Elliot´s Trackside Diner February 2011

[dkawala]

Hi Guys,

Please see the message below from the director of the O.Winston Link Museum, regarding posting O.Winston Link photographs. Thank you for your cooperation.

Dana Kawala

Senior editor

Model Railroader

 

Hey Railfans,
 
Thanks so much for the support and interest in Winston Link’s N&W photography and his efforts to document the final days of steam power along the Norfolk and Western Railway. We know you guys are as passionate about this work as we are. If you don’t mind, please be sure to check in with us when you want to use an image in a post. It may seem like harmless promotion or just including a great shot, but Link’s work is actually protected by intellectual property rights and we do have some guidelines we have to follow. We love that you want to use these images but please, send me an email, give me a call and ask if it’s okay. We’d discuss and get right back to you.
 
Thanks!
 

Kimberly Parker
Director
O. Winston Link Museum
[e-mail]-
540-982-5465

[LSWrr]

Ken, sounds like you have some educated advice there to follow. Jeff, those units look great!

[TMarsh]

Ken- I am no lawyer and I really don't have any factual advice to give you. What I DO know is, Brenda called one of those credit card debt reduction companies that were supposed to help you settle with the CC company. They told her to cancel the card then stop making payments and the bank would stop the card and then they will call after a couple months of missed payments and settle the account for pennies on the dollar. WROOOOONG! They had no intention to do any of that and in fact, much the opposite. They raised, no JACKED her interest rate sky high after the first missed payment, then 2 months later they subpeoned (sp?) her for court claiming the entire amount, interest, late fees, court costs and attornies fees and I think even Grooming costs for the CEO's wifes dog.. She did contact them and did settle out of court, but be wary of any company that tells you just quit paying and all will be well.

Again, I don't know about your case or what the B of A whol;es will do, or what the law says. I only know about what happened to Brenda when given the "stop paying them" speel. By the way, the agencyy then wanted her money to do nothing. Even though she fired them and settled herself. They claimed she would not have been able to settle herself if they hadn't told her to srop paying. She said while she was in court for that, she might as well just file against them. They refunded her money. 

Call the Illinois State Bar Assoc, or the Attorney Generals Office for a number. There are credible firms out there that will answer your questions and/or give you the number of an attorney you can AFFORD or may even be available to work for nothing depending on you finances. Keep in mind, the banks have been given money and such to help with these very situations and the Government is NOT happy with the way they have been handling them. You do have backing out there, a powerful one. Unfortunately each and every case is different and there, of course, is no guarantee they can help. BUT it's worth a call.

P.S. I SURE hope no one is dealing with Chase bank. Man can I tell you stories. Court AGAIN is Thursday on THAT one. They have the final entire paid balance amount on her credit card, (another) IN FULL and have for 3 months but refuse to accept and keep taking her to court for unpaid balance. Continuances to see why and no answers even to their attorneys. Should be hit in the face with a brick. APPARENTLY, Brenda isn't the only one as there have been several folks in there for the same thing. Last time the Judge said he's getting tired of hearing this and he hopes the Attorney has a few answers this time.

[ns3010]

Evening all.

Relatively boring day today. Not too much homework today, so I'm free until I have to leave for the game.

We have our playoff game tonight. To be honest, I'm not all that optimistic, but hopefully I'm wrong!

Chris, here are some definitions of "Snooki" and "Lady Gaga" from the Dictionary of Joe:

Snooki:
Noun- A short, orange guidette on MTV's "Jersey Shore," who is not actually from NJ. In fact, she is not even Italian. Standing at a full 4'9", she is actually only 3'3". Her "poof" adds a full eighteen inches to her height. She can often be found acting trashy along the Seaside Boardwalk.
Synonyms- Oompa Loompa

Lady Gaga:
Noun-A rather odd pop singer who wears meat and hatches from oversized eggs.

Robby, sorry to hear about the job.

Ulrich, glad to hear about the job!

Ken, hopefully everything will work out fine for you. Unfortunately, I have no knowledge on the subject, so I can't help you. Sorry...

I'll be at the RC if anyone wants to talk for a while.

 

[Packer]

Hey guys. Haven't dropped by in a while, so I'm probably not gonna hit everything right now especially since I'm working on a paper at the moment

Had a blast at the Atlanta show. Didn't find what I was originally looking for, but that doesn't mean I didn't bring in a decent haul.

On the way back I ate at a Cracker Barrel. One of the waitress said that Bart Starr was sitting where I was a few days ago. At least I was in the same seat.

Joe, That dictionary is pretty funny IMO.

Well I gotta

[Cederstrand]

Coffee in a SUNNY SOUTHERN mug, please.

***Packers, if you had driven just a tad over an hour north of Atlanta, you could have visited us here on the ol' farm. Cracker Barrel is one of our stops when we check on the wife's folks in town. Nothing fancy, just good basic food. Wonder if the one you ate at had all the usual antiques plastered to the walls and hanging from the ceiling?

Already been a long day here. Have a good one y'all.

Rob

[jeffrey-wimberly]

OK folks, here's what's going on in the world of Running Bear. The Charcot condition in my foot and ankle has flared up again. Just moving from the bedroom to the kitchen/computer/layout room is painful and it can last from four or five days to several weeks. You can pray for me if you want to but I would rather that you pray for my mother. My father and niece had to take her to the hospital the other night where she still is at this time. She has liver trouble and they think she may have had a heart attack. They don't know yet. The ammonia level in her blood is high and they're trying to get that down. She's on a heart monitor twenty-four hours a day and every time it even lets off a blip that doesn't belong there they're right there. I'm worried about her and so are many of my friends. Most of them are Apache, Comanche and Cherokee who are set in the old ways, so you can imagine what's going on there. She's Cherokee herself. My father is absolutely beside himself. He tries to hide it but I've known the man nearly all my life. There were times he couldn't be there because of the military. It's hard to hide things when someone has known you that long, and I'm reading him like an open book. He's a nervous wreck. I'm not much better. I may not be on for a day or a even a few days. I'll be on a vision quest to seek answers and put my mind at ease.

[Anonymous]

Jeff - Petra´s and my   are with your family !

[howmus]

Jeffrey, you and your family are in my prayers!  May your vision quest give you the answers you seek and give you and your spirit strength.  I will set out my dream catcher (Cherokee) in your honor tonight in hopes that wisdom and hope will be yours.  Good visions my friend!

73

[DrgnTrappr]

Jeff; I will have your Mother and Father in my prayers. Aho.  Here is a song for your Mom.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuyQOeZNuOU&feature=related

The video is not real good but it is the song that matters.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Thank you DrgnTrappr. That's a healing song of the Lacota. I'm of Cherokee descent but it's appreciated just the same.

[fireman216]

I blow on my daughters dream catchers every night when I put her to bed so as to get the bad dreams out to make room for the new good dreams. I have always been fascinated by anything that is Indian or tribal in form as I feel that they were on to something far more greater in the spiritual sense. I hope and pray everything turns out for the best JEFF and will make sure my daughters religion class at church puts you on their "to pray for" list this week. I myself along with my family went through a ton of medical issues that last year and nothing beats the power and prayer of friends and family. I work at a Catholic hospital and I have seen firsthand the therapy that family and friends can do for the healing process.

Nothing much going on today...no layout w*rk done. A busier than usual day at wo&k made for a perfect night on the couch with the girls watching tv eating chinese takeout. I am kind of bummed that my favorite chinese food place is closing March 1st. The corner property they are on has been sold and they are forced to vacate. They are not sure if they will be able to find a place in the same area or afford the move. It stinks because this is the only place on the planet that I will eat chinese food at. Being in the local Fire Dept I have had the pleasure of seeing many kitchens in the local restaurants. I can tell you I eat in only a select few. I will not go into the details of what I have seen but all I can say is that I am surprised more people don't just keel over and die here. But...the chinese place I frequent is a mom and pop run place and you can lick the back floors if you want. I have never seen a place so anal in my life and has never had any issues with the health dept. Very very clean and fresh every time. All to go away for another gas station. Just what we need...another gas station....don't forget the one across the street and the 2 down the road. Rant over. I hope to get some more scenery work done tomorrow...Have a good night!!...Tim

[DrgnTrappr]

Jeff; Yah I knew it was Lakota but there is not a good selection of "Stomp" music on youtube. But it was a healing song.

Ron

[howmus]

Evenin' folks!

Janie, just a decaf for me right now.

I got the box from Walthers today.  Everything was there.  The Rivarosi 60' passenger cars are great.  Got them out of the box and onto the track.  Brought out a 4 6 0 that was on another passenger train and milk run.  I think i need to do some cleaning of the track, it has been months..... jerk, jerk, jerk, stall....  It ran much better where the track has been gleamed......  Anyway it did run well enough to hook onto the 4 new cars.  Took them up a 2% grade without even struggling.  Will try with a couple express milk cars in the train in a few days after I have had time to clean the track.  Last time I did it was about 10 months ago so it may possibly have a bit of dust and dirt on the rails.... maybe???

Also got some of the little itty bitty tools that came in today primed and ready for some finish painting tomorrow.  I may have some progress photos tomorrow.

Tim....  IIRC the train show in Syracuse is the weekend of the 26th. and 27th?  I may be able to stop in on Sunday if the weather holds good.  Probably ride over with a couple other guys and pop in for the CNY Div. meeting.  Hope to see you at the show!

Think it time for me to "hit the hay" for the night!  Prayers for all to stay safe, warm, and happy!

73

[cudaken]

 Flo, can I have a beer please.

 Work Front While I only had 2 customers today, both bought for a total of $1554.00. To cover my draw I need $1428.57 so I made a whole $8.75 in commission, better than a stick in my eye.

 Owner seems pleased with the way the store is heading. My reward you ask? I get to work longer hours at the same base pay! While not a big deal, I have to stay till 7:00 PM on Saturday where I was closing at 6:00 PM. All the other stores are open till 8:00 PM so I am sure that is coming.

 Robby P Sorry the NS job did not work out this time around. Just keep applying it is a numbers gave in some respects.

 Lee I know what you mean about taxes and insurances going up on the house. While I am doing better than you as far as Taxes and Insurances my payment went from $720.00 to $922.00 and now back down to $877.00. Being stupid when I bought the house I thought the house payment would all wise stay the same. They really need to teach us when we are teenagers better about finances.

 Hiring a Attorney and the house.

 Tod Best advices I have received so far. I will see what I can do with the ideas you gave Wednesday.

 I am sold on the internet lawyer? Well while I enjoyed talking with Adam (there faces man) I know he is a salesman. While I will still send him the need paper work (pay stubs) I will all so do more research. I am going to look at what local TV news channels have to say about Lawyers that claim to be able to stop fore-closers. I rather have a local lawyer I can sit in front of. All so punch them in the faces if needed. 

 Far as stop making payments I think what Adam was telling me was only make the normal house payment and not to make 2 payments a month.

 Still confused as hell. But I do know I need someone on my side. Dealing with the Bank of Stupid has me done in.

 Ken

[Cederstrand]

A bowl of chili, please.

Worked on the wife's (HO) layout, mainly details for the hospital. First scratch building attempt (to represent elevator access from the roof) was a complete disaster. Second attempt using a different material worked fine. Letting it dry overnight and will spray it gray tomorrow. Also cut and secured a roof over the kitchen potion of the Diner, so that's one more structure checked off the list. Whew!

Healing thoughts to those in need.

Rob

 

[wetidlerjr]

 

Good Morning ! from Tipton IN.

 

[LSWrr]

Good Morning,

 

Jeff, thoughts and prayers for your mother.

 

Ken, I would check the local BBB website.

 

Todd, Chase was certain one of their “customers” lived at my neighbor’s house across the street.  They even repossessed his wife’s car one afternoon before they figured out their mistake. The repo tow truck really messed up the front end of the car when they snatched it. They have a really nice car now…

 

Last night I spent about an hour installing static grass and small animals on the layout.

[Wisconsin Railfan]

Good Day Folks!

Cup of coffee please!

Have a great day All

[wedudler]

Hi,

I would like a camomile tea. Now I'm busy with sniffles.

Last weekend I participated in the FREMO meeting, we had six op sessions over the weekend. Much fun and Narrow Gauge! Here're pictures and videos.

Unfortunately Friday I had eaten something bad, with the result that Saturday I had to take a day off. Only half of the meeting.

But the next will come.

 

Wolfgang

 

[Robby P.]

 Good morning.

 Finally a warm up, well at least for the next few days.

 Not to much planned today.  Get some stuff done around the house.  Maybe head into th ebasement for a bit.

 Jeff.........

 Ken........Yeah i was really wanting that job, but I still have the other one.  Maybe I can try again one day.  I also hope it all works out for you.

[TMarsh]

Good Morning!! Coffee please.

Pretty good friend of mine passed away last night of a lung infection and subsequent problems if I understood the main problem correctly. 41 I think. Boy has this been a stellar year so far.

Today: A chance of drizzle. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. Getting closer to my comfort zone.

Jeff- I’m sorry to hear about your Mothers troubles. She is in my prayers as well as you are for both your feet and for your spiritual comfort and understanding.

Ken- Again, I’m not saying these people are bad and I don’t know what your actual options are. Actually, I feel a bit better after you’ve clarified about the paying part. All I was wanting to get out there was to be careful and unless it’s a local lawyer you can ,”sit in front of” and “..punch in the face if needed”, I’m very leery. Good luck with making contact. You are right. If you intend on fighting a bank or an insurance company or any big corp, you need help. David took down Goliath once, but then again, Goliath didn't have lawyers.

OH! Lee reminded me of another story along the same lines about Chase. (I’ll make it brief) A couple years ago, Chase kept calling and asking for Steve something. Told them no Steve something lives here, wrong number. They made this call at least twice a day if we answered, who knows how many times if we did not. Caller ID you know. (at that time Brenda had Chase and all was well) After the first day I began to get upset. They always said they would remove my name. Anyway this went on for a long time and occasionally I would answer and get a wee bit stern with the flunky on the phone. Saying things like, It’s not my fault you don’t research the people you give credit too. And you know a 4^th grader can get on the computer and with the number you have in front of you, tell you there is no one by that last name pays for this phone so I am telling you the truth as to my name (yes they accused me of giving them a false name even though the name matches the phone number but their records show Steve lives here.  Figure THAT one out there cowboys). And here’s the kicker, I asked the last time, no the second to last time, what the address they were looking for was, he said something, something ….IDAHO! I said there were absolute morons as this was, and they can check the area code for this, ILLINOYZ you sappy butterheads! That they should be hit in the face with a brick, and to pull their hair back tighter as their forehead is caving in because it is so obviously NOT the same person to whom they gave credit to, they’d better quit calling or I’ll start calling an attorney and get some of the money this chap named Steve owes them. Do you know what their response was the last time they called? They’re thinking the address in Idaho was fake because someone is at this phone number. Now how do you argue with logic like that.  I said one more call and you’re harassing me over a debt I obviously, at least to anyone with an intelligence level equal to that of a cow or higher, do not owe and you will hear from me in a way you don’t want. State, Feds, News media, the brick and all.

Wolfgang- The pics and videos were great. Thanks for sharing. Hope you feel better.

(funny how we look at a website and when the local language is naturally used we automatically say “hm, it’s not in English. It’s in a foreign language.” Ah we pretentious United Statesians.

WOW! And I didn’t have much to say today. Was gonna be short. Oh well, blame Lee. He reminded me.

Ya’ll have a Great Day!!!

[GMTRacing]

Good morning all,

     Cleaning night at the museum again last night. Hopefully found some stuff Jeff can use and some other stuff that we all said "where did that come from and what the heck is it?" Found a Lionel HO rocket launcher car and other stuff no-one should be without. Did fix the toasty transformer for the iNsane scale layout so both loop tracks run again. With luck once the layouts are cleaned under, we can move the N to a better location in the main room.

   Jeff - You and your Mom are in our prayers. I hope she makes a full recovery and you get better soon.

   Ulrich - some progress is better than none. I'm praying you get all of your plan approved, it's been too long already.

   Todd - I like the progress you're making on the benchwork. We also went through the endless harassing phone calls when one of the banks decided since we had the same last name as someone who skipped, we must know where they went! Took a while to straighten out.

   Robby - sorry the NS gig didn't w..k out. I would keep applying and not give up.

   Ken - Sounds like the new job is going ok. If they want more hours for the same draw that's good right?

   Ray - are you also getting one of those huge scrap piles to strew on the floor of the w..kshop? In the railyard at the museum we had one volunteer who's task it was to empty the tool car and salt the tools all over the yard. I'm sure it was just coincidence that he was ex-NS but.... We finally changed the lock on the tool car and claimed we forgot the combination.

   Rob - sounds like the wifes layout is going well. How is she doing getting yours done?

   Well - (the chamber on the front of a carburetor that holds the float) time to get some actual tasks done in the shop. CUL, J.R.

[Cox 47]

Good Morning All....Its sunny and in mid 40's here...I'll have coffee and toast please...Thank You..

Jeff...Prayers for your Mother and You too...

Just ran trains yesterday PM..one of those day to just watch them go roundy round...

Set'in here with new Kid Ory cd I picked up on Ebay..4 cd set with some real good stuff on it..Got one in mail yesterday of the Preservation Hall band..more good stuff...

You all have a good one...Jerry

[howmus]

Mornin' everyone!

Zoe, I'll have a breakfast bagel w/ cheese and a large pot of dark roast coffee for my FGLK mug.  Please and Thank You ma'am.

"We're havin' a Heat Wave........  Tropical Heat Wave......."  Rather gray day outside, but the thermo-meter is already up to 37°F on it's way up to 40°F or so.  Tomorrow could be near 50°.  The white stuff is gradually looking rather brownish along the side of the street and most of the roofs around here have little of it left on them.  I'll just let it melt by itself and head down to the basement train rooms.....

J. R.  Now ,now, OSHA wouldn't like THAT... Oh, wait!  OSHA wasn't around back then.  I built several obvious safty hazards into the workshop area.  Labor is cheap and replaceable if they aren't careful.....  There will be a few things around on the floor, sawdust, shavings, etc.  But most of the mess (sorry Fergie) will be outside the building.  I try to be somewhere in between the pristine settings some people have and the caricatures of gloom and despair some others like....  To each their own.

Well, (thing in an old desk THAT holds ink) I best get moving.

Later!

73

[LSWrr]

Who in the diner is running a free lance layout?

[cudaken]

 Morning Folks

 Flo, big glass of Diet Dew

 Today Big Project? Going to see if I can get the Dodge Daytona back on the road. Old Road Runner battery sees to be holding a charge. Now if I can only get it to fit. More than likely I will need to replaces the battery clamps, and I sure they are not coming off the old battery easily. Get some fluids and gas for it, air up the tires and see what happens. If it lives I will get the plates for it and drive it around town for a few days to see what falls off if anything. After that we will have 2 cars again.

 All so need to head to the DMV My drivers license expires next week on the 24th. There is a hint in there about what happens to me next week folks.

 Thinking about get the Road Runner up from her 5 year nap. Fuel pump went bad 5 years ago just when I was getting into trains so I lost interest. Have the new fuel pump, get it installed and pump out the nasty gas, change oil, and prelube. Pull the plugs and dump some Marvel Mystery Oil down the holes and intake to lube the valves. Hope the carbs will be OK, they did not have any gas in them.

 JR Yea, I guess things are going OK at work. Way I look at it I get the same base pay as the other managers and they have been working till 8:00 PM Saturdays. So I guess it would only be fair if I was there later as well. But, I do enjoy getting off 2 days a week and not need the headlights on driving home.

 Well I will talk with you all later. 

         Ken

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Hello, Diners.

Mom's here with me in KY while I take care of routine stuff here. It's a chance to get her away from trouble in AL.

New grand daughter in MI is doing very well.

Ken ... I saw a 'Cuda simlar to you avatar 'Cuda on I-65 in AL Looked like its was new.

Jeff .. Prayers for you and your Mom.

Speaking of Cherokees, there is a memorial park in Hopkinsville just east of here for Trail of Tears. Statues of two chiefs buried at the site do a good job of capturing what may have been their intense emotions. The story of the Trail of Tears is posted there, and it will bring tears to anyone regardless of who they are.   There is an annual Pow Pow at the location, too.  http://www.trailoftears.org/

Lee ... Not surpised to hear your Country-Wide story. They could eaily re-sell the high-risk mortgages to the corrupt Fannie and Freddie companies. They were the ones committing the massive fraud leading to global recession. ... Also, how do you define freelance?... My layout is a fictional division of a real railroad. I allow my creative ideas to be included.

Wolfgang .. Your layout is looking good. Thanks for sharing.

I have some neat ideas for my next layout scene, and I'm frustrated because all the non-model-railroad stuff keeps me from working on the ideas.

Happy Model Railroading

 

 

[LSWrr]

Wolfgang, that lighted flagman is HOT! I want one! Does he work on DCC or just DC???

[wedudler]

Those flagman  has only a SMD LED and a resistor. Therefore it works on DCC and DC.

Wolfgang