Elliotts Trackside Diner (est 1-1-07)

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Hello diners......

just looked quickly at the posts here. nice pictures. African garret photo was impressive. Jerry, good to know saliie ahad a good day. 

thanks for friendship, kind thoughts and prayers. If you'd like to keep praying; Shelley sister's name is Janet  We had an urgent call from ICU at hospital at 1:00 am last night to go there. The family nearly lost janet last night. This morning, there's been some small improvement since last night's close call. We remain hopeful. We're not getting much sleep at all of course.

bye

[Cederstrand]

 and please make it extra strong. Thanks!

***Garry, hang in there. All our best to all involved.

This is one of my dream models. Wish someone would produce it in N scale...I WOULD buy it. Saw one of the specials on them a while back and found them to be fascinating beasts.

IT RAINED TODAY, and from the looks of things it must have been a decent cell. We were making a Home-D run for some more trim and assorted supplies, so missed it. We thought it was a good omen when our neighbor was out baling hay. Have not been down to the barn to check the troughs, but I'm still hopeful. Isn't about to make a difference in the dry creek, but it did water the pastures which will be helpful. Praying for a repeat performance from Mother Nature tomorrow.

Rob

 

[Paul W. Beverung]

Evening Gang:The trip to the VA hospital was great. My friend, who is not a railfan, enjoyed it! We took a look around the hospital to kind of get Tony familiar with the layout. And then took the light rail and train back. We rode the old RDCs both ways. I really wanted to get one way on the new equipment. Any way the RDCs are neat. The personal on both the trains and the light rail were very nice and helpfull. The tickets were $4.50 each for all day all system including buses. Ride as much as you want. It's nice to make a trip like that and not be worn out when it's over.

Rob: Good to hear that it rained. We got some a couple of times after the hay was cut but before it got baled. It didn't hurt it so we were happy. Every little bit helps.

My best to everyone that is needing.

Except for the train ride no MRRing or railfanning. Tomorrow and Saturday we will be over at the  track working and running. It will be nice to smell the coal smoke again.

Well it'stime to head out.

Good Night All

[gear-jammer]

Mark,

Sorry that I missed your birthday.

    

Did you save any of that cake for me?

Which Big Boy are you picking?  We can hardly wait to see your photos.

Sue 

Oops.  I guess that means I am buying.  I thought that I was just here for the cake.

[egmurphy]

Good Evening Coffee Clubbers,

Another long day without power today.  We had some strong thunderstorms last night, associated with the weather system trailing after the hurricane of course, and the power went out somewhere around 0300 or so.  It was out all day and came back late this afternoon.  Then we lost it again this evening until just now.  I'm going to try to get this in quick in case we lose it again.  Yeah, we do need the rain.  But today was a lot more difficult than yesterday because it was partly sunny and hot, and without a/c or fans it gets warm real fast.  Could have been worse, but a guy has to complain about something, eh?

We hope to get out to the orange grove this weekend to check on the crop.  No point in going out while we're still getting significant rain, as the road out to the grove is pretty poor and we don't have the luxury of 4WD.

Jerry, hope sallie continues to improve.

Garry, hope Janet makes some more improvement today.

Here are some photos from our trip down to Coatzacoalcos last weekend.

We had to drive down to the very southern part of the state to attend a social event, so I had my first opportunity to visit the port city of Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz. This is the eastern end of the Ferrosur (FSRR) system.

FSRR is the smallest of the three major parts of the old FNM system (privatized back in th emid-90's). I've posted a few other FSRR shots, and have a number of others in my RI albums, but normally we see their trains up in Apizaco, Puebla, on the mainline between Mexico City and the port of Veracruz, Veracruz.

Just for info, here is a link to the Ferrosur system map.
http://www.ferrosur.com.mx/gxpsites/hgxpp001.aspx?1,1,8,O,S,0,MNU;E;2;6;MNU;,

As is typical down here, things are a bit looser security'wise, and locals freely cut across the yards on their way from one side of teh tracks to the other. This is generally accepted and tolerated. But they're not big on picture taking (at least the security guards aren't, the crews as far as I can tell are just fine with railfans and photos). They did run me off, although they were nice about it, and didn't ask me to delete any of the pictures that I had obviously been taking.

Anyway, I didn't have all the time in the world, but here are a few of the better shots that I managed to grab.

First we have a pair of C30-Super7N's, numbers 14512 and 14526, on the ready track waiting to head up a westbound freight. For the record I'll note that these rank among the cleanest FSRR units I've ever seen. They have a reputation for having soot covered units.




Then I grabbed a shot of B23-7 number 9153 backing through the yard. You'll note that the brakeman is waving. This unit is badly in need of a new paint job. But seems to run okay.

 

I passed across the yard tracks and was able to get a shot of one of FSRR's "Big Hooks" with a couple of other work train cars attached. Not the best shot, but the guard prevented me from either getting closer or getting a better angle. This is a different type of crane than the Ferromex one that I shot in Zacatecas and posted last week. Looks like an Orton.




The nest day, as we were heading out of town, Fran wanted me to stop to buy some fresh fruit (mangos, our favorite) from a roadside stand she had seen the day before. By a fortunate coincidence, the tracks ran right behind the fruit stand. So while she was occupied, I watched this B23-7 number 10049 doing a bit of local switching. We're only a few hundred yards outside the yard limit here.




Okay, that's all, nothing great. But I just wanted to share these couple of shots as I don't often get down to that part of the rail network down here.

Best regards

Ed

[Hoople]

Evening!

Sue: I think the guys demolished the cake, but some from the family party here is left. Cookies n' cream Ice cream cake good with you?

On the big boy matter, I'm buying the new Broadway Limited Blueline one. Gonna pop in a decoder when it comes around December 6th, (My guess, they ship it on 11/30, and it gets to the dealer maybe 2-3 days later, then to me 4-7 days later than that.) and I'll have a ball with it. They put up the soundfile on the website, and it sounds pretty darn accurate. I'm stoked! (Lol, pun not intended!)

The dealer has them for $260, so I might be able to get him a little bro' too! #3958!

I'm just having a ball now I have an allowance again...

Mark

[wetidlerjr]

Good morning ! from Indiana.

08-24-07

[inch53]

Mornin, I'll have the farmers special n coffee Zoe

Weather, the same as yesterday, but with a chance of rain tonight and we need it.

ROB,, from the look of the front that's coming through here, you and GARRY might get some of it.

ED,,, another good round of pics from down that way.

These are of the smelter model giving the idea of what it looked like. First ones show the top were they loaded it with layers of ore, charcoal, and lime. [note, I was taking these through glass]

These are of the bottom where the iron came out

The pig iron ran out on the floor into bar molds, from there it went to the refinery and Bloom forge

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/inch53/021.jpg

After the processing there, it went to the anchony and chafery forge for finishing into wrought iron bars and other products

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/inch53/029.jpg

Air was needed for all the processes and was supplied by a two tub blower

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/inch53/025.jpg

All this was done with waterpower from the spring. This shot can give you an idea of how it was all laid out.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/inch53/036.jpg

Got some train pics to post next. Best gets round, hope ya'll has a gooden

[nscaler711]

Mornin all!   PC, back away from the pie. MAKE ME! Which way? easy way or hard way easy way we get the Trackside Police in here. the Hard way is Cloe, Zoe, and Flo tackle you, hang you by your toes and watch everyone else eat the pie. PC's respon like this '  PC i noticed something about you, You turn into a lil kid when it comes to pie.

[JimRCGMO]

Morning Zoe - looks like most of both the triple-decker cake and the cookies 'n' cream cake are about all gone. Oh, just a cup of coffee and a donut for me, today, thanks, Sue!

 

Thanks for all the great pics posted - Inch, Jeff, Ed! PC, did you notice Jeff's one pic with the muscle car?

Mark, sounds like your birthday went well (for sure, in terms of gifts). Hope the new locos arrive  quickly after they release them, so you can enjoy listening to them rumble by you.

Jerry, good to hear about Sallie's doing better some. Tell her to keep up the good work when you see or talk to her next.  

'Nuther hot, Hot, HOT! one here today. We tied our high temp record yesterday in Cape, and Paducah (more toward Garry's way) broke their record with a 101 F high for the day. I think PC's li'l red-orange friends have been overstaying their welcome around these parts. But the weather guessers are saying it may be the weekend after this one before we get much relief. Time to go sit by the pool or something...Oh, wait, somebody's beat me to the pool -

 

If we could only be like one of these guys...

Well, better get going for now. Prayers for all those of us 'n' our loved ones ailing, and for peace and comfort for the rest.

 

Blessings on your weekend,

Jim in Cape Girardeau 

 

 

[Train Master]

Today's Weather for:  
 
Ft Polk, LA  71459      8/24/2007 
Live Conditions 7:42 AM
Ft. Polk  Army Airfield
 
Wind: 0
Temp: 73.9°F 
Heat Index:  79°F
Humidity:  95%
Dew Point:  73°F
High:  78°F
Low:  74°F
Rain:  0.00"
Rain Rate:  0.00"/h
Gust:  5mph NNE
 
Today  High: 95   
Partly cloudy. Isolated showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 90s. Light and variable winds becoming southeast around 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
 
Tonight  Low: 75   
Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 70s. South winds around 10 mph in the evening becoming light and variable.

[gear-jammer]

 

I need coffee to get my eyes open this morning.  And some of Mark's Cookies and Cream Cake.  Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.  My favorite of course.

Mark,  Sounds like your LHS guy is good to you.  When you have a limited budget, it sure helps.

We have not been doing much work on the layout.  Exercising the locos is about it.  Now that we have 40 freight cars, we need to find more track and sidings to park the excess cars.  If we ever finish the wye, that should help.  In a couple of months, things will settle down. 

Later,  Sue

[pcarrell]

Morning everyone!

More heat today...near record highs! Highs today will top out at around 96, the record is 98 set back in 1936. It will feel much warmer with the humidity factored in the heat indices will top out at 100-105.  Storms have been making their way across the Northern Half of Indiana some in our area. These storms so far have been falling apart a bit across the central part of the state. This afternoon that could change as a cold front to the north gets closer. Ahead of the front, a squall line of storm could form, similar to what happened yesterday across the Chicago area yesterday. Gusty winds, frequent lightning and heavy downpours are possible this afternoon, this evening and even overnight.

Right now, it's starting to get nasty.

Looks like cooking out tonight could be a bit of an adventure!  It's all good though!  I'm game!

 

PC, did you notice Jeff's one pic with the muscle car?

I did!  Nice toy!  (real & model)

I think PC's li'l red-orange friends have been overstaying their welcome around these parts.

Those guys are most unwelcome guests!

I hate it when it's just plain

 

 

Gerry, praying for all of you!

[Txrailnut07]

Hello all...I'm popping back in for a few moments.

How has everyone been doing? Fine I hope. I have been doing good. Better now (Read below).

Well, I have really great news. I have a new job. I'll be bagging groceries for a local grocery chain. I'm what they call a "utility clerk". It pays $6.00 an hour. Not a big windfall but it is more then I make now. So, I can get my rr going again, woohoo!!!!!

See y'all later.

[Cox 47]

Afternoon All....its sunny and hotter than blue blazes round here they are talking about 1936 I have heard my Mom talking about the summer that year....Story goes it was so hot the put ice in one of the pools in Terre Haute so folks could swim in it in the afternoon..also many drowned in strip pits and the rivers trying to cool off a little...Mom said they moved their bed out in the yard trying to sleep at nite..No fans as REA hadn't come yet....

I'll have a ham salad sandwitch and a double root beer float....I got another section of hiway in and am working on road around the mine....Got a 6 wheel truck engine on now doing some laps...We may make a run to Terre Haute next week and I might make it out to LHS I'm not sure I can get my power chair in shop havn't been in since I got it...

I sure enjoy all the photos you all post keep them coming...Talked to Sallie on phone yesterday afternoon she wasn't having quite as good a day...again thanks for all your prayers and thoughts....You all have a good afternoon....Jerry

[pcarrell]

BTW, Txrailnut07,

And congrats on the new job!

[Cederstrand]

I'll have what Jim is having. Thanks!

***Ed, those B23-7's sure are well wethered. Obviously they still run OK, which is what really counts. Neat crane, too.

***Mark, nice overview with those photos. Interesting stuff.

It RAINED yesterday. Just enough to fill the catch troughs about 1/2 full, which means I can water critters for a few days without running it from our well. Made zero difference to the dry creek bed, but at least the pasture grass (and weeds...gurrr) got watered.

Fixed Tinytoon's (drwarf mini horse) flat tire today. Now if there was only some way to give her an alignment. I will cut some thin strips of rubber from some old tennis shoes to attach to her shoes next time which will give her better traction.

Was ready to buy a loco I have been eyeing from M.B.Klein (great sale price on it), but they only accept CC's, which I do not use. Too bad they don't take Paypal or check. Oh well, perhaps I shouldn't be spending the money at the moment anyway. Besides, the loco highest on my wish list I am still trying to tuck some $$$ away for. Still, I'm about do for a model train fix.

 Rob

[Cox 47]

Howdy All...Just "bumping" the dinner back to page 1......Jerry

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I've been at it again. This is my Proto 2000 GP38-2.

[TrainFreak409]

Howdy howdy.

Finally got my medical records from the office...Now I can send them away to NS so that they know everything about my broken arm incident six years back. To the post office I go tomorrow morning to ship it express to Virginie.

So, I think I'll sit back awhile here in the diner with a cup of coffee...

Keep the pictures comin' y'all.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

[bjdukert]

Evening all

Had a pretty good storm roll through about an hour ago but everything is looking better now.

Good to hear some are improving with their health

Fergie My condolences to you and your family and having gone through this in March I know how hard it is. 

Scott NO problem at all with the job and I think it will go through.

Ryan SIX weeks!!

Ok,not too many left of the garden RR and then I can put some up of the cars that were at Grattan where I got to meet JR.

That's about it

Best to all on sick call and those recovering

Talk to you later

Duke

[JPowell]

Evening all -

  Just a quick stop this evening. I'm sitting here at work, watching the planes take of.... watching the Red Sox on MLB.com...  and wishing I was home w/ the g/f. Anyways.... I'll see her when I get home, I hope. If not, that's ok too as we're off to the NY State Fair tomorrow and then to the drive-in for a movie tomorrow night.

Well, take care!

JP

 

[GMTRacing]

Good Evening All,

   I'll  have a sasparella and some pie if there is any left. didn't get on this morning at the shop  as the nice people from ATT pulled my cable link while running some fibreoptic stuff on the street and then couldn't figure out where to hook it all back up. Comcast as usual was no help promising to show up between 2 and 5 pm but in fact never showing up at all.

    Got home and started getting #2 son ready to return to school (back to Plattsburgh tomorrow). Of course I get to w..k as we are still getting ready for the next three race weekends.

 Duke - glad you've gotten through the weather mess ok so far. Looks like Inch, Jerry and a few more are probably getting hit too. We have a crew out in Joliet at a club event this weekend and they've been hiit by the severe weather as well losing an awning and getting 6" of water overnight so the track was unusable this morning.

     I'm trying to get some done on the home layout though it's still mostly painting buildings. Hope the rest of you had a good day, and my prayers for those ailing.   CUL, J.R.

Ah - top of the page. I'd better get started on the breakfast menu then as I'm sure to still be on the hook tomorrow when everyone files back in. Lets see now - Gator tails, monkey ribs, gorilla biscuits and potato chips, elephant grape juice turtle pie....... MMMMM

[Paul W. Beverung]

Evening Gang:

Sue: The term excess cars is an oxymoron. We never have an excess of cars.

This is a short one as I want to make a run back to the track and get a ride or two.

So Good Night All

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Conrail 2273

[Cox 47]

Evening All....we got a pretty good storm about 6 this evening....Thunder and lightning but not a lot of rain......First week of the high school football season and lightning forced them to stop game Casey-marshall gonna restart at 2 saturday...Watching Cards- Braves game Rain delayed start for over an hour...Feels a little cooler....You all have a good evening....Jerry

[Cederstrand]

No food, not even a coffee tonight. Not feeling well...dizziness has returned. Get this about twice a year. Don't know the cause, but it always passes in 1-3 days, so no worry. I would guess inner ear related.

The good news (and you may NOT tell my wife about this) is I bought a new N scale loco. It's a Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0. Hearing such good reports on them, I figured it was time to try one out and see for myself. Besides, I really did need a train fix. Only probelm is now I will have to wait a while before going after that Kato SD90/43Macs or AC4400CWs I've been drooling over.

Other good news, another thunderstorm hit the farm today.

Need to go lay back down. Didn't make it back to the barnyard but everyone should be OK until morning. Hopefully I'll wake up feeling human again tomorrow. Take Care!

Rob

[wetidlerjr]

Good morning ! from Indiana.

08-25-07

[inch53]

Mornin Janie, I'll just have some coffee n a couple doughnuts for now.

It's raining, started last night and going off n on since. Suppose to be some cooler too, mid 80's instead of 90's.

GMT,, I'll be back in for lunch later after reading menu. I'm looking forward to turtle pie, I haven't had any of that in years.

DUKE, some lore good pics, thanks

Here's the last ones and from a truck running 75, so not the best. We caught up with this inter-mobil bout 50 mile W of St. Lou

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/inch53/061-1.jpg

This is of the container yard on the west side

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/inch53/064.jpg

These are of the RR bridge of the Mississippi

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/inch53/069.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/inch53/070-1.jpg

That's all folks, until I get out again, maybe this weekend some. No plans other than some shopping this morning and one of two little league football games tomorrow [2 kids playing in different towns]. I best gets round, thoughts for those in need, hope ya'll has a gooden