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Jeffreys Track Side Diner for August 2024

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  • Member since
    February 2015
  • From: Ludington, MI
  • 1,865 posts
Posted by Water Level Route on Monday, August 26, 2024 5:57 AM

Good Morning Diners.  Chloe, bacon and eggs please.  Oh, and a black coffee.

I can't wait for this coming weekend.  We have a wedding to go to Saturday, but otherwise that's it.  It's the only sane weekend we're getting in September.  Got the oldest daughter moved in to her dorm Saturday.  Each year the process has gotten a little easier and a little quicker.  Her new roommate seems nice.  So far so good.

Also, my youngest had a soccer tournament this weekend.  (Yes, I did a trainload of driving this weekend)  Her team ended up winning the thing.  Gave up 1 goal total across four games while scoring eleven.  The incredible thing is, they still don't look like they are playing well.  Half the girls are new to the team and it shows.  If they can figure each other out and build a little trust in each other they could be scary good.

David, glad you are home from your stay in the hospital.

Bear, you've got me to talk to during the week here.  No promises on the weekend, but I'll try.

Take care everyone.

Mike

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
  • 6,255 posts
Posted by "JaBear" on Monday, August 26, 2024 4:34 AM
Gidday Chloe, thank goodness Charlie dropped in, otherwise I’d end up talking to myself. Actually, talking to yourself isn’t too bad, even arguing with yourself is OK, unless you lose, which I seem to do more frequently.Sigh
 
Anyhow, from Bulgaria…
 
Thoughts and Best Wishes to All that need them. Kia Kaha.
Cheers, the Bear.Smile

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

  • Member since
    August 2007
  • 2,123 posts
Posted by CNCharlie on Sunday, August 25, 2024 8:35 PM

Good Evening,

Sure is quiet in the Diner. 

A hot, humid day here but those are becoming in short supply at this time of year. A few trees are starting to drop leaves partly due to the heat and dryness for the past month. Our water bill will be insane. 

Have seen a couple of warblers as the migration is starting for songbirds.

Nothing new on the RR front. I am running my Consolidation but will have to find out why it was stalling on a couple of turnouts. I suspect a pickup problem to sort out as other locos are running fine. 

Keep cool,

CN Charlie

 

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
  • 6,255 posts
Posted by "JaBear" on Sunday, August 25, 2024 3:36 AM
Gidday Chloe, would you mind setting up a table, seat, and umbrella outside, please. Just because York1John can’t come in, doesn’t mean that he should have to miss out on his coffee, bacon, and eggs.
 
Sort of caught up with paperwork this weekend, though Her-in- Doors and I have taken up “Aqua jogging” at the local geothermally heated Aquatic Centre, (though I’m more of an “Aqua stroller”) and went for down for an hour this morning, very pleasant.
 
BATMAN
Bear, thanks for posting Ray's Blacksmith shop in WPF last week
 
No worries, Batman, I was saddened to see that Rays original posts on his blacksmiths shop had suffered from “Photobucketitis.” I particularly remembered his making of the stone wall moulds and casting them. I think there may have been a couple of attempts before Ray was satisfied. I do wonder if he ever qualified for his NMRA “Master Model Railroader” but no matter what, his overall service to the public in various forms made him a “Master Gentleman” and general all-round good bloke in my book.
 
Good to see you’re back home, David.
 
Dave, thanks for taking the time to help out a fellow Forum member, and contacting Eric White. I’m guessing they’re flat out getting used to a new system of management and all that entails, but I still think a quick post here on the Forum would have been good. Learning about what’s going on from another Forum has a certain irony!!
 
Anyhow, a Swedish ore train…
 
 
…and a Swedish built locomotive in Turkey.
 
 
Thoughts and Best Wishes to All that need them. Kia Kaha.
Cheers, the Bear.Smile

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

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
  • 6,255 posts
Posted by "JaBear" on Saturday, August 24, 2024 6:15 PM

 Model boating by Bear, on Flickr

Smile Sigh

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

  • 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 Saturday, August 24, 2024 1:14 PM

Good morning from a very wet Pacific Rim.

Had to make a run down to Oregon Thursday to get a dog bred, back yesterday. 700km each way. What a gong show traffic was, we drove to the border and saw maybe three cars on the way and there was no one waiting at the crossing with many lanes open. From then on it was bumper to bumper all the way there and all the way back. We listened to most of Luis Elizondo's book Imminent on Spotify down and back. It is a ten-hour listen. Also played tunes and the wife got a couple of long phone calls from people needing opinions on how to proceed with some medical issues. Those were on speaker and I listened intently with my high school education while all the time realizing how much knowledge and experience my wife and her colleagues have obtained over the years.

Bear, thanks for posting Ray's Blacksmith shop in WPF last week. I remember the build as he placed each shake on the roof and told us how many he got done in a day.

Hope Dave and David and any others are making positive progress with their medical issues.

I think it is a day in the trainroom as it is still pouring rain, but first, a pile of bacon and eggs is in order.

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
    October 2020
  • 3,604 posts
Posted by NorthBrit on Saturday, August 24, 2024 10:46 AM

Good afternoon Diners.  Afternoon Tea please, Chloe.  Add an extra scone please.

Back home having a decent cup of tea  and food.

Apart from some catching up to do not a lot going on.

Must go and see the train room, but Dawn has me 'taking it easy'?

 

I have been looking at some photographs of or daughter, SiL and grandchildren  in Italy.   Earlier in their trip they saw Amanda, our daughter's Godmother and spent some time with her and her family.   That was good to see.  Big Smile

 

Thoughts & Peace to All who Require.

 

David

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

I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Saturday, August 24, 2024 9:56 AM

Speaking of our MIAs, I just got an email from John York1 this morning.  He's doing fine and wanted us all to know that.  However, he cleaned out some stuff on his computer and, surprise, he's lost his ability to log in here.  I also noticed his absence from this forum.  

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

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
  • 6,255 posts
Posted by "JaBear" on Saturday, August 24, 2024 5:00 AM
Gidday Chloe, I hope we haven’t run out of bacon and eggs, just that I haven’t seen York1John of late. Mr. Tf, either for that matter. Come to think of it there are quite a few MIA!!
 

MisterBeasley
Think about a living will for yourself. 

Already have, Mr. B.
 
I guess you gentlemen, (and ladies??) don’t need to be reminded of winter, but this was posted a couple of days ago…
 
 
 
And from Norway…
 
 Rauma valley by Frühtau, on Flickr
 
 
Thoughts and Best Wishes to All that need them. Kia Kaha.
Cheers, the Bear.Smile

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

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Friday, August 23, 2024 9:05 PM

hon30critter

MisterBeasley,

I'm sorry to hear about your Mom. She did you a great favour by establishing her living will.

Dave 

Thanks.  It was 30 years ago, but I still remember it and still remember talking to the doctor about it.  Knowing it was her will and not some sort of medical recommendation makes things like that easier.  Medicine then could do no more for her.

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

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Friday, August 23, 2024 7:20 PM

MisterBeasley,

I'm sorry to hear about your Mom. She did you a great favour by establishing her living will.

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
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Friday, August 23, 2024 4:32 PM

Bad news on another thread this morning.  I don't want to add to that thread, but I've been thrust into the decision-making role when my Mom was leaving us.

It still wasn't easy, but it was much easier because she had a living will that clearly asked us, if she could not tell us herself, not to prolong her life beyond any hope of survival.  She was dying of cancer, and no longer conscious.  I spoke to the doctor and he agreed.  She probably had a few more days, so it was a blessing.

Think about a living will for yourself.  It makes the call much easier when it's necessary.

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

  • Member since
    February 2015
  • From: Ludington, MI
  • 1,865 posts
Posted by Water Level Route on Friday, August 23, 2024 1:04 PM

Hello again diner staff.  Quiet lately.  Chloe, can I have a stack of onion rings and a chocolate malt please.

My truck is all loaded up with my daughter's stuff for her dorm.  Makes me sad.  Still, it's her last year and who knows, she might end up back near home after graduation.

Took Otis the dog for one of his walks this afternoon and saw a doe laying in a neighbor's yard just munching on grass and watching us walk by.  Didn't seem to care that we were there at all.

Mike

  • Member since
    February 2015
  • From: Ludington, MI
  • 1,865 posts
Posted by Water Level Route on Thursday, August 22, 2024 6:35 AM

Good Morning Diners.  Janie, I'll have the special with bacon and wheat toast.

Ed, only thing I can think of is there used to be a signal bridge there that had to stay in place until the newer signals were put up in the background, after the tracks were installed?

Bear, I too have always liked the look of the German steam locomotives.  As for the red/black scheme, that color combo looks good already.  Having the running gear red makes it pop in my opinion. (shows all the details!)  I always thought it would be neat to have a European themed layout, but I wouldn't do it in place of my primary layout.  It would have to be a second layout.

I see CN & CPKC locked out their employees.  I wonder how long this is going to last.  

Speaking of Canadian railroads...

Happy Thursday!

Mike

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
  • 6,255 posts
Posted by "JaBear" on Thursday, August 22, 2024 4:08 AM
 Curved set track by Bear, on Flickr
 
Gidday Chloe, I’ve said it before and no doubt will say it again, but I do think the red and black looks smart.
 
 
Thoughts and Best Wishes to All that need them. Kia Kaha.
Cheers, the Bear.Smile

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

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 6:36 AM

Water Level Route
Got the Niagara out last night for a spin around the rails.  I need more train time. 

Gotta love a Niagara! I like to keep the wheels shiny on mine —

 NYC_6008_S-1 by Edmund, on Flickr

Another 4-8-4, this time with smoke:

 UP_8444 by Edmund, on Flickr

Question of the day:  Why did railroad engineers do this?

 Altoona_CR_Alto by Edmund, on Flickr

I've seen these 'loopy' sidings in several other instances. This one is in Altoona on the Pennsy/PC/Conrail main through town. I can't imagine they did all that additional track work just to make a little extra room for that little dwarf signal there.

Fall is just around the corner here in Ohio. It is 47° this morning... Brrr.

Cheers, Ed

  • Member since
    February 2015
  • From: Ludington, MI
  • 1,865 posts
Posted by Water Level Route on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 5:47 AM

Good Morning Diners.  Flo, coffee and one of those croissant's Bear left.  Thanks Bear!

When I bought my truck, there was a tonneau cover on it that was not at all my style.  It's expensive and very heavy duty, but ugly as all get out.  It's been high on my list to replace as soon as I can.  Had to take it off the truck last night to get ready to load up my daughter's move back to school.  I don't think it's going back on, but I have to come up with the $$ now for the one I want.  First world problems.

Got the Niagara out last night for a spin around the rails.  I need more train time. 

Have a good day everyone.

Mike

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
  • 6,255 posts
Posted by "JaBear" on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 4:48 AM
Well Chloe, if this keeps up, Cousin Vinnie must be considering the long-term future of the place! Sigh
 
 
Water Level Route
Fully into the start of a whirlwind 6 weeks or so for the family.
As long as you all don’t get blown away!!
 
For a change, some smoky French locomotives.
 
 
Thoughts and Best Wishes to All that need them. Kia Kaha.
Cheers, the Bear.Smile
 
Edit: Top of the page. Staying with the French theme, anyone for a croissant with ham and cheese?
 
 Homemade crossiant by Tony Shi, on Flickr

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

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 10:51 PM

I got an email from Mark Roach who is a member of the forums. He has asked me to post a message explaining the problems he is having signing in.

He has not been able to sign in for over two weeks. All he has been getting is an error message that tells him to contact customer support, but that has been "fruitless". He has to be signed in to contact any of the administrators so that isn't working.

He is hoping that one of the administrators will see this post, and he would like to hear from anyone who has had similar problems and how they were resolved.

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
    August 2011
  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
  • 6,255 posts
Posted by "JaBear" on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 5:39 AM

NorthBrit
...whilst I taste  'yucky'  hospital food.

It was nearly 18 months ago since my hospital stay, but I still can’t abide peach yogurt. Still like the lemonade ice blocks (popsicles) though. They were great at “wetting the whistle,” cool and soothing!
  
Thoughts and Best Wishes to All that need them. Kia Kaha.
 
Cheers, the Bear.Smile
 

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

  • Member since
    August 2007
  • 2,123 posts
Posted by CNCharlie on Monday, August 19, 2024 7:06 PM

Good Evening,

David, hope your hospital stay has a good result. 

A warm day here. 

Nothing new to report so I suppose that is positive. Have nearly finished my driveway project. I only spend an hour or so at a time at it as it is a tedious job scraping the moss and dirt around each brick.

Time to fire up the grill. Salmon burgers tonight.

CN Charlie

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Monday, August 19, 2024 1:25 PM

God afternoon, gentlemen.

When I moved from Massachusetts to Delaware, I got everything in my VW Jetta and one big moving Pod.  My house in Delaware was empty, so getting everything in was easy.  Unfortunately,  the GF had 2 big Pods so that was not so easy.  The garage is still mostly full of her stuff, and the pile is growing.

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

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Monday, August 19, 2024 8:49 AM

Hi David, 

I hope your progress gets a little more positive, but at least the count is in your favour. Keep thinking positively. I'm glad that Dawn is doing better.

I know exactly how you feel. My hemoglobin count has decided to take a dive. It is less than half what it should be. The result is that my muscles are not getting enough oxygen so I am very weak. Just walking a few feet exhausts me. The good news is that it can be corrected, but it takes a lot of time.

Best of luck!

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 2015
  • From: Ludington, MI
  • 1,865 posts
Posted by Water Level Route on Monday, August 19, 2024 8:32 AM

Good Morning Diners.  Brunhilda, coffee and a slice of cheese danish please.

Fully into the start of a whirlwind 6 weeks or so for the family.  I had a work thing last week that saw me leaving home about 6:30 in the morning and returning just after 9:00 at night, basically each day.  Then, spent the weekend out of town at a soccer tournament with crummy weather (our stuff will take days to dry out).  Another out of town tournament this coming weekend, plus have to move my oldest back to school Saturday.  Then in a couple weeks I'm off on a week long work trip, while my youngest has two to three soccer games every weekend through September, all of them at least a 90 minute drive from home.  September is going to age me!Laugh

David, I hope your stay in hospital isn't too long.

Our last truly big purge was when we moved house about 10 years ago.  Since then, we've done smaller purges as time permits to try to stay on top of things.  All in all, I think we are doing fairly well at keeping the unneccesary stuff to a minimum.  Still, I can see another mini-purge on the horizon after we get our oldest's stuff out of the basement and back to her dorm.

 

Mike

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
  • 6,255 posts
Posted by "JaBear" on Monday, August 19, 2024 5:46 AM
Gidday Chloe, I must admit that I’m feeling slightly guilty coming into the Diner and disturbing you ladies!
 
Nother cold wet windy day! Still, it is winter!
 
A428 on the Weka Pass Railway.
 
 WT by Bear, on Flickr
Thoughts and Best Wishes to All that need them. Kia Kaha.
Cheers, the Bear.Smile

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

  • Member since
    October 2020
  • 3,604 posts
Posted by NorthBrit on Monday, August 19, 2024 5:38 AM

Good morning Diners.     A large mocha coffee and a piece of carrot cake please, Brunhilda.

Got to have another stay in hospital as I seem to have taken three steps forward and two back.  (At least it is one step forward.  lol)

 

Dawn is having a run of good days (thank goodness).   Oldest grandson will stay with her whilst I taste  'yucky'  hospital food.

 

Hopefully back soon.

 

David

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

I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Sunday, August 18, 2024 8:47 AM

Hi David, 

My parents were exactly the same as Dawn's. We took trailer loads of broken and useless stuff to the dump. Dianne and I have made the same vow. We will not burden our son and DIL with the same situation!

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
    October 2020
  • 3,604 posts
Posted by NorthBrit on Sunday, August 18, 2024 8:30 AM

Hi Dave.

When the In-Laws passed, they left so much stuff.  Stuff that was broken the FiL was going to repair and never did.   They were a generation that threw nothing away.

Dawn said she would not let our children go through  the same challenges with our items.   Therefore if it hasn't been used for some time, out it goes.   Mindst you I lock the train room.   lol

 

David

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

I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Sunday, August 18, 2024 7:31 AM

Hi David, 

Dianne and I have had several clear-outs over the years. We had one earlier this summer. We rented a 10 cubic yard disposal bin and filled it! In fact, we had more than that but you can't overload the bins or you get charged big time. Most of the stuff was from the garage renovation.

That was the third time we have rented a bin since we moved in 36 years ago. Each time the bins were filled to the brim. The funny thing was that the garage didn't look any different after the first two bins were filled. However,  this last clearance did produce some noticeable results but we still have a dozen large boxes to sort out. I may have to buy some more storage cabinets.

We also have gotten rid of a lot of stuff simply by placing it at the curb. It seems people will take anything if it's free!

It's amazing how much junk can be acquired during a lifetime!

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
    October 2020
  • 3,604 posts
Posted by NorthBrit on Sunday, August 18, 2024 5:48 AM

Good morning Diners..   A large coffee on the go please, Janie.

Just a quick visit.   Dawn is on a throwing out of things we no longer need.  She says yes or no.  I dispose what is yes.   (I locked the train room.  lol.)

 

Stay Safe Everyone.

 

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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