Good morning
Cold+Snow=Winter. Everything seems seasonal up in this neck of the woods. At least warmer than Frostbite Falls.
Always like seeing the Flying Scotsman David.
Pinterest
Stay warm
TF
gmpullman However I've heard of some nasty wrecks where there were escort vehicles and supposed route planners.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Hi Everyone,
Brunhilda, an herb tea, please.
Getting ready for the snowstorm of the century. No, wait, The expected snow totals have gone down from 18-24" to around 6". But wait, there's more, 53 mph wind gusts and wind chills (not actual) of down to -30F. Ok, we're going to get some snow and it will be cold. Take precautions, sure, but this is pretty much normal for this time of year.
Brent: we thought you lived on the warm side of the Rockies. What's with all the snow? Also, the picture a few posts back of the guitar and the dog. It looks to be a Martin D-28 Herringbone. Am I correct? I have a D-35. It is a real cherry axe. My D-35 has a very warm tone. I had stopped playing altogether for about 20 yrs, but I'm now starting to pick it up and get interested in music again, just on the hobby "play for the fun of it" level.
John: Petra is on my bucket list. I knew those structures were big, but I didn't know they were that big. Maybe model the Treasury in N scale as the mouth of a tunnel. Uh,...maybe not. Anyway, it's great that you got to go there.
Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)
The GF and i ran in to one of those Bomb Cyclone things in Maine about 7 years ago. We were right on the coast. Yes, it was a lot of snow, but we waited for the crews, packed up, went to breakfast and went home. Maine knows how to deal with snow. No problems. And breakfast was spectacularly good.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
maxmanHave you found Stephen yet?
If buying a snowblower would guarantee it would never snow again I would happily purchase one and park it in the driveway.
Bomb Cyclone, I don't remember this term being used 20 year ago or more. We might get an inch in the Shenandoah Valley.
Wrecks: https://abc7.com/train-crash-derailment-caught-on-video-tennessee/12597537/
This looks realy bad for the crew, but they only had minor injuries. Fortunately no concrete came through the cab window. Do they wear seatbelts? Another article that I can no longer find, shows the leading unit at about 45 degrees.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Afternoon from the beautiful West Coast where it is currently -14c.
Day two of shoveling snow, the wife was phoning John Deere dealers to get me the blower attachment for the tractor and they were sold out at both local dealers as well as the one just over the border in Washington State. I am just as happy they are because if we bought one it would never snow again. It is nothing to go two or three years and never see a flake.
I went to PWRS to get my Rapido coaches and phoned first to make sure someone made it into the store. With all this snow lots of places are still closed. One hero made it in and she asked if I could bring a snow shovel as the plow had just pushed a ton of snow in front of the door. I took a shovel and had to dig my way to the door about six metres. Got my coaches though. The things we do for love, I mean trains.
Ed, I remember when the Diner rarely got more than two or three spots down the list. Jeffery always had something to chat about if you stopped in for a while.
Track fiddlerBrent. Was your Sons girlfriend alright after totaling your Sons car you bought for him? Hope she was OK.
She was fine TF, thanks for asking. She slammed into a high-end Mercedes at highway speed. Not sure what was going on that she was so zoned out. She is 21 and is the manager of a large grocery store for an international chain and had a very stress-filled day apparently.
We bought the car for my son to use when he started doing movies/TV in high school, it was not his fault we live in the middle of nowhere, so it was the least we could do. When he graduated from University we signed it over to him as a grad present. He moved in with his GF right after he graduated. The car had very few km on it as it mostly sat in the driveway for the four years he was in Ottawa at University. He got a really good settlement on it.
The wife went out so I came in to watch Moma dog as she is in early labour. Got the clamps and sutures all lined up and ready to go just in case. I had to whelp a litter about twenty years ago when the wife got called in for an emergency surgery. It is not something I look forward to doing but it is no biggie either. The things we do for love.
My Bud, sticks to me like glue all day long.
Time for another cup of Tims.
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."
David, you're absolutely right about the absense of manners these days. I still remember sitting at a bar one evening and actually scolding a young man for not pulling out the bar stool for his date. She didn't seem to mind, but I guess others have low expectations. As an old man, I nevertheless pull out chairs for women, and open doors for everyone. It's a small thing, but it gives two people a chance to smile at each other for no other reason, and we need more of that.
Good afternoon choo choo fans
Just got in from plugging and mudding plumbing holes. They still need a squirt and some paint.
Brent. Was your Son's girlfriend alright after totaling your Son's car you bought for him? Hope she was OK.
Those new high-end Mustang's are something else. Had a ride in one with my Brother-in-law, the Ford senior tech. As I'm sure you know, the red key is illegal to use off the strip. Steve found a back road. Whoops!.. Wrong Key THEY'RE QUICK!
Chicken enchiladas for dinner tonight
Make it a great evening gentleman
Good Afternoon,
Just one more errand today. Streets are quite slippery with the snow pack.
Kevin, my wife does Wordle and Spelling Bee most days or I should say nights as she is usually up until 3 am. She has gotten Wordle in 1 try several times and usually does it in 2 or 3. She is far smarter than me and has close to a photographic memory. I have very little memory apparently.
Brent, her problems only really showed in 2018 but had been brewing for many years. Bear's daughter is right about how differently our brains are wired.
Forgot to buy some mandarin oranges. Our first Westie, Ian, was mad about them. He was a very neat eater, only one section at a time he would take carefully from your hand. He even ate his food from a plate in rows.
Just back from last errand today. Roads were basically clear but quite slippery. Most people were being cautious, driving 50 instead of the 60 limit. That is kph, not mph.
Time for tea.
CN Charlie
Good afternoon to the Diner! Nice to be able to check in for my yearly visit once again. Being a seasonal visitor to the Diner, I am humbled to see the list of those we lost during the year, and this year was no different. RIP to those no longer with us. I hope to be able to finish a few projects that were sitting on the bench all summer long and post a few pics of the HVBL coming back together at some point. Wow, a hefty slice of NY style cheesecake and hot cup of hi-test sounds pretty good right now. Cheers......
Rich
Thanks for the Thwaites, David
Remember when the Diner used to pull in a crowd like this?
Lunch_Crowd-1942 People's Drug by Edmund, on Flickr
Look at how many "grown-ups" are drinking milk. Interesting
These guys really made some cleanup progress!
I've sometimes got locomotives scattered around the layout and not on any track. So, here's the real thing I can point to as an example.
Cheers, Ed
I have reached THE TOP OF THE PAGE.
A 'Lancaster Bomber' for everyone, (or the drink of your choice).
beer_17536 by David Harrison, on Flickr
Good evening Diners. Russian Caravan Tea in my North British mug please, Brunhilda.
Had family visiting from Yorkshire today. They have just gone home. Now to prepare for Christmas.
A lot of people these days are in a hurry. Getting nowhere fast. Driving (almost) dangerously just to gain one car length.
No respect for other people. Gone are the days of holding a door open for someone. Please or thank you is alien to a large number of folk. I could go on and on, but life is too short.
Carluke Station, Scotland.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI3woYfqXnw&ab_channel=Train_PlaneHub
Settle & Carlisle Railway Line.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ga5LSIhcbjk&ab_channel=981smithy
Flying Scotsman.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce9LmRHdsL0&ab_channel=981smithy
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
Have you found Stephen yet?
gmpullmanThat's an excellent record, Kevin!
I have found the Wordle puzzle to be quite a part of my day. I usually do the puzzle right after midnight.
Be careful... the same thing could happen to you!
gmpullmanMy thoughts exactly, Bear. However I've heard of some nasty wrecks where there were escort vehicles and supposed route planners.
When I leaerned to drive, I remember being taught that the escorts, pilots, and permitted vehicle were all considered one unit, and not to get in between them. No one seems to respect this at all on the road.
I also remember being told that an oversized vehicle performing a docking maneuver had absolute right-of-way. No respect for this rule is seen anymore.
Water Level RouteWhile doing a bit of digging in my yard where apparently at least some trash had been dumped decades ago.
As I have been installing my sprinklers, I have found dozens of toys that the little boy who lived here before buried all over the yard. Most have "Property Of Stephen" written on them in Sharpie.
These have been underground for decades.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Good morning, diners. Bacon!
Cleaning begins today for family visit. I don't feel I've really recovered yet from covid, but will do my duty.
I'll be back later!
York1 John
Good Morning Diners. Chloe, a mocha latte and some cinnamon toast please.
hon30critterdue June 15, 2023
gmpullmanDon't forget to buy bulbs while you're at Gimbels:
We finished up the last of our holiday cookie baking last night. Now the smorgasbord of treats is complete. Appropirately, I sat down last night with a plate full of at least one of each cookie and a glass of milk. Chased it with a little Rum Chata! It was a nice evening.
Mike
I don’t know about the States in general Ed, let alone Tennessee, but here a tractor unit with a load that long would have had at least two pilot vehicles, if not three, two in the front, one behind, and someone would have been getting a “good kicking” for failing miserably at doing their job!
My thoughts exactly, Bear. However I've heard of some nasty wrecks where there were escort vehicles and supposed route planners. One sad tragedy comes to mind when there was a 2012 parade in Texas with disabled veterans on a flatbed trailer. Video showed the truck beginning to cross the U.P. tracks while the flashers were on and the gates beginning to come down.
The freight was authorized to run at 70 MPH and had slowed to 62 before impact. There was no room on the other side of the crossing for the truck to continue. Parade organizers didn't have permits, no one contacted RR to alert them to parade crossing their tracks... bad news all around.
Only the U.P. got a judgement against them because their timing of the crossing lights was five seconds too short.
Here's another view of the Tennessee wreck:
Often, here in the states, "low-boy" trailers and auto carriers will get hung up on elevated crossings. Despite telephone numbers posted at (nearly?) all crossings, no one thinks to call the "hot-line" to report an obstruction.
Scotty says it best:
Cheers, the Bear.
Hi Bear,
The Christmas tarts look absolutely delicious!!
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
That's an excellent record, Kevin!
Meanwhile, in other news, Tennessee, USA
What a mess...
Regards, Ed
Got the Wordle in three guesses tonight.
gmpullmanI've only played Wordle maybe a dozen times. Never finished one in three tries before!
I am quite a Wordle addict Ed.
It took me five tried to get the one today!
Not sure I'll ever be a Grandparent, but you never know.
It was a busy day today with the big dump of snow. With 20 coming for Christmas dinner I had to start on getting the driveway cleared for all the cars. It is 126' long and averages 30' wide, that's a lot of shoveling. My Garmin said I burned 5234 calories shoveling today and I have a lot left. My wife told me to hire someone, but I am too stubborn for that.
Had to make the Costco run as the wife was staying home with the Momma to be, she is due Friday. Costco was a gong show although there was no line at the gas bar, go figure. Driving was really treacherous and while going down a long hill control was less than I wanted and I said the word "store high in transit", my daughter who was with me immediately posted to FB that I said that word and so the entire day people have been posting how shocked or surprised they are that I would say such a thing. The number of people that responded with "I have never heard your Dad swear or get mad, ever" was hilarious. It was all very tongue-in-cheek and quite humorous. I never swear, my son never swears and neither does my wife, however, my daughter makes up for us all.
Mud is a good movie, I really enjoyed it.
Charlie, with your wife's anxiety issues, how did she manage to travel? In my world travels, I have seen people suddenly hit with anxiety issues. I was on an island off the East coast of the Adriatic and met this really cute girl from Winnipeg. We just hung out a bit, but one day she just had a meltdown with a major anxiety attack. Sometimes being so far from home can set it off. I stayed with her for a couple of days until she got back on track and we parted ways.
I know a lot of people that will take Turkish air as their first choice every time.
John those Dreamliners are quite something. My son went to University in Ottawa and he flew home 4 or 5 times a year. It was always a 737 or A320. Once when he was flying back to Ottawa from Vancouver he boarded and it was a 787 Dreamliner. He asked the flight attendant to make sure he was on the right plane and was not going to end up in Australia or somewhere. He was told it was a repositioning flight. There were only a handful of people on board and he could move about the aircraft and sit where ever he wanted. Free drinks and great food and a dozen gorgeous flight attendants to chat with for 5 hours. That's my boy!
Love your truck Bear, it is exactly what I would own in NZ. I was in Sydney waiting to board a Qantas 747 to Aukland and they were loading cars into the belly of the plane. I made a comment about it to a guy standing next to me and he said one of those is mine. He said it was cheaper to buy a car in Australia and fly it to NZ with the savings on price and taxes. It was 1988 so I have no idea about all that, it just seemed a little strange.
Tf, I showed my kid your car a while back. He had ordered a BMW and got the big run-a-round with all the delivery delays, so we walked down the street and he bought a Mustang at another dealer as he really needed a car after his GF totaled the car we gave him for grad. He loves that thing so much he is talking a new Stang instead of the BMW.
The kid started his new job last week and so far loves it. He is joined at the hip with the person he is replacing for five months to learn the ropes. He has an executive assistant who is sixty and mothers him like no-ones business. He has a bunch of travel in January and his Mom as he calls her said what time of day do you want to leave for these various trips? He said what time do the flights leave? She goes you are flying on the corporate jet, you leave when you want to. He had no idea he was not flying an airline. The company also owns a box at Rogers arena and he already took five friends to a Canucks game. I like this new job of his.
Time for a refill and a wee sit in front of the idiot box.
Christmas eve staple with the kids, can't wait.
Attuvian1Congratulations, Dave, to you and your better half
Thanks John,
We have known about Kaitlin's pregnancy for 10 weeks but we were sworn to not announce it until after the tests at the end of the first trimester. All the tests were positive. It was rather difficult to keep our mouths shut!
hon30critter First one, due June 15, 2023 Cheers!! Dave
First one, due June 15, 2023
Huh, Not bad!
Got four of a kind on Jacks or Better once