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

[C&O Fan]

WOW 39 degrees that ties the record cold for this date in Houston

and is waaaaaaaaaaaaaay to cold for Zone 9

This is not a good sign of things to come

i've been here 28 years and never remember it being this cold this early

I be huddeled in the back with a cup of hot tea

[GMTRacing]

Good Morning All,

      Dry for now but 40F and dropping so who knows. I'll have a regular and a donut plus some of Eds oj please Zoe. More moving at the house yesterday and removing the last of the kitchen cabinets out so we can demo the walls. Spent the evening at the museum putting in elevated road bed for the new O gage setup. We're starting to make some progress there now and once I aget the portals done we can get after the roundhouse and hill it will live in.

Jeff - somewhere I have photos of the prototype tower if I can find them. It was up in Ontario and in danger of falling on the tracks. Nice work.

Der - the crane is awesome! If you have room you could put a little dinghy in with Lee doing an inspection.

welcome back Cary and Colby.

Time to run, lots to do today.    CUL, J.R.

[LSWrr]

Jeff, As soon as the base post office opens I’ll drop this box in the mail.  The old coaling tower looks great.  We have one of the huge concrete towers still standing out in Collingwood yard. When I say A-B unit I mean that they are a matched set, both look the same just one is not powered. 

Rob, don’t draw the moisture out too fast you’ll get cracks in the final product.  Congratulations on your progress.  Sorry to hear about your pet.

DerJohn, Not sure if you heard I shipped your package yesterday.  Also your dock facility looks great but if I may suggest one thing: Tires on the seawall.  I’ve worked around those docks for almost 22 years if you want I have some pictures and I can offer suggestions for details if you wish.  If you were in the states I would have to write you a ticket for violations of MARPOL! No dumpsters yet, LOL.


Lee

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 Good morning.

It's clear and 40 degrees, not as cool as the weather guessers were guessing it would get. The high will be around 70 and it will be partly cloudy.

Didn't get much done yesterday as the cable techs were running around the area trying to get the problem they said didn't exist fixed. I think they may have actually done it this time. From what I could pick up (I was a computer programmer, not a cable tech) a piece of equipment that was causing many problems finally up and died and it had to be replaced. That explains why there was no internet access from this area Monday. They got the replacement in then had to configure it which took most of the rest of the day and into the early hours of Tuesday. That explains why the system was so flaky yesterday morning. By yesterday afternoon everything was stabilized and operating normally. Now I'm waiting for the weather to change to see if it holds up or goes into it's usual pattern of crashing as soon as the wind changes direction. On the modeling side I got more work done on my coaling tower. It looks like a really old structure now that is well on the way to falling apart. After a little more work on the base structure itself I should have it looking like anybody would be afraid to go near it, as it might fall on them.

Today's Weather for:
Sundown, LA  71446-6114      10/29/2008

Wind Chill:  38°F
Humidity:  87%
Dew Point:  34°F

So Far Today
High:  40°F
Low:  38°F
Rain:  0.00"
Rain Rate:  0.00"/h
Gust:  0mph NNE

Important Message
    
Freeze warning in effect until 9 AM cdt this morning.
 
Today  High: 70    Mostly sunny. Highs around 70. Southeast winds around 5 mph.

Tonight  Low: 45    Mostly clear. Not as cool. Lows in the mid 40s. Southeast winds around 5 mph.

[NS Luc]

Good morning

[wetidlerjr]

Good Morning from Tipton IN !

[egmurphy]

Good evening sports fans,

Only a quick post here this evening just so that I don’t start to fall so far behind that I lose track of where I am.  Nice temps down here today.  Started off around 60 and probably never got much above the low 70’s.  That’s cool for here.  So I got to turn off the a/c for a while.

Glad some of you liked the shots from Newfoundland.  I’m still busy editing and uploading the shots from the last trip.  Slow going for me.  I figure that it will probably be the weekend before I can do a writeup on the trip.  Those of you who want to see the photos before I do the writeup can go directly to my “Railfanning in Mexico” album in Rail Images.  The most recent pictures are on page 1 and 2 (soon to be 1, 2 and 3).  Link is http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php?cat=1261

We were out at the grove yesterday and the mandarin oranges are really starting to turn.  With 30 trees of this variety there are always a few that start to ripen early.  But there comes appoint when most of the trees decide that it’s time and then we get suddenly inundated with oranges.  It’s approaching that point now.

Tom – thanks for the tip.  I now have the link in my signature correctly tied to my Rail Images albums.

der – nice work on the crane.

Hasta mañana,

Ed 

 

[twhite]

Good evening all.  Just got back from Tuesday night choir rehearsal at the church--had to crack the whip a little.  Dang, I'm gone for one rehearsal and one Mass and everyone goes NASAL on me!  It was like having a choir full of Britney Spears, tonight.  So I very gently stood up from the piano and smiled and said, "If I hear anything further like what I just heard right now, I'm going to audition a new choir."  Spent the rest of the rehearsal 'warming them up' with diction and vocal training.  Our Music Director, Brother James just sat there and grinned at me.  TOM'S BACK, SHAPE UP! 

Rob:  So sorry to hear about Seti.  This has NOT been a good fall for we pet lovers.  Checked out the photos, what a lovely breed those Pyrenees are.  They look very sweet and superbly intelligent.  I don't know if this helps, but possibly St. Francis needed someone to help watching over his flock.  You have my sympathies. 

Well, found out that the Roseville train show is scheduled for weekend after next.  This, of course, spells DISASTER for my Visa, LOL!   We were talking about train shows on another thread, and I mentioned that I only attend one a year--the Roseville one--because I usually go out there and go NUTS!   Not on stuff I could get at my LHS--I'm too loyal to the two great shops we have in this area to do that--, but on the strange and wonderful little things that kinda/sorta sneak onto the tables (like that brass Yellowstones Basket Case I got last year and is now happily pulling everything I can put behind it on my layout).  Actually, I'm usually pretty good at this show, but there's always something that is going to catch my eye, whether it's a used brass steamer for a bargain-basement price that looks at me and says, "Take me home, daddy, I need some TLC", or maybe an old Athearn metal kit freight car with six gazillion little metal parts that make into a car that looks as good as anything current, or something that is just not what you'd usually find.  And the layouts are fun and well put together from Z to G (there's usually an absolutely AMAZING S-scale display layout there).  And everyone, including those bug-eyed children are just having a GREAT time.  It's amazing how many people around this area turn out for a train show, so you know at least here in my area--and the rest of Northern California--the hobby is VERY alive and kicking!  

So, I'm lookiing forward to it. 

I think I'm going to give into Spooky in the next couple of weeks and go down to the SPCA to look for a buddy for her.  She just kind of lies around next to me staring at the walls.  She really misses her buddy Lowell (so do I), and she needs to share the house with another furry feline.  So probably next week.  Which means another Traincat.  Photos to follow, of course. 

Best to all, and prayers to those in need. 

Tom

   

 

[CNCharlie]

Good Evening Diners!

Rob, Sorry to hear about Seti. This hasn't been a very good month for diners and their pets. Hope those tests go OK. I'm going for my annual physical on Monday. Everything was fine last year and I'm hoping for the same result again. I always get the gears from my doc about exercise so I've been on the rowing machine lately. Have to say that I do feel better.

As for the weather that some of you in the east have been getting, all I can say is : I didn't send it!! We haven't had any snow and the only real frost was last night. It is supposed to be mid-high 40s here this week with lows around freezing so I can't imagine where that cold weather is coming from or perhaps the fence is down and you are getting our normal October.

Not much new here. It has been a bit sombre at work as we had to let go 25 people which is about 10% of the work force due to declining sales. The downturn has certainly hit here but at least the housing prices are holding but then again we never had the big increases some cities had. Gas is about $4 a gallon so I'm jealous of anything under $3. Our dollar has taken a nose dive too going from about par to 78 cents U.S. That will curb my on line ordering a bit.

Well it's time to get ready for another day "at the mill" .

CN Charlie

 

[JimRCGMO]

Evening, just stopping by - the rumor on the street was that Colby's buying (again), and I didn't want to miss a free RBF. So Chloe, set me up with one of those fine RBF's, please. Thanks!

Colby, nice night shots of your engine facility and rest of your RR.  

Rob, sorry to hear about your losing Seti. Hope your doctor gets the test results right this time for you (and that it's better news than expected). The way things have gone for you for a while, it should about be time for some good coasting and easing off of stuff for you. Good that you have your internet service back up again, anyway.

gear-jammer

Is Jim in that back booth passing out RBF's?

Sue

Actually, Sue, the free RBF was with Colby's money - the 'lucky' fella hit TOP twice in a row. I think he might be going after PC's or Flip's old record for the most TOP honors...

DerJohn - on that container crane and all? - And double , since it's in iNvisible scale, besides! Between you and Jeff, I'm about ashamed to put any pics up here. (Of course, I'd need a camera again, too...)

Paul, good to hear you were able to put the trucks together (and avoid one more expense there). I guess for measuring, you could just hop up onto a passing UP train's flat and measure it, then jump off at the other end of your property.  

Jeff, I'm afraid OSHA will be getting onto the Midland for that hazard of a coaling tower. There goes your insurance rates again!   (Excellent job!

Well, I've about finished my RBF, so I'll be heading for home now. Everybody find their window scrapers today? - and (for our Nor'eastern folks) your snow blower and/or snow shovels?

Prayers for a dry warm place to be tonight, and not too much snow or frost in the morning to contend with. Also prayers for healing and comfort.

 

Blessings,

Jim in Cape Girardeau 

[Flashwave]

Hey guuys, quick sig test.

Rob: Sorruy to hear about Seti.

John: That transfer is coming along nicely. Looks big, even for N scale

[der5997]

Good evenng folks: Colby's tab eh?  I think Jeff's choice would make a good snack before bedtime, which is fast approaching here.

Rob, sorry also to hear about your loss.  Seems like it's been a bad Fall for this kind of thing.

I've just finished the major construction of the container crane's "workings", and it was about the most difficult piece of modeling I've ever attempted. These photos show how it looks, but please excuse the hair clips holding the boom to the main frame, I've got to do a fair bit more before the final instal!

This is slightly out of focus, but gives the general idea

Here's the spreader, with the control cabin in behind side view of same.

and a "from the sea" shot...

next up will be the trucks the thing moves on, hope I can get them built more or less identically.

 Jeff that tower is very convincing. 

Have to go, bedtime and all that. Thanks everyone for the photos and videos you've been posting...can't stay, but the snack was great! Goodnight all, and God Bless. Prayers for all in need of healing, comfort and peace.

[Paul W. Beverung]

Evening Gang: I got the lastest copy of our Rattler Firebird Association letter today and saw that a friend of mine that I flew with passed away. He was a great guy and very well liked. He was  younger then me by a couple of years and dies of an heart attack. That sure woke me up.

Jeff that coaling tower is really looking great and I really like the location shoe horned in amoungst all those other buildings.

Duce don't worry about us being confused. I really can't think what it is like to be un-confused.

Duke those are some great picks of the live steam meet. Was there any steam there? They really have a bunch of very good looking diesels and some really good looking cars. Where did the guy get the M-1s?

I got the three pairs of trucks that I had taken off the old flat cars back together. I also got a good start on decking the first flat car. I'm using treated wood for the stringers and the decking. I'm cutting the wood planking out of 2x12 lumber. The decking will scale out to be 3x12s.  They look too big but I think that the old way of using 3/4x1/4 was too small. I think that the RRs would use at least 3x12s. I have trouble running along side of the UP trains with a tape measure and trying to measure the flats.

Today when we got up at 6:30 it was 31f and there was a frost on the ground. I guess fall is finally here.

Time for bed.

Good Night All

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Hello everybody.

We just returned from Cincinnati. Grand daughters were cute as usual. Lower gasoline prices makes the trip nicer, too.  Shelley kindly did the driving chores as I'm still getting over my August events. Actually, this is my first trip since the August events other than medical trips to Nashville and the trip to the dinner train last week.

Good to see all the people here with their photos and stories.  It appears that a tornado passed though Leesville, LA based on some photos of an old coal tower.  

Happy Model Railroading

 

[gear-jammer]

Good evening, Gang.  I haven't been for a couple of days so it takes a while to catch up.

Colby,  Thanks for sharing your night shots.

Is Jim in that back booth passing out RBF's?

Sue

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 Rob: Sorry to hear about Seti.

[Cederstrand]

Lost our Internet service during that last storm a few days back. We're back online today after the modem was replaced.

We lost one of our Pyrenees, Seti. She was a big, goofy, happy-go-lucky old girl. Below is a link to the Pyrenees page with a couple pics of her, (last two on the page) Why can't I copy & paste images anymore? Is there a trick to it?

http://cederstrandpettingzoo.homestead.com/index.html

Sheetrock is mostly up now. Contractor ended up mixing some very watered down (the grey stuff used for setting/patching the cement-like board that goes under tile) and pouring it around the base of the main shower. Not sure it actually got into the center channels, but should be better than nothing. The thing is, sheetrock is up around it, but I know for certain it is still like wet putty. I put both my dehumidifiers in that room which hopefully will help draw some moisture out. Not sure what else to do, short of tearing out some sheetrock to let it properly air dry. Gurrrr!

My Doc visit wasn't exactly full of good news. Don't know why I bother going. Had to have even more blood drawn because a couple tests required redo. Oh well.

Not much else to report on from the ol' farm. Hope everyone is doing well these days.

Rob

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

ModelTrainLover

top honors again????

Yep!

 Please tell the chef I want the steak and lobster, with extra butter.

[ModelTrainLover]

JimRCGMO

back, Colby - just about your busy time of year starting up for swim team, isn't it? Didja notice you got the TOP honors? Yay! Zoe, I'll have one of those Po'Boy's that Ryan's fixin', please - and a root beer float, too. Thanks!

So Colby, when can we hope for some layout pics? Sounds like you've been making more progress than a few of us (like me...) 

Hey Jim,

Yes I saw that I got top honors and if feels good to be back. As for an up dated pic of my layout well to most recent pics are night shots from earlyer this month (spelling i know) and Zoe RB floats for everyone!!! put it on my tab...... what my paymeny is over due?............ 6 months?????!!! can you wait an other 5 before I pay you cause I'm unemployed...... (wack!!!!!!!)..... I hate frying pans.

 

top honors again????

[Flashwave]

LSWrr

Sorry, the Amtrak locomotives are SDP-40F

 

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=70249

Lee

Ah. what;s an SDP-40F B look like? or is it too, a flipped A unit? I can't find a picture of one (B I mean).

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 Now that makes more sense.

[LSWrr]

Sorry, the Amtrak locomotives are SDP-40F

 

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=70249

Lee

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Flashwave

Scuse me, what's an FP40 B look like?

As far as I know it looks like an FP40-A.

[Flashwave]

Scuse me, what's an FP40 B look like?

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I've been doing a bit more work today.

[pcarrell]

Cary

Jim: You have a point! He may have never had it. Phillip?

Phillip: We were not talking about coffee.

Huh?

[JimRCGMO]

back, Colby - just about your busy time of year starting up for swim team, isn't it? Didja notice you got the TOP honors? Yay! Zoe, I'll have one of those Po'Boy's that Ryan's fixin', please - and a root beer float, too. Thanks!

So Colby, when can we hope for some layout pics? Sounds like you've been making more progress than a few of us (like me...) 

Duce

I hope I did not confuse anyone.

Cary

Duce, some of us stay that way (confused) a lot...

It's been quite hectic for me here at w**k today. Luckily, they had some sandwiches left (in the fridge) downstairs from a meeting, or I'd have starved, waiting to get to one of Ryan's Po'Boys.

Jerry, I'd agree with JR, you have us curious about what that fine craftsman kit looks like. Awaiting pics, also. I forgot, is this that supermarket, or another building you're w**king on?

Lee, I hear you on the 'prototypical' track on my layout - I still need to tighten up my rail joints and make sure everything's in gauge yet. But that will come as I get ready for finishing up wiring and thinking about actually running trains(!)..

Gee, Duke's getting to be a chatterbox in the Diner lately (now that he got woke up from his 20-year nap) Hey, just kiddin', Duke - and I hope you get the CFO convinced on that big scale layout. Of course, you might need to get one of Lee's rotary blowers to clear off your track for the 7.5 scale Challenger.

Time to chow down, now that my Po'Boy's here (and Zoe? Could I have another RBF, please? Thanks.)

 

Blessings and some sun for your afternoon to thaw things out a bit,

Jim in Cape Girardeau 

[bjdukert]

Afternoon all

Dick

A lump of coal??? Have you been bad this year ???

Naw,me be bad???

Paul I like the idea,now would you like to help me convince the CFO????

JR The CFO shingling ?? Not bad at all and it sounds like you are getting a good handle on the rest of the house. Any guesstimation as to when you will be able to move in?? I also have some of the mould stuff from Micro Mark and it works real good.

Ryan I didn’t post any of the pics except for the tanks and I’m not sure if Tom saw them. Here you go.

http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b350/bjdukert/?action=view&current=APEXOCT2008005.jpg

http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b350/bjdukert/?action=view&current=APEXOCT2008003.jpg

http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b350/bjdukert/?action=view&current=APEXOCT2008002.jpg

http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b350/bjdukert/?action=view&current=APEXOCT2008011.flv

http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b350/bjdukert/?action=view&current=APEXOCT2008012.flv

JimCG No caffeine as per Doc’s orders,just chiming in a little for awhile.

YANKEE!?!? That isn’t a bad word at all but when you start talking about that other four letter word(snow)now that one is bad. Especially when it means that I will have to start plowing the dealership lot.

That’s about it

Best to all on sick call and those recovering

Talk to you later

Duke

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Duce

I hope I did not confuse anyone.

Only mildly.

[Duce]

I was able to do some digging and came across my old screen name. So Ill go back to using this to cut back on " Who are you again?"

 I hope I did not confuse anyone.

Cary