This is 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.
Everybody is welcome to participate in the Diner !
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!"
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
I took the liberty of opening this month´s Diner. I am not sure whether a location has been decided upon where we will spend the month, so may I suggest Pennsylvania? How about celebrating America´s Birthday in Philadelphia, followed by an extensive tour of what was once the "Standard Railroad of the World"?
Any other place is also fine with me!
Tinplate ToddlerI took the liberty of opening this month´s Diner.
Thank you for opening the Diner this month, Ulrich. Great to have you back! It is very reassuring to see your Tin Man avatar heading up the thread.
At the end of May there was some discussion about having the Diner in Quebec City or perhaps Ottawa.
Today being Canada Day (or Dominion Day for you old timers) that might be a good choice. May be a little cooler up along the Saint Lawrence, too .
Of course I'm all for anything PRR and Pennsylvania, too. Let's see what the other Diners have to say.
CN_Toronto by Edmund, on Flickr
Let's go, Fellas! The Diner's a movin'!
PLE_PGH-handcar2 by Edmund, on Flickr
PLE_PGH-handcar-1 by Edmund, on Flickr
Regards, Ed
Thank you Ulrich---herrinchoker
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
2017-02-13 19.53.28 by J.R. Mitchell, on Flickr" alt="Dunedin,NZ" />
Good Morning All,
A regular to go please Zoe.
Thanks to Ulrich for getting the diner moved for July. I'm ok north or south and will leave it up to you regulars (also the ones with photo libraries). Lots to do today and we actually have a test scheduled for Thursday. Back on the road next week. Ciao, J.R.
Shortline Narrow guage steam at Strasburg, PA
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Good morning!
I've only been coming to the diner for several months. I've wondered how, at the start of each month, the first post lists the names of forum members who have passed. How do you get that information?
Thanks, Ulrich, for taking us on another month. Pennsylvania is a beautiful state (except for Happy Valley).
York1 John
BigDaddy Narrow guage steam at Strasburg, PA
Narrow guage steam at Strasburg, PA
Narrow Gauge?
Shortline
York1I've only been coming to the diner for several months. I've wondered how, at the start of each month, the first post lists the names of forum members who have passed. How do you get that information?
We just copy the top part of the page rom month to month.
First to get on the list, you have to be dead.
These are members who have participated in the Dining Car from way back sinte it was Eliot's Dining car.. Jeffery was such a constant poster here that we renamed the dining car in his honor.
So it is a list of dead diners. I do not hink that there is a formal supervisor of graves, but once you have made the list, you stay on the list.
Of course how do we know if you are dead if you did not post to tell us about it.
I guess someone has to go to you house to see if your trains are running or not.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
BroadwayLionOf course how do we know if you are dead if you did not post to tell us about it. I guess someone has to go to you house to see if your trains are running or not.
When I die, if you come to my house, you will know I am gone.
All of my belongings, including a layout, will be out at the curb waiting for the trash pickup.
Probably better than finding all your clothes in the front yard today.
York1When I die, if you come to my house, you will know I am gone. All of my belongings, including a layout, will be out at the curb waiting for the trash pickup.
.
You will know when I am gone.
My house will be gone, the lot will be empty, and my kids will be auctioning the building site to split the money.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I've lost friends whose names are on the RIP track list. I think the list started shortly after Jeffrey passed on and we decided to rename the diner in his honor. At that time, we realized that we had lost many members who deserved to be remembered, so the RIP track has been with us since then.
My carfloat terminal is the Westport Terminal, after Wolfgang Dudler's fine models.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Good afternoon all and HAPPY CANADA DAY!
Other than being Canada Day and sunny and warm and having a worry free lifestyle without a care in the world, today sucked rail spikes! Thanks for letting me borrow that Ken. As I mentioned in the other thread my new Royal Hudson packed it in.
Had my Daughters hoity toity grad bash in Vancouver on Friday night, a posh affair that was fun. It was several levels above my pay grade but what do you do. I bought a suit for my Son's grad two years ago and had not had it on since until last Friday. I have more muscle than I did two years ago and it was a little tight in the legs from the bike. My arms were a little tighter as well but still okay. I would be surprised if I ever wear it again. Casual dress is much more in fashion these days.
Ulrich thanks for opening the diner this month, I don't care where we are as it is the company that makes it enjoyable. Glad to see you are on the mend.
Bear, keep posting pic's of New Zealand, I really hope to get back there before I am placed in the green bin out at the curb. New Zealand has been rated best country in the world to live on more than one occasion and is always near the top of the list. It would be my first choice if I were to move elsewhere followed by Australia. My Sister gets down there most years to judge dogshows and usually does a circuit that includes Australia. Scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef was pretty special, I did dives at a few spots between Sydney and Cairnes. One place we did some dives we took a boat for several hours and were way out of sight of land, that was a good day. So much to do in the world, so little time.
Checked out the house we liked and it needed more work than the photo's let on, it was way over priced.
Kid has to have surgery that will keep him in hospital for a week, it is an E.N.T. issue that he was born with. The reason for the long stay is the possibility of swelling that could block the airway. They booked him in July 23 after his midterms. They were most accommodating.
The kid also was ask to go for lunch with some movie people on Thursday as they want to see him. He has not done any work so far this summer as he has been taking Law courses. He is not against taking a year off if something comes up that pays good, he could be set for a few good years of good livin while at University if the right work comes along. A "Lord Of The Rings" TV series is in the works and he is on good terms with some of the people involved with that. It may be filmed in New Zealand so we could go visit him, that would be fun. Bear did they shoot the movies anywhere near your home?
Daughter got a bunch of scholarships just like her Brother did so our wallet will not suffer much if at all for her first year at University. She was going to go to Edinburgh to medical school but has developed an interest in medical forensics so is going elsewhere as she needs to study Anthropology a little more extensively before med school.
Well I think I'll do some yard work as it is such a nice day. Next round on my tab for the house.
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."
Eveing Diners
Flo, give the gang and I a and what ever Ulrich wants.
Just to dang hot and humid to do anything but spend money.
Front Yard Pourch. My wife is not happy that I am cutting all the dead bushes and vine junk out. So today I bought a Giant Reed Peppermint Stick. Says it should grown to 5 to 7 foot tall. Next year I like to get around 5 more.
Steven If you buy a bike, remember there are only 3 kind of riders!
1 Those that will go down!
2 Those that have been down!
3 Those that will go down again!
I love ridding and not trying to discourage you! If I did not have all of the up coming home repairs I be in the market for another bike! Regardless of what your state helmet law is, ware a full face helmet! My Bell Start Helmet may have saved my life. Woman did not think I could accelerated as fast as I could and pulled out in front of me and I had to lay the bike down. Nasty Road Rash on the Bell Star Helmet.
All so wear Leather bike jackets! One day it was hot and I took leather jacket off. Hit a Bee or wasp at 70 mph and dam it hurt and the stinger was baried deep!
Later None Smoking Ken
I hate Rust
cudakenThere are only 3 kind of riders! 1 Those that will go down! 2 Those that have been down! 3 Those that will go down again!
I rode from the time I was 15 until I was 30.
1) Enduro 125
2) 1984 Honda 450 Rebel
3) 1981 Honda CBC 900
4) 1979 HD FXR
5) 1973 HD FLH
6) 1996 HD Dyna Daytona
I NEVER went down. Never had an accident. Never had a ticket. Always rode safely.
I'll throw my hat in the ring as a guy that has lots of hours on motorcycles. I had a Honda 500 four. My friend and his Dad had a large # of bikes of all types and sizes and my friend and I would just take whatever we wanted out of the shop and go ride. He had dirt bikes of all sizes as well as crotch rockets of all sizes and a variety of cruzin machines. I was allowed to ride their bikes because I had taken a number of motorcycle courses through various agencies. They did not let very many people ride their bikes, I was one of the few that got to.
The course that taught me the most important thing about being a safe rider was a course on the physics of motorcycles. I had a couple of close calls caused by other drivers and it was the solid understanding of the physics of motorcycles that prevented the accident. So once again it comes down to education being the cornerstone for success. I never had an accident on a motorcycle and have been awarded twice by various commercial fleet associations for having two million accident-free miles of driving while employed by the Federal Government for driving just about anything you'll find on the road.
It is much easier to avoid an accident on a motorcycle than in a car, however, if you do get in an accident on a bike it is usually more devastating than if you were in a car. Stupid is what stupid does.
I sat in on a lot of accident investigations and the accidents were not judged by whose fault it was but rather by whether the accident was preventable or not preventable by either party or both.
I have little faith in the vast majority of your run of the mill driving instructors as they generally do not strive for excellence, just their paychecks. I taught my son to drive and when he and the examiner returned to the office, instead of going in the far door where they usually went in the examiner walked the length of the building towards me and I am thinking oh-oh what's up. She asked if I had taught him to drive and I said yes, she said I did a really good job as she had not ever had anyone so well prepared for the exam. She showed me the sheet and said look there is not one mark or comment on it.
That made me a happy camper as generally, I think parents should not teach their own kids to drive as they only teach what they know and show them their own bad habits. Not knowing what you don't know is a real problem when you are teaching.
Probably the most common accident involving a motorcycle is having a driver do a left turn into the path of the oncoming biker. The reason for the collision most often is because the person in the car that turned left into the path of the bike assumed the motorcycle was doing the speed limit as it is very hard to judge the speed of an oncoming bike. If the motorcyclist had been doing the speed limit the turn would have been made safely. So speed kills and stupid is as stupid does.
Steven make sure you get a current full face helmet and wear leathers and most importantly take a basic course at the very least. If you take more advanced courses you will find that's where the fun begins. We used the school's bikes and some got damaged in the process, but that was to be expected and no harm was done, the school absorbs that as part of doing business. One guy dropped one while performing a maneuver and put the brake pedal through the oil pan. He just went and got a new bike out of the shed.
The courses I took were done at an abandon WWII airport and that gave us room to really go through the paces unlike what you will get taking a course at the local shopping mall parking lot. Do your research on choosing a school.
Good luck, be safe.
Now that the diner is parked (I think), it's probably too late to suggest putting it on a siding in Gettysburg, PA, on the CSX,ex-Chessie, ex-ex-WM Dutch Line. While this may be Dominion Day, it's also the anniversary of the first day of the biggest battle fought on the North American continent. Strasburg, Enola, Hershey, the Rockville Bridge, Filthydelphia, Bal'mer, and several other points of interest are nearby.
Happy Canada Day to all my fellow Canucks!!
I used to like the fireworks but not now. Too many birds die as a result.
Today I saw 2 of the young racoons fall off the roof from the house behind us. It is a single story where they went off. I went to see if they were ok and both were huddled together. They were alert so here's hoping there weren't any injuries. I expect mum will come for them this evening. Two are still up on the roof. Reminded me of a couple of dare devil kids looking over the edge. Sure are cute little rascals.
We have finally completed all the garden planting well until my wife buys more flowers. I think she is up to about 80 pots. Looks nice but a lot of work.
Time for tea and tellie soon.
CN Charlie
Hello Charlie!!
Happy Canada Day!!!
This is typical of the bird activity every day in our backyard. The nyger seed feeder holds 12 x 16 oz. cups and has to be filled every second day. The sunflower seed feeder holds 7 x 16. oz cups and has to be filled every day! Sometimes the goldfinches cover the seed patches on the ground and fill the trees in addition to filling the feeder!
This barely touches the variety that we get every day. We are so lucky!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I think I will avoid the motorcycle subject since I got run off the road in one when I was 19.
Joe Staten Island West
A regular and a blueberry cake donut please Zoe. I also will avoid the bike subject as I gave up in the 70's when it just became too crowded on the roads with too many untrained drivers of all types. On that subject, I have driven trucks including semis for years. I can usually avoid just about everything by anticipating what the other drivers will do and generally have no issues getting where I'm going without drama. Lately I notice more and more truckers here in the east sitting in the fast lane oblivious to everything including the lines of traffic behind them. When everyone is passing you on the right I would think that would be a clue. I do use the fast lane when I have to, but also move back over as soon as I can. Ok, rant over. . Time to pick up tools. Ciao, J.R.
Good morning, everyone.
Lots to do today. One of the daughters and family coming for Independence Day. That means house cleaning, grocery shopping, grass cutting, and bed making. It's too hot out to air out the spare bedrooms.
This past weekend I attended a train show, and one of the layouts had a house that was the Psycho house. No motel, though.
I've been interested in doing some unusual things on the layout. A while back some of you posted some pictures of unusual or fun things you've incorporated into your railroads.
I think I'm going to try to build the Psycho house and motel. I do N Scale, so it will be a challenge for me, but I have really grown to like scratch-building structures. I'll try to post some pictures if I succeed.
I also like 1950s science fiction movies, so I think I will try to put in something from one of those movies, also. Of course, this will take me thirty years, so don't count on any pictures soon.
Hope everyone has a good day.
Howdy ....
As I said, thisis a busy week with visiting grandkids. . However, I now have a little time to vist with you Diners.
Ulrich .... Thanks for opening the Diner. I hope you are recivering as well as can be expected from your surgery .
Canadians.... I hope each of you enjoyed Canada Day.
Ed... I like the pictures you posted.
Henry... Thanks for posting the Strasburg video.
Brent .... I like the old phto of Stoney Creek Bridge. ... That is quite a bird feeder.
JR ... Evidently, the police are not enforcing "Keep right except to pass" laws. .. Based on what you said about trucks in the left lane.
John (York1)... I hope you enjoy the visit from family members.
Cheers, everybody...
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
My brother got out of the (Vietnam War) Draft because he fell off of his moto-cycle and no longer had full range of motion in his arm.
Did not stop him from riding motocycles... Him buyed a Ducati (I hear they are fast) and would run that thaing at 120 mph (On a track).
Got hit by an old man in a pick up on his way home, they had to sweep up the peices and put him back to gether ageain. The bike was a loss.
Oh well, I believe he will turn 70 in march, he had set that as his retirement date.
I don't know... He owns an automobile repair shop, a boat and at the moment two houses. He wants to sell the old one and move into the one that he just remodeled. Of course he has been remodeling this for two years now. I don't think he will get too much for the old house, too close to the swamp/river.
He really cannot 'sell' the business as he IS the business. Yeah he can sell the business but he will not get too much for it, but he still owns the building, and so he will collect the rent if he has a tenent.
Heartland Division CB&QJR ... Evidently, the police are not enforcing "Keep right except to pass" laws. .. Based on what you said about trucks in the left lane.
Depends on your state. In North Dakota crusing in the left lane is permitted, though most do not seem to know this. Trucks have to keep right exzcept to pass, but they do pick the damest times to pass. You are pulling up to over take them at 80 miles per and he pulls out to pass the one in front of him.
I would sure like a nathan five-chime on my vehicle.
York1I've been interested in doing some unusual things on the layout. A while back some of you posted some pictures of unusual or fun things you've incorporated into your railroads.
LION runs SUBWAY TRAINS. Him is going to put some golfers on the 76th street platform. Maybe some soccer players on anaother platform.
I got the figures, and gotta put them somewhere, and a subway layout needs lots of peoples on the platforms.
ROARING
I was going to show you some pictures of birds in our court yard, but the cat got there first.
Some Mourning Doves love to sit on the peek of the pottery/laundry building.