Jeffrey's Trackside Diner, December 2018, from the Christmas City of Bethlehem Pennsylvania!
Welcome to Pennsylvania!
It's the place for you to go to relax and talk off topic about most anything - as long as you stay within the forum rules, which means certain hot button topics are excluded. Please refer to Steven Otte´s post on Forum Policies.
The staff - that´s Zoe, Chloe, Flo, Janie, and Brunhilda - is very friendly and will serve up plenty of virtual food with a smile. Just don´t forget to leave a generous tip!
Each month, the Diner will be parked in a different location at places all over the world. This month we're in the heart of hard coal country in Bethlehem Pennsylvania, AKA the Christmas City.
At the beginning of each month, it is also the time to pay our respect to friends no longer with us.
Barry Arnold aka BlownoutCylinderJerry Cox aka Cox47Wolfgang Dudler aka Westport TerminalBob Hartle aka cmrproductsEd MurphyBill NorthStein Rypern, Jr. aka SteinjrAndy SperandeoJeffrey "Running Bear" WimberleyAlan BTom MillsJames W. Rohde aka CapeJimMichael L. Myles aka Inch
"Gone, but never forgotten!"
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Steve
If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!
You've done a yeoman's job here, Steven!
Not really much left for me to do, we can all contribute any tidbits of information about our visit to the Anthracite region of Pennsylvania, and home to the huge works of the Bethlehem Steel Company.
There are some great photos to browse here:
http://archives.anthraciterailroads.org/gallery_images.php
Let's get that coffee urn fired up and give Flo, Chloe and Brunhilda a chance to don their Holiday finest for the festive occasion!
Cheers, Everyone!
Ed
Well done Steven. Even some music to boot!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Thanks guys I'm hitting the sack now, goodnight all!
This is the station I rember being at in 1971 for the NRHS Convention that year. There was a Lehigh Valley excursion train boarding here. This station was shared with the Reading Company.
Bethlehem_Union by Edmund, on Flickr
It was built in 1924 and remained in use until July, 1981 when commuter service was cut back. It was later used as a medical office. The Cantral Railroad of New Jersey also had two depots in Bethlehem.
To help some of you out-of-towners find your way to the new Diner location, you can see that there is no shortage of railway lines leading here:
L-V_Mapsm by Edmund, on Flickr
I placed a blue finger pointing to Bethlehem.
Here's a cropped version. Bethlehem can be found just left of center.
LV_Map2 by Edmund, on Flickr
...and the legend:
LV_Map_Legend by Edmund, on Flickr
One of the reasons for the rapid economic decline of the Anthracite roads beginning after the War is partly evident on these maps. Multiple railroads competing for dwindling coal reserves and a tendency to shift to lower sulfer coal from other areas. Add to this the closing of the area steel mills, especially "The Steel" as the great Bethlehem Works was known and the debacle of the Penn-Central merger, ultimately, the results were disasterous.
Cheers, Ed
Good Morning!
Outstanding job, Steven - thank you for moving the Diner to Bethlehem, PA!
Now, whether Bethlehem is the Christmas City I don´t know, but I do know two places which are certainly rivaling.
The first one is a place nearby called "Himmelpforten" (Pearly Gates). The local post office gets all the mail addressed to Santa. I am not sure to what extend they answer, but the place is packed with volunteers.
The second place is St. Niklaus, a small mountain hamlet in Switzerland, right on the route of the famous Glacier Express, not far from Zermatt.
Another contestant would be Nuremberg, home of the toy industry and the famous Christkindl Market.
Happy Advent!
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
Good evening.
The only US President who I met in person and shook hands was George H W Bush who just passed away.
Steven NWP SWP ..... Good job moving the Diner.
Ed .... Thanks for the info about the Bethlehem, PA station ...
Ulrich .... Thanks for the Christmas greeting from Germany.
Good night.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
hon30critter Well done Steven. Even some music to boot! Dave
Deano
Heartland Division CB&QThe only US President who I met in person and shook hands was George H W Bush who just passed away.
I'll run this train in his honor:
UP_4141_SD70sm by Edmund, on Flickr
Regards, Ed
I can´t say I personally met George Bush, but I saw him from a close distance in 1983, when attended the 300th anniversary of people of Krefeld, my hometown then, in the US. He was the Vice President of the US at that time and people really felt honored by his presence. On a side note, the group of 13 families who emigrated to North America back in 1683 later became known as the Pennsylvania Dutch.
Me again!
I just woke up from a mid-day nap and found this video of an extraordinary layout in southern Germany, excellently filmed by Vikas Chander.
Vikas´ Indian coloured pronunciation of German names beats it all!
Good morning diners. God Bless to George Bush, the last of the greatest generation presidents.
A brief period of sunshine this morning before we have yet another inch of rain on the East Coast.
2 1/2 hours west south west of Bethlehem is East Broad Top. A narrow gauge railroad that started running in 1874 until 1956. It was sold for scrap in 1960 but the new owner didn't scrap it. He ran a special tourist train and that was a big hit so he ran it for several years.
Unfortunately for me, it stopped running right before I visited it. I was the only one wandering around the rail yard peering into windows. It is for sale, but having not won the billion dollar lottery, I did not buy it.
http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2017/09/29-east-broad-top-update
There is the Friends of the EBT, which is not the owner, but volunteers trying to preserve what they can.
http://www.febt.org/index.html
Here are some stills from past operation
I may go to a Greenburg show tomorrow
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Count Zinzendorf himself named the new settlement "Bethlehem" after the Biblical town, on Christmas Eve, 1741. Much history remains from this original Moravian settlement.
Lehigh Valley, Reading, and CNJ were the big boys in town, along with the Bethlehem Steel line, PBNE. Reading and the LV shared the station previous pictured, CNJ tracks were on the opposite (North) side of the Lehigh River. L&HR also had facilities on the North side.
Since 1937 (though dark during WWII), a giant star has been lit on top of the mountain. It was in 1937 that the nickname of "the Christmas City" was adopted.
Also at home in Bethlehem is Lehigh University, founded by the Lehigh Valley's Asa Packer. Source of many railroad engineers, many of whome rose to be president of a railroad (particualrly Reading and LV). And then they also produced me...
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Hello, everybody ...
Randy .... It is good to see you in the Diner. Thanks very much for information about Bethlehem, PA and the railroads that served it. ... Please feel free to particpate with more contributions during December.
Other model railroaders in PA... Please feel free to particpate in December with comments and photos about Bethlehem, Eastern PA, and (of course) railroads serving the area.
Ed ... Your UP 4141 is a nice looking locomotive. ....
Lion ... Thanks for the greeting.
Henry ... Your post about EBT is intereesting, Thanks for sharing.
Ulrich ... That is an interesting video about and impressive layout.
Everybody: ... Happy Model Railroading.
Good saturday afternoon everyone! "Flo, I'll have a cup of coffee to start please!"
Not much going on today for me model railroad wise. I'm working on a presentation I have to make monday morning. I'm hoping to get some train time in tomorrow!
Joe
Modeling:
Providence & Worcester Railroad
"East Providence Secondary"
HO scale
Eveing Diners
Flo, the gang and I a and all the Vets what they like.
Mixed Day, part and part
Head Bang part. Wife told me she had a Med to be picked so I went to get it. Waited 10 minutes to find out I picked it up on Nov 16th for her?
Another Head Banging moment Do they make diffrent sizes rail joiners for driffrent code track? Bought a new Atlas #8 turnout for the short line. While replacing I could not get the rail joiners I had bought on with out prying them open with a small screw driver. I finally used used rail joiners.
Yet Another Head Banging moment While I was trying to install the turnout my wife came out and told me "I cannot get the front door open again!" Now I was is a mood fighting with the turnout so I was not happy. I got up, tripped on my drill and fell into the desk / work station, pushed the printer forward 1 foot and dumped my PRR M1a Tender, Bachman F7a, B&O box car and Old Dutch Hopper to the floor! Looks like the stuff is Ok but have not tested any of it yet. Went to the front door, turn the knob and it opned?
The on the day? Hum, I got a box today and it was a good box! When I got to the bottom of the box With the way I have been tripping and not ran any of the iteams yet.
Ed do you like seim whimisal train items? If so I have found something I like to send you for Christams. Does not go on the layout but around that area and bet the grand kids would like it.
New turnout fixed the problem and trains ran fine.
Later, a lucky Ken
I hate Rust
Yes, Ken different rail joiners fit different rails, well, differently. Atlas joiners are now made to fit both Code 83 and Code 100, which tells me they're a compromise. Peco joiners don't fit any on my layout. I found during the Great Atlas Track Shortage, when Atlas joiners were also unavailable, that Walthers joiners worked pretty well.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Henry,
I didn't realize that the East Broad Top RR had ceased operations, but I am glad to hear that the volunteers are still working on the buildings. I have scratchbuilt several structures based on the EBT's buildings, some of which will be going onto our club's new layout.
BigDaddyUnfortunately for me, it stopped running right before I visited it.
I have been fortunate to have visited the EBT quite a few times. Especially fun were the Winter Rambles they would host in late January or early February. I've spent some cold days there.
Here I am on one of my first visits just after EBT reopened in Auguas of 1960:
EJT_EBT_20_edited-1 by Edmund, on Flickr
Of course, I'm on a private car! One of the photographers I follow at Flickr has posted several recent photos of EBT right-of-way. I am still amazed at how much rail is still in place. I wonder how much has been covered over but still lies buried in the ground. Plus all the hoppers rusting away at Mount Union. Amazing.
Look at these photos of the water tank and track still in place at Coles Valley, PA.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lrmyers/45194588255/in/feed
Glad the package got to you OK, Ken! Glad it was a highlight to your head-banginging day! Sure, I like whimsical RR things and any of the eight grand-kids do, too.
I seem to recall rail joiners included in the blister-pack of the Code 83 Atlas turnouts I bought. Maybe they don't include them anymore?
I'll check in with you folks later...
Hope all is well, Ed
Evening folks!
Today we had the MSMRC Op Session, I did a LOT of sitting, "wait at this siding" 20 minutes later (and not fast clock minutes) still waiting! That happened a few times too!
Next Saturday is the Christmas open house, I might dress as Santa Claus because I have the whole outfit, the little kids would get a kick out of that.
Jr. Took a look at the 73 mustang model kit I got, hes going to help me out with it, he also has no projects right now so I might contract him to build a home built SD55T for the NWP-SWP.
We were discussing my logo and hes considering doing the EWJ (it's a Santa Fe subsidiary on an ex IC branchline) (I remember the initials cause Ben called it Every Weird err Donkey (J has been replaced by a more polite substitute)) anyways he's going to do a CF7 in the ATSF WarBonnet paint scheme with the IC "DeathStar" logo and IBM style striped letters.
So this
With letters like this
And a logo like this
Or this
Hows that for confusing?!
[Political statement removed by admin]
I forgot to mention, next Saturday is our Christmas open house at the MSMRC.
My truck is going to be ready Wednesday but I won't be able to pick it up until Saturday two weeks from now (my paycheck clears late Friday evening).
Right now I feel like I have a Roman Candle in my stomach, I've got heartburn BAD, some tums and antacids for me then! Barkeep I'll take a alka seltzer!
Well Christmas is coming so here's another holiday favorite.
YouTube isn't working, ohh well.
Good Morning, Gang!
A happy 1st Sunday of Advent!
People in my cpuntry decorate their coffee tables with a advent wreath with 4 candles, representing the 4 Sundays of Advent. Today is the day to light the first candle!
Flo, it´s the dy for my big breakfast, but add a tall glass of OJ this time, please!
It´s raining and we are back to the usual "Schietwedder" - I ask myself why I got up at all.
Time for trains!
Ulrich, your picture didn't work. All that shows is the little photo icon with the top right corner folded over.
We had a real treat tonight at Dianne's family Christmas celebration. Our niece Renate and her husband Joe both like to cook. They saw a picture of a 'pie cake' and they said that would be neat to try so they did. They had some fancy name for it which I can't remember, but they compared it to doing a 'tur-duck-en' where where you place a deboned chicken inside a duck inside a turkey.
The cake had three layers each about 2 1/2" deep. The top layer was chocolate, the middle layer was spice cake and the bottom layer was vanilla. What made it so unusual was that they had baked a pie into each of the three layers. The chocolate layer had a cherry pie, the spice layer had a pumpkin pie and the vanilla layer had an apple pie! The taste combinations were really good. The chocolate/cherry layer tasted just like Black Forest cake, the pumpkin and spice cake were a great combination and the vanilla layer tasted just like having vanilla ice cream with apple pie. The pie dough added a really nice texture to the cake and kept it moist.
Needless to say it went over quite well! Just what we needed after a big meal!
They said it was actually pretty easy to make. Pour half the batter into the pan, set the pie on top and then pour in the rest of the batter. The recipe called specifically for store bought pies apparently because the store bought pies have less air in them than something that you would bake at home. Too much air would cause the cake batter to bubble all over the place which would leave quite a mess in the oven!
The funny part of the story was that Joe's mom told them that they couldn't pull it off. That was like waving a red flag in front of a bull! (Two bulls actually!) They sent her a bunch of pictures showing how beautifully the cake turned out just to get in her face!
Hey all, hope everyone is well.
Saw the post about the East Broad Top above,I've got tons of my personal photos from 2005-2011 if anyone wants to see them. The EBT is truly a special place in the railroad comminity.
What makes it special is, it's the oldest and most intact narrow gauge railroad in the USA. All 30 miles of mainline track are still in place, although in various states of disrepair. All the locomotives on the property in 1956 are still stabled in their original roundhouse, as well as a complete turn of the century shop. it hasn't run since 2011, and I miss going every fall.
I operated on the famous Huntingdon Northern layout in Norwin PA, the Friday after thanksgiving. I ran a couple road trains, and settled right in being the yardmaster, and sorting out cars. Here's a YouTube video of the layout
https://youtu.be/Q8J3z4zD87k
my club started our open house last weekend, and so far it has been decent. both Saturdays so far have been packed, but last Sunday was slower because of the weather, 50s and partly sunny. Today, ugh... high of 60 and sunny. We normally have our attendees cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers games but, they are sunday night games only. I'd be worried About the Penguins, but the Pittsburgh Penguins are a true mess this year,....they're not even going to make the playoffs at this rate.
work continues on my house, and Tuesday I sign the updated deed. So Tuesday, I'll be an official homeowner with a 25x 30 train room in the basement. Although, if I want to drill a tunnel through a brick wall ( former supporting wall before the addition) I'll have another 10-12 feet to add for a yard. the bathroom work is coming along nicely, and hopefully the window replacement will be as well- I had single pane aluminum windows all through the house.
Hopefully I'll have something to contribute to layout tours for the 2020 NMRA reigonal convention for Pittsburgh.
Hope everyone is well again. gonna get ready for open house.
(My Model Railroad, My Rules)
These are the opinions of an under 35 , from the east end of, and modeling, the same section of the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway. As well as a freelanced road (Austinville and Dynamite City railroad).
Hmm, Ulrich's photo worked here.
I'll just have some coffee for now. Taking my daughter to "breakfast with Santa" a little later this morning. Should be fun, I think Grandma and Grandpa and cousins will be there too.
Ulrich, you use four red candles for Advent? We use 3 purple and a pink here (pink on week 3 for "Gaudete Sunday").
-Dan
Builder of Bowser steam! Railimages Site
NeO6874Ulrich, you use four red candles for Advent?
Indeed we do! It´s something of tradition, not only in my family.
It is so sad to see the once proud EBT RR left to rot and decay. With a little care, enthusiasm and, unfortunately, money, it could certainly be turned into a thriving business, similar to the Silverton train in Colorado. It would mean a tremendous boost to the local economy!
Here s a video of better days gone by.
Unfortunately, there is a side of Orbisonia that is indifferent to the railroad. On the East broad top group on facebook, someone brought up the plight of the railroad.... a member commented "When I was there and filling up my car at the gas station, I commented to the clerk, 'Isnt the railroad one of the best things around?' he looked at me in the face and only said one thing 'we tolerate it'."
So there is a group that needs to realize without the train, the town will continue to lose business, since there isn't a tourist influx any longer. Sure they have the trolley museum, but they still don't have the original draw to the area. It's the proverbial question "Now we have it, how do we keep it running?".
Jimmy I'd like to see your pictures, but it doesn't have to be today, the month is early.
I would imagine there are many people that don't want to see the railroad run, just like Durango. Durango tries to be neighbor friendly and keeps their locos fired in the yard with compressed wood.
Chama burns coal 24-7 and I wouldn't want to live near that station for love nor money.
It costs at least a million dollars to get a steamer rebuilt and Federally certified. They probably still have the equipment in the shop, but anyone who used to operate it is in their 70's or 80's. The Western Maryland is rebuilding 1309 and they had to farm out the wheel work and some of the boiler work.
Does anyone know how many places can still do 100% or the work? Cheyenne, Durango, maybe Strasburg, Chattanooga, Baltimore?
Off to the Greenberg show.
Good morning, everybody.
Everybody with knowledge of railroading in eastern PA is welcome this month to share knowledge and phtos........ Especially model railroaders who live in eastern PA.
Ed .... The EBT coach looks a bit European.
Henry ... Your discussion on steam locomotives operating today is interesting. Enjoy the Greenberg show.
Jimmy .... Good to see you. I'll be interested in your EBT experiences if you share them with us. That gas station clerk should have realized you would not be in town filling up your car at his gas station if the EBT was not there. The souce of the money that pays his wages comes from selling gasoline.
Ulrich .. Thanks for sharing the video.
Dave ... That cake sounds good.
Dan .... I hope breakfast with Santa went well with your daughter.
Happy Model Railroading.