Good morning from the sunny Pacific Rim.
TF, I am saddened to hear of your sweetie CC getting covid. I am sending all the positive energy I can muster her way. A cutie pie like that does not deserve such a thing.
Daughter is home and the house is full of music as she has sat down at the grand piano. I cannot get enough of listening to her. She turns twenty this week so it is a bit of a bash for her tonight on the spur of the moment as we didn't know she was coming home until she was on the way.
Well, the verdict is in on the leaf blower. I should have got one years ago. My roof is 6000 sqft and I use to get up and spend a couple of hours using a broom to get all the crap off it. Yesterday I had the entire thing blown off in 5 minutes down to the lawn where the Deere then turned it to dust. My cement driveway is 4000sqft and I use to have to use the pressure washer to unglue all the wet leaves and that took a couple of hours as well. A five-minute walk down the driveway blew them onto the lawn where the John Deere then turned them to dust. The same with all the decks and patio. It was done so fast I didn't get to play with my new toy very long.
Kevin, that was kind of cool meeting forum members at the store. I was at PWRS once when Jason Shron was there doing meet and greet and a bunch of us were talking forums. There were 14 of us there and not one was a member of the MRR forum other than me.
Those Maxda MX-5s are a lot of fun to rip around in. I had an opportunity to drive one on a few occasions. I had a 1990 RX-7 TurboII for 14 years and it was a sad day when I sold it. When kid #2 arrived it was time.
Had our first frost and it is stunning outside. This time of year is perfect hiking weather so it will be off into the forest for a few kms today.
My daughter belongs to a cosplay club at University and has been making stuff as Kevin does but she has been using the University 3D printers. She made some superheros arm that is quite amazing. She made it in parts and glued them together. She said Dad if we buy you a 3D printer for Christmas, can I use it? Sounds like a deal to me.
Have not heard from Garry in a few days, hope he is doing okay.
We need a theme or destination for next month, I have made a couple of suggestions and Rich has as well. I don't care what we do or where we go so long as the coffee is hot in the diner.
Time to get the hiking boots on and get going.
All the best to all.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Track fiddlerPrayers needed for my little great niece CC.
TF, I will keep CC (and your whole Family) in my prayers for a quick recovery with no lasting problems!
BTW, what a cute and sweet looking young lady!
Blessings! 73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Good morning
Sounds delightful your daughter moved back and now you two can spend more time together Kevin.
As it turns out my oldest daughter moved closer to town this spring and now they both only live about 15 minutes from me.
A few weekend's ago we all three went to a gravel pit agate hunting, they both still like to do that. A couple evenings ago I took my oldest out for ice cream.
Prayers needed for my little great niece CC. She caught the covid at school that's spreading. She developed a respiratory complication RSV on top of it and not doing well. It is my belief as happy as she always is with her love of life, she will snap out of this.
TF
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Back at home from a day in Orlando.
I stopped by Colonial Photo and Hobby, and actualy met TWO FORUM USERS in the store purely by chance. I just mentioned "STRATTON AND GILLETTE", and one guy said "are you Kevin?" Then the other came over and introduced himself. Both of these guys are new users (and to be honest, I don't remember one of their handles), but now I have met two more of us.
I guess it has been a while since I posted a picture of myself in here. Neither or them had seen what I look like.
We took my daughter out for dinner and a couple of her friends, one of the forum members I met, and his son joined us.
We had some great conversation. It has been a long time since I had a get-together dinner with so much entertaining conversation. Topics ranged from Civil War reenactments to classic car floormats. Really.
My Baby-Baby sold EVERYTHING she owned in California, and flew home with nothing. She has already bought a new car, a Mazda MX-5, and some furniture and settled into an apartment. She has a good job already, and she seems very happy.
She is hanging out with the same girls she was friends with before she moved away, and that is great. I really like her group of friends.
We ate at a Diner up North of the Orlando International Airport that was excellent. We were out of the deck, and the night was simply perfect.
This was a truly great day.
My younger sister and her husband went to the Rolling Stones concert in Tampa tonight. I don't know how they managed to get tickets.
The World Is A Beautiful Place.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Good evening
Have a great time on your get-a-way John. I hope you have fun!
That is one fine piece of craftsmanship on your Bridge right there Ray. And you even painted it after you finished the fabrication TF likes it Nice!
Great job on the lawn Brent! That Deere is quite the mulcher. I bet you might even of had fun driving and letting that Green Machine do all the work. That's the way it's supposed to be!
Have fun visiting with your daughter this weekend Here's the view out the front of my want-to-be Batmobile
Have a great evening guys
I have just over an acre in grass and it was a sea of leaves. The John Deere earned its keep and once again the rake did not leave the shed. No Golden Retrievers were harmed in the vapourizing of the leaves.
Before
After
Daughter just informed us she is coming home for the weekend and is on the ferry. To the Batmobile!
Afternoon Folks!
At the risk of boring everyone greatly..... Here are "in progress" photos of the "curved" girder Bridge on my SLO&W Layout. I used the same basic design used for the small bridge I posted a couple days ago...
Basic assembled girder panels...
Some shots with rivet details added...
Assembled sections of bridge...
Painted...
Ties in place...
Track laid down...
Bridge in place on layout...
I have a temporary bridge (basically a strip of plywood...) on the layout to finish the span which is on an upper loop (been there too long) that when finished with another bridge, will complete the scene. Safety guard rails will be installed when I make the other permanent bridge and will span both bridges.
Maybe this winter I will get back to work and finish the scene???
Another suggestion for November's theme could be trains and troops/ military. Given November 11th is coming up. It could include the railway's contributions in times of conflict.
Good morning, everyone.
Just a quick note -- we're heading out of town. I will check in later if I can get the forum on the phone.
Wherever we decide to park the diner next month is fine with me.
Trackside buildings sound interesting.
York1 John
Enjoyed some Mike Armstrong videos over coffee. I thought Trains and Bridges would be a good one to share for bridge month. Enjoy
I had fun riding this one from the video in Duluth.
One of my favorites. I've had my eyes out for this model for years but I'm afraid she doesn't exist.
Have a great day gentlemen
I just opened Weekend Photo Fun. I shared what I believe is the oldest picture of any STRATTON AND GILLETTE railroad equipment.
My daughter has moved back to Orlando from California. It is nice having one of them back near home. We are going to O-Town to see her tomorrow. That is going to be very nice.
Brent and Rich,
I like your ideas. Perhaps we could include pictures of models that the Forum members have made to copy real lineside structures.
What do others think?
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
hon30critter I guess it's time to ask that question again. Does anyone have any suggestions for the theme for the November Diner? We got a lot of great responses about bridges in October.
I guess it's time to ask that question again. Does anyone have any suggestions for the theme for the November Diner? We got a lot of great responses about bridges in October.
Rich
Alton Junction
hon30critter Does anyone have any suggestions for the theme for the November Diner?
How about trackside structures that aren't stations or depots?
I just put all my new Scalecoat paints away. I think I should have nearly all the paint I will ever need.
Scalecoat and Floquil:
Testors and Model Master:
Dullcote:
At one time, I was going to use MILWAUKEE Orange as my standard color for STRATTON AND GILLETTE refrigerated boxcars. I have since decided to use SOUTHERN PACIFIC light daylight orange for my reefers.
If anyone needs a bottle of Scalecoat II MILWAUKEE Orange, just send me an email or PM.
York1 Any ideas on where we'll be eating in November?
Hi John,
I guess it's time to ask that question again. Does anyone have any suggestions for the theme for the November Diner? We got a lot of great responses about bridges in October. Thanks everyone!
Should we go back to our previous practice of choosing a specific location, or should we work with a scenario like we did with the bridges in October? Let's hear what you have to say.
I will move the Diner unless someone else would like to do it. It's pretty easy to do.
Cheers!!
York1 TF, that boiler room looks very good. Do they require you to have the boiler inspected every year?
TF, that boiler room looks very good. Do they require you to have the boiler inspected every year?
Good day eh.
It sure has been wet for the last 24 hrs and we are to get another 60mm tonight and then sunshine for several days.
I have lived here for almost 26 years without a leaf blower but I broke down and bought a Stihl today. Age makes you buy those kinds of things. The leaves usually get mulched over a few weeks as they fall but that storm made them all fall in a few hours and I think it will be interesting getting them all taken care of. I have never raked a leaf in my life, it was always mulch them.
Sad to see that mango tree come down, what a shame.
The guy down the street from me had a company put up his Christmas lights yesterday, talk about early. There were four guys working all day and it lights up a huge area around his house there are so many lights. December 1, is the day I flick the switch, never earlier. I use to be one of those guys that measured Christmas spirit by total wattage and use to get listed in the paper as a house to drive by. Another thing age took care of, plus moving to the boonies no one but me would see them but I still did it when the kids were young.
That ship that supposedly lost 40 containers actually lost 109. They quickly posted a large bond for recovery and the fire fighting and environmental cleanup as it caught fire. The last time we had a similar incident the ship skipped town without paying, the government waited and seized several of their ships when the company happened to have a few in port all at the same time. Since then companies are very quick to pay up. The way it should be.
Rapido put out a mini sneak preview video of their D10. I have two on order and I may grab a third once I see how the two I get perform.
https://www.facebook.com/rapidotrains/videos/409788230605701
The kid had a rough week at work and called to chat. It makes me feel pretty good that I am always the one he calls when he needs an ear to bend. He has been picking up some hockey tickets for us to go to a few games this year, I'll buy the prime rib and beer.
The dinner gong is going and then it is the Canucks and Flyers.
The Canucks outdid themselves with the home opener video this year after 591 days of no hockey at home.
Ed, the birds may have moved a little west to us.
Our feeders are inundated with Cardinals, Blue Jays, and several types of Woodpeckers. We have even had some Juncos, which are here early for us.
My wife finally strung up the feeders onto some small steel cables between trees. The squirrels still get to the feeders, which we don't mind, but it has stopped the raccoons -- at least for a while. They don't seem to be able to walk on the cable the way the squirrels do.
She won't let me take care of the raccoons permanently.
Fix-R-Upper:
The Little Engine That Couldn't by jgurbisz, on Flickr
My neighbors were here when we moved in in 1984 (we're the new family). That's about as stable as I could ask for!
Still no birds at my feeders. I refilled them with fresh sunflower seed last week and they are still filled to the top. Suet cakes haven't even been nibbled at! I've never seen anything like this. Last week I did see ONE Blue Jay.
Most of the trees around me are still mostly green or just beginning to turn yellow. By this time of year usually 70-80% of the leaves have fallen.
Cheers, Ed
Water Level RouteStores are starting this stuff much earlier this year and I've heard rumblings from various sources there is concern about maintaining stocks this year through the current logistics crunch.
The story I have heard (which has no authentication) is the opposite. We did not have room at the warehouse for all the stuff that was over-ordered, and they sent it out to the stores early. The prices on battery operated tools are very low, and we have SO MANY stored in the overhead bin locations. We actualy have over 200 in stock already of the Milwaukee impact driver/drill $199.00 combo pack. Most other items are the same.
We can't get animated Santas, but tools are way overstocked from what people are saying.
My neighbor three houses down is having her ancient Mango tree removed! This thing must have produced 100 pounds of mangoes a year. It was the biggest mango tree I have ever seen. It was mature when I bought my house over 20 years ago.
I talked to the widow that lives in the house. She is selling the house and moving to an assisted living facility. She had Covid-19 last year, and is having lingering health effects. She is oxygen dependent now and needs to move on.
Her realtor told her that the Mango Tree was not a positive feature for buyers, so she is having it replaced with a Palm Tree. What? Who doesn't want a productive Mango Tree? That makes no sense to me.
I don't like getting new neighbors, and I hate losing good ones. I'm not fond of the loss of beautiful old trees either.
SeeYou190people are panic-buying Christmas supplies. For some reason, no one is buying lights.
For some reason, no one is buying lights.
SeeYou190Our "Black Friday" tool specials are out on display already.
Mike
Water Level RouteSadly, I've started my Christmas shopping. Not that I wanted to, but with all the shipping issues going on lately I guess it's the thing to do this year.
I don't know how much of the supply issues are true, but I do know this... people are panic-buying Christmas supplies.
At work, we are sold out of normal ornaments, tree toppers, wrapping paper, animated Santas, Nativities, and lots more. We got in about 200 trees originally, all sold in a couple of days. We have been getting in about 50 a day, and they sell quickly. When I left yesterday, the only tree we had was the 9 1/2 foot tall skinny model.
For some reason, no one is buying lights. We have hundreds, maybe thousands, of boxes of lights. There is also no interest in oversized ornaments for outside trees.
Our "Black Friday" tool specials are out on display already.
Good morning, everyone. Bacon, eggs, and coffee, please, Flo.
The rain is finished, the cold air has moved in, the trees are beautiful, and fireplaces are making the air smell wonderful; this is a great time of year -- my favorite.
After Saturday, I think my life will calm down a little. The Husker game Saturday should be fairly nice weather, and when I get home, the temps will be dropping and I get to bring in firewood for our first fireplace fire of the season.
Lion, our school's boiler finally gave up the ghost about two years before I retired. We had to pay to have the boiler cut apart and taken out. It wasn't an easy job.
I don't have any more bridge pictures. Any ideas on where we'll be eating in November?
I agree that we have quite a few members with health concerns either for themselves or for family members. Charlie, take care of yourself. I'm thinking of you.
Good health or not, I hope everyone has a good day.
Track fiddlerIs she doing any better yet I hope?
Good morning Mike
I feel the same way about it. Christmas shopping will consist of e-bay and PayPal this year. Still quite shy to go around people yet considering.
Still pulling for you and your daughter. Is she doing any better yet I hope?
Good morning all. Flo, I'll take a cup of coffee. Leave the pot.
Found my bottle of Bullfrog Snot last night and applied it to the Trix Mikado, so should have the utter lack of pulling power solved. Next is to figure out that front coupler replacement. Looks like it's going to be a PITA.
Sadly, I've started my Christmas shopping. Not that I wanted to, but with all the shipping issues going on lately I guess it's the thing to do this year. Luckily, I got everything that I bought on sale, so I guess the timing is better than I thought. Online retailers are offering really good sales early this year. I guess they've heard the same thing.
gmpullman Alberta. Quite a kit! Lethbridge_Alberta_1905 by Edmund, on Flickr
Alberta. Quite a kit!
Lethbridge_Alberta_1905 by Edmund, on Flickr
Bridges: Pittsburgh!
Pittsburgh by Edmund, on Flickr
Even a town named High Bridge:
Kentucky_River_Highbridge2 by Edmund, on Flickr
Kentucky River:
Kentucky_River_Highbridge by Edmund, on Flickr