ELLIOT's Trackside Diner VI: The Full Meal Deal!

[fec153]

And marino was a choke artist.. with Shula calling the plays, he never had a chance. If big Earl had been in, different story.

Flip    50 years of living in Miami. We brought our flag when we moved north.

 

[fec153]

Well doggone. T O P. Been alooonnngg time since I been here. How about my wifes homemade, from scratch, Southern Pecan Pie? 

Flip

 

[blownout cylinder]

Right now I'm in the mood for just that kinda pie!!! Tnx very much

I'm going over some old photos my dad took during some road trips out west---lots of photos of GMD1's with the A1A wheelsets---eeerrggh, I'd like to find those---anyhoooo back to dealing with 'Spring' and the 'springing' therefrom----

And you thought you'd be at the TOP eh? Guess I'll be doing the honours---

[jeffrey-wimberly]

unca roggie

Do they serve Eggs Benedict in this joint?  I have to start dieting tomorrow, wanna go out with a bang!

[john1947]

Thanks to all for the welcome  I think I just have a cup of coffee Zoe, thank you.

jim rcgmo No plans or photos, just a round 'd' round double track on flat "ground'" to get back into the hobby after 25 years away from it.

 

T Marsh Not too much of a mess from where I'm setting. I also won't have any problems with the twins as I have been happly married for 37 years last July.

 

T White Just reading the posts I can pretty much tell that all of you are a great bunch of people, and the main reason that I decided to stop in.

[jguess733]

Just thought I'd stop in right quick and grab a quick cup of coffee, and say hi. It's just started snowing again. Looks like I'll be spending the rest of my evening in front of the computer, googling whatever random things I can think of. 

Speaking of random things. Does anybody else us stumble? The guys at work showed it to me. You just go to their website, create an account download their toolbar, and click all the topics that interest you. Once the toolbar is installed there is a button at the top of your screen that says stumbe. Just click on it, and away you go. It will randomly bring up a web page related to one of the topics you clicked on when you signed up. I was up until 2 this morning playing with my stumble button. It has really effecintly increased my web surfing.

[pcarrell]

Eric, ever thought about a smaller scale?

 

 

 

 

To all the newer folk here:

What you see at the top of this page is an example of what NOT to do.  If you should happen to take "Top Honors" by hitting the top of a page, you'll be buying, with your virtual money, everything, for everybody, on that page.  These folks around here are a hungry bunch!  And no, you may NOT ask how I know this!

Our "Top Honors" guest here, has decided to try and sidestep the issue by offering pie , which works on me (I'll just take that.....thanks! ), but is not such an effective weapon on others.

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

jguess733

Speaking of random things. Does anybody else us stumble? The guys at work showed it to me. You just go to their website, create an account download their toolbar, and click all the topics that interest you. Once the toolbar is installed there is a button at the top of your screen that says stumbe. Just click on it, and away you go. It will randomly bring up a web page related to one of the topics you clicked on when you signed up. I was up until 2 this morning playing with my stumble button. It has really effecintly increased my web surfing.

Some of my friends in town use it. Just make sure your anti-virus  program is up-to-date. One of them didn't and his system got fried.

[CNCharlie]

Good Evening Diners!

Well Johnboy, you certainly are correct about the, shall I say, cool weather. There's a windchill warning out for tonight and tomorrow morning which means -40 to -45 C.  We'd be happy to share, anyone tire of warm?  Well never mind, we'll send some your way as though we have any control!

I picked up a little N guage track this weekend along with a couple of box cars. Wow! are they ever small!!  The  big test will be to see how I manage to change the coupler on the Pacific I bought. If that goes well, then I might have a future with N. I have a spot picked out to put a 21/2 by 6 or 8 foot layout right under a window as I will need lots of light.

Not much progress on the RR front for several weeks as we are still getting re-settled after our Christmas trip. We did pick-up Pippa on Friday from our friends in Minnesota. It was a round trip in one day which we don't normally do  but they both had colds and we wanted to get home quick as there was a storm yesterday.

Well it's back to work tomorrow and I'm all a-quiver with excitement. It wouldn't be bad except for the office politics that are running high right now.

See you tomorrow,

CN Charlie

 

[ewl01]

pcarrell

Eric, ever thought about a smaller scale?

 

 

 

 

To all the newer folk here:

What you see at the top of this page is an example of what NOT to do.  If you should happen to take "Top Honors" by hitting the top of a page, you'll be buying, with your virtual money, everything, for everybody, on that page.  These folks around here are a hungry bunch!  And no, you may NOT ask how I know this!

Our "Top Honors" guest here, has decided to try and sidestep the issue by offering pie , which works on me (I'll just take that.....thanks! ), but is not such an effective weapon on others.

 

Yeah, I dabbled in N but got spoiled with the HO.  Now that I'm paying for this house, the funds are scarce.  Time to start over I guess.  Maybe by the time I retire (10 years) I'll have enough.  I'm a packrat, not one to sell the HO stuff which I guess would be the smart thing.  It hurts when you spend so much and get so little when you sell.  Also, a lot of stuff is lettered for fantasy lines.  I'll figure something out.  You know, there is the attic.... it has a floor, needs electric.....HHmmmm.

[fec153]

Philip- We are still tied for three T O P's in a row.    Illness forced me to miss two weeks work,no pay, Thats why the pie. Also have homemade fruitcake.

Flip

 

[blownout cylinder]

ewl01; I've got HO scale stuff buried away in a closet after I went N scale---it kind of goes with the territory I guess that one is a kind of homeless puppie for a while---settles down---then sits there asking why is 'X' still here? oh well----

I'm spending the evening looking/doing weathering---I've got an F7 that has a fried(long time ago---something about a shorted motor) truck---serious scorch work needed mayhap? Also same engine has pit marks on front/side of cab---shootout at Lompoc or someplace?---does anyone know what could create pitmarks? If I get to the point of figuring out Macro on my Powershot I could post these---

Speaking of TOP---how'd I get here ----AGAIN??

[LSWrr]

Evening all,

Buggy, looks like your new forum is off to a great start. OBTW, the grade from Toledo, OH (669ft above sea level)  to Cleveland, OH (902ft above sea level) is a .044% grade nothing a single steam locomotive could not handle, however the grade from Pittsburg to Ashtabula was a 1% grade and the same train would require a 2-10-0 pulling and a 4-6-6-4 pushing to get a train to Lake Erie.

Not much in train news to report, however I did a bunch of cleaning and clearing off in the train room today.

Sign the economy is in a slump; I was on patrol today and stopped by the former PRR pellet terminal where freighters drop off Iron ore and it’s loaded into waiting railcars or smaller freighter for the trip up river.  They only had 100,000 tons of iron ore pellets on hand and it’s all going to inland steel mills by rail.  That’s the entire winter stock pile!  Normally there will be 1M to 5M tons on hand at the end of the navigation season.

I still can’t figure out who has “TOP” honors in this place, my monitor settings must be way different than the rest of the diners or something.

John, nothing wrong with flat ground, that’s all we have on the LS&W!

 

Lee

 

[twhite]

Afternoon all from StillSunnyCal, though we're supposed to have another rainstorm (and low snow levels) come tomorrow.  The weather experts are telling us that we're in some sort of El Nino or La Nina (Hell, I don't know which--) weather pattern because of something happening out in the Pacific that is currently sending everything north and we're supposed to be in the third year of some kind of Drought.  In other words, we're not supposed to expect our normal Wet Winter.  Hm.  On a clear day, those Sierra sure look white up there.  We'll see. 

UncaRoggie:  Hey, , glad you found us.  And Eric: too.  Rumor hath it that we're a pretty friendly bunch of guys, here.  And if either of you happen to hit the top of the page and have to buy the rest of us Virtual Dinner, I've been a Brats and Sauerkraut kinda guy, lately.  I always go German during the winter . 

Got a late Christmas present--a $100 Gift certificate to Bruce's Train Shop here in Sacramento.  Now I don't know whether or not to raid the place tomorrow, or just save it toward that Z-6 that's ON THE BOAT from Korea.  Think I'll save it.  How's that for being thrifty?    (Unless, of course, Bruce re-stocked those ART reefers I bought him out of before Christmas). 

Okay, I've seen it all, now.  My new Traincat Remington, he of the Viking Persuasion, now turns around and HISSES at his litter-box every time after he's used it.  Just started yesterday.  Is this kid WEIRD or what?   Between him and She Who Must Be Obeyed Spooky, life is going to be pretty darned interesting around here. 

Best to all, prayers to those in need. 

Tom  

[JimRCGMO]

Evening, Flo - I'll have a bowl of beef stew, please, and a root beer float. Thanks! This is one of those evenings I am glad that I'm SOTB, unlike Johnboy, CN Charlie, BC, and others. I'm no fan of the extremely cold weather, anymore than I am of very hot and humid weather...

Robby P.

Anyways.........Got a quick question.  How good are those "Hustler" switchers?  I was going for something simple, and not alot of money right now.  I have seen them on eBay, and I believe Wolfgang has something similar his layout.  Just wondering if they are any good.

Robby, that depends - the original Athearn Hustler (if that's what you're describing) had a rubber band drive, but Ernst made (or used to make) a regearing set for it, and Accurate Lighting used to make a motor that they sold with the Ernst regearing kit. NorthWest Short Lines might have something that you could get to regear a Hustler. The space requirements inside a Hustler would be pretty snug if you're going to install a DCC decoder in it, too. Hope that helps!

Inch, we were about to set loose the bloodhounds - glad you made it in. And thank you for the update on Jerry, too. Hope he's feeling back up and at 'em again real soon, and tending to Sallie and his layout. Congrats on your football win, and hey, your brother gets to receive as well as to give you a ration of grief...

Barry, I guess your weather folks are just trying to cover all their bases, eh? Hope it sorta stabilizes on one kind of weather for a day or two.

to the Diner, Dave(Mainetrains)! Fill us in on yourself and your layout. From your avatar, I'd guess you have some of the furry felines, like a few other Diners do. Are yours of the caboose-stealing kind, or do they go after the locos, like BridgeTom (twhite)'s do?

And a also to Eric and Unca Roggie! I see the others have welcomed you and filled you in some on the Diner, our virtual servers and the varied food selections they can whoop up for you here.

John1947 - I'd say that your layout's what some call a 'operations-oriented' or 'railfanning' type. Whatever works for you, that's great! Then again, after a while you may find yourself adding this or that, and modify what you started out with, as some of us have.

Barry, that pitmarks sound weird - are they like holes from outside only, or all the way into the shell, or inside-to-outside? I was trying to figure if when the motor fried, it maybe shot sparks into the inside of the shell. Curious, indeed.

This afternoon after church, I went to a friend's place for lunch (and visiting, and games, and...). Funny thing is that the hostess is famous for her lack of cooking skills. Luckily for us, the guy she's seeing is a good cook, and my friend Mark was his assistant chef. We had way more chicken parmesan than I needed to eat, fresh green beans cooked with bacon strips, plus lots of side veggie dishes that some of the guest brought (and desserts, too). Yum!! And today our church started a 21 day prayer and fasting that the church does annually (no, it's not a total fast - the pastor went over several alternative ways, like fasting one meal, fasting from chocolate or meat - but that doesn't count if you're vegetarian - or fasting from something that it would be an effort to give up for 21 days). I'd decided to fast one meal for the period (I can afford it, definitely), and I told Dana that I'd better skip dinner with a luncheon like that! I guess you could pretty much compare it to a Lenten thing, but our church does it for the start of the year to re-focus and spend more time in prayer.

Oh yeah, the party - several of the singles who I knew were there, and after most of the eating was done, the 'host/cook' (her boyfriend) got out the Taboo game (spelling?). We had two teams of about 4 each playing, and it got hilarious. Ended up with one friend of the hostess squirting water on her, and then later the friend got wet, and I think the host/cook did, too. I laughed a bunch (as did others there). I'm was jst w**king on  water before I came here to the Diner. And since the food here is virtual, I figure it doesn't count as not fasting, right?

Forgot who it was (Barry? Rob? Ryan?) who commented on my background building, but thank you. I was looking at the freight doors on it, and thinking it reminds me of those on the Arrowhead Ale background building's ones (the one Walthers has). I may modify it on several points by the time I get it all built, but that's not news on my MRR'ing front.

Need to get back to my stew and RBF before it's time to head home. Prayers for those ailing and in need of comfort (and may our NOTB friends get a warm spell to thaw out that 'dry cold'...).

 

Blessings on your week,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

[ewl01]

A new bunch friends!  Been a great day!  And the coffee is good too. Gives me someone to talk to.  My cats are great but not much for conversation.  I haven't figured out how to tell when TOP comes either... don't see any marks, etc.  Just post after post.  Then I'm new to forums, generally don't have time to sit and do this.

Eric

[howmus]

ewl01

A new bunch friends!  Been a great day!  And the coffee is good too. Gives me someone to talk to.  My cats are great but not much for conversation.  I haven't figured out how to tell when TOP comes either... don't see any marks, etc.  Just post after post.  Then I'm new to forums, generally don't have time to sit and do this.

Eric

Zoe, I'll have some of that Pecan Pie if you please and a cup of decaf on Eric's tab!

(Eric, hint there are 15 posts on each page in the new version of the software that they are using.)
 

[SilverSpike]

fec153

Hey dere, Ryan. Tell you what I will do. I'll send you as many warm air in tank cars as you want if you'll return them loaded with water. We are still in a drought and fires are a big concern.

Flip

Flip, It's a deal, will be on the look out for em and getting the water pumps primed too for the return trip!

jguess733

 Speaking of random things. Does anybody else us stumble?

Yup! I been using Stumble for about four months now, really great finding new cool sites too! And helpful with promoting my blog sites!

 

[Robby P.]

Oh, I need some of that pecan pie!!!!  I will also take a glass of the southern house wine, sweet tea.

I can't pass on pecan pie.

 

[blownout cylinder]

Ray; just thought of a question----if you leave posts to sort newest to oldest wouldn't that kind of reverse order or something or-----oh forget it----

Mind, I keep thinking it also would have to do with size of posting too------

[ewl01]

Ah, I think I got it now.  Thanks Ray.  Got to keep track.  Enjoy the pie!

Eric

Hmmm, should keep old post first.. easier to count.  I'm kinda slow.

[blownout cylinder]

Another fly on the ointment with my weathering project is the warped trucks---these have serious bends to them as well----how does one SCORCH trucks?

I kinda SNUCK in here----heeheehee

[TMarsh]

Double Bacon cheeseburger with slaw on it, onion (or unyawn) rings and a Dr Pepper. For dessert I’ll take a piece of Fects pecan pie if they haven’t eaten the WHOLE THING!!!

Hey Eric . Yup, you’ve come to the right place. Probably more is learned here than anywhere on the internet. Just be careful of the kitties that are brought in . Most are cute and funny but you must obey Spooky or….well I don’t know what happens. Just obey and be safe. Welcome to the diner! Let me share some of Ryans Tick dip…..it’s Gooooood!

I’m not much into sports but I’ll chime in. Root’n for Houston! Go Texans!

Hey Unkie Rog, Ew and germanium- ( I’m gonna have to read this whole thing before making a reply) Welcome to you too (and anyone I may have missed). I had the same impression for a while myself Unca, ‘til I stumbled in and they welcomed me and then fed me. They are a great bunch of guys (and gal) here but be fore warned. They eat a LOT. Belly up guys to some Tick dip before Eric eats it all or Ryan starts charging for it.

OK trains stuff.. The new Texas and Pacific, (resurrected after a few rich oil tycoons got together and thought it would be neat to own a railroad, bought themselves a “disposable” railway between somewhere and somewhere else from the UP and a GP-40 from the Santa Fe, some box cars and a ham sandwich), will be up and running as soon as a little more track has been laid. The owners are looking for a B32-8WH for their main power, because they like the way they look (rich guys hrumph) and only have 4 wheels per truck so they know it will make it around that one curve with no problems. After they find out what the "H" stands for. and use the Geep for short runs or backup. They will make a little off Amtrak as the mainline is an Amtrak route though not sure how long it will last. Not sure if they will resurrect the old paint or not. Depends on if their color ignorant painter can get the colors right or not. Can’t fire him though, he’s the brother of their favorite bartender and she looks… well… let’s just say they won’t fire him. They have plans to acquire more motive power as needed but now they just talk, eat Tex-Mex and smoke big cigars.

Still don’t have a name

I’m ready for that pie now and how ‘bout a glass of milk to wash it down with.                       I’ll just sit back and enjoy this for a while.

Todd

[gear-jammer]

Just stopped in for a RBF, please, Chloe.

It is definately global cooling.  More snow as we speak.

Sue

[Cederstrand]

Pecan pie, please.

After cleaning the new tiles (little room next to train room) I notice the shower, commode & sink were not draining properly. Going on instinct, I dug up the drain pipe outside the house and sure enough, it wasn't connected...or more accurately "half connected". Drain pipe had slipped out of the angled pipe fitting (was obviously never glued) so only had half drain flow. Gurrrrr! Ran to HD and picked up a couple fittings and repaired it. Makes me wonder if I should dig up the entire line all the way to the septic tank incase there are other bad spots?

Put up a couple cabinets for the wife in the future pantry & canning area. I'll install a utility sink in there sometime this week. Still overwhelmed by all the little projects eating up my time. Oh well.

Long day...going to go veg infront of TV awhile. Rob

[pcarrell]

Flip, is that a challenge I hear?  Race ya to four?  

Now Eric, I can see we're going to get along just fine!  Oh, and BTW, CONGRATS!  You've got top honors!  I warned ya!  Yeah, we're gonna get along JUST FINE!   Chloe, Eric wants to buy me some more pie!  Can you hook me up please?  No, I don't care what kind.....just bring em all!

LSWrr

I still can’t figure out who has “TOP” honors in this place, my monitor settings must be way different than the rest of the diners or something.

Tell ya what Lee, we'll let ya know when you've got it!  BOY, will we ever let you know!  

[jeffrey-wimberly]

pcarrell

Tell ya what Lee, we'll let ya know when you've got it!  BOY, will we ever let you know!  

I foresee a six-alarm credit card fire!

[blownout cylinder]

OK where is the TOP? Who stole it?

I better answer to 'Spring'---He came out with a bellow---NOOOOOWWWWW!!!!!-----

[der5997]

Eric,   Did they stick you with TOP on your first go? (I haven't read anything past page 165, so don't know exactly when you came in

Rob: Is there anything those contractors actually did right? You've had the worst time getting the house put back to livable.

I just finished writing to Dick, and I'll save myself some time by using most of what I said to him, here. We had the grandchildren visit, and that cut into my track cleaning and general maintenance project. I had got about 2/3rd of the layout cleaned, and was starting on a turnout replacement when the grandkids came.  After many delays due to the boys sleeping in the train room; I was able to complete today a somewhat complicated replacement of a straight turnout with a curved one. That includes re-ballasting, which was further than I thought I'd get. One of my locos that always de-railed on the straight turnout continues to do so on the curved one, but other locos are quite happy, so I’ve got some investigating of that odd loco to do.

Then I tackled a second turnout replacement.  The lead from the main to my container port ended in a #5 (Technically a Peco short) turnout. It really needed to be less sharp for good operation.  So I also went ahead with this re-placement.  I’ve put in a Peco Medium Radius.  Everything went in a text book fashion, even down to re-aligning the lead track to account for the longer turnout, and re-ballasting. The new piece of rail had to be cut.  One of the two cut off ends flew - who knows where!  Found it later about 10 feet away.

That's above the main leading up to my upper reverse loop.

 

Fixed the surrounding scenery as well, re-located drainage ditch, etc. My container cars purr through the new turnout like they never did with the old one. All the glue has to dry, but I’m getting to think that Model Railroading may be Fun again!

 

Early start tomorrow for blood tests and Dr. appointment (Prescription renewal)

 

Goodnight all, and God Bless. Prayers for al in need of healing, comfort and peace.

 

[New Haven I-5]

  My newest loco:      A Bachmann Spectrum 2-10-2. It pulls about 13 20 year old cars.