Elliot's Trackside Diner APRIL 2013!!

[Anonymous]

Good Morning,

we are "enjoying" the first sign of Spring weather here - lots of rain, but a little warmer now.

I have been quite busy the last days and had no time left to drop by. As I have mentioned earlier, I am following up on my "political" career, which is requiring almost all of the attention I can give. It also helps me to get over the stress my parents are giving Petra and me.

On Sunday, the party I will be running for, will hold their first National Party Congress in Berlin. It will be a big event. The party is experiencing a rapid growth of the numbers of followers these days - a lot more than we have expected. There is a lot of press attention, not always favorable. The worse the press reports about us, the more applications for membership we get! Recent polls see us surpassing the Liberal Democrats, which means the party could win quite a number of seats in our Congress (Bundestag). We are a conservative movement and want to get Germany out of this Euro-craziness - an idea which really catches on.

May 1st we will have the first party congress in our state. I was asked to do the honors of opening the congress. I´ll be running for chairman on this occasion. Should I get elected and should the party win more than 5 % of all votes in the upcoming General Election, I will be a Congressman in Berlin! Looks pretty promising at the moment.

No news about my Dad. Last time I saw him (Wednesday) he was pretty weak and sleepy. No call from the hospital means his condition is stable. Still we get up to 50 calls a day from my mother, which we are not answering.

Have a good one!

[blownout cylinder]

Good Morning from kinda slipperyoutthereville...

We ended up with a coating of ice over ever't'in here but little bits of power outages scattered here and there...east of us ... a lot more...

Having something of a slow day here....so just kicking back a little...

[galaxy]

Morning coffee in the diner...

GOOD FRIDAY MORNING!!!

Today is Friday, April 12th, 2013!!!

The prayer candles will be lit as long as I am home for those in need....

MAKE IT A GREAT day!

{Today will be like pulling teeth for me...as I am having a tooth pulled today! {{doesn't "extraction" sound oh so much better??!!}}

 

[wetidlerjr]

"Good Morning!" from Tipton IN

Friday, April 12, 2013

TIPTON IN

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Good evening everyone.

Has anyone sen JR? .... I see the Walthers advertisement for a colorful New Haven DL109, and JR is the Diner's NH fan. 

Lion ...... I see the gymnasium says it is "now storage" ...... Does that mean you guys no longer work out? ... Looks like quite a complex. Maybe, you should do live steam outside. 

Cheers, everybody

 

[howmus]

Evenin' folks!

Janie, just a refill on the decaf please...  Doughnut holes?  Why sure I'll have a few...

Busy, busy day today.  Went over to my son's house to babysit granddaughter #2 this afternoon.  She was a sweety all afternoon until her sister came home from school.  As soon as sister got home we were supposed to get out coats on and head over to the dance class for Granddaughter #1.  As soon as I got back in the house after #1 got off the bus, I noticed that #2 had pooped her pants.  Now she should be potty trained, but just decides not to use the potty at times, like anytime she can cause a timing problem...  So grandpa too9k into the bathroom to get her cleaned, but couldn't find her training pants she still uses.  had to yell at granddaughter#1 to come help grandpa.  Of course at that moment #1 was changing her clothes (supposedly) to get ready for dance class.  Finally found everything and got #2 cleaned up, but then she decided to run around the house and not put her shoes on.  By this time I was at my wits end!  She got to hear what grandpa sounds like like when he is really ticked off and it scared the you know what out of her (luckily we had just changed that) and she took off running as fast as she could with me in pursuit.  She fell going around the corner of the hallway so I caught her, kicking and screaming and carried her to the chair in the living room and put on her shoes.  At that moment her Mom came in the door and was not happy we hadn't left for dance class.  Now both granddaughters figured they best start acting better and behave!  Within a couple minutes #1 and grandpa left for dance class, Mom and #2 stayed home making #2 quite unhappy again as she loves to go along and play with the other kids! 

The dance place was packed with about several moms and about 14 little kids too young to be in lessons yet, toys flying everywhere, and lots of fun to be had...  Got back home just as dinner came out of the oven and I got to sit and have #2 read me a book she had (she is a kindergartener who is reading way beyond what I used to think any kindergartener could do).  Then I headed out for a fairly long Property committee meeting.  I did manage to drive out to my son's house on EV, recharge the car there, and get to the meeting and most of the way home on all electric as well.  The ICE fired up only once on my command to defog the windows of the car.  Got home and still had 1.6 miles of EV left.  I probably would not have quite made it in EV anyway, but it would have been close.  Not bad for the day.

Just went outside to plug in the car for the night and heard music to my ears!  One of the Diesels on the FGLK a couple miles away was blowing for a crossing...  YES!

Other than going down cellar this morning to start the siphon and dry up the water on the cellar floor, I didn't get anywhere near the layout today!  Friday is supposed to be another gloomy day with lots of liquid sunshine around here... 

Prayers for all in need!

73

[rdgk1se3019]

Had a chance to make a few more trees for my layout today.

And no they are NOT doughnut holes.

[rdgk1se3019]

BroadwayLion

ROAR

Where`s the lion cage?

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Looks like fair weather for the next seven days with maybe a small shower thrown in here and there. Time for me to call it a night. See y'all tomorrow.

[Lehigh Valley 2089]

Good evening. 

Nothing to report. Watching Happy Gilmore and listening to Queen's Under Pressure. Night everyone. 

[kbkchooch]

Go SWMBO's computer upgraded, went from a little 3 inch core cooler with  a 1 inch heatsink, to one with a 6 inch fan and a heatsink that looks like a brick!

She's been upstairs listening to Pandora, playing games and facebooking,,,so far core temp has not exceeded 17celcius....Wow!. And the case barely closed on it,,,another 1/4 inch and the side panel would have not fit!  BUT SWMBO is happy! And when SWMBO is happy,, I'm happy!  Now if I can just get my trains done!! 

Rob,,,keep your head down,  and if you must go out in pea and Lima beans,,,take mashed taters!!

Edit: Top of page,,,,Its been awhile,,,eat up gang!!! 

[cudaken]

 Great Train night, I really like the B&O SD's!

[Cederstrand]

Steamed veggie plate, please.

Was rocking and rolling here a bit ago with the big Tornado Siren singing and weather alert radio chatting away. Watched the very edge of a nasty cell skirt by my farm. All I got was pea-sized hail with a few Lima beans mixed in. The middle of that thing had rotation, up to 60mph winds and tennis ball sized hail. Was glad not to see that part here. What is still to come doesn't look quite so bad to me. Will find out later tonight.

Cheers!  Rob

[jeffrey-wimberly]

cudaken

 Jeffery I picked up a DZ123PS is that the decoder you like? I all so have a DZ125, do you off the top of your head know what the differences are.

The DZ125 is the one I usually use. The differences between the DZ125 and DZ123 are as follows. DZ123: Series 3, 1 amp (2 amp peak), no BEMF. DZ125: Series 5, 1 amp (1.25 amp peak), BEMF.

*

Curt Webb

Jeff- Hope that line of  storms have passed you by unharmed.

No problem with the storms. There's a bunch of limbs and several tons of pine needles and pine cones down. Glad those aren't my concern. I'm glad I moved the old fridge out to the road yesterday instead of waiting. At least I'm still strong enough that I could lift it up onto the trailer so I could move it with the tractor.

[Lehigh Valley 2089]

Todd, should mention that Danette is just a friend of mine, and isn't looking to get a husband, let alone in a relationship. The airshow is merely something I plan on us going to as friends. However, you do have me thinking about the prom..........and besides, things may change with her, so who knows?

[cudaken]

 Evening Dinners

 Flo, Beer Pleases

 Does anyone know where the dinner was moved to this month?

 I found out tonight what the Life Saver is for in the upper right corner, sure glad it was there! I was at the end of a long PM and hit the wrong key, wiped out. Hit the Life Saver, it was back.

 Worked on the Parts Engine that Ed sent me, here some of the PM I sent him.

 Ed, I was just going to PM you. I have been working on the parts engine today. It lives! While it is not in services yet and did get the one truck assembled that was still on the engine. Oiled it up and tried it on DC, ran pretty well up side down. Took the front weight off and stated to install the front truck, worm gear would not fit? Then I noticed the mounting point for the worm gear on the truck was cracked and to tight. 

 No big deal, used the front truck off my Rio Grand remains. Boy I must have ran that engine a lot, all the nickel is worn off the wheels!

 While I was pulling the wires off the parts engine you sent me to make a running engine I noticed something that did not seem right? Wire from the right side of the truck went to the left side of the board and left side of the truck to the left side of the board?

 So I checked my B&O SD 7, left side went to the left, and right side went to the right like it should, well maybe? Solder the wires to the board the way I thought it should be done, sat the front truck on the rails to test the solder joints and it ran! Sat both trucks on the rail, dead short?

 Hum, check the SD 9 you sent me, wires where crossed? So I recrossed them, dead short is gone!  I have only ran it a few minutes on a 3 foot section of track on DC and it seems quite and smooth, well as smooth as it can be with dirty wheels.

 I wonder how many versions Proto made of the SD 7 and 9's? I picked up the Rio Grand SD 9 I spoke of and it is different as well! It's coupler pockets are held on with screws, not the stupid clips. I have yet to open the box to give it a real going over.

 Jeffery I picked up a DZ123PS is that the decoder you like? I all so have a DZ125, do you off the top of your head know what the differences are.

 Well time to go, I will see type at you all later.

 Ken

 

 Old, Old picture when I first got started and Life Like Pan Cake Motor's where king!

 

[Curt Webb]

Evening All,

Made pork tenderloin, baked beans, broccoli, and garlic bread for supper and have had my post supper cup of coffee. I am stuffed.

Went grocery shopping today. The darn prices are always going up and a lot of the sizes of products are decreasing

Just puttered around the layout today and took a couple of pic's for WPF tomorrow.

The grandkids are spending the night tomorrow then Saturday morning we are going to the train show in Deland FL. I'm afraid it's going to be a fight to keep them from trying to handle everything.

Jeff- Hope that line of  storms have passed you by unharmed.

Galaxy- Hope you feel better real soon. 

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

[jeffrey-wimberly]

kbkchooch

Gotta install a new CPU cooler in SWMBO's PC. The first one lasted 60 days, the second 90. Got the kit from Tiger Direct, so we called them. They do not handle the warranty! Its up to the manufacturer of the components, they just compile the kits. Called Cooler Master, yeah 3-6 weeks to get a warranty part out to us.  Forget it, for 20 bucks I got a better cooler! 

They were probably using cheap fans with sleeve bearings. They're low price but they tend to fail quickly. I use only precision ball bearing fans in my pc's. My old pc still had it's original fan when it's processor and board shorted out. I bought it back before Katrina.

[BroadwayLion]

chochowillie

Sounds to me like the Abby is the reason the town exists or at least it was at one time.

Cheers

Dennis 

Nah. The town was here first. The Abbey is not a big employer.

And with western North Dakota, the town is growing. We are just 50 old men who live just outside of the town and pray a lot.

ROAR

[chochowillie]

galaxy

Well got my injections.

Now for them to take effect and stop hurting from the delivery.

I used to have to take my Mom for those kind of injections in her back and I remember all too well how painful they were for her. She used to tell me the pain was worth the relief they gave her.

You have my sympathy.

Me, I have to go for physio therapy constantly just to keep old ART at bay.

Dennis   

[kbkchooch]

alexstan

So I picked up a Bachmann Berkshire. #763 NKP Railfan. It was pretty easy to replace the stock decoder with another LokSound Select.
I know it doesn't fit my model railroad prototype at all, but ever have the times you just *have* to have a certain locomotive?

Alex, Careful what you wish for! A D&H PA was that engine for me. ! turned to two, then a pair of Baldwin Sharks, just cuz they look cool with the PA's. Then came a full passenger consist of Rapido and Walthers cars, followed by 2 more PA's, a U23B and an Alco C420. I don't really understand why I let this happen, I don't model D&H,,,,,just had to have them....oh well, excursions? 

Todd, my son is majoring in language. He speaks fluent German (4 years H.S. + 2 college) Chinese (3 years college), and Russian (1 1/2 years in college)  I'm not worried about him and girls. He says Love is for suckers, and besides, he's 6 ft 7,, Chinese girls are too short!  He wants eventually to get his PHD in foreign languages, and swears there will be no serious relationships till he has his PHD. I don't know where he gets it from, but he is focused!  I just love taking him to a Chinese restaurant  and seeing him order for the table in Chinese! Funny!

Hey, who told MR.Murphy to come to my house?? I got the little JD self propelled mower out today and I had to PUSH IT!! It worked fine when I put it away!! I took off the shields, checked the belt, pulleys and clutch mechanism, plus the speed control. It all looked fine! Put it all back together,and it worked.  I swear, that was not the wind I heard, it was laughter!!

I did make some progress on the triplets last night. MMID 200 is now on the rails. Hopefully 201 &  202 will join her tonight. Pics will follow.

Gotta install a new CPU cooler in SWMBO's PC. The first one lasted 60 days, the second 90. Got the kit from Tiger Direct, so we called them. They do not handle the warranty! Its up to the manufacturer of the components, they just compile the kits. Called Cooler Master, yeah 3-6 weeks to get a warranty part out to us.  Forget it, for 20 bucks I got a better cooler! 

Oh well, better get crackin,,,cya all later! 

[chochowillie]

BroadwayLion

Three sections. That is three square miles,

Being a from Alberta I know about large holding however we have friends in Saskatchewan that own and farm a full Township of land. Every time we visit them it boggles my mind at how anybody could actually own that much land let alone farm it.

Don't know what the property tax laws are in North Dakota but up here, land, buildings etc. are tax exempt for Religious organizations.

Sounds to me like the Abby is the reason the town exists or at least it was at one time.

Cheers

Dennis 

[galaxy]

Well got my injections.

Now for them to take effect and stop hurting from the delivery.

I actually had a small slight episode...I was flush and had a bit of trouble breathing as BP was high afterward. {173/79}. Never happened before. They were a bit worried there.  And I made it through. I take a BP pill 2x a day so it would be lower IF I had NOT  gone through the "traumatic experience" of the spinal nerve injections.

IT also is very humid here, Rain all day yesterday, some tonight and drenched tomorrow. so much so we turned on the DE humidifier so the humidity  contributes to my lack of easy breathing.

I DID do one load of laundry and some dishes, though. taking it easy the rest o f the day. Will have heat'n'eat for dinner so I am not standing there long.

later

 

[Burlington Northern #24]

and as of today I've been working at my place of employment for 2 years, and outlasted so many people it's kinda scary how many people got hired then quit or got fired. anywho next weekend me and gramps are going for a vacation to look at museums: the one in portland with 4449 & 700, then the columbia river interpretive museum with, then out to the rail museum in pasco. might take a loco, couple cars, track, and a power pack.

[BroadwayLion]

chochowillie

Lion it looks to me that the Abbey and associated properties have a considerable amount of land. How many acres?

Acres? Three sections. That is three square miles, ten miles of fence, not including internal fences. There are several lakes and ponds on our property. We no longer raise cattle ourselves, and so the land is rented to a neighbor for farming. Of course we and our guest can still walk all over it, it is a quiet and restful place.

There is even a subway under highway 8, but that is for cows to cross the road, people would be better off just crossing the street.

ROAR

[chochowillie]

Lion it looks to me that the Abbey and associated properties have a considerable amount of land. How many acres?

I see this was posted at 09:17, did the Zoo Keeper look the other way and you sneaked out the gate when he wasn't looking?

Dennis

[galaxy]

Seamonster

There must be an epidemic of busted appliances appliances going around the forum.  We just had to replace our washer.  The old one started shaking and walking across the floor and produced lukewarm water when set to hot.  Repair tech. came yesterday and said the springs and pads under the basket were worn, the temperature sensor was shot and probably the mixing valve too.  And he found that the outlet it was plugged into had been sparking and starting to melt the plug.  I replaced the outlet myself (easy job) but the washer would cost at least half the cost of a new one.  Went to an appliance store a block from our street.  They had a couple on sale for $122 off.  Even at that, with the delivery and removal charge of $50 and the government's pound of flesh, we're almost $600 poorer.  New one will be delivered some time today.  Good timing.  Tomorrow is laundry day.  It will get a good workout.  It's amazing how much one can pay for a washer.  The one we got was a basic model but some of the ones in their showroom had astronomical prices and control panels that would require an engineering degree to operate.  They sure don't make appliances or anything else to last a long time nowadays.  Washer has only a one year warrantee.  I guess they don't expect it to last much longer than that.  Compare that to our freezer which we bought in 1973 and it's still working fine and has never seen a repair man.  We're living in a disposable age.  As for the energy saving features that are so loudly touted on appliances, chances are that it won't last long enough to see any savings in energy use.

 

After I did MUCH research online as to who had the CHEAPEST dryer around here IN STOCK, I found one at a local"dealership" who does business in our area. We paid $348 for the dryer, and totaled out at $468 for removal and delivery and recycling fee adn taxes.

Then, yesterday while out I hear on the radio..that HOME DEPOT has an Admiral set for $299 EACh. No word that one MUST BUY both, so I am assuming I could argue that and get one dryer for $299!

A whole $50 cheaper!!!

Naturally!

But I liek what we got, so I won't complain.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Today's high has been 'modified' to 58°. Looks like the majority of the showers are clearing out making way for better weather tomorrow. The extended forecast is showing good weather through the weekend. Just what we need after all the rain we got last night and this morning.

[Packer]

Morning guys

I slept in for once. After a few days of going to bed at 10 and waking up at 4.

I've been working on some trains lately. I got that Con-cor 60' N&W box and the B&O coal hopper together. I'll probably tackle the 2 RI blue boxcars and 2 BN boxcars kits I have yet to put together (1 each accurail and details west). I'll probably try to sell the B&O coal hopper at my club's open house in a few weeks, along with some other things.

Last night I went to Lowes with my dad to try to find 1.5" square steel tubing because I'm trying to make a flywheel puller. I couldn't find any aside from the type with the holes punched through it. He said I should look through his scrap pile at work, in which I found a 4x2 aluminum tube with rather thick walls. I would have perfered steel, but aluminum might work. I have to drill a hole through it, enlarge 1 hole, then get a bolt and use a lathe to turn it down to 2mm for a couple of inches. My father thinks it'd be better to drill a hole into the bolt and use a hardened rod of some sort. IDK whose idea is better, but I kinda like mine because it has less parts.

Ken, is it the newer walthers proto 2000 SD9 or the old (blue box) SD9?

[Cederstrand]

Italian Roast coffee in a APACHE RAILWAY mug, please.

Have a good day all.

Cheers!  Rob