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Elliot´s Trackside Diner - June 2014 Edition

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  • Member since
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  • From: Maryville IL
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Posted by cudaken on Sunday, June 1, 2014 7:11 PM

 Evening Folks. Sigh

 Flo, BeerPleases. What about Todds Tap, ho, he did read my post? Yes Flo, it is on me. Sigh

 Sort of a rotton day, today. Was a little busy for the first 2 hours but I got all the silly suff! Why the Sigh faces besides Todd's Tap? My Town Car is trying to bake me a live. Just a little recap.

 1 Last window stopped working last week.

 2 Car is a real dark gray, might as well be black.

 3 Car over heats when the A/C is turned on.

 4 Sues dentail bills and Sparkies shot came first this month so no New Radaitor.

 5 Now driving 35 miles each way to works and it was 88 degress today.

 Was going to BBQ, after I looked in the Frezzer I was so Caboosed Bang Head Wife got the Link Card refilled today! Darn frezzer is stuffed full of Corn Dog, Pre Made Chesse Bugers and other junk I no longer want to eat! Bang Head It like having a 7 year old doing the shopping!

 Foul Mood Ken Again.

I hate Rust

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  • From: Pittsburgh, PA
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Posted by tcwright973 on Sunday, June 1, 2014 6:49 PM

And so another weekend winds down. And a pretty good one it was. We got 3 hours of railfanning in yesterday on NS's main line here. 11 trains with 4 intermodals, 4 mixed freights, 1 coal, 1 crude oil, & 1 Herzog ballast train. No foreign power this outing. We were able to sit outside the car in our folding chairs & watch the world go by as the weather was nice, although a little cloudy at times.

Couldn't go again today as we attended our 1st play of the season at the Civic Light Opera. The production was "Singing in the Rain". It was good, and I especially liked the tap dancing. Following the show we stopped at an "Outback" for dinner. The wife had ribs, & I had a NY strip steak with baked potato & salad. It was delicious. We have never had any thing other than a great meal & excellent service at the one we go to.

As mentioned above, no photos of foreign power this time around, but here's an SD60E just out of rebuild at the Juniata Shops in May. Still nice & shiny with her new wide cab, electronics & power.

Another busy Monday tomorrow, as usual. Following breakfast, it starts with grocery shopping and then a whole lot of errands, & I mean a whole lot. I no that because I spotted the wife's list. So have a good week & stay safe...

Tom

Pittsburgh, PA

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  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
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Posted by MisterBeasley on Sunday, June 1, 2014 5:54 PM

galaxy, that was Mrs. B who took classes to figure out how to work her iPhone and MacBook.  In fact, giving her another year of Apple classes has become her birthday present, an easy one to arrange for (she does it) which she appreciates more than anything I could think of, other than the computer itself a few yeras back.

I have a simple flip phone.  It makes phone calls, and takes a few pictures.  It does not tell me baseball scores, or double as a defibrillator.  It can't make a grilled cheese sandwich or remind me of how close I'm not to Tiero del Fuego.  It's a phone, and it's all that I need.  And, even that is sometimes more than I want.

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

  • Member since
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  • From: upstate NY
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Posted by galaxy on Sunday, June 1, 2014 4:00 PM

well

In one fell {expensive?} swoop we have been brought into the second decade of the 21st Century!

We got new phones and a tablet. 

GOod thing #1  is we had a TREMENDOUS amount of leftover minutes {cash account} on both prepaid flip phones that we will get a bil, but won't see a payable one for awhile!

Good thing # 2 is MOH gets a 18% discount because of work!

GOOD thing #3 is the tablet was free, and the phones should be too....

GOod thing # 4 is we get rebates on both phones

Good thing #5 is they teach classes Like MR. B.: {i think?} took to learn how to use the darn things!

Bad thing #1 is accessories cost me $$$

Bad thing #2 is we have to wiat til after midnight {I know big deal} to use them til it changes over.

Bad thing #3 is we had to set up even more g-mail email acct and passwords to everything...think we will remember?

Bad thing #4 is...of I forgot but there's one or two more "bad things"...

oh I know one- we bought the rather expensive tablet case wtih teh keyboard so it will be easier to use!

whew! at least the first few bills, like our utility bills will be "free" effectively so it breaks us in carefully.

well, gottat go set up things on the phones..like ringtones?

The tablet may be useless here in the house as we have metal roof and metal walls...

{now mind you I knew we would have to upgrade phones for mOH's working neeeds, and MOH has been needling me to get one for monhts since getting the j-o-b, , but when it comes to buying it if I say "OK" MOH later says "YOU are the one who bought it,so if it makes money tight, its your fault?!"

{I mean REALLY?! }

oh well willl go play now:

later

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: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Sunday, June 1, 2014 3:38 PM

Sir Madog
Well, it does and you should see that big, fat, Greek grin on my face!

Yep! Been to Greece and saw a whole bunch of them grins. Scary sometimes. The kind of connections needed for model railroads are enough to make an electrician question his certification. What works in DC doesn't always work in DCC. When I switched I had to make some changes in the layout wiring because it was driving my Zephyr nuts.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    April 2003
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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, June 1, 2014 12:24 PM

jeffrey-wimberly
Ulrich: sounds like you did a good job of defeating old Murphy.

In this case, Mr. Murphy´s name was Lothar. With Peco electrofrog switches, you have to forget nearly all you have ever learned about electrics. He just did not believe me. When the train finally ran, he told me, that this was impossible and should not work at all.

Well, it does and you should see that big, fat, Greek grin on my face!

  • Member since
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  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Sunday, June 1, 2014 12:16 PM

Ulrich: sounds like you did a good job of defeating old Murphy.

*

Here's something that wasn't very common. An Apple Disk II drive with an Apple Platinum 5¼" disk drive cable. Only modification required was to cut the back of the caes so the cable could be mounted. And yes, it works.

One the model train front I got one of the Varney F3A bodies cleaned up so it can eventually be repainted. A metal body gives more options as to what paint striper can be used. In this case I used Klean-Strip Premium.

 

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, June 1, 2014 11:40 AM

Good (late) Afternoon!

Whew - I am burned! But today marks a leap forward in the construction of my loayout! While I was w*rking on my backdrop, brushing on various shades of blue, my friend called. Mr. Murphy still resides here, as I had my hands all covered with paint and Petra was still in the bathroom, when the phone rang. Well, I called him back and he told he ´d be over early afternoon with his soldering gun! Oh joy, oh rapture! Soldering the feeder wires to the rail was done in no time at all, installing the terminal strips and connecting the wires to them did not take much longer. Installing the BluPoint switch controller was a little bit tedious, but after a while that was done as well. A little clean up, and here we were, ready for a test run. Hooked up the powerpack - nothing - only the short circuit detector tripped. Checked all the wires - they were OK, not mixed up. After a few minutes of debating what to do, I have noticed, that we had forgotten to gap the rails. No big deal, and when that was done came the next test. Our faces were glowing in anticipation, but - nothing than the old short! Disconnected the two section from the first one, and the first one was OK. Connected them back - short. Ckecked the wiring of the wye - seemed to be OK. As we were just about to give up and try it another day, I found out that my friend had installed feeders at a place the should not have gone. After a friendly argument about the logic of wiring Peco Electrofrog switches, I could persuade him to unhook those feeder and - voila! - everything was right.

I can now officially announce, that on the day of June 1st in the year 2014 A.C., the first train movement was conducted on the right of way of the keg Harbor R.R. & Nav. Co. Loco #1, a Forney 2-4-4, made her maiden run on the tracks of said railroad, staying safely on the tracks.

An official celebration will be held in due course, when the backdrop is finished!

I am a happy camper, being back in business of running a train over my layout!

  • Member since
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  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
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Posted by MisterBeasley on Sunday, June 1, 2014 8:51 AM

Good morning.  It's a lovely day here, 60s now and low 70s later.  I plan to get in a bike ride later.  I'd also like to do some static grass back around the depot and the "Haunted Forest."

The plane crash (Gulfstream IV, 7 fatalities) on today's news happened on the other side of town.  My condolences to the families and friends of those lost.

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

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
  • 10,660 posts
Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Sunday, June 1, 2014 8:45 AM

Good morning. 

Ulrich .... Thanks for moving the Diner for June.  I see you included Vinnie instead of leaving him behind. Dang! Now we have another month in which we can't talk about politics and other controverisal topics. ... Also, Ulrich, I'm glad you are doing well with the back drop. When I did mine I watched a You-Tube video where the artist showed how he made clouds with swirling motions with a brush instead of sponges. The good thing about painting your backdrop is you can always paint over any of your screw-ups if you make any of those. 

Todd .... Those telemarketing callers can be relentless. The charity callers only give a tiny percentage to the charities and keep most for themselves. 

JohnBoy .... Glad to hear of your progress. We'll keep praying for a full recovery including swallowing. 

Paul ... Good to see you in the Diner. Enjoy the visit with grand kids. 

Galaxy, Jimmy, and Jeff .. Always good to see you in the Diner. 

Speaking of Murphy's Law, Mr. Murphy behaved very badly here. Not with model trains. ..... Remember, last month I said Shelley won a hind quarter of Angus beef and we purchased a freezer to store it? .... Guess what? ... Maybe, you don't want to know..... The freezer quit working several days ago. It is located in our warm garage. We lost the entire amount of beef. ........  Sometimes we win. Sometimes we lose. Crying

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Sunday, June 1, 2014 8:40 AM

Good morning. It's 71° with 99% humidity. The high will be 85°. It's gray and cloudy and there's a fair chance for rain and thunderstorms.
 with

I think I'm just going to watch some movies and some original Star Trek today. If I get bored with that I can pull out another freight car and weather it a bit.





Click for video

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    January 2010
  • 2,616 posts
Posted by peahrens on Sunday, June 1, 2014 8:16 AM

It's the first of the month so I thought I'd stop in for a change.  Here near San Antonio it's mild and muggy, slated for about 90 today. 

My best to those who need prayers and good wishes on the health front. 

We have two grandsons here this week, ages 4 and 2.  They like to run the trains until distracted, their specialty using the horn and bell.  Their presence means less tinkering with the 2 consolidations I'm trying to debug and convert to DCC, but it's a joy to have them around.  Two boys who are very active!

Enjoy your day, your week, those around you and the hobby.

Paul

Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Sunday, June 1, 2014 8:14 AM

TMarsh
Jeff- I’ve had several 318’s over the years and worked on many, many more. I must say never have any been fuel misers especially by today’s standards. But back when 12 to 15 mpg was pretty good…., they held their own. Good thing about them was they’d run forever (figuratively speaking of course).

Yep. Mine is good for about 11-13 mpg. It's thirty-four years old. There's some valve clatter (push rods need to be replaced) and the thumping sound of a couple of weak lifters but it's still going. The electronic ignition system is still there but somebody disconnected it and dropped in an older distributor that uses breaker points and condenser. That's OK with me as the Chrysler lean burn system wasn't good for much unless you wanted to start fires.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Williamsville, ILL
  • 3,698 posts
Posted by TMarsh on Sunday, June 1, 2014 7:32 AM

Found this funny and just had to share it Laugh

 

A burglar broke into a house one night. He shined his flashlight around, looking for valuables when a voice in the dark said, 'Jesus knows you'r...e here.'

He nearly jumped out of his skin, clicked his flashlight off, and froze. When he heard nothing more, he shook his head and continued.

Just as he pulled the stereo out so he could disconnect the wires, clear as a bell he heard 'Jesus is watching you.'

Startled, he shined his light around frantically, looking for the source of the voice. Finally, in the corner of the room, his flashlight beam came to rest on a parrot.

'Did you say that?' he hissed at the parrot.

'Yes', the parrot confessed, then squawked, 'I'm just trying to warn you that he's watching you.'

The burglar relaxed. 'Warn me, huh? Who in the world are you?'

'Moses,' replied the bird.

'Moses?' the burglar laughed. 'What kind of people would name a bird Moses?'

'The kind of people who would name a Rottweiler Jesus.'

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

  • Member since
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  • From: Williamsville, ILL
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Posted by TMarsh on Sunday, June 1, 2014 7:00 AM
Good Morning!!!
 
Whew. June already.
 
Coffee and of course the Sunday Breakfast buffet please. Thanks. Oh and I read Ken’s post so….you know what to doDinner.
 
Well I suppose it’s difficult to run a site 24/7 and still do required maintenance without some disruptions. At the price I pay, I’ll just be patientCool.
 
Jeff- I’ve had several 318’s over the years and worked on many, many more. I must say never have any been fuel misers especially by today’s standards. But back when 12 to 15 mpg was pretty good…., they held their own.  Good thing about them was they’d run forever (figuratively speaking of course).
 
Ulrich- Looking forward to seeing the backdrop photos! I’ve not done a backdrop or anything on the walls. I ain't no artist neither.
 
JOhnboy- Great news you’re going back to w*rk.  I sure hope that turns out to be good psychological therapy for you. I know it would be for me.  Angel
 
Welp, slept great last nightYes. Don’t know why as nothing was different than any other nightHmm. I just woke so refreshed I wasn’t sure I was meLaugh. Last several months I haven’t slept real well, I’ve slept good, just not real good. The kind of good when you wake you’re ready to get up.
 
New phones- Haven’t had this many calls on the thing for a loooong time. I will make sure we are still on the no callup list (I'm sure we are but best to check anyway) and continue grumbling for a few more weeks. I assume because of the phone company change they got the number and are making the best of it until the 30 days expires to abide by the no callup. Problem is half are from Non Profits (probly more'n half) soliciting money so they don’t qualify anywayGrumpy. Worst part of that is you give to one and then they all think you’ll give to them and the flood gates open. They either claim you’ve given before by using some name that is close to the other ones or say they are different and therefore you should give to them as well. Like I can give to them all. I ask them to donate to me first and then I’ll donate to them. Use the term harassment when they don’t take your first no and that most times ends it. Plus the take my number off the calling list. Had one person say I have to tell their supervisor and so I did. Know what the supervisor said. “Ok we have removed you. Now, can we call you next year?” Bang Head  Guess what I said. “I wish I lived in Texas. They share the fine with me 50/50.”Mischief
 

 

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

  • Member since
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  • From: NS(ex PRR) Mon Line.
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Posted by Jimmy_Braum on Sunday, June 1, 2014 3:56 AM

Glad to see you Johnboy. Hope things are staying good for you. 

I cannot believe it is already June.

(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
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  • From: upstate NY
  • 9,236 posts
Posted by galaxy on Sunday, June 1, 2014 2:27 AM

well, looky here...

GOOD SUNDAY MORNING!

Today is Sunday,

June 1st, 2014!

Let summer "come on in"

{Later

This fine month!}

Healing thoughts, energies

and prayers for

those in need:

Johnboy {as he goes

back to work}; Jeffrey

{as his foot heals};

Flip as he recovers

{where is he lately,

 lurking??};

Barry {is he all right??}:

Ulrich for his continuing

heart battle;

and anyone I missed!

 

Please read this Quotable Quote carefully!:

Life is a foreign language; all men mispronounce it. -Christopher Morley, writer (1890-1957)

There was a young lady from Joppa, 
Whose friends all decided to drop her. 
She went then to Ostend 
On a trip with a friend — 
And the rest of the story's improper.
 

 

 

There was an old man of Big Sur, 
Who possessed a remarkably fat cur; 
His gait and his waddle 
Were held as a model 
To all the fat dogs in Big Sur.

 

 

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
    August 2006
  • From: Saskatchewan
  • 2,201 posts
Posted by last mountain & eastern hogger on Sunday, June 1, 2014 1:08 AM

Whistling

And we are all sure that it will be fabulous Ulrich. With the skill that you have exhibited to us on so many levels, we know the backdrop will be a winner.

Well Gang, I have been off work for six months battling this darn Cancer, but tomorrow (Sunday) I go back to work. Only working 4.5 hours in the afternoon and only about twelve shifts this month, so they are breaking me in pretty easy. I feel pretty goodbut I still can't swallow and my mouth and throat have a terrible feeling and taste to them.  We shall see how this goes, I don't have to work, I just like what I do there, but it may end sooner than planned. I'll monitor how I feel and that will be the deciding factor.

Thanks to all of you for your kind thoughts and prayers.

Some of you have been talking about Mr. Murphy lately and I want you to know he visited me last week-end.  I had visitors over and down watching the trains when all of a sudden the Mainline went dead and one of my MRC controlmaster20s went dead and an Athearn Caboose decided that it didn't want to run behind a train anymore.  Took me a couple of days to sort it all out, but finally realized that one of the Atlas controller slide switches had screwed up and the powerpack's circuit breaker must have tripped and I haven't examined the caboose yet.  I have swapped out the controller gang switch, then after throwing the power switch on the powerpack a few times I heard a loud snap from inside the pack and everything worked as normal. I don't know whether the power pack is supposed to act like that or not, but thats what happened. so visitors are gone now and all is well. Darn you Murphy.

I just showereed and shaved so I won't have to do that before leaving for work around noon tomorrow, I'll be able to sleep in a bit.

Best wishes and prayers to all in need this night, I hope June is a great month for everyone.

Johnboy out...........................to get some ZZZZzzzzssss.Zzz

from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North.. 

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

  • Member since
    April 2003
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Elliot´s Trackside Diner - June 2014 Edition
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, June 1, 2014 12:10 AM

June 1st, 2014!

Good Morning and welcome to the Diner at its new location for this month! The move has been made successfully and Vinnie, Chloe, Daisy, Flo, Zoe and Janie will be glad to serve you again this month. Should you want to refer to last month´s Diner, here is a trail of bread crumbs leading to it:

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/229382.aspx?page=23#2571028

It´s a cold morning here. Night time temperatures dropped to only a notch above freezing. We forgot to close the kitchen window, so the entire place is quite cold. Had to put the heater on - never before did I have to do this on a June 1st!

I will continue on the backdrop today, adding the "blue" to it. Tomorrow I will try to find a cheap sponge for the cloud texture. Right now, I am quite confident that something I am going to like comes out of this exercise. We shall see!

Have a great Sunday!

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