Morning, everyone.
Bob, the PRR was notorious for put on number boards in all sorts of non-standard fashions. The ones I remember actually seeing in service are like the ones on the 9798, skinny side in, fat side out.
But, the PRR number boards were never the standard F-7 number boards. The skinny side wasn't much different than the fat side. They actually had a curve that followed the sheet metal curve in cowl the looked almost flat, not like the obvious skinny/fat look of an Athearn F-7. That last picture Ken posted is actually an F-3 that was rebuilt with F-7 internals and side panels but they left the F-3 number boards. So I'd pick out a picture and mount them the way it's shown for the unit number you want to use. The Pennsy still considered itself the "Standard Railway of the World" at the time and, from those train phone antennas down, never did things the same way as the rest of the lower class railroads.
I was looking at the radar last night and it looked like Indiana was getting hammered. I'm surprised you weren't swamped with calls too, Phillip. I didn't hear of any more tornado's but the squall lines sure looked like they had the potential. Looks like you had one of those nights I had a few days ago. Finally got in bed about 0500 - just wasn't sleepy for some reason.
Chris, I have a little less than an acre of which about .6 acres is lawn. My lawn service charges $35 a week to mow, edge, and clean all the leaves and debris from the flower beds. I don't know how that compares to your cost structure but I've had him the whole three years I've lived here and he's reliable and does good work. Even with the economic problems, I'd find a way to keep his service. I figured it would take me about three years before I was even if I was to buy all the equipment I need to do my own yard and that doesn't count the hospital bills from flipping over the tractor since about half my land is on the side of hill.
I pay a year in advance so he gives me a deal. I was talking to him Monday and he'd like to raise his rates to new customers but there's just too much cost resistance right now. Assuming this economy ever improves, he will join the inflation bandwagon quick.
I like your list of the five biggest businesses and I think you're probably close to right. Here, the biggest business are those places that give payday loans, followed by pawn shops and gas stations. We have a gas station on almost every corner of every street. I have no idea how they all stay in business. The only businesses we have that stay open 24 hours are Walgreens, Walmart, and the bail bond agency. I don't know if there's symbiotic relationship there or what.
Ken, Delaware will feel the effects of Bill but mostly long period swells of 7 to 10 feet. Those are the fun kind of waves that surfers like and shouldn't be a problem close to shore. This weekend would be a good time to stay on the beach further north though. It looks like Cape Cod will take the brunt of the short period, high frequency waves, which could reach 18 to 22 feet. Only totally crazy surfers will try those. At least you have no excuse not to get some layout work done this weekend. Dianna is going to Women of Faith extravaganza in Atlanta next weekend and both girls will be gone too. Just me and the cats. I'll set out a big mound of food for them and disappear for the weekend into the basement. I'm looking forward to it.
Jeffrey, take Bob's advice about how to roll out your backdrop. I did mine the "logical" way and I'm still using up rubber cement keeping down the pop-ups.
Corey, the first thing I do with Athearn heavyweights is replace the trucks with the Athearn metal wheel variety. I've tried using other wheels with the standard trucks and they never seem to work as well either. Seems like they should, since it works with my AHM heavyweights bit not the Athearns. The 36" wheels should be fine with thing like newer tank cars and covered hoppers. The only problems I've had with 36" wheels is when they were so big that they'd rub against the body. That's one way to know the real car had 33" wheels.
Sounds like a nice family trip and the Hiawatha trip sounds really cool. We're going on a cruise starting on November 1st (praying that hurricane season is over) but I'd much rather ride the Hi. I don't think I can convince the girls that would be more fun than eight days in the Caribbean though.
It's already 89 with a dewpoint of 74 here so I guess you could call it a little muggy.
We've got thunderstorms popping up all over the radar so we really should get some rain today. That same cold front that went through the Midwest is pushing south now and I'm actually a little worried this could get more severe than the NWS thinks. There's already a real good squall line in Mississippi. If these storms can get organized here, we could get some tornadic activity. We'll see what happens but I hope it at least rains.
! Last Saturday the lawn service was hopping
Next thing your gonna tell me that 4 inch heels improve your layout access!
I've had it with this guy. He wants to try me on Flomax because of my enlarged prostate. At $105 for a 30 day supply, it had better be a miracle drug or it's back to saw palmetto for me. I think works just as good anyway. I also finally go him to give me my PSA reading from last Friday. It's 2.4, which is normal but somewhat suprising, since I know I have (had) a prostate infection that contributed to my bladder problem. I had been taking Cipro for about 10 days though so that may have knocked the reading back to normal. I've been feeling fine with no problems so I expect to get a clean bill of health from the urologist when I see her on Sept. 4. 
