Took the Granddaughters out for a late supper last night, don't get home till 7:15 pm on Sat.s, store closes at 7. We went Chinese to celebrate the oldest's BD, she turned eleven today. Busy day today, this afternoon there's a Christmas family get together over their great-Aunt's and this evening a children's program at Church that all three of them are in.
Yesterday was a pretty good day at the store, though it's obvious that the Mall stores are really having an effect on sales, we're selling more track than years before but no where near the sets we should be this time of year. It's difficult to explain that the price Macy's advertises is pretty much real list with an inflated list price and that their sets come with a 40W transformer while we don't carry any set, unless there is no alternative, with less than an 80W.
HI GYZ,
29 and cold here today to get to 43? Went to GUN SHOW yesterday and all I got was a LIONEL tin sign for train room. It has Lionel on the top with a pic of an F3 Sata fe on it. Sizewise about 12x 18 inches got it for 10 bucks. Came home and watched a movie on Encore entitled Frequency. Pretty good about a guy who contacts his dead father on fathers old ham radio. Good til the end then they didn't know how to end it and screwed up the movie.
Can't wait til 1215 to see JILLIANs weather report on FOX sports.
Stay frosty,
laz57
Good Morning from Blueberryhill....
It is a cold 30 degrees with some sunshine showing thru. Going up to 52 today with some sunshine.
Today is an easy day. We are making homemade beef soup with homemade noodles. That's a great meal. Not much else new here. I will run trains later, this afternoon.
Dining car was here for the usual breakfast.
Y'all have a great Sunday.
Chuck
Good morning All
Overcast and 38, rain expected today and Monday. Then of course back down we go. That homemade soup sounds good. Me thinks we are having pasta today but right now I need to find some breakfast.
Bakeer let me know how 71 goes for you, there are a couple of us just one step behind. Our little family is thinking potluck this year where normally the kids/us, whoever is host for christmas provided the meal and the rest brought dessert and the goodies. There are shoppers out of course but it looks like a lost christmas season for local stores. But thats not the real meaning of christmas anyway, the kids should have theirs though. Somehow the Lions game got on tv for today at least thats what the paper said so nap or trains is probably a good bet for this afternoon..S.J.
"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks
Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC) - Detroit3railers- Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS
Well, back from Sunday School and had lunch. Now to Gail's to fix her toilet tank leak [blots between tank and bowl seal gone. Well gving her parts list and sending her to ACE while I go to neighboring Mayor's mother's visitation at funeral home. This site draggs and then jumps. That is a mess. Happy B'day John ole boy. Got to run for now. Later.
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
Just watched the 2nd Narnia movie - very good and a nice little twist toward the end. Always remember to ask the Big Guy for help FIRST
Kurt - congrats to your daughter on her birthday and to you for surviving Chuck-E's party too That's a good sentiment on the kids coming over. I know that growing up everyone would come over to our house for stuff like that. I hope our house ends up being the same way, too!
Stayed up too late so then slept late today and still feel I could use a nap. I think some basement time is in order
RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.
Good Afternoon everyone! A very To JOHN BAKER! Wish you all the best my friend. May it be spent with some good company and memories made.
I too am tired Brutus. Had to head to church earlier than usual as we had the Christmas program today and I was on lights. Only messed up once and it wasn't noticeable. They did a good job of things. Oldest crumbsnatcher wants to play "Americaopoly", which while I am tired can be a chore, it is great to see him learning about money and also the history of this country.
We too have done some toning down of Christmas. Talking about what it is really all about. We will find a family less fortunate and try to be a blessing to them as well. I have learned a lot of heartfelt life lessons by such things. In the end, you get more of a blessing in an act of kindness than they get from the act. We try not to make these times only reserved for the holidays.
Well, I hope to get to the trains tonight, but we shall see how long the kids Christmas program goes. I will work lights on that too. I hope everyone has a great week ahead.
God Bless,Dennis
TCA#09-63805
Hello to all....I have been feeling better..however the busy Christmas season, work, the passing of a friends son and the dire sickness of another friend has kept me busy.
Pray for my friend who is battling congestive heart failure and pulmonary edema as I type this.
Charlie a.k.a. MichiganRailRoad714 (Charter Member TTC)
Prayers going up as I type
May God bless
Jim
Prayers for your friend, Charlie. Well, after lunch I went down in the basement and made some adjustments on the humidifier, put up some more insulation, cleaned up some mess from prior work, and then ran the A5 and Thomas for about 1.5 hours. No Pile-Ups
I switched the TPC400 to command mode and used Aux2+H to increase the increments for speed. It still seems like the locomotive should start out slower. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong? I was previously using the TPC to run an MTH, do you think that changes the settings for speed control? Can it be reset or does changing to command mode do that? Anyway, it just seems like it accelerates faster than I would like with the big red knob.
Evening all Mitch prayers out for your Friend hope he does well hate it when its this time of the year hate it period but double this time of the year.
Brutus just looked at that you tube you posted pretty cool find.
Just put brownies in the oven (wifes request ) so we need to leave her a few and not eat all of them like last time Okay guys pleeeeaaasee I'm just getting out of the dog house for some trains I have bought about 2 weeks ago. ( that she took possession of anyway. )
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
Evening all. Boy, the winds are just howling outside. Temps crashing from today's 40s. Long day today - spent half video-directing at church, then went downtown to see Santa - what a great time in a long line with the youngsters so excited to see the Big Guy... lunched with the fam, and raced back so the daughter could go into work. (She was hired a few weeks ago but not scheduled until today). Middle boy spent all Sat. at a wrestling meet. He was thrilled. Last eve, unexpectedly, the teens wanted us to watch a Christmas movie with them - a nice, now rare occasion. to John! And Congrats to Don on reaching 2K. Nice article on family traditions in the Trib featuring a big Lionel SF F3 going around the tree. Prayers for Charlie's friend. Glad Kurt survived the 4 yr olds b-day. Glad everyone enjoyed the layout last night. I actually got the extension working and cleaned up. Laid out lots of track on the floor trying to scheme up a lead into a yet to be imagined 4 bay engine house. I think I have an idea using a traversing track - a trick from a British modeling magazine.
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
Hey Doug, glad we didn't mess up your layout too bad So.... What's a traversing track? Are you using some crossovers?
GO PITT GO
Just home from a fantastic 4 days out west celebrating youngest son's 30th birthday. Big surprises every day and it was just super being with family, sharing, laughing and remembering the early years. If you really want to light up someone's life (workers at airports, bus drivers, baggage handlers, etc.) just be politically incorrect and wish them a Merry Christmas. In return you will get smiles from the heart, trust me.
Jon
So many roads, so little time.
Good evening and a
BIGHAPPYBIRTHDAY
BIG
HAPPY
BIRTHDAY
to John Baker. Now that you have caught up with me, I don't feel so old.
And a happy 2000th, post that is, to Don Baker. Still got a way to go to catch the Chief though.
The Susie-Q has arrived on the BUBBA, check SPF for details.
Evening all. Yes, only a few and 9,000. Blaber mouth yack yack.
Promised some I would photo the swtiches and the tape that stops the arcing on MTH switches.
Dad-blamed Steelers... just finished watching the Ravens - Steelers. I'd rather lose 54-0 to the Lions than lose on a questionable call to the Steelers. No way was that a touchdown. The Steelers sure seem to have a horseshoe up their butt the last few weeks.
Spent the day doing "homework" helping son with formatting tables for his thesis. We will be so glad when he turns the stupid paper in. Don't even care about the grade at this point. Taking off tomorrow for wifey's b'day. Will take her shopping for b'day and christmas presents and then out to a nice dinner. Did not get to make the train table for the nephew. Maybe tomorrow...
Mitch
Bob Mitchell Gettysburg, PA TCA # 98-47956 LCCA# RM22839
Good evening all,
It was warmer and cloudy in SE Indiana today. Congrats to John B on his birthday and to Shake'n'Bake on post 2000. Those are both impressive milestones. Must have partied too much on the Tardis last night as intestinal issues "reared" their ugly head this morning (so to speak). Did go to the musem as this was the "big" day, but did not do much else. Had a good turnout today, but not overwhelming. Skipped the band concert. Weather is supposed to be lousy this week. I did not have much on the dining car for breakfast this morning. I hope everyone has a good day.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
ChiefEagles Evening all. Yes, only a few and 9,000. Blaber mouth yack yack. Promised some I would photo the swtiches and the tape that stops the arcing on MTH switches. Will do the trick. Think I will use Dougsnotagrump's suggestion. Clear nail polish for a while. Then when I am sure, maybe a clear epoxy coating. Popcorn time.
Chief.....That is exactly the location I have observed extensive arcing from various types of locomotives. It only does it on the O-72 MTH Switches. As I have told you before, I think the actual geometry of the switch is incorrect. The larger diameter switch does not provide enough clearence for the backside of the flange.
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
Good evening everyone. I was working the light board when our #3 camera guy was getting ill. I had to set the choir lights up and go take over the #3 slot. Hope he is not getting the intestinal issue that so many seem to be encountering. Can really take someone out.
Brutus, I used to be into Lynyrd Skynyrd when I was young. "Tuesday's Gone", ride that train! Of course it was the original group when I was young.
We had started the day off with good news regarding the son of the youth pastor. He had survived his heart surgery and had actually pooped twice, but tonight, the pastor told us that he had developed a upper GI bleed. Not good as this baby is about 2 lbs. He was born at 24 weeks which is too young for the lung developement to breath on his own. We shall see. Lots of prayers for him and also for Charlie's friend.
God Bless,
Dennis
Dennis first prayers for your youth pastors son, sorry I missed that earlier. Second "Free bird" was my main song back in those days. now I'm more into Pink Floyd just can't drop those good ole groups from the late 60's and early 70's
Evevning!
DON Conga's on the 2K
Charlie & Dennis -
Had to redo the Christmas lights today, the wind took most everything down on Wednesday, also trying to finish the inside with the train and the tree. Cleaned the house and had to repair the oldest's Daytona. He lunched the power steering pump bearing, now it's ok.
Made spaghetti for dinner tonight and sugar cookies, now I'm beat. Devils lost last night and the Giants are losing.
Jim, have the car ready for pictures and -DOH! battery in the camera died. Will get some later if not tomorrow night and post them on the SPF.
Not much else, this time next week will be in NJ!!
Later - - Rich
I am the monster in your head...And I thought you'd learn by now, It seems you haven't yet.I am the venom in your skin --- Breaking Benjamin
GOOD EVENING ALL
Dennis sorry to hear about the little guy, hope he makes it. Prayers for sure. And sounds like Charlie has his problems too.
I'm a little later tonite, watching Spaceballs for the Oh I don't know how many times. Lions lost again but almost made a real game of it today. They got to be the worst team ever in the NFL.
Brutus, banilla is waiting but we got to get RT to sneak us some cookies...S.J.
Wife said my brownies came out good but when am I going to make my special brownies again? Chocolate brownies with cheese cake baked on top of that then topped with cherry or Blueberry pie filling when cooled. Guess that will be in a day or two also probably do one for work as we are having a mini baking contest at work on Friday.
Well sold some pads and sponge disk for 3927 on ebay tonight.
Yum yum, brownies and banilla! I'm in, guys! Mike - I had the same problem today, so it must have been something we picked up on the ride? Maybe shouldn't have done that drive-through for belly bombers at 3 AM? Next time, we won't let Don talk us into it If Chief hadn't brought those grits, we would probably have been a lot sicker, I'll bet
Dennis - prayers for the little baby.
I was watching a 1668E on the bay and got distracted. Well, if I bought anything right now my wife would skin me and roll me in lemon juice and staples, I think. Hmmm - there are a couple more out there?
Off to bed. Just finished educating some folks on OGR forum on MTH switches. There is a thread on Quality Control. Started to reply on that. MTH vewies QC as Quick Cash and throws every thing out to the buyers. Very warm in Roseyville. Not going below freezing at all. Noticed no word from Jack [RockIsland]. Hope he has electricity. Snow is snow. Ice storm is horrible. Went days with generator running house and propane cylinders running some heat for greenhouse. Not fun.
Good night. Sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite.
Thank you for all of the prayers. My friend passed away this evening. I appreciate all of your kind thoughts.
Dennis- I send my prayers to the baby tonight.
First off, most important, Prayers for the little one, it is SO hard to see someone so innocent suffer so much. Prayers for all the family and friends especially difficult at this time of year to be suffering.
Speaking of suffering, wives are suppose to be supportive, the last 18 hrs has been tough. She had yesterday afternoon and today off. I worked the show by myself. That we she could get stuff ready for Christmas. So what do I get for dinner last night???, Chilli, sure didn't help sales today. Probably one of the slower days in a long time. Need to revisit the marketing strategy.
Thanks for the Congos, I check the forum AT LEAST once a day, but frequently just can't think of much to say, and its always the end of the day, around midnight for most of you, and don't want to wake anyone.
Going to try and get the pictures of Fifes Car done tomorrow and post, will definetly have it in nextweeks SPF.
Speaking of the Exchange car, really like Buckeyes idea. When any of you get my car I would appreciate it if you signed it and put the City/State and month on it somewhere.
Question? Would it be beneficial to have one thread that we kept adding to. Or 1 thread every month? The reason I bring it up is - We would have them all together for easy reference regardless of what day the picture gets added. If I were to add to the current SPF, it could go unseen by many. And in the event the mgmt rolls the thread or software we could easily find them. Whatcha think???? My vote is a dedicated thread. (Could still get all the images there it wouldn't be too dificult)
So far we have an accumulated 3/4 inch of anticipated rainfall. The storm has stalled off the coast, which is quite typicall. But was greatly relieved to have gotton home from the show and everything unloaded before the rains arrive.
Speaking of TV news and such, interesting watching the trend of sportscasters being replaced with women. Sometimes its difficult concentrating on the topic story. Saw one tonight and I think it was about a football player, don't know.
Pretty much filled up my space for tonight, got to go and get some car air freshners for the Tardis, will have some freshly baked gingerbread for the trek.
Take care and have a great week.
Don
Good morning
Mitch - Prayers for your friend, and his friends and family. I read somewhere that death is a portal to our destination.
Dennis - Prayers for the Babe.
Don - I agree, signing the car will add a neat touch when it comes home! We probably should establish who wants their cars signed and if anyone does not want them signed.
Rich - The Gon looked great. Please sign the car before you send it on.
This is the last night shift for this rotation. I'll get off in a few hours till I start Friday dayshift. All the work is done for tonight and we're now monitoring. Won a couple cars I had been wanting on the bay tonight from the same seller. A 971 lumber unloader and the 973 Milk car. I am seriously thinking of a major moving of stuff on the layout to make room for these. Time for some oatmeal with raisins and a fresh pot of joe.
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