That is perfectly appropriate when dealing with brainless computers. A brain dead society? Anyway, George your idea with the black caulk worked perfectly. Great idea!! Later !!
Speaking off rudeness, I am rude to my trains, sometimes, even though 99% of the time, it is my own fault when they don't run right. Things like forgetting to have the switches lined right or forgetting to turn on a block or off a block. And, speaking of Century Link, they will never have me as a customer again as about 10 years ago, when I paid online, I got a notice from them that my payment didn't go through because I had entered an invalid account number, a number I had submitted many times before and always triple-checked when I submitted it. That, in itself wasn't so bad but their policy, at that time, was to disqualify you from paying online, for a year, if you ever submitted an invalid account number. So, I called their customer service and was informed it was their view that I entered an invalid account number and the disqualification would stand, even though I told them it HAD to be their system because I always triple checked...etc. No deal so I told them I had paid my last payment to them and they could disconnect me, which I did and they did. I signed up to a different phone service. Doug
I had a similar problem with a local Credit Union we had been with for ~20 years, but they could not get the charges right between my CC and my daughter's CC (which I co-signed) while she was at college out of state, resulting in late fees on hers because they credited her payment on her card to my card (there is no way she could have paid on my card because she is not authorized on it). I had to go into the local branch to talk to a human. After going round & round with them twice in two consecutive months, I bid them farenotsowell. I switched all our accounts to a national bank with branches both local and where she was in school, and we never looked back.
Let's carry this a bit further. On an every day event or every-other day event. Okay, once a week, lately. I want to stop for a sandwich, drink and fries. Brown bagging. Then off to the train station to watch the run through freights arrive and depart. Change crews. Or locals preparing to head out to switch the industrial areas in and around Boise, Nampa, and Caldwell. That's all good and I have no complaints. Just setting the scene. I stop at any of the dozen fast food places and order Diet Dr. Pepper. I might get Diet Coke or regular sugar enriched Dr. Pepper. Then I wonder why my sugars are up at the end of the day. I might get a burger with everything on it when I ordered "Plain" or "Hold whatever it is I want them to hold. I will get the complete sandwich. Like I said it doesn't matter what fast food place I go to. Oh, and you better order what it's called on the menu. Never mind what confusion and panic you start when you don't. Harrumph!! What happened to listening skills 101? Busy weekend ahead of me and I though last weekend was bad. Later !!
Yeah, but it's the simple things that make the difference between a pleasant experience and a regrettable one. Between earning a repeat customer, and chasing one away. Between finding a place you enjoy supporting because they care, and avoiding one because they don't. But the ones that still care seem to be a dying breed these days. There's a popular chain burrito place we used to frequent for take-out, even more so when they opened up nearby. But I swear, they can't assemble a burrito per our online order to save their necks! Sure, I could get in line, and tell them how to build it (while I watch) once I get there, but what's the point of online ordering if they can't give you what you ordered? At least Chic-Fil-A consistently gets it right. And their Chicken Tortilla soup is back on the menu now. We look forward to when it comes back in season each autumn/winter.
LOL or should I say chuckling out loud. That isn't the only problem or problems. That's okay! I don't need to disclose anymore then I've disclosed in the past. With the price per meal being as expensive as they are. Boycott on my part is the order of the day. Nice, I'm glad there is something out there that is good and I hope the price is right. Wasn't that a TV show?? Funny and not in a haw, haw way. A somewhat mentally challenged young man worked for a local CJ's. Friendly and helpful. He never got the order wrong and the change was right on. The kind of employee any corporate organization would be proud of. They fired him. No one has gotten the orders or change right since. Now that may be a slight exaggeration. Just not far from the mark or the truth. Layout news. The layout is on hold for the moment. I did order out some things for it. So far 30 days later the items haven't arrived. Frustrate, frustrate, frustrate. Contacted the seller and he swore he shipped it. However, tracking can't prove that. See the problems can get worse. Or increase in numbers. Back to the waiting game. isn't this fun??????????? Later all !!
./]\ LOL Good point and possible. Yep, pretty sure as the one I own is still sitting where I put it. We are off to another week of who knows what??? Maybe I will finally get a hall pass. Say what?? Later
Yes!! Christmas is over. I managed to do what is expected of a Grandpa. Sit and be bored the whole time because they are all tired of hearing my stories. I have a picture to share with you. This is what this kids eyes would of seen in the not so cool of the summer evenings in Barstow, Ca I don't know how many times I've been asked. While watching my trains traverse the H&P. Did the Streamline passenger cars run at the same time as the Standard passenger cars?? Actually the question asked sounded like this. Did the lightweights run at the same time as the heavyweights?? Aiiyiiyii !!! In case you are wondering I said it right the first time. The West Bound, El Capitian w/ the streamline Hi-liners. East Bound the Grand Canyon w/standard passenger cars. Notice I didn't wish anyone a Merry Christmas this year. Well, I did but only in my mind and heart and over the phone to a select few. I didn't like how that sounded, my bad. Hoping it was good for you. Personally!! Just glad Christmas is over. Wishing you a Happy New Year, although I'm not very optimistic about it.
I said that!!. I kind of left you hanging. PP and I had to build a fire under the seller. It got here...finally!! On another note. High C, perhaps. A Great Northern, (green and orange short dome) A Dome Vista Streamline Passenger car did arrive in a most timely manner and as advertised. How about that?? Unless I missed something and that would be like me my Empire Builder is now complete. Now to get the layout back together so I can run it. Later all.
I was talking to someone about lighted passenger cars. We were discussing the lights at night. Check out how many of the passenger cars above are lit. Something to think about the next time you get set to light your passenger cars.
It seems that the dining car, rear observation car and vestibules would be the majority of the lit up areas. An occassional roomette or room. Some dim hallway lighting and that would be the norm. Now, to figure out how to accomplish that realistically in limited spaces. Hmmm
Here is an after thought. The El Capitan that you see in the picture above is relatively new. How can I tell? The Dormitory Baggage Car behind the Baggage Car is operating with a type of wind break or spoiler. This car disappeared in time and could be seen operating on the Oklahoman. A Kansas City to Tulsa, OK., short hop. If memory serves me correctly. Some of you who grew-up in this vicinity might have a eyes on report you could share here. I thought the last two weeks were busy. Won't compare to what's about to happen or going on this next week. Later all.
\ 20th Century Limited on my layout? You know the funny thing about Barstow it saw trains, run through passenger trains from Pennsy, New York, B&O, C&O and others. This was back in the day of Shriner Conventions, Rose Bowl University Games, and sports in general. Before the aeroplane. The last time I was in town. At the San Bernardino Santa Fe Passenger Station, in the museum, is a model of a Pennsylvania passenger train and locomotive. One of the few documented foreign passenger trains to come through Barstow, San Bernardino and on into Los Angeles, California. Do i dare say back in the days when California was a state of moderation. Not the stuff as you see and hear about it today. What I wouldn't give for yesteryear's!! With that in mind. I wish all of you a Happy New Year!! Forgive the lack of optimism, on my part, for 2024. Or not! Later!
