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

[Dr. John]

Good afternoon! A beautiful day in central Alabama - sunny and mild, with a light breeze. Supposed to get some heavy rain coming through in the next day or so.

We had a nice time at the family reunion outside of Birmingham. Went to the Tannehill State Park. Saw a sign designating it the southernmost part of the Appalachian Mountain chain. Not sure about that, but the sign looked official. They also had a nice 18" gauge railroad that ran for a couple of miles through the park (no, I didn't ride). Engine was made to look like a Forney, but the rods weren't moving - gas engined loco of some kind. Looks like the kids riding it were having fun. Took the wife to the Galleria, then over to P.F. Chang's for Chinese food.

Up for church this AM with communion all three services, then Mexican food for lunch. Made some afternoon phone calls, watched some football, now heading back to church for PM services. Have a good evening!

[dwiemer]

Hey all, hope everyone is having a great day.  We had a guest preacher as ours and a group from the church are in Israel for the week.  The guest preacher did a fantastic job and I look forward to returning tonight.  The film that our church made is doing well in theaters and is apparently opening in Washington DC and Albany, NY.

After lunch, we went to the train room and did some more benchwork.  I mostly did the work and my wife and two kids watched, got in the way, but were a part of it.  From what I have read and seen, if the family is included, they are much more likely to enjoy it and allow us to enjoy it too.  Besides, if you look at such layouts as Roger B's and see the scenery his wife does, well, it just looks great.

Have a great day and rest of the week.

Dennis

[jefelectric]

Good evening,

Think I'll hit the sack a little early tonght.  We got up at 5:15 yesterday morning to get to the Harrisburg station on time for the NRHS RR trip to Renova, PA & didn't get to bed till after midnight.  That is a long day for this old guy.  I had sound system at the 8:00 AM service this morning and caught myself starting to doze off a couple of times.  That could have been embarassing.

Jim & Colin, I hope to get a couple of pics of my new Train Master on SPF, as well as a few from the fan trip.  Jim,  That engine is in the 2006 Volume 1 catalog, which came out just about a year ago.  I've had it ordered ever since then, Lionel just shipped TMs to the dealers.

Chuck, When there is no catenary to hold the pantographs down they raise higher than they would in normal operation, if you run with them up without catenary you need more than normal clearances.

I read all the recent post, but as usual can't remember if there is anything else I should be commenting on.

Well over to shutterfly to see if it has uploaded my pics.

 

[Blueberryhill RR]

Chuck, When there is no catenary to hold the pantographs down they raise higher than they would in normal operation, if you run with them up without catenary you need more than normal clearances.

John.. I wonder if I ought to figure out a way to run them half way up or so. They are either all the way up or all the way down now.

Chuck

[Anonymous]

Hello all in the POT.

Today was the 21st anniversy of the Last Train to Galax Va.

was down that way yesterday and took a ride on the old ROW of the North Carolina Branch

now The New River Trail. I went down to cover the last run back in 1985 and watched the

video I shot that day. The New River Trail is a 52 mile run from Pulaski Va to Galax Va.

Also there is a branch off the NRT to Fries Va that runs beside the New River that is really beautiful.

Total milage is 57 miles counting the branch to Fries.  Two Tunnels and numerous tressels carry the

riders along Chestnut Creek and along New River ,Past Claytor Lake . you can also travel  thru

the countys of Pulaski , Wythe, Grayson and Carroll and the town of Fries and City of Galax.

If you get a chance to ride this trail you will not be dissapointed.

[jefelectric]

John.. I wonder if I ought to figure out a way to run them half way up or so. They are either all the way up or all the way down now.

Chuck

Chuck, That is a problem.  For now I run mine down.  Hope to get catenary installed sometime, at least on one loop.  I suppose you could rig some sort of tie down to limit the amount they could extend.

[ChiefEagles]

Went to pond around 3 PM.  Caught three small bass and missed a monster.  Had her on tiny crankbait [same one I catch so many at Kerr] and she almost jerked rod out of my hand.  We fought for about 5 seconds and the bait came flying out of the water.  She rolled up enough for me to see it was BIG and I'm sure it was laughing at me.  Later caught a 5 lber.  Enjoyed the afternoon.

[Buckeye Riveter]

Where's  Buckeye?  From my window I can see the building in the  background, but I didn't ride the train here, although I wished I had.  The traffic was horrible getting here.

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

It is cold and dark in SE Indiana with temps in the 40s.  I got some needed parts at the train show.  It seems there were more layouts than dealers, which I am not sure is a bad thing.  I did some shopping with my wife today for various items.  It is time for "Desparate Housewives" so I hope everyone had a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[mitchelr]

Good evening from Gettysburg.  It has been a run around kind of weekend.  Friday night stayed at my sister and BIL's house and then went with Mom & Dad and Cousin and her husband to memorial service for my cousin near Crisfield, Maryland.  He was quite the fisherman and the service was outdoors right on the water at his best fishing buddy's house.  Very nice service.  Lots of driving though.  Did get to see a college friend and his parents after the Memorial service.  We had dinner and then drove back to my parents house. (2+ hours)

Can't wait til Thursday to get going to York.  Wife is going with me Thursday, one of my college friends on Friday and maybe Saturday by myself.

Take care,

Mitch

[tmcc man]

Hello everyone,

  I have a quick question. I am on JusTrains website now, in the Atlas section and came up on this: Atlas Reading GP35 with EOB&TMCC for $295. Is it a good deal? Also, found a Weaver Reading VO 1000 for $250 is that a good deal? 

[Buckeye Riveter]

Colin,

That is a good deal for a TMCC & EOB engine.  I think the least I have ever paid for a new Lionel TMCC & Cruise was about $345.   JusTrains seems to have some good prices from what I can tell from their ads and web pages.

[ChiefEagles]

Colin, probably so.  Is it Trainman?  I saw Trainman series at CTT that Bob Keller had reviewed.  very good detail.  Nothing cheap nor shabby. 

[tmcc man]

Chief, it is their regular top of the line series. I don't think I want to move into TMCC 2 anytime soon, so that is why I am still buying regular TMCC engines. I am going start a topic about TMCC 2, with a few questions I have about it.

Buckeye, thanks for the info.

Good night everyone

[dbaker48]

Evening all!
Back in Az, flew home for the weekend, took care of a couple of honey do's, went to son's football game.  They even won!  It was the most exciting game I've seen in a long time!  Some really good runs, ended up on OT, exciting stuff.
Took my NEW, MINT in the BOX, $10 clockwork train set home.  Nobody was very impressed.  Maybe if I take it to the train club they may appreciate it?

Tomorrow, long day presentation her in Mesa, then in Tucson in the pm, spending the night in Tucson, have two more there on Tuesday, then back here.  End up in Prescott on Saturday, then all done, and return home, hopefully to start work on the train room.

Dennis, I applaud your patience with your son!  I did teach ours how to replace light fixtures this weekend, it is so much rewarding watching the kids pick up new skills, than just achieving the task yourself.

Chief, Congrats on the order with Ms. Edna, what number did you get?

God bless all!

[tmcc man]

Where's  Buckeye?  From my window I can see the building in the  background, but I didn't ride the train here, although I wished I had.  The traffic was horrible getting here.

Buckeye, how's Atlantic City treating you?

Good morning everyone,

  I am going to eat breakfast, and then I am going to head off to school. Hope everyone has a good day.

[Jumijo]

Best of luck with that 2065, Chief! I'm green with envy!

I was running my 2055 last night for about 1/2 hour. Then after another 15-20 minutes later on, it suddenly slowed down to a stop. I put it in reverse and it ran fine. Put it back in forward and it ran fine. What the ???????? The Chief already gave me his thoughts. Any others?

Buckeye, I got your e-mail. Just a wild hair from time to time. I also watched OSU whip MSU on Saturday!

Another nice weekend here. A little over a month till the big train show. I might have a whole group tagging along with me. I was at a kid's birthday party this weekend and several people asked if they could come with me to the train show. Could be fun.

Jim

[laz 57]

HI GIZ,

   29 and another frosty one here.  To get to 62.

Got lots of work done on the garden Sat and Sun.  Took out all the plants and turned the soil over.  Sucked up leaves and put down winterizer on grass.  Cleaned up all furniture and put away for the winter.

Ran trains on Sat  and Friday nites all is well.

JELECTRIC, I wanted to go on that trip to Renova of those F8s but was all filled could not get a reservation.  Must of been a cool trip?  Hope you had fun?

CHIEF, I have the BIGBOY with TMCCII on reserve too from BARRYs TRAINS in Elizabethtown Pa. got it for $1350.  not too bad I'm getting the one with number 4024 it the one that is on display at STEAMTOWN.  Lionel made this one exclusively for GRYSBOSKIs because thats where they are from.  Joe hee'd and hawd and finally got Lionel to make one for him.

All have agood one.

YORK on thurs, I'll be there Friday and Sat.

laz57

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

It is cloudy and mild in SE Indiana with temps hitting the high 50s today.  Rain is in the forecast as well.  I put some operating couplers on a pair of cars that had none yesterday.  My wife and I had to work with a very rusty bolt on a toilet seat yesterday as well.  We finally took a hacksaw to it and that got rid of it.  Kind of ruined the evening.  Did enjoy "Desparate Housewives".  Has anyone seen the MTH Tinplate catalog?  Some people on the OGR forum mentioned it, but I have not heard any talk hear.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[MartyE]

Finally heading home this afternoon.  I guess I'm heading home to cooler temps but thats OK makes for a good workout.  Have to get a haircut tomorrow so I look good for the CTT picture!.  Looking forward to a few good days off.  Talk to yinz guyz later!

[dwiemer]

Morning from a rainy day in Dixie.  Currently 61, and going to the mid 80s.  On call this week so I hope that I have some time to work on the layout.

Chuck, could you conceal some catanery starting behind a building or some structure, higher than the pick ups, then slowly working them down to heighth to go under the tunnel, through the tunnel and then back up and stopped behind some other structure.  This way you could solve the height restriction, but not have to run catanery the whole length of the layout.  I have to tackle the same problem once I start laying track.  Please let us know what you do so that we may learn.

Have a great day everyone.

Dennis

[dwiemer]

Marty, I have not seen or heard 'Yinz" since I finished college in PGH in the 80's.  Have a good trip home and a great time at York.  Please report on the show.

Dennis

[jefelectric]

Good morning,

Either my connection is acting up or the software is acting funky this morning.

Laz,  The trip was nice, the weather in Renova, not so nice.  The sun shone all the way up, when we got there it got cloudy and windy, felt like a wind chill of 30 or so.  We watched most of the parade from the train as it also gave a little shower for the parade.  Then the sun came out again just as we pulled out for the return trip.  Those E-8s are beautifull.

Got my list ready for York, didn't print it out yet as I may think of something else before Thursday.  Going on the OGR trip to Weaver on Wednesday.

Well, off to the fitness center for a couple of hours.  Then to the office for an hour or so.  If schedule holds may clean up some of the annual flowers that got frozen over the last couple of days.

Till this evening,

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is 45 degrees and cloudy. Going up to 65 today. Need sunshine.

Today is a typical Monday. Got all the rubbish out for pick up. Been cleaning out the basement and outdoor shed. This was the last of it. We save things for reasons beyond memory.

I will spend a few hours in the train room today. I want to make that a daily thing. Nothing new here. I guess this is the week for York. Hope everyone enjoys the Show.

Dining Car is open for breakfast. Later.

Y'all have a great Monday.

Chuck

[Dr. John]

Dreary, rainy day in Prattville, Alabama. Rain expected throughout the day and into tomorrow. Actually, we need it and I'm glad we're getting it, but it's such a contrast to the beautiful, sunny weather we had over the weekend.

Picked up a few Lemax items to use for the future layout. Not Christmas stuff, but their fall related items. I really like the "Al's Gas Station." I found it at K-Mart for $19 (Michael's carries it too). Very nice looking brick gas station with lots of neat detail. Also got a small vegetable stand and pumpkin stand too. I plan to have a fall theme on the layout - it will be quite an eclectic mix with Marx tin buildings, Lemax buildings, Plasticville, and some Lionel accessories. My benchwork is already constructed, but in pieces. Actually, my "benchwork" consists of hollow core doors with folding banquet legs attaced to 1x4 crosspieces. Strong, lightweight and flexible. I'll cover it with an inch of foam board.

Now I just have to sell an old Cadillac to make room in the garage for the layout! Any takers?!?

[cnw1995]

Good morning from a grey and warmer Chicago where it is supposed to rain later this afternoon - the college is hosting a plethora of students from Bangkok, so I am lying low - holding the fort rather than getting sucked into the festivities.. Hope to be able to watch the Bears-Cardinals game later tonight.

[ChiefEagles]

Morning all.  My benchwork consists of boards and 4X8 sheets of wood.  Funny, they don't seem to want to get together.   Got some errands to run.  Have a good one.

[Jumijo]

I just ordered a set of Williams F3 2343s (santa Fe). That's going to be my birthday/Christmas present.

Jim

[laz 57]

JELECTRIC, you'll like the trip up to WEAVERS.  The HS principal and me took the tour last year at Christmas vacation.  Love the paint room and how they paint the sides of the cars.  Have fun!

laz57

[1688torpedo]

Hello All!   Jim A- Your 2055 may have weak springs on the Brushplate or one of the Brushes is longer than the other or The Finger's in the E-unit may be going bad. Try  a new set of Brushes first to see if that works. If not, then it is one of the other problems mentioned above. Also Check the Pickup Roller's to make sure they are clean. Could also be some Grit's residue sprinkeled on the layout while you weren't watching.  Mike C- Glad Lucas is getting better & doing well in school. Hope it stay's like this for him. Chief- Hire Jim & his kid's. They will set up a Layout for you in no time & all you'll have to do is run your trains. Take Care all.