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

[Brutus]

Good afternoon - went to the doctor today and cleared to go back to work tomorrow. Lifting restriction raised from 5 to a range of 30 to 40 pounds. Won't be getting much construction done in the basement for the next month, that's for sure. Still, time to build some more lego buildings for the layout.

Hang in there Chuck, the time goes pretty fast!

[Roger Bielen]

Well my one bag is packed, compared to the wife's three, and we're ready to get on the road in the a.m., hopefully before 7 a.m., for our mission into yankee land. We're going to spend a couple of nights in MD, just outside of Baltimore, with the daughter and crew checking on their activities for the Southern cause. On Friday we'll head into the heart, others will call it another part of the anatomy, of yankee land, New Jersey.

Hopefully I can get at a computer somewhere along the line.

[Blueberryhill RR]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Jim Fortner

Good afternoon - went to the doctor today and cleared to go back to work tomorrow. Lifting restriction raised from 5 to a range of 30 to 40 pounds. Won't be getting much construction done in the basement for the next month, that's for sure. Still, time to build some more lego buildings for the layout.

Hang in there Chuck, the time goes pretty fast!

You, too, Jim. Take it slow too.

[cnw1995]

Greetings from my class' computer lab - my students are all at work so I can check in to the pot. As John mentioned, an unexpected quiet day. Hope you enjoy your evenings.

[Anonymous]

Jim you pouch looks sad to see you return to work.

[wrmcclellan]

Evening all!

Roger - be careful on your trip and have a great time! I'll watch the Chief's back for you - not that he needs any help (or hep as we say down here).

Some chance of T-Storms on the way this evening.

Had live video on the tube here for a while of the regional jet commuter plane in Houston with the blown tires on one side. Did not see what finally happened. Hopefully they landed safely.

Had the final Robotics meeting at the school today. The other teacher and I gave the kids a pizza party and the kids gave us a Chili's gift card as a present. Nice!

Have a great evening all!
Roy

[wrmcclellan]

Catching up - John O - great shot of your boy with that train! Classic...

[ChiefEagles]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jaabat

Chief,

They probably ignore phone numbers with Southern area codes. Get the hint and stop bothering them. They have important Yankee customers to take care of. [:)]

Jim

Got through on the first ring today. Its my secret Rebel spy cell phone that comes up on ID as Yankee. Got the SF27 Box Car. Got another new Lionel bathtub gondola with rotory coupler. $20 new. One of the guys had it and did not want it so he left it with her. Delivered her Pro Mariner charger for her boat. Got drivers license with no problems. No restrictions. We make Yankees sing Dixie, eat two bowls of grits, drink a gallon of sweet ice tea and kiss the Stars and Bars before they get to take the test. [:p][;)] Sure glad the Yank troops are getting well. Has not been fun fighting the Nawth with one hand tied behind me and blindfolded. [:0] The NC Hosue member from Roseyville [born here and has a store here but lives in Raleigh] got his butt kicked in the Republican primary. [:D] He's been blocking our by-pass because he wants the 24K vehicles per day to pass by his store.

Bed time. God bless all.

[John Bakeer]

Roger,
Over here it's the reverse, we in the north are the Rebs. And are after independance from the blood sucking southerners. We only hate them because they've got all our money and are squandering it on white elephants (Olympics) and preventing the much needed improvements to urban transport (tramways). All our schemes have been ditched to pay for their silly games.
John B.

[mitchelr]

Morning to all from Gettysburg. Gorgeous weather the last few days. Been very busy the last couple of days (and nights). At a Ed Tech convention the next two days. The Mrs. is headed to Texas to visit with her sister. Our son is offically a Senior in college. Only two more tuition payments[:D]

Glad to see that Chuck, Jim, Dennis and a few others who have been under the weather are doing better.

Have a great day.

Mitch[swg]

[Jumijo]

I bought some small, vintage Indian motorcycles yesterday at Walmart. They look close to O gauge size, and for $1.94 each, seem like a great deal. I bought up the last few they had, so when they restock, I'm going to get a few more. I'll line them all up in front of the diner.

Spent a little time last night drawing out what I want on the newest backdrop. It's all penciled in and ready for paint. But that will have to wait until after my SIL's wedding. The rest of this week will be spent helping out with that. I'll be off tomorrow and Friday, so have a great weekend.

Jim

[laz 57]

Hi GIZ,
Like MITCH said another great day on tap.

I think I will go fi***onite for trout.
Still a bunch there and with the amount of turkey hunters in the woods the streams are empty with fishermen. Maybe I could catch a bunch tonite.

I recieved my order from SANTANA MINIATURES, yesterday got a 69 GTO, DA JUDGE, and a 63 VETTE. This GUY is located in LANCASTER PA, was at YORK and has some real good prices on cars.

All have a good one.
laz57

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

It is sunny with the temps heading to the 70s today in SE Indiana. It is good to see the old Yank vs. Reb controversy brewing up again. As Snoopy would say, "I love a good rhubarb." It has been awfully quiet on the forum, but the good weather does keep us outside. I had Tuesday off for the election, and we went to a home show fundraiser. It used to be owned by the former owner of Conseco. It had 50,000 square feet under roof in the main house on 40 acres of land. There were other buildings as well. It took us two hours just to walk thru the place. All that area and not a single train set up anywhere. My son and I mowed the yard last night as well. I am tired and glad to be back to work to rest. I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[Anonymous]

Car wont start. I put a new battery in it last week but left the lights on yesterday when I came home.

I have a battery charger on it.

I might as well call in today.

Hummbug.

Seems lik ea good day to run a Berk and a load of hoppers.

[spankybird]

Good Morning All from NE Ohio

where the temp is 53 and going up to 72 with overcast skies and lots of flog.


Steve – most car battery’s fail the overnight lights on test.

Jim – what scale are the bikes. The ones that I have seen are 1/32 scale. BTW – MTH is coming out with a new set of 4 pack Harley’s.



Pick of the Day

Laz – you got to love the GTO’s


All be safe
Tom

[Blueberryhill RR]

[code]Good Morning from Blueberryhill [/code]It's 55 degrees outside and going up to 77, today. Looks like rain. Plants and trees are growing like crazy.
We have a few things to do today. Kind of a quiet day.
One week from today, I will be 64. I got a reminder from my Car Insurance co. It does not
seem like I have played enough years with my trains. I have to get busy. I got a second chance,
so I'd better take advantage of it. That goes for you guys too. Do it.
Well, enough of that. Run those trains.
Y'all have a great day.
Chuck

[MartyE]

Morning All...

First night home last nite in a week and a half... We went front Dallas to San Antonio, back to Dallas, then to Memphis for 2 games. Good to be home and run some trains. Hope everyone is surviving TCAgate alright[:)]. Still trying to get awake. Hope the coffee is strong this morning.

[Buckeye Riveter]

Good morning from the heart of Buckeyeland where we don't eat wall paper paste and drink teeth rotting sweet tea.[:D]

Chief, you won't believe how many hurdles will need to be crossed before you ever see a by-pass around Roseyville. Can you say cultural resources and environmental justice? In fact, I would bet you my pay check that I could attend one public information meeting or public hearing and delay the project single handily by one year by claiming I found some artifacts within the proposed corridor.

Chuck, build and play with your trains. Both you and I know that the time is now.

[Brutus]

Forgot a bunch of passwords for my work stuff, so they are resetting me. PITA. Hoping to have a couple of clear days so the contract lawn guys can mow my yard again and clear out the area under my trees in back! Guess I'll have to start mowing again next week if I can - my lifting restriction was raised to 30 to 40 pounds, but not sure where that leaves me with the hill in back and a mower. It's self propelled, but in a few spots that doesn't help very much.

AMAZON has a book I put on my wishlist on model railroading with legoes.

[laz 57]

TOM,
DA JUDGE is definitly the coolest car.
HERE COMES DA JUDGE!!!!!!
laz57

[dwiemer]

Morning all,
Trying to catch up on things. Glad to see Chuck is up and going. You are right Chuck, do it while you can. I bought a NJ spririt of 76 car on the bay. I only have N. Carolina and Georgia, so I might as well complete the set. I hope to get a final plan down and start benchwork next month, but have to get past Mother's day. Anyway, have a good one.
Dennis

[Jumijo]

QUOTE: Originally posted by spankybird

Good Morning All from NE Ohio

where the temp is 53 and going up to 72 with overcast skies and lots of flog.


Steve – most car battery’s fail the overnight lights on test.

Jim – what scale are the bikes. The ones that I have seen are 1/32 scale. BTW – MTH is coming out with a new set of 4 pack Harley’s.

Tom,

No scale is mentioned on the packaging. They are made by New Ray. I placed one near a 1/43 scale truck and an O scale Bachman figure, and it looked just the slightest bit big. The bikes are roughly 2" long and an inch or so tall. Frank 53 has posted some photos on the Model Train Journal's site. Link below:

http://www.modeltrainjournal.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3124

I have the one on top and the one on the bottom far right in the first photo. I passed on the two in the middle from the early 1900's.

Jim

[Jumijo]

Tom,

According to this auction, those New Ray Indian motorcycles are 1:32 scale.

http://cgi.ebay.com/4-INDIAN-VINTAGE-MOTORCYCLES-NEW-RAY-1-32-SCALE-NEW_W0QQitemZ7023463523QQcategoryZ742QQcmdZViewItem

[cnw1995]

John, what is the new loco you mentioned purchasing way back on page 833?
Jim, don't have the VHS for Sammy the Seal - at least I haven't found it yet. My goodness we have a lot of these tapes. I like those motor bikes. Beautiful day here - warm and sunny. The grass in my lawn is high and raggedy. I'm going to let it get higher before i cut it for the first time. Have to somehow hone the blade on the mower. I have my annual review with the boss coming up today- why do they always put me off to the last minute? Want to hear one big lesson I learned from the last lamented layout: ballast is horrid. It was a real pain to remove / sweep up. I am not ballasting this track - please remind me in a couple of months when I muse about it.

[johnandjulie13]

Hello All:

We are heading out on little John's first train ride this morning. We are heading to the zoo for a couple of hours. Looks like the weather will be okay.

Regards,

John O

[wrmcclellan]

Morning all.

Sunny here. The storms broke up last night before they got here. Same scenario predicted for the next couple of days. Hopefully some rain will make it here?

Buckeye - you forgot you were talking about NC. A nice layer of concrete there is always considered an improvement.

True story - I worked as a ride mechanic/electrician at Carowinds amusement/theme park (half-way between Rock Hill SC and Charlotte NC) back in the mid-70's. The park had a huge parking lot and we had a monster rain storm hit. Rained so hard you could not see your hand if you stretched out your arm in the rain. I was holed up in the Alpine tramway drive house talking to the ride operators when I got a call on the radio to rush and get one of the park's 4-wheel drive pickup trucks and a tow chain and head out immediately to the far back corner of the main parking lot. When I got there I found the remnants of quite a lot of water and a soggy Toyota Carolla and my super. We hitched up the car and I dragged it back to the shop and we pushed it inside. Once inside we found a a water logged family. Apparently they had decided to leave the park due to the rain and went the wrong way in the parking lot, turned and found a wall of water coming at them.

So as we were sucking all the water out of the car, drying the coil/distributor, flushing the cylinders, changing the oil, transmission, and differential gear lube, the husband was quite animated and asking lots of questions about what we were doing, what was it like repairing roller coasters, monorails, etc. Meanwhile the wife and kids were sitting on some bags of blast sand and the woman had that look that only women can get when they are really mad - I mean REALLY MAD.

So we finally got them on their way and I asked one of the guys what happened and what was the deal with the man's wife? Charlie turns to me and says when the wall of water hit their car, the husband got out and left the family in the car!

Have a great one all!
Roy

[jefelectric]

Good morning,

Another beautiful day. Cloudy this morning, but has cleared off and no sign of those "possible showers" at this point. Planted some hanging baskets in the greenhouse. Have some friends coming today to pick up tomato and pepper plants. Looks like the weather is right for planting now.

Doug, Can't say till I get a chance to test Colin.

You guys who only need to plan for Mother's day have it easy. I have three in a row. Mother's day on May 14, Anniversary on May 27 & Wife's Birthday on June 2. This makes the 39th year for the 3 day celebration.

Laz, Ted in Salunga carries some of Santana's stuff. Very nice.

Tom, What do you recomend in 19 century engines? I have both TMCC and DCS. Don't buy anything new that won't run on one or the other.

[laz 57]

GOOD STORY ROY.
I pity the husband?
laz57

[Jumijo]

Sounds like the husband pulled a George Costanza and ran for it to save himself.

From what I've been reading on the web, the Sopranos are going to start getting real good over the next few weeks.

This forum has really slowed down of late. Doesn't look like I'll miss much the next 4 days.

Buckeye, please keep an eye on the Chief for me. He got through to Williams somehow, yesterday. No telling what he'll do next. He's a rascal!

Jim

[dougdagrump]

John,
Like you, I have been VERY interested in the MTH 19th century stuff. Thr premiere locos look great but the price is scaring me a bit, plus you have to add the rolling stock. I am more inclined to go the Railking R-T-R set route. The last issue, V&T, was a real hot seller and looked great so I think I'll get the ATS&F out of the 2006 catalog.
Jim,
How about staging a wreck with a bike under an 18 wheeler with the pertinent emergency vehicles.