Running Bear's February 2022 Coffee Shop

[ctclibby]

Good Morning all!

31F heading to 45F according to weather guessers.

Grain in Containers looks to be a fun thing to model. I got the chance to load and unload potatoes last year with a refer. To load, ya backed into a conveyor and spuds were transported in. Unload was a little different. Tipped the whole nine yards into the air as the spuds rolled out. I am sure that you have seen this before, but it was the first time it happened to MY trailer. I did carrots a few years back and that was a whole new game. Loading was almost the same although they used water to squirt the things in on a slight incline. Then water again to wash them out. Carrots were a lot less messy than potatoes as they seemed to withstand their own weight better and only a few got stuck in the channel on the bottom of the trailer. Both net weights were over 40K. Have seen pulp mills to this also and in some cases both the tractor and trailer were tipped up, not just the trailer.

 

[bnsf971]

Good morning. It's clear and 29.


My last day where I am is 2/18. 2/19, I'll be taking my tools to the new place (it'll take three trips, one of the disadvantages of no longer having a truck), and start work on the 21st.

 

[OBTC 1909]

Good morning. It's clear and 29.


My last day where I am is 2/18. 2/19, I'll be taking my tools to the new place (it'll take three trips, one of the disadvantages of no longer having a truck), and start work on the 21st.

Congrats on the new job! Hate that you were put in the position where you had to make a move, but glad you found a place to go.

 

[troyphoto]

Good morning. It's clear and 29.


My last day where I am is 2/18. 2/19, I'll be taking my tools to the new place (it'll take three trips, one of the disadvantages of no longer having a truck), and start work on the 21st.

Congrats!

Though I am surprised the new management didn't say thanks, don't let the door hit you... Sounds like their model.

any vibes on how the team at the new place is?

 

[Patrick]

Morning all,

Got an appointment for the bulging disk later. It's getting where I can't sleep at night anymore. Hopefully we can start to get it better.
Not a lot yet going on this morning. Waiting for parts to fix an issue on the network that I had hoped was here yesterday, but FedEx says should be here by 4:30 today. If I come back from the Dr visit, I leave at 4:00 so it will be here after that.

Terry: Glad to hear you've found a new position. Hopefully better pay as well!

I'll leave you all for now with this:

A man walked into a bar......OUCH!

 

[moermusic]

Lets see, mid February, mid northern latitude, at 04:00. +10 C , 30kph sustained *breeze*. unbelievable. been above ave for days now. I'll take it, just hope it doesnt mean a soggy summer.

 

[Jaz avalley]

Funny, we have a cabin in Wisconsin with a septic tank. The state requires us to have it pumped and inspected every times a year. They want to prevent septic tank and drain field overflows. The pumping and inspection costs over $100. Funnier yet, the septic tank pump people can spread their loads on fields not intended for human crops and the people who pump out the cattle holding tanks can pump their loads on any fields.

So why worry about my septic tank and charge me $100?

Chad: Several years ago our septic tank froze and its was late April before it thawed out.

Greg

Farmers can’t pay but we can

 

[Jaz avalley]

Here’s some more pics of the O scale layout View attachment 140621View attachment 140622View attachment 140626View attachment 140627View attachment 140628

You get way better detailing than h0 or 00

 

[Jaz avalley]

Good morning. It's clear and 29.


My last day where I am is 2/18. 2/19, I'll be taking my tools to the new place (it'll take three trips, one of the disadvantages of no longer having a truck), and start work on the 21st.

I missed the job change, can’t you link me so I can catch up,sorry to be a pain

edited I found it I thought it further back, I understand your angst over being forced to leave, but I really hope you have a better time of it at the new place, 1. They chose to employ you always a good sign, 2. Hopefully the money is enough for the bills as are and as rising, 3. The angst the old job was giving you I think would have played on your health, 4. Hopefully not too far to watch over the wife. 5.you deserve a bloody break,excuse my language but you really do.

 

[McLeod]

Good Morning from the tropical northlands. A whopping 42F this morning, and it's headed up to 46. If one stands outdoors long enough, you can get a gale force wind burn, which will simulate a nice suntan.

Thank you to all those that expressed kind words and well wishes to me in this time of illness. Frankly, I don't feel ill anymore, but, still test positive using the rapid-test kits supplied to us. I'm still hunkered down in isolation, as I don't want to spread the virus onto unsuspecting souls.

Isolation, a credit-card, and a computer has proven to be a hazardous combination. Since I was just sitting there all alone and doing nothing, I threw financial wisdom into the wind and ordered up one of these Rapido SW1200's:

That'll teach the wife for throwing me into isolation alone with my wallet.
It should be here by Friday, so you can bet I'll have photos come the weekend.
There is much evidence that GTW and CN equipment ran together, so I don't think this switcher will be out of place on my layout.

Just for the sake of presenting a photo, here is one that I find interesting for the trackside information it shows. I count 3x GMD-1's, at least 3x GP9's, and a Budd RS unit, aside from the fuel tanks, pallets, pipes, and other interesting rail-side objects. Photographer unknown:

I have found the discussion on grain handling very interesting. In an effort to learn more about how railroads handled grain shipments, I've been doing some reading. It surprises me to learn that labour intensive boxcars were used as grain transport right up into the 1970's, before being replaced by hoppers. Today, I suppose it's the sea-can containers turn.

Time to get on with it. Have a great day, everyone!

 

[TLOC]

Good morning. It's clear and 29.


My last day where I am is 2/18. 2/19, I'll be taking my tools to the new place (it'll take three trips, one of the disadvantages of no longer having a truck), and start work on the 21st.

Terry, a tough ending but you knew it was coming. But that doesn’t make it any easier. I hope it’s a decent commute to the new place. Best to you in this new adventure.

TomO

 

[MilwRoader_Steve]

Greetings all!

Must rush out the door, so no time for a picture, but got some track laid yesterday. Two turnouts and the straight in between. Feels good to be making progress again!!

 

[TLOC]

Good morning all! 30 degrees here heading for mostly sunny and 40. Back to work today after a single day off.

Had a very nice day yesterday. Had to stop at the doctor's office as I previously mentioned to get set up with my blood glucose sensor. After that the Mrs and I went to Texas Roadhouse and had an early Valentine's Day lunch. Really good food and good, but weak Margarita's. Thought I took plenty of insulin for this meal but apparently not. That's one way this sensor will start helping me do a better job managing. Before I had to stick my finger again and again to see the current situation, but now I just turn on the receiver and see what my current level is. Should make it a lot easier to keep on the right track. It's interesting to look at it frequently just to see how much your blood sugar levels rise and fall all the time without eating anything at all. Gives you new perspective on management.

The only downside with the new sensor is that my old phone isn't compatible with it so I can't use it to monitor the sensor. I have to carry around a separate receiver unit to do that. No big deal, just something else to carry with me.

That's about it from here. Hope you all have a great day!

Ken, I am surprised you are having a Margarita as alcohol was the first thing I was told to cut out. I know Willie has an occasional beer but his diabetes is very much well under control. Whenever I have a beer my blood glucose levels are a mess for days. I am not criticizing as everyone of us is totally different. Just questioning. I sure don’t miss the alcohol but I truly miss greatly the white potatoes of any kind but French fries, I would do almost anything for a large order from Culvers or McDonalds.

TomO

 

[kbkchooch]

Good morning gang!

Flo, coffee please, in an IV drip if you can.

Terry, congrats on the new place of employment! We wish you the best of luck. Sounds refreshing to know there are still folks out there that serve customers rather than the bankers. I'm seeing the change here with the new ownership, things are slowly turning that way. 6 more years (or less) to go!

 

[TrucTrain55]

Sounds good,I love doing different. I have just the containers for it. Hopefully they'll mak 40' containers in the future.View attachment 140637

Those containers look good I’ll try to get you some good pics of our operation

 

[Smudge617]

Good Morning all!

31F heading to 45F according to weather guessers.

Grain in Containers looks to be a fun thing to model. I got the chance to load and unload potatoes last year with a refer. To load, ya backed into a conveyor and spuds were transported in. Unload was a little different. Tipped the whole nine yards into the air as the spuds rolled out. I am sure that you have seen this before, but it was the first time it happened to MY trailer. I did carrots a few years back and that was a whole new game. Loading was almost the same although they used water to squirt the things in on a slight incline. Then water again to wash them out. Carrots were a lot less messy than potatoes as they seemed to withstand their own weight better and only a few got stuck in the channel on the bottom of the trailer. Both net weights were over 40K. Have seen pulp mills to this also and in some cases both the tractor and trailer were tipped up, not just the trailer.

View attachment 140648


View attachment 140649

I did that with tomatoes, but sideways, (European Tarp trailer) scary as s$%# coz no bugger told me that was gonna happen.

 

[TLOC]

Good morning Crew from the thawing tundra of frozen So. Central Wisconsin. We have been above seasonal temperatures into the mid 30’s the last few days even venturing into the mid 40’s. All that ends tonight as the white stuff is predicted to fall again tonight.

The decoder I installed is dead. Not happy as I have no clue where the short was. I put the old decoder back in and everything works fine. Talked to manufacturer and I can pick up a new one at the LHS. Good to receive great customer service. The wrecked one will be sent to them. But, not a great beginning.

Not sure what is happening today. No plans means more time within the train room where I have to stop jumping around and stick to a project to 95% completion.

enjoy the day
TomO

 

[Smudge617]

Ken, I am surprised you are having a Margarita as alcohol was the first thing I was told to cut out. I know Willie has an occasional beer but his diabetes is very much well under control. Whenever I have a beer my blood glucose levels are a mess for days. I am not criticizing as everyone of us is totally different. Just questioning. I sure don’t miss the alcohol but I truly miss greatly the white potatoes of any kind but French fries, I would do almost anything for a large order from Culvers or McDonalds.

TomO

There is some misconception about Diabetes I think, I'm type 2, so no insulin, just tablets, I still eat what I used to, I used to drink Coke by the gallon, and I love chocolate, both big no no's, but I still have both and my suger levels are within normal, trick is not what you eat, is how much you eat, I love jacket potatoes with beans and cheese, I still do and I enjoy it, but now, Small potato little beans and cheese, coke is in 300ml cans, I used to have 2 or 3 a day, now a small 130ml can maybe once or twice a week, chocolate, about the same now, its all about moderation really. Oh I also used to weigh 253lbs now 221lbs, that goes a long way in controlling it too, and if you have to go to the bathroom 2-3 times a night, that's your body getting rid of your excess sugar, that you liver can't cope with.

 

[TrucTrain55]

Good Morning all. Sunny and 23 degrees in the Ozark Foothills.

Terry. Congratulations on the new job hope all goes well. Thanks to all the likes and complements yesterday. Here’s some of my favorite Vintage Atlas O Scale Boxcars. The Santa Fe was custom painted and decaled. Enjoy your day.

 

[santafewillie]

Good Morning All. Mostly clear and 42°, should hit 70° again today. Other than Saturday, that's going to be our weather for another week or so with thundershowers on Wednesday/Thursday.
Dental visit yesterday was mostly uneventful for me except I have a small cavity to fill. I believe that it a filling that previously came out and has been replaced before. At the same time, my wife had her permanent crown put in from the tooth that she broke in December. Not so good an outcome. I don't understand why she didn't notice while she was there, but the damn crown is too tall and none of her other teeth meet because of this! Today is the weekly grocery/beer trek for us. Longer list than normal since we went early last week.

As an aside to the septic tank discussion yesterday, mine is only connected to the "black water" drains from the toilets. All bath, sink, laundry and dishwasher water goes into a parallel "grey water" line that drains and is absorbed into a field on a different side of the house. That keeps all of the soap and other crud out of the septic tank itself.

Thanks for the comments and the likes yesterday; Guy, Troy, Alan, James, Alan, Gary, Smudge, Steve J, Tom O, Hughie, Chad, Karl, Joe, Dave B, Patrick, Curt, Louis, Lee, Tom, IB Ken, Mikey.

Out in the train shed yesterday, I put away the figures for the time being. I did complete 17 of them over the past few days; pictures tomorrow after I apply the dull coat. The tree making stuff is now on the workbench. I actually made several smaller crude ones and a couple of medium (to me) ones yesterday.
Since I have nothing new to post today, I'll post a feed store. This is Wayne Feeds, a recent addition to the town of Graham.

Troy - Some function of my hearing aids masks the tinnitus that I have. The audiologist explained it to me once. It has something to do with amplifying certain other sounds. Seems to work. Yours may do the same.
Guy - Good news on several fronts, getting over the bug and not giving it to your grandkids. Continued good luck with your recovery as I am sure that your wife misses you.
Alan - I absolutely agree with you on the Classic Metalworks cars.
Joe - Hopefully the CT scan doesn't turn up anything problematic.
Terry - Is it that job in SC, or one local to you? Good luck either way.

Everybody have a safe and productive day today.