Morning all from Cloudy/Windy/Cal:
Temperature's supposed to stay in the mid-70's today, with thunderstorms. That little low in the Pacific has moved in and is supposed to give us a taste of October, today. I just hope we don't have 'dry' lightning in the Sierra, otherwise any rain at all out here is extremely welcome.
Nittany: I love those old aerial photos. When I worked for the Forest Service in Truckee, we had a whole file of late 1930's aerial photos of the Donner Pass and Sierra Valley area--used to study them like crazy. It even showed the old logging railroads north of Truckee before they were taken up in the late 'forties, and with a magnifying glass you could even see an occasional logging train or two. Fascinating.
Todd: What, you have a mess UNDER the layout? Never heard of such a thing, LOL! I have NO idea what's under mine, I refuse to look.
Come to think of it, I did hear some growling down there yesterday when I was out having an Op session. And no, it wasn't my under the table sound system, either.
Garry: The recession hasn't affected the Calif. RR museum, it's not on the list of cuts. In fact, money just became available to re-do the boiler and flues of old Sierra Ry #3 (the Petticoat Junction 4-6-0), so it should be running again in Jamestown next year. Don't ask me how, with the condition off the rest of the State. I think it was largely donations from private concerns. One thing out here, we take our RR history SERIOUSLY! Which may be why that upstart Union Pacific is still the 'new kid on the block' even after 25 years, LOL!
Robby: Ahah, the 'Duck-under'. I see your point, now. ALL 'duck-unders' should be elminated by the time you turn 30, otherwise they'll just turn around and bite you in the rear end as you get--ah--'more mature' and the back starts going, LOL!
Ulrich: Prayers to you, friend. Follow the doctor's orders to the Letter. And I'm sorry to hear about the model railroad. Prayers that things will turn for the better for you.
Jerry: That's a sweet looking 4-8-2 you've got there. Must be a Spectrum. Should run sweet and smooth. I've got one of the heavy mountains in HO, and I like it a lot.
Speaking of new locos, thought I'd share this little beastie with you guys--the new Proto 2-8-8-2. Surprisingly smooth and powerful. Here she is with a drag freight on the 2% eastbound grade of Yuba Summit. Of course, she looks a little bright and shiny for a drag-freight engine, but I'm not hitting her with the Bragdon chalks until I've got her completely broken in.
Best to all, prayers to those in need.
Tom
