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

[BMRR]

Come on guys go easy on the Chief, because............I also love Sweet ice tea and Grits and for now I run my O scale trains on the floor. 

Everyone have a great evening,

Stan.

[mitchelr]

A question for Mitch,  A while back you recomended Simple Green for removing paint from train items, did you use it on metal or plastic?  Did you use it full strength as it comes from the gallon jug?  I have a metal crane car and a plastic crane tender that I want to strip, repaint and letter for my RR.

If anyone else has a suggestion, feel free to offer it, I've never tried this before.

Nothing fancy, planning to use Weaver spray paint and rub on lettering.

John,

I use the Simple Green straight out of the bottle.  I have a bucket with a snap on lid and I put the train in and cover with Simple Green.  It comes out clean as a whistle.  I have only used it on metal, not sure about plastic.

Mitch

[jefelectric]

Thanks Mitch,  I guess it wouldn't hurt to try it on plastic, I can't imagine Simple green would hurt plastic, it may not remove the paint & then I would have to try something else.  Saw a recomendation on the Atlas forum to use brake fluid to remove paint from plastic, so if the simple green doesn't work I will try that.  It will be a while before I try either since I have to finish the doll house first.

[Brutus]

I will try the simple green this weekend, unless I get different orders from the boss - so far we have no plans except work on the basement....

[dougdagrump]

The day that Chief was visiting was not one of our better days. The worst part is it started the minute that I took the track cleaning cars and locos off so we could start setting up for the day.

I was going to run an Atlas lashup, but one of the locos was responding on a part time basis. Couldn't get it corrected so back into the tub with that one and just run a single SD-35. Although my Lionel C-420's ran great as a lashup later in the day.

However I got off lucky on this day, a K-line FM had a p/u wire short out on the frame.  A couple of the turnouts are either starting to show their age or need a good cleaning, mini-vacuum cleaner didn't help, a couple of the locos split the switches causing derailments. Since they were running two trains on one main and one of the problem turnouts was on that main they tried changing from a right hand rule to a left hand rule but unfortunately one of the switches was set wrong.

You guessed it "BANG", a rather strong headon by a K-Line FM and a scale Hudson. Afterwhich the Hudson wouldn't run worth a darn, think it shook something loose. It also had an arcing problem with the eng/tender coupler touching the center rail. The visitors, not Chief, thought the crash was very entertaining.

Somone else had a problem trying to keep his Williams lashup in sync, e-unit sensitivity.

Fun and Games !!!!!!!!

 

[Buckeye Riveter]

Good afternoon guys,

Chief, Nice to hear you had a good trip and a good flight.  Maybe your complaints hit the right ears.

Colin,  Well if your Dad is a Notre Dame fan, I guess he is happy, I could not believe how Michigan State fell apart in the 2nd half.

Jim,  Your comment about offering 10 cents a dandelion reminded me that when my two older children were small, I used to pay them 1 cent a dandelion.  My daughter still brings that up as an example  of the tough father that I was.  As she was always the one looking for money she really did do it for that and dug out a ton of them.

Son & grandson went to the Dover race today.  Got an offer of tickets and a seat on a vender's bus, hard to turn that down.  I imagine they got fed as well.

Got to run the wife is getting impatient as we are going to visit her Dad in an assisted living facility.

Maybe check back in later.

He was pretty happy last nite.

Just finished the 35 Biology essay questions, now to take some pics of the detail painting I did on my Atlas gondola. This is my first Atlas car, and I am pretty happy with it. Pics to come later. 

Having spent five years living in the shadow of the Golden Dome of Notre Dame, Colin tell your Dad that Michigan State most likely had another DA attack.  They do it all the time just when you think they are going to beat OSU, Michigan, Wisconsin, Purdue, Penn State, Iowa, or Notre Dame.  

On the road tonight.  Big meetings tomorrow.  Next week I will be in the Bluegrass State and the Hoosier State. 

I sure hate not seeing the other posts like in the old days.

Doug, I never thought about sending an earthquake home with the Chief.  Good job!

See ya down the tracks,

[Buckeye Riveter]

The Roseyville Rascal surveys the layout, the only real problem was he kept trying to lay on the floor to watch the trains.

Chuck, look at the photo of the Chief carefully.  Now that I think about it he wore that same exact same shirt when he visited us the last time.  Obviously things in Roseyville are not going to well and they have closed down the Wal-Mart where the Chief used to purchase his clothing.  Should we start a clothing drive for the Chief?

[wrmcclellan]

Evening all!

Survived the Scout campout. Weather started out bad (hot and humid), then we had a big rainstorm Sat am, and then clearing skies and a great day for shotgun training and skeet. My son who has never picked up a shotgun got 12 of 19 clays on his first try. He and one other boy qualified by getting their 12 of 25 requirement two times. I guess there is some value to all those shooting video games???

Agree with Buckeye that being able to see the posts (vs opening up another window) was a lot nicer.

I see Chief had a good time in SD CA.

Have a great evening all. Another busy work week ahead.

[dbaker48]

Havn't had a chance to post since got back from breakfast with the Chief.  Really enjoyed the conversation with him.  Considering it was the first time we met, their wasn't enough time to discuss everything that I would have liked to.  But was very happy to have had the time we did.  Glad to hear the return flight(s) went so well.

By the way, on the way home I-10 runs parallel to a main UP line, always has traffic on it typicall 80-100 cars.  Saw a lashup with 3 UP's and 1 Norfork Southern headed west, couldn't get a picture didn't realize what it was until it was too late.

By the way, MIL's surgery went fine.  She's home recuperating, everything was a success.

How is it that the OTTS, has to have their picnic at a Penitentiary?  You guys aren't that bad are you? Or was it at a Nature Center? I'm confused.

Colin  Did I miss the pictures of the Atlas gondola?  Dont forget to post them

John & Jefelectric  I might have exagerrated a little on the breakfast, but it was really good!  They did have a buffet but most of the the time its always warm scrabbled eggs, And I would prefer a hot breakfast if I am going to have one.  But, the omelet was really good.  They even offered a sorbet with breakfast, first time I seen it offered with juice.

Jim (jaabat) Thanks for the effort, I'm not sure about the email aspect of the forum, I sent a test message to myself, and still havn't received it.  Maybe it filtered it out.  I think I'm going to change my signature to include my email address, for simplicity.

Chuck hope your trip went well, can imagine your family will really be happy to see you!

Keith - No problem, No grits here,  Did notice a bit of a vacuum when the plane left on the return flight and a huge plume of white dust trailing behind.

Dr. John (there are too many Johns)  that 994 really looks sharp!!!!  Hopefully it will run as well as it looks.  Very nice piece.

Doug sounded like you guys really planned an interesting show for the Chiefs visit.  He doesn't know about all the practice runs you guys did setting up the correography for that event, does he?

Roy - My son had a similiar experience as your daughters'  only it was a tree and not a curb.  Talk about fortunate, we have the left corner of the bumper bent a little and that's it.  He had just left the carwash and his wet shoe slipped from the brake to the gas.  And a resulting fish tail grazing the tree.  (When I used tat excuse at 17 it didn't work for me)  But, I checked the scene out and with wet tires it was quite possible.  Sure shook him up, maybe this may be that first accident that makes him realize how carefull you need to be when driving.  I hope so, it would be cheap.  No harm, noone hurt, no damage, and don't even have to pay for a tree.

Evening all  -- Have a great day.....  West Coast signing off and turning out the lights.

[mitchelr]

I wish I was born rich instead of handsome. 

Ahhh and humble too...  Jim,  Happy Anniversary.  I often take a vacation day on my wife's birthday.  We will go shopping or out to lunch.  About 3 years ago, I had an important meeting and couldn't take off...boy was I in deep hot water.  Nothing some flowers and a dinner at nice restaurant couldn't handle though.

Yesterday took off a couple hours early, came home and slept.  Must have had the same stomach bug that Jim Fortner had.  It started Sunday at my brother and SIL's house.  Just felt kind of blaaaa and nauseuous, never really got sick but did not feel good.  Much better today.

I was away from the forum for a few days about ago when the copmuter was in the shop and just caught up last night,  So many posts. Computer has to go back to the shop today, now sound is not working. Ugghhh.  will proabalby take two weeks to get caught up again.  Hopefully we will get a check for replacement and order a new one soon.

Take care,

Mitch

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

Up early today. Want to leave by 9:30am. It is cool and dark at 55 degrees. Suppose to go up to 71 today and be sunny.

It will be nice to see my sisters again. They were at the hospital just about every day, when I was there. Should be a nice day for a drive.

Dining car is open early for breakfast.

Y'all have a great day.

Chuck

p.s.....Almost forgot: Indians 14 , White Sox 1 

[Jumijo]

Good morning, everyone.

A short day today. The company picnic is this afternoon. I'm bailing out and heading back to Dr. Tinkers for some more parts.

Mitch,
I was totally joking about being born handsome. If anyone was wacked with an ugly stick, it was me! I'd scare a buzzard off a meat wagon! And just so you don't get any funny ideas, the wondertwins are my two boys, John and Mikey!

Dr. John,
You are giving me a serious Marx train Jones. Those locomotives are beauties! That seller has a Spiderman loco for sale now if you're interested . . .

I hope the Chief gets to spend some quality time with Marilyn this week while his wife is in KC. Chief, do like I suggested and don't answer the phone.

Have a great day.

Jim

[Dr. John]

Jim, I got permission from the seller of those Marx locos, William (Bill) Law, to use his name and give credit where credit's due. His Ebay user name is walaw1946 for those who might be interested in checking out his work. He definitely has a flair for bright and sometimes fanciful paint jobs (like the Spiderman loco). He also services the locos before he sells them so they run well too.

Here are the three that I've purchased from him this year:

[dbaker48]

Dr. John,
Those are really beautiful.  He certainly does a fantastic job.  A real find, craftsmanship still lives!

[cnw1995]

Good morning from a sunny and cool Chicago. Great work on those Marx engines, I really have admired them. Spent a hour on the phone last night with a nice tech support guy in the Phillipines trying to get the old eMac I took home connected to the DSL router. We went through everything I had already done. Some setting is still blocking the network ports - actually I didn't mind the troubleshooting so much as it ended unsuccessfully. Later in the week, I'll see if I can reactivate default settings. Have one big long day (and night) of meetings. Tally ho!

[ChiefEagles]

Morning all.  Slept late!!!  No phone yet.  Did have to get up for 5 minutes and let boys out at 5:30 and give them their morning breakfast [one chopped up hot dog each heated in microwave, their Mom's doing].  Now I'm on the move.  Pam called from KC last night.  Thinks they got her room mixed up as she has suite with kitchen.  Feds never furnish such.  Jim, hope to work on that project I told you about last night.  It sure is cool and pretty here.  Tempting to do the other one.  BTW: condolences to Mary for being married to "squeeky".   Hope the visit to Dr. Tinker goes well.  Doug, great time there.  Will post some pictures as I get time [downloaded them Sunday PM].  Don, glad everything is going OK.  We'll plan a longer visit the next time.  Maybe the room will be ready and I'll visit you.  As for my Pro Mariner shirts, got lots so I let them furnish my "uniform".  They are paying the tab, so why not.  Also never have a problem with TSA.  Especially the ones with Cabela's and Bass Pro on them.  Most of the guys fish and/or hunt so they mainly ask you questions or comment on the stores.  Hey, where is Marty?  Hope he is not stuck in the middle of now were doing a game. Dr. John, great shinny engines.  Buckeye, you can...., AH never mind.   OSU is Oklahoma State University, right?   Later.

[Jumijo]

Dr. John,

Please try to convice Bill Law to join this forum. I sent him an e-mail via eBay a few weeks ago praising him for his work. He wrote a very nice reply and seems like a great guy. He would be an asset here. I did send him a second email invititing him to join us, but never did hear back. Gosh I like that blue 1666! Send it up nawth to me and have Bill paint you a rebel red version.

Chief,

Focus! Get that project started! 


Jim


Mr. Engineer, get your hand off the bottle and back on the throttle!

[1688torpedo]

Hello All!   Happy anniversary to Jim A! Hope you have many more to come. Don- Glad your son is okay after his mishap at the car wash. I bet the Tree hurts though! Chief- Do your Dog's like the "Wrath of Kahn" Hot Dog's or Oscar Meyer? Dr.John- Your Marx Engines are nice looking.they seem like a good find. Take Care all.

[MartyE]

Hey guys!  Been up since 4:00am and at work by 4:30.  We are in LA doing the ESPN Contender Finally tonight.  We'll be here I'm sure til 2 or 3am this morning cleaning up this mess. 

Chief  USAirways treated you well!  I'm glad.  Now if we could just get those hot towels back!  Haven't had time to read all the latest entries so I hope everyone is doing well.  I get to come home tomorrow so I am looking forward to that.  NO BIG CHAIR yet Chief.  Long flight in coach...YUK.

[laz 57]

HI GIZ,

  Just got back from the 2006 Salmon excersion from Pulaski NY.  Good trip as far as scenic excersion.  But for fishing wasn't good at all.  Brothers had a total of 12 hook ups with NO fish landed.  I had NO hookups and No fish .  Talk about putting in some long hours and nothing to show for your labors, oh well I guess thats why they call it fishin?  My brother did take some action shots and when I get em I  will post.  Just great to get away for a weekend.

Sounds like lots o stuff went on here 4 pages to get caught up on.  I did read of a head on crash with an K-line FM and a Hudson OUCH.  Hope YUZ GIZ get it running again?

All have a good one.

laz57

[ChiefEagles]

Hey guys!  Been up since 4:00am and at work by 4:30.  We are in LA doing the ESPN Contender Finally tonight.  We'll be here I'm sure til 2 or 3am this morning cleaning up this mess. 

Chief  USAirways treated you well!  I'm glad.  Now if we could just get those hot towels back!  Haven't had time to read all the latest entries so I hope everyone is doing well.  I get to come home tomorrow so I am looking forward to that.  NO BIG CHAIR yet Chief.  Long flight in coach...YUK.

Hope they will be paging you [like they did me in Phoenix] for First Class.  Makes a difference and especially on those long flights.  Good luck.   

[dwiemer]

A friend at work went in for a stress test and ended up with a triple bypass last week.  At least he's doing well.  His blood sugar was high as well, so they are waiting until after he is recuperated to do some testing for diabetes - hopefully this isn't a double whammy for him.

Jim,  I can't tell you the number of patients that I have done heart surgery on that have undiagnosed diabetes.  More than a few and in most cases, it was one of the main reasons they developed ASHD.  It is important for everyone to get the yearly physical, but also to make sure that the family practice doc has a fasting glucose done and followed up with.  My best to you and your friend.  PS: Michael's here has all the Halloween stuff still and it is on sale this week.  Also, check out the rest of the store as they have orange LED sets that you could use to augment your scenery.

dennis

 

[ChiefEagles]

A friend at work went in for a stress test and ended up with a triple bypass last week.  At least he's doing well.  His blood sugar was high as well, so they are waiting until after he is recuperated to do some testing for diabetes - hopefully this isn't a double whammy for him.

Jim,  I can't tell you the number of patients that I have done heart surgery on that have undiagnosed diabetes.  More than a few and in most cases, it was one of the main reasons they developed ASHD.  It is important for everyone to get the yearly physical, but also to make sure that the family practice doc has a fasting glucose done and followed up with.  My best to you and your friend.  dennis

Do as the Doctor Dennis says.  I had not problems at all and chest xray lead to stress test, that led to other test and then 6 by-passes.  Piece of CAKE.   If I ever have to have another open heart, I'm insisting that Dennis be the guy on the heart machine.  Afterall, he is a REBS.

BTW: trainroom is ready for painting [after a lot of interruptions].  I may start now. 

CTT sure has had its slow moments today.  Other forums running fast.  This thing will get to a crawl sometimes. ????

[MartyE]

Score another one for USAirways.  BIG CHAIR from LAX to PIT.  Hopefully be home by 8p tomorrow evening.  Can't wait its been a long hard trip.

[tmcc man]

Hello everyone,

   I played flag football at school today, walked in the door a little over an hour ago. We won, my friend had the game winning interception. The games are 30 minutes long, and my game had been scheduled for about 3:30, so we finished at 4:00. I stayed to watch a girl named Ali play, she is the one I now like. All my friends had been fooling around with other before the game, pushing each other down the hill, jumping on peoples backs, rolling down hills, and a few other things, it was quite entertaining. Finished my Bio homework already, and already had dinner. Waiting until 8PM to watch NCIS, and the The UNIT and 9PM.

[tmcc man]

Havn't had a chance to post since got back from breakfast with the Chief.  Really enjoyed the conversation with him.  Considering it was the first time we met, their wasn't enough time to discuss everything that I would have liked to.  But was very happy to have had the time we did.  Glad to hear the return flight(s) went so well.

By the way, on the way home I-10 runs parallel to a main UP line, always has traffic on it typicall 80-100 cars.  Saw a lashup with 3 UP's and 1 Norfork Southern headed west, couldn't get a picture didn't realize what it was until it was too late.

By the way, MIL's surgery went fine.  She's home recuperating, everything was a success.

How is it that the OTTS, has to have their picnic at a Penitentiary?  You guys aren't that bad are you? Or was it at a Nature Center? I'm confused.

Colin  Did I miss the pictures of the Atlas gondola?  Dont forget to post them

John & Jefelectric  I might have exagerrated a little on the breakfast, but it was really good!  They did have a buffet but most of the the time its always warm scrabbled eggs, And I would prefer a hot breakfast if I am going to have one.  But, the omelet was really good.  They even offered a sorbet with breakfast, first time I seen it offered with juice.

Jim (jaabat) Thanks for the effort, I'm not sure about the email aspect of the forum, I sent a test message to myself, and still havn't received it.  Maybe it filtered it out.  I think I'm going to change my signature to include my email address, for simplicity.

Chuck hope your trip went well, can imagine your family will really be happy to see you!

Keith - No problem, No grits here,  Did notice a bit of a vacuum when the plane left on the return flight and a huge plume of white dust trailing behind.

Dr. John (there are too many Johns)  that 994 really looks sharp!!!!  Hopefully it will run as well as it looks.  Very nice piece.

Doug sounded like you guys really planned an interesting show for the Chiefs visit.  He doesn't know about all the practice runs you guys did setting up the correography for that event, does he?

Roy - My son had a similiar experience as your daughters'  only it was a tree and not a curb.  Talk about fortunate, we have the left corner of the bumper bent a little and that's it.  He had just left the carwash and his wet shoe slipped from the brake to the gas.  And a resulting fish tail grazing the tree.  (When I used tat excuse at 17 it didn't work for me)  But, I checked the scene out and with wet tires it was quite possible.  Sure shook him up, maybe this may be that first accident that makes him realize how carefull you need to be when driving.  I hope so, it would be cheap.  No harm, noone hurt, no damage, and don't even have to pay for a tree.

Evening all  -- Have a great day.....  West Coast signing off and turning out the lights.

Don, the pics of the car are on Sunday Photo Fun. Not great quality pix though. It is the Atlas Trainman Line Reading gondola.

[csxt30]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

Up early today. Want to leave by 9:30am. It is cool and dark at 55 degrees. Suppose to go up to 71 today and be sunny.

It will be nice to see my sisters again. They were at the hospital just about every day, when I was there. Should be a nice day for a drive.

Dining car is open early for breakfast.

Y'all have a great day.

Chuck

p.s.....Almost forgot: Indians 14 , White Sox 1 

Well, I know Chuck is having a good time today !! I was wondering Chuck, is that the same team, the Chicago White Sox, that won the World Series last year, that you said lost to the Cleveland Indians last night ?  

Hope The Chief gets his trainroom painted !!  

Hope everyone has a nice evening !!

Thanks, John

[ChiefEagles]

Score another one for USAirways.  BIG CHAIR from LAX to PIT.  Hopefully be home by 8p tomorrow evening.  Can't wait its been a long hard trip.

Great!!!

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Evening.......

We arrived home about an hour ago. Had a great time. Took pictures. My lovely sisters said " I look great ". Had lunch and talked for a few hours. That was my kind of day.

I hope everyone here had a nice day.

Chuck

[dougdagrump]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

p.s.....Almost forgot: Indians 14 , White Sox 1 

Go Padres !

Go Padres !

Go Padres !

Go Padres !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!