Elliot´s Trackside Diner - October 2011

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 

[cudaken]

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Followed my father this morning as he took his RV to DeRidder to have the rear window seal replaced. We went to DQ for breakfast then went back to pick up the RV and head back home. Despite being twenty-three years old it didn't experience any problems.

What have I been up to since then? Well I grabbed some new freight cars and the weathering powder and now the cars don't look so new anymore. I have another tank car coming in a few days, a 70's era (looks like Atlas/Roco) Frontier Chemical tank car. Saw it on Ebay for $9.99 with free shipping and just had to have it. It should be here this weekend.

[Cederstrand]

Coffee in a STORMY SOUTHERN mug, please.

***Ken, sorry to hear about Tiff. There is only so much you can do for a 4-legged friend at that age. Our Yeti had a cough for a month or so before finally giving up the ghost. Often a sign of heart failure.

Took the truck out today. Twice it started right up. Then at Tractor Supply (furthest away from home) it pulled that, "turn over but won't start" cra*. Let it sit a while. Then, around attempt #10 it finally started. I could tell my wife's BP was throguh the roof, thinking we would be needing a tow. I tried to reasure her it would start, eventually. That said, even I won't be turning off the engine ever again when running errands. YIKES, that was not good.

Dark skies, a few thunder-boomers, and plenty of rain here.

Rob

[cudaken]

 Evening Dinners? 

 Boy Flo a little slow again? Yep guess they are trying the German Cuisine. Well I will take a Big Boy Sub, tender of fries and a in a frosted Monon Mug please! Oh, Drinks are on me for tonight.

 Well it is about as official as it gets till I sign the W-4's and I-9 paper work! Unless the drug test can pick up a hit I took off joint in 1985 (I did not inhale ) or a bladder infection I start Monday! Called Dave and told him I took the test and asked him what to ware and where to meet him Monday. Was told dress pants and polo shirt and he will call me Friday and tell him where we will meet! Sounds pretty solid to me, what do you think? 

 Rob Does the check engine light come on? If it does you might be able to get it scanned to see if there are any codes showing. Auto Stupid will scan for free, but with the year your truck is I think the light ha to be on or the computer will clear the codes. I think it was not till 1992 till the computer could pull old codes and the check engine light could be off.

  Far as Tiff I know you just been through the same thing. It is hard watching a friend go down hill and not being able to do a darn thing about it. Worst part, you can tell them this is good for you and they cannot tell you what is wrong. She is getting picker and picker on what she will eat.

  Anyone talk to Ulrich Lately?

  See you later, Ken 

[blownout cylinder]

mmmm...good evening...

I was looking at some of my photos from about a week ago and I will have to put them up on photobucket ...some are rather interesting by the looks of things...

Ken: This job that I got was done through the same scenario..out of the blue..email shows up..and I apply ..got phone call from some HR person ..blabbed on the phone for about an hour..get interview next day...boom..hired right on the spot....mmmmmm....things that make you go hhhmmmmnn....

[Curt Webb]

Evening All,

Not much happening here tonight. MOH and I went out to dinner then stopped at Lowe's. I got a sample container of Cool Lava and a 4x4 piece of plywood (the size of my extension) so I can do some 1:1 planning. MOH said I thought you weren't starting until next year.

I put together the floor of the roundhouse and got the track installed. I have about 5.25 inches of track going out the front of the roundhouse.

Jeff- Nice weathering job on the cars.

Galaxy- Your morning greeting reminded me of the late local evening news back in the 60's when they would say "It's 10 PM do you know where your children are?" 

Aussie Jim- Best wishes for avoiding the tornado's.

Lee- I actually figured that out myself, believe it or not. I'm actually shocked that I did.

Ken- That was another awesome video you posted. Congrats on your new job.

Sometimes I think I am a . I just realized last night that the camera that I use has sound on videos that are shot. I normally have the sound turned off on my computer because all the different noises bother me. So here is a short video making use of the loco sound.

 

Have a good night.

[howmus]

Evenin' folks!

Just a decaf for me tonight.  Just relaxing for a while and catching up in the forums.

Guess what I got today installed today!  And does it look nice!  Never spent so much on a sink before, but it sure is an improvement....

This time i decided to go a few shelfs above House brand...

If it lasts as long as the cheapo I installed myself close to 25 years ago It will be the last one I will ever install....   The old one was leaking profusely every time I turned on the water from the faucet bushings and frame.  The stainless steel on it was completely rotted.  The trap underneath completely fell apart as soon as he put a wrench on it.  Nothing left of it.  Also had started to leak and the only thing stopping it from pouring out was the grease clog built up inside of it.  Should have got a photo of it.....  Getting the new one in for me took most of the day.  Glad I hired it done rather than trying to do it myself breaking a few things, and then calling the guy when i messed it all up...  On the other hand, I could have gotten to say some of those WORDS.....

On the train front, i did quite a bit more on the plasterwork and some other scenery.  photod tomorrow maybe.

Hmmm, Ulrich hasn't been in for a couple of days.....  Do hope he is OK!

Hope you all have a great evening!

73

[Cederstrand]

Green tea, please.

***Ray, sink looks good!

***Curt, where are the "mooooo" sounds?

***Ken, can auto stupid do that test while the engine is running? I would not want to drive it there and risk another starting problem scenario. Btw, I don't recall the engine light remaining lit.

Rob

[tcwright973]

Well, it certainly has been a bad week here at our house. The better half (72) fell down a couple of steps in the house and did a real number on her left leg on Tuesday. She has a fracture a few inches down from the knee, another fracture in the ankle, which was also significantly dislocated. She underwent surgery yesterday and had a number of screws put in on each side of the ankle. They had her down to physical therapy for about 15 minutes this morning to see how she would do with a walker. Surprised me as she is still being given some pretty strong pain medications. Morphine and percocet. The surgeon told us today that she will have to have the screws taken out in 8 weeks, but in the meantime, she will not be able to put any weight on the leg. This is going to be a lot of fun as she is legally blind and we live in a 2 story house with only 1 bathroom. So go ahead and guess where that's located in this house. I have discovered something truly remarkable because of all this though, and that is I have no idea where anything is. I have no idea how her system works because nothing is where my logic tells me it should be. In other words, they think I am going to have to take care of her, when in fact, I apparently can't take care of myself. Oh well, we have been together for 48 years, so I'm sure we will get past this little bump in life.

Tom

PS: Another real downside to all this is I had to cancel our annual wine run to Seneca Lake. I might not forgive her because of this.

[galaxy]

GOOD MORNING!!!

Today is Friday, October 14th, 2011!!!

[james saunders]

Thats a fine looking sink there Ray, what brand is it? I do love the looks of the tapware you have there. 

I'm only so curious as I work for a bathroom and kitchen supplies wholesaler.

[Cederstrand]

Chamomile tea, please.

***Tom, how could she dare cause you to miss the annual wine run. Kidding aside, YIKES, OUCH, that sounds painful indeed. Will cross my fingers and toes she makes a quick and full recovery.

***James, wife and I always enjoyed picking out new sinks and tapware. Then we would buy the cheap ones we could actually afford. Some years back MIL ruined our kitchen sink (enamel) by scrubbing it with Ajax after I asked her not to. That sink has looked dirty ever since. Gurrr!

Tomorrow I expect to work some on the never-ending fence. The sooner I complete it, the sooner I can get back to working on the RR.

Have a good night (or morning) y'all.

Rob

 

[Mr. Dispatcher]

Good Morning / Afternoon / Evening  Folks. How is everyone ?.

        I'm new to the diner so what's good on the menu ?. Let's see I think i'll have some chili cheese fries & a lg diet cola.  It rained here in Indy. Thurs. hopefully i can get to my club Saturday to run some trains and go over some Operation sheets.  See you all later.

                                                                                                  Otto 

[blownout cylinder]

Good Morning

Day Number 3 of rain be fallin' on our'n heads here......its going to continue through the weekend into next week as well....

Rob: Neighbour to our back and I are into the fence thing as well..tree fell on fence..crushed it yesterday...no wind..tree was hollow inside...sigh

Today, in between the raindrops, we'll be attempting to clear the debris left fronm tree falling over and see what remains of the fence..if anything. Otherwise it will be total replacement time

Flo, I'll just have a coffee for now please..I'll be at the RC for a bit.

 

[LSWrr]

Good Morning All,

 

Jeff, I did some tests last night and it seems the CPU is running at 90% capacity on my current machine.  So I think I’m going shopping this weekend and see what the computer store has on sale this weekend. 

 

Computer speed; I know my line speed is good, every year AT&T would have an introductory offer for new users if they signed up for a 1 year contract.  I would call and get the introductory rate every year even though I’ve been with AT&T DSL for several years.  I guess they got tired of me calling because 2 years ago they commented on my annual calls and asked if I would accept a different contract: I get whatever the maximum capacity line speed for my address at $29/mo and I never call them again to get the introductory price for new members.  I might borrow my GF’s laptop and test my line speed tonight…

 

Rain, wind, and nothing over 59F for the highs here throughout the next 10 days with lows in the 40’s.

 

Galaxy, most of the people here believe this winter will have more snow than average due to all the rain we have had this summer.  We had the #3 wettest summers since the 1800’s this year and we are getting closer to the #2 spot.  I would guess over the last 24 hours we had 3” of rain due to the standing water in the yard.

[wetidlerjr]

 

Good Morning ! from Tipton IN.

 

[LSWrr]

Wisconsin Rail Fan:

In October, 2011 Mr. Kevin Soucie, Director - US Government Affairs with the Canadian National Railroad (CN) will be at the Oshkosh City Hall to present the City of Oshkosh with a check for $20,000 to be used for the development and installation of informational displays/signs commemorating the history of the rail bridge crossing the Fox River, its role in the economic development of the city, and its influence on the community. 

 

The rail bridge crossing the Fox River was constructed in 1899 and based on its 110+ years of service has exceeded its useful lifespan and must be replaced.  Due to the historic significance of the bridge, the CN has entered into an agreement with the US Coast Guard, Fox River Navigational Systems Authority, the Fox-Wisconsin Heritage Parkway, the Friends of the Fox, and the City of Oshkosh Landmarks Commission to mitigate the loss of this historic/cultural structure by developing interpretive displays/signs incorporating the two 1899 Date Plaques as well as Builders Plaques into two separate interpretive displays/signs.  These interpretive displays/signs will be located on the present and planned riverwalk near the new railroad bridge; one located on the north shore and the second located on the south shore of the Fox River. 

[TMarsh]

Good Morning!! Coffee and Strudel please. If I keep this up I’m gonna turn in to a piece of Strudel.

Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. Temps are cooling down. Jacket weather.

Tom- I’m sorry to hear what happened with the wife. My prayers for her recovery. And quickly. Also that you find the bread. (chuckle)

Harvest is winding down. So far, as of last night, the elevator will be closed on Sundays again. Brenda is looking forward to a day off. Also last night….they closed at 5pm. Of course it had to rain to do that, so that made for a slow day and they could, but the bad side of the lost day is they may stay open Sunday to make up for it. That is the reason I don’t like it to rain in the fall during harvest time. Just slows things down. Busy or not the elevator stays open 7 days a week for those to bring in preloads, from the bins, transferring and to do maintenance on the elevator.

Ken- Hey! Let me know when you’ll be in Springfield, I wo*k Tues, Thurs and Fridays. Usually available most other times (with notice) and we’ll meet. Tuesdays all day is bad, but possibly do able based on a narrow time frame. Thurs and Fridays, usually in the mornings to just after noon can be still good.

Unless of course it’s closing day on Mom’s house. WHICH they haven’t given an actual date and time yet. Best give the Realtor a call.

Ray- Nice sink! Especially the high neck faucet. You’ll like that. I know if we ever have to change the faucet here, it will be a highneck like that.

Rob- Yup, problem with enamel sinks. We always had stainless when I was a kid and even now. And with the way Brenda bangs pots in the sink... But you didn't hear that from ME!

Well, I couldn’t figure out how to do what you guys did as far as posting that picture of the results of the speed test, but my results were

Ping / 48ms,

Download/1.52mbps,

Upload/ 0.25mbps.

Gets me a D-. However, in Casscomm’s defense, I’m getting what I pay for. They offer levels of cable internet service, and I opted for the lowest level when I made the switch from dialup several years ago. After THAT I still feel like I’m flying right along on the net. Funny thing, about a year ago, I got a notice from them saying that that my 1.5mbps (actually I think it was “up to 2mbps” probably) speed was not being offered anymore and that I would get $10 off the first six months to upgrade. I figured they’d force me to upgrade but nope. Still charging me $25.

Best get doing….something. Probably clean the tools out of the truck (one seater again) and the back bed of course needs emptied so I can fill it with more stuff.

Ya’ll have a Great Day!!!

[Curt Webb]

Morning All,

MOH made rolls this morning for breakfast. They are called Key Lime Pie Cinnamon Rolls which the creator won a Pillsbury's Cooking Award for. I brought enough to the diner for everyone to try. The citrus and cinnamon go very well  together.

Sitting here killing time before I go get cut by my doctor. Later my son and I are going to the movies. Other than that no plans for today, but may try to get a little time with the roundhouse.

Ray- Very nice sink and faucet. We have a goose neck faucet and love it.

Tom- Sorry to hear about your wife . Sending prayers her way for a speedy recovery. 

Lee- It's always good to hear when history is being preserved.

Ulrich- Hope everything is well with you.

Have a good day.

[cudaken]

 Morning Folks!

 Flo Glass of Lemonade and a bowl of Frosted Flakes please.

 I was tired and grumpy most of the day yesterday, I had not sleep worth a darn in the last 2 days. Went to bed last night around 6:45 PM! Sleep a lot better now that I am not wondering if I got the job. Up to day around 5:00 AM, little tired but not bad.

 Tom Sorry to hear about your wife's fall! Far as not being able to find things, yep I know that feeling. But. then again, my wife cannot find stuff either!

 Ray So doing a sink by your self is a No No? Glad you posted that. How that I have a job where I can afford putting some money into the house again time to change the sink. Last year during Floor Wars (I installed a kitchen floor) I was looking at sinks and a new range hood. Other than the sink and the range hood kitchen looks pretty fair. 

 Rob With your truck, I believe you have to scan while it is running. But if the check engine light is not on, they will not be able to pull any codes. But check with a dealership or someone that knows more than me, I could be wrong. I know on our old 90 Town Car check engine light had to be on to pull codes. I think it was around 91 or 92 they started making computer that could pull up old codes from its memory.

 Berry Yea it still surreal how this job came about. When I was a area supervisor I was know as a bit of a hard butt when it came to following company rules. When I went to other supervisor's area's I was real hard core about it. Guess that is what Neil remembered about me from when I was in his shop. Funny, I never thought blowing him some stuff would get me a job 20 years later.

 Curt Photo Bucket videos just don't work well. Looks like you have a good camera, see if you can post on U Tube. It will play much better.

  Todd If I go up to Springfield I will get you some notices. If I get a computer camera I can sigh the paper work here from my house. Marcia has to see me sign the paper work.

  Well, that is all I have to say at this point. Just looked at my wife's honey do list, need to get going with only 3 more days off freedom.

       Ken 

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Where is Ulrich? Are we stranded in Munich? 

PA Tom .... I'm sad your wife fell and broke her leg so badly. Prayers for her recoery.

Ken ... Sounds like you have a good thing going on the job front. Hope all works out for you. 

Lee ..... Interesting to read about the Fox River Bridge. 

Ray .... Wow! You're quite a do-it-yourself handyman.

Curt ... Roundhouse project looks like it is going well.

Here's my Athearn GP9, detailed and painted for Northern Pacific. (See if I get a reaction from somebody here, an NP fan.)

[gear-jammer]

Good morning, Chloe.  I would like my usual coffee and cinnamon roll with cream cheese frosting, please.  Curt's Key Lime Cinnamon rolls sound good, but not for breakfast.  And Ken, lemonade for breakfast?  How does that taste with the frosted flakes?

Curt,  Is the RH the Walthers' kit?  Are you planning on doing the pits? Or are you going to paint them black?  Which TT do you have?  We did the 130' Walthers', and it told us how long to make the track.  I haven't finished our RH because there are things behind it that need to be completed first.  We didn't do the pits.  I am hoping that the lighting inside won't reveal that too much.

Ray,  Your new sink looks great.  I hope you caught the leaks before rot developed.

Garry, Nice scene.  Your details are always so great.

I plan to work on a cyclone for one of the businesses on the layout this weekend.  After driving around looking at local ones, I plan to kit-bash the one that came in the kit.  It is a small project, but it will still take some noodling.

Later, Sue

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Welcome Otto. Everything on the menu is good. Please drop by again and tell us something about yourself.

 

Good morning. It's 54° and sunny. The high will be 84° and it will remain sunny.

I'll likely be busy weathering some freight cars today. I've already done a Tyco 40' Hi-cube this morning and it doesn't look bad at all even though it's at the toy end of most of my rolling stock. I have two 50' Hi-cubes to do still. I think they're Stewart though I can't swear to it. There's also a Tyco gondola and a Model Power 2-bay hopper that need attention there's a Bachmann 50' depressed center flat car. In fact since I was thinking about it I've already picked it up and stripped the load and trucks off it. While I'm at it I'll probably fit it with Kadee's as well just so I don't have to do it at some later time. Some time back somebody tried convincing me it's impossible to put Kadee #148's in Tyco truck mount coupler boxes. He either didn't try or was talking out the side of his face. Yesterday I made six attempts to install them in that way and I had six successes. To keep the coupler shanks from pushing up through the opening in the top of the box I simply tied a strand of thin wire around the end of the box and secured it in place with a drop of glue. The couplers move exactly like they're supposed to and self center without a problem. They'll do until I get around to doing body mounts on those cars. My Roco Frontier Chemicals tank car should be here this weekend (tomorrow) or Monday at the latest. At $9.99 with no shipping cost I couldn't pass it up. Speaking of new cars I have an Athearn Dow Chemicals covered hopper I just got put together and haven't had a chance to do anything other than install shelf couplers on it before a couple of modelers started making noises about obtaining it for themselves. It tracks very well and shows no sign of binding or other trouble even on my rough track.

[howmus]

Guten Morgen Modellbahner!

Breakfast bar looks good this morning!  I'll have a trip to THAT and a cup of dark roast coffee to start the day.

I'm starting to get worried about Ulrich!  Hope he is just having some computer problems, and not health issues.......

Thanks for all the "sink" comments.  The sink itself is a Kohler Toccata 19 gauge stainless steel one.  The Faucet is a Delta Lewiston.  They both should last a good long time.  My youngest son has suggested I clean it once in a while.......   Sue, there is a floor in the cabinet it goes in which has taken most of the damage over the years.  the old assembly used to come apart all by itself every few months.  Had a lot of dishwater run out onto the kitchen floor over the years.  I finally cut a 2 x 4 and stuck it under one of the drian piupes to keep it together.  THAT w*rked for the last 10/12 years.  The guy who installed it said not to run boiling hot water down the drain and I won't have THAT problem.....  Now he tells me!  I used to do all THAT kibd of home improvement stuff myself.  Isn't much I can't do, but I just have gotten to the age I rather pay someone who does it for a living do it for me.  (Helps out some folks who are trying to make a living as well....)

Ken, good luck with the job!  Keeping you in my prayers.

Tom, sorry to hear about your wife's fall!  Hope she has an uneventful recovery.  Hope you can manage without getting your annual supply of those great Finger Lakes Wines this year.  Spring is a great time to come up this way as well, you know!

Speaking of Tom, it has been a while since California Tom has been in.  Hope he is doing well!

As always, I have a busy day planned, so I best get to doing some items on the list!

Later!

73

[blownout cylinder]

Our MIA list is growing again...Where are they?

TomW, Ulrich, Fergie, Ed....who else?

 

[Cederstrand]

Italian Roast coffee in a SUNNY SOUTHERN mug, please.

Last night at 3:45am I get a call from a hysterical MIL who says they found my wife's car abandoned in a church parking lot. What she didn't know and could have learned had she just called me is that my wife car pooled yesterday with a friend from work. All I can say is her car had better still be in that church parking lot when she arrives to drive it home or she'll be mighty ticked. That's dementia for you. With daily episodes of craziness, I expect MIL to end up in the memory care unit sooner rather than later. Her head is a bigger mess than the floor of my train room.

Have a good day all.

Rob

[Curt Webb]

Otto- Welcome to the Diner.

Sue-  Yes it is a Walther's Roundhouse with one set of add on stalls. I'm not adding the pits and I paint the wood base dark brown for earth so that should be OK for the pits. I don't have the CMR TT yet (January) but it uses a 10 degree spread like the Walther's RH. The online schematic for their TT shows a 2.5 inch spacing between the lip of the TT and the front of the RH, and I have a little over 5 inches of track to play with so I should be fine.

[last mountain & eastern hogger]

A Big Hi-Ho to OTTO.  Welcome aboard, this is a fine Diner, you are going to like it, I know !

Well Gang, We got home from our Springfield Mo. / Branson  holiday. We had great weather the whole time and no wind except two days on the way down and the last day coming home.

Spent yesterday catching up on yard work as there had to be two feet of leaves everywhere. Didn't get them all yet, but did get them off the deck and out of the dog pen and all of the side yard. Still have the back lawn to do but that will be with the mower.  I hate raking.........and shoveling and that will be next I suppose.

Haven't had a chance to get to the train room yet as today and through until Monday I am at work and not much time off in the following three weeks either. Oh the joys of retirement when you keep saying yes to other jobs that keep being presented and you have a problem saying NO.

Sorry to hear of the Wife's fall Tom, hope things progress smoothly for her.

Great news about the job Ken, we were sure pulling for you. Sorry about Tiff.

Rob,  I know what you are going through.  My Mother's mind let her down for 15 years before her passing. It was not a fun time. On the other hand my MIL's mind was great but her body failed her. Take your pick neither is great. But I think when the mind goes and you get confused and then somewhat lost in yourself, not being able to express yourself etc, must be a terrible exasperating feeling.  I hope I never know for sure.  

 

We had a nice ride on the "Ozark Zephyr" down into Arkansas.  Started back to Branson from the middle of nowhere. { Turn around point on top of a tressel }  A little disappointed that the windows weren't cleaner and one of the dome car window panes was completely "milked" over.         Nice to see some of the old Zephyr cars though. The power units were from the B&O ( they said )  a GP30 pulling outbound and a FP9 on the other (return) end. both painted in the Branson Scenic Railway red & grey with black lettering.

All for now Gang, better get back to work,  so I can pay the bills. 

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

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Rob: Next time you get the trucks computer read have them check the history. If a code has popped up before it'll be stored there even if the check engine light isn't on.