 had a differnt texture. I wonder if it is a one time experiment.
Der ... You are making signfcant prgress with the layout.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.
I have been reading and enjoying Issue # 1000 (and the Trains magazine that came the same day). I didn't find Lance Mindheim's opinions about the future of the hobby as inflammatory as many seem to have. But that is a topic for another thread perhaps, assuming it has not been talked to death already.
One reaction to Issue 1000 however -- did anyone else feel that the use of the somewhat satin finish paper made the photos (features as well as ads) seem somewhat soft focus and "bland?" I don't know whether to blame the paper or my glaucoma but I did not have that reaction to the Trains magazine or slightly older issues of MR that I have been consulting for a project.
Dave Nelson
Good Morning all,
I will have the bacon topped with bacon sandwich.
Not much going on here this weekend. Warmish and breezy today.
Did maraton radio repair (4) in one weekend.
Hope all have a great day!
A cloudy, warm day here. We should get up to 40F today. Feels almost well tropical. We will pay for it though as a major storm system is supposed to hit tomorrow afternoon with rain turning to snow. Then, naturally, it will turn cold.
Ken, sorry to hear of your fence problems. I can relate as I have been battling mine for several years. We put it up 27 years ago and it shows it. The posts have rotted through on the entire back section but I put in those fence spikes beside the old post with a short piece of post in the spike which I screwed to the existing post. It has worked for 10 years but now the fence is leaning a bit so I have to figure a way to straighten it up. None of my neighbours would contribute to a new fence. On 2 sides they need a new roof far more than a fence.
I was at the physio again yesterday and have to say that my heal is a lot better. A few more sessions and keeping up with the exercise hopefully will do the trick.
We have quite a few grey squirrels running around trying to get food out of the bird feeders. We have feeders called Squirrel Busters that shut the ports with the weight of a squirrel. I have had to send out our Border Security(a.k.a. Robbie) to send them packing. If I say 'Border Security' he comes running to the back door huffing and puffing, ready to run out to chase them away. Not sure how he learned 'Border Security'. We used to watch a show on TV of that name that had a sniffer dog he liked to watch. We never tried to teach him those words.
Nothing new here. I hope to get a little more of that ground cover down today. I have the industrial area half done so I think getting it finished today would be a good goal.
Well, see you soon.
Good Late Evening Diners,
Nothing for me tonight, Brunhilda. Next time.
If so, is there any plan to publish locomotive and structure plans in the web site like the track plans?
Just curious.
Hello to everyone, and I hope everyone is OK, safe, and warm.
Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)
Flo, Ed will have a Royal Crown, Rob will have UP cup of and I will have a please.
Not much to talk about. Went to work, talked to some people, sold a few things, clean some engine wheels and derailed a train.
Rob Thanks for the comment. Yea, it is only stuff but it is stuff I have to pay for to have fix. Might try to fix my fence remains my self. Unlike the pool side of the yard, this side is pretty normal.
Later, Ken
Aaaaahhhhhhhh..... Evenin' folks!
Janie, I'll have a cup of decaf and slice of the pecan pie I see over on the counter. Put a big glob of whipped cream on it too. Huh? Only have "Cool Whip"? Well since that is made just down the rails from the R&GV RR Museum, I guess that would do.
I have been finishing up items with deadlines on them one by one. Today I drove to Rochester to stop in and pay my respects to the Rochester Model Railroad Club at their annual Open House. Several of my NMRA Members are also members at the club (Including 3 of the officers and BOD people). It is a very large and well built fictional railroad set in the Finger Lakes/Central NY area. I left right after lunch and drove to Rochester. I was careful to save some of the electric miles in case I couldn't charge at the parking garage I would be using just down the street at Bausch & Lomb. The city has charging stations in all there parking garages throughout the city. You pay to park and can charge for free..... I got there, drove into the garage and was greeted by an attendent who, because there is a huge car show a few blocks away at the Co0nvention Center, tells me it will be $7 to park! OK, I figured they would be using the "Event" price so I shelled out the #7 and asked about the charging stations. He points right around the corner and tells me I see them as I drive in. Right on the first floor they have 4 plugs! All of them are being used, of course, so I drive on to the second set which only has two plugs. One space is open and the other has a car in it. I say, "YES!" and pull in. Get ready to plug in and see that the station is scrolling and telling me that the remaining plug is not working due to low voltage.... Grrrrrrrrrrr!!!! I park someplace else and walk over to the open house. Place was completely packed! I did get in and talked with a couple people who are members there whom I needed to see anyway. Used fossilized dinasaur dung for about 2/3rds. the way home. Did all the secondary roads on electric though. Still had 7 miles left when I pulled in the driveway.
Got home around 3:30 and got to work on a "State of the Division" report they want for the NMRA Region Meeting which I will be a guest for in a couple weeks.... Have that done and sent.
Rob, Thank you for your kind words! Wish I could say I am busy enough to stay out of trouble, but.....
Galaxy, good to see you here again! Hope the solar panel thing works out well for you. Do be sure to read the fine print at least twice and maybe 3 times. Check out the company as well. I prefer to buy rather than lease (that goes for everything) but what may work for you is the important thing. I decided to move up to a Volt for my 70th Birthday present to myself..... The PiP was paid for and I wanted to be able drive most of my miles on electric. Up until 2 days ago I was getting 211 miles for each gallon of gas used so far. In 2500 miles I have filled up twice. The tank only holds 8.9 gallons so a fill up is between 7 and 8 gallons... But 2 trips to Rochester without being able to recharge when I got there nixed that. I am still showing 177mpg and it will be back up soon. There is also a major tax rebate on the Volt (much larger than I got on the PiP). In fact it is the highest rebate for an EV (same as what is available on a Tesla). I was going to wait until another year to trade in but...... Well, I don't want to get into politics.... PM me if you want more info. Oh, the Volt is paid for!
Only downer in the transaction for the car was that the evening that I signed the paperwork for the Volt, my son calls me and says, "Hey Dad, we might want the PiP if you haven't signed for the Volt yet." I had thought about asking him if he might want to a double switch. We would use his junk FORD to trade in and he would pay me the difference on what I got as a trade for the PiP. Too bad as the PiP would have been a great car for him to drive to work in. Especially if he could arrange to get a charge while he was at work. A lot of places will do that for employees. Even without charging he would get about 50mpg with it.
Hope everyone has a great night! I'm back to w*rk on items that should have been done a while ago....
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
LINK to SNSR Blog
Ulrich: I read Michael J. Fox's autobiography a few years back. It was well worth the time.
https://www.amazon.com/Lucky-Man-Michael-J-Fox/dp/0786888741
(Sorry, I can't seem to find a way to make links work using my iPad. I am without a real computer until I start the new job on Monday.)
BroadwayLion Heartland Division CB&Q I am surprised that the Big boy is taller. I easily have a stack of MR over 4' tall and I surely have not subscribed for more than 1/4 of MR's existance, Have i? Nice job on the 1K. ROAR
Heartland Division CB&Q
I am surprised that the Big boy is taller. I easily have a stack of MR over 4' tall and I surely have not subscribed for more than 1/4 of MR's existance, Have i?
Nice job on the 1K.
I was surprised on the Big Boy size myself.
Heartland Division CB&Q Happy Soldiers Day ... March Forth.... .... (I like that pun so much, I tell it once a year. )
Happy Soldiers Day ... March Forth.... .... (I like that pun so much, I tell it once a year. )
I like that one as well. Of course, I have a punny sense of humor myself. I've used this one before but it still works: Why did the railroader go to the gym? He was training to go training!
On a slightly more serious note, I got the start of my next major project in the mail yesterday. Five more Roundhouse 50' Thrall Gondola cars. While they are not my roadname, changing them to my roadname shouldn't be hard given that the original five had to be relettered quite extensively with a bit of repainting. (Can't complain when they are NIB unbuilt kits. Easier on that point that the original.) I know I will end up spending as much on the details as I did on the cars. (Happened with the first five as well.) Given the costs of all the pieces, it may not be completed any time soon. (Same thing happened with the first five as well.)
Extra strong Italian roast coffee in a SOUTHERN PACIFIC mug, please.
***Galaxy, hope everything works out OK with your back. Sorry to hear you're in pain, That is no fun at all. Hey, you're not the only "arm chair modeler" here. Something to look forward to resuming though, right?
***Dave N., enjoyed the short story about the Kalmbach Publishing mural attempt. Did they ever solve that particular problem?
***Der, cool layout progress.
***CNCharlie, smart dog you have there.
***Ray, you are indeed a busy man. And a kind one as well.
***Ken, too bad about the storm damage. At least it was only stuff, for what that's worth.
***Ulrich, sorry about your diagnosis. My father showed early stages of that late in his life and still managed very well. Happy to hear Petra is doing better. Also glad you will have help with the benchwork and new layout. There are always positives to focus on.
Should get my last tractor back from being repaired sometime today. Special needs horses are keeping me exhausted, so have made no progress on the framing work out back, which needs to get done before resuming model railroading. Still trying to find a helper to hire short term for that.
Healing thoughts for those in need.
Cheers! Rob
Neil's editorial in #1,000 is entiled "Model railroading, past present, and future."... That reminds me of a story. .... Past, Present, and Future walked into a bar. ... It was tense... .... Perhaps it was at Ken's bar.
Anyhow, I have hardly looked at #1,000 yet, but I am sure I will enjoy reading through it.
On a much more serious note, Henry...Thanks for the update about the person who had the horrific fall. Prayers for her.
Ulrich and Galaxy .... Your friends are here when you need us.... We care.
Continuing with the theme for this month, I grew up in the Chicago area, and I made many trips to and from Wisconsin by train. I had several trips to and from Milwaukee on the North Shore Line.
The formal name was Chicago, North Shore, and Milwaukee. Much of it was an interurban type railroad. In Chicago, its train originated using tracks of the CTA elevated railroad, and it made station stops on The Loop along side CTA rapid transit trains. Much of the route to Milwaukee was via a high speed double track mainline. In Milwaukee, the North Shore operated on streets as did streetcars.
While operating on CTA in Chicago, the trolley poles were down, and shoes mounted on the trcks connected with the third rail.
Most trains had older style interurban electric equipment. In addition, the North Shore operated two streamlined trains called Electroliners. I had a few trips on Electroliners, and usually, I could sit in the front row across the aisle from the motorman. It was quite a thrill looking out the front window as the train went 90 mph donw the double track mainline.
The photo below shows older equipment on the right, and the Electroliner approaching on the left in Milwaukee.
Heartland Division CB&QI recieved my copy of #1,000 today.
Flo, Ed, Ulrich and I will have a please.
Ulrich Nothing any of us can say to make you feel better about having Parkinsons. I know I have talked about the owner of K-10 Model Trains having Parkinsons. It has not stopped Ken from doing most of the things he loves to do. Did have to give up flying, he was a pilot. Treatment has came a long way and is getting better. Ken is now using medical marijuana last I heard. Need to stop by and see how he is doing, just need to leave my wallet at the house.
Glad Petria is doing better and the infection is gone. Far as the weight lost?
Galaxy Yes, last month was a good month by this company standerds. Feb I had $27,653.00 in sales. Other Mattress Companys I worked at it would have been a bad month. I was normally in the $40,000 range and a good month would be $60,000.00
It is late so later Ken
Ulrich You and Petra are in our prayers. This site is as readable as any place on the web https://www.michaeljfox.org/ While it's not good news, it could be far worse. Our monthly luncheon meeting of retired docs was today and a former neuorologist was there and he has had parkinson's for some time.
Thanks to those that offered condolances for my friends, one who passed away and one who fell from her balcony when the railing gave way as she was leaning over it. She also broke both arms in addition to her neck and is now getting some movement back in her shoulders. How much she will be able to recover is unknown.
Weather has been mixed, 70 degrees earlier, snow showers today and lots and lots of wind. No action on the train front.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Good evening guys
Well, ULRICH: sounds like you are having a rough health year. I had one last year,and with more looming surgeries this year, I guess I should expect another. If it's an caveat, they ahve made great strides with Parkinsons of later years here, maybe it won't be as bad as you might think. At least it can be managed and isn't a death sentence!
Mr. OTTE: COngrats on 1000!
Ray: I probably missed why you traded the PIP for the VOlt, what was your reasoning> Down here we are to have a guy come and give us a thing about a solar lease, that will reduce our electric bill but we don't have to pay for it. Should be interesting. Our front pitched roof faces dead east, and rear of course due west. SInce the BONUS room is heated elelctically it is expensive, and we'd like to offset that. It won't quite be free electic, but will reduce our costs. they buy/sell the power to NYSEG for us. We in turn get a greatly reduced electric billWe shall see.
Prayers for others!
Ken: sounds like of late you have been having a great sales time! all that extra money...for trains!
I HATE these temps ups and downs, and THANKS JOHNBOY! for sending the cold Canada north winds our way! I'm SURE your mother taught you to share, but, reallY? That?
Well, like I siad the other day, I feel like an outsider since I don't have much but boxes and boxes and boxes of trains now. I will get to something. My fahter was talkign about taking down the O-O/27 scale tain borads from my childhood. It's 2 4x8 sheets of plywood in an "L" shape. I'm thinking of moving them here! OH what I coudl do in HO with that! It had three ovals interconnected for three O-O/27 to run independently, and I could do the same with a nice spur yard in the center ogf the biggest oval on the long side, and have a "grown up" version of my little 3.5' x5.2' HO layout I had in the trailer. I'mn thinking WHERE in our crowded basement to put it.
That may bring me back into the game!!!!
Have a good one, prayers and candles lit foor those in need!!
-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.
I received my issue 1,000 yesterday. Steven why didn't you put Jim Kelly N Scale Insight as a special add on because for the occasion.
I was looking at Amtrak RDCs it's been awhile since I thought of them. The like the plain steel with a white square with the Amtrak logo inside. Don't get me wrong I still love the Phase I look also.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
I recieved my copy of #1,000 today.
Great job, MR !
Hello everybody .
Ulrich ... I'm very sad to hear about the diagnosis. You have become a very good friend here in the Diner, and of course all of the Diners care about you. Prayers for you and for Petra.
Ray ... I'm glad your sister arrived safely even though it was so late. I can recall some middle of the night arrivals myself when there were problems with flights.
Angelob6660 .... I think we each get images of our of our firends in the Diner, and if we do happen to meet them later (or see a photo of them, we are surprised at how they really look.
CN Charlie.... It sounds like you are getting a lot done on your layout.