Trains.com

EDITION: 2009 #5 Coffee Pot. Here we gather with friends with trains for chats, 4 years of coffee and sweet ice tea. Locked

43637 views
768 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: US
  • 5,369 posts
Posted by cheapclassics on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 7:00 AM

Good morning all,

It is wet and mild in SE Indiana.  Busy day at work.  Got not one but two e-mails from my Norwegian soccer friend.  Busy evening at home.  Did weights and some light soccer practice at the YMCA (no left foot action!).  Had a soccer meeting to go to.  Have two games to ref Staturday.  Trash night.  Watched some "Dancing with the Stars".  Did some Second Life.  Will watch F-1 tape tonight.  Chief, continued prayers for family.   Dweimer, I concur about pro athletes, except for racers and soccer players.  Beacon is lit for tonight.  I had the regular fare on the dining car for breakfast.  I hope everyone has a good day. 

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Jacksonville, FL
  • 493 posts
Posted by RRCharlie on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 7:18 AM

Spring break this week. Spent an hour in the dentist chair yesterday. Felt sort of punked out most of the day. Talked to Lionel Tech Support last week about the light assemblies in the GP-7's. They told me it was part of the cab assembly but they were removeable. Took the bull by the horns yesterday, got the assemblies out of the Pennsy 8512 and after many attempts finally seated in the NYC 5629. Was giving all a test run and everything slammed to a stop at the Bascule Bridge. Got things pulled back and the front hand rail on5629 was partially ripped off the side. The culprit? The loading chutes for the cattle car ramp. It is on the main line but obviously needs to go on a siding somewhere. Yardwork and laundry today. Supposed to get bunches of rain rest of the week but the weather has sure been nice of late.

Mel Hazen; Jax, FL Ride Amtrak. It's the only way to fly!!!

  • Member since
    November 2006
  • From: USA
  • 1,247 posts
Posted by Ole Timer on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 7:51 AM

Laz ... they do allow souvenier stands outside near Camden Yards ... and food stands on carts ... but not for .50 ... LOL . I wish someone would ! They'd probably pass an ordinance to run them off . The yanks are going to be there April 6-9 but won't be able to make it . I've still got an invitation to Lionroars for legacy action to take care of first ... if the docs at the VA ever get my meds straightened out . Can't wait for that ... am very anxious to see them in action ... man I thought railsounds 4 and tmcc was about all there was to be had in effects ... Clown  can't imagine more but good ole lionel outdid themselves again ... ya gotta love em ... Thumbs Up 

 RRCharlie ... an hour in the dentist's chair ! Man I'd of been sweating ball bearings . Plus some alcohol to settle my nerves afterward ... dang I hate those guys ... they hurt ya and don't care .

       LIFETIME MEMBER === DAV === DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS STEAM ENGINES RULE ++++ CAB FORWARDS and SHAYS
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Crystal Lake, IL
  • 8,059 posts
Posted by cnw1995 on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 8:17 AM

Morning all. Grey and a bit warmer. Looks like rain. Great time for the IOC to visit Chicago about the Olympics. Maybe I can sneak into their calvacade to get all that free stuff.  Fixed a few lights on the layout. Can't believe I have yet to photograph the LNE visitor and it's almost time to send it on. Have to try that later tonight.

Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.

  • Member since
    March 2005
  • From: Southwest Georgia
  • 5,028 posts
Posted by dwiemer on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 8:43 AM

Morning all, still having issues with the home computor.  I have the info off the Router to hopefully figure things out with the company, but we shall see.  It is almost as if the router doesn't exist on the system? 

Dennis

TCA#09-63805

 

Charter BTTs.jpg

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 8:57 AM

Mornin' Fellas.

Received a package in the mail yesterday that adds a bit to the town! Took some pictures of the town mock-up on the dinning room table last night, doesn't look too bad.

Does anyone have the Lionel Operating Train Store? The one with the 3 operating layouts inside? If so, could you draw a template and send it to me? I need to get an idea of how big it is so I know how much space to leave in town for it.

Don - can't use the china base because the cabinet rests on top of it. Susan was complaining about the town again last night and I told her I really need to get a sheet of plywood so I can get it cut to size and then I can finish the mockup. Once that is done I can move the town to the basement. I was informed that the plywood MUST be purchased and the town removed from the dinning room PRIOR to my parents arrival on Friday... or else... I asked what the 'else' was and she said, 'You don't want to find out.' Shock I guess the townsfolk have outstayed their welcome. Big Smile

Chief - prayers up for your mother again

Sir James - Big Congrats on the 50 year wedding anniversary! I kept meaning to post this over the weekend and just remembered today... Banged Head

JimT - Don't sell the collection. Put it in storage. You will regret selling it in about 10 - 15 years! Sell the Sunfire Wink

Not much else going on... talk later.

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Rolesville, NC
  • 15,416 posts
Posted by ChiefEagles on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 9:00 AM

Morning all.  Sunny and warm below the M&D.  Great day.  Out to put lime on garden and more fertilizer on the lawn.  Mowed th lawn yesterday.  Really needed it.  Might try disking garden later.  Low end is a little wet.  Would really love to get it dry enough to turn over with bottom plow.  

Checked with caregiver and Mom is behaving today.  Thanks for all the prayers there.

Have a great day.     

 God bless TCA 05-58541   Benefactor Member of the NRA,  Member of the American Legion,   Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville Laugh,   KC&D QualifiedCowboy       

              

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Sunny So. Cal.
  • 3,784 posts
Posted by dbaker48 on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 9:07 AM

Good morning !

Just noticed, Patrick has a face !  Nice picture and avatar.

Wife feeling better, her, son, mil, fil, are all going to the Morengo Reservation today.  (18 yr old gambling permitted, got to train them young.)

Going to have to get to work, Ugh, have a great day!

Work on the program, defined one routing, wrote a script and doing a time analysis, to see about the timing for multiple routings, will keep posted.  (boring !!!!)

Jon,  Chief's car is heading east, DO NOT OPEN IF IT IS RAINING OR WET OUTSIDE.  IT COULD MAKE A MESS.

LATER !!!

EDIT:

Brent, Sounds like you did pretty good, now lets not push our luck here!  The Strategy is your winning on the small field, so lets retreat now, let the dust settle, and the entire situation mellow out a little. (Especially now she will feel victorious.)  Then,  just before it is completly from memory you need to reassert territorial claim.  To do this, move the table no more than 2 maybe 3 feet toward the adjoining room.  This will create the necessary diversion of room space, and encroachment.   And the table occupancy will not even be a concern, which is the primary objective.  This second occupation will help create the sense of normallacy regarding the table, especially sense it had been previously dominated.   Your doing great. 

 

Don

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: S.E. Ohio
  • 5,434 posts
Posted by Blueberryhill RR on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 9:18 AM

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a beautiful day. Sunny and going up to 70.

Today, I will spend some time outside. I have a few errands to run and the usual chores. I will be mowing grass pretty soon. Mower needs an oil change. Here comes summer.

I have been thinking about making some changes to my layout. I will take out the blue bridge and modify it to hinge. Need to figure out the wiring. I want to glue the track to it, instead of screwing it down. I will take my time.

Dining car was here and we had the usual for breakfast. Cheerios.

Y'all have a great Tuesday.

Chuck

Chuck # 3 I found my thrill on Blueberryhill !!
  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Millersburg, Pa.
  • 7,607 posts
Posted by laz 57 on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 9:25 AM

lionroar88

Mornin' Fellas.

Received a package in the mail yesterday that adds a bit to the town! Took some pictures of the town mock-up on the dinning room table last night, doesn't look too bad.

Does anyone have the Lionel Operating Train Store? The one with the 3 operating layouts inside? If so, could you draw a template and send it to me? I need to get an idea of how big it is so I know how much space to leave in town for it.

Don - can't use the china base because the cabinet rests on top of it. Susan was complaining about the town again last night and I told her I really need to get a sheet of plywood so I can get it cut to size and then I can finish the mockup. Once that is done I can move the town to the basement. I was informed that the plywood MUST be purchased and the town removed from the dinning room PRIOR to my parents arrival on Friday... or else... I asked what the 'else' was and she said, 'You don't want to find out.' Shock I guess the townsfolk have outstayed their welcome. Big Smile

Chief - prayers up for your mother again

Sir James - Big Congrats on the 50 year wedding anniversary! I kept meaning to post this over the weekend and just remembered today... Banged Head

JimT - Don't sell the collection. Put it in storage. You will regret selling it in about 10 - 15 years! Sell the Sunfire Wink

Not much else going on... talk later.

BRENT,

  I have the Operating Store.  It totally cool.  Crossbucks are flashing,lots o lites, three layouts running, 11 people in the store, trains on the wall.....

  The footprint is 11.5 x 16.  Very easy to hook up.  I got mine from BARRY new in box for $250.  He bought out a widow who's husband had a very large collection, most stuff was never out of the box.  It is one of the nicest things Lionel came out with.

laz57

  There's a race of men that don't fit in, A race that can't stay still; Robert Service. TCA 03-55991
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 9:43 AM

Brent,

             I thought about storing the collection, but I don't have anywhere else to put the stuff. My closet is packed, the livingroom floor is covered with PW  Lionel right now, the gameroom is stuffed with MTH and Gilbert Flyer, and I have very little space in my room due to trains, train parts, and car parts.  Tell Susan abot this, and she might not think that the situation with your table is as bad as it appears.  Just don't tell her where I am located, because I'd rather not have any suprises waiting for me!Smile,Wink, & Grin  I might put the trains on hold until summer due to all the stress college has created.  I'd sell the Sunfire, but I don't think that anyone would pay as much as I have left to pay.  I always get excited when I don't see the car in the spot where I thought I parked it.  Unfortunately, that has only been due to me forgetting where I parked.Sad  Then again, I don't think anyone would be dumb enough to steal a GM car! 

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Jacksonville, FL
  • 493 posts
Posted by RRCharlie on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 9:47 AM

Brent;

The Lionel Hobby Shop with three operating layouts is 16" x 11.5". Corners rounded ever so slightly. Same foot print as the Frod Dealership. This is the one Lionel put out several years ago. I assume the new one has the same footprint.

Mel Hazen; Jax, FL Ride Amtrak. It's the only way to fly!!!

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Central PA
  • 2,536 posts
Posted by jefelectric on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 10:30 AM

Good morning,

Some of our vinyl windows that were installed about 30 years ago are in need of repair and the guy was just here to take a look at them.  Yes, the company that installed them is still in business and the repair guy just told me that they can still get the parts and he thinks they have most of what he needs in stock, amazing in this day and age.

Chief, Looks like you have your hands full there.  We have had a few similar problems so know what you are going through.

On the skunk subject, we had an interesting experience about 10 years ago.  At that time we had a white German Shepard, we always let her out just before bedtime through a dog door.  This time she came running back in the house after being sprayed by a skunk.  Very interesting situation.  We finally got her cleaned up but you could smell it on her breath for several months, she must have sniffed the wrong end of the skunk.

It's a beautiful day here today, Sunny and to go to 60.

 

John Fullerton Home of the BUBB&A  http://www.jeanandjohn.net/trains.html
  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: MICH
  • 8,153 posts
Posted by sir james I on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 10:32 AM

Good Morning

A brite sun today,50's.  Feeling better but weak. Out to the bank and barber, done. Trains today? maybe. TTFN...S.J.

"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks 

  Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC)   - Detroit3railers-  Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 11:33 AM

Laz and RRCharlie - thanks I think the dimensions are the same so I'll see if I can cut my own template.

JimT - She mentioned something about buying a trash compactor a few days ago. Disapprove I think it is all in good fun, but I don't want to push my luck.

DonB - LOL! Problem is the trainroom is in the basement on the other side of the house! I would have to devise a way to get the trains up to the ceiling, into the adjoining room, then up into the first floor... would be cool as heck, but I think before I got one hole drilled I would be shacking it up in the shed. Shock I'm hoping to stop at Lowes on my way home and get the plywood - problem is going to be finding a sheet that is flat... never undersood why their plywood looks like the rolling hills of Iowa!?

  • Member since
    November 2006
  • From: USA
  • 1,247 posts
Posted by Ole Timer on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 12:02 PM

Lionroar ... that's why I always go to home depot ... their plywood here never saw the outside .... always nice and flat . I noticed our lowes here leaves it outside for days before taking it inside .... of course if someone wants hills and valleys already formed ... Clown

       LIFETIME MEMBER === DAV === DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS STEAM ENGINES RULE ++++ CAB FORWARDS and SHAYS
  • Member since
    March 2006
  • From: Ann Arbor, Michigan
  • 2,306 posts
Posted by kpolak on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 12:19 PM

Afternoon all!

Chief:  Still praying for your Mom. 

Nice typing to Brutus, Charlie, and SJ last night!

Was able to watch the F-1 race.  Whatta finish!  Mike C. make sure you watch the whole thing at once.  8ntruck I must have missed your post on the race, so I wasn't clued in.

Finishing up some projects, so I was away.

Kurt

  • Member since
    March 2005
  • From: Southwest Georgia
  • 5,028 posts
Posted by dwiemer on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 12:32 PM

Crazy day here, but it should all straighten out.  Rain total for this weekend was 5" and we are expecting another 6-8" between tonight and Thursday.  Doesn't sound like a lot of fun to be had with all that rain...but it could be worse.  The poor folks up in Fargo.

I just need to get that control panel out for the final touches and then I won't care if it rains all week...I'll be happy to play trains for awhile.  Besides, I have so much scenery to get to.

Dennis

TCA#09-63805

 

Charter BTTs.jpg

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: South Carolina
  • 9,713 posts
Posted by rtraincollector on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 4:48 PM

dwiemer

I just need to get that control panel out for the final touches and then I won't care if it rains all week...I'll be happy to play trains for awhile.  Besides, I have so much scenery to get to.

Dennis

SHHHH!!!!! don't say that to loud or a certain someone will deem you don't need so much train money for your trip to york.

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/

  • Member since
    November 2006
  • From: USA
  • 1,247 posts
Posted by Ole Timer on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 4:55 PM

Speaking of the rain ... we needed it here in my area . We were way down on it and I was watching my well ... holding my breath . But thank goodness we got a couple days of it .

 Went out lumberjacking with the pruners for real logs for those diecast skeleton log cars .... Laugh . Also made up a chopping block for later detail work . Now just to cut and split some small stuff for a wood pile . Alot easier than when I used to burn wood ... cutting - trimming - dragging -splitting - and stacking the big stuff . But I enjoyed it believe it or not . Except when that tree kicked back and almost tore me in half !  If you ever cut your own you know what I'm talking about ... Shock

 Hey RT ... how ya doin buddy ? Good to see you in here .

       LIFETIME MEMBER === DAV === DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS STEAM ENGINES RULE ++++ CAB FORWARDS and SHAYS
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: St. Louis, MO
  • 4,913 posts
Posted by Brutus on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 6:57 PM

dbaker48

Good morning !

Just noticed, Patrick has a face !  Nice picture and avatar.

Wife feeling better, her, son, mil, fil, are all going to the Morengo Reservation today.  (18 yr old gambling permitted, got to train them young.)

Going to have to get to work, Ugh, have a great day!

Work on the program, defined one routing, wrote a script and doing a time analysis, to see about the timing for multiple routings, will keep posted.  (boring !!!!)

Jon,  Chief's car is heading east, DO NOT OPEN IF IT IS RAINING OR WET OUTSIDE.  IT COULD MAKE A MESS.

LATER !!!

EDIT:

Brent, Sounds like you did pretty good, now lets not push our luck here!  The Strategy is your winning on the small field, so lets retreat now, let the dust settle, and the entire situation mellow out a little. (Especially now she will feel victorious.)  Then,  just before it is completly from memory you need to reassert territorial claim.  To do this, move the table no more than 2 maybe 3 feet toward the adjoining room.  This will create the necessary diversion of room space, and encroachment.   And the table occupancy will not even be a concern, which is the primary objective.  This second occupation will help create the sense of normallacy regarding the table, especially sense it had been previously dominated.   Your doing great. 

 

Laugh

Laugh

Laugh

RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.

  • Member since
    March 2005
  • From: Southwest Georgia
  • 5,028 posts
Posted by dwiemer on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 6:59 PM

RT, you are so right.  I will keep quiet at home regarding the York issue.  Don't want the funds to be gone before the trip.  Getting tired, will head to the house and hopefully not get called in.  So far, all minor cases for the morning, so I should be able to get a little extra sleep.

Chief, hope things continue on a good note with your mom.  Seems like they are getting things under control.

I have seen a number of good deals lately on trains, but am holding off till after the end of April.  However, should I find a deal like Laz got on the hobby shop, I may have to bite.

Have a good night everyone.
Dennis

TCA#09-63805

 

Charter BTTs.jpg

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: St. Louis, MO
  • 4,913 posts
Posted by Brutus on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 7:12 PM

Howdy guys, running early today.  Wow, what a bad day at work.  So depressing.  Glad to have trains and stuff to take my mind off it tonight.  Talking with RT now - great guy.  Laz, that is a cool accessory, they had one at a LHS working on a layout for a while, but someone bought it for full MSRP!  Nice talk last night with Sir James, Charlie and Kurt.  Mike, how is the toe, can you drive yet?  Wink

RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Millersburg, Pa.
  • 7,607 posts
Posted by laz 57 on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 7:25 PM

BRUTUS and DENNIS,

  I am lucky to have a guy like BARRY in my corner.  If I get a JONES for something Lionel or MTH has I just ask BARRY if he comes across something like that to put it aside for me.  He usually does.  People have come to him to sell their husbands train collections when they die.  Sometimes i9t BARRYs own costomers that the wife is selling the stuff back to BARRY.  Once last year he bought a whole collection from a widow.  I and a few of his other regular costumers were there, he allowed us to pick through it whatever we wanted and then he would give us a great price.  That's how I got my MTH EIRE 2-8-8-8-2, it was brand new neveron the tracks.  Got it for 650, I did have to replace the battery but WOW what a great deal.  Originally sold for 1200.  BARRY will be at YORK in the Purple Hall, always has good deals.

laz57

  There's a race of men that don't fit in, A race that can't stay still; Robert Service. TCA 03-55991
  • Member since
    November 2015
  • 3,584 posts
Posted by Sturgeon-Phish on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 7:51 PM

Evening all

I've had a busy day.  Got home from work and cut grass then worked on youngest daughter's car, just routine checks.  She is in town to help me with the kids while my bride is in Florida to bring her mom home from wintering in the sunshine of Florida.

Laz - I looked at that hobby shop on the Lionel site.  That looks incredible.  Is it as detailed as they say?

Bed time for the kids

May God bless

Jim

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Sandy Eggo
  • 5,608 posts
Posted by dougdagrump on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 8:01 PM

Evenin' Dudes & Dudettes.

Glad to see the forum is moving again, over the weekend it was really bad.

A very late congrats to Sir J and the Mrs., very deserving. Thumbs Up

Already set-up my stuff for friday, working on something special. With all the goodies that are going it's a very good thing I got the 4dr p/u, it will be loaded to the gills.

Chief, Hope things go well for your mom.

Be kinda nice to put in some veggie gardens, I'm sure the gophers & ground squirrels would appreciate a new salad bar in the neighborhood. Heaven knows that there isn't a lot of lush grass left.

Later all !

Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.

www.sd3r.org

Proud New Member Of The NRA

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • 1,984 posts
Posted by 8ntruck on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 8:07 PM

Tuesday - my fav-o-rite day at work.  It is full of meeeeetings.

50's partly cloudy.  The grass cutting elves didn't show up last night.  Guess I'll have to get to it tomorrow.

Banks & Dwiemer - thanks for the ideas on the lawnmower sharpening.  This one has an adjustable stationary blade (if it is adjustable is it really a stationary blade?).  I might try closing up the clearance a bit and see if that helps.

Brutus - you are correct. It was Hamlet. Found out on Google.  I knew it had to be Hamlet or Macbeth, as those are the only ones I read way back in high school.

Stopped at the book store and picked up the May copy of CTT.  I'll go through it while I'm watching Dancing with the Stars with my wife.

Had the winning bid on a NYC express milk car on e-bay today.  Should be here in a few days.  I'll add it into the Empire State Express when it arrives and post the pictures on one of the upcoming Sunday Photo Funs.

 Gotta run.

  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: MICH
  • 8,153 posts
Posted by sir james I on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 8:23 PM

Good Evening

A sunny day around 50. I did not do much today after lunch, just kind of couched. Talked to my train friend and no new shipments from either of the big two. April 1st tomorrow, will the pot be here? Hard to tell.

Banilla is ready so if Brutus flies tonite I am ready too..S.J.

"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks 

  Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC)   - Detroit3railers-  Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Rolesville, NC
  • 15,416 posts
Posted by ChiefEagles on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 9:35 PM

Limed garden, fertilized lawn, disked garden, Town Hall and haircut.  Now messing with laptop.  My IS guy has fixed it to down load my email in both desktop and laptop at same time.  Seems the laptop is NOT doing it now. ?????  Worked last time I used laptop at lake grocery.  Also Spybot will not update and says subscription expired.  Checked through their site, says subscription up to date.  Downloaded new software version and gave me new key code.  Enter code and says wrong.  Will give them a nasty call tomorrow.  Now to bed.

 God bless TCA 05-58541   Benefactor Member of the NRA,  Member of the American Legion,   Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville Laugh,   KC&D QualifiedCowboy       

              

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 10:01 PM

Chief,

           My brother is running McAffee antivirus/spyware on his laptop, and gave him the subscription problem you are having with Spybot.  He called and they fixed it.  I am hoping that it isn't a warning sign of that new worm.

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month