Depot Diner & Coffee Shop

[CopCarSS]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CSXrules4eva
Chris those pictures are wonderful!! I really do love the pic of the elk in the brush. Seeing those pictures is making me get anxious to see the hills, valleys, and mountains in good old Penn's Woods when heart of Autum comes around. Over here in PA the trees haven't started to change color yet, everything is still very green.

Sarah,

One of the advantages to living in a "vertical" state is that we have several stages of autumn. Increasing elevation has a similar effect to moving north for ecosystems. Since I was at 8,000-10,000 feet above sea level for most of that excursion, the climate was similar to traveling fairly far into Canada. So mid-Sept. is great for the high country.

In the coming week or so, autumn will move down into the lower altitudes around Denver and such.

Of course, after that, I'm headed home to Aurora, IL for a week, and it'll be getting into fall color there (although, I don't know how colorful it will be because of the lack of moisture). This should be around the same time that fall color should be in PA, if I'm guessing right.

One of these years I want to head out east for some leaf lookin'. While the color out here can be spectacular, it is essentially monochromatic (yellow) with an occasional, but somewhat rare, splash of other colors. Would love to see some New England foliage sometime.

Thanks for the kind words, and hope you have a great autumn in the coming weeks.

[CopCarSS]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rgroeling
[I have a question that is bugging me, and thought that maybe I could get answered here.. So...

Does anybody know where the Burlington Northern SD70s in the Exectutive (creme and green) paint run??? I have only seen one here in Chicago, and was wondering where those things normally run.

I see a fair number of them out here on the Brush, and Colorado Springs subs. It's getting harder to find true "BN" ones, as a lot of them have been patched, but they are still around. Unfortunately, the reflective BN logo is starting to wear pretty badly, and these are usually kind of dirty, so finding a gem can be tough. Still about a year and a half ago, I managed to grab a roster of a pretty decent looking one, so it can be done.

Just be patient, and maybe you should run across one sooner or later. Good luck!

Chris
Denver, CO

[blhanel]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CopCarSS


Of course, after that, I'm headed home to Aurora, IL for a week,

My wife and I may have to take another trip to Chicagoland about a month from now, and I've been doing some research on the best place to stay in the area. I discovered that there's a Comfort Suites (we're Choice Privileges members) in downtown Aurora, right next to the Metra station. Looks like an ideal location to spend a couple of nights, watch BNSF action, ride Metra downtown, etc. etc. Would you recommend the place?

[CopCarSS]

I've never stayed there (so far Momma is still happy to see me, and lets me stay at home), but I would imagine it being a pretty decent place to stay. Quick easy access to the Metra station, Walter Payton's, (and the Hollywood Casino if you're into that kind of thing).

The BNSF three track main ends a little east of there, but the hotel is still east of the split between the Aurora Sub and Mendota Sub, so it sees plenty of traffic. Scenery-wise, it's not the greatest in the world, but there are some possibilities. I always headed west of town, usually on the Aurora sub, but occasionally down towards Galesburg.

Eola is a fun place to hang out (there's kind of a parking area on McClure Rd. that the railroad allows fans to hang out at). Lots of trains, and usually an interesting variety of locos, both on the mainline stuff, as well as the yard engines.

It might behoove you to get in touch with eolafan, as he's still a resident there. I only moonlight occasionally around Oct./Nov./Dec. Don't remember all the ins and outs around there, and the area has changed so much, I can't even direct you to the good photo spots.

Have a good trip, and if it's in the Oct-Dec. bracket, drop me a line, as there's probably about a 25% chance I may be around (concrete is kinda slow in the winter...so I take some time off for holidays and such to head back).

Chris
Denver, CO

[blhanel]

Thanks Chris- I may do that, we'll see what happens later next month.

Hey CW, I forgot what's for supper- I'm starving!

[railfan619]

Hey good eveing everyone sorry I have not been writting lately I have been so tired and on top of that I got me a cold so that just adds to the triedness but the good thing is I am getting better but anywho have a good night and I shall be talikin to yoa'll tomorrow [zzz][zzz][zzz][zzz]

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the insights- I appreciate it!

[Modelcar]

Chris....Western Pennsylvania has the golds as you mention but scattered with that are many evergreens and quite a few red leaf trees when the color change takes place...Early October...depending on elevations and that years weather pattern...

[miniwyo]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CopCarSS

QUOTE: Originally posted by CSXrules4eva
Chris those pictures are wonderful!! I really do love the pic of the elk in the brush. Seeing those pictures is making me get anxious to see the hills, valleys, and mountains in good old Penn's Woods when heart of Autum comes around. Over here in PA the trees haven't started to change color yet, everything is still very green.

Sarah,

One of the advantages to living in a "vertical" state is that we have several stages of autumn. Increasing elevation has a similar effect to moving north for ecosystems. Since I was at 8,000-10,000 feet above sea level for most of that excursion, the climate was similar to traveling fairly far into Canada. So mid-Sept. is great for the high country.

Autumn? Wow Im impressed that you actually have that, Here in Wyoming we do have 4 seasons, just not that one. We have, Winter, More Winter, Construction, and Winiter Again.

[Mookie]

I'm baaack...missed me didn't you! Of course you did!

Took some time off - Didn't like it - came back.

Cream and Green runs through Lincoln quite often.

Railfan619 - could be allergies rather than a cold. They can be very nasty and cause sinus infections, etc. Be careful.

CW - brought in a big mac and cheese casserole for lunch - (made with real cheddar chesse (well as real as it gets) and not that horrible american or creamy cheese. I am a real cheese lover - cheddar, cheddar, cheddar, provolone, cheddar.... [^] and milk!

Spots of rain in the land of no weather and supposedly a cold, no cool, blast of north wind. Yeah. Doesn't get much better...

Moo....

[JDV5th]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CopCarSS

QUOTE: Originally posted by CSXrules4eva
Chris those pictures are wonderful!! I really do love the pic of the elk in the brush. Seeing those pictures is making me get anxious to see the hills, valleys, and mountains in good old Penn's Woods when heart of Autum comes around. Over here in PA the trees haven't started to change color yet, everything is still very green.

Sarah,

One of the advantages to living in a "vertical" state is that we have several stages of autumn. Increasing elevation has a similar effect to moving north for ecosystems. Since I was at 8,000-10,000 feet above sea level for most of that excursion, the climate was similar to traveling fairly far into Canada. So mid-Sept. is great for the high country.

In the coming week or so, autumn will move down into the lower altitudes around Denver and such.

Of course, after that, I'm headed home to Aurora, IL for a week, and it'll be getting into fall color there (although, I don't know how colorful it will be because of the lack of moisture). This should be around the same time that fall color should be in PA, if I'm guessing right.

One of these years I want to head out east for some leaf lookin'. While the color out here can be spectacular, it is essentially monochromatic (yellow) with an occasional, but somewhat rare, splash of other colors. Would love to see some New England foliage sometime.

Thanks for the kind words, and hope you have a great autumn in the coming weeks.

You can also go to upstate NY, finger lakes region. Unbelievably beautiful. Lots of hills/mts, water, foliage, etc...
Have a great Weds. Its hump day!
[8D][:D]

[cherokee woman]

Good Wednesday morning, everyone.
Mookie, so glad to see you back today. I, for one, really missed you
yesterday. Seemed more like the weekend, rather than a Tuesday, with-
out you here!!

Breakfast this morning: hearty breakfast of turkey bacon, grits, oatmeal,
sausage, biscuits & gravy, toast, scrambled eggs.

And thank you so much for the mac & cheese. I too love cheddar cheese:
sharp cheddar, and sometimes the extra sharp.

To go along with Mookie's mac & cheese, today for lunch and supper, we'll
have: southern fried pork chops, mashed taters w/milk gravy, and home-
made biscuits.

[Mookie]

[angel] CW! I done died and gone to heaven....[dinner] That sounds so much better than the kibbles in my bowl!

Moo

[Mookie]

Hear through the tracks that the Muddyguy is flying east to BC's area. Watch for feathers in the windy city area. They will probably share a plate of corn.....

Headin' for the hammock - so don't tell either of them where I am. Would hate to have them find my hidey-hole!

Moo-wee.....

[locomutt]

Mookie,

I'm also glad you're back today,did miss you.
Hmm....sorta thought you'd taken the last several days
of "Garfield" very seriously.[:-,]

Chris,really have enjoyed seeing the Fall foliage shots...
Don't know how Ky. will fare this year,especially in the 'higher
elevations(east. Ky.) they've had a lot less rain in that area,
and the Forestry officals are worried about a BAD fire season.

[tree68]

Mookie - let me know next time you're gonna bring in mac & cheese and I'll send you some real cheddar - 4X "Rat Trap" sharp. Good stuff!

[JDV5th]

QUOTE: Originally posted by locomutt

Mookie,

Chris,really have enjoyed seeing the Fall foliage shots...
Don't know how Ky. will fare this year,especially in the 'higher
elevations(east. Ky.) they've had a lot less rain in that area,
and the Forestry officals are worried about a BAD fire season.

We had a lot less rain in western michigan, especially right along the Lake Michigan coast. Any other places unusually dry?
The last week or two has been much more moist ( a normal level).

I'll take scrambled eggs, toast, sausage, with biscuits and gravy. Beat the fruit loops I had at home. [:D][;)] JDV

[JoeKoh]

mookie
glad your back saw more new swoshes coming your way today on csx.matt and i will both have some mac and cheese for luch please.
stay safe
Joe

[mudchicken]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

Hear through the tracks that the Muddyguy is flying east to BC's area. Watch for feathers in the windy city area. They will probably share a plate of corn.....

Headin' for the hammock - so don't tell either of them where I am. Would hate to have them find my hidey-hole!

Moo-wee.....

Mooks:
Working on a proposal to doubletrack Ashland to SouthBend to Louisville......Didn't know that Mutt, CW , Half the state of Kentucky and the Fighting Irish all lived between you and Willy2[:D][:D][:D]

ps... will try to find Jay as well as soon as he wakes up (I seem to have that effect on him[|)][|)][|)])

[Mookie]

MC - And Ashland must be in Oregon?

Get that proposal so we have a reason to visit!

Jay's age is the reason he has to nap a lot.....

Just making all kinds of friends today, aren't I.

Mook

Mook

[JoeKoh]

hew cw how are the porkchops coming?Matts hungry for supper.
stay safe
Joe

[JDV5th]

Ditto. Pork chops sound good. What's the difference between regular pork chops and southern pork chops? More heat?
Have a pleasant evening all.
JD

[cherokee woman]

Supper's ready. Pork chops are done, biscuits baked, gravy made, and potatoes
are mashed. Come and get it!!

Sorry haven't been on since this morning: Mutt and I are doing fall cleaning
(opposite of spring cleaning).

[Anonymous]

I will take some of those pork chops and potatoes!!![dinner]

You are a great cook![C=:-)]

I am off to do my homework. Gotta work ahead so I have less work during the weekends because weekends=railfanning

Everyone have a great night I will be back this time tomorow

[blhanel]

I hope Chris left some for me. An extra biscuit please, also.

Hey Chris, which suburb of Chicago do you live in?

[locomutt]

QUOTE: Originally posted by JDV5th

Ditto. Pork chops sound good. What's the difference between regular pork chops and southern pork chops? More heat?
Have a pleasant evening all.
JD

For the "Southern Pork Chops",I imagine you are talking about good ole
"Country Fried".............Major difference,they're done by a "Southern Cook"
who knows how to !!!![:-,]

[mudchicken]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

MC - And Ashland must be in Oregon?

Get that proposal so we have a reason to visit!

Jay's age is the reason he has to nap a lot.....

Just making all kinds of friends today, aren't I.

Mook

Mook

Ashland is in KY as well. Driver has never heard of Valvoline?

[jeaton]

Hey-I'm awake!!! My November Trains came yesterday. 65th Anniversary of the Magazine which was born just three months before me.

Plan on getting to the Chicago area next week in time to run the mudchicken and the Mrs. through the customs check so they can come up here without stopping at the state line. Mainly have to verify that they are from Colorado. People up here aren't found of those aliens from Illinois. I have to keep my origins secret.

More rain today. Don't mind, but it could have come 6 weeks ago and my lawn woudn't have gotten so brown. Cooler weather follows, and leaves should be turning here soon.

Jay

[CShaveRR]

Wish my issue had come yesterday, or today. Now I'll have to go to work before seeing it.

Jay, from what my sister tells me, the Wisconsin border patrol couldn't catch MC if they wanted to! I hope to be around, though, to assure a fair and impartial investigation.

Got some Sweet Baby Ray's handy for dipping tender chop chips into! Thanks, Cher!

[railfan619]

GOOD eveing everyone well only one more day of work for me then I am off on friday which will be a very good thing because then I get to sleepin and do ever need it but anywho hope everyone has a good night and I will be talkin to you'll later