RE:COFFEE POT #11 November 2011 for all to take a drink and chat. 6+ years and going. Plenty of coffee and sweet ice tea to drink. Plenty of GRITS, oatmeal and Cheerios for the heart.

[sir james I]

Good morning

30s and raining, Rained all night, lots of downpours. Wish it would rain like this once in a while during the summer. Brent, the baby's growing fast, she will keep you busy. Joe while many like adventure I grew up on beef and potatoes, so I might have to eat on base..lol..Fife a lot of things besides gas will be for the voting folk till November, then watch out after the election. A very wet day here, guess I'll stay in..S.J.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning. It's 36° and sunny. The high will be 61° and it will be mostly sunny.

Yesterday I received a box with ten freight cars in it. Six Bachmann, three Tyco and one Life-Like. All had truck mounted couplers. This morning eight of them have Kadee couplers. Two of the Bachmann cars (Two 4 bay hoppers) proved very difficult to mount coupler boxes to so on those cars I mounted the couplers to the trucks using Kadee gear box covers and 1/16" brass screws and cut off the excess length of the screws. The three Tyco cars were very easy to convert to body mounted couplers. Two Bachmann Middletown & New Jersey boxcars and a Life-Like Weyerhaeuser boxcar were easy conversions. All that's left is a Bachmann UP gondola and a Bachmann SF stock car. The stock car is a toss-up as I have no use for it.

Now I must get ready to go to my parents place to have breakfast with my father. He probably has something up his sleeve.

[fifedog]

88 - Sounds lika plan.  I'll give ya a ringy-dingy.

[cnw1995]

Aloha from a grey, cold and windy Chicago. Konbanawa, Joe. I love the odd things fast food chains offer overseas.  Banks, the ethanol is supposed to be worse for gas mileage, but I don't see a difference in the van and it's a lot cheaper per gal.  Kev, glad you're here! Your layout makeover sounds interesting. Nice photos, Brent.

[Anonymous]

Mornin' Fellas

Hudson - Yes she is an attention getter. When she meets someone new she is all smiles and giggles.

Jack - No laddders for Christina for a long, long time! She simply loves going to daycare. I think it is doing wonders for her learning and social interaction skills (maybe she can teach me some day).

Fife - Trainshow in Timonium this weekend? How about we hook up at the show on Saturday, then head back to your place for some train time? I think Susan has to proctor an exam for ASQ this Saturday so it may work out.

Demay - Thanks for the comments on the layout. I had FasTrack years ago, but not on this layout... but I do wish I had stuck with it. I may never get the switches wired on this layout because buying the SC2 and ASC controllers will be expensive and the new FasTrack switches have the TMCC built into them.

[Demay]

Konbanwa,

I had a busy day at work today but it went by fast.  When I picked up the mail today I discovered one of the Christmas presents my wife purchased for me arrived.  She did not want me to know, but she was not expecting the Lionel shipping carton to have the description on it.  She bought me The Nutcracker Route set and since I already knew what it was I was able to open it up.  However, I may have an issue with the 50 Hz out here causing the whistle and bell to continuously sound.  I was not able to get any of my other trains out of the closet today to do some troubleshooting.  The CW-80 in this set has a 50 Hz sticker on it so I’m not sure if the tender is bad or if the transformer is bad.  I will know more this weekend when I have time to pull out all the trains for some test runs.  Either way, the set looks great and it will look very nice under the Christmas tree. 

Brent – Christina is adorable.  Nice work on the layout.  Didn’t you used to have FasTrack on it?  The new loco is awesome. 

I posted some of the photos I promised a few weeks ago.  The first two are the McKBQ at McDonald's.  The third is at a store that sells everything.  The last two are the octopus balls I had.  The tough part about eating those was the dried, salted, shaved fish on top.

Sayonara,

Joe

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  Mornin' Miss Christina.  As wifey just said, "gonna be a fun Christmas at Brent's house!"

Got the last of the yardwork done yesterday before shift (which was really busy for a Monday).

Greenberg show @ Timonium this coming weekend.

As for the price of gas; I predict it will dip down to $2.50...next November.  That's how you really know our politicians are "looking after" us

[RockIsland52]

lionroar88

Evenin' Fellas

Been a while since I've posted, life's a bit more hectic now-a-days. Received a surprise, and much needed, call from Fife on Saturday. Always good to hear a familiar voice. Didn't know all that has been going on... prayers for all in need.

Christina is growing like a weed! Her teacher at daycare is changing her goals and learning plan because she is advancing so quickly. She is now connecting her 'needs' with what fulfills those 'needs', for example when she crys and you bring her a bottle she stops crying when she sees the bottle... she will be 4 months on 12/1... she is almost able to sit by herself, she can't situp or pull herself up, but if you sit her down and get her stable she can hold the position for a few seconds... she dislikes being on her tummy so it could be a while before she crawls, but she may not even get to that stage because she is wanting to stand when you hold her!

Here is her Thanksgiving picture:


.................Before I sign off, I wanted to say hello to all the new Pot Members.

Brent/88..........don't worry.  In your absence we have been taking POT shots at you.  Good thing you put away the ladder and all of your power tools because from the sounds of things Christina will be looking for them in a couple of months.   I couldn't help myself.  

Our first granddaughter Victoria was pretty much the same as Christina.  She didn't like being placed on her back, would struggle mightily to flip herself over on her tummy.  But when on her tummy, she would struggle mightily to sit.  She didn't ever embrace crawling and in fact never got the forward crawl down, usually just backwards, and not more than a few feet.  Like Christina, she gravitated to the stand (with help), seemed to like that position better, so she started taking steps early.  When she was strong enough, she would use the coffee table and the sofa or love seat and start taking unassisted steps. 

Language wise, our granddaughter didn't start talking until 14 months which had the grownups somewhat concerned.........but the Doc said no worries.  "She is learning two languages simultaneously."  My SIL's folks speak Portuguese exclusively in their home and were providing the daycare.  At 14 months, it was like someone flipped a switch in Victoria and she began speaking both languages, has been fluent in both ever since.  It was quite amusing to be in a room with her at a family gathering.  She would look at the "English only" folks and speak only English.  And without missing a beat, she would speak only Portuguese to those that spoke only that language.  She knew the difference!!!!!  For those who were bilingual, she would speak to them in the language she heard them use the most.  By the age of 5 she would translate for both factions!!!!!

Christina is beautiful.  You and Susan are truly blessed.  Hope Santa leaves Christina something with flanged wheels under the Christmas tree for this, her first Christmas. 

Jack

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is still raining. 58 degrees. Going up to 62 today with more rain. Snow down south.

Today is a busy day. Chores to do and some paperwork. Not much else new.

Dining car is here with Cheerios for breakfast.

Y'all have a great Tuesday.

Chuck 

[laz 57]

Hi GUYZ,

  Rainy and warm at 63.

BANKS, NO DEER, saw only one.  BRO saw two.  Did a bunch o drives and not much came out.  Will try on Saturday.

BUCKEYE, get well bud.

Stay frosty,

laz57

[Hudson#685]

Good morning,

Brent, She is beautiful. Enjoy her they grow up fast.

Kev, Just jump in. No club, just a bunch of train nuts that like to tease each other.

Thoughts and Prayers for all in need.

Have a Great Day,

John

[Hudson#685]

Good Morning,

Brent, Christina is a beautiful baby. Enjoy her, they grow up too fast.

Kev, No club, No secret society, Just a bunch of train nuts who like to have fun.

Thoughts and Prayers for all in need.

Have a great day,

John

[Anonymous]

Evenin' Fellas

Been a while since I've posted, life's a bit more hectic now-a-days. Received a surprise, and much needed, call from Fife on Saturday. Always good to hear a familiar voice. Didn't know all that has been going on... prayers for all in need.

Christina is growing like a weed! Her teacher at daycare is changing her goals and learning plan because she is advancing so quickly. She is now connecting her 'needs' with what fulfills those 'needs', for example when she crys and you bring her a bottle she stops crying when she sees the bottle... she will be 4 months on 12/1... she is almost able to sit by herself, she can't situp or pull herself up, but if you sit her down and get her stable she can hold the position for a few seconds... she dislikes being on her tummy so it could be a while before she crawls, but she may not even get to that stage because she is wanting to stand when you hold her!

Here is her Thanksgiving picture:


Got major headway done on the layout this weekend. I have all of the upper level construction done, and just need to finish the transition track from lower to upper level. Need to install some ceiling tile subroadbed, finish the curved concrete arch bridge, build a few tunnel portals, and then it is on to scenery!

New upper level:


New bridge alignment:


Moved the plate girder bridge to this side of the Pratt Truss Bridge:


Foam foundation for hillside. This is the side where the plate girder bridge was, I didn't like it over here because it would have required a stream to be over the tunnel and I thought that was a bit silly.


Also picked up a new kitty:










Here she is with her big sister:


Now I typically would not buy this engine because it never existed, but I wanted another AC6000 and once I saw it in person I simply couldn't pass it up. I did see the WM version and it is nearly as impressive! Can't wait for the I12 caboose to come in now!

Before I sign off, I wanted to say hello to all the new Pot Members.

[RockIsland52]

Kev.......there are just three Illinois boys currently active here on the POT:  cnw1995 (DougM), you, and me.   My wife and I were born and raised in Chicago and spent most of our lives there before moving to the Boston area.  But we still have most of our family and a bunch of friends back there.

I finished off the outdoor Christmas lights today, another 60 degree weather day blessed me to boot.  Wife came home and was stunned because I did more than she had asked.  By the way, waterboarding is over-rated as a method of torture.  Working with those strings of malfunctioning miniature lights is worse.....over doubled the installation time.   My patience ran out and I just began tossing the strings that wouldn't cooperate in the garbage, swapping in new strings.  Fortunately, at my request the wife bought 20 strings of 100 this past week when she was out shopping, got the last of them (white).  Go figure.....it isn't even December and Walmart and Target are out of lights.

Buckeye........those stones are no joke.  My wife's doctor asked her how bad her pain was on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the worst.  She didn't hesitate in her response: "Worse than childbirth."  Prayers that these too shall pass.      

Jack

[dougdagrump]

Evenin' All.

Had a good day at the museum yesterday, the better half and the munchkin split time between the museum and the Reuben Fleet Space Center. Was there again this morning for a bit, getting the place ready for Christmas on the Prado this coming weekend. Mr. Graceful here almost took a header off the layout while hanging some wreaths & garlands. Came home and took a short nap, really pooped.

Kev, Everybody be welcome here.

Ray, I forgot to get some photos of the liftbridge for you.

Boy, the Saints are really puttin' the wood to the Gigantes tonite.

Well, will check in tomorrow gettin' kinda tired.

Nite all !

[8ntruck]

Clouds got burned off by just after lunch today.  Still only in the 40's, though.

Kev - No club here.  Like S.J. says, a bunch of good folks here drawn together by a common interest in toy trains.  Some have been participating longer than others and some are more 'regular' than others.

Vacation ended today, so it is back to work tomorrow.  I'm falling behind on Chief's SS fund.

All for now.

[sir james I]

Kev I felt the same way when I came here. Lots of great guys and a gal or two once in awhile. Talk directly to them and they will respond..S.J.

[KRM]

KRM

Hi, From North Central IL.

   Think I will start tearing the track off the layout so I can install ground cover. Hate to but have to.

 

 

 

Good evening,

Spent the whole day taking the whole ==== layout thing apart............. Good thing Brian from the front of the lane was around and wanted to help. May get him hooked yet.

Anyway pulled everything off of the table, (trains and the entire track) and installed the foam and ground cover. Need to do the edge trim and then back to the layout sections. Got the entire track back down and thanks to Brian all of the wiring is back too.

Hope you guys don’t mind my posts. Sometimes it seems to me that I am intruding on your "club" or something if so just let me know and I will split.

Tks,

Kev.

[Banks]

Hello all,

Quick splash on the way to bed

Didn't make the trip to Kittaning on Sunday. Opted to take advantage of the unpredicted nice weather and get some more pre winter stuff done. (also saved a few bucks) Did get the manure out on Saturday. Son talked his cousin into helping.

Sunday evening we had an late and abbreviated Thanksgiving celebration at my folks house

Spent all day today hunting at Son's place. Didn't even see one deer. Son and my nephew saw the same as me. As expected they left with the corn.

Laz  How'd you make out?

Crud did catch me. Doc gave me an antibiotic. Two days on it I feel much better. Mrs isn't much better. She's going to the doc again tomorrow PM.

Gas has been between $3.45 & $3.59 here for months

CNW does the reduced gas mileage of the ethanol justify the savings?

Ray  Belated Happy Anniversary.

Buckeye hope you're feelin better.

What happened to Phish??????????

Off to bed

Prayers for those in need

[sir james I]

Good evening

Coffee's cold

it's 37 degrees and a whole heap of rain is suppose to be coming this way. It's gonna stay above freezing though. Whew. Well I took granny's car for gas and the closest station to home was $3.15 for regular.  Better than summer but we are still getting scre#ed. Not a big event day, did some CTT, read it was 25 years old already, I got all of them. The mag. was really welcome because all we had before that were H O mag's. Banilla will be waiting..S.J.

Oops, I don't think I have them all, I remember one time when my subscription lapsed.

[SPMan]

Good evening all,  Got my outdoor Christmas lights up today with the help of my son.  Had to catch up with eager beaver neighbors who got their's up on Friday.  Southern California Edison contract people showed up to trim my tall cypress trees in the back yard away from their wires today.  They were pretty sloppy but cleaned up the majority of their mess.

Going out to eat tonight and thinking about fried chicken unless something else grabs me.  Weather has warmed up a lot here today around 80 or more.  Will enjoy it while it last.

Wonder what happened to the Waltons on TV.  They were showing reruns in the afternoon but they have disappeared now for some reason.  They are still showing Little House on the Prairie though.

Anybody seen the new WBB ten wheeler steam engine?  A friend of mine bought one but haven't seen it yet.  I'm thinking I might use one to pull my MTH woodsided passenger cars.

later,

Ray

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Well, after a rocky start today seemed like Christmas. First I received a box packed with decals and Kadee shelf couplers. I was busy putting the couplers and their gear boxes in the old medicine bottles I keep them in when I got a call from my father that another box had arrived. This one had ten freight cars packed in it. One from Life-Like, three from Tyco, the rest from Bachmann, and all with truck mounted couplers. It'll be somewhat slow but I'll get them all converted to body-mounted Kadee's. One of the surprises was a Tyco pulpwood flat with it's load. In many cases the load gets lost or damaged. Another surprise was a Life-Like thrall-door weyerhaeuser boxcar. If I remember correctly this type was released in the mid 1970's. Even so I've seen only a handful of the Weyerhaeuser boxcars and this is the first one I've had. Surprised is a picture of me in the dictionary opening that box.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Get well soon Buckeye.

[ChiefEagles]

Prayers for Buckeye. Very warm for days. Rains started. High tomorrow is to be 20 degrees colder than today (which eas 70). Later

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good afternoon. It's 42° and mostly sunny. The high will be 51° and it will be mostly cloudy.

Well, most of my morning was scrapped. I spent better part of the morning at my parents place helping them. My mother had another sugar crash and my father can't handle her alone. As for the rest of the day, I have no particular plans. Whatever comes up I guess.

[RockIsland52]

Just a quick splash and go.........

RaySP.........Happy anniversary Ray to you and definitely your better half.  #52?  WOW!!!!  I thought they had laws against marrying before you are 15.   

Buckeye.....we always said you had big stones.  Do gin and vodka count as clear liquids?  Get well!!!! 

Later, gang!

Jack.

[Hudson#685]

Lunch time,

I have not been able to post for a while. I would have enough time to read and then something would come up.

Went to the Greenberg Show in Edison, NJ with my son yesterday. Prices were mixed. We picked up some PW and Modern Era frieght cars.

I wish everyone here with health problems a speedy recovery.

Have a great day,

John

[sir james I]

Good Morning

36, cloudy with rain coming later. Summer is just a memory now. I'm not sure what today will bring but it started with a filling breakfast. Had a nice long chat with Charlie last night....S.J.

[cnw1995]

Aloha from a cold, windy but intermittently sunny Chicago. Ohayou gozaimasu Joe. Some sun-showers coming through gave me an excuse to stop in a store and buy a new hat. I can still find ethanol for $2.97 for our van which is flex-fuel, but otherwise gas is close to $3.70. Ah well. Ran trains last night. Percy was derailing on my 027 curves again. He is a naughty engine, but I know it's just because the track shifts a bit after long running. It'll go away faster if I just turn the train around and put him on the other end. Boy, the Bears looked terrible yesterday, Laz. Prayers for Buckeye - and not just because OSU has a new coach.

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

It is rainy again in SE Indiana.  Drive in to work was kind of slow but made it in ok.  Balanced the checkbook last night for that day's major activity.  Work day got off to a good start as a file I needed for this week was here already.  I had bran muffins on the dining car for brekfast before sending it on to "Points East".  TBIL and I can drive.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana