Running Bear's January 2024 Coffee Shop

[TLOC]

TomO - How do you pack for shipping? I have a few items that I need to pass along that someone else will use.

I now only use the USPS, (since right before Covid 2020). The only claims I have filed have been with UPS and FedEx. FedEx reviewed and said nope not their fault and there is no appeal. UPS took almost a year twice to refund me my claims.

I use bubble wrap to line any box I use ship. I place the items in the box leaving about 1/2” all around and fill the box with recyclable foam peanuts. I put another piece of bubble wrap over the top and seal it. I then shake the box listening for any rattling. If I hear it I add more peanuts or bubble wrap.

I no longer use any paper crumbled up to fill spaces in the boxes. I buy my sealing tape from the shipping supplies department at Home Depot and IMOO it is stronger tape then from the grocery store, Menards or Lowe’s. It’s not as strong as what you can get at the post office but it’s like 10 times more tape at half the price.

Do not use masking tape, painters tape or even scotch tape to seal the boxes. I have received packages with all those. If you are very flush though, duct tape works well!

I generally ship 3 days a week about 7-8 packages for the week. I take (per a hint from my mail carrier) the packages to the Post Office instead of having the carrier pick up. He claims most damages and lost packages occur when the daily carrier picks up. He said himself included.

Most of my shipments (80%) I reuse what the client sent to me or what Amazon sends stuff in. Amazon lately though on the boxes claim they are using less material (but stronger). I am using less of those Amazon boxes and those have been going to the recycling bin.

More info then you expected, I know…

 

[Bruette]

I bet your more capable than you give yourself credit for!

I wish, I tend to think I can do more than I can, then I pay the price.

 

[PRR Modeler]

Afternoon All,

Started out the day at 51F and currently 67F. We're in for a major warming trend getting into the 80's I believe tomorrow. Today after laundry and chores I headed to the train room. I was there about 3 hours today doing a bunch of small things. Looking ahead I think the next step is putting the 4 walls together. Tomorrow I'm driving up to see my buddy Jon so most likely no train room tomorrow.

Karl- I feel the same way about any pro sport. Great family photo. My son (youngest) will be 41 this year.

Chad- It's a small world. Good progress on the house.

John- Nice looking Cabin Car.

Patrick- Nice job on the ballasting.

Willie- Thanks for sharing the great photos.

I hope everyone has a good night.

 

[Sirfoldalot]

More info then you expected, I know…

No it is not -- Thank you very much for the info!

Back in the early 90's - I sold some $4,000+ of mostly OScale brass.
Packed them mostly as you described. Had no complaints and no losses.

Again thanks.

 

[Sirfoldalot]

Louis-You should go, I bet your more capable than you give yourself credit for!

Could be a once in a lifetime opportunity.

LOUIS - I second that --and take your Grandson with you!

One of the biggest regrets of my life is that I did not take the time to take my father to see the Cowboys play back in the late 60's. Parents lived in Shreveport, about four hour drive ... DAD loved the Cowboys. I could have arranged the time off, I had the money, I just failed to make the effort!

 

[CambriaArea51]

After going over all the paperwork for my wife's nursing home stay, I realized you have to be very rich or very poor for any kind of permanent nursing home stay. The poorer you are the better. If you put money away for your retirement you better not get sick. If the government is not helping you pay the bills, you can go broke fast. Just a warning to everyone. Don't rack up too many birthdays to fast.
Swal

Yep, had to pay down my parents assets. It was $14,000 each per month. Took 6 months to get on Medicaid. The house is safe that was put into us kids name 10 years ago.

 

[bnsf971]

If y'all want to view another case study of a spammer using AI, you can view the other two posts of the member that wished us a happy new year this morning in the coffee shop.

 

[Bruette]

LOUIS - I second that --and take your Grandson with you!

One of the biggest regrets of my life is that I did not take the time to take my father to see the Cowboys play back in the late 60's. Parents lived in Shreveport, about four hour drive ... DAD loved the Cowboys. I could have arranged the time off, I had the money, I just failed to make the effort!

I wish I could, my legs don't have the "get up and go" in them anymore. My back won't allow me to sit in the seat for three+ hours. I won't mention why pancreatitis keeps me from going. My cardiologist warns me against overexerting myself. I could go on, I have a few more chronic conditions, but you get the picture.

Don't feel sorry for me. I had way too much fun gathering up all these problems. Work hard, play hard, rock hard and fall even harder! Only by the Grace of God am I still here. I'm not pushing my luck anymore.

I'll have a great seat in front of the big screen TV my son bought for me. My wife will be enjoying the game with me, and my old Beagle Tucker will be sitting on the couch next to me. Not to mention the hotdogs will be perfect, the beer will be cold, and they will both be cheap! I might even get wild and have two of each!

 

[migalyto]

If y'all want to view another case study of a spammer using AI, you can view the other two posts of the member that wished us a happy new year this morning in the coffee shop.

Yea, that was an odd one! He joined and not 2 minutes from joining came in to the Coffee Shop and wished everyone a happy new year, and nothing else!

Would haved been more believable had he done this 22 days ago!

 

[bnsf971]

Yea, that was an odd one! He joined and not 2 minutes from joining came in to the Coffee Shop and wished everyone a happy new year, and nothing else!

Would haved been more believable had he done this 22 days ago!

Well, I guess it's New Year somewhere...

 

[kbkchooch]

If y'all want to view another case study of a spammer using AI, you can view the other two posts of the member that wished us a happy new year this morning in the coffee shop.

I thought something was hinky about that when I read it!

 

[bnsf971]

I thought something was hinky about that when I read it!

He's gone now. I'm pretty sure there aren't many model railroaders in Islamabad...

 

[bnsf971]

Good evening. It's cloudy and 64.
Many of you remember back in November, I tried getting a more reliable internet service. When the installation tech from Frontier showed up, he confirmed they couldn't provide service. When he tried to cancel the ticket, it started service instead.
I called them, and told the rather rude person on the phone I did not have service, and that they were unable to provide service. They told me they would cancel the account.
Imagine my surprise when I got a late notice for $117.49 from them today.
Since it's after 5 PM, I have to wait until tomorrow to talk to their collections department.

 

[NorthBrit]

He's gone now. I'm pretty sure there aren't many model railroaders in Islamabad...

No North British Railways in Northumberland either.

Happy Jan 22nd 2024

 

[santafewillie]

Do you use a Dremel, or is there a good Jewlers saw recommendation?

Since I don't solder my rail joints except in extreme circumstances, I just gap where some sections of flex join. It varies from two to three pieces and also depends on whether there's a curve involved.

 

[NorthBrit]

Good evening all. A rather breezy day. Granddaughter, Julia visited today and I took her to Brownies. The girls made small kites and were running around with them. A good few minutes before I could get Julia in the car and take her home. Good fun though.

Midnight is fast approaching. Time to close down. Back tomorrow.

 

[troyphoto]

Well howdy there internet peeps and those not in Islamabad

It's Troy again

Took the wife out for dinner at a wings place I like, but she swears only ever had wings and basic burgers when she went there. I had to keep reminding her that she went with large groups (20sih) and that puts them on a reduced menu to keep the service flowing... she doesn't remember that...

Surprise! They have tenderloin sammiches! She loves a good tenderloin. Despite this being a small chain in Northern to Central IN, they didn't Indiana-size the tenderloin. the really good places pound them flat enough that the bun looks like a clown's tiny hat on large platter.

Nope. Her sammich was normal sized, just barely out of the bun.

Here's my "Cowboy" burger: Bacon, cheddar, BBQ sauce, and two onion rings under the bun. And, they have tater tots as a side option. I learned that getting those cuts out the grease of the fries, since the tots are baked. that helped with my acid reflux.

and I found a roleplay (the other D&D company) game to get into. Next Tuesday is the start.

Now I need to catch up on my reading...

Fortunately, most of those are "look them up as needed books" But there are a few on PDF that cover the game setting of th emythical world. Those I need to read. Better get started!

 

[NYC_George]

Swal - 105 car trains are the norm on the BNSF main that is near me. I can only imagine how difficult it would be to walk the entire train looking for an issue; especially given the terrain along the tracks around here.

You posted some great photos this week Willie. In the early 70's while putting away a 100 car PFE train in from CA at Hunt's Point Market we lost radio contact with our crew 100 cars back. I was the fireman on the job. The engineer said walk back and tell the conductor and brakeman who were lining up the yard switches that we have no radio. I walked back the 100 cars.
Swal

 

[KriegslokBR52]

Storm Isha (or something like that) hit the UK overnight, not so much on the south coast where I am but still a rough night. This morning after the wife had sent me on wind patrol to inspect for any damage (apart from a blown over garden ornament, all is exactly where it should be) I returned to my workbench and this tatty caboose:
View attachment 179953

No idea who made it or who did the very nice weathering job on the chassis but I like it and it will be getting a bit of TLC when I get back from work this evening.

This is a Roundhouse caboose. I've picked one up just like it at a train show last year and it also took me a while to figure out the maker of it. Yours is missing roof walk on both sides of cupola and the ladders to the top of the roof on both sides. You can see the holes where the ladders would be mounted. Here is a pretty complete example at another train show recently:

Roundhouse company marketed this as a Pennsylvania RR N5 type, but it's not really prototypical. More like a combination of N5 mixed with "Northeastern" type developed by Reading Railway. I like it because it has that low slung look, like a narrow gauge caboose. This is a pick of mine being worked on in case you want to do the roof walks on yours:

 

[Boris]

31° and partly cloudy. made it up to 38° today. going to the 40s tomorrow.