I forgot to mention that the photo is where this guy lives.
Being a National holiday he is obviously at home today watching a little telly.
Somehow, "the Canadian Pacific muskrat" just doesn't have the same ring to it.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
I've heard they are better than chicken. I don't think I will ever find out, but I did try calf fries, better known as Rocky Mountain oysters.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
drgwcsI had noticed in the old diner yesterday that Kevin (See you 190) was heading back from Ohio. Where were you headed through? If going through Columbus you have to stop at the Train Station on Indianola Ave and Robbie's Hobbies as well. Which way are you headed back?
I am heading over towards West Virginia, then down the Atlantic Coast for a few days.
I stopped in both Robbie's Hobbies and The Train Station when I was in Columbus las year.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
What a great day!
I started at the Mad River and NKP Museum, which was closed. I was still able to see about half of the equipment up close, and I was able to take pretty good pictures of a lot more through the slats in the fence.
The two hobby shops visited in Cleveland were both busts, and I did not make any purchases.
Then I spent several hours hiking the trails in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It is not like any other of the National Parks I have visited. There are several hiking trails all seperated from one another that you need to drive from one to the other. They make nice big loops which really helped with social distancing. I had a great time. It looked like rain for a while, but the weather held good all day.
Then I took a scenic ride South on State Road 93. That is some of the most beautiful country I have ever seen.
Then... Out of the blue... I stumbled upon the Age Of Steam Roundhouse in the middle of nowhere! I knew nothing of this place, it was shear liuck I came across it.
I arrived there after 7:00, so of course it was not open. I took a few pictures through the fence. I will 100% for certain be coming back here to see this place.
My wife grew up in the Cleveland area, and keeps telling me how beautiful the area is south of the city.
One thing I probaby won't enjoy in the UK this month is the beer. I love beer that is very light. I have never enjoyed heavy dark beer. I know some of you will think I'm missing the best, but there's just something about the taste I don't like. Give me an ice cold Bud Light and I'm happy.
I have my annual doctor's physical tomorrow. Each year, one of the questions they ask me is if I drink alcohol, and how much. I said I have two cans of beer each day, and the doctor said that's good. He said two is OK, but not three. The thing he didn't say was what size can.
We had been planning on seeing some of the grandkids this weekend, but we heard one of them was not feeling well, so out of caution I guess we will stay home. We haven't seen any of the grandchildren in five months. My wife is not happy. Zoom is not the same as being there.
Another unhappy creature in our house is Daisy the Dachshund. I have put her on a diet. Every so often I catch her staring at me, and I know she is not thinking nice thoughts about me since I'm not feeding her as much. She is the kind of dog that would eat everything you gave her until she got sick, and then she'd eat more.
Lots of noise outside. The neighborhood kids are all shooting fireworks. I don't mind -- when I was a kid I used to shoot fireworks the entire two weeks before the 4th. Daisy is deaf, so she doesn't mind the noise.
Have a good evening, everyone.
York1 John
Good Morning!
Got up just now - it´s 5am! Too early for my taste, but that´s the way it is.
York1One thing I probaby won't enjoy in the UK this month is the beer. I love beer that is very light. I have never enjoyed heavy dark beer. I know some of you will think I'm missing the best, but there's just something about the taste I don't like. Give me an ice cold Bud Light and I'm happy.
It´s not all dark and heavy ales in Britain. Each pub usually offers a variety of different kind of beers, including Bitters,Lagers, IPAs and other craft beers. Oh, and btw. Budweiser would not be sold as beer in my country
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
I spent too much of the day at a drive-thru virus testing station. Lots of cars. It took 45 minutes to go through. So much for efficiency. We may have been exposed 10 days ago but have had no symptoms. My best outcome would be Positive test but Recovered, so my GF would stop being so paranoid.
Given the same parameters, I wouldn't waste another day like this.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Tinplate ToddlerOh, and btw. Budwiser would not be sold as beer in my country
I have friends who say it shouldn't be sold here, either.
I don't care. I like it.
Tinplate ToddlerOh, and btw. Budwiser (SIC) would not be sold as beer in my country
And that is your loss. With the massive number of German beers that share the same corporate ownership as Anheuser Busch, I doubt there is really much difference anymore.
The best German Beer I have sampled is Spaten. It tastes like Heineken that has not gone bad.
Oh wait... we are in England... My favorite English Beer is Boddington's Pub Ale. It is not dark or heavy. I like it quite well.
SeeYou190And that is your loss. With the massive number of German beers that share the same corporate ownership as Anheuser Busch, I doubt there is really much difference anymore.
True, that the "big brand" beer tastes more or less the same, but there are still numerous local breweries making good beer. You just don´t see it in the supermarkets, nor is it advertised. Spatenbraeu is a typical Bavarian beer, very light, refreshing, but quite different from the beers you will buy outside of Bavaria.
Anheuser Busch owns following German brands:
Zhese brands are what I call supermarket beers (there are others also in that category). You´ll find them in any supermarket across the country. There are over 1,400 breweries in this country, and maybe 200 of them belong to some sort of conglomerate.
Kevin,
you must have hit Sugar Creek OH. we had our Coleman Lantern convention at Walnut Creek a few years ago and I went over to Sugar Creek to some antique stores and totally missed the Age of Steam, I did not know it was there.
I like that area of OH. Our Covention next year will be in Berlin which is not that far form there. This year's was in TX but cancelled because of you know what.
All my fun trips were cancelled
Hello, folks —
SeeYou190What a great day! I started at the Mad River and NKP Museum, which was closed.
What a shame that so many attractions are not available "for the duration" Kevin.
Here's an album of photos I took at the Mad River Museum a few years ago:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gmpullman/albums/72157698606989880
I had been following the construction of Jerry Jacobson's pride and joy for quite a few years. He spared no expense when it came to the brick work and timber framing of that beautiful roundhouse. Sadly, Jerry Joe passed away in 2014 before he really had the chance to enjoy his collection.
I met Jerry back in 1975, he was still an anesthesiologist back then, and I was surely impressed with his kindness and knowledge back then.
Age Of Steam was pretty much kept under the radar and most visits were by invitation only. Recently (pre-Covid) they have been having more frequent visitation days.
I hope his legacy lives on forever.
Today I went for a CAT scan to see if there were any kidney stones left in my blowdown pipes. Everything went well and I was out of there in just under an hour. It took a while to find a decent vein to drip the dye through the IV but other than that, smooth sailing.
Thank you to everyone for the help in getting the Diner situated in Paddington Station!
Paddington by Edmund, on Flickr
Cheers, Ed.
riogrande5761She makes real Yorkshire pudding pretty often.
Hi riogrande5761,
I'll take two three!!
Your wife should be proud of herself. Making good Yorkshire puddings is an art. A friend made some for us for a dinner party BC (Before Covid) and they were great despite the fact that he claimed they were far from his best. What a mess in the oven though!! I think he used a bit too much fat. Set the smoke alarm off!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Good Morning All,
62F and foggy again this morning. Combined with the low sun trying to break through it makes driving easterly interesting. Just a regular today please Zoe. Too much food yesterday.
For what it's worth John, there are as many different British beers as anywhere else. Most don't get here but there is lots to try in country. I actually prefer Smithwicks though I am not sure exactly where it is brewed when imported here. Only a couple of pubs I go to serve it, my favourite being Paddy Macs in Palm Beach Gardens. Here in Ct, we have more and more local craft beers so things are looking up. Not that I have that much beer anymore as it makes the gout flare up.
Started putting some trees and bushes up in the back but I'm not happy with the look yet. I will also have to redo some of the backdrop to better match the colours of the foliage in front of it. Here's where it's at any way.
transition2 by J.R. Mitchell, on Flickr
Back to the trailer repairs. Ciao, J.R.
Americans are always quite quick with attributes of the likes of the world´s biggest, best or greatest. Quite often, it is difficult to supply the supporting evidence to such statements, leaving a taste of bragging in the air.
Fact is that 34% of the hop used in brewing beer throughout the world comes from a region called Hallertau (sometimes also named Holledau) in Bavaria. Hops are grown there since the 8th century. While I don´t dare to say it´s the world´s best hop, it can´t be bad, not at all bad hop which is harvested there.
What constitutes the best beer of the world? Taste! Most likely, my taste is different than yours and therefore my best beer of the world will be a different one than yours.
One lesson I learned in my life - don´t trust any superlatives!
The Lego set of the Swiss Crocodile arrived today. I orderd it yesterday. Can it get any faster?
Tinplate ToddlerWhat constitutes the best beer of the world? Taste! Most likely, my taste is different than yours and therefore my best beer of the world will be a different one than yours.
On this, you and I think alike! What matters is personal taste. What one person thinks is great may not taste good at all to someone else..... Personally I think the best wines in the world are made right here in the Finger lakes Regions of New York State... I wouldn't expect that everyone else would agree with that. They have won many international awards though.
Beer? There are a few micro breweries nearby that are making some excellent brews. I find them far better than any big brand stuff. I dunno, to each their own!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
GMTRacingI actually prefer Smithwicks though I am not sure exactly where it is brewed when imported here. Only a couple of pubs I go to serve it, my favourite being Paddy Macs in Palm Beach Gardens.
I love Paddy Mac's restaurant. I assume it is the same one, tucked in behind the Publix on Military Trail.
I eat there every trip to the East Coast. Bangers and Mash with a Smithwick's! There is one waiter there that really brings the feel of Ireland. He looks and sounds perfect.
The Embassy Suites on the corner is my favorite hotel in the area. The swans are awesome.
howmusPersonally I think the best wines in the world are made right here in the Finger lakes Regions of New York State..
They enjoy a good reputation throughout the world, although hardly any of that stuff hits the shores here. I bet you folks don´t like to share your good stuff!
Some of the grand cru French Wines taste so bad for my palate, I wouldn´t spend a nickel on a bottle of that stuff. They are sometimes grossly overrated when compared to an honest table wine from a local vintner, who just follows his family tradition of making good wine without all thes little "helpers", who are just legal.
Good morning. I won't bore you with the news that it's hot and humid. (But...it's 8:45 a.m. and it's hot and humid outside.)
Believe it or not, we have quite a few small breweries in our area, with hops also being grown locally. When my sons-in-law are here, they love to try all the different kinds. As I said, think of me as a beer know-nothing, but I still like Bud Light better than any other.
I have a doctor's appointment this morning, and then time to finish a kitchen wall project.
Things are not happy in my house. The dog is constantly hungry, and the wife is tired of seeing me and not the grandchildren.
It would probably be a good idea for me to find an outdoor project for the next several days. Maybe I should think about starting a garden railroad.
Yes Kevin one and the same Paddy Macs. We used to stay avross the street at the various permutations in the same building but Targa 66 moved Hq to a place up the street and we stay there now. Lots of changes in the area since we first started going to West Palm Beach Raceway in the 80's. Still Paddy Macs is a must at least once per trip and the diner around the corner is our standard breakfast as it is the only non fast food place open at 6am. J.R.
Tinplate ToddlerAmericans are always quite quick with attributes of the likes of the world´s biggest, best or greatest. . .
I read an article a few months back that discussed the demise of the superlative. You cannot turn on the news without hearing a superlative--worst storm, catastrophic disaster, etc. The value of the superlative has been muted.
Tinplate Toddler. . .The Lego set of the Swiss Crocodile arrived today. . .
I would love to see progress photos of the build.
Richard
RideOnRoadI would love to see progress photos of the build.
As soon as it arrived this morning, Petra took it away. I will have to wait until my birthday in August to get my hands on it.
SeeYou190 drgwcs I had noticed in the old diner yesterday that Kevin (See you 190) was heading back from Ohio. Where were you headed through? If going through Columbus you have to stop at the Train Station on Indianola Ave and Robbie's Hobbies as well. Which way are you headed back? I am heading over towards West Virginia, then down the Atlantic Coast for a few days. I stopped in both Robbie's Hobbies and The Train Station when I was in Columbus las year. -Kevin
drgwcs I had noticed in the old diner yesterday that Kevin (See you 190) was heading back from Ohio. Where were you headed through? If going through Columbus you have to stop at the Train Station on Indianola Ave and Robbie's Hobbies as well. Which way are you headed back?
Not sure where you are going in WV but there is T&K hobby in Bridgeport OH judt outside of Wheeling. There is a smaller but still nice shop in downtown Nitro WV just west of Charleston. Nitro hobby and craft (Kind of funny we found out the owner was related to one of my wife's childhood friends from Indiana- small world) There are a couple of antique malls there. Does your route take you through the Hampton Roads area down the east coast. There are a couple of shops in VA beach.
With all this talk about beers and wines, we should not forget where we are and why we are here!
We are in Britain, the cradle of railroading and here is a hommage to British steam - in a full feature length, so get your favourite drink, sit back and enjoy!
Edit: I got Tops! Order up, lads - I´ll pick up the tab!
I live in the tiny state of Delaware, but I have an ample number of good locally brewed beers to choose from. In this state, beer is not a supermarket product and is only sold in liquor stores. Fine with me. The liquor stores are closer than the supermarkets anyway.
I threw away my last Budweiser three years ago when I found it had stowed away when I moved. It was my standard "rehydration beer" for drinking after hockey games late at night. Now, the only beers in my fridge are local craft beers. Life is short. Why drink bad beer?
My experience with British beer is slight. My taste runs to the German and Austrian beers. I've yet to find a French or Italian beer that was worth it. On my last trip to Italy, I drank Italian house wine but British beer.
Here in the US, I know a couple of local craft beers that were bought by Budweiser and subsequently destroyed by that company's corporate mentality. Delaware's largest craft beer, Dogfish Head, was recently bought out by Sam Adams, so we'll see what happens. And just so you know, the largest American-owned brewery is ... Sam Adams. The big ones you might think of are all subsidiaries of large foreign conglomerates.
I talked to the physical therapist at my mothers' assisted living facility. Pre covid, my mothers gait was scary. When I took her to the doctor yesterday, it looked drunk and scary as she needed to hold the wall to go anywhere.
The PT said she has seen that in all the patients, as they have been confined to their rooms for 3 months and don't even get on the elevator to go to the dining room.
I, on the other hand, am walking more than ever before. The 9 year old dog, cannot come along, without limping for the next 3 days.
Today a car passed me very slowly. I looked over and the drivers side window was open. It was a lady in her 70's. She was surrounded by stuff. It looked like a month's worth of mail on the dashboard. The passenger and rear seats were filled almost to the roof with stuff. I thought she was homeless living in her car, but I don't think there is enough room.
Good evening, Everyone .
we have company through the weekend, and therefore, I won't have much time to visit here in the Diner.
I hope everybody has a good 4thbof July.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
GMTRacingYes Kevin one and the same Paddy Macs.
My other favorite restaurant in the area is Shipwreck Bar And Grill in Jupiter on US-1. One night a week, I think Wednesday, they have 2 pounds of crab claws for $35.00, and it is great to go with 8-10 people and just feast away.
It is just 2 or 3 exits up on I-95 from Palm Beach Gardens.
drgwcsDoes your route take you through the Hampton Roads area down the east coast. There are a couple of shops in VA beach.
I will not hit the Atlantic Coast until Jeckyl Island, Georgia.
Tomorrow I am driving to Spencer, North Carolina to visit the Little Choo Choo shop and the Transportation Museum.
Tomorrow should be a good day.
Heartland Division CB&QI hope everybody has a good 4th of July
You too Garry. Be safe.
A lovely scene with the Tornado:
British Railways 60163 Tornado at Dawlish by Ruairidh MacVeigh, on Flickr
Here we have British Railways rebuilt Peppercorn A1 Class Pacific number 60163 Tornado operating the Royal Duchy railtour from Bristol Temple Meads to Par along the sea wall at Dawlish.
Here it is, the weekend already!
I hope everyone is getting along well.
Cheers, Ed
I hope everyone has their favorite bottle of whatever handy since it is now the 3rd of July.
Need to have a 5th on the 3rd to celebrate the 4th.