Depot Diner & Coffee Shop

[Anonymous]

Several of the other forums have a "coffee shop" where people "chat" just like they would over a cup of coffee. Now this isn't my idea, I am borrowing it from the "other" forums and starting it here. Several other people have said we need it here in this forum so I will go ahead and start it.

There is no set topic. However, trains, food, and everything under the sun seem to be talked about. Just post whatever is on your mind. So grab a stool, have a cup of coffee, and just chat away.

It was also suggested that Mookie be the waitress. I have a feeling that even though she does like to chat that she probally has no desire to be the waitress. But I bet she might like a cup of coffee or sip on a hot tea. Every now and then I think a hot tea with honey is a good thing, but for the most part just bring me a cup of good old regular coffee, no cream, no sugar, just plain, hot coffee. Coffee is my cup of tea. [:D] [;)] [:D]

[cherokee woman]

Okay, since we're in the diner, let's all say Happy Cinco De Mayo Day and eat some good
ole biscuits, gravy, fried potatoes, and extra biscuits with grape jelly on them[:D] [}:)]
[C=:-)]
[dinner]

[Mookie]

Mookie was a waitress, bus person, cook, dishwasher, bookkeeper and dining room manager for 17 years. Can still carry 5 plates of food and with the right glasses, 5 glasses of water.

But, you are right - would rather pull up a stool and sip coffee - has to be decaf now, 'cause her nervous system can't take a lot of caffeine anymore. She is sensitive, you know! [8D]

Did you wash your hands?

Mook [dinner]

[JoeKoh]

Dang it! Matt and I are good tippers!
fries and hot dogs please(pepsi for me milk for matt)
stay safe
joe

[Big_Boy_4005]

If it's Cinco de Mayo, shouldn't we be having Mexican food?

By the way Mookie, it was I that suggested that you be the waitress. You seem to know all the customers, and like to chat. It reminds me of a waitress is a local small town America cafe. This should be the place where our "locals" hang out.[swg]

Thanks for starting this Jim. It should help keep the clutter of non train topics off the board.

[Anonymous]

Well after my normal 4 to 5 hours of sleep I am up. Yesterday I had to make a second pot of coffee.

While walking to dog this morning I noticed one of my Stella De Oro Daylillies is blooming and has a nice flower bloomed. That one plant is loaded with blooms and in a day or two should look very nice. I have 2 flower beds, one next to the house and one in the backyard. The one in the backyard is in shade most of the day so I have Hostas in it. I have about 5 varities of Hostas and some are doing very well.

If this thread is used correctly it should always be on the front page. I will have a nice large plate of biscuits and sausage gravy. I think (LOL LOL LOL ) I told you all once or twice that I like biscuits and sausage gravy. [:p] [}:)] [;)] [:)] [:D]

Well, I am surprised that Quentin has not joined us for a cup of coffee yet. Hopefully he will stop in soon and join us for a cup. I always like reading what he has to say. Sometimes he doesn't write much but it is always worth reading. [:)] We have several people that way. <Jim thinks some "other" forum members would do good to copy them [:0] >

Hybird cars seem to be a hot topic recently. Does anyone have one? Can anyone tell us anything about them? I'll buy the coffee, someone chat some please about the hybird cars.

[cherokee woman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

If it's Cinco de Mayo, shouldn't we be having Mexican food?

By the way Mookie, it was I that suggested that you be the waitress. You seem to know all the customers, and like to chat. It reminds me of a waitress is a local small town America cafe. This should be the place where our "locals" hang out.[swg]

Thanks for starting this Jim. It should help keep the clutter of non train topics off the board.

Yeah, mexican does sound good for dinner (lunch) or supper. But we have to have a big
ole COUNTRY breakfast to give us energy for the morning.

Jim, there's a very good article on hybrid cars in the latest issue of Consumer Reports.

[Mookie]

I made a comment that a Nebraska man bought a hybrid and was taxed extra. What a country/state.

We had a very pretty spring this year - even with a drought. Hate to see it now go into summer and just green and brown colors. But - it froze on Sunday nite (28 degrees) and will be close to 90 today - Go Lincoln!

[Big_Boy_4005]

Hey Mookie, I answered that comment over on Vic's "truckers protest" topic. What did you think of my theory? I agree that it is very short sighted to tax hybrid cars at this time. It sends the wrong message, but it does show that different states like California and Nebraska have very different priorities. Talk about culture shock!!!! Nebraska says we have so many miles of roads to maintain, and Califionia says please let us breathe.

Jim, it may be a little quiet here unitl everyone checks this topic out, but once they all find it, it should never need bumping.

Cherokee, I was originally thinking of Taco Bell for dinner, but now I'm leaning toward something nicer. Don Pablo's is OK, but there is a section of St Paul called the West Side, where most of the Mexicans live. They have some REAL authentic food there, and I'll bet the taquilla will be flowing freely. I never have figured out why they call it the West Side, It is actually south of downtown and south of the Mississippi River. The UP runs through there. Thats the beginning of the "Spine Line" heading south to Des Moines and KC.

[Mookie]

Ok - I found it and posted under the truckers debate.

Now - lunch - let's see - maybe egg salad......see I didn't say chicken!

Mook

[locomutt]

Big_Boy_4095, cherokee woman said to let you know she changed her mind, and now
we're having italian for supper i.e., lasagna. And the bottle of wine I bought her last
week.

I told her the wine was a early birthday present, and she's saved it for tonight. (Today is
her birthday).

[Modelcar]

....Hi all.....Just found this place....and....did someone say hotdogs...!! Great, that's my weakness, so I'll have a couple with chopped up onions and ketchup and then we'll top it off with some ordinary good chocolate ice cream.
Hybrid cars....Yes, that is becoming a hot button item and I believe it will be an increasingly important model in the upcoming years. They probably can save us a bunch of imported oil...after we get masses of them running. Concept is great, all self contained....no stopping for recharging so the idea is practical. Smaller internal combustion engine in combination with an electric motor and brakes capable of adding charge back into the included battery pack. Simply the small engine and electric motor work seamlessly together when real power is called for and sometimes just the electric motor is doing the powering....It's quite a combination to work together to produce somewhat better fuel economy.
Everyone enjoy your lunch....

[Willy2]

Hopefully pizza is on the menu! If it is, that's what I'm having. Well, I didn't think very much about what I am planning to post in here, so for today I don't have much to say. I'll sleep on it tonight and come up with something. But, sleep reminds me, how could anyone sleep for just 4 or 5 hours like Jim does. I really could never manage it. For me, 8 or 9 hours rules, 10 hours on weekends. During Easter vacation one night I slept for 13 hours. By the way, bring me a cup of coffee! This will be my first taste of coffee ever so make it good! This really ought to be fun in the future. That's all I have to chat about for now so Adios Amigos.

Willy

[Modelcar]

....On a bit of railroad chatter....Just read in our new TRAINS of Gov. Jeb Bush once again trying to kill HSR in Florida by having the HSR amendment repealed, hence if that happens...stopping the engineering work on the first leg of it...Orlando - Tampa.

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by locomutt

Big_Boy_4095, cherokee woman said to let you know she changed her mind, and now
we're having italian for supper i.e., lasagna. And the bottle of wine I bought her last
week.

I told her the wine was a early birthday present, and she's saved it for tonight. (Today is
her birthday).

Well tell her [bday] for me, and enjoy!! I still think I'll follow through and go Mexican tonight. Maybe even some Margaritas. Big_Girl got stuck with overtime, so we are going to go out late. BTW my birthday is the 18th.[;)][:)]

[jeaton]

Just coffee, black, regular.

Chatted with a hybrid driver at a stop off the interstate. Said it got up there and did just fine with the traffic.

got to run, Jay

[Noah Hofrichter]

may I too wish you a [bday] Cherokee Woman. Hope its a good one.

Now, I'll take a nice big sundae, I'm hungry.[dinner] so whats on the plate (for talking I mean) right now?

Noah[:P]

[Anonymous]

I like this idea!

[Kozzie]

Here's my chance for a possibly dumb and definitely 'off trains topic' question...but....
many of the Forum Folk use LOL...I don't know what that means...hmmm ...is it an "up over" thing?

Dave
(Kozzie)

[Modelcar]

....They do get better mileage in local driving. Understand open highway is still a bunch better than conventional powertrains. I personally can't speak to too many details yet. Have an article on the Prius and I must get to it to learn more.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Modelcar

....On a bit of railroad chatter....Just read in our new TRAINS of Gov. Jeb Bush once again trying to kill HSR in Florida by having the HSR amendment repealed, hence if that happens...stopping the engineering work on the first leg of it...Orlando - Tampa.

You can't blame him he needs the money.
Wars cost money.

[Modelcar]

...Anyone who has traveled in Florida lately knows something will have to happen down there soon or traffic will become paralyzed.

[espeefoamer]

Great idea.[:)]I'll have a peperoni & mushroom pizza,and a rasberry iced tea. Give me a seat by the window,'cause the tracks are right outside.[8D]

[UPTRAIN]

Do any locos in any of your areas run off of bio-diesel?

[Anonymous]

great forum idea Jim! I'll have a barley pop or a pork chop- whichever is on special. Hybrids are a hot topic and one that I am passionate about. I have not heard of a state tax against a hybrid buyer- no such thing up here in the State of Two Seasons (winter and road construction). The generation 1 Prius gave the buyer a $2000 Federal tax credit for purchase- I'm not sure about the gen2, will check tomorrow.
Yes, their mpg is better in urban stop-and-go commutes. This is the primary reason they went to Californicators first (emissions).
You may see exhaust on a gen 1 prius at a stop IF there is enough load on the system to warrant engine operation. If the a/c is on auto and the compressor is running-the engine will also be running. There are other factors and parameters involved that the hybrid ecu judges and detemines what happens at any given moment.
There are many improvements to the gen 2 prius that have addressed some of these concerns. One is the a/c compressor is now electric and only engaged during demand. Increased horsepower,torque, and mpg are also notable.
On a safety note(probably not needed on a RR forum where safety is paramount!) do be aware that both generations of this vehicle have the potential to take your digits, and possibly your life IF one were to 'screw around' and/or 'tinker' with the high voltage system. Part of my essential tool inventory from Toyo includes linemans gloves. This is in no way intended to scare away potential owners as they have an impeccable safety record but more to warn the do-it-yerselfers out there.
Be safe- with locos and hybrids!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: On a safety note(probably not needed on a RR forum where safety is paramount!) do be aware that both generations of this vehicle have the potential to take your digits, and possibly your life IF one were to 'screw around' and/or 'tinker' with the high voltage system. Part of my essential tool inventory from Toyo includes linemans gloves. This is in no way intended to scare away potential owners as they have an impeccable safety record but more to warn the do-it-yerselfers out there.

On that particular note, I was reading that Search and Rescue and Firedepartments are now undergoing special training in regards to dealing with hybrids that have crashed.

Apparently they are being trained how to reconize and safely work around the engine compartments in a wreck without getting electrocuted! Yikes!

I don't think it has actually happened to anyone yet, but apprently the risk is there.

[Anonymous]

I have pesonally trained our local FD on the Prius- this was when the gen 1 first appeared- and they were 'leary' to say the least. But after the information was presented and all were informed they felt much more comfortable with that type scenerio. There are so many fail-safe implementations on the Prius that the actual occurance of 'electrification of the body' is practically nil. No occurance to date that I'm aware of.
Hybrids are no safer or deadly than a diesel locomotive- the same potential is there with both modes of transportation. How many stories have you heard of loco techs getting 'bit' by their vehicles? There may be some but compare that to the sheer volume of locos vs. hybrids.
Also, on Toyo's pro-active nature- they (at or near the release of gen 1) requested of their Prius selling dealers to have the hybrid certified tech to become involved with their community/regional responders to get the info out. Emergency response information on the Prius is also available to anyone via web or dealer.
As with any new technology, information and familiarization are key- and Toyo has been upfront and proactive in this.

[Anonymous]

As I said, this thread wasn't my idea, I just borrowed the idea from another forum. But it does seem to be doing just fine here.

I am enjoying the "car chat". I hope that maybe more will be produced and we can lower our dependence on foreign oil. Of course OPEC will then probally cut back their production and then the scrub will have "heard" they have WMD and we will have to invade them and "for their own good of course".

I am drinking some raspberry drinkaid (Kroger brand of KoolAid). I drink it or milk after work. It is almost 1 am so I don't drink coffee now. Come 8 am the coffee pot will be going and I will then have a cup of black coffee.

Well the big news of my day is . . . . . Jim the klutz might have broken another toe today. [:(] This never happens when I am wearing shoes, only when running around the house barefoot and getting ready to jump in the shower. Today just before shower time I ran my right foot into the couch. The first broken toe was on my left foot so at least I am an equal opportunity toe breaker. At least this one doesn't hurt as much since the couch is cover with material. The bookshelf was a totally different story though. IT HURT. This one does hurt but not as bad. It has that burning feeling, and constant numbness. I am not sure about going to see the doctor about it. The last time all he did was xray it, and tape it to another toe. But I did get an RX for some pain pills [;)] So I am debaiting about going or not. And on top of that I have a different appointment with another doctor. So I am debaiting with myself about it. [:0]

And how was YOUR day. [?] [:)] [:p] [8D]

[Mookie]

Lights on - coffee made - and toes are all counted.

[locomutt]

JIM,

HOUSE SHOES' !?[:D][}:)][swg]