JEFFREYS TRACKSIDE DINER...MAY, 2015!

["JaBear"]

Gidday Chloe, just my usual green tea please.

Garry, a very good reason for that scene. I played  volleyball at high school , but as I was a country boy, did not play it competitively as I lived 25 miles out of town and transportation was somewhat lacking. I wasn’t the only one like that and we made up a team that practised against the schools representative team at lunch time, used to beat them too, enjoyed the game.

A well secured load there, Johnboy.

Bryan, I must admit that your reference, in WPF, to the Arkansas River Delta threw me. I associate river deltas as were they meet the sea, but having looked at a topographical map of the region, I can now see why.  It’s a case of scale, intellectually I can look at a map of the US and see how big the Mississippi River catchment area is, but my difficulty is that I’m a seeing is believing type of guy. The Southland plains where I was born and brought up covered around  1350 sq miles, and while I couldn’t quickly find the area of the Arkansas Delta, I gather it’s at least three times larger, so you can see my comprehension problems. Those alluvial plains certainly would be fertile.

I mainly loaded the Fletcher, the 300 hp and 400 hp versions, but also loaded the Cessna Agwagon, The DHC Beaver, and the Australian built Transavia Pl-12 Airtruck or the “Flying Chook Roost as it was also known, mainly solids. There have been a variety of American built agriculture aircraft operated in New Zealand, and  still are a few, especially the Airtractor, but while popular with pilots, as my main pilot said, once in the air they handled like a sports car whereas the Fletcher was like an old dray, but because they were designed to operate off 1000 ft of flat strips, they couldn’t take working off the strips here, spitting off the tailwheel assy was a common fault, and as taildraggers, didn’t like working off downwind strips. Apart from the Airtractors I got to work on the rest.

This video though recent, is the closest I’ve found to the early 80s,  it’s a 400 hp Fletcher, though the loader truck cab and chassis is far more modern of course.

Tonights train trip is another look at the Taieri Gorge Railway, when the Vulcan railcar, which we see, went past my primary school we knew it was about 15 minutes to the lunch break.

Thoughts and Best Wishes to all that need them.

Cheers, the Bear. 

 

[howmus]

Mornin' everyone!...  Yep, still morning for another 3 minutes...

Already been outside mowing lawn today.  set the mower down a notch and with the accumulated cut grass already tghere I have used two battery charges and havent finished the first half yet!  I need to sharpen the blade and use the catch basket to remove some of the grass I guess...

I am still trying to play catch up with stuff that didn't get done yet this spring due to my being preoccupied with other tghings.  getting there I think, but a long way to go.  My son from Chicago will be arriving next weekend to spend a week vacation here.  He plans to take me shopping for new furniture.  It would be nice to have the oak trim installed and the living room ready to be painted by then.  No way it will be painted as that will have to wait until I get the back porch cleaned off.  I figure by fall i might be able to conveince my oldest son to come and get the firewood moved to his house.  This weekend he is fishing in the National Lake Trout Derby here on Seneca Lake.  He brought in a 9.5 lb. Laker yesterday.  You can find out more about it Here: http://www.laketroutderby.org/

 Bear, great videos.  Around these parts it is common to still see old bi-planes spraying crops.  One plane built by my FIL way, way back when is still in service doing that in Florida last I heard.

Just about time for lunch and then I will be back at work doing some gardening.

Later!

73

[JeremyB]

I hope all our friends to the south are having a great Memorial Day weekend. as a race fan I love this day, the f1 race in Monaco then the Indy 500 and now the coke 600. I went out and cut the grass between the f1 race and the 500. It's really dry around here right now. We did have a lot of snow in the winter but spring has been dry.

[galaxy]

Well,Made it backfrom Newport,RI. I had long forgotten what a small tight New England town an be like, Narrow little streets, most off htem one-ways wiht parallel parking {tight} on the side. We got to Newport about 10:30, nad left aobut 2:15 PM, I don't know the mileage, but after an hour of trying to get out of Newport from The Elms house, it took until 6Pm to get "home". GPS was of littel help whne we got "lost" trying to back track our steps to get there nad the 95 corridor everywhere is always clogged with slow-downs, for no apparent reason.

Fortuantely no accidents ont he highways as of yet, but we aren't home YET. Wish us LUCK, an LUCK to all thoughs travelling today, nad Tomorrow.

Now, If you excuse me, I have er, um, something to do. Before bed.

We don't have to leave so early but must be packed and out of here by 11, naturally.

later,

[cudaken]

 Evening Dinners

 Flo, please.

 For a big sale weekend this has been very Slooow! Only had 4 customers today. One was the one that kept me late last night and she did buy this time to the tune of $1350.00. Next customer added a little to her current layaway and paid in full. Next was a Mother and her 2 girls that could have been the poster family for Brith Control.  There a reason we cannot marry our sisters.

 Dave front. He was still in the hospital as of this morning. He spoke to Nancy and she told me "He seemed really out of it and his speech was slured". Hum, so he is normal again? Called later and told Paul he would be in Monday, he has to be hurting for money by this point. I do feel sorry for him, I really do! But if he acts like the last time I worked him (Feet on my desk leaned back and sleeping while I have customers) I will send him home!

 Wather Person was wrong about the rain today. I was able to get the front grass before work today. Not as bad as my wife had been making out, but it was time!  Backyard on the other hand, between rain, taking wife for medical test and cover Dave missed days it has not been cut for a think going on 3 weeks.

 Later, Ken

 

["JaBear"]

howmus

Around these parts it is common to still see old bi-planes spraying crops

   Ray, I must admit that my first thought wasthe Boeing Stearman, which after sterling service as a trainer for the USAAF and Navy, did the same as a crop duster, much the same as we used the Tiger Moths. However I would have thought that as the Stearman now fits into both the Classic and Warbird categories they would be far more desirable as such. Out of curiosity I had a look at Trade-a-Plane, and for those that had a listed price, the average was in the US$ 112,000 mark. The only other Biplane crop duster that comes to mind is the Grumman Ag-Cat.

Tonights visit is to Ferrymead, a suburb of Christchurch where we’ll have a look at W192, a 2-6-2T, the first locomotive built by the New Zealand Railways in 1889.

Thoughts and Best Wishes to All that need them.

Cheers, the Bear.

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Good morning.

Remember our Fallen Heros

[MisterBeasley]

Thanks for that one.  Fortunately, my own Dad came home from WW2, or I wouldn't be here.

But still, thank you, Dad.

Overcast day here, but the forecast once again has no rain.  The next rain on weather dot com is always a few days out, and somehow never gets here.  No poiint in putting down grass seed today.

Got 20+ miles on my bicycle yesterday.  I feel better than when I did that a week or so ago, so I'm ready for another ride today.

The bathroom scale says 200 even.  Did I really lose 9 pounds over the week?  Or do I need a new bathroom scale?  Back when I was working, I used the balance beam scale in the nurse's office every Monday, and got a nice smooth line of data as my weight slowly went down.  If I plotted the data from my scale, it would look like a lie detector test from a government official.

I haven't touched the trains all week.  At some point, it will get hot enough to close myself up in the trainroom with the AC blasting, but for now I can enjoy the moderate weather and walk or ride outside.

[saronaterry]

Happy Memorial Day! Cloudy with light rain and 58f.

Still here, Johnboy. Thanks for asking! Work is busy, health is good. All in all, life is good. Nothing to complain about.

Looks like a good day to run trains. Haven't been downstairs for a while.

That's all for now.

 

Terry in NW Wisconsin

[howmus]

Good morning.  A blessed day of rememberance to each of you!

Zoe, I'll have a bowl of Vanilla Almond Granola and a pot of Seneca Lake Dark Roast Coffee to start the day, Please...

 Bear, my FIL was a member of a national experimental aircraft society most of his adult life.  He used to make and repair airplanes in the basement of his house in Canandaigua.  More than once he came close to burning the house down with his work....  He used to light his cigars with the acetylene torch down there.  There are still a couple exhibets of his work at the Glenn Curtis Museum in Hammondsport, NY (A must visit if you ever come stateside).  One is a Ford Model A Pietenpol engine conversion.  He built a Pietenpol Air Camper from plans he purchased.  I am not absolutely sure whether this photo is the one he built, but I think it is.

This is a photo of him on his 95th. birthday...  As is obvious he heard a plane go over just as I took the photo!

I will be spending this evening at my son's house for the traditional BBQ for the day.

Have a great one!

73

[saronaterry]

Afternoon, diners. Sun's trying to come out.

Nice vids, Bear.

Cool pics, Ray.

 Ok, I stopped back in to give a big "Hat Tip" yet again to Jeff W. for turning me on to the GLEAM track cleaning method 5-6 years ago. I know I haven't run trains since late March/early April. Fired up the Digitrax system and away I went! No wiping w/ alchohol, no wiping dust off track, nothing. Just ran trains! It works!

See you later, back to trains.

Terry in NW Wisconsin

[Cederstrand]

Italian roast coffee in a STORMY SOUTHERN mug, please.

Some neat pics being posted in the Diner I see.

For those of you who have done so, a Thank You from me to you for Your Service.

Cheers!  Rob

[tcwright973]

Ray - Look what showed up in my backyard on Sunday morning. If I had known they were coming this way, I would have had Prejean Winery put a couple of cases of Riesling on board. Would have saved me a long drive this Fall.

 

[cudaken]

 Evening Dinners

 Flo, please and keep them coming.

 What a day! I am beat but the store did great! Store had over $9,000.00 is sales and I had over $6,000.00 my self. I split 2 tickets with Dave because I was to busy to finish with the customer (write the ticket) or Dave would only had $2,200.00 in sales.

 What is the matter with Dave? Well he was better than the last time I worked with him, he stayed awake but that is about it. He is still repeating him self all day long. Bet he told me "Today would be a great day to go to the Zoo" 7 times. Did not remember to run a small check through our check machine, that in it self is not a big deal.

 What was a big deal to me, after closing I gave him the check to make the depost TONIGHT! When we where leaving the parking lot he started to turn away from the bank. I honked my horn and pointed toward the bank that we can see from the store! He still turned the wrong way!  He has a 9X11 paper stuck on his dash that says "DEPOSIT" but he still forgets? I was able to catch him after a mile and got him pulled over and got the deposit from him, I will make it in the morning before I open the store.

 Sort of breaks my heart. Before I thought he was just lazy or stupid. Now, I realizes he is neither. There has to be some kind of brain function problem going on. When he loses this job and he will, what will his family do with no income.

 Trains are running great and good and slow.

       Ken

 

[JAMES MOON]

Good evening.  A very nice Memorial Day in SE Ohio.  Nice weather to do a little yard work.  Took the Airedale for a nice long walk this afternoon.  Saw a couple of families using the new pick nick table the city place along the Muskingham River.

Spiked down more track on the turnaround wye.  Should be ready to fabricate the wye frog section in the next couple of days.

Ken, it sounds like your associate may be a candidate for SSA disability.

Getting another hockey fix right now.  Ducks look tough tonight.

Hope everyone has a good week.

Jim

[howmus]

Evenin' folks!

Janie, just a refill for my decaf please...

Finished the lawn early this afternoon right after the good reverend (president of the MLK Committee) showed up with his pick up truck and a kid from his church to pick up a whole bunch of items I am giving him and the church.  One item was my old Roland A-30 Keyboard and the A-220 Computer that goes with it.  Turns out the kid with him is a High School student who plays keyboards at the church.  I opened up the case to show them what it was.  The kids eyes got really big and he flashed a huge grin at me!  I think it will have a good home.  They also loaded my old couch on the truck.  The Rev. will store it until he finds a family that needs it (probably won't take long).  They made a second trip to get the old wood stove.  I gave that to the Rev. for his house along with the tools, wood rack, and the old ash bucket.

That just leaves two face cord of wood that needs to be gotten by my son for his wood stove to use next winter.  He has more or less promised that he will get it week.  I am calling the painter tomorrow morning to have him give me an estimate on the several painting jobs I want to get done ASAP.  Contractor should be dropping off the Oak trim tomorrow for me to stain.  By the end of the week I hope it will all be installed and ready for the painter to do his thing. Chicago son will be coming home for a week next weekend.  He will help me pick out new furniture and curtains, etc.

 Johnboy said: "Ray, hope it can slow down a little for you now, you have been running in notch 8 for quite sometime."

True!  Tonight out at my son's house I almost fell asleep on their couch several times....  Came home early and sat down in the chair out in the living room.  Would have fallen asleep within a minute or two except that Manét came out with me, jumped up on the chair and decided to snuggle in my arms.....  So here I am busy typing online...  Will be heading to bed very soon!

cudaken

Before I thought he was just lazy or stupid. Now, I realizes he is neither. There has to be some kind of brain function problem going on. When he loses this job and he will, what will his family do with no income. Sad

I have wondered if what you have been descibing might be a form of dementia or a serious brain problem with Dave.  Hopefully if he gets fired he will be able to get on some kind of disability.  Sounds like he needs it.  Wonder about Narcolepsi?

edit...  Tom, neat catch my friend.  I bet you don't often get to see a patched FGLK car very often...  Oh, and when you make your pilgrimage to the wineries this year, lets get together for lunch and a tour of the SLOW!  You are so near where I live when you come this way.  Would love to meet you and the better half!

I think I shall call it a day, my friends.  I already have a long list of items to attend to tomorrow.  Progress is being made!  Be blessed....

73

["JaBear"]

I presume Ray that your FIL was a member of the EAA. There are still 3 Pietenpol Air Campers on the NZ register, and a friends brother is currently building one.

The photo of your FIL gazing skywards reminds me of the boys who were on the floor of a General Aviation Maintenance company I was acting Chief Engineer for. When I say boys, the least experienced had 9 years service, the oldest 60, and if something unusual flew over the drome, or taxied past, they would all go and have a quick look.  The new owner who was absent most of the time would spit the dummy when he saw this but as I pointed out I would rather have enthusiasts work for me instead of spanner hands just there to fill in the day and take the money. Besides I pointed out that the boys always made up that time. Suffice it to say we parted ways, even though he ended up offering me a really good salary package.

A younger Bear, (some 26 years ago). A caption at the time said “Nice Ship, pity about the Crew”.

Tonights visit is to the Pahiatua Railcar Society where the first thing we see is an RM (Standard) Railcar, the first of which were introduced in 1938. Now the eagle eyed will notice that RM31 is named “Tokomaru”, another exception to the rule of the NZR not naming locomotives or passenger stock. The six Standards were named after some of the Maori great migratory canoes.

 

Thoughts and Best Wishes to All that need them.

Cheers, the Bear.

[galaxy]

Another day, another dollar...well maybe.

 I am PAYING for all the steps we took this past weekend while  away!

Even my pain pills don't seem to be working!

I took them about 3 hours ago, and it's like I never even took them.

The cat has stuck like glue to us since we came home, he missed us terribly over the weekend!! We missed him too, especailly curling up against us in bed at night.

 

Well, i best DO something, maybe it will loosen up my back, or maybe make it worse.

The nearby canoe regatta {70 miles} said there were some problems as the river is LOW. That seems a bit odd,a s we had plent of snow melt to feed it, but apparently the dry heat we have been having is taking a toll onthe river's height.

Well, later

[galaxy]

Word for the day:

politesse

 

PRONUNCIATION:

(pol-i-TES, po-lee-)

 

MEANING:

noun: Formal politeness or courtesy.

 

ETYMOLOGY:

From Old French politesse (cleanness, polished state), from Italian politezza (polish, smoothness), from Latin polire (to polish). Ultimately from the Indo-European root pel- (skin or hide), which also gave us pelt, pillion, and film. Earliest documented use: 1683.

 

USAGE:

“How did the loud, fast-talking James Haskell fit in amid the politesse of Japanese culture, with its bowing and eye-lowering?”
Jonathan McEvoy; James Haskell, Written Off as a Loudmouth, Travelled the Globe to Transform His Game; Mail on Sunday (London, UK); Mar 1, 2015.

Quotes:

Every great institution is the lengthened shadow of a single man. His character determines the character of the organization. -Ralph Waldo Emerson, writer and philosopher (25 May 1803-1882)

 

Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit.

e. e. cummings

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Good morning ...

I hope everyone had a good Memorial Day........  We were at a get-tegether with neighbors. We prepared a country ham, and the process for that takes more than 24 hours. ..... It's good, but hardly qualifies as health food. 

Have a good day, Diners. 

 

[JAMES MOON]

Very slow day in the diner. Bridge is a really frustrating card game.  Wasted the afternoon getting no bidable hands until the fifth round and then blew my chance at low.

Time for more hockey.  Maybe the layout will get some attention tomorrow as my wife will be in and out all day.

Jim

[cudaken]

 Evening Folks

 Flo, please.

 It was a slow day after yesterday at work, well sort of. Did not sell a darn thing, and only had 4 customers. After yesterday and with this being my 7th work day in a row I was fine with that! I will be working 8 days in a row and will have only Thursday off this week.

 I was still busy, not with customers but with changing the floor around again. Had to make room for a new bedroom suite, and it looks pretty good!

 

howmus

I have wondered if what you have been descibing might be a form of dementia or a serious brain problem with Dave. Hopefully if he gets fired he will be able to get on some kind of disability. Sounds like he needs it.

 Ray we all think he has dementia or a related problem of that kind.

 JUst plain beat, later Ken

 

["JaBear"]

Gidday Chloe, a hot chocolate please, heck it’s quiet in here, I better think about getting the Diner back stateside soon!!

howmus

There are still a couple exhibits of his work at the Glenn Curtis Museum in Hammondsport, NY (A must visit if you ever come stateside). 

Alas I’m reasonably certain that will not be a happening thing besides I reckon 12 months sightseeing would not do the States justice, let alone Canada. Case in point would be the Glenn Curtis Museum, which I must admit I did not know existed, (I do know who Glenn Curtis was and what his contribution to aviation was) but having done a Google search  I think, especially if the restoration crew was there, at least a two day visit would not be amiss. Add to that a visit to the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad, though knowing me, I’d turn up on the second weekend of the month , and a general look around the Finger Lakes Region, I guess there would be a fortnight gone.

Tonight we’ll have a look at freights on the now mothballed Napier to Gisborne Line that I mentioned to Ulrich, (I hope he’s OK), earlier this month.

Thoughts and Best Wishes to All that need them.

Cheers, the Bear.

[up831]

Good Morning Diners,

Flo, I'll have my usual gargantuan cup of coffee with mass quantities of cream, please.

James:  It must be 40 years since I've played a game of bridge.   Used to know these guys who could tell who played what for the entire hand.  I was never that good at it.  One evening, on a dare this one guy bid 3 no trump without even looking at his cards and made it.  Ah yes, the all night bridge games in the dorm, which is probably why I didn't graduate until 30 years later!

Finally got my son and DIL all moved in to their new home.  Spent part of Monday cleaning up their old apt.  Hopefully they'll get their deposit back.

Well, have to go to work. I'll try to check in later.

i hope everyone is OK and safe.

[CNCharlie]

Good Morning,

I'm up early today as I have to go in for my semi-annual glaucoma test. I have to take the bus downtown as the dilate your pupils for this test which is mainly a test of the eye pressure. Hopefully it is staying down. 

We are in full yard prep mode here so no RR time. We had several perennials die over winter so the claim that they were good for zone 3 is a little dubious. Replacing perennials gets to be costly especially with all the annuals we buy. The budget for flowers/shrubs, etc. is $500 and we will spend it this year. 

Well, it is time to head out the door, so see you later.

CN Charlie

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Good morning everybody.

We have more outside work to do. Hope it rains because I want to be in the train room.

 

Today is lunch day for local train nuts. Sometimes conversations drift to topics not allowed here. I will call them "current events" to avoid use of the "p" word. 

Model railrading plans in the next few days are working on my layout expansion and weathering some freight cars. I want the insides of my coal hoppers to resemble the insides of hoppers in a photo Ken posted.

Ken ... I printed the one photo you posted where you can see inside empty hoppers. I will attempt to make some of mine look like that. 

 

[howmus]

Mornin'.... Ah.... Afternoon folks!

Chloe, can I get a refill for my coffee, please.

I have already been putting out fires (a mommy from one of the troops I commiss for is having a problem with the fact that the troop refuses to do everything her way....), went over to Lowes to get some sand to mix with the Moo Soil I bought yesterday, and a few other things.  Did you know there is an MSDS for sand?  Yep....

Need to get a few things done for the garden or it won't get planted this year!

 Bear, yes, my FIL was a card carrying member of EAA.  Had a big sign on the front of his garage at home with a propeller on it and his membership #....  The Glenn Curtise Museum is a great one to visit as is the entire region of the Finger Lakes.  If you were to show up at the R&GV RR Museum most any Saturday you would find folks busy at work on projects even if we were not open.  Most anyone out there would be glad to give you a tour.  So if you ever do come to the US for a visit, I'd be glad to show you around. 

Catch you all later!

73

[MisterBeasley]

Hot.  Upper 80s.  The rink was delightful last night.  I played well so I'm tired, but I still want to get some exercise today.  I think I'll take the mountain bike and ride some woods trails, where it's cooler.

I have not touched the trains in a while, but I've got the AC on to cool down the train room, and I may get up there after my ride to cool myself down.

[galaxy]

Enjoyed hte weekend, but I am still reminded of it today. The longer the day goes on the more I am reminded by more pain. i HOPE by Friday it disappears.

Nothing to report but a mound of laundry to do/working on/done, to get back to normalcy.

Trains? well, except the 1:1 we had this weekend, i haven't touched one in a while.

Beef roasting in the oven. Broccoli on the side.

Had mental Health therapizing this morning. Saw the dermatologist yesterday. nothing else to report.

Thats it.

later

[last mountain & eastern hogger]

MisterBeasley

Hot.  Upper 80s.    I think I'll take the mountain bike and ride some woods trails, where it's cooler.

Mr.B.  When you venture off on trails with that bike of yours, I sure hope you leave word with someone as to where you are going and approx. how long you'll be gone.

Us retired guys have to be more diligent with these things if we want to remain on top of the grass for a while yet.

You can never be too safe.

Anyone heard anything from Ulrich ?? It's been a while.

Terry, Sure glad you checked in and are doing good.  Enjoy the warmer weather in northern Wisconsin.  It's quite warm here these days, but much cooler at night.

 

Johnboy out....................