COFFEE POT 7A, CLOSED [see #8]

[jonadel]

Chief--excellent, I was hoping the drum cadences were making it out your way, smoke signals later today, perfect conditions as strong winds out of the west 

Slower speed limits are perfect, I think we could all slow down just a little more and enjoy life a lot more, EXCEPT when traveling on I-80 through Nebraska.  That's where I like to set the cruise at an even 85 to lessen the pain.

[dwiemer]

So Jon, not sure about that Ohier place, for such low tech folks, my high tech camera should arrive today from Sharon Ohio.  Perhaps that's it.  They have high tech in Ohio, but they ship it all out of state.  Don't want it to stick around and rub off on the locals.....Just kidding guys!

Wife sent me to work on the computer to hook up the scanner, etc.  She wants to start loading up photos we have around here from the dark ages.  Anyway, should be getting a package from Choo Choo today along with the above one mentioned from Ohio.  Looking forward to both. 

Have to head in.  I think I'll stop by SAM's and see about the Photoshop Elements 7.0.  If the price is right, I'll pick it up.  Also need to check into the new SD memory cards from San Disk.

God Bless,

Dennis

[ChiefEagles]

Steve W.

Thanks for the welcomes guys!

dewiemer; what part of dirty jerz do you hail from sir?

Hey I  kinda like grits, lots off butter,salt pepper,and half a bottle of hot sauce,stays with ya for a while!

Anybody heard of  a "VW" transformer? one on ebay now. It looks like a Z but its only 150 watts. Never knew it existed........Steve

Steve W.

Thank you RT, I'm stuck in lovely Lakewood (seemed like a good idea when I bought the place)it borders bricktown. Both my brothers moved to NC 25 years ago, I should have followed them. Jersey has alota train history though. In fact all good things about jersey are history.My avatar is CNJ592, that was my grandfathers loco(among others) and has survived and is in the B&O museum. He worked as an enginer at cnj for 50 years.

Well, I declare.  Might be one good Yankee afterall. [See Dennis is not a Yankee as we did the deacon thing by "laying hands on him" and he converted to grits and sweet ice tea.] 

Well, had a late Town Board meeting and did not post as I was so sleepy.  Come on this AM and see lots of posts by new folks.  Makes me smile.  Glad to see them and their telling of their interests.

Cars:

Youngtest ex-stepdaughter had a new Spitfire.  Had to work on it all the time.

My British Leyland tractor has an MGA engine in it.  32hp.  I get the parts from Carquest ast about half the price of the tractor dealer [that imports them].

Corvair, Bob, I will have to go visit you and give you a hand.  In my other life [lived in the southern part of Wake Co where ex-wife still lives, Kids and I moved out and I sold out.] I use to buy old Corvairs and restore them.  Drag them out of the woods or from under a shed.   Make them like new. 

Rule # 1, do not over inflate front tires [18 lbs].

Rule# 2, carry a wrench and a spare fan belt.

Town Board went well.  Budget is TIGHTER than a fat lady's girdle.  Passed a no teathering law.  Dog lovers love it.

Got meeting with Chamber President for lunch.  Wants to whine about the lowered speed limits in town.  Some emails from two ladies that dirve through town.  Say they are not coming back to shop here due to speed limits.  Yes, how dumb.  Chamber upset.  Will be more upset when I finish with him.  Will give him a copy of the DOT study justifying the new speed limits.  The businesses that are whinning are not people living in Rolesville and only care for their $$$.  Not the safety of the residents.

"Miss Pam" home again today.  Could not sleep last night [coming off of meds that made her sleep a lot].  Really think she is allergic to her WORK.  

Summer is usually a slow posting time for the forum.  Glad to see all the posts on here.  Again, "new guys" . 

BTW: ZW's, I have 5 and 3 KW's.  I use one ZW for each mainline [2] and one for the sidings.  One KW for aux switch power and one for accessories and lights.  Others are spares.  Post War transformers are great.  If running modern stuff with boards, add protection.

Have a great day.

PS: I hear the drums sending me a message about Ioway.  Something about the pig smell.  

[jonadel]

Jon........I bet it was hard to vote using those rotary dial phones in Iowa. 

 

Buckeye--it was difficult but we persevered   What surprises me is that you have internet access in ohio but still use tin cans and string to make calls---what's up with that?  I thought for sure that you were ahead of Roseyville with phone connections

[cnw1995]

Morning all. Sunny and beautiful today in Chicago. Have a day full of meetings, then a 'culture evening' with the bride as she's driving into the city to go to the Art Institute, some cheap dinner and then the Symphony. Hope I can trust our middle boy to study for his exams... I'm curious about what my new office will look out on -we move in a month from my 2nd flr cubby to the 15th flr. of an ancient building the university bought -  unfortunately the lake view is only from the computer lab.

This is what Bob gets to work with:   way up here:

 

[kpolak]

submmbob

  The B's been an interesting project and it has certainly given me a place to keep my money. I pick up the new camshaft, lifters, and pushrods this week. This will be a regular driver (I hope) and I'm trying to do things right. Of all the stuff I've done w/ vehicles, I've never actually assembled a short block. A little nervous but the guys at the local british car shop have been encouraging me to go for it. They say as AR as I am I'll do a better job than a shop 

Welcome submmbob!  I guessed I missed your posts earlier.  Sorry 'but that.  MGB?  Sounds like fun!  I rebuilt (frame on) a '73 midget right after I finished high school.  Fun cars.  You'll do fine.  Keep the spaces in the rings on opposite sides from each other, and the rest is pretty straight forward...the bugger is getting the carborators syncronized.  1275cc w/ dual Lucas carbs?  Can't wait to see the results!

Doug:  Lakefront view!  Woo Hoo!  Can we come for the fireworks?

Taking the girls out to the park, and then to McDonalds for lunch!

Kurt

[sir james I]

Good Morning

Sunny and going to 80, just right.

No plans yet so I will just see where the day takes me. Car talk,  I wonder what's going to happen when everyone comes home at 6:30 and plugs in their electric car. Our Edison can't even keep everybodys A/C running all at the same time.

Have a great day...S.J.

[Buckeye Riveter]

Jon........I bet it was hard to vote using those rotary dial phones in Iowa. 

Mike....Sarah Fisher is from a little tiny town south of Columbus; Commercial Point, Ohio. 

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

IIABSDISEI (It is another beautiful sunny day in south eastern Indiana for those of you with the "home" version" of the coffee pot) with temps near 80.  Welcome Bob and Steve to the pot.  Bob, my dad had a 64 Corvair sedan.  Good car, but it would throw a fan belt every now and then.  You will find some of the most "interesting" people who occasionally talk about trains, but who are all very good friends.  Did weights and soccer with the Brazilian last night.  Did some more errands and paid some bills.  Was not going to stay up for "Dancing with the Stars", but did anyway.  Was mildly surprised that Shawn won, but any of the three could have and all three deserved it.  Nice article in Indy Star about Sarah Fisher.  I had the regular fare on the dining car before sending it to "Points East".  Beacon is lit and I can drive after soccer practice tonight.  I will be tired, but it will be a good tired.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[anjdevil2]

Good Morning for the Soggy Sans-Sunshine State.....

 

The weather here is still horrible, gusty winds and RAIN of the sideways kind.  Listening to the NOAA radio, we’re supposed to see tornadoes and/or water spouts by the shore – I’m only 5 miles west, so looks interesting.

 

Not much on the train front, we cancelled the move out at the trains store due to the extreme weather conditions.  I have a half day Friday, so I’ll get it done then. 

Chief, I’ll attempt to get a list together and let everyone know when it will be available.  I’m going to try to do some HD riding Saturday and Sunday may just be a day off.  Monday everyone is home, so looks like I’ll be the house Dad that day.

 

I’m not sure what I’m going to do for the train room and the contents.  I’ll have to make room in the garage to stack most of it and then inventory it all.  Did run my 2037 for a bit last night with my Lionel Lines Trainsounds tender.  I’m going to have to clean the layout just because the track is really dirty.  I may try to use my newly acquired Lionel Lines Post War track cleaner.  I cleaned that up and it runs really well.  Very noisy, though.

 

Those Buick 215 aluminum engines are really nice and hold up well for a “prehistoric” alloy block.  Those Brits got a bargain when GM sold them the tooling.  Great little torque monsters, if I remember correctly.  I’m primarily Mopar, but you have to “know your enemy”

 

That’s all from Water World.  I’ll check in later.

 

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  Sunny & 46 (s'posed to get up to 75) here in the Mid-Atlantic region.  More work outside then have to get sailboat registration before night shift.

LawsonFarms - cnw1995/rt stole my thunder.  It's my "ear tug" to our friends across the pond, when I hear from them.

Brutus - Hang in there...

RRCharlie - Was it a through-truss or girder plate?

dbaker - Sounds like CA is sliding into the sea on both sides....

cheapclassics - Gil got robbed!  Notice, they didn't even talk to the panel of judges after the crowning.  Hope his marriage counselor is on speed-dial...

[Wes Whitmore]

Morning Fellas!

The new house is working out well.  I'm loving that 12 minute commute to work...scrapped the old layout since I couldn't get it out of the basement in the old house.  Working on something a bit more portable this time around, probably a folded dogbone design again.  I like those.

Have a good day... 

Wes

[Steve W.]

Morning everybody!! My father had a 58 MGA in the 60's, those things were a dime a dozen back then. Dads was worn out when he got it and he drove it for another 7 years before he retired it for a 66 mg sedan, both great cars. A friend of mine had two mga's and a bug eye midget(that was actually an Austin). I had a 1960 Alpha for a short while(paid $25 for it) bought a new top for it from JC Whitney but when it blew the head casket I gave  it to a friend. I got to the point I could take those duel side draft carbs apart in my sleep,Ahhh the good ole days

  Need to get a new smoke unit for my 671 turbine. It shorted out and burned up on me a few weeks ago.          Everybody have a good day......Steve

[jonadel]

Buckeye--Shawn did come through, the heart of a champion.  We tried to vote the other night and for 90 minutes we could only vote 4 times and that's with 3 phones trying!  There's no question that her fans pulled her through.  I just can't fathom what her future holds at age 17.  She already has a free ride at Stanford (gymnastics) and is a straight A student in all of her classes, including AP classes.

[mitchelr]

 Morning to All,

I made a fresh pot. All this talk to British sports cars has got me thinking about the 73 Triumph Spitfire I owned.  Bought it from my brother.  Loved driving it when it ran.  I too had to replace u-joints and frozen up wheel bearings etc.  Sold it after I got married and we needed some cash for a down payment for our first house.  Love to have another but don't think I would have the patience to do all of the repairs any more. Of course I'd have too lose a few lbs. to fit behind the wheel of a Spitfire again.

Students are planting a rain garden today that will be used as part of science studies. Should be a fun project and bring some colorful perennials to beautify the school.

Not much on the train front. I put the standard gauge trains away when our son and his girlfriend came for a visit a few weeks back.  His girlfriend stayed in the room where I had set them up and I didn't want her to have to negotiate a standard gauge obstacle course.  They will be back a few more times of the next several months because he has a bunch of friends getting married this summer. So I will not set the trains up again until the weddings are over. I need to get out in the train room for some general clean up soon, but the yard work and then the JOB keep me pretty busy.  Plus the garage needs a major clean up too. We have had incredibly full weekends since Easter and the next few weekends until after Father's Day are busy too.

We got a new computer last week so i had a major clean up project removing the old computer table and getting rid of 20 years of computer junk. I still have things strewn around the sun porch.  I hate to throw things away that someone could use, but I don't take the time to sell them on eBay.

Well I better get going.

Take care,

Mitch

[dbaker48]

 Doug,  Think I will just keep all the engines on the "floating shelves", they wern't designed that way but just works out.  So far no problems.

With all the talk about MG's, reminds me I had a 63(?) Midget.  Drove it from here to Corpus Christi, visited my grandfather at his trailer park.  He insisted to ride in it and show his Buds, Only way he could get in or out was by putting the top down.  Then drove it back, got home the needle bearings had disolved in the U-joints.  Would have to adjust the Side draft Carbs on that thing just about everyday.  Drive it 1 Day, work on it for 2.  Sure was a fun car, it was about 8 yrs old when I had it.

 

[dougdagrump]

Welcome to Bob & Steve.

Bob, You'll be glad to hear that there are a few other Corvair fans here in the forum. Come to think of it I saw a MTH auto carrier on E-Bay with 4 Monzas the other nite. I was a fan of the Monster Miata for awhile when they were converting the Miatas here in town, don't think they were ever "street legal" here.

Don, Think maybe we should install "earthquake straps" on our high priced engines ?

Glue should be set-up by now back to the work bench.  

[submmbob]

8NTruck - So you are making your own MGA-V8!? Nice! I've read a bit about the MGB-V8's they made in the 70's. Too bad they never came here. Yeah, the 1798 B Series engine doesn't seem too bad. The head already got the full treatment. Hardened seats, new springs, seals, guides, and keepers, and all new valves w/ stellite exhaust valves. The guys at the shop were floored when they found out I could get stellite valves for it. Only something they saw in industrial diesels supposedly.  This car is a 69 GT w/ all the chrome and wire wheels. Very classic British. It's a hoot to drive and got 30 or better when I took it to Phoenix once even w/ one cylinder going south (which I didn't know at the time). I'll be sure to post some pictures on flickr as the project progresses.

I know how it goes w/ all the boxes. I recently had to move (former landlord got the house repossessed and neglected to tell me) and there are boxes of MG parts everywhere. I'd love to get the van to the point where I could use it around town, but I fear an influx of corvair parts in the already limited space.

I have a funny train story to share. When I first started getting back into the hobby a few months ago, I had bought a couple books used on ebay. They were delivered the day I was headed back to the scope and I was hoping they would arrive before I went back on shift. I guess the mailman could tell I was eager to see what was in the mail and when he gave me the package he asked me what it was. I explained and he said he had a bunch of O-gauge stuff himself. Well then he asked me some questions on minerals (the big gem show was going on) and I told him I was a geologist by training. He was just a fill in and was not his regular route. I asked him why he thought to ask me about the minerals and he said I just looked the part. Well anyway I just got in touch w/ him and we are finally going to get together to talk and trade trains and minerals.  One of those strange coincidences that I supposed was just made to happen.

Bob

[8ntruck]

Bob - I've got a 1960 MGA stashed away in the back of the garage, and on the shelves, and up in the rafters.  A project to get to someday.  Planning to install an Oldsmobile 215 aluminum V8 and a 5 speed.  Ought to be fun when it is done.

British short blocks are not too bad.  I had a 1973 Triumph Spitfire when I was in college.  Spun the #3 rod bearing.  Had the crank reground at the local NAPA dealer and rebuilt it in the driveway.  Just follow the manual and keep everything clean.  If it does not check out to spec., stop and fix it before proceeding.

[dbaker48]

Most importantly hope the wives are getting better, prayers for them!

Sir James, I agree with you re the Grits!  Corn on the cob, great!  Do you guys have Corn Boils up your way?  I'm sure Doug and Jon are familiar with them, Doug may have to travel a bit.  But always enjoyed them.  Horse trough full of water boiling corn, great stuff.

Still shaking around a bit here, had a 4.1 aftershock today, maybe it was a result of the voting going on today too.  Gov. Arnold left town because the tax extension resolutions are all failing according to the polls.

Glad to see Rich post, good to know things are OK, take care all  and don't pay attention to all the gossip from the other forums. We're not missing anything.

[RRCharlie]

As Rich, anjdevil2, mentioned earlier, it is STILL raining and looks like it will still be raining Sunday into Monday!! If it does rain on Monday, I won't have to do any yard work on my birthday - #68. I was the 1st disaster of 1941 - Pearl Harbor was the 2nd!!! Got the 3rd set of Monopoly box cars today and 2 pieces of FasTrack straight to match the 2 operating tracks I got for my grand nephews for their Chirstmas sets. Fly to Chicago a wekk from Thursday and Amtrak to Kalamazoo through Saturday morning. Grand niece's high school graduation. Then Amtrak home. Arrive on Monday June 1 and summer class starts on Tuesday evening. Put an NYC animated caboose on the tracks today but haven't turned on the power yet. Still recovering from a Monday 90 minute session with the dentist for a permanent bridge insertion and the damage it did to me and to my checking account!! Prayers to all that are in need.

Steve W. This really is a good bunch of Looney Tunes. If you are the least bit crazy, you do like trains I expect?, you will fit right in!!!

[Buckeye Riveter]

Jon....The Iowa kid won!!!  Beat the French guy, too. 

[submmbob]

 Well a rainy day here on the mountain. The receiver is cold again (liquid helium), but we will likely be closed due to weather for the rest of my shift. cnw1995 I work at the Submillimeter Telescope for the University of Arizona and it is a very cool job. My weeklong shift ends tomorrow, but I do have to stop at base camp for a manager's meeting. Yeehah.

chief  always good to hear about another connoisseur of the octagon. The B's been an interesting project and it has certainly given me a place to keep my money. I pick up the new camshaft, lifters, and pushrods this week. This will be a regular driver (I hope) and I'm trying to do things right. Of all the stuff I've done w/ vehicles, I've never actually assembled a short block. A little nervous but the guys at the local british car shop have been encouraging me to go for it. They say as AR as I am I'll do a better job than a shop The next project is a, get ready for this, a '62 Corvair.....van. Found it last year in Mesa. Runs, but needs rings and bearings (and push rod seals, of course). Wish it was drivable now as it would be handy to bring home the plywood for starting the layout.

Well I should get home to an Olsen's order for the 1664 and a new Santa Fe caboose. Then breathe deeply and then go pay for the car parts. I'm getting togther w/ a friend who has some fancy software to stitch togther some pictures from a recent hike to the Goat Canyon Trestle. I'll try and post 'em if they are successful.

Is a VW transformer air-cooled or is it just that the terminals are horizontally opposed?

 

Bob

 

[Brutus]

Welcome Steve!  Wecome Bob (in case I forgot)

Meant to get on again last night, but was too tired.  Primered the closet area in the utility room - took about a full can of primer - about 35 ft of linear wall.

Busy day today.  Wife's hemoglobin or hematocrit went down below 7 again.  More tests and 2 units of blood tonight.  We think she will be home again tomorrow.  Apparently this is tied to her coughing fits - her body is trying to get oxygen?  We thought her bronchitis was coming back. 

Tardis is running late.  Somebody drive okay   I'm worn out!

[Steve W.]

Greg; I had never heard of VW's till today. I almost bid on the one on ebay but I can't spend any money right now. I wanted it just to have one.   Steve

[MichRR714]

 I love the postwar transformers.  I run my layout with a ZW and a TW.

[GregM]

Steve -  Not only have I heard about VW transformers, I have one.  It was my fathers, he got it back in the 50's when he bought an "electronic" set.  I have a few other pieces from the set but they are in tough shape, including the VW.  Not my thing to restore trains, but maybe someday.

[sir james I]

Good Evening

Me! eat grits, I need my teeth, don't want them ground down to stubs. I'll take Corn, on the cob with butter and salt.

We had a nice warm day, got the tomatoes planted, a short nap and a walk. Granny is watching the Red Wings.

Banilla is waiting for Brutus and the thingy....S.J.

[dwiemer]

Steve, for me, it was exit 18 off the turnpike....Hackensack.  As you say, best part about it is history.

Getting anxious for the camera.  Been looking at photo software and accessories.  I have found a few good references for more information on everything digital.  Really starting to add up the costs on this thing.  For a free camera, it is costing a bundle.

Well, tomorrow got interesting.  Added a few more cases, so it looks like I'll be doing some work after all.  Oh well, keeps me out of trouble. 

Dennis

[rtraincollector]

LawsonFarmsRR

 Hello Steve and welcome. We have a lot of fun on the Coffee Pot thread, thanks to Bob K our moderator. You should know though that some of us (like RT and Sir James I) don't have a true appreciation for Grits. You apparently do, and eventually RT and Sir James I will to, although it may take years. Grits are great, and you know us southern boys don't lie. And listen to Ole Timer, he rarely is wrong and knows what is happening (don't tell him I said so, might go to his head).

Tried to warn you steve see hes already saying you like grits.

Steve - When Jon says "Funny Farm" he is not exaggerating, but we do have fun. Ask him about his world famous Baked Beans. No kidding!

that I do agree with completely.

Fifey - I got to ask, who is English!?

A couple of english chaps that use to come in one still does from time to time the other was John Baker but something about his internet or something it got real painful to come on the foruem so he emails a few of us mainly jokes.

Hello Chuck. Is there ever a day when you can just relax, no chores, no errands to run?

 Hay Chief - Lots of rain here in central VA. Everything is rising - rivers, streams, creeks, ponds, even puddles in the driveway. We drain more into the James river. One thing NC has we don't is a 3 week earlier growing season. I envey your produce comming in now.

GregM - Chickweed rampent here to, but it will die back in a week or so.

A stoem Sat. night knocked out the well pump and telephones. Took until today (Tues) to get back to noemal. We still love love living in the country!

Patrick (Pat)