Welcome to the November, 2020 Jeffrey's Trackside Diner in New Zealand

[Backshop]

The are two ex South African Northerns and a Beyer Garrett near the waterfront in Auckland that are in rough condition.

I really enjoyed our cruise there two years ago.  We're supposed to go back in 13 months, but we shall see...  If not, at least we saw it!

[NorthBrit]

Good afternoon all.  Arrived in New Zealand.  There is Maori music being played nearby.

November is birthdays and anniversaries in the family.   Grandson number 3 is six today.    He has just had a little birthday party with his Grandma  and me.

Take care everyone.

David

[York1]

Good Sunday morning, everyone.  It's donut morning!

I've finally gotten to a country I've always wanted to visit -- New Zealand.  At my age, I know this is now the closest I will get.

[Track fiddler]

Good Morning

Sure is nice in New Zealand here  Thanks again Ed for your well appreciated efforts   Well Done!

My Grandson Xavier was a puppy last night for Halloween

Isn't He Cute?

 

And we get over there once a year  A year is way too long with this little guy growing up

Last year's picture of him, He doesn't like the Packers because his Daddy told him not to

 

A chip off the old block  That's my little Fiddler

 

 

 

TF

[NorthBrit]

On a fast ship to New Zealand.   In the Suez Canal.  Egyptian train heading north.

Sundown in the Red Sea.

 

Will arrive N. Z.  shortly, keep safe.

David

[hon30critter]

Good Grief, the Diners already here, and we haven’t even welcomed it properly.

Hey Bear! That was quite a greeting!

I am glad that your indigenous people are so active in keeping their history alive. They obviously have a very strong culture, and their ceremonies evoke a lot of emotion. Thanks for showing us a proper Maori greeting, even if it did scare the pants off me!

I'm sorry to hear that Covid-19 has messed your business up so badly. Keeping a stiff upper lip seems to be getting harder every day.

Cheers!!

Dave

[herrinchoker]

Ed,

Thanks for moving the diner, 

herrinchoker

["JaBear"]

Good Grief, the Diners already here, and we haven’t even welcomed it properly.

 

 

At least the bogies have been changed to 3 foot 6 inch gauge, and that Kevins’ Daughter had the foresight to make the Diners Sign able to run on 240 volts.

 

Not sure how much of a host I’ll be. Covid lockdown in March forced us to halt one of our forestry survey programmes and, of course, we had perfect weather for aerial photography. Not so when the lockdown was lifted, so it was a struggle through the winter months to complete it. It also meant that our winter “heavy “maintenance programme was also put back and getting aircraft parts from the States is as painful as pulling teeth, slow transportation and or parts not able to be supplied with any certainty!! Oh well, at least it keeps me off the streets.

 

Here’s another possible shunter project for Dave. DSC Class 2515 at Napier mid 80s.

DSC class, Napier. by Bear, on Flickr

 

Thoughts and Best Wishes to All that need them, Kia Kaha (Stay Strong)

Cheers, the Bear.

[hon30critter]

gmpullman

Here's a critter that I'll bet Dave would like to model:

For sure!!

We have a little pub not too far from us that is called "The Peter Sellers Pub", and they have a little switcher locomotive that runs all around the pub on a track suspended just below the ceiling. I'm not sure of the scale but it is bigger than O gauge. They would love to have something like that Pink Panther switcher!

This pub is a real hidden gem. It's in the basement of a restaurant and the way down to it is positively dingy. However, they have a large selection of single malt scotches and several local artisans' beers on tap, and the food is great.

Dave

[hon30critter]

CNCharlie,

I sent you a PM about the CN stock car.

Dave

[hon30critter]

A beautifully restored AB Class steamer, and a couple of shots for us birders!

Dave

[hon30critter]

Here's another video of the incredible scenery:

Dave

[Track fiddler]

I Liked it Ed. 

I felt like I was riding the Kiwi Train on the tour.  And I was touched that I saw Kevin's daughters sign that you chose to remain here

The scenery of New Zealand sure is beautiful.

 

Thanks Ed.

You did a Great job opening up the Diner in New Zealand.

 

 

TF

[gmpullman]

SeeYou190

I will let my daughter know we kept the sign she made!

Thanks, Kevin! Stable memory is a good thing, I think? I used to have it but I forgot when 

Here's a critter that I'll bet Dave would like to model:

Waipara, New Zealand, 1994 by Center for Railroad Photography & Art, on Flickr

A Pink Panther side-winder 

Cheers, Ed

[SeeYou190]

Great opening Ed!

I will let my daughter know we kept the sign she made!

My computer stayed stable long enough for me to post this... unbelievable.

-Kevin

[gmpullman]

What's not to love about locomotives lettered Kiwi Rail?

 

Thanks, Dave! This is a team effort 

I'm going to take a break and fix a drink 

Cheers, Ed

[hon30critter]

Thanks for starting Ed!

This is a short video of a Kiwi Rail passenger train in the high country:

 

I'll post more pictures and videos soon.

Dave

[gmpullman]

 

NOVEMBER, 2020 Edition

The Diner has been uprooted from the previous Michigan location and made the 8,500 mile journey half-way round the world to the Southern Hemisphere and to New Zealand. This month should be very interesting as we learn about the history and railroads of this wonderful country.

Every month we respectfully remember the good

friends that are no longer with us.

 

---

 

 

 

On to more great discoveries!

Cheers, Ed