Some sketchy stuff. Hopefully not off the charts of rules here.
I don't know where you got all your information Henry. For the most part, I like to be an agreeable person. I do not find your statements hard to agree.
Way back when talking to Young Steven. It was said by me and others. Don't fall into the buy now pay later clause. I hope that young kid listened.
This whole country is built on buy now pay later...... I'm here to say it does not work.
The whole country should have learned a lesson a long time ago. I did. I pay for things with what I have now.
Should be a rule of thumb.
TF
The positive cash flow theory works to a certain extent. Bankruptcy was invented because at a certain point it doesn't.
BNSF UP and others modelerI have talked with a current employee of USPS and he said USPS is actually NO LONGER subsidized
edit What wrote I came directly from the latest USPS financial report and is public record. The numbers in the tables are in millions of dollars, so 1,000 represents a thousand million dollars, more commonly called a billion.
Page 11 and 12 explain where they get the extra money to run at a loss.
Fedex and UPS finances are also published on their websites.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Funny stuff Ulrich.
I must speak pretty clearly. My voice texting on my Android Smartphone actually works pretty darn well. I never did like to type and I actually have very few corrections when I'm done.
I have to do a lot of texts nowadays in business to keep up with the world. I kind of hate it. I don't quite remember when a personable phone call ever became outdated or out of the question
I just voice texted all of that and the only funny looking word is nowadays. Good enough for me, I just let it roll sometimes.
Track fiddlerThe Diners across the pond this month huh. I have a guy I do a lot of work for. He is the only one I subcontract for because he pays so well. He is 100% English, heavy accent. Some mornings I have to say "what" more than once. That heavy accent is a tough act to follow at times.
Back in 1988, I went to Japan on a business trip to attend a two-week international seminar introducing new corporate accounting and reporting standards for world-wide implentation. At the beginning of the seminar, each participant was asked to give a short introduction of his company within the group and his person. It was a bit of a struggle to listen to 48 people speaking English in a variety of shades. When the gentleman from Britain finished his introduction, a small chap from India rose and addressed him "Excuse me, Sir, could you please repeat? I did not understand a word!" Painful silence followed. The Brit was the only native English speaker among us. He was from Liverpool, and they do have a rather thick accent there.
Talking of accents - enjoy this:
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
Good afternoon. A burger and a beer would do nicely thanks.
The Diner is across the pond this month huh. I have a guy I do a lot of work for. He is the only one I subcontract for because he pays so well. He is 100% English, heavy accent. Some mornings I have to say "what" more than once. That heavy accent is a tough act to follow at times.
I took the day off yesterday and brought Judy to Stillwater to go on the Riverboat prime rib Cruise. It was a fun time.
I took a picture of the historic Commander grain elevator viewed from the south. I had shared pictures before and mentioned how it leans. This picture you can really see it, it's almost like the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
I thought maybe you guys would get a kick out of the Leaning Tower of Stillwater
Lion.... FYI...... The prime rib sucked. It had good flavor but it was glorified roast beef.
I always have a problem with whoever over cooks a Rib Roast.
I like to see some pink and some blood on my plate to acknowledge it was prepared correctly.
Good to dip in the horseradish sauce,.... if it was prepared correctly. Do you get me sweetheart?
York1 For those who don't like reading rants, ignore my post. You have been warned! When I order something that is shipped by U.S. mail, I always receive it within four days, usually three days, regardless from what part of the U.S. it is mailed. Last week I ordered a part for the layout from Champaign, IL, about 550 miles away. I got the notice it was shipped by FedEx. Here is the tracking report: Monday, July 29, I was notified it had been shipped FedEx. Tuesday, July 30, 1:27 a.m. arrived at FedEx location, Champaign, IL. Tuesday, July 30, 8:58 a.m. arrived at FedEx location, Champaign, IL. Tuesday, July 30, 2:06 p.m. departed FedEx location, Champaign, IL. Wednesday, July 31, 1:12 a.m. arrived at FedEx location, Lenexa, KS. Wednesday, July 31, 7:18 a.m. departed FedEx location, Lenexa, KS. (Lenexa is nine miles from Olathe.) Wednesday, July 31, 7:21 p.m. arrived FedEx location, Olathe, KS. Wednesday, July 31, 6:57 a.m. departed FedEx location, Olathe, KS. (Olathe is 20 miles from Kansas City, MO.) Thursday, August 1, 7:03 p.m. arrived FedEx location, Kansas City, MO. Friday, August 2, 5:52 a.m. departed FedEx location, Kansas City, MO. This means it will still go to Omaha, then possibly to Lincoln, before it will get to the U.S. Post Office, which delivers for FedEx to addresses in my part of Nebraska. The original shipping estimation for arrival at my house had been Wednesday, July 31. I'm not complaining about FedEx. I realize with huge volumes, this is how it works. I am defending the Post Office. They seem to be able to get me things faster than FedEx or UPS. (And yes, I know they are supported by taxes.) But they do their job well. Rant over!
For those who don't like reading rants, ignore my post. You have been warned!
When I order something that is shipped by U.S. mail, I always receive it within four days, usually three days, regardless from what part of the U.S. it is mailed.
Last week I ordered a part for the layout from Champaign, IL, about 550 miles away. I got the notice it was shipped by FedEx.
Here is the tracking report:
Monday, July 29, I was notified it had been shipped FedEx.
Tuesday, July 30, 1:27 a.m. arrived at FedEx location, Champaign, IL.
Tuesday, July 30, 8:58 a.m. arrived at FedEx location, Champaign, IL.
Tuesday, July 30, 2:06 p.m. departed FedEx location, Champaign, IL.
Wednesday, July 31, 1:12 a.m. arrived at FedEx location, Lenexa, KS.
Wednesday, July 31, 7:18 a.m. departed FedEx location, Lenexa, KS.
(Lenexa is nine miles from Olathe.)
Wednesday, July 31, 7:21 p.m. arrived FedEx location, Olathe, KS.
Wednesday, July 31, 6:57 a.m. departed FedEx location, Olathe, KS.
(Olathe is 20 miles from Kansas City, MO.)
Thursday, August 1, 7:03 p.m. arrived FedEx location, Kansas City, MO.
Friday, August 2, 5:52 a.m. departed FedEx location, Kansas City, MO.
This means it will still go to Omaha, then possibly to Lincoln, before it will get to the U.S. Post Office, which delivers for FedEx to addresses in my part of Nebraska.
The original shipping estimation for arrival at my house had been Wednesday, July 31.
I'm not complaining about FedEx. I realize with huge volumes, this is how it works.
I am defending the Post Office. They seem to be able to get me things faster than FedEx or UPS. (And yes, I know they are supported by taxes.) But they do their job well.
Rant over!
I agree with you completely. USPS is by far the best, fastest, most reliable (in terms of tracking) shipping service in the US.
However, here is a fun tidbit for you. I have talked with a current employee of USPS and he said USPS is actually NO LONGER subsidized by the government. Now obviously that doesn't mean that the government doesn't contribute to keeping equipment nice and stuff up to date but still, I would think if USPS could do it, so can FedEx and UPS.
Just my
I'm beginning to realize that Windows 10 and sound decoders have a lot in common. There are so many things you have to change in order to get them to work the way you want.
John,
I don´t know how many steam engines were stored at Barry scarpyard, but it must have been a couple of hundred.
More about this apocalyptic place to be found here.
All the engines are gone, those worthy of restoration have been restored, the remainder turned into, well, whatever. Barry now acts as a junkyard for cars.
Good morning. I'll have bacon, eggs, hashbrowns with onions, and while I wait, a Bloody Mary.
gmpullmanI'll be posting more if no one objects.
I love watching them.
Tinplate ToddlerGreat Britain has a very active steam preservation scene. When British Rail gave up "smoking" in the late 1960s, the steam engines went to a scrapper who, instead of cutting them up, just let them rust away. Quite a large number was rescued and rebuilt in working order.
Ulrich, you answered something I've always wondered. Watching fairly new period movies filmed in the UK, you often see steam locomotives. I wondered where and how they had them to film.
Another rainy morning. I was able to get my walk in, but it's too bad the grass is too wet to cut. I'll just have to put off mowing again!
Big Boy comes through the state tomorrow, but I have something else going on, so I won't be able to go see it. Disappointed.
Hope everyone has a good happy, healthy day today.
York1 John
Glad you enjoy them, Dave I admire just about anything from the BBC and "classic-era" British films in general. Good show!
I'm glad they devoted as much effort as they did to preserve a glimpse into the past on the British Railways.
I'll be posting more if no one objects.
Cheers, Ed
gmpullmanA fascinating look at the work involved in making points work on the LMS:
Ed,
Thanks for all the interesting old films that you post regularly. I find them to be fascinating!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Good Morning!
It´s going to be a sunny day - a little cooler than yesterday, which is much to my liking! I think I have either a fair share of Viking blood in my veins - or polar bear blood! As I look a little fuzzy and white these days, the latter seems to be more likely!
Great Britain has a very active steam preservation scene. When British Rail gave up "smoking" in the late 1960s, the steam engines went to a scrapper who, instead of cutting them up, just let them rust away. Quite a large number was rescued and rebuilt in working order. For this reason, it is not unusual to see fast trains (not of the 125mph kind, though) on mainline metals!
Here is a video showing steam at speed!
The video shows some footage of Oliver Bulleid´s rather odd looking Pacifics built in the 1940s. The cowling, which was supposed to ease engine cleaning was removed after the war, when some of the engines were rebuilt. The design gave them the name "spam cans" - a rather fitting nick name! Gresley´s A4 Pacifics, though looking a little more like a steam engine to my eyes, are no real beauties, either.
Enjoy!
Nice video, Ed! Trackwork like that cannot be found in my country.
Jimmy - I am sorry to hear that the interviews didn´t turn out well. I am keeping my fingers crossed for the job hunt!
Good evening, all.
A fascinating look at the work involved in making points work on the LMS:
Fun stuff to watch! Enjoy, Ed
Greetings from the Southern Command. Not much going on here, headed down to the south hovel for a small get away. Found the dehumidifier was off, I guess we failed to turn it back on when we were down here in June. Humidity was not bad and no mildew. power outage could have knocked it out but it usually comes back on to previous state after outage. I may cut some small trees out and spiff it up a bit around here, or I may be lazy.
I will check in later
Garry look forward to the pictures.
John: The issue is more than likely the shipper is using a heavily discounted shipping option provided by FedEx where the parcel is basically traveling "stand-by". The parcel is in a queue with all of the other stand-by parcels on a FIFO-based queuing approach. When there is extra space on a truck, the oldest parcels fill the gap. If a parcel gets to a location where there is more full-price parcels than space, it gets removed from the truck and gets queued back up.
Richard
hey all.
The interview was a waste of time for me... they wanted someome withmore experience. ive got a few more out there now, but if these ones dont pan out, I'm going to resort to a part time job stocking shelves at a grocery store. I didn't want to have to ever go back into a retail side of a groceru store p, but if desperate times call for desperate measures.
Im gonna be busking next week for my towns 250th celebration. I helped put together a youth organized street fair.... railroad themed of course.
(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).
Good morning ...
Our trip in New England (mostly Maine) is nearly over. Yesterday , I rode a two foot narrow gauge train along the waterfront in Portland, ME. It had very old cars hauled by a small diesel locomotive.
The Cog Railway trio i NH was spectacular.
When I get a chance, I will post photos.
We never got to Booth Bay as I had hoped we would.
Jan .... Thanks for contacting me . I could not get back to your PM with my iPhone on this trip.
Richard .. Sorry to hear about your dog .
Ulrich .. Thanks for starting the August Diner.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Water Level RouteThey have coaches there
Coach, as in "bus", or "railway carriage"? I just love those fine, little differences
Speaking of downsizing. When we lost or house, we had to downsize considerably, as the apartment we still live in is only a third of the size of our former domicile. We sold very few things, most of the stuff we just gave away or went to the dumpster. I don´t know exactly when we will be moving to Denmark, but we have again started pairing down. It is incredible, how much clutter magically accumulates over a period of 10 years! One of the items having to go is my Marklin tinplate layout, but that will be put up for sale. We have a ton of books nobody wants, so they will go to the dumpster, as well as some other household things we haven´t touched in years. There is so much stuff, including old furniture, which isn´t worth paying money for moving it.
I can´t say I like the work ahead of us, but finally finding peace is worth the effort.
Tinplate ToddlerThere is a steam train ride from Fort William to Mallaigh, a former fishing town, which is worthwhile taking.
Oh yeah. That must be the Hogwarts Express.
Love that train.
Broadway (Slitherin) LION
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Thanks for the kind words and thoughts about Napoleon. It was the best thing for him. It took longer than we had hoped for my daughter to be ready to let him go.
On a personal note, I am dealing with a swollen face. I had a dental implant installed on Wednesday. It is for an upper molar and there was not enough room for the implant given the location of my sinus cavity. They had to bore a hole, raise the membrane, and fill the void with mixture of cadaver and cow bone. (Interestingly, I find myself looking longingly at the clover outside, wanting a snack.) They say the second day is the worst and I am sore and swollen. I feel like I went nine rounds with Mike Tyson, except I still have both of my earlobes.
Tinplate ToddlerIt´s called football and played with a real, round ball, not that melon shaped thingy
Mike
Good morning, everyone. I've already eaten breakfast, so just black coffee for me -- lots of coffee.
It is pouring outside. I left for Bible study at 5:45 a.m. and it was not raining. Within 45 minutes, the streets were flooded, and the creek is overflowing.
Track fiddlerI have already downsized. I am going to downsize some more.
Good luck! I wish my wife allowed me to do that. We have an entire house full of stuff, and getting more all the time. I tried making a rule once, that whenever something came into the house, something had to leave. Of course, since I'm only second in command, that rule was ignored.
Good for Judy. So glad to hear the medicine is having an effect.
Richard, it's amazing how attached we become to dogs. My wife and I treat our Dachshund better than we treat each other. We can't imagine life without her. Sorry about the dog.
Hope everyone has a good day. I know I will. It's raining, so I can't cut the grass!
Afternoon!
Hot again! Not as hot as last week, but too hot for me to feel comfortable.
Water Level RouteIt was always a lot of fun talking with them and discovering the differences in our common language.
Well, my British friends would certainly claim, that there is only a slight resemblance. I tend to agree
Water Level RouteBritish soccer
It´s called football and played with a real, round ball, not that melon shaped thingy, that players predominantly carry under their arms or pressed to the body.
Since we are in GB these days, here is a nice video of steam on "The Long Drag".
gmpullmanhttps://www.spellzone.com/blog/Sixty_American_English_Words_and_their_British_English_Counterparts.htm
TGIF! Long week at work. Looking forward to a nice weekend. Hope everyone's goes well!
Track fiddlerHappy to be in the Diner this evening with you all. Where's the cookie jar? I need a snack, I'm hungry
We're in London. Over here they're called biscuits.
https://www.spellzone.com/blog/Sixty_American_English_Words_and_their_British_English_Counterparts.htm
Glad to hear the encouraging words about Judy
I'm off for a spot of tea, perhaps a crumpet or two, if you please.
Well...... I wish to elaborate.
This little scare with Judy has me thinking. We're getting old. I don't know how much time is left, I guess I never will.
I think I am going to switch gears again. I was flipping houses about 15 years ago but there was someone else involved. It didn't quite work out right.
I think I'm going to start flipping houses again on my own. That way I don't have to work for the man anymore.
I have already downsized. I am going to downsize some more. Get rid of the heavy leather recliner furniture and switch to Wicker ultralight with cushions. Then when it's time to move, I just toss them in the back of the truck and go.
Yep, I know this is what I'm going to do.
Richard,
Sorry to hear about the pup, never an easy decision.
herrinchoker
Scotland Yes. On my Grandfather's side, moving down from Canada back in the late forties. That Scotsman was my favorite person in the whole world.
He always wore a Tam. So many times my Grandfather said "Do you get me sweetheart" I just laughed....... now I say it and some people just don't quite understand.
Ireland isn't too shabby either laddies On my Grandmother's side, a very fine, proper lady from Ireland. Her name was Edith, She preferred to be called Irish.
Happy to be in the Diner this evening with you all. Where's the cookie jar? I need a snack, I'm hungry
Late night at the office this evening. Sawdust, drywall dust, all that dust.
I am very happy to inform you Friends. Judy's third blood pressure medication is working. I am so relieved. I was walking on pins and needles and really worried about her. It's not all the way down yet but it is coming down
I must remember my manners. Thank you all for the positive reinforcement and prayers you gave Judy and I. I do know they worked........ Thank you.
I did see I missed some things here. Don't ever think I ever forget any one of you for a minute. I pray hard and think of you all as well.
Missed you guys TF
Howdy folks!
Tinplate Toddlertell a Scot he is English - you may end up as the main ingredient of Haggis or black pudding! Smile, Wink & Grin
That be very true, sir! My family ancestor came from "England" as a slave (Indentured Servant, but still a type of slave). The surname at that time was the English version of my name, Hayward. At the end of the Revolutionary War the name somehow got changed back to the Scottish spelling and pronunciation, Howard. Nobody wanted to be associated with the English over here at that time.... LOL
Been busier than a cat covering poop on a marble floor the past few days. Did get a few minutes to stop in, have a cup of Joe, and catch up with a few things.
Richard, Sorry to hear about Napolean, but it sounded in a earlier post that was the best thing to do for the poor old dog! Never easy though.
I am still moving stuff back into where it needs to be after finishing the remodel job. getting there slowly but surely. This afternoon I drove over to a computer store where I have bought several computer over the years and bought a new iMac. My old one is getting long in the tooth and can't be upgraded. Several of the old pro applications I use are no longer doing what they need to be doing all the time and the results are not as good as I want. Those programs will now have to be Rented from Adobe. Oh the Applications you get "free" but everything has to go out somewhere called a "Cloud" which has to be "rented"..... Still, it would take many years to pay out what I payed for those programs even "back when". So I will live with it. I don't need anywhere as much space as I would have needed years ago as I now only use those programs for a couple newsletters I produce anyway.
I told the lady at the store I think I may have a few viruses on the old desktop as well so she is having me bring it in and they will clean everything up and make sure there are no problems with the new one. I do know that my email has been compromised. I get a couple hundred SPAM emails a day here. I will ultimately change email address to solve that one, but that will be a pain all in itself I guess.
Have a good one out there, my friends!
21
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Tinplate ToddlerThe staff - that´s Zoe, Chloe, Flo, Janie, and Brunhilda
.
Didn't we used to have a waitress named Stella on the diner?
Tinplate ToddlerAs we didn´t agree (yet)o n an August location for the diner, I took the liberty of just starting the move and let the train go until someone sid "stop
I don't remember if we ever had a location in July!
-Kevin
Living the dream.