Elliot´s Trackside Diner May 2011 - Welcome Aboard, Everybody!

[howmus]

Evenin' Folks!

Been an interesting day....  Chloe I could sure use a decaf right now.

Interruption was the key word for today...  every time I sat down to get started on the power[point presentation for the Scholarship Dinner something came along to keep me from doing it. Did finally get to a couple stores early this afternoon.  Biggest thing I got was a new air conditioner for the Dining room/office area at the house.  Picked up an 8000 BTU energy star rated one for $169. Had to go up to my sister's house tonight as she needs to have me print up a fancy bio for her Art Opening in the very snobby Art dealer's place first weekend in June. So I went up there and she needed to get her lawn mower out of the cellar.  THAT's where she keeps it all winter.  Half full tank of gas, down cellar in her house.....  She doesn't want to hear THAT isn't really a great idea, she has been doing this for 30+ years and she has important things to ponder like the role of the feminist in Taoist writings and stuff.  So I drag it out of the cellar.  Now she has to make sure it will run after she puts a bit of more or less fresh gas out of the gas can THAT sat under a big pine tree all winter.  It won't start.  I ask if she has any starter fluid.  She has no clue what I am talking about so she goes over and gets her neighbor (the guy who gave me the whistle sign a few weeks ago.  He comes over to help but doesn't have the starting fluid.....

My sister and I stop at a TSC dealer just North of Canandaigua and I pick up a can of starting fluid and then we go out to Captain Yogi's for a seafood dinner.  Two hours later (they were a bit slow) we arrive back at her house.  Of course I can't just hit the intake with the starter fluid, her neighbor wants to see how it works......  He arrives about a half hour later, I spray the fluid in the air intake, and she starts up on the first pull.  Then dies...  repeat about 10 times (my sister mows 10 foot of lawn every time it starts....  She doesn't get a lot of things.  Neighbor goes back home and comes back with a full bottle of dry gas.  We put a couple teaspoons in the gas tank and repeat previous procedure with the mower.  After 3 or 4 more tries, mower finally decides to run.  (Man I love my B & D Battery Electric mower!)

So.....  Neighbor wants to try same thing on a little power edger he has THAT won't run.  So.... I go over to his house.  Try again with his engine.  No dice, just didn't want to start running on its own.  We get to shooting the male bovine for a while and trains come up as a subject....  He  waves to me to follow him and we head over to his garage where he gives me an old NYC Lantern.  I am not sure what kind of RR lantern it is or how it was used, looks like it used a candle instead of kerosine.  I will be taking it with me to the museum tomorrow as there are a couple guys out there who can fill me in on it...

Turned out to be an interesting evening!

Lee, if you get to Rochester, by all means let me know.  I would be very happy to have you over to see the SLO&W!  RIT is a great school with a great RR Club!  If you are there over a weekend, a visit to the R&GV RR Museum would be in order as well.  Nice to hear your daughter is working on her BS.  Next she can go for the MS which means "More of the Same".  And if she works really hard and stuff she might end up with a PHD (Piled Higher and Deeper)....  Actually a good education is still the best way to success in many ways in life.  I have an MS + 20 hours and one of my sons has double Masters, one being a MBA from the U of Chicago...  Best wishes to both your kids!

Later!

73

Hey, hey hey!!!  This just in!  "We've decided to use LV211 and an ESE coach for opening day tomorrow."

My favorite old ALCO diseasel loco sporting a an EMD 567B prime mover and one of the newly renovated Empire State Express Coaches!  YES!

 

[cudaken]

 Evening Fellow Dinners

 Friday The 13th Model Railroading! I knew I should not do it, it was Friday the 13th. But, what could happen I said to my self. But it is Friday the 13th, don't throw the switch! But again, I said to my self ever thing ran great last night, nothing is going to happen! Then I turned on the power!

 Puff went the decoder! (sang like Pop goes the weasel) It was the brand new DH 163 I had just bought Thursday for my PK 2 SD-7I have had it for years and still running the printed circuit board, but not that long ago I had a LED and 1000 ohm resister. One of the wires may have touched the metal frame (little was hanging out) so I hope that is all it is. 

 Is this May? Darn right cold today, 54 degrees and a strong wind most of the day.

  Work Front My store carb's jets must be set for cold weather! Had a $4,000.00 day today! Hum, only problem? We had a new store that should have opened today, but some of the permits fell through and it did not open. So we where over staffed. Shaun was sent to work with me at my store (covers my store on my days off) and l like him. But, sales where split so I only got $2,000.00 of the 4 grand. But I still enjoyed his company, just hope they don't keep double teaming us!

 See you all Sunday

          Ken 

[Attaboy]

Thanks to those who have offered word of encouragement and support.  I'll get through this alright.  Tomorrow evening should be interesting at least and may be good for a laugh or two.

Ulrich, if Vinnie wants cash be careful.  He probably doesn't know what a euro is.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Curt Webb

Jeff- Are you out of the way of all that water from the Mississippi ?

That's far away from me. I'm 18 miles from the Texas line.

[Curt Webb]

Evening All,

Back from MOH's work function. It actually rained for about 30 minutes tonight. It was about time. My friend will be here around 1300 tomorrow. I may actually be able to run a loco by tomorrow night

Heatland- Great scene.

Jeff- Are you out of the way of all that water from the Mississippi ?

Everybody have a good night. 

[LSWrr]

Good evening,

My name is Lee and I’m a rolling stock addict…Just kidding, there isn’t any such thing (right Jim?).  I stopped at Great Lakes Hobby on Van *** just south of M59 (Sterling Heights, MI) yesterday afternoon.  I picked up two 70 ton 2 bay hoppers, BLT-1-41, SOO Line and DM & IR and two Port Huron and Detroit outside braced wood 40’ box cars, CR-4-46.  I also picked up “THE MODEL RAILROADER’S GUID TO INDUSTRIES ALONG THE TRACKS 4”.

The 452 mile round trip was uneventful and I only used 18 gallons of diesel.  I was impressed that fuel was 29 cents cheaper in Michigan than down here in Ohio.  

It’s hard to believe my Daughter finished her first degree in college and is working on her BS degree.

My son may be transferring to RIT in Rochester, NY so Ray I may head up that way to check out the school.  Maybe a Slow tour will be in order???

Galaxy, my HVAC neighbor said yes they can be replaced part by part.  He suggested you have a HVAC guy come out and give you a free quote.  Now if you need the cast iron heat exchanger replaced he said a new energy efficient furnace would be cheaper and you can normally get on a payment plan now to have it replaced before it gets cold out.

 He told me what was more than likely the issue, but to me; a non-heating and air conditioner guy it sounded like you needed to realign the dilithium crystals with the orbital axis of the moon on the fifth Monday of the month or something.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I'm back home now and watching some NASCAR racing that was recorded earlier while I was out. I just finished a couple of Lean Pockets (ham & cheddar and pepperoni pizza) and am just relaxing now. Didn't have much time for that earlier. I hope tomorrow is slower. Yeah, I know. Murphy will make sure something screws up. He's great at that.

I'm still looking for two HO Scale mobile homes. If anyone has one or two laying around that they don't need please let me know.

[Cederstrand]

Coffee in a UNION PACIFIC mug, please.

***Garry, wonderful layout pic there. We'll admire it on our desktop until another comes along to take it's place.

My mind has been wondering back to MRRing. My wife would like to recreate a tornado damage path but hasn't the room on her (HO) layout. So, looks like it will be incorporated on my (N) layout instead.

Started replacing rafters on the tractor shed today. It went well, although my energy levels diminished all too quickly. Will work on it some more tomorrow, a little at a time.

Have a good day y'all.

Rob

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Good afternoon, Diners.

Great to see each of you!

Flooding along the Mississppi continues in the news. Meanwhile, very little is allowed over our dam, and the lake is much higher than normal, but not as bad as last week.

I was operating Balwin switchers in my steel mill today, and posted photos in Weekend Photo Fun thread.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Well today I came down here to my parents place. Nothing going on so I turn on the computer and go to the kitchen for an orange. I come back and the computer is ready. I start Firefox and check through the email accounts. Nothing special. I then bring up the forum threads I normally go to and suddenly there's no end of things to do. My niece and I have just returned from going all over town to get a current list of my mother's meds then to the hospital to get the ER doctor (one of the doctors my niece works with at the hospital) to issue prescriptions for them then it was to the pharmacy to pick them up. Well theyu wouldn't be ready for at least half an hour so my niece calls her parents and arranges to meet them at Captain D's for lunch. I'm not complaining. I like Captain D's and someone else was paying for it. We got lunch out of the way and it was back to the pharmacy to get the meds. Got all that done and got back here to my parents place just a little before 2 pm. One thing for sure, I wouldn't have been able to get it all done myself. My father is on the way home from work so maybe I can get home to my fast computer soon.

[howmus]

Afternoon folks!

Flo just a Dr. Pepper for me right now.  Still full from the late breakfast.

Currently 67°F outside, but we have a humidity level up in the 80+ % so it is a very sticky 67°...  Rain starting, rain tonight, rain tomorrow (for opening day at the museum), rain tomorrow night, rain on Monday, rain on Tuesday, showers on Wednesday and Thursday, rain on Friday......  Saturday I will be tackling a foot high lawn again.......  Rain on Sunday.......  Jeffrey I would gladly send some of it down to your place!

Ulrich, I have never had the Vegetarian Lasagna, but those who have say it is excellent.  Basically it is just made with cheese and no meat.  Everything else is the same.  Their Prime Rib at the college dining hall is .... YUM!  THAT is what I intend to have. 

Didn't get in last night (I was still herding cats).  The Doctors Appt. went very well except I still can't figure out how I can gain 17lbs. in 3 hours from the time I weighed myself before breakfast and my appt. before I had lunch???  As usual the nurse takes the BP right after the shock of being weighed in so it was 160/88 when she took it.  After sitting for 20 minutes waiting to the Doc to arrive, he comes in, takes it again, and says 138/68.  He said my sugar was exactly the same as it was 6 months ago and even though I am a little high (154 and a 7.2 A1) he isn't changing the medication yet.  I suggested maybe it is time I started keeping track of it and take it at home.  He said it isn't mandatory, but may help to get an idea of what and when it goes up (as if i don't know....  Hmmmm How many donuts did I have a couple day ago?) and can be useful to me in controlling it. Thinks it is a good idea.  So I have an appointment in a couple of weeks to meet with a Pysicians Asst. to go over how to take the home readings.  My other blood w*rk was great, like 155 total cholesterol. Kidney function and liver function right on the money...  So I hope to be sticking around for a while longer...

OK, got a powerpoint presentation to get started...

Later!

73

[lone geep]

Good afternoon Flo. Could I have a Manitoba-style steak with some potatoes please. Yesterday, I received an old Hornby Dublo OO train set from my uncle. Unfortunantly, the loco has seen better days and I haven't been able to make it run yet. I'm partially sick so I'm not to happy and I also am having a busy weekend.

The Lone Geep

[Anonymous]

Good Evening Gang,

Boy, am I tired! t was a busy day today, filled with a mile long HD list (from myself),incl. house cleaning, laundry, shopping, making lunch, driving those 45 miles to Kiel, seeing my Mom, driving back, making my Dad take his pills, ...

Flo, only a quick - I need to fix dinner in a moment.

Guess I will hit the hay early today.

Todd - nice trailers!

Jeff - too bad NuComp is out of business! Have not yet seen any other source for trailers.

Ray - veggie lasagna??? Can´t imagine the taste of it. Sounds awful - just like turning the cookie monster into a veggie monster.

Flo, as my Mom is improving nicely, I´ll pay a few for the Gang, so whatever these chowhounds will be having, put iton my tab. Cash - you want to see cash before hand? Has Vinnie changed the rules? I never pay cash ...

TTFN

[howmus]

Mornin'.... ah,  Afternoon everyone!

Zoe I haven't gotten breakfast yet due to 4 or 5 phone calls, and 2 people dropping money or getting a check for money....  Not my money either.  MLK Committee stuff.  The Scholarship Dinner is still 4 days away, and we are effectively sold out.  One Prime Rib and 2 Veggie lasagna dinner left.  The President of the committee and I have decided to save them as back up supply in case we need them.  so i am not accepting any more orders....  Anyway, I'll have a short satck of Buttermilk Pancakes, bacon, maple syrup, and a pot or two of dark roast coffee.

Todd, is THAT trailer an 8' x 36'?  Looks just like the first place my wife and I owned when we were first married.  Ours was blue and white and sat across the road from my parents house on the farm.  Those 2 years were both the poorest of our lives, and the happiest!

Galaxy is the Very Strong Offer to or from you???

Gotta get a shopping trip in before tackling more MLK W*rk!

Later!

73

[Curt Webb]

Morning All,

Just got back  from Radio Shack. I got a pwr supply for my switch machines and the materials to make the 6 lead cables to daisy chain my UP'5's and UR-92 to the command station. I would of went with pre-made but  the club has the crimping tool.

Attaboy- I'm glad that your painful journey is at the end so you can start to move on.

Urich- Sorry you lost out on a train ride.

Galaxy- Good luck on your Very Strong Offer.

Todd- Those pictures of the trailers bring back some old memories. If you are serious about the rhino I would think you are more likely to get gored before being bit.

Jeff- I don't ever remember seeing trailer kits at my LHS. 

I have a work fuction to go to for MOH tonight so I will talk to you tomorrow.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

submmbob

Jeff - what scale are you looking for? I have an MR video which shows the building of an HO resin kit. I'll see if I can find the manufacturer for you.

HO Scale

[galaxy]

jeffrey-wimberly

Now, on a layout related note, I need a couple of mobile homes. I have two but need two more. Any mobile home between 1950 and 1980 will do as long as I don't have to pay a bunch for it. The two I have were obtained for under $20 each new. The less I can get them for the happier I'll be. If anybody has one or two they can spare please send me a PM.

here's some airstreams:

http://www.hobbymasters.com/buschhoscaletrailerparkscenew2americanairstreamtrailers.aspx

Jeffrey, let me see, i think the LHS real close to me that doesn't really carry much has a trailer kit or two- they would be rix products form the period you wnat. {I think I remembered seeing them there}.

I will let you know.

[submmbob]

Hello all

Been out for a bit. I often don't get on the computer as much on my weeks off, as I am not sitting in front of it for 12 hours:)

The j*b does give me time for some MRR work, however the O-scale set up is at home. That's the reason I started messing w/ N-scale recently.

Enjoying the pictures of the vehicles as well. Have I got a couple you won't believe (that I'm fixing).

Jeff - what scale are you looking for? I have an MR video which shows the building of an HO resin kit. I'll see if I can find the manufacturer for you.

Time to go find a pillow since I've been up all night.

Bob

 

 

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning. It's 57° and partly cloudy. The high will be 75° and partly cloudy.

Today and tomorrow I'll be at my parents place so I can keep an eye on my mother until my father returns home from his job. I have a desktop PC set up there in the west wing so I'll still be able to look in on the goings-on here. It just has a slower bargain basement AMD dual core processor than the high end super speed set of Pentiums I have here. Sometimes I get impatient with it as it can take up to 3 to 7 seconds longer to load a page that's running normally. If the page is slow loading for some reason it can take 30 seconds to 3 minutes longer. In some really bad cases I had enough time to go to the kitchen to get a drink, and believe me, I don't move fast. Depending on how my ankle and back feel I can make the US postal service look fast even when walking as fast as I can.

Now, on a layout related note, I need a couple of mobile homes. I have two but need two more. Any mobile home between 1950 and 1980 will do as long as I don't have to pay a bunch for it. The two I have were obtained for under $20 each new. The less I can get them for the happier I'll be. If anybody has one or two they can spare please send me a PM.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

TMarsh

 

Sorry. I never got around to buying the double wide or others to complete the court so no extras. New plan allows for the ones I have but no more. Will keep you in mind in case of plan changes or measuring errors.

Darn. I need a couple more trailers. Anything from the 50's to 80's would work.

[TMarsh]

jeffrey-wimberly

TMarsh:

Jeff- Looks like we have the same taste in trailers. It’s too bad about nu-Comp, I liked their kits. I had a trailer park laid out on the old layout, but on this new one I don’t know if I’ll have room for any more trailers than I have.

 

Got any you can spare?

Sorry. I never got around to buying the double wide or others to complete the court so no extras. New plan allows for the ones I have but no more. Will keep you in mind in case of plan changes or measuring errors.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

TMarsh

Jeff- Looks like we have the same taste in trailers. It’s too bad about nu-Comp, I liked their kits. I had a trailer park laid out on the old layout, but on this new one I don’t know if I’ll have room for any more trailers than I have.

Got any you can spare?

[galaxy]

Good MOOOOOOOOOOORNNIINNNGGGG all!

T boneSteak and eggs, scrambled, 2 fluffy pancakes, 2 sausage links, one wheat toast with berry berry jam, one a nd a partridge in a pear tree.

NEEd a hearty breakfast after starving bloodwork at 10:30 yesterday...did not feel right all day.

A laundry/dishwasher day today, though I am sure MOH wants to go somewhere that we can't afford.

Did i tell you con-cor called the other day adn my "shorty" passenger cars are in and ready for shipping. Problem is when I pre-ordered in November, I had the money, now facing new furnace and new skirting and leveling of the trailer,and aobut $1500 in vehicle repairs and STIll paying off last winters CC bills, I jsut don't have the money, CC availablity or no. SAD becuase they are same paint scheme and would look so cool behind my FTA-B set of same color scheme {prototypical or not}!!! When the guy called, I asked if they could call back in two weeks, I doubt they will, but I will ahvve to bow out. they were $59.99 with a 20% discount if you pre-ordered, but for the 4 I wanted {one of each naturally} it would still be $48 a  car and on top of that shipping and handling and etc. MOH said to go ahead and order, but I just don't want to add to debt load adn trying to buy a house as well. We's broke,. mista. DURN it! MAYBE I will jsut order the suckers!!!

Dunno anything else. we go look at 3 houses this week. Each has a feature we don;t like, but maybe can be overlooked? Dunno when as the RE agent say "you never know". we have a VERY SRONG OFFER TO MAKE. But they would take a bit of a cut to get that STRONG OFFER. Did I mention we have a very strong offer to offer? Only clause would be HOME inspection! Nobody should buy a house without a home inspection! MArket has about dried up in our price range though...unless we wanta 2 story or cape, but we want one living ranch with unfished basement we can finish at the rate of 3-4 2x4, roll of isulation, wiring and one piece of the drylock sheetrock at each paycheck if necessary till it is finished. You know we have a strong offer!

ATTABOY- iff'n she done signed them papers, the marriage is "over". If it was a hassle during it, trying to patch it up on SUnday ain't gonna work. Tell he to bug off and find yourself a NEW significant other who wil appreciate you and your trains!

WEll, as Brakie would say, I shall have a and look over the forum.

TTYALL L8R

Prayer candle is up for those in need!

 

 

[TMarsh]

Good Morning!! Cup of coffee and a big ol platter of biscuits and sausage gravy please. Thank you.

Yesterday went off without a hitch. Friday the thirteenth hath came and went and I still have my boots. Got the rest of Mom’s yard mowed just in time to bring the mower back and mow my own. Today, I will take my saw out there and hopefully finish the shed door project. Brenda will probably go out too and knock some cobwebs, if any, down and check for dead flies and such. The realtor called and is going to have an open house again at one on Sunday and another realtor apparently is going to show the house at noon.

Ray- Don’t worry about forgetting being a…sign…of uhhh…. Hm. Forgot what I was gonna say.

Jeff- Looks like we have the same taste in trailers. It’s too bad about nu-Comp, I liked their kits. I had a trailer park laid out on the old layout, but on this new one I don’t know if I’ll have room for any more trailers than I have.

Attaboy- I’m confused. She signed the papers, but wants to try to save the marriage, but not until after she…um, but wait til Sunday because she presumably has a date for Saturday night. You know, on second thought. Don’t try to explain it. It doesn’t sound like you understand either.

Think I’ll poke around on the bay for a bit, then out to Mom’s. We have a graduation party top attend this evening. Some friends of our son has graduated Caterpillar technicians training program and has been selected to stay with them in the proving grounds.

Say, does anybody know, do Rhinoceroses bite?

Ya’ll have a Great Day!!!

[wetidlerjr]

Good Morning ! from Tipton IN.

[Anonymous]

Good Morning Gang,

hooray, it´s raining. Never thought I´d welcome that wet stuff, but it has been way too dry the past weeks. Gives my hay fever a break

Warning - rant ahead!

We planned to go to Kiel by train today, but the engineers are on strike! They demand equal pay with their colleagues from Deutsche Bahn, which is quite understandable, Same job - same pay. T´hat´s just fair. But do they have to go on strike when we want to go to see my Mom in hospital??? Now I have to take the car

OK - end of rant. No, Janie, no need to get out the or to wake up Vinnie. I´ll have a breakfast bagel and a mug of coffee, if you please would be so kind.

My brothers MIL died last night. She was suffering from cancer for quite some time and it may be a blessing for her not to have to suffer any more. 2011 sure is the year of departures!

I desparately need a break from all the illness and death around me.

Attaboy - good to hear that she finally signed the papers. Never forget, a woman´s reasoning and the contents of her purse remain yet undisclosed to men.

Have a great day, fellas!

[Attaboy]

Good morning all.  Couldn't sleep so decide to drop in for a bit.  I'll take a Mt Dew, Flo, make it a double, can't sleep anyway so the caffeine won't hurt anything.

Couldn't sleep because the wife finally signed the final divorce papers Friday night.  We were supposed to do it Wednesday but when we agreed to have her son witness them he couldn't make it till Friday.  Right before he arrived she said she would sign them but since I can't get them to the court house till Monday she wanted to talk to me Sunday evening about possibly saving our marriage. In the next breath she said she would be going out after work on Saturday and wouldn't be home all night but I better be here to talk on Sunday!  I'd be willing to bet she is spending the night with one of her boyfriends.  She must think I'm really stupid.  I"ll be at the court house shortly after the doors open on Monday.  I have so many emotions going on right now I can't even think about sleeping.  Mostly profound relief, some anger and even a little sadness.  Divorce is never a good thing.

Well, going on 1:30 AM, wonder what else I can find on the web tonight.  Good thing I don't have to work till 2PM today.

[cudaken]

 Evening Folks

 Flow, Beer please.

Kvetching about work today! ( I had to look kvetch up ) Sold a $149.00 twin set and $30.00 in sheets, that is it!

 Did get the door lock for the store fixed today and they now work so smooth. Before It could take anywhere from 30 second to over a minute to get the door open.

 Dodge Daytona repair front Hum. Finally took the Daytona in for a starter solenoid. If you remember when I picked it up from the exhaust shop, it just went click, then we jumped it and it started. Took it to get the battery tested and it only had 250 amps after the test pull. Drove it home and it just went click the next day. Sat for 2 weeks, and it started?

 Bob had it go click one time, then tighten up the battery post, and it has started 30 times there after. From what I have seen before, if the clamp is lose you turn the key, it goes click and you have no power! While I am not looking a gift horse in the mouth (really could not afford the repair) I am afraid that when I drive it to work, the starter will not work again and have a $100.00 + tow bill.

 Ulrich Glad to hear your Mom is KVETCHING! I loved the pictures as well! Sure looks like you have some pretty country side in Germany. You have any other pictures you can share? While we have some pretty country side in the states, I don't see any of it when I drive to work.

 When I worked in Alton IL, I love the view of the bluffs looking over the Mississippi!

    See you all Saturday.

                 Ken

 

[teen steam fan]

Hey guys. 

Great news. Jeep's done so a rock crawler steak with mud pit gravy and some super swamper buns. Thanks. 

Hopefully tomorrow I'll have a picture if the sun comes out. Still need to take 'er in for an alignment but it isn't major. Now to save money for new tires this winter.