2008 [PART 2] and the Coffee Pot is still on and now 4 years old. Here we gather as friends with trains. Sweet ice tea too.

[dougdagrump]

Dougdagrump.......How does it feel to have the Number 2 Train Display in the World in San Diego? 

Me no care. #1, #2 or #10 as long as I can still run my trains.

Good news and bad news for you steam fans:

#1.Good news, #3751 is coming back to Sandy Eggo in mid Sept with a 26 passenger car consist.

#2. The BAD News, They are all Private cars, so you either have to be a member of AAPRCO or invited by someone that is. boohoohoo

Brent, Finally got my B&O drumhead installed, , now to start on the Rock Island. The B&O went well, with my soldering skill I had visions of big globs of solder and melted insulation hanging from the connections.

[RockIsland52]

Boy, was it fun out there today - quiet, hot, but fun. Rode Chicago Surface Lines 1342. Tried to spy out Thomas who arrived early. Photos later.

Buckeye, Jack is right. It takes me 2+ hours to get to Midway. O'Hare is closer. So add a half-hour to that -- 2 and a half-hours at the fastest.  C'mon out. Or rather... fly into Midway, take the Orange line downtown, Metra out to Crystal Lake and we'll go together.

So flying into O'Hare is closer to the museum?  Then do I take the train to Crystal Pond from O'Hare?

BUCKEYE, YES, MUCH CLOSER.  FLYING INTO O'HARE WOULD CUT THE MILES TO CRYSTAL LAKE BY ABOUT 40% AND WOULD EXTRICATE EVEN MORE OF THE MISERABLE TRAFFIC.  O'HARE IS NORTH/NORTHWEST (20 MILES) OF MIDWAY, AND CRYSTAL LAKE IS WEST/NORTHWEST (30 MILES) OF O'HARE.  THE MUSEUM IS ANOTHER 10 MILES STRAIGHT WEST OF CRYSTAL LAKE IN UNION. 

I DON'T BELIEVE THERE IS ANY WAY TO GET TO THE METRA TRAIN LINE (TO CRYSTAL LAKE) OUT OF O'HARE SHORT OF A CAB.  DOUG KNOWS BEST, BUT YOU'D BE JUST UNDER 30 MILES FROM CRYSTAL LAKE AT O'HARE.

JACK

[rtraincollector]

RT.....you've conquered the career, house selling, house buying, and relocation challenges thus far in 2008, with 5 months to spare.  A "slight" diet adjustment and you've hit the quinella (sp?).  For us arms length observers, that's like Sylvester Stallone releasing 5 of his 6 Rocky movies in one year.  Or 6 if you sneak in the new layout by Christmas  Go for it!

Jack        

Well I didn't tell of the possible 7th and I hoping it don't come to be but they seemed awful concern I haven't had the wires to the difibrillator replaces in fact I was there thursday and friday had a letter from VA with a appointment for tuesday with the cardiolagist(sp) at 9:30 in the morning and at 9:00 in the morning for a ekg. they had to put it in the mail thursday morning for me to get it friday ( yes were both in columbia) Time will tell wil let you all know as fast as I can if anything is up but I'm supose to do 4 hours O.T. tuesday evening. I thought I delt with this back in TN and that was it

So hows everything else going ? I'm feeling fine just staying away from sweets is kinda hard but its going okay so far.

Got plug for TMCC in today but really don't have time to try and hook it all up. maybe wed when I'm off. Laz hope your home wed. lol

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

Another hot day in SE Indiana.  Did get yard mowed.  Worked this afternoon on a project for work.  Got way behind on some tasks (very long story) and scrambling to catch up.  Lesson learned.  Signed up to ref youth soccer games again.  Did watch tape of last F-1 race (only two weeks behind).  Got latest Trains mag.  Very good and very sad articles in there, espcially the one about the wreck of the Sunset Limited.  Went to the "barber" shop tonight.  Head feels much lighter (of course, the hair was the only weight to it lol).  I had the usual fare on the dining car.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[sir james I]

GOOD EVENING, we had another beautiful summer day. I cut the front grass but let the back go as the recent lack of rain has slowed it's growth. Train wise today I won a Lionel caboose on the "bay". There was another I thought about but it was listed as Lionel but Lionel never made one in that paint scheme. So it was a either a repaint or Williams. that and the laundry this morning was my day, how was yours?  Banilla is ready..S.J.

[SPMan]

Dougdagrump, I guess a small air conditioner might help but you would have to start it early in the day before the place heats up.  It would probably take too much energy to cool the garage down once it heats up.  My electric bill already looks like the national debt.  I hate to add any more.  Once in a while I have a few guys over on Thurday nights.  We usually don't meet until about 8:30 P.M. after the sun is down.  I can cool it down some by putting a large fan in a window and blowing out hot air.  This works pretty good when the outside air cools down.  If it's a hot night, forget it.  Glad to hear that 3751 will run again in the Fall.  I would guess some of those private car owners will sell space on their cars to pay for the trip.  26 cars sounds like a lot for the station in San Diego.  I remember years ago they used to run special trains from L.A. to Del Mar for the horse races.  They were pretty long trains also.  I have pictures of one with a lot of F units and private open platform cars on both ends.  The engines just ran around the train at Del Mar for the return trip to Los Angeles. Ray

[ChiefEagles]

Well, back from the pre-wedding dinner.  [Rock, you will love this] Should have known.  The reason for wedding was showing its self.  The saying, "Pregancy and old age will eventually show its self."   Oh well, she has straighten him out.  BTW: WT SIL's youngest son is now freshman in HS.  Was enrolled in Honors Classes [well qualified for them].  She was going to switch him to College Prep because that was all you need to get into a college.  I chewed A--.  He is now staying in Honors.  Told her he was better than just getting by.  If I had not said anything, my FIL and others would have not said a word.  Once I "jumped in", they spoke up.  That is what is wrong with the older two children.  Mom has taught them to do just enough to get by.  Father is worthless trash and now is coming to wedding.  No one has seen him for 8 years.  Oh well.

Had fun at Miss Edna's.  Everyone got a bag with veggies and I took a bag of peaches and apples.   Picked up lighted Realtrax bumper for the siding I have been planning to insulate and park Big Boy.  Off to train meet in A/C building tomorrow.  First time I have attended since they got wise and went to A/C building.  Should be fun. 

Good night and sleep tight.  Don't let the bed bugs bite.

[jonadel]

Doug --

What did you think of Jersey Boys?

We made the trip in the first of December to Chi Town and LOVED it! Great show with super music and wonderful cast members. Would drive in tomorrow to see it again!

[wrmcclellan]

Hello all!

Apologies all. Been away for a while. Incredible amount of work and just too tired to jump back on the PC to post or keep up. I have been dragged back into a full time position which was not really my plan. Part time was a lot more fun. Good to see all appear well.

Have a great evening all!

[Brutus]

Hi Roy, hope the job goes well for you!  I got 6 hours of OT in this morning, then finally mowed the back yard - took 3 hours.  I had to go over a lot of it 3 or more times, because the grass was so high and wet.  I'll have to go out an rake tomorrow so the clumps don't kill the grass.    We've just had so much rain this year and it doesn't look like it will stop.  Every time I get a chance to mow, it's wet or it's about to rain   Oh well, it was only 95 today, not 100, so could have been worse....  Caught up with the family for dinner at a local sandwich place and then came home and talked with Sir James on phone for about an hour and a half while his computer updated.  Now we're watching Fool's Gold - pretty good so far!  Beacons on?  Tardis is ready to fly - need some banilla to kill the tuna aftertaste from my dinner

[dbaker48]

Good Evening, (most of you are probably already done for the day). 

Good Morning then.

Didn't hardly get to the train room, did get chores done!  Instant Hot water tank installed, patio roof washed.  That took about 4 hrs, washed every single slat, extremely time consuming.

Ray, IF your interested, you are more than welcome to attend one of our Operating Sessions.  I know it is a long way to San Pedro, but if you could make it to Cerritos, (605 at the 91), I would take you the rest of the way with me.  The next session is Wed, Aug 13 at 3 pm..  Would enjoy having you!

 Doug, I will be more than willing to trade you a couple of Beeps for those Big OLD Heavy engines.  Don't worry, I really don't mind, I enjoy helping someone out when I get a chance.

John F, I've decided to open up two more bypass sidings on my layout, so I have plenty of room to "spot" all those "excess" engines you have.  As a matter of fact, have one that will hold the old Galloping Goose just perfectly.  If your waiting on an empty box, I can get it too you right away.  Anway, who ever saw a Goose under a catenary???

Now this is choice!  Sounds like Buckeye is considering a trip to Ill., I don't think it will ever happen.  He will undoubtedly not get any further than his own mailbox.   Can just see it now leaving for O'Hara field, walks out the front sees O'hara on the mailbox.  Walks back in, sits down, then starts to wonder "Now what was it I was suppose to do here"?  Oh yeah catch a plane then, starts all over again. 

RT, Jack was right on target with his post with everything you have achieved.  Best wishes and prayers for the upcoming Dr. visit and test.

Mike, I read the same article in Trains mag today.  Was really well written.  And very sad!  We took the Sunset Limited from LA to Orlando about 6 years ago.  My wife didn't remember that accident, thankfully.  I couldn't imagine how the Barge Operators would feel, even though it was truley an accident.

Chief, did you every find the damaged road?  Or did someone take it.  By the way a little research you might find interesting;

The cost of raising a medium-size dog to the age  of eleven:     $  16,400

-In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured  on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes, the  mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence  the phrase...'Goodnight, sleep tight'

Jon - Noticed your map has more color, that must be a result of the recent bike trip?  Yes?

Roy - Glad to see you still around, Do you ever pass yourself? 

LEGACY WOES -

I'm begining to get a little frustrated with this system!  Not going into the question regarding features, but.....

a. Received unit and engine in December.

b. Sent engine in for warranty work due to a failed board. (1 month)

c. Battery recharger doesn't seem to work correctly.  (Always goes into a overheat condition.)  Replaced rechargeable batteries with alkaline.

d. Sent System in for warranty firmware update. (2 weeks)

e. Sent engine in mechanical failure, (front truck assembly and boiler connector piece broke.) Sent in first of June.  (2 months and counting, as of Friday its still waiting in queue, will be atleast 4 more weeks.)

f. ZW transformer (new version) needs a firmware upgrade to repair problem that came up as a result of Legacy.   Either I put it in or send it back.  (Given the shipping cost and time, I'm having the part sent.

g. Ever since the system returned have some intermittent issues going on that when the layout is powered up, any engine sitting on a powered track starts up in conventional, and takes of likea rocket.

 

Ran out of stuff, (finally).  Chris got back from Las Vegas about 5:30, had to be at work by 6.  Tomorrow he leave for a week long camping trip in Mamouth.  (Central Calif. in the Sierras).        

[dbaker48]

TARDIS CREW --- URGENT UPDATE !!!

Our nearby neighborly dancer has had some significant issues.  It seems that there is some extra ciricular activity going on!  My immediate neighbor informed me that there has been repeated occurances of guys climbing the fence, and then entering there house through a OPEN bedroom window.  The old man that lives there finds out and calls the police.  A domestic battle ensues, then it is quiet for awhile.  Well it all went down again last night.  Only this time the police took both the guy and the girl away in seperate squa cars.  So I don't think there will be a lot of enteratainment available.  I will bring extra drinks and banilla.

(The above is NOT fiction, unfortunately it IS true.) 

[Brutus]

Man Don - too much stuff going on!  Good luck on the neighbor and the zw, legacy issues.  Too bad about the entertainment - hmmm.  Maybe we can use the Way-Back circuit to catch da girlz before the cops showed up?

[David Barker]

Hello all:
It has been a while since my last visit due to work schedules.  I am a veterans service officer and employed by Ohio AMVETS.  The one thing diferent about my 2 permanent offices and any other are my train layouts.  In my Chillicothe VAMC office I have a 6'x6' combined Lionel, K-Line, Williams, Marx, MTH double loop with 3 sidings.  The layout in my Ironton office  is smaller MARX with a loop with 1 siding.  Plenty of action on both layouts, which pleases most of my clients.

Even with the layouts we get a lot of work done.  During the year many people are exposed to the hobby and several have joined in, especially when the bring their children or grandchildren in!

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a cool and sunny 58 degrees. Going up to a sunny 85 today.

Today is a less busy day. I have a few things to do, and then I will take it easy. Nascar race on this afternoon. Ballgame. Plenty to watch on TV. I may run trains later. Need to dust the train room again.

Looking forward to SPF.

Dining car is here and all set for breakfast.

Y'all have a great Sunday.

Chuck

[Roger Bielen]

dbaker48  RE: "ZW transformer (new version) needs a firmware upgrade to repair problem that came up as a result of Legacy.   Either I put it in or send it back.  (Given the shipping cost and time, I'm having the part sent."

We had the same problem with the store set up, also the overheating.  For the overheating/not charging  we sent the unit back to Lionel, turn around was about a week.  For the transformer they sent us the new chip and it takes about 5 min. to install depending on how big your fingers are.  One thing to watch is the orientation of the chip when installing it.  There is a small indent on the face on one end, make sure to note which side its on with the chip you take out and install the new one the same way or strange things will happen.  From what we were told early versions of the modern ZW may need this chip changed.

[ChiefEagles]

Morning all.  David B., welcome back and to the "Pot".  Don B., we do that to DCS lovers.   Especially those who cable up with that junk cable to run Legacy with DCS remote.  Miss Edna's went and is back.  Works great.  Off to Train Show.  Later.

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  Sunny & 72 in what appears to be a pretty day here in the Mid0Atlantic region, after yesterday's thunder-boomers.  Hope to chill by the pyull....will see.

Went to the Greenburg show in Timonium yesterday.  Not much to see, but I did buy a MTH Premier PRR flatcar w/ 2 Sherman tanks (from a set break up), and a paper back on WWII railroads.  Oh, also helped fifey's-wifey with her Christmas shopping...let's just say the "litter" will be getting a little bigger.

Roy - was starting to wonder if DOLLY smothered ya.  Thanks for popping by.

rt - Good luck with the "wiring".  I wouldn't get the LEGACY SYSTEM if I were you, reading all of donB's woes...might short-circuit your innerds.

[RockIsland52]

TARDIS CREW --- URGENT UPDATE !!!

Our nearby neighborly dancer has had some significant issues.  It seems that there is some extra ciricular activity going on!  My immediate neighbor informed me that there has been repeated occurances of guys climbing the fence, and then entering there house through a OPEN bedroom window.  The old man that lives there finds out and calls the police.  A domestic battle ensues, then it is quiet for awhile.  Well it all went down again last night.  Only this time the police took both the guy and the girl away in seperate squa cars.  So I don't think there will be a lot of enteratainment available.  I will bring extra drinks and banilla.

(The above is NOT fiction, unfortunately it IS true.) 

Don, you are obviously a man of action.  Take money out of train budget for bail and good neighborly relations.  Bail for her, not him.  There's only so much money to go around 

Jack

[sir james I]

A pleasent GOOD MORNING from SE Mich.

Sun is shining, all is well. I have not gotten into Legacy yet, no new engines and though I like my TMCC I also like to push them handles. I just got mail from Brutus telling me a storm took out their power, hope it's not too long, he likes his movies. My wife is still at church, I think I will suprise her and take her out for lunch. I'm in the mood for a Whopper Jr. So at this point thats as far as my day is planned, you all take it from there.  S.J.

[Brutus]

Power came back fast, just out for a few minutes.  Battery power and a UPS on the modem/router   No rain was predicted as far as I had heard, so I was really surprised to wake up to a big thunderstorm!  We watched Spiderwick with the kids and it was pretty great, highly recommended.  Old toilet in the master bathroom is leaking from the supply column inside the tank, so I need to replace it.  I'm tempted to replace the entire toilet with one of the new ones - this is a cheap contractor toilet and doesn't work very well.  But the price diff would be like $200 between a repair or replacement.....  Decisions decisions.

[ChiefEagles]

Back from train meet.  Several TMCC NS diesels but priced too high.  Did buy a full scale MTH NS flat car with plywood load.  Guy hd paid $45 for it and it would not run on his layout [too long for small curves and switches.  $25 I paid for it.  Now ot go upstirs and run trains and wire that siding.  Later. 

[kpolak]

Afternoon all! 

Sir James:  I boxed the TMCC for now and have been running the 2025 with freight, and the 2033 with passenger cars.  I do love the sound, but I really like the ozone.

Don:  Might be time to step in as a good neighbor. 

Brutus:  I'm in for tonight!  Fresh 'banilla, and coffee ice cream!

Church and brunch with friends this am.  Finally met the pastor today.  Both our kids about the same age and have little need for fear.  Spent some time looking thru the K-Line catalogue.

Kurt

[CSXect]

No news here, no rain, ran trains in between working on lighting in basement temp layout is ontop of one of the tables. Job #1 still on layoff/on call  Job#2 going well and now is filling up 3 days a week a full days work.

 

[Buckeye Riveter]

Back from train meet.  Several TMCC NS diesels but priced too high.   

I can't believe that a TMCC NS Diesel was priced too high.  It never has stopped you before. 

What kind of train meet did you have in the middle of the dog days of summer?  We are still a month or two from a legitimate train meet. 

[jonadel]

Don -- good observation of the map, it was a fabulous June & July with going west and north My youngest son joined me for a week of riding and we really had a great time in Colorado. This was the young boy I wanted to strangle while he was in middle school, ugg, but age does seem to be the big stabilizer, he's about to turn 30 and I think for both of us to have these times together are the best. He saves a week for old Dad every summer and we both love it. Next year's trip is planned: Black Hills, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Devils Tower, Jackson Hole and Yellowstone. Would love to get to the Sawtooth area but we need to him back to St. Paul, dang job.

I thought I was going to be able to make it to Oct. without buying another set of tires for the bike, may have to buy sooner, this is a good problem to have. I have 10 good weeks of riding left and that's it, then it's train time. Although, our Granddaughter was here last week and we did get some quality train room time, how could I say anything but yes when I hear the words "c'mon Grampa --- trains".

Life is good in the Heartlands!

[dougdagrump]

Jon_ Isn't it amazing how much wiser we as parents seem to get as our children get a bit older.

Sir James_ After you mentioned coneys the other day been hungry for some. Got a pot of "Cincinnatti Chili" simmering on the stove, gonna have 3ways and coneys for supper.

Don_ I'll just muddle thru with the big stuff, wouldn't want to feel guilty by depriving you of your BEEPs. Speaking of which, I saw where they are coming out with some BEEP sized beer wagons.

My favorite word in the English language Grampa.

P.S. Almost forgot; Don, are you still getting some aftershocks, quake related not neighbor related. Did they figure out if saturday's 3.0 was an aftershock or a new one ? 

[jefelectric]

Don, When I run out of room, I will be sure to send the excess your way.

Jon, Bike trip sounds like fun, nice that you can spend some time with your son.  Mine just turned 40 last Sunday and the time just flys by.

Roy, Glad to see you checking in, had been wondering about you.

Brutus, Maybe you can send the wife and kids to Disneyland and you can come to York.

Hope everyone has a train filled week! 

[dwiemer]

Good evening Y'all!

     Finally back from the Jersey Shore.  Was nice to get away with family.  Got some sun and a little darker.  For the majority of the summer, my tan has only been on the left arm.  Has been a crazy week and a half.  On Thursday, just before getting ready to leave, we picked up the new Honda Odyssey....it is nice.  Has the video package so the kids are entertained and not constantly at each other or asking "are we there yet?".  Then, headed to Atlanta for the flight out to NJ.  That leg of things went well.  We rented a car from Avis.  Ended up with PT cruiser... not enough power for me, but otherwise, it was OK.

     While in NJ, I did take a side trip to Island Trains.  Nice guy and I did buy a couple of things.  Picked up an MTH "NYC" water tower and a few Williams pieces.  Also got a 1940s woody to add to the layout.  Was eyeing a "Wabash" passenger set from Lionel.  Thought about it and decided against it as I hope to get it in Legacy eventually.  Also, I got to catch up with a old friend who is getting ready to retire from the FD and has a huge train collection.  he used to have a store, but his partner at the store got sick and so now they just divided up the inventory and enjoy what they have.  Real class type of person....like some of the ones I have met here.  I suspect we will see photos of his layout sometime down the line, but he really enjoyes this hobby and sharing it with others.  Had my son grinning like crazy while showing us his trains running.  Chief, he had two NS and two CN diesels MUed with a long line of scale cars.  I guess he had about 40 cars behind them.  Looked great.

     Manasquan NJ has rail service right to the middle of town, so folks wanting to visit the Jersey Shore can take the NJ transit train right there.  We may do that in the future the way air service is going these days......and to that.  Our return trip should have been a 2 hour flight and I would have been home late yesterday afternoon.  Well, that turned into a 20 hour ordeal and We finally got home late this morning. 

     Sorry I have not been able to keep up with the postings these last few weeks.  We do have some good prospects for more help at work, so I hope to be more active here when that gets straightened out.  I miss keeping up with things.

     Well, that is about it.  I really need to catch up on sleep.  Hope everyone has a great week ahead and that your loved ones and you are all healthy.

God Bless,

Dennis

[sir james I]

EVENING ALL

Well I did it: took the wife out for sunday dinner, we both had two Whopper Jrs. Then we took a sunday drive.....to Kmart oh what a day. We bought one of those canopys that you set up for shade, on sale of course, took us half an hour to set up this instant shade. Got it figured now though,next time we're ready. We are in Aug. already just doesn't seem fair summer is three months and winter is eleven. Guys the banilla is ready and some black walnut if you care to try, so Brutus fire that thing up and lets go...S.J.