Jeffreys Trackside Diner, APRIL 2017! ALL are welcome, ALL ABOARD!

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
401

Well, bad news day all around.

Ulrich sorry to hear that…

KEN: I have an infarct anomoly in my EKG which freaked them out the first time too, spent the night “for observation”" too. Then every heart test imaginable, jsut to tell me it doens’t quite beat correctly. I don;t ever want to go through the chemical stress test agian, though I cannot run, felt literrally like I was going to die, at least teh cardiologist was on hand to bring me around again! Gee thta would have been swell, twice dead?

Well, i got bad news today too, I went for inspciton it won’t passs wihtout a spring it may take 2-3 days adn $2k to fix, plus another $2k in leaking head gasket, valve gasket, oil pan is about rusted through for the lower one, and the upper not ,much better, the head gasket is leaking onto the alternator. GOoDy, short short is about $4k to fix, I could probably get it done cheaper elsewhere, but I don’t think putting $3-4K into an 11 year old vehicle is good idea. SO I went car shopping, I found a prive ranged '12 equinox AWD for my price, but it does have some mileage, 87K on her. $9 k to finance wiht trade adn some cash. Now to get financing we made a bit of a mess on THAT front, but I should be ok.

Darn good that I am back working, If I can get financing through , I can get it by early next week, and not worry about inspection. We’d ahve to struggle with one car, tha’s be real fun.

It was near 80 today here, I got the air on, its giving me coughing fits, always does, refrigerated air always does that until i’m “used to it” again.

well, I have tonight off so I can sleep…

goody.

[8-|]

so that is my bad news, it’s going to cost $3-4K either way.

402

Ken,

Cannot speak for Ulrich, my case is too many birthdays, riotus living in my youth, and like in your case, jumping out of perfectly good aircraft/helicopters, and having the living ---- scared out of me.

Trains still running better than ever.

herrinchoker

403

Ulrich and herrinchoker:

Sorry to hear about your heart troubles. My father in law had seriously diminished heart function for years. It was down to 30% towards the last, but he lived happily and functioned well for almost 10 years longer than they said he would. It was his liver that finally did him in. He was 87.

Hang in there!

Dave

404

well, good morning,

I’ll be off in a while to see if we can get teh paperwork through for teh new vehicle…a '12 equinox AWD.

Then off to work, I guess I should wear work clothes as MOH is going with me after work to sign papers too. Wrok clothes means dress shirt tie and dress pants at minimum, if not suit and tie, but I will not wear a suit until they get the AC fixed, I cannot stand wearing a suit in 78 degree temp unless I can gt into Air conditioning.

My nose is more cooperating wiht the refrigerated air now, its like allergies when starting the furnace for winter too.

I would NOT be without Air Conditioning!!!

Well, wish me luck

Ulrich: heres luck the heart lasts as long as your BIG heart goes…we all know you have a heart, ok?

[8-|][8-|]

405

Good morning, everybody …

April is coming to a close. Where will we go for May, and who will handle the move?

406

On May 10, 1869, 148 years ago, the golden spike was driven joining the East and West Coasts by rail for the first time. I suggest we move to Promontory, Utah, for the month.

407

Good Evening!

Not a good day today! I have been fighting dizzy spells all day long. Must have something to do with the new meds I have to take for my heart condition. If things don´t improve by tomorrow, I´ll be on my way to the ER.

Excellent idea!

I remember PFM selling a commemorative set of UP´s #119 and Central Pacific´s “Jupiter” back in 1969, which I always wanted to get my hands on, but it was out of reach then - as it is today!

408

I’m am sorry to hear of everyone’s problems, love, economic and health.

Ulrich do any of your neighbors have a blood pressure cuff. I am on a beta blocker and it knocked the heck out of my BP. Doc had to cut down on the dose until my heart improved.

I’ve been stymied by my DCC installation Loksound in an old Atlas R-3 that was shorting out the track. Tested it with the lokprogramer and it worked normally. Tonight I found my scale ruler at the end of yard across the tracks. Hmmmm.

Was also looking for my solder which was not next to either soldering iron. Where would it go?

409

This morning, as of 5:00 am, I’m “bachin’it” till Sunday noon. Wifey went to the yearly ASPMA (American Society of Podiatry Medical Assintants) Midwest Divisional Conference, at the Hyatt, on Wacker Dr., Chicago. She gets a train ride! there and back. I’ve tagged along a couple of times.

So, I worked on a John Deere garden tractor, for a long time family friend, all day, and tonight, I might just crank the music, and play with trains all night! Of course, my “all night” usually ends about 11 pm. [(-D]

Here’s to Friday night! [B]

Mike.

410

Evening Diners

Flo, Jan and I will have a [B] and give Ed a Royal Crown if he makes it in.

Reading Front and I wish it was the Reading Railroad! One customer all day and all they want was a bed frame.

Jan what branch of the Arm Forces where you in? I like to think what we did when we where young and dumb and, well I shut. Made us stronger in are old age.

Same here! I will do a post about ATF on the main page in a few weeks. Only worry and it is not much is cude bulid up on the rolling stock wheels.

Bachmann Sound Value Engines? Anyone here have any? I have a few DCC on board and I am fine with there lack of detail. Only thing I don’t like is the decoder, or should I say the lack of CV’s for speed control. Any thoughts?

Later Ken

411

Ken,

I was stationed at Pope AFB, NC. (Ft.Bragg) 464th. CESQ, flew TDY with the 776 & 777, ferrying C-123s to Saigon and Phan Rang for the spray program, Ranch Hand. (Agent Orange) 63, 64 was involved with Dragon Rouge, we removed American and Belgian hostages from Stanleyville in the Belgian Congo to Leopoldville, to be repatriated to the US, and Belgium. They were being held hostage by the Simbas, a group of terrorists. We had 12 C-130s. All were hit by small arms on the initial approach to Stanleyville, one had the hydraulics hit and had to go back to Leopoldville. The Belgian Paras were having trouble securing the field, 82ond. deployed two sticks, and things became very quiet, very quickly. Was talked into re-uping into the MEARNG in 77 by one of the deputys I worked with, missed the fellowship ?? (E-5 also helped) Band of Brothers thing, probably why I became a deputy sheriff. You know what I am talking about. I look back and wonder “What Were You Thinking”, bitter sweet memories though.

Have another section of track to be treated, believe I am going to try Marvel Mystery Oil, have used it for almost everything for many years-what the hey!—

Working on a batch of Nite-Nite Meds, about another week–will think of you come that time.

herrinchoker

412

Good morning

IF no one objects, as I will be home from work at just after midnite anyway on Sunday night, I will gladly move the diner…If Ulrich doesn’t beat me to it.

Once training 3 weeks at 40 hours is over, I think I will stick to 32 hours for a while, I can always add hours at teh other hotels…speaking of work.

We decided to repair the van, instead of buying the newer vehicle. WHat I can afford has almost as many miles as mine, and though it’s newer is also a 4 cly and at nearly 100K on hte clock, my 6 cyl may actually last longer.

I’ve got a way to manage $3k of the expenses, and I’m going to try the place that repaired the axle so cheaply, they may do it all cheaper. They may be able to do the $4k of work for the $3k Ive got in the account or less. that’d be nice, and they ahve lottle work as they are primarily a towing company, so may be able to devote time to it all day to get er done.

So that is my plan.

Have a great night’s sleep {oops, I’m still at the hotel} Have a great day!

[8-|]

413

414

Good Afternoon!

Can´t say I feel fine - barely avoided the trip to the ER. BP has its ups and downs - from 170/100 to 115/65, pick you choice. The heart rates varies between 95 and 105 when it should be around 60 to 70.

Today´s agenda is quite simple - survive!

If you like, join me in a trip to the DHR “Toy Train”, that´s the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, connecting Siliguri and Darjeeling, the famous “hill station” of the British colonial administration in hot summers. It´s a 2 ft. line with steep grades and sharp curves, servicede by the original 0-4-0 T locos. Guess how may folks you need to run the engine?

Well, if you have guess 2, your wrong - it´s 5! " in the front to throw sand on the rails when the wheels start to slip, 1 on the coal load to crush the big coal chunks into smaller ones, 1 fireman and, last but not least - the engineer!

The line is part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

415

Good morning, everybody .

I don’t like talking too much about medical issues, but I’m concerned about Ulrich.

Ulrich … I am wondering if an implanted heart device should be considered for you. … I was diagnosed with heart failure 15 years ago, and doctors said I would not be able to live another five years without treatment. At first they implanted a pacemaker, but later it was changed to a pacemaker/defibrillator. That device did save my life when my heart stopped beating several times in 2008. In addition to the device, medications also control the dysrhthmias. Because of these teatments, my heart condition has been stable and I can have close to normal life. … Regarding blood preasure, I recently downloaded an ap in my I-Phone which does a remarkably good job of measuring blood pressure and other vital signs. It is a conveniant wy to check blood preasure… I have had 7 surgeries for my heart condition, and I am able to enjoy my life because of what doctors do for me.

Let’s talk about trains now… Trains are fun.

Here is a local passenger train with mostly older equipent hauled by an SD7. You can see the beginnings of one of my branchlines curving out of view to the right.

416

Does it use a cuff or some other means of measuring your blood pressure?

417

No … One finger tip on the little camera lense and one figure tip on the screen. … It is remarkable to see it work.

418

When I was first diagnosed with high BP several years ago, the doctor first put me on Lisonpril which resulted in the annoying and distinctive cough which is a well-documented side effect. I was switched to Atenolol, a beta blocker, which took away all my energy. I am now on Losartan which seems to do the job without bad side effects. Many people find Atelolol difficult to deal with. You might want to check with your doctor if it makes you tired and sort of out if it.

I am sorry for everyone’s heart problems. So far, mine seems fine, which I attribute to my lifelong exercise program of bike riding, skiing and playing hockey, all “fun” sports and far more enjoyable than the dreaded weights and treadmills.

My only “heart problem” is my impending divorce I just found out about last week. It will be a good thing when it’s all over. We will likely have to sell the house to go our separate ways, which means finding a new home for me and the trains. They may be in storage for a while.

419

LIONS do not like hearing about things like this.

I guess you cannot afford to buy out her half of the house. If it has a mortgage on it, then there will not be much net on the sale tomake it worth dividing. Maybe your lawyer and her lawyer can swing a deal.

You keep the house, she gets the dog.

Usually the woman gets to keep the house, but that does not seem to be happening.

Oh whale, we will have LION sized Prayers for ewe.

ROAR

420

The house is too big by far for one person. It’s also way too expensive, with real estate taxes, heating, electric, utilities and taking care of the lawn. Depending on the settlement, I probably could afford to buy her out and keep supporting the house, but I really don’t want to.