Good evening gang. Sorry I haven't been around the last several months. Hope all is well with everyone. Prayers to those in need.
Since I was last in back at the end of February, where do I begin....
Well in February, I started taking a bookkeeping course at the local BOCES. I did well and graduated in mid August with a 97.5 GPA.
March and April were not kind months to me. My mom ended up having a massive brain anureysm on March 28th and she passed away at 440am on the 29th. Due to timing and wanting to make sure her obituary was in the paper, we waited until Monday April 3rd to hold calling hours with her funeral on Tuesday the 4th. Talk about a crappy birthday for my sister, which was on April 5th. I ended up missing 6 days of class during that time. We were allowed to miss 9 before we would be dropped from the course. I did go and visit my mom's grave on Mother's Day, as well as on her birthday in early July. Actually, my sister and her family came in from Philly for mom's birthday and I met them and my dad at the cemetery to wish her a Happy Birthday. My sister and both nephews also sent off a few balloons to mom. I spent a lot of time with my brother, sister inlaw and 3 nieces since mom's passing. Every Sunday, my brother hosts family dinner for my dad and I and who ever else is around and/or invited over.
In June, I concluded my individual counseling with my therapist. I do have the ability to call the therapist up and have phone sessions or make an appoinment for face-face sessions whenever I need them. This holiday season is almost upon us and rest assured, it will be a rough patch to go through without my mom around, so those calls to my therapist may happen sooner rather than later.
Anyways, my landscaping business is doing so-so. I actually got a landscaping job offer from a buddy (he's an electrician) I use to work for a few years ago, asking if I wanted to help him install a 4ftx6ft paver sidewalk for one of his electrical clients. He told me the rate of pay and since I was free that week, I told him I'd help. Since then, I've been helping him on his electrical jobs between 3 and 4 days a week with one day reserved for my landscaping/lawnmowing business.
I also met a wonderful woman that I've been dating since mid August. The last few weekends have been jam-packed full of things she and I had and have going on. Mostly family stuff. Sunday family dinners with my family, my oldest niece's 7th birthday party 2 weeks ago, her niece's wedding last weekend, her brother's surprise birthday and the Model Train show here in Syracuse this weekend, a day with her youngest son and his family next weekend, my youngest's niece's 2nd birthday on the 18th, and Thanksgiving. We don't have a weekened free of activities until the 1st weekend of December.
Well, that about sums up my life since I last stopped by in late February. Hope everyone has a great evening. I am hoping to stop by more frequently, as time allows.
Take care!
//signed// John Powell President / CEO CNY Transportation Corp (fictional)
http://s155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/nuts4sports34/
Hunter - When we met in January of 2000, you were just a 6 week old pup who walked his way into this heart of mine as the only runt in the litter who would come over to me. And today, I sit here and tell you I am sorry we had to put you down. It was the best thing for you and also the right thing to do. May you now rest in peace and comfort. Love, Dad. 8 June 2010
I love you and miss you Mom. Say hi to everyone up there for me. Rest in peace and comfort. Love, John. 29 March 2017
Wow. Sorry to see so many here touched in some way by the C word. Hope that dang th is cured Soon. I lost a club member to it, and the father of a friend to.
Well, im back to online Dating, although being single let's me buy any model i want, and do whatever I want. So there is that. They need to make a "modelrailroders only" dating site LOL
(My Model Railroad, My Rules)
These are the opinions of an under 35 , from the east end of, and modeling, the same section of the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway. As well as a freelanced road (Austinville and Dynamite City railroad).
Hello All!
As to the snow question, we ended getting a light dusting this morning but it didn't stick around.
Hobby Front: Found out when I was working with my GP20s that I had made a minor blunder when I orginally painted and detailed one of the shells. I didn't catch that part of the pilot on one end has corners broken off and one of the footsteps is broken. Of course, Murphy made an appearance: The damaged step one is on the rear when they will not be removed for the plow. (Navigate over to my IHS to find a shell that I can canabalize for the missing pieces. It is in process.)
Two of the shells are ready for the next step: Paint and drilling for the plow. Not a speedy process either. The filler pieces for each end has to be custom fit. I didn't actually use a template to mount the boxes so the holes are a bit all over.
Good evening ...
Henry ... Sorry to hear about Mrs. Henry having cancer. Prayers for her.
Jan .. Also, prayers for your stepson with cancer.
Ray ... Sorry to hear about your friend, Dudley.
Steven.... Nice idea for Trick or Treat ( but there will be no leftover candy for you to bring to the Diner. LOL). . ... On our road, we never have any kids doing trick or treat for Halloween .
Terry in Wisconsin .. Good to see you.
Inch ... I sent a PM to you.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Steven OtteWe don't give out candy on Halloween, either.
BigDaddy Everybody meet at Steve's to paper his house.
You would THINK Steve would give out back-issues of Model Railroader to help guide the little tykes down the right path!
There's always next year
Regards, Ed
That sucks, Inch.
I am sorry.
Terry
Terry in NW Wisconsin
Queenbogey715 is my Youtube channel
O M G!!!!!
Today was going very well having gotten all the materials and envelopes printed out for the annual MLK Scholarship Fund raiser, Going down to church and installing the newish Crown Amp for tyhe Choir Monitors, and generally getting a bunch of stuff done.... Then i sat down and readt the evening paper!
I turned to the obituary page and immediatly saw a face I new. (Nope! Not mine....) It was a photo of an old friend of mine whom I haven't seen in probably a decade or so. Dudley was a member of my Troop Committee, his son is one of my Eagle Scouts, He was a member of the School Board for several terms, and just a good friend and fantastic gentleman!!!
When Dudley was a Board Member just a few years before I retired, the Superintendent of Schools was trying to find a reason to get rid of me (Troublemaker has been my title for a good long time....) He found out that one of the music teachers was refusing to go to the mandatory Dept. Meetings or if he did go he sat and read a book and wouldn't participate. Well, there was one in our dept. that did that, but not me. So at a closed administrative session of the Board, the Super said, "What are we going to do about Ray Howard, and accused me of being the one not participating. He was trying to place me on charges and get me fired (not an easy thing to do when you have tenure, but possible for insubordination). Dudley and one other (who was the president of the board, and another member of the Troop committee) both said, "That sure doesn't sound like Ray", and I would be more likely to be the one yelling and screaming at something I didn't like that was going on! They knew me well!
The superintendent absolutely insisted that I was the guy and wanted the board to bring me up on charges. (I didn't get along very well with A-Hole Super, BTW) The board tabled the discussion, and Dudley started asking around members of the Fine Arts Dept until he got the name of the guy who was boycotting dept. meetings. Next Board meeting Dudley asked to go into executive session and let the Superintendent have it both barrels!!! Most of the other board members did the same and the superintendent was told HE was on a short leash and to never, ever come before them with lies!
The end of that story was that a year later I was doing sound for the "All City" Music Festival at the Smith Opera House in the city. I was being a "good guy" and only saying nice things about the school district that night. I did have fun with the mike when the Superintendent spoke before the beginning of the concert. Told him which mike to use. He came to the stage and since the mike was off, he didn't hear the usual rumble, rumble when he removed it from the stand. As soon as he put it up to his mouth thinking he had to speak loud, I turned the mike on and it was hot! He and the audience jumped about 10 foot! Later That evening I turned around to see him sitting behind me about two rows back behind the aisle where I was set up staring at me. I was suddenly very glad I was being good that evening. The following Tuesday there was a board meeting. On Wednesday I get called into the principals office.... My principle was grinning and told me I was the subject of the Board meeting! I went ballistic and said, "What the *&!! did I do now!" I said that SOB doesn't even know who I am!!!! She started to laugh and told me, "He does now, and thinks your great and a very valuable assett to the district!"
Anyway, I am very saddened by the passing of Dudley.... He was also a great help in the Boy Scout Troop and a dear friend! Will miss him even though our paths haven't crossed in years. Both his kids were my students as well....
Quote for the day: "Orange is the color of insanity" - Vincent Van Gogh
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Steven OtteWe don't give out candy on Halloween,
Everybody meet at Steve's to paper his house.
For our International colleagues, that means you throw rolls of toilet paper in the trees. They fall to the ground leaving streamers hanging from branches and you throw them again.
Thanks for the great Horseshoe Curve pics.
My wife and 4 neighbors from down the dead end sat in our driveway to meet the kids. At the end of the night, them held a candy swap meet among themselves.
Hobby note, I need a Details Associate 550 AMB Caboose detail kit. One just appeared on Ebay for $20!!
On a less happy note, my wifes' breast biopsy was cancer. We see a surgeon next week. This is a case where being a retired doctor is of no help. You know too many stories.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Top of the page, set em' up for all hands, on my tab----
herrinchoker
We had no Halloween here this year, no power-----just got it back around 15:20 today. It went out Sunday night in the gale, and many in the next county over, Lincoln, are still without power. We had many trees take down the lines, as well as numerous poles. Central Maine Power estimated that Georgetown would not have power until 11/4, they came in two days ahead of projection. The company had sent 800 linemen to Florida and Texas to help them rebuild after their storms, and got caught shorthanded. At 11:00 on Monday there were 510 thousand without power here in the state.(pop. just over 1 million) The damage was worse than the ice storm we had in 1997.
Miss Daisey and I were more fortuniate than the city dwellers--we had a gen set to power the house,( with all the cords on the deck it did resemble a rope walk) and we had two 60 gal. drums full of water to bathe and cook with, gas stove to cook on, and a wood stove for heat.
Yesterday we drove down to Reid State Park, and found that 3/4 of the beach has been sucked back into the Gulf of Maine, some of the debris from WWII, (it was used for a target site) was visible scattered on the beach. Come June it will all be filled back in by the wave action.
Stepson has had his cancer return, same area as the bladder cancer that was removed last year, lymph nodes are involved, with radiation and chemo he is looking at two years. It is a crying damn shame, he is such a fine young man.
Prayers for those on here that are so aflicted as well.
Prayers for those in need,
We don't give out candy on Halloween, either. We figure kids get enough of that from the neighbors, and besides, we don't want to be tempted by any leftovers.
Instead, we give out Halloween-themed pencils, toys, and trinkets, like rubber skeletons, vampire teeth, glow-in-the-dark spiders, stickers, etc. The kids seem to like them just fine, as we've been doing this for close to a decade and the house hasn't been egged yet.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
Jimmy_BraumI literally hid in my house from trick or treaters, since I don't give candy out.
.
I am sorry to hear that you skipped Halloween.
Halloween, specifically trick or treating, is my favorite holiday of the year.
Neighborhood kids come to my house, and I am allowed to give them candy to spread happiness. All the neighbors are out and everyone is in a good mood.
It is really beautiful. It is the only holiday where we get to do nice things for total strangers just to make people enjoy a day.
I love it.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Somewhere I have another collection of photos, from when I went and was on the other side of the train, watching trains go by on the Curve. And I also visited the museum in town. I was in Altoona for business and was rather annoyed that I drove all that way for 15 minutes, so I told my co-worker who rode with me that I was going to go visit the curve while I was there. Walking back down to the car, he remarked that he expected to see maybe one or two trains in the time we were there - it was more like 6. We were there for maybe a half hour.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Thanks Bear...
Tom
Pittsburgh, PA
Good morning from the wet coast of Canuckland.
We sometimes have years where the temperature does not go down to freezing, however tomorrow it is supposed to and with a little snow to boot. Very unusual this early.
Had dinner plate sized Maple leaves all over the property yesterday and after going over the acre we have in grass "twice" on the Deere, you would never know there was a leaf on the lawn at all. I ruined the dogs fun as they really love playing in them. Oh well, maybe they will have more of this to play in, come tomorrow.
Took this last Christmas, someone wants to use it on a calendar.
Got a call from the kid yesterday, he rarely calls as we chat throughout the day on Facebook. He got an E-Mail that he will have $13,000.00 deposited into his bank account for university. He got a corporate grant for all the volunteering/fundraising he does for disabled athletes and other volunteering he does such as introducing hockey to troubled youth. Between that and his $6000.00 in scholarships, he is laughing. The old adage "A good deed comes back tenfold" sure applies to him. He deserves it and we are really proud of the contributions he makes to the community. We don't mind either as it helps with easing the daughters' medical school aspirations.
Big Daddy was talking about the tubby trick or treaters. When the kid was home last week he had his shirt off and still had a good 8 pack going on up front. I asked him how he could still have that being at university and riding a desk. He said he takes the stairs up 9 floors to his room every time.
Randy, you got me watching Horseshoe Curve video's all morning and that meant lots of coffee. I will be going to the WC all afternoon now.
I have taken everything out of my train room office and bought better shelving. As I am putting it back together a lot of stuff is going in the trash. My daughter is going to share the room and do her homework in there. She is having issue's with not being able to stop studying and learning long enough to get proper sleep, so we are separating her from her books and computer. She is an addict to learning. The University Of British Columbia has been studying her brain development over the years including taking MRI's once in a while to see what is going on in there. How she is so smart with a dummy like me for a Dad is hard to figure out. We don't have a mailman out here in the boonies so that rules that out.
My Ford F-350 needs a new wiper motor, normally that is an easy job, however, I just don't have it in me right now to tackle, so I will take it in later to get it done. The guy at Ford told me to get the motor as I can get a better price through connections. It has to be aftermarket as Ford doesn't make them anymore as the truck is 17 years old. The guy at Ford says he knows of no other 17-year-old truck that is in such good condition and we get lots of people wanting to buy it. It has the 7.3 ltr diesel in it and they are getting hard to come by. I keep thinking I should get a new truck, but there really is no reason to.
Well back to the TR office to fill my new shelves.
All the best to all.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
tcwright973 does it also enlarge if you click on the photo?
Gidday Tom, yes, and if I click on the photo again, it enlargens again, approximately 1/4 fulls the whole screen.
Great for looking at details!
Cheers, the Bear.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
I have a question for you folks. When I click on a photo in my own post, it comes up almost full screen, does it also enlarge if you click on the photo?
May as well contribute one of my photos from Horseshow Curve. This was taken in Sept. 2016, shortly after the trees had been cut back. Previous to that time, and for a number of years, very little of the complete Curve could be viewed.
If this works - here's a video I took out the window of my car on the Pennsylvanian is August 2013 as we went through The Curve.
I have lots of other photos from the trip, which broght me hime from Milwaukee (2nd trip, with problems on each of the 3 flights - so I INSISTED they book me on Amtrak coming home - it was cheaper than the flight, too.). Went from Mitchell Airport to Chicago - that train had a Cabbage leading. The overnight to Pittsburg on the Cap Limited, with a bedroom. And finally the Pennsylvanian to Harrisburg. Once it was light enough out, I kept seeing large groups of railfans taking shots of our train. I had no idea why until I got off at Harrisburg and finally saw that the loco was one of the heritage units.
Ed ... Those are very nice photos. Thanks for telling about the special Union Pacific train. UP does stuff like that.
Jimmy .... Glad to see your photos from Horseshoe curve. We have no snow here.
Last night I worked briefly on my corner project on my layout, and I hope to accomplish more today.
Happy Model Railroading !
Morning all. I'll take a breakfast pastry and some crystal lite.
Inch, you're in my thoughts and prayers.
Ugh, I have the second part of that illness...I work at 12 and made the mistake of taking some nyquil a couple hours ago....this will be fun.
Since we are at Horseshoe Curve this month, perhaps I can share my photos from this past June.
I went over the curve on Amtrak, a bucket list item of mine. Plus I saw the K4.
So, what is everyone planning to do today, does anyone have snow yet?
Hello again, Folks...
I just came across a few Altoona and Curve photos to share:
RR_views_0026 by Edmund, on Flickr
On board #44 in the fall of 1989
RR_views_0038 by Edmund, on Flickr
A couple of "Snappers" on the Curve. I don't know the origination of the name, but helpers were called Snappers in this area of the Pennsy.
RR_views_0034 by Edmund, on Flickr
A fine Mack apparatus donated to the Altoona Fire Department by Conrail!
RR_views_0024 by Edmund, on Flickr
And the entrance to the great Altoona Shops all decked out for Fall, mums and all!
cudaken Ed Still running the Mighty CB&Q and they are running strong!
That's great news, Ken!
Garry, that photo of UP 3300 I posted last week was a commemorative locomotive that was dedicated to United Way and had just brought a special train to Chicago for a political convention in August of 1996.
RR_views_0043_1 by Edmund, on Flickr
Eveing Diners
Flo, Inch, Gary, Ed, Brent, Henry, Jan, Ulrich, Galaxy and I will have a
Henry Thank You for opening the dinner, I was thinking about but I got up a little late and had to leave for work early.
Inch I have been keeping you in my thoughts and other here at the dinner. There will all wise be a on the bar for you.
Ed Still running the Mighty CB&Q and they are running strong!
Work Stunk so that is covred.
Halloween Guess I was around 9 years old and my Mom and I lived in a large Mobile Home Park with around 350 trailers. I swear I hit every mobile home that had the lights on in the park! Had 3 old style grocery paper bags full of candy! No wonder I grew up to be over weight!
Trains are running good and slow tonight!
Later, Ken
I hate Rust
WOW, all of the sudden the Switzerland paragraph is gone. OK. Things happen fast here in the diner.
I guess we are at Horseshoe Curve, in PA. !
Mike.
My You Tube
Ed oops, and thanks,
Edit maybe I copied the ampersand with the Switzerland bit. My bad.
OK Henry, now I'm confused, I thought the diner was in Switzerland, or are we in Pennsylvania ? Clues? we need to guess where the diner is? OK, where ever it is, I'm here now, so lets have another!
The "new demo web cam from Chicago" you show is the cam from Railstream, what they call Chicago, IL, aka MH Tower.
And with the kid up the street, I would be crazy if it was mine. Hope everything is OK.
Mike
Evenin' folks!
Janie, A cup of decaf would be nice right now.....
Hope you all enjoyed All Saints Day and will have a pleasant All Souls Day tonight and tomorrow. Actually All Saints starts at sundown which most call Halloween. Actually that is a shortened form of All Hallows eve or All Saints eve. In many cultures way back when the next day started at sundown, so you were always going from darkness into light........ Always kinda liked that concept.
Just got home from Boy Scout Roundtable and back to getting some stuff done for the upcomming NMRA Meet. Way behind where I should be at this point, but will get it done somehow.
Inch! Good to see you sir! Pop in often, please.....
Have a great night everyone.
Hi Folks!
Henry, I think maybe visitors to the diner are getting confused because you might want to edit the opening, third paragraph?
All Fixed! Thanks and Welcome to the Famous Horseshoe Curve!
I do like the idea of having the Diner at Horseshoe curve, though! Thank you for making the move
Lots of former Pennsy action...
PRR_General_0002 by Edmund, on Flickr
I wish there was something encouraging I could say for you, Inch. It sounds like you are doing your best to handle the situation and you are in my thoughts. Do not hesitate to ask if there is any way I may be of help.
I LOVE Shoo-fly pie
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoofly_pie
Cheers, Ed
Howdy. ... We were in Nashville all day yesterday it was a very long day
Henry. ... thank you for starting November‘s Diner.
inch. ... good to see you here. I was hoping for a miracle and you were okay, but sadly that did not happen. I remember when you and “Mother” visited here . It was a great visit. You got to see the 3 layouts here. The other two are my friends’ (Gus and Dan). Dan has cancer too. He had extensive surgery three months ago and now is having chemo treatments. It’s rough but he might get through it all. ... I’ll see if I can do the PM thing to you to get email addresses, but not right now because I am posting with smart phone. (Actually it is dumb) When I get back on the computer I will try. ... we don’t here much from the old Diner regulars unfortunately.
Everybody: ... Have a great November.
Western Pennsylvania and Shoefly pie were important clues as to where the diner is this month.
Police cars all over my neighborhood. The kid up the street didn't come home from school. I would be beside myself it was my kid.
New Demo webcam on youtube from Chicago.