Elliot's Trackside Diner V, at the diamonds

[SilverSpike]

Good Morning Folks!

We had a busy weekend... 

Saturday Ben started in his Fall Baseball team, he is on the Iron Birds team! We got his practce and game schedule for next two months, plenty of nights and weekends are filled up quick like now.

Then we went to the Styx / Boston Concert in Roanoke Rapids, NC and that was fun listening to the music made popular in the 1970's and early 80's. Brought back memories too!

 Thoughts and prayers for those in the path of TS Fay!

Now to catch up from page 18 and on....

Ryan

seafood gumbo or a chicken gumbo?

For me it would be the chicken as I am not much for sea food.

Chicken and Sausage Gumbo it is Duke! Ben has a baseball game Saturday morning and we will be making it out to Apex that Saturday afternoon. BTW, more great photos from your travels too!

RYAN: Oui , mon ami, zee Chicken Gumbo sil vous plais

Oui, monsieur Dick, à votre service!

Hey Jerry, I hope you are feeling better soon!

Well, I had just spent at least 30 minutes writing my post and went to send it, and Panera's lovely (recently revised) WiFi takes me to their login again (and loses its place, so I wasted all that time).

I hate when that happens!

Good morning.

I found this and many may remember th "good old days".  From the 50's

Thanks for the old Woolworth menu Luc! They had some great diner food back in the day!

Thoughts for your mom Jeff!

 PRAYER REQUEST: My dad had been in pain for a few weeks (this was about 3 weeks ago) and the docs thought it was gall stones, but tests ruled that out. After more tests and such some of his recent blood work shows the possibility of pancreatic cancer. More tests are scheduled for today and results are due on Wednesday when we will know more about what exactly the cause might be. Please say a prayer for my dad Joe Boudreaux, your thoughts and prayers are most appreciated.

 

[LSWrr]

Fergie,

NJ Semaphores; I'm using them on my layout and love them; (I have the track clips but haven't installed them yet).  I can normally pick them (semaphores) up for $5 - $10 each at the train shows.  I wonder if they would work on DCC. I have templates for the blades and plan on scratch building a few.  The tortoise switch machines are less than $12 each if you order bulk packs of 10. Tomar's are very nice, but very costly.

Ryan, we will keep Joe Boudreaux in our thoughts and prayers, I wish him a speedy recovery.  Jeff, best of luck with your appointments today and best wishes to your Mom on her knee surgery.  Is that a total replacement or a scope?

Lee

[galaxy]

Today I have to take my mother to the hospital for her knee surgery (8 am appointment) then go to my appointment (10 am) to get my feet looked at. I can think of better ways to blow a morning.

Morning boys,

A BIG cup of Hawaiian Kona Hazelnut coffee please!

And a BLOT to go for lunch out! (That's a BLT with onion in the middle)!

This is the first month I myself only have just one  Drs. appointment.

But I have a collection of Train mags to take with me always to read while I wait!!

I find them to be a good investment and far far better reading material than anything they have on the table!

[Cederstrand]

in a SOUTHERN mug, please & thank you.

***Lee, will look for those couplers when I pick up those two locos I left at the NSLHS (not-so-LHS). Just not sure when that will be.

***Jeffrey, good luck at the hospital for both you and your mom.

***Ryan, sending healing thoughts Joe's way.

No construction today, but the septic tank folks finally returned and hooked it all up, burrying everything, and then manicured the area. Looks good!

Off to do critter rounds. Have a great day all.   Rob

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I'm back from the foot doc's office. He likes what he sees and is getting things set up so I can get a new pair of shoes made. It'll be a while yet, but I'll be glad to get out of these braces. They hurt!

[JPowell]

Good day gang.

  Not so sure if it's really a good day for me or not as last night, the g/f and I had a long discussion and in the end, we split up.

  Fergie - Bite your tongue mate. We Red Sox Fans here don't need any bashing from our fellow modelers here as we get enough of it as it is from everyone else!

  Ryan - Boston / Styx are playing here next week at the Great NYS Fair! I gave Brittany the choice while I was gone overseas of either that one or the one we got tixs to - Brooks and Dunn / ZZ Top.

  Yes, we are still going to the concert together, just not as a couple!

  Jim - Yes, I had 5 houses on my list for yesterday, and we actually did that plus another 3. Found one that I really like, just a little outta my price range.

  Well gang, I have to get going. Think I'll go out for a nice walk (it's about 80 w/ about 67% humidity w/ rain forecasted for later this afternoon) before I finish my laundry. Realtor just called and cancelled for today and rescheduled for tomorrow this time. So looks like tomorrow will be busy looking at mroe houses.

Take care!

[LSWrr]

Jeff, That is good news, how is your mom?

 JP, well that is some news about your G/F sorry things didn't work out.  I don't remember if I told you that my wife of 15 years left me while I was in Q8 in 2003.  So far it's worked out for the best.

 

Lee

[JimRCGMO]

Morning, Zoe -  I see everyone's started coming in; sounds like several had a busy weekend, others will have a busy day today. I'll have a BLT for lunch, with a Dr. Pepper, please.  Thanks!

Thanks to TrainsRMe1, BridgeTom, Fergie, and Lee for the comments and suggestions on the signals.

TrainsRMe1 - I'd seen the Oregon-Rail-something signals in Walthers' catalog, but didn't know much about them. For your signals, I don't know for sure if they make N scale, but BLMA makes some more modern signals, including signal bridges. You might check the Walthers catalog or do a search for "BLMA railroad signals" and see if their website turns up in the results. Check here:

 http://www.blmamodels.com/

- and they do have N scale signals (as well as HO and Z scale). Looks like at least you'll get a break from all that heat soon.

We're supposed to be a bit hotter today, around mid 80's F. Sunny, but the humidity is still good (currently 36 percent). 

Fergie, I hear you on the cost of Tortoises.[ouch!] I was hoping I could find a $impler activating method than using the 'turtles', something like a manual linkage. But I'm just looking for DC use for now. May be a while before I get around to DCC, I figure (even with all the benefits). I'm also looking at some manual linkage for my turnouts, possibly the Blue Point ones - when a 10-pack of those is on sale in the Walthers sale flyer.

Speaking of which - has anyone here received their August issue of the Walthers sales flyer yet? I still haven't received mine in the mail and am wondering if they're lookin at dropping that (I certainly hope NOT! ).

Got notification that my stuff from Dallas Model Works came in at work this a.m. To avoid anyone trying to talk me into coming in, I'll stop by after most everyone else has left for the day (like a bit after 5 p.m.) this afternoon to pick it up.

Wonder how JP's house-hunting whirlwind tour went this weekend? JP? Any luck? Must be one of those Murphy's law things about that one house that was just a wee bit over your budget... (Don't stretch yourself too far on that...) Sorry to hear about you and the girlfriend, but at least you can be okay going to the concert together as friends.

Jeff, hope that young David is in a high ground area of Florida, after what they're saying the track of that tropical storm/hurricane is supposed to be once it goes through Key West, FL. Prayers for safety for those in Florida (including Flip and David). Best wishes on a brief stay at the Dr's. offices for both you and your mother today. Good news about your feet - I'm sure you will be soooooo glad when you have the new shoes (and no braces). How'd your mother's surgery go?

Rob, those figures look cute for your wife's RR. I bet she'll like them.

No, no, Galaxy - not that kind of washer tossing...

Had a funny moment this morning - I was out running errands, and pulled up to a stoplight, with a city police car next to me (my car window was down). The police car window rolls down and I hear "Hey, shouldn't you be getting to work?" (It was one of the officers I see when I'm at their station assessing someone) I told him, no, I was on vacation this week. He says "That's okay, I gave them your phone number at home" (Except that he doesn't realize I had that turned off almost a month ago) Much better than being pulled over for a bit over the speed limit or such...

Lee, looks like you and Jeff are the better achievers for getting things done on the MRR'ing over this weekend. Good for you guys!

Anyone heard from Sue lately? She must have a heap of yard work going. It's been a while since she's been in, unless she's been peeking in the window briefly. 

I'll head for the window booth and start my lunch now. Everyone doing all right today? 

 

Blessings and prayers,

Jim in Cape Girardeau 

[Paul W. Beverung]

Morning Gang: It's been raining here since very early. About 8am it came a real downpour. The temp is about 70f. I can get to like this weather, at least untill it's time to bale hay.

Jeff my best to your mom and happy to hear that your feet are getting better.

Not much I can get done outside today. I guess I'll get out to the shop and try and get things cleaned up a bit. I need to get to making axels for the new wheels for my narrow gauge cars. I als need to build new trucks for the gondolas as the new wheels won't fit into the old trucks frames.

Ryan: Speical prayers for your father. Tell him that I'm pulling for him.

JP sorry to hear about your break up with your girl friend. Hang in there.

I'm going to cut out and try and get in later.

 

[JPowell]

Chloe - How about a nice big hot fudge sundae?  Thanks!

Take care all!

[OzarkBelt]

Man, I must have been away awhile! The diner's moved.... AGAIN.

Thought I'd share pics of my papermill section that I've been talking about awhile ago (Yes, I'm finally finished... sorta)

Enjoy!

[OzarkBelt]

And here's a few more... Whoops, looks like I'm buying!

Sorry to hog the bandwidth! guess that's what happens when you're gone awhile. A picture is a thousand words, so I reckon you'all just got your ears talked off!

[Cox 47]

Good afternoon All......Its sunny and warmer here today....I'll have a Ham sandwitch and a diet coke please...Thank you...Finaly got some train time in I cut a old tank car apart for a tank battery for our oil well and a little more work on the Rix kitbash...

Ozark...Thanks for the photos..Looks like some good progressLike the weatering on the engine house...

We had our family reunion yesterday..did get to see a train on CSX main line..Had 3 UP units on it east bound...My daughter caught me doing what I do best....

You all have a good one...Jerry

[bjdukert]

Afternoon all

First,best to all with the health problems.

Paul If you are museum material then there are a few of us others right there with you,but I don't think any of us would admit to it. I will say, seeing the Huey's up on pedestals as well as some of the other types of transportation put by the way side does make one feel a little older.

Ozark Look'n good!!!

Jerry I look like that quite often as well and how about some more pics of your latest work.

Here are some more from Northlandz

Tom I think you will like the next two and I wish they had turned out better. They are right in the middle of the building and you see them when you get inside and then walk around them when you are on the upper tier.

That's about it

Talk to you later

Duke

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Jeff, hope that young David is in a high ground area of Florida, after what they're saying the track of that tropical storm/hurricane is supposed to be once it goes through Key West, FL. Prayers for safety for those in Florida (including Flip and David). Good news about your feet - I'm sure you will be soooooo glad when you have the new shoes (and no braces). How'd your mother's surgery go?

David's in Orlando so he'll probably get a good soaking out of this storm. My mother hasn't had her knee surgery yet. That'll probably be tomorrow then she'll be kept for recovery before being sent over for physical therapy. As for my feet, they're a little better. The doc has set things in motion for me to get a new pair of shoes but that can take up to a year sometimes. I'll still be wearing leg braces even with the shoes but not the foot and ankle braces. Those are the ones that make my thighs cramp.

[Cederstrand]

Grilled salmon on a bed of wild rice with broccoli, please & thanks.

***Jeffrey, good to hear you foot is healing well.  

***OzarkBelt, those pics are excellent. Thanks for posting them.

***Duke, what size room contains that layout? Can you actually reach all areas of the trackwork?

Cop Story: Wife was in such a hurry to get out of the ER last night and with a full moon out she sped off forgetting to turn on the headlights. She was pulled over by a cop who simply asked, "Did you forget something mam?" She turned on her lights and he let her go. So, is this #6 for getting pulled over on her way home from work and being let go? Not bad...I suspect her nurses uniform and seeing most of these cops in the ER may have something to do with it.

Have a good night all. Rob

[OzarkBelt]

here's the Gravel train extra on its way back to East Falls.

Thanks for ya'll's comments! I guess I better get working on the gravel crusher branch!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Well, my mother went into surgery for knee replacement late this afternoon and is now in her room recovering. My father will go by tomorrow on his way home from work. He has to make two bus runs to Alexandria tomorrow.

[LSWrr]

This weekend's projects,

 

Caboose(s)

These are Tyco and Bachman models from 1970-1980 sporting fresh paint and their new L.S. & W legends with knuckle couplers.  Currently I have 8 operating cabooses, all I need is 3 chimneys to finish them off.

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2903641990029441264TygudM?vhost=good-times

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2010277610029441264LpmMCv?vhost=good-times

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2776303300029441264tsqSbo?vhost=good-times

Fox Creek Tower

This is an IHC kit (#602) dark grey wall with light grey trim.  Coming soon: Elk Creek and Swan Creek towers.

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2296769810029441264rTfOaQ?vhost=rides

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2061985560029441264hQWkqc?vhost=rides

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2831231670029441264GXFJGt?vhost=rides

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2835497950029441264nlNHub?vhost=rides

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2612839040029441264GplckW?vhost=rides

You can also see the Reddy Killowatt bilboard I printed and installed on a Life-Like billboard. 

Lee

[Flashwave]

I got's a freight train story. One of those "Why the flip do I not have my camera with me?" moments. Coming home from the Dentist today, I drove into the Avon Eastern Limits. near Country Club (For your reference PC) there's a single track line that cuts across us 36 via a bridge. Just past it on the South Side, there's a switch. One leg curves around and ddrops down to ground level to head into Avon Yard, the other stays more or less at that height, leads into an iron bridge, and goes on to to cross us40 later before leveling to the ground by Indy International Airport. Below this mess is another double track line part of ex-NYC Bee Line to Terre Haute and later the world. Tehre was a train on the bridge of 36. it was curving into yard, but parked. Beneath the iron bridge was another train sitting. Then I realize, there's a THIRD train sitting on the iron brisdge above the Bee Line and just up as far as he can legally get to the other train on the curve.

 

[LSWrr]

Jeff that is good news and new shoes to boot!  Hope you Mom make a speedy recover.

Ozark belt thanks for sharing the pictures, looks like your making fine progress there.

Ok time for a shower and bed,

Have a good night.

[Flashwave]

This weekend's projects,

 

Caboose(s)

These are Tyco and Bachman models from 1970-1980 sporting fresh paint and their new L.S. & W legends with knuckle couplers.  Currently I have 8 operating cabooses, all I need is 3 chimneys to finish them off.

 

Lee

Sprue. All you need Sprue. It work wonders for chimneys. Espercially Walther's Sprue

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Hello everyone..... I'll try to catch up on recent posts tomorrow.

Last Wednesday evening, I became unconscious at home due to abnormal heart rhythm. My implanted defibrillator restarted my heart three times, and I regained partial consciousness. This attack would have been fatal without the defibrillator.

I was transported by helicopter to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, TN...Tests show the rhythm attack was due to my heart failure condition. I have had heart failure for several years.

My arteries continue to be clear and are not a problem. This minor heart attack added more damage to my heart to that caused by previous heart failure. Doctors have added another medication to those I already take.

Tests before my release from the hospital this afternoon indicate the new drug is working to control my heart rhythm and increase pumping strength.

I have just now returned home where I will be recovering. ..

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Here's an angle on my layout that you usually don't see. It was taken through two different cameras. The first camera is on a permanant mounting. I use it to keep an eye on that part of the layout while trains are running.

This photo was taken with an old AIPTEK CCD Pencam.

And this one was taken with a Vivitar 3935.

[Flashwave]

Garry: Sorry to hear about that. Healing thoughts for you to get well and stay that way.

[pcarrell]

Morgan, a word of (extreme) caution around Avon Yard with a camera.  Thats where I earned my terrorist status with Uncle Sam a couple summers ago.  I was taking pics and was swarmed by Homeland Security, local Police, and RR Police, cuffed, frisked, had my car torn apart, questioned for two hours (literally), had my pics erased, then was told I was now under inveestigation for terrorism.  A week later they told me I wouldn't have to go to court, but they were keeping my file on record.  And now, in the prophetic words of Arlo Guthrie, "somewhere in Washington enshrined in some little folder, is a study in black and white of my fingerprints."  (That one goes back a ways!)

[Cederstrand]

***Garry, very sorry to hear such news, but very glad that you survived the ordeal. Healing thoughts heading your way.

***Philip, I can understand "checking you out", but I would think anyone with half a brain would be able to discern the difference between a raifan and a terrorist. IMHO, the degree of treatment you describe like pulling an 85 year old woman out of a line at the airport to frisk her and x-ray her shoes.

Rob

[Cederstrand]

One last thing, picked up these sets while wife was sleeping. I know she will like the mounted police and can work in the fishermen & road crew, too. Not so sure it would be safe for the kids swimming on her layout, as there will be some pretty rowdy characters around.

Good Night! Rob

[wetidlerjr]

Good Morning from Tipton IN ! 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning.

It's 75 and clear, though not for long. The high is expected to be in the mid 80's and thunderstorms are likely.

Today's Weather for:
Sundown, LA  71446-6114      8/19/2008

Heat Index:  79°F
Humidity:  87%
Dew Point:  71°F

So Far Today
High:  75°F
Low:  75°F
Rain:  0.00"
Rain Rate:  0.00"/h
Gust:  3mph NNE

Now through 07:15 AM CDT August 19, 2008
      
Areas of rain and showers mixed continues to fall across southeast Texas...southwest Louisiana and the adjacent coastal waters this morning. This area of rain is moving towards the northeast.    

Today  High: 85    Showers and thunderstorms likely. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Highs in the mid 80s. Southeast winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.    

Tonight  Low: 72    Showers and thunderstorms likely. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Lows in the lower 70s. South winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 60 percent.