Hi Everyone!
Time to move the Diner! Thanks to all who contributed to the tour of short lines in August.
For the month of September we are going to take a look at grain operations in Kansas and general ops in the KC area. Here goes:
Cheers!!
Jim
Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)
Hi Everyone,
Brunhilda, coffee with cream, please.
This month we get to study grain, how it gets to elevators and most importantly the railroad's role in the process. it is true that wheat harvest is past except for maybe Saskatchewan; however, fir those states who grow winter wheat, September is planting season. We'll be adding more as the month progresses.
Thanks for the great job of opening the September Diner, Jim!
Children of the Corn or, well, Amtrak in the corn!
Passing corn and Ancona by Mike Danneman, on Flickr
One for Brent:
Blurred at Barons by Mike Danneman, on Flickr
Cheers, Ed
Utterly Delightful as well
TF
MisterBeasleyIt's the individuality of the hobby that keeps me looking at other layouts, particularly at shows or layout tours where I get a chance to view layouts as they're built. There is so much variety in construction techniques and scenery that it's great that every modeler develops his own niche and let's us see it.
I absolutely love seeing layouts built by others.
Having built so many layouts myself... 5 of the SGRR, the N scale portable layout for Scale Rails of Southwest Florida, the store layout for Reynold's Trains, and my friend Randy's Norfolk Southern layout... I know what goes into building a layout.
Seeing any layout that is nearly completed is something to behold, no matter how it was built or what it represents.
Even Lego layouts amaze me!
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Good late evening
There was that one time we were on Wooden Frog cliff.
Me, Dale Hayes, Lori and Melissa.
Plenty of time to screw around but I needed to take it a bit higher.
Lovely. We were on the top of the cliff. At that point nobody cared about formations in the sky until we seen them.
It was how well you were doing with the girl next to you until things went South that night.
A 5-point symmetrical grid like the center of a star appeared over Wooden Frog cliff.
Appeared and spun and one of the five took off across the sky fast after the next and the next and the next.
That was the first time I seen them but I must tell you it got Better! In other words, WORSE ... It got WORST!
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Good morning Diners. A large coffee please, Chloe.
Trying to get a lot done this week, but others want my time.
On the layout front I have dismantlesd the bridge. No more ducking under. It was getting harder on the knees. It meant rewiring the layout somewhat and another controller purchased. Youngest grandson was not impressed at the dismantling. That was until he took control of part of the layout and I another. The fact that he had six locomotives under his control soon changed his mind.
Grain Elevators of Hutchinson,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8TcZy0jqko&ab_channel=nickhemphill
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
Good Morning Diners. Chloe, I'll have a jelly donut and a large black coffee in an AT&SF mug please. Thanks!
I got the impression that there was a vast amount of FLAT!
It's Friday junior. Tomorrow is my Friday off with the holiday coming on Monday. Hallelujah!
Have a good day guys!
Mike
Hi Jim,
Thanks for moving the Diner! You did a great job!
I look forward to learning about grain growing operations in Kansas. My family grew grain for five generations just outside of Barrie, Ontario. They were the second pioneer family in the area. The property was solid bush when they began in 1823.
It wasn't a huge operation but it paid the bills. I spent almost every weekend at the farm when I was young, but I was too young to do any of the work. I clearly remember being in the barn when the crops were harvested.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
JabearI got the impression that there was a vast amount of FLAT!
Water Level RouteSo very true for Kansas. And Nebraska. Iowa. Oklahoma. A lot of Texas. Eastern Colorado & Wyoming. Vast indeed!
Pfffffft!
I have been to all those places. The flatness did not impress me.
You want flat... come to South Florida.
When the highest point of ground in five counties is the artificial hill on a miniature golf course... then you got flat!
* * * * * Disclaimer: I know that is probably not true, but that is what the sign on the hole says. * * * * *
This is the kind of flat I like.
IMG_3118 by David Harrison, on Flickr
Thank you to everyone for the encouragement. It is much appreciated.
Yes, Kansas is flat compared to Nepal, but not as flat as you might think. One of the factors that makes Kansas appear flat is the lack of trees out on the plains. The word forest just isn't in the lexicon there. And where there are trees, you can bet a river or stream is nearby. When you're out in a field or pasture, your visibility is about 20 miles.
Half mile long grain elevator by Jim S, on Flickr
This is a picture of a grain elevator in Hutchinson, KS. This elevator is a half mile long and is one of if not the largest elevator in the world. There are several large elevators in Hutchinson, most are serviced by BNSF.
Theres a story. When I was a boyscout, we were returning back to my home town (not Hutchinson). There was a very large grain elevator just outside of town. I commented doubtfully that that elevator was the third largest in the world. My scoutmaster said, "what other countries even have grain elevators?" A fresh dose of perspective that was.
POST HOG!!!
Here is a diagram of basically how a grain elevator works.
How grain elevator works by Jim S, on Flickr
I'Ve never been inside of a grain elevator, but I've seen plenty of them
Gano Grain Elevator, Ardell, Kansas.
https://takemytrip.com/2016/08/gano-grain-elevator-ardell-kansas/
Lunch Time!
Just got done with another tier of decks and railings this morning just in time to run errands and leave for Wisconsin tomorrow.
Thanks for opening the Diner Jim but unfortunately I'm not in Kansas anymore...
I can share something with the Grain subject though.
Nordic Ware are the owners of the first prototype cement cylinder grain elevator experiment that was a success in St Louis Park, Minnesota.
And here's how it looked when it was built way back in the day. See the big prairie grain elevator lurking in the background?
Soon to be quite small and even obsolete. I remember looking at that cylinder out my grade school window around 1969 -70. And by no means is that like looking at a clock at a quarter to 12
I didn't know what I was looking at back then until learning about it many years later.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peavey%E2%80%93Haglin_Experimental_Concrete_Grain_Elevator
POST HOG!
Track Fiddler's Grain Elevator experiment sometime in 2019.
If you Google Grain Elevator Project, the whole crazy thread comes up on Model Railroader - Trains.com
I never did put any signage on it??? Maybe I've been waiting for Kevin to send me (SeeYou190 Grain Pool and Associate), so I can finish it I would certainly post a picture of that
For real Kevin. Just come up with some of your Fine Artistic Craftsmanship and lick a stamp so I can post it
The part of the model where the signage goes on is about 3 1/2". So the signage should be no bigger than 2 1/4" wide and I need two of them. Maybe an oval ellipse shape would be nice
Too bad I always just wanted to build one but have no room to put it on my N scale layout
It was fun to build though and that's the important thing
it's just sitting on a shelf now collecting dust but fun to look at occasionally when I walk by
hi Everyone,
TF: Thats a very nice looking grain elevator.
Bear: The Kansas Pacific tracks went right through the area I grew up in. It later became the Union Pacific Kansas Division.
Here is a thumbnail description about wheat. The first picture is wheat in April.
Wheat in early to mid April by Jim S, on Flickr
The next picture is wheat at around Memorial Day. It has a grain head but is still green and not ready to harvest.
Wheat not yet ready for harvest around Memorial Day by Jim S, on Flickr
Third picture, the grain is mature and ready for harvest. This would be in June depending where the field was. The grain matures going North, so wheat would be harvested in the south part of the state before the north part.
Wheat ready for harvest in June by Jim S, on Flickr
Finally we have harvest. This picture is of what we would call a custom cutting crew. You can tell because theres more than one combine. Combines are very expensive and it wouldn't make sense for a farmer to own more than one.
Custom cutting crew harvesting wheat by Jim S, on Flickr
The wheat is accumulated in the combine until full, then it is unloaded into a mobile grain bin pulled by a tractor to be loaded onto a truck, or loaded into a truck directly. Then off to the local elevator.
Track fiddler . . . it's just sitting on a shelf now collecting dust . . . TF
. . . it's just sitting on a shelf now collecting dust . . .
Good afternoon, diners. I've already had bacon and eggs for breakfast, so I need some lunch -- how about an omelet? It's a little early for happy hour.
It's nice to see pictures of my area of the country. Flat? Yes, it's flat out here. And very few trees.
There's not a whole lot of wheat grown around me. About 70 miles south of me, where the soil is more rocky, the wheat fields of Kansas begin. Around me, where the good soil is deep and water plentiful, corn is the main crop, along with some fields of soybeans.
I was driving the other day and this caught my eye. This was parked at a grain elevator about 10 miles west of me. I have no idea where it came from or if it is even used anymore. If it is used, I imagine it would be moving grain cars for the elevator on the BNSF line through here. The picture's not real clear -- I took it out the car window.
Hope everyone has a great day.
York1 John
I asked my doctor if I gave up delicious food and all alcohol, would I live longer? He said, "No, but it will seem longer."
Thank you kindly Jim and I thank you too John
York1 There's not a whole lot of wheat grown around me. About 70 miles south of me
There's not a whole lot of wheat grown around me. About 70 miles south of me
But the question is this John?
When was the last time you had your Wheaties with black coffee, instead of bacon and eggs, to support your local Grain Elevator? ...
Wheaties used to be my go-to breakfast .... in high school. That means it's been 55 years since I've had Wheaties.
With bacon and eggs, when you're eating the best breakfast ever, why change?
Wheaties. Still a great cereal. But now, ounce for ounce, one of the most expensive (not counting yuppie and designer varieties). And that in spite of their relative simplicity. How did this great breakfast injustice come to pass?
John (not York1)
Well, I try to eat healthy where I can!
But let's face it gentleman, There is no substitute for (Bacon) and nobody's taking that away from me.
For this reason is exactly why I eat healthy where I can, when I don't a lot of times in the morning
I figure, I have all day long to process the good stuff and keeps my organs in check so they have something to do
You know what they say, Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Might as well do that right
Good talking with you gentlemen but I need to go to Menards.
No offense to Home Depot guy but Judy sends in the 11% rebates faithfully and I have a $23 credit.
I need to get one of those metal straps with the holes in it and strap up my muffler with some bolts and fender washers.
The truck ain't loud yet but I noticed my muffler is sagging and I'm not going to do the old coat hanger trick that only lasts one winter.
I certainly wouldn't want to give Midas any of my hard-earned money
She's hanging on by a thread Kids, Tme to strap her up!
I'm in big trouble Buster!
Judy got off early and I'm almost at Menards and I don't have my chores done yet
And I need to pick her up!
Hey, she can't pull that one on me because she don't have her laundry done yet
Evening
She hasn't quite responded yet because she's doing our laundry
If you should go skating on the thin ice of Modern Life
Dragging beside you the silent reproach of a million tear stained eyes
Don't be surprised if a crack in the ice appears under your feet
You slip out of your depth and out of your mind, with your fears falling out behind you as you claw the thin ice
https://youtu.be/zLSCJmOIIJI
And that's why painters make a really good living
Mind you, These painters have no PF or TF either
Solitude with no distractions
Monthly check-in.
Still here. building goldenrod trees for the layout. harvested last fall, they are ripe for trees!
Daughter's new brain tumor seems to be responding to medication. That's good.
Wife works at Menard's now, stocking . Loves it, no pressure or stress. " I put S@&t on a shelf". Ha, ha!
Oldest grandson is in New Mexico Playing NAHL hockey for the Ice Wolves. Very proud Papa here.
Youngest grandson's All-Star base ball team took 2nd place in Minnesota a couple weeks ago at the State tourny. Proud, again!
Son and DIL are thinking about traveling again. They're in CA. Probably sell everything and buy a trailer!He decided that going after his Masters in Physics will take too long. At least there's a Sheldon Cooper in my family! Ha. Ha!!
I'm supposed to be retired, but have a very hard time saying "no". TF can empathize, I'm sure!! Right now I'm 8 weeks in to a new cabin for a friend of a friend. It's on a beautiful lake, and about 10 minutes from home. Again, TF can probably agree! Ha!!
That's it, I think!
Hope all continues to be well for my train buddies!
Terry
Terry in NW Wisconsin
Queenbogey715 is my Youtube channel
Track fiddlerI'm almost at Menards
I have absolutely no intention of ever going to a Menards.