Good Morning All. Heavy thunderstorm and 69°. Kudos to the NWS on this one; while they were off by 5.5 hours, they got the heavy part right. I can't see the rain gauge from the window and it's raining too hard to step out on the uncovered porch to attempt a look, but the Weather Underground station around the corner shows that 2.15" fell between 0530 and 0630, which is when I typed this. Doesn't look like it will be over for another hour or so, albeit much less heavy according to the radar. Temperature dropped by 8° at the same time. Lots of thunder. I'm sure that the pool is overflowing through the skimmer. At least the cars got washed.
Happy Juneteenth. Trivial note: Texas was the first state to recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday in 1979.
Well, we're almost there. Gas around about town was at $3.19/gallon everywhere. I suspect that Buc-Ee's might have possibly been under $3, but they don't have a sign out front; you have to drive up to the pump to see what they are charging. Nothing else significant about the grocery trek yesterday and the dishwasher didn't magically empty itself while we were gone.
After the rain, it looks like the honey-do list will take priority today unless I can sneak out to the train shed early.
Last week I took advantage of ScaleTrains Father's Day Sale and the package arrived yesterday. Leftover on the shelf models. In my case it was buy one GP30U and get an 86' Auto parts boxcar free. I got two, the last two GP30U numbers that I didn't already have and my first two ST freight cars. The Geeps were in a "faded paint" scheme and were of course lettered for Santa Fe.
However someone at ST either screwed up or they were feeling generous, as there was three extra 86" boxcars in the box! There is 1-UP, 1-DRGW and one SLSF. All feasible in interchange service on ATSF. It was after business hours when I got the package, so I'll call this morning if they are open. I wasn't charged, so who knows. Maybe an unexpected thank you since I already purchased 10 other locos in the last 8 months.
Karl - Enjoy the vacation and have a safe trip.
Tom O - I have read and heard of horror stories about pre-orders for over 20 years, so I never gave them a shot. Passed a few really good locos in that time. When ScaleTrains first came on the scene, they seemed much more honest about it, but I still don't know why I decided to give them a try. I did and while it took 9 months, I was happy with the results. As you pointed out:
No money down, direct shipment, they let you know in advance the tariff cost if not absorbed, a no problem cancel at anytime policy and finally 10 days to pay once you are notified the model is in.
I have since bought another 25 diesels (see above) and continue to be impressed.
Mikey - Supervision is not always an easy job. I know! I spent 43 years doing it professionally and can speak with first-hand experience!
At 74, I still mow and otherwise maintain ~3 acres and cut two cords of firewood a year. I do realize that I need to back off a bit though. Other than oil changes, I have stopped maintaining cars though.
Everybody have a fine Friday.
