Today's Wisconsin-themed lunch special is up -- deep-fried cheese curds! Dig in!
And since I'm top of the page, I guess they're on me!
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
Hello all
OOOCH OUCH! Took a beating today. If it could go wrong it went wrong. Mr AND Mrs. Murphy were in attendance in my day.
Flo can you bring me some hot cocca and some of that curd stuff Steve brought in ? Hmmm wonder how that taste ?
Will write more later all. Let me sit and rest a bit.
YGW
Evening Diners
Flo, Ed and I will have a please.
Gary I had to pee and the dinner was not open so I ran down the street to a bar that was open. Saw some Mopar guys where at the bar and I told them I was "Cuda Ken" and they started buying me Cam 2! Ok, site would not let me on.
Oh Hail! Had a nasty storm front roll through Wednesday, lots of high straight line winds and Hail The Sizes Of Canned Hams! Wifes car is a rolling total and she is freaking out. With the car being a light gold the dents do not really stand out. Maybe only 5 she can see but every panel has been hit. Having been in the Body Shop Business I can see them all.
Talk to my State Fram agent and they said to make a claim. I had full covrage so if she wrecks the car, it could be repaired. But if I do not claim the damage and she wrecks it, they will not pay the full amount of the repair because of the Hail Damage. Kind of catch 22 so I filed the claim. Plus, I cannot have full covrage and longer. So she wrecks it, it is junk!
Straight Winds. Folks next door fence blew in to my old section of fence and both where knock down into my back yard! Cut my junk and hauled it out of the backyard. I am so sick of dragging stuff out of the backyard! I lost 2 post, they lost 85' feet of fence. Sure hope they are not to bright! By Law I have to have a fence because of the in ground pool! I sure wish I neve bought this dang Money Pit!
Later, Ken
I hate Rust
Good evening ...
Lion ... As they say, March comes in like a lion, and there you are. Thanks for the crumb cake.
Ray ... Glad you took time to find the new place.
CN Charlie ... That is remarkable about the dog figuring out it was vacuuming time. I once had a dog who like to have his fur coat vacuumed.
Richard ... Have a good trip to Idaho and good luck Monday.
Dave N... Thanks very much for vititing here again and for sharing those photos. Must have been a grreat time for al who were involved. Remarkable about the wind and the tent.
Steven ... yum ! .... Deep fired cheese curds. Thanks !
YGW .. Uh oh .... A bad day with Murphy.
Ken .... What? ... The bar was open. ... Hmmm.. Why am I not surprised ?
Everybody else ! ... Come on in to the Diner. Great food. Nice conversations. Everyione is welcome !
Feel free to tell us about your memories of Model Railrroader as we celebrate # 1,000 !
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Just dropping by to say hi to my friends in this place.
Recent weeks have been trying ones. The test results were positive, which has put me in a state of shock. Being diagnosed with Parkinson´s disease is a verdict I have yet to learn how to deal with. The medications I receive help to control the tremor, but they also make me rather drowsy. Whatever energy is left is going into finding ways how to deal with what´s ahead of me.
I am scared.
Petra´s surgery has now been scheduled for the first week of April. It´s a long wait, but the infection of the gall bladder is gone and she is feeling OK, as long as she observes her diet of low fat, low carb and low taste food. I am sharing the food with her and have lost over 30 lbs. now. I should be happy, but I actually feel uncomfortable.
I will be putting up my Swiss NG layout to make room for the revival of my mini-modular layout. Thanks to a gracious gift from DerJohn, I have all the track to complete it. My friend Claus will do the benchwork bit for me as I no longer can handle such things.
Blessings to all!
Hi Ulrich:
That is not great news. Hopefully the progression will be slow and that you will have many more years of productive life ahead of you.
30 lbs. eh?! I would be happy to lose that much. Just think about how much easier your heart has to work, and taking the weight off your spine will do you good too. I just stopped drinking Diet Coke. I was up to four or five 12 packs a week! Fortunately I don't seem to be missing it. I had a can a couple of days ago and I didn't want to finish it. Hopefully that will last.
I'm glad to hear that Petra's infection is gone. Too bad about the additional waiting time.
All the best!!
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,
Ulrich, sorry to hear your news. Nice that you have such a good friend to help with the benchwork. Don't forget your friends here. Do keep in touch.
Dave, diet coke can indeed be addicting. My wife was addicted to it for many years but had to stop drinking it due to GERD. I think it is the caffene in it that makes it so compelling. Personally I can't stand the taste of artificially sweeted drinks.
Got more ground cover down yesterday. I am about half done now. The town area is completed and now I'm about to start the area around the industries. I got out the trees I bought a few years ago. I have set the time of year in the fall. I bought some Woodland Scenics fall trees and they sure don't look very realistic. Far too brightly coloured. Most of the trees are from another company and they look good but I don't think I have enough. I might try spraying the WS trees with Dullcoat to see if I can tone them down.
Have to do some errands today. Time to get the tax stuff ready to take to the fellow who does them for us. He has saved me far more than the small amount he charges. I used to do them myself but when I got involved with my mother's estate I started using this fellow. He is retired and just does it to keep busy.
Have a great day,
CN Charlie
Morning diners,
Garry- Seeing some the diners, wouldn't you scared that you pictured them differently?
Der5997 - It was a good idea.
Dave- Thanks for the pictures and making me understand the lack of interest that goes with it after awhile.
Steven- When I go Wisconsin I'll make sure I'll the Model Railroader and Walthers first. Don't know when that will be.
Ulrich- Thanks on the update. At least Petra is doing okay with her condition. Sorry about your diagnosis of Parkinson's. Will your module layout, the one you showed us a few weeks ago.
It's been very busy and quiet on the railroad. When walking the dogs this morning I thought maybe I could add a small train station (even though I don't have room for one.) I might make one to fit the area and thought on two RDC decorated in Amtrak.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
Its FRIDAY !!!! Hurray !!! Hello all ! Boy I tell you Mr. and Mrs Murphy about wore me out yesterday !!! If it could go wrong it did ! At the end of teh day yesterday I had had enough of those to sorry characters and sent them down the road !
Train front - Last night I purchased a Hooker tank car. More than I wanted to pay, but I got it for around $12. Can anyone explain tyo me why these tank cars get so expensive ?
Hobby?barn front - Tonight I pick up the framing nails for the air gun. Because tomorrow we will be framing the beam and floor system of the hobby room area ! One set back. The carpentery company has delayed me for another week ! Heck at this rate I will have it built before he shows up. Thats okay. I can use the exercise and saving money is always good.
Angel - Good morning how are you today ?
CN Charlie - I used to drink to to four liter bottles of diet coke a day ! After the heart issues I had to cut those out ! It is really not good at all for people. The saw bones told me that the body still thinks its sugar and processes it accordingly.
Garry - It wasnt just Mr. Murphy it was both of them ! The Mrs too. I tell you I think she is as bad or worse than he is. Both together are a piece of work !
Ken - LOL Cam 2? Did your new fence get damaged or is that an old section ? Your neighbers insurance should pay for repairs. I emailed three photos. Did they go through ?
Ulrich - I am SO GLAD to see you back in here. My heart aches for you and your condition. Like many have said before you have many friends here who care and if nothing else can be good listeners.
History qoute of the day:
A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue then will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader.
A lady asked Dr. Franklin Well Doctor what have we got a republic or a monarchy — "A republic," replied the Doctor, "if you can keep it."
Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom of Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops that can be, on any pretence, raised in the United States.
Mornin'...... Ah...... Hm.... Well I didn't get up until almost noon so I guess it still feels like morning here in the Finger Lakes!
Chloe, I need a large pot of Seneca Lake Blend Dark Roast Coffee to keep my FGLK Mug filled and wake me up, please.
My sister's plane was delayed and arrived at 12:47AM this morning in Rochester..... She said it was a good thing it was delayed as she had some difficulty getting through customs and all that and her luggage was very late being processed and getting onto the next flight at JFK. She was able to board her plane with just a couple minutes to spare. Her flight was delayed 40 minutes...... She was in her usual "be very careful what you say" mood after one of her trips. By the time I drove her to her house in Canandaigua and then drove home to Geneva, it was a little after 3AM.
Wednesday it 72°F . Yesterday it got all the way up to 27° and decided to include lake effect snow about the time I had to leave for Rochester. Lucky only Geneva appeared to get much of the Lake Effect and right now it is churning up pretty good once again.
Ulrich, very sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but glad to hear Petra is doing better. My late wife had Gallstones and waited a couple years to have the gallbladder removed after her first attack. Best Petra does get it removed ASAP!
OK.... I have a long list of "to dos" to work on, so I best get moving. Have a good day out there, and maybe I stop in this evening.
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Hello everybody .
Ulrich ... I'm very sad to hear about the diagnosis. You have become a very good friend here in the Diner, and of course all of the Diners care about you. Prayers for you and for Petra.
Ray ... I'm glad your sister arrived safely even though it was so late. I can recall some middle of the night arrivals myself when there were problems with flights.
Angelob6660 .... I think we each get images of our of our firends in the Diner, and if we do happen to meet them later (or see a photo of them, we are surprised at how they really look.
CN Charlie.... It sounds like you are getting a lot done on your layout.
I recieved my copy of #1,000 today.
Great job, MR !
I received my issue 1,000 yesterday. Steven why didn't you put Jim Kelly N Scale Insight as a special add on because for the occasion.
I was looking at Amtrak RDCs it's been awhile since I thought of them. The like the plain steel with a white square with the Amtrak logo inside. Don't get me wrong I still love the Phase I look also.
Good evening guys
Well, ULRICH: sounds like you are having a rough health year. I had one last year,and with more looming surgeries this year, I guess I should expect another. If it's an caveat, they ahve made great strides with Parkinsons of later years here, maybe it won't be as bad as you might think. At least it can be managed and isn't a death sentence!
Mr. OTTE: COngrats on 1000!
Ray: I probably missed why you traded the PIP for the VOlt, what was your reasoning> Down here we are to have a guy come and give us a thing about a solar lease, that will reduce our electric bill but we don't have to pay for it. Should be interesting. Our front pitched roof faces dead east, and rear of course due west. SInce the BONUS room is heated elelctically it is expensive, and we'd like to offset that. It won't quite be free electic, but will reduce our costs. they buy/sell the power to NYSEG for us. We in turn get a greatly reduced electric billWe shall see.
Prayers for others!
Ken: sounds like of late you have been having a great sales time! all that extra money...for trains!
I HATE these temps ups and downs, and THANKS JOHNBOY! for sending the cold Canada north winds our way! I'm SURE your mother taught you to share, but, reallY? That?
Well, like I siad the other day, I feel like an outsider since I don't have much but boxes and boxes and boxes of trains now. I will get to something. My fahter was talkign about taking down the O-O/27 scale tain borads from my childhood. It's 2 4x8 sheets of plywood in an "L" shape. I'm thinking of moving them here! OH what I coudl do in HO with that! It had three ovals interconnected for three O-O/27 to run independently, and I could do the same with a nice spur yard in the center ogf the biggest oval on the long side, and have a "grown up" version of my little 3.5' x5.2' HO layout I had in the trailer. I'mn thinking WHERE in our crowded basement to put it.
That may bring me back into the game!!!!
Have a good one, prayers and candles lit foor those in need!!
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
Ulrich You and Petra are in our prayers. This site is as readable as any place on the web https://www.michaeljfox.org/ While it's not good news, it could be far worse. Our monthly luncheon meeting of retired docs was today and a former neuorologist was there and he has had parkinson's for some time.
Thanks to those that offered condolances for my friends, one who passed away and one who fell from her balcony when the railing gave way as she was leaning over it. She also broke both arms in addition to her neck and is now getting some movement back in her shoulders. How much she will be able to recover is unknown.
Weather has been mixed, 70 degrees earlier, snow showers today and lots and lots of wind. No action on the train front.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Flo, Ed, Ulrich and I will have a please.
Ulrich Nothing any of us can say to make you feel better about having Parkinsons. I know I have talked about the owner of K-10 Model Trains having Parkinsons. It has not stopped Ken from doing most of the things he loves to do. Did have to give up flying, he was a pilot. Treatment has came a long way and is getting better. Ken is now using medical marijuana last I heard. Need to stop by and see how he is doing, just need to leave my wallet at the house.
Glad Petria is doing better and the infection is gone. Far as the weight lost?
Galaxy Yes, last month was a good month by this company standerds. Feb I had $27,653.00 in sales. Other Mattress Companys I worked at it would have been a bad month. I was normally in the $40,000 range and a good month would be $60,000.00
It is late so later Ken
Heartland Division CB&QI recieved my copy of #1,000 today.
I am surprised that the Big boy is taller. I easily have a stack of MR over 4' tall and I surely have not subscribed for more than 1/4 of MR's existance, Have i?
Nice job on the 1K.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Happy Soldiers Day ... March Forth.... .... (I like that pun so much, I tell it once a year. )
Neil's editorial in #1,000 is entiled "Model railroading, past present, and future."... That reminds me of a story. .... Past, Present, and Future walked into a bar. ... It was tense... .... Perhaps it was at Ken's bar.
Anyhow, I have hardly looked at #1,000 yet, but I am sure I will enjoy reading through it.
On a much more serious note, Henry...Thanks for the update about the person who had the horrific fall. Prayers for her.
Ulrich and Galaxy .... Your friends are here when you need us.... We care.
Continuing with the theme for this month, I grew up in the Chicago area, and I made many trips to and from Wisconsin by train. I had several trips to and from Milwaukee on the North Shore Line.
The formal name was Chicago, North Shore, and Milwaukee. Much of it was an interurban type railroad. In Chicago, its train originated using tracks of the CTA elevated railroad, and it made station stops on The Loop along side CTA rapid transit trains. Much of the route to Milwaukee was via a high speed double track mainline. In Milwaukee, the North Shore operated on streets as did streetcars.
While operating on CTA in Chicago, the trolley poles were down, and shoes mounted on the trcks connected with the third rail.
Most trains had older style interurban electric equipment. In addition, the North Shore operated two streamlined trains called Electroliners. I had a few trips on Electroliners, and usually, I could sit in the front row across the aisle from the motorman. It was quite a thrill looking out the front window as the train went 90 mph donw the double track mainline.
The photo below shows older equipment on the right, and the Electroliner approaching on the left in Milwaukee.
Extra strong Italian roast coffee in a SOUTHERN PACIFIC mug, please.
***Galaxy, hope everything works out OK with your back. Sorry to hear you're in pain, That is no fun at all. Hey, you're not the only "arm chair modeler" here. Something to look forward to resuming though, right?
***Dave N., enjoyed the short story about the Kalmbach Publishing mural attempt. Did they ever solve that particular problem?
***Der, cool layout progress.
***CNCharlie, smart dog you have there.
***Ray, you are indeed a busy man. And a kind one as well.
***Ken, too bad about the storm damage. At least it was only stuff, for what that's worth.
***Ulrich, sorry about your diagnosis. My father showed early stages of that late in his life and still managed very well. Happy to hear Petra is doing better. Also glad you will have help with the benchwork and new layout. There are always positives to focus on.
Should get my last tractor back from being repaired sometime today. Special needs horses are keeping me exhausted, so have made no progress on the framing work out back, which needs to get done before resuming model railroading. Still trying to find a helper to hire short term for that.
Healing thoughts for those in need.
Cheers! Rob
BroadwayLion Heartland Division CB&Q I am surprised that the Big boy is taller. I easily have a stack of MR over 4' tall and I surely have not subscribed for more than 1/4 of MR's existance, Have i? Nice job on the 1K. ROAR
Heartland Division CB&Q
I was surprised on the Big Boy size myself.
Heartland Division CB&Q Happy Soldiers Day ... March Forth.... .... (I like that pun so much, I tell it once a year. )
I like that one as well. Of course, I have a punny sense of humor myself. I've used this one before but it still works: Why did the railroader go to the gym? He was training to go training!
On a slightly more serious note, I got the start of my next major project in the mail yesterday. Five more Roundhouse 50' Thrall Gondola cars. While they are not my roadname, changing them to my roadname shouldn't be hard given that the original five had to be relettered quite extensively with a bit of repainting. (Can't complain when they are NIB unbuilt kits. Easier on that point that the original.) I know I will end up spending as much on the details as I did on the cars. (Happened with the first five as well.) Given the costs of all the pieces, it may not be completed any time soon. (Same thing happened with the first five as well.)
Ulrich: I read Michael J. Fox's autobiography a few years back. It was well worth the time.
https://www.amazon.com/Lucky-Man-Michael-J-Fox/dp/0786888741
(Sorry, I can't seem to find a way to make links work using my iPad. I am without a real computer until I start the new job on Monday.)
Richard
Heartland Division CB&Q ... Past, Present, and Future walked into a bar. ... It was tense... ....
... Past, Present, and Future walked into a bar. ... It was tense... ....
If they had walked in, it would be perfect.
LINK to SNSR Blog
Aaaaahhhhhhhh..... Evenin' folks!
Janie, I'll have a cup of decaf and slice of the pecan pie I see over on the counter. Put a big glob of whipped cream on it too. Huh? Only have "Cool Whip"? Well since that is made just down the rails from the R&GV RR Museum, I guess that would do.
I have been finishing up items with deadlines on them one by one. Today I drove to Rochester to stop in and pay my respects to the Rochester Model Railroad Club at their annual Open House. Several of my NMRA Members are also members at the club (Including 3 of the officers and BOD people). It is a very large and well built fictional railroad set in the Finger Lakes/Central NY area. I left right after lunch and drove to Rochester. I was careful to save some of the electric miles in case I couldn't charge at the parking garage I would be using just down the street at Bausch & Lomb. The city has charging stations in all there parking garages throughout the city. You pay to park and can charge for free..... I got there, drove into the garage and was greeted by an attendent who, because there is a huge car show a few blocks away at the Co0nvention Center, tells me it will be $7 to park! OK, I figured they would be using the "Event" price so I shelled out the #7 and asked about the charging stations. He points right around the corner and tells me I see them as I drive in. Right on the first floor they have 4 plugs! All of them are being used, of course, so I drive on to the second set which only has two plugs. One space is open and the other has a car in it. I say, "YES!" and pull in. Get ready to plug in and see that the station is scrolling and telling me that the remaining plug is not working due to low voltage.... Grrrrrrrrrrr!!!! I park someplace else and walk over to the open house. Place was completely packed! I did get in and talked with a couple people who are members there whom I needed to see anyway. Used fossilized dinasaur dung for about 2/3rds. the way home. Did all the secondary roads on electric though. Still had 7 miles left when I pulled in the driveway.
Got home around 3:30 and got to work on a "State of the Division" report they want for the NMRA Region Meeting which I will be a guest for in a couple weeks.... Have that done and sent.
Rob, Thank you for your kind words! Wish I could say I am busy enough to stay out of trouble, but.....
Galaxy, good to see you here again! Hope the solar panel thing works out well for you. Do be sure to read the fine print at least twice and maybe 3 times. Check out the company as well. I prefer to buy rather than lease (that goes for everything) but what may work for you is the important thing. I decided to move up to a Volt for my 70th Birthday present to myself..... The PiP was paid for and I wanted to be able drive most of my miles on electric. Up until 2 days ago I was getting 211 miles for each gallon of gas used so far. In 2500 miles I have filled up twice. The tank only holds 8.9 gallons so a fill up is between 7 and 8 gallons... But 2 trips to Rochester without being able to recharge when I got there nixed that. I am still showing 177mpg and it will be back up soon. There is also a major tax rebate on the Volt (much larger than I got on the PiP). In fact it is the highest rebate for an EV (same as what is available on a Tesla). I was going to wait until another year to trade in but...... Well, I don't want to get into politics.... PM me if you want more info. Oh, the Volt is paid for!
Only downer in the transaction for the car was that the evening that I signed the paperwork for the Volt, my son calls me and says, "Hey Dad, we might want the PiP if you haven't signed for the Volt yet." I had thought about asking him if he might want to a double switch. We would use his junk FORD to trade in and he would pay me the difference on what I got as a trade for the PiP. Too bad as the PiP would have been a great car for him to drive to work in. Especially if he could arrange to get a charge while he was at work. A lot of places will do that for employees. Even without charging he would get about 50mpg with it.
Hope everyone has a great night! I'm back to w*rk on items that should have been done a while ago....
Flo, Ed will have a Royal Crown, Rob will have UP cup of and I will have a please.
Not much to talk about. Went to work, talked to some people, sold a few things, clean some engine wheels and derailed a train.
Rob Thanks for the comment. Yea, it is only stuff but it is stuff I have to pay for to have fix. Might try to fix my fence remains my self. Unlike the pool side of the yard, this side is pretty normal.
"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.
Good Late Evening Diners,
Nothing for me tonight, Brunhilda. Next time.
Got the 1000 th issue of MR today.
Very nice.
I noticed the binding is different, making the possibility of copying drawings for personal model making virtually impossible.
Is MR going to stay with this binding?
If so, is there any plan to publish locomotive and structure plans in the web site like the track plans?
Just curious.
Hello to everyone, and I hope everyone is OK, safe, and warm.
Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)
A cloudy, warm day here. We should get up to 40F today. Feels almost well tropical. We will pay for it though as a major storm system is supposed to hit tomorrow afternoon with rain turning to snow. Then, naturally, it will turn cold.
Ken, sorry to hear of your fence problems. I can relate as I have been battling mine for several years. We put it up 27 years ago and it shows it. The posts have rotted through on the entire back section but I put in those fence spikes beside the old post with a short piece of post in the spike which I screwed to the existing post. It has worked for 10 years but now the fence is leaning a bit so I have to figure a way to straighten it up. None of my neighbours would contribute to a new fence. On 2 sides they need a new roof far more than a fence.
I was at the physio again yesterday and have to say that my heal is a lot better. A few more sessions and keeping up with the exercise hopefully will do the trick.
We have quite a few grey squirrels running around trying to get food out of the bird feeders. We have feeders called Squirrel Busters that shut the ports with the weight of a squirrel. I have had to send out our Border Security(a.k.a. Robbie) to send them packing. If I say 'Border Security' he comes running to the back door huffing and puffing, ready to run out to chase them away. Not sure how he learned 'Border Security'. We used to watch a show on TV of that name that had a sniffer dog he liked to watch. We never tried to teach him those words.
Nothing new here. I hope to get a little more of that ground cover down today. I have the industrial area half done so I think getting it finished today would be a good goal.
Well, see you soon.
Good Morning all,
I will have the bacon topped with bacon sandwich.
Not much going on here this weekend. Warmish and breezy today.
Did maraton radio repair (4) in one weekend.
Hope all have a great day!
I have been reading and enjoying Issue # 1000 (and the Trains magazine that came the same day). I didn't find Lance Mindheim's opinions about the future of the hobby as inflammatory as many seem to have. But that is a topic for another thread perhaps, assuming it has not been talked to death already.
One reaction to Issue 1000 however -- did anyone else feel that the use of the somewhat satin finish paper made the photos (features as well as ads) seem somewhat soft focus and "bland?" I don't know whether to blame the paper or my glaucoma but I did not have that reaction to the Trains magazine or slightly older issues of MR that I have been consulting for a project.
Dave Nelson