Jeffrey's Track Side Diner - MARCH, 2019
The Diner is being tied-down and restocked with delicious provisions as I type. While Troy will be our base of operations we will visit many of the sights of this area that are rich in history.
From the Revolutionary War to the building of the early canals and railroads, the Empire State holds a treasure of fascinating stories and events.
It's the place for you to go to relax and talk off topic about most anything - as long as you stay within the forum rules, which means certain hot button topics are excluded. Please refer to Steven Otte´s post on Forum Policies.
The staff - that´s Zoe, Chloe, Flo, Janie, and Brunhilda - is very friendly and will serve up plenty of virtual food with a smile. Just don´t forget to leave a generous tip!
At the beginning of each month, it is the time to pay our respect to friends no longer with us.
Barry Arnold aka BlownoutCylinderJerry Cox aka Cox47Wolfgang Dudler aka Westport TerminalBob Hartle aka cmrproductsEd MurphyBill NorthStein Rypern, Jr. aka SteinjrAndy SperandeoJeffrey "Running Bear" WimberleyAlan BTom MillsJames W. Rohde aka CapeJimMichael L. Myles aka Inch
"Gone, but never forgotten!"
March 2019 finds the Diner in Troy, New York.
Troy is a small town close to the state capitol of Albany. The waters of the Mighty Mohawk River flow into the Hudson at this point. Plenty of railroad action in this area as it was the hub of lines that continued north; The Delaware & Hudson, east; The Boston & Albany and other New England Railroads, and to the south and west; the main line of the New York Central and the old West Shore Railroad.
Hudson_on_Hudson by Edmund, on Flickr
Welcome to New York! Please pull up a chair or sit back in the booth for some tasty meals or snacks accompanied by your favorite beverage and a generous helping of hearty discussion.
The coffee is hot, steam lines and standby power are connected to the diner and we're open for business!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troy,_New_York
Troy_NY_unionstation by Edmund, on Flickr
Cheers, Ed
Finally, the dinner is somewhere that I live/visit frequently! I can answer questions about the region, including "up"upstate NY. The region has traditionally been dominated by NYC and then Conrail, but now CSX owns the "Water-Level Route" and Norfolk Southern owns the D&H south end, with CP coming in from the north. Amtrak below Albany is high speed, high traffic. Folks at the diner should head south a little and check out the Albany-Rensselaer Amtrak station and servicing yard.
And don't forget to check out the RPI club layout, right in Troy, before it's dismantled.
Harrison
Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.
Modeling the D&H in 1978.
Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"
My YouTube
Ah... Upstate New York.
.
I have only been there once. I went to Massena for about a week in 1991. It was beautiful.
Great choice for a place to move the diner. Hopefully we will have a nice Spring to watch.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
HarrisonAnd don't forget to check out the RPI club layout, right in Troy, before it's dismantled.
I had a link to a virtual tour of the Layout, Harrison, but it completely froze my computer twice so I removed the link.
Some time we can cross the river and visit the Watervleit Armory. That's where the Big Guns were machined and finished. Been there in operation since 1813!
Little did I know, but back when I was "railfanning" these were the glory days!
PC_Albany by Edmund, on Flickr
gmpullman Harrison And don't forget to check out the RPI club layout, right in Troy, before it's dismantled. I had a link to a virtual tour of the Layout, Harrison, but it completely froze my computer twice so I removed the link.
Harrison And don't forget to check out the RPI club layout, right in Troy, before it's dismantled.
Here is the link for everybody:
https://www.hudsonvirtualtours.com/work/2018/2/2/rensselaer-model-railroad-society-troy-ny
Good morning ....
Ed ..... Thanks for starting the March Diner. It is off to a great start, and I hopw we continue to get a lot of particpation.
Kevin and Harrison .... It is good seeing you here.
Everybody else..... Feel free to comment here this month.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Can't contribute much except for some vague memories of Penn Station before they tore it down and the streamliners and multicolored passenger cars from what seemed to an 8 yo boy, all over.
Howmus, however, lives in God's country. Home of Glenn Curtiss, a motorcycle speed racer who's career in aviation was started by Thomas Edison and Watkins Glen an amazing park of waterfalls and stone paths.
The finger lakes are a must see.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
ROARING!
Watch out for them LIONS, and I *know* that there are LIONS in New York
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
I've never been anywhere close to New York, state or city. You couldn't drag me to the city, but the state looks very nice.
Harrison, your linked worked OK for me, I'm using Chrome now, and it opened fine, along with the street view thing, which is something I've never seen before, street view used as a lay out tour.
And now that I know lions are every where, no way. I would like to sneak into the finger lakes area, but if I see a lion or a snake, I'moutahere!
Mike.
My You Tube
mbinsewiYou couldn't drag me to the city, but the state looks very nice.
I have visited New York City about a dozen times, and I love it.
Three days is perfect for a visit. You should go there, stay in Manhattan, and just ride the #1 train around. Every stop you go to there is a famous site.
Good morning from the Pacific Rim. It is 5c in beautiful sunshine.
I have been to more States than I haven't been to and have never been to NY. Of course, my wife may correct me on that as I sometimes forget where I've been. At least I still know where I am (I think)
I am not a city lover at all, give me wide open spaces and wildlife anytime. I have my giant can of bear spray and a small one I carry as well. When we did the backcountry in the early Spring we would take a shotgun along, we would load it alternating the shells between shot and slugs, but only in the Spring as that was the only time Grizzlies would get aggressive as they were mighty hungry. Never did need it though.
Went down into the crawlspace and hauled out my Sisters 60-year-old microscope thinking I can use it to solder my teeny tiny LEDs up. It is a pretty decent one and it had seized right up, so I had to take it all apart ( lots of very small screws) and lube all the moving bits that weren't moving anymore. It is good as new now. I put an LED under it and if I can't get the job done with my super magnifier I can use the microscope on 50 power and it won't matter if I get solder on it.
The wife is dragging me out to look at a brand new 5600sqft house tomorrow, why, I don't know, I will appease her and tagged along. It also has a massive coach house with another 1600sqft above that garage. It is in a very nice rural spot but that is the only thing that meets our requirements. 3300sqft is a good size for us, I can have a decent train room and she can have "dog space".
There is an Antique toy fair on tomorrow I wanted to go to. A few years ago one of the kids of our Saturday night regulars bought me a caboose there for $.25 and gave it to me when they came over. It is "O" scale and had layers of watercolour paints and other stuff on it. I started scraping with my fingernail and yep it was brass. I told him if I ever get around to cleaning it up and selling it we'll split the profit. He was delighted with his find.
Once he and my son bought three huge boxes of comics at an auction. They spent about six hours cataloging them all and sent the list around to all the local comic shops and found a buyer for the whole lot. They ended up with about $700.00 each. Not bad for six hours work. I think they paid $8.00 for the lot.
Well, it is time to get to the trainroom before I get sidetracked yet again.
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."
SeeYou190I have visited New York City about a dozen times, and I love it. . Three days is perfect for a visit. You should go there, stay in Manhattan, and just ride the #1 train around. Every stop you go to there is a famous site.
Good for you!
The interent is as close as I ever will get.
Good Evening!
Time to call it a day here!
Thanks, Ed, for moving the Diner to its March 2019 location in upstate New York.
I have been to New York City twice in my life, but each time was only a short visit for business. I didn´t get to see much, other than a stroll through Greenwich Village and a trip to the top of the Empire State Building. The hotel I stayed in during my first stay was near Time Square, and the second visit my domicile was on 7th Ave., close to Central Park. It´s been too many moons since I´ve been there and I have only faint memories left. New York City is just not my place.
Time to get ready for bed!
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
New York, huh? It's a good thing we aren't in Pennsylvania, or I'd be wanted for murdering that groundhog.
I had to call out of work yesterday because out of our family's two cars, zero wanted to start. I actually got stranded at work Wednesday night when my wife's car battery died. It was so dead even a jumpstart from a co-worker wouldn't start it. So I had to wait an hour and a half for roadside assistance to show up. Needless to say that with the temperatures in the teens to single digits for weeks now, they're kept quite busy with people like me.
Oh, and the reason I was driving my wife's car? My car's battery died on Tuesday.
So I spent yesterday running through an elaborate mental flowchart of how I was going to get the cars' batteries replaced. Since my wife's car got jumpstarted and I drove it home, it had about a half hour's charge, so I figured if it didn't get too cold overnight it would start in the morning and I could drive it to the dealer for service. So I turned on all the incandescent lightbulbs in the garage in hopes they would provide just a bit of heat. Sure enough, it worked; Thursday morning it was 10°F outside and 27°F in the garage, and the car started. I took it in, got the battery replaced, then was able to use that battery to jumpstart my car and get it in for service. Ran myself ragged and spent more than $300 I don't have, but at least I have two reliable cars again.
...For now. But that groundhog had still better steer clear of me...
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
Is there anything like groundhog stew?
I am out for now - CU tomorrow!
Steven Otte It's a good thing we aren't in Pennsylvania, or I'd be wanted for murdering that groundhog.
Now, now, now. In the first place, Punxsutawney Phil only said that there would not be 6 more weeks of winter. He did not say anything about what remained of winter not happening this week or next.
Secondly, Phil pleads not guilty to being responsible for any Wisconsin weather. He says that if you need to turn anyone into roadkill that should be Sun Prairie Jimmy (www.stevenspointjournal.com/story/news/2019/02/02/groundhog-day-what-did-sun-prairies-jimmy-predict-year/2732193002/ who apparently is your representative in the GWPU (groundhog weather prognosticator union).
Ulrich:
Hello from Pennsylvania. Saw this on the net: https://www.yahoo.com/gma/german-city-sells-familys-dog-ebay-settle-debts-132603803--abc-news-topstories.html
You don't happen to live near this place, do you?
And yes, there is RoadKill stew: https://www.cooks.com/recipe/uq4665nf/road-kill-stew.html
Not available except by special order in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas.
maxmanYou don't happen to live near this place, do you?
Just short of 180 miles to the northeast of this place.
Btw, impounding pets is against the law and the city authorities are now facing legal action.
Found a newbie, Michael McCarville, in the forum. He has a youtube channed, called Fallen Flags in his sig line, which wasn't clickable.
Fallen Flags
and a web address, which didn't work..... I figured that one out, but I gather he is an artist and sells his work, so I am reluctant to bend the rules. He is a seriously good photographer and his pictures of his HO models, remind me of George Selios, if George went west.
If you explore his youtube channel, you can figure out how to get to his photos. I haven't actually watched any of his videos, but I think he is worth checking out.
Evenin' folks!
Janie I could use a refil for my decaf, please........
Tinplate ToddlerBtw, impounding pets is against the law and the city authorities are now facing legal action.
GOOD! That is a terrible and Cruel thing to do to an innocent animal!!!
Got my 4 miles in over at the fieldhouse in new record time today.... I am trying to get all the "ducks in a row" for my trip to Key West a month from now.... I hope I can get all the things done that should be done and have a good idea about what to do (TSA) and when to easily get through the airport, board the plane and have a nice trip down.
I'll see what I can find on my computer worthy of sharing about the RR in the Finger Lakes Region and elswhere in NYS.
37
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Hi ALL!
Well, since we are in my home state of New Yawk, stop on over a spell to look at the Arcade and Attica Railroad here:
https://www.aarailroad.com/
{I think that link will work} Its in Arcade, NY.
WE paln to visit this summer, its out near towards the general Buffalo area from Here, kinda in the middle of Nowheresville. {Yes, NY STATE has plenty of "Nowheresvilles", its NOT all NYC but I think Most of you know that, though you'd be surprised at the number of people who come to NY for the first time, and find out theres a whole lotta territory NOT the city!!!}.
A&A railroad runs Steam trains for summer...so you steam buffs {me too! Me too!} will get an eye and ear full!!!
Up to Cooperstown {Yes, I Know, the Basball Hall of Fame} runs a vintage diesel outfit called the Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad. Hunt around here for more info:
http://www.lrhs.com/
we hope to visit it too this summer.
a general search will yield this info on a NYDOT site about historic railroads operating passenger service {though not a complete listing}:
Within New York State, as other states, a number of historic/tourist railroads operate, generally over existing and active railroad trackage or segments of track previously abandoned. Some of the historic/tourist railroads are stand-alone entities, with no other rail operation; others are but a component of an existing freight railroad. Some of the roads have been in existence for many years (one such tourist railroad in Pennsylvania has continually operated since the 1800s); others open and close with great frequency.
Currently there are about 10 historic/tourist railroads in operation in all regions of the State except for New York City and Long Island (the MTA and New Jersey Transit, however, periodically run special trains for rail enthusiasts, frequently using historic equipment). In addition, freight railroads with no set historic/tourist operation will sometimes run special "railfan" excursions along stretches of their track. Special events, such as Thomas the Tank Engine visits, "Murder on the Train" mysteries, and "Leaf Peeper" jaunts in the Fall, are increasingly popular. Any trips or excursions using steam and/or other historic equipment are almost guaranteed to sell out. Given New York's harsh winters, most historic/tourist railroads in the State operate from Spring to Fall.
According to the web site of the Association of Tourist Railroads and Railway Museums (ATRRM), there are around 15 railroad and railroad-type museums in New York. Some are free-standing; others are attached to an existing historic/tourist railroad operation. Notable museums in the State include the Railroad Museum of Long Island, with sites in both Greenport and Riverhead (Suffolk County); the New York Transit Museum, located in a historic subway station in downtown Brooklyn (Kings County); the Empire State Railway Museum, in Phoenicia (Ulster County); the New York Museum of Transportation, in Rush (Monroe County); the North Creek Depot Museum, in North Creek (Warren County); and the Ontario and Western (O+W) Railway Museum, in Roscoe (Sullivan County).
Most regions of New York State have such museums in operation, making for a short trip to explore the wonderful history of railroads - past, present, and future.
For more information on historic/tourist railroads, railroad museums, and other rail-related attractions in New York State, check out the ATRRM's web site (http://www.atrrm.org/ ) .
The Adirondak Scenic Railroad has a passage from Utica to Lake Placid. They do run a "Polar espress" train ride, for those who are hunkered into that movie....
It can be found here:
http://www.adirondackrr.com/adkrr/
Well, think that is about it for now.
Today is....tax day, ugh. We get our taxes done for free. I gotta go through and make sure we have the all the paperwork. UGH.
last year was the firsst year in 19 years together we owed. Hoping with the new tax lawas that we don't owe for this year too.
wish us luck on THAT front......
Quotes of the day:
"just because my path is different, doesn't mean I am lost"
"sunsets are proof that endings can be beautiful"
"stop trying to make everyone happy. You're not Tequila"
And the BIG QUOTE of the day:
"Judge me when you are Perfect"
{I sometimes need to remember that one myself}
Special thoughts and prayers for those who need them
-GeePee35 formerly know as galaxy
GeePee35Last year was the firsst year in 19 years together we owed. Hoping with the new tax lawas that we don't owe for this year too. wish us luck on THAT front......
Good luck.
We owed a lot this year. My 23 year old daughter owed for the first time in her life. She was so sad.
Good Afternoon!
Today marks a special kind of anniversary for me. It is 50 years ago to this date, that I held my first copy of Model Railroader in my hands! I had just begun to learn English in school. A friend of my father´s, at that time a member of the US embassy staff in West Germany, knew about my love of trains and gave me a gift subscription. Reading MR was a much better teacher than my English teacher in school ever could have been! I owe Frank E. Bellan and MR quite a lot!
Have a great day!
LIONS Tigers and Bares...
Can the roadkill in the recipe be replaced by a "Hoover hog" , Lion?
http://www.eattheweeds.com/armadillo-cuisine-cooking-a-hoover-hog-2/
I was born in NYC and grew up on Long Island. Our local railroad was the LIRR, a commuter rail road with barely any freight service. Where I was, they put the tracks up on a berm for safety.
I commuted to NYC for a couple of summers. It wasn't pleasant.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Good Morning —
I hope everyone is doing well in the month of March.
Later this weekend we will visit the town of Little Falls which had a bit of excitement back in 1940!
Gulf_Curve by Edmund, on Flickr
I visited New York City back in 1966, again in '68, '72 and '73. I'm glad I went when I did and I saw lots of big-time railroading and the great sights of Manhattan. I wouldn't want to go back. I'm very happy with the memories I have and I wouldn't want to spoil those.
Eveing Diners
Flo, wake up! I take a please and if the gang shows up I am buying.
Friday just did not feel like posting after paying bills.
Saturday Did a Honey Do for the wife then took her shopping. (when will I ever learn?) Took her 30 minutes to buy a jar of cofffee, only thing she went into this store for. Came out with 3 bags of stuff she was not looking to buy?
Talked with my bank about a Home Equuoity Loan. No home inspection, no application fee and no appraisal fee. With my current credit score rate would be 5.5% fixed for 72 months. But she suggested after I get the repairs done to get a fixed rate 2nd mortgage. Nices thing about my bank, everyone knows me and asked how Sue was doing after the ministroke.
Ed I will say one thing about the Presdent Adams, that darn engine will track though all my turn outs. Now if I can figuer out why the chuffs cut in and out. Running on the short line dragging freight and it chuffing sound is still cutting in and out.
May try it at K-10 Model Train open house Sunday. If winter does not get in the way. If it works fine there it is my wiring!
Later, Ken
I hate Rust
Evening all.
I wonder how many Rapido Royal Hudsons it would take to pull a real one.
Good Morning. Folks!
Sunday - time for my big breakfast! Zoe, make that crisp fried bacon, scrambled eggs, buttered toast & jams, a tall glass of OJ and lots of coffee, please.
Brent - thanks for sharing the video! I was surprised to hear the German narration!It was the secon attempt of the Miniatur Wunderland team to pull a full-size locomotive, and ths time they succeeded. "Silly" events like this get a lot of news coverage and while it is excellent advertising for their venue, it also promotes the hobby in the public. Good!