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Elliot's Trackside Diner 26 Locked

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  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
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Elliot's Trackside Diner 26
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Monday, March 1, 2010 7:29 AM

 As the mods shut down the old place It seemed a good time to open a new one.

 

Good morning. It's 46 and cloudy with rain imminent. The high will be 50 with a 90% chance of rain.

Gonna be a wet one today! And why not? This is the day I gotta go out and pay bills. Yesterday I put up four more of the solar Tiki torches. That's a total of eight now. On two of them I took out the factory installed NiCd batteries which are rated at 1.2 V, 600 mA and replaced them with Eveready NiMH batteries rated at 1.2 V, 230 mA. Just after sunset all eight lights came on as they should. Six ran down during the night and went out but the two with the NiMH batteries were still lit up at 6:45 this morning and didn't go off until sunrise. Take a wild guess at what kind of batteries are going into the others. I figure the NiCd batteries will work OK in my remotes, postal scale, LED tester and magnifier. Nothing much on the schedule today except paying some bills that can't be paid by mail or internet and I have to get the grocery shopping done before my cupboards look like those of Mrs Hubbard. I may be able to get some more weathering practice in today but it'll probably be late.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
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Posted by TMarsh on Monday, March 1, 2010 7:59 AM

Good morning all. Happy March the 1st. Sorry I haven't had time to look for a card. Count down to the big anniversary of my birth has begun. The 18th and I will be another year older. Odd, you age a year in one dayConfused. Strange species we are. Sure beats the alternative though.

Coffee please. I shall not mention the weather so as to not jinx it.

Today I must make the deposits and pay some bills at the Church. Then Pay the fish bill, order more fish for the 12th, stop in at Wally-mart pick up some KILZ, then home to do some more clean up in the base-a-ment before going to w**k. My plans, yours may vary.

Joe-  LaughI didn't expect anybody to really understand the colors thing. I've lived with it everyday my whole life and I don't even get it.

My boots smell like fish.

Ray- Yes, every day the old ticker ticks and I can breathe, is a good day.Big Smile

Speaking of tickers, Barry, any news on your tests?

Hey, the headcount is a good idea Ulrich. Let's see of the top of my head I see Lee needs to be added, as well as this German fellow, can't think of his name right now, but I'm sure it will come to me.

HEY!!!!! I step outside for a second to set my boots on the platform, turn around and the diners heading down the tracks. I guess I won't wear the boots in here again until the smell is gone.

Have a Great Day!!!

EDIT: I guess chasing the diner down the tracks and grabbing the handrail and holding on for dear life wasn't the wisest thing to do for two reasons. One, the obvious safety reasons, and two, now I have to walk 25 miles back to the wilderness to get my truck!!!!!!Banged Head

Todd  

Central Illinoyz

In order to keep my position as Master and Supreme Ruler of the House, I don't argue with my wife.

I'm a small town boy. A product of two people from even smaller towns. I don’t talk on topic….. I just talk. Laugh

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Posted by fireman216 on Monday, March 1, 2010 8:29 AM

 Good morning!!...Coffee regular please in a NYC mug...I will have the engineer special...light on the grease...and some Italian toast please. Well...one more week on disability from my shoulder surgery..healing well...therapy sucks.Disapprove That's only one more week of full time modeling!!!...I have to wait for the delivery guys to show up with the new furniture my wife ordered. I got a new shoulder...she got new furniture...I guess that's fair. They said between 0830-1130 for delivery. My luck I will head downstairs and get right in the middle of something and they will be here. So here I sit waiting...but in good company in the diner. Today will be just a nice cloudy day...maybe a dusting of snow. Still nursing a small hangover from Saturday night as our Syracuse basketball team put some SMACK on Villanova in the dome. I think we will see a #1 rank in the country after that!!! Be smart all you bracket players for March Madness. SU should be in your final 4 for sure...if not the final game. Just my My 2 cents Everyone have a good day!!!...Tim

A true friend will not bail you out of jail...he will be sitting next to you saying "that was friggin awesome dude!" Tim...Modeling the NYC...is there any other?

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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, March 1, 2010 8:35 AM

TMarsh

Hey, the headcount is a good idea Ulrich. Let's see of the top of my head I see Lee needs to be added, as well as this German fellow, can't think of his name right now, but I'm sure it will come to me. (Could that be me?)

 

... well, here we go again, Sophie , me gal! How could I forget our Coast Guard Veteran! So it´s back to Milepost 25... must I really?

Edit: Well, someone moved the Diner back to the yard, now  on track 26. Of course, I only found out when I arrived there... Sigh

Here is the now hopefully complete list.

  1. Barry
  2. Chris
  3. CNCharlie
  4. Dick
  5. Duke
  6. Garry
  7. Flip
  8. Jeff
  9. Jerry
  10. Jim
  11. Joe
  12. John
  13. Johnboy
  14. JR
  15. Keith 
  16. Lee
  17. Mark
  18. Mike
  19. PC
  20. Philip
  21. Ray
  22. Oz-Ray
  23. Rob
  24. Robby P.
  25. Sam
  26. Sawyer
  27. Sue (occasionally)
  28. Teen Steam Fan
  29. Tim
  30. Todd
  31. Calif. Tom
  32. PA Tom
  33. Vincent

Including me, that´s now  34 regular customers to the Diner! Vinnie is going to be a rich man - Vinnie? No, Vinnie, I did not mean to...  Slappp!

Ouch! Dunce

 

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Monday, March 1, 2010 8:54 AM

Good morning. Now we are back in town. What did we learn from our experience out in the boondocks? I wonder if Der John left all the spiffy biffies out there.

I'll have coffee and a donut at the RC. Then I'm headed to the layout for more wiring.

Happy Model Railroading ........

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by Cox 47 on Monday, March 1, 2010 9:58 AM

Good Morning...Its cloudy and 35 here...I'll have coffee and a sweet roll please...Thank you..I got couplers on Life like GP 20 with atlas GP 7 shell...runs pretty good and working on laser wood kit Saw Pit store..You all have a good one...Jerry

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Posted by howmus on Monday, March 1, 2010 10:00 AM

Mornin' everyone!

Zoe a nice big bowl of hot oatmeal with brown sugar and a cup of dark roast in a R&GV Museum Mug would suit me fine.  I'll go check out the view in the front booth.

Looks like a good location.  Nice to get back to civilization (if you can call this place civilized.....Whistling).  I do love the countryside being an old Farm Boy through and through, but it sure is a shorter walk to the yard than the old spur out at MP25.  I did see a fox crossing the tracks first thing this morning....  What? Oh he was bringing the ducks for the "Duck a La Orange" for dinner tonight.  

I checked my Credit Union Account first thing this morning, and it seems I still owe $.52 on my car......  I think I will go down there and have them transfer the 52¢ and pay it off in full!  One less monthly bill to pay on.  The money I was spending on THAT loan will now be added to the Revolving Loan on the house.  If all goes well, I will be debt free in less than a year and a half (If I don't go buy something expensive THAT is...Wink)

So Barry, how did you make out with the 24hour monitor?  Hope all is well!

Just realized I have a meeting tonight to prepare for so I doubt I will get much hobby stuff done today. 

Better get moving!

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Monday, March 1, 2010 10:10 AM

I agree, Ray. It's more civil in the country. In our county, people driving in on-coming cars will typically wave at you as you pass. When I go to cities like Detroit, people wave but only with one finger.

We should include Paul and Ed on the regulars list even though we don't wee them often anymore. Perhaps if the ysee the new location, they will stop in again. Ed's orange juice would hit the spot now.  

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by blownout cylinder on Monday, March 1, 2010 10:11 AM

Ahhh!

I see we moved already. I'm thinking we're running about one move every three weeks now.

Our novelist urges are going strong I seeWink

Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry

I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...

http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/

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Posted by AmanaMedic on Monday, March 1, 2010 11:24 AM

 Good morning,

Welp, since we're back in the yard, I'll go ahead and get the necessary protections in place. The yardmaster has been advised we'll be on Track 26...for at least 2, maybe 3 weeks. Switches leading to the track have been lined away, spiked, and a red ribbon tied to the handle on the switch stand. Derails have also been placed to further prevent movement onto the track. Tracks 25 and 27 are also marked as out-of-service, with yellow ribbons tied to the handles on their switch stands. I'll also put-up blue flag protection on the Diner... we theoretically should meet all RR requirements now! Smile,Wink, & Grin

*sniff sniff* Do I smell....fish? Oh, hiya TODD!Big Smile Nothing like a series of fish-frys to occupy a guy's time 'eh? We did three/year at Springville Fire. I ended up on the serving line. Only the "cool kids" got to go play in "the fish house." Yup, the fish-frys were/are THE fundraiser for the Springville Fire Dept., so they built an addition to the back of the station for the storage, preparation, and frying of the fish. To keep the "fryers" happy, a supply of Black Velvet was kept on-hand... THAT's part of why only "the cool kids" got to play back there.

THAT reminds me, our (Clarence) Fire Dept. pancake breakfast is...next month!!! Well, guess I know what we'll be discussing at the monthly business meeting tonight...

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh shazbot. Another w**k week begins. Already, I've e-mailed last year's "North Liberty Community Guide" text to NLFD and NLPD for review/updating. I also lined-up a new business feature interview for tomorrow following a "jump rope for hearts" thing at a North Liberty elementary school. I'll probably also stop by another NL elementary to take pictures of some recycling thing they've got going on. There's a company who takes...trash...and makes bags, purses, wallets, etc. out of it. Picture a girls' back-pack made out of Fritos, Dorritos, and Cheetos bags. Yup. One kids' trash = one man's profit and another kid's backpack. 

Only in America, my friends...

With THAT, I'll yield the floor, grab a cup of coffee and enjoy a little break from w**k stuff...

ChrisEight Ball

 

 

 

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Posted by Cederstrand on Monday, March 1, 2010 12:06 PM

Coffee in a small  SANTA FE  mug, please & thanks.

Have a good day all.

Cowboy Rob

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Monday, March 1, 2010 12:06 PM

Another "regular" .... We don't want to exclude Cajun Chef Ryan for sure. I did not see him on the list. His recipes are the best!

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by JimRCGMO on Monday, March 1, 2010 12:31 PM

Good Morning Zoe - I'll have a CAW mug of coffee and a ham, egg & cheese sandwich for breakfast, please 'n' thanks!

Well, I see we're back in town, though I think our furry friends had uh,... left the previous location a bit before the move. Now some of their cousins might be checking over the old location by now for any food scraps and such that had fallen under the Diner's track. Dinner But it's good to be back where we can see a bit more railroad action here. Yeah!!

Sawyer, great photos of your layout. But I think those trucks on the Geep look a bit too shiny and clean - might want to grease 'em or weather them up. The shine almost blinds me at this hour of the morning. Wink

Chris - living in farm country there, I'd be surprised if you didn't see colors as those tractors! When I was married, my (ex-)wife had a friend who lived in farm country, and her kid was starting pre-school or kindergarden. They showed him the color green, and asked him "What color is this?" The kid answers right away: "John Deere!" Wink Of course, when I was an art major, I found out that there are about as many names for a color as there were paint manufacturers. Oops Hey, on your Borg saga, is there a Windows utility like my Mac one - it asks me anytime that some program (other than my browser of choice) tries to access an internet location (and I can tell it yes or no). If there's something like that, it could help you squelch the Borg's devious plans to reinstate Internet Exploder 6, 7, 8, etc.

And Congratulations(!) to all our Canadian neighbours on their team's big(ger) win! Sounds like a well-fought game (speaking figuratively I guess, but this was hockey, right?). Wink Thumbs Up

Sign - Welcome to the Diner, Puddlejumper/OzRay! I see some of the others have also welcomed you and explained about what this wacky place is (more or less...Whistling) Any layout plans or photos to show (or if you need assistance with how to post photos/images, just ask (most of us have been through that deal already). Yep, that's a few nickels for that loco, but it looks like should be an impressive one with sound. And do those sheep cars come 'smell-n-sound'? Whistling

Vincent, nice start on the airbrushing (yeah, it's one of those "learning experiences..."). Those hoppers look good, but you probably need a bit of rust next, eh? Sounded like Mr. Murphy was 'assisting' you on the airbrushing. Smile,Wink, & Grin

Rob, nice addition to your motive power there, and re-decaling it for Santa Fe shouldn't be too difficult...Whistling (Of course, have I done that many of those jobs myself? Noooooo...) Well, congrats on the addition (and if you wait until a few months later, you can have it out where she can see it, and you just say, "Oh, that one? I've had it a lonnnnnngggg while. Guess you missed it." Smile,Wink, & Grin

Robby, best wishes on the interview for the new job - I always forget what hours 2nd shift runs... On your box, that is a bit of a bite on the shipping for one silly inch difference. [ouch]

Todd, I'm not offended that you didn't get your March 1st card yet for me - I'm sure you'll get around to it real soooooon now...Evil (And I took a moment of silence in remembering Hairy's cousin/distant relative) What've you been doing on the layout, now that you have the last of the old one moved out?

PC - did your daughter go to Sebring with brother and your wife? And how come they get to have spring break without you? Wink

And as Todd asked, Barry - any news back on your tests yet? Hopefully, only good reports! Yep, some of us Whistling get a little wordy, but then again, didja see how long Ulrich's grand list of Diners is? If some of them were in more often, we'd be changing tracks every other week! Wow!!

Tim - I almost forgot, congratulations on SU's win! At least with your shoulder 'out', you didn't have to get roped into 'helping' load in the new furniture. Smile

Ray, careful about saying anything about bills being paid off - that'll about guarantee that something will be visited by Mr. Murphy, adding a new thing to the stack o'bills...Oops

Garry, you're right - have to make sure Chef Ryan's on our list, particularly since the Diner chef uses some of his fine recipes! [YUM!]

Stopped by the office this morning to drop off paperw**k from the weekend on-call, so the rest of the day is MINE! Big Smile Like some of our other Diners, have a bill or two to pay and a few errands (check my p.o. box for the new MR issue, get some new tennies, probably order some more pants for w**k/church and another shirt, see what Hobby Lobby - aka 'H-L", OzRay). Think I will (ahem...) tackle clearing off the w**kbench/DR table also, and also go by the MRR clubhouse to take some photos of our progress there for posting tonight or tomorrow in the Diner. We'll see how far down my list I get.

I'll settle in for brunch now (okay, it's really lunchtime, but it was brunch when I started, right?).

 

Blessings,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

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Posted by Cederstrand on Monday, March 1, 2010 12:49 PM

Tall glass of lemon water, please. 

***Jim, thanks for the tip. I learned a long time ago never to have all the trains out at one time where my wife can see them. Of course considering how she has taken to the hobby and how much more she has collected for her own HO layout, she does not have as much ground to stand on anymore.Laugh

So, are MRC (HO) DCC Decoders any good? Is the Bachmann starter DCC controller worth the cheap price or is there a base model of another brand that is "simple to use" we should save for? Although not committed to changing over the wife's HO layout yet, I'm thinking ahead here. Would like to find a decoder for her newest loco (ATLAS GE U23B) that could run on both DC & DCC, especially if there is one with sound available for a reasonable price? Suggestions?

Cowboy Rob

 

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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, March 1, 2010 1:00 PM

 Rob - I only had one encounter with a MRC decoder. It was in a factory equipped Athearn Genesis MP15AC w/sound. Frankly, that decoder was ... SoapBox. The Digitrax decoders worked nicely, so do the Soundtraxx Tsunami´s.

The Bachmann DCC commander set is a cheap start, but nothing else. Better to get a real one right from the beginning, i.e a Digitrax Zephyr or a NCE PowerCab. A little "dearer", but worth the extra buck.

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Posted by fec153 on Monday, March 1, 2010 1:09 PM

Rob- One word of caution. If you are DC ,You can, but it is a PITA, run a loco with sound. It takes more power to start up and if there is a dc engine on the pike , there will be an accident. [anyone into kit bashing engines that have already been bashed?] Also, any lack of current will stop the engine and it HAS to go thru all its sounds again. I took my sound equipped engine to my lhs to have ,either a on /off switch put in or take out the sound chip.

Flip

Oh joy, T O P. Ok, Janie , See what the folks will have.

 

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Posted by howmus on Monday, March 1, 2010 1:49 PM

JimRCGMO
Ray, careful about saying anything about bills being paid off - that'll about guarantee that something will be visited by Mr. Murphy, adding a new thing to the stack o'bills...Oops

 

Ah yes, Jim, there is THAT isn't there........  I just got back from doing some banking for the Martin Luther King Committee (meeting tonight) and while I was downtown, I stopped over to the Credit Union (I don't do my personal business with Banks....) to see about paying off the $.52 left on the loan.  The lady I usually see for such stuff was out of town being trained today, so I marched up the stairs to see somebody in the loan dept.  I told the girl there I'd like to pay off the 52¢ left on my car loan...  She giggled a bit, transferred 52¢ from my savings account and told me the release form for the title would be in my mailbox early next week.  Then I had them put most of what I was paying on the car towards the other loan starting next month. 

If something breaks, I can always put the cost on the revolving credit loan anyway. Right now I only pay 3.75% interest on THAT one.

Zoe I could use a RBF to tide me over 'til supper.  I'll go sit in the front booth and watch all the commotion outside.

Later!

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

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Posted by Robby P. on Monday, March 1, 2010 2:10 PM

 Good afternoon. 

 Went to the job interview, and that's were it stands.  Maybe I will get a call later this week.  Its for a distribution center for grocery stores.  The shifts are from 8am-4pm or 3pm-11pm or 6pm-2am.  Just depends on business.  Have to work Sundays, but have Saturdays off.   Sometimes its 6 days a week of work, but then just a few days.   Starting pay is $12.00 a hour.  Part of a "union" after 45 days.  

 Doesn't sound to bad.  

  Jim.....Isn't that crazy!!!  Once before a box was at $10.00, and I didn't have it taped.  I taped it up real good, and the weight made it jump to $20.  WHAT!!!!  I wasn't to happy. 

 "Rust, whats not to love?"      

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Posted by der5997 on Monday, March 1, 2010 2:39 PM

Good afternoon Diners: A green tea and a Lassie Mog please Zoe.

Jeff: 

On two of them I took out the factory installed NiCd batteries which are rated at 1.2 V, 600 mA and replaced them with Eveready NiMH batteries rated at 1.2 V, 230 mA. Just after sunset all eight lights came on as they should. Six ran down during the night and went out but the two with the NiMH batteries were still lit up at 6:45 this morning and didn't go off until sunrise
..Thanks for the tip. It explains something about the lights around (and on) our ornamental puddle (aka pond LOL)  I'll check those batteries when the weather gets warmer. The better performers are in El Cheepo WallyMart ones, and the other two are way worse.

Ulrich: The list should also have TiptonBill who drops in with morning photo and Hello from time to time, as well as RT the Lionel King, who again, comet-like swings round every now and then.

I see we've been moved on the basis of astronomy rather than page count - Oh well, it is what it is. Did anyone see that switcher  though? - the good old 3295 Arhs-Kiama all the way from OZ! Cool -(thanks for  the lead OZJim)

Garry:

What did we learn from our experience out in the boondocks? I wonder if Der John left all the spiffy biffies out there.
...THAT they belong there? LOL. OK, so I've found some more, here's  today's; it's for PC and other ax-men!

Jerry: Let's see that GP 20 when it's done! Thumbs Up

Rob:  I'd endorse what Ulrich just said, My MRC (N Scale sound decoder died, and not from abuse) after a not very long life. (I do however have a MRC stationary decoder managing the polarity of my two return loops, and it's a Trojan for work Thumbs Up) On systems, I go with Ulrich again, and get a real one right off. I have a NCE Power Cab I'm quite happy with. I must see if there is a download available to add more addresses, 'cos that's my one beef with it as it is. Only 6 addresses (including consists) allowed in memory.

Monday is Show and Tell: (walks into class room cool and slow, calls English teacher Daddy-O...no wait, wrong  song....avoids Miss Wormwood's evil eye...no wait wrong cartoon...) Here's the Bulk   sand  bin  complex with sand pump and light. I had to mount it on scrap foam as the light is a 1.5v mini-bulb with long leads, and I can't put the group onto the layout until I've drilled a hole for those leads. The ladder cage and top railings were a fiddle, but I think it's about done. I even managed a valve on the pipe that sucks sand from the covered hopper.

Time to get busy with the next stage of the sanding tower project, the "older" modern tower for the passenger yard; and the drying house, which I think will end up as the yard office for the freight yard.

TTFN

"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.

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Posted by fec153 on Monday, March 1, 2010 2:43 PM

Der- That ones for the choir boys when they are off-key.

Flip

 

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Monday, March 1, 2010 2:56 PM

 Today while I was buying the groceries I got $36 worth of Eveready NiMH rechargeable batteries for the solar Tiki torches. The two I put NiMH batteries in yesterday performed very well. They were still brightly lit at 6:45 this morning! All the others, which have NiCd batteries were dead before 2 am. When there's a good break in the rain I'll go out and change out the batteries in the others. If I have to go out for something at some ungodly hour of the early morning it will be nice to have some light out there so I'm not tripping over things.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
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Posted by puddlejumperoz on Monday, March 1, 2010 3:12 PM

Morning, evening and afternoon wherever you resideBig Smile Ah can I have a fruit compote and OJ please

 

Loved the pic of the 3295, but god's the only store here that has them wants megabucks for them, looks like I won't be raiding the piggybank for a while

Are there trains in Heaven?
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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Monday, March 1, 2010 3:31 PM

Now, I'm very sad. The cat just died. I'm watching the house while Shelley is out of town to help with our baby grandson. Our 17 year old cat, "Little Kitten" has been ailing in recent months. She looked really sick a couple of hours ago, and so I rushed her to the vet. She died on the way there. ... This was our last surviving pet.  ...I feel badly.

GARRY

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Posted by Trainman Sam on Monday, March 1, 2010 3:49 PM

Don't you know... I drove all the way out to MP 25 just to see a remnant of a switch list where the Diner used to be!!!

Joe- unfortunately I am no longer on the Bay Head Job, but another classmate IS!  He must've had a fun time running a three loco lash-up from Bay Head to the MMC! Did you see it coming or going? (reason is, going TO MMC is 232, coming FROM MMC is 233! Just for informational purposes, in case you were modeling it.)

I had a rather interesting day today... Ran MU's (Arrow III's) for the first trip, (Morrisville Yard to NY Penn) and had to go to End Door Bypass just to get traction power back, called the Amtrak Dispatcher and informed him of the situation (as required by rule).  Then on the return trip from South Amboy (my third train of the day) I had to take down a revision to the Amtrak TSRB for a bridge strike (some truck driver forgot the height of his truck and it didn't fit under the corridor! Oops!) had to do 5 MPH over the affected bridge then restricted speed (20 MPH) for the rest of the mile long section listed... After that the train was more than 5 minutes late so I had to get out of the seat... Grrr...  But still an interesting and learned day!

I'll be back later, gonna watch a movie with the wife/CFO!

OH...

Vincent- Check your PM's please...

Sam

 May He bless you, guide you, and keep you safe on your journey through life!

 I Model the New Hope & Ivyland RR (Bucks County, PA)

  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Cape Girardeau, MO
  • 3,073 posts
Posted by JimRCGMO on Monday, March 1, 2010 4:04 PM

Zoe, I'll have a bowl of potato soup, some sliced apples and a dollop of creamy peanut butter please, with a RBF to wash it all down. Thanks!

Rob, I'm not sure about a DC/DCC decoder - and that means I don't know of one, but somebody else may be able to fill you in about whether there is such a varmit... I was fortunate to be able to get a (slightly used) Digitrax DB150 (smart?) booster and a power supply for less than the middle set that Digitrax has with the throttle, booster, and power supply, but their Zephyr would be a good start, I think, and unless you have operating sessions with some MRR'ing friends by, it might cover most of your needs. I also picked the Digitrax because about everybody in our MRR club uses it (as does the club), so there's the knowledge base of everybody who's already made most/all of the mistakes I might make. If you know of a club not far from you, or if you have a helpful LHS owner/manager, they'd be a resource to draw on for any questions, also. There might be some helpful topics out in the main forums on picking DCC systems, too (if you want to venture out there in the wilds..). And I noticed that this month's MR has information on wiring for DCC (the Salt Lake Route series), which might be useful for you.

Ray - yeah, if you're getting 3.75 percent on your revolving credit loan, that should cover most smaller boo-boo's in the budget, I guess. (Boy, I'd LOVE to see that kind of interest rate!) Bet you made that credit union gal's day, making that whopping big payoff while her boss was gone. Smile,Wink, & Grin

Did get my MR April issue at the post office today. Looks like a few useful articles (even if none of the weathering articles are by Robby or Jeff...), and even the home office layout looks interesting (though I'd want bigger curves than the 15 inch ones they have in it).

I also got a new pair of tennies (almost identical to the older ones, about all white, with minimal 'brand' labeling that screams the company's name at you). Had to check three places to find them in stock. Also had trouble getting lunch - I'd left Panera and stopped by a Mexican place (everybody must've been out back unloading a truck or on break?), a Quizno's (twice - first time there were no parking spots in the lot, second time the help had their back to the counters and were too busy slicing more cheese to turn around, so I gave up & left). Banged Head So, after all that, I went back to Panera's (about 2 p.m.), where they greeted me when I came in the door and there were two people to take my order. Hmm, wonder why they are so popular... (Whew, that soapbox almost came out of its corner on that one!) Oh yeah, and I got the rent paid, so that's taken care of for the month!

Ooh, DerJohn - a psychadelic guitar outhouse (where are those black lights for the evenings?)! Thumbs Up Don't know where you find all those 'loos', but they are... unique, all right! And on the sanding facility - You Da Man! (On scratchbuilding/kitbashing, in N or HO scale, I'd say!) EXCELLENT! BowBow

Hey, Jeff, have you tried those NiMH batteries in digital cameras (and if so, how do they last for that)? If they hold up like those you put in the Tiki lights, that'd be a great way for me to go (or others, too)!

Garry, sorry to hear about losing your remaining pet. Seventeen years is a good run for a cat, I'd say. Had your wife and you been talking about the possibility of another pet before Little Kitten got sickly?

Sam, sounds like another day of running (1:1) trains, eh? Guess that truck driver hadn't bothered to know how tall his/her truck is (or was, perhaps...). What movie will you and the Missus be viewing?

I'll finish up my late lunch and then get on the way over to Jackson for the MRR club meeting (and take photos of the layout to post tomorrow morning).

Prayers for those healing up, or needing a word on jobs, or comfort, as well as for those in need of a good night's rest.

 

Blessings,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Monday, March 1, 2010 4:33 PM

JimRCGMO
Hey, Jeff, have you tried those NiMH batteries in digital cameras (and if so, how do they last for that)? If they hold up like those you put in the Tiki lights, that'd be a great way for me to go (or others, too)!

I've been using the NiMH batteries in my cameras for a long time now. They easily outlast the NiCd rechargeable batteries by at least several times. I wouldn't use NiCd batteries in any of my cameras except as a last resort. They just run down too fast.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    November 2007
  • From: Manassas, VA
  • 344 posts
Posted by Trainman Sam on Monday, March 1, 2010 5:54 PM

Sign - Welcome to the new people!  The folks in here will help you without the usual jabs and put-me-downs that you might expect across the street there in the "other" sections of town...  I know they made me feel just like one of them when I first came in here!  None could ask for a better bunch of friends! 

JimRCGMO
Sam, sounds like another day of running (1:1) trains, eh? Guess that truck driver hadn't bothered to know how tall his/her truck is (or was, perhaps...). What movie will you and the Missus be viewing?

It happens more than you might think... around the same area too, makes you wonder, how can they do THAT!?  Anyways, we didn't watch a movie after all, just a couple episodes of the original 90210 (one of her favorite shows, and she has the disc from a send-it-through-the-mail DVD rental business...  So I am back at the puter and in the "Diner"...

I looked up Bucks County Historical Society's website yesterday.  A bunch of useless pages, I searched New Hope & Ivyland.  All that came up on the screen was supposed "photos", but every time I told it to "add to list" and pressed the associated button, it would give me an error message, and kick me back to the original search page...  Grrrr...  So I did a Giggle search, and found that most of the search entries were repeats... doh!  I found a few, about three dozen pages in, that were different, but wound up getting me to websites that I was already aware of.  Oh well, the search continues for NH&I material online.  I plan on getting myself over to New Hope on one of my relief days this week, if the weather cooperates, to get some shots of the station, depot, enginehouse (shop), etc. for my model building records.  I want to have as much info as I possibly can on the structures, so that I have reference material on hand as I am attempting to duplicate them here at home!

 I am hoping that everyone else had a nice day (if not an awesome one)!  Hopefully the weather cooperates for the rest of the week...  We got into the 40's today, and supposed to do the same tomorrow!  YEAH

Well, I'll be at the RC (Rivet Counter for those who are new to the Diner) for a while, reading my April copy of MRR...   Plus, I'm going to try to get to trimming, filing, and sanding more of the "Diner" parts tonight, if not then tomorrow... We shall see!

Sam

 May He bless you, guide you, and keep you safe on your journey through life!

 I Model the New Hope & Ivyland RR (Bucks County, PA)

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • From: Manassas, VA
  • 344 posts
Posted by Trainman Sam on Monday, March 1, 2010 6:00 PM

Heartland Division CB&Q
Now, I'm very sad. The cat just died. I'm watching the house while Shelley is out of town to help with our baby grandson. Our 17 year old cat, "Little Kitten" has been ailing in recent months. She looked really sick a couple of hours ago, and so I rushed her to the vet. She died on the way there. ... This was our last surviving pet.  ...I feel badly.

I'm sorry for your loss, but am sure that "Little Kitten" is in a better, painless place now.  Please accept my condolences in your time of sorrow.  Think not on the passing of your friend, family member, and furry companion, but on all the memories of the good times you had with her!

Sam

 May He bless you, guide you, and keep you safe on your journey through life!

 I Model the New Hope & Ivyland RR (Bucks County, PA)

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Marion, Iowa
  • 1,263 posts
Posted by AmanaMedic on Monday, March 1, 2010 6:18 PM

 GARRY: Very sorry to hear about your loss...

 

Good Evening, just a quick cup 'o coffee as I gotta head over to the fire station in a little bit for: monthly truck checks, supper, department business meeting, volunteer's association meeting. Yip. Yip. Yip. Yahooooo.

 

Trainman Sam
I want to have as much info as I possibly can on the structures, so that I have reference material on hand as I am attempting to duplicate them here at home!

Amen! A thousand times, AMEN! One thing I quickly discovered while building this roundhouse...is just exactly how few photos I have of it. It's long-gone now...Disapprove I've found some pics with it in them, from the 60s/70s while the Rock Island still had it. Different era/different appearance. Fortunately, I'm going for a "representational representation" of the durn thing... Close enough to be "correct (or, "look right")," with enough compromises to retain my sanity. Whistling There's about a dozen buildings I shoulda shot, when I had the chance. Heck, there's: trucks, signs, signals, track details, structures, details of daily life; all things I shoulda shot the heck out of back in '87-'93. BUT, I was modeling "today," so I didn't need to unless I was building a specific thing..."see it today, build it tonight." Banged Head

But oh joy...THAT just means THAT much more research!!

*grumble grumble grumble*

Welp, time to go play volunteer fireman for a few hours. I wonder what Mrs. Chief cooked up for us this month...

ChrisEight Ball

The Cedar cRapids Industrial Branch: Proudly Shipping Yesterday's CrunchBerries Tomorrow!

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: In the State of insanity!
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Posted by pcarrell on Monday, March 1, 2010 6:29 PM

Nope Jim, the daughter moved out a month ago to take on the world, so she's got her hands full with that.  As for me, I've gotta keep the phones ringing.  No rest for me!

Garry, I'm sorry to hear about your little one.

Philip

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