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The MAY, 2021 Diner: Touring the US Anthracite Region

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  • Member since
    January 2013
  • 1,034 posts
Posted by PM Railfan on Friday, May 28, 2021 12:21 PM

Hello Railfans!

Top of the day to yas! And a mighty fine day it is. The temp is mild, and it is trying its darndest to rain. Im kinda pulling for the rain, we need it. Grass is starting to turn a browner shade of green, and the leaves dont look quite as perky.

Ed) I guess now that we are at the end of the month itd be a good time to let you know I really enjoyed you bringing 'Railfanning with the Bednars' to us. Among the other stuff.

As Garry and John have mentioned, I too am curious as to whats ahead for next month.

Have a great day everyone!

 

A#1 North!

Douglas

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Friday, May 28, 2021 12:11 PM

Hi folks,

Where would you like to take the Diner for June? We only have a couple of days to decide, so let's hear your ideas. Would The East Broad Top be of interest? 

Thanks again to Ed for hosting us on the Reading Railway during May! Great job!

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 2007
  • From: Kentucky
  • 10,660 posts
Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Friday, May 28, 2021 10:18 AM

Good morning ..... 

Ed .... You are doing a great job hosting the May Diner. 

Also for Ed .... The brass observation car you have in Photo Fun looks similar to the plastic observation car now offered by Bachmann. Now, I think I know what was the prototype for the Bachmann car. 

What will we do for June ? 

John York 1 .... Your plans changed. Glad you are flexible. 

Kevin .... I bet you are getting excited about your trip. 

Everybody ..... have a nice Friday. 

 

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • From: Flyover Country
  • 5,557 posts
Posted by York1 on Friday, May 28, 2021 9:10 AM

Good morning, diners.  I'm still writing from home -- my wife was on the phone with all the girls last night.  Now it seems we will all get together later next week.  Plans change.  Of course, since retirement, I have no plans anyway except for an after-lunch nap.  The good thing is the car is ready, and my clothes are packed.

Ed, thanks for hosting the diner this month.  Good job.

Dave, I'm glad your knee feels better.  That shot is magic.

Spring (sorry, Bear) seems to make everything seem a little better.  Of course, not wearing that stupid mask everywhere also helps.

Everyone else, have a great day. 

York1 John       

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, May 28, 2021 6:48 AM

Good morning everyone. I have already placed my order with Chloe, and I need that coffee badly!

Dave, I am glad to hear your knee is feeling better, even if just temporary.

I am not a huge fan of Olive Oil, but I always buy "upper shelf" brands when I need it. The cheap stuff is just terrible.

Soy Sauce... this is absolutely a product where premium is so much better. I get my Say Sauce from a good Oriental Grocery Store in Sarasota. The same brand makes three varieties I like, light, premium, and seasoned. Light refers to the color, not calorie or sodium content.

This stuff costs 7-8 dollars per bottle, compared to less that 2 dollars for the cheap stuff at the grocery store. Good Soy Sauce really makes Chinese food taste amazing. I never eat Chinese food in restaurants anymore, because they all have cheap soy sauce.

Let's all have a great day.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 8,173 posts
Posted by Track fiddler on Friday, May 28, 2021 6:28 AM

Good morning

Wouldn't ya know it?  Every morning I wouldn't mind sleeping till 6 I'm wide awake at 4.  The day that would work out perfect I oversleep till 6.  Oh well, I'm not on a time schedule here.  We may just relax enjoying our coffee and leave at 9 after rush hour now.  I don't like an early morning scramble.

Yep,  Great job hosting the Diner this month Ed.  Always appreciated.  Thank youYes

Glad your nice weather finally arrived David!  Looks like our all day rain yesterday is breaking up.  The sun's coming out and looking like a great day to travelSmile, Wink & Grin

 

Again my condolences to Randy's family as well.  Such a shame he parted so young.  He is missed but will always be remembered here.  Not only for the great easy going likable guy he was but all the helpful contributions he provided will be missed too.

 

Have a great day gentlemanWink

 

 

TF

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Friday, May 28, 2021 5:03 AM

NorthBrit
Ed.  Excellent hosting thruout the month. Thank You.

Thanks for your support, David, and to everyone else Yes Yes Yes

And our thoughts are still clouded with the loss of Randy Rinker and our prayers for his family this Memorial Day.

Regards, Ed

  • Member since
    October 2020
  • 3,604 posts
Posted by NorthBrit on Friday, May 28, 2021 4:51 AM

A coffee Brunhilda, please.  Then I can watch the film, Ed has posted.

Ed.  Excellent hosting thruout the month. Thank You.

 

It is coming to the end of the month.  Who wishes to Host in June?

 

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 Friday, May 28, 2021 4:35 AM

Something to watch with your morning beverage:

        

I notice some of the cheap olive oils are actually "blends". Gotta watch out for that, too.

Cheers, Ed

  • Member since
    October 2020
  • 3,604 posts
Posted by NorthBrit on Friday, May 28, 2021 4:19 AM

Good morning Diners.   The good weather 'TF sent' has finally arrived.  Just in time for the Holiday Weekend.

Dave.  Glad things are  taking a turn for the better regarding your knee.   Waiting a year though, is tough.  Here in the UK (thanks to Covid) there is a long queue for operations.

Regarding  Olive Oil.   I agree.  There is a (huge) difference  between oils.  The high end oil makes far better sauces.

 

We have our oldest grandson staying overnite tonite.  We will be overrun with Superheroes.  Laugh

 

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
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Thursday, May 27, 2021 11:32 PM

Post hog!!

I experienced a bit of a miracle today. I got a Cortizone shot in my right knee. The pain reduction was instantaneous! The doctor used a local anesthetic wipe to dull the pain and I hardly felt a thing.

I actually had an intern do the injection, and he started poking around my left knee at first. I casually mentioned that he should be looking at the right knee! Thank goodness it wasn't serious surgery!! I would have been knocked out before he started!!

The x-ray showed straight bone on bone so it was no wonder that I could hardly walk or do stairs. How long the injection will last is anybody's guess. The doctor said it could be one week or 10 months. He put me on his list for a knee replacement. The wait is one year.Grumpy At least it's free! (sort of).

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
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Thursday, May 27, 2021 11:26 PM

der5997
Dave, we generally just use Canola, and not much at that. Enough for heat transfer, which since the pan is already non-stick, is all that's needed.

Hi der5997,

We use Canola oil for most of our regular baking needs. The Grapeseed Oil is strictly for high temperatures like grilling steaks in a smoking hot cast iron pan on the BBQ. I wish we had a proper exhaust fan so we could do it in the kitchen. For stir fries it is average olive oil.

Two Christmases ago I bought Dianne (read 'us'Smile, Wink & Grin) a bottle of high end olive oil. I never used to think that there would be much difference between a $10.00 bottle of oil vs a $30.00 bottle. I was wrong! We only use the high end stuff when the taste of the olive oil is an important part of the dish, but it really makes a difference. We make our own Caesar dressing (Joy of Cooking recipe). With the $10.00 stuff it is okay but nothing to write home about. With the high end stuff, it is delicious!! Guests rave!! We also use the high end stuff on pasta and in Pesto.

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 11:05 PM

Heartland Division CB&Q
To John York 1 and to TF (and others who will be traveling ) : .... Have a safe and enjoyable trip. 

Just three days until I launch!

The World Is A Beautiful Place.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
  • 10,660 posts
Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Thursday, May 27, 2021 10:09 PM

To John York 1 and to TF (and others who will be traveling ) : .... Have a safe and enjoyable trip. 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 8,173 posts
Posted by Track fiddler on Thursday, May 27, 2021 5:39 PM

Evening

Packed and raring to go here.

Good to from ya Der, MLC,  Ray.  How you guys been and don't be strangers?

 

My favorite Canadian Band eh. 

I always liked the older stuff better than the run-of-the-mill.

Only three guys are needed when they know what they're doingYes

 

 

TF

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Finger Lakes
  • 10,198 posts
Posted by howmus on Thursday, May 27, 2021 4:52 PM

moelarrycurly4
I am still here.

Me Too!  Don't post much these days, but I do enjoy reading the chit chat and being "on track"...

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
  • 10,660 posts
Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Thursday, May 27, 2021 11:50 AM

Howdy, everybody. ... Lunch time. I'll have a hot dog with chile on it and an RBF, please. 

Der John ..... Great to see you here in the Diner. ! It's been too long. 

John York 1 ..... I hope PT improves your situation. 

Kevin .... I'm glad the new garage door is an improvement. 

MLC .... Glad you are here in the Diner. 

David North Brit. ... You have a lot of yummy food to talk about. 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
    April 2002
  • From: Paducah KY
  • 1,183 posts
Posted by moelarrycurly4 on Thursday, May 27, 2021 11:16 AM

Just a quck note to say I am still here

 

I am still here. 

 

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • From: Flyover Country
  • 5,557 posts
Posted by York1 on Thursday, May 27, 2021 10:40 AM

der5997
Only fair I guess, stay away and get TOP when one returns So order up folks; enjoy! 

I'll have the most expensive item on the menu.

York1 John       

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: Nova Scotia, Northumberland Shore
  • 2,479 posts
Posted by der5997 on Thursday, May 27, 2021 10:37 AM

Only fair I guess, stay away and get TOP when one returns So order up folks; enjoy! 

"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: Nova Scotia, Northumberland Shore
  • 2,479 posts
Posted by der5997 on Thursday, May 27, 2021 10:27 AM
Dave, we generally just use Canola, and not much at that. Enough for heat transfer, which since the pan is already non-stick, is all that's needed.

"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.

  • 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       

  • 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
    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
    February 2015
  • From: Ludington, MI
  • 1,862 posts
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
    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
    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
    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
    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 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

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