Uncle_Bob I've told Mrs. Bob that I'm buying a functional Bofors gun for use if another one gets into the house.
.
I don't know, a single 40mm is effective A/A against dive bombing and straight line straifing, but with the erractic flight patterns of bats I think a Quad 20mm Flakvierling-38 would be a better choice.
Just my thoughts, choose what suits you best.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Little Timmy. . .We have: Scorpions, two different types. The deadly one is the Bark Scorpion. . .
Only deadly to a very limited subset of the population--those with immature or compromised immune systems. We have bark scorpions in our neck of the woods and nearly everyone in our house has been stung at least once, myself included. If you call poison control after a sting they will ask if breathing or vision impaired, if not, they will recommend Advil and Benedryl. I am not going to lie, it hurts like a sun-of-a-gun. My sting came after I had been sleeping on the couch. One of the critters had climbed inside my shirt and was on my back. When I woke up, I felt something on my back and swatted at it, and it returned the favor by stinging me. I yanked off my shirt and smashed the bugger, but the damage was done. There are two phases in the fun of a sting. First is the immediate, burning pain at the site of the sting. This lasts for a couple of hours. Second, the venom is a neurotoxin that gets in your blood and moves to and numbs your extremities. One of my toes, the tip of my nose, the tip of my tongue, and a couple of my fingertips went numb, which lasted for almost two days. Not a lot of fun, but I am definitely still around to tell the tale.
Richard
Good morning .... Coffee and a donut, please.
Evidently snakes is the topic ...
We see mostly nonvenomous blacksnakes, cornsnakes, or ratsnakes. Venomous snakes in this area are rattlesnakes, copperheads, water mocasins, and cottonmouths.
The fox no longer sleeps on our deck because I blocked off both ends of the deck, and leave the light on.
Trains ... Last coupld of days I have had no new projects. I am running mostly Burlington trains now as I like doing.
Cheers.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
BigDaddySomeone was bit in a park near DC by a copperhead this weekend.
A guy in Texas was bitten ten minutes after he had chopped the head off a Western Diamondback. Snakes can still bite up to an hour after being decapitated or killed.
Little TimmyI'm not interested in spending the night in the hospital ( or the $25,000 pricetag associated with just the anti-venom )
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rattlesnake-selfie-results-in-a-153k-medical-bill/
Cheers, Ed
On the subject of critters here's what roams my neck of the woods,
Cats, yeah wild cats, they pose no danger but they like to steal our cats' food, them and opossums and coons, the coon family had three of its members forcibly deported to a nice stretch of woods 8 miles from us, the rest of them must've gotten scared off, the possum had a few shots taken at it by my brother with his bb gun (low powered) and he's been gone too.
I've seen a big fox, actually probably a coyote, but I haven't seen him since.
Deer, a couple feed in our field and the one next door.
Rabbits and field mice, don't hurt nothing.
June bugs AKA corn beetles, they swarm like nuts at night especially around lights.
Love bugs, (I don't know what their real name) they are the, THE WORST! swarm all summer every other year or so.
Banana spiders, weave the biggest webs you ever will see, I don't know if they're poisonous or such but I avoid and kill them as I see em.
I've also see a rattle snake, cottonmouth, and copperhead, the first and latter were merely young'uns and the middle full sized, the younguns met their maker but the bigun I didn't have the guts to go after.
BATS, yeah holy bats, batman, you'll see them right at dusk flappin around about 50 or so feet off the ground, you can tell it's bats because of the lack of grace with which they fly.
Then for the domestics,
We've got Kavik the husky, maxwell the German Shepherd/Labrador mix, Jaime the cocker spaniel/poodle mix, Walter the cat, Billy the three legged cat, and Elizabeth and Sam the old cats, we used to have roscoe the basset but he's gone to the big doghouse in the sky, Isabella the wandering cat, Carmello the cat and the twins that all mysteriously disappeared.
Well I've gone on too much about that.
I've gotta mow the grass tomorrow, and it just rained this evening so it shouldn't be so dusty.
The bit about the rattlesnake hunters reminded me of a comedy bit I heard a while back by Jeff Foxworthy, I forget the details but it was comparing those fancy hunting shows to the real thing, it was quite funny.
I had some more stuff to say but I forgot, is that a sign it's too late at night?
Yeah.
Goodnight all!
Steve
If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!
Didn't know people hunted rattlesnakes at 3 am in their skivies. Is there drinking involved?
Someone was bit in a park near DC by a copperhead this weekend. There are coyotes only a couple miles from downtown Annapolis. They are pretty much everywhere these days. There are 2000 bear in Maryland, once in a while one makes it to the interstate near DC or Baltimore. They don't fare too well on the interstate.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Good Morning!
Gee, I am glad that non of the critters you folks have mentioned in your posts are around where I live. No snakes, deadly spiders, ferocious feral carnivores - only the "cute" side of Mother Nature, like deer, red squirrels and pretty birds. Spiders are small and harmless, and so are the centipedes. No scorpions. We have a wolfpack in our neighborhood, but they do not impose a danger - unless you wear a red riding hood
Time for breakfast!
CUL!
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
Evening Diners
I'm sorry but a lot of bull pucky going on here.
We did forget to mention serious repercussion of the brown recluse spider.
PS... Dave is Canadian..... I grew up near International Falls and went to Fort Frances Ontario quite frequently..... therefore Dave is right
PS... Steve I'll take that new subscription of Trains Magazine.... make it so
Track Fiddler
Little TimmyThey in turn have killed 3 cat's, one puppy, and one of our pig's. I'm not interested in spending the night in the hospital ( or the $25,000 pricetag associated with just the anti-venom ) so when I step out onto my porch, and there's a snake waiting to greet me, I dont say hello. I shoot it.
I get the picture! I'd likely be shooting them too.
I live in a relatively benign environment. The worst thing that I might run into at night is a skunk. So far I have managed to avoid that problem. I think that if I were in your shoes my nature loving instincts might not hold up so well!
We are also blessed by the fact that here in Ontario the anti-venom is 'free', not that I want to have to give it a try. Of course, we are all paying for it through our taxes but at least here medical problems won't bankrupt you.
I hope that's not too political for Mr. Otte.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
hon30critterWhy do you kill them? How great a threat do they pose?
In the two year's we have lived here, we have killed 9 so far.
They in turn have killed 3 cat's, one puppy, and one of our pig's.
I'm not interested in spending the night in the hospital ( or the $25,000 pricetag associated with just the anti-venom ) so when I step out onto my porch, and there's a snake waiting to greet me, I dont say hello. I shoot it.
I'm not a "tree hugger" , but I dont go around looking to wipe out the native population of wildlife, only the one's that I have to. The critter's around here can be a danger to people. We have: Scorpions, two different types. The deadly one is the Bark Scorpion.
Black Widow's ... nuff said there.
Ring tail cat's . not really a danger to human's ( unless their Rabid) , but they sure raise havoc with the chicken's . ( and their cute as heck so I really try not to kill them.)
Centipede's . they sting... and it HURT"S !
Coyotie's. They go after the chicken's.... and their smart enough to know what the range is on my shotgun ....so I havent hit one yet.
Gila Monster's . I cant do anything to them... their "protected". So I have to call animal control to come out and "Re-locate them.
( animal control laugh's at you if you call to "re-locate" a rattlesnake.)
We have a few more snake's and bug's here that shouldnt be toyed with... but I have gone on long enough ....
Oh yea, one more... Cougar's . I really DO NOT want to shoot one of these ( I havent seen one yet anyway...) It would be a "Last resort" if I had to shoot one. I would much rather have it relocated.
Rust...... It's a good thing !
maxmanUmmm, okay. I think I'd rather scratch my eyes out than look at that vision.
That's just what my wife would say...
Good Evening,
Say has anyone heard from Tom in Pittsburg lately? He used to post regularly about is railfan trips but I don't think he has done so for some time. Hope he is ok. Also I was wondering about Inch. He posted about a year ago that he had cancer but there hasn't been any info since then. I don't know his real name but perhaps Gary does and could try to contact him.
Johnboy, are you ok? How are things in Regina? You have certainly been sending hot weather to us. We have a heat warning in effect.
CN Charlie
SeeYou190 BigDaddy Nobody models this: . That is scary. I am not by any means a fan of snakes. . -Kevin .
BigDaddy Nobody models this:
That is scary. I am not by any means a fan of snakes.
Little TimmyJust killed a 4 foot Western Diamondback last wednesday morning ... AT 3 AM !
Why do you kill them? How great a threat do they pose?
I'm not being critical (although I will admit to being a bit of a tree hugger). I just want to understand the reason. The Massasauga rattlesnakes that I spoke of are severely endangered and the number of people who have been bitten recently is extremely low. The Massasaugas are rarely fatal to adults, but a young child might be a different story.
Little Timmywhen I'm not awake , and "Hunting" around in the prickly bushe's in nothing but my Skivvy's and boot's .... all the while carrying a fully loaded 12 - gauge. )
Ummm, okay. I think I'd rather scratch my eyes out than look at that vision.
NWP SWP I had on a hard hat.
Good to hear you are starting to take safety with a less "devil may care" attitude.
I hope these new habits find their way to modeling too, no more cleaning rail indoor with solvents, wear safety glasses, cut carefully.
You don't need to learn any more lessons the hard way. Any fool can learn from their own mistakes. Wise people learn from other people's mistakes.
Henry:
Nice little fella!
We used to camp at Killbear Provincial Park on Georgian Bay. The park has a population of Massasauga rattlesnakes. Unfortunately the population is in decline. The only ones we ever saw were either stuffed or captive. The snake warning signs on the roads are kind of funny. "Drive carefully - snakes crossing!"
I'm a major herptaphobe myself. I never have liked them.
Hobby Front: Started the first step in shortening the section to make it work for the new design. Will need to make another trip to the lumber yard to get a 1x 4 in order to rebuild the end on the section as well as a new end for the lake when that gets cut down as well. (I'm at the lumber yard enough lately that I get the age-old question: Is this for your railroad?)
I also think that I can fit the shop building and its associated tracks on the pentagonal section. The mainline and yard lead will be curved to create more room in the middle where the shop should fit. It will still connect with the track that was already planned for the shop.
BigDaddyNobody models this:
I dont have to model them .... we have the real thing here at Demon's Hollow.
Just killed a 4 foot Western Diamondback last wednesday morning ... AT 3 AM !
( I just "love dealing with deadly critter's ,when I'm not awake , and "Hunting" around in the prickly bushe's in nothing but my Skivvy's and boot's .... all the while carrying a fully loaded 12 - gauge. )
Hey diners
Just sending over a little North Dakota sampler. I Found trains going across the plains.
Steven I saw rather decent sized coal cars, but not as long as the ones you're making..... and by the way I poke a little bull pucky at my friends too. Life is too short to be serious all the time.
The coal drags I seen had pullers and pushers and one in particular had midsection locomotives.... long long trains
I stopped at a wayside rest quickly after I seen how the railroad sometimes doesn't build Bridges. I saw how they prepare for a train to go straight and level across the water. There is no grade here..... wouldn't you agree
Busy weekend but I'll see what else I can dig up
PS.... When you zoomed in and followed it, you wanted to keep going didn't you..... It went down too long, too far and it got too blurry at the other end.... I tried pictures of that. They didn't work.... I deleted them.
Afternoon diners, I drove all day today, I'm doing well but my left turns are quite atrocious, it's mostly when I'm on a major highway or thoroughfare with traffic following close behind I tend to take the turn (when clear to do so) with more speed than necessary.
I got the staples out of my scalp, wasn't too fun, OK not fun at all.
We got 2 more privacy fence sections built, and I had on a hard hat.
Well I'll be back around.
Eveing Diners
Flo, the gang and I will have a give Ed a Crown Royal on the rocks and Rick and Steven what they like.
Need a new gas tank. Bob could not get it to seal with the putty stuff made for it. While the tank it self is not that bad, $82.00 with shipping labor is 1.5 hours so about $150.00 plus the needed oil change and gas fliter I am looking at around $320.00 or so. And here I am trying to get my CC blances lower.
Sparkie The Rocket Dog With me being with out a car till 3:00 PM I spent around 3 hours with him watching NCIS reruns. He seemed to feel better and enjoyed the company. Walking was better but still needs help getting in bed.
Train Front.Took a half hour to clear the 13 foot tunnel of passangers cars and park the PRR M1a. But I did it more like what a real RR would do it and not using the hand of God. Well just a little bit.
Stopped by K-10 Model Trains. Looks like he reballast his parking lot. Picked up a free set used Atlas Passanger Car Trucks so I can get the Centfaun 10-1-4 Coach back in the drag. There trucks are junk be the rest of the car looks great.
Well BBQ is done so later, Ken
I hate Rust
Nobody models this:
Good Afternoon,
Another sunny, warm day here.
Ken, sorry to hear about Sparky, it is always tough to see them get old but that little guy has given you lots and you have given him a great home where he is loved and he knows it.
Nothing planned for today except go to visit the MIL. We always take Robbie there as he does enjoy visiting her. He has her trained to get him treats she keeps in a cupboard for his visits.
I must get the car in for an oil change as it is due. Gas sure has gone up here. We are now paying the equivalent of $7.25 US per gallon for premium.
Morning diners,
The power went out of 6 hours last night!
I'll be back later.
Good morning ..... I'll have a western omlet with toast, please.
Ken ... I'm sad to read about Sparkie the Rocket Dog. Your story reminds of dogs and cats we have had in the past. It is heartbraking when they get old and suffer. It has been very tough when we would decide to have them put down, but we know it was the right thing to do. It is sad to think about those times.
Speaking of Colorado, I received a book from Burlington Route Historical Society yesterday about the Denver Zephyr. In 1956, CB&Q bought two complete trainsets plus extra cars for the train from Budd Company. It was one of the best looking trains anywhere, anytime. The DZ was very popular with travelers, and the train was very successful. The book has many interesting photos along with plenty of text. .
cudakenCar Front Bob did not get a chance to look at my car and Sue has plans Thursday so I will be stuck at home all day.
Speaking of gas leaks, Ken, you weren't anywhere around Kirkwood were you?
https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/lamborghini-erupts-into-flames-at-kirkwood-gas-station/63-572028463
People driving away with the fuel nozzle still in the filler neck! Too busy to put down their "smart" phone, which is not supposed to be used near the pumps anyway.
Heartland Division CB&QDurango and Silverton has resumed operations of steam locomotives for the first time since the major wildfire in that area. Just in time for the Diner’s Colorado visit .
This is good news indeed!
Today is my 44th anniversary of riding the rails to Silverton!
Enjoy!
Flo, give the gang and I a cold Ed a Crown Royal on the rocks and Rick and Steven what they like.
Sparkie The Rock Dog. Don't think he will be with us much longer, even my wife see's it. He as to be lifted on and off of the bed and helped down the step to the yard. While he can still walk, not that stead on his feet. As long as he is not in pain and willing to eat we will do what we can do for the little guy.
Car Front Bob did not get a chance to look at my car and Sue has plans Thursday so I will be stuck at home all day. What sucks rail spikes is if Bob gets it fixed say at 12:00 PM, I will have no way to pick it up. Hum, need to see if we have Uber around here?
Train Front I was all ready to brag about the now Mighty PRR M1A was able to pull 10 Heavy Weight Pullman Coaches. I thought I fixed the PRR Centfaun 10-1-4 coach and yes the Mighty PRR M1A did pull the passanger cars around 2 times. Then the Centfaun came uncoupled (needs new trucks) in the 13 foot tunnel. Removed it and next time around, lost the back of the train again in the 13 foot tunnel? Of all the places I can have a problem why in a section I cannot see what is going on and has no turnouts?
It is late, so later Ken