April Coffee Pot 2016. 12 YEARS OLD APRIL 1. Wonderful grits and sweet ice tea for the southern gents. Coffee and oatmeal for the Yanks.

[KRM]

rtraincollector

Kevin we have ttwo feeds we put out each year in Columbia we had two who would fight over control of both feeders and they were about 30 feet away from each other. I think they did more controlling than eating lol

 

RT and Jim, Here is a neat link to their migration.

http://www.hummingbirds.net/map.html

 

 

 

[rtraincollector]

Kevin we have two feeders we put out each year in Columbia we had two who would fight over control of both feeders and they were about 30 feet away from each other. I think they did more controlling than eating lol

[KRM]

Good morning,

40 heading to 60 with lots of sun, no freezing temps in site for the next week. no plans to speak of. Things are slowly drying out. Cat wants to stay outside, that is a good sign.

Phish, That is the question I asked the wife. She said it was under the porch roof so it would be good. She only put out one of the 4 feeders. It is the earliest I can remember seeing one. We have 100s here in the summer. Many come back year after year.. Sandra has names for some of them. Cat thinks they are a tastey treat.

 

V8 glad you getting the Integra GSR finished up. That tax is nuts.

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

Got state taxes done and watched Izombie two hour finale.   All sorts of loose ends for next season, which is a good thing.   Work was eventually ok today.  Went for a walk and heel was acting up.  Weather finally dry.   I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Good Evening from clear and cool Southern Ohio,

I finished the locker cabinet for the utility room.  I’ll bring it into the utility room Wednesday or Thursday.  Bride will find the coat hooks she wants.

 

Wednesday after Mass there is a funeral so I’m not sure how much time I’ll have.  Baseball will take up the evening.

 

Bob - The AF chuf and the smell of the “smoke” brings a flood of memories!

 

JTrains - I bribed Gabriel with his own layout; which was a test track oval/circle on some plywood with indoor outdoor grass.  I still have it and use it, with his permission of course.

 

John F - Good to see you back.  I was gone for a while and came back last fall early winter.

 

Kev - Hummingbirds already?  What keeps the sugar water from freezing?

 

Mike - We finished our taxes last night; with the layoff severance, and casing in vacation it socked our taxes this year.  Praise God we had to share with the government.

 

Banks - Tough decision but you do what you got to do sometimes.  You’re a good son

 

Good night and may God bless

Jim

 

[rtraincollector]

Evening all, not much happening today helped wife do a couple of things but other than that sat on my butt basically.  No real news from this part of the world. just a quick drop by 

[KRM]

dbaker48

 Kev, sounds like the driveway keeps you busy, how do you keep it from spreading wider and wider and wider? 

 

Don, that is a problem. More from plowing snow than spreading new gravel. The only way I know is raking it back in and that is what I do. The grader scraper I use has sides and will keep the gravel inside the sides so that works pretty good. It has two blades that the gravel boils up and over and they are pitched to the center for building a crown on the drive. The snowplow will pick up gravel in the snow and it will end up in the grass. So every spring I have to do some raking. I try to keep the plow up some so it won’t pick up so much gravel but there is always some. The guy that delivered the loads did a fine job of tailgating the gravel out of the truck as he drove down the center of the drive but it is never perfect.
Went and picked up the meds and got all my hairs cut and she did my eyebrows to. So I won’t look like Andy Rooney used to. 
Safe travels to the Yorker and have fun. 

Here is a link to the scraper Grader I use. Ours is the 60" model. works nice.

http://www.landpride.com/products/82/gs15-series-grading-scrapers

 

[dbaker48]

Good Morning All!

Best wishes for all those getting ready or on their way to York!  Hope you all find everything at the prices you like.  I feel one of the best benefits of York is all the after market and 3rd party suppliers there.  There is sooooo much uniques stuff and ideas available.

Doug M, Your right I remember a lot of the Scandanavian influence around the area, and especially the Swedish near Rockford.  Of all the places I've been I still like Scandanvia best.  I had a 2 week business trip that took me to Sweden, Finland and Denmark about 20 years ago.  Driving in Helsinki was fun, and all the Suanas were interesting.

Work on the Dr's layout continues, got the Signal Bridge up and running using isolated tracks, relays and a couple of Bridge Rectifiers, works well.  Also did a couple of Semaphores and Block Lights.  That was interesting installing on an enclosed grade.  Today, install some operating track sections and a couple of control towers.  Going to have to see about shimming up some switch motors.  The small track screws, just don't have a chance.  After they go through the ties, then foam road bed, and only thing left is a 1" thick foam layer.  Nothing to secure them too, and cant use a much bigger screw.  So think I will see about putting some popsicle sticks below the switches and give them a half chance of holding.

Kev, sounds like the driveway keeps you busy, how do you keep it from spreading wider and wider and wider? 

Well take care all and be Safe!

[cnw1995]

Aloha. Brrrr. Still cold at 0-dark-30. Safe travels to all Yorkies. Glad to hear from JohnF. Looking forward to seeing the York photo. Hope you are feeling better, JT. The youngest was invited into his junior high honor society but didn't want to tell the bride and me because he didn't like their extra meetings and volunteer opportunities. This will be an opportunity to have a little chat about serving. Sigh. Ran Ivor last night too while listening to the Cubs game. I'm a White Sox fan but I'll listen to any baseball.

[sir james I]

The guys should be here in about 45 minutes.Then it's off to see the Wizard.

Banks sorry we will not see you, hope your mom will be ok.

S.J.

[KRM]

Wake up.

Bright sunshine but only 29 degrees. High will be 50, and that won't feel to bad with the sun. They are calling for 70s by Saturday. Bring it please.

Not to much going on today, may work some more on the high and low spots of the lane  trying to get it as level as possible.

I do have to make a run to Walmart to get some meds. Maybe pick up lunch when I am out and cop a hair cut. Not sure.

Looks like my turnout and gooseneck lamps are lost in the mail somewhere in TN.

[Banks]

Hello there

sir james I

Granny got home this PM I am heading to York.

S.J.

 

Everyone enjoy York.  I've opted to skip it this time. Just don't feel comfortable leaving Mom with caregivers in case decisions need made. After several hours in ER she was sent home last night.  can't find anything wrong but she ain't the same person she was a couple weeks ago. Enjoy  yourselves and post lots of pictures. I'm planning on October. My bid is ready all but some vendor costs.

off to bed .

Prayers for those in need 

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

Doug M., I hear you on watching the games on Telemundo.   The announcers seem much more interested in the match.   Quiet day at work.  Pain one was gone so that helped as well.  Got the federal taxes done.   I hope there is no issue with them, but one never knows.  Watched Jane the Virgin tonight.   Some MPC stuff is pretty good, and some leaves something to be desired.   I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[KRM]

Good evening,

Saw our fist Hummingbird just about 15 minutes ago, kind of early for here but you can't miss them. Sandra is fixing a feeder already,,,,,,,,LOL

I did not like the MPC or whatever they were ALCOs with the open front under the coupler. I know they all seemed to get broken out anyway but they looked like they were broken right out of the box. 

[dougdagrump]

Afternoon all !

Getting all of the things for SWMBO's "Relay For Life" participation. Picked up a Coleman 10x10 canopy yesterday as well as some sun/wind panels just in case it gets a bit breezy and cold overnite. Gave it a test set-up in the living room to make sure everything worked properly. My part of the event will be to take her and all the stuff to the site, very early in the morning Saturday and do the set-up. But I get to go home and come back very early Sunday morning to break everything down.

Also prepping for tomorrow's CHF group meeting. Subject for the day is proper diet, so we are taking no added salt salsa and no salt tortilla chips. Only about 7 or 8mg of sodium in the salsa so you'd really have to eat a bunch to screw up your sodium dietary restrictions.

Anybody checked out the new MTH RTR catalog ? Sure like those Veteran's & First Responders tribute NS engines in the Railking Line.

Well back to the kitchen.

Later all ! 

 

[jefelectric]

Just checking in after a long lay off.  Prayers for Ray and wife, also Bank's mother and anyone else that I missed.  Read a good many of the past posts, but with the navigation issues on the site I probably missed someone.   Will be heading to York Thursday Morning and hope to see a lot of you there at the CTT both for the semi-annual picture at 1:00 PM Friday.  I will be volunteering at the TCA Museum on Wednesday in the sales tent where we will be selling excess trains a paper items, stop in and buy something if you are coming to the openhouse that day.

[JTrains]

Was having a good weekend after a long week with the boy having pink eye and a bad chest cold. Got a NYC GP-9 #8477 that RT had sent over for my son all put back together (with many thanks!) and was looking forward to dinner Saturday. Then his cold and pink eye got me, and has had me down since.  Ugh.

[JTrains]

rtraincollector

Hey just a thought you could tell him tractors are for those who use the bathroom to go not there diapers. Tractors are for big boys 

I definitely use that with Noah - if he wants to go to the basement to play trains, he has to use the potty first. Nary a complaint is ever heard!  The end justifies the means, right?

[sir james I]

The CN MPC Alcos were a hot item too. I bought and sold a remake Erie A B A with diecast frames. Yep too heavy to pull much else.

Granny got home this PM I am heading to York.

S.J.

[cnw1995]

Aloha. Sunny! Warmer! I think spring has sprung. Maybe. DonB, Solvang looks very cool. There are more than a few Scandanavian tourist-y villages just north of here in southern Wisconsin you may remember from your time in Rockford. MikeC, that Tottenham-ManU game was a good one (watched it on our local Spanish channel which is always a hoot). Bob, thank you very much for your package!  

Prayers for Moms and Granny, and York prep...

[KRM]

rtraincollector

The U.S.Marines is 212 the U.S.Navy is 224 (A&B) So far I now own 212,224(A&B), 202, 239(A&B) in alco's 

RT, here is my 200 series ALCO line up
1 202
1 205 AA set
2 218P
2 218C
1 218T
1 8020 shell on a 218 frame
1 8021 custom twin motor B unit
1 8020 shell on a 202 frame.

[submmbob]

Hello all

Well I think we got 5 - 6 inches of new snow yesterday and last night. The boys may actually have something to push around today.

Things cleared off nicely and we are open for business.

Going to take an AF set off of RT that he recently picked up. Got a good deal on a Flyer loco years ago and then got cold feet about getting another scale. Then after fixing those two Hudson's for the director, I kind a miss the Flyer chuff. This set has a crane car which I always wanted so it should be fun.

Also may get a good deal on an Eico audio generator from someone on a radio forum. I have a more modern unit, but the manual is hard to get and it's somewhat less that user friendly. This one will also go w/ all the rest of my Eico test equipment.

[wrmcclellan]

Morning all!

Cloudy here and will get into the 80's today. Storms north of Dallas. Maybe some storms here this afternoon. 

Getting ready for York trip. So far no impediments to the trip. Looks like weather will be good, 60's and sunny. Hope that forecast holds up.

Don - glad you and Kay had a nice trip! Sounds like something my wife would enjoy.

Mike C - that is some distance you covered. 

[KRM]

Good morning,
Cloudy and cool. 46 heading to 51. Heading to Jim's next door to see what he wants to do today. Nothing much else. Will see what the day brings.

JimmyT, hang in there it will pass.

Shake and Bake, sounds like a great trip.

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Good Morning from wet but warm (50’sF) Southern Ohio,

Kids off to school so just me and the dogs.  I’m planning to start building a cabinet for the utility room project today to be like lockers for the kids coats hats backpacks.  42 wide 84 high divided into 3 sections.

 

This evening Gabriel has a track meet and a baseball game.  He will decide which he goes to.  With the weather report it may be moot and get rained out.

 

Don - That sounds like a great trip.  

 

Time to get started

May God bless

 

Jim

 

[RedfireS197]

Kev,

I'm here.  Just trying to get everything back together after last Fall.

 

Hope everyone is ok.  Trying to decide what to do with all the Flyer I bought last Summer and Fall.  Intended to use it, but that went with everything last Fall.  Now, all of it just brings back bad memories.

[rtraincollector]

The U.S.Marines is 212 the U.S.Navy is 224 (A&B) So far I now own 212,224(A&B), 202, 239(A&B) in alco's 

 

Thats what I was wondering

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

Did 9 miles in 2.5 hours.   Had a good pace, but just ran out of energy.  Will try for 13 next weekend.  Watched Tottenham destroy Man U. today 3-0.   3 goals, 5 minutes.   Pacers finally clinched a playoff spot, but will probably play Cavaliers the first round.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[dbaker48]

Good Evening All!

Had a fun filled, jam packed weekend!  Our son gave us as a Christmas gift a weekend away, we pick.  So we thought we would go to Solvang.  (Solvang is a Danish village about 130 miles north of LA.  It was founded in 1911 and became a very popular tourist location since the 30's.  I beleive every 7th building is a bakery, and the entire village is Danish architecture.  Lots and lots of gifts shops.  It is located in the Santa Ynez valley which is quite plush and full of wineries and 1 Indian Casino.) 

Needless to say we had a tremendous time.  We did something different this time (we've probably been there 4 0r 5 times.)  We mapped out a car trip going to 5 neighboring cities/commenities. Kay planned the trip and it was less than 30 miles total and ended up right back at Solvang.  One community is Los Alamos which is a hotel, gas station, and saloon of Hwy 101.  (I was stranded their once about 40 years ago, when 8 of us made a weekend end trip from Phoenix to San Francisco to see a band.  On the way back to Luke AFB, blew an engine, 5 girls 3 guys,  that's a whole nother story.)  Los Alamos was a stage coach stop, and the hotel/saloon was built in the 1860's.  Another place we went to was Los Olivios, another historically rich village.  Spent quite a bit of time in an antique gun store, and order a holder for a 1861 ball and cap Remington I have.  (Been in the family that long. I got it from my grandfather, he got it from his grandmother and her brother used it in the civil war.) 

Saw some fantastic museums in these small towns, couldn't believe how big they were!  And all the stuff!  One must have had 25 different coaches and carriages, all beautifully restored. And so much more.  Another was a 3 generation collection of gasoline pumps, oil signs, and all kinds of related parafaneilla.  The currator/owner was also into land speed racing at Bonneville, and had lots and lots from there. The grandson and wife live in a house which is in the center of the museum.  Surrounded by garages and business type buildings containing their collection.  They only do the tours by appointment, $15/person.  It was well worth it!  (They even showed us stuff inside their living quarters. If you have time a quick look below: http://www.mendenhallmuseum.com/gallery/index.php

We did spend some time in Solvang, had a great Smorgasboard, and of course Abelskeevers.  (Pancake balls with Raspberry Sauce.)

I had just got a Android tablet about 2 weeks ago, took it along and took over 300 pictures, don't know what I'm going to do with them but they came out pretty good.

Oh visited this place too;

Thanks for letting me share!

[KRM]

rtraincollector

Kev yes they are alco's

Hey just a thought you could tell him tractors are for those who use the bathroom to go not there diapers. Tractors are for big boys 

 

Have not tried that one RT but a good idea!!! May just get him over the top.

What number ALCOs are they? 212 221 and 224 or what? I am loving that 205 set I beat you out of. Great engines and very good puller.