Elliot's Trackside Diner, Mark XVII

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 If Jerry had replied from my post it would picked it up.

[pcarrell]

Well how 'bout that!  Ryan found the original Coffee Shop!

[Cederstrand]

Coffee in a UNION PACIFIC mug, please.

Did the sleep study last night. Not sure how much they learned bacause I hardly slept a wink (maybe a few hours?) and didn't have one of my frequent "episodes" I do at home. Considering I never got to try out the machine that was in the room, I have my doubts. The nurse didn't give me even a remote hint of the results and ended the test early at 5:00am. Guess I'll have to wait for the Doc's assesment. Wish I could have had a pic taken of me looking like a BORG. What a tangle of wires & stuff.

My Unlce, a member of TTOS (Toy Train Operating Society) has his American Flyer Zephyr up and running. Turns out his buddy is quite a collector by the name of Bob Spellmire.

My oldest brother has started his Z scale layout, having built a small table with a very simple track plan. Too bad he chose such an EXPENSIVE scale. My brothers comments and questions on Z scale were: [The cost of tooling  can’t be any more and the cost of the materials going into the parts can’t be more.  Most of the vendors who manufacture in Z scale also manufacture in HO and N, so materials are common to all scales. What am I missing?  Why is Z scale so much more expensive?  Is it because the market for Z scale is significantly smaller?]   Any thoughts guys?

Have a good day all.

Rob

[TMarsh]

Hm. It only picked up on your post.

[TMarsh]

Hey!! I see you found the letters. Did a bit if research, using the search feature so many speak of, and I see were with the exception on at least IV (Ithink) it seems to have fallen off on XIV. Glad you found it. I also saw where Elliot I guess was the original, original Coffee shop? Got that from a patial post shown.

I should be doing the church books by now but I can't quit this AAAAAGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!

[Cox 47]

Good morning...Its sunny and a cool 66 here..Just coffee for me I ate way way too much at Family reunion yesterday..had a good time but I am tuckered out..didn't know how weak I am..gonna spend day in lazy boy got a Dr. apointment tuesday and Sallie is having MRI too...you all have a good one...Jerry

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 Oh, you mean it should look like it does now?

[TMarsh]

Ah, I see, thanks to Ryan, that we owe Jeff the honors of the "Trackside Diner" name. Of course the link to the next diner wasn't any good so some more research may clue the "Elliot's" part. Perhaps someone remembers. I have noticed that the word Trackside is not in the name anymore though I can't recall when it stopped. Since Jeff has moved the sign for the last few, was it vainness my good man or did it merely fall off in transit. Actually I can't recall if it existed in the last few. Hm. Might have to go find it for the next one.

[howmus]

Mornin' everyone!

Zoe, I'll have a Bavarian Creme Filled Doughnut along with my cup of dark roast coffee this morning.  I'll go sit in the front booth for a while and watch the switching going on.

LSWrr

Ray, part of my new job is to review FRA/AAR regulations (bridges) and I can’t find where you would have had to stop the train to throw him off.

 

ROFL!!!   (Almost chocked to death on my coffee as well!!)  Love it!  That line will get passed on to the Conductor and the Chief Dispacher yesterday.  Made my day.

Barry, my Father and all 3 of his children were teachers (good ones at that!).  In our family we also cultivated the teacher "look".  It served me well over the course of my career.  The "offenders" on the train, particularly the "I know everything volunteer from the other RR" finally decided that I meant business as "the look" was delivered along with the "suggestion" that around here we follow the "rules!"

It is a very pleasant, sunny 70°F right now here in the Finger Lakes.  High will be around75°F and the grass has been grow during all the 85° days since I mowed it last.  Think I know what today's big project will be....

Hope you all have a great day!

73 

[blownout cylinder]

Robby P.

 Todd.....I will add what kind of thinner next time, and maybe the companys name, address, warning labels .

Might I suggest photos with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back of each one?

[Robby P.]

 Todd.....I will add what kind of thinner next time, and maybe the companys name, address, warning labels .

 Lee....Thanks for the heads up!!

[SilverSpike]

Morning folks!

Got back from our trip to Houston, TX last night, celebrated with Monique's side of the family and Aunt Carol and Uncle Fred's 50th Wedding Anniversary.

I'll have some Country Ham Biscuits with Saw Mill Gravy for breakfast Chloe!

Our cousins house back yard sits about 50 feet from a BNSF line and I got to see two trains run past, one late Friday night and another Sunday morning. The Friday night consist was about 80 cars long and a mix of covered hoppers and tank cars. The Sunday morning consist was about 60 cars long and mosly open hoppers and a few gondolas with CAT equip.

pcarrell

The first diner was lost several server and software versions ago.

Actually...I found the URL to the original "The Coffee Shop (a place to chat) Est. 2004" and here i-tis:

http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/t/15409.aspx?PageIndex=1 

I saved the original URL but it gave me back the same error that most folks get because the URL address structure has been updated and changed due to the forum code and software "upgrades". So I  ran a simple search for the title and found many references, in fact the search shows Page 1 of 25885 (258841 items) results. The original thread had 1,804 pages, and if I remember correctly over 100,000 replies. And it was started by Big Boy 4005 from St. Paul, MN on April 29, 2004, 7:54 PM  and ran until January 1, 2007, 2:15 PM when it was locked by David Voss, Senior Web Developer for Kalmbach.

PC, sorry to hear about the car accident, and I hope your daughter is feeling better soon! And the car in the ditch too...

Paul, congratulations on your grandchild! And welcome back!

Great pics Barry! Thanks for sharing, I can see some of them being used for background images on some folks layouts.

Lee, the new benchwork framing is coming along nicely!

Robby still weathering pieces and they keep getting better!

Ray, looks like both a lot of work and a lot of fun on maintaning and running the RS-3 #211. I love those old Alco's.

You all have a good one!

I'll slip in the back booth and catch up with some more reading....

 

[LSWrr]

Robby, Those full page adds in MRR magazine (I think it’s Trainworld) sells Code 100 flex for $1.25 each and cork for 50 cents when it goes on sale, but you have to buy a case to get those prices.  Right now they want $2.65 each for flextrak.  Todd, I think its drama! They want you to pay attention to THEM!

 

[TMarsh]

Just checked out WPF. Another great weekend. Boy Robby, they really had trouble with that enamel part. Apparently they haven't used a "thinner" on a water based paint as I have and they would know what you were using! As a younger lad, mind you, as a younger lad. I'll admit, I‘ve done that, of course the ole not paying attention bit played in there too I must say.

Another thing I don't understand. It doesn't upset me for the same reasons I'm about to describe, so I'm not bringing in the soapbox, but why do people get so upset when a post is made that is old, not relevant to train-ish stuff (scratch that it's obvious), been asked before, etc. When all they have to do is move their hand ever so slightly and not click the button? To me it's like going into a store and complaining because there are items other than what I'm looking for or would be interested in getting in there. A Hobby shop carrying the latest diesels and cars and Tom complaining because he doesn't want to have to look over them when he's shopping for big steam. Or going into a library and complaining because there are books you're not interested in or more appropriately, "Why do I have to see Tom Sawyer in here when either everyone has already read it or most people own it or can easily find someone who does. So there is no reason for it to be in a library were it annoys me to have to see it. If you want to read it go look for it elsewhere." Am I missing something or am I just overly unconcerned about certain things. I mean shoot, there are a lot of new people and a lot of new ideas and if we are only allowed to bring something up once and let it run it's course and never bring it up again...... How will we know something new? Get fresh ideas, that kinda thing. I don't understand. Wait.... Am I complaining about people complaining about things that can be overlooked when I could have overlooked it and not complained? Is the pot calling the kettle black here? (or silver to you younger folks). Am I.... Oh my, I need more coffee please. No more donuts, too much sugar.

By the way, I had a dream last night I lived on Lee's layout. Ice Cream and Christmas trees buddy, Ice Cream and Christmas trees. I was on my way to the community pool when I woke up.

( the preceding statement is fictional. However it made for a slightly humorous ending.)

[Robby P.]

 Good morning.   Nothing but fog this morning.

 I gotta mail off the engine today.  Hate to see it go, but I need some supplies.  Not to much else planned for today.

 Lee.....I agree.  The LHS has flex track at $25 for 5, and the MB Klein has it $16.99 for 5.  Both is code 100.  I plan on getting most of my supplies from them.  I'm very happy with that company.  I want to help out the LHS, but he's getting pretty high in price.

 I will pop back in later.  

[blownout cylinder]

Ray: I just tune them out----

TMarsh

LSWrr

I can’t find where you would have had to stop the train to throw him off.

I agree!

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

Hello--

I'm going to start doing the jigs for the bridge/trestle today---a good day for this considering that we are at 10C with the high only going to 24C. Oh, and there is another 30% chance of rain---again

Tomorrow we will have our sunny day with the high at 26C.

So, I's goin' to be doing the trestle thing today

Chloe, I'll have what Todd is having please----I'll go sit with him and see what's up

 

[TMarsh]

LSWrr

I can’t find where you would have had to stop the train to throw him off.

 

[TMarsh]

Good morning. 2 glazed donuts and a cup of coffee please. Thanks. It's a cold out at 53F. Supposed to get to 81F and sunny today with no chance of rain. I'm taking my umbrella. Not a lot happening to day we'll have to see what transpires. My vending machines came in the mail Saturday from the bay so my townspeople won't be thirsty anymore.

Chris- Great job on the cars. But that GEEP, well it needs a bit of work. Seriously, it's coming along nicely.

Jeff- Agreed on the "getting up is the hard part" (giggle)

I guess I'll sit in the back booth for a while see what's up. Check out WPF and then start my day. Could I get a couple more Glazed Doughnts please and a refill on the coffee, thanks.

Have A Great Day!!!

[LSWrr]

Sawyer, you can pick up the same clear coat without the Krylon name at Wal-Mart for $2 a can in their paint department.  I did buy a jar of dull coat from the hobby store and it works great on decals as a “primer”.

Chris I have some left over wood, glue and screws.  We could set you right up!  I did mess up one thing; I was going to put a river in the coal mine area and forgot!  So tonight I’ll need to make some adjustments.

I guess the blue jumpsuit girl is so last week compared to Santa’s helper.  I might make a few of those Christmas tree lots and sell them on the bay.  The trees are a plastic plant from Michael’s that I cut and applied ground cover to.   Only $12 in materials including the two figures and it only took 20 minutes to make 50 trees.

New money saving trick at Michel’s: Walk in and buy a candy bar, you get a 40% off coupon on your next purchase.  Walk outside and walk back in and use the coupon.

Jim this is week 6 of the new job.  I had to start before I retired to prevent a paycheck deficiency.

Ray, part of my new job is to review FRA/AAR regulations (bridges) and I can’t find where you would have had to stop the train to throw him off.

I diverted $700 from the MRR budget for a new refrigerator Saturday, Side by side with an ice/water dispenser.   Yes I have a MRR budget; however my MRR has a bunch of overhead: Power, food, property taxes, Gas, etc…

Robby, too bad you don’t live closer we could buy a case of track and split it.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 Good morning.

It's 71 and partly cloudy. The high will be around 90 and it will be partly cloudy.

I've been shifting things around on the layout a bit so it makes more sense now that the new background in place. A small machine shop is giving me fits. It just doesn't look right anywhere. Last time I checked yesterday my sister's mower still was not fixed. Give my nephew a simple job to do and it MIGHT get done IF he feels he has the time after he gets up around noon. Now let a motorcycle ride with his friends come up and he's up and gone before dawn. Such was the case yesterday. I'll probably end up having to do the job myself. Getting down onto the ground to work under the mower is easy. Getting up, that's hard. I want to get her yard done before Tuesday. I still have my parent's yard to do this week and that's a much bigger job. On the layout front I'll be working on placing out more foreground elements to see what looks good.

Today's Weather for:
Sundown, LA  71446-6114      8/24/2009

Heat Index:  77°F
Humidity:  62%
Dew Point:  58°F

So Far Today
High:  73°F
Low:  70°F
Rain:  0.00"
Rain Rate:  0.00"/h
Gust:  6mph NNE

Today  High: 90    Partly cloudy. Highs around 90. East winds around 5 mph.

Tonight  Low: 65    Partly cloudy in the evening then becoming mostly clear. Lows in the mid 60s. Southeast winds around 5 mph.

[pcarrell]

JimRCGMO

Looks from the damage like the other car was about even with her and coming from the right corner when it hit her car.

Good eye!

[AmanaMedic]

Good Evenin', Janie? Flo? whomever/whichever, a RBF please 'n thankyou...yep, the RC as usual.

Packers#1

Got to talki to my girlfriend on the phone for a bit, was the main reason I had a bad weekend, haha.

Yeah, THAT'll do it, for sure... But, buck-up little camper, a whole 'nother week of schoolwork awaits ya.

DER JOHN: Glad Bill decided to pass on by, now we'll see how things work out for the rest of his path. I forgot to mention earlier about that tar/oil tanker... WOW!

RAY (I think it was): good job with the donkey in active combustion (your flaming ********). I've ran into volunteer firefighters like that. They're annoying enough when they're hanging around on your scene...but even worse when they go bug the paid guys. Really does wonders for what the career gents think of us vollies.

 

Well, I WAS going to get definitive, accurate measurements of the RR room... enlisted Loving Wife to help, and haven't seen her since. eh eh eh. Must've gotten lost somewhere along the way from her 1st floor "studio" to my 2nd floor RR Room and Office. I see Rerun is anxiously trying to get my attention. Apparently, it's time for his late evening "chores."

Before Rerun and I head out, here's a little bit of what I was finally able to accomplish around here lately.

CNW 5511, a GP-40-1.5. CNW bought up ex-CR GP-40s, upgraded some of the electrical stuff to dash-2 standards, and made some other changes before putting them out on the rails. It's an Athearn blue-box GP-40-2 back-dated (filling in the water sight glass on the engineer's side, getting rid of stiffining ribs on the big air duct thing behind the cab, removing the electrical cabinet behind the cab, putting disks on the fans, and lopping off the outside brakes on the trucks. Fun time had by all. Still need eyebolts (back-order...still) and another set of MU stands (I only ordered half of what I needed...). Eventually, primer, and old CNW yellow/green. I started on this thing back in '08, as Bama CSX and I were in here talking about GP-40s. Maybe it'll be finished sometime in 2010...

I see Rerun is hopping up and down, his brown eyes look kinda yellow...the boy looks a little concerned. 'Scuse me whilst I see to the fuzzy boy....

Chris

WHOOPS! Looks like I got the top honors, order up gents. Ladies? be sure to have a breakfast special ready for Ulrich....

[TMarsh]

der5997

Actually Todd, it's in HO already

how'd I miss that? Oh well, it doesn't take away from the modeling kudos. I'm still looking forward to seeing the finished project. I'm glad Bill took it easy on you.

Ray- There always seems to be one in the crowd. The know it all, look at me because I do the same thing. Usually causes the most problems because he thinks you'll cut him some slack. You did the right thing. IF he even was a volunteer from XYZ.

 

[Packers#1]

der5997

Sawyer: Usually happens that a "mountain top" week, or day even, is turned into a valley PDQ. Welcome to life! (or in my case DCC)

True. There'll be good days and bad days, jsut gotta remember the good days will always come. Got to talki to my girlfriend on the phone for a bit, was the main reason I had a bad weekend, haha.

[Robby P.]

Jim......I still have a GP35 Cotton Belt.  The plan was to sell it (WLE), and get another engine/track.   Now I believe its going to be mostly track buying.  I could probably sell a weathered car and get another engine.   I never even got to run the engine thou

[der5997]

 

Good evening Diners. Johnboy Thanks for your thoughts! (and BTW, D. Duck must have a permanent seat at our Rivet Counter!)  Happy to report that Bill, while still a Hurricane, has gone past quickly and without causing damage or flooding here. In fact I was reminded of the line from "Albert and the Lion"..."...There were no wrecks, and nobody drownded, ‘fact nothing to laugh at, at all!"  We were truly blessed.

Ray:

By Monday or Tuesday I bet Thunder Hole in Acadia will be "talking" pretty good. 

...your observation to Fergie in the last Diner location...did you see that 11 people were swept away there today? 9 rescued so far, 2 still missing at our 6 o'clock news time.

PC: Autumn is being prayed for (included in our service here this a.m.) Hope she heals up quickly and isn't put off driving.

Grandpa Paul: on Nathanel John.

TeenSteam:

(by CapeJim ) maybe Ulrich might be able to give you some info on 'across-the-pond' steam. I think there are other Diners familiar with British steam (DerJohn and others), but DerJohn and Ulrich (Ulrich) are in more often than our few British/English/Scottish/Welsh Diners, who haven't stopped by to visit recently.

...sorry to disappoint, but I'm no longer  as familiar as I used to be. Mind you, I was inoculated with the mrr virus at high school (for want of a better term recognizable to most Diner Denizens) in England where one of the teachers ran the model club and scratch built GWR locos and stock in OO brass.  We were on a line to Swindon, and I recall one summer spent watching line after line of BR steam being hauled away for scrapping there. In fact Lee's url brought back a lot of memories. More often than not our train to school was pulled by a GWR Class 8750 Pannier Tank, it says there!  You asked about wheel sets for BR steam...have you tried Northwest Short Line, or Bee Line?

Ulich, I bought a Holden B12 in 00 scale and fits fine in an HO gauge. I only have a few flange problems on code 83 track

...I haven't read on from Page 3 to see if this is answered, but the reason is no mystery, OO Scale runs on HO Guage. Don't ask me why, but it made it possible for me to run a Hornby Intercity train, and that GWR Class 8750  on my British Columbia Raiway HO layout when we lived in B.C. (In fact I think I may still have the driver and fireman from that somewhere. If I come across them I'll PM you.)

Todd:

I'll be interested to see how this flea speck of a model turns out. Looks fantastic so far. I'm already picturing the tar stains and spills all down the sides.

...Actually Todd, it's in HO already; sort of a diversion for me before I finish the fence at the container dock, or whatever it was I was doing before I needed a diversion! Thanks for the kindly thoughts re Bill, and he seems to have done as he was told!

Ulrich:

... So it will remain a life on the dole -

...only if you say it will I agree with the others here on this. Things will get better. I read last week where German consumer confidence took a huge leap up. That can't hurt, as it feeds into the public perception. I know employment is usually the last to recover in a recession, but remember you've friends pulling for you here, people you feel confident enough about to share as you did.

Mark: My MIL's hairfixer went to their Moncton, NB concert and really enjoyed it. Not my tipple of Schnapps, but to each his (or in this case her) own. Hope you have a great time.

Lee:

cooler weather after he (Bill) passes.

...it's pretty tropical feeling here right now, and won't cool down much overnight. Tomorrow may be a bit cooler, we shall see.

Sawyer: Usually happens that a "mountain top" week, or day even, is turned into a valley PDQ. Welcome to life! (or in my case DCC)

CapeJim:

you sure you weren't an engineer before you went into the ministry?

...funny thing that, but in my Food Technologist days, I did design a meat pie production line; and of course I built a scale model for the demo to the Directors.  In the ministry ,I built a scale model of the redesign of the tower/entryway of the little country church whose folks I was pastoring.  That project was my own design too, and the model served to get the thing approved at all the necessary levels. (Tobermory Ont. Barry, but the whole building's been replaced now I understand.) However, most of what I know eningeering wise I've picked up since I re-started mrrback in B.C.in the 80s!!

Well, that's me caught up for now. I'm off to do a bit more on that trailer, and then it will be bedtime once again. So, I'll say goodnight and God Bless. Prayers continuing for all in need of healing, comfort, prosperity and peace.   

 

 

[howmus]

Evenin' folks!

Another very successful and fun day at Diesel Days at the museum.  Turns out the RS3 #211 has a broken water pump.  Prts will have to be ordered, so she is probably out of service for the rest of the season.

LSWrr

Ray, I enjoyed the videos of 211, but it threw me off a little; 211, looked, sounded, and smelled like a RS3, I had to look up RS3 with the twin funnel stacks and learned she was a RS3M.  I see she was a former PENNCENTRAL locomotive back in the 70’s.

 

Yep, old #211 had quite a career over the last 50+ years.  She has on at least 2 occasions survived the scrap line. Once at least narrowly....  The twin stacks are not original but came from the replacing of the ALCO Prime Mover with an EMD 567B Prime Mover which is what she is still running today.  You can see it in this photo:

For any of you want to read more about here, go here. 

Today we had a wide range of clientele ranging from a lady in a wheelchair to a gentleman who had great difficulty climbing steps to some teeney boopers who were very "grossed out" that I made them hold on to the grab irons and railings riding outside on the deck of the Penn Central.  The two girls decided to change their attitude after I described what could happen when the brakes are applied to the train and they have no hand holds.......  One finally looked at the other and said, "eeeeiuuu, why are we riding out here....?"  I told them you will be very safe if you do as we ask....  Then we had the 20 something Dude who knows everything about trains and safety because HE volunteers at the XYZ railroad for their passenger excusions......  I gave the standard talk about holding onto a rail if you are standing inside or outside on the caboose.....  he just grinned and said, Its OK, I don't have to do that.... Did I tell you that I volunteer at the XYZ Railway?...."  I finally got all over his case and told him that around here our Volunteers model proper behaviour for our passengers!  he got the message and begrudgingly held on to  the rail......  When he got off the car host from the other platform of the caboose came over and said, What a Flaming Jerk!  (actually he called him somethng else but I can't really quote him here.  I asked Harold if I was within protocal to dump on him, and he said (as the conductor), "absolutely!  I was just about to stop the train and ask him to get off!  We were later talking about him to the dispatcher for the day, and he said, "Oh really, if volunteers at the XYZ Railway he should be aware of AAR rules that mandate holding on when the train is in motion.  I'd have kicked him off right there and then!"  I also let the fellow know that I knew several of the paid professionals that work for the XYZ Railway.... That cooled his heels a bit as well! 

The lady in the wheelchair was a sketch as was her husband.  Riding the train was this years "trill".  Last year she went bungie cord jumping!!!  Yep 120' straight down.... In her wheelchair!!!  We love to help out people like her who are so, so appreciative of our getting her on the train!  Adds a very good feeling to volunteering there.  Of course just getting to ride on antique equipment all day is a high in it self!

I have yet to catch up on all the posts.  So have a great evening all!

73 

[Packers#1]

JimRCGMO

 

Sawyer, you go for it - especially try out a college level course or two. As you said, you might even not have to take some when you go to college... Hey, it's not the good weeks that are the problems, it's adjusting to the fact that we don't get them all that good. One good thing with MRR'ing is that with all the parts of it (weathering, layout design, benchwork, tracklaying, scenery, research/MR reading, etc.), there's always something else we can do for a change of pace.

 

Yeah Jim, only problem is all I have that I can do right now is paint/weather. might start a diorama though.

Robby, you got a point man.

[JimRCGMO]

Afternoon/Evening, Flo, I'll have a bowl of broccoli cheese soup, whole grain baguette, and a RBF, please 'n' thank you!

Sawyer, you go for it - especially try out a college level course or two. As you said, you might even not have to take some when you go to college... Hey, it's not the good weeks that are the problems, it's adjusting to the fact that we don't get them all that good. One good thing with MRR'ing is that with all the parts of it (weathering, layout design, benchwork, tracklaying, scenery, research/MR reading, etc.), there's always something else we can do for a change of pace.

TMarsh

Come to think of it, nothing seems to last long anymore especially the days. Well except for payments!

 

Boy, isn't that the truth, Todd!

TMarsh

Barry- Is that a Dopplar Radar tower? I've heard what they look like. I guess I could look it up....

 

Todd, I just think that's an older radar tower (to protect it from the weather) (could be Doppler, but hard to tell without a 'peek under the cover'). When I was a teenager, we had our Air Explorers (part of Boy Scouts) meetings at the Air National Guard building at Lambert Field (St. Louis Airport), and the tower for the airport was on top of the same building. (We even got a chance once to go up the stairs and watch the controllers - but "DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING....") Nowadays, that is something that I doubt anyone will get to experience - unless their folks work for the Secret Service or the U.S. Government, however.

And Barry, what's so 'odd' about that elevator? Is that a sand processing facility on a sandbar in the river/edge of lake? Good set of photos; you've had good success on your rail/photo trips (when the weather cooperates and lets you). 14" corn ears? That sounds yummy - er, I mean great!

Ray - aren't you glad you're a volunteer on days like that? You go home as tired as if you were working for pay on a railroad, actually.

PC - Ouch! Glad that Autumn wasn't hurt worse than she already was, and I'm sure she is indeed feeling it in her leg. Will add her recovery to my prayer list (and that the whole truth on the accident will come out). And will pray for some rest for you and the missus, as well. Looks from the damage like the other car was about even with her and coming from the right corner when it hit her car.

DerJohn, what amazes me most is that (IIRC) you're building your tar trailer in Horribly Oversized scale(!), but you model in iNvisible scale - unless you've been thinking about changing over and haven't told us yet... Great work - you sure you weren't an engineer before you went into the ministry?

I thought I heard some shouting last night, but just rolled over and went back to sleep. Was that you, Mark (Hoople)? Oh yeah, - and have fun figuring what you want to use that money for.

Jeff - five years? Yeah, I'd say it's high time to try the surgery, since it isn't appearing to fix itself...

Ulrich, I'd agree on the walking suggestion - and if you have some more uplifting music in a player, that also helps with it. Exercise can help stimulate the body's own chemistry some.

Lee, looks like the LS&W continues to expand its empire (and Santa has a cute helper, too)! (Hmm, you seem to have stirred up several of the Diners with those pics!). Hey, when are/did you start up with the new job? I musta 'ed off if you already mentioned it.

Robby, great job on the CSX hopper. Tough call on the loco, but then again, depending on when you get the layout back in operation, you might get a better one with whatever improvements the manufacturers have made on them by then. Do you still have any other locos? Good to hear your arm's most of the way there.

Chris - good to hear you're keeping busy (now, to persuade THAT editor that the articles are just fine (and no need to do anything more than run the spelling checker across them...). Will add THAT to the prayer list, also - it'd be nice for you to get a brief meeting with her, I'm sure.

About time for me to head out for now. Have to start the (groooaaannnnn...) mental adjustment of getting back to w**k tomorrow morning, and see what this week may bring. May you all have a good night's rest (and only a little rain from Bill for JR, Dick, DerJohn and Fergie) and a good great Monday.

 

Blessings and prayers,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

[Robby P.]

 Chris......Its about 99%.  I think the supervisors are happy, kinda got my speed back.

 Sawyer....I liked the engine very much, but with the layout getting expanded.....well.......I need some track, turnouts, etc.  It had to go.