Jeffreys Trackside Diner, November 2017 - Any and All are Welcome, All Aboard!

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
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Good evening all.

Chloe - A nice slice of that yummy looking pumpkin pie, and a coke please. Thanks.

Tom - My dad had the same surgery a little while back. We jokingly said we would draw the cut line further so he would look like “Joker” from Batman… Instead, to minimize scar tissue, the Dr. did that for us. But there is very little scarring from it. (You have to know where to look to see it.) Glad they caught it, and got all of yours.

Smoking discussion - I have never smoked, and never will. (And not just bc of the asthma issue… I find it repulsive.) As a point of note, when the Dr. diagnosed the asthma, he said I could “never, never, ever smoke”, or “I would be answering to him”… My response? “Trust me doc, if I wanted to die, I’d find a way more creative, and fun, way to do it.” - Like alligator wrestling while in handcuffs, blindfolded, and wearing a shirt made of bacon, or riding Niagara Falls in a dinghy, while wearing a shark costume with the tail tied to a cinder block, or something “macho” and “über-crazy” like that… [:-^]

Drinking discussion - While I am no longer on the medicine that restricts drinking, my uncle was an alcoholic, so I have not had interest in even trying it. (For years, I had never seen him sober once.) But that is just me. (He’s not the only one on that side of the family who had a drinking problem, so the fear it might be something hereditary is part of it.)

Oddball Issue update - After a bit of back-and-forth, the issue was resolved. But due to the issues, I am so done with that company… If I ever have to deal with them again it will be too soon. (They were not very pleasant, nor polite about it, and it only got resolved once I demanded to speak with a supervisor, which I never got… Instead, I got a condescending response of, “As a one-time courtesy, we are waiving the fees” that I should

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Hello, Folks—

Almost Wednesday here! My railroad friends just left for home after a fun and successful layout visit and “Operating Session”. That last is in quores because we really didn’t operate much, just had three or four trains running while we gabbed, and then yakked, and then gabbed some more.

Thanks for askin’ Rick! Yep, turned out to be the main control board. Relay contact was toasted. The replacement board matched part numbers exactly but was in an entirely different housing so I had to chop the sides off the new housing otherwise the control cover would never fit over it [banghead]

Anyway, laundry is caught up and the new dryer plays funky tunes when the cycle is done [:-^] Sounds like one of those tacky greeting cards that play “music”.

Now that my layout visit is done I can get your package together, Ken. Sorry you had to wait but… priorities [:)]

Thanks for picking up the tab, Ricky! Here’s what I’m having— anyone care to join me? I had this dinner on one of my trips on the Broadway LION oops, I mean Limited back in 1973!

Amtrak_TG by Edmund, on Flickr

Back then everything was prepared in the diner, no shrink-wrap-microwave junk. Served on real china, too!

I hope everyone has a safe and healthy Holiday!

Prayers and condolences to those in need…

<

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It is three minutes until Midnight as I type this.

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I will have made it one full day without checking my work email. This is the first day in over four years I have managed to do this.

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I am on vacation for another week… I hope I can keep this up.

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-Kevin

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John Boy … It is very sad to think your having cancer was because of other people’s bad habits.

i recall the suburban passenger trains I used to ride in Chicago area had a “smoker” on each train which was a coach for people who smoked. I recall how terrible it smelled as I moved to one of the “no smoking” coaches.

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Good Morning!

Not much to report about this end of the Big Pond, other than that a new kind of disease is spreading rapidly among people on either side of the pond. It causes people to trade reason with hysteria and seems to predominantly afflict the female species, and, within this group, those, who have or had a certain public life and now face a lack of attention. This seems to be a worldwide phenomenon, mainly targeted at the source of all evil in the world - the old, white male.

I know I am being sarcastic, but how not to be when you look at what´s going on right now! People have gone crazy! What used to be a compliment, is now an insult or even an assault, what used to be a differing opinion, is now regarded as hate speech! If you are not a victim of some sort, you´re not one of the crowd. Should you happen not to be a victim, you are advised to make it up quick!

I have given up on trying to understand today´s world. I have to admit, though, that I like the old times much better when people actually talked to each other, without the aid of a lawyer. person to person. Today´s generation “smart phone” only knows texting and has lost the art of communication - not so smart after all!

I am just glad I live a rather withdrawn life these days. The folks on my layout are way above this craze. Normal people, who care for their neighbors and love their families.

I am out, before Vinnie or Steven catch up on me!

Edit: On the smoking issue - I picked up the bad habit rather late in life and was a smoker for 35 years. I never knew how bad the smell of stale, cold smoke is until I gave it up. It was a lot easier than I thought. I just put out the last cigarette and that was it. Where there is a will, there is a way! Needless to say I feel much better since!

Inspite of being a German, I have never been much of a beer drinker, nor any of the harder stuff. I do enjoy the occasional glass of wine, but these occasions have become ver

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Ulrich: I hear you on the ‘world has gone crazy’

I thouht about taking my office chair to court because it has been touching my behind all these years…

The wife is having surgery on the other arm today. All should go well.

not much on the model front, I am going to set up my train on my work desk on Friday.

I never have smoked or drank. I just see no reason to. I don’t like being around drunk people. I used to go stand outside with one of my previous bosses while he smoked, he like to discuss things while smoking. So I am sure I 'second hand ’ smoked during that time. He died 2 years ago of pancreatic cancer. He was diagnosed and with in 4 months was gone. I am sure smoking played some part. He was my boss when I worked at the movie theatre and he was the best boss I have ever had. He was fair and taught me a lot of things about being a boss. He helped me become GM of my own theatre later on. Unfortunatly I had a terrible regional boss when I was GM of the theatre. I miss joking around with him even though I had not seen him for about 10 years we kept in touch. Thinking of the things we pulled on each other and others brings a smile to my face every time.

We had good times then.

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Back from another glorious ride on the mountain bike. One the schedule for the day–grocery shopping on the day before Thanksgiving and homework.

I remember flying in those days when there were smoking and non-smoking flights. It was really ridiculous to think being one or two rows in front of the smoking section was going to make a difference. (Another non-smoking, non-drinking guy.)

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Afternoon fine fellow Model Railroaders!

Janie, I could use a cup of decaf to tide me over until super is ready!

A few of my favorite Quotes from my favorite poet to link with some comments earlier…

“I always entertain great hopes.” - Robert Frost

“Talking is a hydrant in the yard and writing is a faucet upstairs in the house. Opening the first takes the pressure off the second!” - Robert Frost

“Thinking isn’t agreeing or disagreeing, that’s voting” - Robert Frost

Went to the Doc today for my 6 month check-up. He says to just keep on going and do the same things I have been doing. Everything appears to be within specs, and he was very happy about a couple things. First off my A1C was all of 6.0 (that is actually higher than it has been but still excellent. I blame Holloween candy for the slight increase…). My total cholesteral was 127, HDL was 42, with a ratio of 3.02 which puts me in a risk of less than one half average risk… He looked at my right leg and said the Podiatrist’s prediction from last year may be right. Getting time for a vein removal job… Probably, if the podiatrist wants it done, I will get it done over the Winter…

Got to stay with my Granddaugters this morning as both parents had to work and the Grandma also needed to work a couple hours. That is always fun for me so I don’t mind being “put out”. (grin)

Hope all of you have a great Thanksgiving in those places in the world that celebrate on that day, and if you are traveling, stay safe!

73

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Well, I am home and back at work.

The trip to and from Battle Creek, MI was uneventful.

The funeral service was wonderful, if thats a proper adjective, but it was harder on me than I thought…it was like burying my mother again. On the spirit realm, the room was filled with lots of loving spirits…including my mother. All had come to see my aunt Home.

I got to see 7 of my 8 cousins and their families. Took lots of pictures. Unless or until my last Aunt passes, it is unlikely we’ll all be together again, and this was probably my last trip to Battle Creek.

My OH was, as always, welcomed with open arms by the families. All outsiders who become attatched to our family get welcomed with open arms. Its how weve always been.

We stayed at a sister hotel to my chain, at the employee rate. That made it nice. It was a great hotel, larger than ours as its also a conference center and has two ballrooms.

We stayed at the cemetery and stayed until she was fully burried. our family watches the closing of the graves. Always has. they say its an irish tradition.

I had a hard time of it, as I said, it was like we were burying my mother again.

My aunt had a full lofe, traveled the USA to all fifty states,a dn to Europe more than once for vacations/travel. They were fortunate. SHe worked hard all her life too so it was all well deserved.

We took our time coming home, and Noted A Duluth Trading outlet in Avon, Ohio, so we stopped on the way home. Lets just say Christmas gifts, anniversary gifts and birthday gifts are covered for the next year! Duluth trading s the one who advertises their underwear on V as non binding, non pinching, flexible and No stink, and has a cartoon of a guy sandwiched in a vice…Ill leave ti to your imaginagtion if you havent seen teh commericals.

Now back to grind.

It cold and windy here…much colder than in Michigan. The jet stream is high over plains states and low over us, so we are in col

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Hellooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo? Echoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

A little empty in here this evening. But that is not unexpected given it’s Thanksgiving Eve. In my case, I have to work. Supposedly, work will be giving us Thanksgiving dinner starting at 10:30 a.m. I certainly hope so. (Nothing else will be open on Thanksgiving.) There are times though that I don’t trust that it will happen. But as the expression goes: “Que será, será.” For those who don’t know Spanish or know the classic song: Whatever will be, will be.

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Good evening Diners,

Brunhilda, I’ll have a glass of your best Pinot Noir, please. Tis the Thanksgiving season.

I tried smoking very briefly in high school. Ran my dads car off the road trying to light up. Saved by my buddy who had a friend who pulled us out. The car was undamaged, but I decided right then I didn’t need it. Never picked up or had any desire to pick up a cigarette again, or anything else for that matter.

As for drink, I enjoy a little wine on occasion with food. I go to a lot of professional functions and I’ll have the same glass of wine for the entire event. Not really what you’d call a party animal, at least not for three decades or more anyway.

I want to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving. We all have so much to be thankful for.

Ken: sent you a PM

Hello to everyone, and I hope everyone is OK, safe, and warm.

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Howdy …

Ulrich … Yep. The world is crazy. Much of it I suspect is because too many people are gullible instead of skeptical.

Galaxy … I’m glad you had a safe trip to and from Battle Creek. Since you have so many cousins there, you may consider going back again some day.

I recall being in Battle Creek many times for work when I was with the GTW RR. Battle Creek was a railroad town as much as it was the home of Kellogg’s Cereal and Post Cereal. GTW’s loco shop there was impressive and so was its freight yard.

Everybody … Happy Thanksgiving.

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Eveing Diners

Flo, Santa Ed, Galaxy, Gary, Jan, Brent, Ulrich, Inch, Anglob, Up 831 and I will have a [B] if it is ok with you folks? [:-^]

Ed Thank You Thank You Thank You! [bow] [bow] Looking forward to getting the Might B&O F units on the rail’s again.

Not Looking Forward to Thanks Giving This Year. Sue’s knee is complete junk! Only been a week Thursday that she had the cortisone shot and it has all ready has worn off. She was in great pain when I came home tonight.

Reason I am not looking forward to Thanks Giving??

  1. I will be doing most of the cooking which I am fine with. But Sue being Sue has to tell me over and over the same thing on how to do it. She just cannot help her self and it drive my daughter and I NUTS!

  2. Left over’s. I love Turkey and Stuffing! Problem is the stuffing! Like Ray I have to watch what I eat being diabetic I react badly to bread! Sue wants me to make 6 bowls of Stuffing! Next year we eat out so there are no left overs!

UP 831 Saw your freind request and said yes, but could not find the PM. I will check again but I think it is gone.

Later, Ken

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To all Folks on the other side of

the Big Pond and SoB!

Here in Germany, Thanksgiving is not much of a holiday at all, in fact, it is not a public holiday.Thanksgiving is celebrated as a special service in church on the first Sunday in October, but that´s about all - no family gathering , but a safe time for turkeys!

Have a happy holiday!

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I saw neighborhood football games in every park and retention basin I passed during this morning’s ride. It must be Thanksgiving Day. Happy Thanksgiving to all. I will be spending the day with my brother, my best friend growing up.

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Happy Thanksgiving Diners,

It’s been busy for me for the past two days.

Since the topic of smoking is around. I don’t do it, but my dad smokes. It has gotten worst during his retirement he’s been smoking at least a box or less a day. Then asking us who has money to buy him some. I tried to slow it down but it hasn’t worked.

I don’t drink alcohol, I don’t really gamble but I really hate it. Wasting good money on machines that don’t pay out.

My sister smokes and my brother drinks. I’m glad I’m stable that my hobby keeps me grounded.

Be safe and take care.

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It will only work, if he really wants it!

Speaking of drinking, gambling and smoking - there is the story of a man who wrote to a ladies´ magazin searching for the “man without a vice”, telling them he doesn´t drink, doesn´t smoke nor gambles. He works all day, eats healthy, gets sufficient exercise, goes to bed early and rises early - “but wait, until they let me outta here!”

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To All–

Thanksgiving wishes to all here, hope it is filled with good cheer, grub, and laughter.

Prayers for those who need–

From the Island–

herrinchoker

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Yes Happy Thanksgiving. First celebrated by the colonists in Massachusetts in 1621, it became an official holiday in New York in 1817 but was mostly a Northern holiday. It wasn’t till Abe Lincoln came along that it became a national holiday at the urging of the author of “Mary had a little lamb”

My spatchcocked turkey just went in the oven. I just realized we forgot the sauerkraut, a Baltimore/Jewish/German tradition. Mashed potatoes, green beans, cranberry relish, rolls and a pumpkin cheesecake are on the menu.

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It was raining cats and dogs last night.

We got poodles in the parking lot to prove it.

ROAR