Elliotts Trackside Diner III

[Hoople]

Hmm? What's this? I see Jim's card in Rob's pocket.

Vinnie!

Mark

[Cederstrand]

and put it on Jim's card...er...I mean....uh... Seriously Jim, Mark just handed it to me!

***Ed, hope that a/c has been fixed by now so you can get back to your layout.

Rained hard here all day and into the night. Wind is howling like banshees. Can't wait to check the big pond in the morning to see how much rain & run-off it caught.

Good night all.  Rob

[wetidlerjr]

Good Morning from Tipton IN !

[GMTRacing]

Good Morning from not so sunny West Palm Beach, Fla.,

      Good flight down yesterday, got the truck parked, tents up and we go out this morning to set upand run. Haven't checked weather yet, but it rained on and off from the time we landed. I see we were forced to vacate again, I guess it's a good thing we left the trucks on the diner and the diner on a siding, no? I'll try to catch up posts when I return home to see what the story was this time. In the mean time I,ll have a coffee and donut to go and I'll try to log in later. Hope everyone is ok.   Cheers,  J.R.

[pcarrell]

Morning all!

That "big'' stor turmed out to be nothing much.  Maybe an inch of snow and a light icing on top.  No big deal.

I do know about the great chilli cook off Pcarrell as I was one of the one's who congratulated you on winning. still like the hat but didn't try the chilli

Ooops!  My bad!  I thought you came along after that!  Now that you mention it......I do remember.  Man, it's tough getting older.  Forget things all the time!

PC - Good work by your son on the pizza sales.  I didn't realize from your earlier posts that you had to make them too.  Where are you making them and do you have access to regular pizza ovens?

We're just putting them together, not baking them.  We're taking over the gym where they usually practice and putting them together, then bagging them up and delivring them.

[JimRCGMO]

Good Morning, Zoe - how about a glass of Ed's OJ,

 

cup of coffee,

 

and some scrambled eggs and bacon from that gorgeous buffet that Bill T. laid out!

 

Thanks, and I see (now that my card has been returned - thanks, Vinnie!) that Mark has the tab for breakfast, eh? Ah, justice is sweet...

Some snow last night, I can see by a look outside at my car. I'll check out the ice when I go outside. Saw a video clip last night on TV from the St. Louis area (about 2-1/2 hours north of us on a good day), with some less-than-intelligent driver on one of the major thoroughfares who was going too fast - did about a 270 degree turn as he/she's going down the road.

Better get going - haven't heard yet if the office will be open today, and I may need a good breakfast before I head in. Everyone take care and enjoy the start of the weekend!

Oh yeah, and it's payday again!

 

Blessings on your Friday and weekend,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

[Cederstrand]

 in a SOUTHERN mug and a plate of cinnamon rolls, please & thank you.

It's a soggy, muddy mess here, which still beats a drought anyday. It sure is nice having the 6x6 Ranger up and running again. Carrying square bales into a pasture with excited horses when the mud is trying to suck your boots off has it's downside.

Wife is teaching some kind of advanced CPR class to other nurses this morning, then later works her regular 12 hour shift.

Have a great day all. Rob

[saronaterry]

I'll have the buffet on Hoople,thank you very much!

JIM: Yup, it's the red wood one with the supply building, which will be my next stab at scratchbuilding.The one I sb'd I tried to make look like metal, though.I didn't do anything special on the walthers kit, followed the directions and built it stock. Pretty straight-forward.

Daughter, grandson and son  are coming up from the Twin Cities today for the weekend.We haven't seen the son since he moved to Maui a year and a half ago.Gotta get the gremlins purged before the little one shows up, he is addicted to Papa's trains(assimilation is complete....bwahahaha)Now if we can just convert him to a Packers fan instead of those dreaded Viqueens.

PC: saw your post on latex for track, I am going to give that rope caulk a try!Looks easy and cheap! Thanks for the heads up!!

That's all folks!

Terry

[JPowell]

Terry / Lee / Ed / Flip, et al -

  Thanks for the well wishes. There's still plenty of time left before I have to go (last week of May or 1^st week of June), so let's save the good-byes until then, ok? Good!

JimCG - Do you have a Slow Cooker (aka Crockpot)? If so, there are a lot of recipes in their cookbooks (Fix it and Forget It) for some great dishes and they have all kinds of variations of each in it. I really should use mine more often than I do. There's also a good cookbook out by the AHA (American Heart Association) that has some good dishes as well. I myself, like going to Barnes and Noble as well as Border's to look for new cookbooks. Never know what you'll find in those 2 stores in the ‘clearance' section.

JimCG wrote:

Saw a video clip last night on TV from the St. Louis area (about 2-1/2 hours north of us on a good day), with some less-than-intelligent driver on one of the major thoroughfares who was going too fast - did about a 270 degree turn as he/she's going down the road.

I saw that same video on The Weather Channel almost a hour ago - what a idiot!

Ok all -

  It's time for me to get going. Need to go to my parents and let the dog out. Then stop at the grocery store for some food so we don't starve this weekend. Enjoy the weekend, if I don't get back in.

Take care!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning.

Currently it's 50 degrees and very wet here. We had a lot of rain and hail overnight as well as being under a tornado watch. The fire dept was on ready alert. Expecting a high of 68.

Today's Weather for:      
Sundown, LA  71446-6114      2/22/2008

Wind Chill:  48°F
Humidity:  93%
Dew Point:  49°F

So Far Today
High:  66°F
Low:  51°F
Rain:  0.00"
Rain Rate:  0.00"/h
Gust:  21mph NNW

Today    High: 68    Becoming partly sunny. Patchy fog in the morning. Highs in the upper 60s. Light and variable winds becoming north around 10 mph in the afternoon.    

Tonight      Low: 45    Decreasing clouds. Colder. Lows in the mid 40s. Light and variable winds.

[Cox 47]

Good Morning all....We are under a winter Storm Watch here today...Most of the area schools are closed and a lot of other things to..I talked to Sallie's Driver he said there was lots of cars and trucks off the road on Interstate 70....

I'll have Bill's Breakfast Brunch and coffee Please...Thank You..

You all have a good one...Jerry

[LSWrr]

Good morning all,

25F with 5" of snow and still snowing here. 

lee

[last mountain & eastern hogger]

ATTENTION   --   ATTENTION;

AL GORE & DAVID SUZUKI..............................TAKE NOTE............

SO MUCH FOR GLOBAL WARMING.

YOU GUYS HAVE TO BE KIDDING.

THE COLDEST FEBRUARY IN WHO KNOWS HOW LONG.

Good Morning Gang,

It is actually a beautiful "WINTER" morning here.  No wind, lots of hoar frost covering everything,  makes it look like a Christmas Card.  Haven't had snow for about four days now and the temp. is starting to moderate some.  So, all in all,  I am not really complaining.  Well in just the past few minutes the wind has got up some. ----------So don't call me a liar.

Chloe, I'll have a cinnimon bagel and a tall OJ, if Ed's shipment has arrived.

Back at work today after four days off, boy did they ever go fast.  But did accomplish quite a bit.

Hope the waether moderates for all of you. I'll check back later.    Sure haven't heard much from Blue Hills or CN Charlie,  they must have got together with some of that Winterpeg home brew and have passed out for awhile.

Blessing and prayers for all in need.

Johnboy out.....................................

The "Wobbly" will wobble later.

[inch53]

 

 I'm gone for a short spell n ya'll up n change the address on me, at least the girls are still around.  I'll have a cheese burger, loaded, onion rings, and a coffee ta go please Zoe.

 Daddy's Rules for Dating;

Rule One:
If you pull into my driveway and honk you'd better be delivering a package, because you're sure not picking anything up.

Rule Two:
You do not touch my daughter in front of me. You may glance at her, so long as you do not peer at anything below her neck. If you cannot keep your eyes or hands off of my daughter's body, I will remove them..

Rule Three:
I am aware that it is considered fashionable for boys of your age to wear their trousers so loosely that they appear to be falling off their hips. Please don't take this as an insult, but you and all of your friends are complete idiots. Still, I want to be fair and open minded about this issue, so I propose this compromise: You may come to the door with your underwear showing and your pants ten sizes too big, and I will not object. However, in order to ensure that your clothes do not, in fact come off during the course of your date with my daughter, I will take my electric nail gun and fasten your trousers securely in place to your waist.

Rule Four:
I'm sure you've been told that in today's world, sex without utilizing a 'Barrier method' of some kind can kill you. Let me elaborate, when it comes to sex, I am the barrier, and I will kill you.

Rule Five:
It is usually understood that in order for us to get to know each other, we should talk about sports, politics, and other issues of the day. Please do not do this. The only information I require from you is an indication of when you expect to have my daughter safely back at my house, and the only word I need from you on this subject is: 'early.'

Rule Six:
I have no doubt you are a popular fellow, with many opportunities to date other girls. This is fine with me as long as it is okay with my daughter. Otherwise, once you have gone out with my little girl, you will continue to date no one but her until she is finished with you. If you make her cry, I will make you cry.

Rule Seven:
As you stand in my front hallway, waiting for my daughter to appear, and more than an hour goes by, do not sigh and fidget. If you want to be on time for the movie, you should not be dating. My daughter is putting on her makeup, a process than can take longer than painting the Golden Gate Bridge. Instead of just standing there, why don't you do something useful, like changing the oil in my car?

Rule Eight:
The following places are not appropriate for a date with my daughter: Places where there are beds, sofas, or anything softer than a wooden stool. Places where there is darkness. Places where there is dancing, holding hands, or happiness. Places where the ambient temperature is warm enough to induce my daughter to wear shorts, tank tops, midriff T-shirts, or anything other than overalls, a sweater, and a goose down parka - zipped up to her throat. Movies with a strong romantic or sexual theme are to be avoided; movies which feature chain saws are okay. Hockey games are okay. Old folks homes are better.

Rule Nine:
Do not lie to me. I may appear to be a potbellied, balding, middle-aged, dimwitted has-been. But on issues relating to my daughter, I am the all-knowing, merciless god of your universe. If I ask you where you are going and with whom, you have one chance to tell me the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I have a shotgun, a shovel, and five acres behind the house. Do not trifle with me. 

Rule Ten:
Be afraid. Be very afraid. It takes very little for me to mistake the sound of your car in the driveway for a chopper coming in over a rice paddy near Hanoi. When my Agent Orange starts acting up, the voices in my head frequently tell me to clean the guns as I wait for you to bring my daughter home. As soon as you pull into the driveway you should exit the car with both hands in plain sight. Speak the perimeter password, announce in a clear voice that you have brought my daughter home safely and early, then return to your car - there is no need for you to come inside. The camouflaged face at the window is mine.

[SilverSpike]

Afternoon fellers!

Happy Friday!

We got rain, we got rain, well a few inches at least!

It's been a busy morning around here with a web publishing deadline to meet.

Then I meet my honey for lunch today, had a Grilled Shrimp Caesar Salad.

Glad so many people enjoyed the BEEF yesterday! Can you say mooo....

JP not sure either what restaurant as just about 90% of them serves gumbo in New Orleans. BTW I love slow cookers too, I got a few really good ones that work great for when I'm spending a day in the train room.

Since PC and Son Pizzeria is providing lunch tomorrow I think I'll take a break.....

Hey PC has big fun lined up for tomorrow, and that should be an exciting day too! You might have to pay Vinnie in pizza pies for the credit card security too...I hear he downs em like Wimpy Burgers...

Jim the cookbook that I recommend to those interested in learning some basics of home cooking is "The Joy of Cooking" by Irma S. Rombauer and Marion Rombauer Becker and Ethan Becker, it has some of the best and time tested recipes for just about any home cooked recipe and some restaurant dishes too. The book celebrated its 75^th year in 2006. Here is a link http://www.simonsays.com/content/index.cfm?sid=43

Mike LOL "Daddy's Rules for Dating" is a classic; it has been copied, pasted and SAVED!

And at John Boy's request here is today's menu from the WP California Zephyr

 

Menu text as found on the California Zephyr Dinner ~ Full dinner menu - circa 1961

"As you travel over this bountiful land of ours, may you be ever reminded of the grace Almighty God has bestowed upon us. Let us acknowledge our debt to Him with prayers of thanksgiving"

Select Dinners

To Insure Prompt Service, Please Write Each Item on Meal Check. Waiters are not permitted to take Oral Orders.

"Table Flowers are Colorado Carnations"

Following Items Will Be Served with Meals Listed Below at Additional Prices Shown

Orange and Grapefruit Cocktail Grenadine, 65

Fresh Shrimp Cocktail, 90

Assorted Relish, 45

(Price Opposite Each Entrée Includes Soup, Vegetable, Potatoes, Dessert and Beverage)

Spring Vegetable Soup                               Consommé a la Printaniere

Swordfish Steak Baked Sicilian Style..........  3.45

Crown Rib Roast of Spring Lamb with Mint Jelly..........    4.10

Field Spring Chicken a la Maryland..........  3.45

Prime Rib of Beef au Naturel..........  4.25

Broiled Sirloin Club Steak (9 oz.) with Button Mushrooms..........  3.90

New Potatoes Persillade                            Demi French Fried Potatoes

Baby Lima Beans Bonne Femme                          Fresh Asparagus with Drawn Butter

Spring Salad Bowl with Choice of Dressing (Served with these meals 25c additional)

Old Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake with Whipped Cream

Maple Nut Sundae with Wafers                Freshly Baked Rhubarb Pie

Pear Cardinal                       Chilled Grapefruit

Hot Rolls                    French Rolls

Coffee    Tea    Milk    Hot Chocolate    Decaffeinated Coffee

[JPowell]

Afternoon all -

  Just a quick stop in before I get back to cleaning the filing cabinet...

Ryan -  It was The Gumbo Shop where I went to for the Gumbo.

From the appetizer menu, I had 

CHICKEN ANDOUILLE GUMBO (CUP)    4.99 Boneless chicken, Andouille (a Cajun Sausage) and seasoning simmered in chicken stock. Selected by locals as the best Gumbo in the city! 

For my entree, I had....

COMBINATION PLATTER 11.99

Large platter containing Shrimp Creole, Jambalaya and Red Beans

 

 

 

And let me tell you... man o man... was that some gooooooood food!

Wow... look at that. They even have a cookbook for sale on their website. And they even allow you to order from the menu on the website. I just wish I was there for some more of that great food.

  Anyway, Ryan, do you have any good Slow Cooker recipes for Jambalaya, or even the Gumbo? If so, do ya mind sharing w/ a fellow cook?

  Not sure if I told anyone this back when I 1^st joined the CS, but right out of high school, I went to Johnson and Wales University, Providence RI for Culinary Arts. This happens to be the same college that Emeril went to for the 1^st part of his culinary training.

Oh well... Enough drooling for now.

Take care!

[Flashwave]

ATTENTION   --   ATTENTION;

AL GORE & DAVID SUZUKI..............................TAKE NOTE............

SO MUCH FOR GLOBAL WARMING.

YOU GUYS HAVE TO BE KIDDING.

THE COLDEST FEBRUARY IN WHO KNOWS HOW LONG.

Good Morning Gang,

It is actually a beautiful "WINTER" morning here. 

Yeeeaaahhh. it;'s winter. And once again, everybody closed or delayed but us, despite that we could have used it...  

Like the new place. I'm thinking Diner three should take a key from the Daylight and utilize an articulated 3 unit kitchen for the room for us.

We're

gonna get my

[SilverSpike]

Ryan - It was The Gumbo Shop where I went to for the Gumbo.

From the appetizer menu, I had 

CHICKEN ANDOUILLE GUMBO (CUP)    4.99 Boneless chicken, Andouille (a Cajun Sausage) and seasoning simmered in chicken stock. Selected by locals as the best Gumbo in the city! 

For my entree, I had....

COMBINATION PLATTER 11.99

Large platter containing Shrimp Creole, Jambalaya and Red Beans

 

 

 

And let me tell you... man o man... was that some gooooooood food!

Wow... look at that. They even have a cookbook for sale on their website. And they even allow you to order from the menu on the website. I just wish I was there for some more of that great food.

  Anyway, Ryan, do you have any good Slow Cooker recipes for Jambalaya, or even the Gumbo? If so, do ya mind sharing w/ a fellow cook?

  Not sure if I told anyone this back when I 1^st joined the CS, but right out of high school, I went to Johnson and Wales University, Providence RI for Culinary Arts. This happens to be the same college that Emeril went to for the 1^st part of his culinary training.

Yup, the Gumbo Shop has some really good Gumbo, and every restaurant has a unique take on the old Creole dish.

Now I seem to recall now that you mentioned attending J&W in Providence. And a very well respected culinary school I might add! In fact one of our good friend's daughters has been accepted to start school there in the fall; she wants to be a pastry chef. Emeril's did a short stint at J&W.

BTW in case you didn't know, I used to work for his Homebase office in New Orleans in the IT department. Speaking of Emeril, I read the news yesterday that he has sold all the rights to all his TV shows, books, Emerils.com website, and Emeril's marketing and merchandise to the Martha Stewart Company for $45 million and $5 million in stocks. He will retain the 11 restaurants and the Emeril's Foundation. He said that the 40 remaining Homebase employees would not be affected....I'll believe that when I see it. At least 15 of the employees work in the merchandising, website and culinary writing departments for the shows and the books.

My office used to be down the hall from the test kitchens and boy was it hard to concentrate with all the wafts of cooking going on every day...we did get a few tastes tests though.

I'll have to look up my crock pot and slow cooker recipes for you.

[pcarrell]

PC: saw your post on latex for track, I am going to give that rope caulk a try!Looks easy and cheap! Thanks for the heads up!!

I've had it in for close to a year and a half now and I couldn't be happier.  It's real quiet.  But don't take my word for it.....see for yourself.  I took this video last July.  It was the innagural run ya know.  Anyways, just a little ways into the video you can hear this rubbing sound (around the first running close-up shot).  Thats my foot sliding across the carpeted floor!  Now listen to the train.........dead quiet. http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Autumns%20Ridge/?action=view&current=262699db.flv 

Since PC and Son Pizzeria is providing lunch tomorrow I think I'll take a break.....

Hey PC has big fun lined up for tomorrow, and that should be an exciting day too! You might have to pay Vinnie in pizza pies for the credit card security too...I hear he downs em like Wimpy Burgers...

As if 70 pizzas wouldn't be enough to make!

 

And Inch, that was priceless!

[saronaterry]

PC: that was truly OUTSTANDING! That was a sound equipped loco?

Now I'm gonna have to rip out 175' of cork and relay the track!

Terry

[Cederstrand]

 refill. I'll have the Swordfish tonight, please & thank you.

***PC, that is going to be one nice layout when it's finished. Wish my locos had a place like that to roam on, slthough I can't imagine finishing that size layout in this lifetime with so much to do. I'll be happy with the door-size layout when I get it built.

Stripped down 4 stalls today for the two old mares who (during winter months) choose to spend much time in them. Then worked some in the cabin, moving most of the remaining art supplies into the new studio and workshop. Speaking of workshop, I'm bagging much of the mound of sawdust for later use on my layout. Any suggestions on ways to use sawdust will be appreciated!!!

Rob

[Flashwave]

 refill. I'll have the Swordfish tonight, please & thank you.

***PC, that is going to be one nice layout when it's finished. Wish my locos had a place like that to roam on, slthough I can't imagine finishing that size layout in this lifetime with so much to do. I'll be happy with the door-size layout when I get it built.

Stripped down 4 stalls today for the two old mares who (during winter months) choose to spend much time in them. Then worked some in the cabin, moving most of the remaining art supplies into the new studio and workshop. Speaking of workshop, I'm bagging much of the mound of sawdust for later use on my layout. Any suggestions on ways to use sawdust will be appreciated!!!

Rob

Mills? "ballast" open hoppers?

Thanks for the tab.

[Cederstrand]

***Flashwave, "Soylent Green" filled hoppers?

While taking a few minutes to go through a couple boxes of track, I made a wonderful discovery. My old Atlas switches will slide into BOTH Kato Unitrack & Bachmann EZ track. This means I may already have most of the track needed to make a moderately interesting (smaller) layout. I have been wondering how I could ever afford to purchase Unitrack and EZ track switches and now it looks like I won't have to. Don't know how many of my old Atlas switches may need new switch motors until I have time to test them, but the fact they are the right code size has me stoked. I love making progress without spending a dime.

I'll be back "after hours" to start in on the dishes. Rob

[egmurphy]

Good Evening Coffee Clubbers,

Another beautiful day down here in Paradise.    Yup, got up pretty close to the forecast.  I clocked it at 89º by mid afternoon.  Forecast is for more of the same for the next few days.  When we went for our walk this morning it was so foggy we could hardly see across the river.  Already around 75º at 07:00, and more than a little humid. 

Fortunately the a/c techs got the system back together last night.  Made sleeping more comfortable.  They did have to come back this morning and top off the Freon.  I can really notice an improvement in how well it works.  That's always a nice result after getting the servicemen out to your place. 

Despite the heat, we trudged out to the orange grove this afternoon and picked some more fruit.  I don't know who's been complaining about late shipments of OJ, but I'll tell you, the FCVN only controls the shipment for a few miles north.  Once it crosses the border it's out of my hands. 

I'm thinking that I need to setup a Photobucket account so I can show you people some photos of the orange grove, just so you'll have some idea of what it looks like.

Speaking of oranges, Fran whipped up a new dessert creation.    She made a pie using her Key Lime Pie recipe, but substituting orange zest and orange juice in place of the lime.  Turned out great.  Not as tangy as the key lime pie, but more flavorful.  Definitely a good experiment.  Goes great with the coffee, which is strong and hot tonight.  Oh, yeah, by the way, did I mention that the coffee is from the mountains of Veracruz?

Garry:  However, with guests here, there were no derailments or any other problems at all. Murphy must have been confused today, I concluded.

I'm usually confused.    But yesterday I was just too busy to drop in. 

Rob:  I can't imagine finishing that size layout in this lifetime with so much to do. I'll be happy with the door-size layout when I get it built.

Join the crowd. 

That's about it for the moment.  Catch up with you tomorrow.

Hasta mañana,

Ed

[Paul W. Beverung]

Evening Gang: I got the shipment from Walthers today. Two more of the Hiawatha cars and four of the C&NW passanger cars that I had ordered through Clark Gardens. The Hi cars were the baggage with conductors window and the 52 seat coach. That's makes four of the Hi set. The C&NW cars were two heavy weight 70 foot baggage cars a heavy weight double window coach and a smooth side 48 seat diner. I've still got a couple of Walthers C&NW passanger cars on back order and five IHC C&NW pass cars on order. Mary Ann cought me sneaking in with them. She just sighed.

Rob good to hear that you are getting some rain. I'm sure that the live stock are happy. Ah, 6x6 Ranger? I haven't heard of them. How about a picture or explination?

Ladies I'll have the Prime rib and the sirlion for desert. No sweets for the diabeties you know.

PC since I'll be laying track on the Clark Gardens layout some time this summer I'll need to look at your post. Could you please post the address again. Pretty please with a pie of your choice.

Well I guess I'll head out and see what else is going on.

Good Night All

[JimRCGMO]

Good Evening, Chloe. I'll have the Broiled Sirloin steak, the asparagus, a spring salad, and strawberry shortcake for dessert. Cup of coffee and a glass of water to go with it, too, please.  Thanks!

PC, that's one lonnnnnnnggggg run for your locos! Very nice - what'll you have in that last area inside the last big turn - mountain or somethng else? Just need a few boxes of scenicing materials, some sidings and structures, and a few spare weekends, and you should be done... As for the pizzas, hey, 70, 80, 90 - no big difference, right? (tee hee...)

JP, I'd forgotten about your culinary background. That's cool - so does your girlfriend know that you can cover dinner if she isn't able to fix it on some evening? Or do you want us to fill her in?

Inch, loved your Dad's Dating list - hilariously true! Have I mentioned what my thoughts were when my daughter was born and they give her to me to carrry across the hall in the hospital (to the nursery)? Seriously, I was thinking - "Oh boy, a girl! I get to stay up, waiting for her to come home from her first date!" I've kidded Sarah previously that for her sake (and Andy's) that it was just as well that her Mom and I got divorced.

Rob, as for that sawdust, you do remember DerJohn's tutorial on using sawdust, right? You might ask him or go back to Diner II and re-read some of those posts (or do a search for der's username and 'sawdust'). That or PM DerJohn and he might summarize some of what he does with that sawdust. Hope that helps!

Not sure I'll get to Chuck's Depot tomorrow after all. The roads up that way weren't in good shape when I checked online today. Going to have to watch the funds until next paycheck. Not lots of flex, but should be doable. But I'll get there at some point soon. 

Chloe, I'll be at the table by the stove, finishing up my dinner and warming up. Might need a refill on my coffee in a few minutes, please. Thanks!

 

Blessings and prayers,

Jim in Cape Girardeau 

[CNCharlie]

 Good Evening from Winterpeg!

 No Johnboy I haven't passed out from home brew but I have just been too tired after work to press down the keys this week or perhaps I've just been lazy. Anyway it seems that after supper we put on the gas fireplace downstairs, turn on the TV and I find that then I pass out from the heat, not home brew.  Well that's my story and I'm sticking to it. The layout is right behind the sofa but I only ran trains for a few minutes the other night. I did get my TrueLine caboose the other day and it sure is a nice one. Just as I remember them in the "old days" when CN ran wood ones.

I hope to get some work done on an Atlas house this weekend as my wife works tomorrow. More than likely though I will be in full "gofer" mode as she plans on cooking a rack of lamb dinner on Sunday that they did at her cooking school this week. I do like lamb although I know many people who don't. I think it is partly due to what you ate as a kid. In my case my father's English background is responsible as he did love lamb so guess what we often had for supper.

 The weather here has started to moderate and we are expecting single digit -C temps next week. I know that would be too cool for Jeff. I was reading Jeff's weather forecast today and thought that if it hit 68 degrees here people would be out in shorts and T shirts and complaining about the heat. Funny how 68 seems so hot now but in the summer it is cool.

Well the fireplace is on downstairs so it should be about 75 degrees by now. Time to get comotose!

CN Charlie

 

 

[pcarrell]

I'll post on the layout later and hit all of those questions for ya.......right now, I've got something bigger to talk about!

 

 

 

GET THIS!!!!!!

My boy hasn't made a single basket all season, though he's had lots of assists.  Tonight, in the final game of the season, all that changed.

In the forth quarter he got the ball near the three point line and let it fly.  It was one of those big arcing rainbow like shots.  Now the whole crowd knew that he hadn't made a shot all year and you could hear them suck in their breath.  The shot sailed towards the basket and went right through the hoop, nothing but net!  The crowd exploded!  The crowd for the other team thought we were all nuts.  He just stood there for a second, dumbfounded.  After the game he got some big time congrats and some of the fans from the other team came over to ask what that was all about.  They got it when they were told.

In case you aren't aware, my son has degenerative Muscular Dystrophy.  He will most likely be confined to a wheelchair by the time he hits 25 years old.  He's not letting it slow him down though.  Tonight will be with him for a long time!

Here is a picture or two from earlier in the season. 

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/12-6-07.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/MyBoy1-25-08.jpg

I didn't get the "big shot" on film as I was running clock, but several people did, including one on video, and they said they'd get me a copy.

OK, I'll admit it, I'm a proud pop tonight!

[Cederstrand]

I'll have a slice of Fran's new Orange Zest Pie. Sounds good to me.

***Jim, thanks for the reminder. I'll check my bookmarks, as I probably have Der's tutorial in there somewhere.

***Philip, that is outstanding. Major "CONGRATS" to your son!

***Paul, here is a pic of it long before the Drought Of The Century hit:

 I only got it stuck one time, and that was when I felt invincible and tried pulling a fully loaded manure spreader through VERY DEEP mud. It was burried up to the frame with mud oozing into the floor board. Other than that, it is amazing what this little beast can traverse.

While going through some stacked boxes in one of the closets next door, I found a box of train stuff I had forgot all about. 3 more Atlas switches and assorted snap track, some supplies from when I was remotoring locos, and what was left of some early attempts at scratch building. That box had not been opened for well over 20 years.

Rob

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

PC .... Terrific news from the basketball court!

TO PC's son !!!!

Ed. ................... oops, that's right...I'll have to be careful with my "Murphy's Law" jokes, now. Are you related to "Murphy"?  

Happy Model Railroading!!!