Running Bear's November 2025 Coffee Shop

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Those Amtrak locomotives remind me a great deal of the Swiss Re460 locomotive.

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Good morning all!

Happy Saturday, the weekend is finally upon us!

Currently is a raw, cloudy 43F. Only supposed to get to 45F, so this is about the high for the day. Light rain throughout the day expected.

Usual Saturday tasks around the house. Laundry, grocery run, etc.....

Not much else going on here yet, I'm sure things will crop up.

Have a safe day everyone!
 
Good Morning All!
36F @ 84% and overcast. Little rain during the night. To be partly later @48F.

Brakes on the Expedition were a PITA. Well they still are a PITA. Had to pry/hammer the old pads out. No, did not use the rotor to pry. Then retracting the Piston's were work. I could squeeze them with big channel locks, but you could only go so far. Had to squeeze, release then rinse and repeat. Did not have enough hands to hold the caliper assembly, squeeze and open/close the bleeder port without a lot of !@#$%. So, am off to ACE in a bit for C-Clamp, brake cleaner and fluid: could not find my Clamp, and ran out of the other. Putting the new pads in was pretty much reverse of getting them out. Tight fit in the caliper. Good thing I have a BFH.

Maria has been putting insulation in the Chick/Goat house and has been really Bi Tch'n. She says that all the OSB will need to be cut length wise as the guy we had build it did not start at a corner putting the studs @16". She thinks that 4 OSB will go in without cutting length wise. Still have to trim the ends down a bit under the lofts though. No biggie there. She tried placing the OSB horizontally, but I nixed that as I explained that you loose structure integrity when doing that. She is not happy. Told her 'don't worry about it' as I will show you the easy way for those long cuts. Now to find my very straight 8ft 1x4. Probably should have painted it orange...

For the layout, I have been working through a servo design for the turnouts. Planning on scratch built turnouts and figured that I needed something to switch those switches.... Yes, will setup on a workbench and do some of them in one fell swoop; think yard ladder. Single switch and crossovers too.

L8r
 
Good Morning All. Clear and 53°, should be in the low-80's again today before a cold front hits tonight with viscous cold winds starting just after dusk and pick up even more after sunrise tomorrow. A freeze has been added to the Sunday night forecast. Back into the 70's by Tuesday and the 80's by Thursday. If it does indeed freeze tomorrow night, that will be an exceptionally early first freeze for us, average date is November 22.

Nothing special going on here either yesterday or today. I'm ready for the cold snap with plenty of kindling and firewood in the house for the wood burning heater. Cleared up some more brush yesterday and then mowed where it had been stacked. I need to do a load of laundry this morning but otherwise there's nothing pressing.

Wife removed her bandage yesterday and revealed a 2.5" vertical scar from her eyebrow to her hairline, resulting from her surgery Wednesday.

Out in the train shed yesterday, I did some more painting on the Hydrocal structure. Finished up the rockwork on the LH side.
1762611527013.jpeg

There's a few spots that need some minor repairing, my spotter brush isn't in the best shape.
Then I added a mortar wash to the entire structure.
1762611621333.jpeg

1762611635574.jpeg

Then I test-fitted the windows.
1762611917319.jpeg

1762611930932.jpeg

Bit of a problem on the RH side, as the window sills overlap the concrete sills on the building. Causes them to jut out as well. I'll trim them off as a double-sill is not appropriate anyway.
Next are the two most challenging parts of this build, trimming the clear styrene for those arched top panes in the windows; and painting the sign on the side of the building. Picture here is from the box.
1762612179680.jpeg

It will be a challenge for sure.

Tom O - It has been a very good year in the Stock Market for me as well, despite the horrible week that we just experienced last week. I'll be looking at the numbers later today, but I am a "buy and hold" investor, so I probably won't make any changes. Since I turned 73 this year, I have to start taking an RMD from an additional retirement account, which is going to cause me to have to start paying taxes again!
Louis - The "Superman syndrome" runs in my family. I fortunately realized it and backed off over 20 years ago. It took out my youngest brother at age 59, 4 years ago.
Michael -
I buy the Marie Calendar frozen pies, and the back says there are 9 servings.
One would need to have a geometry degree to cut a pie into 9 equal pieces.
Troy - Good call on Sonny Bryan's BBQ. I didn't know that they had a place there or I would have recommended it first.
Kusojiji -
Wow, they BBQ everything over there!
We BBQ anything that can't be deep-fried!

Singer/songwriter/guitarist Bonnie Raitt is 76 today.
Everyone have a super Saturday. Be safe out there.

​

 


Good morning from So Central Wisconsin where it’s 39f degrees now and maybe 43 later for the high. Tomorrow the guessers are saying the high might be 35

Spinning fans on locomotives. I owned an Aurora Miniatures unit for I think a couple years. I got it on pre-order so received it when it 1st came out. I purchased for the model not because of the spinning fans. When the train was moving I never noticed the fans.

Hockey today is just the grandson at one of the nearby Madison rinks, 13 minute City drive at 5.5 miles . Even though it’s an away game, we will be there! They are 8-0 to start the season and I guess they were getting cocky. The kids skated the last 1/2 of practice Thursday just doing line drills. The last couple games defensively they were very sloppy. We will see as the team they are playing at 10:15 is usually very good.

Thursday brunch was ok. It was the Michelin star restaurant hard to get reservation place. Good food but typical of high end self proclaimed wonderful over the top places. Very small laughable portions with way over the top excellent service. The 4 of us said, been there, done that and no need ever to go back.

The grandson and I after hockey Thursday were to discuss his request about changes to the slot track. Seems I was set up. His mom and the mom”s still great friend but former business partner was there too along with her son. Also there was the granddad of the budette/goalie who lives with her grandparents across the street from the daughter. The 2 girls actually built the last 2 race tracks I designed and supervised for the grandson and the friend’s son. They would do the re-building of the track but, the set up was, 2 entire new slot tracks! Something I wasn’t expecting nor was I expecting them to want to use was the Carrera track pieces. I normally route the track slots. They asked if by Christmas and I laughed, they were serious though. They did show me the track plans they want and besides the girls building it the granddad will help. Last night I asked ChatGPT for a rendering of the track in Austin, Circuit of the Americas in 1/32 scale to fit the 20’ x 40’ space available. Let’s just say that was a futile attempt at help

Enjoy the day
 
Good Morning All. Clear and 53°, should be in the low-80's again today before a cold front hits tonight with viscous cold winds starting just after dusk and pick up even more after sunrise tomorrow. A freeze has been added to the Sunday night forecast. Back into the 70's by Tuesday and the 80's by Thursday. If it does indeed freeze tomorrow night, that will be an exceptionally early first freeze for us, average date is November 22.

Nothing special going on here either yesterday or today. I'm ready for the cold snap with plenty of kindling and firewood in the house for the wood burning heater. Cleared up some more brush yesterday and then mowed where it had been stacked. I need to do a load of laundry this morning but otherwise there's nothing pressing.

Wife removed her bandage yesterday and revealed a 2.5" vertical scar from her eyebrow to her hairline, resulting from her surgery Wednesday.

Out in the train shed yesterday, I did some more painting on the Hydrocal structure. Finished up the rockwork on the LH side.
View attachment 247233
There's a few spots that need some minor repairing, my spotter brush isn't in the best shape.
Then I added a mortar wash to the entire structure.
View attachment 247234
View attachment 247235
Then I test-fitted the windows.
View attachment 247236
View attachment 247237
Bit of a problem on the RH side, as the window sills overlap the concrete sills on the building. Causes them to jut out as well. I'll trim them off as a double-sill is not appropriate anyway.
Next are the two most challenging parts of this build, trimming the clear styrene for those arched top panes in the windows; and painting the sign on the side of the building. Picture here is from the box.
View attachment 247238
It will be a challenge for sure.

Tom O - It has been a very good year in the Stock Market for me as well, despite the horrible week that we just experienced last week. I'll be looking at the numbers later today, but I am a "buy and hold" investor, so I probably won't make any changes. Since I turned 73 this year, I have to start taking an RMD from an additional retirement account, which is going to cause me to have to start paying taxes again!
Louis - The "Superman syndrome" runs in my family. I fortunately realized it and backed off over 20 years ago. It took out my youngest brother at age 59, 4 years ago.
Michael -

One would need to have a geometry degree to cut a pie into 9 equal pieces.
Troy - Good call on Sonny Bryan's BBQ. I didn't know that they had a place there or I would have recommended it first.
Kusojiji -

We BBQ anything that can't be deep-fried!

Singer/songwriter/guitarist Bonnie Raitt is 76 today.
Everyone have a super Saturday. Be safe out there.

​

I also turned 73 this year! I had more federal and state taxes taken out just so we don’t have to pay in. I think the mandatory withdrawals are ridiculous the only one that benefits is the holder of the 401k getting paid withdrawal fees. I set it up for automatic withdrawals on 12/15 every year
 
Good Morning All!
36F @ 84% and overcast. Little rain during the night. To be partly later @48F.

Brakes on the Expedition were a PITA. Well they still are a PITA. Had to pry/hammer the old pads out. No, did not use the rotor to pry. Then retracting the Piston's were work. I could squeeze them with big channel locks, but you could only go so far. Had to squeeze, release then rinse and repeat. Did not have enough hands to hold the caliper assembly, squeeze and open/close the bleeder port without a lot of !@#$%. So, am off to ACE in a bit for C-Clamp, brake cleaner and fluid: could not find my Clamp, and ran out of the other. Putting the new pads in was pretty much reverse of getting them out. Tight fit in the caliper. Good thing I have a BFH.

Maria has been putting insulation in the Chick/Goat house and has been really Bi Tch'n. She says that all the OSB will need to be cut length wise as the guy we had build it did not start at a corner putting the studs @16". She thinks that 4 OSB will go in without cutting length wise. Still have to trim the ends down a bit under the lofts though. No biggie there. She tried placing the OSB horizontally, but I nixed that as I explained that you loose structure integrity when doing that. She is not happy. Told her 'don't worry about it' as I will show you the easy way for those long cuts. Now to find my very straight 8ft 1x4. Probably should have painted it orange...

For the layout, I have been working through a servo design for the turnouts. Planning on scratch built turnouts and figured that I needed something to switch those switches.... Yes, will setup on a workbench and do some of them in one fell swoop; think yard ladder. Single switch and crossovers too.

L8r

There is a tool available for rental at AutoZone specifically for Ford disc brake calipers. It makes the job a lot easier.
 
Good morning folks, 60 degrees here and sunny. Temps are supposed to drop tonight and Sunday/Monday/Tuesday much colder. Gotta run some errands in a bit to get stuff ready for our getaway to Branson, MO next week. Gunstore is closed today and Monday for Deer Season, we were slammed all day yesterday as the last-minute folks were panicking.
My oldest great-niece has moved up here to be with family and last night she and a really great young guy from church went out on their first date. When I got home from work last night one of my nephews and most of his family just come by, so we got pizza and had a nice evening. A very nice surprise.
Y'all have a good day and God bless!
 
I am told it may snow Sunday into Monday.

A few inches, or more so of snow. A quick walk along the station platform and check all is locked. The Mark 1 carriage resplendent in North British Railway colours. The old signal box. Yes, all locked for the night.

Cozy log fires in the dining room and study. The coal fire in the living room banked up.
The broth simmering on the stove.
Winter is fast approaching. A glass or two of Scotch.

The snow is falling. According to the forecast all through the night.
Thick broth is served warming our insides.

Yes, the snow will be lying thick on the ground in the morning. That will be tomorrows challenge. Meanwhile Dawn and I snuggle up close and let the world pass by.
 
The "Superman syndrome" runs in my family. I fortunately realized it and backed off over 20 years ago.
You are a wise Ol' Buzzard.
It took out my youngest brother at age 59, 4 years ago.
I'm sure you miss him and I am all but certain he didn't realize what he was doing to himself until it was too late.

Had I not met Angela I would not be here. She slowed my roll. She enjoyed sitting on the couch, holding my hand, watching TV with me. And made sure I was in bed in time to get enough rest for the next day. Not to mention the good home cooking. She brought peace into my life. Something I hadn't known since I was 11 years old. I no longer felt the need to prove anything to myself.

No more "running free"
Little did I know I was only months from a series of catastrophic health problems. Had I kept going hard and fast I doubt I would have made it to 40.
Brakes on the Expedition were a PITA.
I'm sorry to hear about your struggles. That is the reason I stopped turning wrenches.
There is a tool available for rental at AutoZone specifically for Ford disc brake calipers.
Another reason I don't miss turning wrenches.

For the first time in my life, I paid to have my brakes done this year. Other than changing engine oil, plugs, wiper blades and the air filter I will pay for the rest to be done. I only do those things because they are so quick and easy on my Equinox.
 


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