Track fiddlerYesterday was Friday the 13th!
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Post Hog!
And yesterday was Friday the 13th! Generally I'm not superstitious but you know darn well something is going to go wrong when you get out of bed on the morning of Friday the 13th
I fixed the car okay and that was good. It was shady where I pulled over on the road and used the flashlight feature on my phone.
This is what my phone looks like now after it fell down onto the exhaust manifold.
It was hot down there and took me awhile to grab it after I was looking under the car for it
TF
Driving clunkers in my youth Dave
And those clunkers were a pain in the butt at the time but actually became a good thing for me many years later.
It was a learning experience to discover some of those things that can go wrong to know what to look for and do at a later time.
I would have to agree with you that this usually doesn't work for the modern cars. The last time my truck conked out there was a tow fee involved
Eric, nice to see you in the diner!
A belated Thank you John!
Track fiddlerIn between the time my car killed and we were stalled on the side of the road. I followed the wires and found a little ground nut was missing on the manifold to the engine ground. I pinched the fork together and it got us home.
TF, I'm glad that your mechanical knowledge got you home!
In my youth I got stuck on the side of the road several times, but only once did I have to resort to calling for help. I remember coming back from Sault St. Marie, Ontario one time in my MGB. Suddenly the car started to run very badly. My mother was with me and she was more than a little concerned. I knew immediately that it was a vacuum leak and sure enough the vacuum line to the distributor had broken off. It took me about 10 minutes to fix and we were back on the road. Another time I bent a cam rod and I ended up on the side of a major highway pounding it out straight on the top of a guard rail post with a big adjustable wrench. I was back on the road in no time. I could go on but the only thing that that would prove is that I was driving clunkers in my youth!
Forget about doing that with modern cars!
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Hmmmm... I do not remember ever giving one of my daughters an Athearn Blue Box train car for Christmas. My wife would never have allowed that sort of nonsense.
But... here is this picture... It looks like she is looking in the box for something else.
Night
I had a great day with my Judy on her first day off this week.
Yesterday was her birthday and I bought her two dozen long-stemmed red roses, took her to dinner at El Loro and brought her to the drive-In theater.
CC was there and I hate to admit it but I had a great time laughing and having funner with my great-niece then my better half
That ain't supposed to make sense to you guys that are not married or maybe makes more sense to the ones of you that are.
Today Judy still thought it was her birthday so we went to Victoria Minnesota in the Stang and had a really good lunch on the patio. Then we went to Mound Minnesota and had dinner on another patio. The weather has been perfect up here
In between the time my car killed and we were stalled on the side of the road. I followed the wires and found a little ground nut was missing on the manifold to the engine ground. I pinched the fork together and it got us home.
It was a hell of a day at Sea Sir! but I think we had fun
I am buckling down for a couple of stormy days.
Storm readiness is not what it used to be. Now that I have Cat 5 windows, rear slider, and garage door, all I need to do to prepare for a storm is bring in the trash cans.
howmusWonder what is causing this..... Sure it's nothing we're doing!!! LOL
Yep, planet Earth has a way of looking after herself. I know where to get water when it stops coming out of the tap, it is everywhere here but most city dwellers would not have a clue, and I know how to hunt and fish. The ranch is six hours from the nearest Walmart or Costco and that suits us just fine. We will head there if things get really bad. 2000 acres of well-irregated hay with about 800 healthy head of cattle feasting away. The hay barn is full to the rafters as well.
I need a bug-out plan for the layout, I have my priorities and the ranch has lots of room for a layout. I would be like Ray, running the pike off of solar power.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
BATMANIn the last 126 years Vancouver has only recorded 30 days of over 30c temps, so far this year alone we have had 7 days of over 30c. Between Covid, fires, and heat, mother nature is sure doing some house cleaning. Billions of sea creatures along the coast have died off due to the heat.
Only got to 90°F here in the Finger Lakes today. About 100% humidity too. Didn't get out for a run until 7:30 this evening when the temp got down in the low 80° range. Only ran a mile even then. Wonder what is causing this..... Sure it's nothing we're doing!!! LOL Most of the Red Maples around here are already loosing their leaves. Local Scientists say it is a combimation of wet cold Spring and hot Summer with a mold attacking the trees. They also say the trees should survive.....???
Ooooooo.... I see I have a Night Blooming Cereus in blossom. Now I know what the wonderful smell is in the house.
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Just went for a two-hour walk with the dog in this heat and smoke. I think I lost ten pounds in sweat. It was eerie as I did not see or hear a soul the whole time.
The end is nigh!
Wow... now this is one I really hope I have more pictures of.
In the early 1990s, before I switched to HO scale, Rick of "Rick's Handy Hobby" in Fort Myers Shores asked me to build a small N scale layout for the store counter.
He provided all the material, and in return, I was guaranteed all new N scale Micro-Trains releases at cost for as long as I wanted.
Micro-trains freight cars for 50% off.. who could say no to that deal!
Today I found this picture of the layout under construction.
Good afternoon from the hot smokey West Coast. We are probably a 100km from the closest fires but ash is falling from the sky today. Had to go out yesterday and caught this temp in the car. This is the first bad smoke we have had this year.
In the last 126 years Vancouver has only recorded 30 days of over 30c temps, so far this year alone we have had 7 days of over 30c. Between Covid, fires, and heat, mother nature is sure doing some house cleaning. Billions of sea creatures along the coast have died off due to the heat.
83% have had the first vaccine so we are getting there.
I was supposed to play a round of golf with the kid tomorrow but if the smoke is this bad we will likely bag it.
I started dismantling our master bathroom, it is the only one in the house I have not done and is the largest by far. The wife wants a total re-design so we are moving ahead slowly on it. Fortunately, the kid's bathroom is just as close and my daughter is off to University in two weeks so we will use that one.
Garry, glad to hear your Heart condition has been manageable over the years. Heart disease is prevalent on both sides of the family for me. Obesity and smoking were part of it I am sure. I am really fit and it will be interesting to see how much of a difference it will make for me in the long run.
I bought a Sony XBR 34" in 1987. I had it a long time and it did not owe me anything. That thing was heavy. I replaced it with a Sony XBR/XRD 50" and I am just waiting for that one to pack it in as it is getting long in the tooth, it must be 15 years old. I will likely get a 75" when the time comes.
We went to check on my wife's brother's house as he is away on a long vacation. They have acres of wooded property with a stream running through it. Even with this unusually long dry spell, the stream was just as high as it always is. We just sat in the cool of the forest on the edge of the stream for a while, it was enjoyable relief from the heat.
http://journal.sciencemuseum.ac.uk/browse/issue-10/uncovering-the-secrets-of-canadian-pacific/
All the best to all.
York1Railroads were so very important to the war effort in WWII:
Indeed:
PRR_1942-merge-sm by Edmund, on Flickr
If I might step back to 1912 for a moment?
Didn't this train have a bit higher clientele last time I rode it?
Dog_Train by Edmund, on Flickr
Maybe those pups got something there?
PLE_PGH-handcar-1 by Edmund, on Flickr
Cheers, Ed
Before we leave 1900-1950 ... Railroads were so very important to the war effort in WWII:
York1 John
Greetings from my Southern command.
We made a trip to our Mississippi house to get away for a few days.
Of course it is hot here, but I don't care, I am not at work.
Kevin, Thoughts and prayers to you family during this difficult time.
North Platte, Nebraska, canteen ladies giving soldiers and sailors a basket of food on a UP train, 1943.
Howdy ....
Today is August 13, and I have much to be thankful for. On this date in 2008, I had serious heart issues. I was flown by helicopter to the hospital in Nashville, TN. My heart stopped beating 6 times. Thankfully, I already had an implantted difibrillator which saved me each time. I have had congestive heart failure now for about 20 years. Also thankfully, doctors have been able to control my condition, and my life is mostly normal. Life is precious.
Everybody ...... Have a good day.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Friday the 13th! Good Morning
A little something to think about on your morning commute to that desk job
Next time I'm struggling to get a screw through a Kadee coupler box I'll remember how easy these guys line up bolt holes!
Good morning, diners. Just black coffee today.
Tin Can, it sounds like you will be busy with work and with house remodeling. Have fun.
Mike, I know what you mean about the humidity. The good news here is that this morning, we are cooler and the humidity is a lot lower. I will be able to work out in my shed without drinking gallons of water.
There's not much on the schedule for today. Here's a photo of a train display at a museum about 50 miles west of me. This Baldwin lets kids climb up to see the cab and all the complicated dials and handles. Kids also get to see inside the caboose, which seems to hold more interest for them than the locomotive.
Hoping everyone in the diner stays healthy and in good shape.
Kevin: I can offer nothing but good thoughts and prayers for your S-I-L and your family.
Our kitchen renovation project is in full destructo mode; old counters were torn out yesterday, new counters and sink go in today. Plumbing Monday. Waiting for a new 220 line for the 36" gas/electric stove. Electrician was a no show yesterday.
After the kitchen is done, painting begins, and then new flooring for the entire upper floor, 2200 s/f. Some of the better carpet will be moved downstairs to what will be the media room.
This weekend is student move-in and orientation; so I am working Saturday and Sunday. I have worked scores of orientations before, but never as a VP/CFO. I enjoy talking to parents/students, so it will be fun.
Good morning everybody. Janie, a black coffee in a large Pere Marquette mug please. (nod to cedarwood ron(I think), if you're still out there) Also thinking about cudaken this morning. With lumber prices finally coming back down, hoping you're able to get your roof done if it isn't already. Also hoping dirk pip is good too.
Glad they are forecasting a drop in the heat & humidity. I've got some work to do outside this weekend, starting with building a kind of trellis for our grapevines to grow on. Doesn't take much heavy lifting, but last weekend I had to dig a couple small trenches to bury some hardware cloth into the ground around the ramp into our shed to keep the bunnies out from under there (and our dogs consequently digging away trying to get at the bunnies). I was soaked in sweat after a couple shovels full. It wasn't that warm temp wise, but with 85% humidity... Yeesh!
Outside of that, not sure what other kind of trouble I'll get into. Hopefully it's fun though!
Cheers!
Mike
Garry, Thank you again for your very kind sentiments.
- - - - - - - - - -
I am going to try to shift around to good times.
I found another interesting photograph in the collection of family mementoes. This one shows me walking through the door of our bedroom in the duplex.
The great thing about this picture is that I can accurately date it. On the desk is the Bretonnian General for my first Warhammer army. It has just started the painting process. This figure was a special bonus addition to the first releases of the 5th edition boxed set in 1996, so I am sure this picture is from that year.
On the right side of the picture is my model building desk I had in the bedroom. You can see my hobby books, paints, supplies, plastic Plano tool box, Evergreen strip plastic, all of it.
I spent hours upon hours there building models and painting figures. This was my happy spot to retreat to get away from the world.
On one of the shelves is an N scale Walthers Red Wing Milling Company that I painted orange and added smokestacks to. This was for N scale SGRR layout number 3, but it was never installed on the layout. That layout was gone by this time. I wonder how long I kept it?
On the left is the real gem. That is the first HO scale STRATTON AND GILLETTE layout underneath the clear plastic drop cloth. It looks like trees, scenery, and the backdrop are already done. I guess I built it faster than I remember.
You can see how the layout floated out from the wall with no visible support underneath. This was done with five 1/2" steel rods welded to 1/8" bar stock that were screwed into the wall studs. It looked really good.
Maybe someday I will find some good pictures of it to share.
Sorry for the gray censorship box. I was wearing shorty shorts that were way too tight. Nobody wants to see that.
1996 was the best year. We had good cash flow, so money and bills were not a concern. My oldest daughter was 17, and she had met Rick who would be the love of her life. She was so happy. My middle daughter was 7 and absolutely perfect. She was the happiest little girl that ever existed. My youngest was still a baby. She loved her mother and oldest sister so much. She did not seem to really care for me or her other sister.
If there was one point in time where I could spend eternity, 1996 would be it.
Kevin ... Your news is very, very sad. Praying for your SIL, your wife, you, and your family.
My sister in law was moved to hospice today.
I went down with my wife. She could not see her when she was in the hospital, my niece was the only family member allowed in.
My poor wife was completely torn up after seeing her.
My nephew is flying back from Atlanta tonight. He was here for eight days and was never allowed to see his mother.
Her kidneys have completely shut down, and her liver is failing as well.
I am not going to share anymore updates, but I will let you know when the end comes.
Thank you to everyone for all the kind thoughts over that past several days.
Thank you for your condolences, Garry.
Before we close out 1900 to 1950:
B&O, Dayton, Ohio, 1955 by Center for Railroad Photography & Art, on Flickr
GTW, Chicago, Illinois, 1941 by Center for Railroad Photography & Art, on Flickr
Looks like an Alco, USRA Mike:
RUT by Center for Railroad Photography & Art, on Flickr
Have a good evening, folks.
Regards, Ed
I missed out.
Brasstrains Dot Com sold this three unit factory plated unlettered Zephyr set for $100.00!
It does not run, and they graded it really low, but it is not dropped, broken, bent, or missing pieces.
This would have been a wonderful addition to the photo prop roster.
pav Thanks Garry!
Thanks Garry!
You are welocme.
CNCharlie Garry, thanks for the photo of the tunnel in Port Huron. When I lived in Sarnia I could see that entrance from my apartment that was right on the river. Mind you it was quite a distance away as the river is very wide there. CN Charlie
Garry, thanks for the photo of the tunnel in Port Huron. When I lived in Sarnia I could see that entrance from my apartment that was right on the river. Mind you it was quite a distance away as the river is very wide there.
CN Charlie
Charlie ..... You are welcome. It is intersting you once lived in Sarnia.