Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Jeffrey's Trackside Diner: November, 2024

2896 views
36 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,875 posts
Jeffrey's Trackside Diner: November, 2024
Posted by maxman on Friday, November 1, 2024 11:37 AM

Since it appears that there are no other volunteers, let me be the first to say:

Welcome to the November, 2024 Jeffrey's Trackside Diner!


Graphics Courtesy See You 190 Kevin 


Looks like the diner may grow roots here.

A couple thoughts come to mind.

First, I would like to encourage all the absent members to come and participate.  Your presence is missed.

Second, I hope that everyone manages to survive next week, whatever your affiliation or affliction.

And third, try to enjoy the festivities at the end of the month as much as possible.  You can share the cranberries, but leave me a leg.

  • Member since
    March 2011
  • From: Westford MA
  • 539 posts
Posted by Tophias on Friday, November 1, 2024 4:54 PM

Good afternoon Diners. Flo, how about a quick Giuness before I shove off.

Maxman, thnx for getting us started this month, and for reminding me it contains my favorite holiday. Though it seems to be almost a forgotten holiday, with Xmas already in full push with retail displays and TV ads.

I've been busy and tired the last couple of weeks. It seems every year there are more leaves to deal with and my backpack blower seems to be getting heavier every year. I can only last about 2 1/2 - 3 hours and then I'm whipped. And I'm getting crankier, thinking I'm the only one on my street trying to keep up with the leaves and that 25% of all the leaves I blow belong to neighbors. Don't get me started! Super Angry

Regards, Chris 

  • Member since
    August 2007
  • 2,123 posts
Posted by CNCharlie on Sunday, November 3, 2024 12:24 PM

Good Afternoon,

A rainy day here, first one in a long time. It has been a very dry fall, the river near us is lower than I have ever seen. We need a lot of snow this winter. 

It is my birthday today. I'm 77. Not doing anything as celebrations aren't a part of our lives with my wife's condition. I see Lulu is 76 today. There was a Diner participant, Johnboy, who also had a birthday today but he has been absent for 5 years or so. He had cancer so not surprised.

Maybe I'll run a train, 

CN Charlie

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2015
  • From: Ludington, MI
  • 1,858 posts
Posted by Water Level Route on Sunday, November 3, 2024 12:54 PM

Happy Birthday Charlie! Happy B-DayCake Hope it is a pleasant day for you.  Maybe your wife would let you get a nice take home meal from a restaurant to celebrate?

All Saints service at church today.  They did a bit where they remembered everyone from the congregation who passed away in the last year, or someone who passed who was close (immediate family) to congregation members.  We're not big fans of our current pastor, but she did a nice job with it.

Already working on Thanksgiving plans.  Not like there is a lot of variation in the meal I make every year, but my wife acts like she has to bring it up so we can talk about it.  Makes her feel included I suppose.  Last year I roasted a turkey, smoked a turkey, made homemade stuffing, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, chocolate pecan pie, and real whipping cream.  My wife made deviled eggs.  And made a huge production of it.  You would think she made as much food as I did.

Got a couple bacon wrapped pork tenderloins on the smoker.  Hopefully ready soon.  Have a great Sunday everyone, especially you Charlie!

Mike

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,875 posts
Posted by maxman on Sunday, November 3, 2024 3:03 PM

Tophias
Though it seems to be almost a forgotten holiday, with Xmas already in full push with retail displays and TV ads.

If Thanksgiving is almost a forgotten holiday, Xmas is not far behind.  The ads for Michaels and Hobbylobby already are advertising Xmas items 40% to 50% off.

  • Member since
    March 2011
  • From: Westford MA
  • 539 posts
Posted by Tophias on Sunday, November 3, 2024 5:01 PM

Hey Charlie, Happy Birthday. Hope it's a good day for you and wishing you many more 

B'Days!

Regards, Chris 

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
  • 6,248 posts
Posted by "JaBear" on Monday, November 4, 2024 3:27 AM

Happy B-Day Charlie

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

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: west coast
  • 7,667 posts
Posted by rrebell on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 7:08 AM

maxman

 

 
Tophias
Though it seems to be almost a forgotten holiday, with Xmas already in full push with retail displays and TV ads.

 

If Thanksgiving is almost a forgotten holiday, Xmas is not far behind.  The ads for Michaels and Hobbylobby already are advertising Xmas items 40% to 50% off.

 

They don't want to be stuck with stuff and you have to relize they pay almost nothing for the stuff they sell for the most part. It is all an illusion just like a lot of retail. The car dealer shows you an invoice for the car you want, seems like your getting a deal and it would be true if it was one car but the dealer gets discounts based on volume plus other rewards. It amazes me how alot of people don't understand how retail works, not to say that applies to anyone here and now we are so few in number. But then who am I to talk, I buy most stuff at extreme discount including food and train stuff.

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
  • 6,248 posts
Posted by "JaBear" on Thursday, November 7, 2024 1:53 AM

My word, Chloe, there's moss growing on some of the counter seats!!

With the onset of spring,  I've been busy in the vegetable garden. Had a lot of self sown tomato plants in the pots that are sheltered by the sunny side of the house, which have managed to survive, so have repotted them which appears to have had some success. Also got my usual salad greens, cucumbers and zucchini planted.

Plenty of self sown spinach thriving as well.

On the subject of leaf blowers, l reckon they are the biggest con in the gardening equipment market. When working night shift, I had a neighbour who would start early in the morning , then spend the next few hours chasing  the leaves round an round his house, leaving them in a big pile, just to get spread around again in the next wind! A total exercise in futility!

At least I,at a reasonable hour, would run over my leaves with the lawn mower, mulching them in the process.

Nothing happening on the model railroading front as I've been  asked to make some more "presentation pieces."

 SP Planes1 by Bear, on Flickr

  SP Planes 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
    February 2015
  • From: Ludington, MI
  • 1,858 posts
Posted by Water Level Route on Thursday, November 7, 2024 5:44 AM

Good Morning Diners. Janie, coffee and toast please. 

Every day I try to log in to the forums on my main computer. Every day it doesn't work. I hate using my phone to post. 

Bear, those are some neat planes! You do a great job with them. 

I bought a leaf blower when I had a push mower and happily fought blowing leaves for years. Now I use my riding mower to mulch the leaves and use my leaf blower to "sweep" the garage, patio, etc. 

Mike

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,875 posts
Posted by maxman on Thursday, November 7, 2024 12:39 PM

Water Level Route
Every day I try to log in to the forums on my main computer. Every day it doesn't work. I hate using my phone to post. 

I'm wondering, are you getting one of those messages?  Or does it appear that nothing is happening?  When I connect from my home computer, it sometimes takes a while to connect.  But I'm not getting those messages.

And have you tried logging in from someone else's computer, like at a library?

  • Member since
    August 2007
  • 2,123 posts
Posted by CNCharlie on Thursday, November 7, 2024 7:57 PM

Good Evening,

I can only get into the forum on my tablet. It is old and has a 7" screen but still works. I can't get in on 2 laptops we have. 

Bear, nice plane models! I was doing some research on the Hawker Typhoon. A very interesting plane. It's prop was 11' in diameter. 

The mild weather continues. It was  50F here today. I got the soil cleaned out of some pots today. Am about half done. I have to get it done by Sunday as the temps are supposed to drop next week.

Nothing new. 

CN Charlie

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2015
  • From: Ludington, MI
  • 1,858 posts
Posted by Water Level Route on Friday, November 8, 2024 9:12 AM

Good Morning Diners.  Janie, coffee and a powdered doughnut.

maxman
And have you tried logging in from someone else's computer, like at a library?

I've not tried logging in from elsewhere.  I had been logged in on three computers.  My desktop, my laptop, and my phone.  I was automatically logged in on each of these devices.  Somehow, I have become logged out on my laptop (literally went to the forum one day and wasn't logged in and that's when the trouble started), and when I attempt to sign in, I get a message that some sort of error has occured and to contact a site administrator.  I've tried both Chrome and Edge and get the same result.  My desktop and phone still have me logged in, so I can still use those for now.  I'm afraid to try logging out and attempting to log back in.  I'm guessing I would never be let back in.

Had to take my truck in for a recall this morning for a software update.  The scheduler said it would take up to two hours.  I was gone in thirty minutes.  Guess it went smoother than they thought!

Debating if I start hanging Christmas lights on the house today.  The weather is good and I have the time.  Wouldn't light them yet, but just to get some of them done would be nice.  We'll see.  Maybe next weekend.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Mike

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: west coast
  • 7,667 posts
Posted by rrebell on Sunday, November 10, 2024 8:52 AM

Never understood logging out unless you have to for non money websites. Maybe it is because once I find a legit site I save it so I will always go back to that exact address. Too many scams to do do it this way, still nothing is bullit proof. That is why I do no banking online and any transactions are credit cards or holders of credit cards and don't think they havent tried.

  • Member since
    November 2013
  • 2,774 posts
Posted by snjroy on Sunday, November 10, 2024 2:42 PM

Yes, logging in is a pain! I hope the new owners will annonce something soon...

Bear, I like how you give a second life to these auto parts. Are these soldered together?

 

WPF is apparently closed "until further notice", so I guess I'll post my most recent work here. Just completed this little project:

 IMG_20241109_092226b , on Flickr

I removed the molded details and repainted the engine. This Mantua is pretty close to the prototype, with its "new" and modified MDC tender. She actually runs pretty well... 

Simon

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: west coast
  • 7,667 posts
Posted by rrebell on Monday, November 11, 2024 7:59 AM

Considering you started with an MDC engine, that is fantastic work. Very familar with MDC as I built a lot of their stuff. Still have a bunch of their box cars to build (the ones that had the individual grab irons that I upgrade with better quality grabs etc.).

  • Member since
    November 2013
  • 2,774 posts
Posted by snjroy on Monday, November 11, 2024 11:11 AM

Thanks rrebell. It's actually a Mantua. I like their valve gear, but the old MDCs were easier to fine tune, in my opinion. This model, which I believe depicts an early 19th century Baldwin, was used in many logging RRs, including the TNVR. 

Now back to the yard work, my backyard that is...

Simon

  • Member since
    February 2015
  • From: Ludington, MI
  • 1,858 posts
Posted by Water Level Route on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 5:31 AM

Good morning diners. Chloe, big big coffee please. 
Simon, great work on the locomotive!  That's a sweet little engine. 
Got an early Christmas present in the mail yesterday. Another dream locomotive that doesn't fit my layout and I don't care. A Tuscan red GG1. I've always loved the GG1 and bought a green one a while back. Couldn't resist getting a red one to go with it. When I get a chance to crack the box open, I'll try to take a pic for you guys. 
Hope everyone is doing well. 

Mike

  • Member since
    February 2015
  • From: Ludington, MI
  • 1,858 posts
Posted by Water Level Route on Friday, November 15, 2024 9:15 AM

Janie, take a look at expiration dates on the food in the back and tell the cooks to start on the stuff about to go bad. I'll eat it. With the lack of patrons I have a feeling there's a heck of a feast headed my way. 

Mike

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,875 posts
Posted by maxman on Friday, November 15, 2024 12:09 PM

Try to avoid the items where someone has taken a bite.  I've sampled those.

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,875 posts
Posted by maxman on Sunday, November 17, 2024 4:21 PM

I'm sure you all know that if no one precipitates it will go away.

  • Member since
    March 2011
  • From: Westford MA
  • 539 posts
Posted by Tophias on Sunday, November 17, 2024 4:23 PM

I hear you Maxman, I just don't have anything to say here today. I did just post a new thread though.

Regards, Chris 

  • Member since
    February 2015
  • From: Ludington, MI
  • 1,858 posts
Posted by Water Level Route on Sunday, November 17, 2024 4:38 PM

Evening guys. Chloe,  a slice of peach pie and a glass of milk please. 
Chris-I saw your other thread, but have no idea if they are viable or not. Good luck. 
Maxman, I was going to respond to your thread after finding you a solution on shapeways just to find out Shapeways is out of business. That sucks. Anyone know of a replacement service similar to them?
Haven't been down to the layout in several days. Got the rest of the Christmas lights up outside though. I'm ready just as soon as my wife gives me the thumbs up to light them. 
Miss the patrons who can't log in. Thinking of everyone. 

Mike

  • Member since
    March 2011
  • From: Westford MA
  • 539 posts
Posted by Tophias on Sunday, November 17, 2024 5:36 PM

Flo, a Gunpowder Gin and tonic please.  Mike, please don't turn on your lights until after Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving has been slowly eroding away as a holiday, with Xmas being over indulged in my opinion. Nothing against Xmas,  thoroughly enjoy the whole season, but not at the expense of thanksgiving. Just my $.02. Thanks for hearing me out.

Regards, Chris 

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,875 posts
Posted by maxman on Sunday, November 17, 2024 8:21 PM

Tophias

I hear you Maxman, I just don't have anything to say here today. I did just post a new thread though.

Regards, Chris 

 

Well, sometimes a litle heavy breathing to let folks know we're still alive is welcome.

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,875 posts
Posted by maxman on Sunday, November 17, 2024 8:34 PM

Water Level Route
Maxman, I was going to respond to your thread after finding you a solution on shapeways just to find out Shapeways is out of business. That sucks. Anyone know of a replacement service similar to them?

I wasn't aware that I needed a solution to anything (except old age), but thanks anyway.

I was already aware that Shapeways was no longer.  There is some information here: https://cadmore.com/blog/what-happened-to-shapeways.

There is a new, Dutch, company that has taken over the business, Manuevo, but I don't know how they operate.

From what I can see, the cost of 3D printers has come way down to the point where almost anyone who wants one can find an affordable product.  So maybe that was a problem Shapeways had.  

 

  • Member since
    February 2015
  • From: Ludington, MI
  • 1,858 posts
Posted by Water Level Route on Monday, November 18, 2024 5:39 AM

Good morning. Flo, coffee to go please. 

Chris, after Thanksgiving is the plan for the lights, unless I become an outlier like a few years ago. Everyone else around me has theirs on and my house was the one of the last ones to turn them on. It was the week of Thanksgiving,  if I recall. 

Maxman, I was thinking there would be a 3D printed aci reader available as a solution for you. While I agree that 3D printers are way down in price, the sheer number of items already designed and available for those lacking the equipment, design software chops, or time was where Shapeways true value came in. Maybe the site you mentioned will fill that void. 

Mike

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,875 posts
Posted by maxman on Monday, November 18, 2024 8:13 AM

Ah, now I see why I'm confused.  I'm not guilty.

FRRYkid was the person looking for the ACI reader.

  • Member since
    February 2015
  • From: Ludington, MI
  • 1,858 posts
Posted by Water Level Route on Monday, November 18, 2024 11:49 AM

Embarrassed Whoops. I'm blaming having to use my phone to post. Too hard to keep various tabs straight. Now to remember if there was something specific I wanted to say to you...

Mike

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,482 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Monday, November 18, 2024 9:14 PM

It looks like I am one of the few who has gone over to the other forum but still maintains his ability to post here.  I'm afraid my news isn't good.  It was relayed to us by Batman Brent that our longtime friend and forum member Critter Dave has taken the Helix to the Big Roundhouse in the Sky.  We will miss him here.  He's been in hospice for a while, and his wife has been our only link to him.

Remember him in your thoughts.

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

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!