COFFEE POT #12 December 2010 for all to take a drink and chat. 5+ years and going. Plenty of coffee but also Christmas cookies and grits along with egg nogg and sweet ice tea.

[cnw1995]

Aloha all. Looks like the sun is coming up all pink and red and salmon. 'Red sky at morning, Sailors take warning." Look out, Fife! Looks like a nice busy day here. Glad the Snohio Summit went well - we are practicing snow drops here.

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  Sunny & 32 here in the Mid-Atlantic region.  Saw the "pink" sunrise an hour before cnw1995.  Had my Marine unit interview yesterday;thought I did good...we'll see.  Unfortunately, woke up to wind damaged pvc gate (didn't close it ).  Gonna set us back a few hundred (of course they don't manufacture that particular style any longer ).

So, wifey asked what's on my wish-list.  Told her "nothing".  She told me to pick "something", or she will order the wrong "nothing".  I liked the upcoming release of MTH's B&O 2-bay fish belly hoppers (6-pack).  Then I started noticing inacuracies.  Numbered wrong for one.  Ribbed (wrong) sides caused them to apply the B&O off center.  The more I study them, the more disenchanted I get.  Oh, well...back to "nothing".

Rolesville coordinates - 35*48',75*34'.

[sir james I]

Good Morning

30 with snow flurries, no biggy. The average snowfall for december is 12 inchs so we have it coming sooner or later. I am expecting a visit with Charlie tonite, we shall play with trains and just chat..Eggs with sausage gravy for breakfast.

S.J.

[LawsonFarmsRR]

Blueberryhill RR

LAZ.....The snow cannon is ready. Buckeye takes care of the technical data. I just pull the cord and let her rip.

Please be sure of the coordinates. Want to make sure nothing drops on us here in Virginia! Over shooting to SC is OK.

Pat

[anjdevil2]

Good Morning, Guys!

Its 30-ish today, sunny  and a little breezy.  Car is DOA and, naturally, had 2 fire calls.  At least the Harley runs, but it is a brisk trip to say the least....on both false alarms....  And now that the bike is out and ready, it'll be quiet the rest of the day....go figure.

Put some stuff up for sale to a "local" retailer, we'll see if I get any bites.  Then the diecast drag race stuff goes on to the 'bay.  Need to generate some cash.  I have 2 vehicles to work on, and need to get them scheduled so I can get there and make the repairs....and I might be contracted to decorate another house. 

I'm slowly getting most of my trains boxed up and re-stored.  Someone dropped off a bunch of hard plastic cases at the firehouse.  I'm lining them with foam and/or bubble wrap and storing trains and trackage in them.  Works really good.....I wonder if that's a tip I can send to CTT?  What do ya think, Bob? Kent?

OK, back to the work search.  RT, yeah I was thinking/hoping the same thing.....I get a call Friday afternoon...I need ya Monday.....and thanks for the prayers on that guys.  It will come on God's time, but I wish He would hurry up!!

Check ya later...and, yeah, you can miss us with that Snohzo til like 2 weeks from now...

[Anonymous]

Chuck,

              Make sure the cannon doesn't backfire this year like it did last February. Left me wondering if the Chief paid you and Buckeye for that.

Ray (AF53),

                      What K5 is that in your avavtar?  I've got a bit of a soft spot for those.  Stay tuned, I'll be posting some AF pics and maybe videos once the Christmas layout is up and running.

The 490/492 NP alcos arrived yesterday, and they are beautiful aside from some sort of residue on the roofs.  I gave them a brief test and put them away until Christmas.  The 490 runs but needs a light clean and lube, and the 492 roars as it should.  Love that sound.

The 30B just got here a few minutes ago, and it looks good.  There is something rattling around inside, so I'll have to remove the case and check it out.

[ChiefEagles]

Long busy day.  Hope we found some "cheap" money for fire truck.  Still cold and will stay that way.  Ugly word in forecast.  Possible light snohio flurries or a dusting Sat night. 

Later 

[rtraincollector]

LawsonFarmsRR

Blueberryhill RR:

LAZ.....The snow cannon is ready. Buckeye takes care of the technical data. I just pull the cord and let her rip.

 

Please be sure of the coordinates. Want to make sure nothing drops on us here in Virginia! Over shooting to SC is OK.

Pat

Yeah thats Okay as I have the ricochet shield up to send right back to N.C. and western VA.

hey pat just for you perfect example how southerns deal with snow.

this is how we keep them busy all day

[jefelectric]

fifedog

So, wifey asked what's on my wish-list.  Told her "nothing".  She told me to pick "something", or she will order the wrong "nothing".  I liked the upcoming release of MTH's B&O 2-bay fish belly hoppers (6-pack).  Then I started noticing inacuracies.  Numbered wrong for one.  Ribbed (wrong) sides caused them to apply the B&O off center.  The more I study them, the more disenchanted I get.  Oh, well...back to "nothing".

fife, Your starting to sound like one of those rivet counting 2-railers.  Guess you are going to have to start buying Atlas to get all the details correct.

Seriously Bob at AM Hobbies has some nice B&O hoppers but only in two road numbers.  I have a pair of them and they are nice. 

http://www.amhobbiesonline.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=3363&category_id=169&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=62

Maybe Santa could bring you those?

 

[sir james I]

Good Evening

Me and Charlie have been runnin trains...heaps of fun tonite.

Banilla and rootbeer is on me tonite...S.J.

[dbaker48]

Merry Christmas You All !

I'm still around, been crazy around here.  Trying to meld everything from the office into the house area, and then get Christmas decorations up, etc..  In a nutshell;

- Business has been busier the past month, since we moved.  (no complaint)

- FIL had some bad days, was in the hospital for a week, but is doing really well now.  Wife spent a LOT of time in the support role.

- Took trains to the Cal Stewart meet, did OK, but wont do that again.  Most buyers were looking for items that they could get at a "steal".  80-90% of attendees were either dealers or 2nd tier buyers/sellers.  Sunday did have some "public" in, not many but some.  I think I may have 9 or 10 cars to people that bought other stuff.  AND best of all they were excited about it.

- Trying hard to "FIT" stuff in the house, sure is an uphill battle!

- Friend of mine is building a Christmas layout for a party for Bob Eubanks, and renting the layout.  Asked if I would help him set it up next week, he is also building a home layout for some Dr., and needs help wiring.  So will try to give him a hand.

- ALL is well here, have a quiet evening at home tonight, so think I will have a bowl of Chili, and go out to the train room, and try to straighten things up.

-REALLY GLAD TO HEAR THE CHAR MAY BE COMING HOME THIS WEEK !!!!  THAT IS WONDERFUL !!

- Like the signature image RT, looks great.

Take care all, hope everyone stays healthy, and happy.  GOOD LUCK for all on the job hunt, this can be a terribly tough time of the year.  Just remember you don't have to look far to find some people worse off!!  God Bless.

[dougdagrump]

LawsonFarmsRR

Blueberryhill RR:

LAZ.....The snow cannon is ready. Buckeye takes care of the technical data. I just pull the cord and let her rip.

 

Please be sure of the coordinates. Want to make sure nothing drops on us here in Virginia! Over shooting to SC is OK.

Pat

Evenin' All.

Spent monday and a good part of tuesday at the museum, decorating for the layout for Christmas. Got park wide "Christmas on the Prado" starting tomorrow afternoon, it will be mobcity for the weekend. Needless to say with some of the changes that the exhibitors have to live with I avoid the place.

Yesterday and today have been decorating days at home, not getting a lot accomplished though. SWMBO has been out & about so the "stamp of approval" has not been issued yet.

Great news Brutus, continued .

Chuck, No matter what  just pull the cord and not his finger.

Later all.

[Brutus]

Thanks for the prayers guys - working!  She is scheduled for early afternoon release tomorrow and they actually called in her meds ahead of time this time, already got reports from Walgreens at 2 locations that they have received the orders, so maybe they will have it all ready when we need it!

Dropped kids at school and then did my labwork (fasting) this morning.  Stood in line outside Quest Diagnostics in the cold for about 1/2 hour, but I was first in line.  Work was crazy with meetings and training, etc.  Did manage to get one thing done though!

Talked with Char tonight and she is really excited to come home.  She will be on precautions again - hand sanitizer and stuff.  We'll keep her settled down for a while until she is back on her feet and off restrictions, but it will be better for her to be home again.  I'm off Monday too, as her Mom can't get here until Monday afternoon, but she will be a huge help.

Tardis is ready and everything is on me tonight boys, so belly up!

 

[Demay]

Good evening all,

Brutus - That is awesome news!  I'll keep praying all continues to go well and for smooth sailing when she gets home.

Jim - I don't think it's an addiction; it's enthusiasm . 

S.J. - Glad you and Charlie are having fun.  I'm having a root beer float tonight.

Fife - Be thankful your wife knows you want train-related items.  My wife keeps asking what I want, but after I tell her she rolls her eyes and suggests something I actually need such as clothing.  I just recently educated her on scale and gauge.

I've been busy with work and Christmas shopping this week.  I'm looking forward to the weekend since there is a train show.  I may do some Christmas shopping for myself at the show - I've been eyeing some SD90s and Dash 9s from Williams by Bachmann. 

Time for that float and then off to bed.

Good night,

Joe

[AF53]

Jim

Thats from my dads original set from 1953 that we ran every year either under the tree or in the basement on the ping pong table, It's a 316. Needs a little tuning up. I hope to have some time during the holidays. Runs a little slow while ON the track. OFF, it runs super!

Thanks

Ray

[ChiefEagles]

Char is coming home!!!!!!!!!!

Sleep tight.

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

Great news about Char!   Quick drop in this A M.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[laz 57]

Hi GUYZ,

  28 here this morning, going up to 38.  Tonite going up to MOMs to hunt deer on Saturday.

BRUTUS, BIG CONGA on your WIFE coming home.  Take good care of her.

CHUCK and BUCKEYE, keep that new SNOW CANNON facing SOUTH.  CHUCK don't get a itchy finger now,  TGIF!!!!

Stay frosty,

laz57

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a cloudy 30 degrees. Going up tp 36 today with some snow.

Today is a busy day. I have an errand to run and some paperwork to do. Plus the usual chores. I will be busy. Maybe a short nap later.

Snow cannon is facing south. Here it comes, NC.

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

Buckeye & LAZ.... TGIF

Y'all have a great Friday.

Chuck

[Banks]

Hello all,

Brutus,  Great news  Prayers will continue.

Going to hunt till noon tomorrow. The Dog (my son) has to work second shift. I'll spend the rest of the day trying to finish some projects in the house. Train show on Sunday near Johnstown.

Supposed to be cold all next week. Keep that cannon pointed some where else.

Well I best get back to supplying the SS fund

 

Prayers for those who need them

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  Cloudy and 32 here in the Mid-Atlantic region.  As a reminder , Greenberg show is at Timonium this weekend.

jefelectric - C'mon now, you know I'm not a "purist", as I love to run a lot of mid-70's LIONEL.  But at 40-50 bucks per car, I expect the manufacturers to properly label them.  They go through all the trouble to produce beautiful molds, then don't check with quality control.  Those ATLAS cars are beautiful ...and are numbered wrong . (Source - Chessie combined system equipment fleet roster, 79-80 edition.)  Thanks anyway.

Demay - Wifey is pretty good at buying the right stuff, and quick to pull the trigger if I want something.

Brutus - GREAT NEWS!

PURPLE friday.  Steelers coming to town (older princesses in "lock-down" mode )

[cnw1995]

Aloha from a sunny and cold Chicago. Took the youngest to a school rolling-skating event. After dragging him unright for two hours, my workout is done. Ran trains about the same time as SJ and Charlie. Brutus, just remember that one thing as Curly said in the movie City Slickers...

[ChiefEagles]

Morning.  Early hair cut [at least I have hair, unlike some I know ].  Now ot Town Hall and then off to the lake house for a couple of days. [Actually slipping over the M&D and turning that snow cannon back on the Yanks, better watch out ]   Got to be back to wave Sunday afternoon in the Chirstmas Parade.  Riding in the back of a pickup instead of a convertable.  This is because Wifey, Lucy, Finn and myself will not fit in the back seat of a convertable.  Finn is too big.  Later.    

[sir james I]

Good Morning

sun and 27, going to stay about there too.

Finn is to big???Hmm

Yep last nite was fun. We ran some MPC Lionel that hadn't been on rails in maybe 15 years, a drop of oil on the axles and off they went. Charlie has no idea how much I enjoyed his company. Then had an hour chat with Brutus, I hope Char gets to stay home this time. TGIF....S.J.

[fifedog]

  No.  Too easy...

[sir james I]

Coward   go ahead, say it.

[RockIsland52]

Greetings From Sunny and Seasonal Taxachussetts,

The news could not be better, Brutus.   Your wifey is coming home!  Prayers for her continuing recovery.  This will be a very special Holiday season for your entire family.  And you know your friends could not be happier for you two. 

On the local front, my better half unilaterally decided that we would be giving each other a new flatscreen TV for Christmas this year, our first departure from a tube television.  Spent a couple of days boning up on the current brand line-ups, prices, and technologies, settled some differences with the wifey over screen size (translation, I lost), then pulled the trigger Black Friday.  Got an LCD (versus plasma) because our viewing room is very bright in the daytime (glare), and Samsung had the only sets in our size category with a non-glare, matte screen.

Got home, then set it up only to discover our current Comcast HD box has no HDMI inputs from the set..  So the 1080P/120HZ capabilities cannot be fully appreciated.  No problem, right?  Just swap out cable boxes?   Not that easy. 

Comcast RAN OUT of the 1080-capable boxes at both local Comcast stores, couldn't get one until this past Wednesday.  I ask you:  how can a cable company, in such a cutthroat and highly competitive market, run out of cable boxes at the front end of perenially the most rabid TV sales period of each year?!?!  To make matters worse, these Comcast stores......you can't call them to check on stock, They don't have a phone number, don't take calls.  The folks on the 800 numbers tell you your local store has inventory when they don't.  You have to keep dropping in, wait in line, only to discover they have none.  "Come back another time."

I am happy to report that our household's Christmas shopping is about 95% complete and we are beyond broke.   

Wife is off to London tomorrow on business, and her relatives there are in a total panic over the relative dusting of snow they have.  Sent them CNN links to the Buffalo/West Seneca news stories of the 3 foot snowfall with an admonishment that they should learn to drive, starting with putting the steering wheel on the left side of their cars and driving on the right. 

John Baker.....are you reading this?!?  Suck it up buddy.  Is the M25 North of town really in that bad shape, or is this a problem a sad commentary on the UK drivers' driving skills.  j

Banks......you didn't take your wifey into JiffyLube for this maintenance, did you?    They don't accept Blue Cross.

Rich......prayers this one gets nailed down and you get your iron back on the road.  A Harley in NJ in December.....you are tough!!!!!

Chief......we need the dimensions on your garage doors at the lake house.

Ray and all the CA guyz......knock off all the 70 degree weather updates, or the snow cannon will be redirected to Westward coordinates.

Dennis......I thought a violin trio would be more appropriate and you would be joining your kids in the performance.  Kinda like a Von Trapp family performance.

Brent.....shouldn't we all be celebrating the (one year ago) launch of your personal quest to bolster the medical establishment in your home town?

DougM.....did you get your invitation to the mayoral innauguration ball in Chicago?  A Daly has been mayor in Chicago for about 80% of the past 5+ decades.  Sorry to hear your new phone died.  You didn't drop yours in a bucket of water like my son recently did, did you?

MikeC.....I suspect soccer withdrawal is taking its toll on you.  Hang in there, buddy. 

Bob......we are going to have to find a nickname for you, holed up in the mountains several days a week.  Grizzly Bob has a ring to it. 

Fife.....where do you stash your yatchet during the winter?  There are some way up my way that STILL have not pulled their boats out of the water!

Chuck.....I got to wondering how good your aim is with the snow cannon.  Although Fife gave you the target coordinates for Roseyville, it seems the salvos are landing to the North and East of you in Western New York state.  I am getting nervous.....another couple of clicks on the elevation and I am in trouble.  On a related note, we had 125 inches of snow over the 1996-1997 season with a single snowfall record of 34 inches, complete with 7 foot drifts.  Gas up and fire up those snowblowers, boys.

SJ and Charlie......playing with your trains is NOT goofing off.  And your PT professional is asking for you.  What's with that?   

JoeyD.....I like the idea of shopping for my own Christmas present.  Like many of the guys on the forum, my wife will NEVER fail to ask me what I want.  Like many of the wives on the forum, she ALWAYS decides my choice is totally misguided and gets me something else.

JimmyT......why are you surprised your Sunfire would get you there?  You seem to be acquiring AF stuff faster than you can get it up and running!

JimSP......you seem to be super busy lately.  Any bites on the house?  Hope the kiddies are hale and hearty and that Santa gets them something that runs on two rails this Christmas.....or did you convert?

NavyJack.....I am so far behind that I don't know if you settled on the VW and scored one.

Laz.....what is this nonsense about retirement?  Don't you realize the strategic importance to the Chief of your working until the bandied-about retirement age of 69?  He's counting on you to fund his unfunded SS checks. 

I know Iam missing so many folks and so much important stuff.  I got a week behind on the Pot and can't catch up.  Congas for theose with victories.  Prayers for those who need them.  And no, Brent, I am NOT celebrating 3 years on POT......haven't had any stiches, plates, or screws for the past year either. 

Later, gang.

Jack

PS:  Patriots/Jets game this coming Monday night.  If the Pats don't score 40+ points they may be in trouble.

[SPMan]

Good morning all, At the risk of getting shot at by the snow cannon, it's going to be 70 again today but rain forcast for Sunday.

D Baker, glad to see you back on the pot.  I kind of feel the same way about selling at Cal Stew.  I haven't tried now for several years.  Did good on my last one though at the old hall.  Sold an Excellent rating Lionel AA Santa Fe 2353 for $500.  Nowadays, I can't hardly give things away.

Jim, prayers and well wishes for Char coming home.

Jack, re the Chief's SS payments, I feel the same way as he does about railroad retirement.  Like to keep those young hogheads working a lot to keep the old man in clover.

No trains at my house last night but went to friends layout instead to see operation of new Z stuff crossing gate signals.  They work real nice and even have a bell ringing along with the gates being lowered.  Got a new music CD from my drummer friend and a Lionel two unit flatcar with Southern Pacific trailers from another friend at the get together.  Now I need to get them something for Christmas.

Looking for UPS man today for my MTH Southern Railway PS4 according to tracking info.

Had some great Zuchinni squash with a little touch of garlic and spices last night but I think I overdid it.  Still have heartburn from something.  We have just about finished off the oyster stew I made but it was very good with a little bacon chips added.  Only thing I like better than oysters is Eastern North Carolina Bar-B-Que.  I think my Southern roots are showing.

Have a good day all,

Ray

 

[Hudson#685]

Lunch Time at work in "Beautiful Edison, NJ":

 Boys keep that cannon pointed away from Jersey. The temps are dropping and it is going down to the high 20s. I want to start getting ready for the Holidays and not working. I already have to work this Saturday and next. Then I am on vacation for the next 3 weeks, unless someone shoots the cannon at us.

Green Probe, Jim, Ray, AF53 sends his finds to my house. He got a nice AF clock work set yesterday. I may have to misplace a few of them.

Rich, Good luck on the job hunt. We still have a freeze on hiring.

Brutus, Great news on Char. Prayers continued for both of you.

Chief, You have to be a great Mayor to back the Fire Department with that new Rig. Santa is comong early.

RI Jack, I do not think that Navy Jack bought the new VW yet. Gigi has her sights on it.

Prayers for all in need.

John

[navyjack]

hello guys hope everyone is ok.  have been enjoying our 50 inch tv which we have had about a month.  we still had a zenith console that we bought 25 years ago. cant upload avatar anyone having this problem? waiting to get my thunder mountain 0-6-0 engine and three christmas passenger cars.  menards is selling a lionel set for 100 bucks with an 0-8-0. hope pat, rt, jack, ray and all the rest of the gang are well and healthy. navyjack