Big Boy Gets his 5th star today

[spankybird]

I know you are 2 away from it, but I am sure you will find a way to do what is need to make it.

Love reading your posting.

tom

[FJ and G]

Congrats!

When Elliot reaches 10K, what happens? Jack in the box comes out?

The stars are sort of like Purple Heart Medals. It means you've been shot at least 5 times during postings! Congrats on your recoveries!

dav

[Jim Duda]

I hope he does too...then he can turn off the damn computer and re-engage himself back to working on his colossus in the basement! Many people are anxious to see it...

JD

[spankybird]

He is now at 1999. Only one left

[Big_Boy_4005]

Thanks Tom, I've been stuck on 1999 for the better part of an hour now, stewing over where to put #2000. In the past I have started topics on milestone posts, here is the topic from post 1000:

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13821

Remember? It wasn't all that long ago, but my how things have changed around here in just that short time.

Jim, you are absolutely correct, I do need to get back down into the basement and get busy again. But there is something special about the forum. It makes me feel good to talk to you guys, and ocasionally help someone. This hobby wouldn't be much fun without the people with which to share it.[^][8D]

Thanks EVERYONE for making this so much fun!!!

This is my 2000th post.[swg]

[dougdagrump]

CONGRATS ![bow]
Now pass the coffee ![zzz]

[Anonymous]

Elliot:

I hope you're at least doodling with paper & pencil on my layout plan while you're not posting! [;)] (Nudge).

Congratulations!

Tony

[Big_Boy_4005]

Yeah Tony, its's right here in front of me, and I have been thinking about it a bunch. The thing that I'm trying to deal with is how to get the right balance between length of mainline and hidden track. There will have to be a bunch of tunnels, or there won't be room for much scenery. On the other hand, too many tunnels where the trains can't be seen defeats the purpose.

OOOOOH, I just had a cool idea for a storage yard, a moment of great clarity!![swg]

[Anonymous]

Congratulations, Elliot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You certainly deserve it! I think that every one of those 2000 posts has been very worthwhile!

[Anonymous]

Elliot:

Sounds great! I'm looking forward to seeing the completed plan.

I've been making progress on the program. I added a "Dirty" property to all of the classes over the past couple of nights so that the program can tell you "The layout has changed since you last saved it. Do you wi***o save it now?" if you try to exit after changing something & you haven't saved it yet. It took about 3 nights to do, because of the number of classes & the fact that I only get an hour or two a night to work on it in peace. Plus the TV's on & something usully comes on to distract me...

I have a few things figured out, including the main interface while the layout isn't running. I just have to mock it up. When all of this is done, I should have a program that will look like the final program but won't do anything except create elements, edit them, delete them, and save the file. It'll take more work after that to get the signaling done, then the dispatching , etc.

I did order the C/MRI manual from JLC Enterprises a couple of weeks ago. Still haven't received it. If it doesn't get here by the end of next week, I'm gonna give them a call.

Tony

[Big_Boy_4005]

Tony, someone posted a question about something called JMRI over on the MR layout construction forum yesterday. There's a group developing software in Java. Some of the wheels may not need to be invented. Check it out, and let me know what you think. We would still need a TMCC module, but the layout builder may be there. I don't know Java, but maybe the answer is to join the group. I would be willing to learn.

http://jmri.sourceforge.net/

[Anonymous]

[bday] I didn't know their was a 5 STAR!! Congrats Elliot!!![wow][:D][:D][:D]

[FJ and G]

On Thanksgiving Day, Elliot has agreed to donate several of his hard-won stars to forum members who are in need of stars. A magnanimous gesture from a really great guy!

[Big_Boy_4005]

Actually Dave, by Thanksgiving, you'll have 5 stars too. [swg]

Jerry, there are 3 other people here at Trains.com that have 5 stars, but most of the guys here haven't seen them because they hang out on the Trains Magazine forum almost exclusively. I'm active on that forum and MR in addition to this one.

[FJ and G]

I'm not giving my stars away unless I can get a tax break on it. Sorry folks.

The reason people have 5 stars on Trains forum is because Mookie is there. Perhaps someone can send her a toy train set to lure her over here?

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by FJ and G

I'm not giving my stars away unless I can get a tax break on it. Sorry folks.

The reason people have 5 stars on Trains forum is because Mookie is there. Perhaps someone can send her a toy train set to lure her over here?

Yeah Dave, Mookie is a character. Was it you that dubbed her the "train granny"? I think that says it all. Let's leave Mookie where she is, this forum has you and me.[;)]

Ed is a real railroad guy, and really knows his stuff when it comes to real trains. He can get pretty fiesty when it comes to railroad safety issues, so don't ever tell him that you hopped a freight, or went around a crossing gate.

Jim is the other one. He's a bit like Mookie, but less so, and likes models too. From time to time he will wander over to MR and post.

This is what happens when you spend too much time hanging around here. You get to know people.[swg]

[ChiefEagles]

Congrats Elliot. Now, if you get too many stars, you might get shipped to Iraq. [;)]