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.

[dwiemer]

Good evening everyone.  Long day at work, followed by a great service at church.  Though I had to be on camera, it was quite enjoyable.  We had a symphony play and the Easter Story was narrated before the Lord's Supper.

Brent, they still teach Rommel's tactics at both the war college and for armored div. tactics at the national training center Ft. Irwin.

Rich, that is Still good time.  I remember when I was taking fire 2 at the academy, we were doing a class in which we were to don our packs to the point of ready to go in.  I did it all real fast (don't remember my time), but at the end, I opened the bypass to blow a little air.  The instructor blew a gasket yelling at me.  I responded that I was not going in till I knew I was getting air.  Got sent to the front office.  They sided with me and I never had that instructor again.

DougM, I am looking into getting one of the apple airport extenders that allows you to hook to an Ethernet cable and use the wifi for short distance.  There are some places in China that have Ethernet, but either no wifi, or wifi with poor reception.

God bless everyone

Dennis

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Time to call it a night. Been working on the SD27J most of the day. Replaced the air tanks on it. Moved them around so it's different from any others. Still have to put on air lines. The loco runs extremely well considering it literally has a bent frame. I have it permanently mu'd second in line with a Bachmann GP38-2. Tomorrow I may work on it some more and dust up the long hood some.

See y'all tomorrow. With luck my mind will be all here.

[dbaker48]

Evening,

Had a great day off, set at a desk for about 45 minutes, and go to get up and boy are my thighs and abdomen sore.

Laz, That is the Henry Clay 0-4-0 Vulcan you are running right?  There is a Vulcan at Knotts, non-operational, and named Betsy, I will see what it is, also another engine even in worse shape not sure if it is a Vulcan or not but about the same size.  It's named Jenny.

I sure am glad our is fuel oil fired, I don't think I would have lasted the first day if I was shoveling coal!  I sure have a lot of respect for the guys that did!!  They knew what a days work was!  I watched the video of the Clay at Pioneer Village, looked really cool!

We will probably be hearing about Chiefs train experience today.  He is "driving" the train in a parking lot I believe, and it has RUBBER TIRES, AND NO TRACK!!  As you know what they say, "Track isn't for kids!"  I'll bet he has a gas PEDAL too.  If he was paying attention and heard me talking of an atomizer, I'll bet he will raid Pam's cosmetics!  Be interesting to see what he reports.

Ray, I too have been surprised with the training regime, but I'm REALLY looking forward to the Goose in a week or so.  One big advantage is the crew does not have to be FRA certified.  I do have to complete 90 days as a Certified Fireman before Engineer training on the C19.  Begin working with the Certification Trainer on Sunday.

By the way are any of you guys familiar with the term "Foamer", its referring to people, hint.

Later

[Brutus]

Sorry, ran late after hanging out with my friend Chris this evening.  Hope you got my email, SJ?  Watching Super 8, which is a pretty good movie.  Wife and kids took Amtrak headed to KC area this morning from downtown STL, I dropped them off on my way to work.  They'll be back on Sunday, so we'll have some Easter together.  Don - keep the stories coming here on CTT, perfect place for it!  Prayers for friends and family, God bless!  Happy Good Friday.  Tardis is ready - BARK!

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  We'll just call it cool but clear in the Mid-Atlantic region.  It just took 45 mins to "catch up" on the Coffee Pot.  Big Easter Egg hunt tomorrow at Fifedom, and the wifey-do's will be increasing.  Fifepup helped me hang the sails on the yatchet, so she's all ready for a trip.  Then, took him to Joe Bank's for some fine threads (3 for 1).  Pup got 2, Fifey got 1.  Hard to make me look good, but Joe Bank does it best.  Pup has to work Safeway on Easter (5-10pm): hethens.  Oldest boy just told me I'm going to have a new crewmember shortly.  This was a surprise to everyone, but we'll work through it.  Middle princess home for the weekend.  FifeMax over 26 lbs!

Wow - Thomas Kincade  at 54.

dbaker - I enjoy reading about your training here.  It's very interesting, especially to this "foamer" of a certain density.  

88 - Congrats to the Q and you.

laz - O's won their home-opener.  Should I buy play-off tix now?

Banks - Certainly looking forward to meeting you at YORK.

Buckeye - Work in Martyland, and you'll have twice as many eyes on your work...

jefelectric - Glad all is well with you sir.

Where in the Wide, Wide, World-of Sports is Phish? 

[blownout cylinder]

Good Morning

Getting sunshine and a high near 58F today...

Friend is still doing..no change in that department...going up there later today to see him...at least his sense of humour still abounds...in spite of this...

Been a kind of weird week here..what with him in the hospital and his wife staying here...we had a few friends over to run some choo choos to get the mind off'n him..and, guess what...5 ran...5 issues show up...

Thanks for all the prayers guys..it is definitely appreciated here...

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning. It's 56° and partly cloudy. The high will be 82° and it'll be mostly sunny.

I'm having some difficulty thinking clearly this morning but other than that I'm feeling OK. I intend to do more work on the SD27J today. Hopefully there'll be no interruptions (In this family? Yeah! Right! Like getting a rainy day on the surface of the sun!) and I'll be able to make and install the lines for the air tanks. Last night I had to brush some gray weathering powder onto the tanks just to get a descent photo of them. Otherwise they blended right into the long hood. One thing for sure, with tanks that size there should be plenty of air for stopping.

No news on my mothers condition other than 'no improvement'.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill RR....

It is a cold 29 degrees. Sunny. Going up to 60 today with sunshine.

Today is an easy day. Baseball this afternoon. I will only get a short nap. Chores this morning.

Tomorrow is wife's birthday. She will be 68 and she is not happy about it. But she WILL accept a present. Hmmmm...

Dining car is here with Cheerios for breakfast.

Y'all have a great Saturday.

Chuck

[submmbob]

Hello all

Fairly quiet night on the hill. Had a bit of a snafu with the ins. company. Apparently I signed in the wrong place for the odometer statement. Since it has to be notorized, I'll need to send another and cannot fax it. Easy when your not on a 10K ft mountain...on a weekend...somewhat removed from a major metropolitan area.

Will need to get back up in a few hours and make some calls then head down and see if I can get this taken care of. Needed to get groceries anyway I guess.

Kev - that trackmobile looks like it's from a cub scout pinewood derby or something

Dennis - I was doing my two week  in Pt. Hueneme when they invaded Kuwait. What was a fairly quiet time suddenly got more interesting. The base had to pull out all the equipment for NMCB-5, paint it tan (it was green), and have it ready for shipment within a week. Over 200 pieces of trucks and construction equipment. Since I had some automotive background I was quickly thrown into the fray. First the light truck shop working 12 hours shifts (does tis sound familiar?) and then in the heavy equipment shop. Ended up getting my military drivers license up to 5 ton as a result. Was a very interesting time.

Better find that pillow.

 

Bob

[laz 57]

Hi GUYZ,

  30 here going up to 62.  Trout fishing this afternoon and fire afterwards.  Gotta clean house and wash floor this morning.

FIFE, Os are going to do it this year.  They're 1-0!!!!

CHUCK, to your better half!  Be nice to your WIFE, give her a BIG KISS and a HUG today.  Not a Hersheys kiss either.

DON, SHAKE & BAKE, yes the HENRY CLAY is a VULCAN 0-4-0 made in the VULCAN LOCOMOTIVE WORKS in Wilkes Barre, Pa. in 1928. HENRY turns 84 this year and it is the 50th Anniversery of running at the Pioneer Tunnel.  Ironic thing about HENRY is when they found these engines they were working just outside of Hazleton Pa., where I grew up.  They were placed in a junk yard and sold for scrap.  Someone from the town of Ashland Pa. found out about them, there is two engines, and purchased them for about 12k.  A great deal back in '60s. Cleaned them up laid track and started running them.  I started volunteering there 3 years ago and new nothing about them.  When told my MOM the story of how they were purchased, she who knows nothing about steam engines asked if they were LOKIES.  I said yes and then she told me that our next door neighbors both brothers, who lived next to each other, had run steam engines for the mining operation after the war until they scrapped these two engines.  I said WOW!  Never knew it and always talked to these GUYZ when I was 5 years old until they passed away.  I knew they worked in the mines but never knew they were engineers on the same engine that I had the opportuity to drive some 50+ years since they last did.  So if they have a VULCAN there, lets buy it?  I can fly out there with extra parts we have here fix it up and get r going again.  Might have to get new parts and I'll have to bring out lots o coal but hey its worth a shot?  Now that your body is getting into shape.  What do ya say DON?  We might have a problem finding track?  HENRY runs on 42 inch *** gauge(name of the Narrow gauge for this Vulcan engine).  Keep up the good work DON.

Stayfrosty,

laz57

[sir james I]

41 with sun. lite frost this morning. We are going to have a chilly week. Chuck Happy Birthday to your bride. 68s ok I still have trouble knowing it's my turn to be old. Got the grass cut yesterday and with 60s this afternoon I will go out and do the trimming. 1 egg, 1 toast, 1 hash browm patty, not as good as home made, and 1 slice of SPAM...S.J.

[RockIsland52]

Good Mornin' Y'all From Crystal Clear But a Cold Mid 30s Taxachusetts,

Drought continues and no rain in the near term forecast.  Brushfires will be next.

It's 9 degrees on the top of Mt. Washington NH 175 miles North of here this morning.  Got me to wondering if Bob wears long underwear when he is up on the mountain.

CHUCK........ to your wifey on her upcoming birthday.  At 28 she is one year younger than my wife.   If you are short on ideas for her present, jewelry ALWAYS works for me.  Gift certificates are popular with the wifey too.  Like for a massage.  Nails, facial, and hair salon as backups.  Some of the things they would not splurge on themselves.

Jack

[dwiemer]

Good morning from a absolutely wonderful southwest Georgia!  Not sure what the temp is, bit we have the doors open and the sun is coming through the trees.  Did not get called in last night, but will have to head in soon to do rounds on patients.

I ordered some track from the Train-station to complete the trolley line, that will be here on Tuesday.  Since I was at it, I also ordered some figures to populate some sections of town.  It is coming along, but much slower than I'd like.  

Not sure what to make for Easter dinner.  Being so far from family, we usually just wing it.  Don't have to put much planning into things.  I will pick up some propane for the grill and a spare.  

Fife, regarding Thomas Kinkade, sad thing.  He was talented.  We have several of his paintings around our house, and will likely get some more.  Right after reading your post, my bride mentioned it, hard to believe as young as he was.

Well, I had better get ready to head in.  Have a blessed day.

Dennis

[ChiefEagles]

Morning all.  Was it Yankee chilly last night and this morning.  No frost.  Warming fast.  Getting ready to go run the train.  Went to Tractor Supply last night and got overalls.  Got to go find my engineer's cap and red bandana.  I'll show Mr. Shake and Bake up.

Fifey, you getting more and more "crew members".  Congrats.

Will have to have some extra guards to insure that the Buckeye stays above the "line".

In-laws this afternoon late for bar-be-wued chicken and ham.

Later.   

[fifedog]

Chief - Funny how life doesn't wait for our plans... Thank you.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Well, looking at the SD27J this morning I decided I didn't like the air tank setup and ripped them off. I made a much simpler setup that looks more functional and won't be mistaken for a Mythbusters experiment.

[anjdevil2]

Good (almost) afternoon!

Holy Saturday today, I'm almost out of work....

Breezy and up to 60F today, BRIGHT sunshine for the day.

Happy Birthday to Mrs Blueberry!

Jeff for your Mom....hope improvements occur soon!

Blownout - for your friend

Surprise cold hit full force last night, running and dripping nose....yuk!  On Dayquil right now, not so drippy right now.

Hope to either get to finish the neon or roll the roadrunner out of the garage and work on that for a bit.  Paint and interior look good, just need the mechanicals to be finished....that is where I fit in....

Princess had to work 5 - 10 tonight, then 10 to 10 tomorrrow (yes Fife...HEATHENS!!!).  We're planning on midnight or late mass tonight so she can sleep later tomorrow.

Looks like just the immediate family tomorrow, the DC family cancelled due to college scheduleing conflicts, less the Princess.

Enjoy your day, I'll try to get back tomorrow, if not HAPPY EASTER!!

 

[wrmcclellan]

Morning all!

Beautiful day here! 60's this morning. Sat out on the porch reading the paper and enjoying coffee with the Ms. Then we made bacon, eggs, and toast. excellent morning.

Yard work on the agenda today.

Chuck - Happy Birthday to your bride! Follow LAZ's instructions carefully!

Have a great day everyone!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I'm toying with the idea of making one of my SDP40F's into a torpedo tube SDP40F. In other words roof mounted air tanks. I don't think anybody's done that before. And why the heck am I doing it? Why not! I cut several pieces of bamboo skewer to use for the torpedo tubes. Two are 2 and 5/16ths inches and two are 3/4's of an inch. The photos below show a test fitting. I don't know if I'll be using the short pieces.

[cheapclassics]

Good afternoon all,

IIASBDISEI with temps in 60s.  Did some errands and some chores around the house.  Taxes are DONE.   I am sure RI52 will be pleased (or disappointed).  Stayed up way too late reading a murder mystery by Anne Holt, who is from Norway (why would I be interested in a story based there???? lol).  Also got to watch the Indy car race from Alabama on a video.  Beautiful track.  May have to venture South sometime to see it. Going to see "American Reunion" tonight if the theater not too full.   I had streusel on the dining car for breakfast.  TBIL after the movie and I can drive.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

 

 

 

[rtraincollector]

Evening all not a lot happening today. Worked a normal shift 7a to 3:30P . sold a couple of things on the bay now just waiting for payment on the big sale. Still have other things up for sale.

Hope all have a good Easter tomorrow I have to work a normal shift but will have Easter dinner with wife when I get home. Traditional ham with mash potatoes, corn bread, green beans, ect ect

Talk to you all later have a good weekend all

[SPMan]

Good afternoon all,

It has been quite a day.  Started off this morning with wife waking me up complaining of chest pains.  Took her to the ER and we spent all morning there.  I finally went home to eat lunch and went back when they released her around 3:00 PM.  She did not have a heart attack and all the test they did came back negative.  They weren't sure what caused the pain yet but ruled out anything that could kill you.  She feels fine now and is pain free.  The doctor told her to take Tylenol and Ibuprofin if the pain comes back plus see her regular doctor next week.

Picked up a few things at the store to complete Easter dinner tomorrow.  Refrigerator is stuffed to the hilt.

D.Baker, that word "foamer" was used as a derogatory word to put down rail fans by some of the people on the railroad.  The implication was that the railfan would foam at the mouth like a mad dog when he saw a train.  I personally hate the term.  In fact some of the guys who used it were closet rail fans themselves.

Laz, if you buy that Vulcan out here at Knott's you might have trouble getting it through security at the airport..

Chief, what's this I hear about you running/driving a train?  Shake and Bake says it's on rubber tires.  That doesn't count.

Jeffrey, hope you get some better news soon about your mom.

Plan getting Chinese take out tonight and just take it easy.

later,

Ray

[sir james I]

62 now

We had an off/on active day. Some parts of the day were busy but I still snuck in some couch time. Got the yard trimmed, granny's got apple pie and a bunny cake ready for tomorrow. Now I will wait for the thingy crew..S.J.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Mother's condition: Not good. Her blood pressure dropped to very low. They're doing what they can to get it back up. She's conscious for short periods. That's all I know at this time.

Time to call it a night. Worked on roof mounted air tanks (torpedo tubes) for one of my SDP40F's today. Got them painted and mounted in place. It looks better than I thought it would. Good night.

[wrmcclellan]

Jeffrey -  for your mother. I hope things improve soon for her.

Got more digging done and ready to sod the next area but that will probably have to wait until next weekend. I have a very large pile of dirt next to the garage in a side yard we do not use. Will have to debate hauling it to the land fill myself or paying someone to dig it out and remove it. I have thought about putting a pad there to park the boat or one of the cars.

Familiy doing Easter services tomorrow and then we are going out for a late lunch after. Plan to take it easy the rest of the day.

Happy Easter all!

[ChiefEagles]

Good night.  Tired!!!  Hauled kids [parents and grandparents too] for three and one half hours.  Some waited in line over an hour to ride.  No special training to run Thomas.  We taveled up and down hills and across a bridge over the great river [a creek].  I finally had to get the people to stop selling tickets.  When we finished, that was the only item left in the park.  Everything and everyone else had left.  Shake and Bake is just trying to impress us.  Photos of me in my overalls, stripped cap and red bandana are on the way.  Had them taken with my camera.  The pretty Chamber lady borrowed it to get photos of the whole event as her camera quit on her.  She is downloading and emailing mine.

fifedog

Chief - Funny how life doesn't wait for our plans... Thank you.

With faith, you will find that the Lord knows best.  He will even take tragedies and turn them into good things.

Prayers for Jeffrey's Mom.

Happy and safe Easter to all.

[blownout cylinder]

Good Evening

Got back from hospital to see friend. He appears to have stabilized a tad. Still hooked up/wired up with all manner of monitors and IV this that and t'other but he is doing a bit better. Fever still running 102-103 though...

After we went there we went to treat ourselves with something that I am going to probs pay for...ice  cream. ...so far, my numbers have stayed below...

Tomorrow will be a quiet day...unless a certain phonecall shows up

 to all in need...

[dwiemer]

Good evening everyone.  Had come home from hospital and did a whole lot of nothing.  They had paged me about a potential case, but I elected to stay home and wait it out.  As it is, they never did call me a second time.  Over the years, I have learned that when on call, don't get involved in anything you can't leave quickly.  Second, don't hang around the hospital for a "possible" as too many hours are wasted.  I have become proficient in my skills that I can get there and handle what is thrown at me in plenty of time as so much else needs to be done before I am needed.

Chief, looking forward to the photos.  I am sure you did a great job with all the guests.  It is a good problem to have when you actually have to request that they stop selling tickets.  It beats begging people....."don't you want to ride the train?"

Fife, Chief had some wise words there.  I have found that seldom is God's timing in line with what I think it should be, but it is always for the best.  If things had gone the way I had prayed, I would have been married to the wrong person, being limited in my career, and certainly nowhere near as happy.  I have regretted times when I have pushed for things the way and time I wanted.  Now I know it is not about Me, it is about Him!  And tomorrow is the stark reminder of that.

Jeff, sorry to hear about your mom's health.  I will pray for her and for your family.  May God guide the folks taking care of her and may He bring peace and comfort to the whole family.

God Bless,

Dennis

[Brutus]

SPMan and Jeffrey - prayers men! 

Nice chat with the guys tonight.  Today was mostly a lazy day.  I did find out I need to bring in my old battery when I buy a new one for the mower, otherwise I have to pay a $10 fee?  I just said fine, I'll be back in a couple days then - it was about to rain anyway, so I wasn't going to mow the lawn today at that point.

Poor Chewy keeps looking for the family - every little sound and she's checking the doors.  They'll be back home tomorrow, so that's cool.

Can't wait to see the pics, Chief!

TARDIS is ready, so let's get going!

[submmbob]

Hello all

Another quiet night on the hill. Got my errands and groceries taken care of today in town. A little less sleep, but I will sleep good tomorrow. Even managed to call a few folks tonight before it got too late.

Don - love the stories! I know what the blower is for and where it is, but where is an atomizer and it's purpose in a steam locomotive? Keep it up!

Blownout Cyl - Continued prayers for your friend

Jeffrey - thoughts and prayers for your mom. And the air tanks look good. Always like the look of air tanks on a diesel. Give it a little clutter!

OK, so more on my trip to the USS Iowa:

Went straight from the airport to the ship the first day. Lots of scaffolding and such since they are having the upper deck power washed and painted by a contractor.

Met the folks. Great crew there. Signed the paperwork saying that if I fell overboard or down a ladder it wasn't their fault and also got a safety briefing. Got a quick tour by my friend and we started getting together the tools we would need to work on the fore deck.

After 20 years in mothballs the decks need a lot of work. Water had gotten under the wood in many places and started to rust the deck in places. The worst of the decks are being stripped off, repainted, and then the wood will be replaced. My job was to cut off all the little welded bolts that held on the planking.  There are quite a few of them.

A lot of time was spent walking back and forth to find tools and of course me finding my way in an 880 foot long, 1200 compartment ship. We were working on the bow. A lot of the tools were locked up in the aviation locker which is aft. Add to this that they had the ship compartmented for dehumidification in storage and you have to go up, down, and over to get thru blocked off areas. Kind of like a floating crossword puzzle. But with help we managed to get a fair bit cleaned up on the fore deck. Here's the bow forward of where we were working which they have done a nice job on.

And yes, RT, the starboard anchor is missing. Both of them were out when she was up in Suisun Bay and they had trouble bringing one aboard before they moved her to Richmond (small wonder, no steam on the windlass). It was retrieved later and will be returned to the ship (hopefully before she leaves for LA, otherwise the shipping will be horrendous...

That was pretty much it for the first day. What amazed me most about being on the ship, in addition to the complexity, was the integration of 40 years of different systems. What needed to be updated was, plus complete new systems installed. But a lot of basic systems from the original build were maintained. And these things were really organized around their mission, the gunnery and critical systems such as propulsion. Everything else, and everyone, was stuffed around it.

I'll break this into days to minimize the lengths of the posts.

Happy Easter All!

Bob

P.S. I think NavyJack would be proud