Coffee Pot #4 April 2012 8 years [April 1 is Anniv.] 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.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Well I got good news on my mothers condition. She's doing much better, is sitting up on her own and issuing a long string of insults and complaints about the food. She may be moved back to a regular room today. My father went to see her this morning. He took her a grilled cheese sandwich and some chips and a bottle of grapefruit juice. She tied into that!

I may go with him to see her tomorrow. That depends on how I feel in the morning. If I have another bout of dizzy spells like I did last night the answer will be no. My father was trying to tell me it could have been fumes from the paint I was using to paint the loco trucks. Latex paint!? Come on, get real! About the only way it could hurt me is if I drank it or inhaled it in mist form.

[dwiemer]

Good afternoon.  One case cancelled, not that I mind working, but it was good to get home to have quiet time with my bride before we get the kids home.  Right now, they are expecting Rick Santorum to end his campaign, shame, he seems like a stand up guy....but what would washington do with someone like him?

Bob, thanks for the photos and the work done on the Iowa.  It looks great, and I am sure most, if not all here would love to see the final images when she is ready.

Heard that someone was able to go in for voting using AG Holder's name, was told he didn't need ID.  I guess that proves the argument in favor of voter fraud.  I still cannot see how asking for ID to vote is seen as denying someone rights.  Oh well, I guess others must know something I don't.

I had better get ready to get the kids.  Hope that each of you have a special day.
God Bless,
Dennis

[KRM]

RockIsland52

 Now that I have put everyone to sleep........

Jack

           

[rtraincollector]

Fife was in lowes today and look what the wife found and said I needed to tell you about it.

 

The lights in it blink

[RockIsland52]

Jeffrey........the news on your Mom just keeps getting better and better!   Time to refocus your attention on how you are feeling!!!!

RT........I think Fife will hold out for some pink flamingoes with solar-powered HIDs or LEDs.

KEV......are you sure it is the dog drivel I wrote about that is putting you to sleep?  Or rather, is it sitting at home waiting for IT to straighten out the issues you need straightening out?  The latter is like watching paint dry.   

Jack

[rtraincollector]

jack wife still says that max's look is why are you making me wear this yes your the master but remember you do sleep at night.

[KRM]

RockIsland52

 KEV......are you sure it is the dog drivel I wrote about that is putting you to sleep?  Or rather, is it sitting at home waiting for IT to straighten out the issues you need straightening out?  The latter is like watching paint dry.   

Jack

Yeah Jack Both. I only did 3.5 Hr today and used comp time for the rest of the day. IT should have me running by tomorrow……….. I hope. back to sleep.  

Kev

 

 

 

 

[blownout cylinder]

 

Good Evening

We went and saw him on this cold blustery day...and we went to the cafeteria there with him..his appetite is returning..which is a good sign...he also made a few comments about the ...ermm...'scenery' ..yeah, that's it...scenery around the ward he was in.......good thing he did not say anything around his wife nor mine...

We are going to stay at home tomorrow and actually get some stuff done around the house for once..it has been a kind of chaotic week here....

RT:  I think Jack has it right...I'd hold out for something like that as well...and put it someplace were it will not disturb my sleep....

Ray:   for both you and your friend's families....

 

 

[sir james I]

43 and gloomy all day. Blah. I finished CTT today and my train friend came by, wanted me to test run 2 Lionel engines for him. Both did their thing with no problems. Strange though his Lionel scale K4 is larger than my MTH scale K4 how can that be ? Oh well that was the only do something part of my day. Had Banilla and home made apple pie tonight..I shall wait up for the thingy crew..S.J.

[AF53]

Good Evening everyone,

Jim - Good to see you back, I think you're back.

RT - Wallyworld is doing well as he has found another forum that has a few more people that are interested in tinplate. He's been quite busy there and has alot to offer.

Later,

Ray

[Brutus]

Say hi to WW, he's a good guy.  Hope they let him come back!

Prayers for friends and loved ones!

Took off early from work to pick up kids, since Char was in a training class.  Had to take son to the dentist and he has two cavities - that will be done next week, while I'm in York.

Took the old batter to Home Depot and they tried to charge me a fee and then wanted me to put in for a refund.  Went to service desk and made them check me out there and I did not pay the fee - not supposed to pay it if you turn in the old battery - that's the rule.  I'm not sure what was up with all that.

TARDIS is ready, had a nice chat tonight with the guys.  Banilla is out there, so let's get going!

[ChiefEagles]

Evening all.  Back from farms down east.  Lots of mosquitoes and ticks.  I itch now.   Bills paid on computer.   Popcorn eaten.  Early start tomorrow and late ending [NRA banquet tomorrow night].

Jeffrey, good news on your Mom.

Well, finally got this one:

See, real uniform.  Overalls, hat and red bandana in back pocket.  Shake and Bake can not get that good.

Sleep tight.

PS: Ray, L19 Birddog.  Spotter plane.  FAC plane.  High wing, two seater [front and back] with mostly plexaglass cockpit.

We had military type harness like below

See the glass above.

Rear seat below:

Here is one being restored from behind so you see all the glass.

Ours was yellow with a big 5 on the sides and NC Forest Service emblem.  Smokey 5 was the call sign.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Had to run for cover earlier when a line of thunderstorms came rumbling through.

I may be going to Alexandria tomorrow to visit my mother at the hospital. Not sure yet. It depends on the weather and how I feel in the morning. If I'm having more bouts of dizziness during the night or in the morning I'll stay home.

Got the trucks on the GP9 Frankenlocos painted today and lightly lubed the gears of the SDP40F's and that's about it for work on the layout. Had to go to my parents place this morning to be there to accept my mothers meals on wheels when they were delivered and put them in the freezer. Also gave me a chance to get some laundry done and raid the pantry.

Well time to call it a night. See y'all next time.

[submmbob]

Hello all

A warm 43 degrees here on the mountain tonight w/ a nice sunset. Last night of the shift. Should have a pretty busy week off.

SPRay - sorry to hear about your friend. Sounds like a really interesting guy. Thoughts and prayers.

Jeffrey - great news on the your mom! Continued prayers.

OK. Day three of my stint on the Iowa:

After the morning briefing, Luke and I went back to finish off that hatch thru the armored deck on the #2 level above the #1 engine room. This took a bit more doing than the vertical openings and required more of the floating crossword puzzle. I was on fire watch below the hatch on 3 deck standing in Broadway, which is a passageway that runs from the base of the armored conning tower to the number 3 turret. Along the way are access to all 8 engine and fire rooms. Again, I was in heaven. Originally I wanted to be a machinist's mate, but somehow ended up a builder in the Seabees After this task was completed we helped out some volunteers from the California Maritime Academy who were working on sealing up the tanks. All the tanks were opened up for dehumidification while the ship was in mothballs. In order to make the tow to LA they all have to be sealed. And yes there are a lot of them.  There are tanks within tanks. We helped cut some replacement gaskets for the hatches and installed a couple of them. This of course involved several trips down Broadway to the sheet metal shop. Saw a lot of interesting and strange spaces here. If it wasn't filled w/ some fluid then it was used as storage. In the late afternoon it was an all hands event to paint the aft deck. I has already been cleaned and painted w/ a black primer that you can see in the first photo.

This was a special epoxy paint that has a limited working time, so once it's mixed it's either use it or lose it. Since the weather was great we aimed to paint as much as we could. While on deck I saw one of the more unusual incidents while on board. With the great weather we were not the only people enjoying the day. It would seem that a 16" gun draws sail boats like flypaper. A good many would cruise up the slip to have a look at the ship. I'm sure the local tugboat crews were less enamoured with the battleship being there, as another ship, a chemical tanker, came in to dock opposite us and there were some interesting maneuvers w/ the small craft. So later on along comes another of these sail boats, maybe a 25 footer w/ 10 or so people on board, under sail only. I noticed that they were pretty close, maybe 50' or so from the ship. Now keep in mind that we were moored to the east side of the slip and a good breeze was coming from the west. That chemical ship I mentioned had to be held to the dock by both tugs while she tied up. Well due to the wind they started angling closer. At this point I realized, "I think they are going to hit the ship". Now there is much scrambling on the deck of this little boat w/ someone trying to start the motor and another guy straddling the bow using his legs to brace the impact. Fife, correct me if I'm wrong here, but I'm not sure that's a good idea...Yes ladies and gentlemen, they rammed the battleship To add insult to injury they caught caught up in the cables hanging over the side. After extracating themselves from this embarrassing situation they got the motor started and high-tailed it out of there like nothing doing.  There were a few comments from our deck about how "we were trying to paint this thing". No harm, no foul I guess. The battleship has armor extending below the waterline here and they had yet to paint that portion of the hull. We could really have used Fife for his seamanship and law enforcement abilities though.

Toward the end of the day, I took advantage of the great weather and took a few more photos. Here is one of my favorites taken from the bow 40m gun tub looking down the port side (nary a sailboat in site). This really shows the tapering bow of this beautiful class of ship.

Well, we worked a little later and managed to get the entire aft helo deck painted in haze gray. I am very proud to say that I put gray paint on a U.S.  Navy ship. This is something I never got to do in the Seabees. I did more work on a ship this weekend than all the time I was in. Add to the fact that this was an Iowa class battleship and the last to come out of mothballs and I am humbled and honored to be allowed to participate in this.  Here's a final photo off the stern looking west into the bay that we can all be proud of.

Bob

[Demay]

Konnichiwa,

It’s my lunch break and this will probably be the only opportunity I have to post today.  My older son’s baseball team I am coaching had its first practice yesterday evening.  Only six of my ten players were there because of Spring Break.  This team needs some work.  Five of the six players there yesterday claimed (so did their parents) to have played organized baseball last year but it does not show in three of them.  The one who never played before did quite well for her first time.  My team has four girls on it which is the most of any of the six teams; I have never coached girls before so this will be new to me.  The three girls at practice yesterday like to do a lot of talking and dancing.  Their parents did not seem bothered by this.  My son and another experienced boy did well, and my son is used to playing with better caliber players.  The four not-so-experienced players did not even know how to properly throw or catch.  I am surprised I have to teach these basic skills to seven and eight-year-olds.  I hope the four players who were not there yesterday are decent, but I know one of them has never played before either.  Although the base league does not let us keep score, I know we may be in for a long, losing season.  I just hope the kids have fun and learn something. 

SJ – It sounds like a Scale conspiracy. 

AF Ray and Jack – Two in a row for the Yankees! 

I’m glad to see some folks are recovering; I’ll keep praying for all of us in need.

Sayonara,

Joe

[dbaker48]

Good Evening,

Really behind, finished Day 5 today, have not read much of the last pages on pot.  With Easter activities, taxes and Days 4 & 5, and no significant rest just been exhausted.  Wanted to get a few replies to a couple of things that were brought up.

Hope Jeffries Mom, and all others doing well!  Congradulations to Fifey PAPPY!

Chief like your picture, you do need some gloves though, and get the Gauntlet type, (long sleeves for wrist and lower arm protection.)  Never know when you might need to change a tire or put some air in them.

Bob,  Can't believe the pictures, they are awesome!  How did you end up on that gig.  I must have missed that post.  How long were you down there for?  Also, you asked about the "atomizer".  As our engine is fuel oil fired, the fuel oil is dispensed through a "snake head" nozzle, there is also a seperate blower fan that creates a draft in the firebox when the engine isn't creating the draft through operation.  (Operation is pulling the steam through the steam chest and cylinders, lowering the relative pressure in the boiler, hence a draft being created which is pulling the heat through the tubes into the smoke box and out the stack.  The blower helps create an artificial draft when there isn't very much demand on the steam pressure.  To "keep" the steam pressure at operating range (125 - 148 psi), the fire is adjusted, I have 3 variables; the "fuel volume, blower rate, and atomizer".  Fuel volume is obvious, but the issue is if I let it get to "rich" black smoke!  Everyone in the park gets REAL excited about that!  Then the blower is controlling the "air" volume or oxygen,  issue hear is I can starve the fire, or blow the darn thing out.  So need to watch that close as well.  The atomizer sprays a very fine mist over the snake head toward the flame.  The mist caused the fuel oil to disperse at a greater angle, giving a larger flame surface and bigger fire in the firebox.  Effectively it is like controlling the "idle" or better yet, controlling the flame at the flame injectors.  (my term).  I can control the rate the fire is heating the water and steam pressure being generated.  Then by varying the blower (air) and the fuel, I control when the engine is generating pressure or idling.  If I get it going to good at the wrong time I can blow the boiler pressure valves, (set at 148psi).  To prevent this when the pressure gets above 145, I inject water and steam into the boiler.  If its gets below 140 I may not have the desired pressure to be demanded by the engineer and how he throttles, or have to be in a recovery mode.  (Then of course depending upon whom my trainer is and how the engineer runs the engine, I can be all over the place with the adjustments.)

Laz,  We missed the boat on buying that Vulcan.  I did confirm it was a Vulcan, it was built in 1903, and primary owned by GN and in service in the mines at the Masabe Range.  Also, on site is a Porter, which Cedar Fair brought in.  There was a Fortney here, really sharp, clean and operational.  However, Cedar Fair pulled it out and moved it too somewhere in Ohio.  Also found out Walter Knott purchased the two C-19s in 1951 for "scrap value", approx $2500 each.  The pair have been appraised at $8.2 mil.  Also, they are the only 2 operating C-19s, a third one is on static display at the Colorado Train Museum in Boulder.

Speaking of Boulder, our Goose is going back there for the "Goosefest" in June.  It will be the first time since the 50's that the remaining 7 geese have been all together.  Ours #3, is in the shop being spruced up!  It is being painted today (Wednesday) and relettered on Friday.  Goes back in service here for about 6 weeks next Monday, then to Colorado.  (Rumor has it I won't get to drive it until later this fall, because it is "too easy" .  I am SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT DAY!!

Going to go  relax a bit, these opening shifts are early!!

Be Careful and God Bless !

More later on "Scaring the crap out of my trainer", and "Breaking the Bell"

 

[submmbob]

Hello again

Don - thanks for the explanation. So the atomizer functions kind of like the steam jets on an automatic stoker distributing the fuel into the firebox? Your blower is electric fan driven unit? The blower we had on the #93 was a steam driven jet in the smokebox I think. As far as the Iowa is concerned my friend who lives in the bay area got involved w/ the volunteer effort there a few months ago. Given my background and interest he suggested I come up for a weekend. Was working on the ship for 3 days. She will be coming down to your area in the next few months. Opening day is hoped for July 4.

On the train front I went and ordered a Beep. For $50 I couldn't resist. Although I'm not much into diesels, unless I'm next to the real thing. I also have an allergy for cab units that goes back to childhood. The Beep is short enough that it looks at home in my O-27 stuff and has a bit of an Alco RS feel to it. Plus this one is in SP livery w/ the bloody nose red and grey paint scheme. I seen these here in the southwest as far back as I can remember. I imagine SPRay is quite familiar w/ them.

Bob

[dbaker48]

Bob,

The blower is steam driven, everything on the C-19s is.  Even the 90watt generator.  The generator is only used for the lights.

I will definetly be looking forwar to the IOWA, coming down!  My dad served on the Hector, a repair ship.  Great price for the Beep, I have a couple and really like them.  I upgraded them to TMCC compatible with an ER kit.

Good night and God Bless

[Hudson#685]

Good Morning,

We are being plagued with Forrest Fires. We had a 20 acre one just South of us yesterday. Nothing major in our district but the potential is there.

Ken, The Pine Barrens in LI are very similar to the Pine Barrens in Jersey.

Laz, That is the Jersey Devil in the Jersey Pine Barrens.

Fife, Congrats on the new addition.

Prayers for all in need,

John

[laz 57]

Hi GUYZ,

  36 here and brisk to get to 54.  Next week for YORK, warmer a bit rainy for start of week, stay tuned.

DON, too bad we coulda started our own BA ZAR FARMS.  BA for BAKER and ZAR for lazar.  Has a nice ring to it?

37 dayz o school to go for me a little less.

Stay frosty,

laz57

[blownout cylinder]

Good Morning

Going to be showery and cool this day..high near 46F....tonight is supposed to be clear going to a low of 28F...

All is quiet on the home front..a bit of a switch from the previous week..or two... This, to me, is a good thing..as it means I'll be able to go to the trainroom and run some trains here..even with Thompson Mills out of the running...

Don:  Did you ever post a picture of that goose you have there? I must have missed it...

 

[rtraincollector]

Bob I really envy you being able to go and work on her. I would in a heart beat just to be on her if I was in the area. Have to admit of all my time in the Navy I enjoyed and remember the most was my time on the Wisconsin to this day I still miss being on her.

morning all not a lot going on today may predrill some of my track to get me ready for putting them down on the shelf layout boards. Going to try something for sound deadening will let you know how it works out. bought a pack of 4x3/4 screws yesterday to mount the track with.

have a DR. appoint ment at one so probably leave here about noon as they want you 1/2 hr early.

Talk to you all later.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning. It's 61° and partly cloudy. There's a 20% chance of rain in the morning and a 30% chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. The high will be 81°.

Not sure if I'm going anywhere today and no plans have been made.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill RR....

It is a cloudy 37 degrees. Going up to 60 today with clouds.

Today is a busy day. I have a few errands to run and the usual chores to do. I will be busy until lunchtime. Then, I can take a nap.

Dining car is here with Cheerios for breakfast.

Y'all have a great Wednesday.

Chuck

[submmbob]

Hello all

About to finish up for this shift.

Got the other whistle motor  installed in the 2224W tender for the 1664. Working on putting the trailing truck back together w/ the new swivel posts. Other than that it's just setting the marker light jewels and she's ready to go.

Don - looking forward to getting the Beep. May put a sound board in it at some point. Maybe an Alco sound:)

RT - it was a true privilege to be able to work on the USS Iowa. I have a deep admiration for those who served on her and the other battleships. If you are interested in more photos let me know and I'll send you a CD. Plus I'll be sure to have my friend Luke take some pictures before she leaves for LA.

Talk to you again from the Ol' Pueblo

Bob

 

 

[blownout cylinder]

Bob:  I'm interested in seeing more photos of that ship....beautiful little thing that is.

[cnw1995]

Aloha. Coooold here again but sunny - may reach 50. At least I get to ride the L today.  Bob, thanks for sharing your photos - I have a few models of Iowa and it's fun to compare your photos to my models. Unexpectedly fell out of the Tardis last night and couldn't get back in. But it was nice to ride with SJ, Hudson, RT, and Brutus for a while. Don, my daughter tells me the holding company for  Cedar Point amusement park where she works in O-H-I-O just bought some engines... I wonder if they were 'yours.'

[ChiefEagles]

Morning all.  Sunny and chilly compared to the usual.  Yankee COLD tomorrow morning.  Near freezing.

My Town Clerk is retiring and new one comes Monday.  Our billing clerk just resigned.  Taking her two weeks vacation as her notice.  I can understand.  11 years and constantly passed over for job restudy and promotions.  Town Manager's call.  Town Clerk is the one reports to me.

Mayor of Raleigh is coming this AM to visit and see the tour of Rolesville.  A first.  New Mayor is a good friend.  Glad the old one is gone.  Did not care for anyone but self.

NRA banquet tonight.

Hope all have a great day.  

[Demay]

Konbanwa,

The rest of my day was somewhat hectic but now that it is 2200 hours and the kids are asleep it has quieted down.  The wife and I tallied up all the countries we have been to (deployments, vacation, temporary duty, resided) since we’ve been married; either together or separately – she was in the Air Force for a few years as well.  The total came to 58 which impressed me; I did not think it would be so high.  We had a nice bit of rain throughout the day but the temperature was still very favorable.  It is supposed be warm and sunny tomorrow.  I need to take care of some schoolwork and then get some sleep. 

Chief and Bob – Thanks for sharing the photos and the stories.

Sayonara,

Joe

[sir james I]

39 now, not much chance for a nice spring day till the weekend. Lot's to read here this morning. Granny's fixing breakfast and then I have a few errands to run. . . S.J.