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

[wrmcclellan]

Morning all!

Another very busy day ahead.

Cooler weather here. High today low 80's.

Don - I think your trials are why I keep putting off letting anyone work on my house. I just hate dealing with it all. At least you are heading towards the finish line.

Jim A - abuse trains with that soldering iron and you will have the wrath of CTT forum on you!

Chief - keep that train room moving!

LAZ - nice find and great price!

Have a great day all!

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is 57 degrees and raining. Going up to 57 degrees and rain. ???? This weather is screwy. And there's a chance of rain this afternoon. OK.

Good day to stay in and run trains. I have a few things to do and then I will do some layout work. Now I see the advantage of a " shelf " layout. But, I will make the new expansion only 24 inches wide. Good reach.

Chief...That is exactly what I was talking about with the software. If you hit the size, you get what they give you. 3 is smaller than 2. YUK. Good luck on your fishing trip.

Looks like CA is on fire again. You guys out there is the middle of it???

Only 9 more days before the Train Show.  Oct. 7th.

I'm off to the Dining Car.  Breakfast.

Y'all have a great day.

Chuck

 

[Dr. John]

Good morning!

Finishing second cup of coffee before getting on the mower to cut the yard. Grass growth has slowed with the cooler weather. Probably will only cut it once or twice more (mainly to mulch leaves).

Jim, good find on the soldering iron (free is always good!). I've never had much luck finding trains at yard sales or flea markets - only found one beat up Marx tin caboose, and I paind too much for it.

Chief - so you're almost ready to start benchwork construction - truly these are the end times! Well, that puts you ahead of me! I've actually got some pretty good garage space for a layout, I just need to sell an old '90 Cadillac that's in the way.

Don, sorry about the troubles with the inspector. At my last church, we were doing some roof repair work when I got word that a city inspector had issued a stop-work order. I went out to talk to him - it seems that the permit was "improperly posted." It was supposed to be at eye-level and was too high.

Oh, the inspector was maybe 5' 2" tall in cowboy boots.

[Jumijo]

Thanks, John. By abusing trains, I meant that I can learn to solder and become a real toy trainguy. No more wannabe. It's a Weller SP40 40W unit. It seems like a nice item. Haven't a clue on how to use it. Will have to study up on the subject. It's not rocket science, so I'm not too concerned.



Jim

[dbaker48]

Looks like CA is on fire again. You guys out there is the middle of it???

Chuck,
Fortunately the fire has been in an isolated and uninhabited area. However it is quickly moving toward some populated areas.  It is located north of LA about 30 miles and moving west.  It has been primairly west of I-5 which was shut down for a couple of days, But is moving in the general dirction toward Ventura.  It is HUGE, with flames over 200 ft, and has consumed over 150,000 acres.  Last I heard about 40% contained.

[Jumijo]

Here's an update from the North Carolina fishing expedition:

The Chief is in the lead, having reeled in 2 Uniroyals and a Goodyear!

Stay tuned for more updates as they happen.

Jim

[jonadel]

Good Morning, a fantastically beautiful day here but a bit nippy.  Took the 4 Runner in to have a chip in the windshield fixed ($45 as opposed to a new windshield) and walked home, about two miles.  Really felt good to get the walk in early, I'll ride my bike in this afternoon as the bike rack is still on plus it's nearly all down hill---supper bike trail (rails to trails path) with Oak canopy over the trail.

Spent another hour this morning running the trains and trying to visualize what the next layout will be like.  I'd like not to rebuild the whole thing and I think I have some ideas I need to run past the boss.  I'm very intereted in building a big logging operation and I think it's possible with minimal demolition of what's already there plus the overall size of the east room bench work would increase by 1/3.  Hope she agrees

Building permits and living in the country.  Up till about a year ago we were basically on our own, what they didn't know wouldn't hurt them.  Sadly, those days are gone as urban creep is surrounding us.  Most of us have a minimum of 5 heavily timbered acres and a few much more than that.  We have 5 acres and quite honestly that's about 2 to many.  Now the city wants to annex us and our taxes would go up 45%  About 200 very upset residents were at a meeting Monday night and the local city council really took a hit, I don't think they knew what they were in for.  Hopefully it will die but I doubt it, they need us to pay for the regional airport they want and that's another completely different battle I thought we had buried a year ago.  Frustrating to say the least

OK, I'm off the , sorry for going off topic quite so far.  Time for some Java

Jon

[Blueberryhill RR]

Looks like CA is on fire again. You guys out there is the middle of it???

Chuck,
Fortunately the fire has been in an isolated and uninhabited area. However it is quickly moving toward some populated areas.  It is located north of LA about 30 miles and moving west.  It has been primairly west of I-5 which was shut down for a couple of days, But is moving in the general dirction toward Ventura.  It is HUGE, with flames over 200 ft, and has consumed over 150,000 acres.  Last I heard about 40% contained.

Don...

Thanks for the update. That is really interesting. I watch the Weather Channel all the time, and they show video of the fire. Looks huge.

[dougdagrump]

Looks like CA is on fire again. You guys out there is the middle of it???

Chuck,
Fortunately the fire has been in an isolated and uninhabited area. However it is quickly moving toward some populated areas.  It is located north of LA about 30 miles and moving west.  It has been primairly west of I-5 which was shut down for a couple of days, But is moving in the general dirction toward Ventura.  It is HUGE, with flames over 200 ft, and has consumed over 150,000 acres.  Last I heard about 40% contained.

Don...

Thanks for the update. That is really interesting. I watch the Weather Channel all the time, and they show video of the fire. Looks huge.

Afternoon All.

We are approaching the third anniversary of the fires that did such a number on Scrips Ranch in San Diego. There is still some going on as a result of that fire, there are still nine homes in that development  that have not been rebuilt yet. Some of the large, so called, insurance companies were busted for pulling shenanigans with their customers. The "Good Hands" folks will never see a dime from me again after our treatment during that time period. We had been a customer of theirs for varying types and or multiple policies for better than 30 years.

We have been fortunate for a couple of years, here's hoping our luck holds out a little longer. If we have a wet winter it comes as a mixed blessing, yes the water is good but come spring time there will be lots of greenery that will rapidly turn brown come summer.

Jon, Fight those folks as much as you can, even if you have to enlist the help of groups like the ACLU, gotta go wash my hands the keyboard after typing that.  

[weldman87]

Don why did the inspector say that there has to be a ground wire from your addition to the pool?  I can not find where it say's that in the national electrical code book.

[dbaker48]

Weldman87
Due to the fact the building is within 5 ft of the pool. 

1.  What I don't understand is that the pool and power in the room are both grounded at the electrical panel.
2.  If that isn't good enough, then the wires that are underground to the pool equip. are in the SAME junction box as the wires to the new room are, and the grounds should be able to be tied together there.
3.  If  #2 isn't good enough, then snaking another ground wire in the same underground conduit to the pool equipment, could be done.  But that just ends up as parallel ground wires which doesn't make sense to me.

I don't know waiting to see what electrican says.

[Roger Bielen]

Sounds like an inspector trying to exert authority, after all he's paid to find something wrong.  Through the years I've found that certain inspectors specialize in find in fault in certain areas no matter how good a job is done.  With all building codes there are areas for interpretation and unless its the person that drafted that section you don't stand a chance.

Was A beautiful fall day here today, temps in the 70's and sunny.  Though thunder storms are on the way, now in Atlanta area.  Temps in the upper 40's for tonight, great sleeping weather.

Stopped for gas today, it was $1.989/gal, didn't think I see gas below $2 again.

[weldman87]

I found the artical that the inspector is refering to and shortened it.  Artical 680.6 of the national code. the following equipment shall be grounded. (2) all electrical equipment located within 1.5 m (5 ft ) of the inside wall of the specified body of water.

I shortened the artical that i think the inspector is refering to. what the inspector  wants don't make sence in my opinion.  The only thing that i can think of is he wants a common ground from your addition to the pool. All local and county codes over ride the nec as long as it exceeds the nec. I am not familliar with the codes in california.

I dont think the inspector is trying to exert authority he is trying to make it safe as to his interpitation of the nec.

 i would like to hear what your electrician say's about what the inspector want's. Keep us informed.

 

[dbaker48]

Thanks for your explanation!  The "common" ground is probably right, so as not to having a floating potential.  (No pun intended regarding the pool)  Just can't get over how valuable this forum can be.
Thanks again!!!

[mitchelr]

I here you on the kid situation.  Lots of our kids here are in the same boat, sad but true.  Hang in there bud.

Thanks LAZ - most times I don't let the situations from work get to me, but sometimes it is too much.


Mitch

[tmcc man]

Hey everyone,

 School was enjoyable today. My friend hurt his ankle today, my gym teacher didn't believe him, but the kid said he heard a pop. Gym teacher looked at it, said "Carry him in, and get a whelchair." He went for an xray, don't know how he is.  We are supposed to get some bad storms here tonight. Please pray for my area, so that we won't get hit, or if we do, to make sure it isn't much.

Laz, Mitch, and Jefelectric, are you going to get storms tonight too?

[dwiemer]

Don,  you showed more restraint than I am afraid I would have.  I was selling a house a few years ago and had a FHA loan inspector tell me I needed to not only replace the roof, but also had to completely replace the subroof, etc.  I told her she was either full of , or did not know.  Either way, I was not going to replace anything beyond what a respectable roofer suggests.  In fact, three different roofers all said the same thing, only replace shingles.

Anyway, I make it a habbit to check anything that inspectors, etc say.  Also, never accept a NO from someone who couldn't give a Yes anyway.

You are right, it is a great thing to have this forum.  I am especially glad for this thread, despite the ramblings of a few months ago where a few did not like non train related items being discussed.  I have learned a number of things both train and non train related.

Y'all have a great night.

Dennis

[mitchelr]

Laz, Mitch, and Jefelectric, are you going to get storms tonight too?

Colin - We had terrible thunderstorms and heavy rain at work (Manchester, MD).  Some moderate rain here in Gettysburg.

On a happier note they started the addition/renovation at my school today.  New construction and a renovation in an already full school building should be fun...

Hope to get some grass cut on Saturday and then get back out to do some work on the layout room.  I've been so swamped from work that I haven't been really motivated to get out there the last few weeks.  I've got a door to hang, then I want to find some Plasticville buildings in the bins under the table to put on a display at work.  After I get the door done, I want to add another power feed to a section of the main layout.  I also want to do some finishing touches to the Pre-War shelf layout I built a few months back.  I have to secure the track permanently and replace some  sections of wood that are damaged and warped.

Happy Friday Eve.

Take care,

Mitch

[ChiefEagles]

Stopped for gas today, it was $1.989/gal, didn't think I see gas below $2 again.

Election time.  The Blubbercans want to stay in power.   Soon as it is over, prices will go to $4 a gallon.  

Home from the lake.  Used buddy's boat so that ment he was up front and I was fishing behind him.  I caught 7 fish to his 1.   See, I don't have to go fishing every day to be GOOD.  

Its bad when your Preacher Buddy and fellow REBS member puts you down.

Train time.

[jefelectric]

Ughhhhhh.......Some days it doesn't pay to get up!  Had our room contractor guy coming out this am, to take care of some minor issues.  Turkey shows up an 1 hour late, and says he doesn't have much time as he has another appointment in an hour ???????  Didn't impress me much !!!  Being late didn't really bother me, but tellling me he had to get down the road, certainly let me know the level of intent.
Anyway he replaced a screen door that was damaged, and corrected some areas that need caulking.  Then of course my sweet wife had this list of stuff that needed touch-up paint, (I know just trying to protect MY train room) what a list!  The guy didn't even have any touch-up paint with him!  So I told him to go take care of your 11:00 and come back here when your ready to do this.
So then the city inspector comes over for the "final" buy off.  I had to take all the windows out of the room, and leave screens only.  Because it would fall in to a different catagory if windows were there.  (Glass door was OK though?)  So got the windows out, and he wouldn't buy it off because there is 4' of conduit on the outside wall, coming from a junction box that MUST be painted the same color of the house!   AND since the room is within 5' of the pool, there MUST be a grounding wire between the room and the pool equipment.  This doesn't make sense to me, both circuits are grounded at the same point in the electrical panel.  (Jefelectric opinon?)  The entire area of course is covered with concrete decking.  No problem he says run it over the roof line down a post and you would only have 3 to 6 feet to dig up!

Doesn't make sense! 
All the wires are fortunately in a common J-Box, at the where the corner of the new room butts up to the house.  Might be able to snake an ADDITIONAL ground wire, but don't know why can't just pig tail the existing one with the ground from the room and be done.  Beauracrats!!!    John have I gone wrong here by not offereing an "inspection fee"?? sure seems like it! 

RANT OVER  (Didn't think this would appear at the top of the page, will have to correct that)

Don, I've been retired to long.  There is a section in the NEC that covers pools & somewhere in there is a rule that says any metalic object within X feet must be bonded to the pool grounding system.  Don't remember the distance but I am sure this is the section he is basing his decision on.  Sounds like he knows his business.

[tmcc man]

The Weather channel is saying Berks County for tornado watches, and the Local news is saying Philly. I don't know which one to take seriously.

[dwiemer]

Stopped for gas today, it was $1.989/gal, didn't think I see gas below $2 again.

 

Its bad when your Preacher Buddy and fellow REBS member puts you down.

Train time.

Chief, not to worry, we are not putting you down, just having a little good humor.  Back when I was a firefighter, if they didn't pick on you, that meant that they didn't like you and didn't want anything to do with you.  I guess it would be like, "Ignor him and perhaps he will go away".  I had been sprayed down with water cans more times than I can count.  Of course if you carry this logic to the next level, then my son must really love his sister!

Have a great day.

Dennis

[Brutus]

Long day  - found out we hit our numbers for the Fiscal Year, so that's good.  Might get an award, but if not we have the gratitude yadda yadda yadda.  At least they kept the meeting short.  Got the back yard/hill mowed and mowed up the weeds in the trees - I'm pretty sure some of it was poison ivy, but I have it on mulch so maybe didn't get any on my legs.  Son wants to join Cub Scouts again - I was his Den leader for 2 years, but then he got tired of it so we quit.  I told him I can't be the DL again, cause they are having the meetings while I'm at work, but I'll do the rest of the stuff with him -- plus, they have a new DL, of course.  He's got some catching up to do now, though, cause the year already started for the scouts.  Was standing around under the shed at work (our building is on part of the old Union Station area in St. Louis), watching across the parking lot as a dieslpulled out in the train yard with a whole bunch of coal cars.  Need to figure out a good spot where I could see the trains enough to take some pics to share - mostly there are USPS trucks in the way and stuff.

[laz 57]

HI GIZ,

  Rained out at GOLF.   Hope you are OK down in ELIZABETHTOWN, JELECTRIC, I noticed some big storms coming your way. 

MITCH,  sounds like you have ahandle on things down there at the school.   When they ask you for your opinion on the new stuff, shoot for the stars, cause you never know what will happen?  And cause it will cost you twice as much 5 years from now?

DON BAKER, those Cal. codes are just a money making scheme,  I was out there in '86 building my sisters house and the inspector was going to red flag us because of two inches high on the footers?  Come on now everything is built on decomposed granite and he was going to flag us?  I was furious.  Sister had to calm me down and told me to shut up. I had to bite my tounge a few times. I really don't like those GIZ out there,

TMCCMAN, got about an inch of rain in about a half hour.  Hope you faired well?

Have a good nite.

laz57

[John Bakeer]

Here in the UK, if you don't like the weather? Wait twenty minutes and it'll change.

[Jumijo]

Good morning, everyone.

I finally got around to picking up the new Polar Express car last night. That train is now twice as long as when I bought the set. Then it was off to the library with the kiddos. They really enjoy going there. I put them to bed and went along right behind them. Asleep by 9:00! Been very tired lately. Annual doctor's appointment next Thursday ought to be interesting.

Glad to hear that the Chief had a good day fishing. This time of year, it's just great to be outside.

I think the plan is to head nawth for the weekend to New Hampshire. The foliage up there is close to peak. My wife wants to ride on a foliage train at the Hobo Railroad. That should be good. I know the kids will love it.

I have an opportunity to pick up 3 Lionel silver 2400 series passenger cars with coil couplers for $75.00. All are in VG condition. Silver paint has dulled to gray. Some light rust on wheels and rollers. Yeah or nay?

Have a nice weekend all!

Jim

[laz 57]

Hi GIZ,

  53 and cool today to get to 62.

TGIF!!!!!

JIM, Go for those cars seems like a great find for $75.00.  I got a AMTRACK 6 car set for $100.00,  the guy put decals on them to make em look like PRR streamliners, and all is good with them, they look good.

All have a good one.

laz57

[Buckeye Riveter]

TGIF

Heading to the lake to put the boat away this weekend.  It sounds like I will be doing it in the rain.

Thanks, Colin for the help.

See ya down the tracks.

 

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

It is partly cloudy and cool this morning with temps heading to the low 60s this afternoon.  It was not a good day for the soccer teams as the varsity girls lost 5-0, the JV lost 8-0 and the varsity boys lost 2-0.   Saturday should be better for the girls as they beat the team they will be playing when they played them last year.  I get to ref a game on Saturday as well.  Tonight Lucas has another tutoring session, and "Close to Home" and "Numb3rs" is on as well.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is 42 degrees and partly sunny. Going only to 59 and sunny. I saw a bad phrase  on the Weather Channel this morning...." wind chill ".

Today, I may get outside for awhile. It rained all day yesterday. And one of these days I will have to cut grass again. I want to run trains today and dust them off. Then, I will have to clean track too. Time to get busy with those maint. things.

One more week to the Oct. 7th Show. Scrapping up all my train savings and wrapping coins for the bank. Now the fun starts.

Jim..( jaabat )..Buy the set for 75 bucks. They clean up.

Off to the Dining Car for breakfast. Later.

Y'all have a great day.

Chuck