Coffee Pot #2 Februry 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.

[Brutus]

Char said thank you very much, Chief!  Good luck catching Chuck and Buckeye out by the pond!

Thanks for the kind words and prayers, guys

Started off okay this morning dropping off the kids at school with 45 minutes to make a 20 minute drive up to West County to the eye surgery center.  There was a huge accident on N 270 with a car flipped over and right lanes blocked between Tesson Ferry and Gravois, so we tried taking Lindbergh.  A lot of other people had the same idea, so we were about 15 minutes late to the appointment.  They still took her in for the eye drops and consult prior to surgery, as a lot of other patients were also late due to the traffic.  Surgery went well, but this eye had more astigmatism and required "more cutting".  The doctor had the follow-up this afternoon, but her vision is still blurry due to dilation and swelling at this time. Last time she had good vision in the right eye after just a few hours, but he said this one might take another day.  She's doing fine and taking it easy for a few days isn't a bad idea at all

Doug - hope the "zombie eye" is clearing up and the snow wasn't too bad!  Based on our experience so far, the eye surgeries have already really improved Char's quality of life!

I'll check back later, guys - TTFN!

[Demay]

Ohayō (O-hi-o for Chuck),

The youngest child woke up a little early this morning so I was not able to have a run.  It is a little too cold for him to be in the jogging stroller and I wanted to let the wife sleep.  Today's high is in the 50s and it is very sunny.  It's time to walk out the door for work; I hope it's an easy Friday.

Kev - I hope the wife's drive home went safely.  Enjoy the snow.

Dennis - I understand about not having time to read.  It took me longer to finish that book than I expected.  I am now just getting to Decision Points by G.W. Bush; it's been on the shelf for two years. 

Jack - Thanks for the encouragement.  I heard about this place with lots of books and no noise.  The older folks called it a library.  The base library is very nice and much bigger than I expected.  It had plenty of space for me to work and it had Wi-Fi.  I was happy to see many people in the library as well.  I know many libraries are struggling nowadays.

Doug - I know our kids do not like it when I substitute for mom.  I'm much stricter.

Bob -

Brutus - I hope Char is recovering well.

Sayonara,

Joe

[dwiemer]

Jack, thanks for the kind thoughts.  We are blessed with some great kids.  Giving them a solid foundation is key.  I too had a dad that mentored me along and taught me about hard work.  Another great principle is that there is no limit to what can be accomplished when we stop worrying about who gets the credit.

Chief, I pray for healing in your home.  Hope you and miss Pam are on the mend soon.

Brutus, praying for Char, that she gets great eyesight restored soon.

Regarding gas prices, four years ago, when prices hit $3.50, the news had story after story and everyone was pointing fingers at the president.  Now, we are climbing toward $4.00, and hardly a word.  It would be nice if every state didn't have their own blend requirements, but I digress.  

Well, better get going, have a great night.

Dennis

[jonadel]

Dennis -- I bought my last 4x4 truck when GW was in office in late June, gas was at $3.97, got a great deal.  Who in their right mind would buy a truck with a 5.7 engine?  ME-- great deal

It's all relative, I do have a car in the garage right now that gets 51 MPG in town, YES!  We are quickly catching up to our friends in Europe and elsewhere ... not such a welcome thought.  We do have the least expensive food prices and fuel anywhere.

[blownout cylinder]

Good Evening

Got some of the stuff that needed done out of the way. Problem is that there is more stuff that needs done tomorrow now as well......good thing about today was that I managed to get some train time in as well...

for Brutus's OH and for Chief and his OH...hope all goes well with you...

[submmbob]

Fairly quiet day today. Weather is still very nice.

The work on the 1664 went fairly well. Was able to redo the wheel installation that somebody else had messed up before I got it. The hub non-gear wheel on this thing seems to be unobtanium. But I think w/ a couple of spacers I can get the replacement wheel w/o the hub to work with the side rods. They did give me two right hand drive rods in the package, but was able to flip one around. It's cleaned and lubed, w/ new brushes, and a new light.

1664

What I love about these things is that they just get to running better and better after sitting for a while. And I have grease stains on my hands and smell like petroleum products, just like when I worked on the real ones. Of course there is not quite as much grease on me...

Good news about Char!

Nearly time for dinner

Bob

[rtraincollector]

Went to work today lasted about 5 minutes started coughing to the point I got sick so home I came. Took it easy for about 4 hrs and was feeling better so took wife to the store.

Not much going on here other than above.

Talk to you all later

[jeffrey-wimberly]

That 1664 sure does fly!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

jonadel

Dennis -- I bought my last 4x4 truck when GW was in office in late June, gas was at $3.97, got a great deal.  Who in their right mind would buy a truck with a 5.7 engine?  ME-- great deal

It's all relative, I do have a car in the garage right now that gets 51 MPG in town, YES!  We are quickly catching up to our friends in Europe and elsewhere ... not such a welcome thought.  We do have the least expensive food prices and fuel anywhere.

I wish mine got twenty miles per gallon. That would be incredible for it considering it has a 5.2 liter engine.

[jonadel]

jeffrey-wimberly

 

jonadel:

 

Dennis -- I bought my last 4x4 truck when GW was in office in late June, gas was at $3.97, got a great deal.  Who in their right mind would buy a truck with a 5.7 engine?  ME-- great deal

It's all relative, I do have a car in the garage right now that gets 51 MPG in town, YES!  We are quickly catching up to our friends in Europe and elsewhere ... not such a welcome thought.  We do have the least expensive food prices and fuel anywhere.

 

I wish mine got twenty miles per gallon. That would be incredible for it considering it has a 5.2 liter engine.

 

 

Jeffrery -- here's how you get better mileage, don't drive it -- I can't tell you how many years we didn't drive it and just dealt with it.

[sir james I]

41 degrees, waiting for the rain and our first major sno-

I was out today in a different area and Reg. there was $3.59, I don't know if the place I bought from went up. Coneys for late lunch and some banilla a short time ago. Got some left for the thingy crew...S.J.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

jonadel

 

jeffrey-wimberly:

 

 

jonadel:

 

Dennis -- I bought my last 4x4 truck when GW was in office in late June, gas was at $3.97, got a great deal.  Who in their right mind would buy a truck with a 5.7 engine?  ME-- great deal

It's all relative, I do have a car in the garage right now that gets 51 MPG in town, YES!  We are quickly catching up to our friends in Europe and elsewhere ... not such a welcome thought.  We do have the least expensive food prices and fuel anywhere.

 

I wish mine got twenty miles per gallon. That would be incredible for it considering it has a 5.2 liter engine.

 

 

 

 

Jeffrery -- here's how you get better mileage, don't drive it -- I can't tell you how many years we didn't drive it and just dealt with it.

That's a good idea and I do practice that. I use my mother's Pontiac G6 when I can but it's not always available. On the occasions I have to use my van I keep my top highway speed at fifty-five or less. The main hwy speed limit here is sixty-five and even at that these yahoo's here will run over you at seventy-five and eighty.. When I had my Century many of them stuck to the speed limit as the lights and markings on it had them wondering if it was a cop or a friendly. For a long while there were some cops here that had red and white lights, others had blue and white lights and some had red, blue and white lights. I had red, white and yellow lights. Cops always got a good laugh because I'd be going down the road at the limit and there would be a long line behind me not even daring to try to pass. Every once in a while some guy would strap on a set and go flying around me. Seven times out of ten he'd get nailed by a cop within ten miles.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Time for me to call it a night. I checked some places where I have my GP30's listed. They seem to be attracting some attention. See y'all tomorrow.

[laz 57]

Hi GUYZ,

  42 here and a bit rainy.  Going to 51.

TANKs for all da CONGAs on the retirement.  Was thinking of renting out da WRECK TANGLE, for retirement party but might be to much infestation of GRITs in it that it would make everyone sick.  So might have to have it in ROGERs CORNER, ele.936 ft., OHIO next to the SILO?  Don't know where to set up the porta potties though?  Stay tuned....

BUCKEYE & CHUCK TGIF!!!!

Stay frosty,

laz57

[RockIsland52]

Good Mornin' Y'all From Overcast Taxachusetts,

I wanted to get on earlier this morning to assure you folks points West that the sun is coming up again this morning, so don't worry about it.  

Yesterday a local teen not too far North of me in Hopkington NH encountered a coyote while out walking his dog.  The coyote attacked the dog and the boy jumped into the fray, got the coyote on the ground, and proceeded to pummel it with nothing but his fists.  Authorities now looking for a coyote missing a few teeth while the kid is off getting rabies shots.  The usual drivel from authorities......."Coyotes don't usually blah blah blah."  I have said it before.   I live in what most of you would consider a semi urban area with forested areas, wetlands, steams, and ponds, far more undeveloped land than developed; and it gets more rural as one travels North and further onto Cape Ann.  These incidents continue with greater frequency.  The coyotes have become accustomed to human presence and, while they usually maintain their distance from people, they also find that with people come an easy food source, either trash or pets.  Pets are disappearing from their yards at a greater rate.  It's mating season for coyotes here now.  Shooting them is against the law.  This isn't going to end pretty, especially if a weaker adversary to coyote becomes lunch for a pack of them.  Even my Doberman would be no match for 2 or more of them.  Wife has me filling in as the fiirst line of defense, and the dog is neever out in the yard alone.

Gas prices here continue to rise.  Same with heating oil.  Lowest local gas prices for brand names: $3.65 for regular, $3.75 for midgrade, and $3.85 for premium.  But most stations are higher.  SJ still seems to be lucking out.   Bet many of us don't know the difference between the brand name fuels versus  the discount places, and there is a difference.

Later gang.

Jack

[krapug1]

The Winter that wasn't continues............

Some areas are reporting snow, but all we have here is lots of rain on the vines.

Dreary day, but better than snow !

 

Ken

 

 

[Banks]

Hello all,

TGIF

Scattered showers and 43 on the way to w**k this AM.

Gas is up to $3.799 as of last evening. Really frustrating because there is an abundance of oil due to the mild winter. I think Dennis is on the right track.

Busy weekend. Frying fish again this year at the Parish's Seafood Buffet this evening. Tomorrow there's a half of beef to wrap and put in the Freezer. Also lot's o' stuff needs done around the house.

SS Fund calls. Try to get back over the weekend.

 

Prayers for those in need

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill RR....

It is a cloudy 40 degrees. Looks like rain any minute. Going up to 55 today with rain.

Today is a busy day. I have the usual chores to do and a project to work on. Taking some pictures of the layout for SPF.

Buckeye & LAZ....  TGIF

Dining car is here with Cheerios for breakfast.

Y'all have a great Friday.

Chuck

[blownout cylinder]

TGIF!!!!!!

Good Morning...

We be getting a mix of rain and snow here..supposed to get a couple of inches here..places to the north may get a bit more though...

Have to pick up some more stuff for the bathrooms..namely matching towels...OH commands this...

[Demay]

Konbanwa,

I had a pretty easy Friday at work.  We had a pretty simple dinner and then relaxed.  The wife made bread pudding for dessert it is fantastic.  I have some schoolwork to do and then need to get some sleep.  Our gas prices on base are similar to all of yours; however, the Japanese pay much more.  I haven't paid too much attention to the prices since we don't drive as much here.  Our fuel costs have gone down since we moved here, but we make up for it with the increase in our grocery budget.

RT – I hope you’re feeling better.

Dennis - There is so much I want to say about the media's bias, but it is best I .

Chuck - I can't wait to see those photos this Sunday.

Ken - I'd rather have the snow.  It's much more fun. 

Blownout Cylinder - Your photos are great.  Is there any chance you could add a description about them?  Thanks.

Sayonara,

Joe

[ChiefEagles]

Morning all.  Low this AM was 66.  May pay for that this afternoon with storms [hope not].  On the way to work Charlotte [Concord] Bass Pro Shops until Sunday PM.

TGIF????  What is a Friday?   Seems like I remember something about that years ago.

Have a good one.

BTW: Enterprise is late pickingme up as usual.

[sir james I]

34 degrees, the big one didn't come. Temps stayed warm enough to get a little white stuff on the grass. Laz, I'm sure the Chief is an expert on Port a Potty locations. Granny is BB sitting so I'm heading for the kitchen stove challenge...S.J.

[cnw1995]

Aloha. Just back in from snow-throwing. About 7-9 inches or so. Heavy, wet 'heart-attack' snow. Oh well, it's all my fault because I had put away the snowblower last week.   TGIF!  Eye appointment later.

[submmbob]

Hello all

Clear and cold on the mountain this morning.

Well the 1664 seems to be running well at this point. Will look at the 2224W tender that came w/ it today and see what it needs, plus the #140 and #151 signals.

JimT - brother is on to this Mustang in NM. Sounds like a pretty good deal.

RIJack - glad the coyote incident turned out as it did. We have them in the developed areas of Tucson. They live in the washes and hunt peoples pets at night.

Laz - poor Chief's still trying to figure out why the bidet Don sent him doesn't flush...

Almost forgot to mention. Saw a whole trailer train on the old SP transcon going east when I came up on Wednesday. Funny thing was it was completely empty. Coming from the west you'd think it would be loaded to the gills w/ containers from the west coast.

Also saw where Lionel is releasing S-gauge Fastrack. Been staring at the AF 302 on my kitchen table for a while now (there's an interesting story in that) and thinking I would like to get it going. May have to look into the Fastrack when I'm ready for track.

Bob

[KRM]

Sun and a light cover of fresh snow maybe 1.5" 35 degrees melting fast.

Ha ha ha, DougM got the blast and we missed it.   Still enough for the wife to stay home.    The strange thing is that is what they said would happen.     All snow is heading to points east. 

Gas is still at $3.43 but rising from the east to the west and could be higher today but I have not been out.

Had to quit my foot meds because they are tearing my guts up.  Will see the Dr on Tuesday for a new plan.

Good question Chief what is Friday??? 

DougM good luck with the eye dr. today.  

RIJack it is open season all year on Coyotes here and they pay you to blow them away.    One was sited in Chicago the other day and the media made a big deal out of it. They spent like 3 hours chasing it around the city and then they set it free. Should have just blown it up.  

Have a good day guys,

Kev.

 

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

It is rainy in SE Indiana.  I think I got bit by the flu bug last night, but everything seems back to normal today.  I had been feeling a bit "off" all week and maybe it finally hit.  I don't know for sure.  I see where the Princess was introduced to NASCAR last night.   One column talked how tough she was to walk away from what she went thru.  Hmm, they need to look at what the Swiss Miss went thru last year at Indy if they want to see toughness.  Sorry for the rant, but when I see all the attention focused on someone who has done basically nothing when so many others struggle without notice, it does make me wonder.  Did get my hair cut last night by the "saucy wench".  I had a bran muffin on the dining car for breakfast.  TBIL and I can drive.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning. It's 56° and cloudy. The high will be 65° and it'll be mostly cloudy. Wind is from the north at ten to twenty mph.

Didn't get a chance to do it yesterday so today I'll see if I can get the U25C decaled. Also have some more cleaning to do on the layout, just picking stuff up and putting it away. Went with my father yesterday to get the gas cans for the tractors filled. That was about $62 for eighteen gallons plus he got both tanks on his truck filled. That's been a long time for that to happen. It's been in my nephew's possession for so long for repairs that he almost forgot what it looked like. But the exhaust system has been replaced, including replacing the manifolds which were both badly cracked, the piston rings were replaced and the top of the engine rebuilt (heads reworked, valves cleaned, two weak lifters replaced), injectors replaced, throttlebody serviced, several sensors replaced, ECM replaced, brakes redone. All that was done for the cost of replacing the exhaust system. My nephew did most of the work himself. That's a lot of work to put into a twenty year old Ford 150 but my father has the habit of hanging onto a truck until it absolutely can't be repaired. Cars are a different story. He'll buy, sell and trade them like he changes shirts.

[rtraincollector]

Well were having a thunderstorm as I talk. Were under a tornado watch till 4P.M. using the laptop on battery power.

Hope all having a good day. I'm feeling better today we'll see how long it last this time.

Talk to you all later wife wants to go to a couple of thrift shops

[dbaker48]

Greetings,

Thought I better get in here before the month is out.  See a lot of stuff has been going on, glad on Char's, progress, and Dennis' activities, (lots of admiration too!).  Congos out to Laz for his upcoming retirement, looks like a good party is in the works!  Sorry about the position Bob, but there is always a reason, at least you still have a good position to go back too.  Looks like you were lucky with the housing issues.

Still working in the parking area at Knotts, hopefully will find something out in the next couple of weeks.  Been busy around here with the Academy Awards, been up there 3 times this week.  Chris left this morning and wont be back until Tuesday.  They have a room there for him at the Raddison, He will actually be at the show, in the 2nd balcony box left of the stage, with the photographers. 

Think might have to either get another job or new tires for the bicycle.  Gas is a good deal at $4.15 today!  And will certainly be going higher.  Regarding cars, finally think we have the Buick fixed!  Since November have replaced a some of the ignition coils, mass oxygen sensor thingy, and I don't know what else, seems had a intermittent injector.  Good news I only have $300 in it to date.  The mechanic has well over 80 hours labor.  Then get oil changed in van, and find out the "fuel rail sensor" is bad.  Give me the older cars that make sense.

Have done some minor work on the layout.  Picked up a building and made it into a Pool Hall, Chris made a pool table for inside.  Looks good, need to get some better pictures.

Pool Hall is he small yellow building next to the Drive In Theatre sign.  Left of the pool hall is Stubby Towes Dance Hall, then the Drive In.  (Murphy's Used Cars is on the next street over, behind the pool hall.

Pool Hall sign says "Sloppy Shots", "Best Rack in Town", difficult to see table inside.

My frined Bob was telling me he has a couple of accessory pieces he wasn't going to be using and would GIVE me.  (He has duplicates!)  One is the Lionel playground with the Swings, Teator-Totter, and something else, (the teator-totter doesnt work).  The other is the Lionel Hobby Shop building!  Not sure what is wrong with it, but will be happy to find out.

Got to get going hope everyone has a GREAT day and Better weekend!

Take Care and Stay Healthy !!!

[SPMan]

Good morning all,

Good to hear from D Baker.  Wondered what you were up to.  Re gas prices, it was 4.07 a couple of days ago.  Now Don says it's 4.15.  It's getting to the point where I am afraid to look.  Layout is looking good.  We need the Gold Line right now with gas prices, not two years from now.  Metrolink and other carriers will probably see a big increase in ridership soon.   They are building a new bridge over a freeway here which was the first obstacle to overcome for the Gold Line.  That should be done by the end of this year.  Then they have build about ll miles of double track with catenary which will take a couple more years.  The track will be laid over an existing right of way (formerly ATSF Pasadena Subdivision).  In 1869, the Central Pacific which became SP built 10 miles of track in one day on the way to Promentory Utah.  I guess this is progress.

Gassed out in California,

Ray