Hello all. Been a busy day. The rains have finally stopped and we are up to our ankles in mud but starting again to move forward despite the weathers best efforts to put an end to production ! The site looks like a bee hive that has been rattled and the bees are out in force !
Garry - [tup] you are a WISE man. Taking care of YOH like that. She is lucky to have you !
JaBear - How interesting ! Thank you very much for sharing the explaination and teaching me a new lingo !
Dave - SOMEONE Call the FIRE DEPARTMENT Hon3critter is on FIRE ! He has smoke bubbling and boiling out his ears ! [:O]
Angel, Ricky W, Ken - Thanks she is feeling much better now and back in school.
Tin Can - Here is a [angel] so that you have safe travel
Steve - Well heck ! Miss one day and I miss out on free delicious burger and fries ! Any left overs ?
ROR - I think you need a [um] because bad luck is pouring down on you right night. Hope it turns around soon !
Ricky W - yes some of these frigs are MONSTERS ! many times the appliance supplier/installer will rent a fork lift to deliver these beast to the second floor ( really our first floor above the garage level because of the size ! That is part of teh reason our floor joist are 16" tall and are made from like a truss vs. a solid piece of lumber.
Today’s excitement–I have a bee trapped between the window and the blinds in my home office. Unfortunately, I cannot easily get to it because it is behind the desk and the layout. I suppose I will have to put up with the buzzing until the poor thing dies. [:(]
Since we were not able to bring the car into the dealer on Monday, we are taking it in this afternoon. I am hoping it makes the trip, otherwise it will be, “Hello, Triple-A?”
A cool one here with strong winds. We skipped birding and breakfast today as it was about 20F this morning and not very pleasant for being outside.
Not much new here. Just waiting for the weather to improve so we can start the yard work.
Johnboy, your unease with the trip your wife will take is perfectly understanable. My wife always was unhappy with all the travelling I did when I was working and that was all within Canada. She did make a few trips on her own, to L.A., New York and London. I was a little worried too, but still I did encourage her to go as those trips were important experiences for her. I would encourage you to look at BBC world news for info on what is happening in those countries. I don’t think there should be any problems and your wife isn’t travelling alone. I don’t share Ulrich’s concerns about Sweden. We were in London and Johannesburg last year and the year before without any worry or concern.
Yesterday I went to a lunch for retirees of the company I worked for and had a good time. There was about 30 in attendance. I then went over to the office to visit with those few who are still there. The place is closing this year so the numbers are rapidly declining.
I think I will run a few trains today. The U2g hasn’t had a run for some time so it would be good to let it ‘stretch its legs’. The real thing regularly ran at 90 m.p.h. plus but I have to keep the speed down on my 22" radius curves. A U2g is a Northern class built in the early '40s.
We started a home renovation project three weeks ago, with a real contractor, to do the stuff I can’t/won’t/shouldn’t do. Phase one was the replacement of a sliding glass patio door with French doors; our late dog had etched the doors with his scratching to get in; and there was mold beginning to grow in between the panes. What a difference it makes!
Phase two was the replacement of the exterior door to our garage, not the main door, but a metal door that had water damage and bad exterior trim. Also replaced other trim next to roof/soffet and on main garage door. I was hesitant to handle the soffet trim because it required removal of tin under bottom row of shingles. Removal is easy; proper replacement isn’t.
Phase three, which occurs today, is replacement of our electrical service. Existing service panel is obsolete (no longer made) and out of code; we cannot sell the house with replacing it. Electricians are there today changing it out.
Phase four, which starts Monday, is refurbishment of existing kitchen. Repair and paint on cabinets; new quartz countertops, new back splash, new range, new microwave, new sink, new faucet, and new vent hood. We have been in our house 13 plus years, and the oven has never worked right, and it is an unusual size (24" wide) that is not readily available. Our cooktop has a faulty pilot and only 3 of the 4 burners work. I do not know how the oven and cooktop passed the inspection when we bought the house. New vinyl laminate floor will finish the project. Should be done in 3 weeks. Wife has been boxing up stuff out of cabinets; it is amazing how much stuff is in a kitchen.
Phase five is a train building. I will build it if it is under 150 sf; which is the maximum building you can build without a building permit. But I really would like something bigger; but that may have to wait for our retirement home.
Hmmm… I see the difficulty. Is it possible to get (or break out of stores – not sure of the depth of your modeling supplies bin) some modeling clay (I’d call it Plasticine, but not sure of the German equivalent – Knetgummi perhaps?) Anyway, would a well kneaded lump of that on the end of a stick hold the nut and wshe rcombo – the washer might be applied to the nut with a smear of the Plasticine – There could be enough resistance on the base of the nut to allow the nut/washer to be started on the thread. You would not have to handle the nut or washer very much at all until it&rsq
So, last I was hither (before i went yonder), i remarked my next visit would instill a lil fun concerning the B&O Museum. Im gonna see if i can get a few of you to scratch your heads a bit today.
Now Im gonna post a few pics of objects and you folks get to see if you can guess what they are. Some of you will off the bat, some wont. I will post the answers at a later date so as not to make it that easy.
Remember these facts to start out: All pics are of steam, all pics taken at the B&O Museum, the artifact circled in red is the object in question (unless obvious), in some pics not all the pieces to a part may be in picture (hoses, pipes, etc). These arent running locomotives - its to be expected. Do your best.
Here we go!
No red circle needed here, but what is this bulky looking thing?
Everyone always notices these “dimples” on locos and cars. Rarely does anyone know what they are, OR, what/how they are used. (hint: 3 P’s)
Hopefully this lil critter will be recognized. If not, I can fill you in [:)]
Obviously a valve, but of all the valves on a locomotive… which one could it be?
Flo, if Ed makes it in, give him a Crown Royal and I will have a [B] please.
I have been curising at the Railroad all the live long day, I have been curising at the railraod just to pass the time away. [:-^] Really nothing that is a big deal but have been a Pain In The Caboose. Seems for some reason Kadee Couplers that I have used for years no longer like each other?
Opened up my longest passing siding after sitting a few years. Now can park the 30 foot CB&Q F7’s train! Took a couple of trips for the CB&Q to get the ATF spread out. (first past they where stalling and shuting down)
Douglas First photo is of your Buick GN Waste Gate. 4th photo is my 68 426 Road Runner U Joint and 5th is a water trap for the rail sander.
These are poling pockets… they are used to push a car into a trailing point siding. The braakeman would set the pole between this pocket on a freight car and the pocket on the locomotive, and then the locomotive can push a car on an adjacent track.
Outlaed for quite some time, they are no longer seen on modern equipment, but you will of course still see them on older diesel locomotives such as the RS-3
Flo, I’d love to have one of the tasty-looking burger platters proffered by Steven! Medium-rare is good. Reminds me of the burgers I used to get in the 1970s at George’s Corner Lunch at E.40th and Prospect in Cleveland! Yum! The beverage is on Ken. Thanks Ken!
I love a contest, Douglas. I’ll take a stab…
Barco flexible joint or expansion joint for the steam pipe to the articulated cylinders?
Lion gets the prize, poling pole pocket. (Is that the three “P’s”?)
Booster Engine? Never saw one made by Toyota** before, though.
Tender cistern shut-off valve? Some had them inside the tank and a lever operating it up through the water leg.
Stoker auger ball (flex) joint?
Boiler feed-water check valve. Possibly from the injector?
Fun Stuff! Thanks for doing this, Douglas.
**
Here’s a blast from the past! Old snapshot shows my dad hanging on to me while I check out the whistle on the C&O 2707 that was in Cleveland’s Brookside Park for many years. She’s in Ken’s neck-O-the woods now.
This is probably 1959 or so and I’m maybe three? This may give me an unfair advantage regarding C&O Steam[swg]
Here’s hoping that you folks are all well-and-good!
Obviously from the expression on your face you were a train lover right from the get go! Love the white baby boots and the helmet hat![swg][(-D][(-D][(-D][:o)]
Dave
Oh wow!! My lucky day! Top of the page! (I’m serious).
Brunhilda, please get everyone whatever they want, the more indulgent the better!!! French toast with real Canadian maple syrup sounds good to me. Oh, and a few slices of smoked bacon too if you would please. Nothing better than smoked bacon dipped in maple syrup! Costco Hazlenut coffee with Bailey’s Irish Cream as well please and thank you![dinner][Y]
Great videos! I love watching the trains work through the switchbacks, and the scenery is beautiful!
I do have a question. The steam double header in the third video seemed to be moving rather slowly over the Landwasser Viaduct, and the viaduct itself appears to be very ‘delicate’ in terms of it’s structure. Is this the same sort of speed restriction that was applied to wooden trestles in North America?
Dave, the viaduct is as strong as you can expect from a modern concrete viaduct in the guise of the old one. The Landwasser viaduct has been completely renewed recently and is quite a strong structure. There is a speed limit due to the curve, but it is much higher than those two steamers are going over it in the video. There must have been another reason for them to have slowed down.
I am just back from an appointment with my cardiologists and the news he had for me is a pretty big blow for me. I´ll have to chew on this one for a while, I am afraid. Simply said, my future is not at all bright.
Beautiful sunset—Also had my run at Nuclear Medicine today, wasn’t going too bad until I was injected with a compound known only to ancient tribes of Borneo–nearly passed out on the treadmill, and caused much excitement. The tech taking my BP said the words we all love to hear under such situations, UhOh! I spent enough time in my days as a cop in ERs, and know enough about monitors to be dangerous, even I did not like what I saw, worst part is it was MY EKG—
The most frustrating part is being fed the " The Cardiologist must review this and will contact your doctor" How about give me a hint?, you performed this diagnosis on how many people last year?, and you don’t know what you just saw? I have no where near the training, nor experience, and it sure did not look good to me. What the hey, I have only had three heart operations---- So now we get to wait.
I heard those words, too , and it did not make me happy. My heart just does not do the pumping job it should.
Enough of that! None of us knows when the time is up, so “carpe diem” or like Martin Luther said “if I knew the world to end tomorrow, I´ll plant an apple tree today”!
Ulrich Your bad news today was sad to hear. I’m fairly new to these forums. Kind of a forum greenhorn. I can say this though. I always enjoy reading your kind words and admire looking at pictures of your beautiful work. You are in our prayers. Al & Judy
Flo, Ed, Jan and I will have a [B] please. How about BBQ Prok Ribs, BBQ Chicken and Barts.
Day Off Front Yep doing the first BBQ of the year, and I all most forgot how! Got some front and rear yard work done. Cut some of the front grass and just a tad I missed last week in the rear. Got some junk cleared off the roof by using the Pool Cleaning pole and brush. Cleaned some more of the gutters. Pretty beat and not in the mood to BBQ, but it is a wife Honey Do.
Jan and Ulrich, what kind of heart problems are you having? Jan as far as the EKG I can relate. Guess it was about a year ago the VA was going to do a stress test on me. They hooked me up to a machine a freaked out when they saw the EKG. (My self I think it was do to lack of Coffee.) Rushed me to the ER and while they where some what concern they where not freaking. Wanted to keep me over night. I had the only car and my wife had no money so I went home.
Went to the ER the next day. Sat in the ER 2 hours, then a Exam room for 10 hours! Finally at 11:30 PM, they said I could go home! Had no way home so I spent the night. I think the biggest problem was they could not find any of my old EKG’s. Well, there was never any follow up by the VA and I am not dead yet so I must be OK! [:-^]
What does not kill you, may come back and haut you!
