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So, how has this virus affected you. Locked

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  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Saturday, April 18, 2020 4:04 PM

We have a new local favorite restaurant.  It's a small family run Italian place.  We have been there a couple of times earlier, but now it's just takeout.  On the other hand, the full menu is available, and all entrees are half price.  They were reasonable before, and now they are quite a bargain.  They were so busy last night that they gave me a pickup time an hour after I called.  I guess their business is good.  They are making a lot of friends.

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

  • Member since
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  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
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Posted by gmpullman on Saturday, April 18, 2020 4:02 PM

Lazers
"It's the South Shore Line, Jim - but not as we know it".

Here's one OK, make that two, for you, Paul!

 SouthShore_104-Michigan-City by Edmund, on Flickr

I was fortunate to have ridden the old South Shore a couple times in the late '60s and early 1970s. What a blast!

 CSSnSB_111 by Edmund, on Flickr

Enjoy, Ed

  • Member since
    April 2016
  • 252 posts
Posted by Lazers on Saturday, April 18, 2020 3:06 PM

This Virus has created me a disjointed, 'Work at Home - Build my MRR Baseboards' effect, rather than an affect. I'm supposed to be head-down, writing Risky Assessments for Machinery and yet I keep leaving my Desk, going into my MRR room and doing a bit more. This Lift-out section has proved real tricky and these Baseboards are not my best work, leaving a lot to be desired. Not helped by my Wife insisting on carpets thru-out and so it has proved difficult to keep all level.

Today I had to cadge some Timber from my neighbour, since due to Lockdown, no way could I obtain some unless I was building a House. (all I required was 2 pieces 17" long) I had to cut-down some 2"x2" Rough sawn, Pressure-treated and turn it into 1"x2" PSE, using my Wood Plane & UK version of Harbor Freight, Hori/Vert Band-saw. But it's cut & fitted. It's not brilliant but I'm not complaining and I am very grateful to my neighbour for helping me out like that.

Ebay UK has proven another distraction. I am ever checking for HO Wagons suitable for my MRR and have picked-up a few right-price models. But it gets a bit addictive, almost a cross between Online Gambling and Daytime Television Junk Goods and Litigation Lawyer Advertisments.

We have a week of real good weather ahead and apart from shopping for FOOD etc., it's "Stay at Home, Stay Indoors". Paul

"It's the South Shore Line, Jim - but not as we know it".

  • Member since
    August 2007
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Posted by CNCharlie on Saturday, April 18, 2020 2:47 PM

Ah yes a nice steak would be great about now.

We have a restaurant in town called 529 Wellington that serves the best steaks I've ever eaten. Apparently they use only Sterling grade beef. 

We also have a small specialty grocery that has a board in the butcher shop area with the age of the steaks listed. Most are at least 60 days some 90. I always thought one of the keys to great beef was the aging. 

Mr. B., if you are considering a Weber, I would suggest looking at a Napoleon too. We have one that is 20 years old and has the original burners. When I was in the hardware business we had a dealer in Toronto who specialized in grills. He said Webers are good but Napoleon is better. 

All this talk of beef and all I have now is a coffee. Oh well. 

CN Charlie

  • Member since
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  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
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Posted by gmpullman on Saturday, April 18, 2020 2:23 PM

rrebell
Funny thing about steak houses. Out here they have a chain called Black Angus. In my fathers day they were fantastic but had gone way downhill.

Around here it was Ponderosa Steakhouse. My dad loved it. To me it was like the K-Mart of Meat Ick!  I think they all closed up or were bought out and renamed in the late '70s.

Whatever kind of meat they were serving, they used SO much tenderizer on it that you were running to the head about ten-minutes after eating it.

No thanks. Sure, there were some good steakhouses around, Brown Derby was one, Delmonico's another. 

We buy a side of beef from a local farm about once a year and have a meat packing house nearby butcher it to our specs. Outstanding Dinner

Regards, Ed

  • Member since
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  • From: west coast
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Posted by rrebell on Saturday, April 18, 2020 1:58 PM

Funny thing about steak houses. Out here they have a chain called Black Angus. In my fathers day they were fantastic but had gone way downhill. I moved accross  bay here and they still have one and the steaks are fantastic now (this was before the virus). Had steak last night from the local Food Max (low end grocery store), they melted in my mouth. Yeah the vegies are better (unless you shop at Costco).

  • Member since
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  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Saturday, April 18, 2020 12:49 AM

Mister Beasley... Come on down to Florida, and I will take you out to Bern's (Tampa), Charley's (Orlando), or Okeechobee Steakhouse (West Palm Beach), and I will bet they could change your mind.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
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  • From: Maryland
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Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Friday, April 17, 2020 10:38 PM

MisterBeasley

I have the opposite experience with steak.  I never order steak out because I can always do a better job at home.  Restaurants usually overcook the meat.

When this mess is over I will buy a good Weber and some good steaks from the butcher shop, maybe some fresh broccoli and baked potatoes, say the heck with my blood sugar for a night, and have dinner like it's supposed to be.

 

Well, I can't speak for Bedford, but here there are lots of places that cook a perfect medium rare filet.

Sheldon

    

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Posted by Track fiddler on Friday, April 17, 2020 10:10 PM

mbinsewi

I use our Weber charcoal grill all year 'round.  I've even done a wood fire. using the grill bowl,  NO gas for me.

Mike.

 

Yes

Excuse me, I'm getting ready to cook the steaks here.

Say Mike!, how did you say you wanted your steak done?

Kingsford, flip and Kingsford, Thank you!

 

 

DinnerTFBow

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
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Posted by mbinsewi on Friday, April 17, 2020 9:16 PM

I use our Weber charcoal grill all year 'round.  I've even done a wood fire. using the grill bowl,  NO gas for me.

Mike.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
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Posted by MisterBeasley on Friday, April 17, 2020 9:04 PM

I have the opposite experience with steak.  I never order steak out because I can always do a better job at home.  Restaurants usually overcook the meat.

When this mess is over I will buy a good Weber and some good steaks from the butcher shop, maybe some fresh broccoli and baked potatoes, say the heck with my blood sugar for a night, and have dinner like it's supposed to be.

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

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Friday, April 17, 2020 8:35 PM

 That's why when I want a good steak at home, I go to the locla butcher instead of the grocery store. Even his hamburgers are better than anything you can get at a grocery store.

 Good stuff like summer sausage, too. He has a perfect blend of spices in his mix.

                               --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

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  • From: Maryland
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Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Friday, April 17, 2020 7:26 PM

SeeYou190

has anyone else noticed that since this virus has been around, the vegetables in the grocery stores are a much better quality?

My niece brought by some onions and tomatoes she bought today at Publix. They were amazing.

Maybe the restaurants not buying has pushed the good stuff towards consumers.

-Kevin

 

That is exactly what is happening. Restaurants get the best vegetables and the best meat. 

I love a good filet mignon at a restaurant, but I hate grocery store steak at home of any kind.

It is never as good a cut of meat.

Sheldon

 

    

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, April 17, 2020 7:16 PM

has anyone else noticed that since this virus has been around, the vegetables in the grocery stores are a much better quality?

My niece brought by some onions and tomatoes she bought today at Publix. They were amazing.

Maybe the restaurants not buying has pushed the good stuff towards consumers.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Friday, April 17, 2020 3:04 PM

I bought a Rockwell work support stand through Amazon, it first it had delivery date of May 8, I went back and looked the order to track it, and there is a button for "Change shipping speed".

I now pick it up on Monday, April 20, still free shipping through Prime.

Mike. 

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
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Posted by rrinker on Friday, April 17, 2020 2:50 PM

 Got all the stuff for my new computer today EXCEPT the SSD and case. If not for the SSD, I could put it together on the workbench and actually get it up and running, case will be here tomorrow. But not the SSD - because it seems only Amazon has slowed shipments. All the rest came from Newegg, except they didn;t have the SSD in stock so I had to go to Amazon, Despite being a Prime item in stock, ordered Wednesday night, not shipping until tomrrow or Sunday. Everything but the case I ordered from Newegg I lucked out on, it all came from their Edison NJ facility, which means I more or less get it in one or two days - ordered Wednesday night and it got here today. Didn't ship out until Thursday morning. Case is coming from Indianapolis, so it's taking one extra day.

                                --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

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  • From: west coast
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Posted by rrebell on Friday, April 17, 2020 1:43 PM

Morning all. Just building my foam mountains today, might finish, might not, no place to go anyway so dosnt mater. Someone was upset about getting a check for free, I never turn down free money but for me all it dose is pay last years taxes, at least I dont have to caugh it up. Been trying to learn better soldering, thinking about getting some tip cleaner to go with my new soldering station (if it ever arrives from China).

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Friday, April 17, 2020 12:19 PM

mbinsewi

How true, but actually, I only watch the local news, and that's it, and that's enough! but the world of FaceBook & Instagram, is abound with it, and it even creeps into some model railroad forums I'm in. Whistling

Mike.

Yah think?

Yeah, I can only take so much bad news.

I don't do Facebook or most of that social media balony, but my wife does and every now and then she'll kick-off about some comments where some "expert" lectures someone esle and really deserves a swift kick up the arse.  Laugh

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Friday, April 17, 2020 12:15 PM

MisterBeasley

I don't fully understand these guidelines going forward, but as an old guy with heart problems and diabetes, it looks like even when the rest of the restrictions go away, they will still expect me to stay home, not go to restaurants or even stores.

To quote Diry Harry, are you feeling lucky?   I don't know but I'd think the higher risk you are, the more you would want to minimize risk.  Choose wisely?

Will I have to wear a mask at dinner?  Will I get carded to make sure I'm not too old to be in a bar?

Are you enjoying yourself there?  Clown

I feel like they want to protect me by locking me up for the rest of my life.

Thats when we to sort out the government, of the people, by the people, for the people.  Allegedly at least.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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  • From: SE. WI.
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Posted by mbinsewi on Friday, April 17, 2020 12:12 PM

How true, but actually, I only watch the local news, and that's it, and that's enough! but the world of FaceBook & Instagram, is abound with it, and it even creeps into some model railroad forums I'm in. Whistling

Mike.

  • Member since
    June 2007
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Posted by riogrande5761 on Friday, April 17, 2020 12:02 PM

mbinsewi

Still good here, but what has been interesting is the consiracy theories and theorist.  They are entertaining! Smile, Wink & Grin

Mike.

Now that's what you get for reading MSN or CNN news!   Laugh

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

  • Member since
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  • From: SE. WI.
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Posted by mbinsewi on Friday, April 17, 2020 11:10 AM

Still good here, but what has been interesting is the consiracy theories and theorist.  They are entertaining! Smile, Wink & Grin

Mike.

 

  • Member since
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  • From: Blair, Nebraska
  • 205 posts
Posted by Boiler-man on Friday, April 17, 2020 10:39 AM
No issues here at my house, I have been working on assembling & Kitbashing some WS building kits that my wife gave me for Christmas year before last and doing some paper work on the computer for my son's business.
Boilerman
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  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
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Posted by MisterBeasley on Friday, April 17, 2020 10:36 AM

I don't fully understand these guidelines going forward, but as an old guy with heart problems and diabetes, it looks like even when the rest of the restrictions go away, they will still expect me to stay home, not go to restaurants or even stores.

Will I have to wear a mask at dinner?  Will I get carded to make sure I'm not too old to be in a bar?  I feel like they want to protect me by locking me up for the rest of my life.

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

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Friday, April 17, 2020 10:14 AM

gmpullman

I baked some cookies tonight.

 Beer n Oats by Edmund, on Flickr

Oatmeal with cranberries and oatmeal with mincemeat. Brew optional.

Plenty to go around Dinner

Cheers, Ed 

Brew optional??? C'mon, Ed. You know what the two of us are having.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Friday, April 17, 2020 9:38 AM

Thanks to everybody who is particpating in this interesting thread. Please continue. 

I spent much of my "social distancing" time working on the layout. I just added a TOFC ramp and team track to my layout. I posted it in Weekend Phto Fun. 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Thursday, April 16, 2020 11:55 PM

Post Deleted.

I put it in the incorrect thread... sorry.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

jjo
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Posted by jjo on Thursday, April 16, 2020 11:01 PM
"Cabin fever " does set in....But thankfully, this MR hobby fills many of the gaps..And it appears much of the current news is encouraging..
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Posted by Track fiddler on Thursday, April 16, 2020 10:44 PM

Oh come on Ed!

Oatmeal, cranberry, meat and beer cookies?

Whatcha been smoking Willis?

I left that in high school 38 years ago and decided to give it another whirl in Nevada a while back on vacation.

It didn't work! ... but then again, I haven't tried to bake cookies for a whileLaugh

 

P.S.   Ed,  you and that goat always put a smile on my faceSmile

 

 

TF

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Posted by gmpullman on Thursday, April 16, 2020 10:00 PM

I baked some cookies tonight.

 Beer n Oats by Edmund, on Flickr

Oatmeal with cranberries and oatmeal with mincemeat. Brew optional.

Plenty to go around Dinner

Cheers, Ed

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