Elliott's Trackside Diner XIII

[nik .n]

Sausage on a bun please. 

 Nothing much here, just working on sifting coal to be made into hopper loads, working in my brothers Bachmann GP-??? that I'm rebuilding, and re-motoring my pancake steamer.

JEFF, I got about five nests of robins per building here, so I've got plenty to send.

Here's a link back: XII

[howmus]

Hey nik!  You beat me by about 4 seconds.........  I deleted my post for the new location.  Looks good over here on the siding.  Easy access too.

Zoe, I'll have a root beer float as long as nik has the top!  Oh and a piece of that SR Pie I see you made.  Thanks! 

[GMTRacing]

Hello (voice echoes through empty diner) anyone here yet? Oh, well the coffee is on anyway. I'd have some SRP with the coffee but perhaps later. (With a RBF does that make it SRP and burp?)

Ray - if the truck has single piston sliding calipers you are correct to ask for new calipers as they get corroded in the piston area and will stick on when they darn well feel like it. Just another benefit to living in the snow belt. A full rebuild will also cure things but the RTR rebuilts are less expensive and less likely to develop issues. Even at a dealership it's tough to find someone with the skill to rebuild stuff and you end up changing assemblies instead.. Back to work &catch ya later,   J.R.

[Packer]

I'm here, just laying down since I'm disorointed. (actually,. I have upset stomach again)

[TMarsh]

(puff,puff,pant pant) Whew! Dr. Pepper and a SRP please. Oh my no! Just a piece. Do I look like PC? You're right been a while and almost forgot what he looks like. Ryan? Ryan who? Oh Ryan. Yeah where's he been? I just ran down here to tell you I got my Pearl car today and the diner was GONE! Luckily I could still see it from where I was so I found it ok. They left a real pretty picture where there too. Awful nice yardmaster we have.

Anyway, the car looks almost new. They made real good on the sale. No complaints for me. I already had one anyway and the Brewery/distributorships not running at full capacity yet anyway so no biggy. He sure didn't make any money on the deal. Two shipping costs are as much as I gave for the car and he made three, plus the loss of the other one he let me keep. Of course if he wanted it back that would have been four ships and farther in the hole.

Spotty thunder showers today and I'm installing lights.

Dove's anyone? Real pretty sounding, unless you have to live around a MILLION OF THEM!!! Day in day out "coo coo" dawn til dusk "coo coo"..........(grabs hair and shakes head as I stroll out the door forgetting to eat the SRP)

[ns3010]

Afternoon all. Zoe, I'll take a burger and a coke, thanks.

I like the new place. There seems to be more traffic along this part of the line.

School today was actually fun! In bio, we (FINALLY!) dissected(sp?) the starfish. I ended up doing most of the work, but I didn't mind. Next week, we get to do the frogs.

Got word that Walthers received my order today. In the past, they've been pretty fast, so it should be here on Thursday or Friday (at that point, the GP9ms [2200-2202] will officially be added to the roster). Although there are three of these units on the roster, I'm representing the fleet by modeling one of them, 2201.

Jeff: Hope your father is on the track (no pun intended) to recovery.

I think that's about it for now. See you guys later.

[galaxy]

Afternoon/evenin' guys!

 A new place, sometimes I get dizzy trying to find it here....welcome to all

The prayer candle is lit for those with special thoughts and prayers needed.

To any comments I should have made/quoted {?} in the old diner I have forgotten.

Raining now. gonna rain the next 4 days they say. My plants will love it, Me, not so much. Course that also means I don't have to run the A/Cs so I won't have to give New York State Electric and Gas {NYSEG} more money. Like that.

Cleaned out more stuff off the enclosed porch yesterday and kicked it to the curb! Felt good to throw stuff out, about as good as demolishing something. {there's just something about destruction we all seem to love!?}. It was Mostly "junk" and stuff that could be thrown out that I wondered why we were keeping. And stuff that, while on an "enclosed" porch, had been "exposed to weather". Ain't that the way? I did stop over to the "Curse of to much stuff" post. Made a quick comment about American Consumerism, which is why many of us have to much stuff, MR or other stuff, stuff, stuff!.

 Just think once I clean off the porch, clean out the shed, and clean out the trailer, I will have more room for more stuff! Not really! Since we are looking for property to move this trailer to, or to buy a house or something, we will have to pack up everything and then move then unpack everything again. So we are looking to divest ourselves of some of the excess stuff/stuff we don't use/stuff we forgot we had/duplicate stuff to make that move easier when it comes along.

I once experienced a house fire many years ago and lost everything. I decided then that I would KISS {Keep It Simple Stupid} And not collect so much stuff again. All that stuff came down to worth nothing really when lost and destroyed. BUt my, oh my, how I have attracted stuff again.

Well, If I get rid of a lot of stuff, maybe I can find the train room again and have some room for the layout again. I have determined that fully half that stuff must go! Ha Ha. My other half can be just as much a  pack rat as I. My In Laws have about as much stuff in their house as my father does, so it must  run in the families {pack-rat-ism}!

Then there is the good stuff to sell at yard sale.

Whew!

Well, have a great night everyone.

 

[Packers#1]

 Well, our U15 soccer season ended last tuesday, and tonight is the last U11 game.

End of school here in SC: 7 school days left, 9 including the weekend.

[howmus]

galaxy

Well, If I get rid of a lot of stuff, maybe I can find the train room again and have some room for the layout again.

 

Hi Galaxy!  Glad you found the way to the diner.  There wasn't much STUFF in the way was there?  An old teacher friend of mine who used to teach Technology at the Middle School level years ago once put a question on a quiz asking the students to define the word Technology.  One of his 8th. graders answered, "Things you use to make stuff".  The next day there was a new sign over his doorway.  The class was thereafter called...... "Stuffology!"  

I too have collected a lot of stuff.  Most has come from my parents home after my Dad died.  Somehow my house became the repository of all the "heirlooms" (aka: junk) that were just too valuable to throw away (aka: the trash people don't want it either) and nobody else in the family will take it off my hands (their smarter than me...).  One of these days I will be sending a pile of stuff to auction just to be rid of it.

The rain has started here as well.  Started right as I was getting into the car at the dealwers so they could drive me back home after leaving off my truck for surgery.  Spent most of the day waiting for phone calls so the garden did not get the "Moo Doo" rototilled in.  Oh well I I'll add it to the stuff to do in a couple of days.

Hey Flo!  Is it just me or is it getting stuffy in here? 

Hope you all have a good evening and get lots of stuff done on the layout! 

[TMarsh]

I CAN SEE !!!!!!!!

[howmus]

TMarsh

I CAN SEE !!!!!!!!

 

Me too!  Can't hear well though........ 

[Flashwave]

New place again, huh? Ugh.

2 DAYS LEFT OF SCHOOL!!!

[galaxy]

howmus

I too have collected a lot of stuff.  Most has come from my parents home after my Dad died.  Somehow my house became the repository of all the "heirlooms" (aka: junk) that were just too valuable to throw away (aka: the trash people don't want it either) and nobody else in the family will take it off my hands (their smarter than me...).  One of these days I will be sending a pile of stuff to auction just to be rid of it.

Oh, I hope to NOT fall into that trap! There are a few things I want if my brother doesn't fight me over, but I certainly hope NOT to be transfering all my father/mothers stuff to my house! I haven't the room so it makes it easy!

And, TODD, I, too, can see! {I can see more of the porch since clearing it out}

[blownout cylinder]

Sheeesh---leave for a few hours and come back to a totally new diner. At this rate maybe we need to close the diner and flush it out every 50 pages or we're going to end up in Barstow CA!!

Todd-And yes, I too, can SEE!!! now, the question is  WHY?-------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Good wet evening--we just had some sprinkling happen--enough to make for a puddle or two.

We're going through a lot of our SCHTUFF as well. Seems like I only did this a short while ago but it keeps coming back. Two inveterate packrats plus interests in the arts and antiques=overcrowded conditions. The place isn't THAT bad BUT---it can be at times. I'm doing this again BEFORE we drown in SCHTUFF

Chloe, a large bucket of fries with cheese sauce and a RBF please----I'll be at the corner booth looking at all the neat stuff going on in the yard---

 

[ewl01]

Moved again?  At least the diner got a good cleaning before the doors opened again...  I'll wait 'till the next pot of coffee is made :-)

Getting rid of things......I've had to bring 'stuff' from home, down here.  A lot is car and truck model items from when I was a kid.  I looked at it and thought to myself... 'Self, are you ever going to do anything with this?'  Probably not... But, when it came to actually throwing it away, which I did, it was as if I was watching my childhood  being thrown away.  When I was a kid, building model cars and trucks was all I had.  Asthma kept me from playing outside, or playing sports.... having fun like everyone else....  All the models were still white plastic, painting was a no-no.  How much 'stuff' can you have?  The asthma is better now since the drugs work a lot better these days, but seeing my past being tossed into a dumpster with all the cast-off, unwanted trash, from other people kinda hurt.......

Monday brought an interesting day; 5:00am, dispatched fall victim-head injury.  5:05 first responders report CPR in progress, di-fib applied.  Medics dispatched along with squad.  Medics from hospital arrive 5:15, squad 5:20.  (medics were closer & paid, on duty. We're volunteer and sleeping)  Medics intubate, CPR contuinues, atropine (sp) admin. directly through breathing tube, CPR continues  Transport patient to hospital, 3/4 mile trip.  Trauma crew waiting, CPR contuinues....5:40am patient sudenly maintains own respirations and pulse.... Hippa regulations prohibit us from finding out if the patient survived.......  9:00am brings a respritory call another F.F. Transport to hospital, no complications. Two for the day and it's not even noon yet.

Then we had the parade.. we followed up at the end, both rigs, handing out candy to the kids.  At the ceremony, the Mayor thanks the Police for their dedication to the town, the Fire Dept. for their quick responses.   "Oh, and I quess I should add the First Aid Squad".  The first two, of course, deserve acknowledgement but we are all supposed to work as a team.   The fire dept last had a call 2 weeks ago, last year they had 46 actual calls,not counting training drills, coin tosses, etc., they don't answer EMS like some areas.. ...we had 15 calls last week, in a 1 mile square town, last year over 400, with a membership of 10 EMT's......  It's nice the mayor remembered to thank us too.  Sour Grapes?  Maybe...but we feel we deserve to share top billing too.

I know Chris has been there and understands......

Well, no MRR happened this weekend.. Sorry.

Eric

[ewl01]

Chloe, that coffee ready yet?  A piece of chocolate cake too.  Thanks!

Lee - That item(s) will be in the mail by the weekend.

Eric 

[LSWrr]

Here is my first attempt at a scrap sheet metal load for my gondolas.  These are aluminum shavings glued to project board then inserted into the gondola.

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2079610530029441264LhzgjR?vhost=rides

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2259275170029441264xIwGUu?vhost=rides

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2419818780029441264seyIOF?vhost=rides

Friend of mine gave me an old screen door and I’ve been drilling holes in it and saving the shavings.  There are a few wood splinters in there too.

Lee

 

[LSWrr]

Eric, thanks a bunch!

hey, is that a Cleveland sunset???

[Robby P.]

Gone for a few hours, and a new DINER!!!

Well I did some switching on the layout.  Now I have a few turnouts wanting to act up.

I guess we all will watch the Penguins vs. Hurricanes.   That will be a good game.

Lee....The scrap looks good.  Never thought of using a old door.

Everybody have a good night.

[Packers#1]

Flashwave

New place again, huh? Ugh.

2 DAYS LEFT OF SCHOOL!!!

 

like I said, 7 left for me.

Robby, that'll be a good game. wish it came on a local channel here (which it might). I'm pulling for the Penguins, sid the Kid is awesome

[AmanaMedic]

ewl01

I know Chris has been there and understands......

Yep, all too well. EMS always seems to be an afterthought. 40+ years of professional, advanced pre-hospital care (the EMS system in general...not me!), and it's still "oh, you drive the ambulance...that's nice." Even the community college that trained me, and where I later ran the paramedic training program; looked at EMS as the unwanted red-haired stepchild. Continuing Education (non-credit), the "home division" didn't know what to do with us...other than roll around in all the revenue we generated for the college. The Health Sciences Department (credit side of the college), which we depended on for...well, credit classes to apply towards an Associate of Applied Sciences degree...wanted nothing to do with us. The nursing, respiratory therapist, physical therapy, pharmacy tech., etc. programs ALL looked down at us as...well, "moo-doo." I think even the CNA's rated higher than "those EMS types."

 Maybe it's a question of perception. People see the fire engine and think flames, smoke, DANGER. They see the cop cruiser...and think donut shops...and dangerous na'er do wells. They see the Big White Taxi with the funny blue asterik on the side...and think "pretending to be doctors."

Oh well. I'm OUT of that environment. Draggin' hose off the Big Red Truck and fightin' fire is my contribution to public safety now. And...I do NOT miss EMS at all. In my county, the Fire Departments don't roll out on EMS runs unless it's an extrication, for lifting assistance, or to bring in the helicopter.

It's a nice change of pace. I used to live and breathe EMS. I wasn't a "Johnny Blue Light" about it, but I was...motivated and commited. I just got fed up with the BS, the egos, the cliques (worse than high school...I didn't even know THAT was possible!), the system abusers, Frequent Fliers meeting me at the door with the suitcases (yes, plural) already packed...

Speaking of "change of pace," I wandered around a bit before finding the new location for the Diner! As Sawyer might say: "GEESH!"

JEFF: Ya want robins? I've got at least two nests with mamas busily tending their little ones. I'll be glad to give 'em the GPS coordinates for Leesville for their next trip South.

W**k on the latest cement hopper has temporarily been halted. I'm to the point of applying the insanely small (in HO) end numbers: 438010. Each number has to be cut out individually... my eyes just don't like THAT much anymore. I think I'm headin' for bifocals sooner than I'd like to admit.

I think I've occupied the floor long enough...time to grab an RBF and settle into a corner booth for awhile...

Chris

[ns3010]

 Evening all. Chloe, I'll take a RBF and a slice of PIE!!!, thanks.

Packers#1

Flashwave

New place again, huh? Ugh.

2 DAYS LEFT OF SCHOOL!!!

 

like I said, 7 left for me.

Robby, that'll be a good game. wish it came on a local channel here (which it might). I'm pulling for the Penguins, sid the Kid is awesome

How I envy you! I have 15 left. The rest of this week (3 days), next week (5 days but Mon and Wed are early dismissals), the week after (4 days; friday is reading day, which is optional), and the last week (3 days, exams all days, and early dismissal every day).

Since lacrosse started (and since the Devils fell out!), I haven't been paying attention. But, I could probably go either way.

I'm working on getting my new website up. I'm gonna put the full roster up there, to make it easier to track which locos are which, which ones I actually model, and the rest that aren't modeled. Currently, there are "seven active locos, three of which are stored." One of them is modeled (4100), as well as one of the stored ones (1300). Since 1300 is a dummy, I'm saying that the SW1500s are in bad condition and need work, but TSRy doesn't have it's shops yet, so they're currently in storage.

I redid the patches/numbers on the GP50 and SW1500. I printed new ones in a different font, as well as adding the loco type underneath the number.

Night guys. See ya tomorrow.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

AmanaMedic

JEFF: Ya want robins? I've got at least two nests with mamas busily tending their little ones. I'll be glad to give 'em the GPS coordinates for Leesville for their next trip South.

It would be nice to have some here. After Rita came through in 2005 we noticed a distinct lack of robins and purple martins. The martins started returning a year ago but we've yet to see a single robin.

[CNCharlie]

Good Evening Diners!

Well it's been a while since I was last in and as usual this is a busy place but I did manage to track it down with the recent move.

I've been busy the last few weeks helping my MIL sell my FIL's car. It was his pride and joy so it is with very mixed feelings that it goes to its new owner on Friday. It was a little hard to sell even though it is in truly immaculate condition especially since it is 10 years old. There just isn't much demand for a red Lincoln Town Car. I now am packing up his model RR stuff that we will sell at a LHS. He only started in the hobby a little after I did a couple of years ago but managed to accumlate a surprising amount. My MIL told me to take what I want but I only plan on keeping a PK2 0-8-0 and a PK2 S3 as I bought both for him and so there is a sentimental attachment.

Rob, I was interested to read yesterday that we have more than just RR stuff in common. Both of our fathers did the same 'job' in WWII. Mine was in a Halifax with the RAF. Hope you are feeling better and don't have to wait too long to see about what's ailing you.

Jeff, you've been doing some very interesting mods to those locos. Looks like they turned out well.

Not much happening on the RR front here. I have been running trains a little but the box car kit I started about a month ago hasn't gone beyond installing the roof. It's an Intermountain kit so there is a fair bit to assemble. I am surprised though as although it seems to be a high quality kit the colour they painted it for CPR isn't accurate, as it is far too light and not the right shade.

I have started getting the boat ready to launch this week-end and plan on going out to do the bottom paint later this week.

Well time to sign off as the wife just called and I have to go and pick her up .

CN Charlie

[Cox 47]

Evening All...Like the new location...I'll have a RBF...make that a double please...Thank You...You all have a good nite...Jerry

[jeffrey-wimberly]

CNCharlie

Jeff, you've been doing some very interesting mods to those locos. Looks like they turned out well.

You'd be surprised at what I can come up with when I'm bored enough.

[TMarsh]

Evenin' Raspberry Jello and whipped cream please. Yep, I can see. Most of the darkness is gone from the train room. After some new lights installed, what did I see? A spider web. I could probably use another one or two but this is a world of difference. Wow. I like it.

Sounds like we are all getting rid of some stuff. I don't want my place turning into my Mom's either. She feels that if she doesn't want it, I must have it as a family heirloom. And yes I do believe the Family Heirloom means something no one, not even the garbage man wants. (can't remember which one of you said that). Started to throw some stuff away but then I got to thinking I might be able to use it sometime. Soooo.... I did throw the box the Pearl car came in away. Wait, maybe it can be used for something too. Better get it out of the trash.

Lee- Scraps look good. ( somehow that just doesn't sound right)

Guess I'll go down stairs again and sit where I can see. I've gotta clean off the mess I made now that I can se it.

[JimRCGMO]

Sheesh, Chloe - I'm glad I wasn't in the Diner when they moved it for you. Think I would've got whiplash... Oh, I'll have a hot fudge sundae and a cup of decaf, please, ATSF mug, thanks!

I'll have to see about posting the pics tomorrow, but started on Remedial Weathering 001 tonight. Had a couple of (MRC?) boxcars, with metal undercarriage (and hornhook couplers) to practice on. Also took a photo of the materials I'm using. I decided I need to find an empty jar for making an India ink wash jar, but have to find an unused jar first. More to come on all that. I'm also trying to figure how to get a little more of the chalk to stick on, whether I need to spray the surfaces first with something else or what...

Rain was pouring down this morning - I could hear it pounding on the roof while I was talking with a client in my office. Quit later, and then some scattered sprinkles off and on at various times in the rest of the day (but none since around dinnertime (or suppertime, depending on your area). I'm sure all the gardens got watered enough, if they didn't get washed away, that is.

Corey, how'd your trestle approach come out? Would love to see that once you get further along on it.

I found the discussion about 'stuff' in the previous Diner painfully close to the truth for myself, also. I've started some initial weeding-out on the de-stuffing, but there's a lot to go.

Ray, congrats on your son's new job, I saw. Tell him that you expect a suitable nursing home with a train room adjacent to your bedroom...

So Robby, are you sleeping back in the house now, instead of the garage? I'm sure you're happier by now (since a certain someone has gone home - now who could that be?)

At least when TomStage closed the old Diner location, he left a nice picture in the old siding. Thanks, Tom!

And did anyone leave a breadcrumb trail from the old siding here, for the stragglers? I hope so!

Jeff, any more information on your father's condition (and cause of it)? That would sure beat not knowing just what's going on (or what they will need to do for him). If I had some robins here, I'd send you some, but we seem to have cardinals and (in winter to early spring) starlings (a BIG nuisance for folks about 30 miles south of here). Be glad if you don't have starlings...

Time to get back to my sundae - don't want it to melt away on me.   Prayers continue for those needing healing and comfort, and those clearing away the 'stuff'.

 

Blessings and prayers,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

 

[howmus]

Evenin' folks!

TMarsh

And yes I do believe the Family Heirloom means something no one, not even the garbage man wants. (can't remember which one of you said that).

 

I'll lay claim to that...   I have to tell you guys that my Mother was a beautician for many years and owned her own business when I was growing up.  Some of her customers used to give my mother presents at Christmas time or on her birthday.  Some of the "family heirlooms" in our family were those same presents that were given to her by some of her "well to do" customers.  One such item was a Michelob bottle (empty....) that had elbow macaroni glued onto it and was then spray painted with gold paint.  I guess it was supposed to be a bud vase or something like that. Probably was the product of one of those "craft classes" attended by people who have too much time on their hands and no ability to make things.....  My mother was convinced that it was very valuable and must be worth a lot of money because "so and so" gave it too her......  Much to the amusement of my Father and my sisters and I.  After my dad died and my sister and I were cleaning out the house, guess what we found saved from some 35 years earlier?  Carefully preserved for all time in a closet still with the tag that said "Merry Christmas" from one of her rich customers.  My mom was sort of a 25w bulb in a 60w world........

BTW the way it was not found in the same closet where my Dad had carefully filled 3 30gal. plastic garbage bags with plastic knives, forks and spoons he had saved from buying Chicken BBQs to take home over the years.....  One bag of each.  Because, you never know when you will need them!  When we found that my sister and I laughed so hard we were crying and couldn't catch our breath.......  It got to a point where we would open up a closet, pick up something and say to the other one, "you want it?"  "Me neither"  then the other one would open the bag and in it would go.... out to the dumpster.  We filled a 30 yd dumpster to overflowing that winter. And that was just the stuff in the house.............

Hope you all have a great evening! 

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Good evening.

It's been a full day of non-mrr stuff. I'll have an RBF and a SRP w/FVIC. Thanks!

Happy Model Railroading!