This was my father
Ricky sorry about your dog, my neighbor's dog had the same thing.
JR congrats
Garry glad you are on the mend.
The guy on the right was my uncle George. He was a tailgunner on a B-26 in Burma. My mother told me he survived after the tail got shot off. None of my other cousins remember that story so it may not be true.
I have doubts about the horse too. Where is the rest of it's body?
I don't know how anyone in combat can hear. At the place I hunt deer last week, there is a rifle range and a rifle going off 200' a way is unpleasantly loud. That is nothing like being in a fire fight, or around cannons tanks and howitzers.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Good evening all.
JR - Congrats on the new grandkid!
No pics of my relatives from wartime, but my Grandpa served on the USS Missouri, along with a few other ships, during both Korea and Nam. He was part of both Operation Wigwam, and a crew that dealt with Agent Orange. My Mom's oldest brother served in the Army at the pentagon in the 80's and early 90's, but was never allowed to talk about what he did, or where, other than "the pentagon".
Doggie - Test results came back, unfortunately it is a malignant tumor. Due to it being extremely aggressive, and it's location, the best we can do is keep him comfortable.
Layout room progress - One wall is completely painted, baseboard trim is up and stained as well. Second wall is primed, prepping a third wall for primer this weekend.
Hope all are well, best wishes to those not well, and hope all enjoy the rest of 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.
Hi, I hope these photos upload ok, since this is my first attempt. The photos are not some of my best and do no justice at all, to this fanatsic Loco. Another example of USA Engineering that helped win the war (Willys MB38's are my first)
In 2015 'Locomotion' museum at Shildon, Co. Durham, England hosted a 70 years-on event and USATC S160 2-8-0 2253 was on loan for display (I think she came from the North Yorks. Moors Railway) Built by Baldwin in 1943, she was sent to England to help in the war effort prior to being shipped to France after D-Day for use there. She was eventually purchased by Polish State Railways, hence for this occaision she displayed British & Polish Flags on her front Buffer-beam.
Other USATC Locos that were used and retained in England were the S100 0-6-0 Side-tanks - used on the Southern Railway.
Before the war, USA Loco design had already greatly influenced British Loco Engineers, and in the duration, RA Riddles designed the War Department (WD) 2-8-0 and the 2-10-0 'Austerities'. The 2-10-0's had a USA style wide Firebox that was over the Plate-frames. From this British Railways developed a range of Standard Class Locos which culminated with the best ever, the BR Standard Class 9F 2-10-0. High Running-plates, Rocking Grates, Self-cleaning Smokeboxes, External Pipework, 2 outside Cylinders, Wal's Valvegear - no frills. But they are still good-looking locos. All alas, came too late in BR history.
You can Google Austerity, BR Std Locos and also H G Ivatt Class 4 Moguls (LMS railway) and can clearly see the American influence in their post-war designs. Paul
"It's the South Shore Line, Jim - but not as we know it".
Good afternoon everyone. I didn't get to my usual morning post -- I'm having a busy day.
Right now, I'm waiting on a tree trimming company that also sells firewood. Since I don't cut and split my own anymore, I'm always on the lookout for good wood.
Our area is just now getting attacked by the emerald ash borer. Since about one-fourth of our trees are ash, we will have a lot of dead trees in the next years. Lots of ash trees are being cut down now, with the result that we can get very good ash firewood. I prefer ash over other wood -- it burns clean, long, and hot.
We love our fireplace, especially on these cold windy days.
I just switched to a new credit card. This one gives cash back. I know I'm a little late to the game, but the kids kept telling me that my I was not taking advantage of the cash on my old card. It's not much cash, but it's nice that for something I was doing anyway, there's a few extra bucks involved.
We normally do not use the charge card for anything except vacations, but we may start using this one for monthly bills since we will get something back.
My reason for bringing it up is that to communicate with the card company, this bank will only text, not email. Since I don't normally have a cell phone, I'm having to use my wife's phone, which I don't like. Modern problems!
Hope everyone is doing well.
York1 John
Good Afternoon,
We have just had the first winter storm this year. Not cold but a fair bit of rain that turned to wet snow and then it got windy. It lasted nearly 2 days. We were up most of the lasr 2 nights knocking snow off a pine tree and a couple of large cedars.
Kevin, interesting photo of your FIL's crew. My sister has the photos of Dad's crew. He was bomb aimer in a Halifax which was about the same size as a B17 but set up for night flying. It had only 2 turrets and a crew of 7.
Perhaps inspired by our current weather, I put my Athearn rotary plow on the rails. I put a decoder in it to control the blade speed. I guess it looks a little silly on a summer themed layout. I don't have room to leave it on a yard siding. Maybe I should sell it as they go for a fair buck on ebay.
J. R., congrats ! Have you ever worked on an AC Bristol?
Lunch time,
CN Charlie
Good evening Diners. A hot chocolate please, Zoe.
After a busy day 'playing taxi' to the family then some shopping to do, a little 'time off' before making dinner.
J.R. Congratulations.
Kevin. An interesting story with a lovely ending.
John. I wonder how many others were affected by the noise of the guns? I bet nothing was actually reported.
The only wartime photograph I have is of my Mother. As she died three days after I was born the picture has been in every wallet I have ever owned.
It is Friday. Our younger Granddaughter is staying for a couple of nights. Burgers with fries etc. are on the menu with Strawberry Trifle to follow.
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 All,
Just a regular to go please Zoe.
Kevin, from the world of coincidence, my father was also a ball turret gunner first on B-17's then B-24's in the Pacific theater. This plane was shot down off the Phillipines and because he had to hand crank the turret back up and put his chute on before bailing out he survived while his crewmates were strafed in their chutes. He was able to make land on Mindanao where he was taken in by local guerillas and hidden until he could be safely taken off the island. He was lucky.
Off to the hospital. Turns out my daughter has given birth to a healty baby girl albeit 11 weeks early. Both are ok and we get to go visit today. Best, J.R.
Hi Kevin, There were so many tragic events concerning the losses incurred by USAAF crews on missions over Europe (day or nighttime) so that we could keep our freedom. It must be great being able to see the aeroplane like that, after all those years since. Paul
LazersHi Kevin, I spent some time studying this photo. The Faces and expressions, stance and different levels of Uniform and Rank. I don't think any Film Producer could capture that moment in time - if they tried, in a million years.
Paul, there are only 9 crewmen in the picture. The story I was told was that picture was taken following the mission where the tailgunner was killed by flak. Mary Alice was rebuilt with a new Cheyenne tail turret after that happened. While the plane was getting repaired, my father-in-law flew 2 missions on Cincinatti Sleigh Ride.
This allowed him to complete his tour before the rest of the Mary Alice crew, but he flew the last two missions with them. He was almost killed on his 32nd mission that he did not even need to be on.
He was stuck in the belly turret with a chest wound when the plane bounced off the English Channel. He rode to base clinging to the broken frame of the turret. He spent six months in an Army Hospital when he returned home.
Another tailgunner was killed on that mission as well.
He named his most beautiful baby daughter Mary Alice, and I married her.
- - - - - - - - - -
The World Is A Beautiful Place.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
LazersMy wife and I were visiting Holy Island today, which lies off the Northumberland coast and is only accessible by road, over a Causeway at low tide.
Paul, that's another place I've wanted to visit. I don't think I'll make it, but I love looking at pictures of the castle.
SeeYou190 The 11th of Nevember. I share this picture every year... My father-in-law with the rest of the B-17 crew: -Kevin
The 11th of Nevember.
I share this picture every year... My father-in-law with the rest of the B-17 crew:
Hi Kevin, I spent some time studying this photo. The Faces and expressions, stance and different levels of Uniform and Rank. I don't think any Film Producer could capture that moment in time - if they tried, in a million years.
Same with John's photo of his Father.
My wife and I were visiting Holy Island today, which lies off the Northumberland coast and is only accessible by road, over a Causeway at low tide. We were right by the War Memorial when I saw the Poppies and suddenly remembered the date and thought of the sacrifice made by so many. Paul
Here's a picture of my father. He was in command of this gun crew, and they made it all the way into Germany.
He's holding his ear -- when he came home he never heard out of that ear again.
The 11th of November.
Good morning, diners. David, thanks for the drink.
It was a cold and windy walk this morning, as a cold front swept through. This evening we will dip down to 17° before we begin a slow warming.
Ed, thanks for the neat posters. Interesting to read.
I have kind of a weird family story. My maternal grandfather came to the U.S. from Germany early in the 1900s as a teenager, leaving his entire family behind. He married here, and began farming. Meanwhile, back in Germany, his younger brother joined the German army.
During WWI, his younger German brother was fighting against my grandfather's adopted country, the U.S. The brother was killed, just weeks before the war ended.
My grandfather never went back to Germany for a visit, but his father did come to visit his son in the U.S. during the 1920s.
Hope everyone has a good day today.
Someday I'd like to model a hospital train. I have the Mohawk and a bunch of troop sleepers but no Hospital Cars.
NYC_War_Hospital by Edmund, on Flickr
An old friend of mine, Art Davis, owned a few Hospital cars. They could be bought for scrap price back in the late '60s. I think some went to the Monon and others to the Alaska Railroad.
Cheers Ed.
Good morning everyone.
Ed, didn't know about that film. Another one to add to my list.
No news is good news from my end of the line today.
Troop train movement in WWII:
Mike
It's five o'clock somewhere so I'll have one of what David is having.
For those who served, thank you, today is your day. Remembrance Day, Armistice Day, Veterans Day, too many memories for too many people. J.R.
Good morning Diners. I hope you are all well.
Tea and toast please, Zoe.
Vintage Southern Railway Film. 'Ladies Only' 1943
Today is 'Armistice Day'.
In ocean wastes no poppies blow,No crosses stand in ordered row,There young hearts sleep… beneath the wave…The spirited, the good, the brave,But stars a constant vigil keep,For them who lie beneath the deep.‘Tis true you cannot kneel in prayerOn certain spot and think. “He’s there.”But you can to the ocean go…See whitecaps marching row on row;Know one for him will always ride…In and out… with every tide.And when your span of life is passed,He’ll meet you at the “Captain’s Mast.”And they who mourn on distant shoreFor sailors who’ll come home no more,Can dry their tears and pray for theseWho rest beneath the heaving seas…For stars that shine and winds that blowAnd whitecaps marching row on row.And they can never lonely beFor when they lived… they chose the sea.
'We Will Remember Them'
Edit; Top of the Page
A bottle for everyone as we remember the fallen.
A salute to all Veterans out there
My dad served for just over six years having volunteered for the Massachusetts Army reserve for two years prior to his four year stint in the regular army.
There he is, right, um, there...
JJT_181st-inf by Edmund, on Flickr
Oh yeah —
JJT_181crop by Edmund, on Flickr
To all the allied defenders of freedom, I salute you.
Joseph Ambrose, WWI by Edmund, on Flickr
My son gave me a copy of this a few years back. What a fascinating look at the Great War:
* Thanks, Kevin. I have a few more coming over the next week or so.
Cheers, Ed
In 1922 the Canadian Pacific commissioned sculptor Coeur de Lion McCarthy to craft a memorial to the CPR employees who fell in WWI. Three were made and placed in Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Montreal.
Canadian Pacific has been touched by the tragic impacts of World War I and World War II. Over 33 thousand CP employees served in the last century’s two world wars. Sadly, 1,774 employees died in battle. In the two World Wars combined, 24 of 74 CP ships were lost to enemy action. In the air, CP pioneered the transatlantic delivery of bombers to Britain. At home, Canadian Pacific’s efforts included transporting troops, supplies and equipment in addition to making its shops available for the output of Valentine tanks, engines for frigates and landing craft, naval vessel power equipment components, naval guns, anti-submarine devices and fire-control equipment.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Ed: Thank you for sharing the NYC Troop Train poster. That was all very interesting.
A visit to the dentist today, no issues. Still pretty decent weather and an opportunity to chop up some leaves with the Deere. Maybe tomorrow I'll hook up the vacuum trailer and Hoover all the clippings for the compost pile.
NYC_War_Troop by Edmund, on Flickr
A few weeks ago I ordered some speakers for HO engines from a fellow in Marion, Ohio, that other users have praised. I was convinced that they are excellent and make a very noticable difference in sound output. My second order arrived today so now I have speakers to swap out in about two-dozen locos .
Good Morning,
Garry, glad to hear you are on the mend.
Ricky, hope your pooch is ok. They always look sad wearing a cone.
A very busy day here yesterday. We worked about 6 hours getting the back yard ready for winter. It got dark and we finished with a flashlight. The pond is pumped, garden furniture stored, and soil emptied from 30 pots. I was exhausted when that was all done. I don't have the stamina I used to. We are expecting a storm here. It is raining lightly but will turn to snow tonight.
Not much new. A good day to run trains.
Good morning, diners. Black coffee, please.
It's supposed to rain today, so the outdoor projects will wait. The temps are in the 40s, so no snow worries yet.
It's always good to hear from diners who haven't posted in a while.
My wife is on the warpath. We have raccoons that raid her bird feeders each night. She doesn't mind them eating seeds, but they clean out the suet and woodpecker bars in one night.
She has run a cable between two trees, and has hung the six feeders on the cable. She believes the raccoons won't be able to navigate the cable. She doesn't mind the squirrels.
I told her I can solve the problem in two minutes, but she doesn't think much of my idea.
Good morning everyone. I am starting out the day with coffee, orange juice, and a bowl of Wheat Chex cereal as soon as Chloe returns.
One week now until the countertops arrive for the closets, and I can get moving again. Hitting a dead spot on house renovation wiork has been tedious. I need to get back at it.
I am doing yard maintenance today before heading to work. I am going th fertilize all the trees and straighten out the rock gardens.
Garry: I am relieved and joyed that you are improving.
I hope everyone is well.
Water Level RouteNo turkeys, just a big empty cooler. Was told once upon a time that Tuesdays were restock days. This can't be good.
I have not been to the grocery store in two weeks. While my wife was in Ohio I just scrounged what we had on hand. Since she has been back she has not been feeling well, so more scrounging in the pantry. It is amazing how much stuff we had stocked up for just the two of us.
hon30critterYou are most welcome to join us!
Brent, that video reminds me of Top Gear (BBC, not the other ones). They've done races like that with both cars & trailers, and racing motorhomes. Great stuff!
David, what a great surprise! Nice you got to have one early too.
When we ordered our groceries this last weekend, I ordered two turkeys for Thanksgiving like always. A big one to roast, and a smaller one to smoke. Got two small ones and told they were out of the large ones. Figured it was because we ordered for pickup Sunday evening. Ran out there last night. No turkeys, just a big empty cooler. Was told once upon a time that Tuesdays were restock days. This can't be good.
Tea and toast please, Janie.
Listening to my favourite piece of Classical Music. Dvorak's Symphony Number 9.
Yesterday I received a parcel of model railway carriages. My daughter, Julia, demanded they were put away as they are a Christmas present from her. I was allowed one to run on the layout now.
Dawn is being ruthless. She is getting rid of some old things. I was worried!!! Then she said getting rid of things not touched for over a year.
U.S. Naval Railway Battery at Verdun 1918. (Enhanced Colorisation).
Dreadnought Railway Artillery Guns
Thoughts & Prayers to All who Require.
Hello Railfans!
Top of the evening to yas! Hope everyone is atleast shiny side up. If not, hope you make back into the fast lane soon!
Just wanted to stop by and say howdy. Catch up on the posts, see what i been missing.
Furnace been running about two weeks now here. I guess our cold has done snapped cuz its gonna get alot cooler from here on out.
Not much going on in the train dept., so nothing to report there.
Have a great evening folks!
Clear Ahead!
Douglas
Good evening everybody.
My air conditioner just kicked on for the first time in three days. I guess the cold snap is over.
Water Level RouteSo what time do I need to show up to get some? Every iteration of that sounds good!
Hi Mike,
My family's Christmas dinner is on November 27. You are most welcome to join us! However, you may want to hold off until next year given that this is my first attempt at making a Christmas pudding. I figure that, no matter how bad it might turn out, all I have to do is pour more sauce on top. The brandy should cure all ills!
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!