Flat Wheel Cafe - Late Winter 09

[cherokee woman]

Deggesty

How about a King's Dinner?

 

Johnny, let me know ecactly what a "King's Dinner" is, and I'll see about fixing it for everyone in the near future.  Meanwhile, I've got more pizzas ready for tonight.  

Believe it or not, we managed to make it to 23 degrees F. today.  We had plenty of sunshine this afternoon, but it didn't melt much of the snow/ice around here.  Maybe by the weekend, when we are to have a high of 60 degrees.

You all enjoy the pizzas for tonight, and there's plenty of birthday cake left, too.  Just be sure you leave the big piece with the two numbered candles in it for Jay!!  

Everyone have a good evening, stay warm and take care.

[tree68]

So, I thought I'd be clever and look up "King's Dinner" to help CW out.  Aside from finding that it was a multi-course meal, I didn't find out much more than all of the half dozen sources I found with the search used exactly the same text... 

The meal was offered on the Panama Limited at about twice the price of "regular" dinners.

 

[Anonymous]

This is the description of the "Kings Dinner" from the Panama Limited, as extracted from "Classic Trains Magazine" (Summer 2008) Page 76 (by Karl Zimmermann):

 

"'Adventurous Tonight?  Ask your waiter about the 'Kings Dinner' - $9.85.'  The menus didn't list particulars but in fact the meal included a Manhattan or martini cocktail, fresh shrimp cocktail or crab fingers (with special sauce), a Rosannay Cabernet d'Anjou, a fish course, charcoal broiled sirloin steak with buttered mushroom slices, potatoes and vegetables, a 'special salad created by your waiter,' and a 'heady cheese with apple slices' or a desert from the regular menu, coffee, and a liqueur."

 

 

[CShaveRR]

Almost too late, but I made it back to the Forum this evening: Happy birthday, Jay! I wish I could supply you with palm trees or nice tropical weather around here, but traveling to such places is definitely not on my bucket list.

Also, thanks for the offer to sign my books, but I shall have to turn it down. Books are normally autographed by their authors, co-authors, or editors...

[piouslion1]

Paula thanks for leaving a late night snack,

Been a long hard day on the phones today, but well worth the effort

It's clear and cold here in WS tonight with a bit of snow left over in shaddy areas. A good mid Winter night to for a warm bed.

In the words of a railroad song, Good night America, I love you,

PL

[nanaimo73]

CW, thanks for the pizza.

Perhaps we could try the Kings Dinner one evening, minus the cocktails. Could the no alcohol rule be bent so we could have the Rosannay Cabernet?

We have several palm trees growing here in Nanaimo in a downtown park, but they are bundled up in hay during the winter months.

I've been up to some early morning mischief, and now the 6 tables at the north end are covered with NP, CB&Q, D&RGW, NYC, Penn Central and Western Pacific tablecloths, in that order. Can anybody guess the pattern?

[CShaveRR]

I know the answer to this one, Dale, but I'll let the later-in-the-day shift have a crack at it. Is oyster stew on the menu for these six tables?

[cherokee woman]

Good Thursday morning, everyone.  Nice and cold here in Louisville:  9 degrees F, and I haven't heard what the wind chill is this morning.  Larry, et al, thanks for the information on King's Dinner.  Guess I'll do a little bit more research on that (or maybe a whole lot more research).

Coffee, juices, hot chocolate, hot cider and hot water for tea are ready.

On the warmer bar this morning:  bagels, bear claws, turkey bacon, sausage, western omelettes, hash browns, apple slices

Everyone have a very  good morning, and Jay, I hope you enjoyed your birthday yesterday.  You all stay as warm as possible, and take care.

[grampaw pettibone]

Good morning, it's Thursday. Currently, 20 degrees and clear in Carolina headed for the mid 40s supposedly. The snow we got yesterday was gone before the temp got above freezing, so I guess the sun was what did it. CW, thanks for breakfast, and everybody take care, stay warm.

[JoeKoh]

Jay

a belated happy birthday to you.hope it was a good one.Cw thanks for breakfast.had errands to run yesterday but was able to catch some trains on the waterlevel route in Bryan Ohio.Julie told us we missed the 49 or we would have been tempted to go see carl.Got some chores after a nap today.There is the q 501 in the yard.hes trying to talk to the local crew to see where they want the cars.Mookie here is youe coffee mug.

stay safe

joe

[blhanel]

nanaimo73

I've been up to some early morning mischief, and now the 6 tables at the north end are covered with NP, CB&Q, D&RGW, NYC, Penn Central and Western Pacific tablecloths, in that order. Can anybody guess the pattern?

Would that be the chronological order (oldest to most recent) of when those flags fell?

[nanaimo73]

Hi Brian,
No, that is not the answer I'm looking for.
Only those 6 railroads have this in common.

Carl, I don't know about oyster stew, but does "AEP" confirm your answer?
BTW, it is good to see you in here talking about food. 

[Deggesty]

Good morning and afternoon to all. Much warmer today; it was a little above forty when I went out, just before nine, to get a root pulled ( a crown broke off a couple of weeks ago). We expect not one, but two, storms in the next four or five days, but there willprobably be little snow in the valley.

Paula, thanks for the breakfast. Perhaps we should make it joint effort to prepare a King's Dinner? I can grill steaks, and I will let each diner season to taste (if you like mesquite, I can add some mesquite pellets to the charcoal). Thanks to Murray for giving us the general idea of what was in that unique meal; I did not remember any details in the IC's advertising. I did eat dinner in a Panama diner once, in 1968, but my meal was much simpler.

Brian, I also at first thought "order of falling," too, but I saw that this just would not work. Can someone tell us before Carl, in shame for not having already told us, relents and tells what the significance is?

Johnny

[Paul_D_North_Jr]

[

nanaimo73

I've been up to some early morning mischief, and now the 6 tables at the north end are covered with NP, CB&Q, D&RGW, NYC, Penn Central and Western Pacific tablecloths, in that order. Can anybody guess the pattern?

Alfred [C. ?]  Perlman was employed by all of them, in that order.  Although you didn't ask, here's my best recollection of the positions he held for each - note that this is off the top of my head and is not researched, so is not represented to be 100 % accurate:

NP - Chainman, Rodman, or Surveyor

CB&Q - Asst. Chief Engr. or similar - fixed massive flooding damage in the MidWest (nothing new there, eh ?) with off-road equipment, as I recall

D&RGW - Chief Engineer or VP of Engrg. or Ops

NYC - President

Penn Central - President (& chief whipping boy)

Western Pacific - CEO & elder statesman for the industry

And no, I'm not a genius or walking encyclopedia of railroad trivia - it just popped into my head in looking over that list - it would take a psychologist to explain why.  But I've always been curious about Perlman.  

Then again - nanaimo73, why did you arrange the tablecloths in that order ?

- Paul North.

[miniwyo]

Good Afternoon All!

Was sitting in the atrium next to the T Rex and enjoying the afternoon sun here before I go to class and decided to pop in for some lunch.

Its a toasty 31 degrees here today and still calm. That is 3 days in a row now! 

Johnny, I tried to send you an email, but it was returned to me this morning my the mailer daemon. Thank you for pointing out my mistake. I will definitely be headed down March 7 for the show. 

Dale, Although after reading Paul North's answer to your mischief, I was thiking it had something to do with being the northernmost railroads becasue oyu put them at the north end of the room, but in retrospect, I am wrong as there is a couple railroads that were farther north than the DRG&W. 

[Modelcar]

....It's still cold here...19 now.  But beautiful clear sky and bright sunshine which makes it very warm streaming in our sliding glass door on the south side.  2 degrees early this morning.  Feels cold now too because of some wind blowing 19 degree temps....

If weather people are correct, that is to change after today...and for a while too.  Much warmer.

[nanaimo73]

Good job, Paul. That was the answer I was looking for.

It is unfortunate that Mr Perlman did not have deregulation to work with when he ran the New York Central.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_E._Perlman 

[CShaveRR]

Yes, that was my hypothesis, too--Alfred E. Perlman. I thought I'd give somebody else a chance, because my response was really too soon for most people to see it, and I didn't want to spoil the fun. Johnny, I'm sorry I disappointed you.

Dale, I wasn't really talking about food--just making the logical extension between the correct name and the tablecloths. (Oyster stew...Pe(a)rlman...get it?) I thought this whole tablecloth-quiz thing was a stroke of genius on your part, and look forward to more from you--or perhaps contributing some of my own. A more difficult variant--leave one table open, and ask which tablecloth should go there, and why.

[Murphy Siding]

nanaimo73

Good job, Paul. That was the answer I was looking for.

It is unfortunate that Mr Perlman did not have deregulation to work with when he ran the New York Central.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_E._Perlman 

Dale-you came out of hiding!  Did you see your shadow?

Palm trees!!??? Wow.

[cherokee woman]

Good evening, everyone.  My goodness, I haven't been able to get in here since early this morning.  We've had some things to do today on the computer, but wasn't able to get to trains.  (And to top everything off, I've had a splitting headache all day long!  It's beginning to go away now.)

If anyone is hungry, you'll find a couple of large pots on the warmer bar.  One has bean and ham soup, and the other one has cream of broccoli soup.  And there's also cornbread and/crackers to have with the soups.  

Everyone have a good evening, and take care.

 

 

[tree68]

CShaveRR

I thought this whole tablecloth-quiz thing was a stroke of genius on your part

I have created a monster - but a fun one!

Another frigid one tonight - already -11F.   Hopefully it will be better tomorrow - I'm assisting with crowd control during calling hours.

Saturday is supposed to be 40-ish, but possibly rainy - and I'm doing traffic control.  Well over 100 apparatus are known to be coming for the service and procession.   Estimates of up to 2000 people have also been made.

[nanaimo73]

Thanks Carl.
I'd like to come up with another question on Fallen Flags that a casual reader of Trains Magazine could read, but I'm drawing a blank. Perhaps someone else could try.

Hey Murph, good to see you in here. My computer takes 15 to 30 seconds to load each page on this "improved" forum, so I'm only following the Cafe for now. Good to see that you and Railway Man are still working together so well on other threads.

The birdwatchers here in Nanaimo are quite excited as we have our first ever Northern Hawk Owl.
What a beautiful bird.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Hawk_Owl

CW, thanks for the late nite/early morning snack!

 

[cherokee woman]

Good Friday morning, everyone.  At 6:53, we have a pleasant temp right at 32, or 33 degrees, and looking for a high of 50 today.  Locally, we only have about 600 people still without electricity.  My brother has electricity back, but their phones are still out. 

Dale, good to have you coming in!  I liked your 'quiz' on the tablecloths.  What's your next quiz going to be?

Coffee, juices, hot chocolate and hot water for tea are ready.  As well as some Diet Dew for at least a couple of you all in here, that I know drink it.  

On the warmer bar this morning:  bagels, bear claws, donuts and danish.  Donuts include:  cake, glazed, chocolate covered, vanilla covered, chocolate covered, cream filled long johns, chocolate covered vanilla filled long johns.  Danish include apple, peach, raspberry and strawberry.

You all have a good morning, and take care.

 

[grampaw pettibone]

Good morning, it's Friday. At present, 22 degrees and clear in Carolina this morning. I'm not sure what the high is supposed to be, but whatever it is, it is welcome. Paula, thanks for breakfast. Everybody take care and stay warm/safe.

[eolafan]

'mornin everybody...I'm in Omaha today and have been since Wed. calling on customers.  Yesterday was an absolutely glorious day with temps just about 60F here and I had a short while I took off my winter jacket and walked outside without it, which was great...it's supposed to hit 60 again today here and be in the fifties at home tomorrow so I can give my dog a bath!

I had a real treat last night and was able to have dinner with a U.P. dispatcher from Harriman dispatching center who is a friend of my local rep salesman here.  He shared lots of stories about the U.P. and Amtrak trains including one about a moose getting stuck in a tunnel out west and blocking Amtrak 6 for over an hour!

CW, may I please take a bear claw and a decaf with sugar and cream to go please as I am on my way to more sales calls and then to the airport for my trip back to Chicago....thanks and hope everybody has a wonderful day.

[CANADIANPACIFIC2816]

Good morning, Ray is checking in. I'm busy this morning in my kitchen, baking bread, I'm getting ready to ship a care package to a cousin of mine who lives in Grand Lake, Colorado. 

I baked 8 dozen oatmeal cookies with butterscotch chips yesterday, and I'm going to leave 2 dozen of them here in the Flat Wheel Cafe for everyone to enjoy. I know they will be gone in a flash! Yesterday I had taken a couple dozen oatmeal cookies to work with me at Wendy's and anytime I show up at work with cookies fresh out of the oven, one of my supervisors just goes nuts. She's like a little kid on a Christmas morning. Yesterday while I was changing into my work shoes, she said to me "Your cookies make me happy!!"

Yesterday's temperature in Sioux Falls hit 48 degrees or maybe a bit higher than that. Right now we have a temp of 29 degrees. I don't think our weather during the weekend will be nearly as nice as it was yesterday, so I reckon I'd better enjoy the relatively nice conditions we are enjoying right now.

I hope the rest of you out there all have a good day, stay warm!

Ray     ooo    ooo ooOOOOOo

[blue streak 1]

Nanamoni:  Had same problem until I uninstalled Kodak Easy Share ---- in fact it was slowing down all functions on my computer.

[jeaton]

eolafan

'mornin everybody...I'm in Omaha today and have been since Wed. calling on customers.  Yesterday was an absolutely glorious day with temps just about 60F here and I had a short while I took off my winter jacket and walked outside without it, which was great...it's supposed to hit 60 again today here and be in the fifties at home tomorrow so I can give my dog a bath!

Heat wave coming  Woo Hoo!!!

[Mookie]

It is beautiful here in Lincoln!  Out yesterday and left coat at home.  Just wore sweatshirt.  But every time we have nice weather, it follows that ugly weather will be right behind. 

Driver taking off work early so we can go out and enjoy the warm weather. 

Dale, that is a beautiful bird.  Owls are such interesting birds. 

Jim - since you liked the weather, we will send it home with you.  Enjoy until next week when Arizona is sending us some bad weather again.  Joy and Rapture. 

Nice to see all of you in here.  Makes the conversation more lively. 

Tree - Driver said last nite he is ordering his new harmonica.  Comes with a small bagpipe attached. 

[cherokee woman]

Mookie, I'd like to see a picture of that harmonica w/small bagpipe attached!! 

Our Friday Fish Fry is now under way.  We have cod, haddock, halibut, flounder, crab cakes, rolled oysters, oysters, oyster stew, perch, trout, bass, shrimp and scallops.

And these side dishes:  baked beans, mac & cheese, fries, hush puppies, cole slaw, fried mushrooms.

Dessert menu today:  chocolate cake, yellow cake w/chocolate icing, yellow cake w/caramel icing, and the following cobblers:  apple, cherry, peach; and pecan pie, all available with ice cream, if anyone prefers.

I want to welcome those from elsewhere on the forums, who are now coming into  the Cafe/Diner (old name habit keeps propping up every once in awhile).  I hope you come in often, and enjoy the atmosphere around here.  As has been said before, we can talk about anything and everything in here, as well as discuss trains and railroads.