Elliots Trackside Diner IV, Under New Management!

[Flashwave]

Flashwave (HS Tenor)

It's a Catholic boy's high school--Jesuit--and the choral program had always been considered a 'joke' until they got a fresh-out-of-college director about five years ago.  She brought me on board (I'd already retired from a Catholic girl's school) and this year we acquired a Jesuit Scholastic who just graduated from Manhattan School of Music.  Needless to say, the program just EXPLODED!   Now we've got 10% of the student body in three choirs totalling about 150 guys.  And boy, do they ROAR, LOL!  Musically, I mean.  Actually kind of hate to retire, but I figure that I've kind of done my job over there and the program is alive, healthy and in VERY good hands. 

Oh, yah, have to mention this.  The guys got together and got me a HUGE Gift Certificate to my favorite model railroad store.  Now is that Cool or what? 

As to laying the rubber rocks--pray for me, okay?  Don Z suggested we set up sort of a trapeze act with me flying in and out, slapping the rocks on with each pass.  Actually, I think it'll work out okay, as long as I'm careful and not TOO klutzy about it.  Luckily, I do have long arms, so that will help. 

It should be at LEAST interesting, LOL

Tom

Set up a webcamera for us.

Actually, I meant what rank in contest. But the other stuff is cool too. We have a dozen guys and 50 someodd girls. Half the Tenor/Base section is graduating, wanna come down here? (tease)

Boomarm/thing you lay on: Do make sure it's REALLY REALLY attached to itself and the basket you're in.

HO people: THE SKY IS FALLING!!! THE SKY IS FALLING!!!

Also wanna avoid the whole thing tipping into the laylout

[New Haven I-5]

 Just wating on 2 videos titled Steam To The State Fair: The Story Of The Nickel Plate Road #587 ......

Hey!  NKP No. 587 is right up the road from me now!  She's getting a boiler refit at the moment.  here's a couple of shots from the shop.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/NKP%20No%20587/NKPNo-2.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/NKP%20No%20587/NKPNo-1.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/NKP%20No%20587/NKPNo.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/NKP%20No%20587/aeb.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/NKP%20No%20587/aef.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/NKP%20No%20587/aed.jpg

I'm watching the video right now. Do you remember that screamer whistle she used to have? I think it was a NKP Hooter ( if there is such a thing).

[Hoople]

Tom: You could pull a Mythbusters and make a big boom for a forklift with a basket you lie on... They did that so they could tape lead foil together for their lead balloon.

Yes it did fly. Oh, and I must say, I would love to operate on your layout, big scenery and such, just sit back and watch 300 cars getting tugged around by mah big boy, ooh...

 

Mark

[Flashwave]

 Just wating on 2 videos titled Steam To The State Fair: The Story Of The Nickel Plate Road #587 ......

Hey!  NKP No. 587 is right up the road from me now!  She's getting a boiler refit at the moment.  here's a couple of shots from the shop.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/NKP%20No%20587/NKPNo-2.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/NKP%20No%20587/NKPNo-1.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/NKP%20No%20587/NKPNo.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/NKP%20No%20587/aeb.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/NKP%20No%20587/aef.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/NKP%20No%20587/aed.jpg

I'm watching the video right now. Do you remember that screamer whistle she used to have? I think it was a NKP Hooter ( if there is such a thing).

I don't but I haven't been around that long

[New Haven I-5]

 Just wating on 2 videos titled Steam To The State Fair: The Story Of The Nickel Plate Road #587 ......

Hey!  NKP No. 587 is right up the road from me now!  She's getting a boiler refit at the moment.  here's a couple of shots from the shop.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/NKP%20No%20587/NKPNo-2.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/NKP%20No%20587/NKPNo-1.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/NKP%20No%20587/NKPNo.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/NKP%20No%20587/aeb.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/NKP%20No%20587/aef.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/NKP%20No%20587/aed.jpg

I'm watching the video right now. Do you remember that screamer whistle she used to have? I think it was a NKP Hooter ( if there is such a thing).

I don't but I haven't been around that long

I meant when she started excursion service.

[twhite]

 Oh, and I must say, I would love to operate on your layout, big scenery and such, just sit back and watch 300 cars getting tugged around by mah big boy, ooh...

 

Mark

 

Mark--

Or one of my Yellowstones, LOL?    I don't know about 300 cars, though--but wouldn't that be fun trying!

Tom

[SilverSpike]

Evenin' folks!

I done blew out my left knee trying to run fast on the treadmill at the "Y" the other night, now I limp like I got a gimp!  LOL I was running up to 7 mph and did 3.25 miles in 45 minutes too! Still hurts like the dickens though, knee brace helps and those 800 mg Advil's work wonders for pain too!

Hey, my Southern E6 locomotive came back from the train shop on Saturday with a new sound decoder, I still need to get you a photo to share and take a movie with the sound and all.

Glad to hear Garry made it through the surgery smelling like a rose!

Hey Jeffery, great work on that weathering. Funny how necessity is the mother of invention eh!

You all take care now!

Thoughts and prayers for those in need, and for those who believe!

Ryan

[pcarrell]

I'm watching the video right now. Do you remember that screamer whistle she used to have? I think it was a NKP Hooter ( if there is such a thing).

It was never hard to tell when she was pulling in to Fishers.  I used to live right next to the train station.  It was fine except on the midnight runs of the Fair Train.  Going to work the next morning I'd be all bleary eyed.

[Flashwave]

 Just wating on 2 videos titled Steam To The State Fair: The Story Of The Nickel Plate Road #587 ......

Hey!  NKP No. 587 is right up the road from me now!  She's getting a boiler refit at the moment.  here's a couple of shots from the shop.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/NKP%20No%20587/NKPNo-2.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/NKP%20No%20587/NKPNo-1.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/NKP%20No%20587/NKPNo.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/NKP%20No%20587/aeb.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/NKP%20No%20587/aef.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/NKP%20No%20587/aed.jpg

I'm watching the video right now. Do you remember that screamer whistle she used to have? I think it was a NKP Hooter ( if there is such a thing).

I don't but I haven't been around that long

I meant when she started excursion service.

I was behind her on several fair trains, before she hit the van, broke down, was in for refit (not all at the same time)... I believe she was also in a small movie (587: The Great Train Robbery) about being rescued from scrap by a kid and an old railroader. Also starring the Museum's F Monons if you're intrested in more

[New Haven I-5]

I'm watching the video right now. Do you remember that screamer whistle she used to have? I think it was a NKP Hooter ( if there is such a thing).

It was never hard to tell when she was pulling in to Fishers.  I used to live right next to the train station.  It was fine except on the midnight runs of the Fair Train.  Going to work the next morning I'd be all bleary eyed.

Do you know what kind of whistle it was? Also, do you know what the whistle is on it when it last ran in October of 2002?

[Paul W. Beverung]

Evening Gang: I went to the eye doctor today about the cataracs. I'll have the right eye done next Friday the 16th. He said that I'll be under a general anisthetic because of my claustraphobia. That suits me fine. I'll have the left one done about 4 weeks later.

Twhite I guess you have missed the posts when Dick and I told about all the free time we have. NOT!!! I'm working harder and more now then when I had a job. I can't even find the time to get to the basement. I guess the fact that we have the ranch may have something to do with it but I could get a few minutes in the basement when I was working. The trip sounds good. any chance of hitting Texas? If so let me know. I'll show you a good time for maybe a Yellowstone? DM&IR of course.

JR. Sorry about calling you RT. Blame it on Halfheimers.

Well I guess I'll hit the sack.

OK I'll cover for PC. Have at it guys and girls I'll take care of the check tomorrow.

Good Night All

 

[grayfox1119]

What day is this? What time is it? It's Tuesday? 12:15pm? After midnight?? What am I still doing up? I don't know, you get sort of crazy after you retire and lose track of days, time, etc, if it weren't for church, I wouldn't know any days in the week anymore. Just got back from Annual town meeting, 44 articles to fight over, and pass $20 million dollar budget for a town size of 10,600. I wonder if I'll have any money left after taxes for MRR ??

TOM: Congrats on retirement, and Paul is 100% correct, you will be busier in retirement than you ever were working. BUT, BUT, it will be on your time schedule....all self imposed ( except for that d*** Honey Do jar list )..shhhhhhhhhhh, don't let the woman hear that.

I knew it!!! I just knew it. Jeff is the man of metal !!!!

I off to bed, see you guys tomorrow,

[wetidlerjr]

Good Morning from Tipton IN !

[GMTRacing]

Good Morning All,

    That's a nice setup on the buffet Bill. Are you planning a retirement model railroad now?

Jeff - sorry to hear of the loss of your cousin a couple of pages back.

Paul - that's ok - I've been called much worse.

Jerry - sounds like a nice haul for you. The road is expanding rolling stock, are you going to be able to make a territorial expansion to go with the extra cars?

Tom - I'm not sure I'll ever retire. Seems to me you get more work piled on once the CFO determines you're just laying about doing nothing. At least now I get left alone if I "retire" to the train room after a day at w..k. It's also easier to divert adollar or two here and there for the hobby when you're not dealing with fixed amounts.

Well - lots to get done again today. We have a new hire as well - an airline pilot who used to be a racing mechanic who is at loose ends for a while during the reorganization of his company. No, with five mechanics, a machinist, two truckdrivers and an engine builder, it does not mean that we're leasing a corporate jet, but thanks for asking.        Catch y'all later,   J.R.

[pcarrell]

Also, do you know what the whistle is on it when it last ran in October of 2002?

No, but it's probably still on it.

 

Hey Ryan.....take care of that knee.  You don't want to have to go through what my wife is going through!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning.

It's 60 degrees and cloudy on it's way to 78 and partly cloudy. There's also a good chance of some thunderstorms coming in.

Today's Weather for:
Sundown, LA  71446-6114      5/6/2008

Wind Chill:  61°F
Humidity:  87%
Dew Point:  57°F

So Far Today
High:  61°F
Low:  58°F
Rain:  0.00"
Rain Rate:  0.00"/h
Gust:  5mph SE

Today  High: 80    Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs around 80. Light and variable winds becoming southeast around 10 mph in the afternoon.    
 
Tonight  Low: 65    Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 60s. Southeast winds around 10 mph.

[SilverSpike]

Thanks PC!

 

[Cox 47]

Morning all....Its sunny and pleasant here this morning....I'll have coffee and a sweet roll please..thank you...Gonna slip over in the corner and see who comes in....have a good'in...Jerry

[last mountain & eastern hogger]

Top of the Morning to ya all,

Chloe my sweet,  oatmeal, rye toast and p-butter, and a hot chocolate if you please. I'll be in the booth by the door with Tom and all the other retirees who are watching for the local to come through.  Suppost to be a green machine on it today.

TOM:    Congratulations on the retirement, that certainly is long and dedicated service. You should be very proud. But don't expect much of a break, if it is anything like I have experienced work just keeps finding you. I retired from Greyhound in 1997 and have been working at other things ever since. My four sons keep telling me to quit work and get finishing the railroad. My reply is that the work I do now supports the railroad. It is just like any other RR. always looking for subsidies.

Jeffery:   That Cape looks great on you and I think we can all accept the fact that you are here one minute and then gone the next on some new adventure. But we all put our "feet down"  if it goes a little further than that and you start wearing dresses. Lol

Jerry:   Nice haul there, it is great to hear the positive stories about E-bay.  I purchased a "Rix" building kit a year ago last August. Almost two years ago. After some communication about not being able to supply the color that I had wanted as the seller had over sold that one, I told him to forward any color, then there was health problems that his wife was having, then he ended up in the hospital (twice) for operations and so because his feedback was good I gave him the benefit of the doubt and did not go the resolution way with E-bay and Paypal. I continued to try and comunicate with him but there was no further reply for over a year now.

Just earlier this week I received an e-mail from him saying, while ill he had closed that email account and hadn't seen any of my notes. But had to reopen it because ebay and Paypal kept sending things to it as well and thats when he noticed my notes.  He wants to make it up to me and asked what can he do. I replied just send me what I purchased and all will be forgiven.

I believe this will happen. I never completely gave up on him. I thought at one point he might have passed on, but something was fishy because when your feedback is that good you don't go bad all of a sudden.  Hopefully this will be another good ending.

Paul:  Good luck with the eyes, hope all goes well. No wonder that gondola left the tracks, you couldn't see what you were doing.   Ha Ha.

Ryan:  Sure hope the knee is back to normal quickly.  Hips, knees and ankles can be so darn sore and annoying.

Garry: Speedy recovery there from your surgery.  Get back in shape fast as we are now in fishing season.

Cape Jim: Thanks for the report on Drew. Sounds like he and Paul's Lara have a good start now. Enjoy them as they grow up so very quickly.

I had to work last evening so I got to try out that new mobile hobby kit that I made out of a 14"x12" soft sided picnic cooler.  Really works great. Last night I added to my caboose fleet by putting together an Athern BB. bay window (early brown paint scheme) WP caboose.  I am really going to enjoy being able to do some Mrring on these evenings I have to come back. Sure makes them go faster and easier on the eyes than just being on the puter all the time.

Have a happy day.

Johnboy out...................... 

 

[twhite]

Morning all.  Actually slept IN this morning, realized that I don't have to go to school today.  Wow, feels strange, after all of these years, LOL! 

Paul--My 93 year old mother had cataracts removed last year.  Laser surgery.  She bounced back just fine, so I'm sure you will, too.  Best of luck to you, you're in my prayers. 

And for GMT and Paul and Johnboy--I have a feeling you're right about NEVER  retiring.  Got a phone call last night from the school, could I come in next week and help the choirs with the Baccalaureate Mass?   Do you know how impossible it is to say NO to Jesuit priests?  Yup, so do I, LOL.  So I'll be going in all next week.  Yah, I'm retired.  SURE!!

Jeff--I really like your weathering on that boxcar.  I can't weather a car for beans, mine all look as if they've just come in from spending a year in a Sahara dust-storm.  I can do steam locos, but for some strange reason, rolling stock just seems out of my talent range.  Nice job!!  PS:  Love the cape. 

Well, right now, my "Basket Case" Yellowstone is on the kitchen table in pieces.  No, it runs beautifully, thanks, it's just being painted.  Haven't done THIS in a while--my last two came painted and ready.  So I'm being a spray-can Rembrandt like Jeff--only in my case, it's more of a spray-can Seurat.  My former Department Chair, who is also a model railroad buff and an Art Historian says that he loves the way I do locos, I'm the only one he knows who uses a "Pointilistic" technique like the French Impressionists.  I THINK it's a compliment, LOL.  Anyway, I'll post pictures of the little lady when she's all ready by the weekend. 

Right now, I'm just puttering on the layout.  Put an ash-pit in the other day, still working on that one.  Had to modify a Walther's gravel dump kit to do it, it was all I could find.  Now I've got another big box of spare parts.  Gee, does THAT  sound familiar to anyone? 

Well, back to the table and the Basket Case.  Have a great day, everyone. 

Tom

[Cederstrand]

Luke warmin a SOUTHERN mug, please & thanks.

***Tom, that is some nice layout you have there. If you get too bored with it during your Retirement, feel free to come visit us here in North Georgia. We can put you to work building more of those cool rock structures on our layout(s).

Busy Diner the past couple of days. Too many posts to comment on them all. Trying to figure out how to pay Dentist for xrays & a tooth extraction before committing to the appointment. In the meantime, lots of Oragel helps. Sure takes the joy out of eating.

Hope everyone is doing well. Rob

[JimRCGMO]

Afternoon, Zoe - I'll have a fatcheeseburger, cheesey fries and a frozen yogurt concrete, please. Thanks! Nice thing about the food in the Diner is, I don't have to be as worried about it loading up my veins & arteries as the real stuff. Of course, I eat more salads at home than here in the Diner, too!

See, BridgeTom? I told you Paul and Dick would give you the straight scoop on what being an ORF is really like! (Yeah, including the dreaded HD list...) Got to pace yourself, Tom!

Ryan, are you overdoing it with the exercise? Remember, we're not getting any younger (unlike our younger MRRers like Shockwave, Hoople, Colby, etc.). Got to take better care of our bodies than we could get away with at their ages.

Jerry, I figure your yard and siding tracks are about stuffed - some territorial expansion may be in order. Is there a spare square yard or so that Sallie might let you use? (Heh, heh...)

Bill T., that was a good question JR asked. What plans have you considered for a retirement model RR, now that you have some time?

Hey, everybody - JR's gonna give us plane rides to fly over our favorite RR sites! YAYYY!!!

Well, I'd best start on my lunch. I'll be at the corner booth, watching the peddler freight doing its switching list for the day.

 

Blessings,

Jim in Cape Girardeau 

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Hello everybody ...

Do any of you receive Trains magazine? If so, look on page 58. Stan , a friend here wrote about the Caidz Railroad. Some pf you may recall a few months back I posted pictures of aa forlorn Alco S1 that's rusting away near here. Our little group has talked about have the S1 restored enough for display purposes, and we've met the the historical society about that. Another guy here, Gus the IC modeler has a Cadiz RR S1 in HO that has a neat custom paint job. He has some Cadiz RR boxcars, too.  I might take pix sometime.

Johnboy, thanks much for the remarks. Recovery is doing quite well.

Our church friend who learned she has cancer is not doing well, I'm sorry to say.  

Happy Model Railroading

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I came into some money today so I went to Hobby Lobby. I picked up a Bachmann Silver Series Shell tank car and a card of twenty peel 'n' stick 12-16 volt lights from Model Power. I also picked up a 4x8 sheet of white bead board. I cut it into four pieces of 2x4 so it would fit in the back of the car. This is of no concern because I already intended to cut it up to make the pop-up section in the middle of the layout. That's where the park and playground will be.

[twhite]

Jeff--

Those Bachmann Silver Series tankers are nice cars.  I picked up a couple several weeks ago, I'm going to convert them into auxiliary water tank cars for a couple of my smaller Mallets, as per Rio Grande practice.  I'll have to add extra weight to them (but not much) since they'll be right behind my tenders, but I really like their rolling qualities and detail. 

Nobody ever seems to comment on the Silver Series, but they're awfully good RTR rolling stock, at least IMO.   I've been taking a SERIOUS look at the crane and tender car set. 

Tom

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Nobody ever seems to comment on the Silver Series, but they're awfully good RTR rolling stock, at least IMO.   I've been taking a SERIOUS look at the crane and tender car set.

The crane and tender are quite nice and have excellent rolling qualities. Just make sure there is nothing track-side on the curves that it can hook because it will in a heart beat. Don't ask me how I know!

I see that Red Horse's last post was deleted, so I'm guessing he got the axe.

[twhite]

Jeff--

Yah, I was WONDERING about that 'big hook', and all of my tunnels are on curves, LOL!

Did I miss something?  I like Red Horse, we've had some good conversations.  I know there was a minor skirmish about E-Bay and that post got deleted because it was getting a little Trollish, but I didn't think that he had anything to do with it. 

Tom

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I don't know. I got the impression that he got involved in a fight with someone who tries to start fights with others.

[twhite]

Jeff--

Oboy!!  Is that certain someone the same someone 'near and dear' to all of us?  Dang!  Hope not--more I see of 'his' posts, the more I think we all just need an IGNORE button on the forum.  Red Horse is new to the forum, he probably didn't know about this guy and just responded in turn, unfortunately.  I'll shut up for now. 

Anyway, I LIKE your boxcar!

Tom

[Paul W. Beverung]

Evening Gang: Storms came in around 6:30 am and we had about 7/8ths inch of rain. There are supposed to be more coming tomorrow about the same time. I never like to turn down the rain but the storms I can do without.

I did take the stock trailer in to the tire store to get the two tires on the left side fixed. They both had slow leaks. The one on the back needs tobe replaced but I don't llike to do one new tire. The complete set is $280 which would makt the tires worth more then the trailer. Just joking there but close. The last heavy strom that came through last month blew a tree over on it. Not much damage a large dent in the roof and a broken fender.

I liked Jess Redhorse too. I hope that he didn't get expelled. Others have had posts deleted and returned so I'll keep an eye out for him.

I went out to Clark Gardens to pick up an order from Walthers that had come in. I was expecting the 2 FM H-10-44s and the 4 Milw Rd cabeese. Instead I found another baggage car for the Hiawatha and 5 IHC passanger cars in C&NW that I had ordered several months ago. Now I need to find out what happened to my FMs and cabeese. Tom has your cat been out hunting in my terratory?

Time to head for bed.

Good Night All