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Jeffrey's Trackside Diner For June, 2021!

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Posted by NorthBrit on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 8:14 AM

York1

We're getting ready today for another trip.  

 

A safe and enjoyable trip, John.

    ---------------------------------------

Playing teaboy shortly when Dawn's friends visit.   Then I can 'disappear' to the train room.

 

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 Mark B on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 8:01 AM

Hello Kevin-

Thanks for stopping in and taking a look at the layout. It was very nice to meet you and chat. I see you found the pulpwood loader. You were indeed off the "beaten path". My wife and I stumbled on it about a month ago when we were doing a Covid day trip. I see you also found another Wisconsin gem- Wienke's Market products. They are based in Door County and everytime we visit we have to stop and load up on all their cherry products, pickles, relishes, and other goodies. We just finished a cherry pie made with their filling. Delish.

Happy trails and keep the daily logs coming. They are most enjoyable.

Mark & Char B.

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Posted by York1 on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 7:44 AM

Good morning, diners.  Bacon, eggs, and coffee, please.

We're getting ready today for another trip.  I'll check back after several days to see how the diner is doing.  I hope everyone is doing well.

York1 John       

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Posted by NorthBrit on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 4:13 AM

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

Loving the pictures, Kevin, especially the scenery  and big wildlife.

Bear.   That is some 'Vac'.   Love it.

 

I love it when film and television stars can just do what they want without the 'paparazzi'  all over the place.

Yesterday  a gentleman on a pedal cycle arrived at a well known fish and chip restaurant.  He went inside and had a meal.  Nobody took much notice.  It was Harrison Ford.  He is around our area filming the next 'Indiana Jones' film.   The local Television Companies are 'going mad'  as they haven't seen him yet.  No

 

Dawn is busy today with zoom meetings,  giving me chance to run a few trains later.

 

Hope those missing come to the Diner soon.

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

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Posted by Track fiddler on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 12:47 AM

Mornin

I liked the vacuum cleaner Bear

This one could suck up the couch cushion right out of your house just in case you lost one of your socks in the dryerLaugh

It had a 50 foot hose as you know and was good for vacuuming passenger cars after the road

 

 

TF

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 12:25 AM

Good evening to all my fellow diners.

Today we awoke in Iron River in the Michigan Upper Penninsula. My motel had a lakefront room, but I arrived after dark last night and could not enjoy it.

This is the lake.

And this is the back of the motel.

Then we entered into Wisconsin. The day in Wisconsin was absolutely splendid. I don't know how many perfect days we all get to see, but I try to appreciate each of them as they are given out.

I was extended an invitation from a forum member to visit his home layout this morning. This was the layout featured in the June, 2021 issue of Model Railroader, and on the cover!

This was a great way to spend some time. Mark was a wonderful host, and I enjoyed every moment looking over the masterpiece he has built in his basement. The entire layout is just one beautiful scene after another.

Thank you Mark for inviting me. I really had a wonderful visit with you.

We drove through rural Wisconsin for quite a while admiring the beautiful farmland and structures.

We also travelled through a small town that had what I thought was a massive dragline boom extended over a city park. I drove in and looked at the plaque, and it is actually a pulpwood loader. 

We also found this neat CHICAGO AND NORTHWESTERN consolidation and bay window caboose on publlic display.

BONEHEAD MOMENT OF THE DAY: I stopped the car and went exploring down a trail into the woods. I found a stream flowing among the rocks.

These rocks were really beautiful. Look at these facets and colours.

I heard a waterfall in the distance. I climbed up, over, and along the rocks until I found the waterfall/rapids, and took a picture. It was a rough journey, and I made it again to get back to the car.

As I was leaving, completely worn out, about 300 yards up the road I saw a sign for the entrance to Falls Park! I could have just driven there and seen the falls without climbing all those rocks.

Bang Head

Wisconsin also has some beautiful lakes.

We stopped in a small town that had a small market that sold only items made locally. I found a jar of Russian Dill Pickles! These were delicious! I also had a bottle of local milk that was very good.

This was the best bridge of the day, even though it was a roadway bridge, I think it is worth sharing.

I made it into Minnesota just as the sun was going down, and it was raining. The day took a bad turn. Drivers in Minnesota seemed very aggressive, and I had to deal with several miles of one-lane Interstate in a construction zone. We finally made it to the hotel at almost 11:00.

That is all for today. North Dakota is on deck for tomorrow.

The World Is A Beautiful Place.

-Kevin

 

Living the dream.

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Posted by Track fiddler on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 11:55 PM

Post Hog!

P.S.  I will be happy when the Canucks win the Stanley Cup as I know you will when the Wild doYes

 

I'll keep my Razor in hand until then BrentLaugh

Just kidding!  One will happen soonYesSmile, Wink & Grin

 

 

TF

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Posted by Track fiddler on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 11:44 PM

Some would be led to believe it's just coincidental

But I don't

 

 

TF

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 11:34 PM

Water Level Route
Did you go to Munising, and go on one of the Pictured Rocks boat tours?

No, I tried to get on a Shipwreck glass bottom boat tour, but none were running when we arrived.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by Track fiddler on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 11:29 PM

BATMAN

TF, that Badlands pic is great because the clouds fit right in with the rock formations.Yes

Thanks Brent, I liked that picture too

I still think the Man Upstairs gives me matching clouds in the sky when I take one

My Mom used to tell me that 'God Rest Her Soul' and I still believe herYes

 

 

TF

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Posted by hon30critter on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 8:52 PM

der5997
successful and pleasant couple of calls within Digikey

I have always had great service from Digikey. They have a Canadian version of their on line catalogue and their cheap deliveries take max. two days.

Dave

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

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Posted by BATMAN on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 7:13 PM

 

 

 

 

 

May be an image of train, railway and text that says "HO SCALE CPR D-10 D- 4-6-0 RAPIDO TRAINSIN www.rapidotrains.com RAPIDO"

New sample to Rapido, I am getting excited. I have two on order.

TF, that Badlands pic is great because the clouds fit right in with the rock formations.Yes

Bear, the vacuum ad.LaughYes

We sure love our new Highlander, we are getting 50 mpg-5.7ltr/100km. That is incredible for a mid-size SUV. I still don't think it is more than a glorified grocery getter and would not take to the places we would go in the truck, however for hauling dogs the wife loves it.

Douglas, I use to have a good assortment of R/C planes until the crawlspace flooded. As far as the pool goes we have an R/C submarine I like to drive around in it. It is kind of fun but gets boring after a while. Airplanes are much more fun. I have an R/C hovercraft as well that is a lot of fun. It goes on land and water and was always a hit with the kids when camping.

There is a good size R/C submarine group in the Vancouver area and when they hold meets I like to go watch. My favourite is the Seaview models from the old "Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea" TV show, which I loved as a kid. There are Youtube videos of models that people have built.

The bus and firetruck seem to have had the mirrors removed.

 

Well, time for a snort and a little hockey, I sure miss lacing up the skates but it is just too painful no matter how good a shape I'm in.

GO!..... WHOEVER!....GO! Sigh As long as Vancouver wins the Stanley Cup before I croak I'll die a happy man.

Looking forward to Kevin's next report.

All the best to all.

 

 

 

 

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 Track fiddler on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 5:29 PM

Heartland Division CB&Q

TF    ..... LOL ... You said : "Now let's look at the new current comparison!"

Funny !   ....  They just had a Saquatch sighting in the Michigan Upper Peninsula in past 24 hours or so. ..... Do you think it was Kevin ? !  ... LOL 

 

LaughLaughLaughLaughLaugh, ...Yep! , ...I do believe so! 

As you said Garry, "All in good fun" Laugh

 

 

 

TF

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 4:58 PM

TF    ..... LOL ... You said : "Now let's look at the new current comparison!"

Funny !   ....  They just had a Saquatch sighting in the Michigan Upper Peninsula in past 24 hours or so. ..... Do you think it was Kevin ? !  ... LOL 

Uh oh ...... Ooooooops ! ..... Hey Kevin ! You didn't read that I hope...... Just havining fun.... 

 

...

 

Bear .... Wow ! .... That's some vacuum cleaner !

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by "JaBear" on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 4:31 PM

Vac by Bear, on Flickr

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

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Posted by Track fiddler on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 3:38 PM

Evening

Back to the normal realm of things and got done with the handyman special early todaySad 

Just wanted to drop by and say thank you to everyone that gave appreciation and acknowledged my photographs of my trip.

You were exactly right John, the Badlands was a little bit goes a long way.  Custer National Forest and Wind Cave National Park was where it was at over there.  And it's always the anticipation to go but then again always good to come homeYes

For real I didn't think of that Douglas.  Fold the mirrors in through the one-way tunnels like at the bank drive-thruHuh?  I scraped one as it folded in by itselfLaugh  Like that hasn't happened beforeWhistling

Brent I'm glad you liked the Needles Highway picture.  It was amazing what your imagination could see in the rock formations over there.  It would have been scary to see those rock images that one day in the 70'sLaughWhistling   One of the guests at our resort let me drive his brand new rotary engine RX-7 when I was 15 and I had a blast.

I can't remember what you said now that I'm posting Mike but I do remember I got a smile on my faceSmile

Same with you North Britt.  Our Good Ol' across the pond DavidYes

And Dave, ...Take her across the land on that vacation! Smile, Wink & Grin

GarrySmile, Wink & Grin

Der JohnWink

CN Charlie, ...My thoughts still with you and hope you're healing a little more everyday from the loss of your friend

I hope I didn't miss anyone in my singled out appreciation here.  I probably did but my 'B' Ticker isn't as good as it was 10 years agoTongue Tied

I must say I was dogged by Kevin and was a bit surprisedIndifferent 

 

 

A few years back I was a little ridiculed and told that I had the same hairstyle as my friend SasquatchLaugh

Let's look at the comparison here!

Yep, yep, I guess I was in the lead back thenLaugh ..... Now let's look at the new contestant comparison!

Well, ...It seems I'm out of the picture now.  We have a new Runner UpLaugh  Unless Little Timmy wants to get in the competitionSmile, Wink & Grin  Our Little Timmy is one good looking long haired rocker if I do say so myselfYes

I'm out!

 

 

I met the Jack Link's Yeti guy over in Eau Claire Wisconsin at the 2019 Menards train show.  And No,  His name is not Darryl.

He came over shortly after our meeting early one Saturday afternoon to grill and have some beers with us guys.  That man's kindness is just as large as he is.  Nicest guy you'd ever want to meetYes

Lunch on a whim was good with Sasquatch.  But when a month-long plan is made for dinner in Minnesota and not kept.  Who needs dessert after being deserted? Laugh

 

 

 

TF

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Posted by Water Level Route on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 3:13 PM

Testing.

 Fire by Michael, on Flickr

I think I figured it out.  Don't use the insert image button provided in the header where you build your post.  I copied the "BB Code" info from Flickr and pasted it directly in line with the rest of this post's text and voila.  No more stupid box or "alt="" stuff.  How hard can it be? Laugh  I'll just have to remember to set the shared image size in flickr as I can't limit the size using this method.

Mike

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Posted by der5997 on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 2:18 PM

Water Level Route
Edit: Anybody know how to get rid of the little box that shows up before my photo, or the "alt=" stuff at the end? That info isn't in any of the text I paste from the flickr link.

Mike: Does flickr give your the option to "Copy Link" ? If so, try in your post [ IMG] (I put a space in there right after the [ so as to not have this post think it's dealing with an image!) then paste in the copied link from flickr, then [/IMG] (again without the space after the [ See if that helps.My 2 Cents

"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.

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Posted by der5997 on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 2:12 PM

NorthBrit
Had phone calls

David, it took a while this afternoon, but I had a very successful and pleasant couple of calls within Digikey about reistors I need to be able to run ditch lights from a Digitrax decoder in N Scale. The tech dept guy (another David) was very helpful and understanding; and found me just the surface mount package I need after quite a hunt - then Valerie in sales could not have been more charming and helpful. All this for an order the shipping for which is about 4 x the cost of the 10 resistors! Total shipped Fed-Ex just cents above $10. They won't get rich from this one order, but I'm putting it out there; a good company with whom to deal! Bow

"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.

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Posted by der5997 on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 2:02 PM

Water Level Route
Put gutters up on the garage today. Most of the house has gutters now. I'll get to the rest, eventually, I guess. Not in a big hurry, if you can't tell!

Mike, we've put water butts (aka large garbage cans) at every downspout we can manage for water for the garden. I'm told it's better for the plants, and watering cans fill way quicker by dipping than by waiting for a faucet to fill them!Idea

"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.

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Posted by NorthBrit on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 1:45 PM

Good evening Diners.   Just a quick visit.   A coffee, no milk, al little sugar please, Brunhida.

Had phone calls and visits.  I need a rest.  Yeah

 

Dinner  Halloumi Cheese with Dal.   A Naan Bread to 'mop up'.

 

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

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  • From: Ludington, MI
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Posted by Water Level Route on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 12:18 PM

York1
Those insects sound like they could fly away with small dogs.

Not just dogs.   Mosquito sign by Michael, on Flickr" alt="" />Laugh

Edit: Anybody know how to get rid of the little box that shows up before my photo, or the "alt=" stuff at the end?  That info isn't in any of the text I paste from the flickr link.

Mike

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Posted by BATMAN on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 11:57 AM

Good morning from the sunny Pacific Rim.

No flying insects out here on the coast, when the relatives from Winnipeg visit they can't get over how all the doors are just left open all day long. We have had the occasional Bat fly in at night but not often.

The people that did our kitchen were just here replacing six doors that were ever so slightly warped. They came in about a month ago for a final inspection and noticed them. The warp was so tiny I did not notice until they pointed it out.

   

 

Grrrr, the wife wants me to go to Costco with her, more later.

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 York1 on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 11:31 AM

Good late morning, diners.  Just coffee today.

I just got back from an office I have grown to dislike.  I can't believe that Medicare pays for that physical therapist to inflict pain on me.

David, thanks for the kind words.  Your wife sounds like she was a wonderful teacher.

Ed, you also must have had an interesting career working with GE.  Pretty amazing stuff with the mirrors.

Garry, I love E and F units, even if they're covered with ice and snow.

Bear, your picture of a Cornish Pastie and Kevin's picture of a Michigan Pasty look quite a bit different.  I would imagine they taste quite a bit different, too.

Brent, I kind of wanted to know the same thing.  Did they push the bus into the boxcar?  I can't imagine how a driver got out.  This reminded me of our tour bus in Alaska riding on a flatcar.

TF, it seems like it's always that way -- it's great to leave home on vacation, but it's always great to return home, too.  That is a nice photo of you two with the presidents.  Six great people!

Kevin, great pictures and wonderful trip.  It's no wonder many people in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin have screened-in porches instead of open decks.  Those insects sound like they could fly away with small dogs.  I imagine some pretty big areas of Canada have the same insect issues.

Not much going on today.  I going to sit in my recliner and recover from my morning.

Have a good day, everyone.

York1 John       

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 10:31 AM

Good morning ..... 

Kevin .... I'm glad to see your photos of the UP. It looks like you are enjoying it in spite of the insects. If you want to experience cold water, try swimming in Lake Superior ( I don't recommend it.) . ..... The CN track in the UP was originally Soo Line track which became Wisconsin Central track. CN acquired WC and there they are. I have been in the UP in the summer and in the winter. ..... I recall eating pasties, and they were good. 

Here is a sample of what the Upper Peninsula looks like in the winter. Milwaukee Road once ran passenger trains from Chicago to the UP. .

 

I spent a few days in Ironwood, MI in the winter. It is in the far west of the UP at the Wisonsin border. There was an amazing amount of snow. That winter, they had 5 snowstorms with each exceeding 3 feet of snow. The weatherman predicted snow flurries, and that meant a foot of snow. 

 

Brent ..... Interesting photo of the bus being unloaded from the boxcar. The bus driver must have been skinny to fit between the bus and the wall of the box car to get in the bus door. Smile

Ed .... The firetruck photo is also interesting. 

 

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by Doughless on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 10:07 AM

SeeYou190
I will never listen to another transplant-to-Florida complain about the bugs again! The bugs up here are insane! I saw butterflies twice as big as anything in Florida. Mosquitoes are everywhere. Biting flies the size of quarters attacked us several times.  Nope, Florida DOES NOT have the worst bugs in the country.

The bugs in MI are indeed bad.  Those biting flies are the worst.  Always needed lots of bug spray.

- Douglas

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Posted by Water Level Route on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 6:13 AM

Good morning diners!  Chloe, scrambled eggs and bacon please.

Ran a couple trains last night resetting the staging yards.  I haven't gone down to just run a couple trains in a while.  Seems like I always end up fiddling with something else.  It was nice.

TF, glad you made it home safely.

Kevin, good to see you had a pasty, but it's completely the wrong time of year for them.  Yours also looks a bit overdone.  I hope they gave you gravy to put on it, or at least some ketchup.  They are great in the winter, but can also be heavily dependent on the recipe.  Comfort food you know.  Did you go to Munising, and go on one of the Pictured Rocks boat tours?  Looks like at least one of your pics is from the water.  From what I recall, Miner's Castle looks more like a castle from the water.  Same with "Indian Head" and "Battleship Row".  Of course, you have to look with a little creativity in your eye, but that shouldn't be hard.  You are a model railroader after all.  June is also the worst month for bugs in the U.P.  The black flies tend to stop biting in July.  I agree though, they are pretty gnarly!

Cornish miners who migrated to work in Michigan’s Upper Peninsular in the 1800s, did introduce the Cornish Pastie to the local cuisine

We hosted three British soccer coaches one summer and they were asking for food that was unique to Michigan.  They were floored when I told them our unique to Michigan food came directly from England.

Have a great day gents!

Mike

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Posted by NorthBrit on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 4:02 AM

Good morning Diners.   Tea and toast please, Flo.

If the clouds clear it will be a warm day.

Lovely pictures posted by TF and Kevin.  Not keen on that crawley bug  thing though.

Was the motorcoach made to fit into the boxcar  or  the boxcar fit the motorcoach? Whistling

 

A minor family challenge today, so I had better help.

 

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

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Posted by gmpullman on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 2:38 AM

  

 

"So ya' say when you opened the doors a MOTORCOACH came out, eh?"

"Well it WAS a fire engine when we put it in there! It's still the red colour you ordered, eh?"

 

Cheers, Ed

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Posted by "JaBear" on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 2:06 AM
Gidday Chloe, Cornish Pasties all round, please! Dinner
 
Cornish by Bear, on Flickr
 
I’m well aware that American and British humour is different! That bad joke that was served to Kevin just proves the point! As I wrote over in the latest WPF, Kevin has been keeping us “entertained and informed”, and that is true in this case, as with a quick bit of research, I find that the Cornish miners who migrated to work in Michigan’s Upper Peninsular in the 1800s, did introduce the Cornish Pastie to the local cuisine and that a “proper” Michigan Pasty looks and, I suspect tastes, like the original. To be fair though I’ve never tasted a Cornish Cornish pastie.
  
"The pasty can still be found in a few American communities, but in some of them it has fallen on evil days."
-Cornwall's Legacy to American Mining, Part III C.H. Vivian
 
Thanks to both the travellers for sharing your respective journeys.
 
Thoughts and Best Wishes to All that need them. Kia Kaha.
Cheers, the Bear.Smile

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

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