FEB EDITION: 2009 #2 Coffee Pot. Here we gather with friends with trains for chats, 4 years of coffee and sweet ice tea.

[rtraincollector]

Mike C. I understand the not getting peace and quiet to well I tell other half I need to be left alone while I try and do this and 5 minutes at tops later Oh you have to come and see this on TV . PLEASE LEAVE ME ALONE!! 3 minutes later some other nonsense thing. LOL

I usually give up at that point and ask her what so important that I can't get 30 minutes just to get something done. It the main reason when I'm off I get up at 7 or earlier normally so I can come in here and do what I need to do with out her bugging me every 5 minutes.

But at least I don't have kids to add to it. Sometimes glad I don't sometimes wish I did but also see it would really of put a big drain on us if we did and we barely made it just the 2 of us.

Any way not much going on this am waiting for window guy to come and give us an estimate for new windows as the ones we have remind me of mobile home windows of the late 60's or early 70's aluminum and would not take a thing to break out and I feel cold air coming thru the cracks ( jams)

The advertise any size up to 48X72 for $189.99 installed.

I have a 11 total not sure if I'm going to get all 11 done or not. will see. He's supose to be here at 11:30 am

 

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

IIABSDISEI with temps above freezing!  (For those of you who are using the home version of the Coffepot, IIABSDISEI means It is another beautiful sunny day in south eastern Indiana).  Very rough night last night. Checkbook and Sudoku gave me fits all evening and neither is done.  Oldest daughter called wanting advice.  Son-in-law (the worthless one) started arguing with me over phone.  Really did not need that. If they do not like advice I give, do not ask for it.   As I was getting ready for bed, power went out (accident, I think).  Eventually came back on.  Really, really did not need that.  Long, long, long night and long day ahead of me.  The shadows are getting longer...again.  Wife asked me what I wanted last night.  A little peace and quiet, which I am afraid will not come my way for a long, long time.  I had the usual fare on the dining car for breakfast this morning.  I hope everyone (especially me) has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[rtraincollector]

Morning all! Off today so another lay around day. had to take a light headedness pill last night at walley world when I first got there head started to pitch some. for the dotoc in the house I'm taking Meclizine HCL 12.5 MG every 6 hours as needed. I'm thinking tomorrow will take one when I get towork as thats where it normally happens and maybe take 1 befor it starts and see how things go.

Chief your right once we got Patrick talking can't stop the man

[laz 57]

HI GYZ,

  15 and not to bad today.  Ran my new switcher last nite and still have problems going over switches.  I'm going to try my RS11 and see whats what with that engine. 

Stay FROSTY,

laz57

[kpolak]

Morning all!

Thanks for the props (I think ?) on the photo.  I knew anoniminity couldn't last forever.

Dennis:  Prayers for your son.  That sounds bad.

SJ/Charlie:  Sounds like a great time!

Quiet day yesterday.  Made split pea soup with left over hock from Sunday.  Need to get the kids and I out today.  Eldest saw a commercial featuring Elmo and the Sesame Street gang, and asked if we could go...I thought it was another stage show, and said maybe.  Turns out it was a commercial for Beaches resort.  LOL!  Won't happen, but the bright sand and ocean sure looks inviting.  You know the resorts are feeling it already.  I receive 2 discount offers a week from Disney.

Kurt

[ChiefEagles]

Dag gone!!!!  Get Patrick talking and he can talk more than Rock or myself.   Long afternoon and evening.  Got home in time for the news and then watched most of Alvin and the Chipmonks.  Suddenly reclinerized and do not know how as was laughing up a storm.  Off to bed and then off to the lake tomorrow AM.  Did not get home from reception in time to go, well was tonight, now it was yesterday.  And it is off to the lake today.  Bed time now.  Dennis, hope Ricky is doing better.  Same for all the sick and those in "distress".  Hope the cows stay in the pasture.  Good night.  Sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite.

BTW: ran trains yesterday AM for a while.  Seemed good.  No pile ups. 

[Brutus]

Good evening everyone, sorry I'm so late.  Tardis will be along shortly, I'll set the wayback circuit for about 8 PM your time (local)   We were up at the MIDDLE SCHOOL getting indoc for the son, who is moving up - yikes!  Where did those years go?  Got home and got kids settled, then had some F-Secure problems, but everything is working okay now.  Kids were off sick today with my wife, she's been off sick 3 days this week, but everyone is better now.  Somehow this one missed me, thank God.  I don't handle being sick very well, lol!  Buckeye, prayers for your friend.  Dennis, prayers for the boy, he's in good hands!  Patrick, I thought of a joke about "til the cows came home", but didn't want to get the "Waaaa Waaa Waaaah" sounds from Kurt   Nice pic, Kurt!  Jim and Charlie, sounds like a lot of fun tonight, sorry I couldn't make it!  Maybe next time?

Talked to wife and we think we might make a roadtrip to Chicago in August (hint hint Doug) including a trip to the IRM, maybe see a certain Tank Engine?  Trying to get some friends to go with us, so we'll see?

[dwiemer]

Buckeye, none of us know how long we have.  I make sure the folks I love and care about know it as often as I can.  Just important to know where you are going when were done here.

Well, Son had woke up last night complaining of a bad headache and that his ear hurt.  Gave him Tylenol and he went back to sleep.  This morning, he awoke and told my wife he had "snot coming out of my ear", it was as suspected, an ear infection.  Got him on antibiotics.  Not sure about tomorrow, we will see how he feels.  It is supposed to be "Grandparents Day"  at his school, but all the grandparents live a good distance, so my wife would have to go. 

Anyway, came home tonight and did some more work on the layout.  Got a little left before scenery.  Can hardly wait. 

God Bless,

Dennis

[MichRR714]

sir james I

Just had a great visit

 

No doubt about it....

sir james I

And I had to run at least one Hudson

Smooth running and a beauty.....

[RockIsland52]

fifedog

........RockIsland - I believe laz & his 800 lb bear would concur, gratis beverages are all good...

Laz.......how much does that bear drink?  Does he sip or guzzle?  Get mean or mellow?  Fife and I need to know his limit before we start this thing..

Jack

[cnw1995]

A car from Iowa has arrived on the interchange track. (I had to track it down at the post office). I'll wait until the youngest is home from school tomorrow to open the box - he loves the surprise of seeing a car from across the country. Boy, I am sure not cut-out to study math with the middle boy - I just don't remember how to do that al-ge-bra stuff...

[SPMan]

Don, if I'm available that day, will drop by the computer thing in Glendora to say hello.  I assume it's at the Senior Center here?

The siding description at AGHR sounds like a pretty complicated route.  Sounds more like an alternate main line than a siding.

We have had heavy rains here in Glendora this afternoon.  Looks like real rain this time.  Had to pump some water out of the pool so it won't overflow.  I don't have a built in drain.

Ray

[sir james I]

Good Evening,

Just had a great visit with Michigan Charlie, we sang, we danced, no we didn't we played with trains. I think that giant Valiam I gave him yesterday worked as he was calm today. Of course running my C&O scale Berk helped a bit too. He brought a couple Milwaukee road engines to run as well. And I had to run at least one Hudson. One  pile up, threw wrong switch and backed into a full siding. Cars derailed but no serious injuries to the passengers.

Brutus where ever you are Banilla is waiting...S.J.

[dougdagrump]

Well, I guess that old adage "Paybacks are &&&&" is true. We have been under severe storm warnings for awhile, they keep bumping out the end time. Warnings for urban flooding, hail, high winds and possibly tornadoes. What's next, a quake ?

Oh well, sunday it should be sunny and toasty warm again.

Everything loaded in the truck for tomorrow's museum run, look like we will be short handed again.

[Wes Whitmore]

Game back on with me and the family moving!  Renter rechanged his mind.  Time to get the lease signed.

Wes

[Anonymous]

Buckeye - I was instructed that my unfriendly comment a few days ago upset Susie-Q... 'WHAT!?!? <insert sound of whining woman here> His pictures are sooo cute... <yada yada yada> He looks so sweet and he's playing with trains too.'

Now when I play with trains I get 'You don't want to spend any time with me...'



Personally I think she thinks she isn't getting chocolates or flowers for V-Day... I'm thinking some petunias are in order...

[LawsonFarmsRR]

Jack wrote:

Patrick Wrote; 

".....Here in the country, we find that city people drive out and turn there dogs (and cats) out to fend for them selves. I can't understand it. We take them to the local dog pound. Unfortunately, most are put down, but we can't keep them all here. Patrick L......"

Patrick......exactly.  The rescue from which we got our previous two dogs is a "no-kill" shelter and is loaded with strays.  Folks go out and get pets with the same sense of responsibility and committment as they would have buying a pair of sox.  My father used to say that you can measure the humanity of a society by merely looking at how it treats the less fortunate, including its pets.  And these same people that cast off their dogs in such a cruel and cowardly way are too embarrassed by their actions to simply drop them off at a shelter!

Your father is a wise man. He knows people. It is hard to describe how hungry, scared and nervous the dogs are after several days on there own in the wild. To me it is like kicking your kids out of the car on a country road. The difference is we can get you for that. Unfortunately, none of the shelters around here are "no-kill" shelters.

Patrick L

[jonadel]

A most excellent arrival today from Mr. Baker in CA, a very nice boxcar from Mr. Fullerton in PA, along with some warm CA temps    Life is good

[Buckeye Riveter]

GregM

Buckeye   If your door question was for me, I am going to knock on it again today. Hope Mrs Buckeye recovers quickly.  Is the situation you mentioned immediate family?

Greg...If you don't knock the door doesn't open.  Mrs. Buckeye is going to be a sick lady for another twelve or so hours.  I have been there.  She just wants to do everything that I do!    I lost my best fishing buddy in 2001 and now am in the process of saying good-bye to a great friend of 23 years.  He will be gone by this time next year based upon the reports.  I will miss him. 

[dbaker48]

 

SPMan

DBaker, is the "artist" the same one that came up with the "red rock canyon"?  That looks like an abortion to me.  You should let your voice be heard down there.  If they are going to have a 60 foot siding, they may as well have double track.

Bracing for winter weather, rain predicted for week end.  Oh my! Temp. might drop to the 60's.  Brrrrr!  Tough weather but we can handle it.

Ray

Ray, - You guessed it !  If you recall when you enter the building, there are the "city" buildings with the Fire Station, Mels Diner, McDonalds, etc..  The 2 mainlines go through and in between the mainlines is a siding that goes off toward the back of the layout, then turns right and goes around and across the Wood Trestle bridge.  At which the siding has acquired a 16" height.  The siding then runs along the back wall, above the Red Canyon, the length of the peninisula, then cross all the mainlines again, and runs into the staging area.  (New hole in wall, OK), and turns back on it self, and comes back out.  The problem as I see it are many, most significant is when the train comes back out and goes all the way around it is dropped on the mainline line in the opposite direction, and the first opportunity to clear the mainline is adjacent to where the bathroom is.  Many many alternatives available, but it is a significant uphill battle!  I am going to modify a layout drawing and distribute to members, and suggest some alternatives.  That will really PO a couple of people!!!!  But, it needs to be done.

All the rest of you guys:  Our weather front has moved in !  And, the forecasters were wrong, as expected.  We are having Severe Sprinkles!  I've seen 4 cars with the intermediate windshield wipers on.  May need to be declared a Federal Disaster Zone !  We need the money.  (Tomorrow is first of the 2 day a month furlong for state employees.    DMV closed, who knows what else, approx. 238,000 employees.)

 Edit: Oh yeah, Ray I will be doing a presentation in Glendora soon for the Glendora Seniors Computer Club, if your available will buy you lunch.  Will let you know of the date.

[dougdagrump]

Afternoon/Evenin' All.

Jon, The abomination of that tractor. A Ford doghouse on a Case tractor, for shame !!!

Brent, These people have a few interior pieces and a lot of exterior stuff  http://www.finishedmodels.com/oscalefinisheddetails.aspx plus there is some interior detailing on E-Bay. But must agree that York will be the best bet.

Sir J,

P.S. Almost forgot, can't wait to see what SMR is going to do in the B&O livery. Not that I can afford to buy it but it don't cost anything to window shop.

[RockIsland52]

Hello ya'll,

Patrick Wrote; 

".....Here in the country, we find that city people drive out and turn there dogs (and cats) out to fend for them selves. I can't understand it. We take them to the local dog pound. Unfortunately, most are put down, but we can't keep them all here. Patrick L......"

Patrick......exactly.  The rescue from which we got our previous two dogs is a "no-kill" shelter and is loaded with strays.  Folks go out and get pets with the same sense of responsibility and committment as they would have buying a pair of sox.  My father used to say that you can measure the humanity of a society by merely looking at how it treats the less fortunate, including its pets.  And these same people that cast off their dogs in such a cruel and cowardly way are too embarrassed by their actions to simply drop them off at a shelter! 

Ole Timer.....16 degrees is sounding balmy from my perspective.  3 degrees forecast for overnight in my neck of Taxachusetts.  My furnace just keeps running.

John/jef.......our cars are looking fairly putrid here too.  Getting them washed would be an exercise in futility.  As soon as the ice and snow starts to melt, the roads with salt dried on them just starts the process all over again.

RaySP....time to break out the mink-lined golf shirts.  This weather must be horrible for you CA boys.  Must be tough.....jump in the swimming pool to stay warm!

Fife......besides you and Laz, no one else has stepped forward to help us out with the excess beer.  Guess we'll have to suck it up and overachieve on this project.

Later, guyz.

Jack

[fifedog]

Evenin' boys.  Evenin' English.  Just plain cold.  Will spend the next 12 hours thawing out.  S'posed to get warmer this weekend.

sirjames - Keep those emails comin', please.

Buckeye - Best regards to Luvie.

Speaking of porcelain, dbaker - we took a lid vote in Fifedom, with results as follows:

                Down ---> 4

                     Up -----> 2

Chief - Merryland would welcome your Lady Liberty proposal...need to fill the void of the taxpayers that are fleeing the state in droves.

kpolak -

cnw1995 - It wuzzz a nice GG1...

88 - Whoa, didn't know it came unpainted.  Maybe spread things out and post a pic.  If you want to detail the interior, don't adhere either the roof or foundation.  There was actually a table of stuff at YORK with tons of Plasticville interior pieces.  A thin bead of wood glue should still secure your pieces.

RockIsland - I believe laz & his 800 lb bear would concur, gratis beverages are all good...

Ole Timer - I gotta know, what "hills" are you lookin' at...?

rt - Sounds like a touch of vertigo.  If you could jump in a pool, you could find out toot-sweet.

[LawsonFarmsRR]

 RickIsland52 said:

"Patrick.....I've got some great photos of me and my granddaughter on a JD 8120 at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, taken over the holidays.  They have a farm section which has more than farm animals.  Familiar with that unit?  I think the placard said something about it being the most powerful JD ever built.  You should use your tracking skills to find folks' dogs when they come up missing.  Seriously, between mere accidents, sheer stupidity, ignorance, and purposeful breaking of the leash laws, there is a market for that up my way."

Your granddaughter will remember that zoo trip for years to come. I am not sure, but the JD 8120 has to be one of the most powerful JD built. Here in the country, we find that city people drive out and turn there dogs (and cats) out to fend for them selves. I can't understand it. We take them to the local dog pound. Unfortunately, most are put down, but we can't keep them all here. We did keep a pregnant cat once, and within two years we had 30+ cats (still do). Three are pets, the rest are wild barn cats. On the positive side, no more rats in the out buildings!

Patrick L

[SPMan]

DBaker, is the "artist" the same one that came up with the "red rock canyon"?  That looks like an abortion to me.  You should let your voice be heard down there.  If they are going to have a 60 foot siding, they may as well have double track.

Bracing for winter weather, rain predicted for week end.  Oh my! Temp. might drop to the 60's.  Brrrrr!  Tough weather but we can handle it.

 

Ray

[jefelectric]

Good morning guys,

Posting from the office on a new computer that I just set up for a new office.  The monitor is a 24" Samsung, very nice.  It's very cold today, but nice an clear.  Washed the truck for the second time this week and it got dirty just driving here.  Lots of salt on the roads so any wet spot splashes it up.  No trains yet today.

[Ole Timer]

 12  MEGA FREEZING .... BONE CHILLING .... WIND BLOWING DEGREES IN WESTERN MARYLAND THIS MORNING !!!!  Hate this lousey winter !

[RockIsland52]

Woke up this morning to find it was warmer in Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, Hyannis, and Cape Cod than in some parts in Florida.  Backwards.  Sorry about that Mel, Rich, and Lee.  You guys should move North for the Winters.

Fife......thank you for your gracious offer to help out with my excess beer inventory.  Laz is in too.  Just as long as you guys promise to put the toilet seat down when you are through.  Saw a commercial for Heineken last night.  "What a man chooses to drink is his destiny."  Another great reason to drink beer.  It's tied into my destiny.  Don't think the wife will find any validity or humor in that, though.

SirJames....I see what you mean by Kurt's picture.  He still has hair, and hair with color, but I'm sure his little ones will cure him of that in due time.  What jokes?  I don't pee on myself either.  Must be a North Carolina custom.  Think Chief will catch that?

Chuck....my knee still talks to me when the weather changes.  And swells when my activity gets too vigorous. 

Wes.....my wife has been bugging me for 20 years to add a second floor walk in closet over a two car attached garage that abuts our master bedroom.  All I think would happen with that is that she'd just buy more clothes and continue to hang on to the stuff she hasn't worn over that same twenty year period.  No benefit in it for me, that's for sure.......UNLESS I parcelled off some of it for a second floor layout.  How is YOUR knee coming along?

JimSP.....the grandchild wears me out too.  When I am in charge, I subconsciosly worry.  More so than with my own kids.  Don't want anything to go South on my watch; but I don't want to be a stick in the mud either, whatever that means.  When she leaves, our place looks like a bomb went off.

Rich.....continued prayers for your LTS partner in crime.  Dennis' explanation was most helpful, in plain English to boot.  Thanks Dennis.

Patrick.....I've got some great photos of me and my granddaughter on a JD 8120 at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, taken over the holidays.  They have a farm section at the Zoo which has more than farm animals.  Familiar with that JD unit?  I think the placard said something about it being the most powerful JD ever built.  You should use your tracking skills to find folks' dogs when they come up missing.  Seriously, between mere accidents, sheer stupidity, ignorance, and purposeful breaking of the leash laws, there is a market for that up my way.  Along with tatooing and microchipping dogs.  GPS may be next.

GregM......go get 'em!

Brent.....after reading about your herding escapade, I have visions of you replacing Clint Eastwood as Rowdy Yates in a reprise of Rawhide.  SuzieQ could play Miss Kitty.  Ooooops!  Wrong 60s cowboy series.

DougM....don't be too pessimistic about that real estate tax appeal.  My FIL lives in Kane County just South of you in Elgin and learned that the guy directly across the street from him was paying $1000 less in property taxes (both retired with the seniors' reduction), exact same house, built at the exact same time, by the same builder, with the exact same amenities, on the same lot size.  There are more shenanigans or outright assessment mistakes going on down at the assessors' office than you may think.  They didn't ignore my FIL's appeal, he didn't have to appear after filing the appeal, they simply dropped his taxes so he would shut up and go away.  The operative question is why.

Later, gang.

Jack

[LawsonFarmsRR]

Dennis said:

"Patrick, lots of farms around, so I am used to seeing the herd break out.  Gotta be carefull.  We had a elderly couple who were travelling along.  Hit a cow, she came through the windshield and killed them both.  As to farm work, I did a bit of bailing hay and feeding the animals.  Had a nasty war with some wasps in the barn, and I lost.  I also have a friend in NY state with a milk farm.  So I have seen or been a part of different kinds of operations (pardon the pun), but have gained much from them.  Plan is for our kids to spend some time on both farms and a ranch a friend has in Texas.  I want them to learn the type of things a computer isn't going to teach them and to know what a hard day's work is all about.  Good lessons"

Some cows are compact as a brick wall. I have never won a war with wasps or bees. Great idea to have the kids spend time on farms and ranches. Most won't have internet hook ups, but to be safe, leave the laptops at home.

Jon: In the car/tractor picture, did you notice the gals before the tractor are sitting down, and the gals behind are standing up? Must be a chick magnet.

 

 

[LawsonFarmsRR]

 Lionroar - 10-4 on the Eagle Scout. We need more of them (you)!

kpolak - I never did figure out why the cows went on strike right after we went to round bails?

Patrick L