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

[AKKevinT]

Good Morning from the Northland,

We had a wonderful Cristmas Eve and Christmas Day up here in the Northland. Friends over on Christmas Eve and just family on Christmas Day. I truely enjoyed the the day relaxing and appreciating the meaning of the season.

I have just uploaded a short video of our Cristmas layout and thought I would share it with the "coffee pot krew"! If you follow the following link you should be able to view it.I did not have time to add an additional sound track yet maybe later tonight. It was just a quick throw together during some free time I had last night! Cut and paste the address below into your browser.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXBiE2flKWY

More later I am going to post this then catch up on some reading on the forum.

Regards from the Freezer!  Kevin T.

PS it has been cloudy the past four days but as soon as the clouds roll back I will post a couple of pictures of the arctic noonday sun! 

[Buckeye Riveter]

Kevin,

Really like the video especially the cast of characters at the end of the show!

[Anonymous]

Happy Day After Christmas everyone....  Which has brought this very new and inexperienced modeler to a problem.  I asked Santa (who knows less than me about trains) to bring me a diesel engine.  Well, Jolly old Saint Nick came thru - with an MTH SD50 which is huge and very very nice-(compared to what I have now- A Lionel Pennsy Flyer he gave me a few yrs. ago to run under the Christmas tree-which started this madness!)  Since last January, I have built a 4x8 "permanent" layout in my garage - with O42 curves.  The only transformer I have is the CW80 that came with the Pennsy.  According to the manual, the engine will not work with my transformer.  Can someone make some suggestions?  I really would like something smaller than the SD 50 - that would run on O36 curves as well - please offer any suggestions you may have- other options, etc.  There are several HO modelers in my area that I have met  - but no O scalers to give me any help!  Thanks!

Lisa

 PS  - Hope I did this right!???!

[Jumijo]

Great layout and video, Kevin!

Here's a link to Kevin's video. Must see TV!

Kevin's Layout Video 

[ChiefEagles]

Lisa, what part of NC are you ?  You missed the TCA train meet in Raleigh last week.  Could have gotten help there.  Several dependable train shops in NC.  Also, sometimes those engines will run around tighter curves than advertised.  This is true if you have low profile switch machines like Fastrac and Realtrax.   

[Anonymous]

Hey Chief!  I "talked" with you back in Oct. when I first found this forum.  I live 25 miles north of Greensboro.  Started doing my layout almost a year ago and have really been more into the "scenery" scene until now.  Being a "girl"  I  know very little about the trains themselves.  Need someone close by this area to maybe help me out.  Know anyone up here?

Lisa

[Jumijo]

So Lisa,

Are you saying you would rather have a different loco than the SD50 or a different track and transformer? I'd recommend an MRC Pure Power single or dual transformer. Either one would be more than enough for your layout, as would an MTH 1000 or higher. The MRCs are budget priced and work great.

Jim 

[Nick12DMC]

Afternoon all,

Hope everyone had a good Christmas, Charlie got the PWC Missile launch set from Santa. He also got some Warhammer stuff which he likes. He's been blasting space marines with the missiles....

Did our Boxing day trip to the horse races at Huntingdon. Plenty of Barbour gear there Chief. Essential wax jacket for the Lady or Gent. Usually worn with green hunter wellys. Quality stuff though.

Some good news, we got part of the planning approval for our Garage/Gamesroom. So the layout is a little nearer.  

Nick

[Anonymous]

Don't really want to change track -not sure if I can return the loco or not - The little train shop in my town doesn't stock  O scale right now and the guy ordered it for my husband.  I had NO IDEA that the SD50 was so big!!  I really don't which way to go.  As I said - I'm new at this.

Thanks for your reply!

Lisa

[Jumijo]

Lisa,

What's the minimum track requirement for that engine? It should be printed right on the end of the box. I would guess O42 curves would be wide enough. Is O54 the recommended curve?

Jim 

[Anonymous]

It runs on O42.  However, I have a tunnel in one corner.  Haven't checked to see if it will go thru but I think it will.

Lisa

[Brutus]

Happy Day After guys from a cold but sunny Lower Arnold.  My wife is out shopping for BARGAINS - including a stop at the LHS for another RH O27 Remote Switch and a bumper so I can make a siding to my sawmill.  Great video Kevin!  I made a vdeo of the kids playing with the Halloween layout, but they started arguing about which way to turn the switches and that kinda ruined it.  Had a pretty good dinner last night - roast beef, taters, cheesy brocolli and rice, and dressing, plus homemade bread right out of the oven.  I put a can of consomme in with the potroast instead of just plain broth and it came out pretty salty, so I won't be doing that again!  Going over to my folks again tonight as my sister and her family are coming in today.  Back to work tomorrow, though , so won't stay long.

[Jim Duda]

The Ghost of Christmas Past... Seems like Chiefie and the Ohio kids have jinxed me again! I can't seem to run my train during the Holidays without these horrifying images appearing and doing all kinds of naughty things on my train table. PLEASE TAKE THESE GHOSTS BACK TO ROSEYVILLE!

[Jumijo]

It runs on O42.  However, I have a tunnel in one corner.  Haven't checked to see if it will go thru but I think it will.

Lisa

So you have the right track. You just need to see if the loco will clear the tunnel portals. As for the transformer issue, I've already suggested a few. The CW-80 is not a highly thought-of transformer. MTH, MRC, or even Williams will serve your power requirements much better.

Jim 

[Blueberryhill RR]

The Ghost of Christmas Past... Seems like Chiefie and the Ohio kids have jinxed me again! I can't seem to run my train during the Holidays without these horrifying images appearing and doing all kinds of naughty things on my train table. PLEASE TAKE THESE GHOSTS BACK TO ROSEYVILLE!

I bet it " scares you to death "........Ho Ho Ho !!!!!!!!!

[Jumijo]

The Ghost of Christmas Past... Seems like Chiefie and the Ohio kids have jinxed me again! I can't seem to run my train during the Holidays without these horrifying images appearing and doing all kinds of naughty things on my train table. PLEASE TAKE THESE GHOSTS BACK TO ROSEYVILLE!

 

I take it you didn't spend Christmas in Paris? 

[wrmcclellan]

Welcome to the ghosts of Christmas past! All the wrapping paper and boxes have been gathered up and disposed of in the local paper recycling bin. All the food has been eaten. Time for some dieting???

Getting ready to leave for Scout Winter Camp in the morning. Weather to be good (60's and sunny) for next couple of days and then it may rain. Got some sorely needed rain here all day Christmas Eve.

No trains for Christmas this year - but the entire family got new laptops. That was the big item for this year. Mom and Dad sorely needed replacements and the kids needed to regain desktop space for all the studying they do .

Jim D. - Good to hear from you. Didja win all the air races this past season?

Kevin - nice video.

Dr. John - could you be right about Duda?

Lisa - Welcome! The only practical solution I see for you is a larger layout to accommodate the new SD50!

Have a great day all!

[Buckeye Riveter]

Getting ready to leave for Scout Winter Camp in the morning. Weather to be good (60's and sunny) for next couple of days and then it may rain. Got some sorely needed rain here all day Christmas Eve.

Winter Scout Camp in TEXAS,

Winter Scout Camp in OHIO,

Not much difference, is there Roy? 

[wrmcclellan]

Buckeye - now who could argue with that!

[ChiefEagles]

Lisa, go to the Train Loft.  Suppose to be good people.  They will trade or let you know if it will run on your track.  I recommend Post War ZW's.  We had several at the TCA train meet.  Check with the Train Loft and see if he has any very good used transformers.  If not, go with the MRC.

[ChiefEagles]

Wow what a meal.  Turnips and turnip greens.  Glazed ham and Pam's Cherry Pineapple crunch with pecans on top.  Been do a little work in train room.  Cleaning out the stuff accumilated in the walkin to be sure I have room for "blasting" tunnels.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Wow what a meal.  Turnips and turnip greens.  Glazed ham and Pam's Cherry Pineapple crunch with pecans on top.  Been do a little work in train room.  Cleaning out the stuff accumilated in the walkin to be sure I have room for "blasting" tunnels.

After eating all that.....you'll probably take a nap. Take pictures of the " blasting " .

[dougdagrump]

Evening All, Hope everybody had a GOOD Christmas, lots of family, fun and food. Working on some photos of the Christmas layout, the first set late last week were really BAD. Had the club Christmas party last thursday, the wife and I made out like bandits. We won enuff door prizes to cover the cost of the dinner and the raffle tickets. What a surprise, my photo got published. And no it's not on the post office wall. If you are a member of the LCCA, look at the photo at the top of page 15 in volume 36 No2 December 2006 of "The Lion Roars". There is an article in there about the Kids Program sponsored by our club. You notice that it is the last photo, I suspect his digital camera burned out a circuit on that photo. You guys think it is amazing the number of toys strewn about on Christmas day, you ain't seen nothin' yet. Wait til you have grand kids, I swear our one and only grandchild is the only 15mo old with a 3 bedroom 2 bath toy box. Still not getting any of the font etc. Whenever I do a reply I always get the flag at the bottom that tells you it's "Done but w/errors". Maybe they'll get it right someday.

[ChiefEagles]

Doug, good to hear from you.  Your wife must be like mine.  She is buying clothes and toys for the kid and he is not due until April.    By then, she will have filled their two story house.

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

It was cloudy and cold in SE Indiana today with temps only in the 30s.  It was a good day to go to the Indiana State Musuem and the auto show.  The crowds were down and it was very relaxing.  Buckeye, if you are in Indy and you get a chance to go to the museum, I think you would enjoy it.  It is odd there was no mention of Auburn trains, which made some streamliner sets in the early 50s before Lionel got into the act.  We had some of the family over for lunch Christmas day.  I was running the Polar Express for the granddaughter.  Whenever I stopped it, she would say, "More trains?"  She is only two, but I think I have the potential for a little railroader.  I hope everyone has  a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana 

 

[1688torpedo]

Hello All!    Sounds like everyone had a nice christmas as did we. Glad Jim Duda is back. I was beginning to wonder if Bigfoot got him. However, Jim must have sprinkled Grit's on Bigfoot & scared him away Sounds like more converts are getting into our Hobby which is a very good thing. Always nice to have new folks join the ranks. Take Care all.

[Jim Duda]

Down here in Austin, we throw GRITS on ice to melt it...MUCH BETTER than Rock Salt and/or Calcium Chloride. Except it (grits) doesn't taste as good! I think Bigfoot was last sighted in Dallas driving a white Corvair...the Police Cruisers couldn't keep up with it!

[1688torpedo]

 Jim D- If Grits are used to melt Ice, then imagine what it does to ones Stomach Not even Alka -Seltzer can help a poor soul who has partaken of Grits as part of their Daily Bread. Take Care.

[cnw1995]

I'm back! Did you miss me - I certainly missed you all and hope you had a great day yesterday. It's sure nice to see Santa I mean Jim Duda on the forum. I hope Eliot is doing OK.

The Lionel layout in the transit museum annex in Grand Central Station was everything you might think it to be  - I was personally more impressed by the beautiful old trainsets on display along the wall.  I'm happy to be done traveling. Flying with three kids and six suitcases is no fun. United managed to lose the one bag full of gifts onthe way down - served me right for putting everything in the proverbial one basket - but they foundit and delivered it at midnight on Christmas Eve eve - a real miracle. I was all set to go out and re-buy everything. The bride and I exchanged gifts a little bit ago - I got a streamliner photo book; my Corgi trolley and Bowser motor, my Silver Rail Zeppelin and a surprise: A gandy-dancer hand cart for which the bride paid super-MSRP (I got the bill already). Argh. I was going to cannibalize it to power the Zepp but not at the price she paid - anyway, I love it.

[dbaker48]

Good to hear, everyone is doing well!  Some near misses with lost luggage, but glad it all worked out.  Welcome back Kevin, and also Duda.

My brother came down for a visit, he works for a oil reclamation center that picks up oil from about every conceivable place you can image.  His area is from Bakersfield to Oregon, covers Folsom, the UP engine yard in Sacramento and many other "interesting" places.  Said on the next trip up we would go out to the "yard" and sure would get us a ride.  Maybe...?????

Christmas was great! Spent a lot of time helping FIL and MIL, with new Digital Camera, and ipod systems.  It was a nightmare getting the ipod going.  Had to download iTunes using a dial-up!!  Took almost 7 hours.  I gave my FIL an old laptop that I had, which was better than his Mac, (newer), then brought it over to our house and got everything operational in less than an hour.

Playes Video games with my son for a couple of hours.  Wow, thse kids can go blind doing this given all the continuous eye strain.  Sure am glad he isn't THAT involved with the games.

Not much time for trains, but sure enjoyed the family!!!!!  That's what its all about anyway!

Later.....