Running Bear's September 2026 Coffee Shop

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Good morning, all! Just a quick drop in as we are on the way out for grocery safari.

David - Great to hear that Nikki is on the mend.
Willie - Congratulations to you and Arlene. Ours comes up next week.

Big Boy 4014 originally had a LeaPTC system since 2021, which required a diesel helper locomotive to carry the PTC equipment and connect via hard wires Union PacificUnion Pacific+1. The new upgrade moves all PTC components — computer, GPS, and radio antennas — into Big Boy and its tender, eliminating the need for a separate diesel and the hard‑wire connection Trainorders.comTrainorders.com+1.

STAY SAFE
LATER
 


RhB Michael said:
It's too bad they have to ruin a classic train consist by sticking a couple of Diesels in the consist.


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It seems to be a pretty universal phenomenon. The videos and pics I see from Japan of steam trains all have a diesel in the consist. I think Willie had the answer when he said it was to make the train compliant with modern train control safety systems.

I did see a video out of Germany of a special heritage train trip with a steamer that didn’t have it. They closed the line where it was at and required everyone to sit while in tunnels and a bunch of other restrictions.
 
Willie, congrats on #54. We have #50 on the 18th this month.

Chick fills u Up fillet absolutely not a fan and politics has nothing to do with it. Bland and very soft chicken IMO! Like Hobby Lobby I don’t bother knowing why they aren’t open on Sundays. I care if the food and service is worthy of my presence or in HL case, inventory and prices.

We live in so liberal Dane County Wi it hurts. Who cares about religions and politics, just don’t go there if it bothers you

Just got off the phone as the son is struck in Austin traffic. He checked a job site, a 12,000 square ft new residence being built on Lake Austin. Lady saw a snake and wants the snake fence! Son says he told her not a rattler but she wants the fence. He said he mentioned all the Cadillac priced options including a service agreement. Said he priced high enough hoping she’d say no but she said yes and gave him a check for 20% he requires on residential. Said he’s kind of disappointed we didn’t buy him a mansion when he was 20. 60 year old British couple have a 20 year old daughter with a 2 year old who is in her 2nd year at University of Texas. They didn’t like the apartment she was in! Told him yep, he was born into the wrong family. He said the just installed infinity pool is worth more than his 1st house there cost!

Th son said Austin has been dry and the snakes and rats are heavily patrolling the shorelines more and this will be the 5th snake fence since May along Lake Austin for his company.
 
RhB Michael said:
I watch a lot of German steam train videos and I've only seen one where a Diesel was in the consist. It was a V160 that was a grade helper somewhere.
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I suspect they’re on special branch lines or private lines or they close the line to regular traffic as they won’t usually have the train control stuff installed on the old steamers. And train control is required for running on the normal “public” lines without special consideration like temporary closure to regular traffic.
 
santafewillie said:
Good Morning All. Clear and an ungodly 80° this morning. Kinda blew the NWS's forecast yesterday with 105°, not really supposed to be that warm this time of year. Currently, no end in sight. I don't mind the heat, but I do wish that it would rain a bunch.

Inauspicious day today, as Ms. SFW and I are celebrating our 54th anniversary. And my Dad always said it wouldn't last. I guess that there's still time for us to split!

Average day around here yesterday. I did split some wood and prepared the space for this winter's wood stacks. Then it got warm!
today looks like the same until my wife tells me what the plan is for today.

Out in the train shed yesterday, I did continue to do ground cover. Extended the road along the Railroad ROW, but left the camera out there. My water/glue mixture is not behaving as it is supposed to be, so I will have to look at that today.

Marco - I like them both, but I believe that version "A" is more appropriate for the 50's.
David (Marlin) - Great update on Nikki.
Chad -

Not in the case of UP's 4014 Big Boy. There's a dedicated power generator car, the "Howard Fogg", that powers all of the trailing cars.
View attachment 273497
Mike - I like the fries and chicken at Chick-fill-A as well, but I only go there 1-2 times a year. Usually on the trip to or from our vacation destination.

Singer/songwriter Otis Redding was born on this day in 1941.

Everybody have a wonderful Wednesday.
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Congratulations on your anniversary.
 
Congrat
TLOC said:
Willie, congrats on #54. We have #50 on the 18th this month.

Chick fills u Up fillet absolutely not a fan and politics has nothing to do with it. Bland and very soft chicken IMO! Like Hobby Lobby I don’t bother knowing why they aren’t open on Sundays. I care if the food and service is worthy of my presence or in HL case, inventory and prices.

We live in so liberal Dane County Wi it hurts. Who cares about religions and politics, just don’t go there if it bothers you

Just got off the phone as the son is struck in Austin traffic. He checked a job site, a 12,000 square ft new residence being built on Lake Austin. Lady saw a snake and wants the snake fence! Son says he told her not a rattler but she wants the fence. He said he mentioned all the Cadillac priced options including a service agreement. Said he priced high enough hoping she’d say no but she said yes and gave him a check for 20% he requires on residential. Said he’s kind of disappointed we didn’t buy him a mansion when he was 20. 60 year old British couple have a 20 year old daughter with a 2 year old who is in her 2nd year at University of Texas. They didn’t like the apartment she was in! Told him yep, he was born into the wrong family. He said the just installed infinity pool is worth more than his 1st house there cost!

Th son said Austin has been dry and the snakes and rats are heavily patrolling the shorelines more and this will be the 5th snake fence since May along Lake Austin for his compan
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TLOC said:
Willie, congrats on #54. We have #50 on the 18th this month.

Chick fills u Up fillet absolutely not a fan and politics has nothing to do with it. Bland and very soft chicken IMO! Like Hobby Lobby I don’t bother knowing why they aren’t open on Sundays. I care if the food and service is worthy of my presence or in HL case, inventory and prices.

We live in so liberal Dane County Wi it hurts. Who cares about religions and politics, just don’t go there if it bothers you

Just got off the phone as the son is struck in Austin traffic. He checked a job site, a 12,000 square ft new residence being built on Lake Austin. Lady saw a snake and wants the snake fence! Son says he told her not a rattler but she wants the fence. He said he mentioned all the Cadillac priced options including a service agreement. Said he priced high enough hoping she’d say no but she said yes and gave him a check for 20% he requires on residential. Said he’s kind of disappointed we didn’t buy him a mansion when he was 20. 60 year old British couple have a 20 year old daughter with a 2 year old who is in her 2nd year at University of Texas. They didn’t like the apartment she was in! Told him yep, he was born into the wrong family. He said the just installed infinity pool is worth more than his 1st house there cost!

Th son said Austin has been dry and the snakes and rats are heavily patrolling the shorelines more and this will be the 5th snake fence since May along Lake Austin for his company.
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Congratulations on your anniversary.
 


santafewillie said:
Inauspicious day today, as Ms. SFW and I are celebrating our 54th anniversary
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Congratulations to Mr & Mrs Willie, on your marvelous achievement. (We have our 49th in December).

Have a signed contract to sell our property. It's currently in Attorney Review. Didn't get what we hoped for, but we will get $20K over our last appraisal. More than enough to facilitate our planned move to NC.

Football fans, you're wait is over. New England @ Seattle tonight on NBC and streaming sites, 8:20 PM ET.
 
Thanks to all for the anniversary congrats. It's had its ups and downs, but we made it through. Especially proud of our kids. All with college degrees (one with a Masters), no jail time that we know of, all happily married, all raising families with the oldest grandson in his second year of college; and most importantly, none moved back home after venturing out on their own!!!
 
TLOC said:
absolutely not a fan and politics has nothing to do with it. Bland and very soft chicken IMO! Like Hobby Lobby I don’t bother knowing why they aren’t open on Sundays. I care if the food and service is worthy of my presence or in HL case, inventory and prices.
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I don't like Chic-fil-et or Hobby Lobby, and it has nothing to do with religious belief or political preference. I developed my dislike of Chic-fit-et back when they were only located in malls. Hobby Lobby, at least the one here, leaves a lot to be desired.

The Trolls are really neat, liked the photos.
 
Good evening gang!

Too pooped to pop after a 12 hour work day! Gonna sit in the recliner and chill.

Willie and Arlene, congratulations on #54! May there be many more,

Boris, I concur on you opinion on Ick-fil-A, as I call it. No real flavor unless you drown in the high fructose sauces. Blah! I’d rather eat chicken from Popeyes. Bite some chicken that bites back!

Nite!!
 


TLOC said:
Good morning from Wisconsin. Light rain over night but just a miserable mist now. 71f degrees now feels like 83, high later is 84. I did not chec the rain gauge but the heavy duty storms predicted at the 10pm news Terry had on said it couldn’t miss us. i believe it did

Went Troll hunting yesterday in Clinton Iowa. A wonderful success!

Meet Helmut! That is a live tree he is holding
View attachment 273474View attachment 273475

Meet Marvin
View attachment 273476View attachment 273477
View attachment 273481
Meet Warren an indoor troll
View attachment 273482View attachment 273483View attachment 273484
And then a deep walk in the forest to find so “enchanted branches”
View attachment 273493View attachment 273494

Boy can troll hunters talk and no one was shy! We talked to a bunch of couples who were traveling and stopping to see the Trolls as they cross the Midwest. We were looking at Marvin when I heard my last name being called. One of the ladies that the grandson cuts her lawn who lives about 5 houses up from the old house. She was with 3 friends who took a drive yesterday.

These are Danish artist Thomas Dambo creations. He designs the Trolls after checking the site. Uses recycled materials and during installs advises the volunteers who assemble these guys. He gets middle 6 figure pay for his commission. Currently has 50 active trolls in the US but has installed 68. Because they are recycled materials they eventually deconstruct. It must be an “artist’s” word for fall apart.

Our plan is to see the 4 in Dayton, Ohio and 4 in Louisville over the next 6 weeks hockey schedules, health and weather permitting!

Enjoy your day
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I'm all about the "Marvin" guy.

John
 
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