COFFEE POT #4, April 2010 for all to take a drink and chat. Welcome all posters. 4 yrs old and still going. Sweet ice tea too. (Even some Kibbles)

[navyjack]

hello guys, hope everyone is ok.  8NTRUCK the tr3a had airplane type suspension in the rear and the car was not made for chicago winter weather.  i loved the car anyway.  it was a mechanics nightmare.  as a kid, i befriended a gas station owner in chicago, and i used to help him pump gas, and in return, he would repair my car for me.  the car had a non-syncro first gear and i was always blowing the cluster gear(first).  expensive, but fun....fun....fun....also replaced the head gasket once.  finally got tired of maintenance and got a buick. submmbob, my job with the reserve seabees was to mobilize them when needed, according to orders by higher authority.  good bunch of gung-ho guys. p.s. did you notice the new yachet?  it is the navys newest ship.  navyjack  

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Good Morning all

Your alls English cars sound like they were a lot of fun and work.

Brent how is the arm coming along?

Jim F - Char is in my prayers

Chief - Your mom is in my prayers also.

Time for Morning Prayers

May God bless

Jim

[laz 57]

HI GUYZ,

  50 and cool here, rain stopped. 

DOUG, nice find, good luck.

BUCKEYE, I'm eating salads for lunch so you should start to see some decrease in weight?

Stay frosty,

laz57

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a clear and sunny 52 degrees. Going up to 74 today with some sunshine.

Today is an easy day. I plan on taking it slow. Legs are achy this morning and I need to walk it out. PT went well, yesterday, and I did some new exercises. Rode bike about 20 minutes. Not much else new.

Dining car is here and it's the usual for breakfast.

Y'all have a great Tuesday.

Chuck

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

IIABSDISEI with temps near 60.  Did not do much last night.  I had a cinnamon roll with cereal on the dining car for breakfast.  Brutus, good news for you and the missus.  Doug M, nice find!  TBIL after "Glee" tonight.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[RockIsland52]

Buckeye Riveter

laz 57

Blueberryhill RR

jefelectric

Blueberryhill RR

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a cloudy 60 degrees. looks like more rain. Going up to 70 today.

Today is a busy day. I have a few errands to run and the daily chores around the house. PT this afternoon. Then, relax. Legs are a little stiff today. Need to loosen them up.

Hope all involved had a good time at York.

Dining car is here for the usual breakfast.

Y'all have a great Monday.

Chuck

Chuck, Get in shape so you can come to York in the Fall.  That's a great way to loosen up the legs!  Seriously we would love to see you there.  Bum a ride with Buckeye and Wes.

Thanks for thinking of me. I'll do my best to make it.

Chuck

CHUCK,

  With all the running I do for BUCKEYE and FIFE, they should be able to take turns giving you piggyback rides.  Hope you can make it in the fall.

laz57

Laz,

I gained three pounds this winter.  Please increase the running to at least 15 miles per day. 

Buckeye.......I gained 10.  What should Laz' mileage per day be increased to?  Every time I read one of Laz posts I eat. 

Jack.

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  Mornin' English.  Blue skies and 54 here in the Mid-Atlantic region.  Took today off.  Midlle girl has afterschool event, and fifepup and I have boaters class this evening.  Not sure what Imagonnado between now and then.

RockIsland - We missed your ADD versions of the Coffee Pot.

Brutus - Good to hear the great news.  Or is it great to hear the good news...  Either way, keep it coming.

88 - Good luck on your operation tomorrow.

navyjack - Nice yatchet.  (Although it took me a few to figure out what it was)

[cnw1995]

 Aloha all. Back at the office. Blue sky but cold.  John, I'd appreciate diagrams.  Good luck and quick recovery, 88!  Woo hoo, Brutus, good news indeed.   Class tonight. Will be scanning the skies for the Tardis round 830 pm CST

[RockIsland52]

cnw1995

 ..... Jack, welcome back. I'm not hurt you didn't visit during your vast Illinois roadtrip. Really. Just drove through Elgin on the way to Geneva  and back taking my mom and bride to visit all the quaint 'shoppes' there -  amid the tchotchke, I found a trove of nicely-priced Lionel in a dusty corner. A 145 gateman for $35; a semaphore and box for $30. Lots else I'll have to re-visit.

DougM......this 2,700 mile road trip with two vehicles was originally planned to be by aircraft.  My wife, arguably the greatest bargain shopper of all time, began looking for flights before Christmas but couldn't find any non-stops accomodating work and school schedules for less than $337 per person, NOT including the freakin' baggage fees.  Moving 7 people including a 9 month old (with furniture and car seat)  and a 6 year old (car seat and toys).....figured we'd be starting out at around $3,000.  Add in two rental cars needed in Chicago for about 11-12 days.  Moving that amount of luggage and stuff to and from airports with 7 people is the catch.  You get the drift.  Also consider the women pack for the entire trip, neglecting to consider there are actually laundry facilities at the in-laws' place and a dry cleaner right down the street if needed.  And who needs 7 pairs of shoes for an 11 day trip?  My wife was prepared for ambient temperatures and weather ranging from blizzard to Fort Meyers.    

So we decided to do the road trip, stopping overnight at Niagara Falls on the way to Elgin and at the Rock Hall of Fame in Cleveland on the way back to break up the 1,100 mile drive each way.  Both venues were nothing short of spectacular.   

Actual driving time was about 16 hours each way.  Potty, food, and fuel stops required some attempted/failed female passenger beverage restrictions. These stops added 2-3 hours travelling time each way.  Try explaining to your wife and daughter that drinking gallons of water, coffee, tea, and soda are not a travelling necessity and cause serious and unnecessary delays, not to mention the stupid gift shops they simply can't pass up......   Not surprisingly, not one stop was child-induced.  Adult women travellers are the absolute worst!   

While there out there in Elgin IL, family and friend obligations required an one at-home get together and day trips to Gary IN, River Forest IL, Schaumburg IL, Northbrook IL, Wheeling IL, and Chicago.

Seriously, driving the USofA on the open road still remains a unique experience not to be missed.  Visiting the great grandparents was a priceless and irreplaceable experience for all.  And we stopped in at JC Penney's at the Spring Hill Mall  for professional  "4 generation" photos with the great grandparents to boot!  

Jack

[fifedog]

RockIsland - They are women --- not camels.  How do you think the Donner party got stuck...?

         ...and don't even get me started on the shoes.

[sir james I]

Good Morning

Sunny but cool 40.

I had a heart echo this morning everything A-OK, and as usual on the way home the pickup turned right into White Castle so that was my breakfast..Have a great day...S.J.

[anjdevil2]

fifedog

RockIsland - They are women --- not camels.  How do you think the Donner party got stuck...?

         ...and don't even get me started on the shoes.

TRUE THAT ! ! ! !

 

Morning Guys!

Again thanks for the Birthday wishes...I really do appreciate it! 

Up to 80F today and breezy..Harley ride in was short but nice...really wanting to take a road trip with it, and my HOG towing fees are paid up!

Not much going on, just work...I've been invited to go car shopping with the big green E guys tonight...so I'm going to move my schedule around a bit to make that happen.

Brutus good news indeed!

Spanky and Brent - Get well soon...

And Ray- also give your betrothed greeting from me as well.

OK OFF to see the wizard!!

[RockIsland52]

OK guys.  Brent has another surgery scheduled for tomorrow, this time to put his wrist back together.  Prayers for a most successful outcome.

That also means his psyche will require all of the harassment and teasing we can muster.  What will be particularly enjoyable?  He will be drugged, and he will be relatively defenseless as his limited single-handed typing will make him easy prey for us.   

Chief already suggested Brent train with the 82nd Airborne before trying this trick again.  I think he should wear Kevlar, a flak jacket, a Formula 1 racing helmet, a rock climbing safety harness, and surround his work areas with those fire department inflatable cushions when next attempting a home improvement project. 

He will also need a tatoo artist to cover up all of the surgical scars.  He'll already be sporting "tracks," so a train motiff may be appropriate on that busted up wrist, arm, shoulder, and the beauty he has on his thigh from last November's power saw snafu.  Alternate tatoo suggestions:  Humpty Dumpty or Evil Knievel, both of whom Brent is challenging for "most orthopedic procedures before the age of 40."  Or Susan's now much delayed "honey do" list.  

Hang in there, Brent.  And take heart.  All of this teasing will eventually pass.......once we all do.    Good luck tomorrow, buddy.

Jack

[dougdagrump]

Mornin' All.

Poor Brent, I was going to suggest that he request Miss Susie-Q do his typing for him. But after a few moments of reflection I thought that a visit with an orthopedic surgeon is enuff for one week, didn't want to have him visiting a proctologist at the same time to remove somebody's foot.  

You'll be back in action PDQ, just don't push it after they put you back together.  

SJ, Mmmmm White Castles.

[SPMan]

Good morning all,

Prayers for Brent's broken arm problem.  My own oldest son got a hairline fracture in his right arm this past week end by falling off a tramboline.  Got a clean diagnoses on first visit then called back next day after orthopedic doctor looked at  X rays.  Got arm in a very restrictive cast and sling now and can't drive.  Suppose to get more x rays and possibly MRI today..  Biggest concern now is fluid on the elbow.  Hope they can get him in a different type of forearm cast so he can drive to work.

Checked out the new MTH catalog on line yesterday but was dissapointed by the NS executive train F units.  They are being reoffered but in the Railking line and are not true O scale.  They are like the old Lionel F unit shells.  Southern Pacific Black Widow F's in the same line are offered without the silver trim on the upper side grills which is what really sets these otherwise black units off.  Bad paint job!  I like the Southern E-8's but they are pricey at $699 for a three unit A-B-A set.  The premier Southern SD45 high nose units were about the best looking IMO.

Looking forward to pictures you Yorkies took in Pennsylvania.

Just found out my next door neighbor's house was broken into last night.  It was the garage actually.  The house has been up for sale for about a month now and no one is living there.  Theives ;probably cased the joint when realtors had an open house yesterday.  Owners discovered break in this morning.  I feel bad because I did not hear anything.  They must have come at 3:00 oclock in the morning or something.  Police were notified but not much they can do but check once or twice on patrol at night.  What we need is a junk yard dog and some more artillery.

Have a good day.

Ray

 

[fifedog]

I am happy - I am happy - I am happy...

Didn't start out that way.  Wanted to fix some boards around the fishpond, and my old 14.4v CRAFTSMAN cordless drill gave out.   For the last time.

Drove to HD, and finally pulled the trigger on the Milwaukee 18v 1/2" driver and impact wrench set.  OOOOoooo...  Even comes with 2 lithiumanumb batrees and charger.  OOOOoooooo...

And you can all borrow them.

Except for Brent, whom might hurt himself opening the box.

[RockIsland52]

Last night Pam and I were was watching Sylvester Stallone on AMC in First Blood: Part Two.  When the evil and sadistic Russian military officer observed a captured and bound Rambo's numerous scars, commenting "I see you are no stranger to pain......" I couldn't help but thinking Rambo couldn't hold a candle to Brent.  But unlike Brent,  Rambo's injuries were INVOLUNTARILY received from the enemy. And no, Brent, your physique isn't up to par with Stallone's either, although you may have convinced Susie-Q otherwise.    

 

Hang in there, buddy.

 

Jack

[LawsonFarmsRR]

 Fifey - Just opened the current Train Collectors Quarterly from TCA. Is that your "boat" on the front cover?

Hay guys, this years National convention is in Baltimore. Maybe we can camp in Fifey's yard? We can draw straws to see who takes borrows his new impact wrench set!

Pat

[dougdagrump]

LawsonFarmsRR

 Fifey - 

Hay guys, this years National convention is in Baltimore. Maybe we can camp in Fifey's yard? We can draw straws to see who takes borrows his new impact wrench set!

Pat

Pat, I am shocked ! Camp in the yard ? How many bunks on "The Boat" and how many hammocks can we string up on deck ? Oh yeah, how many beers will the galley hold ? Cold beer of course.

[RockIsland52]

dougdagrump

LawsonFarmsRR

 Fifey - 

Hay guys, this years National convention is in Baltimore. Maybe we can camp in Fifey's yard? We can draw straws to see who takes borrows his new impact wrench set!

Pat

Pat, I am shocked ! Camp in the yard ? How many bunks on "The Boat" and how many hammocks can we string up on deck ? Oh yeah, how many beers will the galley hold ? Cold beer of course.

Cans weigh less than bottles, so we can maintain a reasonably shallow draft.  We can duck tape Brent to a chair so he doesn't injure himself or any of the rest of us.   

[fifedog]

Ahoy crewmembers   (grew up watching Captain Chesapeake)

No, Pat, that's the Constellation on the TCA cover.  However, my sloop does sleep 5, does have a pretty good sized fridge for beer, and is available to friends during the convention.

RockIsland - I was thinkin' more like Steve Austin... "We can rebuild him...we have the techknowledgy..."

 

 

[ChiefEagles]

Errands done.  Rolesville things done.  Garden watered [it is going to rain by noon today.  ~@#^&* sun is shinning.  If that woman can forecast weather, I can fly.  My name is Eagles but I can't fly.]  Trailer tires exchanged and balanced.  The trailer I got [5X8] from Tractor Supply had square tires.  They took care of it.

 

OFF TO THE LAKE FOR DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

[sir james I]

Evening All

Sun all day but only 51 and windy. Too cold to do much outdoor stuff. Warmer air  is coming just taking it's time. Got to remember to catch Doug M for his train ride home. I wonder if he likes banilla...S.J.

[hscsltb]

Well i'm back to work.The week went by too quickly.Will have to make some time to catch up on the posts.Hope all is well.WARNING !!!!!! I found another trap designed to empty your train money account.It is called the AMERICAN GIRL STORE. Designed to pray upon young girls who in turn give their daddy the cute look.I had to part with 165.00 just to get out of there. BE FORWARNED!

[Buckeye Riveter]

laz 57

BUCKEYE, I'm eating salads for lunch so you should start to see some decrease in weight?

It is about time!!!!  Fifedog and I had to cut back on the ice cream, pop corn, cake, pie, candy, pop and chocolate because you have not been eating those salads.  Now back to the good stuff. 

Fife, please pass me those two pies.

 

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys! Good to know I have such thoughtful friends who can find ways to make fun of me out of any situation! I recieved the card and it was very thoughtful.

Got out of the house for a few hours today and stopped by the LTS. Owner looks up and says, "I see you've been working again."

 

[dwiemer]

hscsltb

WARNING !!!!!! I found another trap designed to empty your train money account.It is called the AMERICAN GIRL STORE. Designed to pray upon young girls who in turn give their daddy the cute look.I had to part with 165.00 just to get out of there. BE FORWARNED!

Ah, so you found out about the American Girl Store!  That and the "My Twin" will certainly do some damage to the train budget.  Shows how much we are NOT in control.

Been very busy with things lately.  Last few nights I have been filming till around 10pm and back to work at 0430.  Makes for long days.  My email is backed up to over 12K messages!  Sorry if I have missed responding to anyone.  I try to scan and read the ones from our friends here.  Ignore most of the other types though.

Being that there are a number of folks who enjoy heavy equipment, etc., I got an email with the following video.  Quite impressive.  The guy obviously has lots of trust in his hydraulics!
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=RobaJKGMMiE

Brent, will say some prayers for you.  Also, continued success for Char.
God Bless,
dennis

[submmbob]

 Another quiet night at the 'scope. Other than astronomers being astronomers, this are going ok.

Jack - you had me howling in the control w/ the description of your trip.

Brent - good luck w/ the surgery!

Brutus - that's great news!

Dennis - amazing video. Only the Germans. They built the dish and the yoke of the 'scope and it's built like the proverbial masonry lavatory.

Anybody heard from Don?

Used the airbrush for the first time in over 25 years last night. Got a coat of primer on the milling attachment pieces, 2 gauges for the battery eliminator, and the boiler shell of the 258. After getting the hang of it, I found it kind of fun and it was easier to clean than I remember. Of course then the air hose dragged the regulator/filter assembly off the bench and the polycarbonate bowl shattered on the floor Found a new assembly on the bay for less than the cost of a new bowl and the diaphragm it needed so I can transfer the gauge and have some spares. Even found a manual on line. Gotta love the internet.

Bob

[dougdagrump]

Back from being tour guide, had a great evening showing Roy around the mueseum. He bought dinner, introduced him to "In-n-Out Burger", , just blame it on Sir J for mentioning White Castle this morning. Hoping he can stop by friday while everything is in operation prior to heading back to Big D.

Got a few things to finish up prior to beddt bye time.

Nitey-nite.

[dbaker48]

 Good Evening ALL !

Got a call from the Chief tonight, wanting to know why I havn't been posting and where I was.  So, here's the deal.  

I ain't being STUBBORN or anything like that, have had a few distractions.......

- Been working like crazy, 7 days for the past month or 6 weeks, (would be great if got paid for it)!  

- LOTS of time spent working on our website in the evening.

- Also been doing a lot in the train room, recently.

- And finally, my laptop is been giving me fits!  The display is dying, totally red or blue screen only.  Makes it difficult to use.  Suppose to be getting a new screen within the next couple of days.

As far as news or other stuff goes, we havn't had much shakin' going on for the past few weeks.  There has been a bit of sliding occuring though, most of it has been a result of CalTrans.  When we had the big rains last month a rather large hillside slid down onto the freeway in Pomona.  They have spent 2 or 3 weeks cleaning it up.  But, someone forgot to tell them to remove the dirt from the top of the hill first.  This past weekend it slid again and covered the off-ramp that connects two freeways.

I have been able to "look-in" occasionally  and noticed a few Birthdays, an Anniversary then of course Brent's "fiasco".  Even though its late, condolences, sympathy, and congratulations are in order.

Hope to see everyone getting back to work soon, I signed up for Social Security and either need to get more people contributing or will probably end up shortening some of the benefit life that all you other guys have been enjoying.

Regarding the trains, I had to do some rewiring of switches and crossing gates, then some track sections.  I also spent quite a bit of time putting together some "operating sequences" that provide a task and mission for a visitor to execute.  There have been some real "benefits" by doing that.  I have identified some weak areas in the layout, discovered additional capability, and even created a few "programed" sequences that are great.  (The programmed sequences really blow peoples minds when they see what can be done.)  I will put up a thread specific to what I did and how it works with a sample in a few days. 

As far as other news, no change with any of the neighbors.  It does seem that time may be taking a toll however.  Things have been very quiet, and minimial activities.  Chris has been invited to a  "post Oscar"  cocktail party this Friday night.  Its up in LA and apparently they have the entire top floor of a hotel reserved.  Sounds like its going to be a big deal!! 

As you can see not a lot of "good" stuff to report in about.  But most importantly didn't want anyone to think anything was wrong or gone astray.

Finally, regarding the weather out here,(hopefully I haven't lost my standing as the "West Coast Official Casual Member of the Submillimeter Telescope Weather Monitoring Service"),  we STILL have snow in the local mountains!  Very unusual !  Mamouth Mountain is predicting skiing on the 4th of July!  We have a small rain system blowing through in the next 48 hours, with possible low temps and flurrys in the mtns.  However winds are expected to star-tup tonight and last for the rest of the week!  Gusts between 40 and 50mph!  Sure hope they don't create more tornadoes, Bob you better secure the lines on the scope! 

Will try to get back more frequently!   (Forgive the typos very hard to see the characters.)

Take Care and God Bless !!!!