Re: Weekend Update 7/12/26

[peteski]

Nice score Mike. Did you have to pay any duties on all those goodies? Or no tariffs?   

[MK]

Peteski, nothing!  And it's all according to the law!   

There are no tariffs when goods are "on your person" coming from an international flight/entry into the US.  In addition, you are allowed up to $800 per person of duty free goods, again coming from an international flight/entry.

And on top of that, the icing is there are TONS of things that are unobtainable in the US and if they are, Japan has it for half the US price.

Oh, one more thing.  The Yen has been the lowest against the Dollar for the past 40(!) years!!!!  Things in general were so cheap when we were there that it was like the Twilight Zone.  Nice dinners were $10/person out the door.  Sushi dinners were like $15/person out the door.  There were many times where our dinners were cheaper than a McDonald's combo meal.   

We stayed in hotels right in the middle of Tokyo, Ginza district to be exact, for $80/night, breakfast included.  That's with all the taxes and fees included.  For the smaller lodgings, off the beaten path, it was $50/night with gourmet chef cooked breakfast.

[peteski]

WOW Mike!  I'm glad you had a great time in an awesome country, and on the cheap!

[N Scale Train Boy]

I had a VERY eventful, steam filled weekend! Like Brian, I was invited to join in on the fun at Horseshoe Curve, and man was it an immaculate experience! The worries about the crowd turned out to be more bark than bite, as while the Curve was busy, there was plenty of space for people to move around, get their cameras set up, and be comfortable while waiting for the main event, and surrounded by a bunch of other younger railfans, we had a fantastic time! Not only did we see 4014 her self, but we also got some interest in the consists preceding her, including the New York Central heritage unit!






Saturday evening, myself and the friends I was staying with went on a chase of the Everett Railroad's evening train, which was a very fun and fairly relaxed experience!


And while Sunday was mostly for traveling home, I made the most of it by catching the EBT's Noon train returning to the station...



And Baldwin 26 being brought onto the turntable and put to bed in her stall at Steamtown! Also in Scranton was D-L/NKP 190 and D-L 1776!







I'll be diving back into modeling this week after recharging from the weekend tonight, lol! Incredible weekend!

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Finished the final three GP40-2Ls today, making a total of 10. Next up, the revolting Draper Taper SD50 and SD60s.








I might upgrade the radio antenna, I just recently got some from Trainworx. Also need to install air horns.

Was this one of the Briggs kits? I really wish they continued. My two P&W M420s are my favorite engines in my fleet. The sergeant stripes on my GP40-2LW damn near ended me. I don't know how you Noodle Noggins have the patience. These look terific!

[dandopinski]

Thank you, yes they are Briggs models, it's a shame they are no longer in existence.