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.

[rtraincollector]

Jack I do that with my electric bill they took one years bill adjusted it for fee increases and came up with $212.00 a month which comes due again next month I think and i'm ahead about $150 at present which is good I will leave that there and tell them to stay on same amount so next year I can skip a month lol

Well now trying to figure some electrical problems I'm having see new post

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Demay

Jeffrey – That’s a tough decision.  I think I like the old steamer the best; it will give the kids in the neighborhood something to play on.

Initially that's what I was thinking too. But I've already got a good spot picked out for the old steamer. It'll be tucked away between an old freight station and an oil well pump jack.

[RockIsland52]

laz 57

Hi GUYZ,

......Go to BARRYs in the PURPLE HALL and if something you like there tell him or MIKE you know me.  Maybe  you'll get a better price rrested.?

Stay frosty,

laz57

Good Mornin' Ya'll From Crystal Clear Taxachusetts,

High 40s overnight and with the clear skies the stars were performing.  May approach 70 today but no rain until Saturday night at the earliest.  Sprinklers in action, earliest in the season ever.  Even the pond level is low, but that can recover pretty quickly.

Dick Clark will be missed.  Like many of you, I and my older sisters grew up with American Bandstand.  Never missed him on his New Year's Rockin' Eve and thought it took courage to work hard and get back in it in front of a huge audience after his stroke.  I'm not much for glorifying entertainment stars, but he was a different sort.

Best wishes to all of our buddies enjoying York.  And thank you guys for posting your adventures. 

RaySP........I read your post about your friend and his condition, and it was thought-provoking..  In my realm of acquaintances, too many capable folks feel sad and helpless about another's serious plight, but then they stay home and do nothing.  Is that friendship and support?  Is that the way we would want to spend our final inning, alone and waiting?  Not me.  I would hope my friends would think enough of me and my family to "show up," no matter how uncomfortable they might feel.  "What would I say?" they might ponder?  Words are cheap.  Action speaks volumes.  My Dad always told me that in life we look back and regret the things we didn't do.  Ray, you are a good friend.  

Blownout.........your wife and you  have my prayers for the passing of your wife's Aunt.  Wifey and family need you now. 

RT.........I am glad to be reading about your ceiling loop layout.  You have been waiting and planning for a long time for this, ever since you moved into your house.  A few construction glitches and setbacks are to be expected.  Maybe you should buy some of those stilts the plaster guys use for mudding the higher up places.  Then you could join Brent in the home project snafu "hall of fame." 

DougM..........I've been reading about you and JoeyD and the subject of doing home schooling.  Youse guyz must have amazingly smart kids and wives for the kids to be able to excel, despite your educational participation. 

JimmyT.........I think I spotted a speck of dirt on one of the GT tire treads and some brake dust on the right front wheel.  Get on it!!!!!  . 

DougM and KEV.........was watching with some interest about the big lottery winning couple from Red Bud IL.  The Megamillions jackpot was $674M with three winners (other two from Maryland and Kansas).  I think I could "survive" on the winnings.  I always thought it would be fun and rewarding to make a career out of growing that nest egg while doing something beneficial with it.  It amazes me that so many of the major lottery winners go broke in such a short period of time.  They can live on relative peanuts but then can't make it with 7 digit bank accounts.  When they win, they run right out to get an attorney......but the wrong one.  What they need is an expert tax attorney, an expert trust attorney, an investment guru, and a language expert that can teach them the word "no. "   My wife and I always joke about what we would do "if."  In the first place, we would have to buy a couple of lottery tickets in order to win, which we do maybe once a year or less.   I would be one of those standing before the media cameras with my list.  "First off ya'll, I'm gonna run out and buy a Postwar 2342 ABBA set with dem pretty silver cars, a 773 Hudson, and one of dem Berks."  That would shut up the talking heads, expecting the words "Ferrari" or "McMansion" and because they wouldn't have a clue what I was talking about.    And you guys would be laughing so hard you'd be wetting your pants.  Most dreams are better off left as they are, dreams.

Roy........you've been running pretty hard and deserve a respite.  There will be more Yorks.

Off to pay some bills.  Just got a heating oil delivery yesterday.........that one is close to $800.   Think I will sign up for the budget plan which provides a monthly bill computed on the average annual fuel cost.  You start around the end of May, building the interest bearing nest egg, and then draw off of it during the Winter months.  No surprises.

Later, gang.    

Jack

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  Sunny and 50's here in the YORK-Atlantic region.  Looking forward to tomorrow.  Developed a sore tooth,so hopefully train shopping will take my mind off it.

Oldest princess dropped off baby at 4:15 for her to .  Fun times in Fifedom.

Roy - You will be missed,  I trust that you've appointed another to raz the buhjesus out of me...?

As to this home-schooling thingy.  Why not hold off til a certain member retires, and ship them all to PA for laz camp.  Who wouldn't want an advanced degree in trout fishing, camp fire starting,  pile-up free operating sessions.  Of course, my favorite class is GT Yeungs & Wings.

[traindood]

 Mornin' fellas and gals;  Will be leaving this pm.  Gotta room near Mechanicsburg for the nite. Will see you'all for breakfast sans grits.       later.

[Demay]

Konbanwa,

It seems the postings have slowed down with so many folks enjoying York.  I am jealous of those fellows and also happy for them.  I’m sure I’ll get there one day but probably not while I am stationed here in Japan.  The weather never seemed to warm up today and it was pretty much cloudy all day.  The kids had productive swimming lessons today and they should be ready for the base swim team soon.  The older son’s baseball team had practice today and it was needed – we actually need many more but our first game is this Saturday.  The kids have improved on fundamentals but I’m surprised at how many of them do not know the basic principles of baseball: throw the ball to first base to get the runner out; throw the ball to second base if the runner is already past first base, etc.  The kids who have never played before really need to spend tomorrow learning the rules and principles.  Unfortunately we could not cover everything in only four practices and I just presumed parents wouldn’t have their kids join a baseball team if they didn’t have a clue how to play.  These are seven and eight-year-olds not five and six-year-olds.  Some of these kids have never even watched a baseball game.  I am probably going to look like Coach Buttermaker in the dugout: enjoying a six pack while the kids flounder around.  It’s time to finish some schoolwork and get some sleep.

Roy – I’m sorry you had to cancel your York trip.  I hope everything settles down for you soon.

Jeffrey – That’s a tough decision.  I think I like the old steamer the best; it will give the kids in the neighborhood something to play on.

Dougdagrump – I’m glad the surgery went well. 

Doug – Yes, once you learn one of those the others are pretty easy to pick up.  The best part is Europeans generally know two or three languages; typically the neighboring countries.  I remember being in my paternal grandfather’s hometown in Sardinia one time using Italian, French, and German to gather needed information.  It was quite the adventure. 

Chuck –AB was still televised in the ‘80s and I can remember watching it as a youngster on Saturday mornings as well, and I believe they would always flashback to episodes from the ‘50s and ‘60s too. 

Sayonara,

Joe

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning. It's 55° and sunny. The high will be 82°

Well I've decided that my abandoned baggage car will be the best car to place on the abandoned spur. I made it for just such a display so it should be used as such. And yes there's a prototype for this. Just look in downtown Leesville. Now I'll need to add some weeds and bits of junk here and there.

Got a call last night that my mother is home from the hospital. I'll go over to look in on her later.

[KRM]

A fast hello,

Granddaughter is having a minor surgery today. She is getting drain tubes put in her ears so she won’t have so many ear infections. I hope it goes well.

Prayers to all in need.  

Yorkers, have fun and be good, 

Kev

 

[Stourbridge Lion]

Top of the Morning CTTFans!

It's 41F and Sunny here in the Mile High heading for only 60F today...

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill RR....

It is a foggy 50 degrees. Going up to 74 today with some sunshine.

Today is an easy day. I have the usual chores to do and a small project to finish. Lunch and then a nap.

Dick Clark will be missed. I spent many an afternoon, in the 50s, watching "American Bandstand" on our B/W  TV.

Dining car is here with Cheerios for breakfast.

Y'all have a great Thursday.

Chuck

[rtraincollector]

B.O. sorry to hear of your alls lost prayers for you and your families.

well the RT central NYC is up and running still need to work on something thou as the engine come loose of the B unit on a cure so need to look into that and its not every time about every 2nd or 3rd time. Think theres a problem with the alignment of the couplers may try switching B-units around had to run A-A-B-B as the A unit doesn't like taking curves in reverse well the one I want in the back ( the one missing the number boards ) don't know about the other but never really like how they did these 6 wheel trucks flanged, flanged, non-flanged.

Well did find out I didn't burn the bulbs out like I thought on the baggage car.

Okay so now its time to go do breakfast then on to working on the GP-9 and GP20 swaping of tmcc/conventional electronics

[cnw1995]

Aloha. Rainy here - which is nice. Sounds like York is fun!  What is this nifty remote for Thomas? Looking forward to hearing about all that.  Joe, that is neat. Italian is a good base for all the Romance languages. I learned Spanish, then Italian (heritage too).

[blownout cylinder]

Good Morning

Everything be all sunny this morning, getting some clouds moving in this afternoon with showers and the occasional t'underin'boomer as well...

Had time to run some trains last night..ran them for a couple of hours and had no accidents, incidents or gremlin attacks..now...for the operating session on Friday...

Looks like the Woodstock Turn of the NMRA is going on but I will not be there...had news last night that Audrey's sister phoned up an said that her aunt passed away just last night...funeral set for the weekend...sigh...I knew this aunt as my own as well......of course, this on top of w**k is going to be interesting....

Have a good time at YORK guys!!!

 

[Buckeye Riveter]

wrmcclellan

Hi All,

Well had to cancel on York this spring. Decided last night I had too much going on here and opted out at the last minute. Will regroup for Fall. Only the 2nd time I have missed in 8 years.

Beautiful day here today. High 70's. Same tomorrow, maybe 80.

Hope all are well!

I sure understand your situation.  I would like to get to York this fall. 

[laz 57]

Hi GUYZ,

  Last day o work for me this week, ah YORK!!!!

BRUTUS, MITCH, SJ see YUZ GUYZ and da utter GUYZ tomorrow morning.  BRUTUS don't spend all your money in one place.  Go to BARRYs in the PURPLE HALL and if something you like there tell him or MIKE you know me.  Maybe  ayou'll get a better price?

Stay frosty,

laz57

[dougdagrump]

Evenin' All.

Home from the hospital, surgery went great. It's nice to be able to see without feeling that you are looking thru a cotton ball. Still gotta wear an eye bubble for a couple days and for two weeks at bed time.

Roy, Wise decision, come fall it will be much more enjoyable w/o the other distractions.

All for today, been a long one.

[8ntruck]

Sunny and low 70's today.

Got the back yard mowed last night, the front yard tonight, will do the side yard tomorrow night - dang cough.

The World of Outlaws sprint cars are in town Friday.  Got a ticket, and hopefully, it won't rain.

Enjoy York, you travelers.

All for now.

[wrmcclellan]

Hi All,

Well had to cancel on York this spring. Decided last night I had too much going on here and opted out at the last minute. Will regroup for Fall. Only the 2nd time I have missed in 8 years.

Beautiful day here today. High 70's. Same tomorrow, maybe 80.

Hope all are well!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

A couple more ideas for the abandoned spur.





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

[rtraincollector]

Well no these bulbs are different of any I have seen  have a little plastic like shield on them so I definite don't have theses. On the other front got a complete loop done but need to replace curve 4 as I messed up the curves by accident and tried to get away with my fix but thats not going to happen one thing for sure when I get done and all is put up there not going to be changing trains very often lol

talking to old timer on messenger

[sir james I]

Hi guys, yes we had a fun day at Strasburg. We watched presentations from Weaver, MTH and Lionel. New product seems to be a mini remote for Lionel Thomas trains. Williams announced engine sounds for the diesels. And a new GP35 with nicer looking railings. Brutus seems to be enjoying himself and we have introduced him to some of the Detroit guys...No Banilla tonight...S.J.

[Brutus]

Oh yeah - so is Strasburg!

[Brutus]

Hi guys..York is awesome...

[blownout cylinder]

Jack:...seen a lot of 'scenery' out downtown here today..sunny and 58F...still shorts, mini skirts et cetera...

[blownout cylinder]

Good Evening

I'm having a wonderful evening out on our back deck tonight...no skitters, no black flies...just a lot of tiger moths around....

We had a busy day..found a whole pile of goodies downtown ...wandered around checking out some new places that opened up...and spent cash only...heeheehee....

Going to the train inna bit to run some trains here...

Hello Old Timer!!

Have a good night all!!

[rtraincollector]

Evening all well have about all but 8' of the track laid and screwed down. Been running the PA-1 with a boxcar and a passenger car back and forth as I go to test it. all seems good so far. Did have to fix one section on the second curve but knew that last night so was my first job of the morning it was the triangle piece of support wasn't right so the track would get a crimp in it where the 2 pieces joined together. I ended up( as the one passenger car jumped track there) having to replace the bulbs in it and had to replace the K-Line O gauge protection lockon as I burnt that one out hope I don't have to do that again as its a pain to get where it is and do that ( its 8' up ) but thats where the layout is well one loop of it anyway. need to take the car apart and replace the bulbs yet guess that will be next as don't feel like getting up on ladder right now and continuing on the layout.

Hope I have the bulbs I need to replace them. guess the yorker's ( Brutus, SJ, and Charlie ) are having a good day I beliee they went to Strausburg RR today. that ought to be a great time. May meet john there if he was working there today.

Well talk to you all later

[Demay]

Ohayō,

I’m up early again as the youngest likes to wake up before the birds.  He woke up once throughout the night, but I was able to rock him back to sleep pretty quickly.  Today’s high temperature is 62; however, it may rain at times throughout the day.  I’m hoping it doesn’t as the baseball team is supposed to have practice tonight and we need another outside practice before our first game this Saturday.  I cannot adequately cover game scenarios with them in the gym.  We have the usual schoolwork and chores on the agenda for today and the kids have swimming lessons at 1300.  The lessons are part of the homeschooling group here on base and the kids enjoy it.  They have been in lessons for many years now and are very good swimmers.  I hope everyone has a great day (night).

Jack – I have made some good decisions in my life – marrying her was definitely one of the best.  She knows that which is why she trusts me to take care of the kids on my own.  Plus she knows the kids will definitely appreciate her more when she returns home. 

Kev – Thanks Kev.  We are having a great time.  I know we are very blessed to be able to homeschool our kids.  We are extremely happy to have so much time with our kids; we know one day they will grow up, marry, and move out so we have to cherish as much time with them as we can. 

Doug and Dennis – We chose Italian because it’s my heritage and I already have a good understanding of it.  We initially tried Japanese when we moved here, but the wife was having a difficult time with it and the kids weren’t enjoying it.  The Italian is easy for me to do with them when I come home from work and since we may live in Italy again, or retire to Sardinia one day, the kids will benefit from it.  The kids will benefit from learning any foreign language at such a young age; this was just a practical choice for us.  I had French in high school and college and my sister is a French teacher so that would have been our second choice. 

SP Ray – I’ll keep your friend and his wife in my prayers. 

Traindood – Thanks, I appreciate it, but I think my father has won that award every year since I was born.  I hope you have a great time at York. 

Sayonara,

Joe

[traindood]

Afternoon fellas and gals:     Just enough time for a quickie.  Trying to book extra day at York sos i don't have get up so early, kok a doodle do!    Hey Jim; sweet ride! Hey Joe; i have officially submitted your name for daddy of the year!   Prizes include an all expense paid vacation to Japan!   Rottsa ruck!           later.

[Anonymous]

Ken and Wes,

                           Good to see both of you back.

Jack,

           I don't see V8s getting phased out.  People after V8s aren't the treehugger type, and modern V8s are good from an MPG standpoint anyway.  I average 25-30 MPG around town and 35-37 MPG highway with Ford's 4.6L V8.  I am getting more out of the 4.6 with the current mods and ECU reflash than I would stock, so I'm happy.  The new Coyote 5.0 V8 is pushing 420 HP with MPG close to what I get.  Just swapped the gigantic stock  sideviews for some Agent 47 mirrors.

 

[dwiemer]

Good afternoon everyone.  Glad folks are making their way into York.  We are expecting thunderstorms on and off over the next few days.  Chief, hope you are able to get the floors done over the next few days.

Jack, thanks, he is smart, but I have the educational advantage....at least till the end of this year!  He does challenge me to go back to things I have long forgotten.  I look over his tests and homework and think, "was I in the fourth grade when I learned this". 

Joe, our two are learning Spanish and Chinese.  It is great for them to learn language skills early as they pick it up so much faster.  It will help when we bring the next two home.

Doug, with the international flights allowing a checked bag each, we will have six.  I plan to bring mostly medical supplies and a few toys, over.  Depending on how much stuff we purchase over there, we may leave a few bags as we will have the kids to carry too.  Not having ready access to laundry facilities, I typically wear tropical type clothes that can be washed in a sink and dry quickly.  This allows me to pack three shirts and pants/shorts.

Well, time to go get kids.

Dennis