Coffee Pot #12 December 2011 5+ years and going strong and its for all to chat. Plenty of coffee and ice tea for all. Come and join us and chat.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

KRM

 

Jeffrey, that reading thing sounds cool does it take dictation and convert it to print to?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No, it's strictly a reader. If you want something that converts speech to text you need something like the Dragon Speech Recognition software. That program is expensive, ranging from $140 to near $700. I guess that's dependent on which version you get.

[rtraincollector]

V-8 you hit correct keys for gas the cheapest I have seen it is $2.98.9 and cA. I thought was always higher than us on by about .30 to .50 a gallon. was just wondering if you hit the first two keys in reverse.

Afternoon all just got done talking to my cable company and manage to get about a $11 discount a month over last 2 years and no commitment either for the next 12 months. Gives me time to check a couple of things out for alternative of what I have now. still cable ( no extras) phone, and basic internet $140.00 seems a bit high to me.

Well cleared off extra stuff off the so-called train table and see I need to get either something for grass or something for snow. need to also find my short pieces of Gargraves and see if I have 2 same legnth between 4 and 6 inches so I can make it a little wider 6" would put it just about at the edge but all I have at present is a loop of O-42

[KRM]

 

 

 

 

 Hi guys, Lunch break, Just slid down some heated up White Castle sliders with some milk and chips. 

Sunny and fair out today and I am glad, been working out side getting ready to take the car hauler up north on my trip to get the wifey’s antique horse drawn wheat seeder. There must be an un-written law somewhere that says anytime you need to use your trailer there will be problems with the lights.   I had to only work on two of them but one was a fight.

Roy, just ask any Bears fan who Teeebowww is today. .            

A foot went through the ceiling? Wow guess you should be glad they are not suing you.

Brutus, hope you and Char get better.

V8Vega $2.39!!!!!!!! or is it $3.39 I thought I did good today at $3.18 for gas.

Brent, I hope the princes gets over that cough soon. It is so hard on little ones when they are sick. Glad she smiled for the picture with Santa.

Jeffrey, that reading thing sounds cool does it take dictation and convert it to print to?

DougM, Glad your back on the job.

Later,

Kev.

 

[cnw1995]

Dennisv8, that's a well know 'right-turn rule of retail' - a driver will usually choose to take a right turn into an establishment than cross traffic. That's why you see supermarkets on 4 corners of a big intersection.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

SPMan

Jeffrey, That rusty baggage car must be an inspiration for your spray can talents.

You could say that. I even made a model of it.

[SPMan]

Good morning all,

Brent, I hope your little one gets over that nasty cough soon.  Great picture with Santa!

Drizzle this morning with rain on the way.  Getting ready for appointment with the hygentist at my dentist office today.

Doug, I have heard about loctite.  I will use it if I have anymore trouble.  How would you apply "just a little".  Maybe on a toothpick or similar object?

Jeffrey, regarding pants, I wish I could buy them off the rack.  I always have to have length altered since I'm an in between size.  Also need expandable waist for middle age spread.  Maybe I'm already past that at 75.  That rusty baggage car must be an inspiration for your spray can talents.

Watched Annie Oakley on Sunday night movie for PBS.  Betty Hutton was her usual full of it self.  Reminded me of her performance in the Greatest Show on Earth.

Best of the Christmas season to all,

Ray

 

[wrmcclellan]

Morning all!

HVAC guys here this morning finishing up odds and ends (like where a foot went through the ceiling of the water heater closet in the garage!).

Cloudy and cool here - but no freezing temps. Some drizzle today and tomorrow. Rain predicted Wed.

C'Boys blew another one last night. Also lost our top rookie rusher for the rest of the season. Can one say this season is Oh-vere?? Our division also struggling when the 2 top teams are 7-6. Giants come out of a 4 game losing streak to tie it up? Green Bay - what's with that and Fife - what is a teeebowww?

Have a great day all!

[sir james I]

Good Morning

it's 28, and bright sun.

No plans for today but I do have some train related things going on this week. Had a nice long chat with some of the guys last night. It makes for good company..Monday it is so get going.

S.J.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning.  It's 37°/3°C with some clouds and just a trace of a chance of rain/snow. The high will be 59°/15°C with clouds and sunshine.

Yesterday I got the well car weathered - finally. Today I'll see what I can do about the containers. They look way to clean and new for my taste. Went clothes shopping yesterday. Among other things I got two new pairs of pants, so I now have twice the number of pairs of pants as I had before. As some of you may or may not know I've been using a text to speech program to listen to the postings here. I found that my computer seems to have a decidedly heavy British accent, somewhat like a combination of Graham Norton and Richard Hammond. Well, I've been tweaking it here and there and now have it at a point that I like. It now sounds a lot like Alfred Hitchcock. It's 'Good morning' sounds OK but it's 'Good evening' can send a chill right down the middle of your back. I still have to work on it a little. It sounds three thousand percent better than Microsoft Sam.

[switch7frg]

Brent;  what a great idea ( hindged) tunnell . That would eliminate the use of a long hook  in the event of a major malfunction in there.  Wish I thought of that idea here.  

                                      Merry Christmas to you and yours.

                                               Respectfully, Cannonball

[rtraincollector]

Morning all. Man its hard to keep up with the pot this month. were averaging more than 2 pages a day, well guess you can tell winter is here and everyone is in more than out.

Brent hope munchkin feels better soon.

8n nice polar express layout

not much going on here off today so relaxing

Hope all had a good weekend will talk more later

[cnw1995]

Aloha. Back at work! Brisk and sunny today. Think I'll bring the youngest to our Christmas party tomorrow. That should be fun for him. Maybe go visit the Big Man in his North Pole Station up at Macys (Fields). Laz and Kev, I am speechless about the Bears... I heard Tebow ends with a W but to see it like that - sheesh!   Mike C, what did you think of Hugo? Hope Christina and Brutus are feeling better.

[Demay]

Konbanwa,

It was about 40 F when I went for my 5-mile run this morning.  It felt great.  I had a slow day at the office which was fine; it's the end of the year and it usually is quiet.  We had chili and jalapeno cornbread for dinner tonight and it was delicious as usual.  I've been racking my brain on what to do about my Trainsounds issue and I've just finished some schoolwork so I am definitely ready for bed. 

Laz - Thanks for the information.  Maybe you should read the manual for that computer? We know that's not going to happen. 

Dennis - Thanks to you as well.  I’m not sure if I’m going to go after them yet either, but I believe their current price is a good one.  I might be on a self-imposed buying hold as well.  I just tallied up what I spent on the wife for Christmas and it was more than I had originally planned.  She will probably yell at me, but I’m sure she’ll get over it quickly.  I don’t feel as bad though because we don’t use credit to buy anything. 

Brutus - I'm glad Char is doing better.  I hope you are too.

8N - The PE layout came out great.  Thanks for sharing your resources for the kids and sharing the photos with us.

88 - I hope Christina is feeling better.

Sayonara,

Joe

[dwiemer]

Morning all, heading in a little later.  Had a nice time with FIL and the rest of the family.  My back protested the drive though.  I am watching an episode of "stossel", with some former CEOs talking about how they couldn't have made their companies work early on due to oppressive regulations.  They wouldn't have been able to afford the lawyers to read all the regulations, never mind pay the cost to keep within the regulations.  Perhaps they are on to something.

Joe, I agree that the scale diesels should work on 036 track, the caveat is that the.F3s if run in a consist like A-B-A, they will need wider curves.  For the Geeps, and single units, you should be fine.  I looked at those, but am on a purchasing hiatus.

Just watched a commercial on Toys For Tots.  I have donated gifts to this charity several times this year and in years past.  I only recently heard that the gifts are supposed to be under $15.00, oh well.  Anyway, this time of year it is a great reminder that if you are able to donate to those in need, do so...it will make you feel better too.  It is also a good thing to donate through your church, or other organization... The best things we do are the things we don't expect the credit for.

Well, I am still trying to finish the elevated line on the layout.  It is only a point to point run for either a trolley, or a bumper car, so I have all the equipment and know how required.  Just a matter of getting it done.  I also have to hit the stores to pick up a few items for the bride to give to her fellow workers at their gathering tonight.  

God bless,

Dennis

[ChiefEagles]

Banks

SS fund calls. I'll try to get back later.

Thanks Banks.  Should see your great contribution Wed. AM.

Morning all.  Yankee cold.  Warming though.  Might deer hunt Wed.  Got heart Dr. apt today for a talk [so he can charge ins.] and then regular 3 year stress test later in Jan.

Got to take all the tubs of stuff out and put in barn until Christmas is over.  Then bring them in, unload them and fill them back up.  When the box and layout is done, they will go into the walkin [where trains run now and extra cars are stored] and I will not have to worry with them.

Have a great week and God bless all.  

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

It IS another beautifuld day in SE Indiana (IIABSDISEI for the regulars) with temps in the 40s eventually.  I had a nice drive into the work today averaging over 100 pmpg (person miles per gallon).  I had a bran mufffin and some generic cinnamon toast crunch on the dining car before sending it on to "Points East".  Nice picture, Brent and SusieQ!  Sometimes you treasure the most what you waited for the longest (and if that is really true, it will be spectacular when "my" soccer kids win a sectional title).   Glad I could drive last night.  It is picking a bit of a loose condition when it comes out of a turn, but some tweaking with the back end stabilizers should fix that.  TBIL and I can drive again if need be.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a cold 22 degrees. Going up to 48 today with sunshine.

Today is a busy day. I have a project to work on and the usual chores. I will be busy most of the morning.

Dining car is here with Cheerios for breakfast.

Y'all have a great Monday.

Chuck

[Banks]

Hello all,

Quick cup this AM

fifedog

TEE-EE-Bow!  Yooooooh-ho!  Sing it with me...

 

Fife  Did you stub your toe??????????

Haven't kept up since Friday.

SS fund calls. I'll try to get back later.

 

Prayers for those in need

[laz 57]

Hi GUYZ,

  18 here and frosty.

KEV and DOUG M, DA BEARS STINK!!!  Ouch dat hurt.

Stay frosty,

laz57

[wrmcclellan]

Evening all!

NIce day here today. Not too cool. 50's.

8n - nice! You came up with a decent way to get the spiral around the mountain!

Brent - that is a GREAT photo! Thanks for sharing it! She looks really sweet!

Kev - sounds like the new thermostat is so goo so far - but I think if I were picking up an antique wheat planter for my wife I could just keep driving...

Ray - a little tiny bit of Loctite could be useful if the screws do not stay in.

Jeffrey - liked the building pic post earlier!

Doug M - gotcha!

Washed off the new front walk this evening so we can now use the front door again! The new concrete needs to cure for about 2 weeks and then they come and do the final coloring and sealing.

Watching C'Boys and Giants. C'Boys holding on and for once a couple of great plays from both teams in the 4th quarter here.

Not looking forward to tomorrow - w$*k - ugh.

Have a great evening all whats left of it.

[8ntruck]

Sunny and in the 40's today.

Spent a good part of the afternoon putting up Christmas Lights.

Chief - Yankee cold?  What's the matter.  It got below freezing?

I scored a yellow 6014 Frisco boxcar on e-bay last night for cheap.  I've seen them in red and white, but I don't ever recall seeing a yellow one.  Anybody else seen yellow ones?

Here is a shot of the Polar Express layout we had set up at the KATY depot museum yesterday.

[View:http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/themes/trc/utility/:550:0]

The picture is so - so.  My digital point & shoot was having trouble with all of the back lighting in that room.  I improved it somewhat with the Kodak digital software I have.

I know that some of you folks are involved with modular layouts.  What is your standard panel size?  What sort of system do you use for mechanical and electrical connections?

All for now.

[Brutus]

Thanks Joe - that grill sounds really neat!  Char is doing fine today, but I was sick all day.  Coughing a little, but mostly just aching and other problems.  Didn't make it to church.  Char asked me to hang this tapestry this afternoon.  It came with brackets for the rod, but the screws were super crappy and stripped out as soon as they hit wood!  I finally got the bad ones pulled out and they had actually bent when they hit the wood - cheapest crap metal I ever saw!  Went back in with a couple drywall screws and only took a second to put up!  After that, I just sat around all day.  Laz - I had that problem on the new computer with newer version of IE, so switched to firefox and it works fine.  Mike - you are driving, I'm going to cuddle up in a recliner with my pooch and a blankey and just nurse some hot herbal tea and honey.  Go!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Time for me to end a long day and call it a night. See y'all tomorrow.

[ChiefEagles]

Good evening.  House inside decorated [outside done over a week ago].  Tree is now up.  All animals out and back in for the night.  Turned Yankee cold here.  Snow?????  What is snow?

Sleep tight.

[Anonymous]

Evenin' Fellas

Well it has been a bit of a rough weekend. The Princess has an Upper Respiratory Infection and she is misserable - but you wouldn't know it she is all smiles, but her cough is outrageous! She does cry a bit when she is uncomfortable (we think it is her throught that is bothering her because she is fine after we give her a bottle). If she isn't doing better tomorrow we'll have to take her back to the Dr.

Since we've been hanging out at this house yesterday and today I have been able to work on the layout a bit. After visiting with Fifedog last weekend I decided to take another look at the layout. I found that if I realign part of the Triangle could move one side back about 3 inches. This will allow me enough room to build a road behind the burning switch tower, over to the yard and back through the valley. I have to redo the area with the two steel under arch bridges, but that is simple work. Well after the minor adjustment I really happy with it now! Started work on a removable hill that will allow me to access part of a tunnel. I'll post photos of it all tomorrow.

On Friday TheQ, princess and I went Christmas shopping in Delaware. The Princess wasn't feeling too well, but she was a trooper (TheQ took her to the Pediatrician on Saturday). This is the second sitting with this Santa (nice fellow, real beard).

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

IIABSDISEI with temps in the 40s.  Went to a junior/senior high Christmas band concert today and set up the Polar Express around the tree.  Wife was not happy with first arrangement but is ok with the second one.   Got an exclusive showing of "Hugo" Friday night.  Went to the 10 Pm show and no one else was there.  It was kind of fun.  For once we had the largest home entertainment system in town.  Saturday cleaned house and went downtown for several events.  Went to the local historical museum for their Christmas display and special exhibits of G I Joe and American Girl figures.  Local train group has a modular layout at a nearby church as well, and the local art gallery was open.  Good weather both days.  Watched "Ernest Saves Christmas" to start off our Christmas viewing schedule.  I had cinnamon roles on the dining car for breakfast 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

[KRM]

fifedog

TEE-EE-Bow!  Yooooooh-ho!  Sing it with me...

Yeah, what about it fifedog??

 

BEARS =

Kev.

[fifedog]

TEE-EE-Bow!  Yooooooh-ho!  Sing it with me...

[KRM]

LAZ, DougM, Please poke my eyes out with a stick……… The Bears????????

Well got to pack tomorrow get out of here for a few days. I will be heading up to the north woods (Silver Cliff Wisconsin) to get wifey's antique wheat planter I got her for our 25th anniversary.

You all be good,

 Kev

[sir james I]

Good Evening

34 chilly degrees. I took a nap during the Lions game, woke up to watch the last 5 minutes. They took it all the way to the end for a win. Doug M sounds like your feeling better, good to hear it. Banilla is ready for the thingy..S.J.