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2009 Coffee Pot. Here we gather with friends with trains for chats, 4 years of coffee and sweet ice tea. Locked

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Posted by Northwoods Flyer on Friday, January 16, 2009 7:28 AM

Frigid greetings from Wisconsin this morning.  It is -22 (-20 yesterday at this time) degrees on my deck this morning and there is a breeze, bringing the wind chill to -35.  And from the weather forecast this morning its colder in some of the surrounding communities.  This is the coldest snap we have had in 10 years or more.  Schools are closed and many area activities are cancelled. Milwaukee schools are closed and they almost never close.  Even the local ski hill has been closed periodically over the last few days.  This is why I love Wisconsin.  The weather actually gives you excuses to stay buttoned up inside for long periods at a time - and that means I don't need an excuse to spend time with trains.  See there is a silver lining to every frigid dark cloud.

For those of you who are experiencing unusual cold weather - remember it could be worse.

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby

Northwoods Flyer

 

The Northwoods Flyer Collection

of

American Flyer Trains

"The Toy For the Boy"

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Posted by cheapclassics on Friday, January 16, 2009 7:01 AM

Good morning all,

It has been a long time since I have been able to do this, but IIASBDISEI with temps in the positive single digits today.  Yesterday was first day back to "regular" work this week and of course everything went to h--- in a handbasket.  Today did not start off well as carpool person called me at 6 AM to say she was taking a personal day.  Did I mention it was her turn to drive?  Did I mention that was looking forward to an extra hour of snooze time on the way to work?  Did I mention she never gave me a hint yesterday that she might not be in today?  At least there are not many people here today, and I may actually get something accomplished.  Also, there is the three day weekend waiting for me.  That is truly remarkable about that landing in New York yesterday.  I did the YMCA routine last night.  I am now up to six or seven touches on a set of juggles.  Roy, congrats on your son's win and playing time.  I had bran muffins on the dining car this morning.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

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Posted by rtraincollector on Friday, January 16, 2009 6:57 AM

Sturgeon-Phish
Good Morning from cold (5°F) Southern Ohio
Thanks for the comments about the crane/signal tower choice.  I think I’ll use the tower and move it away from the switch.  I was using an existing hole for the wire but I’m going to drill a new hole and plant a bush in the old hole.
Prayers of thanksgiving for the folks on the plane and for the pilot.
I got the log loader stripped and primed yesterday.  So good so far.  Now finding the right shade of green with out paying $18 a can.  I may try and mix my own and use the airbrush.
Got to go
May God bless
Jim

 

Jim if its the same shade as the base to the gateman I think I have a unopen can it was either that or the cattle coral. If you want can send your way just have to dig it up give me till tonight to find it ( I'm off today good prodject for today lol)

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

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Posted by Wes Whitmore on Friday, January 16, 2009 5:50 AM
My first ballasting xperience wasn't great. I used the water/glue in a medicine dropper dropping the liquid onto the ballast. It worked its way down through the ballast, and continues to soak up into my grass mat. When it dried, you could still see where the extra water soaked into the mat. I guess I used too much! I should be able to hide it with more ground cover. It cold outside. Said -16 in my car thermometer. Wes
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Posted by mitchelr on Friday, January 16, 2009 5:31 AM

Morning to all.  Been very busy trying to get caught up on the forum with the switch to the new pot.  

Condolences to Bob Keller on the loss of his pet.  It is always very tough to lose a furry friend. 

Congrats to Buckeye the new Grandpa.

Got to get going.  Brrr. It is cold here about 8 degrees.

Take care,

Mitch

Bob Mitchell Gettysburg, PA TCA # 98-47956 LCCA# RM22839

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Posted by kpolak on Friday, January 16, 2009 5:26 AM

jonadel
   There's kind of a neat old "Mr. Wizard" experiment  for your kids if it's cold enough--take a coffee cup and fill it with water and micro wave it until it boils, immediately take it outside throw the water high into the air---your kids will love it.  How many of you remember Mr. Wizard?  I think I just dated myself :) 

I remember.  I'm doin' it!  Coffee huh...May need 2-pots today.  -4 here.

Brent:  If that Bonzai tree dies save it...cover it in matt medium and wet water, and install it on the layout!  I've been trying to find one or two of those, but they're too expensive.  I'm 0 for 4 with Bonzai here.  Rolls of film???  Are they inside these disposable camera thingies??

I was planning to take the kiddies to the Auto Show...but too cold.  I read just about everything on ballasting...Ballast last....Ballast first....

My experience has led me to conclude:

  1. Lay down some paint color, and earth, sand or gravel material, matt meduim, extend past ballasting area, so the ballast partially covers it.  Let dry.
  2. Install the ballast, Matt medium.  Let dry.
  3. Add grass color, dust off the areas where you don't want the grass to be, and matt medium it in place.
  4. Fini.

Kurt

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Posted by Sturgeon-Phish on Friday, January 16, 2009 4:47 AM

Good Morning from cold (5°F) Southern Ohio

Thanks for the comments about the crane/signal tower choice.  I think I’ll use the tower and move it away from the switch.  I was using an existing hole for the wire but I’m going to drill a new hole and plant a bush in the old hole.

Prayers of thanksgiving for the folks on the plane and for the pilot.

I got the log loader stripped and primed yesterday.  So good so far.  Now finding the right shade of green with out paying $18 a can.  I may try and mix my own and use the airbrush.

Got to go

May God bless

Jim

 

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Posted by wrmcclellan on Thursday, January 15, 2009 11:40 PM

Evening all!

Chilly here - low 20's tonight. Warming nicely for the weekend - 60's.

Doug - one of my employees is in Schaumburg tonight for a meeting in the morning - did I hear -50 with the wnd chill???

Son's HS JV soccer team won their first game tonight 1-0. He is a forward - but only got 10 min on the field this game. Tournament this weekend.

Absolute miracle about that plane in the Hudson in NYC.

Hope everyone has a great day tomorrow!

Regards, Roy

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Posted by ChiefEagles on Thursday, January 15, 2009 11:04 PM

Good night all.  In the 20's and suppose to be around 15 tomorrow AM.  Colder tomorrow night [might hit single digits].  Then modify Sunday but still below normal.  Crazy winter.  4 weeks of below normal, 4 weeks above normal and now, real cold. 

Finally got to see the news.  Pilot had about 30 seconds to make up his mind where to go.  Did not realize flight was inbound to Charlotte.  All flights with US Airways are through Philly, Phoenix or Charlotte.  Airbus is a heavy plane.  That is why I like flying a small plane.  Been in a L19 several times and no engine.  Spiral down and land smooth. 

Doug, you still having vandal problems?  In NC, we shoot them.

Stay warm all you Yanks.  God bless.  

 God bless TCA 05-58541   Benefactor Member of the NRA,  Member of the American Legion,   Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville Laugh,   KC&D QualifiedCowboy       

              

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Posted by dougdagrump on Thursday, January 15, 2009 10:44 PM

Buckeye, Must be business travel, Barratt-Jackson only has a couple days left.

Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.

www.sd3r.org

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Posted by jonadel on Thursday, January 15, 2009 10:29 PM

Buckeye--

I'm trying to get as much cold weather and snow in before I am forced to travel to Key West.  Tonight is nearly perfect in Iowa, our 2nd night of double digit negative temps Thumbs Up 

Jon

So many roads, so little time. 

 

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Posted by Brutus on Thursday, January 15, 2009 10:06 PM

Oh, DougDG - you better watch out, you'll get someone in trouble with talk like that!  Now, I bought my wife a black and decker cleaner that had 3 different brush heads and stuff once.  Whatever happened to that thing?

Pilot is a hero, no doubt about it lives were saved, also by the boat captains who acted so fast!

RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.

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Posted by dougdagrump on Thursday, January 15, 2009 10:00 PM

Brent, Could've been worse. Just imagine what mite have happened had you gotten her something functional, like a vacuum cleaner. I gave mine a cookbook, the Yellow Pages.  Shock  Smile,Wink, & Grin

Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.

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Posted by Brutus on Thursday, January 15, 2009 9:58 PM

cnw1995

Yep, they were glass, Laz. Just crumbled in their case. I heard taps playing.

Dang these young whippersnappers who keep coming in and outta the front door - - -

Sad  Oh man, that stinks Doug!  How did you clean it up?

RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, January 15, 2009 9:47 PM

Buckeye - Actually for X-Mas I bought her a Bonzi Tree (she's been wanting one)... she hasn't watered it, but I have watered it twice... I don't think she likes it Sad And I did buy her some chocolates a few days ago and she said I shouldn't have because it makes her butt grow... LOL!

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Posted by Buckeye Riveter on Thursday, January 15, 2009 9:38 PM

88 - If it was a girl, Susie-Q was my favorite names.   BTW, have you bought her any flowers or candy lately? 

fifedog -  Nice try.

Jim...Sorry about your pet. 

Jon .....Very bad news and I know that you are going to be thinking of me in the next few days.  Unfortunately, I am required to leave the great and beautiful weather of the Midwest and fly to the Southwest where today's temperature was 76 degrees.  I will be sitting outdoors, drinking adult beverages and wearing sun screen.  It is currently -3 and tomorrow is going to be colder and I will be missing Ohio in January.  Jon,  you  are so lucky by not being required to travel to where it is warm and sunny. 

Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum. Smile, Wink & Grin

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

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Posted by sir james I on Thursday, January 15, 2009 9:11 PM

Good Evening All

 Not much to say tonite except its cold and looks like its going to stay this way till saturday afternoon when it soars to 19. An indoor, goof off day. thats it. Banilla is here for anyone brave enough to eat it...S.J.

"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks 

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, January 15, 2009 8:14 PM

MichRR714

kpolak
Started ballasting! 

 

Take some pics :)



He probably took two rolls and then remembered it was too cold to go outside to drop the film in the mail to be developed... he or the film would have frozen solid in those temps!

Phish - I would move the crane to a different location and see if you can move the tower back about 1/2 an inch from the switch. That looks a bit tight.

Buckeye - Susan is shaking her head... 'poor kid. hope he looks like his granddad in that pic.' I swear...
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Posted by MichRR714 on Thursday, January 15, 2009 8:10 PM

kpolak
Started ballasting! 

 

Take some pics :)

 

Charlie a.k.a. MichiganRailRoad714 (Charter Member TTC)      

 

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Posted by rtraincollector on Thursday, January 15, 2009 6:11 PM

I vote for a crane anyday

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

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Posted by Wes Whitmore on Thursday, January 15, 2009 6:09 PM
I lived to wake up before school started to watch mr wizard...I guess I'm showing my age too...
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Posted by dougdagrump on Thursday, January 15, 2009 6:04 PM

rtraincollector

Chief I see my northerns were at it again trying to do in some N.C.ers Whistling

RT, It weren't a bunch of Northeners. It was a bunch of Canadians, Canadian Geese that is. Miraculous !

Jon, Mr Wizard, absolutely loved his show as a kid. It is a shame they don't still have some of that type of programming.

 

Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.

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Posted by ChiefEagles on Thursday, January 15, 2009 6:03 PM

dougdagrump

Wow!!       BowBow

Hats off to a US Air pilot who has to ditch in the Hudson River with apparently no critical injuries or deaths.

And a big hats off to the people who work the river and show up in only minutes and start picking up survivors. 

Why I fly US Airways.  Now South Trash would have gone in belly up and then told everyone to exit as their boarding pass indicated [A's first, B's next and C's well good luck].  No joking about airplanes and emergency landings.  Pilots did a great job.  Even picked a spot close to the ferry docks so they could help.

COLD, YANKEE COLD.  Pam, Lucy and I walked the trail in the park.  A girl drove in with SD plates.  Asked her if she thought this was a heat wave.  Said no but better than SD.

Later.  Grits kept the plane a float and saved lives.  See, Fife can be right every now and then.   

 God bless TCA 05-58541   Benefactor Member of the NRA,  Member of the American Legion,   Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville Laugh,   KC&D QualifiedCowboy       

              

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Posted by jonadel on Thursday, January 15, 2009 5:58 PM

 Jim--

I vote for moving the crane to a different area, the signal tower looks perfect for that spot, the crane just looks a little crowded. 

 

Kurt--

We hit a blazing -5 late this afternoon, what a heat wave!  I could only be outside a short while this AM when it was -21, where our kids live it was -29, YIKES.  There's kind of a neat old "Mr. Wizard" experiment  for your kids if it's cold enough--take a coffee cup and fill it with water and micro wave it until it boils, immediately take it outside throw the water high into the air---your kids will love it. 

How many of you remember Mr. Wizard?  I think I just dated myself :) 

Jon

So many roads, so little time. 

 

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Posted by fifedog on Thursday, January 15, 2009 5:42 PM

Phish - Honestly, they both look a little "bulky" for that particular spot.

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Posted by Sturgeon-Phish on Thursday, January 15, 2009 5:37 PM

Guys,

Did some moving of stuff on the layout.  Which do you think looks better?  The 583A Crane or the 593 Signal Tower?

Thinking about moving the crane to another spot.

Thanks

Jim

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Posted by fifedog on Thursday, January 15, 2009 4:47 PM

rt - His Honor would probably have us believe that the successful rescue from the freezing waters of the Hudson, was due to one bag of GRITS in somebody's carry-on...

Buckeye - Congrats on the addition.  But something more original, like Bruce Napoleon Ohare (B.N.O.) would have been cyooool...

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Posted by njalb1 on Thursday, January 15, 2009 4:40 PM

kpolak

Afternoon all!

Jon:  It's not really cold 'til your nostrels freeze together...Laugh

Doug:  Condolences on your loss(es).

Started ballasting!  Wa Hooooo!  Doug up some builders sand from around the house...may need to incorporate some clay....I'll see what color that comes out.  This stuff is more nerve racking than I thought...I'm trying to get it right, but not too right...Small art brushes seem to work the best for fishing the stuff out of the rails.  Well it's in and matt mediumed down.  I caulked the edges before I started ballasting...good thing...only one leak.

We'll let it be for the night. 

Kurt

edit:

njalb1
100

Are we on the clock?

Not my clock .... Just wonder If someone is watching Shock

 

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Posted by kpolak on Thursday, January 15, 2009 4:31 PM

Afternoon all!

Jon:  It's not really cold 'til your nostrels freeze together...Laugh

Doug:  Condolences on your loss(es).

Started ballasting!  Wa Hooooo!  Doug up some builders sand from around the house...may need to incorporate some clay....I'll see what color that comes out.  This stuff is more nerve racking than I thought...I'm trying to get it right, but not too right...Small art brushes seem to work the best for fishing the stuff out of the rails.  Well it's in and matt mediumed down.  I caulked the edges before I started ballasting...good thing...only one leak.

We'll let it be for the night. 

Kurt

edit:

njalb1
100

Are we on the clock?

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Posted by njalb1 on Thursday, January 15, 2009 4:30 PM

100

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