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Welcome to the October, 2020 Jeffrey's Trackside Diner in Michigan

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  • From: Kentucky
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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Wednesday, October 28, 2020 9:41 AM

rws1225

Forgot the "w" on Keweenaw Oops - Sign.  If you go to Houghton in the Keweenaw they have roofed over some streets that are on a grade, that will give some idea of how much snow they get.

 

thanks ... I will edit.

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by York1 on Wednesday, October 28, 2020 9:28 AM

Good morning, everyone.  I'll have bacon, eggs, and coffee.

It's 22°F, but it's supposed to warm to 50° today.  That will get rid of the snow.

When Ford said they were going to renovate the Michigan Central station in Detroit, it was great news.  Then work stopped when the virus hit.  The good news I missed two months ago was that work had resumed!

 

https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/michigan/2020/08/09/renovation-work-restarts-on-iconic-detroit-train-station/

 

York1 John       

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Posted by rws1225 on Wednesday, October 28, 2020 8:45 AM

Forgot the "w" on Keweenaw Oops - Sign.  If you go to Houghton in the Keweenaw they have roofed over some streets that are on a grade, that will give some idea of how much snow they get.

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Wednesday, October 28, 2020 8:27 AM

Good morning. ........ Michigan Apple Cider and donuts, please. 

Jimmy ....... 2 trips to ER? I hope you feel better. 

.... 

The Keweenaw Peninsula extends far north into Lake Superior, and is part of the Michigan Upper Peninsula. Copper mining was a big industry there in the 20th Century. Milwaukee Road operated the Copper Country Limited from Chicago to Calumet, MI in the Keweenaw Peninsula. 

Here is a picture of The Copper Country Limited with FP7's. 

 

I have been in the Upper Peninsula in the winter, and it certainly is cold there with massive amounts of snow. 

Everybody: ....Have a good day. 

(edited) 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by Jimmy_Braum on Wednesday, October 28, 2020 5:16 AM

Hwy all, long time no see. 

  Last week,I was in the ER twice..... once for pain in my leg like a blood clot(negative) and stomach pain the next. I have gasritis, and on temp medications to fix it, although I think a lack of vitamin Played into it.  

  I thought O had a steal on ebay,a spectrum 2-8-0 dcc and sound for 70 bucks.  Well,the selling  account  was setup incorrectly and all the sales were cancelled. The dealer hasn't gotten back to me yet on whether I can just paypal the money and they ship  

My club's open house IS still happening  this year, and im supposed to operate on a big home layout next month

(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 hon30critter on Wednesday, October 28, 2020 5:12 AM

NorthBrit
That is what  we call 'Smokin''   Great picture.

I am amazed that the paddle wheels didn't disintegrate when they were pounding through the ice! The ice must have been much more broken up than what the picture appears to show.

Our forefathers accomplished some amazing things!

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 NorthBrit on Wednesday, October 28, 2020 4:57 AM

gmpullman

 

 Lansdowne by Edmund, on Flickr

Cheers, Ed

 

 

That is what  we call 'Smokin''   Great picture.

David

 

 

To the world you are someone.    To someone you are the world

I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Wednesday, October 28, 2020 2:39 AM

Howdy ... Regarding the SS Lansdowine, it was converted to a floating restaurant in the 1980's. Investors were creative, and included two former Milwaukee Road Skytop lounge cars side-by-side. 

When I posted the picture with  PM 1225, I should have mentioned it was used as part of the movie, Polar Express. The engine number is significant for that role. 

Ken ... I hope your neighbor recovers soon from the virus. 

I was sleeping most of the day. Now I am awake in the middle of the night, but it will not last long. Most of the time in recent days I feel like PM 1225 ran over me. 

just checking to see what's going on here. .... Good night

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by "JaBear" on Wednesday, October 28, 2020 2:24 AM

More interesting photos of the Landsdowne...

http://greatlakeships.org/2907098/image/2211952?n=1

Smile

"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 gmpullman on Wednesday, October 28, 2020 12:56 AM

 

 Lansdowne by Edmund, on Flickr

Cheers, Ed

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Posted by BATMAN on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 10:43 PM

Evening all.

Had a busy day today and even manage to pull a few tiles up in the kitchen as I am thinking the damage may be worse than we thought. I called the insurance company and they are coming to have a look. With the deductible and the loss of our no-claims discount the break-even point is $4000.00 on whether we claim or not.

We have decided we cannot wait for the puppies to go to address the issue so they will be moved to the dining room. We are ripping up the carpet and putting hardwood throughout the house soon, so we are not worried about possible leakage though we will have double layers of covering just the same.

We have many friends in the medical profession and there have been inquiries to BC hospitals about taking patients from the US as the hospitals are filling up fast. They will be urgent non-covid cases. I bet Fox news won't be mentioning that one.Laugh

My sister has kept putting off her knee replacement surgery for a multitude of reasons and phoned the surgeon today and said she could not whimp out any longer, so she is booked in November 16. We shall see, I think she will actually go through with it this time, after all with the covid going on she has nothing else to do.

The cabinet company we are having build our cabinets uses solid wood in the construction. The ones in the kitchen now are particleboard and have been total garbage. They are 32 years old and I'll be glad to see the last of them. Called for a roll-off dumpster today, they have to get back to me.

Called three companies about getting the old porcelain tile/thin-set taken up and it will be much cheaper to pull up the plywood and tile and replace the ply with new than having the old stuff removed. The one guy said to go at the tile with the sledgehammer and then go down into the crawlspace with a jack and post and pop the sheets of ply off and you will have it up in no time.Hmm I lied earlier when I said it was 800 sq ft, it is 600 sq ft. Not sure what I was thinking.

Talked to the kid, he got to Victoria had his meeting and was lying on his king-size bed overlooking Victorias harbour. I am guessing I will have to pick him up tomorrow at the ferry, oh-well I have nothing else on my plate right now.Laugh

Think I'll go turn on the idiot box for a while and fight to stay awake.Laugh I still never take a nap but have a hard time staying awake till bedtime. 

I am getting dishpan hands doing dishes, the appliance store is getting a load of dishwashers in Friday so hopefully, we can get one. No bargains these days with such shortages, I will put it in so we will have it. It only takes five minutes to take out when we gut the kitchen.

Well, 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."

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Posted by cudaken on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 9:46 PM

 Eveing Diners

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

 Well I have COVID 19 living across the street now. Kevin and his family like to go out to eat, have larger gathering and seldom ware a mask as far as I have seen. His car has not been out of the drive way senes Thursday. Found out today he has tested postive for the crude. Few months back his wife and Kevin said it is no worse than the flue. (his wife is a nurse) Whistling They told me "this will be all over after Nov 4th"! Whistling For his sake I hope they are right.

 Later Ken and Dirk says Woof, Woof.

I hate Rust

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Posted by York1 on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 8:40 PM

Thanks for the info.

This is a small town, and his is a small local shop.  He is in a slow time right now, so he had already begun building the cabinets some weeks ago.   He believed they would have the cabinets done later this week.  We ordered the quartz today.

My wife is the one dictating all this.  I just write the check.

York1 John       

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Posted by up831 on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 6:41 PM

Hi Everyone,

A two week turnaround for full custom cabinetry doesn't sound right, at all, unless these people are really old school and one of the very few contractors in the country who would still build the cabinets on site, which is a practice which stopped by the late 70s.

Full custom cabinets should take a minimum of 4 weeks and its usually 6-7 weeks for delivery.

The only people I know of who can offer a two week turnaround are people who only offer stock cabinets in only limited stock sizes and extremely limited finish options.

The other thing is unless you're dealing with a fabricator who carries several stock colors in their stone offerings, it is highly unlikely you'll be able to purchase the stone by the square foot.  Most likely it would be by the slab.  There's several reasons for this.

If you have any questions, feel free to pm me.

Less is more,...more or less!

Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)

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Posted by York1 on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 5:36 PM

BigDaddy
John it depends on the cabinets.  I moved in mid-August.  My builder said the wait time for the cabinets we have went for 2 weeks to 6 weeks to NLA. 

 

The cabinets are custom-built by his company, which is local, so I hope they will be on time.  Of course, he could be overly optimistic.

York1 John       

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Posted by BigDaddy on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 5:27 PM

John it depends on the cabinets.  I moved in mid-August.  My builder said the wait time for the cabinets we have went for 2 weeks to 6 weeks to NLA. 

I a amazed that some "essential" businesses are thriving and others are all but closed up.  I hunted with a guy that owns a farm supply store and he tells me his sales of hog feed have doubled over last year.  People didn't like seeing empty meat shelves earlier this year.

Not sure I would have hogs for that reason.   Nascar driver Clint Boyer said his wife had a couple rescue pigs.  Two rescue pigs turn into a couple dozen pigs in no time at all.  Pigs don't smell like something, I cannot mention, that smells bad, they smell EXACTLY like that substance.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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Posted by tin can on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 5:05 PM

We redid our kitchen countertops two years ago with quartz; they look good and no maintenance.  Same contractor is coming next week to tile our two bathrooms and our closet; replacing some really bad linoleum, especially in the spare bathroom.

Remember the tin can; the MKT's central Texas branch...
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Posted by York1 on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 4:34 PM

BATMAN
The wife wants quartz countertops in the kitchen, that's a lot of quartz.

 

Just a half-hour ago, the contractor left our house with his samples.  My wife is putting in new cabinets and quartz countertops.

The island is large, and the quartz countertop will be a lot of square feet.

With three daughters, their houses have three different surfaces.  One has quartz, one has granite, and one has quartzite.  My wife originally wanted quartzite, which is natural stone, but it is more expensive (in most cases), and requires more care.

I'm happy she picked quartz.  I'm also happy that any house construction from now on will be done by professionals.  My house renovation days are over.

Kevin, the contractor told us "two weeks".  The new cabinets and the quartz tops will be done in "two weeks".  I'll let you know in January how the "two weeks" worked out.

York1 John       

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Posted by BATMAN on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 2:52 PM

Good day from the beautiful West Coast where we have a high OC but no rain.

It is definitely a much cooler fall than usual around here and we set a new 101-year record low temp for Oct 25.

Mr B, we had a bald eagle take up residence in the back yard for a few days and we were waiting for it to get weak enough to grab and take to the wildlife sanctuary. He disappeared before that could happen so he may have recovered from his injury enough to move on.

 

Went shopping for all the appliances for the new kitchen and went to the custom cabinet shop. The appliances are going to be a problem as the cupboards are bare and March is when we may get some of the things we actually want. The wife wants quartz countertops in the kitchen, that's a lot of quartz. I can see the house sinking on that side.Laugh The water is still coming out from under the tiles so I am wondering how far it actually migrated. I may be replacing plywood.

I was on the bike this morning and the kid comes in and says he has to get to Victoria for a meeting (Government work) and I need to drive him to the ferry. I am soaked through so towelled off changed in two minutes flat and got him to the ferry just in time to catch the noon sailing. All the way to the ferry he had his laptop open and was on a conference video call and booked a room at the snazzy hotel he stays at.  I would never enjoy that pace but he is thriving.

As he climbed out of the truck I asked him if he had his toothbrush. He looked at me and said I guess I am buying another new one.Laugh

I need a shower.Laugh

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."

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 2:03 PM

York1

We have a Blue Jay that will not be leaving.  A hawk got it at our feeder.

That was unusual for us.  Normally the Blue Jays and Cardinals are too wary and too quick for the hawk to get them.  The hawks here usually go for the doves and pigeons in our yard.

Somebody posted a picture of one of our local Great Blue Herons.  It has gotten its bill entangled in some plastic netting, and can't fish like it should.  Right now, it's still avoiding people, but I hope someone can get close enough once it gets weaker to free it.

The Natural Resources people are all tied up dealing with an oil spill of unknown origin, and the bird rescue people don't want anything to do with it.  There are only a few of them around, so I hope something can be done for it.

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

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Posted by York1 on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 12:34 PM

SeeYou190
My Crape Myrtels never bloomed, and we are flooded with Blue-Jays this year.

 

We have a Blue Jay that will not be leaving.  A hawk got it at our feeder.

That was unusual for us.  Normally the Blue Jays and Cardinals are too wary and too quick for the hawk to get them.  The hawks here usually go for the doves and pigeons in our yard.

York1 John       

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Posted by Doughless on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 10:29 AM

SeeYou190

 

 
York1
What does bother me in our house is my wife's inability to get rid of things

 

My wife will get rid of things, but not certain things.

She has an unbreakable attachment to anything that was given to us by someone who has since passed on. If someone gives us a gift, then dies, that item is now sacred to my wife... period.

We have two hideous end tables in our bedroom that were given to us by a family friend named Patty. Patty passed away three years ago.

I will not have those end tables in the new bedroom, but she is determined to keep them because Patty gave them to us. They do not even have drawers or match one another.

They are not even in good shape.

I tried to "accidentally" destroy one of them by stacking two three foot high piles of magazines on it. It held up. The magazines went to the recycle center.

I have sat my 300 pound self on one of them while I put on shoes and even wiggled around on it. It will not break.

When the new bedroom is done, I think this will be the biggest fight of the remodel.

-Kevin

 

Hmmm.  Since they are so sturdy and are not really nightstands, maybe you can use them as layout supports.  Your wife gets to know they are still with her and contributing to the house.....

...and you get to look at them a lot.

- Douglas

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Posted by moelarrycurly4 on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 10:19 AM

Oklahoma is getting an ice storm, way early for that. 

It has been colder here in the wilds of west ky early as well. 

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 10:05 AM

SeeYou190
hon30critter
Is it normal for your gold finches to disappear at this time of year? In the past we have had them all winter in fairly decent numbers, although not as many as through the summer. Our chipmunks have also disappeared. We had two regulars and a couple of occassionals that we were feeding by hand almost every day, but about two weeks ago they just vanished. I wonder if Mother Nature is telling us that we are in for a bad winter?

 

Things are strange this year.

My Crape Myrtels never bloomed, and we are flooded with Blue-Jays this year. We normally rarely, if ever, see a Blue-Jay down here. It is not even Halloween yet, and winter birds are showing up early, and going further South.

Garry: Thank you for the steam locomotive pictures from Michigan.

-Kevin

 

We live on a tidal marsh, so we see a lot of water fowl.  I appears that the last of our egrets has gone for the year, and there are fewer mallards, too.  Our local population of Canada Geese is gone, but we still hear transient flocks as we're on a major migratory route.

Our herons and some mallards will stay all winter.  Right now we are awaiting the hooded mergansers and our other winter ducks.  The winter bird feeder is out now, too.  The sparrows and house finches are devouring that seed.  It's great Cat TV for the cats who can't get out of the porch.

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

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 9:51 AM

hon30critter
Is it normal for your gold finches to disappear at this time of year? In the past we have had them all winter in fairly decent numbers, although not as many as through the summer. Our chipmunks have also disappeared. We had two regulars and a couple of occassionals that we were feeding by hand almost every day, but about two weeks ago they just vanished. I wonder if Mother Nature is telling us that we are in for a bad winter?

Things are strange this year.

My Crape Myrtels never bloomed, and we are flooded with Blue-Jays this year. We normally rarely, if ever, see a Blue-Jay down here. It is not even Halloween yet, and winter birds are showing up early, and going further South.

Garry: Thank you for the steam locomotive pictures from Michigan.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 9:04 AM

Howdy ...

Michigan apple cider and donuts, please. 

 

This is frustrating. I suggested Michigan bacause I wanted to post pictures. The computer hard drive died preventing me from participating for several days. It's fixed, but then I've been too sick to do much for several days. This morning, I am at the point where I can post a little. 

Owosso, MI is home for Steam Railroading Institute. Vulunteers operate steam excursions with PM 1225, a Berkshire.

Owosso was Ann Arbor RR's diesel shop was located. Later the shop was used by Tuscola & Saginaw Bay to maintain its fleet of GP35's which were former AA units.

Several years ago, Owosso hosted a meet of various operating steam lcomotives which included PM 1225 and NKP 765 (another Berkshire).

The photos below are of NKP 765 at the event.

 

This last photo is of PM 1225 and NKP 765

 

That's all for now. 

 

Have a nice day. 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by NorthBrit on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 5:26 AM

Good morning all.   Spending some time in the train room today.   It will keep me out of the icy rain that is falling. Laugh

Only magpies are seen now?   The other birds seem to have left.

Take Care & Keep Safe.

David

To the world you are someone.    To someone you are the world

I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought

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Posted by CNCharlie on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 12:54 AM

Dave, our gold finches migrate but a few may stick around if it is mild til the end of Nov.  Chipmunks hibrinate to their burrows.  Ours hid early as it has been cold for Oct.

CN Charlie

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Posted by hon30critter on Monday, October 26, 2020 11:28 PM

CNCharlie
Dave, that is strange about the gold finches. We had lots here from July to the end of Sept. They are gone now.

Hi CNCharlie,

Is it normal for your gold finches to disappear at this time of year? In the past we have had them all winter in fairly decent numbers, although not as many as through the summer.

Our chipmunks have also disappeared. We had two regulars and a couple of occassionals that we were feeding by hand almost every day, but about two weeks ago they just vanished. I wonder if Mother Nature is telling us that we are in for a bad winter?

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 CNCharlie on Monday, October 26, 2020 11:07 PM

Dave, that is strange about the gold finches. We had lots here from July to the end of Sept. They are gone now. They like thistles when nesting and there a lot of those along the river that is nearby.  We have nuthatches all year.

As far as next month goes, I'm easy. South Africa would be fun. I went from Pretoria to Cape Town on Rovos Rail in 2015. It is all narrow guage.

Robbie is 11 1/2and has health issues. Tough to imagine no dog but we are facing that as he will be th last. I got my first dog in October 1974 . Getting old sucks.

CN Charlie

 

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