The pot of coffee is always on [even after 2 years have passed]. Come on in. Sweet ice tea too.

[laz 57]

CHIEF you will have to go back to basics buy a ZEBCO. Worked for me when i was 5 years old[;)] JIMBO thanks for the heads up I will notify my PA trooper friends on that one we will just wait and see? They will be on standby.
laz57

[Buckeye Riveter]

Good Morning America and Other Parts of Planet Earth

It's February, did you notice? The groundhogs saw their shadow this week so we are looking forward to six more weeks of winter while certain members relish in the thoughts of heading to the beach. [:)]

Well this week many of us read the MTH - Lionel article in Inc. Magazine. For a moment, forget about the companies named in the article and ask your self the question, why did Inc. magazine choose to do a story like this? Neither of the two companies contributes significantly to the Gross National Product. From what I am reading about business education, this article is a great lesson on business ethics or lack of it.

Speaking of people skills, the New England Patriots are in the Super Bowl with a coach that the mistake on the lake ran out of town. Another [B)] for Cleveland, like they don't have enough.

Ben has a good point about the batteries. Every year before the big party at out house, all of the batteries are changed in the controllers and the engines. [^] I just hate it when the controller doesn't send the signal and the $600 steamer leaves the track and hits the floor because I didn't spend a couple bucks for new batteries.

I guess we have our first fishing post of the year started by Chief. This can get rather intense. So hang on tight [:D] I loved TIM's beer can measuring stick. It will be copied [:D][:D]

TurboOne, how is the Garden RR doing? BTW, I have seen Jimmy Dudaday in several hats. Nothing that I have seen so far has really helped.

Doug, of all the people on this forum you live in the Mecca of railroading. I believe you see the largest variety of motive power in and around Chicago. In Northern Ohio, we see the repairs heading to Erie.

Chris, if I understand your posts, today you will be doing a train show where the public is allowed to run the trains via TMCC. [bow][bow][bow] Outstanding!!

Speaking of train shows, I attended the Allentown-Bethlehem Toys for Tots Train Show this year. I was impressed how the model train community came together to help the Marine Corps collect toys. I believe this program could easily be adopted and promoted in other parts of the country. Is there anyone on the forum that knows more about the Allentown-Bethlehem show and its coordination?

Well, I guess everyone is still snoring and the Chief said he was going to go hunt Bugs Bunny today. He'll take about 400 dogs and a couple of cannon and head to the woods. Thank God he doesn't drink and hunt at the same time or the next rebellion would be off and running. [:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D] (Tom, if he does try to attack our beloved Ohio, I believe we can stop at the river.)

Oh, I almost forgot. Tom and I are having a big party this week.

[Anonymous]

Cheif, No problem.. always glad to help!

Tim, That LV Black Diamond, I do have Weavers older brass model of it, I had the TMCC one on order, But the cancelled it, I might upgrade this to TMCC/Railsounds

Buckeye, Yes, I do train shows, about 6 a year, I let anyone run the trains of anyage with the Cab-1, they have a blast!

--Chris

[spankybird]

Good Morning All,

It’s a great morning in NE Ohio, with temp a 35 and a high in the high 40’s and its been some time since I could say this:

Blue Clear Skies

Buckeye – we could have Chief do some Ice Fishing on Lake Eire next week when your up north. Oh yea, not much ice out there, Chief bring your life jacket.

Batteries – you guys should change over to re-chargeables. I did on the DCS controller and am surprised how long they last before having to re-charge them.



all be safe
tom

[cnw1995]

Good morning everyone - Tom, it is interesting to see how much railroading is around here if I look carefully. Last night, we had a bit of an adventure on commute home - the UP had a freight engine fail on our line - this has never happened in all my years of commuting since they run so few freights on this line (to Janesville, WI). Anway, it would have to happen on the way home - I was an hour late. Metra packs so many scoots into the window from 430 - 6 that it was a real balancing act - they ran the scoots backwards towards Chicago since the freight blocked one of the two main lines; dumped up all off the trains, had us reboard a train on the other line - since the freight was south of the only cross-over, then crawl home in stages. I felt sorry for the freight crew that had to break up their long train to clear all the crossings. I was amused by the UP dispatcher announcing all of this using 'railroad' talk that completely bewildered the commuters - I translated though. To top it all off I got a ticket for allegedly rolling through a stop sigh. And the baby inexplicably chose last evening to wake up at 11 pm until 4 am. Ugh. Today though is sunny and supposed to be 50 - I'm of course indoors with another class most of today - double-ugh. :)

[Jim Duda]

QUOTE: BTW, I have seen Jimmy Dudaday in several hats. Nothing that I have seen so far has really helped.

Well...Chit! Those dang neighbor babes have been choosing my CTT helmets for those avatar pics so I picked this one myself. Maybe, at least, Chiefie will approve...

And since it's such a nice day in OHIO, here's a great party song to harmonize with Tom:

"Zippity DOODAAH, Zippety-A
My O' my what a wunnerful day;
Plenty O' SUNSHINE, goin' my way...
"Zippity DOODAAH, Zippety-A!"

br'er Rabbit (safe from Chiefie's cannons)

[spankybird]

Doug – at lest you have an option to take a train. Even thou the same mainline tracks that run behind our plant also go past my house, their isn’t any passenger traffic on it. Our RTA trains are very limited and starts 12 miles west of me and not in the best of areas.(my car might not be there after work). So I must drive across town to work (28 miles each way) but it is all interstate.

Jimbo – Buckeye is coming to Cleveland on Monday so he and I are having a Forum meeting Monday night at my place. Anyone who wishes to join us is welcome.

tom

[spankybird]

JimBo - Chief will love that hat

[Frank53]

good morning all

warming up here is SW Florida and a mountain of work awaits me.

Downloaded the Atlas free software last night to try and polish up my layout ideas, only to find that they do not appear to have track size libraries consistent with Lionel, unless I missed it. I guess I will have to order (and then wait impatiently for the arrival of) the RRTrack software.

Hope everyone has a great weekend

[Anonymous]

Good Morning to all!! Just grtting started on 2nd coffee lace, bout two hours or so
to beer time here in Md. Going out today to some hobby shops and try to find a
reasonable priced KW or ZW transformer to test drive new Berkshire. Called one
place last night--they wanted $400 for a ZW-forget that!! but there are others around that sell
used Lionel stuff.
Have a good day to all!

[cnw1995]

Tom, I wish I could join your forum meeting! I was in Cleveland a few years ago - I liked The Terminal Tower - went up to look out. Took the little train in from the airport too. I know what you mean - I appreciated how swiftly Metra dealt with the problem.

[Buckeye Riveter]

QUOTE: Originally posted by spankybird


Jimbo – Buckeye is coming to Cleveland on Monday so he and I are having a Forum meeting Monday night at my place. Anyone who wishes to join us is welcome.

tom

Agenda for Monday nights 2nd Annual Buckeye Forum Meeting (Everyone Welcome) :
1. Call meeting to order.
2. Minutes of last meeting. (Tom do you have these or do I have these?)
3. Treasurers Report (This will take about three seconds for us to say zero.)
4. Develope new ways to embarasse and harass the Chief
5. Choose posting of the year award. ( I think my tombstone is still in the running.)
6. Read the report on how to get the forum to smell like smoke when opened on a computer screen.
7. Send some snow to anyone who lives south of I-70.
8. Invent new train control system based on nuclear submarine technology
7. Run trains with photo op.

See you Monday evening.

Gee, I almost forgot. Tom, do I bring the oil for your MTH Controller or do you have plenty?
.

[Roger Bielen]

About 7:30 last night the middle granddaughter, 4, came downstairs cryiing. Her older and younger sisters were playing with their Thomas set, the plastic/wood track toy and wouldn't let her in on it. So G.P. told her to get her shoes and coat and we snuck out to the train room. It was her first try at using the CAB-1, she can use a conventional transformer, so it was for me to get the train moving and show her the horn/whistle button and let her make some speed adjustments. After about a half hour of trains all was better. Now we have our little secret from her sisters, they don't know where we went.

We're in the dbl the temp. days, low 30's when I left this morning and expected to be low 60's for the high. Perfect weather for getting sick.

Guess I'll spend the afternoon picking up the branches that fell during last week's ice storm. Catch ya'll later.

[ChiefEagles]

Sunny and warm. Mid 50's to 60. Elmer Fudd got Buggs. I was the only one that killed a rabbit. It has been 16 years since I went and I use to own beagles and went evry day I could. Beagles need some work. That is why they invited me. They want me to help tain them. Off this PM to a retirement dinner [steaks]. Think I'll go run trains until that time. Buckeye, if I start and invasion of the nawth, you will be on the run. [;)] God bless all.

[cnw1995]

Good for you, Roger. Gosh, mid-50s here - all the snow is mushy.

[Jim Duda]

QUOTE: Buckeye, if I start and invasion of the nawth, you will be on the run.

You'll need LOTS of Beagles when you start your invasion of Ohio, Chief! Buck, Spank, and the other Ohio guys know where to hide and from where to ambush you with their SNOWballs -better wait until it melts, though...at least 6 more weeks...

[Anonymous]

Got about 1" of Idasnow last night . Sunny and 31 degrees.

Roger, thats a great story about the kids. Thats what this hobby is all about, US KIDS.

Trying to figure what pics to post tomorrow. I wonder if Jim Doodah has a cowboy hat, being in Texass and all. I was given one when I got my Texass citizenship and passport. If you need one Jim I can sent it.............Tim

[spankybird]

Jimbo may not, but I do

[ChiefEagles]

Jimbo has a fine hat. Looks like a real farmer with a real tractor. [;)] Speaking of hats, I got several cowboy hats [straw and felt], the Dan Post boots, wide belt with name on the back, buckle with silver dollars and Wrangler jeans [I always wear Wranglers]. Did not own shoes [only cowboy boots] until I married Pam. She is not into the cowboy thing. Made me buy dress shoes.

[Anonymous]

Went to Newark NJ today, picked up a Hood and pass. fender for my car, Took some pics of the airport, rail yards and Oil refineries, some good modeling ideas there

Chris

[Buckeye Riveter]

You will see more of this tomorrow. (Chief, for your benefit the white stuff is snow.)

[Jim Duda]

QUOTE: Did not own shoes [only cowboy boots] until I married Pam. She is not into the cowboy thing. Made me buy dress shoes.

Oh lordy...I can just see Chiefie wearin' his spit-shined Cole Haan's, dippin' his minnow from his Ranger bass boat!

You guys make me jealous! PETim looks like the Marlboro man, and Spank looks like George Strait...maybe I should dust off my cowboy helmets...(wink)

[Roger Bielen]

Texas is not the exclusive domain of Stetsons and boots.

I don't have any photos to post but this Georgia boy (at heart) has been into western ware for years. Started when I lived in MD. I even went so far as to become a pretty good two-stepper, used to teach western dancing at an evening community class at UGA. Kind of drifted away from the dancing when the Mrs. strained her back and my knees and hips started bothering me.

The section of GA I'm in is big for cattle and there still is a good number of folks wearing Stetsons, especially in the lower end of the county. We still have local rodeos in the summer.

[laz 57]

Hi GuYS,
Beautiful day here 53 degrees and sunshine. Me and my wife did a slow 3mile run today felt good.
BUCKEYE when does the summit for the forum begin on Monday. Since TOM is wearing a hat and JIMBO is wearing one and PIGSEYES is wearing one is that the theme for the summit? If so me and all the rest of the guys got to git one of dem?
Love the pic in the snow.
GO E A G L E S !!!!!!!!!!!! not FRANK (wink).
laz57

[laz 57]

OK GUYS heres my hat.

What ya tink?
laz57

[Jim Duda]

Love it! Now I'm REALLY jealous!!!

[ChiefEagles]

Mountain Man!!!! I know you deer hunt with a flint lock.

[TurboOne]

We can call him Lazzie Boone.

He can cut wood, impress women with his stylin' rags, and play trains. LAZ you are the man.

Roger, do you have any pics of Stone Mountain ?

Buckeye, great train, but white stuff, I use cotton on the roof. Fool the neighbors.
by the way I loved your post on garden shop. I in protest mode til hearing back from the PC police. But having you guys show up, and plug the deleted TurboTim, it is great. Thanks to all. We will show them how to communicate, coffee style.
[8D] [8D] [8D] [8D]

Gotta give up the computer, 6 year old has been great today, his reward, something called Neopets.

Take care all,

Tim

[Anonymous]

Well, I cant escape it... Im sick again, Thats why Im on here at 6 AM [V]

Hopfully Ill get some more sleep.

--Chris

[nitroboy]

Good morning all. a cool 27degrees here in Columbus this morning. I will be leaving on work related training class today for two weeks in Chicago. Won't have much internet acces while I'm there, so see you all soon. I hope to hit a few train stores and maybe the Great Midwestern Train show in IL on the 13th.