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Jeffrey's Track Side Diner for the month of June. This time we are exploring Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota Locked

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Posted by "JaBear" on Saturday, June 13, 2020 4:01 PM

howmus
I read an article that Formula 1 (?) cars have the ability to use electric and complete a race these days.  Only problem is that they think fans would rebel because they don't go VVVVVVRRRRROOOOOOOMMMMMM!!!! When they go by...

https://www.fiaformulae.com/

Smile

Edit. Top of the page, rats!!! Better whip up a pav, especially as Kiwifruit picking has just finished.

Pav 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 Saturday, June 13, 2020 4:13 PM

JaBear
Better whip up a pav, especially as Kiwifruit picking has just finished.

That looks delicious!

Thanks Bear.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by York1 on Saturday, June 13, 2020 4:50 PM

Bear, that looks good!  Can you get it delivered to me?

 

This day has been great.  All the projects finished means I could do what I wanted.  And what I wanted was to do nothing.

 

Peter Gibbons: Michael, I did nothing. I did absolutely nothing, and it was everything that I thought it could be.

York1 John       

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Posted by Track fiddler on Saturday, June 13, 2020 6:49 PM

That Central Valley Bridge sounds cool Charlie.  I thought about painting the sides, the top and the bottom before I put my scratch-built bridge together.  I wish I would have.

I stopped by a small car show about 2 miles from my house after work today.

I love flat black on Old Muscle Machines!

CudaKen,  This one is for you!

Hopefully I brought a little cheer to your day.  I hope you're feeling better and doing better KenYes

 

 

TF

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Posted by cudaken on Saturday, June 13, 2020 7:06 PM

 Afternoon Diners

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

 Work Front Pretty much a wast of time with only 2 coustomers in 5 hours, no one bought. I sure rather been home than working with Jerry the Dunce the stupid mistakes he makes drive me nuts!

 TF Thanks for the thoughts but sort of wish you had not posted the photo. I am not the man I use to be and it maybe be time to let my 68 Road Runner go. It needs a lot of work and I just don't think I have it left in me any longer. Sigh

 Later Ken

I hate Rust

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Posted by moelarrycurly4 on Saturday, June 13, 2020 7:41 PM

we opned the Railroad Museum here in Paducah today. It started slow but got busier than I thought it would. Had quite a few guests in the few hours I was there.

Made quite a few gift shop sales. Fixed the receipt printer which had errored before all this mess happened, I found in the check imprint portion that we do not use a ribbon had wadded up causing the gear that turns the paper cutter to jam. 

Some of our exhibits have to remain closed becaus ethay are hands on. 

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Posted by Track fiddler on Saturday, June 13, 2020 8:01 PM

The model railroad museum sounds interesting MLC.  Wish I could come and check it out.

I'm going to outdoor Railroad Club tomorrow for breakfast.  It's been over three months since I seen all the guys.  It will be good to see them.  Especially Gary and Paul.  I always have a fond memory of Ron when I go there.  I always feel the presence of his spirit with us and I miss him.

 

It's not very often but sometimes we do a junk dinner.  We're usually pretty healthy so not very often is a treat.  Why is that always the funnest.  This is my favorite junk dinner.  They are small, a little nibble here, a little nibble there, that lasts you the whole night through. 

Definitely not as good as an abundance of walleye cheeks but they will do.

I hate to tease you but do you have some good junk tonight? Laugh Dinner

 

 

TF

 

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Posted by Track fiddler on Saturday, June 13, 2020 10:11 PM

Story time Kids.  Pull up your most comfortable chair, kick back and I will tell you one.

His name was Leo Neeser.  The nicest old man you would ever want to meet.  The nicest man you ever could meet for that matter if you were fortunate enough to know him.

He was a resort owner on Milacs Lake.  I never saw Leo that he didnt have a cigar hanging out of his mouth.  I was a little kid.  That was just part of him.  I remember going to sleep at night after spending a wonderful day with Leo wondering if he slept at night with that cigar in his mouth because it was just a part of him.  I never did see him any other way.

His voice was raspy and rough but ever so kind at the same time is the only way I could describe it.  On the shore there were skid boards with cross boards that the boats were pulled up and put upside down not to fill with water.

The rotting smell of fish would tickle your nose every once in awhile as you walked the shoreline by the docks.  Repulsive and not something you would want to smell but in the given time in the moment it was always part of everything that was good there.

Leo had a heart of gold.  He was always like a father to me.  He taught me so many things that I have taught other people.  When I was about 7 years old I had already known Leo my whole life. 

One spring he brought out a whole case of caulk.  I don't know so much anymore but Milacs Lake had very large old wooden boats used for group excursion fishing trips.  That big boat was called The Launch.

Leo removed some of the dry rot on the launch, used the spreader and schmoozed it over.  He showed me how to do it about three four times and then handed me a caulk gun, a tube of caulk and a spreader and said help me fix this tub up Johnny.

Milacs Lake is a lake in Minnesota that I do believe to be the largest.  When you stand on the shoreline and look across the lake it's like an ocean.  You cannot see the shore on the other side.  It's just a blue line.

I always went with Leo out on the launch when he took people out fishing.  I will never forget it.  He knew just where to go in the middle of the lake.  There were no markers, he just knew where it was and it was called the Saccucci Flats.  Like I said it was in the middle of the lake and almost scary when you're a little kid.  He put a ladder over the side of the boat and you could get out of the boat and the water was only knee deep.

Leo always let me drive the launch back to the resort.  I felt like a King I'll tell you.  There was never such a wonderful man I will ever remember in my life that filled me with so much confidence as Leo did.

There's definitely more to the story.  Leo stuck with me and helped me my whole life through. Without a doubt that man was my best friend I ever had and ever will have.  A tip off the ice berg I talked about.  The stories just got better and better as I grew older with my best friend Leo on my side. 

Too teary-eyed.  Maybe I can recap and tell some more stories laterSmile

 

 

TF

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Posted by Track fiddler on Sunday, June 14, 2020 12:00 AM

Post-hog

TF's on top at high noon. 

Wouldn't you know it,  I have the day off tomorrow.

 

I am worried about our Brother Lion.  I can't even fathom the hard times he's going through.

 

I miss our Monk

Mandan, North Dakota

 

 

You're in our prayers and thoughts Lion

 

 

 

 

TF

 

 

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Posted by gmpullman on Sunday, June 14, 2020 2:55 AM

 

Our Sunday Morning Movie:

 

Sorry it's not Wisconsin or Montana but it is a great film worth a look Cool

[edit]  I just had to take a second look at the outdoor thermometer:  44 ° F in the middle of June?? !!

C-c-c-c-c cheers, Ed

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Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Sunday, June 14, 2020 3:28 AM

Good Morning!

Well, it´s past breakfast time, so I will just settle for some coffee and a donut, please!

As summer is closing in, the weather has turned to our usual fare - wet and grey, not too cold, but unpleasantly humid. Not my kind of weather. Moving closer to the shore will certainly improve that!

I have a question for Ray, but need to issue a warning first. This is going to be completely OT!

The house comes with 15 solar panels installed on the garage roof, facing south-south-west. Being about a mile off the Northsea coast (as the crow flies), this means plenty of clear and sunny days. I have no idea how many of those precious KWh this system is going to produce. There are 20m2 or about 220sq.ft. on that roof. How much "juice" would that average in "normal" year? The system was installed 5 years ago. Is there a way to calculate the ouput?

Thanks!

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

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

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Posted by hon30critter on Sunday, June 14, 2020 4:13 AM

cudaken
TF Thanks for the thoughts but sort of wish you had not posted the photo. I am not the man I use to be and it maybe be time to let my 68 Road Runner go. It needs a lot of work and I just don't think I have it left in me any longer.

Hi Ken,

I really hope that you think about that long and hard before you sell the car. Thirty years ago I owned an MGC GT. I had disassembled it in anticipation of a full restoration but the costs were simply too high at the time for us to afford. Foolishly I let it go, and now I really, really regret that decision. Had I kept it I could have worked on it a bit at a time and would probably have a nice car to tour around in by now. Now my spare cash is going into my new layout. I can live with that.

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 SeeYou190 on Sunday, June 14, 2020 8:38 AM

Track fiddler
I hate to tease you but do you have some good junk tonight?

My wife grew up in Northern Indiana, and she loves White Castle.

I hate them... YUCK! I am so glad we do not have them in Florida.

I know when we go to Indiana and Ohio in a couple of weeks I will be eating White Castle at least four times.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by York1 on Sunday, June 14, 2020 8:39 AM

Good Sunday Morning, everyone.  Another Sunday of watching church on TV.  They are now allowing people back in church, with everyone spread out on the pews.  However, my wife is not anxious to get back out yet.

TF, you are a lucky man to have the influence of Leo in your life.  Some kids and even grownups go their whole lives without someone like that.

My brother seems to have completely recovered from the virus and the lung infections that went with it.  We still are not allowed to visit him at the home.

 

More South Dakota:  These SD residents didn't seem to get the idea that we were driving on the highway.

 

York1 John       

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Sunday, June 14, 2020 10:14 AM

Good morning ..

TF .... Thanks for sharing your story about Leo.

John York 1 ...... Your photo of the bison looks like the bison range near here. We can drive there within 20 minutes. It is in the Land Between the Lakes. 

Ed .... Thanks for the video. I'll watch it later today. 

Here are trains suitable for this month's location of the Diner. 

 

 

 

Have a good day. 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by howmus on Sunday, June 14, 2020 1:52 PM

Afternoon folks!

I am about on my way out the door to pick up my sister in Canandaigua and chauffeur her to my Son's house in Waterloo to celebrate my oldest Granddaughter becoming a....  a.....  9sigh) TEENAGER!!!  yep, yesterday she turned 13!  My sister is not yet up to driving all the way from Canandaigua to Waterloo by herself.  She can drive to run errands and do some shopping right in town, but does not feel confident to drive as far as she would need to attend the party today.  I guess I am a good brother.... WhistlingSigh

Tinplate Toddler
The house comes with 15 solar panels installed on the garage roof, facing south-south-west. Being about a mile off the Northsea coast (as the crow flies), this means plenty of clear and sunny days. I have no idea how many of those precious KWh this system is going to produce. There are 20m2 or about 220sq.ft. on that roof. How much "juice" would that average in "normal" year? The system was installed 5 years ago. Is there a way to calculate the ouput?

Ok, Ulrich,  There are a lot of variables involved.  I know you have 15 panels, but I have no idea what size or what their output would be rated for.  That would depend on the age, compnay, and angle to the sun among several other variables.  My best advise would be find out who installed them, contact them and ask some questions.  Mine (18 CS6P 240 watt panels) have been on the roof, almost exactly 7 years now.  They have made a total of 32,350kwh over that time.  When I got the system they estimated I would make 4677kwh/year or 32,739 total by this time.  Pretty decent on the estimate I would say.  (If I had been good about using the roof rake I would have easily gotten what they estimated). In terms of savings I have saved about $3,880 in electric during that time.  The panels will out live me I'm sure....  At this point, by driving a Tesla and charging here at home I am saving considerably more than if I was driving a Gasoline powered car or truck....  And....  I like being a Greenie!Smile, Wink & Grin

Take care and stay safe out there!

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

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Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Sunday, June 14, 2020 2:28 PM

Ray - thanks for the info. It helps me to get an idea of what sort of output I can expect. It should cover our annual consumption quite comfortably! No really cold winters to be expected in that region, main heat source is and oil burning furnace and no A/C. I think  we need to get an electric car soon!

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, June 14, 2020 4:53 PM

PIE

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Posted by cudaken on Sunday, June 14, 2020 5:15 PM

 Afternoon Diners

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

 Dave Believe me I am in no hurry to sell my 68 Road Runner. I still dream about driving her, spent a lot of time in that car. Got her when I was 17 and I am now 64.

 If I had not fell and broke a rib I was going to go look at her and work up a price on parts. I need a new engine harrnes, maybe Holley 750, new Ingtion, 4 tires, brake calipers, Rotor's, Brake Hoses, Fuel Line, New Trans Pan Gasket and Fuel Pump. If I where to guess $2500.00 in parts. Big Block Mopar Parts are not cheap and the only thing stock is the engine harness!

 Find A Penny Pick It Up, The Rest Of The Day You Are (Fill in the blank). Found a Penny in the parking lot, good luck right? Whistling Got home and dropped the new bottle of Stubb's Hot BBQ sause as I was coming in the house. Luckly it stayed in the bag so there was no broken glass on the front pourch.

 BBQ is close to be done, then sit on the pourch with Dirk.

 Later, working again Ken and Dirk says Beep, Beep, Woof!

I hate Rust

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Posted by hon30critter on Sunday, June 14, 2020 9:11 PM

cudaken
 Find A Penny Pick It Up, The Rest Of The Day You Are (Fill in the blank). Found a Penny in the parking lot, good luck right? Got home and dropped the new bottle of Stubb's Hot BBQ sause as I was coming in the house. Luckly it stayed in the bag so there was no broken glass on the front porch.

Well there ya go Ken! If you hadn't found that penny I guarantee that the bag would have ripped leaving BBQ sause all over the porch, which you would have slipped in thus breaking another rib, and then you would have cut your finger while picking up the broken glass, all the while screaming in pain at having to bend over that far with two broken ribs!!!! Just look at all the pain and fuss that penny saved you!Smile, Wink & GrinLaughLaugh

Here in Canada we no longer get much luck from finding pennies. We don't use them any more! Everything gets rounded off to the nearest nickle. If you do find a penny on the street you should consider yourself to be really lucky!!!

That is an amazing length of time to own a car. You should be very proud of yourself!

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 gmpullman on Monday, June 15, 2020 1:15 AM

Monday Morning, again!?

 

cudaken
Got home and dropped the new bottle of Stubb's Hot BBQ sause as I was coming in the house.

Stubbs is my favorite, too, Ken! I can't handle the hot anymore, I like the Original Dinner Glad you're feeling better Yes

The other day while working on the caboose residing project:

 91908-Reside-20 by Edmund, on Flickr

I heard the sound of baby birds peeping away. Usually I check the bluebird boxes a few times a week and then realized I hadn't checked them for almost two weeks Embarrassed!  So look what I found —

Here's a clutch of six baby bluebirds:

 Bluebird_nest by Edmund, on Flickr

 Bluebird_nest1 by Edmund, on Flickr

*Checking with bluebird sites I determined these nestlings are about six days old.

When I checked the other boxes I found four more with nestlings inside. I couldn't get a perfect count but there's at least two-dozen or more new bluebirds on the way. Dee Ann spotted the oriole nest way up in a Maple tree and it has babies in it, too. That's a great reward for helping out our avian friends.

The Robins have been going nuts, too. All four of the Robin nests that I know of in our yard have a second clutch of chicks in them. Smile

I'll bet they're wondering what's up with the cold weather! Yesterday the low was 44°F!

I hope everyone is safe and doing well Angel

Cheers, Ed

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Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Monday, June 15, 2020 1:57 AM

Good Morning!

The sun´s out, shining relentlessly. It´ll take a while to het the humidity down - right now it´s steaming outside.

Ed, sometimes birds nest in the strangest location. I had a pair of blackbirds nesting on a polie of firewood once - right next to the entrance of my garden shed. The little ones made a trerrific noise each time I went there to fetch something out of the shed. After a rather short time, the old birds saw that I meant no harm and the stayed feeding their ever hungry offspring. Cute!

We decided to go have a look at the house, even if we may not buy it. We may not be allowed to enter Denmark, even though the borders are supposed to be open as per today. If we have a chance to look at the house, we later on at least now a) what we missed, or b) that we have not missed an opportunity. It just feels got to have a reason to get out of the house and go on a trip! Haven´t done anything like that for too long a time! It´s going to cost us about 6.5 gallons of gas, which is quite a lot, as gas prices are back to normal here.

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

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

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Posted by gmpullman on Monday, June 15, 2020 2:50 AM

Tinplate Toddler
Ed, sometimes birds nest in the strangest location.

So true, Ulrich. One of the robin nests is right on top of the porch light fixture by our front door. Poor momma gets scared away any time there's activity but, I believe you're right that she has become used to seeing our 'friendly faces' but when the postal carrier, Amazon or UPS comes along she flies off.

Quite fascinating to witness and observe.

Cheers, Ed

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Posted by GMTRacing on Monday, June 15, 2020 6:07 AM

Good Morning All,

    Ulrich - Even if you can't swing the house now you should at least get an idea of what is really involved beyond the paperwork stuff. Hopefully they will let you in and out on business. Still have all our borders sealed and Canada still has the ban on inter provincial travel. 

   Ken - You've had that car for such a long time it would be a shame to sell it now. When you are better and have time you could peck away at the mechanicals and leave the involved stuff (like a wiring harness) for another day. My 2c I wouldn't fit a Holley 750 to use on the street with pump gas. It would be tough to jet correctly and will usually have poor throttle response. Asuming a 440 and high test unleaded, a 650 is the max I'd go and then go with vacuum secondaries. If possible, retain the stock carb as down the road the car is worth more with OE parts. Sad but true.

   Got some time on the layout this weekend and have gotten a lot of good enough done on the back of the layout. Tried Harrisons method of making chain link fence and I think it went well. I silver soldered ER70 welding rod into the frame and contact cemented some scraps of screening to that. I am making gates now but that is just started. All for now.   Time to pick up tools.    Ciao, J.R.

 fence by J.R. Mitchell, on Flickr

 IMG_1553 by J.R. Mitchell, on Flickr

 

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Posted by moelarrycurly4 on Monday, June 15, 2020 7:38 AM

Back to the grind this morning, I spent the day outsid yesterday, I cleaned the winter drbris off our patio, scraped all the moss of the bricks etc. Looks much better. Speaking of bird nests I think our hawlings are eather getting ready to leave teh nest or have. and are hanging around close by. 

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Monday, June 15, 2020 7:50 AM

Good morning all, I am up at a reasonable hour for the first time in ages.

The new washer and dryer are being delivered this morning, but I am not quite ready in the garage, so they will sit in boxes for a few days.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by GMTRacing on Monday, June 15, 2020 8:42 AM

Kevin,  now that you are retired do you find all projects take longer for you to complete? Whistling

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Monday, June 15, 2020 8:55 AM

GMTRacing
Kevin, now that you are retired do you find all projects take longer for you to complete?

Yes. Since I have "all the time in the world" now, I overthink and re-do everything, since I have the time.

For example, the cabinets above the washer and dryer have been moved twice since their installation as I have figured out better ways to arrange the garage.

I keep adding shelves and tool holders. Everything will have a place in the new arrangement.

I am building everything to a strength degree for durability so that I only need to do it once.

I re-plumbed the bathroom twice. I did it the second time because I found out there was a better pipe silencer available. When I did it the second time I decided to replace five studs because there were already too many holes drilled into them.

None of this would have happened if I was still working.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by York1 on Monday, June 15, 2020 9:52 AM

Good morning.

It's already hot -- I really warmed up making the two mile trail walk this morning.

Nothing going on today.  I kind of feel like Ulrich -- I may go somewhere just to get out of the house.  In several weeks the entire family is meeting for July 4th.  That will be our first "long" trip since February.  It will be good to see the grandchildren again.

Have a good day everyone.

York1 John       

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Posted by CNCharlie on Monday, June 15, 2020 11:03 AM

Good Morning,

A windy hot one here today. We should hit about 88F. 

We still haven't done the planting yet. My wife is the gardiner and she can't get motivated. I offered to do some but she said no. I'm sure I would do it incorrectly anyway. 

GMT, I think Ken has a 426 in his Road Runner. 

Johnboy, Where are you!!! Getting worried! 

Seeing that pavlova at the top of the page got me hankering for a nice bit of roast lamb. Won't happen though as my wife doesn't like it. 

Have a nice day,

CN Charlie

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