I know next to nothing about Memphis. I looked up the Pyramid. I had no idea that existed. It sounds like Bass Pro Shops has made it quite an attraction.
My team lost the game tonight. Not a good game. I think I will probably pull for the Chiefs now.
I've started watching some Arduino videos. I've got the starter set, and I'm getting ready to get serious about it. I don't know why I'm apprehensive.
My laptop continues to show its age. It is doing some strange things. I really don't want to buy another one. On the other hand, I also don't want a cell phone, so I imagine I will be working on a new laptop in the near future.
Time for a snack in the diner.
York1 John
Evening all.
Well, tonight was the first night the wife put the kitchen to the test. She has three ovens at her disposal and had them humming. They are WIFI connected and while we were snuggling on the couch it sent her notices telling her things were done. Amazing technology. She loves cooking and is in cooks heaven right now. May have to forgo a movie and turn in early.
The amount of garbage this kitchen reno produces is quite disturbing, but what do you do? Our garage is packed with cardboard boxes and foam that will soon disappear but in the meantime......
Next for me is ripping up the floor in the front hall, office and powder room and laying down 12.5mm subfloor for the tiling crew. My age is catching up to me doing all this. I may be in excellent physical condition but that doesn't take away the Arthritis problem, only makes coping with it easier.
Can't wait until the planet is vaccinated and we can get back to normal. My neighbour said he is not getting vaccinated, I reminded him that by not getting vaccinated he may pass on the virus to one or more of his precious Grandchildren. He didn't think of that.
Kevin, that is a nice church in the photo. I noticed it is painted in Canadian Pacific red oxide. Even though I am a heathen I love churches and go out of my way to visit them in my travels. The architecture is beautiful.
When I was in Italy once I stopped to go inside a church that caught my eye. The priest gave me a history of it I found fascinating and we talked for a long time. He was a very nice man and it was an enjoyable visit. I have lots of pics that are on slides or I would post them.
I pulled a bottle of Pino Gricio off the rack and it is pretty good, I need a refill so best stop yapping.
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."
Hi Everyone,
Not everyone is aware of it. There was a major shootout at the Kansas City Union Station in June of 1933 that involved Pretty Boy Floyd. The FBI was returning an escaped prisoner to Leavenworth when Floyd an a couple of other guys killed two KC policemen, two FBI agents and the escapee in an attempt to rescue him. The assailants had machine guns. This all happened right in front of the station in the parking lot. In KC there's a lot of rail activity in what one might call the Kansas River "valley." It's a low area between the hills on either side of the river from close to Bonner Springs to the Missouri River. Not quite as much today as there was 50-60 years ago. In 1951, the whole area was under water in the 51 flood. It affected much industry and took months to get back to normal.
The Santa Fe went along the south side of the Kansas River to Topeka, and the UP went along the north side. From Topeka, the Santa Fe went southwest and the UP split with the heavier traffic going north to Nebraska, and the Kansas division went west. The only thing I can contribute about Memphis is we saw Graceland and Beale Street. Sorry, I wasn't very impressed with either, but Beale Street was important for the blues music.
Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)
I just crossed the bridge on the left side of the first video.
The big river crossing is the old Highway 61/ rail bridge. Rail part is still active.
Good morning Diners'. Ed, you are doing a great job. A great trip.
A busy day with groceries etc. being delivered.
Coffee time. Muffins and cakes are on the table.
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
Good Morning and Hello Monday! Today we're off on the Frisco from Memphis to Birmingham, Alabama on train No. 107, the Sunnyland! (There's one you don't hear about often) Just a quick 253 mile jaunt.
Here's the fireman's-eye view as we meet the westbound.
Frisco_Sunnyland by Edmund, on Flickr
This afternoon will be at your leisure in Birmingham, Alabama. Have fun! Tonight we will be hosted by the Southern Railway for a leisurely ride to Jacksonville, Florida.
One doesn't relate Birmingham with the steel industry but the Sloss Furnaces was a huge concern, once one of the biggest producers of pig iron than anywhere in the world.
Cheers, Ed
Good Morning All,
A balmy 27F this morning but just some light scud clouds and no wind. I have a busy day today engine pickup in Pa., car pickup in Ridgefield and the Audi makes an appearance in the shop to get prepped for Sebring next month. The rest of the Florida bound cars are already under way.
It's funny Ed, i had always thought Birmingham steel referred to the plants in Alabama until my English fabricator put me right. When you fly in you can still see massive plants. In fact U.S.Steel announced in 2019 that they were going to invest a tidy sum in an electric melt furnace and reopen one of the plants. As Merle Haggard says in Rainbow Stew, perhaps that is one of the infrastructure projects we will see to completion in the near future.
A trip of 250 miles or less is just perfect for a train trip. It can be done in less time than a similar plane ride and in fact from our home to Philly it's almost half an hour quicker than using the car and far less hassle. Going over the border to Canada used to be quick and easy until CBP got real militant. The stop the train just north or south of the border and go through to check people but the last few times they spent hours doing it. Things were better when they got on the stop before and had a head start. When we went to Halifax via Montreal, we were three hours just north of Plattsburg waiting while they literally interogated two German girls who were visiting friends in NYC and decided to see another college friend in Montreal on the spur of the moment. Minimal luggage and tickets bought that morning were an alarm. They had been sitting across from us and the CFO had struck up a conversation such as it was because they needed a translating dictionary to really communicate. We finally intervened a bit with my rusty German as the Border Patrol people were getting fustrated that they didn't speak English. It got sorted out and they were able to continue but it was dicy for a minute. Not everyone from a foreign country is suspicious and not every German is a member of Bader Meinhof. Sometimes we get the 3rd degree driving back and forth to the races in Canada but I understand our folks have a job to do. This was just over the top. Rant over. Time to get after it. Ciao, J.R.
Howdy ..... I'll have eggs, grits, bacon, and toast while in Alabama. Thanks.
MLC, Ed, David, JR, and anybody else who joins us: ...... Good Morning !
Steve O. .... Hi !
Ed ...... I do have relatives in Birmingham, AL, and I have been there several times over the years.
Birmingham was a railroad hub. The Crescent stopped there on its route between Washington, DC and New Orleans, LA. ...
Also, the City of Miami passed through Birmingham. It went from Chicago to Birmingham on Illinois Central. The Central of Georgia RR hauied it from Birmingham to Jacksonville, FL. From Jackosnville, Atlantic Coast Line took it to Florida destinations with connecting trains. When I was a kid, I rode on that train from Chicago on an Illinois Central sleeping car that went to Sarasota with connecting ACL trains.
Ed..... Here you can see a Southern E6 in Birmingham ready to lead the train to Jacksonville.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Good morning!
I haven't stayed in Birmingham, but I have driven through many times. It is in a pretty part of Alabama. It is wooded and hilly.
I went through Birmingham on the last ride of the Crescent on Southern Railway. That last day was very memorable -- the workers were all in a good mood and talking about everything they had experienced. The dining car waiter gave a menu to my wife. We pulled into New Orleans without much fanfare, but it was the end of one of the great trains in America.
FOOD! Come and get it!
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Good morning all,
I'll have an iced tea and some of Lion's giant sticky bun if he's sharing.
Ed...Thanks for posting the story about the Stoss Furnaces. I had no idea that Birmingham was founded on iron. I always figured the name referred to Birmingham, England. My family's only connection to Alabama is that my dad did his basic training at Ft. McLellan (NE of Birmingham) during WWII. He arrived there from California on a troop train after riding for over a week in a converted boxcar. He always hated the red mud at the camp and now it all makes sense. I'm going to ask him if he knew about the iron industry there.
J.R. ...Thanks for the detailed description of crossing the border by train.
Garry....The Spanish architecture in the background of your picture threw me for a moment until you mentioned it was taken in Florida.
John...Sad story about The Crescent but at least you can claim to be part of history.
I, for one, am really enjoying this tour.
Tim
Late to the model railroad party but playing catch-up.....
The diner is still covering a lot of trackage.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Howdy .
Tim ... The building in the background was Terminal Station in Birminham, AL. It was built in 1909 and demolished in 1969.
Hello Railfans!
Top of the A.M. side to ya. Strange being awake this time of day. But how can ya tell?
Id reach for that hunnybun yet i have this strange felling that the humans are the ones being baited here. Hmmmm.....
On other strange notes, theres no humbug today because someone left a pennywish in the snowmachine last night and there was a hole 1/2" out there before the sun came up and ruined it all. E double minus for effort there mother nature, but no cigar.
Been a quiet past couple of days. Got a few things done on the hobby front. Have binge watched just about all the good series stuff i have. Times like this i wish i had a layout to work on.
Well you folks have a good day. Prolly check back later on.
Clear Ahead!
Douglas
Heartland Division CB&Q Howdy . Tim ... The building in the background was Terminal Station in Birminham, AL. It was built in 1909 and demolished in 1969. Thanks Garry, I stand corrected . You did indeed note that the station was in Birmingham. Thanks for sharing the station's history.
Thanks Garry, I stand corrected . You did indeed note that the station was in Birmingham. Thanks for sharing the station's history.
Good evening Diners'. A busy day today in the kitchen making meals for family passing by (at a safe distance).
Beef and mushroom pie with the vegetables for mains.
Take Care.
BATMAN Can't wait until the planet is vaccinated and we can get back to normal. My neighbour said he is not getting vaccinated, I reminded him that by not getting vaccinated he may pass on the virus to one or more of his precious Grandchildren. He didn't think of that.
My understanding of the vaccines is their primary job is to reduce symptoms in the vaccinated person so they don't get really sick. Unfortunately, they don't actually kill the virus, nor do they prevent a vaccinated but infected person from spreading it. There may be some weakening of the virus, but a stupid mask may still be better absolute protection than the vaccine.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
SeeYou190 The diner is still covering a lot of trackage. -Kevin
I'm not entirely certain what the rules are this month. Can you jump in any time and any place, or do you have to extend the daisy chain from the previous diner in its current location?
Thinking it might be a good while before the movable feast travels to any of those big square states out west, and currently hankering for some fried chicken, I'll put in a plug for the Dash Inn in Buffalo, Wyoming. It is the only place in the state to get decent fried chicken.
There's a pretty significant mountain range between here and there, and the passes are often closed this time of year, so I'll have to go around. I guess it depends on just how bad I want some. Visitors from the East can get there via I-90 and stop by Mt Rushmore and Devil's Tower on the way. And/or drop a few dollars in the casinos of Deadwood, if that's their predilection.
I haven't been to Buffalo in a pretty long while, and I've heard rumors that the Dash Inn has changed owners. No idea what that means, but it is something that needs checking out.
Robert
LINK to SNSR Blog
Eveing Diners
Flo, give the gang and I a please and Dirk and Robbie a dog treat.
Work / Health Front. Nancy decide MLK day would be a Big Sale Day! So the Queen Dingbat had Jerry and I to work Monday? (MLK has never been a big sale day) Kidney infection was back again and I felt awfull. Being with Jerry the did not help! I called the main store at 12:00 PM and said I am out of here, I am sick! Heard Nancy talking to Jerry, she did not want me to leave! Told Jerry "You can't handle all of the customers by your self!"
Called Jerry at 6:15 PM, he had have 2 coutomers all day! Yep Nancy it was a big sale day! She trying to run this company like The Feild Of Dreams, you have sales people, they will come!
Did take Dirk too the park, in many ways it is quciker to get him to empty is ash pit that way.
Ed I still love the PRR I1sa! Running great for the last few weeks. BY the way I have now went 630 days without smoking. Just like the PRR I1sa!
Later, Ken and Dirk says Woof, Woof!
I hate Rust
Good Evening,
Well winter is back with normal range temps. We have very little snow so I hope we don't get a spell of really cold weather because the roots of shrubs will die without the snow for insulation.
Ken, hope you can get your kidney problem fixed up soon. Robbie says thanks for the dog treats.
I have started a box car kit again. I did a little work on it last year so perhaps will get it done this time. It is a Red Caboose kit of a CNR maple leaf car. They do make a nice car once done but take some time. Not that I don't have a lot of that available. Once done I only have 2 Branchline kits left in my stash. They are 80' sleepers and look to be very challenging. I picked them up for $13 each from Kleins a few years ago about the time Atlas bought out Branchline so I guess that is the reason for the low price. The Northern is on its storage siding beside the engine house. My Pacific is now on the mainline. Amazing that engine is 45 years old. Mind you it does have a new can motor.
Hope all this talk of trouble with computers doesn't rub off on this one as it is 10 years old now. No problems so far. It is a laptop but has a 15.6" screen and certainly isn't very light. The term laptop only applies loosely. Batteries are hard to get for it though and are expensive.
I have to make a birdseed run tomorrow so I plugged in the block heater in the car. That will put at least 5 miles on it. Must watch driving so much as I don't want to wear it out. Seems most things I have are old. I suppose that just reflects me.
Well tea time soon along with a slice of panettone. We recorded the Great British Baking Show series which we do enjoy watching.
CN Charlie
cudakenBY the way I have now went 630 days without smoking.
That's great news! I've been wondering how the no-smoking was going.
Does the Acela count as a named train? How about the Downeaster from Boston up into Maine? It's a bit out of the way, but if the train could stop in Essex, MA, for reprovisioning I'm sure we could arrange for a lobsterfest you wouldn't believe from Woodman's.
I had to figure it out.. it has been 8,969 days for me. Great job!
My wife has "discovered" Tik-Tok videos, and she is driving me crazy with them. If I hear "you have to see this video" one more time, I just might run down the street screaming.
The World Is A Beautiful Place.
Evening all, just about rack time for me. It was a beautiful day here in the sunshine.
I smashed all the old remaining kitchen cabinets to flat and loaded them in the truck to take to the transfer station tomorrow. I will stop and get some junk at my sisters' and take it as well as I have room. That always gets me a $50.00 gift certificate at PWRS. Speaking of my sister I finally hung up part of her Christmas present to me. Blurred out most of my name so you guys can't hunt me down.
Ken, congrats on the smoking front. I remember when you quit and was pulling for you, that is quite an accomplishment.
I have been smoke-free for 23349 days. My 64 Birthday is coming up.
I started in on the front hall today and pulled all the moulding off. We are having the new kitchen tile extended into the front hall, office and powder room. I have to rip up the hardwood and the tile in the powder room and all the 3/8 ply and then lay 12.5mm ply down for the subfloor. Yippee.
BATMANBear, I liked the pics of the C-47s, I was always amazed that they had fabric on the tails.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Top of the day to ya! I hope all are well - doing same here. Looks like were in a stretch of warming with everyday sunny for the next 5 days. HUMBUG! I swear i think imma have to move to the north pole. Yet, even there they says 'its melting'!
Bear) I never knew the F4U had any fabric on it. Much less the RNZAF had any. The "Whistler of Death" is my favorite fighter of WWII. An outrageously sexy plane, and as history will show - ultimately lethal to opponants.
While everyone always drools over the Mustang, the Corsair is usually in the shadows - overlooked. 2000+ on nose, gull wings, 10' blades, and yes, .50 cal metal shredders and a bomb/tank rack. Who wouldnt want one as a daily driver????
Even when not 'whistling' they had a unique, beautiful sound to them. Just a downright awesome machine! I would give just about anything to fly one. While they appear here and there, restored or in museums.... you can never get close enuf to lays hands on one and feel the heart beating. Pure BEAST!
Tell us the story of the young pilot - id love to hear it.
Brent) Dont look now but your Username is showing! Found Ya!
Mr. Beasley) Ive always counted Acela as a named train. And I think its listed in their schedules that way too. Ill pass on the lobsterfest.... how you folks set for steak?
Ed) Still lovin the trip!
Probably to the dismay of many here, its only been about 5 minutes since i smoked. All around me friends, family, are quiting. Of course i know i should too. When will i, is another thing.
So, if there is EVER a concensus to elect someone to win the "Stupid" award.... hands down i think yall will agree itd have to be me. Youd be right to say so too! Generally a Dunce hat can be worn by anyone in the class, though, if you look closely on the inside rim, youll find my name.
I dont think i will be working on anything train like. Put in some pretty good time already the last couple of days. Enuf to last a few more days. Ill check back later folks.
A#1 North!
Happy Tuesday, All!
ROBERT PETRICKThinking it might be a good while before the movable feast travels to any of those big square states out west, and currently hankering for some fried chicken, I'll put in a plug for the Dash Inn in Buffalo, Wyoming.
MisterBeasleyDoes the Acela count as a named train? How about the Downeaster from Boston up into Maine?
I'm not sure Amtrak will be too receptive to couple our rattling, old diner to their high-speed Acela train set. Best we settle for one of the conventional, GG1 powered PRR trains
Well, in the interest of full disclosure, I believe the itinerary includes a mad dash up the east coast on the Champion, then continuing into Maine on the New Haven and B&M. Across the northern side of the Great Lakes into Ontario, across Lake Michigan on a C&O car ferry and then back through the midwest, making a left turn near Albuquerque then heading for Sunny Mexico.
IF the food doesn't run out!
So — welcome to Southern Hospitality:
Southern by Edmund, on Flickr
And who should be gracing the tail-end of our train but Mr. and Mrs. Graham Claytor who decided to tag along and see what this whole diner tour was all about.
Mr_Claytor by Edmund, on Flickr
By the time you read this our train, # 108, The Florida Special will have arrived in Jacksonville, Florida. We have most of the day here to have a look around —
Good morning all. A day of rain greets us here in the UK.
Ed. An excellent journey. Thanks.
Ken. Take care and a speedy recovery.
Airplanes. Many years ago our son was in the Royal Air Force.
One Saturday Dawn and I were traveling to Birmingham (UK). On the way we saw an airplane circling over the motorway, then headed away towards its Air Base.
"I wonder if that is our son?" Dawn said.
Later after letters were posted and received we were told it was him.
Top of the Page
Coffee time. A selection of cream cakes for everyone.
Good morning
Just stopped in to say Hi. Nothing much going on the last few days. Just waiting for my Plastruct pannels to come in the mail to finish my bridge.
Took judy out for a long drive the last few days, just to get out and see some scenery is something to do to pass some time.
Have a great day all
P.S. Sorry to hear your kidney is acting up again Ken. Judy has always said 100% cranberry juice mixed with water, beets and asparagus are very good body cleansers. That has always helped me out for a mild bladder or kidney infection. Can't hurt. If it's more serious, you should go see the Doc. Definitely not a good thing to ignore if there's a possibility your liver light is on
TF
Good for you Ken. We knew you could do it. Sorry to hear your kidney flared up again. Hope you get into the docs soon.
27F again this morning with cirrus clouds (with horsefeathers?) and wind aloft but calm down here on earth. Ceiling is high enough for the CFO to go up in her plane today and hopefully continue training towards her IFR. Me, I'm stuck down here beaverin away. Just a regular for me please Zoe.
The F4U Corsair is of course a product of Connecticut made by Chance Vought - Sikorsky and designed and tested in Bridgeport, Connecticut. My mom worked there as a secretary so a couple of tidbits for you. The plane was originally designed without the gull wings but the powerplant upgrades and specification requirements meant a bigger propeller was need than would clear. Because it was a carrier based fighter from the start, extending the landing gear was not an option as it wouldn't hold up landing (which is just a controlled crash anyway). The simple fix was the bent wing to raise the fuselage and therefore the prop and viola - Corsair. Not well known is that on one of the first test flights, it was flown into a hanger at Sikorsky airfield with predictable results. Despite the rough start it went on to distinction in the Pacific theater with versions serving with the US Navy as well as the British, Austrailian and New Zealand naval forces.
Waiting on the removal of an underground storage tank at the prospective house so we can move forward towards closing. Other than that it's boxing up time With one set of bookshelves done, all the over one hundred reel to reel tapes and "stuff". After 40 years, this is a huge job. Still have the 1500 LP records to deal with as well but that isn't until we get downstairs.
If we're not to use the Acela when we get to Washington, a GG-1 will do us a treat. We could continue underwire with an EP-5 last of the iconic New Haven electics until we get to New Haven itself.
In the old days of the empire the wire stopped in New Haven and the power was swapped out. From New Haven to Boston now there is wire but the premier locomotive for the Shoreline was the Baldwin I-5 right up until the end of steam around 1950. Designed specifically for the fast name trains it was capable of 100 mph.
022 by J.R. Mitchell, on Flickr" alt="I-5 on bridge" />
All for now I have things to do and such. Ciao, J.R.