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.

[cnw1995]

Morning all. Cool and grey again. Thanks for your concern - I was on the Brown line - the old Ravenswood, not this Green line - operator ran a red light - and disabled the emergency stop - and split the switch.  Will probably be promoted. Should be expensive to get back online as the lead car is teetering over the edge. Fortunately no one really hurt - I can smell the lawsuits though. Great news about Lucas!

[GregM]

Fortunately no one really hurt.

Always a good thing.

[SPMan]

Good morning everyone, I thought I would accept the invitation to join the coffee pot once in a while.  I had to take a new engine MTH SD45T-2 back to my LHS yesterday to fix a lighting problem.  The back up light does not work as well as a red gyrolight on the nose that comes on when the engine is in reverse.  Only problem is that the LHS is about 70 miles round trip and gas out here is over $4.00 per gal now.  At least the engine is still under warranty and it is better than sending it all the way back to Maryland.  This is Thursday so I'm waiting to see if anyone in my Thursday night group wants to play trains today.  We have been doing this for over 30 years now and at one time we had over 20 guys going  from house to house.  Now we are down to only 4 or 5 due to people passing on to the big roundhouse in the sky or moving.  Well, at least I'm still here!  Thank the Lord.  Have a good day, Ray

[laz 57]

ATTENTION SHAKE and BAKE,

  DON,  I was watching JEOPARDY this past week and took notice to this girl from CERRITOS CA.  She won about $222,000 in a week.  Was there anything in the paper about her?  Smart gal, she won it all in a week.  Now is qualified for tournament of champions.

laz57

[rtraincollector]

Hi all once in a while I'll be able to come in and say hi . As chief said I'm in the new house did get a little confused between 2 we were looking at this one is 13sq. ft but itsa only 1 bath not a bath and a half. it does have 3 bedrooms and a den with a fire place. It was a little scary back on thursday morning as to close it had to have a termite letter of all clear and 2 different companies were involved and one said it was fine another had a couple of minor problems but the other company (original company ) anyway were in and happy. I'm looking for a part time job so I can pay this place off quicker. I figure enough to earn about $150.00 a week clear extra and I could send about a thousand or so extra a year I would get this place paid off about time I'm ready to retire.

Brutus found out that because of my military time I can use that for time in service for Vacation time earning. So I'll be starting with just shy of 17 years so I'll earn leave at the rate of someone with over 16 years Will email you when I get a chance.

Hope all others doing fine will try to check in later.

 

[fifedog]

Evenin' boys.  Just finished steaks  on the grill (Kingsford Charcoal, of course), with a few MOLSON canadians (just as good as OL MIL).  BTW, peaceful gathering at the dinner table tonight.

GregM - Hang in there, sir.

rt - Tunblers keep fallin' into place.  Good news.

Oh Chief - guess what rolled down the CSX Sparrows Point sub...? a CN zebra-stripe 8-40CF!  Talk about your white elephant.  Got 4 pics.

[cnw1995]

Glad I'm working at home today - the washer went on the blink - a weld on the clutch broke - I can't fix that - so $165 later, it has a new clutch - at least miraculously, the repair guy had one randomly in his truck vs. the usual GE protocol to replace the entire perfectly good motor - and to top it all off, I was told I was overpaid this week so I'll be losing more money next paycheck - at least I can go run trains. . . LOL 

[Brutus]

RT - Big congrats, you started at my leave level!  Glad everything worked out, man - prayer wheels were spinning extra fast!  Be sure to leave enough time to run some trains!

Doug M - sure glad you are okay, I was a little worried since you didn't post in the evening and nothing from K last night?!  She made up for it today - good blogs!  Glad you didn't need a whole new machine, too.  Trains! 

Sounds like a nice day to me, Sir James!

Kurt - sorry about the auction, maybe next time?

Doug D G - Glad you are feeling better, prayers you continue to improve.  Da bunny, da bunny, oooh I ate da bunny, LOL

Jim S-P, too bad, sorry to hear about the son in law.  I hope things work out for the best, sooner than later.

Fife - things are quiet....  Too quiet?  Watch out! 

Laz - That guy on Bob and Tom has another great song about "Did you ever have one of those days"

Chuck - good deal on the coffee, saved enough for a gallon of gas!

Roy - O27 switches?    I guess they weren't those good low-profile K-Line ones?SPMAN - Welcome!

Sir James, Doug, Kurt, Chief, Don, Laz, and all others, the TARDIS is warming up!  I think I heard there is some ham left at Sir James' house?  Doug can show off his new Granimals!!

[cnw1995]

good news, RT!

Waiting for pick-up...

[sir james I]

Good Evening All

Doug- I lost faith in GE when the repairman told my daughter their three year old drier was not worth fixing.Too many$$$ to repair. Thats probably why they are going out of the appliance business.

We had a beautiful day today, mid 70s and extended forecast is the same. The price to pay  however is possible storms each day. We took a trip to K-Mart today(I always like to shop at the finer stores)Found some nice wash and wear shirts on sale at $7.79. Now I just have to get the tags off the collar. Oh I hate those things, why can't they sew them inside the bottom of the shirt? Well no trains but I did sit on the porch. Nothing going on at the store, almost no new product coming in, hes afraid everything might show up all at once and guys with preorders will have to many items sitting in the back for pickup. As you know most of us have to spread the spending out a little. Have a great Friday and stay safe....S.J.

[Brutus]

I'll pick you up first, Doug!

Sir James, I'm hoping that my preorders don't all ship at the same time too - wife might not understand, if you know what I mean.  It all seems reasonable when it is spread out, but if they bunch it up, it might be too much for her to take!!!

[ChiefEagles]

Thanks for the invite.  Can't make it.  Truck still in shop.  $500 for new fuel pump [he is a little high but I am tired of being a mechanic] and $100 to replace inside driver's door handle [broke day before yesterday] and linkage.  Seems it has low fuel pressure and leaning out mixture from injectors.  In tanks fuel pumps are not cheap.

Wife has big chunk cut out of her leg.  Skin cancer.  Dr Anne, carved it down deep.  Hope they got it all.  This is the big one and not the middle cancer like I have had on my hands.  Dr. Anne told her she saw new sunburn from since whe was there last week.  Can not tell her anything. 

Tired.  Off to bed.  11:30 AM appointment with SS to file.  We'll see how bad or good the Feds are.

Good night. 

[Brutus]

Good night Chief - prayers for you and your family and all that's going on.  Also, prayers they got it all.  SSA -- from all I've seen, they do a pretty good job processing the paperwork, and I've seen quite a few of their records in my job.  I think they'll even be able to tell you when the first check will hit.

Good night guys, just watched a really funny movie with my wife with Ursula Andress back in the day, she sure was cute! Have to pick her up next time?  TTFN

[CSXect]

Good morning everyone, time for me to set up yard sale and get Mom setup to run the sale and then I am off to work

[Anonymous]

Mornin' Fellas.

Chief - Prayers for you and your wife, also hope they got all of it. Susan's Father had two go arounds with Melinoma (Stage 3 and Stage 4) last time as five years ago and he is still lively as ever (even after the prostate cancer last year).

I may actually get back into the train room this weekend. For the last three weeks our DirecTV service has been crapping out in our Master Bedroom. The other 3 TVs are fine. Have called them every night for 2 weeks and they are finally coming tomorrow afternoon to fix it (they wanted $79.95 for the call or $19.95 + $5.99/month for a year told them I have only had service for 11 months and if this is how they are going to be I would cancel next June and switch to Comcast. They are coming for free tomorrow.)

I am holding out hope that FiOS will be available next June, if so I'll be going that route, if not then I'll have to decide between DirecTV and Comcast... Dish Network is not an option. If I do go Comcast I'll probably look into a off-air antennae as well, they aren't expensive and aren't difficult to install, and depending on the model I get I can pickup HD channels from Hagerstown, Frederick, DC, Baltimore, Harrisburg, Lancaster, and York. So we'll see.

Doug - Glad you weren't on the train! Sad that has to happen in this day and age. The trains should be equiped with GPS transponders and their position monitored via automated systems and equipped with emergency brakes that can be deployed if the trains get too close.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a sunny 48 degrees. Going up to 82 today with sunshine.

Today is a busy day. I mowed the back yard last night and now I will do the front and hill, today. So, I will be busy outside most of the day. Not much else new here. I hope to get some train time in, this weekend.

Chief....Prayers out for Pam. Hope she heals good.

Buckeye....TGIF

Dining car has rolled in and it's ready for breakfast. Later.

Y'all have a great Friday.

Chuck

[laz 57]

HI GIZ,

  48 and nice here to get to 80.  Going to have outdoor dinning tonite with wife.  Burgers and dogs.

  Lost at GOLF against BRO last nite.  He beat me by 2 strokes.  The jest of it was that I shot an 8 on hole one and a 11 on hole 6 rest was par GOLF, go figure?

  BUCKEYE, TGIF!!!!

B good or B gone,

laz57

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

IIABSDISEI with temps rising to the 80s.  Been working around the house getting it ready for the graduation Saturday.  Not much else going on.  I had a little extra on the dining car this morning.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[jmkk]

Morning all. Did some quick overviews the past couple days, just havent had any time to post. In the past 7-10 days I've had more side jobs than I can handle. I've been working myself 12+ hours a day. Maybe Iam not charging enough and the referals keep coming in. This week I did 500' of shadow box hand assembled fence (I dont like the premade stuff), 2 entry doors and 1 storm door. Next week 300' foot of fence 1300 sq ft of laminate floor.  Today I have a gate and a storm door to install. Then as Laz seams to be dooing at the end of most day's. A fire with some chix wings and some beers. Mom had her head shaved and wig styled yesterday, with the chemo it started falling out in clumps. Dad bought her a wig last week. Wife and kids are almost done with school 3 days for the kids and 4 days for the wife next week. Kids birthday party is Sunday, still have to order cake and clean the house and garage up.

Chief- prayers for the wife.

Rt- congrats all seems to be working out well.

Doug - glad you are dooing better.

Mike C- congrats for your son.

Greg M- prayers on the job hunt

  Prayers for all that need them. Sorry if I forgot any body else. Have a great day all! The boss (me) thinks I needs to get to work.

                                 T. G. I. F.

[Roger Bielen]

Hope my day doesn't continue as it started.  I happened to use my wife's car yesterday and noticed that it sounded awful weak cranking, when I checked the battery I found it in need of water.  After bringing the levels up I went to start it and got that annoying buzz.  Left the charger on overnight, it didn't take a charge.  Pulled the battery this morning ran up to Sam's Club for a new battery, home again, and installed it.  Now it works.  Time for a second cup of coffee and checking the forum.

Tried my hand at photography yesterday.  Took a couple of photos of a scene on the layout and submitted them.  We'll see what happens.

[dwiemer]

Been real busy on the Pot the last day or so.  Had so much to catch up on. 

Roger, hope the gremlins are gone.  I had the same thing with the tractor, fortunately, it started on a jump, but I do need to get a new battery for it.  It also cost me $30. in gas to gut the lawn!  used to be, you could hire someone for a little more than that to do the job.

Congrats RT!  Glad things have come your way. 

Chief, sending up prayers for Miss Pam.  I am sure she will be fine, but in the mean time, we will pray her through this.

Hope to get some train work done this weekend.  So far, we have only the kid's Chinese lessons to go to.  I may try to cut and burn some trees, but will have to see (want to check the burn recs from DNR).

May everyone have a blessed weekend.

God Bless,

dennis

[jonadel]

Brent--
We've had DirecTV for a L O N G time and while it's not perfect it's still a good choice. When I've had to have service I had to wait 10 days for the first service call, I was not a happy camper and have since learned to ask for "comps" when problems arise. I did opt for the $5.95 a month service plan and they waived the $19.95 charge when I expressed my frustration. I can now get service calls within 48 hours or quicker. Hang in there.

[johnandjulie13]

Hello All:

Since I have been back at work things have been really busy.  I have not had any opportunity for trains, or anything else for that matter.  Things look like they are finally settling down which gives me the opportunity to pop in and say hi.  I hope everyone is doing well.  I am sorry to hear about Chief's wife.  I hope she is on the upswing.

While I feel great, the doctor is still restricting my movement.  No bending over means I still have not installed Legacy.    My GP7, sitting on my layout, just looks at me with a mocking stare.  The restrictions go away on July 4th.  I will have an extra "independence" day celebration!

Regards,

John

[ChiefEagles]

Morning all.  Pam can hardly walk.  Changed bandage for her last night and she has a whole row of stiches.  Then she told that Dr. said she put a lot of internal stiches too.  Been "baby sitting" her this AM.  Feeding her some of my old strong pain meds [too stingy to go fill her own].  Off to Raleigh for Social Security Apt.  Replaced a flush valve this AM.  Chat later.

[wrmcclellan]

Morning all.  Pam can hardly walk.  Changed bandage for her last night and she has a whole row of stiches.  Then she told that Dr. said she put a lot of internal stiches too.  

Chief - all our prayers for Pam's speedy recovery!

Off to Raleigh for Social Security Apt.  Replaced a flush valve this AM.

Are these two somehow related?

Another warm one here today and low 90's for the next 5 days. Setting new records for high "low temps" at night here. Only falling into low 80's and high 70's. Due to all the humidity. Ugh!

Hope everyone has a great day today! TGIF!

 

[Anonymous]

Off to Raleigh for Social Security Apt.  Replaced a flush valve this AM.

Are these two somehow related?

Yes... the drain empties onto my desk!

[Brutus]

CSX - Have fun at work!

88 - good luck with the receiver, I have two local friends who have Direct and both have had siginificant probles with the newer equipment that they never had in the "old days" when Direct was using TIVO equipment.  Also -- have to flush twice to hit my desk!

Chuck - Dining car came by while I was at Chevy and I managed to grab a donut, thanks!

Laz - I hope those are Hotdogs for dinner?  Or are you trying out some new Korean BBQ recipe?  Have a couple Sam Adams Summer Ales left in the fridge if you stop by.

Mike - Graduation party - getting ready should be pleasant work, eh!?

Jason - wish I could hire you to fix my siding!  Prayers for your Mom.

Roger - sorry to hear about the battery.  It happened to my wife last year, but luckily she was right next to the dealership at Dairy Queen.  She just walked over and had them go fix it for her!

Dennis - $30 to mow the lawn, yikes!  That's a big yard, dude!  I like my TPC very much, but still need to get an actual TMCC equiped loco to really test my equipment (it's preordered).  I was listening to reports about the China situation on the radio and then heard Ms. Stone's idiotic statement

Jon - my friend Dave is the king of getting comps out of Direct, but his brother doesn't seem to have the same luck.  I've got Charter Cable with a package that includes internet, cable and phone.  No significant problems in over a year.  Since we have phone service, they have to get us fixed within 24 hours by contract.

John - July 4th!  Hang in there man, it's coming up fast!

Chief - prayers for Pam again and keep her on those pills, don't let her tough it out!  People seem to heal better when they are not in pain, I read that somewhere.  Maybe Dennis can explain it?

Roy - sounds like St. Louis Weather!?  Except we have had so much rain this year that we are just now getting into the 80's....

No Sir James or Kurt or Doug yet?  Must have worn them out last night?!  Well, gotta go get kids from school and go have a nice lunch.  TGIF and TTFN!

[sir james I]

HOWDY,

I was just heading for the laptop this AM when I got the call"lets go to the train store", I thought about it for ten seconds and said ok. Nothing new has arrived in the past few days, not even used to rummage through. It's 74 right now but the storms around Chicago are expected here later, more towards evening and beyond. So I will close for now and return later,weather permitting.....S.J.

[laz 57]

Morning all.  Pam can hardly walk.  Changed bandage for her last night and she has a whole row of stiches.  Then she told that Dr. said she put a lot of internal stiches too.  Been "baby sitting" her this AM.  Feeding her some of my old strong pain meds [too stingy to go fill her own].  Off to Raleigh for Social Security Apt.  Replaced a flush valve this AM.  Chat later.

CHIEF,

   Hope all goes well for PAM or the stitches and the skin cancer.  I go in on June 11, for a scrapping of my back.  Not deep though.  Prayers for PAM.

laz57

[RRCharlie]

Sunny and warm in Jacksonville, South Georgia! Out of the blue I got an e-mail from Mike Mottler who edits the LCCA magazine. He wanted me to write an article about the trains that I had put in the dining room: 2 on a platform, the other 4 on two loops suspended from the ceiling. Sent him a first draft; not long enough, he wanted pictures. I tried copying some of the pictures I already had and the camera card got corrupted and wouldn't copy a full frame of any of the pictures!!

Found a new card, started taking pictures, wrong format, poor quality, start over again, the batteries die. Needed to run trains around to get them in position for various shots and both sets of LEGACY batteries crapped out! Have one more picture to take and then try to remember how to burn to a dsk to send to Mike.

Madge came home from seeing one of her doctors and he is finally going to repair the hole between the upper chambers of her heart. In on Friday-out on Saturday, June 20 and 21. We are looking forward to having it over with as people report having their energy and strength return.

Prayers for all recovering from their surgeries and other ailments. Congratulations to the graduates and their PARENTS who worried whether the events were really going to happen.

Mel Hazen; Jax, FL