elliots diner: the January 2011 edition...

The fireworks have going on for ten minutes. Boy oh boy, are some folks glad to be in Sunny California.     Wish everyone a safe New Year.

Flip

An early move? I must have really missed something.

The fireworks ain't goin right now.  I got no clue if they will. Due to the drought, All of the counties around me are having emergency burn bans placed in effect (including no fireworks of any kind, not even sparklers or smoke bombs), and I think my county is doing the same.

On the train front, I'm currently re-building a C40-8W and up-dating the detailing (mainly scatch-building new hand rails that have gone missing) I'll eventually do the same for my other Dash-8, and then I'll take it from there. I don't know what I'll do after that.

Happy New Year everyone

THAT was sudden!...and no bread crumb trail,and no way now to leave one either...  there I was sending Jeff's parking lot story to Kris (under the title ...what goes around....), seeing how well behaved, or how well intentioned, we all are; and the next thing I know we're in suthrn CA!

Yesterday (Dec 30) we went to the City, dropped by the LHS, and I picked up the 2 decoders they had said they would mail out last Tuesday but didn't (most probably - as the invoice couldn't be found anywhere - my guess is that hey did mail it, but with all 3 copies of the paper trail!) Anyway, I was able to just about 1/2 pay for them with a LHS Gift Cert Kris gave me for my Bd.  If they do show up in the mail, all I have to do is take them back when I'm next in ("We'll save you the postage by doing that") and pay the rest in monthly bites! Great place to do business, and they are anxious to cut down on their regulars going internet shopping! After that it was an excellent lamb curry we hadn't tried before at our fav. Indian Restaurant - then a quick drive across town to the cinema showing "The King's Speech". Folks, if you get the chance, see this movie!

Today has been totally sunny, and up to 4C - ideal for cleaning the chimney. Days like that don't come twice, so that was my afternoon. Brought in more wood tot he porch once the fire was alight again,and refilled a bird feeder. 

I've decided to replace the legs on the smaller of the two silos - they were just too warped from the Plaststuct Plastic Weld where the cross braces attached. I'm using ACC this time around,and am hoping it will not rot the legs. Incidentally, while Googling to see that I had ACC right, I came across this, which may well be the last tip of 2010, or the first of 2011 in the Diner - depends when you read it I guess. It's from the Altas RR Forum.

Whilst picking up some epoxy at Wal Mart today, I came across "Loctite All Plastics", which claimed to bond any plastic. It has an activator pen and a tube of ACC. I picked it up ($2.88) and tried it out on a broken Atlas handrail made of acetyl plastic. It worked great-I wish I'd found it before I bought a new set of handrails!

I think I'll call it a night here - so I wish you all a and many Blessings in 2011

Time for a celebration!

Only problem is we were in Sacramento Ca the month of Dec. so we didn't go very far.

lots of , , and of course lots of blow ticklers

HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL!

May2011 best your best yet!

{mines starting off with surgery on my back Yippee!!}

Decaf coffee in a UNION PACIFIC mug, please.

I asked my brother in Hong Kong what the future is like and have not heard back from him yet. Just hope there IS a future.

Cheers! Rob

 Well I see we moved to sunny California.    We do have a town about 10 miles from me called California.    

 Here's a picture of that.

 I hope everybody has a good new year!!!   I will see/chat with y'all in 2011. 

Evening guys.

Well, this will likely be my last post of 2010. Hope you guys all had a great 2010, and will have an even greater 2011.

I'm gonna follow DerJohn and post a train shot in the snow:

Just as NJT 4104 leaves Netcong and heads away into the snowstorm, we leave 2010 and head into 2011

Hey folks, jsut poking in to wish everyone a GREAT 2011!

Well I figured it's about time I joined in all the fun. I made my move to the Baltimore area in November and have been without my layout since. I had to tear it down when I left Arizona so everything is in boxes here. My move was very swift and did not know the area well but I am satisfied with the area I am in, just the house is too small. It has a 2 story garage but I really don't want to put my layout in the garage, it's just too cold. So next year at this time I will hopefully be in a house that has a basement so I can get back to building. Meanwhile I visited MB klein and found a nice DPM gold kit to occupy my time for the winter months. I have been just reading the forum for the last couple of months kinda like in a no layout depression. I have been thinking of building modules next time so a move won't mean total destruction.

Anyway I hope everyone had a great holiday season and a healthy  2011.

Joe

Last post of 2010! This has been by far my most enjoyable year in the hobby. I left for most of 2009 and came back around this time so good luck to all and maybe 2011 will bring about the time when I finish laying all......most,,,,,, some... or any track at all on the layout, Got lots of work to do this year. Happy New Years to all! And what about that Notre Dame vs Miami game today, WOW GO IRISH!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glass of grape juice thank you. I've had my two beers for the day. (doctors orders you know),

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all. It's not that time here yet, but I doubt I'll see it. Had a very busy night at w**k.

I'd like to echo what Johnboy said. Of all the things I'm grateful for last year, I'm grateful to be associated with all you fine folks. Odd I would consider each and every one of you a friend having not met but one of you. It is a shame Johnboy, that schedules and (mainly) money does keep us from having a yearly gathering. I echo your wish because I do think that would be an absolute BLAST! Each year pick a persons town to visit and check out their layout, partial layout, place for the future layout,  plans for a layout, or......favorite restaurant. But alas reality keeps that from happening. Too bad. I do think it would be grand.  

Anyway, just wanted to raise my glass of juice to you all say thanks for a great one and wish you prosperity and above all health, happiness and love in the coming year.     

New Years resolution? ...... Tomorrow.

Good night all. Prayers For Those In Need.

HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!

Hope you all have a great 2011, better than 2010. Hopefully the year will be full of good health, getting and holding onto prosperous jobs, and tons of fun with trains!

Good Morning ! from Tipton IN.

I hope you all have a good year !

Happy New Year!

Welcome Aboard Joe

Welcome back UPTEEN

I’ll check the springs on the car, you know those earthquakes around here could knock over a cup of coffee or toss a pie into the air….

HAPPY NEW YEAR

The young folks have packed up and are gone - now I have access to my computer again. Just stopped by to wish cousin Vinnie and the girls and all patrons of this wonderful place a happy new year - may it bring us all a little closer to our dreams!

We are having an invitation for dinner tonight - I hope, the road conditions allow us to drive those 22 miles.

CUL

Good morning...

We be all dull dull dull with fog and rainy bits today....

I would like to say thank you for the prayers and support we received about my health and that of my friend...it has been an...ern...'interesting'...yeah that's it...year for us and we did learn several new things about one's health....

May you all have good health and all that here....

Flo, I'll have a coffee and a toast with jam please...I'll be at the RC for a bit..

 Good RAINY morning.

 Ahh a new year.  Hopefully this one is better for everybody.   Of course each year has it ups and downs .

 Not much planned for me today.   Maybe do some clothes, and go over to Jessica's grandmothers for lunch.    Can't do much when the chance of rain is 100% !!!

 Morning Folks

 Made it through another Year.

 Most would think I glad last year is over, but in some respect it was not that bad. Getting fired from Mattress Giant was the best thing that happened to me. I sure could not make it working there only clearing $362.00 every 2 weeks after medical insurances and taxes. Plus I did get some home improvement  done around the house.

 I all so learned I could do more than I thought when it comes to wood working, something I felt totally deficient in.

 I have a somewhat positive feeling moving into 2011. 

 See you all later after I am a little more awake.

                                Ken

Good Morning All!

Happy New Year!

Not much to report from the land of Buckeyes on this rainy New Years Day.2010 is now history and 2011 begins and what 2011 may hold is anybodies guess.I hope Slate Creek is built before 2012 and "dooms day" gets here...How many times have I heard the world is going to end by such and such date?To many to recall.

No modeling yesterday and nothing big planned for today other then I going to BBQ some chicken in the oven,whip up some baked beans ,coleslaw and biscuits..

I shall have a cup and look over the forum.

Have a good'un!

Mornin' everyone!  And a Happy New Year to all!

Got home about 1:30AM this morning.  Roads were pretty much deserted by THAT time......  Speaking of the desert, Clownafornia two months in a row.....  Well, I guess THAT means the year can only improve..... 

Didn't imbibe much last night.  My son did hand me a glass of eggnog when I first got there with a shot of Myer's Dark Rum in it.......  First one I've had in a year, and I had about half a glass of bubbly at the appropriate hour (Finger Lakes Sparkling Wine).  I see they brought out Dick Clark again..............  Anyone miss hearing the Guy Lumbago band these days?

Zoe, just lots of Dark Roast Coffee this morning...  What?  No hangover, just need to wake up....

Later!

73

Happy New Year!!

My wife and I just watched TV last night and had a glass of wine along with a few nibbles. Not very exciting but it was all we wanted. We were watching some episodes of a TV series that we hadn't seen yet that is amoung our favourites. It is called Ever Decreasing Circles, a BBC comedy from the late '80s. It is on You Tube so we had to watch it on the laptop.

I hope it turns out to be a good one for everyone in the Diner. I share Todd's sentiment as it would be great to meet my fellow diners.  I must confess that I look up your towns to see what it is like in your part of the world and often think it would be nice to visit even though it is unlikely it will happen but notice that I don't say never as I have learned that sometimes things happen you never expect.

Keeping warm again today as we have no plans on going out. High today is supposed to be 2F with a high windchill of about -20F.  Plan on running that new GP9 I got for Christmas and also we have more trip preparation to do.

See you later,

 CN Charlie

Good Morning! (yawn) Dark Roast coffee, no make that Chicory and some egg casserole please.

Good to see you guys, haven’t heard from or  talked to you all year. Ok, I got my “ all year”/ “since last year” tired and over used yearly no longer funny but just have to say it comment made. Next.

I decided to go ahead and stay up till the New Year anyway. Pretty much the same as anny other time I’ve been up past midnight ‘cept I got a smooch. Got one from the dog too. Not as well received as the one from my wife. But didn’t want to hurt her feelings.

Ended up bolting out of bed at 4:15 to Mom hollering our names. Ran to the bathrom where she was. She was OK just had some…..problems that she required Brenda’s assistance. The whole ordeal lasted til about 7 and I didn’t want to go back to bed so I cruised the Bay and bid on a car. I’ll check the status here shortly. Once again I bid low so no real expectations of winning.

Ulrich- It’s nice you have an invite for dinner. I hope the conditions allow you to safely travel. I’m sure you will enjoy it.

Aboard Joe!

Ken- I know it's from last year but, (sorry. couldn't resist) I guess the easiest way maybe to thing of the tab is as you are looking down ofn the strings. I never realized what you said. Possibly that I read music long before Tabliture. Bottom is just naturally low so it was not a second thought that the low bar was the musicaly low string.

Larry- If I was close to you I'd find some reason to drop by around feeding time! Us, we''ll have who knows what, but surely it will involve Black eyed peas. Sometimes Tacos. Why? I have no idea.

Ray- Though I am not of the Guy Lombardo era, I do miss the big band music on New Years Eve.  I remember that as a kid. That was what my parents had. 

I think I will take today leisurely. Hopefully I will get some work done on the layout bench work. That’s my plan anyway. First day of the year and in the train room. Can’t get much better than that can it?

OK. I’ll start the New Years Resolutions off.

1. The ever present quit smoking.

2. More MRR time. This time around, slow down and if I need something, wait to get it instead of using something “close enough” that I’ll regret later.

3. If something on the layout doesn’t turn out right, start again. Don’t try and make do.

4. Pet the dog and give less treats. She’s too fat.

5. Work on finishing the projects, non-MRR, I’ve started.

And finally, finish any projects I start.

Number too seems to be the strongest possibility and the first half of 4 of course. But we’ll give it an honest shot.

Oh yeah. One more. Work on again trying to get the snow blower paid for with health insurance. Doctors orders. No shoveling snow. First step, and probably the main reason it didn’t fly last year, get the doctor to prescribe rather than “advise against:” Apparently a big difference. I think I’ve got a new angle on the “over the counter” part. So are Powered Chairs. Now, to work out the details.

Y’all have a Great Day now ya hear?!!!

Welllll...we could have ended up in South Dakota....

I'm having a wonderful time with the little Spring here..try to type with a furball who comes up to you and starts headbunting you...mmmmffff!!!

Right now we have pea soup fog and rain at the same time...most of the snow out in some of the fields around us is now slush and gunk with huge lakes...rivers are getting a lot of run off now as well...

Flo, i'll have a refill of coffee and some fries as well please....I'm sitting at the window booth for a bit to see who else hows up...

blownout cylinder

Welllll...we could have ended up in South Dakota....

 

South Dakota's nice this time of year.......  Lots of skiing.

73

howmus

 

blownout cylinder:

 

Welllll...we could have ended up in South Dakota....

 

 

 

South Dakota's nice this time of year.......  Lots of skiing.

73

I suppose so....

Although i was thinking Bradley S.D.....

mOrn-noon guys!

No hangover here etiher!

Did NOT ring inthe new year...was in bed by 10 pm. WE don't celebrate like that anymore.We're nto ath old but MOH had to be up early this Am, and we let teh "young folks and old fools" celebratet eh New Year, besides my muscle relaxer and nightime sleepy pill both put me out like a light.

SO, It's the 1st of January 2011, my, my. {looks around} DOesn't look much different than Dec. 31 of 2010.

Well I'm off and running while Im awake, the sleepy muscle relaxer is due and I'm trying to get SOME chores I've slept through doing done!

C"yall later.

Borax huh? Oughta be pretty clean around here.

Welp. New year is startin out  with a bang. I won the Observation car. $5. Wellll, $5 plus $4.36 to get here. Didn't think I'd get it with such a low bid. Usually they go for about $20 or more. So I get the Alleged "new in the box Athearn Undecorated Rear Observation car" for under $10. We'll see when it gets here.

If all is as usual with my E-Bay purchases, I'll have no surprises and will be what I expect.

Afternoon all!  Happy New Year to all.  I did ring in the new year and like some others, got a smooch from the wifey at the appropo time.  Other than that it started raining down here, so no fireworks, which was all right by me.  Going to go up to my mom and dad's this evening for dinner, I was given a boston butt for doing some work on a guy's car, he paid me too, but gave me the boston butt for my troubles also.  So tonight's menu will be BBQ sammiches, pork and beans, and who knows what else.  Not going to do a whole lot on the MRR front today, wife informed me that we are going to deep clean the kitchen after I'm done with this so yeah....no MRR today.  Tomorrrow, tomorrow, you're only a day away, and so will my continued work. 

Welp y'all, guess I need to get my rear in gear. 

Later taters!

Well, good afternoon and a very Happy New Year to one and all.

Here's hoping 2011 works out a lot better than 2010 did for many, if not all of us.

CUDAKEN: Hey, congrats on the new job! Just keep in mind, in this economy, ANY "job" is better than no job. Even if it's a Just Obtaining Bucks "JOB."

Hello to UP Teen and JOE, welcome guys!

DER JOHN: I saw the other day where you were installing MU hoses on N-sane scale diesels. You never fail to make my brain tie itself into knots!!! You should've been a neurosurgeon!

JEFF: Here's a couple of ex-transfer cabooses in MOW service for you, since you're building one. I know I had a shot of one with a complete barbecue grill set-up on the deck...but of course, can't find it now.

Thanks to a Menard's gift card from the Wife, I was able to procure enough 1x4's yesterday to finish-out the base frame in the RR room. I "might" be in a position to start obtaining the necessary 1/2" plywood. I might end up at Home Despot or Lowe's for THAT, since they'll slice the 4x8 sheet in-store. I think Menard's does it with a rip saw in the "outdoor lumber yard." I know the Lowe's in Coralville has a fancy computer-driven cutter machine inside for such jobs.

Speaking of the Wife, she's been converting the former master bedroom into her new art studio. Thanks to a steamer I got her a few months ago, she's been on a rampage removing the previous owner's attempt at "wall covering," and has the walls down to bare 100+ year old plaster. I think she'll be patching holes, craters, and cracks in there yet today.

The Wife is happy, Rerun is happy, no comment was available from the Cat.

Have a good rest of the day!

Chris