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Hey,,, It is June. Coffee Pot. Not cooking today either, but dead June bugs for all.. .POT is some 19 years old now. Locked

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Posted by fifedog on Thursday, June 29, 2023 6:24 AM

Dunce doh... Read SPF. In a fog...

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Posted by cnw1995 on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 10:55 AM

Aloha. Boy, the smoke in the air from the Canadian wildfires is really thick yesterday and today -you can smell the burning and it hurts my eyes, even running the a/c. It sure is hazy though it is nice and cool  Last night, we took the youngest out to a local deep-dish pizza place to celebrate his 21st bday that he happened whilst we were all out of town. Then I spent the rest of the evening responding to a few headhunters who wanted me to apply for other jobs. I hope Home Depot delivers the pallet of materials we've been waiting for today. I am getting conflicting text and email updates from them. Maybe I'll make meatball subs for dinner tonight... 

The F unit looks great, Kev!
Fife, it is worth passing that stuff on. I've brought all my C&NW stuff to their historical society which is now at the IL Railway Museum.

Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.

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Posted by fifedog on Monday, June 26, 2023 8:19 PM

Evenin' guys and gals. Raining cats and dogs, with Lightning, which means I'm stuck holding FifeMax widdle pawz. Woof. Hope this passes quickly.

Did get to the railroad museum, and hauled 3 loads of artifacts up to the chapter caboose. Tried to select mainly "hands on" stuff, that visitors can touch and hold. Did my best to avoid the info kiosk theme, but lost that battle. Most of the chapter's collection went to the Allegheny County Museum. Very little has gone to dumpster, so far... After 3 hours, I was spent.

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Sunday, June 25, 2023 10:35 AM

KRM
Update, I think this is the perfect conists for this engine. A full set of 2500 series Lionel post war passenger cars. 

Kev, it looks fantastic with those 2500 series cars!  I'm glad that Menards engine's working out for you, YouTube reviews I've seen in the past year showed it as a "Close, but no cigar!" unit.  Pretty but "buggy" if you know what I mean. 

Now if they'd put a switch in it for conventional control I might consider getting one myself.

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Posted by smokey1 on Sunday, June 25, 2023 10:13 AM

Morning all.

70* going to 88* today. 

I have a prewar 520 dual Flood light car that one side will not take a bulb, It just can't reach the threads. I'm trying to think of something I can try, but not sure what. I may try removing the part that the bulb needs to touch to complete the circuit ( it can come out) and cut the wire and solder the wire to the bottom and hope I don't twist the wire free while putting it back in. 

Otherwise not much going on here today. Hope all have a good Sunday. 

Kevin that does look good together. Nice Santa Fe set up. 

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Posted by fifedog on Sunday, June 25, 2023 8:18 AM

Mornin' guys and gals. Sunny and 73 along the Patterson Creek cut-off, where FifeMax has needed to go outside 4x since 0300.... Wifey will be helping out Middle Princess again today, and I will head to caboose...eventually. Painting project almost finished, which is good, as tomorrow is move-out day for our museum.

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Posted by 8ntruck on Saturday, June 24, 2023 10:18 PM

Yup. I agree.  Those cars are perfect to that loco.

KRM
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Posted by KRM on Friday, June 23, 2023 6:26 PM

fifedog

Kev - checked it out a couple times, more so to see your layout. Gave it a Yes too.

 

Fife,, I can tell you this right Now it does not like pulling five 2500 series early 50s post-war passenger cars up my grade. Does it but slows. Not sure if it is wheel slip or power need.  But it is a great looking unit and a great price. Production may cost more but Menards seems to be looking at keeping cost down, When your looking at the videos just go to the rest of my stuff on youtube and you can see tons of my layout as the years have passed. Wink   myssei94   is my Youtube channel.

Update, I think this is the perfect conists for this engine. A full set of 2500 series Lionel post war passenger cars. 

 

 MOV05813 Menards Santa Fe Engine - YouTube  

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Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by fifedog on Friday, June 23, 2023 5:42 PM

Kev - checked it out a couple times, more so to see your layout. Gave it a Yes too.

KRM
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Posted by KRM on Friday, June 23, 2023 1:28 PM

Flintlock76

 

 
KRM
 I did it,,I scored a new Menards Beta 4.5 test engine. Senta Fe, War Bonnet Diesel.

 

Congratulations!  Please give us a review after it shows up and what your thoughts are about the piece.  

 

 

Just picked it up. Here it is opened box. Next to run it later. Looks good.

    

 

 

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Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Thursday, June 22, 2023 8:49 AM

El Fixes Things
Vacation trip to the Cape is fast approaching... I got my new 2332 GG-1 up and running Tuesday, and it runs like a dream.

Good job on the G Ellie!

As far as sitting on the fence with the other articles obviously there's no rush as to a decison as to what to do with them.   You don't have to feed and water them or take them for walks either!  You've got plenty of time. 

 

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Thursday, June 22, 2023 8:46 AM

KRM
 I did it,,I scored a new Menards Beta 4.5 test engine. Senta Fe, War Bonnet Diesel.

Congratulations!  Please give us a review after it shows up and what your thoughts are about the piece.  

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Posted by El Fixes Things on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 11:24 PM

Hi all

Vacation trip to the Cape is fast approaching... I got my new 2332 GG-1 up and running Tuesday, and it runs like a dream.

In cleaning it up, I noted that due to where the E unit is mounted, and how the mounting bracket is designed, the worm on the motor shaft throws grease from the gearbox up into the E-Unit! Well, I felt that it would be wise to do something about that. The challenge is that Lionel had to put an opening in the bracket for the E-Unit pawl to drop down all the way. So I had to carefully make a little grease shield that dips down enough to clear the pawl, but not so far it hits the worm. I succeeded on that front though!

I also got the two 2600 series coaches up and running. All but one of the door springs needed to be re-positioned, and turns out that's a real pain in the butt to do! I also had to repair some broken screw holes on the 2628, and a bent collector bracket on the 2627. Everything's happy now though. 

I've wanted some aluminum coaches for a while so I'm definitely keeping that 2533 coach. Would like to have the full set one day. On the fence about keeping the 2343s... I have a set of 2353s that run great (serviced them myself a few years ago) so I don't need them... but I can feel them calling to me. They're shinier and less scuffed and scratched up than my 2353s. They have all their number boards. They look oh-so-very slick. I don't "need" them, but... I do kinda want to hold onto them. We'll see, I have time to think it over.
I like the boxcars and caboose, but I could willingly part with the others. they're in nice shape, and I'm happy having my rolling stock be more play-worn pieces. 

Choices, choices! Good thing I'm not really on any sort of timetable with this descision-making.

-Ellie

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Posted by 8ntruck on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 8:06 PM

KRM - good score on that Menards locomotive.  I hope you can post pictures and a performance report when you get a hold of it.

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Posted by fifedog on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 6:51 AM

Mornin' guys and gals. Damp and 64 in the Potomac Highlands. The skies opened up just before the local rodeo event, so skipped that at the fairgrounds. 

Youngest Princess and I were back at the caboose yesterday, and quickly went through 2 gallons of SW Reclining Green. Gonna take 2 more. Everything with two coats looks sharp.  Chapter meeting tonight at the museum (last one there)...

My gift from Oldest Princess arrived yesterday. It's an Allis Chalmers motor grader, by First Gear. It will make a good looking flat car load.

KRM
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Posted by KRM on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 10:03 AM

GOOD MORNING !!!!

 I did it,,I scored a new Menards Beta 4.5 test engine. Senta Fe, War Bonnet Diesel.  Big Smile

 Been trying for a long time but they are always sold out before I get to one. So I am pumped! Looked at my e-mail and they had just sent out the message that they had a batch to sell for testing. Good price too. $149.99 after rebate. So why not?  Yes

Other than that hot, and dry here. Everything is burning down. Yard is brown like mid Aug. Tongue Tied

best get.

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Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by fifedog on Monday, June 19, 2023 3:52 PM

Evenin' guys and gals. Hazy and 84 along the Patterson Creek cut-off. Spent 4 hours at the caboose, masking, wiping down, then starting painting. Youngest Princess helped me, as part of my Father's Day gift. Gonna take at least three gallons, and two coats, me thinks.

Ellie - I'd try to get those Santa Fe's up and running. Pretty easy to work on, from my recent experience.

Smokey - Nice pick up on the MTH varnish.

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Posted by smokey1 on Monday, June 19, 2023 10:01 AM

Morning all.


72* going to 78* for a high, calling for heavy rain today and for rain most of the week.

Cut the grass yesterday in prep for today and rest of week, needing cutting, but knew if I waited I would have to do it in two cuts and have to put the bagger back on. May have to anyway.

My production samples (418, 419, & 490) is suppose to be here today. We will see. Not sure but may look at the one they already had unwrapped then put back in it's styrofoam box and put the lot of them under the table. As I already have to much up on the table in preparation of getting table to the size I want and ceiling tile down. ( which I have to buy, cut, and paint yet. ) So much to do so little time I can give to it. I tire out easy since my open heart 5 years ago, never regained my strength. 


Other wise not much going on here. Probably get more trains put up on shelves today in prep of taking up the track to get ready for the next portion of the build. 

Hope all have a good day

P.S. on what to keep ( not trying to tell you what to keep just what I would) the GG1, the tuscan red passenger cars, the hopper, tank car, gondola, and caboose, Maybe one of the boxcars. The santa-fe, would clean up the battery compartment ( hello baking soda with a touch of coca-cola ) let it go along with the aluminum passenger car and the other boxcar) 

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Posted by El Fixes Things on Sunday, June 18, 2023 11:47 AM

Hey all

Congrats on the kids- they're too cute! I hope there's lots of smiles and toy trains in their futures.

Past few days have been unpleasant for me, I got something nasty from one of my brothers (still wondering where he got it from, since he hasn't really been out of the house much), and it's put me out of comission pretty good since Thursday night.

Yesterday morning, to my delight, my new goodies arrived. Thankfully everything was packed well and nothing got wrecked making the trip out here. Unfortunately, the 2343P has battery damage (looks like the old battery is probably still in there, yikes!). That's going to be fun to fix!

I'm having a harder time convincing myself I can pass anything on to another home, but I have to keep my resolve! Something's gotta go. 

I'm still feeling pretty under the weather, but I have a few repair jobs in that I'd like to get started on (as well as one I was already working on when I got sick). If I can't manage anything today, maybe tomorrow will be better.

-Ellie

 

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Posted by fifedog on Sunday, June 18, 2023 8:30 AM

Mornin' Dads, Grandads, Paps, Pops, etc.... It's been a noisy weekend with all the grandsons. The 5 year old made my day by making this statement, "I want to live next to you, so I can visit all the time..."

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Posted by smokey1 on Sunday, June 18, 2023 8:22 AM

Happy Fathers day to all the dads.


72 and going to 86* calling for high UV stating at 1 P.M. 

No real plans for today. Need to goto Lidl for a few things. So need to get moving. 

Hope all have a good day. 

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Posted by traindaddy1 on Saturday, June 17, 2023 9:16 PM

Happy Father's Day 

KRM
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Posted by KRM on Friday, June 16, 2023 4:46 PM

Very nice Northwoods!!!!  Yes They are miracles.

I am at seven grand kids and one great grandson. Damn I am getting old. Whistling

Dad of the great grandson is now out by Don (AKA) Shake & Bake at MCRD in San Diego learning how to be a better man as a Marine. Wink Yes

 

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Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Friday, June 16, 2023 1:54 PM

El Fixes Things
As far as buying... Wayne, I imagine your guy is great, but probably upper end if not higher than my budget.

Very understandable.  I've got to work with a budget myself, in fact I'm holding off buying anything for the next few months, I've had some expenses (not train-related) that made me dip into the cash reserves.  So I've got to exercise some self-discipline and keep the wallet in the pocket. 

Oh, that friend of mine DOES have high-end stuff but it's all the contemporary "gee-whiz" products I dont' have any interest in.  It's when he latches onto old classics I give what he's got a look. He'll tell me "Wayne, it doesnt have (blank) and it doesn't have (blank) or (blank.)"  "Does it have smoke and a whistle?" I ask. "Oh, sure!"  "Good, that's ALL I need!"

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Posted by fifedog on Friday, June 16, 2023 1:12 PM

Northwoods - What a pretty girl!

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Posted by Northwoods Flyer on Friday, June 16, 2023 10:15 AM

Congratulations to all in fifedom.

Not trying to compete; I just wanted to share some proud Papa photos.

Meet Eden:

Here she is at one week when we were out in Maine,

And here she is yesterday.

These tiny humans are real miracles.

Northwoods Flyer

Greg

The Northwoods Flyer Collection

of

American Flyer Trains

"The Toy For the Boy"

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Posted by fifedog on Friday, June 16, 2023 5:53 AM

Mornin' guys and gals. StormLightningStorm in the Alleghenies. FifeMax not happy. Intended to primer the caboose ceiling today, but not sure as Oldest Princess and the grandsons arrived last night. She can't wait to hold the new kid... The curly top wanted to run trains, and had his CP diesels on the carpet loop. He was overjoyed when we got the layout rolling.

Thanks for the congrats, everyone.

Oh, saw where CSX introduced its Chessie heritage diesel. Ick! BUUUUUTTT, the memes have been entertaining. Laugh

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Posted by 8ntruck on Thursday, June 15, 2023 8:54 PM

Congratulations, Grampa Fife!

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