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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 12, 2024 11:38 AM

Well.  I guess were back.  For now.

John, I love your Nighthawks rendition.  That is a fantastic idea.  If I ever get up the nerve to try my hand at scratchbuilding, I definitely want to make that.  Very cool.

Mike

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • From: Flyover Country
  • 5,557 posts
Posted by York1 on Monday, August 12, 2024 11:07 AM

After trying each day and failing, my first thought this morning on opening the forum was, "Yes!  It's working!"

Unfortunately, the first diner post I read was a real downer.

Now, on to more pleasant things.

I've nearly finished the building I've been working on.  I originally saw a model of the building, but I didn't want to pay the price for the kit.  I decided to try to build it from scratch.  I've still got to finish the crooked roof over the diner and the cigar sign, along with several mis-fitting trim pieces.  Instead of N, I think O would have made the whole project easier.  The end is in sight:

 

 

Another "smoke and train" photo:

 

https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/news-photos-poseidon-helps-cn-fight-alberta-fires/

 

I hope all the current and former diners are doing well.

Don't directly tell anyone you don't like them; just say, "You're the Monday of my life!"

York1 John       

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Monday, August 12, 2024 10:44 AM

Tophias

Wow, other than one window on 8/7 when I got in a short post, it seems like it's been two weeks the forum has been down. As I said earlier, not angry, just disappointed.

that said, today the forum seems to fly when logging in today. A good sign? Or just an unusual event. Regardless, I'll hang in until they permanently shut out the lights (Hope that never happens). 

Regards, Chris 

 

This is the 11th day to be exact. It remains to be seen how long or short this lasts.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    March 2011
  • From: Westford MA
  • 546 posts
Posted by Tophias on Monday, August 12, 2024 10:18 AM

Wow, other than one window on 8/7 when I got in a short post, it seems like it's been two weeks the forum has been down. As I said earlier, not angry, just disappointed.

that said, today the forum seems to fly when logging in today. A good sign? Or just an unusual event. Regardless, I'll hang in until they permanently shut out the lights (Hope that never happens). 

Regards, Chris 

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, August 8, 2024 7:33 AM

AEP528

You say you've been working on your layout? Prove it. Stop posting opinions and post about the layout progress. Act like a model railroader. 

AEP528, I have been a member of this forum for 20 years. You have been a member for 16 years. I have posted innumerable photos and videos of my layout and my projects. I don't recall ever seeing one photo from you. Do you have a layout? You say, act like a model railroader. You would do well to take your own advice.

As usual, you missed the point of my earlier reply. The operative word was "word". "Not one word from the new owners has been posted on this forum". Capisce? I didn't ask for an update on the acquistion. I expressed frustration over the silence from the new owner.

Looking forward to your photos of your modeling.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 327 posts
Posted by AEP528 on Thursday, August 8, 2024 7:18 AM

richhotrain

  We are in the fourth month of new ownership and, yet, not one word from the new owners has been posted on this forum. What's up with that?

Rich

 

 
Maybe it has to do with the forum freeloaders loudly proclaiming they're not magazine subscribers? Maybe it's because they're posting updates where their actual audience is? Maybe it's because the new owners are addressing employment, office location, infrastructure, business contracts, and paying subscribers first? Maybe Kalmbach didn't actually have an IT department and the new owners have to figure out what to do? 
 
There's a lot of delusional thinking on this and another forum that everything would magically change once the papers were signed. A new forum will take months to deploy if the acocunts and history are maintained. Another forum went through it a few years ago, and it says a lot about that forum owner's integrity that he hasn't talked about it at all in response in response to your and others constant negativity. Craig Fuller stated that the forum would continue, but unlike the magazines, no timeline was given. 
 
I've repeated myself over and over again, but no one wants to accept reality: This forum is dying because it is populated with people who only want to talk about themselves and no one who's really interested in model railroading. Need proof? The diner and opinion threads see the majority of the posting. You say you've been working on your layout? Prove it. Stop posting opinions and post about the layout progress. Act like a model railroader.
 
  • Member since
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  • From: Flyover Country
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Posted by York1 on Thursday, August 8, 2024 7:00 AM

Good morning, diners.  Just coffee this morning.

By the look of the radar, I have a small window of time this morning to walk the dog before more rain hits.  Of course, it may all dissipate before it gets here -- just our luck.

The good news on the layout is I'm almost finished with a building that has taken me two months, off and on, to complete.  I think I can get it finished by tomorrow at the latest.  Then ... start laying track for a new diesel shop.  I'm able to reuse to the building I have from the last layout.

Some strange news for me yesterday is that I've made the decision not to go with my family next summer.  The daughters and families are all headed to France, and I, for the first time, will not go with them.  I've decided that overseas flights are just not good for me anymore.  I guess I could change my mind if the right trip came up, but my age is really slowing me down.  We've had some great trips together, but my body is telling me to slow down.

When I read the diner entries on the other forum, I fear the latest problems drove more of our group away.  Sad

I just checked the radar and again and it looks like I can make a break for it.  The dog wants to go walking even if it's raining.  Not at all like our last dog.

Have a great day, everyone.

York1 John       

  • Member since
    February 2015
  • From: Ludington, MI
  • 1,865 posts
Posted by Water Level Route on Thursday, August 8, 2024 5:30 AM

Good Morning Diners!  Chloe, coffee.  Janie, pancakes.  Brunhilda, a sweet roll please.  Have to spread my tip around a bit to keep these girls from wandering off to more regular employment!

John, I hear you about missing the forum when it's down.  Everyone in the diner makes for one of my social circles and I miss hearing from everyone when there are issues with the forum.  For those of us who have stuck around through the software issues, I think there is a real sense of community.  I hope we don't lose that.

David, hope you are doing well on the health front, even if there are no updates.

With summer starting to wind down, I'll have to be moving my oldest back to school soon.  With that in mind, I pulled out a half a brisket I've had waiting in the freezer.  It will make a nice Sunday dinner when it comes out of the smoker.  Our last Sunday dinner together before she moves back, as next weekend my youngest has a tournament out of town.

Hope to hear from everyone sooner than later, even if it's nothing more than to pop in and say you haven't completely given up on this forum.  The last long outage we had pushed a lot of people away. Sad

Mike

  • 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 Thursday, August 8, 2024 12:24 AM

Here you go TF.

Ambient Bridge noise. Eight hours worth.Laugh

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 8,173 posts
Posted by Track fiddler on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 11:54 PM

I'll catch up with you tomorrow Kids

TF

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 8,173 posts
Posted by Track fiddler on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 11:20 PM

Evening

 

TF

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 9:15 PM

York1

I need to get a life.  When the forum is down, I check the other forum, but for some reason I'm just not ready to change.  I'm a little upset that an online forum means so much to me.  Like I said, I need to get a life.

John, I get what you are saying, and there is no reason to feel upset. I feel the same way. We are powerless pawns here because there is nothing we can do about it when these prolonged outages occur. And, then, to make matters worse, no one in charge takes the time to explain what is going on. What, if anything, took place this evening to fix the problem that couldn't be done six days ago on a late Friday afternoon?

For those of us who consider model railroading a major hobby, we look to the forum to share experiences, ask questions, provide answers, and just generally enhance our love of the hobby. With all of the departures that have occurred and the loss of expertise that has gone with those departures, this forum has become a shell of its former self.

I have been working feverishly on my layout to pass time in the summer heat and humidity. As issues have come up, I don't even bother to pose them on this forum any longer. I go to that "other forum" for help. We are in the fourth month of new ownership and, yet, not one word from the new owners has been posted on this forum. What's up with that?

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 8,173 posts
Posted by Track fiddler on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 9:02 PM

Yes

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2015
  • From: Ludington, MI
  • 1,865 posts
Posted by Water Level Route on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 7:53 PM

Evening everyone. Glad to be back. 

Dave you may not be seeing the birds you were hoping for, but the cabin still sounds great. 

Trying to post from my phone right now, which isn't easy. Posting in the show me thread used up most of my patience. Laugh

 Hope everyone is well. I'll try to check back in tomorrow. 

Mike

  • Member since
    March 2011
  • From: Westford MA
  • 546 posts
Posted by Tophias on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 7:24 PM

Good evening fellow dinners, good to finally be back. Flo, Baileys on ice please.

so I was last able to post on 8/1. I'm not angry, just disappointed. I hope better days are ahead.

TF, your Mack 1 looks incredible. You obviously keep it pristine. More so, you drive it! I can't understand these guys who spend $$$$ for classic cars then garage/trailer them. Whatever!

Regards, Chris 

  • Member since
    August 2007
  • 2,123 posts
Posted by CNCharlie on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 6:52 PM

The chemical used to stop Dutch Elm is about 80% effective but it is expensive, $900 every 3 years so really only practical for a single specimen tree. We had an arborist assess our trees some years ago. He said ours was a native variety and they seem to be more resistant to disease than the planted ones.  Its trunk is 3' in diameter.

CN Charlie

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 5:30 PM

Dutch Elm Disease is still around. I cut down several elms every summer. They make good firewood but they're a bear to split. I believe our variety is called a 'slippery elm' for some reason. A while back we had an arborist visit and he showed us how to detect the disease. Just under the bark the wood will have a dark grey staining to it. You have to remove the stump completely as the disease will travel through the soil to other trees.

Smoke:

 23-13102 by George  Hamlin, on Flickr

Cheers, Ed

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 8,173 posts
Posted by Track fiddler on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 5:28 PM

SPOCK, ...IT'S ALIVE!!! 

CAPTAIN, It seems to be back.

I've been doing an experiment with the MR forum for the last two years, and more recently, been given an empty promise about a month or so ago, that the new software will be in effect.  Everything will work just fine they said, with best intentions I'm sure.  I'm only ashamed, (That This Hasn't Happened Yet)!!!

Did you contact Scotty in engineering, and tell him the importance of incerting Dilithium Crystals into the Warp Overdrive Generators, before they made that empty promise Spock.

No!  I did not Captain, you know that Vulcans cannot lie.  I decided to see if the new software worked for a week or two, and if not, the month after that, or the following year, or the year after that.

SPOCK!, ...You do realise, We will have to clean this mess up sooner than later than sometime, or we may have to send Bones in, ...to assist these Model Railroad Forum Members with their broken hearts.  With their Hearts not being able to swallow this kinda garbage for too much longer, as they are losing faith!

I get that Captain, as there is no excuse for this kind of neglect, or behavior disrespecting the members patreonage here for very much longer anymore.  If that was ever excusable at any time at all.

The few that are left here Captain!!! .......

See what you can do Spock, before the Space-Time-Continuum turns into Shambles!!!  Otherwise, no one will remain here on this planet. 

The financial groups will move on, ...MOVE all their advertising to Another site as professionalism is what they seek.

Logically speaking, with all Illogic present here, this once was a great site. I do believe you are correct Captain

 

The Advertising Stooges certainly didn't make this a great site.  The members here have always done thatBow

 

 

TF - C/O Spock & Captain Kirk

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • From: Flyover Country
  • 5,557 posts
Posted by York1 on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 5:16 PM

Yeah

The waitresses are still working!

I need to get a life.  When the forum is down, I check the other forum, but for some reason I'm just not ready to change.  I'm a little upset that an online forum means so much to me.  Like I said, I need to get a life.

Charlie, with so few Elm trees around anymore, is the disease still out there?  I know our nursery has some disease resistant Elm trees, but I don't know how good they are.  Right now, we are in the beginnings of the Ash borer invasion.  We are not happy about that -- in my town's parks, about ¼ of all the trees are Ash trees.  They are perfect for our climate -- they withstand hot weather, cold weather, and drought.  The university says within ten years, most of the Ash trees will be dead.  Sad

Looking through the entries, it seems like the diner is about the last gasp of the forum.  I don't know if it will recover if and when the software is fixed.  Not a good outlook.

I've missed everyone.  Hope you all have a good day.  David, I don't know how you're feeling, but if you're reading this, we are thinking of you.

 

While this photo has no smoke, maybe they're able to keep the smoke away with this:

 

York1 John       

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 4:45 PM

Welcome back everyone!

I agree that four days down is a bit much, but let's not dwell on it. Onward and upward.

We have had good weather thus far at our rental cottage. Tomorrow and Friday may be a bit damp.

Not much in the way of birds. We have had a pair of loons cruising close to the dock, and we saw some warblers for about 10 seconds this morning. Kind of disappointing.

I'm eager to get home because there are a couple of eBay purchases waiting for me.

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
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 4:12 PM

As far as I can tell, the forum went down late afternoon on Friday and somehow just returned late afternoon on Wednesday.

Ridiculous!

Disgraceful!

Not a good omen.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    August 2007
  • 2,123 posts
Posted by CNCharlie on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 4:07 PM

Good Afternoon,

Wow, the forum has been down for over 4 days. Not doing much for the profile of Model Railroader. 

Got our large elm tree injected for Dutch Elm disease. We have been doing it for 30 years and have one of the few very large trees left in the neighbourhood , well it was as is the largest, about 140 years old.

Not much new, have been watching a little of the Olympics. Prefer the winter one.

Hope to hear from the other Diners soon.

CN Charlie

 

  • 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 Wednesday, August 7, 2024 4:01 PM

Testing 1....2....3......

I'm not wasting any more ink until I know it works.

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Saturday, August 3, 2024 12:24 AM

One of the members of my old train club worked for Canadian National. He spent much of his career recovering wrecked trains. He had some amazing stories to tell like the number of times that he had sat atop a recently drained tank car with a cutting torch.  He had photographed every wreck that he worked on except the ones where fatalities were involved. The pictures were very interesting. They gave a better understanding of the huge forces at work when a large train leaves the tracks. He even had pictures of one freight car sitting atop another in a yard that was caused by the shunting engineer using too much power.

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 2008
  • 8,886 posts
Posted by maxman on Friday, August 2, 2024 10:21 PM

Sure glad that's not my father's railroad.

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
  • 6,255 posts
Posted by "JaBear" on Friday, August 2, 2024 9:38 PM

[quote user="gmpullman"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=754c3PCM4R4[/quote]

 Brooms by Bear, on Flickr

Smile

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

  • Member since
    March 2017
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Posted by Track fiddler on Friday, August 2, 2024 9:29 PM

What a train wreck!

I'll be hanging out in the Diner with a Grain Belt, until Flo gives me my walking papersLaugh

I'm going to put that 10 hours of brown noise back on the JBL Blue Tooth my daughter taught me.

 

You Kids take it easy and rest well.  Wishing the best to all of you

 

TF

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Friday, August 2, 2024 8:59 PM

Glad you took those double stacks off one container at a time, TF.  BNSF has a quicker method that may have mixed results:

 

(Looks like I can't embed the video so you'll have to click here)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=754c3PCM4R4

 

A group of guys arrived in the hi-railer to scratch their heads and flip a coin to see who gets to make the first move to clean this mess up.

Hope there's no Rapido train deliveries in any of those cans!

Cheers, Ed

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 8,173 posts
Posted by Track fiddler on Friday, August 2, 2024 7:53 PM

Evening

Thanks Jim.  And Thanks MikeSmile

gmpullman

Hate it when that happens Ed. 

Ya try to eat the thing, and it starts blowing out the side walls, with the fixings and condiments becoming quite unmanageableTongue Tied

 

We slowed the Train down for ya, and diverted to a siding, to have UP remove the top stacks...

to make for two singles to make things a bit more manageable for youLaugh...Whistling

I'll be joining you in the Diner around 8:15 to have those two singles with you, as those doubles are a bit too thick anyway in my opinion as wellSmile, Wink & Grin

 

TF

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Friday, August 2, 2024 7:00 PM

We made it to the cottage. Once we got past Gravenhurst the traffic was good. Getting through Barrie,  not so much.

The cottage is very nice. There is no AC but there are lots of fans. The view of the lake is very relaxing. There are no other cottages in view. The weather is hot but that's only supposed to last for a couple of days.

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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