2008 and the Coffee Pot is still on and over 3 years. Here we gather as friends with trains. Sweet ice tea too.

[fifedog]

88 - The 2-10-0 doesn't like the 45 heading w/b, and doesn't like the switch frog heading e/b, and definitely doesn't like the O-31 curve back in the NARROWS (O-42 min on the box).  It may be relegated to the PITTSBURGH SUB when that is complete.  I did run it back and forth for 30 minutes to give the battery a good charge.

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Morning all

CSXect Congrats keep up the good work.  Good deal on th eAF book.

Chief-Hope you are feeling better.

Doug-Many congrats on the club layout

Buckeye-Thanks for the tip of S stuff at Smoke Stack, I sent a PM but I'm not sure if I sent it correctly.  Did you see the pictures of the Ohio State car and camper over on the other thread?   

Wet and cool in Southern Ohio.  Taking this morning off to help with the Mass at the Gradeshool this morning.  This is Catholic Schools Week and there is a special Mass.

I got a Plasticville windmill off the bay and added it to the layout.  Kinda neat.  I'm thinking I may weather it some.

 Got to go

May God bless

Jim 

[laz 57]

HI GIZ,

  28 and freezing rain here.  Took me 35 minutes to get to school today.  Cars spun out all over.  Took two steps onto driveway this morning and was on my back.  OUCH, ok though.

Ran trains last nite for an hour, NO PILE UPS!  Ran my MTH Niagara and Southern Crescent Moon.  All ran smooth, still like them but sounds are same really can't tell the two apart.

  B.  good?

laz57

[Anonymous]

Hey Laz,
Have you run a three engine lash-up?  With either DCS or Legacy?  Just curious how they run.

[cnw1995]

Morning all. Still warm here - but the wind is blowing, bringing Jon's weather. Today is my long day with class tonight. Hope it's not frozen when I get off the train at 10 pm. Bought my first monthly pass in a few years to try to beat a 10% fare increase. No joy there.

Don, glad you're drying out. Watched a few Thomas vids after everyone was abed last evening.

Brent, I've run multiple trolleys as one train and multiple engines in the same train - using a conventional transformer that had enough omph to get them moving. Though not for very long, for all sorts of good reasons relating to the motors not quite running together. It was a fun!

Brutus, looks like it should get up to 72 today in Orlando - lucky you!

[RRCharlie]

Brent;

Never actually got into Erie except to get off I-79 at West 26th and head West to Lake City and Girard. I was Edinboro State Teachers College, Class of 1963. Schedule was sooo tight, I didn't get to do much else except friend's funeral, be with family, sleep,drive and fly back and forth.

Maybe next time I'll get to Train City.

Mel Hazen; Jax, FL

[Wes Whitmore]

I had a pretty good pileup the night before last.  I left my DCS manual at work.  I set up a DCS controlled conventional track on my outer loop for the Kline F7s.  Dialed in 9V AC, which really gets this train moving.  DCS signaling is still present on the track.  I was clicking around trying to get to a menu where i could turn it off, and clicked one softkey that put the full 18V AC on the conventional track (Seems like a stupid option to have).  Let's just say that the F7 covered the 11ft straight faster than i could hit the emergency off button, and I derailed on an 0-72 corner!  Not a spec of damage though.  First real scary moment.  That train is just too darn fast.

Wes

[Wes Whitmore]

Just got back from my daily stop for Chipotle and the LHS.  Got the new CTT there too.  There was a mom there buying some rolled up grass mat for her Thomas sets, talking to the owner about trains.  They have a 18mo old and 3 year old son, and was wondering about making the jump from the wooden Thomas tracks to something else.  Thanks to this forum's abundance of info, I was able to drown her in a bunch of information to help her decision, but I tailered it to her needs.  It was very positive.   I bet we talked for 15 minutes.  When you can talk to a perfect stranger about a hobby, I think it's safe to say that you are hooked...

Wes

[jonadel]

Our weather is absolutely dangerous this afternoon, high winds out of the NW with single digit temps and it just started snowing----sideways. Quite a change from last night when I was grilling outside with just a long sleeved shirt, funny how 56 degrees feels balmy :) Interstates are closing north of us, in fact one school district cannot let the busses go because of poor visibility, for them it's a blizzard warning. On the brighter side--it's a toasty 72 in the train room thanks to the gas fireplace :)

Life is good.

[CSXect]

Just got back from my daily stop for Chipotle and the LHS.  Got the new CTT there too.  There was a mom there buying some rolled up grass mat for her Thomas sets, talking to the owner about trains.  They have a 18mo old and 3 year old son, and was wondering about making the jump from the wooden Thomas tracks to something else.  Thanks to this forum's abundance of info, I was able to drown her in a bunch of information to help her decision, but I tailered it to her needs.  It was very positive.   I bet we talked for 15 minutes.  When you can talk to a perfect stranger about a hobby, I think it's safe to say that you are hooked...

Wes

Cool Chipotle and trains I used to eat there twice a week part of why I am on a diet My favorite combo is black beans, pinto beans,rice, peppers and onions, tomato, green chili sour cream and cheese and some lettuce

Nice to introduce new people to the hobby as we all should see ourselves as embassadors of the worlds greatest hobby.

[sir james I]

Csx -I just read your favorite combo and ran for the alka seltzer. My stomach would burn till tomorrow.it sounds good but my tummy wouldn't like it.

[Manamanah]

Sir James
Kpolak

I would like to come down to the flat lands under da bridge for a train show. I was leaning toward the Novi show end of February. Family is getting a touch of cabin fever, be nice to spend a long weekend down state. Any recommendations?

Friend of mind told me Novi got its name from the trains running out from Detroit. Novi was stop number six and was printed No. VI. on the list.

Mike

[sir james I]

Mike- I do not have a date for the Novi show. I do have these two

Saline Mi.Feb.16-17 10/4 sat,10/3 sun.Saline middle school 7190 n. Maple rd.$6.00 under 10 free. US23 exit34 west.

Gratiot Valley Show Mar 02,10/4, hayes and martin rd(11 1/2 mile)Hayes is just west of Grosbeck(M97) $5.50.   This would be Warren Mi just north of I696

[ChiefEagles]

Afternoon all.  Busy day.  Up early adn to Dr. for a followup.  Back to Town Hall for answering emails and lots of calls built up.  Folks think you can't go out of town some.  Call and re-call.  Bird feeders bare [wife filled once] adn then unpack.  Now off to Chamber Banguet [which I do not feel like going too].  No rest for the weary.  BTW: train layout is still in place adn nothing missing.  Guess the trains did not play while I was away.  

PS: I see with the cat away a rat will play.

[laz 57]

Hey Laz,
Have you run a three engine lash-up?  With either DCS or Legacy?  Just curious how they run.

BRENT,

  Ran a SD90s NS, leading a CSX Sd90 in Legacy mode coupled and both were fighting each other.  I'm going to do a reprogramming on them to see if it helps.  I have run a pair of Mohawk steamers, with pullmore motors and they ran great lashed together.  I let you know when I get em reproged.

laz57

[Brutus]

Keep losing connection, guess there are a lot of guests using this wireless connection and I brought the wrong cable - oh well. Nice here but can't wait for family to show up. Hope to connect with Dennis, called earlier and left number and also sent email from internet page.  Will call and talk to family in a little while - I think they are at my son's pack meeting tonight --I only missed 2 this year, but it was 2 in a row :(

TTFN

[Brutus]

Tried again - lost a really long post earlier, sorry.  Dennis called and we're going to get together tomorrow night, can't wait!  Just watching some dvds I brought with me tonight.  I brought those Great Train Layout dvds from a while back - some really nice stuff!

[kpolak]

Mike:  Novi Show is Great Train Expo Novi, MI  02/23/08 - 02/24/08.  I've never been to this one.

Saline show is largest in Michigan.  A lot of O scale and HO.  Get there early ,or parking will be difficult.  Ford O scale Club usually has their layout.

Are you asking about which show to attend, where to stay, other sites?

Kurt

[mitchelr]

Evening Folks,

Home at about 8:30.  Tired, had lots of meetings today. No interviews though, in fact, no more until next Monday.

Construction on the school is going very well.  Starting to lay floor tile and finish lighting and wiring in Kindergarten. Terrazzo floors are scheduled to be finished upstairs by next week, then they will move downstairs. Hopefully the floor tile will be done downstairs before they start terrazzo.

Getting ready to reclinerize.

Take care,

Mitch 

[sir james I]

Evening All, I'm going to send some mail and head for bed, hope the weatherman is wrong about storms headed this way,I'm still gun shy from that lighting strike.try to shrug it off but it keeps sneaking back. had an uneventful day just lazed and played PS2 golf. Have a good nite and I will check in tomorrow....Sir James

[ChiefEagles]

Evening all.  Chamber banquet was good.  Good comedy guy there.  Suddenly there was lightning bolts and smoke.  Smoke cleared and the devil was standing there.  Everyone got up and ran out but me.  He came and got in my face and said,"I'm the devil and you are not scared of me!!!!!"  I replied, "No, I've been married to your sister for 21 years."

This is what Spokane WA airport looked like just before I took off at 8 AM and it was 10 degrees.

 

  

[danrunner]

HI GIZ,

  28 and freezing rain here.  Took me 35 minutes to get to school today.  Cars spun out all over.  Took two steps onto driveway this morning and was on my back.  OUCH, ok though.

Ran trains last nite for an hour, NO PILE UPS!  Ran my MTH Niagara and Southern Crescent Moon.  All ran smooth, still like them but sounds are same really can't tell the two apart.

  B.  good?

laz57

 

LAZ,

 

Get some YakTrax.  They are like chains for tires on cars.  They slip over your shoes.  They are latticed rubber with metal coils for gripping on the bottom of your shoes.  I use them to go running in winter, but they are great for walking on ice.  Hope your back is fine.  two back surgeries have definitely changed my life.

 

Take care,

 

Dan 

[wrmcclellan]

Late evening all!

Long day today. Wife is under with fever, coughing, etc., the whole works. I am finally (after 3 weeks) getting over whatever this virus is.

Winds from nawth here today sustained at 40 mph with over 50 mph gusts. Lots o' power lines down and grass fires everywhere it seems. Temps dropped from a high last midnight of about 68 with southerly winds to 30 tonight. Talk about straining ones sinuses.

Youngest is slogging through homework for tomorrow he would not work on yesterday and earlier today. I do not understand why he puts it off until pain threshold for everyone is fever pitch .

LAZ - hope the back is OK...

Jim F - enjoy the trip and the visit with Dennis! Sounds like fun!

Hope everyone has a great day tomorrow!

[mitchelr]

Morning All,

I made a fresh pot.  Nice and warm here when I walked to the road to get the paper.  Supposed to get much windier with gusts to 50 and temps to drop. Talking about rain and freezing rain for Friday.  Hope that Pigseye/Tim and Jon's weather does not make it to G'burg.  I heard on the radio yesterday there was a school district in Idaho that closed for the first time in 12 years.

LAZ - easy does it on the ice my friend.  The last time I tried ice skating my ribs hurt for months.  I decided then and there that if God had wanted me to ice skate he'd have put blades on the soles of my feet.  Never fallen so hard in my life.

Brent/88 - great progress on your layout.  I really love your layout plans too.  I am jealous of all your space 

Another late night tonight. Budget hearing. Hopefully I'll be home before 9:00.  No train time in the near future.  This weekend we will be heading to my folks and a SuperBowl bash with some old friends. 

Must get going.  Lots to do.

Take care,

Mitch 

[GregM]

On early today,  just waiting around until its time to go to Dr. Appt.  Usually at work by now.

The wind has been howling here for about the last 12 hours.  Making lots of noise at times.  Didn't get the predicted snow though.  That's okay with me, have no use for snow.

IRS has accepted my E-filed tax return.  Should have refund by 2/8/08.  Been doing the direct deposit thing for years.  Figured out the state taxes last night.  Will get a small refund there too.  Wonder if I can put it aside towards a future purchase of the Legacy command set.

Was reading that the Senate doesn't like the House stimulus package and is going to make lots of changes.  It is anybody's guess what it will look like by the time it gets to the presidents desk.

[Anonymous]

Mornin' Fellas.

Spent last evening working on the layout making cutouts and gingerbread for track support. Tonight I'll be working on the transition from level 1 to level 2 and start work on the initial portion of level 2 (realized I need to build the first reverse loop on level 2 so I can reverse trains that were reversed on level 1). Need to order 3 switches and more power drops from the LHS. This is VERY, VERY addictive...

---
Not much else going one.

Laz - look forwarded to what you are able to figure out.

Mitch - I was concerned that 28 inches wouldn't be enough walk space around the layout, but it looks like it will be plenty. (whew)

GregM - Keep forgetting to measure the drive wheels on the Allegheny (check out my thread concerning the engine).  As for the economic stimulus package, the Fed needs to just stay out of it and leave it alone, if they really want to help they would make the tax reductions from a couple years ago permanent - or better yet go to a flat rate sales tax (tax consumption, anything bought or sold - including stocks, drugs, adult services, anything) and eliminate income tax (tax on productivity).

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a cold, and very windy 18 degrees. Only going up to 24 today. This weather is really crazy.

GregM.....It is too bad that the President didn't include the retired and people on unemployment. BUT, he included businesses. Hmmmm.....

Chief...Glad you made it home OK. Pictures look cold.

Today is the day, that I drive North to Cambridge and do the grocery shopping. Gas is at $2.87 here and should be lower, to the north. Prices are staying high on all things. This economy stinks.

Well, time to board the Dining car and have breakfast. Later.

Y'all have a great Wednesday.

Chuck

[laz 57]

HI GIZ,

  40 here today raining but big difference from yesterday.  NO ICE.

Thanks GIZ, for well wishes but back was ok,Just hurt pride.

Suppose to get another round of ice on friday morning?  We'll see?

B. GOOD?

laz57

[laz 57]

Hey Laz,
Have you run a three engine lash-up?  With either DCS or Legacy?  Just curious how they run.

BRENT,

  Ran a SD90s NS, leading a CSX Sd90 in Legacy mode coupled and both were fighting each other.  I'm going to do a reprogramming on them to see if it helps.  I have run a pair of Mohawk steamers, with pullmore motors and they ran great lashed together.  I let you know when I get em reproged.

laz57

BRENT,

  Did a reprogram of both sd90s.  Put them on the track and all ran great with Legacy.  I used the speed steps that Legacy has and although they run somewhat slower with the speed steps they don't fight each other.  To get them running faster I use the red speed dial and that will get them going faster if I choose.  The Legacy is really pretty neat.  I later ran two Lionel Mohawks lashed up.  They have the pullmore motors and they to ran great.  No problems at all.

laz57

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

IIABSDISEI with temps in the teens and very windy.  My wife is babysitting the grandkids in Indy today so she rode up with me.  Traffic was light, which was good because the mini-van was all over the road with the wind.  The temps dropped about 30 degrees in an hour last night.  I was running trains on the back porch and I could the room get colder by the minute, even with the heater on.  I did do weights and some light track work.  Legs feel fine.  I had the usual fare for breakfast this morning.  I hope everyone has a good day.  Nice pictures, Chief.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana