Elliot's Trackside Diner 26

[pcarrell]

And the more things change, the more they stay the same......

I walk into the diner, and I'm buying!

 

Eat up folks!

Desert is on me!

(Sam, back away from the pie!)

[Anonymous]

 Good Morning,

well, the day could be worse! It is still sunny, with a temperature zeroing in on 70 F! My spirits received a boost, when the mail man brought my long awaited  loco. Unpacking was done in no time at all - no, I am not curious

Here is my first impression:

The loco arrived safely, without any broken or damaged part. The color of the body matches perfectly the slight "muddy" look of the prototype and need only a very light weathering to be perfect. The chassis and the trucks are molded in a glossy black, and therefore need a little heavier weathering to be fine. Detail of the loco is excellent, with many separately applied parts, like grab irons, windshield wipers, prototype couplers and hoses. There 60 (!) more detail parts I have to add, but of course none of the borings are  fit to size

I also have yet to figure out how to install the snow plows - may need to get advice in a British forum on how to do that.

Here are the first pics:

 

Ain´t she a beauty? 

Jim and PC - good to have you back! Now I still miss Tom, but I saw him moseying around in other threads

You all have a good day!...

[LSWrr]

Good morning all,

Ulrich, nice locomotive you have there is that N scale?

It snowed last night, just enough to cover the grass, but this morning everything was covered in ICE!  In 7 days it will be back in the 60’s for us.

Last night I soldered power to 7 of 19 tracks around the turntable.  Once I get some of the tools and clutter secured I’ll take a few pictures.

Anybody hear from RT or Fergi?

[TMarsh]

Good morning all. Coffee and more coffee please and the Super Duper Hungry Man Loggers Breakfast Special thank you. Yes ma'am both pancakes and waffles. Preparing for a long day. LAST Fish fry.

Ulrich- Excellent! Looks great and I bet if I was awake when you got your loco, I could have seen you smile from here. One step at a time. A piece here and there it'll all work out. The only reason I have been able to make the progress I have is by being able to reuse the wood. With the exception of a $50 dollar gift card from Lowe's ( a home improvement store) which was not all spent on the layout materials mind you, I have only had to spend money on one sheet of 2" foam. 20 bucks plus tax. Actually so far the material cost including gift card has only been, da,da,da,da about 50 or $51

Of course I now have a point to point sort of set up with no ends or industries save a grain elevator with not enough lead to make the switch. But hey, it's coming along and if I choose, I do have enough completed to do scenery and mix things up a bit. I may have enough plywood to make the down grade and the next phase of bench work and the plywood for it also. Then, well, luckily the materials I'm using aren't real expensive, but I won't be just running out and buying everything either. I've got plenty to do to keep myself happy now.

By the way, which ends the front??

Have a Great Day!!!

[GMTRacing]

Good morning All,

    Just grabbing a regular to go and scooting off. We escaped tthe snow and ice and just got rain. This is a bad time for snow and ice as we're transporting cars all over everywhere none of which have antifreeze in them (not allowed as it makes a huge slippery mess if it escapes onto the track).

Ulrich - nice loco indeed. The level of moulded detail looks superb - should provide lots of enjoyment fitting the details and weathering.

Nice of PC to pick up the tab - good to hear all is well in his world also.   Catch y'all later, J.R.

[Robby P.]

 Good morning.  Its cold, but no snow.  The high will be about 42 degrees today!!!

 Gotta go in to w*r* this morning, well in a hour.  I guess I can work on the layout tomorrow.  

 Ulrich.......Good looking engine.

 Jim.....The lines are painted on.   I guess the look that way due to...........I can't paint a half decent line .

 Since PC is buying, I will go easy.   Just  give me the pancake special.  

[howmus]

Mornin' everyone!

I'm up and in here early this morning Zoe.  I get to watch my Granddaughters this morning here at the house while my son is taking their dog Petey to the Vet.  I see PC left his wallet to pay for our breakfast....  I'll go easy on him, just a short stack of buckwheat pancakes with some fresh NYS Maple Syrup please and my usual mug of Dark Roast Coffee in a R&GV Mug.  I'll be here at the Rivet Counter this morning.

Todd yes there is a monstrous gaping hole reaching all the way to the floor at the moment.  On the other hand train movements over the summit have ceased for the moment......  I will need to buy sheet of plywood to fit the area, get it cut to fit and install it before operating trains up there again.  The nice thing is I can easily glue foam underneath as needed to create a sunken area of the quarry.  Most of the w*rk can be done in the workshop and then the panel installed on the layout.

Ulrich, beautiful loco you have there.  Keep us posted on the progress with the details.

Ccccccoooooolllldd  here this morning.  Currently 24°F and windy with gusts up to 22 MPH but....  the sun is out here in the Finger Lakes today.  High will be 31°F this afternoon.  I will be using up most of the remaining wood from the woodpile and light the stove today.  I will wait until after the granddaughters leave though.  Don't want either of them to get burned.

I see the company THAT is replacing all the water meters in Geneva (New ones will allow the readers to get the reading just driving by the house) are driving around my area this morning, so I may be dealing with installers later on.  Need to get some laundry done today........ hmmmm.  Supposedly the entire installation takes about one half hour.

Gotta get moving!  Catch you all later.

73

 

[Anonymous]

 I have been adding some of the detail parts to my new loco - and also already ordered replacement parts They just flip out of the tweezers and are gone forever... Or break

Well, my beauty is starting to look better.

Still I need to figure out how to attach the snow plows...

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 Good looking loco Ulrich. I'm all too familiar with those 'flip out of the tweezers' tiny parts. Usually the ones you finally find 6 months after you ordered replacements.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 Good morning. It's 50 and cloudy. The high should be in the high 60's and sunny.

Nothing going on today - that I know of. I've run out of kits to build. All the unassembled ones I had laying around will be going to new homes next week. I put my last two kits (Athearn blue box) together yesterday. A 50' ATSF boxcar and a 40' SP flatcar with metal stakes. Putting the stakes on was a bit of fun. It required the use of a pair of pliers and a steady hand, which I don't have. Regardless I got the stakes all mounted and only broke one mounting hole in the process. The cars still require couplers and will have to wait until I can order more. With the outgoing postal fees the model railroading budget will be smaller than it's usual microscopic self. There are two new additions on the way. Two Bachmann Heritage Fund covered hoppers. They were ordered on credit so aren't covered by the MR budget proper. However I still have to keep that amount down as well.

[blownout cylinder]

Hello---

Ulrich: Like that locomotive! Now as to detail parts-----I have a few pieces that took off on me that are somewhere in the house, just don't ask where---

Still finding all kinds of weird things about the plant---but I'ma gonna be doing little stips of things about that until Monday as I have the weekend seminar thing a'happening----

Flo. I'll just have a coffee and a small fruit salad please. I'll be at the RC for now---

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

 Hello

I am in Michigan. I drove all 585 miles Wednesday by myself. The truck continues to run very well. Of course, I do not drive at 120 mph like Ulrich on the German Autobahns. 

I made plans to meet Duke. It is simple. When I get to the restaurant, I will awaken the guy sleeping in the corner booth.

You guys need to find Cal Tom. 

Cheers

[Packer]

Hey ya'll

Made some more progress on the car in the past few. The only thing that hasn't been done as far as the transmission is concerned is connect the driveshaft, and the power brake leak has been resolved, still have to find the power steering leak. I did get in some weathering on a tank car and I think it looks pretty good. Will get pics later.

Jeff, did you get your end of the deal?

Ulrich, Nice looking model there

I'll be doing some more catching up.

[Anonymous]

 Hi again,

Zoe, I need something a little stronger this late afternoon - ah, there´s my life saver!

I did manage to install nearly all detail parts. I broke three of them and sent an e-mail to the manufacturer for replacement - parts missing in action ... 

To be honest, that was no fun. My fingers are just too big and even with tweezers, it was quite difficult a job to manage. I could not install the snow plows, which add a lot to the looks of the beast. I just could not slip those dang things over the factory installed coupler pocket. If I do, the trucks won´t swivel freely...

The  thing is, you don´t see those parts unless your nose is an inch from the loco!

 Well, I call it a day - I have just ordered a set of Kadees and once they are installed, I will take up the snow plow issue again. I might have to cut them down a little...

[howmus]

Afternoon!

Chloe, a bowl of New England Clam Chowder and a Dr. pepper for me.  I'll be in the back booth by the stove.

Got to babysit my Granddaughters for about an hour this morning.  Livy made a beeline for Thomas when I told her we couldn't go down cellar yet because Emily was with her and I can't run trains and hold Emily.....  We got Thomas out, Olivia put the set together with only a very little help from Grandpa.  She is learning a lot of spacial concepts at her age (she will be 3 in June).  She got the train all the way around the track about twice when Emily decided she liked Thomas as well.  She wsn't really much help... which frustrated Olivia.  

After i got the first photo she decided to see if she could just drag Emily off the tracks.... 

THAT didn't work so we had snack time.  Some crackers and a glass of milk while Grandpa finished his morning coffee.  We had a nice chat about how I am her daddy's daddy, so I went and got a picture of her Grandma Howard.  We both agreed she was a very pretty lady!  About THAT time we hear Emily Screaming from the living room!  I jump up and go in to see Blackie (the cat) running out of the living room.  Evidently he had come over to meet Emily and had scared the living ***** out of her.  So Grandpa picked up Blackie and took him back in the Living room and properly introduced him to Emily.  She finally reached out a petted him and then grinned from ear to ear as she does! 

When Art arrived back from taking the dog to the vet, he stayed for about 45 minutes so the girls could play.  When it was time to leave, Olivia was not happy!  She never did get to see Grampa's trains!!!  Tried to run and hide so she wouldn't have to leave...........  Granddaughters are GREAT!

73

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 Received a box in the mail today. In it are two elevated fuel tanks (Life-Like), a roadside diner (Atlas), Maywood station (Atlas), a fire station (Life-Like), a market building (looks like Bachmann), two 50' double door boxcars (1 SP, 1 PRR), one 50' boxcar (road unknown).

Thanks Packer.

[Packers#1]

 Back from page 54, thanks Barry and chris. yeah, I'm surviving. last game of the season is tonight, we ain't going to the playoffs, so we're gonna give it our all and see if we can't steal a win to close out the year.

Ulrich, beautiful loco man!

[Cox 47]

Afternoon all...Its sunny but a chilly 43 with a north wind...I'll have a bowl of chili with cheese and a diet Coke please...Thank You...Had an old model railroad buddy stop by this week..He is an HO'er and models the CM but brings it to modern times..Sure was good to visit with him..Ran a couple of coal drags for him..working on a DPM building and finnishing up a laser wood kit..You all have a good one...Jerry

[AmanaMedic]

 *grumble mumble grumble*

Afternoon... cup of coffee please...and thank-you.

What was to be a nice, relaxing afternoon has turned into a craptastic crap sandwich. The Wife started her vacation today...no, THAT's not why things are craptastic... I got home from "facetime" to find her taking a shower. She came out, said she'd try again later, when there's hot water again. I said "there should be, I took my shower around 7:30 (and it was now around Noon)". She said it was cold water. I got nervous. Tried the kitchen sink...cold as ice. 

"This is not good" says I as I descend to the basement. I cut the power to the water heater, open up the top access panel. Big red button, not much else. I open the bottom access panel, smell a slight smoke odor... "This is sooooooooooooooooo not good" says I. I pull out the insulation to find it singed. "Oh, this is really not good" I say. Not sure what the part is...but it's fried. Local plumbing/heating company says they might get to us this afternoon, probably tomorrow morning.

*grumble grumble grumble*

Then, they ask which of two water heaters do I want thrown on the truck...in case it has to be replaced, it's just easier to have one with 'em. The cheaper one is only 90% efficient, no tax break on the install fee, no rebate from electric company. The "better one" is more 'spensive, only 5% more efficient, but has a tax break on the install and $50 back from the power company. We don't have the bucks for either. BUT, the small town company takes payments. Don't matter how much, just "something" each month, at NO INTEREST. They don't even require payment on a set day...just "something during the month." 

I am hoping it's just a bad part...but if we have to bite the bullet...at least it won't sink us. The funny part? It's got a 6-year warrenty. It was built 3/03, so we are one year past the date... 'taint THAT a hoot 'n a hollar? At least it didn't light up and take the basement steps, the steps into the house, and a corner of the house with it.

So.............

ULRICH: THAT's a neat little locomotive you've got there! I hear ya on the tweezers launching small parts into outer space...or some other inaccessible dimension! Little parts like THAT lead to various words being uttered...and Rerun leaving the room!

 

I'm in for a busy weekend: we're repainting the interior of the fire station tomorrow...so will be up early moving crap out, taping/covering stuff, then later putting it all back. Yay. Sunday morning, the Solon American Legion Riders is having a fund-raising breakfast...I'm covering it for THAT.  She's looking for shots of bikes, bikers...good time had by all. There is a moderate risk of running into an old girlfriend/ex-fiancee' since she's with the Washington Legion Riders. IF she's there, her hubby (my replacement) would be too. Joy to the world...

Oh...it's a craptastic day in the neighborhood, a craptastic day for a neighbor, would you kiss mine? Could you kiss mine??? 

*sigh*

Chris

 ***EDIT*** OK, somebody just had a more craptastic afternoon than me... Tipton Fire and Ambulance are rolling for a "man stuck under a car" in the Walmart parking lot... not sure if he was hit, just w**king on it and got stuck, or maybe had it jacked up and it dropped...doesn't sound good either way. The dispatcher sounds rather freaked-out...and she's already having a craptastic afternoon after botching a grass and tree fire page-out...

[Cederstrand]

Coffee in a  SOGGY SOUTHERN  mug, please. 

***Ulrich, congrats on the neat loco!

***Ray, looks like a little Track Inspector must have found something and decided to put a halt on aother little Engineers forward progress.

Hope everyone is doing well.

  Rob

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 Received an email today saying that my Bachmann order for two 'Heritage Fund' cylindrical hoppers has been shipped from Extreme Hobbies in Kalamazoo Michigan with an expected transit times of 1-2 days.

[JimRCGMO]

Evening, Chloe, I'll have the grilled Atlantic salmon with asparagus, Caesar salad, and a glass of Finger Lakes wine, please. Long day - just got done about half-hour ago. Well, not that tired, but y'know.

Robby P.

.....The lines are painted on.   I guess the look that way due to...........I can't paint a half decent line 

Robby, you haven't seen some of the stripes on a few roads around here, I take it. I'll see if they've painted over one that comes to mind, and snap a pic if possible tomorrow. You need not feel too bad about your roads' stripes, really!

PC, great to see you back in the Diner, even if I missed you getting TOP honors... Good to hear the family is doing well, too.

Ulrich, very nice loco there! now, on those details and grab irons, I hear that the locos (or cars) run just fine, even without your adding those just yet (don't ask how I know...] Looks sharp, yes! Besides, Christian has good eyes, and I'm sure he would loooove to put those on for his father, right?

Jeff, nice ATSF boxcar there - is that a Tyco? (Looks better than I recall some of the old Tyco freight cars I'd had in the past.) I forgot to mention yesterday, but liked your weathering job on the other boxcar, too.

Well, guess we'll have to get the dawgs out and see if they can find Calif.Tom, RT, Fergie, and all the other Diners (except for Duke, as Garry pointed out...).

Battery's about gone on the laptop (left the AC adapter at w**k today... Might be Monday before I post (when I can get back into the office and get the adapter...).

 

Blessings and a good weekend for all of you,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

[jeffrey-wimberly]

JimRCGMO

Jeff, nice ATSF boxcar there - is that a Tyco? (Looks better than I recall some of the old Tyco freight cars I'd had in the past.) I forgot to mention yesterday, but liked your weathering job on the other boxcar, too.

It's an athearn boxcar. The weathered car is from Bachmann.

[galaxy]

Hi everybody!

Been away and computerless for awhile.

WIll have to catch up on whats going on.

 

Jeffrey W,  . check the PM we have going for news.

See y'all later, have a great evening!

Galaxy.

[howmus]

Evenin' folks!

Flo just a decafe for me.  I'll be in the back booth trying to stay warm.

Currently 23*F here in the Finger Lakes under clear skies.  The low tonight is supposed to be around 15°F.  "We're havin' a heat wave..... Tropical heat wave!"

I spent much of the day cleaning off the area left at the summit.  Removed two #4 turnouts THAT were in there.  With the single mainline, I could use the #4s as Mainline traffic never went through the curved side of the turnout.  Only common loco THAT was supposed to work up there was a shay anyway.  Now with the double track (passing track) going in I want (need) nothing smaller than a #6 coming off the mainline.  I just happened to have one Atlas #6 in stock, I removed the old ones and put in the #6.  Meant I had to remove some mainline trackage to fit it in.  The result is a very, very slight kink at the frog end of the turnout, and a possible s curve where the inside track goes back over to the outside track through the turnout.  Checked it out after installing it with one of my 2-6-6-2s pulling an 19 car coal drag.  No problem whatsoever!  Very smooth and no seen difficulty.  I think it will be OK.  All the other new turnouts will be Fast Tracks.  First of the month, I will be buying the jigs......

Galaxy!  Good to see you sir!

Hope you all have a great evening!

73

[blownout cylinder]

Evening

Just got back from the university----aaarrggh! A last minute paper to do!!

Chris---You just reminded me about checking my water heater---it has been doing funny things too

Got some stuff to put away -----

Chloe, I'll just have a coffee and a muffin please---I'm going by the fireplace to warm up too

[blownout cylinder]

*****zzzzzz---zzzzz---zzzzzsssnork-snurfle---huh? oh?----where'd everyone go?*****

And a good Morning to an empty diner!!

I woke up to find myself and Duke still in here with no one else but Flo---!

OK--off to get some stuff done for the weekend seminars so you all have a good one----

*****he gets up and gets a coffee to go from Flo, who is wondering where everyone went*****

[Anonymous]

 Good Morning,

Barry - haven´t you seen me, hiding in the corner booth? Must have fallen asleep again!

I have come as far as I could for the moment in detailing the loco. I have to wait for my Kadees to come and then see, what I can do about those snow ploughs, err, plows. With that British loco, I keep on going back into British English...

I will be able to start on my benchwork next week. I guess, it will take about 2 or 3 days to get it put up. It´ll be a start into better times for my poor little soul...

Zoe, I´ll have, whatever Barry is having!

CUL

[LSWrr]

Good morning all,

Not much going on around here, after yesterdays snow storm and countless wrecks it will be 51 degrees out today and sunny.  I did get all but 4 spurs around the turntable soldered then ran out of red wire.  My truck is in the shop to the tune of 2 new Mallets or the cost of 4 Berkshires.  That’s ok I guess since it gets me back and forth to work.  Next month looks like a new apron for the driveway.

[wetidlerjr]

Good Morning ! from Tipton IN.