"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Ray I would guess the loco is going back to the yard tender first,so it would be three shorts as he would be going in reverse.
Ulrich Sorry to hear about Petra's aunt
Best to all on sick call and those recovering
Duke
"Don't take a wooden nickel,because it isn't worth a dime" by my Dad
"There are only 3 things you need out of life:A gentle grade,the wind in your face,and cinders in your hair.....But keep an eye on the water glass!" Jack Evans
Ken:
We had an inground pool years ago when we lived in Chatham, Ontario. We loved it but it was becoming a potential nightmare. One retaining wall was starting to shift! Fortunately I got transferred and we sold the house.
The actual bid for the tree removal sounds more like what I would expect to pay here (Bradford, Ontario). I managed to find a really good tree service a few years ago. Their prices are good and their service is excellent. To give you just one example, last year I had them come in to reduce the size of a tree that sits close to our deck. They gave me a good quote so I asked them to go ahead. Then I asked them to also trim a few shrubs, expecting to pay for them as well. They had to send three guys to do the big tree but one of them was only needed for a little while, so he grabbed the hedge trimmer and did the shrubs while the other two continued to work on the tree. Guess what? They didn't charge anything for the shrub trimming because the crew was already on the property and the shrub job didn't add to their total time on the job! OK, I'll take that deal any time!
I have to say thanks to YGW for encouraging me to participate more in the Diner. I watch it but I usually don't comment on my own situation too much so maybe I'll contribute a little more often.
Best wishes all!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Evenin' folks!
Janie, a cup of decaf would suit me just fine right now, please and thank you...
I had a rather lengthy post all written for here at the diner before lunch time today and when I went to post it the site decided it wasn't going to work!!! Grrrrrr. So instead I went on with the day. I am just getting back in here now.
First off, Ulrich, my deepest condolences to you and Petra on the passing of her aunt. Do know my prayers are with both of you and the whole family! I am saddened that you folks won't be able to be at the funeral service for her.
I had to go to my sister's house before noon to feed and take care of the cats for her. Then I had to get back home and go over to greet my granddaughters when they got off the bus. Yesterday I got the lawn mowed. It sure did need it! had grown about 3 or 4 inches! Yesterday was evidently Fledgling day around here as the robins on the back portch and several other families of birds had their young'uns on my lawn looking for food! One of the Robins didn't make it. I found it dead next to recyling and trash bins outside. I think it must have gotten hurt when it fell out of the nest....
Couple days ago over across the street in another diner, a person posted a photo of a new water spout for Steam locos at a mine on his layout. Somebody suggested that he leave the line as a "turn" and end of track without a way to turn the loco for the return trip. That was quite prototypical and still is. So I posed a little question for everyone... We had so much fun and some learning (me included) with the answers. So here it is for you as well. Enjoy!
OK... Let's see how sharp you guys are in here. So I assume the loco pulls the empties to the mine facing forward at the head of the train. Then uncouples and runs around the train and couples onto the loaded cars on another track, pulls out and couples onto the caboose. After the brake check, the engineer leans out of the cab and gets the signal from the conductor to start the train on the return trip back to the yard. So... The question of the day is: What whistle signal does the engineer give before starting the train??? (If you were an employee of the RR and know the correct answer, don't give it away..... Or if you saw this all over there, please don't give it away.) This can be a good excersize for those of you who use sound and do operations.
YGW, way too busy for an old guy.
Have a good one!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Good evening. It has been a gorgeous day in the mid-Ohio River valley. 71 degrees and fluffy clouds and lots of sun. Had a facebook pop up that the weather was almost identical six years ago. June 8 must be a good weather day.
Treated ourselves to a Brandi Carlisle concert last night at the renovated theater. One of the real treats was a number she preformed with the twins without mikes are amplification to demonstrate how good the acoustics are in the theater. Great show by a super vocalist and song writer.
Trying to set my homemade concrete forms to pour footings wall. I have a little work to get the forms lined up under the existing porch framing.
Plan on heading to the basement and work on spiking more track tonight.
Condolences to Petra on the lose of her aunt.
Ken, your yard war pile of vines is pretty impressive.
Have a great evening.
Jim
RideOnRoad we are considering the drive around Olympic National Park. Any done the drive? We are trying to decide if it is worth the two days it will take.
I think the best way to see the park is to take roads into the interior. The Hoh River Valley on the west side has monster moss-covered trees in a rain forest. The Elwah River and Hurricane Ridge roads outside of Port Angeles are also nice. Anyway, all the dampness should be a big change from what you're used to. Enjoy.
Evening Dinners
Flo, scamled eggs, hash browns, bacon, and a english muffien and Barry Sizes It. I will all so have a before it is ready.
Been a good day off! Got my running done very early. Was in the backyard around 10:30 AM and had at it for a good 5 hours and I am feeling it! Dragged out more vines, cleared 70% of the gravel of vines remains, fix Sues new patio table I bought last week, (1 leg had a bad weld and picked up a new one) cut the rear grass, painted the rest of the new boards for the rear fences and cut down most of the out of control Vinka on the side of the house.
Today effort.
I did get a get a prices on taking the sucker down.
After what YGW guessed $3000.00 I was tickled silly with the bid! To remove just the one trunk that is in the way and haul off the big sections over 4" and over was $225.00. To take down the whole tree and haul off was $650.00.
Told him I was not going to get any other bids I was pleased with the prices. Asked him how much he would charge to cut down the remains of this bush on the right side of the pool.
He said he would be back by 6:00 PM and do it for free if I let him do the job! It is now 6:20 and he is not here and no phone call. If he calls and says he does not have time, I understand. But if he does not call, I will get some more bids!
Ulrich Soory about your family loss.
Later, Ken
I hate Rust
yougottawantaLion - That would a chill run up my back ! A leopard up a tree and me below ! Oh hello kitty, nice kitty....
He just wants to drop in for lunch...
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
yougottawantaMr. B - you said - "Uh, yeah. Any reason I shouldn't be?...Hoping my girlfriend will show up .... The wife just stresses me out and make me want more beer." -- This is why I ask. Though maybe your wife discovered this and well.....
I envy you guys with happy marriages and loving spouses, and you single guys as well with your freedom to engage with other partners. This particular "girlfriend" relationship is tenuous and unstable at best. It's entirely possible that it's already over but I don't know about it yet. She's very reluctant to communicate because of my marriage. It seems that being a married man looking for what's missing in my life carries a large stigma with it.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Mr. B - you said - "Uh, yeah. Any reason I shouldn't be?...Hoping my girlfriend will show up .... The wife just stresses me out and make me want more beer." -- This is why I ask. Though maybe your wife discovered this and well.....Hadnt seen you today and you are usually in here during the day
Ulrich - The J was going up a mountain grade and the rails were wet. It was having problems though wasnt it ! Yea I do not understand the mix of cars???
V8 - Pool sound good. What do you do when it gets that hot ? Stay in the AC ?
Afternoon Diners,
yougottawanta Angel - What do people do in your area when temps get that high ?
Angel - What do people do in your area when temps get that high ?
Probably stay in the house with the A/C on or their working. If you have a pool in the backyard, have a 3 hour party.
Ulrich- Sorry about your wife's aunt
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
yougottawantaMr. B - you okay ?
Uh, yeah. Any reason I shouldn't be? We fought back from a 4-goal deficit to earn a thrilling 15-15 tie in Tuesday Night Hockey. OK, it's not the NHL.
Hoping my girlfriend will show up to listen to our favorite group on Friday. She's encouraging me to reduce my beer intake to help me lose some weight. It's the best motivation I've got to be a more healthy person. The wife just stresses me out and make me want more beer.
I think I'll just take a nice long walk as my exercise for the day. My legs are a bit tired from hockey. I'll be back on the bike tomorrow. Besides, we have pop-up thundershowers going through today so I've got to time my outdoor time carefully.
yougottawantaI sent you some J videos last night to help cheer you up, did you get a chance to watch any ?
Yup, I did - and I must say the J is an impressive loco! In video #2 she seems to have traction problems in in video#3 she is pulling a long train, composed of a rather odd variety of cars!
Nice videos - thanks for the links!
Steven OtteRideOnRoad: Stop hogging all our heat. It was in the 50s here this morning. My tomatoes and strawberry plants are NOT happy.
Boy, if I could, I would be happy to send you 10-15F of our afternoon temperatures in your direction. It is worse in July and August when the higher humidity retains the heat over night and the temperature never gets below 90, even at night. At least now we are still dipping into the 70s.
Richard
Lunch time ! Flo I am sooo hungry, Flo, would you serve me give a Baked potato with sour cream, salt & pepper and real butter (at least a qaurter stick please ) oozing out the ends, T-Bone steak, chef salad with blue cheese, slice of good ole apple pie with vanilla ice cream, Big root beer float to help wash it down. Do you have any fried okra ? Yea ? Okay I will take a side of that too.
Here in Va the humidity is low, temps in the 70s/80s and there is a very strong breeze blowing here. So strong in fact that it is blowing the roofing felt off of the roof of four houses !
Lion - That would a chill run up my back ! A leopard up a tree and me below ! Oh hello kitty, nice kitty....
JaBear - Do we have you to thank for the cool temps hgere today ? If so THANKS !
Ulrich - Here is a prayer to get through the lose of Bobby. I sent you some J videos last night to help cheer you up, did you get a chance to watch any ? How are you feeling today ?
Alvie - What is that smell smells like someone didnt get a bath this morning . Boy do I hate that feeling. Thank God for running hot water and a bar of soap !
PM Railfan - LOL You had me smiling with some of your comments like "sincerest apologies to the Kodak", "In honor of that beautiful bride"
Ricky - I talked to one of our venders this morning who lives in PA. I told him about your tornados and I asked him if they had many in his part of PA. He resonded that they had one that recently went up a mtn and that it took out a swath of trees straight up...that must have been perculiar thing to observe !
Richard - Only a 105 ?!! The only time it gets that hot around here is when congress is in session and the old blow hards are arguing over who gets to tax us more and who gets to spend our money !
Garry - For safe travel
Jeremy - please pop in and let us know how your foot is doing
Mr. B - you okay ?
Howmus - how is your day going so far ?
Reinhard - Havent seen you much you okay ?
Ken - Some of the tree guys we use advertise the wood on Craigslist and simply take a picture and post an add for free firewood. Just about all of it gets picked up ! I would have never guessed that would happen !
UP, DER, Cats like me. Phil, Flip....Hey all hope to see you in here soon
Steven Otte RideOnRoad: Stop hogging all our heat. It was in the 50s here this morning. My tomatoes and strawberry plants are NOT happy. Ulrich: My condolences to you and Petra.
RideOnRoad: Stop hogging all our heat. It was in the 50s here this morning. My tomatoes and strawberry plants are NOT happy.
Ulrich: My condolences to you and Petra.
50s is NICE, Temps in the 70s are far too hot.
One of my friends got out of his enclosure in a Utah zoo. They called it a "Code Hudini" which meant an animal on the loose. The animal in question was a LEOPARD. A very fine looking leopard. He did not go very far from his enclosure since he was found sound asleep on a wooden structure just above his enclosure.
The Leopards in the zoo here in bismarck tried that trick once, the zookeeper could not find his leopard at closing time. Usually when he opens the den door, the leopard rushes in since that door opening means "FOOD". but the Leopard did not come in. The zookeeper circled the enclosure several times and could not see his leopard. Ah, but you must know that the leopard *was* watching him ffrom his perch high in a tree. But that tree was within the enclosure and the enclosure is topped with the same bars as the sides of the enclosure. In Utah there seemed to be a gap between the fence and the top cover. Leopards like their gaps.
Ulrich,
Please accept my condolences on the loss of Petra's aunt.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
Good Morning!
It has cooled off during the night, following a thunderstorm we had later into yesterday´s afternoon. We could actually observe the birth of a tornado, which struck Hamburg, causing considerable damage, but fortunately no loss of life.
It is a sad day for us. We have just received the message, that Petra´s aunt Margrit "Bobby" of Cornelius OR, died yesterday, aged 80, after a stroke a couple of months ago left her completely paralyzed. She died peacefully in her sleep, leaving her husband Friedrich "Fitty" and her two children behind.
It is just so sad we can´t be with them to say goodbye to Aunt Bobby, but we cannot afford to pay for the passports, let alone the flight to Oregon.
Good evening all,
Brunhilda, a tall glass of your best Hefeweizen please.
My day at work had been rather hectic. Waking up at 7:17am, when I needed to be there at 7am made me feel, um not awesome for a good while. I got there at 7:30 as I rushed out. No shower, breakfast, nothing. Thankfully, there's a shower there. My coworker who I relieved did not give me a hard time about it, and as I've had to wait on her a few times, it's no huge deal. Thankfully, I don't work morning shift tomorrow, I work evening shift, or 3-11pm. I think I am, I'll call to double check in the morning, just to be on the safe side haha.
On the MR front, I got a start on painting the tender for my PRR 1361 project. I put on a coat of Model Master engine black first, and tomorrow I'll put on a coat of Polly-Scale Brunswick Green. I picked Polly-Scale Brunswick green on the recomendation it's a good match for the paint BLI used. Seems close to me, so hopefully it'll look good. I wanted to paint outside as the temperature had been nice, but with the wind blowing, I paint inside. I did not use a primer, and even so the paint adhered quite well I think. One side looked great, and the other, not so good at all. I'm kind of a perfectionist when it comes to paint jobs, and I'll redo, and redo, and redo again, a model's paint job. I painted one side twice, and anothe side I think three times until I felt satisfied. And this is just the initial coat of paint. I initially tried to paint the model by masking off the speaker in the coal bunker, and keeping the loco and wire bundle separate, but decided that would be a hassle and quick way to break something, so I snipped the speaker wires, took out the speaker, and now able to work on the tender and tender floor without worrying about damaging the loco and the electronics. I will reinstall the speaker when the tender is painted and decaled.
Alvie
Flo, Blow Out Plater with rings and a Please. Give the Buck Guy one as well!
Work Front Yesterday I spent 2 hours to get a $736.00 deal. Today I sold a $1125.00 mattress is 15 minutes? Today I could all most do no wrong! I had more customers today than I had in the last 3 days. While that is not saying much, 6 of them bought! Had a pretty darn good last tow days. Best part is I finally sold a good spiff Mattress!
yougottawantaBuy the equipmenyt to cut down the tree. Use the wood to cook the frog legs which can be sold at a profit, sell the remaing wood and equipment used to cut it down and then buy more train stuff !
YGW I tell you, I am all most temped to do it myself. Main thing stopping me is how would I get rid of the larger sections? I think the max sizes the city will take is 6" to 8" dimater. Hum, maybe I can put a post on Cragist List. Free fire wood if you cut down the darn tree! I do have a guy come over Wednesday to give me a bid. Seems he wants my bussines as well, bent over backwards to come when I wanted him to come over.
Well I am beat! After I got home from work it was still light out at 8:35 so I cut the front grass! Boy I was feeling good today!
If I feel this good Wednesday I will get some stuff done!
Seems Photo Bucket is down again.
Hello Railfans!
Flo - my usual please.... stirred not shaken. In honor of that beautiful bride with the eye for 007 movies.
Folks, something new has been added. Not for yall, for me. Check it out.....
if you see that, Ive finally come into the 21st century . Still working on getting videos to work. Ya'll are really in for it then!
Both pictures above were taken on my last trip to the B&O Museum in Baltimore. This happens to be the ONLY place to see any original PM equipment unless you live in Michigan.
The top picture is an EMD SW-1 Phase 2 built in 1939. She was one of two the PM owned. Class DES-1a, road number 11. Preserved and in working shape. And from what I saw that day, she looked great. For those of you who are wondering where the nose stripes are, normally seen on PM switchers, this is actually how EMD delivered them to the PM. #'s 10 and 11 came in all black. Stripes applied when the NW-2s showed up if I am not mistaken.
As for for the Covered Hopper #20054, this car isnt faring as well as the SW being totally out in the weather. Mechanically she looks good. There is also a PM wooden boxcar there that was currently under restoration.
I couldnt get any pictures of it as it was in an area not for the public. The glimpse I did get of it i must say, will be another fine addition to PM heritage equipment when complete.
Interesting note: When I took the Covered Hopper picture, I was standing not to far from C&O 1309. This was not long before she was removed to be restored. And you guys know for a fact, or atleast could bet your last dollar I got pics of her! And the snoozing Kanawha nestled behind her too!
Well folks more to come now that I can share with you what I see in pictoral format. Mind you though I am no photographer. So no giggling, cackling, guffawing, or yodeling to yourself! Share the laughter .
With my sincerest apologies to the Kodak industry,
PM Railfan
yougottawanta Angel - how in the world do you survive 110 to 118 degees ?
Angel - how in the world do you survive 110 to 118 degees ?
If I knew the answer, I would tell you.
I watched Star Wars VII on the PS4 (blu ray) on a 40 something inch screen. I was disappointed in the quality. The movie looked animated, cartoonish. But it looked way better in the living room with a 32" tv.
Keep cool in the summer time.
Good Evening!
It´s been a hot day (and it still is), making me feel miserable. My BP went down looking for something, which apparently it has not yet found, it´s still down there. I could not do much more than lying in the sofa and listen to music. Reading a book or a mag was out of question with my vision being blurred, and so was watching a movie.
However, I managed to take a look at the following:
In reminiscence of Mark Twain´s famous essay about the awful German language - listen to non-Germans attempting to pronounce the German words for
Back to the sofa!
Afternoon.
Flo, I will have a Barry Burger, fries and a coke.
Garry, BBQ pulled pork, YUM! Goes right along with our local PBS channel, running a 1990 concert of The Highwaymen last night. (For those unfamiliar, that is Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, and Chris Kristopherson.)
YGW, not many tornado's in NW PA, but we do get one or two on occasion. Most are small, and short lived. The last big one, 31 years ago, on May 31, 1985, was indeed a big one, an EF4, old F5, cut through Albion PA, on the B&LE RR, destroying the town, and lasted for quite some time. At its most powerful, wind speed was estimated at over 190mph, and it had grown to be nearly one mile wide. It stayed on the ground through most of NWPA, and was responsible for many injuries and deaths. They still hold a memorial ceremony on that day in many small towns, to remember that day, and those who were lost on it. That tornado hit on a really hot & humid day, and was only one of several large, destructive tornado's in the area, and occurred with zero warning. The actual weather warning was issued, after Albion had been all but destroyed by the tornado. That day was a fluke weather day, as well over 100 tornado's touched down on that day in the tri-state area of OH, PA, and NY, with close to 30 in the NW PA counties of Erie, Crawford, and Warren alone. Most were a EF2, old F2-3, or smaller, with 3 hitting a EF3 or larger, old F4 or larger, size. Some wooded areas still show the damage, as trees that were young on that day that still stood are twisted around each other, or grew up themselves twisted. Last tornado in my immediate area, before Sunday, was in 2013, another EF1. Last in the region was in spring 2015, there was another EF1, along the shoreline of Lake Erie, near the PA/NY state line, outside of North East, Pa. Most tornado warnings are issued with zero tornado's actually occurring, but the occasional one does still occur.
Weather: Today is cooler, around 65, overcast with a chance of rain tonight. Tomorrow is to be cooler yet, only around 60, with rain showers. Thursday back up to 68, and Weekend back into the 70's.
W**k: I am one of the closers tonight, so will be going in this afternoon.
Hope all are well, and have a good day.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
Wahoo! A break in the heat! It will only be 105F today.
We are trying to plan a trip to the Seattle area for later this summer. It will include a whale watching cruise, and we are considering the drive around Olympic National Park. Any done the drive? We are trying to decide if it is worth the two days it will take.
Morning all
Starting this a second time. Forum locked up a minute ago and it just would not function except in jerks and spurts ??? Hmmm odd. Anyway it is a beautiful day in Va blue skies , no rain, low humidity....
Ulrich - You okay ? Hope to see you in here soon.
Steve - LOL You crack me up sometimes
JaBear - I think it would be wonderful to hear the New Zealand terms ! That is one of the wonderful things about having an international crowd and that is hearing a different term used for the same thing ! Please dont be afraid to speak your lahgauge. When we do not undersatnd we will ask : ) Many Americans love different accents. My kids go around all the time trying to copy British and Australian accents !
Richard - Do you get many tornados in PA ? I would not have thought you had many there with all of the mtns
Ken - I have several spots where the ground is so poor that grass will not grow. Instead it is bare and when the heavy rains come it washes out creating more dead areas and ruts. So I fertilize to cut down on the shovel work. Hopefully the grass will take and hold the ground in place. Hey I have a suggestion for you ! Buy the equipmenyt to cut down the tree. Use the wood to cook the frog legs which can be sold at a profit, sell the remaing wood and equipment used to cut it down and then buy more train stuff !!!
Lion - Any wildebeast in that herd ? Do you like the domestic tasting raw meat or only the wild wildebeast taste ??
Garry - hope you have safe travels.
Hello to all of the rest - Reinhard, DER, Ricky, V8, Jeremy, UP, Mr. B.......
Good morning ....
First of all. .... Lion: belated happy birthday.
We took a break from being busy last evening. We went to Nashville and attended a dinner/concert. In Nashville, that means BBQ pulled pork sandwiches with side dishes, and the music was country and western. Fun.
Busy again. I leave later today for another trip to Alabama to take care of matters pertaining to my mother's estate. I'll be there a couple of days. I'll get home in time to leave for Michigan this weekend.
So, I won't be able to be in the Diner very much for a week or so.
Happy Model Railroading, everybody.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU