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

[ChiefEagles]

How neat.  Dealership has free internet wireless.  Will take aobut 2 hours for full service and check a few things.  They give you a pager if you wait.  If they need to consult or are ready, they page you.  Free Starbucks and sweets.  Makes you feel good while they take your money.   BTW: it is now shirt sleeve temps here.

[Wes Whitmore]

One of my friends made a video of his Legacy Chessie diesel on his outdoor track - great sound!

http://www.youtube.com:80/watch?v=uxwsKD7p_Xo

Now I really can't wait to get one of these beauts! Thanks Roy!

Those sounds are far better than my MTH...

[phillyreading]

Hey Chief,

What type of dealership is offering free internet wireless service?

Down here I can get free coffee & donoughts at my Toyota dealer while I wait for the car to be serviced. The only time so far that I used the dealership was for my first oil change, it was complimentary from Toyota, also had the dealership check my battery as it was slow starting a couple of times on me.

By the way it is around 80 degrees again down here in West Palm Beach FL, hopefully we can get some more rain and get out of drought status.

Lee F.

[Anonymous]

Mornin' Fellas.

Made it to work this morning and now can't locate my FlashCard with the pics from this weekend. [tdown]

Had family over on Saturday for FiL's B-Day. Ran trains for them and found 1 car that doesn't like to stay coupled. Have to check it out and see what the problem is, almost took out the caboose and two other cars that were behind the non-coupling car a couple times... have to pay attention.

Have to get to a lumber store to pickup the 1/8" ply for the skirts along the tunnel, need to get this done because I had to remove two supports that were causing clearance issues. Then once the switches come in I'll be able to proceed with construction on the second level.  Guess while I'm waiting on the switches I can install the ceiling tiles and move part of the 1st level to second level transition line that has to be modified due to alignment problems.

Redesigned the underground passenger terminal as well. Found that Ross makes a 4-way yard switch that puts 4 sidings within 12 inches, and for less than what 3 Atlas switches would run me!

Well better run. Have a paper to write for class and its due tonight!

[ChiefEagles]

Lee, you got it.  Toyota dealership.  Doing the first service.  Then I'll do it [well, maybe].  Nice lounge and service and the price is right.  $19 to rotate all four tires [not $19 each].  Better than me lifting the big heavy things.  Now to watch the train videos I brought.

[fifedog]

88 - never quite works out on the benchwork, like it did on paper.

[Anonymous]

88 - never quite works out on the benchwork, like it did on paper.

It is the grades that cause the problems. The software doesn't appear to take into consideration that a grade shortens the distance between two points, so to make up the distance you have to add length, in my case it was about 2.5 inches!

[fifedog]

Oh well, even the big boys have trouble with track...remember, the transcontinental railroad's UP and CP actually built miles passed each other...2 1/2 inches, we can work with.

[ChiefEagles]

Been having some minor computer problems with desktop.  Buddy came by and said, sticky mouse.  New mouse and almost new computer.  I guess the old guy had been chased by the cat too much and was worn out.

[Wes Whitmore]

That's why the lord created the LED mice, instead of that rubber ball that is prone to link buildup on the rollers.  That, and it's fun to pick up and point at the cat.
Wes

[cnw1995]

Afternoon all. More snow overnight. Meetings today. Software I'm working on here at work keeps crashing, giving me time to say hello.

[ChiefEagles]

Afternoon all. More snow overnight. Meetings today. Software I'm working on here at work keeps crashing, giving me time to say hello.

Well, look who is working on it!!!

[Buckeye Riveter]

One of my friends made a video of his Legacy Chessie diesel on his outdoor track - great sound!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxwsKD7p_Xo

 

FAKE! FAKE! It must be a fake.  No one has grass that green this time of the year.

BTW: it is now shirt sleeve temps here.

LIAR! LIAR!  I can't be that warm.  There is snow still on the ground in Roger's Corners, the Garden spot of the world. 

Afternoon all. More snow overnight. 

YEA! Finally a truthful person. 

[GregM]

lionroar88 wrote:

Found that Ross makes a 4-way yard switch that puts 4 sidings within 12 inches

I have one of these switches.  Here is a photo of it when it was installed on the previous layout.

 

[Brutus]

Nice switches, Greg!

Doug, more snow?  We lost all the snow from yesterday as it was mostly melted away last night and only a little left tonight, but it's raining and supposed to turn to snow again at about 4:30 AM tomorrow.  Last day of training is tomorrow (that I am giving) until they get back from Baltimore in about 3.5 weeks, so I'll have more free time again.  My wife will have to take off if kids are off again!  Hopefully, by the time they come back we will be out of the snow days time-frame.

I picked up one of those one-off layout planning magazines the other day - some interesting ideas for yards and some great layout ideas in this one.  Also an issue of Classic Trains, that looks pretty good.

We have to go to scouts tonight, but later we'll have girlscout cookies for everyone that wants to swing by tonight, so come on over!  Bring your own rootbeer!  No Old Mill, Laz, but I've got a couple Sam Adams in the fridge

[Anonymous]

lionroar88 wrote:

Found that Ross makes a 4-way yard switch that puts 4 sidings within 12 inches

I have one of these switches.  Here is a photo of it when it was installed on the previous layout.

 

Greg,
Thank you for posting that pic! Now for the $1,000,000.00 question... you sellin'?

[Roger Bielen]

I was working out in the train room today and had to turn on the AC.  the temp. was pushing 70 this afternoon.  I'm starting to put in the track support system under the mesa for a mine ore train loop.  The biggest problem is working space, can't stand up straight, and can barely squeeze between the existing wires and supports.  Also, it is at the far end of the room so I spent a lot of time on hands and knees crawling under the layout evertime I needed something.  Groan, these old muscles ache tonight, time for a couple of ibu's and off to bed.

[johnandjulie13]

88 - never quite works out on the benchwork, like it did on paper.

It is the grades that cause the problems. The software doesn't appear to take into consideration that a grade shortens the distance between two points, so to make up the distance you have to add length, in my case it was about 2.5 inches!

Hello Brent: 

What software did you use to design your layout?

Regards,

John

[johnandjulie13]

lionroar88 wrote:

Found that Ross makes a 4-way yard switch that puts 4 sidings within 12 inches

I have one of these switches.  Here is a photo of it when it was installed on the previous layout.

 

Greg,
Thank you for posting that pic! Now for the $1,000,000.00 question... you sellin'?

The only issue is that the Ross switch will look out of place next to the Atlas track.    Ross does mike nice turnouts.

Regards,

John

[sir james I]

EVENING ALL

"IT" is heading right at us,but not here yet.could be an interesting morning. I did start packing for sunday,I found a box full of Lionel Train Club cars most still unopened in their mailers.I had thought they were MTH but no. I am taking them anyway,except for a special few. Its 10 pm here so time for bed soon, Rootbeer floats are on me.Goodnite Chewy...S.J.

[Anonymous]

John,
I used RR-Track. It does 'compute' grades and gives you a rough estimate on what the grade % would be, but it doesn't compensate for the difference in track length.

As for the Ross switch - it won't matter as you will likely never see it since it will be under a mountain and used for an underground passenger station terminal. I will be putting a thin venier of wood over the ties so all you will see is the top of the rails.

[ChiefEagles]

What do you do with RR Tracks when you are finished?  Got it on my computer and the disc too.

Youngest, SIL and Grandson are here.  All asleep except Mom and Youngest.  Dad is on the way to bed now.  The ladies and Grandson are going to play and shop tomorrow.  SIL has big concrete job at Durham Bulls Stadium.  Has to engineer the grading, forms and the concrete job.   

Later.  

[kpolak]

Morning!

Sir James:  Trying to get to show this weekend.  Skipped last weekend, daughter didn't want to go.  Bride finally home after week's trip to India.  Will know more by end of this week, depending on how Bride's week goes.

Bride and eldest daughter back about 10:00pm last night from haircuts for both of them.  Turns out they went to Ruby Tuesday's for dessert.  Daughter wanted Bride's ice cream, but not the chocolate cake.  Bride ate daughter's strawberry shortcake. So....

Chocolate cake in fridge!  They brought back fresh baked white chocolate macadamia nut cookies.  Right out of the oven...well last night...So help yourself.  Fresh coffee too!

3" of snow...1-2 predicted.  2-4 predicted for tonight...so probably 6".

No Crane yet.

Kurt

[mitchelr]

Morning to All,

A fresh pot is on.  Not much happening around South Central PA.  The ice and snow dodged us this AM, but we may not be so lucky tomorrow.

Long night tonight with a PTA meeting. Interviews are coming to a close. Hallelujah.  Should be finished by Wednesday evening.  Today we are meeting to figure out how we want to key the building.  Should be interesting to see how the keys and swipe cards are set up for the security system. 

Maybe now that interviews will be done I can spend some quality time with the trains.  

Have a great day.

Mitch 

[laz 57]

HI GIZ,

  Well got a 2 hr delay for icy roads.  I'll take it, 68 days left. 

Worked on layout last nite, put down some roads, planted trees and the got shop vac out and cleaned layout with the little micro brush attachment that does a great job of cleaning up the roofs.  Think I'll try doing it twice a year?

  BRUTUS, NO OLD MIL?  I coulda used one last nite.

  B GOOD or B GONE,

laz57

 

[Buckeye Riveter]

Dinning car is rolling past.  Gotta catch it and get some Breakfast.  Bad weather between us an Cleveland.  Schools are delayed. 

 

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a damp 34 degrees. Misty rain. Turning to snow. Going up to 37 today with nasty freezing rain.

Today is a stay at home day. Roads will be slippery. I have a few things to do around the house and then, I will run trains this afternoon. Not much else new, here. Still waiting on Spring.

Dining car has pulled in and is ready for breakfast. Later.

Y'all have a great Tuesday.

Chuck

[Wes Whitmore]

Replaced my first set of trucks/coupler last night.  Took about 3 minutes.  Works like new now.  That's what happens when an F7 slams into the back of a car at 300 scale MPH.

Wes

[GregM]

Brent,

I am tempted but think I better keep it for now.  That switch is an odd size and doesn't come in a box as I remember making shipping a little problematic.  I ordered it from Jim's Train Shop in PA and when it was delivered it was wrapped in several layers of heavy bubble wrap.  If you can wait, contact Ross switches and ask them to bring one to York so you can pick it up.

 

Was up at 5:00 AM this morning to shovel the driveway.  Decided to drive my old truck today and a few miles before I got to work, the windshield wiper on the drivers side started to scrape the glass.  Turns out the end broke off and the rubber wiper isn't held in place properly any more.  I think I better stop at Wally World on the way home and get a new blade.  This old truck that I didn't want to put any more money into is getting rather expensive.  New tire a couple weeks ago (three nails in the previous one, so no patching it), new battery Sunday, bad cell (it was probably five years old) and now a windshield wiper blade.  I should sell the truck!

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

It is precipating in SE Indiana with a variety of snow and rain.  Made it to work ok.  Hopefully will make it home as well.  Went to the YMCA last night for the first time in a week.  Did not want to go, but slept better.  Meetings all morning, and then hopefully get some work done the rest of the week.  I had a cinnamon roll with cereal for breakfast.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana