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

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Posted by ROBERT PETRICK on Saturday, November 28, 2020 8:23 AM

SeeYou190

We are infested with mockingbirds year round. I do not know what a Blue Jay sounds like, but they cannot be any more irritating or aggressive than a mockingbird.

I never understood why you aren't supposed to kill a mockingbird. They seem to invite that kind of reaction. Once there was one in the Crape Myrtel that would attack my wife every time she walked out the front door.

But.. they are not as bad as those burrowing owls!

Egrets... I love egrets.

-Kevin

We don't have blue jays or mockingbirds in Wyoming (or cardinals or orioles either), so it's kinda hard to explain to my fellow Wyomingites why I wore my hockey helmet while gardening in Florida.

I once had a mockingbird mimic the tweet-tweet chirp of me locking and unlocking my car doors.

Robert

LINK to SNSR Blog


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Posted by moelarrycurly4 on Saturday, November 28, 2020 7:51 AM

Good Saturday morning all,

 

TF: Ding ding ding. Yes because there are more geese on one side of the "V"

Not much going on today. On call but not at work, I will be spending time on the bench. I have a record player coming at 2:30 for repair. It will be a Christmas present for the man's daughter. 

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Posted by NorthBrit on Saturday, November 28, 2020 6:17 AM

Good morning all.   Jack Frost has been busy.

A busy morning with parcels arriving.

It is now coffee time. Coffee

   Afterwards I am going to make some fruit parcels using filo pastry.  I never tried making them before.  Wish me luck.

Thoughts & Peace to All who Require.

 

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 richhotrain on Saturday, November 28, 2020 5:17 AM

gmpullman

I might need to pick your brain on 3D resin printing. These things have become so rediculously cheap lately that it seems every modeler should have one stashed under the layout — or in the loo if that's the only place you have room!

ahh, the loo, where you can find my bathtub layout.   Smile, Wink & Grin

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by gmpullman on Saturday, November 28, 2020 4:04 AM

Welcome back, Douglas!

Glad to dust off a booth seat for you and see a fellow diner patron back in the fold.

I might need to pick your brain on 3D resin printing. These things have become so rediculously cheap lately that it seems every modeler should have one stashed under the layout — or in the loo if that's the only place you have room!

Hope to see you around more often! Don't be bashful Smile make yourself at home here...

 PM_Tail by Edmund, on Flickr

Cheers, Ed

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Posted by PM Railfan on Saturday, November 28, 2020 3:49 AM

Good evening fellow Railroaders! Been quite along time since I disturbed the natural order of things. I spose 5 years is long enuf break for yall. Very glad to see the diner is still around. And a few of you ol 'timers as well.

Whats that you say? How've I been? Im about half, as is the latest cliche of the locals around here (here here, not there here). Im still kickin shins and payin dues like the rest of you. 

I can catch up on pretty much what yall have been doing by spending some time reading the forum so I recon the best and shortest thing to do would be let yall in on what my scoundrel self has been doing.

First couple of years here, I couldnt do much. Pretty intense getting settled around here, commuting, working, and taking care of the ill family member. All while living out of a suitcase.

Once I got kinda settled I moved my collection here. Set up a 1x8 test bench since i had the room. Just for testing stuff, you know.

This past year I ended up needing a loop for a test track so I put together one of those. I got real tired of juggling shelless locos on a bench, trying to keep electrical contact, operate a throttle, and diagnose a problem. 5 hand job for a two handed person. Model Railroading is FUN!

Im still collecting ofcourse, can never have enough trains. So much so Ive taken to 3D printing cars. I knew one day Id be scratchbuilding my own stuff. But I never imagined just how much fun it would be to actually make models!

Im doing my darndest to get out of the IT industry, yet 3D work is hopelessly intertwined with puters (Ill never get away from them!).

I finished the website test a couple years ago and took it down so I dont have a place to post photos anymore. I dont even remember if you can post your email address in here. Matter of fact, and dont laugh, but its been so long since Ive been here I forgot how to post to this place (turn knob, walk into diner).

Well, thats pretty much it. As far as I know Im in reasonably good health, my pickup truck is still running, and I still have power to the rails. I hope the same for all of you.

 

Happy Holidays!

Douglas

PM Railfan

 

  • Member since
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  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
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Posted by "JaBear" on Saturday, November 28, 2020 2:21 AM

moelarrycurly4
On a V of Geese , do you know why one side of the "V" is longer? I will let the guessing begin. 

I think it’s got something to do with the wind direction and sharing the load, aerodynamically speaking.
 
One aspect of New Zealand railroading that doesn’t appear to have much in the way of moving pictures, is the Bush Tramways.
While there were “proper locomotives like the Taupo Totara Timber Co Alco built Mallet and various Heisler’s, Climaxes, and British built “rod’ engines, due to the “tyranny of distance” due to being located at the bottom left-hand corner of the Pacific, there were quite a few locally built bush locomotives that could be classified in the “weird category”.
 
So, grab your coffee, and have a read, or as the Bear tends to do, look at the pictures.Coffee
 
 
 
 
 
Thoughts and Best Wishes to All that need them. Kia Kaha.
Cheers, the Bear.Smile
P.S If David really wants to take on hosting a visit to the UK, I would not be adverse to visiting.

"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 CNCharlie on Saturday, November 28, 2020 12:15 AM

Good Evening,

While Blue Jays on occasion may eat eggs,  they aren't the killers many people think. Check the Cornell website. They are very clever and can mimic the calls of other birds. We have several visit our yard daily and one will sit in the spruce tree by the back door and look at the door. He wants us to throw out peanuts. He makes a ' queedle' call, one of many they make. 

I finally got the TV service sorted out today, very frustrating. I did learn not to call in the evening . I did last night and the call went to a call centre in India. After over 2 hours it was obvious they did't have a clue and were very hard to understand. I spent another 2 hours on the phone today but they did fix the problem plus were very nice. I've had 2 calls back from a supervisor following up. That call centre is in Vancouver. 

Glad to here everyone survived Thanksgiving.  

Rob, interesting that you dream about your pets and people you know/knew. I never do. All the places and people are always imaginary. I do dream about airports a lot. Must be from all those business trips I took over 35 years . 

Time for sleep.

CN Charlie

 

 

 

 

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Posted by Track fiddler on Friday, November 27, 2020 11:48 PM

A little follow-up I need to share with you. 

Leo Neisser was the best friend I ever had in my life.

He was my friend because he always spent time with me and taught me how to do things.

Before my parents bought the resort we used to go up to his Resort on Mille Lacs Lake.  After he sold his Resort he stayed at our Resort.

I've lived my whole life for 57 years now and never found a person as wholesome as Leo.

The fresh fish filleted in the fish house 20 feet from his trailer and bread I still to this day don't know what it was but those fish sandwiches were really good.

 

 

TF

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Posted by Track fiddler on Friday, November 27, 2020 10:57 PM

I always enjoyed watching the mergansers every morning in the spring after I opened up the dock house Mr B.

The mergansers.  A colony bird where the hens would take turns taking the young out on the lake.

My good friend Leo Neisser that fished with me on the dock with always a cigar hanging out of his mouth told me about them.

One day 63 little ducklings behind the hen.  The next day 62 because a Northern or a Muskie swam up and grabed one for lunch.

The numbers counted down every day fishing on the dock but that's just the way it was

 

 

TF

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Friday, November 27, 2020 10:25 PM

We love our egrets and herons here, too.  The egrets have gone for the winter, but a few herons will stay all year.  We are on the shore, so the wading birds are always a treat.  The Mergansers will be here soon.

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

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Posted by Track fiddler on Friday, November 27, 2020 10:04 PM

moelarrycurly4

On a V of Geese , do you know why one side of the "V" is longer?

 

 

Yep!

Because there is more birds on that side.

They're probably on that side because they like the other geese better.

 

 

TF

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Posted by moelarrycurly4 on Friday, November 27, 2020 9:45 PM

Blue Jays are the birds that scream " Theif! Theif!"  

We seem to have tons of Robins right now, I think they are making their way back South. 

On a V of Geese , do you know why one side of the "V" is longer?

I will let the guessing begin. 

Still on call but I will be at home for the weekend. 

I did get my " desktop layout" running. I need more room ( don't we on every layout?) I can really only run one car and an engine and be able to switch. 

I am controlling it using JMRI and the Arduino set up. Pretty cool if you ask me. 

I "nailed" my track down with hot glue to my desktop. It will pop right off after I am done. If I need desk surface I just move the train out of the way.  Most of our work is get up go fix a PC. I will be installing stuff at a new doctor office the coming week. 

 

I need to convert some more of my old Athern Blue boxes to DCC. 

 

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Posted by Track fiddler on Friday, November 27, 2020 9:34 PM

I love egrets too and I see them all around me up here.

Even more I really like the blue heron.

 

 

TF

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Posted by Track fiddler on Friday, November 27, 2020 9:29 PM

Mama loves her baby!

And Daddy loves you too!

The sea may look warm to you babe and the sky may look blue.

 

If you should go skating on the thin ice of Modern Life.

Dragging behind you the silent reproach of a million tear-stained eyes.

Don't be surprised if a crack in the ice appears under your feet.

You slip out of your depth and out of your mind with your fears falling out behind you as you claw the thin ice.

PF not TF

 

I always did like that one

 

 

TF

  • Member since
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  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, November 27, 2020 9:23 PM

Track fiddler
Blue Jays are egg robbers. And upset the Little Tweety Birds pretty bad. Thier song sung isn't too pretty either.  Actually rather irritating.

We are infested with mockingbirds year round. I do not know what a Blue Jay sounds like, but they cannot be any more irritating or aggressive than a mockingbird.

I never understood why you aren't supposed to kill a mockingbird. They seem to invite that kind of reaction. Once there was one in the Crape Myrtel that would attack my wife every time she walked out the front door.

But.. they are not as bad as those burrowing owls!

Egrets... I love egrets.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    March 2017
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Posted by Track fiddler on Friday, November 27, 2020 8:56 PM

Blue Jays are egg robbers.

And upset the Little Tweety Birds pretty bad.

Thier song sung isn't too pretty either.  Actually rather irritating.

But they are a handsome bird.

 

TF

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, November 27, 2020 8:38 PM

Track fiddler
And the birds are still smarter than me Kevin as they fly down south every Fall.

We do not see very many migratory birds down here at the very bottom of Florida. When I worked in Tampa, I was sometimes amazed by the variety of birds that came down for the Winter. Just 120 miles North, and everything is different.

We do have a lot more Blue Jays this year than I have ever seen.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by Track fiddler on Friday, November 27, 2020 8:36 PM

York1

 

 
Track fiddler
And the birds are still smarter than me Kevin as they fly down south every Fall.

 

 

We've seen some birds that are not all that smart.  Several V's of geese went over yesterday -- going north.

 

Yeah, that's because everybody up here is feeding them John

We can't get rid of them and I wish they would all go back up to Canada Eh!

 

 

SmileTF

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Posted by York1 on Friday, November 27, 2020 8:18 PM

Track fiddler
And the birds are still smarter than me Kevin as they fly down south every Fall.

 

We've seen some birds that are not all that smart.  Several V's of geese went over yesterday -- going north.

York1 John       

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Posted by Track fiddler on Friday, November 27, 2020 6:13 PM

84°SadIndifferent

And the birds are still smarter than me Kevin as they fly down south every Fall.

The last one I asked how he does it didn't even have a cash card that he would use at the gas station on his way downLaugh

 

 

TF

  • Member since
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, November 27, 2020 5:58 PM

Track fiddler
I guess it gets dark at 4:20 now

Along with beautiful winter weather, it was 84 degrees today, we also get longer days. The sun does not go down until after 6:00 down here.

I remember when I spent a winter in Oregon when I was in middle school. The sun went down at 4:00, and I was in shock!

How strange.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by Track fiddler on Friday, November 27, 2020 5:53 PM

I guess it gets dark at 4:20 now.  Am I supposed to accept this.  By 6 p.m. I feel like it's 10:00 at night.  

Daylight savings time.   I thought when the sun came up in the morning the farmers went out and did their job.  Then when it gets dark out you get tired and go to sleep.

Why do the powers-that-be always have to mess with the clock?

 

Dave I will like to help you out with that pineapple cheese ball recipe but that's all Judy.

I will dig a little and see if I can come up with that one for you.

 

 

TF

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Posted by hon30critter on Friday, November 27, 2020 4:52 PM

Track fiddler
The homemade pineapple cheese ball is always a good recovery for the next day

TF,

You are always coming up with delicious looking food! What is in your recipe?

We used to make cheese balls regularly, but we changed things a bit by going to warm cheese dips (not fondues). Dianne's sister Lynne turned us on to a tiny low temperature crock pot which keeps whatever cheese mixture you choose just soft enough for dipping crackers into without being runny. The usual recipe calls for shredded Asiago, old cheddar, cream cheese, salt, pepper, hot sauce and tons of garlic of course. The stuff is so good that people will regularly just stand beside the pot and pig out! It is funny to see how 'hooked' they get!

Here is the crock pot:

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00942VGKS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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 Track fiddler on Friday, November 27, 2020 1:47 PM

The homemade pineapple cheese ball is always a good recovery for the next day

Dinner

 

Thanks for the Coffee Elixir this morning Kevin

 

 

TF

 

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Posted by cats think well of me on Friday, November 27, 2020 1:24 PM

Hoping everyone had a good Thanksgiving yesterday, or whenever time of year works best for your own Thanksgiving. 

I had work yesterday, and it was just going to be my mom and sister as the rest of my family lives outside the state. My family will do a Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. Work went fine, no complaints there.

I spent time working on an F&C Reading gondola, that I had decaled the other day, put on a coat of Tamiya clear flat today, it's become my favorite flat coat, I then used a hair dryer to speed up the drying process and just couldn't resist putting a load in it. I'd used some pennies to add weight, than cover with various kinds of scrap pieces I had on hand. Still got to I think 3.6oz for a 40' car. 

Alvie

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Posted by Jimmy_Braum on Friday, November 27, 2020 12:57 PM

Hey all. I've been hiding in the cut above.  Hope everyone had a good turkey day 

(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 Friday, November 27, 2020 12:49 PM

moelarrycurly4
They were live turkeys, don't you remeber Mr Carlson stating " With God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." at the very end of the show.  

Hi MLC,

Yes, now that you mention it, I do remember the line. I'll fix my post.

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 moelarrycurly4 on Friday, November 27, 2020 12:03 PM

 

 

 

 

Here is more of my desktop "layout"

 I am going to add some more stuff later 

 

 

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Posted by up831 on Friday, November 27, 2020 11:40 AM

Hi Everyone,

Had a very nice Thanksgiving with the kids, DIL's parents and grandmother, and an uncle.

Everything was excellent!  The turkey (not from DC) was very tasty.  The mashed potatoes, my wife's sweet potatoes, the broccoli casserole, the cranberrys, it all was very satisfying.

The best thing was no football, or at least no one was watching, but the conversation was nonstop.  
Funny thing. Most group conversations usually run from 72 to 85 decibels.  I'd guess this group was running about 90.  It was loud!

Good time!

I hope everyone had a most excellent day.

Less is more,...more or less!

Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)

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