Coffee Pot #1 January 2012 5+ years and going strong and its for all to chat. Plenty of coffee and sweet ice tea for all. Come and join us and chat. GRITS for the Yankees.

[ChiefEagles]

LAZ, I thought you already had a set.  You got me a set of NS F units.  These different?

[laz 57]

fifedog

LAZ - NS Executive Fs!  I am jealous.  They are absolutely gorgeous in 1:1 scale.  I would mate them with MTH/Premier cars from the 20-80007 series.  You can also mix in a visiting observation car from various RRP groups (like Dover Harbor).

FIFE,

  They are purrrrrfect.  I charged up battery last nite and ran them a few times around layout.  WOW they sure are nice.  Now I have the opened domed observation car, got it with the ABA.  Now my hunt is on at YORK for the rest of the 5 car set.  Don't know if I want anymore then that?  Yes I too saw the 1:1 NS Execuitive train just outside the bar I go to.  It was in 2008 during the fall in the heat of the election for OBAMA it went up here past Millersburg.  Heard the horn and said that doesn't sound right for freight.  Got up and looked outside window and saw an AB unit with 2 cars in tow heading west.  Don't know who was on them but it definitly was someeone that was a big shot.

laz57

[SPMan]

Good morning all,  a little light rain this morning but tapering off now.  Didn't amount to much.

Got a progress report this morning about construction on the bridge over the freeway in Arcadia, California for the Gold Line light rail track which is heading our way.  Bridge is supposed to be done by the middle of this year.  Tracks won't reach near our neighborhood until 2014.  Can't figure why it takes that long to lay 10 miles of track on an existing (former Santa Fe) right of way.  The Central Pacific layed 10 miles of track in one day back in 1869.

Chief, nice work on the box!

later,

Ray

[anjdevil2]

Morning...

3" of snohio here...pulled one of our US Army females off a Jersey barrier this morning on the NJTP....so, I've been up.

Had job interview today, looks good so far.  Yes...today!   I was only 7 minuets late during the snowfall.

Jeff - I do...and hopefully your sugar comes back and you'll feel better today...!

Who is the new guy?  Oh, HEY OL' TIMER!!!!!

Hey RT...Good to see you too...

LAZ - NICE score!

OK off to prep for dinner tonight.  Have to clear the driveway....yada yada yada

Be safe!

Rich

[ChiefEagles]

KRM

Good morning guys,

Like Ken,

Here is the weather report for North Central Illinois. 

18 degrees and a little something for you southerners out there, a taste of Yankee winter. We ended up with around 8" of the stuff.

Later,

Kev.

Out the front.

Out the back

Shirt sleeve weather here but rainy.    Changing tomorrow to high of 45 [Yankee weather] and then back to 60's Monday.

Busy.  Wired heatpump circuit and disconnect.  Original did not have a A/C disconnect at unit nor a 120V outlet for tech to use.  Now it does with 3 wire and ground.  Before, used ground as netural.

Off to Hunters Haven and then Miss Edna's.

Later 

[rtraincollector]

Pat I'm here but just hit and miss as my putor is in N.J. being repaired as it is under warranty and it died so I get on when I can from work.

So to all happy sat I'm at work today and I'm doing fine will be back on regular I guess in about a week to 2 weeks

I hope as max.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning. It's 66° and cloudy. The high will be 68°. There's a 20% chance of showers.

I didn't get much sleep last night, maybe an hour at best. This morning I'm very stiff and it hurts just to move. Had a sugar crash early this morning. It dove to 69 before I could do anything about it. Right now it's at 88. No plans for today. So far I haven't been able to pick up much without breaking it. No way am I even going to attempt working on a loco or piece of rolling stock. **aw who cares! Nobody wants to know anyway.

No photo today. I don't feel like looking for one.

[KRM]

Good morning guys,

Like Ken,

Here is the weather report for North Central Illinois. 

18 degrees and a little something for you southerners out there, a taste of Yankee winter. We ended up with around 8" of the stuff.

Chief thanks for the e-mail, youhave my vote. 

Nice score LAZ, got pictures? 

SJ, Get better bud. I hear the Nyquil is better if you take the whole bottle at once.  

DougM Sorry about the pile up. I found out you have to keep a close eye on the transformers too.

DougDG sent you some more addresses. The video sounds cool.

Got to run, the neighbor wants me to help him fix the carb on his snowmobile.

Later,

Kev.

Out the front.

Out the back

[fifedog]

LAZ - NS Executive Fs!  I am jealous.  They are absolutely gorgeous in 1:1 scale.  I would mate them with MTH/Premier cars from the 20-80007 series.  You can also mix in a visiting observation car from various RRP groups (like Dover Harbor).

[krapug1]

Our first snow of the season (and hopefully the last).

Good train day !

 

 

 

Ken

 

[cnw1995]

Aloha . Snow send on east. Only 10 but very sunny. I went home early last night and now face moving the mounds of snow but there's no wind - and the sun feels nice. Tried to send some to Dennis and the Chief,  but no joy. .  Good to see OleTImer and RT.  Ran trains last night, just one gigantic pile-up like in the remake of The Fugitive. Took my eye off the 520 and as missed a 027 curve and spectacularly took out a freight depot and James and the Express. Sir Topham Hatt barely escaped. No permanent damage except to my ego to always watch that engine...

[Demay]

Konbanwa,

I was up early this morning to meet one of our new troops; he and his family landed at 0700.  By the time they cleared customs and had their bags it was 0815.  On the way home I picked up some donuts for the family.  We relaxed the rest of the morning and then did some chores in the afternoon.  Oh, it was snowing from when I woke up until about noon, but once again no accumulation due to the wet ground.  We went to one of the local malls this evening and had dinner at a cutlet restaurant in the mall.  I'm not sure how they do it, but they make the best fried cutlets I have ever tasted.  It's not tempura style most of us are familiar with; they fry the meat and breading so perfectly and it isn't even greasy.  The mall was quite large and had three floors but unfortunately it did not have any hobby or toy stores.  It's time for me to finish some schoolwork now.

Laz - Your new acquisition sounds very nice.  I hope they are not part of any pile ups.

Sayonara,

Joe

[sir james I]

Good Morning

We have bright sun but it's 14 degrees. We got about 2" of the white stuff. Ole James is all congested, took some Nyquil and went to bed at 10pm. I can't remember the last time I had a cold nice of someone to share theirs with me. It's going above freezing tomorrow and into next week so the crap can lay out there and melt...S.J.

[laz 57]

Hi GUYZ,

  SNO HI O!!!!!!!!!  We got about 6 inches so far and still coming down.  Last nite after school went down to YORK and picked up a MTH NS DAP Execuitive ABA F7s and dome car for set.  Bought them from VINCES TRAINS in YORK.  He gave me an offer I couldn't refuse.  Came home and plugged battery charger into unit and let on all nite to charge up.  This is mint never run and I was luckey enough to give him and offer and he liked it so here I am.  Never thought I would get this set.  Now the hunt is on for the rest of the cars.  I am running tis tonite on the layout.  VINCE and I could have talked all nite about all kinds of stuff.  FIFE he even is a big RAVENs FAN. He is at the YORK meet in the ORANGE HALL check him out if you are at YORK.  Thanks again VINCE!!!!!!

OLD TIMER and RT welcome back thought YOUZ GUYZ were in the WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAM?

CHIEF, lectricity?  WOW, BUCKEYE he has lectricy and a wood floor?  What's next indoor pipes with water in em?

Stay frosty,

laz57

[dwiemer]

Good morning guys.  On and off rain overnight.  Hope it stops before too long as we have our Sunday School party this afternoon.  I got up at 0500 to make a cheesecake for the festivities.  Kids are playing Super Mario on the Wii.  Wife went back to bed.  I have that train show in an hour, so will need to start getting ready.

When I went to work on painting the windows on one of the building fronts for the layout, the paint from the day before was still wet.  I am sure it will need a fair amount of time to dry, but that seems excessive.  Anyway, planning on letting it dry for two weeks before spraying it down with dull coat.

Had a friend from Chicago are who was stuck in snow in Indiana.  Glad it stays up that way.

Gotta run,

Dennis

[fifedog]

Sno-hi-zo...it's here...actually, it has the consistency of a slurpee.  I shall hunkah down in da bunkah and dream of .

Ole Timer -

Someone back east wondering, "Why don't he write...?"

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill RR....

It is a cold and icy 28 degrees. Looks like a frosting over everything. Going up to 35 today.

Today is a busy day. I have a project to work on and the usual chores. Not planning to go out as the roads must be icy. Nap later.

Dining car is here with Cheerios for breakfast.

Y'all have a great Saturday.

Chuck

[AF53]

Hey Guys! Work has slowed down a bit as planned (down to 65hrs/wk). Our special project will prob end in about 6 weeks.

On the train front: Had a HUGE disappointment the other day when a locomotive came and the top corner of the box looked bad. Well it was a bad omen as inside the cow catcher and the top corner of the cab was damaged. USPS is great most of the time but this time.....The seller, who's been great,  was contacted and informed me it was insured and gave me instructions on what to do. I wouldn't have minded so much but it is 70yrs old and these things are getting harder to come by.

Banks - Concerning your tree. I have a bet every year with my wife that ours stays up until our anniversary. That would be January 12th. Well I won again as we took it down last weekend, the 15th.

Night all!

Ray

[ChiefEagles]

Back from the Outback.  Good steak and shrimp.  SIL's new boyfriend is a Master Sgt. and top recruiter in the USAF.  Seems to be a great guy.  Loves to fish and hunt.  Also has his Federal Firearms License.

Jon, great video.  God bless them all.

Rainy and chilly but not cold.  Buckeye, any snow is a bad snow except for the Wifey.  She loves it.  Whinning tonight that we have not had a flake this year.

Wifey needs computer.  Later. 

Kev, send me an email or PM.  I might be able to help.

[KRM]

[quote user="green97probe"]

Kev,

         Just get it over with and get a ZW.  I've never heard of anyone roasting an RW before, and that must have been alarming.  Does it smell sour?  If so, that would be the insulation on the windings.

[/quot]

Jim the killer is it still works??????? Check out the conversation I have posted in the forum and let me know what you think? I would love a ZW but the funds are low after my blitz with the RMT stuff.

Any luck on the job front?

Finally stopped snowing now it is blowing. Got the drive and lane cleared it was real deep in some of the usual spots about two feet deep, but it is light and moves well. I know it will blow back in tonight but you just have to stay at it.

Good thing Sandra called off work she would have had a fit coming home.

Have a good night guys.

Kev.

 

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Well I can say that well and truly overdid it today. My joints feel like their locked in a vise and hurt like the dickens. At this point I can hardly walk and just moving is an exercise in agony. I should imagine my father probably feels the same way as he's twenty-six years older than I am. He was already stiffening up when I left from his home.

I never did get around to working on the Athearn blue box chassis today. Don't know if I'll be able to get to it tomorrow either. Depends on how I feel in the morning.

I am going to call it a night early. The reason should be obvious from that stated above. See y'all tomorrow, maybe.

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

It is cloudy with a forecast of some sort of precipitation arriving here overnight in SE Indiana.  Busy week, good week at work.  Been taking it easy in the evenings.  Went for my first regular walk at noon today.  Cold outside, but foot did ok at time.  Now it hurts.  Not sure why.  Should be quiet weekend at home.  Reading the latest CTT that arrived today.  Kind of skimpy on pages.  Only 76 counting the cover pages.  All magazines are down in terms of that parameter.  Regular fare on the dining car lately.  TBIL and I can drive.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[Anonymous]

Kev,

         Just get it over with and get a ZW.  I've never heard of anyone roasting an RW before, and that must have been alarming.  Does it smell sour?  If so, that would be the insulation on the windings.

OT,

           back.

Fife,

         Was thinking about you talking about changing radiator hoses yesterday morning as I considered changing the radiator and hoses on the GL.  Lower hose is still original Mazda.  Can't see where it meets the thermostat housing from up top either (typical Probe maintenance snafu). 

 

Finally finished taking the Christmas layout down a few days ago.  Before I did, I unwrapped the 2343s that I bought on vacation last July in Berlin, MD, which have been wrapped since I bought them.  They need serviced, but they ran very well otherwise.  Too bad a previous owner waxed them and rubbed through the silver in some spots.

 

[dwiemer]

Good evening everyone.  Welcome back ol timer and RT, glad you got the computer issue taken care of.  While you were off line, I bought all the good stuff on Choochooauctions!  Just kidding, my bride would have my head!

Well today went as expected.  Had a few big cases, then I had to go due my annual update (Tb test, etc.).  Had an add on case this afternoon, so I didn't get home till later on.  

Got most of the tax information in, so it is time for me to go through all of that.  This is a ritual I would rather not have to do.  Even with an accountant, there are plenty of forms, etc to go through.  I would really like a flat tax, but I doubt it would ever happen.  With the adoptions, there are some deductions, but the paperwork can be rather convoluted.  I have checked with the IRS a few times and you get different answers.  

Chief, glad the box is coming along.  If you were to run all the engines at one time, you may very well over tax that power supply.

Banks, Rich beat me to answering your question.  Unfortunately, LODDs are much too common.  When I got on the fire department many moons ago, we had only a handfull of LODDs in the history of the department and while I was there, we had five in one day.  Since that time, there have been more.  The last one was our union president, a great guy.  The ones who have gone, I used to work with and now if I go visit, most of the guys are younger.

well, plan is to make a cheesecake in the morning, then hit the train show with the family (wife actually encourages me to spend more when she is there), then do some tax work, and finally, we are having a get together for our Sunday School class at one of our member's farms.  If the weather holds, there will be horse back riding, shooting, fishing, etc. and plenty of good eats.  The main meal is Shrimp-N-Grits!

Well time to get back to the family.

God bless,

Dennis

[Buckeye Riveter]

TGIF

A little snow, but not bad.

 

[KRM]

My oh my 7 inches and still coming.. Drifting, 13 degrees, feels like winter.    Thanks Jon!!! It was supposed to hit DougM. 

Got my new RMT CSX Bang and caboose UPS came early. 

 Smoked my RW and now need to find a replacement.   Anybody use a LW? It looks to be about the same size or should I go KW???

Nothing like having power, right Chief? Good job on the BOX.

RT Welcome back. 

Get better SJ 

Got to go plow, catch ya latter. 

Kev.

 

 

 

[sir james I]

Good Evening

18 degrees, stayed cold all day. Old James is feeling congested tonight, may not make the Tardis but Banilla will be waiting...S.J.

[ChiefEagles]

THE BOX HAS POWER. 

Reworked garage power panel [feeds all the outside buildings  100 AMP service].  Code had changed some since 1986.  That took longer than the box wiring.  Got to run and take Wifey to steak house.

Welcome back from a long vacation, OL Timer.

Later

OH no!!  RT's computer is fixed.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good afternoon. My father and I spent the better part of five hours working on the Peerless tractor getting it ready for the cutting season. Here that's usually the end of February to to sometime in November or December. It needed the blades sharpened and the blade drive belt replaced. Those were the EASY things. Getting it up on blocks was the hard part. We had to use bottle jacks to accomplish that. We'd get one wheel on a concrete block then start jacking up the other wheel and it would start slipping sideways almost immediately. We ended up with one of us leaning against it to counter the tilt while the other jacked it up and put the block under the wheel. It sounds easy but old Murphy was having a field day. Because of the recent rains the ground was soft and even putting boards under the jacks didn't help much. Why didn't we move it to a part of the yard where there's harder ground? Please come show me where that is and we'll do it next time. There are concrete walks but they're thin and aren't designed to support that kind of weight and my father doesn't like grinding his knees on concrete. Can't say as I do either. Getting the new belt on was akin to figuring out a Chinese finger puzzle for the first time. The instruction book that came with the machine fifteen or sixteen years ago was nowhere to be found so I had to thread the belt around different ways until I found one that worked and it wasn't rubbing against anything. After all that getting it off the blocks was a breeze. Just jacked up the front and pulled the blocks from under the front wheels, dropped the jack then let off the brake and pushed it forward off the blocks under the rear wheels. It;s big enough it can take a bounce easily. A future project will be replacing the front wheels as the bearings (built into the rims) are showing quite a bit of wear.

That's all for now. We're getting ready to make chili dogs.

[LawsonFarmsRR]

jonadel

The sons asked me if we could not have a traditional Christmas meal and pleaded with me to do smoked ribs -- should be fun smoking ribs tomorrow with the starting temp of -2.  I do have a nice sized custom steel building about 30' from the house (lawn equipment storage) where I can get the smoker out of the wind and raise the garage door.  It's all worth it if they can make it here safely.  For those of you who have my championship smoked bean recipe -- it's on the menu

I have your championship smoked bean recipe, and your marinated chicken and turkey - ALL GREAT!  Don't have the smoked rib recipe. What time is dinner?

Pat