Good morning Diners. From minus 1 C last night to a now dizzy 11 degrees C ten hours later?
A large coffee please, Janie.
Welcome home, John.
Snow and Steam on the North York Moors Railway.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WM2cnXaPHmI&ab_channel=nymrfootage
More NYMR footage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KmrMBLsQss&ab_channel=OurStories
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
York1 This isn't a vacation sharing thread,
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Dave, the tarts are from Walkers in the UK and they are quite good for store bought. I got them from London Drugs at a good price, a third of what they were on Amazon, guess that is why they sold out.
Will be glad when this month is over as it is a very stressful time for my wife.
John, glad you are home, safe and sound and that you had a great time. I did visit Hagia Sophia in Istanbul on our 2019 trip, not nearly as dramatic as Petra. Do post more photos!
CN Charlie
CNCharlieToday my mincemeat tarts were delivered
Hi CNCharlie,
Mincemeat tarts are one of my favourite Christmas treats. We haven't made them for a couple of years, but you can still buy mincemeat filling through Amazon. They are super easy to do with the premade filling. We usually add a generous splash of brandy to the mix and a little flour or corn starch to thicken it.
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Welcome back, John!
I've never been to the Middle East. I've been to Germany, though, so I guess the Hofbrauhaus in Munich will have to serve as a holy site for me.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Hello, Diners!
I haven't had a chance to read the posts from the past three weeks, so I hope everyone is doing well.
I just returned from a great time traveling with my daughters. We drove and hiked many of the Middle Eastern sites. This isn't a vacation sharing thread, but I wanted to post two photos from the highlight of the trip for me -- Petra in Jordan.
I have wanted to see this place since I was a kid. I turned 71 there, so it was a long time coming. The four of us (three daughters and me) finally got to see this amazing place.
The first photo is of the place called the 'The Treasury', and is the most famous structure. You enter Petra through a nearly mile long narrow slot canyon, and around one of the corners, this building comes in to view. That first sight takes your breath away!
It's difficult in photos to realize the size of these structures! The second photo is of me standing in front of the 'Monastery'. You have to zoom in on the photo to see me -- the place is that huge!
We had a great time, and we saw and experienced an amazing mix of cultures and countries. Security was tight, and it helped that we hired a 'guide' who helped us stay safe. Getting through border security between countries would have been almost impossible without his help. Crossing borders in the Middle East is not for the faint-of-heart.
It's good to be back, and I will be catching up on all your posts.
The Treasury. My three daughters and I were excited to be here:
The Monastery. Yes, that's me standing under what appears as the doorway.
Jet lag is real. Spending 13 hours in an airplane seat is not something I want to repeat.
York1 John
Track fiddlerHow about The Western Maryland Ed?
The Western Maryland will do just fine, TF
Along For The Ride by Don Kalkman, on Flickr
So glad to see such a massive brute still running after all these years! Actually she's pretty new by locomotive standards being built by Baldwin in 1949. Even newer than the NKP Berkshires.
Season's Greetings and Poop by Don Kalkman, on Flickr
At the Pole by Don Kalkman, on Flickr
Best to All! Ed
Good Afternoon,
A cold day here, about 5F right now but it is sunny. Went out on an errand yesterday and the roads were in poor shape, lots of snow and ice. Made it home without incident. I expect the plows will be out tonight. They usually turn up about 2 am and make a lot of noise.At least the clean out the end of driveways with a loader.
Today my mincemeat tarts were delivered. Hard to find them now but did manage to get one box of 6. I ordered 2 boxes but I guess I got the last box they had. My mother sure made great ones. My Christmas indulgence.
Nothing much going on here. Have a nice day,
A short film of snow ploghing in Normandy, France.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ghj7VbIZGJA&ab_channel=calvacoca
Curriehill Station near Edinburgh.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEV4S9nEXDA&ab_channel=DRS37425
howmus NorthBrit I firmly believe we are here to experience certain things throughout life; even as parents. The good times and not so good. How we overcome the challenges, no matter the number, is all learned. Sometimes those challenges seem never ending, but there is an end; a good end. Absolutely correct.... But why do some people seem to have to deal with so much? That I don't understand, and it doesn't seem to have much to do with how "good" the person is either. 73
NorthBrit I firmly believe we are here to experience certain things throughout life; even as parents. The good times and not so good. How we overcome the challenges, no matter the number, is all learned. Sometimes those challenges seem never ending, but there is an end; a good end.
Absolutely correct.... But why do some people seem to have to deal with so much? That I don't understand, and it doesn't seem to have much to do with how "good" the person is either.
73
A good question. One I do not know.
The only answer I can come up with is (far-fetched I know) ------
Before we are born and wherever we are, we say we want to experience this, that and something else. Those things may be 'for a day', 'a week', 'a lifetime', whatever.
We choose our family and are born and live the life to the experiences. A family that wants to also experience some of them in one way or another. Once those experiences have been achieved it is 'time to go home'.
Being a 'good' person can and does overide the not so good challenges in life.
I know it sounds far-fetched, even 'mad', but nobody has given me any other answers. Besides it helps me through my challenges.
NorthBritI firmly believe we are here to experience certain things throughout life; even as parents. The good times and not so good. How we overcome the challenges, no matter the number, is all learned. Sometimes those challenges seem never ending, but there is an end; a good end.
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Water Level Route ----Thanks Bear, and you are right. She has had a tough go of it for almost two years now. I find myself asking "why" more and more lately. She's a really good kid, follows rules to a fault, good in school, volunteers at church, hard worker. One of those mysteries we're not meant to know I guess. All part of a greater plan.
----Thanks Bear, and you are right. She has had a tough go of it for almost two years now. I find myself asking "why" more and more lately. She's a really good kid, follows rules to a fault, good in school, volunteers at church, hard worker. One of those mysteries we're not meant to know I guess. All part of a greater plan.
Hi, Mike. We ask ourselves the same question here (sometimes), regarding our family.
I firmly believe we are here to experience certain things throughout life; even as parents. The good times and not so good.
How we overcome the challenges, no matter the number, is all learned. Sometimes those challenges seem never ending, but there is an end; a good end.
Sometimes we see people going through life in a 'charmed way'. 'Why them and not us?' We do not know the challenges they faced before.
Your daughter is, as you say, a good kid. She chose you because she knew you are good parents.
Remain positive. The luxury of being negative is not an option.
BATMAN My truck is 22 and there is nothing wrong with it. It has the 7.3ltr diesel that will still be running long after the truck surrounding it has disappeared. It looks pretty good for 22.
My truck is 22 and there is nothing wrong with it. It has the 7.3ltr diesel that will still be running long after the truck surrounding it has disappeared. It looks pretty good for 22.
I'll see your 22-year-old gold Ford.
And raise you a 54-year-old Red Ford.
Your truck does look very nice for 22 years old Brent. The nice thing about Ford's, is you can always find parts for them no matter how old they get.
My car is 54 years old and there is something wrong with it It has the 351 Windsor that will still be running long after I've disappeared
Fixed the clutch last spring and need a new motor mount this spring. Down shifted into a hairpin, then hit her too hard coming out
Sometimes I'm a little too hard on my machine, but it's Awfully Fun!
TF
gmpullmanThought I did, a page or two back
Good morning
Back to waking up a bit early again. Making it till at least 4:30 was much better.
403 Forbidens from morning till night, yesterday in the Diner here. Had to erase a quote and all the text, leaving just the snow train picture yesterday morning.
CNCharlie TF, interesting about that building demo. My wife's uncle owned the largest demolition company here for many years. He pulled down many large buildings here. A lot of skill and knowledge is needed to do it safely. He has been retired now for some years as he is 90.
TF, interesting about that building demo. My wife's uncle owned the largest demolition company here for many years. He pulled down many large buildings here. A lot of skill and knowledge is needed to do it safely. He has been retired now for some years as he is 90.
Dang! 90 years old Charlie. I'm sure your wife's uncle has the stories to tell from his demolition career now retired. Been finding these high rises interesting to watch going up and coming down. Never a dull moment in our temporary surroundings of this big city suburb.
Going over to spend the day with my Daughters again. We're gonna cook, watch The Polar Express and whatever other Christmas movie they pick. Should be another fun day.
Happy Holidays gentlemen
This is some serious snow!
Water Level RouteMy youngest has a "friend" over right now, and they are hanging out in the hot tub at the moment.
I really miss my girls having their "friends" over. Find a way to enjoy it. It ends way too fast.
15 years ago... where did all the time go?
Young nerds in love.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Water Level RouteMy youngest has a "friend" over right now, and they are hanging out in the hot tub at the moment. I hope he doesn't stay much longer. I want to go for a soak out there while it's still snowing.
Make sure not to bite any of the bubbles.
Mama has not moved much since this afternoon, except it is now the Canaucks and Hockey Night In Canada. Once the game ends she will close her eyes, the ground will shake and the Polar Express will be waiting through that window.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Good evening diners. Janie, a large hot chocolate in a Chesapeake and Ohio mug please.
Well, had yet another failure of the female plug on a string of the roof lights this year. That makes 4 failures so far. Each of the failures has been on a string of basically a different age and even powered off different circuits so no real rhyme or reason that I can tell. Never heard back from the manufacturer about replacement ends, but I'm trying again. This is ridiculous. Don't want to pony up for true commercial grade lights, but I just might. It's too much work putting them up only to have them repeatedly fail.
My last truck was 15 years old when I sold it (owned it for 11 of those years). It had become a bit of a money pit, but at times I still wish I had it. I like my current truck too, but you know.
Hope that daughter of yours comes right, poor girl seems to get a “rough ride”!
My youngest has a "friend" over right now, and they are hanging out in the hot tub at the moment. I hope he doesn't stay much longer. I want to go for a soak out there while it's still snowing. That is the best.
Have a good evening everyone.
Mike
This one's for Brent! I think he understands....
Good afternoon from the West Coast where winter is sliding in for a week-long stay. Very unusual for the coast where some years it doesn't even hit freezing, however, lows of -16c are expected this week. I have my gators and mini snowshoes ready to go.
The first three brand-new vehicles I bought, I kept each of them for 14 years. My truck is 22 and there is nothing wrong with it. It has the 7.3ltr diesel that will still be running long after the truck surrounding it has disappeared. It looks pretty good for 22. I only fill it up about three times a year.
I bought this for myself as a grad present from high school. I ordered it from the factory special order. I just had the new wheels installed on this day, it went on to a whole lot of customizing after that. I kept it for 14 years.
In 1989 I bought this 1990 RX7 new and had it for 14 years. I have driven a wide variety of performance cars on and off the track and this was my favourite by far so I bought one. Best car I have ever owned.
Then I had kids and bought a Honda civic and had that for 14 years. 50MPG is the only good thing I can say about that car.
Last year I bought an AWD Toyota Highlander Hybrid with self-steering and all the other bells and whistles. I'll be 80 if I keep it 14 years. It is awesome, however, even with all its computerized traction control and other stuff, I think my old truck is better in the snow.
Wife has been sick as a dog for more than a week with the flu. Not covid, we have a stack of test kits in the cupboard. I got it four days after she did and was bad for a day, I am okay now. She is not in the same shape I am, she is not the slightest bit overweight, however, she freely admits after all her years as a vet that nutrition is #1 and fitness is #2 when it comes to being healthy and being able to fight off disease.
We have puppies due Dec. 23rd and 20 coming for Christmas dinner. It will be a busy week. It is just starting to snow and pregnant mama is just chillin. I better go play her a few tunes.
Ever since I was ten years old I have always played this tune when it snows.
The furnace is about to get a real workout for a week so I will go clean the filter system.
All the best to all.
A few of our facilities people went to our former building to help the wayward demo crew shut down the systems that were still spouting water and screaming alarms. They witnessed the demo guys being quizzed by the Fire Chief, investigating for the town. None of them would admit to knowing any English, so he told them, in English, "Look, guys. I just need to write a report, but I don't speak Spanish. So, someone learn English quickly, or I'll have to call in the police, who might ask different questions."
Somebody somehow remembered how to speak English.
As for cars, I like to keep them a long time, too. As the ex-wife's Dad was a high up engineer for Cadillac, we had a string of GM cars out of loyalty, but GM cars back then had a terrible reliability record, and keeping them on the road was expensive. Now I drive a VW, and the GF drives a Mini Cooper, now built by BMW.
JaBearI was half expecting Ed to come up with that great PRR Christmas Poster,
Thought I did, a page or two back
Well — let's have another:
PRR_Holiday by Edmund, on Flickr
Happy Holidays! Ed
Pinterest
This video has some interesting interior views of a rotary snow plow in operation:
Water Level RouteI have trouble getting in the Christmas spirit without snow. I don't know how people in warmer climates do it.
Mike D again —
Waiting for train 19 by Mike Danneman, on Flickr
Cheers, Ed