Elliot's Trackside Diner JUNE 2011

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I just finished sticking together a Walthers 50' B&O waffle side boxcar. The kit was old enough that it came with horn-hook couplers.

[yougottawanta]

Jeff how much are Walther kits running down your way ? Things are crazy expensive up here. The blue box stuff is $12 to $15 , the MTH box cars running $30+.

[galaxy]

jeffrey-wimberly

stopped at... and got directions to a Hyundai dealership where I put my name into a drawing for a free Hyundai.

Jeffrey- You do, of course, realize that a "FREE Hundai" will cost you about half it's window sticker value in taxes, don't you? Even if you don't have state taxes on such give-aways, Uncle Sam will be looking at you for $$ money. Then your insurance rates will go up cuz it's new and you may have to finace those taxes, OR sell the car to pay them. If you DO sell the car to pay the taxes, you can then buy a car outright that you will own wiht the after-tax money.

I had a co-worker once who won A "free house" from Pepsico corporation {yes Pepsi}. It was a modular stored in a  warehouse until the drawing. SHe was one for 5 finalists who got a "free key" top unlock the front door of the house. SHe had the winning key. They then had one year to find a lot, put in the foundation and pay the moving expenses to get teh house there and installed on the foundation AS WELL AS PAY THE TAXES on it. It ended upo costing about $150K for a  "FREE" $70K house, and since it was located nowhere near where they lived and worked {no lots and no modulars allowed there} they sold it for what all it cost them and were "broke" after winning a "FREE HOUSE".

Just a word of caution....

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

yougottawanta

Jeff how much are Walther kits running down your way ? Things are crazy expensive up here. The blue box stuff is $12 to $15 , the MTH box cars running $30+.

I picked it up for $7 and some change. The Bachmann cars they had were listed from $11 to $24. It looked like their Athearn loco stock was pretty small, probably something to do with the QC problems I've hinted at many times.

 

galaxy

jeffrey-wimberly:

 

stopped at... and got directions to a Hyundai dealership where I put my name into a drawing for a free Hyundai.

Jeffrey- You do, of course, realize that a "FREE Hundai" will cost you about half it's window sticker value in taxes, don't you? Even if you don't have state taxes on such give-aways, Uncle Sam will be looking at you for $$ money. Then your insurance rates will go up cuz it's new and you may have to finace those taxes, OR sell the car to pay them. If you DO sell the car to pay the taxes, you can then buy a car outright that you will own wiht the after-tax money.

It's my parents who want it, so they would be the ones paying all that. Besides, I don't believe I'd win it anyway. It will probably go to some friend of an employee at the lot.

[Owendubya]

I swear the way this moves it's like a TARDIS. Anyhow i was able to get a top on the benchwork and some foam base laid, now i can lay track, only a year coming. That was after giving a presntation on herbs to a gardening group this AM.At this hour its better a cup of java than a taste of john barleycorn.

[simon1966]

Evening all......

Today was the city wide yard sale in our fine community.   For the first time in my life I agreed that we should do a yard sale.  7am - 2pm the sale was supposed to run.  6 am I am up and wandering around the garage just checking that things are in order and in walks our first customer!!  Apparently this is to be expected, so I hear?  Anyway, can't complain sold $50 of stuff before I have even had a cup of coffee.  By 6:46am the heavens are a light show.   Rain is coming in horizontally and thankfully I have managed to get everything into the garage and get the doors shut.   It pours, thunders and lightening for the next 1 1/2 hours!   So much for a city wide sale!!  After that a steady stream of customers and I have to say that I am rather pleased with the result!  Should have done this years ago and gotten rid of some of the junk.

On the train front, nothing, other than my package arrived with the rest of my servos and controllers for setting up the storage tracks.  Not sure if I will get to that or not tomorrow.

Anyway, I am beat and heading to bed.   Have a good night everyone.

[TMarsh]

Just wondering, does anyone still have mailmen that deliver the mail pushing those three wheeled bag cart things?

Ken- Um, now that you put it that way, yes, my day was fine. A secret is only a secret if you are the only person who knows. Wait a minute. Didn't Sue tell you to get another cheap guitar to take to work? Or did I misunderstand and she just didn't want you taking the Les Paul. Actually, I've never taken my Martin D-28 or my '52 Tele out of the house myself. I have a Squire acoustic and a Mexican Fender to get banged up.

Simon- I was not a garage sale fan either. My wife however was. Admittedly we have turned our junk into cash that well, won't buy much but better than nothing. She also has found some pretty good deals on MRR stuff and I have a lifetime supply of double edged razor blades for ten bucks. Yes I still use the old Gillette Super Speed. I've tried others and they shave no better. Just cost more to use. Anyway, I'm still not a garage sale fanatic, but I don't mind them at all.

I did get down to the trainroom tonight. Tinted the plaster on the as of yet nonprototypical land formation. Maybe tomorrrow if I'm lucky, I'll add some ground cover. Decided to put the stll scene on the other hill instead. This probably means nothing to you because I don't think I ever said where I was gonna put it in the first place, and if I did, well it would have been so long ago you wouldn't remember anyway. Shoot, give it a couple of days and I may not remember I changed my mind.

PFTIN

  

[wetidlerjr]

 

Good Morning ! from Tipton IN.

It's FATHER'S DAY !

 

[galaxy]

Curses!

Thought for SURE I'd beat Wetidlerjr at:

GOOD MORNING!

WEll, so I did not. WHat Am I doing up so early? MOH will be up shortly for getting ready for work, so when I got up for a BM I stayed up. Can't ignore a BM when it's insistant!

Don't know yet what to do besides the laundry and some shopping and runthe dw.

Well shall see what we shall see when we see it.

L8r

[Anonymous]

Good Morning Folks,

Home again!

Taking care of my parents was an exhausting and unrewarding task. While my father was fairly easy to deal with, my mother shows strong signs of age-related amnesic dementia. Most of the time she was ill-tempered, not just grouchy. She is still to weak to do anything, but does not want to accept any help. It takes a lot of stamina to stay calm. I hope that my father can arrange for professional support.

Zoe, a strong coffee for me, please.

I was hoping that a certain package has arrived, but it still shows "Attempted Delivery!". Does that mean they attempted to deliver it but where unable to do so? No idea! I hope it´ll arrive tomorrow.

Not much planned for the rest of the day, other than finishing the paint job on those three modules I built before I left for my parents´ place.

Y´all have a good one!

[LSWrr]

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!

I drove an insane amount of miles yesterday to visit family; I even visited my Ex-wife.  I had repaired my Son’s computer so I dropped it off to my ex who was visiting her father in Port Clinton (70miles) then I drove to Bowling Green to visit my Mom (86 miles), then I drove to Toledo to visit my Dad (22 Miles), then I drove home (125 miles).  Well I guess 303 miles is not that insane but it makes for a long day.

Ulrich, glad to hear you made it home and I hope things become more stable for your parents.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning. It's 79° and cloudy. The high will 101°, maybe a little higher (yesterday was 104°) with a heat index of 107°. It will be partly cloudy. I love my air conditioner.

Nothing outdoors planned for me today. Too darn hot out there. I have plenty in here to keep me busy. My ankle is still hurting from all the activity yesterday. Forgot to mention that I had to change a flat on the car before we could go anywhere. That was fun. NOT!

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Happy Fathers Day 

All of a sudden the house has voices in it. Shelley, our daughter, and 2 grandkids drove from Detroit. Shelley was helping with the grandkids while our daughter worked as a teacher. I've been
"baching" too long.  

Evidently, I missed out on a serving of Ray's "blackened squirrel" .... Actually, I know exactly what Ray is talking about having been through a nearly identical experience in MI several years ago. 

Ulrich ... I know what you mean about your Mom's behavior based on recent experiences with my Mom.

 YGW ...  I'm pleased to learn about Mrs. YGW's improving cancer. ... I'm thinking about the cost of the medication. It's good lives can be saved, and I am thankful for modern medicine. I think it would behoove everybody to save their money and buy health insurance because nobody know for sure when a life-threatening illness will affect a family member.

Lee ... Sounds like a lot of driving.  .

Thanks to everyone who commented on my ugly crane. 

 

[TMarsh]

Good Morning!! Coffee, Dark Roast of course, and the Buffet please. Thank you

Happy Fathers Day to those of you who are to either man or beast.

Didn’t do much yesterday and I felt guilty all day. I’m fixin to feel guilty today also, or so I hope. I have a railroad to construct, a dog to scratch, a nap to take and…..a stomach to keep full.

I shall put off cutting down the mightiest tree in the woods with a Herring til another day.

Ya’ll have a Great Day!!!

[Curt Webb]

Morning All,

Happy Fathers Day

Not much planned today here. Around 6 PM the family is coming over for dinner. This is more so for my Dad than me, which is fine. We got the SIL moved out yesterday Did I mention. We still  need to unload a storage unit but after about 15 months I have my house back. I was thinking how she lived with us because she couldn't afford her own place, but when she was asked to leave she was able to move out in less than a week. 

I have been thinking about how to fix the under frame for the Turtles as Lee would say. I think the best way to go is to cross brace on either side and then cut out the small section that needs to be removed. Having never done this before I never thought that this would be a issue, Oh well live and  learn.  I also still have to wire out to the last 6 tortoise locations.

Jeff- What type of loco is that?

Everyone have a great Fathers Day.

[cudaken]

 Morning Folks!

 Woke up again by storms, this is the 3rd day in a row!

 Flo, eggs over easy, toast and a Dew please.

 Todd Wife did not want me to take any guitar or amp to work. Said they would fire me for it. She now knows it is OK and I am not the only person that plays at there store. When I bought the amp I took Sue with me so she would see how much I paid, not trying to hide anything from her. Reason I bought the amp is Sue did not want me to leave the Amp at work, and I did not want to haul it around everyday. Be a easy way to break it.

 So I bought the amp. Now why it is any of my Daughters Business is beyond me? Now, If I bought a $250 to $700.00 amp I would sort of understood. But, I only spent $45.00? She and Adam will spend that for a movie and dinner.

 Oh well, I am trying to forget about it. But is sure was not the way to finishes up Saturday.

 Ulrich Glad you made it home. Wish things went a little better at your parents house. Hope the package makes it to you Monday. 

 Time to get rolling.

         Ken 

[simon1966]

Happy Father"s Day to all you Dad's and Grand Fathers.   and also to all of you that are perhaps not fathers, but are a great example to kids either as a teacher, coach or mentor or within your religious community.   Have a great day.....

I am off to cook breakfast for everyone!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Curt Webb

Jeff- What type of loco is that?

Athearn SW1500

 

[BRAKIE]

Good Morning All!

Not much to report from the land of Buckeyes on this glorious sunny Sunday other then the Bucyrus club just finish our 3 day open house for the anique farm equipment show and there was good,bad and ugly operating news.

The good: My CR GP60Ms,GP40-2s and SD38 performed flawlessly and was as smooth and quite as my Atlas locomotives.

The bad: I had one GP40-2 that still had the factory installed wanna bes (D'OH!) and of course those fool things failed on the second day.

The down right ugly..I had one car that would run well for 2-3 hours and then start derailing..Wheels are in correct gauge and swivel freely and couplers at the correct height.   I will work on this mystery next Sunday..One of my old MDC Railgon lost its truck screw and caused a 5 car derailment..

I wonder if the above problems was caused by no C&HV present during the open house?

I shall have a cup and look over the forum.

Have a happy Pappy Day!

[Anonymous]

Happy Father´s Day to all of you fathers!

In Germany, Father´s Day is celebrated on Ascension Day, usually in the way of quaffing a few (and sometimes a few to many).

Did finish painting the modules and added the extension boards to one of the corner modules. I am now all set to lay some additional track...

Horror! My tunnel module is suffering a little from sagging! I guess I need to add some bracing. The main board probably got too wet when I added the scenery

Zoe, coffee and a slice off that cherry crumble pie, please. Yes, dear, I mean to eat it

I am afraid my mother´s condition is not improving. While her heart has recovered nicely from the surgery, her mind is going down rapidly. Her short term memory is virtually gone, and she is becoming very much upset and aggressive. She is refusing to take her medications and denies any help. Subjected to her rage is mainly  my father, who is really helpless in that situation. I also received a number of blows, just trying to help her. Celebrations of my parents´ diamond jubilee have been cancelled - it´ll be just too much for her. I am really sorry for that.

Ken - I´ll let you know as soon as the package arrives! I am a little worried - I hope it did not get lost!

TTFN

[last mountain & eastern hogger]

Hi Guys,

Just a short stop as I am very busy today. Just came from Church and had to make a stop at the Grub Store as my Wife forgot a couple of items she needs for supper this evening.

Just wanted to wish you all, Fathers, Grandfathers, Fathers-in -Law, and Fathers to be, A very

HAPPY FATHER"S DAY.   I hope you all get to spend time with them which ever way it works for you.

I had a call from Spokane this morning and one Son will be here for supper, one is on the road driving Bus until late this evening,  He called me last night,  and I expect to get a call from my Eldest in Grande Prairie, Alberta this afternoon some time.

On the RR scene, I have been trying to get the lettering off a John Deere caboose that I will letter up for the LM&E.  That is indeed a chore, but I have succeeded,

Have a great day Gang,

Johnboy out for now......................................

 

[Packer]

Happy father's day guys.

Well I was supposed to go out tonight with that girl. But when I was about to tell her the movie of my choice, she said she wanted to reschedule because she forgot it was father's day. I hope that's not an excuse to get out of seeing me, but I'm gonna talk to her again tonight and see about the "rescheduling" when she gets off from work.

I went to ACMoore's today and picked up some wood for my centerbeams. I was 1 stick short, so about $10 of basswood to fill 1 car up. I'm going to go to lowes later and see if they have some lumber that'll work. (I'm hoping for .5" by 1.5")

Jeff, I put together an Rock Island car just like that one. It's one of the ones I'm going to weather soon.

[lone geep]

jeffrey-wimberly

Good pic Jeff . Could I please have a lemonade Flo, It's hot here. For our church's Father's Day service, One of the worship leaders asked me to bring some trains to display at the back! I set up an oval of EZed track on top of two tables. I brought my station and freight house. For the trains, I brought my Bachmann SD40-2 and some freight cars. My dad also wanted to display his GO and CPR passenger trains. Just as the people were coming in, the SD40-2 broke down. I ran quickly ran home to get some alcohol for cleaning track because I thought the track needed cleaning. After I made a quick track cleaning, It still wouldn't run but I noticed the headlight was working. I took the freight train off the track and place the CP passenger instead. It worked well. Some little kids watched it after the service. Other than the break down, it was a success! When I got home, I took apart the SD40-2 and found out there was a broken wire. I soldered it and it works.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

[steamfreightboy]

Evening all! I'll have a slice of warm apple pie.

I continued to try to get the ballast to stay down at my slag dump today. I also made one of my super old tank cars (it had hook and horns and I could not convert it) into a chemical tank for the dump and weathered it. I made some hoses for it a la cody's office and stole a guy from the woodland scenics track gang set to spray the slag with the chemicals. I lost my NMRA gauge (), and I am kind of bummed.

Has anyone ever added an interior to a passenger car? I am thinking about getting some La Belle kits and adding interiors and passengers, but don't know where to get seats for them. Have a great night everyone and see you all in the morning!

sfb

[cudaken]

 Happy Farth, uh where is ever body Flo?

 Well, guess I can not blame them wanting to be with there family.

  Flo

 Work Front Word of the day "Sucked" that pretty much covers it.

 Packer I will be sending you a PM later, you still have them? On your lumber load take a pieces of foam that is a little narrower and little short. Then stack the wood on ends and the sides.

 Ulrich Boy you need a break, having a love one with dementia is hard and takes a toll on one. Sues dad had it and we finally had to put him in a nursing home.

 Far as the package, I did a copy and paste of your address that you sent me.I did the same way on first package. You need the customs number again?

 Train Front I am at a stand still. New motors for the Proto's look like they may be junk. Cannot get the needed flywheels off the SD 50 old motor so I can install them on the new motor. Hum, might break out the old BB Super Weight Santa Fe Warbonnet F-7. Have not touched them for coupe of years now. I think I have the harness installed for the decoder and LED installed.

 See you all later.

               Ken

[steamfreightboy]

cudaken

 Happy Farth, uh where is ever body Flo?

 Well, guess I can not blame them wanting to be with there family.

I'm right over here Ken!

[steamfreightboy]

steamfreightboy

cudaken:

 Happy Farth, uh where is ever body Flo?

 Well, guess I can not blame them wanting to be with there family.

 

I'm right over here Ken!

BTW, why were you at work on a sunday?

[steamfreightboy]

jeffrey-wimberly

Curt Webb:

Jeff- What type of loco is that?

 

Athearn SW1500

 

I have one too. It is one of my favorite locos. I got it for $20 from atlas.

[howmus]

Evenin' folks!

Flo just a decaf foe me right now.

Hope all the Fathers out there are having a great Father's Day!  I spent most of today w*rking on Train Crew at the Museum.  Even got to be on my favorite old Erie Caboose for the entire day.  We had a good crowd and a lot of happy visitors come out today.  Our old US Army 80 Tonner 1654 provided the power again today:

Followed by Erie C 254:

and then Penn Central Caboose #18526 (don't have a great photo of her.... must not be my favorite )

Had a couple of close calls on my caboose today.  I tell everyone riding with me they should get off the caboose backwards...  When we stop at either end, I again remind them the safest way is to detrain backwards down the caboose steps as they will have railing to hold onto and the steps are small and steep...  I then climb down off the caboose demonstrating the proper way to get off...  As they now detrain 80% or more totally ignore what I say and walk straight off the caboose not even holding onto any railings.  One little kid starts to climb down, I say, Please turn around and come down backwards...  Kid ignores me and trips coming down the stairs.  I always position myself where I can break someones fall if they trip.  I reach out and keep the kid from falling off the stairs onto the stone below.  He is able to grab a handrail on his way as he falls, his foot slips off the bottom step and he sat down rather hard on the second step.  On the other hand, he didn't go head first 3 or so more feet into the stone ballast below.  Father has rather terrified look on his face at THAT moment.  I let the kid compose himself for a second and then say, "Son, that is why I asked you to come down the other way...."  Kid says, "OK" Father now has a "Maybe he should have paid attention to the guy in charge" look on his face.  Father helps kid back up onto the platform, and then he turns around and comes down the stairs backward holding on like I told them to in the first place.  He then tells his son to turn around and come down correctly.  As he leaves he looked at me and said, "Thanks!"

Got home, called my son to wish him a happy Father's Day, and got invited over for desert...  Got a card from each of the Granddaughers, and son & DIL.  Then I got a box to open.  My son found a PRR Kerosine Lantern Filler.  Probably 75 or more years old...  neat find!'

Catch you all later!

73