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.

[cheapclassics]

Good afternoon all,

It is cloudy in SE Indiana.  The "saucy wench" and I went to see the Naptown Roller Girls in a match last night at the Fieldhouse in Indy.  Used to be Conseco and they changed the name.  We had no idea what to expect, but it was a really great time.   Home team won so it was all good.  Reffed two games this morning.  Brutally cold.  Going to see Donald Davidson tonight give a talk at local historical society.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[wrmcclellan]

Afternoon all!

Had to work this morning. Took care of an errand and then home to relax for the afternoon.

Beautiful day here. Low 70's, sunny, and clear!

Have a great evening all!

[rtraincollector]

Hoping to see some of the bounty the yorkers got tomorrow in the SPF should be nice i understand Brutus got a Hefner train set but needs the key for it. In original boxes. Sounds like all had a good time especially since there was no grits involved

[dwiemer]

Good evening.  What a day!  Had to go get a UHaul truck to take the bedroom furniture to a family who had their house burn down on Christmas day.  The teenager who was supposed to come help me decided he needed a haircut.  Ended up loading the truck by myself.  Got stuff moved, then picked up two beds and other furniture for the pending arrival of our next two kids.  Then, dropped off truck and got wife's van detailed.

Had a thunderstorm this afternoon, which made for a great nap.  No train related stuff today, but I am looking forward to seeing the collective booty from York.  

God bless,

Dennis

[ChiefEagles]

Wedding over.  Big rain storm right after the outdoor wedding.  Flooded.  Big indoor meal [plop, plop, fiz, fiz].  Got back to Roseyville, not a drop. RT, had to buy my own two hot dogs at the concession stand at noon.

CTT gang, great representation at York. 

I have to help setup for a Church meal tomorrow morning after Sunday School.  Yes RT, another free meal.

Later

[sir james I]

50 degrees, We are home safe, Brutus has reported in so all is well. He was very good at dickering for price and got some good buys. Charlie got some things he was looking for, Me ? no didn't get much. I had some Banilla with choclate syrup and peanuts..Nice seeing all the Pot guys once again..S.J.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good evening

It's time for me to call it a night. After all the activity today I had to change the dressing on my foot. As I knew it would be it was a bloody mess but nothing I couldn't handle. My father and I are going to have to have a talk. I can't keep up this much activity. He'll have to find someone to take up some of the load because I can't keep doing it all when he's gone. I have a life too such as it is and I do have strict limitations as to what I can do. Do too much and I'll rip the wound on my ankle open worse than it is and I'll have to tell him 'NO' before that happens. Another infection is the last thing I need.

Today's project was to work on one of my F3A's. The headlight bulb would flood the cab with light and it looked terrible even in a brightly lit room. The solution was much simpler than I thought it would be. I found a needle cap from one of my used syringes and cut it in two then discarded the piece with the closed end. That left me with the piece open all the way through. It was a little small to fit over the bulb so I cut the bottom of it so it could spread open the pressed it onto the bulb. I then wrapped a single layer of electrical tape around it so the cab wouldn't be filled with an orange glow. The open end of the tube is on the same level as the headlight lens. The result of my work is shown below.




See y'all tomorrow.

[RockIsland52]

WELCOME HOME YORKIES!!!!!!!!  At long last, rain is on the way!!!!!!!!  We're expecting 2"-4" Sunday afternoon and evening.  Locally we are 8 inches below normal year-to-date, and the Sunday afternoon/evening precipitation will be the most WET STUFF we have had since mid January. 

Later, gang.

Jack

[Brutus]

MAN - Leave town for a couple of days of rest and relaxation with Da Guyz, and you fill up like 10 pages!  Took me over an hour to read it all!  I posted on my phone the other night after Charlie figured it out for me, but this is the first time I had a chance to catch up reeding.

Prayers for hips, ears, respiratory problems, and eyes, and for all of us and our friends and loved ones!

Chief - we know you had commitments and life gets in the way of our fun.  Same for a lot of us and I missed going for the past 3 years since I first told SJ I would go, but there you go.  We'll hook up one of these days.

Meeting all you guys was the best part of the trip for me.  I had a blast.  SJ, Charlie, George (not a CTT guy), John, Laz, Dood, Banks & Mrs Banks, Fife (Shhhh!), Brent, Bob, Don, Bob, and Carl - all just as great in person as on the forum!  All genuine MEN and Great Guys!  I hope I didn't miss anyone, but it's late and I'm tired after a lot of airport and air time today.

I did notice that that Diner offered grits, but nobody thought to order it

Tuesday was travel and then dinner and hanging out with the guys for a little while.  Wednesday, we went to Strasburg and hit the Choo Choo Barn, museum, Red Caboose cafe, and TCA museum with presentations by Bachman/Williams, Weaver, MTH, and Lionel.  MTH was all about HO gauge and foreign stuff for the most part.  Q&A's got a little intense, which surprised me.  The new Thomas with remote control was neat and it will run on a legacy system also!  It does not have neutral though - only forward and reverse plus speed I guess.  I wasn't sure, but I think the eyes can be activated?

My haul started with the halloween beep and caboose from RMT booth where the nice lady couldn't figure out money or something.  Wonder how some people get a job in this economy   In the member halls, I found some nice tinplate, but Doug Murphy and I have talked about Hornby before and I was looking for older Hornby O stuff, as it is not in my area at all.  I found a flat (load missing) and boxcar, both in very good condition for 80 years old and with original boxes.  I also talked to a guy from ACE about some modern tinplate he imports from England, but couldn't figure out what he was talking about at first.  He said Dallee had a part I would need to upgrade the engine I was looking at for AC power.  SJ figured it out later - an E-Unit   His York selection was limited, so I passed on ACE at the show, but I have the website if anyone wants it and I might try to work something into the budget shortly - maybe in a month or two.  He said he would have all the current stuff in stock in a few months, so I'll watch that.

OH - SJ and I had some great crab cake sandwiches from a truck there in front of the Orange Hall for lunch, but I couldn't get him to drink any Sweet Tea

Friday, which was the day we hooked up with all the other guys, SJ and I hit the green hall (I think) and the guy offered me a 97 coal loader for $100.  It was new in box, but the box had a tear in the cardboard in one spot.  tape and wrapping still on the controller etc, and wires etc still in original bags - it was new.  SJ and I checked it out and looked around, but I went back and got it, which is the big bag in the pictures!

We finished checking out the orange hall last and I got to meet Tom McComis (sp?), who does all those great videos.  He was a really nice guy.  I also found a guy from Maryland selling some more Hornby cars, but I was too low on cash and the ATM machines in the hall were down.  I figured I missed out and he sure wanted me to buy those cars, but about 4:30 they brought in a new machine and I got my money.  He had a cattle car and gas cylinder car, plus another flat.  I didn't want the flat, but we agreed on the other two and I paid him.  Then I said I don't see any locos - he had one.  It was a steamer, windup (of course) and not exactly the right model, but close enough for me.  We made a deal for that engine plus the flat and he threw in a semaphore and said that cleaned him out of Hornby.  I think he and I got a fair deal on the cars and engine and all of it had original boxes etc, but the box for the loco was the wrong box.  It was all prewar, too.  It's not as colorful as Bing, but a LOT better prices for me, lol!  One Bing passenger car I saw was marked $250 plus, which is a little bit more than I paid for all that Hornby together.  I do need to find a winding key for the loco and also I'll need to find a brake van.  It will run on O gauge track.

Today we had a nice breakfast and some more fellowship, then they dropped me at the airport and the race was on - who would get home first!?  SJ beat me home by about 15 minutes!  During my layover in Chicago, I called Doug and had a nice chat about the Hornby and stuff.

Got in some family time this evening and then a nice chat with most of the guys on the messenger thingie. 

MIKE - can't thank you enough for driving all week!  I can drive tonight and we have some banilla again, rootbeer, UTZ chips, and Crab Cakes imported from the fair grounds, so let's get going guys!

[Demay]

Konnichiwa,

I’m not sure where all the warm weather went but we have been in a cold spell here recently.  It is also sprinkling off and on so there isn’t much we can do outside.  The curry dinner last night was delicious.  The kids and I made it to church without any incident this morning; I’m sure I put them in the wrong clothes but that is the wife’s usual department.  I took the kids to McDonald’s for lunch as they have done very well with their chores this past week.  We need to run to the grocery store for a few items but that is about it for our plans.  I have some UFC fights recorded I will watch later on when the kids are in bed.  I saw where the White Sox pitcher threw a perfect game.  He was very humble during his postgame interview and gave credit to God and his teammates – that is wonderful to see. 

Doug – The focused one-on-one attention is a great benefit.  Our older son is benefiting from it as well.  Our daughter is like yours and would probably finish a year’s worth of curriculum in a week if we let her.  And Happy Anniversary!

V8 – No worries.  I am sure there are other cool things on the site I am missing as well.

AF Ray and Jack – Did you see that Yankee comeback last night?  The game was on here this morning when I woke up but when I saw the score was 9-1 I turned it off and did some schoolwork.  I guess I should have left it on.

Jeffrey – I’m sure your father will understand once you explain it to him.  I hope you are healing well.

RT – Thanks for posting the videos in SPF.  The sound on the loco was great.

I’m glad Brutus, SJ, and the other York attendees made it home safely. 

Sayonara,

Joe

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill RR....

It is a cold and damp 39 degrees. Going up to 60 today with cloudy skies.

Today is an easy day. I have a few chores to do and some paperwork. Then, I will relax and watch the Nascar race and ballgame on TV.

The Indians have been doing pretty good lately. I hope their wins keep up.

Dining car is here with Cheerios for breakfast.

Y'all have a great Sunday.

Chuck

[rtraincollector]

Morning all.

Had cherrios this am for breakfast.

Thanks Joe for the positie comment about my shelf layout. If you look at the first video in full screen it almost looks like your going to get hit lol. I have to turn my volume down to about 1/2 volume and its more clear on the sounds. Im very pleased having it up there. I can now run trains. Just not looking into switching trains up there as its basiclly a trip up for every 2 pieces so just to get them down is 6 trips u the ladder then how eer many to ut the others up there lol so not going to be switching trains to often there actually 8' of the ground as I have 9' ceiling in here. The only problem I ran into is ( and haen't tried the other one) is the Second A-Unit when running in reverse the front truck wants to walk off the track and I believe its because lionel made these 6 wheel trucks the front 4 wheels hae flanges and back 2 don't have flanges I believe if the front 2 wheels and back 2 wheels had the flanges I wouldn't have this problem i never liked the set up with 4 front wheels had flanges and back 2 didn't. other than that it runs great.

was great seeing the gang back from York on the tardis last night. chatted with Brutus, John, Charlie, And SJ.

Nothing planned for today its cool and light rain off and on so good day to relax and read the paper.

[sir james I]

41 with bright sun. Only going into the 50s today. Brutus covered our York experience pretty well so I need not add to it. I'm ready to find something to eat as granny was to tired to fix me something last night. I guess that means she enjoyed her 4 days of being single..S.J.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning. It's 57° and sunny. The high will be 78°.

My father calls me this morning and says I need to get my mother her breakfast this morning before the home health nurse gets there at 8:00. This is at 7:25. He and I really have to talk! Scrambled egg, lightly buttered toast, nine sliced grapes, 1/4 cup of Lactaid milk. Oh yeah, did I mention his call came at 7:25! I'm supposed to get ready, go over there and prepare her breakfast then collect the dish, glass and tray before the HH nurse gets there? NOT HAPPENING. I got it prepared and to her bedside just as the nurse showed up. She would just have to wait until my mother finished her breakfast. Then I had to ask the nurse to move her car as she had my van blocked in. As anybody who's driven one of those big Dodge Sportsman type vans knows they don't make sharp turns very well. It's about seven feet wide, seventeen feet long and about seven feet tall and despite all the windows is loaded with blind spots galore. Weight is a hair over five thousand pounds and it gets really crappy gas mileage. Definitely not a mini-van! On the other hand, with the rear seats removed it has tons of cargo space. It might be able to carry a Ford Festiva (Mazda 121) back there.

Plans for today. There are none. I have no idea what my father is going to dream up next or call at the last minute about. Can you tell I'm a person who doesn't like last minute planning? If there's a schedule of things that are to be done I'm fine with that. But this last minute crap because he can't get his head together has to go. Besides, plans for my future that I don't know about worry me.

Please excuse my mood. I'm in a lot of pain today and the last thing I need to be doing is dashing back and forth on errands.

[laz 57]

Hi GUYZ,

  Glad all YUZ GUYZ made it back home safely.  But you took all the heat and warm weather with you.  COME ON BACK, its cold with a good chance of SNO HI O tonite?  No fishing last nite or fire had some thunderstorms come through and put down some much needed rain.  More on the way today.2-4 inches of liquid precipatation.

Stay frosty,

laz57

[AF53]

Good mornig all! Cloudy with rain only getting into the mid fifties.

JoeD - I had alot going on yesterday and when they pulled Garcia out I had to get back to work, thought it was a looser for sure. A couple of hours later I put the TV back on and saw we were winning, it was in the bottom of the 8th. WOW! It brightened up the rest of the evening.

Jack - I was listening to WEEI yesterday morning at work and ALL the calls were about the Sox, I know it's early in the year but it looks to be a long one for you if things don't pick up soon.

HudsonJohn - Thanks for the updates from York the past few days, if it wasn't so hectic at work I would have gone. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for October.

Laz - Speaking of October, I'm sure by then you'll have ALOT of FREE time on your hands and you can be our guide? You know, pick us all up, drive us around, plan our dinners, etc.....

Have a good day,

Ray

[Anonymous]

Mornin' Fellas

I went back and read 5 days worth of posts and no one posted the CTT Forum Photo so here it goes:


Front Row (L to R): Laz, Carl Swanson, Fife, Mitch
Back Row (L to R): 88, Banks, Bob Keller, SJ, ???, Charlie, Traindood, ???, Brutus, Don

Had an awesome time meeting everyone and just hanging out... Laz 1 hour!?!?! Yes it did seem like mere minutes. I got a bunch of scenery materials from Scenery Express, a C&O REA car, and a T-Shirt for Christina. Photos on SPF.

Kev - for the little one and MIL

Christina is doing better, for the Pot - Christina got an ear infection and was running a temp of 101 on Thursday (why I missed the festivities), she's been on meds for a few days and is back to being herself again.

[MichRR714]

Thanks for posting the picture Brent.  I did not have the group shot. 

Brutus summed things up well, was a great York for me!  I especially enjoyed spending time with him and all the great friends I have made in this hobby.

[dwiemer]

Good afternoon Y'all!  Does sound like York was great.  Hope to make it back before too long.  Brutus, if money is no object, I have found that the Chief is the perfect shopping partner, he can get you the next thing "you have to have".  As always, there are more things to buy than money to buy it with.  

Church was very good this morning.  We had a group from ALM, which is a mission team that works with people with leprosy.  This particular team worked in the Congo.  Imagine a area the size of four times the size of georgia with no electricity and no roads.  Now try to imagine going and finding the people that need help, quite the task. The pastor's message was very good too.  

It is beautiful here today.  Blue skies and the doors are open to let a nice comfortable breeze flow.  Now all I need is to take a nap.

Dennis

[ChiefEagles]

Afternoon all.  Finally, rain.  Nice one but hope we get more.  Sunday School and the Teacher Appreciation meal.  Had a great comedian/magician after the meal.

More train photos and the REAL enigneer.

Later

[cnw1995]

Aloha. Cool today. Back from working all day at Church - on our anniversary...    Bought home flowers to make up for it a bit.  Actually, we celebrated yesterday - I made a hash out of dinner - wrong reservations, couldn't find parking - all sorts of screw-ups that she said she'd have dumped me if we weren't married already. I think she was kidding.

At least a White Sox threw a no-hitter. 

Brutus, SJ, Charlie, Laz, Banks, Brent, Fife and everyone I'm forgetting -- so glad you had a good time. Brutus got a great deal on the Hornby and his 97! Maybe I can go in a year when my daughter is out from college and I have one tuition payment instead of two...

Dennis, wish I was closer to help you with the truck. I like doing things like that...

[KRM]

Hi guys,

Glad all you Yorkers had a good time and made it back safe and sound.

Can’t wait to see the gifts you got for guys like DougM and me that could not make it. 

Gut grass today, what a dust storm, no rain since I can’t remember.

Changed the oil and filters on both the Deere 3203 and the Husqvarna YTH1848XP. Good for another year.

Had to fix the neighbors Crappsman rider yesterday but I do it every year.   She just can’t get it into her head you need to winterize them in the fall. Oh well it is running now so at least I don’t have to cut her grass.

MIL is being transferred to a rehabilitation facility tomorrow or today. BIL has not returned Sandra’s call. Will find out when he calls.

Had to listen to the race but I like to do that because you can still get things done. 

Prayers to all that need them and those that don’t.

Kev.

 

[dougdagrump]

Afternoon All !

Quiet here now, the munchkin spent the nite and is now on his way home. Time to sit back and watch some BB, if only the Padres would get their stuff together.

Need to go in tomorrow and see about getting some track work done. Although the better half may squawk about my lite duty restrictions, so we'll see.

Glad to see all the Yorkies made it home safe and sound, and not to lite of wallet.

Time to go put some drops in the eye, it is great to have a working eye again.

Later all. 

[cheapclassics]

Good afternoon all,

It is cloudy in SE Indiana.  Had an enjoyable three hours last night listening to Donald Davidson speak.  He made the time pass all too quickly.  Did very little today, just trimmed on a couple of crab apple trees.  TBIL and I can drive.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[ChiefEagles]

KRM

Hi guys,

Had to fix the neighbors Crappsman rider yesterday but I do it every year.   She just can’t get it into her head you need to winterize them in the fall. Oh well it is running now so at least I don’t have to cut her grass.

Why don't you take your lazy butt over each winter and winterize her mower for her.  What kind of sorry neighbor are you?

MIL is being transferred to a rehabilitation facility tomorrow or today. BIL has not returned Sandra’s call. Will find out when he calls.

Prayers for MIL's speedy recovery.

Kev.

 

[Banks]

lionroar88

Front Row (L to R): Laz, Carl Swanson, Fife, Mitch
Back Row (L to R): 88, Banks, Bob Keller, SJ, ???, Charlie, Traindood, The face looking over Carl's shoulder belongs to Hudson John, Brutus, Don

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Banks

 

lionroar88:

 

Front Row (L to R): Laz, Carl Swanson, Fife, Mitch
Back Row (L to R): 88, Banks, Bob Keller, SJ, ???, Charlie, Traindood, The face looking over Carl's shoulder belongs to Hudson John, Brutus, Don

 

 

 

It's nice to see some faces to go with the names.

[dwiemer]

Looking at the photo from York, a couple of things are missing.  One being the Chief, the other....where is the trash dumpster?  Anyway, looks like a good group and sounds like y'all had fun.  Did Marty E have the meeting they have had for the past several years with Lionel?  I didn't see a thread that he usually does.  I usually get some information not otherwise available.

Well, church tonight was very good, though I did have to fill in on camera as someone didn't show.  Pastor was talking about death and the hope that we have.  Don't want to get to into the message here, but it was comforting for someone who has lost loved ones and friends.  Just need to make sure they are heading in the right direction.  It was a shame to hear about Chuck Coleson.  He was a genuine character who turned his life around.  He made a lot of difference in the lives of prisoners who also changed their life's direction for the better.  I had a preacher friend from Texas who spent time as a ward of the state for killing a man.  He turned his life around and has a great testimony for others who have been there.

RT, thanks for the information on the UP844, sad, I hope that it doesn't get too costly and they make it a static display.  I still love the story of when she pushed a disabled diesel train to the yard, and they didn't know what was giving the assist till they got there.

I pray that each of you has a blessed week ahead.

Dennis

Ps: Doug, I really enjoy helping folks. It does surprise me when some actually call to say thank you...this was one of those times.

[Banks]

Hello all,

Mrs & I arrived home from york about 5:30 last evening. We had a great time just getting away from home for a couple of days. It was even better to meet all that were there. Mrs says you seem like a bunch of nice guys.

Didn't spend very much at york.

Light up crystal Church(for Christmas decorating)  $10.00

2 "Next to Trains Grandpa loves me best" T-shirts $18.00

20 Porcelain miniature lamp holders for buildings   $20.00

A copy of "Lionel's Show Room Layouts"             $10.00

Lunch for Mrs & I                                                $18.25

All though I may have missed something as I was walking fairly quickly to take in all the buildings there wasn't a lot that I saw that fit my price range and that I wanted. All the pieces I saw that are on my want list were priced well above what they regularly sell for on Ebay

Time to head for bed.

Prayers for those in need

 

[sir james I]

46 now, it feels cold after York's 70's. It did cool there today though. Banks I found the same to be true, what I was looking for was twice the price I was willing to pay. There were deals for those like Brutus that found something to barter for. And of course there were plenty of sellers thinking it was still the 80s with their pricing. I can pass those tables very quickly. No Banilla tonight...S.J.