Good evening all.
Zoe- A RBF please. Thanks.
Ulrich - I will throw my hat in as one enjoying the trip notes. Thanks!
Jimmy - Hope the job hunting goes well, and the bridge looks nice!
Possum/Coon discussion - Never dealt with coon issues, but possum, well, let's just say that guy was one tough customer! He took on my black lab, me, my Dad, and a shovel! All at once! He finally figured out he best retreat, what with him being that far outnumbered.
Silly customer trick week - Or is it they all took their idiot pills?
First one - Looking for a safe, and, in their words, "One size smaller than the one at competitor X for price Y." My response - "What size is it?" - (I should have known better than to ask a silly question...) Answer - "I can't answer that, I'm not sure what theirs is." My answer was to "Let me see what we have..."
Next one - I'm still scratching my head on this one - "I need to know how to order the paper deal from your email." My answer was that you can either come in store, or order from our website. The response - I'm speachless at still - "I don't have Internet access, can I just order it over the phone?"
(How, can anyone explain, can you get email without internet access?)
My answer was that they would have to come in, as we are not able to do phone orders.... (We really can't do anything over the phone there.).... As I was still trying to wrap my head around the fact they have no internet access, but get our emails..... (However, if you call the corporate ordering number, you can order items via telephone... I just flat out couldn't think of that while trying to process what I was hearing.)
Last one - Attempted return with out receipt, of the same exact items, on three different days, by three different people. All three were told we could not do the return. All three gave a different answer as to why it needed returned, and all three did not want us to try to find the receipt for them... We don't accept returns without receipt for over $150 of office supplies.... Especially when we know it was never purchased from us.
Weather - Cooler now, after a wet morning. A forecasted wet weekend.
W*^k - Registers crashed today, which was really fun. We did things "old school style" - Hand written receipts and imprinted credit card slips. Most people there had never seen that way of doing things, let alone experienced it. Nice way to make this 32 year old feel really old... (Other than the GM, and the office supervisor, there is only one other person there my age or older, the rest are all mid 20's or younger. So, I am one of the older ones there... Scary thought...)
Its just a good thing I knew (somewhat) what I was doing there.
Hope all are well, and all enjoy the night!
EDIT - Looks like I got tops, so, everyone, eat up, I'm paying!
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.
We may be in Austria but I'm heading to Italy for some pizza, know what I'll go to NYC instead, coal fired brick oven pizza, thin crust, some sauce, and cheese, that's all that's needed for perfect pizza.
There used to be a real NYC pizzaria in BR that was run by a NY Italian, well he didn't do too much business so he decided to have his restaurant on a "restaurant makeover" reality show, well part of the "makeover" was a new recipe for the pizza which was worse than take out chains (Dominicks, the Hut, Papa Johnny) well he was out of business by the end of the year, more recently a chain called Grimaldi's opened, they had it, you know "it" the secret to delicious pies, the recipe AND coal fired brick oven to boot! And they closed within two months.
Anyways the Coon Wars (weak pun I know) no activity from the remaining enemy troops, the trap has been set and baited with sardines, we will see what morning brings.
Train front, dug out the PRR Fleet of Modernism consist, tool inventory of the cars, I struck two from the roster because they're vista domes and being that the Pennsy (as far as I can tell) never had dome cars they just look funky, so I have 14 cars, I'm planning on saving up for 10 more to bring the consist to 24 for train shows and open houses at the club, they all need Kadees and metal wheels which I'm also working on getting, the T-1 may need some help with that train so when I have some extra train money saved I plan to buy one or two BLI E8b powered undecorated to get painted to match the T-1 in color and striping pattern (I know that B units "never" operated with steam without a A unit but I don't care it looks cool!)
Steve
If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!
Good evening.
MLC. .. I hope Mrs. MLC gets better soon. .. I sometimes forget stuff like you did , and then feel like a dummy for doing that.
Ken ... actually I’ve been having problems with the Erie Builts. They run well, but then suddenly stop. I cleaned the wheels thoroughly , but the problem persisted. Then I figured out the problem was loose connections. Nothing was soldered at the factory . Instead the wires are held onto metal tabs with plastic connectors . The leads going to the trucks were vulnerable because, the trucks pivot . The connectors loosened .... So, I just soldered the leads in one of the A units . That fixed it. .. Next I’ll fix the other A unit and the B unit.
I still have the headlight wired through the circuit board because it has a resister in it. The headlight is dim , and I read how to solve that. The factory installed light bulbs are 2 volts. Replacing them with 1.5 volt bulbs will correct that.
cheers
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Coon Wars Update:
Just checked the trap from the window, sure enough we have another confirmed capture, the furry will spend the night in the trap and will take the longest 8 mile trip of his life, hopefully he'll be as obliging as the one this morning, as soon as I opened the trap he took off into the woods, I was of course wearing rubber boots, pants and had thick rubber gloves on.
Good Morning!
Your tour guide is back! Last night wasn´t much better than the night before, but hiding out won´t help.
Let´s explore the sweet Wachau valley today!
The Wachau is a valley with a picturesque landscape formed by the Danube river. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations of Lower Austria, located midway between the towns of Melk and Krems that also attracts "connoisseurs and epicureans" for its high-quality wines. It is 40 kilometres (25 mi) in length and was already settled in prehistoric times. A well-known place and tourist attraction is Dürnstein, where King Richard the Lion-Heart of England was held captive by Duke Leopold V. The architectural elegance of its ancient monasteries (Melk Abbey and Göttweig Abbey), castles and ruins combined with the urban architecture of its towns and villages, and the cultivation of vines as an important agricultural produce are the dominant features of the valley.
While many folks claim, that the only way to explore the valley is by boat, I prefer to take the train, which takes you right through the vinyards.
Enjoy your day!
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
Engiadina, my Swiss narrow gauge layout, is no more - with me, that is! Andreas, the new, came by today to collect it. It took quite a bit of juggling until we got it down the rather narrow staircase and into his motorhome. Now it´s gone, leaving an empty space to be filled soon!
RIP - Engiadina
Good morning! Is anyone else getting non-train-related ads at the top of the page? This site has always been good about keeping the ads train-specific, but now I am getting car parts ads and other junk. Is this MR or has my computer been compromised?
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Howdy.
I am posting with iphone sitting in a waiting room. My wife has a routine medical apppintment .
Ulrich. .. I’m sad to see your Swiss layout leaving. I recall you sharing its construction here in the Diner. You do great work and the layout is a masterpiece. I suppose the only good thing about it’s departure is it gives you the opportunity to build another great layout.
Everybody: Happy Model Railroading.
MisterBeasley Good morning! Is anyone else getting non-train-related ads at the top of the page? This site has always been good about keeping the ads train-specific, but now I am getting car parts ads and other junk. Is this MR or has my computer been compromised?
This is not MR´s doing, nor is your computer compromised. It´s your browser, which "allows" free space to be used for advertising, based on your Google or Bing searches. If you are using Firefox, include Adblock plus and Privacy Badger to your add-ons. They will eliminate most of the unwanted advertising, resp. allow you to control it.
Today starts 2 days of rain and temps in the upper 40's, here in SE. WI.
The train room lights will be on once again.
Mike.
My You Tube
Afternoon folks,
Coon wars, the racoon was released this morning in the same place as the first. The little feller took off into woods as soon as the cage was open, he was another adolescent coon, no seniors yet.
We'll I'll be back later.
Hi Gang,
There has been no Railroading and no posting for awhile as I did go through with the eye ball surgery, she, the Dr. needed to do both eyes. The good news is that there was very little pain even though it was a surgical procedure, not lazer and that it was very successful. The Dr. even stated that it was more successful than she expected it would be. It took me from 35 points of Prism down to none. I will have to wait a couple of months to make sure nothing changes due to swelling and suitchures and age etc. but. she feels that it will be fine. I am really elated as I went into this being a little gun shy due to my previous experience with my throat. Now I can drive without glasses and all I will need is some reading and modelling glasses.
Maybe now there will be better info coming forward on the LM&E.
Johnboy out...........
from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North..
We have met the enemy, and he is us............ (Pogo)
Afternoon Diners
Flo, I will take a pain killer, what no pain killers? In that case give me and the gang a and Rick and Steven what they want.
Stupid thing happen while cutting the front lawn! Tripped over a small branch about 3/8" thick and fell on my left Kidney! I fell like I was a slab of beef that Rocky was working out on at the meat house. Sitting hurts, walking hurts and standing hurts! Can only lay down 1 postion that hurts just a tad.
Took the Used DB 150 back for a refund. Felt bad about doing it, but need to get my CC balance down.
Heartland Division CB&QThen I figured out the problem was loose connections. Nothing was soldered at the factory . Instead the wires are held onto metal tabs with plastic connectors
Gary I have had that problem before with Proto Engines. I have found a drop of alcohol on the clips seems to fix the problem. I was having power pick up problem with the Walthers Bessemer Proto 2000. I was thinking that was the problem, it was not. Walthers has changed that part.
I am just about done for, Later Ken
I hate Rust
Yay, John!!!
That is good news, my friend.
Terry
Terry in NW Wisconsin
Queenbogey715 is my Youtube channel
Evening diners,
Ken, hope you feel better.
Coon wars day 4, trap has been set we are hoping that we'll catch one of the adults.
Ulrich, I've been meaning to tell you that you are a very good host of the diner, the tours are wonderful, I hope to learn from you next time I open the diner.
I'll be hanging around for a little while.
NWP SWPmore recently a chain called Grimaldi's opened, they had it, you know "it" the secret to delicious pies, the recipe AND coal fired brick oven to boot!
.
There is a Grimaldi's in West Palm Beach. When I first went there two years ago it was very good. It has been going down ever since. The last pizza I had there was almost too terrible to eat.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Today is an overcast day, with a chance of rain. While Hamburg was badly hit by a thunderstorm, which caused quite some damage, we stayed high and dry. Not a drop came down!
Let´s ride the Arlberg Railway today. The Arlberg Railway (German: Arlbergbahn), which connects the Austrian cities Innsbruck and Bludenz, is Austria's only east-west mountain railway. It is one of the highest standard gauge railways in Europe and the second highest in Austria, after the Brenner. The 135.7 km line is a highly problematic mountain railway, in part because it is threatened by avalanches, mudslides, rockfalls and floods. It is operated by the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) and frequented by international trains, including the Orient Express.
The construction of the Arlberg Railway started on June 20, 1880, and proceeded at a faster pace than planned. Completion was originally not expected until the autumn of 1885, but already by May 29, 1883, the valley route from Innsbruck to Landeck in Tyrol was put into service.
On September 21, 1884 the entire stretch of the mountain railway was completed, including the then single-track, 10.25 kilometres (6.37 mi) long Arlbergtunnel. The construction claimed 92 lives. The costs were totaled 38,165,282 crowns. The Arlberg tunnel rises from St. Anton on a length of approximately 4 km with 2 ‰. The highest point is at 1310.926 m in kilometer 104.241 m. Then it falls to Langen am Arlberg at 15 ‰.
Join me in a cab ride along the line from Bludenz to Innsbruck!
NWP SWPUlrich, I've been meaning to tell you that you are a very good host of the diner, the tours are wonderful, I hope to learn from you next time I open the diner.
Thank you, Steven - much appreciated!
Johnboy - I am glad to hear that your eye surgery went well!
Make it a great day!
Good morning ...... Coffee and pecan roll, please....
Johnboy ..... ! ! ! ..... Great news ! .... Eye surgery can accomplish amazing things.... We model railroaders need good vidion so we can work on our model trains and layouts. .... .... Yay !
Ken .... You said some alcohol on the clips will solve the problem. How long does it last before you do it again?
Ulrich .... I am glad the storms missed you.
We have been enjoying nice wether in recent days, and it should continue for a few more days.
Afternoon all,
I got the O scale up and running at the museum. They had ripped out and reconfigured track and unhooked all of the feeder wire I had run. I had to add some and hook it back up.
Currently "spring cleaning" the screened in front porch.
Hello, Folks
Another cold and rainy weekend here in NE Ohio. Good weather for camping out — in the layout room! Night before-last it was 41°F for a low!
The Orioles have taken over (well, they're sharing, actually) the Hummingbird feeders near the house this season.
Oriole_1a by Edmund, on Flickr
What a beautiful display of bright orange!
Usually the Orioles stay near the pond where they have nectar, oranges and grape jelly to feed on but for some reason they seem to be staying closer to the house this season.
Oriole_1 by Edmund, on Flickr
That's just fine with us. The more the merrier!
The Hummingbirds don't mind sharing.
Thanks for the great tours, Ulrich. Much appreciated.
Here's a recent modeling project that I finished up —
PRR_DD1-fini by Edmund, on Flickr
The DD-1s were the first successful electrics that made the Manhattan Tunnels possible when Pennsylvania Station opened in New York City around 1910.
Regards, Ed
Afternoon diners,
Coon wars day 5, trap was not triggered last night, bait is still intact so we might have scared them off.
This morning I had my first live performance, I sang Moon River and Love Story, I'll post a video when I get a chance.
Today is National Train Day, the MSMRC had an open house, we ran some trains, Tuesday we will be operating with a dispatcher and radios.
I'll be hanging around, later.
Good afternoon it is a warm sunny day on the West Coast, the pool had a 180Kgs of salt added this morning and should be ready to swim in by Monday.
Steven, looking forward to hearing Moon River, I use to sing that while Mom played the piano over and over when I was a wee lad.
Ed, those are great shots of the birds. Our hummingbirds stick around all year and we have the same feeders. A couple of years back we had an unusually harsh couple of weeks and found some of them in trouble just laying in the snow. The wife got them all back up and running over a couple of days and we filled the feeders up with high test. She also has a specialized degree in animal nutrition as well.
Johnboy, glad the surgery went well. Eye surgery is one we all really worry about for obvious reasons.
We were eating a late dinner Thursday and the kids' phone started buzzing like crazy. Apparently, they had a special screening of Deadpool2 in Vancouver for the crew that worked on the movie and V.I.P.s.
The first guy to call was the FX director (the guy in charge of all the explosions and stuff) he and the kid became friends during all the hurry up and waiting that goes on filming a movie. Then one of the stunt guys and a couple of others texted.
I have said the editors have not been kind to the kid at all so far in all the stuff he has done. Nine TV shows and four movies so far (I think) and we have only seen brief glimpses of him or an elbow or leg while he is standing next to the star of the show.
While working on Deadpool he got his own scene with one other guy that is a stunt guy. They spent about three hours filming different versions of the scene. The kid wasn't holding his breath it would make the cut, but it did. One of the assistant directors also texted the kid and said he probably got the most screen time of all the extras on the show. So the kid is in heaven. While it was just a job that pays really well and he was happy with that, he never really saw any results of what he had done as he always got cut in editing.
He got along well with Ryan Reynolds and he thinks that had something to do with it. I remember the day he came home really happy after working 17 hours one day, but it was the first day he blocked out stuff with Ryan and he was beaming. The movie opens Friday and even Mom is going and Mom never goes. I am really happy for him.
Lovin the tour Ulrich, though I am behind on the videos.
Time to ride the Deere again as the grass is growing like crazy.
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."
Here's links to my songs.
https://soundcloud.com/user-601300270/moon-river
https://soundcloud.com/user-601300270/love-story
Eveing Diners
Flo, the gang and I will have a please and give Rick and Steven what they like.
Work Front. Nancy did a no show and same with the customers. God I need to start lookin for a new job!
Steven Not bad at all, I did like Moon River better.
Back Front Felt 85% better when I woke up and feel normal tonight!
Gary To be honest I real don't know how many times I had to use the alcohol trick. Not very often so it works well.
John Boy on the eyes!
PRR Coach Wars. Started hcking and wacking on the Centfaun Lounge Coach. I hate cutting off the details, but other wise it is a display.
Later Ken
Good Evening Diners,
Johnboy, Great news about your eyes!
Another dry day here. We have been over a month without rain and none is forecast. We had the 3rd driest April on record and May is turning out the same. It was a balmy 72F here today so I managed to get more yard work done.
Ed, nice photos of the Orioles. We won't see them here for a few weeks. Our White Throat Sparrows have departed and so we are waiting for the next wave. Should be the warblers. We have seen a few but expect a lot more in the next few weeks.
I thought I had knocked off a rear view mirror on the car but luckily it was only the cover that popped off. It also pivots backwards which is a good thing. I was able to pop the cover back on. I had completely knocked off a mirror on the LeBaron we had a long time ago. Our garage door is very narrow and then there is a metal pillar supporting the roof over the front entrance so you have to be very careful backing out. I don't want to imagine what a replacement mirror would cost on an S80.
Well time for tea and tellie.
CN Charlie
Good Morning Everyone!
Yet another beautiful day ahead of us, despite the weather guessers having predicted lots of rain. How wrong they are!
We are slowly coming to an end on our tour through Austria. Mind you, Austria is not a big country, but still offers plenty of places to visit and plenty of things to do.
Today will be a day of traveling by train, bus and bike. We will be heading southeast to Lake Neusiedl.
Lake Neusiedl (German: Neusiedler See) or Fertő (Hungarian: Fertő tó;) is the largest endorheic lake in Central Europe, straddling the Austrian–Hungarian border. The lake covers 315 km2 (122 sq mi), of which 240 km2 (93 sq mi) is on the Austrian side and 75 km2 (29 sq mi) on the Hungarian side. The lake's drainage basin has an area of about 1,120 km2 (430 sq mi). From north to south, the lake is about 36 km (22 mi) long, and it is between 6 km (3 1⁄2 mi) and 12 km (7 1⁄2 mi) wide from east to west. On average, the lake's surface is 115.45 m (378.8 ft) above the Adriatic Sea and the lake is no more than 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) deep.
Enjoy!
Now that my Swiss layout is gone, it´s time to get going on the new one! Coming Friday, my friend Claus and yours truly will team up to build the table top, which will be attached to the cabinet by hinges, so I can flip it up to do the wiring.
I am all itchy to get started!
Yoohoo! Anybody around?
This place sure looks deserted today, which reminds me to make a MIA role call!
Has anyone heard from:
Chris aka Amanamedic
Jim aka Jimcrgo
Keith aka Blazzin
lately?
Those three have not posted for years. Chris is still battling with THAT editor I found out, but I have no info on the other two gentlemen.
Yep Ulrich, it's a quiet day. Today we celebrate Mother's Day.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother%27s_Day
Everybodys busy with Mom.
mbinsewiEverybodys busy with Mom.
I completely forgot about this.
Flo, get all of the Mothers that bought these great folks here what they like, give the gang and I a and Steven and Rick what they want!
Work was a bust. One customer in 5 hours but they bought. So it was a moral victory but with it only being $250.00.
Think I will Hack and Wack some on the Centfaun PRR coach while I watch a Ken Patterson pod cast.