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Jeffrey´s Track Side Diner - December, 2019 - Christmas in Vermont/Maine Locked

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  • Member since
    April 2018
  • From: 53° 33′ N, 10° 0′ E
  • 2,508 posts
Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Sunday, December 15, 2019 8:50 AM

Good Afternoon!

It´s getting dark in my neck of the woods - time to capture some Christmas spirit by lighting up our mini Christmas tree!

I have not been posting much lately, as there is not much to report. Life just goes on without any high - but also not any "low"-lights. I guess I should be thankful for that. Right at the moment, there is nothing I can do to facilitate our move to Denmark. As things develop here, I have growing doubts that we will ever make it.  It´s a dream to cling to, food for the soul in times of need.

 Edit: No room for a layout? Watch this!

The layout footprint is the same as am A4 sheet of paper!

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

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

  • Member since
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  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Sunday, December 15, 2019 7:21 AM

Good morning.

.

We had a torrential rain storm yesterday, purely something we only expect in the Summer months.

.

Today is supposed to be beautiful, and I intend to enjoy it as much as possible.

.

I hope everyone is content and safe on this Sunday.

.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
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Posted by "JaBear" on Sunday, December 15, 2019 4:43 AM
Gidday John,White Island, the unfortunately extra active volcano is thirty miles out to sea, in total 60 miles away, as the crow flies, so while it is terrible for those who have lost loved ones, there are no physical problems for us.
 
A large geothermal mud pool 3 miles down the road.
Sulphur Point by Bear, on Flickr
 
Mr TF. You are right, it is summer for us, the average high temperature for the last 30 days, being 73° F.
Here’s a world map to help you with your geography.Smile, Wink & Grin
 
world-map-upside-down-new by Bear, on Flickr
 

“Anybody who believes that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach flunked geography.”.-Robert Byrne

Cheers, the Bear.Smile

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

  • Member since
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  • From: Bradford, Ontario
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Posted by hon30critter on Saturday, December 14, 2019 11:14 PM

Track fiddler
I love George Carlin!  

When I was still living at home, a friend of mine and I were playing George Carlin's ".....Dirty Words" track on my stereo in my bedroom. Since my parents didn't have a music system at the time I had hooked up a couple of speakers in the living room too. What I failed to realize was that I had the living room speakers turned on when I was playing the George Carlin record. My mother was not impressed!!!LaughLaughLaugh

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: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Saturday, December 14, 2019 10:10 PM

BigDaddy
I thought this was a Twilight Zone show with David Jannsen, but it was a movie with Dennis Weaver.

.

Duel was a made-for-TV movie. It was also Steven Speilberg's first movie he directed.

.

It is a pretty good film. The final crash scene is spectacular to watch.

.

The idea was recently remade as a movie called Driver From Hell, which is OK, but the "Bad Guy" truck is no where near as menacing looking.

.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

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    March 2017
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Posted by Track fiddler on Saturday, December 14, 2019 9:31 PM

I'll say it again Bear   

I love George Carlin,..... he says it like it is.

How's it going over there in New Zealand.  I'm not very good in geography.  I seem to remember you are in the opposite season. 

Share a little summer with usYes

 

 

TF

 

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • From: Flyover Country
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Posted by York1 on Saturday, December 14, 2019 9:15 PM

BigDaddy
I thought this was a Twilight Zone show with David Jannsen, but it was a movie with Dennis Weaver.  

 

I first read that story in a magazine in college, then later saw this movie on a late-night movie channel.  Pretty neat movie.

York1 John       

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
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Posted by BigDaddy on Saturday, December 14, 2019 9:11 PM

I thought this was a Twilight Zone show with David Jannsen, but it was a movie with Dennis Weaver.  

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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Posted by Track fiddler on Saturday, December 14, 2019 8:59 PM

 
 
“Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?” - George Carlin.

Cheers, the Bear.Smile

 

 

Yes

 

He's right..... I love George Carlin!  

He sees it like it is.

 

 

TF

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • From: Flyover Country
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Posted by York1 on Saturday, December 14, 2019 8:56 PM

Bear,

I know NZ is a large country north to south, and I don't know where you live.  Are you anywhere near the volcano that's been in the news?

York1 John       

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
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Posted by "JaBear" on Saturday, December 14, 2019 8:48 PM

hon30critter
When we were coming back into Bradford on Thursday there was a dude doing 65 kph in an 80 on a four lane highway in the fast lane. Of course, there had to be another dude doing 65 kph in the slow lane right beside him

About 40 years ago I spent some time in Sydney, Oz, driving a taxi, and early one Saturday morning was travelling on the Western Motorway, taking a bank IT staffer home, when I came up behind two cars side by side taking up both lanes, and travelling about 40 m.p.h. The motorway speed limit was 60 m.p.h.
 
I gave them several honks on the horn to indicate I’d like to go through, and for my troubles got a few empty bottles hurled at me. So, apologising to my passenger, I settled about 100 yards behind them.
 
I noticed lights in my rear vision mirror which turned out to be a double trailer road train. “He” also tried to get passed and was also meet with several thrown bottles, where upon the road train slowed right down, and ended up some distance behind me again.
 
Deciding that discretion was the better part of valour, I also dropped further back which was just as well because as the road train passed me at speed, he turned on ALL his spot lights and hauled down on the airhorn. At the last instant the morons driving the two cars realised that the road train driver was not bluffing and disappeared off both shoulders of the motorway in clouds of dust.
 
My passenger and I both had a good laugh and giving the road train driver a honk of appreciation, continued on our way.
 
“Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?” - George Carlin.

Thoughts and Best Wishes to All that need them,

Cheers, the Bear.Smile

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

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
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Posted by mbinsewi on Saturday, December 14, 2019 8:44 PM

gmpullman
Bad — deadly — drivers:

I live about 40 miles, to the SW. of downtown Milwaukee, WI., in the early am, we have  the radio in the kitchen set to a favorite Milw. AM radio station (WTMJ 620), and we always here about random speeding drivers blowing red lights, hitting inocent people, and, most of the time, crashing into something, like a house, a business, a bus shelter, or another car.

It's crazy!.

Last week, the wife went into the "inner city" for a client, and was aggressively approached by people on the street, to the point of trying to open a car door at stop lights.

She keeps everything locked when in Milwaukee.

Mike.

  • Member since
    March 2017
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Posted by Track fiddler on Saturday, December 14, 2019 8:30 PM

It's early but I'm hitting the rack.

 

Wishing everyone a great evening and a good Sunday tomorrow.

 

 

 

TF

  • Member since
    March 2017
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Posted by Track fiddler on Saturday, December 14, 2019 7:48 PM

That sucks Ed I've seen that kind of thing too.  It isn't just you, that happens when the site is flooded.  No one can get on then.

Well I'm watching Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer with Judy.

I'm never too old to watch that one.

The Abominable Snowman is kind of scary but I remember he's a bumble and he bouncesLaugh

 

That was a good one and now Frosty the Snowman with narrator Jimmy DuranteYes

 

 

 

TF

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Saturday, December 14, 2019 7:40 PM

 

Bad — deadly — drivers:

For some reason, which even has the experts baffeled, there has been a spate of wrong-way drivers on the freeways of NE Ohio, lately. Disregarding "DO Not Enter" and WRONG WAY signs.

One event even had a driver make a hairpin turn at the top of the entrance ramp, hit the side of a passing bus then continue in the wrong direction for several miles.

Passing stopped school buses is another particularly nasty trend here lately. I've witnessed it a few times. Quite disturbing.

MR site keeps kicking me off...

Took forever to get this posted. "Page is unresponsive" message keeps popping up.

Later, Ed

 

  • Member since
    March 2017
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Posted by Track fiddler on Saturday, December 14, 2019 7:11 PM

I love this picture.

If my living room was big enough, I would surely keep her there.

Steam Locomotives back in the Western Days. 

A work of art in their time, don't you agree.

They went away and were never made again.

 

The best way I can describe her in one word is Class!

 

 

 

TF

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Maryville IL
  • 9,577 posts
Posted by cudaken on Saturday, December 14, 2019 5:45 PM

 Eveing Diners

 Flo, give the gang and I a Beer please and Dirk half of a dog treat.

 Took Dirk to Pet's Mart and he was a real Rail Spike. Maybe it was because my wife was with us? He is very calm with me a lone when other dogs are around.

 Walked a tad over a half mile today with Dirk. I know that is not much, but baby steps.

 Later Ken

I hate Rust

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  • From: Flyover Country
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Posted by York1 on Saturday, December 14, 2019 5:43 PM

ROBERT PETRICK
One of my favorite pet peeves is when traffic is heavy but moving along and you see some macho airhole three or four cars ahead weaving in and out and agressively changing lanes and tailgating and honking and trying to sharp-elbow his way through traffic because, you know, he's macho.

 

About 20 years ago, west of St. Louis on I-70, a girl in a hot car came weaving in and out, passing everyone on the left and the right, giving everyone she passed the look of "get out of my way".

About 10 minutes later, we all passed her, standing beside her car with the most angry look you'll ever see, and the Missouri state patrolman sitting behind her with his lights flashing.

It made my and about 150 other drivers' day.

 

York1 John       

  • Member since
    February 2008
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Posted by maxman on Saturday, December 14, 2019 4:53 PM

ROBERT PETRICK
Can I (mis)quote Mickey Mantle? "If I knew I was gonna live this long, I would've taken better care of myself." Robert

I wonder who said this first.

  • Member since
    January 2014
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Posted by ROBERT PETRICK on Saturday, December 14, 2019 4:23 PM

gmpullman
York1
At one time I thought anyone my age now was over the hill.  Now it doesn't seem so old.

We're not quite over the hill — but the view sure is breath-taking!

Enjoy the day, folks!

 BAR_MarsHill by Edmund, on Flickr

Cheers, Ed

Can I (mis)quote Mickey Mantle?

"If I knew I was gonna live this long, I would've taken better care of myself."

Robert 

LINK to SNSR Blog


  • Member since
    January 2014
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Posted by ROBERT PETRICK on Saturday, December 14, 2019 4:13 PM

York1

My biggest driving pet peeves are the people on their phones who pass me, then slow down while they talk or text, then pass me again, then slow down ...  On the way to Dallas last week, the same car passed me and I passed them several times in about a ten mile stretch, while they obliviously talked to someone important.  Why can't they put their stupid car on cruise control?

One of my favorite pet peeves is when traffic is heavy but moving along and you see some macho airhole three or four cars ahead weaving in and out and agressively changing lanes and tailgating and honking and trying to sharp-elbow his way through traffic because, you know, he's macho. Then when you get to the next intersection, you look in the mirror and he's three or four cars behind. Compensating.

Robert

LINK to SNSR Blog


  • Member since
    March 2017
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Posted by Track fiddler on Saturday, December 14, 2019 4:04 PM

York1

 

My biggest driving pet peeves are the people on their phones who pass me, then slow down while they talk or text, then pass me again, then slow down ...  On the way to Dallas last week, the same car passed me and I passed them several times in about a ten mile stretch, while they obliviously talked to someone important.  Why can't they put their stupid car on cruise control?

 

 

Yep,   I call that one the cat and the mouse game. 

Some of these drivers are not good enough drivers as it is, let alone multitasking playing with their phones.  Common courtesy is something they never learned.  It was probably that kid that butted in front of you in the lunch line back in school.

The one that gets me the most and really irritates me is my biggest pet peeve.

 

When you're driving down a country highway in the middle of nowhere and your barely sharing the road with anyone. 

Someone comes up behind you and passes.  That is just fine they want to go faster.  It is only you and the other car on the whole highway and there is Miles and Miles of empty Lanes.  They put their turn signal on and turn into the right lane in front of you only a car length or so away. 

In that circumstance, they might as well take my bumper off and take it with them.  Here again I wish I had my BB gun in the grillWhistling  just kidding.

The rule is when you can see the car in your rearview mirror  you change lanes and complete your pass.  I don't think these people don't know the rules and would fail a written driving exam.  They just don't care.

Again, common courtesy was left back in the fifties and there is no respect anymore.  The people that still have respect and common courtesy, I truly appreciate.

I think some people purposely go out of their way on the road to do things on the opposite side of the coin for lack of respect.

 

On a happy note,  I'm still having a beautiful relaxing Saturday and I hope you guys are too.

 

 

TF

 

 

  • Member since
    March 2017
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Posted by Track fiddler on Saturday, December 14, 2019 2:01 PM

gmpullman

 

We're not quite over the hill — but the view sure is breath-taking!

 

Cheers, Ed

 

 

LaughLaughLaugh 

 

Good one Ed, I busted a gut...... so far, you get the humor of the day award.

 

 

TF

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
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Posted by gmpullman on Saturday, December 14, 2019 1:49 PM

York1
At one time I thought anyone my age now was over the hill.  Now it doesn't seem so old.

We're not quite over the hill — but the view sure is breath-taking!

Enjoy the day, folks!

 BAR_MarsHill by Edmund, on Flickr

Cheers, Ed

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • From: Flyover Country
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Posted by York1 on Saturday, December 14, 2019 12:52 PM

Good afternoon, everyone.  It's cold with a chance of snow today.  It's not even Christmas yet, and I'm ready for spring.

 

GMTRacing
I didn't feel up to walking for a whole day around a massive car parts show with a bad knee.

Hope you get some relief.  My wife had both knees replaced about five years ago and has walked pain-free ever since.

 

Track fiddler
I caught the tail end of it.  My foot was like a machine gun on the brakes on the glare ice. I slid a little sideways back and forth and managed to steer out of the slide twice.  I stopped two foot shy of a gas tankers bumper,

TF, your driving on ice is a scary story.  How many people have been killed when they were able to stop safely, but then got smashed into by someone behind them.

I love my Ford Expedition, but I also know that 4WD does nothing to help stop a car, and heavier vehicles need more stopping distance.  I think some people think they are invincible in their 4WD.

 

My biggest driving pet peeves are the people on their phones who pass me, then slow down while they talk or text, then pass me again, then slow down ...  On the way to Dallas last week, the same car passed me and I passed them several times in about a ten mile stretch, while they obliviously talked to someone important.  Why can't they put their stupid car on cruise control?

Hope everyone has a great weekend.  Thanks for all the birthday well-wishes.  At one time I thought anyone my age now was over the hill.  Now it doesn't seem so old.

York1 John       

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    March 2017
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Posted by Track fiddler on Saturday, December 14, 2019 11:29 AM

I'm sorry to hear about JR's knee problems too.  I can surely relate to that problem.  Since my 5th knee surgery about 3 years ago, my knee has been performing pretty well considering.  I've been familiar with knee pain for so many years my mind blocks it out when it's not too bad.

I have to say when the weather changes abruptly or the humidity or barometer swings, that's when I feel the pain and it sucks.  I'm like a walking weatherman.  I can tell you when something's coming.

 

Man it's great to have a Saturday off for once!  I didn't have to get up and go anywhere today.  It felt good to just relax and enjoy my coffee this morning.  I think I might get some ambition pretty soon and start building some bents for my trestle.

I hope you're all having as good of a Saturday as wellYes

 

 

TF

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
  • 10,660 posts
Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Saturday, December 14, 2019 10:22 AM

Good morning . 

JR ... Sorry to hear you have knee problems. 

Dave .... That is a funny solution to the slow drivers problem. 

Everybody ..... Have a nice Saturday. 

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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  • From: New Milford, Ct
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Posted by GMTRacing on Saturday, December 14, 2019 8:10 AM

Good Morning All,

    Wow, slow morning in the diner. I'll have a regular and a waffle with blueberries and a bit of whipped cream please Chloe.

   Just another day in the shop. I cancelled my trip to PRI show at Indy as I didn't feel up to walking for a whole day around a massive car parts show with a bad knee. Did finally make an appointment with the orthopedic folks though. Mostly got through the application for Social Security though I sort of share Merle Haggards opinion of it. 

   Been studying the best way to align my lift out track. In the past I've used swing gates with some moderate sucess but over time they become problematic. The edge of the isle is probably not the best place to have a high probability of a train going to ground.  I think the only secure way to do it is to solder the rails to a circuit board and use pins to align two pieces of circuit board laid one on the other. That way the tracks will stay in gauge and alignment and the reletive heights can be set. If it works I will post some pictures. 

   Time to get back in the shop. Todays' target is a 1968 LeGrand Formula 5000 we're checking over for next season.     Ciao, J.R.

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Posted by Track fiddler on Friday, December 13, 2019 11:49 PM

It's slightly past 11:30  I'm hitting the rack.

 

Have a great night Kids.

 

 

 

TF 

  • Member since
    March 2017
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Posted by Track fiddler on Friday, December 13, 2019 9:10 PM

My Bro.  He's the best.  I'm so glad he is a part of my life again.  I dearly missed him.

I always loved that Kid.

 

 

TF

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