Good morning, diners. Bacon, eggs, and coffee, please.
Another day of sitting around. Physical therapist says that next week, I can start getting back to normal -- slowly! I don't like physical therapists. I want them to give me a pill that allows me to get back to normal in about a half-hour.
More layout work today. Have a good day, everyone.
Union Station on the right and Burlington station on the left, in Omaha in 1937:
York1 John
Good morning
Love the bridge Ed. I'm a little baffled though. I'll start with some humor first this morning. That must be one heavy caboose and one heavy truck trailer Maybe an undercover sneaky delivery of bullion to Fort Knox
But I can't for the life of me determine what the rust colored heavy-looking weight things on the top of the tall poles is for? Can't see any other apparatus or reason for bridge counterbalance. Very unfamiliar!
Don't Know?
P.S. Maybe Maryland Western RR really admired this!
And thought they could out do the law of physics with more weight
TF
Welcome to the weekend —
Here's one for the bridge guy:
WM, Connellsville, Pennsylvania, 1975 by Center for Railroad Photography & Art, on Flickr
What an interesting scene. Caboose at the head end. TOFC with what? [truck bodies] as a load? Another train in the distance. These scenes have evaporated from the North American railroads. Such a pity.
Who likes F's?
EL, Scranton, Pennsylvania, 1975 by Center for Railroad Photography & Art, on Flickr
Time to turn in. It is a cold and rainy day here. Good sleeping weather. We STILL have the wood stove fired up. It was 43° last night — brrr.
Regards, Ed
All the work you did prior to the caps and mulch, while you were admiring it, It finally caught up with you
Get a good night's rest Kid. You'll feel refreshed in the morning
Bear: Great toon!
Track fiddlerI'm tired and I don't know why Come on Kevin you've been working hard, and those planter boxes look great
Thank you.
I really did not do much today. Just cement the capstones on and put down the mulch. Then I admired it for a couple of hours. Maybe that is what wore me out!
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Made it home from the drive-inn and 'War With Grandpa' was pretty funny. I like De Niro.
Need directions on how to consume it Come on Brent, you ought to be a professional by now. You put the lime in the Coke and you shake it all up
I'm tired and I don't know why Come on Kevin you've been working hard, and those planter boxes look great
Rack Time
BATMAN ....and I just realized I don't think I have ever had bourbon. I need to do some research on how it is to be consumed
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
BATMANI don't think I have ever had bourbon. I need to do some research on how it is to be consumed.
In New Orleans!
I am extra tired tonight. No special reason why.
I finished the front garden today. All the plantings are new except for the Sea Grapes. They appear to be coming back in OK.
It looks like my trees have sprouted to life this week.
The Loquat tree that was trimmed so far back because of black rot has suddenly had new signs of life coming from it.
The Royal Poinciana also has a lot of new leaves all of a sudden within the last week.
And... the Frangiapani has sprung to life. I hope it blooms this year. All the others in the neighborhood are already in full bloom.
The World Is A Beautiful Place.
(even with kudzu)
gmpullmanReading shop switcher.
Safety:
Just the New York Central and for only six months —
NYC_deaths_1930 by Edmund, on Flickr
Dangerous job allright!
RDG, Reading, Pennsylvania, 1936 by Center for Railroad Photography & Art, on Flickr
Reading shop switcher. Reading, Penna. Looks like a couple of old headlights used for lighting the turntable mounted on the roof of the roundhouse.
SeeYou190 Heartland Division CB&Q Huckleberry Railroad and village (north of Flint). Frankenmuth, the German town with Christmas theme ( farther north if Flint ). These look like great ideas! I start that day in Kalamazoo. I can make it to Huckleberry by noon and see some sights, then have a late lunch in Frankenmuth. Then I think I can make it to the burger place near Mackinaw suggested by Water Level Route before they close. Thank you! -Kevin
Heartland Division CB&Q Huckleberry Railroad and village (north of Flint). Frankenmuth, the German town with Christmas theme ( farther north if Flint ).
These look like great ideas! I start that day in Kalamazoo. I can make it to Huckleberry by noon and see some sights, then have a late lunch in Frankenmuth. Then I think I can make it to the burger place near Mackinaw suggested by Water Level Route before they close.
Thank you!
Kevin ..... Kalamazoo is where I attended college at Western Michigan University. It has been a long time since I have been there, however. ..... Frankenmuth has lots of gift shops. Bronner's Christmas store is gigantic. Downtown shops are next to the big restaurants I mentioned. Between Bronner's and downtown is a German sausage shop if you like authentic German sausage. ...
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
POST HOG!!!
Judy got me a new Drive-Inn T-shirt in case they're not open next year.
The kabobs are done!
If ya were here I'd give ya one
POST HOG!!!!!!
Someone just dropped off a bottle of Bourbon to thank me for a favour I did for them and I just realized I don't think I have ever had bourbon. I need to do some research on how it is to be consumed.
Anyone have an electric steam loco on the layout?
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Good evening
Your son Cole sure seems to be a great Kid Dave. Isn't that cool how it works that he built the same patio overhead as you did.
When I first pulled up to my son's first house I noticed right away how green and lush his lawn looked from the Scotts fertilizer. He had the little gold hooks up on the roof line that stay up all year just like I did to make hanging Christmas lights quick and easy. Now he has a red and black Corvette just like my red and black Mustang.
It makes you feel good how they take after you and all the things you taught them stick.
Well Judy wants go to the drive-in again tonight and there's better movies this week. The first one is Mall Cop with Kevin James, I've seen it before but I like Kevin. He's an overgrown Kid, a good quality to have. I think the other Kevin's like that too In fact I think we all are The second movie is War With Grandpa with Robert De Niro. I don't know how any De Niro movie couldn't be good.
We picked up shish kabobs at the deli to grill and have plenty of snacks, popcorn and candy of coarse.
Have a great evening y'all
Good afternoon from a sunny and warm West Coast.
Not doing much today as eating the sugar-laden goodies my daughter made has me on the pain train. My own fault for sure. People take anti-inflammatories and eating sugar is the same as taking inflammatories. I'll learn someday.
We have done a few road trips where we rent a car and just go until we get tired of traveling and decide it is time to go home. We just go to the airport, hand in the car and get on a plane and come home. You never have to worry how far from home you are going as it is just a plane ride away. A convertible Mustang is what we would rent when heading South to warmer places.
That Mackinac Island looks like a cool place to stay for a few days, bikes only, I like that a lot. I took a tour with Google Maps, also did the Mackinaw bridge on Google Maps, the construction slowed us down a bit.
Last time we went to Yosemite to hike we just left as there were so many people there it was a gong show. Nowhere to park, staying overnight was not going to happen, there was a field that was wall to wall tents, it looked like a refugee camp, it was armpit to armpit.
Ed, thanks for checking on Ken. I have done three roofs in my time, two asphalt, one cedar, it is a young man's job for sure. For the first time ever I hired someone to wash all our windows last year and will be doing it again this summer.
Heartland Division CB&Q Howdy everybody. Brent ... I read your post yesterday about your airport job. Interesting . It would be hard to retire from such a good job. I recall when 747's were still somewhat new. They were sometimes used in US domestic flights . I had one flight on one on Northwest Airlines and it was only at about 20% of seats occupied.
Howdy everybody.
Brent ... I read your post yesterday about your airport job. Interesting . It would be hard to retire from such a good job.
I recall when 747's were still somewhat new. They were sometimes used in US domestic flights . I had one flight on one on Northwest Airlines and it was only at about 20% of seats occupied.
Thanks Garry
The 747 was the aircraft of choice on flights from Vancouver to Hawaii for years. The first time I went was in 1976 and would go twice a year quite often usually in October and then again in late January or February. One flight back there were only six passengers on board and 17 crew members.
My job was an experience for sure and certainly not something most would enjoy. I met a lot of interesting well known, high-profile people over the years. I was not confined to the airport and would also go to the docks and railyards which I loved. My office was at the airport and I always started my day there. I would take new employees with me for a couple of weeks just to ease them in so they did not get overwhelmed and they would often comment that they had no idea that all the stuff we did under the radar ever went on. Endless stories to tell. The job had me sitting in a hotel room chatting with Bob Hope for about 90 minutes once, just me and him. there were some others as well I got to sit a chat with but for never as long as I chatted with Bob Hope for. I think he talked politics the whole time.
Well not movin much today, I think I'll go lay in the sun for a while and work on my tan.
All the best to all.
Good Afternoon,
I'm sitting drinking tea with honey. I picked up the little urn today from the vet. This is really tearing me up.
Ed, thanks for the update on Ken. Glad to hear he is feeling better.
Kevin, sounds like a great trip. Curious as to why you don't use your own car. I will never govon a long road trip as my wife hates long drives.
We bought some plants yesterday even though it is too early to plant them. The nurseries are very busy 2 weeks earlier than normal.
CN Charlie
Heartland Division CB&QHuckleberry Railroad and village (north of Flint). Frankenmuth, the German town with Christmas theme ( farther north if Flint ).
Kevin ... With a schedule like you are planning, I know you can not see everything. However, I am making suggestions anyhow. In Lower Peninsula of Michigan, worthwhile attractions include the following ( south to north). Henry Ford Museum and village (Dearborn). Huckleberry Railroad and village (north of Flint). Frankenmuth, the German town with Christmas theme ( farther north if Flint ). Petosky.
Frankenmuth has two huge German restaurants offering a very unique dining experiance. They have the best chicken recipe anywhere.
Hucklebury Railroad has a narrow gauge passenger train with a Rio Grande steam locomotive from Colorado.
Then Dinner It Is! I like Saint Cloud and it's only 50 minutes away from us. We will be returning on the 2nd or 3rd at the latest.
I know you run a tight schedule on your USA road trips. I suppose one would have to. It would be a shame to skip Duluth on a visit to Minnesota though. I would drive right through and skip Minneapolis all together. Too many bad 's around.
The Twin Ports is really something to see and everything to miss, especially The Depot I go up there frequently and never get tired of it and St Cloud is only two hours and 20 minutes away.
It's too bad the bank repossessed the hotel Judy works at. The first owners, Judy could get hotel rooms for friends and family for $40 a night. The second owners she could get the same for $60. It has to do with any hotel affiliated with the Hilton but the bank is greedy. She doesn't get a discount except for us anymore.
Well drive safely your on your Trek and don't forget to Click-It
Track fiddler We're going to visit my son to watch my grandson graduate from high school on the 28th of May for the better part of the week. It doesn't look like that overlaps schedules for the possibility of lunch
We are not leaving until May 30th. We will be in Minnesota on Tuesday, June 8th.
I could not follow the original plan and stay in Wisconsin for a day. I needed to cut one night from the run to Seattle, and since the hotels in Wisconsin are so expensive, that made it an easy choice! They priced themselves out of my hotel night and tourist dollars.
Plus, I have seen everything in Wisconsin from visiting my Grandmother when I was young.
Not sure what time we will be rolling by, but it will be later than lunch.
Our hotel that night is in Saint Cloud.
Looks like a great trip Kevin! I enjoyed the last 'Tour-De-USA-Grand Tour' you took. I gotta say I kinda envy you as my road trip isn't planned till next winter. I like to escape the Klondike and get somewhere warm and it didn't happen this last winter because of the covid and all.
I better refrain my from my procrastinatory tendencies and lick a stamp here. We're going to visit my son to watch my grandson graduate from high school on the 28th of May for the better part of the week. It doesn't look like that overlaps schedules for the possibility of lunch
Yesterday was my annual spring car care seminar. It was such a beautiful day I crawled around in the parking lot all day giving attention to the rocker panels on my truck. The salt in the winter is so heavy on the roads up here, some repair and upkeep on the Rhino Liner helps from the salt eating your truck.
My trucks an 02. I don't like car payments so I keep up on all the maintenance faithfully on my 4 runner equipment. Well over 200,000 miles and she still looks good and running strong.
Judy has a few days off so I woke up at 6:30 this morning instead of my normal 4 a.m. streak. That parking lot took a toll. The muscles in my arms and legs feel like they aged overnight and I'm moving around like a tortoise today
Make it a great Friday everyone
hon30critterYes, I built a $4000 deck for $7000!
Sounds like every part of my housing projects.
Water Level RouteClyde's Drive In. Old school drive in, with a small indoor seating area as well. So good.
Thanks for this tip. It looks like they are open until 10 PM, so this might be possible.
My best burger I have had so far was at Danny's All American in Tampa, Florida.
gmpullmanLook at all the neat stuff going on here! This scene looks like it is right off a model RR!
That is a great picture. The tight curve the two switchers are on make it look a lot like a model railroad layout scene.
richhotrainKevin, shame on you. How can you possibly skip a boat ride over to Mackinac Island? <SNIP> Go there or I will never speak to you again.
I need to be in Seattle for the weekend, Age of Steam Roundhouse (must-see) is only open Thursday-Saturday, so there is limited time for the week between Eastern Ohio and Puget Sound. Some things must be missed.
There also will not be time for an outing to Baraboo, Wisconsin to see the real Circus World Museum. We will need to make another trip to Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota in the future.
York1If you're like me, there is no better feeling than the first few minutes of a trip
Oh yeah... that feeling of "we are finally on the way", and you leave it all behind.
SeeYou190WOW... I am planning my road trip for June,
If you're like me, there is no better feeling than the first few minutes of a trip -- heading out of town at the beginning of a trip. Get away from work, duties, responsibilities, and just enjoy seeing the great country. I love it.
SeeYou190 Thanks for the tips Garry. I plan on crossing the Mackinaw bridge in the morning. When I see Lake Huron and Lake Superior, I will have seen all five great lakes. I don't think we will have time for Mackinac Island this trip.
Thanks for the tips Garry. I plan on crossing the Mackinaw bridge in the morning. When I see Lake Huron and Lake Superior, I will have seen all five great lakes.
I don't think we will have time for Mackinac Island this trip.
Mackinac Island is special place. Go there or I will never speak to you again.
Rich
Alton Junction
I'm about ready to turn in
Besides a total strip-off Ken said all the sheathing has to be replaced, too. $8000 for each half of the roof and another $4000 for soffits, eaves and gutters. I know it can be overwhelming. I sure hope he stops in soon, too. Sometimes talking things through can help.
Look at all the neat stuff going on here! This scene looks like it is right off a model RR!
LNE, Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, 1949 by Center for Railroad Photography & Art, on Flickr
Lehigh and New England Alco S2 diesels 613 and 612 pull a freight train east at Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, on May 21, 1949. The train has just interchanged cars with the Reading and is about to cross four tracks of the Lehigh Valley. Photograph by Donald W. Furler
That tight curve, a crossing with a bridge right after, the depot, tower and section house, the brakeman on the caboose, the speeder on the far track, the semaphore! Click and zoom, this photo can be greatly enlarged.
Is the guy by the cellar door cleaning out the litter box?
Where's my keys for the wayback machine?
I hope I don't repeat any of these films I'll try to keep us on track.
Thanks for the background on the 211 hammerhead Alco, Ray. One of my PRR books has some photos of her when she was brand new.
Cheers, Ed
SeeYou190Thanks for the tips Garry. I plan on crossing the Mackinaw bridge in the morning. When I see Lake Huron and Lake Superior, I will have seen all five great lakes.
I've been working on getting my wife to go on a road trip out west for 20 years. I think I've got her talked into it for next summer, but we shall see. It helps that now the kids are pushing for it too.
Happy Friday everyone!
Mike
Good morning Diners. The usual toast and tea, please, Brunhilda.
Ed. Thanks for contacting Ken. I hope his challenges are soon sorted.
Managing to run some trains this week
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
SeeYou190Cole looks like a worker! The new steps look good.
Thanks Kevin,
Cole is like me when I was younger. There is nothing that he won't do. He built himself a beautiful patio with a clear roof at his new house. The roof structure is amazing! It looks like something out of a design magazine! He had never built a patio or a deck roof before.
Here is our deck which I built in 1996. Cole was obviously inspired by the design:
Yes, I built a $4000 deck for $7000!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
When my wife and I travel, we usually have one must-see per day. Then we see as much other stuff as we can before the sun goes down.
So far the only must-see we have listed are Lunch at Hattie-B's in Atlanta and the Age Of Steam Roundhouse in Ohio.
I don't think we will have time for Mackinac Island this trip. I want to go to the North of the Upper Penninsula to see Lake Superior, probably in Marquette, but not ironed out yet. Our hotel in the Upper Penninsula is on the shore of Lake Michigan.
There is still so much planning to do. I am hoping to get three days in each Yellowstone and Colorado.
Kevin .... It looks great so far. ...... My 2 cents: The Mackinaw Bridge into the Upper Peninsula is spectacular. Before you get on there is good fudge in Mackinaw City. Mackinaw Island is amazing. I would suggest a route along the shores of Lake Superior as you head west across the UP. Tehquamenon Falls is incredible. I also suggest seeing Keweenaw Peninsula, the nothern tip of the UP. The ore docks in Duluth, MN are impressive, and you may think it is worthwhile to go there ...