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Jeffreys Trackside Diner - May 2020 in Ontario, Canada Locked

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Posted by Cederstrand on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 1:11 PM

Extra strong coffee in a UNION PACIFIC mug. Also a slice of key lime pie, please.

Brain cancer update: No better, but stable. Doc said that for this kind of cancer, this is an OK result. Will probably be back on chemo soon. We're just trying to prolong life, they don't cure this. 

Interesting about ebay. Perhaps this would be a good time to sell off the old n-scale which I will not be doing anything with because of poor eyes. HO all the way for me now.

Cheers! Cowboy Rob

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Posted by RideOnRoad on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 3:33 PM

Track fiddler
Is that today Richard? Bummer, I'll have to miss it. . .

Looks like you got a reprieve. The weather wasn't what was needed sothe launch was scrubbed. The next attempt will be Saturday around 3:20 EDT.

On a side note, has anyone else noticed that the SpaceX astronauts have the same names as a pair of brothers from the Great White North?

Richard

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Posted by Track fiddler on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 6:26 PM

Thanks for the update Richard, now I get the chance to catch it again.

And,  Oh really?  McKenzie?  The Canadians, Bob and Doug Eh! .....Take Off! Laugh

 

 

TF

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Posted by cudaken on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 6:50 PM

 Eveing Diners

 Flo, give the gang and I a Beer in a frosted UP Mug, Rob what ever he wants, Jan some Fire Warter home made that is and Dirk half a dog treat.

 Sorry I have been MIA for the last few days. Had a fair sizes post going last night and hit the Silly Button and it was all gone.

 Work Front / Roof Front. They wanted me to start this Friday but till I get the left wind retarp I will not go in. I will never let anyone work on my house unless I am watching again! With all the rain they are thinking Friday or Saturday. Not worried about being ashed pitted and part of me would not mind, I hope. Remeber the grass is all wise greener on the there side, till you get there! Whistling

 Later, Ken and Dirk says Woof, Woof!

I hate Rust

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Posted by hon30critter on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 9:40 PM

Okay gang, here are the votes so far for where to locate the diner:

John has suggested Idaho with its varied terrain.

Kevin wants to go "way up north" to get out of the summer heat. Based on the heat that we here in Ontario have experienced over the last few days, we may have to go 'way, way, way up north'.

Brother Elias has suggested Richardton, North Dakota. Apparently they are in need of a restaurant,

TF has suggested Duluth, Minnesota with all the big lake boat loading platforms.

Let's hear some more suggestions!!! 

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 ricktrains4824 on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 10:07 PM

Good evening all.

Zoe - You got stuck with counter late again? RBF's all around please. And that goes for you as well, my treat. Thanks.

Lion - We have to ride the Richardton subway system if we move the diner there. Do they offer unlimited passes? Smile, Wink & Grin

Rob - Glad to hear you are at least doing well. We are all in your corner, so keep fighting bud!

Dave - Any of them sound good. Do we have to vote? I'm not sure what I would cast mine as.... Maybe abstaining? Confused

Ken - Glad to see you are back, I have found that magic disappear button once or twice myself... And, The grass is greener on my side of the fence.... It has to be, because I mow with a green tractor! Laugh 

Trains - Got another hopper in the spray booth today, have not sent the loco shell out there yet, thinking on how I can do the nose grabs first. 0.0125 Music wire about the right size? (Local HobbyLobby reopened, and as I needed things near there anyways....) I could borrow my Mom's Jewelry pliers for bending them, using a different model for a template and get them at least very close... 

Weather - While cooler today, only hitting a high of 85°F, it is still very humid and warm. Still is currently 72° at almost 11PM local time. Forecasters calling for thunder boomers next two days. We shall see.

At least I got the AC in and cranking!

Space launch - Delayed I see. NASCAR got rained out tonight as well. Shall see how busy I get Saturday, might check out the launch. NASCAR will take a back seat tomorrow for a ZOOM meeting scheduled from 7-9pm. Maybe they will get rained out tomorrow again.

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 hon30critter on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 11:06 PM

ricktrains4824
Dave - Any of them sound good. Do we have to vote? I'm not sure what I would cast mine as.... Maybe abstaining?

Hi Ricky,

You are certainly free to abstain, but I would rather that you offer an opinion. If you enjoy the Diner it would only be fair to help us choose.

ricktrains4824
rains - Got another hopper in the spray booth today, have not sent the loco shell out there yet, thinking on how I can do the nose grabs first. 0.0125 Music wire about the right size?

The 0.0125" size is correct, but I would strongly suggest that you consider using phosphor bronze wire instead of music wire. Phosphor bronze wire is much easier to bend but it is still rigid enough to withstand handling. It is also a bit more forgiving in that it will tolerate being bent a couple of times and it solders beautifully. Tichy sells it:

https://www.tichytraingroup.com/Shop/tabid/91/c/ho_wire/p/1106/Default.aspx

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 Track fiddler on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 11:49 PM

I did not have the opportunity to be a post-hog this eveningCrying

I did manage to make it almost 50 minutes past my bedtime though.  With all this in mind I do need to hit the rack.

Nighty night all,  I will see you tomorrowWink

 

 

TF

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Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Thursday, May 28, 2020 12:06 AM

Good Morning!

While TF is just hitting the sack, I am getting started into a day of sunshine. I´ll be running some errnds soon - some banking business and a few things I need to buy. The car needs cleaning, but I am not in the mood for it.

I found this lovely video of a wel detailed and beautifully set British layout.

Enjoy!

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

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

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Thursday, May 28, 2020 12:09 AM

Just watched a "best of" clip show of the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

They had a bit where Jamie Foxx was impersonating different singers singing childrens songs.

He was amazing. I never knew he could sing, or do sketch comedy. My wife and I were laughing very hard.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by Track fiddler on Thursday, May 28, 2020 12:29 AM

Ulrich

I was tired and ready to hit the rack but I'm never too tired for a video like that.

I don't know where you come up with these clips but I really enjoyed that one.  The steamer coming across the viaduct and then blowing its horn before it goes in the tunnel in case some kids are lurking in there so they can stand to the side. 

(My friend Lance and I were stupid young kids in the middle of a tunnel in California when a train came through.  It was kind of a nightmare and thank God for the little duck out we ran to with the door that I had no idea where it went.  I will never know where that door went but we got out of the way of the train and that is the main thing)

The farmer is standing by his tractor watching the train go by.  Then the people of the Town waiting and listening as the train later pulls up to the station and the sign that shows up later in the video.

The grassy switching yard, the disconnect and reconnect, the two men by The Engine House that I wonder what they talked about.

The Sheep harmlessly passing their time in the grasslands away.

I liked in the end how the steamer went over the viaduct the opposite way,  blew her horn before the tunnel again and ended in the tunnel from where it began.

Thanks Ulrich, appreciated.  Now I'm really going to hit the rack after I watched something goodSmile

 

The end of my day and the beginning of yours.  I wish you and Petra to enjoy your Bright Sunshiny DayYes

It's always refreshing to find you so positiveWink

 

 

TF

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Posted by gmpullman on Thursday, May 28, 2020 4:00 AM

Final days in Ontario?

The C-N ran the wheels off the UA Turbotrains. I rode them a few times from Toronto to Montreal. They liked to run them with nine cars.

 Turbo_CN-Spadina-79 by Edmund, on Flickr

Here's one at Spadina St. in 1979 after VIA painted 'em yellow.

That's a standby electrical "house-power" plug.

 Not long after they were put in service the ceiling windows in the dome were plated over. They got gunked-up with turbo-exhaust pretty quickly!

This week seems to have gone by pretty fast! Cheers, Ed

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Thursday, May 28, 2020 9:47 AM

Good morning everyone. It is a beautiful day out right now, but storms are predicted for the afternoon.

I plan to lay another 100 square feet of tile in the garage today. I don't see anything standing in the way of that plan. I can grout it tomorrow.

A drywall company was supposed to come and hang the wall boards in the bathroom yesterday, but they did not show up. No answer on their phone line.

Continuing on....

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Thursday, May 28, 2020 10:01 AM

Good morning .... 

Ed ..... Thanks for the photo of the colorful Turbo Train. 

Rob .... It is good seeing you here. I'm praying for you and your cancer situation. 

We're still in Ontario. I had hoped I would get a chance to find pictures of Ontario Northland and of Algoma Central.  Both of those small railroads are intersting. Sa far, I've not done that. .... If anybody has time and wants to look for pictures and post them, it would be appreciated. 

 

The suggestions so far for June location are all good in my opinion. 

 

Everybody ........ Have a nice Thursday ! 

 

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by CNCharlie on Thursday, May 28, 2020 10:24 AM

Good Morning,

A cool day here. It is only 50F right now and not going much higher today with a strong NW wind to boot. 

Yesterday I mowed the front lawn for the first time. Everything is really leafing out now so starting to look like summer. We did more clean up in the back yard getting ready to do some flower planting next week. We don't do any until the first week of June as there is always the risk of frost until then. In fact it is supposed to get down to about 34F tomorrow night. 

Rob, glad to hear you are holding your own and you layout plans are moving forward. 

Yesterday I made an offer on a brass loco. I expect a counter and if it a split the difference one, then I will accept.  Would be nice to get it. I consulted with my local expert before I made the offer. I sold an N scale loco and hope to sell a couple of others so that can go to the purchase price. 

As far as a new location goes, Duluth would be good. I expect I am as close to it as anyone. It is about a 6 hour drive from me. I have been there a few times, mostly passing through but never to the rail museum. That is on my list of places I want to visit. They also run various museum trains from there. Up until a few years ago they were running a Soo Line pacific but I think the boiler time is up on it. 

Time for another coffee. 

CN Charlie

 

 

 

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Posted by Track fiddler on Thursday, May 28, 2020 11:05 AM

Good morning all

Hi Charlie,  Yes the Duluth Depot is really something to see.  Definitely worth the visit.  It takes a long time to go through and see everything.  I have been there 3 times and I have always discovered something new to me that I missed on a prior visit.  The several train ride excursions to choose from are a lot of fun too.

 

Well,  Judy and I are very saddened by the chain of quite disturbing events that I'm sure you all have heard about on world news.  It's not a subject that would do any good to discuss.  Part of our city is being destroyed as the rioting has become way out of hand through the night into today. 

This kind of kaos is terrifying to see so close to home.  I'm just glad we don't live any closer than we do.  It was hard to sleep last night in light of everything going on. 

Last I heard they are bringing the National Guard in.  It is really ugly.  Who needs this on top of all the World problems we're already faced with today.  I can only pray this new unfortunate chain of events start to resolve soon.

 

On a more happy note, it's a beautiful nice cool day todaySmile, Wink & Grin

 

 

TF 

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Posted by York1 on Thursday, May 28, 2020 11:08 AM

Good morning.  Bacon, eggs, and coffee.

Rob, I'm also praying for you.  I'm glad the doctor said it's stable.

Ulrich, another neat video.  Pretty amazing modeling work.  Ed, thanks for the turbotrain video.

I'm still working on the garage walls.  I putting in some wood cross pieces before I sheetrock this section.  I will be able to anchor some pretty heavy shelves on this section.

One disadvantage of living where I do is that the nearest building supply is 55 miles away.  We have small lumber yards, but normally if you want something else, it takes a day or two for them to get it.  On what I need, I want to look at some different options.  This afternoon I will have to drive to get what I want.

My wife has decided to have a large island between the kitchen and living room.  I said that if she wanted it to be a nice one, it was out of my ability.  She had the guy come yesterday.  He'll give us some bids.

I know that the biggest expense will be the very large counter top.  Out of granite, quartz, quartzite, marble, etc., I have no doubt she will pick the most expensive one that takes the greatest amount of care.  Once she decides, my opinion will not matter too much.

For everyone, I hope you can have a happy and satisfying day.

York1 John       

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Thursday, May 28, 2020 11:45 AM

York1
My wife has decided to have a large island between the kitchen and living room.

When we remodeled our kitched we removed the island.

We are amazed at how much it was in the way. We like it much better now with a 9 foot opening into a U-shaped kitchen. We can both be in there and move around now.

We opted for a Quartz countertop. I have no experience with natural stone or other materials so I do not know what the best choice is. We had a cheapo partical board counter top before, so anything would have been much better.

I am happy with the quartz.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by Weighmaster on Thursday, May 28, 2020 1:16 PM

York1

My wife picked granite 10 years ago, and you're right, your opinion WILL NOT count!  I don't remember the costs (and it wasn't worth it to remember...).  We went from a small U shape to an L by stealing about 50 sq. ft. from the garage.  The new island is about 9' x 3', all handicap accessible for her in her wheelchair.  What hurt the most was dishing out over $700 for a range hood with wireless remote.  But it was worth it over the next 5 years before she passed.

Gary

 

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Posted by cudaken on Thursday, May 28, 2020 5:45 PM

 Eveing Diners.

 Flo, give the gang and I a Beer My wife what ever she wants (its out Anniversary) snd Dirk half a dog treat.

 Don't even ask how long we have been married. I have to take my shoes off and use all my finguers! I meet her when I was 17, got married at 22 and I am now old. Soooooooooooooo a Long time now.

 This year was sure driffrent, no eating out, which I sort of like.  We are have her current Favotite Mexican food for diner.

 So later, Ken

I hate Rust

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Posted by York1 on Thursday, May 28, 2020 5:58 PM

Happy anniversary, Ken!  Enjoy the evening.

Gary, that's kind of my feeling, too.  What she picks, I'll go along with even though I don't agree.  In a few years, no one will remember the cost or the decisions.

Kevin, our situation is that the kitchen, dining room, and living room are all one open room.  She designed this island for the dining room with seating all the way around it if needed.  The kitchen should remain open.

It's not a bad idea or expense, but I could have done without it.  Of course, she could have done without my layout, too, so I guess I will keep my mouth shut and pay the bills.

York1 John       

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Posted by Track fiddler on Thursday, May 28, 2020 9:30 PM

Good evening all

Things have definitely not got any more comfortable in the Minneapolis area.  Things get worse at night.

The National Guard is here but everything is still way out of control.  I don't even think they know how to deal with it yet.

The rioters are growing in numbers and it's getting rather scary here.  The media is definitely showing enough but I think they have toned it down not to panic people.

At this point with the corona thing being bad enough and now this.  It's no wonder I always loved Northern Minnesota much better.

When tensions were already high and people were ready to crack.  All this was caused by one Rogue cop and three other police that just stood doing nothing and watched.  It was reported today that civilians called the cops on the cops at the scene.

 

We have a preliminary plan already.  We may be getting ready to leave soon.  I just hope things mellow out and it doesn't have to come to that.

 

 

John

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Posted by Track fiddler on Thursday, May 28, 2020 10:43 PM

And now they're burning down the police departments.  It's so rampant the fire department can't even come and help put out the fire because they are afraid.  Since when did our heroes become afraid of the people in the past they helped?  

It saddens my heart.  Especially after Memorial Day. Respecting the People of service that protect us.  

There is a bad apple in every basket of every group of every organization and every cause everywhere.  But this is so unjustifiable to retaliate against everyone that protects and serves us just because there was one bad egg.

 

My heart Weeps with my tears

 

 

John

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Thursday, May 28, 2020 11:41 PM

Good evening .

 

yes, John TF . It is very sad . 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Thursday, May 28, 2020 11:59 PM

John - it is heartbreaking to read what is now happening in your town!

Trying times bring the best out of some folks, but the worst in others. Even those, who are supposed to protect us sometimes prove, that the layer of civilization is a rather thin one.

I hope the madness around us stops soon, and people return to reason!

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

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

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Friday, May 29, 2020 9:24 AM

Let's take a break from news, and talk about trains in Ontario. 

The Ontario Northland Railway operates over 600 miles of mainline in northern Ontario.

 

Does anybody havemore thoughts on the location of the June Diner? 

 

Dave: .... You did a great job startng the May Diner thread. Would you like doing it again in June ?

Anybody else: ..... Who wants to start the June DIner if Dave doesn't do so ?  

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, May 29, 2020 9:33 AM

Heartland Division CB&Q
The Ontario Northland Railway operates over 600 miles of mainline in northern Ontario

Garry: Those handsome ONTARIO NORTHLAND are wearing the paint scheme I am coppying for my STRATTON AND GILLETTE F7 freight locomotives, but with the red and black reversed. Red will be the main body color with black stripes between the red and yellow.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by Cederstrand on Friday, May 29, 2020 10:08 AM

Italian roast coffee in a AT&SF mug, please.

HO scale Kato Unitrack crossing signals? Was really hoping to find some plug and play or drop in signals for the expansion layout project, but have found no such products from Kato in HO scale. What would be the easiest way to add grade crossings (lights and gates) to the future layout with least amount of trouble/wiring?) 

Cheers! Cowboy Rob 

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Posted by Track fiddler on Friday, May 29, 2020 10:37 AM

Heartland Division CB&Q

Let's take a break from news, and talk about trains in Ontario. 

The Ontario Northland Railway operates over 600 miles of mainline in northern Ontario.

 

 

I Completely agree Garry. 

Judy and I have the day off together today and are going to find something fun to do and get away from things for a while.

I love the Ontario NorthernYes

 

Thanks

 

 

TF

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Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Friday, May 29, 2020 11:08 AM

Heartland Division CB&Q
The Ontario Northland Railway operates over 600 miles of mainline in northern Ontario.

Aren´t they just beautiful? There was a time, when Diesels looked good and acted as brand ambassodors Today - well, I think their looks are, to say the best, purposeful.

 

Today was not a good day. While the official answer to our application to be allowed to buy a house in Denmark is not yet in, we were informed that our last valid option was sold today.

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

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

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