Elliotts Trackside Diner (est 1-1-07)

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Hello everybody.

I certainly enjoyed meeting "Duke" and his friend Ray at the National Train Show. I must say that Duke is a terrific person, and time with him and Ray was well spent.  Duke said he met Dick a while back while in Mass. He explained just how good the real strawberry rhubarb pie real was.

I picked up several items for the layout, but no 2-10-2's. I actually found a few 2-10-2's, but the prices were sky high for them. Dealers were not sure why there was such a shortage of 2-10-2's , but they have heard rumors about a Canadian cornering the market for 2-10-2's.  Now nobody here would know about that; correct? 

Looks like some interesting posts on the board, but I won't comment on them now.  Shelley and I will be southbound in the morning.

Happy Model Railroading.

 

[grayfox1119]

Good evening, we had many TS's rool by today, several homes East of us struck by lightening, one guy was just moving into his home when one storm struck, he was plugging in his AC when the bolt hit the house and let him have it right out of the duplex wall outlet. He is OK after a visit to the hospital. Several huge trees uprooted and onto cars, telephone poles and homes.

I have the photos loaded onto the Webshots site listed on the bottom of my page, so if this doesn't work, you can always see all the photos there.

[Paul W. Beverung]

Evening Gang: We ran live steam today. Our new friend brought his locomotive over and did some running . Unfortunately he had a derailment on his first trip out and knocked the cylinder drain cocks off of the left cylinder. He finished his run and had the locomotive repaired in a couple of hours. He's 80 years old and flew Mesquitos during WW2. He's a very nice guy.

John ran my locomotive and did 6 or so runs. It ran very well and he had no problems. Some of us are going to run again tomorrow so I may take a turn at the throttle. It seems that as I get older I enjoy riding more. I've got to set one of my cars up with a mattres and pillow. It's a great way to take a nape.

Speaking of that I think that I'll call it a night.

Good Night All

[TrainFreak409]

Just posted the below pic of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man (who visited our farm the other day) in that thread regarding train personnel waving. Thought it might help those who forgot how. Now if I can just spot and photograph the ellusive steam loco chugging across the sky!?! 

Have a nice evening all.  Rob

 Rob; that is awesome! That has got to be one of the greatest cloud sightings I have ever seen. And about that steam loco...I have a seen a cloud that resembled an 0-8-0 switcher with a fairly long tender. I really wish I had my camera for that one. Just keep looking, it is out there my friend!

[Cederstrand]

One last cup of  to keep me going this evening.

Just posted the below pic of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man (who visited our farm the other day) in that thread regarding train personnel waving. Thought it might help those who forgot how. Now if I can just spot and photograph the ellusive steam loco chugging across the sky!?! 

Have a nice evening all.  Rob

[TrainFreak409]

Hey there y'all.

 I just got a call from NS a few minutes ago asking if I was planning on attending the recruiting session. That's got me all excited about these jobs. I know it's gonna be hard work, but I can't wait!

Adam: You mean you didn't get the N&W RS-11??? Shame on you! I thought that was pretty neat running into you there. I want to see you get the N scale AT Lines up and running now!

Duke: Those are excellent pictures! That is one beautiful locomotive. Needs a little cleaning around that smokebox though.

Pual & Jim in CG: Thanks for your best wishes on the job.

Okay y'all, I think I'm out.

[bjdukert]

Afternoon all

Good to see you back Ed and sounds like you had a good trip.

Ryan Nothing like seeing that big steam going down the track and I don't know of anyone that would be counting down the time.  Layout looks real nice.

JimCG You asked the question so I thought I would mention my plans for today. Bill is taking good care of his wife because he knows what would happen if he doesn't. She might be small but mighty.

Sue Stock pens look good and the video was good also.

Dick Yup, I know what you mean about the Berk and start a campaign to see if you can't get it to come your way. What a sight that would be, big steam on the rails headed out east to the home of its namesake.

Got to meet Garry today and we had a nice talk at lunch and then walked around together for a little bit after that. He had some pics of his layout and I told him he needs to get some of them posted here in the diner,they are well worth looking at. He got to meet Ray as well who also is in the R/C flying club I belong to and he is one of my riding(motorcycles) friends too.

Ok time for some more pics

This one is on the left side of the smokebox

These two were on the right side of the smokebox

One more to go and as Ed said once, I have tried to save the best to last.

Best to all on sick call and those recovering

Talk to you later

Duke

Ok,TOTP so belly up everyone.

[JPowell]

Hey guys and ladies!

  Just a quick stop in for me. Need to get a nap in and then do laundry and start packing for my trip back home come Wednesday.

  For those that have asked, I have been here since the 25th of June for a Air Force Leadership course that is required for me to get promoted in about 2 yrs or when the slot opens up. I'm hoping sooner, but highly doubtful right now.

  As for the Red Sox, good to see Lester is back. Be better if we can get Schill back in excellent form. I'm still doubtful if they can hold the Yanks off though. I have seen rumors that the Yanks my be shopping Damon... Any reason why? I've seen rumors of the Red Sox looking @ Dotel and Wiggington, but again...why?

  Well all, time for me to get going. My next stop in will be next weekend when I am back home.

TTYL!

JP

[JimRCGMO]

Afternoon, Janie - is it safe to come in? I heard Fergie was making raids (on 2-10-2's, on pies,...) I'll have a burger and a root beer float for now, thanks.

Y'know what? I think instead of the float, let me have a custard concrete. Great!

 

I know, I keep telling myself I'm strictly steam (and early diesel) these days, but those modern brutes are just so dang cool looking. What am I to do?  

Sounds like you're afflicted with Fergie's "dieseasel" ailment. But hey, Rob, it's your layout, right? You can put whatever kinds of locos on it that you want!

Sue, those stock pens look really good - are you working with a kit, or scratchbuilding it yourself? (And if so, do you have plans that some of us (me) could get a copy of? Hint, hint...)

Ryan, nice video, and that's a pretty long chain of those gons. Looks like you have a good run already built. How much more to go on your benchwork yet? 

Dick, glad you were able to get into the Diner finally. Was beginning to think maybe your computer had caught whatever Jeff's computer had. 

Talked with my buddy Mark a little before I came to the Diner, and he had to fix some leaks, so he's running behind on getting ready for putting up his drywall today. His house is one that was sort of a pole shed (the original builder was going to build it with hay stacks for the walls - kind of a 'green' building, I think). After Mark bought it, he's framed the walls, put in a stained wood ceiling in the living room, put in most of the work himself, and it's liveable now, with heat, air conditioning, electric, and satelite TV. (He just needs a model railroad...). I may be able to go help him with putting up the drywall tomorrow after church instead. So, that means today I can go by the LHS (in-town) and see what they have in new. Alrighty!

Well, need to finish my concrete and head for the LHS now. Everyone have a fine afternoon of MRR'ing stuff!

 

Blessings,

Jim in Cape Girardeau 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

JEFF: A PS that literally burned up, you don't see that too often in PC's, were you at the limit of wattage used per rating? I just replaced a PS in my son's PC, $29 from DELL, 350W unit. You have a bigger one don't you?  Any words of advice on repainting the U23B? I still need to purchase the spray gun, I believe you bought yours at Wal-Mart?

The PS is a 500W box. I'm gonna replace it with a 550W box with two internal fans. I think what happened to the old one is the fan burned out and the unit overheated. The component that exploded was a capacitor. If you've ever rummaged around inside a power supply you know those capacitors can pack a wallop.

As far as your repaint goes, I would use 91% alcohol as a stripper. It'll take a while, so have the container outside or in a well ventilated area and have it covered to keep evaporation to a minimum. I use a toothbrush to scrub out the hard to reach places. Yes, I got my airbrush from Wal-Mart. It's an Aztec single action external mix system. It cost about $20.

[egmurphy]

.....any chance of moving back north?

Not much, too many family ties (on Fran's side) down here.  But we will probably continue to spend 3-4 weeks per year up there for the forseeable future.

The sox relief pitchers have really been doing a great job, best in Majors for ERA.

Yeah, Okajima was sure an unexpected surprise.  Good time to lock him in on a long term contract.  Nice to see Lester back and doing well.  Now if Schill can just come back from DL and recover his form, we'll be in decent position to make a good stretch run.

What was in that package, an "N" gauge 2-10-2?

Close, it was an N scale 2-8-2.  Even that is a bit big for my small layout and tight curves.

Later

Ed

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Today's Weather for:  
 
Leesville, LA  71446      7/28/2007 
Live Conditions 11:49 AM
Ft. Polk Army Airfield
Wind 5 mph
Temp 77.0°F 
Heat Index:  83°F
Humidity:  94%
Dew Point:  75°F
 
So Far Today
High:  77°F
Low:  73°F
Rain:  0.30"
Rain Rate:  0.00"/h
Gust:  11mph SE
 
Scattered showers and a few thunderstorms can be expected from central into southwest Louisiana...and into the near coastal waters near Cameron. This activity will maintain a northeast movement near 20 mph. Isolated showers will continue over south central Louisiana and into the adjacent near coastal waters.
 
Today  High: 85    Cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning...then showers and thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 80s. Light and variable winds. Chance of precipitation 70 percent.  

Tonight  Low: 72    Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s. Light and variable winds.

[Cox 47]

Morning All.....Its a cloudy day here....I'll have a glass of Ed's OJ please...Thank You....Good to have you back Ed sounds like a great vacation....Sue...The stock yards looking good can't wait for more photos....Guess Jeff"s computer must still be down mine is giving me problems too...I'll just slip over in the corner and see who comes in....You all have a good one....Jerry

[gear-jammer]

Dick,

I looks like you have been doing lots of RR stuff.  Good for you.  If I get to the layout this weekend, I will try to finish my stockyard.  I think that I was still editing my post when yours came in, but I have photos of the stockyard under construction.

I don't think that I would have time to read a whole book right now. There is too much going on in our busy lives.

Sue

[grayfox1119]

Good morning everyone......showers, hot, humid, sticky, mosquito heaven here today, and probably the next two days as the front stalls on the coast until next Tuesday. I hope I can get this edit online, many problems lately getting into Diner. Funny thing, ever since Fergie was caught with pies and ice cream, I can't get into the Diner...hmmmm?

We went to the LHS last Wednesday, I picked up an Atlas CSX U23B ( Red/Black/White box ) and a book that I have looking for that has been out of print for a long time, " New England Diesels ". It is loaded with photos of all the Diesels used in any of the 6 NE states, dated from first units in 1938 to 1975. The editions are actually numbered, I have book number 3420 of 4000 printed.

The U23B will need to be repainted to Conway Scenic RR colors and renumbered. I hope I can do as good a job as Jeff.

We also went to Palmer RR station, now the Steaming Tender Restaurant, and saw two freights roll by while we ate. I managed to get a fleeting photo of the afternoon Amtrak as it blew past so fast that I caught the tail over the Diamond, he had to be doing 60.

JEFF: A PS that literally burned up, you don't see that too often in PC's, were you at the limit of wattage used per rating? I just replaced a PS in my son's PC, $29 from DELL, 350W unit. You have a bigger one don't you?  Any words of advice on repainting the U23B? I still need to purchase the spray gun, I believe you bought yours at Wal-Mart?

CAPE JIM: Congrats on making "Employee of the Month" !!!! Another plaque on the Diner wall...YES !!!

DUKE: Really nice shots of that Berk...I sure wish they would send one east for a railfan weekend. Say hi to the guys at the show, many new locos and cars are being shown I see from MRR email.

ED: Good to see you arrived home safe and sound.....any chance of moving back north? The sox relief pitchers have really been doing a great job, best in Majors for ERA. What was in that package, an "N" gauge 2-10-2?

GARRY: It just came on the news, some guy named "Fergie" was spotted purchasing all the 2-10-2's at the show ( HO ) so at least Der John and ED are safe. BLI has 2-10-4's at the show, I wonder if they will be safe?

SUE: Any closer on the "White Cascade" ?  What's on tap this weekend?

Lets hope this post works, I think the Vista Security features may have a part in this problem, not sure yet.

 

[gear-jammer]

Looks like I am still at the top of the page.  I hope you all are enjoying your coffee. Coffee only this morning.  Dick, the local bowling alley has all you can eat and all you can bowl between 10:00 and 12:00.  Guess where we are headed.

Ryan, Looks like you have a pretty good sized layout for those long sweeping radius turns.

I promised a view of my stockyards in construction stage.

Larry's hot rod video is at http://youtube.com/watch?v=vtqgth0cj2A   

I know that it is off topic but some of you guys like cars.

Sue

[egmurphy]

Jim, thank you for the offer. I do not see your email addy anywhere, but would indeed enjoy seeing the article on the table layout.

Rob

At the bottom of each post are a couple of buttons, including an "email" one.  Click on that and an email form pops up.  You don't see the person's email address, but it gets sent.  They see your email address when they receive the email, and can then respond to you.

Ed

[SilverSpike]

Ah, I see the donuts finally arrived! Yum!

Here is the link to my short video:

Southern TopGon Empties

Cheers,

Ryan

[Cederstrand]

Please & Thank You!

***Jim, thank you for the offer. I do not see your email addy anywhere, but would indeed enjoy seeing the article on the table layout.

Thunderstorm this morning with a light rain, most welcome this time of year considering the record drought we were having. Need that grass to grow for the horses so we won't have to buy so much hay. Those horses keep eating that (N) Kato EMD SD9043MAC & Atlas GE B40-8W just to name two on my list of desirables. I know, I keep telling myself I'm strictly steam (and early diesel) these days, but those modern brutes are just so dang cool looking. What am I to do?  

Have a great day, all!   Rob

[JimRCGMO]

Morning, Janie - still no donuts? Well, how about a cup of coffee, glass of OJ,

and I guess a glass of milk and some cereal,

 

until Bill T. arrives with the donuts.

JimCG Will be at the National Train Show tomorrow and hopefully meet Garry and get with Bill North too.

Duke, lest someone get confused on that one - you were only telling me where you guys would be at the Train Show - I won't be making it there, however. But you guys have some fun (and maybe get a 2-10-2...shhh...). Great pics of the Berkie, too! And tell Bill North to take good care of his wife.

Rob, I think I have an article from an older MR that had a sketch of the concept for building a coffee table layout like that. Send me your email, if you want me to send it. 

Adam, I see that you went with the pink, vs. the blue. Better be sure you slow down for the curves, as close as your track is to the edges there.

Ah, Bill has arrived with the donuts - Yay! Hey, fellas, quit nudging me, we'll all get one. (Are there some of the chocolate ones left in there? Janie, grab me one, quick! Mmm, thanks).

I'll be finishing off my breakfast in the corner booth now. Got to go do the laundry thing after that, and then help my buddy Mark put up some sheetrock at his place later. Then I'll get back home, shower and do some reading in my MR and the new Walthers sale catalog (both arrived yesterday). Also will need to check back to see Sue's video

Everyone take care of yourselves (and your loved ones), and I'll be back in later in the day.

 

Blessings,

Jim in Cape Girardeau 

[wetidlerjr]

Good morning ! from Indiana.

07-28-07

[SilverSpike]

Good morning Zoe!

I see the first coffee pot is just about ready.....ummm...fresh ground beans too!

Thanks!

Have the donuts arrived yet?

Oh...okay....I'll just sit and wait here in the back corner booth until they make their appearance.

I see Ed has made it back from a very long vacation. Sounds like it was a great trip, those Puffins sure are neat huh, quite an extraordinary species indeed! Now I have never tasted seal, how was that prepared?

Now Duke, your series on the Berkshire sure has been a real treat! I'm sure that live steam action was a sight to behold! Oh, and Apex is only 10 weeks away, but who's counting!

Spent some time in the train room yesterday, wired a bunch of track, cleaned some track, and then I got the bug to break out some rolling stock and test out the facilities. I ended up playing with some trains a bit and took a few videos too! Now that I have a loop set up I can run some trains while I work on other areas, here is a 2 1/2 minute video of a Southern loco hauling some empty Top Gons. The video is not top quality and not sure where some of the popping sounds are coming from, but this Kodax Easy Share is all I got!

I'll add the link when the You Tube Video is processed.

Hope everything is going your way!

[cheese3]

well i went to the LHS today and bought alot of track. ( i ran into scott while i was there by the way). I decided to set aside some track to build a small 2x4 layout before i really got cranking on the big layout so i could sharpen some skills. I have the main line done on the 2x4, i have to finish the small two track siding still. I also have to add scenery and work out some bugs in the track. Im keeping the layout at the firehouse so hopefully i can spark some interest in the hobby. I was hoping to pick up a new loco while i was there today but just didn't have the money. well here are some pics of the little 2x4 so far.

 

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Howdy everyone.

Wow, this family visiting stuff is keeping me up late. Looks like I'll meet Duke at National Train Show. I've prepared myself mentally in case Fergie snuck into Detroit and bought all the 2-10-2's before I get to the show.

Ed....sounds like you had a great trip and I'm glad for that.  I bet the ice bergs were cool.

This is short due to lateness.

Happy Model Railroading.

[egmurphy]

Good Evening Coffee Clubbers,

We´re finally back home from a rather long summer vacation.  It was really enjoyable, but it was time to get back home.  The cooler weather up in Canada (Newfoundland) was so much more enjoyable than the hot, sticky weather that is typical of Tuxpan in the summer (and spring and fall too).  Great to see family, including the "little dude" (grandson) who we stopped off in Houston to see.  And, of course, lot´s of shopping.

Very little train stuff on the trip.  I did make a short stop at my (not so Local) Hobby Shop in Houston.  And there was a package from my favorite e-tailer waiting at my daughter's house.  We saw a few trains near Houston, one on the way back home in Mexico yesterday.  And in Newfoundland we did make the pilgrimage over to the west side of the island to see the last remaining steam engine from the old Newfoundland Railway which is on display in Corner Brook.

But we hit it in spades for icebergs.  This was the best year for seeing them in several years.  I got some very nice photos.  We spent a good deal of time driving around looking at them in several locations near where my brother and sister live.  And, of course, some Puffins (official bird of the province of Newfoundland), caplin, whales and a few moose. 

Wildlife highlight of the trip was when we ate seal at my cousin's house.    That was a first for us.  Sealing is still active up in Nfld.  No lobster, though.  We got there just at the end of the season.

We'll probably head out and check the status of the crop at the orange grove tomorrow or Sunday (depending on how lazy we feel tomorrow).  The fruit should be getting bigger.  I'll report back.  Remember that the harvest season should begin around mid-end October.  Meanwhile, keep on with the reconstituted stuff.

And I just have to ask, How 'bout them Boston Red Sox!!!

Hasta luego

Ed

 

[Paul W. Beverung]

Evening All: A speicial thanks to Sue for taking the TOP honors.

Not much new here just more of the same as yesterday. Tomorrow we're getting together at the live steam track to meet a new arrival in the area. He's building a layout a little north west of us. From what I've been told he's a real nice guy about 80 yrs old. I had heard that a new face was around. Anyway Wayne is meeting him at his home and helping load his locomotive to bring it over to the track. 

Now to get a shower and hit the sack.

Good Night All

[gear-jammer]

Good afternoon.  Please pour me some coffee. I need to help Larry with some filming, and will be right back.

I put his video on photo fun.  Keep the coffee warm.

Sue

PS. Looks like I am buying.  We are back from the video session.  He wanted to make a Hot Rod video.  I filmed (poorly), and he will cut a paste to fix it.

[Cederstrand]

The usual  Please & Thank You!

***Duke, sure have enjoyed seeing the Berk photos. Those last close ups are excellent.

Had farm & family matters to attend to today, so the only train stuff has been watching a movie "The Train" (1965). There is a nifty little train wreck in the movie with 3 locos and some passenger cars. YeeHaw! Watched "Santa Fe" last night while falling asleep.

My wife VERY MUCH wants a layout (under glass) table for her HO circus/carnival theme. She wants me to find her an EMS & fire truck plus a Life Flight helicopter for an "accident on the ferris wheel".LMBO...(we think too much alike sometimes)  Anyway, that's all to report on today train-wise. Hope everyone is having a good day! Rob

[bjdukert]

Just got a call from Bill North and he won't be at the train show because his wife had a bad reaction to some shrimp she ate last Sat. She is getting better and he took her off some of the medication because of the side affect it had on her.  Paul he said to say hi back at you.

Duke

[bjdukert]

Afternoon all

JimCG Will be at the National Train Show tomorrow and hopefully meet Garry and get with Bill North too.

Not much more to say so I guess I will get right to the pics

I kind of like these close ups for weathering and details if I ever get that far

That's about it

Best to all on sick call and those recovering

Talk to you later

Duke