Jeffrey's Trackside Diner Tour — FEBRUARY, 2021

[Track fiddler]

Well,  No-one over here wanted to cook tonight and the frozen pizza sucked.  That bad boy went right into the circular file after two bites.

 

What are you going to do though?

 

 

 

TF

 

 

[York1]

Track fiddler

Well,  nobody wanted to cook tonight and the frozen pizza sucked.  That bad boy went right into the circular file after two bites.

TF, I'm eating a Baconator from Wendy's.  I had bacon for breakfast and now bacon for dinner.  Life doesn't get much better.

 

Lazers

Is there a chance we can visit Boulder, Colorado, please?

If we're heading to Boulder, I may get off the train, sit in a station, and wait for you guys to pick me up on the return trip.  I spent some time there in the early 1970s and ....  I'd better not return.  I don't know if there is a statute of limitations that would apply.

 

[Track fiddler]

Bacon always works

I had bacon sour cream scrambled eggs for breakfast this morning that Judy made John.

That was the beginning of the day and that part of the day was excellent

Sometimes for some reason you just can't keep that going

 

 

 

TF

[gmpullman]

Lazers

Is there a chance we can visit Boulder, Colorado, please? I used to really like watching Mork and Mindy and I found Pam Dawber to be very attractive.

Boulder, sure, why not! We'll have to take the Colorado & Southern doodlebug a few miles to the northwest, just outside of Denver. It isn't on our regular route to the south:

DRGW_map by Edmund, on Flickr

 

Lots of fond memories of Mork & Mindy!

 

Robin Williams was certainly quite the character and what a gift he had! A few of his film portrayals left me scratching my head!

A few "beautiful World" scenes around Colorado:

No. 6 at a snowy Pinecliffe by Mike Danneman, on Flickr

Some colder:

Springtime in the high country by Mike Danneman, on Flickr

And if you come back in the warmer months:

Green and yellow in the mountains by Mike Danneman, on Flickr

Speaking of Boulder?

Be careful where you stand to take train photos!

Nothing has run on Tennessee Pass lately by Mike Danneman, on Flickr

 

Cheers, Ed

 

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Good evening .... 

Ed ..... You did a fantastic job with starting the e February edition of Jeffrey's Trackside Diner. Thank you ! If I could turn back time, I would ride on the Texas Special in the 1950's. My dream is to ride it from my birthplace in Texas to my Dad's birthplace in St Louis, MO. In your link, there is an excellent write-up about the Texas Special, and it includes an image of a beautiful painting of a Texas Special E7 in Austin, TX. I have seen that image before, and I like it very much. In addition to E7's, MKT had a small number of Alco PA1's in the Texas Special paint scheme. 

I know Lionel has produced a version of the Texas Special which has been popular with Lionel afficionados. 

Kevin ..... Kids keep growing up, don't they? 

Everybody .... Have a nice day. 

 

[Track fiddler]

Robin Williams was a card Ed.  He never grew up and that's why he was always so funny.  That man didn't even have to try to be funny.  He just was.

So was John Belushi

 

But I do have to admire the fact that Robin Williams could act seriously.  Good Will Hunting is one of my all time favorite movies

 

 

 

TF

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Ed ..... Speaking of Boulder, I think your last photo on Tennessee Pass has the wrong boulder.  LOL .... 

Some of the Diners should consdier ridhng on the Ski Train for a day of skiing at Winter Park. 

My wife and I rode on Amtrak's California Zephyr in Colorado a few years ago. We were in the back of the rear coach, and I took some pictures from the window of the rear door. We were on former Rio Grande tracks which became part of UP. 

Here is a standby locomotive parked in Denver. 

Heading up the foothills after leaving Denver. 

This group of rafters thankfully did not moon the train as others did. 

Riding in the lounge car. 

There were many UP and BNSF freight trains with locomotives at each end. 

On our return trip, we stopped in Fraser, CO and waited an hour for work crews to exit from Moffat Tunnel. I was allowed to get off the train to take pictures on the station platform. 

[gmpullman]

York1

If we're heading to Boulder, I may get off the train, sit in a station, and wait for you guys to pick me up on the return trip. 

I had an "event" in Denver that made me think twice about returning. I was riding the California Zephyr in 2003. Got off the train on a beautiful morning and started taking a few pictures.

Within minutes two Denver PD officers told me I was not authorized to take pictures here. I showed them my ticket and said I just got off the train for some fresh air while the train was stopped. I was less than ten feet away from the vestibule.

"If you don't put the camera away we will confiscate it and arrest you". I pointed to all the people gathered in the lounge car right next to me, taking pictures of the two peace officers confronting me. What about them? "We don't have any control over them but we DO for you" was the reply.

I just got back on the train (and took photos out of the open door).

Haven't been back to Denver. Don't have any plans to for a while.

Denver Union Station by Mike Danneman, on Flickr

 

Grande colors at Tunnel 29 by Mike Danneman, on Flickr

---

 

Track fiddler

But I do have to admire the fact that Robin Williams could act seriously.  Good Will Hunting is one of my all time favorite movies

One of my favorite Robin Williams lesser-known movies was What Dreams May Come:

Of course, Dead Poet's Society, too! (That was THIRTY-TWO years ago!!?)

Cheers, Ed

[SeeYou190]

JaBear

It is good, it means that your Good Lady and yourself have done a good job of bringing up your daughters.

Thank you for the kind comments.

I don't know how much I really had to do with it. I did my best, but no one in the world loves their kids as much as my wife loves our daughters. They really won the lottery when it comes to moms.

NorthBrit

It is scary when you see your children buying a house that is way beyond the cost of your own.   Our children have done the same.  Then I remember our parents wondering how we could afford our house compared to the price of theirs. 

My parents only bought homes very late in their lives. We moved around a lot when I was young. The houses they bought were supposed to be their retirement homes, my dad's in Iowa and my mother's in Louisiana.

Unfortunately, neither one of them were ever able to live in them as planned.

GMTRacing

Sounds like you did a good job raising your kids. It does take patience even after they move out as is the case with our youngest who seemed determined for a while to make a living delivering Chinese food.

When my youngest first moved out, for three years she paid her bills by working in the "puppy room" at a high end doggy-day-care in Orlando. Imagine being able to survive by just playing with puppies all day long.

Heartland Division CB&Q

Kevin ..... Kids keep growing up, don't they? 

Yes they do.

It is hard to believe this was 20 years ago. Spending Friday nights with my daughter in my friend's garage playing wargames together.

Now she is some kind of super software engineer, married, and about to buy her third house.

I miss these good times so much.

-Kevin

[York1]

gmpullman

 

 

Grande colors at Tunnel 29 by Mike Danneman, on Flickr

---

 

 

Wow, that's a great picture of the Ski Train in Colorado.

[gmpullman]

York1

Wow, that's a great picture of the Ski Train in Colorado.

Well, then — I believe that deserves another!

Heading for the slopes by Mike Danneman, on Flickr

Mike Danneman, the photographer, is or was the Kalmbach art director and obviously is an accomplished photographer and artist as well. Not to mention an N scale modeler.

https://mrv.trains.com/layouts/layout-visits/2015/06/mrvp-layout-visit-mike-dannemans-rio-grande-moffat-road-in-n-scale

We're fortunate that he allows his fantastic work to be shared in the Diner!

Climbing out of Tunnel 8 by Mike Danneman, on Flickr

---

 

Is it real or a model?

Snowy Pinecliffe by Mike Danneman, on Flickr

Cheers, Ed

["JaBear"]

Ed and Kevin, thanks for updating the RIP Track.

 

Douglas, you asked me a while back about whether the Kiwi pilots liked the Corsair. Unfortunately, a lot of these blokes have passed on and like a lot of returned men these guys were pretty reticent on talking about their experiences but I was lucky enough to be allowed to sit in on a few conversations amongst themselves. (A Bear with zipped lips and wide-open ears).

Listening to the few ex RNZAF Corsair pilots I’ve met; I haven’t heard them say anything really adverse about the F4U. One old boy, of small stature, was quite hilarious demonstrating how he used to get up into the cockpit, and wondered how he ever managed to do it laden with parachute, dingy, pistol, maps, and a water bottle.

 

My “Uncle” did his elementary training on Tiger Moths, his advanced training on Harvard’s, then P40s, and went operational on the Corsair. He was on his third tour in the Islands when the Japanese surrendered. He had two model Corsairs in his office/study, one which was sandcast by RNZAF aircraft mechanics in their spare time and sold to pilots, the models are rare enough but his was even more rare in that it had also been chrome plated. The other was 1;32 scale painted in the RNZAF blue and RNZAF markings except for the left-hand wing outer panel which was a different blue and was sporting the stars and bars.

 

I was in my 30s when my new wife and self were staying with my “Uncle and Aunt” on our honeymoon. They lived on the scenic Frankton Arm, in the South Island and their house was on the side of the hill and had three stories each self-contained.

 

One evening after the “girls” had gone to bed, he bought out his logbooks, accompanied by a few small drams, and quietly started reminiscing. The logbooks not only recorded his hours but also contained  photos, some mission briefing notes, and newspaper clippings, one of which was from his local home newspaper that detailed his Mentioned in Dispatches in which he strafed and destroyed a convoy of three fuel tanker trucks defended by mobile AA batteries. He mentioned that the Corsair could absorb a fair bit of damage and that was reason why his Corsair sported a left-hand outer panel with the Stars and Bars insignia. On his return, the engineers removed the outer panel which had two rather holes and replaced it with one “borrowed” from a US Marine Corps Corsair, from one of the Marine squadrons that they shared the airstrip with.

 

He also mentioned that on take-off, especially during his conversion to the Corsair when it was comparatively light that you had to slowly advance the throttle because of the power generated, it was easy “torque roll”. He along with the rest of the squadron flew their Corsairs, back to NZ from Jacquinot Bay, was immediately demobbed, and he never piloted another aeroplane. His comment being that having flown a Corsair, a civilian “bug smasher” would have been a huge anti-climax. I apologise if I’ve rabbited on too long!

 

Speaking of “Bug smashers”, I presume, JR, that the CFOs Cessna 172 has one of the one 180 hp conversions, though a fitted radar, sounds ratter techie.

 

MLC, thanks for posting that version of “Crazy Train”. Unlike Mr.TF, I quite enjoy many of the Postmodern Jukebox covers.

 

 

Thoughts and Best wishes to All that need them. Kia Kaha.

Cheers, the Bear.

[SeeYou190]

Unlike Mr.TF, I quite enjoy many of the Postmodern Jukebox covers.

This is my favorite Post Modern Jukebox song. I am probably biased because I CosPlay as Puddles, but still, it is amazing, and actually far superior to the Tears For Fears version.

Haley Reinhart is so talented.

-Kevin

[NorthBrit]

Good morning all.   It is snowing.  A wet snow that soaks into me making it feel much colder than it really is.

Our son wants us to make trifle!   That will be on the menu later.

Meanwhile  it is      coffee time.       

 

David

 

[gmpullman]

We'll be heading through Pueblo shortly:

DRGW, Pueblo, Colorado, 1986 by Center for Railroad Photography & Art, on Flickr

On our way to Alamosa to tie down for the night, tonight.

Alamosa by Edmund, on Flickr

I'll be sleeping in a corner of the roundhouse 

Can you believe this was 1968! Amazing.

DRGW, Alamosa, Colorado, 1968 by Center for Railroad Photography & Art, on Flickr

 

Cheers, Ed

[Lazers]

Hi, just looking at Ed's photos of the Trains thru the Landscape, Scenery and snow, the Infrastructure and the whole Railroad way of life. What a fantastic country and set-up.

It was good to see the photo of Pam & Robin. If I'd been around, I would have said, "Hey Mork - Orson calling. Gibbs, Marine in trouble at Quantico - grab your gear. Hey Mindy what say you and I take the Jeep for a spin thru the mountains and do a little bit of Railfanning?" Happy fantasies, Paul

[moelarrycurly4]

Good morning all,

Give me aplate of corned beef hash. 

Not much goin og today.

 

 

[howmus]

moelarrycurly4

Not much goin og today.

Mornin' folks!

Well...  A deep subject!  Only thing going on here in the Finger Lakes Region of NYS is a Nor'easter dumping a good amount of snow at the moment.  We are better off than most of the folks to the east but are supposed to have about 9" of white crap on the ground (in addition to the 4 or 5 inches we got in the last couple days) to dig out of our driveways.  Where I live is in the Eastern edge of Ontario County.  The next county over (where my family lives and only a couple miles further East), Seneca, may get a foot or more.  I'm figuring 9" probable here but may be more.

Will need to dig out when the storm is done overnight as I have a doctor's appt. I need to get to early afternoon tomorrow (podiatrist).  Today i will do a few miles on the excersize bike and listen for a phone call.  Hoping to get a call about getting the jab...  They likely won't call unless I am outside clearing the sn*w.  Then I get put back at the end of the list again.....

31

73

[GMTRacing]

Good Morning All,

    A regular to go please Zoe. Got a late start in the shop this morning after dealing with the light dusting we got yesterday. 

snow4 by J.R. Mitchell, on Flickr" alt="snow" />

   Spent time packing up more stuff in the basement which I have determined to presort before moving it to the new house. I'm just about ready to start on the actual layout structure so it is good progress. 

   I'll try to catch up posts later.    Ciao, J.R.

[Track fiddler]

Good morning

Not much going on today.  It's the opening day of the snow sculpture exhibit held at the State Fair grounds today.

So disappointed it doesn't open till 4:00 PM.  Who organized that?  A big line of cars and putt putt through Rush Hour.  No Thanks!  How do you take pictures in the dark once you get in?

Looking for something else to do today and hope we find it.

 

Have a great day gentlemen

 

 

P.S.   Happy Groundhog Day  He didn't show up.  I wouldn't have either

Six more weeks of winter and the prognosis of time is a bit conservative.  I find it somewhat humorous.  Don't even need Groundhog Day anymore because every day is exactly like the last one

 

 

 

TF

[SeeYou190]

Woke up to Winter conditions this morning, I guess we are all in this together now.

It was all the way down into the 50s last night, and we won't even see 70 degrees today. Tomorrow will be even worse.

The local news gave the Golf Forecast only a "fair" for today, and the conditions for boating are similar. They will probably close the schools tomorrow.

We will get through this... somehow... but together.

-Kevin

[GMTRacing]

Kevin,    I feel your pain. No shrimp on the barbie today. 

snow5 by J.R. Mitchell, on Flickr" alt="snow" />

[York1]

Good morning, diners.  Lots of black coffee this morning.

Near my house a trail runs alongside a creek, and I am able to walk 2½ miles each morning in the woods.  This is what it looks like for the past two weeks.  

 

 

Years ago I would have just walked, but now, older, I'm paying attention to just how pretty it is.  Too bad I didn't appreciate things like that when I was younger.

 

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Howdy 

Punxsutawney Phil says Six more weeks of winter ! .... Rats ! 

 

[Track fiddler]

Under 70 degrees in Florida today Kevin! ? ! ?

That is truly amazing and horrible at the same time.  My, how the times are changing!  

I wouldn't even spend the extra money at this point to come down there to enjoy the better weather but I did pack a T-shirt

 

What are you going to do though

 

 

 

TF

[SeeYou190]

Track fiddler

What are you going to do though

Wear long pants... I think I have a pair somwhere.

-Kevin

[Track fiddler]

I'm sure that you do somewhere Kevin!

I had a pair of camouflage shorts that I had hung in the closet that I bought especially for the lounge.

The lounge was this Saturday or Sunday morning bar that had you make your own Bloody Mary and design your own breakfast for $20 dollars.

Saturday and Sunday was weekend camouflage shorts day.

I showed up without my camouflage shorts on and everybody asked me why I wasn't with the program

I told them after I bought the camouflage shorts, I hung them up in the closet and I could not find them again

After that Fib was told, everyone busted a gut and we all continued with breakfast and our bloody Marys

 

 

 

TF

[GMTRacing]

Not sure I would have let you stay with no shorts on. Must have been a really loose dress code! 

[CNCharlie]

Good Morning,

A balmy 25F here today. So far we have had a very mild winter with little snow. Only about 6"on the ground but we have 2 months to go.

Doc's office called Sunday evening canceling my Monday appointment. I will have to re-schedule. At least I got the blood work done on Friday. The results were all in normal range. I have another 10 days of quarantene in the basement per my wife. 

Work on the box car kit is going well but slow. I tend to let the glue set after installing grab irons before moving on to the next.

Ed, great job on the trip! 

Glad to hear some of you are getting the jab soon. It will be afew months before I will. All the vaccine we get is imported and there have been delays in shipments. Just announced today one will be made here starting this summer. They are still building the facility. 

Watched Chasing Classic Cars yesterday. J.R. , Is F40 Motorsport anywhere near you? Looks to be beautiful country around there.

T.F., you are so right about today being just like yesterday and the day before, etc.

Think I'll make a P.B. and bannana sandwich for lunch. Tasty and nutritious. At least I don't fry it in butter like Elvis did.

CN Charlie

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Track fiddler]

I did not tell you though!  Lo and behold!  I owned camouflage underwear at that time too

 

And they were Mighty stylish  I could find those as they were right in the drawer next to my socks

 

 

 

TF