Elliot's Trackside Diner V, at the diamonds

[Cox 47]

Good Morning All...Its sunny and cool here 44 sure makes you think Fall is here..I'll have Biscuits and Gravey with coffee please...Thank YouRan trains alittle yesterday but that about all the railroading I've got done..

Jeff..Nice photo I like the "abanded" spur..Hows the A/C plant coming?

JR....Glad to see you back in Dinner..Sound like you have been busy...

Mac...Welcome to the Dinner...stop in often glad to have you..

Paul...You still see spreaders around here...Saw one working last fall over around T-Town on a Dairy Farm..The Amish still use Horse drawn  spreaders some too...

You all have a good one...Jerry

[pcarrell]

Whoa!  Bill's buying.....AND I'M NOT!

Morning all!

No, I'm not playing hooky again.  I'm here at the office.

Mighty chilly ride into work this morning too.  It was 46 degrees when I left the house.  Add to that the 40mph I was doing most of the way, and it was nippy!  I've decided to look at it as a "brisk" wake-up call though.  Somehow it doesn't seeem so harsh that way! lol

Mac, welcome to the diner.  Some of those serial computer connectors might work for your wiring situation while leaving some room to grow.  Best of all, people will often give away old broken down computers, printers and stuff like that, so your parts supply is not only endless, but it's free!

Well, I've got the pumpkin coffee brewing and my comfortable chair all warmed up, I suppose it's time to hit the voice mails, Emails, and numerous papers that have piled on my desk in my absence.

Later!

[TrainsRMe1]

Good Mornin' Zoe,

 I'll have the pancakes and sausage am special please, "Hey all' I see people have rolled early this mornin'  The weather here calls for partly cloudy skyes temps in the 70's BUT get this it's all over for us baby, the Oregon Sunshine rolls in Thursday, rain thurs, showers Fri, (what;s the difference) rain Sat, all til next June )naw Kiddin'. My garage to trainroom plans are moving along very slow, I just heard my this sports talk show that there is a home modeling show coming to Portland,  there having a contest on the junkyest garage, all you have to do send them a picture or post a pic on there website, and if you win they will send a crew out to remodel you garage!! (on there dime,about $15,000 worth of work) ah yes I'm goin' for it, I will keep you posted, man talkin; about saving time and work, wish me luck guys!! 

[LSWrr]

Good morning!

Winter commeth!

The lake has dropped to 53F surface temp.

Today: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 58. Breezy, with a west wind between 10 and 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 51. Breezy, with a north wind between 17 and 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

GAV, Wow sounds like you got a bunch of work done.

MAC, I highly recommend suitcase connecters for connecting the wires.  I have pictures of them in my web site's construction pictures. They are not quick disconnects, but they will make all other connections a snap. I wired mine with the intent to upgrade to DCC in the near future.  Check out the NMRA web site and they have several tip sheets on the disconnects in their modular layout section. Also a friend of mine is using the power plugs found in most computers for his layout.  If you buy them in bulk they are much cheaper than RS.

Garry continued thoughts and prayers for your friend.

Jeff, that is a very prototypical scene you have posted there, great job!

GF and I have a myyearbook site now, LOL.  I was surprised at how many friends I've lost touch with over the years have found me.

Lee

[GMTRacing]

Good Morning All,

      A regular and a coffee roll please Zoe. Drizzly/foggy this morning with the temp in the mid sixties and no breeze. We're to get showers on and off through the day as well.

 RT - good luck with the VA visit.

Jeff - sounds like you had a long ride - hope you enjoyed it. I love the idea for the A/C unit. That was one of the most prominent issues with your empire pics as it loomed in the backround and the solution is elegantJust think, now you can model refridgerant cars as well.

Still quite busy here - Lime Rock this weekend, we were in Danville, Va last week and just been trying to keep up with duties and deadlines. Did get to Walthers Terminal Hobbies two weeks ago on my trip to Wisconsin.

Gavin - sounds like you're making good progress - any chance of pics?

Mac46 - welcome and good luck with the layout. Two things to try perhaps are "phono plugs" or microphone plugs. These are the small plugs used on stereo or on guitar/microphone cords and are available as solder or screw terminals in a variety of configurations. Worst case, leave a loop in the wires between tables so you can cut and fit later. That way if you need some other configuration or more conductors in the plugs (switch wiring, lighting , etc) you can take care of it.

Gotta run, lots to do before Lime Rock and all the clean up and prep for Road Atlanta two weeks after as well.  J.R.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I see Bill took the Top Of Page honors this morning. I'll have the bacon and eggs.

Good morning.

It's 62 and clear. The high should be in the low 80's today and it will be clear and sunny.

Yesterdays visit to the docs office was a bust. For one thing they had scheduled me for one time and told me to come in at another time, When I got there at the time I was told to be there I had already missed the appointed time by several hours and they were packing up to leave. Also, there had been a foul-up in the paperwork. They had somehow gotten the impression that I'm on MediCare. I told them for the umpteenth time I'm on MediCaid. Big difference there. MediCare pays 80% while I would have to pay 20%. MediCaid pays the entire cost but all cost estimates have to be sent to MediCaid for pre-approval. That usually takes several weeks. They'll let me know when the paperwork comes back. So it looks like I had a nice drive to DeRidder and back. While on the way there I came upon a slight traffic jam. A log truck had pulled out of an access road and was crossing the highway when the trucks transmission decided it was time to turn into many unconnected pieces. The truck stopped dead as a hammer with both southbound lanes completely blocked. I quickly looked the situation over, decided there was nothing I could do then turned onto the access road, pulled a u-turn then exited onto the highway on the other side of the truck and continued my trip. It wasn't long before those who had been behind me followed suit. Other than that, it was an uneventful trip.

Today's Weather for:
Sundown, LA  71446-6114      10/1/2008

Wind Chill:  62°F
Humidity:  76%
Dew Point:  55°F

So Far Today
High:  66°F
Low:  62°F
Rain:  0.00"
Rain Rate:  0.00"/h
Gust:  6mph NNE

Today  High: 82    Sunny. Highs in the lower 80s. North winds around 5 mph.

Tonight  Low: 55    Clear. Lows in the mid 50s. Northeast winds around 5 mph in the evening becoming southeast after midnight.

[wetidlerjr]

Good Morning from Tipton IN ! 

[Cederstrand]

Tall glass of lemon water, please & thanks.

***Paul, good luck with that spreader.

Still have enough hay to last a few more days I think, so am leaving the pickup parked in hopes the fuel in our state will become more readily available very soon. If it gets too bad, I can always syphon a few gallons out of the wife's car.

Have a good ngiht all.

Rob

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Hello......

Jeff....Your sign is really cool.

Our friend had her cancer surgery. Doctors removed a lot of stuff, and the yshould have all the cancer out. Tests will tell in a few days.

Have a nice evening. 

 

[Paul W. Beverung]

Evening Gang: I mainly did alot of chasing around today. I went out to my friends to check on the plans for the train show at Clark Gardens. That is the week end after this one. We are also cetting ready for our live steam meet here. That starts on Thursday. After my friends place I went by the New Holland dealer and checked on a poop spreader that is out in the back. It needs some TLC but is salvageable. They offered it to me for $200 so I'll see if I can talk the CFO into it. I could get that back selling it for scrap. I went out to Clark Gardens and got some more posters and pamphlets. I'll spread them out where ever I can.

Mac46: Slow down and take a deap breath you'll make mistakes by getting in a hurry.

Inch that retiree list is SOOOOOO right.

Well I'm tired so I'll head to bed.

Good Night All

[Mac46]

Thanks for the warm welcome, all. I will let everyone know ASAP on the arrival of our daughter.

 

Please have a cup on me. In Nov, my father-in-law will be flying up to join his wife who will be here next week. The man is a born handyman and I am saving some of the severe gruntwork for him. The wiring is proving to be a pain. Attaching quick disconnects for easy takedown is turning into a monumental nightmare. I am working at a feverish pace and I am terrified of making mistakes.

 

I will try to get a track plan posted.

 

Cheers, everyone.

What kind of disconnects? Maybe we can point you to something easier?

I forget what they are called. Attach bare wire to a male and female end and they snap together. Problem is, with the DCC it gets complicated. Or so it seems. I am not an electrician and I think I am fast getting in over my head.

Sounds like spade connectors. On many of my earlier layouts I used trailer light connector plugs and sockets.

 

I'll give them a shot. Last thing I want is a roll of "spaghetti" lying all over the place.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Thanks for the warm welcome, all. I will let everyone know ASAP on the arrival of our daughter.

 

Please have a cup on me. In Nov, my father-in-law will be flying up to join his wife who will be here next week. The man is a born handyman and I am saving some of the severe gruntwork for him. The wiring is proving to be a pain. Attaching quick disconnects for easy takedown is turning into a monumental nightmare. I am working at a feverish pace and I am terrified of making mistakes.

 

I will try to get a track plan posted.

 

Cheers, everyone.

What kind of disconnects? Maybe we can point you to something easier?

I forget what they are called. Attach bare wire to a male and female end and they snap together. Problem is, with the DCC it gets complicated. Or so it seems. I am not an electrician and I think I am fast getting in over my head.

Sounds like spade connectors. On many of my earlier layouts I used trailer light connector plugs and sockets.

[Mac46]

Thanks for the warm welcome, all. I will let everyone know ASAP on the arrival of our daughter.

 

Please have a cup on me. In Nov, my father-in-law will be flying up to join his wife who will be here next week. The man is a born handyman and I am saving some of the severe gruntwork for him. The wiring is proving to be a pain. Attaching quick disconnects for easy takedown is turning into a monumental nightmare. I am working at a feverish pace and I am terrified of making mistakes.

 

I will try to get a track plan posted.

 

Cheers, everyone.

What kind of disconnects? Maybe we can point you to something easier?

I forget what they are called. Attach bare wire to a male and female end and they snap together. Problem is, with the DCC it gets complicated. Or so it seems. I am not an electrician and I think I am fast getting in over my head.

[Flashwave]

Thanks for the warm welcome, all. I will let everyone know ASAP on the arrival of our daughter.

 

Please have a cup on me. In Nov, my father-in-law will be flying up to join his wife who will be here next week. The man is a born handyman and I am saving some of the severe gruntwork for him. The wiring is proving to be a pain. Attaching quick disconnects for easy takedown is turning into a monumental nightmare. I am working at a feverish pace and I am terrified of making mistakes.

 

I will try to get a track plan posted.

 

Cheers, everyone.

What kind of disconnects? Maybe we can point you to something easier?

[Mac46]

Thanks for the warm welcome, all. I will let everyone know ASAP on the arrival of our daughter.

 

Please have a cup on me. In Nov, my father-in-law will be flying up to join his wife who will be here next week. The man is a born handyman and I am saving some of the severe gruntwork for him. The wiring is proving to be a pain. Attaching quick disconnects for easy takedown is turning into a monumental nightmare. I am working at a feverish pace and I am terrified of making mistakes.

 

I will try to get a track plan posted.

 

Cheers, everyone.

[TrainsRMe1]

 Hey All!!

    Zoe, I will take a rootBEER float please.  I see we have yet a new member to the diner, here comes the welcome parade for mac46!!!!!!! come on in mac, fell free to sit a while, I will be back soon, to see how the welcome party is goin'

                                          -trainsrme1

[CNCharlie]

 Hello Diners!

Garry, thanks for the good wishes about Jamie. I'm happy to report that he is coming along ok now but he sure is sleepy.

Der and Jeff, thanks for the info on the wire strippers. I think I'll go to Radio Shack or The Source as those stores are now called here, and see what they have.

I think I'll run my RS3 again tonight as I'm sure getting a kick out of the sound. There's supposed to be 16 different horn sounds in there so I might experiment a bit. Not sure what the CP version sounded like so I guess it will be what I like.

It's just about supper time and there's fresh corn on the cob in the pot so this is just a short post. Ok, I heard that clapping!

CN Charlie

 

[sleeper33]

  Hi all

hope is all well with my fellow diners.

 oh well just a tea to go please as the little cherubs are orf out again and got to keep on top of the rubbish b 4 they come back. actually got some layout time in last weekend and now

    

     IT RUNS IT RUNS!!

got all the main in and passing loop as well as 2 sideings of staging phase 1. so lookin good for a phase 1 completion soon

 oh well must dash

GOD BLESS ALL

[jeffrey-wimberly]

BTW, is El Giro a Greek or Mexican restaurant?

Mexican, and how!

So Jeff! Does this mean that the Saints will win the Super Bowl this year?

Only if I can make that place Boudro and Tibedou went to freeze over 6 feet thick!

[Cox 47]

Afternoon all....Its sunny and cooler here today ...Fall is in the air..only 61...I'll have a root beer float and onion rings please..put that on PPC's bill thank You...Servive man came this morning and put new motors and control box in hope this takes care of it...Jeff...great idea to hide the A/C!....I am gonna slip over in back booth and see who drops in....Jerry

[inch53]

Afternoon all, an irish coffee please Janie.

Sorry bout not getting back sooner, but I was under the weather for a few days with what started as a head cold and then settled in my chest. Doing better now after some of those 7-day pills doc gave me.

 KC came home a week ago last Sat and in her words "I much betters now". She's been hard to keep up with since

As far as the Jamie n Roni, we're still waiting to see what the doc's to decide what the next step is. It'd be easier if they lived closer, Jamie's 3 hr and Roni's a 8 hr drive.

DICK,

Didn't get the wood stove, Mother wouldn't have any of it. So it's still pellets and it will be fired up in the morning for sure, it's not to bad out now, be even better if that north wind would lay some.

Have been keeping up some on everybody's progress n such. Nothin new for here, but I am getting in some playtime during Sunday football.

Keepin thoughts going for all those in need of'em. Sure seems to be a mess of them some days

A few thoughts for the day

And They Ask Why I Like Retirement !!!

Question: How many days in a week?
Answer: 6 Saturdays, 1 Sunday

Question: When is a retiree's bedtime?
Answer: Three hours after he falls asleep on the couch.

Question: How many retirees to change a light bulb?
Answer: Only one, but it might take all day.

Question: What's the biggest gripe of retirees?
Answer: There is not enough time to get everything done.

Question: Why don't retirees mind being called Seniors?
Answer: The term comes with a 10% discount.

Question: Among retirees what is considered formal attire?
Answer: Tied shoes.

Question: Why do retirees count pennies?
Answer: They are the only ones who have the time.

Question: What is the common term for someone who enjoys work and refuses to retire?
Answer: NUTS!

Question: Why are retirees so slow to clean out the basement, attic or garage?
Answer: They know that as soon as they do, one of their adult kids will want to store stuff there.

Question: What do retirees call a long lunch?
Answer: Normal .

Question: What is the best way to describe retirement?
Answer: The never ending Coffee Break.

Question: What's the biggest advantage of going back to school as a retiree?
Answer: If you cut classes, no one calls your parents.

Question: Why does a retiree often say he doesn't miss work, but misses the people he used to work with?
Answer: He is too polite to tell the whole truth.

QUESTION: What do you do all week?
Answer: Monday through Friday, NOTHING..... Saturday & Sunday, I rest [I wish]

 It's time for my ORF nap. Hope ya'll has a gooden n stay warm

[SilverSpike]

My prayer request is for Diane and her husband Wayne

 Garry, prayers added to our list for Diane and Wayne!  

Major endeavor/change here on the ol' farm. Wife is taking a break from nursing to pursue writing. Will need to seriously tighten up the belt for a while, but I think it is worth her giving this a serious effort. This is not without outside/professional encouragement. She is VERY tallented in this area. Wish her (& us) luck!

Rob, tell your wife good luck with the writing!

Time for tea and dessert.  I'll have an Earl Grey please, and a banana chopped in milk, with a sprinkle of ground Cassia, some Toasted Oat Os, and strawberries and blackberries to top it off. Thanks Zoe.

Quite a report there John! So, ground Cassia, is that cinnamon?

Your dock looks great, I like it!

RT, our thoughts are with you for the scheduled procedure on Thursday!

Good morning.

...my mother and I went to El Giro's restaurant in town. It's good that she's able to get around again and we want her to get out of the house some.

Jeff, it's good to hear that she is mobile and getting around again! BTW, is El Giro a Greek or Mexican restaurant?

Gasoline shortages?  Not here.

Garry, been a few gas outages in western NC around Asheville and a few stations here in Raleigh/Durham have run out for a day or two! And it keeps the price for regular around $3.79.

...I'll take a Arnold Palmer please

 What's an Arnold Palmer? A mixed drink?

Good luck with the job hunt Robby!

I was BAD today!

I played hooky from work today!  (It was my wife's idea.....thats my story and I'm sticking with it!)

now that sounds like a great idea...., but I've never done that before....

MAC46 to the diner!

Here's a sneak peek at the sign for the air conditioner company at the back of my layout. Their building looks just like a giant window unit. Wouldn't be the first time a company made their building look like their product.

So Jeff! Does this mean that the Saints will win the Super Bowl this year?

[LSWrr]

Fergie, The idea of going with the empire builder is the run.  I plan on centering the unit with a 35FT run to the east and a 30FT run to the west. The specs say a MAX of 50 ft run, but the MFG told me splitting the distance would work just fine.

What power supply are you using?  I'm looking at the PS2012 20 AMP DCC PS. Is that over kill? I may need to run 7 locomotives at one time (yea I have friends that don't have room for their own layout).  I may also need to add a booster for the second room in the basement.

Lee

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Here's a sneak peek at the sign for the air conditioner company at the back of my layout. Their building looks just like a giant window unit. Wouldn't be the first time a company made their building look like their product.

[grayfox1119]

Morning all!

Another fine day here in Indiana.  We have fog, low temps, and clouds, but it's still a great day that God created, so I'm going to enjoy it.

So whats up with you all today?

Oh, and Rob, Jim probably said it best.  No gas shortages around here.  Gas has been dropping in price.  I saw gas at $3.54 the other day.  Haven't seeen that in a while.  I'd just hold off a couple of days if you can.  Sanity will return.

 

 

 

 

And with that, all is right with the world!

I'm on the TOTP again!

So whats it going to be?

PC !!!! I see you are picking up breakfast!!! You hit the send key microseconds before me, thank you sir !!!  And you played hooky yesterday from work I hear ??? tsk, tsk, no wonder the stock market dropped 777 points yesterday !!!!!

Gas here at Cumberlands Farms was $3.41 last night.

[grayfox1119]

Good morning, cloudy and cool here this morning, we haven't seen the sun since last Thursday, I'm beginning to feel like I live in Oregon or Washington. Speaking of Oregon, WHERE IS SUE ??????

No damage from Kyle here, we received very little wind, and about 3" of rain, no big deal at all, but the center did come right at the SW tip of Nova Scotia, heavy rains to the west and gale force winds to the east of the center of circulation...right FERGIE ?

FERGIE: Aaaaaand Kyle went WHERE on Sunday??  How is the new 30" main line install going? Will your Big Boy make that radius OK/ What Big Boy you ask? The one that you are getting for Christmas..shhhhhh.

CN CHARLIE: Sorry to hear of your problems with your pet, they are just like family, and we do feel the pain. Good job with your RS3, glad to hear it installed so easily.

JERRY: No more road races with your chair...ya, we heard all about even up here, it made the nightly news!! LOL

MIKE: Time to bring in the wood, tough Winter ahead, and you want it warm when you work on kits this January, it makes the knees and hands work better.

ED: We are out of OJ up here, please make out an invoice for 2 18K single dome tankers, send via UP to NS to CSX. (Only "lots of pulp" OJ please)

JOHN: You are really making "tracks" young man!! And I'm happy to see that I'm not the only pack rat. I save everything, but I have to hide some items, otherwise the wife might throw that "junk" out.

Later guys, have to poly a window, see you at lunch,

[pcarrell]

Morning all!

Another fine day here in Indiana.  We have fog, low temps, and clouds, but it's still a great day that God created, so I'm going to enjoy it.

So whats up with you all today?

Oh, and Rob, Jim probably said it best.  No gas shortages around here.  Gas has been dropping in price.  I saw gas at $3.54 the other day.  Haven't seeen that in a while.  I'd just hold off a couple of days if you can.  Sanity will return.

 

 

 

 

And with that, all is right with the world!

I'm on the TOTP again!

So whats it going to be?

[Fergmiester]

Good Morning All

Mac Yes GN is a fine RR to model and as you said they have some fine engines. I ordered a Precision Craft GN 4-8-4 through Train World when they first started advertising them... I'm still waiting for them to be released That's the good thing about being a freelancer I can make do without it by substitution. Still it can be frustrating.

Lee: You can't go wrong with the Empire Builder as that's what I have been using for the last 4 years. BTW the old CCGS ALERT had seat belts for her most forward bunks (That's where we put the cadets). Needless to say we didn't carry too many cadets!

RT: Good luck with your procedure! I'm sure you'll be fine!!

Der John: Wonderful progress with the docks! Fenders can be found in many configurations. There seems to be a waning of the Tractor tires as I think some Shipping companies resent the fact they blacken the hull of their ships. This may not be an issue for a Black hulled freighter however... a Pristine white hulled Cruise Liner may feel different. Coast Guard Bases are now using red cylindrical poly filled fenders that lay on the water in a horizontal fashion and ride with the tide and are chained to the dock.

Later All

Fergie

[LSWrr]

Good morning all,

 

Lake effect rain all day today!

  

C&O thanks for the link, I'm guessing a move to DCC this spring for me.  Super Empire Builder seems like the ticket for my RR, hopefully they have a after Christmas Sale.

 

Jim & Jerry, I had the Wyoming coal mine, foundry (both all metal) and the chair factory.  I do have bids on the box factory; Purina feed mill, and the warehouse.  The trick to a good solder joint is clean metal and good flux!  I use a stainless steel brush on my Dremel and the soft white past flux.  Where the flux is the solder will follow.

 

RT, good luck at the hospital!

 

Welcome to the diner MAC!

 

Ok off to work, the LNM goes to publishing today.

 

Lee

[NS Luc]

Good morning