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

[csxt30]

Colin, I just wanted to make it look better than that CSX colors.   You on the socker team?  BTW: how many young ladies do you have hanging on your arms now?

Gang, proud of Colin.  Remember when he first started posting?  He has really "grown up" on us.

How do you like that, black isn't even considered a color !! CSX has color !!

Yes, we remember when Colin first came on , turned out to be a good Yankee !! He knows his engines & don't eat grits !!

Thanks, John

[Blueberryhill RR]

Colin, I just wanted to make it look better than that CSX colors.   You on the socker team?  BTW: how many young ladies do you have hanging on your arms now?

Gang, proud of Colin.  Remember when he first started posting?  He has really "grown up" on us.

Nice job on the switcher, Chief !!

AND, you are right. Colin has grown up. Now, one of the guys .

[mitchelr]

<P><FONT color=#0000ff>Mitch,</FONT> I found the WM hopper.  There for a while I thought maybe you had raided and carried it off.   It was lurking in plan sight among some B&O hoppers, the wierd part is that it is tuscan and the others are black.  I must be getting color blind as well as old.</P>

John - I would never raid the layout of a fellow Pennsylvanian, however you never knw what might happen if I went below the Mason-Dixon line to one of them REBS layouts.

Just had a major catastrophe in the Train Room.  I went out to clean up a little as we have company coming.  Thought I might be asked to run some trains for entertainment...  I was straightening up and trying to get some of the big dust bunnies cleaned up.  I was running my 1688  on the upper loop for a while, then decided to run my 2025 on the lower loop, I hit the power and the train took off, but I had forgotten to close the lift bridge.  The 2025 went down to the concrete, breaking two pieces of the boiler casting.    I am just sick about it.  I ruined a beautiful loco that I remember running at my uncle's house 50 years ago.

Any suggestions for a glue that will repair the metal casting??

Mitch

[csxt30]

Sorry to hear that Mitch. Maybe J. B. Weld will work. Or Epoxy.

Thanks, John 

[cnw1995]

Good morning from a sunny and cold northeastern Illinois where the local HS won big in the playoffs last night - the kids lasted until half-time: it was that cold. Sets up a rematch with the best team in their 'class' next week.

I had fun running trains last evening: put out a few trolleys: New Orleans and PTC especially, which hadn't run in a while. I isolated a siding where I'm parking the 248 for a while - I tried to stretch its legs on the main line but it petered out in the back stretch - I was having power-drop-offs in the far corners of the layout for a while. Hope to set up a project to clean up some more 027 track that the Chief kindly shared with me recently so I can reconfigure things a bit more.

Dr. John, the emoticons (nor photo posting capabilities) never appear when I'm using this Safari browser. I'll use the old fashioned ones :)

John, saw one of the newly painted (new to me) CSX engines on a UP train the other day - must be trading power - I like the B&O blue.

Mitch, I am heartsick with you - what broke? the actual casting or some attachments? If the latter, maybe they're solderable. Maybe now's the time to add a failsafe before the lift bridge that cuts the power - there's an CTT article I was just re-reading about that.

[tmcc man]

Thanks for all of the compliments, guys. Chief, I am on a soccer team, but I don't really hang out with the people on the team as much as I do with people in the neighborhood. There is this one girl, she keeps teasing me, which makes me want her more and more. I think you guys will like the videos. CSXJohn, grits are the devils work

Mitch very sorry to hear about that engine. I have had that feeling before.

[Dr. John]

Doug, it seems like the emoticons work when I use Firefox but not when I use Internet Explorer. The options for font size, color, italics, etc. don't appear either when I use IE. Very odd.

Mitch, so sorry to hear about your loco hitting the floor. I would second John's suggestion of using JB Weld or epoxy.

[Brutus]

Mitch - hope you can get it fixed!

Tired today - stayed up watching the Cardinals win last night, and had to get up early to come to work - putting in 6 hours of OT.  Going to Sears after work, then home to rest up for tomorrow's hike with the cubscouts.  Waiting to hear from my wife as to whether the kids have been good today for a trip to the mall, otherwise I'll go to Sears on my own.  They haven't been doing their chores lately.  Anyway, break's over - TTFN

Colin - I thought Devil's Food was a CAKE?

[Dr. John]

About to head out to see the movie, "Facing the Giants" with wife and younger daughter plus her boyfriend. First, a stop at the Mellow Mushroom for pizza.

Afterwards, go by Target to see if they have their Lionel sets in. Not planning to buy one, just curious.

Don't forget to set your clocks back one hour tonight as daylight savings ends!

[ChiefEagles]

Mitch, sorry about that.  Try this.  Make the sections before and after the bridge seperate blocks.  Run your wires feeding those blocks to a push button switch.  Mount that switch to the benchwork under the bridge so when it is up, track blocks are disconnected.  Down, the switch is pushed and they are "alive".  Another way is to make the outer part of the bridge [if metal] the common.  Put metal connectors at the ends of the bridge and wire them to the common on the blocks.  When the bridge is up, the track blocks are dead.  Bridge down, they make contact. 

Miss Edna has these from her husband's collection:

736 and tender $325 VG

2026 and tender [has hand rails] $110 VG

784 and tender and caboose [C&O I think] is a special Lionel uncataloged set. Call for price. EX

919-365-5006  Tuesday thru Sat. [some had asked if there were more after see my 2065]

A 225E will be on Ebay under Junckyardslug [Jerry took it and entered it, he also took some to York]  Also a cranecar, tinplate cars [dump and others].  Sorry, walked out of my door and left camera on the island.  Was going to take pictures.

 

[tmcc man]

Mitch - hope you can get it fixed!

Tired today - stayed up watching the Cardinals win last night, and had to get up early to come to work - putting in 6 hours of OT.  Going to Sears after work, then home to rest up for tomorrow's hike with the cubscouts.  Waiting to hear from my wife as to whether the kids have been good today for a trip to the mall, otherwise I'll go to Sears on my own.  They haven't been doing their chores lately.  Anyway, break's over - TTFN

Colin - I thought Devil's Food was a CAKE?

Yeah, Devil's Food is a cake, but it isn't harmful.Grits are the devils work, whereas they are harmful.

[Dr. John]

We enjoyed the movie, "Facing the Giants." (Dennis' church in Georgia put it together.) Great movie - I highly recommend it to you.

The pizza, on the other hand, was only so-so. Going to reheat some homemade vegetable beef soup for supper. It always seems better the second day.

Have a good evening and remember to set those clocks BACK one hour!

[ChiefEagles]

Mowed everyones' grass.  Typed long post and this mess ate it.   May go to Sandhills of NC tomorrow to visit pilot friend of mine and spend a couple of days [if not tomorrow, early Monday].  He retired US Navy as Full Commander. started the NC Forest Service Air Force, flew Air America during Nam and came back and flew NC Forest Service as a spotter until he retired at 72.  I use to go fly with him on patrol in his L19 Birddog.  In his 80's and lives alone in a big house in the middle of nowwhere.  He has called three times this week about me going.  Got to find train room time.  Went to pond and sat on tailgate eating salted in the shell peanuts and drinking Pepsi One.  A doe came out and looked at me, nibbled grass and walked off.  Buck scrape right near where I was sitting and big tracks.  Guess, from now on I will take 30-06 instead of the .22 I had today.  Time for pork bar-be-que sandwich.  Later.

[ChiefEagles]

We enjoyed the movie, "Facing the Giants." (Dennis' church in Georgia put it together.) Great movie - I highly recommend it to you. The pizza, on the other hand, was only so-so. Going to reheat some homemade vegetable beef soup for supper. It always seems better the second day. Have a good evening and remember to set those clocks BACK one hour!

Dr. John, if not, everyone will at Church on time.

[jefelectric]

Good evening,

Mitch, Sad to hear about your 2055.  No advice on repair as I have no experience with diecast repair.  Maybe start a new thread with the question.  Might be able to find one that looks good, but doesn't run and combine them.

Made a mistake and stopped in at the LHS to place some MTH preorders.  I think he saw me coming.  Actually I called ahead to make sure the owner was there.  Anyway he had a set of four Reading 18" K-line passenger cars setting on the display in the center of the demo layout.  He got me.  They are beautiful.  Will probably be selling my set of 6 short Williams/Lionel Reading cars.  If anyone is interested, send me an email.

Worked on the doll house project again today.  Made curtain rods from 1/16" music wire & installed on window frames.  It is slowly coming together.

Rain stopped about mid morning, we had 2-1/2" since it started yesterday.  Now it is very windy and cold.

Jim, Let me know how you make out at Sears.

[1688torpedo]

Hello All!   Mitch- If you're unable to epoxy your 2025 casting together, Let me know as I know a Gent who has some 2025/675 Castings for both the Cowcatcher & Cab. They will have to be re-painted & numbered again as the paint is scratched up but they are solid & in one piece. I bet the guys at CTT get real hungry with all of the postings about food on the Coffee Pot. Especially if they read the Forum around Lunch Time! I wonder if they use any of the ideas posted here? I bet Deviled Eggs,Ham, & Cake originated in Hell,Michigan.(Yes,there is a Town in Michigan with that name) Colin sure has become a valuable member of the forum here & he knows his Diesel Engines as well. Steve-Glad to see you post-Hope you feel better soon. Take Care all.

[Buckeye Riveter]

Mitch, I just read about your engine hitting the concrete while the lift bridge was up.  Sorry to hear about that type of accident.   Is there a way to interupt power to about 24" of track on each side of the bridge when the bridge is up?

Colin,  doing good there buddy.

Amtrak sorta came to Roger's Corners.....Photos in Sunday Photo Fun.

See ya down the track,

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

It is cool and dark in SE Indiana with temps in the 40s.  Tmcc man, I look forward to seeing your videos.  I have been missing soccer terribly this year for some reason.  I think it keeps my mind off other things.  My wife and I and Lucas did go to an end of season soccer banquet tonight.  We had a good meal, and won some door prizes.  I ran the Santa Fe equipment for a while on the Fastrack.  I did housework and did the treadmill at the YMCA.  I was going to clean gutters, but it was way too windy.  I watched Juan Pablo Montoya make his NASCAR debut today.  Tomorrow my wife and I and Lucas and his girlfriend are going to a "big band" sound concert at the junior high.  It should be good. 

I hope everyone has a good weekend.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[mitchelr]

Mitch, I am heartsick with you - what broke? the actual casting or some attachments? If the latter, maybe they're solderable. Maybe now's the time to add a failsafe before the lift bridge that cuts the power - there's an CTT article I was just re-reading about that.

Doug - It was the boiler casting and the face plate that were ruined.  I think someone sells the face plate as a  reproduction item.  I will have to do some research.

Mitch- If you're unable to epoxy your 2025 casting together, Let me know as I know a Gent who has some 2025/675 Castings for both the Cowcatcher & Cab. They will have to be re-painted & numbered again as the paint is scratched up but they are solid & in one piece.

Keith - What type of epoxy would you think would work? I have some super glue kind of stuff that is supposed to work on metal castings, I might try that.

Mitch, I just read about your engine hitting the concrete while the lift bridge was up.  Sorry to hear about that type of accident.   Is there a way to interupt power to about 24" of track on each side of the bridge when the bridge is up?

Buckeye - I had seen the article in November/December CTT and I was  thinking of modifying the wiring to cut the power if the bridge is open.  Now I will defintely have to make some modifications.

Take care,

Mitch

[Brutus]

John - picked up the following set:

Companion 14 pc. Screwdriver Set Sears item #00930463000 Mfr. model #30463

Set includes 12 micro-tech screwdrivers, mini long nose pliers, and mini diagonal cutter.

• 12 pc. screwdriver: slotted: 1.5, 1.8, 2, 2.5, 3
• Phillips: #000, #00, #0. Hex: 3/32, 7/64, 1/8 in. plus 2 mini pliers and vinyl pouch

The pliers are cheesy and I doubt they will last very long.  Not as nice as the Craftsman set, but seemed to cover a wider range of sizes and I won't be busting my knuckles torquing them anyway, so they should be good enough.  Also picked up some regular screw drivers for tight spaces, a tool box and a small parts box - seems I'm collection bits and pieces of O27 track I've cut up, like pins and extra cross pieces, insulators etc.  Sounds like you got a great deal on those cars!

Chief, sounds like your friend is a heck of a guy - take him some of that chololate praline desert!  God bless, Steve - hang in there.

[ChiefEagles]

Tired.  Good night.  Clocks already set back.  I think I hear Alison Krauss on CMT.  If so, got to go watch.

[laz 57]

HI GIZ,

   Really windy here about 50 mile an hour gusts.   Went pheasant hunten today and in this wind got 2 of them up one really wild too far to shoot and the other in tall grasss taller then me.  Got two shots off and bro got a shot off but we both missed.  Did happen to see a nice eight point buck at quiting time.

   Ran trains and hooked up business distict buildings and town square lites tonite.

   All have a good one and turn those clocks behind one hour.

laz57

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill.....

It is a sunny 42 degrees, clear blue skies. Going up to 55 today. That is an improvement. Windy last night. Calm now.

Today, I will be outside , if the sun stays out. Feels good. Looking forward to seeing posts on Sunday Photo Fun. This afternoon, I will run the trains for awhile. Relaxing. Have to make up some filler pieces for the new tunnel. This is interesting.

Well, all the clocks are set back. It will get dark early tonite. That's the only bad part. Days get shorter.

Dining Car is boarding. Breakfast.

Y'all have a great Sunday.

Chuck

[laz 57]

MORNING GIZ,

   Seems like everyone is sleeping in today?  Probably taking advantage of that extra hour.

    Like I said last nite had a great time running trains and hooking up lites.  All ran good.  My dog even liked all the comotin in the basement.

   MITCH, sorry to here about your train falling to the floor.  At YORK they had some type of super glue that worked on die cast its called ATOMIX.   Address is

Aredx Products

North 1st street.

Lehighton,Pa.

610 379-0447

email [e-mail]

  I have used it and it works pretty good.  Give them a call and ask em if it will work on the diecast?

Hope this helps.

laz57

GO BEARS!!!!

[csxt30]

Good Morning Everyone !! Off all weekend here & building a new street in front of my diner yesterday. So far, it looks like a mess !! Well, plus this is going to take a while !!

That Atomix sounds like a must have item !! I think I'll get some just to have on hand !! Never know !!

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend !!

Thanks, John

[jonadel]

Laz--

Bring your rifle's and brother to Iowa, we have some unwanted guests that I'd like to get rid of, I shot these through the kitchen window the other day.

Jon



You could even be sitting in the hot tub and shoot this guy and we could ring the old school bell, upper left of the pic

[dwiemer]

We enjoyed the movie, "Facing the Giants." (Dennis' church in Georgia put it together.) Great movie - I highly recommend it to you.

Thanks Dr. John, glad you enjoyed it.  Heard the story that the Arkansas Coach took his team to see the movie the night before their victory over Auburn.  Not sure that it will assure a victory in every case, but it can help.

Was up in Tennessee these past few days.  Went to two hobby shops, the first in Cookeville, the guy was real nice and I bought a car, a bit high on price, but from talking to him, I could tell it was a struggle to just stay in business.  He tells of how his distributors will sell on line to his customers for the same price he buys for.  If you add the TN tax of better than 9% and there is no room for profit.  Even with shipping, it is cheaper to buy on line.

Second shop I went to was in Chattanooga, guy seemed dissinterested.  I only saw two Lionel starter sets, two boxcars, both over priced, and a hand full of buildings, etc.  I bought the Hobo shacks from Plasticville and some HO lamps to put on buildings, but otherwise he was loaded with N and HO. 

I have my one hobby shop that I like to buy from, not local, it's in NJ, but I do try to visit the local shops in the towns I go to.  I want the local shops to stay open, like in the first shop I went to, but I hate that they have it so bad.  The second guy seems like he is already closed but the door hasn't been locked yet.

Dennis.

[pbjwilson]

Laz--

Bring your rifle's and brother to Iowa, we have some unwanted guests that I'd like to get rid of, I shot these through the kitchen window the other day.

Jon



You could even be sitting in the hot tub and shoot this guy and we could ring the old school bell, upper left of the pic

Jon, I hope you opened the window before you fired!

[pbjwilson]

Googles 'Train Station" and found this.

Quite a station.

[dbaker48]

Morning All
Not much happen' here, working a bit on train room, getting colors, carpet and minor things taken care of. Spent time talking to Football Coach, , ugh!  Local National Guard Base has a open house with a classic car show, aircraft, and other things so may stop by there for a while.  The pictures on the photo thread are of course great!  Beautiful job on that bridge David is building!
Off to get in the day, will post more when have somethin worth posting.
BTW, Glad to hear from Gil, (Steve Frame) hope you continue to feel better.   John's new grandchild should be arriving soon!
I LIKE THIS TIME CHANGE STUFF!!!!  I THINK WE SHOULD DO IT EVERY SUNDAY!
(THEN WE DON'T NEED THAT MOVING AHEAD CHANGE IN THE SPRING)