Friday, April 20, 2012

Christmas day 3

I must confess I'm a railroad junkie. I grew up in Hannibal, Missouri which was a railroad town and a division point on two railroads.. In 1900 Hannibal was served by 9 railroads and had over 100 scheduled trains a day including 56 passenger trains. The rail yards had a full roundhouse and steam shop plus a car shop. The first mail car for rail service was produced for the Hannibal & St. Joe RR to facilitate the handling of mail from steamboats on the Mississippi to delivery to the Pony Express in St. Joe. In addition my maternal grandfather worked for the Nickle Plate RR in St. Louis and in my younger years I used to accompany he and my grandmother in sleeper cars on an annual trip to Texas to visit family. Add to this a great uncle who retired to Hannibal after a career as superintendent of the Chicago yards during WWII and the hours I spent with him listening to his stories. During the last years of my working career I also used to spend at least one weekend a month in St. Louis (100 miles away) participating in the activities of The Wabash, Frisco and Pacific RR  a miniature 1' gauge steam railroad. I have also ridden most of the tourist railroads in the western half of the United States. So after that dissertation it should be no surprise that yesterday's UPS gift had noting to do with RVing, but instead brought software that will allow me to build a model railroad on my computer. Boys and there toys.


Now that everyone is leaving the park this will allow me to kill some hours.

The other package I'm waiting for, the one given to USPS, has still not arrived. This is the tracking history and it should be noted that McAllen, Texas is 5 miles from here. 

DateTimeLocationEvent Details
April 18, 201209:07:00 PMMcallen TX USDeparture Scan
April 17, 201206:41:00 PMMcallen TX USDeparture Scan
April 17, 201201:12:00 AMMcallen TX USDeparture Scan
April 17, 2012---Mcallen TX USDeparture Scan
April 16, 201212:54:00 AMAustin TX USDeparture Scan
April 13, 2012---Reno NV USDeparture Scan
April 12, 201208:35:00 PMReno NV USDeparture Scan
April 12, 201206:28:00 PMSparks NV USDeparture Scan
April 12, 201208:37:00 AMSparks NV USShipment received by carrier

How does an item depart the same location 5 times is today's question? A tracer has been requested and I'm on the edge of my chair waiting for Post Office action. 


Time now for me to build a railroad and sit back and enjoy the good life.



12 comments:

  1. Maybe the delivery person keeps the package for the end of his route and then is just too tired to deliver it at the last minute. That sure doesn't help you at Enjoying the Good Life.

    It's about time.

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    1. Rick, it's never even had an arrival or departure scan at the Mission Post Office which would be the next step, it seems to be just the other side of the Twilight Zone.

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  2. I realize the USPS is not a government entity, but they certainly conduct business like one! Good luck...and enjoy your train software.

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    1. Donna, I do believe for a number of years that the USPS has been a role model for how to run a mostly inefficient bureaucratic organization.

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  3. Don't fall off your chair waiting for that answer!! LOL

    I think you will be having some fun with your model railroad. I can't wait to hear how it's going and to see updates!! Have fun!

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    1. Strictly a rhetorical question, no answer expected or possible.

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  4. I like the way you are treating us to your packages as if it is Christmas & we can't peek ahead of time. That looks like fun. My grandfather used to work on the railroads in Pa back in his day too. My dad had one of those miniature tracks -- there's nothing like the old ones is there? I've never been on a train. I think it would be a fun experience though.

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    1. Trains are a unique for of transportation that is quickly disappearing from this country. If you ever get a chance to ride do it, it's a treat.

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  5. I'm sorry about that last Christmas present. Darn I hate waiting.
    But I love trains. I have a few models. For Christmas we put them up in the spare room. Village,people, farm the works. We had expanded to 2 tables but this year no nothing. Just didn't happen. Maybe next year.
    I am going to look into that build a railroad thing. Let me know how it goes.

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    Replies
    1. You would think they would be a little more careful with Christmas presents. Well at least I've got my railroad to build.

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  6. That looks like a lot of fun! I checked out their web site and the video's give you a pretty good idea as to what all you can do. I can see many hours of the "good life" being spent building your model train world. Maybe you'll share some screen captures once you get it set up.

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    Replies
    1. Some folks are just easily entertained, but it looks like a good challenge for my brain.

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