Running Bear's January 2023 Coffee Shop


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Snow white morning. It snowed all night so we go the fluff of 6 inches on the ground, I am not going to bother with clearing the driveway. The sun is out and yet the snow falls slowly and lightly. Nothing major going on today. I am home today working as little as possible as there is not much to do on that font anyhow.

I may upload a few more videos to my MRR YouTube channel for kicks. This afternoon I will be in the train room for more housekeeping and running a few trains in the process.

Yesterday was somber day. It was my baby sister's first birthday in heaven. My parents had a tough day missing her as I diud. We had a birthday celebration for her at dinner.

I am researching a locomotive today too. Union Pacific #6667 which is a GE AC4400 or rather AC44CW. As far as I can tell she was in service for coal hauling for quite some time then ventured out for regular service else where. She took a beating but like a champ. During that time from 2002 thru 2011. At some point between 2010 and 2011 she had her cab roof changed dramatically from the old dome/donut GPS sat dish antenae to the new PTC style array of equipment. At this point her paint scheme looked like a beaten down, battle torn locomotive with all her paint peeling, fading, and numbers fading. A real grunge look that attracted my attention. Even smoke stack fade and exhaust damage too. Here is a picture of UP #6667 in 2005. Notice the dome GPS etc. Slight fade....of the paint working the coal train running thru Arkansas.

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Then here again in 2011.....battered paint ....

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then here again in 2011...

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So here I found a picture where in 2012 she has the new roof full of the new PTC array.

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then in 2013.....

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a better picture in 2013

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So you are probrably wondering why am I caring about this unit?

Well I have seen this unit in person. She has had a long life in service and well here is what she looks like again in 2016 running coal trains again....

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then all the sudden.....SHAZAM!!!!! in 2017.......


UP #6667 busted out looking like a super hero with new look!


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Looking good and still running today.....last pic taken in late 2022.....



continued on the next post.....
 
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so here we are with the last pic from 2022

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So why the story line? Well I have purchased this locomotive and well I chose the old look and it was weathered to look like 2012 there abouts...when the new array of PTC were added.....

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It is on it's way to my home rails layout :cool:
 
chadbag said:
Nope, that is her. This is just the tip of the iceberg of such speech from her. Tons of videos and examples out there. It's just her style, I guess.
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She's not alone. Lining up he said/she said clips could go on for years...:p:cool:

BTW Did anyone actually read through the transcript speech I linked? I expected this to devolve into a 2A debate again, which we should avoid to avoid the ban-hammer.

I'll stop replying so it doesn't.
 
Bruette said:
Thanks Sherrel, I will pass your happy birthday wish on to her.

I've made my share of cards. My artistic skills are non-existent. I'm not even qualified to use crayons. My wife was always grateful for my kindergarten level cards.

A few months ago, when we were Christmas shopping, I bought Hallmark card stock and envelopes. When it came, I stuck it on the shelf with the printer supplies. Later when I was working on the computer in our upstairs office, I bought the download version of Hallmark's card studio. Yesterday I printed out a card as nice as any you can buy in a Hallmark store. She never even noticed I had the supplies. The card will be a surprise too!

I have the gift and card ready and I'm waiting for her this morning. I was so excited I woke up at 1:30am. I can't wait to see the look on her face!
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Home made is always worth so much more, a pretty card etc very well, but one’s time is worth so much more. IHave a number of things from the kids when at school which I treasure, even though they had to make them lol. I could not hide this from the other half and it could not be a surprise but he saw all the work and effort that went into it and treasures it,when we play musical chairs with the bedrooms this always follows him around
 

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It was 3 fricken Fahrenheit this morning at 7am when I had a meeting. Up to 11F now (10am). Another sunny and cold day. But going up this week to high 30s and low 40s high on the weekend.

Today taking the tarps off th garage slab and rebar so we can lift the rebar and add a few ties where we need them to prepare for the inspection.
 
santafewillie said:
Good Morning All. Cloudy and 23° here. Headed up to an almighty high of 28° later today, no sun expected. Nothing falling from the sky right now. We had some minor sleet here yesterday, but it wasn't enough to officially measure. Yesterday was not bad on the SFW estate. However all hell broke loose south and southeast of here. The ice prevention solution that the highway department put down Sunday didn't work and I-35/I35E were complete nightmares with a light coating of ice. It was primarily 18-wheelers (who shouldn't have been on the road to begin with), slipping, sliding and getting stuck on bridges and hills. Many accidents, but no serious injuries or deaths. Many road closures due to blocked lanes. A lot of one truck got stuck and another decided to go around and got stuck next to it. Once cleared away, two more would do the same thing. Even the parts which are three lanes wide got blocked. Eventually troopers had them all pull over to the shoulder to wait for a while, and only allowed them to use the right lane, one at a time, when the flow resumed. Back roads were in a lot better shape. More wintry mix around mid-morning today, and all day tomorrow. It won't get above freezing until noonish Thursday. The TV weather persons are working overtime.

Yesterday was mostly spent indoors, many hours facing the computer updating my train database, and organizing mp3's. I already miss the sun; it's been too cold to walk my full 1.25 miles, I did get in a half mile before the sleet started. The wind today is too serious for me to attempt, whether or not the paved road is usable. The gravel road is more amendable when there is any ice or snow accumulation.

Thanks as always for the comments and reactions to the layout progress and updates.

The train shed was tolerable yesterday considering the outdoor temperature of 25°, it was 55° in there. That's about 12° warmer than it used to stay under similar conditions before I got the additional 1500 watt heater for out there. Since I was wearing long sleeves out there, I confined myself to mainly running many trains. I did clean up a couple more structures.
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Last week I showed the build of a P2K covered hopper for MKT, I just happened to have a shot of one from Santa Fe.
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I've actually got 14 ATSF P2K covered hoppers.

Curt - Welcome back. Looking forward to seeing the model build.
Louis - Please wish Angela a Happy Birthday from me. My wife pointed out to me that her birthday this year will be on Super Bowl Sunday, the first time that that has ever happened. That game used to be a lot earlier in the year if I recall. While I and many others complain about commercials on TV, it is ironic that so many watch that game for the commercials!o_O
Terry - Good luck at the DMV today.
Jaz - I am ready to go on the garden this year. I am a bit later than normal because the Farmer's Almanac warned me ahead of time. I will however be starting tomatoes indoors this week, something that I haven't done in about a dozen years. I'll be planting an heirloom mix of six different varieties, green, gold striped with red, yellow, purple, black and red. Should be a colorful row. This week, I will also start some Spinach and Lettuce seeds indoors, and then outdoor planting of onions in about 10 days from now. Peas, Broccoli, Cabbage and Lettuce later in the month; after the new moon. The Spinach plants should be ready to set out in about three weeks, Tomatoes at the end of March. My frost-free date is March 20. My alkaline soil does not support potatoes and corn is a waste of valuable space for me, but there will be a lot of other stuff eventually. I already have all of my seed ready.
Troy - Praise and support the border Czar as much as you want, but you're not in a border state.

Today is Nolan Ryan's 76th birthday. He is still much revered here in his native Texas. He still has 51 MLB records. His Nolan Ryan Angus Beef is most excellent, but is not even available outside of the eastern side of Texas. Sorry El Paso, Austin and San Antonio! Somewhat ironic since the company headquarters is in Round Rock TX, just 18 miles north of Austin.

Everybody have a great day.
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Mar 20, you lucky bugger we are usually May 14 but had a late May in the last year or so.25 I think. fleece is usually on.
You’re so much more organised than me,I want to get a lot done this year the last two years wrecked by by ankle and knee injuries.
At the moment strawberries are good.
red celery survived winter but low to ground
spinach survived and will hopefully blossom soon, plus self seeds
i plan peas soon
I decided against Broad beans I got loads last time but we did not eat them as our diet changed and a lot of calories
I love tomatoes, but often do the cherries as I eat them off the plant whilst working outside saves me coming in for a drink - my excuse and I am sticking to it,
I like cucumbers but getting nice ones is a pain. The time and effort to have gherkins it is easier to buy them but they come laden in sugar.
I like cucamelon, but lost most of last years with my knee playing up
red squash last year were totally yummy, but the mice liked them also once the farms cut their grains,
zuccini I love
i tried savoury pumpkin for the first time and thought it much nicer than sweet versions,
I like green beans,and keep seeds to grow more,
celery is good
herbs,
plus my son and his girlfriend are welcome to grab anything,especially as it looks like she might be my future daughter in law…yay!!!! She is friendly outgoing a hugger and says when not happy - politely, or she thinks my son is not pulling his weight, and they bicker,and cuddle, so neither of them feels incapable of bemoaning, so no stress/feeling put upon…and she is leaning cards and games. My son seems so much happier with her. Plus they now live. Nearby, and they know if low on funds they can come eat here,and/or walk off with food.I even ensure we have dog food for when they visit.I had problems on Christmas Day with my leg, and see stepped in and helped saved Christmas dinner, totally love her.
 
Afternoon All,

Started out today doing a major cleaning on the floors which were quite messy when we got home from vacation. Dad and son were here during that time. :rolleyes: After that chore I headed to the train room and looked through all the part bags and realized a couple of things: 1. There are parts for several variations of the car and, 2. Although I didn't pay extra, the upgrade etched brass ladder kit is included. One thing that I noted when I initially opened the box is that the "box" is cast in one part and even braced on the inside to prevent warping. That surprised me. I was expecting to have to glue the walls together.:)

I may not be in tomorrow as Dad has an afternoon VA appointment.

Karl- It will be interesting to see your progress with the signals.

Smudge- Great videos. Loved the steam one.

Sherrel- Thank you. Typical political double talk and saying nothing. Both parties have mastered this.

Willie- Thank you. Nice scene and car. I don't watch pro sports. IMO they are overpaid athletes who think their opinion matter to me.

Louis- Happy Birthday to your Angel.🎂

James- Nice picture chronology of UP 6667. Nice looking model.

Terry- You're officially a resident for better or worse.:D

I hope everyone has a good night.
 
Morning, all! Just got in from a grocery curbside pickup. It is a cold, raw day here in Houston, 43° with a maybe high of 50°.
some really great photos you guys are posting.

Favorite locomotives - I guess my overall favorite is the RS-3. I do have 7 of them for my relatively small layout.
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Then I suppose SD40-2 would be my next favorite.
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And coming in third, GG-1. It's got a face only a mother could love.
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STAY SAFE
LATER
 

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Good afternoon in still chilly Wisconsin. But we are in positive numbers if you ignore the wind chill
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Plumber and contractor just left.

So, in the lower level of the house we are in, it is plumbed and framed for a 4th bathroom that of course we don’t need. But it will make a great shop area. With my paint booth, a sink, plenty of storage, weathering bench and decent size shop at what I drew out as 12’x16’. There is 1 wall to remove, move it 8’ out, build a new wall and viola, a work space. The paint booth now will haves its own exhaust outlet not a window. The room will have 2 ceiling bathroom type exhaust fans. It easily can be converted to a full bath and closet space when we decide to sell. Plumber measured what he needs, the contractor was here with his framing guy and between them and the plumber and Terry’s checkbook we are set. They will even do the drywall, mud and paint. Terry and the daughter tomorrow will pick out cabinets from the contractors warehouse, so no wait times there. I’m happy and because I am happy so is the wife! Right, that’s the way it works?
 
TLOC said:
From what I understand there is a great show in East Lansing in early November? at Michigan State. I have a few friends who venture over from Wisconsin. While not as huge as Amherst it is still big enough. Trainfest in Milwaukee is bigger but has a different focus then the sell tables at East Lansing.

My buy list is on my cellphone so I don’t buy duplicate numbers. I still buy duplicate numbers…
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Oh, thanks for the info TLOC!!! My eldest is at Michigan State now (freshmen...the one in my signature pic actually hahaha)!!! I will have to go visit and hit the train show... I have hit the one in Novi but never that one! Seriously, many thanks.
 
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