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Jeffrey's Trackside Diner, December 2018, from the Christmas City of Bethlehem Pennsylvania! Locked

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Posted by BigDaddy on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 7:34 AM

Ed I'm sorry to hear about your wife's dad.  Your comment about that doctor could be taken two different ways and I've seen both.  I'm having a hard time believing the Ruth Ginsburg is working from her hospital bed a few days after chest surgery.  Major surgery at that age can really scramble your brain for months.

Watched part of National Lampoon's Christmas, which I had never seen before.  There were some laughs but it was a bit weird and we turned it off and went to be early.

The millenial kids are coming at 10:30 for breakfast so the will "be free to do their thing" this afternoon.   Not exactly the Christmas spirit I taught them but their are other families and ex's involved.

Sunny and low 40's today.  Supposed to get up to 60 by the end of the week and another inch of rain.

Merry Christmas to everyone.

 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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Posted by Track fiddler on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 8:47 AM

Merry Christmas all. Best wishes to you and your families through the rest of this holiday season.

            Track Fiddler

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 8:56 AM

Merry Christmas, everybody ... 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by BigDaddy on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 9:00 AM

Christmas eve post on Facebook, from Rapido Trains, a little mystery for holiday cheer.

T’was the night before Christmas,
And everything was fine.
Except there were no trains,
Running along the line.

However Rapido has something,
Tucked up our sleeve.
But you’ll have to wait,
Since it’s only Christmas Eve.

So come tomorrow morning,
You’ll see for yourself.
Maybe something for your layout,
Or the display shelf.

So enjoy the holidays,
As we hope you always do.
Happy Holidays from Rapido,
And have a pleasant night too.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 9:10 AM

Merry Christmas to all.

.

Here are Christmas Trees and Egg Nog for everyone courtesy of the Pasco County Model Railroad group.

.

.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

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Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 11:42 AM

Good Evening!

Christmas was a quiet day. Most of our neighbors seem to have gone for visits, so the usual noise was failry dimmed today. We had leftovers from yesterday´s feast for lunch, which was slices of cured pork, topped with sauerkraut, small pieces of pineapple, crumbled Swiss potato fritter, creme fraiche and grated cheese, baked in the oven for about half an hour. It was quick to cook up and really delicious. As much as I would love to have a turkey dinner, we would need more than a week to "kill the bird". At about 3pm, we settled for coffee and cake, which was the two remaining slices of "Linzer Torte" and the remnants of yesterday´s chocolate & cherry cake.

I am full! Nothing for me until tomorrow!

I have decided to follow in Ray´s footsteps as a New Year´s resolution and reduce my weight by about 50 lbs. This will take me well below the 200 lbs. mark and should make me feel a lot better! To achieve that, Petra will have to cook all the stuff I don´t like....

Time to run a train!

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"

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Posted by BroadwayLion on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 12:11 PM

NWP SWP
7 let me state AGAIN I'm not some spoiled brat that's upset that I have to become an adult,

 

Ach... well, I NEVER wanted to become an adult. You have to grow old (70 years and counting) but you do NOT have to grow up.

 

That is the MOST ridiculus thing I have ever heard dof.

 

(Just ask the 60 stuffed animals in my room).

 

 

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 Tinplate Toddler on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 1:01 PM

When you could travel in style, instead of feeling like a sardine in a tin can!

Enjoy!

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"

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Posted by gmpullman on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 1:51 PM

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

Just me and the cats today. Mrs. Pullman is busy with taking care of some family matters. Thanks for your concern, Henry. as far as the mentioned cardiologist, I was going by second-hand information so cannot judge and I know there some "end-of-life" decisions that should be carefully weighed.

One of my favorite movies that deals with hospitals and bedside manner is "The Doctor" (1991) with William Hurt playing the hot-shot surgeon who soon sees the error of his ways. Amazing how much has NOT changed in some ways.

Young Steven mentioned Miracle Whip a page-or-two back. Maybe he Googled the name and that's why he is getting bombarded with ads? Not sure I understand the equation here?

He was alluding to "strange coincidences" though and I have witnessed several things that some folks would perhaps take as a "sign from above". I take a more practical view but I do find amazement in some of these one-in-a billion events of happenstance.

Case in point. LION mentioned the "Birth is heridetary" earlier. Well, I'm often amazed at some of the circumstances leading up to our own existence and how many little details and events that are really only chance and so much has to fall into place.

The only reason I'm here is due to a name that my mother had drawn out of a hat back in 1943.

Mom was a senior at Cleveland Heights High School, and the students were participating in a pen-pal program to write letters to soldiers on the war front.

She pulled out a slip of paper with a name of some GI named John.

One thing led to another as they say and John and Jeane met, married and settled down to raise a family. I'm one of that family.

Just a few days ago I was sorting through boxes that I had stuffed into a corner of a closet. There was a few photographs in old frames and in the interest of scanning the photos I removed a picture of John from this one frame:

 

 PFC_JJT_1942-Barre Plains by Edmund, on Flickr

 

When I removed the backing out fell this beautiful Easter card —

 

 John_Easter, 1945 by Edmund, on Flickr

 

Inside was a note of apology from John "Sorry I couldn't be with you... maybe next year"   That silly little war thing can be so inconvenient.

 

 John_Note to Jeane, 1945 by Edmund, on Flickr

 

On Easter of 1945 my dad was in Remagen, Germany trying to help with saving the Ludendorff Bridge so the Allies could use it.

This reply has taken up way too much space but I thought I'd share that "Message in a bottle  picture frame" story to counterpoint Steven's own experiences. 

I'm sure glad I decided to take that photo out of the frame. That card has been tucked inside there for almost seventy-five years! Nice to see evidence of the budding romance that ultimately brought me into the world. By the luck-of-the-draw you might say.

Regards, Ed

 

 

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Posted by Track fiddler on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 6:09 PM

I hope everybody's having a Holly Jolly Christmas thus far. 

Branson Missouri was closed today of course, so my Judy and I picked Christmas Day to travel. We are now in Memphis Tennessee. My pick, since the Forum was here a month or two ago and it sounded interesting to me.

This picture is taken right outside our hotel room window. It was 60° when we arrived here at 4:30 tonight. I did get out of Minnesota winter "happy"

Judy is going to take me for my birthday tomorrow to do the Blues circuit, good music and good food " happy"

PS.  I have some pics from the scenic drive leaving Branson, I will post in a little while.

I had never seen this part of the country before, (The Rock's the rocks the rocks)  I hope you will be able to appreciate it as much as I did.

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 6:31 PM

Track fiddler
We are now in Memphis Tennessee.

.

I have been everywhere around Memphis, but I have never actually been there.

.

Have fun.

.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

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Posted by cudaken on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 7:27 PM

 Eveing Diners

 Flo, the gang and I will have a Beer and I need it.

 Christmas. Whistling Hum, I have had better ones that is for sure. Daughter and Sean where a hour and half late. While I was not happy about that I was not up set either. Strange she only lives 5 miles from us? We ate first then opened presents.

 Sharyn was shocked how much cash Sue and I gave her and Sean, not that it was a lot, just alot for us. I guessed right at what Sean was doing for us! He gave us a 10" double basin kitchen sink, faucet set (a good one) hardware and is going to help me install it this weekend! Big Smile

 Then the Hum Part Laugh Sharyn did give Sue and I a new Amzon Fire Tablet's. I will not say I am catching on fast but I can use it. My wife on the other hand had the "Deer in the headlight look" all the time Sharyn was trying to help her with it. Wife could hardly use her old tablet Sharyn gave her. Kicker was when when my wife asked "Can I still use the old Tablet?" Sharyn was Pee Off by the question and things sort of went down hill from there. Whistling

 Ed Thanks for the speaker link!  Reason I like a couple is the B&O F7a speaker is not working yet. Plus one of the CB&Q F units speakers is rattling on start up. After a few minutes of run time it is fine?

 Trains are running great and time to walk Sparkie.

 Later, Ken

I hate Rust

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 7:50 PM

Track fiddler

I hope everybody's having a Holly Jolly Christmas thus far. 

Branson Missouri was closed today of course, so my Judy and I picked Christmas Day to travel. We are now in Memphis Tennessee. 

TF. Enjoy Memphis .  My wife and I live northeast of  Memphis on one of the large man made lakes in western Kentucky .  Also, east of Memphis is Jackson  TN where the Casey Jones Museum is located . Ky is worth visiting . 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by Track fiddler on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 8:21 PM

SeeYou190

 

 
Track fiddler
We are now in Memphis Tennessee.

 

.

I have been everywhere around Memphis, but I have never actually been there.

.

Have fun.

.

-Kevin

.

 

Thanks Kevin

I was so glad to get to a regular interstate highway today, in fact I don't think I ever did till the last hour of our drive.

All I've got to say is be careful what you ask your smartphone to do.

When I left Branson Missouri this morning I asked my smartphone to take me the Scenic Way Out to Memphis Tennessee.  The scenic way out was gorgeous just beautiful. We stopped and took pictures of the rock formations.

Then the scenic route turned into 147 miles starting through the Ozark Mountains and it wouldn't let us out.

It was like a rollercoaster of narrow Country Roads. Some of the steep hills on these country roads going down were really wicked like a rollercoaster ride.

It was Christmas day, there are no gas stations open or no nothing anywhere we were out in the middle of nowhere. 

The roads were so cool and fun that I wished I had a Lamborghini or Ferrari a jaguar anyting..... after a while when it didn't let us out, it wasn't so much fun anymore.

Starting to get worried. Starting to get below a half a tank of gas. Our cell phone charger for navigation quit working and we notice the wires were out and we're severed.

Before this happened Judy was a little worried more than I was and she relayed that to me. I told her don't go off the deep end until you see vultures in the trees ahead of us, then start to worry, I said that to her as a funny to make light of the subject.

Two minutes later there is a goat dead on the side of the road.  These two huge vultures were eating it.

It was then I told Judy start to worry. She did and so did I.

We pulled over at this little church. I spliced together a landline charger with our cigarette lighter charger that wore out. Somehow like MacGyver I got our GPS working again.

We went on for the next nine miles and we came to a main and everything was cool....... that experience was really freaky though!

It's times during this panic you talk to God.  And times after that panic you thank God.

I'm starting to think I'm going to talk to God more often then I do.

        Track Fiddler

 

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 9:51 PM

Track fiddler
I asked my smartphone to take me the Scenic Way Out to Memphis Tennessee.

.

I once drove from Charlotte, North Carolina to Franklin, North Carolina using the smart phone scenic route. I ended up on the most terrifying mountain road I have ever been on. Just to make it worse, it was full of bicyclists that I had to dodge. They were apparenlty suicidal.

.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

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Posted by gmpullman on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 10:17 PM

Track fiddler
Two minutes later there is a goat dead on the side of the road.

Poor goat Crying

 

 IMG_2852 by Edmund, on Flickr

 

 Brier and Hobo by Edmund, on Flickr

You sure it wasn't a deer?

Have Fun! Ed

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Posted by Track fiddler on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 10:24 PM

Thanks Garry.... definitely into consideration. In the meantime a rock picture just for you, which I'm sure you remember. Judy has the rest of them. She was snapping, while I was driving.

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Posted by Track fiddler on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 10:44 PM

SeeYou190

 

 
Track fiddler
I asked my smartphone to take me the Scenic Way Out to Memphis Tennessee.

 

.

I once drove from Charlotte, North Carolina to Franklin, North Carolina using the smart phone scenic route. I ended up on the most terrifying mountain road I have ever been on. Just to make it worse, it was full of bicyclists that I had to dodge. They were apparenlty suicidal.

.

-Kevin

.

 

Yep I said it before and I'll say it again stupid is what stupid does Tongue TiedDots - SignWow

PS. I'm guilty.... I know that. because I ain't always smart!

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Posted by Track fiddler on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 10:55 PM

gmpullman

 

 
Track fiddler
Two minutes later there is a goat dead on the side of the road.

 

Poor goat Crying

 

 IMG_2852 by Edmund, on Flickr

 

 Brier and Hobo by Edmund, on Flickr

You sure it wasn't a deer?

Have Fun! Ed

 

Ed thanks for your concern. 

The images of vultures you have in that tree look like chickadees compared to the ones I seen on the side of the road in the Ozarks todayWink

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Posted by moelarrycurly4 on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 11:24 PM

Heartland Division CB&Q

 

 
Track fiddler

I hope everybody's having a Holly Jolly Christmas thus far. 

Branson Missouri was closed today of course, so my Judy and I picked Christmas Day to travel. We are now in Memphis Tennessee. 

 

 

TF. Enjoy Memphis .  My wife and I live northeast of  Memphis on one of the large man made lakes in western Kentucky .  Also, east of Memphis is Jackson  TN where the Casey Jones Museum is located . Ky is worth visiting . 

 

And I live not far from Garry. 

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Posted by Track fiddler on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 11:40 PM

moelarrycurly4

 

 
Heartland Division CB&Q

 

 
Track fiddler

I hope everybody's having a Holly Jolly Christmas thus far. 

Branson Missouri was closed today of course, so my Judy and I picked Christmas Day to travel. We are now in Memphis Tennessee. 

 

 

TF. Enjoy Memphis .  My wife and I live northeast of  Memphis on one of the large man made lakes in western Kentucky .  Also, east of Memphis is Jackson  TN where the Casey Jones Museum is located . Ky is worth visiting . 

 

 

 

And I live not far from Garry. 

 

Well MLC if you hook up and tag along with Garry to join me for my birthday cocktail, you guys aren't going to bring any chain saws are ya? LaughLaughLaugh

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Posted by Track fiddler on Wednesday, December 26, 2018 12:06 AM

  Dots - Sign  

Swim swam swum. Ring rang rung. Sing sang sung. Drink drank drunk. Sink sank sunk. Think thank thunk. 

Dots - Sign  really?

PS.   Wink wank wonkWink 

Not enough yet.

Have has had. 

Bring brung brought

Think thank thought

STILL DON'T GET IT !

You forgot someone's birthday Indifferent

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Posted by "JaBear" on Wednesday, December 26, 2018 2:52 AM

Annoyed WB by Bear, on Flickr

 

TF by Bear, on Flickr

"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 Tinplate Toddler on Wednesday, December 26, 2018 3:25 AM

Good Morning!

First of all: Happy B-Day TF!

December 26th is a holiday in Germany as well as in the UK, where it is called "Boxing Day". The name derives from the Christmas "boxes" or presents which were given to the servants in a household. The servants were also granted a day off. Until today, Boxing Day is a bank holiday in the UK, with businesses closed.

It´s a rather foggy day here - way too warm for the season with temperatures at and around 45F. The year will end this warm and wet, but colder weather is expected to arrive in the first week of the new year.

Have you ever heard of Velorail? Well, until yestaerday, I hadn´t. Velorail is a scenic railroad along the Doux river in the French Departement Ardeche, just south of the River Seine Mouth near Nantes. Just take a look at the following video:

Rather quirky, don´t you think?

Have a great day!

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Wednesday, December 26, 2018 7:51 AM

Good morning, everybody .... Coffee with a piece of TF's Birthday cake , please. 

TF ..... HAPPY BIRTHDAY ...... While in Memphis, you should take a tour of Graceland. It has been several years since we did that, but I remember it was enjoyable and worthwhile. Elvis preferred living Memphis, TN instead of Beverly Hills, CA, and he was a very genrous man. 

Ulrich .... Thanks for sharing the video. Intersting way to travel by rail. 

Everybody .... I hope your Christmas was a good one. .... Any thoughts on where to locate in January ? 

Happy Model Railroading ... 

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by Steven Otte on Wednesday, December 26, 2018 8:56 AM

cudaken

 Afternoon Diners

 Daughter is giving me a Tablet. Not sure what the heck I will use it for, but still sort of looking forward to it. At one point I wonder why a person would want a computer in there house? Smile, Wink & Grin

My wife uses her Kindle Fire quite a bit. Mostly for reading books. She "borrows" them from the Kindle Lending Library (or whatever it's called). She can download a book for something like two weeks, then has to "return" it. It's very convenient.

I use my iPad (an old model, but it still works) mostly to read a collection of game books I'm constantly referring to. Occasionally I'll use it for Facebook, one of those mindless match-the tiles games, or texting. I take it with me when I go to donate blood; it's a lot easier than a heavy book to balance and handle with one hand while there's a needle stuck in my other arm.

--
Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editor
sotte@kalmbach.com

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Posted by Track fiddler on Wednesday, December 26, 2018 11:18 AM

Thanks for all the birthday cheer guys. It means a lot to me. We're getting ready to go celebrate Boxing DayBig Smile

I have to get some of these Hotel curtains in my bedroom for my days off. I have never been able to sleep until 10 before. I must have needed it from all that Ozark stress.

We're getting ready to go have a big breakfast now. Judy wants to find a place that has beignets. She's an old southern girl that grew up in New Orleans so we must find them now that we're down south. 

I must remember now that this is a family show as bear stated. I will remember to stay away from, even the little slang words as they could be offencive to the kidsYes  thanks for the wilderbeast bear. I like those guys.

Thanks again. I will keep you updated on what we find to doWink

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Wednesday, December 26, 2018 12:09 PM

Happy Day after Christmas!  28 years ago today my daughter was born.  That was truly a season to remember.

Another Christmas without trains, but hopefully I will have a house this year and can re-configure my layout.  There are things I want to change anyway, so this is the right opportunity.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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Posted by NWP SWP on Wednesday, December 26, 2018 1:11 PM

Happy B-DayHappy Birthday Track Fiddler!Happy B-Day

Steve

If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!

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Posted by Track fiddler on Wednesday, December 26, 2018 2:05 PM

NWP SWP

Happy B-DayHappy Birthday Track Fiddler!Happy B-Day

 

Thank you young Steven. Appreciated.

In return I'll send you a picture of the largest truss bridge I ever drove across. It was in Missouri. Ten tears and you know me I had to pull over at the Wayside to take a picture of it

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