Good Morning Diners. Chloe, black coffee and one of those giant cinnamon rolls please.
I was always at awe of RR Mel's work with custom figures, passenger car interiors, and vehicle lighting. I hope at least some of his work ends up salvaged as too often works of art like his are doomed for the dumpster.
Long day at work yesterday, and another long day coming today. It's been a crazy hectic week, but one positive is that it is somehow Friday today. Feels like it should be Wednseday. Maybe Tuesday. My week has gone that quickly.
Loving the winter railroad scenes so far. I've often thought about modeling winter on a layout, but never pulled the trigger. My current plan is for a someday layout to have a stretch between the main layout and staging set up in a sort of shadowbox arrangement to keep it separate and have that one scene be a small town in winter. Hopefully it happens for me.
Cheers everyone!
Whoa, top of the page! Nothing better on a cold winter day than a nice mug of hot chocolate. Help yourselves.
Mike
Good morning
Got our seven inches a few days ago. A 38° tropical heat wave today, then a below zero flash freeze tonight with 40 to 50 mph winds. Oh, and some possible freezing rain along with the drifting snow to get it extra crispy too! All our Winter goodness coming down from our Canadian Friends eh... Hot chocolate season indeed.
Enjoying the snow pics here.
Stay warm gentleman
TF
Snow! You want snow a the theme for December.
If you follow this film for its four hours you'll like the tunnel sections for a breather.
Al to Bergen Freight Depot.
On the way it passes Myrdal a favourite place of mine, especially in Winter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6Y-1X5EdL0&ab_channel=RailCowGirl
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
hon30critterDo you honestly think that I was planning on bringing a 7' live tree into the house?!? Give me a little credit for having at least some brain power please!
No intelligence insult intended. And no, I didn't expect that you would bring a gargantuan tree in. I was only trying to point out that the root ball on even a small size live tree probably weighs much more than one would expect.
I know that I would not want to move one around.
maxmanNo intelligence insult intended. And no, I didn't expect that you would bring a gargantuan tree in.
Hi maxman,
I apologise for overreacting. In any case, we have decided to stick with the small artificial tree. Even getting that and the decorations out of the crawl space killed Dianne's back.
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Trains in snow:
Looks like this one is about to disappear!
This one's not going any further for a while!
This one too!
Deep snow!
I wonder if this one is still on the rails!
Here is some flying snow!
These views are somewhat more tranquil:
More to follow soon.
hon30critterI wonder if this one is still on the rails!
Fortunately, it was:
Could have been another Donner party episode
Hey, Dave! How about another snow plow project? This one's got more flappers, slingers, choppers and shooters than a Swiss Army knife!
Cheers, Ed
Thanks Ed!
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
May just roll back over after realizing its a bit early for a Saturday.
Picking up my youngest Daughter and going to my other Daughter's new house around noon. It's nice that they both only live about 20 minutes away from me now. We're going to make some homemade pizza to chow down and play a few board games. It will be good to spend some quality time today.
I've been enjoying the snow train photos and like those old Winter railroad posters Bear.
Enjoy your Saturday gentleman
Good morning Diners. A large coffee on the go please, Brunhilda.
A busy day today with family visiting.
Russian Trains in the Snow.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVdGn8GUJdc&ab_channel=hdvideoridha
Snowy Day in Japan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anzoiNQCm3k&ab_channel=hdvideoridha
Snow Plow At Work - Model Form
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JN2eVscqiE&ab_channel=WildWillie12065
I'm old enough that I could have ridden one of those snow trains to go skiing. But, when I looked at the schedules, I realized they weren't particularly conducive to getting any skiing done. This was the one to Sunday River in Maine. You'd get there about mid-day on Sarurday and have to be back on board early Sunday afternoon. They only ran on weekends, so unless you were spending a week it just didn't work.
After they stopped the service, they did park a dining car at the stub end station in Bethel. It operated for a couple of years as the Iron Horse restaurant. I went there once with an old college friend. Good food, but very pricey. I remember I had wild boar. It's tough to operate a nice restaurant in such a seasonable area, I guess.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Good Afternoon All. Not much to report on this end as we're in the shop doing some tidying up. We will get a cut tree again this year as we will have what kids are available over Christmas (youngest lives in Long Beach, Ca now and no trip east this year). We are still getting rain when we get anything though we did have a brief snow shower (1" total) about a month ago that vanished the next day. The pic is from a trip a few Novembers ago to the southwest that included a trip to the Grand Canyon Railroad. That was memorable though the winds that time of year seem to cut right through you. Hope you all are enjoying the day.
Ciao, J.R.
MisterBeasleyI'm old enough that I could have ridden one of those snow trains to go skiing.
My dad's brother-in-law, Stanley Mackenzie, was a B&M agent and took these photos of possibly one of the only streamlined snow trains operating in the country at the time:
Flying-Yankee at Warren, NH by Edmund, on Flickr
This is at Warren, New Hampshire.
Flying Yankee by Edmund, on Flickr
I had posted the photo of the young lady at the pilot of the Flying Yankee over at the Classic Trains forum and was chastised by another poster for "promoting unsafe railroad practice" so I took the photo down.
Come to think of it, I guess he's right — where's her hi-visibility vest? Then he went on to expound on his knoweledge of "three-step" protection, etc. Some people sure know how to throw a wet blanket on the party.
The Flying Yankee by Doug Lilly, on Flickr
Howdy!!!
gmpullmanThen he went on to expound on his knoweledge of "three-step" protection, etc.
I am certified as a Brakeman out at the musem (I usually work as a "trainman"/ Car Host) and I have asked for three step, I think, only 3 times in the 15 years I have been a crew member. Only once when we were actually running passengers in some of our cabooses.
A lady with an infant baby was detraining at the North end to go to the other museum when she dropped a knitted booty that was on the baby. She hopped off the caboose (not the safest thing to do) and was going to crawl between the cars to retrieve the booty. I managed to get in front of her and said NO! She got very angry and upset that I wouldn't let her crawl between the cars. Once I got her setted down and told her I would retrieve it, I went to the radio and and said, "Ray Howard to engineer (sos & so), I need Three Step Protection." He said , "You have three step", I thanked him and was about to retrieve the booty. The conductor (who was a young kid), by that time had run down to where I was and he went between the cars and got the booty! Wrong!!! He did not have 3 step! He was violating federal rules by going between the car without permission....
The lady was given the booty and went on her way. Then the conductor again violated Federal rules and released 3-step. Nope!!! Only the person that askes for Three Step can release it. I nicely reminded him of that! He turned the brightest shade of Red! The rules, it is said are written in peoples blood! That is why you follow them to the letter. I get really scared when I see vounteers (who are all trained and certified, BW) not abide exactly with the rules!!!
OK, sorry! I'll shut up!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
howmus I get really scared when I see vounteers (who are all trained and certified, BW) not abide exactly with the rules!!!
I hope you didn't read my reply incorrectly. I'm in no way belittling safety precautions. What I found amusing was that someone would apply 2002 FRA procedures to a photo that was taken in 1936.
NYC_deaths_1930 by Edmund, on Flickr
I recall this event when the conductor, Leslie Cacy, was the wife of the engineer:
https://www.kktv.com/content/news/Woman-falls-off-Royal-Gorge-scenic-train-and-dies-381226471.html
I can't imagine...
Regards, Ed
gmpullmanI hope you didn't read my reply incorrectly. What I found amusing was that someone would apply 2002 FRA procedures to a photo that was taken in 1936.
NOT AT ALL!!! I am sure the photo was taken safely and not a problem. Didn't mean any harm!!! It just reminded me of the incident out at the museum. I would assume the Train was under full brake (Likely Hand Brakes) if the prime mover was even up and running! Thank God that safety has become The prime concern for all people working around trains and railroads. A lot of us have read about the things that have happened back then. Yes! What was commonplace back when the photo was taken would have to be carefully staged today if allowed at all. (You don't want to deal with the RR Police!!!) LOL
Sorry!
Good evening from the chilly West Coast.
It is my son's 24th Birthday today, so I drove into town and we went for breakfast at The Flying Beaver. It is a great restaurant at the seaplane base at Vancouver Airport which is on the Fraser River. Great food and constant take-offs and landings. I spent a lot of time there when I was working and it is still a favourite haunt.
Came home and went for a 10.08km scoot with my Bud, it was brutal. It was solid ice most of the way. It took 2 1/2 hours which is slow for me but I burned a 1000 calories which is way more than I normally would for 10km. I have several sets of spikes but did not take them with me (idiot)
When I worked at the airport I was the safety Attila the Hun. Working in and around aircraft especially if the engines were running I gave no quarter. If you were caught not setting your parking brake in whatever vehicle you were driving, the first offense was a three-day suspension, second, a two-week suspension and the third was dismissal. I saw a few know-it-alls lose a very-very good paying job just because they did not apply the parking brake in their vehicle. A long list of other moron moves saw others fired as well. A guy I knew at one of the airlines was killed because the truck driver did not chock his wheels. Not chocking your wheels also had you looking for a new job.
Wife is still awayCanucks are on tonight, the bar is stocked, I have a nice big rib-steak waiting for me and I have a 3000-calorie credit on the day so it is pig-out time.
Our icy 10km trek wore out the dog as well and he was passed out on my lap snoring like a banshee.
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."
More news from Ulrich.
He has found a very nice apartment in southern Germany. They are awaiting the landlord's signature on the lease as we speak, but if all goes well they should be able to move in by March.
The apartment is in a very nice older buiding which has been fully restored and brought up to modern standards. It is in a very nice neighbourhood which will be a huge improvement over where they have lived for years. I don't know if you recall, but they have suffered through a home invasion and being robbed at gunpoint in their current location in Hamburg.
FYI, he still follows the forums so if you want to address him directly just make a post.
I am glad that he and Petra's future is looking brighter.
Track fiddlerAll our Winter goodness coming down from our Canadian Friends eh
Hi TF,
You're welcome!
Don't forget to tell your agent you want to travel in Pullman safety and luxury:
Pullman_Winter by Edmund, on Flickr
Good to hear Ulrich and Petra may finally be able to feel some safety and serenity in their new residence.
Good afternoon Diners. A large cffee please, Janie.
I read that a number of Diners have not been well. Hopefully their health has improved.
Good to hear news about Ulrich. Thanks Dave.
Snow on a Garden Railway.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr9nYjectTQ&ab_channel=NGB
Back later.
I am back.
Austria.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GnLGekGZkU&ab_channel=doc7austin%E2%80%99sDreamlinerCentral
Villach. When I was a boy I was told lovely stories of Villach, Austria.
A short film of a snowy Villach.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UIhuwJVIlI&ab_channel=shesdebora
Lienz - Villach - Vienna
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF9a8NJVvTg&ab_channel=doc7austin%E2%80%99sDreamlinerCentral
Had a good time with my Daughters yesterday. None of us had seen the fourth Jurassic Park, World Dominion, so we watched it after playing board games. The Colossal Raptors never did much for me but always been a big fan of Ol' T-Rex.
They added Gigabotsaurus and Therizinosaurus, whom we called Mittens Those two scary monsters were fun to watch but in the end, T-Rex always wins the dinosaur fight Of course, none of the three sequels were as good as the original movie.
Seasons Greetings Ulrich and Petra. Glad to hear you were able to find a new residence in a good area and wish you both the best
FlickrTF, Lacrosse photo
Betcha Chester and Clara Condon had dinner off that menu on that train.
My oldest Daughter has a new designated craft table. I'm packing up my piers and paint to go back over for a craft day
Make it a good Sunday gentleman
Good Morning,
A snowy, blustery day here so far. I have postponed a grocery run until tomorrow. It will be clear then but quite cold.
Enjoying the winter photos being posted. Mind you I don't have to look far for a winter scene.
My wife had a bad week so hope things improve. She really struggles with Christmas, it has become a time of loss remembered, not joy. No family support at all, what little we have.
On that cheery note, think I will have another coffee.
CN Charlie
Good morning, it is -5 and sunny.
Wife comes home tomorrow so I better run the vacuum and spruce up the joint. But first another cuppa.
Last week I got a call from the credit card company that my card had been compromised. I had made a hop over the border to purchase something at a multi-national chain. I was down and back in 20 minutes. The scumbags tried to rack up $30,000.00 in charges on my card, so the bank fraud squad asked me to come to the bank for a meeting twice in one day. At the second meeting, the RCMP fraud dept was also there and I spent a couple of hours working with them and they figured out the U.S. retailers' computers had been hacked. In the end, the FBI got'em. Today I got another call thanking me for all my help.
After yesterday's Ice-Capades I don't know if I will head out with the fleabags today or not. If I do I'll have my spikes on for sure.
Great photos everyone.
Not sure what to think about this one. Once upon a time.....
Hi Brent,
I'm glad you were able to help apprehend the bad guys. Way to go!
That poster is a little scary.
I imagine those crooks will think twice before the try to rip off Batman!
Austria
Langen am Arlberg
A memorable holiday Summer 1976
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEutoFpbqtQ&ab_channel=myamazingworld