Thank you Brent
Ulrich Thank You
I thoroughly enjoyed viewing the video you provided.
I pay a cell phone service for my wife and I. It definitely is not the Premium plan. Our internet gigs run down to nothing this time of the month. Watching an internet video on my phone right now is impossible.
I left the house and went down to the library to see.
Your Homeland is beautiful. The architecture, the castles on hills, the contrast of the land, the waterfronts, Steeples and structure, just beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
When I think of the little area I have lived in and how limited I have deviated from it. To get away and see the rest of the world is not a common affair.
It's a shame, almost like a fish living in a fishbowl. We are limited in life and live our lives never seeing the world in its entirety. Yes it really is a shame.
I am hopeful someday I will go to Europe. I would love to see Germany, Italy, Scotland, and Ireland with my own eyes.
Thanks for sharing
Good morning from the beautiful West Coast of the Canadian part of America. It is already in the 20s and thus a good say for Deere riding.
Track Fiddler, I never have a problem being corrected as it means I have learned something. All the topics that are banned on this forum could be discussed at great length if people relied on facts instead of emotion in their contributions. We have great long discussions at our house on a regular basis when our friends are over. We must all sound like a bunch of Mr. Spocks talking I am sure, however, facts are always checked when we are unsure (easy and quick in this day and age) and then we carry on with the conversation.
Have been doing a lot of reading on the Hejaz/Hedjaz railway and that has led me to start reading another rather thick, somewhat, intimidating (small print) book on the Middle East (A Peace To End All Peace) that has been on my shelf for years waiting for me. I always roll my eyes heavenward when statements come forth from the "emotionally uninformed" who cannot name the first Prime Minister of Canada or find Korea on a map, yet have all the answers. I don't know much but I am always willing to find out. I question everything to the consternation of some in my orbit as I always hold them to account on their comments. Learning a little about things often leads to wanting to learn a lot about something, like railroads.
Going over to Vancouver Island next month to look at houses. My wife has a friend that owns houses all over the world and she is letting us stay at their waterfront estate in Victoria for a few days. The husband runs one of the big oil companies on the planet and they live in Zurich and France most of the time. I am not sure this blue-collar guy feels comfortable staying there as they are not there and she is telling the staff we will be coming. Nicest most down to earth people you could meet, just a little out of my league. I 'll feel like the Beverly Hillbillies rolling in there in my 18 year old Ford P/U.
We were talking Boats a lot last night as I will want one if we end up with waterfront. A 26' Sunbridge would be perfect, so I can get back to Salmon fishing. I sure miss those days. If we had waterfront I would sign up to be on the emergency marine response call list. I have a few Power squadron courses on top of a good bit of experience under my belt and have a pretty good idea of what I am doing on the water. About thirty years ago, we were out fishing and saw a tug pulling logs go up in flames. We cut the lines and hit the gas, fortunately, others were closer and the three men on board had been taken off by the time we arrived.
Lots to do so better do it.
Stay safe, 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."
Afternoon diners,
Angelo, yeah I watched the entire preview and saw that, the new ferrari getting shot up was ehh, when I saw the old ferrari I got excited, then I saw them drive it over a cliff, so yeah, kinda disappointed there.
Steve
If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!
Afternoon Diners,
Zoe- Just a chicken sandwich with fries, thanks.
Steven- I rather watch the old Magnum P.I. I saw the reboot commercial a few weeks ago and I understand about crashing the Ferrari in the show. It's also a main character in the show. Bullet holes, ramming (explodes) proofs that the show could be doomed.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
Track fiddlerI'm very interested I've never been there
Just for you - Germany in 15 minutes!
Enjoy!
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
A short time ago I stood corrected by Sheldon in my personal mail. Apparently I had my history twisted. My long-term memory obviously did not serve me well. Apparently I had Thomas Jefferson confused with someone else in history. I'm sure this could be an example of why politics are frowned upon on the Forum here.
Again I must apologize.... My Father instilled upon me "what makes a man a better man is when he can admit he is wrong". I was wrong.
Morning diners
My wife and I have been known to get out early on a Saturday night for dinner and kick our heels a bit. Cowboy Jack's is a great place with good food and close to home. Early is a good plan on a Saturday night before the Mad Rush when all the loud young ones Pop in.
If by chance we over welcome our stay a little bit. It's always a safe bet to take a cab home. That's me on the top front, left of the snobby man with the Choppers, on the other side of Colonel Sanders. Wifey got to ride inside you can't see her it was sprinkling a little.
PS.... Oh by gosh you can see her. She is peeping out the front window all the way to the right. Such a handsome woman she is.
Tinplate Toddler I feel like having a slice of that apple crumble pie, topped with vanilla ice cream
I feel like having a slice of that apple crumble pie, topped with vanilla ice cream
That sounds very good this morning to me as well. Add a glass of milk to that as well, please.
Hobby Front: Finally got the last of the equipment converted to Kadees. Now comes the wait to get the layout sections moved. When that will happen, I don't even think "the Shadow knows".
Morning diners just a cup of coffee black is all I need.
Just got done with that whopping breakfast I was dreaming about last night while I was Restless and could not sleep. I ended up eating a big slice of cheese and finally hit the rack in the early hours of the morning.
No plans today. Skipped my breakfast club this week I'm too tired. Looks like rain here so a classic car ride is definitely out. Maybe I'll just kick back and build some Bridge pillars today. Modeling is always good on a rain day.... Hey if I get them done I can put their shoes on.
Just woke up from a midday nap and I feel like having a slice of that apple crumble pie (better make it two slices), topped with vanilla ice cream and rum raisins, not to forget the coffee..
No plans for the rest of the day, other than playing with my trains and do a little daydreaming - maybe of this object of my desire:
I just love these old electric engines! Isn´t it a shame I had to get that new tail light instead?
morning all.
gonna be in Ohio today, so I won't be on (nmra division meeting).
Still waiting on the certificates, the commonwealth of PA messed up with their system, so Im as far as I can get, until I get the cerficates. I found his narrow gauge stuf downstairs. Two samsongha units and a blackstone, in addition to several wooden kits, so I'm gonna do what I can to get them running again. The locos are nice, but I'd give them up in a heartbeat to have him back.
I go back to work tomorrow, and I'm ready. I need to start earning funds again, and I'm debating about moving into the house...I rent and with how much work is going to need done at the house....
im just ready for some Normlacy again.
(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).
Ulrich I don't know what to say. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence doesn't quite apply here. I do know this. You and your wife are beautiful people.... It can always be felt from your kind words. The sunsets you shared were beautiful.
None of us bring anything here, or take any thing when we go. We are all here a short time. Our riches are reflected by the people that remember us. The kindness left behind while we were here.
You have shared and left a lot already. You are loved by many!
I'm sure glad I don't have any health threatening habits. Nope. Not me. Never smoked, or drank more than about 2 bottles of beer a year. Just don't like the stuff. Or other alcohol.
Flo, I'll have a side of beef and a cup of decaf!
Yeah, it's calories around here. I'm all too familiar with starting calorie counting and giving in. And with mother-in-law with us for the summer, who has no problems resisting all the chocolate chip and oreo cookies she brings home, they taunt me. I have a horrible sweet tooth. There's always something we all gotta work on, right?
Hey, let's talk trains! I just finally finished wiring the new trackwork in my hidden staging. I had 2 long parallel tracks, but rearranged them to fit a 3rd. Basically had to re-lay and rewire it all. The new switches (turnouts) are not quite finished up, but are not in the hidden area so I can put the scenery back in.
This track improvement is in conjunction with replacing my poorly designed original (and wrong shade of blue) backdrops. Old ones were masonite, lots of ugly joints and gaps. And not tall enough, the tops were about 8 inches from ceiling. New ones are sheetrock, clear to ceiling. Lotsa work there, and just some touching up to go now. Since the scenery had to be hauled out to replace the backdrops, the track was exposed, and gave me the idea to add in the 3rd.
Pretty soon I'll be done redoing what should have been done right in the first place, and can proceed on with actual forward progress. like NEW stuff!
Well, guys it's 1:24 am here on the west coast. Just wanted to make a little noise about the RR progress. Hey, everyone who's battling health habits, hang in there. I like to think that group support helps with the will power.
G'night. Dan
Tinplate ToddlerSome years ago, you could leave your door unlocked,
I certainly don't wish to down play your situation. Ulrich, the TV news, sadly, makes it very clear what's happened in Germany, but unfortunately locked doors have been necessary here for some years as well.
Still it's good to see that beautiful sunset.
Regards and Cheers, the Bear.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Track fiddlerif you will, paint a picture for me. What does your morning look like. What do you see out your front door. What do you see where you live. I'm very interested I've never been there
Well, I´ll try my very best to paint a picture of where I live. First of all, I live in northern Germany, not far away from the north Sea coast. The town I live in is more or less a suburb of Hamburg, the second largest city in Germany and Germany´s most important port. Next year will mark the 830th anniversary of the port of Hamburg.
My town has about 25.000 inhabitants, but has retained the character of a small village. Until the end of WW II, only 3.000 people lived in the place, but following the post-war economic development, many people moved to it as real estate prices were and still are much lower than in Hamburg. The place is not really a pretty place, but it has all the facilities a family needs. We moved here over 20 years ago, when I built a nice home for my family.
Here is an overview of the town:
That´s all history - I lost my job and subsequently, all my worldly possessions. The German job market plays by a different set of rules, so finding a job once you are over a certain age is impossible - even more, when you have a university degree. We now live in a small, 2-bedroom apartment on the wrong side of the railroad tracks, surrounded by people you don´t want to get acquainted with. The place I now live in is marked with the red arrow on the top right of the picture.
The extra bedroom is our guest/laundry/office/train room and Petra and I spend most of the time in it. My layout is right behind me and all I have to do is turn around in my office chair to run a train! Quite handy.
Fortunately, the place at situated where the town ends, so when I look out of our living room window, I see meadows and a forest - sometimes with a beautiful sunset:
Sometimes, we can observe dinner guests:
Our surroundings are quite flat, so no breathtaking scenery like you´d find in Bavaria or along the Rhine river valley. Actually, it´s rather dull here. It used to be quite peaceful, but that has changed dramatically in recent years. Some years ago, you could leave your door unlocked, but now even the grocery run has turned into a dangerous event. Life here has turned into a nightmare - especially for young girls, women and senior folks, like Petra and I.
I still have dreams of living in a small loig cabin by a lake, with moutains in the distance, a boat to go fishing and a red pickup truck in the driveway. Maybe in my next life...
Track fiddler Did you give up smoking or not.
No, I haven't given up. It's just my warped way of coping with the nicotene cravings, especially in the early days, and I think it's worked as I haven't had a cigarette for 8 years, 8 months.
I don't miss coughing my lungs out every morning, and I do enjoy the taste of food again.
Hang tough, kicking the habit ain't for wimps. Good luck.
Cheers, the Bear.
That was kind of a brain twist bear. I couldn't quite determine. Did you give up smoking or not.
My mind plays tricks on me as I'm trying so hard. It is said people that died doing what they loved are blessed. I loved smoking for 40 years. Oh well you get what I'm saying but I'm going to try to stay on track
Fiddler
PS.... Thanks for the Welcome Wagon,.... much appreciated now feed me I'm ready to eat
Track fiddler ...I've been a big old bear...
to the Clan.
Tinplate Toddler Good Morning! Well, it´s Sunday - time for my big breakfast of scrambled eggs, crisp fried bacon, sausages, mushrooms, buttered toast, jams, a tall glass of OJ and plenty of coffee! And add a stack of pancakes, Janie dear, please! Track fiddler - you´d be surprised how quickly the nicotine is out of your system - doesn´t take more than three to four days. It takes about half a year to get smoking out of your thinking, though, and about 5 to 10 years to get rid of the damage smoking has done to your body. Smoking is nothing else than a smelly, expensive, dangerous bad habit. Better to play with my train set!
Good Morning!
Well, it´s Sunday - time for my big breakfast of scrambled eggs, crisp fried bacon, sausages, mushrooms, buttered toast, jams, a tall glass of OJ and plenty of coffee! And add a stack of pancakes, Janie dear, please!
Track fiddler - you´d be surprised how quickly the nicotine is out of your system - doesn´t take more than three to four days. It takes about half a year to get smoking out of your thinking, though, and about 5 to 10 years to get rid of the damage smoking has done to your body. Smoking is nothing else than a smelly, expensive, dangerous bad habit. Better to play with my train set!
Ulrich that breakfast sounds wonderful. I want it right now and I do believe I have all the fixings for it. I would need a little help with the pancakes though. My wife is sleeping, she's got to work tomorrow. I don't. It's going on 1:30 in the morning here and I'm supposed to go have breakfast with my train guys at my train club tomorrow.
That's another thing about this quit smoking thing. I have all kinds of energy, I'm wide awake and a night owl right now. I can breathe good. I'm getting to the point where I don't even want a cigarette.
How's everything over there in Germany?
PS.... if you will, paint a picture for me. What does your morning look like. What do you see out your front door. What do you see where you live. I'm very interested I've never been there
It´s Summer, and our weather is according - a sharp drop in temperature with a daytime high of only 12 - 14°C and lots of wet stuff coming down. The crazy thing is - I feel more comfortable now than when it´s hot!
Garry - I have been through that with Petra not only once. The more presssure I put on her, the less the chance is that she will actually stop smoking. I am just glad she does not smoke anywhere else than the kitchen - standing at the open window, blowing the smoke outside.
My layout building activities have come to a grinding halt for the rest of the year, as the funds I had saved up had to go intonreplacing the tail light of our car. I am just glad I can already run trains on it, so the time until I have saved up enough money for the supplies I need won´t appear too long.
Have a great day, everyone!
Howdy .... I'm glad to see the Diner has been busy. There are a lot of comments to catch up on.
Dave ..... Good to hear about your club completing the main line. Congratulations.
Track Fiddler .... You can and will break the smoking habit ..... I offer theese words of wisdom. It is not just the fact that smpking kills that is bad. It is how they kill you that is horrific.
Ulrich .... I'm glad you quit smoking. I hope Petra will do likewise. Perhaps you can share the same words of wisdom. ... Ask her to talk with people who have been with somebody who is dying from lung disease. End stage lung cancer is awful. Next, ask her to imagine it happeneng to her.
Model railroading : .... I have photos of my scenery project in Weekend Photo Fun. I made a hidden access to a tunnel in some rock strata.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
I just saw a preview for a new series on CBS, anybody wanna guess what it is?
Anybody remember that series from way back when with the guy that had the mustache, Detroit Tigers hat, aloha shirt, ferrari, and short tempered British fella, yeah that's right it's Magnum P.I.
gmpullmanIf you carry one of these Jim Beam "bottles" into the Club to celebrate the occasion, I don't think anyone will object
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Oops posting with a phone is really trying sometimes. My post came through twice. I backed up this one have a great night everyone
Thanks Ulrich
For someone I've never met before that lives halfway across the world, with your words you sure have been a good friend right now.
I must give my Judy her own free will. Although I would love her to quit smoking with me I am by no means an authority figure. I have just started my quit plan and have a tough road ahead of me.
This is not my first time I have quit smoking. A couple of years ago I ended up in the hospital with violent headaches and found out I have an aneurysm in my brain. With my high blood pressure they highly advised me quitting smoking was not just a good idea but a must. I quit for three months with the assistance of the nicotine patch. I went off the last patch as far as I'm concerned two months too soon was the reason for my failure.
My aneurysm has been monitored every six months and has not become any larger. THAT'S NICE I'm not a big fan of brain surgery.
It was found later my aneurysm was not the cause of my violent headaches but I had an allergic reaction to Earl Grey tea that I took up drinking for a while. Obviously I don't drink that anymore.
This time my quit smoking plan is cold turkey. The way I figure it, a little harder in the beginning but it'll be worth it when I get through this hard part of the beginning stages.
Congratulations Dave on completing and joining the track at your Railroad Club. I enjoyed the video, the ceremony of the golden spike on the Transcontinental Railroad Ulrich provided. I have seen that one before. If you guys and gals are fans of Johnny Cash I highly recommend this video that also includes the Golden Spike ceremony recreated with Johnny Cash right there with them. I enjoy it and watch it about once a year.
Evening All!
Hobby Front: Didn't get to go out the ranch today. It rained last night and, at least in town, that lefft everything muddy. Dad declared "No tearing up roads." However, it did allow me to almost get all the rest of my equipment converted over to Kadee couplers. There are two engines that I can't do right at the moment for a non-railroad reason: The battery on my drill needs to charge. I have decided that I am not going to change over the passenger train as those cars are not going to need to be switched at the yard.
As I suspected, it took almost all the couplers in the third package to have enough. I also scared myself again. I did a quick count of all the equipment that I have in town. Not counting what was in some plastic storage containers, I came up with approximately 135. Adding in what I think was in the totes, the total comes to 150-160 or so. With the pieces that will be going to storage (they are pieces that were for a section that won't be built anytime soon.), that gives me around 200 pieces of rolling stock! When I computed that out, I was quite shocked!
Track fiddlerMy wife is still smoking
So is my dear Petra. It´s quite challenging not to tell her how revolting the stale smell of cigarettes is - just to keep the household peace. I wish she would quit smoking as well, but there is no way I can make her do that, if she does not have the will on her own.
Evening diners I'll have what Brent's having.... prime rib, now there's a dish after my own heart. I like mine with some sour cream and horseradish.
I also want to thank Kevin, Ray, and Steven for the support. It all helps, means a lot to me.
Ulrich.... Venceremos.... We will overcome, We will win. Perfect!
Dave your math looks about right. Kind of overwhelming. Thank God I'm not a rivet counter.
Ed The Missillon Ohio Bridge reminded me of my bridge too. Thanks for posting that. I was hoping a Bridge cosmetically close to mine existed somewhere
Track fiddlerMy wife is still smoking. She is being good enough to go outside and going behind the curtain on the sliding glass door. I don't need to see or smell it right now.
.
I quit smoking 10 years before my wife was finally able to kick the habit for good.
I feel for you... stay tough... the reward is worth it.
-Kevin
Living the dream.