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Jeffreys Track Side Diner for March 2023 Locked

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Posted by Track fiddler on Sunday, March 5, 2023 6:01 PM

Good call RaySmile

 

TF

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Posted by howmus on Sunday, March 5, 2023 5:41 PM

Track fiddler
Bridge TimeBig Smile

For me is "Music Time".  After reading the usual news of man's hatred for Man, I have this one running through my brain!

"Come on people now Smile on your brother Everybody get together Try to love one another Right now"

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

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Posted by Track fiddler on Sunday, March 5, 2023 4:31 PM

Evening

Done!  I'm certainly not as quick anymore.

Counted the sticks at the end and they shorted me four.  There's three missing on the 16' wall, but it'll be easier to carry the sheetrock through.  Done till Wednesday, after the electrician's done Tuesday. 

Bridge TimeBig Smile

 

TF

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Posted by BroadwayLion on Sunday, March 5, 2023 2:14 PM

Top of the Page

 

Did I mention that it was snowing outside. Good day to stay inside with a tasty

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

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Posted by York1 on Sunday, March 5, 2023 1:44 PM

Back home again with a clean slate this afternoon.  That means more time on the layout!

I got two switch machines installed yesterday.  Now for today's Unsolicited Advice:

If you are building a layout, plan ahead.  I laid all the track, thinking that if I wanted to install switch machines, I could do that later.

I installed quite a few Peco turnouts.  I'm using N Scale.  The Peco turnouts have springs that are nearly impossible to remove without getting at the bottom of the turnout.

I checked Youtube and other sources.  There's quite a bit of information on removing the Peco springs on HO.  I couldn't find anything on removing N Scale springs.

I finally used brute force and pried them out, trying my best not to damage the turnout.  I did it, but I was sweating the damage I could inflict.  My advice:  If you are remotely even thinking that someday you might want to install switch machines, stop and plan ahead.  Then plan some more.  Add some adult drinks, and plan some more.

 

David, I had never heard of a lambing storm.  I looked it up and it makes sense.  I don't think we have any terms like that in our part of the country -- we just call them late winter storms.

 

SeeYou190
Come down here at night on August, drive to the rest area in the middle of Alligator Alley, and try to stay outside your car for more than 30 seconds! The mosquitos down here are everywhere and abundant

I can imagine, with all the wetlands in Florida, that the mosquitos would be bad.  One would think that would also be a problem in Louisiana, but in all the years I lived in New Orleans, I don't remember mosquitos being a problem in the city itself.  I think if you went outside the city, it was a different story.

 

TF, it sounds like you will be busy for a while.  At least the condo has you doing the work which will be done correctly, instead of hiring a guy who will finish it fast and cheap.  How is your layout coming?

 

mbinsewi
That happened on Feb., 23rd.  The biopsy of the section, and all attached lymth glands, tested negative/benign for any remaing cancer. Done, cancer gone. Now I'm still in recovery from the surgery, as it really kicked my butt! Have a great Sunday people!  Life IS beautiful!

Congratulations, Mike!  That is really good news, and you are correct -- facing those difficulties, one realizes how beautiful life it!

 

Charlie, hopefully the insurance company will approve your claim.  Repairing car wiring is not an easy job if it involves quite a few wires.  Good luck!

 

If you think you may have overdone some weathering on your freight cars, don't worry:

 

 

Have a good rest of the Sunday.  Everything is looking up -- there are a lot of spring baseball games from the Grapefruit League and the Cactus League on TV today.  

York1 John       

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Posted by CNCharlie on Sunday, March 5, 2023 10:59 AM

Good Morning,

Mike, sounds like you went through quite an ordeal. Glad to hear the outcome was good. Wishing you a speedy recovery. 

Another DVD watching day for me.. I started yesterday with Canadian Steam 1957. It was shot largely in Vancouver and Kamloops. Today it will be the 1958 and 1959 discs. These were taken largely in Manitoba as Winnipeg was the last centre for steam in Canada. These 2 were done with sound too, quite unusual for the time. There are several sequences taken very close to the spot where I did my railfanning as a lad in 1959. 

Started the insurance claim process for the rodent damage in my car. Hopefully will go ok . 

Time for another coffee.

CN Charlie

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Posted by Track fiddler on Sunday, March 5, 2023 10:58 AM

Drats!!  Looks like they did get the stuff up there yesterday.

Late start. Fiddled around this morning and had to go get a new saw blade to not have to screw around any more.

 

TF

  • Member since
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  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Sunday, March 5, 2023 10:33 AM

Track fiddler
Do you have mosquitoes down in Florida or is that just to Northern thing?

Come down here at night on August, drive to the rest area in the middle of Alligator Alley, and try to stay outside your car for more than 30 seconds!

The mosquitos down here are everywhere and abundant, but they pale in comparisson to everything else that will kill you.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by mbinsewi on Sunday, March 5, 2023 9:23 AM

Thanks guys.

Yes, shed is up, and this spring it will be painted and sided.

Right after I finished it, the cost of LP Smart side went nuts!  So I decided to wait it out a bit, but this year it will happen.

The space next to it is for a Hickory Buildings  8'x10' prefab I ordered, just to keep a couple garden tractors in.

Here is an overall view, showing the garage that turned into a house.

Mike.

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Posted by Track fiddler on Sunday, March 5, 2023 9:09 AM

Good morning

Hi Mike.  Glad to hear you came out of that C word, colon thing as best as could be expected.  Hey, did you ever get that 16x20 shed you were planning to build up at your Northern, Wisconsin cabin done?  Still remember that really cool waterfalls you built on your layout that was in the waterfalls thread that one timeSmile, Wink & Grin

 

My mom called me devious and elusive KevinWhistling   She was probably rightLaugh  There's always the smart flies that are hard to get rid of.  My pet peeve in the high school senior yearbook, was mosquitoes buzzing your head while you're trying to sleep, but flies are worse.  A kinda funny one is a lot of people consider the Minnesota State Bird a mosquito instead of a loon.  Do you have mosquitoes down in Florida or is that just a Northern thing?  My friend that lives in Hawaii told me they don't have them there.

 

TF

  • Member since
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  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Sunday, March 5, 2023 8:58 AM

mbinsewi
The biopsy of the section, and all attached lymth glands, tested negative/benign for any remaing cancer. Done, cancer gone.

Congratulations on the positive outcome.

I hope you are well enough to properly celebrate soon.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
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Posted by mbinsewi on Sunday, March 5, 2023 8:46 AM

Good morning diners!

Terry, prayers to your family and daughter, and hopes for the best. 

The dam "C" word!

Here's what I've been doing since early December last year.

I had problems with my last colonoscopy, so this time around, my doctor ordered a ColoGaurd test, so I complied.

Test came back positive.  Dr. told me not to panic, as somethimes there are "false" positives, so she scheduled a colonoscopy, asap.

The colonoscopy confirmed the positive test results. The doctor removed all he could,  but referred me to an oncologist/surgeon, for evaluation and consultation.

It was decided to do a righ ascending hemicolectomy, and remove the part with the infected tumor.

That happened on Feb., 23rd.  The biopsy of the section, and all attached lymth glands, tested negative/benign for any remaing cancer.

Done, cancer gone.

Now I'm still in recovery from the surgery, as it really kicked my butt!

Have a great Sunday people!  Life IS beautiful!

Mike.

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Sunday, March 5, 2023 8:14 AM

The World Is A Beautiful Place

-Photograph by Kevin Parson

-  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -

Good morning everyone. I hope we are all doing well.

Yesterday I left the front door open just a little while I was working outside. I think about 50 flies got into the house! It took us forever to kill them all.

I think there are still two or three of the most elusive and devious of them left.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by NorthBrit on Sunday, March 5, 2023 7:28 AM

York1

Good morning, everyone.  Donut day!

I found some bad news this morning.  Wednesday and Thursday we are getting snow again.  I'm ready for sun and warm weather. 

 

We have been receiving bad weather warnings for Monday and Tuesday.  Farmers in the area are preparing for 'The Lambing Storm'.   It happens every March.

 

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 NorthBrit on Sunday, March 5, 2023 7:25 AM

Good afternoon Diners.  A coffee on the go please, Brunhilda.

A lot going on around the house, so cannot stop.

 

For those of you wanting to build your own train, try wood.  A 'few'  coffee stirrers  would do it.  Big Smile

Palma to Soller wooden train arriving at Palma, Majorca.

 

 SAM_1104 by David Harrison, on Flickr

 

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 York1 on Sunday, March 5, 2023 6:58 AM

Good morning, everyone.  Donut day!

I found some bad news this morning.  Wednesday and Thursday we are getting snow again.  I'm ready for sun and warm weather.

We're heading out the door -- I'll check in later and catch up on all the news.

York1 John       

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Posted by Track fiddler on Sunday, March 5, 2023 5:42 AM

Good morning

Got up early at 4:00 to do some bridge work before taking Judy back to work this morning.  No!  For you jokesters out there, I'm certainly not a dentistLaugh 

Have some framing and sheetrock to do, that was supposed to be delivered to the second floor yesterday.  They're having me turn fhe condo that got changed from a three bedroom, to a one bedroom, back into a two bedroom, with walls and doors.  The leasing agent advised them it would bring more rent.

Was scrolling through the Forum before hitting the rack early last night, and was admiring the Bear's trestle in the "Show Me" thread.  Not being very familiar with Flickr, was pleasantly surprised

When clicking on the trestle photo, zooming in to get a better look at some fine craftmanship, these arrows popped up on the sides.  Come to find out, all his pictures and Beartoons from all these years we're all there.  Gotta say it was fun recapping all the memories, as there was less than a handful of them not remembered.

Went all the way back and seen the one where he crashed his plane into a tree, and said he wasn't paying attention while flying by admiring my windows on the model being builtLaugh  Made me laugh all over again, along with the one with the sign at the shooting gallery in Memphis, that said you're not allowed to shoot the wildebeestLaugh

Sometimes one takes a look around and appreciates good friends that the Forum brings through the years hereSmile

 

Have a good relaxing Sunday gentleman.

 

TF

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  • From: Bradford, Ontario
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Posted by hon30critter on Saturday, March 4, 2023 11:11 PM

BroadwayLion
Yes, I do have many MOW units on my railroad. Here aare some on the MTA.

Hi Bro. Elias,

Thank you for that wonderful run down of subway maintenance cars and locomotives. It was a very interesting read.

Cheers!!

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 Attuvian1 on Saturday, March 4, 2023 7:00 PM

Wow!  That's great stuff, LION.  Thanks for your extensive keyboard (and mental) efforts.  Who'd a thunk?  Particularly among us country and small town boys.

MisterBeasley

My subway tunnels are intentionally designed with low ceilings and tight tolerances . . .

Mr. B -

I just read that New York's MTA is trying to address a four-fold increase in "subway surfing".  Apparently being driven by activity on social media platforms.  I guess low ceilings might help to eliminate the "sport".  Then again, the creativity of heads otherwise filled with mush is limitless.

Attuvian1 John

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Saturday, March 4, 2023 4:32 PM

My subway tunnels are intentionally designed with low ceilings and tight tolerances, so the only motive power that would fit is the subway motors.  I have a couple of very low MOW cars that could fit, but I don't run them that way.  The only MOW work that ever gets done below ground is when I MU together the two subway motors and pull the CMX car around for track cleaning.

I have definitely seen a movie on TV about the subway money train.  There was also a very low grade horror movie called Midnight Meat Train that hinted at cannibalism.  They might have been the same movie.

.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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Posted by BroadwayLion on Saturday, March 4, 2023 4:01 PM

Attuvian1

Brother Elias has exposed what may be a long-ignored demographic of rolling stock: MoW equipment (and yard power) for light rail and interurban systems!  And what do we have here - trash haulers?  And what of the tank cars?  For some strange reason, it had never occurred to me that there was such.  I guess I just presumed that their way and station maintenance guys just puttered around in pickup trucks.

Hey, LION, do you have any MoW equipment on your extensive subterranean pike?

Attuvian1 John 

 

Yes, I do have many MOW units on my railroad. Here aare some on the MTA.

 

1. You have correctly identified the trash train. Some work just one line and others will work several lines in its division.


2. The Money Train. It is no longer used, they use surface armored cars instead. That does not jack up the line like the money train did, and besides, most people use credit cards so there is less cash to deal with. Still, when they open a ticket machine, there is the banker who collects the money replaces the ticket cards and repairs any damage caused by kids. The other two men in the team are holding rifles, nice black assault rifles, and I do suspect that they are military issue that can go full auto if necessary. I do have an money train on my layout. As for the subway, their money train is in the museum and has a cat sitting on the counting table.


3. You saw the tank cars, these are used for flood mitigation. It ha several flat cars that can be backed into the flood. a few cars up is the pump car, run on diesel, then there are the tank cars to receive the slop finaly there is a diesel locomotive since the power is of course turned off.


4. There is a genuine work train, the track would be closed since men are working on the track, or on the walls, drains of overhead, and need the stores and equipment found on these flat cars. It usually has an electric locomotive which has green stripes instead of black. The locomotive will always be on the other end from where the men are working. If the workers are contractors, then the power rail would be shut off, and the train would need a diesel. Between the locomotive and the flat cars is a "rider car" where crews can warm up or take a break, or bring some equipment in to work on it. Also as the name implies they can also ride to and from the worksite. Heat is provided by an oil heater and lighting (32 volt) is provided by the locomotive. It does not have traction motors nor any contact with the third rail.


5. The Signal Dolly. Unlike surface roads, we cannot drive up to the signals in a pickup truck.It has two "motor Cars" similar to rider cars, but powered from the third rail, there is a motorman to drive the train, The "Signal Car" Proper has a sloped roof reminiscent of the London Underground this will let them work directly over head if necessary, and allso allows for the use of crane in case they want to pull the entire unit into the car. Otherwise they can just lean out to change the lamp or polish the lens.


6. The "Super Sucker" is a purpose built multi-unit machine to vacuum the subway line. It works just like a vacuum cleaner except that there are men up fron with big plastic hoses to suck up stuff that is out of reach of the vacuum head.


7. Rotary Snow Blower. Self-propelled but otherwise like you would find on the surface lines. The first time they used it they had to pay for a lot of windows. On the Brighton Line the houses are close to the railroad tracks, and so many people awoke to the sound of crashing glass and before they knew what happened they were covered in snow. The MTA adjusted how the equipment worked, but at least the knew that it did work.


8. Snow blower two... this is a jet powered snow blower that can toss ballast fifty feet if careful they are not. These are used mostly in yards, but are also seen running across the Jamaica Bay.


9. There are welded rail cars, now out of service since the rail project is now completed, bu they can be called back into service if they are kneaded.


10. There are line clearance cars that can be lengthened or shortened, and at each end of the cars and also in the middle are an array of fingers sticking out. Sensitive fingers that will sound an alarm if the hit. This way they can test to see if new equipment will fit into the tunnels. There are lines that certain equipment cannot run on because of this.

There are of course other work trains that I have not listed because I either do not know of them, or my weak brain will not dredge them up.

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

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Posted by howmus on Saturday, March 4, 2023 12:06 PM

Afternoon Folks!

Think you might fnd this interestion......

https://railfan.com/genesee-valley-transportation-acquires-famous-alco-pa/

I have pretty much recovered from the crap!  Symptoms have receeded and I feel pretty much back to normal.  Actually put on mask and did some quick shopping today.  Biggest bummer is that I will miss my Granddaughter's 14 birthday party tommorrow.  We are being extra carefull because some of the folks that will be there are imunno compromized or take care of someone who is.  Two are either having surgery next week or caring for a little girl who is having major surgery next week.  So I will celebrate the birthday in another week... (sigh).

Glad I kept up to date with all the vaccines!

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

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Posted by Track fiddler on Saturday, March 4, 2023 12:01 PM

Yep, am quite familiar with the after storm "Hay Days" and how that works.

You might possibly had not noticed my fishy humor thereLaugh  Thought you would appreciate and get a kick out of that oneSmile, Wink & Grin

It's a good thing you know how to do all that, as I'm well aware its darn near impossible to get quality tradesmen front and center after storms.

Insurance money always was a sure bet, and everyone reputable always gets completely booked pretty quick.

 

TF

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Saturday, March 4, 2023 11:49 AM

Track fiddler
There is no reason for you to do this. There are places you can go that have carpenters for hire, already experienced and ready to work.

My soffit is 1/2" PVC, with diagonal supports added to the eaves every 24" for support. The interior soffit support is all being replaced with PT 2 by 4. All joints are further reenforced with 3/4" PVC dimensional. Almost 50% of the eaves and about 20% of the rafter ends require replacement. The edges on the house are further supported by a conituous PVC support rail.

I am into this for $5,000.00 in material alone. The one person I found experienced with this system wanted $12,000.00 to $15,000.00 for installation.

The decision to do it myself was easy. I also get to wire in the soffit lights, security lights, cameras, and outdoors speakers exactly how I want them.

Should be good for 175 MPH... this is the third and final time I am replacing this soffit.

Finding anyone to do anything is nearly impossible right now. Anyone who can be on a roof at 6:00 AM and work all day is rolling in money right now. All other trades are suffering from a serious labor shortage.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by Track fiddler on Saturday, March 4, 2023 11:42 AM

SeeYou190

 

Hi Kevin,  Capacity is that first moment you start feeling tired and worn out towards the end of the day.  That's when you lay down the tools, as it's nothing that a nice, ice cold one won't take care of for you at that point.  Think they call it Beer:30Beer

Nice job on the soffits by the way, but there is no reason for you to do this.

There are places you can go that have carpenters for hire, already experienced, and ready to workWink

 

TF

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  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Saturday, March 4, 2023 11:28 AM

York1
Like some other retired people, I have a bucket list.  One of the bucket list items it to get to North Dakota to see Lion's subway.

I went through North Dakota a couple of years ago and wanted to see Lion's layout, but he became ill and I thought it would be rude to ask.

Maybe I will get back there.

York1
I was originally going several years ago to Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, and I thought that I might be able to stop by to say hello to Lion.

Theodore Roosevelt is a magnificent National Park that does not get the recognition it deserves. I had a wonderful time there. The scenery is amazing, and the park is very quiet compared to Yellowstone.

I saw my first Buffalo there!

York1
Kevin's soffit work sounds like a nightmare to me.

It has not been as bad as expected. Of course, I am six weeks into it with probable six more to go. I am not forcing myself to work beyond my capacity.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by Track fiddler on Saturday, March 4, 2023 11:24 AM

Sure did like that new canary yellow paint job on the beat up gondolaStick out tongue you found John.

Unfortunately, you may have intrigued me to dust off my wallet again, as it was found there is only three of them in my rolling stock roster and have no idea why that is.

It was thought, the parting of purchases on eBay for freight cars was finally to be over for years now.  But a nice long string of those bad boys would give new definition to the term "Wagon Train", ...Wouldn't it? Laugh...Wink

 

TF

 

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Posted by York1 on Saturday, March 4, 2023 10:08 AM

Good morning, diners.  It was chilly for the morning walk, but not like January.  Maybe spring is around the corner.

Like some other retired people, I have a bucket list.  One of the bucket list items it to get to North Dakota to see Lion's subway.  I was originally going several years ago to Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, and I thought that I might be able to stop by to say hello to Lion.  That trip is still planned, but every summer it gets pushed back.  I like Lion's pictures of New York's subway, but I really like pictures of his North Dakota subway.

I'm working on some turnout motors under the layout today.  Not difficult, but I don't like the physical part of climbing under the layout and working above my head.  Kevin's soffit work sounds like a nightmare to me.

A Florida East Coast boxcar:

 

Have a good Saturday, everyone.

York1 John       

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Posted by Attuvian1 on Saturday, March 4, 2023 9:41 AM

Brother Elias has exposed what may be a long-ignored demographic of rolling stock: MoW equipment (and yard power) for light rail and interurban systems!  And what do we have here - trash haulers?  And what of the tank cars?  For some strange reason, it had never occurred to me that there was such.  I guess I just presumed that their way and station maintenance guys just puttered around in pickup trucks.

Hey, LION, do you have any MoW equipment on your extensive subterranean pike?

Attuvian1 John 

  • Member since
    March 2017
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Posted by Track fiddler on Saturday, March 4, 2023 8:54 AM

Good morning

BroadwayLion

1)

2)

3)

 

How many freight fcars do you see with headlights on them !

 

Dont know, but somehow I'm thinking him's answer isn't "all of them" again Mr Lion? 

Let's ask Mr Owl, for him is much older and wiser than the both of us put togetherLaugh

 

 Ewe didn't have any pics of "Plate F" type boxcars doe.

 

TF

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