Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Welcome to Jeffrey's Trackside Diner for January 2020: New York, N.Y. Locked

22262 views
865 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 6:47 PM

In the states, with Medicare, we need or should have Medicare D which is the pharmacy plan.  The Medicare website showed me my options and I picked a cheaper plan.  On Jan 2 I messaged my doctor, on her website, I needed totally new prescriptions to a new plan.  I was crystal clear in my message.  Last Tuesday, nothing was showing on the Wellcare site, so I called the office and spoke to someone who had knew there was a message, but totally missed that I needed new prescription.

A couple days later, still nothing on the Wellcare site, but the Wellcare site looked nothing like my old Humana site, so I online chat with a representative.  We go round and round.  There is no place to see my prescriptions and she tells me I don't have any.  Fine but where do I click on that?  Sir you don't have any prescriptions.  But where do I click on that?  Eventually I was typing in ALL CAPS.  I discovered I have to register for an online account at Caremark.  Caremark is a couple days behind my doctors office.

Eventually my prescriptions are shown as "processing"  I am surprised that the cost is $0.00, but it shows that for 3 days.  Then I get an email 'your prescriptions are on hold"  I click the link and log into Caremark and am met by the spinning blue circle.  Eventurally I just log into the site.  4 out of 5 drugs are lumped together.  The loner needs some sort of information from my doctor and supposedly they can't contact my doctor.

One of the other 4 is also showing "Hold Placed" $530. Yes it is what they call a tier 4 drug and it is that much.  I click on the button that says remove hold but nothing happens.  Finally I stumble on a button that asks me to enter a payment methond, which I do and it accepts.  But it doesn't make the payment.  Instead, I see a link to check order status, which just logs me out of the site.  Log back in, check order, find I have to approve payment. 

Still the order status says HOLD.  I have to click on Remove Hold, to find out that the payment has been accepted. 

The first message I see when I log on, even today is:

"Order your mail service prescriptions by Sunday, December 15, 2019

I think they use the same IT as Kalmbach

MSNBC has the Dakar Rally, a race through the Saudi desert, by motorcycles, 4 wheelers, trucks that look like a cross between an oil truck and a Coke delivery truck and side by sides, a 2 man dune buggy affair.  The scenery is spectacular, wrecks and mechanical breakdowns are common.  One motorcyclist has died.  Another finished the stage riding on a bare rear rim.

Scenery is spectacular.

 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 5:54 PM

Ulrich People are no darn good.  Your brother fits the bill.

 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 5:19 PM

Ed!

Truly excellent modelling!

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
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 5:17 PM

Ulrich,

How anyone can stoop as low as your brother just has is beyond my comprehension. I can't imagine how betrayed you must feel. I hope you are able to cope with this without suffering too much stress, but I suspect that is easier said than done.

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
    April 2018
  • From: 53° 33′ N, 10° 0′ E
  • 2,508 posts
Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 4:53 PM

Thanks, folks, for your comforting words. They mean very much to me! It´s good to know that there are friends out there, reaching out.

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

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

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
  • 9,352 posts
Posted by BATMAN on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 4:45 PM

Ed, the dexterity and steady hands you must have to get them into that tiny galley and prepare those meals! It's amazing!

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 4:35 PM

dti406
You obviously have never been to Steele's in Fort Collins, CO.

.

Rick, Obviously, I have not. That place sounds amazing. When I go to Colorado in a couple of years, please remind me.

.

When I say Publix is the best, I am comparing it to other major mutistate grocery stores. There are lots of local deli's that make better sandwiches, and I am sure there are fantastic examples of better grocers sprinkled all around.

.

In Cape Coral, the best subs are from Englund's Deli, and the best meats are from Paizano's.

.

All this talk of grocery stores is making me so hungry.

.

My wife just got back with the Publix Subs for dinner, but I have to wait until my daughter gets here, from Seattle.

.

.

#pubsubs

.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 3:14 PM

BATMAN
Ed, those cars look amazing, nice job. How do they run?

Smooth as silk, Brent. In fact for most of the run it was my CP Hudson providing the locomotion. A PRR B50b baggage car, Six coaches, two parlor cars two diners up a 2% grade. SmileYes

Thanks for the compliments, everyone.

My condolences to you again, Ulrich. Where is the human compassion. Sometimes family members treat eachother worse than strangers ever would.

Angel

     Regards, Ed

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • From: Flyover Country
  • 5,557 posts
Posted by York1 on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 2:56 PM

Tinplate Toddler
I have just received an email from my brother, that my mom´s funeral was today. Although I had asked him to provide me with the date, so I could attend the service and say good bye to her, he deemed it unnecessary to fulfill my wish.

 

That's one of the lowest things I've heard in a family.

I hope you can write this off and move forward.

York1 John       

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
  • 9,352 posts
Posted by BATMAN on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 2:54 PM

Tinplate Toddler
Forum rules prevent me from publishing what I think he is and where I wish him to go to.

I am sorry to hear that Ulrich and from 10,000 miles away I can feel how you are feeling.SighSad

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Northfield Center TWP, OH
  • 2,538 posts
Posted by dti406 on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 2:06 PM

SeeYou190

You guys can talk about Supermarkets all you want...

.

But really, it is over... Publix, a Florida original, is the BEST supermarket in the USA. I can say that now, because I have now been in supermarkets all over the USA.

.

#pubsubs

.

-Kevin

.

 

You obviously have never been to Steele's in Fort Collins, CO. There are no pre-packaged meats you take a number and wait, but on Saturday they have 30 butchers to serve you so there is not much of a wait. The same thing in the bakery. They also have ten registers with three people assigned to each, one checkout, one bagger and one to take it out to your car.  No scanners the price is marked on each item so you don't have to wait for a price check. Talked to management and they said their checkouts were faster and more accurate than scanners. And their prices were better than the name brand stores.

Rick Jesionowski 

Rule 1: This is my railroad.

Rule 2: I make the rules.

Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!

  • Member since
    April 2018
  • From: 53° 33′ N, 10° 0′ E
  • 2,508 posts
Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 1:43 PM

Good Evening!

I have just received an email from my brother, that my mom´s funeral was today. Although I had asked him to provide me with the date, so I could attend the service and say good bye to her, he deemed it unnecessary to fulfill my wish.

Forum rules prevent me from publishing what I think he is and where I wish him to go to.

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

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

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 1:20 PM

Steven Otte
lived in Florida for many years, during which I've shopped at Publix and eaten my fair share of Publix subs. One claim Publix cannot make, though, is being inexpensive.

.

Oh heavens no. Publix proves that if you give superior service and a cleaner environment, the public will pay a little more.

.

My daughter is flying in tonight from Seattle. We are going to get her a sub from Publix and have it waiting for her when she arrives. She is so excited.

.

#pubsubs rule

.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
  • 9,352 posts
Posted by BATMAN on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 1:16 PM

Ed, those cars look amazing, nice job. How do they run?

Bike ride done, 24km in 54 minutes which is a decent time. Felt like crap before getting on and it took a lot of will power to do it, however, the days I usually feel the worst before I start are the days I have a good ride. Must be adrenalin.

Cup of coffee, shower and hit the road.

We tend to shop at the veggie store and butcher, nothin wrong with bacon minus the chemical treatment. Our grocery stores have the fresh meat/butcher counter as well as fresh veggies, however, the products come from further afield like California whereas the small shops grow their own locally.

I eat a lot of meat, eggs, fruits and veggies and avoid sugar/carbs for the most part. Sugar/carbs cause real inflammation and mean a lot of anti-inflammatory meds which are not good at all. I really paid the pain price through Christmas with all the goodies making the rounds. If any of you suffer Arthritis or gut inflammation try dumping sugar/carbs and you will know in 5 days or so if it helps. I will go from very active to almost bedridden when I start eating sugars. That includes high sugar fruit like Bananas, go online and find out what fruits are low in sugar. Inflammation is pain.

Image may contain: train, plant and outdoor

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • From: Flyover Country
  • 5,557 posts
Posted by York1 on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 12:06 PM

Ed, great work on the dining cars!

York1 John       

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 11:36 AM

SeeYou190

You guys can talk about Supermarkets all you want...

But really, it is over... Publix, a Florida original, is the BEST supermarket in the USA. I can say that now, because I have now been in supermarkets all over the USA.

-Kevin

You should try Market Basket in Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire.  Better meat than I can find anywhere, fresh vegetables and ocean fresh fish every day.  Lobster is sometimes as cheap as $4 a pound.

No unions and also no self-checkout machines.  The hire mostly locals, kids when they can, and always have lots of open registers.

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

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
  • 9,352 posts
Posted by BATMAN on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 11:10 AM

Good morning it is a sunny -9c today.

I went out and plugged in the truck, that big 7.3ltr diesel starts way easier in the cold when it has been plugged in, plus the heater blows warm as soon as you get in.

Our road and giant culdesac have flooded and frozen as a result of a frozen-over storm drain. So my neighbour in his $150,000.00 BMW SUV comes out and is getting nowhere fast. I wandered out and told him to turn off his traction control and away he went. I hope he turned it back on, once out on the main road. Wonderful thing traction control, but sometimes you have to turn it off.

When I worked at the airport we use to shovel snow into the back of our trucks to add weight for better traction. So when we have had a big dump I will open up the back of the truck and do the same here. The neighbours wonder what I am doing until I get in the truck and plough through the drifts with no problems. The best thing about throwing hundreds of pounds of snow into the back of the truck is it melts and removes itself.Laugh I had the limited-slip differentials option put in the front and rear of the truck and it goes really well in the snow and off-road where it really has been tested. The new traction control is a much-improved design over my old truck for about 80% of conditions and will be nice to have if/when I get a new truck. Chevy Tahoe is coming out with a diesel model so we may get one of those if we get another trailer.

Well, time to hop on the bike for an hour and then chauffer the wife around as she has some important stuff to do that can't wait and being the highway Ice Capades this week I would feel better with me driving her.

I was hoping to work on the Hudson today but it is not likely to happen.

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."

  • Member since
    December 2019
  • From: San Juan Capistrano, CA
  • 123 posts
Posted by CapnCrunch on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 10:41 AM

Dave  Yes, birding is one of my many other hobbies that are now going to have to vie for attention with model railroading.

Ed  What marvelous craftsmanship!

Tim

Tim 

          Late to the model railroad party but playing catch-up.....


  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
  • 10,660 posts
Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 10:37 AM

Howdy 

I have no model railroad news today. I'm in Nashville today for medical appointments at Vanderbilt. 

Grocery stores ... We have two local stores in town with basic groceries.  Closest major supermarket is Kroger which is 30 miles away across both lakes in Murray. How did this topic come up ? 

Everybody ... Have a good Tuesday. 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 10:32 AM

Water Level Route
I've been mostly remembering that when I have a long post typed out, to highlight and copy it prior to submitting the post.

Yep, I usually do that. Sometimes when I click submit and all I get is the blue life-Saver spinning, I can click back and everything will still be there.

It was 5 AM and I simply forgot that critical step of copying the text Sad

Some programs I use have an auto-save feature — THAT sure  is handy.

 Diner_patrons4 by Edmund, on Flickr

 Diner_patrons7 by Edmund, on Flickr

I can almost hear the ice cubes tinkling in the water pitchers!

The folks on the Merchants Limited are enjoying Maine lobster brought to your table by the seafood chef!

 Diner_patrons by Edmund, on Flickr

Thanks for the nosh, Steven! And picking up the tab WaterLevel, MikeDinner

Cheers, Ed

Moderator
  • Member since
    May 2009
  • From: Waukesha, WI
  • 1,764 posts
Posted by Steven Otte on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 9:41 AM

SeeYou190

You guys can talk about Supermarkets all you want...

But really, it is over... Publix, a Florida original, is the BEST supermarket in the USA. I can say that now, because I have now been in supermarkets all over the USA.

#pubsubs

I lived in Florida for many years, during which I've shopped at Publix and eaten my fair share of Publix subs. One claim Publix cannot make, though, is being inexpensive.

--
Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editor
sotte@kalmbach.com

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: North Dakota
  • 9,592 posts
Posted by BroadwayLion on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 9:39 AM

mbinsewi

I don't mind the shopping, since I do the week night diners, I have a menu figured out.  I like it.

After all, the wife still works, doing my share is not a problem.

She takes over on the weekends, and I stay out of the way!. Smile, Wink & Grin

We eat fresh, no store bought frozen or canned.  We have our own way of doing it.

We pick / harvest all we use at my cousin's truck/vegtable farm  Bring it home, cut to our liking, rinse, spread out on cookie sheets so it all freezes individually, scoop it, put in quart freezer bags.

When I want vegies, I take out the bag, pour out what I need, seal it, and put back in the freezer.  No blanching, par boiling or other processing I helped my mother do as a kid.

We do all our fruit the same way.

We have two butcher shops we use for fresh meat.

Mike.

 

 

Grocery shopping. Isn't that gross. We do not shop in grocery stores. Food service trucks arrive at our door twice a week, the milk truck once a week.

 

And THAT is NOT your grandfather's Divco!

ROAR

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 9:16 AM

You guys can talk about Supermarkets all you want...

.

But really, it is over... Publix, a Florida original, is the BEST supermarket in the USA. I can say that now, because I have now been in supermarkets all over the USA.

.

#pubsubs

.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • From: Flyover Country
  • 5,557 posts
Posted by York1 on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 9:01 AM

Good morning, everyone.

In New Orleans, I used to buy groceries at local stores called Schwegmann's. 

They had a bar in the front of the store.  When you came in, you got your cart, and walked by the bar.  You could get a draft beer to drink while you shopped.  Dixie Beer on tap!

They also had a small seating area at the bar, and there were always quite a few husbands sitting there drinking while their wives "made groceries".

Sadly, the last store closed years ago.

 

The shopper's bar at the Airline Highway Schwegmann's Giant Grocery Store, 1974:

 

 

 

York1 John       

  • Member since
    April 2018
  • From: 53° 33′ N, 10° 0′ E
  • 2,508 posts
Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 9:00 AM

Steven Otte
That store is something else.

Indeed it is! I just checked the Aldi (US) homepage and none of their own brands sounds familiar to me. I assume they source their products locally, instead of importing the stuff from wherever they buy their stuff here. Which is certainly the right strategy - locally sourced food to cater the local demand.

4pm and it is nearly dark here. It´s been a wet & windy day. Here is to hoping for some improvemnt in the next days.

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

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

Moderator
  • Member since
    May 2009
  • From: Waukesha, WI
  • 1,764 posts
Posted by Steven Otte on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 8:41 AM

Water Level Route

Top of the page!  All you can eat breakfast buffet on me!

 
Belly up to the bar, boys...
 
 
This next bit wasn't planned, I swear: Last night after posting my previous bit about grocery shopping my wife messaged me to let me know that A) I was out of the bread I'd been toasting for breakfast and B) during the week I was eating toast instead of my usual cereal, the milk had gone off, so if I wanted breakfast today, I'd have to stop at... you guessed it... Aldi.
 
Went in for milk, came out with $94 worth of groceries, including a new queen-sized comforter for the bed. That store is something else. Indifferent

--
Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editor
sotte@kalmbach.com

  • Member since
    February 2015
  • From: Ludington, MI
  • 1,862 posts
Posted by Water Level Route on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 6:16 AM

gmpullman

Twenty minutes of typing and posting photos SoapBox

       Vaporized into the ether regions.

 

Bang Head Bang Head Bang Head

Man, this is getting tiresome.

Later, Ed

 

I've been mostly remembering that when I have a long post typed out, to highlight and copy it prior to submitting the post.  When the mysterious post snatcher steals it, I just go to post again and hit paste.  Helps.

 

Edit: Top of the page!  All you can eat breakfast buffet on me!

Mike

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 5:43 AM

BigDaddy
In Maryland grocery stores to not sell wine nor beer so the there is no 2 buck Chuck.

.

"2 Buck Chuck" costs 3 dollars now. The closest Trader Joe's is halfway between my home and my Tampa office. I stop there about once a month and buy things I need, like chili powder coated dehydrated mango slices!

.

CapnCrunch
It's a wood stork Kevin. Anyone have a baby today? :-)

.

Not in my office. The two ladies that work for me are both in their 50s.

.

The Southern Call Center for Direct Insurance is in the same complex as my office. If Storks really brought babies, there would be flocks of them all over the place. I swear, sometimes it seems like half of the young ladies that work there are pregnant.

.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 5:01 AM

hon30critter
Just so everybody knows how nuts I am, I think that vultures and wild turkeys have beautiful heads.

I'll at least take the time to repost the two TV photos I had for you, Dave:

 Turkey_Vulture2 by Edmund, on Flickr

 Turkey_Vulture by Edmund, on Flickr

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 4:59 AM

Twenty minutes of typing and posting photos SoapBox

       Vaporized into the ether regions.

 

Bang Head Bang Head Bang Head

Man, this is getting tiresome.

Later, Ed

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!