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

[cnw1995]

Cold here. Have to go to church tonight instead of the parent's baseball mtg - my wife is leading some tours 'in character' as Princess Barbie. Should be interesting...
Thanks for the links to the pantagraphs, John. I really appreciate it. Found a fellow who wanted to sell a Corgi Birney he had powered - hurray! Let's see if I can share the photos.
Jim, I like that dream - I'm midway through braces - kid #1 'done' - kid #2 coming up - $5K ea.

[Buckeye Riveter]

Looking forward to Chief's trip to Buckeyeland this weekend. We have the snow and cold wind maching working full force today in honor of his visit. I hope we can sustain this beautiful weather until the weekend.

Last night I discovered a great product to clean new MTH Track with the blackened rail. The 3M Company (a true frozen north establishment ) sells an ALL PURPOSE SANDING SPONGE. I purchased the medium course sponge at Home Depot for a little over $2.00 and with only a few passes it shines that middle rail. The electrical conductivity increased profoundly. The only residue was the black powder from the middle rail. I think it would be possible to put some GOO GONE on the sponge and use it wet for a real good cleaning. I want to see if I can attach it to a long handle to clean the Garden Layout later this spring.

I think it would be possible to make a track cleaning car incorporating this sponge.

[dbaker48]

Good morning! Still cold in So. Cal, gets down to 40's at night up to 60 in days, we can't handle this!

Some great news to pass on....
In the efforts to put a 400 sq ft addition over the garage for trains, we met with the General Contractor yesterday. And reviewed the archetecticts plans. They were great! The wet bar is included, yeah!!! Now the plans go to the structural engineer for details and code requirements. Then to the city planning for approval. Still looking at a Sept/Oct completion. Still working on layout planning. Actually Iam getting proficient with the Track Planning software.

Best to all!

Next week going down to San Diego musem and visit Dougdagrump.

[ChiefEagles]

Morning. It finally rained a little shower about 10 minutes ago. The big front fell apart when it got to NC. Still cloudy so maybe we will get some more before it turns fair. All that dust did not help my sinuses. Actually was asleep and the big city of Raleigh's Mayor calls me and the little town of Roseyville stood up to him and told him NO. Lightning did not strike me. [;)] Then he made a threatening statement and I told him to bring it on and we would fight him in the news media. He then called for another meeting. Told him his representative was the problem the last meeting lasted 3 hours with Roseyville and the County coming to an agreement and Raleigh not being a part of that agreement. Gave me his direct number if we wanted to talk more. Let him "stew" a little. David and Goliath! Got kitties to feed as neighbor's Dad died and she is gone. Later

[gizmodawg_55]

Hi all,
From N.E Ohio, big drop in the temp. here from yesterday.. Was snowing looked like a whiteout this morning for awhile... I want to change my layout........ any ideas on a design would be great !! Looking forward to the Lakeland show ... Hope to see some of you guys......
Have a good day all........ later.......

[Roger Bielen]

Thanks Chief and Dr. John for reminding me of another tack I have to add to the outdoor to do list, cut back the Liriope. For me its not as easy as using the weed whacker, the Liriope abuts the blue rug juniper and unless I get down on my hands and knees an cut it with a serrated knife it makes a mess.

Big change in temperature here also, cooler now than it was at 5:30 this morning and should get cooler.

Think I'll take this afternoon for rest and lie in a nice hot tub, the muscles are stiff and sore from the outdoor work over the past few days. Of course running the trains a bit later is also in the plans.

[Blueberryhill RR]

[code]Good Afternoon from Blueberryhill[/code]
Been trying all morning to post here. No preview.
All is ok here.

[Anonymous]

I am sorry about your Berk laz.

[ChiefEagles]

Roseyville business on the phone has killed my whole day. [V] Need to be on the tractor disking and using bottom plow. Garden needs to get ready. Waiting for one more call. Got meeting tomorrow afternoon so shoots that afternoon. Seems staying home does not help me get caught up anyway. Maybe I should move to GA or AL and hide. [;)]

[Brutus]

Doug - Ouch! I feel your pain on the ortho work! My boy needs some kind of stretcher so his adult teeth all come in straight or something. I hope he won't need braces too! Luckily my girl has great teeth! I offered to pull my wife's out for her, but she said no for some reason.[}:)]

Chief - sounds like a real tussle, what's it all about?

[tmcc man]

Good afternoon everyone,
Well, once again, I have no homework, but will still review math. Talk to you later.


TMCC

[Blueberryhill RR]

Blueberryhill is back
Storms really wiped out a lot of Internet time.
TOM...This FRIDAY is covered. Columbus to Wheeling. Ohio is safe.
Buckeye...Your track cleaner sounds good. High track voltage may attract more.
Well, very windy. Cold. No snow.
Y'all have a nice day,
Chuck

[Anonymous]

Good afternoon from W. Michigan. Today was quite a contrast compared to yesterday. Yesterday I didnt need a coat and today I needed one and the hat. My day started at 5am, had a pickup out in the Detroit area to bring back to GR. Lots of accidents on the interstate this morning (wet icy roads and some snow). My highlight of the day though was making the visit to the Lionel headquarters in Chesterfield. Then going back to GR, I had to contend with a 3 mile backup on westbound 96 near Lansing because of a major accident that had occured. Of course what I saw next made the stupidest driver of the day list.

While waiting to get through the backup, a small car driver or "4-wheeler" (trucker terms) tried to pass on the left shoulder, then tried to cross the median to go on the eastbound side of the highway. Trouble was, after the heavy rains we had over the weekend, the medians were muddy, wet and icy in parts. So this driver tried to cross the median going up on the small hill but, she could not make it up. Then she tried to back up to get back on the westbound side but she ended up getting stuck right in the middle of the median, and her front wheels had no traction at all so it was obvious she had front wheel drive. She even got out and tried to pu***he car but you know it wasnt going anywhere stuck in that spot.

Now if anyone had any common sense, one should know better than to try to cross a very muddy and icy median with a slight hill on both sides. Needless to say I just looked in disbelief. One thing's for sure, the roads out here have an infinite supply of idiots out here.

Eventually the highway was reopened again, and I continued to finish my run. Tomorrow its back to Lombard IL for another run.

Chris

[Roger Bielen]

Spent some time this afternoon planting weeds and brush along a barren section of track. Maybe tomorrow I'll go back and add a few small trees. If I go full size with the trees it'll block the view of the trailer park.

I've been looking for one or two, resonibly priced, 50's vintage tractor trailer rigs and have been having no luck. There's tons in 1/64 and smaller but nil in 1/50, especially 1/43. Anyone have any suggestions where to look? I've tried Diecast Direct, Asheville diecast, and a couple of others.

[csxt30]

Good Evening Everyone !
Doug : nice trolley you have there !
Chuck : How's the laptop doing ? That sounds like a nice peace of equipment !!
Well, glad I got an ok report from the Doctors' today after work. I kept cancelling the appointments till I had to go again, cause my perscription ran out ! Though I only take one pill a day for the blood pressure. Just a water pill, so everything here is ok for a while !
What a day at work today, a blizzard off & on, but still no accumulation ! I know Buckeye is excited with the Chief coming & all this weekend, & if they get a good foot of snow or more, they will really have a good time !! [:D][:D]
Oh, Chris ! Nice trip you had today to Headquarters and nice pictures, too !! [:)]
Hope everyone has a nice evening !
Thanks,

[tmcc man]

I was shocked when I saw this topic. Thank God the crew wasn't hurt.

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=60772

[Blueberryhill RR]

HEY JOHN, ( csxt30 )
This laptop works great.
Glad you are doing better. I'm doing better.
Drop me an e-mail.
Chuck

[Anonymous]

HAPPY PIE DAY!!!!
Today is national PIE DAY!!! you know, PIE DAY. Here ill spell it out for ya, 3(month)14(day)
which means 3.14 and at 1:59 pm wich came into: 3.14159 then an extra 26 seconds and a half: 3.141595!!![:D][:D] We celabrated it in math class to day. 3 kids brough pie in for each period.. I had choco. cream[:p] Yummy. Also at 1:59 pm in homeroom the announcements came up and said HAPPY PIE day. Any way, just saying hi,umm. I dont suppose anyone read this nonsense. ANy way here is the next sign of bieng 40!
"Its only unethical if you get cuaght"[%-)] o well, ill laugh[(-D]
[2c]

[Anonymous]

Hello all in the POT.
CSXT 30 they needed you out in KS on UP.
does UP still have timber tressels?
looks like they have one less now.
have a great day.
good evening all

Ns Trackman,
MP N-369

[laz 57]

HEY YEAH Happy Pie Day our kidos had t shirts made up with Pie on it 3.145678901234567.
Trying to get BROWNIE points with the Math Dept.
Didn't work with the wood shop dept.
Got a laugh out of it.
laz57

[csxt30]

NS :that's right, the Car Dept. will clean it all up, then you can slam some ties down & a little rail, then have your 3 day weekends !! [:D][:D] Are you headed up for the show train yet ? I told everybody you were coming !! [:D][:D]
Thanks,

[mickey4479]

Had fun day volunteering to help build a house for Habitat. Weather was perfect for out door work. Sunny and about 60. My age showed today. I need a 12 hour nap so I can return Wed.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by laz 57

HEY YEAH Happy Pie Day our kidos had t shirts made up with Pie on it 3.145678901234567.
Trying to get BROWNIE points with the Math Dept.
Didn't work with the wood shop dept.
Got a laugh out of it.
laz57

Well, some one read it![:D][:D]
Thaaaank you lol
Happy ides of march!

[pbjwilson]

TrainMaster,

Check out Lombard Hobbies in Lombard, IL. I havent been there but I know a guy who is big into N gauge and he says its a gfreat hobby shop. Its on St Charles Rd. You can google it for directions. Good luck.

[dwiemer]

Evening all,
Hey Roger, I found a few Corgi models of B-model Mack trucks in 1/50 at Tuesday Morning a few months ago. I have had most of my success in trucks there. I got several fire trucks, including the old arial ladder with open cab that normally sells for $50, I got it for $20, then I purchased a flatbed tractor trailer (B- Mack), with a billboard with US flag and patriotic themes. I also got a few PRR and NYC rack trucks and a bus. I hope this helps.
Chief, have a safe trip into hostile territory. I know you can handle a few Yankees, but remember, they are sneaky. Whatever you do, you can look at the layout, but don't let them sign you up for that society. Take care and have a safe trip.
Steve (gilfinn) still keeping you in our prayers buddy. Hang in there. I am sure it is tough and would never think I have an idea what you are going through, but know that you have plenty of folks praying for you to someone who does know. Be strong. I noticed that you mentioned packing up the trains, you might want to find a way to have a few on a small layout. Just something to distract you and let you be yourself. Please keep us informed.
Dennis

[jefelectric]

Hello All,

Weather here is the same as Laz's, going down hill fast. Thought it was going to blow the greenhouse away with me in it this afternoon about 4:00. Worked today (6 hours is my normal retired work day).

The full view display cases I had ordered came today. I recruited two grandsons to help install them. I really like these cases but they are hard to photograph because they have mirrored backs.

Here they are. The old ones have trains in them, The new ones are empty.

[ChiefEagles]

Someone above asked what is going on in Roseyville:
Annexing into the future watersupply waterhed. Thus adding a waterline not sewer. By using septic, we are actually "recharging" the water back into the ground and thus it will be resued by Raleigh [who furnishes the towns' water and sewer]. We are proposing and agreement with Wake Co., Raleigh and Roseyville to actually increase the lot sizes, reduce impervious surface, increase stream buffers from 100' to 200' and so on. The City of Raleigh [Goliath] is trying to stop us as they want to rule the world. They have not legal agreement with Roseyville like they with the other towns in watersupply watersheds in Wake Co. They've tried threats and etc. Now they have called the TV media. Well, I have been the lead to get this agreement and the County says OK. Raleigh has said, NO! Until now. Now is too late. Roseyville [David] has its smooth little stones and aimed for between the eyes. Raleigh's Mayor called me this AM and tried to get me to delay annexation and I told him his folks did not want to agree with anything. They had their chance at the meeting last week. He's not use to folks saying NO to him. [}:)] I'll call him tomorrow AM and we will talk some more. Think he has learned who is calling the shots [little old me without a law degree]. So, now everyone knows what the devil has been going on with my meetings with County and City Officials [as well as phone calls at home and to my cell on the road].

Now, out in the evening on tractor disking and bottom plowing the garden [which should have been done during the day]. Finished just before I had to turn lights on.
I'm dead!!! That bottom plow is heavy equipment to drag around and attach to the tractor. Then put back under shed [stored for another year].

Did run some trains while waiting for some calls from County Officials today. [:)] Not all lost.

More on the Roseyville soga tomorrow. Good night and sleep tight. God bless.

[jefelectric]

Chief, Sounds like you really go at it for a bypass survivor. Been there and done that & don't want to do it again, if I can help it. Maybe you should slow down a little.

Doug, Love that Birney, wish I had the space for a little trolley loop.

[dwiemer]

One last post before heading to sleep. The weather took a turn for the cooler side today. After a short rainstorm, we dropped to the mid 70's and tonight we will be heading to the 40's. I think it is perfect shorts temps, but my bride wants coats and long pants.

Kieth, I need to find a photo/diagram of a 1689E so that I can compare for the parts I need. Or, I could photograph what I have and see if you can figure it out. I went to Olsen's but the diagrams for the 1689E did not show up, just a parts list. Anyway, if you know of where I can see one, I can get back to you with the complete list. Thanks for all your help.

Chief, our whole state is going to the higher standard on water easments and we have plenty of stories about Goliath (Atlanta) trying to bully other towns while they are in constant violation of raw sewage being spilled into the Chattahoochee River. We live in an area that is surrounded by farms and have plenty of water as the table is high. Of course the state has now required all farm wells to have meters, they say to monitor total water shed usage for agriculture, but how long do you think it will be before they start charging/taxing on well water? Anyway, good luck and remember, the media goes both ways.
Have a good night,
Dennis

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by pbjwilson

TrainMaster,

Check out Lombard Hobbies in Lombard, IL. I havent been there but I know a guy who is big into N gauge and he says its a gfreat hobby shop. Its on St Charles Rd. You can google it for directions. Good luck.

If time allows, I will try to check it out. Thanks for the info!

Chris