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So, how has this virus affected you. Locked

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  • Member since
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  • From: west coast
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Posted by rrebell on Monday, March 30, 2020 7:21 PM

Ahhhh, dealing with my 98 year old mom today, ruined a good dinner with her phone call about nothing. worked on the railroad today, almost glued the turnout in the wrong place by 1/4" or maybe I laid the cork slightly long, think I go it adjusted OK.

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  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Monday, March 30, 2020 9:27 PM

Doughless
Any where near Galena, IL? Lots of historical homes around there.

A bit east of Galena, closer to Chicago.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by rrebell on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 11:10 AM

Did roll test of track, at first, no good. I had forgot to clean the track (ussualy not neccisary) as I got gunk on it when shifting its positon, all seems good now.

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Posted by SouthPenn on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 12:08 PM

Hoping everyone is doing well and staying safe.

South Penn
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Posted by MisterBeasley on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 1:13 PM

I only shave about every 3 or 4 days, since all I do is go for a walk or maybe for takeout.  Fortunately the GF made me get a short haircut last time, and I won't need another for a while.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
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Posted by richg1998 on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 2:48 PM

I was giving some rolling stock to church operated store but mayor locked up businesses except a few a few places alloiw take outs. My rolliing stock was going fast. I have a bunch of detail parts to leave off when the city opens up. sixteen thousand people. I will be 79 soon. I had my fun.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

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Posted by rrebell on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 9:37 PM

Latest on the railroad. I have Proto 2000 0-8-0 I use for testing, just dc. Wanted to make sure I didn't need to adjust things before building some mountains. Trains worked great but first power pack made the engine moter hum, it ran but made a load humming sound. Switched packs and this one that looked new in box, a raipower 1300 , DOA  but AC workes fine. Third power pack, my oldeset Tech 2 2500 worked flawlessly. I am sure they all worked when I packed them away, together. Almost had to start out with my DCC setup but I used the DC because of my test engine.

  • Member since
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  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 10:08 PM

My middle daughter and her husband in Seattle got their coronavirus test results back, both negative on all three tests! That is good news.

Bad news... they were tested again today in case they are infected, but the virus had not reached levels high enough to be detected last time.

Their building is still quarantined.

My cousin, that also lives in Seattle, is now sick. She is a musician, so was performing in bars right up to the shut down, and had lots of contact with people. She has mild symptoms and a low fever. She is hoping for a quick recovery and will not be tested unless she requires medical attention.

My uncle and aunt in New York City are both healthy and locked inside. They are very scared, both being in their late seventies.

I know a lot more people in Albany, Georgia than I realized.

The spouse and I are still living like hermits, still playing board games, still watching Netflix.

Things could be a lot worse, and I am thankful for my comfortable situation.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
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  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 1:27 AM

Kadee has announced they have shut down.

I don't know how many other Model Railroad companies are still based in the United States.

In wargaming a lot of the companies are staying open because they also manufacture items for health care, military, or other inportant entities.

There is a company in Arizona that makes custom carrying cases for wargames and model trains. They are still full operation because they also make custom packaging for medical equipment. There are lots of other examples.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
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  • From: Western, MA
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Posted by richg1998 on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 10:32 AM

SeeYou190

Kadee has announced they have shut down.

I don't know how many other Model Railroad companies are still based in the United States.

In wargaming a lot of the companies are staying open because they also manufacture items for health care, military, or other inportant entities.

There is a company in Arizona that makes custom carrying cases for wargames and model trains. They are still full operation because they also make custom packaging for medical equipment. There are lots of other examples.

-Kevin

 

Kadee is NOT completely shut down. I just went to their site.

https://www.kadee.com/

EDIT.

I did see a letter in another forum from the president of the company. They are shut down. I still have Kadee parts.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

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  • From: Kokomo, Indiana
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Posted by emdmike on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 11:11 AM

I am an auto industry worker in one of FCA's large transmission plants here in Indiana.  So out of work right now, spending time at home on projects like my RC tug boat kit, working on some HO brass engine projects and doing some social isolating rides alone on my Vespa scooter out on the vacant country roads. Whats more fun is this virus stuff hits at the same time as my seasonal allergies flare up my asthma anyways.  Right now my anxiety is sky high as we head further toward an economic collapse or major recession, as that affects my employment as I am pretty low on the senority ladder.  I pray we come out of this stronger as a nation and a speedy recovery for our economy.   Many thanks to those on the front lines fighting this!    Mike the Aspie

Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome

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  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
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Posted by MisterBeasley on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 1:24 PM

The cleaning lady has stopped coming.  The GF has two cats and a big dog, she's a germophobe and a neat freak besides, and normally goes over the top with cleaning.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
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  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 2:19 PM

richg1998
Kadee is NOT completely shut down.

I was just going by the email they sent to me yesterday. They were very clear in the email that they were shutting down as they are considered non-essential.

Maybe something changed in the last 24 hours.

MisterBeasley
The cleaning lady has stopped coming.

I told my cleaning service to stop coming out.

My lawn service still shows up. This is silly because we have not had a drop of rain in four weeks, and nothing is growing. 

At least it shows some sign of normality to have them here very week.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 2:43 PM

SMH.  You guys are posh.  We can't afford cleaning service or lawn service.    We have to do all that ourselves 'cause we po folk, like Clive the Geordie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5I5tqSiqyAI

 

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 2:52 PM

I am losing weight. I am down 15 pounds since Valentine's Day.

I doubt this has anything to do with the virus quarantine. I believe it has more to do with me not travelling for work, and I am not eating out at the caliber of restaurant I am accustom to.

I love Chef Henry in Acworth, Georgia, but ther must be 6,000 calories in everything on the menu there.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by Track fiddler on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 4:39 PM

Lack of work.

Self-employed people and contractors who have payed taxes thier whole life like everyone else cannot collect unemployment.

My higher paying money jobs outside the house are kaputz.  I'm just thankful I have quite a bit of work in the condo I live in, ... For Now! Tongue Tied

The positive side of things is there's going to be more time for modeling.

 

 

TF

 

 

 

  • Member since
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  • From: Maryland
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Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 9:47 PM

Track fiddler

Lack of work.

Self-employed people and contractors who have payed taxes thier whole life like everyone else cannot collect unemployment.

My higher paying money jobs outside the house are kaputz.  I'm just thankful I have quite a bit of work in the condo I live in, ... For Now! Tongue Tied

 

 

TF

 

 

 

 

Here in Maryland the construction business is still going. Some residential indoor work has slowed, but empty houses are being rehabed, roofs and siding projects are going strong, highway projects are still working, new homes and commercial projects are still going up.

Construction has been deemed an essential service, and there has been no effort to separate "elective" work from emergency work by the powers that be.

Shopping at LOWES is really nice now, no millennials walking their dogs, asking sale people stupid questions, or dragging their kids around the store........

Sheldon 

    

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Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 9:56 PM

riogrande5761

SMH.  You guys are posh.  We can't afford cleaning service or lawn service.    We have to do all that ourselves 'cause we po folk, like Clive the Geordie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5I5tqSiqyAI

 

 

My wife would never let a stranger clean her house..........

But she did ask me to buy her a Roomba, she loves it.

And I have always cut my own grass, cleaned up my own leaves, weeded my own gardens, and plowed or blown my own snow.........

 

 

The new house has an even bigger yard.

In fact it needs cutting soon.

Sheldon

 

    

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Posted by rrebell on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 10:19 PM

Don't think I ever hired a cleaning service but I might have like I did a vp-lumber because I needed to get to my hourly job. By the way, one time the plumber was so incopitent I had to the job myself anyway. I have always been a bit of a cotrarian investor, unfortinatly back in 2008 I did not have any dry powder, this time I have lots but proubly should have sold all my bond when things started to go south in the stock market, not so this time, everthing is going down just bonds not as much. Thought the housing marrket out here would crash but the goverment keeps giving away money. I got to tell you I am sure glad I am not a landlord anymore but I seem to have a weird 6th sence to get out or in, almost like clockwork around 2 to 3 years after I bail or whatever, something happens.  Examples:  First property I owned in Baltimore and about two years later the Baltimore riots hapened about two blocks from where I lived, bought property in 2005 in California with a varible loan and about 2 years later, the market crashed and my loan payments went down every year, stopped being a landlord about 2 years ago.

  • Member since
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 10:34 PM

My cleaning service did not really clean the house, that we do ourselves.

They come out every two weeks, do the windows, wet-mop the floor, and dust everything. You know, the stuff we hate to do.

We clean up after ourselves, and need to have the house clean when they get here.

They are here for about 90 minutes, and it is $75.00 per month well spent. These two ladies really earn their money. They do a great job. One of them comes across as being super-intelligent and it would not surprise me if she was a doctor back in her native country.

It has been about five weeks since they were here last. There is dust on the ceiling fans and the floor is dirty. Curse this virus!

We will be getting a Roomba when the remodel is done.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

SBX
  • Member since
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  • From: Ipswich, UK
  • 122 posts
Posted by SBX on Thursday, April 2, 2020 5:58 AM

As at Monday I had a 2m x 1m Marklin 3 rail German/Swiss themed layout. As of now - nothing! Asking the wife what we might do now we were in lockdown, she said, with a smirk - how about taking that railway down that clutters up our (her) bedroom?

Well, six bankers boxes later and it was all done and dusted. All the good stuff in their own boxes, all the track bumped into one box and the structures in another.

A bit of pleading has got her to agree a small switching layout so, after 2 years of Marklin, I am back to US outline but this time in N Scale. 4' x 10" with a small staging track.

Not quite what I expected of the week. Mind you, she couldn't complain so, like the government, funds have been made available. Lucking my local hobby shop (and DCC specialists) are still taking orders and even delivering locally!

7 Peco points, 1 crossover, 5 yeards of track and 7 Tortoise point motors. I have an Atlas EMD DCC equiped switcher coming and soon about 10 freight cars. Should give me lots of fun. It will sit on the back of my desk - a 5'3" x 2' 8" monster!

Long Haired David
A.K.A. David Pennington
main man on the Sunset and North Eastern R.R.
http://www.gmrblog.co.uk
from the UK

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Posted by John-NYBW on Thursday, April 2, 2020 6:40 AM

 

I began thinking about the risk of doing something as simple as going to the barber so I went online to see what precautions are recommended and learned that the governor of Ohio has shut down all barbershops, salons, and spas. They takes care of that. Looks like I might be reverting to my 1970s hairstyle. 

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Posted by Track fiddler on Thursday, April 2, 2020 6:56 AM

ATLANTIC CENTRAL

 

Shopping at LOWES is really nice now, no millennials walking their dogs, asking sale people stupid questions, or dragging their kids around the store........

 

 

LaughLaughLaughLaughLaugh

Now that was rich!  I am giving you the humor of the day award SheldonYes

I have noticed this too.  I just didn't think of it in those words.  I just thought to myself, ... huh,  no roadblocks anymoreLaugh

Glad to hear you're keeping busy.  Maybe I should pack up the truck and head to Maryland for the summer.  Got a guest room? Laugh

 

 

TF

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Posted by mbinsewi on Thursday, April 2, 2020 7:16 AM

ATLANTIC CENTRAL
Shopping at LOWES is really nice now, no millennials walking their dogs, asking sale people stupid questions, or dragging their kids around the store........

Amen to that! Although I have helped a few when they looked totally dazed and confused, and no sales person around.

TF, construction here is still going strong, has it shut down in MN.? or is the fact that you need to be inside of a home with the owners there?  No outside work?

Speaking of being outside, today is beautiful, and I will be out there.  Many things to do to get a jump on the season, as this summer, I'll be in northern WI, I should finish our little place in the woods this year.

Mike.

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Posted by Track fiddler on Thursday, April 2, 2020 7:58 AM

mbinsewi

 

TF, construction here is still going strong, has it shut down in MN.? or is the fact that you need to be inside of a home with the owners there?  No outside work?

 

 

I can't speak for everyone Mike,  it could be just me although some of my friends say they are slow too.  I don't do new construction anymore,  just custom remodeling.  That doesn't help right now.

Sometimes luck of the draw I guess.  Just like every year around Christmas time a lot of guys work is dead and some guys keep busy.  

The time I had to take off when my knee was bad, I lost some jobs.  Luck of the draw again now,  the jobs scheduled were inside this Spring.

I have found people don't want me in their house because of the coronavirus thing or they want to postpone their job because they are afraid to spend money due to the crashed economy.

It's a bit of a mess.  I'm not in dire straits or worried here as I have money behind me but I'm the type of person who likes to stay busy.  I never like to spend money I have tucked away either.

Things may come around here if some of my upper bracket repeat customers need something done or outside work comes round.  I always maintain a positive outlook on thingsSmile, Wink & Grin

 

 

TF

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Posted by rrinker on Thursday, April 2, 2020 8:01 AM

 I have not been to Lowes since the night they implemented the lockdown here, but that night, it was PACKED. Even though I had an ordered list, including which aisle everythign was in, it still took me 2 1/2 hours - most of that waiting in line at the paint desk. I think that was manager screw up though, when I got there they had only one checkout lane open, plus the one down by the lumber section. They opened more when the lines were blocking the front cross row and no one could move (or really stay anywhere near 6 feet apart). Line was pretty long still when I checked out, about halfway back into the first stacks of wood (in my store, that's the studs and furring strips) but it moved quickly - people down there like me tend to have a large quantity of items, but it's 12 of this, 10 of that.

 I may go this weekend and get some hardboard.

                                        --Randy


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

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Posted by Doughless on Thursday, April 2, 2020 8:15 AM

Apparently, Georgia is to implement a state wide In-Place restriction much like other states have done.  Supposedly, gas stations, grocery stores, pharmacy's, and a few other things will be open.

I'm assuming that Costco and Walmart qualify as grocery and pharmacies, and maybe gas stations.

Considering that when I leave the house its usually to go to one of those places, the lock down is going to seem much like a normal day. 

I would think that toilet plungers and shut off valves could be deemed a necessity at some point, so maybe Home Depot and other hardware stores will be able to stay open too.

Is a plumber an essential service?  Electrician?

Will need to have the lawn mower serviced for the spring growing season to keep the jungle-like Georgia Piedmont foliage at bay.  Lawn mower repair shops a necessity?  How about lawn services?

If my garage door falls off, I assume Overhead Door company could be deemed essential? If not essential for me, it will be for the 92 year old widow that lives down the street.

Restaurants will be able to offer take out.  Like they have been doing for about a month now.

My haircuts consists of a entire head go-over with a Gillette disposable razor every other day, so I haven't been in a barber shop for about 20 years anyway.

I think what it comes down to is that I won't be able to go to movies, concerts, or sporting events; which I never do, or have drinking parties with the neighbors, which I never do.

School was finally cancelled for the rest of the year.  Kids are home with nothing to do, so that is a big disruption.

I think Trainworld hasn't been able to ship for a while now.  That's a bummer.

- Douglas

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Posted by mbinsewi on Thursday, April 2, 2020 8:37 AM

Doughless
Apparently, Georgia is to implement a state wide In-Place restriction much like other states have done.  Supposedly, gas stations, grocery stores, pharmacy's, and a few other things will be open.

Surprised they haven't done it sooner.  In WI., the official date, as anounced by the governor, was March 24.

All the of stores you mentioned are open up here, along with any outside maintainence and construction services.  A garage door guy can come, he'll just want to stay a safe distance from you, along with the yard service people.

Check with the normal repair shops for lawn equipment service, as up here, you can get someone to come out to you, just keep your distance.  I fix, rebuild and repair my own.

I guess the big thing about up here, is the weather.  Easier to get things done outside when it's a bit warmer.  Waiting for Spring in WI. can be a challenge.

The "flag ship" radio station for the Milw. Brewers baseball team, have been replaying highlight games from last year.  Opening day was suppose to be last Tues.

Mike.

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Posted by Doughless on Thursday, April 2, 2020 8:52 AM

mbinsewi

 

 
Doughless
Apparently, Georgia is to implement a state wide In-Place restriction much like other states have done.  Supposedly, gas stations, grocery stores, pharmacy's, and a few other things will be open.

 

Surprised they haven't done it sooner.  In WI., the official date, as anounced by the governor, was March 24.

All the of stores you mentioned are open up here, along with any outside maintainence and construction services.  A garage door guy can come, he'll just want to stay a safe distance from you, along with the yard service people.

Check with the normal repair shops for lawn equipment service, as up here, you can get someone to come out to you, just keep your distance.  I fix, rebuild and repair my own.

I guess the big thing about up here, is the weather.  Easier to get things done outside when it's a bit warmer.  Waiting for Spring in WI. can be a challenge.

The "flag ship" radio station for the Milw. Brewers baseball team, have been replaying highlight games from last year.  Opening day was suppose to be last Tues.

Mike.

 

My point is that I don't know what Shelter-In-Place really means.  We've already closed down all of the "social based" businesses for about a month.  The local Home Depot limited entrance to one door, and there was a line at that door because HD wanted to not allow the store to get too crowded.  There have been social distancing practices in place for just about everything for a while now.

I feel bad for people who are in the social based/ recreational/ retail businesses.  Restrictions around those types of activities have never been conceived before AFAIK, so I'm sure this event could be devastating.

My wife is a nurse.  She works for a chain of clinics, and the clinic has had the ability to channel the covid positive clients to one clinic, not the one she works at.  But our county has a few more positive cases now, and she will have to work with a covid positive patient today for the first time since this began.   

- Douglas

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    January 2019
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Posted by John-NYBW on Thursday, April 2, 2020 9:54 AM

SeeYou190

 

 
ATLANTIC CENTRAL
The virus has become a major disruption to every aspect of my life. The details of which I have no interest in publishing on the interweb.

 

I can only imagine. Please stay OK.

We hit this one very well, and incredibly lucky.

Both my wife and I are retired/not working. My oldest daughter and her husband retired/not working. My middle daughter can work from home. My youngest and her fiance are very comfortable and can weather this storm.

Sheldon: My oldest daughter and her husband sold their roofing company in Orlando about six months ago. They moved to Illinois and bought a 1905 Queen Anne house in a small town just south of the Wisconsin border to live a dream. After they finish restoring the house, they plan to start a new business doing exactly what you are.

How interesting is that?

-Kevin

 

I too am retired and living off a Ohio Public Employees pension and Social Security. I'm not worried about Social Security. I do have a concern as to how long the pension fund can stay solvent if workers are furloughed and not contributing. If more is going out than is coming into the fund, that can't go on for long. 

Other than that, the main impact on me has been recreational activities. Bowling alleys were closed. Then the state shut down the golf courses only to reverse themselves a few days later. Some course have remained closed and some of the ones that are open are making adjustments. One course is encouraging walking and only renting single carts. No flagsticks in the holes and the cups have been turned upside down so they stick out above ground. If you hit it, you've holed out. Also no rakes in the bunkers. They also reserved the 7-8am hour for seniors. It's not a course I play a lot and its very hilly. I would never try to walk it.

No sporting events on TV and all the talk shows are spending all their time on the coronavirus. That's understandable but I'm tired of hearing about it. Just tell me when life as we knew it will resume.  

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