Coffee Pot #3 March 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.

[laz 57]

Hi GUYZ,

  35 here going up to 44.

JOEY D, love the pics!!!  Love the Ephalent Ears on the Makato Engine.  Wish Lionel would make one of em, I'd buy that.

Ran trains last nite for 3 hrs, NO PILE UPs!!!!

Going to run a 3 miler today over at the NED SMITH LANDS.

Stay frosty,

laz57

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Chief: Have a safe trip home.

Good morning. It's 36° and sunny. High today is due to be 70°.

Nothing planned for today except try to rest and recover from the past couple of days. Haven't been able to get much sleep lately. Only got two or three hours last night.

[Demay]

Konbanwa,

It’s been somewhat rainy and cold today but not cold enough for snow or ice; that may change overnight.  We went to church this morning and finished some chores and relaxed this afternoon.  We had a casual soup and sandwich night at the church for dinner.  Afterwards, I had some train time with the two boys – the Princess was unable to join us since her bedroom needed some cleanup work. 

I forgot to mention in yesterday’s post about a trip to a local secondhand store yesterday.  The store is part of a chain here named Hard Off/Hobby Off http://www.hardoff.co.jp/index.php  I heard these were stores to visit as they carry many used items.  Apparently the Japanese enjoy buying the latest and greatest items (clothes, jewelry, sports equipment, toys, etc.) as soon as they are available which means they quickly sell items once they are a season old.  The Hard Off stores sell these slightly used items.  I visited one near my home and was amazed with how much stuff was in this place and I never even made it to the second floor.  The store had a significant toy and hobby area which unfortunately only contained HO and N scale items; I saw plenty of Kato boxes.  I did spot some cars which would work for O scale and maybe some figures.  The store also had some vintage windup toys, but they were overpriced.  Amazingly some vintage Play Mobil toys were in a display case and also commanding some hefty prices.  If any of you want to send me some things to sell let me know as they appear to be hot items over here.  There are about four more of these stores within 30 minutes of my house so I will check out another one next weekend.  However, I have yet to find a pure hobby store which I hope will reveal some O scale (or close) trains.

I should have the Tokyo Tower photos posted tomorrow. 

SP Ray – Yes, it was a complete zero fighter jet.   I was unable to get the whole thing in the photo.  I’m glad your sister has a nice place to reside. 

dougdagrump – We will probably visit the Kyoto and Osaka areas next year.  We have quite the list of places to visit and it needs to $top growing.

DJ Spanky – I hope all went well with Tyler’s birthday.

Jack – Your granddaughter sounds a lot like our youngest son right now.  He loves to explore everything in the house, especially the refrigerator.  He is too strong for the safety locks; he just yanks them off.  See above about a train/toy store visit in my local area.  I didn’t have time to find one in Tokyo on this trip. 

Laz – I would buy it as well; it would be neat to have on the layout.   

Sayonara,

Joe

[cnw1995]

Aloha. Grey and cold. Snow still all over the place. Spring not here yet. Happy birthday to Tyler! Good choice of those famous brats, DJ.  Can't wait to hear what SJ sees at the train show today. Glad Dennis is feeling better. Hope Mike C does soon too. Bride leaves for retreat in a few hours. I'm taking the youngest to church. Then like Chuck, I hope for a Jr. win and trains tonight. I'll look for the Tardis as the bride isn't taking her computer!

[Train Master]

It is a lazy day for me today. No paperwork to keep up with. No buyers and sellers squabbling in my ear. I just want to enjoy the day.

Joe: Great pics! I love the look of those steamers!

Jeff: Ezra needs to get out and clean up his yard. Good work on the deadfall.

Spanky: Happy belated birthday for Tyler.

Chief: I hope you have a good trip home. No delays.

[blownout cylinder]

 

We are still under the dull dull dull here...and we are at 22F as well...windchill, yes, that again, of 11F...back to winter...

 

Today will be sitting around getting a few things done in the home..as there have been no calls-yet...

Chief: Here's hoping for no delays...have a safe trip home!!

DJSpanky: Happy Birthday to Tyler..

Joe: Love those shots!!  Our Goodwill store up near us had, for a time, a large collection of ATLAS RS's that needed a good home..I ended up with about 170 of them all told...

Laz:  We ran trains last nite as well..only one mess happened on ours...

[KRM]

Off to a slow start today Cloudy and cold 32 Degrees right now,

Wife got up early so we can get to the store for groceries before the mob….Yeah, right.

Had a nice time yesterday at Jerry’s 80^th birthday party, it was at Al’s Steak House in Joilet. Good turnout and a good time by all glad I was not paying the bill..

Joe, Those are some great pictures and looks like you had a great time.

Dennis, glad the head feels better today.

DougM, How much snow did you get in the last blast? We got basically nothing. 

Mike C, Yeah another day on FOX and coverage of PSP / Danica. Lets see what she tears up today.

Chief, I got to agree with Buckeye. All that yacking must of really taken a lot out of you. Hope you got some sleep.  I tend to not sleep well when I travel unless I am there for several days. Hope the flight home is better than the one out.

Bob, Yep that forgetting the camera is and old timers thingy.

RI Jack, Just have fun with the grandkids. They don’t stay small little Angels for long.   

Chuck, The train pictures on the wall you posted in SPF, who painted them?     They are nice.

SJ, train show,,, I am jealous. 

Well got to run,

Prayers to all in need. 

Have a great Sunday, March 04, 2012

Kev

 

[Buckeye Riveter]

Happy Birthday Tyler!

Light snow and cold. 

SJ, train show?  Where was it?  I would still like to go to one of your shows in Michigan.

The new "Trains"  magazine had a great historical feature on the Great Chase starring the boys from Ohio.     

Jacob Parrott

Parrott was a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, born in Lancaster. He joined the United States Army in 1861 as a private in Company K, 33rd Ohio Infantry and first saw combat in the Battle of Ivy Hill. In April 1862, he volunteered to take part in a daring raid with twenty-one others (later known as "Andrews Raiders" because they operated under the command of James J. Andrews). After infiltrating Confederate lines and hijacking the locomotive "General," they were captured and imprisoned. Parrott and fourteen others managed to escape, but only six of them reached friendly lines. He served with the Union Army for the rest of the war. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1863 after the Battle of Stones River and as a first lieutenant in 1864. After the war, he returned to Ohio and became a cabinet maker. Parrott died in Kenton, Ohio, where he is buried in Grove Cemetery. (from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia)

Well that will get a rise out of the Chief. He will be on the war path for the whole week.

[Blueberryhill RR]

KEV..... Those paintings you asked about were painted by .....My wife painted one, her sister painted one and their art teacher painted one.  I think they did a good job.

Buckeye... Got my issue of Trains too. I like the picture of the baggage car that Butch Cassidy blew up.

[Anonymous]

Jack,

            New plugs are in along with 30-37 MPG.  Can't complain about numbers like that from something powered with an American V8 with enough torque to rip hybrids and econoboxes in half.

Spank,

               to Tyler.

RT,

       Any luck with that lettering?

I had a lengthy post yesterday that got consumed by IE9.  Laptop updated to IE9 without warning.  I rid my computers of Chrome and everything else Google for that matter the other day.

I was running the PW Lionel layout Friday, and the 2023 UP Alcos that I bought last summer in Berlin, MD really impressed me.  Ran like crap after being serviced, and now they run great after sitting since then.  No clue on that one, but I'll take it.

I have tomorrow off, and there is a set of Ford Racing FR500S mufflers due in from American Muscle..  I can't take the drone of the MAC mufflers that I've got on the Mustang now.  Here is a clip of the FR500s mufflers on someone's 09 California Special:

watch?v=TtoSDYWGoo

 

Can't wait for these!

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

Cloudy in SE Indiana.  Lots of destruction and loss of life with tornados the other day in southern Indiana.  Sad.  Did very little today.  Once Upon a Time and Desperate Housewives tonight.  Back to work tomorrow.  Hopefully all will be better.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[sir james I]

32 now down to it tonight.

I didn't find any bargain's at the show today but did enjoy running my Hogwarts train for the kids. No pileups that I know of. Buckeye, The show was in Warren Mi. just north of I-696. That would be about 60 miles north of the Ohio border. I'm posting early as this site has been really slooooooooo at night...S.J.

[Buckeye Riveter]

Mike C.....I know you remember the Spring of 1973 when Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio were just devastated by the tornadoes especially Hanover, Madison and Xenia. 

[KRM]

Nice quiet day. 

I pulled the NIB 1994 Dash-840C apart for a lube job. Glad I did it was dry on the bottom end but the good news was Lionel left enough wire on the brush plate that I did not have to add a jumper wire to pull it off to get to the bottom.

LAZ, I ran it for 2 hours. No pile ups. I think it is now broken in.

 Great pictures today on SPF.

Night, 

Kev

 

[rtraincollector]

Belated to Tyler

Probe no been busy hope to get the needed stuff and maybe try it out next weekend.

Well waiting on some parts befor any of my next ventures. Got the coil couplers in, still waiting for the ac commander and the mini commander EX and still waiting on the wheat grain light sets.

Well got the great idea to add ditch lights but then it hit me ( about 3 days later) I will need to mold/construct something to the  engine to make them look right lol.I think on the GP-9 I think I know how I might do it. The Dash 8 I'm not sure but got a couple of ideas hatching. and the PA-1's I have to come up with something just take some wood burning but I'll come up with it I believe. ( the missing number board on the one PA-1 might be a blessing in this design lol)

Did 4 O.T. today off tomorrow Tired. Did manage to sleep decent last night for a change.

Hope all had a good weekend.

[dwiemer]

Good evening everyone.  Back from evening services and the special message on prayer for long term illness.  Was a great message, but my legs and back hurt from the long hours on camera.  I have several folks who are dealing with loved ones who are terminally ill, I will pass along a copy to them.

Today, I ordered a copy of the special magazine on train wrecks.  While I hate that they happen, I enjoy the post reports and investigation to how they happened.  Also picked up a couple of train magazines to read in my down time.

God bless,

Dennis

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Time for me to call it a night. Temp tonight will be 44 so the heater will be on low. Maybe I can get some sleep tonight. Gotten about four hours total the last three nights. See y'all tomorrow.

[dougdagrump]

Evenin' All.

Warm one today, last I looked the patio was reading 91*. Wanted to do some yard work but sun was just to strong for me today.

Kinda bummed when JJ had the wheel issues, still was able to come back and finish 4th.

Came across a site that y'all mite like: http://www.steamlocomotive.info/index.cfm .

Time to call it a night.

Prayers out for all the folks in the tornado ravaged areas.

[8ntruck]

Sunny and in the 60's today.  The neighbor's magnolia tree is a couple of days away from blooming.

Spent lots of time this weekend moving/re-arranging the furnature in the house.

Got the boom replaced on the Burro crane.  Tried it out and found that the cab is hanging on something, preventing it from rotating all the way around.  Anybody got ideas on this?

Back to work tomorrow - gotta keep youse retired and soon to be retired guys in the SS money.

All for now.

[ChiefEagles]

Buckeye Riveter

Light snow and cold. 

Outstanding.

The new "Trains"  magazine had a great historical feature on the Great Chase starring the boys from Ohio.     

Jacob Parrott Scallowag

Parrott was a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, born in Lancaster. He joined the United States Army in 1861 as a private in Company K, 33rd Ohio Infantry and first saw combat in the Battle of Ivy Hill. In April 1862, he volunteered to take part in a daring raid with twenty-one others (later known as "Andrews Raiders" because they operated under the command of James J. Andrews). After infiltrating Confederate lines and hijacking the locomotive "General," they were captured and imprisoned. Parrott and fourteen others managed to escape, but only six of them reached friendly lines. He served with the Union Army for the rest of the war. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1863 after the Battle of Stones River and as a first lieutenant in 1864. After the war, he returned to Ohio and became a cabinet maker. Parrott died in Kenton, Ohio, where he is buried in Grove Cemetery. (from Yannkee Untruth Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia)

Home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Yes, got a call from US Airways of delay due to a previous flight's maintenance problem.  They asked me if I could leave earlier.  Left at 3 PM instead of 5:45.  Flew sitting with the pilots [no joke].  Real windy.  Came in at Charlotte with 25 mph cross wind.  Fun landing.  Pilot flies with a "joy stick" instead of the old steering wheel.  He says I need to move plane to left and computer says maybe not.  Then he has to try and over ride.  Unusual.

Anyway, walked off that flight and 30 minutes later, on flight to RDU.  Got home around 8 PM.  Ate and crashed.  Up now to let animals out and back in.

Thanks for all the well wishes.

Sleep tight.

OH, I did fly with the pilots.  Two off duty pilots [flying in to Charlotte to fly out tomorrow morning] sitting in exit row seats with me.  The one next to me was explaining how he had to land in that cross wind.  Its like trying to fight the computer and fight the wind at the same time.  Interesting.

[laz 57]

Hi GUYZ,

  27 here going up to 41.  later this week 67!

8NTRUCK, glad you fixed the crane boom.  Make sure you take off cab and remove alan screw and add a drop or two of oil in that hole. for lubricating the motor.  Check your instructions, for lubricating.

BLOWNOUT, love the pic of the firebox and boiler, where is that bigboy from?

KEV, way to go breakin em in.

TYLER!!!  Hope you get something with flanged wheels.

Stay frosty,

laz57

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill RR....

It is a cold 30 degrees. Light snow on the ground. Going up to 40 today.

Today is a busy day. I have a few chores to do and a project to work on. Wife is grocery shopping today. Maybe a nap later.

Dining car is here with Cheerios for breakfast.

Y'all have a great Monday.

Chuck

[blownout cylinder]

Good Morning

Sunny today...but cold...only sitting at 15F right now going to a high of 25F later on...

Getting some new things in the house...namely a couple of bookcases from an antique store and a high boy chest of drawers...then we will get tiles for the start of Floor Wars part 3....the entrance/foyer... 

I did manage to run some trains yesterday night...and found a new recalcitrant turnout...

Chief:  I have a friend who flies corporate who loves situations like that...computers, gotta love them...

Laz:  I've been looking around for a source for that pic..the only thing that I found was Altoona shops...no date though.

Ford Rouge Complex--

[RockIsland52]

ChiefEagles

Home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Miss Pam glad dog caretaker is home.  Not glad about much else, peaceful few days now a memory. 

Yes, got a call from US Airways of delay due to a previous flight's maintenance problem.

Told Chief to never fly them again.  He's high maintenance.

They asked me if I could leave earlier.

Polite way of saying Chief was being deported.

Left at 3 PM instead of 5:45.  Flew sitting with the pilots [no joke].

In a straight jacket, shackles, and a Reb flag stuffed in his mouth, where they could keep a close eye on him. 

Real windy.

In the cockpit, I presume.

Came in at Charlotte with 25 mph cross wind.  Fun landing.  Pilot flies with a "joy stick" instead of the old steering wheel.  He says I need to move plane to left and computer says maybe not.

Bad move, letting the Chief fly the plane.

Then he has to try and over ride.  Unusual.

Had to over ride the Chief, place him back in restraints.

Anyway, walked off that flight

More accurately, dragged off.

and 30 minutes later, on flight to RDU.

Chief placed down in baggage section along with all of the dogs and pets.

Got home around 8 PM.

Ex Raliegh mayor volunteered to pick up the prisoner and escort him well out of town. 

Ate and crashed.

Earlier near miss in the air with Chief piloting wasn't enough excitement for the day, was missing a crash.

Up now to let animals out and back in.

Dogs now insisting Chief use the outhouse next to the WRECK at night instead of violating their choice spots in the yard during last outs.

Thanks for all the well wishes.

Sleep tight.

Easy to do for the Chief when wifey puts him back in his straight jacket.

OH, I did fly with the pilots.  Two off duty pilots [flying in to Charlotte to fly out tomorrow morning] sitting in exit row seats with me.

They were wearing parachutes, drinking heavily, and sitting in the exit row in the event they could not stand the hot air any more. 

The one next to me was explaining how he had to land in that cross wind.  Its like trying to fight the computer and fight the wind at the same time.  Interesting.

Pilots smart and polite, chit chatting to keep the Chief occupied, not wanting to stir up unstable passenger.

Jack

[cnw1995]

Aloha. I am jealous of those of you with warmer weather. It is 19 here.  Ran trains with the youngest. Missed the end of the race watching the Blackhawks win. Today and tomorrow schooling the youngest and fitting in work. Of course, this would be the day my boss is asking for all sorts of weird reports. .  Jack, thank you so much for the translated report of the Chief's recent flight. Boy, I'm glad I rarely travel. 

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

Just enough snow to make roads slick this morning.  Slow going to work, but made it ok.  Hopefully intestinal issues are behind me for a while, so to speak.  Yes, Buckeye, I remember the tornados, but it was 1974 as I am sure Mrs. Buckeye will remind you.  Once Upon a Time was really depressing last night.  Desperate Housewives were funny but I see dark times ahead.  May stop watching TV altogether if shows will continue to be sad.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning. It's 45° and sunny. The high will be 75°.

After several near sleepless nights I got about five hours last night or should I say this morning. No layout work planned for today.

[sir james I]

23 degrees going to 30. No sno here. Getting warmer starting tomorrow. we had a long list on chat last night,a good example of how this forum can become a good meeting place...S.J.

[KRM]

Slept in,

 28 degrees going up to 38 today a lot of sun.

RIJack, thanks for the update on the Chief's trip. Now I understand.

Got in on the back side of the chat last night. Your right about this forum SJ.

Kev

 

[dwiemer]

Good morning everyone.  getting ready to head in.  Had to drop off kids and then move items in the attic as we are having a AC handler unit changed out in one of the zones.  The AC guys should be happy as I had installed a floor in the attic some time ago.  It is just a simple walk in and do the job.

Chief, seems we have colorful commentators on both coasts now.  No rest for the Chief! 
Blown Cylinder, I enjoy the photos, as do I yours Jeff.  We have a facebook site that posts photos of "historic bergen county".  It is where I grew up, so the photos of the old trains and trolleys are special to me.  They are also great for noting details to copy for the layout.  Another good place to check is the Historic Maywood Station museum page as they have a number of photos listed for old stations and trains.

Dougnotagrump, thanks for the web site on steam.  I will check it out more later when I have the time.  For the time being, I put it under "favorites".

Well, gotta run.  Have a blessed day.

Dennis