Good evening,
Thinks are finally settling down after being home a few days. For those who are interested in our train trip, stay tuned. If not feel free to move on to the next post. I will try to make it brief.
We boarded the Capitol Limited at Harpers Ferry, WV on Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 5th and traveled to Chicago, arriving the next morning. We had a chance to explore the city a little and walk over to Lake Michigan, checking out the El on the way.
We then boarded the Empire Builder in the afternoon and traveled to Seattle, arriving there on the morning of Sept. 8th, Saturday. We spent three days visiting with my Nephew and wife and seeing the sights of Seattle, which included the Boeing plant in Everet and a nice view from the roof of the Bental Bank Building. Nephew is Asst. Bld. Eng.
We left Seattle on the Coast Starlight Tuesday Morning and arrived in LA at 10:30 PM on Wednesday evening, 1 1/2 hours late. This train is more commonly known as the Coast Starlate on the West coast. We were met at the station by Don and Kay Baker who were our gracious hosts and tour guides for the next several days.
Among the many things we did was a trip to San Diego to see the San Diego Model Railroad Museum. There we met up with Doug Wallace who gave us a guided tour of the facility. Great guy and a great tour. Of course the 3 rail layout is the best of the bunch but they also have N, 2 HO layouts and 2 rail O.
For those of you who don't know, that is Doug in the Middle.
From LA we Boarded the Southwest Chief on Sept. 17th and headed to Gallup, NM. There we rented a car and drove to Dove Creek, CO to visit our daughter and family.
Son in Law, on the left, is Pastor of the First Baptist Church there.
On Sept 24th we again boarded the Southwest Chief and headed to Chicago, arriving there next afternoon. Here we met up with the other Doug (Murphy).
He can be seen here hiding behind Jean and I.
We then boarded the Capitol Limited and headed for Pittsburg were we changed to the Pennsylvanian and finally arrived at the Elizabethtown Station in the early afternoon of the 26th. Both of us were very tired. We had spent 7 nights sleeping on Amtrak sleepers. We enjoy meeting the other passengers and the crew on these trips and hope to do it again when we have had a chance to rest up a bit.
Hope I didn't bore you all to much.
Good evening all,
IIABSDISEI with temps in the 70s. Spent four hours at the soccer fields today watching "my" soccer girls end a long season with a major 3-0 win. They would have scored more goals, but they spent most of the second half trying to get one senior to score (it didn't happen). The boys clinched a winning season with a 1-1 tie. One defensive miscue allowed the other team to score and we missed several close range chances to score a winner. Still, the weather was bright, sunny and not blazing hot. Lucas reffed two youth games and he and I mowed the yard for the first time in over two months and he, my wife and I picked up two trash cans of sticks that had accumulated over the summer. We have lost three evergreen trees to the drought this year, which is the down side to not having rain. The dining car had biscuits and bacon on it this morning from "Points East". I hope everyone has a good day.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
Dr. John wrote: fifedog wrote: Mornin' boys. Clear and 60's here in the Mid-Atlantic region today. Good sleeping weather;wish I could sleep in... Stopped over Michael's and purchased Mickey's barber shop, which will look nice on Baltimore Street in my town of Cumberland. May have to find some barber chair figures to place inside it's front window at YORK. Trying to track down a good stand in for the ol' EMBASSY Theatre. I need to get cranking on the layout!Michael's has some really nice Lemax buildings this year. Unfortunately, the one in Prattville has already sold out of the pharmacy building I wanted. I'll check K-Mart - they may have it. I like the barber shop, too!Beautiful weather today - clear and mild with low humidity and a steady breeze.
fifedog wrote: Mornin' boys. Clear and 60's here in the Mid-Atlantic region today. Good sleeping weather;wish I could sleep in... Stopped over Michael's and purchased Mickey's barber shop, which will look nice on Baltimore Street in my town of Cumberland. May have to find some barber chair figures to place inside it's front window at YORK. Trying to track down a good stand in for the ol' EMBASSY Theatre. I need to get cranking on the layout!
Mornin' boys. Clear and 60's here in the Mid-Atlantic region today. Good sleeping weather;wish I could sleep in... Stopped over Michael's and purchased Mickey's barber shop, which will look nice on Baltimore Street in my town of Cumberland. May have to find some barber chair figures to place inside it's front window at YORK. Trying to track down a good stand in for the ol' EMBASSY Theatre. I need to get cranking on the layout!
Michael's has some really nice Lemax buildings this year. Unfortunately, the one in Prattville has already sold out of the pharmacy building I wanted. I'll check K-Mart - they may have it. I like the barber shop, too!
Beautiful weather today - clear and mild with low humidity and a steady breeze.
Dr. John & Fife,
I managed to pick up the barber shop at Michael's about a month ago. Managed to move things around enough to find a home for it, but haven't gotten around to lighting it yet.
Since it rained on Thursday evening the weather here has been great, just like it is supposed to be in late September.
Take care,
Jon
So many roads, so little time.
John sounds like you had a great trip. Hope to do somethin like that myself someday but doubt it.
Not much happening just got home from work/grocery shopping .
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
Typing with 1 hand as Chewy is basically laying on the other one. Kids went to swim practice and I went out to mow this morning - 5 hours later I had it done. Kurt, I didn't borrow the rider because the grass was a little wet and I didn't want it to plummet down my "back yard" Hadn't mowed in 3 weeks as it was so dry and also was working on the windows and stuff. Well, that was a mistake! Had to mow and then go back over it again - sometimes 3 times. Usually only takes about 2.5 to 3 hours to mow, depending on whether I go down in the trees. Came in and cleaned up to go to friends house for a BBQ birthday party for their son. No beans, but plenty of burgers and hotdogs.
John Baker - I'll have to look those movies up. If they are on R2 dvd, I can get them from amazon.uk. I have a dvd player that plays any region (hacked it)! Need to get that dvd JohnS got, sounds great and the previews are terrific. Spent my allowance this week on old comicbooks though Guess you put Fifedog straight on the nature of Ealing Studios productions! They also produced two other really great comedies in my estimationg: The Maggie and Whiskey Galore! (aka Tight Little Island).
Sorry I missed that post before, Lisa - hope you are doing better! Prayers for you, Chief's sister and mom, Colin, Kurt's family, and all who need them!
Chief, don't know if you guys noticed in the dark, but my neighbor accross the street has a flagpole out front. Well, when he first moved in, one of the flags he flew was a confederate flag to honor his ancestors. He rotated flags about once a week. Some folks showed up and basically threatened to make a big deal and demonstrate in his yard etc, so he stopped flying it. He still occasionally flies another flag you might recognize though - a "bonny blue flag that bears a single star". Luckily, some folks are ignorant of actual history.
PS - tonight I'll leave out some cookies, pretzels, and a few bottles of locally bottled beverages for you guys. I'll leave one bottle out warm for English! Laz, I think there is a Plank Road product in there too!!!
RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.
What a fine trip, John. You really got to see a lot of the country. It sure was a pleasure to meet you and Jean. Had a good day today at the Johnny Appleseed fest - spent too much on nothing as one does at these things. Then the middle boy and I went over to help empty the basement of a family friend who is moving. After a delicious meal of stuffed ravioli with a homemade pumpkin sauce, I'm babysitting the daughter and boyfriend while they watch a movie for another hour or so... I have to go check out Michaels for the Lemax stuff. Similar looking items are now in Lowes...Jim F, I always learn alot about movies at http://imd.com
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
Brutus wrote: Chief, don't know if you guys noticed in the dark, but my neighbor accross the street has a flagpole out front. Well, when he first moved in, one of the flags he flew was a confederate flag to honor his ancestors. He rotated flags about once a week. Some folks showed up and basically threatened to make a big deal and demonstrate in his yard etc, so he stopped flying it. He still occasionally flies another flag you might recognize though - a "bonny blue flag that bears a single star". Luckily, some folks are ignorant of actual history.
Tell your neighbor I will show up with arsenal to protect his right to fly that flag. I am a great shot, ask the beavers.
Good night all.
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
ChiefEagles wrote: Brutus wrote: Chief, don't know if you guys noticed in the dark, but my neighbor accross the street has a flagpole out front. Well, when he first moved in, one of the flags he flew was a confederate flag to honor his ancestors. He rotated flags about once a week. Some folks showed up and basically threatened to make a big deal and demonstrate in his yard etc, so he stopped flying it. He still occasionally flies another flag you might recognize though - a "bonny blue flag that bears a single star". Luckily, some folks are ignorant of actual history.Tell your neighbor I will show up with arsenal to protect his right to fly that flag. I am a great shot, ask the beavers. Good night all.
Geez, the door is W I D E open on that last comment. I'll be good, but SOMEONE had better take advantage of the shot comment.......
Had a great day at the LHS. Daughter has been contracted to to the sky scenes just biding my time until I can get the Polar Express......!
Lisa get better soon
John F Nice story & pics! Never boring when you guys hit the road. I'd like to do the train to Central Jersey when I have a few extra days..
later
Rich
I am the monster in your head...And I thought you'd learn by now, It seems you haven't yet.I am the venom in your skin --- Breaking Benjamin
Chief, neighbor is retired military and then retired police - I think he just decided to be sly and ironic instead!
You know, Rich, the shortest distance between two puns is a Straight Line!
Doug Murphy, thanks! IMDB is a great site! I also found the St Trinians movie on ebay supposedly on R1, but R2 (UK) has a 4 movie set of St Trinians movies for about $26 USD, which would actually be less since we don't have to pay their VAT or other taxes - they deduct when they put the charge through. Of course, that's a loss due to the shipping. It's not shipped free outside the UK. This is just a wishlist right now, need to wait for next payday/allowance...
Blueberryhill RR wrote: News flash...........Bear rescued from under bridge. He was hanging from concrete supports. I guess he was out of work. Lake Tahoe area.Naked man holds up store in PA. Hmmmmmm..........LAZ ??
News flash...........
Bear rescued from under bridge. He was hanging from concrete supports. I guess he was out of work. Lake Tahoe area.
Naked man holds up store in PA. Hmmmmmm..........LAZ ??
CHUCK couldn't have been me I was running trains. Was it a beer store? Then it might of?
laz57
JOHN, sounds like a wonderful trip.
Well now that the cat's out of the bag, We were very pleased to have John and his lovely wife, Jean, spend some of their vacation with us. They are truly great people! And, do the hobby and the Northern states proud.
We had a great time, during their visit unfortunately, did not get a lot of layout time in, but were extremely busy. We did however, get down to see our train club in San Pedro. Also, took them by the LA & LB harbor areas with all the container activity.
Again, I want to thank Doug (notagrump) for making a "special" trip down to the museum for our tour.
Really some great people around here !!!
Don
Yeah!
If I'd have been born in the Lone Star State? I too would be proud of it. Strange! As I read the Chiefs post JCs Alomo was playing on the radio.
I come from Gods Wonderful County (Yorkshire) and I wear the Rose on August 1st.
We can't fly a flag of any kind without first applying for planning permission (never granted) to put up a pole. Should the impossible happen and I get said permit I would not be allowed to fly the British flag for fear of offending the immigrants.
John Baker
Morning!
antjdevil2: I bet the beavers say that to everyone! Ya, you're a wonderful shot...yaaa....
John: Great photos...thanks for the play-by-play. How about some train photos? I've always wonted to spend the night on a train...maybe when the kids get older. Bride isn't patient enough to take the train...she just wants to get there.
Ran 2338 yesterday! 3-milk cars a few MPC box cars a modern 6464 boxcar, and a PW caboose. Jimijo...I guess I'm sold on the magnatraction too...2025 wouldn't pull that much.
That's the first time I opened the modern 6464 boxcar w/ sprung trucks, I've had for a month or 2. It's a new favorite. Nice weight, and runs really nice. Still like my PW's.
Kurt
Good Morning from Blueberryhill....
Itis a cool, sunny 46 degrees. Going up to a sunny 82, today. Nice weather.
Today, is a relaxing day. Have a few chores to do and then taking it easy. There is a Nascar race today. Not many left. One more regular season baseball game for the Indians. Then , to the playoffs.
John ( jefelectric ).....That was a great train vacation. Thanks for sharing. Nice pictures.
Looking forward to SPF.
Dining Car is pulling in. There is the boarding call. Breakfast.
Y'all have a great Sunday.
Chuck
kpolak wrote: ...Ran 2338 yesterday! 3-milk cars a few MPC box cars a modern 6464 boxcar, and a PW caboose. Jimijo...I guess I'm sold on the magnatraction too...2025 wouldn't pull that much...Kurt
...Ran 2338 yesterday! 3-milk cars a few MPC box cars a modern 6464 boxcar, and a PW caboose. Jimijo...I guess I'm sold on the magnatraction too...2025 wouldn't pull that much...Kurt
Not sure I understand what you're trying to say. I have a 1947 2025 (no Magnatraction) and it will pull 14 cars with no problem.
Only the Chief would shoot a beaver instead of eat one!
How's Lisa doing?
Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale
Hey Lisa hope your up and about. Sorry to hear of your hurtin.
Morning all getting ready for work.
Talk to you all later
Mornin' boys. Lovely day to be trackside here in the Mid-Atlantic region. But that's not going to happen since Mrs. fifedog woke up with sore throat. Put the kabosh to my plans... Oh well, come on October 19th!
Dr John - I picked up the barber shop because I have the pharmacy. These are two of the nicest ceramic buildings I've ever seen. Perhaps your local Michael's could ship one in for you. If not, email me....
Blueberry - Looks like your boy is going to be minus a few points and lighter in the pocket for being a potty mouth this weekend...speaking of
Jumijo - hope they don't chain & lock the COFFEE POT doors.
jefelectric - I've always wanted to take that cross-country AMTRAK trip. Would you be willing to give us some PROS/CONS about the service/travel for each segment (food/comfort/on-time reliability,etc...)?
Good Morning Eveyone !! I couldn't sleep last night, except for 2 hours & got back up . I don't think I care for this shift at all now. Too hard to get changed around on weekends .
Well I sure hope Lisa is getting better too.
Great pictures & a great trip you had John F. !! That was nice to see you & your wife with Doug & then you with Don & Doug out West !! (The wild west !!)
Hope everyone has a nice Sunday today !!
Thanks, John
csxt30 wrote: Great pictures & a great trip you had John F. !! That was nice to see you & your wife with Doug & then you with Don & Doug out West !! (The wild west !!)
They were trying to build up their character by hanging out with Dougsnotagrump. Doubt it helped.
"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks
Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC) - Detroit3railers- Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS
Happy Sunday afternoon all!
Went to opening day of the State Fair of Texas yesterday. Beautiful day, but ragweed was killing me. Another nice day here today. Might get some rain.
John F - nice post of your trip. Sounds like fun.
Jim F - I have to be in Kansas City Kansas the week of Oct 8th for meetings. They last all day each day and into the evenings sometime. I believe you are on the MO side?
Tired from yesterday - gonna spend some time on the sofa watching the Cowboys and seom NASCAR.
BTW - Chief - that beaver comment was indeed dangerous....
Have a great day all!
Regards, Roy
fifedog wrote: Jumijo - hope they don't chain & lock the COFFEE POT doors.
Wouldn't bother me in the least.
ChiefEagles wrote:I am a great shot, ask the beavers.
I am a great shot, ask the beavers.
A quick one too, from what I've heard.
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