Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

The MAY, 2021 Diner: Touring the US Anthracite Region

31929 views
619 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
  • 9,352 posts
Posted by BATMAN on Monday, May 24, 2021 9:42 PM

And the song that touches my soul and made me pick up the guitar 55 years ago.

Brent

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

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 8,173 posts
Posted by Track fiddler on Monday, May 24, 2021 9:31 PM

It's due time to play Brent's favorite folk composers song again.

Great song of appreciation for those dedicated to the ore trade

 

 

TF

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 8,173 posts
Posted by Track fiddler on Monday, May 24, 2021 8:57 PM

Hi Dave,  How are you doing?

The Lake Superior Shores are kinda picked through.  They can be found but I find them more in gravel pits amongst the sand.  You have to look hard because they don't usually look like one until you cut them in half.

The Amber ones are the ones you're looking for and look like the moon with yellow craters.  Those are the ones you want to find.

 

 

TF

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Monday, May 24, 2021 8:52 PM

Dave you missed the rock collecting phase of growing up.

https://tinyurl.com/yfsqgvox

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Monday, May 24, 2021 8:49 PM

Track fiddler
The agates ain't like early fishing.  They don't decide to come out on the rain saturated sand bluffs until sometime between noon and one o-clock in the afternoon so I'm good

Hi TF,

I'm showing my ignorance here. What is an agate?

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
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Monday, May 24, 2021 8:46 PM

As Jack Parr used to say "I kid you not'

Hard to see the second one but red is left and green is right

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 8,173 posts
Posted by Track fiddler on Monday, May 24, 2021 8:40 PM

I did not know the colors are reversed on a double rainbow Henry.  Now I'm very curious and I'm going to have to have Judy look through the pictures so I can see this first hand.

 

Late night dinner has been known to happen over here.

Tonight's menu, chicken wings, onion rings and thingsLaugh

Dinner

 

P.S.  The agates ain't like early morning fishing.  They don't decide to come out on the rain saturated sand bluffs until sometime between noon and one o-clock in the afternoon so I'm goodLaugh

 

 

TF

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Monday, May 24, 2021 8:37 PM

Hi Ed,

What is on the top shelf of your smoker? Is it corn?

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
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Monday, May 24, 2021 8:24 PM

Track fiddler
I always went agate hunting with my two daughters through the years.

Is it like fishing, how early do you have to wake up? Devil

The rainbow picture was taken tonight.  My first double rainbow was on the Durango Silverton train ride, just a few years ago.  On further research, the second rainbow, on a double rainbow has the colors reversed.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 8,173 posts
Posted by Track fiddler on Monday, May 24, 2021 8:12 PM

The Wild's big game is tonight Brent.  They need to win this number four or they're out.  I'm not too happy the game starts at 9:30 p.m.  I'll be watching that one and painting the deck tired tomorrow morningLaugh

If they win I'll be excited and not get to sleep right away.  If they lose I'll be bummed and not fall asleep in the rack right awayLaugh 

 

Can't "Win For Trying" sometimes.  None of the Minnesota teams have been doing very good lately

 

 

TF

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
  • 9,352 posts
Posted by BATMAN on Monday, May 24, 2021 8:01 PM

My Daughter went off to get her covid shot today. She stopped on the way home and bought me a bottle of The Captain. I was having a bad day in the volunteering dept today dealing with people that love to complain and never contribute. 

Haven't had a snort in a couple of weeks so it is going down good watching the playoffs.

She had a hunky firefighter give her the shot. She was through the whole process in 25 minutes. She has never seen anything so efficient she said.Yes

 

 

Brent

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

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 8,173 posts
Posted by Track fiddler on Monday, May 24, 2021 7:39 PM

Kids are great

I always went agate hunting with my two daughters through the years.  They are getting busier with their lives now so sometimes neither one of them have time to go.  I collect agates and give them to them.  The oldest one started it but they both give the nice ones back to me polishedSmile

I usually say no you keep that one, it's the thought that counts.

 

P.S.  I like the steamer art your daughter did.  My oldest did the "Fiddler and Associate Millwork Company" sign on that model I gave you.

 

 

TF

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Monday, May 24, 2021 7:30 PM

Found this in the old pictures we were going through.

My oldest daughter made it for me in a computer class back in the early 1990s.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 8,173 posts
Posted by Track fiddler on Monday, May 24, 2021 7:26 PM

I've seen double rainbows and even a triple rainbow once but I've never been fortunate enough to see a Golden HaloIndifferent

More power to you for capturing that one HenryYes

 

 

TF

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
  • 9,352 posts
Posted by BATMAN on Monday, May 24, 2021 7:11 PM

Whataya waitin for Henry I see two pots of gold out there! Cool pic!

Brent

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

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Monday, May 24, 2021 6:59 PM

Dr Wayne is good, but he's not this good

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 8,173 posts
Posted by Track fiddler on Monday, May 24, 2021 5:49 PM

Kevin,  Your custom detailing with your airbrush painting and decal application on undecorated freight cars is on top of the Elite hereYes  

I don't know how you do it but the cars look Factory man!  And I'm the Fortunate Fiddler that happens to have two of thosePirate

 

I thank you again my friend, every time I look at them!

 

 

 

WinkPost Hog

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 8,173 posts
Posted by Track fiddler on Monday, May 24, 2021 3:31 PM

Evening

Wayne's modelingBow  I  concurYes  Don't waste anyone's time holding a candle to me.  I've learned so many things from Wayne's fine craftsmanship, I couldn't even begin to tell.

 

Just got done with my day of the hot and the sticky.  There's 80 small wooden decks on my building,  I call them stoops.  I'm replacing rotten boards and painting them along with the wrought iron railings one at a time at my leisure.  I'm doing the bad ones first.  The other 40 on ground level like mine are cement slabs but I'll deal with those later.

I prefer a half a day of work now-a-days.  Half a sense of accomplishment is way plenty for me at the early end of my dayLaugh

 

 

 

TF

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Monday, May 24, 2021 3:16 PM

PM Railfan
Rank right up there with the kinda stuff ya see Doc Wayne, or Kevin doin.

I do not deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence as Doctor Wayne. Everything he does is 10 times better than what I can do.

Still... thank you very much for the kind compliment!

Smile

I would love to see your models. If you email me the pictures, I can post them.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    January 2013
  • 1,034 posts
Posted by PM Railfan on Monday, May 24, 2021 2:26 PM

Hello Railfans!

Top of the day to yas! Smells good in here..... Wheres the beef?!!!!

Ed) Set me a place, i wont be late for dinner! Normally i come here for the eye candy (trains pics) but those last shots made my mouth water. What we call around here as "your taster's going off".

In general) Well ill tell ya, its one of those 24hr days, now in its third day, where i just dont know if i want to be frustrated or not. Some things going my way, others aint. Sound familiar?

Concerning the lockdown situation - it had been lifted. Got to finally give someone that bearhug after a whole year of not bearhuggin. Now, a week later, its back to jailhouse conditions..... (striped visitation instead of sunlight [think about it]). Well thats gotta be stretching the leather a bit. And it is!

That confounded 3d printer of mine has gone commy on me. Been giving me fits for a month or more now. I was rumaging around in some models and pulled out a MDC 0-6-0 NIB. Saw it had one of those pot metal tender frames. Well it has to be 2 yrs older than Moses cause that frame is in pieces! Brittle i tell ya.

So i whip up a drawing, fired up the battle axe, low and behold it printed. What???? Noo hassle? Nooo fuss? Nooo muss? I dont know what to think!

I got a new frame but im still a bearhug short (not to mention a few fries, right?). I really wish i could post pics. I think you guys would like some of these models. Specially the flatcars I made. Rank right up there with the kinda stuff ya see Doc Wayne, or Kevin doin.

Spose its one of those 'fair to middlin' kinda days. Have a great evening folks!

 

Riding the Yellows

Douglas

 

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
  • 10,660 posts
Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Monday, May 24, 2021 9:58 AM

Good morning ......... Coffee and a donut, please. 

Ray . .... It sounds like you are doing well, and I am glad. 

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

...

 

Model railroading ...... Several days ago, I put a sound decoder in my GN 4-8-2 . The engine ran well, but it had no sound. A took out the decoder, and saw I had disconnected a speaker wire. I quickly soldered it on, and I put the decoder back in. The engine still ran well without sound. .... I put it aside for a few days. Yesterday, it dawned on me the mute function may be tirned on. So, I soon got the sound to work with the mute function key. ..... Choo, choo. 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Monday, May 24, 2021 9:35 AM

howmus
To each their own! I wouldn't buy Salsa made anywhere!  Hate the stuff.

There was (maybe still there) a Mexican Restaurant in Statesboro, Georgia, where they had about 20 kinds of salsa at a "salsa bar", and an employee making all of it fresh right behind the counter.

That place ruined all other salsa for me. Some of those options were just amazing.

I went in there one time and ordered one of everything from the ala carte menu section. Then I pigged-out on the salsa bar. The bill was less than $40.00 and I was so happy! I tried some offerings that were delicious and new to me.

Salsa from the store will never satisfy me again.

howmus
Had about 39 miles of range when I pulled in and a half hour later the battery was basically full. That sucker can put out 1000 miles of charge in an hour!  Technology is getting there.

This is all very good to hear. I am 90% sure that when we replace the Impala it will be with an electric car. All the reasons not to get one are disappearing quickly.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Finger Lakes
  • 10,198 posts
Posted by howmus on Monday, May 24, 2021 9:23 AM

SeeYou190
or Salsa made in New York City.

To each their own!!!  I wouldn't buy Salsa made anywhere!  Hate the stuff....Smile, Wink & Grin

Haven't had time to post here for a few days.  Spent the weekend working as a Car Host/Brakeman out at the museum, and last Friday a lady i like and I went to Niagara Falls to visit the wax museum and enjoy the falls for a bit.  That was a longer trip than my Tesla has battery to do, so we stopped and had lunch where there is a bunch of V3 tesla Superchargers.  Had about 39 miles of range when I pulled in and a half hour later the battery was basically full.  That sucker can put out 1000 miles o0f charge in an hour!  Technology is gettingt there.

People often ask how long the car takes for me to to charge it.  My answer is usually 10 seconds.  5 tgo plug it in and 5 to unplug and get in the car.  Nope, don't stand there and watch it charge for hours on end...  Nope!

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 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Monday, May 24, 2021 8:33 AM

hon30critter
I'm not sure how to take your comment.

Laugh

I am not much of a Southerner, nor do I have any "Southern Pride" at all.

However... when it comes to Barbeque... suddenly I get all ruffled up and all my Southerness swells to the surface. 

The worst part of driving North out of Georgia is that you know you left all the good barbeque behind.

Laugh

I was at a corporate event in Indianapolis about five years ago, and the lunch was catered in by a place called "Indiana Barbeque". Everyone seemed to enjoy the food, but it was not good at all. It tasted like a Yankee made it. At one point, the vice-president of my organization was talking to me and said "Good stuff, I bet you can't get barbeque like this where you are from". I replied the "You mean the South, yeah, one thing you always hear people say is that whenever you are in Georgia make sure you avoid the barbeque, Southern style barbeque is the worst." I guess the sarcasm was either lost or ignored because he said "Yeah, I have heard that too". My heart filled up with hate.

Sauce: I grew up in Gainesville, Florida in the 1970s. At this time, Sonny's Barbeque was brand new, and it was our local barbeque joint. Sonny Tillman, and Tom Petty, were our local celebrities. I remember when I was very young that any event worth attending would have Sonny's Barbeque, and Tom Petty's band would be playing. It was great.

Sonny's sliced smoked pork tenderloin in Sonny's signature sauce was an amazing experience. Sonny's signature sauce was bright orange and tangy, not sweet at all. I have always thought it was the perfect sauce for smoked meats.

As Sonny's grew, became franchised, and the menu evolved, they lost their sauce roots. The Sonny's sauce I knew and loved became the "Tangy" sauce, then the "Mild" sauce, and has now disappeared completely. All the sauce offerings at Sonny's now are very sweet. They even have an "Original" sauce that tastes like it is just corn syrup and brown food coloring. Calling it "Sonny's Original" is blasphemy. They do not offer the orange Sonny's signature sauce anymore.

Smokin' Pig Barbeque in Valdosta, Georgia has a sauce that is similar.

In the store, Stubb's sauce is about as good as it gets for me. Sticky Fingers Carolina Classic is also very good.

I would never, ever, buy a barbeque sauce made in Canada, or Salsa made in New York City. That is just wrong.

Laugh

Maple Syrup... Canadian all the way!

I hope I put in enough laughing emojis so you know this is light-hearted fun.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • From: Flyover Country
  • 5,557 posts
Posted by York1 on Monday, May 24, 2021 7:24 AM

Good Monday morning, diners.  No breakfast yet, Flo.  I'll be back after the physical therapist conducts another torture session.

It's raining here.  On the prairie, every rainy day is a good day.

York1 John       

  • Member since
    February 2015
  • From: Ludington, MI
  • 1,862 posts
Posted by Water Level Route on Monday, May 24, 2021 5:59 AM

I would always buy big for cheap when it came to gas grills, until this year.  I've always wanted a Weber or Napoleon gas grill, but haven't been ready to pull the trigger on one yet, although I've been working on my wife already so when the time comes....  I bought a Monument grill this year and so far I really like it!  It replaces a Charbroil that was flare up city.  Terrible.  Stupid thing even caught on fire twice as the bottom of the body was too close to the burners.  Didn't take much build up there to pose a serious hazard.  I was deep cleaning it all the time to keep that feature at bay.  I've yet to have a flare up on the Monument and I've already cooked more than enough on it.  Between my gas grill, my Weber charcoal grill, and my Masterbuilt smoker, I'm pretty well out of room on the patio given the "counters" I've built in between them to be able to put things.  Still, I can cook darn near anything out there!

Have a good day gentlemen!

Mike

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Monday, May 24, 2021 5:00 AM

hon30critter
We have tried many, many BBQ sauces over the years, and this is the first one that does everything right.

 

I just checked Amazon and they will gladly deliver a 500ml. bottle to my doorstep for $25US.    https://tinyurl.com/u6k9vdbb

 

Hummm, maybe I'll just stick with my Stubbs or keep making my own. Some folks around here are enamored with "Sweet Baby Rays". Egads, there has to be two pounds of sugar (more likely corn syrup) in that stuff. Too sickly sweet for me.

Last year I bought a small Weber propane grill and I love it. I have never had a flare-up and cooking temperature is perfect. Previously I bought those cheapy Home Depot throw away types.

Still have two large charcoal grills, two little "Smokey Joes" (by weber) and, of course, the smoker. 

We could feed a small army (well, we used to when we had Dee Ann's two family reunions here in the past). The Weber is just right BUT I do miss the old gas grills that had the lava rocks.

Regards, Ed

 

 

  • Member since
    October 2020
  • 3,604 posts
Posted by NorthBrit on Monday, May 24, 2021 3:49 AM

Good morning Diners. Toast & Tea please, Zoe.

The overnight storm has stopped.   Only a short respite as it is starting again as I type.

Jobs to do around the house, then collect Granddaughter number 2 from school and take to Rainbows.

I might manage to run some trains.

 

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 Monday, May 24, 2021 2:41 AM

SeeYou190
Every fiber in my Southern Soul just exploded.

Hi Kevin,

I'm not sure how to take your comment.Confused Does the bacon maple BBQ sauce appeal to you or are you saying that it is too bland?

We have tried many, many BBQ sauces over the years, and this is the first one that does everything right. It does not overpower the taste of the meat. It does form a nice sticky glaze, and the small nozzle makes it super easy to apply. This will be our 'go to' sauce from now on!

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
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Monday, May 24, 2021 12:53 AM

up831
How long does meat the size of that steak have to cook in there?

We usually do fatty cuts. If done in the smoker alone it takes about 6 - 7 hours. Sometimes we cheat and pre-cook in a slow oven, then about four hours in the smoker.

  Here, Jim, help yourself to the first slice   Dinner

 

 Smoked-shoulder by Edmund, on Flickr

One of our favorites is smoked turkey. We buy iy when it is cheep. Makes for a full week of meals. Rump roast, pork shoulder, sometimes ribs if they are meaty enough. Depends on what looks good at the butcher shop.

Maybe someday I'll be vegan but for now, pass the A-1. My dad used to say he was vegetarian. Let the cow eat the grass and he would eat the cow.

up831
Our Irises are blooming.  The flowers and trees budding are one of the reasons why this is my favorite time of year.

Many of our early blooms were killed off by the Mother's Day snow! Right now I do have a beautiful Rhododendron in bloom and soon it will be the wisteria!

 Wisteria_windmill by Edmund, on Flickr

 IMG_4778 by Edmund, on Flickr

Happy MONDAY everyone Big Smile

Cheers, Ed

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!