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THE FLAT WHEEL CAFE Locked

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Posted by Deggesty on Sunday, January 11, 2009 5:46 PM

Brain, I'm glad to hear that you are doing well.

High twenties with heavy overcast and no precipitation promised this morning. We had a few flakes of snow fall on us on our way to church, but none since. No precipitation is promised this week; only cold (twenties-thirties).

North Georgia can be cold--and when I went down to Albany a couple of weekends one winter, it was chilly there. At least there was no snow or ice down there.

Johnny

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Posted by cherokee woman on Sunday, January 11, 2009 5:46 PM

Brian, that will be fine.  No need to hurry, though, on my account.  Just very glad that you are feeling so much better!! 

Mutt has supper ready:  his spaghetti casserole, with garlic bread, and a nice garden salad.  

For dessert:  I spent the afternoon baking some cherry pies for tonight, and this week.  And, there's plenty of vanilla, neopolitan, and peach ice cream to go with the pies.

Randy, hope they have your load ready for you in the morning.  If they don't, I know you'll be very, very upset with them.

I think they're calling for us to have a few snow flurries tonight, but no snow showers until Tuesday night, Wednesday morning.  Then, very cold, freezing temps for the rest of the week.  You all enjoy your supper, have a good evening, and stay warm and take care.

 

Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
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Posted by blhanel on Sunday, January 11, 2009 5:07 PM

cherokee woman

Brian, how are you doing?  Hope you're on the road to a full recovery!  And I'd be very interested if you can get a photo of that house design you all have been discussing on here.  

I'm feeling absolutely marvelous, and I've dropped close to 20 pounds since Christmas.  I'll try and get a cell-phone shot of one of those homes when I go to a doctor's appointment Tuesday- otherwise all my daylight hours are spoken for by my employer.

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Posted by Mookie on Sunday, January 11, 2009 4:44 PM

Yo Joe!  Got the 2 CSX doubleheading an MT coal train and the one KCS dpu on an MT coal that you sent.  They had snow on them.  Boo Hiss.....Please brush before sending.  Thank you

Also had a lot of coal coming and going, one grain train headed west (looked MT) an a 79 car tanker train placard 1987 - alcohol of some sort.  Good day at the tracks!

I will go find a fork to help Randy with his comfort food.  Just about anything is good with me.  Dinner

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Posted by rvos1979 on Sunday, January 11, 2009 3:48 PM

Jay:

My sister thinks the same way about the skills (or lack thereof) of the city of Burlington snow crews......

As for my dispatcher, he has some 'splainin' to do tomorrow, seems that the load that, according to the info I got off my Qualcomm, was supposed to load this afternoon, I got down there at noon and found out it will not load till Monday.Banged Head  I was not amused.....

Some 'comfort food' sounds good tonight.....   

Randy Vos

"Ever have one of those days where you couldn't hit the ground with your hat??" - Waylon Jennings

"May the Lord take a liking to you and blow you up, real good" - SCTV

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Posted by jeaton on Sunday, January 11, 2009 1:24 PM

Randy

I'd offer to help your folks, but there isn't any room to put additional snow in Delavan. 

Yesterday, drove down to meet my daughter for a birthday lunch at a restaurant near the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort.  Took Route 12 through Fox Lake, then 60-83 over to Route 21 through the snow.  Trip reminded me that snow plowing anywhere in Lake County (IL) is a joke.  Going back took I94 to Route 50.  Much better trip.

More snow due tomorrow then a week of very cold.  Good time to be very nice to your dispatcher.

Jay

"We have met the enemy and he is us." Pogo Possum "We have met the anemone... and he is Russ." Bucky Katt "Prediction is very difficult, especially if it's about the future." Niels Bohr, Nobel laureate in physics

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Posted by rvos1979 on Sunday, January 11, 2009 9:30 AM

Morning everyone.....

Glad I got stuck down in Georgia when that snow came through, called my parents yesterday, they got about 14 inches, plus the weathermen goofed on the track, so weren't expecting it.  Dad had fun with his ATV plowing the snow, although if we get much more, mom won't be able to see out the kitchen window.

About 40 down in Cartersville at the moment, will leave for Atlanta in a while, my glass bottle load should be ready by then, then up to Ohio's largest brewery in Trenton.  Freight has been very bad lately, my dispatcher said that we had about 60 or so trucks sitting in Georgia waiting on loads.

See everyone later....    

Randy Vos

"Ever have one of those days where you couldn't hit the ground with your hat??" - Waylon Jennings

"May the Lord take a liking to you and blow you up, real good" - SCTV

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, January 11, 2009 9:17 AM

The temp stayed above zero (barely) last night, but the fringes of the storm that gave folks to the south of us fits left about 3" in my driveway.  Was up at 5 because of an ambulance call, so I fired up the ol' snowblower and cleared it out.   I could have shovelled it, but that's not why I got the snowblower....

LarryWhistling
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Posted by Modelcar on Sunday, January 11, 2009 8:33 AM

.....Believe we're in the lucky area of this midwest area for current weather.....Further north, they seem to have had more than their share of snow, etc...

This morning we have just very light snow flurries and that has covered over the smooth ice on our streets.  Still not that good, but so much better than the sheer ice we were covered with yesterday.  Didn't leave our home yesterday but today we'll carefully head to church....about 12 min. away in a normal drive.

27 degrees min. now and not to get much warmer today.

Starting Wednesday, we'll start to receive the massive cold blast coming down from Alaska and it is to extend far south and last into the weekend.

Below zero temps are forecast for several of those days.

This is the heart of winter.....We're below the avg. snow fall so far this season by quite a bit but the extreme cold air is on the way.  Certainly, with that kind of conditions....we'll not be seeing sleet or pure ice coming down in rain form, etc....Some snow off and on for next few days, but the most I've heard anyone say is coming is roughly a max of 2"...So that part of it isn't bad.

People just north of our state {and some of extreme north Indiana}, have been dumped on with snow...Family members in southern Michigan report over 11" last evening.

Quentin

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Posted by cherokee woman on Sunday, January 11, 2009 6:01 AM

Good Sunday morning, everyone.  Joe, thanks so much for getting breakfast this morning.  Those cinnamon rolls really smell great this morning, too.  We have a current temp of 31 degrees, no rain, no snow, just a tad bit cold this morning.  Supposed to only get to 34, maybe 35 degrees today.  But, are supposed to see some sun later on. 

Brian, how are you doing?  Hope you're on the road to a full recovery!  And I'd be very interested if you can get a photo of that house design you all have been discussing on here.  

Later on today, Mutt will be doing the cooking.  He's going to be making his spaghetti casserole, and Sarah and I can hardly wait!  Of course, I will help him a little bit with it, but he mostly makes it on his own.  Wish we had the ingredients for him to make/bake his mince meat bars.  Those are pretty good, too.

Everyone have a good day, stay warm, and take care.

Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
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Posted by JoeKoh on Sunday, January 11, 2009 5:08 AM

good morning

the snow is done for now.going to dig out here in a little bit.had a surprise last night in the playoffs.We'll see who wins today.Juice coffee hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls are ready to go.

stay safe

joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

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Posted by Modelcar on Saturday, January 10, 2009 9:54 PM

switch7frg
Quentin; I also remember the Lustron Homes . There is still 5 of these homes on rt. 68 in north Xenia Ohio

Cannonball.....If you remember the streets in Muncie, the one I mentioned is located just {north}, off 12th {Memorial Dr}, just a bit east of Walnut st.  I drove by it about a year ago and it appeared to have folks living in it.

Quentin

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Posted by switch7frg on Saturday, January 10, 2009 9:17 PM

Quentin; I also remember the Lustron Homes . There is still 5 of these homes on rt. 68 in north Xenia Ohio . There are 3 w/o garage an 2 with single car. They are pastel yellow  light green and gray. Even today , with all the new homes in the area still look great.  Been layin' up close to home this week . Trying to get severe virus out of puter, can't E Mail. Not much casual freight this wk. to El Paso or ABQ. Is a good time to hop on the Verde Valley Scenic RR. Lotsa rain and wind  here in this area ( I17&rt.69 and Prescott .  low 26deg. / h.75deg.  Stay warm & dry~~~ Respectfully, Cannonball

Y6bs evergreen in my mind

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Posted by blhanel on Saturday, January 10, 2009 8:55 PM

Modelcar

Mookie
Quite diverse in his hobbies; we have the book he wrote on Lustron houses, built out of steel right after World War II

 

Lustron Homes......Yes, an interest of mine over past years.  Steel sections plated with porcelain was the constructuion material.

Believe there were two options of size...one included a garage....$8,000 and the other around $11,000 for the complete home.

I know where there still is one here in Muncie.  The history of the homes have a "cult" following.

Hmmm, if those are what I think they are, we have four of them in Cedar Rapids... I'll have to get a picture of one of them and post it.

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Posted by tree68 on Saturday, January 10, 2009 8:09 PM

Mookie
Tree!  A CONE!  I read it really fast and thought you said a CANE! 

Must..........stop..........laughing..............and..................catch...............breath.............

LarryWhistling
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Posted by Modelcar on Saturday, January 10, 2009 7:34 PM

Mookie
Quite diverse in his hobbies; we have the book he wrote on Lustron houses, built out of steel right after World War II

 

Lustron Homes......Yes, an interest of mine over past years.  Steel sections plated with porcelain was the constructuion material.

Believe there were two options of size...one included a garage....$8,000 and the other around $11,000 for the complete home.

I know where there still is one here in Muncie.  The history of the homes have a "cult" following.

Quentin

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Posted by Mookie on Saturday, January 10, 2009 7:26 PM

Tree!  A CONE!  I read it really fast and thought you said a CANE! 

Boy, the eyes are the first to go!

Blindfold

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Posted by Mookie on Saturday, January 10, 2009 7:24 PM

baberuth73

Speaking of reading, I bought a book yesterday that may interest you and any other Carolina railfans that have an interest in the early days of railroading. It is entitled "The Charleston and Hamburg, a South Carolina Railroad and an American Legacy"  published in 2008 and authored by Thomas Fetters. I mistakenly thought I was knowledgable about this railroad but as I read I realize how misinformed I was. Why, I'd never even heard of the "Aiken Planes" ! 

 Baberuth73 -  I have some information for you from another forum reader:  "Tom Fetters is a past president of the Lombard Historical Society, and a bit of a railfan (though not so knowledgeable on the nuts and bolts of going out and looking at the trains).  Quite diverse in his hobbies; we have the book he wrote on Lustron houses, built out of steel right after World War II (Lombard has/had more of these than any other place).  He also likes old-time radio shows.  He's quite well informed about the Carolinas, but I don't know his actual connection with that region.

So, knowing how Tom operates when it comes to research, and his passionate interest in the things he writes about, I'm not surprised that people are learning from his books."

You can contact Carl in the Lounge if you would like further information.

Mookie

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Posted by cherokee woman on Saturday, January 10, 2009 6:43 PM

There's some mighty good reading on here this afternoon/evening.  Very interesting!!  

Sarah took me grocery shopping this afternoon, to a different place.  I'm kind of getting burned out with our neighborhood Kroger.  So, it was a very nice change of place for grocery shopping.    Here's our Pizza Fest menu for tonight:

1.  Anchovie; 2.  Cheese w/extra cheese; 3.  Goetta; 4.  Hawaiian; 5.  Pepperoni/mushroom; 6.  supreme; 7.  Italian sausage calzones; 

And, for mudchicken, a couple of plain hot dogs.  

Everybody stay warm tonight, enjoy your pizzas, and take care.  

Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
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Posted by tree68 on Saturday, January 10, 2009 6:22 PM

I'm well aware of the whole cat-on-top-of-you thing - we had cats for a number of years. 

The old girl doesn't sleep on the bed any more (she's getting very sensitive in her old age), and it's bad enough that the Dal likes to "cuddle."  If the sides of the waterbed didn't hold me in, there would be times I'd find myself on the floor....

The Dal will be going in for his operation (hind leg has a growth) this month and will probably come home with a cone, so he can't chew on the stitches.  It will mean some interesting encounters with the dog door - I'll probably have to keep the inside door shut so he has to ask to go out.

Stored cars - a shortline near me is storing cars for CSX - upwards of 1000 on a couple of otherwise unused lines.  They don't get paid a lot for each car, but multiply it by 1000 and it adds up in a hurry.  They've had some interesting experiences putting the cars where they are, as it involves some long pushes of long strings of cars.

LarryWhistling
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Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
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Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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Posted by Mookie on Saturday, January 10, 2009 4:12 PM

MC - Poor Gus!  If you want to drop him off here for awhile, I would babysit him until he is well.  Having met Gus, he's da man! 

I saw a german shephard walking his master today, carrying a stick in his mouth and trying to get thru his front gate.  Just a little bit too long.  Shades of Gus and his door.

They are starting to store a line or 2-3 of cars down by the depot.  There is extra trackage there right now and it is gradually filling up more all the time.  However, coal is still king and ran back and forth today for several hours.  Only one grain train and no freights;

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by Modelcar on Saturday, January 10, 2009 3:54 PM

mudchicken
Predict newswire will pick up over the hysteria on the other side of town (Thornton) over the whining of NIMBY's over stored cars on the UP Welby Branch

 

.....Already happening in our area.....A town near here {south},  has a very long line of stored auto carriers and it even made our local paper several days ago....Photos and all.  Folks upset with the long line of carriers being stored on a dead end storage track.

Quentin

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Posted by Modelcar on Saturday, January 10, 2009 2:37 PM

baberuth73
The author also states that a similar inclined plane method was used in Pennsylvania.

 

Very true....Used to conquer the Alleghenies between Hollidaysburg and Johnstown, Pa.  Known as the Allegheny Portage Railroad....Hauled traffic up several Planes to the top and let them down the other side.....Even had an Inn for passengers to stay at the top of the mountain elevation.

This a major tourist attraction now.  Some of the Planes are restored.

Edit:  If I remember correctly....The elevation at the summit of the Planes, was about 2,200'.

Horseshoe Curve route on the Pennsylvania R R was built to overcome that route and allowed thru trains from Harrisburg to Pittsburgh.  Horseshoe Curve was opened in 1854.

The above is located in the next county to my home back in Pennsylvania.

Google "Portage Railroad" to see more data.

Quentin

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Posted by mudchicken on Saturday, January 10, 2009 2:18 PM

Mookie

Tree - two dogs - one for each side. You lay on your back all nite. Three dogs - one will end up on your chest.  (Oh that's right - that applies to cats!)

Mooks - applies to scotties too. Doogie is the chest implant (If it were "Gus", you'd be calling 911 - if you could breathe...)

Special order for the diner: one hot dog, plain-hold the bun. We just got Gus back from the vet with a serious eye infection. He now is wearing a conical collar (RCA Victor swallowed the dog). The hot dog will disguise the 3x/ day pill trip. (tried to hit the dog door at a full gallup - hysterical results)

Newswire missed the 38 car coal train derailment last weekend at Manzanola, CO - what a mess (saw it yesterday). The journal bearing failure is going to keep BNSF busy for quite a while in the Little Apple.) - Predict newswire will pick up over the hysteria on the other side of town (Thornton) over the whining of NIMBY's over stored cars on the UP Welby Branch.

 

Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
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Posted by grampaw pettibone on Saturday, January 10, 2009 2:12 PM

baberuth73
With this book, I think I'm in for an education.

David, I too had never heard of the Aiken planes. Interesting. I am not a big fan of Fetters. I have his LOGGING RAILROADS OF SOUTH CAROLINA and read it with interest. Until my accident, I was employed by Clarendon County and got a chance to research the old railroads there. In fact, I made an exhaustive study and found that Fetters' book was riddled with errors, suppositions and hearsay. Perhaps, his area of interest was too broad, and narrowing things to the Aiken area have resulted in a more accurate history of the subject. Clarendon had 4 common carriers, the Atlantic Coast Line, The NorthWestern of South Carolina, the Charleston, Sumter and Northern and the Alcolu, along with 9 logging lines.  It made a fascinating subject to study, finding the old roadbeds, trestles and where the depots were!

Tom

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Posted by baberuth73 on Saturday, January 10, 2009 1:47 PM

Deggesty: The elevation at Aiken is 510 feet above sea level; at Hamburg it is 360 feet above sea level. The railroad decided that rather than take a longer continuous route, it would use inclined planes at varying degrees of descent to handle the grade. Originally a winch and cable setup was used to lower the loads and raise the emptys. This setup was replaced by two 35hp steam engines. By 1860 the planes had been abandoned in favor of a roundabout continuous route. The author also states that a similar inclined plane method was used in Pennsylvania.

I had never heard of such an awkward method of handling railcars. With this book, I think I'm in for an education.

David

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Posted by JoeKoh on Saturday, January 10, 2009 1:43 PM

afternoon well mother nature has decided to add wind now to the equation.matt did get to go sledding a little bit.CSX fixed a bit of track then the hi rail truck broke a hydraulic line so they couldn't raise the hi-rail.winter is bringing out more work for all maintainers.going to get some hot chocolate and watch some playoff football. stay safe joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

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Posted by Modelcar on Saturday, January 10, 2009 1:15 PM

...........We are not gaining any temp today.....It's been moving in the 31 to 32 degree bracket all day which means the ice is staying a bit of misting is seeing we have plenty on our streets and driveway and sidewalk.  We're outside the city in our addition and no salt on the streets here to incourage any ice melting.  Just a gray cloudy day doing the above.

Radar shows no winter storm system passing but the temps and moisture are sure doing their part.

Quentin

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Posted by Deggesty on Saturday, January 10, 2009 11:23 AM

Good morning, all. We are about twenty degrees this morning, with the sun shining now, and a prospect of rising to the thirties.

Tom, I envy you your Low Country temperatures. Where I grew up, in the Up Country, we, of course, were colder, but the ice storms (seldom did it snow) were the worst part of winter. I trust you will be back on both feet soon.

CW, you write of Mutt’s ability to sleep through sirens. You remind me of an incident one summer when I was in college. I worked on the college’s building and ground crew every summer, and I lived in the dormitory. One of the summer school students thought that it would be great fun to beat the brake drum by the stairway with the brick that was kept by the drum (yes, that was our fire alarm) one night. Sad to say, even though my room was just around the corner, I slept right through the noise, but other boys in the dorm heard it, and caught the idiot. A few nights later, the boy woke in the middle of the night and realized that there were others in the room with him. He tried to rise up, but could not, because he was tied down, so he had to take the full force of the fifty or so gallon trash can full of water and trash, cigarette butts and all, that was emptied on him. He was cured, and the other boys did not mind paying for a new mattress.

baberuth 73, I had never heard of the Aiken Planes. I had no idea that that part of the state had such grades that would have caused anybody to think that pplanes would be necessary.

Johnny

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Posted by baberuth73 on Saturday, January 10, 2009 10:45 AM

Good morning to all on this lovely morning.

Grampaw Pettibone, what misfortune has befallen you that you must elevate your foot? I remember back in the winter of '05 when I spent the better part of 3 months with my leg elevated while my achilles tendon healed. The doc warned me that my bone spur would eventually rupture that tendon if I didn't go under the knife and, as luck would have it, he was right. I was able to catch up on my reading, at least. Speaking of reading, I bought a book yesterday that may interest you and any other Carolina railfans that have an interest in the early days of railroading. It is entitled "The Charleston and Hamburg, a South Carolina Railroad and an American Legacy"  published in 2008 and authored by Thomas Fetters. I mistakenly thought I was knowledgable about this railroad but as I read I realize how misinformed I was. Why, I'd never even heard of the "Aiken Planes" ! This would make a good read while you're laid up. I hope you're up to speed soon.

My heart goes out to all of you who have to cope with temps on the wrong side of 0. Gotta go work on my roof before the rain moves in tonight, catch ya'll later.

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