Trains.com

Flat Wheel Cafe/Diner/CS: 1st Quarter for 2011

52260 views
915 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: Calgary AB. Canada
  • 2,298 posts
Posted by AgentKid on Saturday, February 12, 2011 1:01 PM

My very first job had one that was already obsolete. in June 1976. You got the name right. I never saw it work. The one they had was actually networked. different people could use it at the same time in their own offices. The cables to hook it all up were thick like plumbing pipe! It was going to cost so much to take it out and patch the holes in the walls, that the cables stayed there for years until the company relocated.

Bruce

So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll.

"A Train is a Place Going Somewhere"  CP Rail Public Timetable

"O. S. Irricana"

. . . __ . ______

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,023 posts
Posted by tree68 on Saturday, February 12, 2011 1:46 PM

The first small computer I worked with was a "Digital," IIRC.  It, too, loaded via cassette.  We were going to use it to process weather balloon data, but I'm not sure it ever went on line for that.

We had a ball playing "tic-tac-toe" on it.  It "learned," so any given series of moves was only good for about two tries before the computer learned them and wouldn't let you win using them.  We found that by turning the moves 90 degrees, we could play the same series again. 

Then when we shut the computer off, it "forgot" everything.

That was in 1973.

My college advisor for data processing had a daughter who worked at Apple in the early days.  I got to see an early "Lisa" - my introduction to the cursor and mouse we all take for granted today.

As a result of my early exposure to computers, I'm still something of a "command line commando."

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Saturday, February 12, 2011 1:48 PM

Our first computer was an Apple IIc--which we still have, but have not used for many years. It is one that would have had much trouble with the year 2000; did Apple think that it would not last that long? Ricki began using a PC not long after we got the Apple, and she has gone through many since, usually giving me her castoff, but six and a half years ago she gave me a new one which I used ever since.

Johnny

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Muncie, Indiana...Orig. from Pennsylvania
  • 13,456 posts
Posted by Modelcar on Saturday, February 12, 2011 4:10 PM

AgentKid

My very first job had one that was already obsolete. in June 1976. You got the name right. I never saw it work. The one they had was actually networked. different people could use it at the same time in their own offices. The cables to hook it all up were thick like plumbing pipe! It was going to cost so much to take it out and patch the holes in the walls, that the cables stayed there for years until the company relocated.

Bruce

I believe this one {the Wang}, I mention was located in a cubicle of it's own, and any engineeer could come in and work on it....and I don't remember if it was tied to a main frame over in our MIS department or not.....I rather think not.  I believe the digits were actually shaped one thru zero, and each was lit with a red color as activated in constructing a row of digits as an answer.  I'm quite a few years away from it now....and my memory is not bringing all the details.

This was in a mechanical engineering  / experimental lab area.....{Automotive Powertrain Products}

Quentin

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Louisville, KY
  • 9,002 posts
Posted by cherokee woman on Saturday, February 12, 2011 4:39 PM

Hi everyone.  I'm really glad to see we have actually been  'busy' in here today!  It has really been a beautiful day around here:  sunshine, w/a light breeze blowing, and I think we're up to about 48, 49 degrees outside.  Not bad at all!

Here is our Saturday Night Pizza Fest  menu:

1.  Anchovie

2.  Canadian bacon

3.  Cheese

4.  Chicago style

5.  Goetta

6.  Hawaiian

7.  Italian sausage

8.  Pepperoni/mushroom

9.  Supreme

Desserts:  chocolate cake w/white icing, yellow cake w/chocolate icing, and peach cobbler, all available ala mode.

I hope you all have had a very good day, enjoy your evening and take care.

Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Florence, SC
  • 1,614 posts
Posted by grampaw pettibone on Saturday, February 12, 2011 5:08 PM

Peace be with you. 54 and clear at present in Carolina. As I continue to improve after my surgery, the wife is preparing for surgery of her own this coming Tuesday. This probably means an invasion by a Tasmanian Devil in the form of her sister. That alone is reason enuff to go and hide in a swamp.....

With all the hospital comings and goings, I am behind in my barber visits and am beginning to look like a mad scientist. Hopefully, that can be taken care of soon.

Our first computer was a 286 that a friend put together in 1992. It ran the original DOS and a 5.25 floppy and a whole 30 meg of memory/HD. Imagine that vs today.

Take care

Tom

COAST LINE FOREVER

It is better to dwell in the corner of a roof than to share a house with a contentious woman! (Solomon)

A contentious woman is like a constant dripping! (Solomon)

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Saturday, February 12, 2011 6:33 PM

It's good to hear from you again, Tom, especially since you say that you are improving.

As to barber visits, I missed at least one, and my barber asked me yesterday if I had decided to grow it long. I told her that I had simply not been able to get down to see her.

You mentioned DOS. Ricki still prefers WordPerfect for DOS to the versions for Windows. If I have to go into her files, I have a lot of trouble navigating, considering that she have more one thousand files, in many different folders. I almost need a WPPS (the version of GPS that might help).

Back umpteen years ago, when Ricki was buying a new computer, I recommended that she pay extra for another 32K RAM. Not long after that, the bottom fell out of the 32K RAM (which I was assisting in manufacturing) market, and the production section I was working in laid about 3/4 of its personnel off. 

Johnny

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: Calgary AB. Canada
  • 2,298 posts
Posted by AgentKid on Saturday, February 12, 2011 11:14 PM

Modelcar

 

 

 

I believe this one {the Wang}, I mention was located in a cubicle of it's own, and any engineeer could come in and work on it....and I don't remember if it was tied to a main frame over in our MIS department or not.....I rather think not.  I believe the digits were actually shaped one thru zero, and each was lit with a red color as activated in constructing a row of digits as an answer.  I'm quite a few years away from it now....and my memory is not bringing all the details.

This was in a mechanical engineering  / experimental lab area.....{Automotive Powertrain Products}

Yes, it was a standalone computer. It was actually shaped like a long baseboard heater. The cables to the other offices ran through the walls beside the hot water heater pipes. I am pretty sure it used the RPN (Reverse Polish Notation) system like the original HP calculators. Remember how the numbers used to come in from the left on those?

I also remembered that there was one engineer that still used it when I started that job. To be more accurate, my first job after graduating with my Business Administration Diploma. Similar to what in the US would be called a Community College degree. By that time Texas Instruments had calculators that would run circles around that Wang, but I think this engineer was one of the instigators of that purchase, so he had to justify spending the money.

That first job was being one of three accountants in a department choc 'o bloc full of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Being a nerd from the get go - remember I came from a home with a telegraph, two phone systems and semaphores outside - I fit right in with those guys. There was a fellow that built his own Color TV from a Heathkit!

CW, thanks for the pizza and I will see you folks in the AM.

Bruce

 

So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll.

"A Train is a Place Going Somewhere"  CP Rail Public Timetable

"O. S. Irricana"

. . . __ . ______

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Louisville, KY
  • 9,002 posts
Posted by cherokee woman on Sunday, February 13, 2011 5:51 AM

Good Sunday morning everyone.  Currently we have 38 to 40 degree temps here in Louisville this a.m.  Supposed to see a high of about 56 degrees.  Maybe spring is on its way!!

Tom, glad to see you made it back in tonight.  Sorry to hear about SC's basketball loss yesterday.  My Cats even lost yesterday, although it was a very close game.  Several times throughout the game, the score was tied.  Maybe next year, Coach Cal will have those guys playing like they should be playing. 

Coffee, juices and other morning beverages are fresh and ready to go.  On the serving station we have bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs and biscuits & gravy, along with some leftover cold pizza for anyone who wants it. 

Bruce, you're very welcome regarding the pizzas last night. 

I can't remember the first computer Walt and I had.  It was a rental from a rent-to-own place, where we personally knew one of the  workers.  After we rented that for a few months, we got the computer we now have:  a Dell 4550.  We had this computer since 2003 or 04. 

Everyone have a very good morning, keep safe going to Church, work or railfanning today.  See you all later this afternoon. 

Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Aledo IL
  • 1,728 posts
Posted by spokyone on Sunday, February 13, 2011 6:20 AM

In manufacturing I started using CNC milling machines in the late 70's. I created the programs using a teletype and paper tape. The machine read the code one line at a time from the paper tape, using only a one block buffer. At home I bought a Commodore 64 that was very useful. I created the sheets for the football pool, then posted the results on Monday mornings. . I also created a program to compile our batting stats for the company softball team. When the 286 came out, I bought a "math chip" and Auto-Cad for it. That experience served me well when our company expanded with a large CNC department.

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Louisville, KY
  • 9,002 posts
Posted by cherokee woman on Sunday, February 13, 2011 12:40 PM

All this computer talk is very interesting! 

Here is our Sunday Dinner menu:

1.  Fried chicken w/biscuits, gravy, mac & cheese, mashed taters, green beans & corn on the cob.

2.  Fish w/above mentioned veggies of mac & cheese, mashed taters & gravy, green beans and corn on the cob.

Think I'm going to go take a short nap:  for some reason, my eyes are very tired.  You know that feeling you get when your eyes seem to be cold?  That's how my eyes are feeling. 



Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: Calgary AB. Canada
  • 2,298 posts
Posted by AgentKid on Sunday, February 13, 2011 1:49 PM

I'm getting in here late today. It is clear, 41° with a West wind at 23 mph. It was blowing far worse than that when I was up to get my paper at 6:00 AM.

I expected to read reports of damage, but either the news reporters have taken Sunday off, or there really was none. Based on what I heard on the 11:00 news last night, I find that hard to believe. Because of cross ownership of newspapers and TV stations, some times there is no new news here until suppertime because they don't pay their pool reporters to go out early. Being a news junkie I really miss the days of press competition.

Bruce

 

So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll.

"A Train is a Place Going Somewhere"  CP Rail Public Timetable

"O. S. Irricana"

. . . __ . ______

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,323 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Sunday, February 13, 2011 1:50 PM

afternoon

let the snow melt continue!!! went to church and to G+G house to give valentines.going to do some chores and get things ready for work.Matt has the special heart candy out on the placemats.Cw thanks for supper tonight.As Mookie can tell you naps are good!!!

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").

 

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Sunday, February 13, 2011 4:48 PM

OK Guys and Dolls:  It is 67 degrees here!  Checked two different places and both said 67. 

Won't tell you that there is still ice on the pond and the wind is ssw about 15-20 so it isn't exactly bathing suit weather, but...

Eat your hearts out - only on sale until next weekend. 

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Monday, February 14, 2011 3:56 AM

JoeKoh

afternoon

let the snow melt continue!!! 

Lets hope this will not mean that we will be posting a lot of incidents of flooing in the next 2 - 6 weeks.

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Louisville, KY
  • 9,002 posts
Posted by cherokee woman on Monday, February 14, 2011 5:59 AM

Good Monday morning everyone.  We have fair skies w/a temp of 50 degrees this morning.  Supposed to drop down to about 45, and will get back up to 50 degrees for a high today.  Nice breeze blowing this morning. 

Happy Valentine's Day to all.  Beginning to bake some Valentine shaped sugar cookies for later in the day.  (Bake, cool, frost and decorate.) 

Coffee, juices and other morning beverages, like the hot water for Larry's and Tom's hot tea are all ready to go.  On the serving station this morning:  biscuits, bacon, sausage, eggs, gravy, oatmeal, toast, jelly, bagels and bear claws. 

I don't know if any of you get Sleuth Channel (we get it on DirecTV), but Walt and I watched a pretty good movie on there last night:  Frozen River.  It was about this white lady, whose husband walked out on her and their two children.  Faced with trying to work, take care of two kids at Christmas time, and trying to pay bills, she meets this Mohawk Indian gal; they transport illegal alians.  I won't tell you how the movie ends, in case anyone can get a chance to watch it.  But I will say that it held my attention.

Everyone have a beautiful morning, and I'll see you all later on.  Preparing a roast w/taters and carrots for our noon and evening meals.  Take care, all of you, and see you later.


Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,323 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, February 14, 2011 6:52 AM

good morning

overcast and damp but the snowmelt continues.Matt is on time and on the bus.Cw thanks for breakfast.Work is getting busy again so I better get to bed.

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").

 

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Muncie, Indiana...Orig. from Pennsylvania
  • 13,456 posts
Posted by Modelcar on Monday, February 14, 2011 11:05 AM

.....Snow / ice is melting...Snow plow just went down our street in an effort to cut the ice we've been plagued with off now that it's all rutted, and melting.  Main roads have been mostly bare for some time now, but back in additons, the streets seem to hang on to the packed down snow, and in the case here....ice this time.

Just returned from our dentist....Process is started on a root canal to save a molar tooth...That will stretch in time to over several weeks.  And two DDS's.  {Salty process}...!  Glad it's started.

Quentin

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: Calgary AB. Canada
  • 2,298 posts
Posted by AgentKid on Monday, February 14, 2011 11:34 AM

Morning. 26° and cloudy. They are saying a high of 43° but I don't think it is going to make it.

Was up at my mother's place last night and she tells me a kid I used to play with at Irricana, AB passed away last weekend. He lived across the road from the station. From posting on this forum I get so focused on RR related things from those times I forget about all the other things we did as kids. My brother and I did all the normal kid things, but when we were doing things inside during the day, there was always the sound of the telegraph, or the dispatchers phone ringing in the background.

There have been former playmates that have died in accidents, but I think this fellow might be the first to pass due to illness related to age. I guess you can see where things are going to go from here.

Bruce

 

So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll.

"A Train is a Place Going Somewhere"  CP Rail Public Timetable

"O. S. Irricana"

. . . __ . ______

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Louisville, KY
  • 9,002 posts
Posted by cherokee woman on Monday, February 14, 2011 1:46 PM

Bruce, sorry to hear about your friend.  A friend of mine, from the Tuesday Produce crowd, passed away a week ago Friday.   His memorial service was Saturday, but I didn't go (had planned to), due to waking up with a very bad head cold and headache Saturday morning.  He was only 56 years old, but had been in bad health, with leg problems. 

The first Crock Pot of roast, taters & carrots is ready.  To with it, you have cabbage, cole slaw, tossed salad, broccoli, green beans w/shellies, corn and crescent rolls. 

Not sure what our current temp is, but it is very cloudy/overcast and breezy.  It almost looks like we could get a little bit of rain, but no chance until Wednesday, with only a 20% chance of seeing any rain. 

Have a good afternoon, enjoy whatever you'll be doing, and take care.  See you all later.

Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,023 posts
Posted by tree68 on Monday, February 14, 2011 4:31 PM

Bruce - stuff like that tends to remind us of our own mortality - something we don't always want to admit to.

Had to make a run south to get the "third eye" brakelight fixed on my truck.  Left the house in light rain, hit snow about half way there, and didn't really drive out of it until I came back north again.  Temp here at the house hit +40F today, and is supposed to drop to near zero tonight.  Can you say ICE?

Spent most of last evening filling tankers for a major barn fire.  Unfortunately the barn went to the ground with a loss of over 100 animals.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Louisville, KY
  • 9,002 posts
Posted by cherokee woman on Tuesday, February 15, 2011 4:55 AM

Good Tuesday morning everyone.  Larry, I'm sorry to hear about the   barn fire.  We ocassionally have some of those around here.  It's alway sad to hear of animals being caught in a barn, unable to get out, and dying in the fire. 

We are starting out with 32 degrees this a.m., going for a high in the low 50s.  Tomorrow, we may see 60 degrees for a high. 

Coffee, juices, and other morning beverages are fresh and ready to go.  Breakfast is ready and on the serving station. 

Yesterday, after I finished getting lunch/supper ready here in the Cafe/Diner, I started fixing the roast, etc., here at home.  Worked the rest of the afternoon in the kitchen.  Was so tired last night, that I went to bed and was asleep before 9:00.  Slept until 4:50 this morning. 

Everyone have a good morning, and I'll see you all later this afternoon, after I get through with Tuesday Produce & Bread, Pastry Trucks.

Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,323 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, February 15, 2011 6:59 AM

morning

matt is on time and on the bus.busy night at work last night.Cw thanks for breakfast.Time for bed.

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").

 

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: Calgary AB. Canada
  • 2,298 posts
Posted by AgentKid on Tuesday, February 15, 2011 1:31 PM

My goodness it is already lunchtime here. It is already past our forecast high now at 41°. There is a west wind at 25 mph and it is clear.

I guess there was an avalanche at Ross Peak in the Rogers Pass Saturday night, which they finally cleared by early Monday morning. It was a "natural" avalanche, but they had to have the Canadian Forces shoot at it some more with their Howitzers before they could get in to clean it up.

And I saw on a Canadian forum where it has become so difficult for CP to interchange cars with the BRC in Chicago due to blizzard cleanup that they are sending the cars all the way around Lake Superior and coming to the BRC from the east via Toronto. Something to make you go hmmm...

Bruce

 

So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll.

"A Train is a Place Going Somewhere"  CP Rail Public Timetable

"O. S. Irricana"

. . . __ . ______

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Louisville, KY
  • 9,002 posts
Posted by cherokee woman on Tuesday, February 15, 2011 1:40 PM

Afternoon all.  Produce went well this morning.  Started out with about 35 people, ended up with about 50.  They brought:  potatoes, shredded lettuce mix, yellow sweet peppers, 5# bags of sliced onion and a few other things that I can't remember now. 

We now have a current temp of about 48 degrees, with nice sunshine.  Supposed to get to 50 this afternoon. 

On the serving station, you will find leftover roast, taters & carrots, slaw, green beans and some fresh crescent rolls straight from the oven. 

After Produce was over, I went up to the grocery to get some stamps.  On the way, ran into a friend of mine, that I haven't seen for a little over a year.  Sure was good to see her. 

Everyone have a good afternoon and take care.  See you all later.

Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Muncie, Indiana...Orig. from Pennsylvania
  • 13,456 posts
Posted by Modelcar on Tuesday, February 15, 2011 3:56 PM

....Melting snow / ice continues here, with quite a bit of sunshine today....mod. temps...Not sure just what it is, but it's certainly better than it has been for weeks and weeks.

Early this morning got Jean to scheduled Dr. appointment, and to have exrays and healing of broken bones continues....Now she has a brand new cast...elbow free now, and no sling.  Cast construction seems much different now from years ago.  Gal that did it was very professonal, and end result was extremely neat.  Selected bright orange...!

3 to 4 weeks for this one, and then...that might be it.

Spots of grass becoming visible.  Even stopped and got the salt washed off of my truck.

Quentin

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,023 posts
Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, February 15, 2011 9:24 PM

The melting came to a screaming halt last night while we were dumping more water on that barn fire.  Currently +1.5F, but that actually looks to be the beginning of a warming trend, as the temps were actually below zero for several hours before that.

Gotta see about an oil change for the truck here soon.

Time for bed.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Louisville, KY
  • 9,002 posts
Posted by cherokee woman on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 5:40 AM

Good Wednesday morning everyone.  Hope you all had a good evening and will have a good morning .  Currently 46 degrees here in Louisville this morning, going for a high in the low 60s by around 3 p.m.  As for precipitation, we may see a few sprinkles, but that's about it, until probably late tomorrow night, Friday. 

Coffee, juices and other morning beverages are fresh and ready to go.  Breakfast is also on the serving station. 

Last night, the three of us watched Unstopable.  Sarah had bought the DVD, so we all watched it.  I'll give it a Thumbs Up for entertainment purposes.

Everyone have a good morning, and see you all later this afternoon.

Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Muncie, Indiana...Orig. from Pennsylvania
  • 13,456 posts
Posted by Modelcar on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 10:03 AM

Sunshine here this morning.  45 or so temp now....but this darn snow /ice {under it}, sure is taking it's time to leave.....Seems a slow melting process....But do see some grass sticking up in places now.

A full day of what it's doing now, should put a pretty good dent in it.  Hopefully.

Temps were high enough that the melting continued all thru the overnight.

Quentin

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,023 posts
Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 11:56 AM

Wooo hooo!  After a low last night of -0.2F, we're up to +36F right now.  The roads are mostly clear and dry and it's not doing anything outside right now.  Aside from sunshine and 75F, what more could we ask for.

I did see some interesting clouds on the way to town this morning - they almost looked like mammatus, usually a harbinger of severe weather, but there's nothing of the sort in the area right now.

Time for Lunch.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy