Well, my part of the world is going to take a serious Coronavirus Induced financial hit.
All MLB Spring Training games, practices, and events are cancelled. My locale is the Springtime Home of the Red Sox, Twins, and Rangers. The Red Sox bring in countless rich people from the North for a few weeks and they just flood the area with money.
Tampa is Spring Training home for the New York Yankees. That will be devastating for them. Those Yankees fans are nuts, and throw money around like crazy.
The Tampa Cruise Ship Terminal is practically deserted.
Also, their are massive cancellations from College Spring Break travelers. These rich kids also do a fantastic job of keeping our coffers full. This is really too bad.
The Collier County Fair is still on! They are having Midnight Madness tonight. The news said the fair cannot be cancelled due to legal concerns. I would love more detail on that, but I cannot find any.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Funny cartoon Ulrich!
If everyone had done that just imagine how much toilet paper would still be on the store shelves!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Heartland Division CB&QMike (Water Level Route) .... Good seeing you in the Diner.
Batman, while I am a bit skeptical of this whole thing, I agree with the base of what you are saying. According to the latest statistics I found, roughly 0.0071% of folks in cars die. Seattle's current coronavirus outbreak death rate is almost 15%. In total, the exact number may be off a bit (internet you know), but the gist is the same. Still, why my 12 year old can't get with the other 14 girls on her soccer team for practice, I question. At the moment.
Cheers everybody.
Mike
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
Well, kid #1 is booked out of Ottawa tomorrow, school is done. All classes and projects will be done online. He should be able to write exams in Vancouver, he got permission from the Dean of Carlton to write here when he cut out early to be a movie star. The power and gas bill are headed back up.
Just waiting to hear from the daughter, we may be getting on the ferry tomorrow and loading up the truck and bringing her home. All her labs have been cancelled and three of her four other courses will be done online.
Our friends in the medical community say that all the old respirators saved for a rainy day in the basements of hospitals are getting the once over. I think if I was a person with compromised health I would be concerned about getting treatment if they can't slow down the infection rate. Get sick now and beat the rush.
I honestly can't believe the cavalier attitude people have about others dying. 90 people die everyday in car crashes, what's the big deal! Really? The inability of the medical systems around the world to cope is why such drastic measures are being taken to lower the infection rate. Maybe some of your cavalier attitudes will change if the person closest to you dies for the sole reason that the hospitals were too overwhelmed to admit them.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Good Afternoon, everyone —
I hope this finds you all well.
Here's the SP's Sunset Limited, train No. 2, in Houston back in June, of 1969:
SP_6053_Houston-69 by Edmund, on Flickr
Sp was trying to discourage ridership as much as possible. Seems like no one got the message?
SP_Houston-69 by Edmund, on Flickr
Cool and breezy, but sunny at least, here in NE Ohio. No train show this weekend so I'll have more time to devote to the layout.
Lemons = lemonade
Enjoy the weekend — Ed
York1 I was finishing up the grain elevator, and I was drilling a small hole for a wire for a light. I pushed too hard and broke apart a section. Back to work again.
I was finishing up the grain elevator, and I was drilling a small hole for a wire for a light. I pushed too hard and broke apart a section. Back to work again.
Good morning.
I hate when that happens John. Make sure you post that grain elevator when you're finished, I love grain elevators and would hate to miss yours
Well I'm not going to elaborate on everything going on in the world today as I think it's doing a bad enough job on its own.
Judy and I have had several friends call and ask us not to go to the casino and the concert today.
Oh Poppycock As empty as it sounds out there, we shall have the world to ourselves.
They didn't cancel the Foreigner concert tonight but they are playing in a Sovereign Nation with their own rules.
The tickets were purchased by some friends in Wisconsin. The ball's in our court now. I would much rather be going to see Emerson Lake and Palmer if they're still touring
We're off soon, brunch, some gambling, rock concert.
I wonder if they make clear ear plugs They say if the music's to loud your too old Well, ... I'm planning ahead
P.S. Ya know, ... We have decided to join the masses. Here is how I'm dressing for today.
They ain't shutting my world down, I already gave at the office
TF
Tinplate ToddlerNot a good day! Today´s mail had an official letter, saying that my mother actually disinherited me and my brother is the sole beneficiary of her estate. After all what I did for my parents, I feel betrayed by them
Wow Ulrich!
That is a terrible thing to have happen. At least you can hold your head high and know that you did the right thing for your parents. I can't print what I have to say about your brother! I'm sure you have already said it for me!
Good morning. It's 31°.
Not good news today -- it's supposed to start snowing this afternoon and continue through the night. I'm tired of it. My wife ordered me to bring in more firewood. I do like the fireplace, but I will need more wood if this keeps up.
I was finishing up the grain elevator, and I was drilling a small hole for a wire for a light. I pushed too hard and broke apart a section. Back to work again. Life as the foreman of construction on a railroad is a tough job.
I hope all of you are well and stay well.
York1 John
Howdy .
Kevin ..... Both the waffle side box car and the Trailer On Flat Car (TOFC) are nice looking models.
Ulrich ... The situation you described is very sad. Sorry to hear it.
Mike (Water Level Route) .... Good seeing you in the Diner.
Steve O .... I hope you are recovering nicely from your surgery Monday, and I look forward to your return.
Everybody: ..... Happy Model Railroading.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Good Afternoon!
Not a good day! Today´s mail had an official letter, saying that my mother actually disinherited me and my brother is the sole beneficiary of her estate. After all what I did for my parents, I feel betrayed by them and, of course, my brother, who was the spiritus rector behind this. German law leaves me with about half the normal inheritance, so there is a small amount coming to me, which will help to fill the Denmark kitty.
I don´t feel well, I think I will head for the couch and try to get some sleep.
SeeYou190My middle daughter and I danced to "Butterfly Kisses" at her wedding. That was a bad choice and an absolute tear-jerker.
That's a beautiful piggyback car you've done and a clearly generous offer. Too new for my era though. I'm sure someone lucky will speak up soon.
Chloe, can I get a order of French Toast, a side of Canadian bacon, wheat toast, and fresh squeezed OJ? Dang I hate having to go to work as opposed to a good restaurant for breakfast!
That is so nice of you Kevin
I know that will make Gary so happy Nobody else knows how Great Gary is
He makes everybody breakfast every Sunday and the club members that stay over he makes lunch
Gary is one of the best people I've ever known in my life
I can't wait to give it to him It will make him so happy
Thanks Kevin I will be getting back to you soon
Track fiddlerTwin Cities and Western Railroad More modern They're maroon with gold letters
I have an HO scale Waffle Side boxcar I will send you decorated for the STRATTON AND GILLETTE for Gary.
I will get it in the mail next Friday, the 20th. I need to get a few pictures of it first.
Twin Cities and Western Railroad
More modern They're maroon with gold letters
John, What era is Gary's layout?
Disregard all that I'm up way too late
Someone else should get a beautiful piece of your work
I'm going to work on sending you something Kevin and then we'll work on Gary
I'm up North and your down South
Send your beautiful work to someone else and I'll catch up with you later after I send you something
And now I have to reapply again before I hit the rack because nobody learns before the previous poster.....ELO
Here we go again
How can I like it?
It's all around me
When it first began
Ya ya ya
Nighty night Kids
P.S. And by the way Kevin. My railroad host Gary would really love that piece of beautiful work for his model railroad we are trying to reconstruct after the cat he took care of destroyed it. That isn't BS either, just ask the other railroad members what a cat can do in a very short time
Greedy I know but I love Gary.... and your work
You will receive a picture of his layout broken apart in sections being rebuilt. And a picture of our whole Railroad Club holding your car with me in front of that means anything
Fellows,
I have this HO scale STRATTON AND GILLETTE trailer on flatcar that needs a new home. It is a fifty foot flatcar and a forty foot trailer. I don't know exactly what the time line for this combination would be, but it is not suitable for operation in 1954.
Is there someone out there that does not have a STRATTON AND GILLETTE freight car yet and wants this one?
If so, just PM me your address and I will put it in the mail.
SeeYou190ito's is an American Grain Vodka distilled in Austin, Texas,
I thought it to be a Yugoslavian brand, named after Marshal Josip Brozs, also called "Tito"
I see that hysteria still prevails over common sense! If we accept the figures published by the John Hopkins University as anywhere near to being correct, the number of people affected by the virus now stands somewhere around 60.000 - worldwide! Reason to panic? Not for me, although I certainly belong to the high risk group of people. In my country, we have a little over 2,000 reported cases, only 25 reported to have recovered in over 5 weeks and 3 reported death, two of them being questionable whether the death had been caused by the virus. I find it irresponsible to juggle around with figures going into the millions of casualties, which only contributes in spreading the hysteria. Nevertheless, it is advisable for people with a precondition to exercise care, just like with any flu wave or even the "sniffles".
Thanks Kevin.
You're a Roadmaster and a scholar but that still doesn't confront the fact that I got to hit the rack
I'll be talking to you soon Kevin, Thank You, and have a great night!
Track fiddlerTito's at this hour is a very generous offer but seeing as a don't know what it is I will have to decline but I'll catch you the next time.
Tito's is an American Grain Vodka distilled in Austin, Texas, where the diner is parked this month.
Tito's at this hour is a very generous offer but seeing as a don't know what it is I will have to decline but I'll catch you the next time.
Have a very good night Kids, I'll catch you tomorrow or the next day.
Late belated clink works I guess
......
Anti-clink apology accepted!
BATMANKevin, how much they asking for that house across the street?
It went on the market yesterday. They had an open house and several people showed up.
The listed price is $239,500.00.
According to Zillow a sale is pending. It will be interesting to see if it was bid up.
New SPEC houses usually sell for 4%-8% over list price.
I am going to guess it sold for about $245,000.00, but I will not be able to check for weeks.
The exact model house in a high density community would sell for slightly less than $200,000.00, but it would be on a 0.09 acre lot and would have an HOA to deal with.
In a couple of months it will become more difficult to sell a house in Florida, so the builders are rushing to get the projects in process completed and on the market.
TOP OF THE PAGE!
It has been four weeks since I lost my job. I have been working on this small bottle of Tito's since then, but I am barely half way through. I am not much of a drinker.
Help me out... help yourself.
Sorry TF, I was talking to 5 different people all at the same time.
Cheers.
I will be stocking up on the GL soon as I have to go to Seattle to look after estate stuff.
Nice return toast Brent!
Never didn't get a clink to my glass...Now I didn't.
Much!
Evening all.
The Prime Minister has the dreaded virus, he is very fit so it is not slowing him down although he is in isolation.
All our retired Doctor and nurse friends are being asked to re-register for emergency service. Once the hospitals get overwhelmed it will be bad news for those in poor condition to begin with. I am glad I am fit, they said if you are obese and can't do a flight of stairs without losing your breath, that is not good. They had a fit 75-year-old on the tube and having the disease has not slowed him down at all.
My wife's vet hospitals always were prepared for national emergencies in case they had to start dealing with people instead of pets and they are ramping up now in case they can't get the infection curve under control. The phone has been ringing for the wife and even though she is a Vet her vast knowledge crosses the human/animal spectrum. She has been retired for ten years and the phone keeps ringing. UC Davis in California is often on the phone.
The wife owns the dog in the pic but it lives with someone else and it and the pups have left here to go back home. The pups were spoken for some three years ago as the breeding was planned that far back to an Australian dog. I am not into the dog thing at all but the wife is not into trains, so all is right with the universe.
Looks like we may get both kids back from university as they will likely close things down. I told my son in Ottawa to just get to the airport fast, buy a ticket and beat the rush as soon as the news pops. That is his plan, I wonder if he will use his credit card or mine? I gave both my kids credit cards when they were about 12 years old for just such emergencies. They would travel with their school to competitions and I always wanted them to be able to pay for a flight home if need be.
The Italian medical service is officially overwhelmed. Spain often is rated as having the best medical system in the world, it will be interesting to see how they do.
Kevin, how much they asking for that house across the street?
I am talking with my cousin who has been in Hawaii for the past ten weeks and told her to stay there and spend the end in paradise. She is trying to change her flight.
Her daughter is a senior virology Doctor in England and has not been home in days with this epidemic.
The old lady who's affairs I was looking after passed away yesterday at 98. She was quite well off as the sole survivor of her wealthy East Coast U.S. family. This market crash has cost her estate seven figures. I will delay as long as possible to liquidate her holdings as even a modest recovery means a lot of money for the beneficiary. I am unable to just pass on the assets due to circumstances. The closing of her house sale was two weeks away and now that is a real mess with her passing. Ten prime acres bought by a developer for a subdivision. With the economy going into recession the deal may fall through, though at this point he is happy to wait for the estate to be settled. He owns some 40 acres surrounding the property so it is an important piece of his plans.
I have a whole lot of work to do tomorrow on this so I think I'll hit the hay early tonight.
All the best to all.
Mind + will = exempt.
Good people that have lived their life above a dirty meat stand where the virus came from, well over a half a century wandering the Earth don't catch the crap where it originated from!
DONE!
Quit worrying so much and put your mind to a positive mind set
Y'all be all right
I am going to the Foreigner Concert at Treasure Island Resort & Casino in Red Wing Minnesota tomorrow.
I have no negative receptors. I cannot catch anything but a good time tomorrow! And I believe that
Captive audience in the world's media today not to be a part of it by me.
You only have to believe what you want