It seems like I’ve been away from the Pot forever. I’ve been checking in every now and then and I’ve responded to some PMs, but I haven’t had much time to post in the Pot. Work has been busy and I was swamped with a final exam for a class I just finished. I now have a few days off and can catch up on the forum. The WBB LV 44-ton switcher I won arrived. It is a very fun engine and I am very pleased with the Tru Blast horn.
Probe – Congrats on the certification.
Also, congratulation to all of you with kids graduating soon or moving up to the next grade.
I’ll pray for all those with pending doctor’s appointments or ailing.
Well, it rained and rained some more last night and woke up to a misty morning as I headed off to work. Right now it’s 46F with fog but it will burn off soon and get into the low 70’s by afternoon. Looks like it might be mostly a nice weekend coming up but I have already been warned the “Task List” for this weekend is a bit long.
Sunny and getting warn on the north bluff above Marseilles today,
Got up early and did an oil change on the wife’s Torrent. Computer said it was time. It let it run 13k before asking for an oil change this time. Most of her driving is on I80 so I think that is why. These cars today are Smart Cars. She is off today for a dental apt.
Chief, Box is looking good. My PC will not open your layout attachment. I think Chuck has a good idea. [;)]
Laz. Wifey has ½ day till school is out for summer but 4 more years till she can retire. [:(]
Submmbob, Thanks, may take awhile for me to get to it. I will let you know when I am ready to send it your way.
JimProbe, 101K did not bother me I was more worried if the plugs would come out of the heads okay. Only one that needed a spray of WD40 and a little coaxing. The last time I changed them was 10-24-04 [:-^]
Brutus, Yes, document, document, document. The best way to CYA
Well, I’m disappointed - my delivery from RMT only had one of the Bopper sets that I ordered - now their site lists the other as being out of stock. I shot them an email last night about it, still haven’t heard back from them.
Looks like it’s gonna be a warm day with lots more t-storms. Blech!
Didn’t get around to trains last night primarily 'cause Tyler was working on his diorama for his project. Glad that’s finally finished - that’s absorbed way too much of our time for a 3rd grade project.
It’s 72 and sunny, going into the low 80s. Laz you are getting there, but the clock keeps ticking even after retirement. Enjoy. Well the smaller of my 2 skin cancers(behind my ear) will be removed this afternoon, the larger(just above my chin) by a specialist next Thursday. I’m not happy today but glad it’s not the bad kind. We had a good chat last night but no loop-D-loops…S.J.
Morning all. Would you believe I skipped an early morning Human Services Board meeting? It was a yearly planning meeting. I knew that, if I got up at 5 AM and drove to Raleigh, sat listening ot that, I would not stay awake. Slept in. Now I can work in garden and mow grass. Seems I am “expected” to go to the lake house tomorrow and take little boat. Use it to grapple with big hook for end cables to big dock. Spend the weekend and holiday there “entertaining” family. [sigh]
Wifey has new job [just got call]. Answer phones and be assistant to person at contracted City of Raleigh ambulance company. Work 4 days a week for 5 hours a day. Ten minutes from Rolesville. Thank God. Out of my hair. [:D]
Shake and Bake is going to post a rough draft of layout. Just called.
Since the Chief has posted pictures of THE BOX, and it is REALLY looking fantastic! Great Job.
Thought I better post a diagram of what we have REALLY been working on as far as the layout may look like. (The previous posting I did was just my sick attempt at some humor, I was trying to throw something together that was totally ridiculous. My humorous attempt did not work.)
Below is the version we are currently working to see if we can get everything in. Some of the assumptions we are using are;
No duck unders!
Minimum number of lift or hinged bridges
Two mainline operation
Plenty of track space for “classification yard”, (Chief has ample rolling cars)
Option for subsequent 2nd level (Top mainline track may become a ramp, leaving current bypass track as future lower level mainline #1),
Curves on mainline 72, inside smaller curves 54
Engine Yard, and access to a Maintenance Area (top left)
Reversing loops.
Current Working Plan:
We have not forgotten about the reversing loops, this is what we previously had, and still working on a “smarter” way of achieving the same result without sacrificing so much real estate.
Also entire layout is “Reach Accessible”
And, with the costs and works we have discussed building in phases, Mainlines, Engine Yards, Sidings, Class yards etc. Also, factoring in various accessories and functional areas.
Hope this helps! Sorry didn’t mean to confuse everything earlier.
Well, kinda windy outside right now…25-35mph coming from the SE…so far…
We ended up getting the pink foam and the groceries in one fell swoop…now pleasantly ensconced at home in the A/C…
Anyhoooo…going to go run some trains today for a bit…
Don, Chief: On the right hand side of the layout is there any plans for some industry going into that green area that looks kinda bare?[:^)] Top one looks like a good idea though!!
IIABSDISEI with temps in 80s. It is getting sticky in Indiana and going to be hot by Sunday. Got the A/C unit in on the back porch for the pooch. Played soccer with high school kids Wednesday. I hope everyone has a good day.
Went down to the train station this morning to watch the Sunset Limited come thru. Was already there when I rode in. Enjoyed some coffee from the local market and read a bit until the train pulled out. The train stays in Tucson about 45 min. I believe it is a refueling stop. The engines were 7 and 837, so a P42 and a P40 on the point. Love the Genesis locomotives. Nice and burly.
Then a yoga class and a noon meeting. Now sitting down to lunch and then going to see if there is anyone @ O’Reilly that can turn one of my drums. They left a ridge on the inside of the drum when the brakes were redone recently and the new shoe grabs it and makes a nice squeal. Hopefully my friend Ron and I can put the rest of the push rod seals in this weekend as well.
Ron - nice one on the layout. Sometimes you try to be funny but folks just don’t seem to get it. Here I’ll try this one again. Remember my trip to the USS Iowa when she was in Richmond, CA?
One of my photos was this one:
I finally got to live Otis Redding’s lyrics…“Sitting on the dock of the bay, wastin’ time…”
Good afternoon everyone. It is a beautiful day here, but on the warm side. Have a dinner meeting with a sales rep and one of the other guys in our group. We need some equipment replacement. Had an early morning to do a case, but this was preceded by a late bed time as we stayed up to hear who won the American Idol. Yeah, the town is pretty stoked about Phillips. Of course I think this means he won’t be singing at any church picnics for awhile!
I read the Wall Street Journal had a story on the CP and 5000 employees are on strike. Not making any comments, just odd timing when we were discussing unions and a rail union is now in the news.
Chief, that is a great layout scheme you have there. Are you going to use the MyJack on it? Was not sure where you would fit it. Still, you have lots of room to fill with trains.
Joe, good to see you here. Hope things work out with the visit.
Got the parents yard mowed and I got the harnesses I needed for the two Digitrax decoders I got recently. The GP35 they’re propped against will be one of the recipients.
Aloha [ip]. Hot, sunny and windy. Great weather for my boy’s graduation-from-h…s. weekend. His g’ma just arrived. I got a few things done around the house, and picked up some new strings for the uke. Good doc visit in there too to prep for cataract surgeries in June. Sitting atop the Soo Line wall…
Well been a long day did 8 hrs at work then had to take wife grocery shopping. been home now about hour just relaxing. Got coupons for small quizno’s sub and bag of chip and small drink so we each took a coupon in and had dinner for $3.26 each with tax ( I love my cheap dates lol. )
Didn’t run any trains tonight but did watch some of my home made video’s some day I may get a better camera as there a little grainy but thats okay they do for now have other expenses I’m more interested in
Doug, Hope your’s turn out as well as mine did. [tup]
Pat, Have you checked on your herd lately? Why do I ask?
Police say roving cows chased off Mass. backyard beer drinkers, lapped up their brews. [(-D]
Getting goodies ready for museum tomorrow, followed by Kid’s Club activities on saturday and monday. [zzz]
Chief & Don, Like the layout design, glad to hear there will be a spot for the Tapper. [B][Y]
Well the contractor for our new countertops just got his first “de-merit”, they were supposed to be here to make the templates but “no show/no call” . [|(]
Big Conga’s to all those new graduates !!! [tup][tup] And to their long sufferring parents as well. [<:o)] Don’t party to soon as now the fun really starts. [:-^]
Gotta figure out what’s for dinner, probably go grab some fast food as the kitchen counters have been all cleaned off and everything in boxes. Well, there’s always Cheerios.
