Welcome to Jeffrey´s Trackside Diner, which is located in New Zealand for this month! With the help of our local friend and fellow forum member "JaBear", we will be touring the two islands and enjoy the rich nature and colorful culture of this wonderful nation, while riding the rails of Kiwi Rail.
Our welcome at Auckland Airport.
Jeffrey´s Trackside Diner 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 not forgotten!
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
Thank You, Ulrich!
New Zealand — Excellent choice
[sorry, the "music" gets a little wacky after 6 min. or so]
Cheers, Ed
I've checked into the Diner a few times, but haven't been a regular. However, an affordable month-long vacation to fair New Zealand? Heck yeah, so you may see me stopping in this month from time to time. Besides, it's spring in NZ and I can drink all the virtual I can sip, especially welcome if Bear stops in to draw a few here and there.
One interesting thing about New Zealand is that they never had any Shays, but did have Heisler and Climax locos. I'm going to recitify that oversight by bringing along my first HOn3 Shay.
My Fn3 one is a bit bulky to pack on a month-long trip, so this newly acquired gem will have to supply my motive power needs on this trip. It was purchased from the estate of a friend, fellow NMRA member, and pioneer narrowgauger, Bob Miller. Then I fixed it up a bit with a decoder, lighting, and some 1 oz+ of weight, helped along by adding 8-wheel pickup.
Here's a pair of HOn3 cars Bob built.
Bob seemed to have some interest in overseas railways and one can perhaps see some of that influence in what he chose to build to run on his Loon Lake Line. He also dabbled in TT, like this one. IIRC, it's the only LLL-lettered car.
Although Bob wasn't a member of the Forums that I'm aware of, he was a dedicated fan of MR. He left our NMRA division an all but complete run of MR and had nearly every special edition, GMRRs, etc over the years, a great addition to our library, along with 6 Timesaver modules in multiple scales/gauges, etc, etc. I hope it was OK to memorialize Bob here after the inspirational opening post this month (and I suppose every month?)
Somehow through the magic of virtual model railroading, this Shay has adjustable gauge trucks for our travels this month.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Ulrich,
Thank you.
herrinchoker
Ulrich, thanks for the splendid welcome at the airport. Last time I was there I arrived at 0330hrs and it was a very quiet place at that hour.
Someone sent me these two photos and asked me about the differences between the two other than one is B&W. I spy?
Time to hit the hay.
Nighty night.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Hi Ulrich!
Thanks for opening the diner and taking us to New Zealand! Such an exotic place!
My brother in law and his wife have visited New Zealand several times. Her daughter lived there for about three years and loved every minute of it. Whenever they come to the house they always bring New Zealand wine. I'm not complaining!
Dianne's sister-in-law was married to a New Zealander. He was an incredible gentleman and a pleasure to be with, just like I imagine Jabear would be.
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
BATMANSomeone sent me these two photos and asked me about the differences between the two other than one is B&W. I spy?
The B&W photo must have been taken a coupke of seconds later.
BATMANI spy?
I spy that the train is about 20 feet farther forward? Maybe?
Although it seems the slack has run-in as the upper portion is about forty feet forward.
Maybe I'm all wet. I'll have a beer anyway
I have to confess that I really missed the forums when they were off line, but there was a positive side in that I got some work done that I had been procrastinating on.
I do believe that everything is working faster now, so the improvement was well worth the wait.
Thank you MR for providing us with this wonderful opportunity to share our thoughts and our knowledge, and to ask a miriad of questions as I have done. My club's new layout has benefitted enormously from the advice that I have received from the forums!
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
It´s a little late for lunch, but who caresn- I am going to try one of Steven´s pizza bagels!
New Zealand has been all the way up on my list of dream destinations I wanted to see in my life, but I know now that I will never make it. The country´s beauty is unsurpassed and the people who live there are truly blessed!
To capture the beauty, join me in a 25min drone flight.
And what would be a trip to New Zealand without taking a look at probably the cutest bird of the world - the Kiwi?
Enjoy!
New Zealand, interesting choice! Let's ease into NZ cuisine gently, for our less culinarily adventurous Diner patrons. Today's lunch special is a Kiwi Burger, which is a burger however you like it, but also topped with a fried egg and a slice of beetroot. And of course a side of chips. Enjoy!
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
Steven OtteLet's ease into NZ cuisine gently, for our less culinarily adventurous Diner patrons. Today's lunch special is a Kiwi Burger, which is a burger however you like it, but also topped with a fried egg and a slice of beetroot.
Tell the waitress I would like the cook to substitute several slices of bacon for the beetroot. And please add a Bloody Mary (or three) to my order.
Good morning, everyone. I guess the forum was down this weekend for travel time to NZ.
NZ is another place I have always wanted to visit. At my age, I am realizing that I probably will never visit in person, so I will have to settle for videos. (Unless one of my grandkids moves there.)
Raining here today, so I could not take my morning two mile walk.
On a rainy day, the layout can get more attention. I began paving some roads yesterday past the hotel and the UP train station. I will probably try to put some street markings and stripes on today.
Have a good first of September, everyone!
York1 John
Steven Otte
My mouth's watering Steve-O. I would love to tackle that cattle bomb for breakfast Not on the list of things I'm supposed to be eating lately...... oh well, I'll take one! Thanks.
Thanks for starting out the Diner in New Zealand Ulrich. From the pictures the Bear has posted in the past, quite the beautiful Country to say the least
A few strands of the flu going around in my neck of the woods here. I feel bad for the gentleman I was supposed to work for today. He doesn't want me in his house and I don't want to be in there either.
It looks like I have the day off today
TF
John..... October
Howdy ..... I see the MR Forum is up and running again. .. Thankfully... Apparently, we are world travelers in the Diner. Spain in September and New Zealand in October.
Ulrich .... Thanks for starting the month and for posting videos.
Brent, Ed, and Bear ...... Thanks to you also for the phoos you posted.
Mike L ..... Good to see you. I always like your layout photos.
Steve O ..... Thanks for the burger. Looks like a huge one.
Not much to report on the layout although I will have a football special running in October.
Friday, we attended the annual Paducah riverfront BBQ which basically is a festival.
Over the weekend, we spent time on the lake in our pontoon boat. Here is a photo of Sunday afternoon as we went under the new bridge near our house.
Yesterday, we went to Nashville to visit family. I saw this Nashville & Eastern train.
Everybody: .... Have a good Tuesday.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
York1Have a good first of September, everyone!
You are a little late for that, but just a little
Tinplate ToddlerYou are a little late for that, but just a little
!!!!!
Now you know why my wife gets frustrated with me -- I'm living in the past!
York1 Tinplate Toddler You are a little late for that, but just a little !!!!! Now you know why my wife gets frustrated with me -- I'm living in the past!
Tinplate Toddler
I do, too, but make thatnnot a month, but a little over a century, when steam was king and we still had the Kaiser!
Good morning from a sunny West Coast where it is 14c.
I'M RICH.....I'M RICH!.....I'M RICH!
Just look at the difference in consumption in my gas bill for September with both kids away at University. It was all those hot showers where they stay in there until they drain the tank. It would have been even lower if it weren't for all the puppy laundry. How to spend my new found wealth!?
I was really looking forward to my drive to Calgary at the end of the week and now the person is coming here instead. She is a doggie friend of the wife and she has a beautiful home on the ocean in Victoria. She wants out of the snowy weather in Alberta so she is headed West. We have stayed at her huge estate South of Calgary and at her waterfront home in Victoria. She also has a villa in the French countryside and a home outside of Zurich. We see her often and the wife has known her for a long time, but we have never seen her husband ever. He apparently is a bigwig in the oil biz.
Well took my BP as it is bike day. It was 114/67HR55 so I am good to go as soon as I finish my coffee.
The wife is at Costco so I need to be finished by the time she gets home so I can help her unload. It is also dogfood day. We get about 2000 pounds delivered and all the wife's friends come and get their bags and tins. She gets it wholesale and they save about $60.00 a bag. The husbands tend to come along as well and it is generally a good time. She will also be handing out some of the goodies she won at the auction I'm sure and that will translate into bottles of wine for me.
To the bikemobile!
Hey all. That burger looks amazing .
Not much in this part of the world, although i ran my first revenue move on my layout in the yard Saturday night. Its temporary dc wiring, but its enough to make me happy atm. Saving a bit from each paycheck to buy a powerpro or the learner set.
(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).
BATMANJust look at the difference in consumption in my gas bill for September with both kids away
.
When my last daughter moved out, my electric bill and water bill were both cut in half.
I do not have a gas/heating bill.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Ride done! New record for me by six seconds for 22km. Came ripping to the end with Gypsy playing, that made me motor. Nothin like a tune you really like to get you movin.
SeeYou190 BATMAN Just look at the difference in consumption in my gas bill for September with both kids away . When my last daughter moved out, my electric bill and water bill were both cut in half. . I do not have a gas/heating bill. . -Kevin .
BATMAN Just look at the difference in consumption in my gas bill for September with both kids away
We turn the furnace off May through September so the gas bill is only for hot water. The balmy West Coast.
Evenin' Folks!
So... We Down Under in New Zealand, I see! That sounds good, I do like Spring! Of course I also like Fall here in the Finger Lakes. We have 4 seasons here. Most locals call them "Almost Winter, Winter, Still Winter, and Road Construction...."
Heating bills??? My August bill (haven't got my September bill yet) was, including both Gas and Electric, $19.54. Yep $19.54! Yep, I ran the air conditioner most all month! OK, OK.... There was an overcharge for the months of April, May, & August that they deducted from the bill... LOL Otherwise it would have been $67.02. Still not bad. Much of my electric does come from the solar panels on my roof. Oh, and they have already paid for themselves over the past 7 years. They will be saving me $$$ just as long as I live here, and if I should move and sell the house, I should get quite a bit back for having them up there.
Been way too busy to post here for the last few weeks, but hope things slow down a bit. I do lurk in the back booth and see what kind of trouble folks are getting themselves into.
I am now putting in 29 laps of the track at the fieldhouse three days a week. 19 of those laps are now riunning.... Total running is now up to 3.6 miles each time.
3
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
howmusI am now putting in 29 laps of the track at the fieldhouse three days a week. 19 of those laps are now riunning.... Total running is now up to 3.6 miles each time.
Ray, having followed you from the time you started your quest for fitness I am happy beyond words for you.
Do you get that high when you are finished your run?
I feel on top of the world on workout days.
I don't run anymore, it would tear up the last of my knee I have left. I'm glad to hear some still can though.
I used to be a heck of a downhill skier and hockey player, I don't dare do that anymore either.
My buddy Erv got wind that I had the day off today after Judy called him for mechanic advice for her friend that was having car trouble.
I met him down at a new music store he found in Savage and walked out of the store with this.
It's no Rickenbacker that was stolen from me 35 years ago when I last played bass. I don't think I have another 35 years to wait to replace it though
Erv has five to six guitars on stands in his garage at any given time I go down there to watch football.
Now I'll have something to do after the football game. I never was quite coordinated enough for the six string but I could always handle four.
I've been thinking about talking to Erv about getting an N scale switching yard for his garage going. That would just add to the fun down there.
BATMANDo you get that high when you are finished your run?
Yep!!! Thanks! There were times when I first ran three laps without stopping (Usually do two or three triples while I am there now), I felt like raising my fists in VICTORY! There are a few regulars there that even though they are faster than me pass me and give me a thumbs up. One of them is a 6'4" retired instrumental music teacher, 4 years older than me, who now runs mini marathons! Last week he was in the final stages of training for one and ran 30 laps without stopping...
I would have no problem doing 4 laps without walking I think. Will be doing that in a month or so. I am working up to running a 5k in the Spring (hopefully).
I had a NMRA Division Meet last weekend in Rochester, NY. That got over at 2PM. Met the lady I have been dating at the Bowling alley at 3PM. We got two hours of time and an alley. When the time ran out we were each two frames away from bowling 5 games! I was nice and let her beat me 4 of the games..... LOL (If you believe that I have a bridge I want to sell you...) She is good! She is two years older than I and much more fit! We then headed to a local restaurant for prime rib dinners! I will confess to having some muscles talking to me for a few days......
Nice set of Axes, TF!
Guitars are a staple in my trainroom, so trains should be a staple in Erv's.
Brent, I LOVE that 12 string. I've got one of my own remind me to post a family photo of my equipment-guitars bass and amps
Lunchtime!
I think I´ll have a Kiwiburger with all the works, please!
JaBear - thanks for the video, which includes a few nice shots of your namesake engine! Here is some more of NZR steam!
I do like the "colonial" look of NZ trains! Too bad, that Ironhorse Hobbies does not market the nice Sn3 1/2 steam engine kits anylonger!