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The MAY, 2021 Diner: Touring the US Anthracite Region

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  • Member since
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Posted by NorthBrit on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 4:20 AM

Good morning Diners,  The usual toast & tea please, Janie.

Well, we are supposed to be having sunshine today.  Obviously the weather people haven't looked out the window.

Spray Oils for Cooking.  We are wary of some makes of them.  Some (here) ruin the no-stick qualities of pans.

 

Baking a Apple Pie today.  I'll leave some in the Diner.

A friend we haven't seen for 18 months  (because of Covid)  is visiting us this afternoon.

 

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

  • Member since
    February 2015
  • From: Ludington, MI
  • 1,862 posts
Posted by Water Level Route on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 5:58 AM

NorthBrit
Some (here) ruin the no-stick qualities of pans.

From what I read recently, that is true of all of them.  We bought a new set this past Christmas, and the instructions clearly stated not to use cooking spray for that very reason.  I saw the same information elsewhere recently.  Our new set actually needs to be seasoned regularly with vegetable oil.  Maybe I should have bought cast iron. 

gmpullman
A signature Reading Company detail is that arched top on the cab window.

Ed, that is a really neat picture.  So much going on there.  The elevated trolley for (apparently) ferrying coal to the powerhouse sure is nifty!  It also looks like the coal tower was pretty empty when 2121 topped up.  Sure are a lot of fines/dust on the top of the pile in the tender.

All this talk of BLT's is going to force me to made an addition to this week's grocery list.  If you are ever near Birch Run MI (Kevin, I know you will be close, but Garry already gave you a good restaurant recommendation), have time to wait (the are usually busy), and are feeling like a glutton, head to Tony's I-75 restaurant.  Food portions are...generous.  I'll give all you guys in the diner one of their BLTs today, if you are up to it:

Mike

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: New Milford, Ct
  • 3,232 posts
Posted by GMTRacing on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 6:29 AM

Good Morning All,

   Back from Birmingham and getting ready for Lime Rock this weekend. It went well enough though we had a pair of engines go down for the count. 

   A few pages back Bear posted his propeller picture. I also had a refinished wood prop for a long time though it disappeared after one of our moves to and fro. I like the addition of the clock though I suppose it just goes to show time flies.

    Unloading the trailers that got back from Alabama today and then shop work. Load in at the track tomorrow afternoon.     Ciao, J.R.

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 7:20 AM

ED: Do you stage your pictures with workers near the rails or or someone on the walkway or do you leave the figures there full time.

While not an Anthracite railroad, we should not miss the East Broad Top, a narrow gauge railroad.   It's history is here

It sat for 9 years and is now being restored, engines are being rebuilt and they have started tourist trips with a diesel.    Here is a drone view

 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 7:26 AM

Good morning all... Chloe, please bring me two slices of whole wheat toast with butter, and a cup of black coffee... thank you.

I am going to cut tile and capstones today. Hopefully I will get the last of the tile on the front walkway.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 7:35 AM

I missed 611 on it's way to Strassburg, it passed through Charlottesville, an hour away.  It may have passed closer than that.  Virtural Railfan seemed to know the route, but when they posted the video of it in Charlottesville, I could not find the route posted in the 'net.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    March 2017
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Posted by Track fiddler on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 8:01 AM

Good morning

Nice picture of you and the grandchildren John.  Looks like a great family you haveSmile

 

gmpullman

 

 
Track fiddler
Got my deck painted in 2 hours and then had a plumbing call while I was cleaning up. 

 

I know the feeling, TF. With my prostrate I get a plumbing call pretty often, too Whistling

 
LaughIndifferent Well if that's the case Ed, I'm a well experienced night plumber.  I have two jobs every night between midnight and 4 in the morningWhistling
 
Sounds like one of those little bit of everything thrown at you plumbing jobs you did lately.  Those can take a little bit of thinking transferring from the old to get to the new.  It seems I never have any of the right adapter fittings for those kind of jobs. I run into ABS glued to PVC all the time which is a code violation.  I always have to run and get a union to transfer between the two because I never have one of those either.
 
Sounds like you have a busy tile day today Kevin but I know you're really good at it.
 
Just some more painting outside for me today that I'm happy about because it's so beautiful out already.
 
David, you shouldn't even be allowed to have that long of a streak of bad weather over there!  No more promises from me but it's gotta be turning around soon. 
 
 
 
Have a great day gentlemanWink
 
 
 
 
 
 
TF
  • Member since
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  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 8:29 AM

Track fiddler
David, you shouldn't even be allowed to have that long of a streak of bad weather over there!  No more promises from me but it's gotta be turning around soon.

We need a change down here too!

There is a high pressure parked right on top of the state. This is preventing our seasonal rainfall. We are already ten inches below normal, at fire danger level 5, and water restrictions will probably go into place next week.

We are predicted to hit 95 today. That might be a record.

My lawn is dried up and crackly. I should have finished the sprinkler installation.

We need our daily rain!

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    October 2020
  • 3,604 posts
Posted by NorthBrit on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 8:43 AM

Good afternoon Diners.  I am in need of a strong coffee please, Janie.

There is a lull in the bad weather.  The sun is shining.   Will it last?   A dark cloud is approaching.  TF.  The weatherpeople now say the good weather will be here by the weekend!

Received a letter to attend the eye hospital.   About time.   I was told a few months ago I was losing my sight.   Got to prove 'em wrong.  

John.   Great picture of the family.

Kevin.   Sounds like a busy day ahead.

Those missing from the Diner.   I hope whatever challenges you are facing are soon over.

 

The apple pie is going down well,  (so I am told).  Big Smile

 

Dinner  Chilli Beef Burrito Bowl with a Baby Gem Salad.   

        A Fruit Yoghurt Surprise to follow.

 

Stay Safe Everyone

 

David

To the world you are someone.    To someone you are the world

I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 8,173 posts
Posted by Track fiddler on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 9:31 AM

I'm back for one more coffee to get me through the day please.

All that good cooking you do over there ought to be making up for your bad weather David.  From the sound of the dishes you make I should be sending you one of those tall white hatsSmile, Wink & Grin  Or better yet bring it to you personally so I can do a Fiddler Sampler of that great food you makeDinner

 

P.S.  Those dry crispy spells sure can be trouble Kevin.  Such a shame all the fire disasters California has had.  We were short on rain for the month of May and they raised the fire warnings up north.  Luckily we finally got some rain a while back before any fires broke out.

 

 

TF

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    October 2020
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Posted by NorthBrit on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 9:40 AM

Track fiddler

All that good cooking you do over there ought to be making up for your bad weather David.  From the sound of the dishes you make I should be sending you one of those tall white hatsSmile, Wink & Grin  Or better yet bring it to you personally so I can do a Fiddler Sampler of that great food you makeDinner  TF

 

I have one.  Laugh   Another could come in handy.   Always good to have others passing a comment.  Thumbs Up

 

David 

 

 

 

To the world you are someone.    To someone you are the world

I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • From: Flyover Country
  • 5,557 posts
Posted by York1 on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 9:55 AM

Good morning, diners.

Today is packing day and a day to cut grass, shop, etc., and load the car.  Daisy the Dachshund is excited because she will go with us.  She hates going to the kennel.

It will be good to hit the open road.  I will check in every so often to make sure no one is misbehaving.

Have a good day!

York1 John       

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    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 12:01 PM

BrassTrains Dot Com just listed my favorite tank car model at a reasonable price.

I already have two of these, so I am trying not to buy a third, but I would like a second GERN tank car.

Oh... the temptation!

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 8,173 posts
Posted by Track fiddler on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 5:26 PM

Good evening

Lounge time on the porch with an ice cold brewski and a comfortable pair of sweats.  Tomorrow is pack and run a few errands in preparation for 5 AM Friday morning vacation blast offLaugh

 

Nice-looking tank cars Kevin!  You always get the decals on perfectly straight and balanced.  I bet you ain't measuring anyting.  You just have a gifted eye for that sort of thingYes

 

P.S.  Have a safe fun getaway and enjoy your time with the grandchildren John.  Visiting family is the bestYes

 

 

TF

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 5:29 PM

Track fiddler
Nice-looking tank cars Kevin!  You always get the decals on perfectly straight.  I bet you ain't measuring anyting.  You just have a gifted eye for that sort of thing

Thanks!

Both of those tank cars were decalled one letter at a time. There are a fair amount of flaws on the HPE car, but the GERN car is pretty good.

Both pictures show the "better side" of the cars! When I control the image, the worse side will never be seen.

Embarrassed

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 5:46 PM

As the now canceled Garrison Keilor used to say "Bee Bop A Ree Bop Rhubarb Pie."

I've only had strawberry rhubarb.  Much to my surprise, the plant, which looks like Swiss Chard has poisonous leaves, heavy in oxalic acid.

David is there rhubarb pie on your side of the pond or just those dried out scones my wife loves?Devil

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 6:45 PM

Howdy 

John York 1 : ... Where are you traveling to. ?

 

Kevin: ... I like the tank cars.

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by Track fiddler on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 7:24 PM

Evening again

I was a little concerned a while back when I placed a turn-out on one of my custom bridges.  I wondered if it was prototypical to have a switch on a bridge?  For those of you who have wondered the same, ...Relax, The engineers have you covered.

 

 

TF

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 9:08 PM

BigDaddy
we should not miss the East Broad Top, a narrow gauge railroad.

Hi Henry,

Thanks for the video!

I love the East Broad Top! I am so happy to see that it is being saved!

I have scratchbuilt approximate copies of the paint shop, the steam house and the main shops. The main shop complex has some flaws so I intend to build an improved model that will fit my current layout better.

The steam generator house is reasonably close to the original. I still need to add a large roof vent:

A very rough approximation of the main sheds and machine shop. I will make a second attempt on this because the footprint doesn't quite fit on my new layout and I hate the way the corrugated roof panels don't sit flat. Next time it will be a styrene roof:

The wheel shop (brake shop?):

The paint shop:

Cheers!!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 8,173 posts
Posted by Track fiddler on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 9:49 PM

Not much Chitty chat tonight.  Leon Jagermeister used to have a saying, ..."No Chitty, No Bang"! Laugh

I guess I'll be hitting the rack Kids

 

Nighty nightWink

 

 

TF

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 8,173 posts
Posted by Track fiddler on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 10:19 PM

Started raining.  Looks like we're gonna get David's weather for a few days.  Maybe I'll drive out of it.

 

 

TF

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
  • 10,660 posts
Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 11:44 PM

Good evening TF and Dave.

 

TF ... The bridge video is interesting.

 

Dave ... The EBT structures are very impressive.

 

Everybody .... Good night. 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 11:46 PM

NorthBrit
Spray Oils for Cooking.  We are wary of some makes of them.  Some (here) ruin the no-stick qualities of pans.

Hi David,

We have learned the same lesson the hard way. We ruined two or three 'non-stick' pans before we figured things out. Now we only use olive oil based cooking sprays in glass casseroles and our crock pot. Frying pans get olive oil, butter or grapeseed oil depending on the recipe and cooking temperature.

I love reading your daily menus!

Cheers!!

Dave

 

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Thursday, May 27, 2021 12:34 AM

Good evening everyone.

It was so hot today. We hit 95 degrees, and it was miserable. I got a lot done, and then watched a couple of movies with my wife.

It got cloudy for about an hour, but no rain, and the clouds went away.

Garry, thank you for the kind words about my tank car models. I did not buy the third model. That will need to wait.

Only four days until I hit the road.

The World Is A Beautiful Place.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    October 2020
  • 3,604 posts
Posted by NorthBrit on Thursday, May 27, 2021 2:14 AM

Good morning all.  Tea and toast, Flo, please.

Up early today.  Even woke the birds up.

Henry.  When I lived in Leeds we used to have rhubarb pie  pretty often.  Not now though.

 

A busy day today so will catch up on the overnight news.

Taking Dawn to get results on some tests she had done.

Then take some party items to our daughter for a party on Saturday.

Then call in to my local model store on the way back.

 

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

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Thursday, May 27, 2021 3:06 AM

BigDaddy
ED: Do you stage your pictures with workers near the rails or or someone on the walkway or do you leave the figures there full time.

Hi, Henry —

Most of the time I just stage the little people for the photo. There are some structures where I have superglued the little feet to the pavement but I don't do that anymore. I've found better cements that stay tacky and don't leave the foggy residue that ACC does.

I remember reading some modeling "experts" that say do not make scenes of "activities" as these tend to look stale after a while. One of my recent scenes was this paving crew:

 Pave_crew by Edmund, on Flickr

A few weeks after I took the photo most of that equipment and the people went into a storage drawer. I'll probably dig them out in a year or so and set them up somewhere else.

Some of the RR employees "stick around" longer.

 NKP_switcher by Edmund, on Flickr

This guy's getting tired standing on the platform of this switcher and this dining car cook has back problems from leaning out the service door for over three years now.

 PRR_diner by Edmund, on Flickr


 

Today we get dose-two of Moderna Yeah

The East Broad Top IS one site I would really like to revisit. I was last there in 1976! The first time was in 1961.

 EJT_EBT by Edmund, on Flickr

 

 EBT_12 by Edmund, on Flickr

 Dave:

Here's a couple neat drone shots that shows the juxtaposition¥ of the various buildings you have so beautifully modeled:

 200222_7_rockhill by lmyers83, on Flickr

 200222_4_rockhill by lmyers83, on Flickr

¥ I'd been waiting years to use juxtaposition in a sentence Wink

I hope everyone is getting along fine.

Cheers, Ed

  • Member since
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Posted by Water Level Route on Thursday, May 27, 2021 6:01 AM

Good Morning Diners!  Flo, I'll take a large coffee and a cinnamon roll please.  Ready for the weekend to start tomorrow.  I've got a decent list of home projects I want to get done, starting with putting a couple new entry doors on the house.  Hopefully the weather cooperates.  

I recently bought a pair of Genesis F3s (used) that I put an Econami in the A unit and a non-sound NCE decoder in the B unit.  The B unit struggled to run at low speed so I figured there was an issue with the mechanism.  Nope.  It was all in the NCE decoder.  No where near the slow speed control of the Econami.  Strange as I've used different NCE decoders before that have not had this issue.  To be sure, I put the problem NCE decoder in another unit I knew ran well slowly and it exibited the same slow speed problems.  A new, non-sound soundtraxx decoder came in the mail yesterday.  Hopefully that gets my A-B pair running together.

Wishing everyone the best.

Mike

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Thursday, May 27, 2021 7:45 AM

Good morning everybody. Chloe, just coffee for me today.

The new garage door is making an incredible difference on how much noise is entering the house. I had the upgraded insulated panels added, and they are worth it.

The old door was basically just embossed sheet steel. The new door has a steel core with a textured fiberglass coating. It has all the panels filled with R-7 insulation which is for noise absorbtion, not keeping the garage cool.

I can no longer hear cars driving by, or the kids bouncing the basketball across the street.

It is a small improvement, but very worthwhile.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    October 2020
  • 3,604 posts
Posted by NorthBrit on Thursday, May 27, 2021 8:05 AM

Good afternoon Diners.  A coffee and a couple of cookies please, Janie.

There is a round looking ball in the sky.  It has caused things to become warm; even hot.  Youngsters are shaking with fear.  The elders in the village  remember it from a time long passed.  They say it is called a sun.  

Dawn got her results from the tests.   No actual damage from when she fell.  As for her hereditary illness and attack of Novichok, she got no help whatsoever.  No surprise there.  We are left to battle by ourselves.

 

Dave.  Great looking buildings.   As for my menus.  We receive  weekly,  six meals for two.  Those meals have all the ingredients to make each daily meal.  We choose the meals (from a large selection)  and are delivered to our house the following week.

With such variation we do not fall into the trap of having the same meals every week.

Dinner  For tonite  we shall have  Creamy (English) Bacon & Mustard Penne with a Pear & Blue Cheese Salad.

 

Just ordered two North British Railway six wheeled coaches. Yes

 

Stay Safe Everyone.

 

David

 

To the world you are someone.    To someone you are the world

I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • From: Flyover Country
  • 5,557 posts
Posted by York1 on Thursday, May 27, 2021 9:45 AM

Good morning, diners!  Black coffee, please.

 

Track fiddler
Have a safe fun getaway and enjoy your time with the grandchildren John.

TF, I'm sitting here at home instead of on the highway.  Plans changed by a day or two when another daughter said she may be able to join us where we were headed.  Happy if that happens, but a downer to not be headed out of town yet.  We were headed to Texas.  The delay may make it possible to catch a Rangers game.

 

Heartland Division CB&Q
John York 1 .... You said you are getting PT. I must have missed something . What's the story?

Garry, it's my fault.  I've walked two miles every morning for years, but in January my knee started hurting.  Instead of doing the smart thing and taking care of it (because I'm stupid), I kept pushing on day after day, making it worse and worse.  When I got to the point of barely being able to use stairs, I decided to go to the doctor.  Now I have a lot of physical therapy for my stubbornness.  Thanks for asking!

 

hon30critter
You grandkids will have fond memories of the adventures you took them on for the rest of their lives!

Dave and others, thanks!  I'm very blessed to have three daughters and husbands who like to travel with us.  It makes up a little for the fact that they all live far away from us.

 

We had some storms last night.  We've had a lot of rain this spring.  Farmers are happy -- lots of rain and high corn prices.

I haven't read all the diners' comments for the past day.  I have some time today to do that.  Sorry if I've missed anything.

I really am glad that Kalmbach lets us have this thread on this forum.  Even though I don't mention everyone, I read every comment and enjoy the camaraderie.

York1 John       

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