Elliot's Trackside Diner IX

[LSWrr]

Well the weather guesser was way wrong! Pouring down rain, 40 mph winds and it’s 26 outside right now!  So much for the cloudy and 45F for today’s walk down the hill to the truck.

LHS called my long range DCC ready tender is in and my Soundtraxx decoder.  The deep bass speakers came in yesterday’s mail.  Now all I need is the time to put everything together. Healing thoughts for all of you!  Sounds like we need a first aid station for the diner….



Lee

 

[GMTRacing]

Afternoon All,

     An RBF is in order. Winds picked up a bunch but the warmth is nice. Saw the doc and had the dressings changed. Swelling has gone down and the rest is looking reasonable so if I'm careful about hygene and don't get any infections I should be ok though I'll be hobbling for a month and a half or so. Could have been a lot worse and the lathe survivied just fine (Hitachi Seiki semi automated turrent lathe). Thanks for asking .

   Picked up 102 model railroads book on the way back to the house so I can look through that as I plan my diabolical multi pronged empire expansion in HO. At least after my next nap anyway.

Trent - welcome back - couldn't you have arrived sooner? (small bad pun).   J.R.

[ewl01]

JR; hope your foot heals quick.

The service for my mom was a nice one.  The church was full as she had reached out to many people, fellow parishoners, neighbors, friends, people from my sisters work place.  People who came to the soup kitchen or food pantry came when they heard she had passed. No matter her personal feelings, she treated everyone with respect.  We celebrated her life, her marriage, we mourned her passing.

I again thank all those who offered their support and prayers this longest of the shortest  months I have lived.  Your thoughts and feelings helped me through a difficult time that we all experience at one point in our lives.  Now, it is time to get on with mine.  Tomorrow brings another day.....

My 44 tonners weren't available the way we thought.... my LHS did some digging and found my 44's in another format....old style with dcc.  They'll be in soon.  I picked up Atlas #4 Code 83 turnouts to start laying out my plant switching plan.   Once I get the bench work set up things should start coming together.

Eric

 

[gear-jammer]

Good afternoon, All.  A quick coffee while I read my new MR magazine.

Sue

[Cederstrand]

Coffee, please & thanks! 

***Philip, it was one of those 0-6-6-0 locos I was trying to win. It is one of only 2 steamers left I would really like to add to the collection. Still kicking myself for not bidding more at the last second. The fella had added a smoke arrestor that really set it off nicely. Oh well, guess track really is more important right now. Besides, I'm nixing my logging idea anyway, since my wife is going to have a lumber mill and such on her layout. Hmmmm....maybe she will need some logging locos in HO, you know, just to keep it all authentic looking!

***JR, enjoy your time off, if that is possible. And I'm glad the lathe survived, as that could have doubled your pain. (ouch ouch ouch)

***Robby, got the loco back today. Will look at it more closely when I get some new glasses, hopefully next week. Does look ready for "siding duty". Thanks!

Haven't made it into the train room tonight. Has been tough to get the chores done. Some days are like that for me...zero energy and easily tired out. Tomorrow is another day.

Rob

[blownout cylinder]

Hello--I finally got home after a busy day at work---my lonely petunia client had a fall before I got there so when I got there I found I had to 911 then had to get her readied for transport to hospital. Then I had to phone the office back up and let them know what happened--she was supposed to have had someone there who was not there--and on and on and so on---so---(phew!!) I'll have a coffee and a bucket of BBQ chicken thankyou----I'll sit by the back and read some mags

[nik .n]

Tea, Chloe.

Smiley check!

All Acounted For

G'Night!

[howmus]

Oops! 

Oh, I got in.!  Who keeps locking all the doors around here anyway!?!   Ya know it is almost like the people at Kalmbach go home for the weekend and somebody turns off the wrong switch or something.  The Oops! message seems to apear every Friday around 5PM...........?????????

Anyway, Zoe ill have the roast beast meal with mashed potatos and gravy, fresh garden salad, blue cheese dressing, vegetable du jour, and a cup of coffee, decafe if you please.  Oh for dessert a nice big slice of Apple Pie with some sharp cheddar cheese.

I got this in an e-mail from the R&GV Museum a couple days ago and keep forgetting to share it.  Good video about last weekends Winterfest at the New York Transportation Museum and the Rochester and Genesee Valley  Museum.  The video has both Trolley operations and Diseasal footage (Our old U. S. Army 80 tonner # 1654. Enjoy!

Winterfest

Now to get to work on the layout finally!  (Just as soon as I finish that Apple Pie......)

[JimRCGMO]

Good Evening, Chloe - I'll have a small sirloin steak, medium done, with sauteed mushrooms and a side salad, and a double-baked potato, sour cream and chives, butter and a ATSF mug of coffee, please and thankyouma'am. No, I'll pass on the wine tonight - got the [censored] beeper along in case my primary on-call can't get through the night without me. (Yeah, sure...)

After it being close to spring-like temps on Thursday, today it's cooling down, and tomorrow morning we might even see some snow (but it won't stick, given how little they're calling for, and the ground temp). 

Barry, actually, the beeper I had before this one had a slide-on belt clip on it, and when I did laundry a couple of times (and would heft the basket on my one side going out after it was done), the thing would fall off. One time I found it in the laundromat when I realized it was missing, another time I couldn't figure where it had gone (turned out to have fallen into an outside pocket of my jacket). Maybe I shouldn't have, but I asked our supply person at work for a one-piece casing replacement for it. Haven't had this one come off by accident. But then, I'd also have to 'lose' my w**k cell phone too... Hey, sounds like you just had downright nasty cold weather there last night. But it's a dry cold, right?

Well, Trent, sorry to hear you're not with the LHS back in Texas, but as you said... Will you change your location to 'Flatland' when the rest of the family rejoins you? (Noticed your 'old' home state in your info)

Ray, I think we're gonna put you and punny Garry in the back of the Diner, telling those things! (That, or ask Barry to let me borrow that rock salt 12 gauge...) Good to hear the sister's cat got to behaving some better. What'd you do, slip it a little wine in its water dish?

Jeff, I like that backside shot of your (older) gas station. Good that your ditch is all taken care of now.

JR - better get you a pair of steel-toed shoes for the shop. Well, after seeing what Paul wrote, maybe not. - Ouch and double-Ouch! At least it sounds like you got first-rate medical care. As others said, take care of that foot! Oh, on your question for Trent, isn't that the wrong state?

Todd, I have to ask - have you been watching too much of Oprah lately? You're gonna have to watch out on that, or we'll send you over to Dr. Phil... By the way, do you guys use (Arrr-arr-arr!) Power Tools to set up for your fish fries?

Galaxy, you'd best listen to the doctor - and, get more rest. When I had bronchitis (about 18-1/2 years ago), I'd been running a bit short of where my sleep shoulda been (well, that and going through my separation/divorce).

PC, only one hospital? I would think that would be a major deal for you.

I take it that some of you Diners got a little out of hand with the Diner last night, eh? Sideways? It's not like the Diner is a VW bug that four guys can lift and turn sideways...

Eric, sounds like your mother was well-honored at the service. A good memorial to her, in all the variety of people who attended.

Alright, Nik.n, have you been having too many helpings of the Mountain Dew again?

Got called out this afternoon on a crisis counseling thing. But I didn't have anyone who wanted to talk with me in a makeshift 'therapist' room. Wound up taking a very late lunch (around 4 p.m.)...

H-L website has a coupon for percentage off on Krylon spray paints. Might look at what they have that'd be useful for weathering...Hmmm....

I'll be in the window booth, digging into my steak and 'tater. Prayers for healing (especially, today) and comfort.

 

Blessings,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

[pcarrell]

Cederstrand

***Philip, it was one of those 0-6-6-0 locos I was trying to win. It is one of only 2 steamers left I would really like to add to the collection. Still kicking myself for not bidding more at the last second.

From what I hear, those are real sweet.  They get pricey though.  They were a limited production loco, so I hear.

[pcarrell]

JimRCGMO

PC, only one hospital? I would think that would be a major deal for you.

Oh, it is!  I don't mean to belittle it.  It's just that I have a hew hundred hospitals and nursing homes under my care.  When major T-storms like we had last night come through, it's very good when the damage is limited.

[galaxy]

Hi guys

Another cup of chicken broth please in a big old Chessie Mug!

I Got OOPS'd out of here about 3 hours ago! I have been getting LOTS of OOPS pages lately! It is getting p-r-e-t-t-y annoying!!!!!!!!

JimRCGMO

Galaxy, you'd best listen to the doctor - and, get more rest. When I had bronchitis (about 18-1/2 years ago), I'd been running a bit short of where my sleep shoulda been (well, that and going through my separation/divorce).

Thanks, Jim, and I have been getting lots and lots of rest/sleep lately trying to fight this off. Have little choice...just seem to nod off or sleep a lot when I do lie down a lot.

 Well, I got Bronchitis again!   As a person with severe asthma, I am prone to such things. It's the pneumonia I don't like, of course. Severe asthma is one of the reasons I'm on disability.

I got scripts for antibiotics and cough syrup...you know ...the good kind...with the good stuff in it....you know the "controlled Substance" kind....so from here after, for a while, I may no longer be responsible for anything I think, say or do   {puts lampshade on head}.....

[twhite]

Afternoon all from Sunny (oh, shut UP, Tom!) Cal.  We're between storm systems here, there's another Pineapple Express due to roll in tomorrow night due to keep us wet and happy.  There is a rumor that this one might be the "Drought-Breaker" we've been hoping for the past three years.  We'll see. 

I've been getting OOPS messages the past few days on here, don't know if it's the Forum or my computer, but finally got on a couple of hours ago.  I have AOL, and sometimes it seems to get pretty tricky with me.  So I had to do some catching up. 

Eric:  Sincere condolences to you. 

Jeff:  Glad the foot's healing. 

Rob: Take care of YOUR foot, guy!  That's an order. 

Well, played the morning Ash Wednesday Mass at the church, Don, my new roomie decided to go, because he's never been to a Catholic service before (he's Episcopalian, or as I refer to them-"Catholics Without Guilt" LOL!)  He was duly impressed, but after the service he suggested we go out to brunch.  I informed him that I had to Fast until sundown.  He just stared at me and said, "Man, you are WEIRD!  And you've got a big, black HOLE on your forehead."  I shrugged and said, "The Priest LIKES me!  Besides, you're pretty Ashy up there, yourself."   He started to brush it off with the back of his hand, I told him, "You brush that off, you're MOVING!" 

It was fun.  He asked me what other weird things I did for Lent.  I'm not going to tell him, I'm going to let him find out for himself.   

A couple of new things on the MR--had to replace one of my Sinohara turnouts, it went Ka-BLOOEY this winter, for some strange reason.  Got a Peco to replace it--I really like those turnouts.  I also walked by the DO NOT DISTURB case at Bruce's Train Shop and discovered some Tomar upper-quadrant semaphores.  I LOVE Semaphores, and they fit right in with the era I'm modeling.  Picked up two single-blade and two double-blade.  So I'm going to replace some of the 3-light signals I've got with them.  I figured out how to use some piano wire to connect with the wire controls for the blades so that I can sort of manually work them 'under the layout' without having to invest in switch motors.   But those Tomar signals are just EXQUISITE.  I'll start installing them tomorrow.   They also came with voltage reducers for the lights so I don't accidently blow them out.  And believe me, if there's a person on this entire Forum that can blow out bulbs, it's ME!

Also found out that the Sunset Z-6 I'm awaiting is going to be delayed for God knows how long.  I'm going to give it until June, then if it doesn't come in, I'm going to cancel the order and use my $300 deposit with Bruce for some other goodies.  No, not the MTH 4-12-2.  Any of you guys see the VIDEO on that thing?  Liked to drop my jaw watching it 'articulate' around a curve.  I mean, COME AWWWWWN! 

Oh, and PS:  Spooky did pass her hairball.  It was the size of Nebraska.  Scared the HECK out of Remington and Wiezl.   She has now re-established herself as the Official Princess, bless her furry little heart. 

Best to all, prayers to those in need.  Oh, and according to my Liturgical Calender, Lent is 46 days this year, instead of 40.  Yah, me too, (he said with a sigh). 

Tom    

   

[blownout cylinder]

I see our friendly neighbourhood OOPS!! is back. I just hope it isn't going to stick around for anotherOOPS!!weekend!!!---It does get pretty boring with OOPS!! around!

JimRC Well just for our 'viewing pleasure' we saw temperatures go from 10C down to our current temperature of -11C with our new low at -19C. The winds are making for a darn cold windchill of about, oh, say -27C overnight! Back to January-----I'll be spending the weekend working on my atrium project--by next weekend I should have atrium ready for WPF-----

TomW--You burn out bulbs? I thought I was the one for bulb popping. ---then again, I have to go and get Surface Mount LEDs and then try to mount them on boards with lead free solder---mumble grumble grouch---

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 Couldn't help but notice that the forum had another Oops attack today. Not much happening today. Paid bills this morning, did the grocery shopping, came home and put said groceries away, cleaned the bathroom this afternoon (it's a dirty job but somebody has to do it) then went to parents house to watch Wheel of Fortune with them. They like it when I spend some time with them. Have to go to town tomorrow to see if I can find a tool to change out the washers in the shower faucet. After all that I don't really feel like cooking tonight. I guess I'll phone in a pizza order to Domino's and head into town to pick it up. They don't deliver way out here. I like the thin crust meat feast.

[ewl01]

I  got an OOPS today!!!  Guess I got on at the wrong time.  Worked fine 5 minutes later.  Time to head to bed, it's been a long week, heck it's been a long month!!

Have the warehouse switching laid out.  Need to work the track back to the float bridge and then fit it on to the grid and make adjustments.  It errr.... ahhh.... should fit.  Uh-huh so far it looks okay.  I always measure twice and then give myself twice the space on the board.

Eric

Oh boy!! TOP Help your selves!!!!!!!!!  Chloe, I gotta go!  I'll pay up tomorrow!!

[ns3010]

Evening all. Nothing for me, we went to Red Lobster for my mom's bday.

Hmmm, I've NEVER EVER EVER gotten an OOPS! message... interesting. But every time I try to put in a smiley, the internet freezes... 

I'm finishing up a slideshow of the progress I've made in the last month; I'll try to upload it tomorrow.

I'm so pumped!!!!! Tomorrow is the SEMIFINALS!!!!! If we win, we go to the finals on Sunday. If we lose, our season is over.

That's about it. Night all. Prayers for all in need (seems to be just about everyone).

[Robby P.]

I must confess, I also got a OPPS!!!

Well did some train hunting, and got me a new "weathering" car.

Rob, I'm glad you got the engine.  I get worried sometimes when I mail packages out.

Well not much planned for tomorrow.  Heck, I didn't do much today.  

Everybody have a goodnight.

[pcarrell]

Ooops is a way of life here.  Hope they get it fixed soon.

[Packers#1]

pcarrell

Ooops is a way of life here.  Hope they get it fixed soon.

 

yeah, I'm starting to get sick of it.

[Flashwave]

Packers#1

pcarrell

Ooops is a way of life here.  Hope they get it fixed soon.

 

yeah, I'm starting to get sick of it.

Yeah I know. Now that I need to head for bed can I get in. Gotta go to Perry-Meridian tomorrow for State Ensamble. 8:44am. Be there at 7:44. leave here by 7. Up at 6, when is Saturday? I want to sleep in. Gotta ctch up on this place later

[nik .n]

 Just had a nice sized post and the paged refreshed on me. DARN YOU GLICHES!!!!

Chloe, a rbf in a tub that you can fit an orca in. I'm gonna need it. Mumble-Grumble-Groan.............

[TRENT B]

Thanks guys! Hey ladies, I'm back!!! Wait I did NOT eat all that pie and stiff you the tip. I said look both ways before crossing the street thats how I got that black eye, Chloe! Here's a $5 I'll have a sprite and keep the change.

Pleasanton is bout 60 or so miles south from Kansas city. I'll tell ya the lay of the land is BEAUTIFUL!!! Oh by the way the BNSF runs bout 30 trains a day and I'm 2 blocks from the tracks. COOL!! They run lots of coal drags  w/engines on both ende and then just rev. them for the return trip. saw the same train 4 times in one day twice southbound and twice northbound. They were the same #s 4 on the front and 4 on the back. lots of mixed freight and some solid grain hoppers.

When we get settled and i have a house instead of a rental then I will start my new empire. That's after Kelly moves up here in June. She says if we have a full basement  its ALL MINE WOO HA HA HA! Sorry, the mad builder was trying to get free.

My all those who need healing recieve it and blessings to all.

Trent

[LSWrr]

Evening,

RT and Jeff I hope the feet heal quickly.

I had to stop at the doctors tonight to get a referral for new orthotics and we chatted about my blood work up last November.  He took more blood from me to run some tests on my parathyroid and thyroid because of a high calcium count.  I should hear back next week what is going on.

Went to LHS tonight to pick up a sound decoder and DCC ready Vanderbilt long tender, LHS gave me 25% off on the tender.  I also let the DCC guy look at the 0-4-0 I fried the decoder in, he said I did everything right, but I didn’t cut the drive shaft from the Rivarossi motor and splice it with a non-conducting material.  On my Rivarossi units the motors cannot be isolated from the frame because they used all metal gears and drive shafts (the motor is grounded through the worm gear on some models).  

Lee

 

[blownout cylinder]

We seem to be rediscovering some old newcomers or new oldtimers or well---to the various new voices we're seeing!!!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Packers#1

pcarrell

Ooops is a way of life here.  Hope they get it fixed soon.

 

yeah, I'm starting to get sick of it.

I got sick of it after the first couple of minutes.

[nik .n]

jeffrey-wimberly

Packers#1

pcarrell

Ooops is a way of life here.  Hope they get it fixed soon.

 

yeah, I'm starting to get sick of it.

I got sick of it after the first couple of minutes.

I just had my first oops, and it happened in the middle of writing a very long post.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 That's why I copy my post before hitting the 'post' button. Then all I have to do is right click, click paste then post it again.

[Trainman Sam]

Good evening/morning everyone!

I got the power bus all hooked up and installed, started running trains the "DCC" way, when all of a sudden the C30-7 starts shorting out going across switches only in one direction!  I sit and watch the loco go over and see the spark.  The rails are so close together on these mid-80's production switches that the new prototypical wheelsets are bridging the gap, so I carefully cut some electrical tape into extremely thin strips and installed them on top of the rail ends at the frog...  NO MORE SHORTS!!!   Another problem bites the dust.  Next issue was my locos were stalling out only three inches from the feeder on the middle spurs on the left side of my layout.  Used my brightboy, rather vigorously I might add, and got the rails nice and clean!  I had forgotten that these sections of flextrack were from my poppops original layout, so they could be between 19 and 30 years of age, and most are brass... quite a learning curve for my first layout!  BUT I AM HAVING A BLAST!!!

GMTracing: Sorry to hear about your foot, you're in my prayers.  Glad it wasn't worse...

Eric: Glad your mother made such a difference in so many people's lives!  My the lives she touched help to "Pay it forward" and help others in need!

To all those in need but not mentioned, God knows who you are and what's going on!  I'll be here praying that His will be done!  Good night all!

[wetidlerjr]

 Good Morning from Tipton IN !