Elliot's Trackside Diner V, at the diamonds

[Paul W. Beverung]

Evening Gang: Just a quick one for me. I went over  to the track and fired up my diesel. It ran pretty good so I moved to the depot and picked up the freight train that I had dropped there. I was going to pull it to the yard and sort out the cars untill I found the one that was dragging. Going through the switch to the yard lead a tank car split the switch and derailed 3 other cars. That tank car was built from a piece of steel pipe and was very heavy. When it came off it broke the knuckle on my gondola. Anyway I got the mess ( sorry Fergie ) cleaned up and found out that the tamk car is the one causing the drag. After a run around the track with one derailment on the way back I loaded up the damaged gon and another one I need to paint and put a coupler on and headed home. Gee it's fun running trains. Hard work also when they are that size.

Well I'm off to bed.

Good Night All

Well how about that. Top of the page. Have at it gang.

[wetidlerjr]

Good Morning from Tipton IN ! 

[steveblackledge]

Jeffery Your right,,, 60163, whooops

  

[LSWrr]

Mitch, we will keep your Mom in our thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.

Train Shows coming soon: (Toledo) Lucas County Fairgrounds 21SEP08 and (Cleveland) Berea) Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds 04-05OCT08.

Went to my LHS yesterday and found 2 end loading automobile box cars for $8 each (Round house kits).

Thoughts and prayers to those in need.

Lee

[C&O Fan]

Morning all !

Mitch, My prayers for  your Mom

Looks like landfall for the storm will be between Jeff and I but it's still early

In that vain I offer a little humor

  If you're new to the area, you're probably wondering what you need to do to prepare for the possibility that we'll get hit by 'the big one." Based on our experiences, we recommend that you follow this simple three-step hurricane preparedness plan:

STEP 1. Buy enough food and bottled water to last your family for at least three days.
STEP 2. Put these supplies into your car.
STEP 3. Drive to Nebraska and remain there until Thanksgiving.

Unfortunately, statistics show that most people will not follow this sensible plan. Most people will foolishly stay here in Galveston. Therefore, we'll start with one of the most important hurricane preparedness items:

HOMEOWNERS' INSURANCE:
If you own a home, you must have hurricane insurance. Fortunately, this insurance is cheap and easy to get, as long as your home meets two basic requirements: (1) It is reasonably well-built, and (2) It is located in Nebraska.

Unfortunately, if your home is located in Galveston or any other area that might actually be hit by a hurricane, most insurance companies would prefer not to sell you hurricane insurance, because then they might be required to pay YOU money, and that is certainly not why they got into the insurance business in the first place.

So you'll have to scrounge around for an insurance company, which will charge you an annual premium roughly equal to the replacement value of your house.

At any moment, this company can drop you like used dental floss. Since Hurricane Alicia, I have had an estimated 27 differenthome-insurance companies. This week, I'm covered by the Bob and Big Stan Insurance Company, under a policy which states that, in addition to my premium, Bob and Big Stan are entitled, on demand, to my kidneys.

SHUTTERS:
Your house should have hurricane shutters on all the windows, all the doors, and -- if it's a major hurricane -- all the toilets.

There are several types of shutters, with advantages and disadvantages:

Plywood shutters: The advantage is that, because you make them yourself, they're cheap. The disadvantage is that, because you make them yourself, they will fall off.

Sheet-metal shutters: The advantage is that these work well, once you get them all up. The disadvantage is that once you get them all up, your hands will be useless bleeding stumps, and it will be December.

Roll-down shutters: The advantages are that they're very easy to use, and will definitely protect your house. The disadvantage is that you will have to sell your house to pay for them.

'Hurricane-proof'' windows: These are the newest wrinkle in hurricane protection: They look like ordinary windows, but they can withstand hurricane winds! You can be sure of this, because the salesman says so. He lives in Nebraska.

'Hurricane Proofing Your Property: As the hurricane approaches, check your yard for movable objects like barbecue grills, planters, patio furniture, visiting relatives, etc. You should, as a precaution, throw these items into your swimming pool (if you don't have a swimming pool, you should have one built immediately). Otherwise, the hurricane winds will turn these objects into deadly missiles.

EVACUATION ROUTE:
If you live in a low-lying area, you should have an evacuation route planned out. (To determine whether you live in a low-lying area, look at your driver's license; if it says 'Galveston' you live in a low-lying area.) The purpose of having an evacuation route is to avoid being trapped in your home when a major storm hits. Instead, you will be trapped in a gigantic traffic jam several miles from your home, along with two hundred thousand other evacuees. So, as a bonus, you will not be lonely.

HURRICANE SUPPLIES:
If you don't evacuate, you will need a mess of supplies. Do not buy them now! Galveston tradition requires that you wait until the last possible minute, then go to the supermarket and get into vicious fights with strangers over who gets the last can of SPAM.

In addition to food and water, you will need the following supplies:
· 23 flashlights.
· At least $167 worth of batteries that turn out, when the power goes out, to be the wrong size for the flashlights.
· Bleach. (No, I don't know what the bleach is for. NOBODY knows what the bleach is for. But it's traditional, so GET some!)
· A 55-gallon drum of underarm deodorant.
· A big knife that you can strap to your leg (This will be useless in a hurricane, but it looks cool.)
· A large quantity of raw chicken, to placate the alligators. (Ask anybody who went through A hurricane; after the hurricane, there WILL be irate alligators.)
· $35,000 in cash or diamonds so that, after the hurricane passes, you can buy a generator from a man with no discernible teeth.

Of course these are just basic precautions. As the hurricane draws near, it is vitally important that you keep abreast of the situation by turning on your television and watching TV reporters in rain slickers stand right next to the Gulf and tell you over and over how vitally important it is for everybody to stay away from the Gulf.
Good luck and remember: It's great living in paradise! Those of you who aren't here yet, you should come.

 

 

---

It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel deal here.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning.

It's 77 and clear. The high will be in the upper 90's and it will be mostly cloudy. There's a small chance of thunderstorms.

Please excuse the slightly different layout of data. Our weather monitor seems to have a gremlin in it this morning.

UV Index:           0 Low
Wind:         From ENE at 3 mph
Humidity:         88%
Pressure:         29.95 in.
Dew Point:         71°F
Visibility:         7.0 miles

Gustav Data

Date: Aug. 30, 2008
Time: 5:00 a.m. ET
Winds: 110 mph
Strength: Cat. 2
Direction: Moving WNW at 10 mph
Latitude: 20.2 N
Longitude: 81.3 W

Today  High: 98    Partly cloudy. Isolated showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 90s. East winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.

Tonight  Low: 72    Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 70s. East winds around 5 mph.

[Cederstrand]

in a BURLINGTON NORTHERN mug, please & thank you! 

***Mitch, healing thoughts heading your moms way. That's a tough one. Have been seeing the effects of strokes on my FIL.

***Paul, running that scale of train always seemed very cool, but you are having too many derailments. Isn't there some little gnome crew you can hire to work on the rails for you while you sleep?

***Terry, that's a good one. There is some truth to it, too.

Long day ahead. Catch y'all later. Rob

[jeffrey-wimberly]

New Orleans is being evacuated. Tourist have to be out by noon.

[bjdukert]

Dick

DUKE: See above......early snows coming, Canadian Geese headed south already.

Yeah,they are all headed here to Mich. but there is still one place of Canada that is South of the U.S.A. and they can go there.

Garry Bet they didn't need any help with all those posts,but what about stretching the fence  and digging the holes??? I guess it is going to take me a long time to catch some of you.

That's about it

Best to all on sick call and those recovering

Talk to you later

Duke

[LSWrr]

I had to go back to LHS this morning, forgot to pick up more replacement couplers, the 2009 W catalog showed up while I was there, got the first one out of the box!

[JimRCGMO]

Afternoon, Janie, I'll have a grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of chili, with a tall glass of Dr. Pepper, please. Thanks!

Mitch, adding your Mom to my list as well for She sounds like a strong one - is that where you get your toughness from? Can't keep a good man (or woman) down, huh? for her!

Terry, that's a funny one - good that folks there can laugh at things. About like this cartoon I saw back a while:

 

After some of the weather in various parts of this country this year, I don't think any area has  perfect weather.  

...After a run around the track with one derailment on the way back I loaded up the damaged gon and another one I need to paint and put a coupler on and headed home. Gee it's fun running trains. Hard work also when they are that size.

Paul - Ouch, that sounded like a wear-ya-down kind of day. You make me glad I'm only working with HO scale. Hope you don't have to take any more cars to the RIP track and shop for a long, long while! Sure you can't talk 'em into hiring you back at Six Flags? Might not be as hard of work as retirement.

Dick and Duke, I'm not in a big rush for fall this year, but I'm not really dreading it, either. Well, maybe in a hurry for the third week of November to get here, Morgan...

Sawyer, take care of yourself at those practices and scrimmages - it's too early in the (pre-) season to have yourself out of commission.

And I was wondering if the Cardinals will make the wild card for playoffs this year or not. Hasn't been their most spectacular year, fer sure. How've the Red Sox been doing, guys?

Good to hear the Walthers 2009 catalogs will be "coming soon to a LHS near you..." Maybe that means our LHS owner/MRR club member will be bringing a box of them to the next meeting.

Not so sure I'll start putting together the grain elevator today, since (unless I change my plans for my next layout sections to be built) the elevator won't be in the next two I'll be building. Maybe I should instead, work on getting my wiring ready.

Think I'll get a pad and paper and try out some possible options in the corner booth for now. 

 

Blessings and prayers,

Jim in Cape Girardeau 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Done been to Alexandria and back. Picked up a package of 40 Kadee #5 couplers, a Genesis Trinity covered hopper and a Bachmann remote left turnout.

The evacuation from the southern part of the state seems to be in full swing. The southbound lanes of hwy 171 through Leesville had almost no traffic while the traffic in the northbound lanes was insane!

[C&O Fan]

Snip.

The evacuation from the southern part of the state seems to be in full swing. The southbound lanes of hwy 171 through Leesville had almost no traffic while the traffic in the northbound lanes was insane!

Yes Houston has become a staging area for buses and we now have lots and lots of

helicopters

[galaxy]

Hi guys!

A cup of Joe in a Chessie mug. 

 

Data on Gustav

Storm Path:    
Date: Aug. 29, 2008
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Winds: 80 mph
Strength: Cat. 1
Direction: Moving northwest near 11 mph
Latitude: 19.3 N
Longitude: 80 W

Hope you stay safe Jeffrey!!!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Hi guys!

A cup of Joe in a Chessie mug. 

 

Data on Gustav

Storm Path:    
Date: Aug. 29, 2008
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Winds: 80 mph
Strength: Cat. 1
Direction: Moving northwest near 11 mph
Latitude: 19.3 N
Longitude: 80 W

Hope you stay safe Jeffrey!!!

Right now the projected path takes Gustav right through my backyard!

[Cederstrand]

refill, please & thanks.

***Jeffrey, if it does come through your backyard, saty safe and do take some photos to share. If it does, would you expect the power to go out for an extended period of time?

Did a hay run today. Then mixed some Quickcrete and set the support posts for the mini-bridge that will connect the end of the new sidewalk with the porch. Called the contractor and nixed having him do that small porch section around the side of the house (in the deep end). It will be a chore for me to build that section alone, but I keep thinking about the expense. There are other areas I would rather put funds towards.

Healing thoughts to those in need.

Rob

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Happy Labor Day weekend everybody!

I'm hoping that hurricane stays away from Jeff and from Terry. Send it back to Cuba.

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

***Jeffrey, if it does come through your backyard, saty safe and do take some photos to share. If it does, would you expect the power to go out for an extended period of time?

When Rita came through in Sept of '05 we were without power for several weeks. Gas was much cheaper then but you had to go 85 miles to the north to find it. If Gustav comes through here I will NOT be in this trailer. I'll be down at my parents house which was constructed with tornadoes and hurricanes in mind. When Rita blew through here our neighbors had plenty of damage. Part of my roof was gone but all my parents lost was one screen and a couple of shingles. We're better prepared this time. The RV's gas tank is full, the generator is prepped and all the vehicles gas tanks and all our gas cans are filled.

[LSWrr]

Jeff I just watched the weather; will you need to evacuate north (now that its a CAT4) or are you still going to your parents?

The Great Lakes Coast Guard units have been getting ready to mobilize for the last 2 weeks.  It will be interesting to see how things work out since our heavy hitting deployable unit is overseas.

Lee

[Cederstrand]

***Jeffrey, also am curious what you do with your layout & trains? Sure hope it turns and takes a more westerly path, not that I want anyone along the coast to suffer mind you. I thought there was some kind of pressure system/front/boundry(oh I forget what it was called) that could come in time to decrease Gustavs severity???

Rob

 

[Packers#1]

***Jeffrey, also am curious what you do with your layout & trains?

I've been wondering that too. What will you do Jeff?

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I'm north of the evac line. If the storm comes through here I'm leaving everything right here. My layout and all will have to take it's chances like it did before. It's too big to be moved. My parents place is the best shelter there is in this area. It's weathered many a large storm with minimal damage. It was built with tornadoes and hurricanes in mind.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Gustav data:

Date: Aug. 30, 2008
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Winds: 150 mph
Strength: Cat. 4
Direction: Moving northwest near 15 mph
Latitude: 22.7 N
Longitude: 83.4 W

[Paul W. Beverung]

Evening Gang: I like Terry's advice on hurricans. Nebraska would be a great place to wait one out. Not to be goulish but if it comes up here we need the rain.

Jeff you take care there. How did your folks build a hurrican proof or restant house?

It's good to hear that New Orleans is evacuating this time. Too bad Nagle didn't have the folks do that last time. Of course he was in Baton Rouge.

The kids are spending the first night in there new house. We are left here with just our oldest GD and the dogs. It's nice to have the house to ourselfs.

Mitch add my prayers to those others.

Well I guess I'll turn in.

Good Night All 

[eeyore9900]

Hi folks-just my usual "quick coffee before bed."

Update on Mom-went to see her about noon today. She still has trouble moving, especially from bed to chair & back (can't at all without help) & her speech is a bit slurred. (If any of you saw Dick Clark last NYE, a little bit like that, but not as much IMO) & she gets out of breath easy when she talks. She woke up last night disoriented, thinking she was at home, & thought she had another stroke, but it seems that didn't happen. (possibly disoriented due to being in the hospital, & partly half dreaming.) I think we'll see an improvement once she gets back to the hospital she wants to be in. Our local hospital system right now is in a total state of confusion-The one we initially took her to (& the one she's comfortable in) is going to be the main one for everything, while they close the one in the township to the east. But since the changeover takes place next week, the "main" one isn't admitting, so they shipped her out to the one they're closing next week until the "main" one is set up the "way they like." Confused? so are we. What I'm hoping is once she gets back to her "fave" hospital, she'll start to improve as she's very comfortable there & knows a # of the staff there. In the meantime, my dad went back to see her this evening, & she told him to make sure he brought the Sunday paper with him for her tomorrow. So that's a good sign.

In the meantime, I've been taking my old '70 Dodge Coronet each Saturday to the weekly car show here in town for a few hours with "For Sale" signs on it-it needs TLC that I no longer have the $$$, time, or desire to do anything with it anymore. No bites yet, but still hoping. Once it's sold, I'll breath a lot more easier with a cash "cushion" & also some $$$ to do a few more basement improvements & finally get the benchwork started on the layout!

Well, I'd better hit it-I'm going to take advantage of the good weather tomorrow & do some railfanning up at Sterling (OH) since I haven't been able to for a couple months. I need to catch up on things with the other railfans that show up there. (Mom's good with it as she knows how much I love my trains-she was the one who brought my 1st copy of MR home which set the hook with me-always been 110% supportive of my hobby, & if she needs me, 1 call to my cell & I'm there!)

Thanks all for the thoughts & prayers guys-it does Mom (& me) a lot of good!

 

[grayfox1119]

Good evening to all, cloudy here all day with peeks of sunlight, but also very warm. I am trying to get all the Summer and early Fall projects done fast because I have a feeling of impending doom. This year, the weather patterns, La Nina in the Pacific, a rather strong one, and a warmer Atlantic than normal ( ocean temp was 70F off the southernmost tip of Rhode Island ), all mimic weather conditions back in 1938 when New England was slammed with a devasting hurricane. Conditions are ripe, I hope we avoid it however.

JEFF: Glad to see you are headed to your parent's house, those tall pine trees standing over your trailer are prime targets for high winds. As I said two days ago, this WILL be a CAT5, but should decrease to CAT4 as it approaches land, but CAT 4 will bring down many trees in the quadrant 1 of the storm (NE quadrant). Do you have a tarp, one of those blue plastic ones, that you can rig up over your layout? It might save you a lot of cleanup dust and crap if something falls on the roof of the trailer.

JIM: The Red Sox are in 2nd place in the AL East. They are playing great baseball but are 4 1/2 games behind the Rays who are also playing great ball. The Red Sox are in first place however in the Wild Card race.

DUKE: Those Canadian Geese seem to know something that the weathermen don't.

FERGIE: Are near an internet connection?

Time for bed, see you guys later, men need 8 hours sleep a night, women can get by with 6 to 7 according to many medical findings and tests. Diabetes, and certain cancers are more prevalent in men who do not get sufficient sleep regularly.

[Cox 47]

Evening All ....Just stopped in before heading to bed...My son,His new Lady friend, and my Granddaughter came up for a cook out...Had a good time..Jeff prayers that you and your Family weather the storm OK...You all have a good night...Jerry

[Flashwave]

Sorry to hear about the problems Mitch. Strokes aren't fun to wath the results of.

Soon-to-be-soggy diners: Hope Gustav passes over with no problems, or not at all.  

I know, I;m on my way to bed, but I had the urge to share this. It;'s not WPF quality but I was futzing with an idea for HO&N's straddle refueling rack.

There'[s a coal bunker with a slante feed behind it, they open the door they need and open the coal chute to feed the steamers, or there's a signal bridge like thing with three pipes, Sand, Oil, Water. refuelled by the inside-most track the black thing is a coal conveyor for hoppers to dump into. The other main is routed to the inside passing track (representing of the SP Donner pass and other y track in the center) The drawback is that it can only feed one track at a time, but that one track can be anywhere. And it can be modified for almost any size and space.

[TrainsRMe1]

 Hey Jeff,

    Oue prayers are with you and terry, I have watched the Weather Channel to follow the path of Gustav, I'm very relieved to know that they have better plans to evacurate this time compaired to hurricane Katrina, Just keep us up to date on how you are fairing down there.

     Our home inprovment project is going well, we installed a new front door today, it took a while to do but we got it in! Tomorrow we plan on preping the house and strat the painting, we figiure it will take us about two week ends to finish it.  oh yes Zoe I will take  a cup of Seafood chowder I can't EVER get enough of it. I will see you guys tomorrow night K?

                  Trainsrme1

[TrainsRMe1]

 Ok, I wanted to sneak back in and have a midnight cup of green tea,in a Union Pacific mug, Thanks