Running Bear's March 2025 Coffee Shop

[troyphoto]

A must see if possible!

Antietam National Battlefield (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov

Irish Brigade Monument at Antietam
NPS Photo
View attachment 214775
Monument Text:
IRISH BRIGADE
Formed in November 1861, the Brigade was largely recruited in New York, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. Its initial regiments were the 69th, 88th and 63rd New York State Volunteers. Other units identified as part of the Brigade included the 29th Massachusetts, 116th Pennsylvania and 25th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiments. The Brigade fought in all of the major campaigns of the Army of the Potomac. It lost over 4,000 men during the war. This total is larger than the number of soldiers who served in the Brigade at any single time. Eleven Brigade members were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Of the Five Officers who commanded the Brigade, three were killed or mortally wounded. Colonel Richard Byrnes (Cold Harbor), Colonel Patrick Kelly (Petersburg), and Brigadier General Thomas A. Smyth (Farmville). The Brigade was mustered out in June 1865.

Close up of monument plaque
NPS Photo
View attachment 214776
IRISH BRIGADE AT ANTIETAM
Second Brigade, First Division Second Corps, Army of the Potomac On 17, September 1862, the Brigade crossed Antietam Creek (9:30 a.m.) at Pry's Ford. As it formed at the edge of a cornfield Father William Corby, Chaplain rode along the line, giving absolution to the soldiers. The 69th New York occupied the right then the 29th Massachusetts, the 63rd and 88th New York crossing the cornfield, the command encountered a rail fence which was torn down under severe fire an opposing Confederate column advanced within 300 paces of the brigade . After several volleys, the Irish Brigade charged with fixed bayonets. At 30 paces it poured buck and ball into General George B. Anderson's Brigade (2nd, 4th, 14th and 30th North Carolina Infantry Regiments) which fell back to "Bloody Lane". After fierce combat its ammunition exhausted the Irish Brigade was relieved.

View attachment 214777
A bronze portrait of Brigadier General Thomas Francis Meagher is on the back of the monument.
NPS Photo

BRIGADIER GENERAL THOMAS FRANCIS MEAGHER
The Irish Brigade commander was born in Waterford City Ireland on 23 August 1823, a well educated orator, he joined the young Ireland movement to liberate his nation. This led to his exile to a British Penal Colony in Tasmania Australia in 1849. He escaped to the United States in 1853 and became an American citizen. When the Civil War broke out he raised Company K, Irish Zouaves, for the 69th New York State Militia Regiment which fought at First Bull Run under Colonel Michael Corcoran. Subsequently Meagher raised the Irish Brigade and commanded it from 3 February 1862 to 14 May 1863. He later commanded a military district in Tennessee. After the War Meagher became Secretary and Acting Governor of the Montana Territory. He drowned in the Missouri River near Fort Benton on 1 July 1867. His body was never recovered.

They're probably teaching the 19th Indiana some great drinking songs wherever they are... Our guys talk like Hoosiers, but have those cool black hats

 

[TLOC]

Do you own a pre-ordered 1st run reefer from Scaletrains? If you do you know how terrible they roll. Scaletrains has come up with a solution. Via email this morning they are notifying owners of both the sound and non sound units that they will have replacement trucks coming this Summer.

Dear Tom, Thank you for purchasing the Rivet Counter™ HO Scale Trinity 82' 7883 Mechanical Reefer. We appreciate your enthusiasm for this model and your valuable feedback, which helps us continually improve our products. After hearing from some first-run customers about rolling performance, we made improvements for the second run. While most customers found these updates successful, we identified a small percentage of trucks that still did not roll as freely as intended. To ensure the best possible experience, we’ve developed further refinements and are offering free replacement truck side frames to customers who pre-ordered from the first and second runs. Tooling was updated to reduce friction on these replacement trucks. If you’d like to receive replacement truck side frames for your model(s), simply pre-order the sound or non-sound version by clicking on the button below. Delivery is expected this summer. IMPORTANT: Preorders are due by April 30, 2025. Please keep your wheels and rotating bearing caps, as replacements do not include these parts. The sound version requires soldering. If you’re uncomfortable with the installation, our Product Support team is happy to assist. In your reply to this email, please note, “Help with the installation.” Around the time the replacement trucks become available, we will contact you with further instructions about returning your model(s) for installation.

PREORDER NOW​

If you have any questions or need assistance, our Sales team is happy to help. We sincerely appreciate your business and the opportunity to provide a solution. Sincerely, The ScaleTrains Crew​

Finally help is on the way

 

[Len Turner]

Good mornin' crew. Under cloudy skies, it's 39 with wind chill of 31, looking for high today of 49 here in Cheyenney. Winds are SW @ 15 gusting to 20. Wind warnings are in effect. No precipitation forecast for next 24 hrs. but strong winds will continue throughout the weekend.
Cardiologist visit went well yesterday. EKG and lab work looked good; no changes to meds.
Picked up a propane cylinder for the heater in the garage yesterday. Maybe get that going later today. Today's laundry day - I do my own. Nurse Judy (ret) told me a long time ago she's a nurse, not a housekeeper...
Looks like the Texas South East will ride again. More on that later...
"Bout due for a refill on the coffee and see what I can scrounge up for brunch. Y'all have a good day and take care.

 

[migalyto]

Do you own a pre-ordered 1st run reefer from Scaletrains? If you do you know how terrible they roll. Scaletrains has come up with a solution. Via email this morning they are notifying owners of both the sound and non sound units that they will have replacement trucks coming this Summer.

Dear Tom, Thank you for purchasing the Rivet Counter™ HO Scale Trinity 82' 7883 Mechanical Reefer. We appreciate your enthusiasm for this model and your valuable feedback, which helps us continually improve our products. After hearing from some first-run customers about rolling performance, we made improvements for the second run. While most customers found these updates successful, we identified a small percentage of trucks that still did not roll as freely as intended. To ensure the best possible experience, we’ve developed further refinements and are offering free replacement truck side frames to customers who pre-ordered from the first and second runs. Tooling was updated to reduce friction on these replacement trucks. If you’d like to receive replacement truck side frames for your model(s), simply pre-order the sound or non-sound version by clicking on the button below. Delivery is expected this summer. IMPORTANT:​ Preorders are due by April 30, 2025. Please keep your wheels and rotating bearing caps, as replacements do not include these parts. The sound version requires soldering. If you’re uncomfortable with the installation, our Product Support team is happy to assist. In your reply to this email, please note, “Help with the installation.” Around the time the replacement trucks become available, we will contact you with further instructions about returning your model(s) for installation.

​ PREORDER NOW​

If you have any questions or need assistance, our Sales team is happy to help. We sincerely appreciate your business and the opportunity to provide a solution. Sincerely, The ScaleTrains Crew​

Finally help is on the way

Got my email earlier this morning. This is great news!

I have 5 from the first run, and 3 from the second. I refused to pre-order from the third run due to this, but want several more. I can attest, they roll terrible. I have a couple that roll so bad they wont stay coupled on a 2% grade. Their junk couplers are part of the issue, but that's another story that I hope they will address in the future.

 

[Bruette]

They're probably teaching the 19th Indiana some great drinking songs wherever they are...

I'm certain someone from the Irish Brigade said "Gníomhartha, ni focail!" which translates to Deeds not words, to honor the Iron Brigade.

Only the 1st Vermont Brigade and Iron Brigade suffered more combat dead than the Irish Brigade during America's Civil War. Gníomhartha, ni focail! This old Irish phrase emphasizes the courage shown through actions rather than just talk, a true testament to bravery.

 

[Bruette]

Cardiologist visit went well yesterday. EKG and lab work looked good; no changes to meds

Thank you for sharing the excellent news!

 

[Bruette]

You must have been a Boy Scout?

I'm sorry Mike, I couldn't help but laugh but thank you all the same. I have been many things; Boy Scout is not one of them.

You seem prepared for anything that comes your way!

Suffering through all that goes with the many other things I have been has made me ready for most anything.

 

[kbkchooch]

Ok, the wife has given me a direction. Gettysburg it is.

I really thought she'd go for Shiloh and Tenn. But SWMBO looked at park pics for Caledonia, and it looks like we can get a hotel room west of Gettysburg, and make that the base of operations. A day at Caledonia, then a couple of days at Gettysburg. Maybe see some other sites. She noticed Antietam Battlefield was close by.

But she was pronouncing it Anty-a'tum. Quasi Atom Ant "up-an-atom!" style.

We're looking at a window of May 14-22 for the trip. A days drive to get there, another day driving back. One day of "communing with nature" or whatever she calls it. At least one day at GB Battlefield. And...???

You will have to let us know on your itinerary as the days get closer, we might be able to meet up at Gilbert's. Maybe we can get Louis out of Dundalk. You will be in Kreigslok's area too!

But she was pronouncing it Anty-a'tum. Quasi Atom Ant "up-an-atom!" style.

btw, it's pronounced An - tea- tum

 

[bnsf971]

Customer states wind noise from television while driving. Photo of outdoor television:

I have questions...

 

[troyphoto]

I'm certain someone from the Irish Brigade said "Gníomhartha, ni focail!" which translates to Deeds not words, to honor the Iron Brigade.

Only the 1st Vermont Brigade and Iron Brigade suffered more combat dead than the Irish Brigade during America's Civil War. Gníomhartha, ni focail! This old Irish phrase emphasizes the courage shown through actions rather than just talk, a true testament to bravery.

If you need a long podcast listen, or something to have on while you work on trains, check out this podcast/youtube... a couple of licensed guides from Gettysburg talk with the host about your "Damn Green Flags" and the men behind them.

Two hours long, but very interesting.

 

[troyphoto]

btw, it's pronounced An - tea- tum

I've watched enough Ken Burns Documentaries to know that. I gave gentle correction.

We hoosiers like to pronounce every letter. The French settlers who gave us the name of Oubache river, shook their heads over O-bah-CHE ... and changed the spelling to "Wabash"

 

[NorthBrit]

More taking time out.

Doctors' are still wondering what the shadow on the lung is and why part of the lung has collapsed.
I had an appointment to see them in April (which is now cancelled).

Instead, tomorrow I will be in hospital to undergo a procedure to hopefully find what is going on.

Hopefully I am not kept in hospital too long.

 

[Bruette]

Maybe we can get Louis out of Dundalk.

As it is, I'm only allowed to leave for work.

 

[AuburnCentral]

Good luck with everything

 

[Bruette]

Our thoughts and prayers are with you David.

 

[NorthBrit]

Our thoughts and prayers are with you David.

Thank you Louis.

I had the procedure earlier, so know what to expect.
The niggling thing is the doctors bringing everything forward for another one. They wanted me to have the procedure in early March, but they sad no, as it was my birthday.

Do they know something and not saying? I shall know tomorrow.

 

[troyphoto]

We went to the oooooey goooey pizza place.

 

[kbkchooch]

Thank you Louis.

I had the procedure earlier, so know what to expect.
The niggling thing is the doctors bringing everything forward for another one. They wanted me to have the procedure in early March, but they sad no, as it was my birthday.

Do they know something and not saying? I shall know tomorrow.

best of luck to you David, keep uis up to date please!

 

[kbkchooch]

As it is, I'm only allowed to leave for work.

Damn that restraining order Louis! Live a little!

 

[kbkchooch]

Customer states wind noise from television while driving. Photo of outdoor television:

View attachment 214807
I have questions...

Remember , you can fix a lot of things, except stupid.

We just had a new Traverse towed in this week, dead battery. So new it had a temp tag on it, trash filled stinky interior.
Dead battery caused by a quarter jammed under the master window switch, energising the up function on the LF window, til the relay overheated and shut the circuit off. Then the relay cooled off and re-energised again til it overheated,then cooled, then heated....you get it, til the battery failed. Old guy, his daughter and her herd of kids had used the car. She crashed the grill and gave it back to him dead and full of trash.
We first sent it to the detail department since the interior smell was so bad my techs refused to work on it. I almost puked checking it in from the tow truck! Then we removed the quarter, replaced the battery (ruined by the quarter) reset the Body and engine computers and sent it home. All in a car with 1,400 miles on it, and an $1,100.00 bill. Picking it up today was the 1st time he has driven it since the purchase. Wife brought it home, daughter took it for 2 weeks til it died. I swear I can't make this stuff up!