Trains.com

COFFEE POT #2, February 2010 for all to take a drink and chat. Welcome all posters. 4 yrs old and still going. Sweet ice tea too.

74852 views
954 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: St. Louis, MO
  • 4,913 posts
Posted by Brutus on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 6:58 PM

PS - Steve, I've driven by Decatur IL a 100 times, but never been there.  It's sort of near Bloomington, IL, which is a very nice town.  Hope that helps :)

RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: St. Louis, MO
  • 4,913 posts
Posted by Brutus on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 6:55 PM

Thanks Jack, Bob and everyone else.  Love the candle, Bob!  I hope it's not scented, like your new friend Shock

Dennis - wish I had taken a pic of that night 2 years ago.  I met up with another train guy on Saturday, and forgot again!  Did take a pic with my other buddy though, d'oh!  Dave Farquhar was doing great and had a lot to say about "rivet counters" and O scale vs O27 and tinplate stuff.  It was pretty crowded at the show, so we didn't get to talk very much though.

Online early - need to do pay some bills and find some tax papers, guess I'll do the taxes this weekend sometime.  I'll get back to the chat and check back in here before the tardis takes off tonight.  Everyone is welcome, just turn on a beacon!

RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Central VA
  • 1,228 posts
Posted by LawsonFarmsRR on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 6:30 PM

 Jack, you are ever bit the up-lifter as anyone. Always enjoy your posts, no matter what the thread!

Pat

 RFD-TV --- Rural America's most important network!

 

              

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • From: Cape Ann Taxachusetts
  • 3,780 posts
Posted by RockIsland52 on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 6:17 PM

Was having a frustrating day......until I started reading this forum thread.  I can always count on a pick me up here, some settling perspectives, a good laugh, some grounding news, and a healthy respect for people and things outside my world.

Brutus......sitting here on the outside with a just a prayer and positive thoughts makes me feel small and unsupportive.  I can just imagine how it is for you and your family.  The hurry up and wait.  And Char must be climbing the walls.  The news has been uplifting, thank you for taking the time to keep us up to date. You are lucky none of us live near you or you'd be getting picked up tonight in an SUV instead of the Tardis and might be calling Char from jail.

RT....Thumbs Up for providing sunshine where it is needed most.  Congrats on the score......nothing like a choice, seldom seen  piece with some history behind it.

Dennis.....welcome home.  Re the weather down by you, welcome to my world.  Big Smile

Lee and Don.....telling us about palm tree cleanup and lawn mowing in early February provides hope that global warming will straighten things out up here weather wise.  Think I'll call Al up and tell him to speed things up.  And fix Pat's internet issue while he's at it.  The only thing I can clean up in my yard right now is yellow snow and care packages left by my dog.

Pat......get a Commodore 64 like I use and you won't be having these problems.

Fife.... I have to keep reminding myself to put the soda down, swallow what is in my mouth, and then read your posts.

HudsonJohn......4-6-4 forever.....or at least until I can find a decent postwar Berk reasonably priced..

Bob.......nice skunk.  When I was a single guy with a mega house payment, a car payment, and living paycheck to paycheck, I could not afford to wine and dine women in the customary fashion.  I had to lure invite them to my lair home with the promise of steaks on the grill, some frosties, and perhaps a nice walk.  One very hot summer evening my (to be) wife and I were enjoying a particularly clear starlit sky sitting on steps of my front porch while enjoying an adult beverage or three.  A skunk came around the corner of the house and walked right by us, within two feet of where we were sitting.  My wife said,"Oh look at the beautiful cat."  I love razzing her about it to this day and pull that story out of my stetson when she gets too full of herself.  Then the real back and forths commence.  Wink

Later.

Jack

IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Lakewood NJ
  • 96 posts
Posted by Steve W. on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 5:31 PM

Evening All; I finally got a response from somebody I had sent a resume to. It sounds encouraging at least, but would mean moving to IL. So I need to ask you midwest guys, whats the Decatur area  like? I've never set foot west of Lancaster PA......Steve

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: South Carolina
  • 9,713 posts
Posted by rtraincollector on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 5:28 PM
sir james I

Six more weeks as if we didn't know. Where's the chief and his 22 when we need him.

Wasn't in PA. thats for sure

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

http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/

  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: MICH
  • 8,153 posts
Posted by sir james I on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 5:23 PM

Six more weeks as if we didn't know. Where's the chief and his 22 when we need him.

"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
    March 2005
  • From: Southwest Georgia
  • 5,028 posts
Posted by dwiemer on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 5:22 PM

Good Afternoon everyone.  Still at the hospital as we just finished the case.  Regarding vets as "Heroes", I have been in some rather tough situations with the FD, and also with the medical end of things.  For me, a hero is someone who does what needs to be done in a time and place where many could not.  In the end, the world is a better place because of their sacrifice.  With regard to the guy I mentioned earlier, I had known that he was in Vietnam and that he was badly wounded, but I don't bring things up as people deal with such things differently.  When he had brought the subject up in a conversation, that opened the door to ask about the book that I had heard about.  Again, under most circumstances, he would never try to gain notoriety, but in this case, he simply acknowledged the case and asked for me not to spread his name.  He does plan to visit hospitals and vets who went through similar situations to help them and lift their spirits.  Noble.

Well, gotta run, but do hope everyone has a great night.  Time to remember the vets in my prayers tonight.

Dennis

TCA#09-63805

 

Charter BTTs.jpg

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: South Carolina
  • 9,713 posts
Posted by rtraincollector on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 5:13 PM

Yes cloudy as can be but he saw it

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

http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/

  • Member since
    December 2009
  • 343 posts
Posted by navyjack on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 5:05 PM

Smilehello guys it is 5 pm does anybody know if the woodchuck saw his shadow?  we call groundhogs, woodchucks here and we have several families on our property.  didn't see any today though....maybe it was too cold.

 

hope that all you guys are ok.  and as a career navyman, i think the firemen are the real heroes.

"the older the violin the sweeter the music"
  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: MICH
  • 8,153 posts
Posted by sir james I on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 12:51 PM

Good Aftrnoon

Home from the medical center and Wallymart. I will give an update on granny Pats blood tests when we get them. They have found what they believe to be a cyst internally and are hoping the blood test will be cancer free, as are we of course. Thanks for your kind thoughts. So far that has been my day since early morning a nap is in my near future. Very lite snow, almost a rain. I shall stop by tonite to catch a ride on the thingy...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, February 2, 2010 12:03 PM

Hudson, that is a great find.  Do as Lee says, clean it up, oil and lube it.  Give her a run and let us know.

Raining here now and NO frozen stuff.  Trains to run. 

 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
    January 2005
  • From: Lake Worth FL
  • 4,014 posts
Posted by phillyreading on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 11:37 AM

Hudson#685

Well it is lunchtime in NJ. Temp is 31 and snow is in the forcast. All that I am thinking about is going home and checking out a Hudson #2055 that I just bought from a co- worker from a different division. He said that it has not been set up since around 1960 and the rest of the set is gone. Why the engine and tender survived, he doesn't have a clue.

John

Sounds like a nice find! Now to go tune up the motor on the 2055 and lube the wheels and axles, clean the wheels on the tender-if not it may sound off at will. I have a couple of whistling tenders that will whistle when the track is very dirty, both older and new tenders do thios to me, even my new Williams tender sounds off on dirty track.

Lee F.

Interested in southest Pennsylvania railroads; Reading & Northern, Reading Company, Reading Lines, Philadelphia & Reading.
  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Bayville, New Jersey
  • 1,296 posts
Posted by Hudson#685 on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 11:27 AM

Well it is lunchtime in NJ. Temp is 31 and snow is in the forcast. All that I am thinking about is going home and checking out a Hudson #2055 that I just bought from a co- worker from a different division. He said that it has not been set up since around 1960 and the rest of the set is gone. Why the engine and tender survived, he doesn't have a clue.

John

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: South Carolina
  • 9,713 posts
Posted by rtraincollector on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 11:16 AM

submmbob

Not much on the observing front tonight. System is about to come thru and things aren't nearly good enough for the new receiver. Helping out the engineers and doing some more organizing of the tool benches.

8N - my little joke kind of got stalled today, as this it what the engineers first arrived to.

  

Apparently, they ran across this guy on the road and with all the snow on the sides he just kept trotting up in front of their truck and then took a break for a while right in front of the door.

  

Found too good of a deal on a 2035, the Adriatic in Pennsy style w/ Belpaire firebox. So much for saving all the cash for car parts.  Shell is in good shape, just about all the parts are there, and the price was right.  Was looking at Hudsons, but they are a bit out of my price range. Also found a nice tender sans whistle that I can try the ERR Sound Commander board in.

Brutus - continued prayers for the wife. The photo below is for you, her, and the family. Candle has a bit of a tough time at this altitude, but it's hanging in there.

  

Bob

My wife donna says you should get him desented and make a pet out of him Confused

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

http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Central VA
  • 1,228 posts
Posted by LawsonFarmsRR on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 10:50 AM

Good Morning:

Does anyone know why the email subscription isn't working?Confused

Pat

 

 RFD-TV --- Rural America's most important network!

 

              

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Lake Worth FL
  • 4,014 posts
Posted by phillyreading on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 10:41 AM

Good Morning,

From a slightly wet and soggy south Florida, finally quit raining overnight, temp near 78, should stay above 55 through monday. Had to clean up the yard again as palm tree branches were down from the rain and wind.

Tried to see if I could give away one of my cats, saw a lost cat sign about two miles from my house so I went to the person's house and knocked on the door, no answer so I left my business card in the door. The woman called me yesterday and said her cat was found and returned but thank you for letting her know about a possible cat like hers. Guess I have to keep 'kung fu kitty', the reason we calll him that is that he is good at jumping and getting over walls and can climb over a cyclone fence in three seconds.

Trying to sell a few things again, this time in what is called the Pennsaver newspaper. Craig's list only got me people offering services to email me, so I will NEVER USE Craig's list again!!!

Maybe I will run a few trains this afternoon, not sure yet.

Lee F.

 

Interested in southest Pennsylvania railroads; Reading & Northern, Reading Company, Reading Lines, Philadelphia & Reading.
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Hightstown, NJ
  • 2,886 posts
Posted by anjdevil2 on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 10:41 AM

Thanks Fife!

RT - Nice!

Anything I would say to expound on the Veterans subject would be feeble at best.  My feeling is that ours Vets are not taken

care of enough and RT does yeoman's work in making a contribution them feeling better.  Whether you're paid or not RT, I thank

you for doing so much for our Vets!

I am the monster in your head...And I thought you'd learn by now, It seems you haven't yet.
I am the venom in your skin  --- Breaking Benjamin


  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: South Carolina
  • 9,713 posts
Posted by rtraincollector on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 10:01 AM

Dennis a lot of us don't talk about it as so many look at us as hero's and we look at it as we did what we had to do in the situation we were in and we are not hero's most don't see themselves as hero's. just like our fire fighters,Police,and ambulance drivers they do what they have to in that situation. they didn't ask for the situation but they are there to get it under control the best they can. I'm proud of what I did but don't see myself as a hero even thou I was fired upon doing the rescue work I did. We just did our job.

I do what I do now as it gives me fellowship and I feel I'm doing a service. I also probably will voolenteer when I retire to go around to the rooms delievering the different stuff the va gives th vets while there here ( ie books, personal tolites ect. ) As I will be lost not going in there every day.

 

Morning all hope all is well won a prewar 45 watchman shack last night and believe its one of the very first put out as it has the brass dimond instead of either metal or plastic crossbucks. from what I've read the first 2 or 3 years was the brass diamond so I'm tickled its in fair shape but heck got a bargin on it. heres a pic you will see the man is cracked across the chest but don't plan to use it but to put it on a shelf with my standard gauge set.

 

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

http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Millersburg, Pa.
  • 7,607 posts
Posted by laz 57 on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 9:55 AM

fifedog

Mornin' boys.  Cloudy, 29, and 60% chance of more SNOHIZO this PM.  Someone BLAST that fat furry rodent!!!

SirJames - Regards to the Mrs.  Good luck.

anjdevil - Excellent looking avatar. Thumbs Up

FIFE, CHIEF, took care of him last summer.

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 2006
  • From: USA
  • 1,247 posts
Posted by Ole Timer on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 9:50 AM

 Dwiemer ... most vets won't talk about war experiences even among themseloves .... I think they summed it up in a quote by Marlon Brando best in the movie Apocolypse Now ... he said  " HORROR ... HORROR " . And then when we got out and came home we were cussed and called all kinds of terrible names and even forsaken by some so called friends .  This old disabled vet has no love for those times .... best forgotten ....  Blindfold .... and most of us don't preach about our disabilities .... or answer that question that is so many times asked .... how many people did you kill ? ... no one wants to relive a nightmare . God bless your friend ...... Angel

       LIFETIME MEMBER === DAV === DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS STEAM ENGINES RULE ++++ CAB FORWARDS and SHAYS
  • Member since
    March 2005
  • From: Southwest Georgia
  • 5,028 posts
Posted by dwiemer on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 9:21 AM

Thanks guys for the well wishes.  Was great to get home.  Nashville has a lot to offer, when the weather is good.  When it gets more snow than it has seen in a number of years...along with an ice storm, it just shuts down.  Most restaurants were closed, or had shortened hours.

Why Jim, yes, I did have the Peanut Butter Pie at TGI Friday's.  YUM!  Kim went for the brownie/ice cream combo.  That area of Nashville has a lot of college students, so most of the patrons and the staff were of a fun age to make things entertaining.

Chief, it sounds like we need to dispatch a few more groundhogs to stop this inclement weather.  I call "Uncle".  I have had enough.  Time to get back to the good warm temps we are used to in these parts.

I am going in shortly as we only have one big case for me to do.  The early guy is handling a few smaller cases which allowed me to drop the kids off at school.  Daughter wanted to be dropped off in the truck, which I have not used in a few weeks.  I think she wanted it as it gives a nice higher view and her teacher drives a "monster truck"....a lifted Ford F350 with mud tires.  Kinda funny as she is real short.

Not much else going on.  Have a manufacturer coming to town tonight and will head out to dinner to have our little meeting.  It is great to get away from the hospital to do so as we don't constantly have folks trying to ask questions, etc. while trying to see what direction to go to for providing better care.  When we try to do these meetings at the hospital, some nurse, or administrator will ask all kinds of questions that we have to pause and answer...which can be quite distracting. 

Hope it is a great day for each of you.  RT, keep up the great work.  While the good book tells us to have an attitude of servitude, it takes it to another level when done for our military folks.

Dennis

PS:  One of the guys I trained under early in my career was at the meeting.  I found out that he was highly decorated in the Marine Corps for action in Vietnam.  They even wrote a book about him, but he has been humble and didn't tell anyone.  I have known about his many scars which can't be hidden, but didn't want to ask.  It came up in conversation and I had spoken to someone who had read the book.  When I asked this guy about things, he acknowledged it but asked that I not mention his name etc.  He tells me that the book uses his real name and he gets contacted several times a week because of it.  Reason for mention here is that with the humble spirit of so many of our heroes in uniform, you never know what the experiences that some of these guys have had.  They  don't tend to broadcast.

TCA#09-63805

 

Charter BTTs.jpg

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Crystal Lake, IL
  • 8,059 posts
Posted by cnw1995 on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 8:40 AM
Aloha from a snowy Chicago where it is my long day with class tonight. Looking forward to any fellow riders using Yahoo Messenger. Great joke, RT. Was worried about you, Dennis. Glad you're back. Wish we had RFD on ATT's U-verse. No joy there. That traction road was really innovative.

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

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: South Carolina
  • 9,713 posts
Posted by rtraincollector on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 8:10 AM

navyjack

 

happy birthday rt.  i know the job you are doing is depressing, but very appreciated.

Whoa there fellow squid Its not depressing as I look over the handy cap as most of them do to and we joke and have a good time yes there handicapped or may just be in there for reg thing like a virus but the ones that are here permanent in the nursing home ( community living center) we have a great time. ones here for a few days if they let me I tease and joke with them every-time I come in. Like I had one older army guy kinda depressed and I said you can't be depressed I'll tell you what I'm not suppose to tell other branches what navy stands for but if it'll cheer you up a little I'll let you in on this secrete " Never Again Volunteer Yourself " I thought he was going to fall out of the bed laughing so hard it just the timing and the way it hit him his wife said bless you you are a one of a kind. Thats what gets me going and why I enjoy it so much.

 

 

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

http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • 8,050 posts
Posted by fifedog on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 8:00 AM

Mornin' boys.  Cloudy, 29, and 60% chance of more SNOHIZO this PM.  Someone BLAST that fat furry rodent!!!

SirJames - Regards to the Mrs.  Good luck.

anjdevil - Excellent looking avatar. Thumbs Up

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Hightstown, NJ
  • 2,886 posts
Posted by anjdevil2 on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 7:49 AM

Happy Ground Hog Day!!

(Bill Murray..you out there?)

Rain all day today up to 60F.  Most of the outside work is done, of course, I just got notified that

I have 2 more cars to search for...go figure Banged Head.  Sometime I wonder about the "executives" here.

Still cleaning out the ol' office.  A bunch of stuff went out yesterday and more to come, er go.

Angel to all that need 'em

Bob, I like your furry visitor.  I hope he doesn't raise a "stink" with your co-workers.

Good to see ya out there NavyJack.

RockIsland Jack - no RFD with Comcast here....

Check back later...

I am the monster in your head...And I thought you'd learn by now, It seems you haven't yet.
I am the venom in your skin  --- Breaking Benjamin


  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Rolesville, NC
  • 15,416 posts
Posted by ChiefEagles on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 7:30 AM

TWC here.  I raised "sand" for over a year with the local VP.  Finally got it but in HD package.  Good luck.  Available on Dish and Direct. 

 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
    November 2007
  • From: Cape Ann Taxachusetts
  • 3,780 posts
Posted by RockIsland52 on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 7:29 AM

Sturgeon-Phish

Good Morning all

.....................Taking today off.  Got to go.  Going to the LHS and picking up a new to me 332!  I'll tell you more about it when it is in my hand!

May God bless

Jim

Jim, 

Think of all of the enjoyment you the kids are going to get out of the 332.  BTW.....use both hands.  You don't want to drop it before you the kids get to play with it.  Big Smile

Jack.

IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • From: Cape Ann Taxachusetts
  • 3,780 posts
Posted by RockIsland52 on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 7:20 AM

Does anyone have Comcast AND get the RFD channel.  I can't find it in any of the levels of digital service.  Asking here might be easier than trying to call Comcast. Banged Head  Thanks.

Jack

IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Rolesville, NC
  • 15,416 posts
Posted by ChiefEagles on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 7:12 AM

Morning all.  Had a little refreezing but now thawing up.  Seems the rain will be a cold one but not freezing.  Now all eyes are on tomorrow as it will go into the 50's.  Next is what will happen Friday and Saturday.  May have some mix or may not.  

LAZ. ground hog will not see his shadow here as I shot him back in the late summer/early fall.

Got up early and watched the Trans and Locomotives and the C&LE [The Ohio RR which was really before its time].  Pat mentioned watching the Red Devil.  They had piggy backs before other folks and had house delivery before UPS.  

Now for more coffee and relax.   

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

              

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