Good evening all.
Yes, I'm still around. Just a very busy guy right now.
Kevin - I totally understand your feelings on how the stats do not paint the whole picture.
Back in early 2020, before it even had a name, I went from, what I thought were allergy and asthma issues on Thursday, to what I thought was a head cold on Friday, with asthma issues from it, to thinking I had the flu Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon I spiked a fever of 105F, and went to the hospital.
By the time I got to the ER, fever was now 104F (after meds to reduce it), pulse had shot up to 160-180 range, and O2 level was down below 91%.
Every flu test came back as negative, but symptoms fit flu plus asthma, except for the fever and high pulse. Chest x-rays showed full blown pneumonia both lungs, with zero history of it prior, and no symtoms until 48 prior. That made zero sense to the entire hospital staff.
It took a good 3 months before I could breathe properly, and even now, over a year and a half later, I still get winded easier than before, now suffer from frequent migraines, and have had a spot in my back around my lower ribcage that keeps pushing itself out of alignment, with little progress even with frequent treatment for it.
And I got off easy.
So when before I had seemed put off by people downplaying this pandemic, I had my reasons. And I was taking it personally. (Still do.)
When my former boss said that those who willingly wear a face mask are stupid, early in the pandemic when they were required by all, I walked out and never went back. When a (who I thought of) friend got mad that I did that, I broke off contact. Another (who I thought of) friend got irritated at that and ghosted me. I explained my position in writing to them, and left it alone.
A pair of friends who are anti-vax are no longer in my circle either, as they vocalize the conspiracy theories on them, and the virus, being fake, to control and track us.
While those outside of this knowledge feel I have over-reacted, or been harsh, I do not feel so at all.
So please know I understand exactly what you are saying,the stats do not show the whole picture, nor do I trust they are accurate in reporting the stats, and you and your family have my full support, and well wishes.
My 911 shot from a few years back -
CSX First Responders unit. by Richard W, on Flickr
Hope all are well, best wishes for those not, and everyone enjoy the rest of the night.
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.
Good evening from a soggy West Coast, it is nice to have the rain.
Ricky, you have my full support in the way you feel, my wife will not fare well if she gets the virus due to other health issues. Our social circle is full of health professionals and we see the toll covid has taken on them now working endless hours looking after the unvaccinated.
Sept 11 is a day that really bothers me and I have written how that day unfolded for me in years past in the diner. I can watch a Hollywood movie about something like Pearl Harbour but want nothing to do with any Hollywood version of any 911 story. Vancouver is a long way from New York but my day was more than memorable for me at work after the horror the world witnessed that day.
Mike, I have been thinking about your daughters' medical issues and hope things keep improving, My MIL will likely never see home again but will receive the best of care when moved to a long-term care facility. After hearing about Kevin's Sister-in-law I am so grateful for our healthcare system. Both my parents got 24/7 in-home care in their last months right until the very close to the end and it did not cost us a dime. My Mom passed in hospital two days after a heart attack and my Dad died in a care home after his Alzheimers became too much for the aids to handle in our home. I can't say enough about the support we get.
I am getting a crown on Monday after my tooth fell to pieces, old age sucks. They told me my share is $32.44. There goes the train budget. The last crown I got was about twenty years ago and the tooth was disintegrating as they drilled. Fortunately, it firmed up just in time and there was enough left to crown. I am not holding my breath with this one when the drilling starts, I see an implant in my future. Fingers crossed.
I am thoroughly enjoying the station pics, the grandeur of these buildings is always something to behold.
The wife and I are getting restless but are not comfortable getting on an airplane just yet. We think next spring we will just hop a flight to England and follow our nose and come home from where ever we are when we get tired of traveling. I traveled that way often on my own and it is the only way to go in my book. I hate following a schedule. You never know when you will meet a nice girl along the way, oh ya I am married now.
I took the dog that was here for hot sex back to the airport early yesterday morning, it was a nice quiet drive along country roads with no traffic. I stopped at Tim's drive-through for coffee and that made it even better. The girl in the window said finally, a customer! The coffee was perfect.
I arrived twenty minutes before check-in and took the girl across the road for a run in the field, she is a very cool dog that is incredibly obedient. I put her crate on the belt in the terminal and she hopped right in. I sealed it and watched her disappear through the wall smiling all the way. We get great service from the airlines.
My wife brought two puppies back from Europe once and the cabin crew would let her go down to the cargo hold in the elevator during the flight to check on them. They were next to where all the food carts were so every time the cabin crew went down they got a lot of attention as well.
My daughter came home from Victoria as my wife has her 60th birthday on Wednesday. My daughter baked up all sorts of goodies for her and we ordered in Sushi from our favourite place. Tomorrow I will drop my daughter back at the ferry and my son and girlfriend are bringing Thai for dinner to celebrate the big 60 for the wife. I was hoping for a bit of a bash for her, but with covid and her mother's issues, it is really a patchwork of celebration. We have had big bashes before. I had 86 people show up for my 50th and my wife had about the same for hers. It is nice to be loved. I think the big bashes have run their course though.
Time to hit the rack as the missing in action TF would say. Also Ken we still would like to hear from you. I miss the daily report.
All the best to all.
I see I got tops. The wife brought me home a large bottle of the Captain to dull the pain of getting a crown. Pass your glasses there is lots.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Good morning Diners. A large coffee please, Flo. A glass of Captain, Batman has left as well. That will 'set the day up nicely'.
I guess we are in for stormy weather as the temperature has dropped dramatically in the past hour.
A few station buildings and lovely North of England scenery ---
Travel to County Durham's gorgeous countryside to uncover remnants of the earliest railroads that were defunct long before the invention of the steam locomotive. Then to Darlington to uncover traces of the world's first public railway in the most unexpected places. Visit the North Yorkshire Moors by steam railway. Visit the beautiful city of York and much more
Thoughts & Peace to All who Require.
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
Good morning, everyone. Just coffee this morning. I'll have donuts later.
I still haven't had time for layout work. Last year, I thought my house projects were finished. Now I have a list. They're not things that need to be fixed -- they are wishes that my wife has wanted.
I got my fall grass planted and it is growing. In my very shaded backyard, I finally planted some shade tolerant varieties of grass. It's got a good start before winter.
To do the opposite of most of this month's activity of posting photos of neat-looking stations, here are a couple of the New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal. This replaced five separate railroads' stations in the city.
It is a good example of what was considered "modern" architecture in the 1950s. The trouble is that this style was ugly when it was built, and time has not changed that.
The inside is uncomfortable and noisy.
The best thing about the terminal is that it is connected to the city's streetcar system by taking the Loyola Avenue streetcar to Canal Street. These are a nice ride, and are used by commuters and tourists alike:
Amtrak has the Crescent, the Sunset Limited, and the City of New Orleans all stop in the city, so it has a nice selection of Amtrak trains to see or ride.
Have a good Sunday, everyone.
York1 John
ricktrains4824I do not feel so at all.
Ricky... I too have people that I no longer will even speak to as I would likely not be considered, ah, polite, should I say. I am very tired of people who don't care about others or even their own families. 'nuff said!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Hi all,
On 9/11/2001, I spent the day at home, and still remember it all well. Another reason I remember it well, I turned 18 that day. I'm from Northern Virginia and hearing that the Pentagon had been hit by a plane hit so close to home as DC is only an hour away. I agree with one poster about avoiding movies and other media set around 9/11/2001. I like historical flicks too but it's a time period that I don't wish to relive through film.
On the MR front, I put "mocked up" lights, got the height of the layout to where I want it, and put up a backdrop. Also got myself some more goodies recently. Posted pics in another thread.
Alvie
Howdy .
I think there were rules posted by Steve O about conversations pertaining to Covid. I do not see those rules now. .... So, I will say none of us should be judging others for their personal decisions regarding their own health. There are some people who have been advised by their doctors that there is more risk in their case if they are vaccinated than if they are not vaccinated. It is their personal decision based on their own medical situation. It is their business and not ours. So be respectful of other people's choices, and see your doctor about making such decisions for yourself. Stop griping about this topic. Talk about other stuff.
My apologies if this remark is not consisatant with forum rules. I just read the forum rules posted by Steve O , and I think it is okay for me to say this. ....
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Well for me, I subscribe to this:
“A good motto to live by: 'Always try not to get killed.' ”- George Carlin
So, I stay away from and don't talk to some people..... LOL
28
Good evening everyone.
I had a very busy weekend, and I am trying to unwind right now.
Thank you for all the support and thoughts about my continuing situation we are dealing with down here.
Everyone be safe this week.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Good morning Diners. Tea and toast please, Janie.
An easy going day today. Having our flu jabs this afternoon.
Stations -- Swansea/Abertawe
Thoughts & Peace to All who Require
Good morning all. Janie, a black coffee in a C&O mug please and some cinnamon toast.
While my oldest daughter's situation has not improved, it has not gotten worse, so that is a good thing. We see the surgeon tomorrow to see what she has to say. Fingers crossed.
Plenty of traveling this weekend for my youngest daughter's soccer games. Won one, lost one. Both good, even games, although the team they lost to was playing kind of dirty and the ref wasn't calling much. One of their players actually grabbed one of ours by the back of the neck and shoved her down. Our girl actually had the ball at the time so the ref was staring right at them. No call. Incredible. Some of the other parents recognized the ref and apparently he has a history of not calling penalties to the point that at one of the games he officiated a fist fight broke out between two boys as he let too much take place and it escalated.
Hoping a soccer free weekend coming up this week will allow me some time with the trains. Haven't had much lately.
Cheers guys!
Mike
Good morning, diners. Bacon, eggs, and black coffee, Brunhilda.
My little town has a fall celebration each year. They pick a king and queen, have a parade, car show, etc. Typical small town stuff. I think this is the first year we didn't see any of it. No reason, just lazy I guess.
I went over to the school. I've very seldom been there since I retired. In just four years, there are new secretaries, janitors, cooks, and several teachers. It didn't feel like home anymore. I guess that's good.
One very nice thing is that the boys and girls gym locker rooms were completely remodeled. They were not designed well when the building was built years ago, and it's nice they've finally been remade. By remodeling the locker rooms, they were able to add quite a bit of room to the gym equipment room. That was also badly needed.
All-in-all, it's a funny feeling to return to see something that was so familiar, somewhere I spent 12 hours each day, and with people I spent more time with than my family. Now it's almost like walking into a strange place.
If you're ever in the area of Kansas City, try to visit the Union Station. It's located with lots of interesting buildings and museums. The station has an observation bridge over the tracks that gives good views of Amtrak and other trains running through the city.
The station also has a very nice display of model trains with just about every scale represented. We have been there several times at Christmas, and it is nicely done.
It is still an operating Amtrak station, and a lot more:
Have a great day, everyone!
Good afternoon all.
Just popping in to give a quick Layout room remodel update - Final walls come down this week! Then will be new flooring, new paint on remaining walls, then the rebuilding of the old layout sub-structure and new layout can begin!
YAY!!!!
Hope all are well, and all enjoy the day!
This month, it has been five years since I took down STRATTON AND GILLETTE layout number 5. It has been 5 years since I had an operating train layout in my house.
I took the layout down in September, 2016, and I joined this forum in January, 2017. I am so glad I landed in here. The discussions about trains, sharing my photographs, and the help I have received have kept me going.
I appreciate all the kind folks and new friends I have encountered in here. You have all been very kind to me.
I have learned lots of new techniques from knowledgeable people that were willing to share, and I have even learned a lot about DCC and prototype railroading along the way.
Several of you have sent me parts and supplies to help me with modeling building projects, and I have even visited a few home layouts of the members here.
This has been a great group to be a part of, and I appreciate all of you.
Good morning Diners. A large coffee please, Chloe.
A busy day ahead helping Dawn and others at the Church.
Brighton Station
Brighton railway station is the southern terminus of the Brighton main line in England, and the principal station serving the city of Brighton, East Sussex. It is 50 miles 49 chains (81.45 km) from London Bridge via Redhill. The London and Brighton Railway (L&BR) built a passenger station, goods station, locomotive depot and railway works on a difficult site on the northern edge of Brighton. This site was 0.5 miles (0.80 km) from, and 70 feet (21 m) above the sea shore, and had involved considerable excavation work to create a reasonable gradient from Patcham Tunnel.
Good morning. Just black coffee this morning.
I have a busy day of trimming some of the trees and hauling away the branches. With the large number of trees on the property, this has become a several-times-a-year event.
I was driving through Colorado two years ago, and got to Canon City too late to do much at the Royal Gorge railroad except walk around. Someday I'll try to get back. They have a lot of equipment sitting on their tracks.
The diner's waitresses are upset with the lack of tips they're getting.
York1 The diner's waitresses are upset with the lack of tips they're getting.
Good afternoon from a very wet Pacific Rim.
Pulled a Hudson out of the RH this morning, it's been a long time since they have been out to play due to the trainroom being full of crap because of reno's. So she runs about 100' and has just started her run through the mountains and whamo, the leading truck comes off, so I reach in and gently put it back on and it keeps coming off. So I lift the engine off the rails and the truck stays on the rails. Off to the workbench and decide parts must be littering the mainline so the hunt is on. I am not sure how many parts I am looking for, so I dig out the box for the exploded parts view and my eyes glaze over. Who can make heads or tails out of those tiny specks that are supposed to be parts.
I was choked at having to take the Hudson off the rails as I rarely take an engine off the layout. So in order to see how many parts I am looking for and what I am looking for, I pull Royal Hudson #2 out of the RH and take it to the workbench for a looky. After inspection, I trace the route of the first Hudson and manage to find all the bits along the track within 10' of the RH. With the phone constantly ringing and the doorbell dinging, I got it put back together the right way on the third try.
I then decide to check the screw(s) on the other Hudson and the one on the leading truck was also loose so it was a good thing I took it off to have a look.
So, we are good to go, I put both Hudsons back on the layout, turn the power on, and whamo, my wireless controller dies. Back to the workbench, pop the batteries out, lay them out to test them, get the meter and the battery in that is dead and I know exactly what wife forgot to turn it off! It was the perfect one. She had been checking the backup battery in her centrifuge with it. So I get a new battery for the meter and check the four batteries from the NCE controller and they show only .66 volts, I am surprised the thing worked at all.
At that point I grab some new batteries for the controller and decide another coffee is in order so here I am. Now the Brother-in-law is coming over so the layout is still waiting.
Went for my crown on Monday, it has been 20+ years since my last one. No more molds, now they stick this little wand in your mouth and it takes a scan and they print out a 3-D mold of your teeth and proceed to build your new crown on that.
I hear a car in the driveway so later.
Kevin Condolences regarding your sister.
Everyone who has a wife with a centrifuge, raise your hand.
We celebrated my niece in law's birthday last night. She is a PA in the ER. They had 2 men in their late 20's that self prescribed a booster shot and got myocarditis. One of her coworkers who was vaccinated at the same time got covid, but not severely.
All 4 patients on ventilators were not vaccinated and one 75 yo guy is in ICU, fairly sick, who was vaccinated.
I did not watch any 911 rememberances, at least not intentionally The first person descriptions i heard at the time still haunt me. The niece's husband is a fire fighter and did watch those shows. His kids took interest in it. They had been taught something about 911 but have never seen any of the videos.
He said one of the firefighters, who he mentioned by name, discovered that stairway A was undamaged. 10 minutes later the North Tower collapsed.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
BATMANNo more molds, now they stick this little wand in your mouth and it takes a scan and they print out a 3-D mold of your teeth and proceed to build your new crown on that.
I had the same experience when I got an implant. The dentist said the electronic model is so much more accurate than the old mold-making. He showed me on the large TV screen the resulting 3-D image of my teeth. Pretty amazing.
Wives!
Since the weather has been a little less humid, my wife decided to open the windows in the layout room. Trying to reach the window, she decided to try to move the layout several inches. When I came home, she said that all my trains derailed. She didn't say anymore, and I didn't say anything, either.
Howdy .....
Kevin .... That is a nice message of appreciation for the Forum you wrote.
David ..... Your videos of stations in Swansea and Brighten are interesting.
John York 1 .... The KC station is a great one. I like the Canon City station too.
...
Another station: ...... Cincinnati Union Terminal was completed in 1933 to consolidate several stations in that city. It was served by C&O, B&O, NYC, PRR, N&W, SOU, and L&N. It was a good place for travelers to make connections for trips in the eastern half of USA because of a large number of daily trains. It is a short distance from the Ohio River.
Today, the building is primarily a museum. Amtrak's Cardinal stops there three times each week in esch dirction.
Just posting to say hello, i am still around, just going through some tough days.
MLC, hope things improve for you. Feel free to unload on us if need be.
I am experimenting with an iPhone 8 hand-me-down ( I get all my sons hand-me-downs). I think more light would have made it focus better.
Blew the dust off the Hudsons today.
A funny thing happened when I went to the mail box at the end of my drive...
I saw the neighbor was having forms put in for a concrete driveway. I hollered out to the foreman, "want another job?"
An hour later they were at our place, skid-steer at ready By the end of the afternoon the front of my pole barn looked like this:
Formed_ready by Edmund, on Flickr
Today was a day to play in the mud!
Ready_Mix by Edmund, on Flickr
Fresh_mud by Edmund, on Flickr
Little did I know that I'd have a 20' x 24' concrete pad in less than 48 hours!
Fresh_pour by Edmund, on Flickr
Of course, Wilson oversaw the whole operation. Oh, and the neighbor's $14,000 driveway? As soon as the crew left another neighbor's dog had walked all over the nice, broomed finish. I don't know if they had it repaired ¥ or not
Site_Superintendant by Edmund, on Flickr
Busy times!
From Caribou —
BAR_Caribou by Edmund, on Flickr
to Clovis:
ATSF_26_Clovis by Edmund, on Flickr
Cheers, Ed
¥ I talked to the guys when they came back to cut the control joints and they said they didn't see any dog paw prints
Good morning Diners. A large coffee please, Janie.
Garry Glad you like the stations.
Grand Central Station
Cardiff Central (in Welsh Caerdydd Canolog)
Good Morning Diners! Flo, can I get a ham and cheese omelette please? Thanks.
MLC...Hope things improve for you.
Kevin...Sorry to hear about your SIL. I agree about this group in the diner as well. Great bunch of guys.
Brent...Sounds like a frustrating day at the layout. Hopefully the next time goes better for you. Neat video.
John...Oy vey!
Ed...Looks like Wilson made sure they did a nice job too!
David...Neat videos, as always.
Well, took my oldest daughter to the sugeon yesterday. Not great news, but could have been much worse. The doctor had to re-open the incision and pack it. Now I have to remove that packing for her so she can shower, and re-pack it after she is done. Another follow up in a week to see how it is healing. My first time packing it last night actually went okay. I didn't pass out or anything! I do feel terrible for her though. The pain must be excruciating. Apparently nothing can be done to numb it, and Tylenol/Advil only do so much to cover it up.
Progress being made on the former Michigan Central Station in Detroit. Ford Motor Company bought the building and is restoring it for use (as a research & technology center, I think). Love it!
Water Level RouteThe pain must be excruciating. Apparently nothing can be done to numb it, and Tylenol/Advil only do so much to cover it up.
Mike, my prayers for your daughter and you! Hope she has a good and mostly painless recovery for this. It is so hard to know a loved one is in pain!
“Always do whatever's next.” ― George Carlin
I have a cousin who won't speak to me at all for reasons unknown, but I exchange emails with his son, who was at an Air Force base in Calif, last I knew.
He starts off: "I don't know if you read the news but we just completed the largest airlift"
He doesn't give any details, but it was the best of times and the worst of times. He is relatively safe in an Middle Eastern country.
Howdy ....
Friends and I went to Paducah today, and we went to model train stores. Fun stuff. I acquired some miscellaneous supplies and some used freight cars.
MLC .... Sorry to hear about the tough times. Hopefully, it is a temporary situation. I thought of you while we were in Paducah. If we planned the trip in advance, I would have tried to contact you. Maybe next time we can try to include you.
Mike .... Praying your daughter recovers quickly. The video of Michigan Central Station being restored is very interesting. The building had been a huge eyesore for many years.
Henry .... Too bad about your cousin not speaking with you, but it is good you hear from your nephew.
David .... I've not yet had a chance to view your latest videos.
Ray .... That is a funny quote. Thanks for sharing it.
Ed .... The concrete looks like a big imprivement. I like the photos of BAR and ATSF (The "Clovis Chief")
Everybody ...... Have a nice night.