SeeYou190I am using 1 1/2" schedule 40 PVC pipe for the water flow lines. The city regulates how much water flows through the reclaimed system by lowering pressure as the reservoir gets lower, so the larger pipe will help the system work during low pressure times.
I'm unfamiliar with reclaimed water systems. We don't have those here. What are they and how do they work?
Edit: Top of the page! Lots of coffee and cinnamon rolls for everyone.
York1 John
reclimed water is treated water from sewage plants . it can then be used for no-potable reasons, irrigation etc.
hon30critterHi Kevin, Are you on natural gas? If so, that wire is likely to be a locator line for the gas pipe.
Well, what do I know?
Dave is 100% correct, it is for a gas line.
I called the city today, and I live in one of the 1/10 of 1% of houses in Cape Coral that have natural gas service available. Of those 1 out of 1,000 houses, less than 5% of those houses have gas meters. My house was permitted for a gas meter when it was built in 1989, and the house was plumbed for natural gas, but a regulator was never installed on the house. My stove and dryer are both wired for electricity. I wonder if I will find another gas line when I pull down the drywall behind the dryer?
I cut the gas line when I dug the trench. It is circled in green in this picture.
I found the rest of the line in the dirt I dug up. It is only about 7 inches long, and it just ends. No plug or anything. It is just filled with dirt.
I never thought a gas line would look like this. It looks like a soaker garden hose. Also, it is only about 3 inches under the surface. I would think a gas line should be more substantial and buried deeper.
Now I know what that pipe was in my kitchen that was not attached to anything. My wife said it was a gas line, and I told her she was crazy. Now I owe her an appology.
Also, we really wanted a gas stove, but the cost, and ugliness, of adding a tank changed our minds. I wonder how much work would be involved to hook up the gas supply?
Also, where is the meter and/or shut off valve? It is obviously turned off right now. Is this in my yard somewhere buried under 32 years of grass lawn growth?
Where is the gas main? I contacted the "Call Before You Dig" people years ago when I was doing yard work, and they said there were no utilites in my yard except for the water mains that run directy to the main pipes underneath the road.
Oh boy...
York1I'm unfamiliar with reclaimed water systems. We don't have those here. What are they and how do they work?
moelarrycurly4Reclaimed water is treated water from sewage plants. It can then be used for non-potable reasons, irrigation etc.
Reclaimed water is the greatest thing ever! For $17.00 per month we can water our lawns all that we need to.
The City Of Cape Coral, back in the 1990s and 2000s, installed an entire new water/reclaimed water/sewage system in the entire city.
The reclaimed water system fills up during the day, then we can water at night. The pressure in the system is regulated based on water available. In drought times there is regulations on when watering can be done, but we have been flush with water for the last few years.
Reclaimed water comes from the sewage treatment plant, storm water run-off, and fresh water discharges from Lake Okeechobee.
The city is currently building another reservoir to make the reclaimed water system even better.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
moelarrycurly4 reclimed water is treated water from sewage plants . it can then be used for no-potable reasons, irrigation etc.
That's interesting. I've never lived in a place that had that. So the area has two separate water systems.
Out here, we sit on the Ogallala Aquifer, with about as much fresh water under our feet that we can possibly use. Our climate is fairly dry, but nearly all farmland is irrigated using this water. It's also clean water, so we don't need a water treatment plant.
The only problem we have is that there is a missile site west of our town that used cleaning chemicals in the silo. Some of that chemical got into the underground water. The government is watching the movement of that chemical. Sometime in the future, it's possible we will need to treat the water if that plume reaches our wells.
Post Hog!
Isn't it supposed to be spring? Flowers, grass, rainbows? I don't like our forecast for the next several hours:
York1Isn't it supposed to be spring? Flowers, grass, rainbows?
It's all my fault for buying that new John Deere
44024_forecast by Edmund, on Flickr
Looks like I'll be spending more time in the train room
When I bought my first house in '78 it had oil heat. One of the first things I did was call the East Ohio Gas Company to ask if there was a gas line on the street.
Yes! That spring I was digging a trench (24" minimum here) and placing the 5/8 polypropylene tubing. The gas co. provided the riser pipe and meter bracket. Yes, I ran a #10 copper wire just above the plastic pipe for locating purposes. They have detectable warning tape these days.
All I needed was one working appliance to have the meter hung and service started. Back then I don't think the whole job ran me more than $300, including a used gas dryer for my "one working appliance".
I bought a gas conversion burner that bolted in place of the old oil burner in the Crane hot water boiler. I was sure glad to get that greasy old fuel-oil tank out of the basement.
Jim Pearson by Center for Railroad Photography & Art, on Flickr
Cheers, Ed
gmpullmanYes! That spring I was digging a trench (24" minimum here) and placing the 5/8 polypropylene tubing.
Is that what the tubing I found is? Polypropylene?
It has to have been there since 1989.
I cannot possibly explain what a shock this is to find a gas line in my yard. I would have been less surprised by a box of Spanish Dubloons! Residences just don't have gas service down here.
I wonder what is at the other end of that tube.
It is Summer down here. So Hot!
SeeYou190Is that what the tubing I found is? Polypropylene?
My mistake: Polyethylene
https://www.homedepot.com/p/HOME-FLEX-Underground-3-4in-IPS-New-Install-Kit-1-3-4inx100ft-Pipe-2-3-4in-Couplers-2-3-4in-Meter-Risers-Gas-Line-Detection-18-429440-007/309182788
gmpullmanMy mistake:
Polypropylene, polyethelyne, it is all plastic to me. I would never have guessed that plastic tubing with such thin walls was acceptable for buried natural gas lines.
I am learning so much, because all of this is brand new to me.
Should I just leave the line buried like it was, only 7 inches shorter? Should I plug it with something? Is it even safe not attached to anything?
At bare minimum I think I should find the shut-off valve, if there is one. There must be one somewhere.
So many questions.
Thinking back to when I picked up the "riser kit" from the gas company, they showed me how to clean and dress the end of the tubing and "stab" it into the fitting of the riser pipe. This was my first encounter with what today are the "Sharkbite" fittings that have become so ubiquitous.
I recall talking to several other folks who have made gas line repairs where the "poly" tubing could be pushed into rusting and leaking black pipe to make a new service line into a home without much digging.
Water lines use a "curb key" to shut off underground valves. I'm not sure what the gas utilities use. When they were done tying my gas line, at the street, to the main there was no visible shutoff key anywhere that I found.
Good luck, Ed
My wife visited her sister back in Maryland last week. Her BIL stayed in his room because he had "hay fever" He is anti-vaxer and has since been admitted to the hospital with out of control diabetes and Covid.
She has antibodies from the vaccine so we are not particularly worried. Her doctor said she didn't need to quarantine so I guess he doesn't believe vaccinated people are carriers.
Her sister lost here sense of smell for 9 months, it came back, left and came back again.
As far as the BIL, if you think it's a good idea to go for a ride by jumping in the back seat of your TSLA and trusting Elon, it's a free country. It all seems the same to me.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
BigDaddy if you think it's a good idea to go for a ride by jumping in the back seat of your TSLA and trusting Elon, it's a free country.
You must have been refering to this?
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-56799749
When I first heard of these autonomous cars (maybe the 1953 Popular Mechanics?) I thought "who in their right mind..."
Still, the deep thinkers are still pushing forward with it. Go figure.
Pre-Tesla by Edmund, on Flickr
The big difference seems to be the occupants are engaged in a hearty round of Bridge instead of having their faces planted in an iPad thingy.
That's the one. According to Houston.com the driver backed out of the driveway, jumped in the backseat and they made it a couple hundred yards before burning for 4 hours and 35,000 gallons of water courtesy of the fire department.
There will be a time when there is a mixture of electronic self driving cars and the rest of us, who may be on our cell phones, stoned, drunk or just misjudge and there will be wrecks and fires which will bring traffic to a standstill for hours.
I don't understand battery technology, but I remember from chemistry; water and lithium mix poorly.
Tesla consistently warns drivers that the cars are not autonomous. Tesla's agreement with its buyers state, “Autopilot and full self-driving capability are intended for use with a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to take over at any moment.”
Good evening diners.
I got an early start this morning, and filled in the trench from yesterday.
Then it began raining.
I made detialed lists of many of the supplies I will need for projects in progress. My wife and I took off to find them. We had to go to four stores to come up with ten 1 1/2" 90 degree PVC schedule 40 elbows. Other parts were out of stock here and there, but we got everything I need,
This was the first time we spent anytime out shopping since we got the first shot. It seemed like A LOT MORE people were wearing masks. In a couple of stores, 100% of people were masked. I found that amazing.
Good thing we did not go to Publix today:
I now have everything I need to make some real progress outside... looking forward to sharing some pictures of completed projects soon.
The World Is A Beautiful Place.
Good evening, everybody ...
John York 1 ..... This morning's cinnamon roll looked very good.
Kevin .... Looking at your picture, I wonder if Publix had Gatorade on sale .
Ed .... I have seen that photo by Jim Pearson of the CSX train crossing over the flooded Ohio River. It is between Evansville, IN and Henderson, KY. The picture was taken with a drone, The train is on approach spans just before getting on the big bridge over the Ohio River. Jim Pearson is a photographer living in western Kentucky.
MIA's .... I'm concerned we have not seen Ken, Lion, or Rob in the Diner lately. Has anybody heard from any of them.
..
Not much model railroading to report. I have been getting the boat and dock ready for boating season. If all goes well, I will have the boat in the water tomorrow afternoon.
Everybody: ..... Have a good night !
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Heartland Division CB&QKevin .... Looking at your picture, I wonder if Publix had Gatorade on sale
That picture is from the local NBC station. It is alligator mating season, so for a few weeks they are wandering out-and-about much more than usual.
Heartland Division CB&QI'm concerned we have not seen Ken, Lion, or Rob in the Diner lately. Has anybody heard from any of them.
Motley (Michael) has also been missing for a few months.
I am concerned for our missing friends.
Good Morning,
Seems strange to be saying that but it is 12:01 here.
I too was just wondering about Ken, Rob and Lion. Thanks to Ed we know Ken is home recuperating from a hospital stay. Hope he reports in soon. I just hope Rob's treatments are going ok. Maybe Lion has computer problems or perhaps thry ran out if wildebeest meat at the abbey. Anyway we do worry.
Off to the vet again for a follow up on Robbie's eye. The meds seem to have worked.
My wife is supposed to go for her first cocid shot on Sunday. She is terrified of getting covid at the vaccination place with the large number of people there. I hope she can conquer her anxiety to go. If not I will try to get her to go to our doc's office as she can get the Astrazenica shot there.
Time for sleep.
CN Charlie
SeeYou190 It is alligator mating season, so for a few weeks they are wandering out-and-about much more than usual.
Also known as Spring Break II
A timeless pose:
BN, Belton, Montana, 1970 by Center for Railroad Photography & Art, on Flickr
SeeYou190Dave is 100% correct, it is for a gas line.
Hi Kevin,
I am really surprised that the gas line is only a few inches under the surface. To me, that is just inviting disaster. Our gas lines are at least four feet below the surface, but that is because the ground freezes almost down to that level in the winter. If the gas lines were any closer to the surface the frost would eventually heave them out of the ground when the ground is thawing in the spring. Frost heaving up here is an anual nasty occurance. Many of our secondary roads get really bumpy and lots of people suffer driveway problems.
Cheers!!
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 all. A sunny day here in the land of the former North British Railway.
I hope those missing - Ken, Lion, Rob and others are okay and check-in soon.
Our first film is of the Deerstalker Caledonian Sleeper Train.
Our next film is 'The Royal Scotsman' By special permission the Diner is at the front of the train.
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
Steam to Mallaig
Wintertime
Good morning all.
Flo - A couple of those yummy looking freshly made glazed doughnuts, and a glass of milk please. (Nope. Still don't like coffee. I ask for that, you know my asthma is acting up.) Thanks.
John (York) & Others - Until I can get a stellar photo to prove otherwise, an light color (light morph is the term I think?) Northern Goshawk is what I am going with. The red eye description nails that part, and the size being larger than a Red-tail hawk fits. (My last photo attempt, while still slightly out of focus, shows definitively that he has red eyes.)
Between him, the Bald Eagle family, and the black bear, the capturing (exciting) wildlife on camera but has been striking out lately. (I see one of them, go into the next room to grab my camera, come back and they've moved either out of range, or in the case of the Eagles and/or Hawk they're no longer in sight due to the fact they were in flight already...)
Trains - Assembled a old Walthers covered hopper yesterday, finishing an old Funnel-Flow tank car today. Both will get a dull coat to seal (and give tooth) before a treatment of PanPastels, washes, and colored pencils, before another dull coat to seal, for weathering effects. (Bit the bullet on AK Weathering Pencils, the control on them is a neat characteristic that got me curious. I had used other colored pencils on some effects before, but the softer lead seems to work a bit better for certain effects.)
But the dull coat will have to wait until the winter weather decides to leave again. (I have a pair of Hopper cars ready for a final color coat too...)
Ed - You bought a new JD, and we just got the mower deck reattached on ours. Now, my area's weather forecast is calling for 6-12" of snow... Just pulled the plow blade off the ATV too.... So I think I'm kinda partially to blame for the weather. (Kinda like summer, you want rain? Wash the car. Works every time.)
Remodel is looking like a finish date of mid-late June, then I can get to building the new, improved (bigger too!) layout. Settled on a 12X12 L shaped layout, with a staging connection off the right side. I'm going for loop style that will support both continuous and point-to-point style operation, with a Frac-Sand trans-loading facility, cold storage warehouse, and a small interchange yard on the main section. Staging yard will support further ops, but will not be permanent due to access issues. (Unless I can figure out a way around it. If I can't, semi-permanent removable feature.)
Current ops plan is switching style, with the option of a through freight on the loop. (Hidden back behind a tree lined small hill, with a passing siding to allow for "elsewhere deliveries" by the local, and optional "through freight" meeting location.
Allotted space should allow for a decently sized 28" minimum radii, with "visible" higher where possible. (Not enough for a full sized 2-10-2, but I run diesels mostly.) Full-length passenger, auto racks, etc... will be tight, but on a 12X12 L, those cars won't dominate the layout plan anyways. (Even a "Pike-sized" passenger train would take up a humongous chuck of main line.)
Hope all are well, including our missing group, and everyone enjoy the day!
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
Kevin you have dinosaurs running around in Florida
https://nypost.com/2021/04/18/florida-woman-thinks-she-saw-baby-dinosaur-in-her-backyard/
York1“Autopilot and full self-driving capability are intended for use with a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to take over at any moment.”
Yep!!! And the car will let you know in no uncertain terms when you need to "take over"! Lights flash, loud warnings, and beeps, etc! It does auto correct for most everything, but the dirver is still supposed to sit in the "driver's seat" and pay attention to what is happening at all times. That accident that has made all the news recently makes me wonder what the people were smoking in the back seat.....??? LOL There is no cure for stupidity!
As far as the batteries and fire? Most people drive around next to 30 or more gallons of pure explosive in their vehicles (gasoline). When I was a Boy Scout Camp Director part of my Camp School Training was to realize that one cup of gasoline has enough explosive power to lift a one ton weight one mile straight up in the air. Nobody seems to have a problem with that though. (Never use gasoline to start a fire. Never!)
just my
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
ricktrains4824Now, my area's weather forecast is calling for 6-12" of snow... Just pulled the plow blade off the ATV too....
We have backup!
Kioti_Snow by Edmund, on Flickr
Still got the wood stove cooking, too. 3-5 inches tomorrow! We're tough
Almost * what a passenger train is supposed to look like:
Special on the Cutoff by Mike Danneman, on Flickr
* Don't know what that thing is stuck on the front of those nice E9s is???
hon30critterOur gas lines are at least four feet below the surface, but that is because the ground freezes almost down to that level in the winter. If the gas lines were any closer to the surface the frost would eventually heave them out of the ground when the ground is thawing in the spring.
Even though we are farther south, we have the same issues here. My brother, who lives in Georgia, will talk about our bumpy streets and sidewalks. I told him that going from +40°F to -35°, then to +50°, all in three weeks during our spring thaw does not help.
I think our gas lines are about three feet underground.
Since most of our water lines come in through the basement floors, the water and sewer lines are very deep.
ricktrains4824then I can get to building the new, improved (bigger too!) layout. Settled on a 12X12 L shaped layout, with a staging connection off the right side. I'm going for loop style that will support both continuous and point-to-point style operation,
RickyW, this sounds great. Maybe once you start, you could start a thread with photos of the progress. I love those threads on this forum.
Good morning
More video goodies, Thanks David
Sunday was 54 degrees and I took my car out with the windows down for a nice long enjoyable ride. Monday it was Winter again and snow flurries
gmpullman Jim Pearson by Center for Railroad Photography & Art, on Flickr
This bridge is worth writing home about. I wonder if I could get a job being the Pier Cracks Caulker Up Guy. It sure looks like it'd be a full-time job. I would just need a flat boat with a scissor lift.
A good day for something on the layout as cold and more snow flurries predicted.
TF
Good morning diners. I am still waking up early for some reason. Chloe, I will take a black coffee and a couple of glazed donuts.
hon30critterI am really surprised that the gas line is only a few inches under the surface. To me, that is just inviting disaster.
It seems that way to me too. I cannot possibly believe a gas line that close to the surface is OK.
I am just going to bury it back the way it was, just 7 inches shorter. I don't like it, but what else can I do?
NorthBritOur next film is 'The Royal Scotsman' By special permission the Diner is at the front of the train.
Wow, that was beautiful. The scenery is perfect and the train is gorgeous.
Thank you for that one.