COFFEE POT #8, for all to take a drink and chat. Welcome all posters. 4 yrs old and still going.

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

It was another odd weather day in SE Indiana.  Today was a complete waste of time.  Wife had an "idea" to redo landscape in front of house and have daughter do it.  Would have been fine if the existing bushes did not have four inch trunks.  What a wasted day!   Nothing accomplished and the yard looks like h---!  All I need is a car up on blocks and the house will look something like a w---- t---- trailer park :-(   I am so frustrated with work and family it is not even funny.  Thank God for soccer!  I would go absolutely insane without it.  I had bran muffins on the dining car.  Patrick, I will gladly let you drive the Tardis.  I am going to slice open and vein and have the OLD Mils directly fed into the bloodstream (saves on the trips to bathroom).  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana 

[wrmcclellan]

Evening all!

Jim - sorry about your friend.

Buckeye - make sure you count all the southern signatures on that car!!!

Great end to the NASCAR race today - esp for Mark Martin. Something to be said for us old guys lurking in the back!

Went to TCA local meeting today for the N Texas Chapter of the Lone Star Division. Held at a members house about 40 miles south of Dallas. Big layout in the attic of his garage/barn.

Hot here today - but some breeze. 90's for the next week.

Have a great evening all!

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Evening all

Kids in bed house picked up dishes done and time to just sit for a bit.  I will be off line for a couple of days.  We are thaking the Grandkids to the Cincinnati Zoo and a Reds game.  We plan on hooking up with our youngest daughter over the next couple of days.  The kids are really looking forward to it.

Thanks for the words and prayers for my friend, I will pass them on to the family.  All take care.  Continued prayers for those in need

May God bless

Jim

[MichRR714]

Another busy one today.... had a family party this afternoon got to visit with an Uncle in from out of town.  Got home and built a rocket kit with Lucas and launched it.  Bet we got 600 feet or so out of it.  He sure was excited about the big countdown and launch.  Being a dad is just like being a kid again :)

Prayers to all in need 

 

[ChiefEagles]

Buckeye Riveter

I believe when my car makes the rounds, it should be donated to Smithsonian with all you guys signatures. 

Next month the special car from NC arrives in OHIO. 

Yes it should.  Can't tell you why right now.   Been trying to get Shake and Bake to leave it out in the sunny CA.  Then it would MELT.

SPMan

Good afternoon all, here is a shot of my ugly mug that Dbaker48 took on my train layout last Thursday night.  Shows a little bit of my O gauge empire.

Ray

Upper right hand corner by calendar.  Great.  I know about security.  They checked by roller bag when I took a big bag of GRITS to Buckeye and to Harrisburg for the Great Grits Caper. 

Off to bed.  Lucy and Burg have been out for the last time.  Busy tomorrow.  Got lunch with Frankie, Loralyn [his wife] and Cathy at a stir fry place, County Commissioners [one dumb Democrat is trying to change the whole budget and he made the work scession last over 4 hours with his arguements] and then Mayor's Assoc dinner.  Got to stop by Orvis and pick up one of their straw hats.  Wonderful hats.  BTW: have $25 off certificate so it will only cost me $25 or half price.  Sleep tight and God bless all. 

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

Not sure what the weather will be in SE Indiana.  Weather people are not for sure and I won't hazard a guess, for sure.  I had bran muffins on the dining car this morning for breakfast.  Beacon is lit for after soccer practice.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[fifedog]

Mornin' y'all!  Wifey and I took a spur-of-the-moment trip to West-by-God-Virginia for some mental relaxation .  Did some outlet shopping on the way home...I should not have walked into NAUTICA .  Came home to broken sump-pump and overflowing sanitary tub...

SPMan - Nice collection and display.  Is dwiemer's Moon Pie still inside that "rare and expensive" freight car...?

[LawsonFarmsRR]

 Clowding up out there. Need to get farm chores done before it rains.

Mike C. - Isn't it amazing what a good nights sleep can do for you (or was it the old Mils)!

SJ - Work is just something you don't want to do.

Chief - I promised Jon I would stay away from the P subjects, but I cant resist. I am typing it small. Isn't  dumb Democrat redundant?

Today's wise farmer comment:  The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever Have to deal with, watches you from The mirror every mornin'.

Pat

 

[Wes Whitmore]

fifedog,

Isn't that the second time your basement flooded in 2 weeks?  I have a bunch of experience with flooding basements...and some pretty good fixes now.  I've been through a lot of pumps.  I've replaced a lot of switches, and I've cut a lot of PVC...

Deck is almost done.  Just need to put up the balasters.  Jack turns 3 and we have a bday party this Saturday.  So much to do in so little time. 

Wes

[sir james I]

Good Morning

Sun is up and the day looks good. I am not sure what today will bring..Have a great Monday..S.J.

[fifedog]

Wes - I attribute the drainage system in my basement being over-taxed on Tuesday, which contributed to the afre-mentioned failures.  I'll fix it all today.  You're B&O hopper is high-and-dry 40 inches above the floor.

[anjdevil2]

Goood MONDAY Morning.......

 

Sorry I’ve been absent, Friday night stuffed the cats in the garage, did a preliminary clean and bombed the house.  Spent the night chasing stuff for Mrs’s customers and then to the beach for the night.  Got up early to see the space shuttle that was a no go....some coffee and 2 rye toast with butter slices and off to the house for the MAJOR clean.  Got done and sat down to catch up with Rescue Me on demand.  Daughter was SUPPOSED to arrive home in FLA Saturday at 3:30, missed the flight due to traffic, went to Liberty State Park and took the 8:00 home.  Arrived at 11:30, in bed by 12:15AM.  Up at 9:30for breakfast and shopping, Mrs and son purchased 1 HD Plasma TV each.  After tossing the old ones out (My Quasar was purchased 11/87) and swapping around the newer ones, we are set.  The old stuff is heading to Goodwill later today.  Took the daughter and her Boyfriend to dinner, after which we went home and she packed for Dance Camp with the boyfriend until he left at 11:00 PM.  MAN I’M TIRED!!!

 

-         To Ben & Lucas

-         to JimPhish’s friend and his Family

-         Glen at his train store – I understand what’s going on there for sure....

 

Good to see ya RRCharlie!!! 

 

Gonna start the E-Bay stuff on Tuesday, so I’ll be busy!!

 

as the Chief says --- Chat Later!!

 

[cnw1995]

Morning all. Another beautiful day in Chicago. Before the rains apparently. Great chat with Brutus and Sir J last eve. I began dismantling half the layout track (clearing half the crawlspace for storage) again last eve and four hours later, I had almost completely redone everything and added another main line and interchange track. Probably won't get to this again for another month.

Mike C, I share your pain re landscaping.  I don't know what's worse - having my youngsters grow their work ethic by 'helping' or having to fix things afterwards. At least it's all green for now, including the weeds. My boys are hankering to use the new hedge trimmer. Not gonna happen.

[ChiefEagles]

Morning all.  Rich, I am tired after reading your busy self.  Off to meet the kids for lunch and then County Commissioners.  After that, Mayors' Assoc. dinner.  Sure hope it rains.  Missed the showers that came by.  Put down soaker hoses yesterday so I am ready.  No rain by tomorrow, will run soakers as tomatoes are really loaded and still growing.  

Lets see, when is it Mrs. Pat comes home?  Bet he has hired a cleaning person to come in and clean house, wash clothes and wash dishes.

 

LawsonFarmsRR

 Chief - I promised Jon I would stay away from the P subjects, but I cant resist. I am typing it small. Isn't  dumb Democrat redundant?
Pat

Careful now, I am a registered Decmcrat.

Well, got to get going as lots to do.  BTW: slept till 8:15.  Had to wake my "alarm clock" [Lucy] at 8:30 to get up and go outside.  HUMM strange.

Have a great week and God bless and look over all.  

[laz 57]

HI GYZ,

  Nice day here started out at 530 this mornin at 58 did a nice 3.75 miles then rode bike for another 6 miles felt great.  Love these morning only saw one deer this morning in field when taking dog for her walk.  Got yard work again today and going to find out about retired contractor giving me free wood.

MIKE C, OL MILs directly to the vein?  I never thought about that.  See you on DA TARDIS later.

Stay frosty,

laz57

[dbaker48]

 Good Morning !

Had an enjoyable weekend off, didn't get a lot accomplished, did manage to get the front yard cleaned up some.

Last weekend when I attended a train show, I met a guy who builds and sells various size Helix's.  We had had a few conversations during the week, primarily about a helix for the club layout.  (Coming off a 16" elevation, using O72 track.)  Ended up taking him to the club and showing where the potential application would be.  He was extremely anxious and optimistic about the task.  He has NOT had experience with O scale, but wants into it big time.  The club would be a great marketing tool for him.  We also discussed the maketing potential in O scale, I indicated that most probably the market would be greater for a 42" or 36" helix in most cases, what are your thoughts?

BTW, last Thursday I visited SPMAN's layout.  It is really super, met some nice people there as well.  I noticed he posted a picture of a terminal building above the engine yard.  Take a look at the parking meters in the lot, they are really cool!  Also, the elevator bridge that Buckeye's car is on actually works.  He was across the room andactivated it and I was watching the bridge lift the car.  Really cool !  He had a lot of innovative and interesting stuff going on!

Also, since I have to do a 3 day show next weekend, we had a Father's Day dinner yesterday.  Had a great time!  Only thing I did was clean the grills afterwards.  I also watched the Michigan race, and really enjoyed the finish, it was great!

OK, so the Lakers win, WHY, WHY does their need to be so much violence afterwards???  Sure shows a lot about BB fans, pathetic!  

Going to be a tough week, all because of next weekend, I'm sure it will work out but not a lot of fun.  

Later, Off to work !!!

 

[jonadel]

A most excellent weekend here in the Heartlands, drove to MPLS Friday night to meet the kids.  Ryan and I took off Sat. AM on the bikes and headed into the Wisconsin backroads, FANTASTIC is the only way to describe the day.  We were lost for about 30 minutes and it was wonderful, the road network in WI is without a doubt heaven for motorcycles, while we were on the Great River Road we met several fast freights heading north, I really wish I had a helmet cam, it's just impossible to describe how beautiful is.  We had to cut the ride off at the 220 mile mark as we had to get back and go to at "tasting" party at the hotel where they'll be married in November, could have easily riddent anothe 3 hours.  This Saturday Ryan and I will head to the Blackhills from MPLS, hope is fiance will allow him to travel with old DAD in the future.

Don B., I'm really intrigued with your Helix ideas, if and when I rebuild one last time I would love to have a Helix but I also know one needs lots of room.  I think I have enough room in the bigger room but I'm not sure.  Keep us up to date if possible, thanks.

Granddaughter is here for two days while her Mom takes a class at Drake U. for continuing CEU's, I'm  getting nothing done but that's OK, it's great having a 3 year old here, I love it.  Going to meet Grammie for lunch and of course Grammie wants to show her off at the office then we'll head over the Science Center for the afternoon, life is good.

[Wes Whitmore]

I would love a helix as well, but never built one.  I was kinda discouraged about the amount of room it would take to keep the grades down to a suitable level.  Then I saw some of the old time lionel layouts that climbed some 7% grades with little problem, as long as the train length wasn't super long, and thought maybe they weren't so steep afterall.  Speed control is probably a must.  I decided if I ever build one, it will be a minimum of 0-54 if I can get it in there.  At 6" clearance, which still might not be high enough for many, 0-54 was something like a 3.5% grade, and 0-42 was closer to 4.75%.  0-72 is something like 2.7%.  Keep us updated as everyone likes a good helix!  Would these be more internal structure that we apply our own ground covering over, or would they come ready to drop track on and paint?  Sounds good either way.

Wes

[dougdagrump]

Mornin' All.

Like the "Helix" idea but talk about eating up real estate, kinda like a roundhouse & turntable.

Well so much for a breakfast appetite, walked out onto the patio with my first coffee and there sits about 15ft away one of our resident hawks munching on another bird. Wish it had been one of the ground squirrels that have been chewing on some of my flowers of late.

[SPMan]

F

fifedog

Mornin' y'all!  Wifey and I took a spur-of-the-moment trip to West-by-God-Virginia for some mental relaxation .  Did some outlet shopping on the way home...I should not have walked into NAUTICA .  Came home to broken sump-pump and overflowing sanitary tub...

SPMan - Nice collection and display.  Is dwiemer's Moon Pie still inside that "rare and expensive" freight car...?

Don't know, did'nt look inside.

[submmbob]

Hello all, been out of touch for a few days, but I had a bit of an entertaining weekend. Doug and Chief I'm glad you enjoyed what you found on the site. Remember when I thought I was coming down w/ acid reflux or something? Well it was a bit more interesting than that. Happened again after dinner Thurs night, took some antiacids and was crashing on the couch during the long scans. About 11 or midnight what had happened in the morning came back on strong. Started thinking this seemed like symptoms for high blood pressure. Checked out on the internet and sure enough. Got the blood pressure cuff from the emt equipment and was able to deduce that it was at least 150 on the upper number. Called the ER in Safford and they thought I might come for a visit. Shut down and buttoned up the scope and woke the other operator up and away we go. We get there and the numbers were 169/106. Needless to say they didn't ask for my insurance card. Whisked off and more tubes and wires in me than the MG and the Corvair has ever seen. Well 6 hours or so later things were better and they had seen no sign of any heart issues. They wanted me to skip the rest of my shifts and have some tests done in Tucson. I get back to basecamp and am trying to arrange away to get home. First I was going to the scope to just sleep (had been up since 3PM the day before), thought better of that and they arranged for the Blazer to come to me w/ my stuff in it. Things started to go downhill again and i didn't want to drive. I'm lying on the floor in the conf room w/ the basecamp mechanic who recently became an emt monitoring me. I got to the point where he didn't want to move me in his truck so an ambulance came to base camp and back to emergency in Safford we go. Blood pressure now 170/112. They decide they are shipping me to the Tucson Heart Hospital asap, via ambulance. For those who aren't familiar w/ southern AZ that's at least a two hour ride. Got there about 4 or 5 PM and finally got something to eat. Also finally got to sleep since at this point I had been up well over 24 hours. Of course they were waking me up every few hours for blood test or ekgs. I must have over a dozen holes in me now. Next morning a CT scan of the heart where they inject nuclear isotopes. Why not? I think I've had everything else including nitro (multiple times) and morphine. They said if this came back negative, as had everything else so far, they would release me and treat the high blood pressure and prob do some more outpatient tests. Well no problems w/ the ticker so far. Off I go home w/ the blood pressure meds and that has been a little fun too. Had to get taken home from church just a short way into the sermon due to fluctuations and then ended up back in the emergency room at the heart hospital last night, but that ended up not being too bad. Did everyone get all that? I think I am finally stabilizing and the cardiac doc I am working w/ is great. Gave me his cell phone # and said just call. I now have a cuff and am keeping the data like the good scientist I am. Speaking of which that made the process a little interesting too. Seems everyone had heard of the situation and my somewhat unusual job. Lots of questions and comments like, "this is the telescope guy". The nuclear med folks spent some time showing me how their stuffed worked, when they weren't pumping me full of neutrons and some crazy chemical that increases your heart rate. Going to have to set up a tour for all these good folks. Prob should go lay down for a bit as I just started another med. I'm sure I'm not the only person on this forum dealing w/ high blood pressure, but I thought you guys would find the story fairly entertaining. Sure was for me! Back later Bob

[dbaker48]

(Had a double post, so deleted all that I could)

[dbaker48]

SPMan

fifedog

Mornin' y'all!  Wifey and I took a spur-of-the-moment trip to West-by-God-Virginia for some mental relaxation .  Did some outlet shopping on the way home...I should not have walked into NAUTICA .  Came home to broken sump-pump and overflowing sanitary tub...

SPMan - Nice collection and display.  Is dwiemer's Moon Pie still inside that "rare and expensive" freight car...?

Don't know, did'nt look inside.

Yep, It sure is.  (Bunch of little critters in the bag too, I have the car sitting out by the trash cans, wife didn't want those thing in the house)

[Ole Timer]

 Fifedog ...those mountains of West Virginia sure are pristine and beautiful ... are'nt they ? Wife and I took a trip deep in the mountains there about a week before you did and will surely go back . Relaxing is'nt the word ... and the people were fabulous .... great country folks ! Only next time I won't forget to take my camera ... it really was a unplanned trip ... the next time we're going to plan it out ... but I think doing it on the spur of the moment  was better .

[8ntruck]

Man - didn't check the Pot for a few days and find myself 9 pages behind!  Music Man was on last night.  Think the 'Pick a Little, Talk a Little" number applies

Nice weekend, mostly.  Several good thunder stormes though.  Mowed Friday and again Sunday 'cause it was forcast to rain Monday and Tuesday.  Other outside work, some inside work, and was distracted by 'The Spirit of St Louis' Saturday afternoon - Jimmy Stewart, 1957.  Always enjoy that one.

Stopped by the local hobby shop.  Pulled the trigger and put the Aerotrain on order. MTH claims November delivery.  Found out that he is planning on moving the shop to a new store with a little more square footage.  Offered to help him with his requisite layout for being an Added Value Lionel dealer.  We will see what happens with that one.  He wants to include some HO stuff too.  Didn't Lionel have a combination O/HO demonstrator layout in the early 60's?

Back to my notes from the 9 pages:

RT - thanks for the offer, but let me check ttender first.  I was kind of lost when I last looked at their web site.  They are organized by part number.  I don't suppose you remember the part number do you?

Summbob - Keep after your medical research.  Best to catch things and treat early.  By the way,  have you considered placing a pool table on one of the rotating floors in the observatory?  Would certainly add a new 'twist' to the game!

Chief - hash is good for any meal - my Yankee opinion, anyhow.

Helix on a layout - I'm tinkering on paper how to work out a decreasing radius helix like the mountain in Polar Express.  Lays out OK in two dimensions on paper. Lots of room required, and I'm worried about the grade needed to get the exit at the top to clear the loop underneath. A short train would probably be OK. Only problem is, I like to run 8 to 12 cars.... I'll have to mock it up someday. 

Later all.

[sir james I]

Good Evening

Nice day. Busy too.

Bank,hardware,grocery store, even ran some trains. Got a good chat going tonite. Banilla is ready...S.J.

[dbaker48]

Summbob,

Went back and read your post.  Wow! that is one heck of a few days!  Hope that doesn't happen to frequently, specially given the circumstances and the distances involved.  Sounds like things are doing better and under control.  Just stay on top of it !  And keep us informed !

[ChiefEagles]

Home finally.  Crazy day.

Rockisland is one week and counting on new Granddaughter.  Had friend killed by being hit by automobile.  He has had a tough couple of weeks.

8N, glad to see you back.

Bob, had the same tests and 6 bypasses later, doing fine.  I had lower than normal BP.  No heart problems.  Was begining to block up where arteries join up.  Could not stint.

Father-in-law was told he had cancer and was about dead this AM at tiny county [adjoining county] hospital.  CT later and found nothing.  He does have blood issues.  No platelets and low blood count.   Now in Durham NC next door to Duke [to me that is not good but only oncology bed available in the Triangle.  So wife had gone from bezerk to better.

Now to rest.  Long County Comm. meeting.  Fighting over the budget.  Three Demo's trying to raise taxes.  Three Republicans and one Demo stopped it after 3 hours of debate [which was a carry over from 4 hours of debate in work scession].  WOW.

Shake and Bake, lots of flies circle the expensive and rare box car.   Probably the Ohio official air force.

Later. 

[dwiemer]

Good evening guys!  Wow, stay away for a day or two and have too much to catch up on.  Had a nice call with dbaker....good guy.  Filled me in on some printer knowledge...He's the man.

Bob, keep on top of your blood pressure issues.  They need to track down what the underlying cause is.  Also, you need to make sure you keep it in normal limits.  Unchecked, hypertension can lead to a number of other problems...never mind the intense headaches.  Regarding the battery of tests they did when you first went in, they do a 9 hour series of tests that they want to do a comparison on.  They can determine if any cellular death is occurring, and how much.  Obviously, that was not the case, but they needed to rule it out. 

Buckeye, regarding that invasion by them Ohier Yankees on the peaceful railroading of the South, they were quickly caught and had their necks stretched.  Of course they did get the CMH posthumously, but that's a story for another day.

Well, getting ready for a little trip up to Hilton Head, SC for a meeting.  I checked out the list of Hobby Shops, and did not see anything that stood out.  If anyone knows of something worth taking in up that way, please share.

Fife, have you checked out West Marine?  pretty good folks that I have dealt with many times over the years.  They have a web site and will send a catalog.

Heading to bed.

God Bless,
dennis

[rtraincollector]

8ntruck

RT - thanks for the offer, but let me check ttender first.  I was kind of lost when I last looked at their web site.  They are organized by part number.  I don't suppose you remember the part number do you?

something like that your better calling or emailing him [e-mail]  a lot easier and quicker.

but not sure but this may be it ( took a quick look)

2359-12

dynamic brake hatch grey

2.00   so you would have to paint it whatever color you want.

So you would have to paint it what ever color you need it to be but believe this may be it might want to cal or email him to be sure.