Inglourious Disasters

My email inbox is frequently clogged with deranged collections of weird photographs, jokes, powerpoints with soppy music and other viral pieces, mostly compiled by bored employees.  As I have regular contact with the executive end of the corporate ladder, I amuse myself by forwarding the emails which sport relevant company disclaimers at the bottom.  "This is what you are paying your employees to create! - can't you give them something better to do?"

I agree, some of them are amusing or even downright funny.  Occasionally, I receive the more interesting variety, one of which I share with you today.

The compiler was clever enough to remove the company disclaimer from the footnote, so unfortunately, I am unable to dole out the credit where it's due.  If you are the author of this missive or the photographer, let me know so that I can pat you heartily on the back.  Nice work!

Here it is - just as it came to me:

Good news: It was a normal day in  Sharon   Springs , KS when a Union Pacific crew boarded a loaded coal train for the long trek to  Salina  .

The Bad news: Just a few miles into the trip a wheel bearing became overheated and melted, letting a metal support drop down and grind on the rail, creating white hot molten metal droppings spewing down to the rail. 
 
The Good news: A very alert crew noticed smoke about halfway back in the train and immediately stopped the train in compliance with the rules.

The Bad news: The train stopped with the hot wheel over a wooden bridge with creosote ties and trusses.

The crew tried to explain to higher-ups but were instructed not to move the train!

They were instructed Rules prohibit moving the train when a part is defective!

 The Railway Man: A True Story of War, Remembrance, and Forgiveness

The final comment sums it up nicely:

"Don't let common sense get in the way of a good disaster"

This Stuff Really IS For Sale!

I know this Blog has been a long time in the making and recently I have been rather slack in posting (house-building and studying tend to fill in the gaps between eating and sleeping these days).  However, the time has arrived methinks to face the prospect that this train set really IS for sale.

I do understand that I am located on the other side of nowhere (2 1/2 hours from the nearest town and road that actually goes somewhere other than a dead-end).  I appreciate that this isn't a place to casually 'pop by' for a gander on a Sunday afternoon.

I can promise you that you won't be disappointed.  I have created a pretty extensive picture gallery of the set, even though there aren't any photos of the layout in operation (something to do with not having a house for ten years ....too busy hugging trees!).  So I have to do something to entice you.

Setting The Price

Let's say I start the bidding at $2450. 

You say "What? Are you kidding?" 

I say "Well perhaps I can move a little bit, as I can see you are a dedicated Dublo'er and I really do want this outfit to go to a GOOD home.  I comes embedded with all my fond memories you know!.  What about $2200?"

......after a little more haggling we arrive at the mutually agreeable price of $1980 and I run off and carefully wrap the whole shebang for FREE shipping to you as long as you are in Canada or the lower 48 States, whilst you lean out of your window and pop a cheque in the post.  I have no idea how much it weighs or how much it will cost to send, but that's my problem.

Sound fair?

The one proviso is that you toddle off and have a look at this new environmental website
whatismissing.net Click on the link 'Unchop a Tree'  (this video is also viewable at Treehuggers ) - The last bit is REALLY moving .............if you're a softy like me.

If this proviso is a bit too 'ECO-bunny' for you - that's fine.  I'm forgiving.