Elliotts Trackside Diner (est 1-1-07)

[jeffrey-wimberly]

September 11th, 2001. I was out on my paper route (no small thing that, over 200 miles). I had just turned off of Peavy road, taking a left onto highway 464 when NPR (National Public Radio) announced that an airliner had crashed into one of the twin towers. I remember thinking that some air traffic controller was gonna get his balls dropped into a vise for sure. A short time later, NPR announced that another airliner had crashed into the other tower. This went beyond the realm of an accident! I eventually came to Peavy's Store (a little chip and dip place) to drop some papers off. The TV was tuned to CNN and Herbert Peavy and I watched as the towers, first one then a short time later, the other, collapsed into smoking piles of rubble. Not too long after that, I recieved a message from my fire chief that we were on alert to go to New York, if needed. There wasn't much of the route to finish, so I got it done. I went home and got my gear packed, then went to the station to await developments with my fellow fire fighters. In the end, we didn't go but we contributed a large part of our funds for 2001 to help outfit and deliver a new fire truck to the FDNY.

[nscaler711]

I was in Virgina when it happened, it was a lil before school when the first plane hit.

I was gonna cut school and call it a day of Rembembrance (spelling i know) i have a drawing of the twin Towers that i drew,
At the top it says (in cursive) "A Tribute to those who lost someone in 9/11/01"

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I lost two friends in that attack. One was a man I'd met in 1979 while in the army. He went on to go to work for a financial company. The other was a former Vernon Parish deputy named Leonard Hatten. The day the towers were hit was his first day on the job with the FBI.

[grayfox1119]

On that fateful morning of 9/11/2001, my wife and I were eating breakfast and watching the news on Tv when the news and pictures came in of the first tower being hit by an airplane. As we watched, we could not believe our eyes as we actually saw the 2nd plane fly right into the 2nd tower. At that moment I remember telling my wife " this is obviously a terrorist act, they had tried to bomb the towers previously by exploding a truck full of exposives in the basement parking garage." Not long thereafter the news carried the story og the 3rd plane hitting the Pentagon, and the 4th crashing to the ground in PA.

My wife and I had flown out of Logan just a month earlier on the early flight headed for Vancouver. It really upset her big time, so much so that for months afterward, she would get all stressed out at the sound of large planes flying overhead.

My daughter had met the Boston pilot who was killed in the 1st plane to hit the north tower, Mr. Ogonowski several times, as she and her husband had been to his house visiting. She was devastated to hear the news.

Rather than rant about how "I" feel about these cowards, I pray for those who died, and their loved ones left behind. May God grant them peace and comfort.

THANK YOU LUC for the kind words of remembrance from our faithful neighbors in Canada.

 

[Flashwave]

I was in 4th grade. I remember walking into class that morning wondering why the news was on. People were talking about planes flying into buildings I'd never heard of. (And may never have if they weren't hit) I honestly thought they were kidding. It was absurd that people were flying planes into buildings.

 My 6th grade teacher knew bankers there. And supposedly a few friends had family or family friends in the tower. (these are people who do tell yarns.)   

 My condolences for those of you who lost in there.

[TheK4Kid]

I was at home, just getting ready to go to work.But it would change my life quickly, as I had planned on flying my airplane early the next morning south to see a friend of mine. It would remain in the hangar at the airport(I own and fly a 1946 Ercoupe), since the FAA quickly grounded all airplanes of every kind nationwide.Another friend of mine was ferrying an airplane from California to Indiana for a customer, and had to land immediately in New Mexico, then find a rental car and faced a long drive back home to Indiana.He finished his ferry trip two weeks later.

'Two other friends of mine several days later, decided their ultralights wouldn't be picked up on radar, so flew from a farm strip one of them has. They only went up to about 300 feet and were just flying around over some farmland for fun, when they soon found they had company, two F-16s from the local Indiana Air National Guard 122nd Fighter Wing was circling them and  ordered them to land immediately or face being knocked down by very close passes of the F-16's.

They set down in a soybean field, surrounded by lots of police cars, and ended up in the Huntington County jail for a couple of hours, and their ultralights were confiscated by the FAA.
It cost them some money to get out of jail, and get their airplanes back.

The guy who was flying one of the F-16s was one of our local EAA Chapter members, and explained to them that satellite based radar had seen them, and the 122nd was alerted.They almost had to pay for the time and gas used by the F-16s.That would have been verrrrryyy expensive!!!
Myself and several of my flying buddies didn't even go to the airport for over a week.Now it's all fenced in, we have to use gate keypad codes to get in, and make sure the gates shut behind us. Personal locks on hangars were quickly replaced by airport issued locks, and only 1 key per hangar was allowed. getting a replacement if it became lost was a big hassle.The good old days are gone forever.Kids hanging on the airport fence or riding their bicycles onto the airport and wanting to see airplanes and learn to fly or bum rides are no more.
It's really sad to see that part of Americana disappear.
It also make railfanning a bit more difficult also since railyards ,etc are much more picky about people taking pictures, etc.The same is true at the airport unless management knows you.
My cousin was working for GTE and was just across the Hudson River, watching it all happen from her office with fellow employees.I remeber her telling me later they were in shock and really uncertain if it was even safe to leave and go home.

Our world has changed forever folks!

TheK4Kid 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TheK4Kid 

 

[ModelTrainLover]

On that fateful morning of 9/11/2001, my wife and I were eating breakfast and watching the news on Tv when the news and pictures came in of the first tower being hit by an airplane. As we watched, we could not believe our eyes as we actually saw the 2nd plane fly right into the 2nd tower. At that moment I remember telling my wife " this is obviously a terrorist act, they had tried to bomb the towers previously by exploding a truck full of exposives in the basement parking garage." Not long thereafter the news carried the story og the 3rd plane hitting the Pentagon, and the 4th crashing to the ground in PA.

My wife and I had flown out of Logan just a month earlier on the early flight headed for Vancouver. It really upset her big time, so much so that for months afterward, she would get all stressed out at the sound of large planes flying overhead.

My daughter had met the Boston pilot who was killed in the 1st plane to hit the north tower, Mr. Ogonowski several times, as she and her husband had been to his house visiting. She was devastated to hear the news.

Rather than rant about how "I" feel about these cowards, I pray for those who died, and their loved ones left behind. May God grant them peace and comfort.

THANK YOU LUC for the kind words of remembrance from our faithful neighbors in Canada.

 

 

That 4th plane was on a oneway route to the White House. 3 Years ago I was watching a program on either he History Channel, National Geographic, or the Discovery Channel. I was about the 37 people on board that flight and about the last few hours of their lives. The program was called "The Flight that Fought Back' and when the FAA reviewed the 'Black Box' that last second of tape recorded the Cockpit being breached by the passengers to over take the plane from the Terriorist.

 

[Flashwave]

On that fateful morning of 9/11/2001, my wife and I were eating breakfast and watching the news on Tv when the news and pictures came in of the first tower being hit by an airplane. As we watched, we could not believe our eyes as we actually saw the 2nd plane fly right into the 2nd tower. At that moment I remember telling my wife " this is obviously a terrorist act, they had tried to bomb the towers previously by exploding a truck full of exposives in the basement parking garage." Not long thereafter the news carried the story og the 3rd plane hitting the Pentagon, and the 4th crashing to the ground in PA.

My wife and I had flown out of Logan just a month earlier on the early flight headed for Vancouver. It really upset her big time, so much so that for months afterward, she would get all stressed out at the sound of large planes flying overhead.

My daughter had met the Boston pilot who was killed in the 1st plane to hit the north tower, Mr. Ogonowski several times, as she and her husband had been to his house visiting. She was devastated to hear the news.

Rather than rant about how "I" feel about these cowards, I pray for those who died, and their loved ones left behind. May God grant them peace and comfort.

THANK YOU LUC for the kind words of remembrance from our faithful neighbors in Canada.

 

 

That 4th plane was on a oneway route to the White House. 3 Years ago I was watching a program on either he History Channel, National Geographic, or the Discovery Channel. I was about the 37 people on board that flight and about the last few hours of their lives. The program was called "The Flight that Fought Back' and when the FAA reviewed the 'Black Box' that last second of tape recorded the Cockpit being breached by the passengers to over take the plane from the Terriorist.

 

 

yeah, but we prefer to look at it that the plane didn't make it to the White House. More hopeful sounding.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

The story of 'Flight 93' is all covered in a movie by the same name. Flight 93.

[GMTRacing]

Good Evening All,

     Just passin through between trips. Being 60 miles north of the city we were affected by the attacks on the twin towers losing community members especially from the police and fire departments as many of them commute to the city from this area. For our part we watched on the tv at the body shop next door as events unfolded though it all seemed so unreal at the time. Two of our corner worker friends were on flight 93 though we didn't know it at the time. One positive is for sure, now that we know what's going to happen or could happen, I doubt that anyone will sit passively through a hijacking ever again. Much better to die trying to live than live waiting to die.

   Back from Watkins Glen and the rains and off to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin and hopefully a visit to the source at Walthers. Should have a chance to catch up on posts next week, until then hope you all are well.   Regards, J.R.

    

[Paul W. Beverung]

Evening Gang: Today my thoughts and prayers have been with the victums and familys of those lost so not much else to say.

God Bless the USA.

Good Night All

[JimRCGMO]

Evening, crew. On Sept. 11th, 2001, I was about to lead a class (at the women's substance abuse treatment center where I was working then) and we got the news about the first tower being hit by the plane. Turned a TV on in one room where there was one, and saw the second plane hit the other tower. Needless to say, the plans for the rest of the day got changed and we spent a lot of time dealing with grief issues. Didn't hear specifically if any clients knew anyone in New York, but it really bothered several of them. I think I was in shock for some days following that; I mostly remember feeling numb, like it didn't seem real. Too hard to wrap my head around that many people being gone in that short of a space of time. Not trying to be flippant, but the phrase at the time that came into my head was the Star Wars one: "I feel a disturbance in..." (the universe, not the Force, though).

Special prayers for those still mourning and adapting to their lives without loved ones (from Sept. 11th, 2001).

 

Jim in Cape Girardeau 

[gear-jammer]

We all remember exactly what we were doing.  It still is difficult to grasp the concept of what happened. Prayers to the families and friends of the victims.

Sue

[jeffrey-wimberly]

[egmurphy]

Good Evening Coffee Clubbers,

Another beautiful, lazy, if hot and humid, day down here in Paradise.    Did the main grocery shopping for the week (we will make other minor trips, of course) and finished a repair on a piece of furniture.  Nothing in the way of good carpentry, but in any case the side with the repair is against the wall.  Fran was satisfied, and that's what counts.

We may try and head out to the orange grove again tomorrow, but that may get postponed until Thursday, depending on how other things shake out for tomorrow.

Phil - belated birthday greetings.  I didn't get to post yesterday.

BaylorMax: Do you have a layout there?

Sort of.  I have a 3'-0" x 6'-8" hollow core wood door with an unfinished N scale layout sitting on top.  I'm embarrassed to admit it,   but I haven't done anything to speak of on the layout in the past year.  Ran some trains, worked on some locomotive maintenance/changes, that's about it.  Here's a shot pretty much as it is now.

Dick - that's a pretty good summary of the array of Old Fart possibilities, but I think you left one out.  OFIT - Old Fart in Training.    That's what I figure I was after retiring but still before attaining true OF age.

Dick:  The Red Sox need to take all three from Tampa Bay, and Toronto "must" take at least ONE game from the Yankees.

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be playing out that way, although I have to hand it to the Red Sox in making a good game out of what looked like a slaughter tonight.  I hope we aren't heading into a patented end of season slump?  Please tell me this isn't 1978 all over.

Scott - count me in as another to recommend you break the trip into two days.  That also gives you more chance to do some railfanning on your way!!

Ryan: 

" Just enjoying some good, strong, hot coffee, accompanied by a piece of Fran's homemade banana cream pie.  Yum!"

Any left for us?

Ooops, sorry, that was the last piece.... Oh, wait, she made another one today.  Sure, coming your way.    Pie anyone?  Phil?

On Sep 11^th, 2001, I had just landed at New Orleans Airport on a business trip and was looking to catch up with others in my group who were coming in from other points, when I got the phone call about the first plane hitting.  Must have happened right about the time we touched down.  We met up, headed out to the refinery, and started the site visit.  An hour or so later the refinery decided to limit access to employees only, so we cut the trip short.  Fortunately we were able to keep our rental car and drive back to Houston that afternoon.  As soon as flight resumed a week or so later I was back flying around.

Hasta mañana

Ed

[Cederstrand]

My thoughts have been with the victums and familys of those lost, too. I will never forget, nor forgive. Wish I could play God for a few days and do some planet cleaning.

Rob

[wetidlerjr]

Good morning ! from Indiana.

09-12-07

[JimRCGMO]

Good Morning, Zoe - cup of 

and one of Bill T.'s chocolate donuts, please. Thanks!

BaylorMax: Do you have a layout there?

Sort of.  I have a 3'-0" x 6'-8" hollow core wood door with an unfinished N scale layout sitting on top.  I'm embarrassed to admit it,   but I haven't done anything to speak of on the layout in the past year.

Ed, from that photo, I'd say your layout is way ahead of mine (and maybe some others'). Main thing I see that you still have to do, is add some industries to some of the (mostly upper level) sidings, that's all. You got me motivated to get going on my layout (just to catch up with you!).

A cool 53 F (11 C), and only supposed to reach 78 this afternoon (26 C) - downright nice weather! Now, if we can save this for the weekend...

Better get myself ready for w..k - everyone have a great day today!

 

Blessings,

Jim in Cape Girardeau 

 

[BaylorMax]

Good morning, all. 

It's a rainy morning here in Beaumont.  I've got a board meeting this morning for a local non-profit where I've been on the board for years.  Then back to the office.

 

Ed, your layout looks fine.  It has scenery.  I agree that a few buildings  would make it look even better, but time will take care of that.

 The group met last night.  A number of our layouts including our club modular layout will be on display the Saturday after Thanksgiving as part of the fall layout tours here in the general Houston area.  Hey, it's only 90 miles to Houston!  Next Saturday we're going to do an equipment checkup and repair day here at my layout.  The idea is for everyone to bring any problem children they have over to troubleshoot so the layouts will run well at the open house.  I, too, have a couple of engines that need help.

Well, time to get another cup of coffee, have a bite to eat, and then go off to work.  Have a great day, everyone!

Steve

 

 

 

 

 

[pcarrell]

Mornin' all!

44 degrees this morning!  Nippy!  Fall is coming!  Supposed to hit 70 today, so we'll see.  Right now it's really nice out, though a little cool.

Man, I love this time of year!

Steve, nice backyard!  Looks like a nice setup back there.

Ed, thanks for the Bday wishes.  Now did I hear you say something about pie?

[Cederstrand]

After a night of insomnia, I'll need an extra large mug, please & thank you!

***Ed & Jim, you guys are both way ahead of me, as I still don't even have a finished train room to start building a layout in.

Have a good day all. Rob

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning.

Today's Weather for:  
Sundown, LA  71446-6114      9/12/2007 
 
Heat Index:  77°F
Humidity:  92%
Dew Point:  69°F
 
So Far Today
High:  75°F
Low:  72°F
Rain:  0.00"
Rain Rate:  0.00"/h
Gust:  9mph NNE
 
Today  High: 85    Cloudy. Scattered showers and thunderstorms in the morning...then showers and thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 80s. East winds around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation 60 percent.  

Tonight  Low: 72    Cloudy with scattered showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s. Light and variable winds. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.

Midland Gulf Railways #422. Maybe she'll run the line again someday, but not today.

[JimRCGMO]

Just popping in for a refill, Zoe. Thanks! 

***Ed & Jim, you guys are both way ahead of me, as I still don't even have a finished train room to start building a layout in.

Not to worry, Rob - you'll get back on track and be catching up. I only took a 20 year leave from MRR'ing, and then another later for about 15-20 more years before I got going on my current (small) layout (about 8' X 2 to 2.5'). So you'll probably be back at it much sooner than it took me to get back to things!

 

Jim in Cape Girardeau 

[egmurphy]

Good Morning Coffee Clubbers,

Back from our morning constitutional.  There's nothing like a brisk (sort of) morning walk at 0700 when it's already around 80º and 95% humidity when you start out.    Just enjoying some good hot, strong, coffee from Veracruz.  Also having a couple of fried bananas for breakfast today. 

CG Jim: Ed, from that photo, I'd say your layout is way ahead of mine (and maybe some others'). Main thing I see that you still have to do, is add some industries to some of the (mostly upper level) sidings, that's all.

You're too kind.  I chose that long view because it doesn't show detail, or lack thereof.  Yup, need industries for both upper and lower level spurs.  I still have those foamboard and styrofoam mockup buildings that I made a couple of years ago.

BaylorMax:  Ed, your layout looks fine.  It has scenery.  I agree that a few buildings  would make it look even better, but time will take care of that.

Buildings, trees, people, details, etc.  Time I have, it's "getup and go"  that I seem to lack.  The layout looks the same as when I visited your place a year and a half ago.

A number of our layouts including our club modular layout will be on display the Saturday after Thanksgiving as part of the fall layout tours here in the general Houston area. 

We may try getting over for that day.  We'll be up at my daughter and son-in-law's place in Cleveland for Thanksgiving.  I checked out the SanJac club's website and viewed the calendar for the Fall Layout Tours.  Wow, they have a huge number of layouts available for visiting.  They really do a good job on this event each year.

Rob:  Ed & Jim, you guys are both way ahead of me, as I still don't even have a finished train room to start building a layout in.

"Finished train room"?  What is this thing of which you speak?  My door layout is set up at one side of our bedroom (thanks to the good nature of my wife for allowing that).

Okay, catch up with you guys later.

Ed

[Hoople]

Morning all.

Just checkin' in.

The challenger still isn't here...

Oh, also, I forgot to mention that my friend's dad was going to come home from somewhere (Can't remember)on 9/11, and his cab driver couldn't find the airport and got lost, but it was good that they did, becuase his flight was the first on to hit the two towers.

I don't exactly remember it... I was 6 or 7 at the time, and thought people were watching a movie, not what was really happening.

[SilverSpike]

Morning folks!

Coffee and some of Ed's fried bananas please!

Broke another temperature record yesterday with 98 degrees recorded at RDU International, and the previous record was 97 set back in 1983.

Been training the new guy who is taking over my previous position, so hopefully I have not scared him off and I might be able to work 1 job again.

Ed - morning walks sound nice, looking forward to the day when I can do that without worrying about getting into work, etc... Oh, and some more fried bananas please!

Yes, 9-11 was a day that we will never forget. I was working for Entergy at the time and was in the Tulane Avenue server room when I got a call from my wife Monique; she said a plane had crashed into one of the towers in NY. I imagined a small Cessna or some single engine plane, when she said it was bigger I got worried. Then I went online to CNN.com and saw the image of the first tower. About a half hour later someone set up a TV in the break room and everyone watched as the second plane hit and then the towers went down one after the other. After that everyone was in a state of grief and disbelief, I remember having to continue on with the tech support at some of the other Entergy locations, generation plants, etc.., but I remember how quiet it was in the skies after, odd that no planes were in the air for days following the event. We were scheduled to take a vacation by air from New Orleans to Orlando on Sept. 13, but the trip was cancelled due to flights not resuming until days after.

Sue - I have never cooked down my salsa as I have always kept it fresh and used it up within a week or so. I will have to try the bottling technique though and see how it comes out that way. I typically only make a small batch at a time.

Thoughts and prayers to all in need!

- Ryan

[JimRCGMO]

Taking a break from w**k, and saw the Diner was slipping down page one, so BUMP!

Jim in Cape Girardeau 

[JimRCGMO]

Zoe, a root beer float, please. Where is everybody this afternoon? Are they afraid they'll hit the TOTP? Nah....

I'll be working on this in the corner booth. I'm on a short break from work (had a cancellation/reschedule for my afternoon).

 

Jim in Cape Girardeau 

[Cox 47]

Afternoon All...Its sunny and cool here today think fall might be around the corner...I'll have a Root beer float please...Thank You...Cable guy came this morning and "Gother Done" I now have cable, phone and internet at the same place....Had a good time with Sallie yesterday but she wants to come home pretty bad....Today is her birthday....Did a little railfanning yesterday but saw nothing but tracks CSX and old IC now CN.....Lady who lives behind our apartment gave me 3 bags of grape tomatoes...They sure are good had some with my breakfast and my brother brought me some Jalopinas {sp} sounds like a pot of chili what with the cooler weater......I'm kinda tuckered from yesterday so I think a nap in the recliner is calling...You all have a good evening....Jerry

[jeffrey-wimberly]