Coffee Shop Number 16

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I didn't have a cubicle. I had an office, the entire computer services section of Financial Strategies Incorporated when they had an office in Leesville, 1981-1990.

 

[blownoutcylinder]

I didn't have a cubicle. I had an office, the entire computer services section of Financial Strategies Incorporated when they had an office in Leesville, 1981-1990.

I heard about that company----that was quite some time ago.

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

What did you hear about it?

 

[Secondhandmodeler]

Good evening folks.

I had a busy day doing everything but working and modeling. I mowed my Grandmothers lawn today. Her neighbor asked if I would mow hers as well whenever I'm mowing my Grandmothers . Since I'm down there anyway, why not take the extra twenty bucks? My 'mowing money' is no questions asked train money.

I decided to buy a Bachmann Berkshire with this new found funding. My wife doesn't realize this, but she's an accomplice in the purchase. I hooked my 2-8-0 to my passenger cars to see if I could replicate the photo I have of my trestle. She stated that the locomotive looks too small to pull such big cars. I know the Berkshire is not suppose to pull passenger cars, but it's my favorite looking loco. I took the plunge and parted with $65 plus shipping on ebay. I can't wait until this thing arrives. Now I really need to finish my trestle!

I hope all is well for everyone.

Have a good night!

 

[blownoutcylinder]

What did you hear about it?

Actually not that much--just that it had some interesting people connected with it. There were arguments about where it was based out of---they seemed to have had a representative up here though.

 

[pcarrell]

Well, it seems the the Central Indiana & Western has a new piece of rolling stock. Sorry for the low quality pic, but I snagged it on my cell phone camera.

{Click to Enlarge}

 

[stationmaster]

Headed to the snooze room achieve a horizontal condition and thought I'd stop in for a short.

Corey, Berks did tug some passenger cars around at times. They were among some of the fastest engine in the country for their time. Not only did NKP run a tight schedule with freight, their passenger service was just as precise.

I have an old B&W picture taken in the '50's of the NKP 751, I think, with a passenger consist just east of Fort Wayne, Indiana near the Casad Depot. I'm not quite sure ofthe engine number as it is hard to read in the picture.

Let me knowhow you like the engine. I've been thinking of increasing my NKP roster and have been gawking at those engines. I have a few Rivarossi Berkshires and a brass model, but the price difference may be worth changing manufacturers. Mine started out with the motor in the cab, except for the 765 and the 779, which are newer models. I bought chassis' on line(eBay) to convert the other four. Now all have the modern can motors and tower gearboxes on the drivers. The Bachman unit does look appealing.

Phil, took another bike ride today. It was a bit cool this evening but a good time just the same. I need to get a hack for the dogs though. I'd think they would enjoy the bike ride. What is the new car? The rail/tie crane and flatcar? Even if not, it's sweet looking.

Well, the eyelids are getting heavy and the data is downloaded for tomorrow's work. Had a big problem last night downloading and didn't get done until almost 5 o'clock. Some of the data seemed to be corrupted and I had a heck of a time fixing it all. What usually takes 1-2 hours at most, took 6. What a mess.

'Night all.

Bob

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Actually not that much--just that it had some interesting people connected with it. There were arguments about where it was based out of---they seemed to have had a representative up here though.

The Financial Strategies I worked for had nothing to do with the mortgage companies you see today. It was an insurance brokerage with offices in 16 states in the US (as far north as Grand Forks) and 3 offices in Canada. The company had quite a few business leaders connected with it, not the least of which was Arnold Abramson, one of the company founders. He was part of the driving force to expand the company. Like any company it had it's share of colorful characters. As near as I can remember the company was based out of San Diego California. In the late 80's it moved to Woodland Hills California. The Leesville Louisiana office closed in 1990 when the regional president retired.

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning.

It's 72 and partly cloudy. The high should be in the high 80's and it will be partly cloudy.

The structural work on the SD27J is almost complete. It won't be long until the shell is disassembled and painted in it's new scheme. It will be at this point that the decoder will be installed. Other than that I have no plans for today.

Today's Weather for:
Sundown, LA 71446-6114 5/13/2009

Heat Index: 77°F
Humidity: 100%
Dew Point: 72°F

So Far Today
High: 72°F
Low: 71°F
Rain: 0.00"
Rain Rate: 0.00"/h
Gust: 7mph NNE

Today High: 88 Partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 80s. South winds 10 to 15 mph.

Tonight Low: 68 Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 60s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm18/forum-2/P5060328.jpg

 

[blownoutcylinder]

Good Morning--

The weather here is going to change a bit--weatherguessers are talking about a bunch of showers--heavy at times with the ever popular chance of t'underboomers overnight and into tomorrow morning. Winds will pop up this evening and be coming in from the south up to 80kmh. Our high today will be at 21C

I got a day off today so I'm going to spend part of it patching some RS's as I'm starting to think about what colours the shortline will be using for their lokes---

Have a good one people

 

[tompm]

Good morning folks

It was 46 F this morning. High today will get to 73 F.

Last night was one of the roughest evenings I have ever had as a volunteer leader. We spoke with the parent of the scout and we had to inform her that he was not welcomed back. I was deeply saddened that we had to do it but his behavior had reached the point that there was no other option. The thing that surprised me the most was the mother’s reaction. She was upset but not surprised and as a matter of fact she stated she knew it was coming. I cannot understand how a parent can see something bad coming and just lets it happen. I know from out personal experience if I saw something like this coming I would be fighting tooth and nail to get my child the help he needs. Her attitude was so nonchalant that after I thought about it I got angry. This child, second grader, has been suspended from school for threatening a teacher, kicked out of several Day Cares, and basically has no friends. I truly fear for his future.

My daughter had her first softball game. They did not do well. Considering that with all the rain we have had they have only had two practices it was not unexpected. My daughter is going to camp with her school class today. I had to drop her off this morning. She will be back on Friday.

My son has a baseball game tonight. We have a Parents’ meeting with the Cub Scouts tonight before the normal den meetings.

I hope everybody has a good day.

 

[pcarrell]

Phil, took another bike ride today. It was a bit cool this evening but a good time just the same.

It was nice out yesterday, wasn't it? I rode for a while too, and it was great.

I need to get a hack for the dogs though. I'd think they would enjoy the bike ride.

Depending on the size of the dogs, there are a few carriers on the market.

http://www.road-hound.com/

http://www.shopscootworks.com/shop/...7707381&catalogId=&searchProducts=pet carrier

What is the new car? The rail/tie crane and flatcar? Even if not, it's sweet looking.

I didn't get a chance to look and see what it's for. It looks like an older version of the tie cars that CSX was using last year when they did their major maintinance in my area.

 

[Screwjack]

Well, this seems like the thread where anyone who has time just drops in to say hey. Being new to both the hobby and the board I thought I might join in and see how things are with everyone.

I have the day off today just to do some things and blow a vacation day. I will try to make it to the barber today for a long over due hair cut. Then do some yard stuff here at the house before the rain arrives.

I had hoped to get my motorcycle out for a bit today, but the rain will not allow that.

I am still in the beginning stages of my first layout. I have the track laid down and have been testing it with some different engines and train combinations to make sure everything is going to run well before I actually fasten down the track. So far so good, had a few problem areas, but they seem to be good now.


tompm; that cub scout deal had to be tough. I can relate, did the cub scout thing for about five or six years while my son was in. Had a few problem kids to deal with myself, but really nothing like you had to do last night. My guess is his mom's attitude is a major part of his problem. Glad it we fairly well for you.

Well, I am off to the barber, then some yard work and hopefully have some time to work on my layout later today...

See you people around the board...

 

[pcarrell]

Welcome to the coffee shop Screwjack! You guessed right, this is a hangout place to talk about darn near everything.

 

[blownoutcylinder]

Welcome to the coffee shop Screwjack!!!!

Drop in anytime for coffee ----

 

[leghome]

Welcome Screwjack. Chris(vato loco) will buy you first months coffee and snacks. He is our resident uhhh well I really do not know what to call him but he is one fun guy to have around. He is always coming up with some prank that keeps us all guessing or at least watching our back sides. Like when Rex went camping last month and came home to his layout being a shambles from Chris inviting everyone over to Rex's for a party. Oh well just watch and learn and you will have a good time, we all usually do.

 

[IronBeltKen]

Howdy crew!

Welcome to Flo's place, Screwjack! I've seen some of your posts on the main forum, but I didn't have time to answer them because I've been way too busy lately [sorry about that].

Tom, that's tragic about that problem cub scout. Sounds like his mom is in over her head, and too burned-out to react anymore. Where is this boy's father, I wonder?

Yesterday was a two-steps-backward type of day for me on my Main Street project. I noticed that my lane divider lines were not properly spaced apart, so I decided I better fix them now before I attempt to weather the road surface. So I peeled off the decals that needed to come up, but a 15-inch length had been painted on. I couldn't find any sandpaper, so I scraped it off as carefully as I could and brush-applied some concrete-colored paint. Unfortunately, by scraping of the stripe, I ruined the texture of the road surface, and the paint dryed unevenly. There was no way of hiding this flaw in photographs, so I had to re-spraypaint it. This meant I had to uproot all of the structures, utility poles, etc that I had installed, and had to carefully break-apart a few sections of road that had been cemented together. I spent over 2 hours doing the work to fix this glitch. Now I'm back at the point I was at on Monday evening. Losing all that time ticks me off, but I'm glad I spent the time to correct it.

I've been staying up way too late every night trying to finish the Main Street scene, so I'm running a major sleep deficit. This tends to happen when I get up to my eyeballs in a modeling project.

Back to work now, C-U-L!

 

[RexHea]

Hi everyone and a big welcome Screwjack!
While in the coffee shop, you can almost see yourself sitting at a real table talking with the local gang.Yeah, Larry's right about Chris; he's full of it...fun that is .

Fellows, if you remember, last year I tried to get a new metal roof put on my porch and the guy never showed up. Yesterday I had another fellow come over and check it out. The wife knows him from work and can vouch for him. Hopefully, his estimate will be in the ballpark and we can get this project going.

I have been meaning to tell you that my grandson in Afghanistan (82nd Airborne) had an IED blowup one of their convoy vehicles about a month ago; it killed 4 Afghan soldiers. Well, it happened again a few days ago only this time it was his vehicle. Fortunately, it went off late and only rolled the vehicle over and caught it on fire. He is ok and said that he couldn't hear for a couple of hours, but had a sore nose from a loose ammo can that smacked him. While I am extremely proud of him serving our country, it sure makes ole grandpa (and Nana) anxious.

Time to get back at it...whatever I was doing...can't seem to remember...oh yeah, I know. .

 

[Screwjack]

Hey thanks for the big welcome I appreciate it a lot! So much so the next round of coffee is on me

Ken, what part of Baltimore are you from? I grew up just outside the city line, little place called Baltimore Highlands. Lot of good memories for me from back in the day in old Bawlmore... Really miss though crabs, but I try to get some ever time I am in town. The wife and I make a yearly trip to Ocean City every July. Except this year, our daughters in getting married and money's a little tight, being father of the bride and all.

Rex, sounds like you have a grandson to be proud of! Thanks him for his service to our country. Hope he stays safe

Well, got the old ears lowered earlier today, then actually got some yard stuff done. Almost had time for a short ride on the motorcycle, but the rain started. So I ended up in the basement and got a few strips of roadbed laid on my first layout. Not doing to bad if I do say so my self. Kind of taking it slow and a few baby steps at a time. I want it to be as nice as a new guy can do for the first time.

Well, you guys enjoy the coffee, I am off to read some postings and will stop by later to see what's going on...

 

[stationmaster]

Ah, new meat in the coffee shop, eh, FLO? Welcome to the best kept secret on the boards, Screwjack. The coffee ain't half bad, ain't half good either, the conversation and company more than make up for the deficiency in the quality of the beverage though.

Phil, we have two Boston Terriers and a Weimy. With the carriers, the better half would have to ride on the handle bars. Besides, I want a hack. Been pleading for one for the last three bikes. Don't cut my legs out from under me by offering me links to carriers. Agree with me that I need a sidecar. Us fellas got to stick together when dealing with the females of the species.

Rex, I've got two nephews and a two godsons serving our country. Two in Iraq and two in Afghanistan. Two are pilots(one Marine and one Air Force), another is a Marine gunnery sergeant and the other is a Combined Forces SpecOps specialist(a chopper pilot).All four have been overseas on multiple occasions. The all three were part of Desert Storm also. They are doing well and have been lucky not to have been hurt.

You are wearing your pride, your love, and your worry on your sleeve. That's a good thing. It's hard to be back home doing the simple daily things, while they live in harm's way. God bless them.

ken(the other one), so goes the journey in the hobby. Some days it seems like you have to destroy half of the previous day's work to fix a problem. Been there many times. I've been working on a problem on the nursing home's layout for a couple days now. I think i got 'er figgerd out now though. I was having problems with the placement of about (4)switches in the industrial district. Made a slight adjustment(it took 5 tries) and it is seeming to come together now. At lest now I can make the track plan work......I think.

Tom, maybe someone should have explained the word discipline to the mom. I don't believe in beating a child but do adhere to the adage, "Spare the rod and you spoil the child."

Bob