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

[mitchelr]

Thanks for the offer Keith/1688torpedo - I e-mailed you for details.


Mitch[:D]

[dbaker48]

Greetings..

First and foremost, I would like to say a

BIG

THANK YOU

To all the educators, teachers, and administrators. Really appreciate your services. What an awesome responsibility you all have!! Especially with the laws, requirements, and political correctness issues!!

Where would we be without our young people??? Our most important resource !!



Regarding trains....

Got my DCS system running. Even though I only have 1 MTH with ProtoSounds 2.0, and about 8 TMCC engines. It is wonderful !! Released all the MTH capability and maintained the TMCC capabiity. WOW

The handheld display is so great to be able to see what train your operating and what your are doing to it. I couldn't be happier. (Well if we were working on our room, which I found out yesterday is we are about 2 weeks away from permits being issued. Doesn't appear to be any major issues, but has taken since January. We will probably start demolition 3-4 weeks after permits, to ensure ALL contractors are scheduled correctly. Back to my days of Pert and Gnatt milestone charts.

DCS is AWESOME, even controlling my lighting, and building accessories ON THE FLOOR !

Have a great weekend, going to go a get another room ready for painting.

[Brutus]

Good afternoon guys. Got done with OT, now need to get some lunch in me and relax for a little bit. Need to get back to working on the basement now that I'm healed up so we can finally be done and I can start working on a permanent layout. I'm trying to figure out how to do basically two end layouts with a long (about 15 foot) shelf line running on the wall, that would basically climb back and forth eventually reaching a ceiling loop around the "play" room in the basement. Would probably start out at about 36 inches and top out with the loop at about 88 inches. I guess I'll need to do a reverse loop at the top somewhere and also have reverse or grade change loops at the ends - maybe hidden in mountain scenerey of some kind.... It would have to be pretty stylized, but "realism" isn't really my thing anyway.

[ChiefEagles]

Rainy and chilly in Yankeeland. [:(] Store is slow in the Marine area. Came by for lunch and now back for a while. Later

[Roger Bielen]

Jim, my reverse loop for the branch line is inside a mountain I call my volcano. Its open at the top for access when decorating but the opening isn't visible from viewing level.

Dennis, I haven't posted any photos recently out of courtesy to the photog that shot my layout and CTT since I don't know what pictures will be used. I did hear from Ken Johnson this week, he'll be doing the write up. He'll send me some copies of the photos they might use so that we can discuss what they are as part of the article.

Pick-ed up my Hudson on the way home from work today. Lewis replaced the receiver board. I hope to have time to try it out later today. Right now I'm taking a break from lifeguard duties while grandma covers for me. Temps are mid 90's today, maybe higher tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

I am going to need a pair of jeans today as it is cold. Twas in the 80*s all week and sunny not tis cloudt abd cool.

BRRRRrrr!

we might get a little rain but it doesnt seem like it.

[jefelectric]

Good afternoon,

Wow, You don't check in for a day and you miss a lot. I read all the posts, but not sure if I remember everything.

Don, It sounds like you finally got your DCS, Great.

Hope everyone has a nice weekend.

[Anonymous]

I got an avatar to work but have no idea where this pic came from?????...or how to get rid of it.

I will kep working on it

[Roger Bielen]

Steve - now we all know where your train money comes from.[(-D]

[wrmcclellan]

Hot here - 98 so far today.

Took son to look at drum sets - ahhhhhh - just what we need - the ability for him to make MORE NOISE! [:(!]

Trying to clean up in the train room. Amazing how under the layout becomes a collection pit, particularly for the paper recycling stuff. May be if the train room were not the last stop into the garage.

Slow weekend this weekend - that's a good thing.

Have a great evening all!
Roy

[cnw1995]

Wired the rotating beacon atop Mt. Seaman today. Put in a few lights for the Xmas village units that makes up the town of Girard along Eagles Ridge - this time only lighting a few rather than all of them - it somehow looks better. I tried to run another light off track power but it's not working yet.

Here's a funny story. I went to the local hobbystore this morn (it's a well-known chain) to buy something with a gift card. Ended up just getting two dozen track pins and a lock-on - $1.50 ea for the former and almost $3 for the latter. Before I left, I realized the clerk mistakenly charged me double. $3 for 1 dozen track pins... you get the idea. She tried to fix it. Ended up charging me double again which I only realized when I got home and read the receipt to realize the credit didn't go through - all sucked off this gift card I can't recharge. So 24 track pins and a lock-on ended up costing nearly $20. and I have to make another trip back there to somehow work this out. Gotta laugh. Let's see... that's about 75 cents a pin and they're 027 too!
Went to Hobby Lobby too - practically no model rail stuff left with the demise of K-Line except scenic. Oh well.

[wrmcclellan]

Hey Doug,

Good luck on that refund!

Rangers leading the R Sox so far 2-1. Rangers also just got their first double steal of the year against the Sox.

[ChiefEagles]

At the hotel. Blew them out during my return. Told Chuck I sold about 12 to 15 chargers from around 1:30 to 5 and then nothing. Recount is 18. Roy, headed your way next week. Will be nice not to be in Yankeeland. [;)] Returning soon to Ohizo to do some training. [:0] Dinner time now. BTW: if you need rain, $200 per day and expenses. I flew here and it started. Roy, expect rain in Dallas by next weekend. [:)]

[MartyE]

VIVA LAS VEGAS! Here for the Arena Bowl[xx(][xx(][xx(][xx(] It is hot but so far the truck AC is hanging in there. Hope all are enjoying the weekend.

[dwiemer]

Roger,
Sorry, forgot that you were doing the show biz thing with your layout. I know from the photos that you had on your old site, that you have quite the layout. I look forward to seeing the spread.
Kieth,
You are so helpful with everyone on the forum. It is great to have such people as you here. I only have one or two more projects on the honey do list and then I will be tackling the 1689E. I will make sure I have before, during and after photos. Thanks for all your help.
Chief,
I am beginning to wonder about you, spending all that time up in yankee land, hope they are not trying to turn your loyalties. You had better get back below the border soon.

Boy was it hot today! I just about got the playground finished for the kids. I never did get to the grass, but hope that I will have time this coming week. Got a great package in the mail today, Amazon with my "Emperor of the North" DVD and two CTT books one Layout Plans, and the other Great Train Layouts. I look forward to reading through them this week while I am on call at the hospital.

Have a great day everyone. God Bless this great country, our brave soldiers, and you and your families.
Dennis

[wrmcclellan]

Chief,

Bring it on (the rain that is!)...

Shoot me an e-mail when you have your plans nailed down.

Marty - sorry the Mavs nailed the semi's and you did not get to stay over here. Not as hot as Vegas! Hang on to your wallet!

Rangers hangin on in Boston - 7 to 4 and it is raining there again!

Just back - me and the mizzus went and grabbed a couple of turkey burgers for dinner.

[jonadel]

Roy--

How old is your son? Before I would ever buy a trap set I would make sure he is proficient at many other percussion techniques. Depending on his age and ability I would look at a very inexepnsive drum kit and taking out an add for a used set...... drummers are always broke and will sell used equipment at bargain prices.

Jon

[dbaker48]

Roy,
We had the same issue, a must have, really want it, etc., etc., etc.,.....OK mom gave in, sooo I said it must be a set with headphones. That worked out. I never hear him betting on em.


I really don't think he does.

Good Luck

[mitchelr]

Good morning from Gettysburg. Another beautiful cool clear morning here.

Hope to get the lawn chores taken care of tiday and then kick back and watch the race. Might play out in the train room.

I was trying to clean up the brass parts I took off of the 248. There's a guy on ebay that sells all the trim in a kit on ebay. I might just breakdown and buy the whole kit with ladders, grab irons, journals, headlight and new couplers, etc. Does not include doors. He wants about $24 including shipping. Doesn't seem like a bad price to me. Any thoughts?

Have a great day.

Mitch

[Blueberryhill RR]

[code]Good Morning from Blueberryhill[/code]It is a cool 48 degrees right now. Cloudy. Going up
to only 70 today, with a chance of afternoon showers. Dull day.
We had a good time, yesterday, at the birthday party. Trip up and back went well. I drove
60 miles of the 150 going up and 60 miles coming home. That was about all I
wanted for now. Started to ache.
Talked to Chief last night, he is still in Cincinnati. Behaving.
Today, we will take it easy. Maybe run some trains, later today. I have to keep working
on the scenery. Wish I had Jaabat's talents.
I have been home 6 weeks now. Gaining about a pound a week back. I can walk
up and down steps real good now. Walking every day.
Time for breakfast. I will be back later.
Y'all have a great day.
Chuck

[ChiefEagles]

Morning. Off to the store. Packed and ready to fly out of Yankeeland. [:D] Hope to be in the GOOD OLD SOUTH by ngiht fall. Still raining. Well, all have a good one and God bless.

example of Yankee perversion: This computer is suppose to have popup blocker. sexbuddies.com popup keeps coming up when you change sites. Told management and they said, "We have popup blocker." [V] Chuck, don'yt keep trying that address. [;)]

[csxt30]

Good Morning Everyone !! Hit the old Amusement park yesterday & had a good time, but kind of missed some of the old charm the park used to have. The roller coaster is still the big thing there & they kepp it going real well. Rode it about 8 times & my shoulder is sore today !
Chuck : glad you had a good day yesterday too !!
Thanks,

[Anonymous]

Good morning all,

Those of you who have had mysterious operational problems with various combinations of FasTrack switches, TMCC and/or a CW-80 might want to check out two posts by "gbcoleman" from today and yesterday. (6/11, 6/10)

wolverine49

[Brutus]

Rained all night and just sprinkling now - was going to mow and put the new coachlights we bought out on the front of the house, but I guess that will be a project for another day. I got a new miter gauge on ebay, but need to put it together, then probably put in an hour or two on the basement. Thanks for the info on the miter gauge Laz.

Chuck, sounds like you are doing great - keep on healing dude.

Chief - don't worry about those warnings about the northern states - you keep being salt and light and spreading the grits like Johnny Appleseed. Sounds like you have been stocking up for your layout.

Doug - good luck with getting your money back on those double charges. Sometimes, you wonder about folks.

Mitch - what's your time worth? If it would take you say all day to clean the stuff up and you would rather be running it that cleaning it, then I'd buy the kit. Maybe email him through ebay and ask if he wants your old bits - maybe get a discount on the deal?

Roger - that volcano sounds like an excellent idea! Maybe I would put one of those electric "fire" things in there with the red light and rotating tube of crinkled foil....

Steve - interesting avatar/signature pic!

Roy - good luck on the drums. My sisters all banged away on a piano for hours at a time - I still tremble with repressed fury when I hear someone doing that dah - dah - dahdahdah - indian song they practiced over and over and over again. No piano in my house!

FYI -- the SUPERSALE at deepdiscountdvd runs through this week.

My wife picked up Brainage for the nintendo DS. She's been playing it all week. The first time, she scored at 35 years old. Since then, she's been doing worse and last night scored at 58 or something - she's very competitive and this is driving her nuts[(-D]

I saw a new game that seems pretty similar called Brain Academy - might pick it up for her when she finally gets the hang of this one, just to keep the aggravation going! [:-,]

[cnw1995]

Good day! Off to baseball (Little League) also building a train table (Thomas wooden) in the basement for the 4 year olds birthday - what a project!

[wrmcclellan]

Afternoon all!

Enjoying some NASCAR at Pocono.

My son will be 13 and he is big into percussion. In addition to the music program at school, he is being tutored by the director of our high school drum line. He got a 1 with honors at the spring UIL solo competition. He drums on everything in the house and I figure the set is an investment on saving some of our furniture. Yes we looked at new stuff to satisfy him, but we are also getting advice and help from the tutor (i.e. lines on used sets).

Jim - that's funny about your wife and that brain game. My wife has become a soduku (or however its spelled) nut recently.

John - which old park did you go to?

Chuck - great to hear your progress is going so well!

Have a great afternoon all!
Roy

[Anonymous]

Back again after a while off.
i have had another one to break down and got the big boy out of the shop and i have made up my mind,
NO MORE MTH RAIL KING LOCOMOTIVES.
sSo I went out and bought one that will run A PCM HO Y6b.
here pictured with its counterpart in MTH Rail King the N&W 2195.
the HO model has thesound system and runs in DCC.
both cost the same 699.99.
but the HO PCM model RUNS!!!,
maybe iam going back to HO.[}:)][8]

Greetings to all in the POT but i dont think Ill go that far but MTH is going to have to do better.

hey CSXT 30 did you go to Ceader Point????
Nstrackman
MP N369

[More to restore]

Hi guys,
It has been incredible hot here...
Anyway, a great day for spray painting. The cream color for the 655 boxcar went on perfectly. And then I wnated to switch to dark-red for the 604 body. But, because I do not wear my glasses when spray painting, I chose the wrong pot: metallic Ferrari red. Well it is red, but translucent red with sparkling flakes in the paint. I feel utterly stupid. So, I will probably have to start all over again with sanding...
Maybe, I should buy some more disposable glasses...[*^_^*]

[csxt30]

Roy: that was Conneaut Lake park Pa. we visited yesterday ! Went there all the time when growing up, & so did Chuck !! They're completely redoing the RR track there. Putting in all new stone & ties, not sure if they are changing out the rail. That coaster used to be rated as #6 in wooden coasters by the ACEs.
Hey !! NS stick to O- scale & buy the Premier engines !! Get a little more overtime !!
Ha ! Just kidding !! [:D][:D] Good to see you here !!
Thanks,

[1688torpedo]

Hello All! Dennis - Thanks for your kind words. I really do like to help out folks here & Share some Info & humor as well. Doug M- Maybe you can get Jim A to help out with your layout project. I hear he's a wiz with those things[;)][:)] Jim, Tom, & Chris should start their own layout constuction company. Chris can plan the layout, Tom can do the Trackwork & wiring, & Jim can do the scenery & details.[;)][:P][:)][:o)] Bob- $24.00 does not sound bad for the 248 parts kit. I would say buy it. CSXJohn- Glad you had fun at Conneaut Lake Park yesterday. Got a call from the Chief this afternoon & he sounded very good. Talked about 15 Minutes & He was getting ready to fly home. Glad he called & it sure was nice talking to him as well. Chuck- Glad you're feeling better all the time. Take it easy though. Have a nice evening everyone.