Running Bear's February 2025 Coffee Shop

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Good morning from So. Central Wisconsin. The warming trend continues! Currently the actual temperature is 0f degrees and the real feel is -12. Definitely warmer than it has been at this time for the past 7 days. High later will be mid 20’s.

Breakfast out somewhere this morning with Terry. Thursdays in 2025 had become a op session day or a layout work session day which interfered with our weekly breakfast/brunch outings. So, I’ve signed up for an op session every other Tuesday and the 2 guys I’m helping on their layouts have switched days of the week. I had nothing to do with that but happy they did

After Breakfast a quick stop at Home Depot for a part for the new closet. I’ll hopefully install the part (the holder for a clothes rod) and the closet will be 100% again! Then the day is mine. I have 3 Blue Point switch machine linkages to make some small adjustments on. Along with the 3 switch machines I will start testing the 7’ section of relaid track and the connections made to the rest of the layout. The gauges and a wheelset I’ve been pushing through the track show it to be good but nothing like gradually testing trains of various length through new track work.

I have since Summer thought of completely getting out of commission weathering of freight cars and maybe just do diesels. When I did inventory after Christmas of my supplies I decided to continue as I’ve written but in a major reduction in the amount of work. The 3 big things I will keep 1st in mind though is my family, my health and my layout. All 3 are moving along fairly well. I’ve reduced my online time and I removed all links to the news sites I was reviewing. My reduced TV time has continued. Commission weathering starts back up in March.

I have been hitting a golf ball (my 3rd passion behind Terry and the grand kids) but even my PT and doctor don’t believe I’ll ever play like I used to. After 5 months of therapy I only have 30% grip strength in my left hand with no measurable improvement since November. The left hand for a right swinging player is the lead hand and not to be able to firmly grip the club, feel the club and swing with power is not good. I now know I can play but at a much reduced capacity to hit the ball. I’ll adjust but playing in the events as I had been doing is over. I’m not terribly disappointed but I sure would have liked to be in Florida this week playing with the group. Terry and I both miss exploring the areas surrounding the courses we were playing but traveling this Spring has returned to our schedule as Terry’s medical also returned good results this week.

10 new smoke detectors and 2 new carbon monoxide detectors were ordered yesterday and the electrician says 2 hours at most to install them. Per local code they must be hardwired and I had a bit of difficulty with the one I took down to see the build date on it, 2012. Therefore the hiring of the electrician. They recommend 10 years on smoke detectors and 7 on the Carbon monoxide detectors. So it is time…

Be well
 
Good Morning all from Kansas where it's currently -3f with an expected windchill of -20 to -25f. Going to be a chilly day to say the least. Clean the house up and then possibly go out to the hobby shop and do some work out there for a bit. Other than that just trying to keep warm and the wood stove stoked!!

Ya'll have a great day !!
 


Right about freezing and snowing right now. About an inch or inch and a half so far.

The biggest amount of snow we've had so far this winter has been about 3-5", once, and a few in teh 2-3" range and a bunch of dusting to 1". We'll see if this gets beaten today. Even when it does snow its usually gone in a day or two as it warms up and often rains. We've only had one cold spell that got into single digits where I am at, I think, and a couple that got into the teens. Always overnight, warming up a little or a lot in the day. Been a generally warmer and drier winter this year.
 
Top of the morning everyone!

Currently 4F but feels like-6F. It sure felt like it when I took the garbage/recycle bins to the curb this morning. As Tom eluded, its warmer than it has been. get to maybe taste 40s by Sunday.

Have to run the Wife's car to the dealer this morning for an oil change. We shall see if they try to sell me something else. Shouldn't with this one since its a 2023 with less than 12K miles.

Not much else going on today. Volleyball regionals starts up tonight. We have a game tonight and if we win we play tomorrow as well.

Have a safe day everyone!
 
Good Morning All. Clear and 9° with a wind chill of -4°F. Supposedly the last morning this cold, tomorrow is only supposed to be 20°. Might hit 30° today after 25° yesterday. Sounds like I have Tom O or Mike's weather here. It will get above freezing tomorrow with 60's and 70's next week, at least that's what the current forecast is now. The light dusting of snow yesterday all evaporated by noon.

We're not making the weekly grocery trek today, at least that's what the plan is. Going tomorrow instead when it is a little warmer. No big issue, as the freezer is well-stocked as is the beer supply. If she changes her mind, I will have to make a list quickly. We had actually stopped at Sam's Club on the way home from the doctor on Tuesday. No other plans today except remove the garbage out to the dumpster. That's always a chore as it's a 60 yard round trip!

I did spend a little time outside yesterday after the clouds cleared away. Spread wood ashes over a part of the garden and then came back in and refilled the metal bucket with glowing embers and ashes. Glad to report that I didn't spill any on the floor this time. I've burned the mat before but never the floor. I now lay down a piece of MDF board to protect things. I also brought in some firewood, even though I still have a considerable stash already inside.

I did go out and visit the train shed yesterday, but only to check things out. It was a balmy 48° in the mid-afternoon. Slightly warmer than expected. Didn't stay however.
As promised, I went into the archives to look for some photos. I may have posted some of these before. I like to use figures "in action" to bring scenes alive. Here are a few random ones.
IMG_0334.JPG
IMG_0336.JPG
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IMG_0345.JPG


Karl - I've been just lucky. So far only one of my 8-P2K locos have had split gear problems. I've had all of them for over 20 years and they made up my primary running fleet until I discovered ScaleTrains. Kato is a distant third now in performance quality. Like many, I have a stash of gears waiting.
Guilford Railman - Congratulations on the new job.
Terry - Planned obsolescence is one thing, forced obsolescence is certainly another.
Tom O -
TLOC said:
The IRS and Doge will be offering it soon in online bidding sales
Click to expand...
The previous administration allowed 419 persons access, (maybe that number is 919, I don't quite remember), to do what has been an over-hyped situation.

Everyone have a terrific Thursday. Stay safe and warm.
 


santafewillie said:
Karl - I've been just lucky. So far only one of my 8-P2K locos have had split gear problems. I've had all of them for over 20 years and they made up my primary running fleet until I discovered ScaleTrains. Kato is a distant third now in performance quality. Like many, I have a stash of gears waiting.
Click to expand...
Willie, I've found the P2k locos with the problem are the 4 axle units (Geeps & BL2s) My 6 axle units (E's and SDs) have been flawless YMMV
 
santafewillie said:
Good Morning All. Clear and 9° with a wind chill of -4°F. Supposedly the last morning this cold, tomorrow is only supposed to be 20°. Might hit 30° today after 25° yesterday. Sounds like I have Tom O or Mike's weather here. It will get above freezing tomorrow with 60's and 70's next week, at least that's what the current forecast is now. The light dusting of snow yesterday all evaporated by noon.

We're not making the weekly grocery trek today, at least that's what the plan is. Going tomorrow instead when it is a little warmer. No big issue, as the freezer is well-stocked as is the beer supply. If she changes her mind, I will have to make a list quickly. We had actually stopped at Sam's Club on the way home from the doctor on Tuesday. No other plans today except remove the garbage out to the dumpster. That's always a chore as it's a 60 yard round trip!

I did spend a little time outside yesterday after the clouds cleared away. Spread wood ashes over a part of the garden and then came back in and refilled the metal bucket with glowing embers and ashes. Glad to report that I didn't spill any on the floor this time. I've burned the mat before but never the floor. I now lay down a piece of MDF board to protect things. I also brought in some firewood, even though I still have a considerable stash already inside.

I did go out and visit the train shed yesterday, but only to check things out. It was a balmy 48° in the mid-afternoon. Slightly warmer than expected. Didn't stay however.
As promised, I went into the archives to look for some photos. I may have posted some of these before. I like to use figures "in action" to bring scenes alive. Here are a few random ones.
View attachment 212367View attachment 212368View attachment 212369View attachment 212370View attachment 212371

Karl - I've been just lucky. So far only one of my 8-P2K locos have had split gear problems. I've had all of them for over 20 years and they made up my primary running fleet until I discovered ScaleTrains. Kato is a distant third now in performance quality. Like many, I have a stash of gears waiting.
Guilford Railman - Congratulations on the new job.
Terry - Planned obsolescence is one thing, forced obsolescence is certainly another.
Tom O -

The previous administration allowed 419 persons access, (maybe that number is 919, I don't quite remember), to do what has been an over-hyped situation.

Everyone have a terrific Thursday. Stay safe and warm.
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Willie I'm not so sure the ladder is positioned high enough on the roof when that guy wants to come down? People make this mistake when going on the roof to remove snow etc.
Swal
 
Boris said:
The ship has spent the last 30 years tied up at a pier in South Philadelphia, amassing docking fees as preservationists sought funding to preserve it. Part of our collective obsession with our past, instead of building toward our future.
Click to expand...
When something is allowed to disappear, someone 'next week' will ask "Why."

As for building towards the future there are plenty of people.. Most are doing a good job. I worry about the ones (in high places) not doing so.

I'll leave you this picture of Paddle Steamer Waverley on the River Clyde

PS Waverley on the Clyde.jpg



And another Paddler close to my heart

Home - MedWay Queen

www.medwayqueen.co.uk www.medwayqueen.co.uk
 
Good morning, all! Another big boy pants day in Houston. We awoke to 28 degrees with a feels like of 19. Forecasts are for one more day of cold and then we'll shoot up to 80 degrees next week. I do wish, instead of a warm day in winter, it would reverse and one of these cold snaps would come in mid-August.

TomO - Isn't there an event or game where you play the best lie. You might not get the best lie, but then most of the shots after that would be in your range.
Willie - Nice to see mine is not the only somewhat dusty railroad.
Guilford Railman - Congrats. Will you be running alongside the Deerfield River?

Yesterday I was cleaning out old, or unused or duplicate files from a 2TB wireless storge. As I looked at some of the photos, I noticed just how much I have changed my layout. Not so much the track but the buildings and scenes. I was looking at the picture I posted here quite some time ago at the request of Garry (Racing) of my whole layout. Sitting there comparing the picture to the actual layout today, really brought home the idea that a layout never really ever gets finished.

From the dusty archives,
1740071026301.jpeg


STAY SAVE & WARM
LATER
 
NYC_George said:
Willie I'm not so sure the ladder is positioned high enough on the roof when that guy wants to come down? People make this mistake when going on the roof to remove snow etc.
Swal
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Good eye Swal!

When you're using a ladder to safely climb up and down a roof, you should ensure that it extends at least 3 feet above the roof edge. The extra height provides you with something to hold onto as you transition from the ladder to the roof and vice versa, which helps maintain your balance and reduces the risk of falling.

No worries, Willie, as an independent crane operator for a few roofing companies I've seen guys use ladders that didn't make it all the way to the roof. Poor planning for the first time on a job. Nobody wants to drive back to the shop for another ladder.

Your scene is prototypical, just not Kosher in the eyes of OSHA.
 
Boris said:
Watched live stream of the departure of the SS United States from Philadelphia enroute to become a reef off the Gulf coast of Florida. As a small child I marveled at magazine photographs of this ship, Pride of the US Merchant Marine, its beauty and graceful appearance, in the days before intercontinental Jet aircraft. As the tugs eased her out of the pier and in to the main channel, she looked every bit her 75+ years.

View attachment 212347
The ship has spent the last 30 years tied up at a pier in South Philadelphia, amassing docking fees as preservationists sought funding to preserve it. Part of our collective obsession with our past, instead of building toward our future.
Click to expand...
My reason for trying to keep objects from the past is so I can remember how bad it really was…
 
bnsf971 said:
Well, after much more drama than it should have taken, I was able to print the label using my Macbook. I did get a warning the next update of Mac OS will result in the printer no longer working on that, as well. It's a Canon printer I bought new from Wally World 13 months ago. Welcome to the age of forced obsolescence.
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Not for nothing, but this sounds like a Canon caused problem. Reminded me that when we transitioned from Win 10 to Win 11, our Cannon Printer/Scanner/ Fax only printed black and white from the computers, and would no longer scan. Canon told me they were not going to support Win 11, and I should buy a new printer. I did, it was an Epson.
 


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