Ed:
Good shots of the Pileated! You are so lucky to have him as a regular. Amongst many others, we have Nuthatches, both White and Red Breasted, nesting somewhere nearby. We can hear them chattering back and forth all day long. They are constantly inspecting the Morraine Locust right beside our deck and they even tour the deck regularly while we are sitting there.
We have our hotel booked for Point Pelee in mid May. Three days at Pelee and two at Long Point just up the lake. We will also try to get to Long Point in March to see the swan migration.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Ed - Nice pictures of the wildlife at the feeders. We use to enjoy Gold Finches in the back yard, but our neighbor had a large Oak taken down, and they stopped coming around. I think it's just too open with not enough cover. Too bad as we would get quite a lot of them at one time. Beautiful little birds.
Dinner tonight was a London Broil, mashed potatoes with gravy, cream style corn, chocolate cake & a bottle of wine from Seneca Lake. A bottle of Catawba actually. Speaking of wine, I watched a program on TV this evening called "Uncorked". It was about a group of people studying to become Master Sommeliers. Anyone who obtains that certification has really earned it. What they must be able to do is simply amazing.
We caught 21 trains railfanning this weekend.
11 intermodals
9 mixed freights
1 trash train
Foreign power were a couple of Union Pacifics & a BNSF. For the 1st time we spotted a NS AC44C6M, a DC to AC Conversion. Fortunately for us t was also in the lead.
Tom
Pittsburgh, PA
Hello Railfans!
Been kinda bummed out today. And usually, spending a bit of time with the hobby cheers me up. Since Ive no layout, and I dont railfan hardly anymore, that leaves the diner. I know what your thinking, what did you do to deserve this?
Ive got a long time close friend going under the knife tomarow. A family member (already disabled) is having more problems - enough to warrant a trip to the hospital. And on top of that, Bill Paxton up and died on us. Not that it matters, but more fuel for the fire.... not even a preferred race team won at NASCAR today (I hope were allowed to mention that.)
So before i head over to youtube and eyeball me some 765 and 1225, i figured id come here. One note for the diner, i wish yall would stop posting pics of food.... everytime i read this thread i gain 10 pounds!
A cheerful thought is there seems to be word going round that MR has reached 1000 issues. Never doubted that would happen but Id like to pass on my congrats to all those who made that happen. Ofcourse, best wishes for 1000 more and beyond.
Garry, I think its a good idea for next months Diner to reflect back on those 1000 issues. Just think of where this hobby would be without MR! MR has been very inspiring, very informative, to my hobby. I suspect alot of you feel the same, even if the front cover date aint exactly on par.
YGW, my first job ever was working in a ma & pa hobbyshop. I was fortunate to have 2 such stores in fRednecksburg (then). Being under age (to work) meant i didnt make a 'real paycheck'. However, i was paid. Being a kid of hardly any responsibility, no bills, and no Peggy-in-the-wallet (fancy term for girlfriend), naturally i spent my paychecks on trains. So in a sense, yes, i was paid in trains. Mark twain would call that a 'stretcher'.
Back then Rivarossi was the top producer of plastic steam. I still have my first, "worked for, bought and paid for" locomotive. Then again, I have all my trains. I think getting rid of trains is a sin. And Im not even religeous! It took my whole weeks pay of $50, but i got it. "Will work for trains"!
From Dave.....
Hey Douglas,
PM Railfan In my opinion, you should only store your passwords in written form, personally hidden. No programs, no online sites, no nothing but pen and paper.
I hear what you are saying. I have to be more diligent, period.
Thanks,
Glad to hear it Dave! 1 down, 450 million to go! Dont forget to back up your personal data, create a restore point often, and definately run your malware scans weekly as well.
Lastly, for our resident Lion.... Im shaking my head over here as I cant believe i just read you post a password. To you folks it might not be anything. To me you just committed a red-birded sin!
Make that 2 sins as using a password program might be the easy way, just better hope the hard drive storing that password program and its password list never dies!
I wont even touch the part about the domain admin pw being easy, or the fact your using a 'telephone' person to handle this stuff for you. All I will say is I sincerely hope that this never bites you in the caboose. In my opinion my furry little friend.... your asking for it! And posting a pw is begging!
If it would take 'us guys' no time to figure out your pw, then why even have one? Your totally defeating the purpose of a pw. If I was your potter, Id put a tack in your chair for posting that. All I can do is warn you. Its your data, your money. Be as protective as you want with it. Or in this case, not.
$100/hr is the avg price for such services. Wait until you get the bill to fix it.
Well i guess yall are prolly as bummed as i am now. My appologies. Hopefully next installment I will have better news. This place shouldnt be a downer. take care all!
Douglas
Ed, great photos of that Piliated. We get one in our yard from time to time but never Cardinals. Too far north for them. Today we had the Red Breasted Nuthatches, the White ones, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Chickadees, Pine Siskens, Redpoles, a lone Robin and a Red Breasted Woodpecker that has been around all winter even though we are really north of their normal range.
Dave, I would like to do the Pelee Island trip someday. Sounds great. At least we are on a migration pathway here. We get about 20 varieties of Warblers.
Time for bed,
CN Charlie
CNCharlieDave, I would like to do the Pelee Island trip someday.
Actually, strangely we have never been to Pelee Island despite the fact that the ferry ride is less than 30 minutes. We spend our time down towards the tip of Point Pelee where the birds come ashore after crossing Lake Erie. It is a bit hit and miss. Last year we spent three days at the tip and saw next to nothing. Apparently the day that we were leaving the point was full of birds. The wind had changed. The three days we were on the point there was a strong wind from the north which prevented the birds from flying. They would have been flying into the wind and wouldn't likely survive the crossing. The day we left the wind was from the south west which was perfect for the birds so all of the birds that had been bunched up waiting to cross arrived on the point in just a few hours. My aunt and uncle, who have birded at Point Pelee for decades, said it was the best show they had seen in 30 years.
My point is that if you can manage it, try to spend several days there. Unfortunately you have to book well in advance so you can't stay home until the weather cooperates if you want to get a place to stay. Also, be prepared to start your day early if you want to get decent parking.
CNCharlieAt least we are on a migration pathway here. We get about 20 varieties of Warblers.
I'm envious. We get the occasional warbler in our backyard but not very many.
Evenin' Folks...
I hope things go better for your family member and friend with medical problems, Douglas. You're right, it seems kind of tough to find "happy" news lately!
Thanks, everyone, for comments on the bird photos! Seems to be a second hobby for many of us.
Ken, I just mentioned the Hummingbirds as a contrast to the size of the Pileated. The Hummers are in Southern Mexico and South America right now.
Here's one I snapped last summer. Hand-held with a 300mm telephoto!
Regards, Ed
Ed
Ed, you ole spell-checker you - thanks for the heads up! I completely didnt realize i did that. I think my edit will evade Cousin Vinnies eyes now. Told ya yesterday was a bad day.
Thanks buddy,
Good Morning,
Another sunny, cool morning here but we are supposed to be back to 32F by Saturday.
Dave, if you want to attract warblers, you need to have running water in your yard. Until I get our waterfall going we don't get any but once it is on, they start coming. We also have a Scotch Pine and junipers right above the waterfall so they have perch and hiding places. We have had 21 in our yard out of a potential 23. We just started recording them 3 years ago.
I did do some work putting ground cover down on the N scale. Next will be placing the trees and putting in some shrubs. I have a lot of detail work to do but I get distracted by the HO layout with the light mountain just waiting to pull out with a train of express reefers. The RS3 is begging for some run time too.
Well time to get at it. I have my course at the Reh-fit today and have to do some errands. The car desperately needs a wash.
gmpullman Heartland Division CB&Q Anybody else agree that we honor MR's 1000th edition with the next Diner ? Sounds good to me! Does that mean that the Diner will be parked in Milwaukee Intermodal Station? (I don't care much for that name, sounds like a place for truck containers to be trans-loaded). Or do we camp out at Kalmbach's new location in Waukesha? http://landmarkhunter.com/196267-chicago-and-northwestern-railroad-passenger-depot/ Given a choice I vote for the Waukesha depot... Can't wait for some Beer & Brats! Usinger's Sausage is one of my favorites
Heartland Division CB&Q Anybody else agree that we honor MR's 1000th edition with the next Diner ?
Sounds good to me! Does that mean that the Diner will be parked in Milwaukee Intermodal Station? (I don't care much for that name, sounds like a place for truck containers to be trans-loaded).
Or do we camp out at Kalmbach's new location in Waukesha?
http://landmarkhunter.com/196267-chicago-and-northwestern-railroad-passenger-depot/
Given a choice I vote for the Waukesha depot... Can't wait for some Beer & Brats! Usinger's Sausage is one of my favorites
UP's Butler Yard in north Milwaukee is a great place for railfanning. And it's not too far from Walthers' showroom.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
I use a small level, a line level I believe, to check track level and sure enough it was off.
The Kato RDC is running great after a wheel clean. I bought one of those Woodland Scenics wheel cleaning gizmos and it seems to work well….I find that alcohol works great on HO but not so well with N.
I did do some work putting ground cover down on the N scale. Next will be placing the trees and putting in some shrubs.
***Der, I've planted walnut, almond and hazelnut trees in recent years. First pecan trees just this month. Time will tell.
Re moving the Diner and celebrating MR 1K – here’s what Jeff Wimberly ordered for breakfast on Dec 31 2006 and here’s how pccarrell left the bread crumb trail to the new location for Jan. 2007 Well, the new place is open and it looks great! Come on over and check it out! http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/991048/ShowPost.aspx#991048 It was significant because the Coffee Shop morphed into Elliot’s Trackside Diner at that point. Probably explains why I bookmarked that particular url. Ulrich was the last to post and the Coffee Shop ran to 902 Pages (That was before the Page Count was set to a monthly total.) So, from 2004 – 2006 averages out at 37 Pages / Month. I guess we had a chattier clientele back then.
Well, the new place is open and it looks great! Come on over and check it out! http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/991048/ShowPost.aspx#991048
Steve: UP's Butler Yard in north Milwaukee is a great place for railfanning. And it's not too far from Walthers' showroom. Way to evade, Steve – I doubt we’ll be put off from MR bar hospitality that easily!
Have to run. TTFN
"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.
Evening all
Sniffle sneeze ! Almost over this bug. Now one of my daughters is sick and MOH is not feeling well again.
Train front - Today my Bowser should be in at the post office and I won a tank car for about $5 on ebay. - Hobby barn - news - This weekend we perfomed a lot of upfront work. We installed the sill sealer and the PT plates. Bolted those down. Then we installed several post anchors, installed the "laser line" in the basement to check the fdn for level ( it was out 3/4" in 24') and we moved the floor joist, and plates down close to the hobby barn before the rain and hail set in and ran us off ! Next saturday we will install the beam and floor system.
CN - LOL "Houdini rabbit". Why are warblers only attracted if there is running water ?
Ed - Our hummingbirds around here are not that colorful. They are a drab brown. Still fun to watch.
Douglas - I agree I cannot loose any weight either! I laughed out loud about "fREDnecksburg" I kknow what you mean ! But if you want to see real serious rednecks go to Front royal. They have card carrying members there !!! I think a right of passage in Front Royal is that one has to be arrested for drunk driving a horse or lawn mower through town !They cant be arrested for driving their pickups because they are all up on blocks !
Tom - What is a "sommeliers" Someone dealing in wine ?
Ken - Geez sound like your work is now cutting into your reading time ! THANK YOU. I will send a photo this week !
Rob - How long before Pecans bear fruit after planting ? How far north can one go before these will not grow and bear fruit ?
Ed - Man, impressive scenery ! Great photos !
Garry - I agree.
Ricky W.- Ouch that does not sound like a good time. Does the driver at least help ?
FRRYKid - That is one heck of a deal ? Do they have anymore ?
jlehnert - Hmmm Some years ago when they diagnosed my late wife with cancer and a brain bleed they transported her from Fauquier to INOVA. I wonder if you were on that run ? They wanted to fly her but they couldnt get one for some reason. I will say this - you have no idea what a difference you make in peoples lives and if no one has told you before --- Thank you very much for what you do --- I really mean that.
History qoute of the day:
The Constitution is ...the greatest single effort of national deliberation that the world has ever seen
A militia law, requiring all men, or with very few exceptions besides cases of conscience, to be provided with arms and ammunition... is always a wise institution, and, in the present circumstances of our country, indispensable.
You will ever remember that all the end of study is to make you a good man and a useful citizen.
Extra strong coffee in a SOGGY SOUTHERN mug, please. Perhaps "SOGGY SOUTHERN" would make a good RR line for one of those on my very freelance HO layout!?!
***Der, sure wish I had a revenue producing oil well on my property. Think of all the new trains one could buy!
Raining here, so it's a rest day, except for mandatory special needs horse rounds.
Cheers! Rob
One note for the diner, i wish yall would stop posting pics of food.... everytime i read this thread i gain 10 pounds!
Perhaps "SOGGY SOUTHERN" would make a good RR line for one of those on my very freelance HO layout!?!
Howdy ...
It sounds like everyone is agreeable to honoring MR's 1,000th edition with the Diner going to Wisconsin for March. .... I said Wisconsin instead of just Milwaukee because there is a lot of railroad history throughout the Badger State.
Next question ...
Who wants to move the Diner? ? ? ? We have not heard from Ulrich lately, and we may need to have somebody else do the move.
Speaking of Ulrich, I hope he is doing better.
Tom ... I like the special blue and gray paint scheme on that NS locomotive. I have never cared for the black paint scheme. I like the horse logo, but not black paint.
Cheers !
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Evening Diners
Flo, Ed and I will have a please.
Unless I talk about work, it is sad to say I really don't have much to talk about.
Ed I sort of thought that is what you ment about the Humming Bird but was not sure. We get them here at our house some times, they are fun to watch.
YGW Just let me know here at the dinner you sent the photos.
Gary It was your idea about where to park the dinner, so why don't you move it?
Hope all is well with the rest of the folks here. Ken
I hate Rust
Hey guys. Hopefully all is well, or at least improving for everyone.
I went to a local diner the other night with my MIL and wife. On our way back to our seats, an older man stood up from the counter. No idea who he was, but he was wearing an Erie Lackawanna hat. I told him, "Nice hat, sir." He looked at me as if I was insane. little did he know.... Er, I mean, I'm fine!
My eyes are doing well since the surgery, but staring at a monitor all day at work leaves them pretty tired, so I don't come here much these days. I think modeling will work out fine, despite my trepidation in the cataracts thread.
Take care, all. And don't forget to feed the Lion!
/tosses a fresh gnu to Lion
Good Evening Diners,
Brunhilda, may I have a glass of your best Sonoma or Central Coast Pinot Noir, please?
It sounds like a great idea to honor the 1K issue of MR. We all owe the commeraderie we have, and modeling ideas we get from MR that makes us better modelers, to MR. So, why not honor the magazine?
Someone mentioned LED lights instead of fluorescents for their lighting. Another possibility instead of 4' fixtures, Would be LED strip lighting, which is fairly continuous for 20' or more. This form of led lighting is available at your local box store.
On the dream side, there is also an LED strip type lighting , which is imbedded Into the ceiling and walls. It is more sophisticated and specialized, and not for most budgets. With this type of lighting, the need for a valance is eliminated. However, it is pricey. If anyone would like more info, pm me. I can steer you in the direction to inquire further. (No Vinnie, I'm not a dealer for these fixtures.)
I have a feeling most of us have or have had layouts that are illuminated by a single 77 Watt bulb or equivalent in our basements. LED strip lighting is inexpensive, long lasting, and bright. And it is much more energy efficient. It will also eliminate those dark spaces between fixtures of fluorescents.
If you want to pursue LED lighting, I would advise to select "bulbs" that are full spectrum. These put out "warmer" color than most. LEDs have a tendency to be more on the blue or cooler white side than warm.
Hello to everyone, and I hope everyone is OK, safe, and warm.
Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)
Hi Jim:
Why don't you start a thread in the Layouts and Layout Building forum on LED lighting? I'm sure a lot of people would be interested, myself included.
While going through one of the mounds in the living room I came across my Mother's family history book. The following is from that book, one of my cousins--
"JOHN G. ROY, b. 1825, m. Margaret Ann Hines, Feb. 26, 1845. In 1846 he entered 30 acres of land on Cold Weather Creek. He moved to Mo. in 1854, and settled not far from Platt City where he lived until several years after the Civil War during which he was a strong Southern sympathizer.From there he went to Clinton County, returning a few years later to near Camden Point, in Platte County. He was a shoemaker by trade and played the violen from natural ability. He was a kind hearted man but had a weakness for drink which he overcame in his later years. He d. Jan. 1898, as the result of a fall from a wagon. Issue:
WILLIAM ZACHARIAH, b. 1846, d. Aug. 18, 1875
Note: Here I wish to brand as false the article in "Annals of Platte County," which stated that he was drunk when killed. He had a heart attack and while unconscious on the railroad track was struck by a train, dying a few hours later. He was a kindly, TEMPERATE man."
I believe him to be one of the first of my relatives to be invloved with a railroad.
herrinchoker
Garry - You are definately in the majority group concerning the black & white paint scheme on Norfolk Southern. I've never seen too many compliments about it. Personally, it doesn't bother me. Maybe because I'm just happy to see a locomotive as often as I do. I will say however, that those just coming out of the paint shop, or new ones, certainly look a lot better than the dirty, scorched & faded ones. Some of the foreign power I've seen have seen better days too, but with the cost of repaint, I can understand why.
Hello all,
Enjoying a warm day at a bar in the British Virgin Islands. Hoping everyone the best this week.
Alvie
In general - Thank you to all for your best wishes and kind thoughts. Were still on the fence here, however things are not getting worse. With time to rest and heal, im sure those involved will be on the mend. Thank You folks.
YGW - I totally understand the "up on blocks" concept (NOT! from experience mind you). In florida they just use pink flamingos. Bad enough we have those 'bike lanes' on our roads in Va, cant wait until we get the 'lawn mower' lanes.
To add, down here where i am at now, they take it to a new level..... spray painting their names (graffiti) on chain link fences.
DER - Virtual pounds! Since you put it that way, bring on the blueberry boxcar pancakes, the caramel covered caboose crepes, the flat car flat bread!
I, unlike most folks probably, have a special scale to weigh myself. Not only does it give me a tonnage readout, but also tells ones personality. This morning when I stepped on it, it read:
"Tell Moe and Larry to step off"
Garry - While black is one of my favorite colors to paint things like cars (Buicks, aye Ken!) and steamers, I agree the NS black paint doesnt fit. I dont think its the black per se, but the white face paint. There could not be a more clashing scheme of black and white i think. The white horse logo fits, IMHO only on the sides though.
The picture of the blue and grey unit was striking in a D&H kinda way. No compliments on the loco though. Just cant see a safety cab loco as being any thing other than plain ole ugly. Dilworth finally got his wish - make a loco so ugly the railroads would only use it in the back country out of site.
Concerning the Diners next layover, and that weve not heard from our esteemed Ulrich lately, why not host it yourself? If i read the thread correctly you were the first to mention the 1000 issue honors, so i think its fitting you could host the show.
I wouldnt mind doing it, Ive never been the Diner host yet. I just cant be sure i will be avail before midnight tonight to do so. Besides, being a PM fan id prolly host in Michigan. That wont fit with next months Wisconsin theme.
Railroad front - nothing to report, the board is clear - all signals green.
OK folks, time to go plaster on some more of those 'virtual pounds' (lunchtime) . Yall have a splendid day today! See yall in Wisconsin!
Afternoon Diners,
Uncle_Bob No idea who he was, but he was wearing an Erie Lackawanna hat. I told him, "Nice hat, sir." He looked at me as if I was insane.
No idea who he was, but he was wearing an Erie Lackawanna hat. I told him, "Nice hat, sir." He looked at me as if I was insane.
I also get the same looks when somebody wears an Angels baseball hat.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
Can we put the Diner here?
I've always loved this model of a Milwaukee station. I don't have space for it, but it's certainly an eye-catcher.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Hello all !
Home front - Daughter is still very sick and MOH is not feeling that well and she is home again today.
Hobby front - Won a tank car today for around $5 on ebay. Wanted a "Hooker tank car" but for some reason those things keep going for $25 to $35 dollars each. Just not gonna pay that.
Hobby barn news - Last night I measured out teh beam and post locations, marked out the sill plate where it has to be cut to allow the beam to sit in place and I set the laser level back up in the center as a double check. It measured almost the exact same thing as the orginial set up did. I also laid out the door and window loacations. Hopefully I will have all of the layout work done by Friday so Saturday all we have to do is cut and put it up !
DER - I sent you an email
Douglas - Yikes ! Dont even talk to me about those annoying bikers out our way ! I was tooling down one of those windy country roads and as I enetered a curve doing around 50 there in the middle of the lane was one of those bikers. I hit the brakes, the truck started going sideways and somehow I avoided running over the lady ! Know how she repayed my efforts ? Gave me the finger !!!
Alvie - Oh that is just wrong !!! Really ? Are you in the British Virgin islands ? You have to send a photo !
Tom - What N&W do you like best ?
Herrinchoker - That is fascinating history. I always like to read that sort of thing. I love history in general. In some of the old stuff I have read I was amazed at how many people died from an accident like that or falling of a horse was another common one !
UP831 - Hey buddy good to see you in here again !
Uncle Bob - Hmm wonder why he looked at you lihe that ? Hope your eyes improve enough to get in here more often
Ken - if it doesnt rain today I will try to send some this afternoon.
Garry - Can you open the diner this month ? I dont think Ulrich will be in for a while. Or maybe Steve can ?
Rob - I had a friend from West by God Virginia and his property had a gas well on it. He was NUTS, in the winter when his wife complained that the house was to hot she would ask him to turn down the heat. Instead of turning down the heat he would open a window !
History qoute of the day :
That the foundation of our national policy should be laid in private morality. If individuals be not influenced by moral principles, it is in vain to look for public virtue; it is, therefore, the duty of legislators to enforce, both by precept and example, the utility, as well as the necessity, of a strict adherence to the rules of distributive justice.
The problem to be solved is, not what form of government is perfect, but which of the forms is least imperfect.
Who are the militia? They consist now of the whole people, except a few public officers. But I cannot say who will be the militia of the future day. If that paper on the table [the Constitution] gets no alteration, the militia of the future day may not consist of all classes, high and low, and rich and poor. ...
MisterBeasley Can we put the Diner here? I've always loved this model of a Milwaukee station. I don't have space for it, but it's certainly an eye-catcher.
Only if the Diner is also a TARDIS. The prototype station was long ago torn down.
Steven OtteOnly if the Diner is also a TARDIS. The prototype station was long ago torn down.
And what is Model Railroading but a trip back in time? Even the music playing in my train room is era-appropriate. How many of us model the days of our youth, and would, in many respects, prefer to go back there?
MisterBeasleyAnd what is Model Railroading but a trip back in time? Even the music playing in my train room is era-appropriate. How many of us model the days of our youth, and would, in many respects, prefer to go back there?
^^^MisterBeasley...
I still love the smell of ozone from the oldest DC locomotives. Wonder if there is an "ozone smell" available for all these fancy new DCC smoking units?
Heading down to the train room tonight to do some more organizing/cleaning.
[quote user="hon30critter"]
gmpullman I see there isn't a sign on the Puffing Billy to warn riders to "Keep Arms And LEGS Inside The Train At All Times"
Ah, the process of natural selection at work!
I wonder how many fall each year. Seems a foolish thing to do.
Gary
Good evening, everybody .....
Thanks very much to all who particpated in the February edition of Jeffrey's Trackside Diner.
We all had fun enoying photos and videos pertaining to "Down Under" . Thanks to those who contributed information as well as the photos and videos.
We have decided to move the Diner to Wisconsin in order to honor the 1,000th edition of Model Railroader. There should be much to share about Milwaukee and the rest of Wisconsin. Perhaps, some of you would like to tell your memories about some of the 1,000 issues of MR.
As always, ALL ARE WELCOME in the March Diner !
Please bear with me for several minutes while I start the March Diner.
You may refrain from posting here so you can post in the March edition.