Elliots Trackside Diner IV, Under New Management!

[railroadnut675]

     I'm sitting on the second story of the library, munching on a granola bar, pecking away at the keyboard (why do I talk to you miserable sinners?). I'm going over the list of new rolling stock and things to buy (yes, I have a list). Among the things

 1. Walthers Brick Street System

 2. CSX/NS/Chessie Hopper

 3. Boxcar (a.k.a. weathering dummy)

 4. Fuel Car (maybe)

 5. Gondola Car

 6. Santa Fe F7 (for a good price)

   I'm plotting the next time I can get some. The LHS about a mile up the road closed, and now the nearest one is on the other side of town (Happy Hobo, good place). I had to run through the pouring rain to get here; the rain ended around 1 1/2 hours ago, but I'm still wet. Class is going well--enough. My dad and I will work on Walton & Sons Lumber Mill for our next project.

[railroadnut675]

Aw heck. Tops.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Excellent! I'll have the steak and lobster.

[sleeper33]

 make that 2

 and a tea please

Gav

[Cederstrand]

Just a double helping of Lobster, here. Oh yea, may as well have another coffee while I'm at it. Thanks!

Rob

[Train Master]

Hey, I want some of that lobster too.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Take it easy on that lobster. That stuff will make you fat in a hurry.

[sleeper33]

if im not already

[twhite]

Wow, HECK with the waistline, I'll have a DOUBLE order of that Surf n' Turf.  That IS Maine lobster, right? 

Hotter today than yesterday out here in Sunnycal, but oddly enough the air quality is really good.  Spent most of the day out on the Buttes, got quite a bit done.  However I found out that in dry heat, Hydrocal sets up almost TOO fast to work with, however, Sculptamold, if mixed 50/50, will go into a mold and set up just as smoothly as Hydrocal.  And it's actually easier to work with since it has a longer setting time.  Just slap the mold on the portion you're working and go away for a while.  Come back about 20 minutes later, peel the mold off and VOILA!  a nice, smooth casting.  Working in an area where the Cripplebush doesn't really fit, so it's ALL castings on this portion, about a foot and a half.  But it's coming along.  Only FIVE FEET to go, gang! 

Garry:  Actually, the Forest Service used pack horses up around the Buttes.  I don't ever remember seeing a burro around the Sierra--they seemed to be more of a Southwestern animal.  Anyway, I've found a place to 'carve' the trail up to the highest butte, I should be starting that tomorrow or Sunday.  Have Mom coming down Sunday, but like I said, she's happy with her books and MGM musicals on the DVD, so I can still spend a lot of time out there on the project.  But there's something about those mountain climbers---- Hey, I could have some Alpine soldiers in training from nearby Camp Beale, come to think of it!

Well, have a good evening, all--got to get back out and peel some castings.  Best to all and prayers to those in need. 

Tom

[Fergmiester]

Lobster?!?... What's the point of "a" Lobster? If your gonna have Lobster, Make it at least 4 Lobster!

Jeff: Lobster is not Calories it's Protein!!! The hot Butter  makes the Dairy component and the potato Salad is the veggies. A complete meal in my books.

Tom: I went through your website the other day and I have to say how impressed I was by the scenery and your Roster. Kudoes Sir, very nice!

If you've been wondering of my whereabouts I've been digging in the garden these las to weeks and updated picks can be found in my Webshots album.

Fergie

For those affected by the floods my heart goes out to you all.

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

The temperature has dropped twenty degrees in less than two hours. That tells me one thing. We're in for some heavy rain tonight!

[JimRCGMO]

Evening, Diners, Chloe! Since everyone else's hitting the lobster so heavy, I'll take a double size on the steaks for me, please,

 

and with a side salad

 

and a glass of wine, thank you.

 

Hey, we appreciate you hitting TOP honors, RRNut!

Good to see you again, 'Young David' - what're you up to this summer (aside from getting sunburned, that is)? That getting sunburned is one of those things you learn not to do (usually by hard experience...) - once. Are you putting something on the skin to ease the burn? Hopefully so.

Gav, another fun evening there, huh? Does the rain keep the little more subdued or inside more? Or are they just behaving themselves more because you started cracking down on the inspections?

Tom, you're sure making progress on the Buttes and rocks (even with the dinner break - and of course, a nap afterward...)! I may have to keep in mind that Sculptamold and plaster mix idea. I have an unopened bag of Sculptamold, and two 'half gallons' of the plaster (at least, their containers look identical to the half gallons of milk that you used to get milk in). I'm hoping the plaster is still okay - I've had them a lonnnnngggg while, but the containers appear to be wax-coated, so I'm hoping that kept the moisture out. When I shake them, it feels like there's powdered stuff inside, instead of a solid chunk. Guess I'll find out once I get to doing rocks, huh?

You're right on the burros, I'm betting, Tom. I thought of those burros because of one book I enjoyed as a teen (or pre-teen, it's been a long while for that, too) - "Brighty of the Grand Canyon", which was based on an actual burro that lived in the Grand Canyon area. And that was more in the Southwest than up north in California where you're located. Since my layout is set in the Southwest, I figure on having some burros in some of the wilder parts of the scenery.

Anyone heard from Sue lately? Seems like she and a few of the Diners have been MIA for a bit. Maybe they're outside sandbagging or BBQing or enjoying the weather (depending on their locale).

Fergie, good to see you again - I'll have to go see what your garden improvements are looing like. You planning on opening a nursery (the plant kind) after you retire from icebreaking and polar bear chasing?  

Jeff, I think you'll be getting the western edge of the rain front soon, that we had move through last night (started coming in yesterday already). Our temperature dropped ten to fifteen degrees (F) when it moved through. We're at 73 F now, and supposed to drop to 61 F tonight. 

Speaking of the weather, we didn't get much rain here today, which is just as well for those in the lower-lying areas to our south. More pics on the news today of towns flooded in Iowa and northern Missouri. Let's keep those folks in our prayers and thoughts.

I went by Lowe's before dinner today to get some lumber for the layout, but couldn't find anyone to get a question answered (or to get the cuts made that I wanted). I think their help all went on break at the same time... I just told the clerk at the checkout that I'd try to find a place that had some people to help, and walked off; left the wood on the cart . Hrrrummmph! (Talk about a grumpy ol' man! That was me! )

So I then went by Panera's where I'm using their free WiFi at the moment. And I was having a little nibble to whet my appetite before starting on my humongous steak here.

Tonight at home, I may see about starting back on the Roberts Printing kitbash and painting it. I'll need to mask off the 'concrete areas first, then paint the brick areas in the morning before I go do laundry. After laundry I'll see about finding a lumber yard with more helpful people and get my plywood, 1X2's and 2X2's (or 2X4's to rip) for the benchwork and basic structure for the corner section. Hopefully, I can get a start on the basic wiring for the existing sections tomorrow as well.

Mmm, this steak is great! Let me cut another bite. Mmm, mmm, mmm....

 

Blessings and prayers,

Jim in Cape Girardeau 

[pcarrell]

That IS Maine lobster, right?

Is there any other kind?

[sleeper33]

Jim

 most of the troublemakers have gone or are laying low caus of the room checks. the weather doent normally stop them unfortunately.

oh well now im here another tea please

 

[twhite]

Well, gang, here's a shot of what I got accomplished on the Buttes today.  Between the Cripplebush and the Sculptamold, it kind of looks like the Bride of Frankenstein right now, but that's what I get for doing scenery ON scenery, LOL!

Haven't hit the area to the far left, yet.  Which means MORE fun and games.  Start the painting and blending on the just-done area tomorrow. 

Tom

 

[sleeper33]

Tom

 looking good it's better than anything I could do

 

[CNCharlie]

Good Evening Diners!

Too late for that lobster but not for dessert. How about a Creme Caramel and a coffee please Chloe.

Well it took me some time to catch up on the posts as I have been out of town on a business trip to southern Ontario. Just got back late last night. The weather there was rainy and cool but it was sunny and warm here. I actually prefer cool and cloudy if I have a fair bit of driving to do as was the case with this trip. I had to get some information in order to do an assessment on the potential purchase of a couple of businesses by my employer. I did manage to get in a visit to a good hobby shop though and I bought a DVD on steam in Canada shot in 1957 by a Maynard Laing of Seattle. He also did some filming in 1858 and 1959 that actually had the sound recorded. I was watching the promo trailer and I saw that there is a DVD on the Yellowstones of the DM&IR. I thought immediately of Tom and I imagine he has a copy of that considering how feels about Yellowstones.

I did come to a conclusion on that trip though and that is to sell my boat. I went for a walk after dinner one night beside a marina and found that I really didn't have much interest in the boats compared to a few years ago. There was an old ten wheeler on display nearby that was far more appealing so it is now time. Considering I've owned a sail boat for 35 years and the present one for 24 of those, it is a big decision for me but first I need to get to Gimli and get the rigging set up since potential purchasers will likely want to go for a sail.

Say, it's getting late and my coffee cup is empty so I'll sign off for now.

CN Charlie

[wetidlerjr]

Good Morning from Tipton IN !

[Fergmiester]

That IS Maine lobster, right?

Is there any other kind?

Actually... There is The colder the water the better, which means Newfoundland Lobster is very good (The Best!) Nova Scotia Lobster comes in second (Much of it lands on the Boston market anyway) and of course there's PEI and NewBrunswick Lobster which is also fine.

But at $7 a pound it's best in the Ocean

Good Morning All 

[Cederstrand]

in a SOUTHERN mug, please & thank you. 

***CN Charlie, sounds like selling your boat is a reasonable decision. One of my passions was white water rafting. Great times & memories from a previous chapter in my life. Only wish I had sold my Miwok & equipment years ago before dryrot set in. Hope you get a really good price for what you sell.

***Tom, your progress continues to impress. Keep the photos coming.

Rob

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Good moring diners.

OJ and oatmeal, please.

CN Charlie............. That DVD on Canadian steam sounds like an interesting one. Also, it sounds like you are parting with a family member almost regarding the boat. Actually, I can relate to that. We sold our boat and we are on the lake. Both Shelley (she is a real CFO) and I  retired fianancial people and we simply could not justify owning one at all. The state park here has a new marina with boats to rent, and that meets our needs for the rare occassions when we use a boat. Of course, we're not talking about sail boats as you mentioned.

Rob .... Will the new house look completely differnt?

Fergie ........ I do remember that NS lobster from when we were there. We still would like to go back there again some day.  ...Gardening, Fergie....allocate time for mrr'ing too I hope. Did the crane and the pwer shovel projects come out OK?

Tom is making big progess on his scenery. Wow.

I have dozens of minor projects for the model railroad waiting for my attention.

 

[sweety20001]

YOU MONSTERS!!

I happen to be raulroadnut's little sister and how dare you people want to eat bunny! Moco is an adorable bunny and you shouldn't ever even dream of touching him. After all you have said Moco would come after you people carrying a chainsaw (yes he is that strong). So bow down to him you filthy train lovers!

 

[der5997]

Good morning folks: Fergie, the Newfoundland lobster I can't speak to, but in my book, Sober Isalnd lobster is the BEST! If it's a water temperature thing, we have fog, like Newf, therefore cold water, so maybe that's it. Sadly, the season ended yesterday, so that's it for around here until April 19 next year.  All that to say, PC, as Fergie so rightly points out, Yes! there are Maine Lobster, but if you want the BEST, you have to travel north.

The $7 is store price of course, and our local from the wharf price was $5. That compensates some-what for the price being live weight. I hate to think what the dry protien weight would be!

Sorry to learn of the fires and floods. Hope that things get back to normal and "well adusted" for everyone soon.

I'm putting Digitrax decoders in two Kato RDCs. Didn't realize that the motor wasn't isolated from the frame too well, nor the decoder, come to that. So, Kapton tape to the rescue!

We soldier on....

[Cederstrand]

refill, please & thanks.

***Railroadnuts little sister: I would never think of eating Moco. Haven't BBQ'd rabbit in probably 20 years. (was mighty good though) I will say rabbits can be very cannibalistic critters, at least in captivity. (just ask my sister ) Here is a painting I did of a marsh rabbit from WA state (think I posted this one before)...

Rob

[Cox 47]

Good saturday morning All..Its sunny and warm here this morning...I'll have biscuits and gravey and coffee please...Thank You...Its interesting hearing all the talk about Lobster I have never tried it but its on my bucket list to have sometime..My Son and his youngest Daughter came up for awhile last nite had a good visit She had to run trains...Fergie and John glad to see you both in the Dinner...Jeff did you get any storms last nite after the big drop in temps?...This is not a good photo but its the 40 foot wooden box I just finnished rehabing it was DRG and I decaled it for NKP and weathered

You all have a good saturday....Jerry

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Howdy...

I hope our kidding around about rabbits did not hurt little sister's feelings. Sorry if we did. Next time, somebody will post their pet parrot and we'll ruffle their feathers.

Jerry ... nice work on the box car.

Went to farmers market. I hope the home grown tomatoes are safe. Should be.

Glad the to see Canadians are back in the diner, eh.  

Happy Model Railroading.

 

[JPowell]

Good day all from the 'Sandbox!'

Jus thought I'd make my presence known since it has been what, 17 days since my last post!

Anyways, just wanted to stop in, say hi, and ask the ladies for a nice big hot fudge sundae. I know, it will melt asap (it was 121 here at 4pm our time yesterday), but it will be a nice cool refreshing treat from this heat.

Take care all!

JP

[twhite]

Afternoon from SunnyCal, all.  Seems we're in the "Bake" sequence of "Shake n' Bake".  All up and down the state.  It was around 116 in Southern Cal yesterday, we had about 103 up here in the North State.  Today, San Francisco is supposed to hit 95 (normal temperature for SF this time of year is about 60), and we're supposed to top out around 105.  Guess what, according to my pool thermometer, we're already THERE, and it's over two hours to top temperature around here--the heat usually peaks about 4:00 in the afternoon!   I guess the East Coast is getting hit with the same thing.  Big buildup of thunder-clouds over the Sierra, so that probably means thundershowers today.  Hope it's not the 'dry' kind, though.  Oddly enough, the air quality isn't that bad here--yet--which is unusual for these kinds of temperatures.  Spent some time in the garage this morning painting the rockwork I put in yesterday.  It's coming along. 

I hear that the situation in the Midwest is improving little by little.  Boy, weatherwise, this is a summer to go down in the books, all right!   It's kind of funny--the hotter it gets around here, the more my big furry Maine Coons Spooky and Lowell look for sun-spots to lay in.  Talk about WEIRD! 

Well, here's another shot of progress on the Buttes--put on a coat of paint today.  I'm using H2O latex spray cans to get the base coats on, then going back in with dry-brush and Bragdon chalks for the tinting.  Haven't hit the left hand side of the picture with the Bragdon yet, but I'll do that this evening when the temperature cools off to about 98, LOL!

Maybe some day I'll actually get to RUN a train, LOL!

Have a great day all, best to you and prayers for those in need. 

Tom

 

 

[sunsetbeachry]

 

HI ALL;

  I know been a long time,but S**T happens...... Bad news first KATHY in St. Vincents Hosp. in Portland. Heart congestion and a collasped lung.

N ext I'm here at home untill she comes out of all the heavy narcs. Drs. say that she will recover but it will take time.

Now since I'm stuck here at home I've got time to work on the RR. About 6 years ago Tall Times found an old logging camp and wrote about it in three issues, giving pictures and detail drawings of all the buildings that they found at that time in was being used as a youth camp by youth groups in eastern oregon and was given to a religious group that use it in the summer some of the logging buildings still had tracks and wheels still under them. Houses for the living quateres aloung with two cars put together side by side for a eating place also a building for the use of "facilities" including showers, and a saw filers workshop all the emenities of home life.I started to scratchbuild 6 cars by using the detail drawings provided in the mag using the old FORD way one piece multiplied 8 times so that if I "mess" up I can blame it on you no who!!!!eight sets of runners 8 sets of everthing takes a lot of bass and balsa for this fun. I'm still trying to learn how to transfeer pictures to the comp from camera to disk and then to yu'all. Someday this ole POLOCK will learn not only this but how to spell!!!!!

          Fair Winds and Following Seas to all Chuck.
 

[rtraincollector]

Okay first I'm not even going to try and read what all I have missed in the past month or so. second sweety I've never eaten rabbit just a few bambi's and that has been years now.

Okay hi all been a while I'm now in columbia, S.C. and working at the V.A. also finally signed up to get some of my veteran's bennifits that I've always told couldn't get as I was part of a catch 22 being I served both in the wwII era and the montgomery GI bill era. (long and complicated story)

Well wife and I are getting settled in here in our first accual home not a manurfacture home. Have been getting about 20 hours O.T. every pay period (2 weeks here) so that helps.

P.C. hows your kid doing?