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!
Each month, the diner is moved to a new location, which has been agreed upon prior to coupling up the diner car to the switcher moving it. We are already on our way, but have no direction where to stop. Would some one please tell the engineer where to spot the car?
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
Thanks for moving us Ulrich.
I am in the diner but as I look out the window all I see is fog, where are we, the Twilight Zone?
Next stop??????????????
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Speaking of fog — have we been to jolly ol' England lately?
Clapham Junction, perhaps? Paddington Station? National Railway Museum in York?
Maybe ride one of the beautiful steamers?
Just a thought. Run 'er up the flagpole.
Sorry to hear about Napoleon, Richard.
Thank you for opening the August Diner, Ulrich. I hope you are feeling well.
Cheers, Ed
Good Morning!
As we didn´t agree (yet)o n an August location for the diner, I took the liberty of just starting the move and let the train go until someone sid "stop". The first one was Ed, and I think "merry old England" is not a bad idea, although they have it quite warm there these days. May I add Wales to the choice of location? I´d like to go for a ride on the Ffestiniog Railway from Porth Madog to Blaenau Ffestiniog.
For those who are in love with that line - Peco of UK and Kato in Japan have announced a joint production of the Ffestiniog Railway´s unique Double Fairlie engines in OO9 scale, that is OO scale (1/76) on 9mm tracks. They are expected to hit the market by Christmas 2020. Very tempting for me! The will also produce the small George England 0-4-0s "Prince" or "Princess". Suitable carriages are also on their way! Very tempting for me! I might even get back into the hobby - after the move!
Have a great start into the month of August, my favorite month!
Ulrich,
Thanks for the move----England seems like a good spot. Next to the Azores, Ireland, Scotland, and England have very pretty sountryside.
herrinchoker
Good morning, Diners, and welcome to a new month! If we're going to be in jolly old England, let's kick off with some traditional bubble and squeak.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
Good morning, everyone. Do I need my passport?
My father was in England during WWII before landing in France. He never said much about it, but he did say Scotland was beautiful.
I'm very thankful for the diner and for Steven keeping it civil. Last night I ventured into some other discussions in the Trains section. Not nice. I wanted to read about high speed rail, but instead I read a steady stream of politics, name-calling, and insults.
Thank you everyone for welcoming newcomers like me, and for keeping friendly discussions going. Entering the diner is something I look forward to each day.
York1 John
Steven - I had to look it up, but now I know what bubble and squeak is. I don´t know whether I´d go for it, though.
John - tell a Scot he is English - you may end up as the main ingredient of Haggis or black pudding! Scotland is really beautiful, especially the Highlands in early Fall! There is a steam train ride from Fort William to Mallaigh, a former fishing town, which is worthwhile taking.
Ulrich, I'm not sure I will ever make it there.
I'm now of the age that I have to be very choosy about where I will vacation. I wish that at a younger age, I would have visited Europe, but I always thought there would be plenty of time later for that. Time flew by. The only plans we now have are to visit places here in the U.S., and of course, most of our travel involves going to see grandchildren.
John - I was lucky! I had the opportunity to travel quite a lot in my younger and better days, partly for business, but also for pleasure. I have visited strange places on nearly all continents, but I never made it downunder! The only travel I´ll be going on will take me to Denmark to look at a house to spend the rest of my days in, and of ourse, moving there. The Internet is now my travel agency, allowing me to re-visit places I have been to without leaving m living room!
Tinplate ToddlerThe staff - that´s Zoe, Chloe, Flo, Janie, and Brunhilda
.
Didn't we used to have a waitress named Stella on the diner?
Tinplate ToddlerAs we didn´t agree (yet)o n an August location for the diner, I took the liberty of just starting the move and let the train go until someone sid "stop
I don't remember if we ever had a location in July!
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Howdy folks!
Tinplate Toddlertell a Scot he is English - you may end up as the main ingredient of Haggis or black pudding! Smile, Wink & Grin
That be very true, sir! My family ancestor came from "England" as a slave (Indentured Servant, but still a type of slave). The surname at that time was the English version of my name, Hayward. At the end of the Revolutionary War the name somehow got changed back to the Scottish spelling and pronunciation, Howard. Nobody wanted to be associated with the English over here at that time.... LOL
Been busier than a cat covering poop on a marble floor the past few days. Did get a few minutes to stop in, have a cup of Joe, and catch up with a few things.
Richard, Sorry to hear about Napolean, but it sounded in a earlier post that was the best thing to do for the poor old dog! Never easy though.
I am still moving stuff back into where it needs to be after finishing the remodel job. getting there slowly but surely. This afternoon I drove over to a computer store where I have bought several computer over the years and bought a new iMac. My old one is getting long in the tooth and can't be upgraded. Several of the old pro applications I use are no longer doing what they need to be doing all the time and the results are not as good as I want. Those programs will now have to be Rented from Adobe. Oh the Applications you get "free" but everything has to go out somewhere called a "Cloud" which has to be "rented"..... Still, it would take many years to pay out what I payed for those programs even "back when". So I will live with it. I don't need anywhere as much space as I would have needed years ago as I now only use those programs for a couple newsletters I produce anyway.
I told the lady at the store I think I may have a few viruses on the old desktop as well so she is having me bring it in and they will clean everything up and make sure there are no problems with the new one. I do know that my email has been compromised. I get a couple hundred SPAM emails a day here. I will ultimately change email address to solve that one, but that will be a pain all in itself I guess.
Have a good one out there, my friends!
21
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Scotland Yes. On my Grandfather's side, moving down from Canada back in the late forties. That Scotsman was my favorite person in the whole world.
He always wore a Tam. So many times my Grandfather said "Do you get me sweetheart" I just laughed....... now I say it and some people just don't quite understand.
Ireland isn't too shabby either laddies On my Grandmother's side, a very fine, proper lady from Ireland. Her name was Edith, She preferred to be called Irish.
Happy to be in the Diner this evening with you all. Where's the cookie jar? I need a snack, I'm hungry
Late night at the office this evening. Sawdust, drywall dust, all that dust.
I am very happy to inform you Friends. Judy's third blood pressure medication is working. I am so relieved. I was walking on pins and needles and really worried about her. It's not all the way down yet but it is coming down
I must remember my manners. Thank you all for the positive reinforcement and prayers you gave Judy and I. I do know they worked........ Thank you.
I did see I missed some things here. Don't ever think I ever forget any one of you for a minute. I pray hard and think of you all as well.
Missed you guys TF
Richard,
Sorry to hear about the pup, never an easy decision.
Well...... I wish to elaborate.
This little scare with Judy has me thinking. We're getting old. I don't know how much time is left, I guess I never will.
I think I am going to switch gears again. I was flipping houses about 15 years ago but there was someone else involved. It didn't quite work out right.
I think I'm going to start flipping houses again on my own. That way I don't have to work for the man anymore.
I have already downsized. I am going to downsize some more. Get rid of the heavy leather recliner furniture and switch to Wicker ultralight with cushions. Then when it's time to move, I just toss them in the back of the truck and go.
Yep, I know this is what I'm going to do.
TF
Track fiddlerHappy to be in the Diner this evening with you all. Where's the cookie jar? I need a snack, I'm hungry
We're in London. Over here they're called biscuits.
https://www.spellzone.com/blog/Sixty_American_English_Words_and_their_British_English_Counterparts.htm
Glad to hear the encouraging words about Judy
I'm off for a spot of tea, perhaps a crumpet or two, if you please.
gmpullmanhttps://www.spellzone.com/blog/Sixty_American_English_Words_and_their_British_English_Counterparts.htm
TGIF! Long week at work. Looking forward to a nice weekend. Hope everyone's goes well!
Mike
Afternoon!
Hot again! Not as hot as last week, but too hot for me to feel comfortable.
Water Level RouteIt was always a lot of fun talking with them and discovering the differences in our common language.
Well, my British friends would certainly claim, that there is only a slight resemblance. I tend to agree
Water Level RouteBritish soccer
It´s called football and played with a real, round ball, not that melon shaped thingy, that players predominantly carry under their arms or pressed to the body.
Since we are in GB these days, here is a nice video of steam on "The Long Drag".
Good morning, everyone. I've already eaten breakfast, so just black coffee for me -- lots of coffee.
It is pouring outside. I left for Bible study at 5:45 a.m. and it was not raining. Within 45 minutes, the streets were flooded, and the creek is overflowing.
Track fiddlerI have already downsized. I am going to downsize some more.
Good luck! I wish my wife allowed me to do that. We have an entire house full of stuff, and getting more all the time. I tried making a rule once, that whenever something came into the house, something had to leave. Of course, since I'm only second in command, that rule was ignored.
Good for Judy. So glad to hear the medicine is having an effect.
Richard, it's amazing how attached we become to dogs. My wife and I treat our Dachshund better than we treat each other. We can't imagine life without her. Sorry about the dog.
Hope everyone has a good day. I know I will. It's raining, so I can't cut the grass!
Tinplate ToddlerIt´s called football and played with a real, round ball, not that melon shaped thingy
Thanks for the kind words and thoughts about Napoleon. It was the best thing for him. It took longer than we had hoped for my daughter to be ready to let him go.
On a personal note, I am dealing with a swollen face. I had a dental implant installed on Wednesday. It is for an upper molar and there was not enough room for the implant given the location of my sinus cavity. They had to bore a hole, raise the membrane, and fill the void with mixture of cadaver and cow bone. (Interestingly, I find myself looking longingly at the clover outside, wanting a snack.) They say the second day is the worst and I am sore and swollen. I feel like I went nine rounds with Mike Tyson, except I still have both of my earlobes.
Richard
Tinplate ToddlerThere is a steam train ride from Fort William to Mallaigh, a former fishing town, which is worthwhile taking.
Oh yeah. That must be the Hogwarts Express.
Love that train.
Broadway (Slitherin) LION
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Water Level RouteThey have coaches there
Coach, as in "bus", or "railway carriage"? I just love those fine, little differences
Speaking of downsizing. When we lost or house, we had to downsize considerably, as the apartment we still live in is only a third of the size of our former domicile. We sold very few things, most of the stuff we just gave away or went to the dumpster. I don´t know exactly when we will be moving to Denmark, but we have again started pairing down. It is incredible, how much clutter magically accumulates over a period of 10 years! One of the items having to go is my Marklin tinplate layout, but that will be put up for sale. We have a ton of books nobody wants, so they will go to the dumpster, as well as some other household things we haven´t touched in years. There is so much stuff, including old furniture, which isn´t worth paying money for moving it.
I can´t say I like the work ahead of us, but finally finding peace is worth the effort.
Good morning ...
Our trip in New England (mostly Maine) is nearly over. Yesterday , I rode a two foot narrow gauge train along the waterfront in Portland, ME. It had very old cars hauled by a small diesel locomotive.
The Cog Railway trio i NH was spectacular.
When I get a chance, I will post photos.
We never got to Booth Bay as I had hoped we would.
Jan .... Thanks for contacting me . I could not get back to your PM with my iPhone on this trip.
Richard .. Sorry to hear about your dog .
Ulrich .. Thanks for starting the August Diner.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
hey all.
The interview was a waste of time for me... they wanted someome withmore experience. ive got a few more out there now, but if these ones dont pan out, I'm going to resort to a part time job stocking shelves at a grocery store. I didn't want to have to ever go back into a retail side of a groceru store p, but if desperate times call for desperate measures.
Im gonna be busking next week for my towns 250th celebration. I helped put together a youth organized street fair.... railroad themed of course.
(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).
For those who don't like reading rants, ignore my post. You have been warned!
When I order something that is shipped by U.S. mail, I always receive it within four days, usually three days, regardless from what part of the U.S. it is mailed.
Last week I ordered a part for the layout from Champaign, IL, about 550 miles away. I got the notice it was shipped by FedEx.
Here is the tracking report:
Monday, July 29, I was notified it had been shipped FedEx.
Tuesday, July 30, 1:27 a.m. arrived at FedEx location, Champaign, IL.
Tuesday, July 30, 8:58 a.m. arrived at FedEx location, Champaign, IL.
Tuesday, July 30, 2:06 p.m. departed FedEx location, Champaign, IL.
Wednesday, July 31, 1:12 a.m. arrived at FedEx location, Lenexa, KS.
Wednesday, July 31, 7:18 a.m. departed FedEx location, Lenexa, KS.
(Lenexa is nine miles from Olathe.)
Wednesday, July 31, 7:21 p.m. arrived FedEx location, Olathe, KS.
Wednesday, July 31, 6:57 a.m. departed FedEx location, Olathe, KS.
(Olathe is 20 miles from Kansas City, MO.)
Thursday, August 1, 7:03 p.m. arrived FedEx location, Kansas City, MO.
Friday, August 2, 5:52 a.m. departed FedEx location, Kansas City, MO.
This means it will still go to Omaha, then possibly to Lincoln, before it will get to the U.S. Post Office, which delivers for FedEx to addresses in my part of Nebraska.
The original shipping estimation for arrival at my house had been Wednesday, July 31.
I'm not complaining about FedEx. I realize with huge volumes, this is how it works.
I am defending the Post Office. They seem to be able to get me things faster than FedEx or UPS. (And yes, I know they are supported by taxes.) But they do their job well.
Rant over!
John: The issue is more than likely the shipper is using a heavily discounted shipping option provided by FedEx where the parcel is basically traveling "stand-by". The parcel is in a queue with all of the other stand-by parcels on a FIFO-based queuing approach. When there is extra space on a truck, the oldest parcels fill the gap. If a parcel gets to a location where there is more full-price parcels than space, it gets removed from the truck and gets queued back up.
Greetings from the Southern Command. Not much going on here, headed down to the south hovel for a small get away. Found the dehumidifier was off, I guess we failed to turn it back on when we were down here in June. Humidity was not bad and no mildew. power outage could have knocked it out but it usually comes back on to previous state after outage. I may cut some small trees out and spiff it up a bit around here, or I may be lazy.
I will check in later
Garry look forward to the pictures.
Good evening, all.
A fascinating look at the work involved in making points work on the LMS:
Fun stuff to watch! Enjoy, Ed
It´s going to be a sunny day - a little cooler than yesterday, which is much to my liking! I think I have either a fair share of Viking blood in my veins - or polar bear blood! As I look a little fuzzy and white these days, the latter seems to be more likely!
Great Britain has a very active steam preservation scene. When British Rail gave up "smoking" in the late 1960s, the steam engines went to a scrapper who, instead of cutting them up, just let them rust away. Quite a large number was rescued and rebuilt in working order. For this reason, it is not unusual to see fast trains (not of the 125mph kind, though) on mainline metals!
Here is a video showing steam at speed!
The video shows some footage of Oliver Bulleid´s rather odd looking Pacifics built in the 1940s. The cowling, which was supposed to ease engine cleaning was removed after the war, when some of the engines were rebuilt. The design gave them the name "spam cans" - a rather fitting nick name! Gresley´s A4 Pacifics, though looking a little more like a steam engine to my eyes, are no real beauties, either.
Enjoy!
Nice video, Ed! Trackwork like that cannot be found in my country.
Jimmy - I am sorry to hear that the interviews didn´t turn out well. I am keeping my fingers crossed for the job hunt!