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Welcome to the September Diner! This month we are in New Mexico! Locked

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  • Member since
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  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Sunday, September 20, 2020 5:46 PM

Garry, that is terrible news. I am so sorry to hear that.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Sunday, September 20, 2020 4:26 PM

One of my very good model train friends here lost his long and courageous battle with cancer today. Dan will certainly be missed. .. Sad 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by BATMAN on Sunday, September 20, 2020 2:46 PM

Afternoon all from the sunny Eastern shore of the Pacific.

Had a very productive morning cutting tile for the worlds slowest bathroom reno.Laugh I would normally have the whole thing done in a few days but I have too much on my plate right now.

Getting on my recumbent bike takes priority over just about anything as good health should be the most important thing in anyone's life. BP was 107/62HR48 this morning before I got to it. I am 5'10" and 170lbs@ 63 years old. My Recumbent bike tension is set as hard as it will go, I do a hilly mountain course, 14km in 29minutes five times a week. I invest two whole minutes of my time most days doing 25 pushups and 25 situps. My weight goes up and down depending on how much muscle I am packing not fat. I tend to be pretty skinny as keeping muscle mass is tough for an old geezer and requires too much work for no reason.

So Jimmy, keep at it and you will enjoy life a lot more knowing you are fit enough to do what you want when you want. Cholesterol meds are bad news as there is a correlation to their use and the increase in dementia showing up as the population ages. These wonder drugs are turning out to not be so wonderful. Being fit and eating right will mean your body operates the way it should including keeping your BP and cholesterol down. It can be hard work to get fit but once you are fit, it takes little effort to stay that way so keep at it.

Jimmy, PM me if you want to chat about anything. I have seen some amazing transformations with a few of my friends that decided that meds only add to health issues by masking them, why not fix the problem, to begin with. 

Well time to hop on the Deere as the rains are coming. Train time is close and I hope to make great progress this year.

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
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  • From: NS(ex PRR) Mon Line.
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Posted by Jimmy_Braum on Sunday, September 20, 2020 12:54 PM

Afternoon all.   First off to Jan, my condolences.  That has to be terribly difficult.  I feel for anyone who has lost anyone as well.

I don't have any tragic tales to share minus me finding my dad deceased after two days.  I guess it's because I really don't have a circle of friends my age to be affected by tragedy as stated above

I gotta make a doctors appointment this coming week- symptoms of a stomach ulcer.  I think when I didn't eat enough nor have enough vitamins'nutrients for almost a month, it messed up my stomach and let the ucler causing bacteria to fully bloom.  I hate doctor visits though.  At least I got my heartrate and bloodpressure to a healthy rate for my age, and I've been working on losing weight- at least 15 lbs since my last visit- 2lbs a week for a month=10lbs plus the half of this month.  I've been trying to keep my risk of diabetes to nonexistent, and keeping out of the sun- terrified of melanoma since a friend had stage one or two, then caught a precancerous spot earlier last year.  I'm only 28, but I'm trying to clean up my body from a LOT of stupid diet mistakes I made.  I was 236 per my last weigh in, so I should be 221.... well I should be 150lbs max at 5'7''. 

  Thankfully I have a NMRA division virtual meeting at 2:30 today, and I am amazed at all the work the East Broad Top Foundation and the FEBT are accomplishing in such a short period.  The biggest has been, 2-8-2 narrow gauge 16 has started the restoration to operation, with possible steaming in 2021! As well as the restarting of the belt system in the machine shop, receiving a grant to put in a fire suppression system in the whole complex, and RELAYING TRACK IN ROBERTSDALE! 

(My Model Railroad, My Rules) 

These are the opinions of an under 35 , from the east end of, and modeling, the same section of the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway.  As well as a freelanced road (Austinville and Dynamite City railroad).  

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Posted by moelarrycurly4 on Sunday, September 20, 2020 12:25 PM

good morning every one,

 

condolences for those who have had losses. 

luckily I have no tragic stories or I could have been in that car etc etc,

Did have one guy from HS who was a year ahead of me get killed by speeding, possibly drunk, I don't recall.

Well so far cootie free. which is good, co-worker has recovered and he will be back at work tomorrow. I am going to get teh antibody test, because I think I had it back in Feb before all this crap started. 

finished up a 1958 RCA HI-FI record player for a customer so it should go out the door soon. I have started making youtube videos shwoing my repairs. 

 

 

 

  • Member since
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  • From: Kentucky
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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Sunday, September 20, 2020 11:12 AM

Good morning ... 

Apparently tragic accidents are a topic. ....

Kevin .... That sounds like a very bad one. There are some curves too sharp for 100 mph on the roads between Nashville and Cincinnati. I recall the worst drunk driving accident in history was on a curve on I-71 near carrolltown, KY (50 miles from Cincinnati, OH) where a drunk drove his truck into a church bus in 1988. 27 people died....

I had a drunk hit me at 50 mph in MI, and it took months to recover enough so I could go back to work. My back still bothers me over 25 years later.

 Brent  ..... The tile looks good. I can see the reflection of the photographer. 

TF .... Have a good week in northern Wisconsin. 

I hope everybody has a good Sunday. . 

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
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Posted by BigDaddy on Sunday, September 20, 2020 10:02 AM

Some grisly stories this morning.  In mine nobody died.  My college roommate and 3 other guys from our dorm drove from Fl to Va for a long weekend.  When they got to Emporia VA on I-95 the guy driving ran onto the shoulder.

He had his eyes open and everyone thought he had it under control.  He kept going and rolled the Vovlo station wagon.  He was ejected, but no major injuries for anyone.  His take away was that not wearing a seat belt saved his life.  I saw the car later, on my way home, at the junk yard.  I wear seat belts - always.

I also fell asleep once after working 24 hours.  I was less than 100 yards from home and there was a ditch on the side of the road.  It was like day dreaming, and I was thinking I am going into the ditch if I don't do something.  That woke me up and I stopped before going in.

Now I drink plenty of fluids.  It doesn't have to be coffee.  You can't fall asleep with a full bladder unless you are drunk.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Sunday, September 20, 2020 9:41 AM

Track fiddler
Tonight I will tell a very sad story that I will never forget.

So many people have a story where they escaped death on a trip they were supposed to be on that ended tragically... this is mine...

When I was going to college in Nashville, it was 1985, and the Punk Rock scene in Cincinatti was the stuff of legends. We used to leave Nashville on Friday night, take turns driving/sleeping, then party in Ohio all day Saturday.

When the accident happened, my best friend in Nashville, Jeff, was driving the van, and slammed into a rock face at 100 MPH, and everyone inside died in the resulting fire. Everyone else was probably sleeping at the time of the accident.

My feelings were not so much "it could have been me", as "why wasn't I there?" Jeff obviously fell asleep at the wheel. He was driving in what was my normal leg of the journey, and I never fell asleep. I also never speed. I felt guilty for a long time that those people died.

The reason that I did not go was because I was attending the funeral of my first girlfriend, Holly, who was killed by a drunk driver along with her 14 year old sister the week before.

It was a very bad week for me.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • From: Flyover Country
  • 5,557 posts
Posted by York1 on Sunday, September 20, 2020 6:58 AM

Good morning, everyone.

For me, this will be a busy day.  I will finish the layout donut shop today.

It's also time to clean the backyard shed before winter hits.  It's only September, but we are already having fall weather.

I'm off to church, then a big breakfast, then a nap.  This is what constitutes a busy day for me now.

York1 John       

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Posted by Track fiddler on Sunday, September 20, 2020 2:05 AM

I'm going to Northern Wisconsin tomorrow guys.

My phone doesn't always work up there so if you don't hear from me for a while you know where I am.

 

 

Smile, Wink & GrinTF

 

 

 

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Posted by Track fiddler on Sunday, September 20, 2020 12:36 AM

Sad times

Sometimes a picture is worth more than words to express my sincere sympathies 

 

John

 

 

 

  • Member since
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Posted by BATMAN on Sunday, September 20, 2020 12:05 AM

Tragic story TF.

We had a couple of young friends driving back from up North and were in the Yukon when they broke down. Cars can be far and few between up there and their parents had given them the lecture on taking survival items along. They died of exposure after a few days, they also had no food with them. 

When my buddies and I headed North we always had food, good sleeping bags and always took a rifle with us. Stupid is as stupid does so we were always prepared.

It is still heartbreaking to think of these two guys basically freezing and starving to death.

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: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Saturday, September 19, 2020 11:02 PM

Track fiddler
I was supposed to be in that car that night.  All I could do was think of what I would have said to my friends if I knew I was never going to see them again.

That's tragic TF. I don't think that there is anything that I can say that will change how you feel about that tremendous loss, but, just like the others who have suffered recent losses including yourself, we do support you and will always.

We buried our eldest son at the age of 18 because he let a powerful car get the better of him.

That's not how it is supposed to work.

Take care!

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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    March 2017
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Posted by Track fiddler on Saturday, September 19, 2020 10:48 PM

Gather around.

I have a story to tell.  I usually like to tell a funny fun story.  Tonight I will tell a very sad story that I will never forget.

It was my senior year in high school.  The next day was Senior Skip Day.  Some dear friends of mine invited me to go to a gravel pit party that was so common back then to do. 

For some reason I couldn't go that time because my parents were being parents.

The car I would have been riding in that night was a souped up Chevelle and my friends that rode in that car that night that I knew so well.

It was Fall, Autumn, turning leaves, nice during the day but cold at night.  Especially near International Falls, (Frostbite Falls)

The day was beautiful, happy and fun.  I had to hear about it the next day and read about it in the paper the day after that.

My friends left the gravel pit party in the Chevelle and went ripping around at high speeds in that muscle machine drunk.

The Little Fork River and the Little Fork Bridge had a curve on the approach from the direction they were coming from.

The beautiful heat of the day in the fall was nice but the Flash of the water on the road late in the night did not do any good for my friends in that Chevelle that night.

The car hit so hard as it spun out they think it split in two before they all went into the river.  They found all my friends dead down River but the saddest thing is they found Jackie dead half up.  She was trying to pull her self up on the ice near shore.  I loved them all but God I loved Jackie

 

 

I was supposed to be in that car that night.  All I could do was think of what I would have said to my friends if I knew I was never going to see them again.

 

 

TF

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Posted by BATMAN on Saturday, September 19, 2020 10:47 PM

Good evening from the still oh so smokey West Coast.

Rob and Jan, I cannot find the words other than to say I am so sorry for your losses. Jan, I usually handle losses of those close to me fairly well but I don't know how I would handle the loss of one of my children.

Hugs happen often in my house between me and my kids and every one is cherished. We have a pretty wide hallway upstairs in our house and when the kid and I are walking towards each other one of us is going to be body checked into the wall, which leads to a wrestling match and a hug and a kiss to whoever ends up on the bottom.Laugh

TF, CCs eyes pierce your soul, what a beautiful little girl, you are so lucky to have her in your life.

Wednesday and Thursday, I spent the entire day on this Estate I took on. I have not done an Estate that involved this much money before and was negotiating rates for the time it will be in the bank. I did very well and am happy. The Estate will have to file an income tax return, that is a first for me, there is no escaping the taxman.

Had a bit of time on Friday so got a wall done on the worlds longest bathroom reno. For the big tiles I use these clip thingies that make things perfectly flat and spaced, so even a rank amateur can do a good job.

Henry, I remember those tour busses being on the news when they arrived, they had regular glass in them along with other safety violations. It was all brought up to snuff before they went on the road but they were the butt of a lot of jokes.

Ed, Watching all those autoracks getting munched, I am glad the train managed to stop just before the Canadian Pacific car hit, that would have affected the value of my two shares in the company.Laugh

Spent the entire day in the trainroom. Used six pads on the CMX track cleaner cleaning every cm of track including sidings. Had two or three trains running all day without incident while I worked on things. I threw the pads in to soak in Dawn dishwashing soap and they came out looking like new, ready to use again.

My Daughter had major pain in her gut the day before she left for University in Victoria. She went to the Doc and got an ultrasound that day. The surgeon phoned her the next day to say it needs to come out. My daughter told him she was now over in Victoria and can it wait until fall break? He said yes, but if she has another attack get right to the hospital. So my daughter says to my wife, I'll take a cab to the hospital if I get another attack, it will be $60.00. My wife and I say in perfect unison, call an ambulance, IT'S FREE!

Life is good.

All the best to all.

Image may contain: mountain, cloud, sky, train, outdoor and nature

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
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Posted by York1 on Saturday, September 19, 2020 9:45 PM

Sympathy for Rob and Jan.  I can't imagine the sorrow and feelings of loss.  I'm glad that you have your faith to give you comfort in such a difficult time.

My wife volunteers to be on call to drive elderly people home from the emergency room if they need a ride.  I'm amazed how many old people, who have family here, still need a ride because they can't or won't get someone in their family to give them a ride home from the hospital.  I can't imagine being in a family like that.  I know some of you have lived through something like that -- I'm sorry for you.  I can't imagine -- I have been blessed.

I made popcorn tonight for the first time in a long time.  I don't know why, but I just didn't make any for months.  Now I'll probably have it every night for a while.

York1 John       

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    March 2017
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Posted by Track fiddler on Saturday, September 19, 2020 9:25 PM

herrinchoker

No matter how old they are, hug your children, and tell them you love them. 

The only advantage about being old is the memories that are retained. The downside is that memories cannot be hugged.

 

That one touched my heart as well as other members on this Forum here Jan.  I think I can speak for everyone that we all support you and I think we would all give you a big hug.

My family is Big Huggers.  I even hug my male friends after a fun day.  As I am getting older everyone I know says I love you and I say it all the time too.

Last night after all the hugs my little CC said group hug, I want a family hug.  We all grouped together like a football team and did a big group hug.

 

I like the way you think and practice it everyday like any day could be the last.  The most important thing in life is family and friends

 

My prayers continue to go out for you and your Family.  My two Daughters and my Son.  I can't even imagine what you've been through

 

 

John

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Posted by Track fiddler on Saturday, September 19, 2020 8:35 PM

Kevin you're following suit and getting rid of the storage locker eh!  You'll be glad you did like I am. 

I did not send in my $90 this month and it feels good.  That's 4 more PECO turnouts for my switching yard. 

I only bought the tracks and turnouts for my main lines so far and no more storage is going to pay for the restYes

 

Oops,  2 posts in a row and I forgot to say post hog.

 

POST HOG!!!

 

 

LaughTF

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Posted by Track fiddler on Saturday, September 19, 2020 8:11 PM

Thank you Jan

I'll take the lightly broiled lobster and a Long Island TeaSmile, Wink & Grin

 

Hope you feel better Kevin.  Having some bad chili sounds badThumbs Down

 

 

TF

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Saturday, September 19, 2020 7:55 PM

herrinchoker
In the past 14 months I have lost all my Sons--the last, Patrick Emmet went to join his Mother, and Brother Labor Day Weekend.

Wow Jan,

Words are inadequate in circumstances like yours, but I think I can speak for everyone on the forums in saying that we all support you.

Take care,

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
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Saturday, September 19, 2020 7:34 PM

herrinchoker
Top of page--my tab

Thank you. I will have a tall frosty one in a mug please.

I have had a headache and stomach ache all day. I still feel terrible.

We had no rain today for the first time in quite a while.

I took advantage of this and made four trips back and forth to the storage locker I am surrendering at the end of the month.

I got about half of the stuff out of there. I only threw away one small bag of junk. I did not think there was much worthless stuff in there.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
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  • From: Georgetown, Maine
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Posted by herrinchoker on Saturday, September 19, 2020 4:20 PM

Top of page--my tab

herrinchoker

  • Member since
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  • From: Georgetown, Maine
  • 573 posts
Posted by herrinchoker on Saturday, September 19, 2020 4:18 PM

Thank you all for the Best Wishes, all I can say is love your children, none of us know how long we will have them with us----Jan

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Posted by "JaBear" on Saturday, September 19, 2020 2:33 PM
Jan, I don’t really know what to say, and if I did it probably would be inadequate.
Thoughts and Best Wishes to you and yours.
Kindest regards, Craig the Bear.

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

  • Member since
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  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Saturday, September 19, 2020 11:18 AM

Track fiddler
The Tile job looks fantastic Kevin!  Great Job

Thanks. Since I purchased that laser level, I can work much faster since I do not need to measure 3-4-5 triangles to get a right angle now.

What an amazing time saving tool.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
  • 10,660 posts
Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Saturday, September 19, 2020 10:23 AM

Good morning ... 

Jan .... I just read your post, and I am very sad. Prayers for you. Please know we Diners care about you. 

...

Rob and TF ... Continued prayers for your losses.

 

...

 

I have learned our hobby of model railroading is good for me during rough and sad times in my life. I like taking "sanity breaks" with model trains which can lift my spirit. 

 

 

 

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Saturday, September 19, 2020 10:05 AM

Condolences to Rob, Jan and John over your recent losses.  My own parents are long gone, my sister is still angry with me over my divorce, and fortunately my only child is still young and healthy.

Be glad for the years you did have together, and always remember them as vibrant, loving people.

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

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Posted by howmus on Saturday, September 19, 2020 9:45 AM

herrinchoker
The only advantage about being old is the memories that are retained. The downside is that memories cannot be hugged.

Amen to that!  My deepest, heartfelt condolences to you and yours!  I still feel heavily the death of my wife from cancer and that was 33 years ago....  I can't imagine losing so many of your family in such a short period.  My thoughts and prayers go out to you!

13

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 Track fiddler on Saturday, September 19, 2020 9:43 AM

Thanks for all the warm thoughts here.

The Tile job looks fantastic Kevin!  Great JobYes

 

 

Jan   It was so saddening to hear your terrible losses.  My prayers and thoughts go out to you.

 

John

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Georgetown, Maine
  • 573 posts
Posted by herrinchoker on Saturday, September 19, 2020 6:11 AM

Ed, Kevin, Thank you for your thoughts. Jan

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