Elliot's Trackside Diner...OCTOBER 2013!!

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Rob and Jeremy .... Good to see you. You've been out a while. Stop in again very soon.

Ray .... Thanks for the update on the blacksmith shop project. You're a great modeler, and I bet this building will be a winner...... Did you see the stone house article in the NMRA magazine? 

Canadian Dennis ... I hope your "MOH" enjoys the trip. 

When was Barry expecting to be back from his cottage? 

Where's Chris? We need an update on THAT editor. 

I had a long day of non-model railroaders stuff. I took Shelley's car to the shop for an expensive light bulb change in the town of Murray. Her front turn signal bulbs are in the bumper, and I can't reach them crawling under the car. Previously (twice) , the labor to change a bulb has been as much as $90.00. This time I asked to have the wiring checked because bulbs should not burn out so quickly. There was a bad socket, and it was replaced. It fits in a big plastic front light housing thingee. The socket was shorting out and causing enough heat to begin melting THAT big plastic front light housing thingee. I did not have THAT bug plastic front light housing thingee rpelaced. It would have been over $500.00. The socket of course was replaced. ........ This time I paid $130.00 to replace a turn signal light bulb. ... 

On the model railroad, I'm running trains. The passenger train yesterday and today is the steam powered Great Northern train. 

[kbkchooch]

Hiya gang!

Just a glass of milf and some cookies Flo,,,gotta get some sleep. Went over to help set up for the train show this weekend,,,,was there from 10 am til 8:30,,,,gotta be back at 7 am,,and will be in the White Elephant table most of the day,,,,BUT,,,I'll have the best seat in the house for bargains!!!

Richard,,, on the weight loss,,,no foods are different,,,just 1 plate and 1 plate only at meals. No going back for seconds ,,,or 3rd,,4ths,,,etc.  Also  taking evening walks with SWMBO when the weather permits. 

Gotta roll out now. If anybody makes it to the Train show in Timonium this weekend,,,,,I'll be the handsome bugger at the White Elephant table!!   Stop & say Hi!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Well the beta test and debugging has been done on the forest module, otherwise known as part two of Native Fury and it's as they say complete and in the can. At a size of 114 I was afraid it would be too big to run in a 64k environment so earlier today I pulled the memory board out of the IIe effectively cutting it's RAM from 128k to 64k and then ran part two. It ran perfectly and there wasn't a single 'OUT OF MEMORY' error. Now I'm getting started on part three of Native Fury, the cove module, also known as 'Paradise Cove'. I have the street system laid in already. There two roads, Nelson Street and Aurora Drive. There's no particular significance to the names, I just like them. The street layout itself with it's variables constitutes twelve to fourteen program blocks. I haven't even started on the homes and land yet! The line numbers for the streets start at 100 and end at 1200. The line numbers for he homes and land start at 1000 and go to 17500. That should keep me busy for a little while.

Nothing special happened today save for Mr Raintree coming over to help earlier. He's requested to be put into 'Paradise Cove' ans I've already got a place picked out for him and his wildcats.

I mentioned earlier about replacing the CMOS battery on my MS-DOS computer that I use online. Well it didn't have the desired effect. CMOS still forgets about the hard drive on start-up. Doing a Ctr-Alt-Del restart usually gets it going on a normal start. Could be it's getting to be time to think about replacing the main board. I have one up in my closet at home (might as well be on the moon) with what I think are the proper memory sticks. It needs a video board though. As far as I know I have one of those coming.

I did get all of my IIe's working A2M0003 type disk drives checked out and they're all (four out of five are still operational) in the proper speed range.

[AmanaMedic]

Hello hello.

I know this was from a few days ago, but seeing GALAXY's piece on Ex-Lax triggered something... no, not a quick trip down the hall, but rather a story a WW2 vet told. He was captured on Corrigedor and became a guest of the Japanese. After the war had ended, and before they were liberated, B-29s flew over the POW camp dropping 55 gal. drums of clothes, food and other supplies. Included were Hershey's bars and Ex-Lax. The Japs noticed how much the Americans enjoyed the chocolate bars and the Americans decided to be gracious to their hosts of so many years...and eagerly shared with them.

The Japs got the Ex-Lax, and not knowing it from the Hershey's, gobbled 'em down. Shortly thereafter, the guards were nowhere to be seen, having been overtaken by the powerful urges of the wonder bars. 

in other news and views... say "goodbye" to Mr. Sliced Bread. No, he didn't get canned or down-sized, he took a job with the University THAT will pay far better than any newspaper gig. Smart boy. In his absence, and while Mr. Boss and THAT Editor find out if they'll be able to hire somebody, or get stuck with someone sent by Big Boss... the "cap" on my hours is (again) off...and I might actually make a penny or two. Other than THAT, the regular season for high school football ends tonight, now I get to see who made it to the play-offs and who didn't. Post-season play starts Wednesday along with Regional battles in high school volleyball. 

On the Cedar cRapids Industrial Branch, which will someday proudly ship yesterday's CrunchBerries tomorrow, I slapped on some "dirt" brown paint to cover the foam and have been detailing THAT ex-Rock Island roundhouse since it sits back in a corner and is no way dependent on track. With THAT, the first piece of track has been installed!  It's a dummy siding behind the roundhouse, and connects with absolutely nothing. 

Also, on a sour note, the City of Clarence has decided THAT after nine years, my antique fire engine is a "nuisance" because it is an un-registered vehicle. They have graciously given me about a week to get it registered and operable upon the city streets. If not, they will levy fines added to our property tax and will take action to "abate the nuisance." Nice to know the City can come onto MY private property, with a tow truck and haul away MY private property. It would be one thing if it was an old rusted junker sitting on blocks and with small animals living in it, but it isn't. So now I'm trying deperately to find a buyer...failing THAT, I'll contact Heritage for the Blind, they can haul it away (for free) and I'll take the tax deduction.  I do intend to make the City of Clarence very much aware of my displeasure and how much I hate living in this crap-hole town. 

On THAT happy note, I'll grab a bag of burgers to go, and wish one and all a good night and a better tomorrow.

Chris (in Iowa)

[galaxy]

morning coffee in the diner...

GOOD SATURDAY MORNING!!!

Today is Saturday, October 26th, 2013!!!

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!!!

How Mother and Baby "Picked up"

A case of BLATZ BEER in your home means much to the young mother, and obviously baby participates in its benefits. The malt in the beer provides nourishing qualities that are essential at this time and the hops act as an appetizing, stimulating tonic.

BLATZ BEER

Always the same good old Blatz

2400 Main Milwaukee

Get your child Blatzed today!

I'm really determined and keen
To start giving this house a spring clean.

I will do it I say,
Yes, I'll do it today ...

Well, I'll do it tomorrow, I mean. 

Today's weird word:

autochthonous: (o-TOK-thuh-nuhs)(adj.) 1} Aboriginal; indigenous. 2} Formed or originating in the place where found.

[Anonymous]

Lunchtime in Germany!

Chloe, I´ll have a Barry-sized burger, fries and a root beer to wah it down, please!

Yesterday was not a good day for me.

I started to transfer the drawing of my first building. Although I measured it not only twice, it did not come out correctly. Right angles were not right angles - you know that sort. In the attempt to cut the plywood, I got a nasty cut into my hand, which made me finally stop the venue. Petra complained about me dripping blood all over in the bathroom, making me feel even more miserable.

Lesson learned - things are not as easy as the looked in that little video I posted earlier. Second lesson learned - even O scale seems to be too small for my big fingers and narrow mind -

Makes me feel like a

Adding to yesterday´s misery, I developed a bad toothache during the night, and no pain killers in the house!

This morning I fired up my old ´puter to draw a new plan - same theme, though, but this time in G scale(!). It´s twice the size of O scale and should be big enough for my big and shaky hands!

Here is what I came

up with:

May look familiar to you. The size of the layout is only a little larger than the O scale one, so I should manage to acquire the necessary real estate for it from Petra.

The loco is available in kit form - this time a plastic kit, no need to solder

Here is a pic of a finished model:

Well, that´s it for the moment - CUL & have a good one!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Sir Madog

The loco is available in kit form - this time a plastic kit, no need to solder

Here is a pic of a finished model:

I like that lil critter.

*

Good morning. It's 44° with 99% humidity. The high will be 75° and feel like 80°. It will be partly cloudy today with a 5mph southeast wind. Low tonight will be 55° and there's a 20 percent chance of showers after midnight.

I was considering stopping my posting of layout photos due to some very descriptive anonymous emails I've been getting saying that my layout photos look like crap. But I've decided that I'm not going to give that pleasure to someone who's too much of a coward to even give me an address to send a reply to. At least then I could send them a token of my appreciation and give their anti-virus software a chance to prove itself. All I can find is a dummy IP (different every time) that seems to bounce all over Europe. I have friends who can do something similar to that but it's a service they pay for and the providers ID is always on the IP along with other information. In this case all I get is the IP# with no info, no sender info on the email and as I said it's different every time. Whoever it is they're doing a great job of evading an old-school hacker like myself. Well I guess if that's the way they get their jollies one way is as good as another.

My plan for today is to start mapping the location blocks for the Paradise Cove module (part III) of Native Fury. It'll be interesting to see how many monkey wrenches get thrown into that plan before the days end.

The only model railroad news I have is that my Big Blue and Gauge RR boxcar fell off the top of my monitor yesterday and broke one of the couplers off. A plastic Bachmann EZ-Mate.

[Curt Webb]

Morning All,

Jeff- That is the curse and the blessing of the internet. Huge amounts of info but people can pretty much get away with anything because for the most part you are anonymous and do not have to take responsibility for what you post. In some people it seems to bring out the worst in them (putting it nicely).

Chris- It sounds like the "eyesore" is that you are not paying them money for your engine. 

Not much planned today.

Hope everyone has a great day. Prayers for those in need.

[galaxy]

Jeffrey- try not to let it bother you. There are complainers and bullies everywhere....even on the net, and on here, as you are all to familiar with. Cryptic IP addys or not, THEY are the real dregs of society..

It is easier said than done to say "ignore them". But you have to think who has your email addy or knows how to get it? That should limit it to a place such as here or another MRR site you frequent, so maybe youcan narrow it down.

You are right to keep on posting...AMen!

ULRICH-be thou careful with thine tools! Cutting yourself is no excuse for not MRRing properly! Obviously Petra is not a "florence Nightingale" type of nursemaid..hee hee...

Well a bummer of a day for me...don't know what trouble I will get into today. I should do things like clean out the pantry and get rid of schtuff there that we no longer need. I dread the job though.

Trouble can usually find me. SO I am not anxious to invite it in!

GOt my flu shot this week, and I don't care what they say, I always, and I mean always, I get the flu symptoms at least when I get the shot! I was sick as a dog yesterday,slept most of the day,  feel better today, but its early yet.

well If off...one little bubble to the left...adn no shim in sight!

[TMarsh]

Good Morning!!!

Coffee and a bowl of beef Pho please. Thanks.

Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.

And I LOVE my dog!!!!!

Chris- Funny story about the Japanese and Ex-lax. We have one of those vehicle ordinances here too. At least my Roadrunner fits in the garage so it is exempt from said ordinance otherwise…..once again I feel concealed carry just may not be the grandest idea.

Jeffrey- I have said it many times before and I’ll say it again. You and your photos are the main reason I am here today. Or should I say got on here in the first place seeins how I’ve not posted anything for.....anyway. Your photos run the gamete true, BUT, we are NOT in a photography forum. Though I do appreciate those who spend the time making their photos as good as can be, I also appreciate those who use a point and shoot and I'm tellin you your photos aren't that bad. Besides, I’m looking at the model and not at the photo if you know what I mean. As for the content, your photos show a real layout in various stages and you are not afraid to show an incomplete or less than perfect model which, in my opinion, makes them even better. Those people who bark at what you do are actually lacking in self confidence if you ask me that is if they are more than an armchair model railroader in the first place. You keep posting and showing what is probably better than 80% of all the model railroads out there look like, (better than mine) and I’ll keep looking and waiting for more. Jealousy. You are one of the most respected and revered individuals in the community. To do what you do, with the limitations you have is just amazing. You would never know you can’t keep your hands still or even feel what you’re doing most of the time. I’m not the only one who thinks this way as is evident by the COUNTLESS folks who consider you a friend or at least a very valuable internet resource. Reference the outpouring of concerns and well wishes from many forums including this one at the times when you are in need of well wishes such as your latest surgery and in the past when word got out you were not well at all. Do what you do best Jeff and rise above them. Just blow them sh… ..dirt-bags off.

Welp, another rant gone awry. Sorry folks but that was right along with the general public from yesterday.

Aaaaanway. Got the glass installed in the storm door yesterday, a few other things, and the natural Halloween decorations removed from the front porch. Talkin bout the spider webs. They were getting kinda bad but hey, it’s Halloween and I figure let nature do the decorating for you . right? Goin green as they say. Brenda usually let’s me get away with it but I guess this year they musta been too bad for her to allow.  Today though. I have some odds and ends to do around here and I see where Brenda has taken some of the stuff off the counter so maaaaaybe I can get rid of the rest and actually use the countertops she just had to have and I paid so dearly for (actually they weren’t  that expensive, but it makes for good tv) not to mention the table I hear we have that pretty much shows up on Thanksgiving in the same place that other pile of crap is for the rest of the year. Went to the Walmart what Thursday, and use that fancy foot machine from the Dr and discovered why my heel hurts so much and just won’t seem to get better. I stand on my heels. I mean more than I should and it’s caught up with me. Posture gentlemen, posture. It means more overall than you think. I need to re-adjust the way I stand so as to distribute the weight over my whole foot instead of just my heels and that includes standing up straight. Did that yesterday and believe it or not, my foot feels better today than it has in better than a month.   

Let’s seeeeeee. Quitting smoking, learning Cantonese, bettering my diet, and now correcting my posture. What else can I do? I know!! Mow the yard!

How dooo I do it!?!?   

Ya’ll have a good day, ya hear!!!!

[Anonymous]

galaxy

ULRICH-be thou careful with thine tools! Cutting yourself is no excuse for not MRRing properly! Obviously Petra is not a "florence Nightingale" type of nursemaid..hee hee...

Galaxy - when you are right, your right. Whenever I get out any sharp or power tool, Petra gets the first aid kit and has the telephone handy ...

Played with the plan a little, just to add more detail to the drawing:

[pascaff*]

  Morning All,

   Currently it is 36 with an expected high of 74 under mostly sunny pleasant skies.

    Jeff - I love your photos. Maybe not museum quality, but that would mean they were under glass and not approachable. My layout may not be to the liking of the rivet counters, but it is mine and I do what I like.

    Todd - Your rants seem to follow my line of thinking, but I do have a concealed carry permit, so I try and keep my tongue silent and use restraint.

   Ulrich - I like the little engine and the plan.

  Another w**k day today, but since I have a tentative retirement target date (216 days, but who is counting ) it is becoming easier to deal with.

   Prayers to all in need.

   Paul

[jeffrey-wimberly]

This morning I've been working on mapping out the homes in the little community of Paradise Cove. This is the floor plan of one of those homes.



So far I've mapped four. Only about two dozen to go.

[JeremyB]

Afternoon guys,

Downright miserable today here, 2c with winds at 66KPH and its been raining like cats and dogs. Spent the morning doing some house cleaning and was planning on working on the railroad today but might just sit down and play some games on the PS3. Cant really find any projects that motivate me at the moment on the railroad. Also might thrown a load of laundry in later, the washing machine is acting up so its a PITA to do a load,lol

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Howdy, everybody.

Chris .... Thanks for the update about THAT editor. Sorry to hear of your troubles with the city and your fire truck. Some people get into government and act like dictators. ......... Your EX LAX story was very moving! 

Galaxy .... I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who does Spring cleaning in the Fall. ... Also, you might wish to explain the idiom "take a stab" to Ulrich. 

Ulrich ... So you were taking a stab at modeling a building, eh? .... WHat will be your next act? 

Jeff ... I'm wonder if somebody is carrying a grudge from when you were a moderator . I suspect somebody must not have liked your being the enforcer. Sounds like he is getting a bit carried away with the grudge. Would it help to turn up your spam filters? ....  Of course, you know you have plenty of good friends in the forums, and you creativity is inspiring.

Happy Model Railroading! 

[howmus]

Evenin' folks!

Janie, just a cup of decaf right now, thanks...

Got up this morning, had a quick breakfast, gave Blackie his pills, and then headed out to Boy Scout Camp.  I hjad to unhook and box up the Mixer to take it Rochester to the place I bought it.  The lighting struck nearby early last summer blew out two channels on it.  luckily this mixer had a couple extra channels not being used we were still able to keep using it all summer long.  last weekend was the last time it needed to be used for the season (Huge Camporee with a couple thousand Scouts) so I can now get it fixed.  That only took about an hour to do so I hung around for lunch, and then spent the afternoon transporting benches to cover using the Gator along with another guy.  had a good time, but being out for several hours in the cold (high was all of 47°F with a 20mph wind) has pretty much done me in.

Came home, lit the wood stove, had a light supper, and just curled up on the carpet next to the wood stove and let the radiant heat soak in.  Had a nice nap at that time, I did...  Right now it is hot in the house (77°F) by the computer two rooms away.

Tomorrow I will once again playing with the 12" to the foot scale trains out at the museum.  Hope the stove works in old C-254 where I'll be car host!  Tomorrow the family is also celebrating my oldest son's birthday (47 years old).  When I was 47, he turned 27...

Been reading all the posts I missed today....  Good stuff!

Later!

73

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I got started today programming in the properties and homes of Paradise Cove (Native Fury part III). I got both the property (front,back,side yards) and the home at 120 Nelson Street programmed in and I got the property at 302 Nelson Street programmed in. Tomorrow I'll do the home. And that's just getting started. There are about two dozen properties and homes. Ouch! My poor fingers!

Well it's time for me to call it a night. I'll see y'all tomorrow.

[james saunders]

Howdy folks!

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

james saunders

Howdy folks!

Hi, Oz James..... So after several weeks, all you have for us is 2 words?. Feel free to tell us how you are doing. Busy, evidently.

Ray .... Time flies, doesn't it? .... Happy B'day to your son.

I'll have two hit ciders at the corner boot. Hopefully, Duke will wake up and have one of them.

[Anonymous]

Good Morning Gang!

Woke up late, only to find it was early - we set the clocks back to "winter time" last night. I completely forgot about it.

Janie, it´s Sunday, so I´ll have my big Sunday breakfast, please.

Heartland Division CB&Q

Ulrich ... So you were taking a stab at modeling a building, eh? .... What will be your next act? 

Garry - I wish I had, but it ended up stabbing my hand... I guess I need to take a completely different approach to model railroading. That may turn into a new thread...

Not much planned for the day. I may do a little day dreaming about a certain layout.

CUL!

[james saunders]

Garry,

Yes, extremely busy. Most of September was spent between work and visiting my Grandmother in hospital, sadly she passed away on the 16th of October after an extended battle with cancer. She went in her sleep and was in no pain. We had the funeral this past wednesday, I had also gone on my second trip to Thailand this year - arriving back on the 14th of October. So only really just catching up.

I went to a show yesterday and picked up a BLI AC6000 and a couple of freight cars. I got a new Intermountain 60' flat car ... the timber deck on it is awesome!

And this is one of the locomotives on display at the museum the show was held at. 1281 was painted gold for our bicentennial.

]

I'm sure some of you folks would be aware of the recent fires in New South Wales, specifically the Blue mountains - The Zig Zag Railway was nearly totally destroyed, with I believe 95% ofone of a kind heritage rollingstock. It is a great shame, I hope they get back up and running but they are going to need millions to get back up to scratch.

I'll try drop back later...

Ozjim

[galaxy]

morning coffee in the diner...

GOOD SUNDAY MORNING!!

Today is Sunday, October 27th, 2013!!

Make It A Great Day!

Today's Limmerick:

A motor mechanic named Fox
Got crushed between cylinder blocks.

They laid him to rest
In his boots and his vest

With his wrench  and jack in the box.

Today's fun children's 1890's medicine claim from a bottle:

Farbenfabriken

FriedR. Bayer, &Co.

Elberfeld

HEROIN*

Name geselzlich

Nom Depose

* The companion to the Cocain toothache drops!. Let's drug up the kids. Hypodermic not included {can you believe they GAVE this to children??? and look at WHO distributes it!!}{WHat happened to "take two aspirin" from the Bayer company???}

Todays weird word:

abnodate:(n.)from Latin  abnodo: to prune a tree, removing the knots {1656 Blount Dictionary}

[Anonymous]

It´s past lunchtime, so I´ll just have a cup of coffee, Zoe, dear!

My toothache is coming back, but this time I have a pain killer handy. Need to see the dentist first thing in the morning tomorrow.

Found a picture I´d like to share with you:

(photo by Dirk Becker, builder of this wonderful micro layout in G scale)

Ain´t she sweet?

[TMarsh]

Good Morning!!!

Coffee and the, you guessed it, Sunday breakfast buffet.

Sunny, with a high near 59.

Aussie Jim- Sorry to hear about your Grandmothers passing. I’m glad she went peacefully.

Not much happened yesterday and not much should happen today.

Ya’ll have a good day, ya hear!!!!

[Anonymous]

James - sorry to hear abour your grandmother´s passing. for her!

Found this little video on the web:

watch?feature=playerdetailpage&v=zfdPXHmBIeU

Look at the wealth of detail! The Swiss guy who built it is truly an artist! Lots of inspiration!

[galaxy]

Oz Jim

I caught the part about the ZIg Zag trains being destroyed, but missed the part {or it didn't register} that your grandmother passed away the 16th. My condolences to you. At the same week, my MIL passed peacefully on Monday the 14th and was buried the 18th. Must have been a good week for peaceful passings due to thoughtful prayers in the diner.

Went to WAlly world..how is it the cheapest store in town can cost so much? I go in to get a few things, pic up a few more things and come out $250 shorter? THAT CC bill will haunt me til it comes..

Back now is acting up.

Still have the symptoms of the flu...at least that is what they say. I say I got it, but they say no. I have a slight fever, chills and vertigo, along with stuffy sinuses, nausea somehting fierce, mild mucus-y cough, onlyest thing I don't have is sore throat. ENT dr. gave me a nose spray to help there, but it seems to wear off after 12 hours.

Well, enough griping...

>slaps face<

I could had a V8 {instead i got a V 6, better than Inline 4!}

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning. It's 61° with 91% humidity. The high will be 75°. Showers are likely.
with

Looks like it's gonna be wet today. Feels like it too.

I was working on the Paradise Cove module (Native Fury part III) and I say without a doubt that there are trains in Paradise Cove! In separate bedrooms too. I submit my evidence below.





I knew I'd eventually get trains into this!

No other news for now.

The car has returned from it's nightly junket.

[pascaff*]

  Morning All,

    Currently it is 36 with an expected high of 74 under sunny skies.

     A w**k day for me, but since I have an exit plan now, it is not so bad, or stressful.

    Suddenly the layout started to have some electrical pick up issues. The thing ran great for several months, but since I started thinking about retiring and moving to Carson City, things started to act up. I wonder if IT knows IT will get torn down and is rebelling.

    Oz Jim - Sorry to hear about your grandmother, prayers to you all.

    Jeff - back in the mid-late 80's I was taking assembly language at college. It was interesting. But at the time I was in my mid 30's with 3 kids and a full time job, so really did not do much with it. I applaud your work on Native Fury.

    Ulrich - Neat little video. The detail was amazing. I watched it several times and each time saw something I missed before.

   Paul

     Prayers to all in need.

[Anonymous]

My Swiss friend Pascal has sent me a video of the first train running on the layout I designed for him:

watch?feature=playerdetailpage&v=QGoysu2B7sM

The layout shows the station "Ospizio Bernina" on the RhB (Rhaetian Railway).

[chochowillie]

Well it's here with a vengeance. Winter just arrive here in my neck of the woods. Minus 3 C, Winds 60 K and Sn*w just as predicted. Supposed to get 10 to 15 cm but with the wind, it's drifting. 

Sure glad I took MOH and her Sister to the Calgary airport yesterday afternoon as it would have been ugly at 4 am this morning.

So far, the cat and I haven't done much at all this am except sleep and read. Well I read and he slept. Sounds like a good plan to me since I'm not going out in this. First Sn*w fall is wicked because it turns to ice on the pavement and drivers seem to forget that you can't stop on ice like on dry pavement. Duh.. they never learn from one winter to the next.

So Johnny Boy I'll send some your way just so you don't feel left out.

Cheers

Dennis