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Welcome to Jeffrey's Trackside Diner for December, 2020 in England!

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Posted by Track fiddler on Sunday, December 6, 2020 6:43 PM

Evening

I spent all day from 7am to now going back and forth hunching over the glass table and leaning over the layout for a bridge. 

The perseverance we all go through for our trains.  All my modeling tools are put away neatly in their place so I know where they are next time.  

I'm sitting my hiney down in the easy chair with a beer and I ain't getting up until I need another one and that's that! Whistling

 

 

TF

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Posted by BigDaddy on Sunday, December 6, 2020 6:59 PM

Track fiddler
I ain't getting up until I need another one and that's that! Whistling

Sounds like a plan.

I was tempted to watch a car race today, The Snowball Derby.   It was pay per view at $40.  I worked on benchwork instead.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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Posted by Track fiddler on Sunday, December 6, 2020 7:00 PM

Oh, and at one point of the day I was mocking up the bridge with t pins to figure out the placement and I knocked a bridge shoe off cuz I was pushing the pin too hard against it and it flew somewhere.

Have you ever put your high-powered cheaters on and scoured the layout area and then crawled around on the carpet looking for a bridge shoe.  I Did!

The Desperate Measures taken for layout building I tell youLaugh  What's even worse is I didn't find it and it was cut out of old bridge parts of a bridge I dissected a year ago.  Thanks goodness I had some more of those parts so I had to stop what I was doing and cut another one and styrene solvent it back onLaugh

All's well that ends well,  at least I had another partYes

 

 

TF

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Posted by Track fiddler on Sunday, December 6, 2020 7:04 PM

Those kind of races are fun Henry.  I don't know about 40 bucks either, maybe 20Laugh

I still haven't finished my bench work yet Henry.  It's done enough to support the layout but has a long way to go

 

 

TF

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Posted by Track fiddler on Sunday, December 6, 2020 7:18 PM

Post Hog!  Post Hog!

Now get this.  Besides my own use, as far as incoming callsThumbs Down  my phone's like a smoldering campfire in the morning that never quite went out.  On any given day, usually nobody calls.

It never fails when your busy and enthralled with something.  Both my daughters call, my brother calls, Judy calls from work 3 times.  And it's usually when you're doing something crucial, like holding something in place until the glue sets,  Ring Ring Ring,  Ding-a-Ding DingLaugh   I didn't want any phone calls today.  But when I'm busy with something,  it's like clockwork that never failsLaugh

 

 

TF

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Sunday, December 6, 2020 7:24 PM

Track fiddler
What's even worse is I didn't find it and it was cut out of old bridge parts of a bridge I dissected a year ago. 

I dropped a 3/8 bronze finished fender washer today when taking down a light fixture. There is nothing around for it to get underneath... and I still could not find it.

I have no idea where it ended up.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by Track fiddler on Sunday, December 6, 2020 7:33 PM

They disappear Kevin!  They are right there but they're camouflaged into the woodwork.

Right there but you will never see it.  But then you will find it two months later when you don't need it anymoreLaugh

 

 

TF

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Sunday, December 6, 2020 7:48 PM

I have been covering everything in the house with plastic drop cloths today.

The house looks like a scene from Dexter!

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by Track fiddler on Sunday, December 6, 2020 7:55 PM

I get the gist of it Kevin but what's Dexter?

Looking good in the homestead there!  A little more patching to do, like three coats by where that square box was.

The blending of popcorn spray takes a real Guru.  I hope you have one.  I'm good at it and would happily do it for you but I live too far awaySad

 

 

WinkTF

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Posted by mbinsewi on Sunday, December 6, 2020 8:53 PM

Track fiddler
The blending of popcorn spray takes a real Guru.

Popcorn spray, a mess, scape it off, I hate it.

Mike.

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Posted by Track fiddler on Sunday, December 6, 2020 9:06 PM

Hands down!  I like smooth ceilings or knockdown too Mike.  Even orange peel is a step in the right direction

Scraping it all off and skim coating the whole ceiling is a real mess too, ...And takes all day.  They usually don't want to pay me for all thatSad

So then I blend Orville Redenbacher and do a good jobWink

 

 

TF

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Posted by hon30critter on Sunday, December 6, 2020 9:09 PM

Track fiddler
The blending of popcorn spray takes a real Guru.

As far as I am concerned, if you can seamlessly blend a popcorn ceiling patch by hand, then your work should be in an art museum!BowSmile, Wink & GrinLaugh

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 BATMAN on Sunday, December 6, 2020 9:14 PM

Well, the kid went for his covid test, he parked and walked into one of those portable trailers they have set up in the hospital parking lot. He did the spit test and they gave him the royal once over checking his saturation level, BP and listened to his chest. NO waiting, in and out in minutes. Now we wait. We have locked down as he is much worse than he was this morning.

Henry, the sit-stand chair is awesome and I use it a lot when working at the layout. The kneeling chair I use at the desk when I have hurt my back and it gives good relief, can't stand the thing any other time. Both those chairs let my wife carry on at work when she hurt herself.

I had to blend a popcorn ceiling in the kitchen when I replaced the sunshine ceiling with LEDs, I guess I got lucky as you can't tell where the two blend.

Kevin, you will find the washer at some point, it may have fallen in your clothing and show up in the washing machine.Laugh

Snow, I have had the opportunity to show it to visitors from countries that never see the stuff, it is quite something to see the delight on their faces when it happens.

Time for some Chivas to kill the Covid germs lurking about.Pirate 

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 SeeYou190 on Sunday, December 6, 2020 9:21 PM

Track fiddler
I get the gist of it Kevin but what's Dexter?

Dexter was a show about a serial killer on the Miami Police force. He made kill rooms all covered in plastic. Great series... except for the final season... STUPID!

Track fiddler
Looking good in the homestead there!  A little more patching to do, like three coats by where that square box was.

Got another coat where the ceiling fan used to be. I did this with a 12 inch knife. I will go over it with an 18" trowel in a couple of days.

All the popcorn is coming down! I took a lot more off.

The ceiling will be finished in skip trowel. My guy does a great job.

hon30critter
As far as I am concerned, if you can seamlessly blend a popcorn ceiling patch by hand, then your work should be in an art museum!

This is a spot over the front door where I paid a "professional" to patch it 15 years ago. I am so excited for this to finally be gone.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Sunday, December 6, 2020 9:34 PM

David North Brit ...... Thanks for sharing videos. The one with the Mallard locomotive is absolutely fantastic. I love seeing it with passenger trains rolling through country scenes. What an amazing sight ! After listening to the narrative, I know the actual speed record was 126 MPH ! That is an incredible speed for a steam locomotive ! 

Everybody .... I suggest you watch the video David shared about the Mallard. You will not be disappointed. 

.... 

Kevin .... Will your house be recognizable after all the good work you are doing ?

Ed .... The C&O caboose memorial is a fine tribute to our good friend Brakie. Thanks for posting a picture of it. .... I like the picture of the Flying Scotsman in MD, too. 

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by ROBERT PETRICK on Sunday, December 6, 2020 9:34 PM

mbinsewi
Track fiddler
The blending of popcorn spray takes a real Guru.

Popcorn spray, a mess, scape it off, I hate it.

Mike.

I agree, but hate might be a little strong. Popcorn definitely gives a strong seventies vibe. But it does go well with avocado green appliances and mustard yellow linoleum. Got any of those?

All things considered, I kinda like a clean crisp crowsfoot ceiling, but only if it's done well. They don't do that much nowadays. Otherwise, perfectly smooth plaster.

LINK to SNSR Blog


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Posted by howmus on Sunday, December 6, 2020 9:34 PM

Good evening from the quarantine headquarters for the household of Ray.....  Got a nice phone call from the State of NY Health Dept. telling me what I already knew about my Granddaughter.  I have to immediately quarantine myself until Sunday the 13th....  I told the nice lady (she was very good to talk to and it actually was a pleasant call) that I had already been quarantined since I heard my grandaughter has the virus. Got a great Fantastic from the lady.  I did ask if the quarantine means I have to give up running 5ks in the neighborhood?  She said your running 5ks at 74?  I told her I have just under 4,700 miles of walking and running in during the last 2.5 years....  Got a good responce and was told that puts me in a lower risk group if I should get the bug!

I asked if I could continue to run on nice days in the neighborhood.  She told me she would have to ask but think it would not be a problem.  She called me back about 45 minutes later and said she ran that by her boss Dr. somebody or other head of important COVID stuff and he said not a problem as long as I run by myself and stay distanced from all other people.

Now I told you that because.......  I got an ORDER from Seneca County (where my family lives) just a few minutes later ORDERING me to ISOLATE because I have or am likely to have the CRUD!  That is not true as it is most likely I don't have it due to the timing.  The legal document was quite full of WHEARAS's and NOW, THERFORE's, and a whole lot of other legal terms such as HEREBY FURTHER's, and other nonsense. Also the threat of criminal and civil penalties.....

I have to check in with them as soon as I return home (which is where I have been all along) or else!!!  They also plan to send someone to my door to check to make sure I am following all the mandates....  Now interestingly enough they don't even know where I live.  I do not and never have lived in Seneca County...  My son lives in Seneca County.  Geneva, NY is the next county over.  Ontario County.  I plan to call them and have an......  Interesting..... Coversation tomorrow morning!  SadWink

I will continue the saga tomorrow as it unfolds.... Big Smile

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

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Posted by Track fiddler on Sunday, December 6, 2020 9:47 PM

LaughLaughLaughLaugh

And when you rip up that yellow linoleum and replace it with the New stuff, ...Everything else looks like crap as Robert pointed out

And then you have to start replacing everything else and paint and everything.

Robert makes a very good point here as I have been in the trades long enough to know what he is saying is true

 

 

TF

 

 

 

 

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Posted by hon30critter on Sunday, December 6, 2020 9:48 PM

In December of 2009 I was flat on my back recovering from spinal surgery. We decided to have the popcorn ceiling in the living room painted instead of scraping it off. The painters explained that they had to use oil based paints. If they used water based paints, the paint would dissolve the popcorn details. They also explained that it would take a lot of paint to effectively cover the rough surface.

Well, I don't know where they got their paint from, but it stunk like something from a Russian chemical weapons factory. In addition, because of the amount of paint used, it took forever to fully dry. The smell was so bad that I laid in bed for close to a month, in December in Ontario, with the bedroom window wide open 24/7. The nurses who were coming in to change my dressings could hardly stand to be in the place. We left the doors wide open while they were visiting in order to get at least some tolerable air through the house. It was horrible! We should have scraped the ceiling.

Our nephew Nathan, who is in charge of painting the Bruce Nuclear Power Plant in Port Elgin, Ontario, suggested that the paint had gone bad, possibly from improper storage.

Needless to say, the painters were never invited back.

Dave

Edit:

Top of the page! Please order your favourite comfort food on me. My go to comfort food is rigatoni ala bolognese, with sheperd's pie being a close second. Anything with gravy on it is good too!Dinner

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 SeeYou190 on Sunday, December 6, 2020 10:01 PM

ROBERT PETRICK
Popcorn definitely gives a strong seventies vibe. But it does go well with avocado green appliances and mustard yellow linoleum. Got any of those?

My house was built in 1989. All the appliances and bathroom fixtures were gray when we moved in. The kitchen cabninets were gray with a pink stripe.

Dead   Ick!   

I am much happier with everything white.

Heartland Division CB&Q
Kevin .... Will your house be recognizable after all the good work you are doing ?

I don't think so. It was painted pink for twenty plus years. Now it will be white with stacked stone accents. It will be very different.

Hopefully it will be non-stop progress now!

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by Track fiddler on Sunday, December 6, 2020 10:01 PM

And I might have been a little off on my last post but I know what you mean about a crows foot ceiling Robert

Maybe not crowsfoot but I have seen ceiling patterns and people trying to get me to match the pattern.

Without saying these words I would tell them, are you crazy!, I cannot match what the other Craftsman did.  That was his personality.  You would have to bring him back here to do it.  And he's not around anymore.

Would you like me to redo the whole ceiling or would you like to look for some other Craftsman that's a magicianLaugh

 

 

TF

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Sunday, December 6, 2020 10:07 PM

HOCKEY PUCKS ARE AMAZING!

I bought a box of 50 hockey pucks a little while back.

These are the niftiest things ever! I use them for all kinds of stuff.

Right now I am using them as weights to hold down the edges of the plastic drop cloths. 

I had never touched a hockey puck before now, I had no idea what a versatile little hunk of rubber they are.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by Track fiddler on Sunday, December 6, 2020 10:35 PM

Oh my Lord.  Someone I know in Florida who's never seen snow a big fan of hockey pucksLaugh

 

Batman do you have the Bat Copter tonight or does Robin have it?

Relax, I have it!

Good,  throw down some more of those hockey pucks!  Kevin can really use them!  Laugh  He only started out with 50,  He lives in Florida and he's running outLaughLaugh

 

 

TF

 

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Posted by BATMAN on Sunday, December 6, 2020 10:39 PM

So Ray, how is your Grandaughter doing? One thing about being a model railroader, quarantine just means a free pass to the trainroom.Big Smile

The wife is keeping a close watch on the kid and we will call an ambulance if there is any doubt. He is still working but I can see he is suffering. I have already cancelled meetings this week as I don't even want to think about the possibility of giving it to someone if we have it in the house. My Royal Hudsons are tough though and I can breathe all over them as much as I want to.Laugh

I would have taken down our popcorn ceilings but they were painted and once painted that makes it a huge job.

SeeYou190
I had never touched a hockey puck before now, I had no idea what a versatile little hunk of rubber they are

LaughLaughLaugh

Yep, I use them for lots of things.

When I was flying R/C planes I carved one down to fit the propeller spinner and attached it to the electric drill to start the engine. It worked great and didn't cost me a dime whereas a store-bought one was a pricy affair for a kid.

Homemade pucklightLaughLIT BISCUIT Light Up Hockey Puck

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 Track fiddler on Sunday, December 6, 2020 10:44 PM

Hope you don't mind my Batman humor Brent?

After all everything is in good fun and you haven't given me a shot of Glenfiddich lately.

Hope you're a bit like the old Scotsman and have a good sense of humor.

In fact I kind of miss you Kid,  I haven't talked to you for awhile.  I just kind of do what I doPirate

 

 

WinkTF

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Posted by BATMAN on Sunday, December 6, 2020 10:51 PM

Track fiddler
Hope you don't mind my Batman humor Brent?

Not at all TF, I have been BATMAN to everyone since I was old enough to go out and play and right through my working life as well. I would be out on the flight line with three radios and a couple of phones around my neck and even with the engines running I could hear when the call to BATMAN came over the radio.Laugh

If you knew my surname you would understand why I am BATMAN it is close to that.

 I took Eds lead a picked up a bottle of Chivas Regal, let me give you a pour.

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 CNCharlie on Sunday, December 6, 2020 10:53 PM

Good Evening,

Tonight I ran the J4e over the replaced section of track for a while at various speeds and no de-railing at all. That sure is a nice loco. It just creeps at speed step 1 now that it has a can motor and also the tune-up by the local brass guru. The BLI mikado looks kind of plain beside it. 

After my last post I realized I had mis-spelled Stilton. Sorry for any confusion. Sample some and you probably won't forget it. 

Have to get gas in the car tomorrow. Last time I filled the tank was on Nov.1. It holds 18 gallons or 70 litres as we go by here. Back before 1977, it was imperial gallons which would be a little over 15. I had an old imperial gallon paint can kicking around for a long time. It sure was large compared to what we get now. 

Sure a lot of fellows in the Diner doing renos. Our reno days are over. Besides we have done this house from top to bottom in the last 30 years with the main bath being the last one in 2016. We completely re-did the basement in 2004. No walls were removed but every surface was replaced, a gas fireplace was installed and the bathroom done. The only thing we didn't re -do was the sauna. We have a sauna that would comfortably hold 6 people and we have never used it. Good place to store bedding and towels. 

Not much else going on here. Maybe I'm turning into a,a,a, Post Hog? 

CN Charlie

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Posted by CNCharlie on Sunday, December 6, 2020 11:40 PM

Just watched the youtube video of the fellow who built a snowblower powered by a 454 Chev. Wow, that is something. It blows snow 126 feet. The sound is something else too. I bet his neighbours love it when that 454 fires up with those straight headers. 

CN Charlie

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Posted by hon30critter on Sunday, December 6, 2020 11:54 PM

CNCharlie
After my last post I realized I had mis-spelled Stilton. Sorry for any confusion. Sample some and you probably won't forget it. 

Ahh, Stilton! We have a small wedge of white Stilton in the fridge as we speak, and I'm looking forward to savouring it with some of the Port I just bought.

My mother in law and I would occasionally indulge in some ripe cheeses. We would sit down with a chunk of Limberger. The rest of the family would turn their noses up, and we would just grin and enjoy it.

Have you ever tried putting a small piece of blue cheese on your steak? It is delicious. If used sparingly it enhances the flavour of the steak enormously.

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
    October 2020
  • 3,604 posts
Posted by NorthBrit on Monday, December 7, 2020 4:53 AM

Good morning all.  Tea and toast is made (with 'lashings' ((lots)) of marmalade).

No painting or decorating of the house here.  Once you start  there is no stopping. Laugh

Apart from the customary bottle of Bells whisky (which is half full now) we have a bottle of Snow Grouse.     Then when I watch my films on ships and shipping  out comes the bottle of Pusser's Navy Rum.

A large piece of Stilton has arrived with the groceries today.  Will go well with the Port. Big Smile

Garry.   I was going to say Mallard reached 126mph, but I let the narrator say instead.

 

Still in the North East of England.  The Weardale Railway

 

A little known Heritage Railway at Kirkby Stephen East

 

 

Thoughts and 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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