Elliots Trackside Diner IV, Under New Management!

[LSWrr]

Good morning all,

30% chance of thunderstorms today; high of 81F.

Got some really good news yeasterday when I opened my mail there it was, the title for my truck.  No more truck payments!!!

[wetidlerjr]

Good Morning from Tipton IN !

[pcarrell]

Thanks Rob, I saw the ribs, drooled all over my keyboard and now I have to get a new one! They look real good good man, I wish I had a device where I could smell them though my computer

      Happy MRxRding, Trainsrme1

Those were my ribs.

 

[TrainsRMe1]

Thanks Rob, I saw the ribs, drooled all over my keyboard and now I have to get a new one! They look real good good man, I wish I had a device where I could smell them though my computer

      Happy MRxRding, Trainsrme1

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Does it ever feel good to get out of those leg braces! Those things make my thighs hurt but they make walking so much easier. I've been in those things all day! That's the longest I've ever worn them at one time.

[Cox 47]

Yahoo!! I'll take a big plate of Ribs and some Tater salad please...Thank You....Jerry

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I got called out to a house fire early this afternoon. That kept me tied up for several hours. When I came home I realized the power was out. It came back on about thirty minutes later. I had just enough time to note the happening on my forum when the power went out again. That was at 4:54. I went out to dinner with my sister and her family. When we got back the power was still out. That was at 7:10. It came back on just as I walked into my trailer at 7:16. The cause of the power outage was a fire at a substation near here. When they turned the power back on at 4:45 the main transformer caught fire, so they shut down at 4:54. I hope they have it fixed right now. Power failures one after the other get old really quick.

[pcarrell]

Thats what I thought......Rob's CHICKEN!

[Flashwave]

Whoever made the coffee this evening needs to see Chef Ramsey or go through a StarBucks Coffee training course!

 

Rob

OH BOY! Then I can serve you motor oil and charge an arm and a leg for it! We only tease ya cause we're concerned.

[bjdukert]

Evening All

Got back from my bike trip to PA last night and just now got caught up on the novel here in the Diner. I have a lot of pics but won't put all of them up, they will be in my Photobucket account when I get them there. They are as far as the puter right now.

Good to see some are getting better and one that should in the future(won't mention a name) and that all of the pets are getting extra special treatment and doing better.

Garry Good to hear that everyone came out ok,scared but that would be natural.

That's about it

Best to all on sick call and those recovering

Talk to you later

Duke

[Cederstrand]

Whoever made the coffee this evening needs to see Chef Ramsey or go through a StarBucks Coffee training course!

pthew~

I'll have a fresh brewed in a SOUTHERN mug. Or if I can't have one here, I can always find another Diner that serves it. Nuff said!

Received one of those green notes in the mailbox today. Perhaps the second house check. Will go find out tomorrow morning.

Rained a little more this evening. Grass should really start taking off again. Need to put out a fresh round bale for the big horses tomorrow. That's about it from the ol' farm. Going to watch some TV awhile. 

Rob

[pcarrell]

Any of that boneless pork left PC?

Help yourself!

[Flashwave]

in a UNION PACIFIC mug, please & thanks.

The new foundation work starts Monday.

Farrier came out today and trimmed Tinytoons (the dwarf) and a few other minis. Also helped me cut all the burrs out of Chief's mane & forelock (mini stud). I always enjoy chatting with him...he's a good soul.

Once the new build is comlete, we are going to transform one side of the screened porch into a Diner. Black & white checker board tile, perhaps one small neon light, and definitely our prized tables & chairs (see below):

Also found some real neat (and very inexpensive) metal signs to hang on the red-siding wall. 

The other section of screened porch wife wants to turn into a sleeping porch. We (probably me) will paint the siding to look like old weathered barnwood.  

Have a good day, all. Rob

*Sneaks rob's coffee away from him and changes cups while an afternoon freight rolls by.

AH HA! Garry's decree says you have to drink from this until further notice!

Tom: We're looking. But it seems to be time for vactions now. Few more leads to follow up on. THey leave me out of that some though, something about adult concerns, not for kids.

     So here's my day, lot of running around, mom has done what we call "hitting the wall" so you know who played taxi. We ran to Fishers today, and I signed up for the Indiana State Fair Train volunteer. I hate that traffic. But while we were there, there was a school class trip train in, having issues with air conditioning. On the front of the train was CB&Q California Zephyr Silver Salon. I had no clue there was a celebrity down here.  No pics today, but being on the fairtrain may mean I see more of her soon.    That's starting August 6th.

I;m gonna find a tv in my Buisnbess car and veg for a while. G'night.

[Guilford Guy]

SP Tribute 2

Now with music by Led Zeppelin.

[SilverSpike]

Howdy folks!

Long time no see! Looks like ya'll been eatin' high on the hog too!

Any of that boneless pork left PC?

Been quite busy this week, but I do have some time ear marked for the train room this weekend. First weekend in 5 weeks that we have nothing planned, no family visiting, no events to attend, no nut-ing!

We'll see how long that lasts.....

TTFN,

Ryan

[Cederstrand]

in a UNION PACIFIC mug, please & thanks.

The new foundation work starts Monday.

Farrier came out today and trimmed Tinytoons (the dwarf) and a few other minis. Also helped me cut all the burrs out of Chief's mane & forelock (mini stud). I always enjoy chatting with him...he's a good soul.

Once the new build is comlete, we are going to transform one side of the screened porch into a Diner. Black & white checker board tile, perhaps one small neon light, and definitely our prized tables & chairs (see below):

Also found some real neat (and very inexpensive) metal signs to hang on the red-siding wall. 

The other section of screened porch wife wants to turn into a sleeping porch. We (probably me) will paint the siding to look like old weathered barnwood.  

Have a good day, all. Rob

[pcarrell]

Ya ever feel like this?

You've got tons of tires, but you have a flat and none of them fit.

I stayed up WAY too late last night!  I'm runnin' on a flat!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I'll have some of them ribs.

Alex: Very good video.

[pcarrell]

I think Rob's too chicken to get the scan done!  What about it Rob?  Too chicken?  I dare ya!  I double dog dare ya!!!!

And for the rest of you yahoo's......dinner's on me!

Boneless BBQ pork ribs anyone?

[Guilford Guy]

Hi Guys! New Video Up!

A Tribute to the Southern Pacific
Tribute to the Southern Pacific Featuring the Daylights, Snow Fighting, Tehachapi, Cab Forwards, FM Train Masters, U50C's, and Much Much More! Enjoy~!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Jeff...Nice job so far on Baggage Car....Are you going to leave it on its trucks?

Oh yeah, just like the 1:1 baggage car I modeled it after.

[Cox 47]

Afternoon All.....Its cloudy and cool here today....I'll have a pork burger,onion rings and a Diet Coke please...Thank you.....We went down to Robinson for the birthday party last nite and we brought 2 of the  Grand Daughters home with us for a week...I took them out on my power chair this morning and hit a couple of yard sales they picked up all kind of goodies for a couple of bucks!! They are natural shoppers!....Crossed the Indiana RR tracks last night and I had my camera but didn't see anything but tracks...

Jeff...Nice job so far on Baggage Car....Are you going to leave it on its trucks?

Rob...For goodness sakes don't put it of as they said like Larry the cable Guy says "geter done!"

All you pet owners with pets that have been having trouble glad to hear that they are getting better....

You all have a good one...Jerry

 

 

 

 

[last mountain & eastern hogger]

Good afternoon Crew,

It is great to see all these smiling faces,  Chloe when you pass the galley, see if you can line up a BLT or Club for me and a root beer float.  Please & Thanks.

JEFF,    For goodness sake don't park that old rust bucket anywhere close to the new trailer sites in your park.  I don't want to have to look out on that eyesore when were down there visiting. and I don't want anything blocking our view of that old steamer.. 

ROB,   you would be best to follow the wife's advice.  If you don't you'll probably be in for hot tongue and cold shoulder . Might even win some brownie points for further MRR purchases. You know the old adage, "He who hesitates",  well at least gets left behind or something.  Take the other advice from Larry, the Cable Guy and "Get-R-Done".

Tom, CNCharlie, Rob and others , Those pets sure have attentive owners and it is paying off. It looks like all of their health is improving. But there is not much we can do about old age other than to keep them comfortable and content.  We have had to lay to rest many faithful companions over the years and it never gets easier. Each one is special and has given many hundreds of hours of pleasure, entertainment, companionship and fun. How can you not miss them or take it lightly when their time has come.  I wouldn't want to be without them.

Here is a story that surely will touch a few people.  It is long but a very good read.

The Old Man and the Dog

By Catherine Moore

 

"Watch out! You nearly broad sided that car!" My father yelled at me.

"Can't you do anything right?"
Those words hurt worse than blows. I turned my head toward the elderly
man in the seat beside me, daring me to challenge him. A lump rose in my
throat as I averted my eyes. I wasn't prepared for another battle.

"I saw the car, Dad. Please don't yell at me when I'm driving." My voice
was measured and steady, sounding far calmer than I really felt.

Dad glared at me, then turned away and settled back. At home I left Dad
in front of the television and went outside to collect my thoughts.
Dark, heavy clouds hung in the air with a promise of rain. The rumble of
distant thunder seemed to echo my inner turmoil.

What could I do about him?

Dad had been a lumberjack in Washington and Oregon. He had enjoyed being
outdoors and had reveled in pitting his strength against the forces of
nature. He had entered grueling lumberjack competitions, and had placed
often. The shelves in his house were filled with trophies that attested
to his prowess.

The years marched on relentlessly. The first time he couldn't lift a
heavy log, he joked about it; but later that same day I saw him outside
alone, straining to lift it. He became irritable whenever anyone teased
him about his advancing age, or when he couldn't do something he had
done as a younger man.

Four days after his sixty-seventh birthday, he had a heart attack. An
ambulance sped him to the hospital while a paramedic administered CPR to
keep blood and oxygen flowing. At the hospital, Dad was rushed into an
operating room. He was lucky; he survived.

But something inside Dad died. His zest for life was gone. He
obstinately refused to follow doctor's orders. Suggestions and offers of
help were turned aside with sarcasm and insults. The number of visitors
thinned, then finally stopped altogether Dad was left alone.

My husband, Dick, and I asked Dad to come live with us on our small
farm. We hoped the fresh air and rustic atmosphere would help him
adjust. Within a week after he moved in, I regretted the invitation. It
seemed nothing was satisfactory. He criticized everything I did. I
became frustrated and moody. Soon I was taking my pent-up anger out on
Dick. We began to bicker and argue. Alarmed, Dick sought out our pastor
and explained the situation. The clergyman set up weekly counseling
appointments for us. At the close of each session he prayed, asking God
to soothe Dad's troubled mind. But the months wore on and God was
silent. Something had to be done and it was up to me to do it.

The next day I sat down with the phone book and methodically called each
of the mental health clinics listed in the Yellow Pages. I explained my
problem to each of the sympathetic voices that answered. In vain. Just
when I was giving up hope, one of the voices suddenly exclaimed, "I just
read something that might help you! Let me go get the article." I
listened as she read. The article described a remarkable study done at a
nursing home. All of the patients were under treatment for chronic
depression. Yet their attitudes had improved dramatically when they were
given responsibility for a dog.

I drove to the animal shelter that afternoon. After I filled out a
questionnaire, a uniformed officer led me to the kennels. The odor of
disinfectant stung my nostrils as I moved down the row of pens. Each
contained five to seven dogs. Long-haired dogs, curly-haired dogs, black
dogs, spotted dogs all jumped up, trying to reach me. I studied each one
but rejected one after the other for various reasons too big, too small,
too much hair. As I neared the last pen a dog in the shadows of the far
corner struggled to his feet, walked to the front of the run and sat
down. It was a pointer, one of the dog world's aristocrats. But this was
a caricature of the breed. Years had etched his face and muzzle with
shades of gray. His hipbones jutted out in lopsided triangles. But it
was his eyes that caught and held my attention. Calm and clear, they
beheld me unwaveringly.

I pointed to the dog. "Can you tell me about him?" The officer looked,
then shook his head in puzzlement.

"He's a funny one. Appeared out of nowhere and sat in front of the gate.
We brought him in, figuring someone would be right down to claim him.
That was two weeks ago and we've heard nothing. His time is up
tomorrow." He gestured helplessly.

As the words sank in I turned to the man in horror. "You mean you're
going to kill him?"

"Ma'am," he said gently, "that's our policy. We don't have room for
every unclaimed dog."

I looked at the pointer again. The calm brown eyes awaited my decision.
"I'll take him," I said.

I drove home with the dog on the front seat beside me. When I reached
the house I honked the horn twice. I was helping my prize out of the car
when Dad shuffled onto the front porch.

"Ta-da! Look what I got for you, Dad!" I said excitedly.

Dad looked, then wrinkled his face in disgust. "If I had wanted a dog I
would have gotten one. And I would have picked out a better specimen
than that bag of bones. Keep it! I don't want it" Dad waved his arm
scornfully and turned back toward the house.

Anger rose inside me. It squeezed together my throat muscles and pounded
into my temples.

"You'd better get used to him, Dad. He's staying!" Dad ignored me. "Did
you hear me, Dad?" I screamed. At those words Dad whirled angrily, his
hands clenched at his sides, his eyes narrowed and blazing with hate.

We stood glaring at each other like duelists, when suddenly the pointer
pulled free from my grasp. He wobbled toward my dad and sat down in
front of him. Then slowly, carefully, he raised his paw.

Dad's lower jaw trembled as he stared at the uplifted paw confusion
replaced the anger in his eyes. The pointer waited patiently. Then Dad
was on his knees hugging the animal.

It was the beginning of a warm and intimate friendship. Dad named the
pointer Cheyenne. Together he and Cheyenne explored the community. They
spent long hours walking down dusty lanes. They spent reflective moments
on the banks of streams, angling for tasty trout. They even
started to attend Sunday services together, Dad sitting in a pew and
Cheyenne lying quietly at his feet.

Dad and Cheyenne were inseparable throughout the next three years. Dad's
bitterness faded, and he and Cheyenne made many friends. Then late one
night I was startled to feel Cheyenne's cold nose burrowing through our
bed covers. He had never before come into our bedroom at night. I woke
Dick, put on my robe and ran into my father's room. Dad lay in his bed,
his face serene. But his spirit had left quietly sometime during the
night.

Two days later my shock and grief deepened when I discovered Cheyenne
lying dead beside Dad's bed. I wrapped his still form in the rag rug he
had slept on. As Dick and I buried him near a favorite fishing hole, I
silently thanked the dog for the help he had given me in restoring Dad's
peace of mind.

The morning of Dad's funeral dawned overcast and dreary. This day looks
like the way I feel, I thought, as I walked down the aisle to the pews
reserved for family. I was surprised to see the many friends Dad and
Cheyenne had made filling the church. The pastor began his eulogy. It
was a tribute to both Dad and the dog who had changed his life. And then
the pastor turned to Hebrews 13:2. "Be not forgetful to entertain
strangers."

"I've often thanked God for sending that angel," he said.

For me, the past dropped into place, completing a puzzle that I had not
seen before: the sympathetic voice that had just read the right
article...

Cheyenne's unexpected appearance at the animal shelter. .his calm
acceptance and complete devotion to my father. . .and the proximity of
their deaths. And suddenly I understood. I knew that God had answered my
prayers after all.
Life is too short for drama & petty things, so laugh hard,
love truly and forgive quickly.
Live While You Are Alive.
Tell the people you love that you love them, at every
opportunity.
Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a
second time. 

Have a great day all and keep smiling,

Johnboy out................... 

 

[LSWrr]

Twhite, did you see my comment about the cat?

Rob, did you get the CT scan yet? 

Twhite, I've been thinking about weathering some of my locomotives, not real bad, but just enough to show they work in the coal business and not passenger service. Do you have any recommendations?

Lee

[twhite]

Morning all.  Another fairly hot day here in SunnyCal--no smoke, the fires are pretty much under control.  No Delta Breeze either, so it's predicted to be about 97 again, today.  However the threat of triple digits seems to have gone away, since there's a low in the Gulf of Alaska that's supposed to dip down over the weekend. 

So far, except for the smoke, it's been a fairly mild summer here in Cal--at least in this part. 

Lowell has his usual morning appointment in about a half-hour.  I'm mixing his baby-food with low-phospate cat food as the Vet suggested, and he's wolfing it down like crazy.  Believe it or not, I actually felt muscle in a spot where three days ago it seemed like skin and bone, so he may be putting some weight back on.  I notice he's not drinking near as much water as he has been--or flooding the kitty box--so he seems to be stabilizing. 

Jeff:  Wow, my friend, you didn't waste ANY time on that baggage car--looks really GOOD!  Oh, PS--those wheels are 36" NWSL in case you want to trade them out on another passenger car--they really track SMOOTH. 

Rob:  I'm with Garry and Flash--hie thyself to a doctor and get a CT scan, buddy.  That's how I found out that I had a 'floating' rib a couple of years ago, and we were able to get it re-anchored so that it didn't 'float' around and puncture a lung.  So DO IT!! 

Flash:  Hope your dad hangs in there and continues to improve.  Have you contacted Legal Aid about the financial arrangements?  I know it was pretty scary there for a while, at least from your post. 

Well, nothing much new around here.  After I get Lowell back from the Vet's, going to go out and work some more on the layout.  Funny thing--I was out running a brass Balboa SP 2-10-2 that I bought second hand a couple of years ago, and I was reminded of a thread we had going on 'weathering' locomotives, and how I stated that I didn't like to weather mine into 'rolling junkyards'.  Well, the guy I bought the 2-10-2 from did just exactly THAT!  Nice job, but now I'm wondering if I should strip it down and re-do it.  The loco runs beautifully, but it sure LOOKS as if it's on its last legs--at least to me.  I'll have to think about it. 

Well, got to load Lowell up and head off. 

Best to all, prayers to those in need. 

Tom

 

 

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Rob says:  "Wife is pestering me to have a follow-up full body CT scan and also have my ankles fixed. I'm not at all interested in pursuing either right now. I prefer to enjoy life for a while without any bad news. Maybe next year!"

I say....... Real men are not afraid of medical tests. If there is "bad news" it will be corrected with "good news" from today's modern medical treatments.

Zoe: ....From now until further notice...........All of Rob's coffee is to be served in "CT Scan" mugs!

[Flashwave]

Oh, because I've alreasdy been down that road with dad,

 

Rob:GO GET THE CT SCAN NOW!!!

[pcarrell]

PC,  ........Were those MOW pics on CSX's Indy- Columbus line? I'd heard they were going to do some improvements out that way.

Yeah, it's the line coming out the northeast side of Indy and following alongside SR 67/36 on into Anderson.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Jeff, nice job on the baggage car, although I thought the giant tire rub mark on the proto was very interesting.  I wonder what made that mark.

Would you believe a small tree? Bugs got it this last spring so it will never leaf out again. If you load the photo in Windows Picture and Fax viewer and zoom in on that part of the car you can just see the tree.

[LSWrr]

Good morning,

Tom, I was chatting with a friend of mine, she has the same problem with one of her cats:

"I have taken Scout to the vet the past 3 days for IV's (fluids).  The vet had given me B12 to add to his fluids and I think it messed him up so they are trying to flush his kidneys and get his stats up. You can tell your friend that if he gives his kitty 1/4 of REGULAR Pepcid it helps with upset stomachs...which could be why his kitty isn't eating regularly. It has helped Scout...he eats about everything. Scout doesn't care to much for the renal cat food but I add a little bit of "exquisite cat" canned food in for flavor and he seems fine with it.  I also give him a little bit of chicken (I buy rotisserie chicken) to keep his calorie intake up. Its a lot of work and you have to keep a close eye on the kitties.  I get to talk to the vet when I leave here to pick up Scout to see if the IV's helped at all.  VERY stressful."

ROB, go get the CT scan. 1. It will benefit you in the long run. 2. The Mrs is always right, I'm sure if you ask her she will agree with me, LOL.

Jeff, nice job on the baggage car, although I thought the giant tire rub mark on the proto was very interesting.  I wonder what made that mark.

I managed to clear coat all 45 hoppers and swapped out 82 couplers last night.  This weekend I'll work on weathering and post some pictures on my web site.

Lee