We will be riding the Reading:
Reading_cast-Diamond by Edmund, on Flickr
I'm not sure anyone cares much about the railroad interests here but I'll keep posting things of interest until the end of the month. One more week.
RDG, Gordon, Pennsylvania, 1953 by Center for Railroad Photography & Art, on Flickr
RDG, Allentown, Pennsylvania, circa 1935 by Center for Railroad Photography & Art, on Flickr
Top of the page:
Pick something from the menu and I'll take care of the tab:
RRE_menu_inside by Edmund, on Flickr
Cheers, Ed
Thanks for the photos and the continued hosting, Ed! You are an excellent host.
It's snowing outside right now, but our temperature is 29°F (-1.7°C)! That's the warmest in weeks.
No breakfast this morning -- just coffee, please. All is right in the continuum -- we have donuts at church again.
-35°F (-37°C). 1989. Hastings, Nebraska. We just got off the California Zephyr from Chicago. The ride was not pleasant. The bathrooms had frozen and quit flushing somewhere in Iowa, and it was like riding in an outhouse with wheels.
I hope all the diner patrons have a good and healthy Sunday!
York1 John
Good morning
Just got done dropping Judy off at w**k.
It was 22 degrees out this morning. I was wise to it before we left the house because I cracked the sliding glass door open for the first time in a long time and I think I heard some birds singing
I put my Carhartt flannel on and rolled my eyes at the Carhartt jacket for once, for quite awhile up here.
I will be sending this warmer weather up North to CN Charlie and all the rest of you Canadians up there too eh! You all need some of this mild Winter Weather up there too!
The tables are turning! It seems that Spring is on its way
TF
Post Hog!
BATMAN The Fitz in snow. When Lightfoot recorded this song, it was the first time the band had ever played the song together. Why It's Called Lake Superior Pretty amazing..... Didn't realize how big this lake is !! LAKE SUPERIOR FACTS Lake Superior contains ten percent of all the fresh water on the planet Earth. It covers 82,000 square kilometers or 31,700 square miles. The average depth is 147 meters or 483 feet. There have been 352 shipwrecks recorded in Lake Superior. Lake Superior is, by surface area, the largest lake in the world. A Jesuit priest in 1668 named it Lac Tracy, but that name was never officially adopted. It contains as much water as all the other Great Lakes combined, plus three extra Lake Erie's!! There is a small outflow from the lake at St. Mary's River (Sault Ste Marie) into Lake Huron, but it takes almost two centuries for the water to be completely replaced. There is enough water in Lake Superior to cover all of North and South America with water one foot deep. Lake Superior was formed during the last glacial retreat, making it one of the earth's youngest major features at only about 10,000 years old. The deepest point in the lake is 405 meters or 1,333 feet. There are 78 different species of fish that call the big lake home. The maximum wave ever recorded on Lake Superior was 9.45 meters or 31 feet high. If you stretched the shoreline of Lake Superior out to a straight line, it would be long enough to reach from Duluth to the Bahamas . Over 300 streams and rivers empty into Lake Superior with the largest source being the Nipigon River The average underwater visibility of Lake Superior is about 8 meters or 27 feet, making it the cleanest and clearest of the Great Lakes. Underwater visibility in some spots reaches 30 meters or 98 feet. In the summer, the sun sets more than 35 minutes later on the Western shore of Lake Superior than at its Southeastern edge. Some of the world's oldest rocks, formed about 2.7 billion years ago, can be found on the Ontario shore of Lake Superior. It very rarely freezes over completely, and then usually just for a few hours. Complete freezing occurred in1962,1979, 2003 and 2009.
The Fitz in snow.
When Lightfoot recorded this song, it was the first time the band had ever played the song together.
I don't know about you guys?
But it's about that time in the late morning when I'm due to listen to some really good music again!
Especially after Kevin's daughter just got her new stereo hooked up with a "Little Help" from her Dad over the phone
After I listen to it and enjoy it more on my phone, I'm going to Crank It Up really loud on the Denon one more time so John can listen to it down there too!
I know Brent didn't just push a button to orchestrate all of this. It took a bit of work and deserves to be viewed and listened to again
Track Fiddler
gmpullmanI'm not sure anyone cares much about the railroad interests here but I'll keep posting things of interest until the end of the month. One more week.
I certainly do.
Unfortunately, I have very little knowledge of real railroads, so I have nothing to add.
Like the entire "Prototype Information" section, I read all the information, and I learn a lot, but I have very little to add.
Thank you for the excellent job hosting the diner. Your efforts have been magnificent.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Good Morning,
Thanks TF, the warmer air has arrived! It is supposed to hit 32F today and be about that all week. Our normal this time of year is about 15.
Ed, I sure appreciate all the work you put into the Diner journey. I really enjoy the pictures and RR info.
Not sure what do do today. I might try to sort out some stuff and get rid of some stuff we haven't used in years. I will have to do it on my own which I don't mind. My wife is still in her bedroom and not eating much of anything. She gets angry if I say anything. She will accuse me of doing things without telling her but that is the only way anything will get done. Can't win.
Enoufh of my whinning, more coffee is needed.
CN Charlie
SeeYou190 gmpullman I'm not sure anyone cares much about the railroad interests here but I'll keep posting things of interest until the end of the month. One more week. I certainly do. Unfortunately, I have very little kowledge of real railroads, so I have little to add. Like the entire "Prototype Information" section, I read all the information, and I learn a lot, but I have very little to add. Thank you for the excellent job hosting the diner. Your efforts have been magnificent. -Kevin
gmpullman I'm not sure anyone cares much about the railroad interests here but I'll keep posting things of interest until the end of the month. One more week.
Unfortunately, I have very little kowledge of real railroads, so I have little to add.
I agree entirely. Your efforts are much appreciated, Ed. Many thanks.
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
gmpullman I'm not sure anyone cares much about the railroad interests here but I'll keep posting things of interest until the end of the month. One more week. Cheers, Ed
I hope your kidding me Ed? I have appreciated your ongoing dedication to the hilt!
I have said Thank You a few times but possibly not enough. I always taught my son and daughters manners of saying please and thank you is never done too much but can be under done sometimes.
Maybe I should practice what I preach!
Thank you so much for hosting the Diner this month and last month and all your Great participation you provide
It has been thoroughly enjoyed by me as I know it has been by others here as well
Any time in life when I realize someone's feelings possibly got hurt somehow, I will do whatever I can to remedy that situation.
I, of all people do realize, what you're doing isn't just like pushing a button. It takes a lot of work to put things together that you have been doing. You are very much appreciated here Ed
The dough recipe was also appreciated by Judy and I. She has it filed in her recipe drawer and she Thanks You too
SeeYou190I'll bet the Miss Universe pageant was really upsetting for you.
Upsetting? Not at all, but it is pretty presumptuous. Have you seen Tpol from Vulcan? Was she even asked to compete?
Good morning, from the damp West Coast.
I have this huge steel desk that I put on FB market place for free. It would be good for a workshop or barn. Someone asked if I would deliver it 80km away and could not understand why I declined. The scrap metal place is 25k round trip and I'll probably get a whopping $3.00 for it. It cost bucks to move my F-350 with the 7.3 ltr down the road.
My daughter and I are supposed to go for a long drive today to practice for her driver's license. We are going to Vancouver for a couple of hours of big city driving. Vancouver is very pedestrian/bike orientated and while it is very easy to drive around the downtown core there are many things you need to pay attention to. She'll be behind the wheel for four hours. We'll take a break and go for a short hike up in the mountains to the North. We bought her a Canon D-90 camera for Christmas and she wants to take some rain forest shots. She has taken a lot of photography/video courses in the last few years and has some amazing work. We will then head home.
She can fill the tires, check the oil, coolant, change the air filter, wipers and change a tire. I consider these the basics.
She had no interest in learning to drive but is getting offers from around the world to attend some Anthropological digs and driving is a must. She is heading towards medical forensics so I guess digging up really old things goes along with that. There is a research position with NATO where she would be working with the Canadian and U.S. military on a research project that has really caught her interest. Her academic achievements are opening up some interesting opportunities that's for sure.
Ed, I am soaking up all you are posting like a sponge and really appreciate it. You have a lot to offer with your vast knowledge of all things RR. My knowledge is quite limited so I just sit in the back booth and take it all in.
That engine failure on that B-777 in Colorado was quite something. I bet those passengers had more than one pina-colada when they finally got to Hawaii.
That reminds me, I need some rum.
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."
BATMAN Have you seen Tpol from Vulcan?
Have you seen Tpol from Vulcan?
Yep!
And I didn't need any of those little blue pills either
The Little town of Bethlehem sure ain't what it used to be
Parts of the property have been turned into retail space and, what else, a casino.
Bethlehem by Edmund, on Flickr
One of the things that hurt Bethlehem Steel, I believe, was its inland location. Raw materials required more handling than mills that had direct lake access.
Thanks again for all the kudos and support!
I'm off to the Big Box to get some Redguard ($50/gal!) for a bathroom tile job. I looked at some of these "niche" they sell which are nothing but a simple box made out of lightweight cement board. Some of them go for a hundred bucks or more! Any reason I can't make one myself and waterproof it with Fiberglas reinforcement and Redgard?
Shower Niche Amazon
Smart Man!
Waterproofing is first-hand but to be sure, there's always second hand! Just in case!
It's funny that it is called Red Guard Ed.
It is light blue in color and goes on nice drying to a darker blue, thick like rubber.
I have always used it on the Dura-rock tile backer at the bottom two feet of the shower stall and over the floor creat pan very faithfully over the years.
The rubber membrane liner is under the pan and up the walls as the job is done right. Red gaurd is the extra assurance needed so you can sleep well at night.
I have never had a call back, Ever!
gmpullman I looked at some of these "niche" they sell which are nothing but a simple box made out of lightweight cement board. Some of them go for a hundred bucks or more! Any reason I can't make one myself and waterproof it with Fiberglas reinforcement and Redgard?
Ed, I think the premade ones appeal to people with limited tools/skills and would not feel comfortable cutting it themselves.
I bought a one-piece molded plastic niche for my shower years ago. It was easy to install and did the job.
Good afternoon, diners. 2:00 pm is too early, but since we are going to be eating dinner two hours early, then cocktail hour is early, too. I'm not sure why my wife wanted to eat so early today.
I'm working on making some crossing signals for the layout. I went to the hardware store and bought the smallest washers they had. They will not be scale, but for my fingers, they will work. Only you expert layout people will be able to tell. At least I've got the Arduino code fixed. Next issue will be installing the light sensors under the track. I'm not quite sure how I'll do that yet.
Thanks for the advice, TF and Kevin. I used Redgard on the poured concrete of my front porch when I put quarry tile over it. Had some left over but after ten years I'm not going to use it, I'll just buy another pail of it.
TF, there's two or three main brands, the Redgard goes on pink and dries to red and the ones you're thinking of are a teal color (USG Durock and Aquaguard?) and dries blue.
I have some Hardie backer left over so I'll make a niche out of that. I took pictures of the framing so I know exactly where each stud is and I set some 2 x 6s in for attaching some safety grab bars into solid wood
Hope your pizza turned out OK, TF.
Its Filet Mignon for us tonight
A beautiful place —
WM, Cumberland, Maryland, 1975 by Center for Railroad Photography & Art, on Flickr
Helmstetter's Curve on the Western Maryland, named for the farmer that owns that beautiful pice of land there.
Really!!!
Just after I have been in anticipation for two days looking forward to that homemade pizza with my mouth watering like a sieve for the better part of the afternoon. And it isn't even made and done yet as it needs to be timed for when I go pick Judy up from work so we can enjoy it together.
And then Ed has to show up on the Forum and announce he has Filet Mignon on deck, acclimating to room temperature for dinner tonight
Just when you think you have the perfect dinner planned for the evening, Along Comes faster rats with better food
You might as well just throw the round slabs up on the countertop out of the refrigerator Ed. I'm sure the Lion would show up right away with one whiff of that steak, as I will too.
Looks like back to the grocery store tomorrow.
I'm beginning to feel like a little Humming Bee, Buzzing in for a little more nectar, everytime I think of something else to eat
Track fiddlerJust when you think you have the perfect dinner planned for the evening, Along Comes faster rats with better food.
Not better, just what we're in the mood for tonight. Our homemade pizza (we double the recipe and make two, I like mine "deep-dish" and Dee Ann likes hers thin crust ) is finished after we've been eating leftovers the past couple days.
I bought a whole beef tenderloin (backstrap we like to call it ) when it was on sale around the Holidays and I cut it up into filets.
Well, I'm saddled up for my trek into town, first time in two weeks! Be back soon...
Better days in Bethlehem!
LV, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 1939 by Center for Railroad Photography & Art, on Flickr
I stood in this very spot during a 1971 NRHS convention. I'll try to find a photo later.
I wish you well and a safe trip into town Ed, and that you come home just as safely as you were before you left
Sometimes the day gets lazy and I didn't even make my homemade pizza yet.
I got the very best next thing though.
The second best pizza in Minneapolis and it has the cool Steam Locomotive logo on the box so it can't be too bad. Even the Broadway Lion would approve I think, but I have never asked if they have wildebeest as a topping though.
Don't even bother researching if you ever travel here. Just take my word for it that the only better Pizza up here is Delano's. But it's farther away and perhaps may become a little more dangerous as it's a rougher part of town.
Yep, That was me. I couldn't help myself that I had a piece hanging out of my mouth while I was taking the picture
Just letting you guys know I may get a bit scarce for a while.
There's problems at Judy's work since the new Schmucks bought the Hotel and my oldest daughter is experiencing some problems that may take some time and effort for me to unravel.
I wish all you guys the best
Track fiddlerI will be sending this warmer weather up North to CN Charlie and all the rest of you Canadians up there too eh! You all need some of this mild Winter Weather up there too!
Thanks TF,
Warmer weather is always appreciated but we in southern Ontario are doing just fine. Dianne has been playing pickleball outdoors whenever it's not snowing or too windy. I'm sure that CNCharlie would like to have things a bit warmer though.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
TF to the rescue! You are a good man.
Went for the five-hour driving lesson with my daughter into Vancouver and then to the North Shore where we took a break and walked the seawall in West Van instead of into the forest. It was 14c and just beautiful. She took a ton of picks with her new camera, a Canon EOS90D Santa put in her stocking. She tried all the filters and lenses and thoroughly enjoyed herself.
Had her drive around the downtown core parallel parking on both sides of the street as most are one way. She is sharp and will pass the test no problem.
Lots of ships at anchor today.
Glad Dad moved us out from Winnipeg in 1959, came out on The Canadian. It sure felt like Spring today.
Picked up a bottle of rum and whiskey on the way home arriving just in time for a feast on the table from the wife.
Ten years ago almost to the day in Hawaii, it was quality family time. They grow up too fast.
Maybe again next Christmas if the scourge ends.
I guess she has had more practice driving than I remember!
Spent 5 hours catching up with my daughter, I call this a perfect day.
Let's close out this weekend with another look at Norm Charbonneau's 3 rail layout, shall we?
I've always admired well detailed O scale layouts. You can get away with fudging some of the finer things in the smaller scales but in 1/4" to the foot it ain't easy
TF I hope things work out well for you and the family. Fingers crossed!
BATMANWent for the five-hour driving lesson with my daughter into Vancouver and then to the North Shore
Hi Brent,
Glad you had a good time with your daughter, and congratulations to her for being able to manage the hills in North Vancouver. My sister in law had to learn how to drive all over again when she moved to North Van several years ago. She went through three sets of brakes in about the first two months!
Our son Cole was not a natural born driver. He had a hard time trying to maintain the line going around curves, and he would drive too fast in residential areas. In fact I gave up on trying to teach him myself because I couldn't maintain my composure. It was not exactly 'quality time'. Today he is a great driver but I won't take credit for it.
BATMANThat's all right Bear, when I move to NZ I am bringing my hockey gear with me. I'll fill you in.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
hon30critterGlad you had a good time with your daughter, and congratulations to her for being able to manage the hills in North Vancouver. My sister in law had to learn how to drive all over again when she moved to North Van several years ago. She went through three sets of brakes in about the first two months!
Thanks Dave, I grew up in North Van in Lynn Valley, where does/did your sister live.
I think British Columbia in general is hard on brakes, that's well known.
My daughter is not intimidated by any road. We would go ghost towning where being a hundred miles from the nearest paved road was not uncommon. Putting the truck in 4 low would barely get us up or down some of the dirt paths we went on. Nothin scares that kid. I would even let her drive the truck in the backcountry long before she was old enough to drive.
I am pretty calm in all situations and have trained a few people to drive that no one else could. The secret is not to just tell them what to do, but explain why we need to do them. It then makes sense and the problem driver does know best, but it is the proper best, not what he perceives as best.
The Federal Government logged every mile I drove in 36 years. I never had an accident and logged over two million miles. Mind you they spent tens of thousands of dollars in training on me as I had to drive some very sensitive stuff. I even did some driving for the military and RCMP.
Getting vehicles of every size out on the skid course is a lot of fun.
I always get a kick out of people that say others don't know how to drive as that usually applies to the person that is saying it as well when you see how they drive. They don't know what they don't know.
I have a standing job offer to go train any time I want.
My sister is just a terrible driver and in 54 years of driving has never had an accident, I swear it is because they see her coming and get the heck out of her way.
Thanks, Bear and everyone else that tagged along for this criss-cross continent ride
Speaking of video, let's have a look at some Anthracite Road action:
I like the fellow narrating some of these films, and the transfer is very well done.
Maybe Randy will stop by to look at some of this Reading film?
I visited these areas several times in the 1970s and, like so many of us, just took things for granted that this stuff would never disappear. Talk about boom-to-bust.
The CP 972 was on the head end of one of the excursions I rode back then.
1971 NRHS Excursion by Edmund, on Flickr
Tomorrow it is off to Scranton, The Electric City, and a visit to Steamtown!
Good Evening,
TF, hope you are able to get things sorted out soon and that things go well.
Brent, did you see the photo of the Royal Hudson in the latest Classic Trains? When I was 16 we moved to Coquitlam and I had to take my driving test over as there wasn't a reciprial agreement with Ontario. I took my test in New Westminister. That was summer of 1964. Sure has changed since then. My last 3 years of high school were in 3 different provinces. To me it was an adventure.
Getting late,
BATMANI grew up in North Van in Lynn Valley, where does/did your sister live.
I don't know exactly where she lives these days. All I know is that it is in a new high rise condo in North Vancouver. She used to have a nice home close to Deep Cove on Cliffwood Dr. The first bit of that street was really steep!
hon30critterShe used to have a nice home close to Deep Cove on Cliffwood Dr.
Deep Cove is beautiful, spent a lot of time there swimming and boating.
These final two scenes of the TV show Super Natural were shot in my childhood playground and I would go back and walk the dogs there until I moved away from NV at 40. It was a bit of a gut punch when I saw this as it made me miss it even more, especially when the character looks around and says yup he made it to heaven.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdq2TtG_voA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OINxvEo9ohE
It is closed to all motorized vehicles except for the film industry. We started watching Super Natural because my son had a bunch of good friends on the production. I liked it as it reminded me of the X-Files.
I drove up through there to the gates with my daughter today and she wants to get back and take some photos in the forest.
My playground growing up.
Lynn Valley had/has some of the tallest trees in the world. All these places you would go to just taking the dog out for a walk. I think this is why I can't grasp the idea of living armpit to armpit in the city.
Beautiful images! You are a lucky guy.