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

[dougdagrump]

Mornin All !
Laz, Did your Mom bring rain with her to Escondido? About 7:30 last nite it started sprinkiling rite in the middle of "Cruise Nite", you should have seen the cars leaving so they wouldn't be out in the rain. To bad so many left, there were some real stunners out and about.
Time to go finish unpacking and cleaning the trains from yesterdays run.

[ChiefEagles]

Just got back from "Miss Edna's". Got three new NS hopper cars [Lionel]. She says more coming next week. Will have more hopper cars than any railroad. Got a free older issue of Trains with CN featured. Lots of pictures of the Zebra Striped engines. [:D] Can not find the horses that like to ride on the pond spillway. When I came back, little kids went to running from the pond. Went to their house and told them we still ahd the same agreement as last year. They can fish but have to pickup the trash. They smiled big time. Well, hot dog time and then put a touch of synthetic oil on axle ends of new cars. Later.

[Dr. John]

*Whew* It turned out to be a WARM day today. Clear skies with a LOT of sunshine. Good thing I was wearing a ball cap outdoors or the top of my head would have fried. Had a nice afternoon at Pratt Park by Autauga Creek. Our youth group from the church put on a concert and puppet show. Lots of families came out to enjoy the day. Some went fishing at the pond at the park - a few bream and white perch were pulled in. We had hot dogs, hamburgers, snow cones, pizza, popcorn - the usual health food. Kinda tired and fixing to kick back in the recliner a while. See ya!

[cnw1995]

Wow, those cars photograph nice, Tom. I think Randy'll feel at home - the main church seats 8,000. We're more part of a regional plant about 35 miles away - we use their video but everything else is live - we meet at the high school.

Roy, how's your daughter's knee? Greg - you sure sound handy - can't let my wife read this in case she gets ideas. I spent much of the afternoon trying to put together a gas grill in the front yard with the help of the 2 yr. old.

[Anonymous]

Good Evening,

I've come back from the Moose Jaw train show. It was quite good this year and the tree guy didn't show up! I came home with a selection of Lionel and Marx postwar rolling stock that I picked up dirt cheap, plus some other stuff. I found a couple of books that I've been looking for some time, too.

A friend of mine gave me information about a train show that is going to be held in Melville on August 6, as part of the city's events to celebrate Saskatchewan's centennial. Melville is a big railroad town and home to a large CN yard and is quite close to where I live. I plan on exhibiting at the show myself (it will be the first time I've done so). I'm going to have a layout built on two 4' x 8' sheets of plywood. I will have one or two (depending on how things work for the space I need) loops of track running along the outside edge. Inside, I will have a set of "steps" displaying a variety of different prewar and postwar toy trains.

The weather is crazy here. Less than two weeks ago, it was really cold and there was lots of snow. Now, it's really warm and almost all of the snow is gone. In fact, yesterday, a small town in Saskatchewan (I can't remember the name, someplace I've never heard of) was the warmest place in Canada!

[laz 57]

Hi GIZ,
Got the ponds cleaned out and helped wife plant primrose and pantsy. Ran trains then watched the movie Van Hellsing pretty good little stale at parts but not bad for amonster movie.
laz57

[Anonymous]

Still alive and kicking here in the hinterlands. Not much time for the pot lately, too much work. Trying to fini***he cop shop by the 1st of May, then on to other jobs already scheduled. Trying to work a lot and take off next Dec. and Jan. Oh well the joys of being self employed.
Still waiting on the TMCC from Digital to do the engine conversions. All have a good week.....Tim

[ChiefEagles]

Morning. Off to early Church and Sunday School. Sunny and cool. Warming fast they say. Might do a little fishing this PM. God bless all.

[Roger Bielen]

Cough, Cough! I was breaking in my new 0-8-0 last night, it'll realy fill the room with smoke, guess I'll have to start opening a window, especially if I run two steamers. If we think the current fan driven smoke units put out, after seeing the Lionel demo Fri., anyone getting the next generation of smoke unit, first due in the N&W "J" unit, had better get a gas mask.

Looks like its going to be a beautiful day here today, I'll probably spend the morning cutting grass then the afternoon watching NASCAR and leave the trains till evening. I'm in the same boat as Dr. John, I better wear a hat while working outdoors, sunburn on top isn't too comfortable.

[spankybird]

Good Morning All,

NE Ohio is again blessed with

Blue Clear Skys

with temp at 52 and going up to mid 70’s. What a great day for a birthday.

If you have the ‘Need for Speed’, the NHRA is on tonight, ESPN2 at 7:00pm est, and yes Dave, ‘The Army of One’ qualified number one again. (check it out at www.nhra.com )

With this warm weather we will have to start cutting the grass, and last weekend we had 8” of snow. What a spring!!!!

Don’t forget Sunday Photo Fun.

All be safe
tom

[FJ and G]

Ditto on the neat picture, Mark.

Spent entire day yesterday defraging, cleaning disks, etc etc as well as downloading stinger and ad-aware. Much improved computer and esp. grateful for all of your help.

Didn't get anything done on the layout as outside buying mulch and starting the garden and flowers and watching the ladies mowing.

TOday, more of the same, trying to now clean up D drive as finished C. D is much smaller to do.

Reg. those nasty popup ads I had before downloading all these free cleaners, some of them are from very recognizeable companies; didn't know it was legal for them to put adware on people's computers like that.

-----------------

WOuld like to continue discussions reg. the digital camera.

I misspoke by saying NEVER to use your flash. THere are times when even the puny flash on the camera will improve pictures in CERTAIN occasions.

e.g.;

When you are outside taking nature pictures (or even train pictures), oftentimes, your most creative shots will be with the sun facing you; which flies in the face of intuitive picture taking.

THe results will be a silhouette and the person or train will be a dark spot.

THis is where a handy-dandy strobe on the dial setting comes in handy. Pull out your owner's manual to find it. The strobe will come on even in very bright sunlight conditions and will fire, filling in the foreground detail to avoid the silhouette effect.

In camera tech parlance, it is known as "fill flash." And surprisingly, even the inexpensive digital camera has it!

There may be a few other occasions you would want to use the flash; for example, to stop the action of a hi-speed object that otherwise would blur.

But as a general rule; avoid using the flash and keep in mind there are exceptions to the rule.

Instead, get yourself a good tripod or sufficiently light the area you are shooting.

I'm sure there will be more and more to discover with the digital camera and I would encourage you when you post a really nice photo, to describe how you went about taking the shot; e.g., tripod, types of lighting, camera settings, etc etc.

That way, we all can share in the learning experience and improve our photo taking and enjoyment of the hobby.

Again, also, thanks for your help in digital cameras as I was learning to use them and also for the computer help. I sense others have gone thru some of the frustration I have and have happily found solutions.

[ChiefEagles]

Back home. Now off to take wife to Lowe's for some things for her projects. Then of to the pond to FISH. [:D]

[underworld]

Only about 55 here this morning but going up to 70!!!!! Going out in a bit to get some things done on the car. [:D]

underworld

[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

[Dr. John]

A quick "hello!" between worship services. AC not working on one of the hallways at church. Not good when it's brand new!

Beautiful day in central Alabama - hope yours in blessed!

[Roger Bielen]

Just finished cutting the grass, only 2 1/2 hours this week. With all the pollen in the air came in with the sinuses throbbing guess I'll pop a couple of pills sit back and watch, a.k.a. nap, the race this afternoon.

[bogaziddy]

Guh' Morning All:

High thin overcast this morning with temps in the high 40's. Probably will warm up to the mid 50's today. Snow that fell day before yesterday is all gone. Took Hoppy up on the mountain so he could play in the snow. He loved it ! Got some pictures of him but haven't downloaded them to my computer yet.

Goin' railfanning later today and tomorrow over at Sand Pass, Nevada. You can see approaching westbound trains that are 30 or so miles away through the clear desert air as they make their way imperceptably toward your location ( even though they're making 50 to 60 m.p.h. ) Out in the middle of nowhere is where I like to watch trains. Seems like they have more of a purpose as they ply their way from horizon to horizon. Will take the digital still camera but it will primarily be a videography trip. Aaaah!, I love the smell of desert sage in the morning! ... ( Hoppy gets to go on this trip )

Will check back as soon as I return ( then to Las Vegas next week for the Nat'l. Assn.of Broadcasters convention and an overnight campout in Death Valley Nat'l. Park on the way back home ... Hoppy has to stay home for this trip ).

Enjoy your Sunday afternoon and evening guys ... all for now,

[Buckeye Riveter]

Spent the weekend in Amish Country. Spring has finally arrived in Ohio with the new born animals trying out their legs in the pastures. Of course the baked goods abound, but it is still too early for all the fresh vegatables and fruits.

As Tom said, last week we had 2-3 inches of snow and now it is in the high 70s today. Friday before we left, I cut the grass. [:0]

Isn't it sad how the Chief buys fi***o put in his pond so he can say he went fishing. [8D] Up north where Sack lives they don't buy any fish. In fact there are some huge fish in Saskatchewan. Fifty inch pike would east those bluegills in the Chief's pond by the dozen.

[GregM]

Buckeye, Amish country as in Sugarcreek? Thats not to far from me.

I am really tired. Put second coat of paint on bathroom walls this morning. Then had to clean gas grill racks. Have this thing about using without cleaning after it sat all winter. No telling what crawled across them. All that to cook three hot dogs, Am I nuts. Don't answer that!

Then I got the bright idea to put the dethatcher behind the lawn tractor and dethatch the front lawn. Then raked up all the dead grass. Hands hurt from holding the rake. Rested by riding the lawn tractor to cut back yard. Wife cooked dinner (supper for Chief) on grill. After eating finished up by cutting front yard with new self-propelled mower. It has a bag. Old push mower is a mulcher. Need to go to work tomorrow to rest. Watching NHRA now.

Oh, almost forgot. I wore a hat and still got sun burned ears, neck and arms.

[Buckeye Riveter]

QUOTE: Originally posted by GregM

Buckeye, Amish country as in Sugarcreek? Thats not to far from me.

Yes. I also visited the train store in Sugarcreek. I do believe Sugarcreek's tourist business is been visibly hurt by the loss of the Ohio Central's Steam Train. Berlin is booming while Sugar Creek is rolling up the sidewalks.

We always buy cheese at Henies north of Berlin and save it for the big Canadian Fishing Trip in May. This time we stayed at a B&B south of Charm. I also like the harness shop in Charm for boots, shoes and belts, but this time bought two new shirts on sale. We did not make it to Lehman's Hardward http://www.lehmans.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=495&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=860&iSubCat=865&iProductID=495 this time, but that is where I have purchased over the years the tin signs on the roof of the train room.

[GregM]

We have been to Lehman's once or twice but quite a while ago. They had a pretty good selection of LGB as I remember.

Rode the train in Sugarcreek once. Last time we went there it was to go to Andreas furniture store. Karen really likes that place. Dropped some coin there a few times. Had our own salesman, he is now retired.

[cnw1995]

What a gorgeous day today - wore shorts for the first time this year - spent the day with the 2 year old - it was neat to get to know him without his older louder siblings around, then picked them up at my brother's house in Chicago. Now off to pick up the daughter at youth group. The older boy actually wanted to put together a plasticville kit (a barn) tonight and I had to beg off - too tired! This is busy week - his birthday and the wife's back-to-back.. Have a good evening!

[Anonymous]

Hello All: Been a beautiful weekend up here 55-60 F, Gasdropped back to 82 cents litre, The public has been hammering the politicians & oil companies with nasty emails & faxes & phone calls all week, that should give us short term releive. Been working on the basement, had to move a few water lines & complete the central vac rough in, hope to be running trains down there by the end of September. Whatever happened to our friend from Holland ? I seen some tulips breaking ground the other day & thought about Him. (Holland sends 1 million tulip bulbs to Canada every year to be planted in Ottawa, a thank you for giving the Royal family refuge during WW2.) Buckeye where are you going Fishing up here ?? Thanks to all for the answers on my Post's re: coupler's & signal bridge Light's. Roy : that is an excellent website ( I can write a thessis now). All have a safe week Kind Regards Steve

[spankybird]

Good Morning All,

NE Ohio had a great weekend weather and looks like another great day for us, just a little cooler.

GregM – you got to love the ‘Shoe’ with ‘The Army of One’ setting another world speed record at 335+ MPH in the standing ¼ mile.

Steve – Dann and his girlfriend have been out on motor bikes, so his trains are in a holding pattern. See what a girl can do to a guy !

Doug – how was Randy Travis[?]


Pick of the Day


all be safe
tom

[ChiefEagles]

Morning. I smell train smoke!!! Oh, just Tom firing up the Monday morning express. Pretty out today so will plant some plants in garden, mow grass and go fishing in pond. Hard life for me. Hope all are well and God bless all.

[FJ and G]

On the cable channel (DMSR or something like that) last night, they had an excellent documentary on the subcultures of the NY subway.

The cameraman managed to follow around 1. a group of taggers; 2. a group of "buffs" and 3. the anti-grafitti task force.

The buffs were girls and boys about 15 or 16 years old, who loved subways and planned out routes they would take; one of which was a marathon ride lasting 2 days and covering every mile of track in the system.

The document their travels with digitalcameras.

The other part woven into the piece was the taggers and the police hired to pursue them. Didn't realize this but these taggers risk jail time to pursue their "hobby," as well as their lives.

These kids are about 15 or 16 year old and seemed very personable. They actually traveled thru the tunnels; nearly getting hit by trains several times at close clearances.

I don't know how they manage to stay alive down there and avoid the 3rd rail and trains and cops, but apparently, it's a huge thrill for them.

The other part of the show was about the last of the Red Bird subways. Showed them loaded aboard barges and getting dumped out at sea where they made nice wildlife habbitats. Pictured turtles, fish and divers going thru the cars. Very well done piece!

[jonadel]

Good Morning,

A great weekend here as well and last night we received a small amount of rain, we really need more and the forecast is for 1-2" during the next few days. Glad we don't live in Denver.

As I think about the next build one of the two things I want to add is a subway system with a reversing loop. I believe to have the subway disappear and then reappear would be visually exciting plus I have that one long area in the east room to make the drop and open up an area under the table for viewing the lower station. By using a reversing loop I could use the same drop for the rise back to table height. The other new thing I would like to add is a helix but I just don't know if I have the room or skills. It's really fun and refreshing to think about the next build and what realistically might work for us now that we've completed our first project, the experience of this first build will help us immensely as now we know what to do and more importantly, what not to do.......sort of!

Have a good day.

Jon

[Dr. John]

Mornin' everybody.

Beautiful day in Prattville! Light breeze and sunshine, just a great spring day.

Still waiting on my Williams GM&O FA-1 and 60' streamliners from Ma & Pa Jct. Hope they arrive today! (Yes, I'm a bit impatient!)

A good day to all!

[cnw1995]

Morning all, Another beautiful day - this being Chicago and April, I wore a coat to work but will probably be carrying it later - I also wore my waterproof shoes because it's supposed to rain later but the weather people have gotten nothing right here the past few weeks. I'm just enjoying it - even the dafodills are peeking out - I love flowers I don't need to care for. I feel sorry for my brother in Colorado Springs. Dr. John, please share what you think of your new FA and streamliners when you get them - I love the GM&O colors. I think they used to run out of Union Station - or was it Dearborn? I know Dearborn (the headhouse is now an office buiding but you can go in) is full of banners of all the roads that used to call there. Tom, Randy Travis was great! He bought his whole band and did like 13 songs - told some jokes - sat for a brief interview about his life and faith with the pastor. With all the services, they figured about 30,000 people saw him.

[wrmcclellan]

Good morming all!

Bust weekend. Spent all day Sunday mowing, cleaning flower beds, cleaning gutters, my wife planted first round of flowers from the church sale, cut down an overgrown Yaupon Holly in the back yard (killed all the grass around it), put debris out front for bulk pickup, 10 39 gal bags of leaves (just from flower beds and gutters).

Spent Sat at soccer and Sears. Bought a new digital camera at Sears. A Canon A400 with printer for $250. The camera does not have the recommended 3X zoom (2.2X - where did they come up with that?), but of the huge slection they had, it performed the best in the store against similar versions of the others I tested (HP, Kodak, Nikon, Fuji, etc.). Poor salesman - lucky things were slow - I was there for 2 hours before buying. Got it home and so far so good. The photos it prints are great. Canon uses a dye-sublimation process and then puts a protective coating on the photo so its durability is about the same as a regular film processed photo. In other words, a drop of water on it does not smear the ink - it leaves a spot much like a regular photo. My wife's cousin has one of these Canon printers and he tested the water spotting. The printer is only about 6" x 8 " and about 3' tall. CAnon even included a carry case/shoulder bag for the whole setup. I will post some photos later when I get time to upload to my server.

Doug, my daughter's knee was given a clean bill of health by her doctor. He even said she could play soccer, but to take ibuprophen before games and ice it down after.

Redhawk - glad you liked the website.

Have a great day all!
Roy

[wrmcclellan]

Uploading files to PC was simple with Windows XP.

Spring is here and our Azaleas are in full bloom. Too bad they only do this for about 2 weeks.





Regards,
Roy