Hello and Happy New Year to all —
Hats off to David for his informative and entertaining, not to mention the FOOD! Hosting of the Diner in his beautiful Country.
Heartland Division CB&QWhich one of you Post Hogs is opening the January Diner ?
I propose:
I'll be happy to take the reins (throttle?) of the January, 2021 Diner.
What I'm planning is a rail tour of North America.
We will board the Queen Mary II tonight at the Southampton Docks for a spacial winter crossing (avoiding icebergs, of course) and arriving at the Brooklyn Docks in New York City.
Tonight's accommodations:
After the Diner is off-loaded it will be switched to Mott Haven Yards and coupled on to the Twentieth Century Limited for the first leg of our journey westbound to Chicago.
creek interior crop by Edmund, on Flickr
From Chicago we will have to look at the itenerary and perhaps head south for warmer climes on the Illinois Central's City of New Orleans.
From there we can continue to further explore by riding the best name trains available until the diner lands at her final terminal at the end of January.
Suggestions of places to visit or trains to ride are always welcomed. This may turn out to be our "Magical Mystery Tour" so when you turn in to your lower berth at night you may not recognize where you are when you arise in the morning. There may be times when we will have to resort to being coupled on to a local freight if there isn't first-class transportation available to our next destination.
This is all subject to the approval of the Diner Committee, of course.
What say you, Committee?
Cheers, Ed
Good Morning,
Jeffery passed away Dec.15, 2014. Hard to believe it has been 6 years.
Another quiet day. I'm still resting my back. My wife still can't sleep but she is cooking one of my favourite dinners tonight, roast chicken with a leek dressing. The chicken is roasted with onions, carrots and a lot of white wine.
I haven't been running trains as standing bothers my back.
Hope 2021 is better but I don't foresee improvement until fall.
NorthBrit Dave, thanks so much for being such a great host this month!
Coffee time again,
C N Charlie
Howdy ....
Bear .... The Yorkshire Pudding and Roast Beef looks good to me. Thanks for sharing.
....
Which one of you Post Hogs is opening the January Diner ? .... It sounds like New Orleans is where, but I am not sure of that. Some place that is warm would be preferred, and that will do. I was thinking of Florida before New Orleans was suggested.
Everybody .... Have a good and safe New Years Eve.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Track fiddler . . . or that big muscular Chicken!
. . . or that big muscular Chicken!
Ahh say . . . ahh say . . . He's a rooooster, son!!
LINK to SNSR Blog
GMTRacingI am thankful every day for what I have and I realize that there are many out there in dire straits through no fault of their own and will not judge. Ciao, J.R.
Amen. Amen, and AMEN!!!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
BigDaddyMarcia? We had you down as Mrs Howell's boy toy.
Maybe the series would've lasted longer!
I was always a Mary Ann fan, Ginger seemed way to untouchable.
Whe always went to Andre's concerts, in Milwaukee, when he was part of PBS. When in town, they stayed at the Hyatt, which is where we stayed when in town for his concert.
After the concert, we went to the bar and his orchestra started filing in. It was a great night.
Remember, it's 2021, NOT 2020 won ! And a year from now, 2022, NOT 2020 II.
We'll be at home tonight. I'll be sipping on a bit J. Henry bourbon.
Happy new year!
Mike.
EDIT: TOP! I'll share my J Henry, but you gotta wait till tonight!
RIP Jeffrey, aka Frankendiesel, aka Running Bear.
My You Tube
p
Marcia? We had you down as Mrs Howell's boy toy.
Didn't join the forum until after Jeffrey past. Had to be prior to 2015 when he passed.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
As it is my last day I have put together a few films that are my favorites. Although not strictly England they are of the UK
The Train Now Departing.
THE HOLIDAY LINE (00:09) Steam enthusiast Barry Smith delights in his childhood memories of the ‘Atlantic Coast Express’. But retracting the route from Waterloo to Exmouth leaves him in no doubt that the journey in no longer the best of the Summer holidays. STEAM ON THE ISLE OF MAN (29:25) Unaffected by mainland modernization, the Isle of Man’s 114 year old Steam Railway rolls on. Now a valuable asset to the island’s booming tourist industry, we visit the famous line and delight in its Victorian elegance. THE SURVIVORS (57:32) The ‘80s, an age of enthusiasm when the preservation of steam locomotives in museums and on working railways like the Bluebell Line in Sussex are not only a reminder of the power and glory of steam but also a part of Britain’s growing tourist industry.
Having been around road haulage wagons for nearly sixty years 'It's in my blood'.
They Take The High Road.
The West Somerset Railway.
The West Somerset Railway passes through no less than 20 miles of Somerset countryside, offering along it’s route views across the Quantock hills and the Bristol channel. The influence of the former owner, the Great Western Railway, is evident throughout a journey between Bishops Lydeard and the resort of Minehead with the stations and structures being little altered from original construction. Emotive sequences of trains hard at work are present a-plenty as they are captured tackling the arduous gradients. A vast variety of motive power, mainly of Swindon pedigree, is seen, with the home fleet of steam and diesel locomotives rubbing shoulders with visitors from around the country. Locomotives include:- Prairie Tank 4160, Manors 7820 Dinmore Manor & 7828 Odney manor, GWR Heavy Freight 2-8-0Ts 5224 & 4247, 6960 Raveningham Hall, 5051 Earl Bathurst, 6024 King Edward I, Standard 4MT 2-6-4T 80136, 9F 922212, Black Five 45337, B1 61264, ex Port Talbot saddle tank 813, Panniers 9466, 1501 & 6412 plus a pair of Swindon built diesel hydraulics
Thanks for allowing me to post film of around England. I have really enjoyed it. If ever you are in the UK do try to visit 'the North'. We would love to see you.
Tonite it is Christmas Stuffing Burger with all the trimmings. Plenty for all.
Our favorite music to get our children and now our grandchildren to sleep.
Lullaby
Have a good evening and I'll see you in 2021.
Stay Safe.
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
Good Morning All,
32 and drizzly when I came in this morning. Still boxing and sorting in the basement and bringing the stuff to palletize and store at work. A little each day for now. Still house hunting but no decision yet.
Yes, I see lots of people with newer nice looking cars/suvs in the food lines. I think it's scary. Here there are so many still out of work that never planned on it that the food banks and shelters are stretched thin. The "recovery" has been uneven at best. Being close to NYC we are used to seeing peope living out of cars or just homeless and many drift our way as locally we have shelters and try to get folks straightened out and back on their feet. I am old enough to have gone through many downturns in the economy but this has been the worst I have seen. I am thankful every day for what I have and I realize that there are many out there in dire straits through no fault of their own and will not judge. Ciao, J.R.
Coffee Time
Friday's V.I.P day at Barrow Hill Roundhouse saw A4 pacifics Dominion of Canada, Dwight D Eisenhower and Bittern together for the last time as the two transatlantic cousins prepare to return home. after some shunting to clear the way for the arrival of an HST packed with enthusiasts Bittern draws forward for an unveiiling of a plaque to celebrate its recent high speed runs on the ECML
Enjoy
Good morning all. Breakfast Tea and Toast with Marmalade is on the table.
The last day of the year is c-c-c-cold. Wrap up well to stay warm.
Charlie. I hope the days get better each day
Food Banks. When my daughter lived in Brooklyn New York, she worked as a volunteer at a Charity serving lunches to the homeless. Now back in the UK she collects small items of clothing. Every so often she travels to New York with the clothing hands them out to the Charity.
As you may know I live in Northumberland. There were two big Railway Companies. In the north of the county was North Eastern Railway with Headquarters in York. In the south of the county was the North British Raillway with Headquarters in Edinburgh.
Most of the railways are now a distant memory, but as I would travel by car either to Hexham/Newcastle or to Hawick (Scotland) I can see the track of the old North British Railway line.
Here is a film of slides showing 'Then and Now'.
Class P2 Locomotive.
Thoughts and Peace to All who Require.
BATMANWell, it is just about 2021 for Bear in NZ.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
SeeYou190Yeah, that would be great, if we were all just living in a snow-globe daydream for all of 2020!
YES! You got it I loved that series. From what I hear it is the music rights that kept the remaining seasons off the DVD* market. Lots of angst there. That show was a favorite of my first wife and she never got to see anything past season 4
Glad you were a fan, too. Some big-name actors got their break on that show. It was prewtty progressive for the eighties.
*Cool beans! I just Googled St. Elsewhere and found out I can get the complete series from Hulu I had just canceled my Netflix DVD service after 15 years because of the massive failure of the USPS to deliver the disks. Now I can sign up for the ad-free Hulu for less money and get more programming win=win.
There's just something classy about these red drivers and tender frame
gmpullmanOr Saint Elsewhere!
Yeah, that would be great, if we were all just living in a snow-globe daydream for all of 2020!
-Kevin
Living the dream.
SeeYou190I am hoping it will be like the series finale of Barney Miller, and not like the series finale of Little House On The Prarie.
Or Saint Elsewhere!
BATMAN I don't understand people that can afford nice cars lining up for food, how do you square that circle. A car is a huge expense that should come after the groceries are bought.
Sad but true. Public transportation is practically nonexistent in the U.S..
I remember riding all over town on both buses and street cars (they call it lightrail today). I could get transfers for a dime and take another bus and ride it across town all day long. People need a car to get to any kind of work any more. Amtrak? Forget it. Even much of the Greyhound network is abolished.
Shaker Rapid #80_Van-Aken by Edmund, on Flickr
Hopefully the need to get food assistance is temporary. The investment in an automobile is a little more long term. Some of those folks may be living in their cars, too!
I donate to the food banks and homeless shelters in town. My sisters volunteer at the food banks and clinics. I don't see any real improvement coming any time soon.
Sad reality,
Regards, Ed
BATMANI turned on the news and saw lines in the U.S. for the food bank. I don't understand people that can afford nice cars lining up for food, how do you square that circle?
The "nice" cars are financed, probably before the pandemic, and probably not up-to-date on payments.
Having a nice car that you owe on is different from being able to afford a nice car.
Just because you can drive a nice car does not mean you can afford it.
When I bought my first new car, in 1988, I really wanted to buy a decent used car. The bank would not approve me for a $5,000.00 loan for a four year old car, but they would approve me for a $15,000.00 loan for a brand-new car.
We were behind payments on that car by four months before some money came in and we paid it off. Yes, we were also on food-assistance for a while.
Does that square the circle for you?
Well, it is just about 2021 for Bear in NZ. I must admit, this year is wearing a little thin even though not a lot changed for me in day to day life being somewhat rural.
I think about Jeffrey a lot and the poverty he lived under. There is a lot to be said about that, but not here. What year did he pass away, I don't remember?
I turned on the news and saw lines in the U.S. for the food bank. I don't understand people that can afford nice cars lining up for food, how do you square that circle. A car is a huge expense that should come after the groceries are bought. They probably spend more on gas waiting in the lineup than they get in food. Economics needs to be taught in high school. I remember riding my bike until I could afford a motorcycle and rode that until I could afford the van I bought. No loans for this guy, ever.
I remember working full time in high school and had saved $20,000.00. Instead of buying a car I bought a high-end condo and rented it out. I use to have to ride my bike for an hour to show it to potential renters and they did not believe their landlord was in high school. I was an idiot as I then found out how to by property with no money down and then I was off to the races. Watching TV was not something I spent time doing. My kids are the same way and it is already showing. My kid has not even seen some of the movies and TV shows he has been in because he has not had time.
That is too bad about Dawn Wells, she was a looker. Hubba! I always had a crush on Raquel Welch which I never understood as she is17 years older than me. Now I have a crush on my wife and that is it. She does look exactly like a movie star though.
My wife just lost another friend in the U.S. to covid, that is the fifth person we know that has died from covid. Four from the U.S. and one from England. The vaccine can't go in my arm fast enough. Won't be long for my age group.
Kitchen cabinet installer will be here first thing so best get to bed as we have to clean things up before he arrives.
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."
Well, here we are in the very last day of 2020. The year that was just awful in every way.
This is kind of like the "series finale" of 2020. What will become of it. I am hoping it will be like the series finale of Barney Miller, and not like the series finale of Little House On The Prarie.
Now sit right back and you'll hear a tail, a tail of a fateful trip, that started from this tropic port, aboard this tiny ship. The mate was a mighty sailor man, his skipper brave and sure, five passengers that sailed that night for a three hour tour, a three hour tour. The weather started getting rough, the tiny ship was tossed, if not for the courage of the fearless crew, the Minnow would be lost, the Minnow would be lost. The ships aground on the shore of this uncharted desert Isle, with Gilligan, the Skipper too, the millionaire and his wife, the movie star, the professor and MaryAnn, here on Gilligan's Isle
I'm bummed out Dawn Wells died today
TF
PM RailfanWhere i come from when it came to Ginger or Maryann, the answer was always... "Genie".
When anyone asked me Maryanne or Ginger, my answer was Marcia!
Yep!
And sorry to hear about the sad news of the anniversary of Jeffrey's passing date Garry. A moment of silence goes out with me here. After all, this is his thread!
New Orleans sounds good to me! I would like to have one of those Po-Boys while I'm down there. And that's just the tip of the iceberg for the good food they have down there
Howdy ...
Just thought of something . We neglected to mention Jeffrey this month which is the anniversary of his passing away. We were all very sad at the time.
Who will start the January Diner thread ?
Apparently, New Orleans is our destination. Is that correct?
Wow!
Judy's watching Last Man Standing on TV and a commercial just came on.
Best commercial I've ever seen. It seems starting January 4th at 6 AM weekdays, Bugs Bunny Roadrunner hour cartoons are going to come back on live TV. With that you get special guests like Pepe Le Pew, Daffy Duck or that big muscular Chicken!
I've been catching a few Fred Flintstone episodes lately but this is a hoot
I told Judy, so much for your news in the morning now.
She said heck with that, you stay in bed and watch that crap.
So I guess I probably will Coffee time will be at 7 now instead of 6
Remember when Wylie Coyote would fall over the point of that cliff and go poof at the bottom when he hit?
Or Roadrunner put the black circle on the pavement and he would fall through that?
It was always the same scene but it was funny stuff
None of these new modern day cartoons compare to our older ones!
Hello Railfans!
Top of the evening to yall! A rather slow day passing us by here. Supposed to rain - it didnt ofcourse - HUMBUG! Some good news though....
Those Tichy Queenposts i ordered last month showed up. So Dave, chin up my friend, its shouldnt be too many more months now. More good news, and im not gonna elude too much to the point here, i dont want to jinx myself, but something came across EBay last night that i was starting to think didnt exist. In all my travels through the years i hadnt seen one. Finally!!!
Now, and after confirming it with the seller, its the one. I spose in 5 more days yall will know the outcome. Either Ill be happy as a lark, or looking to stock the wood shed with rolling heads.
Henry)
BigDaddy I think every teenage boy my age was in love with Maryann on Gilligan's Island.
I think every teenage boy my age was in love with Maryann on Gilligan's Island.
Where i come from when it came to Ginger or Maryann, the answer was always... "Genie". Still, sad to hear she passed away. As did Bob Segers sax player i heard also.... Alto Reed. (Perfect name for musician - Alto = range of singing, Reed = part of the instrument he played [Woodwinds]). Since yall were tossing all the music around above i figured yall would wanna know.
Spose ill go poke around the site a bit.
Cheers!
Douglas
BATMAN
Actually it's been Cheeseburgers and Pizza but NO! Your Right, cuz I don't know what's in it! Don't want it!
I've had enough of a roll with the first wave of things
Perfect Kevin!
Put 2020 in the dumpster and Burn it
2021 should be a better year but I still don't know where it's going to start?
The sun is down, and we are starting our last full overnight for the year 2020.
What could happen?
howmus I like the follow a train idea that was suggested, but will not have any problem with where ever we go as long as there are trains involved. 73
I like the follow a train idea that was suggested, but will not have any problem with where ever we go as long as there are trains involved.
Sounds good to me Ray!
If we stop in Chicago at least we can visit Ken!
We used to go down to Chicago every early spring. I know that City well but those days are over.
At the very least your legs will get tan in New York but you won't!
Quit the Strategic relaxing position I must say Until the sun pops over that fence if you sleep there long enough
Track fiddlerI think the talk of the town was New Orleans last night Garry.
Ah.... No! That was the train. We were talking (or at least I was) about "Ridin' on the City of New Orleans.." That way we could be warm at some points and go Skiing or Ice Skating when we get to the Chicago area.... I still like Winter Snow and stuff (as long as I don't have to shovel it by hand).
Good afternoon from a very wet West Coast.
We gave my kid a new I-Phone 12 for Christmas and so I got his hand me down I-Phone 8. He wiped it clean and had it serviced and put a new battery in it for me. I guess I should be grateful but I still miss my flip phone. I rarely take a phone when I go out as I had all forms of comm equipment hanging off me on the ramp at the airport when I worked. I could not be rid of that soon enough and sure don't want it now.
The fancy bits arrived for the kitchen and will start to go in tomorrow.
The floor goes in next week and will take at least four days. The insurance company is paying for the floor and I don't know how much it is, only that it was way past the $25,000.00 audit point as they had two other estimates done to double check.
Lazars, do you play at folk groups (I think you called it?) I have done some playing and my kids posted a couple of my tunes on a FB folk site where amateurs can post their own stuff. They posted a couple of Lightfoot covers I did. I really enjoy listening to covers, there are some talented people out there. The two I did are on some peoples playlist as they get regular play still.
I had some good friends that owned a well-known recording studio in Vancouver and they ran the recording engineer course for the British Columbia Institute of Technology. I often got to go in and be the guy they recorded, I guess I was all they could afford. Actually, I did it for free just because we had so much fun as I always just hung out there anyway.
David, I think it is funny you don't like flying. I use to fly and loops, rolls and spins were just part of getting there. We use to chase each other around through the mountains North of Vancouver pretending to be WWII fighter pilots at 120MPH.
Not sure when we will get the vaccine but I can't wait for the wife to get hers as she is so high risk I don't even want to think about it. Another problem is she reacts to vaccines and will have to be under strict observation protocols when she gets it. Not getting the Covid 19 vaccine is not an option for her, unlike the flu shot.
My daughter is a different person now she had her gallbladder out. She is eating everything she can get her hands on as her digestive system is back to normal.
My son ordered a rowing machine and I put it together for him. He is determined to stay in good shape even though he is going to University full time and working two jobs. Being in such good condition got him the high paying work in the movies and he wants to keep that option open.
Time for a nip (or two) of scotch before dinner.