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The MAY, 2021 Diner: Touring the US Anthracite Region

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Monday, May 3, 2021 5:31 PM

BigDaddy
The Civil War battlefield up the road calls it the Field of Shoes.

Henry, is that the "Field Of Lost Shoes" from the Battle Of New Market? I have visited that battlefield, and the story is amazing. True heroic actions and sacrifice.

-Kevin

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Posted by BigDaddy on Monday, May 3, 2021 5:27 PM

David I have neglected to thank you for your efforts last month. 

This month seems to be off to a good start.

Kevin can you send me some of your energy and ambition?  We have a small garden area.  The landscapers left 6" of mulch, on a paper thin layer of topsoil on top of the gooeyist clay I have seen in my life.  The Civil War battlefield up the road calls it the Field of Shoes.  I had to move the mulch from side to side to add 12 bags of topsoil.  The result may attract the cops.

 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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Posted by York1 on Monday, May 3, 2021 1:28 PM

Thanks for the videos and pictures, Ed.

I'm kind of sore -- the physical therapist beat me up this morning.  What's worse is that insurance pays him to do it.

York1 John       

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Posted by Lazers on Monday, May 3, 2021 1:20 PM

gmpullman
One of the big players in the Anthracite region was the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western:

gmpullman
I followed much of their main line back in the late '60s and it was quite picturesque. I remember being in one of their poured concrete signal towers and I wanted one for my layout:

Hi Ed, digging this footage. The Narrator's voice is knockout too and the music is classic 70/80's TV series theme stuff. Right-on.

("I'm warning you Quincy, don't you go above those Budgets". "Oh yeah, sorry Asten, I forgot about the Budgets")

It is also interesting to see a visual insight into USA R/R history, leading upto the creation of Conrail. Paul

"It's the South Shore Line, Jim - but not as we know it".

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Posted by gmpullman on Monday, May 3, 2021 11:40 AM

SeeYou190
I have not seen a factory painted model in EL gray and maroon in a long time.

That guy from Ontario fixed that:

 EL_7381-pit by Edmund, on Flickr

   — and his upcoming E8 will be available in E-L, a former Lackawanna unit, though.

(This one is L-L Proto)

 DLW_tower4 by Edmund, on Flickr

 

THIS is a car I wish Rapido or Walthers would tackle:

 Lackawanna_Tavern by Edmund, on Flickr

TF, speaking of concrete!

 16-5685cr-1x3 by George  Hamlin, on Flickr

Norfolk Southern train 12R crossing the Susquehanna River at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on the former Reading Railroad''s bridge.

Everyone thinks the "Rockville" bridge on the PRR is the king of all spans near Harrisburg. I think this former Reading example has merit.

 

I have some errands to run so I'll be back later.

Cheers, Ed

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Monday, May 3, 2021 11:31 AM

Things seem better with the Lion around.

Our local minor league baseball team used to be the Fort Myers Mircacle. They changed their name to the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels. 

They have revealed their new mascot, "Mussel Man", and this thing is creepy!

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by BroadwayLion on Monday, May 3, 2021 10:57 AM

LION RULE #1... LOOK at the soldering iron BEFORE picking it up.

LION RULE #2... Adjust your eye glasses BEFORE picking up the soldering iron.

LION RULE #3... Do not get hot soldier on your nice soft fur.

 

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

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Posted by BroadwayLion on Monday, May 3, 2021 10:51 AM

Took one of the monks to the hospital last night.

Him had three broken ribs...

 

 

 

 

ROAR

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Monday, May 3, 2021 9:31 AM

gmpullman
One of the big players in the Anthracite region was the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western:

One of my best friends back in the high school days modeled the ERIE LACKAWANNA railroad. Back then, you could get railroad models in just about any roadname. I have not seen a factory painted model in EL gray and maroon in a long time.

I had lots of pictures of me and him working on our layouts, but like most things from when I was a child, they all disappeared as my dad moved several times in the 1980s and things got lost.

Ed, I am enjoying the information you are sharing. Like nearly all things railroad related, I know very little about the READING and other "anthracite" railroads.

I wish RDGCasey was still around. His READING models were stunning, and I am sure he would have a lot to share.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by Track fiddler on Monday, May 3, 2021 5:56 AM

Good morning

Thanks for the tour so far Ed. I sure like the Nicolson and Delaware River Viaduct Bridges.  Lots of concrete.

 

My son came down for a visit with his new Indy pace car model Corvette.  It has a 436 horsepower 6.2 L engineStick out tongue  He wanted to take it out for the first road trip.  It only had one owner and was a Florida car with low miles.  My son likes red on black like his dad.  You can't see the removable sunroof is black and looks really cool.

We all went out for my favorite pizza last night.

It's the pizza restaurant with the O-Scale New York Central running along the ceiling.

Someone sure did a good job at building the wooden steamers.

 

Make it a great Monday everyoneWink

 

 

 

TF

 

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Posted by gmpullman on Monday, May 3, 2021 5:01 AM

Glad you're enjoying the tour, Paul.

One of the big players in the Anthracite region was the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western:

I followed much of their main line back in the late '60s and it was quite picturesque. I remember being in one of their poured concrete signal towers and I wanted one for my layout:

 DLnW_tower by Edmund, on Flickr

The Lackawanna was BIG on concrete:

 EL, Nicolson, Pennsylvania, 1974 by Center for Railroad Photography & Art, on Flickr

 DLW, Delaware River Bridge, Pennsylvania by Center for Railroad Photography & Art, on Flickr

Enjoy your day, Ed

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Posted by NorthBrit on Monday, May 3, 2021 4:39 AM

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

Having spent part of my life talking to miners and ex-miners  and listening to their stories I am glad not to be a miner.   I have a deep fear of fire, and being trapped underground.

Then I came across the story of Centralia  PA.

 

A drone over Reading PA

 

David

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought

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Posted by Lazers on Monday, May 3, 2021 3:12 AM

gmpullman
Monday already!! ?? This is a review of a railroad DVD but it has some merits for background on Anthracite lines:

Hi Ed, Thanks for maintaining a connection to the Railroad scene. Cheers, Paul

"It's the South Shore Line, Jim - but not as we know it".

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Monday, May 3, 2021 12:00 AM

Track fiddler
I concur with these two Kevin.  You been working awfully hard and it shows at the homestead down there.  Maybe an R&R day at the modeling table is in order soon

Oh I wish!

My model building desk is completely disassembled and stored away in the room that will become the master bedroom.

It is supposed to look like this:

I really want to get back to model building.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Sunday, May 2, 2021 11:51 PM

Good evening. 

 

Ed .... I watched the video ( hard coal roads) you posted . It's a good one. 

 

Everybody .... Have a nice night. 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by gmpullman on Sunday, May 2, 2021 11:15 PM

Monday already!! ??

This is a review of a railroad DVD but it has some merits for background on Anthracite lines:

Cheers, Ed

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Posted by Track fiddler on Sunday, May 2, 2021 11:04 PM

ATLANTIC CENTRAL

 

 
York1

Kevin, the work looks good.  I'm glad it's you and not me doing all that work.

We are in the middle of a pretty good thunderstorm right now.  The thunder is pretty much constant, and we've had a lot of small hail.  Once this passes, we are going to have cooler weather for a week or so.

I am going to plant some grass tomorrow.  I have several areas where Daisy the Dachshund used all winter for her restroom.  She really killed a lot of grass.  This was in two areas that I scooped snow off the grass so that she could go.  I still want to Astroturf the yard.

I'm watching John Wayne in "El Dorado" on TV right now.  It's not one of my favorites, but any John Wayne movie is better than what is on the other channels.  Later this week they'll show "Rio Bravo", that is a Wayne movie I watch whenever it's on.

Doctor appt. tomorrow morning for work on the knee.  I'm walking like I'm an old man.  You can't make any snide comments that my wife hasn't already said.

Have a good evening.

 

 

 

I'm a John Wayne fan, have a large percentage on tape and DVD.

While those you mentioned are great films, my favorites include "Big Jake", "McLintock" and "Chisum".

But ANY John Wayne film is a good watch for me.

Sheldon

 

I concur with these two Kevin.  You been working awfully hard and it shows at the homestead down there.  Maybe an R&R day at the modeling table is in order soonYes

 

I know all about that doggie day cleanup in the spring John.  We had both Magnum and Nellie when we last lived in Prior Lake.  They had their own dog yard that was quite the mine field of a chore to deal with every spring, ...YuckIck!  Better you than me nowLaughSmile, Wink & Grin

 

I've been known to watch some John Wayne myself Sheldon.  Too bad the p.m. function doesn't work here for me.  I got gifted a collection of his older films twice.  This one isn't even open and I'd happily give it to ya.

 

11 O'clock and I'm hitting the rack.  Rest well and I'll see ya guys tomorrow.

 

 

 

TF

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Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Sunday, May 2, 2021 10:20 PM

York1

Kevin, the work looks good.  I'm glad it's you and not me doing all that work.

We are in the middle of a pretty good thunderstorm right now.  The thunder is pretty much constant, and we've had a lot of small hail.  Once this passes, we are going to have cooler weather for a week or so.

I am going to plant some grass tomorrow.  I have several areas where Daisy the Dachshund used all winter for her restroom.  She really killed a lot of grass.  This was in two areas that I scooped snow off the grass so that she could go.  I still want to Astroturf the yard.

I'm watching John Wayne in "El Dorado" on TV right now.  It's not one of my favorites, but any John Wayne movie is better than what is on the other channels.  Later this week they'll show "Rio Bravo", that is a Wayne movie I watch whenever it's on.

Doctor appt. tomorrow morning for work on the knee.  I'm walking like I'm an old man.  You can't make any snide comments that my wife hasn't already said.

Have a good evening.

 

I'm a John Wayne fan, have a large percentage on tape and DVD.

While those you mentioned are great films, my favorites include "Big Jake", "McLintock" and "Chisum".

But ANY John Wayne film is a good watch for me.

Sheldon

    

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    March 2011
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Posted by NVSRR on Sunday, May 2, 2021 9:44 PM

Grease like that isnt good, bearings or seal is shot. 

 

Since this month is in anthricite country, I have a seperate thread on the early coal cars and a new kit for them .  plus a breif trunkated history for them.  From what I could find.

A pessimist sees a dark tunnel

An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel

A realist sees a frieght train

An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space

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Posted by York1 on Sunday, May 2, 2021 9:38 PM

Kevin, the work looks good.  I'm glad it's you and not me doing all that work.

We are in the middle of a pretty good thunderstorm right now.  The thunder is pretty much constant, and we've had a lot of small hail.  Once this passes, we are going to have cooler weather for a week or so.

I am going to plant some grass tomorrow.  I have several areas where Daisy the Dachshund used all winter for her restroom.  She really killed a lot of grass.  This was in two areas that I scooped snow off the grass so that she could go.  I still want to Astroturf the yard.

I'm watching John Wayne in "El Dorado" on TV right now.  It's not one of my favorites, but any John Wayne movie is better than what is on the other channels.  Later this week they'll show "Rio Bravo", that is a Wayne movie I watch whenever it's on.

Doctor appt. tomorrow morning for work on the knee.  I'm walking like I'm an old man.  You can't make any snide comments that my wife hasn't already said.

Have a good evening.

York1 John       

  • Member since
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Sunday, May 2, 2021 8:18 PM

Hello, and I hope this is a good Sunday Evening to everyone.

TOP OF THE PAGE

Everybody is welcome to join me while we enjoy a can or two of Two Lane Lager. This is good stuff.

Same old story here... still working on the house. I am going to continue doing as much as I can to the outside before the rainy season begins. Once the rains begin, I will go back inside and finish the master bedroom.

The pedestal (maybe a plinth) for sir Knightlight has been completed. I poured a bunch of concrete around the plinth to secure everything, then put the foundation stone in place.

I hope I can get the statue next week.

I have also been working on the wall for the front garden. This is now 90% done, and hopefully will be planted and finished this week as well.

I think my old Milwaukee 3/4" drill is in trouble. While mixing thin-set today, grease started coming out from behind the chuck. This has me worried. I need this drill to last just a bit longer. I am not prepared to replace a 3/4" drill.

Tomorrow my wife and I get our second Covid-19 vaccination shots. That is a huge milestone.

The World Is A Beautiful Place.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Sunday, May 2, 2021 8:16 PM

BATMAN
Kevin, that is interesting that they don't allow reclaimed water for toilets down there. 25 stinky, sweaty hockey players in the communal shower leave a lot more undesirable water in the building than reclaimed water in a toilet.

I cannot say for sure about public or commercial buildings.

For residences, no reclaimed water in the home.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by moelarrycurly4 on Sunday, May 2, 2021 7:16 PM

soldering irons. the trick is, if you drop it let it fall, do not try to catch it. 

ask me how I know. 

 

Spent yesterday making an indoor herb garden. The wife like fresh herbs so we set up our own contianers of them.

got the front jungle mowed yesterday. 

cleaned up my car today ( the inside. ) 

 

Charlie sorry to hear about your loss. 

 

not much else going on here in the wilds of W ky. 

 

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Posted by BATMAN on Sunday, May 2, 2021 2:23 PM

Sheldon, that's a cool add-on. I was going to suggest you need a bigger tractor but you have a solution already.

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Sunday, May 2, 2021 1:49 PM

Brent,

Thank you.

If I cut it all at the same time, between 2 and 2-1/2 hours. I usually cut the front and back separately becuase they tend to grow at different rates.

I hope to find an attachment for my tractor known as a wing mower. A completely separate 40" mower deck with its own engine that attaches out from the left rear of the tractor and rides along with it.

That would cut the mowing time in half, especially for the large open area in the back. That would be 90" in one pass as I have a 50" deck now.

Here is a picture of one on a tractor similar to mine:

https://images.app.goo.gl/TGWSxY4BqWjzZZJN7

Sheldon

  

    

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Posted by BATMAN on Sunday, May 2, 2021 1:37 PM

Good morning from the sunny West Coast.

I was in some serious pain gettin up this morning but got down to the bike and rode for 45 minutes and now am as good as new....almost.Laugh Haven't been that rough for quite a while.

Kevin, that is interesting that they don't allow reclaimed water for toilets down there. 25 stinky, sweaty hockey players in the communal shower leave a lot more undesirable water in the building than reclaimed water in a toilet. Ick!Laugh

Sheldon, you have a lot of beautiful grass to cut, how long does it take you?

We don't need irrigation either except for the vegetables and under the eves when we are away. We gave up on house sitters watering and put irrigation in those spots.

We don't have A/C here, we open all our windows near the end of April and close them in September. The back doors are open as well usually but we close those when we go out and at night. We have the ADT alarm system and disable the window alarms in the summer because they are always open. If someone were to climb in the motion detectors would go off. The only reason we even have an alarm system is for fire detection. When we leave the dogs and go out we want the fire dept to at least to have a chance at getting to them.

It's a little jobs day today.

May be an image of train and railroad

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Sunday, May 2, 2021 9:56 AM

Good morning everyone. All I will have is coffee today.

I woke up feeling great. I slept only about five hours last night, but that does not seem to be a problem. I feel fully rested and ready for action.

Hope all are also feeling good.

Happy Sunday.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by York1 on Sunday, May 2, 2021 6:55 AM

Good morning, diners.  Just coffee this morning, Flo.  I'll have donuts after church.

Another day of not much to do. I'll be trying to build the final crossing signals.  It's time for me to move on to something else -- I'm getting tired of this project.

Heartland Division CB&Q
Regarding grandkids. I'm glad to hear both of you are blessed with some. We have 7. None live close to us.

We're in the same boat -- all 8 live away from us.  We don't get to see them very often.

I have only driven through Pennsyvania, many years ago on the way to NYC.  This is an interesting month in the diner.

Have a good Sunday, everyone.

York1 John       

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Posted by NorthBrit on Sunday, May 2, 2021 6:01 AM

 

 

David

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

I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought

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Posted by gmpullman on Sunday, May 2, 2021 5:35 AM

I think Oscar* hates it here...

 Oscar_5-1-21 by Edmund, on Flickr

He had a tour of the house yesterday morning. He still won't be spending much time inside until he's had his snip, checkup and shots. Our vet is semi-retired and she only does fixing on Thursdays. She didn't have an opening last Thursday.


 

Here's a look at the Anthracite fields in eastern Pennsylvania. You can see how tough the competition was in order to access such relatively small deposits.

 Anthracite by Edmund, on Flickr


 

 RDG, Jersey City, New Jersey, 1939 by Center for Railroad Photography & Art, on Flickr

The Crusader.

https://www.american-rails.com/crusader.html

 

A Room With A View!

 Sightseeing in Harpers Ferry by Craig Sanders, on Flickr

Cheers, Ed

* He arrived on Oscar night and he's golden, polished and refined.

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