Elliot´s Trackside Diner - January 2013

[JeremyB]

back quick again guys,

Just called the factory and I have a interview tomorrow at 8:30am. I made it then because I have no idea on what im working seeing the place im at now doesnt tell us until the night before. Im going to have to tell him If I have to work tomorrow it wont be until later on. See you guys later on.

[TMarsh]

Good Morning!!!

Egg casserole thing with sausage and little square chunks of potato in it please. Yes of course coffee. Thank you.

After seeing what a lot of the country to the north is getting, no comment or complaint on the weather here.

Well Ray, yes I had time to finish the floor in Brenda’s room without running up against time for w**k (I don’t care for w**king of an evening. Not only does it mess up my whole day watching the clock, but it sure fouls up supper time.),and yes I am technically retired so though not rich by any stretch of the imagination, I don’t really need the money ("need" and "could use" are two different things), and I did help the kid out true, but there are a few other things that kinda made me chuckle when I was asked. Now I was pretty much joking when I said I could have just given him the money and it would have been basically the same for me except for the no effort part, but then again, flinging pizza’s is a lot less effort than laying a wood floor, but what made me chuckle…kinda, and the owner as well, is that this young man of about 23, lives at home , pays no rent, no insurance, drives a car his parents bought for themselves but he claimed for his kinda sorta, does nothing around the house except play games on the internet until like 5 in the morning, sleeps til after 4 in the afternoon and gets up juuuuust in time to get to w**k in Wiliamsville. They live in Springfield.  His Dad also w**ks at the restaurant and has for several years (longer than me) and this 4 to 5 hour a night job……is his dream job. The son is a mirror image of his Dad. Now, we wonder where this lads money goes to that he can’t afford one tire on a Hyundai, and has to pick up extra hours to pay for it. The owner, my buddy, wasn’t real thrilled with me giving him one of my nights, not mad, just not real thrilled, nor was his son who also w**ks as the waiter, and his daughter, who only w*ks there on Friday and Saturday nights says if I pull that stunt on Friday nights with her,  she’ll kick my……cushioned area. They contend if he would spend less time staying up all night playing games with his good friend "Mary Jane" (if you catch what I mean) maybe he’d have a little extra cash. But, he’s a nice enough kid and I could use the extra time this week and….well I’m just a nice guy so it really didn’t bother me. Unless of course, they just trying to push me outta there for other reasons.

Whoa! That took longer than I'd planned. I'll just make a couple comments and then get outta here.

Ulrich- Good luck and stay strong. It’s pouring in your neck of the woods again isn’t it. I know. You need to be strong for all. My prayers for you and your whole family continue.

Jeremy- Not telling you when you w**k kinda makes it hard to schedule interviews with other places don’t cha think? Kinda makes you wonder. Anyway, good luck at the interview.

Ya’ll have a good day, ya hear!!!!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

cudaken

Jeffery, if you feel like talking about trains two questions.

  1 Does the dead Proto motor happen to look like a Athearn?

  2 I have a Proto 1000 F3 A unit that I cannot keep the wheels clean it seems. I clean the wheels with 70% alcohol and after a few lap's the LED starts flickering and it stumbles on certain sections of track. But, the B unit and my other PK 1000 F units have no problems on the same sections. Both trucks are picking up power, any ideas?

#1 No, it's a can motor like those used by Kato. It's a Kato drive.

#2 Not all loco wheels are created equal. While most today are cut from a disk of metal there are still some that are made of metal powder (sintered metal). I have a couple of locos that came with them and they picked up dirt like crazy. I assume this F3 has an Athearn clone drive? Did you get it new or used? If used the original wheels could have been removed and sintered ones put in. One of the F3's I worked on in the past had cracked gears and the Athearn wheelsets were a perfect fit. My suggestion? Change out the wheels.

[Cederstrand]

Coffee in an   SOUTHERN PACIFIC    mug, please.

Who makes the best sounding and running (HO) Daylight loco: BLI, MTH, other? Been contemplating parting with my beautiful (N) set from Kato and replacing it in (HO) scale. If I do this, I will likely go with whichever passenger cars look adequate, perhaps 6 in all (rather than the usual 10 cars) and not necessarily the same brand as the loco. As always, thoughts and suggestions appreciated.

Healing thoughts for those in need.

Cheers! Rob

[howmus]

Mornin' everyone!

OK, Zoe, who locked the door on me this morning?  Uh-huh, had to log in to get in the door to the diner...  Probably I ran out of cookies or something.  Anyway, I'll have a bowl of hot oatmeal with brown sugar, a banana, and lots of dark roast coffee.  Please and thank you Ma'am!

"We're havin' a Heat Wave, Tropical Heat Wave..."  Glad the sun is peeking through every now and then.  takes a bit of the bite out of the thermometer reading 8°F with a wind chill of -6°!  At least we don't have 24.8 inches like Ripley, NY to the Northeast of where I am...  Lake effect snow was one of the factors that did in the NYO&W way back when.

Todd, the young man appears to be the product of "Helicopter Parenting"....  Looks like 2nd. generation maybe???  An all too common thing today.  If "natural consequences" don't happen along the way, it is difficult to end up with a responsible person.  One reason I still work with Boy Scouts is that done well, young people end up knowing what will happen if they each don't do their part to contribute.

Have another very busy day ahead of me.  My son called last night and they need me to watch Granddaughter #2 for a couple hours this afternoon.  Then I need to head out to Canandaigua to feed Claude.  Tonight I am supposed to go to a Scout Properties meeting in Rochester.  Not going to make it I think as I also have to get my article written for the Division Newsletter today. 

Catch you all later!

73

[galaxy]

Well

it is now a whole 2 degrees F here!

Went to PT for my knee and hip. Did what i was told to and survived.

The osteo arthiritis is going to be another burdon I must bear. If the strong meds I am on for my back isn't working on the knee and hip, there isn't much hope?!But I know Jeffrey's ankle must bother him something fierce. so maybe I shoudln't complain? Actually I didn't complain about it for 3 months before mentioning it to my Doctor inpassing  the other day. He started the PT.

Well, Today is free bread day if I dare go back out into the cold!

Then to get the mail too!

Furnace runs about every 10- 15 mins, not bad....left it up on 67* last night instead of dropping it down.

Well,

Off I go, HAve a great day, ya'all

[yougottawanta]

relatively slow day at w##k. My youngest daughter still has a temp. Grandma has her. Both are pleased to be together even though the little one is sick.

Gary - what is 73 ? I know you told me a while back but as with many things with age my memory is a bit shot (of course the car accident years ago didnt help either ) LOL ! Heat wave 8 degree's !!! Well we must be in the tropics here , it is a sunny 28 dgree's ! Think I will throw on some sun tan lotion and go catch some rays

Rob - N to H why ? Tired or is it an eye site issue. I have both BLI and MTH . I like both and I havent really noticed a noise issue with either. I really like MTH . But some time ago there was some grumbling about the president of MTH being a jerk. I forget what the issue was now.

Jeremy - Good luck with the interview. That must be tough having to ask every five minutes what they want done next that would drive me crazy.

Jeff - metal powdered wheels ? What ? Do they take metal shavings and press it together ? Why would that catch more junk do you think ?

Garry - Would you mind sending a PM about the light thing I have soem questions about that. Thanks for the compliment and I do to about heaven.

Ken - One of the things I like about you is your wit. The light comment was funny. Lets hope it wasnt a ditch light.

Ulrich - hope your day is going as well as it can be. Lifted prayers for you again this morning.

 

[Burlington Northern #24]

Class in a bit, not sure if I'm going to run any trains for awhile.  maybe I could build the benchwork for a 4x8 with 2x4 extension or a 4x6 might be easier. hmmm...

[chochowillie]

Morning one and all! Coffee & two slices of sourdough toast for me Flo... Please and Thank You. That new eye shadow you are wearing is lovely. Really makes your eyes look stunning.

Kind of windy and cold here today with snow predicted or guessed at for the remainder of the week. How much snow depends on what weather guesser you listen to.

Not a lot planned for today except getting more of the junk in the layout room hauled out. It's like the way hangers multiply in a dark closet the way stuff accumulates in that room. Never seem to have enough storage no matter what I do.

Ya don't suppose that I'm a pack rat do you.

Well you all have a great day and well see you later. Off to read the rest of the new stuff on the forms.

Cheers

Dennis

OK, TOP so eat up all, it's on me this morning!

[Cederstrand]

[Rob - N to H why ? Tired or is it an eye site issue. I have both BLI and MTH . I like both and I havent really noticed a noise issue with either. I really like MTH . But some time ago there was some grumbling about the president of MTH being a jerk. I forget what the issue was now.]

Yup, 100% eye issues, or I would likely have never made the call to switch scales. Even with the HO stuff I can only see it well from a minimum of 2 1/2' away. It is what it is and certainly not the most challenging health issues I face, although not one I can ignore either. Even considered O scale for a time, but already having a good start on an HO layout, and with soooo much available, decided HO was the sensible choice. You know, now I think the Hugely-Oversized trains look pretty darn nice and my iNvisible trains are becoming more iNvisible all the time.

Cheers! Rob

[Anonymous]

Good Evening!

I am at my parents´ place. Drove here this morning. Fortunately, the nroad conditions were acceptable. Our back roads were, of course, not cleared, but the highway was. When I arrived, I found the place to be a total mess. The cleaning lady has not shown up, because my Mom told her not to come. A pile a foot high of unpaid invoices, the place littered with money, the fridge empty. My Mom has not eaten anything proper for quite a few days. After getting the most important things straightened out, I took my Mom to the hospital to see my Dad.

To cut things short, my Dad´s condition will not improve to a degree, where he and my Mom will definitively not be able to continue their lives on the same basis as before. My Dad requires constant care, but my Mom still thinks she can give him that type of care. I just wonder how my Mom will try to lift a 280 lbs man up. I have tried to talk to my Mom about what is now coming up for them, but, as expected, she refuses any of what would be the best. I am the bad guy now.

It really hurts to be not able to help. Seeing them going down is an unbearable thought.

That´s all, folks, I am just exhausted.

Blessings!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

yougottawanta

Jeff - metal powdered wheels ? What ? Do they take metal shavings and press it together ? Why would that catch more junk do you think ?

You never heard of sintered wheels? Think about it. For the longest time Athearn used sintered iron wheels on their locos. Sintering is a method used to create objects from powders. Metal is turned into a powder by atomic diffusion. The powder can then be held in a mold and heated to a temperature below it's melting point. You can learn more about it HERE. Even the item that comes out of the mold is solid it doesn't mean that there aren't tiny imperfections in the surface. Think about a nickel-silver wheel that has scratches and you get the idea.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Didn't have time this morning for my usual morning post. I've been with my father today helping with the arrangements for my mothers memorial service. That's coming up on February 1st. It seems everybody has something that has to be signed and then wants to be paid for it. In some cases it was the same piece of paper that had to be signed by several people in different places with each person being in a different part of town. Hoops, hoops, hoops. Boy, if my mother was here she'd tell them what they could do with their hoops and how they could get them there.

Last night I pulled the motor out of the P2K SW9/1200. It's just like the one I used in the F unit slug. Maybe I'll use it in another one. Maybe I'll put it in something else.

No plans for today.

[blownout cylinder]

Good Afternoon

CCCOLD is our watchword here..it got all the way up to 8F . And dull as well.

Doing some last minute things here for work which means that I'm doing a bunch of small dibbly stuff...great stuff if you need it..which I wish others did not need but there you go...

Ulrich:  Sometimes I wonder how some people can deal with things like that. We had somewhat similar with my in-laws ...living, as they did, in Detroit...and we being here...and with BIL's sister just around the corner from their parents...being a no show....sigh

[Burlington Northern #24]

I guess it's time to finalize my plans and figure out the MTL trucks, and coupler conversions I need so I get everything knuckle equipped.

[chochowillie]

Jeffrey 

jeffrey-wimberly

Last night I pulled the motor out of the P2K SW9/1200. It's just like the one I used in the F unit slug. Maybe I'll use it in another one. Maybe I'll put it in something else.

I just finished going through two VERY large boxes marked "Model RR Stuff" which haven't been looked in forever. I found some really interesting "Stuff" in those boxes.  It seems that the grey hair on my head really does indicate a state of forgetfulness. I have un-built model kits of rolling stock, buildings, scenery components, you name it that I'd forgotten ever buying  I also seem to have a bunch of assorted ho dc loco's of various manufactures some of which no longer exist. Same goes for the building kits. Sundaham, Campbell and some others. Quite a find 

I have no idea what I'm going to do with some of it yet but who knows. I'll figure something out.

Now to go and get the shop vac going now that all the assorted junk is cleared off the RR room floor.

Cheers

Dennis

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Sir Madog

To cut things short, my Dad´s condition will not improve to a degree, where he and my Mom will definitively not be able to continue their lives on the same basis as before. My Dad requires constant care, but my Mom still thinks she can give him that type of care. I just wonder how my Mom will try to lift a 280 lbs man up. I have tried to talk to my Mom about what is now coming up for them, but, as expected, she refuses any of what would be the best. I am the bad guy now.

It really hurts to be not able to help. Seeing them going down is an unbearable thought.

Ulrich: I'm all to familiar with that kind of situation. You don't want to do anything that goes against their wishes but at the same time you want to what's best for them. There's going to come a time when you'll have to take the bull by the horns and hope for the best. There's NO WAY your mother can care for your father. Take it from me, I know. Taking care of my mother at home was nearly impossible. Putting her in a nursing home where she could be cared for 24/7 was the only thing to do. She was dead set against it but it finally came to the point where enough was enough. We had a family meeting, the vote was taken (unanimous. Even she voted for it in the end.) and off she went. Some day we'll likely have to do the same with my father.

[kbkchooch]

Ulrich

I know your situation is tough. My parents lived with us til Mom could no longer care for Dad during the day when my wife and I worked. Evenings and weekends we had him, but Monday - Friday 7-6 he was in her care. Then after a brief hospital stay, we got them into an assisted living situation. It was OK for about 2 years, til Dad passed, and Mom started to show signs of Alzheimer's. Now she's in a nursing home. One thing I've learned through this is you cannot save the world. All you can do is keep trying to get your point across, and that you love them too much to let them be on their own. If push comes to shove, do what you must, but hold no guilt. They won't admit it to you, you just have to know you've done the best that you can.

Remember, the longer you wrestle with something, the more beat up you'll be. 

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Uh oh ....... Watch out for CDN Dennis. Did you see him checking out Flo's eye shadow?

Ken ....... Well actually I did not see trains. Now that I think about it, with no train it might not have been Heaven. There must be trains in Heaven, right?

YGW .... I'll try to figure out the PM thingee for you.

Ulrich .... Prayers for you and your family. Unfortunately, your parents should already have been in a senior home by now. This will be difficult for you. Obviously, your sister is no longer able to help.

BN24 .... Sounds like you are enjoying the Kato train. You mentioned getting a dome car. You can include it and call the train the Kansas City Zephyr. The KCZ typically was a short train with a Budd dome car in it.

It was 2 years ago, my sisters and I finally were able to convince our Mom to move from her house to a senior center. It was really a struggle because she was so stubborn. I spent 6 solid weeks with her in Alabama helping her plus going back and forth between KY and AL for several weeks. After she adjusted to the place however, she has done exceptionally well. Now she says she picked out a good place to live. Unfortunately her mental capabilities have deteriorated in spite of taking medicines to prevent that. I phone her daily.

On the layout, I worked on some more scenery for a while today.

Cheers.

 

 

[Curt Webb]

Evening All,

The w**k week is done for me. The stove repairman will be here tomorrow and I will probably try to do some grocery shopping.

Jeff- I continue to say prayers for your family.

Garry- Glad you had a good check up.

Ulrich- I am saying prayers for you and your family.

Hope everyone has a good night and prayers for those in need. 

[chochowillie]

Sir Madog

I am the bad guy now.

It really hurts to be not able to help. Seeing them going down is an unbearable thought.

First of all Sir Madog....YOU ARE NOT A BAD GUY. I know it's hard not to feel that way but believe me; and I've been there twice; you are not a bad guy. You are just a loving son who's judgement is far more rational than that of your Mother's right now. In the end with my Mom I had to take the bull by the horns and went ahead and made the necessary arrangements. It was brutal but in the end, it not only was the right thing to do but she eventually settled in and was relatively happy till her passing.

My wife and I had to do exactly the same thing with her parents about 8 years ago. Same thing!

Hang in there and quit beating up on yourself. There are enough people in the world who will do that for you without doing it to yourself.

Just saying ... be kind to yourself.

Dennis 

[Burlington Northern #24]

Heartland Division CB&Q

BN24 .... Sounds like you are enjoying the Kato train. You mentioned getting a dome car. You can include it and call the train the Kansas City Zephyr. The KCZ typically was a short train with a Budd dome car in it.

maybe, but my layout is going to be in the pacific northwest. I have a list of passenger train names written down for my BN one, that I haven't decided upon. I guess it could be the "Olympia Zephyr."

[Packer]

Evening guys

Finally got rid of the basketball hoop that was in the yard. Someone had taken a hacksaw to it when we stuck it on the curb, and left the concrete base. Finally found a place to dump it, and after a lot of struggle trying to get it on the trailer (I recall using 4-5 bags of quickcrete, which are 80 pounds before mixed) and ditching it in the woods.

Jeff, A P2K SW9/12? IMO, a dot of CA could have fixed it (provided it's similair to the issue my BB SD40-2 has) . And I probably would have had a use for a pair of those. lol

Ken, I have the same issue with several of my locos at the club layout. The lead unit's lead truck always gets dirtier first.

Dennis, if you stumble across any MDC 3-bays or thrall gons in BN, I'd snap them in a heartbeat.

[cudaken]

 Evening Dinners!

 Flo, pleases, and later I want to know why my insurances rates went up!

 Work Front. Boy was not bored today! I was busy-er (spell check could not help) than a 1 legged man in a butt kicking contest! Boy, I am old! Made a fair amount of extra commission.

 Jeffery the PK 1000 I was asking about is a newer (hum made 10 years ago) with there can motor and nickel plated wheels. All the other ones that are made the same way have no problems with the wheels staying clean?

 Reason I asked about the older Athearn style PK motor, I need one for a sort of newer PK 2000 SD 7. I have another PK 2000 SD 7 coming from Vince's, but I lie to have both up and running.

 

chochowillie

I just finished going through two VERY large boxes marked "Model RR Stuff" which haven't been looked in forever. I found some really interesting "Stuff" in those boxes.  It seems that the grey hair on my head really does indicate a state of forgetfulness. I have un-built model kits of rolling stock, buildings, scenery components, you name it that I'd forgotten ever buying  I also seem to have a bunch of assorted ho dc loco's of various manufactures some of which no longer exist.

 Dennis, boy I know what you mean! I have only been in the hobby for around 6 years but I have a lot of stuff not used! When I went DCC a lot of the good running DC engines need work to be able to run DCC. I would bet I have 20 DC engines waiting for me to buy motors or just get off my tired butt and work on them.

  Hum No new Abby or Zivia last night, hope I do better tonight!

 Ken

 

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

cudaken

 Jeffery the PK 1000 I was asking about is a newer (hum made 10 years ago) with there can motor and nickel plated wheels. All the other ones that are made the same way have no problems with the wheels staying clean?

Here's my recommendation for an easy fix. Change out the wheels.

*

Packer

Jeff, A P2K SW9/12? IMO, a dot of CA could have fixed it (provided it's similair to the issue my BB SD40-2 has) . And I probably would have had a use for a pair of those. lol

These have a small dog-bone end on them. The dog-bone completely sheared off and partially destroyed the socket in the flywheel. Besides, there's no reason for me to fix a loco I'm not going to run. Better to use it as a parts source.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Time for me to call it a night. See y'all tomorrow.

[howmus]

Evenin' folks!

Janie a cup of hot decaf would suit me well at the moment...

C-c-c-c-old night here in the Finger Lakes!  Currently 2°F outside and feels like -8°F.  Would be a great night for Winter Camping.  You would be amazed how long you can stay in your sleeping bag(s) in your tent and not get up to use the little unheated building in the campsite when it is 2°F outside....  LOL 

Managed to get everything I needed to get done today finished...  I did skip a Scout Properties meeting in Rochester though.  Not sure I want to drive through the white out lake effect snow conditions to get there anyway...  Had to pick up the Art and Poetry Entries that were deliver to the wrong school this morning, then watch granddaughter #2 for 3 hours this afternoon, drive to Canandaigua to feed and care for sisters cat, Claude, and write my column for the Division newsletter this evening. 

Hope all of you stay warm and have a great night!  Prayers for all in need, and there seems to be quite a few!

73

[Burlington Northern #24]

ordered a kato BN E8/9A locomotive, caint wait to order another once I get another passenger set.

[nscaler711]

Morning Folks,
Yesterday was very productive for me,
Received a huge load of z scale track, and turnouts..
Worked on turnouts so they work properly with a Z scale train.. this was a PAIN IN THE ... head...  
and made Z scale Bumping post (that still have no prototype)
Maybe ill work on the HO pike later today.... or continue with z scale...idk yet 

 

[wetidlerjr]

Good Morning! from Tipton IN.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

TIPTON