Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Jeffrey's Trackside Diner, May 2017! ALL are welcome, ALL ABOARD! Locked

59480 views
529 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 10:55 PM

cudaken
Ed Good to see you in the dinner again.

Thanks, Ken! I came in before the end of the month to cash in on all the beverages you have been buying me Cool

Seems like we are ending the month with melancholy memories...

My first wife, Sandy, the mother of my two sons, died in February of 1986 at the age of 27 of a cerebral hemorrage. Everything in my life changed after that! I have tried to use the power of positive thinking to recover and place her memory in a very special place in my soul.

On the model railroad I have the Sandy Creek, of Twentieth Century Limited fame in her honor. 

To anyone who has lost a loved one, and that goes for pets, too, you have my prayers, sympathy and compassion.

Let's start June on a happier noteWhistling

Best wishes to all...

Regards, Ed

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Maryville IL
  • 9,577 posts
Posted by cudaken on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 10:37 PM

 Evening Diners

 Flo, Ed, Brent, Jan and I will have a Beer please.

 Ed Good to see you in the dinner again.

 Henery The boody gets use to a certan blood sugar level, when it is lower than what it had been, it reacts like it has lower blood sugar! Yea, it sucks but just the way it is?

 Gsry Soory for the loss. We lost Sue's brother on Chrstmas day a 6 years ago. Wife still has a hard time dealing with it.

 Brent Hope the Doggie pulls through, I like dogs more than people! Not counting the diners.

 Jan Again I am sorry for your loss as well. Did you find another better half? For some reason I thouht you still had one?

 Ulrich Would you mind doing the move again? You do a great job hosting! How about West Virginia or Virginia? Where every the Norfolk & Western was based out of. I love big steam!

 By the way Ulrich, you caused a small train wreck tonight! I was watching the Devil Nose and not the layout. Whistling

 Ken

I hate Rust

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
  • 10,660 posts
Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 10:09 PM

Good evening ..

Gary Weighmaster... I read your post three times. So sad. I hope it helps if we tell you we care. We do. ... Let us know if there is anything we can do. Praying for you. 

Herrinchoker ... After 26 years, I'm sure you have had many moments of sadness. Will pray for you too. 

Ray ... I've heard from you before how much you miss your wife, and I understand you still have tears in your eyes. Praying for you. I admire you and respect you for doing so many things with your life in spite of the sadness. It is an honor to share a forum with you. 

To be sure, there are many things in each of our lives which are tough to deal with. This includes loss of loved ones, of course.  ..... I do believe we help ourselves through difficulties with our hobby. It is good to take sanity breaks working on model railroads. ..... Without getting religious, I suggest people strive for keeping spiritually healthy. ... Prayers for each of you ... Angel

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Finger Lakes
  • 10,198 posts
Posted by howmus on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 9:48 PM

Evenin' Folks!

Just a shot of Southern Comfort, yes the 100 proof stuff for me tonight.  Been reading the sad things here for the last few minutes catching up on the place.

 Gary,  My heart goes out to you....  Been there, done that.....  For me it will be 30 years on August 15th.  I still think about her every day.  The pain does get better, but is still there.  In my case my wife died of the cure for Leukemia (Graft vs Host disease after a bone marrow transplant from her sister).  The family had gathered at the hospital knowing she would leave us some time that day.... Her sister arrived from California about 5 minutes before she died.  One of the Nurses came out and said it would be about 5 minutes if we wanted to be there.  None of us in the family had the courage to be with her at her end.  I have regreted that for almost 30 years...  I was with her in her room for several hours that day, waiting......  It was as though she wouldn't leave until the whole family was together.

OK, I have dried my eyes and blown my nose, so I can continue typing.

 Brent, I do hope your dog pulls through her ordeal.  I have a nieghbor who lost a beautiful, sweet dog to poisoning several years ago.  I would like to catch whomever did it!  (Actually I wouldn't, as I don't think he would be worth what they would likely do to me.......! And I tend to be a "gentle soul" most of the time.)

Had to drive to Victor, NY about 55 mile round trip, to pick up a box of goodies for the Door Prize/Raffle Table for the Meet on Saturday.  Turns out I just could have made the whole trip on electric, but I turned on the ICE and used "Hold" mode for about 6 miles on the way there.  Just got home and plugged it in to charge, came in the house and the phone rang.  It was my son letting me know that Granddaughter #2 had a Lacrosse game over across Geneva in about 50 minutes.  Lacrosse is pretty much thee "National Sport" around here, Geneva and Canandaigua being the ancestral home of the Seneca Nation.....  So I drove over and watched her run up and down the field for an hour.  You don't really expect much more from 2nd graders in that sport I hope.  Fun!

Will keep all of those with needs for healing (both physical and spiritual/mental) in my prayers, and hope you will do the same for me.

Quote for the day:

"Peace comes from within.  Do not seek it without." - Buddha

 

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

We'll get there sooner or later! 

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 7:53 PM

Gary,

I am sorry to hear about your loss two years ago. I just hope that I will not have to go through what Ray, Herrinchoker and you had to endure. I am quite sure that I will go before Petra. Somehow I have to manage to stiock arounf for a little more than two years, so she will be entitled to the full widow´s pension.

It´s not yet 3am here and I have been up for a few hours. There are too man things in my head keeping me from getting the sleep I should gez. Not good thoughts, though.

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Shakopee, MN
  • 225 posts
Posted by Weighmaster on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 6:46 PM

BigDaddy
If you have the means, there are people that will construct your layout. I have no idea what they cost or who their clients are. Sure, there must be multimillionaires but MR is not the most common hobby in the world and there must be a lot of common people that use there services.

Henry:  Thanks for the thought, but that's not an option for me.  I"m guessing that it would run me at least $10k for something reasonably sized, and I simply can't justify that (my heirs would realize that somehow I went "bonkers").

Given my CHF, 65% left and 35% right leg circulation, bad knees, and unconscionable weight gain in the last couple years, I perhaps should concentrate on one thing at a time.  Before we moved, I had started a roundhouse/turntable module which has been untouched for ten years.  Turntable is in and powered with a 0.5 rpm motor, and six stall roundhouse floor (Heljan) and tracks are installed.

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 5:47 PM

Brent I hope your dogs recover. I have had a couple friends who have had dogs poisoned.  At least one intentionally.

I have a dog story.

I had a redtick coonhound that on walks to the neighborhood pier, would see an osprey or a sea gull or a heron.  She would stalk the bird like a lion, thinking she was invisible and then at about 20 yards away she would charge and the bird, watching her the whole time would fly away.

I had a blue tick coonhound that got into a box of donuts.  Even though I was watching, she ate the donuts faster than I could see.  I only found out how many she ate by counting after I took the box away.

Fast forward to today.  My beagle coonhound mix, which looks like a tri color beagle, saw geese at the pier.  He stalked like the red tick, the geese moved further down the pier, he charged, the birds flew.

Suddenly he was surrounded by goose ka ka.  He did the blue tick imitation on donuts to clean it up as fast as he could.  Don't let him kiss you.Sad

 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 5:38 PM

Gary I hope it helped you to tell us that story.  Anniversaries like that are always hard, more so because it coincided with you birthday. 

Do not doubt you made the correct decision.  Modern medicine has the power to prolong life beyond decency, compassion and common sense.  I say that after 35 years in medicine.

If you have the means, there are people that will construct your layout.  I have no idea what they cost or who their clients are.  Sure, there must be multimillionaires but MR is not the most common hobby in the world and there must be a lot of common people that use there services.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    May 2012
  • 1,855 posts
Posted by angelob6660 on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 3:50 PM

So I just called them and they will cut post purchased lumber. That will be good for me.

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

Amtrak America, 1971-Present.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
  • 9,352 posts
Posted by BATMAN on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 3:42 PM

Gary, my condolences as well.

You and your wife obviously had a full, accomplished life together. The fact that this and June 3rds dates weigh heavy on your heart is because she meant so much to you. What would be a shame is if today and tomorrow passed without notice. 

Thanks for sharing, none of us are alone when it comes to times of grief and it helps when we can share it with others.

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
    May 2012
  • 1,855 posts
Posted by angelob6660 on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 3:31 PM

Afternoon Diners,

I wished I had some words to say about your wife, Gary.

Brent locating the diner in South America would be interesting.

I designed a new layout but it would be shorter by 10 inches. Later today I'll call to see if they will recut a purchased lumber since I don't a saw or power tools.

The new plan will only have one right hand switch, and a river ditch bridge. Everything else is unclear. I'm basically modeling desert... I hope. Locomotive power only 4 axle like GP38, GP60, etc. to fit the theme.

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

Amtrak America, 1971-Present.

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Georgetown, Maine
  • 573 posts
Posted by herrinchoker on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 3:12 PM

Gary,

Condolences for your loss. My wife Marymartha died here at home, twenty-six years ago, and I was fortuniate to be holding her hand at her last breath. It is an adjustment to say the least. She was an ardent supporter in my various endeavours, she was my WHY--

Loosing that, hurt deeply-- I have empathy for your loss.

J.White

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Shakopee, MN
  • 225 posts
Posted by Weighmaster on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 2:26 PM

Two years ago today, on my 70th birthday, I had to call an ambulance for my wife, hit with severe respiratory distress.  Eight years prior, we had purchased a "handicapped accessable" house because of her disabilities.  It had a 15' x 23' empty room in the basement for my "final" layout. 

23 years in one house should only require one 30 yard dumpster.  Right?  Wrong!  The room was quickly filled with over 200 boxes and miscellaneous "stuff".  Two years later, I retired early to care for Kathy full time.

Kathy suffered cardiac arrest twice during the 1.5 mile trip to the hospital.  After being stabilized, she was sent to Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, where they cooled her body to minimize organ and brain damage.  Two days later, we learned that severe brain damage had occured, and it was inferred that it would be prudent to remove life support. 

With family present, support was disconnected the next day.  One of the most distressing experiences is listening to the body's last breathings.  Kathy passed a few minutes later, on June 3.

34† years marriage, 2 children, 7 grandchildren; I'm still finding it difficult to celebrate or even acknowledge my birthday.  With the help of my son, the basement room is now about 50% clear, but I doubt that my declining health will give me the ability to build much.  "Que sera, sera" I think the song goes.

Gary

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
  • 9,352 posts
Posted by BATMAN on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 12:06 PM

Mornin, from the cool and cloudy WestCoast.

 Took the daughter to see her favourite dog last night. Though the poor mutt has blood coming out of her front and back ends, this morning she is somewhat stable and if she survives should heal from the bleeding completely. When my daughter put her arms around her she managed a tail wag and that was the first sign of movement she had all day. It seems not only are visits from dogs to their people in hospital beneficial, the opposite is true.

Ulrich, loved the "Devils' nose" Video, not sure how I missed that one, as I tend to watch a lot of South American railroading stuff. It just show's, that where there is a will there is a way.Surprise

As far as location for next month, how about here? There appears to be plenty of train rides to take.

https://www.google.ca/search?gs_ivs=1&q=railroads+in+Tasmania#safe=off&q=railroads+in+Tasmania&rflfq=1&rlha=0&rllag=-41671029,145822847,68143&tbm=lcl&tbs=lrf:!2m1!1e2!2m1!1e3!3sEAE,lf:1,lf_ui:2 

 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."

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 11:37 AM

Hello, Fellow Diner Denizens

Just a quick HI and hopes that all are well and safe.

Busy, as usual, and now the summertime chores have kicked-in full swing!

Prayers and good thoughts to all... Happy Railroadin'

I had planned on posting a photo here but Photobucket is up to it's usual tricks againGrumpy

Regards, Ed

 

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 11:29 AM

Garry - I have no idea where to put next month´s Diner, So I´d be happy to step back and leve the honor of moving it to the new location to someone else. Volunteers - one step back!

The following video is to spectacular not to be shared!

A breathtaking ride up the Devil´s Nose!

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
  • 10,660 posts
Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 8:59 AM

Good morning, everybody .... Coffee and a donut, please. 

Who wants to suggest the location for June ? 

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 11:06 PM

Good Morning, Folks!

The month of May is about to say goodbye - in the same manner as it arrived, which was wet! We had a torrential ra*nfall last night, which made such a noise I could hardly find some sleep!

Janie, make that coffee in an IV bag for me, please.

Today is the last day of Ulrich´s Train Movie Theatre, featuring

The Resurrection Of A Legendary Train Locomotive - The Return Of The Flying Scotsman

LNER Class A3 4472 Flying Scotsman is a Pacific steam locomotive built in 1923 for the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) at Doncaster Works to a design of Nigel Gresley. It was employed on long-distance express East Coast Main Line trains by the LNER and its successors, British Railways Eastern and North-Eastern Regions, notably on the London to Edinburgh Flying Scotsman train service after which it was named.

The locomotive set two world records for steam traction, becoming the first steam locomotive to be officially authenticated at reaching 100 miles per hour (160.9 km/h) on 30 November 1934, and then setting a record for the longest non-stop run by a steam locomotive when it ran 422 miles (679 km) on 8 August 1989 while in Australia. Retired from regular service in 1963 after covering 2.08 million miles, Flying Scotsman gained considerable fame in preservation under the ownership of, successively, Alan Pegler, William McAlpine, Tony Marchington, and finally the National Railway Museum (NRM). As well as hauling enthusiast specials in the United Kingdom, the locomotive toured extensively in the United States and Canada from 1969 until 1973 and Australia in 1988/89. Flying Scotsman has been described as the world's most famous steam locomotive. In a 2015 poll which questioned people from four continents it was again ranked the most famous locomotive.

Enjoy!

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 7:15 PM

Ken I'm not a primary care doc but I don't know why a blood sugar of 118, which is not low, would make you feel bad.  It's not clear what you are saying about your vision.  Diabetics can have retinal hemorrhages so a sudden change in vision could be important.  You only get 2 eyes.

Rochelle  I will say no more except the diamonds are silent instead of the clack clack clack and trains no longer wobble going through them.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    May 2012
  • 1,855 posts
Posted by angelob6660 on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 5:18 PM

Evening Diners,

I few things I thought of yesterday. To late to post about and my kindle was used for something else.

Building a small layout... I know I talked about the current one, but this one will be short oval. Since I have left over foam and wood I would make something smaller and simple. 

I thought if I did continue the Thomas layout I would buy only OO real British structures. Since I know some European structures sometimes have an american feel or vise versa. (Things must have changed over the years, since sometimes my information is decades old).

Edit: Up of the page. If anyone wants an alcoholic beverage or soda or just water it's on me. Enjoy.

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

Amtrak America, 1971-Present.

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Maryville IL
  • 9,577 posts
Posted by cudaken on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 3:32 PM

 Afternoon Diners

 Flo, Jan, Brent and I will have a Beer please. If Ed makes it in, give him some Good Stuff. Drinks

 Blood Sugar Front Had my lowest reading so far at 118! Big Smile Had a 1/4 of a banana and 3 eggs, should be 11.5 grams of Carb's. It jumbed from 118 to 198 two hours later? Talked with the Wife=Stress, made House Paymant=Stress. Stress raise Blood Sugar. Checked at 2:00 PM and it was only down to 196?

 Been feeling worst than every with the lower sugar levels. Been reading on line that is pretty normal and will pass. Vison is allso changing, see better 15 feet away with the Bifocals now. Again pretty normal from what I have read.

 I know I will be better off in the long run. Does not seem right I am feeling worse so I can feel better in the long run!

 Trains are running great again, Cuda Ken

I hate Rust

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
  • 9,352 posts
Posted by BATMAN on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 2:50 PM

Good afternoon from the wet coast of Canada.

 Not a happy day around here as our dog had to be taken to the hospital yesterday as she needed more intervention as she declined. The wife needed easy access to drugs and everything the hospital has on hand, including 24hr intensive care, that one person cannot give alone.

She is my daughters favourite, and my daughter is trying to keep a stiff upper lip. Timing is bad for her as she is writing exams this week.

 

Please think twice before using poisons for rodents. You never know who's pet will eat the dead rodent and suffer as a result. Or wildlife for that matter.

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 12:14 PM

That no-cook carrot cake oatmeal looks, say, interesting, but I doubt whether I would want to give it a try. It reminds me too much of the muesli attempt in our local hospital.

 

Moderator
  • Member since
    May 2009
  • From: Waukesha, WI
  • 1,764 posts
Posted by Steven Otte on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 9:19 AM

howmus

First a photo from way back when I got back into Model Railroading and had no idea what I was doing...  This photo was taken with my Kodak digital camera using Dollar Store cheapo CFL lights that were at 2800°K (Yellow spectrum) and a CRI of less than 80:

The same general location taken several years later when I had a Canon Digital rebel and the layout had gained 5000°K CFLs at about 93 CRI.  There is also more Lumens of light in that location now.  Notice a difference???


 

You're right, that is a big difference! Under the original lighting, I couldn't even see the locomotive! Laugh Thank you, thank you, you're too kind, I'll be here all week, try the veal.

But seriously, ladies and germs... Speaking of breakfast (and someone was, at least a page ago), my wife has recently tried this new recipe called No-cook carrot cake oatmeal. You mix the ingredients and let it sit in the fridge overnight. The oats soak up the liquid and it's ready by morning. She loved it; I thought it was too soupy (remember our earlier oatmeal discussion) and had a kind of gritty after-texture that probably had to do with the spices not having been cooked. She's having it again today. I made my own version minus the carrots, plus the stove. Much smoother.

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

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Pittsburgh, PA
  • 1,155 posts
Posted by tcwright973 on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 9:08 AM

Garry - No worse than any of the other Heritage units in my opinion. Here is a photo, not of great quality for 2 reasons. First it was raining, and secondly, I'm not a very good photographer. Anyway, I did notice the paint was peeling on the snow plow and up around the filters. But these units are not museum pieces & have been on the rails for a couple of years now, so it's not too big a surprise that they might be starting to show some wear & tear.

Tom

Pittsburgh, PA

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
  • 10,660 posts
Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 7:57 AM

Good morning, everybody ... 

I was good to see several of you visited the Diner during the Memorial Day weekend. 

tcwright973

We got out Saturday morning to do a little railfanning. It was quite good with 15 trains in 4 hours. Bonus sightings were Norfolk Southern's "Penn Central" Heritage unit & a Norfolk Southern work train. 

Tom .... I don't suppose the Penn Central unit was covered in grime and dirt as was the case with any PC locomotives I ever saw. .. LOL ... Whistling

Have a good Tuesday, everyone. 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Pittsburgh, PA
  • 1,155 posts
Posted by tcwright973 on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 7:55 AM

Henry - I have also been watching the Rochelle web cam. The work they are doing is very interesting & I'm impressed at what they accomplish in short periods of time. Watching the front loaders & that bobcat is like watching a dance sometimes. There's no doubt in my mind that those are some highly skilled people we are observing. I'm glad I don't live near there as I would probably had to set up camp so as not to miss anything.

Tom

Pittsburgh, PA

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 7:40 AM

Good Afternoon!

What a day! It´s hot and humid, with intermittent showers of ra*n and the odd thunderboomer in between! I feel all sticky and yucky!

Are you ready for a last afternoon bonus train movie feature? Well, if not, than that´s tough luck! There won´t be any in the future !

Join me in a ride along the elevated line of Hamburg´s subway!

 

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 7:11 AM

Batman I changed years ago from Comcast to Verizon.  It's hard to say which has the worst customer service.  The TV picture and the Internet speed was superior with the Verizon Fios.  Get a Gmail email account and then your supplier doesn't matter.

Rochelle IL Absolutely fascinating. They push/pulled the old diamonds down the track toward town (East) and at least 2 big cranes brought in a new assembled quad diamond from the other end.  It got dark and the resolution of the camera and the lighting made it hard to see. 

I would love to know how they took apart the remains of the old diamonds and how and where they assembled the new one.  There is a big intermodal yard to the west according to google maps.  And what do they do it they come up wil one rail 4" too short?

They took out at least 6 tractor trailer sized dump trucks of old ballast and they are cleaning up the unused ballast this morning.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!