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

[Brutus]

Oh yeah - got my 3461 - it's in pretty darn good shape, just one area a little discolored and no frank rust anywhere that I could see.  Now I need to get an 0-27 operating track section to play with it!

[ChiefEagles]

Evening all.  Just got back from Roseyville Town Board.  Sheriff;s party was fried fish, fried chicken and Eastern NC Pork Bar-be-que.  Glad I'm taking statens.   Sure was good and they filled you palte to over flowing.  Plenty of good old SWEET ICE TEA.  If you did not like that, you got water.  Did get a lot of work done.  Lost time watering geenhouse plants.  Cut a lot of braces and legs.  Now the building will go faster.  Also learning more tricks with new table saw.  Got the guide to cut 90 degree cuts to 45's.  Built the right side except for the short section toward door where drop down/lift out will go.  Got the biggest table on the left side built too.  Got to go to Lowe's and pick up more 1X4's first thing.  Don't want to stop in the middle and go later.  Posting pictues on other thread later tonight.  [got to get them into Shutterfly]  John, cute Granddaughters.  Cold here!!!  Was 35 at 6 PM.

BTW: remember Jim A's daughter, Julia.  Still got pneumonia.

[jefelectric]

As usual I forgot to mention that I stopped at Barry's today to pick up two packs of Atlas track screws.  I'm not laying track, just find them handy for many uses on the layout, such as fastening accessories and buildings.  More to the point, as usual I came out with more than I planned on buying.  Got a Lionel hot box reefer for 49.00 (list is 149.00) and a K-line PRR business car for 42.00 (list was I think also 149.00)  Just could not resist.

Laz, He had quite a pile of the hot  box cars, if you are interested.  I got the last of the PRR business cars.  Some other roads still on the bargain table. also K-line buildings and Lionel operating accessories.

[Jumijo]

Good morning everyone.

I was able to get some Christmas shopping done yesterday afternoon. Bought my wife a ton of stuff. I say a ton, because it got a little heavy lugging it all around. No good deed goes unpunished though. When I got home, I got screamed at for calling my son John a nasty kid. He was throwing toys (and haymakers) at his brother and sick as a dog sister, but I'm supposed to think that's cute somehow. Tonight it's just me and the kids and I can guarantee a well behaved little man - or else.

The train store was closed, so I arranged for everyone here to have a free visit on the Jumijo Rail Road. Whenever you're in the area, please stop by.

Chief,
Your benchwork is really coming along! You might be running trains by Groundhog Day if you keep up this pace. 

John,
Your grandaughters are  adorable! Would they like a  brother?!

 

Have a nice day, all.

Jim 

[Jumijo]

Almost forgot to mention it. I've decided to set up a little holiday layout. I haven't decided if I'm going to put it in the den or under the tree in the living room, but it will be constructed using tubular track. A figure 8 perhaps? I bought some little Christmas trees at Walmart so the kids and I can fill gondolas with them. I should get some candy canes for those gons as well.

 

Jim 

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a windy 28 degrees and cloudy. Going up to 34 today. Maybe some snow flurries later.

Today, I am going up to Cambridge to do some shopping. Better do it today, as we are expecting some snow tomorrow. Looks like it's going to stay cold for awhile.

Well, I ordered the Bridge from Hundred Year Old  Bridge Co., yesterday. A 948k, which is 47 1/2 inches long. Got the double wide for 2 tracks. Now to decide on the color I want to paint it. Should look good on the upper level expansion. Lots of work ahead.

The Dining Car just rolled in for breakfast. Later.

Y'all have a great Tuesday.

Chuck

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

It is sunny and cold this morning in SE Indiana with temps in the 20s again today.  I was busy doing a lot of items last night, but nothing was really memorable.  Finished up a major project at work today, and traffic was smooth on the way into work so it is a good day so far.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[ChiefEagles]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

Well, I ordered the Bridge from Hundred Year Old  Bridge Co., yesterday. A 948k, which is 47 1/2 inches long. Got the double wide for 2 tracks. Now to decide on the color I want to paint it. Chuck

Why, Yankee Blue of course.  As you know, us REBS call you all BLUE BELLIES.

Morning and 38 degrees in a cold NC.  Coffee and my cherry turnover.  Then off to Lowe's to get more lumber [not a lot].  Hope to finish the left side today and maybe the dropdown/lift up section.   Lot of premeasuring, cutting and framing to do for those knooks around that chimney.  Have a good one. 

[Buckeye Riveter]

Chuck,  you probably know more about painting of metal than anyone with your GM background, but when I painted my Lionel bridges, I had a devil of a time getting the paint to stick.   As to the color you should paint your bridge, that's an easy question.  It should be painted:

BLUEBERRY BLUE. 

BTW, don't pay any attention to the post above mine.  He's just a sore loser.

[cnw1995]

 Good morning from a frigid Chicago where it is warmed than Fairbanks (14 vs. 9). Six days until I get to experience 65 degrees in San Jose. Got a surprise at work yesterday - an employee recognition award with some cash that came along with it - just in time for the MasterCard bill!

 Hope you're feeling better, Doug - my bride thinks she's getting a cold. That always means the rest of us get one too.

Chuck, that bridge sounds wonderful. I saw 100 Year Bridge at a local train show a while back. They make good stuff.

Jim F., I've been thinking of you - glad you got power, unlike a chunk of MO and central Illinois - no power with this weather cannot be fun.

Jim A. is inspiring me to consider a Christmas tree layout - maybe an excuse to get the Menards WI Central set - and expansion set.

[Jumijo]

 

 

Hey Chief,

Would you, for a cherry, turnover?

 

Congratulations, Doug! Go to Menards and spend it on that train set! And look for some more "inspiration" soon.

Everyone congregates in our den during the holidays. We have a fire going in that fireplace and have cocktails and appetizers. It might be cool to have a couple of flat cars delivering drinks and snacks around the room.

 

Jim 

[Buckeye Riveter]

 Got a surprise at work yesterday - an employee recognition award with some cash that came along with it - just in time for the MasterCard bill!

 

Congratulations, Doug! That's a great way to start the Holidays!!!!!!!

[laz 57]

HI GIZ,

  27 and a little less wind today only to go to 38?  YESTERDAY in the housing development down the road from me, while I was walking the dogs after school,  I spooked out 3 big doe.  Go figure I think they're trying to find me now.  The dogs really got excited.  Maybe should make a stand on the neighbors back porch.

JELECTRIC,  BARRY has a hot box put aside for me.  Probably next friday I'll go down to pick it up.  Did the Lionel Big Boys with TMCC II come in yet?

DOUG, way to go on the pot o gold you got for the bonus.  Don't spend it all in one place.

Have a good one.

laz57

[Dr. John]

Doug, happy to hear about your nice bonus - sounds like you need another trolley!

 

VERY cold in Alabama today. The temp at the house was 21 degrees at 7 AM. Sun is out and it's already up to a balmy 36. May get near 50 today if the sun stays out. Back in the 20s again tonight.

 

Having fun with the Christmas layout. Went by Michael's and picked up some Lemax accessories (40% off) so I'm still squeezing in details - fences, trees, figures, etc. This really gives me the bug to build a more "permanent" layout. Once I get some room in the garage, look out! The weather up north will become absolutely apocalyptic!

[Jumijo]

Having fun with the Christmas layout. Went by Michael's and picked up some Lemax accessories (40% off) so I'm still squeezing in details - fences, trees, figures, etc. This really gives me the bug to build a more "permanent" layout. Once I get some room in the garage, look out! The weather up north will become absolutely apocalyptic!

 That's when I will become absolutely apoplectic! See what I did there?!

 Do you guys ever haul highballs, cheese and crackers around your holiday layouts?

 

[Brutus]

Doug M - glad to hear you guys are okay too - Some areas of ILL near hear were hit really hard like Collinsville.  Still about 130,000 without power in Metro St. Louis, I heard this morning.  Jefelectric - great pic of the granddaughters - they look like angles (of course).  Laz, got your email and updated my book.  Dr. John, great pics and hope to see some more - ammunition for the coming battle over my temporary layout in the family room.  Warm wishes for all the rest of us that have been hit by the Chief's curse!

[Dr. John]

Having fun with the Christmas layout. Went by Michael's and picked up some Lemax accessories (40% off) so I'm still squeezing in details - fences, trees, figures, etc. This really gives me the bug to build a more "permanent" layout. Once I get some room in the garage, look out! The weather up north will become absolutely apocalyptic!

 That's when I will become absolutely apoplectic! See what I did there?!

 Do you guys ever haul highballs, cheese and crackers around your holiday layouts?

 

Jim, I absolutely apologize in advance for your anticipated apocalyptic apoplexy.

[Jumijo]

Jim, I absolutely apologize in advance for your anticipated apocalyptic apoplexy.

 

 

John,
I can't get through that sentence without cracking up! It's like trying to say she sells seashells be the seashore!! 

 

Jim

 

[jefelectric]

John,
Your grandaughters are  adorable! Would they like a  brother?!

Jim 

Jim, The little one was supposed to be a boy.   But that plan didn't work out.

Never hauled drinks and snacks, but have a gon and a hopper filled with candy on the Christmas train for the grandkids when they visit.

 

[jefelectric]

HI GIZ,

  27 and a little less wind today only to go to 38?  YESTERDAY in the housing development down the road from me, while I was walking the dogs after school,  I spooked out 3 big doe.  Go figure I think they're trying to find me now.  The dogs really got excited.  Maybe should make a stand on the neighbors back porch.

JELECTRIC,  BARRY has a hot box put aside for me.  Probably next friday I'll go down to pick it up.  Did the Lionel Big Boys with TMCC II come in yet?

DOUG, way to go on the pot o gold you got for the bonus.  Don't spend it all in one place.

Have a good one.

laz57

Laz, Son & DIL each got a doe yesterday.  Son got his with a handgun.  He is done for the year.  DIL can get a buck and grandson a doe if they are that fortunate.

Didn't see any bigboys, but then I didn't ask either since didn't order one, can't run on my layout.

Doug, Good for you, it is nice to see your work rewarded.

The granddaughters are not always as angelic as the pics would have you believe.  Daughter took that one to include with her Christmas cards this year.

[dbaker48]

Greetings All...

John - The picture of the girls is tremendous!!  A Really nice family!!!! 

 

Laz  I was at the Cal Stewart meet in Pasadena in late November, a couple of guys were there from Lionel and had the BB on display.  I asked how the schedule was going, and they reluctantly indicated that rumor within has it that they are going to be late.  The engines are ready but TMCC II isn't.  And there was quite a bit of concern that releasing the BB without TMCC II would not do much for the introduction since it would not be able to show off the new TMCC II features.  And that there was concern that all the reviews and comments that would occur on the various bulletin boards and forums would give the engine a reputation of "What's the Big Deal, it dosn't do anything that anything else doesn't do, so what".   And, that is why they didn't think we would see it until mid Feb or early March.

 Doug - Great news on the recognition and award,   Good work!! 

 

Put up a Christmas tree in the family room last night, AND got the train that runs IN the tree up also.  It even works!!!  Still cant believe it, the train consists of an engine, tender, and caboose. It has a light, bell, chug sound, voice announcing "All Aboard", plays music, and smokes, then pauses for about 15 seconds and starts the sequence all over again while running around the tree.  Train is mounted about 48" off the floor.  The silly thing cost about $20 last year, and it runs on AA batteries.  Definetely a conversation piece. 

 

 

[jonadel]

Jim--

 While I haven't tried cocktails on flat cars a few premium beers have appeared and one Christmas Eve a small box with a diamond ring was found in a box car.  That was FUN

 

Jon 

[Blueberryhill RR]

Having fun with the Christmas layout. Went by Michael's and picked up some Lemax accessories (40% off) so I'm still squeezing in details - fences, trees, figures, etc. This really gives me the bug to build a more "permanent" layout. Once I get some room in the garage, look out! The weather up north will become absolutely apocalyptic!

 That's when I will become absolutely apoplectic! See what I did there?!

 Do you guys ever haul highballs, cheese and crackers around your holiday layouts?

 

Jim, I absolutely apologize in advance for your anticipated apocalyptic apoplexy.

WOW....Jim....I didn't know you were sick !!!!!!!!!!!!

[csxt30]

Good Evening Everyone !! Another cool one today at work, but not much snow, yet !!

Today I won a K-Line Statue Of Liberty on E-bay !!  I couldn't believe I was the only one that bid on it & I got it for 5 bucks !! Plus 5 for shipping. I don't know how much they sold new for, but I got it for one of my wife's Christmas presents, to go with her ceramic houses. I think it will be good with them, but mostly she always wanted one. I'd like to get her the Dept. 56 Lionel Hobby Shop, & then snatch it for my layout !!  Oh boy !!

Oh, John, ( Jefelectric ), that sure was a nice picture of your Grandaughters !!    

Wll, hope everyone has a nice evening !!

Thanks, John                                                                                                       

[Roger Bielen]

I heard from our 7 yr. old Grandson from Baltimore the other day, he wanted to know if I could bring my trains when we come up for Christmas.  I guess this means he's been bit by the train bug.  I'd get him a starter set but their downstairs/basement where his playroom is was flooded out a couple of weeks back by a broken water pipe in the ceiling.  Though, we'll be there a few days, if he and Pop-pop happen to stumble into a train store, who knows.

[tmcc man]

Good evening everyone,

I finished putting the lights in the tree in the front yard, and it looks pretty good. I had no homework tonight, so I was able to relax and take a break from a hectic half week. Tomorrow is my last day for the week.

I found this on the TRAINS forum and thought I would share it with everyone.

http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/968212/ShowPost.aspx

[ChiefEagles]

Evening all.  Back from SIL's and wife seeing puppies.  SIL served us Chilli and etc.   Going to Frankie's and Cathy's [oldest] tomorrow.  Got to service her lawnmower and store it.  Also carrying her the antique bed that has been in my way all the time.  Hope to get home early to do some more building.  Spent a lot of time this afternoon getting the curves and the liftout sized at the main door.  Will post pictures on the other thread tomorrow.  Micro-wave popcorn time.

[MartyE]

Hey gents...

 

Off to Sacramento tomorrow early.  Thought I'd have time to see the RR museum but seems the trucks made good time and will arrive early afternoon so I'll be busy installing gear and cleaning the truck.  Sometimes things just don't work out.  Still waiting on that BIG CHAIR through Phoenix.  Hope evreryone is getting ready for the Holidays.  The layout is coming along nicely and I hope to post pictures next weekend. 

[jefelectric]

Good evening everyone,

I finished putting the lights in the tree in the front yard, and it looks pretty good. I had no homework tonight, so I was able to relax and take a break from a hectic half week. Tomorrow is my last day for the week.

I found this on the TRAINS forum and thought I would share it with everyone.

http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/968212/ShowPost.aspx

Colin, Thanks for sharing.

[wrmcclellan]

Late evening all!

Checking in from sunny Phoenix to make sure the Chief is keeping the pressure on! Looks great so far and now I see Dr. John is getting ready to ratchet things up with another layout. Looks like SnoHizo is in for another ice age!

Doug - congrats on that bonus! MasterCard also extends their sincere congrats

Have a great day tomorrow all!