Elliot's Diner, Mark XV

[Cederstrand]

Coffee in a large UNION PACIFIC mug, please & thanks. 

***Jerry, the Rowe Foundry looks great.

Our local power company linemen have little to do these days (no construction going on), so they finally came down the driveway and took out that big old dead pine that has been threatening our transformer for years. Then they tightened up not only their power lines, but even raised the phone line (not their job). Neat!

Have a good day all.

Rob

[last mountain & eastern hogger]

Hi Crandell,  I appreciate all you do for us,  But what I would like to see is when the time comes to shut the old Diner down and start a new one that the last 48 hours of posts could be transfered or copied to be the first posts on the new one.  That would be far less stressful for us old Pharts.  See what you can do in that regard.

Again, THANKS.

Johnboy out..................

[ns3010]

No problem Crandell.  Too bad it's too late to relay the old siding, but what can you do...

[BamaCSX83]

Crandell, I think that the biggest hitch was for us that were behind a few pages and wanted to at least catch up before getting moved into the new diner.  Apologies accepted.  Well, since its post-lunch, I'll just go with a RBF and a small bowl of vanilla ice cream.  I'll be in and out all day as time goes.  I've now got my GP40-2 soaking in 91% alcohol, so we'll see what it does in a couple days, then I can slap a coat of "primer" on (probably going to be a simple flat Testors white paint that way I can work with something easier than black.

[selector]

Hey, everyone.  I conferred with Wade Emblad this morning about how to handle this thread in the best way for the server.  Contrary to what I had understood, it is actually better for him in terms of retrieval and control if I simply lock the thread and let it fade away.  Deleting it as I did can be much more costly in the long run.  Wishing to keep everyone as happy as possible, and now knowing more about both camps, I will lock the thread when it next comes time to fold it up and start a new one. 

Sorry for ruffling any feathers and bonnets out there.

-Crandell

[ns3010]

Afternoon all. Zoe, I'll take a RBF, thanks.

I was going  to go into the old diner to catch up, but then saw that the tore the siding up! Oh well...
This reminds me. I finished up the paint on the DDA40X a while ago, but never got around to emailing the guy. Once I get permission, I'll post it. Then I'll just need to do the GP40PH-2...

Well, after some comments and suggestions, I revised my trackplan:

And for those who may not have seen the old one:

I'll be in the back corner catching up.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Went to see the foot doc this morning so he could poke and prod my feet some more. They're about the same as they were the last time. I left from there and to pick up my lunch at Burger King then came back to my parent's home and made lunch for my mother Then I ate my lunch as I typed out this post. As you can see there's not a lot going on in my world today.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Cox 47

Jeff..Hope you get your comuter problem fixxed soon...Hows your Mother doing?

She's doing OK, a little forgetful at times, but OK. She can at least get around the house now. A week ago she couldn't even get out of bed by herself.

[Robby P.]

Its afternoon already???????  What happened to the morning?

I went to a LHS for the next weathering project.  I go early beofre they open, so I can get some "rail shots/video".   Well a auto-rack was coming and I started to recod it, near the end of that train......Well was one right on its tail.  It has two tracks.  But they both were going in the same direction.  I thought that was real neat.  Kinda looked like a race.  I will get that video up later tonight.

After that, I got my new projects.  Two boxcars.  A Ex. Rock Island 'Patched to CNW", and a Ann Arbor car.  I will fade them both today, but start on the CNW tomorrow.  Here's a couple of before shots.

 

Jerry............Thats a nice looking building.

Well I will get that video up tonight.  Have a good afterrnoon.

[Cox 47]

Good Morning All...Its sunny and 74 after some thunder bumpers yesterday evening..I'' have coffee and a sweet roll please...Thank You..

Chris...Yes they told me it should be no trouble to get a new chair..I hate to give the old one up after over 5 years and lots of miles...

Rob..10.00 for a B-Man 0-4-0 with shipping sounds like a good deal to me...

Lee...good luck at Doctor today..Ole' Artur is no fun...

Garry....Have a safe and good trip to Cincy..Gonna be able to make any side trips to rail fan or hit train shops?

Jeff..Hope you get your comuter problem fixxed soon...Hows your Mother doing?

This is Foundry I have been working on out of "left-overs" from New River MIne..Its goes on back drop..I call it Rowe Foundry after foundry here in Martinsville that get scrap metal in gons on CSX and ships out TRactor wheel weights in box cars..I gotta put windows in,paint,weather and detail...

You all have a good day...Jerry

Had to take time out to glue hair back on doll for Tootie...

[BamaCSX83]

Morning fellas!  Its been a while since I've been able to get into the diner.  Things haven't been well here.  On June 26th, I was terminated from my job and have not been able to find one since, although I've also only been heavily looking in my "preferred" (read: autoparts and repair) job field.  I figure if nothing comes up after Friday, on Monday I'm going to start going to places like the grocery stores and restaurants and applying.  Heck, if I've got to, I'll get a job digging ditches.  Its not like I'm afraid of work. 

Oh well, on the MRR front, I've been slowly but surely getting all the things together to at least use my existing paints (mostly Testors paints I've used for years painting aircraft and vehicle models) to whack at some of my existing rolling stock.  It can't hurt it much to put a layer of paint on some of them in lieu of buying parts. 

Ahh, well for the morning/almost lunch, I'll have a RBF and a bacon cheeseburger.  Thankfully right now I can "relax" a little on the job hunting, it won't be until the end of the month that I'll be "desparate" for one.  Sorry I wasn't/haven't been able to make it into the diner recently, and I'm sorry to say that I don't like having seeing the old diner going to the torch, but I think we've got a bigger diner now, don't we?

[howmus]

Mornin' everyone!

Chloe I'll have the #2 special this morning.  Over easy on the eggs, bacon, homefries, and a double order of sourdough toast.  Don't forget the ketchup and the hot sauce...... Oh, and my usual dark roast coffee in a FGLK Mug.

LSWrr

Ray that is good news someone got a good price for their house.  Housing in the Cleveland Metro area is still in the dumps with the loss of the auto industry.  The steel mills are silent and all the factories that supported the auto industry are very quiet or closed all together.  In 2000 my house cost $105,000.00 and right now I can take my pick of a similar house for $45,000.

 

The house they are selling is one that his wife bought before they were married.  She paid something like $18,000 for it as I had been sitting on the market for a while and was a perfect size for her.  It sits in a "borderline" area not far from the college in Geneva.  It was originally housing for railroad or factory workers.  It has a very, very small lot (house next door on one side sits about 8 foot from hers).  Anyway they have been saving a down payment ever since they got married and have some equity in the house.  The housing market around here has been fairly stable during the entire downturn.  I bought the house I live in 25 years ago for $39,000.  It is valued at $90,000 today.  If my house was up in the "uppah clahss" area of Canandaigua it would have been $75,000 when I bought it, and valued at $150,000 today. 

My other son lives in Chicago and bought (along with his partner and another person) a two story brick house in an up and coming neighborhood for $450,000 (it was a "steal"). It had 3 apartments at the time.  The owners lived in 2 of the apartments and they rented the other.  Back 5 years ago it had gone up in value to $600,000.  They also had removed the rental apartment and used it for storage/work space.  When he was bragging about all that I informed him that Chicago was grossly over valued, was a bubble market, and was going to burst......  His response was to roll his eyes and say, "Poor Dad, he just isn't up on how things are", and assured me that I was way off base.  Well, he and his partner were fortunate enough to be able to remortgage the house, pull some of their equity out of it, and get a low, locked in rate just as the market colapsed.  House is now worth around $300,000.........  He was smart enough, and had from his job at U of C at the time the ability to react quickly when he realized dad was still smarter than he thought....

Barry the Jordan Kits are  great, but are definitely craftsman level.  lot of extremely small parts, lots of fitting, and removal of flash to deal with.  You will absolutely need a good pair of magnifiers and some steady fingers to work with them successfully.  That said, give one a try and see how you like them.

Well I see breakfast has arrived so I'll go sit at the Rivit Counter and chat some more.

73 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning.

It's 75 and cloudy. The high will be in the upper 90's an dthere's a small chance of rain.

Got more work done on the freight station last night including adding the chimney. Sometime today I'll a couple of details and spray the last alcohol/black acrylic wash onto it. I'm down at my parents place this morning taking care of my mother's needs. Their computer is working OK but the modem is giving me fits. There's a problem upline somewhere that keeps making the modem lose it's signal. I brought my modem down for a test and it did the same thing. All the cable between the modem and the service pole has been replaced and all the connectors are tight. The cable claims there's no problem upline yet THEIR equipment shows a weak sporadic signal on THEIR side of the service pole. I had the same problem a little over a year ago and it turned out to be a bad booster on the cable companies line. I'd bet it's the same thing thing happening here.

Today's Weather for:
Sundown, LA  71446-6114      7/9/2009

Heat Index:  83°F
Humidity:  94%
Dew Point:  75°F

So Far Today
High:  77°F
Low:  72°F
Rain:  0.00"
Rain Rate:  0.00"/h
Gust:  3mph NNE

Today  High: 95    Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 90s. South winds 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight  Low: 75    Partly cloudy with isolated showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 70s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.


 

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Good morning.....

Ulrich have a safe trip to Holland, and I hope it works out fine for you. ...BTW, you had sweet roll for breakfast.... Feel free to share some tradional German strudel with the breakfast gang next time you are here. It would be good with Canadian Tim Horton coffee.

Speaking trips, we are leaving now for Cincinnati. I'll have a Tim Horton's coffee and Tim Hortons old fashion donut to go.

Cheers.

[pcarrell]

blownout cylinder

---and this thing at one time could deal with 200 pages or 92 pages----

We had one diner that had well over 1100 pages at one time.......but that was many moons and thrree or four software changes ago.

[Robby P.]

Good morning, another nice day.   Thats like five in a row.  I think they said bad storms this weekend thou.

Gotta go by the post office, go to a LHS, and thats it for me today.  

I was thinking if we do 15 pages, we will have a new place ever other day.    They can't move us if we take the wheels off .

Ulrich.......Just take your time when weathering it, need some tips.......Just yell .

Well I will pop back in later today.  Have a good one.

[Anonymous]

 Hi out there!

Zoe, I´ll now take an RBF - just to show my solidarity!

I have just assembled my first AccuRail box car. With the exception of those dang  couplers, it´came together in a jiffy. Not bad looking at all. I like it´s dull finish, compared to the glossy one you see in Europe. But the car just begs to be weathered... (and a new set of sprung Kadee trucks...)

I guess I will have to sit some time with Robby P. to learn from him.

I will be off for the next two days, as I am driving to Holland to a meeting - I am still fighting  - may be we have a chance with a smaleer ship   

[LSWrr]

Good morning,

Ray that is good news someone got a good price for their house.  Housing in the Cleveland Metro area is still in the dumps with the loss of the auto industry.  The steel mills are silent and all the factories that supported the auto industry are very quiet or closed all together.  In 2000 my house cost $105,000.00 and right now I can take my pick of a similar house for $45,000.  I guess it’s great if you are in the position to buy.

Jeff, that roof does look outstanding.  My last metal roof I painted rust then used a wash coat of grimy black.

Today I go to the doctor for possible arthritis in my trigger finger and I have a phone conference to plan my retirement ceremony.

 

[blownout cylinder]

Hello

Sheesh. If'n those two might want it reduced from 50 pages let us reduce it to 25 pages then! LOL!! It seems the poor server is getting so weak it's even having trouble with 50 pages---and this thing at one time could deal with 200 pages or 92 pages----next thing we'll see is 15 pages I still think that the memory size of the server is gettin' mighty low------

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

Good Morning--

After that little I'm here to say that somehow we got rained on last night. It is now 13C and kinda moist out here. Gonna be sunny and warmer---high of 26C which is only about 2C below normal

Got some more running around out in the surrounding locales to do client visits---got another batch to do next week as well, but, I've got tomorrow OFF!! YAY!!

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

Ulrich: The dang thing about all that is that it seems that the 'ruling elite'--such as that is--are fighting over the remains of the economic pie for Pete Sake----in the process destroying whatever is left in the process. Even over here---seems like some people know what to do ----others though---not so much---and I'm not much when it comes to this------eeerrgh----I only know enough to do my compooter stuff if the need arises-----

Ray: How are those kits when it comes to assembly? Your's make it look really easy---- My wife just likes the looks of 'em----

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

Chloe, I'll have a coffee and a muffin to go please-----I'll sit at the RC for now---at least THAT is still here---but why did the pie catapault get put up there?

[selector]

Sorry, but I gotta do as I think best and when the time is best.  Let's set the limit at 50 pages and you fellas and gals wrap it up without my interference.  Note that Dana or Wade may want some input, so the 50 page limit is just a suggestion for the time being.  They may want it reduced considerably.

-Crandell

[Anonymous]

 Chris,

it is one of those 50` steel plug door thingis that were on sale for less than 8 bucks.- will keep my fingers busy to assemble it, and my mind off the desaster around me - at least for a little while.

I made two big mistakes in my life - leaving the US when I had the chance to stay on and starting to smoke. I quit smoking a long time ago, but coming back home to the US (home for me is Seattle!) is out of question now. There is a war going on in Germany - it is the government, top managers of leading industries, union leaders, lobbyist, the energy mafia  and the media leading a war against their own people. Germans are no good to make a revolution - we always needed outside help to get rid of our unwanted "leaders"... 

Wish I could just pack up and go... but where to?

 Edit:

I just went to the customs office to clear the shipment of 3 AccuRail boxcar kits at a value of 16 $, as one was sent free of charge. Had Accurail put a copy of the invoice to me in the package, customs would have forwarded it, because there is no charge on that shipment. Instead, it took me two hours and 3 gallons of gas to pick it up...

[AmanaMedic]

Good Morning Ulrich, good to see ya Pally! Zoe, be sure to keep his coffee warmed-up, looks like he needs it. What's that Ma'am? No...I'm just stopping in before calling it a night, just seeing if anybody else has found the new facility.

ULRICH: What boxcar did you get? Any plans for weathering? Between Robby P, and a bunch of us others around here, we'll do our best to keep you out of a modeling disaster. Accurail cars aren't bad, easy to assemble, look nice when done. Sometimes, I find they need a little extra paint (like the yellow CNW plugdoor boxcar that needs black ends and silver roof instead of just everything yellow), but that's just me...and part of what earns my spot here at the Rivet Counter.

As long as you can put up with us around here trying to find a positive resolution for ya...we're gonna keep throwing ideers your way, along with the prayers and best wishes. At the risk of getting too personal, are there any "favors" you can call-in? What I mean is, is there anybody who maybe you helped out in the past, that can extend the same courtesey to you now? Maybe you've already gone that route... Dangnabit, we're gonna figure out something for you. American ingenuity, don'tcha know...

Hate to leave ya, but it's bedtime here.

If you get too lonely, you could always have some fun with Duke...seems he's still snoozing in the back booth there. You "could" take a glass of warm water and dip his hand into it...

G'night...

Chris

[Anonymous]

 Good Morning - is this Elliot´s Diner? Didn´t know it was moved again. Can hardly keep my eyes open - we had a terrible thunderstorm, so I did not sleep well. At least some rain...

Oh, is you, Zoe - must I order RBF again? Come, on Zoe, I am the first one in for the day and none of the guys are here. You are a darling, Zoe - Coffee and a sweet roll for me!

I was able to put away some money and ordered an Accurail box car kit. Yesterday I have received the notification that I can come to customs and clear it. That means paying about 2 $ in customs duty, but driving 100 miles! 

Some of you suggested that I should go into management consulting. I have been doing the odd consulting job over the last years and I am also a member of a network of consultants. There must be about a million of us around, getting a job in this field is very unlikely, as companies are cutting back their budgets for this purpose. 

I appreciate your moral support very much, folks - thank you. Good to know that there are people who care...

 Have a good day!

[markpierce]

Water what?

Waterzooi.  We had a bowl of it in Brussels earlier this year and it was simply delicious.  Have since found the following recipe, but wonder if anyone has a better or more "authentic" one.  I was told it is the national dish.

Mark

Waterzooi - A rich Flemish stew with chicken or fish and assorted vegetables. The sauce is enriched with a liaison of cream and egg yolks.

 

 stars  

Belgium Chicken Waterzooi  
serves 4

Ingredients

• 1 large whole chicken
• 4 carrots, cut in 1-inch pieces
• 3 celery ribs, cut in 1-inch pieces
• 4 shallots, coarsely chopped (or small onions)
• 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
• 1 sprig fresh thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 2 leeks, cut in 1-inch pieces
• 16 ounces mushrooms, sliced
• 4 egg yolks
• 1 cup cream
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 pinch nutmeg

Directions

1. Stock: Place the chicken in a pot of water,
   covering the chicken entirely.
   
   Add 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks, and 1 onion,
   cut into approximately 1-inch pieces.
   
   Add parsley, thyme and a bay leaf and bring to a boil.
   
   Turn the heat to medium low and cook until chicken is cooked, about 20-30 minutes. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
   

2. Cut the remaining carrots, celery, onions into 1-inch sticks
   and place them in a saucepan with water to cover.
   
   Cut the leeks into 1-inch sticks, slice the mushrooms
   and add to saucepan.
   
   Parboil vegetables in salted water about 15 minutes.
   
   Take out the chicken when poached
   (no red color must be seen under the skin)
   and discard vegetables from stock.
   
   Strain the chicken stock.
   
   Remove the chicken skin and cut chicken into 8 pieces.
   
   Put the chicken and the parboiled vegetables into the stock.
   
   Mix the egg yolks with the cream and add to the stock.
   Add the lemon juice and butter.
   Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg.

3. Note: I cook the second set of vegs. in the chicken stock
   to give more flavor. You could use canned chicken broth too.

4. Serve in soup plates with boiled potatoes
   or white steamed rice. Enjoy!
   
   
   

   Quite enjoyable flavor, which received thumbs up from my Belgian husband. The liquid portion was more liquid than I would have hoped (I like a more stew-like consistency, but according to my dh, acceptable for waterzooi). Four portions is an underestimate in my opinion; serves at least 6, generously. Allow me to be pedantic, for a moment: it doesn't come from Brussels at all, but rather from the city of Ghent (my dh's birthplace)- to accredit it to Brussels is tantatmount to crediting Boston Cream Pie to Chicago (the dish is properly known as GENTSE WATERZOOI). Waterzooi, by the way, is translated as "mess" or "a whole lot of"; it was the poor people's way of stretching a few ingredients a long way. It really is comfort food, and this is a good recipe for it-one, I think, my mother-in-law would be proud of.

[Cederstrand]

Hope it wasn't my snake that spooked the waitresses and caused so much fuss that the Diner had to be moved. BTW, we renamed that snake "Smoke Stack" and if we ever see it has a mate, we'll call that one "Lightning"(for anyone familiar with Howlin' Wolf's train song).

***Jeffrey, very nice work on that building.

Picked up another Bachmann version of the 0-4-0 Dockside loco for $10 (that includes shipping). If I double head it with the other one, maybe they could push/pull each other through turnouts, although more likely they will become siding ornaments. Sure wish Bachmann would produce an updated Spectum version of those cute/ugly/different little locos.

Rob

 

[AmanaMedic]

Good Evenin'  Flo? Yep... RBF and a plate of fries to go with it, please 'n thankya.

JERRY: I think after 5 years, the Medicare/Medicaid folks will replace just about anything. IF I remember it right, you'd probably only have to get a note from your doc saying you still need one. Otherwise, the govt. "should" pick up 80% with insurance picking up the remaining 20%. I think that's how that-all worked... I've been trying hard to forget all that home healthcare shhhhhhhtuff.

I'll add my voice to the chorus complaining about the sudden demise of the last Diner. I also was going to see what had gone on since my last visit...and nothing left. I'd ask this one be at least "closed" for a day or two before it gets the torch.

I've got writer's block in a bad way. I have to write a short piece on another Governor's Volunteer Awards recipient. Trouble is...the guy is a jerk! He's on just about every committee in town, teaches classes for free at the high school, and does ALL of the announcing for the sporting events, town festivals, etc. He's the kind of guy who you put a microphone in front of him...he'll put it to use. On the one hand, he does do a lot for the town (hence, the award), on the other...he'll never have to go to a seminar on boosting his self-esteem/ego. He's got some "fans" in town...but I think he's his biggest fan...in fact, I think he really kinda loves himself. It was easier writing about the two AmeriCorps vollies and the "go to guy" for the 2008 flood response. They weren't stuck on themselves. He gave me the "right" quotes...but they just didn't sound...'natural' coming from him. Like he knew he was supposed to say "you don't expect that kind of recognition when you're doing what you love to do." It FELT like he wanted to say "I've been doing things for this town for x-number of years...dang it, they owe me."

OY.

Can I just be a photographer??? Much easier. Less headaches.

Flo? Ya got any pain-killers behind the counter? What's that? Vinnie's private stock of bourbon? Hmmmmm. No...I'd best not. I'll settle for the over the counter tablet variety.

Chris

[howmus]

Evenin'!  Wha happened?   I stopped in where the diner used to be and not only is the diner not there, but the entire siding has disappeared...  Scraped?  You say the old diner has been been sent to the cutters torch.  Hey! I left my accent in there.  I'll probably never hear it again......... 

Oh well the new place looks pretty much the same as the old.  We probably wore out the journals on the old place with all the moves......

Zoe. I'll have a RBF if you please.

I spent late afternoon and all evening out at camp playing with the sound system and getting it adjusted for them. Just walked in the door here at home.  Man am I tuckered out!

I'll just sit in the front booth and watch the new view.

Have a great night everyone!

73 

[edit] Ah, I see I have the top of page 2......   Flo!  RBF for everyone.  I have deep pockets after all I just told them out there at Scout Camp that next week I will bring out a pair of Yamaha Monitors for the front end of the stage system that retail for around $500 each.....  Well I've been selling them out used at $125 each, but still........ so a few RBFs won't break the bank.

Oh and speaking of the bank My son told me today that they signed a purchase offer made on their house which means they are actively searching for another house to buy now.  The closing won't be until this fall so they have some time.  Their old house was bought by someone as a rental property (slum lord thing) but it gives them a good amount of leeway for finding that "right" place.  They are also getting a good price for the old house.  They are a bit happy over the whole thing.....[/edit]

[jeffrey-wimberly]

secondhandmodeler

You could give it a day before you hose the whole thread.  I didn't even get a chance to read the responses since I last posted this morning.

Hear, hear!

[secondhandmodeler]

You could give it a day before you hose the whole thread.  I didn't even get a chance to read the responses since I last posted this morning.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Cox 47

Jeff that a nice job on the DPM building your paint job on roof is outstanding..How did you do it?

I first painted the roof silver. After it dried I used two paint pens to make markings on it which I then rubbed down with a paper towel. It went like this. I'd make a mark anywhere from a 1/4" long to 1" long then quickly rub it down with the paper towel going from the roof peak downward. The two colors I used are 'rust' and 'rail brown'. This has to be done carefully as the paint as a habit of taking off the paint under it. After this initial treatment dried I sprayed the roof with a mix of alcohol and black acrylic paint. I let this dry then sprayed it with Krylon Matte-Finish. After this dried I did the paint pen treatment again to add more light and dark rust streaks. It's that simple.