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

[dougdagrump]

Hey Buckeye, Love the B&O F series in your banner.[^]

[Buckeye Riveter]

Doug, thanks for the complement. It was fairly easy to make. I used MS Paint and reduced the size of the photo after I inserted it in to the program and then used the cut command to square off the bottom, top and sides.

[cnw1995]

Tom, let me add to the kudos on your banner - I'm trying to put together a 'water tower' and colum using a Spaghettios can, popsicle sticks, coffee stirrers and ground foam - I'll let you know how it turns out ;) I also tried using an Atlas Connector - it's the one with the DPDT switches - to use one transformer to control two tracks - it's weird. I hooked up the transformer to the connector and two wires from the lockon to two of the switches - they wouldn't work on just one - but it works when connected to just one track if I move one switch 'up' and the other 'down' - I know I'm doing something wrong but will continue to experiment - feel like Dr. Frankenstein, complete with flashes of giant sparks....

[spankybird]

TGIF – Yes Friday – end of the week and also the last day before my Vacation. It will be great to have time off with the Holidays.

NE Ohio is cool 40 deg with light rain with it turning to snow on Saturday. It tiss the season.

Last night Keith (1688torpedo) stop over and paid me a visit. We tried to set of the smoke alarm with the steamers running. We had a great time running both new and old engines. Next time Keith will bring over some of his engines to run on my layout.

End of the Week


all be safe
tom

[ChiefEagles]

Big Tstorms here this AM. Flooding down now. Had to pull the lpugs this AM [4:00]. So bad I thought I might rewrite the Star Spangle Banner. Then it turned and went away. Several counties under flash flood warnings. Suppose to clear out later today. Did not get my walk in yesterday due to the rains starting so early. Maybe this PM. Well, I know Tom will not be worth a D#^* at work today. All he can think about is being off for a long vacation. All have a good day and God bless all.

[cnw1995]

Hope you are not too damp out there in the east. Cooler today - damp. Took down the kid's trampoline forthe season yesterday - I figure it may last longer if I take off the netting and bouncing part. Going to go Christmas shopping with my wife and youngest. Will try to steer them to a train store ;). Need some more insulating pins anyway. Have a safe day.

[ChiefEagles]

Hey Doug, in an emergency, you can make your own pins. Round plastic that is left over from holding plastic model parts will work. Even a round tooth pick will work. Just be sure there is a small gap between the two rail ends.

[wrmcclellan]

Hello all,

Cool and sunny again today - 60's for a high. Got to go shopping for presents with my better half today.

Regards,
Roy

[1688torpedo]

Hello Group ! Went over to Tom's house last night to see his trains and layouts.They are very nice.And a M.T.H. Allegheny can go around 0-27 curves! Looks like Tom never met a smoking toy train engine that he didn't like[(-D] Tom could probably make good money with a second job as a beekeeper with the help of his smoking engines.If anyone has a problem with Bees in their house just get a hold of Tom.Have him set up a oval of Track with Two or three of his smokey engines and the bees will retreat right out of the House Pronto!. Oh No! I see that Jim & Chief Eagles have a fondness for Corvairs[:O] This is the kind of car that you have to have a Fire Extinquisher for when you are driving around in it.Luckly the Chief has some skills from being a Firefighter and a Corvair owner[:D] Jim would have to have a Fire Truck following him while he's driving his Corvair around town just in case a little smoke shows up[(-D] Or maybe Jim has a Firetruck as a Second hand vehicle in case of such a emergency.Have a Good Morning and a nice day everyone!.................Keith.

[FJ and G]

I've been crusing through several CTT threads and Spankybird's bird appears in some of them. Always humorous. Brought to mind something that sounds too incredible to be true but I verified it with several sources and thought that at least a few of you would find this interesting (or at least entertaining).

There have been documented sightings of ravens actually going for hunts with wolves. The ravens will spot deer from the air and then actually fly right to the wolves (they have even been shown to play with the wolves, pecking at them in fun), the ravens will then lead the wolves to the deer and patiently wait until the wolves get full and then move in for scraps.

Since there are no longer wolves in these parts of the eastern U.S., it would be pretty comical to see the ravens hunting with my BB beagle.

[spankybird]

Ha Dave – better look out, we have a high population of coyotes in the Buckeye state. Some people have been upset about seeing the coyotes taking down deer.


Maybe the ravens will adapt to the coyotes [?]

[daan]

Just a small note between work on the attic. Today I started to isolate the layout-room and it seems that I also have to clean it up and get the garbish out. You know, when at work I mostly leave the leftovers under the traintable for "if I can use it, it's at least in reach", but that statement payd off too well. It's a mess and I can't reach the walls under the table now..
The upper part is done, so is one side under the table.. It works fast and easy with styrofoam, and the effect is immediate. I'd to take of my sweater because it's getting warm up there. Luckily I have a window now which I can open...
All stay safe! and have a nice weekend!

[FJ and G]

daan,

looking forward to hearing of your progress.

Tom

Coyotes are now in D.C., they are wiley

[ChiefEagles]

There are a few coyotes moving in here. Probably due to the over population of deer. David, red wolves are in eastern NC. Re-introduced several years ago. They may have re-introduced the gray in western NC [been talking about it]. They re-introduced the elk in western NC a couple of years ago. Now they will have the wolves to keep them in check. Seems when the pioneers came to NC, all of those [except coyotes] were native to this state.

[FJ and G]

Hard to believe there once were elk, couger, buffalo roaming the East U.S. Our ancestors were pretty good shots.

I lived in NC for 3 years (Camp Lejeune), and I think the state animal must be the pig. Never seen as many as in NC

[Anonymous]

Hi Guy's rainy and cold in Indiana,Looking for snow today, Going to the Train room to run the T1 PRR, ,,,,,,I need a fix!

[Buckeye Riveter]

You wimps, I live with the lions,[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]
Rogers Corners , Ohio -- Witnesses at Port Columbus International Airport reported spotting the area's elusive lion Wednesday afternoon, but officials said the animal probably was a deer.

The spotting was reported just after 1:30 p.m. west of Stelzer Road and south of International Gateway by at least one employee in the Port Columbus air traffic control tower. An employee using binoculars said he saw a large brown animal in a field. Search crews went into the wooded area and reportedly saw deer, but no lion.

Gahanna police, at least four surrounding law enforcement agencies, and the Columbus Zoo rescue unit were called out to check out reports of the animal, NewsChannel 4 reported.

On Tuesday, a police officer at Port Columbus International Airport said that he spotted the animal in the area of Hamilton and Sawyer roads near the Wonderland subdivision

"At this point, the only thing we have actually seen is a coyote," said Pat Curry from the Columbus Zoo rescue unit. "It was fairly large."

After examining the latest supposed lion paw print, animal experts said that a deer made it.

"I believe that someone thinks they saw a lion," said Sgt. Brent Mull of the Columbus Police department. "We're going to treat it that way. If it is a lion, it has been very successful in eluding us at this point." -wcmh4.com

[cnw1995]

Tooth picks! That's a great idea. We now have coyotes snatching little dogs out of backyards - big shaggy beasts. Last winter, two ran in front of my headlights while driving in the middle of nowhere north of here in a snowstorm - scared the heck out of me.

[ChiefEagles]

A squalling rabbit recorded on a tape and played will drive them crazy. A 22 mag or 17 HMR to the head will do the trick. We were overrun with foxes at our parking lot of new vehicles at work. Put my tape in and opened the window to a car that had a tape player. Turned up the speaker and let it play. Funny to see fozes in broad daylight coming to the car and trying to get in the windows. No joke. The population of foxes seemed to decrease suddenly. When that happened, the rabbits came back.

[Buckeye Riveter]

Good morning America, how are you? [:D]

It has been quite a week in Central Ohio with the shootings at the nightclub. Luckily for many the Columbus Police Officer did not hesitate to use his shotgun on the gunman or there could have been many more killed.

We are supposed to get some snow today. I can't wait to run the trains outside in the snow. [8D]

I'm trying to decide if I should get Mrs. Buckeye a new SD-80 or a new Pacific Steamer for Christmas. However, Baby Buckeye tells me that her mom would like to have some sweaters for Christmas. I am not sure which way to go on this. I really thought the new Pacific would be such a great gift that would not stop giving all year long.[:)]

[spankybird]

Good Morning all,

NE Ohio has rain with temp at 38 and falling. Snow on its way. Good for the season.

Buckeye – what are you doing up so early [?]. I would get Mrs buckeye the Pacific – that way is something that both of you can enjoy together for hours on end. After all, if you get her the sweater, you may enjoy it for a few minutes and then the two of you would enjoy it for a few more minutes, but then you will want to sleep or have a smoke. Well if your going to have a smoke, then get an MTH Pacific because nothing smokes like an MTH.

Yesterday we stop at our local Hobby Store and pick up some of the new people and figures. I pick up the Dogs and Cats, I will have to post pics of them, they are outstanding on detail and color. I also pick up the ‘Checker Players’ and ‘Rack Workers’. The detail and painting is well worth the price. 6 people for $18.00 isn’t bad.


If you haven’t followed the thread on the person who has his grandfathers train from 1905, check it out

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=25613


Heading into our Holiday Vacation with a Full Fead of Fteam


all be safe

tom

[daan]

Hi Guys,
I doubt if my mrs will appreciate a train for x-mas.. I would though.. In the attic it's like a normal room now, no moisture anymore, a comfortable temperature and since I needed to clean up the pile of junk I saved for the sake of needing it oneday, I have even room to sit on a chair and whatch the trains going..
I have to isolate the levers of my rheostat; I tried to get an engine off a dead spot in the rails, while my other hand was giving full power at the throttle.. The only thing moving was I since by touching the engine I made a connection between the supply and the mass, and though it's only 24 volts, it was really feelable like the drizzle of electricity..
I noticed a same experience while operating two levers at once, one on full speed, the other on switching speed. Just the potential difference between the levers feels uncomfortable.
With 2 pieces of shrink tubing it should be ok though.
My first K-line engine is converted now; I have 3 cheaper K-lines with motortrucks. Those motortrucks have too much horizontal play and they jump out of the track when they have to pull hard or go through a curve. A simple ballpoint spring cut in half and a nylon washer pushes the truck down on the front end and keep the trucks on the rails..
Since my daughter had a huge bounch of friends over for her 15th birthday I decided to go up-stairs and leave the loud chickensound in the restroom.
I'm really not that keen on 10 15year olds screaming and trying to get attention from the others.. It felt more like babysitting and I regret that I didn't took my earplugs from work..
Today also the prince Bernhard was burried. He was taken with a convoy of armymen, old battlers and his family to Delft on an old artillery canon with 6 horses in front. When he was carried to the church 3 F16's and a Spitfire (english IIWW warplane) flew over the church, and the Spitfire climbed out of the formation above the church. It was meant to be that the Prins was the old airplane, leaving the younger ones to go on. It was really a great idea to do that, since he was fond of flying.

I hope you have a nice weekend, and stay safe!

[ChiefEagles]

Daan, that is pretty good about the planes. 10 15 year olds would be too much for me too. Buckeye, buy the real cassimere sweater for Mrs. Buckeye. Not the cheap one. Must be over $100 [Consumer Reports says Lands End $100+ is best for the $$ or go for the $300 to $400 ones]. They were showing some for less than $100 that said 100% cassimere but were actually part wool. Went to Sears to get Frankie a present. Got Craftsman Club discount and extra 10% off for early bird sale. Ended up $40 off. [:D] Then Pam and I went to her stores and got her some presents. Now I have to wrap the things. Hate wrapping Christmas presents. 74 here yesterday. Now dropping to high 40's, windy and misty rain. BURRR. Have a good one and God bless all.

[Buckeye Riveter]

Just when a guy needs support from his buddies, [:(] what do they do? They turn on him and tell him to go buy the sweaters for his wife. [B)] I sure thought this group would tell me to buy the new engine. Just can't win.

[daan]

Another good idea, buckeye, buy the mrs the sweater and the engine yourself as compensation..[:D][:D]

[spankybird]

Hey Buckeye, I said to buy the engine !!!!!![:D][tup]

[jonadel]

Buckeye--

Sweater + necklace with diamond = very happy wife and engine for you. Works great for me.

Jon

[dougdagrump]

Buckeye, Get the sweater and the engine and if you make am honest, [(-D], mistake and get a sweater that is to small you could use it to cover your new engine.
I'm not going to say much about the weather we're having, don't have enough room for everyone to come for a visit. [swg] Let's justsay if you look at Tom's temp and reverse the numbers you have it. Definitely a day for sunglasses and sunscreen[8D]

[spankybird]

Doug - We should be there by morning, its 34 deg with light snow - rain mix. Southeast of us (about 15 miles) has 2" of it. Lake Eire has us warm so we shouldn't get much.
tom

[Anonymous]

Buckeye: Back in the old day's I dated a girl who's Dad had two old Korean war Jeep's
Now his wife always wanted a fur coat , But J.C. Whitney's always had a good selection of jeep parts, So, In order to keep the peace, this guy bought the Jeep parts with the saved fur coat money ,And had a licence plate on the front of his jeep that read,,,,,
MOM'S FUR COAT!
What do ya think? would that work?