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

[jonadel]

It's girls night out so I decided to take in War of The World's. Lot's of action and tense moments, whatever you do----don't be a passenger on the train.

Jon[:D]

[cnw1995]

Good shot, David. Had fun at the game: good seats, got rid of my extra seat which paid for a beer and pop. Even though I'm not the greatest of Cub fans, they won a close one in the bottom of the 9th and Wood pitched well, even with a no decision. Afterwards, walked a long way to a shop on Belmont called Uncle Fun's - a kind of kitschy toy store - but with a ton of tinplate toys - picked up four wind-up cars for $6 - that was the highlight of the day (in addition to being with my boy and my brother).

[ChiefEagles]

Morning gang. Tom sleeping late [don't blame him]. Off to down east to mom's for pork bar-be-que, fried chicken, chicken pastery, collards and sweet ice tea. [dinner] [:D] Real heart diet. [;)] Wife getting ready for the Fourth of July hot dogs and hamburgers with friends coming over. Town has BIG [no joke] fireworks display in park. We all go to our back fence and look across the field at them. Better than going to the park and getting into over 1,000 folks. My guests usually wait for a while as it takes over an hour for traffic to clear. Bet Buckeye can not round up that may folks in that little town he lives in [truth is he does not live in Columbus [;)]]. Have a great day and God bless all.

[FJ and G]

Did you all hear about that 660 pound catfish caught in Thailand. It is the largest freshwater fish ever caught. Was in all the newspapers this morning. I think you might lose your arm if you try noodling one of those.

[spankybird]

Good Morning All from NE Ohio

where the temp is 77 and going to 92 with mostly Blue Clear Sky’s

Chief – It’s nice not to have to rush off and drive across town to work. So we don’t turn the computer on first thing. It’s second on the list.

Dave – sounds like a great fish fry.

I got a call from John (csxt30) last night. We had a car – train collision in the area last night. The car drove around the gates after the engine passed and drove into – under the train. The engineer didn’t even know about it. As the train passed other crossing, people were calling 911 to report it. The train dragged the car for 8 miles before stopping. Sadly to say, the driver of the car lost her life. John had to jack up the train car to remove the auto.

Pick of the Day

Downtown on a warm summer night

All be safe
tom

[jonadel]

Doug,

Glad you enjoyed the game and the Cubs did somehow pull one out. Wood's did pitch well but then there's that bull pen that tends to give things away. I watched for you on TV but didn't see you, I always turn the TV sound off and listen to Ron & Pat on the radio, they are the best. I would probably have to agree that the toy shop was the best part of the day, a great way to end a day with your son. I rarely miss a Cub's broadcast but I still think watching it in the comfort of a/c and no crowds has it's benefit! Certainly more affordable[:D]

Chief-- I don't know how you control your temper at Town meetings, common sense and good manners tend to vanish in the heat of emotional debate. So far I've kept my mouth closed when I attend Regional Airport meetings, some do not and it's kind of sad and embarassing. That's what I like about trains and dog's, they appreciate your attention and are always happy to see you no matter what[:)] They are good therapy, most of the time.

Have a Great Day everyone!

Jon

[wrmcclellan]

Spanky - greta photo today as usual.

Chief - We went to a downtown Dallas fireworks display a few years ago, 250,000+ people there. All day concerts, etc. Talk about crowded. Took 3 hours to get home on the local light rail. They did not anticipate the crowd. The light rail folks got fried in the media the next day.

Dave - add BB to that shot for the on-line service!

Doud d'G - Just a few miles more west from where we were and all you see are mesquite trees (shrubs to you guys) and tumbleweeds. Lots if live oaks in our camp area. But here they grow to about 25 feet tall - stay close to the ground to protect the roots from the heat I think.

Doug - sounds like great fun.

Jon - my son and I will go see War of the Worlds when we return from vacation. Sounds like it was good.

Iron Hoarse - how's the layout coming?

Have a great week all - off to Tenn in a couple of hours! See you guys in a week or so!
Roy

[FJ and G]

For those of you interested in the Civil War (like NC vs Ohio for instance), my web team and I just finished doing a Gettysburg microsite. See it at www.army.mil. It is up now thru the weekend. I did the writing portions.

[cnw1995]

David, this is a great site. We're doing the ACW with the kids later this year - still homeschooling the younger ones - and plan to use it as a resource. I have an old paper-based wargame with a huge map of the battlefield we'll use too. Well done.

Jon, it was interesting to see Wood changed his mechanics quite a bit - more leg kick held down wildness. Off to rent a power-washer...

[1688torpedo]

Hello Everyone! Dave,You forgot to post a Picture of BB in your profile.No doubt that would help you find someone.Especially if they like Beagles.The 660lb Catfish will sure make a huge Fishfry over in Thailand.Take care.

[laz 57]

HI GIZ,
WE got a quarter inch o rain last nite. Hey even a little bit helps hope we get more today.
Golf later today to see if I get back on winning side.
Played with trains yesterday had 3 Williams NS a GP38 and the two SD80s pulling a coal drag of 18 cars all ran good. Maybe go hang out at train store tomorrow to see whats new that came in.
DAVE V. you STUD MUFFIN go get those CHICKIES.

HAPPY FRIDAY EVE ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stay COOL?
laz57

[jonadel]

David,

What an amazing site, thank you for the head's up, VERY interesting.

Jon

[Anonymous]

Good morning, everyone!

Picked up my report card yesterday and did great. After picking up our report cards in the morning, most my class headed to the house of one of my classmates where she had a year-end farewell party. Good times.

I'm counting down the minutes until I begin my trip. I watched Narrow Margin last night and am going to watch Silver Streak tonight to get in the mood (both movies were filmed on The Canadian). Tomorrow, after lunch, I will be heading for Saskatoon, where I will be spending the night. By the way, tomorrow also happens to be Canada Day. On Saturday, I leave Saskatoon and get to Edmonton. I plan on checking out some antique malls that day before I leave. The best one in Edmonton is the Old Strathcona Antique Mall. It's a great place to find trains (but you have to look around for them) and the last time I was there, I came home with a pile of stuff. Hopefully this year will be as good. There's also the Rocky Mountain Antique Mall, which is a cool place to look around in, but not very good for trains. It's really close to the OSAM, so I'll probablly check it out if time permits. The Canadian departs Edmonton at 6:20. It will arrive in Winnipeg at 11:20 Mantioba time (10:20 my time). In Winnpeg, I'm going to check out and photograph the yards of the Greater Winnipeg Water District Railway. This is a short line that uses Alco S-2 switchers and other vintage equipment painted in a sharp red and white paint scheme. It's embarrassing to admit, but I only found out about this line recently. It seems to be Winnipeg's best kept secret. There's very limited information out there about it and you never hear or read anything about it. I'll let you guys know how it all went on Sunday or Monday after I get back.

[csxt30]

Hi everyone. finally got computer straightened out after not being able to sign in for a couple days, But cleaned files & all like Tom said to do, and all works well now! Thanks Tom, that did it. Also those train car accidents are utterly the most hated jobs we sometimes have to do on the RR. [V] Those images just stick with you seemingly forever. Anyway hope going to the drag races tomorrow evening, as I promised my boy will help. Actually they're having the JETS, & should be pretty neat in the evening & dark. Gonna dig out my earplugs. Well, remember to all my friends here, to be safe this 4th of July weekend & especially at rail crossings. Thanks, John

[ChiefEagles]

Jsut back from Mom's. Yes, we ate the buffet. GOOOOOOD She had 3 1/2 inches of rain down there yesterday morning and night before. Came back with fresh corn and potatoes. They are about three weeks ahead of us in crops. No trains to speak of. I have not been by the big switching yard of the CSX in Rocky Mount NC. That was the past big train shops for the ACL. Did cross the double line from Rocky Mount to Wison NC where the CSX and Amtac run from DC to FL. As a kid and teenager, use to sit at crossing [manned when I was a kid, gates later] and watch long trains going north with reefers of Fruit Growers Express and then empties going south. Wish we had digital camera back then. Later

[IronHoarse]

Roy, the layout is going to be going slowly for the foreseeable future. All or most of my train funds for this year are going to be used for the purchase of another train, Keystone or Black Diamond, and a few more pieces of track. Hopefully my next purchase will be sometime in July. I will post some pictures as soon as I get the new items.

Hope everyone has had a good day and has a great evening.

[ChiefEagles]

Good night. Got County Task Force meetings from 11:30 AM until ????, tomorrow. Ironhorse, get the Black Diamond set. Roger, Dr. John, Buckeye and Dougsnotagrump ???? God bless all.

[spankybird]

Good Morning All from NE Ohio

where the temp is 71 and going to 82 with Blue Clear Sky’s

IronHoarse – Bet you will have your layout done before Chief starts his bench work.

Sask – good luck on your trip, take a lot of pics

Csxt30 John, glad you are back up and running

Dave – I believe Keith has a good idea, add BB to your pic. My wife tells me that she fell in love with my dog before she fell for me.

Keith – do you have any trains for sell at your yard sell, we will be stopping by later to check it out.


Pick of the Day

Relaxing at the depot

All be safe
tom

[cnw1995]

A beautful day here - cool this morning, birds singing, etc. Opened the windows for the first time in weeks - nice way to begin July. I decided to take today off. I've big plans to clean and seal the deck. I think I'll probably end up reading my 'all about toy train wiring' book I got out of the library while sitting in the sun with the youngest whilst everyone else goes to see that Tom Cruise movie - I like that idea better. Have a good day.

[ChiefEagles]

Morning gang. Got County Task Force meetings most of the day. Finished painting and decaling the GP7/9. Buckeye will have a fit. Changed it from B&O to NS. [:)] Now I think I will order a Beep Commander kit for it. TAS says they have a full Command/Sounds kit taht will fit inside. Also one for my U36B. About three times the price. [:0] Rather hot and humid here. Guess this is a holiday weekend. I'm always on holiday. [:D] Dr. John must really be tied up with Bible School. No word from him. The heat must have hit PETim as he is quite too. Have a good one and God bless all.

[Dr. John]

Good morning from Alabama!

Vacation Bible School wraps up today - it's been a good week. Off to the bank after lunch to get some Bolivars for my son's trip to Venezuela. Then furniture shopping with the wife (new dining table). I need time to sneak off and buy her birthday present for July 5[bday].

We'll be on Lake Martin on July 4 at my bro-in-law's lake house.[8D] Looking forward to ribs and Boston butt and homemade ice cream! [dinner] Kids will take out the Wave Runner and Jet Ski while I sit in the shade and do some fishing. Lake is down so fishing will be iffy. Have a great Independence Day everyone!

[laz 57]

HI GIZ,
Still HOT and Humid here AGAIN. Suppose to break today?
Shot a dismal 47 last night as did my brother, it was hot as H*** out there so we didn't have a playoff hole went and drank beer instead. Ahh tasted good!!!!!!!!!!!!
Have a good one.
Stay COOL?
laz57

[IronHoarse]

The grandchildren will be here tomorrow. The wife is out picking up extra food for the weekend. It is cool right now but is supposed to warm up by Sunday.
Chief, The Black Diamond is the set I'll get. It looks like a good deal for $415. The Keystone is my second choice. The Pickering Lumber Heisler is the one that I really would like but I can't see spending that much for an engine right now

[Roger Bielen]

One word for the weather yesterday and today

HOT!

.

Started cutting grass yesterday afternoon but hands started cramping after about 1 hr, with me its a sign of dehydration. I had to do a repair on the lawn tractor before starting and guess I lost more fluid than I thought. I'll wait till after supper to finish up today.

Repaired the light on my GP9, it was the bulb, but an odd behavior, the filiment was evidently broken just enough that it would sometimes make contact and light.

Have a safe weekend all.

[cnw1995]

Much cooler today - trying not to curse whilst I figure out how to put a hand-me-down child seat on a bike. Everyone except my 3 year old pal off to the movies. Forgetting about the deck and about to go run trains together...

[FJ and G]

I changed my toy train trackplan at work to a large L shape and added a "trestle" using stacks of post-it notes. I'm running the train as we speak.

Also, I got one hit on my match.com, a young 32-year-old babe down in Houston, Texas. I sent her an email back and hope to get something going.

I feel terrible now that I can't run the hound near my house, but we've got a big backyard and we can play there. Just ain't the same though, as a hound is bred to chase rabbits.

Have a nice 4th of July weekend!

[cnw1995]

David, that's too bad for BB - you just have to turn the backyard into a sort of hunting obstacle course for her.

[laz 57]

IRONHORSE, you are going to enjoy the Black Diamond set. I got mine about a month ago and it runs great. You can'y beat it with the price and it is in O gauge with fast track and transformer a real steal. ENJOY!
DAVE V> maybe if you hook up with that bunny down in TEXASS you can take BB down there to hunt those big jackrabbits?
laz57

[ChiefEagles]

Dave, no joke, send me the Mayor's email address. One beagle does not constitute a noise problem. OH BTW, I will be in Ft. Worth on the 15th thru the 18 [AM]. Tell her to drive up during that time and I'll check her out for you. [;)][:-^]

[Dr. John]

Dave, when you can let BB do some roaming and rabbit hunting, watch out for snakes! Our older dachshund, Misty, was bitten by some sort of snake this morning in the wooded portion of our property. Probably either a rattlesnake or copperhead. Got her to the vet and she's doing pretty good but she looks more like a schnauzer than a dachshund right now with all of the swelling. You can see the fang marks right above her right eye. Vet gave her fluids and anti-venom plus a pain killer. He said July is a bad month for snakes, at least in our part of the country, as it is their mating season and they tend to be more aggressive than usual. That, plus the hot weather. Vet said he has treated one beagle in the area so many times that it is now immune to snake bites!