We made it to Orlando all safe and sound. The kids made it from Los Angeles and we had a nice dinner at a Brazilian Steakhouse on International Drive.
.
I wish Track Fiddler could have made it to Orlando too as planned.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Eveing Diners
Flo, give the gang a glass of Eggnog with Crown Royal, my self a and Dirk his dog treat.
My self, I have been homeless. But I had a job and a running car. So while it was not a good time, no one was shooting at me and I did not mind acting like a Bear in the woods. I had T/P paper.
Old Christams Ornamemt's I think maybe be I still have some from my youth I loved! But No, I cannot use them. My wife think's we need Pink Flamingo's on a white Christams Tree.
Ed Reason I did not warm up to the idea of a Tsnami decoder was because of the decoder in my Walthers Bessimer SD 9. It suckes rail spikes! But if you say they a good, well they are good. Let me know about the old Niagara decoder, but if it used a Chuff Sensor. I think BLI stepped on the rail spike with that idea.
Later none smoking Ken and Dirk says Woof, Woof
I hate Rust
One of my colleagues, who is about 72 used his first indoor toilet when he went to the US Naval Academy. My mom, 20 years older, went missing as a child.
That threw the whole neighborhood into an uproar. They found her asleep in the out house
It was a quad-house, I had to model it
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Deleted by me. I decided not to argue more.
I love Christmas.
And ... Edit! Top of Page. My Christmas gift to everyone is a drink of water from my indoor plumbing. Of course, you have to come here to get it. I'm not mailing it to anyone.
York1 John
BigDaddyThe latest number I saw are 500,000 Americans live in homes without indoor toilets. That is not homeless people, that is people living in houses. Far less a percentage than third world countries, but you would think the number should be 0.
That number may seem terrible, but looking at the stats, there is usually a reason.
Alaska has a large number of those households. The Indian reservations along the southern border have many. Spread throughout the country, there are many households that choose, for whatever reason, to do without indoor plumbing. Some are religious reasons, some are living off the grid, some are cabins and second homes in wilderness areas, and a very few because they cannot afford a change.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2014/04/23/1-6-million-americans-dont-have-indoor-plumbing-heres-where-they-live/
BigDaddyThe latest number I saw are 500,000 Americans live in homes without indoor toilets. That is not homeless people, that is people living in houses.
I live near a fairly large Amish community. They still use outhouses, for the most part. The US/Canada population of Amish is 251,000. I wonder how they are counted in these statistics?
Cheers, Ed
maxmanI have a problem with the commercialization of this holiday season.
Holiday season is over, Costco is sent me this weekend an ad featuring Valtentines day.
Maryland used to have huge state mental hospitals. They are all closed now. I was in the locked ward, as a student, not a patient. It was very much like One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. All those patients went somewhere. The drugs then or now don't turn schizophrenic people in to normal productive citizens.
The latest number I saw are 500,000 Americans live in homes without indoor toilets. That is not homeless people, that is people living in houses. Far less a percentage than third world countries, but you would think the number should be 0. The only home I ever saw, in North America, without a toilet was a trappers shack in Northern Alberta
RideOnRoad BroadwayLion There are no poor in this country. Almost every one has a house or an apartment of some sort, they have electricity, they have a refrigerator and a TV set. Most importantly, they have running water, sanitary systems and garbage collection.
BroadwayLion
There are no poor in this country. Almost every one has a house or an apartment of some sort, they have electricity, they have a refrigerator and a TV set. Most importantly, they have running water, sanitary systems and garbage collection.
Seems to be an abundance...of rose colored glasses.
From one PBS report about Philadelphia, "In addition to the roughly 1,000 street homeless, there are about 5,000 people living somewhere in the homelessness system, and 15,000 who experience homelessness — even briefly — at some point in the year, according to federal data."
From the same report regarding Los Angeles, " ...a city...which has a homeless population of 22,887."
Oh, and I believe that I just saw a report that there are about 2 million people in this country that don't have running water.
I guess we're not counting them?
I personally don't know why all of these people are homeless. Some obviously don't wish to work. Others are veterans who suffer from various war related maladies. And the way we treat them is shameful and sinful. Others suffer from different medical conditions that prevent them from interacting with the rest of the population. And in the government's infinite wisdom we closed all the places where they could possibly receive care and threw them out onto the streets to fend for themselves.
BroadwayLionYou want poor, try parts of Asia, China, India, Bangladesh, half of Africa and much of South America, and then come back to me and tell me about the poor here.
Yes, it is terrible the conditions these people have to live in. But just because those conditions are bad does not mean that some people here should have to live the same way. In fact, I have trouble understanding why some organizations seem to have no issue running elsewhere to help out, but choose to ignore what's happening in their own backyards.
There, I've said my piece, and I really don't want to get into a debate. But you're free to ask me why I have a problem with the commercialization of this holiday season. HUMBUG!
Oh, and everyone enjoy that 20th locomotive you don't need.
SeeYou190This is a short model with only four axles. I don't know anything about the prototype, but it should work well on my layout.
I have several business cars on my layout. I like the operating variety they provide. You can even tack one on the end of a freight train and still be good with the nit-pickers
PRR_Z62_Elev by Edmund, on Flickr
Altoona built eleven cars to this plan in 1928.
PRR_Z62_Plan by Edmund, on Flickr
Generally they were assigned to Division Superintendents and Regional Managers.
I don't have any Z62s at the moment but I do have several Railworks Z74s.
PRR_Z74sideL by Edmund, on Flickr
PRR_Z74-RQ by Edmund, on Flickr
Fun Stuff! Your executives will enjoy having a business car on the S & G!
I added a plow to the bucket of my snow removal arsenal today:
Kioti_Snow by Edmund, on Flickr
Plowing snow with the bucket is not a pleasant task. This guy simply slips on to the bucket lip and clamps in place. Quick and easy.
Kioti_Plow by Edmund, on Flickr
For the DEEP stuff I have the blower on the rear end
This nifty piece of shiny happiness arrived in the mail today. I guess you could call it a Christmas Present to myself, but I did not intend it that way when I ordered it.
This PENNSYLVANIA Business Car will soon (hopefully) be painted for the STRATTON AND GILLETTE to use for entertaining visiting dignitaries from other railroads.
This is a short model with only four axles. I don't know anything about the prototype, but it should work well on my layout.
We leave soon for Orlando and a few days with the youngest daughter and her fiance. They arrive from Los Angeles at 10:00 tonight. We will go out to dinner late, then to the resort to relax.
On another note... the unseasonably wet weather continues. We are having a torrential downpour right now. This is Summertime nonsense! It is 80 degrees outside and raining. It might as well be September.
Howdy!
Thank you Garry! Yes life is looking up for me at this point. I hope it continues on the path I am on now!!! My very best to you and yours for a wonderfull Season!
Brother Lion, We likely aren't that far apart on some of these things, but may just see it from our own experiences.... The first thing my Lady Friend and I agreed on was that we didn't have to agree about everything. That was one big reason why I have taken a liking to her. Turns out we do see eye to eye on a whole lot! I would hope that we can disagree on some details of what and how and still remain friends here at the forum! My best wishes to you and your brothers for a blessed and Holy Christmas! (And yes, I just wanted you to know that I too keep the faith. 'nuff said...)
I will be taking off to have dinner and an enjoyable evening with a wonderful lady soon. Hope all of you have a great holiday and do remember those who aren't "lucky" enough to have the same as we seem to have!
Blessings to all!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
BroadwayLionAlmost every one has a house or an apartment of some sort
Almost - the key word! There are more than half a million homeless people in the US, for various reasons. What is really a shame is that among them are quite a few veterans who served their country.
Poverty does not go away by just being ignored or being brushed away by rather silly comparisons with third world countries. Poverty disappears with jobs, in which people can earn enough to pay for their living. The only difference between a honorable member of the society and a derelict is a job!
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
BroadwayLionThere are no poor in this country. Almost every one has a house or an apartment of some sort, they have electricity, they have a refrigerator and a TV set. Most importantly, they have running water, sanitary systems and garbage collection.
...and a cell phone, and cable television, and...
Richard
howmusDo know you are speaking with an ordained Deacon.... Whistling
Yes, Yes, My mother was an ordained deacon, and so is my brother.
Me, I'm a professed Monk, I have some concept of scripture.
I am sure that there are billionaires who have a special place carved out for them in Hell. But then that is a place not exclusive to the rich. Many, many poor people will find theselves in that abode as well. Greed and other sins cut across all lines. (But not LIONS, the animals have an exemption.)
I just chaffe when people keep whining 'what about the poor.'
There are no poor in this countey. Almost every one has a house or an apartment of some sort, they have electricity, they have a refrigerator and a TV set. Most importantly, they have running water, sanitary systems and garbage collection.
You want poor, try parts of Asia, China, India, Bangladesh, half of Africa and much of South America, and then come back to me and tell me about the poor here.
Yes, the rich should give more of themselves, everybody in this country should have a middle income status. THAT is what I pray for. And to quote Rush Limbaugh, "No poor man has ever given someone a job."
Yes there is inequality and let us strive to assist those in need. Pay the Zakat, and praise the Lord.
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Good morning .
we began our Christmas travels by driving 330 miles to visit Cincinnati family. Mild weather made driving easy. Tomorrow we continue to Michigan and weather forecasts look favorable for that.
Dave ... Those old ornaments apparently are real treasures that make your Christmas tree special.
Ray ... I read your post about how you still miss your wife and now have a lady friend to talk with. You are a good person. Best wishes to you.
Ed... Recently you talke about the importance of wise choices with estate planning and how it is helpful to heirs who are taking care of things after a person dies. Now our Family is dealing with my MIL's estate. It is a huge mess. It will take months . Maybe a year or more to resolve everything.
Everybody ... Have a fantastic Christmas!
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
BigDaddyThis morning on CBS Sunday Morning, they are doing a piece on the Orphans Train which ran from NY city to the heartlands in the 1800's. There ought to be some vintage train pics and for those of you outside the US, they usually have video clips on the Internet, after the show appears.
There was a lady in town who arrived via an orphans train.
hon30critterApparently the outage disabled their backup system as well.
Not likely. Their back-up system woould not even be in the same state as their on-line system.
They Certainly have tons of battery back-up and Generators to keep their website going.
They may have said a "power ussue" and that may well be true if the problem were between the servers and they power source.
Even if everything got zorched in their primary location, it would take time to rebuild it. That much data cannot be transfered fro their backup system to their main operating system via the Internet.
Even if they just point their URL to the remopte location it takes time for that change to propigate to your computer.
LION Knows not their travails, but such things are never easy.
t is likely that their front end is in one place and their data sotreds in an entirely different place.
ROAR
hon30critter howmus Earlier today I mentioned to my son I have a large box of Christmas decorations hand made by my late wife sitting down cellar in a large box. Asked if he might like to have the items to pass down through the family Hi Ray, I love those types of ornaments that have some meaning. My mother was quite good at painting birds and animals on clear glass Christmas bulbs. She gave us one each year. At one point we had about 20 of them, but we have given several to our son and his wife. They really appreciated them. I also love antique ornaments. We have several that hung on the tree when I was a kid. A few years ago one of Dianne's second cousins offered us a sizable collection of ornaments that belonged to Dianne's great grandparents. Some of them are a bit crude and they are faded and spotty, but I love them! Dave
howmus
Hi Ray,
I love those types of ornaments that have some meaning. My mother was quite good at painting birds and animals on clear glass Christmas bulbs. She gave us one each year. At one point we had about 20 of them, but we have given several to our son and his wife. They really appreciated them.
I also love antique ornaments. We have several that hung on the tree when I was a kid. A few years ago one of Dianne's second cousins offered us a sizable collection of ornaments that belonged to Dianne's great grandparents. Some of them are a bit crude and they are faded and spotty, but I love them!
Dave
Yep! Wish I had some of the ones from when I was a little kid still.... I'm not sure what happened to them but I think my sister may have a few. The ones I have from my wife just have a tendency to overwhelm me when I see them now... I'm also still missing her even after all these years.
Just got off the phone with a wonderful lady I am dating. We talked for some time about family happenings this time of year, what is still the traditions, and those things that are just in the past from our youth. Somehow talking with this lady makes me feel better and gets me looking forward to new times......
Be blessed folks!
howmusEarlier today I mentioned to my son I have a large box of Christmas decorations hand made by my late wife sitting down cellar in a large box. Asked if he might like to have the items to pass down through the family
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Evenin' folks!
Janie I could use a nice cup (or two) of decaf to tide me over until I get a call from a Lady Friend tonight.
cudakenI got some Me Do's done. My storage room has been a mess for the last 8 years or so. Could not really walk in there. I have been complaining my wife being a horder. OK, I am not a horder! Just have not gotten around too throwing stuff away kind of person.
Yep Ken, I can resemble that a bit myself. I have been cleaning out and disposing of STUFF I have been saving for the last 30 years around my house. Much of it I had a reasonable reason for keeping when I stored it. Some was old business records (the statute of limitations ran out years ago and I closed the business about 15 years ago), Music CDs from back when I was DJing (I have all of that now stored in two places on computers and have nothing to play a CD on), and a whole lot of other no longer useful or needed items. Been filling the recycling and trash mini dumpsters here full every two weeks.
Earlier today I mentioned to my son I have a large box of Christmas decorations hand made by my late wife sitting down cellar in a large box. Asked if he might like to have the items to pass down through the family (My other son has no children so no heirs to do that). He said yes, so today I went down and rumaged through a few shelves and located the box. Checked the contents to make sure it was the right one, and then spent the next hour crying....... Wouldn't you think I would be over that by now? My wife died 32+ years ago.
That is one reason I gave up putting up a tree for the season back a couple decades ago. I now enjoy others holiday trimmings. Looking forward to seeing my lady friend's house again tomorrow. She has done a nice job of decorating and it doesn't affect me in a bad way either....... Will be spending much of the holidays over at my son's house as usual and have all the presents and such ready to load in my electric sleigh to arrive for breakfast Wednesday Morning as usual.
Got my outdoor decorations up...
Have a good one out there in cyberspace!
Another weekend has come and gone.
Quite mild weather here in NE Ohio these days but we still have about four inches of snow left on the ground. an inch of that is probably leaves that I never got a chance to rake since the first snow came in early November.
cudakenEd Any ideas on the new decoder for the B&O Heavy Pacific decoder? It driving me nuts.
Well, Ken. My suggestion of Tsunami 2 didn't seem to "ring a bell" with you.
I remember now that I have I think a P-2 decoder that I removed from a New York Central Niagara that you can have. It might be a direct swap as far as the plugs and such. I'll take a picture of it later.
Next I'd go with a Loksound 5 but only if you have access to the Lokprogrammer. Sure, Decoder Pro does handle most of the CV adjustments but the Lokprogrammer makes things so much easier. Does K-10 Trains have one?
Lastly, I'd recommend the TCS WOW sound. They are very good decoders with very good sounds but, IMHO, that voice-command programming still leaves me frustrated sometimes.
Pullman_ad-1943 by Edmund, on Flickr
Regards, Ed
Flo, give the gang and I a and Dirk half a dog treat.
I got some Me Do's done. My storage room has been a mess for the last 8 years or so. Could not really walk in there. I have been complaining my wife being a horder. OK, I am not a horder! Just have not gotten around too throwing stuff away kind of person. I was amazed at the stuff I found in there! Most of it I did not want!
Did find a hand painted portrait of Muff my first American Eskimo. I still have dreams about her, she was the best dog I have ever had and could hope to have.
Ed Any ideas on the new decoder for the B&O Heavy Pacific decoder? It driving me nuts.
Later, none smoking Ken and Dirk say's Woof, Woof
We are going to have the fireplace going for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, no matter the outdoor temperature.
Water Level Route I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...just like the ones I used to know......
I'm the same, but the forecast for our area isn't very promising this year.
mbinsewiLeaves in December. I managed to get that mess cleaned up in time. We have some maple trees, and it is a big chore. I have neighbors to the back of our property, who insist on trying to burn wet leaves, every time the sun comes out, he lights the pile again, and I get a back yard of smoke. Morons.
All of my maple trees lost their leaves in October except for one big sugar maple -- it is slowly losing it's leaves for several months. The five big red oaks all still have half their leaves. I love trees, but working on leaves three days before Christmas is silly. In my area, we are not allowed to burn anything unless it is in a contained area, and that includes no burning of leaves. We had some prairie fires some years back, and that was the end of open burning.
We have been experiencing an unseasonable light rain all day.
I was going to airbrush a couple of boxcar to paint into the HUDSON ELECTRIC scheme that I was set up with, but that will wait for another day.
I did a lot of cooking today, not holiday related so much, but we will not need to cook for the rest of the week.
BNSF UP and others modelerBATMAN Gotta like a RR that has its own airforce. I LOVE that paint scheme!
Good morning from the beautiful sunny Pacific Rim where it is 10c.
BNSF I'd bet that aircraft has been cut up a long time ago, CP air no longer exists, it was a decent-sized airline in its day, in the end, I think Air Canada absorbed it. In 1976 I graduated high school and started travelling the world, I almost always flew CP air and seeing that big orange bird at the airport to take me home after being in some shall we say less fortunate countries always was a good feeling.
Henry, that is a good suggestion about searching for more assets own by this lady, I have her Lawyer on speed dial and will be seeing him twice this week.
I was asked to take over as POA as the person who was supposed to be doing it, didn't, so for twenty plus years things got into a terrible mess.
I am doing battle with her church right now though after I told them to consult their own Lawyers they have relented. This lady belonged to and was very active in a large church and at the end of the year gave a large donation to keep things going as the enrollment has been dwindling over the years. As POA I am responsible for paying her bills and the church does not fall into that category as it is considered a charitable donation. Visa and American Express do not issue tax receipts. I don't think the beneficiaries of her estate would take too kindly to me giving her money away and I would have a lawsuit against me so fast it wouldn't be funny. Would the lady want me to make that donation? You bet she would and I would have been happy to look after it. A legal document should have been drawn up to cover that. Now here is the kicker her former POA was one of the Ministers of the church and if he had done his job the agreement would have been in place and the church would have its money. Moral of the story, have your affairs in order.
Had a great time at one of our family Christmas parties last night and the one tonight no one is looking forward to as it is a snooze fest extraordinaire. Oh well, it is what it is.
All the best to everyone.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Dave, I'm stuck in the mess with Photobucket, still waiting.
Leaves in December. I managed to get that mess cleaned up in time. We have some maple trees, and it is a big chore.
I have neighbors to the back of our property, who insist on trying to burn wet leaves, every time the sun comes out, he lights the pile again, and I get a back yard of smoke. Morons.
Henry's thing on the orphan trains was interesting.
It's in the 50's here in SE. WI., with sunny skies. I bet it all catches up come Jan., and the continuation of winter into 2020.
It has given me a great time for cutting wood for the Christmas projects I'm working on. I get the cutting done outside, assemble and finish in my train room-turned Santa's workshop, almost done.
Have a great Sunday!
Mike.
My You Tube
York1I will try to pick up more leaves this afternoon.
Mike
I got an ominous letter from Flickr about how much money they were losing, and to please become a premium member. For now I am sticking with imgur, but free is only free is someone else is somehow paying for it.
Train wreck on the bridge from Harpers Ferry last night. Some interesting bridge detail in the video.
This morning on CBS Sunday Morning, they are doing a piece on the Orphans Train which ran from NY city to the heartlands in the 1800's. There ought to be some vintage train pics and for those of you outside the US, they usually have video clips on the Internet, after the show appears. https://orphantraindepot.org/
It was an advertisement for Mo Rocca's podcasts, which in this case, is revisiting a prior story aired on CBS. Some vintage pics here
Good Sunday morning, everyone.
It's cool out this morning -- the dog doesn't mind going out when it's in the 30s. Going to be in the 50s this afternoon. I have a bad feeling we're going to pay for this later this winter.
Even though the snow is not all melted, I will try to pick up more leaves this afternoon.
Time to head out for church. Hope everyone has a great day.
Hi everyone,
Some of you will have noticed that Photobucket has not been working for the past few days. I just visited their site, and they explained that they had a total power outage a few days ago and that it is taking them a long time to get everyone back on line. Apparently the outage disabled their backup system as well.
They said that they have restored service to "most" of their customers but it will be a bit longer before everyone's service is restored. They also stated that they are taking steps to make sure this doesn't happen again.
If you want more details you can try to visit their site. It might take a while to load. I just tried to get in again but the search timed out:
https://photobucket.com/notice/news/