Elliots Trackside Diner IV, Under New Management!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

And was that an Irish railroad shack you had in that one pic of yours?

If you're reffering to the one in this mornings photo:

That's a scratchbuild I did some years ago for my nephew's layout. It's modeled after a similar structure outside Leesville. The roof is made of thin strips of masking tape painted green to simulate green asphalt strip roofing that was so common in this area at the time the structure was built.

[JimRCGMO]

Good Afternoon, Zoe - no, I didn't fall off the edge of the earth over the weekend;, just been busy. I'll have a cheeseburger and a RBF, please. Thank you, ma'am.

Flash, glad to hear that your Dad's doing better than it looked for a bit. The caboose looks good - and unlike Tom, you don't have Spooky or other cats stealing your work partway through...

Jeff, that would sound like hazardous duty to me. Glad you zapped the wasps before they got you. And was that an Irish railroad shack you had in that one pic of yours?

Terry, enjoy the extra time, now that you're not on the road every week for the treatments. You get to kick back a little now.  

RT, I hadn't actually shipped the MR mags yet. Got sidetracked, and haven't found them yet among the stacks o'stuff. That sounds neat about your getting the board and track ready for that vet. In iNvisible scale, he'll have lots of room to expand later, too. And excellent scores on getting the command control items.

A lot of Diners stopping by, I see (besides my catching up on the weekend's posts while I was gone). 

Alex, looking forward to your report on the train camp.

Nittany, congrats on your shrewd shopping skills. On the Bowser kit, you could paint over that RR's logo and add another using decals.

And another back to you, RRNut! And of course we missed ya!

Lee, sounds like your garden is doing you well. Especially nice to have the fruits and veggies from a garden, isn't it?

Tom, that's great that you've had some actual blue skies and nice weather there! Hope you had a 'butte' of a time in the garage over the weekend... Funny story about the priest and Prohibition. I'm not sure, but I suspect that Jeff recycled some of those CaliforniaBurgers into his RR shack.

Paul, take care of yourself and follow the Dr.'s orders on lifting and anything else to help your eye to heal up.

CN Charlie and Johnboy, sounds like you guys have been having a bit of rougher weather up there than usual. Those berries sound pretty yummy (along with that maple syrup). Charlie, hope you get a little boat time next weekend.

Saturday evening, we had a doozy of a downpour for a while. It wasn't too much before I was going to head for Sat. night service, and I decided to take the long way there, since I thought my usual route might be flash-flooded. On the way back, the rain had stopped and things had drained away well enough.

Went to our singles pool 'n' pizza party yesterday afternoon (one of the ladies has a pool in her apartment complex). I did discover my sunscreen was way out of date (expiration said '92'... ). Luckily, one of the other singles let me use some SPF 50 (instead of my expired SPF 15). Ate more pizza and caramel fudge brownies (with Snickers ice cream) than I should've, and I was full and tired when I got home. Took a little nap...

'Bout time for me to head home. See everyone tomorrow, when I don't have as many posts to catch up on.

 

Blessings and prayers,

Jim in Cape Girardeau 

[LSWrr]

Thanks ROB!

I hear Tracks Ahead new season starts in January 2009.  I wonder if they will start showing it on RFD?

 

Lee

[grayfox1119]

Good afternoon.....3H weather here today and cloudy most of the time as a very slow front approaches. Trying to balance the workload between inside and outside stuff. Two days ago I was nearly thrown off my old 1980 Wheel Horse lawn tractor. The lead bed roller hit an old cutoff tree stump that was up only 1" above the ground but the bed hit it square ON and it stopped the tractor instantly. Of course the 28 year old battered and torn mower bed is trash. Today I ordered a new 36" bed shell, $314 plus a few replacement parts for the bed. A whole new bed was $990!!!! Most of the olde parts are OK on the old bed, so I will strip them off and reuse on the new shell. Always something to do.

MIKE: Thanks for comments on the new weather reporting page online. I also added the site web address to the bottom of my signature area below this thread reply for ease of checking at anytime by anyone. CAMERA? It has crossed my mond, they are really down in price now, and made very rugged for outdoor use. I can easily mount one on the equipment pole, which just happens to be up in the garden area also. Then you can check on me and give me h** if I slacken-off with my weeding etc. LOL  You are ahead of me with peppers, we received some colder weather back in late May that slowed them up a bit, but I have plenty of small peppers on the plants now. Good idea on the mint and sage, with the cost of spices today, it REALLY PAYS  to raise your own food if you can.

TRAINS: I noticed on the TRAINS forum that one of my neighbors who was at Palmer on Saturday for the big Railfan event on the CSX mainline at the diamond, has posted some real nice photos of frights and car carriers, as well as a Utube video that you can see. Check it out!

Later,

[inch53]

Afternoon, I'll have a cheeseburger loaded, onion rings n ice tea, Zoe. No kids today, the other grandma's are stuck with them So, I've been outside doing chores, got some sage n mint cut an drying, plus a little garden weeding. Got a little mowin to do latter now that the dew burnt off. Another nice day here, to bad it won't last.

Sunny skies and pleasant temperatures are on tap for us today. Comfortable northwest winds will stick around all day keeping the humidity levels low with a daytime high in the lower 80's. Expect clear skies tonight with cooler temperatures dropping down into the upper 50's. Tuesday stays pleasant with sunny skies but warms up a bit into the mid to upper 80's with southwesterly winds. Summer heat moves back in by mid week with daytime highs climbing into the lower 90's Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Garry,

We were going to swing by the re-building yard on the way back from your house, but by then all we wanted to do was head back to camp n rest. Besides, I think Deb had enough trains for one day [believe I'd had to walk back to camp if I'd said anything other wise. Mother wants to go back down there sometime and camp on the KY side, so maybe next trip.

Paul,

Good to hear the surgery went well.

Dick,

Check out your weather link, looks good, so, when ya putting the camera in. How's your garden doing, we've been got peppers n snow pees put in the freezer now, sliced cucumber n fried green matter for supper. Mother was out there last night n found some tomatoes starting to turn already. And with 49 plants there should be enough to can and have some for the Dinner in a couple weeks.

Best finish this burger n get back ta chores. Thoughts for those in need, n ya'll have a gooden

[Packers#1]

What do you know, it was a 50% chance of rain, and right now it's POURING outside.

[twhite]

Morning everyone--

Third straight day of no smoke and Delta breezes, I'm getting SPOILED, LOL!  The turn in the weather has allowed firefighters to get a handle on the three biggest fires here--Big Sur, Butte Complex and the American/Yuba River fires.  Should be contained in about another week.  We had a series of very WET thunderstorms come sliding up the Eastern Sierra and oddly enough, some 'flash-flood' warnings with them.  One area on the eastern crest got 6" of rain.  Man, sometimes out here in SunnyCal we get too much of EVERYTHING! . 

Worked a little on the layout yesterday after Mass.  Found another project (do we ever run out of them?), this time on the Champion Mine.  Started in on a little trestle/ore dump site for those teeny-tiny ore cars.  Taking a break from the Buttes for a little while--got tired of mixing Sculptamold.

Terry:  Glad to see you back in the corner booth.  Hint:  Pass on the "CaliforniaBurger", it's got Avacado and shrimp.  Don't ask me WHY, but it's sure as heck nothing I'D eat!   We've been inundated with what people refer to as "California Cuisine" out here, and it's stuff I've never even HEARD of, let alone eaten, and I'm a Native. 

Well, have to get ready to go over to the high school and hash out my new part-time contract.  Hopefully I can get Tuesday through Thursday, and give myself a four-day weekend.  WHAT retirement, LOL?

Best to all, prayers to those in need.

Tom

[Cederstrand]

RFDTV 6:00est "New York Central" Documentary (2008) First Generation diesels in action from Manhattan to Albany.

refill, thanks. Rob

[Packers#1]

Mornin' everyone. high here is supposed to be 90. So far, the high has been: 93. A 50% chance of showers. Tom & Jerrey is on the telly right now (I couldn't resist)

[Cederstrand]

Strongin a SOUTHERN mug, please & thanks.

Healing thoughts to those in need.

Have a great day, all.

Rob

[LSWrr]

Good morning all,

 

Sunny skies for the next couple of days.  Tomorrow should be interesting, my first day to publish the Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) for the Great Lakes.

 

Jeff, there is a brown parking garage next to my office here that looks like your air conditioner! (just a little bigger)

 

Lee

[Flashwave]

Afternoon. Taking miss Tally to the vet, then up to see dad and his sister and her husband got in today/last night on Amtrak. Then I'm off to train club for some viding.

Chalk up another thing I've managed to lose. Chapel Caboose is going great, but it'll work better if I knew where the underbody frame with the trucks and couplers on it was... 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

It looks like we have some very nasty storms coming in, so I'll probably be off for a while.

[Cox 47]

Good morning all...Its sunny and very pleasant here this morning posta be in low 80's...I'll have biscuits and gravey with coffee please Thank You...my brother brought his glass cutter yesterday and we got the mirror for the back drop cut..I plan to glue it in place today..and work on blending it in with some WS stuff..Got a passenger car that I'm gonna make a chapel car out of may work on that too today...gonna slip into the booth with Terry and see who drops in...You all have a good one.....Jerry

[C&O Fan]

Morning All

guess I'll have a cup of tea and hang out in the back booth for a while

Seems strande not to be headed to the Hospital after 30 straight treatments

 

Hope that new grill does Cheeseburgers Philip

[pcarrell]

Morning all!

Just getting ready to do the work thing here.  Gotta go pick up my new grill later today.  I got one of those Jenn Air grills.  Should be nice and last for years.

Oh well, gotta run!

Later!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Seeing as how Alex has TOP honors I'll have the bacon and eggs.

Good morning.

It's a warm 79 here under somewhat clear skies. The high is expected to be in the mid 90's and there's a better than average chance of rain this afternoon.

Today's Weather for:
Sundown, LA  71446-6114      7/13/2008

Heat Index:  85°F
Humidity:  82%
Dew Point:  73°F

So Far Today
High:  80°F
Low:  78°F
Rain:  0.00"
Rain Rate:  0.00"/h
Gust:  6mph WNW

Through 7 AM...a few sprinkles may be Felt across the lakes area of southeast Texas as well as central Louisiana as decaying showers from the north continue to spread south into the region.   
 
Today  High: 95    Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 90s. Light and variable winds.
     
Tonight  Low: 72    Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s. Light and variable winds.

[wetidlerjr]

 

Good Morning from Tipton IN !

[Guilford Guy]

Anyone want to see a first-class transportation system late at night over here?

http://www.railserve.com/jump/jump.cgi?ID=22404

A train almost every minute!

[last mountain & eastern hogger]

Hi crew, I see most of you have hit the hay for the night..  Me too soon.

So, when you get up in the morning, those of you who have been in on the discussion about "Chapel Cars" might find the reviews to the book I ordered quite interesting.

You can find the book at Amazon.com  then typing in the title.  Look at the great prices that they have for used copies, everyone can afford to get a copy.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful: Railroad Religiosity, August 23, 2004 By  WILLIAM H FULLER (SPEARFISH, SD USA) - See all my reviews    The ingenuity of humans in furthering their own ends is practically boundless. Add to that ingenuity the fervor of 19th and early 20th century evangelists to proselytize and "save" all the non-believers around the country and we see why the railroad chapel car was conceived. Factor in the competitiveness of different denominations and we see why one chapel car grew into a dozen rolling churches representing three different groups, Episcopal, Baptist and Catholic. These specially-designed cars with pews, pulpits, and cramped living quarters for the missionaries (and, when applicable, their wives) saw a long run, too, lasting from the 1890's into the 1940's. THIS TRAIN IS BOUND FOR GLORY is a 382-page history of these twelve special chapel cars, plus a quick glance at two more, the monstrously ornate cars of the Russian Orthodox Church which may have inspired the first American chapel car and the private car of Mormon founder Brigham Young, said to have had angels painted on its ceiling. So far as the book THIS TRAIN... is concerned, I find reviewing its quality to be a particularly difficult task, for it is without doubt the result of lengthy, exhaustive research, many times in primary sources which required significant travel by the authors. The extensive, meticulous research evident in this book is truly impressive and is far and away its strongest element. There is no question that, based upon the research, the end-of-chapter documentation sections, and the minute historical details that the authors extracted from the huge mounds of historical detritus through which they picked, this book fully rates the maximum of five stars-and then some. However, the readability of the book does not fare quite so well. Many parts of it read as though the authors had before them a stack of note cards, filled with all sorts of historical facts related more or less to the car being discussed, and merely transcribed these notes into a narrative, paragraphed form, resulting in jerky and sometimes disconnected text. One must also wonder whether some of the extreme minutiae are really worthy of being discussed in even a detailed history book. Even more troubling to the discerning reader than the uneven flow of the narrative is the apparent moral judgements of the authors that are repeatedly woven into the text. Granted, some of these may be paraphrases from the authors' sources, but the footnoting is not sufficiently clear to show this to be the case. A typical example is on page 117 where the authors proclaim that Gillette, Wyoming was "a godless place" and then proceed to equate the presence of saloons, dance halls, gambling houses and brothels to godlessness. Such moral condemnation has little place in an objective historical account. Fortunately, every now and then, a bit of significant American history is revealed, the type of history that tells much more about the "American façade" than we shall find in our cleansed and purified public school textbooks. For instance, from page 123, we learn that a "man was forced to kiss the flag because he had criticized President Wilson, and a Union Pacific employee of Russian ancestry was stripped and painted yellow because he refused to buy a Victory bond.... [In some communities] German books were burned." Finding history such as this is more than enough reason to read books that have not been approved by school boards! A strange index is included at the end of the book. It is more or less alphabetical but is also arranged according to the name of the chapel car to which the index entries refer. Hence, to locate, say, a town name, one must look under each car's list of entries since more than one car (or none) may have visited that town. Looking up references to Brigham Young, simply because that entry caught my eye, I noted that the reference was to a very cursory mention in one chapter while a more significant discussion of the man and his private railroad car was not listed-unless the entry was somewhere else in this confusing "index." In either case, the index is not user-friendly. The book is formatted in an unusual horizontal format, making it awkward to hold while reading. One really needs a desk rather than a lap to support the book. Yet, it is not really a "coffee table book" because, while there are some excellent historical photographs, its raison d'être lies in the text, and it cannot be lightly browsed. Impressive research. Uneven narrative flow. Possible intrusion of authors' moral judgements. Important historical insights here and there. Index of dubious usefulness. Awkward format. Shall we "round off" a 2.5 rating and give it three stars? With that rating, however, comes the suggestion that the reader borrow the book from a library before deciding to add it to a permanent home collection. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews   Was this review helpful to you?   Report this | Permalink  Comment

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful: Connection With Chapel Car History, April 25, 2002 By  Diana Dilcher (Reno, NV United States) - See all my reviews I am a member of Emmanuel First Baptist Church in Sparks, Nevada. My church was one of those founded by Chapel Car Emmanuel mentioned in this book. I am, at present, researching material for a historical novel based on the chapel car ministries. This book, with its photos and descriptions, has been extremely valuable in helping me to write a story of a little known part of American history. I highly recommend this to all railroad buffs and to others who may also be members of churches founded by these cars and the dedicated men and women who made such great sacrifices in the growth of our nation. Diana Dilcher Emmanuel First Baptist Church Sparks, Nevada. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews   Was this review helpful to you?   Report this | Permalink  Comment

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful: Something for everyone!, November 25, 1999 By  Aline C. Moss (United States) - See all my reviews If you are a history buff, a railroad buff, a Baptist, an Episcopalian, or a Roman Catholic, you will find interesting information in this book. From 1890 until the middle of the 20th century a unique form of ministry for several denominations brought religious services to the most out-of-the way areas in the country. Chapel cars were outfitted and dispatched to bring their message to people who otherwise would have had no access to churches. One of the chaapel cars had elegant and exquisite fittings and brought the beauty of a cathedral to the frontier; others were simpler. Both the opposition to the chapel cars, and their widespread and grateful acceptance are told, with countless letters, editorials, and other news clippings. The details and dimensions of outfitting the chapel cars willl enable railroad buffs to create accurate models. A fascinating bit of Americana is captured forever between the covers of this attractive coffee table-size book. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews   Was this review helpful to you?   Report this | Permalink  Comment

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful: This Train Is Bound For Glory, March 11, 2000 By A Customer This is an excellent history of the railroad chapel cars used in the United States in the latter 1800's & early 1900's. It is a good review of how the gospel was brought into newly developed railroad towns that had no established churches and in many cases wild & wooly towns. There are many wonderful old historic pictures and bibilical quotations. You will find out how the Episcopalians, Catholics, and Baptists had these chapel cars built. Anyone who likes trains, actively involved with the church, or has lived in towns where the local railroad brought in chapel cars will really enjoy reading this book! Well I'm off to bed as well. Prayers and blessings to those in need.     Sleep well Buddies. Johnboy out..............

[grayfox1119]

Good evening, we were out at Palmer all day yesterday ( Sat ) with the members of the MBRE for an all day railfan picnic at the hotspot of New England. I got some nice shots on video as well as many photos. There were intermodals, car racks, Manifest, The Vermonter, and Amtrak. The weather was great, the food and drink was great, met some real nice people form all-over.

GARRY: Picked 2 gallons of blueberries, but I don't think this year's crop will be as large as last year. I had to do some prunning last Fall, and this has had some effect.

MIKE: Now that is what I call a CTC center !!!! That is electronics heaven. And, I saw those two tankers on the CSX main line yesterday.

Later, guys, time for bed,

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Howdy ...

OK, CN Charlie ... thanks a million.......it'll be worth the wait for wild blueberries and Quebec real maple syrup!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Johnboy ..... wow that's somthing you just order the Bound for Glory Book. Maybe a book review from you would be a good idea Those fires are bad.

Paul..... I'm hoping eye number two heals as well as did eye number one. How do you like Cracker Barrel? The ycertainly have a lot of trinkets in the store part of the business. I like the food. In the store, they have old fashioned candy. One of my favorites from way back when was Chuckles candy which they have. Instead of 5 cents it's 75 cents now.

Flash .... Your Dad remains on the prayer list. You have neat ideas for teh caboose. I recognize it as the Walthers CB&Q type 4 window wood caboose.

Tom ..... Thanks for your remark in WPF ........... The Prairie type steam locomotive is a brass model imported from Japan. I've had it a long time.

I added the awning to the Chapel Car this evening. I'm looking forward to seeing others from some of the diners.

We did make it to Shelley's sister's grave today on what would have been her birthday. Shelley is still very sad about the loss of her sister.

 

 

[Flashwave]

Afternoon. I pulled out my Cha[el Caboose, didn;t realize how much dust and dried paint flakes had accululated on the roof. Shoudl use it for my steamers. I still need to put some "stained glass" in the side windows. Like to put a bell in the couplola , but no one would notice it. I glued a piece of Sprue to the chimney to finish the Cross look on it.

 

[Cederstrand]

in a SOUTHERN mug, please & thanks.

Speaking of moonshine: My wife's 2nd cousin was Raymond Parks (founder of Nascar), who employed Lloyd Seay(sp), Frank Sosebee, etc... Not sure if this is something she should be proud of or not? She and her sisters (as little girls) were also responsible for destroying several of those early moonshine cars with rocks & such. I think that was right after her grandad's death, another big time moonshiner. She thinks about what those cars would have been worth today and shakes her head.

Took advantage of the free weekend on this site and downloaded all sorts of track plans. Also read many articles. Cool!

Significant Weather Alert here. Frequent lightning and strong wind gusts. Getting real dark now...YeeHaw. Rob

[last mountain & eastern hogger]

Well Gang, I hope you are all having a great weekend.  It has been a beautiful week here in Spokane where we are house and pet sitting while our son and DIL are attending a wedding in Florida. They will be back on Tuesday.

For those interested in the fires ( Jeff, Tom, etc.)  ust a couple of miles east of us here on the western edge of Spokane Valley we had a terrible fire that is believed to have started in a back yard (all they will say as of now)   It burned 100 acres and 13 very expensive homes. Another home was spared because the heat was so intense that it melted an above ground swimming pool and the water flooded out into and onto the house they say and it was spared.

I couldn't log in the other day because of the service work they were doing on the site. But I found it interesting that you guys started talking about "Chapel Cars"  Not an hour after I had ordered on-line The book "This Train is Bound For Glory" A book about those Chapel Cars.   We were really on the same wave length that day.

Well the wife is calling me for lunch, so will try and get back in later.

Prayers and blessings to all in need.

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

The "Wobbly" is on vacation....................

[Paul W. Beverung]

Afternoon Gang: We went into Cracker Barrel for breakfast this morning. Actually late morning about 10:30. It's Sunday so sleep in is OK. Anyway we got back and the compressor on the gas well was not running. My SIL said that it was down yesterday also. I called the production manager but got her answering machine. It's about time for them to fire that company that provides the compressor. It was down for a week two weeks ago. Our check this month is going to be short for sure.

I guess Bergie and the guys got things cleaned up fast. I was lost for awhile yesterday when the site was down.

My operation went well. Right now my left eye is very blood shot but will clear up in a week or two. There is some improvement now but it takes a week for any real improvement to show.

Terry I hope that you are starting to feel better now that the treatments have stopped. I'm sure that the knowledge that they are over is a relief.

I'm not doing a whole lot since I'm supposed to take it very easy. No bending over to pick up anything heavy and such. I should get down to the basement but the things that need doing on the layout require lifting and that's a no no.

Flash I'm really sorry to hear that your dad is having trouble again. Prayers for his recovery. As the others have said if you need a shoulder we're here.

I'll stop back in later tonight.

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Well, dad says I can take out the layout once I finish my summer work.

I can't take mine out. Never put it away.

Oh nice, rub it in.

Hey, just kidding with you. As my mother says, if you have it, flaunt it. Besides, at roughly 8x10 feet it's a little big to stick in a closet or move down the hall.

 

Jeff, Make sure that gas storage fridge is well ventilated as gas fumes have about 10X more explosive force than TNT. I remember well the lectures from the tech guys at Sunoco when I used to work for them. A gas explosion would blow the door off any fridge but I guess you know that being a fire fighter.

No problem with the ventilation. The door is badly sprung (warped?) from a 14 year-old boy (now 15) hanging on it. When it's closed (hinge is on the left side) the door is open an inch and a half at the bottom right and a half inch at the top left. There won't be any fumes building up in there.

[CNCharlie]

Good Morning Diners!

OK Garry, I've placed the order for the wild blueberries but they won't be in for another month or so. When you get them you'll see that they are quite small but  the taste is far more intense than cultivated ones. I think you going to like them! I'll tell Chloe when the're shipped and I'll send along some maple syrup too. The Manitoba stuff is odd tasting so I'll send some from Quebec as they have lots there.

I was going to head out to the boat today but I'm too tired for an hour and half drive each way this afternoon. We were up at 4 a.m. as one of the dogs was sick and I just couldn't get back to sleep. Besides the yard needs a clean-up after the stormy weather we had yesterday-lots of wind and rain.

Jeff, Make sure that gas storage fridge is well ventilated as gas fumes have about 10X more explosive force than TNT. I remember well the lectures from the tech guys at Sunoco when I used to work for them. A gas explosion would blow the door off any fridge but I guess you know that being a fire fighter.

Well I have to gear up for my return to work tomorrow otherwise it is too much of a jolt. I might even go into the office for a short time but my wife would think I'm nuts and she could be right.

See you soon,

CN Charlie

 

 

[railroadnut675]

Well, dad says I can take out the layout once I finish my summer work.

I can't take mine out. Never put it away.

Oh nice, rub it in.

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Good morning..........

Tom ... That's a funny story about prohibition. I'm now living in an area that includes moonshining in its history. Before the big man-made lake existed, the area here was called "Shotgun Hollow", and the moonshine was made in a small town named Golden Pond that no longer exists. The biggext customer was Al Capone's gang. I have the Woodland Scenics moonshine still located on the banks of the Mrs. Hippy River on the layout.

We talked about chapel cars, and here's my effort. My box of out of service passenger cars included this Roundhouse kit. I still need to install the awning, but here it is. I'm using the Prairie (2-6-2) to haul it with a combine car for use by the railroad crews. Note: liitle locomotives can be fun, too. (To those who insist on extra large lcomotives).

Inch.... .You got a lot of good photos in Paducah! Did you happen to drive around the VMV locomotive re-building plant. They had many older locomotive stored in back awaiting rebuilding the last I saw.

I here Shelley getting up so we will soon be off to church this morning. It's likely we'll visit her late sister's grave after church. Janet passed away last September, and today would have been her birthday.

Have a beautiful day.