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Jeffreys Track Side Diner - APRIL, 2019: Chicago, Illinois Locked

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  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 8:51 PM

AARP is relentless.  They'll keep sending you envelopes full of junk, never ending, no matter how many times you call, and ask to be removed.

Must be where all the paying "members" money goes.  Printing, producing, and mailing junk.

They have nothing I need.  The building trades unions I belong to, (still as a retired member) and retired from, have my, and my wifes insurance needs covered to the end of time.

Mike.

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,878 posts
Posted by maxman on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 8:44 PM

Steven Otte
I'm more interested in senior prices at the movie theater when I reach 60. AARP already wants me, though.

I was going to respond that AARP somehow knew I was going to turn 50 before I did, and I used to get at least 1 mailing per month.  But I looked and it seems that people in their 20s and 30s can join and take advantage of discounts, including the movies you want to see:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/rogerma/2017/08/31/why-i-joined-aarp-at-age-35/#7db7b05e70f5.

But it turns out that those mailings were a lot more pleasureable then the monthly mailings I get now from the Green Burial Society and the "some like it hot" cremation society.

  • Member since
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  • From: SE. WI.
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Posted by mbinsewi on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 8:44 PM

maxman
I'm not eating anything I find on the back of anyone's menu.

I agree, especially if it's still soft and messy. Whistling

I've never been in a Denny's, or a Golden Corral.  I don't plan on starting now.

Mike.

  • Member since
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  • From: Kentucky
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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 8:41 PM

Good evening .... 

Here is another photo of the Twin City Zephyr. ... The one has two E7A's . 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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    February 2008
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Posted by maxman on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 8:34 PM

RideOnRoad
Just think, one more year and you can order off the of the back page of the Denny's menu.

I'm not eating anything I find on the back of anyone's menu.

  • Member since
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Posted by Track fiddler on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 7:46 PM

Have fun kids.

  • Member since
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  • From: Currently in Chicago area
  • 830 posts
Posted by up831 on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 7:38 PM

Hi Diners,

Mr. Otte: Have a great day off, and thanks for moderating and keeping us all in line.  

My son and his family live along the UP (C&NW) line into the city.  My granddaughter perks up whenever she hears or sees a train, which are rather frequent there.  Looks like grandpa is going to have a modeling buddy in a few years.  Chicago has some very large classification yards with lots of activity.

i haven't had any luck trying to post pictures here, largely because I don't grind it out until I get it to work.  My posting time is limited.  But maybe ill get lucky.  

The loop got its name because of the elevated tracks that actually circle around the heart of downtown.  I suppose one could ride around it for hours.  At the same time, there are also subway tracks underground in the same area, but these go in and then back out.  

In fact Thursday I'll be going down to the Mart for a function.  With all the violence and robberies in the Mag Mile and nearby, I'm starting to be a little more concerned than I used to be.  Anyway, I'll be taking the subway in.  

Hello to everyone, and I hope everyone is OK, safe, and warm.

Less is more,...more or less!

Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Georgetown, Maine
  • 573 posts
Posted by herrinchoker on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 7:07 PM

At the end of last month, in a post, I stated that I had tried to contact Ulrich by phone, and E-mail and that I had recieved no response. After that post everything went South. I am concerned for his safety after he stated his name was found on an Antifa list.

My concern is that I as well, have been threatened, along with my deceased wife, and have had threats made to my children. The primary difference between my situation and Ulrich's is that I was in law enforcement, armed, and when I spoke with those involved violated a plethra of State and Federal laws. This came after two men tried to get into my wife's car at a stoplight. She was assisted by Mssrs. Smith and Wesson, they did not get into the car. I still carry to this day, almost 14 years after leaving the Department. Am I afraid, you ask, no-I carry, Parinoid-perhaps, but I have earned that right.

Having a fairly good idea of Some of what Ulrich is going through, and the situation where he lives, causes concern for me.

Who among us in the last six months has had their dwelling broken into, threatened with a knife at a traffic intersection, or been singled out for retrabution?

It is unfortuniate that there is no commonality between societies as to what is permissable, and what is not, when it comes to discourse.

All I did to get myself into that situation was develop the documentation to take down a drug cartel in Chicago. The final count, according to a DEA agent I worked with, was 26. This included two federal judges, and numerous members of the bar, and medical profession. Mill Island drug bust, 1977. 

Henry

I wonder what the underlying factors are/ is, in the situation you described.

herrinchoker

 

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Posted by Steven Otte on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 7:03 PM

BigDaddy

Happy birthday Steve.  54's a lot better than 60.  That's brings a whole new decade in play.  Then the year you are eligible for Medicare, your phone will ring non-stop from insurance agents (making calls illegal, not only because of the DNC list, but it's illegal to cold call and sell Medicare supplemental.

[Political comments deleted by admin]

BigDaddy, we have a discussion about a dust-up caused by someone talking about politics, then I say I'm taking a day off, and the first thing you do is post five paragraphs about politics?! Did you think just because it's my birthday that the rules don't apply? Or did you just think I wouldn't be paying attention and you could slip something past me?

Either way, you were wrong. Angry

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

  • Member since
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Posted by Track fiddler on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 6:59 PM

Well   I can't find my Chicago photos, so I'm going to have to contribute to this thread in some other way.  I'll go with History. 

Navy Pier in Chicago is called Navy Pier because she docked the USS Wolverine and her sister ship USS Sable during WW2, known as the freshwater flat tops.  These two aircraft carriers were re-constructed from retired luxury liners of Lake Erie, purchase by the US government to be used for flight training by the US Navy.

The USS Wolverine was modified from the Seeandbee.  The whole top of the ship was cut off above the haul and a wooden flight deck was constructed at a length of 500 feet, 250 feet shorter than an ocean aircraft carrier.

The USS Sable was converted from the Great Buffalo, a 518 ft paddle wheel liner.  This deck was constructed of steel.  Both ships fueled by coal, unlike fuel-oil burning vessels of ocean aircraft carriers.

These two Naval training ships were known as the Corn-Belt Fleet, docked in the windy city (Chicago) Navy Pier.  A vast part of Lake Michigan many times was not windy enough.  A good tailwind for landing was needed as these vessels were shorter.  A good head wind was needed as well for takeoffs.  Hellcats, Corsairs and Avengers were used in these training procedures in not so ideal conditions.

At times flight training was delayed.  Flight training was dangerous on these vessels but did prepare the Navel Aviators for the unstable wave fluctuating decks of ocean carriers.

Flight training was 7 days a week of a hundred flyers per day.  Appx. 1800 Flyers were trained before the war ended.  Appx. 11600 takeoffs and landings for each took place.  Fewer than 300 planes were lost in training,  a casualty lightly stated.

This History founded Navy Pier,  now a fun family amusement park.

TF

 

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
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Posted by BigDaddy on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 5:54 PM

Happy birthday Steve.  54's a lot better than 60.  That's brings a whole new decade in play.  Then the year you are eligible for Medicare, your phone will ring non-stop from insurance agents (making calls illegal, not only because of the DNC list, but it's illegal to cold call and sell Medicare supplemental.

[Political comments deleted by admin]

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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Posted by Track fiddler on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 4:36 PM

Happy birthday Steve-O.  Enjoy your day tomorrow and except another year.  Remember the recent video posted by Brent here though.  Don't let the old man inLaugh

TF

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  • Member since
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  • From: Waukesha, WI
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Posted by Steven Otte on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 4:25 PM

RideOnRoad

Enjoy the day off. Just think, one more year and you can order off the of the back page of the Denny's menu.

 
Not that great of an incentive. I'm more interested in senior prices at the movie theater when I reach 60. AARP already wants me, though. Sad

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

  • Member since
    December 2012
  • From: Mesa, AZ
  • 1,530 posts
Posted by RideOnRoad on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 4:07 PM

Steven Otte
Just so you know, I'll be off tomorrow, celebrating my birthday. I'll be 54. . .

Enjoy the day off. Just think, one more year and you can order off the of the back page of the Denny's menu.

Richard

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 4:06 PM

Track fiddler
Judy thinks the last time we went to Chicago was before our phones took pictures

OMG!!!  You mean there was such a time???  Surprise

I've got a couple boxes full of pics from the "old days" when you took the rolls to the drug store, and they always had special promos where you get 2 for 1.

Some of the old Instamatic ( that thin little camera) pics don't do well when you try to save and show them as scanned images.

I forgot about that bridge.  Really interesting how the huge sheaves at the top are enclosed!  It looks.......different?

Thanks for the info Rich !

Steve O, have a happy b day, thanks for cake, and since it's going to be Wed., take the rest of week off, tell'em I said it was OK. Whistling

Mike.

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
  • 10,660 posts
Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 3:58 PM

Howdy ..... 

Steve O. ..... Happy Birthday, young man, and thank you for the cake. I'll have a slice, please. Happy B-Day

Frank .... Thanks for posting the video of the lift bridge. Interestingly, it was raised to clear the masts of boats not using their sails. 

Below is the Twin City Zephyr with E5AB in northern Illinois on its way to Chicago. 

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
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Posted by "JaBear" on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 3:51 PM

Dogs life by Bear, on Flickr

A day off for your birthday, young fella!! Heck!!!

 Happy B-Day

Hope both Mrs. Otte and you have a Great Day.Cake

Cheers, the Bear.Smile

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

Moderator
  • Member since
    May 2009
  • From: Waukesha, WI
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Posted by Steven Otte on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 3:42 PM

Just so you know, I'll be off tomorrow, celebrating my birthday. I'll be 54, which may make me seem like a spring chicken by model railroader standards, but I can tell you it definitely feels like I'm rolling on the downhill side of life's journey. So far, at least, the brakes aren't smoking. While I'm gone, everyone have fun, and enjoy a slice of cake, on me.

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

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 3:35 PM

mbinsewi

Great video Frank.  I wonder how many times, during the peak boating season, that massive piece of iron is raised and lowered?

Approximately 50 times per year in total. During the Spring boating season, all of the downtown Chicago bridges (20 of them) are raised in order over a 90 minute period on Wednesdays and Saturdays from late April through the end of June. The process is reversed in the Fall from mid-September through early November.

Rich

 

Alton Junction

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Posted by Track fiddler on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 3:34 PM

Well I got the brakes on my truck done. I am now safe again for America's roads and highways.  

I wish I could contribute more here with Chicago pictures that I know I have somewhere.  I looked through everything digital, even old phone chips.  Judy thinks the last time we went to Chicago was before our phones took pictures and the old school pictures are somewhere down in storage.

Mike I look at it this way.  If those big steel Bridges didn't go up and down for the boats. I would have nothing to watch when I go to Prescott for a beer overlooking the BNSF Bridge on the St. Croix.  That's the whole reason I go thereYes

TF

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 2:32 PM

Great video Frank.  I wonder how many times, during the peak boating season, that massive piece of iron is raised and lowered?

Kind of makes you laugh, all of that so a couple little tiny sail boats could get through!

Mike.

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 2:23 PM

Steven Otte
Ulrich's posts, and mine, are still there, on page 4 of last month's thread.

OK, I give up, never mind, It's gotta be me, he made a post in here at the end of last months diner, I seen and Brent seen it.

I give up......I will never mention it again.  What was I thinking?

On to other things.  Back to Chicago!  No....wait...I'll stay in WI.  I mean the diner, back to Chicago!  

I was always fascinated about the huge rail yards in Chicago.  Has to be a logistics nightmare.  But I suppose, you work there every day, it's just another day.

Mike.

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 2:18 PM

Back on topic of Chicago..........I was born in Chgo when Roosevelt was alive and still President and still vaguely remember hearing His voice on the radio. Also not seeing My Dad or uncles around for some yrs., which now have been gone for many, many yrs. But have many fond memories of growing up in Chgo. If you weren't tough skinned or could take care of yourself.......you would not last long where I grew up. I also watched from a car window when they brought the U505 to the Museum of Science &  Industry.......long time ago for Me. Been living in the Burbs for the past 39 yrs.

The Canal st. Lift Bridge in action:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcfkatdZ5Bg

Take Care, All, Big Smile

Frank

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Finger Lakes
  • 10,198 posts
Posted by howmus on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 1:58 PM

Afternoon folks.....

Steven Otte
His absence from this thread is entirely self-imposed. He'll come back when he's satisfied that he's stayed away long enough

Not the first time he has done that....  Frankly there is no one that the forum can't nicely survive their not being here.  I add my voice to the others that have mentioned that they appreciate the excellent work you do to keep this place a sane and friendly place to be in.

I could be one that might spend a bit of time argueing politics if it was not prohibited.  I have some very strong opinions on current politics and such.  I very much appreciate the kind and gentle tone you keep here that is welcoming to all.  I did leave the forum a couple times in past years due to some very unkind things that were politically oriented that happened in here.  I do my best to keep my personal ideas to myself and enjoy the great moderation you do to keep it a friendly place to talk!

'nuff said!

28

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

  • Member since
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  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
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Posted by gmpullman on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 1:54 PM

I really don't know where this "deleted post" theory is coming from?

I spend a great deal of time (too much, actually) reading and re-reading posts here in the MR Forum and I have not seen any replies from Ulrich in the Diner since March 6th.

Seeing that I hosted last month I particularly kept watch on things in the Diner. After March 6th, there were no further replies from Ulrich.

He did post, as I displayed in the screen capture earlier in this thread, on March 25th  to the "Trade-Offs Between Scales" thread.  You can click on his screen name, then go to recent activity and all his recent posts are listed there.

I hope that helps to clear things up?

Cheers, Ed

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Posted by Steven Otte on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 1:42 PM

mbinsewi

OK then.  So this is all Ulrich's thing.  So, how Ulrichs post is completely gone?  I didn't think any of us could completely delete our post.

Ulrich's posts, and mine, are still there, on page 4 of last month's thread.

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

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 8,173 posts
Posted by Track fiddler on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 1:20 PM

You know.... for my own peace of mind, I feel the need to man up and say an apology to all.  I guess I fed into the kicked off the Forum scenario last night.  I have to admit I went about assuming half a story.  I'm man enough to know that usually doesn't pan out in the end. 

I don't think it was the case here now but even if someone was to be suspended, I'm sure there would be a just reason for it.  I was dismissed for a while at one time way back.  There was a reason, I had it coming.

I also feel the need to give appreciation for the good job done here, keeping this Forum enjoyable and on track for the reason we all come here.

TF

 

My statements above, by no means change the fact, I like Ulrich and think he's a great guy.

  • Member since
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  • From: SE. WI.
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Posted by mbinsewi on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 12:59 PM

OK then.  So this is all Ulrich's thing.  So, how Ulrichs post is completely gone?  I didn't think any of us could completely delete our post.

Sure, you can go back and edit it, even erase everything that's in it, but a blank post remains, your name, avatra, etc, all there with no post in the box.

I didn't think you could erase everything, with no trace of you even being there.

Confused

Nice video Brent. I haven't seen the movie "Mule", so this must be in the movie?

Mike.

  • Member since
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Posted by BATMAN on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 12:28 PM

Good morning, it is another glorious day on the West Coast. 

Woke up to see this on the screen, shipping in two weeks. I will not be getting both of mine together as the other one I ordered will be a few weeks behind. I am looking forward to getting them.

Image may contain: 1 person

I also really appreciate the civility of this forum and the job done by Steven O. Yes 

I am sitting here right now enjoying a rather painful day from my arthritis. I have lots I want to do today and will make myself get going. The funny thing is an old co-worker of mine sent me this video just as I was starting to feel sorry for myself. He must have sensed a disturbance in the force.Laugh

So here I go.

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."

  • Member since
    February 2015
  • From: Ludington, MI
  • 1,863 posts
Posted by Water Level Route on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 12:14 PM

York1

 

 
Steven Otte

It's not my policy to discuss admin actions toward other Forum users, but in this case, there is nothing official going on, so I feel free to do so.

 

Steven, while I don't know any of the particulars of this case, I wanted to let you know that I appreciate your efforts.

I belong to an architectural engineering forum which is un-moderated.  After a steady stream from some members, unhappy with the present administration in Washington, making political comments on just about every forum topic, it has become almost unreadable.  What's maddening is that the comments almost never have anything to do with the forum topics.

I appreciate this forum because it's one of the few where I can get information about my hobby without all the mess on other sites.  I also appreciate the forum members who are knowledgeable about railroading who are happy to help amateurs like me.

Keep up the good work.

-- John

 

+1Yes

Mike

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