Elliot´s Trackside Diner July 2011

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Also from the KY Ry Museum ....

Perhaps this BERKSHIRE will awaken DUKE !  

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Here is a Monon Special for Ken courtesy of the KY Ry Museum.

 

 

[Curt Webb]

Evening All,

Got back from the club a little bit ago. Just sitting here watching some tube. I think tomorrow I will try to install some more Tortoise's if  MOH does not have other plans for me. I w**k on the 4th. It is probably just as well nobody commented on my learning experience today.

Ulrich- I saw a special when I was a teenager about how Silent Night came about. As I remember it a church out in the country had a organ that was broke for Christmas. The priest of the church wrote Silent Night to be played on a guitar so there would be Christmas music for the congregation. That's what I remember  anyway.

Tom- Those are some really nice looking locos you have.

Prayers for all in need. Everyone have a good night.

[cudaken]

 Evening Folks

 Flo, another Monon Special and Beer please.

 Work Front Well today was a disappointment, had 3 customers who's brains where functioning (had a 4th but I don't count the walking dead) and got two deals. They where small ones, but it is money coming in the door. Other store in Illinois where not fairing much better than me.

 Bright Side? Well I played Guitar for 4 hours of course. While I will not say I am good, I am sure getting better. Power cords are getting way easier and the forearms are getting stronger.

 One of the songs I have gotten pretty good with is Eric Clapton's song Cocaine. While I hate the subject matter, I like the tune.

 Being Bored and never have cranked up the Amp I took it outside today and cranked it! Darn little thing sounds great! Still do not like the clean sound, but over-driven it sounds as good as my old Full Stack. Just not as loud. 

 Window A/C Galaxy Why did you recommend the 10,000 BTU unit? I just looking for a little extra help, not replaces the central air with window units.

 My Central A/C was serviced last May and repaired. It burnt up something, I forget what right now, because it ran so much. It does have a very slow leak, needs to be charged about every 3 to 4 years. But, even last summer after it was charged, it would still run all the time when it hit above 93 degrees.

 Train Front T White While your 2-4-8-0 looks good, does not hold a candle to your Yellow Stones! Looking forward to seeing more pictures of your layout. Sure wish I could see it in person someday.

  Old Athearn BB F-7 A. Well I am just tickled it is still running after I have hardwired and made it DCC. This may be the first BB conversions that lives for me. Right now the Warbonnet is dragging my Santa Fe passengers cars and running great! Now if I can just find out if the B unit motor is good, I will be real happy. I just don't trust my meter any longer with all the odd readings I have been getting.

 Might be time to break out the Warbonnet FP 45 and give it a try.

  Vincent Did you get my last PM? I have held off mailing the funds till I hear from you. Sorry it took me so long to get the funds ready to mail. If you did sale the engines I understand and sure don't blame you if you did.  

 Ulrich and Galaxy Again, best wishes for your love ones.

 Jeffery Hope you are getting around better!

 Well The Steamers have a Full Head Of Steam, so it is time to run the Trains!

             See you all later

                        Ken          

[Packers#1]

Chris, nice man, ain't done anything clsoe to that.

G, worst I've done was hold the end of a firecracker in my fingertips and it exploded; left my ears ringing but that was it

believe me, we're gonna have fun with the fireworks here in SC...they're actually illegal in the city, but since our backyard is the city/county line, the cops don't care unless someone complains

[steamfreightboy]

I mean for fireworks, not blowing up your hand

[steamfreightboy]

galaxy

Still people will manage to go across the border to PA and buy fireworks and will STILL manage to blow their fingers or hands off!

Better than having to cross the border from NJ just to pump your own gas!

[galaxy]

Packers#1

Chris, illegal fireworks? not here in SC my friend, we can still get plenty of explosives for our buck

Fireworks are definitely illegal in New York without a  license. Still people will manage to go across the border to PA and buy fireworks and will STILL manage to blow their fingers or hands off! The 4th of July is hte busiest day for the ER around here!

[galaxy]

Sir Madog

Both are actually Austrian, but I mean modern German pop music, which is an insult to my ears.

Actually So is Modern Rap "music" here, tough some of our younger modelers might disagree. I can't wait to be 80 years old and have them playing it in stores to the then "40-somethings" as their "favorite old favorites"  !!!!

[AmanaMedic]

SAWYER: Must be nice living in a state like THAT...in Iowa, only sparklers (yeah, THOSE are safe...), snakes, and caps for your cap gun, uh as long as you don't get shot or take it within 100 yards of a school or something like THAT... are legal. Back in my kid days, we had some guys who made journeys just across the line into Missouri, where of course, the world's best fireworks stands are located. They'd come back with their car, truck, etc. FULL of "the good stuff." And, us idiot kids (after saving our allowances for the past year...) would go and buy bricks of Black Cat firecrackers, M-80, M-100, bottle rockets by the hundreds, Roman candles by the dozens, etc., etc., etc.

We'd have fireworks wars in Noelridge Park.

Yup. Picture two "armies" of kids hiding in the lilac and other bushes launching bottle rockets out of Pepsi and Coke bottles at each other, tossing apples with firecrackers in 'em, tossing smoke bombs and the occasional odd M-80 just for kicks. No casualties ever resulted, other than during hasty retreats once the police helicopter would show up, or somebody would spot "the man in blue" getting close!

Good times, goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood times.

Nowadays, my goofy Wife likes the snakes, she even grabbed a three-pack with the groceries yesterday. Of course, she just HAD to light up a pack this morning. Ever see a non-smoker try to use a Bic lighter? It's a sad yet funny sight to see! I finally took pity on her and lit 'em up, after re-arranging the colored pellets ('sposed to be multi-color snakes, ya know...). Well (toad still happy, still floating along), they weren't. The smoke coming up off the pellets was...green, mostly. Now she can't wait to light up the "Glo-Worms" and whatever the other pack is.

*sigh*

Time to tune in the radio for Daytona...

Chris

 

[cats think well of me]

Oh German music! I listen to some Rammstein and Kraftwerk quite a bit. I don't speak German but still love hearing the music all the same.

Alvie

[Packers#1]

Chris, illegal fireworks? not here in SC my friend, we can still get plenty of explosives for our buck

well I've done some more layout work, this time with sculptamold. the stuff has the consistency of cream cheese, but is GREAT to work with! I'm hoping it sands smooth, or I'll need to add a thin layer of joint compound over it. 

[AmanaMedic]

"If I'm not mistaken both videos (99 Luftballoons and 99 Red Balloons) were played for something like an hour during during a Katrina relief charity."

Was THAT so they'd STOP playing them????

Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood Evening,

I must admit, I do have the German version of 99 Red Balloons in my iTunes. Why? I like the sound of the German language, and it totally removes the poly-ticks of the song, thus making it far more enjoyable when it pops up. Plus, something about the way the chick accentuates some of the words, such as "krieg," "something-Macht," etc.Harsh accents, maybe THAT's the way to describe it???

I've also got the German version of "Major Tom" by THAT Schilling dude. I don't know...sounds to me like this..."mechanical voice" is saying something about "go to Burger King" over and over again in it. Of course, I only speak "Hogan's Heroes" German... so what do I know?

In other news and views from Clarence, Iowa... I received a box of stuff from Walthers in a much shorter period of time than usual. Included was an undecorated Atlas Ford Fairmont. You see, The Wife, back in our college days, had a blue and white Fairmont THAT she turned into a mobile piece of "art." She called it "art." The stoned hippie professor called it "art." I called it a waste of time and paint... Anyhoo, she got an A on the "project." So...since THAT all happened in my modeling era, I figure it would only be right to replicate "the car."

I should add, this particular stoned hippie professor gave bonus points/grades to her faithful hippie wanna-bee students who would go dumpster diving for objects THAT could be used for..."multi-media artwork" and "installations." Don't ask me folks...I didn't understand THAT crap then. I don't understand it now. "Ooooooh look! A broken chair! We can use THAT to represent the broken (fill in your favorite political/social whatever)!!!" Good grief.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm. Either we're under fire, or somebody in town has some EEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-LEEEGalll firework things... Got some "booms" going on outside.

Well (with a toad floating happily in it), time to get back to w**k. I had to finish the write-up on Thursday's softball double-header and write last night's baseball double-header (in 95 degree heat and brutal humidity). I've also got a pair of games to write-up from my other school, and "should" put together a piece about an unelected governmental body who gets together to decide which road projects get money and which don't. Sitting through their meeting Thursday morning, I felt like I'd been to the sausage factory. You know the old saying: once you've seen it made, you'll never eat it again?" Well...

Best wishes to all in need; be it dental, worries about family or whatever in particular ails the mind, body or spirit.

Chris

A UP "Foamers' Special:" UP 1995 on her first trip west passing through Clarence, Iowa with the CNW 8646 and CNW 8701 along for the ride. July 16, 2006

[blownout cylinder]

Then, of course there was...ern...Nina Hagen and her version of The Tubes "White Punks On Dope"...it actually was a bit of a hit up here.... An interesting time was had then...

Good Afternoon...

We made it through another yard sale..actually garnered over another grand from it...

As well, I did escape and went to the office today...seems tomorrow will be kind of short on staff ...oh well...get to do something other than writing reports all day...

TomW: How does that reduction gear work again? It does sound kind of odd...but then what size can motor does it have...

Chloe, I'll just have a coffee and a burger platter please..I'll be at the RC for a bit...

 

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Tom ... Your GN 2-6-8-0  looks absolutely fabulous. Thanks for sharing.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

galaxy

Do you have some time for me Then I'll sing a song for you About 99 balloons On their way to the horizon Are you perhaps thinking of me? Then I'll sing a song for you About 99 balloons And that something comes from such a thing

99 Red Balloons You and I in a little toy shop Buy a bag of balloons with the money we've got. Set them free at the break of dawn 'Til one by one, they were gone. Back at base, bugs in the software Flash the message, Something's out there. Floating in the summer sky. 99 red balloons go by.

99 balloons On their way to the horizon They thought they were UFOs from space So a general sent A flying squad out there To raise the alarm if it was true Yet there on the horizon were Only 99 balloons

99 red balloons. floating in the summer sky. Panic bells, it's red alert. There's something here from somewhere else. The war machine springs to life. Opens up one eager eye. Focusing it on the sky. Where 99 red balloons go by.

99 jet planes Each one was a great warrior Thought that they were Captain Kirk There were great fireworks The neighbors didn't understand anything And felt equally provoked Yet there they shot on the horizon At 99 balloons

99 Decision Street. 99 ministers meet. To worry, worry, super-scurry. Call the troops out in a hurry. This is what we've waited for. This is it boys, this is war. The president is on the line As 99 red balloons go by

99 war ministers Matches and petrol cans Thought that they were clever people Already caught wind of great spoils [of war] Shouted: War, and wanted power Man, who would have thought That one day it would come to this Because of 99 balloons	99 Knights of the air Ride super-high-tech jet fighters Everyone's a superhero. Everyone's a Captain Kirk. With orders to identify. To clarify and classify. Scramble in the summer sky. As 99 red balloons go by.
99 years of war Don't leave a place for victors There are no ministers of war any more And No jet planes either Today I'm doing my rounds Seeing the world lying in ruins Found a balloon Think of you and let it fly	99 dreams I have had. In every one a red balloon. It's all over and I'm standing pretty. In this dust that was a city. If I could find a souvenier. Just to prove the world was here. And here is a red balloon I think of you and let it go   video here in German: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQYQTFudrqc

I've heard that before, first time back around the mid 80's. If I'm not mistaken both videos (99 Luftballoons and 99 Red Balloons) were played for something like an hour during during a Katrina relief charity. The German version and English version are somewhat different. The verse I put in on the left is the best I could on the translation from German to English. The translation program is hit and miss at best and my German is a bit rusty considering I last used it in 1978.

[Anonymous]

galaxy

Sir Madog:

...in the early 1980´s when the German pop music "makers" tried to come up with something different the the typical German popular songs, which are rather painful.

 

"Oh, tannenbaum" is not so painful, nor is "Silent Night" LOL. We are rather fond of them around Christamas here, LOL

Both are actually Austrian, but I mean modern German pop music, which is an insult to my ears.

[twhite]

Garry:

Okay, here's Tom's model, LOL!  It's an older PFM, I don't know what year it was imported, but it's interesting as all get-out, at least IMO. 

I seem to have gone on a minor GN kick--was in Bruce's yesterday, and he had one of these little gadgets--thought I'd pick it up so my 2-6-8-0 could have a friend.  Another early PFM brass--this one cost less than a current Spectrum 2-8-0 (!).   A little 'grindy', but runs nice and smooth.  I think they make a cute couple, don't you, LOL?

Tom

 

[galaxy]

Sir Madog

...in the early 1980´s when the German pop music "makers" tried to come up with something different the the typical German popular songs, which are rather painful.

"Oh, tannenbaum" is not so painful, nor is "Silent Night" LOL. We are rather fond of them around Christamas here, LOL

[galaxy]

Sir Madog

Galaxy - I did not know there was an English version of Peter Schilling´s "Major Tom". It was really popular in Germany in the early 1980´s when the German pop music "makers" tried to come up with something different the the typical German popular songs, which are rather painful.

The so called New German Wave lasted for about two years and then disappeared, only to be unearthed recently.

Yep. Then there wa Nena and the "99 luftballons" that also made it popular over here in the USA {in addition to both the English and German versions of Major Tom by Schilling}, played in both English and german circa 1980 {not responsibe for translation errors made by others}:

Hast Du etwas Zeit für mich Dann singe ich ein Lied fuer Dich Von 99 Luftballons Auf ihrem Weg zum Horizont Denkst Du vielleicht grad' an mich Dann singe ich ein Lied fuer Dich Von 99 Luftballons Und dass sowas von sowas kommt

99 Red Balloons You and I in a little toy shop Buy a bag of balloons with the money we've got. Set them free at the break of dawn 'Til one by one, they were gone. Back at base, bugs in the software Flash the message, Something's out there. Floating in the summer sky. 99 red balloons go by.

99 Luftballons Auf ihrem Weg zum Horizont Hielt man fuer UFOs aus dem All Darum schickte ein General Eine Fliegerstaffel hinterher Alarm zu geben, wenn es so war Dabei war da am Horizont Nur 99 Luftballons

99 red balloons. floating in the summer sky. Panic bells, it's red alert. There's something here from somewhere else. The war machine springs to life. Opens up one eager eye. Focusing it on the sky. Where 99 red balloons go by.

99 Duesenjaeger Jeder war ein grosser Krieger Hielten sich fuer Captain Kirk Das gab ein grosses Feuerwerk Die Nachbarn haben nichts gerafft Und fuehlten sich gleich angemacht Dabei schoss man am Horizont Auf 99 Luftballons

99 Decision Street. 99 ministers meet. To worry, worry, super-scurry. Call the troops out in a hurry. This is what we've waited for. This is it boys, this is war. The president is on the line As 99 red balloons go by

99 Kriegsminister Streichholz und Benzinkanister Hielten sich fuer schlaue Leute Witterten schon fette Beute Riefen: Krieg und wollten Macht Mann, wer haette das gedacht Dass es einmal soweit kommt Wegen 99 Luftballons	99 Knights of the air Ride super-high-tech jet fighters Everyone's a superhero. Everyone's a Captain Kirk. With orders to identify. To clarify and classify. Scramble in the summer sky. As 99 red balloons go by.
99 Jahre Krieg Liessen keinen Platz fuer Sieger Kriegsminister gibt es nicht mehr Und auch keine Duesenflieger Heute zieh ich meine Runden Seh die Welt in Truemmern liegen Hab' nen Luftballon gefunden Denk' an Dich und lass' ihn fliegen	99 dreams I have had. In every one a red balloon. It's all over and I'm standing pretty. In this dust that was a city. If I could find a souvenier. Just to prove the world was here. And here is a red balloon I think of you and let it go   video here in German: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQYQTFudrqc

 

I think those two songs, Major Tom {Peter Schilling} and 99 Luftballons {Nena} were the only two real "german invasion" songs that made it high on the music charts here. There may have been others, or other cuts off those albums that did not do so well. Both were fun while they lasted.

There was also the song "Gloria", which was also written  in Italian and the Italian version was on the back side of the 45RPM of "Gloria" by Laura Branigan, which made the #2 spot in 1982 in English} {Remember 45 RPMs people?}

Ah a 'stroll down amnesia lane" to quote Robin WIlliams in the movie Dead Poet's Society.

[Anonymous]

Galaxy - I did not know there was an English version of Peter Schilling´s "Major Tom". It was really popular in Germany in the early 1980´s when the German pop music "makers" tried to come up with something different the the typical German popular songs, which are rather painful.

The so called New German Wave lasted for about two years and then disappeared, only to be unearthed recently.

[cats think well of me]

Hello all,

Flo, spicy rice balls and a microbrew please :)

I'm settling down for an easy weekend of painting Preiser figures. I have about 36 done, and I realized I'll not do all 120 inside the package, most for sure and obviously just the ones that'd be most in place (some members of the wedding party that came with figure set doesn't look like it'd fit). At some point, I'll pick up another box of unpainted figures, and a handful of painted figures that I like. 

Alvie

 

 

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Good afternoon.

 

Here is a photo of a GN 2-6-8-0. It will have to do until Tom can post his model 2-6-8-0.

Nice day here. . The Seadoo is in the lake. Cheers....

 

[simon1966]

I was browsing around my photo albums last night and found this little sequence

2004

 

 

2008

 

 

2011

[

 

What a great hobby this is!!

[galaxy]

ANd something different for those what can't read german:

Major Tom by Peter Schilling:

 Error In The System, circa 1980:

Standing there alone
the ship is waiting
all systems are go
are you sure?

control is not convinced
but the computer
has the evidence
"no need to abort"

the countdown starts
watching in a trance
the crew is certain

nothing left to chance
all is working
trying to relax
up in the capsule
"send me up a drink"
jokes Major Tom
the count goes on

4 3 2 1
Earth below us
drifting falling
floating weightless
calling calling home...

second stage is cut
we're now in orbit
stabilizers up
running perfect
starting to collect
requested data
what will it effect
when all is done
thinks Major Tom

back at ground control
there is a problem
go to rockets full
not responding
"hello Major Tom
are you receiving
turn the thrusters on
we're standing by"
there's no reply

4 3 2 1
Earth below us
drifting falling
floating weightless
calling calling home...

across the stratosphere
a final message
"give my wife my love"
then nothing more

far beneath the ship
the world is mourning
they don't realize
he's alive
no one understands
but Major Tom sees
now the life commands
this is my home
I'm coming home

Earth below us
drifting falling
floating weightless
coming home...
Earth below us
drifting falling
floating weightless
coming home...
Earth below us
drifting falling
floating weightless
coming coming home...
home.....

[galaxy]

Sir Madog

 Galaxy - are you sure they have not put you on something not really legal. What´s that stuff your smoking there?

Er, uh, I don't smoke it...I snort it. One snort 4 times daily. Thats the destructions on the bottle.

This is Major Tom to ground control:  I'm floating in a most peculiar way...

Or, for YOU Ulrich: try this:

By: Peter Schilling
Grudlich durchgecheckt
steht sie da
und wartet auf den Start
Alles klar.
Experten streiten sich
um ein paar Daten
die Crew hat dann noch
ein paar Fragen, doch
der Countdown lauft
Effektavitat
bestimmt das Hendein
Man verlabt sich blind
auf den andern
jeder weib genau
was von ihm abhangt,
jederist im Streb,
doch Major Tom
macht einen Scherz.
Dann hebt er ab und!
Ref:
Vollig losgelost
van der Erde
schwebt das Raumschiff
vollig schwerelos
Die Erdanziehungskraft
ist uberwunden
Alles lauft perfekt
schon seit Stunden
Wissenschaftliche
Experimente,
doch was nutzen die
am Ende denkt
sich Major Tom
Im Kontrollzentrum
da wird man panisch.
Der Kurs der Kapsel der
stimmt ja gar nicht.
Hallo Major Tom
konnen Sie horen
woll'n Sie das Projekt
denn so zerstoren, doch
er kann nichts horn
er schwebt weiter
Ref:
Vollif losgelost
von der Erde
schwebt das Raumschiff
vollig schwerelos
Die Erde schimmert blau
Sein letzter Funk kommit:
Grubt mir meine Frau
Und er verstummt
Unten trauern noch
die Egoisten,
Major Tom denkt sich
Wenn die wubten,
mich fuhrt hier ein Licht
durch das All,
das kennt ihr noch nicht,
ich komme bald
Mir wird kalt.
Ref:
Vollig losgelost
Van der Erde
Schwebt das Raumschiff

 

If you want the music to go with it try here:

http://www.last.fm/music/Peter+Schilling/_/Major+Tom+(V%C3%B6llig+Losgel%C3%B6st)

Put that in your pipe and smoke it!

 

[Curt Webb]

Afternoon,

Well I believe I proved to myself today that I am a idiot.. I went to install the 2 tortoises on the turnouts going into the yard (easiest to get to). I got the first one installed with very little problem then came the testing. The darn thing would only throw in one direction when I applied power. If I switched leads (G-B, B-G) it would throw only in the opposite direction. When I flipped the DPDT I could hear the servo for a second but nothing  happened. I then had the brilliant idea that maybe there wasn't enough power so I unhooked the power source and attached a DC power pack- No change. I once  again verified that everything was connected well and re-attached the first  power supply. I am now standing at the control panel and try switching the DPDT and the Tortoise has now miraculously decided to work. I flip it to the other direction with no change. Eureka I realize that the DPDT has a neutral center position (some do and some don't). Now when I test it repeatedly after a little adjusting it works perfectly. Tortoise 2 went in without issue and worked fine. Did I mentioned I feel like a idiot.

[Cox 47]

Good Morning all...Its sunny and a very muggy 83 posta get some thunder bumpers...I'll have a double RBF please...Thank You...I sealed the deal for 10 2 bay cars for coal drags on the I&S and a 25 car "Junk Box"..Now the wait for them to get here!...

Sallie and her sisters went to their mothers so I worked on sign my neighbor gave me..Knowing I am a big Cardinal fan...I sanded His name off,repainted,put my name on and touched it up alittle...

You All have a good one..Jerry

[Anonymous]

Good Evening Folks!

Just a short stop to grab a bite and give you an update.

After some very dramatic hours (days?) there seems to be a slight improvement in my  mother´s condition. She has regained consciousness, but most likely suffered some brain damage. The medical term is vascular dementia. Both my parents are aware of the problems arising from this, but are unable to make up the now necessary decisions. I want them to move into an assisted living facility close to our place, but there is little I can do to make them want this. I have talked to various docs about this, only to learn that the only way is to wait for the worst to happen.

Tom - good to see you back - I missed you. Your posts always put a smile on my face.

Galaxy - are you sure they have not put you on something not really legal. What´s that stuff your smoking there?

Out again - CUL!

 

[Packers#1]

Hey folks, not much going on here. looks like another slow, relaxing day. The nationwide race last night was exciting. I'm expecting the Cup race to be even better! I think Trevor Bayne could DEFINITELY pull off a season sweep of Daytona...especially driving for the Wood Brothers. They know how to build a car. I'm also tired of hearing everyone complain about the two car draft; I like it WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY better than the old pack racing. All that was was about 30-something cars (don't forget there are some start/parks so a 43 car field shrinks to about 37-38 at least after the first 10-15 laps) running around and shuffling. These two car drafts are like big cars, and with the runs you can get and the momentum you lose by losing your partner, well, that seems more like an actual race than the pack. 

Ulricha nd galaxy, I can't imagine what y'all are going through, prayers definitely for y'all.

Welp, updated my website just now. Deleted a few pages and changed the layout page to a blog format.

EDIT: TOP again?! ok, ok Vinnie, yes I've got the tab, no worries man. Dang y'all, i do need SOME money left over for fireworks on the 4th! ahhhhhhhhh how I love thee South Kackalacky