Good evening diners.
EDIT - Guess I'm picking up tonights tab. Drink up on me guys!
Zoe - A coke flaot please. Thanks.
Ads - As the ads have been "less than family friendly" a lot more often, and far too intrusive, I have now enabled AdBlock, yes even here. If Kalmbach wants ad revenue, then Kalmbach can control what ads are permitted on their page. Otherwise, zero ads for me.
Dave - Thank you for the update from Ulrich. It is a big tragedy that so many were impacted by what amounts to a combination of poor planning and climate change.
Brent - The "brush thingy" almost looks like a cleaner for a powered third rail. But I was unaware they would have that need?
Garry - Nice E pic.
Continuing the months theme - The main lines in my area are CSX (ex NYC) and NS (ex NKP). There are a few good places to railfan, from the afore-mentioned Museum, to a railfan park located along US 20 in Harborcreek, to a few grade crossings throughout the area with ample places to park. I tend to use the same four locations a lot, being a grade crossing in Harbocreek with both NS, CSX, and EEC tracks, (East Erie Commercial, whose tracks GE {now WABTEC} uses to test locomotives on), to the railfan park, to the museum, to a crossing near the NY/PA border in North East, depending on exactly who or what I am after.
Today, I ended up making a trip trackside in North East, to that mentioned crossing, in hopes of catching NS train 206, a daily intermodal from Chicago IL to Buffalo NY. Today's leader was UP 1989, the Rio Grande Heritage unit.
UP 1989 by Richard W, on Flickr
I, along with a few other railfans, were successful in seeing her.
This location has the single track NS (ex NKP) line at grade, with a wooden (steel girder underneath) bridge that goes over top of the CSX 2 track main, with just enough clearance for double stacks and autoracks. (Just inches to spare.) It is located in Grape Country, with vinyards all around.
While there, I found out that CSX Q368 had a Indiana RR BigMac in her consist, and was able to catch her as well.
Indiana Railroad BigMac by Richard W, on Flickr
This freight had quite the assortment of railfan goodies in her.
Jade Green Boxcar by Richard W, on Flickr
From this Jade Green Boxcar, to a set of other "fallen flag" cars, two of which are pictured below.
Rock Island Hopper 2021 by Richard W, on Flickr
MP Screaming Eagle Boxcar by Richard W, on Flickr
There was also a set of Wisconsin Central Boxcars as well, along with several types of tankcars, a pair of autoracks, a extended hieght open top hopper, several other covered hoppers, numerous boxcars, and loaded centerbeam lumber cars.
This area frequently sees Heritage and special paint units, and I will share a few more throughout the remainder of the month.
Hope all are well, and all enjoy the evening!
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
Heartland Division CB&QOther ads that are annoying are pop up ads on this site. I try to click on something and an instant before I do that, the page jumps down and I click on the ad.
Hi Garry,
I suggest that you try Adblock Plus. It is free and it works extremely well. I never have pop ups on my computer, regardless of the website.
https://adblockplus.org/
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Good day Diners. A large coffee please, Chloe.
A chicken is cooked for lunch. Granddaughter number 2 is here, so tuck in before she does.
Tyneside Metro
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
Good morning all. Why am I up this early?
Chloe, I need coffee, and lots of it.
I have a headache today, the first headache I have had in months. Boy-oh-boy do I hope it goes away.
I doubt I will do anything on the house today, I do not see my heart being into that kind of effort today.
I hope everyone is feeling better than I am.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Hi Everyone,
Wow! You think you didn't post for a couple of days and half the month has passed.
John (York1): To somewhat answer you question about McKeen cars, yes, the UP did use them at least on the Solomon and Plainville branches on the Kansas Division. There may have been more, but I at least know about those two. They were in use up until around the demise of steam on the division in 1954. I do not remember ever seeing one, but then I was young enough I wouldn't have known what it was.
Last weekend my wife and I drove up to a place in Wisconsin and observed our 43rd anniversary at a quiet serene B&B and just relaxed! We'd been on the go so much over the last few years, we just needed a break. Wisconsin is beautiful in the summer. Lush green everywhere. Winter? Eeenh, not so much! It's weird in that there's these 5 star type restaurants out in the middle of nowhere and they're packed. You have to have reservations. Good trip.
Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)
Good evening Diners. A glass of whatever anyone wants, Janie. Put it on my bill.
Kevin. I hope you are feeling much better.
A favorite train journey of mine built by the North British Railway.
Pork, Mash Potatoes and Roasted Vegetables.
Happy Neil Armstrong Walk On the Moon day. I remember being herded into our elementary school gym/auditorium to watch Alan Shepherd do what Jeff Bezos did, except with a lot more risk. Glad to see Mercury Astronaut Wally Funk got her chance to go weightless.
Space was a big deal to a kid growing up in the 60's I was a freshman in college and we all went to the student union to watch Armstrong. I went to FIT as a freshman and we went to every launch, no matter what it was. The night launches lit the sky up enough to read a book, they were the best. Of course as poor college kids, we were 5 miles away, at least.
Sputnick circling the earth was a big deal because the Russians were ahead of us. We showed them and replaced a pencil with a several hundred thousand dollar ink pen that would write in zero gravity.
I would say any 19 year old kid that has his dad buy the first commercial ticket into space is probably irreparably spoiled.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
NorthBritKevin. I hope you are feeling much better.
Thank you for the well-wishes.
Unfotunately, my head has been pounding all day. I hope it goes away with some slumber.
The World Is A Beautiful Place.
Good morning Diners. A large coffee, no milk please, Chloe.
A warm, cloudy day today.
'The Great Gathering for the Long Goodbye' at Locomotion, Shildon. 2014
The Great Goodbye at Locomotion, the National Railway Museums annexe in Shildon, County Durham, was the last NRM event to bring together all six surviving Gresley A4 Pacific locomotives in a year of celebrations commemorating the 75th anniversary of 4468 Mallard setting the world speed record for steam traction. Three of the six still run. This film shows 4464 Bittern on her way and getting settled at Shildon. The weather was too awful (for me anyway) to go and film 60009 Union of South Africa arriving with Mallard and 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley managed to evade the attention of the website that was supposed to be following it and got there before I even left the house but there's some footage of the preparations then all three runners on brake-van rides during the event.
Hello & Welcome to the 1st video collection of 2019 from Harnetty Railways In this video we look back over the last 4 years between 2014 & 2018 of pacifics at speed of The London & North Eastern Railway.
We featuring 5 pacifics The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust's A1 pacific 60163 Tornado. designed by Arthor Peppercorn the last chief mechanical engineer of the LNER. Arguably the world's most famous steam locomotive The National Railway Museum's A3 pacific 60103 Flying Scotsman designed by Sir Nigel Gresley.
Finally locos we review are Sir Nigel Gresley's masterpiece design The A4 pacifics which 3 out of the 6 preserved examples we see in action in this video. The A4 Preservation Society's 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley named after the 1st chief mechanical engineer of the LNER. Jeremy Hosking's 4464 Bittern & John Cameron's 60009 Union of South Africa or better known by enthusiasts as number 9. 60163 Tornado The Boarder Raider in July 2014 when the A1 was in BR Experiential blue livery. The A1 in Scotland in June 2015 in BR Express passenger lined Apple Green. Tornado on The Western Mainline in August 2016 along the seawall at Dawlish. Tornado on the WCML in the Midlands between Rugeley & Litchfield in November 2017. 60103 Flying Scotsman The Inaugural run through Doncaster from Kings Cross during it's 1st run in BR Express Passenger lined green since returning to steam in February 2016.
Action on the East Coast & West Coast Mainline aswell as along the Tyne Valley route towards Newcaste from Carlisle in 2016 & 2018. Finally from the A3 The Settle & Carlisle reopening train heading south in March 2017. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley At Northallerton during the A4's last run in July 2015 on the mainline before overhaul. 4464 Bittern On the WCML from Crewe & through Doncaster at Night on the ECML. 60009 Union of South Africa In fine fettle through Doncaster in May 2014. WCML action between 2014 & 2017 including taking part in the 50th Anniversary of The Scottish Lowlander tour. Thanks for reading enjoy the collection of LNER Pacifics at speed. #LNERPacifics#60103FlyingScotsman#60009UnionofSouthAfrica
Thankfully a good night of sleep did wonders for me.
The headache is gone, and I feel very good this morning.
I believe this will be a very productive day.
Chloe, please bring me coffee, a glass of milk, and three eggs scrambled with cheese.
Big Daddy: We lived in Galveston during the Mercury and Gemini days; space was a big thing. I can remember we even skipped going to Sunday School and church once to watch a launch on TV (we never missed Sunday School or church, even when going out of town).
Kevin: Glad you are feeling better. Hope you do constructive things today.
Our home improvement project has officially begun. Professional painters came yesterday to paint the cabinets in the kitchen and laundry room. Hopefully the counter top people can come in next week; followed by flooring folks for the entire upstairs. I am thinking I might be able to start work in the train room after the floors get done.
Tin Can IIOur home improvement project has officially begun. Professional painters came yesterday to paint the cabinets in the kitchen and laundry room. Hopefully the counter top people can come in next week; followed by flooring folks for the entire upstairs.
My home improvement began in 2017 with my kitchen.
I am close to done now... I am so excited... Train room is within reach!
Good morning everybody ....
Coffee and a donut to go. I will post very birefly this time.
Kevin .... Your home improvements are very impressive. Perhaps, som,e day you can work on a train layout. With your quality of work, it will be a good one.
Yesterday's cardiologits appointmnt went well. My heart condition is stabilized for now, and I am thankful for that.
As Kevin says: The world is a beautiful place. This is last night's sunset viewed from our house.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Good evening Diners. A large coffee please, Brunhilda.
Garry. Good news. Good news indeed.
Kevin. Don't overdo things now you feel better.
Limey Chicken with Sweetcorn, Mangetout and Courette. Not sure what kind of potatoes to do.
Those missing, a speedy return if it is your wish.
Thoughts & Peace to All who Require.
Just checking in.
Garry : Glad your Dr stuff came out good.
That red sunset caused by wildfire smoke.
moelarrycurly4 That red sunset caused by wildfire smoke.
Yep... We have a "Air Quality Alert" over in NW PA from it.... Not so good when you have Asthma... But the red sunrise and sunsets are neat to see.
Here is one from the last time this happened, last fall.
Sun through Wildfire Smoke by Richard W, on Flickr
No, no special filters or photoshop was done.
But I'm staying in as much as possible today, being that you can actually smell the smoke here this time, so I'm not terrible yet...
Garry - Glad your Dr has given the "high greens".
Kevin - As someone who now suffers from migraines, post COVID, I feel your pain with the headache. Glad it's better.
I will be hanging around a bit today, so everyone who wishes may have a float with me. I will just hang in the corner booth for any who wish to join. (I'm editing the Indiana RR Big Mac vid on my laptop... And it is taking it's good ol' sweet time....)
EDIT - Got the Rio Grande one completed last night, here it is for those interested.
This was during a rainstorm a week ago
And this was this morning. The mountains in the center visible above the white clouds above are gone. There is no smell to it.
[quote] There is no smell to it. [/quote ] Good late afternoon from the Northumberland shore of Nova Scotia to which the air quality advisory has been extended. Sort of hazy, and odourless, but working outside, as I did this afternoon is a bit more of a strain even though the humidity of the past few days has diminished. The outdoor work was to put in stakes and netting around and over a blackcureant bush before the birds get the berries. This morning both starlings and jays were eyeing them!
I've been slowly filing off molding lines and rough spots from a Peco 0-6-0 tank loco shell prior to painting. This will be a second loco for my Nn3 section of the layout. The fitrst was dark blue, this light blue. Photos in due course. TTFN
"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.
Good evening all. A glass of Oban Smoky please, Chloe. Whatever anyone else wants this round put it on my bill.
Just popping in for a quiet evening relaxing.
Some great pictures being posted.
Good afternoon all from the sunny as usual Pacific rim.
Spent the morning at meetings at the bank and with the lawyer, pure joy.
The truck is coming up on 21 years old and it gets a bath once a year whether it needs it or not. It looks pretty good for 21.
Daughter is gearing up to get back to University and I will have to put the top back on for the big move. 3000PSI works wonders.
British Columbia had a few RRs running around the Province there was lots of room for them to do so.
One railroad that was built in Southern BC to ward off the Pacific Northerns incursion was the Kettle Vally Railroad. It is a very popular modeling choice in BC. Vancouver Hobbies made KVR brass.
There is a tremendous amount of info online about it so I won't add anything but a few photos.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kettle_Valley_Railway
An incredible number of trestles (many curved) and tunnels on this RR. A modelers dream.
The KVR is now a great bike trip that will take you several days. You can camp along the way or there are B&Bs you can plan to stop at along the way. That is more my speed these days. It is on my bucket list.
https://www.thevintagenews.com/2016/01/27/48932/
Here we were driving part of the roadbed West of Rock Creek.
Garry, glad to hear your heart test showed things have improved. Your photo looks like you have fire smoke there.
So far we have been spared heavy smoke, we are keeping our fingers crossed that clean air will continue. There are 301 fires in the Province right now. Usually, we get hundreds of firefighters from Australia and New Zealand up to help, covid has put a halt to that plan this year. We are getting some in from Mexico so that will help.
I hear Virgin Galactic is selling lottery tickets for a trip to space for $10.00 each. I can't find where to buy them, I WANT ONE!
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."
Howdy ....
Ricky, David, MLC, Brent, and anybody I missed: .... Thanks for commenting about my news concerning my appointment with the cardiologist.
MLC ...... I believe you are correct about the unusual sunset being the result of wildfire smoke. I heard the massive wildfires in Western States have smoke being carried high in the atmosphere across the country. Air quality is affected in Eastern States.
Brent ..... Your 21 year old truck looks great. My truck is 19 years old and should last many more.
Der John .... It sounds like you have a fun locomotive project. It will be very small, evidently.
Everybody ..... have a good night.
Good morning
Not a whole lot going on with me in Mn lately. Been doing some work on the Stang in the morning while it's still cool out, then moving indoors working on a new bridge for the layout. I prefer the air conditioning in the afternoon
I'm learning more about forest fires than I ever really wanted to know before. Apparently there's over two hundred of them in northern Minnesota that is normally around 50 but later in the season. The lack of our typical spring snow storms and early hot weather with the lack of rain has certainly been unfortunate this year.
We had a smoke canopy drift across the state yesterday that was rather thick and heavy. The smell was strong as my ear popped with my scratchy throat and watery eyes caused me to move indoors. It's supposed to blow back north and dissipate today thanks to a southern front.
I usually don't watch the news at night but flipping through the channels I stopped and seen the railroads are helping with the fires out west. They have 70,000 gallon water tank cars with hoses that spray up to 70 feet trying to contain the fires along the lines.
Thanks Union Pacific and others
Thanks for all the pictures and videos here. It's always fun to see the different running equipment from across the pond David. I really liked the Timber Trestles and the Cannonball Johnny Cash video Brent
My truck at 17 years old and the same color as yours, sometimes only gets a bath once a year too Except in the winter when it's salty
The perfect color to hide dirt! The truck looks clean even when it's not
Those migraines ain't no fun Kevin as I have a problem with those sometimes. Happy to hear yours finally went away!
I'm glad to hear you had good news with the cardiologist Garry
Make it a great day gentleman
TF
Good morning everbody.
I got a lot done yesterday. I should be ready to hang drywall starting Saturday. Once the drywall is up around my wife's new closet, my house will look more like a house again. There will be no more construction visible from the living room.
I feel good again this morning, even though I did not get much sleep last night.
The weather map makes it look like the whole country is one big Florida. It sure is hot everywhere, many places hotter than we are.
My truck is only 13 years old, I hope to get 6-7 more years out of it before I buy my last truck. My next truck will be for touring, not working.
The bed of my current truck has had a rough life.
Good afternoon Diners. A large coffee please, Chloe.
Just popping in to post this film.
Llangollen Railway, is back running trains again!! After part of the business running the railway went into administration earlier this year, the railway ran its first train again on Friday 9th July. Now run by the Llangollen Railway Trust, and after a lot of hard work, the first train, DMU, class 108 ran from Llangollen to Berwyn ( 2 of the most picturesque stations in the country). Great to be back for a ride on the hourly service, on Saturday, the day after opening. Seen are a few clips of , and from, the Derby light weight DMU, between the 2 stations. To add to the video, more excitement and fun to be seen on the river!! Also seen are clips of the 16th century bridge over the River Dee covered in a giant patchwork to mark the return of the Eisteddfod music festival, and finally a few shots of the nearby Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, which carries the Llangollen canal high above the River Dee,. A massive Congratulations to all involved in getting the railway operatioal again !! 10th July 2021
Enjoy.
York1 The diner feels good again. The space-time continuum has returned to normal.
The diner feels good again. The space-time continuum has returned to normal.
I had to go dust the cobwebs off of this one and bring it back up to the top. I laughed my butt off when I read this
If somehow the space-time continuum was restored again, it is currently out of balance once more now that John has been missing here recently.
I like York1 and wish he would restore the continuum by posting here again soon
Track fiddlerMy truck at 17 years old and the same color as yours, sometimes only gets a bath once a year too Except in the winter when it's salty
TF: What brand is that bed topper on your truck? It looks good.
Good morning from the beautiful West Coast where it is still sunny with no smoke.
TF your truck looks in great shape. Mine is a little more beat up, but if you have seen where we have taken it over the years I am surprised it is in as good of shape as it is. If we decide to get back into RVing I will have to buy a new truck to go with the new trailer. The wife wants a big motorhome bus type and a tow behind small vehicle to go on the dog show circuit with. First off, I hate dog shows, second if I did go to a dog show I want a truck tough enough to go explore the backcountry while she is at the show. Not some little powder puff SUV. A truck and trailer allows me to dump her at the show and take off into the wilderness. I did this often with this truck and our old trailer.
We went on a 6-week long dog show trip and I was gone early every morning to explore. It was a good trip as there was lots for me to do.
This B.C.Rail loco is far from home in Beaumont Texas.
Lakes played a large part in Canadian Pacific B.C. operations with plenty of barges and tugs doing duty across the Southern portion of the Province. Sternwheelers were a major link for goods and people as well.
The Sicamous is now a Museum in Penticton and the lower deck has a large MRR of the Kettle Valley Railroad.
The Moyie is a Museum in Kaslo where I spent many summers and would hang out. It also has a MRR layout in it.
Here is a model of a Sternwheeler RR meet. I have lost the owner's info, but I believe he has passed away and the layout no longer exists.
http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrains/CPR/ships/LandR/history.htm
I don't know how many sternwheelers Canadian Pacific owned but there were quite a few. They were all over B.C. and the Yukon. Many are preserved as museums in small towns.
Good evening Diners.
A little music.
Freddie Starr.
BATMANThe wife wants a big motorhome bus type and a tow behind small vehicle to go on the dog show circuit with.
I am going to suggest your wife is right.
We had several customers that attempted to do dog shows with a tow behind, and sometimes the generator or air conditioner would fail while being towed with disasterous results. I could share heartbreaking sob stories. Not to mention, dogs are not really safe in a tow behind, even in a crate.
Get a good class A, I would always recommend either a Fleetwood American Series, or Newmar Essex.
I had an American Independence, and always longed for an Essex. If I had a place to park it that I owned, I would still have a class A.
Are Fleetwood "Americans" called "Canadians" north of the border? I know Blue Bird changes the name of their American Series buses sold in Canada.
If there are any Motor Home snobs among us, I know the "real" RV'ers do not consider the Independence to be an Fleetwood American Series Coach, but tough, I do.
SeeYou190BATMAN The wife wants a big motorhome bus type and a tow behind small vehicle to go on the dog show circuit with. I am going to suggest your wife is right. We had several customers that attempted to do dog shows with a tow behind, and sometimes the generator or air conditioner would fail while being towed with disasterous results. I could share heartbreaking sob stories. Not to mention, dogs are not really safe in a tow behind, even in a crate.
The dogs are always in the truck with us when we tow. It is really unsafe for them in a trailer for all the reasons you mentioned. Plus we keep a close eye on them at all times.
We were heading to Alberta once and one of the dogs got into serious medical distress. The wife got on the phone to a vet hospital in the next town some twenty-five km up the highway and told them we were coming just as they were about to close for the day. We pulled in and the staff met us in the parking lot with the cart and the vet at the hospital told my wife that the operating room was ready and all hers. We were there until midnight and carried on to the campsite with all the IVs plugged into the dog. He recovered nicely, but it was a significant surgical invasion as I like to call it.
The Vet was delighted to meet my wife as he had talked to her on the phone in the past and had referred many patients to her hospital down here on the coast for specialized surgery.
We will get one of these for the dogs if we get a new truck, it really protects them well.
We just got this kennel for our new Highlander, I think it was about $1600.00 special order from Sweden.
When you are married to a Veterinary Surgeon that was on call constantly, heartbreak is a common theme. The phone would ring in the middle of the night and I would often get the punch in the arm with a "Let's go". I was a pretty good anesthesiologist (SP?)
Sometimes the staff had not arrived yet and she could not wait. I have also had my hands inside animals holding them together while the wife would be working on other things.