Running Bear's January 2022 Coffee Shop

[TLOC]

Good afternoon from not as frozen Wisconsin. it +12f degrees and the wind chill is the same. Seems that the dreaded predicted winds of today have not arrived today. The winds were at 26mph overnight but thankfully have disappeared.

The doctor’s visit this morning went as expected. Usual questions, did check the hips and thought it is more arthritis then anything else. Hip exam went very wrong. Had a panic attack when I tried to lay flat on the exam table. The doctor who is a resident going through his 1 year tour of Clinic duty and the mentoring Doctor couldn’t haven’t been nicer getting me calmed down. Explained to them that’s what happens when I try to laying in the bed just not as quick or bad. They both said until we get the issues figured out don’t try to sleep laying down. Thinking on the positive side, I will get through this!

Continue the cleaning and culling of the fleet, structure kits and some built up structures. The buy/sell groups on Facebook and HOswap@groups .io have been pretty calm since just before Christmas and continue to be. They will sell eventually. The Facebook rules have changed again and these may affect me as I do sell generally over $1000 worth on FB and they will be requesting Information for taxation purposes. I have to really look closer into the change. It has taken them awhile to come around on the tax issues and it is has been a good run. Not complaining about as some seem to be. They finally realize the changes have happened this week! So it’s Biden’s fault… never blame anybody else just the current guy in charge.

I will continue also the track cleaning program started when we returned from Paradise. Finger tip wipe with odorless Mineral Spirits and a dry shammy swipe afterwards. I will the next day drop a little bit of graphite on each rail maybe every 12’ or so. Running trains will spread the graphite along and it seems to a great job as the last time I did this was prior to a session in 2/2020.

I have attended 3 wakes were the “Mob” paid respects. Yes, from party atmosphere to somber very quickly. Irish wakes are totally party time celebrating life. I hate all wakes and funerals though.

Enjoy your day
TomO

Above , splitting the Main’s curve through the middle of the paper mill complex. The lead to the wood chip pile is in the fore ground

Above is the engineer view of tracks ahead as train 3S-PMY continues its journey through the paper mill complex

 

[santafewillie]

Tom O -

So it’s Biden’s fault… never blame anybody else just the current guy in charge.

Hmmmh! he's been blaming everyone else for everything!

I have attended 3 wakes were the “Mob” paid respects. Yes, from party atmosphere to somber very quickly. Irish wakes are totally party time celebrating life. I hate all wakes and funerals though.

My family is Irish all the way through. When Dad died in 2005, he specifically earmarked $5K in his will to pay for the food and alcohol for his wake; even specifying the brands and types of liquor that his friends (all over 75) liked. My brother #2 kicked in an extra $500. My oldest daughter who had just received her MS in college said to me afterward, that she had been to a lot of college parties, but they all paled in comparison to his wake. My son learned from said brother that good bourbon is only mixed with ice cubes, not Coke! Dad was pissed ahead of his passing when he was told by the funeral home that City of Dallas rules prevented the open casket from being at the wake. This was traditional in Ireland. Our local Monsignor enjoyed himself as well. He also left with two bottles of his favorite expensive Scotch as a parting gift from Dad. Most of the attendees should not have been driving home. I stayed at brother #1's home a block away.

 

[Smudge617]

Tom O -

Hmmmh! he's been blaming everyone else for everything!

My family is Irish all the way through. When Dad died in 2005, he specifically earmarked $5K in his will to pay for the food and alcohol for his wake; even specifying the brands and types of liquor that his friends (all over 75) liked. My brother #2 kicked in an extra $500. My oldest daughter who had just received her MS in college said to me afterward, that she had been to a lot of college parties, but they all paled in comparison to his wake. My son learned from said brother that good bourbon is only mixed with ice cubes, not Coke! Dad was pissed ahead of his passing when he was told by the funeral home that City of Dallas rules prevented the open casket from being at the wake. This was traditional in Ireland. Our local Monsignor enjoyed himself as well. He also left with two bottles of his favorite expensive Scotch as a parting gift from Dad. Most of the attendees should not have been driving home. I stayed at brother #1's home a block away.

What part of the Emerald Isle does your family hail from?

 

[chadbag]

Hopefully Covid,hopefully you all glided through it pretty much, and hopefully it will vaccinate you against anything worse that turns up.

That is what I am thinking. None of us have much classic Covid symptoms but some match up with the Omicron variant. I am not going to test unless someone gets more serious symptoms than "bad cold" / "flu" symptoms. We are avoiding going out and kind of self-isolating etc. (Except my daughter, who has felt fine since Tuesday night and had some plans, but she is a good masker)

The wife and I got the J&J vaccine end of November due to work requirements. Most indications are the vaccine doesn't do much with Omicron anyway.

 

[Alcomotive]

Thank you James. I am surprised by the many different cars hauling pulp on that train.
TomO

I was too. What caught my eye was the "modified gondolas"..................

 

[Bruette]

Busy morning and profitable, thank God!

Afterwards my Mom, Daughter, Wife and I went to Costco to get our booster shots. We were all done in about 20 minutes. Did I mention I love Costco?!

I had prepared a "mulligans stew" before I picked up my Mom. My wife is our primary cook. She is a better cook than me, but I like to cook as well and I'm the resident expert when it comes to left overs. I made good use of a slow cooked pork shoulder, some stock, left over veggies, left over tomato sauce and add more carrots. It is very good.

It was just the thing when I woke up from my nap. Since my health has not been so good I always wake up cold. Hot stew did the trick!

Once I get warm after I wake up I'm back to normal, seldom ever cold. I don't consider it to be cold until we hit single digits. Maybe I'm just getting old or like an old cast iron big block. Who knows, who cares, I'm fat and happy.

Merry Christmas Boris!

That is all for now, I'm going to enjoy my hot cup of tea and contemplate my next move.

I hope Everybody is having a great day!

 

[chadbag]

Chadbag: I been through one acquisition of our company and several mergers and for the most part the benefits and wages improved. The worst part was interviewing for my own job or a one similar with more responsibilities. During one merger I had to interview with a fellow who during the interview I realized I knew him from our college years and would run into him at a burger hangout or beer bars. We shared some highlights of our beer drinking days and several days later I was on board and second in command of all Operations under his overview.

I think it is hit or miss. But the first merger with the existing company that was definitely true. Looking at the new company's public pages about benefits, there are some steps back. But we'll see how they compensate for the differences. It sounds like we'll get pro-forma offer letters but don't have to re-interview or anything or re-apply for our jobs. (Same thing happened first time around). This new company is making a new business unit out of us and basically keeping our existing management etc.

In the investor calls after the announcement, and this is my own interpretation -- I was not on the call and I doubt they used this language -- but when the anal-ysts were asking about backend cost synergies etc. they politely told the anal-ysts to F-off. This was not about squeezing costs but about growth in a new line (same general area -- medical) of business.

 

[Bruette]

What part of the Emerald Isle does your family hail from?

I know you did not ask me, but this is a question I like to answer.
Of my four grandparents 2 were Irish protestants from Belfast, I never knew them. My grandmother was an Irish Catholic from a little village in Cork. And my grandfather was a Catholic from Lower Saxony, Germany.

When I was younger I like to say that makes me a crazy mean American! But now i think of myself as an old, fat and happy American.

My late cousin, David once told me wife "Louis is a cold hearted, calculating bastard, but in a good way" He knew me all my life, I think he summed it up well. On the bright side, I'm still evolving. Purgatory here I come, I hope!

 

[PRR Modeler]

Afternoon All,

Jon came over to the house today and we ended up running buss wires (14 awg) from the PSX-AR (at TT) to the PSX circuit breaker (in series) next to the base station (luckily I had enough wire left over from before and in the correct colors). I moved the TT track power wires from the reverse loop to the main buss. Jon cleaned up the area around the AR unit and toggle switch (to turn off all the loco noise around the TT) and replaced the lightweight wiring to the toggle with with the heavy duty wire. And lastly he modified the command station so that when I turn on layout power that track power comes on also so I don't have to do it manually each time. We tested it 4 times without issue. I'll test it some more tomorrow before putting everything back together.

In family news SIL and oldest grandson continue to test positive without symptoms. Daughter became sick this weekend but tested negative for Covid and flu.

Ken D&J- Nice video.

Justin- It looks like all of those can be modified to stay off the sacred sheet.

Hughie- Nice looking RS unit.

James- I would highley recommend testing it on a separate piece of wood with mounted track, and as someone else mentioned it probably needs glued down. If it works that will save you a bunch of money.

Dave- Congrats on the milestone.

Chad- I hope you and the missus feel better soon.

Troy- Nice detailing on the shields.

Greg- Nice layout shot.

TomO- Beautiful layout shots.

I hope everyone has a good night.

 

[Alcomotive]

Afternoon All,

Jon came over to the house today and we ended up running buss wires (14 awg) from the PSX-AR (at TT) to the PSX circuit breaker (in series) next to the base station (luckily I had enough wire left over from before and in the correct colors). I moved the TT track power wires from the reverse loop to the main buss. Jon cleaned up the area around the AR unit and toggle switch (to turn off all the loco noise around the TT) and replaced the lightweight wiring to the toggle with with the heavy duty wire. And lastly he modified the command station so that when I turn on layout power that track power comes on also so I don't have to do it manually each time. We tested it 4 times without issue. I'll test it some more tomorrow before putting everything back together.

In family news SIL and oldest grandson continue to test positive without symptoms. Daughter became sick this weekend but tested negative for Covid and flu.

Ken D&J- Nice video.

Justin- It looks like all of those can be modified to stay off the sacred sheet.

Hughie- Nice looking RS unit.

James- I would highley recommend testing it on a separate piece of wood with mounted track, and as someone else mentioned it probably needs glued down. If it works that will save you a bunch of money.

Dave- Congrats on the milestone.

Chad- I hope you and the missus feel better soon.

Troy- Nice detailing on the shields.

Greg- Nice layout shot.

TomO- Beautiful layout shots.

I hope everyone has a good night.

Curt,

I will be testing that out this weekend after I make the trip to either Lowes or Home Depot. I was told no glues necessary. I will do a test track as you mentioned and will post here soon. So we shall see how it goes. I may get 2 samples of the materials in 2 different colors. grey and tan.

 

[TLOC]

What part of the Emerald Isle does your family hail from?

I consider myself American not Irish or Italian. The USA is a melting pot or at least was! Now not really sure what we are but aI am still proud to be from the USA.

But dad’s dad was born on the boat coming over from County Cork. Daniel O’Connell is a descendant and I guess he was a leader of the rebellion. Not really clear on that.

Mom’s dad was born on the boat coming over from Italy but I would have to ask my brother or sister where mom’s side hails from. At my great grandmothers wake was the first time I met any “mob” members. She was a close friend of Al Capone’s wife who lived a few doors away from her.

TomO

out of the train room onto the chair next to this. Wind chill outside is a balmy 0f degrees

 

[TLOC]

Afternoon All,

Jon came over to the house today and we ended up running buss wires (14 awg) from the PSX-AR (at TT) to the PSX circuit breaker (in series) next to the base station (luckily I had enough wire left over from before and in the correct colors). I moved the TT track power wires from the reverse loop to the main buss. Jon cleaned up the area around the AR unit and toggle switch (to turn off all the loco noise around the TT) and replaced the lightweight wiring to the toggle with with the heavy duty wire. And lastly he modified the command station so that when I turn on layout power that track power comes on also so I don't have to do it manually each time. We tested it 4 times without issue. I'll test it some more tomorrow before putting everything back together.

In family news SIL and oldest grandson continue to test positive without symptoms. Daughter became sick this weekend but tested negative for Covid and flu.

Ken D&J- Nice video.

Justin- It looks like all of those can be modified to stay off the sacred sheet.

Hughie- Nice looking RS unit.

James- I would highley recommend testing it on a separate piece of wood with mounted track, and as someone else mentioned it probably needs glued down. If it works that will save you a bunch of money.

Dave- Congrats on the milestone.

Chad- I hope you and the missus feel better soon.

Troy- Nice detailing on the shields.

Greg- Nice layout shot.

TomO- Beautiful layout shots.

I hope everyone has a good night.

Thanks Curt. Pictures make me work on the layout. Appreciate the nice comment

TomO

 

[TLOC]

I was too. What caught my eye was the "modified gondolas"..................

View attachment 138371

I love the gondola. There is a guy in Wisconsin who makes and sells them and while I liked them until, this video I had never seen one in action. This video shows me, I really can mix and match rolling stock pulp cars especially since I no longer prototype model.

TomO

 

[TLOC]

Tom O -

Hmmmh! he's been blaming everyone else for everything!

My family is Irish all the way through. When Dad died in 2005, he specifically earmarked $5K in his will to pay for the food and alcohol for his wake; even specifying the brands and types of liquor that his friends (all over 75) liked. My brother #2 kicked in an extra $500. My oldest daughter who had just received her MS in college said to me afterward, that she had been to a lot of college parties, but they all paled in comparison to his wake. My son learned from said brother that good bourbon is only mixed with ice cubes, not Coke! Dad was pissed ahead of his passing when he was told by the funeral home that City of Dallas rules prevented the open casket from being at the wake. This was traditional in Ireland. Our local Monsignor enjoyed himself as well. He also left with two bottles of his favorite expensive Scotch as a parting gift from Dad. Most of the attendees should not have been driving home. I stayed at brother #1's home a block away.

Good Irish family story. My brother in law was of full German descent. But, he and my sister lived in a huge Irish area in the southwest suburbs of Chicago. Funny, most of the friends were either Chinese or Irish. He wanted a Irish wake and holy cripe did he get one. I have never seen so many happy drunks in my life in 1 spot. He would definitely enjoyed it. I did and I had a root canal the day before the 2 days of partying

TomO

 

[Greg@mnrr]

It's interesting as well that you have seen this layout in person. Call it a stroke of luck maybe?

It's been years, but I believe I saw the layout at Kalmbach's exhibit at TrainFest shortly after the series was in the magazine.

Jerome in person was great to see and most of the brick buildings dated back to the mining days after several fires destroyed most of the wooden buildings and most of the town of Jerome itself was gone. After the last fire all buildings were constructed out of brick or stone.

I saw the opening in the side of the mountain where the mine tailings were carried out in mine hoppers and then dumped over the edge of the mountain through the opening.

I purchased a small paperback on the history of Jerome.

The town now is changing to a Arts and Crafts type town.

Greg

 

[D&J RailRoad]

Jerome went to the arts and crafts back in the 60s. Now it's more of a tourist trap area. Trinket shops and cafes along with a couple ice cream shops. Bikers rally up there on occasion then head on west to Prescott for the ride over the Mingus Mountain.
My sister lived out her hippy era there in the early 70s, found her hippy husband there and moved down into the valley to Cottonwood. Still lives there now, happily married to the same guy.

 

[Smudge617]

I consider myself American not Irish or Italian. The USA is a melting pot or at least was! Now not really sure what we are but aI am still proud to be from the USA.

But dad’s dad was born on the boat coming over from County Cork. Daniel O’Connell is a descendant and I guess he was a leader of the rebellion. Not really clear on that.

Mom’s dad was born on the boat coming over from Italy but I would have to ask my brother or sister where mom’s side hails from. At my great grandmothers wake was the first time I met any “mob” members. She was a close friend of Al Capone’s wife who lived a few doors away from her.

TomO

out of the train room onto the chair next to this. Wind chill outside is a balmy 0f degrees
View attachment 138374

You might find this of interest then.

Daniel O'Connell - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Texas Hobo]

Well, good evening, all! It's been a cold raw day here in H-Town with nary a peek of sunshine. It is supposed to warm overnight with a 70% chance of rain the next couple of days, then another cold front.

My father was born in Ireland, mother in Scotland. They both set aside monies for a party for their families. I can safely say if you haven't been to a true Irish wake, you don't know what you missed. Definitely a celebration of life.

I got to run some trains today. I decided to pull out and run some of the locos I don't usually run or even have on the layout. All but one ran fairly well. I have a Bachmann DCC doodlebug that is just so noisy and jerky running. The original plan was use it for transporting folks to local stops.

Another archive photo, one of my favorites, a lash up of 4 RS-3's.

STAY SAFE
LATER

 

[Boris]

Crude in nature is the name of the game. Mine load outs were very crude in nature. I came across two kits that I found would be an improvement style wise to the new river kit. The new river mine kit is massive. It's a space hog. I'm looking at the black Bart mine as a decent looking truck loader. The red river mine that's elevated would add interest as well. Given the experience you have with these. Did you solder the joints during the construction phase?

Justin, that's where my lack of soldering skills came into play. I ended up using Walthers Goo, while substituting Midwest lumber for the metal L girders. I always wanted to try the Chemical and Potash building and separate annex, but was afraid it wouldn't go well. That kit just screamed heavy industry. Of course, that was many years ago, and I have much more experience, so today my results should be different.

 

[TLOC]

You might find this of interest then.

Daniel O'Connell - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

That’s him. My brother has some personal records about him as family history stuff.
TomO