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

[cnw1995]

Good morning from a cool and grey Chicago.
Last night's anniversary service went well - a visiting pastor spoke too long but that's usually what happens when you dangle a mike in front of them.
Here's a shot of the train at Minute Maid Park: http://www.photohome.com/photos/texas-pictures/houston/minute-maid-train-1.html - Whenever the 'stros hit a homer, it moves out and back. Didn't move much during last year's Series.

[Jumijo]

Hey Doug,
Did you notice that the Astro's train is a three railer?! Looks like a huge Lionel General. Also notice that the tender is loaded with oranges instead of wood. I'll bet it's a fiberglass replica.

Jim

[dwiemer]

Morning all, currently 80 and supposed to hit 98 today. I really need to mow the lawn, but I think I will hold off till the morning. Trying to finalize the layout plans, but thanks to Jim, I know how I will actually do the benchwork and scenery. This really is a great forum with all the help available.
Have a great day.
Dennis

[Buckeye Riveter]

Morning from a partly cloudy and mild Buckeyeland.

Well I made it back from D.C. and the big project meeting. Arrived 10 pm Wednesday night and out of there at 5 pm Thursday. The fast and furious. Chuck I did wave to you as we flew over your house, but I don't think you saw me at 22,000 feet. [:D]

Last night I heard there were several brawls in Cincinnati. I wonder what that was all about. [:-^]

Sadly, the Oilers are in for a hard series of games. I sure miss Buffalo.

[Blueberryhill RR]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Buckeye Riveter

Morning from a partly cloudy and mild Buckeyeland. Chuck I did wave to you as we flew over your house, but I don't think you saw me at 22,000 feet. [:D]

Buckeye... I thought I saw a bright light from the sky. It must have been you.

Chuck

[cnw1995]

Total replica, Jim. Just like our trains. Lotsa fake steam. Load whistle. Waving engineer though - I want that gig.

[FJ and G]

Ending the life of a human being is a sad event. It is sad b/c each of us has so much potential to do good. Yet, there are a few who do such evil things, such as Zarqawi. I suppose one can say that when you make your bed, you must sleep in it. Perhaps those words are a fitting ending.

I just posted the latest on www.army.mil with a headline I borrowed from the Iraqi Prime Minister:

‘Every Time a Zarqawi Appears, We Will Kill Him’

[Roger Bielen]

Dennis, with the lack of rain we've had in this part of GA I haven't had to mow the lawn, other than what I skipped along the road last go around, for going on three weeks. I would think down your end it would be even drier than up here.

The temp up here is expected to be in the 90's all weekend. So far its not too bad, the humidity is down.

Took a run over Memory Station this morning to see if Lewis had a chance to check out my Hudson. I got there before he was due in, his Mrs. was tending the store. Guess I stop by on my way home from work tomorrow.

I'm waiting on the granddaughters to be dropped off by their Mom and then I'll the lifeguard/referree for the afternoon till grandma gets home from work and takes over. Bought a bubble wrap solar cover for the pool to keep the heat in over night. It works, the pool is a very pleasent 90 deg. this morning. Took a quick dip after doing some outdoor work earlier.

[GregM]

Doug,

Thanks for the link but that is not the engine I was referring to. Your link shows the one on the outfield wall that runs whenever Houston hits a home run. It moved at least twice last night.

The engine I was referring to was shown for a few seconds between innings. I didn't recognize anything about it other than it was a steam engine with a silver boiler front and the headlight was mounted in the center. Looked like it was surrounded by a chain link fence and I took it be be located outside Minute Maid Park. Nothing was said about it by the announcers.

I am just curious if anyone knows something about it. Doubtful I will ever get back to Houston but if I do, would be something to try to see.

[Anonymous]

Hey guys, how is everyone doing?

[FJ and G]

Dr. John must be on vacation

[ChiefEagles]

QUOTE: Originally posted by FJ and G

Dr. John must be on vacation

Speaking of the devil, AH, I mean the Pastor. [;)] Talked to him this afternoon. He is doing well but really busy. Been doing and more to come, mission trips for his church [rebuild or build other churches]. He will post sometime later [maybe fall].

Store was really slow today. Sold chargers but only to those folks who had other brands and they had failed. Hope tomorrow is faster as slow is DULL. Gave free LED flashlights to all the pretty ladies. [;)]

Pillaged Davis Trains today. [;)] Nice place and LOTS of stock and everything you need to build a great layout.

Time for dinner. [dinner]

Later.

[dwiemer]

Roger,
We actually got slammed this past weekend with two days of rain, plus, we have a irrigation system hooked up to our well, the house is off city water, but the well keeps the grass growing. I must get to the yard as parts are up to my knees. The temps have been in the upper 90s and are expected to be 100 this weekend. I think the band that divides a lot of our weather is just below Columbus and across to Savannah. As to diving into 90 degree water, you may want to just take the bar of soap and have your bath too. Anyway, try to stay cool and drink plenty of water. I was whining to a friend who is in Iraq right now, they are having 120 degree days, so I stopped complaining.
Dennis

PS: Have you got the new photos of your layout yet? I look forward to the progress.

[FJ and G]

Dr. J. is doing good work.

Roger B. We have had just a trace of rain for a month. Nothing to mow. A couple of grass shoots somehow zoomied upwards but I'm not mowing those;. To heck with the HOA!

[Anonymous]

How do you make an avatar on here?

[mitchelr]

Well it's over, the teachers are officially done, although some will be back next week to finish cleaning up and packing. Many people moving rooms so lots of people had to pack their rooms. I could've made a mint if I'd charges for boxes. I am taking some vacation days next week just to do some day trips and a few honey do's. We fed them a great lunch with fried chicken and steamed shrimp which has become a tradition.

Worked on stripping the shell for the 248. Liquid stripper worked pretty good. Now I have to get some paint and some trim parts. Also played with my 1688, something is not right. First, I noticed that the shop forgot to reinstall one of the siderods, and now it will not run. If I lift the wheels off the track and keep the slide shoe on the rail, the wheels will go like a bat out of [censored] in reverse. Won't move in forward. The e-unit cycles through forward, neutral and reverse. I've got to call the shop to see if the repairman has the side rod and nut that holds it in place. Any body have ideas on the motor problem?

Take care,

Mitch[%-)]

[Brutus]

QUOTE: How do you make an avatar on here?

Steve - first select your avatar etc from some suitable source. The picture has to be stored on the internet. Copy the URL of the picture (found in properties). Go to UPDATE PROFILE. Insert the picture URL into your signature block between the following html code: {img}URLHERE{/img}, except substitute [ for { and ] for }. That should do it. Tom Spankybird has better instructions for posting pics on here if you have never done it before. Look for one of his posts - I think he has a link in his signature. I'm sure you'll find the link on one of the Sunday Pictures threads. Good luck! It's easy once you do it a time or two.

A long crappy day that ended a long crappy week and good riddance to the whole mess .[banghead]

Have to work 4 hours of OT tomorrow, but then I'm free for the weekend.

Just FYI, in case any of you guys want a good deal on a dvd or dvd set, they are having their bi-annual 20 percent off sale at deepdiscountdvd.com right now. There are a ton of codes, but the one I know off the top of my head is SUPERSALE. Shop for the dvds you want, click buy now on each, then go to the shopping cart and insert that code in the appropriate box near the bottom of the screen. There are a few restrictions, but otherwise this is a great deal. I've bought hundreds of dvds from these guys and they are very good. Choose free shipping if you are willing to wait a couple extra days - I never pay for the shipping. EG: Emperor of the North ships for free for $8.06, which is a good deal. Unfortunately, I just bought The Wild Wild West for full price, but it was still a good price for it.

Driving on N. Kirkwood Rd through downtown Kirkwood this morning, I nearly got stopped by a train. Then, going up I-44 I passed 3 freight trains switching some cars - including a UP and 2 BNSF with multiple locomotives - one train went on so far I couldn't see the end. Wish I had a camera phone, I'd have taken a couple pics to share. Unfortunately, The Hobby Station in downtown Kirkwood wasn't open this morning at 7:25. Didn't have time to stop anyway, though :(

Chief - I worked in retail for years. The worst was on Sunday afternoons, especially on a Holiday weekend - there would be no business for hours and hours, yet we had to stay open and just stand around.

David - got in a discussion about AZ this morning with my mom. She's afraid that now he's gone, worse may follow. I find that a logical nonstarter. If you have a chance to take out a psycho killer fascist who declared war on you, you do it. Repeat as necessary. Not taking one out in case the next one will be worse just fails to pass the bologna detector. Thanks for the link in your post. Interesting website. BTW - I was telling a friend about your pic with The Gipper. We wish we had similar pics = very cool.[bow]

[Anonymous]

Thanks I will give it a try this weekend.

[1688torpedo]

Hello All! Bob- It almost sounds like the Teeth on the Drum in the E-Unit may be worn & everytime it cycles you may get forward or reverse or nothing at all. A new Drum should be the answer to your problems & a good cleaning of all the moving parts in there as well. If I lived closer to you I can get it running for good with no problem at all. Once they run they will keep on going as they had one of the Best Motor's Lionel ever made. If Lionel had used this Motor in their Scouts instead of what they did use. The Scouts would have been one of the most reliable engines ever made. Laz- How's the Character Training going for you? Mine was watching Abbott & Costello Movies with some Three Stooges thrown in & Groucho one liners.[;)][:P][:o)][:o)] Does "Ceaser the 800lb Bear" need Character training also? Or just a observer?[;)][:o)] Chief- Sounds like you're having fun in Ohio. Remember we have spies in our Train Shops also. Siegfried at KAOS wanted you to know this.[;)][:P][8D][:o)] Glad one of Al-Quida's top Goons is now suffering from Rigor Mortis. The Soldiers responsible for doing him in should share in the $25 Million Dollar reward with it divided up equally & Tax Free as well & put into a Trust Fund for them & their families whenever their tour of duty is up. Good Night all.

[wrmcclellan]

Welcome back Steve. If you are referring to the avatar function on the profile page, it doesn't work. What Jim is telling you is how to insert your photo (or avatar) in the signature line of your profile.

Have a great evening all!
Roy

[mitchelr]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 1688torpedo

Hello All! Bob- It almost sounds like the Teeth on the Drum in the E-Unit may be worn & everytime it cycles you may get forward or reverse or nothing at all. A new Drum should be the answer to your problems & a good cleaning of all the moving parts in there as well. If I lived closer to you I can get it running for good with no problem at all. Once they run they will keep on going as they had one of the Best Motor's Lionel ever made. If Lionel had used this Motor in their Scouts instead of what they did use. The Scouts would have been one of the most reliable engines ever made.

Keith - I guess it's another trip to the repair shop. Good thing this was such a deal when I bought the set. Although I shouldn't complain, it was only $20 to mount the new wheels. I just hate to have to send it out again. It was gone almost a month the alst time I sent it. The drum in the e-unit is not something that I could tackle myself is it?


Mitch[:(]

[mitchelr]

Good morning from Gettysburg. Beautiful clear morning. Sun is shining, birds are singing.

Today is the HS graduation for our region. A few years back they started inviting all of the local principals of the schools to attend and march in during the graduation ceremonies and sit up on the stage. It is really neat seeing all of the little kids we had at our school all grown up. I have attended all but one, which was the same night as my own son's graduation.

Have a good day.

Mitch

[Blueberryhill RR]

[code]Good Morning from Blueberryhill[/code]It is 46 degrees and cloudy today. Going up to 66, but
remaining cloudy. Chance of showers.
Today, we are driving up to Brunswick. OH. ( about 150 miles north of here ), to
celebrate our granddaughter Sammie's 4th birthday. She is the train lover, who's
picture I have posted several times. Loves the whistle button.
Sounds like you teachers are wrapping it up this week. Now, for the summer off.
Mitch..Are you working all summer?? Can't remember.
Well, it is time for breakfast. Talk to you later tonite.
Y'all have a great day.
Chuck

[ChiefEagles]

Morning from rainy Yankeeland. Off to the store. Waiting for the rain to slow down. Not getting soaked to get to store. Have a great day. God bless.

[csxt30]

Good Morning Everyone !! Hope Chuck has a good trip today !! We are off to Conneaut Lake Park, PA. today with the Grandkids ! They have my favorite Roller Coaster !!
Chuck; I'll get some pictures & let you know how it was !! The kids want on the water slides, but it's only supposed to be 65 degrees today.
Well, hope everyone has a nice day !
Thanks,

[Blueberryhill RR]

QUOTE: Originally posted by csxt30

Good Morning Everyone !! Hope Chuck has a good trip today !! We are off to Conneaut Lake Park, PA. today with the Grandkids ! They have my favorite Roller Coaster !!
Chuck; I'll get some pictures & let you know how it was !! The kids want on the water slides, but it's only supposed to be 65 degrees today.
Well, hope everyone has a nice day !
Thanks,

Thanks, John I'll be looking forward to seeing the pictures.
Have a great time.
Chuck

[csxt30]

Thanks, Chuck !! [:D][:D]

[mitchelr]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Blueberryhill RR

[code]Good Morning from Blueberryhill[/code]
Mitch..Are you working all summer?? Can't remember.

Chuck,

I do indeed work all summer. I have vacation time that I need to use and will try to use up two or three weeks. I had toyed with the idea of going to San Diego for an educational computer users convention, but the Mrs. thinks we should hold off to save $$$. Final year of college expenses coming up and we don't want to over extend ourselves.

I guess this will be a year of day trips. Maybe a trip to the East Broadtop, Strasburg, Steamtown, or B&O RR Museum? Not my Mrs. idea of a good time but maybe we can hit one or two of those place.

I think I am going to stop by the train shop and drop off the 1688 for another repairman visit. Keith/1688 torpedo seems to think it might be the e-unit acting up. He's the man when it comes to those 1688's.

I'll stop in later.

Mitch

[cnw1995]

Grey here today in Chicagoland. Just stopped raining - rained hard all night - Little League cancelled so it may be a great basement day - hurray! Hope to get a lot done with the wiring.

[1688torpedo]

Hello All! Bob- If you want to Pack up the 1688 & ship it to me That will be fine. I'll put a new Drum in the E-unit & clean it up for you.Just pay the shipping costs boths ways( Probably around $ 6.00?) & it will run like a Batmobile for you after it comes back to your house.[:)][;)][:o)] Dave- That was a long walk with BB From Virginia to Millersburg,Pa to visit Laz's 800lb Bear![;)][:)][:o)] Sounds like BB is a Chicken.[;)] Scared of Fireworks,Thunderstorms, & 800lb Bears. Just don't walk the Pinelands of Southern New Jersey with BB or The Jersey Devil will scare the Daylights out of her.[;)][:P][:)] CSXJohn- Hope you guys have fun at Conneaut Lake Park. Chief- Hope you enjoy your Northern Raids. Remember that KAOS has its eyes on you.[;)][;)][:)] Have a nice day all.