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Jeffrey's Track Side Diner - August, 2019 Locked

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  • Member since
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  • From: Bradford, Ontario
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Posted by hon30critter on Thursday, August 8, 2019 1:00 AM

Nice caboose pics Ed! I wonder what the reasoning was for laying the floor diagonally? Probably had something to do with structural integrety.

One more sign of aging, or more likely drinking too much. I needed a few 3mm LED bezels to complete the control panels for the club. Well, since you can't order a 'few', I ordered 100. The order arrived a couple of days ago. So far so good, except yesterday morning I got another order for 100 3mm LED bezels. So, now I have 3mm LED bezels coming out of my....... you fill in the words! Obviously the right hand isn't in touch with the left hand, and apparently neither are in touch with my brain!

Oh well! anybody need 3mm LED bezels? They are free to a good home!

Now for the real truth - I am questioning why we need the bezels at all! Drilling 3mm holes and just popping the LEDs into them seems like a fine solution. The panels will look more 'delicate', i.e. not quite so cumbersome as they do now. I'll have to do a test before we make the final panels.

Dave

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

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Posted by gmpullman on Thursday, August 8, 2019 12:27 AM

Track fiddler
As I've gotten older I have found I don't have so many friends anymore. 

It's not something I dwell on but I often reminisce about now deceased friends. I'm only 63 and I know more dead people than living. Sad but true.

I hope Ron makes a full recovery, TF. Angel

 

Garry, I was last at the M.W. Cog Railway in 1986. Not much has changed Smile

 Cog_rail_0001 by Edmund, on Flickr

My dad was a fan of the Maine Two Footers and he spent a lot of time there in the late 1930s.

Here's a photo of a similar caboose, No. 558, taken at Rangeley, Maine a few years earlier (1933!)

 SR_RL_558 by Edmund, on Flickr

Hey, who stole the stove pipe!

 SR_RL_0001 by Edmund, on Flickr

Regards, Ed

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 11:07 PM

Good evening ...

TF /John .... I’m very sad to read about your good friend, Ron.   Prayers for him..... Also thanks for your earlier comment about my photos. ... I hope your wife’s blood pressure is okay now. 

Ken ... Good to hear you continue being a non-smoker !  

Mr.  B ... I would have liked seeing more trains in Maine .  However, it was a family trip , and we did other stuff.  I got the family to ride the Cog Railway by my paying for all 10 tickets. I did the Portland two foot gauge train while the women shopped and other men went deep sea fishing.  

Everybody.... Have a nice night. 

 

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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  • From: Bradford, Ontario
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Posted by hon30critter on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 11:01 PM

Track fiddler
I just got an email from my Railroad Club host.  My dear friend from my Railroad Club fell off a ladder yesterday. He hit his head on the cement floor in his garage so hard he has been in and out of surgery to remove the clots from his brain. He is now in intensive care.  He is not coherent.

Hi John,

That is not good news. I hope your friend makes a speedy and full recovery!

Dave

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

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Posted by cudaken on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 10:44 PM

 Eveing Diners

 Flo give the gang and I a Beer please.

 Maxman Sure glad you did not go into greater details there.

 Work Front Seems the fall out is starting to rain down on the canceled $2000.00 from last week. Nancy called me today for the details. Hour later next week schedule was faxed over. I have been cut back to two days a week. I can hardly make it on 3 days a week and need 4 days. 2 days a week I an screwed.

 I cannot blame them. I opned my mouth and stuck my foot right in it. Did not seem that way at the time. But we all know about hindsight don't we.

 I have to be honest with my self, I should no longer be in sales. As I have gotten older I have also gotten gruffer with people. Plus I have been with the company for 6 years and they are doing nothing but trying to sale there bulidings and cutting cost. This company is doomed and it is dragging my sprit down with it. Total Advertising budget is around $400.00 a month?

 It is time for a change in many ways.

 Far as Sparkie. When I got home he seemed more alert. Maybe he will fool us again. But at 15 years and 6 months you never really know.

 Later confused about life but still none smoking Ken

I hate Rust

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Posted by Track fiddler on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 10:37 PM

The last post was sincere to Lion.  I was trying to be funny and I'm sure He can appreciate it.  I do want to meet up in North Dakota.

 

I just got an email from my Railroad Club host.  My dear friend from my Railroad Club fell off a ladder yesterday.

He hit his head on the cement floor in his garage so hard he has been in and out of surgery to remove the clots from his brain. He is now in intensive care.  He is not coherent.

This man is so dear to me, you would not even know.  He and I are always joking.  Two train shows ago, I told him when I grow up I want to be just like him.  I said it in a joking manner but I really meant it.

He laughed and said,  when I grow up John I wont be around, then you can take over.  I laughed,  we both laughed and then went about the train show.

This guy really means something to me every Sunday when I go to the railroad Club. As I've gotten older I have found I don't have so many friends anymore. 

Ron is a really good friend of mine and I need you guys to pray for him.

I cannot lose this friend.  I just need to see Ron back at my Railroad Club on Sunday.

Thanks for your Prayers.

 

John

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Posted by Track fiddler on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 9:12 PM

Post Hog, Post Hog.  TF's on top.

ConfusedConfusedConfusedConfused     You know...... that's really all I had to say.

 

Lion I got your reply. 

TF will look you up when him in Mandan to visit son of his.

When Son of TF, Lion and TF in Mandan,  Boxcar Door will be fixed.

Afterwards, bloody prime rib enjoyed by son of TF,  Lion and TF,   paid by TF.

 

My best I tried KidLaugh   Forward to the day I lookYes

 

TF

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  • From: Bradford, Ontario
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Posted by hon30critter on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 8:29 PM

Railroadfan1
Hi all, Speaking of cogs, did anyone catch the N.W.S.L. update on the N.W.S.L. closing thread? No replies or comments to an important cog in the great circle of model railroading life. Thought you might want to know what Davd replied.

Here is the thread:

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/275050.aspx?page=2#3167268

This is really great news!!

Dave

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

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Posted by hon30critter on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 8:24 PM

maxman
My doctor did advise me, however, that I should refrain from frying bacon in the nude.

Good advice!!!CryingLaughLaughLaughLaugh

Thanks for the laugh!

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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Posted by Track fiddler on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 8:14 PM

Heartland Division CB&Q
 

Meanwhile, I took these photos in York, Maine last week. 

 

 

 

 

 

Garry

I must say that looks better than anything I've done lately

 

Yes TF

 

I am happy you had fun.

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Posted by Track fiddler on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 7:39 PM

Hump Day Yeah.   87 degrees or something like that in Minnesota today with high humidity. 

I did stop at Cowboys tonight see the boys on my way home from wxxk.  I always stop Wednesday night ......a $2 burger and $0.50 to add on anything you like.  These guys use good beef.  I do mushrooms and Swiss + pepper jack with raw onion.  My burger $3.50...... are you kidding me?  They ask you if you want to see a little pinkDinnerYes

I was a good boy,  I only had three beers and the half pound burger soaked it upLaugh

I saw no need to take the

Cab home tonight.

How have you guys been?

 

TF

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Posted by maxman on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 12:47 PM

York1
I guess it's not particularly healthy for me to eat bacon and eggs every single day, but the doctor didn't seem too concerned.

They go back and forth on eggs.  Same as butter.  One week it is bad for you, and the next not so bad after all.

Concerning bacon, probably okay if eaten in moderation.  My doctor did advise me, however, that I should refrain from frying bacon in the nude.

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 12:19 PM

Garry, there is another short tourist rail line in Ellsworth, Maine, just to the mainland side of Bar Harbor.  It's a pleasant excursion.

Bar Harbor used to be reached by train from New York, and this was part of that trip.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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Posted by CNCharlie on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 12:18 PM

Good Morning,

A nice day here.

Been fairly busy lately. Last week I was house/dog sitting for friends. They have 2 keeshonds which are nice dogs. They were breeders who showed dogs too but have now retired from the show aspect. I took the car in for a replacement of a vacuum pump that was leaking oil. The repair cost $350 which is the first repair I have done on the car. Not bad considering it is a 2010 that I've had for 8 years. Mind you it only has 70k miles on it. I  was looking at the new ones in the show room and must say I had a little 'sticker shock' at the price of new ones. There was nothing under 60 grand. 

Ken, sorry to hear about Sparkie. I know how much he means to you. We have had one dog that passed in her sleep. She ate her breakfast and then had a nap from which she didn't wake up. I hope the same for Sparkie. 

I have been running trains a bit lately. I just cleared the tracks so I can put an express on the line. I have to store the passenger cars off layout as there just isn't room. I have 5 express reefers that make a nice train for my Pacific. On a small layout like I have they look good as they are only 50 footers. 

I took in my N scale 2-6-6-2 to sell. Such a loco never ran in Canada and while it looks good it can't pull a decent train up the grade, so I hope it can find a good home. I am now done with my N scale loco cull. All locos are now on the layout except for the 2 D&H PAs. I doubt anyone here would be interested in them. 

Nice info on British railways.  I buy British magazines from time to time and nearly did a British outline N scale layout. 

Well time to get some lunch.

CN Charlie

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Posted by Railroadfan1 on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 10:12 AM

Hi all, Speaking of cogs, did anyone catch the N.W.S.L. update on the N.W.S.L. closing thread? No replies or comments to an important cog in the great circle of model railroading life. Thought you might want to know what Davd replied.

Tags: N.W.S.L.
  • Member since
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  • From: Kentucky
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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 9:30 AM

Howdy ..... 

Ulrich and JR ..... Thanks for your coments regarding my phtos of the Cog Railrway in NH. 

Below are photos of a Maine 2 foot guage train I rode on. It travels a short distance along the waterfront in Portland, ME. A swing bridge was abandoned many years ago The tracks are isolated because they can not connect across a bay. 

The train has a small diesel locomotive and some very old cars. 

 

 

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 8:08 AM

GMTRacing
Ulrich, the videos are great. You seem to have done a lot of research.

Nearly 30 years ago, I lived and worked in London. During that time, I developed an interest in British railways, railway modelling and old British cars, not the RRs and Bentleys, though, more in humble vehicles like the Austin 7, which can still be had for reasonable amounts of money over there.

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

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

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Posted by York1 on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 7:51 AM

Good morning.  No walking outside this morning -- thunder storms!  The college field house is closed, so no walking inside.  Some people walk at Walmart, but I have trouble with that.  I seem to stop a lot to look at things.

Time for bacon, eggs, and coffee.  I guess it's not particularly healthy for me to eat bacon and eggs every single day, but the doctor didn't seem too concerned.  When you reach a certain age ...

Ken, sorry about your dog.  It seems all of us have faced that issue.

My present dog is a deaf black and white long-haired dachshund.  She was taken by the shelter during a meth house raid.  She was in bad shape, not expected to make it, and was going to be put to sleep.  My wife fell in love with her.  It was a lot (a lot!) of money to get her healthy.

Was it worth it?  She is now my closest friend.  When we got her home as a puppy, I noticed she did not respond to my whistle.  We realized she is deaf.  That makes thunder storms, fireworks, and the vacuum cleaner very easy to take.

Not much progress on the layout.  Lots of other things have taken up the time.  Have been at the computer for two straight days, so I'm looking forward to finishing that project.  Sitting at the computer is not my idea of fun.

Hope everyone has a good day.

York1 John       

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  • From: New Milford, Ct
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Posted by GMTRacing on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 6:05 AM

Good Morning All,

   A regular to go please Zoe. Garry, thanks for the pics of Mt. Washington. We were off to the south in the Tamworth area from Thursday to Saturday and the mountain was off in the distance. They also have a hillclimb up the motor road but I've never done it as I haven't had a suitable car - the top half is still gravel and very rough. 

   Not much to report on the layout front as we are scrambling to get ready for Mt. Equinox this weekend and I have things to do on my car. 

   Ken, congrats on 100 days. Sorry to hear of your trials with Sparky. Always tough at the end with a pet. 

   Ulrich, the videos are great. You seem to have done a lot of research. 

   Lots to do so I best get to it. Ciao, J.R. 

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Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 12:57 AM

Good Morning!

Garry - thank you for sharing your wonderful pictures with us. I really like the rather odd looking steam loco, but the Diesel is, say, something else. I am glad they still operate the stem trains up the mountain.

Today´s video of British steam trains is an overview of UK heritage railways.

Enjoy!

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

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

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Tuesday, August 6, 2019 11:45 PM

Dave .... Thanks for commenting ..... I'm glad you like the pictures. 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
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Posted by hon30critter on Tuesday, August 6, 2019 11:38 PM

Heartland Division CB&Q
Now I will show the Cog Railway photos.

Hi Garry,

Thanks for the great photos! I love the crooked and missing ties! What's to worry?!?Smile, Wink & GrinLaughLaugh

I'm not being critical of the railroad. We should all be extremely gratefull to the people who work so hard to maintain these railroading wonders.

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: Kentucky
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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Tuesday, August 6, 2019 11:31 PM

These pictures are taken as we went back down the mountain. .... The passenger car was wider than the little locomotive, and therefore the locomotive was not in view when I leaned out the window. The locomotive is always on the downhill end of the car. Only one car per locomotive. 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Tuesday, August 6, 2019 11:25 PM

Now I will show the Cog Railway photos. The train climbs up Mt. Washington which is the highest location east of the Mississippi River (about 6300 feet above sea level) . The trains have several different color schemes. Our train had a steam locomotive, and the other trains had diesel locomotives. At the base of the mountain, there were trees, and it was sunny and about 70F. At the top of Mt. Washington, we were in clouds with no trees, and it was windy and about 50F. Grades were about 35% in many parts of the trip. 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
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  • From: Kentucky
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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Tuesday, August 6, 2019 11:15 PM

Good evening .... 

Ken .... I can certainly understand your hesitating to put down Sparkie , the Rocket Dog. I base that on many sad memories of having to do that for dogs and cats. I never forget doing that. ... On the other hand, I recall times when we would let a pet suffer until death. I can't forget doing that also. ... The worst memories are when we let the pet suffer until death.

John / York 1 .... Thanks for commenting about the light house photo. It was taken in the evening with the sun setting behind me. 

On the way to the Cog Railway, we saw signs with words of wisdom in New Hampshire. 

 

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by cudaken on Tuesday, August 6, 2019 10:16 PM

 Eveing Diners

 Flo, give the gang and I a Beer please.

 Thank You all for the kind words about Sparkie The Rocket Dog. Wife seems to think he felt a little better today. When I got home from work it was a sleep and it was a deep sleep. It was hard to get him awake so Sue could taken him out.

 When Shaddy our last Irish Wolfhound was close to her end we asked the Vet when should we put her down? He told us "She will let you know when it is time." When she did we knew it was the right thing to do.

 So far Sparkie has not told us it was time.

 Bear I think there are 15 Inspector Colbeck books in the series. Master Marson is a very prolific writter with over 100 books in print. I am now reading the Nicholas Bracewell Mystery series. Set in 1560's and boy some of the Queen English is strange to me. Still good reading and I can cuse the fashion of that era and not get hit in the head with a skillet in the dinner! Big Smile

 Wednesday will be my 100th day with out a cigarette!

 None smoking Ken

I hate Rust

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Tuesday, August 6, 2019 7:09 PM

Well, that's cool.  I just got my next issue of MR, and it has a review of a model I actually have.  It's the Milwaukee GP-20, a chopped nose diesel which was actually a rebuild of an old GP-9.  I got the plain DC version because they were on sale, and put in a basic motor decoder.  This was Number 970.

I looked up a bit of history of the engine, and found the road number of the engine that got rebuilt to create this one.  Since I had an old rubber band Athearn with an already duplicated road number, I painted that number over and decalled on the number of the rebuilt engine.  This engine became a sound dummy, so now I have the old and new road numbers for the same engine running as a consist.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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Posted by York1 on Tuesday, August 6, 2019 6:21 PM

Garry,

 

Heartland Division CB&Q
Meanwhile, I took these photos in York, Maine last week. 

 

Besides being in YORK, your picture of the lighthouse is excellent!  It looks good enough to be on a calendar.

York1 John       

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Posted by howmus on Tuesday, August 6, 2019 4:09 PM

Afternoon folks!

MisterBeasley
Sometimes, we anthropomorphise our pets too much. Yes, they are one of the family. But, only the pet really knows how he suffers. After a long and happy life, we think too much of the pain of losing the animal, and not enough of the discomfort he might be in. If you're prolonging the animal's life, make sure it's for him, and not just to delay the inevitable grieving.

Amen to that!  It is always hard to make that decision... I knew it was coming with my cat Manet, but as soon as I felt he was in real discomfort with his cancer, I took him to the Vet.  She felt he had no more than 2 good weeks left, and by that time I was leaving for Key West.  I decided to get it over with right then!

With the other one, Blackie, got in trouble fast and was in terrible pain.  Had him put down as soon as the Vet could see him....  That one was a blessing.  I hate to see animals struggle in pain when there is no good outcome.  They also don't know what is happening when they go so there is little or no fear for them!

That said.....  It is always a gut wrecthing experience.  I still miss my boys!

73

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

We'll get there sooner or later! 

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Tuesday, August 6, 2019 3:32 PM

cudaken

 Sparkie The Rocket Dog is close to the end. Crying I hope he gets to pass away in his forever home in his sleep. He came from a rescue when he was 10 years old. As long as he will eat and some what walk we want to keep the poor guy with us. He spent about 4 years being passed to 1 rescue to another. I promised him when we got him this was is forever home, and it is.

 

Sometimes, we anthropomorphise our pets too much.  Yes, they are one of the family.  But, only the pet really knows how he suffers.  After a long and happy life, we think too much of the pain of losing the animal, and not enough of the discomfort he might be in.

If you're prolonging the animal's life, make sure it's for him, and not just to delay the inevitable grieving.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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