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Jeffrey's Trackside Diner, November 2016 -- Belen, NM Locked

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Posted by gmpullman on Monday, November 14, 2016 8:06 PM

Evenin' diners...

How about a slice of shoo fly pie, Chloe? And perhaps a stiff cup of Pennsy Boiler Wash java. I'll come back later for Ken's beer Big Smile

Garry, maybe while they have you open you could upgrade to a "Keep-Alive" decoder? That will get you over those unpowered frogs without hesitationSmile, Wink & Grin

yougottawanta
Ed - Wake time 9:30 am ? Heck half the day is gone by then !

Don't forget, YGW, the Super Chief was the "Train Of The Stars" and for most of those Hollywood types, 9:30 is the crack-of-dawn!

Thanks for the compliments on the caboose... I know what you mean about workmanship, of course, anything we do for ourselves is going to be as good as possible. We had some contractors here making repairs after a house fire back in 2012. I had to call the supervisor in over the lousy framing of the rafters! The ridge board looked like ten miles of bad road!

Yes, I did it all, with Mrs. Pullman's help, from the ground-up. It went together remarkably well.

up831
Ed (Gmpullman):  I really like the caboose interior.  Did the caboose already have the wainscoting panels, or were they added?  Is the refrigerator undercounter, or is it hidden somewhere else?  Where did you find that antique 2 burner gas "cooktop"?  What is the primary purpose you have for the caboose?  Primary living space?  Weekend cabin?  Home office?  Did you place bunks in the cupola?  Is the bathroom expanded to include a shower?

UP,

The interior was done in 5/16 beaded plywood. I could have used T&G boards but that would have been a bit overkill. Most cabooses have horizontal lumber on the interior to strengthen the vertical T&G on the exterior.

The refrigerator is in a separate compartment under the cupola called the "Commissary" it just fits in there and keeps the beer nice and cold.

The 2 burner cooktop is a Griswold Model 202. I got it from an "old" friend. They turn up on Ebay now and then. If you are patient, they can be had for a very reasonable cost. 

Here's a better photo, with my lunch cooking on it. Dinner I have a propane tank under the car. The Griswold is connected using a quick-disconnect fitting so I can stow it under the counter.

Back in 2007 we put a "pond" on the property and Mrs. Pullman commented that it might be nice to have a little hunter's shack back here, nothing fancy, maybe some pallets and tar paper. Well, I got out my pencil and pad and started sketching.

Next thing we know, I'm sinking posts in the ground.

There is a bunk on one side of the cupola and the traditional bench seats on the other. Cicero has claimed the bunk as his own!

There are four other "upper and lower" berths at the other end of the car. The bathroom, or "Annex" as Pullman liked to call it, has only the hopper and a small wash basin in it. The house is only about 500 feet away for a hot bath. We use the caboose as a fun hang-out/cabin/guest house and "retreat" I like to go there and make a fire and read railroad books. I have a few friends that own "authentic" railroad cabooses but in most cases they have to drive over an hour to get to them. Ours is a short walk, or golf-cart ride, away!

PM Railfan
Big Daddy - "Does the toilet flush prototypically?" 

PM Railfan
Seriously though, hows the toilet work? 

The toilet came out of a 1950 Pass series 6-5-2 Pullman built for the Empire Builder. So, from the floor-up it works exactly like a Pullman toilet (I should get a sound module for the "clickety-clack" Actually, this is a much more complicated type with a double-trap, scupper arrangement so when you step on the pedal, one trap opens and shuts another, then when you release the pedal the traps then operate opposite so no "sound" actually comes from the track.

Wilson has it all figured out...

Below the floor, the "chute" empties into a handy "Honey-Bucket" that I can tow to the septic tank and dump the contents and rinse it out. 

You can see the blue Honey Wagon in this shot. It is no mistake that it is on the PRR side of the caboose Cabin car...Ick!

Well... I have taken up more than my share of bytes here. I'll turn the floor over to some of you other folks.

I hope you are all getting along well and my thoughts and prayers to those who may not be doing so well... Angel

Regards, Ed

 

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Posted by JAMES MOON on Monday, November 14, 2016 7:36 PM

Good evening.  Time for a dish of ice cream and a cup of tea.

Our church honored our organist who is retiring after 63 years of sevice at the young age of 90.  She had played during the tenure of 15 senior ministers and 10 associate ministers.  She will be missed in our regular services for sure as she was an excellent musician.

Had a physical therapy session this afternoon.  The right leg is much improved but apparently in favoring the right leg I now have a very sore left shin muscle.  Therapist said two more sessions should get me to where I can again do some long distance walks.  I like to get out a couple times a week and go at least three miles with the dog.

Plan to set up the router table to make a 1/2 dado for the work bench top support in the morning.  Tomorrow is bridge day and our card group is having a Thanksgiving meal.  Wife has volunteered us to help set up.  We usually have lots of good food as it is a pot luck type affair.

Uhlrich, it is nice to see you back in the dinner but your recent experience is dreadfiul.

Hope Garry had a good battery change.

Time to check on Model Railroad Hobbyist as the November issue must be up by now.

Jim

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Posted by PM Railfan on Monday, November 14, 2016 5:54 PM

Hello Railfans!

 

A balmy 50 something degrees here today, ofcourse blindingly sunny. Still no rain.

 

Ulrich - Good to see your type again! Not so good to hear about your travels as of late. I hope Petra and you will be safe from here on out. I will never understand why bad things have to happen to good people.

YGW - As with Ulrich, I hope your luck changes for the better too! And soon!

Bear - Excellent news to hear your ok! Man alive these days, if society doesnt get you, mother nature just might! Though it seams Bears and Cows are very fortunate animals in NZ.

Big Daddy - "Does the toilet flush prototypically?" LaughLaughLaugh

Garry - Good luck! Any chance it will be a CB&Q logo shaped scar?

Ed - Nice Caboose! And I mean that hobbywise. I can see you now on the cover of 'Home and Garden Railroad'. Seriously though, hows the toilet work? Laugh

 

Folks, yall take care. Some of you take some extra care with you.

 

Douglas

 

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Posted by BigDaddy on Monday, November 14, 2016 5:28 PM

The WM Scenic RR scored a ride on the Dover Harbor http://www.doverharbor.com/  home from a rail tourist and museum convention ATRRM   I think the meal will cost more than Steve's menus if you add in the price of a ticket.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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Posted by hon30critter on Monday, November 14, 2016 4:14 PM

Ulrich:

Seeing the perpetrators every time you go out would really upset me too. You are not in a great situation. I feel for you.

I hope you don't quit contributing to the forums. You have a lot of knowledge and experience to share.

Try to take heart in the fact that you and Petra have a lot of supporters on the forums.

All the best!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by up831 on Monday, November 14, 2016 2:12 PM

Good Afternoon Diners,

Flo, I'll have an extra large coffee with lots of cream, please.

Ulrich:  great to hear from you in the diner.  Very sorry to hear about what happened.  I believe I understand what you're referring to regarding prosecution, but maybe not.  Where would you possibly relocate to if you're able to say?  Anyway, if at all possible, don't stay a stranger.

Ed (Gmpullman):  I really like the caboose interior.  Did the caboose already have the wainscoting panels, or were they added?  Is the refrigerator undercounter, or is it hidden somewhere else?  Where did you find that antique 2 burner gas "cooktop"?  What is the primary purpose you have for the caboose?  Primary living space?  Weekend cabin?  Home office?  Did you place bunks in the cupola?  Is the bathroom expanded to include a shower?

Gotta go.

Hello to everyone and I hope everyone is OK, safe, and warm.

Less is more,...more or less!

Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)

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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 14, 2016 12:42 PM

Good Evening!

It´s been a quiet day today and we are thankful for that.

Leaving the house is still a problem for us, as we have to pass the spot where the hold-up took place. There is unfortunately no way around that place. Every time we pass it, we see the people who held us up, but as I said in my last post, they won´t be prosecuted. I cannot disclose the reason why our judicial system has adopted a double standard, but there seems to be a difference in treatment of native and non-native people in this country. Can´t say more here.

Petra still wakes up every night crying, but we are not eligible to trauma treatment. I try to comfort her as much as possible and I hope this will eventually help her to get over it. In the end, only a move far away from here will help. We have started to save up as much as we can to have the funds needed for that. I have stopped all MRRing activities and will dispose of whatever valuables there are to speed up the process of gathering the cash we need.

We just don´t feel secure anymore in this country.

Garry - all the best wishes for the upcoming surgery!

Ray - congrats and the new car coming to park in your drive way!

 

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Posted by yougottawanta on Monday, November 14, 2016 12:33 PM

Hello all

Another slow day at w**k. Started badly. Got into it again with the caprenter super. I had to walk away and wait for his supervisor to get here. At that point the conversation took a better turn. Hope it stays that way. I have fired three supers already and have no desire to start over with a fourth one.

Train front - STILL no engineer stamped drawings. Calling him today to see WHERE they mailed it to. Maybe to the north pole ? Angry

Garry - Having to rely on batteries would make me nervous ! LOL "Toad" I am going to tell that to my daughter this one she LOVES corny jokes.

Lion - Have you tried "cinnonymonny" almonds yet ! ? They are pretty good ! Hmmm wonder what "cinnonymonny" wildebeast taste like ?

JaBear - When I heard the news this weekend I wondered how you faired. Glad to hear you are okay !

Ed - Wake time 9:30 am ? Heck half the day is gone by then ! Boy I wish my body would let me sleep until 9:30 ! Heck most of the time it hurts so bad I am up at 5am Dead

FFRYKid - Doesnt that frustrate one ! Thief causes you alot of trouble and they get away !

Ken - So glad that Sharons surgery went well and she is on her way home. How did her boyfriend handle this ? Did he stand by her ? Flying robbers ? Hmm how would one model that in HO scale ? Laugh

Howmus - I always liked Victor Borge, you know someone is very talented when they can make it look funny while making it look easy !

Tom - Good job ! Never mess with something like that ! Better to be safe than sorry.

Henry - Glad you explained that photo. My first thought was why would someone install flex track that way ! Then I read your statement Embarrassed Your comment about retail prices made me think of my best friend. Once when we were out buying some stuff he asked a price on a product ( very high retail price ) he made this statment " rite proud of that arent ya " I about fell over in the floor. The sales person just laughed - but it was a "no sale" for him.

Angel - It doesnt have to be pieced. It can be built in sections and then permanetly attached. Heck we do that in my industry all the time. We "prebuild" walls, rails, concrete floor slabs, stairs even exterior brick sections...then lift them in place and install them permanetly.

Ulrich - Big SmileBig SmileBig Smile I am so GLAD to see you back in here. I will email you later.

ED - Man that is NICE ! Did you do the work your self ? How about coming over here and teaching some of my guys how to do good work !

V8 - I hear you. We have a Wednesday night "prayer and bible study" I am AMAZED at the amount of health issues in a congregation of 3000. Cancer is rampant ! I bet you we have 20 to 30 people that we are in prayer over cancer ! I was shocked. Have you thought about photo or video record of your train stuff ? Many insurance companies recommend that now too.

MoeLarry - I was surprised by that. I expected the tubes to be an average of $30 to $50 each. $3. is not bad. Heck I think some light bulbs cost twice that nowadays ! Do you like working on them ? Do you refurbish the exterior too or just the working parts ?

CG - 1200 miles on the clutch - oh geez that is not good ! Sounds like a very bad wreck !

Jlehnert - Sounds like a nice relaxing evening - fire and a cold drink. I would have enjoyed a hot apple cider with spices better, but each to his own.

James - that is a sad sight. A burned up diesal ! Wonder what caused the damage.

Johnboy - I believe Dave would like to  hire you to clean off his work bench !

Dave - Maybe if you offered Johnboy some trian stuff in payment Whistling

Have some good news to report. My sister inlaw who was badly beaten and burned has FINALLY agreed to get some help for the PTSD and brain injuries she suffered. She refuesd to go earlier and her life quickly spiraled out of control as result. Please keep her in prayer that she will recieve the help she needs and life will get better for her and her kids.

Health front. They have found a lump on my chest and will be doing surgery in the near future to remove it. They do not think it is cancer.

History qoute of the day :

The first maxim of a man who loves liberty, should be never to grant to rulers an atom of power that is not most clearly and indispensably necessary for the safety and well being of society.

I may sink, but I'll be d***ed if I strike!

 

 

 

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Posted by howmus on Monday, November 14, 2016 12:25 PM

Afternoon folks!

Chloe, I'll have a Rhuben Sandwich with fires and a dill pickle and a pot of Seneca Lake Blend Dark Roast to wash it down with, please.

I got up fairly early for me this morning (about 8AM) and got some things done I needed to get moving on.  After breakfast I drove down to the Credit Union to see about getting a loan (more about that later....).  Talked to the loan officer who was one of my students near the end of my carreer (Wow!  Did she turn out to be a beautiful woman!!!), then drove over to the Fieldhouse at the college to get some walking in (back at it...  did a mile this morning).  Came home and have been working on some items for one of the troops I am commissioner for.  In a couple hours I have "bus duty" at my son's house.  I need to be there to meet the school bus or they can't drop off the girls...

 Garry,  hope the equipment replacement goes well and you heal quickly with no problems!

OK....  Why I was checking on loan stuff at the CU.  My PiP will be payed off on Dec. 2nd.  I was planning on just holding onto the car for another year, maybe only 8 months or so, whatever, and then buying (outright) a Chevy Volt.  The volt after rebates is actually cheaper than the PiP and the new Volt gets 53 miles on a charge in EV.  That makes it as good as some pure EVs out there.  It also qualifies for the highest Federal Rebate going.  So (without getting political!!!) I have to assume that the rebates will be a thing of the past very quickly next year.  With that in mind it may be very much to my advantage to get the car now as it will save me several thousand to take advantage of that this year.

Only problem is that I don't have enough sitting in savings to just buy the car outright so will have to have a loan.  It also happens that the local GM dealer here happenes to have the exact car I want in stock....   I have an email into them to get more info on exact closing costs.  They do loans through my CU so that should work well for me.  The CU has a 4 year new car loan right now at 2.29%  Though to beat that.  I can also pay off the loan at the CU with no penalty at any time I want.  Looks like half the cost of the car can be done cash downpayment, one quarter from the trade ion of the PiP (allready checked the Blue Book estimate), and the rest from the loan.  The PiP goes in for an air bag recall correction thingy on Thursday.

Sun is busy trying to shine here in the Finger Lakes Region of NYS and the %$#$^  maple tree next door has finally decided to shed some of it's leaves.  By tomorrow or Wednesday the "Whoosh"  will happen and the tree will be bare...  YES!!!!  Got a hard frost last night and the garden is done for this year except the snow peas which appear to have survived it.  I doubt I will get any pea pods though as they haven't started blooming yet....

Hope you all have a great day out there in cyberspace.....

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 Heartland Division CB&Q on Monday, November 14, 2016 10:39 AM

Good morning ...

Lion ... Thanks for the fresh sticky buns.... Yum !

Ulrich ... I am very happy to see you here. Of course, your news about the robbery is bad. I hope you and Petra can recover emotionally from the experience. I will never understand why people commit crimes. 

Tom .... I like the Erie colros on the NS heritage unit. In my old photos, I have a picture I took of a pair of Erie E8's which that color scheme in Chicago. 

Bear .... I'm glad you are okay. Thanks for telling some of the news about the earthquake in New Zealand....... Do your cows serve milk shakes ? ..... The video was not about the earthquake. Instead, it was about the NZ Coastal Pacific Train. I wish I could ride it. 

Henry ... Thanks .... The surgery should be easy..... They will replace the entire device; not just the battery. 

Everybody.... Thanks for commenting on the surgery .... I hope I will not need to be in hospital overnight. 


Frog Parking Only

Others will be Toad.

 

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by BroadwayLion on Monday, November 14, 2016 9:34 AM

LION is here, and while him might not be the first one in this morning, there seemes to be nobody else in here right now.

So...

Flour, Sugar, Eggs, Milk, shorening and Yeast...

Cinniminymony nuts and raisins. (LOTS of raisisns and nuts)

Roll them and Roll them and bake them with glee...

Now we have plenty of sticky buns, for you and for me!

 

ROAR

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

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Posted by "JaBear" on Monday, November 14, 2016 3:44 AM

Gidday Chloe, having just got home from my evening “splash”, I’d just like a large mug of green tea and could you please get Ulrich something to try and cheer him up. It was good to “see” you again but I wish it was under better circumstances. I’d add my voice to those who have said, “Don’t let them win”. I can well understand your reluctance to go out, and while it may be trite, consider using the internet to “Get out and about”.
 
Tom, I just hope your wife’s ailment was a one off.
 
Heartland Division CB&Q
Bear ... The news is reporting a big earthquake. I hope you and your family are okay.
 
Thanks for the thought Garry but her-in-doors and I slept right through it. I had said in reply to another query, that as Rotorua is an active geothermal area, there is always some form of seismic activity, 50 events a day is normal and desirable, continual small amounts of stress relief to the strata. Not noticeable to most ffolkes especially the locals.
 
But I was wrong, some ffolkess did feel it here, and further north as well. Standing in the queue at the local Post Office, this afternoon, the teller and woman customer were exchanging their experiences, whereupon the women turned round and started berating her husband for suggesting that she had just imagined an earthquake and how insensitive he was. I had to speak up in his defence and received a glare but it was just like water off a Bears back.Laugh
 
It appears that we were lucky, only two earthquake related fatalities, (though not if you’re related to them) one crushed in a collapsed house, the other a heart attack.
There was apparently quite a bit of damage to buildings in Wellington, the capital, the CBD was deserted today, but the brunt was around the epicentre on the Kaikoura Coast with a lot of infra structure damage, as Henrys photo attests too.
 
The township of Kaikouri (population 2000 +) has not only been badly damaged but cut off by severe damage to State Highway 1 and the SouthIsland Main Trunk Railway, on both sides. Apparently a freight train has been trapped and abandoned. The surrounding district is a sparsely inhabited and somewhat remote rural area and all the damage will take a while, and huge wads of cash to repair. Being that Kaikouri relies on the passing tourist trade, it’s well known for its “whale watching”, the poor so and so’s are in for a hard time. At present efforts are not only to get communications and essential supplies in, but also get 1100 stranded tourists out. Still it would appear that the locals are a pretty resilient lot.

 

Here’s a short video which has some footage which shows how the road and railway are sometimes cramped in right in on the coastline.
 
 
BTW, I almost forgot, hope your op goes well Garry.
 
When I hear someone sigh “Life is hard”, I am always tempted to ask, “Compared to what?”  Sydney J. Harris.
 
Thoughts and best Wishes to All that need them.
 
Cheers, the Bear.Smile

 

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

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Posted by gmpullman on Monday, November 14, 2016 2:42 AM

Good Morning, Diners...

Chico says, Coffee's on Me!

I hope you all have a wonderful Monday...

Regards, Ed

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Posted by FRRYKid on Sunday, November 13, 2016 10:35 PM

Flo, please get Ulrich whatever he might want and put it on my tab.

I was a crime victim myself many years ago. I had a "lady" (and I use that term loosely) steal a box of checks out of my mailbox. She then proceeded to forge four checks at the bank! The only reason that it was caught was she had a teller that knew my signature and to her something didn't look right. The teller pulled the signature card and the signature wasn't right. The "lady" left her ID and then the "fun" began. (As the loss of the money was the bank's fault, the bank was forced to replace it.) The police found her, cited her, and released her (on what I thought should have been five felonies: 4 forgeries and theft from a mail box). In the process of delivering the reports and such to the local constabulatory, I found out she had just gotten out of Federal custody for that very crime: Forgery! I later found out that she had skipped town! Suffice it to say, to the best of my knowledge, she was never tried for those crimes. Even to this day, I still am not happy about it. But after a while I got to the point where I don't let it bug me. (Although I do ship my checks elsewhere so that that problem doesn't happen again.)

"The only stupid question is the unasked question."
Brain waves can power an electric train. RealFact #832 from Snapple.
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Posted by cudaken on Sunday, November 13, 2016 8:52 PM

 Evening Diners

 Flo, Ed and I will have a Beer

 Ulrich First great to see you post. Sorry it came to this to get you to post. As we get older we are more likely to be a vicitim. From my law enforcement days.

 1 Look around a lot when walking or standing. Normally thugs won't attack someone that is alert. Staring straight a head and avoiding eye contact is sighn of being afraid.

 2 Try not to come to a complete stop in traffic if possible. If you have to, leave your some room so you can move the car and all wise look for a way to get out of traffic. Side walk, turn lane or and even the wrong side of traffic.

 Guess I was about 25 and I was robbed at gun point. I was told to hit the floor and I did. Thought to my self "I might die today". Looked at the robber and thought "Not today". Indianapolis Police Depratment took him to the ER.Whistling

 OK Detail I left out, he was maybe 5'6" and maybe 120 pounds and when I looked up knowing fire arms I saw it was a Starter Pistol. He all so did not know he could Fly! So I am not stupid or brave, I just knew what I was looking at. Only way that starter pistol could hurt me was a power burn or get beat in the head with it.

 Ed, how tall are you? I was looking at the "Potting Caboose" photos and you look like my Dad! If I did not know where the photo came from I would think it was of dad. Dad is about 5'9 to 5'10" and his and your forearms and his look the same sizes. E-8 QSI is fine. Like I would know the driffrences between a E-7, E-8 or a PA engine!

 Train Front Messed with the Might B&O E-7A, still no sound? Well it is making not good sounds again but not as bad. This time around I am going to pull all the plugs out and take off the whole board and get a better look in side.

 South Pacific 900 Switche engine. Bet I had not ran that engine in 4 years. As I was cleaning the wheels I was not sure if I was letting the smoke out of the decoder or dust was blowing out from the inside of the body. Laugh Guess it was dust, running it with the Bessemerr SD 7's for 2 hour now so it must be fine. Guess I will try to wire up a decoder in the B&O switcher that Ed sent.

 Later, Ken

 

 

 

 

 

I hate Rust

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Posted by howmus on Sunday, November 13, 2016 8:16 PM

Evenin' folks!

Janie, just a hot chocolate with marshmallos for the moment....

Spent the day at the Batavia, NY Train Show.  The Secretary and I (superintendent) from the NMRA Division manned our booth all day.  May have picked up a few new members actually.  A couple stopped and asked us directly about how to join (we handed them all the needed paperwork....) and several others picked up the Railpass forms.  I bought a used Accurail boxcar from an old friend who has been selling off his collection and put a deposit down on a beautiful NYOW Railroad Lantern.  Quite rare so it was a bit more than some of the others.....  My B-day present from myself, I guess.  Will pay for it and take it home in a couple weeks as the seller will also be at the RIT Trainshow.  The dealer was a presenter at one of our Division Meets a few years back.  So he knew who I was when I asked about the lantern.  I also presented a clinic at the same meet....

 Tom, I do hope your wife is OK and there was no stroke during the incident.  Those things can get very scarey!  Will keep both of you in my prayers!

Quotes for today....

“Santa Claus has the right idea – visit people only once a year” ~ Victor Borge

“Happiness is having a large, loving, close-knit family in another city” ~ George Burns

“But I’m not so think as you drunk I am” ~ Samuel Smiles  

35

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 tcwright973 on Sunday, November 13, 2016 7:04 PM

We had a bit of a scare this past week. The wife was getting her hair cut on Tuesday morning when they called & said she was having some sort of an health episode. What they described to me suggested she might be having a stroke. I worked an ambulance on the fire dept. so I am sort of familar with that. I had them call 911 right away & she was transported to the hospital. The emergency room also thought she might have had a mini stroke, but a cat scan, bloodwork, & other tests seemed to rule that out. Wednesday they decided to look at her heart & did a chemically induced stress test as well as other procedures. Bottom line, no explaination as to what had happened. So they released her late Thursday afternoon. She is fine now & isn't having any problems, but I'm keeping a close eye on her.

We went railfanning as usual this weekend, & it was another good one. 13 trains on Saturday, & 14 today. The usual mix of NS locomotives with foreign power of Citirail, Canadian Pacific, BNSF & Union Pacific thrown in to keep it interesting. Saturday the NS "Erie" heritage unit showed up as well.

There is a local that shows up every weekend that today had a slug in the lead. It always does have 1 or 2 slugs in the consist, but this is the first time I've seen one leading. That doesn't mean it doesn't happen a lot, only that I've never seen it. I'm lucky in that I usually do see something new or different when railfanning. Sometimes it might be an intermodal container or an old box car lettered for some shortline, etc.

Somebody mentioned Christmas lights in a previous post. Who ever it was, your not alone in your thinking. I put the ones that hang from the gutter up on Wednesday morning. The ones on the railings can go up later, but I won't have to deal with a ladder that feels like an ice cube for those. Been putting them up early for a couple of years now. They wont get turned on until sometime after Thanksgiving though. I'm still trying to figure out where this whole year has gone. Didn't get 15% done of what I hoped to. That's about it from here. Have a great week & remember to have fun.

Tom

Pittsburgh, PA

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Posted by BigDaddy on Sunday, November 13, 2016 6:39 PM

Ulrich, it is good to hear from you even though the news is not good. 

A friend of mine live in North Carolina, in what I would have thought was Mayberry (a TV fictional town where Andy Griffith was sheriff) It turns out they have gangs.  He was in his 80's and in obvious poor health.  Walking his dog, he was approached twice by local youths asking for money, as in "give me all your money old man."  He would play the bumbling old man and fish around in his pocket and pull out his gun.  They immediately lost interest in his money.

I have another friend who immigrated from France.  He posted a video of Paris a couple days ago and there are matresses and garbage all over the sidewalks.  The world is turned upside down.

This is not an errant piece of flex track, this is New Zealand after the earthquake. 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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Posted by last mountain & eastern hogger on Sunday, November 13, 2016 5:32 PM

Whistling

Hi Ulrich,

So glad to hear from you. But very sorry about the news you had to share.

I am with Br, Elias in that you can't let them win.  You must continue your life as it is as much as possible, but being very careful indeed and being very warry of place that would be more prone to that sort of activity.

I know that sounds so juvinile under your situation, but it is what it is and you have to run with that.  Hopefully, thhis situation that has spread itself far and wide will finally be contained and be sent to some swampy crocodile infested hole to live out their lives.

My best to you and Petra as always.

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

 

from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North.. 

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

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Posted by BroadwayLion on Sunday, November 13, 2016 2:19 PM

Whale! Lookj who is back.

Should keep your car doors locked. Some of ours lock automagically when ewe put them in gear.

And I thought Germany *was* a safe place to live. Out here in North Dakota is ok, but in the big cities they are holding riots over the outcome of the election.

If you stay indoors, they win.

ROAR

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

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Posted by angelob6660 on Sunday, November 13, 2016 12:15 PM

Afternoon Diners,

yougottawanta

Angel - Why not build a section that can be added to the layout ?

I thought of it multiple times, but my problem always comes back to as well it continue as a continuous layout or as a stand alone without really be connected.

Modeling the G.N.O. Railway, The Diamond Route.

Amtrak America, 1971-Present.

  • Member since
    August 2003
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Posted by gmpullman on Sunday, November 13, 2016 11:55 AM

A quick hello, to all...

Garry, Thanks for the compliments and "Good Luck" on your surgery!

BigDaddy
Ed Fantastic project.  Does the toilet flush prototypically?

Yes, Amtrak style. That is, not just dumped on the "track" but into an R-V holding tank that can then be emptied into the septic system. Works pretty well.

Ulrich— Thanks for stopping in to say hello. I feel sad for what you have to tolerate. I was held up ay gunpoint back in 1977 and still have the occasional "flashback" to that awful experience.

[edit] I just noticed that I'm "Top-O-the Page"! Everything's on my tab, Brunhilda... I don't know how that happened unless a post was deleted??

Regards to all...

Ed

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  • From: Bradford, Ontario
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Posted by hon30critter on Sunday, November 13, 2016 10:33 AM

Ulrich!

What a horrible thing to have happen. I'm glad you weren't injured, at least physically. I understand your mental anguish.

Smart thinking to throw the wallet!

We have missed your contributions and I hope your life can get back to some semblance of normal soon.

Take care!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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    April 2003
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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 13, 2016 10:22 AM

Just dropping by to say hello to friends.

Petra and I live a very withdrawn life, after we were being held up and robbed by two non-natives at a traffic light. They yanked the door of our car open when we stopped at a traffic light and pointed a long and sharp knife at Petra´s throat. I was able to get my wallet out and throw it away from the car. The two went after it and we were able to escape unhurt. I reported the robbery to the police, but they gave us little hope that the robbers would be properly prosecuted. Luckily, there were only a few bucks in my wallet so we didn´t suffer a big financial loss.

We are still in a state of shock and leave our home only when it is absolutely necessary.  I wish we could leave this country to a safe place.

I hope you understand that I don´t feel like posting when our daily life has taken such a dramatic turn.

All the best!

 

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    December 2015
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Posted by BigDaddy on Sunday, November 13, 2016 9:53 AM

In Cold Blood, I only saw it when it came out.  The original home invasion.  The Army has Drop Tables. The less you weigh, the further you drop; the range being 5-8 feet.  Evidently the calulations have always been flawed which gave rise to the electric chair and the gas chamber.

YGW You are right, seizures disqualify one from having a commercial license, unless you don't tell the examing doctor that you have seizures. 

Ed Fantastic project.  Does the toilet flush prototypically?

Garry Battery change easy peasy.

Went to Mainline Hobbies near Gettysburg.  They have a great selection of detail parts...Details West, Details Assciates, Cal Scale, Precision Scale.   Prices are, well, retail, but they have things that Modeltrainstuff does not stock. 

There were some amazing deep reds in the trees, that are otherwise past their prime.  It's sunny and cold this weekend, 37 at almost 11 am. 

 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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    January 2007
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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Sunday, November 13, 2016 8:39 AM

Good morning..... I'll have oatmeal and OJ , please.

Ed.... The caboose interior is fantastic. Thanks for showing the photos.

Bear ... The news is reporting a big earthquake. I hope you and your family are okay. 

Thanks, everybody for the best wishes for my surgery..... It should be relatively minor this time.... My implanted defibrilator and pacemaker will be replaced because its battery is nearly depleted. The doctor says, he does not expect to replace any of the leads connecting to my heart. If the leads are okay, the proceedure will not be too extensive. ... I have been a heart failure patient for 15 years, and the implanted device did save my life about 8 years ago. When my heart stops beating it restarts the heart with an electric shock. ..... I will have a normal routine here until Wednesday when I go to Nashville for Thursday's surgery. 

 

CHeers, everybody.   

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by gmpullman on Sunday, November 13, 2016 4:27 AM

Good Morning, Diners...

Just a cup of Earl Grey for me, Flo. Thanks...

Busy weekend here at the homestead. Much of the day was taken up by collecting leaves, five acres worth... and more to do tomorrow. I have a tow-behind vacuum mulcher which is a handy machine but it sure fills up fast!

I had a few friends over for a Veteran's day op-session Yes All went well, no wrecks, the Digitrax gods were happy and a good time was had by all.

Mrs. Pullman went to Penninsula, OH where the Cuyahoga Valley Line operated several special trains for the Veterans and she volunteered to help out. A very successful day. Now the Polar Express begins and she will again volunteer for that... in an elf costumeSmile

YGW, you asked about YouTube videos. I think I have about thirty-five. I would really like to edit and post more, perhaps this winter??

https://www.youtube.com/user/gmpullman/videos

Jim, about the vaporizing text. I was having that problem for a while and a few others here, too. Maybe you could use a text editing program (Word) so you can type away and have it auto-save, then copy>paste to the forum. You can also have different text and color this way, too.

KEN,

Those are both PRR 2-10-0 I1s in the photo. (good eye, though) My M1a is in the roundhouse. That's a neat photo you have of the Brazil Little Joe! I have a modeling friend in Brazil and he sent me one of those and some passenger cars. Neat Stuff.

The garden railroad is DC track power with Aristo-craft Train Engineer throttles and turnouts are either hand-throw or AIR power! The air cylinders are neat! 

The caboose is our "cabin-in-the-woods" no layout but sure is a fun place to sit back and sip a few... I am just learning how to set up Flickr albums but here is a bunch of photos of the construction.

https://flic.kr/s/aHskEjPkvc

I hope that link works... like I said, I'm new to Flickr.

I'm not sending you a PA (unless you really want one... I have a bunch) I'm sending you a new sound decoder from a Walthers Erie E8. It should sound pretty close to an E7. Now that my visitors have left, I can get to packing-up your CARE package Big Smile

I'm glad to hear that your daughter's surgery went well.

I hope everyone is well and my thoughts and prayers go out to those who are not so well.

Here's a few views of the caboose interior...

That's Cicero, what a character!

...and the Captain's chair. My nephew gave me a pair of hi-back seats out of his C-N van.

Two for lunch!

Regards, Ed

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    June 2006
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Posted by cudaken on Saturday, November 12, 2016 9:21 PM

 Evening Diners

 Flo, I will have a Beer please and if Ed makes it in give him one as well and the Bar Tap. Yeh Flo, he won't mind paying. Smile, Wink & Grin

 Work Front Yet another worth less day. Sigh Had a mom and her son come to look at futons for collage, OK might be a good up, but he seemed a little young to me? He will need the futon in Aug 2018? Bang Head Pretty much how the whole day went. I am just glad I got a new Lee Child's Jack Reacher book to read. It is called Night School.

 Garry Good luck on the surgery! Have them install a re-charging port this time around!

 Train Front Worked on the Mighty B&O F7A to lube it's motor. Ed was right I did not have to cut any wires. Quite again, well to quite! Sounds off again! Bang Head See why you took the QSI decoder out of the PA you are sending. Funny thing is I have never had a problem with my BLI Steam with QSI?

 Later, Ken

 

 

 

 

I hate Rust

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    May 2008
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Posted by FRRYKid on Saturday, November 12, 2016 8:13 PM

hon30critter

FRRYKid:

 

 
FRRYKid
I hope that some spray paint that matches the general color of the turf will blend the needles that still show better.

 

What about spraying the trees before adding the foam? That would avoid having a monotone colour in the forest.

Dave

That's what I had in mind. Paint the armatures before I adhere the foam. Sorry if I wasn't clear on that point. A monotone isn't really possible as the foam is a mix of three different colors.

Took today off from w*rk. Playing with a couple of different projects. (Cutting up a boxcar to get the right doors installed as well as getting styrene glued to a bunch of Tichy windows to get them to fit in some Walthers modulars walls.)

"The only stupid question is the unasked question."
Brain waves can power an electric train. RealFact #832 from Snapple.
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Posted by hon30critter on Saturday, November 12, 2016 4:32 PM

Johnboy:

Will you come and clean up my workbench too? Please? Pretty please??

Actually I'm going to have to clean it up because I want to make it much smaller. Currently it is about seven feet long which really means seven feet to pile things on. Given the amount of use that it has gotten over the last 10 years or more it only needs to be about three feet long, if that. Just enough to hold a vice and give a flat surface to work on. The four feet gained will be enough space to park my snowblower or lawnmower in season.

Garage space is now at a premium so that I can build the layout. The backyard shed went in yesterday. It is beautiful by the way - board and batton with a rolling door that I just love! That means a bunch of stuff gets moved to the shed and the radial arm saw gets relocated to the other side of the garage.

Best wishes to all, especially Garry!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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