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Jeffreys Trackside Diner - February 2019. Welcome to California/Nevada! Locked

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  • Member since
    February 2015
  • From: Ludington, MI
  • 1,863 posts
Posted by Water Level Route on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 8:24 AM

Tinplate Toddler
It may sound weird, but getting ready for a new phase in our lives is even exiting - to a certain degree, that is.

Sure it is.  My wife and I did the same thing when we bought a new house four years ago.  The new home was a fair amount bigger and had plenty of space for all of our stuff, but as we went through the packing process, it was a purging process as well.  We ended up getting rid of a substantial amount of stuff and it felt really good when we were done.  Totally unconnected to the move to the new house too.  It just felt good to de-clutter.

 

Whoa!  Top of the page.  Drinks are on me.  Chloe, I'll have a LARGE Porter, with an Oatmeal Stout chaser please.

Cheers everyone!

Mike

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Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 9:23 AM

Water Level Route
The new home was a fair amount bigger

We go the other way - from too small to even smaller, if not tiny. Not out of own choice, but because we cannot afford to rent a bigger place.

A slightly different scenario from yours.

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

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

  • Member since
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  • From: Ludington, MI
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Posted by Water Level Route on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 12:13 PM

I understand your situation, as I have seen your earliers posts.  I totally get it.  I was simply supporting that purging of unneeded things can be an uplifting experience.  In our case, what had been our little starter home, we had outgrown as we grew our family.  Luckily, positive changes to our income also factored into it being possible.  Someday I can see us moving to a smaller house again, but I hope it is out of practicality as opposed to fiscal necessity.  I feel for you Ulrich.  Is a change to a smaller scale a possibility, such that a layout could easily fit on a bookshelf, or stashed vertically in an out of the way corner?  Perhaps one that could roll under a bed or couch when not in use?  

Mike

Mike

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  • From: Mesa, AZ
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Posted by RideOnRoad on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 12:53 PM

Ulrich: I am pretty sure the diner has a special booth reserved for emeritus model railroaders. Those seated in the booth are looked upon with awe and respect.

Richard

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Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 2:45 PM

Well, Christmas is just a little over 10 months away, so this may be an inspiration for you for your next Christmas train setup:

Dem girls sure were purdy in dose years!

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

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

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Posted by Track fiddler on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 6:33 PM

hon30critter

 Hey TF,

Those look as good as the ones we had last week! You are right about most of the flavour being in the 'bark', but I like the meat that is not covered in baked on BBQ sauce just as much. I have a thing for tender meat.

How about sharing your recipe for your sauce?

Cheers!!

Dave

 

Hey Y'all,  hope everyone's well.  I got scarce for a few days here.  

Dave,  if it was my personal recipe I would share it with you in a minute no problem.  It is a family recipe and I promised I wouldn't give it away.... sorry.   I enjoy the tender meat separate of the molasses like outer glaze as well.

Monday is Judy's and my only day off together and it was full of errands, grocery shopping, the completion of moving the layout and the cleaning of the heaps of havoc under the glass table after the layout had been there for two or three years.

Today I went back to work and it was a heck of a day at Sea Sir..... almost too tired to post.

I feel the need to post again in a little while..... Judy has the right to call me anything she wantsLaugh but right now she's calling me for dinnerDinner

TF

  • Member since
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  • From: Bradford, Ontario
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Posted by hon30critter on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 6:47 PM

Track fiddler
Dave,  if it was my personal recipe I would share it with you in a minute no problem.  It is a family recipe and I promised I wouldn't give it away.... sorry. 

CryingCryingCryingSmile, Wink & Grin

No problem.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
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  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
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Posted by gmpullman on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 7:25 PM

hon30critter
How about sharing your recipe for your sauce?

Here's one for 'ya, Dave. Been in the family for years Whistling

 Union_Pacific_Diner_C18 by Edmund, on Flickr

Cheers, Ed

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Posted by up831 on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 8:02 PM

Hi Diners,

Brunhilda, coffee with cream, please.

Track Fiddler:  I never knew that Rick made a fretless.  Was this a factory bass or was it modified from a regular fretted fingerboard?

I still have my Rick.  Bought it in Jan of 74.  That axe was bread and butter for years.  It was one of the last years with the checked binding.  How old was your fretless?  I loved the neck and the action on mine, but I wasn't necessarily in love with the electronics.  Had I stayed in the industry, I might have put a set of Bartolini pick ups in it and changed the volume and tone pots.  The sweat and grime takes a toll on those things.  

PWhen we got in the studio, one of the recording engineers showed me how to set up the intonation.  That helped immeasurably.  Then a techie friend of mine told me that if I soldered a 20 pico-farad capacitor across each of the tone or volume pots, I don't remember which, the highs wouldn't drop off when the volume was lowered.  That helped too.

You mentioned that you may acquire a new bass this year.  Got something specific in mind?  Or is that classified?

no MRR news to report today.

Less is more,...more or less!

Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)

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Posted by Track fiddler on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 9:42 PM

Tinplate Toddler

 

 
hon30critter
Keep your layout.

 

That will not be possible, I am afraid! We will be moving into a 1 bedroom apartment and there just won´t be room enough for a layout. I also need the cash tied up in it for the move, as we will have to hire help to do it. Professional movers are expensive. Of course, I will keep the "crown jewels", i.e. the loco Petra gave me, my brass HOn3 D&RGW T-12, and that little British train, as there is too much sentimental value attached to these for me to sell them.

Some time ago, the thought of giving up on the hobby was rather frightening, but not anymore. I am sure, that, once we found a place, have moved and settled in, I will pick up something to waste my time on, but I doubt it will be connected to model railroading.

 

This is my feel the need to post a later post tonight. 

Number one you don't let professional movers move your layout anywayZip it!  They are not professional enough for that. 

I wouldn't let them do it.  Dave wouldn't let them do it.  Charlie would let them do it.  Brent wouldn't let them do it.  Ed wouldn't let them do it.  The Bear wouldn't let them do it....... Point blatantly,  none of the common friends you have would let just anyone move their layout anyway...... Neither would you.

So you say you're moving to a one-bedroom apartment and you don't have room for a layout.  You have plenty of room!  If your Petra is half as good as my Judy,  love in the house finds a way.

 

Ulrich..... Never give up on what you love to do.  Life is short,  You've probably been trying to convince yourself with some Jedi mind trick that moving and downsizing is putting an end to everything that you enjoy doing and it's not going to work anymore..... Let me tell you it still does!

Let me tell you a little story I think you need to know.  Back around 2004 when the economy was starting on the verge of collapse,  I had a very good friend that was a real estate broker and told me sell your house while you still can and get the heck out of real estate as soon as possible.

I did trust that friend and I am glad I listened to him. I was hanging on by a thread with my workload.  We sold our house and downsized.  We downsized too much. 

I miss my screen porch, I miss my garage, I miss my big backyard aligning the park and my pond.   But I don't miss shoveling and mowing the lawn.

We downsize too much but we are getting used to it.  What I have found is you don't need too much as you get older.  You had it before. 

I have 10 years to retirement and I live darn near free now.  I don't have as much as I use to but I don't need it, I have my Judy and that's a lot.  I have an association fee that is in contract to never increase and an electric bill, That's It.

My place is small.  It is really small, a one-bedroom condo, apartment (whatever)   I am not proud from the way I used to live in a bigger house with many rooms.  But I am happier now.  I don't owe much to the powers-that-be anymore.

Here is the table my Judy got back after I moved my layout. The bar stools behind it never fit in storage but it looks better than that train layout that was on top of it a short time ago.

Here's where the new layout rests.  It is in the living room.  My Judy is a good lady,  she lets me get away with this.  

Sometimes it's not what you got.....its what you get to.

I hope you reconsider things.       TF

 

PS.     Ulrich..... You never waste your time on anything as long as you enjoy itSmile

 

My best friend Erv who is quite old told me.  Your mind is a powerful thing.  Tell your mind something bad over and over, it will believe it.  Tell your mind something good over and over, your mind does itYes

  • Member since
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  • From: Kentucky
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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 9:58 PM

Good evening everybody.

No model railroad progress for me today. I was in Paducah this morning . ( MLC’s location. ) I had a root canal done. Not fun.

Regarding model railroading in small living spaces with low budgets. ... I recall trying to do model  railroading when I was in college. Very tight on space. Very little extra money. Limited spare time.  I did what I could with the hobby when I could. It was not much, but it was worthwhile. 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by cudaken on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 10:40 PM

 Eveing Diners

 Flo, give the gang and I a Beer please.

 It's 30 degress Fahrenheit and it is ranning! Just great maybe I should wear ice skates to work Wednesday.

 Work was a little hectic today. Not so much new customers but layaway payments and pick up of stuff. Had a fair day today and made a extra $25.00.

 Far as down sizing, well I could but till I get the wife to admit she is a horder I won't. My house is 1500 sq foot and while it is not crammed like the house on hoders shows, it is full of Sues stuff. If I where to rent a 800 sq ft aparment, well I am sure you have heard of the saying Trying shove 10 pounds of poop into a 5 pound bag.

 If we have to move, I am giving my wife a ultimatum, either the crap goes or I will! I sick of living this way!

 For the last 46 years I have tried to keep that woman happy! But yet I keep digging my hole deeper and deeper!

 Later, Ken

I hate Rust

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Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 4:02 AM

Good Morning!

The days nice weather are over and we are back to normal, which is just wet & awkward. I shoukd be used to that, but, frankly, the older I get, the more I dislike it!

I am blessed having Petra as my wife. Most couples would have split up a long time ago, given what we had to go through, but she stands by me, no matter how rough the sea or strong the winds are. The older one gets, the more important is to have a loving understanding for each other to be able to master the rough terrain ahead.

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

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

  • Member since
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  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 5:59 AM

No downsizing here, we are keeping the house we have lived in for more than twenty years.

.

It is a small house, about 1,300 feet under A/C. When we had all three girls at home, it was very tight. Now that there are just the two of us, it seems perfect.

.

And... it is quite affordable.

.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: New Milford, Ct
  • 3,232 posts
Posted by GMTRacing on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 7:45 AM

Good Morning All,

   Office w**k today. It's 19F and cloudy with an uncertain forecast but we fly to Fla tomorrow to start the new season so for sure we'll fly into rain.

   Did some wire tracing last night and found I had not put a gap between two sectors so the yard is now gapped and I will probably split that even further so the upper yard is on a different sub breaker from the lower. That at least explains the funny combination of turnout settings I needed to switch the upper yard. Not much else going on layout wise at this point. 

    I hadn't really checked, but a rough calculation shows our home to be around 1200 feet plus the full basement. When the kids were growing up and there were 6 of us in there it was crowded but with just 3 of us there now it is fine. I don't get the need for the McMansions that were in favour a couple of towns over but then again who am I to question?

   I'll be lurking back and forth as the day goes on.     Cheers, J.R.

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Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 7:55 AM

We really had a nice home, built in the traditional half-timbered style of this region. It had 2,000 sq.ft, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, living & dining room an office for me, a small library and a small atelier for Petra.

It was built in 1997 and had cost me roughly 1 million US Dollar. It was sold by the foreclosing bank for less than a third. I am still not over this.

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

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

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: North Dakota
  • 9,592 posts
Posted by BroadwayLion on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 9:22 AM

Tinplate Toddler
It was built in 1997 and had cost me roughly 1 million US Dollar. It was sold by the foreclosing bank for less than a third. I am still not over this.

This is a problem all around these days.

 

The cost of a house is far greater than the realestate value. If you plan to live in the house for 30 years, this is ok, but otherwise you will alsways be on the short end of the stick.

Better to buy used or else to rent.

Says him who never owned real estate.

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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  • From: 53° 33′ N, 10° 0′ E
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Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 9:55 AM

BroadwayLion
The cost of a house is far greater than the realestate value.

The bank was only interested to retrieve the mortgage quickly, not to sell it at the highest possible price.

BroadwayLion
If you plan to live in the house for 30 years, this is ok,

That was our intention when I had it built, but life led us on another, rocky road.

 

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

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

  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: NS(ex PRR) Mon Line.
  • 1,395 posts
Posted by Jimmy_Braum on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 2:30 PM

Hey all, back from Florida, and the Daytona 500.  What a great weekend.  We left Thursday night, and get there Friday morning around 9.  I went down with three other guys and we drove straight through the night.  We ate at an Ihop and saw NASCAR owner Leonard Wood of the Wood Brothers Racing team.  Then we ate at boondocks in Port Orange and saw Sammy Hagar there.  We spent saturday at the track outside seeing all the cool displays and at the Racing's North Turn Restaurant... I had a 1/2lb burger! Man that was great.  Sunday, we went to the race.  Enclosed is a photo I took from the infield.  What a crazy race that was.

(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).  

  • Member since
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Posted by GMTRacing on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 3:36 PM

   That looks like fun Jimmy. Love the way they paint the seats so it looks like there is always a crowd. Nice view from the observation deck. The garages they usually assign us for the historic race are right below that.

   Getting ready to head out early today so I can finish up at home. Early flight tomorrow. 

 

This is where I was with the layout about 6 years ago and then 4 years ago below. This is about when I stopped until this last fall. 

  • Member since
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Posted by Track fiddler on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 4:00 PM

up831

Track Fiddler:  I never knew that Rick made a fretless.  Was this a factory bass or was it modified from a regular fretted fingerboard?

You mentioned that you may acquire a new bass this year.  Got something specific in mind?  Or is that classified?

 

Good afternoon Diners.

Not quite a snow day for me but I did leave work early so I didn't have to sit in rush-hour forever.  9-10 inches of powder and it still snowing. 

If I didn't have a bad knee I would love to go downhill skiing.  One of those kind of things like riding a bike, you never lose it.  Ice skating is like that too.  I went ice skating with my daughter last winter and I picked up right where I left off many years ago.  The only difference doing that backwards crossover stuff lasted about 15 minutes at a time instead of 2 hours and I paid for it later.

Jim.   The bass guitar I'm planning on buying is not classified like an old family recipeLaugh  I do not have anything particular in mind.  I am just going to look through the pawn shops and see what I can find.  If you have any suggestions to what is decent I will keep an eye open.

My Rickenbacker was a 76 4001 FL fretless.  You never forget things like that.  That was roughly 30 years ago.  I can picture that guitar in my mind like it was yesterday.  The guitar almost played itself with little to no effort.  I do remember if I picked up and played a different bass, it was a chore. 

The neck had inlaid Pearl colored dots so you still knew where you were going playing it.  Of course after you played a tune enough times you didn't have to look any more. 

Playing a musical instrument doesn't come back to you like riding a bike.  I wish I still had that bass.  I think it may come back a little quicker.

TF

  • Member since
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  • From: Paducah KY
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Posted by moelarrycurly4 on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 6:58 PM

Happy B-Day to me! I will have a large 3 scoops of mint chocolate chip icecream.

 

I am worn out. I am on call this week and I think every printer in the hospital broke. 

i walked 6.1 miles today........

 

They had to put the flood gates in the floodwall here in Paducah as the Ohio river keeps creeping up. 

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Posted by hon30critter on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 7:11 PM

gmpullman
Here's one for 'ya, Dave. Been in the family for years

Thanks Ed! Sounds great. The only thing I might leave out is the Accent. At least, I'd give it a try without the Accent first.

Cheers!!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 7:18 PM

Tinplate Toddler
I am blessed having Petra as my wife. Most couples would have split up a long time ago, given what we had to go through, but she stands by me, no matter how rough the sea or strong the winds are.

Ulrich, Petra and Dianne have a lot in common. My health has thrown a few wrenches in her direction but she is still a loving and loved mate.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    March 2017
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Posted by Track fiddler on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 7:19 PM

 Happy Birthday MLC

I know about that worn out from wxxk thing.  Sometimes I'm worn out in the morning before I even go backDots - Sign...... that's why we eat good I guessDinner

TF

 

Peppermint bon bon,  I have a fetish for that. I ate so much too many nights in a row about 7 years ago that I developed goutTongue Tied     I do not buy ice cream by the gallon anymore.

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Posted by CNCharlie on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 7:24 PM

Good Evening

Happy Birthday Moecurrly, etc.! Sounds like a busy day.

We live in a 1400 S.F. house with a finished basement that adds about another 800 S.F. We have been in it since 1990 and will stay as long as we can. Downsizing is something we too will have to face. My wife has an incredible wardrobe and many, many shoes. She has been purging some but I think there is a long way to go. Result is that she is constantly saying there is no room in our house. I hope we can live here another 10 years or so but then will have to get ourselves into a low maintenance place possibly an apartment. We have a grand piano and a harpsicord which take up a lot of room. The harpsicord isn't nearly as wide as a piano but it is 8' long. 

Nothing much doing today. I went for a blood test for my 6 month PSA check with my urologist. I have another 5 years to go with that but hopefully it is staying down where is should be. 

My friend is slowly improving. They are doing a trachimotry? tomorrow to help get him off the ventilator. 

Keep warm,

CN Charlie

 

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Posted by moelarrycurly4 on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 7:39 PM

Yesterday

Today

 

putting in the gates. 

 

We got 3.2 inches last night and expect to get more this weekend 

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 9:24 PM

Howdy ..

MLC ... happy birthday ...  we had a lot of rain here also .   Seems like much more rain than normal in recent weeks.  At least it is not snow. 

Ulrich.. I am truly sad when I hear about things that have happened to you .

Everybody ... Happy Model Railroading! 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
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  • From: Maryville IL
  • 9,577 posts
Posted by cudaken on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 10:23 PM

 Eveing Diners

 Flo, get the gang a Beer and LMC what ever he likes! Happy B-Day

 I will be turning 63 this Sunday. Am I really that old? My wife, daughter and son in law are taking me to a Mexican Resturant that my my wife likes. I rather go to a diffrent one but it is my Brithday So I have to do what she wants? Confused

 Had some frozzen rain but was not a problem getting to work. What a waste of time that was! Had 1 customer in the 9 hours I was there, she stayed 10 minutes. Whistling

 Later, Ken

I hate Rust

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Thursday, February 21, 2019 8:35 AM

Wake up, everybody !  Big Smile 

I'll have Coffee and a pecan roll, please. 

Ken ... Hopefully I remember to greet you on your birthday this Sunday. 

We're still in CA and NV ..... Does anybody have photos to show? 

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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