Running Bear's Coffee Shop LXVI

[Boris]

Good morning. 76° and partly cloudy.

Last night's baseball, was quite fascinating. The national game on MLB network, was Cleveland at Boston, Quite the defensive battle, Boston won 12-10 with a 2 out, 3 run walk off home run in the bottom of the ninth. Meanwhile, The Nats blew a 6 run lead and lost at Miami 7-6. Starting pitcher Max Scherzer hit his first home run, strained his neck, and was unable to continue pitching. Dusty's bull pen dropped the ball. The Orioles Dylan Bundy pitched an 8 inning, 3 hit performance as the O's cruised to their fourth straight win. How 'bout that hon?

Eric: The mere fact that you were able to run is a great sign. The Scan will show what work remains to be done. I believe you are up to it, if necessary. Love your attitude.

Garry: I'm a confirmed cynic. I personally don't believe in any ideology. They all lie. Our elected leaders are all available to the highest bidder. Those who give a crap about their constituents, are ousted by well financed primary campaigns. Certain people are given special considerations, while others are held to a higher standard. Current events, prove "money talks"... Not going to pursue this discussion any farther, because venting will not change anything.

Sherrel: Nothing like California's weather extremes to liven up the day.

Willie: Thanks for the suggestion. I'll give it a try.

 

[Raincoat2]

Willie:
"Johnny - Your travelog through SE TX highlights some interesting places. You mentioned Lumberton, in the very far SE corner, "city of highways" so to speak, with a really small but beautiful state park, Village Creek State Park. At 1100 acres, it is smaller than most farms and ranches in my neighborhood. Did you happen to visit it? You mentioned the windows in the Brook Hill Dairy yesterday; I assembled their Ashmore Hotel about a year ago and it has 230 windows in it! It is however, 11 stories tall. I am using the Brook Hill structure as "Federal Cold Storage", since small dairies were pretty much non-existent in my era and locale.
Regarding your question about the two engines. I have found over the years that I can only really count on successfully "double-heading" two identical (same model type) locomotives from the same manufacturer. I do have some examples that don't follow this rule, such as a GP35 from Atlas with a GP20 from P2K (not too sure if I got the manufacturers correct here, I'd have to go look). And I am able to use SD40-2's from Kato with Dash9-44CW's from Kato as well."

My wife's family all live in East Texas and a long-time friend lives in Jasper. We stay with them when we travel down there, so it saves on motel expenses. We often go to Galveston via the Bolivar Peninsula ferry, and stop at a place called Crystal Beach there on the peninsula. Lumberton is on the way and we always stop at a couple of antique shops there. We didn't stop at the State Park - we'll have to check that out next time we go.

The Brook Hill dairy structure is coming together nicely - I'm really taking more pains to be careful with the paint, the glue, etc. It'll be the tallest structure I've put together yet. I don't know if I'd ever tackle that Ashmore Hotel!

Yeah, regarding the locomotives - I'll probably buy another model that matches one I already have - same manufacturer, same specs, etc. - like you mentioned - and that should handle the problem.

 

[montanan]

Good morning. 54 degrees to start off the day with a high expected i the high 70's.

Jerry - We have fires all round us here in Montana. Nothing local at the moment, but the smoke is so bad that the Bridger Mountains that are only 10 miles away can barely be seen. Maybe Sherrel should send some of his rain in our direction. They have issued alerts for people with respiratory problems to stay indoors.

Eric - We're all hoping the best for you with the scan.

Willie - Goats can take care of some of the grass. Not bad being able to get a third cutting. Not going to happen up here with the shorter growing season.

Karl - Must be nice to get your truck back, and shinny too with everything working the way it should. I know the covered workbench syndrome. I probably have at least 5 ongoing projects on it plus tools and new items that have arrived from MB Klein. I'll get to them some day.

Johnny - I also still operate DC only but years ago I build my fleet of locomotives for my freelance railroad. using the same locomotives, Atlas RS units. Their speed are so close that I have put 12 of them on the track at the same time, spaced out and let them go and was lucky enough to have them maintain just about the same distance apart. Even the old Athearn locomotives that I remotored years ago just happen to run at just about the same speed. No problem using multiple units to pull long trains up the grades. You might consider trying to find another locomotive the same as one you already have.

Ken from VA - Enjoy your visit with Sherrel

Joe - Deer can be quite a problem with gardening. Years ago when we had a large garden we put up a fence with 4 foot tall chicken wire and that solved the problem. We had considered both solar and wind years back but never followed through due to the cost of the initial installation. I'll probably be dead by the time the installation is paid off.

At least the phones and internet are working today. Here's another rails photo.



Later

 

[Sirfoldalot]

Say, JOE, I have no first hand knowledge - maybe Willie can shed some light along with his "blood meal" - but in the movie .. The Rookie .. they used human hair to keep the deer off the ball field. Hmmm, I wonder? Have a barber shop or saloon near you?

What say you, Willie?

 

[GarryCBQ]

Joe .... yes, it is best we not say too much here. It is too easy to digress into political discussions. ... It is best to be cynic instead of falling for the deceptions. ... We should be skeptical instead of gullible.

Chet ... I hope the fires in your state can soon be brought under control too. ... I like the latest photo.

 

[Greg@mnrr]

Joe: Our cabin is in "Deer Country" and when driving anywhere we always see a deer or two or more. Being in "Sand Country" or the part of Wisconsin that has basically sand for soil, its hard to grow anything since the sand dries out so fast. In our cabin garden we grow Hosta Lillies. Deer love them and will eat the entire planting in one night. I use Liquid Fence which is a spray applied to the plants and works great as a preventive measure to keep the deer from eating the Hostas and other potted plants.

One person I know keeps a cheap radio playing in his garden and the deer think there's human active nearby and keep their distance from the gardens.

A wooden walk way around the garden could help since deer do not like to walk on wood. Could be costly.

Chet: Another nice photo.

Johnny: I double head using locomotives of the same type and manufacture since the running characteristics are so close and can be adjusted with DCC. I have two Milwaukee Road U Boats that pull my ore train. Installed DCC in the units and they run perfect together. When I purchased locomotives, I brought at least two of the same type, different unit numbers, just for the future and running multi-units.

Layout:

Well, back to the layout today to finish my wiring project. Sure is easier when wiring is done right in the first place.

Originally, I intended to color code every circuit and failed to follow my own rules. At this stage in my layout's development a bit too late. Lucky having separate power supplies for lighting, DCC, signals and LED lighting I can turn off certain power supplies and isolate circuits by virtual of the only circuit I need to work on is powered and a meter tracks down the circuit's path.

That's all for now.

Greg

 

[montanan]

Greg - I think I can relate to the wiring post. So far I have stuck with my plan. Separate power supplies for locomotives, multiple throttles, lighting and signals, but I did it so long ago, I forgot where a lot of it is. I did thankfully scrawl what the color code is, along with the diagram, but I should take a photo of it as it is on the under side of the layout and now I am getting older and it's hard to get into a position to read it.

 

[Sirfoldalot]

I hope all that rain clears by tomorrow Sherrell. I'll be coming across I-10 then picking my way across 60 to I-215. I'm planning to be at your place about 3pm. It can only be a short visit as my niece is expecting me at her place in Vista about 5:30pm.

KEN, Don't know how "glued" to the Interstate you are ... but, if you take Hwy 111 from Indio to Palm Desert to HWY 74, Then HWY 371 to Aguanga, then Hwy 79 to my door. It's a very nice curvy, mountain way that hundreds of bikers take on weekends - just for the ride. The only thing you would miss is a few Union Pacific trains between Palm Springs and the Riverside area.

 

[Sirfoldalot]

CAR POOL?

Garry, That is actually funny -- NOT! It really got soaked! A normal day around here will cure that - just not today!

All these years I have thought that I was a middle of the road conservative, but After reading the post from Louis, I have decided that maybe if he considers himself to be a conservative, then I must be a Flaming Right Wing Extremist! Little did I know all those years. Guess I should support that element?

 

[Sirfoldalot]

Willie (and others) -- I know that you made a remark about the hospital bill a while back. I just looked at the June Monthly Report from Kaiser.
The total amount for the month of June, not including my "chip-in" for the co-pays was $141,000 AND THAT WAS NOT including the longer and more extensive second round
of surgery and all those "extras" standing by. I hope they stashed some gold in there somewhere ... may need it later on.

 

[Genetk44]

Just a local shop

 

[PRR Modeler]

Afternoon All,

Humid and drizzling here. We were supposed to watch the grand kids starting at 7 this morning. When 8 rolled around and no kids MOH called and was told we sent you a text message that you weren't needed, Son-I-L's schedule changed. We went grocery shopping after that . Later I hooked up the fire camp fire light for my (actually my wife's) hobo scene. I also cut out blanks for the window and door sizes for my upcoming build.

CA Dave- Good to see you posting again.

Chet- Nice rail photo. I hope they get the fires under control.

Gene- Holy Crap, that's a lot of locos!

I hope everyone has a good night

 

[Genetk44]

Curt...he has more than locos....he has eveything...!!!! There are two more rooms besides what you see in the photos!!

 

[montanan]

Holy Moly Batman. I haven't seen anything like this in a long time. Would be nice just to browse the store.

Curt - We'll probably have to deal with the fires until the snow flies and mother nature puts them out.

 

[Beady]

Joe .... yes, it is best we not say too much here. It is too easy to digress into political discussions. ... It is best to be cynic instead of falling for the deceptions. ... We should be skeptical instead of gullible.

Chet ... I hope the fires in your state can soon be brought under control too. ... I like the latest photo.

Politics need not be controversial. I think we can all agree that Democrats want to steal your money, while Republicans want to keep the money they already stole.

About health insurance: I don't have a dog of my own in the Obamacare fight and I don't understand the macro-economical arguments for and against. Besides, when I retired, I elected to keep full federal Blue Cross/Shield and we still have it, rather than going to a Medicare supplement, so we're doing OK for health insurance. OTOH, my nephew, a juvenile diabetic on an insulin pump, would be paying more than $1k a month for treatment without Obamacare, and that doesn't even take into account the Pre-existing Condition provision. So, for his sake, I'm going to respectfully disagree with what appears to be the consensus here.

ETA About deer and gardens: Would one of those Invisible Fences keep deer out, as opposed to keeping dogs in? I have no idea how they work.

This signature is intended to irritate people.

 

[D&J RailRoad]

KEN, Don't know how "glued" to the Interstate you are ... but, if you take Hwy 111 from Indio to Palm Desert to HWY 74, Then HWY 371 to Aguanga, then Hwy 79 to my door. It's a very nice curvy, mountain way that hundreds of bikers take on weekends - just for the ride. The only thing you would miss is a few Union Pacific trains between Palm Springs and the Riverside area.

I've riden that road many times when I was stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. It takes a bit longer due to the slowdowns for the grades and curves. I'll be leaving Clarkdale shortly after sun up in order to make it to your place by 3pm.

 

[bnsf971]

ETA About deer and gardens: Would one of those Invisible Fences keep deer out, as opposed to keeping dogs in? I have no idea how they work.

They work by training the pet to avoid the area that triggers their shock collars. So, unless you can catch and equip all the deer in your area with shock collars, and train them to avoid the triggering area, i don't think it would work.

 

[Beady]

They work by training the pet to avoid the area that triggers their shock collars. So, unless you can catch and equip all the deer in your area with shock collars, and train them to avoid the triggering area, i don't think it would work.

OK, how about a piranha-filled moat?

This signature is intended to irritate people.

 

[kbkchooch]

They work by training the pet to avoid the area that triggers their shock collars. So, unless you can catch and equip all the deer in your area with shock collars, and train them to avoid the triggering area, i don't think it would work.

I don't care if the neighborhood mutts come across my yard, but I wonder if I could equip the neighborhood kids with collars?

 

[Bruette]

Good evening gentlemen!

I could not read any of the posts this morning because both Comcast and T-Mobile were not working. My boys were not happy, no online games.

I'm feeling tired today so I rested all day and I am not working this evening either.

As for my ideology; In keeping with the train topic, it's like this "If you have been riding the gravy train all your life you don't know what it is like to be under the bus". Life has been good to me, but I have been around the block, I've spent enough time on the mean streets to know life has not been so good to everybody.

I consider myself neither a conservative or a liberal. I agree with some of each. I agree more with liberals on social issues. I lean more to the conservative side for fiscal matters, but as far as the "trickle down" theory and unruly deregulation goes, been there, done that, and it failed miserably. See the early 90s recession. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_1990s_recession Personally, I did well in the Early 90s, working my ass off selling commercial tires 70-100 a week. Not everybody can out work their troubles.

I'm also a firm believer in the core conservative principal of free trade. I believe it is a mistake to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Trade Partnership. Isolationism is bad for America. Sure there will be pain in adjusting, but that is where helping others comes in. Education, retraining and other programs to meet the challenges of the ever changing world. Hiding under the bed won't save us from the changes. Change is inevitable and it's beater to be ahead of the curve instead of behind it. Free Trade is not only good economically (if we embrace and prepare for the changes), but it has far-reaching diplomatic benefits as well. Do we really want to concede the pacific rim to China? I also believe in America, we can win on any playing field!

Free Trade was not a mistake, the mistake was not being ready for free trade. The days of the American worker getting out of high school and going to work "down at the plant" are long gone and are they not coming back.

I have an idea; instead of trade barriers how about a national sales tax on frivolous goods to pay for health care? I don't know, I'm just running it up the flag pole. I don't see what is wrong with paying a few extra dollars for a new cell phone, TV, DVR, toy locomotive or some other gadget.

I can't see others suffering because of a lack of money. The government should help those who have fallen on hard times. After all most millionaires have made their money on the backs of hard working people. I've never seen a millionaire go home with a dirty uniform. They should pay a higher tax rate. American business should also pay more in taxes than businesses in other countries because it's a privilege to do business in America. Everybody wants a piece of the world's largest economy. They should pay their fair share of taxes when they take a slice of the pie.

I am in favor of taking the burden of healthcare off the backs of employers. It should be paid by the federal government just like national defense. it's not socialism, it's common sense. If we have to raise taxes so be it. If your roof is leaking and you don't have the cash to fix it you go into debt to get it done because it has to be done! Take out the profits and I bet we save 20% or even more.

The reason I never expanded any of my business was because I was never sure how much health care would cost from year to year. How many others are like me?

If we remove the burden of health care from employers we can end corporate welfare programs like food stamps and other programs. We can cut spending on these programs not by pulling the food out of starving children's mouths. We cut these programs by paying everybody a wage sufficient to feed their families. The more you pay the common man the more he will spend back into the economy. It's better that letting the rich ship cash to off shore, tax free bank accounts. See Mitt Romney.

How is that Sherrel?