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Elliots Trackside Diner, MARCH 2014!

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  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: New Milford, Ct
  • 3,232 posts
Posted by GMTRacing on Friday, March 28, 2014 6:48 AM

 

Good Morning All,

    37F this morning - nearly 40 for you optomists and just above freezing for you pessimists. Typical New England weather, something for everyone. I'll have a regular and a blueberry donut please Zoe. Crumb or cake, doesn't matter.

   Very cool Ulrich. Thank you. Care to supply a pronunciation guide to go with the tour?

   Still nothing from Jeffey. Now I'm really starting to worry.

   As hoped, I spent some time with my trestle last night reinforcing the joins in the girders and plotting how to fit the trestle to the stone block walls of the ditch. Pictures if I get really ambitious at some point. 

   Prrayers for those on sick call.   Gotta get moving in the shop so.....  Cheers, J.R.

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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 28, 2014 3:29 AM

Good Morning!

Well, today is day 1 of our excursion through the beautiful Welsh Snowdonia country. I hope you enjoyed your hearty Welsh brekfast, consisting of bacon & eggs, fried black pudding, sausages, mushrooms, buttered toast and, of course, tea. So let´s get going and take the short walk to thé train station, where we will board the morning train to Caernarfon. Motive power today is a 2-6-2 + 2-6-2 Beyer-Garratt, built in 1937 by Cockerill for the South African Railway.

Quite a hefty brute for a 2 ft. narrow gauge loco, just strong enough to haul these long passenger trains over the steep grades and sharp curves of the 25 mile line!

Leaving Porthmadog station, the train moves along Porthmadog Highstreet, which is blocked for traffic while the train passes it. Shortly after passing the bridge over the river Glaslyn, the track takes a sharp turn to the right and begins to climb into the hills, following the river. Listen to engine working hard, climbing up the steep grade! Until we reach Rhyd Ddu, located halfway to Caernafon, the  train will constantly be climbing, go through a number of tunnels, even a series of loops. After 2 hrs. and 20 min., we finally reach Caernafon. Time to explore the town and vist the site, where Charles Philip Arthur George of Windsor was crowned as Prince of Wales in 1969.

Before we indulge into sightseeing in this beautiful medieval town, we should go for lunch! I know a place where they serve the best fish n´ chips! That´ll be 7 Pounds, each, thank you!

On our return ride to Porthmadog, you are in for a special treat. We will ride in the brake van of a freight train, pulled by the K1, the first Beyer-Garratt ever built (in 1909)! Enjoy this video of a spectacular train ride! And now some facts:

The history of the Welsh Highland Railways reads like a modern fairy tale! Built in the 1920´s, it proved to be an economic failure rright from the beginning, following the decline of the slate quarrying business. The railway went into receivership in its first year of operation, but services continued until 1933, when the WHR was taken over by the Ffestiniog Railway. The line struggled along for a few more yearss, but was finally closed and dismantled in 1937. Much of the material was salvaged as a part of Britain´s war effort, leaving nothing but fond memories to those few passengers who had traveled the line in its early years. After more than 50 years as a sleeping beauty, plans were made to reopen the line and the right of way was secretly purchased. When this became known to the public, a series of court trials were initiated to prevent the reopening, but the Ffestiniog Rlwy. finally won all of the cases. Work commenced in 1997, much of it carried out as volunteer work by enthusiasts, known as the "Black Hand Gang". The line was opened in stages, starting at Caernafon. For years, Rhyd Ddu was the end of the line. In 2011, the track reached Porthmadog, uniting the Welsh Highland Railway with her sister, the Ffestiniog Railway. Right now, Porthmadog station is undergoing a major rework job to accomodate the two lines.

Tomorrow, we shall be visiting the Ffestiniog Railway!

Prayers for Jeff, Johnboy, Flip and all others in need for our thoughts and wishes!

Have a great day!

  • Member since
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  • From: upstate NY
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Posted by galaxy on Friday, March 28, 2014 2:38 AM

I very much hope Jeffrey is OK, and in the hospital. If I remember correctly, he HATES hospitals, but none of us LIKE it there.

I can say with all my hopistalizations, that:

1} the hospital is the WORST place to get rest,

2} they will wake you at least 4 times a night, Once for meds, once to change fluids, once for blood work and once "just checking on you"

3} since you probably can't eat much anyway, if at all allowed to, the food sucks if it ain't "real" and to your liking. {I have not had a problem, but since I am the "family cook" I rarely get dinner brought and handed to me, so it is a treat for me, Unless: "liquid" or "soft"{ground up}!}

4} there is usually nothing on TV worth watching because they never have all the channels you have.

5} With all due respect, sometimes the Dr.s think they know what is going on and don't, OR don't tell you what they DO know about your situation.

6} They may cover up what really happens {my MIL'S DR. Is suing the local hospital because the kidney infection caused MIL to bleed out and hospital lists her cause of death as "anemic" {right of course!} and "heart failure" {of course it did when she ran out of blood!} instead of "kidney infection/failure, bleed out" and something else he said should be on her death certificate. The issue is they did not catch the bleed out quickly enough to save her. ANd in MY case took them 5 years and several multiple hospitalizations to decide my gallbladder had to come out. SImple proceedure that made all the difference, yet took them 5 years to figure it out???

7} all recipients tend to  mend better at home.

Here's Hoping Jeffrey is OK.

Geeked

-G .

Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.

 HO and N Scale.

After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.

  • Member since
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Posted by galaxy on Friday, March 28, 2014 2:22 AM

morning coffee in the diner..

GOOD FRIDAY MORNING!

Today is Friday,

March 28th, 2014!

Healing thoughts, energies

and prayer candles are lit

for: Johnboy, Lexie, Dennis'

MIL, Ulrich,

OUR OWN JEFFREY,

those who need them,

and for world peace!

A Manchester Man thought it hip
To travel upon a great  big ship
What He didn't realize,
As he said his goodbyes,
Was That this voyage is not roundtrip!

Echopraxia - (echo-PRAX-e-a):When you mimic the moves of others whether consciously or unconsciously (i.e. yawning) 

Equivoque - (Pronunciation: /ˈekwəˌvōk, ˈ

  ): 

Something that has been given the same name as something else. For example, if you named your pet, Harpo and that's also the name of one of the Marx Brothers 

Quotable quotes:A pedestal is as much a prison as any small space. -Gloria Steinem, activist, editor (b. 1934)

 

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!

Geeked

-G .

Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.

 HO and N Scale.

After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.

  • Member since
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  • From: Kentucky
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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Thursday, March 27, 2014 8:41 PM

Hello everybody!

JohnBoy .... Good to see you in the DIner! ... Evidently you and I were posting at about the same time last evening. Praying for your continuing recovery.

I hope Jeff is okay.

Cdn Dennis ..... Glad you are having a good visit with your grandson.

CN Charlie ... I've seen photos of the CP E8's, and I think they looked good. I recall riding behind CN FPA4's on trains between Toronto and Montreal. More recently, I rode on ex-CN FPA4's on the Grand Canyon RR.

Regarding PA's .... When I was much younger I saw them on ATSF, DRGW, SP, and EL. The only ones I rode behind were on the SP. On my layout, I have had PRR and ATSF which I have sold. I still have one three PA's which I painted for Katy RR.

I've been busy here. More later.

Happy Model Railroading !

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
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  • From: Alberta, Canada
  • 624 posts
Posted by chochowillie on Thursday, March 27, 2014 8:02 PM

Well, the Tazmanian Devil Grandson is getting his bedtime stories read as we speak. He's pooped out so hopefully the everready bunny will nod off quickly.

Needless to say the RR didn't see any work today but my Grandson did look at it and told me It's awsome Grandpa. Way nicer than Dad's. Which of course turned me into a happy old man.

Sometimes being a Granpa is really fun Geeked

Did the Sn*w blowing thing twice today. Hey got to keep up my "Snow Angel" reputation with the cute neighbor...

My OTH just laughed when I told her, and told me I'm a silly old you know what. 

That's about it for today in my world.

Best wishes to all

Dennis

P.S. - I owned two Fiero's, an 85 Iron Maden 4 banger and then a 87 GT. Both of them I spent more time under the hood than I did driving but it was fun pulling into the gas station and asking the young pump jocks to "Please check the oil" and then watch them walk to the front of the car. Big Smile

 

 

CDN Dennis 

Modeling the HO scale something or other RR in the shadow of the Canadian Rockies Alberta, Canada

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Posted by GMTRacing on Thursday, March 27, 2014 6:20 PM

Good Evening All,

    Hmmmm I loved Fieros' so much i was offered a V-6 for free and turned it down. W..king on Vegas at the dealership cured me and I haven't owned a GM anything except for Suburbans (before the Excursion and a big block dually (until the F-350 turbo diesel. Just stuck in my ways I guess.

    Speaking of diesels I love the PA/FPA4 etc. Smoke and all, the Alcos were well liked by all the railroaders I have spoken with. My favorite diseasel is still their DL109 - just way up there in the cool category. 

Charlie - I share your pain. After carefully putting in new Peco55 track on the museum N scale loop we had one area that continually derailed. I finally found a fractured rail joiner and fixed it but couldn't get just a new joiner in and didn't want to rip up all the new trackwork so ended up soldering a scrap piece of rail to the outside of the joint and hitting it with black magic marker afterwards. once we get the ballast down no one will see the bodged fix.

Dennis - our 4 kids were good individually. All 4 together were a cartoon - specifically the old Looney Tune where Daffy Duck opens the cellar doors and a bunch of alligators are all lunging at him. Sort of like that. We tried and tried to establish order but ended up not eating out much for a couple of years there. People would give us glowing reports of their behavior at friends houses and we always wondered whose kids they were refering to.They turned out all right though so I'm glad i didn't carry out my threat to leave them on a desert island. 

   Ulrich - here in the states there are 9 Manchesters - didn't see any New Manchesters though.

   Time for me to scoot for now. Think I'll get some time in on that trestle for the Sperry lead. Cheers, J.R.

 

   Time to make tracks 

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Posted by Packer on Thursday, March 27, 2014 6:10 PM

Afternoon guys

Work today was horrible. Good for the company, bad for the employees. Let's just say that were was way too many customersand not enough employees...

After work I filled my car up with Ethanol-free gas since I had the money for it. It's like 50 cents more a gallon, but my car runs better off of it. It's on old style gas station where there is someone there who pumps the gas and washes your windshield and wipers (I needed that to cause it's spring in florida, and everything has a yellow tint to it, lol). 14.5 gallons set me back 65 bucks. I only have a 15.4 gallon tank, but I ran it that low on purpose to get more of the good gas when I go racing at a track on Sunday. I still have to get my father to work on the chip for the car's ECU. It's kinda puttering and falling when I gas it.

I got home and started tinkering with my SD40-2 that died on tuesday. Took it all apart, redid the wiring, and even swapped the boards with my project SD40-2. After all that work still nothing. Stuck the 4-function DH123 that was in it into another loco and it didn't work. Stuck a 2-function DH123 and it works fine. So the old decoder doesn't work in reverse for some reason. Luckily, I just have to re-map the functions so I have a foward light and a beacon. And seeing as they are both DH123 the motor control would be the same, so I'd just have to upload the speed table from the JMRI computer at the club and I'll be fine.

UPS came by today and dropped off the 3 SD40-2s I ordered from Caboose Hobbies. They got it here faster than MB Klien did with the last 3 SD40-2s. But I didn't get a tracking number, just an email saying it'd be there in 4-5 days. I'm happy I got these engines though.

Ray, I remember being at my grandparent's house in wisconsin in august. It actually did snow then. lol

 

Vincent

Wants: 1. high-quality, sound equipped, SD40-2s, C636s, C30-7s, and F-units in BN. As for ones that don't cost an arm and a leg, that's out of the question....

2. An end to the limited-production and other crap that makes models harder to get and more expensive.

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Posted by CNCharlie on Thursday, March 27, 2014 2:49 PM

Good Afternoon,

Well it is a balmy 20F here which is a lot colder than the normal of 40F. Mind you, it is sunny with a nasty north wind. Gee isn't spring great. 

Sure wish Jeff would show up. 

Johnboy, great to see you in the Diner! Bummer about the swallowing but I imagine they will get you re-trained in short order.  If it wouldn't be too much trouble could you please stop sending that cold air eastward. Your co-operation in that matter would be greatly appreciated. 

Garry, those Alco PA's would have been painted green and gold for CN at that time. The photo I have is of an AA set but it is just black and white. CN liked dual duty locos plus they really didn't have the heavy passenger loads that some US roads did so I expect they really had no use for such units. In fact the only E units in Canada were a couple that CP had as a result of a run-through on a US road, I think it was Montreal to Boston.  Then there was the question of import duties which were very stiff on non-Canadian built locos at that time. 

On the RR front I finally managed to fix a problem I had on the N scale layout. Some locos would lose power momentarliy right after going through a turnout. The frog isn't powered but that shouldn't be a problem for a diesel. I checked that there was power in the rails multiple times. Turns out there was a very slight bump up at the rail joiner right after the turnout. One truck would naturally lose power at the frog but the front truck would tilt slightly and so lose power. This only happened with diesels. It was an easy fix once I figured out the problem. It is tough to see such small problems in N scale. 

Well time for afternoon coffee. 

CN Charlie

  • Member since
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Posted by MisterBeasley on Thursday, March 27, 2014 12:41 PM

Warm-weather Dennis:  I had one of those Fieros.  It was OK, once the birth defects were fixed, but it had no cargo capacity at all.  I had to put my hockey sticks on the ski rack.  Once the little one came along, I needed a bigger car.  Unlike the '75 MGB, I didn't miss the Fiero at all.  I still dream about the MGB.  It's pretty much the only car I have in the Land of Nod, so I guess it really was my dream car.

Cold-weather Dennis:  I know what you mean about little terrors, but I'm happy our little girl was never like that.  Always curious, but never destructive.  When she was "gettin' born," they were concerned that her fetal heart rate was so low, but it turns out that's just who she was.  Calm and mellow, but when she's in the pool or on the ski slope, almost no one can catch her.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
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Posted by chochowillie on Thursday, March 27, 2014 11:02 AM

Morning all. Waiting for our Grandson to be dropped off for us to babysit for a couple of days. I generaly refer to him as the Tazmanian Devil but what do I know. Of course Grandma is totally delighted with anything he does so it's fun watching the two of them enjoy each other.

That makes me a grumpy old man I guess but so be it. I tend to get a lot more intrested in kids once they start school. That would be 2 more years for "The Devil". Actually he is getting better thank the powers that be.

Wired a bunch of push buttons to conrol the turnouts yesterday between sn*w blowing sessions. Too bad I screwed them all up and now have to re do them. Don't know where my head was, probably a frozen brain.

Our cute neighbor told me this morning that I am her "Snow Angel" because I always blow her sidewalks for her. Her husband is away working 3 weeks out of four so I sort of try to help her out whenever I can. The fact that she's cute doesn't hurt either Wink

Got one of those Chromecast thingamajigs in the mail yesterday. What a cool device. It lets me watch movies, youtube and just about anything on my TV without any wires or anything. Takes the internet signal from my wireless router directly an I control it from my Smart Phone. Best part was that it cost only $35 so how can you beat that.

Well best go get ready for the Tazmanian Devil, he should spin in right soon now.

Best wishes for all

Dennis

CDN Dennis 

Modeling the HO scale something or other RR in the shadow of the Canadian Rockies Alberta, Canada

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, March 27, 2014 10:34 AM

MisterBeasley
Well, yes, there is.

I thought so, but the town folks did not add "New" to the name... New Manchester, New Bedford, New Hampshire, New York...

  • Member since
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  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
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Posted by MisterBeasley on Thursday, March 27, 2014 10:28 AM

Now that's my kind of restaurant!

The plane will take us to Manchester/UK (is there any other?)

Well, yes, there is.  Just north of us is Manchester, New Hampshire.  Many communities in New England took their names from communities in Olde England, including my own town of Bedford.  MHT is a much smaller airport than Boston's Logan International, but it's also a lot easier to drive in and out of.  Unfortunately, most of the flights in and out of our Manchester are short, so most trips originating there mean changing planes somewhere.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, March 27, 2014 10:06 AM

Good Afternoon!

Thought I might add some spice to the Diner´s menu!

If you like, I´ll take you on tour to my favorite railfanning spot. Of course, as I live on the other side of the Big Pond, we will have to hitch a ride on a plane first to reach it. The plane will take us to Manchester/UK (is there any other?), where a minibus will take us to our destination. It is a good three hour´s drive, so sit back and relax. Better to close your eyes for a snooze, as we are driving on the wrong side of the roads in this country.

The bus has taken us to Porthmadog in Snowdonia, that´s in the Northwest of Wales. Crosoe y Cymru! Welcome to Wales.

The following map shows you the lay of the land:

Porthmadog is the home of the Welsh Highland Railway and the Ffestiniog Railway, which are jointly operated. In the coming days, we will tour them, as well as some other lines of the "Great Little Trains of Wales", which are close by.  If you like, join me in visiting the:

  • Welsh Highland Railway
  • Ffestiniog Railway
  • Talyllyn Railway
  • Vale of Rheidol Railway
  • Welshpool & Llanfair Railway and
  • Llangollen Railway

In the coming 6 days, we will tour one of these lines each day. I will tell you some about the history, some background facts and show you films of these lines.

As it is already late in the day, we will start the tour tomorrow. For the time being, I´d suggest you to join me in Spooner´s Grill, Cafe and Bar for a few Beer, some good Welsh food and a chat.

 

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Posted by RideOnRoad on Thursday, March 27, 2014 9:49 AM

On tap for the day, a Cactus League spring training game--Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Cleveland Indians.  Believe it or not, this was a birthday present from me to my wife.  She loves her Diamondbacks.  The weather will be perfect.  Low to mid 70s with a breeze.

Richard

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Posted by galaxy on Thursday, March 27, 2014 9:37 AM

Well

I, TOO, Hope Jeffrey went to the ER again and was admitted. He sounded REAL sick. NOT all infections are plainly visible and easy to "diagnose". I HOPE David Parks may have contact with him {they are good friends in real life} and that He {David} can maybe clue us in...I hope for a POSITIVE update on Jeffrey, and soon!

Ulrich: If only the prices on the diner menu posted by you were TRUE! That must be form the 50's by prices alone!

Todd: The diner seemingly, If I, Ulrich, you, Jeffrey and RAy, stopped posting, the diner would thin out to a posting once or twice a week. Ulrich and I would like to avoid that! We are hoping for more POSITIVE postings from some long time lurkers to step up to the plate! You are a regular even if you miss a day or two.

Jimmy: good luck at your appt. Better to Overreact, than to not react at all, or react to late. Having had skin cancers cut out and skin grafts pasted in, I, a once fair red haired individual avoid as much sun as I can. I enjoy the sun, just try to avoid as much exposure as I can as I burn/fry easily. Now, If only hte sun would show its "face" aroudn here and bring Spring on....Whistling

Eric: Thank you for posting!

JR.: you too are a fairly regular psoter, always good to see you.

Mr. B: You don't have to post 14 times  a day like some of us do, but a few regualar stop-ins woudl be nice and you are good at that...

RAY: I am clean also, but wonder sometimes if I let out some gas and made evryone go away for 4 or 5 hours!

Well, I shall do some thigs today, hopefully get something accomplished.

Fact is, If there was much going on at 3-4 AM when I arise, I probalby would not post the morning greeting either...and I do it cleverly colorful so it stands out and can easily be found as the "new day starter". I will be away for a weekend in JUne, for example and unles we get a WIFI laptop or tablet, you won't hear from me while we are at the Renaissance Festival Celtic Days {an excuse to wear me Kilt}. Our friend who is going with us has one so MAYBE i post? maybe not, you'all will just have to miss me!

Posts don't have to be long to be interesting and add variety to your mindless wanderings on screen..

Hope you all make yourselves a GREAT day of it!

Geeked

EDIT: How about this, I got TOp honors, SO Lunch is on me! Oh, DAisy! Serve the guys!

-G .

Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.

 HO and N Scale.

After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.

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Posted by howmus on Thursday, March 27, 2014 8:56 AM

Mornin' everyone!

Zoe, I would like a short stack of Buckwheat Pancakes with fresh NYS Maple Syrup (supposed to be good this year), a couple sausage links, and a cup of Marrakesh Express Dark Roast Coffee in my R&GV RR mug please.  Oh and keep the coffee coming as soon as I wave your way, OK?

Currently 24°F here in the Finger Lakes with a projected high in the high 40's for a change!  May stay above freezing here for 24 hours.... maybe.  Last day for running to Canandaigua to take care of sister's cats.  I pick her up at the airport tonight after I go to a Troop 1 committee meeting and then back home to give Blackie his meds.  Might be able to get more done on the project tomorrow... I hope!

 J.R., One of our museum members works for Sperry Rail Service.  Each year he uses some vacation time to come back home and out to the museum.  He then spends a couple days going over every inch of trackwork for us and makes repair and replacement recomendations to us.  One year he brought in a couple other guys who volunteered to help him with the project.

 JohnBoy, good to see you in the diner.  Glad to hear the recovery is goin well even if slower than you would like.  Keeping you (and several ogthers) in my daily prayers.

On the emptyness in the diner, I have found that right after I post everyone leaves for a couple hours...  Not sure why?  I take a shower most every morning, and eat daintily....  Hmmmmmmm..... I try to be nice to people....  Would be nice to get a new page daily.  Of course since the length of the page is now 30 posts (I think) it just takes more to fill it up.

Oh!  Last night I had Boy Scout District Committee to go to.  I got there just as the meeting was about to start and noticed I got a lot of grins and smiles from some of my old buddies on the committee.  We opened with the Pledge to the Flag as always, and then the first item of business was to prexent some awards to a few people who did not make the District Dinner last weekend.  A guy named Ray was asked to stand up so he could be presented with the Mohawk District Camp Babcock-Hovey Cannon Award!  Now I know why several people kept reminding me I hadn't signed up to go to the dinner...  They even came up with a couple bogus reasons to try to get me there.  Last Saturday was the NMRA Meet that I was in charge of and I didn't even get back home until after the dinner was to to begin.  Anyway, the award is a rotating award (I get to keep it for a year) and then will go to another person who has done exemplary service to the local Boy Scout camp.  I was selected this year for the work I did installing the new soiund system out there last Spring.  I am the 4th. person to recieve the award and the other 3 before me are all very close personal friends of mine.  It was presented to me by lasts years recipient, camp name "Super Joe".  I am called "Music man" at camp BTW.  I'll get a photo of it when I can and let you all see it.  It was a surprise and did make my day!

I'm hoping Jeffrey is doing well.  Maybe he is just having computer problems....  Proabaly more the health issues I know!

Have a great day! Later!

73

 

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Thursday, March 27, 2014 8:52 AM

Good morning!  Last day of the work week for me.  I'm taking Friday off to make it a 3-day ski weekend.

I know, I know, I'm not here every day.  Skiing has something to do with that.  I don't bother taking my laptop up north anymore - just too much stuff I don't really need.  Only a few more weekends, unless, of course, the Winter That Never Ends gives us more.  The Beer Barn and the Diner both ran at the same time, so we had two very similar types of threads.

We do need more cheery news.  That would be my suggestion.  We are all happy to add support and good wishes for those in need, but please, everyone, let us share your joys, too.  Post pictures of kids watching your trains, or litters of puppies.  Post a photo of your front yard with no snow on it, anything.

I, for one, am still full of the joy of being a Daddy, even though Annie is 23, working and living elsewhere.  She asked me to stop by her place and help her change a lightbulb.  (Yeah, I know.  How many Beasleys does it take to change a lightbulb?)  She's in an apartment and can't figure out how to remove the fixture on the ceiling.  So, I added a few tools to my ski equipment bag, and we'll stop by on the way up north.  Once a Daddy, always a Daddy.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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Posted by GMTRacing on Thursday, March 27, 2014 8:03 AM

Good Morning All,

    19F and overcast (natch) this morning. PT went well - they're starting to think I may be done there soon. Hope so the co-pay is killer.  I'll have a regular and a sausage egg and cheese hard roll please Zoe. Missed breakfast this morning don'cha know.

   Got going on the trackwork for the reverse  loop and entry track to what will be Sperry Rail Service (a company started and based in Danbury so sort of a must). The tracks both run over what looks like a wide ditch but in reality is the Still River which amounts to little but a trickle until there is a hurricane. The Still overflowed in 1955 during a Hurricane and submerged most of downtown Danbury up to nearly 5 feet. Anywhohow the ditch must be crossed but isn't impressive enough for a proper bridge so it has an 85 foot pony truss for the reverse loop and an 80 foot girder open trestle for the lead to Sperry. The reverse loop would have to hold full freight and heavyweight passenger consists while the Sperry Rail Detectors are no heavier than a Budd car and so don't need as much capacity. I'm thinking both would be ok without piers though I mayput a pier under the trestle simply because I had to splice a couple of lengths of trestle together for the correct length rather than buying a bunch more girders.

   Hope Jeff surfaces soon and that he's absent because he got to the ER. Good to see Johnboy stop in and feeling better. Even spent some train time - this is good! Prayers continue for the rest. Sorry to hear of Mr'B's friend. There is entirely too much violence out there these days, much of it senseless. 

   Time to get back to the shop and get stuff done. Catch y'all later. Cheers, J.R.

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Williamsville, ILL
  • 3,698 posts
Posted by TMarsh on Thursday, March 27, 2014 8:03 AM
Good Morning!!!
 
Coffee and…

JOHNBOY!!!!  WOOO HOOO!!  Soooooo glad to see you hoss!!! Great to hear you felt like running some trains tooYes. You’re still in my thoughts and prayers.
 
Oh, um I guess an English muffin with butter and strawberry preserves please. Thanks.
 
Weather? Rain and a high of like 57 or something.
 
Mr B- Horrible. Just horrible. The family and friends are in my prayers as well.
 
I think suggesting closing the diner is a bit premature. If you recall the Beer Barn got to the point it only had a post or two every week or so. I think the diner is far from that. As for the posts, well…, and don’t take this the wrong way because you know me and I don’t mean anything negative about it, but most people, myself included, just don’t have the time to pop in several times a day to see what’s going on or, especially, to post something after spending time out in the forum. I know I spend very little time anywhere but here, but if I spent time reading othere threads and doing whatever, my time for here would be all but gone. Reading would be just about the extent. Could also be that many are kinda like me. Because I have nothing, and I do mean nothingAshamed, to report about on anything RR related due to various reasons, I sometimes feel like just some guy who found a forum to chat on with me having nothing to do with the subject of the forum at all. Kinda like just stopping in at a, oh I don’t know, a boat club for the free coffee and conversation. Maybe others feel the same way? Or maybe they just aren’t social on the net. Most other threads the viewed count is also way higher than the responses. We aren’t much different. Just my thoughts. Not claiming anything to be fact or actual reasons. Just my opinions unil I change them. Laugh
 
Only thing I’d like to see different about the Diner is from my seat. I’d like to talk about some MRR stuff that I’ve done from time to time at least. But THAT has nothing to do with anyone but myself.
 
 
Gotta wait for the gas man "this morning" to change out the gas meter. They say it's time for calibration.
 
Ya’ll have a good day, ya hear!!!!

Todd  

Central Illinoyz

In order to keep my position as Master and Supreme Ruler of the House, I don't argue with my wife.

I'm a small town boy. A product of two people from even smaller towns. I don’t talk on topic….. I just talk. Laugh

pav
  • Member since
    March 2009
  • From: Bronx, NY
  • 66 posts
Posted by pav on Thursday, March 27, 2014 7:46 AM

Good Morning Everyone,

A nice cup of tea for me please.  I too am wondering if Jeff didn't end up staying in the hospital. My thoughts and prayers go out to all that need them, because every little bit helps.  I think it is also an emotional boost to know that folks are thinking about you and care.

This morning looks sunny, a little chilly at 25F, but warming up to the low 40's.  If the weather people can be believed, the temperatures will continue to rise into the 50's in the days ahead. 

All's quiet here, so I'll be working on more layout wiring today, with my cat who is always willing to lend a paw. 

That's it for now.  Take care everyone!

Eric

  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: NS(ex PRR) Mon Line.
  • 1,395 posts
Posted by Jimmy_Braum on Thursday, March 27, 2014 7:36 AM

I'm waiting for my May MR.  Oh, and I think I may have gotten a bad batch of decal paper.  I did it exactly as the instructions said to do it, but two days later, I tried to put a gloss coat over them, and the decal peeled right off. Oh well.  Not much else going on here.  I may have overrreacted about the mole (could be a scab-after all I did have a cut there), but I am still keeping my appointment to get my (piece of mind).  Besides I need to be healthy next year, NS is doing their steam program through Pittsburgh again, and I want to see whatever steamer that they bring (probably 765), through either the steel city portion of the former PRR,or maybe go chase it again up in the Altoona area.  Oh, I also have plans tomorrow night.  I got invited to play my original music at an open mic night around my hometown-I play guitar, sing, play harmonica (at the same time as guitar), write my own stuff, and play in a band.  Also wish me luck after the dermatologist appointment, I have to go job searching again, and I think I may try fast food at this point to make some kind of money for trains, to save to get my own place, and for bills.

(My Model Railroad, My Rules) 

These are the opinions of an under 35 , from the east end of, and modeling, the same section of the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway.  As well as a freelanced road (Austinville and Dynamite City railroad).  

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, March 27, 2014 5:41 AM

Good Morning!

I have a queasy feeling in my stomach about Jeff. I do hope he went to see a doc and got admitted to a hospital, where he is being properly taken care of. I also wish he had someone supporting him in his every day life. As long as I "know" him through this forum, he has been constantly battling a number of health issues. He is a strong man, but in a weak body. I wish there was a way to make his life just a little easier. If anyone deserves a better life, it´s him!

There is a candle lit for him! Angel

I got my Xuron Rail Cutter in today´s mail and a made a test cut - works nicely! There is only little filing to be done to get a clean rail end. Seems to be a good investment, providing it´ll stay that way.

No update on the layout. My friend will be gone for a week starting Saturday, so no chance to get started on the benchwork. I still hope to have it up by Easter, so I can lay the track, do the wiring and have it running by the end of April. I am all itchy to see that Forney running a little more than just the yard and a half of my test track.

I hope that this place turns into the lively place it has been for such a long time. To those just viewing it, come on in and join us. It´s not a closed shop, it is open to anyone. Think of it of a place you go to to meet friends and chat about the day - on topic and also off-topic, within the policy of this forum. This is the place to go to get little and big advice and there is something you can´t find elswhere in the forum - friendship.

So please come in, enjoy a mug of hot coffee and the goodies being served here! Bring along the mug of your favorite railroad!

Open all hours!

Fully Licensed!

Kind and friendly staff!

Best burgers and hot dogs in town!

Flo, Chloe and Zoe are happy to serve you!

Have a great day!

 

 

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Thursday, March 27, 2014 5:04 AM

GALAXY,

Jeff has been MIA, on the other sites that I belong to also. Since the 25th, at about 4:30 pm CDT. Left with all the same info, that we already know.

Maybe he did go in and they kept him, which would be my guess.

Restpectfully,

Stripe

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: upstate NY
  • 9,236 posts
Posted by galaxy on Thursday, March 27, 2014 1:19 AM

Hi, guys! Those of us whoo "open" and routinely "manage" and particiapte in the diner are thinking of “revamping the diner” to garner more participation!

We have 500 posts only, and well over 12,340 “views”. The posting numbers don't equate well to the # of Posts!

 

Now I assure you those of us who routinely post {Me, Jeffrey, Ray, Todd, Ulrich, Garry, a few others, etc.} Would really like some variety in posts to view!

 

We are NOT a secret club, nothing needed to join but to chat away. You can chat here about ANYTHING {clean and respectful}, which you cannot do anywhere else in the forums here! SO tell us about your day, plans, trials and tribulations!

ALL ARE WELCOME TO POST!

 

We can CLOSE the diner, due to lack of participation, That is what happened to another “daily thread” once allowed for comraderieship: the “Beer BARN”. It died out due to lack of participation! The Diner has survived til now, where it is Stagnating.

 

Now, I will pull a string to point out I heard from MANY of you to help with the  “help Jeffrey Fund”- A fair number of “lurker” who wanted to help and PM’s me. There were a dozen or so “newbies’ who PM’d me and don’t post in the diner, they alone would be nice participation variants! I won’t shame you all by naming names!

 

Being many of us are “over 50s”, we have some aches and pains to complain about just like our parents before us! SO don’t let that throw you off! And Jeffery DOES warn if he launches a description…SHARE YOUR ACHES AND PAINS, we may be able to HELP you out!

 

We ask to keep the politics, taxes, religion {prayers are excluded}, guns, warfare, or any topic of which  may be considered a “flame war topic” OUT of your discussions. And to keep it clean enough for your 4 year or your Grandmother to read! Just like the other MR Forum threads!

 

So: I ask, what would you like to see about the diner change? Anything? Anything you like?

 

NEXT month we will be journeying to “Your neck of the woods’ for a “theme”. I HOPE that MANY OF YOU will participate and POST about what train stuff, 1:1, model, or museum  is in your area, and SHARE with us! You have been forewarned…

 

So lets see if we can’t boost membership “POSTmanship”! LURKERS- you are invited to speak!

We even have a silent Moderator who likes to post on ocassions! If he can, We can! hey there is a chant for us "if he can, we can"!!

Have a great day! make it a great one!

Geeked

-G .

Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.

 HO and N Scale.

After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: upstate NY
  • 9,236 posts
Posted by galaxy on Thursday, March 27, 2014 12:56 AM

its a little early, but guess who can't sleep?

GOOD THURSDAY MORNING!

Today is Thursday,

March 27th, 2014!

Healing thoughts, energies,

and prayers go out to:

Johnboy, Lexie, Flip,

Ulrich, Jeffrey, f

or family and friends

of the diner,

for world PEACE!

Pay back:

A boy named Peter was in love with a girl
Who dissed him cold and wouldn't give him a twirl.
But he hit the number,
Got rich as a cucumber,
Now he disses her and rocks another girl's world. 

 

I have a dog named Polar Bear,
So come in my yard if you dare,
He'll run up to you
For a quick pet or two,
And his tail will wag through the air. 

{ Barry R. Tugendhaf}

 

 

Make it a GREAT day!

Think of the Positive possiblities!

Geeked

-G .

Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.

 HO and N Scale.

After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
  • 10,660 posts
Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Wednesday, March 26, 2014 8:41 PM

Good evening. 

It has been quiet here all afternoon and evening. ..... Hope Jeff is being cared for, and he will be okay.

Mr. B. ...  That is a ver ysad story. It's okay to tell us about it. Prayers for friends and family memebrs. 

Rob .... Glad you were here today. Loud noise? Ashes? Glad it was not too serious. 

Galaxy ... Good idea to reach out to David Parks. Hpe he is looking out for JEff.

Happy Model  Railroading 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Saskatchewan
  • 2,201 posts
Posted by last mountain & eastern hogger on Wednesday, March 26, 2014 8:37 PM

Whistling

Hi Gang,

Thought I would let you know I am still in the land of the living (to some degree).

I am feeling quite a bit better the further away from the Chemo I get, it has been several weeks now. Voice is slowly getting better but I still cannot swallow.  I go to a Technition at the C. clinic tomorrow, who is going to start me on a process of learning to do that again.  Right now it just goes into a major gaging session with me ending up over the toilet for quite a spell.

Felt good enough to go down and run some trains earlier, that was great, I haven't done that for a long while.  Maybe I'll get motivated to start some further landscaping.

Thanks for all the Prayers, good wishes, kind thoughts, healing energies and of course the Prayer Candles and the Chapel Car, they have been a comfort Guys, Thanks much.

I am still at least two months from returning to work, if I decide to. So still have some time for healing and learning to swallow.

I have not been selfish, I in turn have had all the diners here and their loved ones in my prayers as well, and still..  Hope to hear soon from that wild man from Leesville that he is on the mend as well.

Not much stamina here and being down at the layout has taken quite a bit of it today, so I will sign off and go for another stomach tube feeding, which I know have kept me alive but really disgust me, I want to get back to normal eating.   Watching Diners, Drive Ins and Dives just about does me in, I can hardly wait.

Till next time,  keep your drivers on the rails.

Johnboy out............................but not about yet.

from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North.. 

We have met the enemy,  and he is us............ (Pogo)

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: upstate NY
  • 9,236 posts
Posted by galaxy on Wednesday, March 26, 2014 3:28 PM

Well

I went to teh daunt-eest, filled three teeth. headache follows.

Also did the grocery and banking.

Wnet to Wally World to pick up things and to Lowes to get anew floor lamp for MOH...

So i have been busy, busy busy! Not a chance to sit long!

RAY: I am hoping by Jeffrey's absence that he went and got in the ER last night! I really do!

DAVID PARKS:If you are reading this, and we haven't heard form Jeffrey, can you kinda check on him? FOr us?

Well, I rest until dinner, flank steak florentine pinwheels, rotten pots, and green beans...

Then I probably pass out for the night., my back is telling me all about it.

Geeked

-G .

Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.

 HO and N Scale.

After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.

  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: Western transplant to the Deep South
  • 4,256 posts
Posted by Cederstrand on Wednesday, March 26, 2014 11:54 AM

Italian Roast coffee in a UNION PACIFIC mug, please.

***Ray, AWESOME structure you've made there.Thumbs Up

Yesterday I heard a loud noise and looked out the window. Thought I saw ashes swirling through the air and that the stove pipe had blown off the roof. Went outside and it was snow.Laugh Never did figure out what caused the loud noise. Perhaps Old Man Winter falling off the roof. Just glad it wasn't the stove pipe. It's nice and sunny today.

Hope everyone is doing well these days. Healing thoughts to those in need. Have a great day all.

Cheers! Cowboy Rob

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