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Jeffrey's Trackside Diner: August, 2021!

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pav
  • Member since
    March 2009
  • From: Bronx, NY
  • 66 posts
Posted by pav on Thursday, August 12, 2021 4:59 AM
Thanks again Ed. Maybe it's the wheel and body arrangement of the engine, but there's just something about those P-motors that gives the impression of a lot of power. Eric
pav
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    March 2009
  • From: Bronx, NY
  • 66 posts
Posted by pav on Thursday, August 12, 2021 5:16 AM
Oops, top of the page. You folks are welcome to have whatever you like, on me. On a more serious note, Kevin, I just read your post about your sister-in-law, and would like to offer my thoughts and prayer for you and your family, to give you the strength to get thru this. Eric
  • Member since
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  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
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Posted by gmpullman on Thursday, August 12, 2021 5:24 AM

Glad you liked the photos, Eric!

These little S motors were still running when I went to Gotham City back in the early '70s, too:

 NYC133 by Edmund, on Flickr

I duplicated a similar scene on the layout:

 IMG_6943_fix by Edmund, on Flickr

 Century_back by Edmund, on Flickr

Dee Ann (wife's) mother died of Covid complications back in February. She was only supposed to stay in a care facility for a few days of rehab but had contracted the virus from inside the facility. Within two days she had declined to the point where she was going to be placed on a ventilator. The doctor called family members in to ask mom if she wanted the ventilator and she declined. She died within the hour.

Seems to me this Covid thing should be taken seriously.

Regards, Ed

pav
  • Member since
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  • From: Bronx, NY
  • 66 posts
Posted by pav on Thursday, August 12, 2021 5:38 AM
Amen to that!!!
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Posted by Water Level Route on Thursday, August 12, 2021 5:54 AM

Morning all.  Flo, black coffee and cinnamon raisin toast please.

Kevin, I'm terribly sorry to hear about your sister-in-law.  My thoughts are with you and your wife.  In regards to the Sony trinitron, about that same vintage I had a Panasonic Tau HDTV quite similar to your Sony that I loved.  One day it wouldn't turn on and several calls to TV repair places all yielded the same answer.  Not worth fixing.  Throw it away.  I was disgusted, but they were right.  The Sony I bought that was two years newer drastically outperformed it.  A few years ago I finally upgraded from that still working Sony to a new one.  I spent a little lot more than $400, but WOW!  I love it! Big Smile

Glad to see that lumber prices have returned to earth.  Maybe I get to complete a couple of the projects I've been waiting on after all.

Cheers guys.

Mike

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • From: Flyover Country
  • 5,557 posts
Posted by York1 on Thursday, August 12, 2021 8:45 AM

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

David, I hope you and Dawn have a great voyage.  I'm ready to go on another trip, but my wife wants to stay home.

My wife's father had a 32-inch Sony Trinitron when he died.  When the family went through his house, I said I would take the TV no one else wanted.  They loaded it into the truck.  When I got home, I couldn't get it out and into the house.  It weighed a ton!  I finally made a ramp out of boards and slid it out of the truck, up the porch steps, and across the floor.  It quit working several years later.  That was the best picture of any of the old-style TVs before flat screens.

I have a doctor's appointment today for a physical, so I'm going to cut the grass now.  I will get two unpleasant things done today.

On display at North Platte, Nebraska:

Have a good day, everyone.

York1 John       

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Thursday, August 12, 2021 9:06 AM

Good morning .... 

Ed .... I'm very sorry lo lern you MIL passed away in February. ... I like your NEw York Central photos. 

John York 1 ..... The UP CHallenger looks good in the gray paint scheme. 

Eric ... It's good to see you here in the Diner. 

...

A few days ago I posted an image of the steam locomotive that hauled trains in St Clair Tunnel in the 1890's. The St.Clair Tunnel connected Port Huron, Michigan with Sarnia, Ontario.  .... The tunnel was later electrified . Here is a picture of the tunnel in 1905. 

 

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by CNCharlie on Thursday, August 12, 2021 10:35 AM

Good Morning,

Garry, thanks for the photo of the tunnel in Port Huron. When I lived in Sarnia I could see that entrance from my apartment that was right on the river. Mind you it was quite a distance away as the river is very wide there.

Just back from the dentist, first time in over a year. No problems just a cleaning. 

We had a decent rain on Monday and a few showers since. Today is cool but the heat will be back on Sunday.

TF, nice cabinet you made. 

Coffee time again.

CN Charlie

 

 

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Posted by NorthBrit on Thursday, August 12, 2021 12:23 PM

Good evening all.   A large coffee please, Flo.

Ready to go on vacation tomorrow.

 

I'll leave you with this film.

 

Nothing beats an early morning walk on a fresh, beautiful sunlight winters day in the town of Bo'ness there's always something of interest on your journey to entertain you with lovely views to the hills of Fife, The Kinneil Nature Reserve, ships & boats sailing on the Firth of Forth, the Bo'ness and Kinneil Steam Railway, and Museum. The John Muir Way with its flat tarmac paths designed for everyone to use, passing through countryside, coastal towns, cities and villages.

Back a week Saturday.

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
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Thursday, August 12, 2021 2:16 PM

York1
My wife's father had a 32-inch Sony Trinitron when he died.  When the family went through his house, I said I would take the TV no one else wanted.  They loaded it into the truck.  When I got home, I couldn't get it out and into the house.  It weighed a ton! 

My trinitron had the black flat high definition tube. That was really something when I bought it.

I don't know how much it weighed, but it was a Herculean task to put it onto a shelf.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

pav
  • Member since
    March 2009
  • From: Bronx, NY
  • 66 posts
Posted by pav on Thursday, August 12, 2021 2:29 PM

Thanks Garry!

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Thursday, August 12, 2021 2:34 PM

CNCharlie

 

Garry, thanks for the photo of the tunnel in Port Huron. When I lived in Sarnia I could see that entrance from my apartment that was right on the river. Mind you it was quite a distance away as the river is very wide there.

 

CN Charlie

 

 

 

 

Charlie ..... You are welcome. It is intersting you once lived in Sarnia. 

 

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
  • 10,660 posts
Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Thursday, August 12, 2021 2:34 PM

pav

Thanks Garry!

 

 

You are welocme. 

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 Thursday, August 12, 2021 2:53 PM

I missed out.

Brasstrains Dot Com sold this three unit factory plated unlettered Zephyr set for $100.00!

It does not run, and they graded it really low, but it is not dropped, broken, bent, or missing pieces.

This would have been a wonderful addition to the photo prop roster.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Thursday, August 12, 2021 9:22 PM

Thank you for your condolences, Garry.

Before we close out 1900 to 1950:

 B&O, Dayton, Ohio, 1955 by Center for Railroad Photography & Art, on Flickr

 GTW, Chicago, Illinois, 1941 by Center for Railroad Photography & Art, on Flickr

Looks like an Alco, USRA Mike:

 RUT by Center for Railroad Photography & Art, on Flickr

Have a good evening, folks.

Regards, Ed

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Thursday, August 12, 2021 10:16 PM

My sister in law was moved to hospice today.

I went down with my wife. She could not see her when she was in the hospital, my niece was the only family member allowed in.

My poor wife was completely torn up after seeing her.

My nephew is flying back from Atlanta tonight. He was here for eight days and was never allowed to see his mother.

Her kidneys have completely shut down, and her liver is failing as well.

I am not going to share anymore updates, but I will let you know when the end comes.

Thank you to everyone for all the kind thoughts over that past several days.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
  • 10,660 posts
Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Thursday, August 12, 2021 11:17 PM

Kevin ... Your news is very, very sad.  Praying for your SIL, your wife, you, and your family. 
Angel

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 Thursday, August 12, 2021 11:48 PM

Garry, Thank you again for your very kind sentiments.

-  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -

I am going to try to shift around to good times.

I found another interesting photograph in the collection of family mementoes. This one shows me walking through the door of our bedroom in the duplex.

The great thing about this picture is that I can accurately date it. On the desk is the Bretonnian General for my first Warhammer army. It has just started the painting process. This figure was a special bonus addition to the first releases of the 5th edition boxed set in 1996, so I am sure this picture is from that year.

On the right side of the picture is my model building desk I had in the bedroom. You can see my hobby books, paints, supplies, plastic Plano tool box, Evergreen strip plastic, all of it.

I spent hours upon hours there building models and painting figures. This was my happy spot to retreat to get away from the world.

On one of the shelves is an N scale Walthers Red Wing Milling Company that I painted orange and added smokestacks to. This was for N scale SGRR layout number 3, but it was never installed on the layout. That layout was gone by this time. I wonder how long I kept it?

On the left is the real gem. That is the first HO scale STRATTON AND GILLETTE layout underneath the clear plastic drop cloth. It looks like trees, scenery, and the backdrop are already done. I guess I built it faster than I remember.

You can see how the layout floated out from the wall with no visible support underneath. This was done with five 1/2" steel rods welded to 1/8" bar stock that were screwed into the wall studs. It looked really good.

Maybe someday I will find some good pictures of it to share.

Sorry for the gray censorship box. I was wearing shorty shorts that were way too tight. Nobody wants to see that.

1996 was the best year. We had good cash flow, so money and bills were not a concern. My oldest daughter was 17, and she had met Rick who would be the love of her life. She was so happy. My middle daughter was 7 and absolutely perfect. She was the happiest little girl that ever existed. My youngest was still a baby. She loved her mother and oldest sister so much. She did not seem to really care for me or her other sister.

If there was one point in time where I could spend eternity, 1996 would be it.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    February 2015
  • From: Ludington, MI
  • 1,862 posts
Posted by Water Level Route on Friday, August 13, 2021 5:56 AM

Good morning everybody.  Janie, a black coffee in a large Pere Marquette mug please. (nod to cedarwood ron(I think), if you're still out there)  Also thinking about cudaken this morning.  With lumber prices finally coming back down, hoping you're able to get your roof done if it isn't already.  Also hoping dirk pip is good too.  

Glad they are forecasting a drop in the heat & humidity.  I've got some work to do outside this weekend, starting with building a kind of trellis for our grapevines to grow on.  Doesn't take much heavy lifting, but last weekend I had to dig a couple small trenches to bury some hardware cloth into the ground around the ramp into our shed to keep the bunnies out from under there (and our dogs consequently digging away trying to get at the bunnies).  I was soaked in sweat after a couple shovels full.  It wasn't that warm temp wise, but with 85% humidity...  Yeesh!

Outside of that, not sure what other kind of trouble I'll get into.  Hopefully it's fun though!

Cheers!

Mike

  • Member since
    March 2021
  • 260 posts
Posted by Tin Can II on Friday, August 13, 2021 8:45 AM

Kevin:  I can offer nothing but good thoughts and prayers for your S-I-L and your family.  

Our kitchen renovation project is in full destructo mode; old counters were torn out yesterday, new counters and sink go in today.  Plumbing Monday.  Waiting for a new 220 line for the 36" gas/electric stove.  Electrician was a no show yesterday.  

After the kitchen is done, painting begins, and then new flooring for the entire upper floor, 2200 s/f.  Some of the better carpet will be moved downstairs to what will be the media room.

This weekend is student move-in and orientation; so I am working Saturday and Sunday.  I have worked scores of orientations before, but never as a VP/CFO.  I enjoy talking to parents/students, so it will be fun.

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Posted by York1 on Friday, August 13, 2021 8:52 AM

Good morning, diners.  Just black coffee today.

Eric, nice to see you in the diner!

Tin Can, it sounds like you will be busy with work and with house remodeling.  Have fun.

Mike, I know what you mean about the humidity.  The good news here is that this morning, we are cooler and the humidity is a lot lower.  I will be able to work out in my shed without drinking gallons of water.

There's not much on the schedule for today.  Here's a photo of a train display at a museum about 50 miles west of me.  This Baldwin lets kids climb up to see the cab and all the complicated dials and handles.  Kids also get to see inside the caboose, which seems to hold more interest for them than the locomotive.

Hoping everyone in the diner stays healthy and in good shape.

 

York1 John       

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
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Posted by gmpullman on Friday, August 13, 2021 8:59 AM

Friday the 13th! Good Morning Wink

A little something to think about on your morning commute to that desk job Whistling

Next time I'm struggling to get a screw through a Kadee coupler box I'll remember how easy these guys line up bolt holes!

Cheers, Ed

  • Member since
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  • From: Kentucky
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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Friday, August 13, 2021 9:09 AM

Howdy .... 

Today is August 13, and I have much to be thankful for. On this date in 2008, I had serious heart issues. I was flown by helicopter to the hospital in Nashville, TN. My heart stopped beating 6 times. Thankfully, I already had an implantted difibrillator which saved me each time. I have had congestive heart failure now for about 20 years. Also thankfully, doctors have been able to control my condition, and my life is mostly normal. Life is precious. 

Everybody ...... Have a good day. Smile

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • From: Flyover Country
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Posted by York1 on Friday, August 13, 2021 10:02 AM

North Platte, Nebraska, canteen ladies giving soldiers and sailors a basket of food on a UP train, 1943.

 

York1 John       

  • Member since
    April 2002
  • From: Paducah KY
  • 1,183 posts
Posted by moelarrycurly4 on Friday, August 13, 2021 10:24 AM

Greetings from my Southern command.

We made a trip to our Mississippi house to get away for a few days.

Of course it is hot here, but I don't care, I am not at work.

 

Kevin, Thoughts and prayers to you family during this difficult time.

 

  • Member since
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Posted by York1 on Friday, August 13, 2021 11:32 AM

Before we leave 1900-1950 ... Railroads were so very important to the war effort in WWII:

 

York1 John       

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
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Posted by gmpullman on Friday, August 13, 2021 11:48 AM

York1
Railroads were so very important to the war effort in WWII:

Indeed:

 PRR_1942-merge-sm by Edmund, on Flickr


 

 

If I might step back to 1912 for a moment?

 

Didn't this train have a bit higher clientele last time I rode it?

 Dog_Train by Edmund, on Flickr

Maybe those pups got something there?

 PLE_PGH-handcar-1 by Edmund, on Flickr

Cheers, Ed

  • Member since
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  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
  • 9,352 posts
Posted by BATMAN on Friday, August 13, 2021 3:07 PM

Good afternoon from the hot smokey West Coast. We are probably a 100km from the closest fires but ash is falling from the sky today. Had to go out yesterday and caught this temp in the car. This is the first bad smoke we have had this year.

 

In the last 126 years Vancouver has only recorded 30 days of over 30c temps, so far this year alone we have had 7 days of over 30c. Between Covid, fires, and heat, mother nature is sure doing some house cleaning. Billions of sea creatures along the coast have died off due to the heat.

83% have had the first vaccine so we are getting there.

I was supposed to play a round of golf with the kid tomorrow but if the smoke is this bad we will likely bag it.

I started dismantling our master bathroom, it is the only one in the house I have not done and is the largest by far. The wife wants a total re-design so we are moving ahead slowly on it. Fortunately, the kid's bathroom is just as close and my daughter is off to University in two weeks so we will use that one.

Garry, glad to hear your Heart condition has been manageable over the years. Heart disease is prevalent on both sides of the family for me. Obesity and smoking were part of it I am sure. I am really fit and it will be interesting to see how much of a difference it will make for me in the long run.

I bought a Sony XBR 34" in 1987. I had it a long time and it did not owe me anything. That thing was heavy. I replaced it with a Sony XBR/XRD 50" and I am just waiting for that one to pack it in as it is getting long in the tooth, it must be 15 years old. I will likely get a 75" when the time comes. 

We went to check on my wife's brother's house as he is away on a long vacation. They have acres of wooded property with a stream running through it. Even with this unusually long dry spell, the stream was just as high as it always is. We just sat in the cool of the forest on the edge of the stream for a while, it was enjoyable relief from the heat.

 

Canadian-Pacific-Merchant-Navy-Class-21-C5

 

http://journal.sciencemuseum.ac.uk/browse/issue-10/uncovering-the-secrets-of-canadian-pacific/ 

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."

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, August 13, 2021 3:29 PM

Wow... now this is one I really hope I have more pictures of.

In the early 1990s, before I switched to HO scale, Rick of "Rick's Handy Hobby" in Fort Myers Shores asked me to build a small N scale layout for the store counter.

He provided all the material, and in return, I was guaranteed all new N scale Micro-Trains releases at cost for as long as I wanted.

Micro-trains freight cars for 50% off.. who could say no to that deal!

Today I found this picture of the layout under construction.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • 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 Friday, August 13, 2021 7:53 PM

Just went for a two-hour walk with the dog in this heat and smoke. I think I lost ten pounds in sweat. It was eerie as I did not see or hear a soul the whole time.

The end is nigh!Laugh

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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