Good morning.
It's a frustrating morning for me.
A month after making and paying for my plane reservations, I got an email from the airline informing me the flight times have changed. Unfortunately for me, the new times will not work.
What's more, they don't make paid-for reservations real easy to change, and changing to another airline will be quite a bit more money.
Thankfully, my daughters are pretty good at all of this, so I will just turn it and my credit card number over to them, and let them take care of it.
They will tell me when to show up at the airport, and they will make sure their flights all arrive about the same time as mine so we all can meet at the airport and head to the hotel together.
I'm getting back to work learning how to work (play) with some of the Arduino stuff.
Have a good day everyone.
York1 John
PM RailfanWhile everyone always drools over the Mustang,
I am not a Mustang fan. My biggest complaint about Saving Private Ryan was the Mustangs attacking the Tigers at the end. I would have much rather seen a pair of Thunderbolts or Typhoons rip down that roadway and show what horror a real air-to-ground attack would looked like.
For WW2 aircraft, my favorite Western Allied planes are the Huricane and the Warhawk. My favorites overall are the Soviet service P39 Airacobras and Il-2 Shturmovik.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
A trip behind a GG-1 would be the perfect ride. I think the electrified part of the line ends at South Station in Boston. Unfortunately, the Downeaster up to Maine leaves from North Station, and as I recall there's no rail link between the two.
The Downeaster doesn't go through Essex, but we should be able to arrange for a truckload of lobster to be delivered at a stop nearby, along with Ipswich Ale, New England clam chowder and those silly but functional lobster bibs. No overhead power beyond Boston, so we're back to diesel. The Downeaster only gets to Portland this time of year, a bit further in the summer.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
gmpullman The Florida Special will have arrived in Jacksonville, Florida. We have most of the day here to have a look around.
OK, join me for a walk around Jacksonville.
We will start with a relaxing ride on the river taxi. This is a fun relaxing way to get around the sights to see on the Saint Johns River.
From the River Taxi we can see the headquarters office of CSX and some beautiful bridges.
When we get off of the River Taxi we can walk along the riverfront and see some of the wonderful mosaics the city has installed along the walkways.
In Jacksonville there is this example of a USRA Pacific locomotive on display. It used to be by the convention center, which looks like an old railroad depot, but the locomotive has been moved.
Have fun!
Track fiddlerTook judy out for a long drive.....
Did you bring her back?
SeeYou190OK, join me for a walk around Jacksonville.
Nice pictures, except for that vagrant that keeps showing up as a view block.
Hello Railfans!
First off...
maxman Track fiddler Took judy out for a long drive..... Did you bring her back?
Track fiddler Took judy out for a long drive.....
maxman SeeYou190 OK, join me for a walk around Jacksonville. Nice pictures, except for that vagrant that keeps showing up as a view block.
SeeYou190 OK, join me for a walk around Jacksonville.
Hilarious!
Ed) Hey man - thanks for showing.....
https://flic.kr/p/2ktzumP
Thats a bit of ole home stuff right there. Hats off to yee! And you KNOW im looking forward to getting off that ferry after Ontario, too.
Clear ahead!
Douglas
Consider running to Boston South Station, going to North Station, then to Portland Maine, pick up the lobsters dockside, and then run to Montreal, the line opened in 1853 to move freight down from Canada when the St Lawrence froze, and was very active for over 70 years after that. After Canada back track, and head through the Heartland, out of New York. Just a thought----
herrinchoker
maxmanNice pictures, except for that vagrant that keeps showing up as a view block.
If you think that is a vagrant look... you should really see me now!
I would definitely be arrested if I dared to stroll through Hope, Washington.
SeeYou190 gmpullman The Florida Special will have arrived in Jacksonville, Florida. We have most of the day here to have a look around. OK, join me for a walk around Jacksonville. We will start with a relaxing ride on the river taxi. This is a fun relaxing way to get around the sights to see on the Saint Johns River. From the River Taxi we can see the headquarters office of CSX and some beautiful bridges. When we get off of the River Taxi we can walk along the riverfront and see some of the wonderful mosaics the city has installed along the walkways. In Jacksonville there is this example of a USRA Pacific locomotive on display. It used to be by the convention center, which looks like an old railroad depot, but the locomotive has been moved. Have fun! -Kevin
Hey Kevin -
In the lobby of the ACL building (now rebranded as CSX) there used to be a sculpture of a locomotive carved from a block of solid coal. That was long before I took up this hobby or even had much interest in trains at all.
If you're still in Jax, can you go snap a photo. It's driving me crazy that I can't find anything online and I can't remember many details. Maybe I imagined the whole thing or I am simply mis-remembering myself.
Thanks. Enjoy your sojourn.
Robert
LINK to SNSR Blog
Hello, everybody .
JR .... I like the bridges and the NH I-5.
Kevin and Robert ..... I recall seeing the office building when it said Atlantic Coast Line.
Ed .... I'm wondering if your journey will lead us to your home on the last day of January where we can party and run trains.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Heartland Division CB&QEd .... I'm wondering if your journey will lead us to your home on the last day of January where we can party and run trains.
That sure sounds like a fitting end to our January, 2021 Diner Tour, Garry, and everyone is certainly welcome for a visit but —
I was kind of toying with the idea of setting out the diner in the town of Rugby, North Dakota, the unofficial "Geographical Center" of North America.
https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/11486
Although some claim that distinction goes to a town actually called "Center" which is about 185 miles to the south-west.
Rugby is served by Amtrak and does have a neat depot with a private car siding
Great Northern Passenger Depot- Rugby ND by Kevin Stewart, on Flickr
That way the host of the February Diner will have an easier time of moving to the new, yet undetermined, location
Cheers, Ed
Maxman. Ya always bust me a gut!
Yep, She made it back. I guess we didn't travel out quite rural enough
You may have your stories crossed with taking the old hunting dog on his last hunting trip one
Ed. I never made it to Rugby, North Dakota. It's only 60 miles east of Minot that I have rode the Amtrak to twice. Both small towns but if Great Northern once went through, they're both good Towns in my book! And thanks for the continued great job hosting the traveling Diner Train this month
Kevin. You sure had a lot of great traveling experiences through the past years. I bet you miss that. I remember that hobby store hopping trip around the US a few years ago you shared with us. That was a fun one.
Bear. The Corsair has always been my favorite plane. Both cosmetically and function. I've always understood because of their wing design, gave them the ability handle extreme stress. The cability to dive down to attack quickly and change back to a climb on a dime, where other planes wings would fold. I don't know if that's fact or rumor. I still like to watch Black Sheep Squadron on TV just because I love to watch those planes.
Brent. Sounds like you Got-r-Done with the demo job and a great big load to the dump I don't know why but I always loved to go to the dump. I bet that tile will look really nice coming out of the kitchen extending into the hall
TF
Eveing Diners
Flo, give the gang and I a and Dirk and Robbie a dog treat.
VA Front, Medacare is looking better and better! Showed up on time to only find my appointment was cancled Dec 28th 2020? I made it Dec 17th 2020? Sure been nice if they had sent me a letter! Got see a Doctor anyway so that was good. Had some blood sucked out and peed in a bottle. Got a shingles shot (had shingles around age 45 and it sucked rail spikes) to be safe.
Leg cramps They hope the blood test will show the reason why. I have a history of low sodium so maybe that is it? My great right toe is sticking up some and will not lay flat on the floor. That in turn cause my calf to hurt. I will be seeing a Podiatrist for that problem.
Got some med's for the Kidney problem.
Saw a Vetran making his last exit from the VA. He was covred with a American Flag for his final rest. I snapped off a good salute and it made me sad.
Kevin I am sure you know the Air Cobra was a US fighter. It all so was not that great. In the Pacific Theather they where used as bait to draw out Zero's with a cover of P-38's or Corsair 10,000 feet over head.
If you interested I have a huge book of every plane used in WWII. If you are, let me know in the dinner and then PM me. I bet this book weights 15 pounds or more. It from my Son In Law Uncle Estate who was a test pilot Lockheed around the Blackbird time.
Later Ken and Dirk says Woof, Woof!
I hate Rust
gmpullmanI was kind of toying with the idea of setting out the diner in the town of Rugby, North Dakota, the unofficial "Geographical Center" of North America. https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/11486 Although some claim that distinction goes to a town actually called "Center" which is about 185 miles to the south-west.
I didn't get to North America's center, but last year I drove some gravel county roads to get to the center of the United States 48 states.
This is not on a road on your way through Kansas. You have go quite a ways out in the country for this one:
Welcome Aboard the Seaboard Air Line's train No. 58, the Silver Meteor! We will be traveling through Georgia, the Carolinas, Virginia and into Washington, D.C. arriving there bright and early at 6:05 AM.
No time to partake in the reduced Inaugural festivities, unless you want to lay-over and take a later train as we are scheduled to leave D.C. at 6:30 AM!
Seaboard_Map by Edmund, on Flickr
Here's a look at one of the E7s that will be hauling us north:
SCL_550_E7 by Edmund, on Flickr
Note the extended handrails on either side of the nose. IIRC one of the Florida roads had an extension for the nose door* for crew safety? I'll have to look that one up.
And a back-up move in Atlanta while the Diner was being provisioned:
SCL_594-E8 by Edmund, on Flickr
* Yes, it was the Seaboard on their EMD E4s. Sure looked odd.
OH Yea! do we get to ride the Orange Blossom Special?
Mike.
My You Tube
Thanks for playing Johnny Mike. That's one of my favorites
Looking forward to Washington DC bright and early tomorrow morning Ed. I'll be back in the dining car putting on the coffee at 6:00
Time for me to hit the rack. Have a great night all
mbinsewiOH Yea! do we get to ride the Orange Blossom Special?
Well, we will just have to pretend to be on the Orange Blossom Special It made its last run in 1953, just a wee bit before our virtual time-machine will take us back.
Unidentified woman boarding the Orange Blossom Special train: Sebring, Florida by Florida Memory, on Flickr
Seaboard by Edmund, on Flickr
Good evening from the West Coast where it was a sunny warm day.
I took the last of the old kitchen cabinets to the transfer station today, stopped and picked up some junk at my sisters' on the way as she only has a small car. That will get me a PWRS gift certificate, it always does. She is a generous person. It was about a 1000 lbs, just a little less than the first load.
I love the transfer station, you just throw out all your crap on to the floor and a big front end loader pushes it all into the abyss. I remember a few years ago seeing a large MRR layout on the other side of the pit a couple of hundred feet away getting unloaded and watched as an awful lot of work just vanished. I could not help but wonder if it was just a dismal end to some model railroaders pike who passed on.
We are purging and I loaded up boxes of old VHS tapes to take to the recycle centre. I read somewhere that first release Disney VHS tapes were collectable so I went online and it said the "Balck Diamond" editions were worth a fortune. So I went and looked and sure enough, I had two Black Diamond first editions in the box. I looked them up and one was worth $6000.00 and the other slightly less. Not believing it for a minute I went to Ebay and found my Black Diamond editions going for $8.00. Easy come easy go, back into the box they went. We had so many tapes that were never even opened and still had the plastic on them, what a waste.
My wife is going cooking crazy with her new kitchen, we are back to delivering meals to some of our elderly family members, much to their delight.
I was flying to the Bahamas once and did a pit stop in Washington for four days and I just scratched the surface of seeing what I wanted to see. I really want to go back and carry on where I left off. I was staying at the Holiday Inn on the mall and every night at dinner they sat me with someone in the dining room as I was by myself. I had pot roast every night as it was so good. I had some great conversations with the people I sat with. Flying from DC to Miami I sat next to a Senator that was going to the Bahamas as well. When we got to Miami an Agent came and got him off our plane and took him away in a golf cart. When I got on the puddle jumper for the hop to the Bahamas guess who sat next to me again. We just carried on yapping where we left off.
Tomorrow I may start ripping up the hardwood and subfloor in the front hall and carpet and subfloor in the office and marble and subfloor in the powder room or may do nothing. Retirement schedule is very flexible.
All the best to all.
Someone sent this to me. My favourite song with some good video and pics.
The kids learn this song in grade 5.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yftz0Lxf5yA&list=RDYftz0Lxf5yA&start_radio=1
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
I ran across a Youtube video yesterday about the greatest plane in ww2. As far as I know the guy was some random guy, but he made the pitch for the PBY Catalina.
One of the things I learned was Japan is the only country still making flying boats.
His point was the PBY flew 15 hour missions could refuel from seaplane tenders, had secret bases and were painted with lamp black for night missions, because they didn't have black paint. The planes had bunks and a galley, or at least hot plates.
PBY's found the Japanese carriers at Midway and the pilot who found the Indianapolis, polled the crew before attempting a landing in 12 foot seas.
I flew on a DC-3 made in 38, to a diving site in San Salvador. On the trip home there was a storm, we flew and flew and flew and eventually had to land in Nassau for fuel. We had no permission to be there, so we could not get off the plane. The copilot went out on the wing with a big stick to measure the fuel.
They let us take off and we got back to Fort Lauderdale? having missed our connecting flights. Because of the length of the flight and the roughness, the portable toilet filled up long before we landed. It was gross.
But it was a beautiful plane.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
So far:
Track fiddlerKevin. You sure had a lot of great traveling experiences through the past years. I bet you miss that. I remember that hobby store hopping trip around the US a few years ago you shared with us. That was a fun one.
I miss the food the most. I know where to get the best fried chicken, barbeque, seafood, cajun, steak, etc. in the United States, and now I cannot get there.
Hobby Shopping coast-to-coast was the blast of a lifetime. That was the most fun 3 1/2 weeks I ever spent with my wife. We still love remembering our adventures on that trip.
BATMANI read somewhere that first release Disney VHS tapes were collectable so I went online and it said the "Balck Diamond" editions were worth a fortune.
In the 1980s and 1990s, before DVDs, Disney would only do one release of VHS movies every 15 years or so, then they went "back into the Disney vault" until the new millenium.
Because of this, video rental stores could become desperate for copies of Disney movies.
I sold our copy of Peter Pan to a video store for $350.00 in the mid 1990s. We were in there one day, and they had a sign on the counter with what they would pay for each movie.
This was before eBay of course. When Disney released all their movies on DVD in the early 2000s, all the VHS tapes became worth zero.
The World Is A Beautiful Place.
Kevin, I remember when the Disney movies on VHS sky-rocketed in price. My family had many over the years, so of course my siblings and I jump onto the 'bay to see if there would be a chance we could make some money on our Disney VHS movies. Sadly not at the time, as you're right once things were on DVD, the VHS movies were worth next to nothing.
Hobby wise, I'm keeping busy, but there always feels like I have so much to do.
I had primed and painted a Railworks PRR F31a flatcar, and I'd just done the touchup painting, via an airbrush as Tru-Color can't be touched up with a brush, unless its in their brushable flat paint lines. Next step on that car is decals, putting on a Laserkit deck. I know they do not make one that's close, but I A: don't care, and B: It'll be somewhat covered up by a load. I've grown to like Laserkit's decking and various kinds of loads quite a bit. Speaking of the Tru-Color Brushable paint line, on a whim I had bought a bottle of their rust color, and found it's a good match, I think, for Red Caboose B&O M26 boxcars (it's really a PRR X29 in B&O lettering).
I did some work on my Oriental PRR M1b, and for the first time ever in working on HO trains, added extra electrical pickup points to a brass steam engine using N-scale PC-board ties and .015" wire soldered on as wipers. My first attempt using cut up Kadee center springs failed as I had two shorts to contend with, so I scrapped that piece and put another one together. The model at this point does not need a lot more work to be ready for installing DCC, sound, and LED lighting. Like many brass engines it has a cylindrical piece of lead for a weight in the boiler attached using screws. Okay, except that a prior owner, I've no idea how many people had it before I did, had bonded it the the boiler somehow. It looks like it may have been soldered in, so at some point, I'll CAREFULLY grind away with some rotary tool bits. I'd like to remove the weight so I put speakers in the boiler. I've always wanted to try a sound installation that way. I have several feet of 1/32" sheet lead to fabricate new weights for inside the boiler. Also, the prior owner put a lot of lead bird shot in the boiler. I can't wait to see how that thing will pull!
Alvie
Track fiddlerYep, She made it back. I guess we didn't travel out quite rural enough
You were supposed to leave the wife and bring back the cannoli.
Good morning all. With torrential rain falling overnight localised flooding in our area. Fortunately not here.
The Diner is heading towards Washington. The Washington here in Tyne & Wear, England lost its rail station 70 odd years ago because only a few people lived there. Then they made it into a New Town and over 100,000 people live there and no station. The old rail tracks are still there?
Old Washington. Name the former USA President in the film.
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
Coffee time As we arrive in Washington DC here is a short film of
Washington Old Hall, Washington, Tyne & Wear, England.
Enjoy.
Hello and goodbye Washington. Just passing through
Forty-eight years ago today I was there with my 8mm movie camera. I pretty much stayed in Union Station. Oh the trains, there were dozens of them from all over!
If you look carefully, you'll see Jason Shron's CN Sleeping car Edmundston
Today we continue up the east coast and into Pennsylvania Station, New York City again for a brief stop. Then it is on to Bean Town!
PRR_7-8-65 by Edmund, on Flickr
PRR_4887_GG1 by Edmund, on Flickr
Enjoy, Ed
Ya know, ive sat here for an hour writing, rewriting this post. This is prolly the 4th incarnation of it so far.
Today im reading were taking the Meteor north. Be hitting my ole stomping grounds. As I was writing, i was trying to think of something positive to say to enlighten those who have not had the displeasure of being in Va.
Then, i noticed it turned from something, to anything. I couldnt think of anything to say. Not one thing. I remembered i feel pretty ashamed to be a Virginian. Rightfully so.
What can you say about a place that routinely paves over hallowed battlegrounds for the sole sake of putting up empty strip malls? A place whos state bird is the "tri colored traffic light". The Red variety can be seen every 10', yet the green ones are so ultra rare they exist only in rumor. What can be said about a place that prides itself on the scorched earth policy so much so that rampant deforrestation has made the tower construction crane the state tree now. Va really wants its tourists to see how pretty the stumps, scrub and dirt is.
Va is not railfan friendly. They will tear out a railfan spot for a Wa-Wa (7-Eleven gas-n-go type store) anyday. They will rip up usuable rails/railroads in a heartbeat just so some soccermom can ride a bike.
It wasnt long before i realized i was a page deep each time. It was most assuredly a candidate for the Mods to "creatively correct" my post. And to be this close to the District of Corruption when the Make-A-Wish Foundation is holding another electoral event. Geeezmus Ed, I think we just witnessed your first scheduling faux-pas.
Safe to say im not in a good mood today folks. Ill be in my cabin for this part of the trip eagerly awaiting that 630am departure time. And yes, im taking the bottle with me!
Double Reds!
PS: i forgot i shoulda posted one of these somewhere in there
Good Morning All,
32F and light snow falling this morning. I'll have a blueberry and creamcheese bagel with my coffee please Zoe.
Loved the film Ed. 1973 and the mix of passenger equipment is amazing. Considering the NYC and PRR merger and the bankruptcy of the New Haven had happened 5 years prior the equipment was still being used unaltered. In those days though the Federal would run through to New Haven behind a GG1 instead of having a power change at Penn Central. Most of the EP-5s stayed in local service on the New Haven tracks as they had electric pickup shoes to get into Grand Central via the Park Avenue tunnel (IIRC the catenary on the line ended at Woodlawn so the shoes were used from there). It was also faulty wiring in the shoes that sent the first Turbotrain up in flames in the tunnel but that is another story. If we are to be period correct, you will still need steam or diesel power for the run to Boston as the wires ended in New Haven back then.
Those also had to be some of the first Amtrak cars as well. If you read "The Men Who Loved Trains" it gives a lot of insight into the behind the scenes goings on in that era. The beginning of Amtrak was fascinating for train watchers as I have seen pictures taken in New London showing SP Daylight and other far western equipment in consists on the Shoreline.
All for now. Ciao, J.R.
Good early morning everybody.
I was rudely shaken out of bed at 8:00 this morning by ALL THE NOISE IN THE WORLD!
Upon going outside to investigate, I see my neighbor to the North is getting a new roof installed. No sleep for me today.
Here is the first Diner Travel update for today.
PM RailfanI couldnt think of anything to say. Not one thing. I remembered i feel pretty ashamed to be a Virginian. Rightfully so.
I have been through Virginia many times, and while I have almost no nice things to say about the state, I do not recall any of the things you mentioned. My distaste for Virginia is for all kinds of different reasons.
I do love WaWa! Florida is peppered with them everywhere. The worst part about driving North into Georgia was the end of good convenience stores. Georgia has no WaWas, 7-11s, or Circle-Ks. They did have RaceTracs, but not enough of them.