NorthBritA Full English Breakfast for all.
Thank you for breakfast David. I was hungry this morning.
Track fiddlerMy old customer Dr. Phil that saw cargo planes fly backwards in the wind.
Many times I have seen Pelicans flying backward in a strong wind, never an airplane. That would be a sight.
Track fiddlerMy kitchen used to be huge.
Our kitchen used to be (seem) much smaller. The original design was an "L" shape with an island. We remodeled it into a "U" shape and deleted the island. What a difference! There is more counter space, cabinet space, and less congestion in the same square footage.
The island was strictly a 1980s piece of nonsense that was a selling point with no function.
All of the 1980s "Miami Vice" silliness is finally out of my house. The kitchen was just part of it.
hon30critterWhen we were in Cuba many years ago we went to a place where you could swim with dolphins.
There used to be several places in Florida where tourists could swim with the dolphins. I have not seen one in a while, but there might be one or two left.
York1The past days with cold, snow, pandemic, and a wife who does not want to leave the house have made this winter more boring for me than normal.
This has been a terribly cold winter down here. We have had a record number of low temperatures in the 50s or below, and it is only half way through January.
At least the daytime highs have been comfortable.
It was in the 50s last night again, and they are predicting 48 for tonight.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Greetings from South House. Not much going on, cold but partly cloudy, was very windy yesterday.
animals, all animals love me. Had a friend in college who had a part wolf part german shepard dog, she said the dog does not like anyone. It wasn't mean just did not want to be freindly. when she went out of the room it came over got on the couch and layed on me. i was the only other person the dog liked.
cats make their home in my lap.
i think of someone had a horse it would come sit in my lap.
Good morning to Dave Critter, David NorthBrit, Kevin, TF, John York1, MLC, and anybody else who joins us here in the Diner.
Ken .... Where are you? Are you okay? I hope so.
Animals. .... We have had various dogs and cats over our years. There are many stories I could tell about them, but I will spare you of that. Currently, we have three cats which we call "The Trio".
Kansas City. .... SOme of my HO passenger trains could represent ones that served Kansas City.
Below is a "Pike Sized" Kansas City Zephyr. In the 1960's, the train was losing market share, and was reduced to only three cars on some days.
Santa Fe served Kansas City with several daily trains. Some of them were hauled by E6 locomotives.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
We've got two cats. Emily is about 14 and sleeps a lot, but she's my friend and is often found on my lap. She's afraid of strangers and makes herself scarce when company shows up. Snowflake is only 1 1/2, and was white when we got her as a kitten, but has taken on the typical markings of a Siamese. Snowflake is the friendly, gregarious cat.
Snowflake had a vet visit back in the fall, and we were told she probably had feline peritonitis and would probably pass away in a couple of months. Apparently, the vet was wrong. She is still the same happy, hungry, active cat.
My daughter has a cat who used to get in the shower with her.
These are all rescue cats.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Good Morning,
We were supposed to get some snow yesterday but none arrived. Startibg to cool off a bit so I plan on getting the car washed when I go out for fas today. It has been 6 weeks since I last did that. I have only driven 3k miles in the past year and likely won't do more this year. I think I wiill get 20 years out of this car. It is 11 years old now, in terrific condition and I still like it.
Still running the Northern with a passenger train. I sometimes run it as a night train with the lights in the village on as well as the passenger cars. I have a Bette's diner with a 'Diner' sign that flashes. Looks good.
We changed our kitchen tap a couple of years ago. The original one lasted 25 years. It was a Grohe tap that cost $600 back in 1990 so was worth the money considering how long it lasted. It had a pull out spray. We replaced it with a Blanco tap.
The Westies we've had were/are friendly except perhaps for Pippa. She really only cared about me and some for my FIL.
I need more coffee.
CN Charlie
My Saturn will be 24 this year, I still use it as my daily driver. I need to get an exhust leak fixed and recover my front seat. Other than that , it has been a good car.
Once i do some more tune ups on it, i would not hesitate taking it on a long trip.
I need tires on it. i replaced front suspension this past year, it was not hard to do at all.
Eveing Diners
Flo, give the gang and I a and Dirk and Robbie a dog treat.
Garry Thank you for asking, and I am sort of doing OK. Kidney infection is sort of back. I had no pain for a few days then last Wednesday it came back. I am back on over the counter meds and I am back to 90% of my normal self. Drinking more water, about 150 oz a day. I see a VA Witch Doctor Tuesday.
Work Front! I was only making $9.00 per hour plus spiffs (paid over base pay) and commission. True commission in this company is far few inbetween. I made commission maybe 3 times last year? Well I was fine with that, I was making my bills, paying off CC Debit and putting $50.00 a week into savings.
ILL raised the minimum wage too $11.00 so that is good right? No, it is not in this company! Seems the owner is going to use our sfiff to cover the $2.00 a hour pay inrease. Last 15 days I made $133.00 in spiff, but now at $11.00 a hour there taking $130.00 of it to cover the raise so I am left with a extra $3.00? What can I say!
Credit Score Front. All good there, in Feb I should be at a solid 763#. My total CC Debit is $1605.00. I should have all of it paid off with some luck in 3 months.
Ed Turly enjoyed talking with you! Sure was not for the dinner conversion was it!
Later Ken and Dirk says Woof, Woof.
I hate Rust
It's nine o'clock on a Saturday, the regular crowd shuffles in.
I assume the diner will be headed to Oklahoma City and then to Memphis?
Ken, I sure hope you can get some relief. Living with pain makes everything seem wrong. It's good to hear you have your money situation looking good.
Watching the Buffalo -- Baltimore game right now. I don't have a favorite in this one, so it's enjoyable to watch for the game itself.
It's a quiet evening on the train tonight.
York1 John
Sing me a song, conductor man.
Howdy ...
Ken .... Good to see you. Sorry to hear about the kidney infection. I hope your appointmnt Turesday goes well.
Speaking of appointments, I had a tele-health appointment with one of my doctors in Nashville on Tuesday. It was my first experience with Zoom. It went well, and it saved me a lot of time going to and from Nashville. However, at one point, one of our cats got on the desk and walked into view. The doctor laughed at that.
Ed .... You are doing a great job. I wonder where we go next. There are many good choices from KC.
How about a ride in a Pendulum coach hauled by a doodlebug ?
The kitchen is ready for the ceiling texture tomorrow. This should be the apex for how dirty my house will be. From this point forward it is all finishing things until it is time to start the train room.
Sheldon has been recommending Sherwin Williams exterior paint as the best. I checked the price of this stuff and almost had convulsions. I am going to need to think about that stuff.
Things were crazy in the NE Cape tonight. My neighbor to the NE was partying loud in his backyard all day, but called it quits early. Then my neighbor to the South took it up. Then a super-loud party started up North of me, not sure where, but it was a long ways off. Then about 9:30 there were lots of sirens and the party stopped.
Everything is completely quiet now. I have all the windows open that can be open, and it is cold in the house. I am going to close it up and hit the rack.
The World Is A Beautiful Place.
SeeYou190The kitchen is ready for the ceiling texture tomorrow. This should be the apex for how dirty my house will be. From this point forward it is all finishing things until it is time to start the train room.
Wow Kevin, you are doing a lot of work on your house! I'm sure the results will be spectacular!
We are in a pretty good situation. We are running out of things that need to be repaired. We just had the kitchen/dining room and both bathrooms repainted and we are replacing all of the minor fixtures in the two piece bathroom, but those expenditures are minor when compared to things like replacing the roof or removing walls that we have done in the past. We need to have a couple of interior doors replaced that are showing their age, and we want to have the step from the patio door to the deck modified, but all of that is small potatoes.
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Good morning Diners'. A sunny day.
Ken. Our thoughts for a speedy recovery.
Tea and toast with marmalade.
Just read that a cruise ship is berthed not far away. We shall see if we can travel to see her.
I finished remodeling Crown Point Yard and tested everything successfully.
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
SeeYou190Sheldon has been recommending Sherwin Williams exterior paint as the best. I checked the price of this stuff and almost had convulsions. I am going to need to think about that stuff.
That's what I used on the caboose. Back in 2011 it was $65/ gallon. In 2020 it was $95! And we complain about inflation of model train prices
Bright and early this morning the Diner has been coupled to the tail-end of the Rock Island's #24, The Choctaw and we're headed east to Memphis!
CRInP_map by Edmund, on Flickr
The blue dots were covered Friday and Saturday and the red dots are today's progress. Tonight it is a night on the town in Memphis, Tennessee! Be forewarned, Kevin — we're headed to Florida
Yes, it was a great conversation, Ken! There's a lot we have in common and I sure hope you get better soon.
I grabbed a few quick shots of Kansas City as we were leaving:
KC_UToutside2 by Edmund, on Flickr
P1110044 by Edmund, on Flickr
Flo invited her daughter along for part of the trip
P1100034 by Edmund, on Flickr
The observation lounge was quite relaxing last night:
P1090025 by Edmund, on Flickr
Enjoy your Sunday on the rails, folks — cheers, Ed
The GF swears by Sherwin Williams, and swears at anything else.
I won't waste my time with telemedicine. I've got a heart condition, and a phone call isn't going to allow any kind of exam. My old doctor used to shake my hand when I walked in. I realized that he was checking my grip and hand strength. With telemedicine, it's really up to the patient to report problems.
The GF has a slight heart murmur. Her new doctor wants her to see a cardiologist, but all they'll give her is a telemedicine appointment. Worthless waste of time.
Good morning ....
We used Sherwin Williams paint about 5 years ago to repaint the interior of our house. I agree it is good stuff.
Ed .... Memphis is agreat town to visit. Not train-related, but Graceland is a worthwhile attraction. Also, there is usually something intereting at the Pyramid. Memphis has a streetcar line downtown which includes the riverfront.
Everybody ..... Have a nice day.
They Pyramid in Memphis is now a Bass Pro Shops store. I have not been in it.
I have ridden the Street cars in memphis, both for just the ride and to get somewhere.
neat street cars and only $1
I will be driving back thru memphis on my way back to the North House. this after noon. i will wave as I pass over the tracks.
Most of the RI tracks were torn out in Ark after the Bankruptcy.
One of the many things I found interesting about the Rock, is the passenger train that went to Denver,CO., and at Limon CO., the train split, and a B unit with a cab took part of the train to Colorado Springs, and the rest went on to Denver.
Love that Jonny Cash song. "Well I fooled you! I fooled you!...."
As a kid, we lived in Iowa for a few years, I went to school in Walcott, IA., and the Rock went through town, behind the school. There was a big elevator in town and some other industries the Rock served.
GO PACK!! What did you expect, I'm a Wisconsinite!
Have a great Sunday!
Mike.
My You Tube
Good morning from the soggy West Coast. It smells so clean and fresh outside even in the drizzle. In my younger days, I would have been out hiking in the mountains on a day like this.
The kitchen reno is close to being complete, the tile backsplash and crown moulding are all that is left. I still have to put the water line in for the fridge as well.
Twelve years ago when we had our house painted we went with Benjamin Moores top-line paint. It was worth every penny as we went 12 years before we needed it painted again. Back then when we got it painted two of our neighbours on the street followed suit, as their houses were in need of new paint. The one guy down the street boasted on how he talked the paint company down in price, this was after his house had been painted. He showed me the change in the quote and had failed to notice they went to a cheaper paint in order to give him a lower price. While our house went twelve years, his house looked like crap after five and he had it redone.
We just had the house painted again last summer and used Sherwin Williams top-line paint. I think it is false economy using cheap paint.
ED, I have really been enjoying the trip around the Northern half of the continent and enjoyed TFs photos of the old grain bins.
Ken, hope you get over your health issue, infections should not be taken lightly.
Diving with dolphins in the area is a hoot. I was always amazed at how much of the sea life was so curious about these scuba guys blowing bubbles. I was diving in Tahiti once along this reef cliff and this giant eel came out of his hole and gave me quite a start showing me his big teeth as he swam by.
With the kitchen being on and off accessible we have been ordering in a lot and it has taken its toll on how we all feel. We have had four good home-cooked dinners in a row and we are all noticing the improvement in our energy levels. I put on a good five pounds having Tims breakfast every day, it is gone now as I was all over that one. I tend not to watch my weight but rather watch my fat and muscle % as that is a much better indicator of what is going on. The fat meter shot up eating all that crap.
Tonight it is ribs, ribs and more ribs, followed by a long go on the recumbent bike tomorrow.
Bear, I liked the pics of the C-47s, I was always amazed that they had fabric on the tails. There was this large hanger at Vancouver airport that was full of vintage aircraft and the owner used to let me climb all over them when I had time to kill. I spent lots of time there. He always offered to take me up in some of them, but it never happened as he lost his license for medical reasons. He was such a nice guy though.
Well, today's project is to bust up the remaining cabinets and take them to the transfer station along with a bunch of other crap so best get to it.
All the best to all.
I am here with credit card in hand if anyone cares for a snort.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
BroadwayLion
I see he ate the lamb from page 15. So much for Mr. Niceguy.
All the drywall texture is up on the walls and ceiling in the Kitchen, Dining Room, Guest Bedroom, and Rear Bathroom! I will be priming like crazy tomorrow. Then paint. Hooray!
I went and picked up Chinese Take-Out for dinner tonight. Life without a kitchen (again) day #2.
The shopping center I go to has a supermarket, and five restaurants. Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Mexican, and Italian.
They had beautiful landscaping in a large coutyard with lots of flowering shrubs by the restaurants. Well, all that landscaping and beauty is gone. It has been paved over in gray concrete. They are adding an outside dining area for the era of covid.
The "new normal" (there is a term I am sick of) has claimed my favorite little garden of tranquility to sit and wait for my take-out.
And so it all marches on...
maxman BroadwayLion I see he ate the lamb from page 15. So much for Mr. Niceguy.
"Burp! " ... The Lion.
Kevin ... I'm sure the Chinese food is good, but while in KC, BEEF is what's for dinner !
Evening Dinners
Flo, give the gang and I a please and Dirk and Robbie a dog treat.
Had a good day off. Took Dirk too the park where he did a double! Picked up a new window switch for the wifes car then went to the local market.
All went well to a Disaster Stuck! My wife knocked my 1 liter cup off the counter and spilled a Whole Half Liter Of Water And There Where So Many Ice Cubes On The Floor It Would Sink The Titanic! My Goodnes you think man kind has never spilled water any time in history! God she over reacts to everything! She might slip and fall!
Kidneys are feeling normal again. Now I am having lower leg cranps? Going to eat some spinach tonight in case I have low magnesium. All ready had a banana.
Ed Becarefull what you wish for!
Trains are running great and time to walk Dirk.
Later Ken and Dirk says Woof, Woof!
That looks yummy Lion. Good evening all. Finally wrestled my new lap top to the ground though the keyboard seems as bad as the last one. It still hits the wrong letter too many times.
We are now starting to pack up in earnest and looking forward to closing by the end of February. Most of the train stuff is packed up and I have started on the second bedroom boxing books, tapes and CDs.
Hope Ken gets better soon. He's had to deal with enough nonsense lately. The stuff at w**k will straighten out soon enough when the boss man figures out he removed all the incentive for anyone to sell anything. From what Ken has described before, the boss is keeping his relatives on at the expense of sales already.
I will try to take some time to peruse(sp?) the part of this month's trip. Ed - you have really done an outstanding job.
Not much else to report at this point. All the renovations you are doing is giving me an idea of what is in store for me in the near future. The new house is in near move in condition but we will need fencing for the dogs and then a structure for the CFOs' woodwork shop. It's all to get where we want to be so no worries.
All for now. With my team not even making the post season I can just watch the games and enjoy while i learn the new laptop. Ciao, J.R.
GMTRacingthe keyboard seems as bad as the last one
Replaced 2 keys on my laptop, the e and r. They still don't consistently work, i.e. they might work normally or I may have to pound on them for 45 sec. Capital r is impossible. Since I replaced them w, z and Alt are acting the same. The laptop is only 4 years old and a high end laptop.
Lamb, we have a neighbor from India. We had a drive by celebration of her 50th wedding aniversary on Saturday. Lots of horn blowing for a remarkable celebration. I will celebrate my 50th in 2062. unless I can count multiple wives.
Back to the lamb, she insists mutton = goat, not lamb. That's not what Webster says, but Webster never lived in India.
Toby the coonhound was chewing his tail. I looked at it and it looks like it could be a tumor. Someone on the Facebook coonhound rescue page said their dog just lost it's tail to tumor that was on it's butt.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Thanks for all the positive feedback and suggestions, folks!
Here's a nice look at the bridge we crossed on the way into town:
I put this in for the bridge guy
Big River Crossing is a neat pedestrian walkway across the Mississippi. THIS would be a neat thing to see! We actually completed a loop as we cross our route of the City Of New Orleans from our earlier leg of the trip.
http://www.bigrivercrossing.com/
It is part of the Harahan (Frisco) bridge:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harahan_Bridge
The 844 was part of the opening celebration of the Big River Walkway in 2016:
Anyone else with memories or photos of the Memphis area don't hesitate to chime in!
Have a great evening, everyone.
I finally ran trains last night and snapped this photo of some New York Central E7s running along
NYC_4025-speed by Edmund, on Flickr
I hear ya' KEN!
Cheers, Ed
BigDaddyToby the coonhound was chewing his tail. I looked at it and it looks like it could be a tumor.