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Jeffrey's Trackside Diner: APRIL 2024 Locked

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Posted by maxman on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 12:42 PM

BATMAN
Why would I wreck a good night's sleep to get up and go pee?

I agree.  That's what the floor drain is for.

 

Top of the page?  Limburgher cheese, garlic, and onion sandwiches all around.

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Posted by Tophias on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 1:33 PM

Maxman, you're killing us with that one!

Regards, Chris 

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Posted by BATMAN on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 1:50 PM

Good sunny day, it is warming up to 18c today.

Feeling good today, the arthritis is behaving and I did 6km. I usually do about 10km, however, I am feeling so good I ran the entire 6km at a good clip so cut the distance.

I planted about 1/4 acre of new lawn and poof, all of a sudden with this warm weather there is a sea of green.

I have to repair about 100 feet of cedar fence. It is made out of 9' rough 4" x 4"s, rough 2" x 4"s with rough 1" x 6" boards and rough 1" x 1"s. The boards are still like new 33 years later, but the rest will need replacing. I have two lumber mills not too far away and I can get it all for half of what Home Depot would charge. I also have an independent building supply store that has all their screws and nails in bins and you pay by the pound which is a fraction of what Home rip-off charges for those little plastic boxes. 

The guy who owned the house before me used a lot of cement for each post and so far, in past repairs, I have been able to just dig out the rotten post from the cement and slide the new one right in.Yes

maxman

 

 
BATMAN
Why would I wreck a good night's sleep to get up and go pee?

 

I agree.  That's what the floor drain is for.

 

 

Just like the one in this caboose!

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."

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  • From: Bradford, Ontario
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Posted by hon30critter on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 1:55 PM

maxman
I also hate tipping.  Some restaurants now automatically add a percentage to the check.  Even more annoying is the tip jar one sees on the counter when picking up a donut or pizza order.  They should tip me for driving out of my way to get there.

Hi maxman,

I have a very simple approach to tipping. If the service has been good, I leave a good tip. If the service has been poor, I don't leave any tip. If the service has been exceptional, I leave a very generous tip.

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 maxman on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 2:12 PM

Still don't like tipping.  People should be compensated fairly for the work they do, not the vagaries of the work.

If I happen to be in a bad mood and nothing will make me happy; if the hostess (cupcake?) is rude; if the music it too loud; if the people at the adjoining table need a bath; or heaven forbid the food is cold and tasteless........all of this gets reflected in the tip.

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Posted by NorthBrit on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 2:16 PM

Good evening Diners.  A bottle of Bud please, Chloe.

Had a busy day travelling around Tyneside.  I wanted to go to the train room,  but by the time I finished I had to make dinner.

Dinner   Chicken & Mushroom Curry.   

 

A model of a 6 wheeled brake van in Maryport & Carlisle Railway livery.

Click on picture for the proper one

 

IMG_2997

 

 

IMG_3006

 

 

 

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 maxman on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 2:41 PM

Tophias

Maxman, you're killing us with that one!

Regards, Chris 

 

Good thing I didn't say anything about  rubber sheets.

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  • From: Westford MA
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Posted by Tophias on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 7:17 PM

Hey David, I'm impressed you drink an imported beer. Sort of like me having a Fullers Porter.

Regards, Chris 

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  • From: Bradford, Ontario
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Posted by hon30critter on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 10:48 PM

Here is an entertaining little video. Some of it is pretty basic but there are a couple of interesting bits. For example, they explain one of the reasons for developing the bay window caboose.

Cheers!!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
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Posted by hon30critter on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 10:55 PM

NorthBrit
A model of a 6 wheeled brake van in Maryport & Carlisle Railway livery.

Hi David,

Neat caboose uh, sorry, brake van! Did you kitbash or scratchbuild it?

What is the purpose of the 'side rods' that appear to connect the wheels?

Cheers!!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
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Posted by hon30critter on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 11:03 PM

maxman
People should be compensated fairly for the work they do,

I couldn't agree more when we are referring to the average service person, but doing away with tips will penalize the really good servers. My niece worked as a beer server at local hockey games. In three hours she could make $600 in tips or more, several nights a week. Considering that she was a college student, those were pretty good wages. Of course it helped that she loved the job too, and not just for the money.

Cheers!!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
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  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
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Posted by gmpullman on Thursday, April 18, 2024 12:12 AM

hon30critter
I couldn't agree more when we are referring to the average service person, but doing away with tips will penalize the really good servers.

Many, many of the eateries around here 'pool' their tips anyway. Performance doesn't matter.   It all goes in a pot (credit card entries, too) then sometimes management takes a cut, the kitchen staff gets a cut then whats left trickles down to the waitstaff — AFTER the total amount has been reported to the taxing agency.

There have been several reports and investigations around here over the years of restaurant owners mandating that tips collected be turned in to them and then THEY decide how much finally gets distributed to the staff.


 

Time to check the stove:

 

 Napierville_Junction-Caboose 37 by Edmund, on Flickr

 

Cheers, Ed

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Posted by hon30critter on Thursday, April 18, 2024 3:20 AM

gmpullman
Many, many of the eateries around here 'pool' their tips anyway.

I have no problem with the tips being shared by the kitchen staff, especially when the food is really good. Whether or not management gets a share is subject to debate. If they have earned it, then by all means include them in the pot. That's why I choose to leave a very generous tip when I have had an enjoyable experience. Unfortunately we have very little control over who gets a share of the tip, but if a restaurant is good, at least part of that can likely be attributed to good management.

Cheers!!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
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  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
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Posted by "JaBear" on Thursday, April 18, 2024 4:21 AM

maxman
Still don't like tipping.  People should be compensated fairly for the work they do, not the vagaries of the work.

Thumbs UpThumbs Up

 

“Not sure about anyone else, but it seems the past several days I've had trouble getting into the diner again.  The diner's management needs to hire more waitresses.”
 
I just think they need to fix the entrance properly!!!
 
Due to the differences in time zones, plus differences at different times of year due to daylight saving, I’m generally on the Forum in the very early morning, US Central Time. Of late I’ve been receiving the 504 Error, and was wondering if site maintenance was happening, while sensible ffolkes were sleeping?

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

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Posted by NorthBrit on Thursday, April 18, 2024 6:17 AM

Good afternoon Diners.   A coffee and blueberry muffin please,  Brunhilda.

Chris.   I like the odd Bud  now and again.   The bottle I had last night was left by my S.i.L.  I hope he doesn't want it.  Laugh

 

hon30critter

 

 
NorthBrit
A model of a 6 wheeled brake van in Maryport & Carlisle Railway livery.

 

Hi David,

Neat caboose uh, sorry, brake van! Did you kitbash or scratchbuild it?

What is the purpose of the 'side rods' that appear to connect the wheels?

Cheers!!

Dave

 

 

Dave.  It is a kitbash one.  As my layout is set in the timeframe of 1914/1919  I wanted a six wheeled brake van typical of 1880s and lasted until 1920s.

Not sure why the side rods  are required, but were in the kit.

 

504s   Like Bear I have been getting a large amount of 504.   FRUSTRATING.

 

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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  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
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Posted by gmpullman on Thursday, April 18, 2024 6:51 AM

Rapunzel?

 Room With A View by Edmund, on Flickr

That ladder looks challenging for a lady to navigate!

Cheers, Ed

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Posted by NorthBrit on Thursday, April 18, 2024 8:13 AM

gmpullman

Rapunzel?

 Room With A View by Edmund, on Flickr

That ladder looks challenging for a lady to navigate!

Cheers, Ed

 

Love the picture, Ed.

I was going to say it looks like one fro WW2 then saw the caption date of 1943.

 

David

To the world you are someone.    To someone you are the world

I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought

  • Member since
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Posted by York1 on Thursday, April 18, 2024 11:46 AM

Good morning, everyone.  Brunhilda, I'll have bacon, eggs, and coffee, please.

Yesterday turned out to be much more involved than I had planned.  It was in a good cause and I'm not sorry I participated, but I'm tired today.

My problems getting into the diner are usually early morning.  By about 9:00 a.m. CDT, I don't have the issues.

The family is making plans for this summer.  I look forward to us having these vacations with everyone, but keeping all 16 happy for a week or two is difficult.  Last year's Italy trip took me several months to recover.   I'm glad they all enjoy getting together.  Not sure where we will end up -- I am now officially out of the planning.  The daughters arrange everything, I smile and say 'OK', write a check for my share, and I enjoy the vacation benefits without any of the work.

Since I've got enough of the layout "have to's" done, I get to do some of the things I enjoy the most.  Today is more of working on a scratchbuilt building that will be my most challenging.

If I can remember, I'll try taking some photos.  If I'm not too lazy, I'll try to include some photos of my messy workbench!  Stick out tongue

Have a great day, everyone.

 

https://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?media/c-o-3100.72435/

York1 John       

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Thursday, April 18, 2024 12:29 PM

We have a generous outlook towards tipping.  We are both pretty well off financially,  and my daughter will be even better off when the ex-wife and I are gone.  We live in a lightly populated area.  After the Covid restrictions, we were happy to see restaurant people back at work, and rewarded them extravagantly.   I put the tip on the credit card with the meal, while the GF puts a cash tip on top of that.  We figure that the credit card tip will be reported, so the waitstaff will have social security earnings if that's still there when they retire, and the cash is a tip they can do with as they please.

Waitstaff and bartenders are friends here.  They're not just employees.  We've been asked  "Are you sure?" about some of our tips, and we have to assure them we are.  We have a few favorite places, and visit them often.

Restaurants here are having trouble retaining people, because government handouts have lasted too long and gotten people out of the routine of actually working.  We try to counter that by making waitstaff feel appreciated. 

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

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Posted by hon30critter on Thursday, April 18, 2024 5:18 PM

MisterBeasley
We have a generous outlook towards tipping.

MisterBeasley
Waitstaff and bartenders are friends here.  They're not just employees.  We've been asked  "Are you sure?" about some of our tips, and we have to assure them we are.  We have a few favorite places, and visit them often.

YesBowThumbs Up

Cheers!!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • From: Flyover Country
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Posted by York1 on Friday, April 19, 2024 6:51 AM

Good morning, diners.  Bacon, eggs, and black coffee, please.

We're having freezing temps the next couple of nights, so I get another reprieve from some yard planting.  I expect this will be the last frosts we get this spring.

Driving to some of our stores just got a little harder.  Since we live in the middle of nowhere, some of our stores are fifty-five miles away.  We normally take the Interstate.  The Interstate between Lincoln and Omaha is three lanes each way.  The state has decided to start widening the Interstate west of Lincoln.  During the project which will take many years, the construction mess will make travel terrible.  I doubt I will live to see the finished product.

I hope everyone has a good and healthy day.

 

https://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?media/c-o-caboose.78187/

York1 John       

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Posted by Water Level Route on Friday, April 19, 2024 9:47 AM

Good Morning Diners.  Chloe, I'll have what John's having.

Happy day!  My oldest daughter is moving home from college for the summer today AND I don't have to go down to help her.  We got enough moved in my truck last Sunday that she was able to fit what she had left in her little car this morning.  Thank goodness.  I'm sick of driving.  Been doing a TON of that lately.

Sat down on the couch last night and in a few minutes I started feeling a tickle on my neck.  Turns out it was a tick crawling on me.  Apparently came in on one of the dogs.  Immediately my wife and daughter inspected the dogs for more and vacuumed everything while I went out and mowed the back yard and spread the tick killer I have been meaning to get to.  The timing worked out perfectly too as for best results you are supposed to water it in and there was rain on the way.  Glad I caught it before it decided I might be tasty!  The "joys" of summer are showing up earlier and earlier each year.  I hate those things.


Gents - I just clicked on my old bookmark for MTS, and they've Pre-launched the new site!  Exciting!  I signed in with my old account info and everything is still there!  Previous orders, wishlists, and address!  The only thing missing is recently viewed items, but who cares about that?  

 

Mike

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Friday, April 19, 2024 12:58 PM

hon30critter
MisterBeasley
Waitstaff and bartenders are friends here.  They're not just employees.  We've been asked  "Are you sure?" about some of our tips, and we have to assure them we are.  We have a few favorite places, and visit them often.

Quite by accident,  we went out to a restaurant we didn't normally go to last night.  We ran into an old friend, the bartender from the first place we went to after the restaurant lockdowns ended here.  He was tending bar at this different restaurant now.  He and his wife, also a former barkeep at the old place,  now have two children.

I sat down to breakfast this morning, looked out the window and saw a bald eagle perched atop a tree a few hundred feet away.  We have a few eagles who nest nearby, but they usually avoid our more heavily settled area.  Later, we saw him across the creek picking at a spot where we saw turkey vultures yesterday.  Turkey vultures don't kill prey, but will generally only eat carrion.  Eagles will sometimes eat it, too.

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

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Posted by NorthBrit on Friday, April 19, 2024 2:46 PM

Water Level Route

Good Morning Diners.  Chloe, I'll have what John's having.

 

John says,  "No you're not.   Get your own."

 

David (for John)   Laugh[(-DLaugh

To the world you are someone.    To someone you are the world

I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought

  • Member since
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Posted by BATMAN on Friday, April 19, 2024 3:46 PM

Good afternoon from the perfect West Coast where it is 22c in the sunshine.

Water Level Route
Happy day!  My oldest daughter is moving home from college for the summer today AND I don't have to go down to help her.  We got enough moved in my truck last Sunday that she was able to fit what she had left in her little car this morning.

The same here Mike, my daughter should be able to fit her stuff in her car, I used to fill the back of the truck but she should be able to cut back just enough to get it in the car. She has banks of computers to bring home but her BMW has a huge trunk. She thinks one more year at University and then she will take a break and work for a while and then continue on for her second PHD while she is working at some point.

The wife came on my walk today which is always a good sign, we did 5km at a leisurely pace. Not sure if the dogs like poking along when the wife comes along or if they like to motor when I go alone. They give me that look like why are we going so slow?Laugh

Not really a tip... but. When I was working logistics for the Feds I not only moved stuff for the Canadian Government but did so for Allies and friendly countries as well. I was always picking up stuff off aircraft and taking them to foreign Consulates. Most Consulates were just in houses that ranged from what you would find in middle-class neighbourhoods right up to huge mansions in hoity-toityville. One thing I was often given at many of these places was booze, sometimes by the case. The larger Consulates would hold huge social events and thus had huge wine rooms while the smaller ones always had some on hand from the homeland that they would never use up. I almost always had to get the Consul to sign off on whatever I had directly and became pretty friendly with some of them to the point where I would sit and have coffee with them. I think they had a lot of slow days sometimes.Laugh

Well, back to fence mending, oh boy!

Two Cabooses in this photo.Whistling

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."

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Posted by gmpullman on Saturday, April 20, 2024 7:01 AM

Caboose Motel?

 Caboose track by Mike Danneman, on Flickr

It wasn't always a joy ride back there...

 Passing a derailment site by Mike Danneman, on Flickr

 

Regards, Ed

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • From: Flyover Country
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Posted by York1 on Saturday, April 20, 2024 11:08 AM

Good morning, diners.  It's Saturday, so I'll have bacon, eggs, and coffee, Flo.

It got down to 24°F last night, so the people who have already planted flowers were scrambling to get everything covered and protected.  It's supposed to be at least that cold tonight.

It's my wife's birthday this week.  Some wives are happy with a Hallmark card or a new kitchen spatula, but my wife wants a new iPhone.  She says she has older eyes and wants a pro larger screen iPhone.  I told her my $30 Walmart phone does everything her thousand dollar iPhone does, but that didn't fly with her.

For my birthday, I'm usually happy with checking the bank account online and not seeing any new debits.

I'm having a terrible time getting this posted this morning.  403 errors time after time.

More layout work on a new building.  I'm making a cardboard model first.  I can't seem to get it to look right.

I hope all the diners we haven't heard from are doing well.  Have a good Saturday, everyone.

 

https://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?media/c-o-caboose.78190/

York1 John       

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Saturday, April 20, 2024 1:25 PM

The GF just got a new iPhone.  It's already a nightmare, with a lot of the stuff from her old phone either not transferring over or just not working.  It cost her $1200.

I got my original flip-phone about 20 years ago.  I think my provider has replaced it twice at no cost to me because they were upgrading their system and the old phones wouldn't work.  I've got a basic Android phone now.  I usually use it just for phone calls, but it will take pictures and do internet things.

When I hear non-stop complaints about iPhones, I always wonder why people even use them.

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

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Posted by CNCharlie on Saturday, April 20, 2024 2:09 PM

Good Afternoon,

We finally are seeing the sun here after a week of cloud and showers. Yesterday it was 35F.

I am still using a flip phone. It is on an old plan that was grandfathered and so is quite inexpensive. The phone does all I need. I have a second one on a pay as you go plan that costs about $10 / month.

Nothing new here, yard clean up should start next week. 

Bought another loco display case for the CP Hudson. Rapido has a very nice one for only $40. I have 5 of them now. 

The real CN Charlie, my Grandfather, was born 137 years ago this month. 

CN Charlie

 

 

 

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
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Posted by MisterBeasley on Saturday, April 20, 2024 2:46 PM

CNCharlie

The real CN Charlie, my Grandfather, was born 137 years ago this month. 

My grandfather was born 168 years ago.  Yes, that's before the American Civil War.  My Dad was the last of 12 children for James and Annie.  We figured old James was almost 60 when my Dad was conceived.  Annie was a spring like 40.

James was in the Scottish Merchant Marine, and sailed on wooden sailing ships, because that's how it was done back then.  I'm the son of a son of a sailor.  I named my daughter Annie.

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

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