Running Bear's August 2023 Coffee Shop

[chadbag]

Wow! That's some train room. Looks bigger than my whole house. Ha! The dog woke me up to go out at 2: AM so I'm looking through your post. Changed her dog food today so I suppose this will last a day or two. I see you're from Utah in your avatar. Is it cool out there now or still hot? I'm thinking about moving to a higher elevation away from the heat of Florida.

Today it was 62F when I got up and yesterday 60F, and yesterday it was high 70s during the day. However, its just been the last few days. Prior to that was a week of low 90s and prior to that high 90s or low 100s for a few weeks. But it was cool up through June 30. Jul 1 the heat hit.

Usually pretty dry though the last few days have been the start of what people call "monsoon" season here. Not like a real monsoon season but yesterday it rained twice pretty hard for a short while. Once in the morning and once late evening. And the previous two days it rained at least once each day. But when not raining it is quite nice.

I suspect it will get hotter again as it is the first half of August and August is typically the hottest I think. Generally pretty dry when its hot.

 

[TLOC]

Morning from the funny farm where it is 61f degrees and headed for 90f later with clear sunny skies.
FLO, coffee please with a breakfast sandwich!

I guess that I am too much "old school". As far as I am concerned the graffiti looks sh%#Y and the ships look clownish and ridiculous!

That's just my opinion which along with $5.00 will get you a cup of coffee most places!

Sherrel, switch to soda, at most it’s $3.50 around here with free re-fills!

 

[troyphoto]

Well, howdy there internet peeps, and those with clown cars!

It's Troy again.

Sitting on the patio for a while. It's first of the month laundry day. So matress pad, as well as sheets.

Hit the grocery. Purchased the wife her favorite dessert: Watermelon.

Tomorrow I'm supposed to get my but to Indianapolis to help run WWII demo games for the Warlord Games booth. So, up at my normal time of 4:30ish.... probably won't get to drive back until about 11pm. Home by 1 am.

And, I'm ahead of schedule on my Sasquatch book. Final typo reports are in. Cover for both ebook and paperback are done. I think I'll release it next friday when wife and I are driving through Detroit up to Hamilton Ontario. I mean, what could go wrong?

As for artwork on clown shi.... cruise ships... well, I like it, in moderation. Not thrilled with the face design on the aida ships. But NCL and a few other lines do it well.

Unfortunately, The Jewel from NCL had the deck-level artwork mostly painted over a while ago. Here's some shots of the Promenade Deck's artwork.

Wife says the dude to the right of the doors looks like me when I was in my Pro-Photographer days...

Gratuitious shot of the wife reading instead of walking. She's in the purple stripes.

And a Rainbow to brighten your day.

 

[NYC_George]

The lake is rough today. If you live within 1/4 mile from the lake you have to pay an extra $400.00 on your taxes for lake rights whether you chose to or not. We live 1/2 mile away, so we don't have any lake rights, but we never use the lake anyway so I'm happy about that. I see 2 girls out there paddle boarding.

 

[Boris]

I have always wondered, how the graffiti "artist" get the time and access to do their thing. I thought they had guards in the yards, or at least activity.

Jim: To clarify, Railroads do not employ "guards", they employ Commissioned Police Officers, aka Special Agents, who have full authority as Police Officers, and have been trained at various Police Academys and Seminars along with other law enforcement personnel...guards, do not have this same authority, or training. Guards are generally minimally trained, minimum wage people employed by third party security agencies.

Many railroad facilities are quite open, and accessible, due to the nature of the railroad. Most rail car vandalism happens on customer sidings, not railroad facilities. Other vandalism occurs at remote locations, over weekends and holidays when activity is at a minimum. Railroad cops can only react to this, much like municipal cops only react to criminal activity. The current trend to consider property crime not worthy of prosecutors time, plus the belief that this vandalism, is expressive art from those otherwise prevented from showcasing their talents, dictates that this is a problem that is not going to go away during the foreseeable future.

Obviously, most of these self anointed artists are not gainfully employed, so they have the time to "work"at their "profession".

 

[NorthBrit]

Well, howdy there internet peeps, and those with clown cars!

It's Troy again.

Sitting on the patio for a while. It's first of the month laundry day. So matress pad, as well as sheets.

Hit the grocery. Purchased the wife her favorite dessert: Watermelon.

Tomorrow I'm supposed to get my but to Indianapolis to help run WWII demo games for the Warlord Games booth. So, up at my normal time of 4:30ish.... probably won't get to drive back until about 11pm. Home by 1 am.

And, I'm ahead of schedule on my Sasquatch book. Final typo reports are in. Cover for both ebook and paperback are done. I think I'll release it next friday when wife and I are driving through Detroit up to Hamilton Ontario. I mean, what could go wrong?

As for artwork on clown shi.... cruise ships... well, I like it, in moderation. Not thrilled with the face design on the aida ships. But NCL and a few other lines do it well.

Unfortunately, The Jewel from NCL had the deck-level artwork mostly painted over a while ago. Here's some shots of the Promenade Deck's artwork.View attachment 172449

View attachment 172450
Wife says the dude to the right of the doors looks like me when I was in my Pro-Photographer days...

Gratuitious shot of the wife reading instead of walking. She's in the purple stripes.
View attachment 172451

And a Rainbow to brighten your day.
View attachment 172452

Great pictures Troy. As for those pictures on Norwegian Jewel? I would hate to see them every day of a cruise.


A picture for the 'foodies' amongst us.

Travel first class and have dinner prepared at your table.

David

 

[chadbag]

I've not been on a cruise ship and most likely never will, but the various decorative art wouldn't bother me in the least. After a day you just tune it out anyway as its become part of your standard environment and I think a sterile white or gray or whatever ship would be more grating than various splashes of colorful, no matter how "dreadful" or "kitschy" the actual art.

But my opinion doesn't count since I, as a non cruise goer, don't matter.

(I wouldn't mind a cruise but the wife is not interested in the least -- she says she would sit in her room with her life vest, goggles, and flippers all day every day )

 

[NYC_George]

Jim: To clarify, Railroads do not employ "guards", they employ Commissioned Police Officers, aka Special Agents, who have full authority as Police Officers, and have been trained at various Police Academys and Seminars along with other law enforcement personnel...guards, do not have this same authority. Guards are generally minimally trained, minimum wage people employed by third party security agencies.

Many railroad facilities are quite open, and accessible, due to the nature of the railroad. Most rail car vandalism happens on customer sidings, not railroad facilities. Other vandalism occurs at remote locations, over weekends and holidays when activity is at a minimum. Railroad cops can only react to this, much like municipal cops only react to criminal activity. The current trend to consider property crime not worthy of prosecutors time, plus the belief that this vandalism, is expressive art from those otherwise prevented from showcasing their talents, dictates that this is a problem that is not going to go away during the foreseeable future.

Obviously, most of these self anointed artists are not gainfully employed, so they have the time to "work"at their "profession".

Boris I can remember at Hunts Point market yard around Thanksgiving the thief's would like clockwork break into the car with frozen turkeys scattered on the ground with RR police hot on their tails.
Swal

 

[bnsf971]

I think I’ve mentioned it before, but the only benefit I see from graffiti is the equipment won’t rust where it’s been painted.

 

[NorthBrit]

(I wouldn't mind a cruise but the wife is not interested in the least -- she says she would sit in her room with her life vest, goggles, and flippers all day every day )

I have said it before, apologies for repeating.

It took me 25 years to get my wife on a ship. Now I cannot get her off. (Thank goodness.)


David

 

[santafewillie]

For those interested, I made a new post over in the layout thread.

 

[kbkchooch]

Sherrel, switch to soda, at most it’s $3.50 around here with free re-fills!

Sherril, you might want to try a caffeine free soda!!

 

[NorthTexasRailroad]

I know Willie responded and we have some of that train sitting ready to go here in parts of WIsconsin. Lots of sidings out in the boonies waiting for clearance to move on.

I call them vandal/artists (V/A’s).

My take on it and this is a repeat of what I have written before. The Railroads don‘t care as long as the reporting marks are readable! Heck, many of the newly produced rail cars (especially the white reefers of ARMN/UP have the reporting marks above reachable length) have moved the reporting marks and numbers high up on the car. If that’s not an invitation what is, beside supplying a pure white canvas that they also do?

I have over the last 15 years gone and chased trains, camera and tripod in hand. Staying on public property I can’t count how many RR police but more so the MOW guys questioning my photography. Here in the Madison area we have 1 rail yard of the WSOR behind the old Oscar Meyer plant. From the road, public road and sidewalk I have been questioned when 100’ away in CLEAR SIGHT vandal/artists are doing graffiti on a car. I had one RR cop even tell me I was more dangerous to the RR then the V/A was. I had another say to me after he politely asked me to move along that he didn’t see anybody doing a rail car maybe 200’+ away from where we were talking on again public property. I had one Milwaukee cop stop and flip his lights on while he talked to me, again on public property because the CP cops had called them in.

There are exceptions. Greg@mnRR a member here who passed a few years ago told me a few places about in the Milwaukee to watch trains. He also encouraged my modeling graffiti. He hated it being his job was running one of the high end malls in Wisconsin and it was a constant headache for him and his maintenance crews. UP’s Butler yard in Milwaukee was a huge UP engine and Crew change spot (not since Covid though). He had a spot to drive to and watch trains, but he said DON’T get out of the car. Take pictures from the car but if you get out they will question and probably detain you. UP‘s staging yard for the Oak Creek generating station in Oak Creek was one were 5 mile road used to cross the tracks. They closed the road crossing and added a cul de sac and guard rails. Many folks railfan the coal trains not 20’ from the guard rail. But, don’t even think of sitting on the guard rail as it’s clearly marked UP property. The UP cops are polite and give you a warning but I have seen guys detained and handcuffed and given to the locals.

So, IMOO, the V/A’s have time because most of the RR‘s don‘t care.

I know a few of the V/A’s by real name. Very few have been arrested and the fines are minor and even though it may cost thousands of $ to repaint a railcar car, none have been charged as felons. I know a few though who had been arrested by real cops for putting graffiti on public government buildings. That’s a different story and can be costly in time served behind bars, $ amounts and criminal records. As it should be.

Again, why would you deface a car? I’m 70 and never in my life have I ever thought of adding graffiti to a rail car that wasn’t HO or O Scale. Times are different but every generation says that about the following generation, etc…

There is a YouTube content provider who does graffiti on any scale car but he started with N. His channel is THEY MAKE IT LIKE THAT. He tells modelers to just try it because not all graffiti artists are good. As bad as you might make yours, there maybe a prototype for it!

TLOC,
Thanks for sharing about the railfanning. I've started doing some to learn more about trains in general, get modeling ideas, and frankly watching trains go by is just cool.

I've always been careful to stay on public property and haven't had any issues. Once a security guard at T&P station in downtown Fort Worth came by since it was between train arrivals, but he was quite friendly and we chatted for a bit while I waited for a UP train to finally get going. Good to know questions may be asked by RR police, although I agree it is surprising they'll go after railfans on public property over someone actually defacing railroad property and committing an actual crime.

I'd post about the temperature here today, but I know it's just awfully hot.

 

[Texas Hobo]

Morning, all! Woke at 8:00 AM and already 88 degrees. Weather guessers are forecasting 100 temps though next week. Sure does sap one's energy when working outside. Takes a lot longer to do anything outside.

Willie - good to hear everything went well with your eye. 92 deg. pool water, might as well be in the tub. I go for WEG Laser surgery on Thur. It's for a lack of better words, a follow up to cataract surgery. Not all, but most need it after about 1 year.

The track crew were out yesterday,

STAY SAFE
LATER

 

[troyphoto]

Great pictures Troy. As for those pictures on Norwegian Jewel? I would hate to see them every day of a cruise.


A picture for the 'foodies' amongst us.

Travel first class and have dinner prepared at your table.

View attachment 172455




David

Yes, it was on the Jewel.

They're slowly painting over the deck art on the older ships. Probably because it's cheaper to maintain WHITE than all of those colors.

Since the Jewel was my first ship/cruise, I'm rather fond of the decorated walls in the public decks. The Princess cruise we went on seemed a bit antiseptic-themed. But, that could have been due to the age of the fellow cruisers. I've never seen so many mobility scooters, HUGOs, and walking aids in one collected place.

That said, one of my favorite people, Adam Savage of Mythbusters fame, was named Godfather to the Discovery Princess. I might have been able to get my wife on it, except it's only sailing US West Coast, or LA to Hawaii this winter. She doesn't want to West Coast this soon after moving back to the Eastern side of the US. Even though she said she was tired of the Western Caribbean.

 

[Boris]

Boris I can remember at Hunts Point market yard around Thanksgiving the thief's would like clockwork break into the car with frozen turkeys scattered on the ground with RR police hot on their tails.
Swal

Stanley Cranes Train, with Hassleman and all the other HQ level officials, except for Swanson, were on board. Train was headed for South Kearney. I received a call from the Movement Office advising that an abandoned auto was fouling the Main, at Johnson Avenue, in Jersey City. I drove over to ascertain conditions and what would be required to clear the main track. I pulled in and got out of the car to examine the clearance, and glanced to my right to a clearing to see, three or four Hispanic Types lined up with four Conrail cops holding 9mms on them. Team leader came over, I told him who I was, and he explained they were following them, when they tried to drive over the tracks and got caught on the reminent of a a yard track and stalled. (They were part of the Bayonne Projects Gang that went shopping when trains, off the National Docks, were held out at Upper Bay).

I determined that the OCS could safely clear the obstruction, and advised the River Line Dispatcher accordingly. I further told him to tell the train to pass the area at Restricted Speed, prepared to stop due to the Police Activity. I remained to insure the train passed safely, and that the railroad was cleared. Both Mr Crane and Mr Hassleman and General Manager Ron Conway were at open vestibules watching the show.

The police cuffed the perpetrators, after it was determined that they had stolen merchandise in the stolen car, and that three of four possessed weapons while being on parole. The Track Department sent out the Buro Crane to pick up the car, and the track foreman OKed the track for Normal Speed. Just another day in Jersey City.

 

[PRR Modeler]

Afternoon All,

Started out the day with a walk at 77F and humid but not near as bad as Wednesday was. I started on the fencing by spraying them (white fence) with a generic dull coat to get rid of the plastic shininess. After that I cut the fences from the sprues with a razor blade. After that I took a break because I couldn't keep my eyes open, so I laid down for a nap which is rare for me. I think the walking and working outside in the humidity combined with lousy sleep for several days did me in. I still feel tired, but I can at least keep my eyes open.

Happy 233rd Birthday to the US Coast Guard. I believe we have some previous USCG servers in the forum.

Swal- Good luck with the kitchen. It sounds like the lake is yet another scheme for local government to raise taxes.

Joe- Our subdivision sits across from a high school, and they are not good neighbors. Several years ago, the students (family friendly name) decided to park in the subdivision so they wouldn't have to pay to park. They would park on both sides of the street making it hard to get by. They would park on grass, drive over edges of lawns and throw their garbage on the street. The HOA tried for 2 school years to get No Parking signage and enforcement, but the city said they are public roads. Finally, an emergency vehicle (FD) tried to go to a residence on a call but could not get through. Within 2 weeks that problem was resolved. Now it's the students (family friendly name) that are skipping school walking through the subdivision to get to a small park area that belongs to the HOA to make out, do drugs, drink, go to the bathroom and generally act like a******s. Unfortunately, my house is the one that sits next to the park. We are on first name basis with the PD dispatchers. School starts again next week. Sorry for the novel.

Karl- Have fun at the WMHS meeting.

David- Nice pictures. You seem to have extensively traveled.

Willie- Nice job on the chain link fence.

Troy- Interesting art. Do you receive royalties from NCL for using your likeness?

Hughie- Nice layout scene.

I hope everyone has a good night.

 

[troyphoto]

Troy- Interesting art. Do you receive royalties from NCL for using your likeness?

I must have joked about that one too many times. They started painting over that art.

 

[santafewillie]

If you live within 1/4 mile from the lake you have to pay an extra $400.00 on your taxes for lake rights whether you chose to or not. We live 1/2 mile away, so we don't have any lake rights, but we never use the lake anyway so I'm happy about that.

Part of my property taxes each year goes to a federally controlled flood control district, which pays for maintenance on the lake across the road; as well as 27 others. All of the lakes are on private property and access is restricted by the property owners. My property is actually too high in elevation to be affected. Water usually runs over a spillway when the lake which is usually 600 yards away, gets to about 150 yards away. The dam itself is 1' lower than the road out front, so water will go over it before going over the road directly in front of the house. This has only happened once since I moved in in 1981. However up to 1/2 mile of road about a quarter mile north has been submerged about a half dozen times in that time period. Access to the south is sometimes limited due to runoff flooding, but not from the lake itself.

 

[NorthBrit]

David- Nice pictures. You seem to have extensively traveled.

Thank you, Curt.
As for travelling? I have been doing it since I was born. Taken out of hospital to see my grandmother. (I do not remember that. )
Travelled extensively the four home countries (England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales). Europe was next. France, Germany, Austria etc.. Italy is a favourite.
Then 'the sea was calling'. Seeing Israel was such a joy.

When Dawn finally decided to board a ship (to New York in 2002) she was hooked. Now she books the cruises. She fell in love with Dubai on QM2s World Voyage; that is her favourite place. Qatar is a close second.

Now her health is not 100% (thanks to the Russians) cruises to Europe is where we go. She still books the cruises. I just say 'Okay'. Anywhere on a ship will suit me. Roll on to the next one.

David