Elliot's Trackside Diner V, at the diamonds

[GMTRacing]

Good Morning All,

      It didn't work - I found my way back anyway. May I suggest a GPS transponder (or a set of sound bouys for Fergie and Lee) for those of us who don't live in the adjoining sleeper?

      No progress on the house yet. The permits are in the works and the adjustor and GC were still working on the half inch thick item sheet for the structure but hopefully soon. We're still going back and forth about cedar shakes vs. plastic and the configuration for the upstairs bathroom (those expensive might as well words again) but most of the rest seems settled. In some ways Robs' loss while worse is easier to deal with though I wouldn't wish either of our situations on anyone.

Jeff - that water tower is great. are you sure you're just going to leave it abandoned in the middle of the layout? No temptation there at all, eh? I'll look forward to the pics of the weathered loco later.

Lee - It's good to see more covered wagons back in revenue service. I saw a pair of FL-9's in Wassaic so Metro North is still using them for fill in during maintainence of the mobile cheese slices. The FL-9's were New Havens and have been in continuous service since the mid 50's with rebuilds and upgrades. Most are now repainted in original livery as well. Sharp units.

Matt - good trip you had. How often does Yreka run the passenger service? Must be some hot in that cab in the summer time.

Ryan - may I borrow the machinery when you're done? I'd like to show the boys how it should look insted of covered in swarf as ours are.

GAv - welcome back. How is your summer break going?

Well - gotta go lots to do yet and we leave tomorrow for a new track in New Jersey as well as the Monterey trip. We'll have crews in two spots for the next two weeks a week off and then Lime Rock and Watkins Glen, Salt Lake, Elkhart Lake and VIR all back to back.  Wish us luck. J.R.

[sleeper33]

afternoon

 gang

 darn it nobody told us overhere we were moving. but ill have a tea while im here

 hope all are well and prospering

 I'll be at the counteer if anybody needs me

 yours

[wetidlerjr]

 

Good Morning from Tipton IN ! 

[Cederstrand]

Tall glass of cool water, please & thanks. 

***Tom, thoroughly enjoyed your story telling. Now what's wrong with Union Pacific BIGBOY locos? I also like those smaller articulateds and hope to replace the Mallet I sold with a newer production model one day. Can't wait for a layout to run my new Bigboy on though. BTW, I am just as thrilled watching an 0-8-0 or smaller loco as I am watching an articulated. Truth is, anything steam is pretty enjoyable for me. OK, I also love diesels...so sue me.

***RT, good luck with those diet changes. It's tough to change old habits, but beats the alternative. (do as I say, not as I do)

Good Night All. Rob

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

I recall that JP is to arrive home Tuesday.

So it's time to welcome him home with a big Elliots Diner Celebration. Marching band; picnic; fireworks; Snoopy dancing............

.....When JP comes marching home............harah..............harah!!!

[rtraincollector]

Geeze let a guy work a couple of nights OT so he can pay his bills and you all move the dinner on him and change the name.

  Well not to much happening got to cardioligist tomorrow as when I saw my new doc he niotice I had one of the leads that they recalled and boy did he have me an appointment quick tried to tell him was checked out in TN but before I got home on thursday he was calling to tell me he had me an appointment for tuesday morning at 9:30 and not his nurse or staff  it was him calling. Kinda has me a little upset if hes that worried about it. I'm to be there about 8:30 as they have me set up for EKG at 9:00.

Well other than that all seems find other than fact he said my sugar was high so I need to cut off the sweets and anything that has concentrate sugars init. Juice ect. ect. well I remember I've been eating a lot of high sugar items for the past couple of months. I have enough problems I don't want to add diabetes to it.  

[Paul W. Beverung]

Evening Gang: Well the gang got back from the airport finally. The flight was delayed in leaving for about 4 hours. Now does that explain one reason why I don't fly commerical? If our elustrious leaders don't wake up we won't be able to go anywhere except on foot or horse back. Yes this is a rant!!!!! Been awhile since I did one of those.

Mary Ann, Rachal ( 2yr old GD ) and I went over to the creek to move the hose and restart the pump. I got into fire ants hooking up the hose. I guess those little buggers like the water and cool. Anyway I think that the flood system is going to work out. Not perfectly but it's going to help.

Tom that L 131 looks almost as good as a M-3 or M-4 Yellowstone. I still like the Yellow stone but the other is pretty good. Nice that you had only one derailment. That's better then UP has been doing lately.

I've been looking at the weeds in the fields and there are two that like good candidates for trees. Pine or spruce, maybe or some other tall straight tree. I'm not going to get nit picky I just think some thing that's not going to take more time to make then a locomotive. I need to figure out a way to preserve them. I used to soak weeds in glycerine. I'll try that. Of course there is also dry them and dip in dilute white glue. Tomorrow I may pick some and give it a try.

Well bed time.

Good Night All

[twhite]

Afternoon all:

Had a visitor today--the girl that used to live next door and was always hanging around when I was working on my first garage layout WAY back when, came by with her daughter and husband.  She lives in Omaha now, but was back visiting her mother.  She wanted to show her daughter and husband my layout, and SURPRISE!!--hubby works for UP in Omaha.  I was working on the tailing trestle a little bit more (putting a load of tailings in the little ore car), so I ran a train for them.  Hooked up the big PFM Rio Grande #3612 L-131 2-8-8-2 I got not too long ago to a mixed 25 car freight.  Hubby was pretty impressed.  "Do you have a Big Boy?" he asked.  "I don't do UP, sorry," I answered.  "Hm," he said, watching the train work its way out of Deer Creek and up the South Yuba.  The train went through Wagon Wheel Gap and onto the Middle Fork bridges.  We're walking around the layout, I'm following it with my ControlMaster 20 (with the added 15-foot controller wire).  He's just watching.  Wife and daughter are going 'Ooh and Ah'.  #3612 heads into my short 2-1/4% curved grade at Malakoff Diggings, gives a grunt and heaves up toward the Makakoff Bridge.  "Think a Big Boy would have 'grunted' there?" he asks.  I shrug.  "I don't know.  She ALWAYS 'grunts' there."  We moved out of the inside to the front of the garage while the big lady slowly drew the train toward the Buttes.  He cocked his head a little as she came out of Butte tunnel and across Plum Creek bridge toward Bassett's.   "Hmm.  No Big Boys, huh?"  "Nope.  Too plain.  I like my articulateds with the guts hanging out."  He laughs.  I grin.  He grins back.  Just then an Atlas cement car decides to jump the tracks right before Yuba Pass tunnel.  I mutter, turn the train off, re-rail the NEW Atlas car (one of my very few Atlas cars, BTW).  He shrugs.  I shrug.  The train winds through Yuba Pass tunnel and down the other side of the Pass toward the Deer Creek viaduct.  "Ever lose a train here?" he asks.  I make a very quick, very silent "Hail Mary" and say, "Not so far."  Luckily, PFM creeps across the trestle with the train (if I were running solo, she'd ROAR across it, but I've got company, remember).  Back through the curves and down into the 2.4% into Deer Creek. 

One derailment.  Can't BELIEVE my luck, LOL!

We talk some more.  He's a really nice guy.  They're leaving tomorrow, otherwise he says he'd come over and watch me run it again.  No, he's not into model railroading, but he likes trains--the real thing.  But he still says I should get a Big Boy (no way). 

UP must put their employees through some kind of Mind Control about that locomotive, LOL!

Anyway, I'm very proud of #3612, she did her job quite nicely.

 

You GO, girl!

Tom  

[grayfox1119]

Good evening, sunny today for a change, we only had 0.01" of rain, a sprinkle this noon time from one big cloud. The second step got resurfaced today, the bad one came out looking good, now I only have the landing to resurface. The acrylic hardener that you add to the top coat cement really strengthens the cement for doing thin set areas of 1/2" to 2" thickness. Everything is the veggie garden is coming in hot and heavy now that we are in August and the days are getting shorter.

MIKE: If you are looking for an outside wood furnace, one Mfg is Central Boiler. They make a variety of sizes for home, farm or business use, and, they also heat domestic hot water. The lines come into your house underground. I can highly recommend the Jotul 500 if you decide to go with a wood stove inside. My wife does not like wood stoves either, but she loves this stove. No damper to control, just a primary air feed lever in front under the glass front door. It takes 21" lengths of wood also. The best stove that I have ever owned in 40 years of burning wood, and very easy to maintain. You can go online to check them out if you wish.

FERGIE: Do you ever travel up to the drilling sites on the Arctic where Ice Road Truckers go in winter?

Later

[Cederstrand]

in a UNION PACIFIC mug, please & thank you!

***Jerry, probably not a great deal on the TT, but less than a retailer if you include their shipping or buying in state and paying tax. It's not a pricey item, so I'm fine with it. Still need to find a motor for it, since I would prefer not to have a silly manual dial showing.

***Lee, I'm going with (N) Kato Unitrack. Have some, but with a train room around the corner (by December?), I'll be expanding the distances to create more scenery. I might mix in some Atlas flex track (already have some), but most will be Unitrack.   Wife's layout (HO) is going to be all EZ track.

***Tom, wife took some serous scratches medicating Jambo cat. Next tiem I think we need to us a heavy towel. We started both injured cats on oral antibiotics. Will see how they do.

***Ryan, can you imagine drill presses, lathes, etc... in N scale? Nice job on those.

***Paul, free icecream sundays on me to the girls rescueing all those turtles.(unless you plan on cooking them, then I'll eat those icecream sundays myself.

Wife is out bushhogging this evening.

Rob

[C&O Fan]

Snip

Terry I hope that the TS doesn't hit you too bad. It can bring all it's rain up here. We need it bad. So how are you felling?

Snip

 

I volunteer for Cocker Spaniel Rescue and today they flew in a 757 from Phoenix

to take Dogs and Cats to the Denver area from the Houston City Pound

Some of our people were ask to help assemble crates

We will be ready but you could bring a bucket and take some rain water home with you

 

 

[Paul W. Beverung]

Hi Gang: Im still waiting for the family to get back from the airport. The granddaughter's girl friend is going back to New Mexico today. The two of them had a good time here. They saved over 200 turttles from the frack pit. There are still a few in there so I guess I'll have to help Sara get them.

So Spooky has taken over the computer room, Tom. I guess she figured that cabesse were getting too easy.

Terry I hope that the TS doesn't hit you too bad. It can bring all it's rain up here. We need it bad. So how are you felling?

I had planned on taking a nap while the girls were away but the afternoon has just rushed by.

I'll try and stop in later.

[JimRCGMO]

Afternoon, Zoe. I'll have a RBF - can I get that to go, this time? Thanks. 

Just about to get the new virtual grill burnt in and ya'll pull up the stakes and move on down the line! Like a traveling show of nomads, never stay in one place for very long! This place is starting go get like disposable razor.

Hey, now, Ryan, I still use disposable razors (and am having some difficulty finding the ones I like)! Well, we tried to tell you to put that grill on some wheels - easier to pull it behind the diner cars...  Nice job on the bench tools, by the way!

Hot, hot, HOT day here, but going to get hotter tomorrow (predicting 97 F). Sure feels bad enough as it is today around 90 F (I think their thermometer is broken). Humidity is only 52 percent though. Kinda a dry bake day, with toasting on the grill tomorrow afternoon.

Good day to spend with these folks:

Jeff, good job on the water tower there.

Inch, I hope they get the funds to rebuild your school (and that the other district forgets about bugging your local one). That mold is NO fun to try to get out - better to scrap the building and replace it than to try just wiping with bleach and stuff. 

Tom, are you sure that trestle won't dump the loco into the trailings pile? That looks pretty rickety from the photo. (Nice work putting that together). Maybe Spooky is warming herself off the 'puter's exhaust fan? So long as you don't have to go clearing out any hairballs from the back of the monitor or such.

Matt, love those shots of the Yreka, and hope you have as much fun learning the ropes as a fireman.

My co-worker's out today (taking one of her kids to the Dr. in St. Louis), so keeping it somewhat brief so I can get back. One of those stretch-the-gas-till-payday weeks, and I'm the backup through Thursday, alas. 

Well, time to head back to it. Everyone stay cool as possible.

 

Blessings & prayers,

Jim in Cape Girardeau 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Jeff looks like that TS may deliver some rain to your area.  Maybe more than you need.  Wow that water tower looks good, when will you be getting more steam?

Not gonna get any more steam. I'm all diesel.

[Train 284]

Matt:  Loved those shots on the Yreka Western.  One question, though--is the CN still running over Siskyou Summit through Montague, do you know?  I know they were planning on shutting down the line between Black Butte and Ashland, but I've not heard anything further.  Hope they haven't.

 

Thanks Tom.

If you mean C.O.R.P. (Central Oregon and Pacific), no they have discountinued service over the Siskiyou Line recently (April I believe) so we are currently hauling no freight. This has really hurt the major shipper on the Yreka Western, Timber Products. Because we can't interchange loaded cars now, they have to ship by truck. And so far this year, shipping their veneer products by truck has cost them an extra $500,000! An even better reason to ship by rail.

On the upside, many shippers and a couple shortline railroads (including YW) are fed up with CORP and their Fortune500 owners and want to get the line operating again under different ownership. The Yreka Western has also expressed a great interest in taking over the Siskiyou Line, but things are still up in the air.

[SilverSpike]

The detail parts are taking a bit of time to get how I want em! I started with the Alexander Scale Models parts for interior machinery detail including the floor standing drill press, the lathe and the machining tool. Painting these little pieces of metal are a real challenge and trying to keep a steady hand is another trick. I was contemplating buying one of those alligator clip stands, but decided to save my money and use some clamps and even a spring clothes pin for holding them steady. Saved me some time and money too! Here are a few progress shots of the three detail machinery pieces. I still need to add both black and red paint to highlight some of the controls such as knobs, wheels and settings.

  Also worked on repairing a Walther's #6 left throw switch due to consistent de-rails by rolling stock. Using the NMRA Gauge tool I found the rails at the points were too close and forcing the right side wheels on trucks to rise up and over the outside point rail. I also noticed that the outside rail was detached from the frame and there was movement. I surgically applied a small amount of adhesive to the underside of the rail to re-attach it to the base ties without permanently adhering the point rail. That was a real trick too, but it helped the situation. I also slightly bent the outside point rail a little to compensate for the tightness. Then I attached a Caboose Industries ground throw to the switch points control rod and this seemed to resolve the issue. I made a half-dozen passes with a 20 car consist with no failures. So, hopefully this issue has been resolved.

[twhite]

Morning all from SunnyCal. 

Supposed to hit 95 here today.  Didn't get as hot as they predicted yesterday, so maybe we'll ease off a little today, too.  Supposed to get some cloud cover in here later in the week, which means the humidity will go up.  Hope the temps don't, however, otherwise it'll feel like Louisiana (sorry 'bout that, Jeff, LOL!). 

Speaking of, Jeff--I really like that water tower.  That's some really nice work.  I notice that your UP set didn't stay that way very long, either.  Attaboy! 

Paul:  You're right about the tailings.  Guess that little truck carries them away as soon as they get dumped off the trestle.  Also realized I forgot to put a tailings load in the little ore car, too.  Back to the drawing board--  Oh, and Spooky the cabeese-stealer is doing just fine, she's taken over the computer room for some strange reason, so I've got a lot of purring coming from behind my monitor. 

Matt:  Loved those shots on the Yreka Western.  One question, though--is the CN still running over Siskyou Summit through Montague, do you know?  I know they were planning on shutting down the line between Black Butte and Ashland, but I've not heard anything further.  Hope they haven't. 

Rob:  Yah, that big MT-3 is part of my Espee family (I've got a TON of Espee steam, also), and gets worked pretty well when I get an urge for an all Espee operating session.  But I think I'm going to take her over and see what kind of NWSL can will fit in her firebox--that old, OLD open-frame is really noisy.  She runs nice and smooth, though.  But like my Rio Grande northern, I sure wouldn't put her on anything less than a 30" radius.  And speaking of cats, hope those two of yours didn't break anything.  But if they got bit by a critter, best get them to a vet and have them checked. 

Well, that's it from SunnyCal, except for the fact that we have a NEW fire in the Feather River Canyon--this one on the Middle Fork.  That's the third, this year.  And just between you and me and the gatepost, I think there's something more than 'lightning' involved in these burns.  Like: Can you say "Pyromaniac?" 

Time to take Lowell for his injections.  He's eating like a horse, lately.  Hasn't gained any weight back, but he's still pretty perky.  Just as long as I can keep the little guy stable--

Best to all, prayers to those in need. 

Tom  

[Train 284]

 Train 284, do you know what kind of whistle the #19 uses?

 

It is a 6 chime and has one of the most beautiful sounds in the world. And besides, it is VERY LOUD!

Next week, I should be riding in the cab and starting to learn the fireman's controls properly (mainly just the injector), so I hope I can get a little bit of video to show how loud that whistle is. Anyone who is riding in the cab must wear earplugs, no exceptions.

[SilverSpike]

Just about to get the new virtual grill burnt in and ya'll pull up the stakes and move on down the line! Like a traveling show of nomads, never stay in one place for very long! This place is starting go get like disposable razor.

So, did any of your see that new IHOP add on TV this past weekend, they have a new Bananas Foster Pancake, they call it Louisiana Style, LOL! Funny, because it was a New Orleans dish they call it Louisiana!

Well...anyway, made my own batch....

[New Haven I-5]

 Train 284, do you know what kind of whistle the #19 uses?

[LSWrr]

Jeff looks like that TS may deliver some rain to your area.  Maybe more than you need.  Wow that water tower looks good, when will you be getting more steam?

I need to finish remodeling the storage room and closet in the spare basement room so I can expand the layout with a port authority and a coal mine.  I plan on building 2 rotary dumps for the layout (one at the power plant and one at the docks) and upgrading the coal mine to load cars.  If any of you are bored you're more than welcome to stop over and help.

My new couplers came in, so I have more cars to convert as well.

Rob, I bet that equipment running was music to your ears this morning.  How much and what kind of track do you need for your layout?

Matt, great pictures!

Lee

[Cox 47]

Good Morning all...Its sunny and 72 here this morning posta be hot next couple of days...I'll have a order of biscuits and gravey and coffee please..I have been doing a little operating started saturday and took all the rolling stock except 2 bay 40 foot hoppers off layout and cleaned track then put them back on one at a time checking tracking and couplers ran trains from truck dump to Pennsy interchange got 3 hoppers working pretty well and I have 3 50 footers that need couplers I plan to start on today..

Sallie and I just rested most of the week end She was tired after the Grand Daughters were here all week..Sure is still around here after they left!!

Today is my Son's 27th Birthday and He is taking off work today to go with His Wife to the lawyer to draw up papers for Divorce..He told me last night He thought this would be the worst birthday He has ever had..

Jeff....I like the Illinois Terminal Gon the you got in train set..I did know they made one in that road name..I painted and decaled one years ago when I was in HO..Ithink they are sharp looking with the yellow body and red trucks..Nice job weatering it..

Rob...I agree the Walther's turntable is nice but pricey..Did you get a good deal on the Atlas on Ebay?

Mike...You hear the Martinsville news before I do I hadn't saw the news about the mold at the High School but I am not surprised...

You all have a good one...Jerry

[Cederstrand]

Woke up to the sound of heavy equipment, as they were getting ready for the remaining foundation at sun-up. Not sure if they will pour today or tomorrow. 

Need to send a check off for an Atlas Turntable I bought yesterday on the-bay. As much as I would love one of the Walthers TT's, they're a bit pricey. Would rather spend that amount of $$$ on more track.

Have a great day, all.

Rob

 

[LSWrr]

Good morning all,

 Twhite, Nice looking trestle and mine.

Fergi, You need to shop the train shows and save a few $$$.  Most of my turnouts I picked up at train show over the years for between $1-$5. What do you need?  I may have it in my "got-2-have-it drawer".

Paul: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/lnm/d9/

This day in History, August 4th:

On August 4, 1790, the first Congress authorized the construction of a fleet of "revenue marine" cutters to enforce the fledgling nation's tariff and trade laws and protect the collection of federal revenue. The service received its present name in 1915 under an act of Congress when the Revenue Cutter Service merged with the Life-Saving Service. The Coast Guard is one of the oldest organizations of the federal government and, until the Navy Department was established in 1798, served as the nations only armed force afloat. The Coast Guard has continued to protect the nation throughout its long history both at home and abroad Ð and Coast Guardsmen have proudly served in every one of the nation's major conflicts, including Operation Iraqi Freedom.

 

Lee

[inch53]

Mornin, I'm gone for a few days, and ya'll done changed address's again on me. How bouts an irish coffee, a couple doughnuts, please Zoe. Well it's August, time to start counting the morning fogs n you'll have an idea of how many snows you'll get this winter. It seems to work here in the Midwest. Hot one forecast for here.

Sunny skies will be around today with a few clouds developing this afternoon. Temperatures will warm up into the mid to upper 80's this afternoon with a light south wind. Partly cloudy skies will move in tonight and tomorrow with a 40% chance for scattered T-Storms Tuesday afternoon. Temperatures will drop into the lower 70's tonight and warm up into the upper 80's on Tomorrow.

Still been busy round here trying to get summer projects finish up in-between kids n everything else. Well enough complaining bout little things, what gets done is what's done, as great grandpa use to say.

JIM,  School was suppose to start in about 3 weeks, but the rumor is, there was black mold found in the high school from the floods and temporary class rooms have been ordered. It's supposed to be decided soon whether it can be cleaned up or if we need a new school building. It's kind of a mixing blessing really; we've needed a new one for a spell and have been waiting on the state funding that's been promised for a few years. If FEMA decides it needs replaced, they'll pay 75% of it. Bad part is Marshall n Casey schools will be hollering even louder for a hostile take over and close us.

DICK,  We've got some pellets laid in, but not enough for the winter. We are talking about going with a wood stove, even though Mother hates'em. If we can find [or build one] for outside and duct in reasonable, that's what we may do.

JERRY,  Sorry to hear bout your son's troubles. Just as well you didn't make it to Altamont, there wasn't much there this year for MRR'ing and I didn't see any thing for N. Plenty of tractors and equipment, and the threshing with the steam tractor was good.

RT, Watch that diet and good luck with the heart doc.

CHARLIE,  Sorry to hear bout your FIL, we'll keep him in our thoughts, along with you and the wife.

Garry Flash, Rob,  Hope yours and every one else's family members are still improving health wise.

MATT,  sounds like you had a great working around steam [lucky]

Still haven't got the pics uploaded yet and probably won't get a chance again today with 6 or 7 kids showing up soon. Best get ta chores. Thoughts for all in need and ya'll has a gooden.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning.

It's 73 and partly cloudy. The high will be in the mid 90's and it'll be mostly cloudy.

Today's Weather for:
Sundown, LA  71446-6114      8/4/2008

Heat Index:  78°F
Humidity:  86%
Dew Point:  70°F

So Far Today
High:  75°F
Low:  73°F
Rain:  0.00"
Rain Rate:  0.00"/h
Gust:  0mph NNE

Today  High: 95    Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 90s. East winds 10 to 15 mph.

Tonight  Low: 75    Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 70s. East winds 10 to 15 mph. Gusts to 40 mph after midnight.

[C&O Fan]

Morning All

Just stopped in on my way to the store to pick up some storm supplys

looks like we're gonna get hit

I 'll have a cup of tea while I'm here please

[wetidlerjr]

 

Good Morning from Tipton IN ! 

[Train 284]

Had a great time working with the 19 on the Yreka Western today. I enjoyed every second. From light off to shut down, it was great!

Of course I took a few photos......

 

 

[pcarrell]

PC: Sit down and have breakfast lad, you look real tired after getting up so early this morning on that job over at wrinkle city! LOL

Didn't have time this morning, but if the offer still stands........

***Philip, it's tough doing things when your body is crying out for rest, even when they are important. Hope you get caught up on sleep soon. You're a good soul!

Boy, you're not lying about that!  I'm just doin' what I'm supposed to be doin'!  Hey, how's things going with the house?

PC, hope you were able to prepare some more for your class today. I'm guessing that you were able to send the crews out to do the actual hands-on checking of the lines/equipment, right? Thanks for reminding me about who Cliff was - hadn't seen Cheers in a long while (not carrying cable and our local on-air channels don't have it in reruns - closest they carry is the Frasier show).

Yeah, I have crews that do the on site work  I'm more office type personel.  I bet I haven't been to a dozen customer sites in the last 10 years.  And I was just poking fun at Fergie about the Cliff thing.  That was a blast from the past though, huh?

 

 

And there goes Jeff, making us all look bad again!