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

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  • Member since
    March 2017
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Posted by Track fiddler on Sunday, December 27, 2020 4:07 PM

Good evening

Henry,  ThanksSmile, Wink & Grin appreciated. 

Yep Kevin, that locomotive gave me some track laying incentive, just didn't happen today.  I hooked it up on a 6' test track with a passenger car set just to hear it.  I could move it about 2' forward and 2' backwardsLaughWhistling  That fun lasted about two minutes, so I put the passenger car set away so I could run it back and forth 6' was a little better.  Sure is a beautiful locomotive.

Charlie Thanks, the MRC Tech 6 is exactly what I'm thinking of going with.  I did some research, looked up the reviews and another video of the operation testing.  I plan on getting the handheld controller as well.

 

 

TF

  • Member since
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Posted by PM Railfan on Sunday, December 27, 2020 2:17 PM

Hello Railfans!

Top of the day to ya! Hope everyone survived the holiday madness. I see some of you were good guys this year (and got a Challenger!).

I myself thought i was good enough this year to warrant a car ive been needing. Found two I needed - bought one. From an estate sale (love that line! Laugh) and sold by a 'reputable', er, 'knowledgable' seller. Cant wait to see what i get... in about a month Laugh! Fingers crossed.

Still waiting on those queenposts i ordered back at Thanksgiving so i can do the detail work to those 30' flat cars i printed. Dunno if i missed it or not but did the missing RDC ever turn up?

One thing I did get for XMas that I asked for was, a white XMas. Cant believe it! Got the overwhelming amount of 1 whole inch! Hallalujah(sp)! All in all a pretty good holiday.

Charlie mentioned a Tech VI? My goodness is that what they are up to now? Im still sold on the Tech IIs and bought 2 last year plus a handheld. I didnt even know MRC made a handheld Tech II!!! So i jumped on it like butter to grits. I plan to buy more Tech IIs (2500s) if I dont end up making my own transformers (I need unpluggable ADC walkaround which the TECH II isnt).

I wouldnt mind DCC but ive collected way to much ADC to change now. For all the added trouble, when i build that layout in the sky, im thinking i might make it "DCC Ready" just in case. Never know, some Railfan might bring over a real slick NYC Hudson or a Daylight Northern. But theyre DCC -  Oops - Sign

On the hobby front I ran off about 10 extra sets of trucks last night. Even made some drawbars that fit the coupler pockets of those 42' flats i just made. I ran out of Kadees and i wanted to see them run. Railfans will do anything huh!

Thats pretty much it folks, except i was wonderin kinda... anyone thought to where the diner might end up in the next 5 days? Might have to get my passport updated ya know.

 

Happy Holidays!

Douglas

 

 

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Posted by CNCharlie on Sunday, December 27, 2020 12:07 PM

Good Morning,

TF, beautiful loco! You certainly have a generous brother. Have you thought about getting  a MRC Tech 6 to run it? I recall Brakie saying it was great to run sound locos on DC.

Dave, great idea about tacking the Diner to name trains. 

I ran the CN Hudson with a passenger train yesterday. I am pushing the envelope with my 22" radius as it will pull off the track if I try for even moderate speed. I am just happy it will go around at all. Sure is a beautful engine. I think I'll give my Northern a run since I have the passenger cars out. It will easily handle the curves .

CN Charlie

 

 

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  • From: Kentucky
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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Sunday, December 27, 2020 11:39 AM

moelarrycurly4

Kevin, 

Our walmart here in paducah was cash only yesterday because of it. 

It was nuts. 

 

 

 

We could see from TV pictures the bomb impacted one of our favorite restaurants in Nashville: The Spaghetti Factory. In the main dining room they have a real streetcar. 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
    April 2002
  • From: Paducah KY
  • 1,183 posts
Posted by moelarrycurly4 on Sunday, December 27, 2020 11:23 AM

Kevin, 

Our walmart here in paducah was cash only yesterday because of it. 

It was nuts. 

 

  • Member since
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  • From: North Dakota
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Posted by BroadwayLion on Sunday, December 27, 2020 10:58 AM

The "L" was and is in Chicago. They have L trains that run under ground.

In New York they had "El" trains most of which have been torn down

Today we have "Elevated Subways" which some people still call "The El" but most people correctly call them "The Subway" and it does not matter if they are above ground on a structure or below ground in a tunnel.

New York's "El" trains, like the Chicago "L" trains were shorter, of lighter weight and the structures were more lighly built. They would not be able to carry today's New York City Subway Trains. The cars are longer and the trains have more cars, The cars are very heavy since they were made to railroad standards, rather than likghter weight standards.

The heavier subway structures were mandated for all constructioin after whatever date the law went into effect. The lighter structures were either torn down, reinforced, or continued to operate with lighter weight equipment. he Myrtle Avenue El and the Third Avenue El in the Bronx were the last of the light-weight structures to survive into the 80s. There were plans to buy new "El-cars" for these lines (the R-36), but the lines were torn down instesd.

Merry Christmas and a happy Gnu Ear.

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

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

  • Member since
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  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Sunday, December 27, 2020 9:59 AM

cats think well of me
This year, my family scaled back our holiday plans and only visited with nearby relatives.

No family visits at all for me this year. I am hopeful that in six months family events can be back to normal again.

Track fiddler
My brother bought it for me for my birthday present. <SNIP> The best birthday present I've ever got in my life.  Man I love my little brother.

That is a great surprise... I will bet you are a lot more motivated to get some trains running now! 

hon30critter
The North Carolina Museum of Transportation has a very interesting collection! Thanks for sharing the photographs.

They really do have a nice collection. It is the best train museum I have visited... and I have visited a lot of them. Hopefully in 2021 I will be able to get to the train museums on the Atlantic Coast in Maryland and Pennsylvania, then bouce back to Age Of Steam in Ohio. 

hon30critter
Maybe we could change things up a bit by attaching the Diner to a number of different renowned trains and just follow them from their departure points to their destinations as they criss-cross the continent. How about one train a week throughout January?

This sounds like a very fun idea. I am just a passenger in the diner so I would not host any of this, but I would love the ride.

I think it will take a team effort to do anything near as good as David did this month.

THANK YOU DAVID!

Bow

moelarrycurly4
Here in town we have an old  theatre that has been closed since the 1980s I made an effort a few years back to get money to refurbish and open it. 

In Fort Myers the old Edison Theater sat derelict for more than a decade. In the 1980s it was used as a background scene in the movie Day Of The Dead because it looked so run down.

It was finally restored and was a law office for a while, but now it is a stage theater.

Track fiddler
Hope Steve O stops by as he is missed around here.

Me too. His absence is very obvious.

moelarrycurly4
we may not hear from Garry for a bit until they communications restored from Friday morning's Nashville Incident. I know some people up where he lives that are still without services. Our 911 system is still down , luckilly work only had some phone issues.

Wow, that is crazy. I did not know the outage would stretch that far.

I have seen on the news that a lot of the stores in the Nashville area are "cash only" right now because all the credit card servers are down due to the explosion, and that is causing big problems.

Heartland Division CB&Q
 We just got connected. I will catch up with your posts later.

I am glad you are able to be here.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
  • 10,660 posts
Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Sunday, December 27, 2020 9:58 AM

Howdy.

MLC ... Thanks for what you said . AT&T has restored service.

 

The Nashville bomb of Christmas morning  impacted an AT&T building housing a major communications hub. It serves a wide area including our part of western Kentucky. 

About three hours after the explosion, we lost cell phone service and internet connection.

 

AT&T has now restored service .  We just got connected. I will catch up with your posts later. 

Cheers. 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
    October 2020
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Posted by NorthBrit on Sunday, December 27, 2020 9:43 AM

I almost forgot.   'Santa's footprints'.    An empty glass of sherry and the crumbs from his sweet mince pie.

 

 

'We Believe'

 

David

To the world you are someone.    To someone you are the world

I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought

  • Member since
    October 2020
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Posted by NorthBrit on Sunday, December 27, 2020 9:11 AM

Henry.   Amazing story.  There is always hope. Smile

 

It is  'Afternoon Tea'   Sandwiches, sweet mince pies,  Christmas Cake with Wensleydale Cheese.

 

Something a little different . a video from the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust. You might know, after 'Tornado' , they have started building an even bigger machine, a Gresley P2. This will be number 2007, called Prince of Wales. It's about three years away from being finished.

 

 

David

To the world you are someone.    To someone you are the world

I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought

  • Member since
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  • From: Paducah KY
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Posted by moelarrycurly4 on Sunday, December 27, 2020 9:05 AM

Just an FYI here, 

we may not hear from Garry for a bit until they communications restored from Friday morning's Nashville Incident. I know some people up where he lives that are still without services. Our 911 system is still down , luckilly work only had some phone issues. 

  • Member since
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  • From: Shenandoah Valley
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Posted by BigDaddy on Sunday, December 27, 2020 8:56 AM

TF Happy birthday

David, I worked with a neurosurgeon, who when he was at Johns Hopkins, successfully operated on a gangster's back.  The patient was grateful and asked what he could do for the doctor.

He told the gangster, my brother has mental issues and disappeared.  "My family has hired private detectives and we can't find him."

Within a couple hours the gangster called him back with an address in NYC and that night my friend took Amtrak from Baltimore to NYC and was knocking on his brother's door.

 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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Posted by Track fiddler on Sunday, December 27, 2020 7:22 AM

Good morning

Thanks Terry!  The only thing that could have improved my birthday yesterday would have been to run trains on that beautiful big layout of yours.  That sure was a fun day to remember.

You're right Dave,  I am very lucky to have a brother like that.  I was looking at my locomotive drooling this morning over coffeeStick out tongue

I always wanted the Challenger but never digged that deep in my pocket.  My brother is doing a side job for a friend today and dropping off an MRC Tech 2 Transformer he replaced with a new oneSmile, Wink & Grin

 

I really am a lucky guy!  Thanks everyone for the birthday wishesYes

Hope Steve O stops by as he is missed around here

 

 

TF

  • Member since
    April 2016
  • 252 posts
Posted by Lazers on Sunday, December 27, 2020 4:24 AM

hon30critter
How about choosing someplace with well known 'Name Trains'? I'm partial to the Illinois Central's 'City of New Orleans', thanks largely to Willie Nelson's great version of the song about the train, but there are lots of other famous trains out there. Maybe we could change things up a bit by attaching the Diner to a number of different renowned trains and just follow them from their departure points to their destinations as they criss-cross the continent. How about one train a week throughout January?

Hi Dave,

I'm all for your suggestion. This is after all, an American Continents Model R/R Forum. After 48 years (1968 - 2016) of modelling OO scale, British Railways, North Eastern Region - I came here to "bury Caesar, not to praise him".

Arlo Guthrie's version of 'City of New Orleans' was one of the first songs I ever taught myself to play (still can't get the run-down in the chorus quite right) from my mam & dad's vinyl LP (wore it out for them) but to a 60/70's kid, the names were awe-inspiring and I looked them all up in our encyclopedia Atlas of the World. I have liked that song, all my life.

One day I thought I might get there, just to see these places, not to be. But at least there is the pleasure of recreating them (my interpretation) in HO scale.

'Orange Blossom Special' is another well known one and my parents had a Carter Family LP too. There is loads of potential for themed Trains, as they crossed the American continents. Paul

"It's the South Shore Line, Jim - but not as we know it".

  • Member since
    October 2020
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Posted by NorthBrit on Sunday, December 27, 2020 4:23 AM

Good morning all.  Toast and tea with Apricot Jam is on the table.   Help yourselves.

 

TF.  A lovely looking engine indeed.

Kevin.   Great pictures.  Thanks for posting.

 

I have lost the sound on my computer, so I hope the following play okay.

 

Double headed steam.

 

 

'Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express' trains organised by the Railway Touring Company. Originally due to be hauled by No. 35018 'British India Line', the owner of B1 No.61306 'Mayflower' asked if his loco could be added as pilot and the unusual pairing put on a superb display over Shap and the Settle and Carlisle. Heavy snowfalls during the week and cold sunny conditions made the perfect combination for the train. The video was filmed at Shap Wells and Birkett Common.

 

 

 

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

  • Member since
    April 2002
  • From: Paducah KY
  • 1,183 posts
Posted by moelarrycurly4 on Saturday, December 26, 2020 9:46 PM

Evening,

 

Not much going on in my world. On call at work and we were afftected by the goingson in TN. 

So I am a big old movie theatre lover, I have always wanted to own one. 

Here in town we have an old  theatre that has been closed since the 1980s

I made an effort a few years back to get money to refurbish and open it. 

never could get anything going.

I was digging through some old paperwork at the Railroad museum here in town one day and came across a waybil from 1925 where a load of theatre chairs was shipped form Chicago to the theatre here in town. It was under contruction at that time. 

I though this was kind of neat, Railroad and movie theatre related.

  • Member since
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  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Saturday, December 26, 2020 9:44 PM

Hi guys!!

I hope you all had a great Christmas!!

It is getting close to the end of the month again so you know what that means!! We have to choose a new location for the Diner. We will be hard pressed to equal David's (North Brit) prolific contributions to the December Diner. Thank you again David. You have been a wonderful host!!!!

How about choosing someplace with well known 'Name Trains'? I'm partial to the Illinois Central's 'City of New Orleans', thanks largely to Willie Nelson's great version of the song about the train, but there are lots of other famous trains out there. Maybe we could change things up a bit by attaching the Diner to a number of different renowned trains and just follow them from their departure points to their destinations as they criss-cross the continent. How about one train a week throughout January?

If you don't want to break the mold, just say so.

Cheers and Happy New Year!!!

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: Bradford, Ontario
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Posted by hon30critter on Saturday, December 26, 2020 9:27 PM

Track fiddler
Per Brent's request, the toy I got at the hobby store today. My brother bought it for me for my birthday present.  Little did I know that's why he wanted to take me down there. It's a DC/DCC hybrid with Tsunami sound. The best birthday present I've ever got in my life.  Man I love my little brother.  What a great birthday this year, Thanks Everyone

Your brother is very generous TF! You are lucky to have a brother like that.

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
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Saturday, December 26, 2020 9:25 PM

maxman
Has there been a Mr. O siting or did I miss it?

It has been two months since Steve has posted something.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Saturday, December 26, 2020 9:20 PM

Hi Kevin,

The North Carolina Museum of Transportation has a very interesting collection! Thanks for sharing the photographs.

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
    February 2008
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Posted by maxman on Saturday, December 26, 2020 9:17 PM

Has there been a Mr. O siting or did I miss it?  Not like him to not wish us a happy holiday and ply us with holiday cookies.

Hope all is well.

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Saturday, December 26, 2020 8:52 PM

As I continue to go through all of my photographs... I realized that I never shared my pictures from the North Carolina Museum Of Transportation last July with my fellow diners.

We went during the serious Covid Lockdown, so there was literally no one else there. I think all the other cars in the lot belonged to museum employees.

The fifty foot boxcar at the front of the parking lot was wearing a very nicely done fresh coat of paint.

The other side of the boxcar was still "Undecorated"... hmmm... I wonder how large of a donation I would need to make to the museum for them to allow me to paint it up in fine-looking STRATTON AND GILLETTE heraldry and lettering?

There were some interesting new displays of beautifully restored freight cars that were new since the last time I visited, like this ATLANTIC COAST LINE stainless steel hopper car.

...and this SOUTHERN "Big John" covered hopper car.

The inside displays were all closed due to Covid, but they had moved a lot of stuff outside. This boxcar is painted for the ATLANTIC AND EAST CAROLINA. I am not very sure, but I think this is a Mather car rebuilt with steel sides.

The last time I was here this locomotive was in the backshop building being restored. Look at how good it looks now in brand new paint.

I do not remember seeing this General Electric 45 ton switcher before. It sure looks great too. I love the side rods.

The museum paint shop must have been putting in some good overtime. The Pullman-Standard 200,000th car is sure looking handsome.

A few of the steam locomotives were moved outside of the roundhouse since no visitors could go inside. 

Then... the grand finale... once again I was lucky enough to be in North Carolina while 611 was there for heavy maintenance.

Since I was the ONLY person there, I was allowed access to inspect 611 in a way that no one ever gets to. This was a thrill. I was asked not to take any pictures in the restricted zone, so I did not.

This is the second time I have been up close and intimate with 611. My wife knows who the "other woman" is in this relationship!

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    January 2008
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Posted by saronaterry on Saturday, December 26, 2020 7:53 PM

Track fiddler
Happy Birthday

, John!!

Terry

Terry in NW Wisconsin

Queenbogey715 is my Youtube channel

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Posted by Track fiddler on Saturday, December 26, 2020 6:01 PM

Thanks for the other Happy Birthdays Mr. B, Bear and Brent.  Put another smile on my face.

I just wanted to say thanks for the beautiful train cake EdYes

The kitchen is looking great Brent.  I especially like the personalized dishwasher.  I busted a gutLaugh

Per Brent's request, the toy I got at the hobby store today.

My brother bought it for me for my birthday present.  Little did I know that's why he wanted to take me down there.

It's a DC/DCC hybrid with Tsunami sound.

The best birthday present I've ever got in my life.  Man I love my little brother.  What a great birthday this year, Thanks Everyone

 

 

TF

  • Member since
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  • From: Lancaster city
  • 682 posts
Posted by cats think well of me on Saturday, December 26, 2020 3:36 PM

NorthBrit

For nearly 40 years my wife, Dawn, has been trying to track down my long lost 'brother'.  As  young lads we used to go about  and grew up together.  He was at our wedding.    When he started work it took him all over the country  and for one reason and another we lost touch.

 

Today,  Dawn found him. 

 

A Merry  Christmas  indeed.

 

David

 

Excellent news! And it makes for an even Merrier Christmas.

  • Member since
    October 2020
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Posted by NorthBrit on Saturday, December 26, 2020 3:25 PM

For nearly 40 years my wife, Dawn, has been trying to track down my long lost 'brother'.  As  young lads we used to go about  and grew up together.  He was at our wedding.    When he started work it took him all over the country  and for one reason and another we lost touch.

 

Today,  Dawn found him. 

 

A Merry  Christmas  indeed.

 

David

To the world you are someone.    To someone you are the world

I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought

  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: Lancaster city
  • 682 posts
Posted by cats think well of me on Saturday, December 26, 2020 3:01 PM

Wishing all a Merry Christmas season.

This year, my family scaled back our holiday plans and only visited with nearby relatives. Sadly didn't get to go to Washington DC and visit my grandmother. It did go nicely and I kind of liked that we didn't go out of town. I decided to work on Christmas and I'll enjoy the holiday pay. 

Two packages of train things arrived back on Thursday and I decided to open them on Christmas itself. A pair of second hand Walthers PRR USRA mill gondolas that I'll look forward to upgrading with loads, new parts, and weathering, and a BLI F3 A-B set. I have a lot of steam engines so I need some diesels in the fleet. 

Alvie

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Posted by howmus on Saturday, December 26, 2020 2:29 PM

BATMAN
I asked my wife what went in the hole in the new kitchen cabinets and she said, "the dishwasher".

ROFLMAO!!!!  Love it!

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 BATMAN on Saturday, December 26, 2020 2:25 PM

Post hog!

I asked my wife what went in the hole in the new kitchen cabinets and she said, "the dishwasher".

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
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  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
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Posted by BATMAN on Saturday, December 26, 2020 2:15 PM

Bear.Laugh

The old hands are still feeling it this morning, maybe it is because we use Dawn. My wife's hospital had gallons of Dawn at the ready for oil spill cleaning of animals and she likes it at home. 

I did give the new sink and tap a real break in though and it is pretty nice. There is no tile backsplash yet and in my enthusiasm, I had to keep wiping down the wall.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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