Good afternoon, diners.
Mike, I hope your afternoon goes better than your morning since you needed aspirin. I've been meaning to ask if your daughter made a full recovery?
Brent, Dave, & Ray, I've also found BMI to be a misleading indicator unless it's done by a professional. I've never had an issue, but it is one of the things listed as normal on my chart for my yearly physical. So far, the doctor has not said to cut out happy hour or the nightly bowl of ice cream. Brent, have fun with the bathroom remodel. When I put a bathroom into our basement, it took me forever -- lots of coffee (!) breaks.
Bear, I would bet I'm not alone in thinking your job is very interesting.
MLC, I normally think of Kentucky as south, although latitude-wise, it's not. What's strange is that you've had more ice and snow this winter than we have. We also live in what used to be Tornado Alley. But I think that has now moved, and you get more tornadoes than we do.
Ed, I don't know how you put up with that many cats at your house. One cat has always been enough for me.
David, have fun with your grandkids. I've mentioned before that sometime I'm going to sit down and watch a Youtube video of a cricket game. I've never understood how it's played.
Bear, my grandmother was the same as yours. If it was on your plate, you ate it. My mother was the same, but at least my mother let me put the food on my plate myself, so if it was something I didn't like, I wouldn't take much. Not with grandma.
Talking of my grandma and food, as a kid, when I stayed with them on the farm, we milked cows. Every-so-often, my grandfather would set a bucket of milk on the back porch covered with a cloth. After several days, they called it clabbered milk. It had turned to a kind of solid mix. We would eat that with sugar on it. At the time, I thought it was great, but now it sounds not so good.
Jim, I agree with you about the Olympics. I think they must be trying to get more TV viewers by adding sports that they believe will appeal to more viewers.
The issue I have with Olympic sports are the sports that require judging, like figure skating and snowboarding. Sometimes the scores seem too arbitrary, and remind me of years ago when the Soviet Union judges always gave high scores to their own athletes. I'll watch timed races or hockey games, but anything with judging I try to avoid.
My new layout is coming along. Tomorrow I'll try to post some pictures. I have most of the foam laid out with some of the ramps for the bridges. I will need to take another drive to the train store for some more track and turnouts before I start actually laying track. I've decided not to use the old track I picked up. I ended up messing some of it up, and I don't want to lay new track just to find out I've created more problems. I'm also buying Peco turnouts, and I'm remember to put in more rerailer tracks. I'm sure when I'm finished laying track, I will find out that I didn't add something that I should have.
For the diners I haven't mentioned, I hope you are doing well.
I'll try to check in later tonight to see how everyone is doing.
Edit: As if this post isn't long enough, I see I hit the top of the page again.
It's a little early here for happy hour, so ... I've switched brands for my coffee I make at home. Lately, I really like this. I know McDonalds coffee may not be everyone's cup of tea, but if you want some, the coffee pot is still hot at my house:
York1 John
I have lost 15 lbs. since the eye surgery. I have cut out most carbs and lots of sugar from my diet; trying to get my blood sugar under control. I weighed 365 lbs. 3 years ago (vs. 6' 7" tall); this morning I was 320. I cannot excercise for a while, but will start walking again when cleared by my surgeon.
We didn't watch much Olympics. I am not a fan of judged sports; I think there is a lot of bias and unfair competition. I don't understand why slalom and downhillers get one run, but the fancy trick folks get the best score out of three runs. When I found out about the World Cup events that happen annually, the Olympic competition really isn't that big a deal.
Tin Can II (vs. 6' 7" tall)
Well "Tin Can" you are certainly someone to "look up to"!!! I should introduce you to our local "new" Scout District Executive. He is, I think 7' 1". I don't even come up to his shoulders.....
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
York1Mike, I hope your afternoon goes better than your morning since you needed aspirin. I've been meaning to ask if your daughter made a full recovery?
Mike
howmus Well "Tin Can" you are certainly someone to "look up to"!!! I should introduce you to our local "new" Scout District Executive. He is, I think 7' 1". I don't even come up to his shoulders..... 73
A friend who is about six foot four was visiting my layout, and I had a minor derailment in the back where it's awkward for me to reach. He just bent over a bit and fixed it. I remarked that sometimes it's nice to be tall, and he replied, "Yeah, but not on an airplane."
On the other side of the ledger, I remember flying with my daughter when she was a little girl. She just was as comfortable as could be in a skinny little coach seat on a bargain airline. Back then, they even served her a hot dog and potato chips. Those were the days.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
And now — a word from our archives:
UP_All-play by Edmund, on Flickr
Not to be outdone...
ATSF_El-Capitan by Edmund, on Flickr
Everything here is covered in light, fluffy snow with plenty of sunshine to illuminate it all.
Cheers, Ed
How about this ad for El Capitan? Dressed for dinner:
Good morning, diners. Donut Sunday today.
I will get to the layout this afternoon. I'm going to temporarily lay some track to try some locomotives on several different grades. One grade is pretty steep, and I will see how it goes. If it's too bad, I can change it now.
I'm looking forward to the diner moving to Florida. It's still pretty cold here.
We're headed out the door right now -- I'll check back in later today.
The diner's waitresses are standing around with not much to do. And no tips. Maybe business will pick up later today.
Let the LION make some lunch for youse guys!
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Tiger Meat!
I've never had it, and I think I probably won't ever have it, either. I know some people who like it.
I had never heard of it until I moved to the midwest.
York1 Tiger Meat! I've never had it, and I think I probably won't ever have, either. I know some people who like it. I had never heard of it until I moved to the midwest.
I've never had it, and I think I probably won't ever have, either. I know some people who like it.
This is steak tartare, properly done it is very different. Tiger meat is seasoned raw hamburger, and if the teruth be told, I use raw hamburger when I make steak tartare, but REAL steak Tartare starts with a real steak and a very sharp knife, the meat is cut, not ground (Less celluar damage to the meat) and is served with a raw egg with other seasonings on the side.
Steak Tartare is on the menu of many New York City restaurants.
Tartare comes from the French and comes from the word Tartar, refering to the invaders frome the east (The Tartars) who were in such a rush they did not bother to cook their meat.
(ROAR)
Good morning fellas. Hope everyone is having a good Sunday morning.
I tried steak tartar at a very nice restaurant in Turino (Italy). Haven't seen it offered yet in the States. I liked it. I still prefer my steak medium-rare though!
Getting ready to head out the door to take my youngest to her indoor soccer games today. One plus is that the town we are headed to has a Sam's club that we have a membership to. It's the closest one, so we don't make it there often. When we do, we stock up on things that will keep in the pantry.
It's chilly out, but the sun is shining!
Water Level Route I tried steak tartar at a very nice restaurant in Turino (Italy). Haven't seen it here though!
I tried steak tartar at a very nice restaurant in Turino (Italy). Haven't seen it here though!
I had steak tartare decades ago at a sidewalk cafe in Boston. It was good, but honestly I would have preferred a good burger. This was one of those avant-garde places that served butterfly livers on wheat toast points, and nobody left with a full stomach.
I had alligator with a very spicy sauce in Texas once. That was good. I remember a place in Virginia that had "alligator bites," but I suspect it was just overcooked chicken. I had octopus in Greece, on a little island in the Mediterranean. They cleaned it right in front of me in the sea. I think that was after I had recovered from Agamemnon's Revenge or whatever it was called there.
Later in life, the family and I were visiting California. We saw a friend of the ex's. She was the honey supplier for the Culinary Institute of America, a top-end grad school fo chefs. We went there for lunch, and were actually assisted in ordering by the head chef. His selection for me was sweetbreads. My daughter, about 10 at the time, wanted a grilled cheese sandwich. It came out on fresh-baked sourdough bread with sliced Gruyere cheese.
When my kids were little I would make Tartare Tots for them —
tater tots. by Rex Roof, on Flickr
Quick & easy, 375° for 25 minutes
Last night we visited my sister in the "city" with my son and his wife. We had a smorgasboard of Indian food from a restaurant in their neighborhood. I didn't even bother to try to identify every dish I had but it was all good!
Still burping curry!
Tonight it's filet mignon, baked Idaho potato Northern Pacific and Brussels sprouts.
Speaking of Tater Tots, where's TF? (I'm thinking of his tater-tot casserole)
Here's a bridge to bring him out of hiding:
Soaring above the Snake by Mike Danneman, on Flickr
Still haven't heard from Douglas (PM Railfan). Any more MIA? Everyone should check in by the end of the month.
Gotta sweep those points!
Blizzard at Butler by Mike Danneman, on Flickr
Cat updates:
Presently we have TEN in the house! Not exactly by choice but we couldn't leave these poor animals out in the elements. The four we recently rescued are not strays but they had to be someone's pet that got dumped. They are exceptionally friendly and housebroken.
Now the little furry gray one is in heat and our vet can't take her in until March 14! Then there's a head-to-toe jet black one who has at least three, maybe four babies in her!
Again, not what we planned but we couldn't let them suffer outside. There's another pair that are definitely outside cats and they're taking up residence in the goat barn with a heated pet bed to keep their paws warm.
John, I've got that photo as a post card:
RR_Postcards_0003 by Edmund, on Flickr
BroadwayLionLet the LION make some lunch for youse guys!
Ah....... 1 (wait a moment)
I think you forgot to cook it!
28 (Do you get my writing?)
Good morning from the sunny at this particular moment Pacific Rim.
Had the usual Saturday night hockey crowd in last night, first time in two years and the boys got the 4' x 8' mirror down the stairs and out of the house. It is just over a hundred pounds but very awkward, I was amazed at how much a mirror bends. I outfitted them all with goggles and big rubber gloves. Now to get rid of the thing.
It is 4' x 8' maybe I should build a layout on it.
Went for a 9.2 km walk through the woodland yesterday, the Garmin said we averaged 5.5 kmh that's a pretty quick pace and faster than usual and my heart rate max was 69BPM, resp 12. I like the GPS that shows where we went exactly as well as when we went up and down. Not much elevation change maybe 25 metres up. The dogs were mudballs and got hit with the hose afterward.
Mike, I think some of the best beef dishes I have ever had were in Italy. I lick my chops just thinking about them.
One of our kid's Nannies is from Slovakia and she is a real sweetheart. We have kept in close contact since she left 19 years ago. Slovakia is just a little too close to the action over there, so we told her she could get on a plane and stay with us as long as need be. She has become very successful after her stay in Canada and became a landed immigrant. She only returned to Slovakia to look after her aging parents.
Just can't get going today, my shoulder is killing me, I want to get the bathroom finished before I go see the Doctor as I am pretty sure the surgeon will whip me into the O/R which will put me out of commission for a while, especially if he puts in a new shoulder.
When I was working, one of the coolest things that I got to do was work the Antonov a couple of times when it came into Vancouver. I heard it was destroyed in the conflict in Ukraine. It is only an airplane but being an aviation buff I was saddened to hear about its demise.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rkSLjSeW9c&ab_channel=DafyddPhillips
Time to go for another long walk in the woods, the quiet is good for the soul.
Snowplough month is almost over.
All the best to all.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Brent, sorry about your shoulder. I tore my rotator cuff skiing about a quarter century ago. When the doctor called me at work with the results of the MRI, he said I needed an operation. I said, "When?" and he said "How about tomorrow?". My answer was "Book it" although he ex-wife had something on her schedule so I had to wait a week.
The surgeon and two of his brothers were orthopedic surgeons and also hockey players. How many guys can say one of the attending surgeons at his operation actually came out and shot pucks at my repaired shoulder?
After the surgery, he went to the game and was asked if I'd make it back. He shook his head. That was the kick I needed, and I played for another 20 years. And the night I came back, he never could beat me over that shoulder.
Mr. B. Yep, mine was a rotator cuff tear about 35 years ago. Had surgery on it maybe 12 years back. Saw the Doc on a Tues, the Surgeon on a Thursday had the MRI on Monday, and Tuesday a Procedure where he took this giant syringe and injected a white liquid right into the joint to see if that would solve the problem, it did not. The next week I was booked in for the operation and I felt like a new man the minute I opened my eyes on the gurney. It has been great up until recently.
I am definitely a high mileage unit, I have broken so many bones I can't remember them all. Leg, tailbone, ankle(s) ribs, foot twice, 3 neck vertebrae, two concussions, wrist, cracked chin, teeth, and more, I would bet on it. Then there are stitches.
Model railroading and playing the guitar at this stage of my life is about all I can handle. I am in excellent shape though sometimes limited by the pain of arthritis when I misbehave on the diet front. Sugar causes inflammation which translates into pain. Too much rum and Pepsi and I am on the pain train. It's sugar(carbs) that causes pain. When I only eat meat, eggs, dairy, veggies, and low-sugar fruit I feel great.
My resting heart rate averages 42BPM, resp when I sleep is 8, I am 65 and my VO2 max rate is superior for an 18 to 25-year-old, Superior is better than excellent. Blood sats average 99. I can push North of 400 watts on the recumbent bike for an hour on a good day, which is also superior. I never ever nap.
When I woke up from my last shoulder surgery both the surgeon and anesthesiologist came to see me and said what a treat it was to operate on someone in such good shape and said they wished all their patients were like that. I was supposed to stay overnight in the hospital but they let me go home saying other than the big incision on my shoulder it didn't even seem like I had surgery.
I was flying down Whistler mountain on my mountain bike and had a spectacular wipeout. I wish there had been a camera around. My back was a scraped-up mess. Years later I was getting this pain and a scan revealed a foreign object embedded deep inside. Here I am thinking COOL! The aliens have implanted a tracking device. So I had surgery with a local and was getting a play-by-play from the surgeon and nurses and we were cracking jokes which made me laugh, which made them tell me to hold still. The surgeon said it was a real pleasure not to have to cut through six inches of fat to get to the site like his last patient. It turn out to be a little tiny rock that I never got cleaned out after the wipeout, it had worked its way deeper rather than out over time. He stitched me up told me to get my wife to take out the stitches in a couple of weeks unless he really wanted to see him again.
Canucks vs Rangers on now, where did I leave that Glen Livet 12. Life is good.
BATMANSnowplough month is almost over.
Here's another view of the Alco rotary view that can be "blowed-up" —
ALCO_rotary (2016_08_17 08_08_12 UTC) by Edmund, on Flickr
I've got a 1911 booklet from American Locomotive Co. with all the info on these machines.
ALCO_rotary_0005 (2016_08_17 08_08_12 UTC) by Edmund, on Flickr
Hi gang,
Here is one last snow plough video before we head to warmer climes. This is a BNSF rotary plough working its way through 10' drifts. I'm guessing that the snow is really firm based on the way the railfans can walk around without breaking through the surface. The snow plumes are pretty impressive!
Click on the 'Watch on YouTube' box to get the full width screen. Try not to get any snow down the back of your neck while you are watching!
Okay, enough of the chilly stuff. I want to be sitting on some warm sand sipping a pina colada tomorrow!
Cheers!!
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 fellas. Chloe, scrambled eggs & bacon please.
It was a good day yesterday. Got to relax a bit when I got up, took my youngest to her indoor soccer games (won one, lost one), then came home and made wet burritos using beef I had smoked and shredded Saturday. About the only thing that would have made it better would be train time, but all in all I can't complain.
I can't remember who suggested the topic of snow plows, but Thank You! It has been neat seeing all the photos and videos.
Well, I'm off to the races. Catch up with you guys later.
gmpullman Speaking of Tater Tots, where's TF? (I'm thinking of his tater-tot casserole) Here's a bridge to bring him out of hiding: Soaring above the Snake by Mike Danneman, on Flickr
Good morning
That's quite some Bridge Ed! I like how it's so long that it darn near disappears into the vanishing point. I think I'm due to make some of that Tatertot Hotdish comfort food now that you mention it It's always nice to hear of a good pet owner. Those are some Lucky Cats to have you
I've been In-between trying to avoid too much masonary dust intake and ironing out the bugs in-between two separate bridges that run consecutively.
Hopefully everyone is faring well. Judy sent me this photo this morning of some rather large Dreamcatcher snow art she found.
Apparently crops aren't the only areas to make circles but the Aliens didnt take credit for this one
The aerial images were taken by pilot Matt Robinson over McElmons Pond, Debert Nova Scotia. The only information said "It took Sheldon and I seven hours to complete".
The artists must have spent plenty of time with their Spirographs as children unless they just took the credit and the Aliens really did do it
Nah, ...I seen the footprints to and fro on the top left side. Unless someone just walked out to it out of curiosity
Yet it makes me wonder if Sheldon took a holiday to Nova Scotia eh?
Have a wonderful Monday gentleman
TF
Good morning, diners. Bacon, eggs, and coffee, please.
It's a busy day here, so there may not be any layout time.
I wanted to go to the train store today, but it will have to wait until tomorrow. I'm ready to buy some track. Exciting times in my house.
It's good to hear from everyone and that it seems everything is going well. I know Kevin has been missing from the diner -- I wonder if he is spending lots of hours at Home Depot?
It's the last day of snow pictures! I assume tomorrow morning we'll wake up in Florida!
My last train and snow contribution, although it doesn't involve any plows:
Hi Everyone,
One last "hello" to the folks in the diner, and "goodbye" February.
John: I had no idea that Union Pacific invented ski lifts. That's interesting.
Someone suggested Florida for March. That sounds fine. Don't know much about railroading in Florida. But, I'm also open to just about anyplace. If we do Florida, does that open the diner to Disney vacation pics?
Everyone enjoy!
Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)
Good Morning,
We had about a inch of snow last night and a few flakes are falling now.
I was following an ebay auction for a cn brass mikado but didn't bid as it went for more than I was prepared to pay. I have noticed that brass seems to have gone up from what I paid 2 years ago at least for CN steam. I paid $395 US for a K5a with a superb paint job from BrassTrains. They want $495 now for one with poor paint.
Brent, sounds like you had fun in the woods with your dogs. I have never had a breed that you could do that off leash. A Westie will chase anything and not stop for commands. My Afghan Hound was even worse and good luck trying to keep up with a dog that needs a 7' fence to keep it in.
A move to Florida sounds good. Last time I was there was a Feb/86 visit to St. Petersburg. Sailboats and not trains was my passion then.
Think I need to buy more birdseed.
CN Charlie
BATMANI am definitely a high mileage unit, I have broken so many bones I can't remember them all. Leg, tailbone, ankle(s) ribs, foot twice, 3 neck vertebrae, two concussions, wrist, cracked chin, teeth, and more, I would bet on it. Then there are stitches.Laugh
Yup, me too. Oddly, I think in 50 years of hockey, cycling and skiing I've only broken one bone. That was on my foot, when a hard shot came in from the right point. I stopped it easily, but it hurt. After the game, I discovered that my brand new hard-sheel goalie skate had cracked. They gave me a new pair, but those cracked, too. It was ruled a bad batch. I got a third pair that lasted 30 years or so.
BroadwayLion
March comes in like a LION! We expect you tomorrow!
Goodbye Snow!
A Snowy Day At Dunn, Indiana by SE Delmar tower, on Flickr