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Jeffrey's Trackside Diner, March 2017... Celebrating 1,000th edition of MR in Wisconsin; ... Everybody is welcome ! Locked

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Posted by hon30critter on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 10:11 PM

galaxy:

Here's hoping your roofs stand up to the weight.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by cudaken on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 10:09 PM

 Evening Sigh

 Flo, Ed and I will have a Beer please.

 Work Front Sucked. I think my friend Larry Mo had a stroke today while he was at work. (he runs the Florsant Store) He was writting and got a tingling feeling in his arm, and could not hold a pen he was using. Call to tell me he was sorry he did not call me back right away and told me what happened. At first I thought he was pranking me. Then I told him to Call 911. He said No, I called my wife and I will be OK. He works in MO and I work in IL so I had no idea how to get hold of a out a state 911.

 He called me and said his wife was taking to Alton ILL memorial hospital. Any prayers you can spare wound be appraised. Larry is 77 years old.

 Ken

I hate Rust

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Posted by ricktrains4824 on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 10:09 PM

Good evening all.

Happy Pi(e) day!

Zoe - A nice big slice of apple pie please. Of course with a scoop of ice cream please. Thanks!

Stella - AKA Weather - Snow and cold here, but (only) about 10" of white stuff, light compared to Galaxy's total. Finally had someone end up in my front yard tonight because they was going to fast... Got some damage to their car in the process. Most Schools closed here today, not sure about tomorrow. One was open, and they rolled a bus this afternoon, 16 children treated for injuries. (Could have been much worse!) It is still snowing, but the lake effect is starting to kick in, so nobody is sure exactly how much snow will fall now... 

W**k - Blah day today. Sales were so-so, due to the weather. Boss is ill, so most likely will not be in tomorrow... Yeah, this could be interesting. 

Hope all are well, and all enjoy the day.

 

Ricky W.

HO scale Proto-freelancer.

My Railroad rules:

1: It's my railroad, my rules.

2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.

3: Any objections, consult above rules.

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Posted by galaxy on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 9:38 PM

OK update:

At 10:00 pm here, after 18 hours of snowfall, The total at teh airport is 33". Here I measure 35"...that's 3 FEET of snow! for you metric guys, almost ONE METER. In less than 24 hours.

ANd it's STILL snowing, but is showing signs of slowing down and letting up.

Think about that on roof tops, especially our flat roofed garage and the shed roof bonus room, with only about a 1/2 drop over the 12 feet of hte room.

Problem is it gets heavy as it compacts as the higher it gets.

Tomorrow is gusty and windy wiht blowing and drifting snow, causing white out conditions.

The BIG QUESTION now, is WHERE to put it??????????????

Still have power and heat, TG as its only 17degrees F here and dropping before it warms up to high 20s tomorrow, possibly warmer if the snow stops, and the sun comes out, causing even more hassles as it heats up the air.

I hope it doesn't warm up to quickly, as melting will surely cause flooding around here!!!!

Snow storm STELLA

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!

gnite you guys!

stay safe and warm and prayers for those in need.

-g

-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.

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 7:24 PM

I think I made it through this one.  It was snowing when I got up.  My daughter had an appointment in Boston at 7 AM, so she spent the night here and drove in.  She beat the worst of the weather and got home to Maine with no trouble.

It did snow and the wind did blow throughout the day.  Now, we're getting some light rain, but the wind has dropped.  I'm saying we got about 8-9 inches, a far cry (fortunately) from the 12-18 inches in yesterday's forecast.  Tuesday Night Hockey was cancelled, along with pretty much everything else.

Best of all, we did not lose power and neither did the cable company offices.  My only trip outside was to refill the bird feeder, which my feathered friends had depleted in a day and a half.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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Posted by galaxy on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 3:08 PM

Hello all

 Roads are closed, state of emergency in effect.

Well, I measure 23" ion one spot and 24" in anothtr of untouched newly fallen snow in 12 hours, we are expecting another 8-12". I guess whe'll reach 3 feet tehn as we are still in that prime band of stream of storm.

No sign of letting up.

A local motel burned last night, one fatality. they had a trying time with all the snow falling!

I'll keep you possted.

THis is storm "stella" in the named snow storm rulings.

all i have to say is:

"STEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"!!!!!!!

-g

-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.

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Posted by gmpullman on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 1:17 PM

 

YGW's Building Update—The Hobby Barn

Walls Going Up, Snow Coming Down...

 

Yesterday the Carpenters finally showed up. After I went through the plans, material list, which lumber went where they squared the wall I built and started applying exterior sheathing.
 

Today the Carpenters are not here. Snowed last night and they stayed home next to the fire. But yesterday they did build three 2x6 walls, applied the Tyvek house wrap, stood the walls, plumbed and squared them. They also moved a hack of framing material down the hill to the hobby barn.
 

On behalf of YGW—
Happy Day To All,
Ed
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 12:22 PM

Adding to the video of Miniatur wunderland´s "Bella Italia" section - here is how our friends from Italy celebrate Pi day:

Pi stands for Pizza Pie, of course!

 

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Posted by FRRYKid on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 12:16 PM

Steven Otte

And if you're looking for something more hot and savory on this bitter cold and snowy day, ask Janie for the chicken pot pie:

It's not bitterly cold in my neck of the woods but that pot pie still looks good today.

The weather is being very cyclic. For one period, we will have 20s and 30s with snow. Then give a few days and it will be in the 50s and 60s. (We are in that period right now.) It is currently 28. Supposed to warm to the 50s starting tomorrow with 66 on Saturday dropping into the 40s after that. Should be warm enough on Sunday however for me to maybe get some work done. However, I also have to weave in some time to try to teach Mom how to use her new tablet. (That should be interesting as she it not exactly great with the regular computer. I think the fact that I broke down and got myself one made Mom decide to get one. Of course I was the one that had to get it setup.)

"The only stupid question is the unasked question."
Brain waves can power an electric train. RealFact #832 from Snapple.
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Posted by angelob6660 on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 12:13 PM

Afternoon Diners,

Steven- Thanks for the pies. I'll have some hot mixed berry pie.

LION- What a interesting story. I liked reading it.

Modeling the G.N.O. Railway, The Diamond Route.

Amtrak America, 1971-Present.

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Posted by yougottawanta on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 11:54 AM

Evening all

At home not working today ( on site ) working from home. Updating schedules, sending out punch list....

Hobby Front : Nothing today. The carpenters decided not to work today. Cant blame them the cold is one thing but the 19+ MPH winds makes it rough.

Lion - Is fan fiction where fans write short stories to the commercial stories like Star wars etc...

Howmus - LOL. My country friends have this saying " four wheel drive just gets ya stuck a little further in.." How do you plan to finish the edge of your scene ?

Steve - Any chicken pot pie left ? Dinner

Garry - You know back in the 50s and 60s there seemed to be more style or art in commercially made equipment. The cars back then were wonderful to look at. Peopel still love the old trains made with a bit flare...

Galaxy - if you have any extra wood simply stick a flat piece across the ceiling and then stick a vertical piece under it and that goes a long way in supporting the extra weight and hopefully avoid a collapse.

Henry - We are west of you and we actually got some snow. I hear you though the news media really makes a big deal out of. I wonder if they charge a higher rate for advertising during storms ?

Ulrich - have you ever visited that place ? If I ever get a chance I want to go see it.

Fourt - I have often pondered how to make an N scale layout that could be rolled in and out from under a bed. I could see a small frame built with 1x4 edges, plywood attached to teh bottom and four small wheels mounted on the sides. Then the layout built inside... Pull it out when you want to run trains and slide back under when done.

UP831 - Thanks we have worked our whole lives to get here. The area geographically is called "piedmont". It is the rolling foot hills before the Blue Ridge mountains and area is stunningly beautiful. One evening when a nasty storm was rolling throug, my wife and I were standing on the front porch and she remarked " even when the weather is ugly it is beautiful here ".

Ken - Are the photos you are posting are these photos of your layout during construction ?

ROR - I didnt use a program. I did it teh old school method. Dreamed up teh design in my head. used a drafting table, pencil, paper and a scale rule and put my thoughts to paper. Of course as the building is going up I make some changes based on site conditions, extra material available etc...For instance our supplier ordered two extra windows. They will throw the windows away verses picking them up and returning them. So I got to take the windows and I added them to the end of the building where the tractor will be stored.

Dave - We have this carpentry joke we laugh at ourselves all the time with. It goes like this " dont know what is wrong, I cut the board twice and it is still to short!"

Jim - LOL 1:1 ballast. I had not thought of that !

der - Vitals ? You all have vitals up north ? Heck I thought vitals could be found only in the south eats states !

DC Jim - You are exactly correct. Even if the war is won, one usually looses in these kind of conditions. However my supervisor put me on this site because the City firemarshall/inspectors are known for being bullies, stepping beyond of their legal bounds...He told me specifically, "you are partly on this site to stand up to them using your best judgement..." to keep them at bay.

Histroy qoute of the day from my native Virginia and one of my favorites Patrick Henry and his famous "give me liberty or give me death" speech in full:

St. John's Church, Richmond, Virginia
March 23, 1775.

MR. PRESIDENT: No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do, opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely, and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfil the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offence, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the majesty of heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.

I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years, to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves, and the House? Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with these war-like preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled, that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask, gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us; they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done, to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne. In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free² if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending²if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained, we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us!

They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance, by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations; and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable²and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace²but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

 

TTYL

YGW


 

 

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Posted by CNCharlie on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 11:46 AM

Good Morning,

Sunny and 19F here. Still waiting for spring to start. 

Yesterday I finally finished the ground cover on the N scale layout. Next I need to plant the few trees that I have on hand. There isn't much room for many though as the town takes up a lot of space on this layout. 

Today I have to take my tax info to the fellow who does my return. I'll keep using him as he keeps finding deductions I had never heard of and wouldn't likely find on my own. I also have a few other errands too. 

Guess I had better get going.

CN Charlie

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Posted by BroadwayLion on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 10:42 AM

That peice is a one shot essay, my novel can be found at

http://www.harrypotterfanfiction.com/viewuser.php?showuid=589685

Just scroll down to 'Year 8 Malfoy Manor" I am up to chapter 35 with this story, but it seems I can only post one or two chapters per week.

This story is still waiting to be posted there.

ROAR

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

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Posted by BroadwayLion on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 10:35 AM

LION uses YYMMDD This way the computer keeps everything in order.

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 10:18 AM

Gosh, I must be getting really old now!

I was wondering why you call the 14th of March"Pi-Day"... Dunce

Here in the old country, dates are written DD/MM/YY and not MM/DD/YY ...

Feeling a little sheepish - bah, bah!

Steven, considering today´s lunch, your picture makes me feel hungry again!

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Posted by howmus on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 9:59 AM

Mornin'.....

Zoe, glad you made it in today with all the gloom and doom outside in the real world.  Not too mention some writings by Lion.....  Interesting and scary!  I could use a short stack of blueberry pancakes with real maple syrup (and a large pat of Butter) and a pot of Seneca Lake Dark Roast Organic Coffee for my R&GV RR mug.

Today has been cancelled!  (Except for the Pi, of course.) Channel 10 News in Rochester reports 249 active closings today and the storm is just starting....  Right now I have a few inches of white STUFF on the ground with a constant mist of tiny white things (the type that can result in a few feet accumulation) coming down outside my window.  Broome County ( Bighamton) has all roads closed (By NYS State of Emergency Order).  NYS Thruway has banned Semi Trucks from using the Thruway until the storm has passed.  I'm hoping my son didn't have to drive to work this morning (about a 20 mile trip one way).  If he did, he will probably be stuck their for a day or two.

Have only seen 2 cars on my street so far this morning.  Have seen several Foe-Wheeeeel-Drahve Pick'em Up Truuuucks flahin' down the street have'in the time of their lives keeping ahead of the storm and makin' some $$$. (Been a lean year for them so far.) You know them there Foe Wheeel Dahve thingies can go at least 3 or 4 times the speed limit cause they gots Foe-Wheeel Drahve!  Just saw one not even slow down for the street corner in front of my house and do a 360° out there.  Never even slowed down cause....  Well you know them thingies cans go anywhere's  (They are usually what the tow trucks have to pull out of the ditches and peoples front lawns around here in this weather.)  I think someone should tell them that all the vehicles out there have 4 wheel braking and can stop just about as good as the pick-em-up trucks out plowing.

OK, my rant about idiots driving stupidly in this stuff is over for the year...  WhistlingLaugh

Good day to stay inside, watch the idjuts out there, and get some stuff done on the layout.  Stay warm and safe!

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

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Posted by tcwright973 on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 9:28 AM

Lion - Now look at what you have started. I'm expecting chapter 2 shortly. And here I thought I had beaten my Harry Potter adiction.

Tom

Pittsburgh, PA

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Posted by Steven Otte on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 9:19 AM

It's Pi Day! Come and get 'em, hot out of the oven:

And if you're looking for something more hot and savory on this bitter cold and snowy day, ask Janie for the chicken pot pie:

Stay warm and safe, everybody!

--
Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editor
sotte@kalmbach.com

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 9:19 AM

Galaxy .... That's a lot of snow. Sounds like the stuff I was in when I was in Michigan's Upper Penensula several years ago.

.....

 

Here is a photo of the Twin Cities Zephyr as it looked in the 1950's and 1960's.

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by galaxy on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 9:07 AM

well, in 6 1/2 hours, we've gotten 18" of snow, and we are in a heavy stream carrying it up from the south. It shows no sign of stopping, not on the sky-look level or the radar level, that stream is still screaming at us, wiht no tail in sight yet. By the time I finish typing this it will easily be 20".

 

we are getting concerned, the garage has a flat roof, and the bonus room {where we spend most of our time} has a shed roof. Thats a lot of snow on top. We DO have a roof rake, but gfetting tothe sdges of the roof with 18"+ on the bare ground to start is going to be difficult. They said on the news the plows are having a hard time keeping up and they came down our city street ONCE with a front end loader and plow attachment.

It will be too much for the snow blower which we bought but even with 2 other heavy snows no where near this one, we ahven't used it yet. Want to be sure we can safely operate it wihtout damaging our cehicles on our narrow short single lane driveway. I saw the only neighbor using one trying to "Shove it through" the snow so to speak, making only inch of prgress at a time.


Well I go take a nap whjile I ponder how to attack it now that it is so deep.

Hope all are safe adn warm

Prayers for those in need.

-g

-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.

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 8:58 AM

Good morning .

 

Ulrich ... Thanks for the video. Big Smile

Lion .... I see you are a creative wirter. Smile

 

Cintinuing with this month's theme..... The CB&Q Twin Cities Zephyr included southwestern Wisconsin in its route. .... Below is the train as it appeared in the 1940's. 

 

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by BigDaddy on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 8:34 AM

Local TV news started broadcaasting at 4 am to tell us we have an inch of slush.  Meanwhile further north  https://hdontap.com/index.php/video/stream/bald-eagle-live-cam

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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Posted by BroadwayLion on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 6:58 AM

For all Harry Potter Fans...

 

The Rebuilding of Azkaban
original story (c) 2017 Broadway LION
 
Azkaban was severely damaged with the break out of the Death Eaters. The Dementors had destroyed the upper levels of the tower where the most dangerous of the Death Eaters were incarcerated. Now water is leaking in throughout the structure, running down the walls, dripping through the cracks. Dampness everywhere, seeping into everything.
 
Delores Umbridge sits in her office on the rock, looking out the windows watching the sea, watching the waves rolling in and past the rock. Rolling seas, sun in the day and the moon in the night. And the wind. Always the wind. Storms pass by, the rock remains. What else was there to see? In the central core of the fortress are the kitchens and rooms where the house elves live. Administering this rock was far more pleasant than living below the rock which was her only other option. There were no guards to keep her company, only house elves, and they were busy with their tasks. Aurors apparated in every four days, look at the prisoners, leave again that same day. They would not stay. Umbridge was not master of the house elves, they did not answer to her, nor did they pay her much mind, although she did eat better than a prisoner. Umbridge had no physical access to the prisoners, she had no keys and could open no doors. Only the Aurors who brought prisoners in could open the doors. And then they would leave. They would not stay here.
 
Wizards under the direction of the Ministry of Magic built a completely new structure on the floor of the ocean, while the original circa 1600 Azkaban structure was the only above surface access to the prison.
 
New wings, like the tentacles of an octopus stretched out from the Azkaban rock. Each passageway was a kilometer long, with cells on either side of the passageway. And these cells were fabricated with a heavy glass wall curving up to also form the overhead of the structure. Each prisoner therefore had an unimpeded view of the ocean bottom, and of the surface above. Day light could reach them, but only just so. They were to live in a murky undersea world of pale green light, forty fathoms below the surface of the North Sea.
 
There were six such tentacles stretching out like a star from the Azkaban rock. Each cell was four meters wide along the passageway, and extended six meters long, measured from the passageway. That is 400 cells on each tentacle; 2,400 high security inmates in total. And the tentacles could grow longer if they needed to.
 
On the cell wall facing the passageway there was a counter with a cubby hole that could be accessed from either the passageway or from the cell, but both doors could not be opened at the same time. Here house elves delivered daily meals, and weekly linen changes. Closer to the corner was a fold up basin, or a fold down toilet, and a shower stall. That is all.
 
There is a concrete bench and table along one of the side walls, and a concrete bed along the other side wall, a thin mattress rests on it two sheets and a stained wool blanket. That was it, there was no other comfort in the cell. The access door to each cell may have been borrowed from a submarine, but inside the cell the door was blank. It had no handle, but only a six inch diameter port hole that allowed a guard to peer into the cell, perhaps twice a week. There was a hidden web-cam in the corner of the cell, and infra-red light at night. You are being watched.
 
The house elves delivered a loaf of fresh baked bread in the morning, with a box of cold orange juice, and a bowl of hot oatmeal. There was lunch meat of some sort for the prisoner to make a sandwich at noon time. In the evening a bowl of stew and a small glass of wine appeared in the cubby hole. Each inmate had one spoon. He cleaned it himself.
 

This was to be their world. A speaker played some soft and somewhat ethereal music during the day time, and was silent at night, just that and no more. Some food, some music in the day to ward off the silence, and time. And complete dark and total silence by night. Warm, fresh air enters from somewhere under the counter and exhausts out through a grate near the top of the passageway. A single electric lamp burned from six in the morning to eight at night. An eerie greenish light that added no warmth to the cell or its occupant. Just that and nothing more. Just that, and then the dark at night.
 
And she is watching. Umbridge like a canker growing, molding, scratching and consuming, scans her gaze through the cells, watching, watching denying privacy, denying human privacy. Watching gloating, her broken schemes reduced to self-indulgent voyeurism.
 
Oh yes, time. Lots of time.
 
Look out through the glass, you might see a fish, or then again you might not, for the bottom of the ocean was never changing. Look up through the top of the cell, you might see a hint of green light filtered through the mystical waters of the North Sea. Water flowing, never moving; green light glowing, never growing.
 
Silence and Dark.
 
Dark and Silence.
 
Silence and Water.
 
Water and Silence.
 
Silence, Dark and Water….
 
Azkaban without the Dementors was more daunting than the old tower guarded by the Dementors. Here you are guarded by water. Just water, and your own fears. Your own deep fears. Day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year, decade after decade, time passes but not down here. Not down here. Time does not exist. Light is scarce, Sound is eerie, numbing the senses, numbing the soul. Nothing soft, nothing warm, nothing cold. Stand, sit, or lie down: your only options in twenty four square meters. Twenty four hours a day; eight thousand seven hundred sixty hours a year. All filled with nothing. Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes each year. All filled with nothing. Thirty one million, five hundred thirty six thousand seconds every year. Count them. Every one of them, all filled with nothing. What now is your life worth, all filled with nothing. Life? Twenty five years! That is seven hundred eighty eight million four hundred thousand seconds. All filled with nothing. With nothing.
 
With nothing, forever more.
 
With nothing, forever more.
 
Nothing.
 
Nothing.

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 5:29 AM

Good Morning!

It´s a nice day, but a little cold. Not as bad as you folks in the east of the US are having it right now. I hope everyone´s high & dry or safe & warm!

A pair of herons seems to have decided to nest close by, which is accompanied by a heck of a noise. But still a pretty sight!

I don´t have any plans for the day, other than going for a walk in the afternoon.

How about a taste of Italy?

Here is a video showing Miniatur Wunderland´s latest addition - Bella Italia!

The video is quite long, but worth while watching!

Enjoy!

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,256 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 5:15 AM

 

 

Happy Pi  Day, Fella's  π

 

 

 

All the Pie you can eat is on me...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pi_Day

 

I think I'll start out with Pecan and come back later for some Raspberry! Real whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream??? Surprize meBig Smile

Stick a candle in it for Mr. Einstein's Birthday, too!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Einstein

Yeah, Ken, that candleabra has me looking for Liberace hanging around there. Be very careful, a few drips of that hot wax on the foam and you could be getting a visit from the fire department Indifferent

Well, time to turn-in—

I hope you are all having a great week! Stay safe, stay warm and stay healthy!

Angel for those less fortunate,

Regards, Ed

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: ROCK ISLAND IL
  • 221 posts
Posted by fourt on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 2:40 AM

 Snowing for second ady in a row now, weird saturday was sons birthday was nice out, neighbers had a cookout on the grill, now snow.

 I had been thinking of putting a layout in the laundry room where we live as we have no washer/dryer so the space could be used for a layout. However the other night when i went to work i noticed water on the floor. Looked up and there was a hole in the roof, OPS the bathroom is right above that room, not sure if tolit or bathtub is leaking. Not sure maintance will come out and look at it. So a good thing i did not build the layout there i guess. Thinking now if move stuff around in my bedroom should have room.

Modeling on the cheap

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Currently in Chicago area
  • 812 posts
Posted by up831 on Monday, March 13, 2017 11:15 PM

Good evening Diners,

Brunhilda, I'll have an Earl Grey tea with cream and honey, please.

We have snow after none through Jan. And Feb.  I'm not a fan.

YGW:  Great to see the hobby barn/train shed taking shape.  And, you must be a very fortunate man to live in an area that beautiful with the horses and the white fences and all.  But then again,.......perhaps..not!  (Said in ominous  voice).

Big SmileBig Smile

Ken:  Nice touch with the candelabra.  Gives da joint some class, but a little out of scale. 

Big SmileBig Smile

Well, enough levity.

Hello to everyone, and I hope everyone is OK, safe, and warm.

Less is more,...more or less!

Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Maryville IL
  • 9,577 posts
Posted by cudaken on Monday, March 13, 2017 10:10 PM

 Eveing Diners

 Flo, Ed and I will have a Beer please.

 Woke up this morning and looked outside (glasses where off) and it looked foggy? That seemed odd? Whistling Put on my glasses, it was Snow? Tree limbs where bowed down a good 2 feet, cars had 4 inches of the fluffy stuff and yard was covred. Boy, I was not excpeting that! It had been mild temp wizes and roads where just wet so getting to work was easy. Snow is all gone now which I am a little sad about.

 

ricktrains4824
Cudaken - Did you decide on a new computer yet, or sticking with the old one?

 Rick that depends on Thursday and my wife. While turning off the background programs have helped, i know this system is going to die some day. Thursday we will have my wife car looked at for the hail damage and I am sure it will be a total. (car does not look awful and she wants to keep it) So depending on the sizes of the check and what I can pry out of her hands, maybe.

 Later, Ken

 

 

 

 

 

I hate Rust

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Finger Lakes
  • 10,198 posts
Posted by howmus on Monday, March 13, 2017 9:56 PM

 Rob, and Garry, thank you!  I hope the folks at the NMRA Meet next Saturday will be pleased with it..............  Now I have to fit my presentation into a space of 35 minutes.  It is going to be a busy and tight on time morning.  Two major clinics, two other presentations, 4 model contests to vote on and give awards for in less than 3 hours, and some time for coffee and donuts and some chatting as well.  The afternoon will have several local layouts and an LHS open for us and some railfaning time.  Always a fun time for us, and this one is shared with the NMRA Division to the East.  (We get together about every other year to do some joint activity.)

Janie, can I get a refill on the decaf please....  Thank you Ma'am!

Just about time to head off to bed for the night.  Have a warm and safe night out there!

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
  • 10,660 posts
Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Monday, March 13, 2017 9:13 PM

Good evening .

 

Ray... I am very impressed with your scenery project .... Bow

Rob .... Dizzy ? .... I hope you are okay. 

These conversations about storms and people buying out bread, etc. reminds me of the storm here 8 years ago. In that case, it was a massive ice storm which crushed forests throughout much of Kentucky. Broken trees and downed power wires were laying everywhere. Our road was blocked by broken trees and had a thick layer of ice. We had no power, no land line phone, no cell phone, and no county water for 9 days. We hunkered down in the middle of the house, and survived on cheese, crackers, and soda pop. A gas fireplace was our only heat. 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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