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COFFEE POT #5 May 2010 for all to take a drink and chat. Welcome all posters. 5 yrs old and still going. Sweet ice tea too.

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Posted by 8ntruck on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 11:02 PM

Sunny and 70's todday.  Thunderboomers approaching from the south, though.

Chuck - looks like you got the luck of the draw.  The therapist who worked on my elbow last year looked like she might have been your therapist's mother.  Didn't age well either.

Got to take a quick trip into work tonight - switching some tooling around for a sample run tomorrow.  Figure I'd ought to show up and talk with the guys who are going to turn the wrenches to head off any questions...

All for now.

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Posted by RockIsland52 on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 12:17 AM

Harold......prayers for the little one's quick recovery.  I think you should buy him something with flanged wheels to assist in his recovery.

Jack

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Posted by submmbob on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 12:31 AM

 Closed for high winds tonight. Crazy schedule today w/ the interview,  but I think we made some progress. More to come next week while I'm off.

DougM - Great news about your son's class! I'm glad I could help. He's welcome to come up any summer and help us do the maintenance on the backup hydraulic system w/ Honda OHV gasoline powered pump. Just the fact that he was able to take a small engine class tells me someone's doing something right somewhere. What kinda radios ya got?

Ole Timer - I've don't have a Trans O in the collection but I heard they were good and are neat radios. Tubes, parts, and schematics are are available to keep it going too.

Here's a photo of a Zenith AM/FM I recently gave to a good friend on the alignment bench. I turned the lights off in the control room when I took the picture so you can see the glow of the tubes. (radio chassis is on it's side for access)

 

Jack - you got the Corvair story said pretty well there. Might have been interesting to see what came of it had they not gave up after 1969. The more I work on this one I realize that they put a lot of thought into the design. GM spent a lot of effort to make it happen and it was radically different to anything they did before. The vehicle I have is a '62 Corvan. It is basically a panel work van. Originally it had an 80 HP, but I am upgrading it to a 110 HP. Typically, folks just put a car engine in their Greenbrier or Corvan to make the upgrade. Only difference is the dipstick is in the back. I just love the little crazy folding access door, so I'm going to have the original block clearanced for a 110 cam. The cylinders and heads are off a '64 110. Parts are fairly easy to come by.  Clark's Corvair Parts in your neck of the woods (Mass) is the biggest supplier and their are other places around.

NavyJack- my grandfather was on the USS Zane in the 30's. She was a 4-piper that was converted to a mine-sweeper before the war. She was at Pearl during the attack. His other ship the USS Hovey was one of the lend-lease 4-piper's to the Brits and was sunk during the war. Going to have to get the Caine Mutiny now. Was the 492 one of the mine sweepers activated for the first gulf war? I remember the Navy only having a handful at the time and they were all reserve. 

Here's the mini lathe with the modified milling attachment. 

 

The machine vise will be much more versatile than what it came with. It's a lot of steel but it seems to work ok. I got the horizontal and vertical surfaces of the vise within a couple thousand's. Of course, I'll have to disassemble it to paint it but it was good practice.

Bob

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Posted by cheapclassics on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 4:49 AM

Good morning all,

Not sure what the weather will be in SE Indiana today as forecast is mixed at best.  Lucas and I went to the YMCA last night.  He starts second shift tonight.  "Glee" was back to being funny last night.  Some serious moments, but more of what it started out to be.  Great songs as well and some good ones that I had not heard in a while.  I had the regular fare on the dining car before sending it on to "Points East" for breakfast.  Chuck, I can see why you like PT.  TBIL after soccer.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

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Posted by laz 57 on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 6:04 AM

HI GUYZ,

  49 and rainy again here to get to 60.

CHUCK, WOW you are a LUCKY GUY.  Nice bike.

laz57

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Posted by navyjack on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 6:12 AM

Smilehello guys, the pledge was actuelly the second navy ship of that name.  she was commisioned in 1956.  she was a wood hull minesweeper.  when i was on her she was on reserve duty, with an active duty crew.  she was one of two sweeps at long beach the other one being the uss constant.  i dont know if she was used in first gulf war, i heard she was though.  i retired in 88 and did not keep track.  i know she is still used by taiwan. interesting fact.  there was a mine countermeasure ship named uss chief....navyjack   

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Posted by Blueberryhill RR on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 6:20 AM

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a cloudy 58 degrees. Going up to 72 today with a chance of thundershowers, later. Yuk.

Today is a busy day. I have a couple of projects to work on, and then, I will go to the Fitness Center for some exercises. I find that going three times a week keeps me feeling better.  Not much new in the train news. It would be nice to sit outside for a few hours and read.

Dining car is here for the usual Cheerios breakfast.

Y'all have a great Wednesday.

Chuck

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Posted by dwiemer on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 6:44 AM

Good morning.  Quick stop over on the way to dropping kids off for school.  It is absolutely beautiful here this morning.  Doors are open with screen doors up.  Kids are making us laugh!  Just love these times with the little ones.

Hope to check back later.

Dennis

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Posted by anjdevil2 on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 7:47 AM

Good Morning...It’s Wednesday...

 

Friday is the TCA meet here!!

 

There will be a layout tour on Friday Night, so I will be going.  There will be 4 layouts, including a G gauge and Lego set up.  Saturday, will be the meet...not a member yet, but maybe soon.

 

Weather here has been great, heard it was cooler up at home, need to talk to the family again.  Did speak to Mom for an hour or so.

 

One of my past Chiefs picked up my uniform, so I can get the gold chiefs buttons and striping on it.  My fire dept.’s 175th anniversary is on 10/16, and I was asked to attend.

 

We’re also having a heavy rescue built and it looks good!

 

http://www.ferrarafire.com/CustomerSupport/InProduction/InProduction.html

 

Look for Hightstown, NJ #H-4458

 

Delivery should be in the next couple of months.  Can’t wait to see it in person!

 

Up to 85 today and the humidity returns....ain’t that great?  Banged Head

  

Angel for our intentions....Chuck, nice PT!!

 

See ya 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


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Posted by sir james I on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 8:36 AM

Good Morning

Yuck  weather here is nasty at best, 45 all day yesterday and gloomy with more rain coming tonite. Better than winter but sure isn't spring. Got robins trying to nest on our porch lite, I kept pulling down the twigs all day yesterday they come right back. Never been their nesting place so I don't know why they are so insistent. We kept Doug M. company as he rode home on the train last nite and the guys suggested a toy snake. Don't have one. Have a great day and somebody close the back door,brrr....S.J.

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Posted by cnw1995 on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 9:17 AM

Aloha all. Cold and rainy here. Great ride home with RT, Ole TImer, Brutus and Sir JamesBob, I have a Zenith and Crosby.  Both table-top units, one Bakelite and other wood. Looks like I get to pick my own birthday gift this year - looking at accessories like the Lionel 2-balloon ride from the 2004 catalog.

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

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Posted by RockIsland52 on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 11:16 AM

Good Mornin' Ya'll' From Cold Soon To Be Raining Taxachusetts,

Seems like many of us are having the exact same weather.  40s here with rain on the way for today.  I can't afford to get behind on the lawn mowing since I don't have a rider.  The wife prefers an end of the week cut so the place looks presentable for the weekends and so my weekend schedule is open for her every desire.  She doesn't seem to realize that wet lawn is difficult to cut and that the Lord determines the rain schedule.

The Celtics crushed Lebron James and the Cavaliers in record-breaking (margin of victory) fashion last night on the road in Cleveland.  Looks like this series might be closed out in six games back in the Garden.  Guess the "over the hill" tag placed on the team has lit a fire.  The Cavs looked like a defeated team with no answers for any and everything the Celtics threw at them.  Cleveland fans folded as well and began leaving early in disgust. 

Chuck......AKA Biker Dude.  thank you for the PT pictures.  Just as we suspected.  Whistling  I suppose that stern frown on your face has a purpose: self-preservation should the better half get ahold of the pictures and then start interrogating you about why you need to do this PT stuff three times a week. Wink

DougM.....just read a piece on the "violent crime committed with handguns" and the year to date "homicides" update for Chicago.  Daily is losing his battles to ban all handguns from the City proper, no?  Who are the ones commiting all of these acts?  The legal owners who will be targeted with the ban or the criminals who continue to ignore every single piece of gun control legislation passed during the past 4 decades?  And what ever happened to the Illinois  "class X felony," legislation to mandate automatic sentencing guidelines should a crime be commited with a firearm?  Nothing.

NAVYJACK......my father in law frequently has me do internet searches on the whereabouts of some of the ships he saw while serving on Guam during WWII.  The info is out there and can easily be found with a search engine.  You can find the whereabouts of yours.  And if I have not said it before, or emphatically enough, THANK YOU for your service to your country.  

Dennis......does this mean that the crud has finally exited your domain?  Fear not, the kids will fix that.  The repair guys better turn that tractor around quickly or you will be needing a hay bailer to catch up.

Bob......thanks for the Corvair update.  What you have is rare, right?  Not the standard fair.  The car was truly ahead of its time and differentiated in the marketplace, sadly falling to the effects of GM hubris.

Rich......you survived the Princess' 16th b-day?  Hope the grey hair is coming along nicely.

JimT......re your stolen radio, one of the subscription automotive forums to which I belong has a really good thread going now on how careless, callous, and outright larcenous people are when it comes to respecting my right to own and maintain my vehicle in a clean, unmarked, and undamaged manner.  The guy who hit my car in a parking lot two weeks ago has still failed to report the incident to his insurance company. Further, he has failed to answer any calls or respond to voice mail messages or written correspondence from either his own insurance agent or his own insurer over the incident.  Otherwise, my car would have been fixed by now.  He IS insured, so his hiding is an enigma.  Worst case, my insurer fixes my car and chases down the details.  But I am further inconvenienced in the meantime.  Another case of common courtesy and respect for others right out the window.

Hope Brent is recovering nicely.  He must be smack dab in the middle of frustration mode by now.  Prayers continue.

Later, gand.

Jack

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

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Posted by Ole Timer on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 11:18 AM

 DOUG ... that's a cool edition for your train layout !

Great night on the chat last night .....  but I missed you not being there CHARLIE !!!!!  Sigh

PAT ....... where are are you brother ?    Confused

New BP meds worked great last night ... hope the profit margin does'nt eliminate that company from producing them .... like the first good working ones were  Cowboy

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Posted by anjdevil2 on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 11:55 AM

Jack - She's 18 !  Grays hairs? Plenty!  I was thinking about

buying stock in Just For Men...but I'm going for the Pauly Walnuts look...Smile,Wink, & GrinLaugh

Rich

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


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Posted by SPMan on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 12:38 PM

dwiemer
Funny, while working on one, he told me he remembered one of the Toy Train programs in which they mentioned Lionel having paper kits for kids during WW2.  Kid has some memory.

Dennis, I had one of those kits during WWII because no trains were being made that year.  It was difficult to put together at my young age at the time so I just assembled a few of the pieces and eventually it was all trashed.  I remember seeing a completed set in a store window during the war however and it looked good.  I found a reproduction of that paper train at a train meet which I still have.  I have never assembled it and just keep it for nostalgia I guess.

Thanks for the memories,

Ray

 

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Posted by RockIsland52 on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 12:41 PM

Rich......try using the Touch of Grey product so you can retain that distinguished Richard Gere look.  You don't want to use the Just For Men Product because it covers all of the grey.  Then all of the younger women will start chasing you, creating constant havoc with the wife.  Big Smile 

When you get to be my age nothing works.  You have a six year old granddaughter at your side, calling you Grampy in public, and all the women start leaving you alone.  They figure you are an old geezer, have nothing left in the tank, have nothing left in the bank account, and are nothing more than an indentured, used up slave.  Evil 

Jack

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

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Posted by MichRR714 on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 2:20 PM

Ole Timer
Great night on the chat last night .....  but I missed you not being there CHARLIE !!!!!  Sigh

 

I'll try to make it tonight !Thumbs Up

 

Charlie a.k.a. MichiganRailRoad714 (Charter Member TTC)      

 

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Posted by dougdagrump on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 3:44 PM

RockIsland52

Rich......try using the Touch of Grey product so you can retain that distinguished Richard Gere look.  You don't want to use the Just For Men Product because it covers all of the grey.  Then all of the younger women will start chasing you, creating constant havoc with the wife.  Big Smile 

When you get to be my age nothing works.  You have a six year old granddaughter at your side, calling you Grampy in public, and all the women start leaving you alone.  They figure you are an old geezer, have nothing left in the tank, have nothing left in the bank account, and are nothing more than an indentured, used up slave.  Evil 

Jack

But the ultimate insult is when you go in to renew your driver's license and the clerk takes one look and changes the hair color from red to white. Black Eye Sigh

Got most of friday's museum stuff ready, should make for some SPF.

Saturday is B-B-Q & Potluck for the club at the museum, need to contact the co-ordinater to see what they are lacking foodwise. Thinking of doing a mess of Maple Wings, they went over quite well last year, sweet & savory not hot & spicey like Buffalo Wings. Will never forget the first time I had Buffalo Wings, had just gotten back from a week of skiing, my dry & chapped lips let me know really quick that they weren't your normal B-B-Q'd wings. Shock

Later All !

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 3:56 PM

Banks,

            Here is what my diner looks like.

These came in today's mail.  I haven't tried them yet, but aside from decal wear, they are clean.Thumbs Up My camera made the chrome look like satin silver in this pic for some reason.

 

I've been bouncing back and forth between the Sunfire and the layout.  I fixed the door rust on the Sunfire and undercoated the wheel wells since they are clean, and I have three of the six shorter legs installed on the second level of the layout at this point.

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Posted by sir james I on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 4:37 PM

Howdy

Its 52 and cloudy, more rain and storms expected tomorrow. Well I put a plastic shopping bag over the porch lite and the robins have not tried to rebuild. Hopefully they have found new property to build on by now. Nice Flyer Alcos a lot of those engines with that finish do not look so good. Banilla is ready for the thingy crew. Oh joy more rain..S.J.

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

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Posted by hscsltb on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 5:24 PM

RockIsland52

Harold......prayers for the little one's quick recovery.  I think you should buy him something with flanged wheels to assist in his recovery.

Jack

I would have but he wanted a Lego rock monster.Only 20$ so I guess I got off cheap. Meds seem to be working,he is acting like his old self.Still having a little trouble breathing but not as bad as the other day.Thanks for the prayers.
Harold Brown
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 7:21 PM

RockIsland52

Hope Brent is recovering nicely.  He must be smack dab in the middle of frustration mode by now.  Prayers continue.

You have no idea! Susan keeps telling/reminding me that we have some good liqor in the dinning room...

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Posted by dwiemer on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 7:56 PM

Good evening everyone.  Rich, Ditto on the weather, we have the same here.  Dad told me it was about 50 up by him in Jersey.  Also said they had a strong wind.  Nice rescue.  Not familiar with Farrara, we had Macks, American LaFrance, Pierce, and Seagrave. 

Jack, so far, it seems this round of the crud has left, but as you mention, the next is sure to follow soon.  Kids are both on antibiotics, so perhaps they will be spared for a little bit.

Harold, my son is looking at a Star Wars Deathstar in Lego....$500.00.  We may spring for a Taj Mahal for $200.  He actually has managed to keep a number of the kits together.

We did get the tractor back today.  I put it to good use already.  Really need to bush hog followed by a finishing mower.  As I was cutting a couple of acres, I found some tree limbs that had fallen and the weeds/grasses were so high that you could hardly see them before hitting them.  May have taken out a snake or two.  Son joined me this afternoon when they got back from Violin lessons.  He likes to steer the tractor.  I take it slow and keep him held in tight. 

Have a great night.
Dennis

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Posted by 8ntruck on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 9:18 PM

Cloudy, humid and high 70's today.  KC news has been all doom and gloom about severe weather for tonight - so far, they have been wrong......

Dennis - I don't know what kind of tractor you have, but be be careful with it - as I'm sure you are.  Never forget that they can turn and bite you bad in an instant - in fact, I kind of suspect that they want to!

Long day at work - two sample runs and a useless 2 hour meeting.  Didn't leave for home until 7pm. Dead

I've discovered the delightful intake noise that my Cobalt SS makes when it is wound up and really using the blower.  About as adicting as the old Quadrajet howl. Big Smile

All for now.

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Posted by dougdagrump on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 9:42 PM

8ntruck

 

I've discovered the delightful intake noise that my Cobalt SS makes when it is wound up and really using the blower.  About as adicting as the old Quadrajet howl. Big Smile

All for now.

Well, there goes the good gas mileage. Whistling

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Posted by Ole Timer on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 10:00 PM

Great night on the chat with CHARLIE .... SJ .... and BRUTUS ... Big Smile

Going to rain all night and tomorrow here .... oh well ... beats snow .

I have been watching the PACIFIC .... special on HBO ..... also caught the history of Nascar King RICHARD PETTY  on the speed channel ..... LOVED IT !

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Posted by cheapclassics on Thursday, May 13, 2010 4:44 AM

Good morning all,

Again not sure what the weather will be in SE Indiana.  Last night was a beautiful night for a soccer scrimmage and no one showed up.  Wimps.  Guess they were too afraid they might get their toes wet????  Glad my season starts in two weeks.  Did watch tape of "Lost" and "V" and paid some bills.  First night for Lucas went well at work.  My day was busy as well.  I had the regular fare on the dining car before sending it on to "Points East" for breakfast.  TBIL after I get the yard mowed, weather permitting.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

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Posted by laz 57 on Thursday, May 13, 2010 5:57 AM

Hi GUYZ,

  48 here to get to 62.  GOLF tonite with BRO then burgers and YUENGs.  18 more dayz.

Stay frosty,

laz57

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Posted by Blueberryhill RR on Thursday, May 13, 2010 6:19 AM

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a cloudy 52 degrees. Going up to 72 today with a chance of rain. We need some sunshine.

Today is a busy day. Grocery shopping. Wife will not be happy about the rain. I will be busy with chores. Maybe later, I will spend some time in train room.

Dining car is here with the usual for breakfast.

Y'all have a great Thursday.

Chuck

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Posted by bigdogjeff on Thursday, May 13, 2010 6:49 AM

i have off from work today and planed on working on layout today until my daughter decided to throwup and wife said she needed to stay home from school now its stay with the daughter will the wife goes to work and i get no play time on day off.

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