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.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill RR....

It is a cold and sunny 42 degrees. Going up to 68 today with sunshine.

Today is opening day of Indians baseball. I will watch the game.  Thank goodness. I'm getting tired of watching reruns on TV. Even the hundreds of commercials are reruns.

Gas is still at $3.99 a gallon here. I wonder where all the surplus is??

Chores, lunch, nap and then baseball. What a day.

Dining car is here with Cheerios for breakfast.

Doug M.... It was Dougthegrumps idea.

Y'all have a great Thursday.

Chuck

[cnw1995]

Aloha. Glad your friend seems better, Blownout.  Dennis, we had a similar story although it was in Family Court. They even had a play area for the kids - first we had to go for them to be 'served' by the Sheriff,  then back to court where the judge called us up in front of everyone for all the final legal stuff. And we got our photo with the help of the bailiff.  Looks like a nice cool, sunny day here. Have to probably cut the lawn which means I have to get the mower out of storage in the basement... Notice my enthusiasm . Nice ride on the Tardis last night. I'm enjoying reflecting on possible layout changes.

[blownout cylinder]

Morning...

Sunny and a high of 55F expected...

Have an appointment this morning with doctor about some tests need done..more poking and prodding again...

Got phonecall from friend's wife that he is doing ...that was all...I guess he is stable, for now...

Jeff: Hope things go well with your mother...as for aphasia thing, you still make perfect sense to me...take care...

To all: Thanks for the prayers and such...got the phonecall that he 'is doing' . Seems he is stabilized, for now. Will probs go up there later..after my own med app't

[Banks]

Hello all,

Last w*** day this week.

lots happening on the Pot

Been a long week. Dad doesn't like being an a leash (Oxygen) Hope that Doc says he no longer needs it at the follow up visit today.

V8

Jeffry, for you and yours.

Fife, hope the property works out.

Hope to see you all at York. Depends on Dad's health

Received my first TCA Quarterly yesterday. Also an invitation to the Fort Pitt division show on  April 29. It's probably about an equal distance as York for me.

Probe, did you ever go to it??

Best get busy. came in early since I have to leave early to take Dad to Doc

 

Prayers for those in need

[wrmcclellan]

Evening!

Jack - Maggie is fine now. A couple of rough days. I think she ate something in the back yeard she shouldn't have?

V8 -

SJ - Happy anniv!

[AF53]

Just got back from watching "Black Swan" with daughter #2. Natalie Portman was amazing, very interesting movie if you haven't seen it.

Jeff - Good luck with your mother hope everything gets better soon.

Good night,

Ray

[MichRR714]

Happy Birthday V8

Don... a big, big

 

[dwiemer]

Good evening everyone.  Long day, but not too busy.  I feel better when I have been working hard then I do when just using up the oxygen there.  Had to do some paperwork on some research I am doing.  Since it is a quiet week, I am getting a fair amount done on this project.  I don't mind doing the actual experiments, but hate gathering it all up into a format fit for publishing.  

V8 Dennis, happy birthday sir!  Hope it has been a good one.

Brent, sorry to hear that about the on-line thing.  I guess it was just more of a special moment for us.  One funny thing about our experience, we all had to gather in the court room Prior to the judge coming out of chambers....you know the whole show respect thing.  Anyway, here we are with our baby girl and our four year old son, along with a whole section of angry and scared looking people in orange and pink jumpsuits.  Judge walks in, everyone rises, then the judge announces everyone else will have to wait as he has more pressing issues and waves our family to come back to his chambers for the ceremony.  Was real special.

Jack, a date with your wife is a must!  It is all too easy to let a marriage get stale if we don't put the effort into it.  I learned a long time ago, don't waste special moments.  Instead of celebrating just the anniversary, why not celebrate the honeymoon?  Take her someplace special for a week!  Hey, it works for us.

Don, the polkadot hats Ray mentioned, I believe they carry them at welder's supply places.  Most of the vintage photos and videos I have seen of the steam era, the guys in the cab are wearing them.  

Jeff, will say prayers for your mom.  Hope they get control of things real soon.  Never easy when it is a parent or a child.

Better head to bed.  God bless,

Dennis

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Didn't feel like cooking tonight, went to Burger King got to go couple Whopper Jrs and onion rings. that was dinner after almost nothing today. handful peanuts and one Bud Lite. Body aching back cramping. Drive was relaxing. Alternator working great. Lights brighten and dim with charge/idle cycles. Didn't happen when old belt was on slipping when charging.

Talked with my father about mothers condition. No news. Just home from work, in much same condition as me, tired too.

This plimpdoddleslop aphasia kicking my butt, hard to think, remember words, reread sentences several times deleting nonsense hoping what left make sense. Mine recurs, little/no warning from fever or bumping head hard. Aggravating. Could last days, months, years. Hope days. If leave unedited sentence word overflow might be not understood. Doing best possibly can. Patience please. Speech/hearing effected.

Atlas SD27J and Bachmann GP38-2 paired together wired for permanent mu simple consist, play well together. Atlas U30M-R-EM-645 having pickup problem rear truck. Kato type drive hate working on those.

Good night. See all tomorrow.

[Brutus]

Howdy guys -

Fife - Ooo lala! 

Blownout and Jeffrey and all in need - prayers are offered up.

V8 - Happy Birthday!!!  Hope you had a great one

Brent - congrats, it will all be over before you know it!  I just noticed that my son is as tall as I am, and he's now a shaver.  EEK!

Don and Chief - great pics, looks like you guys are having some interesting times

Cut a deal with an orthodontist for both kids that is workable.  Also looking into finding a contractor to put in a retaining wall in the back yard at long last.  I could do it myself - I've done smaller ones for myself and friends, but it would take a looooong time and we want to get it done sooner than later.

Jack - she got another Toshiba, we have had good luck with those.

TARDIS is ready, so let's hit it

[Anonymous]

Chief - Modern PT is done with salt water, they aren't permitted to use arsenic within the USA any more, But the salt water is still enough to do damage to the soil. I simply stay away from PT lumber if it is going to be anywhere near food plants.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Thanks for prayers/good wishes for mother. No word yet on condition.

[ChiefEagles]

Evening.  Not feeling good.  Sinus infestion getting me down.  Area light up.  Had to make a trip to Lowes.  The electric eye was bad on the new origional unit.   Now lights up everything behind the Box and just outside the back fence.  Fred and I "ran down" all the elcetrical wires left from the walls being gone.  I rewired the breaker box with newer GE breakers.  Also loosen and retighten all the screws and etc to main breaker.  Coated all with die electrical grease.  Ready for flooring and ceiling.

V8 and many more,

Shake and Bake is the old fireman.  Too bad he did not have to shovel coal like LAZ.  Think they knew he would not last if he had to shovel so they converted to fuel oil.  Turn a little valve.  How strenuous.

Fifey, she has some flamingos somewhere.  A lot at the lake house gardens.

Brent, I had wondered about the chemicals.  Thanks for the comment.

OH, on Ghost Busters International on TV.  They were in Mechanicsville, MD.  Guy who owned the old family estate had a son of his Great Great Granddad buried in the estate family cemetary.  He was killed in the War of Northern Oppression.  His grave was flying the great Stars and Bars.    Always said MD was more REB than Yank.

Poor Granny.

Prayers for Jeffrey's Mom.   Glad Jeffrey joined us even though he is HO.  Great photos.

ND will never be the same.

Off to bed.

[KRM]

Good evening guys,

 Well heading back to North Central Illinois tomorrow after the Fargo big adventure. Just got back from a nice sushi restaurant.

Things went better than I thought but not to sure we will get the information we need from them for the project but we will see. I get to stay home for at least a week before next trip.     I will fly that one. 

Don B sounds like a great time and job you have. I love the pictures.

Chief I agree with Brent on the treated wood, I have used old RR ties and they work well if you can get them. Pam should be very happy with you …for now!  By the way I thought I saw one of the Jones boys behind the bushes in one shot.

  DougM do you have any pictures of the front coupler install on the Thomas and the parts you used? I will send you a PM once I get it. I like the idea of the light too. Smoke would also be a nice touch.

Roy, I was thinking of you and the tornados.     So glad you and yours are ok.

Dennis, my friend from SC finally ran out of talking steam so things got better but I did eat by myself for some peace and quiet.

V8Dennis happy birthday, Hope you have had a great day.

Jeffery, Prayers for your mom and your health.

RIJack wow sounds like you had one heck of a trip.    Glad it all worked out. See you are never tooo old to learn something.

All of you Yorkers………….. major envy here! 

Went to the LHS in Morehead Minnesota yesterday but they had very little O gauge stuff but I did pick up the new Lionel Catalogs,

 I took a few pictures of some RR stuff I will share when I get back to my PC. More will come on the next trip. A lot of cool old stuff and lots of rails here.

 Have a great night guys.

Kev

[cnw1995]

Wow, Don, what a fun job!  Happy DennisV8! And Many more.  Prayers for your mom, Jeffrey. Had lots of spam for dinner tonight  SJ, is that 57 years married to Granny?  Oh too bad the hearing is online, Brent, though that is tres convenient. We had to go to downtown Chicago, visit the County Building and the Courthouse just like you saw in the movie The Blues Brothers...

[sir james I]

V8 Happy Birthday

Don B nice pictures.

57 now, With errands done I just goofed off the afternoon. A lot of local talk about York so it's coming fast. 2 hours till chat time...S.J.

RI Jack, I have granny worried, I told her that in heaven she would still be my wife.......:)

[AF53]

Just got home from work and a quick HELLO to all before I head over to daughter #2 for dinner and a movie. Tonight is Black Swan. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

V8 - Happy Birthday and many more!

Later

Ray

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Well, mother been transferred to Saint Francis Cabrini hospital Alexandria. Apparently problem more interesting than first thought.

Van been fixed. Nephew did work. Darn thing fought every step of the way. Murphy tunder fifteen minute job to hour job. Parts store foulup not help. Number on belt belt pack right. Number on belt wrong belt too big. Took back got replacement this belt too small. Third time charm. Got right belt finally. Nephew put belt on rear pulley on engine and alternater. Tightened tight. Revved up and belt flew off. Tried on rear pulley again same thing. Moved forward one pulley and front pulley of alternator and works greats. Told nephew Murphy must live in rear pulley.

Was planning to attend fire dept meeting tonight but been running all day now hurting like hell. Saty home sounding like great idea.

[dougdagrump]

Afternoon All.

Sure was hungry at lunchtime, kinda wished I could've fixed a Spamwich but alas no SPAM in the can.

Jack, When you reach a "certain" stage in life Date Night means figuring out which Early Bird Special sounds most appealing.

After the surgery the eye doc believes I can replace the corrective lens for the rt eye with a plain lens then see how the left eye responds since it will no longer be strained. Frankly the rt eye is pretty much like trying to look thru a cotton ball .

Gotta run, need to check on some prescription prices that don't sound quite rite.

Later Dudes & Dudettes !

[laz 57]

dbaker48

Good Morning,

Glad to hear those tornadoes, skipped by Roy!!!  Those videos are unreal.  Texas can have some really mean storms, I've seen a couple.

Great job on the landscaping Chief, you can do my place anytime.  The "Box" is really looking good.  Had a toast with some "Baker's" last night for you.

Jack, can't believe the trip you had, talk about challenges, WOW!

MY FIRST DAY.......

First couple of hours spent with administrative items, got "costumes" issued.  A little interesting, my boss told me to make sure that the long sleeve plaid shirts that would be issued were the cotton ones, NOT the polyester.  "They will melt to your skin."  Also, make sure they give you the "good" rain gear, not the transparent pauncho.  (Concerned about that the suit sure looks like it would melt). Then the cap, they didn't have one big enough.  (I know there will be a lot of offers as to the cause of that problem).  I ended up being issued 5 sets of Bibs, Shirts, 1 Rain Gear, windbreaker, and a small cap.  (Provided my own boots.)

1st task was riding on the tender deck plate, watching my trainer performing the Fireman tasks, on the 2-8-0 Consolidation, C-19.  1 trip around the approx 1 mile loop at 8 mph.  2nd trip we changed positions.  Talk about hot, I have 3 layers of clothing on, all cotton, and of course our weather really warmed up too!  Think I will definetly be loosing weight.  Didn't see ANY plump guys, they are all skinny.

As Fireman, I was watching the flame in the firebox, water level in the sight glass, steam pressure, maintaining the fuel oil value (feeding the fire), controlling the blower, atomizer, steam injector, water injector, ringing the bell, and watching for clearance on the track.  Watching the exhaust from the stack, minimizing Black smoke. All at the same time.  What a challenge!  As we have a stage coach running in the park parallel to a portion of the track, if it appears, IMMEDIATELY stop the bell, so as not to spook the horses. 

Coming back into the station of course you need to minimize the fire, by watching it through the "crack" at the firebox doors, I only had 3 flame-outs.  (Was advised handled that situation great, immediately recovered the flame.  After a dozen or so trips.  Then went over to "Little Toot"

Little Toot, is a propane fired 24" steam engine used in Camp Snoopy.  Only has one person as Engineer/Fireman.  All the same controls and values as the C-19.  But there on your own.  Did ride a-longs, with hand on throttle while my trainer was showing me operation.

Today, will be spending most of the time as Fireman on the C-19, (suppose to be hot today too), as I am on the closing shift, will be introduced to the shut down procedures.  Then tomorrow, all day on Little Toot, also closing.  Next week working the opening shifts Tue thru Fri, learning start-up.

Overall, this is really fantastic!  Loving it! 

The C-19 Lomotive;

Little Toot;

Yours Truly

Later

 

HI DON,

  Sounds like you can do my job up at the PIONEER TUNNEL.  Great going keep up the good work.

laz57

[laz 57]

V8VEGA,

  HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!!
HOPE you receive something with flanged wheels.

laz57

[RockIsland52]

Greetings #3 From Sunny Taxachusetts,

Blownout.........happy 35^th anniversary to you!!!  I don’t think I will live to see mine.  I keep aggravating my wife just enough to jeopardize my health. 

Bob Keller..........happy 16^th CTT anniversary to you!!!!!!  

8n........that is exceptionally good news on your Mom’s rehab progress.   I hope she is pumped up about how far she has come,  and I hope she continues to improve.  Prayers continue.   

V8.........happy bithday to you!!!!  Which one is it?    

Banks.......I was glad to read that your Dad turned the corner on his pneumonia and is home from the hospital.  Hope he is continuing to make progress.   Re the kids climbing around in your apple tree.......that sounds a whole lot better than what happened to me.  Two little neighborhood children (spawn of the devil) showed up in my yard with golf clubs and tried to chop down one of my trees which had been planted just two years prior.  I had to go to a nursery and ask for advice on how to salvage the tree because quite a bit of bark was removed.  The tree somehow survived.  I also had to have a heart-to-heart with the parents.  When their Dad realized his boys had used his new golf clubs, he got very cooperative.  I imagine the beatings commenced shortly after I left and was out of earshot.

KEV........the news on Katie was good.  Prayers she has success in her hunt and uses her former employer as a very solid reference as well as a solid networking resource.  The experience she acquired in the past year must look pretty good on her resume.  

Brutus.......I was glad to hear Char finally turned the corner on the crud.   Also, that your Dad’s hard head saved him from serious injury.  His staples remind me that a couple of years ago my father-in-law was working on his car.  Those thingies that look like shock absorbers holding open the hood of his car decided to fail when his head was under there, and you guessed it, staples required.  Re the Tardis dishwasher, Chewey.  Aren’t you afraid your pup will catch some disease from the POT passengers’ dirty ice cream bowls?   Oh yeah, if you play your cards right Char will let you use her new laptop occasionally.  What did she get? 

Chief........re your DUI checkpoint duty, only 5 DUIs sounds kind of low to me.  Guess the legal limit in Roseyville is .20, or you were reclinerizing in a squad car during the whole affair.  Congratulations on the anniversary of your starting the POT 8 years ago!  Look at all of the trouble you have stirred up for poor Bob Keller.  

SP Ray.........I am sure you are relieved that your brother-in-law’s evaluation came out so well and that the plumbing is good.  Thanks for the pictures of your layout.  Just don’t forget to lower that access section back into place before you start running the trains.  You should have snapped a few photos of Don scooting under the layout like a monkey.  

LAZ........I think you are right.  In honor of his 53^rd anniversary, SJ should throw all financial caution to the winds at York and buy his wifey the F ABBA set she has been pining for.   She’s worth it!!! 

Darren.......those wildfires in your neck of the woods really did a number on a lot of people.  It is sad some even lost their lives.  

Rich and HudsonJohn........Route 9 and 35 bring back fond memories from 39 years ago for me when I lived in the Woodbridge Village apartments in Avenel NJ with a great view of the dome at the Rahway State prison.  Rubin Hurricane Carter was incarcerated there at the time.  Rich.......re your whirlwind day on the commuter rail-----I fell asleep more than once on the commuter rail out of Boston going home from work and didn’t wake up until the train reached the end of the line in Rockport Taxachusetts, about 15 miles past my stop.  On one occasion I had to call and get the wifey out of bed, and she was very displeased.  It was past midnight, it was the last train, and so I couldn’t just jump back on another train taking me back in the right direction to the station where my car was parked.  She had to come get me.  In short, we had “words.”  

JoeyD.........ya gotta love it!  Beer girls running up and down the isles at a baseball game with beer kegs strapped to their backs.  I wonder why we don’t have that at Fenway Park here.  

DougDG........I was glad to hear all went well with your pre-op physical in preparation for your cataract surgery.  Will the corrective lenses they implant free you from eyeglasses? 

Roy........was it you whose dog was sick?  Don’t think I read any after-comment.  Hope your pup is OK.

Later, gang.

Jack

[Anonymous]

Dennis, Doug, etal - This is an online hearing, so we will not be 'seeing' the judge.

Fife -

[fifedog]

Evenin' boys.  Mostly cloudy & 70 here int he Mid-Atlantic region.  Been performing wifey-doos past several evening, and now "I've got blisters on me fingahs!"

RockIsland - You know, I usually gloss over the out-of-state b.o.l.o.'s during roll-call...  Man-oh-man...can only imagine how frustrated you were.  I can crack walnuts with my cheeks as is when flying.  Hope you can get everything squared away with no additional costs to you.  I'd let the insurance company know you won't be renewing next time with them.

Chief ---> I looked and I looked through your garden pics, and I didn't see any pink flamingos.  Perhaps you could spot shadow them for me?

dbaker - Envy here.

Brutus - All a'twitter you're coming to YORK.  Maybe I'll even shave.

Roy - Glad the twisties didn't getcha.

V8Vega --->

cnw1995 - I'm thinking of a Monty Python play.......

[RockIsland52]

Good Afternoon Y'all From Parched Cape Ann Taxachusetts,

We just completed the driest first quarter ever recorded here, about 6" short of the average precipitation.  Seasonal temps will be with me for the rest of the week with no significant rainfall in the forecast.  Eastern part of the state is under alert for brushfires, and we will get some for sure.  The fire departments are at the ready.

I just caught up on my POT reading from last Wednesday forward, so if some of my commentary seems dated.......it is.

First, I would like to wish SJ and his bride my sincerest congratulations on the occasion of their 53rd wedding anniversary.  I know I speak for all of us when I say it has been all gravy for you SJ while your better half will be rewarded in heaven.   They will have to have two St. Pat's Days now.    On an unrelated note, I was admiring your new avatar Charlie posted for you and have just one thing to say:  Nice "rack."   

MikeC........I will continue to pray for Lucas and for you as your family meets this challenge, together.  I am a lot older than you, and I had to look long and hard in the mirror when you made the comment that patience was not one of the things you passed on to your kids.  Age has provided me with an invisible strip of duck tape over my mouth......in that I spend more time listening and asking questions of the heart than I do preaching to my kids, more time helping them to dwell on their successes, their efforts, and their aspirations.  It has drawn my kids much closer to me and to my wife, with them seeking advice on matters only they can ultimately decide for themselves.  There is not a person amongst us who at one time or another has not felt the world crashing down upon us, yet we are all still standing and moving forward.  Maybe Dennis said it best when he noted in different words that we sometimes lose our way, when one mistakenly believes that independence means no dependence.  It is hard for my adult children to grasp the concept that asking for help, taking a step back, removing some items from the plate, taking time for themselves to unwind, and returning to their spiritual roots are not signs of weakness.  They are the tools for survival, success, strength, and inner peace.   Hang in there!!!!

Brent........please make sure you take your camera to the court house and snap a few victory photos.  Then you and Susan should hang one on the wall.    Couldn't be happier for you two!!   By the way, when you finally get to deduct your expenses from your 2012 tax return, we all expect you to take your refund and buy us presents with flanged wheels.

Fife.......sorry to hear that the property you want hasn't come through........yet.  As you say, the market is ripe if this one doesn't work out.  So are the interest rates.  Hang in there.  Something will pop.

Dennis......you planted a seed.  I think it is time I had a "date night" with my wife.

Don......thank you for the pictures of the real trains and your new career.  It sounds like all of those "too tight" articles of clothing in your closet will fit you in a couple of months.

Chief........thank you also for the pictures you posted of the landscaping.  Wow!!!   It looks like you may have to hire some landscapers to keep up with all of the trimming, fertilizing, mulching, weeding, and planting.  The BOX rennovation and your planned train empire may have to take a back seat for a while.

Later, gang.

Jack

[RockIsland52]

Jeffrey............prayers your Mom is doing OK, and I hope things with you have settled down as well.

Roy.........the news videos about the tornadoes were stunning.  Glad the worst of it missed you.  At least you got some of the sod downbefore the rains hit you.

KEV........better not get arrested in ND.  I hear they give you a nice hanging right after a "fair" trial up there.   I'll bet they are civilized in ND in that they ban grits.

Dennis.........my niece that got married this past weekend in Chicago has been on several medical missions to Puerto Rico, Central, and South America.  She works for Astra Zeneca, the pharmaceutical company.   Yes, there was danger amidst chaos, disaster, and desperation during some of them.  You have my prayers for your missionary friends.....amidst a civil war no less.    

Thank you guys for all of the "condolences" on the snafus my wife Pam and I experienced on our trip out and back from Chicago this past week.  The TSA story at the Chicago O'Hare airport over our expired drivers' licenses (photo ID) was amusing.  More on that later.  

Jack

[blownout cylinder]

 

Good Afternoon...

 

Well, kind of....seems that our friend was sent back to hospital with a fever......not sure why though...keeping vigil here...

for your mother, Jeff

[SPMan]

Hey Don, thanks a bunch for all the good photos of your Knotts adventure.  You lucky dog!  Looks like you are having entirely too much fun.  They really let you get your feet wet right away it looks like on the fireman training.  When I went to work for the Southern Pacific years ago, we had to go to class for 6 weeks before they would even let us get near an engine  and that was only diesels.  I really envy your opportunity to work on a live steam engine.  All my experience was on the internal combustion kind.  I did get a ride for about 100 miles in the cab of the Daylight engine SP 4449 once but that was my only time in a steam engine cab on the SP.  I still have my bib overalls from work since I retired but I don't think they fit anymore.  I have grown sideways.  I always liked the black and white stripe bibs like the color of the familiar engineer hats.  The old time hogheads wore hats with polka dots on them sometimes too.  I had a red one and a blue one both with white dots.  First time I wore one of those to work as a fireman, the engineer looked at me like I just landed from Mars.  My friend Larry, who worked on the Knotts railroad years ago said they used to have to put something in the water in the tender to prevent foaming in the boiler.  It looked like round balls of something.  I'm sure you know about that by now.  How hard was it to work the spout on the water tank?  Wouldn't want one of those things to get away from me.  Have fun and keep us posted.

Dennis, sorry but I don't know anything about the Shadow Mountain Church.  Maybe V8 Vega has heard of it.  He goes to a big church in the San Fernando Valley.

Roy, glad you did'nt get blown away, literally.

Chief, what a lovely house you have and nice job on the landscaping.  Your place reminds me of the nice houses I remember growing up when a lot of them had some individuality, not all made out of ticky tacky like some of the tract houses are today.

Jeffrey, prayers for your mother.

V8 Dennis, Happy birthday

Good day all,

Ray

[wrmcclellan]

Don - that is cool! You and LAZ can start the Brotherhood of CTT Real Locomotive Engineers! Watch those Yard Limits!

Jeffrey - prayers for your mother

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Ambulance came, carted mother off to hospital again. Blood sugar through roof other problems. Am staying near phone.