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

[jefelectric]

Good morning all,

ferronut, Welcome back.

Checking in before leaving for a business meeting.  They are trying to talk me into doing another project in retirement.  I don't want to!

After the meeting, on to the fitness center.

Gil, Should we ask why?

Can't believe I am posting before Chuck.

All have a good week.

 

[laz 57]

Hi GIZ,

Beauty of a day here.

Got my 6 miler in and lifted this morning.

BUCKEYE sounded like you were at the British Open draining that 25 foot putt?  Wow YOU DA MAN!!!!!!

Welcome to the forum MIKE.  Nice to have another GUY from PA.  Watch out for that rascal from NC he try and sway you to eating GRITS?

Have a good one GIZ.

laz57

[cnw1995]

Good morning from a sunny and cool Chicago. Welcome, Mike! Another beautiful day here, and I'm inside. Boy, miss one day and there's five pages of forum postings. Never got around to photographing the latest signage on the layout last eve. - sat through an awful Harrison Fold DVD instead called Firewall that the bride picked out. I guess all the techie howlers in it kept me from enjoying it - and I'm sure my running commentary ruined it for the bride. I owe her one.  Had another big thunderstorm come through too - complete with exploding transformers lighting up the horizon - fortunately, didn't lose power. Took the boys to Crystal Lake - yep, there's a real lake in town with two beaches - on Sunday too. Preparing this week to go off to the Upper Penisula of Michigan on Sat for five days at our church's father-son camp - last year for my middle son. I can hear the mosquitos buzzing already... 

[cnw1995]

Tonight I should have a few hours to finally re-wire the beacon atop Mt. Seaman; the background lighting for the Eagles Ridge Electric Park (using two old MTH standard gauge street lights behind the cardstock), and the semaphore and signal light - the latter two aren't working - it's probably the track connectors - but they light up green. I want to use one HO powerpack - and plug everything into the accessories connector.

[MartyE]

Geez Laz what time do you get up?   I can't get to lifting until at least 11am.

Hope everyone is doing fine.  Beautiful day here in SouthWestern PA.  Cool and dry.  Haven't done crap on my layout in the last few weeks.  Just too hot and Summery.  Is that even a word?  Hopefully with the new Lionel catalog knocking at the door maybe I'll get into a little after my trip to the left coast.

[ChiefEagles]

Morning all.  Been running errands.  Took Peek [16] to groomer and stopped by Lowes [yes, again].  Got exhaust fan for basement [part finished up to 5 feet and rest crawl space].  Think I need to circulate some air down there [mold and radon gas possible].  Got automatic shutter for it.  Will put it on timer to come on for a while and then off and then on.  Got a big wooden door [only used once in a while to go outside] I can mount it on.  Will vent into a closed in "walk up" area but not conditioned.  Got to service and rotate tires on truck today.   Better get busy.  Did do a little more work on upper level on RR Tracks this AM before leaving house.  Lower level plan is done.  It really helped.  Got more track and I would have probably had to "undo" some track and "re-layed" it if I had used old plan.  Going into walkin attic sure makes it better. 

Marty, we both must be on a "travel hold".  Right now, I go to Idaho the first full week in Sept. Then it will start over again.  Later.

[jefelectric]

Can't believe I am posting before Chuck.

Darn, He slipped in while I was writing my post.  You are sneaky Chuck.

[dougdagrump]

Marty, If you are going to be anywhere near Insane Diego drop me a line, maybe you can drop by the museum for a looksee.

Also, anybody going to the TTOS convention in Costa Mesa, Ca. ? One of the excursions is going to be a visit to the San Diego Museum.

[Anonymous]

Hello all!
Wanted to just let all of the fellow YANKKEE's in the eastern part of Pennsylvania know that the Delaware Valley High Railers will be displaying at the Great Train Expo at the Greater Reading Expo Center – 2525 North 12^th Street, Reading, PA on August 5th and 6th.  There is great shopping at the outlets to keep the wives busy while we enjoy our own shopping!  By the way, I am not sure if they serve Grits, but if you gis get out there stop by and say howdy!  (Hey Chief did I translate that enough???)

Mike

[cheapclassics]

Good afternoon all,

It is sunny and in the 80s in SE Indiana today.  We started taking Lucas to chemo-therapy today.  So far he appears to be doing ok.  They said some of the side effects would not show up for several days.  Hospitals are not the quickest facilities in the world as we were supposed to start treatments at 9:15 and we did not begin until 11:30.  However, it only lasts four hours so we may be home at a decent time.  I may even mow the yard, which I better do now until later in the week when it gets hotter.  I am posting first before catching up on all the "readings" in the "coffeepot".  I had my 10E worked on and it runs like a champ even though the guy said he could do nothing for it.  I have run for over a half hour each of two sessions and there has been no grinding noise or fall off in power like I had before.  Woo-hoo!  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

 

 

[cheapclassics]

Good afternoon again,

I managed to read all the posts, and I have some replies.  Jefelectric, this will be my second grandchild and first grandson.  This will give me two chances to get someone on the national soccer teams twenty years from now :-)  Welcome, 3rdrailMike, to the forum and "coffeepot".  This is a pretty good bunch of people, and occasionally we even discuss trains.  Lately I have enjoyed the comments on the relative merits of  CSX and NS.  CSX owns most of the lines in my area, but NS does have some lines fairly close.  There is one line thru New Castle, IN where they really let them run.  Greensburg has a shortline that runs thru it.  It used to be New York Central and then Conrail before it was nearly abandoned.  Mitchelr, I have been to the train store on US 30 in Gettysburg.  It does not look very big from the front, but the store just keeps going and going back.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

 

 

[csxt30]

John,

Did any of that flooding affect you or the family?  I hope it wasn't any of your family that drove around the cones and the road closed signs and then found their car afloat. 

Good afternoon Everyone !! No Buckeye, that storm really hit Ashtabula, just 10 miles west of us here in Conneaut. I worked Sunday, & they said that on Sat. our RR yard, tracks & all was under 3 feet of water ! That has never happened before, that anyone can recall.  Mostly all drained off by Sunday & I didn't have any problems. They got 7 inches of rain in 4 hrs. Sat. morning ! I saw a firetruck today at one road still pumping water there.

Well, hope everyone has a nice night !!

Thanks, John 

[csxt30]

Oh, Chuck !! I almost forgot to ask you if your CTT  Divco, came in a box like mine ? Just wondered !!

Thanks, John

 

[Blueberryhill RR]

Oh, Chuck !! I almost forgot to ask you if your CTT  Divco, came in a box like mine ? Just wondered !!

Thanks, John

 

Yep,  sure did. Did you like the calender???

[csxt30]

OH yeah !! That callendar didn't stay in my hands long !! Ha ! The wife scooped it right up !! I wish they had sent a couple more of those babies !! Hang on to yours Chuck !!  

Thanks, John

[ChiefEagles]

Evening all.  Exhaust fan and shutter are installed in the basement.  Got it on timer so it will come on and run for 30 minutes 6 times a day [24 hours].  Didn;t get to truck so will have to do that tomorrow.  Had to go pickup Murphey [Peek] from groomer [Mom was suppose to do it and called].  That delayed my day's plans.  Did run trains for about 30 at noon today.  Going to rest this evening.  Shower time [was cooler today]. 

NS has trackage now on the Kansas City Southern and is spending money to upgarde their tacks.  That puts NS into Dallas.  Later.

[mitchelr]

Mitchelr, I have been to the train store on US 30 in Gettysburg.  It does not look very big from the front, but the store just keeps going and going back.

Mike C,

Glad to hear the chemo went pretty well for your son.  My wife went by Carver's Toy train Shop on Route 30 today for the first time to pick up some paint for me.  She went back to the "Paint" room.  She too was astonished at how big the place was.  Sometimes the owner will talk your ears off and other times he doesn't have much to say.

Mitch

[Anonymous]

It has cooled down this evening and is very nice out.

 

There for I thought a walk with the dog would be in order.

 

She began to trot and I began to jog. We did about a quarter mile and I decided to sing some army tunes, double time cadenece. Something about Rangers and two old ladies in bed wanting to kill VC

 

I was breathless. 100 pounds and 36 years seems to make a differnce, who knew?

 

By Friday I bet I can get the words out.

AIRBORNE RANGER

 

[Buckeye Riveter]

John, glad to hear everybody kept dry at your house.  After a RR yard is flooded, what special cleaning do they need to do?  Does it affect the signals? 

BTW, I saw one of those little CTT trucks at a train show.  Went back to buy it and it was gone.

Mike, glad the chemo is going good so far for your son. 

Laz, I'm looking for a used Taylor Made R580 Reg Flex.  I'm told it would improve my golf game.  I don't think much will help me anymore.

Doug, I remember you going to the U.P of Michigan last year.   Do you go near Copper Harbor?  I have spent many a night camping on the U.P, but mostly over by the Straits.

 

[Anonymous]

How do you post a picture here?

[csxt30]

John, glad to hear everybody kept dry at your house.  After a RR yard is flooded, what special cleaning do they need to do?  Does it affect the signals? 

BTW, I saw one of those little CTT trucks at a train show.  Went back to buy it and it was gone.

Buckeye: In our yard there was nothing that got damaged, we only have air lines there, & were not affected.Our main is another 3 feet higher. I didn't hear of any siganals out on the main affected, but they told me the detectors were getting all kinds of wheels that day, false of course, but someone has to go check each wheel anyway. Crews couldn't get off their trains coming into the yard or get taxi cabs to the trains, with that deep of water. Water was actually up to the windows on the trucks !  One manhole cover was floating obove its hole, being pushed up by all the water !

Thanks, John

[csxt30]

How do you post a picture here?

Gill : just go to Shutterfly & click on your picture & right click on Copy, then go to the forum & rt. click Paste ! That works for most of us, but if it doesn't, use the { img } method. That works too .

Thanks, John

[Brutus]

Jim, How is Chewy doing ? Gotta watch out for Michael's discount coupons, sometimes they'll have a small sale, 5 or 10 % off, which in-validates the use of a good discount coupon. We went by last week and I had a very difficult time keeping my hands and my wallet in my pockets. Would have liked to have picked up Isle of Doom Lighthouse, the Mine, and the Funhouse. 

 

Hey Doug, Chewy is doing fine.  We have her on some kind of special dog food now that has rice in it along with lamb, beef or chicken.  Not sure what set off that bout of chewyrhea, but we are trying to help her out for a while.

I really liked that Zombie Cafe as well!  I've got two 40 percent off coupons burning a hole in my pocket, but my "allowance" doesn't come until Friday.  Maybe pick up one of the $50 ones on sale this weekend and see if my wife will pick up one of the cheaper ones for me.  My wife is onto me - she noted that all I want to do is take down the legoes so I can put up a Halloween set up "already!" - lol

Chief - why not post your layout plans?  RRTracks will export a pic, as I recall.

Mike, glad to hear the medicos are getting to work - hang in there.

PS - the St. Louis area still has about 150,000 people without power since last Wednesday and then Friday storms.  It was a little drier out tonight, so I mowed the lawn, but I only trimmed the front, not the back and not the woods.  It was getting too late for all that.

Still no word from Island Trains - anybody know if the Transylvania dockside switcher shipped from Lionel yet?

[dbaker48]

Also, anybody going to the TTOS convention in Costa Mesa, Ca. ? One of the excursions is going to be a visit to the San Diego Museum.

Doug,
Sure hope they plan the excursion to Angel's Gate before the trip to San Diego.  If you have seen Angels Gate you'll understand why.  Your facility is the ipitmy (spelling?) of any layout I have ever seen.  Angels gate is definitely a work in process!!
I will be at the convention and will buy you lunch or dinner whatever works, also be coming down to San Diego again in August 12/13 for another presentation.  A Saturday so don't expect to see you at the museum.

[dbaker48]

Didn't want to bore everyone with an update on my room addition, hence the second post..

Here we are,  all the permits and drawings approved and only took 6 1/2 months.  Now the contractor raised the price $25k.  Result - No Go!!

Alternative Plan - Put up a 14x20 enclosed patio room, fully insulated, everything.  Even a pass through to the kitchen so wife can keep me fed and watererd.  Approval time required 6-8 weeks, only!  Only permit requirement is a plot plan, because building being prefabed is all approved.  Cost impact Savings of about $65k.  Conclusion ---- No Brainer,   Lets Get'r Done!!!   So contractor coming out tonight to sign contract and get it going!!! 

Problem - Air Conditioning compressor in the middle of the room, OK we will put it on the roof over the garage, against the second story.  (This doesn't sound good, but is quite common, in our area.  Would not be adjacent to any bedroom and not visible from street, and since the unit is only 4 yrs old is a newer quiter model.)  Ok.... check with the city last week and no problem, commonplace not an issue.  Schedule 3 a/c companies to come out for quotes.  1st one cancelled at scheduled appointment time, seems that we are in the midst of a nation wide heat wave, and they are busy.  2nd one says wait you live in that city?  They won't let you do it. WHAT?!?  And he was serious!
So I contact the city AGAIN, this time the answer is NO, why?  We have an ordance!  What about all the others?  They're illegal....   On my way home from work I see three more houses with the same thing.   Super frustrated NOW.

So the room contractor shows up, I tell him what's happening, and that can't sign a contract until I get this little problem resolved.  He was very accomodating and no problem, would be available as soon as we are ready.  Reviewed all the dimensions, and details, wife getting various anxious and wants the room, etc.

So..... current plan.... A/C company #3 coming out tomorrow AM, (and he already knows the job, and of course the city)   So  ...

CHIEF AND BUCKEYE DO NOT READ THIS PART..

Screw the city we will do it anyway,  they can't see it, and if they can't be reasonable I just won't play their game.  (I think I might take revenge on their Rose Bowl Day Parade float,  or P in some of their water fountains, (there is two at every insection in town, over 180 fountains.)

In the meantime when I get this frustrated I want to spend money and buy stuff,  what the hell whats one more train that I don't have room for.

Rant OVER

[dbaker48]

MY LAST POST FOR THE DAY.....

FOUND OUT WHY ALL THE HEAT  ---  DUE TO OIL CRISIS

It seems that normally the "jet stream" takes some what of a curvey course across the US, flow west to east.  Usually in the shape of a sine wave, pulling cold air down from Canada and the Artic.  Well the past couple of weeks the "jet stream" has been pretty much a flat line, therefore allowing the illegal immigration of high pressure and monsoons coming up from Mexico.  So IF there was more air traffic the jet stream would be more active and resume the normal trends.  Conclusion:  Everyone need to travel more, but arn't due to the increased air fares as a result of the oil prices.

Just thought you would want to know.

[mitchelr]

Good morning from Gettysburg.  It is currently 67 with high temps expected to be about 84.

Don Baker- know you must be frustrated,  I hope you get the room plans settled and underway soon. 

The heat waves must be effecting everyone,  Last week we had a thread on the forum where Bob Keller had to lock it up and I see now where a couple a people are screaming at each other because a newbie posted a question that looked like she was trying to sell some trains she inherited from her grandfather.  It started out with a polite reply that was basically "Hey, I didn't know that was allowed?" and few few posts later people are calling each other out....   Gee the girl didn't know the rules and you don't have to sign a contract to get on the forum.  I sent her a private message to try to explain, but some people got bent way out of shape.

Last night I stripped a pre-war 655 box car to repaint.  A previous owner had slopped orange paint over the original yellow and maroon to make it into a baggage car to go with the 528, 629 and 630 that I have been repainting and refurbishing.  I used the old bucket of concentrated Simple Green.  About an hour half to two hours later both the orange paint and the original finish are gone,  I used an old toothbrush to get the paint that was stuck in the corners and around the rivets,  then rinsed it and dried it.  Today I will prime it before I head to work. Tonight I will start painting it.  The best part of the Simple Green is that I can snap the lid back on the bucket and I will be able to use it again when I strip the 629 and 630 passenger cars (yes, the previous owner also repainted them with a paint brush too ).  I am hesitating on repainting the 629 and 630 because I am afraid of damaging the window inserts when I remove them (they are celluloid??).  Also the previous owner had used black paint over one of the green name plate inserts and I want to see if I can find a replacement or a way to lift off the top layer of black without removing the green paint and ink stamping underneath.

Have a great day.

Mitch

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill.........

It is 63 degrees and sunny. Going up to 89 and sunny. Gonna be hot.

I have a lot of errands to run today. I will be in Cambridge for a few hours and also Byesville. Up around route 70. Have to get some things taken care of on the car. Chip in windshield.

I agree with Mitch on the heat affecting the people who answer threads. It's  not fun reading some posts, made by nasty people. Enough.

I am off to the Dining car for breakfast and then getting busy.

Y'all have a great day.

Chuck

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

It is sunny with the temps headed into the 80s today in SE Indiana.  Last night mowed the yard when I got home.  My neighbor decided to "trim" my trees again this year.  I had already done it once myself, and was going to do it some more before other issues arose.  This time he cut them back beyond the property line so I may have to have a little chat with him.  Basically, if he does it again, I will put up a fence to prevent him from doing any more "trimming".  Last year I could understand some of his irritation, but he never speaks to me about it, he just hacks away.  Fortunately, those redbuds are pretty hardy and they sprout even more branches the next year.

Lucas had a bout of nausea last night and did not eat any supper.  He did sleep thru most of the night.  Hopefully he will have a good breakfast and be able to eat more today.  Day two of chemo is today.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

 

[laz 57]

Geez Laz what time do you get up?   I can't get to lifting until at least 11am.

 

Hi GIZ,

   MARTY to answer your question,  I get up at 550AM, take the dog for a walk to loosen up and then start my run at about 620.  Get done at about 720 have a cup of cofee read some of the paper then do abot 35-40 minutes of lifting.  I  like to get it out of the way early to have time for the rest of the stuff I got to do.

 

Anyway lift and run is done.

 

BUCKEYE,  if you have a 2nd swing GOLF store there they have em.  They are pre swung and arent too bad at price.  I'm looking for one too, my brother broke mine when the head flew off.  Had to use a 3 wood the rest of the day.

 

Startng to get humid again.

All have a good one.

laz57