Granted
TF
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ā¦ 
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They always ask if they can sleep at Mamaās, not Papaās. 
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Donāt quite understand that, because Mama doesnāt have a train layout in the basement 
TF
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Itās not what the Bear would do for entertainment, running is not on the agenda, but good on her!
Popping up from the search engine was this uncaptioned photo which upon closer examination, research, and guesswork, shows two of the three Budd Diesel Railcars for the Commonwealth Railways being delivered at Port Augusta, South Australia, (an assumption.) And not a hard hat or dayglo vest in sight!!
They were operated by the Commonwealth Railways and Australian National from 1951 until being withdrawn from service in 1990. It would appear that they are still in existence.
Thoughts and Best Wishes to All that need them. Kia Kaha.
Cheers, the Bear.
PS. Different, but I do like this versionā¦
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Good morning everybody. Chloe, bacon, eggs, and a stack of blueberry pancakes please.
Not much news on the train front. I did spend the evening perusing ebay for any goodies that might catch my eye, but alas, none that did were at a price range suitable for me. Someday I hope to have an H10 class NYC Mikado, but it appears they have only been made in brass at this point, and those are either too pricey, in poor shape, or need a ābrass guyā to make useable. Maybe if there are any good ones still around when I retire one could be a retirement present to myself? Food for thought.
Agreed! I often wonder what became of his railroad stuff, especially his passenger cars and his lighted vehicles. I donāt think his family realized the bidding war that would have ensued among us diner patrons! 
So cool! Thank you for sharing that.
I hear about the steady disappearance of small pubs in the UK and find that sad. From an outsiderās perspective, it seems like such a quintessential bit of British culture is slowly disappearing.
And look at that ship list!
Have a great day everyone!
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Good morning all. A sunny day.
A coffee on the go please, Janie.
Oldest grandson visiting after school.
Time to take off.
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Good morning
Your retirement encouragement was appreciated John. My buddy Erv mentioned his accountant advised not waiting for the higher payments as the missed payments turn out to be a wash. After doing some math yesterday, you are exactly right. Early retirement versus a later retirement balanced out at age 84. Now im feeling more confident taking the early one, why wait?
Thanks for the carpal tunnel feedback yāall
Itās a good thing Iām amidextrous and can fall back on Lefty
Good Olā RR Mel! Thanks for reminding me John.
TF
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Morning everyone, Iāll take a spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down. Started Tech for Drama at my school yesterday. Set build tonight, and Iāve got the cross-Section of the smith shop done. Iām gonna replace the roof with steel in the model and put some more modern windows in. Iām also going to print the 9-Track Main shop, as well as a functioning Gantry crane and the transfer Table. Iām also going to be in the Robotics club. Both clubs also need a photographer, And I happen to have a DSLR and Tripod, So Iām gonna be taking a photo or 2.
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I have a TV on the wall of my layout room, and itās on whenever Iām working. Right now, TCM has a movie called Days of Glory with Gregory Peck as a Russian fighting the Nazis. He and his group just blew up an ammunition supply train! The models used in the filming look great except for some of the trees.
Huge news from this outpost in flyover country! I finished ballasting yesterday! Today Iāll celebrate with some adult drinks. There will still need to be some touch-up work on some places I messed up, but the major ballasting is done. Now I can get back to some other parts of the hobby I enjoy.
David, Iāll join the others in complimenting you and Dawn in how your grandchildren want to spend time with you. Thatās a real blessing!
Paul, thanks for more nice photos of the English countryside. I first learned of Hadrianās Wall in sixth grade social studies, and Iāve wanted to see it ever since.
TF, have you had any opportunity to work on the layout bridges?
Bear, in your photo, Iām not sure Iād want to be standing on the downhill side of that car still on the ship. The guy standing on top doesnāt look scared.
Mike, has your daughterās first weeks at college gotten better for her?
Bigguy511, busy times at school!
DirtyD696, Iāve never done an EMOM workout. My sons-in-law do some. They are all involved in Crossfit, which looks like torture to me. Iām way too old to even think about attempting things like that.
Gabe, interesting color schemes on your locomotives. With 148 left to do, you should be busy for a long time.
NKP_guy, what subject did you teach? Before going into administration, I was teaching math and science. I actually enjoyed the times I taught history more. I once had to cover a Kindergarten class when the teacher got sick and the sub wasnāt yet there. Those teachers should get paid more than any other teachers!
Attuvian, I agree about Mel. His work on casting and painting the people for his passenger cars was amazing. I too wonder what happened to those models.
Curmudgeon, enjoy reading your āSteam Days in Dunsmuirā. Looks great.
Batman, have you seen any improvement on the fire-fighting front?
Time for me to get back to work. Cookie the Deaf Dog didnāt want to walk this morning. Sheās moving around slowly, so she may have injured herself jumping onto or off the beds. Iāll have to watch her.
Not a train photo, but probably the best place I ever visited, Petra in Jordan. My three daughters and I had a great trip. Passing through customs in the Middle East is a real experience!
This would make anyone want to travel by train in 1949:
Have a great day.
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Dawn wants Pork Loin Steaks for dinner. I had better start cooking.
A little of the North Tyne River not far from our house.
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Today, Iām giving my old bones a rest. Iāve been āloggingā recently since there are quite a few dead elm trees that need to be āharvestedā. Yesterday I took down an ash tree and a basswood. The Ash will be fine for firewood but the basswood is considered āshoulder woodā (I had to look it up, too!)
Felled Ash Tree by Edmund, on Flickr
Felled Ash Tree Rounds by Edmund, on Flickr
Our property is in a fairly dense wooded area and the trees grow tall to reach the canopy.
I have a trusty, vintage log splitter but for the big stuff my neighbor gladly shares his 17 tonner. In exchange I remove stumps for him.
Splitter Log 17 Ton by Edmund, on Flickr
While allowing the chain saw to cool down I thought Iād grease the front end on the golf cart. My little grease monkey decided to help!
Creeper Cat Grease Monkey by Edmund, on Flickr
He sure knows how to find the most comfortable spot to rest!
Creeper Cat 2 by Edmund, on Flickr
Here was Sundayās project, replacing a bad hydrant.
Hydrant Iowa by Edmund, on Flickr
These āIOWAā designs are decades old. Hereās one I found in a yard of the Wheeling & Lake Erie near Pittsburgh:
Woodford Iowa Hydrant by Edmund, on Flickr
I hope everyone is having a great week!
Ed
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I had to ask; wouldnāt a basswood tree give you a lifetime supply of basswood? Granted, you would have to do a lot of sawingā¦
I had a friend who worked train shows for the folks who owned MAL hobby shop in Irving, TX. MAL stood for model aircraft lumber; the original proprietor (Edgar Seay) cut balsa blanks into scale lumber with full sized table saws. At some point the hobby shop expanded to include trains. His son (Junior) remained in business, primarily in model train supplies, until his death a few years ago.
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Good evening Diners. A large Pusserās Rum please, Chloe.
I received a letter earlier from the hospital about my heart beating irregularly. More so than previously. Basically I have to take things at an easy pace. I have lived with it all my life; Iāll keep going until the ālong pauseā.
Oldest grandson has just gone home. Youngest grandson is visiting tomorrow.
For those who like ships āCelebrity Silhouetteā in Istanbul
Corrour Summit, Scotland
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David, is it common in the UK to give altitude in both feet and meters? In the U.S., it was more common some years ago. Now, it seems we just use the old English system almost all the time.
There are exceptions ā track meets, sciences, etc., but for the most part, we are still the odd man out.
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Youāve been working hard Ed.
Love You Man!
Kick back and listen to one of my favorites.
TF
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It is a mix of both, John. (I much prefer inches and feet lol)
Good morning, Diners A cloudy day.
Morning coffee please, Janie.
Nurse is attending to Dawn
Youngest grandson is visiting after school.
Good Morning Diners. Janie, coffee and something to eat. Surprise me.
Congratulations! 
That has to feel good! Also, yes, my daughterās time at college is slowly getting better. We still get the occasional message about her having a low day, missing home, or needing a hug, but they are gradually spacing further apart. Feeling more confident that sheāll āget thereā. Thank you for asking!
History is the best subject you know. 
While Iām not teaching, my degree is to be a high school history teacher.
Did you know that they found an untouched burial tomb, literally just to the right of where you are standing in your photo?!
I had a similar thought. Remember the April Foolās joke a couple years ago for the grow your own station kit that was basically a box with an acorn in it? Figured Ed took that to heart!
I sure hope CN Charlie stops back in the diner. Would like to know if heās doing okay.
Trying to get a few last house projects done before the weather turns cold. Then maybe I can get back to the layout.
Hump day!
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