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

[mitchelr]

Good evening. Simple lazy day today. Went to Post Office and mailed 1688 to Keith for a tune-up.

Stopped by local train shop in Gettysburg, rarely get there as his hours better fit the unemployed (not usually open on weekends, open daily from 10 to 5). His prices are a bit high IMHO. He does have a wide assortment of pre-war, post-war Lionel, Flyer, Ives, etc in O Gauge and Standard Gauge. I bought the paint to repaint my 248. My Dad is building me a wooden box for a paint oven so I can bake the paint.

Read a little bit and took a nap. Boy I am loving the days off. We were going to make the trip to East Broad Top RR tomorrow then I realized they only operate on weekends. Think we are going to head to Strasburg to Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, TCA Museum and ChooChoo Barn then do some shopping in Lancaster.

Have a good evening.

Mitch

[Brutus]

Sask - sounds like a great find!

Weapons of Grass Destruction = [(-D]

[dougdagrump]

Roy, If you and the Chief make the connection be sure and get the Chief some real nice Mexican food while he's there, you know the gooooodddd stuff with jalpenos and scotch bonnets. [:-,][C=:-)]

[Buckeye Riveter]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Blueberryhill RR
Buckeye....Beautiful walls. Did you do them ??

No I didn't work on that bridge. The walls are MSE (Mechanically Stabilized Earth) Walls and are precast at a manufacturering plant with the decorative patterns. Interestingly this last year ODOT found two walls that the soil behind the wall had erroded out compromising their stability and strength.

BTW, Chuck I have some really bad news that I must share with you. It was announced here in Columbus that some @#$%% airline company has decided to run direct flights from Raleigh, NC directly to Columbus. [:(!]

[ChiefEagles]

Lots of easy raiding into Columbus. [;)] Direct flights. [}:)][:D] Up late as striped the guts [PS1] out of the MTH SD70. Now getting it ready to wire in TMCC and Railsounds. Had to change out all the lights as the voltages are different [so I was told]. That took longer than the installation of the TMCC board and the Railsounds board will. Fits just right. [:)] Got too tired. Eyes couldn't focus good. [:(] Man this software for Trains.com screws up late at night. Had to sneak in the back door to get into the Coffee Pot. Could open all other threads but this one would time out. It happens a lot after 12AM.

Jeff, it is Durham Southern.

Raining. Goooood night and God bless.

[dougdagrump]

Boy, you're up LATE tonite

[Jumijo]

My daughter, Julia graduates from kindergarten today. I'm going to stop on the way home and buy her some flowers and a card. She's the light of my life and she's made me very proud of her this year. She has already started reading and enjoys it. She's a whiz with her numbers and loves to do creative projects. I adore that little girl, and never miss an opportunity to tell her so. Congratulations, Julia!

Jim

[cnw1995]

Greetings from a sunny and pleasant northeastern Illinois. I decided after getting up and dressed not to go into work today. We're leaving on vacation in two days. I'd have to come back early anyway because my bride is still at her arts conference. There's not much going on I can't do remotely. And I just don't wanna go... It's all Mitch's fault. His days off sound great. I get to go to the Busch race in Joliet in July! Hope you enjoy the race this Sat. Off to the basement! I'm trying to figure out how to run a signal off track power. I don't think there's enough juice to get it to work.
Congratulations to Julia! One of the lights of my life is turning 15 in a few weeks. She has a new boyfriend. At least he's a Sox fan. It's a cliche but it sure goes fast: I remember doing that exact thing for her graduation a decade ago.
Roy, I watched the White Sox play Texas last eve for a while. It sure looked hot there.
Hurray, Sask! A great find.

[Jumijo]

Doug, You're up and posting early today. Enjoy your day off.

It sure does go by fast. It seems like I was just waking up with her at night for her feedings. I'd sleep on the couch with her in a bassenette right beside me. Then it was watching her learn to walk and talk. Now she's reading Green Eggs and Ham to me. I've loved every minute of it.

Jim

[Blueberryhill RR]

[code]Good Morning from Blueberryhill[/code]It is 55 degrees and sunny here. Going up to 78 and SUNNY.
That is a nice day. No rain scheduled.

Doug and Jim...Enjoy them while they are young. They grow up too fast.

Well, today we are going grocery shopping. Lovely job. We get to eat lunch out, so it's
not all a loss. Prices are creeping up all the time.
I got a flyer from Dennison Depot about a CLAMBAKE, they are having in July. I think
we will go. Pretty good prices.
Time for breakfast. Talk later.
Y'all have a great day.
Chuck

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

It is sunny and mild in SE Indiana with temps heading to the high 70s. The weather should cooperate with the game tonight. Sask, sounds like you did all right with your HO acquisition. Athearn is good stuff if I remember correctly from my days on the "dark side". JeffPo, there are some good books that maybe your coach or league officials could recommend. Soccer is a relatively simple game and just having the kids practice the drills at home that they learn in training is a big help. It always amazed me when I was coaching how few kids did anything away from the field to work on their skills. Jim F, I am glad you liked the comment about the lawnmowers. I put a new blade on the edger last night and it works a lot better. Chief, I really liked the pictures from the Cincinnati area. Doug, enjoy the day off. I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C.

[jefelectric]

Good Morning,

Doug, Sounds like you are practicing for retirement. Almost every day for the past 5+ years I get up and decide not to go to work, I love it.

Mitch, It sounds like you are getting a much deserved break from the job.

Laz, Are you sleeping in since you don't have to go to work?

Chief, I hear US Air has set up a committee to study how they can loose your luggage on a direct flight. [:D]

Jim, Enjoy those moments.

Leaving for a breakfast meeting shortly (church committee) and then to the office to do a small project. Trains later.

Have a good one.

[dwiemer]

Jim,
We adopted a baby girl from CHina, it will be a year at the end of this month. Also have a son who will turn 4 beginning of July. I cheri***he moments with them. I am given a fair amount of time off work and so I can be with them quite a bit. You can never reclaim the time, so be with them before they grow up and move out. That is one reason that I have gotten back into the trains, lets me have an activity that the kids love and they like to do with the old man (me).
God Bless,
Dennis

[Buckeye Riveter]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jefelectric
Chief, I hear US Air has set up a committee to study how they can loose your luggage on a direct flight. [:D]

And I'm the Chairman of the Committee. [(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D] Chief, repeat after me, "Carry on." Of course you will need to leave that****nal of firearms at home from now on.

[cnw1995]

Dennis, that's great! Jim, I remember those days, because I was the one getting up to feed 'em at night. Our youngest, who we adopted from Guatemala, turned four yesterday. I remember being really aware this was the 'last' time to get up at night with a baby. It's fun to share his excitement about each day. In contrast to his sullen 12 year old brother (also adopted from Guatemala) and 14 year old sister (from Peru) who thinks she's 21.

Mike C, I like your updates from SE Indiana. I was fortunate to learn soccer from a master coach in high school just when they were putting together the first-ever soccer league. 'course my boys prefer not to listen to my advice...

[jonadel]

Today is Flag Day, fly it proudly!

Jon

[ChiefEagles]

Morning. Tried to sleep late but weather alert kept going off. Flash Flood watches and warnings going off. Think the are doing it one county at a time. 100 counties in NC. [:0][;)] Up since 8:30. Now to fini***he TMCC and Railsounds UPGRADE to a MTH. [;)] A great rainy day project since we are getting TROPICAL MOISTURE. Much needed rain. Ponds and lakes will be over flowing now. [:)] Better get moving on project. Congrats to the birthdays and graduations. God bless.

[Jumijo]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dwiemer

Jim,
. . . You can never reclaim the time, so be with them before they grow up and move out. That is one reason that I have gotten back into the trains, lets me have an activity that the kids love and they like to do with the old man (me).
God Bless,
Dennis

Exactly why I do it, Dennis. We will all have these memories to carry with us. I never got to do that with my dad.

Jim

[laz 57]

HI GIZ,
62 and nice again to get to 78!
Another day in paradise!

JELECTRIC, no I'm not sleeping in.
WIFE has the honeydo list going for me.
I am up at 6 and do my morning run then eat breakfast do a 30 minute weight rotuine, then the list starts.
Yesterday I hooked up a pressurized filter system for my big pond.
I went down to THAT FISH PLACE in your neck of the woods in LANCASTER.
HOPefully it will get rid of all this fish waste?
People who have em say that is the way to go, I hope so?
JOHN my ponds are 25 X20 and that one is 4000 gal.
And the small one is 17X10 and about 1200 gal.
I also cleaned out big pond and gave away about 30 fi***o our local plumber.

BUCKEYE why didn't I think of the 800 lb. bruin?
That will solve all my problems.

Got to cut grass(neighbors), then start on the weeds.
All have a goood one.
laz57

[laz 57]

MITCH,
Glad you are soaking up that well needed rest.
Way to go you deserve it.
laz57

[dbaker48]

Congratulations to all the grads! Mine is 17 and what an understatement regarding the time. It is difficult letting go! I try to remember what I was doing at that age, and allow him his space. We are fortunate he calls frequently to "check in" whenever he is away. Tonight is the drama club Banquet for the school play he was in. (Bye Bye Birdie). However parents are not involved.... Drat, Drat, Drat [:(]

We were involved with Indian Guides through the YMCA, boy was that fantastic!!! Sure created a strong bond. Lot of 1:1 time, and very fun adventures. Added a whole dimension to our lives. Can't recommend it strong enough.

He is the reason I'm back in trains also.

Anticipating permit approval within next 2 weeks, then construction starting 4-6 weeks.
Major tasks between now and then, repaint 2 bedrooms, dismantle 1 bathroom taking all the cabinets without damaging them, and completely evacuating the garage.

Finished first bedroom over the weekend, took yesterday off and started on second bedroom, it has wallpaper that has to be removed [V][}:)]

Hope weather remains calm for all.

[Locomotive681]

Hey guys just got back from the army navey store that had a lot of cool thing only got something for layout its a 20mm dummy round for a flat a little protection from alkida.[}:)][;)]
Locomotive681aka Mike

[ChiefEagles]

4 1/2 inches of rain since last night and still raining [but slower now]. Think I will take a break from doing SD70 upgrade and go try to get to pond and see how it is holding. Later.

[danrunner]

Just got in from Phoenix for a 4 day business trip. Luggage issues were fine, but almost missed our flight with a 1.3 hr wait in ticketing/check-in line to check-in luggage ( with a wife and 2 yo, carry-ons aren't enough) AND a .5 hr wait to go through security. We thought we were way too early arriving at the airport 2hrs before a domestic flight, but we just and i mean JUST made it. Thank God i'm one of those early is on-time nuts of we'd be on a greyhound still coming back.

AZ is prime train country BNSF diesels followed us from phoenix all the way to Kingamn. Santa Fe steamers on display at every decent-sized town along the 3hr drive. We love it there. Just wish westerners appreciated basements and their train layout and storage potential. If we move there, we'll probably convert the third garage (most new homes out there have 3) into my train room since basements unknown in these parts.

Pray my wife gets the job and we can finally settle down.

Dan
W. Lafayette, IN

[ChiefEagles]

Water is flying in what is usually a little trickle from a creek. Bridge I built for kids to cross taht area is under water about 5 feet or washed away???? Water is going over the emergency run around. Did not get out and try to walk over the big rock to see. Road is under water about a foot. Sun is trying to come out. Probably go back later this PM and check it out. Shear rock path was a jolt. All the dirt in the rocks had washed out. Crabtree Valley Mall is flooded. Later.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Chief....Does BPS sell snorkels ???

[dbaker48]

Dan,
Good luck!! on the potential relocation, Phoenix is great ! Some good trains shops too, great opportunity for a garden reailway.

[dwiemer]

Afternoon everyone.
Chief, be careful of what you wish for....we got several inches in a steady downpour all night. No flooding, thankfully. Had a good stiff wind blow for some time yesterday, but was calm and sunny today. Cooled off to about 90, which is a welcome break in the heat.

Hoping to get started on layout building this weekend, I have just about all my honey dos done, and now I can focus on me myself and I, until I am told otherwise.

I am sure I will need a bit of advice from some, so stay tuned for some questiones.
Dennis

[dougdagrump]

Dan, If you set up one of the garages as a train room you best insulate the garage doors, if they aren't already, and install an A/C unit. During the next 3 to 4 months Phoenix will be runing 110* to 120* F during the day and the 90's at nite. Almost forgot to mention to throw in a little monsoon rain as well. [:-^] [swg]

[jefelectric]

Good afternoon,

The way it sounds, I better stop asking for rain!

Laz, I was just kidding about sleeping in. Good luck with your new filter.

Chief, Hope it drys off enough for you to make your flight.

Don, Slowly but surely the train room is getting closer.

Dan, The SW certainly is train country. I took my granddaughter home on the Southwest Chief last summer and we got off in Gallup, NM. That is a real train city. They are moving through that area all of the time. First time I ever saw a real military train. About 100 cars loaded with tanks, trucks, all sorts of equipment.

All have a nice evening.