Afternoon Diners,
Richard- Although it was a good idea. I'm not going to pay $20 a month, just a free trial afterwards.
Ray- I'm not getting the whole menu to click and paste to transfer or anything else.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
angelob6660Richard- Although it was a good idea. I'm not going to pay $20 a month, just a free trial afterwards.
$20 a month?
I've been using dropbox free service almost two years now. I have all of my JMRI Decoder Pro roster files there. That makes it easy to access the roster from any device and if I make any changes to a decoder configuration, everything is kept up-to-date and automatically backed-up. It is also a great way to send LARGE files to other recipients.
http://jmri.org/help/en/html/Dropbox.shtml
I don't have a "smart" phone but I have accessed Dropbox from several of my Kindle Android devices with no problem. Very easy to upload and download files from your Dropbox folder.
Regards, Ed
Afternoon Diners
Flo, Ed, Gary, Inch, Jan, Brent and I will have a Please. Give Rick a Lock Picking Tool Set and a RBF on my tap.
Rick That made me chuckle. With my Snap On Box I cannot lock my keys in the box, but I have had a whole lot of things happen in my life like that!
Could Not Ask For Better Weather Today. High was 74 and while I did not feel like doing anything I made my self work on the rear side fence. Got the 12'4" X 12" X 2" stringer and 12'4" X 10" X 2" stringers hung. My idea for spaning the tree is working! JUst wish I could afford to have it removed, but not in the budget till next year I hope.
The Mighty Cover Wagons CB&Q are running great! BBQ is done and so am I.
Later, Ken
I hate Rust
Good evening, everybody.
Dave. .. thanks for the update on Ulrich. He has always been one of my favorite Diners. I certainly wish he would return.
Our Michigan visit is about over. We head to Ohio tomorrow to see family there briefly. Next we go home .
Cheers.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
tcwright973Jimmy Braum - We saw something yesterday & I immediately thought of you. Around 9:10 a single engine came by on track 3 headed west. 5 minutes later it came by again on track 1 headed east in a reverse move. It came west again at 10:30 on track 1, but this time it had 95 empty coal hoppers. About half were Norfolk Southern hoppers, but the other half were Wheeling & Lake Erie. Those were a mix of old hoppers & the newer ones with the speed lettering. Kind of unusual for me in that I've never seen these hoppers on the Fort Wayne Line before. That's not to say it hasn't happened, just that I haven't seen it. I'm thinking they may have picked them up on Island Avenue, but that's just a guess. Possible interchange with the AVR at Bruceton, AVR to Island Avenue. It was nice seeing them no matter how they got there. These kind of sightings drive me crazy though wondering where they are coming from & where they are going. I really do need to find a conductor/engineer and make him my new best friend.
Tom, I swear I saw the same hopper the other day back on home rails lol. Sorry it took so long to respond, but I've been kind of in and out. A few bad days had kind of taken the enjoyment out of me. Well, I'm having a better evening then I have had in awhile.
I've got to create a slideshow of my Wheeling photos for a celebration of life of a railfan who passed away two years ago. I'm using my Wheeling photos exclusively, but I have yet to think of a theme. Do I want to do a shot of every locomotive of theirs I've seen and photographed? Do I want to choose my favorites?
These are two of my favorites right now. The first one is a shot I had tried to line up for months- but could never find a break in the trees. I finally found it on a train the previous week, and I just lucked out on it with a cooler locomotive
The second shot has it's charm. What I like especially is- Nothing dates the photo to 2017, or to Pennsylvania, unless you REALLY look-The WE reporting mark over the 302 is really it- otherwise this could be 1980s in Pennsylvania or Colorado. That rock outcropping really adds to it as well.
Well I'm off tomorrow, and hopefully getting new tires- anyone who says tar and chip roads doesn't eat tires IS A LIAR! Yet Penndot insists on it still.
I hope tomorrow is a good day for me haha.
(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).
Its been a long while since I've stopped in to the diner..
Might someone explain what happened to Stein? We used to regularly email, and lost touch presumably due to his passing of which I was unaware....
This space reserved for SpaceMouse's future presidential candidacy advertisements
gmpullmanangelob6660 Richard- Although it was a good idea. I'm not going to pay $20 a month, just a free trial afterwards. $20 a month? I've been using dropbox free service almost two years now.
Same here. You want the basic package, not plus, not business. I think the first 2GB are free. You pay if you want more.
Richard
BATMANDave, how long did it take the turtle to make that climb up to your shoulder?
It took several minutes. I never timed it but the turtle wasn't moving very fast. It could also be a bit of a prickly experience if the turtle decided that it needed more traction!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Afternoon everyone. First off- thoughts and prayers for those in the path of Irma and Jose. I know two in the state of Florida, and checked in with them. They're as safe as they can be- evacuated into shelters. So I hope things work out for them.
Today had me able to watch the Wheeling and Lake Erie putting down new CWR on the east end of the line, so that was pretty cool to watch that take place. I need to make a rail train now.....another project...
I needed to check the price for new tires, so does 53.10 per tire sound good? new tires at that. Also need to do the annual car inspection
With any luck, Ill be able to go to the september NMRA division 2 MCR meeting in Ohio next week- maybe I'll meet one of you all there haha.
I guess I'm having a good day compared to some I've had.
Good afternoon from the right side of the Pacific, or the left side of America (the Canadian part)
It is still smokey, but not as bad and cooler today. A very short sprinkle was all Zeus and Indra could provide today, so that doesn't count.
howmus
Holy planet killer!
Ray, have you ever considered solar?
PinaColadas and beer on me tonight along with some steak and lobster. Someone needs to have a good time to make up for those poor suffering folks that are and have been battling Hurricanes in and around the Caribean. All my hopes for the next few days.
Just dropped in to say hi and to tell Ulrich to please return, after all, it's not every day I spring for Lobster.
Still can't get use to the kid being away and I keep walking into his room to feed the fish that is no longer there. Daughter went back to school yesterday at 0800hrs and didn't get home until 2130hrs. Busy already.
Speaking of which, I need to go and pick her up as she has a riding lesson today. Guess I am on dinner duty.
All the best to all and be smart and stay safe those in harm's way. Aeolus be kind.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Evenin' folks!
Janie I'll have the turkey dinner special with a couple ears of fresh local Organically grown Sweet Corn and a bottle of IBC old fashioned Root Beer to wash it all down, Please
BATMANRay, have you ever considered solar?Laugh
Speaking of solar.... Today wasn't great with only about 12.5 kWh of power from them. We had a heavy storm roll through this afternoon which dumped a good amout of rain and darkened the skies for a while..... Batman, I think I posted this before but... When we were running the steam loco every once in a while we would get a good puff of that heavy black smoke around the caboose. I would take a deep breath and say, "Ah, love the smell of coal smoke, don't you? Nothing like it. I love it! Lots of smelly gobs of soot and grime and pollution..... Ah! Remember you heard this from a Tree-hugging Greenie who drives an electric car!
Oh... And for any of you who might be interested here is bunch of photos at the museum account of the Viscose #6 Steam train weekends...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rgvrrm/albums/72157685481855464
I am in about 4 of the photos. The first you can ID me in is the 15th. one. I am standing at my "proper post" to help passengers board. Right at the steps of Erie C-254. You can see I still need to lose at least 25 more lbs......
Tomorrow is the start of National Drive Electric Week and I will be an exhibitor at the event being held at RIT in Rochester. The list has now grown to 30 electric cars and 87 registered people with the cars. The organizer says in the past there has been double the number of cars and attendees actually showing up for it. That doesn't count 4 dealerships that will be bringing cars to the event as well. I'm hoping to get a ride in the Tesla S that will be there!!!
I will also be taking my camera and hope to get some photos of the event to share.
I have yet to hear anything from my sister and her family who live in the Orlando area of Florida. I would hope they evacuate even though they are not yet under a mandatory evacualtion. My sister lives in a mobile home and even with the tie downs thay have today, I hope she gets to a safer place.
My thoughts and prayers to all in harm's way!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Evbening Diners
Flo, what, Brent bought tonight? Why yes I will have a and Lobster! Thank you Brent!
Work Front, did I just call it work? More like the reading front. Had total of $75.00 in sales and that was from a customer that was picking up. She had forgotten to buy a bed frame.
Lets see, some good things to talk about?
1 I have lost 19 pounds as of last week in the last 3 months. I noticed it the most yesterday when I was working on the fence. It is easier to get up off the ground. Looks like I have lost around 2 inches around the waist. Not looking forward to the Hoildays, I love stuffing and sure I will pig out.
2 No active foot sores on my feet. While I still don't have my newest A1C reading my feet look good! Sure don't miss wrapping wounds on the toes.
Well that is it for tonight.
Good morning ....
We returned home late last night. Now, it's time to catch up on stuff. I'll read the forum later when I have time.
Ray ... My MR arrived when I was gone. I glanced at your article, and it looks like a great one. I'll read it soon.
Happy Model Railroading !
Ken good work on loosing weight.
Ray Prayers for your sister. Great pics, I have not opened my copy of MR yet. How did the get the loco off the truck and onto the tracks?
Soldering resistors to diodes today.
Found a great series of rail webcams on Youtube. I think they plan on charging for them but for now they are free. Search virtural railfan. There is a chat next to the video and these guys are from all over the world. The regulars seem to know one another and they know the next train number, how much it is running late.
I don't have a scanner but google rail radio and you can stream the radio. A good bit of it is garbled and most of the rest means nothing to me. Only some of the places, can I associate with places I know in the area. (Baltimore) I just found a new site RailroadRadio.net that lists various trains and subdivisions. Maybe that will help me make sense out of it.
http://www.railroadradio.net/content/view/199/241/
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Jimmy_Braum . I needed to check the price for new tires, so does 53.10 per tire sound good? new tires at that. I needed to check the price for new tires, so does 53.10 per tire sound good? new tires at that. Also need to do the annual car inspection
Hi Jimmy,
You only get what you pay for, just like with trains.
Buying low cost tires usually mean you get low cost wear and tire life and also low cost tread and traction.
Be smart buy better tires, it is you and your friends lives are riding on them. It is truly worth it.
Prayers and Blessings to those in Caribbean, Florida and all southern States. Keep your head down and feet dry if you can.
Johnboy out.......................
from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North..
We have met the enemy, and he is us............ (Pogo)
Evenin' Folks!
Got home late afternoon from the National Drive Electric Week event in Rochester at RIT. Fun Day! There was over 40 cars there. I got a ride in a new Chevy Bolt, and got to have a Tesla S parked right in front of my Volt. I kept telling people that my car is kinda like a "Poor Man's Tesla"... LOL There were 4 Tesla S there and one Tesla X (the one that is an SUV and has the wing doors that go up instead of out). All I can say is they are absolutely beautiful. Had a lot of interesting questions from folks (most of them I knew the answers to) and did enjoy the conversations with a lot of different car owners. There was a Home Conversion old VW Bug there and a Zero Motorcyle. There was a second very interesting motorcycle type thingie also (completely enclosed sides and top), but I didn't get to talk with the owner to find out exactly what it was. The most numerous car was supposed to be the Volts, but there were several more Bolts at the show so they ended up being the most numerous. The Bolt would be just a bit small for me to be able to haul the boxes of train stuff to shows that I have, so for me the Volt is still the one best suited for my use. I am using one gallon of Gas every 140 miles or so. That is only because of the trips to the museum and other places around Rochester where I can't plug in and recharge..... About 75% of my milage is Electric only.
BigDaddyHow did the get the loco off the truck and onto the tracks?
Not really sure. I do know that the semi and the flatbed trailer are specially made to both transport the Loco and to make it easy to get on and off the tracks. In the 5th. or 6th. photo you can see the flatbed trailer sitting completey over the tracks and that it matches up perfectly where the loco will come off. How they actually unloaded it onto the track, I don't know.
Looks like Florida will take a beating! My prayers for everyone in harm's way of that monster........
"Nothing can make an injustice just but mercy." - Robert Frost
Eveing Diners
Flo, Ed, Gary, Big Daddy, Brent, Jan and I will have a please. Give Rick a RBF and leave a stein outside for Ulrich if he looks in the windows. I do miss seeing Ulrich post!
Jimmy_BraumI needed to check the price for new tires, so does 53.10 per tire sound good? new tires at that.
Jimmy That depends on a couple of things.
1 Tire Sizes. If it is a 13" wheel in the $50.00 range is not un-heard of. If they are say for a 15" wheel I would wonder?
2 Ask what there UDT Rating is. UDT will give you a idea what kind of ware you may get depending on how you drive.
400 UDT, around 20,000 to 40,000 miles depending on you.
600 UDT 40,000 to 60,000 miles. My last set I bought where rated at 600 UDT With the way I drive if the car last that long more like 70,000 miles if they don't dry rot first.
800 UDT well that will be a Michelin Tire. Rated for 80,000 miles and will dry rot before all the tread is worn off.
There are other factors such as gas milage, stopping traction and so forth. But UDT rating is a good ruel of thumb.
Before I got back into the Mattress Business I worked for National Tire and Battery for a long 1.5 years. Have you ever hear the term about a Monkey trying to mate with a Football? Yep that sums them up pretty well! If they gave me a free set of tires, I would say "put them in the trunk folks, there is no-way I will let you touch my car!"
That is it Folks
Ken
Jimmy_Braum I needed to check the price for new tires, so does 53.10 per tire sound good? new tires at that. Also need to do the annual car inspection
As was already said, don't buy cheap tires! Your life is riding on them.
I have purchased one set of cheap tires in my life. They were Goodyear snow tires from Canadian Tire (Crappy Tire as we up north like to call it). Goodyear supposedly makes good tires, but these ones were sold through Canadian Tire exclusively. I should have twigged right there. Within two years I had to have two replaced because they couldn't be balanced. However, by the time I had them replaced I believe the damage had been done. I believe the constant vibration caused the plastic radiator fan to fail, which in turn took out the radiator itself. This happened while my son was driving. He was on an extremely busy highway in bad weather so he made the decision, rightly or wrongly, to drive to the next exit instead of pulling off the road right there. Just as he got to the off ramp the engine seized. That was the end of the van (Honda Odyssey with 230,000 kms on it).
Did the vibrating tires cause the fan to weaken? I think there is a strong possibility of that being the case. The Honda techs said they had never seen an Odyssey fan break all on its own.
Was I a dummy for not getting rid of the tires sooner? You betcha!
So Jimmy, do some research and buy the best tires that you can afford. With the exception of the Goodyear snows I have always used Michelins and I have been very happy with them. There are lots of tire rating sites on the net. You will discover that there are some tires that perform well and are designed to last. Cheap tires won't perform well and won't last.
Jimmy. ... in addition to comments by others, I suggest you make sure the tires were manufactured in recent months. The date stamp on the tires will tell you. Rubber deteriorates with age, and you donor want to use old tires.
Also, you might try shopping on line such as with TireRack. Com. You can enter your vehicle make and model, and they tell you what they have available. They will ship to you or your mechanic. You will have to have them mounted locally.
Give Ken some of the aged reserve,(7 weeks, run 4 times), Ken watched your post reguarding the Broadway Limited lightning device. I bought one, and as stated, within ten minutes all was assembled.
HOWEVER---
I have two Chesapeake Bay Retrieves, both steady to shot, will deliver to hand, and will race to the door if I pick up one of my shotguns. That being said---the female has a fear of thunder storms. When I activated the "storm box", the female was sleeping in front of the wood stove in the living room, the male was zoned out on the small couch. The female levitated three feet into the air, shot over to the couch and started to run in place on top of the other dog that was deep in slumber. He woke up, not knowing what in ---- was going on, and had his "fight or flight" mode kick in, in his case it was "flight". Faster than it takes to type this I had both dogs blow by me, feet barely touching the floor, and ended up in the middle of my bed, eyes large as saucers.
Over an hour went by before I heard two very large dogs slowly returning to the first floor.
The unit is loud--ask Shelby, Hooper, not so much---- Un-intended consequences.
Tires--I run 10 ply on my Dodge diesel, $350.00 each, I get about six years out of a set.
Nephew in the Tampa area, #2 stepson lives in Ft. Walton Beach, both are ready as one can get for the upcoming storm.
Prayers for those in need, especially in Florida.
herrinchoker
Herrinchoker ... I'm glad your nephew and stepson are ready for Irma.
One of our sons lives in Tampa area. He and his wife drove to the Florida Panhandle for tonight and may go up to Alabama the next night.
We had a pretty decent day railfanning yesterday with 10 trains in 4 hours. 3 coal trains, 4 mixed freights, 2 intermodals & a trash train. The only problem was the trash train picked up a stop signal, & for about 10 minutes the breeze had what I would call a very ripe aroma. Happy to see him leave I'll tell ya.
I mentioned a while back about hearing a train hit a car a couple of miles from where we were railfanning. This weekend in the early AM hours of Saturday morning, a man was struck & killed by a train while walking on the tracks. This happened a mile or two from where we usually railfan. And about a week or so ago, a young girl was killed while train hopping on the other side of Pittsburgh. She was a college student & a boy that was with her was injured. Within the last year a woman was killed crossing the tracks right where we railfan. I'm sure Norfolk Southern's legal department is busy. It's hard for me to understand how these things happen, but I've seen some stupid stuff around the tracks. I'll never understand why folks will take their toddlers up to the edge of the ballast to get as close to the train as possible. The train crews have to be terrified as they lay on the horn, but these dummies seem to think it's just a greeting.
Ray - Glad you had a good time showing your car. We have a lot of car shows around the Pittsburgh area, but I don't think I've ever heard of one dedicated to electrics. It would be interesting I think.
Garry - I would imagine your glad to home. That was a good bit of driving. I think my days of driving any great distance might be over. The arthritis in my knee really screams at me these days. As long as the car is on cruise control, it's okay, but in traffic with a lot of braking, then gas, oh boy. Out annual trek to Seneca Lake in New York for a wine run might be in jeopardy this year. Hope not, but we will see.
We are going to have a London Broil, with roasted green beans & pearl onions tonight for dinner. Will wash it down with a bottle of Reisling. Have a great week, & stay safe.
Tom
Pittsburgh, PA
Afternoon everyone!
Actually got up and got myself to church this morning.... Today was what they call "Rally Sunday" which signals the start of Sunday School for the year and is the firswt Sunday since June that they have two services. I figured I should show up and see how many I could scare without the beard on.... Got quite a few compliments actyually. It was also the first time I have been there since I got the new hearing aids. First tgime in a long time I could actually understand what was being preached! Guess the $$$$ may be worth it. My granddaughters sangt in the children's choir and I found out that #1 granddaughter fell off her old bike and sprained her ankle badly. She is getting around on crutches for the moment.
tcwright973Ray - Glad you had a good time showing your car. We have a lot of car shows around the Pittsburgh area, but I don't think I've ever heard of one dedicated to electrics. It would be interesting I think.
There are hundreds of the shows happening all over the country with Electric Cars this week! A couple of the Teslas will be attending a show every day this week... Must be nice!
tcwright973The arthritis in my knee really screams at me these days. As long as the car is on cruise control, it's okay, but in traffic with a lot of braking, then gas, oh boy. Out annual trek to Seneca Lake in New York for a wine run might be in jeopardy this year. Hope not, but we will see.
Well Tom, then If yiou do make it up, I would sure like to have you come and visit the SLOW down cellar at my house!
Gotta head out to a late Birthday Party for one of the Ladies related to my son's wife by marriage... (My DIL's Uncles Wife.) Her actual Biorthday was 2 and a hlaf weeks ago, but personal schedules don't jive often. My son will miss it even so as he is working today.
Got an email earlier from my Sister in Florida letting me know she is riding out the huricane at her daughter's house. She says she hopes her trailer will still be sitting there when it is over........ They are in the Orlando area and won't get the main forces of Irma, but will still get some powerful winds and possibly tornados...
Catch you later!
Ray. ... I finally had a chance to read your outstanding article in MR. It is exceptionally well written. Of course, I recall your progress photos here in the MR forum. You asked our opinions as you made decisions on what to do with various steps in the project. The final result is a masterpiece.
Tom .. It is good to hear you had more good rail fan time In spite of the smelly trash train. .. most of my long distance driving is on interstate highways on cruise control. I can sit and drive for 10 to 12 hours okay.
Hey all, i will get all the tire details tomorrow when I call, plus I got my last set from him. They lasted a long time, and through a ton of interesting driving conditions- btw, whoever says tar and chip is a great paving techniqu is-they are completely a Fool. That stuff eats tires like crazy.
Hoping for the best for those in Irmas path.
Evening Diners
Flo, Ed, Jan, Big Daddy, Brent, Gary, Inch and my self will have a please.
Sort Of Work Kinda had a customer today. Wanted split Queen Power Base and Mattress. They filled there Ash Pit when I told them the starting cost would be around $3200.00. Most people that want seprate side control buy King sizes and they are way cheaper.
Jan Do you like the BLI Thunder and Lighting? I know Shelby and Hopper are not crazy about it. Can you control the volume? I all so wonder if there is anyway to add more LED's?
Jimmy Hope what I posted may help some what with the tires.
BBQ is done. Made some pork steaks, pork chop, wester style ribs and 2 steaks.
Good evening all.
Chloe - A RBF please. Thanks.
Tom - It might be related to I.E. It was giving me all kinds of issues, picture display included. Now, I use Chrome. Most times I now get pictures, and many less issues otherwise. Just a thought.
Ray - Glad your sister is safe.
Weather - Cool, but warming this week. Forecasters are calling for mid-upper 70's all week. Remnants from Irma mid-late week though.
W*^k - "Help wanted" in the windows, the other guy turned in his resignation, effective Friday. Nuff' said there...
Sports - Opening Sunday for NFL had some interesting games, from a close Cleveland-Pittsburgh game, to a defensive battle in Green Bay. Congrats to the winning teams, and their fans!
And, I have to say, as a fan, (and due to our hosts proximity) "Go-Pack-Go!"
I'm signing off early, as I am headed to Cleveland in the early morning. Visiting Grandparents and Uncle/Aunt and families.
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.
Our memories of September 11, 2001.Shelley and I were in Halifax, Nova Scotia. We spent the day watching the horrors on TV. About 50 trans-Atlantic flights landed in Halifax that day because US airports were closed. The Canadians were very good at accommodating the thousands of stranded people.
We had flown via American Airlines from Nashville to Halifax with a change of flights in Boston on September 9th. Thinking back, we realized some of the 9/11 terrorists must have walked in the same airport only 2 days later. On September 10th, we were on a bus tour and learned of tragedies in the past affecting Nova Scotia. There was a Swiss Air crash off the coast a number of years prior. Many Titanic victims are buried in Halifax. In WW I a munitions ship exploded in the harbor which burned down the city and killed about 3000 people. The fishing village, Peggy’s Cove, was named after a girl who was the only survivor of an 1800’s ship wreck. .... We did not know, of course, we would be witnessing a major tragedy with our hotel TV the next day. On September 12th, we decided we would return home as soon as we could. Flights were unavailable, and we really were afraid to fly at that time. We considered renting a car one-way to the US, but it would cost over $3,000 to do so at that time. We considered joining other people from the US who were going to charter a bus to Chicago. Finally, we decided to take the train. Several days later we road Via's Ocean to Montreal. Then we road a Via train to Toronto. (Via is Canada's rail system similar to Amtrak here.)
We spent the night at a Toronto hotel with plans to take the train to Windsor at the border with Detroit. We cancelled that plan when we learned highway border crossings into Detroit were taking about 12 hours. We stayed a second night in Toronto, and the next morning we boarded the Amtrak train that crossed through Michigan to Chicago. Where the train crossed the border to Port Huron, MI, all passengers had to get off the train to ride busses to go through immigration. There were very long lines on the highway entering Port Huron over the bridge. The train was several hours late after that.
When the train arrived at Flint, MI we got off, and we rented a car. We stopped in Detroit area briefly, and then drove to Nashville, TN. We picked up our car which had been parked at the airport all of that time, and we drove home.Below are photos I took from the dome observation car of VIA's Ocean:
As devastating as Hurricane Irma was, Florida seems to have come through with less damage than was feared. At least I'm telling myself that until I hear from my parents, who live about a mile from Tampa Bay. They evacuated to my cousin's house in Lakeland... which ended up right in the storm's new path.
Anyway, no use worrying until I hear one way or the other. In the meantime, Janie, I'll just have a slice of cake...
Really? Too soon, Janie. Too soon.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
Mentioning 9/11:
I will never forget where I was when I heard about it. I was living in North Dakota at that time and I was sitting on a Greyhound bus coming home for my Grandfather's funeral. He had passed away on the 7th. It was west of Glendive when the driver came on the overhead and mentioned that we were the only form of mass transit that was still running as a result of the twin towers being hit.