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

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Posted by Track fiddler on Friday, October 9, 2020 7:43 AM

Mornin

I woke up to usually not the case.  After that I was hungry this morning.  I'll will take one of those "Big C" triple Burgers MikeDinner  Thanks!

 

Another gorgeous day in store for us today.  85° is almost too hot for this time of the year but who could complain about that? YesSmile, Wink & Grin

I have my burger patties ready today.  They ain't Triple C's but I think they will Grill up nicely on the shore of Bush Lake over the KingsfordDinner

 

Make it a great day gentlemanWink

 

 

 

TF

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Posted by BigDaddy on Friday, October 9, 2020 7:57 AM

gmpullman
Today I'm contacting another dealer next county over. Can it be that there are NO John Deere garden tractors to be had?

My local dealer had three 2 weeks ago, all at the top end $3,600 and up.  They looked on their computer and there was one used one somewhere in the system with 1000 hours on it.  There is one bottom of the line at Home Depot. 

I ended up buying a used cub cadet (30 hours)  from a dealer, it was the only one they had except for those 0 turning radius mowers.

Both dealers said they had a hard time getting tractors.

Facebook Marketplace has more than Craigslist, but most are in horrible shape

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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Posted by York1 on Friday, October 9, 2020 9:08 AM

SeeYou190
It is not like Florida did not have enough monsters already. Panthers, Bears, Alligators, Rattlesnakes, etc. These pythons are just too much. As are the iguanas.

You can keep them there.  I hate snakes!  I have never liked them -- I'm not sure why.

 

Water Level Route
Their "Big C" burger is triple patty slice of heaven.

That looks great.  I am a burger lover.  My wife complains that I could eat hamburgers every day and never get enough.

 

We have a 90° forecast today.  Several years ago on this day we had snow flurries.

I really don't like Daylight Savings Time.  I am walking in the complete dark now in the mornings.

 

Have a good day, everyone.

York1 John       

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, October 9, 2020 9:52 AM

I sure cannot understand how anyone could have a snake in a house with a baby.

My wife was so protective of our three babies, I am sure that she would never allow them within a mile of a large snake, much less have one in the house.

The contractor never showed up this week to install the window and door as promised. I left a message with their office as soon as I woke up this morning. Maybe I will hear back.

This is the last component of this project I need a General Contractor to do, the last permit, and the last inspection. Once this is done I can just shoot forward.

All my elation I felt earlier in the week about starting the layout in January has faded into discontent again.

I try to keep a positive attitude. So much has been done so far this year, and under bad circumstances, that I should be thankful.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by Track fiddler on Friday, October 9, 2020 9:58 AM

Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort called again for the third time.

It would be so nice to have normal back.  We want to go on our free trip we get every year twice a year.  But I just can't see risking, rolling the dice to get on a plane to breath the same recycled air that everybody else is breathing to go gamble some more.

We always have a ball down there!  But not this yearCrying  At least we have our Bush Lake BBQ today thoughStick out tongueDinner

 

I'm thinking of switching to T-BonesYes

 

 

 

TF

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, October 9, 2020 10:12 AM

Track fiddler
It would be so nice to have normal back.  We want to go on our free trip we get every year twice a year.  But I just can't see risking, rolling the dice to get on a plane to breath the same recycled air that everybody else is breathing to go gamble some more.

I received an eMail the the Scale Rails of Southwest Florida train show for March of 2021 has been cancelled.

As far as I know, there was a train show in St. Petersburg last month, and another one for next month int he same area. Other than those I do not think there were any train shows in Florida this year.

I am not going to the one next month. So far we have been completely crud free, and I want to keep it that way.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by Track fiddler on Friday, October 9, 2020 10:18 AM

SeeYou190

 

So far we have been completely crud free, and I want to keep it that way.

-Kevin

 

Yep!

I don't know whether to say fortunately or unfortunately but that's the way we keep things tooYes

 

 

 

TF

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Posted by tin can on Friday, October 9, 2020 11:59 AM

SeeYou190

 I received an eMail the the Scale Rails of Southwest Florida train show for March of 2021 has been cancelled.

As far as I know, there was a train show in St. Petersburg last month, and another one for next month int he same area. Other than those I do not think there were any train shows in Florida this year.

I am not going to the one next month. So far we have been completely crud free, and I want to keep it that way.

-Kevin

 

 
Wow.  That is a years' worth of cancellations.  I work in higher ed; and our concern is that students will go home over the holidays; mingle with old friends and family, and we will see a new round of new infections in December and January.  I hope that is not the case.  Texas A&M has in effect cancelled their spring break; going from 5 days to 1 day; so students cannot go places, mingle, get infected, and come back.
 
I am ready for all of this to go away.
 
I saw the python story on a news feed.  I hate snakes. The adage the only good snake is a dead snake rings true to me. 
 
Remember the tin can; the MKT's central Texas branch...
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Posted by RideOnRoad on Friday, October 9, 2020 12:59 PM

Speaking of monsters in Florida, it looks like Tom Brady showed his age or the number of times his brain has bounced against his skull last night.

Richard

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Posted by gmpullman on Friday, October 9, 2020 1:19 PM

RideOnRoad
Speaking of monsters in Florida, it looks like Tom Brady showed his age...

I had to Google Tom Brady. Never heard of him Dunce I thought he was from the Brady Bunch TV show?

Guess I've got to get out more often Whistling

Cheers, Ed

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, October 9, 2020 1:31 PM

RideOnRoad
It looks like Tom Brady showed his age or the number of times his brain has bounced against his skull last night.

I don't know anybody that was happy about Tampa Bay spending all that money to get two has-beens on the roster.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by gmpullman on Friday, October 9, 2020 4:30 PM

 

Meanwhile —

     Back in Petoskey:

 Petoskey_depot_1908 by Edmund, on Flickr

Lots of great stuff to see in this 1908 photo, be sure to enlarge the view.

See anything unusual about the depot itself? 

Wouldn't you love to eavesdrop on some of the conversations going on at the platform?

Cheers, Ed

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Posted by hon30critter on Friday, October 9, 2020 7:08 PM

Hi Ed,

Interesting video of winter life on the Mackinac Island! Thanks.

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 hon30critter on Friday, October 9, 2020 7:14 PM

Here is a website with a comprehensive history of railroading in Michigan for those who might be interested:

http://www.michiganrailroads.com/railroad-history

Here is another site which covers modern day railroading in Michigan:

http://www.michiganrailroads.com/today-s-railroads

Cheers!!

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
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Posted by hon30critter on Friday, October 9, 2020 7:53 PM

Some of Michigan's train stations:

Durand, MI:

One end of the Durand station:

Niles, MI:

Detroit's Michigan Central Station:

This is the state that the station was in in 2018. Since then, the Ford Motor Company has purchased the building and plans to have it restored by 2022. The main concourse will be open to the public with shops and restaurants available. Ford and some of its suppliers will have development offices above that, and the top floors will become residential. Ford is maintaining four tracks adjacent to the station in the hopes that Amtrack will resume commuter service to the area.

Port Huron (lind of looks like it is boarded up):

Something on a smaller scale:

Battle Creek:

Charity Island:

Lapeer:

Cement City. Doesn't that sound like a romantic destination?!?Smile, Wink & GrinLaughLaugh

Of course there are tons more stations.

I came across a few photos where the stations had been abandonded with no hope of recovery, but I decided to not post those. Too depressing.

Cheers!!

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 MisterBeasley on Friday, October 9, 2020 8:20 PM

Old railroad stations are far more appealing to me than old quarterbacks.

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

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, October 9, 2020 8:27 PM

This is the depot in Chelsea, Michigan. I photographed it when I was in Michigan this past July.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by cudaken on Friday, October 9, 2020 8:35 PM

 Eveing Diners

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

 Sort of a good day?

 Good Old heating and air guy called before the new call too say they where on the way. Canaclled the new company and cleaning cost was only $70.00. Other company would have cost $70.00 just to show up, which is fair, but total cost of $70.00 is better.

 Dirk Pip Sigh Vet visit was $198.00 and got him a new allergie Med. His feet itch and he has chewed off part of a pad on his right front paw again! Med was $62.50 but if it keeps him from chew on his feet, it is worth it.

 I did not another dog, but I am gland I meet him!

 Later, Ken and Dirk says Woof, Woof!

I hate Rust

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, October 9, 2020 8:53 PM

I am hearing something I have not heard in ages on a Friday night! The marching band at North Fort Myers High School is performing a half time show. My house is only about a half mile from the school, so I can usually here it pretty well.

All restrictions have been lifted on High School sports events here in Florida, so I guess Friday Night Lights are back.

GO RED KNIGHTS!

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by York1 on Friday, October 9, 2020 8:58 PM

gmpullman
See anything unusual about the depot itself? 

 

Ed, I'm not very good at this.  What is unusual about the depot?

York1 John       

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Posted by hon30critter on Friday, October 9, 2020 9:25 PM

gmpullman
See anything unusual about the depot itself? 

Hi Ed,

I noticed that all of the eavestrough on the track side of the platform shelter has either been pretty much squashed flat or ripped off, and the downspouts are missing although the standpipes for them are still in place. Maybe the shelter is a bit too close to the tracks?

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
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  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, October 9, 2020 9:31 PM

gmpullman
See anything unusual about the depot itself?

Nope. I guess like John, I am also not very good at this.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by gmpullman on Saturday, October 10, 2020 12:18 AM

hon30critter
I noticed that all of the eavestrough on the track side of the platform shelter has either been pretty much squashed flat or ripped off, and the downspouts are missing although the standpipes for them are still in place.

Exactly what I noticed, too, Dave Yes

All I can figure is that a shifted load or some other "outsized" passing train crumpled the gutters and eaves of the platform shed. Somebody had some explaining to do.

I'll post some close-ups later this morning.

SeeYou190
This is the depot in Chelsea, Michigan.

I have a neat photo of the old Glazier Stove Works in Chelsea, that I'll post in a day or so.

Regards, Ed

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Posted by hon30critter on Saturday, October 10, 2020 12:47 AM

gmpullman
Exactly what I noticed, too, Dave

Oh, oh, oh, do I get a prize!!Smile, Wink & GrinLaughLaughLaugh

I always enjoy your posts Ed! You are a great contributor to the forums!

Cheers!!

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 "JaBear" on Saturday, October 10, 2020 3:18 AM

gmpullman
Wouldn't you love to eavesdrop on some of the conversations going on at the platform?

Apps 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 gmpullman on Saturday, October 10, 2020 5:01 AM

Bear! Apps! BowBowBow

 

 Petoskey_depot_eaves by Edmund, on Flickr

Crunched eaves! Missing downspouts?

Prize? How about a virtual martini Drinks

Well, Top of 'da page Smile  Is it still warm enough to enjoy a hot fudge sundae — on Saturday? Make mine a tin roof!

 hot-tin-roof-sundaes by Edmund, on Flickr

Cheers, Ed

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Saturday, October 10, 2020 9:19 AM

Good morning, everybody ... 

I'll have cider and a donut, please. 

Ed .... Thanks for the offer of a sundae. It looks good, but not for breakfast. 

The big Michgan Central Depot in Detroit was basically abandoned, and has been a huge eyesore for many years. However, I did hear investors may be rebuiling it for another purpose. 

Another attractive depot in Michigan is in Kalamazoo. I was living in Kalamazoo on Amtrak's first day of operation. The city had a ceremony for the first Amtrak train. I sa it. The mayor gave a gold key to the city to the engineer. If I recall correctly, it was a PRR E7 passenger cars from various railroads including a yellow UP car. 

Kalamazoo is on the former Michigan Central line from Detroit to Chicago. It is the next city west of Battle Creek.

Below is a photo of  Kalamazoo depot with an Amtrak train. 

 

 

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by BroadwayLion on Saturday, October 10, 2020 9:55 AM

Is there a zoo in kalamyzoo? If not there is no point in stopping there!

 

ROAR

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Saturday, October 10, 2020 10:16 AM

BroadwayLion

Is there a zoo in kalamyzoo? If not there is no point in stopping there!

ROAR

From Kalamazoo to Timbuktoo, to Timbuktoo and back,

A long long way, a long long way, a long way down the track.

 

I loved that book when I was a little kid.

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

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Posted by York1 on Saturday, October 10, 2020 10:29 AM

Good morning.  We're headed out for a ride to see the fall colors.

York1 John       

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