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Jeffrey´s Trackside Diner March 2020 - This Month in Texas!

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Posted by davidmurray on Saturday, March 28, 2020 4:06 PM

 

I ran into acouple/three roundabouts on my last trip south.  GPS unit always said roundabout ahead, take the exit I needed.  Four way stop, when in doubt wave the other guys to go in front of you.  2o second delays is better that a crumpled fender.

David Murray from Oshawa, Ontario Canada
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Posted by Attuvian on Saturday, March 28, 2020 4:14 PM

GMTRacing

Roundabouts . . .

More likely problem is people on their phones or texting.

J.R.

 
Well, J.R., perhaps more likely.  But I'd venture that MOST likely is just plain lazy, coupled with a take-a-chance attitude.  Both of these are becoming all too commonplace as the temptation to avoid the extra distance and cut to the left route is staring you right in the face.  Where it really becomes a danger (setting plain ol' rudeness aside) is where there's an obstruction in the middle of the roundabout and a driver doesn't see the car that has approached it from the opposite diection.  Body shop, here I come.
 
To quote the great Roman philosopher Seneca, "Stupid is as stupid does."  But maybe that was Sophocles. Wink
 
John
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Posted by York1 on Saturday, March 28, 2020 4:36 PM

It's probably more common in other areas, but in our state, a new interchange was put in that was confusing the first time I used it.

If you are approaching the interstate from the bottom of the picture and want to get onto the interstate going left, your lanes cross over to the left side.  It's a little disconcerting the first time when you are driving on the left side of the road, with oncoming traffic on your right.

There are lights at the two crossovers.

 

York1 John       

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Posted by moelarrycurly4 on Saturday, March 28, 2020 5:15 PM

They just put one of those double diamond crossovers at our interstate. made a huge difference in traffic flow. 

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Posted by BigDaddy on Saturday, March 28, 2020 5:32 PM

We have one intersection where people exiting a controlled access highway in opposite directions, and both turning left, drive on the left side of the road.  It freaks me out every time I see it.  Never drove in the UK just because I know I'd screw up, like that ambassadors wife that killed someone.

My friend with MS has not left the house in 16 days, nor has she opened any mail.  She says she is prepared to wait indefinitely. 

There are just under 1000 infected people in my Maryland out of 6 million.  That is 1 in 6,000.  If there are 10x as many infected people, that is one in 600.  I'm not riding mass transit or going to the food store when it's packed with senior pretendors so I'm not particularly worried.

Henry

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Posted by hon30critter on Saturday, March 28, 2020 6:49 PM

GMTRacing
So if you see the egrets twice in one day would they then be regrets

I'm groaning too!

Garry,

Egrets!! Nice sighting! We went out to look for swans again today but we only saw two. We had a turkey vulture hovering about 30' above the van for several minutes. I was starting to think that we should check our pulses!Smile, Wink & GrinLaughLaugh

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 Saturday, March 28, 2020 7:05 PM

 Eveing Diners

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

 Is Model Railroading relaxing? Bang Head Well not tonight! Yes they are running fine now after 45 minutes of messing around with the passanger cars!

 Spring is here Dang it Grass is growing and a couple of people have all ready ran there mowers across there yards. I may beable to get my for 2 more weeks and that will be it. I Hate cutting grass.

 Later Ken and Dirk say's Woof, Woof.

I hate Rust

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Saturday, March 28, 2020 7:40 PM

My order from MB Klein showed up today. Two huge boxes!

I have it in isolation for three days, then I will bring it into the house and open it up.

That is a relief.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Saturday, March 28, 2020 7:47 PM

Howdy ...

Dave... Actually,  it was Mr. B who said he saw egrets yesterday morning.

Occasionally , we see egrets here but not often. Blue herons are more common. We also see bald eagles, ospreys, wild turkeys, and hawks. Migrating white pelicans are here in the fall and in the spring for brief periods. We also have turkey vultures. 

Regarding the conversation about roundabouts, etc.: Some highways were designed by uncivil engineers. 

Have a good night, everybody. Stay healthy. 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by hon30critter on Saturday, March 28, 2020 9:24 PM

Heartland Division CB&Q
Dave... Actually,  it was Mr. B who said he saw egrets yesterday morning.

Ooops, sorry Mr. B.

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 maxman on Saturday, March 28, 2020 9:44 PM

mbinsewi
Stand-offs at 4 way stops are worse. Nobody knows when it's their turn to go.

They must have never taken drivers ed.  Whoever gets there first, goes first.  After that driver on right goes.  Thought everyone knew that.

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Posted by GMTRacing on Saturday, March 28, 2020 9:52 PM

Just passing through. Placed the power station temporarily - good enough for now as usual. I can now do a little more around the edges but it needs to remain removable so I can access the tunnel behind it. All for now. Sleep beckons. 011 by J.R. Mitchell, on Flickr powerstation placement 3 by J.R. Mitchell, on Flickr

This is where I'm at.   Konbonwa,   J.R.

 

 

 

 

 

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Sunday, March 29, 2020 2:51 AM

maxman
They must have never taken drivers ed. Whoever gets there first, goes first. After that driver on right goes. Thought everyone knew that.

At four way stops, I have seen, more often than not, it is courtesy that messes everything up.

It's OK, you go. No, you can go first. No no, it's OK, you can go.

That sort of thing.

I don't mind when it happens. It sure beats the heck out of aggressive drivers not letting me merge into a crowded roundabout.

Wow, it just occurred to me that this will be the first year since 2012 that I have not driven 50,000+ miles for work! I do not think I have driven 100 miles since 17/FEB/2020.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Sunday, March 29, 2020 4:07 AM

Good Morning!

Just dropping by to say hello. Petra and I are fine. We finally were able to buy two packs of toilet paper, so life is good again. I cancelled one of my online orders as there is no sign  of a shipment coming. The money will be returned thanks to Ebay´s Buyer Protection. We should be good until the smoke clears and people (and governments) go back to reason.

There are no 4-way stops in Europe that I am aware of. Either we have signs posting who´s got the right of way and who has to yield, or we have a simple "right before left rule". Works nicely and people pretty much obey.

SeeYou190
Wow, it just occurred to me that this will be the first year since 2012 that I have not driven 50,000+ miles for work! I do not think I have driven 100 miles since 17/FEB/2020.

That´s about all what I drove since the beginning of this year. Cars and driving all of a sudden become less important, unless it´s your hobby.

Something to divert our minds onto in these trying times!

Stay safe!

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

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

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Posted by gmpullman on Sunday, March 29, 2020 4:42 AM

Good Morning —

Things look good from the head-end of the westbound Empire Builder this morning:

 Amtrak_SDP40f 563 by Edmund, on Flickr

EMD hasn't quite mastered the fine points of ergonomics, I see. The engineer has to lug around a 7/8 offset box wrench in his grip!

Meanwhile, the diner is filling up quickly for breakfast. In June 1974 meals were still cooked on board. What a concept!

 Amtrak_Diner by Edmund, on Flickr

And strolling back to the Pullmans we encounter our Passenger service Representative aboard the Empire Builder.

 Amtrak_PSR by Edmund, on Flickr

Yes, she's on Social Security today Whistling

 

SeeYou190
Wow, it just occurred to me that this will be the first year since 2012 that I have not driven 50,000+ miles for work! I do not think I have driven 100 miles since 17/FEB/2020.

Back in June 2019 I picked up a brand-new Chevrolet truck. I haven't hit 2000 miles yet. In my "working days" I would generally do about 20K a year.

Have a great Sunday, everyone. I hope you are all well —

Cheers, Ed

 

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Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Sunday, March 29, 2020 4:56 AM

gmpullman
In June 1974 meals were still cooked on board. What a concept!

I remember! I went by train from Seattle to Los Angeles in May 1974 and the dining car was a grewat experience. Still a nice selection of food, real china and silver cutlery! Never had a better burger (except those Petra makes)!

On a side note - young women still looked pretty in those days, before political correctness and feminism turned them into - well, you know what!

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

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

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Posted by York1 on Sunday, March 29, 2020 7:31 AM

I am having trouble breathing, but it is not the virus.  It's the time of year.  My allergy has hit full force, and I am miserable.  No medicine works -- I've tried them all.

I will try to get into the clinic tomorrow for an allergy shot.  It is not perfect, but it gives some relief.

York1 John       

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Posted by Attuvian on Sunday, March 29, 2020 9:48 AM

York1

I am having trouble breathing, but it is not the virus.  It's the time of year.  My allergy has hit full force, and I am miserable.  No medicine works -- I've tried them all.

I will try to get into the clinic tomorrow for an allergy shot.  It is not perfect, but it gives some relief.


 
John,
 
Know what you mean.  Not much of a winter here in the Northwest.  My allergies kicked in in January, at least six weeks early, if not more.
 
If you want some dirty looks, try sneezing while you're in line for Costco to open - even though it's not a Coronavirus symptom.  Chalking it up to allergies turns those nasty looks into words!
 
Good on ya', buddy.
 
Another John
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Posted by BigDaddy on Sunday, March 29, 2020 9:53 AM

Ed your Amtrak girl reminds me of Judy Carne from Laugh In. 

Insomnia last night, I ended watching youtube videos about WW2.  I thought the one about the air force in Burma might have a glimpse of my uncle.  Instead it showed troops riding in jeeps and then elephants.

Ended with a 20 minute video on the production of 3" anti aircraft shells.  Quite a bit of machining in the process and a real assembly line that carried each one to the next stage.

I had been thinking about GM building ventilators.  Politicos talk like it is as easy as filling sand bags with sand.  You need machines to make the outside box, you need machines or people to do the plumbing and the circuit boards and install the gauges.  The parts need to be in the right spot at the right time on the assembly line.  All of it done by people who never saw a ventilator.

 

Henry

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Posted by "JaBear" on Sunday, March 29, 2020 2:13 PM

78 by Bear, on Flickr

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

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Sunday, March 29, 2020 2:39 PM

78 by Bear, on Flickr

 

What... A 2" wrench will get rid of a bear? 

I am on the job!

Good heavens, after six weeks of being retired I am starting to look like a bear!

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by ricktrains4824 on Sunday, March 29, 2020 4:13 PM

Good aftenoon all.

Zoe - A RBF please. Thanks.

Lets put a quarter in the old jukebox. 
 

 

 

Hopefully that works. A little tribute to the now fallen star. He was 61.

Weather - Windy, but a high of 68F today. Not bad for March.

Trains - Finished another hopper kit this week, now painting a few parts for the next group.

W*^k - Still "essential", for now at least. We shall see what happens during the discussion tomorrow.

Hope all are well, and all enjoy the night!

Ricky W.

HO scale Proto-freelancer.

My Railroad rules:

1: It's my railroad, my rules.

2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.

3: Any objections, consult above rules.

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Posted by "JaBear" on Sunday, March 29, 2020 4:48 PM

2 i by Bear, on Flickr

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

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Posted by cudaken on Sunday, March 29, 2020 5:51 PM

 Afternoon Diners!

 Flo, give the gang and I a Beer Ed a crown royal and Dirk a half a dog treat.

 Nice but a verry winded day. Had some wind up to 30 MPH and normal speed was 19 MPH.

 Got a lot done today for me. Fixed part of our kitchen cabinet that was hang down in front of the sink. Cleaned the lower cabinets and they where nasty. Lighting is not great in the kitchen.

 Got some more grass planted in the front yard. I am using Scott Bare Patch Kit seeds.

 Took Dirk to the small park that is with in 3/4 of a mile. I just don't get it? I have to walk him a quarter mile to get him to do a #2 here in the Neighborhood yet I take him too a park? Things get done with in 300 feet?

 Bathroom Faucet help! Bang Head It is dripping again? Bang Head Some of you folks said you had to replaces something a long with the gasket and spring? Think the word Ball was used? What is it and make it wording for the handy man impaired please. Is it the white thing that stick's up in the handle? It has a cold and hot warter seprated handle. I have no idea who made it and I am guessing it was installed in 1969 when the house was bulit.

 Time to set out side with Dirk and Sue. So later, Ken and Dirk say's Woof, Woof!

I hate Rust

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Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Sunday, March 29, 2020 5:56 PM

This is sad news!

All over Great Britain, the steam operated tourist lines have been forced to close their operation following the lock-down. For some of them, the loss of revenue will mean closing the operation for good, especially those with a semi-professional operation requiring hired staff. Among those threatened is the Ffestiniog Rlwy. and the Welsh Highland Rlwy., the Talyllyn Railway, the Vale of Rheidol Rlwy. in Wales, the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Rlwy in southern England and the famous "Jacobite" steam train from Fort Williams to Mallaig in Scotland. In Austria, the Achenseebahn, a steam operated rack railway already had to file for bankruptcy. Unfortunatly, there is a good chance that more lines from all over Europe will have to be added to this list.

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

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

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Posted by moelarrycurly4 on Sunday, March 29, 2020 5:57 PM

LOL Kevin. 

 

That is a big wrench, there are some people at work i could use that on. 

 

I saw about Joe Diffie. 

 

well i was a dummy I was setting back down on my stool in the basement at the workbench missed it, as it was 3 feet to my left, and sat hard down on the kero heater ( it was not on )  I bent the heater top a bit and twited my leg...

 

we had two tornados warned about 2 miles to my west last night. They were already across the river before they sounded the sirens. I had been wtching the radar and knew they would miss me. They never touched down untill they hit IL. 

I have had a good break from work this weekend and I go back again tomorrow. Not sure what new restrictions will pop up or what new I will have to spin up at a moments notice.  

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Posted by maxman on Sunday, March 29, 2020 6:55 PM

cudaken
Bathroom Faucet help! Bang Head It is dripping again? Bang Head Some of you folks said you had to replaces something a long with the gasket and spring? Think the word Ball was used? What is it and make it wording for the handy man impaired please. Is it the white thing that stick's up in the handle? It has a cold and hot warter seprated handle.

Post a couple pictures.  I'm sure one of the resident experts will know the answer.

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Posted by gmpullman on Sunday, March 29, 2020 7:14 PM

I was the one who mentioned the ball, (incorrectly) assuming your Delta was a common single lever type.

As Maxman says, you need to get a photo or at least a model number. I like to replace the entire cartridge, IF it is a "washerless" type.

There are dozens of styles of cartridges: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Delta-Ceramic-Stem-Cartridge-for-2-Handle-Faucets-in-White-RP47422/202624488

Going back to 1969 you might have a washer and a seat? The seat could be worn or corroded. Most seats can be replaced using a tapered seat wrench. Some are left-hand thread. Non-replaceable seats need to be "dressed" using a special reamer.

Plan B: Replace the whole faucet?

Cheers, Ed

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Posted by maxman on Sunday, March 29, 2020 8:16 PM

If you have a screw in faucet seat, here is one style of seat wrench that is available:

Bibb Seat Wrench

If you happen to have a farrah fawcett, you'll have to figure out how to replace that seat on your own.

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Posted by RideOnRoad on Sunday, March 29, 2020 8:25 PM

Attuvian
. . .If you want some dirty looks, try sneezing while you're in line for Costco to open - even though it's not a Coronavirus symptom. . .

And if you want to clear out the line, cough and say, "Dang, cough! I just haven't been able to shake it since I got back from Italy."

SeeYou190
. . .I do not think I have driven 100 miles since 17/FEB/2020.

I drove (rode) 165 miles yesterday. Practicing extreme social distancing on the motorcycle is key to my maintaining sanity during this period of isolation.

Richard

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