Hey Garry!
Heartland Division CB&Qtuba player with a band reminds me of my high school days when I was a tuba player. Fun times, but I was not very talented.
That that tells me is that you just didn't practice enough.... Now when I was in School, I was in chorus and band every year of Jr. high and high school. Studied Clarinet, Alto Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto and Tenor Saxophone, Piano, and privately studied Voice. Went to Eastman School of Music, U of R and studied with Anna Kaskas, former Metropolitan Opera star. Then with John Malloy, who was lead tenor at LaScala in Italy for many years. Got a degree in Music Education. Studied and played Classic Guitar, and Electric Bass and taught both private voice and guitar for many years. At Eastman I was ony one of two undergraduate education majors to ever have my name in lights on Eastman Theater for being a soloist with a major ensemble at an 8:15 concert (the other one was an oboist named Mitch Miller). Now after all that training and experience, I would many, many times hear after I performed someplace people saying that I am so luckly to be born so TALENTED!!!! LOL!!! So... you just needed to practice more, then you would have been talented!
Sorry! I just had to bring that up......
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Good afternoon. It's time for a nap after lunch.
Bear, I really liked the art deco video. That is one of the few architectural -- art types that I like, and I would love to be able to collect some of those art deco railroad posters. Near me is Omaha's Union Station, (it was in the video) and it is a masterpiece of art deco style.
Ed, thanks for all the work. I am enjoying the trip, and I hope you can continue at least part time into February.
TF, the Cow Hotel sounds interesting, but I'm not sure where it is or even what it is. I've never heard of it. Around here, cow hotels are called something else.
Dave, it sounds like you will be having a lot of doctor visits in the next weeks. I hope everything goes OK and you can get some relief.
JR, for some reason I always thought Delaware got more snow. You get very cold temperatures, but not much snow?
I didn't have to shovel snow this morning! It was nice to get up for breakfast and not have to go out and do backbreaking work. We have an eight-foot-tall pile of snow in the middle of our cul-de-sac that will probably last until July.
Time for the nap. I may try another Arduino lesson afterwards.
We'll spend the weekend going to visit the new granddaughter -- one month old.
York1 John
gmpullmanFebruary is a short month so I could keep the Diner rolling but I may take a day off here and there and let you folks carry on in my short absence?
Hi Ed,
That is exactly what I was suggesting.
If I may, perhaps it might help the rest of us contribute if we had a basic schedule to work with. If you could tell us a few days in advance where we will be, that would give us a chance to do our own research so we can find interesting things to post. Without wishing to be critical in any way, the January Diner moved so fast that I felt like I was always running to keep up!
In any case Ed, if you are willing to establish a route and schedule, then I will do my best to contribute.
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
hon30critterIn any case Ed, if you are willing to establish a route and schedule, then I will do my best to contribute.
Me, too.
York1 hon30critter Me, too.
hon30critter
I will plan to go along for the ride.....!
John, You must be thinking of Mr Beasley. I'm in Connecticut and yes we can get snow but nothing like the folks in upstate NY who get the lake effect stuff. We were lucky just to get a dusting last night (about 1/2") but we had about a foot just before Christmas which had finally melted away before we got 4" or so last week. It varies widely anymore.
Ray - you still need talent. I used to practice an hour or so a day plus regular band practice once a week whether we were playing anywhere on the weekend or not and just never got good enough to suit me. Didn't stop me playing though as I always adhered to "If you can't be good be loud". I found some of the old practice and gig tapes the other day and we still sound like a squirrel with its tail trapped in a door. Oh well. Luckily I was a much better mechanic than singer or drummer otherwise I might have starved to death. J.R.
Howdy .... I will not be available for parts of February, and therefore, I will not volunteer to do the month of February.
However ......... I have an idea ! !!!! ..
I suggest we modify what we did in January. We can take turns moving the Diner on various trains.
For example ...... Suppose at the end of January, Ed moves the Diner to a city in Texas. ...... Then on February 1st. , somebody can start the February edition of Jeffrey's Trackside Diner .... That person will put us on a train ( or connecting trains ) to another destination. ..... From there, the next person can take us to yet another location on one or more trains .....
We can take turns moving the Diner on various trains to various locations. Ideally, each location will be a railroad hub with a variety of trains available. It would be best to assume, we are still in the pre-Amtrak era (or pre-Via Rail era in Canada) when there were many railroads offering a variety of trains.
Perhaps, at the beginning of the month, we can determine who will be hosts taking turns and on what dates they are available.
What do you Diners think of this idea? ..... or ???
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
GMTRacingJohn, You must be thinking of Mr Beasley. I'm in Connecticut and yes we can get snow but nothing like the folks in upstate NY who get the lake effect stuff.
Sorry about that, JR. I saw your log-in that said Connecticut, and I remembered the other day someone saying they were now in Delaware, but couldn't change their info. I remember now that Mr. Beasley says he was in Massachusetts, but he has moved.
Track fiddlerYour idea of a long Train Excursion for the Traveling Diner was a fun one
hon30critterHow 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?
hon30critterPerhaps we could prepare for the January Diner by nominating some trains for the Diner to join. I'll suggest the 'City of New Orleans' (surprise, surprise). Then maybe we can follow Brent's suggestion to do a circumnavigation of North America as we follow the trains.
Giving credit where credit is due I believe HOn3, Dave that planted the name-train seed.
Heartland Division CB&Q —alternatively, we could ride a name train as suggested. ... Maybe The City of Miami, The Orange Blossom Soecial, Ponce De Leon, Sunset Limited, or any train going to a warm location.
I agree, we will continue our travels through February, maybe hit those few states and provinces we missed? Could be a more leisurely pace and stop at some of the tourist traps lines, too.
More animals on tracks
Atlixco, Mexico, 1968 by Center for Railroad Photography & Art, on Flickr
Friday Night in Mexico City! Time for some FUN!
Cheers, Ed
PS.
Dave Critter. ... I meant t osay I was sorry to hear about your ailments. SOunds painful. Prayers for you.
Ray ..... Actually, I did practice a lot. I even took provate lessons. I simply did not have any musical talent. However, I certainly had fun trying. I'm glad for you because music is an important part of your life, and apparently you are very talented.
Everybody .... I hope you will consdier my idea about February I posted earlier.
W sure had an active January...
Ed: Please let me know if this is not accurate.
Steve-O: I see you lurking... please stop in if only just to say hello.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Heartland Division CB&Q Ray ..... Actually, I did practice a lot. I even took provate lessons. I simply did not have any musical talent. However, I certainly had fun trying. I'm glad for you because music is an important part of your life, and apparently you are very talented.
Well... Deep subject! There are certain attributes that do help. Researchers have found that certain wiring, so to speak, in the brain is present in musicians, and they tend to be "oral or auditory learners" (Re: Learning Styles). That is what may be refered to as "talent" I guess. But most people tend to refer to being talented as a "dismissal" of the tremendous amount of work any artist (in all fields) needs to do to be able to use those "gifts" to be successful at any "art". I have a sister who is a tactile learner (touch). She is an Artist! (Go figure.) But she spent many years learning her Art as well.
It certainly didn't hurt that my Father was also a musician (although he was a farmer when I was growing up), as was my mother (purely amateur, but very good and spent years studying voice!). I grew up with music in my home so it came naturally that way too.
My dislike is to have the huge amount of work needed to become an artist in any field waved away with the words, "Oh your SO talented! Aren't you lucky to be so talented....
Anyway, just my ...
Hello Railfans!
Top of the day to ya! Hope everyone is sailing right along. The day is just getting started here (for me). Tis a bit on the chilly side, thermo - meter is reading "BRRRR" on the dial.
Ed) Were getting close to the end of the month. I know so because Kevins Map is almost full. Wanted to thank you again for a fun trip 'round the states. All the great photos too. Got a good fill of F's and E's.
I told Flo the last day of the month your diner tab is on me. You did a fine 'steak n tater' job, belly up!
Well folks, im gonna go see what kinda mischief i can get into. Ill see yall later, have a great evening!
Green Lights!
Douglas
Eveing Diners!
Flo give the gang a I will have a Boiler Maker and Dirk and Robbie a dog treat.
If I am missing for over a month, it will be because I am in jail. I may off the wife with the buttons she been pushing. OK, if I am missing for a month my computer died.
She does not mean to get me mad, she cannot help her self. There is only so many times it the day she should tell me to bring in the mail and she wants the snow shovel in the house!
Mail There is still ice on our drive way and street and she is worried she might fall. Ok, that I understand. But the reason she want's the mail brought in is "Is because it might get wet in the mail box!" Hum, we have lived here for 27 years with the same mail box, never had any wet mail that I can recall?
Snow Shovel, that is the last thing she needs! With her back ever time she trys to move snow (there is no snow on the drive way or front pourch) she hurts her back! Then I get to hear about her back for 3 weeks. Plus snow shovels don't work great on Ice! That is what is left on the drive way.
New Brit. David, sorry I have not been more frendly towards the new dinners. For the last few months I have been los in my own world.
One of the reason I been missing lately is because I am cutting back on my intake. Longer I am in the Train Room / Garage the more I drink.
Trains are runnning Great!
Later Ken and Dirk says " I was a god doggie today Daddy, I did not bark at people so give me more treats, Woof, Woof"!
I hate Rust
Evening
It's cold up here in Minnesota!
Garry, you are a cool cat!
I was told not to go underneath the Labyrinth many years ago by the Lion.
I did go under the Labyrinth lately and the results were not good I should have listened to Him
Well, anyway, I cannot believe that gal of mine! She works all day and comes home and makes me dinner.
Scuba Steves seaweed surprise.
Her sister Barb who lived in New Orleans for 26+ years came up with that dish. Steve deserved it and so do I. The dish is grubbin
Where does she find the time? For dessert tonight, Southern banana pudding.
God I love that woman!
Take a couple if you wish, they're on the dish
TF
Post Hog!
I've got a bike you can ride it if you like it's got a basket a bell that rings and things that make it look good I'd give it to you if I could but I borrowed it
PF not PH
Good Evening,
It has warmed up again 20F right now.
I went in today to get the blood work done for my annual physical on Monday. Now my wife has me on strict quarantine in the basement even though I wore 2 masks and a face shield. I changed my clothes and showered as soon as I came in the door. She has been yelling at me that I'm not being careful. Her anxieties are really causing problems. It has been going on for 3 years now and I'm getting worn out.
Dave, sorry to hear about your leg problems. Hope you can get it fixed soon.
Well tea time.
CN Charlie
The cow hotel is not called The Cow Hotel
We all call it that because of all the cow pictures all over the place
They have regular milk and chocolate milk and you can get chocolate chip cookies for dipping
Well, today we had the "flipping" of the weather report.
This is an annual occurance in South Florida, and we watch for it to happen.
We get rain, almost every day, for 5-6 months every year. Then every year in September, the rains become less frequent, then stop.
Eventually, the local weather report will "flip" and began to try to predict how long it will be until we see a good rainfall again.
That happened today. The local CBS station I was watching at 6:00 tonight had a report on how much longer we will need to wait until it rains again. That marks the unofficial change in the season. We are now in our anuual drought, and the end in near, this is the big one, we will all dry up soon and turn to dust.
Crazy... it will start raining again in May, just like it does every year. Now I get to look forward to the daily update on the evening news about the total number of days we have survived without rain.
The World Is A Beautiful Place.
April Showers brings May Flowers Kevin
I know it isn't April or May yet but I do like your bluff picture
Finally —
Some Alco action for J.R. !
NdeM_San-luis-Potosi by Edmund, on Flickr
Sadly, one of the ex-Santa Fe PA-1s didn't fare so well in Mexico.
170922_10_frisco by lmyers83, on Flickr
Rack time
Way too late last night much better tonight
I will see you guys tomorrow
gmpullmanSadly, one of the ex-Santa Fe PA-1s didn't fare so well in Mexico.
Oh, that really is too bad.
SeeYou190Oh, that really is too bad.
Well, let's get into the wayback machine and fix that
D-H_19 by Edmund, on Flickr
Erie_BW_0003 by Edmund, on Flickr
NKP_PE6 by Edmund, on Flickr
ATSF_PA by Edmund, on Flickr
Thanks Ed!
Those four pictures did a lot to lift my spirits.
Good morning all. A cold day with a strong breeze blowing from the north.
A full English is on the table for all.
Dave. Our thoughts to you for a speedy recovery.
Just like Christmas. Some new items arrived for the railroad.
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
Track fiddlerScuba Steves seaweed surprise.
Track fiddlerSouthern banana pudding.
Okay TF, will ya quit with the delicious food photos please?!?
Seriously those look like good eats!! Please pass my compliments on to your wonderful wife.
Hey, who stole the banana pudding from the upper left corner of the muffin pan? Was that you?!?
Good morning Dave
I gave her your compliment and she got a big smile on her face and said to say thank you.
Yep, that was me with the pudding. It hadn't thickened yet and I just couldn't wait, so I just kinda slurped it out of there
Hoping your surgery goes well for you so you can start feeling better.
Good Morning All,
A regular and a blueberry jelly donut would do me a treat this morning Flo. Didn't log in last night but I did get some time in boxing more stuff from the train room(s). I now have at least 2 more pallet loads do back to the house with the Excursion to tote it to storage.
Dave - hope they can patch you up soon. I missed the post where you laid it all out.
Charlie - that anxiety stuff is hard to fight. My son had it badly enough that he would freeze before entering a room. He's much better now but it was a long haul.
Ken - don't do anything rash now. It always gets tense in the middle of the winter doldrums. If she pushes buttons, you can always pull the handles.
088 by J.R. Mitchell, on Flickr" alt="Waikato tower" />
Ray - I'm not belittling the work you did to be good. It is just that doing what i thought was all that, I still came up short. I do believe some people are predisposed to things and that even with that gift becoming exceptional requires a lot of effort.
Ed - thanks. Looks like they rolled that puppy from the shape of the roof. The prime movers are very much in demand for marine use still but then they just scrap the rest. Where we are, most of the rolling stock we'd get at the museum had significant rust on the panels and under frame. We got an ex-New Haven RS-11 (DL-701) that had been living in a quarry in Georgia and it was nearly cracked in half. Talk about a rough life. It makes me really appreciate the hard work that goes into restoring these significant historic locomotives.
That banana pudding was good. When one of us celebrates a birthday at the track the lady who cooks for us always makes that as a special treat.
All for now. Today is tidy up and move the stuff in the shop around as soon as I fix the CFO's flat tire. I told her it was only flat in one place but she didn't see the humor in that. Ciao, J.R.
Track fiddlerYep, that was me with the pudding. It hadn't thickened yet and I just couldn't wait, so I just kinda slurped it out of there
I am just as bad! When Dianne is making Christmas cookies I can't resist stealing some of the raw dough. There is a reason for why cookie dough ice cream tastes so good!!! I used to steal my mom's raw cookie dough too. She would get very upset! I couldn't understand why. She was going to give the cookies to me eventually anyways so all I was doing was saving her the trouble of having to bake them! In my juvenile mind I thought I was doing her a favour!! She didn't quite see it that way, nor does Dianne!
Cheers!! Let's pretend that it is the top of the page. Here's to raw cookie dough all round. Just don't overdo it or you will have a sore tummy!