Elliot's Trackside Diner V, at the diamonds

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I'm getting ready to do some plaster work here. The area you see in the photo will be filled in with plaster. After the plaster is dry the green clay will be removed, leaving the stone wall as the front of that section.

[bjdukert]

Lee

I was on the USS Cole six months before it was hit and made some good friends; one didn't make it, eight were injured pretty bad.

I have a friend by the name of Al Foster that I haven't seen in quite a few years but I believe that the one that didn't make it was his wife's brother. That was a sad day as well and shows what a small place the world has become.

Duke

[twhite]

Afternoon all--prayers for everyone on this sad anniversary. 

Garry:  What a wonderful story--and yes, Canadians are like that.  Wish we all were, sometimes.  A wonderful country and wonderful people.  We're lucky to have them as our good neighbors. 

Jeff:  Again, condolences on the loss of your friends on this day. 

Terry:  Ike does NOT look like a Happy Camper.  I hope it loses strength as it comes your way.

Ryan: Prayers for the operation.  Those new surgical techniques sure get you out of the hospital fast, these days.  Ask me, I know, LOL!   

Watched the History Channel this morning--a very touching and moving show about the disaster of 9/11, garnered from home video and the shock and disbelief of the average American--definitely different from the news coverage I remember that day.  I was teaching at St. Francis girl's school that day, woke up with a cold, thought about not going in.  Cancelled my first class, arrived on a campus still as Death.  Walked into the choral room to about fifty shocked teenage girls, with our SmartBoard tuned to the TV.  Spent the rest of the day consoling, trying to let them know "No, it can't happen here" while we were all watching it UNFOLD 'here'.   One of the saddest days of my entire life.  We must have gone through the full spectrum of emotions on that day.  The President of the school sent an announcement that the faculty should have a meeting on how to help the girls deal with it.  We informed her that we couldn't take the time away from the girls for a 'meeting', because we were ALL helping each other deal with it and the last thing that the girls needed at that time was the absence of faculty so we could gather in a conference room for Platitudes.   We made it through.  It took about three days or so, but we did make it through.  

Well, nothing much else new around here.  Got my four tank kits, started work on them--little TEENY parts, but at lest they'll fit on the flatcars.  I'm walking MUCH better--wheelchair to walker to cane to hobbling in two weeks--I get the stitches out next Wednesday, and hopefully, the blood-work will show the Staph gone so I can get this damned tube out of my arm!   If I get a clear shot from the Dr., I'm phoning the school week after next and telling them that I'll be back.  Recuperation is NOT my 'bag.' 

Lowell's doing well, still eating me out of house and home.  Now he waits until I feed Spooky then hops up on the counter and nudges her out of the way.  Tuna, you know.  We're kind of graduating from Gerber's.  And Spooky, the Princess, lets him.  He may be only half her size now, but she knows a buddy when she sees one, especially a sick one. 

New back-yard cat has decided that I not only feed her well, but that she'll hop up on my lap when I sit down at the picnic table with the food bowl.  Changed her name, calling her "Gizmo."  She kind of looks like one--a 'contraption.'  Cute, though.  Have to take her into the Vet next week in case she's not 'fixed' already.  That's ALL I need! 

Best to all, prayers to those in need. 

Tom

   

[Paul W. Beverung]

Evening Gang: I'm looking at a weatherman show the lastest guess as to the track for Ike. It looks like it will come ashore west of Galveston and hook more to the east passing east of the Dallas/ Ft. Worth area. We are expected to get 2 to 3 inches of rain. About the only thing I've done in preperation is to get the new tractor out of the old hay barn. The barn is about 80 years old and might go down in a real high wind. I'll have to ask John if he wants to get his new bailer and rake out also.

I talked to Ken Larson today. He called to find out how we were doing. He's doing well and getting ready to put in some signals on his layout.

Right now my eyes are bothering me from getting the cows out of the pit area. They broke in this morning so I left them in there to eat what they could. I had to walk through alot of ragweed to get them out so the eyes are giving me some trouble. I'll go down and get my eye drops.

So that's it for tonight.

Good Night All

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I got the initial plaster pour done on the new section. Once it's sealed with shellac it'll all blend in with the wall color.

[LSWrr]

Weathered wood flatcar, 40' TYCO with McHenry couplers.

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2356809270029441264zHSYUQ?vhost=good-times

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2341217280029441264uypsAf?vhost=good-times

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2137067090029441264fmXLiM?vhost=good-times

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2363865020029441264cYFdNd?vhost=good-times

The deck is painted with burnt umber and burnt sienna acrylic artist paint.  I used a stiff sash tool (round artist brush) to paint it on.

Duke, it was hard to watch the TV for a while.  Did you know they originally tried to hit a different ship months earlier, but when they launched their boat the explosives were too heavy and the boat sank at the launch ramp.

Tom, good to hear you're on the mend!

 

Lee

[bjdukert]

Lee    Didn't know that and it was probably one of those things that was never reported by the news media.  

[grayfox1119]

Good evening to all, I hope that all our friends in Texas do not suffer and severe losses or damage from Ike, some areas on the coast will get hit with a very large tidal surge of over 15 feet flooding these areas badly.

Went to LHS yesterday and bought the new MTH Mohawk 4-8-2 L 3a. Number 3006 ran on the former B&A main line ( now CSX ). It was used here on both Freight and Passenger trains, I have many photos in books illustrating this beauty. The detail on this locomotive is fantastic, you guys really need to check it out in your LHS even if you have no intention of purchasing one. MTH is doing a GREAT job with detail and quality.

PC: Happy birthday Philip, and may you enjoy many more on your journey to becoming a member of the OF's club...LOL 

RT: Very sorry to hear about your health issues and the water damage, prayers for you buddy, you WILL get through this RT.

RYAN: Prayers for your dad buddy. My son had the same operation when he was only 27 ( now 40 ). The procedure is a far cry from what my father had when he had his GB removed at age 34, then it was a major deal and out of work for over 1 month.

JEFF: Looks like you may get some rains from Ike as it takes a sharp right turn in Texas. Nice job with those kits !!!!!!! Very impressive work as usual.

Later guys,

[LSWrr]

Duke, several insignificant things happened before the planes flew into the world trade center.  Those small individual insignificant things didn't add up until after the towers fell then the true significant value of those things finally added up.  Now everything is reported in detail and all the details go to one office where they look at everything to see if anything adds up to something.  Did that make sense???

Lee

[Cederstrand]

9/11 "NEVER FORGET"

Spent most of the day with wife on the lost contents list. At least 2/3rds of the way complete, so sending them in to get that started. We're burned out on it...no pun intended.

Hooked up the old bilge pump for the water storage tank down at the barn. Nice not to carry 8 buckets of water each day...that was getting old with the extra horse in the barn. At least "our cows" didn't get out like someone elses here.

Question, I have two (N) Intermountain F7 locos. Both run smooth as silk. However, every so often while running in reverse, there will be a slight flicker of light (headlights)? They obviously are meant to stay turned off in reverse, yet they both have that rare, spuratic flicker? Do all these Intermountain models do this? Could it be a transformer issue? Could dig out the other transformer to check that one, but it is packed up until the train room is ready. Any thoughts?

Plumb tuckered out tonight. Rob

 

[Flashwave]

Dad and I found a package. Wonder what could be in it?

Here's a hint, plus my haul from the train show. I'll savbe the dialuppers.

Lee, I love the hoppers (3). They too, won;'t see much of any change. The caboose was nice, SF may be one of the roads that crosses over, if I ever decide for sure what I model. The Gons (2) may go into MoW or Excursion. Hmm. Some of the stirrups disintegrated on the way down, but I can fix that. A hand brake did a nice zipper impression too. Easily repaired. Can't wait to have  aplace to get them running.

 

 

[pcarrell]

It's been a busy last few days!

I started school again, my job got insane, my son started basketball again, and, as you all know, yesterday was my birthday.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes!

The wife and I went to a concert last night for my birthday.  It was Cheap Trick and Heart opening for Journey.  Heart rocked the house!  Nancy Wilson can still shred with the best of them, and Ann Wilson still has the best set of pipes on her of ANY female rock vocalist, hands down!  Journey was good, but I was never a huge fan of theirs.  The new singer was good, and you could close your eyes and you'd swear it was Steve Perry singing.  Cheap trick was a little disappointing.  They were "on it" with the hits, but they were kinda sloppy on everything else.  I expected them to be tighter for a band thats been jamming since the 70's.

Oh well, I'm outta here!  Got a busy next couple of days!

 

BTW, Ryan......hows Dad doing?  I pray all went well.

[TrainsRMe1]

 Hey all,

    I just wanted to roll in and say "hey do" to you, We have been busy painting our house, and I mean BUSY, We want to get it done before the rains set it here, and when that happens it could rain and get really stromy up until Feburary,  So the work on the layout has been put on hold for a while,( ahh I will sneak a day here and there,) Anyway I hope all is well with everybody, Our prayers to you at Ike's way, Thanks Zoe I 'll take a ice tea for now, it got up to 90 here in Portland!!!!! See you guys (and Gals) Tomorrow

                               SMOOTH MILES HAPPY SMILES-

                                                            Trainsrme1

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Wow! .......Dick got an MTH Mohawk.. I'm impressed!  Watch out if they ever build a CB&Q 4-8-4! I'll take one of those.

Ryan ... I hope your Dad is OK ......... Prayers for him.

RT ......I'm very worried about you. You were going for a heart cath. We've not heard from you. Prayers for you.

Happy Model Railroading!

[Cederstrand]

Tall glass of cool lemon water, please. 

***Philip, my brother (the one who lives in Hong Kong) taught Journey's new lead singer how to speak/sing better english, a few years back. How did he sound?

Well, I made a last second bid and picked up some more cars for the wife's circus train. Really only wanted the one, but the caboose & crane car were part of the package. So, for about $5-$6 each and some coupler conversions (perhaps some "circus" colors/paint, too) they will be ready to roll. I would think a crane car would come in handy for a circus train, yes?

Going to try hitting the hay. Have a good night all.

Rob

[wetidlerjr]

Good Morning from Tipton IN ! 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Morgan: Looks like your package was very similar to the one I got. I had a blast rebuilding mine.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning.

It's 77 and mostly cloudy here with isolated showers. The high is expected to be in the mid 80's with a chance of thunderstorms.

I took some time yesterday to do the initial plaster pour on the new section of the layout. It was messy but as with most messy projects, a lot of fun. I went through one carton of plaster. I still have four more cartons in the closet.

Today's Weather for:
Sundown, LA  71446-6114      9/12/2008

Heat Index:  82°F
Humidity:  87%
Dew Point:  73°F

So Far Today
High:  80°F
Low:  77°F
Rain:  0.09"
Rain Rate:  0.00"/h
Gust:  18mph NE

Important Message
    
Flash flood watch in effect through Sunday morning.

Now through 06:00 AM CDT September 12, 2008
    
Through 6 AM...rainbands of shower associated with Hurricane ike will continue to stream westward across central and southern Louisiana. Expect wind gusts of 25 to 30 knots with these passing showers. Across the coastal waters...additional rainbands will continue to stream westward...possible wind gusts of 30 to 40 knots.

Today  High: 85    Tropical storm conditions expected. Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Some thunderstorms may produce tornadoes. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Highs in the mid 80s. East winds 30 to 35 mph. Gusts up to 45 mph in the morning increasing to 55 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight  Low: 78    Tropical storm conditions expected. Showers and thunderstorms. Some thunderstorms may produce tornadoes. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Lows in the upper 70s. East winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts to around 55 mph. Chance of rain near 100 percent.

[LSWrr]

Good morning all.

 Rain, rain and more rain for the next 3 days.

Flash, glad you can use them.

Garry, I'll have to send you pictures of my CB&Q end loading 1929 AUTO box car kit I picked up last week.

Jeff, that's a bunch of plaster!  Did you pour those walls too?

Lee

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Jeff, that's a bunch of plaster!  Did you pour those walls too?

Yes. I made thewall sections a couple of years ago using a latex mold I made.

[C&O Fan]

Morning all

Almost finished covering the layout

Hope it isn't needed

Go away Ike !!!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Terry: Looks like you're almost ready for Ike to go stomping through. I just hope he doesn't stomp on your roof!

[pcarrell]

Mornin all!

 

***Philip, my brother (the one who lives in Hong Kong) taught Journey's new lead singer how to speak/sing better english, a few years back. How did he sound?

He definately pulled it off.  He sounded great.  He really sounded a lot like Steve Perry.  He didn't have the power and sustain the Steve had on the really high notes, but thats hard to do.  Other then that, you could literally close your eyes and you'd think it was Mr. Perry singing.  And you say he was just polishing his english a few years ago?  Sounded to me like he's lived here all his life.  Even when he was just speaking between songs, no accent at all.

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Good morning.

Terry ... Looks like your layout is ready for a storm. I hope you will be safe yourself.

Anything new from RT?  I hope he's OK.  Ryan's Dad, too.

Everybody.... Did you see in the news about teh huge fire in the Railroad tunnel under the English Channel? It will be closed pending clean up and repairs.

I guess I learned not to venture into the main forum. We're having big problems with ebay. Many model rairloaders deal with ebay, and I thought I would share them. Evidently, reality offend an ebay fan.

 

 

 

[Cederstrand]

in a SANTA FE mug, please & thanks.

***Philip, I'll share your review with my brother.

So, does anyone have any ideas regarding why my Intermountain F7 locos exhibit occasional "flashes" of their headlights when running in reverse (when those lights are suppose to stay off)? 

Farm chores are done. Time to work on the deep end of the porch/deck.

Have a great day all & for those in the path of Ike, will be keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Rob

[bjdukert]

Lee   Yes it did make some sense,as I learned in the A.F. that it all has to go to the top to trickle down. 

Duke

[der5997]

Good afternoon Diners:  A quick Green tea, and an oatmeal cookie (nsa) please Janie.  Never did make it to Halifax the other day, so the RDC decoder thing will have to wait. Well, I can still run the remaining one, can't carry any baggage with that one however.

Sorry I missed your birthday PC. ...glad you liked your concert.

Some great modelling going on...Jeff, shellac to seal the plaster?  Do you paint it, or stain, or ???

Rob:  Can't help much on the oddly acting reverse light.  I take it this isn't a decoder situation. Have you taken the power pack apart and checked the direction switch for physical dirt/metal powder from wear that might be making an intermittent contact on that side of the circuit? (just a little reminder of what's in store after Halloween

Lee:  Thanks for the pics of that flatcar deck job.  I like the third from the top best. As with any mrr paint project, "a pity to weather it"...but then it doesn't look too real without the weathering...

The weekend is upon us, maybe this time I'll get that container dock re-do finished. (Not Sunday though, as we're due to be at a concert ourselves in the p.m.)I hear Rosie-the-rapidly-aging-dog is thinking it's supper time.  See you later, and I share the concern about Ike, and those with ops.

 

 

[LSWrr]

Der, Thanks all the pictures are of the same flat car.  While I had them apart I added a steel plate under the deck.  I want to have various loads for them (eventually) each load will have a magnet to hold it on the flat cars.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Went to Lowe's today and picked up some items. One (1) gallon of white Elmer's glue, a three pound tub of wallboard joint compound, two packs of Super Glue Gel and a two inch plastic putty knife. Does anybody see some layout work coming on?

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Ike is coming ashore tonight. We're in an area that's likely to lose power, so if y'all don't see me on here tomorrow, you'll know what happened.