MisterBeasleyToday my daughter is getting married.
Congratulations to the newlyweds!
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
Today my daughter is getting married. I'm in New Hampshire for the ceremony.
I have crossed paths with some of the tourist railroads several times, and am now only a few miles from the Cog Railway myself.
I think I've figured out a solution for reconfiguring my layout in its new home.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Good Morning. Like Ulrich, I didn't get much sleep last night -- loud thunderstorms through the night. I finally gave up trying to sleep. Even with all the noise, there was not much rain.
Ken, you have a lot on your plate lately. I am praying that things will calm down and go better soon. Remember that you have quite a few friends here who are supporting you.
Brent, I have a friend who collects diecast cars. He is not married -- his house is full of boxes. He donated several of his prize cars to our school auction, and they brought quite a bit of money.
Back to work on the layout. Such drudgery!
York1 John
Mornin'....
Janie, I could use a pot of dark roast coffee, please.
Ken, so sorry to hear about Sparkie! You are good to not make him suffer longer. After recently having two kitties put down and staying with them to the end, I can tell you it is peaceful and quick. Do stay with him and pet him as it happens. You'll be glad you were with him until the end...... It is always so hard to lose a loved pet! You are in my prayers today.
Will keep your daughter in my prayers as well. Hopefully they caught it early if it is cancer.
7
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Ken,
Trod the path you are on about three weeks ago. No matter what, it is a hard decision--We somtimes do things for ourselves, rather than for our friend. Not at all ashamed to admit that when Shelby breathed her last I cried like a four year old. My neighbor helped me wrap her in a fine cotton sheet, and placed her in the ground.
Wife was devestated as it was her companion dog she acquired when she was fighting her second bout with cancer.
At the end of this month a replacement pup will be arriving, she has already named the pup Agatha, "Aggie", I go with the flow. She isn't aware that I am also making arrangements to pick up a rescue dog to go along with her. My male is 6yo., and male dogs have the propensity to kill a pup. With an older female around this lessens greatly, this other female just had a litter of pups, and I am sure she will keep him in line. Puppy breath, and the pitter-patter of little feet, been almost thirty years since that has been heard here in the fish house, kinda looking forward to it.
Prayers for you and you wife Ken---hard sleddin ahead, I know----!
Ulrich,
hope things are progressing for your move, while it can be a challange, focus on the end result. Best to Petra--
Bear,
Thank you for the aircraft pictures, what gets scarey is looking at some of them and remembering when-------getting old sucks--the mind,(what little is left) is more than willing, but there is this body thing,-----?!??!! Starting down Jeffery's path, lost a large chunk of meat this AM, went to the Dr. office, and have been started on pill form of anit-fungal med, and will start antibiotics behind that. Big chore is getting woodshed built, and filled before snow flies, not far off.
Prayers and thoughts to those in need, time to turn in.
herrinchoker
Ken, there are new diecast 1968/69 dodge chargers coming out, aren't those the ones you like?
https://www.pwrs.ca/product_search.php?f_Scales%5B%5D=1&f_ProductTypes=null&f_Keywords=dodge+charger&f_HasSound=0&f_HasDCC=0
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Good Morning!
Zoe, coffee in an IV bag for me , please. I hardly caught any sleep last night.
Dave - your calculation is quite close - for an engine of the size USRRA Light Mikado pulling a fairly light train with hardly a grade. Add load and a grade and the fireman will have to add quite a few shovels. Increase the size of the engine, i.e. a bigger grate area and a larger boiler and firing without the help of a mechanical device sich as a stoker becomes a back breaking affair.
Ken - I am sorry to hear about Sparkie bound for the rainbow bridge.
Back to British railroading.
Standardization came fairly late to British Railways. Prior to the grouping into the Big Four, Britain had a couple of hundred (!) railway companies, each favoring their own design. Only locomotives built after 1923 where somewhat standardized, at least each of the Big Four companies had their own standards. Real standardization took place after the Big Four were amalgamated into British Railways in 1947, who developed a few standradized engines ton replace the in some instances 75 year old engines still on the roster. There was a distinct need for replacements, as war time neglect had taken its toll. Unfortunately, the appearance of standard engines on British Rail metals coincided with the dawn of the Diesel age, so only a few new steam engines were built. Some of those engines saw less than 10 years of service. The extreme variety of different locomotive types added to the early demise of steam in Britain.
Time for Railway Roundabout 1959!
hon30critterSomething that wasn't really touched on in the film was how much coal a fireman might have to shovel during a single trip.
Somewhere, maybe it was one of my PRR Keystone magazines, I seem to recall reading about tests the PRR conducted at the test plant in Altoona where they weighed the maximum amound of coal that could be hand-scooped. I believe 4.5 tons per hour was the figure stated. I'll have to do some digging.
The unions and railroads got into some fired-up () discussions about the installation of stokers on larger engines. PRR certainly didn't want to retro-fit many of their existing locomotives with stokers. Even the first K4s were built without stokers.
When it was finally determined that with the larger firebox sizes and steam horsepower requirements of more modern locomotives coming along it would have been impossible for a human (PRR even used two firemen on some runs) to keep up with the demand. I believe the ICC in 1939, required stokers to be provided on locomotives over 160,000 lbs on drivers. Railroads had about five years to retrofit older locos.
Good reading here:
https://prrt1steamlocomotivetrust.org/bookclub/download.php
There will be a test on Monday!
Ken, I wish you, Sparkie and all concerned that things work out OK for you folks. You have a lot to deal with lately!
It was good to chat with you —
Regards, Ed
Tinplate ToddlerThere is a lot more to firing a steam engine than just to shovel coal into the fire box. Proper firing is an art, aimed at matching steam generation with steam consumption while at the same time keeping coal consumption as low as possible.
Thanks for sharing that film! I have always wondered about the intricacies of how a steam engine is fired. Now I know.
Something that wasn't really touched on in the film was how much coal a fireman might have to shovel during a single trip. Despite the amount of coal being limited each time coal was added to the firebox, over a few hours the total amount is considerable! At an average of six shovel fulls every two minutes, that's 180 shovel fulls per hour. What does a shovel full of coal weigh? I'm guessing at 10+ lbs. That's 1800+ lbs. per hour, or roughly 7200+ lbs. in a four hour trip! Betcha those guys were in good shape. Does anyone have more accurate numbers?
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
cudaken Sparkie has told us it is his time to cross the Rainbow Bridge. . .
Sparkie has told us it is his time to cross the Rainbow Bridge. . .
Ken: I was in your shoes just two weeks ago. A very tough decision but it is better than the suffering. Stay the course.
Richard
Eveing Diners
Flo, give the gang and I a please.
Sparkie has told us it is his time to cross the Rainbow Bridge. We are heart broken, but it is his time. He will not eat his food, but he ate my chicken? Cannot hardly stand so it is time. Daughter and wife where to do the last trip while I was at work today, but things got in there way. So Sue and I will take him Saturday. Not looking forward to getting up Saturday.
Daughter had a Mammoram today and they saw something they did not like. Took more photo's? That was the reason she could not take Sparkie and the Wife to the Vet today.
Postive note. My hours where only cut next week due to my eye exam this coming Monday.
Don't want to get up Staurday none smoking Ken
I hate Rust
York1I learned there wasn't much on an animal that couldn't be eaten.
.
When I was in Boy Scouts, we learned that all the flesh on all mammals covered with fur was edible.
There were five exceptions.
I remember one of them was Polar Bear Liver, it is toxic.
I cannot recall the other four, and they never taught us how to kill a Polar Bear.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Does the "moo" taste like chicken?
Good afternoon ..
Dave .... Well that;s one way to lose weight. .... I hope you can get your back problems corrected. Surely, the doctors can do somthing for you. Prayers for you.
Ulrich .... Thanks for the interesting video about firing a steam locomotive.
Everybody .... Have a nice evening.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
There is a lot more to firing a steam engine than just to shovel coal into the fire box. Proper firing is an art, aimed at matching steam generation with steam consumption while at the same time keeping coal consumption as low as possible. To a nebie this must have been like squaring a circle.
The London, Midland and Scottissh Railway produced an educational film which provides a nice insight into the art of firing a steam engine.
Enjoy!
Good morning. I've already eaten, so just black coffee today.
The walk was beautiful this morning -- fairly cool, lower humidity, lots of birds.
BigDaddyNeighbor: "I never had a hot dog and don't know what they are made from. I hear they put the whole goat, including the hooves in it." I cannot eat a hotdog without a smile on my face and a picture of a skinned goat being loaded into a giant meat grinder now.
I've had some food snobs try to influence me not to eat hot dogs. They have said, "Don't you know what is actually in them?"
I usually tell them, "Yes. That is what makes them so good."
When I grew up, our family butchered meat to eat. I learned there wasn't much on an animal that couldn't be eaten.
How's that for an appetizing topic when you're ready for your breakfast sausage?
Hope everyone has a good day. Today is grass-cutting day for me, but then I have nothing but time for layout work. Working on a scratch built motel. Lots of doors and windows.
I discovered how to lose some weight! All I have to do is send Dianne on a trip! She is in Alberta right now attending a niece's wedding (my back wouldn't let me go). Since she left I have hardly eaten anything!
I'm not sure how well that would work out in the long run, but I don't have to worry. She's back Saturday.
I have to admit that I have lost my interest in cooking. My back problems mean that I can't stand long enough to do the work. When I do cook, I have to do most of the prep work sitting down and by the time I have finished grilling or cooking something I can hardly walk.
I'll have to push myself harder. It's not fair to Dianne. I hate the idea of taking more pain killers.
Tinplate ToddlerDave - I just discovered you message. I treid to reply, but the system wouldn´t let me.
No need to reply directly. I'm sure you will keep us posted in the forums.
I think we are in for a nice day today - good!
Dave - I just discovered you message. I treid to reply, but the system wouldn´t let me.
Some more British steam tidbits for those who like this journey through time.
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, steam in Britain was enjoying its Indian Summer, as the much loved steam engine gave way to the alien Diesel and electric locomotives. In Great Britain, interest in railways was on the increase and the then novel British television was persuaded to entertain its audience with pure railway films. And so, a TV show named "Railway Roundabout was born! For 5 years, from 1958 to 1962, Patrick Whitehouse and John Adams produced films of all aspects of railways, presenting 10 25 minute shows a year. The films now have become a part of Britain´s national heritage.
Enjoy Railway Roundabout of 1958 - the first year!
BigDaddyI cannot eat a hotdog without a smile on my face and a picture of a skinned goat being loaded into a giant meat grinder now.
I made some goat sausage some years ago. Mighty tasty, I'll admit. One batch I seasoned so it was like gyro meat so I could cook the sausage, slice it and put it in a piece of pita flat-bread, add onions, diced tomato and some cucumber sauce and have a nearly authentic gyro.
Cheers, Ed
Ed ... Thanks for posting your pictures of the Cog Railway and the Two Foot Gauge. ... Now the cog railway has its track switches powered with a hydraulic mechanism instead of workers doing heavy manual labor to switch the track. ... The two foot caboose has room for one person on just one side . I was going to sit there for my ride , but changed my mind when I saw the forward facing window pane had been replaced with plywood . I can’t take pictures through plywood. LOL
Ken Sorry to hear about Sparky. I actually hurt my back this week lifing Toby in the car so he could see the Vet for his arthritis.
You can rescue a senior dog for really cheap because no one wants them. The upside is you get a house broken dog well past the puppy chew it up stage. The downside is they aren't going to be around a long time, but they still deserve love.
MR: I'm in a slump
Edit good diner story. My wife had lunch with a neighbor who is about to move. Doesn't matter where she came from, but she is in her 50's and has lived here for 30 years. She is moving near a restaurant known for ice cream and hot dogs.
Neighbor: "I never had a hot dog and don't know what they are made from. I hear they put the whole goat, including the hooves in it."
I cannot eat a hotdog without a smile on my face and a picture of a skinned goat being loaded into a giant meat grinder now.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Afternoon Diners
Still feel a little lost today. I knew at some point I would need to look for a new job. Now that it is time I am at a lost to know what I want to do? I don't want to be in managent any longer, nor sales. Maybe a security gard? That way if I see someone in the store I can yell Get Out Of Here! If I was a Armed Securiy Guard it would be Bang, Get Out Of Here!
Wife wants a nother dog after Sparkie is gone. Plus she want's a youger dog but not a puppy. My self, I am not that sure I want another dog. My fear is she won't be able to handle a younger dog. Woman can not walk worth a dang and she will not let a dog run free in the back because "It might get away". Sparkie was only 17 pounds when we got him and she could hardly control him on a leash.
Later, none smoking Ken
Ok. At first glance it looked a lot like what I remember as the approach to the large service yard just off the road to JFK. That's in Queens. On the other hand since I'm incorrect, I will use the excuse that I'm normally far too busy with road traffic to pay much attention.
GMTRacing For a subway there sure is a lot above ground. What part of North Dakota is that? It looks a lot like it might be the area known as Queens?
For a subway there sure is a lot above ground. What part of North Dakota is that? It looks a lot like it might be the area known as Queens?
Eh? It is in Brooklyn approaching Coney Island, either on the Sea Beach or on the West End, I forget which, they kinda twist around each other.
RORA
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Good Evening!
It´s been a muggy day here as well. I tried to go for a walk, but got steamed up pretty quick, so I headed back home.
Ken - I am sorry to hear about the way your job is turning into a drag. Maybe it´s the time to look for a new challenge. Keeping my fingers crossed!
TF - a prayer for your friend Ron!
Just another Britsh steam video to end the day!
Good morning, everyone. Have already eaten breakfast, so just coffee this morning. Warm and muggy -- really worked up a sweat walking this morning.
hon30critterOne more sign of aging, or more likely drinking too much
I know what you mean. Sometimes it's a nice surprise to receive something in the mail I forgot I ordered.
cudaken It is time for a change in many ways.
Ken, it may be that you are ready. Many years ago I decided to make a change. However, it seemed like roadblocks and fears held me back. Finally, I went ahead and changed, and it was the best thing I have done. I hope you find an answer.
Track fiddlerRon is a really good friend of mine and I need you guys to pray for him.
Will do. We'll pray for the best outcome.
gmpullmanIt's not something I dwell on but I often reminisce about now deceased friends. I'm only 63 and I know more dead people than living. Sad but true.
Ed, I know what you mean! I am realizing it in my own life. Of course, I'd rather be the one reminiscing than being reminisced about.
Have a good day today. Time for another cup of strong black coffee.
ROAR
Good Morning All,
A regular to go please Zoe. Nothing to report on the layout front as I was here at the shop late last night cleaning the result of a major roof leak. We've had issues all along here but we replaced the roof and did some other work all of which is good. The roof drains however we revised and now we realize the drain pipes were never correct to begin with. We had a torrential downpour late yesterday afternoon and the water backed up in the pipes and cascaded around the down tubes. We will now get to revise the system but it's an unanticipated snag. In the mean time the unit room where I store all the bearings and gearbox parts got a soaking so I was tossing cardboard boxes and draining bins for a while yesterday. Yikes.
TF - prayers for your friend Ron. Hope he pulls through ok.
Ken - I've always found when one door closes another opens. I agree job hunting is in order. At least the job scene seems better than last time you had to look.
Nice pics of the cog and 2' stuff. But why does Ed insist on showing his dads caboose.
All for now. Lots to do today. Best, J.R.