Greetings from beautiful Southern California between the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains on the BNSF/UP mainline on Cajon Pass.
Welcome to Jeffrey's Trackside Diner. It's a place where you can come in, relax and talk about most anything except religion, politics, immigration, or any other hot button topic that may ruffle feathers or is deemed inappropriate for a family-oriented hobby. Please see forum rules if you have any questions.
The staff here is very friendly and able to serve. There's Zoe, Chloe, Flo, Janie, and Brunhilda. They'll serve up plenty of virtual food with a smile and a friendly "See any nice trains today?"
Chef Ryan has set up a fire pit and smoker to cook up some good ol' BBQ!
Enjoy!
The RIP Track
"Gone, but never forgotten!"
Have fun!
Steve
If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!
Good evening Diners,
Brunhilda, I'll have an Earl Grey tea with cream and honey, please.
Stephen: Thanks for opening up the March diner. Cajon Pass is an excellent choice. A most excellent choice. It makes me sort of homesick in a way. The last time I was there, we were on the back road that goes right by summit. My BIL stopped the car and we walked up the little rise just in time to witness a BNSF freight just reaching the top of the hill. It's a beautiful thing.
There's also a lot of train activity for rail fans. It is the only route between the basin and Barstow. (SP's main route to the basin is through the low desert and Palm Springs.)
Hello to everyone, and I hope everyone is OK, safe, and warm.
Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)
Hello diners,
Welcome to Cajon Pass. I chose this location because the weather is pretty nice compared to some other places I had in mind.
Well today I had a music lesson, sang Just The Way You Are (the Billy Joel one not Bruno Mars) almost at performance quality.
Speaking of Bruno Mars I heard I song of his yesterday, "Locked Out of Heaven" was the songs name, he isn't half bad!
Day three of the battle against the ooze (bentonite grease) has taken a turn in my favor, after two days of of spending about 2 hours in the evening scrubbing the grease out with Brillo pads I finally decided to take the "nuclear option" I got a big metal tub filled it with water set it up on some bricks, used some wood from a broken pallets to build a fire, boiled all the parts four times going through two whole pallets worth of wood, I think I finally got the parts clean though!
John Deere, nothing beats a Deere, (except maybe a Ford)
Heard this song today, it's pretty catchy.
Good morning ...
Back in California again already ... ?
Steven NWP SWP .... Thanks for starting the March thread.
i'll have coffee and a donut please.
Mike in SW Wisc ..... Thanks for posting the drone video showing the UP locomotives stored in AZ..... I could see some of them between hills while driving on I-10. It was not a good place to stop and take a photo. ...... (Edit .... I was just about to look at the video again, but your link vanished. What happened to it ? )
Have a nice day everybody.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
HEY all. pretty cool location for the diner this month, and it's been a pretty wild change of weather from last month's in PA. Southern Cali might be a place I'd want to visit
weather: Rainy and wet. major Nor'easter might hit.
Hobby: designing some decals to get printed..I'm out of ink, and can't print my own.
Work: nothing changed, but yeah things have to change soon
diet: I broke my diet this week. Had Krispy Kreme donut cookies, and then a dinner at eat and park. Ah well, it was worth it.
ive been working on actually building some model race car kits from revel-Davey allison #28 car.
(My Model Railroad, My Rules)
These are the opinions of an under 35 , from the east end of, and modeling, the same section of the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway. As well as a freelanced road (Austinville and Dynamite City railroad).
Heartland Division CB&Q. I was just about to look at the video again, but your link vanished. What happened to it ? )
It's in the "old" diner. I don't remember how I found, it was a while ago, but when I read your post, I had to look for it again, and post it.
Mike.
My You Tube
Italian roast coffee in a UNION PACIFIC mug, please.
Hope everyone is doing well these days.
Not much to report on, other than itching to get back to work bulding the new layout table(s). I need to get back here to the Diner more often.
Cheers! Rob
Good morning diners,
My other locations in mind were Donner Pass, Dunsmuir, CA, or Keddie, CA all of which are experiencing chilly weather so I opted for Cajon.
Well lunch breaks over gotta go.
NWP SWP Good morning diners, My other locations in mind were Donner Pass, Dunsmuir, CA, or Keddie, CA all of which are experiencing chilly weather so I opted for Cajon. Well lunch breaks over gotta go.
why not do all of California in the same month instead of just one part of it ?
Let's take this show on the road!
We have kindly been given use of a SP 5000 class locomotive a 4-10-2 three cylinder type that will be our motive power over the state.
Whoever gets top of page chooses the California location the diner will be for that page.
Fine job on opening the diner Steven, thankyou.
Good morning from the Sunny West Coast. Probably going to get up to about 10c today, so a 1000 calorie walk is in order as I had a huge bowl of ice cream last night. I eat what I want by always paying off my calorie debt. The girls still chase me, however, they all seem so much older these days.
The international contingent of this forum seems to have diminished somewhat lately, so I have been poking around like I sometimes do on some Russian, Asian, European, New Zealand and Australian forums, just to see what is going on in the modeling world. I seem to always find some good ideas that can be applied to our new world modeling.
CN Charlie, on your trips to Africa, did you do any rail excursions or get any pics of railroading on that continent. It would be cool to see if you did. Maybe you could take the diner there sometime. Nothing like seeing African wildlife along the rail line. With Ulrich gone we don't seem to travel anymore.
Submitted the contents list of our flood loss last night. They said it was replacement value, however now they want the age of everything on the list. I wish they had asked for that before, as my wife spent hours on that thing and now she has to go through it all again. I expressed my displeasure with them in no uncertain terms. I hope they send out a "how did we do" form.
We will be moving in just over a year, most likely to Vancouver Island and the wife is in a "let's build our own house" mode. Too many brainwashing shows on HGTV. Where they build or renovate Rome in a half hour show. I know through experience that even if you hire a contractor, building your own house is a lot of work. There are some beautiful waterfront properties with old teardowns on them, so we will see. We have an agent looking for us already and he has sent some real gems.
Well, time to get the hiking boots on and pick a dog to take.
All the best to all.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
CB&Q search youtube for Arizona and Union Pac and you will find a bunch of videos.
A couple days of sun is now followed by rain and a Noreaster forecast for tomorrow. All places north will be getting snow.
The dog has been digging it what I thought were holes made by squirrels. I pulled out something soft with a red center and showed it to my neighbor. It is a bone marrow treat he has been leaving for the fox. Before that he was giving out milk bones, which my dog was also finding. So I guess foxes like to hide stuff for later.
Went to the local art store to price some oil paint for weathering and see what else they had of use. Hadn't been there in 15 years at least. They hardly had any paint or chalk at all, frames, and journals, brushes, a few paint dyes, mats and tools. I guess the Michaels and the AC Moore with their 40% off coupons have cornered the market.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Winter finally got here in Cajon Pass after being in the 70s and 80s for the last several months. It snowed all the way down to 2,000 feet but it is melting fast. The kids got to have a snow day which is very rare but it is still a beautiful day. Unfortunately the Summit Inn burned down in a wildfire last year. It’s a good thing Jeffery’s is now in it’s place. I will have waffles and bacon for breakfast. There is another storm due this weekend. Maybe that will bring us some more snow. I know the ski areas are having a rough year so pray for more snow. Mountain High Ski Area is just up the road. Maybe I’ll see you in the lift lines. It’s time for me to work on that Jordan Spreader snow plow I recently bought at a train show. I got to keep the tracks clear, not just from the snow but also from the mud slides. They always happen whenever it rains after a wildfire.
Nice to see that the diner's a little closer to home,
I've been knocked out with a nasty cold for the past few days. Not the best way to start March. Let's see what else I have on the table...
My pre-ordered C&O 10-6 (w/ skirts) should arrive either this week or next. That's pretty nice. I like how Walthers is using printed window gaskets. It really adds the "wow" factor to the cars. I'm ultimately going to preorder a Deluxe Diner-Dorm, because it's the only version of the car I could find, sometime this month.
With how much each car is from this run, it'll take me a little while to get all cars needed for a long train, but whatever.
With a train show coming up in July, I'm confident I'll find a car or two. Maybe I'll find an interesting car? Only time will tell
Henry ..... Thanks for the idea of searching the web for videos.... Photos are on the web, too. Here is one of several photos of the locomotives stored east of Tucson. .. I saw some of them between hills while driving on I-10.
Afternoon all!
Computer Front: STill running off the TV to see what I', doing. The person with the spare screen didn't go home for lunch yestersay and didn't work today. Hopefully he will bring it tomorrow.
Hobby Front: Got the new hopper car from Athearn in the mail this afternoon. Now I have to some research and find out where to put the (dreaded) ACI label and see how much weathering I need to put on it. (Won't be until I get the computer back in order, though. It's too hard to work with the computer hooked up to the TV.)
Evenin' Folks!
Cloe, I could use another pot of decaf for my FGLK Mug, please....
Clownifornica???? Sheesh! What are we doing out here in the desert where it is always way too darned hot! O well, here in the Finger Lakes region we are going to get some "FUN!" weather tonight and tomorrow!
"...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 PM EST FRIDAY... * WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 8 to 12 inches with up to 16 inches across the Bristol Hills. * WHERE...The Genesee Valley and northern Finger Lakes. * WHEN...From 10 PM this evening to 10 PM EST Friday. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Travel will be very difficult to impossible, including during the morning commute on Friday. Gusty winds and wet heavy snow may cause tree branches to fall, resulting in scattered power outages. Significant reductions in visibility are expected. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Widespread accumulating snow will create dangerous travel conditions."
Oh, well, I will be able to play with the EGO snow blower and burn some electrons created on my roof or from the Wind turbines here in Geneva....
I worry much more about my son having to drive 25 miles to work in these things. We are celebrating my Youngestr Granddaughter's 9th brithday on Saturday. My son is planning on smoking some animal parts for us to consume and I'm sure the other Granddaughter will be baking her a cake for the occasion.
I am going to dissapear for a bit and continue work on a storage building for the Lisk Plant on the SLOW... Catch you all later!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Back again.
Decided to go a different route. I decided to use my tablet to look up the info. (And typing post on it as well.) Unfortunately, I discovered that the number on the car doesn't match prototype. Time to find a decal sheet to fix.
Afternoon diners,
Not much going on this evening, boiled the parts again to get the remaining gunk off.
Schools are closed in counties around Baltimore and DC. Wind? Our Nor'eaaster is bringing a chance of flurries and wind gusts to 40 mph. They just broke out the words BOMB CYCLONE.
Guess I'll hunker down in my train room bomb shelter and figure out how to bend grab irons for my Stewart F7
Mornin'..........
Today has been cancelled due to popular demand! Major winter wonderland outside this morning. Looks like we have had about 8" of the white stuff with anywhere from 5" to 12" more during today. One of the Rochester, NY channels lists 295 closings this morning...
The city has been out plowing the roads already so the end of my driveway has about 3' of heavy wet sn*w for me to work on today while more is coming down...
Later!
Good morning .
Coffee and a donut please...... Speaking of Cajon Pass, I am recalling our family travled on the Super Chief in the late 1950's from Chicago to Los Angeles. The train, of course, went through Cajon Pass.
Sounds like the Northeast is getting stay-inside weather. .... Can we expect a lot of model railroadng from guys living there this weekend ?
Henry .... Sounds like you have a fun project with a Stewart F-unit. ... I bet you will do a great job with the handrails and grab irons. .... I like the smooth running Stewart mechanisms
Good morning all. Got a headache don't know what the reason is.
Ahh lunch time, give me a Philly chesesteak
Afternoon folks...... Hmmmm..... Where is everybody?
Out shoveling sn*w I guess. We actually got a little over a foot of the stuff, but the weather has been calm all day. Should be OK for me to plan to head out to Rochester to Rules Class for the R&GV RR Museum tomorrow morning.
Here is what it looked like here in the Finger Lakes Region about noonish:
What we got is nothing compared to what this storm is doing up and down the coast! Hope everyone in the path of the monster is and stays safe!
Prettier than my weather Ray. At least 3 cars were hit by falling trees in Baltimore, and a woman was killed walking to her mail box. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge was closed for a while, the I 95 bridge over the Susquehana and the Nice bridge over the mouth of the Potomac are closed.
I have community property to the side and back of my house. Lost one pine tree. I was trying to capture the noise but the wind died down slightly. It wasn't quite freight train but it was loud. Wind gusts 59 mph here, 71 out west.
https://youtu.be/4KGb-aqntg4
You can't see the vines; we have all types and the reach to the tallest oaks in the background. Since it is a conservation area, we have to file a landscape plan with the county to cut the vines that are choking the trees. To remove the roots, we have to file a grading plan.
Afternoon Folks
Flo, get the Gang a Royal Crown with a chaser, Steven and Rick a Ice Cream Sunday and give Ray a Snow Shovel. Yes Flo, leave a stein outside for Ulrich.
Steven Thank You for moving the dinner. But, I was trying to step in the dinners, it moved and fell on my caboose!
Been PLaying with my Big Boy the last few nights. My PCM big boy for the drity mined. It keeps derailing, I think it is because of the tender. While pulling it around a turn I saw the tender wobbling. I checked the wheels and they are all in gauge? May try Jefferys old trick and pull some tender wheels, it has way to many if you ask me. Strange thing, this is a new problem, I have a few 100 hours on it.
Dang I am hooked on steam again! Came close and still may go back to the LHS and buy a PPR Class J1a BLI Pargon 2. I am still kicking my self in the caboose for still having 18" turns! If it is still there I may bite the bullet and buy it and 22 ribbon rail tinplate!
Later Ken
I hate Rust
Heartland Division CB&Q Henry ..... Thanks for the idea of searching the web for videos.... Photos are on the web, too. Here is one of several photos of the locomotives stored east of Tucson. .. I saw some of them between hills while driving on I-10.
About 5 years ago there was a similar scene on the side of I-10 in Colton California. There was over a mile of UP locomotives hooked together. I guess that they had too many locos and not enough traffic to use them all. I wonder if that's the same ones and if they moved them there all together. What a crazy train that would have been.
Heartland Division CB&QSpeaking of Cajon Pass, I am recalling our family travled on the Super Chief in the late 1950's from Chicago to Los Angeles. The train, of course, went through Cajon Pass.
I rode that train a lot as a little kid in the 1960s. We lived in Chicago at the time and had relatives in Los Angeles. Those are some of my earliest memories of trains. I don't really remember the scenery just the train it's self. We always rode in a sleeper and I slept in the top bunk.
Summer Vacation: A little earlier this afternoon, I purchased what will become my summer vacation: A ticket for the Imagine Dragons concert occurring in July in Bozeman. For those that haven't heard of them, the video that got my attention is here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ktvTqknDobU. That is their first major hit. They are good enough that even my Mom likes their music! (She usually listens only to Christian music.)
A coworker offered to drive if I was interesting in going. Given I have never been to a live concert, I decided to take her up on the offer. (I'm not planning to go to the historical society convention this year as it is too far away to travel so the funds are available.)
I have heard of Imagine Dragons, their song Believer was played before ND football games during the pregame ND Football ads.